Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not ask US President Donald Trump to mediate in the Kashmir issue.

"As S Jaishankar ji said Kashmir issue was not discussed in President Trump &amp; PM Modi meeting. There is no question of mediation in Kashmir issue as it will be against the Shimla agreement," said Singh.

On Tuesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/any-mediation-with-pakistan-will-require-end-to-cross-border-terrorism-s-jaishankar-on-trumps-remarks-on-kashmir-issue-237840">External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar</a>, in both the houses of Parliament, rejected Trump's claim that PM Modi discussed Kashmir issue with him. 
 
This is also a question of the nation's pride, he said. "We can accept everything. We can compromise on anything but we cannot compromise at the cost of our nation's pride."

"I would like to categorically assure the House that no such request has been made by PM Modi," Jaishankar said.

"It has been India's consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally. Any engagement with Pakistan would require an end to cross-border terrorism," Jaishankar told Parliamentarians.

On Monday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-offers-to-mediate-on-kashmir-issue-during-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-report-237780">Donald Trump said that PM Modi</a> had asked him to mediate on Kashmir while he was hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Oval office.

"I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago and we talked about this subject (Kashmir). And he actually said, 'would you like to be a mediator or arbitrator?' I said, 'where?' (PM Modi said) 'Kashmir'," Trump said.

Explaining his position, Trump said, "I would love to be a mediator, Its impossible to believe, two incredible countries that are very, very smart with very smart leadership can't solve a problem. But if you would want me to mediate or arbitrate, I would be willing to do." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not ask US President Donald Trump to mediate in the Kashmir issue. "As S Jaishankar ji said Kashmir issue was not discussed in President Trump & PM Modi meeting.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not ask US President Donald Trump to mediate in the Kashmir issue. "As S Jaishankar ji said Kashmir issue was not discussed in President Trump & PM Modi meeting. There is no question of mediation in Kashmir issue as it will be against the Shimla agreement," said Singh. On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in both the houses of Parliament, rejected Trump's claim that PM Modi discussed Kashmir issue with him. This is also a question of the nation's pride, he said. "We can accept everything. We can compromise on anything but we cannot compromise at the cost of our nation's pride." "I would like to categorically assure the House that no such request has been made by PM Modi," Jaishankar said. "It has been India's consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally. Any engagement with Pakistan would require an end to cross-border terrorism," Jaishankar told Parliamentarians. On Monday, Donald Trump said that PM Modi had asked him to mediate on Kashmir while he was hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Oval office. "I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago and we talked about this subject (Kashmir). And he actually said, 'would you like to be a mediator or arbitrator?' I said, 'where?' (PM Modi said) 'Kashmir'," Trump said. Explaining his position, Trump said, "I would love to be a mediator, Its impossible to believe, two incredible countries that are very, very smart with very smart leadership can't solve a problem. But if you would want me to mediate or arbitrate, I would be willing to do." (With inputs from agencies)

No question of mediation in Kashmir issue: Rajnath Singh on Donald Trump's claim

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said his recent visit to Kargil had renewed his confidence and respect for the Indian Army.

Speaking at a function organised by Veterans India here, Singh said, "During my visit to Kargil, I saw the tall peaks which our brave soldiers managed to win back after defeating Pakistani soldiers positioned on them during the Kargil war. I listened to all the stories of how our brave soldiers recaptured Kargil, I heard the names of brave personnel like Captain Vikram Batra who were ready to sacrifice their life for the nation. It made me respect them even more."

The Defence Minister had visited the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on Saturday and paid tributes to soldiers who had laid down their lives in the 1999 war with Pakistan.

Singh was in Jammu and Kashmir for a day-long visit ahead of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

"The courage showed by the Indian Army soldiers in other wars as well to protect the integrity of the nation is unparalleled to that of any other country in my opinion," Singh added.

He said that in his term as Defence Minister of the nation he will try to ensure that the ex-servicemen and serving personnel face no hardships.

"I will try to do whatever I can to ensure there are no questions raised on your honour and dedication and of that of the soldiers serving today," he added.

He also spoke about his decision of going to Siachen immediately after he took charge of his post in the Union Cabinet.

"On the second day of taking charge as Defence Minister, I went on a trip to Siachen after consulting the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. My reason for undertaking this trip was to understand what it felt like to be a soldier standing on the border before I start taking decisions for their good," he said.

"It helped me make decisions for their welfare, it helped me keep them in the centre before taking any decision for their benefit," Singh added.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said his recent visit to Kargil had renewed his confidence and respect for the Indian Army. Speaking at a function organised by Veterans India here, Singh said, "During my visit to Kargil, I saw the tall peaks which our brave soldiers managed to win back after defeating Pakistani soldiers positioned on them during the Kargil war.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said his recent visit to Kargil had renewed his confidence and respect for the Indian Army. Speaking at a function organised by Veterans India here, Singh said, "During my visit to Kargil, I saw the tall peaks which our brave soldiers managed to win back after defeating Pakistani soldiers positioned on them during the Kargil war. I listened to all the stories of how our brave soldiers recaptured Kargil, I heard the names of brave personnel like Captain Vikram Batra who were ready to sacrifice their life for the nation. It made me respect them even more." The Defence Minister had visited the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on Saturday and paid tributes to soldiers who had laid down their lives in the 1999 war with Pakistan. Singh was in Jammu and Kashmir for a day-long visit ahead of Kargil Vijay Diwas. "The courage showed by the Indian Army soldiers in other wars as well to protect the integrity of the nation is unparalleled to that of any other country in my opinion," Singh added. He said that in his term as Defence Minister of the nation he will try to ensure that the ex-servicemen and serving personnel face no hardships. "I will try to do whatever I can to ensure there are no questions raised on your honour and dedication and of that of the soldiers serving today," he added. He also spoke about his decision of going to Siachen immediately after he took charge of his post in the Union Cabinet. "On the second day of taking charge as Defence Minister, I went on a trip to Siachen after consulting the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. My reason for undertaking this trip was to understand what it felt like to be a soldier standing on the border before I start taking decisions for their good," he said. "It helped me make decisions for their welfare, it helped me keep them in the centre before taking any decision for their benefit," Singh added.

Kargil visit induced in me new-found respect for Indian Army: Rajnath Singh

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/rajnath-singh-holds-high-level-meet-after-taking-charge-as-defence-minister-223394">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh</a> will visit Kargil on July 20 to pay tributes to soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil War.

On July 14, a `Victory Flame` was lit by Singh at the National War Memorial in Delhi, which will reach Drass in Jammu and Kashmir on July 26 to commemorate India`s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict.

The flame would traverse through 11 towns and cities and finally culminate at Drass where it will be merged with the eternal flame at the Kargil War Memorial."I pay tribute to our soldiers who gave their lives for the country. I also pay respect to the family members of those soldiers," Singh had said on the occasion.

The event was also attended by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh and several senior officers.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War and the milestone is being celebrated grandly by the Indian Army to rekindle the pride and valour of all the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Kargil on July 20 to pay tributes to soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil War. On July 14, a `Victory Flame` was lit by Singh at the National War Memorial in Delhi, which will reach Drass in Jammu and Kashmir on July 26 to commemorate India`s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Kargil on July 20 to pay tributes to soldiers who laid down their lives in the Kargil War. On July 14, a `Victory Flame` was lit by Singh at the National War Memorial in Delhi, which will reach Drass in Jammu and Kashmir on July 26 to commemorate India`s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict. The flame would traverse through 11 towns and cities and finally culminate at Drass where it will be merged with the eternal flame at the Kargil War Memorial."I pay tribute to our soldiers who gave their lives for the country. I also pay respect to the family members of those soldiers," Singh had said on the occasion. The event was also attended by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh and several senior officers. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War and the milestone is being celebrated grandly by the Indian Army to rekindle the pride and valour of all the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay.

Rajnath Singh to visit Kargil on July 20

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday&nbsp;hailed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-win-for-india-icj-grants-consular-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav-236703">verdict of International Court of Justice on Kulbhushan Jadhav</a>.

Calling it a "big victory for India", Singh said, "International Court of Justice has directed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-verdict-today-at-international-court-of-justice-236670">Pakistan</a> to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav."

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari termed the judgement as&nbsp;a "big diplomatic win" on Twitter.

"It's a big diplomatic win for India. I Congratulate our Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Former EAM @SushmaSwaraj ji, and Senior Advocate Harish Salve for their tireless efforts in the matter of Mr Kulbhudhan Jadhav. @harishsalvee," he said.

"They brought this matter to the International Court and proved that he is innocent. We wish the son of Ma Bharti returns at the earliest," he added.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also welcomed the ICJ judgement on Jadhav and hoped&nbsp;for the return of the "son of soil".

Kejriwal said, "I warmly welcome the ICJ judgment staying the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav &amp; granting consular access to India. Truth and justice prevails. This son of our soil must be back soon with his family."

Earlier former Union Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-welcomes-icjs-verdict-in-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-thanks-pm-modi-harish-salve-236715">Sushma Swaraj </a>had welcomed the judgement and called it "great victory" for India.

In a big win for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday gave&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-verdict-today-at-international-court-of-justice-236670">consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav</a>, who was arrested and given death sentence by Pakistan on charges of espionage.

Upholding India's stand that Pakistan has violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-what-is-the-international-court-of-justice-and-how-does-it-work-236692">&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;</a>said that Jadhav's trial by a military court in Pakistan is not accepted thereby stopping his execution.

The death sentence by a Pakistani military court was questioned by India, which said its based on an "extracted confession".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-a-profile-236673">Jadhav</a>, a former Indian navy commander, was arrested in Pakistan in March 2016 and convicted of spying.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday hailed the verdict of International Court of Justice on Kulbhushan Jadhav. Calling it a "big victory for India", Singh said, "International Court of Justice has directed Pakistan to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday hailed the verdict of International Court of Justice on Kulbhushan Jadhav. Calling it a "big victory for India", Singh said, "International Court of Justice has directed Pakistan to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav." Union Minister Nitin Gadkari termed the judgement as a "big diplomatic win" on Twitter. "It's a big diplomatic win for India. I Congratulate our Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Former EAM @SushmaSwaraj ji, and Senior Advocate Harish Salve for their tireless efforts in the matter of Mr Kulbhudhan Jadhav. @harishsalvee," he said. "They brought this matter to the International Court and proved that he is innocent. We wish the son of Ma Bharti returns at the earliest," he added. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also welcomed the ICJ judgement on Jadhav and hoped for the return of the "son of soil". Kejriwal said, "I warmly welcome the ICJ judgment staying the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav & granting consular access to India. Truth and justice prevails. This son of our soil must be back soon with his family." Earlier former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj had welcomed the judgement and called it "great victory" for India. In a big win for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday gave consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested and given death sentence by Pakistan on charges of espionage. Upholding India's stand that Pakistan has violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, the ICJ said that Jadhav's trial by a military court in Pakistan is not accepted thereby stopping his execution. The death sentence by a Pakistani military court was questioned by India, which said its based on an "extracted confession". Jadhav, a former Indian navy commander, was arrested in Pakistan in March 2016 and convicted of spying.

It is no doubt a big victory for India: Rajnath Singh on ICJ verdict

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the Indian and Chinese forces were observing "full restraint" at Doklam, where a standoff had taken place between the two sides in 2017, and noted that infrastructure was being ramped up along the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-should-india-do-if-china-sticks-to-its-wide-territorial-claims-209197">border with China </a>to ensure security.

Responding to a concern raised by Congress member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha about alleged intrusion China at Demchok sector, Singh said that the government was fully aware of security requirements of the country.

He said that the security requirements are reviewed from time to time and appropriate decisions are taken.

He said both the countries are following existing agreements so that peace and tranquillity are ensured on the border.

"The infrastructure on India-China borders such as road, tunnel, railway line and airfield is being developed to ensure the country's security and integrity," he said.

Singh said that standoff at Doklam between the two countries that occurred in August 2017 was resolved and the government has already stated its position.

"Both sides are observing full restraint at Doklam," he said.

Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had given strategic guidance to their forces following the Wuhan informal summit last year so that there is better dialogue, mutual confidence is created and management of border affairs improves.

He said that while there was dialogue at the political level between special representatives of two countries on outstanding issues related to the border, there were other mechanisms including Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) which has regular meetings.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the Indian and Chinese forces were observing "full restraint" at Doklam, where a standoff had taken place between the two sides in 2017, and noted that infrastructure was being ramped up along the border with China to ensure security.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the Indian and Chinese forces were observing "full restraint" at Doklam, where a standoff had taken place between the two sides in 2017, and noted that infrastructure was being ramped up along the border with China to ensure security. Responding to a concern raised by Congress member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha about alleged intrusion China at Demchok sector, Singh said that the government was fully aware of security requirements of the country. He said that the security requirements are reviewed from time to time and appropriate decisions are taken. He said both the countries are following existing agreements so that peace and tranquillity are ensured on the border. "The infrastructure on India-China borders such as road, tunnel, railway line and airfield is being developed to ensure the country's security and integrity," he said. Singh said that standoff at Doklam between the two countries that occurred in August 2017 was resolved and the government has already stated its position. "Both sides are observing full restraint at Doklam," he said. Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had given strategic guidance to their forces following the Wuhan informal summit last year so that there is better dialogue, mutual confidence is created and management of border affairs improves. He said that while there was dialogue at the political level between special representatives of two countries on outstanding issues related to the border, there were other mechanisms including Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) which has regular meetings.

Government ramping up infrastructure along border with China: Rajnath Singh

The Defence Ministry on Monday issued four tenders worth over Rs 15,000 crore for the acquisition of warships and craft for the Navy and the Coast Guard.

"While the RFP for 6 Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) has been issued to seven shipyards, RFPs for 8 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), 12 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) and 8 Missile-cum-Ammunition Barges have been issued to shortlisted Indian shipyards," the ministry said in a release.

The RFP for hovercrafts also includes the initial requirement for six of these vessels of the Indian Army.

"In addition to the above, few more RFPs for more shipbuilding projects are likely to be issued in the next few months," the ministry said.

In order to make the process of qualifying the shipyards for the issue of RFPs for shipbuilding projects of various ships and craft of the Navy and the Coast Guard more objective and to encourage participation by a larger number of Indian shipyards, an exercise was undertaken by the ministry along with the Navy and the Coast Guard.

This led to the rationalisation of guidelines for the capacity assessment of shipyards that have been promulgated recently.

Rationalisation and promulgation of financial selection criteria have paved the way for issue of RFPs for a large number of shipbuilding projects that have been pending.

"In a significant move to encourage smaller shipyards, participation in the projects with the anticipated annual outflow of less than Rs 75 crore has been restricted to smaller shipyards having an average annual turnover less than Rs 500 crore," the release said.

In addition to a wide application in military and coastal surveillance, Air Cushion Vehicles have substantial potential in the commercial sector like civil transportation, disaster management and tourism.

Considering the need for absorbing the relevant design and construction technology for building these craft in India at affordable cost, a feature to encourage joint development of design by Indian shipyards in collaboration with a foreign design house of ACVs or by sourcing the design for construction of ACVs with substantial Indian content has been included in the RFP for ACVs.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The Defence Ministry on Monday issued four tenders worth over Rs 15,000 crore for the acquisition of warships and craft for the Navy and the Coast Guard. "While the RFP for 6 Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) has been issued to seven shipyards, RFPs for 8 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), 12 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) and 8 Missile-cum-Ammunition Barges have been issued to shortlisted Indian shipyards," the ministry said in a release.

The Defence Ministry on Monday issued four tenders worth over Rs 15,000 crore for the acquisition of warships and craft for the Navy and the Coast Guard. "While the RFP for 6 Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) has been issued to seven shipyards, RFPs for 8 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), 12 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) and 8 Missile-cum-Ammunition Barges have been issued to shortlisted Indian shipyards," the ministry said in a release. The RFP for hovercrafts also includes the initial requirement for six of these vessels of the Indian Army. "In addition to the above, few more RFPs for more shipbuilding projects are likely to be issued in the next few months," the ministry said. In order to make the process of qualifying the shipyards for the issue of RFPs for shipbuilding projects of various ships and craft of the Navy and the Coast Guard more objective and to encourage participation by a larger number of Indian shipyards, an exercise was undertaken by the ministry along with the Navy and the Coast Guard. This led to the rationalisation of guidelines for the capacity assessment of shipyards that have been promulgated recently. Rationalisation and promulgation of financial selection criteria have paved the way for issue of RFPs for a large number of shipbuilding projects that have been pending. "In a significant move to encourage smaller shipyards, participation in the projects with the anticipated annual outflow of less than Rs 75 crore has been restricted to smaller shipyards having an average annual turnover less than Rs 500 crore," the release said. In addition to a wide application in military and coastal surveillance, Air Cushion Vehicles have substantial potential in the commercial sector like civil transportation, disaster management and tourism. Considering the need for absorbing the relevant design and construction technology for building these craft in India at affordable cost, a feature to encourage joint development of design by Indian shipyards in collaboration with a foreign design house of ACVs or by sourcing the design for construction of ACVs with substantial Indian content has been included in the RFP for ACVs.

Defence Ministry issues 4 tenders of over Rs 15,000 crore for Navy, Coast Guard vessels

Pakistan violated the ceasefire 1,248 times along the Line of Control (LoC) in the last six months, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/navy-has-important-role-in-act-east-policy-rajnath-singh-231823">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh</a> said in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday.

The Minister in his reply to a question by BJP leader Vijay Pal Singh Tomar also informed that four Army jawans were killed in these ceasefire violations (CFVs) by Pakistan.

Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required has been carried out by Indian Army, the Defence Minister said.

"All violations of ceasefire and infiltration are taken up with Pakistan authorities at the appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meeting, Directorate Generals of Military Operations talks as well as diplomatic channels between the two countries," he added.

In the month of March, 267 ceasefire violations took place. In the same month, a total of three Army jawans were killed. Another jawan was killed in the month of January.

The first three months of the year saw a spike in ceasefire violations. However, during the next three months, the number of ceasefire violations dropped.

Giving details of the CFVs, the minister said - 203 ceasefire violations took place in January, 215 in February, 267 in March, 234 in April, 221 in May and 108 in June.&nbsp;

Pakistan violated the ceasefire 1,248 times along the Line of Control (LoC) in the last six months, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire 1,248 times along the Line of Control (LoC) in the last six months, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday. The Minister in his reply to a question by BJP leader Vijay Pal Singh Tomar also informed that four Army jawans were killed in these ceasefire violations (CFVs) by Pakistan. Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required has been carried out by Indian Army, the Defence Minister said. "All violations of ceasefire and infiltration are taken up with Pakistan authorities at the appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meeting, Directorate Generals of Military Operations talks as well as diplomatic channels between the two countries," he added. In the month of March, 267 ceasefire violations took place. In the same month, a total of three Army jawans were killed. Another jawan was killed in the month of January. The first three months of the year saw a spike in ceasefire violations. However, during the next three months, the number of ceasefire violations dropped. Giving details of the CFVs, the minister said - 203 ceasefire violations took place in January, 215 in February, 267 in March, 234 in April, 221 in May and 108 in June.

1,248 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in last six months: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that he will leave "no stone unturned to lift the morale of armed forces".&nbsp;

Singh, who took charge as the defence minister earlier this month, said he is honoured to get "an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces". Singh was responding to a tweet wherein he was thanked for&nbsp;restoring ration in kind for the families of the officers&nbsp;of the armed forces. "It is the least we can do," Singh tweeted.&nbsp;

"I will leave no stone unturned to lift the morale of armed forces and support their families. It is an honour for me to get an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces," Singh tweeted out.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
. <a href="https://twitter.com/MajDPSingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MajDPSingh</a>, it is the least we can do. 
 
As the Raksha Mantri, I will leave no stone unturned to lift the morale of India’s Armed forces and support their families. 
 
It is an honour for me to get an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces. <a href="https://t.co/If8phj8oM9">https://t.co/If8phj8oM9</a>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1141022083373137920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Singh's statement came when security forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered nearly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-4-terrorists-10-security-personnel-killed-in-7-days-228363">10 casualties in the last seven days</a> while eliminating four terrorists in two districts of Anantnag and Pulwama.&nbsp;

Right after assuming office earlier this month, Singh held a meeting with the top military brass. After taking charge, the former home minister held a meeting with Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and newly appointed Navy chief Karambir Singh.

On June 3, Singh visited the world's highest battlefield - the Siachen Glacier - where he interacted with Army troops and paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

"I salute your spirit, your valour from the bottom of my heart. Jawans and officers in the Armed forces have a sense of pride, that is the strongest sentiment in the heart of any human," Singh had said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that he will leave "no stone unturned to lift the morale of armed forces". Singh, who took charge as the defence minister earlier this month, said he is honoured to get "an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces".

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that he will leave "no stone unturned to lift the morale of armed forces". Singh, who took charge as the defence minister earlier this month, said he is honoured to get "an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces". Singh was responding to a tweet wherein he was thanked for restoring ration in kind for the families of the officers of the armed forces. "It is the least we can do," Singh tweeted. "I will leave no stone unturned to lift the morale of armed forces and support their families. It is an honour for me to get an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces," Singh tweeted out. . @MajDPSingh, it is the least we can do. As the Raksha Mantri, I will leave no stone unturned to lift the morale of India’s Armed forces and support their families. It is an honour for me to get an opportunity to do something for the Armed Forces. https://t.co/If8phj8oM9 — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 18, 2019 × Singh's statement came when security forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered nearly 10 casualties in the last seven days while eliminating four terrorists in two districts of Anantnag and Pulwama. Right after assuming office earlier this month, Singh held a meeting with the top military brass. After taking charge, the former home minister held a meeting with Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and newly appointed Navy chief Karambir Singh. On June 3, Singh visited the world's highest battlefield - the Siachen Glacier - where he interacted with Army troops and paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. "I salute your spirit, your valour from the bottom of my heart. Jawans and officers in the Armed forces have a sense of pride, that is the strongest sentiment in the heart of any human," Singh had said.

Will leave no stone unturned to lift morale of armed forces: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation and took note of preparations made by the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy to combat '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-vayu-not-to-hit-gujarat-will-pass-nearby-from-veraval-porbandar-dwarka-imd-226711">very severe cyclonic storm'&nbsp;Vayu</a>.

"Indian Navy Ships in Chennai, Gomati and Deepak at Mumbai have been embarked with High availability disaster recovery (HADR)/ Relief Material, and are ready to be deployed at short notice. In addition, 5000 litres of drinking water is also being embarked on board the Indian Navy ships. Seven Indian Navy aircraft and three helicopters are standby for deployment," Singh said on Thursday.

Moreover, two diving and rescue teams and three medical teams are on standby to render necessary assistance.

"Preparations have been made to set up a community kitchen at Dwarka and Porbandar. Aircraft and helicopters will be deployed for the damage assessment and search and rescue operations as required," he added.

Earlier today, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue Department Pankaj Kumar informed that Cyclone Vayu will pass from Gujarat coastal region in the afternoon, adding that the state government is on alert and people in sensitive areas have been evacuated to safer places.

Flight services have been suspended at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla, while several trains have been diverted. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till June 15.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation and took note of preparations made by the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy to combat 'very severe cyclonic storm' Vayu.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation and took note of preparations made by the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy to combat 'very severe cyclonic storm' Vayu. "Indian Navy Ships in Chennai, Gomati and Deepak at Mumbai have been embarked with High availability disaster recovery (HADR)/ Relief Material, and are ready to be deployed at short notice. In addition, 5000 litres of drinking water is also being embarked on board the Indian Navy ships. Seven Indian Navy aircraft and three helicopters are standby for deployment," Singh said on Thursday. Moreover, two diving and rescue teams and three medical teams are on standby to render necessary assistance. "Preparations have been made to set up a community kitchen at Dwarka and Porbandar. Aircraft and helicopters will be deployed for the damage assessment and search and rescue operations as required," he added. Earlier today, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue Department Pankaj Kumar informed that Cyclone Vayu will pass from Gujarat coastal region in the afternoon, adding that the state government is on alert and people in sensitive areas have been evacuated to safer places. Flight services have been suspended at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla, while several trains have been diverted. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till June 15.

Cyclone Vayu: Rajnath Singh reviews preparations of Indian Coast Guard, Navy

The BJP Wednesday announced its parliamentary party executive committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader in Lok Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the deputy leader.

In Rajya Sabha, Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot, a veteran dalit face of the BJP, has been appointed as leader of the house and his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal as the deputy leader.

Gehlot replaced senior BJP leader and former Union minister Arun Jaitley as leader of the house in Rajya Sabha. Jaitley had requested the leadership to relieve him from key positions in view of his poor health.

Union minister Smriti Irani's induction as a special invitee in the BJP's parliamentary party executive committee underscores elevation in her stature within the party after she defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency.

The party has appointed Sanjay Jaiswal as its chief whip. It also appointed for the first time three women MPs as its whips for women parliamentarians.

Besides these three women whips, 15 other whips for Lok Sabha have also been appointed for parliamentarians from different states. In Lok Sabha, the BJP's strength has increased to 303.

Other special invitees from Lok Sabha to the BJP's parliamentary party executive are Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Arjun Munda, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jual Oram.

The BJP has also appointed six whips for the upper house, where it is the single largest party with 70 members.

Special invitees to the committee from Rajya Sabha are J P Nadda, Om Prakash Mathur, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmedndra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has been reappointed as in-charge of the party's parliamentary office and Balasubrahmanyam Kumarsu as secretary.

The newly constituted BJP parliamentary party executive committee marks a generational shift in the party as party veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who have been its members for a long time, are not part of it, as both are not MPs.&nbsp;

Besides them, senior leaders Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are also not its members.

The first meeting of the executive will be held on June 16 at 3:30 pm, a day before the commencement of Parliament session. The government has also called an all-party meeting in the morning of June 16 which will be chaired by the prime minister.&nbsp;

The BJP Wednesday announced its parliamentary party executive committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader in Lok Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the deputy leader.

The BJP Wednesday announced its parliamentary party executive committee with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leader in Lok Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the deputy leader. In Rajya Sabha, Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot, a veteran dalit face of the BJP, has been appointed as leader of the house and his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal as the deputy leader. Gehlot replaced senior BJP leader and former Union minister Arun Jaitley as leader of the house in Rajya Sabha. Jaitley had requested the leadership to relieve him from key positions in view of his poor health. Union minister Smriti Irani's induction as a special invitee in the BJP's parliamentary party executive committee underscores elevation in her stature within the party after she defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency. The party has appointed Sanjay Jaiswal as its chief whip. It also appointed for the first time three women MPs as its whips for women parliamentarians. Besides these three women whips, 15 other whips for Lok Sabha have also been appointed for parliamentarians from different states. In Lok Sabha, the BJP's strength has increased to 303. Other special invitees from Lok Sabha to the BJP's parliamentary party executive are Nitin Gadkari, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Arjun Munda, Narendra Singh Tomar and Jual Oram. The BJP has also appointed six whips for the upper house, where it is the single largest party with 70 members. Special invitees to the committee from Rajya Sabha are J P Nadda, Om Prakash Mathur, Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmedndra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar. BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has been reappointed as in-charge of the party's parliamentary office and Balasubrahmanyam Kumarsu as secretary. The newly constituted BJP parliamentary party executive committee marks a generational shift in the party as party veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who have been its members for a long time, are not part of it, as both are not MPs. Besides them, senior leaders Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are also not its members. The first meeting of the executive will be held on June 16 at 3:30 pm, a day before the commencement of Parliament session. The government has also called an all-party meeting in the morning of June 16 which will be chaired by the prime minister.

BJP forms new parliamentary party executive; PM Modi leader in Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh his deputy 

New home minister and BJP president Amit Shah has emerged as a clear number two in PM Modi's&nbsp;2.0 government. All-powerful and important <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-s-jaishankar-enter-cabinet-committee-on-security-224609">Cabinet Committees</a> reconstituted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi are either headed by him or Amit Shah.&nbsp;

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is present in most of the ministries whereas presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is limited to two sub committees. In fact, Rajnath Singh is absent from both Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs and Cabinet Committee of Parliamentary Affairs.

The Cabinet Committee of appointments which deals with the appointment of senior bureaucrats and constitutional bodies only constitutes of Prime Minister and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-pm-modis-right-hand-man-is-indias-new-home-minister-223085">Amit Shah</a>. The Cabinet Committees on Parliamentary Affairs and Accommodation is being headed by Amit Shah himself.

The character of Cabinet Committee of Security remains the same where along with Prime Minister, all top four ministers are present including Rajnath Singh. Rajnath Singh is also part of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

Additionally, the Prime Minister has created Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth and Cabinet Committee on Skill Development and Employment which are being headed by Prime Minister Modi himself.

In most of the Cabinet Committees, Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Railways and Commerce Minister Piyush Goel have been well represented.

New home minister and BJP president Amit Shah has emerged as a clear number two in PM Modi's 2.0 government. All-powerful and important Cabinet Committees reconstituted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi are either headed by him or Amit Shah.

New home minister and BJP president Amit Shah has emerged as a clear number two in PM Modi's 2.0 government. All-powerful and important Cabinet Committees reconstituted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi are either headed by him or Amit Shah. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is present in most of the ministries whereas presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is limited to two sub committees. In fact, Rajnath Singh is absent from both Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs and Cabinet Committee of Parliamentary Affairs. The Cabinet Committee of appointments which deals with the appointment of senior bureaucrats and constitutional bodies only constitutes of Prime Minister and Amit Shah. The Cabinet Committees on Parliamentary Affairs and Accommodation is being headed by Amit Shah himself. The character of Cabinet Committee of Security remains the same where along with Prime Minister, all top four ministers are present including Rajnath Singh. Rajnath Singh is also part of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Additionally, the Prime Minister has created Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth and Cabinet Committee on Skill Development and Employment which are being headed by Prime Minister Modi himself. In most of the Cabinet Committees, Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Railways and Commerce Minister Piyush Goel have been well represented.

Home Minister Amit Shah emerges as clear number 2 in Modi government 2.0

In his first visit as Defence Minister, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-leaves-for-siachen-will-review-security-situation-along-the-borders-223743">Rajnath Singh on Monday visited the world's highest battlefield - the Siachen Glacier</a> - where he interacted with Army troops and paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

"I salute your spirit, your valour from the bottom of my heart. Jawans and officers in the Armed forces have a sense of pride, that is the strongest sentiment in the heart of any human," Singh said while addressing personnel at the Siachen Base Camp.

In a series of tweets, Rajnath lauded the personnel for performing their duty with great courage despite unfavourable terrain.

"Visited a forward post and Siachen base camp today and interacted with the Army personnel serving in this region which is also known as the 'the highest battlefield in the world'," he wrote.

"Our soldiers in Siachen are performing their duty with great courage and fortitude even in extreme conditions and treacherous terrain. I salute their vigour and valour," Rajnath added in another tweet.

The Defence Minister praised the troops and said he will send thank you notes to the parents of the personnel deployed in the area.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Paid tributes to the martyred soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving in Siachen. 
 
More than 1100 soldiers have made supreme sacrifice defending the Siachen Glacier. 
 
The nation will always remain indebted to their service and sacrifice. <a href="https://t.co/buWxgv6Nmg">pic.twitter.com/buWxgv6Nmg</a>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1135466644862464001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I am proud of all Army personnel serving in Siachen who are leaving no stone unturned to defend our motherland. I am also proud of their parents who have sent their children to serve the nation by joining the Armed forces. I will personally send a thank you note to them," another tweet from Rajnath read.

"Paid tributes to the martyred soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving in Siachen. More than 1100 soldiers have made supreme sacrifice defending the Siachen Glacier. The nation will always remain indebted to their service and sacrifice," read another tweet by Singh.

The Defence Minister is accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh and other senior officials from the Defence Ministry.

Rajnath is in Siachen to review the security situation along the borders with Pakistan. Later in the day, he will visit Srinagar and meet Indian Army personnel there.

Watch: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaches 'highest battleground' Siachen

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-reaches-the-highest-battleground-siachen-223869/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

During the day-long visit, the Minister would be briefed about the security situation in the Kashmir valley and the counterinsurgency operations being carried out by the security forces.

After taking over as the Defence Minister on June 1, Rajnath had asked the officers-in-charge of different departments to prepare a detailed presentation for him on the ongoing projects and programmes and brief him on them soon.

The officers have also been asked to complete the projects in a time-bound manner to move effectively towards modernising the armed forces. 
&nbsp;

In his first visit as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Monday visited the world's highest battlefield - the Siachen Glacier - where he interacted with Army troops and paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

In his first visit as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Monday visited the world's highest battlefield - the Siachen Glacier - where he interacted with Army troops and paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. "I salute your spirit, your valour from the bottom of my heart. Jawans and officers in the Armed forces have a sense of pride, that is the strongest sentiment in the heart of any human," Singh said while addressing personnel at the Siachen Base Camp. In a series of tweets, Rajnath lauded the personnel for performing their duty with great courage despite unfavourable terrain. "Visited a forward post and Siachen base camp today and interacted with the Army personnel serving in this region which is also known as the 'the highest battlefield in the world'," he wrote. "Our soldiers in Siachen are performing their duty with great courage and fortitude even in extreme conditions and treacherous terrain. I salute their vigour and valour," Rajnath added in another tweet. The Defence Minister praised the troops and said he will send thank you notes to the parents of the personnel deployed in the area. Paid tributes to the martyred soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving in Siachen. More than 1100 soldiers have made supreme sacrifice defending the Siachen Glacier. The nation will always remain indebted to their service and sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/buWxgv6Nmg — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 3, 2019 × "I am proud of all Army personnel serving in Siachen who are leaving no stone unturned to defend our motherland. I am also proud of their parents who have sent their children to serve the nation by joining the Armed forces. I will personally send a thank you note to them," another tweet from Rajnath read. "Paid tributes to the martyred soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving in Siachen. More than 1100 soldiers have made supreme sacrifice defending the Siachen Glacier. The nation will always remain indebted to their service and sacrifice," read another tweet by Singh. The Defence Minister is accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh and other senior officials from the Defence Ministry. Rajnath is in Siachen to review the security situation along the borders with Pakistan. Later in the day, he will visit Srinagar and meet Indian Army personnel there. Watch: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaches 'highest battleground' Siachen During the day-long visit, the Minister would be briefed about the security situation in the Kashmir valley and the counterinsurgency operations being carried out by the security forces. After taking over as the Defence Minister on June 1, Rajnath had asked the officers-in-charge of different departments to prepare a detailed presentation for him on the ongoing projects and programmes and brief him on them soon. The officers have also been asked to complete the projects in a time-bound manner to move effectively towards modernising the armed forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with troops in Siachen

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said the security of health services in the country was as important as securing the borders of the country.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Yashoda Cancer Hospital in Sanjay Nagar and Raj Nagar area here, Singh noted the present set-up for medical services in the country was not "adequate".

He said private investment in the sector should be promoted through public-private partnership ventures.

The medical faculty (doctors and nurses) to population ratio was poor and needed urgent improvement, he said at the function, which was his first public meet in Ghaziabad after the 2019 Lok Sabha results were declared.

He said the government is mulling over increasing the health budget.

Speaking on the defence sector, Singh said countrymen are living safely due to the efforts of the Army and paramilitary forces.

He said police, intelligence and other forces were working in tandem to check terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lastly, the defence minister noted that communalism is dangerous for the country.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said the security of health services in the country was as important as securing the borders of the country. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Yashoda Cancer Hospital in Sanjay Nagar and Raj Nagar area here, Singh noted the present set-up for medical services in the country was not "adequate".

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said the security of health services in the country was as important as securing the borders of the country. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Yashoda Cancer Hospital in Sanjay Nagar and Raj Nagar area here, Singh noted the present set-up for medical services in the country was not "adequate". He said private investment in the sector should be promoted through public-private partnership ventures. The medical faculty (doctors and nurses) to population ratio was poor and needed urgent improvement, he said at the function, which was his first public meet in Ghaziabad after the 2019 Lok Sabha results were declared. He said the government is mulling over increasing the health budget. Speaking on the defence sector, Singh said countrymen are living safely due to the efforts of the Army and paramilitary forces. He said police, intelligence and other forces were working in tandem to check terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Lastly, the defence minister noted that communalism is dangerous for the country.

Security and health services equally important for the nation: Rajnath Singh

President Ram Nath Kovind as exhorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday coordinated the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-pm-modis-right-hand-man-is-indias-new-home-minister-223085"> assignment of portfolios</a> among members from the Union Council of Ministers.

In the allocation of portfolios to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-is-the-new-foreign-minister-will-replace-sushma-swaraj-223083">newly sworn-in members</a> of the Council of Ministers announced on Monday, most of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nirmala-sitharaman-the-first-full-time-woman-defence-minister-retained-as-union-minister-222866">Cabinet ministers </a>retained their earlier portfolios with Nitin Gadkari getting Road Transport and Highways while Ravi Shankar Prasad, Law and justice, Communications and Electronics and Information and Technology.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/modi-20-prominent-faces-of-the-58-member-ministerial-team-222972">In pics: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team</a>

Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, will retain Textiles Minister along with Women and Child Development Ministry, earlier looked after by Maneka Gandhi.&nbsp;

Watch: All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/all-new-narendra-modi-govt-to-hold-its-first-cabinet-meet-223086/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Dharmendra Pradhan will be looking after Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry again along with Steel Ministry, earlier looked after by Chaudhary Birender Singh.

Here is the list of the council of ministers and their portfolios 

Cabinet Ministers

1. Raj Nath Singh - Minister of Defence

2. Amit Shah - Minister of Home Affairs

3. Nitin Jairam Gadkari - Minister of Road Transport and Highways; and Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

4. D.V. Sadananda Gowda - Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers

5. Nirmala Sitharaman - Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs

6. Ramvilas Paswan - Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

7. Narendra Singh Tomar - Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Minister of Rural Development; and Minister of Panchayati Raj

8. Ravi Shankar Prasad - Minister of Law and Justice; Minister of Communications; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology

9. Harsimrat Kaur Badal - Minister of Food Processing Industries

10. Thaawar Chand Gehlot - Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment

11. Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar - Minister of External Affairs

12. Ramesh Pokhriyal `Nishank` - Minister of Human Resource Development

13 Arjun Munda - Minister of Tribal Affairs

14. Smriti Zubin Irani - Minister of Women and Child Development; and Minister of Textiles

15. Harsh Vardhan - Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Minister of Science and Technology; and Minister of Earth Sciences

16. Prakash Javadekar - Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Minister of Information and Broadcasting

17. Piyush Goyal - Minister of Railways; and Minister of Commerce and Industry

18. Dharmendra Pradhan - Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of Steel

19. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi - Minister of Minority Affairs

20. Pralhad Joshi - Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines

21. Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey - Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

22. Arvind Ganpat Sawant - Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise

23. Giriraj Singh - Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

24. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat - Minister of Jal Shakti

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)&nbsp;

1. Santosh Kumar Gangwar - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment

2. Rao Inderjit Singh - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning

3. Shripad Yesso Naik - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH); and Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence

4. Dr Jitendra Singh - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space

5. Kiren Rijiju - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs

6. Prahalad Singh Patel - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism

7. Raj Kumar Singh - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Power; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

8. Hardeep Singh Puri - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

9. Mansukh L. Mandaviya - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Shipping; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Ministers of State

1. Faggansingh Kulaste - Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel

2. Ashwini Kumar Choubey - Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

3. Arjun Ram Meghwal - Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; andMinister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises

4. General (Retd.) VK Singh - Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

5. Krishan Pal - Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

6. Danve Raosaheb Dadarao - Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

7. G Kishan Reddy - Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs

8. Parshottam Rupala - Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

9. Ramdas Athawale - Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

10. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti - Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development

11. Babul Supriyo - Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

12. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan - Minister of State in the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

13. Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao - Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development; Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications; andMinister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

14. Anurag Singh Thakur - Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance andMinister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs

15. Angadi Suresh Channabasappa - Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways

16. Nityanand Rai - Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs

17. Rattan Lal Kataria - Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

18. V Muraleedharan - Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

19. Renuka Singh Saruta - Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

20. Som Parkash - Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

21. Rameshwar Teli - Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries

22. Pratap Chandra Sarangi - Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

23. Kailash Choudhary - Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

24. Sushri Debasree Chaudhuri - Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

President Ram Nath Kovind as exhorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday coordinated the assignment of portfolios among members from the Union Council of Ministers.

President Ram Nath Kovind as exhorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday coordinated the assignment of portfolios among members from the Union Council of Ministers. In the allocation of portfolios to newly sworn-in members of the Council of Ministers announced on Monday, most of the Cabinet ministers retained their earlier portfolios with Nitin Gadkari getting Road Transport and Highways while Ravi Shankar Prasad, Law and justice, Communications and Electronics and Information and Technology. In pics: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, will retain Textiles Minister along with Women and Child Development Ministry, earlier looked after by Maneka Gandhi. Watch: All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet Dharmendra Pradhan will be looking after Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry again along with Steel Ministry, earlier looked after by Chaudhary Birender Singh. Here is the list of the council of ministers and their portfolios Cabinet Ministers 1. Raj Nath Singh - Minister of Defence 2. Amit Shah - Minister of Home Affairs 3. Nitin Jairam Gadkari - Minister of Road Transport and Highways; and Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 4. D.V. Sadananda Gowda - Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers 5. Nirmala Sitharaman - Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs 6. Ramvilas Paswan - Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution 7. Narendra Singh Tomar - Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Minister of Rural Development; and Minister of Panchayati Raj 8. Ravi Shankar Prasad - Minister of Law and Justice; Minister of Communications; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology 9. Harsimrat Kaur Badal - Minister of Food Processing Industries 10. Thaawar Chand Gehlot - Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment 11. Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar - Minister of External Affairs 12. Ramesh Pokhriyal `Nishank` - Minister of Human Resource Development 13 Arjun Munda - Minister of Tribal Affairs 14. Smriti Zubin Irani - Minister of Women and Child Development; and Minister of Textiles 15. Harsh Vardhan - Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Minister of Science and Technology; and Minister of Earth Sciences 16. Prakash Javadekar - Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Minister of Information and Broadcasting 17. Piyush Goyal - Minister of Railways; and Minister of Commerce and Industry 18. Dharmendra Pradhan - Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of Steel 19. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi - Minister of Minority Affairs 20. Pralhad Joshi - Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines 21. Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey - Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 22. Arvind Ganpat Sawant - Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise 23. Giriraj Singh - Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries 24. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat - Minister of Jal Shakti Ministers of State (Independent Charge) 1. Santosh Kumar Gangwar - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment 2. Rao Inderjit Singh - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning 3. Shripad Yesso Naik - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH); and Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence 4. Dr Jitendra Singh - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space 5. Kiren Rijiju - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs 6. Prahalad Singh Patel - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism 7. Raj Kumar Singh - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Power; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 8. Hardeep Singh Puri - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 9. Mansukh L. Mandaviya - Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Shipping; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Ministers of State 1. Faggansingh Kulaste - Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel 2. Ashwini Kumar Choubey - Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 3. Arjun Ram Meghwal - Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; andMinister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises 4. General (Retd.) VK Singh - Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways 5. Krishan Pal - Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 6. Danve Raosaheb Dadarao - Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution 7. G Kishan Reddy - Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs 8. Parshottam Rupala - Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 9. Ramdas Athawale - Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 10. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti - Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development 11. Babul Supriyo - Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 12. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan - Minister of State in the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries 13. Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao - Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development; Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications; andMinister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 14. Anurag Singh Thakur - Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance andMinister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs 15. Angadi Suresh Channabasappa - Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways 16. Nityanand Rai - Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs 17. Rattan Lal Kataria - Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 18. V Muraleedharan - Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs 19. Renuka Singh Saruta - Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs 20. Som Parkash - Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 21. Rameshwar Teli - Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries 22. Pratap Chandra Sarangi - Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries 23. Kailash Choudhary - Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 24. Sushri Debasree Chaudhuri - Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development (With inputs from agencies)

Cabinet 2.0: Most ministers retain earlier ministries; check complete list

BJP president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-pm-modis-right-hand-man-is-indias-new-home-minister-223085">Amit Shah has been appointed as Home Minister</a> while former Home Minister Rajnath Singh has been given Defence in the portfolios announced today in the BJP's Cabinet as Modi begins his second innings as Prime Minister after the landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-is-the-new-foreign-minister-will-replace-sushma-swaraj-223083">Subrahmanyam Jaishankar</a>, surprise pick in the new Narendra Modi government, will take over as the foreign minister of the country.&nbsp;

The high-profile foreign affairs portfolio was handled by Sushma Swaraj who refused to be part of the new dispensation due to health issues.&nbsp;

Former Defence Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nirmala-sitharaman-the-first-full-time-woman-defence-minister-retained-as-union-minister-222866">Nirmala Sitharaman</a> will take charge as Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs while&nbsp;Ravi Shankar Prasad&nbsp;retained his earlier portfolio&nbsp;of Minister of Law and Justice.&nbsp;

Ramvilas Paswan is Minister of Consumer Affairs while Narendra Singh Tomar has been appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/modi-20-prominent-faces-of-the-58-member-ministerial-team-222972">In pics: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team</a>

DV Sadananda Gowda has been appointed as Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers while Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan and have retained their respective portfolios of Railways and Petroleum.&nbsp;Goyal has also been given Commerce and Industry, a portfolio held by&nbsp;Suresh Prabhu during&nbsp;Modi's first term.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch: All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/smriti-irani-the-return-of-giant-slayer-222868">Smriti Irani,</a> who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from Amethi, has been given Women and Child Development.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Pralhad Joshi has been given Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs while Giriraj Singh is Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.&nbsp;

Harsh Vardhan has been appointed Ministry of Health and Family Welfare while Prakash Javadekar is Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.&nbsp;

Santhosh Kumar Gangwar, Rao Inderjit Singh, Shripad Yesso Naik, Jitendra Singh, Kiren Rijiju and Prahalad Singh Patel have been given independent Charge.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain the Department of Personnel and Training, Atomic Energy and Space as well as all important policy issues and portfolios not allocated.&nbsp;
<img alt="Modi Cabinet 2.0" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c01b7559-64ad-4c4b-8ddb-bdfbc0de7b37" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/modi%20cabinet.jpg" />
Nitin Gadkari considered one of the best performers during the first term of Modi government for his expeditious project implementation, will continue to be the minister for Road Transport and Highways and has also been given charge of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Piyush Goyal, who has presented the interim budget earlier this year and was expected to take over from Jaitley, has been given the Commerce and Industry ministry in addition to his old charge of Railways. However, the Coal ministry has been taken away from him and given to Pralhad Joshi, a new entrant in Modi Government.

Joshi will also be the minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Mines.&nbsp;

A new Ministry of Jal Shakti has been created and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will be its minister.

Ujjwala-man Dharmendra Pradhan retains his Petroleum portfolio and has also been given charge of the Steel ministry.&nbsp;

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal 'Nishank' is the new Human Resource Development minister while Bihar ally and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan remain Consumer Affairs minister.

Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal continues to be the minister of Food Processing Industries, Thawar Chand Gehlot will be the new minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.&nbsp;

Former diplomat Hardeep Puri will be the new minister of state with Independent charge of Civil Aviation while former IAS bureaucrat R K Singh will retain the ministries of Power and Renewable Energy in the same capacity.&nbsp;

Eight-term BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh Santosh Kumar Gangwar will be MoS with Independent charge for Labour and Employment.&nbsp;

The BJP capped a massive mandate by winning a total of 303 seats while the NDA has 353 MPs in the recently elected 17th Lok Sabha.

(With inputs from agencies)

BJP president Amit Shah has been appointed as Home Minister while former Home Minister Rajnath Singh has been given Defence in the portfolios announced today in the BJP's Cabinet as Modi begins his second innings as Prime Minister after the landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

BJP president Amit Shah has been appointed as Home Minister while former Home Minister Rajnath Singh has been given Defence in the portfolios announced today in the BJP's Cabinet as Modi begins his second innings as Prime Minister after the landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, surprise pick in the new Narendra Modi government, will take over as the foreign minister of the country. The high-profile foreign affairs portfolio was handled by Sushma Swaraj who refused to be part of the new dispensation due to health issues. Former Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will take charge as Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs while Ravi Shankar Prasad retained his earlier portfolio of Minister of Law and Justice. Ramvilas Paswan is Minister of Consumer Affairs while Narendra Singh Tomar has been appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. In pics: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team DV Sadananda Gowda has been appointed as Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers while Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan and have retained their respective portfolios of Railways and Petroleum. Goyal has also been given Commerce and Industry, a portfolio held by Suresh Prabhu during Modi's first term. Watch: All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet × Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from Amethi, has been given Women and Child Development. Pralhad Joshi has been given Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs while Giriraj Singh is Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. Harsh Vardhan has been appointed Ministry of Health and Family Welfare while Prakash Javadekar is Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Santhosh Kumar Gangwar, Rao Inderjit Singh, Shripad Yesso Naik, Jitendra Singh, Kiren Rijiju and Prahalad Singh Patel have been given independent Charge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain the Department of Personnel and Training, Atomic Energy and Space as well as all important policy issues and portfolios not allocated. Nitin Gadkari considered one of the best performers during the first term of Modi government for his expeditious project implementation, will continue to be the minister for Road Transport and Highways and has also been given charge of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Piyush Goyal, who has presented the interim budget earlier this year and was expected to take over from Jaitley, has been given the Commerce and Industry ministry in addition to his old charge of Railways. However, the Coal ministry has been taken away from him and given to Pralhad Joshi, a new entrant in Modi Government. Joshi will also be the minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Mines. A new Ministry of Jal Shakti has been created and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will be its minister. Ujjwala-man Dharmendra Pradhan retains his Petroleum portfolio and has also been given charge of the Steel ministry. Former Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal 'Nishank' is the new Human Resource Development minister while Bihar ally and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan remain Consumer Affairs minister. Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal continues to be the minister of Food Processing Industries, Thawar Chand Gehlot will be the new minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Former diplomat Hardeep Puri will be the new minister of state with Independent charge of Civil Aviation while former IAS bureaucrat R K Singh will retain the ministries of Power and Renewable Energy in the same capacity. Eight-term BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh Santosh Kumar Gangwar will be MoS with Independent charge for Labour and Employment. The BJP capped a massive mandate by winning a total of 303 seats while the NDA has 353 MPs in the recently elected 17th Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi 2.0: Rajnath Singh is Defence Minister, Amit Shah Home; Nirmala Sitharaman gets Finance

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/will-make-sedition-law-more-stringent-rajnath-singh-219016">Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh </a>on Thursday said that inflation is not an issue in the ongoing elections as it has been well controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

"If you go through Indian elections` history, you will see inflation was an issue in all of them. People used to sing `Congress sarkar aayi hai, kamartod mehengai layi hai` (Congress government has come and brought high inflation along with it). But 2004 and 2019 are two elections where there were issues but inflation was not one of them," Singh said while addressing an election rally in Himachal Pradesh.

"There was Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s government before 2004 and Narendra Modi`s before 2019. Both of them handled economic management well and attacked corruption. Pakistan`s inflation rate is 10-12 per cent and India`s is 2-3 per cent. We did not let inflation cross Indo-Pak border and enter here," he said.

The Home Minister was addressing the rally in support of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi Lok Sabha seat.

The four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, including Mandi, would go for polling on May 19.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that inflation is not an issue in the ongoing elections as it has been well controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that inflation is not an issue in the ongoing elections as it has been well controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. "If you go through Indian elections` history, you will see inflation was an issue in all of them. People used to sing `Congress sarkar aayi hai, kamartod mehengai layi hai` (Congress government has come and brought high inflation along with it). But 2004 and 2019 are two elections where there were issues but inflation was not one of them," Singh said while addressing an election rally in Himachal Pradesh. "There was Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s government before 2004 and Narendra Modi`s before 2019. Both of them handled economic management well and attacked corruption. Pakistan`s inflation rate is 10-12 per cent and India`s is 2-3 per cent. We did not let inflation cross Indo-Pak border and enter here," he said. The Home Minister was addressing the rally in support of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi Lok Sabha seat. The four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, including Mandi, would go for polling on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Inflation not issue in 2019, Modi handled economy well: Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the blasts in Guwahati on Wednesday evening that left as many as 12 people injured.

"Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the blast in Guwahati. The Chief Minister apprised him of the situation. The police and other agencies are investigating the incident. The HM prays for the speedy recovery of the injured," the office of the Home Minister of India tweeted.

The explosion had occurred outside a mall on Zoo Road in Guwahati.

"A grenade blast took place at 8 pm. An investigation is underway," Deepak Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, had informed on Wednesday.

Two unknown bike-borne suspects had lobbed a grenade on state police troops and fled the spot.

Soon after the blasts, the area was cordoned off for police investigation.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the blasts in Guwahati on Wednesday evening that left as many as 12 people injured.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the blasts in Guwahati on Wednesday evening that left as many as 12 people injured. "Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the blast in Guwahati. The Chief Minister apprised him of the situation. The police and other agencies are investigating the incident. The HM prays for the speedy recovery of the injured," the office of the Home Minister of India tweeted. The explosion had occurred outside a mall on Zoo Road in Guwahati. "A grenade blast took place at 8 pm. An investigation is underway," Deepak Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, had informed on Wednesday. Two unknown bike-borne suspects had lobbed a grenade on state police troops and fled the spot. Soon after the blasts, the area was cordoned off for police investigation.

Rajnath Singh speaks to Assam CM over Guwahati blasts

Exuding confidence that BJP will win more seats than it did in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that thepossibility of a two-third majority cannot be ruled out.

"In comparison to 2004 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP will win with greater majority this time. The possibility of a two-third majority cannot be ruled out. The hopes and desires people had from the prime minister in the 2014 elections have now taken the shape of trust," he told media persons.

Lauding the Modi-led government for its capability on the economic front, he said, "Inflation did not become an issue during the last five years and did not come up during the election campaign as well. This shows the financial capabilities of our government."

Attacking the Mamata Banerjee government over the issue of violence in West Bengal on polling day, he said, "There is no place for political violence in a healthy democracy. It`s unfortunate that more and more incidents of violence are taking place in West Bengal. What can be more unfortunate that the chief minister is unable to stop violence in the state?"

Slamming the Congress party on Hindu terrorism comment, Singh said that such statements weaken BJP`s fight against terrorism.

"Terrorism is terrorism. It does not have a religion. Due to such statements, our fight against terrorism is weakened. Congress party did the similar thing in 2008 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that `kewal bharat he nahi pakistan bhi atankwad ka shikar hai` (not only India but Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism). Such repetitive statements weaken the whole system," said Singh.

Continuing his tirade against the opposition party, Singh said, "Congress president Rahul Gandhi always talks about the eradication of poverty but does not do anything about it."&nbsp;

Exuding confidence that BJP will win more seats than it did in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that thepossibility of a two-third majority cannot be ruled out.

Exuding confidence that BJP will win more seats than it did in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that thepossibility of a two-third majority cannot be ruled out. "In comparison to 2004 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP will win with greater majority this time. The possibility of a two-third majority cannot be ruled out. The hopes and desires people had from the prime minister in the 2014 elections have now taken the shape of trust," he told media persons. Lauding the Modi-led government for its capability on the economic front, he said, "Inflation did not become an issue during the last five years and did not come up during the election campaign as well. This shows the financial capabilities of our government." Attacking the Mamata Banerjee government over the issue of violence in West Bengal on polling day, he said, "There is no place for political violence in a healthy democracy. It`s unfortunate that more and more incidents of violence are taking place in West Bengal. What can be more unfortunate that the chief minister is unable to stop violence in the state?" Slamming the Congress party on Hindu terrorism comment, Singh said that such statements weaken BJP`s fight against terrorism. "Terrorism is terrorism. It does not have a religion. Due to such statements, our fight against terrorism is weakened. Congress party did the similar thing in 2008 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that `kewal bharat he nahi pakistan bhi atankwad ka shikar hai` (not only India but Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism). Such repetitive statements weaken the whole system," said Singh. Continuing his tirade against the opposition party, Singh said, "Congress president Rahul Gandhi always talks about the eradication of poverty but does not do anything about it."

BJP will win more seats than it got in 2014: Rajnath Singh

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday told reporters that the 'Mahagathbandhan' is not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

While Singh was interacting with the media after casting his vote during the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-elections-polling-underway-in-seven-states-in-fifth-phase-216212">fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls</a>, he said that he doesn't want to comment on the candidature of Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha as an SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow as elections are not about the individuals contesting but the issues.&nbsp;

"I don't want to comment on her (SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues," he said.&nbsp;

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Rajnath Singh,Lucknow BJP candidate: The Mahagatbandhan is no challenge for BJP here. I don't want to comment on her(SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues. <a href="https://t.co/FdwsHdj7nd">pic.twitter.com/FdwsHdj7nd</a>
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Lucknow Lok Sabha seat has gone to polls today in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the BJP's candidate from the seat, Pramod Krishnam is fighting on a Congress ticket, and Poonam Sinha is SP-BSP-RLD's candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

He has expressed confidence about BJP getting a full majority and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a second term.

Polling for the fifth phase began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, amid elaborate security arrangements.

Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand are undergoing polling in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday told reporters that the 'Mahagathbandhan' is not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party. While Singh was interacting with the media after casting his vote during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, he said that he doesn't want to comment on the candidature of Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha as an SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow as elections are not about the individuals contesting but the issues.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday told reporters that the 'Mahagathbandhan' is not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party. While Singh was interacting with the media after casting his vote during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, he said that he doesn't want to comment on the candidature of Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha as an SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow as elections are not about the individuals contesting but the issues. "I don't want to comment on her (SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues," he said. Rajnath Singh,Lucknow BJP candidate: The Mahagatbandhan is no challenge for BJP here. I don't want to comment on her(SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues. pic.twitter.com/FdwsHdj7nd — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 6, 2019 × Lucknow Lok Sabha seat has gone to polls today in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the BJP's candidate from the seat, Pramod Krishnam is fighting on a Congress ticket, and Poonam Sinha is SP-BSP-RLD's candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency. He has expressed confidence about BJP getting a full majority and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a second term. Polling for the fifth phase began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, amid elaborate security arrangements. Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand are undergoing polling in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

'Mahagathbandhan' isn't a challenge for Bharatiya Janata Party: Rajnath Singh 

Senior BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the sedition law will be reviewed for any weaknesses and made more stringent after his party returns to power at the Centre.

Singh, addressing a gathering at Delhi's Shastri Park area in support of party candidates for Lok Sabha elections Manoj Tiwari and Gautam Gambhir, also paid tribute to the Maharashtra policemen who were killed in an IED blast in the state's Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district.

"We will see if there are any weaknesses in the sedition law after coming back to power. We will make it so stringent that it will quiver the souls of traitors," the home minister said.

He also took shots at the opposition for raising questions over the number of terrorists killed in the Balakot air strike.

"Should our soldiers stop to count the bodies after strikes? Only vultures count bodies, not the warriors," he said.

Singh asserted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure two-third majority in the Lok Sabha polls.

Senior BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the sedition law will be reviewed for any weaknesses and made more stringent after his party returns to power at the Centre.

Senior BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the sedition law will be reviewed for any weaknesses and made more stringent after his party returns to power at the Centre. Singh, addressing a gathering at Delhi's Shastri Park area in support of party candidates for Lok Sabha elections Manoj Tiwari and Gautam Gambhir, also paid tribute to the Maharashtra policemen who were killed in an IED blast in the state's Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district. "We will see if there are any weaknesses in the sedition law after coming back to power. We will make it so stringent that it will quiver the souls of traitors," the home minister said. He also took shots at the opposition for raising questions over the number of terrorists killed in the Balakot air strike. "Should our soldiers stop to count the bodies after strikes? Only vultures count bodies, not the warriors," he said. Singh asserted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure two-third majority in the Lok Sabha polls.

Will review sedition law, make it more stringent after coming back to power: Rajnath Singh

Hours after the MHA served a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections.

"It is not a big development. It is a normal process," he said when asked about his ministry serving the notice to the Congress chief asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status.

The Home Ministry issued the letter after it received documents from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in which he has claimed that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors.

Singh told media persons here, "If any member of Parliament raises a question in Parliament, it becomes necessary to respond to it. If any MP writes a letter to any ministry, then necessary proceedings are undertaken by the ministry. It is not a big development, it is a normal process."

Asked specifically if the timing of the letter raising the question on the citizenship of the country's main opposition leader was relevant as it comes in the election season, Singh replied, "No, no. This question was raised in Parliament also. A Member of Parliament (Dr Subramanian Swamy) has written to the ministry several times as well, following which the action has been taken." Gandhi is seeking reelection from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency which goes to polls in the fifth phase of voting on May 6.

An objection on the citizenship issue was also raised by an independent candidate against Gandhi in Amethi, but the returning officer, after scrutiny, declared his nomination papers as valid.

The Home Ministry also said Swamy's letter mentioned that in the British company's annual returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, Gandhi's date of birth has been shown as June 19, 1970, and his nationality as British.

"Further, in the dissolution application dated February 17, 2009, of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British.

"You are requested to intimate the factual position in the matter to this ministry within a fortnight of the receipt of this communication," the Home Ministry notice issued Monday said.

Hours after the MHA served a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections.

Hours after the MHA served a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections. "It is not a big development. It is a normal process," he said when asked about his ministry serving the notice to the Congress chief asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status. The Home Ministry issued the letter after it received documents from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in which he has claimed that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors. Singh told media persons here, "If any member of Parliament raises a question in Parliament, it becomes necessary to respond to it. If any MP writes a letter to any ministry, then necessary proceedings are undertaken by the ministry. It is not a big development, it is a normal process." Asked specifically if the timing of the letter raising the question on the citizenship of the country's main opposition leader was relevant as it comes in the election season, Singh replied, "No, no. This question was raised in Parliament also. A Member of Parliament (Dr Subramanian Swamy) has written to the ministry several times as well, following which the action has been taken." Gandhi is seeking reelection from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency which goes to polls in the fifth phase of voting on May 6. An objection on the citizenship issue was also raised by an independent candidate against Gandhi in Amethi, but the returning officer, after scrutiny, declared his nomination papers as valid. The Home Ministry also said Swamy's letter mentioned that in the British company's annual returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, Gandhi's date of birth has been shown as June 19, 1970, and his nationality as British. "Further, in the dissolution application dated February 17, 2009, of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British. "You are requested to intimate the factual position in the matter to this ministry within a fortnight of the receipt of this communication," the Home Ministry notice issued Monday said.

Timing of MHA notice to Rahul not relevant, it's normal process: Rajnath Singh

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/curbing-insurgency-in-northeast-my-biggest-achievement-as-home-minister-rajnath-singh-213723">Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh</a> Sunday said Articles 370 and 35A should be seriously reviewed and scrapped.

While Article 370 gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A allows the Himalayan state's legislature to define permanent residents of the state.

Speaking at a voters' awareness programme here, Singh attacked National Conference leader Omar Abdullah for his recent remarks that there should be a separate prime minister for Kashmir.

"When a person, who has occupied a Constitutional post says such things, then Articles 370 and 35A should be seriously reviewed. Since these (provisions) have mostly caused losses, Articles 370 and 35A should be scrapped."

Singh said, "There is a conspiracy in Jammu and Kasmir. Some organisations want to kindle the feelings of separatism among the people, but the majority want to stay with India. Barring three-four organisations, the rest are with India"

The Lok Sabha MP praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. International Monetary Fund has endorsed that India is growing at rapid speed, he said.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said Articles 370 and 35A should be seriously reviewed and scrapped. While Article 370 gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A allows the Himalayan state's legislature to define permanent residents of the state.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said Articles 370 and 35A should be seriously reviewed and scrapped. While Article 370 gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A allows the Himalayan state's legislature to define permanent residents of the state. Speaking at a voters' awareness programme here, Singh attacked National Conference leader Omar Abdullah for his recent remarks that there should be a separate prime minister for Kashmir. "When a person, who has occupied a Constitutional post says such things, then Articles 370 and 35A should be seriously reviewed. Since these (provisions) have mostly caused losses, Articles 370 and 35A should be scrapped." Singh said, "There is a conspiracy in Jammu and Kasmir. Some organisations want to kindle the feelings of separatism among the people, but the majority want to stay with India. Barring three-four organisations, the rest are with India" The Lok Sabha MP praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. International Monetary Fund has endorsed that India is growing at rapid speed, he said.

Articles 370, 35A should be reviewed and scrapped: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-rajnath-singh-files-nomination-from-lucknow-210886&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiYyOLXjOjhAhVr6nMBHR_MCLEQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1D8RizZQlIkCEDFGqb-e7C">Rajnath Singh</a> on Tuesday said that by the year 2030 India could replace any one of the three world superpowers (Russia, China and America).

"By 2030 or 2031 Bharat will replace any one of the three superpowers, either Russia, China or America from the list of top three countries of the world in terms of economy and strength," said Rajnath Singh while addressing an election rally at Chatra.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government has provided an immense boost to the economy of India.

"In 2014 we were at ninth place among the top 10 countries in terms of the size of the economy. After four years of governance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in 2018 we jumped to the sixth position," he said.

"And I say it with confidence that not in few years but in few months we will be at the fifth place," said Rajnath.

The Home Minister also said that the Prime Minister had assured that every paise earmarked for the welfare of the people reaches the common man.

"Rajiv Gandhi helplessly said that out of 100 Paise given by him only 16 Paise manages to reach the people but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overcome this and now when 100 paise is sent, 100 paise reaches your pocket," said Singh.

Rajnath Singh also gave an assurance of completely wiping out Naxalism.

"Naxalism which was spread across 126 districts of the country is now restricted to only seven to eight districts. I assure you it will be entirely uprooted from India in the next three to four years," he said.

Jharkhand has 14 Lok Sabha constituencies which will go for polls on 29 April, 6 May, 12 May and 19 May for its 3, 4, 4 and 3 seats respectively.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that by the year 2030 India could replace any one of the three world superpowers (Russia, China and America). "By 2030 or 2031 Bharat will replace any one of the three superpowers, either Russia, China or America from the list of top three countries of the world in terms of economy and strength," said Rajnath Singh while addressing an election rally at Chatra.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that by the year 2030 India could replace any one of the three world superpowers (Russia, China and America). "By 2030 or 2031 Bharat will replace any one of the three superpowers, either Russia, China or America from the list of top three countries of the world in terms of economy and strength," said Rajnath Singh while addressing an election rally at Chatra. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government has provided an immense boost to the economy of India. "In 2014 we were at ninth place among the top 10 countries in terms of the size of the economy. After four years of governance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in 2018 we jumped to the sixth position," he said. "And I say it with confidence that not in few years but in few months we will be at the fifth place," said Rajnath. The Home Minister also said that the Prime Minister had assured that every paise earmarked for the welfare of the people reaches the common man. "Rajiv Gandhi helplessly said that out of 100 Paise given by him only 16 Paise manages to reach the people but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overcome this and now when 100 paise is sent, 100 paise reaches your pocket," said Singh. Rajnath Singh also gave an assurance of completely wiping out Naxalism. "Naxalism which was spread across 126 districts of the country is now restricted to only seven to eight districts. I assure you it will be entirely uprooted from India in the next three to four years," he said. Jharkhand has 14 Lok Sabha constituencies which will go for polls on 29 April, 6 May, 12 May and 19 May for its 3, 4, 4 and 3 seats respectively.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: By 2030 India will replace one of the top 3 superpowers, says Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023.

Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.

Naxals have been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state will end soon, he told a poll rally here.

Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, said that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress have joined hands in the state due to their lust for power but they will not be successful in achieving their aim.

There is no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other leaders are "dwarfs" compared to him.

Detailing developmental schemes like Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, Singh said BJP is committed to ushering in the development of the country by 2022 and its manifesto reflected it.

Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps and not count the bodies and the objective was completed.

After Pulwama attack, all the countries stood with India, whose "policy is not to fire the first bullet but respond strongly to any bullet fired at it".

Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga(ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023. Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023. Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here. Naxals have been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state will end soon, he told a poll rally here. Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, said that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress have joined hands in the state due to their lust for power but they will not be successful in achieving their aim. There is no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other leaders are "dwarfs" compared to him. Detailing developmental schemes like Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, Singh said BJP is committed to ushering in the development of the country by 2022 and its manifesto reflected it. Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps and not count the bodies and the objective was completed. After Pulwama attack, all the countries stood with India, whose "policy is not to fire the first bullet but respond strongly to any bullet fired at it". Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga(ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.

Naxalites will be rooted out by 2023: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India's stand against terrorism has been weakened on several occasions by the Congress party.

Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "They (Congress) have given a new theory of Hindu terrorism. There is no religion or caste of terrorism. Their new theory weakened India's stand against terrorism."

He said repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was another such case which undermined India's stand.

"In 2004, India had an agreement with Pakistan in which its former army chief had assured that the country will not provide shelter and allow terrorism to flourish on its soil, but Congress tried weakening India's stand, saying Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism," he said.

The home minister said the opposition was doing politics over issues which should not be politicised.&nbsp;

Instead of praising the defence forces after the airstrike in Balakot of Pakistan, the opposition parties questioned it with queries on the number of terrorists killed, he said.

"When such types of questions are asked, it weakens India's stand against terrorism," he said.

Speaking on the Congress' election manifesto promising to scrap the sedition law, Singh said the law should be further strengthened but it should not be misused.

Talking about Articles 370 and 35A for Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was a temporary arrangement and it was time to review it.

"How much the entitlement benefitted Jammu and Kashmir? When a few people are raising questions there should be two prime ministers in the country then what is the significance of Article 370 and 35A," Singh asked.

He exuded confidence that the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections reflected a wave in favour of the BJP, and there was no doubt the party will get a clear majority and possibly the NDA will achieve 3/4th majority.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India's stand against terrorism has been weakened on several occasions by the Congress party. Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "They (Congress) have given a new theory of Hindu terrorism.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India's stand against terrorism has been weakened on several occasions by the Congress party. Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "They (Congress) have given a new theory of Hindu terrorism. There is no religion or caste of terrorism. Their new theory weakened India's stand against terrorism." He said repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was another such case which undermined India's stand. "In 2004, India had an agreement with Pakistan in which its former army chief had assured that the country will not provide shelter and allow terrorism to flourish on its soil, but Congress tried weakening India's stand, saying Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism," he said. The home minister said the opposition was doing politics over issues which should not be politicised. Instead of praising the defence forces after the airstrike in Balakot of Pakistan, the opposition parties questioned it with queries on the number of terrorists killed, he said. "When such types of questions are asked, it weakens India's stand against terrorism," he said. Speaking on the Congress' election manifesto promising to scrap the sedition law, Singh said the law should be further strengthened but it should not be misused. Talking about Articles 370 and 35A for Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was a temporary arrangement and it was time to review it. "How much the entitlement benefitted Jammu and Kashmir? When a few people are raising questions there should be two prime ministers in the country then what is the significance of Article 370 and 35A," Singh asked. He exuded confidence that the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections reflected a wave in favour of the BJP, and there was no doubt the party will get a clear majority and possibly the NDA will achieve 3/4th majority.

Congress has weakened India's stand on terrorism on several occasions: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the country has earned respect across the world during the last five years of the Modi government.

The senior BJP leader, who was speaking at an election rally here, attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying organisations cannot get success on the basis of negative thinking.

"The country has earned respect at the global level during the BJP government...We made an anti-satellite missile which only Russia, China and the US had," Singh said.

India is on the sixth spot "as far as the economy is concerned whereas in 2014 it was ninth. We want the country to become a superpower and 'vishwa' guru," he said.

The home minister said after the Mumbai attack in 2008, "the then Congress government did nothing, but after the Pulwama terror attack, Indian forces went inside Pakistan and carried out its operation."

The Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out a strike on a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.

"The Congress is asking how many were killed (in Balakot) to which we said the brave do not count bodies, but vultures do," Singh said.

He also attacked the SP and the BSP, saying they have joined hands to stop Narendra Modi from becoming prime minister, but warned that no individual or organisation can get success on the basis of negative thinking.

The SP, BSP and RLD have formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to take on the BJP in this Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The Mayawati-led BSP is contesting 38 Lok Sabha seats, while the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP has fielded candidates from 37 parliamentary constituencies.

There are three Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidates in the poll fray from the state. The alliance has fielded no candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi, which are Congress bastions in the state.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the country has earned respect across the world during the last five years of the Modi government. The senior BJP leader, who was speaking at an election rally here, attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying organisations cannot get success on the basis of negative thinking.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the country has earned respect across the world during the last five years of the Modi government. The senior BJP leader, who was speaking at an election rally here, attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying organisations cannot get success on the basis of negative thinking. "The country has earned respect at the global level during the BJP government...We made an anti-satellite missile which only Russia, China and the US had," Singh said. India is on the sixth spot "as far as the economy is concerned whereas in 2014 it was ninth. We want the country to become a superpower and 'vishwa' guru," he said. The home minister said after the Mumbai attack in 2008, "the then Congress government did nothing, but after the Pulwama terror attack, Indian forces went inside Pakistan and carried out its operation." The Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out a strike on a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. "The Congress is asking how many were killed (in Balakot) to which we said the brave do not count bodies, but vultures do," Singh said. He also attacked the SP and the BSP, saying they have joined hands to stop Narendra Modi from becoming prime minister, but warned that no individual or organisation can get success on the basis of negative thinking. The SP, BSP and RLD have formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to take on the BJP in this Lok Sabha elections. The Mayawati-led BSP is contesting 38 Lok Sabha seats, while the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP has fielded candidates from 37 parliamentary constituencies. There are three Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidates in the poll fray from the state. The alliance has fielded no candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi, which are Congress bastions in the state.

India earned respect at global level during BJP governmentt: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reacted over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-shatrughan-sinhas-wife-poonam-sinha-joins-samajwadi-party-210893">Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow</a> Lok Sabha seat on a SP ticket.

Singh said that someone must contest. Calling Lucknow the land of "tehzeeb (etiquette)" he said the battle will be fought with full dignity.

"Yes somebody must contest, that is the beauty of democracy. We will fight elections with full dignity, tehzeeb jo Lucknow ki bohot badi dharohar hai usko bhi hum kayam rakhenge," Singh told media today.&nbsp;

Veteran actor and former BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha joined Samajwadi Party on Tuesday in the presence of Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress releases list of three names for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> , Acharya Pramod Krishnam to contest from Lucknow,Vinay Kumar Pandey from Kaiserganj(UP) and Pankaj Sanghvi from Indore(Madhya Pradesh)
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118163985247813632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The development comes just 10 days after Shatrughan Sinha joined Congress and was given a ticket from Bihar's Patna Sahib. Poonam Sinha is set to take Union Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. Poonam Sinha will file nomination on April 18.

The SP had urged Congress party not to field a candidate from Lucknow to ensure BJP's defeat.&nbsp;

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HM Rajnath Singh on Poonam Sinha to contest against him from Lucknow as SP-BSP-RLD candidate: Yes somebody must contest, that is the beauty of democracy. We will fight elections with full dignity, tehzeeb jo Lucknow ki bohot badi dharohar hai usko bhi hum kayam rakhenge. <a href="https://t.co/rtFHtIxuqi">pic.twitter.com/rtFHtIxuqi</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1118124233299595264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Congress, later in the day, released&nbsp;list of three names for Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;Acharya Pramod Krishnam will take on Rajnath Singh, Poonam Sinha from Lucknow.

Vinay Kumar Pandey is Congress' candidate from Kaiserganj and Pankaj Sanghvi from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reacted over Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Lok Sabha seat on a SP ticket.

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reacted over Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Lok Sabha seat on a SP ticket. Singh said that someone must contest. Calling Lucknow the land of "tehzeeb (etiquette)" he said the battle will be fought with full dignity. "Yes somebody must contest, that is the beauty of democracy. We will fight elections with full dignity, tehzeeb jo Lucknow ki bohot badi dharohar hai usko bhi hum kayam rakhenge," Singh told media today. Veteran actor and former BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha joined Samajwadi Party on Tuesday in the presence of Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav. Congress releases list of three names for #LokSabhaElections2019 , Acharya Pramod Krishnam to contest from Lucknow,Vinay Kumar Pandey from Kaiserganj(UP) and Pankaj Sanghvi from Indore(Madhya Pradesh) — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2019 × The development comes just 10 days after Shatrughan Sinha joined Congress and was given a ticket from Bihar's Patna Sahib. Poonam Sinha is set to take Union Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. Poonam Sinha will file nomination on April 18. The SP had urged Congress party not to field a candidate from Lucknow to ensure BJP's defeat. HM Rajnath Singh on Poonam Sinha to contest against him from Lucknow as SP-BSP-RLD candidate: Yes somebody must contest, that is the beauty of democracy. We will fight elections with full dignity, tehzeeb jo Lucknow ki bohot badi dharohar hai usko bhi hum kayam rakhenge. pic.twitter.com/rtFHtIxuqi — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 16, 2019 × Congress, later in the day, released list of three names for Lok Sabha polls. Acharya Pramod Krishnam will take on Rajnath Singh, Poonam Sinha from Lucknow. Vinay Kumar Pandey is Congress' candidate from Kaiserganj and Pankaj Sanghvi from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Will fight with full dignity: Rajnath Singh welcomes Poonam Sinha as opponent from Lucknow

The Lucknow parliamentary seat is considered to be a BJP bastion and has been its stronghold since the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era.&nbsp;

BJP has been on a winning spree here winning the prestigious parliamentary seat continuously since 1991.

After Vajpayee, this seat was won by Lalji Tandon and then by Rajnath Singh in 2014. Rajnath Singh is seeking a second term form Lucknow.

Singh had contested from Lucknow parliamentary constituency for the first time in 2014 and registered an easy victory over the Congress candidate. Singh's nearest rival then was Rita Bahuguna Joshi who is now in BJP and a minister in UP government.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 483px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>State</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">Uttar Pradesh</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Constituency number</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">35</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Constituency Status</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">General</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Current Member of Parliament</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">Rajnath Singh (Bharatiya Janata Party)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Assembly Constituencies</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">Lucknow West, Lucknow North, Lucknow East, Lucknow Central, Lucknow Cantt.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Total voters</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">19,49,956</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Female voters</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">8,97,785</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Male voters</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">10,52,171</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reserved</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">No</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Delimited</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">Yes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="width: 339px;">&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Samajwadi Party has fielded Bollywood actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha’s wife Poonam Sinha against Rajnath Singh.

According to sources, the Congress is likely to extend support to Sinha’s candidature, with the aim to dent BJP’s votes and keep Singh confined to his constituency. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party is banking on the caste equation of Lucknow. There are four lakh Kayastha voters and 1.3 lakh Sindhi voters in Lucknow, apart from 3.5 lakh Muslims. Poonam Sinha is a Sindhi while her husband Shatrughan Sinha is a Kayastha.&nbsp;

Lucknow naturally meets all requirements to be a prominent seat by being a Lok Sabha constituency that has been represented by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for five times.

Vajpayee who contested from Lucknow five times scarcely ever needed to confront a political heavyweight of his stature as a rival.&nbsp;

Most popular of the individuals who lost against him were senior Advocate Ram Jethmalani as an independent candidate, Dr Karan Singh of Congress, movie producer Muzaffar Ali and Raj Babbar from Congress in 2004, 1999, 1998, 1996 separately. And&nbsp;every one of them was defeated with huge margins.

Lucknow is going to polls on May 6 along with a total of 51 constituencies across seven states in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Lucknow parliamentary seat is considered to be a BJP bastion and has been its stronghold since the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era. BJP has been on a winning spree here winning the prestigious parliamentary seat continuously since 1991.

The Lucknow parliamentary seat is considered to be a BJP bastion and has been its stronghold since the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era. BJP has been on a winning spree here winning the prestigious parliamentary seat continuously since 1991. After Vajpayee, this seat was won by Lalji Tandon and then by Rajnath Singh in 2014. Rajnath Singh is seeking a second term form Lucknow. Singh had contested from Lucknow parliamentary constituency for the first time in 2014 and registered an easy victory over the Congress candidate. Singh's nearest rival then was Rita Bahuguna Joshi who is now in BJP and a minister in UP government. State Uttar Pradesh Constituency number 35 Constituency Status General Current Member of Parliament Rajnath Singh (Bharatiya Janata Party) Assembly Constituencies Lucknow West, Lucknow North, Lucknow East, Lucknow Central, Lucknow Cantt. Total voters 19,49,956 Female voters 8,97,785 Male voters 10,52,171 Reserved No Delimited Yes Samajwadi Party has fielded Bollywood actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha’s wife Poonam Sinha against Rajnath Singh. According to sources, the Congress is likely to extend support to Sinha’s candidature, with the aim to dent BJP’s votes and keep Singh confined to his constituency. Samajwadi Party is banking on the caste equation of Lucknow. There are four lakh Kayastha voters and 1.3 lakh Sindhi voters in Lucknow, apart from 3.5 lakh Muslims. Poonam Sinha is a Sindhi while her husband Shatrughan Sinha is a Kayastha. Lucknow naturally meets all requirements to be a prominent seat by being a Lok Sabha constituency that has been represented by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for five times. Vajpayee who contested from Lucknow five times scarcely ever needed to confront a political heavyweight of his stature as a rival. Most popular of the individuals who lost against him were senior Advocate Ram Jethmalani as an independent candidate, Dr Karan Singh of Congress, movie producer Muzaffar Ali and Raj Babbar from Congress in 2004, 1999, 1998, 1996 separately. And every one of them was defeated with huge margins. Lucknow is going to polls on May 6 along with a total of 51 constituencies across seven states in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election. (With inputs from agencies)

Lucknow: Shatrughan Sinha’s wife Poonam takes on Rajnath Singh in BJP's stronghold

Flanked by several party leaders and scores of supporters, <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/they-came-together-knowing-that-theyll-be-swept-away-in-modi-wave-rajnath-singh-on-sp-bsp-alliance-in-uttar-pradesh-210289">Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh</a> on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

Before filing the nominations, Singh offered prayers at the Hanuman Setu temple and addressed party workers at the BJP state headquarters situated at Hazrathang Chauraha.

He also held a 6-kilometre-long road show in the region to the collector's office for filing nomination.

This will be the second time that the 67-year-old leader will contest Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow.

In 2014, he bagged the seat by defeating the then Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is now in BJP and a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.

It is believed that Lucknow is a prestigious constituency for the BJP as it was once held by former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Lok Sabha elections in Lucknow will be held on May 6 and the counting of the votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Flanked by several party leaders and scores of supporters, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

Flanked by several party leaders and scores of supporters, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Before filing the nominations, Singh offered prayers at the Hanuman Setu temple and addressed party workers at the BJP state headquarters situated at Hazrathang Chauraha. He also held a 6-kilometre-long road show in the region to the collector's office for filing nomination. This will be the second time that the 67-year-old leader will contest Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow. In 2014, he bagged the seat by defeating the then Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is now in BJP and a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. It is believed that Lucknow is a prestigious constituency for the BJP as it was once held by former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Lok Sabha elections in Lucknow will be held on May 6 and the counting of the votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha Polls 2019: Rajnath Singh files nomination from Lucknow

Union <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-will-make-sedition-law-even-more-stringent-rajnath-singh-209977">Home Minister Rajnath Singh</a> on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj&nbsp;Party for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. Singh noted that the alliance has been "formed to stop Narendra Modi".&nbsp;

Singh, while addressing a gathering in Nagina, Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, said that "it could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP".

"They came together knowing that they all will be swept away in the Modi wave," Singh added.&nbsp;

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HM Rajnath Singh in Nagina, Bijnor: SP-BSP have formed an alliance to stop Narendra Modi ji. It could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP. They knew 'Modi ki aandhi mein hum (SP and BSP) akele tinke ki tarah beh jaenge', so they came together. <a href="https://t.co/Lez0oGQX5D">pic.twitter.com/Lez0oGQX5D</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1117348364247543808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the Home Minister on Friday slammed Congress for its stand on sedition law as mentioned in party's manifesto and asserted that BJP will make it even more stringent after forming a government for a second term.

Addressing an election rally, Singh said, "If someone tries to break India, should they be forgiven? They say they will end the sedition law, to whom are they giving a signal? If our government comes to power we will make the sedition law even more stringent."

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. Singh noted that the alliance has been "formed to stop Narendra Modi".

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. Singh noted that the alliance has been "formed to stop Narendra Modi". Singh, while addressing a gathering in Nagina, Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, said that "it could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP". "They came together knowing that they all will be swept away in the Modi wave," Singh added. HM Rajnath Singh in Nagina, Bijnor: SP-BSP have formed an alliance to stop Narendra Modi ji. It could have never been imagined that these two parties will come together in UP. They knew 'Modi ki aandhi mein hum (SP and BSP) akele tinke ki tarah beh jaenge', so they came together. pic.twitter.com/Lez0oGQX5D — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 14, 2019 × Meanwhile, the Home Minister on Friday slammed Congress for its stand on sedition law as mentioned in party's manifesto and asserted that BJP will make it even more stringent after forming a government for a second term. Addressing an election rally, Singh said, "If someone tries to break India, should they be forgiven? They say they will end the sedition law, to whom are they giving a signal? If our government comes to power we will make the sedition law even more stringent."

They came together knowing that they'll be swept away in Modi wave: Rajnath Singh on SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh 

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16.

President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency."&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16. President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16. President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency."

Rajnath Singh likely to file nomination from Lucknow on April 16

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