<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (Feb 27) claimed that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh state has lost the majority. The claim was made after reports of cross-voting by at least nine legislators of the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha elections for the lone seat from the state.</p>

<p>BJP leader and former CM of the state Jairam Thakur said, “Budget will be presented tomorrow. We will discuss the Budget tomorrow and then we will see the situation there. But I can see that the government has lost the majority."</p>

<p>State Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed the cross voting in a press conference held later on.</p>

<p>"...When someone has sold out their honesty...Nine cross-votings took place, three of them were Independent MLAs but six others sold their honesty...and voted against him (Abhishek Manu Singhvi)..." he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Rajya Sabha Elections | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "...When someone has sold out their honesty...Nine cross-votings took place, three of them were Independent MLAs but six others sold their honesty...and voted against him (Abhishek Singhvi)..." <a href="https://t.co/MoRtSDceOk">pic.twitter.com/MoRtSDceOk</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1762493934243291248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singvi, who was present in the same press conference, conceded defeat.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Rajya Sabha Elections | Congress candidate from Himachal Pradesh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, "First of all, I extend heartiest congratulations to Harsh Mahajan (BJP candidate), he has won. He deserves my congratulations. I would like to tell his party - introspect and… <a href="https://t.co/iS4v7Kx2zp">pic.twitter.com/iS4v7Kx2zp</a></p>
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<p>Congress won the state in the 2022 elections with a comfortable majority of 40 seats in the 68-member house. The government of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu Sukhu was also backed by three independent MLAs. The BJP, on the other hand, won just 25 seats.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Will the BJP maintain its seven-seat sweep in Delhi?</strong></p>

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<p>Congress party currently governs just two states in the country: Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka.</p>

<h2><strong>How BJP managed to challenge the grand old party?</strong></h2>

<p>The BJP fielded Harsh Mahajan against Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi for the Upper House seat.</p>

<p>Mahajan is a three-time Congress MLA and was&nbsp;a minister in the state, before joining the BJP in September 2022 ahead of the assembly polls.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjGwduu2suEAxXU2TgGHcrtB2EQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/setback-for-bjp-karnataka-mla-cross-votes-for-congress-in-rajya-sabha-elections-694408" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/setback-for-bjp-karnataka-mla-cross-votes-for-congress-in-rajya-sabha-elections-694408&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjGwduu2suEAxXU2TgGHcrtB2EQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">Setback for BJP? Karnataka MLA cross-votes for Congress in Rajya Sabha elections</a></strong></p>

<p>Despite claims by the BJP, CM Sukhu had earlier said that he is confident that his party MLAs will vote&nbsp;in favour of the party candidate. “We have 40 MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha and unless MLAs are bought off, we will get all the votes," he was quoted as saying.</p>

<h2><strong>Rajya Sabha elections</strong></h2>

<p>Elections to fill 15 seats of the upper house of the Indian Parliament were held Tuesday in three states: Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Polling was held for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, four in Karnataka and one seat in Himachal Pradesh.</p>

<p>In Himachal, 67 out of the total 68 candidates cast their votes in elections as one Congress MLA was hospitalised due to illness.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (Feb 27) claimed that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh state has lost the majority. The claim was made after reports of cross-voting by at least nine legislators of the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha elections for the lone seat from the state.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (Feb 27) claimed that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh state has lost the majority. The claim was made after reports of cross-voting by at least nine legislators of the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha elections for the lone seat from the state. BJP leader and former CM of the state Jairam Thakur said, “Budget will be presented tomorrow. We will discuss the Budget tomorrow and then we will see the situation there. But I can see that the government has lost the majority." State Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed the cross voting in a press conference held later on. "...When someone has sold out their honesty...Nine cross-votings took place, three of them were Independent MLAs but six others sold their honesty...and voted against him (Abhishek Manu Singhvi)..." he said. #WATCH | Rajya Sabha Elections | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "...When someone has sold out their honesty...Nine cross-votings took place, three of them were Independent MLAs but six others sold their honesty...and voted against him (Abhishek Singhvi)..." pic.twitter.com/MoRtSDceOk — ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024 × Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singvi, who was present in the same press conference, conceded defeat. #WATCH | Rajya Sabha Elections | Congress candidate from Himachal Pradesh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, "First of all, I extend heartiest congratulations to Harsh Mahajan (BJP candidate), he has won. He deserves my congratulations. I would like to tell his party - introspect and… pic.twitter.com/iS4v7Kx2zp — ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024 × Congress won the state in the 2022 elections with a comfortable majority of 40 seats in the 68-member house. The government of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu Sukhu was also backed by three independent MLAs. The BJP, on the other hand, won just 25 seats. Watch: Will the BJP maintain its seven-seat sweep in Delhi? × Congress party currently governs just two states in the country: Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. How BJP managed to challenge the grand old party? The BJP fielded Harsh Mahajan against Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi for the Upper House seat. Mahajan is a three-time Congress MLA and was a minister in the state, before joining the BJP in September 2022 ahead of the assembly polls. Also read: Setback for BJP? Karnataka MLA cross-votes for Congress in Rajya Sabha elections Despite claims by the BJP, CM Sukhu had earlier said that he is confident that his party MLAs will vote in favour of the party candidate. “We have 40 MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha and unless MLAs are bought off, we will get all the votes," he was quoted as saying. Rajya Sabha elections Elections to fill 15 seats of the upper house of the Indian Parliament were held Tuesday in three states: Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Polling was held for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, four in Karnataka and one seat in Himachal Pradesh. In Himachal, 67 out of the total 68 candidates cast their votes in elections as one Congress MLA was hospitalised due to illness. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress govt in Himachal Pradesh has lost majority, claims BJP after cross-voting in RS polls

<p>The former president of the Indian National Congress (INC) Sonia Gandhi was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Tuesday (Feb 20). This is the first time when Sonia has chosen to become a member of the Rajya Sabha. As per reports, she decided not to contest the Lok Sabha elections this time due to her health.</p>

<p>Assembly Secretary Mahaveer Prasad Sharma said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Chunnilal Garasiya and Madan Rathore were also elected unopposed to the Upper House from the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The officer said that as no other candidates were contesting, the three leaders were elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed. The tenure of Rajya Sabha members Manmohan Singh (Congress) and Bhupendra Yadav (BJP) is ending on April 3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The third seat fell vacant after the BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena resigned from the House in December after being elected MLA. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
The BJP has 115 members and the Congress 70 in the 200-member assembly. There are 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan. After the results, Congress has six members and the BJP four.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandigarh-mayor-polls-cji-orders-recounting-of-votes-all-defaced-ballot-papers-to-be-considered-valid-691977">Chandigarh mayor polls: SC declares AAP candidate 'validly elected', previous result set aside</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>From Gujarat, BJP president JP Nadda and three other party candidates were declared elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were four vacant Rajya Sabha seats in the state and as many candidates, all of the ruling BJP had filed their nomination papers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Returning Officer Reeta Mehta declared all four BJP candidates elected unopposed as no other candidates had filed nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat on four vacant seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-maratha-reservation-bill-passed-in-maharashtra-legislature-691960">Maratha reservation bill passed in Maharashtra assembly</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Diamond baron Govindbhai Dholakia, BJP leaders Jasvantsinh Parmar and Mayank Nayak were the other three candidates elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Sonia Gandhi's letter to Rae Bareli voters</strong></h2>

<p>Gandhi wrote an emotional letter dated Feb 14 to the voters of her Rae Bareli constituency in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid speculations, Gandhi revealed that due to health and age issues, she will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli - a constituency she has represented since 2004.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the letter, which was in Hindi, she told the voters, "I am proud to say that whatever I am today, I am because of you and I have always done my best to honour your trust. Now on account of health and age issues, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha election."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The former president of the Indian National Congress (INC) Sonia Gandhi was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Tuesday (Feb 20). This is the first time when Sonia has chosen to become a member of the Rajya Sabha.

The former president of the Indian National Congress (INC) Sonia Gandhi was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Tuesday (Feb 20). This is the first time when Sonia has chosen to become a member of the Rajya Sabha. As per reports, she decided not to contest the Lok Sabha elections this time due to her health. Assembly Secretary Mahaveer Prasad Sharma said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Chunnilal Garasiya and Madan Rathore were also elected unopposed to the Upper House from the state. The officer said that as no other candidates were contesting, the three leaders were elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed. The tenure of Rajya Sabha members Manmohan Singh (Congress) and Bhupendra Yadav (BJP) is ending on April 3. The third seat fell vacant after the BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena resigned from the House in December after being elected MLA. The BJP has 115 members and the Congress 70 in the 200-member assembly. There are 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan. After the results, Congress has six members and the BJP four. Also read: Chandigarh mayor polls: SC declares AAP candidate 'validly elected', previous result set aside From Gujarat, BJP president JP Nadda and three other party candidates were declared elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed. There were four vacant Rajya Sabha seats in the state and as many candidates, all of the ruling BJP had filed their nomination papers. Returning Officer Reeta Mehta declared all four BJP candidates elected unopposed as no other candidates had filed nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat on four vacant seats. Also read: Maratha reservation bill passed in Maharashtra assembly Diamond baron Govindbhai Dholakia, BJP leaders Jasvantsinh Parmar and Mayank Nayak were the other three candidates elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha. × Sonia Gandhi's letter to Rae Bareli voters Gandhi wrote an emotional letter dated Feb 14 to the voters of her Rae Bareli constituency in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Amid speculations, Gandhi revealed that due to health and age issues, she will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli - a constituency she has represented since 2004. In the letter, which was in Hindi, she told the voters, "I am proud to say that whatever I am today, I am because of you and I have always done my best to honour your trust. Now on account of health and age issues, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha election." (With inputs from agencies)

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi elected unopposed to Upper House from Rajasthan

India's Rajya Sabha to hold elections on February 27th. The upper house polls are being held for 56 seats. How will the dynamics emerge over the next month?

Election date announced for Indian parliament's upper house

The President makes a special address on a statement of government policy that has to be approved by the Cabinet. The matters referred to in the President's address are discussed on a motion of thanks transferred by one member and moved by another member.

PM Modi replies to the 'Motion of Thanks' in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament

<p>Nepal's National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Thursday. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lower-house-of-nepal-parliament-unanimously-passes-bill-to-back-new-controversial-map-305625" hreflang="en">Lower House of Nepal Parliament unanimously passes bill to back new controversial map</a></p>

<p>Earlier, the Lower House of Nepal's Parliament on June 13 unanimously voted to amend the Constitution to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India. The Indian government termed it as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by Nepal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All 57 members of the Upper House voted in favour of the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ties between India and Nepal came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8.</p>

<p>Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory.</p>

<p>Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas. India has been maintaining that these three areas belonged to it.</p>

<p>New Nepal map Amendment bill&nbsp;will become a law once Nepali President gives her assent.</p>


Nepal's National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Thursday. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories.

Nepal's National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on Thursday. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories. Also read: Lower House of Nepal Parliament unanimously passes bill to back new controversial map Earlier, the Lower House of Nepal's Parliament on June 13 unanimously voted to amend the Constitution to update the country's new political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India. The Indian government termed it as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by Nepal. All 57 members of the Upper House voted in favour of the bill. The ties between India and Nepal came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory. Nepal last month released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas. India has been maintaining that these three areas belonged to it. New Nepal map Amendment bill will become a law once Nepali President gives her assent.

Nepal's Upper House passes bill to update map that includes Indian territories

<p>MPs from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday gave Zero Hour notices in the Rajya Sabha over several issues.</p>

<p>SP MP Jaya Bachchan has given notice over 'plight of the entertainment industry in India' while another SP MP Ravi Prakash Verma gave the notice over 'need for legislation to prevent mob violence.'</p>

<p>TMC MP Dola Sen has submitted Zero Hour notice in the Upper House over 'demand to review the decision to privatise Indian ordnance factories.'</p>

<p>The Zero Hour refers to the time immediately following the Question Hour in both the Houses of Parliament. During this hour, parliamentarians can raise matters of great importance without the mandatory ten days advance notice.</p>

<p>On Thursday, the current session of Parliament was extended by two weeks up to August seven to enable passage of pending government legislations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi placed a proposal regarding this before the House and Speaker Om Birla then announced that the session has been extended up to August 7.</p>

<p>Under the original schedule, the session was to adjourn on July 25.</p>


MPs from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday gave Zero Hour notices in the Rajya Sabha over several issues. SP MP Jaya Bachchan has given notice over 'plight of the entertainment industry in India' while another SP MP Ravi Prakash Verma gave the notice over 'need for legislation to prevent mob violence.

MPs from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday gave Zero Hour notices in the Rajya Sabha over several issues. SP MP Jaya Bachchan has given notice over 'plight of the entertainment industry in India' while another SP MP Ravi Prakash Verma gave the notice over 'need for legislation to prevent mob violence.' TMC MP Dola Sen has submitted Zero Hour notice in the Upper House over 'demand to review the decision to privatise Indian ordnance factories.' The Zero Hour refers to the time immediately following the Question Hour in both the Houses of Parliament. During this hour, parliamentarians can raise matters of great importance without the mandatory ten days advance notice. On Thursday, the current session of Parliament was extended by two weeks up to August seven to enable passage of pending government legislations. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi placed a proposal regarding this before the House and Speaker Om Birla then announced that the session has been extended up to August 7. Under the original schedule, the session was to adjourn on July 25.

MPs from Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress give Zero Hour notices in Rajya Sabha

<p>Voting for Rajya Sabha seats has begun across six states.</p>

<p>For the 58 Rajya Sabha seats to be filled, 33 candidates from 10 states have been unanimously elected. Voting for the remaining 25 seats is being held in six states: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.</p>

<p>The Rajya Sabha vacancies next month include 17 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 12 from the Congress.</p>

<p>Three nominated members - actress Rekha, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and social worker Anu Aga - will retire in April.</p>

<p>The BJP has filed 18 candidates for the biennial polls. They include Anil Baluni, the national head of the BJP&#39;s media wing, from Uttarakhand and Saroj Pandey, BJP general secretary, from Chhattisgarh.</p>

<p>Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda has filed nomination papers as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will contest from Uttar Pradesh and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar.</p>

<p>The BJP has also fielded Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot from Madhya Pradesh for another Rajya Sabha term.</p>

<p>Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Mansukh L. Mandaviya and Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala will contest from Gujarat.</p>

<p>In Congress, Naranbhai Rathwa and Amee Yajnik will contest from Gujarat and Dhiraj Prasad will contest from Jharkhand.</p>

<p>Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Lekhram Sahu will contest from Bihar and Chhattisgarh respectively, while Rajmani Patel, Kumar Ketkar, Porika Bairam Naik and Abhishek Manu Singhvi are contesting from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal, respectively.</p>

<p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier said the Trinamool Congress would back Singhvi.</p>

<p>Mahendra Prasad Singh and Bashistha Narain Singh are the Janata Dal (United) candidates for the polls.</p>

<p>Counting of votes will begin from 5 pm onwards on Friday. Results are expected to will be announced the same evening.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lucknow: Visuals from Uttar Pradesh Assembly; CM Yogi Adityanath meets party MLAs, Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma also present. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajyaSabhaElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/DwSfe53Aqj">pic.twitter.com/DwSfe53Aqj</a></p>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet data-lang=en&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;Lucknow: Visuals from Uttar Pradesh Assembly; CM Yogi Adityanath meets party MLAs, Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma also present.  &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;#RajyaSabhaElections&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://t.co/DwSfe53Aqj href=https://t.co/DwSfe53Aqj&gt;pic.twitter.com/DwSfe53Aqj&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977033352443322368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977033352443322368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;March 23, 2018&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All the 9 candidates of BJP will win. SP insulted their worker &amp; people will answer them for choosing a candidate that entertains the society rather than one who serves the society: Nitin Agrawal, BJP (son of Naresh Agrawal) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajyaSabhaElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/UGCRm6hciZ">pic.twitter.com/UGCRm6hciZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977058659887976448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet data-lang=en&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;All the 9 candidates of BJP will win. SP insulted their worker &amp; people will answer them for choosing a candidate that entertains the society rather than one who serves the society: Nitin Agrawal, BJP (son of Naresh Agrawal) &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;#RajyaSabhaElections&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://t.co/UGCRm6hciZ href=https://t.co/UGCRm6hciZ&gt;pic.twitter.com/UGCRm6hciZ&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977058659887976448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977058659887976448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;March 23, 2018&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have voted for BJP, I don&#39;t know about the rest: Anil Singh, BSP MLA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajyaSabhaElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/28R7njmfnP">pic.twitter.com/28R7njmfnP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977047651286908928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet data-lang=en&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;I have voted for BJP, I don't know about the rest: Anil Singh, BSP MLA &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;#RajyaSabhaElections&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://t.co/28R7njmfnP href=https://t.co/28R7njmfnP&gt;pic.twitter.com/28R7njmfnP&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977047651286908928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977047651286908928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;March 23, 2018&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP will win all the nine Rajya Sabha seats where we have fielded our candidates. Nine more BJP candidates will make entry to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajyaSabha</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarPradesh</a> this time: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya <a href="https://t.co/7w4IWoWFRW">pic.twitter.com/7w4IWoWFRW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977038525731426304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet data-lang=en&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;BJP will win all the nine Rajya Sabha seats where we have fielded our candidates. Nine more BJP candidates will make entry to &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajyaSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;#RajyaSabha&lt;/a&gt; from &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;#UttarPradesh&lt;/a&gt; this time: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://t.co/7w4IWoWFRW href=https://t.co/7w4IWoWFRW&gt;pic.twitter.com/7w4IWoWFRW&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) &lt;a  data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977038525731426304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/977038525731426304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;March 23, 2018&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
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The Rajya Sabha vacancies next month include 17 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 12 from the Congress

Voting for Rajya Sabha seats has begun across six states. For the 58 Rajya Sabha seats to be filled, 33 candidates from 10 states have been unanimously elected. Voting for the remaining 25 seats is being held in six states: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. The Rajya Sabha vacancies next month include 17 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 12 from the Congress. Three nominated members - actress Rekha, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and social worker Anu Aga - will retire in April. The BJP has filed 18 candidates for the biennial polls. They include Anil Baluni, the national head of the BJP's media wing, from Uttarakhand and Saroj Pandey, BJP general secretary, from Chhattisgarh. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda has filed nomination papers as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will contest from Uttar Pradesh and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar. The BJP has also fielded Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot from Madhya Pradesh for another Rajya Sabha term. Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Mansukh L. Mandaviya and Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala will contest from Gujarat. In Congress, Naranbhai Rathwa and Amee Yajnik will contest from Gujarat and Dhiraj Prasad will contest from Jharkhand. Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Lekhram Sahu will contest from Bihar and Chhattisgarh respectively, while Rajmani Patel, Kumar Ketkar, Porika Bairam Naik and Abhishek Manu Singhvi are contesting from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal, respectively. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier said the Trinamool Congress would back Singhvi. Mahendra Prasad Singh and Bashistha Narain Singh are the Janata Dal (United) candidates for the polls. Counting of votes will begin from 5 pm onwards on Friday. Results are expected to will be announced the same evening. Lucknow: Visuals from Uttar Pradesh Assembly; CM Yogi Adityanath meets party MLAs, Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma also present. #RajyaSabhaElections pic.twitter.com/DwSfe53Aqj — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 23, 2018 × All the 9 candidates of BJP will win. SP insulted their worker & people will answer them for choosing a candidate that entertains the society rather than one who serves the society: Nitin Agrawal, BJP (son of Naresh Agrawal) #RajyaSabhaElections pic.twitter.com/UGCRm6hciZ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 23, 2018 × I have voted for BJP, I don't know about the rest: Anil Singh, BSP MLA #RajyaSabhaElections pic.twitter.com/28R7njmfnP — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 23, 2018 × BJP will win all the nine Rajya Sabha seats where we have fielded our candidates. Nine more BJP candidates will make entry to #RajyaSabha from #UttarPradesh this time: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya pic.twitter.com/7w4IWoWFRW — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 23, 2018 ×

Voting for Rajya Sabha polls begins across six states

<p>As Rekha&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sp-targets-tendulkar-rekha-over-poor-attendance-in-rajya-sabha-13976"> term in Rajya Sabha comes to</a> an end, the race has begun among&nbsp;Bollywood&#39;s celebrities to replace her&nbsp;in India&#39;s upper House of Parliament.</p>

<p>Rekh&#39;s stint is set to end soon as she has almost completed her six-year term in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The seat is reportedly&nbsp;been&nbsp;allotted to a celebrity from art, culture and social work background.</p>

<p>This time, in the race for a seat in the Rajya Sabha, superstar Akshay Kumar&#39;s name is has come up, sources say, along with Gajendra Chauhan, a famous television and film actor and ex-FTII chairman.</p>

<p>Gajendra Chauhan, former Film and Television Institute of India(FTII) chairman&#39;s stint was highly controversial as FTII students had protested against Chauhan&rsquo;s appointment and even boycotted his classes for several days. Later, Anupam Kher was appointed as the new chairman of FTII, Pune.</p>

<p>Rekha was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the former president&nbsp;Pranab Mukherjee&nbsp;in 2012.</p>


Bollywood's iconic actress' term ends after the completion of six years of work in the house

As Rekha's term in Rajya Sabha comes to an end, the race has begun among Bollywood's celebrities to replace her in India's upper House of Parliament. Rekh's stint is set to end soon as she has almost completed her six-year term in the Rajya Sabha. The seat is reportedly been allotted to a celebrity from art, culture and social work background. This time, in the race for a seat in the Rajya Sabha, superstar Akshay Kumar's name is has come up, sources say, along with Gajendra Chauhan, a famous television and film actor and ex-FTII chairman. Gajendra Chauhan, former Film and Television Institute of India(FTII) chairman's stint was highly controversial as FTII students had protested against Chauhan’s appointment and even boycotted his classes for several days. Later, Anupam Kher was appointed as the new chairman of FTII, Pune. Rekha was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the former president Pranab Mukherjee in 2012.

Akshay Kumar, Gajendra Chauhan in race to replace Rekha in Rajya Sabha

<p>The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Monday till 2 pm after the house witnessed a protest by the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the Noida fake encounter issue.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, the party had submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Upper House over the issue.</p>

<p>Usually, when the proceedings are disrupted soon after the House assembles for the day, the Chair adjourns the proceedings for shorter durations, generally till 1200 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At noon, the Question Hour is announced and if the disruptions recur, the proceedings are adjourned again.</p>

<p>But today, when Samajwadi Party MPs trooped into the Well raising slogans against alleged encounter killings by the police in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Naidu adjourned the proceedings straightaway till 1400 hours.</p>

<p>Admonishing the protesting Samajwadi Party MPs, Rajya Sabha Chair M Venkaiah Naidu said: &quot;You have just come to seek publicity,&quot; thus, adjourning the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>On Saturday, two people were allegedly shot at by police personnel in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Noida Sector-122.</p>

<p>Among the injured, Jitendra Yadav was shot in the neck and Sunil has wounded his leg.</p>

<p>However, the state police on Sunday claimed that the Noida shootout was not an encounter but a case of personal enmity.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu today adjourned proceedings till 1400 hours, an unprecedented move which even saw the Question Hour not being taken up

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Monday till 2 pm after the house witnessed a protest by the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the Noida fake encounter issue. Earlier in the day, the party had submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Upper House over the issue. Usually, when the proceedings are disrupted soon after the House assembles for the day, the Chair adjourns the proceedings for shorter durations, generally till 1200 hours. At noon, the Question Hour is announced and if the disruptions recur, the proceedings are adjourned again. But today, when Samajwadi Party MPs trooped into the Well raising slogans against alleged encounter killings by the police in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Naidu adjourned the proceedings straightaway till 1400 hours. Admonishing the protesting Samajwadi Party MPs, Rajya Sabha Chair M Venkaiah Naidu said: "You have just come to seek publicity," thus, adjourning the Rajya Sabha. On Saturday, two people were allegedly shot at by police personnel in Uttar Pradesh's Noida Sector-122. Among the injured, Jitendra Yadav was shot in the neck and Sunil has wounded his leg. However, the state police on Sunday claimed that the Noida shootout was not an encounter but a case of personal enmity. (With inputs from Agencies)

Rajya Sabha adjourned after protests against Uttar Pradesh 'fake' encounter case

India&#39;s parliament today passed a landmark tax reform&nbsp;bill&nbsp;that will pave the way for the introduction of a new national sales tax, and create a common market across the country for the first time.<br />
<br />
Parliament&#39;s upper house, Rajya Sabha, passed the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST)&nbsp;bill&nbsp;unanimously after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s government reached a consensus with opposition parties over the new tax regime. The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 was approved by the upper house with 203 votes in favour and none against, after a seven-hour debate during which a rare bonhomie was witnessed among the ruling and the opposition parties.<br />
<br />
The GST will replace a patchwork of central and state levies on goods and services and is one of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party government&#39;s biggest reforms since taking power in May 2014.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi thanked the leaders and members of all the parties in a tweet&nbsp;after the bill received a thumbs up.<br />
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On this truly historic occasion of the passage of the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha, I thank the leaders and members of all parties.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/760874175766507521">August 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I would like to add that GST will also be the best example of cooperative federalism. Together we will take India to new heights of progress</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/760874652960821249">August 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
The battle to introduce the economy-boosting GST has been one of the fiercest of Modi&#39;s premiership, with Congress repeatedly blocking the bill for more than a year, before finally agreeing to several amendments.<br />
<br />
&quot;It&#39;s the biggest tax reform since independence,&quot; finance minister Arun Jaitley told the NDTV television channel earlier today.&nbsp;&quot;It integrates India into one economic entity India becomes a big market, there will be a seamless transfer of goods and services across the country.&quot;<br />
<br />
Investors have billed the GST as a &quot;silver bullet&quot; for India&#39;s economy that would supplant multiple federal and state levies, a chaotic structure that inflates costs for businesses.<br />
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">GST Bill passed.India&#39;s enormous market--a caged tiger--will now be unleashed. GoodShowTeam India!</p>
&mdash; anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/760876374634721280">August 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Passing of the GST Amendment Bill will boost foreign investor sentiment <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSTBill?src=hash">#GSTBill</a><br />
Watch for inflows</p>
&mdash; Mahesh (@invest_mutual) <a href="https://twitter.com/invest_mutual/status/760875005089423360">August 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
Hailing the passage of the bill as an extremely progressive step, Walmart India today reacted positively.<br />
<br />
&quot;Passing of the GST bill today in Rajya Sabha is an extremely progressive step and long awaited one. GST is one of the critical tax reforms which has potential to create one single market in India for goods &amp; services and will boost country&#39;s economy significantly,&quot; Walmart India president and CEO Krish Iyer said in a statement.<br />
<br />
Businesses have lobbied hard for the tax, with lobby group the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimating the GST will add 1.5 to 2 percentage points to the annual economic growth rate.<br />
<br />
&quot;It is very much in the category of what one would call a big-bang reform,&quot; CII president Naushad Forbes told AFP.&nbsp;&quot;It will be a huge benefit to the ease of doing business, it&#39;s a huge potential efficiency gainer. It&#39;s a very significant potential contribution to the economy in the longer term,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
India&#39;s GDP expanded 7.6 per cent in 2015-16, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world.&nbsp;The actual tax is still some way off, however, with the government targeting April 2017 for its introduction, a date many experts say is overly optimistic.<br />
<br />
The bill that cleared the upper house today simply amends the constitution to grant the government new taxation powers.&nbsp;The bill must also be ratified by at least half of India&#39;s 29 states, before a specific GST bill can be introduced to enshrine the tax in law.<br />
<br />
The main rate of GST is still a hot topic for debate, with experts suggesting it is likely to end up at around 18 per cent.&nbsp;While GST may push up inflation in the short term because the price of some goods will rise, economists say it will boost business activity and deter tax evasion.<br />
<br />
About 150 countries worldwide have some form of GST or VAT (Value Added Tax), according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.<br />
<br />
(Agencies)

The passage of the bill was held up for years by political infighting, and its advancement marks a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi

India's parliament today passed a landmark tax reform bill that will pave the way for the introduction of a new national sales tax, and create a common market across the country for the first time. Parliament's upper house, Rajya Sabha, passed the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill unanimously after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government reached a consensus with opposition parties over the new tax regime. The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 was approved by the upper house with 203 votes in favour and none against, after a seven-hour debate during which a rare bonhomie was witnessed among the ruling and the opposition parties. The GST will replace a patchwork of central and state levies on goods and services and is one of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party government's biggest reforms since taking power in May 2014. Prime Minister Modi thanked the leaders and members of all the parties in a tweet after the bill received a thumbs up. On this truly historic occasion of the passage of the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha, I thank the leaders and members of all parties. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2016 I would like to add that GST will also be the best example of cooperative federalism. Together we will take India to new heights of progress — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2016 The battle to introduce the economy-boosting GST has been one of the fiercest of Modi's premiership, with Congress repeatedly blocking the bill for more than a year, before finally agreeing to several amendments. "It's the biggest tax reform since independence," finance minister Arun Jaitley told the NDTV television channel earlier today. "It integrates India into one economic entity India becomes a big market, there will be a seamless transfer of goods and services across the country." Investors have billed the GST as a "silver bullet" for India's economy that would supplant multiple federal and state levies, a chaotic structure that inflates costs for businesses. GST Bill passed.India's enormous market--a caged tiger--will now be unleashed. GoodShowTeam India! — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 3, 2016 Passing of the GST Amendment Bill will boost foreign investor sentiment #GSTBill Watch for inflows — Mahesh (@invest_mutual) August 3, 2016 Hailing the passage of the bill as an extremely progressive step, Walmart India today reacted positively. "Passing of the GST bill today in Rajya Sabha is an extremely progressive step and long awaited one. GST is one of the critical tax reforms which has potential to create one single market in India for goods & services and will boost country's economy significantly," Walmart India president and CEO Krish Iyer said in a statement. Businesses have lobbied hard for the tax, with lobby group the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimating the GST will add 1.5 to 2 percentage points to the annual economic growth rate. "It is very much in the category of what one would call a big-bang reform," CII president Naushad Forbes told AFP. "It will be a huge benefit to the ease of doing business, it's a huge potential efficiency gainer. It's a very significant potential contribution to the economy in the longer term," he said. India's GDP expanded 7.6 per cent in 2015-16, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world. The actual tax is still some way off, however, with the government targeting April 2017 for its introduction, a date many experts say is overly optimistic. The bill that cleared the upper house today simply amends the constitution to grant the government new taxation powers. The bill must also be ratified by at least half of India's 29 states, before a specific GST bill can be introduced to enshrine the tax in law. The main rate of GST is still a hot topic for debate, with experts suggesting it is likely to end up at around 18 per cent. While GST may push up inflation in the short term because the price of some goods will rise, economists say it will boost business activity and deter tax evasion. About 150 countries worldwide have some form of GST or VAT (Value Added Tax), according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. (Agencies)

Indian parliament's upper house passes landmark tax reform bill

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s ruling coalition won a landslide victory on Sunday in an election for Parliament&#39;s upper house, despite concerns about his economic policies and plans to revise the nation&rsquo;s post-war pacifist constitution for the first time.<br />
<br />
Final count showed Abe&#39;s coalition, like-minded parties and independents had won the two-thirds &quot;super majority&quot; needed to try to revise the constitution&#39;s restraints on the military, a step that could strain ties with China, where memories of Japan&#39;s past militarism run deep.<br />
<br />
Abe&#39;s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fell one short of winning a simple majority, which would have increased its clout within the coalition. Earlier projections had shown it was within their grasp for the first time since 1989.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, the overall victory will still bolster Abe&#39;s grip over the conservative party that he led back to power in 2012 promising to reboot the economy with hyper-easy monetary policy, fiscal spending and reforms.<br />
<br />
Abe&#39;s junior coalition partner, Komeito, fared well, winning 14 seats compared with nine before the election.<br />
<br />
In Japan, some financial market players fear that trying to amend the constitution could divert Abe&#39;s energy away from reviving the stuttering economy.<br />
<br />
&quot;The key question will be whether he can carry out (economic) structural reforms,&quot; said Nobuhiko Kuramochi, chief strategist at Mizuho Securities. &quot;If Abe fails to do so despite the political freedom he has gained, that will be negative for foreign investors&#39; appetite for Japanese stocks.&quot;<br />
<br />
Some voters who backed Abe&#39;s LDP also said the economy&#39;s health was their biggest concern.<br />
<br />
&quot;Especially since I see economic growth as the priority, I have little hope for the opposition parties,&quot; said Yoshihiko Takeda, a 36-year-old IT company employee.<br />
<br />
<strong>How big a mandate?</strong><br />
<br />
Abe had cast the election as a referendum on &quot;Abenomics&quot;. With signs the strategy is failing, the government plans to compile a post-election stimulus package that could exceed 10 trillion Yen ($99 billion).<br />
<br />
Abe declined to say how big the package might be. Economists worry the government will choose big-ticket infrastructure projects rather than implement tough structural reforms.<br />
<br />
Abe said he would reshuffle his cabinet but did not say when or how. There has been speculation that Abe might replace finance minister Taro Aso, 75, among others.<br />
<br />
His minister for Okinawa, Aiko Shimajiri, lost her seat, along with justice minister Mitsuhide Iwaki.<br />
<br />
The loss in Okinawa is a slap at a US-Japan plan to relocate a controversial US-marines airbase on the island, reluctant host to the bulk of America&#39;s military forces in Japan.<br />
<br />
Abe said he had won a mandate for his economic policies in the election, although the assertion could be weakened by low turnout. &quot;We were given approval for our mandate to powerfully pursue Abenomics. We&rsquo;d like to continue with our efforts to achieve what we&#39;ve promised,&quot; he said on TV.<br />
<br />
Kyodo news agency put turnout at about 54 per cent, a bit above the record low of 52.61 per cent seen in the last upper house poll three years ago.<br />
<br />
The opposition Democratic Party linked up with three smaller parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, to try to stop the pro-constitutional reform camp getting a super majority. Abe&#39;s coalition already has a super-majority in the lower house.<br />
<br />
Conservatives see the constitution as a humiliating symbol of Japan&#39;s defeat in World War II. Its admirers consider it the source of post-war peace and democracy. Revising the charter needs the approval of two-thirds in both houses of parliament and a majority in a public referendum.<br />
<br />
&quot;We think the constitution is something that puts limits on power, but sadly, that&#39;s not what the LDP&#39;s (revised draft) does,&quot; Yukio Edano, Democratic Party secretary general, said on TV. &quot;If there is no common agreement on this point, then there is no platform on which we can debate individual articles.&quot;<br />
<br />
Surveys show most voters see no need to revise the constitution and the LDP&#39;s dovish coalition partner, Komeito, is reluctant to change its pacifist Article 9. The party&#39;s secretary-general, Yoshihisa Inoue, said on TV that views in the party on possible changes had &quot;not come together&quot; yet.<br />
<br />
China&#39;s official agency quickly warned that the victory posed a danger to regional stability. Commentaries by the Xinhua news agency are not formal government statements but often reflect official thinking in China, where memories of Japan&#39;s past militarism still spark outrage.<br />
<br />
&quot;With Japan&#39;s pacifist constitution at serious stake and Abe&#39;s power expanding, it is alarming both for Japan&#39;s Asian neighbours, as well as for Japan itself, as Japan&#39;s militarisation will serve to benefit neither side,&quot; the Xinhua commentary said.<br />
<br />
Abe said revising the constitution was his Liberal Democratic Party&#39;s (LDP) cherished goal, but forging agreement on changes in the diverse pro-revision camp would not be easy.<br />
<br />
Revisions require a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and a majority of votes in a public referendum.<br />
<br />
&quot;To realise revision of the constitution is my duty as LDP president,&quot; Abe told a news conference. &quot;But it is not that easy, so I hope debate will deepen steadily.&quot;<br />
<br />
Experts agreed that building such agreement would be tough.<br />
<br />
&quot;It&#39;s the first time to have two-thirds in both houses of parliament, but you can&#39;t find any issue on which the two-thirds can agree,&quot; said Gerry Curtis, professor emeritus at New York&#39;s Columbia University.<br />
<br />
<strong>Strong Economy, Revised Constitution</strong><br />
<br />
Some in financial markets worry a focus on the constitution would drain attention from the economy, but Abe promised on Monday to craft a large stimulus package.<br />
<br />
&quot;A public referendum is needed so he must boost support to advance revision. So for constitutional change as well, he will probably come up with a large-scale economic package,&quot; said Daiji Aoki, senior economist at UBS Securities Japan.<br />
<br />
Doubts about Abe&#39;s policies persist even though his ruling bloc won big in terms of the number of seats. Many voters felt they had no other option, given memories of the main opposition Democratic Party&#39;s rocky 2009-2012 rule. Others stayed home.<br />
<br />
Surveys show many Japanese voters are wary of changing the constitution&#39;s war-renouncing Article 9, which advocates see as the source of Japan&#39;s post-war peace and democracy. Conservatives see it as a symbol of humiliating defeat.<br />
<br />
If taken literally, Article 9 bans the maintenance of armed forces. Successive governments have interpreted it to allow a military for self-defence, a concept Abe last year stretched to allow Japan&#39;s military to aid friendly nations under attack.<br />
<br />
Formal revision of Article 9 would likely be largely symbolic - though nonetheless historic.<br />
<br />
Convincing the Komeito party, the dovish junior partner in Abe&#39;s LDP-led coalition, to agree would be challenging. The pro-revision camp might therefore tackle another amendment first.<br />
<br />
One possibility is a clause giving the government more power in a national emergency, a move critics say would curtail civil rights.<br />
<br />
Another option, floated by the Komeito, would be to add an environmental protection clause. That less contentious step would nonetheless break the political taboo on revision.<br />
<br />
It is unclear whether that would satisfy Abe&#39;s political base.<br />
<br />
&quot;Conservatives see the constitution as emasculating the nation,&quot; said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo.<br />
<br />
&quot;If I&#39;m in his camp, I&#39;m thinking, this may be my best shot.&quot;<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

China's official agency quickly warned that the victory posed a danger to Japan's Asian neighbours and to Japan itself

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition won a landslide victory on Sunday in an election for Parliament's upper house, despite concerns about his economic policies and plans to revise the nation’s post-war pacifist constitution for the first time. Final count showed Abe's coalition, like-minded parties and independents had won the two-thirds "super majority" needed to try to revise the constitution's restraints on the military, a step that could strain ties with China, where memories of Japan's past militarism run deep. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fell one short of winning a simple majority, which would have increased its clout within the coalition. Earlier projections had shown it was within their grasp for the first time since 1989. Nevertheless, the overall victory will still bolster Abe's grip over the conservative party that he led back to power in 2012 promising to reboot the economy with hyper-easy monetary policy, fiscal spending and reforms. Abe's junior coalition partner, Komeito, fared well, winning 14 seats compared with nine before the election. In Japan, some financial market players fear that trying to amend the constitution could divert Abe's energy away from reviving the stuttering economy. "The key question will be whether he can carry out (economic) structural reforms," said Nobuhiko Kuramochi, chief strategist at Mizuho Securities. "If Abe fails to do so despite the political freedom he has gained, that will be negative for foreign investors' appetite for Japanese stocks." Some voters who backed Abe's LDP also said the economy's health was their biggest concern. "Especially since I see economic growth as the priority, I have little hope for the opposition parties," said Yoshihiko Takeda, a 36-year-old IT company employee. How big a mandate? Abe had cast the election as a referendum on "Abenomics". With signs the strategy is failing, the government plans to compile a post-election stimulus package that could exceed 10 trillion Yen ($99 billion). Abe declined to say how big the package might be. Economists worry the government will choose big-ticket infrastructure projects rather than implement tough structural reforms. Abe said he would reshuffle his cabinet but did not say when or how. There has been speculation that Abe might replace finance minister Taro Aso, 75, among others. His minister for Okinawa, Aiko Shimajiri, lost her seat, along with justice minister Mitsuhide Iwaki. The loss in Okinawa is a slap at a US-Japan plan to relocate a controversial US-marines airbase on the island, reluctant host to the bulk of America's military forces in Japan. Abe said he had won a mandate for his economic policies in the election, although the assertion could be weakened by low turnout. "We were given approval for our mandate to powerfully pursue Abenomics. We’d like to continue with our efforts to achieve what we've promised," he said on TV. Kyodo news agency put turnout at about 54 per cent, a bit above the record low of 52.61 per cent seen in the last upper house poll three years ago. The opposition Democratic Party linked up with three smaller parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, to try to stop the pro-constitutional reform camp getting a super majority. Abe's coalition already has a super-majority in the lower house. Conservatives see the constitution as a humiliating symbol of Japan's defeat in World War II. Its admirers consider it the source of post-war peace and democracy. Revising the charter needs the approval of two-thirds in both houses of parliament and a majority in a public referendum. "We think the constitution is something that puts limits on power, but sadly, that's not what the LDP's (revised draft) does," Yukio Edano, Democratic Party secretary general, said on TV. "If there is no common agreement on this point, then there is no platform on which we can debate individual articles." Surveys show most voters see no need to revise the constitution and the LDP's dovish coalition partner, Komeito, is reluctant to change its pacifist Article 9. The party's secretary-general, Yoshihisa Inoue, said on TV that views in the party on possible changes had "not come together" yet. China's official agency quickly warned that the victory posed a danger to regional stability. Commentaries by the Xinhua news agency are not formal government statements but often reflect official thinking in China, where memories of Japan's past militarism still spark outrage. "With Japan's pacifist constitution at serious stake and Abe's power expanding, it is alarming both for Japan's Asian neighbours, as well as for Japan itself, as Japan's militarisation will serve to benefit neither side," the Xinhua commentary said. Abe said revising the constitution was his Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) cherished goal, but forging agreement on changes in the diverse pro-revision camp would not be easy. Revisions require a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and a majority of votes in a public referendum. "To realise revision of the constitution is my duty as LDP president," Abe told a news conference. "But it is not that easy, so I hope debate will deepen steadily." Experts agreed that building such agreement would be tough. "It's the first time to have two-thirds in both houses of parliament, but you can't find any issue on which the two-thirds can agree," said Gerry Curtis, professor emeritus at New York's Columbia University. Strong Economy, Revised Constitution Some in financial markets worry a focus on the constitution would drain attention from the economy, but Abe promised on Monday to craft a large stimulus package. "A public referendum is needed so he must boost support to advance revision. So for constitutional change as well, he will probably come up with a large-scale economic package," said Daiji Aoki, senior economist at UBS Securities Japan. Doubts about Abe's policies persist even though his ruling bloc won big in terms of the number of seats. Many voters felt they had no other option, given memories of the main opposition Democratic Party's rocky 2009-2012 rule. Others stayed home. Surveys show many Japanese voters are wary of changing the constitution's war-renouncing Article 9, which advocates see as the source of Japan's post-war peace and democracy. Conservatives see it as a symbol of humiliating defeat. If taken literally, Article 9 bans the maintenance of armed forces. Successive governments have interpreted it to allow a military for self-defence, a concept Abe last year stretched to allow Japan's military to aid friendly nations under attack. Formal revision of Article 9 would likely be largely symbolic - though nonetheless historic. Convincing the Komeito party, the dovish junior partner in Abe's LDP-led coalition, to agree would be challenging. The pro-revision camp might therefore tackle another amendment first. One possibility is a clause giving the government more power in a national emergency, a move critics say would curtail civil rights. Another option, floated by the Komeito, would be to add an environmental protection clause. That less contentious step would nonetheless break the political taboo on revision. It is unclear whether that would satisfy Abe's political base. "Conservatives see the constitution as emasculating the nation," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo. "If I'm in his camp, I'm thinking, this may be my best shot." (Reuters)

Abe wins upper house poll but says changing pacifist constitution not easy

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