The Ganga will be "100 per cent clean" by March 2020, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Saturday said, and linked it to "good governance".

He was addressing a gathering of the BJP's SC Morcha here.

"In just 10 per cent work of the Rs 26,000 crore project currently underway, the Ganga has started getting cleaner. By March this year, 30-40 per cent of the work will be completed and by March next year, Ganga will be 100 per cent clean," he said.

He said he could give a "districtwise, statewise and projectwise" record of the work he had done to clean Ganga.

"Not only the Ganga, but we have also been working on 40 of its tributaries," he said, adding that projects worth Rs 800 crore were also underway to rejuvenate the Yamuna.

He said 20 per cent excess water had been released into the Ganga for its "aviralta" or continuous flow.

He said the river would have "continuous" and "unpolluted" water on its entire stretch by June this year.

"Our dream of a clean Ganga will come true. This is called good governance," the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said.

The Central government approved the 'Namami Gange' program on May 13, 2015, as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate the Ganga and all its tributaries under one umbrella by consolidating existing ongoing efforts.

The Ganga will be "100 per cent clean" by March 2020, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Saturday said, and linked it to "good governance". He was addressing a gathering of the BJP's SC Morcha here.

The Ganga will be "100 per cent clean" by March 2020, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Saturday said, and linked it to "good governance". He was addressing a gathering of the BJP's SC Morcha here. "In just 10 per cent work of the Rs 26,000 crore project currently underway, the Ganga has started getting cleaner. By March this year, 30-40 per cent of the work will be completed and by March next year, Ganga will be 100 per cent clean," he said. He said he could give a "districtwise, statewise and projectwise" record of the work he had done to clean Ganga. "Not only the Ganga, but we have also been working on 40 of its tributaries," he said, adding that projects worth Rs 800 crore were also underway to rejuvenate the Yamuna. He said 20 per cent excess water had been released into the Ganga for its "aviralta" or continuous flow. He said the river would have "continuous" and "unpolluted" water on its entire stretch by June this year. "Our dream of a clean Ganga will come true. This is called good governance," the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said. The Central government approved the 'Namami Gange' program on May 13, 2015, as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate the Ganga and all its tributaries under one umbrella by consolidating existing ongoing efforts.

Ganga to be 100% clean by March next year: Nitin Gadkari

The Bulandshahr district administration on Monday invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against seven people arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughtering incident in Siyana tehsil last month, officials said.

Cattle carcasses were found strewn in the fields outside village Mahaw in Siyana on December 3 after which a mob went on the rampage, attacking the local Chingrawathi police post.&nbsp;

Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, 44, and civilian Sumit Kumar, 20, of Chingrawathi village were killed of gunshot injuries in the ensuing violence.

Two separate FIRs were registered, one for the violence in which nearly 80 people including 27 named and the other for cow slaughter, at the Siyana police station.

"Yes,"&nbsp;District Magistrate Anuj Jha said in response to a PTI query on whether the stringent NSA was invoked against those arrested in the cow slaughter case.&nbsp;

The Bulandshahr district administration on Monday invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against seven people arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughtering incident in Siyana tehsil last month, officials said.

The Bulandshahr district administration on Monday invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against seven people arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughtering incident in Siyana tehsil last month, officials said. Cattle carcasses were found strewn in the fields outside village Mahaw in Siyana on December 3 after which a mob went on the rampage, attacking the local Chingrawathi police post. Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, 44, and civilian Sumit Kumar, 20, of Chingrawathi village were killed of gunshot injuries in the ensuing violence. Two separate FIRs were registered, one for the violence in which nearly 80 people including 27 named and the other for cow slaughter, at the Siyana police station. "Yes," District Magistrate Anuj Jha said in response to a PTI query on whether the stringent NSA was invoked against those arrested in the cow slaughter case.

Bulandshahr violence: National Security Act invoked against those arrested

The political wheels have come full circle in Uttar Pradesh. About 25 years ago, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party came together to successfully contest the 1993 Assembly elections in the state. The idea was to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at bay following its rise. Now the two parties have aligned yet again to counter the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Since we are into history, let’s recall a few incidents that happened thereafter.&nbsp;

Then it was Mulayam Singh Yadav from the SP and Kanshi Ram from the BSP who stitched the partnership. Two prominent industrialists had played a significant role in bringing the rivals together, and they were subsequently rewarded with Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP still won the largest number of seats but fell short of a majority, while the combined numerical strength of the SP and the BSP led to the formation of a coalition regime with Mulayam Singh Yadav as the chief minister. Mayawati did not join the government, but she was entrusted with the task of supervising the partnership. &nbsp;

The alliance worked well for the first few months, but friction began to develop thereafter, more so after incidents of violence which had erupted following the removal of an Ambedkar statue in Meerut in 1994. The state police, which had a good number from the Yadav caste, came down hard on the protesters and at least two members of the Scheduled Castes died in the firing. More problems arose when the Yadav community protested against the installation of an Ambedkar statue on a plot of land it claimed belonged to the community. The Yadav-Scheduled Caste confrontation led Mayawati to get aggressive, and soon reports began to circulate that she was interfering in the functioning of the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government. &nbsp;

Then came then infamous guest house incident in mid-1995. By then, political equations had begun to change in Lucknow. The BJP and the BSP had got closer to each other with the latter realising it would have to pull out of the coalition regime to keep its Scheduled caste vote-base intact. Indeed, Mayawati had met the Governor and effectively withdrawn support to the government. All hell broke. Mayawati had summoned a meeting of her legislators at the state guest house in Lucknow to discuss further course of action. Once the meeting was done, the BSP leader was closeted with a few senior leaders for fine-tuning the political strategy. A mob of around 200 SP leaders and supporters attacked the guest house and raised casteist slogans against her and her community. It was followed by more filthy language and threats to kill. Power supply to the guest house was cut off and the mob shouted for Mayawati to be dragged out and taught a lesson. The BSP legislators who came in contact with the mob were brutally assaulted. &nbsp;

Two junior police officers came to Mayawati’s rescue. Later the district magistrate of Lucknow and some BJP leaders played important roles in the rescue of the BSP leader. A traumatic Mayawati and her guru Kanshi Ram vowed to never do business with the SP. She soon became chief minister with the BJP’s support.&nbsp;

Cut to the present: On Saturday, sharing the stage with SP leader Akhilesh Yadav to announce the renewed partnership between the SP and the BSP and the seat-sharing deal, Mayawati remarked that she was willing to forgive and forget the 1995 incident in the larger interests of the nation (read, to get rid of the Modi government from the Centre). &nbsp;

Then, as now, the common factor is the need to counter the BJP. But that’s where the commonality ends. The first difference is that the two leaders who made the alliance possible in 1993 are not in the picture this time around. Kanshi Ram is dead and Mulayam Singh Yadav is a mere bystander in the party which he founded. While both Kanshi Ram and Mulayam Singh Yadav were astute, in the present case Mayawati, now a veteran both in terms of years in politics and mercurial nature, clearly has the edge, whereas Akhilesh Yadav is subdued by his relatively junior status and inexperience. Everybody knows who will call the shots in the post-result scenario if the combine does well, is not a secret.&nbsp;

The second difference is that the 1993 alliance had been for Assembly elections, whereas the present one — at least for now — is for the Lok Sabha polls. Then it was Mulayam-Kanshi Ram versus Kalyan Singh of the BJP, who had been deposed as chief minister following the Ayodhya mosque destruction incident. Today it is Akhilesh-Mayawati versus Narendra Modi — a more formidable challenge.&nbsp;

The third refers to the political status of the BJP. Then, the BJP was not in power either at the Centre or in the state. Today it’s there in both places. In the 2014 general elections, the party had got 40 per cent of the vote-share in Uttar Pradesh. The SP could manage only five seats while the BSP ended with none. The situation was not much different in the 2017 assembly polls where the SP and the BSP had to bite the dust while the BJP romped home with a huge majority. &nbsp;And yet the SP-BSP combine has reason to feel upbeat. It had tasted blood in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypolls, and this had proved to be a trigger to explore a formalise alliance between the two parties.&nbsp; &nbsp;

There, questions remain: First, will the coalition deliver in 2019? Will it last in case of failure? Will it sustain even after the victory or become victim to ego battles, as had happened in 1995?&nbsp;&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The political wheels have come full circle in Uttar Pradesh. About 25 years ago, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party came together to successfully contest the 1993 Assembly elections in the state.

The political wheels have come full circle in Uttar Pradesh. About 25 years ago, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party came together to successfully contest the 1993 Assembly elections in the state. The idea was to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at bay following its rise. Now the two parties have aligned yet again to counter the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Since we are into history, let’s recall a few incidents that happened thereafter. Then it was Mulayam Singh Yadav from the SP and Kanshi Ram from the BSP who stitched the partnership. Two prominent industrialists had played a significant role in bringing the rivals together, and they were subsequently rewarded with Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP still won the largest number of seats but fell short of a majority, while the combined numerical strength of the SP and the BSP led to the formation of a coalition regime with Mulayam Singh Yadav as the chief minister. Mayawati did not join the government, but she was entrusted with the task of supervising the partnership. The alliance worked well for the first few months, but friction began to develop thereafter, more so after incidents of violence which had erupted following the removal of an Ambedkar statue in Meerut in 1994. The state police, which had a good number from the Yadav caste, came down hard on the protesters and at least two members of the Scheduled Castes died in the firing. More problems arose when the Yadav community protested against the installation of an Ambedkar statue on a plot of land it claimed belonged to the community. The Yadav-Scheduled Caste confrontation led Mayawati to get aggressive, and soon reports began to circulate that she was interfering in the functioning of the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government. Then came then infamous guest house incident in mid-1995. By then, political equations had begun to change in Lucknow. The BJP and the BSP had got closer to each other with the latter realising it would have to pull out of the coalition regime to keep its Scheduled caste vote-base intact. Indeed, Mayawati had met the Governor and effectively withdrawn support to the government. All hell broke. Mayawati had summoned a meeting of her legislators at the state guest house in Lucknow to discuss further course of action. Once the meeting was done, the BSP leader was closeted with a few senior leaders for fine-tuning the political strategy. A mob of around 200 SP leaders and supporters attacked the guest house and raised casteist slogans against her and her community. It was followed by more filthy language and threats to kill. Power supply to the guest house was cut off and the mob shouted for Mayawati to be dragged out and taught a lesson. The BSP legislators who came in contact with the mob were brutally assaulted. Two junior police officers came to Mayawati’s rescue. Later the district magistrate of Lucknow and some BJP leaders played important roles in the rescue of the BSP leader. A traumatic Mayawati and her guru Kanshi Ram vowed to never do business with the SP. She soon became chief minister with the BJP’s support. Cut to the present: On Saturday, sharing the stage with SP leader Akhilesh Yadav to announce the renewed partnership between the SP and the BSP and the seat-sharing deal, Mayawati remarked that she was willing to forgive and forget the 1995 incident in the larger interests of the nation (read, to get rid of the Modi government from the Centre). Then, as now, the common factor is the need to counter the BJP. But that’s where the commonality ends. The first difference is that the two leaders who made the alliance possible in 1993 are not in the picture this time around. Kanshi Ram is dead and Mulayam Singh Yadav is a mere bystander in the party which he founded. While both Kanshi Ram and Mulayam Singh Yadav were astute, in the present case Mayawati, now a veteran both in terms of years in politics and mercurial nature, clearly has the edge, whereas Akhilesh Yadav is subdued by his relatively junior status and inexperience. Everybody knows who will call the shots in the post-result scenario if the combine does well, is not a secret. The second difference is that the 1993 alliance had been for Assembly elections, whereas the present one — at least for now — is for the Lok Sabha polls. Then it was Mulayam-Kanshi Ram versus Kalyan Singh of the BJP, who had been deposed as chief minister following the Ayodhya mosque destruction incident. Today it is Akhilesh-Mayawati versus Narendra Modi — a more formidable challenge. The third refers to the political status of the BJP. Then, the BJP was not in power either at the Centre or in the state. Today it’s there in both places. In the 2014 general elections, the party had got 40 per cent of the vote-share in Uttar Pradesh. The SP could manage only five seats while the BSP ended with none. The situation was not much different in the 2017 assembly polls where the SP and the BSP had to bite the dust while the BJP romped home with a huge majority. And yet the SP-BSP combine has reason to feel upbeat. It had tasted blood in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypolls, and this had proved to be a trigger to explore a formalise alliance between the two parties. There, questions remain: First, will the coalition deliver in 2019? Will it last in case of failure? Will it sustain even after the victory or become victim to ego battles, as had happened in 1995? (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

BSP-SP alliance returns after 25 years; will the coalition deliver in 2019?

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong-arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the 'mahagathbandhan'.

The NDA's reaction came after Tejashwi Yadav greeted Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for forging an alliance and dumping the Congress out of it.

"This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," Tejashwi Yadav said in Lucknow Monday.

A mortified Congress evaded a direct reply when it was asked about Yadav's Lucknow visit, where he touched Mayawati's feet and declared the RJD's full support to the alliance at a press conference he jointly addressed with Akhilesh Yadav.

BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand asserted it is actually a "posturing, a strong arm tactic by the RJD" which, he added, has an inflated sense of its importance and treats its alliance partners with contempt.

"Tejashwi Yadav is indirectly trying to show his party's alliance in Bihar that the RJD will dictate the terms in the alliance here," Anand said.

"Whatever Tejashwi Yadav's Lucknow tour may mean for UP politics, in Bihar it is clearly indicative of the clash of egos that the Grand Alliance is witnessing. The clash of egos has come in the way of finalising a seat-sharing arrangement among its too many constituents. We are looking at a situation where they would not be able to reach any understanding till the date of voting and end up fighting each other," he claimed.

Media reports suggest that the Congress is demanding a large number of seats out of the total 40 in Bihar to be a part of the 'mahagathbandhan.'&nbsp;It has cited its recent victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to assert its claim, but the RJD, the main force behind the anti-NDA coalition, is unwilling to accept the demand.

Reacting to the developments, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said, "We wonder what type of Grand Alliance the opposition in Bihar had been talking about. In UP, the Congress, which was supposed to lead the so-called 'mahagathbandhan', has been left out".

"Tejashwi Yadav and his party are in dire straits so, maybe, he is on an expedition to make as many political friends as possible... The SP-BSP alliance may be a strong one, but there is nothing grand about it," Paswan, son of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan and chairman of the party's parliamentary board, said.

Similar views were expressed by JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar who questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav had no concern for the "insult" meted out to the Congress by the formation of SP-BSP alliance.

Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra tried to side-step a question on the alliance, saying Tejashwi Yadav has family relations with Akhilesh Yadav. "Maybe he has gone there in a personal capacity, to celebrate Makar Sankranti."

However, when the queries persisted, he said until and unless the RJD comes out with a statement explaining why it is lending support to a formation which has not taken the Congress on board, "we would not like to say anything on the matter".

At his Lucknow press conference, Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the de facto leader of his party in the absence of his father and RJD supremo

Lalu Prasad claimed even Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that it does not matter who is in an alliance as long as it serves the purpose of defeating the BJP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong-arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the 'mahagathbandhan'.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong-arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the 'mahagathbandhan'. The NDA's reaction came after Tejashwi Yadav greeted Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for forging an alliance and dumping the Congress out of it. "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," Tejashwi Yadav said in Lucknow Monday. A mortified Congress evaded a direct reply when it was asked about Yadav's Lucknow visit, where he touched Mayawati's feet and declared the RJD's full support to the alliance at a press conference he jointly addressed with Akhilesh Yadav. BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand asserted it is actually a "posturing, a strong arm tactic by the RJD" which, he added, has an inflated sense of its importance and treats its alliance partners with contempt. "Tejashwi Yadav is indirectly trying to show his party's alliance in Bihar that the RJD will dictate the terms in the alliance here," Anand said. "Whatever Tejashwi Yadav's Lucknow tour may mean for UP politics, in Bihar it is clearly indicative of the clash of egos that the Grand Alliance is witnessing. The clash of egos has come in the way of finalising a seat-sharing arrangement among its too many constituents. We are looking at a situation where they would not be able to reach any understanding till the date of voting and end up fighting each other," he claimed. Media reports suggest that the Congress is demanding a large number of seats out of the total 40 in Bihar to be a part of the 'mahagathbandhan.' It has cited its recent victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to assert its claim, but the RJD, the main force behind the anti-NDA coalition, is unwilling to accept the demand. Reacting to the developments, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said, "We wonder what type of Grand Alliance the opposition in Bihar had been talking about. In UP, the Congress, which was supposed to lead the so-called 'mahagathbandhan', has been left out". "Tejashwi Yadav and his party are in dire straits so, maybe, he is on an expedition to make as many political friends as possible... The SP-BSP alliance may be a strong one, but there is nothing grand about it," Paswan, son of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan and chairman of the party's parliamentary board, said. Similar views were expressed by JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar who questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav had no concern for the "insult" meted out to the Congress by the formation of SP-BSP alliance. Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra tried to side-step a question on the alliance, saying Tejashwi Yadav has family relations with Akhilesh Yadav. "Maybe he has gone there in a personal capacity, to celebrate Makar Sankranti." However, when the queries persisted, he said until and unless the RJD comes out with a statement explaining why it is lending support to a formation which has not taken the Congress on board, "we would not like to say anything on the matter". At his Lucknow press conference, Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the de facto leader of his party in the absence of his father and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad claimed even Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that it does not matter who is in an alliance as long as it serves the purpose of defeating the BJP.

Tejashwi Yadav extends support to SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine in detail a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into incidents of alleged police encounters and killings in Uttar Pradesh.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul perused the material on record and said issues raised in the petition by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) required "serious consideration" and fixed the hearing on February 12.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, however, claimed all norms and procedures were followed by the state administration.

Earlier, the apex court had sought a response from the state government on the PIL filed by the NGO, alleging that there were about 1,100 encounters in 2017 in which 49 people were killed and 370 injured.

The NGO, in its plea, referred to news reports quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar justifying encounter killings of criminals in the state.

It sought a probe into the encounters by an independent agency -- the Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team comprising police officers of "integrity and who have not served in the state of Uttar Pradesh".

Quoting the figure provided by the state to the NHRC, it said 45 persons died between January 1, 2017 till March 31, 2018.

&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine in detail a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into incidents of alleged police encounters and killings in Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine in detail a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into incidents of alleged police encounters and killings in Uttar Pradesh. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul perused the material on record and said issues raised in the petition by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) required "serious consideration" and fixed the hearing on February 12. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, however, claimed all norms and procedures were followed by the state administration. Earlier, the apex court had sought a response from the state government on the PIL filed by the NGO, alleging that there were about 1,100 encounters in 2017 in which 49 people were killed and 370 injured. The NGO, in its plea, referred to news reports quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar justifying encounter killings of criminals in the state. It sought a probe into the encounters by an independent agency -- the Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team comprising police officers of "integrity and who have not served in the state of Uttar Pradesh". Quoting the figure provided by the state to the NHRC, it said 45 persons died between January 1, 2017 till March 31, 2018.

Supreme Court to examine plea alleging encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is playing a pivotal role in building a strong opposition front against the ruling BJP, welcomed the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Parliamentary polls on Saturday.

"I welcome the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sp-bsp-alliance-how-sworn-enemies-became-friends-again-189880">alliance of the SP and the BSP</a> for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," she said in a tweet.

A vociferous critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo has been touring the country over the last one year, trying to build an Opposition alliance to take on the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls.

She has invited Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and the leaders of various other opposition parties, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (Secular), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Congress and many others to attend a January 19 rally of a united opposition convened by her at the Brigade Parade grounds here.

Although most of the parties have confirmed attending the rally, the Congress is yet to announce whether it will take part in it and whether party chief Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be present on the occasion.

Banerjee had earlier suggested that an alliance between the SP and the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh would wipe out the BJP from the crucial Hindi heartland state that sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha.

Last year, after the victories of the SP-BSP joint candidates in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Banerjee had, in a series of tweets, said it was the beginning of the end for the BJP.

A strong advocate of an opposition front, Banerjee has time and again called for putting up a one-on-one fight against the saffron party to ensure the maximum polling of anti-BJP votes.

The TMC chief has already announced that her party will contest all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is playing a pivotal role in building a strong opposition front against the ruling BJP, welcomed the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Parliamentary polls on Saturday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is playing a pivotal role in building a strong opposition front against the ruling BJP, welcomed the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Parliamentary polls on Saturday. "I welcome the alliance of the SP and the BSP for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," she said in a tweet. A vociferous critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo has been touring the country over the last one year, trying to build an Opposition alliance to take on the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls. She has invited Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and the leaders of various other opposition parties, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (Secular), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Congress and many others to attend a January 19 rally of a united opposition convened by her at the Brigade Parade grounds here. Although most of the parties have confirmed attending the rally, the Congress is yet to announce whether it will take part in it and whether party chief Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be present on the occasion. Banerjee had earlier suggested that an alliance between the SP and the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh would wipe out the BJP from the crucial Hindi heartland state that sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha. Last year, after the victories of the SP-BSP joint candidates in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Banerjee had, in a series of tweets, said it was the beginning of the end for the BJP. A strong advocate of an opposition front, Banerjee has time and again called for putting up a one-on-one fight against the saffron party to ensure the maximum polling of anti-BJP votes. The TMC chief has already announced that her party will contest all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.

Engaged in building anti-BJP front, Mamata hails SP-BSP alliance in UP

Terming it 'Akhada beyond sexuality', the head priest of Kinnar Akhada on Friday called their first-time participation at the Kumbh 2019 as a step forward towards acceptance in the society.

Kinnar Akhada Mahamandaleshwar, Acharya, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi exuded pride and confidence while talking of her Akhada's debut at this massive congregation of pilgrims and said, "For me, it is a wonderful situation to come to this divine Prayagraj Kumbh. For me, we are one of the most conservative societies in the world where the acceptance of the third gender is remarkably outstanding. For us, this participation is about mainstream society accepting us. This is Akhada beyond sexuality. The creator is within us and once we perish we will go back to him. Our doors are open for all."

Talking further about transgender issues and the modern scenario, she added, "Still the battle is on. We are sure that we will come across these hurdles. My community is striving to make its place in the mainstreams place whether it is art and culture, religion. We are here only to give unconditional love to all irrespective of creed, color or background."

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Prayagraj: 'Kinnar Akhara' is participating in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KumbhMela2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KumbhMela2019</a> for the first time. Pavitra, Secretary of 'Kinnar Akhara', says, “Public &amp; all the devotees who are here have supported us &amp; shown lot of respect for us. We are happy that people here have accepted us.” <a href="https://t.co/7cHRV8Bkkm">pic.twitter.com/7cHRV8Bkkm</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1083747078147268609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Adding further to it, Pavitra, Secretary of Kinnar Akhada said, "I have been with the Kinnar Akhada since its formation. We were preparing for the last two years to participate in Prayagraj Kumbh. We met with administration and the concerned ministers to get land allocated for us to set up our camp at this Kumbh. We were very willing to be here and now that we have arrived, the general public and pilgrims have been very supportive. We can see respect and acceptance in everyone's eye for us and it really feels very good."

The Akhada reportedly also faced some protests for its distinct identity, speaking about which, she said, "Whenever there is some good initiative some people do object. There were objections on the name of Kinnar Akhada and other things. But we have been successful in leaving these challenges behind us and are looking forward to increased acceptance."

The Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj will commence from January 14 to March 3 at the Triveni Sangam - the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive in the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

Terming it 'Akhada beyond sexuality', the head priest of Kinnar Akhada on Friday called their first-time participation at the Kumbh 2019 as a step forward towards acceptance in the society.

Terming it 'Akhada beyond sexuality', the head priest of Kinnar Akhada on Friday called their first-time participation at the Kumbh 2019 as a step forward towards acceptance in the society. Kinnar Akhada Mahamandaleshwar, Acharya, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi exuded pride and confidence while talking of her Akhada's debut at this massive congregation of pilgrims and said, "For me, it is a wonderful situation to come to this divine Prayagraj Kumbh. For me, we are one of the most conservative societies in the world where the acceptance of the third gender is remarkably outstanding. For us, this participation is about mainstream society accepting us. This is Akhada beyond sexuality. The creator is within us and once we perish we will go back to him. Our doors are open for all." Talking further about transgender issues and the modern scenario, she added, "Still the battle is on. We are sure that we will come across these hurdles. My community is striving to make its place in the mainstreams place whether it is art and culture, religion. We are here only to give unconditional love to all irrespective of creed, color or background." Prayagraj: 'Kinnar Akhara' is participating in #KumbhMela2019 for the first time. Pavitra, Secretary of 'Kinnar Akhara', says, “Public & all the devotees who are here have supported us & shown lot of respect for us. We are happy that people here have accepted us.” pic.twitter.com/7cHRV8Bkkm — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 11, 2019 × Adding further to it, Pavitra, Secretary of Kinnar Akhada said, "I have been with the Kinnar Akhada since its formation. We were preparing for the last two years to participate in Prayagraj Kumbh. We met with administration and the concerned ministers to get land allocated for us to set up our camp at this Kumbh. We were very willing to be here and now that we have arrived, the general public and pilgrims have been very supportive. We can see respect and acceptance in everyone's eye for us and it really feels very good." The Akhada reportedly also faced some protests for its distinct identity, speaking about which, she said, "Whenever there is some good initiative some people do object. There were objections on the name of Kinnar Akhada and other things. But we have been successful in leaving these challenges behind us and are looking forward to increased acceptance." The Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj will commence from January 14 to March 3 at the Triveni Sangam - the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive in the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

For first time, transgender 'akhada' to participate in Kumbh Mela this year

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted Rs 4,300 crore for creating the infrastructure necessary to conduct the Kumbh Mela 2019, scheduled to begin from January 15, the state's Minister of Excise and Prohibition Jai Pratap Singh said here Saturday.

Participating in an event organised by trade body FICCI Tamil Nadu Council, he said, the Prayagraj (Allahabad) has UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity acknowledgement.

The Kumbh Mela is expected to witness an attendance over 20 lakh devotees, he said, adding the whole idea behind the event was to promote 'spiritual tourism'.

"The UP government is making efforts to familiarise the world with high-quality life, conduct and thoughts of Indian culture through the Kumbh Mela," he said.

Besides stepping up transportation connectivity for devotees to reach the Mela area, over 40,000 LED lights have been installed at the venue, he said&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted Rs 4,300 crore for creating the infrastructure necessary to conduct the Kumbh Mela 2019, scheduled to begin from January 15, the state's Minister of Excise and Prohibition Jai Pratap Singh said here Saturday.

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted Rs 4,300 crore for creating the infrastructure necessary to conduct the Kumbh Mela 2019, scheduled to begin from January 15, the state's Minister of Excise and Prohibition Jai Pratap Singh said here Saturday. Participating in an event organised by trade body FICCI Tamil Nadu Council, he said, the Prayagraj (Allahabad) has UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity acknowledgement. The Kumbh Mela is expected to witness an attendance over 20 lakh devotees, he said, adding the whole idea behind the event was to promote 'spiritual tourism'. "The UP government is making efforts to familiarise the world with high-quality life, conduct and thoughts of Indian culture through the Kumbh Mela," he said. Besides stepping up transportation connectivity for devotees to reach the Mela area, over 40,000 LED lights have been installed at the venue, he said

Rs 4,300 crore earmarked for creating infra for Kumbh Mela

The setting up of a new city in the huge <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rs-4300-crore-earmarked-for-creating-infra-for-kumbh-mela-188483">Mela area</a>, has 250 kilometre long roads and 22 pontoon bridges which will make it the largest temporary city of the world, informed Uttar Pradesh government on Monday while sharing details of the Prayagraj Kumbh.

It also informed that for the first time, the Mela area is being brightened up by installing over 40,000 LED lights there. UNESCO has already included Kumbh in the list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".

Uttar Pradesh government expects over 5000 NRIs to visit the Kumbh apart from people of over 6 lakh villages of India along with the overseas devotees will participate.

It is also for the first time in the last 450 years that the devotees coming to the Kumbh will have an opportunity to pray at 'Akshay Vat'&nbsp;and 'Sarasvati Koop'.

"The Kumbh is organised at Triveni Sangam, but it is related to entire Prayagraj area. Keeping this in view, the state government has beautified all the places directly or indirectly linked to the Kumbh. For convenience of devotees and tourists visiting the Kumbh, the facility of reaching there by air, road and river has been made for the first time", read a statement issued by the state government.

The state government had earmarked an amount of Rs&nbsp;2800 crore for Kumbh Mela-2019 along with the various projects of stable development.

Besides, works of stable development are being carried out at Kumbh Mela and Prayagraj with a total amount of Rs&nbsp;4300 crore from other budget.

During 2013 Kumbh held in Prayagraj an amount of Rs&nbsp;1,214 crore was spent. Ambassadors of about 71 countries have already witnessed the preparations for this grand event.

They have unfurled the national flag of their countries on the bank of Triveni in Kumbh Mela area. The state government also opined that the representatives of 192 countries will be visiting Kumbh in the month of February.

In order to boost security, the Kumbh Mela Area has been brought under the surveillance of Integrated Control and Command Centre and CCTV Cameras.

"Integrated Control and Command Centre of the smart city project has been dedicated to Prayagraj. The system will facilitate controlling and keeping safe the traffic movement and the crowd coming to Mela. There will be two Control and Command Centres under a scheme of about Rs&nbsp;247 crore in Prayagraj. Of these, one Control and Command Centre costing Rs&nbsp;116 crore has been completed and made functional,"&nbsp;said the government.

Earlier on January 4, the Air India has announced new flights to Prayagraj from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.

These flights will help facilitate the movement of passengers during the Kumbh Mela 2019.

The flights are scheduled to operate from January 13 to March 30.

The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence from January 14 to March 3 at the Triveni Sangam - the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive in the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

The setting up of a new city in the huge Mela area, has 250 kilometre long roads and 22 pontoon bridges which will make it the largest temporary city of the world, informed Uttar Pradesh government on Monday while sharing details of the Prayagraj Kumbh.

The setting up of a new city in the huge Mela area, has 250 kilometre long roads and 22 pontoon bridges which will make it the largest temporary city of the world, informed Uttar Pradesh government on Monday while sharing details of the Prayagraj Kumbh. It also informed that for the first time, the Mela area is being brightened up by installing over 40,000 LED lights there. UNESCO has already included Kumbh in the list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Uttar Pradesh government expects over 5000 NRIs to visit the Kumbh apart from people of over 6 lakh villages of India along with the overseas devotees will participate. It is also for the first time in the last 450 years that the devotees coming to the Kumbh will have an opportunity to pray at 'Akshay Vat' and 'Sarasvati Koop'. "The Kumbh is organised at Triveni Sangam, but it is related to entire Prayagraj area. Keeping this in view, the state government has beautified all the places directly or indirectly linked to the Kumbh. For convenience of devotees and tourists visiting the Kumbh, the facility of reaching there by air, road and river has been made for the first time", read a statement issued by the state government. The state government had earmarked an amount of Rs 2800 crore for Kumbh Mela-2019 along with the various projects of stable development. Besides, works of stable development are being carried out at Kumbh Mela and Prayagraj with a total amount of Rs 4300 crore from other budget. During 2013 Kumbh held in Prayagraj an amount of Rs 1,214 crore was spent. Ambassadors of about 71 countries have already witnessed the preparations for this grand event. They have unfurled the national flag of their countries on the bank of Triveni in Kumbh Mela area. The state government also opined that the representatives of 192 countries will be visiting Kumbh in the month of February. In order to boost security, the Kumbh Mela Area has been brought under the surveillance of Integrated Control and Command Centre and CCTV Cameras. "Integrated Control and Command Centre of the smart city project has been dedicated to Prayagraj. The system will facilitate controlling and keeping safe the traffic movement and the crowd coming to Mela. There will be two Control and Command Centres under a scheme of about Rs 247 crore in Prayagraj. Of these, one Control and Command Centre costing Rs 116 crore has been completed and made functional," said the government. Earlier on January 4, the Air India has announced new flights to Prayagraj from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. These flights will help facilitate the movement of passengers during the Kumbh Mela 2019. The flights are scheduled to operate from January 13 to March 30. The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence from January 14 to March 3 at the Triveni Sangam - the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive in the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

Kumbh 2019: Largest temporary city of world to have 250-kilometre long roads, 22 bridges

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a recent interview that the 'grand alliance' being talked of against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would result in a contest between the people and the coalition. It remains to be seen whether this new narrative will gain traction among the voters in the months to come, but there is an alliance that can create serious problems for the ruling party - the one between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp; 
 
Neither PM Modi nor his party can ignore the elephant in the room, or to be precise, the elephant plus the cycle. This is for several reasons. The first is that the SP-BSP combine is a very real possibility, unlike various other opposition combinations that exist only in the air. The two parties are already collaborating. When the BSP withdrew its minister from the HD Kumaraswamy government in Karnataka, the SP was quick to support the move. When the BSP demanded the withdrawal of certain cases against members of the Scheduled Castes in Kamal Nath-ruled Madhya Pradesh, the SP was again fully supportive.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The two parties have given serious indications of contesting the Lok Sabha polls together, at least for the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. They are both on the same page with regard to treating the Congress as a very junior partner in case the latter decides to join their group. But both prefer not having any truck with the Congress.&nbsp;

The other reason for the BJP to take the possible combine seriously is the state itself. Uttar Pradesh, from all available accounts, holds the key to government formation at the Centre. The BJP rode to a majority — the first time a single party achieved it since 1984-85 — on the strength of its performance in the state, winning 73 seats along with its allies. If it suffers a setback there, it will have considerable difficulty in being in the pole position nationally. &nbsp;

The Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party combine is lethal on caste grounds too. The Yadav community and the Scheduled Castes together form a formidable voter force; together they comprise case to 30 per cent of the population. Add to it the Muslim voters, and the situation gets only more grim for the BJP. It can be argued that not all Scheduled Caste voters will back the combine — they had supported the BJP in large numbers in 2014. But then, 2019 is not 2014, and there was no alliance between the SP and the BSP.&nbsp;

The situation is more challenging for the BJP in the state this time around also because of trouble with allies. The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party and the Apna Dal (Sonelal) are upset for various reasons. Leaders of both parties have been keeping away from BJP events. Most recently, they were absent from a rally the Prime Minister addressed in Ghazipur. Statements of discontent have been made from both party leaders on various occasions. The BJP will have to mollify them quickly or face the prospect of loss of precious votes in pockets where the two parties are influential. The ruling party cannot afford to lose partners like it did in neighbouring Bihar. Two regional parties which had contested the2014 polls as partners of the BJP have broken away and joined the RJD-led front. But at least in Bihar, the BJP has a tie-up with a dominant Janata Dal (United) to compensate for the loss; in Uttar Pradesh, there is no such solace.&nbsp;

Given the situation, the BJP is readying itself for the grand challenge in the state. It could try any one or a combination of the following factors: Use the Ayodhya card to rally the majority faith voters to its side; play upon the threat of minority appeasement as well as the dominance of the Yadav community to lure voters; recall the development agenda of both the Modi regime and the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.

The potency of the first factor depends greatly on the path the Supreme Court takes in the weeks to come. The second hinges largely on the level of fear that the BJP can arouse song the people. It must be recalled that the BJP had swept the Assembly election in 2017 also because the people had been disenchanted by the minority appeasement policies of the then Samajwadi Party regime led by Akhilesh Yadav. The consolation of Hindu votes had happened as a result. Further supported by the success of schemes such as Ujjwala, the BJP had cut across caste votes to register a fine win. &nbsp;

Is an encore possible?&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a recent interview that the 'grand alliance' being talked of against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would result in a contest between the people and the coalition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a recent interview that the 'grand alliance' being talked of against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would result in a contest between the people and the coalition. It remains to be seen whether this new narrative will gain traction among the voters in the months to come, but there is an alliance that can create serious problems for the ruling party - the one between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh. Neither PM Modi nor his party can ignore the elephant in the room, or to be precise, the elephant plus the cycle. This is for several reasons. The first is that the SP-BSP combine is a very real possibility, unlike various other opposition combinations that exist only in the air. The two parties are already collaborating. When the BSP withdrew its minister from the HD Kumaraswamy government in Karnataka, the SP was quick to support the move. When the BSP demanded the withdrawal of certain cases against members of the Scheduled Castes in Kamal Nath-ruled Madhya Pradesh, the SP was again fully supportive. The two parties have given serious indications of contesting the Lok Sabha polls together, at least for the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. They are both on the same page with regard to treating the Congress as a very junior partner in case the latter decides to join their group. But both prefer not having any truck with the Congress. The other reason for the BJP to take the possible combine seriously is the state itself. Uttar Pradesh, from all available accounts, holds the key to government formation at the Centre. The BJP rode to a majority — the first time a single party achieved it since 1984-85 — on the strength of its performance in the state, winning 73 seats along with its allies. If it suffers a setback there, it will have considerable difficulty in being in the pole position nationally. The Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party combine is lethal on caste grounds too. The Yadav community and the Scheduled Castes together form a formidable voter force; together they comprise case to 30 per cent of the population. Add to it the Muslim voters, and the situation gets only more grim for the BJP. It can be argued that not all Scheduled Caste voters will back the combine — they had supported the BJP in large numbers in 2014. But then, 2019 is not 2014, and there was no alliance between the SP and the BSP. The situation is more challenging for the BJP in the state this time around also because of trouble with allies. The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party and the Apna Dal (Sonelal) are upset for various reasons. Leaders of both parties have been keeping away from BJP events. Most recently, they were absent from a rally the Prime Minister addressed in Ghazipur. Statements of discontent have been made from both party leaders on various occasions. The BJP will have to mollify them quickly or face the prospect of loss of precious votes in pockets where the two parties are influential. The ruling party cannot afford to lose partners like it did in neighbouring Bihar. Two regional parties which had contested the2014 polls as partners of the BJP have broken away and joined the RJD-led front. But at least in Bihar, the BJP has a tie-up with a dominant Janata Dal (United) to compensate for the loss; in Uttar Pradesh, there is no such solace. Given the situation, the BJP is readying itself for the grand challenge in the state. It could try any one or a combination of the following factors: Use the Ayodhya card to rally the majority faith voters to its side; play upon the threat of minority appeasement as well as the dominance of the Yadav community to lure voters; recall the development agenda of both the Modi regime and the Yogi Adityanath government in the state. The potency of the first factor depends greatly on the path the Supreme Court takes in the weeks to come. The second hinges largely on the level of fear that the BJP can arouse song the people. It must be recalled that the BJP had swept the Assembly election in 2017 also because the people had been disenchanted by the minority appeasement policies of the then Samajwadi Party regime led by Akhilesh Yadav. The consolation of Hindu votes had happened as a result. Further supported by the success of schemes such as Ujjwala, the BJP had cut across caste votes to register a fine win. Is an encore possible? (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

BSP-SP alliance may prove to be a stumbling block for BJP

Opposition parties Sunday accused the BJP of using probe agencies for "executing its political strategy" after it emerged that the CBI may quiz SP president Akhilesh Yadav in a case of illegal mining, even as the ruling party asserted he must explain the "loot" during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

Yadav may face a CBI probe, according to the agency FIR made public Saturday, the day Samajwadi Party and Mayawati-led BSP indicated their intent to join hands in Uttar Pradesh to fight the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. The agency had also carried out searches at 14 locations.

UP government minister and BJP leader Sidharth Nath Singh asserted that instead of questioning the timing of the raids, Yadav should answer why so much "loot" had happened under his government.

The BJP demands that the CBI investigate him and call him for probe, he told reporters at a press conference.

"If you loot public money, then law will take its own course," he said, adding that the CBI is reporting to the Allahabad high court, which had ordered a probe in 2016.

In Lucknow, Yadav put up a brave front, saying he is ready to face the CBI and attacked the BJP, claiming that people will answer it in the Lok Sabha polls.

Suggesting that the CBI action is linked to his talks with the BSP, he said he may have to tell the probe agency details of his alliance with Mayawati.

"Now, we have to tell the CBI how many seats we have distributed in the gathbandhan (alliance). I am happy that at least the BJP has shown its colours. Earlier, the Congress gave us the chance to meet the CBI, and this time it is the BJP, which has given us this opportunity," he said.

In the national capital, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari accused the BJP of practising a politics of "fear" against its rivals and said the country will rid itself of this in the polls.

"Those who are carrying out their political strategy through probe agencies do not last long," he said, adding that even a nursery child can comprehend the political motive behind the CBI's move.

The BJP said the Akhilesh Yadav government during its tenure between 2012-17 was "hand-in-glove" with the accused in the case of alleged mining scam.'

Rejecting the charge that the CBI's searches Saturday in connection with the alleged scam was politically motivated because of the alliance talks between the Samajwadi Party and the BSP, UP government minister Sidharth Nath Singh also told reporters that the BJP has no threat from them.

The two opposition parties are fighting for survival, he said, adding that those who are "langde-lulhe" (physically handicapped) need "baisakhi" (crutches).

The Samajwadi Party chief said the BJP is leaving a "culture", which may be used against it in the future.

"The Samajwadi Party is making efforts to win maximum Lok Sabha seats. Those who want to stop us, have the CBI with them. Once the Congress did the CBI probe, and I was questioned.

If the BJP is doing all this, the CBI will question me, I will answer (them). But, the people are ready to give an answer to the BJP," Yadav told reporters in Lucknow.

Opposition parties Sunday accused the BJP of using probe agencies for "executing its political strategy" after it emerged that the CBI may quiz SP president Akhilesh Yadav in a case of illegal mining, even as the ruling party asserted he must explain the "loot" during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

Opposition parties Sunday accused the BJP of using probe agencies for "executing its political strategy" after it emerged that the CBI may quiz SP president Akhilesh Yadav in a case of illegal mining, even as the ruling party asserted he must explain the "loot" during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Yadav may face a CBI probe, according to the agency FIR made public Saturday, the day Samajwadi Party and Mayawati-led BSP indicated their intent to join hands in Uttar Pradesh to fight the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. The agency had also carried out searches at 14 locations. UP government minister and BJP leader Sidharth Nath Singh asserted that instead of questioning the timing of the raids, Yadav should answer why so much "loot" had happened under his government. The BJP demands that the CBI investigate him and call him for probe, he told reporters at a press conference. "If you loot public money, then law will take its own course," he said, adding that the CBI is reporting to the Allahabad high court, which had ordered a probe in 2016. In Lucknow, Yadav put up a brave front, saying he is ready to face the CBI and attacked the BJP, claiming that people will answer it in the Lok Sabha polls. Suggesting that the CBI action is linked to his talks with the BSP, he said he may have to tell the probe agency details of his alliance with Mayawati. "Now, we have to tell the CBI how many seats we have distributed in the gathbandhan (alliance). I am happy that at least the BJP has shown its colours. Earlier, the Congress gave us the chance to meet the CBI, and this time it is the BJP, which has given us this opportunity," he said. In the national capital, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari accused the BJP of practising a politics of "fear" against its rivals and said the country will rid itself of this in the polls. "Those who are carrying out their political strategy through probe agencies do not last long," he said, adding that even a nursery child can comprehend the political motive behind the CBI's move. The BJP said the Akhilesh Yadav government during its tenure between 2012-17 was "hand-in-glove" with the accused in the case of alleged mining scam.' Rejecting the charge that the CBI's searches Saturday in connection with the alleged scam was politically motivated because of the alliance talks between the Samajwadi Party and the BSP, UP government minister Sidharth Nath Singh also told reporters that the BJP has no threat from them. The two opposition parties are fighting for survival, he said, adding that those who are "langde-lulhe" (physically handicapped) need "baisakhi" (crutches). The Samajwadi Party chief said the BJP is leaving a "culture", which may be used against it in the future. "The Samajwadi Party is making efforts to win maximum Lok Sabha seats. Those who want to stop us, have the CBI with them. Once the Congress did the CBI probe, and I was questioned. If the BJP is doing all this, the CBI will question me, I will answer (them). But, the people are ready to give an answer to the BJP," Yadav told reporters in Lucknow.

After being attacked by opposition over mining case, BJP asks Akhilesh to explain 'loot'

Inspector Manoj Kumar who shouted 'thain thain' to scare criminals during an encounter in Sambhal on October 12 sustained injuries on Friday during an exchange of fire between police and criminals in Sambhal, reported news agency ANI.

"Two bike-borne miscreants fired at police during which SI Manoj Kumar suffered injuries. During counter-firing, a criminal was also injured. One criminal absconding. Injured have been taken to the hospital," &nbsp;said SP Yamuna Prasad.&nbsp;

Earlier a 14-minute video of Kumar's imitating sounds of gunshots to scare away the criminals during an encounter in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh went viral.

Kumar's revolver jammed during the course of the encounter forcing him to shout 'thain thain' to scare off the criminals.&nbsp;

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Inspector Manoj Kumar who shouted 'thain thain' to scare criminals during an encounter in Sambhal on 12 Oct got injured yesterday during an exchange of fire between police &amp; criminals in Sambhal. <a href="https://t.co/GBDjI5OzQg">pic.twitter.com/GBDjI5OzQg</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1081387546758664192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In the video, shot on October 12, the cop was seen shouting, "maaro, ghero...thain thain" while other fellow officer struggled with his jammed up revolver.

Inspector Manoj Kumar who shouted 'thain thain' to scare criminals during an encounter in Sambhal on October 12 sustained injuries on Friday during an exchange of fire between police and criminals in Sambhal, reported news agency ANI.

Inspector Manoj Kumar who shouted 'thain thain' to scare criminals during an encounter in Sambhal on October 12 sustained injuries on Friday during an exchange of fire between police and criminals in Sambhal, reported news agency ANI. "Two bike-borne miscreants fired at police during which SI Manoj Kumar suffered injuries. During counter-firing, a criminal was also injured. One criminal absconding. Injured have been taken to the hospital," said SP Yamuna Prasad. Earlier a 14-minute video of Kumar's imitating sounds of gunshots to scare away the criminals during an encounter in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh went viral. Kumar's revolver jammed during the course of the encounter forcing him to shout 'thain thain' to scare off the criminals. Inspector Manoj Kumar who shouted 'thain thain' to scare criminals during an encounter in Sambhal on 12 Oct got injured yesterday during an exchange of fire between police & criminals in Sambhal. pic.twitter.com/GBDjI5OzQg — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 5, 2019 × In the video, shot on October 12, the cop was seen shouting, "maaro, ghero...thain thain" while other fellow officer struggled with his jammed up revolver.

Uttar Pradesh: 'Thain thain' fame cop injured in encounter 

A fortnight ahead of the 'Kumbh Mela', the Centre has approved the renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj as sought by the Uttar Pradesh government, officials said Tuesday.

The decision came more than two months after the state government, headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, took the decision to rename the historic city as Prayagraj.

The central government has given its consent for renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj about 10 days ago, a home ministry official said.

The 'Kumbh Mela' in Prayagraj will start on January 15 on 'Makar Sankranti' and will conclude on March 4 on 'Maha Shivaratri'.

The central government has given consent to the renaming of at least 25 towns and villages across the country in the past one year. The renaming proposal of UP's Faizabad district as Ayodhya is yet to be received from the state government.

A proposal to rename West Bengal as 'Bangla' is pending as the Ministry of External Affairs is understood to have expressed its reservation over the new name, as it sounds similar to Bangladesh. A decision in this regard is expected soon as the general election in the neighbouring country concluded on Sunday.&nbsp;

The Union Home Ministry considers the proposals of name change according to the existing guidelines in consultations with agencies concerned.&nbsp;

It gives its approval to the change of name of any place after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts and Survey of India. These organisations have to confirm that there is no such city, town or village in their records with a name similar to the proposed one.

For changing the name of a village or town or a city, an executive order is needed. The renaming of a state requires amendment of the Constitution with a simple majority in Parliament.

A fortnight ahead of the 'Kumbh Mela', the Centre has approved the renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj as sought by the Uttar Pradesh government, officials said Tuesday.

A fortnight ahead of the 'Kumbh Mela', the Centre has approved the renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj as sought by the Uttar Pradesh government, officials said Tuesday. The decision came more than two months after the state government, headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, took the decision to rename the historic city as Prayagraj. The central government has given its consent for renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj about 10 days ago, a home ministry official said. The 'Kumbh Mela' in Prayagraj will start on January 15 on 'Makar Sankranti' and will conclude on March 4 on 'Maha Shivaratri'. The central government has given consent to the renaming of at least 25 towns and villages across the country in the past one year. The renaming proposal of UP's Faizabad district as Ayodhya is yet to be received from the state government. A proposal to rename West Bengal as 'Bangla' is pending as the Ministry of External Affairs is understood to have expressed its reservation over the new name, as it sounds similar to Bangladesh. A decision in this regard is expected soon as the general election in the neighbouring country concluded on Sunday. The Union Home Ministry considers the proposals of name change according to the existing guidelines in consultations with agencies concerned. It gives its approval to the change of name of any place after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts and Survey of India. These organisations have to confirm that there is no such city, town or village in their records with a name similar to the proposed one. For changing the name of a village or town or a city, an executive order is needed. The renaming of a state requires amendment of the Constitution with a simple majority in Parliament.

Centre approves renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj

Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested the man who allegedly attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar, the cop who was allegedly killed in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr violence, with an axe, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

An axe has been recovered from the accused, he will be produced before the court today.&nbsp;

Additional SP Bulandshahr Atul Kumar Srivastava told media that during the interrogation it was revealed that the man arrested today was the one who attacked inspector Kumar with an axe.&nbsp;

"During interrogation, it was revealed that he was the person who attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar with an axe. The axe has been recovered from his possession; other accused persons will be arrested shortly," Srivastava told media.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BulandshahrViolence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BulandshahrViolence</a> case: An accused who allegedly attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar with an axe, has been arrested by the police. An axe was recovered from his possession. He will be produced before the court today. <a href="https://t.co/vLso8gRoIb">pic.twitter.com/vLso8gRoIb</a>
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On December 27, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bulandshahr-violence-bjp-mla-claims-cop-subodh-kumar-shot-himself-187106">police arrested Prashant Natt</a>, the man who allegedly shot inspector Singh. As per police, Natt has confessed to having shot at Singh.&nbsp;

"He has accepted during interrogation that he was the one who fired at Subodh Kumar. Further investigation is underway," the SP noted.&nbsp;

Another accused Yogesh Raj, the convener of the district unit of Bajrang Dal, claims innocence and is absconding. So far, the police have been able to arrest four people.

Another key accused, an army man called Jitu Fauji, was detained by Uttar Pradesh Police earlier this month and was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested the man who allegedly attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar, the cop who was allegedly killed in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr violence, with an axe, news agency ANI reported.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested the man who allegedly attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar, the cop who was allegedly killed in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr violence, with an axe, news agency ANI reported. An axe has been recovered from the accused, he will be produced before the court today. Additional SP Bulandshahr Atul Kumar Srivastava told media that during the interrogation it was revealed that the man arrested today was the one who attacked inspector Kumar with an axe. "During interrogation, it was revealed that he was the person who attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar with an axe. The axe has been recovered from his possession; other accused persons will be arrested shortly," Srivastava told media. #BulandshahrViolence case: An accused who allegedly attacked Inspector Subodh Kumar with an axe, has been arrested by the police. An axe was recovered from his possession. He will be produced before the court today. pic.twitter.com/vLso8gRoIb — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 1, 2019 × On December 27, police arrested Prashant Natt, the man who allegedly shot inspector Singh. As per police, Natt has confessed to having shot at Singh. "He has accepted during interrogation that he was the one who fired at Subodh Kumar. Further investigation is underway," the SP noted. Another accused Yogesh Raj, the convener of the district unit of Bajrang Dal, claims innocence and is absconding. So far, the police have been able to arrest four people. Another key accused, an army man called Jitu Fauji, was detained by Uttar Pradesh Police earlier this month and was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court.

Bulandshahr violence: UP Police arrests man who attacked inspector Kumar with axe 

Virtually putting the Congress-led governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on notice, the BSP supremo Mayawati Monday said she might have to "reconsider" her party's outside support to them if cases against "innocent" persons framed in Bharat Bandh on April 2 were not withdrawn.

"If the newly-elected governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan do not act swiftly and withdraw the cases against the innocent persons framed in Bharat Bandh, the BSP may have to reconsider extending the outside support to the Congress governments," she said in a hard-hitting&nbsp; 
press release here.

Mayawati said the cases against the innocent people framed out of political and caste considerations in Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states including MP and Rajasthan, which were previously under the BJP.

She said now that MP and Rajasthan are ruled by the Congress, the new governments should immediately withdraw such cases, failing which her party would have to reconsider its decision of extending outside support.

The BSP has two members in Madhya Pradesh's 230-member assembly, while in Rajasthan her party has six seats in the House of 200 MLAs.

The BSP extended outside support to the Congress to form governments in these two states as it had failed to reach majority on its own.

Mayawati also said the governments formed by the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan should not work like the BJP, which did not fulfil its promises made to the farmers and the unemployed.

"The warning to the Congress is necessary, as now merely making announcements is not enough. People are of the view that in making promises on papers, the Congress and the BJP are two sides of the same coin. Now, it depends on the Congress whether it is able to change this perception," she said in the statement.

She said had the Centre left its "stubborn" behaviour pertaining to triple talaq bill, 2018, and sent it to the joint select committee of Parliament as demanded by the entire Opposition, it would have been better.

The BSP chief said in the past five years, there have been non-fulfilment of promises, and by showing dreams of 'achchey din', demonetisation and GST have been implemented in an immature manner.

Virtually putting the Congress-led governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on notice, the BSP supremo Mayawati Monday said she might have to "reconsider" her party's outside support to them if cases against "innocent" persons framed in Bharat Bandh on April 2 were not withdrawn.

Virtually putting the Congress-led governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on notice, the BSP supremo Mayawati Monday said she might have to "reconsider" her party's outside support to them if cases against "innocent" persons framed in Bharat Bandh on April 2 were not withdrawn. "If the newly-elected governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan do not act swiftly and withdraw the cases against the innocent persons framed in Bharat Bandh, the BSP may have to reconsider extending the outside support to the Congress governments," she said in a hard-hitting press release here. Mayawati said the cases against the innocent people framed out of political and caste considerations in Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states including MP and Rajasthan, which were previously under the BJP. She said now that MP and Rajasthan are ruled by the Congress, the new governments should immediately withdraw such cases, failing which her party would have to reconsider its decision of extending outside support. The BSP has two members in Madhya Pradesh's 230-member assembly, while in Rajasthan her party has six seats in the House of 200 MLAs. The BSP extended outside support to the Congress to form governments in these two states as it had failed to reach majority on its own. Mayawati also said the governments formed by the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan should not work like the BJP, which did not fulfil its promises made to the farmers and the unemployed. "The warning to the Congress is necessary, as now merely making announcements is not enough. People are of the view that in making promises on papers, the Congress and the BJP are two sides of the same coin. Now, it depends on the Congress whether it is able to change this perception," she said in the statement. She said had the Centre left its "stubborn" behaviour pertaining to triple talaq bill, 2018, and sent it to the joint select committee of Parliament as demanded by the entire Opposition, it would have been better. The BSP chief said in the past five years, there have been non-fulfilment of promises, and by showing dreams of 'achchey din', demonetisation and GST have been implemented in an immature manner.

Might have to reconsider support to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan govts: Mayawati

Regional parties have played a key role in government formation at the Centre since the advent of the coalition era in 1989. BJP’s loss in three Hindi heartland states have given them hope of a hung Parliament in 2019 where they could again play the role of a kingmaker. Many such parties are discussing with Congress to form the mahagathbandhan (MGB) to take on the BJP. Alliances in key states of UP, Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which account for 207 seats, out of which NDA won 150 in 2014, will decide the course of 2019.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh: The entire premise that BJP will have a tough time in 2019 is built on the alliance between Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in UP. It was tested in bypolls to three seats earlier this year where BJP recorded big losses. BSP and SP have a solid vote base of Dalits, Muslims and Yadavs accounting for 44 per cent of the population. The alliance has proved it can seamlessly transfer votes in bypolls. Both parties are known for their anti-BJP stance. They are toying with the idea of joining MGB. Though, Congress is well past its prime in the Hindi heartland and is confined to two family-stronghold seats, it can be a game-changer in 13 seats.

Strategists in both parties feel while they will be able to transfer votes to Congress, the reciprocity is unlikely to happen like in 1996 (BSP-INC alliance) and 2017 (SP-INC alliance). There’s not much value which Congress brings to the table in UP. Both these parties may not want to tie their fate to MGB, and &nbsp;instead join the Third Front and wait for results.&nbsp;

Bihar: The fight is veering towards a bipolar contest in Bihar. BJP-led NDA consisting of JDU and LJP vs RJD-led UPA consisting of Congress, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Upendra Kushwaha and Sharad Yadav. BJP inducted Kushwaha before 2014, to make a dent in Nitish Kumar’s Kurmi/Koeri vote bank which accounts for 12 per cent of population. After JDU’s ghar wapsi, BJP faced the problem of plenty. It eased out Kushwaha and retained Paswan who has considerable clout among Dalits (6 per cent of population). He will also act as NDA’s counter to Manjhi who is a leader of Mahadalits (10 per cent of population). Both alliances have almost equal support, NDA of upper caste, Kurmi / Koeri and Dalits while UPA of Muslims and Yadavs. Mahadalits and Most Backward Classes (24 per cent) hold the keys to success in Bihar. RJD hopes to encash on the double &nbsp; anti-incumbency, against Modi’s 5-year and Nitish’s 13-year rule. Paswan who is a political bellwether has decided to stay with NDA. The problem of plenty has now shifted to UPA, so one can expect a big tussle on ticket distribution there.

Maharashtra: BJP almost won the state elections contesting independently held six months after Lok Sabha polls. It did partner with Shiv Sena to form the government, but their relationship strained forever. Shiv Sena which was the bigger brother in the state found itself to be the junior partner. It is playing the role of opposition within the NDA, sharply critical of Modi and has announced plans to contest 2019 elections alone. On the other hand, NCP and Congress have sealed a 24-24 formula for elections. Congress has adopted an accommodative approach for bigger goal of defeating BJP. Shiv Sena is adopting ‘hum to doobenge sanam tumko bhi le doobenge’ strategy.&nbsp;

As per my analysis, Shiv Sena could be routed and get 2-3 seats (current 18) while BJP may not suffer much with loss of 4-5 seats (current 23), based on 2014 numbers. UPA could gain 20-odd seats. Uddhav is making noise to extract his pound of flesh from BJP. Both parties need each other and will come to the table soon.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu: All allies of BJP in state (PMK, DMDK, MDMK, PT) have left NDA. The political landscape has changed with Jaya’s death, split in AIADMK and entry of superstars Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan in politics. DMK stays with UPA and could play a crucial role in 2019 as state exhibits a strong trend of AIADMK and DMK alternately sweeping the state in central elections. BJP initially hoped to ally with AIADMK however, split of TTK, has forced a rethink. It needs to bag few seats here to negate losses in North and West where it has maxed out. It has also sent feelers to Rajini. Rajini could join NDA and Kamal UPA in my opinion.&nbsp;

Apart from these, other key players are AITC, BJD, TRS and CPM: AITC is facing the heat from BJP in West Bengal. It needs support of Congress to thwart attempts of BJP. However, Congress doesn’t gain much from the alliance as Mamata Banerjee doesn’t have any votes outside Bengal. Mamata is averse to joining any Third Front as the leadership issue has become complicated.

<img alt="Federal clout at power centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8be145a-44d2-423d-8c16-0e3f8cc26349" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/771140-tally-in.jpg" />

Naveen Patnaik has maintained an equidistance approach from BJP and Congress. He is not keen on joining UPA as Congress is the principal opposition party in Odisha. BJP is also gaining strength there and his joining NDA will help BJP piggyback on BJD’s vote bank.

TRS can’t join UPA as Congress is the principal opposition party in Telangana. War of words between Modi and KCR during state polls have ensured he can’t join NDA immediately. He is floating the idea of Third Front to make a rainbow coalition of regional parties. Akhilesh has shown interest while Mamata and Naveen have been non-committal.&nbsp;

CPM can’t join MGB, as it is left with sizeable presence only in Kerala and Bengal. If it joins MGB it risks losing space to Congress in Kerala. It can under no circumstances join hands with Mamata in Bengal.&nbsp;

All regional parties have a common wish: a hung Parliament. The elections circus has just begun.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-federal-clout-at-power-centre-2701542">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Regional parties have played a key role in government formation at the Centre since the advent of the coalition era in 1989. BJP’s loss in three Hindi heartland states have given them hope of a hung Parliament in 2019 where they could again play the role of a kingmaker.

Regional parties have played a key role in government formation at the Centre since the advent of the coalition era in 1989. BJP’s loss in three Hindi heartland states have given them hope of a hung Parliament in 2019 where they could again play the role of a kingmaker. Many such parties are discussing with Congress to form the mahagathbandhan (MGB) to take on the BJP. Alliances in key states of UP, Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which account for 207 seats, out of which NDA won 150 in 2014, will decide the course of 2019. Uttar Pradesh: The entire premise that BJP will have a tough time in 2019 is built on the alliance between Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in UP. It was tested in bypolls to three seats earlier this year where BJP recorded big losses. BSP and SP have a solid vote base of Dalits, Muslims and Yadavs accounting for 44 per cent of the population. The alliance has proved it can seamlessly transfer votes in bypolls. Both parties are known for their anti-BJP stance. They are toying with the idea of joining MGB. Though, Congress is well past its prime in the Hindi heartland and is confined to two family-stronghold seats, it can be a game-changer in 13 seats. Strategists in both parties feel while they will be able to transfer votes to Congress, the reciprocity is unlikely to happen like in 1996 (BSP-INC alliance) and 2017 (SP-INC alliance). There’s not much value which Congress brings to the table in UP. Both these parties may not want to tie their fate to MGB, and instead join the Third Front and wait for results. Bihar: The fight is veering towards a bipolar contest in Bihar. BJP-led NDA consisting of JDU and LJP vs RJD-led UPA consisting of Congress, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Upendra Kushwaha and Sharad Yadav. BJP inducted Kushwaha before 2014, to make a dent in Nitish Kumar’s Kurmi/Koeri vote bank which accounts for 12 per cent of population. After JDU’s ghar wapsi, BJP faced the problem of plenty. It eased out Kushwaha and retained Paswan who has considerable clout among Dalits (6 per cent of population). He will also act as NDA’s counter to Manjhi who is a leader of Mahadalits (10 per cent of population). Both alliances have almost equal support, NDA of upper caste, Kurmi / Koeri and Dalits while UPA of Muslims and Yadavs. Mahadalits and Most Backward Classes (24 per cent) hold the keys to success in Bihar. RJD hopes to encash on the double anti-incumbency, against Modi’s 5-year and Nitish’s 13-year rule. Paswan who is a political bellwether has decided to stay with NDA. The problem of plenty has now shifted to UPA, so one can expect a big tussle on ticket distribution there. Maharashtra: BJP almost won the state elections contesting independently held six months after Lok Sabha polls. It did partner with Shiv Sena to form the government, but their relationship strained forever. Shiv Sena which was the bigger brother in the state found itself to be the junior partner. It is playing the role of opposition within the NDA, sharply critical of Modi and has announced plans to contest 2019 elections alone. On the other hand, NCP and Congress have sealed a 24-24 formula for elections. Congress has adopted an accommodative approach for bigger goal of defeating BJP. Shiv Sena is adopting ‘hum to doobenge sanam tumko bhi le doobenge’ strategy. As per my analysis, Shiv Sena could be routed and get 2-3 seats (current 18) while BJP may not suffer much with loss of 4-5 seats (current 23), based on 2014 numbers. UPA could gain 20-odd seats. Uddhav is making noise to extract his pound of flesh from BJP. Both parties need each other and will come to the table soon. Tamil Nadu: All allies of BJP in state (PMK, DMDK, MDMK, PT) have left NDA. The political landscape has changed with Jaya’s death, split in AIADMK and entry of superstars Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan in politics. DMK stays with UPA and could play a crucial role in 2019 as state exhibits a strong trend of AIADMK and DMK alternately sweeping the state in central elections. BJP initially hoped to ally with AIADMK however, split of TTK, has forced a rethink. It needs to bag few seats here to negate losses in North and West where it has maxed out. It has also sent feelers to Rajini. Rajini could join NDA and Kamal UPA in my opinion. Apart from these, other key players are AITC, BJD, TRS and CPM: AITC is facing the heat from BJP in West Bengal. It needs support of Congress to thwart attempts of BJP. However, Congress doesn’t gain much from the alliance as Mamata Banerjee doesn’t have any votes outside Bengal. Mamata is averse to joining any Third Front as the leadership issue has become complicated. Naveen Patnaik has maintained an equidistance approach from BJP and Congress. He is not keen on joining UPA as Congress is the principal opposition party in Odisha. BJP is also gaining strength there and his joining NDA will help BJP piggyback on BJD’s vote bank. TRS can’t join UPA as Congress is the principal opposition party in Telangana. War of words between Modi and KCR during state polls have ensured he can’t join NDA immediately. He is floating the idea of Third Front to make a rainbow coalition of regional parties. Akhilesh has shown interest while Mamata and Naveen have been non-committal. CPM can’t join MGB, as it is left with sizeable presence only in Kerala and Bengal. If it joins MGB it risks losing space to Congress in Kerala. It can under no circumstances join hands with Mamata in Bengal. All regional parties have a common wish: a hung Parliament. The elections circus has just begun. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Regional parties could play key role in 2019

Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad has denied any involvement in the stone pelting&nbsp;incident that led to the death of a police constable in Gazipur on Saturday.

"We need proper investigation in the case. It is BJP who is plotting against us. Not our party workers but BJP workers threw stones at people. We're taking our demand of reservation ahead in a democratic manner. If my party workers are found guilty, we will take strict action against them. It is easy to blame the weak as Yogi ji and Modi ji are in power,"&nbsp;Sanjay Nishad said,

A police constable was killed and seven others suffered injuries in a stone-pelting incident by a mob&nbsp;that took place following Prime Minister Narendra <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-attacks-cong-on-loan-waiver-promises-187161">Modi's event in Gazipur</a>.

Two other civilians were injured in the incident.

The protesters who pelted stones at the police personnel leading to his death allegedly belonged to the Nishad Party who had organised a protest in support of their demand of reservation, police said.

The mob pelted stone after the police arrested some of the leaders of the party as a precautionary measure ahead of the event.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> One constable dead &amp; two locals from the area injured in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area, earlier today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ghazipur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ghazipur</a> <a href="https://t.co/FnviOzuRIU">pic.twitter.com/FnviOzuRIU</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1079043845445296128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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One of the police constables who was posted in the Prime Minister duty succumbed to his injuries after he was hit by a stone during the protest.

Meanwhile, the police have&nbsp;registered an FIR against 32 people in the death of the constable.

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MP Pathak, CO City, Ghazipur on the stone pelting incident that claimed life of a police constable yesterday: 32 people have been named in the FIR. 60 unnamed people also mentioned in the FIR. A few people have also been arrested. <a href="https://t.co/rqTNBdypp5">pic.twitter.com/rqTNBdypp5</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1079224372584435712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Two others were injured in the incident and have been admitted to the district hospital for medical assistance. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the unfortunate death of Constable Suresh Vats and has announced Rs 40 lakh compensation for the wife of the deceased", informed Chief Minister's office.

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Dr Naveen Singh, Sadar Hospital,<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ghazipur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ghazipur</a> on death of one constable in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area yesterday: Post mortem of the constable is being conducted. 7 police personnel have suffered leg injuries. <a href="https://t.co/93VXrob1sD">pic.twitter.com/93VXrob1sD</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1079201092636794881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Chief Minister has also directed the DM SSP to take strict action against the unruly elements and make an immediate arrest.

(With inputs from ANI)

Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad has denied any involvement in the stone pelting incident that led to the death of a police constable in Gazipur on Saturday.

Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad has denied any involvement in the stone pelting incident that led to the death of a police constable in Gazipur on Saturday. "We need proper investigation in the case. It is BJP who is plotting against us. Not our party workers but BJP workers threw stones at people. We're taking our demand of reservation ahead in a democratic manner. If my party workers are found guilty, we will take strict action against them. It is easy to blame the weak as Yogi ji and Modi ji are in power," Sanjay Nishad said, A police constable was killed and seven others suffered injuries in a stone-pelting incident by a mob that took place following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event in Gazipur. Two other civilians were injured in the incident. The protesters who pelted stones at the police personnel leading to his death allegedly belonged to the Nishad Party who had organised a protest in support of their demand of reservation, police said. The mob pelted stone after the police arrested some of the leaders of the party as a precautionary measure ahead of the event. #WATCH One constable dead & two locals from the area injured in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area, earlier today. #Ghazipur pic.twitter.com/FnviOzuRIU — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 29, 2018 × One of the police constables who was posted in the Prime Minister duty succumbed to his injuries after he was hit by a stone during the protest. Meanwhile, the police have registered an FIR against 32 people in the death of the constable. MP Pathak, CO City, Ghazipur on the stone pelting incident that claimed life of a police constable yesterday: 32 people have been named in the FIR. 60 unnamed people also mentioned in the FIR. A few people have also been arrested. pic.twitter.com/rqTNBdypp5 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2018 × "Two others were injured in the incident and have been admitted to the district hospital for medical assistance. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the unfortunate death of Constable Suresh Vats and has announced Rs 40 lakh compensation for the wife of the deceased", informed Chief Minister's office. Dr Naveen Singh, Sadar Hospital,#Ghazipur on death of one constable in stone pelting allegedly by Nishad Party workers near Atwa Mor police station in Naunera area yesterday: Post mortem of the constable is being conducted. 7 police personnel have suffered leg injuries. pic.twitter.com/93VXrob1sD — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2018 × The Chief Minister has also directed the DM SSP to take strict action against the unruly elements and make an immediate arrest. (With inputs from ANI)

Ghazipur violence: Nishad Party denies role in police constable's death

10 detained in NIA raids across Delhi, UP to bust new IS-inspired terror module

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated as many as 158 development projects here on the 95th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee.

He also laid the foundation stone for 418 development projects, making it to a total of 576 projects worth Rs 161 crore.

Addressing the party members and party workers here, Singh said that this celebration is nothing new to Lucknow since Vajpayee's birth anniversary has been always celebrated in Lucknow.

Vajpayee had served as Member of Parliament from Lucknow. The Union Home Minister laid the foundation of multiple projects to work towards Vajpayee's dream of development of Lucknow.

He asserted that Lucknow is slowly and steadily moving towards acquiring the status and stature that the late Prime Minister had envisioned.

"In Lucknow parliamentary area, development works worth several thousand crores have been started in the last 54 months," Singh said.

He also announced that in February the foundation stone for two more flyovers will be laid. Hailing the 104 km long, 8 lane road stretching across Lucknow, Singh said that this will not only create a solution for the traffic problems in the city but will also increase the property rates in the capital.

He further highlighted that the UP Government is working on Gomti Nagar, Charbagh and Alam Bagh railway stations.

He thanked that party members and workers who worked together for the city and the party.

Several party leaders including UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, ministers Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Brajesh Pathak, Mahendra Singh, Mohsin Raza, MLA Pankaj Singh, Suresh Srivastava, Neeraj Bora, Union Home Minister`s representative Diwakar Tripathi and several others attended the programme.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated as many as 158 development projects here on the 95th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated as many as 158 development projects here on the 95th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee. He also laid the foundation stone for 418 development projects, making it to a total of 576 projects worth Rs 161 crore. Addressing the party members and party workers here, Singh said that this celebration is nothing new to Lucknow since Vajpayee's birth anniversary has been always celebrated in Lucknow. Vajpayee had served as Member of Parliament from Lucknow. The Union Home Minister laid the foundation of multiple projects to work towards Vajpayee's dream of development of Lucknow. He asserted that Lucknow is slowly and steadily moving towards acquiring the status and stature that the late Prime Minister had envisioned. "In Lucknow parliamentary area, development works worth several thousand crores have been started in the last 54 months," Singh said. He also announced that in February the foundation stone for two more flyovers will be laid. Hailing the 104 km long, 8 lane road stretching across Lucknow, Singh said that this will not only create a solution for the traffic problems in the city but will also increase the property rates in the capital. He further highlighted that the UP Government is working on Gomti Nagar, Charbagh and Alam Bagh railway stations. He thanked that party members and workers who worked together for the city and the party. Several party leaders including UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, ministers Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Brajesh Pathak, Mahendra Singh, Mohsin Raza, MLA Pankaj Singh, Suresh Srivastava, Neeraj Bora, Union Home Minister`s representative Diwakar Tripathi and several others attended the programme.

Rajnath Singh inaugurates over 150 projects in Lucknow

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out raids at 16 different locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS-inspired terror module 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and detained ten persons, including one, said to be the leader of the group, officials said.

Of the 10 persons detained by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western Uttar Pradesh district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow.

Five more were detained from east Delhi`s Jafarabad area with the help of Delhi Police's Special Cell, officials said.

"The searches are going on," an NIA spokesperson said.

The group was under NIA surveillance for some time following inputs of their suspicious activities, officials said.

According to the NIA sources, there were five such teams in Delhi which were planning attacks on important offices in the national capital.

The NIA source said that questioning of those nabbed would reveal vital information about the module, their plans and handlers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out raids at 16 different locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS-inspired terror module 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and detained ten persons, including one, said to be the leader of the group, officials said.

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out raids at 16 different locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS-inspired terror module 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and detained ten persons, including one, said to be the leader of the group, officials said. Of the 10 persons detained by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western Uttar Pradesh district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow. Five more were detained from east Delhi`s Jafarabad area with the help of Delhi Police's Special Cell, officials said. "The searches are going on," an NIA spokesperson said. The group was under NIA surveillance for some time following inputs of their suspicious activities, officials said. According to the NIA sources, there were five such teams in Delhi which were planning attacks on important offices in the national capital. The NIA source said that questioning of those nabbed would reveal vital information about the module, their plans and handlers. (With inputs from agencies)

NIA conducts raids across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh detains 10 to bust new ISIS-inspired terror module

Virtually setting the tone of poll campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/whenever-ram-temple-is-built-in-ayodhya-it-will-be-by-us-yogi-adityanath-186043">Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath</a> Tuesday said there is no substitute to development, an issue that the ruling BJP has adopted as its "battle cry".

"There is no substitute to development as people of every caste, community, region and religion need development to raise their living standards. Those who do negative politics and try to divide the country on the lines of caste, religion and geographical boundaries actually deceive the democracy," he said.

The chief minister made these remarks while addressing a gathering in adjoining Siddharth Nagar district after laying the foundation stone of a medical college.

Stating that Siddharthnagar seat is very important for the BJP, Adityanath named the medical college after late BJP leader Madhav Prasad Tripathi.

"We never said that patients will be discriminated in the medical college on the lines of caste and religion. The people of Siddharthnagar district, as also those of neighbouring districts and Nepal will be benefited by it. I have seen children dying of encephalitis and various water-borne diseases as they were poor and it was difficult for them to reach BRD medical college in Gorakhpur.

"The people will now get treatment near their home and young students of poor families who dream of becoming a doctor could make their dreams come true," he said.

The chief minister said, "We are trying to live up to the concept of Ramrajya by making the benefits of welfare scheme reach the deprived sections. The poor are getting houses, LPG connections, electricity connections, benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme and toilets."

"The previous governments never took concrete steps to combat encephalitis. Since the disease is mostly water borne, a toilet in the house will be very helpful to contain it," the chief minister added.

Taking a dig at opposition parties, he said, "People raised a lot of slogans and made announcements but if the development could have taken place only by raising slogans, India might have gone very far."

"People were deprived of houses, electricity, LPG connections, toilets and various schemes. For the first time in 70 years after Independence, PM Narendra Modi thought and worked for it," he added.

On strengthening the ties with neighbouring Nepal, he said, "Nepal is our friendly nation and I have directed PWD to repair and beautify all the roads to Nepal."

Adityanath said Siddharthnagar was associated with Gautam Buddha and it carries a lot of historical significance.&nbsp;

Virtually setting the tone of poll campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said there is no substitute to development, an issue that the ruling BJP has adopted as its "battle cry".

Virtually setting the tone of poll campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said there is no substitute to development, an issue that the ruling BJP has adopted as its "battle cry". "There is no substitute to development as people of every caste, community, region and religion need development to raise their living standards. Those who do negative politics and try to divide the country on the lines of caste, religion and geographical boundaries actually deceive the democracy," he said. The chief minister made these remarks while addressing a gathering in adjoining Siddharth Nagar district after laying the foundation stone of a medical college. Stating that Siddharthnagar seat is very important for the BJP, Adityanath named the medical college after late BJP leader Madhav Prasad Tripathi. "We never said that patients will be discriminated in the medical college on the lines of caste and religion. The people of Siddharthnagar district, as also those of neighbouring districts and Nepal will be benefited by it. I have seen children dying of encephalitis and various water-borne diseases as they were poor and it was difficult for them to reach BRD medical college in Gorakhpur. "The people will now get treatment near their home and young students of poor families who dream of becoming a doctor could make their dreams come true," he said. The chief minister said, "We are trying to live up to the concept of Ramrajya by making the benefits of welfare scheme reach the deprived sections. The poor are getting houses, LPG connections, electricity connections, benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme and toilets." "The previous governments never took concrete steps to combat encephalitis. Since the disease is mostly water borne, a toilet in the house will be very helpful to contain it," the chief minister added. Taking a dig at opposition parties, he said, "People raised a lot of slogans and made announcements but if the development could have taken place only by raising slogans, India might have gone very far." "People were deprived of houses, electricity, LPG connections, toilets and various schemes. For the first time in 70 years after Independence, PM Narendra Modi thought and worked for it," he added. On strengthening the ties with neighbouring Nepal, he said, "Nepal is our friendly nation and I have directed PWD to repair and beautify all the roads to Nepal." Adityanath said Siddharthnagar was associated with Gautam Buddha and it carries a lot of historical significance.

There is no substitute to development: Yogi Adityanath

Detained army personnel Jitu Fauji, who is accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, has said that he is not an absconder, alleging that he is being framed.&nbsp;

"I am not an absconder. I haven't done anything wrong. I am being framed," news agency ANI quoted Fauji.

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Jitu Fauji, an accused in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BulandshaharViolence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BulandshaharViolence</a>: I am not an absconder. I haven't done anything wrong. I am being framed. <a href="https://t.co/YQMqyXpviU">pic.twitter.com/YQMqyXpviU</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1071766871777538049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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One of the key accused in the Bulandshahr cop-killing case, Fauji was detained by Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday and was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/soldier-accused-in-bulandshahr-cops-killing-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody-182698">sent to 14-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/soldier-accused-in-bulandshahr-cops-killing-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody-182698">day</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/soldier-accused-in-bulandshahr-cops-killing-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody-182698"> judicial custody</a> by a local court on Sunday.

A police team was sent to Jammu to nab the suspected armyman, Jitu Fauji, a senior officer told news agency PTI. Fauji was handed over to the police by the Rashtriya Rifles.

Two people, including an inspector, were killed in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bulandshahr-violence-up-government-transfers-asp-army-jawan-arrested-182681">clashes that broke</a> out over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr on December 3, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Detained army personnel Jitu Fauji, who is accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, has said that he is not an absconder, alleging that he is being framed.

Detained army personnel Jitu Fauji, who is accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, has said that he is not an absconder, alleging that he is being framed. "I am not an absconder. I haven't done anything wrong. I am being framed," news agency ANI quoted Fauji. Jitu Fauji, an accused in #BulandshaharViolence: I am not an absconder. I haven't done anything wrong. I am being framed. pic.twitter.com/YQMqyXpviU — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 9, 2018 × One of the key accused in the Bulandshahr cop-killing case, Fauji was detained by Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday and was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court on Sunday. A police team was sent to Jammu to nab the suspected armyman, Jitu Fauji, a senior officer told news agency PTI. Fauji was handed over to the police by the Rashtriya Rifles. Two people, including an inspector, were killed in clashes that broke out over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr on December 3, news agency PTI reported. (With inputs from PTI)

I haven't done anything, I am being framed: Soldier accused in Bulandshahr cop's killing

Detained army personnel, Jitu Fauji, accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr has been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court, news agency ANI reported.

According to reports, the accused was detained by UP Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore on Saturday.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;police team was sent to Jammu to nab the suspected armyman, Jitu Fauji, a senior officer told news agency PTI. Fauji was handed over to the police by the Rashtriya Rifles.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BulandshahrViolence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BulandshahrViolence</a>: Accused Jitu Fauji has been sent to 14 day judicial custody by a local court. (Earlier pic) <a href="https://t.co/pPIHrS3sPJ">pic.twitter.com/pPIHrS3sPJ</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1071742451176497152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bulandshahr-violence-up-government-transfers-asp-army-jawan-arrested-182681">UP government Sunday transferred Raees Akhtar</a>, who was posted as additional superintendent of police (rural) in Bulandshahr.

In a statement issued, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said Akhtar has been transferred to PAC Headquarters in Lucknow.

Manish Mishra, posted as additional superintendent of police at the modern control room, Ghaziabad, has been made the new ASP (rural) of Bulandshahr.

On Saturday, the UP government transferred Bulandshahr SSP Krishna Bahadur Singh to the DGP office in Lucknow. Kumar had said the senior superintendent of police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary.

The government has transferred two other policemen of Bulandshahr district Circle Officer of Syana area Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar.

Two people, including an inspector, were killed in clashes that broke out over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr on December 3, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

Additional Director General (ADG) Intelligence SB Shiradkar had Friday submitted a report on the violence.

Inspector Singh, who died in the mob violence, was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015, to November 9, 2015. However, the charge sheet was filed by a different IO in March 2016.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Detained army personnel, Jitu Fauji, accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr has been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court, news agency ANI reported.

Detained army personnel, Jitu Fauji, accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr has been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the accused was detained by UP Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore on Saturday. A police team was sent to Jammu to nab the suspected armyman, Jitu Fauji, a senior officer told news agency PTI. Fauji was handed over to the police by the Rashtriya Rifles. #BulandshahrViolence: Accused Jitu Fauji has been sent to 14 day judicial custody by a local court. (Earlier pic) pic.twitter.com/pPIHrS3sPJ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 9, 2018 × Meanwhile, the UP government Sunday transferred Raees Akhtar, who was posted as additional superintendent of police (rural) in Bulandshahr. In a statement issued, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said Akhtar has been transferred to PAC Headquarters in Lucknow. Manish Mishra, posted as additional superintendent of police at the modern control room, Ghaziabad, has been made the new ASP (rural) of Bulandshahr. On Saturday, the UP government transferred Bulandshahr SSP Krishna Bahadur Singh to the DGP office in Lucknow. Kumar had said the senior superintendent of police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary. The government has transferred two other policemen of Bulandshahr district Circle Officer of Syana area Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar. Two people, including an inspector, were killed in clashes that broke out over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr on December 3, news agency PTI reported. Additional Director General (ADG) Intelligence SB Shiradkar had Friday submitted a report on the violence. Inspector Singh, who died in the mob violence, was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015, to November 9, 2015. However, the charge sheet was filed by a different IO in March 2016. (With inputs from PTI)

Soldier accused in Bulandshahr cop's killing sent to 14-day judicial custody

The UP government Sunday transferred Raees Akhtar, who was posted as additional superintendent of police (rural) in Bulandshahr, six days after two people died in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/bulandshahr-violence-and-up-politics-ahead-of-2019-lok-sabha-elections-181373">mob violence in the district </a>following an alleged cow slaughter incident.

In a statement issued here, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said Akhtar has been transferred to PAC Headquarters in Lucknow.

Manish Mishra, posted as additional superintendent of police at the modern control room, Ghaziabad, has been made the new ASP (rural) of Bulandshahr.

The development comes close on the heels of the arrest of an Army jawan allegedly involved in the killing of a police inspector during the mob violence.

"The Army handed over Jitendra Malik to Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force team in Meerut yesterday late night," IG STF Amitabh Yash told PTI.

On December 3, a mob of some 400 people rampaged through a village in Bulandshahr apparently after cow carcasses were found in a jungle nearby. During the violence, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a 20-year-old man died of gunshot wounds.

Singh and his team had gone to the area to tackle the violence when they came under attack by the mob.

On Saturday, the UP government transferred Bulandshahr SSP Krishna Bahadur Singh to the DGP office in Lucknow. Kumar had said the senior superintendent of police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary.

The government has<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bulandshahr-mob-violence-2-police-officials-transferred-182364"> transferred two other policemen of Bulandshahr district </a>Circle Officer of Syana area Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar.

Additional Director General, Intelligence, SB Shiradkar submitted a report on the violence Friday. The transfers are understood to be in line with the findings of the report on police handling of the situation.

Inspector Singh, who died in the mob violence, was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015, to November 9, 2015. However, the charge sheet was filed by a different IO in March 2016.

Police have arrested nine accused in the Bulandshahr case but the main conspirator, Yogesh Raj, the district convener of Bajrang Dal, is on the run. In a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, Raj had claimed innocence.

Another inquiry by a government-constituted SIT is underway, and the team is going into the details and video footage of the incident, an official said. 
Also, a magisterial probe has been ordered by the government.

The Uttar Pradesh government has been severely criticised by opposition leaders over law and order and for its handling of the situation after the violence.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the violence in Bulandshahr was an "accident" and there did not happen any incident of mob lynching in his state. He, however, assured that no one responsible for the violence will be spared.

The Congress has slammed Adityanath's downplaying of the severity of an incident of mob violence and said he has attempted to "derail" the probe in the case.&nbsp;

The UP government Sunday transferred Raees Akhtar, who was posted as additional superintendent of police (rural) in Bulandshahr, six days after two people died in mob violence in the district following an alleged cow slaughter incident.

The UP government Sunday transferred Raees Akhtar, who was posted as additional superintendent of police (rural) in Bulandshahr, six days after two people died in mob violence in the district following an alleged cow slaughter incident. In a statement issued here, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said Akhtar has been transferred to PAC Headquarters in Lucknow. Manish Mishra, posted as additional superintendent of police at the modern control room, Ghaziabad, has been made the new ASP (rural) of Bulandshahr. The development comes close on the heels of the arrest of an Army jawan allegedly involved in the killing of a police inspector during the mob violence. "The Army handed over Jitendra Malik to Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force team in Meerut yesterday late night," IG STF Amitabh Yash told PTI. On December 3, a mob of some 400 people rampaged through a village in Bulandshahr apparently after cow carcasses were found in a jungle nearby. During the violence, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a 20-year-old man died of gunshot wounds. Singh and his team had gone to the area to tackle the violence when they came under attack by the mob. On Saturday, the UP government transferred Bulandshahr SSP Krishna Bahadur Singh to the DGP office in Lucknow. Kumar had said the senior superintendent of police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary. The government has transferred two other policemen of Bulandshahr district Circle Officer of Syana area Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar. Additional Director General, Intelligence, SB Shiradkar submitted a report on the violence Friday. The transfers are understood to be in line with the findings of the report on police handling of the situation. Inspector Singh, who died in the mob violence, was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015, to November 9, 2015. However, the charge sheet was filed by a different IO in March 2016. Police have arrested nine accused in the Bulandshahr case but the main conspirator, Yogesh Raj, the district convener of Bajrang Dal, is on the run. In a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, Raj had claimed innocence. Another inquiry by a government-constituted SIT is underway, and the team is going into the details and video footage of the incident, an official said. Also, a magisterial probe has been ordered by the government. The Uttar Pradesh government has been severely criticised by opposition leaders over law and order and for its handling of the situation after the violence. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the violence in Bulandshahr was an "accident" and there did not happen any incident of mob lynching in his state. He, however, assured that no one responsible for the violence will be spared. The Congress has slammed Adityanath's downplaying of the severity of an incident of mob violence and said he has attempted to "derail" the probe in the case.

Bulandshahr violence: UP government transfers ASP; Army jawan arrested

An army personnel accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr has been detained by UP Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore, news reports said Saturday.

According to reports, the soldier in question was handed over to the police by the Rashtriya Rifles; further investigation is underway. The development followed the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bulandshahr-mob-violence-2-police-officials-transferred-182364">transfer of two cops</a> earlier in the day.

A&nbsp;police team was sent to Jammu to nab the suspected armyman, Jeetu Fauji, a senior officer told news agency PTI.

Two people, including an inspector, were killed in clashes that broke out over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr on December 3, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

Additional Director General (ADG) Intelligence SB Shiradkar had Friday submitted a report on the violence.

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Dharmendra Malik,brother of army jawan named in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bulandshar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bulandshar</a> FIR:My brother is being trapped in some conspiracy,he's not involved in the killing of Inspector. I've evidence to prove that my brother wasn't present at the site where the incident took place. I request CM to help me. <a href="https://t.co/AiaOTj146e">pic.twitter.com/AiaOTj146e</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1071367741460766720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that the Senior Superintendent of Police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/top-police-official-removed-from-up-after-bulandshahr-violence-182389">Two other policemen</a> of Bulandshahr -- Circle Officer Syana Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar -- were also transferred.&nbsp;

On December 3, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a local youth, Sumit, were killed in violence over an alleged cow slaughter incident in the city.&nbsp;

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DM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bulandshahr?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bulandshahr</a>: Ijtema event was proposed to take place on Dec 1,2&amp;3. Due to increase in crowd on Dec 01, a notice was issued. Again on Dec 2, a notice was issued as tendency for increasing crowd continued. Permit was taken for a gathering of 2 lakh ppl, but it was over 10 lakhs <a href="https://t.co/ULSa28Mu3A">pic.twitter.com/ULSa28Mu3A</a>
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The inspector and his team had gone to the village to tackle the violence when they came under attack.

Singh was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015 to November 9, 2015. However, the charge sheet had been filed by a different IO in March 2016.

Police have arrested nine accused in the Bulandshahr case but the main conspirator, Yogesh Raj, the district convener of the Bajrang Dal, is on the run.&nbsp;

In a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, Raj had claimed innocence.

Another inquiry by a government-constituted SIT is underway, and the team is going into every minute detail and video footage of the incident, the officer said.

Also, a magisterial probe had been ordered by the government into the incidents.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

An army personnel accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr has been detained by UP Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore, news reports said Saturday.

An army personnel accused of killing a police inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr has been detained by UP Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore, news reports said Saturday. According to reports, the soldier in question was handed over to the police by the Rashtriya Rifles; further investigation is underway. The development followed the transfer of two cops earlier in the day. A police team was sent to Jammu to nab the suspected armyman, Jeetu Fauji, a senior officer told news agency PTI. Two people, including an inspector, were killed in clashes that broke out over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr on December 3, news agency PTI reported. Additional Director General (ADG) Intelligence SB Shiradkar had Friday submitted a report on the violence. Dharmendra Malik,brother of army jawan named in #Bulandshar FIR:My brother is being trapped in some conspiracy,he's not involved in the killing of Inspector. I've evidence to prove that my brother wasn't present at the site where the incident took place. I request CM to help me. pic.twitter.com/AiaOTj146e — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 8, 2018 × Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that the Senior Superintendent of Police will be replaced by Sitapur SP Prabhakar Chaudhary. Two other policemen of Bulandshahr -- Circle Officer Syana Satya Prakash Sharma and Chingravati police chowki in-charge Suresh Kumar -- were also transferred. On December 3, Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and a local youth, Sumit, were killed in violence over an alleged cow slaughter incident in the city. DM #Bulandshahr: Ijtema event was proposed to take place on Dec 1,2&3. Due to increase in crowd on Dec 01, a notice was issued. Again on Dec 2, a notice was issued as tendency for increasing crowd continued. Permit was taken for a gathering of 2 lakh ppl, but it was over 10 lakhs pic.twitter.com/ULSa28Mu3A — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 8, 2018 × The inspector and his team had gone to the village to tackle the violence when they came under attack. Singh was the investigating officer of the Dadri lynching case from September 28, 2015 to November 9, 2015. However, the charge sheet had been filed by a different IO in March 2016. Police have arrested nine accused in the Bulandshahr case but the main conspirator, Yogesh Raj, the district convener of the Bajrang Dal, is on the run. In a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, Raj had claimed innocence. Another inquiry by a government-constituted SIT is underway, and the team is going into every minute detail and video footage of the incident, the officer said. Also, a magisterial probe had been ordered by the government into the incidents. (With inputs from PTI)

Armyman, key suspect in Bulandshahr cop's killing, detained in Kashmir

The killing of police officer Subodh Kumar by a mob protesting alleged cow slaughter is deeply disturbing and points to growing religious polarisation in western UP months ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Along with Inspector Singh, who was shot from close range, a local village youth was also caught in the ruckus and died of bullet wounds.

The conflagration began when some people from Mahaw village created a roadblock on the Bulandshahr-Syana road after the carcass of a cow and its progeny was found in a jungle near the village.

The mob later resorted to heavy stone pelting against policemen who were trying to convince them to clear the road. They turned extremely violent burning down a local police post and vehicles parked there. The fact that Inspector Singh had bullet a wound also raises questions around the manner in which the anti-cow slaughter protest was organized. The slaughter of cows is banned in Uttar Pradesh and instances of alleged cow-killing have led to several incidents of mob lynching in the state. In fact, since Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of UP in March 2017, UP police has been overzealous in enforcing the anti-cow slaughter law and shutting down slaughterhouses under the orders of the UP government. &nbsp;

The slain inspector, Subodh Kumar himself had been the investigating officer in the case of mob-lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in September 2015 in Dadri, near Delhi. Akhlaq had been accused of stealing and killing a calf. The Dadri lynching had evoked national and international outrage against communalism and ‘intolerance’, and led to several prominent Indians returning their national awards and honours in protest. &nbsp;

The latest case of mob rampage in Bulandshahr comes in the backdrop of a three-day 'Tablighi Ijtema' or a religious gathering that began in the town on December 1. This incident occurred on the last day of Ijtema. It’s important to note here that the three-day Ijtema had passed off peacefully with even stories of Hindus opening their temples for Muslims to pray. This incident of violence over alleged cow slaughter has disturbed Hindu-Muslim harmony once again.

Also worth remembering is the fact that earlier this year, under chief minister Yogi Adityanath's watch BJP lost three crucial Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh. Yogi’s own constituency of Gorakhpur was lost to a debut contender from the Samajwadi Party- BSP combine. Similarly, BJP lost the prestigious Phulpur seat to another candidate from the SP-BSP alliance. And perhaps more relevant against the backdrop of the Bulandshahr violence, the BJP also lost the nearby Kairana Lok Sabha seat to a Muslim woman, Tabassum Hasan who fought on a Rashtriya Lok Dal ticket and was backed by the SP-BSP combine.

This time around, given the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and increasing resentment among Dalits and Muslims against the government, the BJP has an uphill task ahead of the 2019 elections.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

The killing of police officer Subodh Kumar by a mob protesting alleged cow slaughter is deeply disturbing and points to growing religious polarisation in western UP months ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The killing of police officer Subodh Kumar by a mob protesting alleged cow slaughter is deeply disturbing and points to growing religious polarisation in western UP months ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Along with Inspector Singh, who was shot from close range, a local village youth was also caught in the ruckus and died of bullet wounds. The conflagration began when some people from Mahaw village created a roadblock on the Bulandshahr-Syana road after the carcass of a cow and its progeny was found in a jungle near the village. The mob later resorted to heavy stone pelting against policemen who were trying to convince them to clear the road. They turned extremely violent burning down a local police post and vehicles parked there. The fact that Inspector Singh had bullet a wound also raises questions around the manner in which the anti-cow slaughter protest was organized. The slaughter of cows is banned in Uttar Pradesh and instances of alleged cow-killing have led to several incidents of mob lynching in the state. In fact, since Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of UP in March 2017, UP police has been overzealous in enforcing the anti-cow slaughter law and shutting down slaughterhouses under the orders of the UP government. The slain inspector, Subodh Kumar himself had been the investigating officer in the case of mob-lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in September 2015 in Dadri, near Delhi. Akhlaq had been accused of stealing and killing a calf. The Dadri lynching had evoked national and international outrage against communalism and ‘intolerance’, and led to several prominent Indians returning their national awards and honours in protest. The latest case of mob rampage in Bulandshahr comes in the backdrop of a three-day 'Tablighi Ijtema' or a religious gathering that began in the town on December 1. This incident occurred on the last day of Ijtema. It’s important to note here that the three-day Ijtema had passed off peacefully with even stories of Hindus opening their temples for Muslims to pray. This incident of violence over alleged cow slaughter has disturbed Hindu-Muslim harmony once again. Also worth remembering is the fact that earlier this year, under chief minister Yogi Adityanath's watch BJP lost three crucial Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh. Yogi’s own constituency of Gorakhpur was lost to a debut contender from the Samajwadi Party- BSP combine. Similarly, BJP lost the prestigious Phulpur seat to another candidate from the SP-BSP alliance. And perhaps more relevant against the backdrop of the Bulandshahr violence, the BJP also lost the nearby Kairana Lok Sabha seat to a Muslim woman, Tabassum Hasan who fought on a Rashtriya Lok Dal ticket and was backed by the SP-BSP combine. This time around, given the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and increasing resentment among Dalits and Muslims against the government, the BJP has an uphill task ahead of the 2019 elections. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Bulandshahr violence and UP politics ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019

Days after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-mother-of-anarchy-development-not-in-its-dna-yogi-adityanath-180080">Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath </a>courted a controversy by claiming that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit, a legal notice was served to him by Rajasthan Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha president Suresh Mishra.&nbsp;

Mishra has alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister called Lord Hanuman a Dalit merely for political benefit.

During a poll rally in Malakheda of Rajasthan`s Alwar district on Tuesday, Adityanath said: "Bajrang Bali was a tribal, a forest dweller, a Dalit and was deprived. He worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west." He added that those who are Ram Bhakts would vote for the BJP while those who worship Ravana would vote for the Congress.

The statement drew strong criticism from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended Adityanath. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday alleged that the Chief Minister was playing politics over god.

"Tomorrow they will speak about Lord Ram, Krishna in the same manner. I don`t think caste, gods and our respect for gods should be mixed up," Sibal told ANI.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majeed Memon also opined that the remark was made with a view to attract Dalit votes. "It is purely with a view to attract Dalit votes. This kind of a statement dividing the society between Dalits and non-Dalits, Brahmins and non-Brahmins is not desirable and this does not fetch you votes. This would only cause damage to your reputation," Memon said.

BJP MP Udit Raj, on the other hand, said caste is being directly addressed because it influences election and voting pattern the most. "Yogi Adityanath Ji kept his point straight while some have double standards in politics," he said.

The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on December 7 and counting of votes will take place on December 11.&nbsp;

Days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath courted a controversy by claiming that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit, a legal notice was served to him by Rajasthan Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha president Suresh Mishra.

Days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath courted a controversy by claiming that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit, a legal notice was served to him by Rajasthan Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha president Suresh Mishra. Mishra has alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister called Lord Hanuman a Dalit merely for political benefit. During a poll rally in Malakheda of Rajasthan`s Alwar district on Tuesday, Adityanath said: "Bajrang Bali was a tribal, a forest dweller, a Dalit and was deprived. He worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west." He added that those who are Ram Bhakts would vote for the BJP while those who worship Ravana would vote for the Congress. The statement drew strong criticism from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended Adityanath. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday alleged that the Chief Minister was playing politics over god. "Tomorrow they will speak about Lord Ram, Krishna in the same manner. I don`t think caste, gods and our respect for gods should be mixed up," Sibal told ANI. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majeed Memon also opined that the remark was made with a view to attract Dalit votes. "It is purely with a view to attract Dalit votes. This kind of a statement dividing the society between Dalits and non-Dalits, Brahmins and non-Brahmins is not desirable and this does not fetch you votes. This would only cause damage to your reputation," Memon said. BJP MP Udit Raj, on the other hand, said caste is being directly addressed because it influences election and voting pattern the most. "Yogi Adityanath Ji kept his point straight while some have double standards in politics," he said. The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on December 7 and counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Yogi Adityanath faces criticism for calling Hanuman 'Dalit', gets legal notice

Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;Additional Director General (law and order), Anand Kumar, briefed media over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-on-edge-as-thousands-gather-for-vhps-ram-temple-push-179294">situation in Ayodhya</a> today, adding that an alert was received by the Intelligence Bureau a few days back of a possible attack, news agency ANI reported.

He stated that the alert received was non-specific and that the department has taken a required action. &nbsp;

"People from intelligence agencies under state government and centre have been deployed there and are monitoring the situation," he added.&nbsp;

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We received alert by IB (Intelligence Bureau) a few days back, it was a non-specific alert. Action is being take. People from intelligence agencies under state govt&amp;centre have been deployed there&amp;are monitoring the situation: ADG(law&amp;order) on input by IB of an attack in Ayodhya <a href="https://t.co/kWHOHYlZEG">pic.twitter.com/kWHOHYlZEG</a>
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The holy city of Uttar Pradesh, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-on-edge-as-thousands-gather-for-vhps-ram-temple-push-179294">Ayodhya, is turned into a virtual fortress</a> with multiple layers of security and deployment of drones as people began arriving here for Sunday's 'Dharam Sabha', being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to push for the construction of the Ram temple.

Over 200,000 people are expected near the site where a Hindu mob in 1992 pulled down the 16th-century mosque, sparking deadly religious riots that killed some 2,000 people in one of India's worst communal violence since the partition in 1947.

More than 900 extra police and a large number of paramilitary, including elite commandos, have been stationed at Ayodhya, said Vivek Tripathi, spokesman for the Uttar Pradesh police. "We're monitoring the entire town by CCTV and drone cameras," Tripathi said.

We’ve made all the arrangements for the programme (VHP’s dharma sansad). We’ve allotted spaces for parking, bypass is running smoothly &amp; we’ll ensure it stays like that. ‘Darshan’ will be from the usual routes. We’ll do everything in an organized way: DIG Ayodhya, Omkar Singh stated.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General (law and order), Anand Kumar, briefed media over the situation in Ayodhya today, adding that an alert was received by the Intelligence Bureau a few days back of a possible attack, news agency ANI reported.

Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General (law and order), Anand Kumar, briefed media over the situation in Ayodhya today, adding that an alert was received by the Intelligence Bureau a few days back of a possible attack, news agency ANI reported. He stated that the alert received was non-specific and that the department has taken a required action. "People from intelligence agencies under state government and centre have been deployed there and are monitoring the situation," he added. We received alert by IB (Intelligence Bureau) a few days back, it was a non-specific alert. Action is being take. People from intelligence agencies under state govt&centre have been deployed there&are monitoring the situation: ADG(law&order) on input by IB of an attack in Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/kWHOHYlZEG — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018 × The holy city of Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya, is turned into a virtual fortress with multiple layers of security and deployment of drones as people began arriving here for Sunday's 'Dharam Sabha', being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to push for the construction of the Ram temple. Over 200,000 people are expected near the site where a Hindu mob in 1992 pulled down the 16th-century mosque, sparking deadly religious riots that killed some 2,000 people in one of India's worst communal violence since the partition in 1947. More than 900 extra police and a large number of paramilitary, including elite commandos, have been stationed at Ayodhya, said Vivek Tripathi, spokesman for the Uttar Pradesh police. "We're monitoring the entire town by CCTV and drone cameras," Tripathi said. We’ve made all the arrangements for the programme (VHP’s dharma sansad). We’ve allotted spaces for parking, bypass is running smoothly & we’ll ensure it stays like that. ‘Darshan’ will be from the usual routes. We’ll do everything in an organized way: DIG Ayodhya, Omkar Singh stated.

Received alert from IB of possible attack in Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh ADG 

The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday approved the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters.

Prayagraj division will comprise Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts, while Ayodhya division will include Ayodhya, Ambedkarnagar, Sultanpur, Amethi and Barabanki districts, Khanna said.

The decision came a day after the Allahabad High Court asked the Centre and the state government to file counter-affidavits within a week on a petition challenging the decision to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.

Justices Vikram Nath and Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench fixed the next hearing on Monday.

The sudden spate in changing the names of key UP districts, towns and railway stations drew criticism from not only the opposition but the ruling NDA constituent Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) too.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the chief minister for taking credit by just renaming cities.

"Raja Harshvardhan made 'Prayag Kumbh' great by offering donations, but today's rulers are trying to take credit for the work just by renaming the city to 'Prayagraj'," the former chief minister tweeted earlier.

"They (BJP) have even re-named 'Ardh Kumbh' as 'Kumbh'. This mocks our tradition and belief," he said.

The Congress, too, had hit out at the ruling dispensation, with a party leader saying that changing the name of the historic city to 'Prayagraj' is an attempt to toy with the history of the nation.

Uttar Pradesh minister and SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar mocked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the move and said the party should change names of its Muslim leaders before changing the names of different towns and places.

"The BJP changed the names of Mughalsarai and Faizabad. They say they were named after the Mughals. They have a national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza - three Muslim faces of the BJP. They should change their names first."

He said that the names of places were changed just to divert the attention of the backward and oppressed people from the issues, which concern them.

"This is all a drama to distract the backward and oppressed people whenever they raise their voices for their rights. No one else has given the things that Muslims have given. Should we throw away the GT Road? Who built the Red Fort? Who built the Taj Mahal," he asked.

Earlier, the government renamed the Mughalsarai Railway station, another historic spot, as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction.

In August this year, the UP government had sent a request to the Centre to rename the airports in Agra, Bareilly and Kanpur. According to reports, the proposal is to rename the Agra airport after Jan Sangh founder Deen Dayal Upadhyay.

The ruling BJP has, however, justified the name changes across Uttar Pradesh, saying they are merely restoring older names and correcting historical distortions.

Allahabad's ancient name was 'Prayag', but was changed after 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar built a fort near 'Sangam', the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.

Akbar named the fort and its neighbourhood 'Ilahabad'. Later, Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan renamed the entire city as 'Allahabad'. But the area near the 'Sangam', the site of the Kumbh Mela, continues to be known as 'Prayag'.

The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday approved the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters.

The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday approved the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters. Prayagraj division will comprise Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts, while Ayodhya division will include Ayodhya, Ambedkarnagar, Sultanpur, Amethi and Barabanki districts, Khanna said. The decision came a day after the Allahabad High Court asked the Centre and the state government to file counter-affidavits within a week on a petition challenging the decision to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj. Justices Vikram Nath and Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench fixed the next hearing on Monday. The sudden spate in changing the names of key UP districts, towns and railway stations drew criticism from not only the opposition but the ruling NDA constituent Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) too. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the chief minister for taking credit by just renaming cities. "Raja Harshvardhan made 'Prayag Kumbh' great by offering donations, but today's rulers are trying to take credit for the work just by renaming the city to 'Prayagraj'," the former chief minister tweeted earlier. "They (BJP) have even re-named 'Ardh Kumbh' as 'Kumbh'. This mocks our tradition and belief," he said. The Congress, too, had hit out at the ruling dispensation, with a party leader saying that changing the name of the historic city to 'Prayagraj' is an attempt to toy with the history of the nation. Uttar Pradesh minister and SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar mocked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the move and said the party should change names of its Muslim leaders before changing the names of different towns and places. "The BJP changed the names of Mughalsarai and Faizabad. They say they were named after the Mughals. They have a national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza - three Muslim faces of the BJP. They should change their names first." He said that the names of places were changed just to divert the attention of the backward and oppressed people from the issues, which concern them. "This is all a drama to distract the backward and oppressed people whenever they raise their voices for their rights. No one else has given the things that Muslims have given. Should we throw away the GT Road? Who built the Red Fort? Who built the Taj Mahal," he asked. Earlier, the government renamed the Mughalsarai Railway station, another historic spot, as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction. In August this year, the UP government had sent a request to the Centre to rename the airports in Agra, Bareilly and Kanpur. According to reports, the proposal is to rename the Agra airport after Jan Sangh founder Deen Dayal Upadhyay. The ruling BJP has, however, justified the name changes across Uttar Pradesh, saying they are merely restoring older names and correcting historical distortions. Allahabad's ancient name was 'Prayag', but was changed after 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar built a fort near 'Sangam', the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Akbar named the fort and its neighbourhood 'Ilahabad'. Later, Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan renamed the entire city as 'Allahabad'. But the area near the 'Sangam', the site of the Kumbh Mela, continues to be known as 'Prayag'.

UP cabinet approves renaming of Faizabad as Ayodhya, Allahabad as Prayagraj

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres.&nbsp;

According to reports, the move will be directed to check and stop the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian items in the area, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

UP minister Shrikant Sharma stated that crores of devotees want the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian items to be banned in the holy cities of Mathura and Ayodhya, adding that the state government is "working" towards "honouring their demands."

"Honouring their demands, the state government is working to declare the area around 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. Once this happens, a ban on the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor will automatically come into effect," Sharma said, adding that Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Giriraj ji and Sapt Kosi Parikrama area of Govardhan already have a ban on sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor. The cities had been declared pilgrim centres previously.&nbsp;

On Monday, reports claimed that the state government is now considering a proposal to ban the sale of liquor and meat in the entire district, a demand made by local seers.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. According to reports, the move will be directed to check and stop the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian items in the area, news agency PTI reported. UP minister Shrikant Sharma stated that crores of devotees want the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian items to be banned in the holy cities of Mathura and Ayodhya, adding that the state government is "working" towards "honouring their demands." "Honouring their demands, the state government is working to declare the area around 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. Once this happens, a ban on the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor will automatically come into effect," Sharma said, adding that Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Giriraj ji and Sapt Kosi Parikrama area of Govardhan already have a ban on sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor. The cities had been declared pilgrim centres previously. On Monday, reports claimed that the state government is now considering a proposal to ban the sale of liquor and meat in the entire district, a demand made by local seers. (With inputs from PTI)

UP government mulls banning sale of liquor, meat in parts of Ayodhya and Mathura

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a slew of development projects. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

According to reports, PM Modi inaugurated country's first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways in Varanasi on river Ganga. The Prime Minister also received the country's first container cargo transported on inland waterways from Kolkata. This was the first time that a container vessel travelled on inland waterways on river Ganga.&nbsp;

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Kuch der pehle maine nadi marg se pahunche desh ke pehle container vessel ka swagat kiya. Ye container vessel chalne ka matlab hai ki poorvi uttar pradesh, aur purvi bharat jalmarg se ab Bengal ki khaadi se jud gaya hai: PM Modi in Varanasi <a href="https://t.co/axmanr1THb">pic.twitter.com/axmanr1THb</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1061953134606589953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The terminal is being constructed on the National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India.&nbsp;National Waterway-1, an inland water transport route, stretches between Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

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Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga <a href="https://t.co/ozfx2HQvdv">pic.twitter.com/ozfx2HQvdv</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1061926741944475648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be equally shared between the Government of India and the World Bank, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

PM Modi's Varanasi visit comes ahead of Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year. Earlier in the day, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-politics-begins-and-ends-with-one-family-pm-modi-in-bilaspur-chhattisgarh-176829">he visited poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Bilaspu</a>r and addressed a rally ahead of the second phase of elections in the BJP-led state.

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Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga <a href="https://t.co/qH3eSE9fL6">pic.twitter.com/qH3eSE9fL6</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1061926140762382336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As many as 18 assembly constituencies, out of a total of 90, have gone to polls today in the first phase of the electoral fight marred by Naxal attacks.

The voter turnout in the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly election on Monday was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-assembly-polls-nearly-50-voter-turnout-recorded-till-3pm-176837">recorded at 56.58 per cent till 4.30pm</a>. By 2pm the same was recorded at nearly 38 per cent, the figure rose to nearly 50 per cent by 3pm.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a slew of development projects. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a slew of development projects. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. According to reports, PM Modi inaugurated country's first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways in Varanasi on river Ganga. The Prime Minister also received the country's first container cargo transported on inland waterways from Kolkata. This was the first time that a container vessel travelled on inland waterways on river Ganga. Kuch der pehle maine nadi marg se pahunche desh ke pehle container vessel ka swagat kiya. Ye container vessel chalne ka matlab hai ki poorvi uttar pradesh, aur purvi bharat jalmarg se ab Bengal ki khaadi se jud gaya hai: PM Modi in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/axmanr1THb — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × The terminal is being constructed on the National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India. National Waterway-1, an inland water transport route, stretches between Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga pic.twitter.com/ozfx2HQvdv — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be equally shared between the Government of India and the World Bank, news agency PTI reported. PM Modi's Varanasi visit comes ahead of Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year. Earlier in the day, he visited poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur and addressed a rally ahead of the second phase of elections in the BJP-led state. Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga pic.twitter.com/qH3eSE9fL6 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × As many as 18 assembly constituencies, out of a total of 90, have gone to polls today in the first phase of the electoral fight marred by Naxal attacks. The voter turnout in the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly election on Monday was recorded at 56.58 per cent till 4.30pm. By 2pm the same was recorded at nearly 38 per cent, the figure rose to nearly 50 per cent by 3pm. (With inputs from agencies)

In parliamentary constituency Varanasi, PM Modi inaugurates National Waterway-1 on river Ganga

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