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India Elections Phase 2 Sees Enthusiastic Voter Turnout

Second phase of Lok Sabha polls sees enthusiastic voter turnout from Jammu to Kerala, Maharashtra to Tripura

The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, encompassing 88 seats in 13 states/UTs, spanning Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, and Maharashtra to Manipur, concluded peacefully on Friday with a vibrant display of democratic fervour as 60.96 per cent of eligible voters, young and old, braved the summer heat and logistical problems to exercise their franchise.

The queues at polling stations painted a vivid picture of India’s societal diversity, with newlyweds, senior citizens, tribals, IT professionals, persons with disabilities (PwDs), women, and first-time young voters patiently awaited their turn to press the EVM buttons for their desired candidates.

Special arrangements were made to combat the heat including the provision of shade, drinking water, medical kits, and fans.

Cricketing superstars Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath were seen voting at different polling stations in Bengaluru and posed with their inked fingers to encourage voters. In several states like Rajasthan and Karnataka, officials and voters alike came in their traditional attire to celebrate the “Chunav ka Parv”.

The fate of 1,202 candidates, including prominent figures such as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Union Ministers Shashi Tharoor and Mahesh Sharma, actress Hema Malini, actor Arun Govil of “Ramayana fame”, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, BJP youth leader Tejasvi Surya, D.K. Suresh, brother of Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, former Karnataka CM H.D. Kumaraswamy, and independent Pappu Yadav, now rests in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude towards voters. “The second phase went very well! Gratitude to the people across India who voted today. The unprecedented support for the NDA is further disappointing for the opposition. The voters want the NDA’s governance. Youth and women voters are strongly supporting the NDA”, he said in a post on X.

In this phase, voting took place for all 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, along with half of Karnataka’s 28 seats, the remaining seats of Rajasthan, Manipur, Tripura, as well as several in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir.

With this phase, polling has been held in 190 seats and the elections have been concluded in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshwadeep, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and Uttarakhand

The BJP, holding a significant number of seats in this phase, considers these elections crucial for maintaining and expanding its influence to secure a substantial majority in the Lok Sabha.

Tripura witnessed the highest voter turnout at 78.63 per cent, while Maharashtra recorded the lowest at 54.34 per cent.

Other states saw varying levels of participation, with Manipur at 77.18 per cent, Chhattisgarh at 73.05 per cent, West Bengal at 71.84 per cent, Assam at 70.68 per cent, and Jammu and Kashmir at 71.63 per cent.

Karnataka recorded a 67 per cent turnout, Kerala 65.28 per cent, Rajasthan 63.74 per cent, Madhya Pradesh 56.60 per cent, Bihar 54.91 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh 54.74 per cent.

However, these are provisional figures and the final turnout will be released following verification of Form 17A.

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

NCP(SP) vows Rs 1 lakh/year dole to poor women, jobless youth

A like amount shall be given as a stipend to the educated jobless youth, who will be provided free training and skilling in the government or private sector for a year and prepare them to take up jobs of their choice…reports Asian Lite News

The Nationalist Congress Party(SP) President Sharad Pawar here on Thursday released the party’s 2024 Election Manifesto with a slew of promises to attract the poor, women, farmers, the unemployed, the depressed sections of society and other backward groups for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Sharad Pawar, along with state President Jayant Patil and other senior functionaries disclosed the salient aspects of the Manifesto which include an aid of Rs 1 lakh per year to a woman from all the poor families in the country under the Mahalakshmi Scheme, and help make crores of women as ‘lakhpatis’.

A like amount shall be given as a stipend to the educated jobless youth, who will be provided free training and skilling in the government or private sector for a year and prepare them to take up jobs of their choice.

Similar to the INDIA bloc proposal, the NCP(SP) will also amend the laws to hike the quotas’ ceiling and provide for reservations to more categories, set up a special farmers’ commission to advise, streamline and recommend loan waivers to the peasantry, among other things, Pawar and Patil said.

The NCP(SP) also proposes to double the income of unorganised daily workers to at least Rs 400 per day, better sops for Anganwadi women workers, throwing open the government sector’s 30 lakh jobs currently lying vacant to the unemployed youth, and other assurances for various other sections of the populace if and after the INDIA bloc comes to power.

The NCP (SP) is contesting 10 of the state’s 48 LS constituencies, with many falling in the ‘tough fight’ category, along with support from the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies like Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Last week, the Congress and SS(UBT) leaders indicated that if the need arises, they might issue an MVA’s joint manifesto in the coming days.

Shiv Sena, BJP slam manifesto

 Shiv Sena spokesperson Susiben Shah said the announcement of Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) in its manifesto ‘Shapathnama’ with regards to minimum support price (MSP) for farmers is to “deceive” and “allure” them.

“It is important to note that he was the Union Agricultural Minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014. During his tenure, he did nothing for the farmers. The MSP announcement in the manifesto is simply an attempt to deceive and allure the farmers,” said Shah here.

“They have also shown a dangling carrot of 50 per cent reservation for women. However, the manifesto falls short in countering in leaps taken for women empowerment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde,” said Shah.

Offering cheap gas cylinders, and giving poor women Rs 1 lakh every year, are nothing but fake promises, she claimed.

“It is high time Sharad Pawar’s National Corrupt Party stopped cheating people and making such promises,” she said.

 The BJP claimed on Thursday that the manifesto (‘Shapathnama’) released by the NCP (SP) is the biggest fraud in the world.

In Sharad Pawar’s life, a dagger is more important than the oath, said Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule in his reaction. Due to this manifesto, the voters will not vote for the Pawar-led party, he added.

“In Maharashtra, an oath is more important than life,” he said.

“Whenever Pawar was in power, he practiced vote politics and used power to make money and again used the same money to gain power. Maharashtra never benefited due to his politics,” claimed Bawankule.

Bawankule said that Modi’s Sankalp Patra (manifesto) is for the welfare of the country. On the other hand, in the INDIA Alliance manifesto the Congress talks about the abolition of Sanatan Dharma and also on redistribution of wealth among a particular community.

Bawankuke explained the importance of oath and Sharad Pawar’s political journey. On April 26, 1645 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took the oath of Hindvi Swarajya along with his Malvas and fulfilled his oath. In 1977, the Congress party split after the Emergency. Sharad Pawar left the Indira Gandhi led Congress and joined the Congress led by Brahmanand Reddy.

He added that in 1978, Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil’s government was ousted by stabbing him in the back. In 1980, the PDF government was formed after 40 legislators rebelled and Sharad Pawar became the chief minister

According to Bawankule, in 1988, Sharad Pawar rejoined the Congress and In 1999 Sharad Pawar fell out with the Congress and formed the NCP.

In 2019, Sharad Powar gave the word to Ajit Pawar (of joining the BJP) but later overturned it. Thereafter, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed in 2019.

“Really tell me, do Sharad Pawar and oath have any connection,” he asked.

The Nationalist Congress Party(SP) President Sharad Pawar here on Thursday released the party’s 2024 Election Manifesto with a slew of promises to attract the poor, women, farmers, the unemployed, the depressed sections of society and other backward groups for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Sharad Pawar, along with state President Jayant Patil and other senior functionaries disclosed the salient aspects of the Manifesto which include an aid of Rs 1 lakh per year to a woman from all the poor families in the country under the Mahalakshmi Scheme, and help make crores of women as ‘lakhpatis’.

A like amount shall be given as a stipend to the educated jobless youth, who will be provided free training and skilling in the government or private sector for a year and prepare them to take up jobs of their choice.

Similar to the INDIA bloc proposal, the NCP(SP) will also amend the laws to hike the quotas’ ceiling and provide for reservations to more categories, set up a special farmers’ commission to advise, streamline and recommend loan waivers to the peasantry, among other things, Pawar and Patil said.

The NCP(SP) also proposes to double the income of unorganised daily workers to at least Rs 400 per day, better sops for Anganwadi women workers, throwing open the government sector’s 30 lakh jobs currently lying vacant to the unemployed youth, and other assurances for various other sections of the populace if and after the INDIA bloc comes to power.

The NCP (SP) is contesting 10 of the state’s 48 LS constituencies, with many falling in the ‘tough fight’ category, along with support from the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies like Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Last week, the Congress and SS(UBT) leaders indicated that if the need arises, they might issue an MVA’s joint manifesto in the coming days.

Shiv Sena, BJP slam manifesto

 Shiv Sena spokesperson Susiben Shah said the announcement of Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) in its manifesto ‘Shapathnama’ with regards to minimum support price (MSP) for farmers is to “deceive” and “allure” them.

“It is important to note that he was the Union Agricultural Minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014. During his tenure, he did nothing for the farmers. The MSP announcement in the manifesto is simply an attempt to deceive and allure the farmers,” said Shah here.

“They have also shown a dangling carrot of 50 per cent reservation for women. However, the manifesto falls short in countering in leaps taken for women empowerment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde,” said Shah.

Offering cheap gas cylinders, and giving poor women Rs 1 lakh every year, are nothing but fake promises, she claimed.

“It is high time Sharad Pawar’s National Corrupt Party stopped cheating people and making such promises,” she said.

 The BJP claimed on Thursday that the manifesto (‘Shapathnama’) released by the NCP (SP) is the biggest fraud in the world.

In Sharad Pawar’s life, a dagger is more important than the oath, said Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule in his reaction. Due to this manifesto, the voters will not vote for the Pawar-led party, he added.

“In Maharashtra, an oath is more important than life,” he said.

“Whenever Pawar was in power, he practiced vote politics and used power to make money and again used the same money to gain power. Maharashtra never benefited due to his politics,” claimed Bawankule.

Bawankule said that Modi’s Sankalp Patra (manifesto) is for the welfare of the country. On the other hand, in the INDIA Alliance manifesto the Congress talks about the abolition of Sanatan Dharma and also on redistribution of wealth among a particular community.

Bawankuke explained the importance of oath and Sharad Pawar’s political journey. On April 26, 1645 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took the oath of Hindvi Swarajya along with his Malvas and fulfilled his oath. In 1977, the Congress party split after the Emergency. Sharad Pawar left the Indira Gandhi led Congress and joined the Congress led by Brahmanand Reddy.

He added that in 1978, Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil’s government was ousted by stabbing him in the back. In 1980, the PDF government was formed after 40 legislators rebelled and Sharad Pawar became the chief minister

According to Bawankule, in 1988, Sharad Pawar rejoined the Congress and In 1999 Sharad Pawar fell out with the Congress and formed the NCP.

In 2019, Sharad Powar gave the word to Ajit Pawar (of joining the BJP) but later overturned it. Thereafter, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed in 2019.

“Really tell me, do Sharad Pawar and oath have any connection,” he asked.

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‘BSP does not align with policies of NDA or INDIA’

On being asked whether the SP is BSP’s main opponent, he refuted it, saying that Akhilesh Yadav’s party do not have sway across UP, but is restricted to certain regions of the state…reports Asian Lite News

As the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party, once an elephantine force in Uttar Pradesh politics is experiencing a decline in its influence, party national convenor Akash Anand said that the BSP does not align with the “policies” of both alliances -NDA and INDIA, hence decided to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls despite its seat number reducing elections after elections.

Akash Anand, BSP supremo Mayawati’s nephew and her political successor, in an exclusive interview with ANI, said that the record of the party being in alliance indicates its core support base shifting its allegiance to other parties, but the BSP, he added, is currently keeping its vote share intact while being out of any coalition.

“If you see the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, our vote share continued to remain at 19 per cent, but the number of seats is a big concern for the party. When we were standing alone back in 2014, we managed to get 19 per cent vote share, but our seat count was zero. We went in alliance, our vote share remained the same, but we were able to garner 10 seats. We feel that we do not actually make a lot of headway in terms of increasing our vote share while being in alliance,” Akash said.

He also said that as per the party’s analysis, its core vote share which is mostly the Dalit community shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress when Mayawati joined hands with once considered its main opponent- Samajwadi Party.

“We also witnessed that core voters of the Bahujan Samaj Party were not convinced to coalition with Samajwadi Party so, we saw some of the vote share moved from us to BJP and Congress. We feel that if we remain in non-alliance then we can at least keep our vote share intact and can increase it. In the future, when time allows we can do social engineering and in the right circumstances and political environment, we will be able to guard more seats,” he added.

As the BSP has chosen to go alone for the Lok Sabha elections despite alliances being firmed up, Akash said that the leading parties of both factions- BJP and the Congress failed to represent the Dalit community for whose rights the party advocates.

“We do not align with their policies and looking at their track record, we do not think that these people will be able to deliver. We do not want to be in a coalition where we are not aligned with our partners’ thought process and their execution style. We tried it with SP and during the campaigning only, we realized that they were not the right partner for us. There were a lot of commitments made, but they could not do anything on the execution level. So, we parted ways with the SP,” he said.

He also took a swipe at the BJP and said that the ruling party does not address the issues emerging at fore forefront like- inflation, employment, security and safety which includes country’s borders too.

“Be it NDA or INDIA bloc, leading parties of both factions- BJP and Congress have been in power with the majority at the Centre and in the state also, but both failed to represent our community. With the BJP, there is even more challenge because of rising unemployment, inflation, safety and security and border issues. And these issues are not being addressed,” the BSP leader said.

On being asked whether the SP is BSP’s main opponent, he refuted it, saying that Akhilesh Yadav’s party do not have sway across UP, but is restricted to certain regions of the state.

“If you come towards Western UP, then they have very little activity on the ground and they have also very little vote share. I would constrain them to one part of UP rather than the whole UP and our competition is not with the SP, but we actually try to keep our voters intact anyhow,” he added.

Notably, the BSP hasn’t done great when it went solo, barring the 2007 assembly polls. In the Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly elections in 2007, winning 206 seats and becoming the sole majority party. Mayawati was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fourth time without any support of a second party, marking the peak of the party’s electoral success.

However, its performance in polls — both Lok Sabha and assembly — since 1996 reflects the downfall of the party.

In the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, which it fought alone, the party could manage just six seats out of 85 in undivided UP. Similarly, BSP’s attempt to enter other states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka on its own has proved futile.

It first allied with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in 1993, when the two parties formed a coalition government in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party’s Mulayam Singh Yadav became Chief Minister.

In 2009, BSP registered its best performance in Lok Sabha polls winning 20 seats, closely trailing behind the SP with 23 seats and the INC with 21. In the 2012 state elections, the party could only manage to win 80 seats. SP’s Akhilesh Yadav took over as CM.

In 2014, the party faced a major setback, failing to secure even a single seat in the Lok Sabha polls. BSP’s seat tally went from 80 to 19 in the 2017 state elections. In 2019, the BSP-SP alliance managed to secure 15 seats, with the BSP winning 10 in the 2019 general elections. The BSP only managed to secure one seat in the 2022 state polls. (ANI)

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Congress’ manifesto takes centrestage in Phase II

Key issues ranging from unemployment, violence against women, economic development, long-pending grievances of farmers, crisis funds and inflation were also among the most highlighted across the country…reports Asian Lite News

The stage has been set up for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections that will witness voting across 13 States/ Union Territory in 88 constituencies with an increased focus on issues revolving around the contents of the Congress’ manifesto.

Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda has backed the party’s stand on redistribution of wealth and advocated an inheritance tax law in the country. Emphasing the need for policy towards wealth redistribution, Pitroda elaborated on the concept of inheritance tax prevailing in America.

Key issues ranging from unemployment, violence against women, economic development, long-pending grievances of farmers, crisis funds and inflation were also among the most highlighted across the country.

While, topics that led the debates in the country included Ram Temple, Sanatan Dharma, GST, Caste Census, OBCs and reservation, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that the Congress wants to take away the gold and property of people and distribute it among “those having more children.”While stressing the importance of ‘Mangalsutra’ (traditional Indian jewellery worn by married Indian women) for women, he said that no government has the power to snatch it away.

Addressing the public meeting, PM Modi said, “The leaders who have left Congress are saying one thing: It is not the Congress of before, it is now trapped in the clutches of the Leftists and urban Naxals…look at their manifesto, what Congress has said in its manifesto is serious and worrying. They have said that if they form a government then a survey of property belonging to every person will be conducted.”

As the debate initiated by the Prime Minister escalated across the length and breadth of the country, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that “PM Modi should read our manifesto first and then we can have a discussion on it”.

Former Rajasthan CM and  Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said that the manner in which he (PM Modi) is trying to provoke people by saying things about ‘Mangalsutra’ and dismissed the allegation against the party manifesto.

Gehlot said, “The kind of language used in Tonk, the people across the country are agitated and worried. The way he (PM Modi) is trying to provoke people by saying things about ‘Mangalsutra’ and alleging that we will take away gold and all, these things have no link to our manifesto and it’s surprising to see PM Modi using such languages. He is in a misconception that people accept whatever he says be it right or wrong but he doesn’t know that people now understand all these things… I don’t want to say anything as he (PM Modi) will manipulate my words which will harm my party. I am more worried about what will happen in the country than losing the elections. Will democracy continue to be in the country? It’s very unfortunate, that the PM is using such language.”

“In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has 100 million USD worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer probably 45 per cent to his children, 55 per cent is grabbed by the government. That’s an interesting law. It says you in your generation, made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair,” Pitroda said.”In India, you don’t have that. If somebody is worth 10 billion and he dies, his children get 10 billion and the public gets nothing…So these are the kinds of issues people will have to debate and discuss. When we talk about redistributing wealth, we are talking about new policies and new programs that are in the interest of the people and not in the interest of the super-rich only,” Pitroda added.The second phase of voting is scheduled for April 26 over 13 states and Union territories will witness a tight battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance.

Voting in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will begin at 7 am on Friday and conclude at 5 pm.

Nearly 1 billion Indians will vote in the country’s largest election, with opinion polls predicting an easy victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who are running the polls for a third consecutive term.

The key issues that are to dominate the elections to 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, being held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1 include economic development, inflation, corruption and others.

The Prime Minister has been campaigning extensively across the country, promising to expand India’s economy and put India on track to become a developed country by 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of independence from British colonialists.

Amid pushback, Pitroda sought to downplay his remark saying he only cited inheritance tax in the US as an ‘example’.

“Who said 55 per cent will be taken away? Who said something like this should be done in India? Why are the BJP and the media in panic? I mentioned US inheritance tax in the US only as an example in my normal conversation on TV. Can I not mention facts? I said these are the kinds of issues people will have to discuss and debate. This has nothing to do with the policy of any party including Congress,” Pitroda posted on X.

The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases on – April 19 and followed by April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

The counting of the votes for the same will take place on June 4. (ANI)

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Shiv Sena (UBT) promises ‘dignity’ to all states

Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray released its election manifesto on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News

The Shiv Sena (UBT) released its election manifesto on Thursday, promising ‘dignity’ to all states and opposition to mega-projects like the world’s two biggest ventures — the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant at Madban, and the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemical Ltd at Barsu — both in Maharashtra.

Releasing the manifesto, Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that though the party has published its independent ‘vachan-nama’, it would remain duty-bound to follow the INDIA bloc constituents’ manifestos released earlier.

Treading sensitive territory, Thackeray said that the SS (UBT) would strongly oppose the two upcoming mega projects — the JNPP at Madban village and the RRPL at Barsu village — both in the coastal Ratnagiri district.

“In the past, there have been several agitations opposing these projects and also the Vadhavan Port in Palghar, as they could destroy the state’s ecology… If the local people don’t want such projects that can damage the environment, we shall respect their sentiments and say ‘no’ to these ventures,” declared Thackeray.

While farmers remain the focal point of the SS (UBT) manifesto, Thackeray assured that all other sections of the society, including women, youth, the unemployed, and the deprived classes, shall also be treated with equality and given their due.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party has systematically looted business and investments from Maharashtra… When the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was ruling the state, the Centre did not help us in any way. When the INDIA bloc comes to power, we shall treat all states, including those ruled by the BJP, with dignity,” Thackeray said.

He also said that the INDIA bloc government would resolve all the problems created by the BJP-NDA regime by disregarding the country’s federal structure.

The SS (UBT) will ensure that all the farming inputs like seeds, fertilisers, or equipment, shall be removed from the GST ambit to make the peasants debt-free, ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all farm produce, improve the lives of the farmers as recommended by the M.S. Swaminathan Commission Report, and put an end to the malaise of widespread farmer suicides.

If voted to power, the new regime will open up 30 lakh government vacancies for the youth and give them all the other benefits as promised in the manifestos issued by the INDIA bloc constituents.

The party will have similar policies to empower women, ensure their safety and security, and other benefits that are committed in the national opposition’s ‘vachan-nama’, said Thackeray.

“When the MVA was in power in Maharashtra, we had frozen the prices of five essential commodities for five years… We shall propose the same on an all-India basis. If it could succeed in Maharashtra, why can’t it be implemented in other states? It would benefit the poor masses in a big way,” Thackeray claimed.

The Congress released its manifesto a fortnight ago in Delhi, while the MVA allies — Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and SS (UBT) — published their policy documents in Pune and Mumbai on Thursday, respectively.

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EC notice to BJP over Modi’s Banswara speech

In its complaint to the ECI, the Opposition parties accused PM Modi of committing blatant violations of electoral laws, as well as of the Indian Penal Code…reports Asian Lite News

Taking cognisance of the alleged Model Code of Conduct violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission of India (ECI), on Thursday, sought a response from the BJP by April 29, on the complaints raised by Congress, CPI and CPI-M(L).

In its complaint to the ECI, the Opposition parties accused PM Modi of committing blatant violations of electoral laws, as well as of the Indian Penal Code, while addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Banswara on April 21.

Congress said that the speech delivered by the Prime Minister, the ‘star campaigner’ of BJP for the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections, was “highly objectionable, divisive and ex-facie illegal.”

During the rally, PM Modi had said: “The Congress manifesto says that they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom… Manmohan Singh’s government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s assets.”

“When their government was in power earlier, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children and to the infiltrators. Will your hard-earned money be distributed to the infiltrators and do you really approve of this?” PM Modi had added.

Directing BJP president J. P. Nadda to respond to the complaints by 11 a.m. on April 29, the Election Commission asserted that the role of political parties in an electoral democracy, particularly after the notification of the general elections, is pivotal and hence stands clearly recognised in the formal statutory framework of the Representation of the People Act.

The ECI said that the grant of the status of the ‘star campaigner’ statutorily lies entirely within the realm of the political parties under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the ‘star campaigners’ are expected to contribute to a higher quality of discourse, inter alia, by way of providing an all-India perspective, which sometimes gets distorted in the heat of the contests at the local level.

Police did not accept complaint: Brinda

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had delivered a hate speech on April 21 in Banswara and despite Supreme Court guidelines, police did not accept the complaint.

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said, “We met the Police Commissioner on the issue of the hate speech given by PM Modi on April 21st in Banswara. We asked the Police Commissioner why an FIR had not been filed. According to the guidelines of the Supreme Court, the police are duty-bound, if there is any hate speech, to lodge an FIR and to take suo moto action on the basis of that FIR. Twice, those guidelines have been issued, first in October 2022 and again in April 2023.”

She further said that despite the guidelines of the Supreme Court, when she went to Mandir Marg Police Station, the police did not accept the complaint.

“When I went to Mandir Marg PS, they didn’t even accept the complaint, let alone an FIR. Police Commissioner agreed that it was wrong and he accepted the complaint but as far as filing an FIR is concerned, the commissioner said he would have to take legal advice. I don’t know what that means because the Supreme Court has given clear instructions to file an FIR and do the investigation,” she added.

She further stated that the police will have to act as per Supreme Court guidelines.

She further added, “The Supreme Court has also said that if police don’t file an FIR, it will be taken as contempt of court. PM is a citizen of India and the law of India applies to him. He is not above or beyond the law. Police will have to act as per Supreme Court guidelines as they would have in any case.”

BJP complains to ECI against Abhishek Banerjee

The BJP’s West Bengal unit on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee accusing him of making abusive remarks against its candidate Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, popularly known as Nirbhaya Didi.

The state BJP unit sent an e-mail complaint to the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The state unit of BJP has also released a video where Banerjee was heard calling Mitra Chaudhury, party’s candidate from Maladaha-Dakshin in Malda district, as ‘behaya’ (shameless).

“Abhishek Banerjee’s disgusting tirade against Sreerupa Mitra Chowdhury, resorting to abusive slurs like ‘BEHAYA’, epitomises the toxic culture of misogyny and disrespect rampant in Bengal. It’s a shameful reflection of his party’s values,” the state unit of BJP said in a statement.

It has also appealed to the poll panel to bar Banerjee from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls.

However, issuing a counter statement, Trinamool Congress said, “The BJP whose leaders from top to bottom use the most shameful remarks for women, daily, should be the last one to speak on the dignity of the fair sex.”

“Oh, the irony! Those who indulge in gratuitous use of hate speech and attack the only female CM in India in the most foul and derogatory language imaginable are now delivering sermons on ‘Nari Samman,” Trinamool Congress said.

“We’re not taking lectures from degenerates who don’t know the first thing about respectful discourse!” the Trinamool Congress said.

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BJP, Shiv Sena Deadlock Over Maharashtra Lok Sabha Seats

Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray released its election manifesto on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News

The Shiv Sena (UBT) released its election manifesto on Thursday, promising ‘dignity’ to all states and opposition to mega-projects like the world’s two biggest ventures — the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant at Madban, and the Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemical Ltd at Barsu — both in Maharashtra.

Releasing the manifesto, Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that though the party has published its independent ‘vachan-nama’, it would remain duty-bound to follow the INDIA bloc constituents’ manifestos released earlier.

Treading sensitive territory, Thackeray said that the SS (UBT) would strongly oppose the two upcoming mega projects — the JNPP at Madban village and the RRPL at Barsu village — both in the coastal Ratnagiri district.

“In the past, there have been several agitations opposing these projects and also the Vadhavan Port in Palghar, as they could destroy the state’s ecology… If the local people don’t want such projects that can damage the environment, we shall respect their sentiments and say ‘no’ to these ventures,” declared Thackeray.

While farmers remain the focal point of the SS (UBT) manifesto, Thackeray assured that all other sections of the society, including women, youth, the unemployed, and the deprived classes, shall also be treated with equality and given their due.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party has systematically looted business and investments from Maharashtra… When the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was ruling the state, the Centre did not help us in any way. When the INDIA bloc comes to power, we shall treat all states, including those ruled by the BJP, with dignity,” Thackeray said.

He also said that the INDIA bloc government would resolve all the problems created by the BJP-NDA regime by disregarding the country’s federal structure.

The SS (UBT) will ensure that all the farming inputs like seeds, fertilisers, or equipment, shall be removed from the GST ambit to make the peasants debt-free, ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all farm produce, improve the lives of the farmers as recommended by the M.S. Swaminathan Commission Report, and put an end to the malaise of widespread farmer suicides.

If voted to power, the new regime will open up 30 lakh government vacancies for the youth and give them all the other benefits as promised in the manifestos issued by the INDIA bloc constituents.

The party will have similar policies to empower women, ensure their safety and security, and other benefits that are committed in the national opposition’s ‘vachan-nama’, said Thackeray.

“When the MVA was in power in Maharashtra, we had frozen the prices of five essential commodities for five years… We shall propose the same on an all-India basis. If it could succeed in Maharashtra, why can’t it be implemented in other states? It would benefit the poor masses in a big way,” Thackeray claimed.

The Congress released its manifesto a fortnight ago in Delhi, while the MVA allies — Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and SS (UBT) — published their policy documents in Pune and Mumbai on Thursday, respectively.

Shinde compares Uddhav Thackeray to a chameleon

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Thursday made a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s swift shifts in political stance, comparing it with the rapid colour changes of a chameleon.

Eknath Shinde made the remarks during a rally organised in support of MahaYuti candidate Sandipan Bhumre who is contesting from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

“Uddhav Thackeray was singing hymns in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was in the alliance. But now, Maharashtra has witnessed a lizard changing colour swiftly, with stones being thrown…,” he said.

Eknath Shinde emphasised the necessity for a united front against such political flip-flopping.

“Maharashtra has observed a significant political metamorphosis, reminiscent of a lizard swiftly changing its hues,” he said while denouncing the opportunistic nature of recent political maneuvers.

“I firmly believe that the upcoming election will usher in a victory for unity and progress,” the Maharashtra CM said, underscoring the importance of the ongoing developments under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“PM Modi’s initiatives, such as providing free ration to 80 crore underprivileged individuals, transcend religious boundaries,” asserted Shinde, urging a departure from divisive rhetoric, and bringing the focus on constructive dialogue.

“The ballot box, not vitriol, shall be the arbiter of our political landscape,” he said, calling upon the voters to exercise their franchise wisely.

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‘Want 400 seats to thwart intentions of INDIA bloc’

PM Modi said the Congress is talking about the survey of property and the party has an eye on public property…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he wanted 400 seats so that he could thwart the attempts being made by Congress and Samajwadi Party to curtail the reservation quota for OBC, SC/ST and give it on a religious basis.

“The Congress, SP and INDIA bloc are asking for your votes because they want to oblige one section of their vote bank as part of the appeasement policy, but I will not let them curtail your rights. The Samajwadi Party is confined to its family — whether it is in Azamgarh, Kannauj, Mainpuri, Budaun or Firozabad — and for them, it is only family first,” PM Modi said while addressing an election rally here in this Uttar Pradesh town.

“The Congress has found a way to steal some of the 27 per cent OBC quota. They want it should be taken away and reservations should be given based on religion,” PM Modi further said.

PM Modi also said that the friendship between “two boys” (Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav) in Uttar Pradesh is also based on appeasement politics.

Continuing his attack on the Congress, PM Modi said that the grand old party is conspiring to snatch reservations from the people. He said the Congress is also talking about the survey of property and the party has an eye on public property.

PM Modi said that “our fight against corruption continues”.

“The Congress wants to snatch away the ‘mangalsutra’ of our mothers and sisters. Will you allow it? People in foreign countries do not even know what this means to us, but we know its importance,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the most important thing today — bigger than elections — was the need to be aware of such forces.

PM Modi said that he had suffered their abuses for almost ten years when they ridiculed him saying “Mandir wahin banayenge par tarikh nahin batayenge”.

“Now, Ram Mandir has been built. When we invited them to attend Pran Pratishtha ceremony, they turned down the invite as their vote bank would have been upset had they attended the programme,” PM Modi said.

Taking a jibe at the Samajwadi Party, PM Modi said: “Not just Ram but these two princes have not spared Shyam either. I was ridiculed when I went to offer prayers at the underwater Dwarka. The Samajwadi prince calls himself a Yaduvanshi but he also joined in insulting me.”

PM Modi also urged the people to cast votes early in the morning, saying: “Every vote that is cast is for Modi.”

Kannauj no longer cakewalk for SP, says Aparna

Aparna Yadav, the younger daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Party patriarch late Mulayam Singh Yadav, has said that the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat is no longer a cakewalk for the Samajwadi Party.

Aparna, who is now in the BJP, said, “Akhilesh Yadav is following in his father’s footsteps. Whenever Mulayam Singh believed the party needed him, he would enter the electoral fray himself.”

She, however, warned her brother-in-law not to take things for granted.

“It won’t be a cakewalk for the Samajwadi Party in Kannauj,” she added,

This is the first time that Aparna has openly spoken against Akhilesh Yadav

She claimed that Subrat Pathak, the sitting BJP MP from Kannauj, has done a lot of work in the constituency, making it a challenging battleground for the SP.

Politician Aparna Yadav.(photo:Twitter)

“A lot of seats in UP were considered safe due to Mulayam Singh, my father-in-law,” Aparna said, adding, “He made those the SP’s stronghold through his efforts and people’s connect. But the BJP has emerged victorious on those seats too.”

Talking about SP’s decision to field Akhilesh Yadav from Kannauj, she claimed the party was compelled to adopt a defensive strategy against the BJP.

“These INDI Alliance leaders are afraid now. So they have no choice but to field senior leaders to take on the BJP, this is their strategy to try to defeat Prime Minister Modi,” she stated.

She also said that the BJP holds sway in Kannauj, and the voter is smart enough to know that PM Modi has done a lot of work.

“Narendra Modi will be elected as the Prime Minister for the third time, no matter whoever is in the fray,” she added.

Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination papers on Thursday, seeking to reclaim a seat he previously held.

The SP had initially announced Tej Pratap Yadav as the candidate for the constituency, but 48 hours later, the party replaced him with Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav won the Kannauj seat in 2000, 2004, and 2009. His wife, Dimple Yadav, subsequently represented the constituency, winning in 2012 and 2014 before losing to Subrat Pathak of the BJP in 2019.

Voting will be held in Kannauj on May 13 in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

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Kharge takes a jibe at Modi’s mangalsutra comment

Referring to reports about Congress’s intention to redistribute wealth if elected to power, the Prime Minister said the party would conduct a survey and they would not even let Mangalsutra remain with women and “will go to this extent.”…reports Asian Lite News

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘mangalsutra jibe’, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had donated her jewellery in the 1962 India-China war while he also questioned the whether any such sacrifices have been made by Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“What sacrifice has any leader of the BJP-RSS ever made for the nation? They did not even participate in the National Movement. For elections, Modi ji is lying to the people that their Mangalsutra shall not be safe. Congress governed this country for 55 years. Has that even happened once? Indira Gandhi donated her jewellery in the 1962 War. Pandit Motilal Nehru and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru donated their home to the freedom movement as Anand Bhawan in Allahabad. Our leaders have lived and sacrificed their life and blood for the nation,” Kharge posted on X.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi last week alleged Congress wants to take away the gold and property of people and distribute it among “those having more children”.

He said that those who left Congress these days have pointed towards the party’s manifesto and said that the party has gone into “grasp of urban Naxals.”

Referring to reports about Congress’s intention to redistribute wealth if elected to power, the Prime Minister said the party would conduct a survey and they would not even let Mangalsutra remain with women and “will go to this extent.”

“When they (Congress) were in government, they said that Muslims have the first right over India’s resources. So, they will distribute this wealth (property and gold) among those having more children, among illegal immigrants…this Urban Naxal thinking won’t even spare your Mangalsutra,” the PM said.

PM Modi in another rally said that his speech had created panic in the entire Congress and INDIA bloc.

“When I came to Rajasthan the day before yesterday, I had presented some truths before the country in my 90-second speech. This has created panic in the entire Congress and INDI alliance. I had put the truth before the country that Congress is hatching a deep conspiracy to snatch your property and distribute it to its special people. I exposed their vote bank and appeasement politics. After all, why is Congress so afraid of the truth?” the Prime Minister said. (ANI)

Cong shares clip of BJP MP calling for estate tax

Refuting Bharatiya Janata Party’s claim that Congress aims to impose inheritance tax in the country, party leader Jairam Ramesh said that it was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who abolished the Estate Duty in 1985.

He also demanded an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

Taking to social media platform X, Jairam Ramesh said, “The Congress has no plan whatsoever to introduce an inheritance tax. In fact, Rajiv Gandhi abolished Estate Duty in 1985.”

The Rajya Sabha MP also shared a video of BJP MP Jayant Sinha, in which the former Minister of State is advocating for estate taxes in the country.

“Please listen to BJP MP Jayant Sinha, once MoS Finance in the Modi Sarkar, and later Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance. He has spent 15 long minutes vehemently arguing in favour of an Inheritance Tax of 55%, like in the US,” Ramesh added.

“The PM must answer: where does he stand on this issue?” he asked.

In the 19-second video clip shared by Jairam Ramesh, Jayant Sinha can be seen talking about 50 to 55 per cent estate tax to level the field and create opportunities.

“Which is why we need estate taxes so that we take away at least 50 to 55 per cent of the advantage that dynastic business people already have right now. So it’s about levelling the playing field and creating opportunity. By the way, taxes in US and elsewhere…I can tell you estate taxes are 55 per cent there,” Sinha says in the video.

A controversy erupted after the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda while emphasising the need for policy toward wealth redistribution spoke about the concept of inheritance tax prevailing in America and said that these are issues that will need to be discussed.

However, the Congress party has distanced itself from the remarks and said that inheritance tax laws do not reflect the stand of the party.

But, the BJP came guns blazing at the Congress party over Pitroda’s remarks.

Taking a jibe at the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that after the comments of the Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda advocating an inheritance tax-like law, the party has been completely “exposed.”

“After Sam Pitroda’s remark, the Congress party is completely exposed. First of all, mention of ‘survey’ in their manifesto, Manmohan Singh’s old statement which is Congress’ legacy – that minorities have the first right over resources of the country, and now Sam Pitroda’s remark citing the United States that there should be deliberations on the distribution of wealth… 55 per cent of wealth goes to the government’s property,” Shah said.

Prime Minister Modi also hit out at Pitroda’s remarks saying that the Congress does not want the countrymen to pass on their property to their children.

“The advisor to the royal family’s prince has said that more taxes should be imposed on the middle class. Now these people have gone one step further than this, Congress says that it will impose an Inheritance Tax, and it will also impose tax on the inheritance received from parents. The property you have accumulated through your hard work will not be given to your children,” PM Modi said at an election rally in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja. (ANI)

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TMC slams BJP over alleged assassination attempt on Abhishek

Hooghly : TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee speaks during Lok Sabha constituency's election committee meeting, in Hooghly on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo: IANS/@AITCofficial)

Ghosh stated that such attacks are tactics employed by those unable to defeat Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and the TMC….reports Asian Lite News

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh on Wednesday reacted sharply to the alleged assassination attempt on TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, saying that “BJP has a history of mass killing and murder.”

Speaking to ANI, Kunal Ghosh said, “BJP has a history of mass killing and murder so they can’t show themselves as clean by throwing mud at some other party. There have been attacks against Mamata Banerjee earlier and to attack Abhishek Banerjee one person had come here but Kolkata police caught him.”

Alleging political rivalry in the case, Ghosh stated that such attacks are tactics employed by those unable to defeat Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and the TMC.

“This is not a matter of politics. Those who can’t win against Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and TMC, are finding another way to attack. The man who has been arrested has hinted towards a bigger conspiracy,” he said.

Earlier on April 24, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed a BJP leader wanted to kill her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

“One of the Gaddars (TMC turncoats) in the BJP said they would lob an explosive. If you hold a grudge against me, bomb me all you want. But you tried to kill Abhishek. However, we came to know of it in advance,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said at a public meeting at Birbhum.

The TMC supremo further claimed that the BJP would have shot her nephew if the latter had given them an appointment.

“They (BJP) even conducted a recce at his house, called him, asking for an appointment. Had Abhishek given him time, he would have shot and fled,” Mamata said.

On April 22, Kolkata Police claimed to have apprehended a person associated with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, who was reportedly conducting surveillance of the residence and office of Abhishek Banerjee. (ANI)

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