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I.N.D.I.A. Parties to Exert Pressure on Congress in Seat Talks

The victory in Telangana came as a big solace for the party, as it consolidated its position in southern India for the big battle in 2024…reports Asian Lite News

The election results to the four states in which Congress lost its governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and failed to dislodge the BJP government from Madhya Pradesh came as a huge disappointment to the party leaders, with the party now out of power in a vast swathe of the Hindi heartland.

The victory in Telangana came as a big solace for the party, as it consolidated its position in southern India for the big battle in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls which is only months away.

The loss in three states as also its victory in Telangana has several lessons for Congress, with the party now more susceptible to pressure from other parties during any seat-sharing talks among INDIA block members.

The results in four assembly polls have also exposed Congress’ vulnerabilities in a direct contest with BJP. The Congress had wrested Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka from the BJP earlier this year and was hoping to do the same in Madhya Pradesh.

Party leaders anticipated some difficulties in Rajasthan due to internal wranglings in the past and the state’s almost three-decade tradition of not voting back the incumbent government. But while the party did not face a rout in Rajasthan largely due to last-minute welfare schemes of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, its much-touted “guarantees” could not stop BJP from a historic mandate in Madhya Pradesh.

Issues raised by Congress include the demand for a caste survey repeatedly raised by party leader Rahul Gandhi did not work with the people. Kamal Nath, 77, who is a veteran of electoral battles and has won nine Lok Sabha polls, could not energise the voters in Madhya Pradesh. Kamal Nath was the party’s face in the polls and the party chief in the state.

In contrast, Congress appointed a young A Revanth Reddy as state chief in Telangana in 2021. After its victory in the Karnataka polls, the Congress made good use of the anti-incumbency sentiment generated by the BJP against the K Chandrashekar Rao government and the party ran a spirited campaign under the leadership of 54-year-old Revanth Reddy. The party apparently needs younger, committed and energetic leaders at the helm of affairs in the states.

BJP has ruled Madhya Pradesh for 18 of the past 20 years and has now won the big state two-thirds majority. Like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh has turned into a BJP fortress with Congress almost out of ideas to dislodge its rival. Union Jyotiraditya Scindia, who left the Congress in March 2020 with his “loyalist MLAs” to bring down the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government has also delivered for the BJP. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is younger compared to Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh and has carved out a distinct image due to the delivery of welfarist measures.

In Chhattisgarh, the Congress relied heavily on Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel but the BJP went hammer and tongs with its allegations of “corruption” against the state government. The BJP also matched the Congress in pre-poll announcements.

Winning back Chhattisgarh would have allowed Congress to highlight the “good governance” model but the party has been unable to win back-to-back assembly polls in the past 10 years. The BJP has successfully retained its governments in several states and has repeatedly talked about people’s faith in its policies.

With demand for caste census failing to be a draw in assembly polls as also its guarantees, the Congress will have to reimagine its campaign themes for the 2024 battle.

The BJP matched the Congress’ announcement of guarantees in the poll-bound states and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the schemes of central governments in his rallies such as housing for all.

The Congress now rules only three states on its own in the country, two of which are in the South. It is in power in Himachal Pradesh in northern India. It is also in power in Jharkhand and Bihar as part of ruling alliances in the two states.

The BJP has had an excellent strike rate in the Hindi heartland states in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls under PM Modi’s leadership and the dismal performance in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh leaves Congress without a powerful satrap to take on the BJP.

With INDIA block parties scheduled to resume their talks, a weakened Congress will also have lesser bargaining position and parties such as Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and Trinamool Congress are likely to press their claims more strongly if seat-sharing talks are held. Samajwadi Party and AAP, who are part of INIDIA block, had fielded candidates for the assembly polls.

For the opposition’s ambition to take on the BJP together in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, much will depend on how the resumed talks progress.

The BJP has been swift in course correction after electoral setbacks and shows flexibility in its electoral tactics.

Unlike Karnataka, where some Lingayat leaders left the party over denial of tickets, the BJP accommodated around 14 leaders in their seventies in ticket distribution in Madhya Pradesh.

It gave tickets to Union ministers and senior party leaders in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to send a message of its serious intent to win the polls. On seats it was weak, BJP declared candidates quite early.

The Congress retains a sizeable vote share in many of the states it has lost polls over the past few elections and its leaders have talked of rebuilding the party.

The latest assembly results have added to the party’s challenges as it prepares for the 2024 battle. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Congress is the fourth force, together account for 120 Lok Sabha seats.

In his reaction to the results, Congress president Mallikarjun said the Congress fought a spirited campaign in the four states.

“I thank the people of Telangana for the mandate we have received from them. I also thank all those who voted for us in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Our performance in these three states have no doubt been disappointing, but with determination, we reaffirm our strong resolve to rebuild and revive ourselves in these three states. I acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of lakhs of our workers,” he said in a post on X.

Rahul Gandhi said the party accepts the mandate given by the people of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and the battle of ideology with the BJP will continue

“I am very thankful to the people of Telangana – we will fulfil the promise of making Prajalu Telangana. Heartfelt thanks to all the workers for their hard work and support,” the Wayanad MP posted on X.

Party leader Jairam Ramesh said the Congress has bounced back from defeats earlier too.

“Exactly 20 years ago, the Indian National Congress had lost the state elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, while winning only Delhi. But within a few months, the party bounced back and went on to emerge as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha polls and formed the government at the Centre. It is with hope, confidence and a firm sense of resolve and resilience that the Indian National Congress prepares for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Judega Bharat, Jeetega INDIA!” he posted on X.

In another post, he said the performance of the Indian National Congress in Telangana is a silver lining not just for the party, but also for the people of the state.

“Telangana became the 29th state of the Indian Union entirely because of the Indian National Congress, but the objectives that led to its creation have got lost these last (and lost) nine years. A Congress govt, that will very soon be in place, will give the state a new direction,” he said. (ANI)

I.N.D.I.A’s Parliamentary Leaders to Meet in Kharge’s Chamber

Parliamentary party leaders of the INDIA bloc will meet in the chamber Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber in Parliament on Monday ahead of the start of the winter session.

The leaders of the block are expected to discuss their floor strategy in Parliament. Kharge is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

The session is being held a day after the results of assembly polls in four states. BJP won Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Congress won Telangana.

The winter session of Parliament is expected to be stormy with the Ethics Committee that probed the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra slated to lay its report on the opening day in Lok Sabha and the opposition parties firm on opposing some bills on the agenda of the government including the Bill to regulate the appointments for the Chief Election Commission and Other Election Commissioners.

The government held an all-party meeting on Saturday for the smooth functioning of the session that will have 15 sittings between December 4 and December 22. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of floor leaders of political parties in both houses of ParliamentParliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad

Joshi later told reporters that the government is always ready to discuss on the floor of the House, any issue as permitted under rules by respective presiding officers. He also requested all party leaders for active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament.

“We have said that we are ready for discussion, but they will also have to follow the procedure for a structured debate. This is the last session of the 17th Lok Sabha. So there should be a structural debate. Our request is that the House should run smoothly,” he said.

The government has 21 bills on its agenda for the session including the bills to replace IPC, Indian Evidence Act and CrPC.Congress members said that they will raise issues concerning the people and demanded a discussion on the Ethics Committee report on allegations faced by Mahua Moitra.

The winter session will conclude on December 22. (ANI)

ALSO READ: BJP Secures Victory in Rajasthan

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Exit Polls Stumped as BJP Sweeps Hindi Heartland

For Rajasthan, too, some exit polls had predicted a tight race between the incumbent Congress and the BJP, with the former likely to form the government….reports Asian Lite News

As a saffron Tsunami swept the Hindi heartland on the counting day for four states that polled for their assemblies last month, the BJP, with its stunning mandates in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, stumped not just their rivals but also some pollsters who had predicted tight races in these states.

Most exit polls for Madhya Pradesh, where the ruling BJP was facing anti-incumbency of close to two decades, and Chhattisgarh had predicted a close finish and, possibly, a win for the Congress.

However, the BJP, led by its biggest poll mascot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made a mockery of the pollsters and their predictions as they stormed to the hustings in these two states with resounding mandates.

For Rajasthan, too, some exit polls had predicted a tight race between the incumbent Congress and the BJP, with the former likely to form the government.

However, the saffron wave swept aside these poll predictions, as the BJP won a clear and decisive mandate in Rajasthan, dashing Congress hopes of an incumbent returning to power in the desert state for the first time in its electoral history.

Even as the Congress drew solace from its handsome win in Telangana, a state that was formed when the party was in power at the Centre in 2014, the 3-1 scoreline at the end of the counting day served as a clear pointer to the prevailing political headwinds and boosted the BJP hopes of a hat-trick of wins in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

As the counting of votes started on Sunday, early leads in the heartland states set the tone for the BJP as it came out tops in the race for the hustings in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The influence of Prime Minister Modi, who was at the front and centre of the BJP’s campaign in these states, was writ large on the mandates.

The exit-poll projections, which came out on Thursday, at the end of polling for Telangana, threw up mixed results for the five states.

While most gave a clear edge to the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, they predicted the battle to go down to the wire in Congress-ruled Rajasthan.

Some even backed the grand old party, led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, to return to power, defying the decades-old convention of the state not voting back the incumbent.

For Chhattisgarh, too, the pollsters predicted a close fight while putting the ruling Congress in the lead.

In the end, however, the words of former chief minister Raman Singh, who dismissed the exit-poll predictions and said the BJP was on course to return to the state, turned prophetic.

According to India Today-Axis My India prediction, the BJP was said to retain power in Madhya Pradesh, bagging 47 per cent vote share and 140-162 seats.

It said Congress was likely to get 60-90 seats with a 41 per cent vote share. Others were expected to get 12 per cent votes and 0-3 seats.

According to the India TV-CNX poll, BJP was poised to get 48 per cent votes, Congress 38 per cent and others 16 per cent. The poll predicted 140-159 seats for BJP, 70-89 seats for Congress and 0-2 for others.

The Times Now-ETG gave 43.83 per cent vote share to BJP, 42.23 per cent to Congress and 13.94 per cent to others.

However, the BJP made a mockery of these projections as it stormed back in Madhya Pradesh, riding on CM Chouhan’s equations with women voters and his ‘Ladli-Behna’ or the monthly income support scheme for them.

The pollsters, however, got their projections bang on for Telangana as the Congress won a clear mandate in the state as most had predicted.

In Chhattisgarh, three exit polls predicted a clear victory for Congress while others said that the party was in the winning range. The Congress fought the election with Bhupesh Baghel at the helm.

According to ABP C-Voter predictions, Congress was poised to win 41-53 seats in the state, which has a 90-member assembly. The exit poll said BJP is poised to get 36-48 seats and others 0-4 seats.

The India Today-Axis My India poll predicted the Congress getting 40-50 seats, BJP 36-46 seats and others getting 1-5 seats.

The Republic TV exit poll gave Congress 44-52 seats, BJP 34-42 seats and 0-2 polls for others.

India TV-CNX poll predicted 46- 56 seats for Congress, 30-40 seats for BJP and 3-5 for others. The numbers for Congress and BJP in the Jan Ki Baat exit poll were 42-53 and 34-45 respectively and it predicted 0-3 seats for others.

However, at the end of counting for the state on Sunday, the BJP had secured a clear mandate at 54 seats, with the ruling Congress trailing at 35 seats.

Most exit polls on Thursday predicted that the Congress was poised to form a government in Telangana and that the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) would fall short of the majority after its 10-year rule in India’s youngest state.

The Times Now-ETG exit poll gave 38 per cent vote share to BRS, 43 per cent to Congress and 13 per cent to others. It said the ruling party in the state is poised to win 37-45 seats, Congress 60-70 seats, BJP 6-8 and others 5-7 seats.

Republic TV exit poll gave Congress 58-69 seats and the BRS 46-56 seats. It said BJP could win 4 to 9 seats and others 5 to 8 seats. The poll predicted a 41.60 per cent vote share for BRS, 43.30 per cent for Congress, 10.80 per cent for BJP and 4.30 for others.

The India TV-CNX exit poll predicted 63-79 seats for the Congress, 31-47 for the BRS, 0-2 for the BJP and 5-7 for others.

The projections largely held on counting day, as the Congress won 64 seats, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi 39 seats, the BJP 8 and the AIMIM 7 seats.

In Rajasthan, three exit polls predicted the BJP to be the clear winner while two others claimed that the Congress was ahead in the sweepstakes to form the next government in the state.

The exit poll predictions showed that “others,” including smaller parties and independents, could play a crucial role in the formation of the government when the results are announced on December 3.

However, the vote count on Sunday painted a starkly different picture, with the BJP poised to form the government, winning 115 seats, and the Congress trailing at 69 seats.

The BRS, a regional player harbouring national ambitions, failed to make much of an impression in the only state it ruled.

While the Congress swept Telangana, the BJP made telling electoral inroads, doubling its vote share from 2018 and winning 8 seats.

Significantly, the BJP’s Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy defeated BRS chief and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and state Congress chief A Revanth Reddy, a frontrunner for the post of CM, in the prestigious Kamareddy constituency. (ANI)

ALSO READ: BJP Secures Victory in Rajasthan

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Modi 3.0

Modi speaking about the BJP scoring a hat-trick in next year’s Lok Sabha polls on the lines of hat-trick it scored in state polls…reports Asian Lite News

The Bharatiya Janata Party won a “historic” mandate in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Sunday as Congress ousted Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in Telangana in the results of four states declared on Sunday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking about the BJP scoring a hat-trick in next year’s Lok Sabha polls on the lines of hat-trick it scored in state polls.

BJP ousted Congress from power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and retained Madhya Pradesh.

The results in Hindi heartland states came as a shocker to Congress and a morale-booster to BJP. Congress leaders expressed happiness over victory in Telangana and said the results in the three states were disappointing and the party will rebuild itself in these areas.

Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the party will overcome “temporary setbacks” and prepare fully for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections along with the INDIA parties.

The election results again showed Congress’ vulnerability to take on the BJP in a direct contest. In Telangana, the main adversary of Congress was a regional party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering at party headquarters on Sunday evening and spoke about the party scoring a hat-trick in next year’s Lok Sabha polls.

He said the mandate in the three states has proved that there is zero tolerance against corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics.

” Voter knows that when India moves ahead then states move ahead. Every family in the country benefits from it. This is why the voter is electing BJP again and again. Some people are even saying that today’s hat-trick has guaranteed the hat-trick of 2024,” he said.

The BJP got an absolute majority in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The next general elections are likely to be held in April-May next year.

The Prime Minister termed BJP’s victories in the three heartland states as historic and said various sections including the poor, farmers and tribal brothers and sisters were seeing it as their victory.

“Today’s victory is historical and unprecedented…The idea of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ has won today. Today’s victory is of a path towards developed India. It is a victory of our resolve towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. This is a victory of honest, transparent governance,” he added.

PM Modi said that the echo is these results will not be limited to Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan but will be heard all over the world.

“Today, we are seeing the results. There is no alternative to BJP in Madhya Pradesh. BJP has been in power for two decades and even after such a long time, people’s trust in BJP is increasing continuously…In the first public meeting in Chhattisgarh, I said that I had come here to invite the people of the state to our oath-taking ceremony after December 3 when we form the government here,” he said.

He said the voter needs a well-defined roadmap to improve his lifestyle.

“India’s voter knows that when India moves forward then the state moves forward and the life of every family improves. So, the voter is choosing the BJP continuously.”

Targeting Congress, he said it is his suggestion to the party and its allies “to stop doing politics that strengthen anti-national elements and ideas to weaken the country.”

Slamming opposition parties who have accused the government of misusing probe agencies, the Prime Minister said the campaign against corruption launched by the BJP’s central government in the country is getting huge public support.

“Those people who are working day and night to defame the investigating agencies which have come down hard on corruption should understand that this election result is also a public support for the fight against corruption,” he said.

Targeting the Congress and INDIA block, he said a lesson from the elections is that the country’s trust cannot be won just by a few family members coming together on the stage.

“These election results are also a big lesson for Congress and its ‘ghamandiya gathbandhan’. The lesson is that the country’s trust cannot be won just by a few family members coming together on the stage. The spirit of national service that should be there to win the hearts of the people of the country is not there in the ‘ghamandiya gathbandhan'”.

He accused opposition parties, specially Congress, of trying to divide the country based on castes.

“..In this election, there were efforts to divide the country based on castes. I kept saying that for me, four castes are important – Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti, Kisaan aur Gareeb Parivaar,” he said.

“…I request all the BJP workers to move ahead of Modi’s guarantees from today…Jahan dusron se umeed khatam hoti hai wahan se Modi ki guarantee shuru hoti hai,” he said.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to women for their support to the BJP.

“I want to express my gratitude to the ‘Nari Shakti’ of the country. I would often say during my rallies that ‘Nari Shakti’ has decided that BJP’s flag will rise high in the elections,” he said.

PM Modi also said the party’s bond with the people of Telangana is “unbreakable”.  (ANI)

ALSO READ-Exit Polls Stumped as BJP Sweeps Hindi Heartland

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BJP Secures Victory in Rajasthan

The BJP is leading on 115 seats in a 200-member Assembly. Congress is ahead on 69 seats….reports Asian Lite News

As BJP heads towards victory in Rajasthan Assembly polls, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday called it an ‘unexpected result’ and said that he humbly accepts the mandate given by the public in the state.

In a post on X, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “We humbly accept the mandate given by the people of Rajasthan. This is an unexpected result for everyone. This defeat shows that we were not completely successful in taking our plans, laws and innovations to the public.”

He said that the schemes started by him should continue in the new BJP government.

“I wish the new government all the best. My advice to them is that despite working hard, we were not successful, but it does not mean that they should stop working after coming to the government. All the schemes including OPS, Chiranjeevi and the pace of development that we have given to Rajasthan in these five years should be taken forward,” he said.

Ashok Gehlot also thanked the Congress workers and said, “Those party workers who worked hard in this election, I express my gratitude to them and all the voters who believed in us.”

According to recent trends, Gehlot is leading from the Sardarpura constituency with a margin of 26,396 votes against BJP candidate Mahendra Rathore.

Meanwhile, the BJP is leading on 115 seats in a 200-member Assembly. Congress is ahead on 69 seats.

Rajasthan went to the polls on 199 of 200 assembly seats on November 25. The majority mark in the state is 100. In the Karanpur constituency, elections were adjourned due to the passing away of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. (ANI)

ALSO READ: BJP poised to sweep in Madhya Pradesh
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Big Upsets in Rajasthan

Speaker C.P. Joshi lost from Nathdwara against BJP’s Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, a member of the erstwhile Mewar royal family, by 7504 votes….reports Asian Lite News

Springing major surprise, many big names in the BJP and Congress have fallen flat in the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, the results of which were declared on Sunday.

These include former state BJP chief Satish Poonia, BJP’s leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore, Congress leader and Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi and several state ministers.

Sitting MLA Poonia lost the elections from Amer against Congress’ Prashant Sharma by 9092 votes.

Similarly, despite staying ahead through out the day, Congress strongman R.R. Tiwari lost from Hawa Mahal against BJP’s Balmukund Acharya by a wafer-thin margin of 974 votes.

BJP’s leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore lost against Congress’ Narendra Budania from Taranagar by over 8,000 votes.

State minister and Congress leader B.D. Kalla also lost the polls from Bikaner West against BJP’s Jethanand Vyas by a margin of over 20,000 votes.

Speaker C.P. Joshi lost from Nathdwara against BJP’s Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, a member of the erstwhile Mewar royal family, by 7504 votes.

Another state minister, Pratap Khachriyawas went down to BJP’ Gopal Sharma by a big margin of 28,329 votes.

ALSO READ: 70 elections to redefine global order in 2024

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Report Claims UK Ex-Home Secretaries Denied Rights to Trafficking Victims

Priti Patel and Suella Braverman were accused of unlawfully failing to issue these decisions, that left the victims unable to access the right to work, study or claim mainstream benefits…reports Asian Lite News

British Indian former Home Secretaries of the UK have been accused of operating a secret policy to deny 1,600 victims of trafficking their right to live in the country, according to a media report.

The alleged action by the Home Office came despite a November 2021 high court ruling, which mandated that confirmed trafficking victims awaiting asylum decisions should be granted discretionary leave, the Guardian reported.

At a hearing this week, Priti Patel and Suella Braverman were accused of unlawfully failing to issue these decisions, that left the victims unable to access the right to work, study or claim mainstream benefits.

The report mentioned a 22-year-old trafficking victim, represented by the charity Asylum Aid, who escaped drug traffickers in Albania when he was 16.

The traffickers forced him to sell drugs and were threatened to harm him, his family for refusing to comply.

But as a result of the secret policy, he was denied leave to remain for almost 18 months, his lawyers claimed.

In response the counsel for the Home Secretary argued that they had simply been waiting for the outcome of appeals to the court of appeal and supreme court against the landmark November 2021 ruling before acting.

“This case is about delay. It is not a case about secret or unpublished policies,” Cathryn McGahey, representing the home secretary, told the court.

According to The Guardian, internal Home Office documents relating to the case showed officials recommended that the decision of granting leave to remain should be put “on hold”.

A July 2022 email from a Home Office official stated: “All discretionary leave decisions affected by (the November 2021 ruling) currently remain on hold.”

“Our consolidated view is that is not an option we can recommend to ministers. We continue to see judicial reviews lodged on grounds linked to the delay in implementing the … judgment,” an official from Braverman’s office said after being questioned about whether “doing nothing” was an option.

Counsel for the 22-year-old victim told the court this week that it is “unlawful to operate an unpublished policy which is inconsistent with a public policy.”

ALSO READ: UK Flies Over Middle East to Locate Hamas Hostages

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Congress decimated in Hindi heartland

Incumbent chief minister Shivraj Chouhan and the BJP decimated the Congress heading towards a clean sweep in the state….reports Asian Lite News

The Congress has firmly lost the mandate in the Hindi Heartland. The party has been wiped out of Madhya Pradesh with the BJP winning its fourth assembly election in the state.

Incumbent chief minister Shivraj Chouhan and the BJP decimated the Congress heading towards a clean sweep in the state.

As results of the Assembly polls came in, the Congress appeared on the verge of being voted out in Rajasthan as the state stays true to its cyclic voting trend, while in Chhattisgarh the BJP is poised to edge out the Congress in the state. The lone spark of joy for the Congress has come from Telangana where it is poised to form a government on its own.

The electoral contest has gone horribly wrong for the Congress in MP where they were pinning their hopes on a return to power. The Congress, which gave absolute control to the old guard of 78-year-old Kamal Nath and 76-year-old Digvijaya Singh had no answer for the BJP’s social engineering and social scheme formula. Led from the front by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP had put all its might into the MP elections pushing central ministers and Lok Sabha MPs into the political arena.

The Congress pushed its campaign around its 11 guarantees, which included a host of freebies, but the voter found nothing substantive in this with the BJP already giving the people the benefit of several social schemes especially the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme that saw massive support amongst the women voters.

The Congress which had one just one Lok Sabha seat in MP and just two in Chhattisgarh will now realise that it no longer holds any aces in the Hindi Heartland and is now a party relegated to the South of the Vindhyas. The loss of the three states in the heartland will greatly worry the Congress, it means there are no takers here for the Congress’ electoral volley ‘Caste Census’.

The Congress’ lead by Rahul Gandhi discovered merit in the caste census after the Bihar government, of which the Congress is a part, conducted an exercise to determine the caste composition of the state. The Congress promised a similar exercise in all these states where it was seeking power but now it appears there are no takers for this.

The Congress, which won the election in Himachal Pradesh on the back of its promise to revive the Old Pension scheme and an election in Karnataka on the basis of a bunch of electoral sops, also sold these sops as part of its election campaign in the Hindi Heartland.

However, that strategy backfired as the BJP first reinforced its free ration scheme for another five years and played on its successful social schemes in Madhya Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s attack on the Prime Minister claiming that he had abandoned the OBCs’ also backfired. The Prime Minister, himself an OBC and Shivraj Chouhan negated that harping on Congress’ corruption tainted record.

With just months to go before PM Narendra Modi seeks a historic third term from the people, the Congress has had to fall back on its allies. Already Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has dialled the leaders of the INDIA block to meet next week. The fight is now well and truly on for 2024, but it seems the Congress will need to punch far above its weight to have any hope of displacing the BJP. (ANI)

ALSO READ: 70 elections to redefine global order in 2024

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70 elections to redefine global order in 2024

Among countries going to polls will be 15 African nations, nine American nations, 11 Asian nations, 22 European nations, and four countries in Ocenia…reports Asian Lite News

As 2023 draws to a close, the world is gearing up to a host of elections that are slated to be held in various countries in the coming year. As many as 70 elections across 40 countries will take place in 2024, and their global implications are worth looking out for to chart the course of the coming decade.

In what will be the greatest election year in history, close to half the world’s population will be affected by electoral events in 2024. This indicates that certain policy changes may be expected, as well as have a bearing on geopolitical dynamics between nations that will shape the world order.

Among countries going to polls will be 15 African nations, nine American nations, 11 Asian nations, 22 European nations, and four countries in Ocenia. Besides, the European Union and United Nations Security Council elections will also be held — one election each for Africa, one for the Asia-Pacific Group, one for Latin America and the Caribbean, and two for the Western European and others group.

However, four major elections will be most keenly watched for the impact they will have internationally. These are the four largest political entities in the world, housing nearly 2.3 billion people, and with a GDP of approximately $42 trillion.

Russia will hold presidential polls in March to select a head of state to reign until 2030. Between April and May, India will hold its general elections for a government that will lead the country until 2029. In June and July, the European Union will hold bloc-wide elections that will result in a new European Commission. The US will also hold the biannual legislative elections and presidential elections in November.

Additionally, Taiwan’s presidential election scheduled for January 2024 is also keenly observed in the wake of strained China-Tiwan relations. China is pivotal to Taiwanese elections, as candidates align with pro-nationalist or mainland-leaning positions.

If the opposition wins, tensions between Taiwan and China could ease in the short run, economic integration across Taiwan Strait being a possibility. However, the long-term concern about Taiwan’s future will remain unresolved.

In Europe, besides the election of a new EU Commission following parliamentary elections, elections will also take place in former member, the UK, where indications are that the Conservatives are likely to lose power after leading the government for 14 years. It is expected that the electoral dynamics in one country will have knock-on impacts elsewhere, resulting in economic difficulties.

Also, notwithstanding issues such as climate, tech regulation and energy, protectionism will likely continue. The EU budget will be under pressure and affect spending policies on agriculture, structural funds and defence. Further, Ukraine will remain an issue.

India and the world eagerly look forward to the Lok Sabha elections when nearly one billion Indians will cast their vote as the Narendra Modi-led BJP government seeks to return to power for a third consecutive term. However, internationally, Modi’s image may be affected by the Hindu nationalism of the BJP.

The American election is important for the impact on Western unity and for its policy on West Asia and Russia.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin may be inclined for his fifth presidential term, after 23 years in power as president and prime minister, in elections that will be held in March (with a run-off in April, if needed) and will coincide with Ukraine’s presidential election.

The Russian elections may not throw up any surprises as any credible alternative to Putin is largely absent but the electoral dynamics, including protests, may indicate the mood of the people amidst conflict and sanctions.

Celebrating the spirit of democracy, Mexico might get its first woman president in the June elections, creating history in Mexico’s male-dominated political landscape. Former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum is running on behalf of outgoing president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s Morena party.

The two continents with the largest number of countries voting in 2024 are Europe (37) and Africa (18), though they could hardly be further apart in the Democracy Index. The Middle East and North Africa is the region with the lowest overall score (3.3), while sub-Saharan Africa is not much better (4.1). African countries with a combined population of over 330m, including Algeria, Ghana and Mozambique, will hold elections. The biggest will be in South Africa, home to more than 60m people. A divided and weak opposition means that, despite a series of corruption scandals, the ruling African National Congress is almost certain to win again.

Western Europe, meanwhile, scores highly in the index with an average of 8.4. The European Parliament elections in June will bring the issue of migration to the fore. The EU is on track to receive over 1m asylum applications this year, the most since a rush of arrivals in 2015-16. Many European politicians and voters see the influx of migrants as a threat, despite a mounting shortage of workers. The elections may shift the Parliament to the right as voters opt for parties calling for stricter controls on immigration.

ALSO READ: Pakistan on Track for UNSC Seat, Could Influence Anti-Terror Measures

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Balochistan caretaker Minister alleges Taliban of playing ‘double game’

Achakzai said that the Taliban was not taking the issue seriously and was not handing over those involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan….reports Asian Lite News

Balochistan caretaker Minister for Information, Jan Achakzai alleged Taliban of playing the double game instead of handing over the elements involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan using Afghan soil, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

Achakzai said that the Taliban was not taking the issue seriously and was not handing over those involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

While addressing a press conference on Saturday, Achakzai said that Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Taliban to hand over the terrorists who have been mentioned in the list given by Pakistan to Afghanistan with proof. He noted that the Taliban has not responded positively on the issue.

Jan Achakzai emphasised that Pakistan will go to any extent for its demands, according to Dawn report. He said that Afghan nations were found involved in recent terrorist attacks in Bannu.

He noted that the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist attacks was proven by the Afghan identity cards found by the investigators.

Achakzai said that Afghan refugees with Afghanistan’s identity cards and other documents have become security risks and they will be deported.

He called it the Taliban’s responsibility to stop any group from using Afghan soil to carry out attacks in Pakistan.

Jan Achakzai said, “No Afghan will be allowed to cross into Pakistan without a passport and visa” as the Pakistan caretaker government has no plans to back down from implementing a one-document rule for crossing international borders from both sides, Dawn reported.

Earlier on November 8, Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq blamed the recent rise in terrorist attacks on the Taliban and termed it a reaction to the deportation of Afghan nationals, according to Dawn report.

Speaking at a press conference before his departure to Tashkent, he noted that there was a 60 per cent rise in terrorism and a 500 per cent increase in suicide bombings since the Taliban took control of power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

He said, “Pakistan in last two years has lost lives of 2,867 innocent civilians, for which TTP (the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) that is operating from Afghanistan, is responsible,” Dawn reported.

“During this time, 15 Afghan citizens were also among the people involved in suicide attacks. Other than this, till now, 64 Afghan citizens were killed while fighting Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies during the counterterrorism campaign,” Kakar said.

He said that Pakistan had hoped that there would be long-term peace in Pakistan after the Taliban took control of power in Afghanistan and strict action would be taken against Pakistan-opposing groups, particularly the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, and “they would be allowed to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.”

He referred to a monitoring report released by the United Nations in July which had a “clear mention of TTP centres in Afghanistan and increase in its activities against Pakistan”.

He said that no action was taken against anti-Pakistan groups despite reassurances from the Taliban of taking action against TTP. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan on Track for UNSC Seat, Could Influence Anti-Terror Measures

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Pakistan sends back 4,02,312 ‘illegal’ Afghans to their homeland

A further 3,776 more ‘illegal’ Afghan nationals returned to their country on Friday….reports Asian Lite News

At least 4,02,312 illegal foreigners, including Afghans, have so far been repatriated to their home countries in a dignified and safe manner from Pakistan, ARY News reported on Sunday.

It reported that the process for repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals is ongoing in Pakistan.

“Thousands of Afghans are returning to their homeland on a daily basis through Chaman and Torkham borders, thanking Pakistan for its generosity,” Radio Pakistan reported.

Further, according to ARY News, the caretaker Pakistan government has built transit camps in various districts for the temporary accommodation of undocumented foreigners and their safe repatriation from the country.

A further 3,776 more ‘illegal’ Afghan nationals returned to their country on Friday.

Earlier, caretaker Provincial Information Minister Jan Achakzai reiterated the government’s resolve, saying that the illegal immigrants will be repatriated to their own country at any cost, ARY News reported.

He said the government has set a target of deporting 10,000 immigrants every day. So far 135,000 illegal immigrants have returned to Afghanistan and this process is gradually progressing towards success.

ARY News quoted the minister as saying further that the Afghans were involved in 16 bomb attacks and sabotage incidents in the past year.

The interim government has decided to send back 10,000 ‘illegal’ immigrants every day, he said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan on Track for UNSC Seat, Could Influence Anti-Terror Measures