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Chennithala says UDF will sweep LS polls  

Exuding a big win for the CPI(M)-led LDF in the upcoming polls, he said that it is expected that in Kerala the results will be exact opposite of what happened in 2019, when the Congress-led UDF won 19 out of 20 Lok Sabha seats…reports Asian Lite News

With the date of polling for the 2024 Lok Sabha election nearing in Kerala, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday exuded confidence in winning all 20 parliamentary seats in the state.

Talking to ANI, he said that the political situation in Kerala is favourable to the Congress and the United Democratic Front, the alliance the party leads in the state.

“The situation is very conducive for UDF, we are going to win 20/20. In the last Parliament election, we won 19/20, now the situation is favourable for the Congress party and UDF,” Chennithala told ANI.

Meanwhile, terming the election as the contest to protect India’s constitution and values, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today that the main question before the voters in Kerala is whether they want victory for the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which is opposed to the “anti-people politics of the Sangh Parivar,” or they want victory for the UDF, which is “aligned to the BJP’s policies.”

“Protecting the country’s constitution and values is paramount in this election. Will the LDF, staunchly opposed to the anti-people politics of the Sangh Parivar, emerge victorious? Or should the UDF, aligned with BJP’s policies, prevail? This question lies in the hands of the voters,” Vijayan said in a press conference here.

Exuding a big win for the CPI(M)-led LDF in the upcoming polls, he said that it is expected that in Kerala the results will be exact opposite of what happened in 2019, when the Congress-led UDF won 19 out of 20 Lok Sabha seats.

“With only nine days remaining until the election, I’ve campaigned in 13 constituencies so far. It’s looking like a big win for the LDF in Kerala. It is expected that the exact opposite result of 2019 will happen in Kerala this time. The BJP and the NDA front, led by the BJP, will be relegated to third place or negligible status in all constituencies,” Vijayan said.

Kerala, whose all 20 constituencies go to the poll on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election, is witnessing high-voltage political activities on Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also holding campaign rallies in the state.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls while the Congress party had won 15 seats, its allies, the Indian Union Muslim League, won two seats, the Revolutionary Socialist Party won one, and the Kerala Congress (M) won one seat. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) won one seat in Alappuzha. (ANI)

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23% candidates in UP LS polls have criminal cases

In a concerning revelation, a report by ADR and National Election Watch has noted an alarming prevalence of criminal cases among candidates contesting polls…reports Asian Lite News

Around 23 per cent of candidates of the second phase of Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh are facing criminal cases, while 46 per cent of candidates are crorepatis.

According to a joint report released here on Tuesday by Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), they analyzed affidavits of all 91 candidates contesting from eight constituencies in the second phase of the polls in the northern state.

The seats going to polls in the second phase are Aligarh, Amroha, Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Gautambudh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Mathura and Meerut. The polling of the second phase will be held on April 26.

The report says 23 percent out of 91 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, out of which 18 per cent are facing serious criminal charges.

Party-wise details of candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves are — Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with three out of eight (38%), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) two out of seven (29%), and the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) all four candidates (100%). The Congress has two out of four candidates (50%), and Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party two out of three candidates (67%) with criminal cases registered against them.

Serious criminal cases declared by candidates include 25% of BSP, 29% of BJP, 50% of SP, 50% of Congress, and 33% of Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party.

Pandit Keshavdev Gautam, who is contesting as an independent candidate from Aligarh, has five criminal cases registered against him. Next is Amarpal, the Samajwadi Party candidate from Baghpat. He has nine criminal cases registered against him, while Haji Afzal, with two cases, is at the third position, who is contesting as an Independent from Meerut.

Talking about crorepati candidates, 42 out of 91 (46%) candidates fall in this bracket. All eight candidates of the BSP, seven of the BJP, four of the SP, two of the Jai Hind National, one of the Samaj Vikas Kranti Party, and three out of four candidates of the Congress (75%) fall under this income bracket.

The report also said that the average asset of the candidates is Rs 10.05 crore. Among the main parties, the average asset of eight candidates of the BSP is around Rs 10.75 crore, while that of seven candidates of the BJP is Rs 91.23 crore. The average asset of four candidates of the SP is around Rs 17.34 crore and that of four Congress candidates is Rs 3.56 crore.

UP Election Watch state convenor Santosh Srivastava said among the candidates in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, Hema Malini, who is contesting on BJP ticket from Mathura, whose assets are around Rs 278 crore and similarly Satish Kumar Gautam, BJP candidate from Aligarh has assets worth Rs 16 crores. Devbrath contested from the Meerut Lok Sabha seat on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket, whose assets are around Rs 5 crores.

In the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in UP, 33 out of 91 (36%) candidates have declared their educational qualification between 5th and 12th. Whereas 52 (57 percent) candidates have declared their educational qualification as Graduation and above. Two candidates have declared his/her educational qualification as Diploma holders. Two candidates have declared their educational qualification as literate and 2 candidates have declared their educational qualification as illiterate.

Talking about the age of the candidates in the second phase, 31 out of 91 (34 percent) candidates have declared their age between 25 to 40 years, while 42 (46 percent) candidates have declared their age between 41 to 60 years while 18 (20 percent) candidates have declared their age between 61 to 80 years.

A total of 9 (10 percent) women candidates are contesting in the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Chief Convener UP Election Watch ADR Sanjay Singh said that literate and intelligent people are still trying their luck in the country’s largest Parliament. He said that on one hand literacy is continuously increasing in the country. But such candidates are still seen in the country’s largest parliament. Despite many important orders of the Supreme Court, all the parties showed no hesitation in fielding candidates with criminal tendencies. It is clear that if any criminal is being given a ticket then the reason for the same will have to be explained and the reasons will have to be published in the media as well.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch have analyzed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,618 candidates out of the 1,625 candidates contesting the elections in Phase 1 on April 19.

Furthermore, the report highlights that 42 out of the 102 Lok Sabha seats slated for Phase 1 are contested by three or more candidates facing criminal charges. Additionally, 18 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women, including one candidate facing a rape charge under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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K’taka BJP leader slams Yediyurappa after son denied LS ticket

Belagavi, Jan 1 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader KS Eshwarappa addresses a gathering during the inauguration of a campaign organised by Shri Ram Sena, at Chikodi, in Belagavi on Monday. (ANI Photo)

The former Deputy CM alleged that Yediyurappa deliberately gave the Haveri ticket to Bommai despite promising that the party would pick Kantesh from the seat…reports Asian Lite News

Miffed after his son was denied a ticket for the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha seat, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday laid the blame on former chief minister and Lingayat stalwart BS Yediyurappa.

Sulking after the BJP put former CM Basavaraj Bommai on the ticket for the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha constituency, the senior BJP leader claimed Yediyurappa had promised that his son KE Kantesh would be the party’s candidate for the seat.

Making no bones about his misgivings on Wednesday, Eshwarappa told reporters, “Yediyurappa promised KE Kantesh will get the BJP ticket from Haveri. Taking him at his word, Kantesh was directing his efforts on Hageri, trying to win the trust of the people. However, my son was eventually denied a ticket. Yediyurappa cheated us.”

He claimed that his supporters were urging him to contest the Shimoga seat as an Independent, opposite Yediyurappa’s son BY Raghavendra, as a mark of protest.

“The party unit in Karnataka is in the hands of a family. There is a call within to protect the party from the family. Aren’t there any other Lingayat leaders in Karnataka? Yediyurappa ensured tickets for Shobha Karandlaje and Basavaraj Bommai. Why then was my son Kantesh ignored? This is grave injustice,” the senior BJP leader said.

“I have served the party faithfully for 40 years. CT Ravi, Sadananda Gowda, Nalin Kumar Kateel and Pratap Simha have also come out in my support, saying it was unfair,” Eshwarappa claimed.

The former Deputy CM alleged that Yediyurappa deliberately gave the Haveri ticket to Bommai despite promising that the party would pick Kantesh from the seat.

“Bommai said at the election committee meeting that he wasn’t keeping well and wouldn’t contest the Lok Sabha elections. Bommai said the Haveri ticket should go to Kantesh. Despite expressing his unwillingness to contest the polls, he was put on the ticket. Yediyurappa deliberately gave Bommai the ticket for Haveri. Yediyurappa’s decision is unfair for party loyalists,” he said.

Saying that his supporters were urging him to contest the elections from Shimoga, Eashwarappa said, “They (his supporters) are saying that if you contest (Shimoga), you will win. Also, I want Modi to be PM again.”

On Eshwarappa being ‘unhappy’ over the denial of the Haveri ticket to his son, Bommai said earlier, “I had urged the Parliamentary Board to give a ticket to KE Kantesh to ensure social justice but the national leaders picked me, instead, to ensure the party’s victory from the seat. Eshwarappa is a very senior and valued party colleague and he would be given the respect that he deserves.”

“The party workers wanted sitting MP DV Sadananda Gowda to contest again from the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency. Both Eshwarappa and Sadananda Gowda would be given plum positions in the party,” he added.

On Eshwarappa blaming his father for the denial of a ticket for his son, Yediyurappa’s son and sitting MP BY Raghavendra said the party leaders would reach out to him.

“Eshwarappa is upset. Anyone in his place would be hurt. It is normal to feel pain in such cases. I don’t know why they (Eashrappa and his son) didn’t get tickets. However, I have no clue why he accused BS Yediyurappa. It seems he holds the wrong opinion about my father. I am sure that party seniors would reach out to him and sort matters,” Raghavendra said.

Thanking the party leadership for naming him as the candidate from Shimoga, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the constituency on March 18 to campaign for him.

“I feel blessed to be the BJP candidate again. I am grateful to the party leadership for reposing its faith in me. Prime Minister Modi has set us a target of more than 400 seats (for NDA). He will be visiting Shimoga on March 18. Our campaign will start with his visit,” Raghavendra said.

On March 13, the BJP released the second list of 72 Lok Sabha candidates, including three former chief ministers and four Union Ministers.

In Karnataka, the party fielded Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from Dharwad, Tejaswi Surya from Bangalore South constituency, Bommai from Haveri and PC Mohan from Bangalore Central.

The BJP also named Raghvendra from Shimoga and V Sommana from Tumkuru.

The party released its first list of 195 candidates earlier this month, featuring PM Modi from Varanasi, Home Minister Amit Shah from Gandhinagar and Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar. (ANI)

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Athawale seeks two LS seats in Maharashtra

Union Minister Athawale said that in the meeting with the BJP President, I extended our party’s support to NDA candidates all over the country…reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale met Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda at his residence in Delhi on Tuesday and demanded two Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra for his party to contest the upcoming election.

Ramdas Athawale said, “Today I met BJP President J P Nadda ji at his residence and discussed the political situation in Maharashtra. I demanded two Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra for our party, the Republican Party of India (A) including the Sirdi Lok Sabha seats where I want to contest the Lok Sabha election.”

“I also inform BJP President that lakhs of Republican Party of India workers expressed their view that I should contest Lok Sabha election from Sirdi Seat in Maharashtra so I seek BJP support to contest Lok Sabha election from there,” he added

Republican Party of India (A) President Ramdas Athawale added that “During a meeting with J P Nadda ji, I said that the NDA will win more than 45 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra because people in the state believe that Narendra Modi is the only option for the country’s prosperity and progress.”

“Only under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the development of Maharashtra as well as the country is possible,” Ramdas Athawale added.

Also, Union Minister Athawale said that in the meeting with the BJP President, I extended our party’s support to NDA candidates all over the country.

“The Dalits, backwards of the country, consider Narendra Modi as their messiah and want to see him as the Prime Minister for the third time so this time NDA will cross four hundred marks ” he added

Union Minister Athawale appealed to the Dalits, backwards, farmers, Youth and women of the country that they should join hands with PM Narendra Modi, who is working day and night for the welfare of the people of the country, Athawale said.

“It is high time to teach the lesson to opposition parties in the Lok Sabha election through the ballot,” he added. (ANI)

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Chhatrapati Prince opts out of LS race in favour of father

Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who was a Rajya Sabha member (2016-2022) nominated by then President Pranab Mukherjee, had formed the Swarajya Sangathan and toured the state extensively…reports Asian Lite News

In a ‘royal’ gesture, Yuvraj (Prince) Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati on Wednesday decided to bow out of the Lok Sabha election race from the erstwhile kingdom of Kolhapur in favour of his father, Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj.

A former President-nominated Rajya Sabha member, Yuvraj Sambhajiraje is the 13th direct descendent of the legendary Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The development came as it became obvious that his father Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj, one of the most respected figures in the state, would be the combined Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate from the prestigious Kolhapur seat.

“The moment it was decided that my father would contest the elections, I decided not to contest the polls. I was also keen to contest from places like Kolhapur or Nashik. Now, we will give our 1,000 per cent for my father’s candidature,” Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati said on Wednesday afternoon.

He added: “My father is a revered personality for me… He has expressed his desire to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Even the people want him to contest. Hence, I will not be a candidate.”

To a question, he said that “there is a general public consensus that my father should contest”. Both the royal father and son have been close to the cause of Marathas’ welfare, and in October 2023, Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj personally went to meet the agitating Shivba Sanghatana leader, Manoj Jarange-Patil.

“Accordingly, we shall also support the Maharaj (father) till the finishing point. Me and my brother Malojiraje Chhatrapati shall be working for him along with others,” said Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati.

Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj (76) is the grandson of the illustrious social reformer and democrat, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj (June 1874-May 1922), with whom the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, B.R. Ambedkar, had worked for a few years.

Though an official announcement is expected, the MVA allies — Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) — have declared their support to the candidature of Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj, but it remains to be seen on which party’s ticket he will contest the polls.

With this latest political twist, the politics of Kolhapur has become interesting as the entire MVA, and the Chhatrapati’s clan after the Yuvraj’s suo motu withdrawal, has thrown its weight behind Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj.

Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who was a Rajya Sabha member (2016-2022) nominated by then President Pranab Mukherjee, had formed the Swarajya Sangathan and toured the state extensively.

In 2017, he was appointed the Chairman of the Raigad Development Authority, which is overseeing the work of revamping the Raigad Fort, the hills, and the villages at the base.

A man close to the masses, Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati can be regularly seen interacting with RDA officials, engineers, and workers on the ramparts of the Raigad Fort. He was once seen savouring tea at a roadside stall, endearing him to the people.

Interestingly, in June 2022, the then MVA Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had invited Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati to join his party and contest the Rajya Sabha polls, a proposal he had turned down politely.

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‘MVA Allies Reach Consensus on 39 Maha LS Seats’

NCP chief Sharad Pawar made these remarks in Kolhapur following a meeting with Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a member of the erstwhile royal family…reports Asian Lite News

NCP founder Sharad Pawar stated on Tuesday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) members have reached an agreement on 39 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

Further discussions will be held for the remaining five to six constituencies. Maharashtra sends a total of 48 members to the Lok Sabha.

Pawar made these remarks to reporters in Kolhapur following a meeting with Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a member of the erstwhile royal family.

Pawar virtually proposed Shahu Maharaj as the MVA nominee for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

When asked about seat-sharing discussions among Opposition parties, Pawar mentioned the consensus on 39 seats, with discussions ongoing for the rest. He also noted that he hadn’t discussed Shahu Maharaj’s candidature with other allies like Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress yet.

Pawar expressed his support for Shahu Maharaj’s candidacy, highlighting his long-standing social work aligned with the values of past social reformers.

Despite Shahu Maharaj’s usual avoidance of political events, Pawar noted his active participation in social initiatives. In the 2019 general elections, BJP and Shiv Sena (then undivided) jointly won 41 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, while the NCP and Congress together secured only 5 seats.

However, the political landscape has evolved since then, with vertical splits in Shiv Sena and NCP, while BJP continues to consolidate its position by welcoming leaders from rival parties.

‘NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar’ name

The Supreme Court on Monday held that the Election Commission’s order dated February 7 granting the name ‘Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar’ to the faction led by Sharad Pawar will remain valid until further order.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K.V. Viswanathan directed the Ajit Pawar-led faction to respond to Sharad Pawar’s plea challenging the Election Commission’s February 7 order, which recognised the group led by Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister as the official Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The bench granted Sharad Pawar the liberty to approach the Election Commission for allocation of the party symbol and directed the poll panel to allocate it within one week of receiving the application.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, said that the Election Commission’s February 7 order was an interim arrangement made for the Rajya Sabha elections until February 27, leaving their group without a name or symbol ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly session scheduled to start from February 26.

The plea arraying Ajit Pawar as respondent was filed by Sharad Pawar on February 12 through advocate Abhishek Jebaraj.

The Ajit Pawar side has already filed a caveat last week, saying that it should be heard before the top court proceeds to pass any order.

A caveat serves as a notice submitted to an appellate court by a litigant who wishes to be heard in case any orders are issued regarding an opponent’s appeal that challenges the decision made by the lower judicial or quasi-judicial body.

Delivering the verdict on the disqualification petitions filed by both rival NCP factions after the party split in June 2023, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled last Thursday that the faction led by Ajit Pawar is the ‘real’ NCP.

The NCP split in July last year, with a faction led by Ajit Pawar rebelling against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. After that, both sides laid claim to the party name and symbol.

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NC to go solo in LS polls

On being asked about the elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the three-time former chief minister said, “I think that elections in both states will be held with the parliamentary elections.”…reports Asian Lite News

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah said on Thursday that his party will contest alone in the upcoming parliamentary elections, a decision that is seen as another setback for the opposition coalition INDIA bloc.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on seat sharing, the National Conference chief said, “As far as seat sharing is concerned, NC will contest alone and there’s no doubt about it.”

On being asked about the elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the three-time former chief minister said, “I think that elections in both states will be held with the parliamentary elections.”

Incidentally, several prominent leaders of the National Conference, including Kathua district president Sanjeev Khajuria had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Many supporters and district officeholders also made the switch from the National Conference to the BJP last month.

Abdullah was recently summoned by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) for questioning in connection with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association money laundering case. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister was earlier summoned for questioning on January 11 but did not appear before the central agency. In July 2022, the ED filed a supplementary charge sheet against Abdullah in the case.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc suffered a huge setback earlier in January this year after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) vowed to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls alone in West Bengal.

Recently, the Rashtriya Lok Dal in UP also walked out of the alliance and parternered with the NDA.

Later in January, one of the key architects of the INDIA bloc, Janata Dal (Secular) chief Nitish Kumar pulled out of the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar and re-aligned with the BJP-led NDA.

NC, PDP will remain part of INDIA bloc, says Ramesh

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday that the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been a part of the INDIA bloc and will remain so.

Jairam Ramesh said, “Talks are going on. Every party has its own limitations. National Conference and PDP have been a part of the INDIA bloc, and will continue to remain so.”

As the Lok Sabha elections approach, political parties across the spectrum are ramping up their efforts to connect with voters. With the BJP bringing on new partners like the RLD on its platform the INDIA bloc is making efforts to put up a united front. (ANI)

Kharge slams govt  

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the ruling BJP on Thursday, saying that it had not provided the promised number of jobs and that the country’s debt situation had deteriorated under its regime.

“I want to ask, where are two crore jobs? Where is Modi’s guarantee? Where is that Rs 15 lakh that he promised?” Kharge asked at a public rally in Bihar’s Aurangabad during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

“Either the Prime Minister is a liar or you people, because he said that I’d give Rs 15 lakhs to all, but you people are saying that you didn’t receive… During UPA time, the government was in debt of only Rs 55 lakh crores, but in Modi’s era, we are in debt of Rs 185 lakh crores,” Kharge added.

Kharge alleged that the BJP follows neither the constitution nor democracy.

“They (the BJP) want dictatorship. That’s why we need to fight them by strengthening ourselves,” he said.

Mallikarjun Kharge. (File Photo: IANS)

Kharge also slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for switching over to the NDA.

“The way you supported the Nyay Yatra, especially after seeing the number of people present here, I believe that this time, Congress is going to win from here. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had said that he would die but wouldn’t switch to the BJP, and today he is with the BJP because of fear. The real leader is Rahul Gandhi, who follows the path of truth,” he said.

The Congress President said that his party has a history of standing up against injustice in the state.

“We are fighting for justice against the injustice being done to farmers, labourers, youth, and women. Together, we will win this great battle for justice,” he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that his party is committed to the caste census as the next step to social justice.

“Congress Party has done many revolutionary works in the country, like the Green Revolution, the White Revolution, and the Computer Revolution. Similarly, we are going to do another revolutionary work, which is the caste census. The next step for social justice is a caste census, and Congress will do it,” he said. (ANI)

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Modi slams opposition parties in LS reply

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the opposition strength will be depleted after the Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday targeted the opposition parties, particularly Congress in his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address and said from “every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in the opposition”.

PM Modi targeted the opposition parties almost at the beginning of his speech and said several leaders were looking to change their seats or come to parliament through Rajya Sabha.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the opposition strength will be depleted after the Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year.

“People are like God and the way you (opposition) are making efforts, I am convinced that people will bless you and you will move up to the public gallery,” PM Modi said.

“I really commend the resolution of the opposition. From every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in the opposition. The way you sat here (in government) for many decades, the same way you resolve to sit there (in opposition),” he said.

“As per your wish, India’s voters will bless you to reach newer heights and soon you will be in the viewing gallery. It seems like you have even lost the will to fight elections,” PM Modi added.

About sixty speakers took part in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address in Lok Sabha. The Budget Session commenced on January 31 and will conclude on February 9.

The Prime Minister said that the Opposition parties have been unable to fulfil their responsibility properly.

“They (Opposition) failed to fulfill their responsibility as opposition…I have always said that the country needs a good opposition,” he said.

“I see that many of you (Opposition) have even lost the courage to contest elections. Some seats were changed last time too, I have heard that many people are looking to change their seats this time as well. I have also heard that many people now want to go to Rajya Sabha instead of Lok Sabha. They are looking for their paths by assessing the situation,” he added.

The Prime Minister referred to ‘sengol’ at the start of his speech.

“When the President came to this new Parliament building to address all of us and the pride and honour with which Sengol led the entire procession – we were walking behind it. When we become a witness to the reflection of that holy moment of India’s independence in this new tradition in the new Parliament building, the honour of democracy rises.”

‘India will be 3rd largest economy in our third term’

Modi asserted that the country will be the third-largest economy in the third term of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government.

Modi took a swipe at Congress, quoted the then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who presented the Interim Budget for 2014-15, saying that the grand old party was proud of being the 11th largest economy in 2014.

Emphasising that India will be the third largest economy in his third term, PM Modi quoted the then Finance Minister and said, “India was the 11th largest economy in 2014. Today, India is the 5th largest economy, and yet they (Congress) are silent… They saw a vision that India will be the third largest in 30 years. We will not allow the nation to wait for so long. It is Modi’s guarantee that in our third term, India will be the third largest economic power…”

“…On the basis of the experience of 10 years of governance, looking at today’s strong economy and the rapid speed with which India is progressing today, I can confidently say that in our third term, India will be the third largest economic power. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the PM added.

PM Modi also listed the achievements of his government in the last 10 years since 2014.

“We built 4 crore houses for the poor. For the urban poor, we built 80 lakh pucca houses. Had these been built at the speed of Congress…it would have taken 100 years to do this work. Five generations would have passed by then,” he said.

Listing the scrapping of the British-era penal codes, vision for developed India, the PM said, “Lord Ram has returned not only home, but to such a grand temple that it is definite that ‘Abki baar 400 paar’ (This time 400 plus). Even Kharge ji (Mallikarjun Kharge) is saying it. Not only will NDA win 400+ seats, BJP itself will win 300 seat”.

About sixty speakers took part in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address in Lok Sabha. The Budget Session commenced on January 31 and will conclude on February 9.

Modi also targeted the opposition parties, particularly Congress in his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address and said from “every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in the opposition”.

“I really commend the resolution of the opposition. From every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in opposition. The way you sat here (in government) for many decades, the same way you resolve to sit there (in opposition),” he said. (ANI)

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Modi to kick-start LS poll campaign  

PM says NDA will win 400 seats and the BJP will get 370 seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh on February 11, to kick-start the BJP’s campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

State BJP President, VD Sharma said on Monday that Modi will launch the party’s polls campaign for 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh and the state BJP has begun preparations for the PM’s visit.

BJP leaders Mahendra Singh and Satish Upadhyay, who were recently appointed as incharge and co-incharge respectively for Madhya Pradesh, arrived in Bhopal last week and started the process of meeting state leaders.

The BJP bagged 28 out of 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh in 2019. Now, the BJP would be looking to create a record by winning all 29 seats this time.

The Opposition Congress, which till now has not had too much success in the General Elections in the state, said it will win at least 15 Lok Sabha seats this time around.

Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath, who won from Chhindwara, is the only Congress MP from Madhya Pradesh. However, during a visit to the Gwalior-Chambal region with AICC General Secretary incharge of Madhya Pradesh, Jitendra Singh, state Congress President Jitu Patwari said on Sunday that the grand old party will win more than 15 seats in the General Elections.

‘NDA will get 400 and BJP 370+ in LS polls’

Modi said that the third term of his government is not far and this time the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will win 400 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party, individually will get 370 seats.

Modi, on Monday, speaking in the Parliament, cited the revocation of Article 370, which was removed during the second term of his government and said that the BJP will win 370 seats in its third term.

“A Ram Temple of Lord Ram was built which will continue to give new energy to the great tradition of India. Now the third term of our government is not far. Maximum 100 days left. The whole country is saying that ‘Abki baar 400 paar’. I don’t go into numbers but I can see the mood of the country. It will make the NDA cross 400 and BJP will get 370 seats,” PM Modi said.

“We all saw the abolition of 370. Article 370 was abolished before the eyes of these many MPs and with the power of their votes. Nari Shakti Adhiniyam became law in the second term. From Space to the Olympics, there is an echo of the power of women’s empowerment. People have seen the projects that were pending for years being completed,” he added.

Further, the Prime Minister emphasized that the third term of his government would be full of big decisions.

“I had announced from the Red Fort that I want to see the country at the pinnacle of prosperity for the next 1000 years. The third term will be the term to lay the foundation for the next 1000 years. I am filled with great faith in the Indians and the country. I have immense confidence in the 140 crore citizens of the country,” the Prime Minister said.

Listing out the achievements of his government, PM Modi said, “25 crore people have come out of poverty in 10 years. If the poor get resources and self-respect, they have the power to defeat poverty. With this thinking, we gave resources and self-respect to the poor. Today 50 crore poor people have bank accounts. Four crore poor have permanent houses. 11 crores are getting pure water from the tap. More than 55 crore poor people have got an ‘Ayushman Bharat’ card. 80 crore people have been provided with the facility of free grains.”

While explaining the governance of his government, he asserted, “Modi asked those who were not asked before.”

PM Modi also mentioned that by introducing the PM-Janman scheme, the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) have developed.

“For the first time in the country, the PVTGs who are very backward people among the backwards and are very small in numbers. We have made a ‘PM-JANMAN’ scheme that has worked for their development. We have changed the direction of development by making those who were the last villages on the border the first villages. When I advocate millets, I am concerned about the welfare of more than three crore millets farmers,” he said. 

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Modi may kick off LS campaign from Bulandshahr

Prime Minister will also launch the fourth line connecting the Mathura- Palwal section and the Chipiyana Buzurg- Dadri section. These new lines will improve the rail connectivity of the national capital to Southern Western and Eastern India...reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the first electoral rally scheduled in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on January 25, sources from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said.

The rally in Bulandshahr will kick off the election campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, following the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha Samaroh in Ayodhya on Monday. Party workers and BJP leaders are actively involved in the preparations, anticipating a significant turnout in the western Uttar Pradesh city. Notably, the BJP holds eight out of 14 seats in western Uttar Pradesh, with defeats in six constituencies in 2019. The PM is reportedly preparing to turn the tide in these seats in the 2024 elections. PM Modi is set to commence the election campaign from Bulandshahr, aiming to connect with voters and supporters in previously contested areas, sharing the mantra for victory.

The BJP claims that around five lakh people will attend PM Modi’s rally in Bulandshahr. The Prime Minister’s scheduled public meeting in Bulandshahr’s Navada village on January 25 is expected to rally support, featuring a shooting range field in Meerut Commissionerate. Meanwhile, a day after announcing an alliance with Rashtriya Lok Dal for the Lok Sabha polls, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has said that there will be more meetings with Congress to decide on seat-sharing formula in the state and that “INDIA alliance should be strong”. Akhilesh Yadav held a meeting in Lucknow with party leaders who included former MPs, former MLAs and former MLCs. He said winnability is the criterion in decisions on seats. Yadav urged party workers to ensure registration of voters who are supporters of the party in the new voter list. He accused the BJP government in the state of getting the names of some party workers removed from the list. Congress and the Samajwadi Party have held seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May this year.

Massive developmental projects

Modi will also inaugurate multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,100 crore at Bulandshahr. According to an official release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO),” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bulandshahr in UP and Jaipur in Rajasthan. He will inaugurate multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,100 crores in Bulandshahr. The projects are related to several important sectors like rail, road, oil and gas and urban development and housing,” it said. The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the 173 km long double line electrified section between New Khurja – and New Rewari on Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) by flagging off goods trains from the two stations through video conferencing in Bulanshahr, said the release. This new DFC section is important as it establishes crucial connectivity between the Western and Eastern DFCs. Further, this section is also known for its remarkable feat of engineering.

It has a ‘one-kilometre long double line rail tunnel with high rise electrification’, which is the first of its kind in the world. This tunnel is designed to seamlessly operate double-stack container trains. This new DFC section will help in improving the operation of passenger trains due to the shifting of goods trains on the DFC track. Prime Minister will also launch the fourth line connecting the Mathura- Palwal section and the Chipiyana Buzurg- Dadri section. These new lines will improve the rail connectivity of the national capital to Southern Western and Eastern India.

Prime Minister will inaugurate multiple road development projects to the nation which include Aligarh to Bhadwas four-laning work Package-1 (part of Aligarh-Kanpur Section of NH-34); widening of Meerut to Karnal border via Shamli (NH-709A); and four laning of Shamli-Muzaffarnagar section of NH-709 AD Package-II. These road projects, developed at a cumulative cost of more than Rs 5,000 crore will improve connectivity and help in the economic development in the region. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate Indian Oil’s Tundla-Gawaria Pipeline. Built at a cost of about Rs 700 crore, this 255 km long pipeline project has been completed well ahead of the scheduled time. The project will help in the transportation of petroleum products from Tundla to Gawaria T-Point of Barauni-Kanpur Pipeline with pumping facilities at Mathura and Tundla and delivery facilities at Tundla, Lucknow and Kanpur.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate the ‘Integrated Industrial Township at Greater Noida’ (IITGN). It has been developed in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under PM-GatiShakti. Built at a cost of Rs 1,714 crore, the project is spread over 747 acres and is located near the intersection of Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway to the south and the Delhi-Howrah broad gauge railway line to the east. IITGN’s strategic location ensures unparalleled connectivity as other infrastructures for multi-modal connectivity are present in the vicinity of this project viz. Noida-Greater Noida Expressway (5 km), Yamuna Expressway (10 km), Delhi Airport (60 km), Jewar Airport (40 km), Ajaibpur Railway Station (0.5 km) and New Dadri DFCC Station (10 km). The project marks a significant step towards fostering industrial growth, economic prosperity, and sustainable development in the region. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the renovated Mathura sewerage scheme including the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) at a cost of about Rs 460 crore.

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