Category Archives: Assembly Polls

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“PM Modi is scared of my next speech exposing Adani links”, says Rahul Gandhi

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“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is scared of my next speech which would have been suicidal for them as I would have exposed the Adani-Modi relationship… I shall expose this nexus anyway…”, were the words of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who held a Press conference short while ago. Entire media was waiting for a Press briefing since Friday (yesterday), when the news of termination of MP ship came into light.

On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to two years in prison in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname by a court in Gujarat’s Surat. Let’s first understand the entire incident. RaGa who is the MP from Wayanad in Karnataka made the remarks while addressing a rally in the state ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The allegation that had created furore among the Saffron supporters was targeting PM Modi over his last name which he shares with fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi. BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi had filed the case for saying “How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?” However, the court granted RaGa bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

Before talking about the Press briefing and what RaGa said, let’s have a quick recap of the sequence of events since Friday:

  1. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP in the Parliament.
  2. The Lok Sabha Secretariat in a notification informed that the disqualification was effective from March 23, the day of his conviction.
  3. Lok Sabha Secretariat further informed the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat falls vacant.
  4. Rahul Gandhi would have to vacate the official bungalow within a stipulated time period.

On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi held a Press meet and faced the media that was bustling with question. RaGa replied all the questions with calm and ease. Some of the excerpts from the Press meet:

  1. RaGa alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi of allegedly backing Adani. “For this government, country is Adani and Adani is country,” said Rahul said this entire episode was to silence the voice of Congress. RaGa demanded a reply from Pm Modi, “Who’s Rs 20,000 crore went to Adani’s shell companies?”
  2. Replying to Wayand, Rahul said, “I have decided to write a letter to the people of my constituency and explain why I am not able to serve them as a MP after this but will also tell them that my crusade will be on against exposing the corrupt in the system”.
  3. RaGa said he is not bothered over the disqualification as to reach out to people with truth he doesn’t require to a MP, he shall reach out to people in his own way.
  4. When asked on Other Backward Class (OBC) issue during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, he claimed that allegations were totally false and he never insulted OBC.
  5. “My job is to defend the democratic nature of the country which means defending the institutions of the country, defending the voice of the poor people of the country and telling people the truth about people like Adani who are exploiting the relationship they have with the PM”, said Rahul.
  6. RaGa also accused the media of not focusing the issues of opposition as they used to do in the past.

Rahul Gandhi came down heavily on some of the reporters who asked question with a BJP angle. “Why don’t you put the party badge on your shirt. I shall reply to you but please don’t pretend to be a Pressman. Did the BJP tell you to do so”. Reacting to the questions of a popular television journalist, RaGa said, “Allow me to speak unless you decide to reply on my behalf, I know you do this too”.

When asked on the support of Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), Rahul Gandhi thanked the opposition parties and said togather they would oust the BJP. However, RaGa and Congress should now be more careful in choosing friends especially before going with alliances like Trinamool.

Today’s Press conference will definitely have a strong reaction from the BJP which I am sure is gearing up to give a Press briefing any moment. Opposition will have to do a good homework as Rahul’s conviction “I shall expose the Adani-Modi relationship in coming days and will prove what ever I said was not concocted but on facts”.  “I will keep asking questions on Adani issue, I won’t stop as it’s my conviction towards my countrymen”, said Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress plans to hold nationwide agitations demanding a reply on Adani issue from PM Modi. Security has been beefed up across the country especially at strategic locations.

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Trinamool to apprise people of its work after 11-years of rule; no mention of ‘Didir Doot’, Sathi-Sree schemes

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A high level meeting of the Trinamool leadership was convened comprising of Ministers, MLAs, and members. The meeting was chaired by Supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party has been at the helm of controversy and find itself in a Catch-22 situation after it’s leaders are being nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the illegal appointments of teachers across educational institutions.

Immediately after the meeting a Press Conference was convened by Sudeep Banerjee, the veteran MP from North Kolkata.

In the conference, Trinamool leader informed about the following decisions:

1) Trinamool to go to people with 11-years of works, projects, and schemes of Mamata Banerjee. Supremo herself will visit districts atleast twice in a month. She will be going to Delhi shortly.

2) People will be apprised of the project – ‘Didir Surokhakoboch’.

3) Trinamool will fight out Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) vindictive ploys to nail down their leaders and called false allegations by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

4) Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav will be meeting Mamata Banerjee and discuss various issues ahead of 2024 polls. The veteran MP informed that both Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav may convene a joint Press conference.

Well, so far so good but there are a few missing-links those require an introspection – One, Why the party has to think of going to people with what it has done after 11-years of Trinamool rule in the state? The party after winning the Assembly polls last year had boasted by saying people in the state had voted on the basis of developmental work.

Two, the party has focused only on ‘Didir Surokhakoboch’ but not a single mention of the other schemes – ‘Didir Doot’ (Didi’s messenger), ‘Shobuj Sathi’, ‘Swastha Sathi’, ‘Kanyasree’ and likes. Is it because all the other projects especially ‘Didir Doot’ has fallen on the face value and where ever party leaders are visiting are being shown the door as people have clearly expressed that Trinamool has shamed the masses and they will not bring thes party back next time least talk of electing Banerjee in 2024 as Prime Minister of the country.

Three, why Trinamool is shaking hands with Samajwadi Party that itself has no presence in its home turf of Uttar Pradesh? Besides, in the past we have seen how it’s Supremo Late Mulayam Singh Yadav had refused to give space to Banerjee during the seat sharing ahead of polls.

Four, Trinamool MP spoke of party’s presence across the country. Isn’t it a mockery to talk of “acceptance” when people have shown the door to Trinamool in Meghalaya, Tripura, and Goa Assembly polls. Worst, the party faced a debacle in the Sagardighi by-polls.

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Nagaland CM Rio alongwith council of ministers take oath in presence of PM Modi; list of ministers & portfolios

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On Tuesday, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Neiphiu Rio was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Nagaland for the fifth term. The 12- member cabinet including deputy chief ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton, also took the oath as ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor La Ganesan, and other BJP leaders attended the ceremony that took place in the Kohima city.

This election was historical in many ways but most significant development was getting first female legislators in 60-years of statehood. The two women lawmakers – Hekhani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse of the ruling NDPP defeated the sitting MLAs in Western Angami and Dimapur-III seats.

Council of Ministers and portfolios

  1. Neiphiu Rio Chief Minister Finance and also in-charge of Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms; and all-important policy issues; and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister.
  2. Mr. Taditui Rangkau Zeliang Deputy Chief Minister Planning and Transformation Department, National Highway
  3. Mr. Yanthungo Patton Deputy Chief Minister Home, Border Affairs
  4. Mr. G. Kaito Aye Minister Roads & Bridges
  5. Mr. Jacob Zhimomi Minister Public Health Engineering, Cooperation
  6. Mr. K.G. Kenye Minister Power, Parliamentary Affairs
  7. Mr. P. Paiwang Konyak Minister Health & Family Welfare
  8. Mr. Metsubo Jamir Minister Rural Development, SIRD
  9. Mr. Temjen Imna Along Minister Tourism, Higher Education
  10. Mr. C.L. John Minister Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Village Guard
  11. Ms. Salhoutuonuo Kruse Minister Women Resource Development & Horticulture
  12. Mr. P. Bashangmongba Chang Minister Housing & Mechanical Engineering

Advisors and Portfolios

Sl. No Name Designation Portfolio

  1. Mr. Noke Wangnao Advisor Social Welfare
  2. Mr. Imkong L. Imchen Advisor Information & Public Relations, Soil & Water Conservation
  3. Mr. K. Konngam Konyak Advisor Treasuries & Accounts, Art & Culture
  4. Mr. Zhaleo Rio Advisor Urban Development. Municipal Affairs
  5. Mr. H. Tovihoto Ayemi Advisor Tribal Affairs
  6. Mr.Tongpang Ozukum Advisor Water Resources
  7. Mr. K. Tokugha Sukhalu Advisor Food & Civil Supply, Legal Metrology
  8. Mr. Kazheto Advisor Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services
  9. Mr. Mhathung Yanthan Advisor Agriculture
  10. Mr. S. Keoshu Yimchunger Advisor Youth Resources & Sports
  11. Mr. Kropol Vitsu Advisor Prison, Printing & Stationery
  12. Mr. Moatoshi Longkumer Advisor Labour, Employment & Skill Development, Excise
  13. Mr. T.N. Mannen Advisor Law & Justice, Land Revenue
  14. Mr. A. Pangjung Jamir Advisor Fishery & Aquatic Resources
  15. Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome Advisor School Education, SCERT
  16. Mr. Kudecho Khamo Advisor Civil Administration Works Division , Taxes
  17. Mr. Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe Advisor New and Renewable Energy, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority
  18. Ms. Hekani Jakhalu Kense Advisor Industries & Commerce
  19. Mr. Imkongmar Advisor Minority Affairs, Sericulture
  20. Mr. Temjenmenba Advisor Transport, Technical Education
  21. Mr. G. Ikuto Zhimomi Advisor Land Resources
  22. Mr. W. Chingang Konyak Advisor Geology & Mining, Department of Under Developed Areas
  23. Mr. S. Kiusumew Yimchunger Advisor Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guard and Civil Defence
  24. Mr. Sethrongkyu Advisor Information Technology & Communication, Economics & Statistics, Evaluation
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Nagaland Polls 2023: 13,17,632 voters to exercise their franchise on Feb 27   

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With barely two-days to go for the Nagaland Assembly polls, political activities have geared up in the state with political bigwigs from all the political parties visiting the state, holding rallies and meetings, making convictions to the locals. It is too early to comment if their hard work will fetch results. The state will go to polls on February 27, 2023 and results will be declared on March 2.

Nagaland is one of the most beautiful and picturesque states in the north east of India and is among the seven-sisters (Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura). Like all other states, Nagaland too has its own issues and problems but one of the major issues is certainly employment. Also, the young generation in Nagaland are compelled to go to Delhi, Kolkata, and south India for education. In the northern belt often they have to face racial discrimination. “We have many issues but employment generation happens to be the chief among them. If we have opportunities in the state then we would not have to come and stay in far off places like Delhi or Kolkata”, said Athrila, a student from Mockokchung.

“I would like to draw the attention of the administration and government. It’s not our fault if we look different from the north Indians, often we face racial discrimination and sometimes it even turns brutal”, said Patsy Chishi.

Polling will take place across 60-Assembly seats in single phase. The number of registered voters in the state stands at 13,17,632, of which 6,61,489 are men and 6,56,143 are women. There are a total of 2,351 polling stations, with Merapani polling station No. 71 in the Bhandari Assembly constituency having the lowest number of voters at 37, and Usutomi polling station No. 12 in the Atoizu constituency home to the highest number of voters at 1,348. The Mokokchung Town Assembly constituency has the lowest number of electors at 8,302 while the Ghaspani-I constituency has the highest at 74,395.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) had resolved to continue with their alliance in the 2023 polls. The Saffron will contest from 20 Assembly segments in the Northeast state while the NDPP, will contest the remaining 40 seats as per the seat sharing agreement.

In the coming days, Nagaland will see intense campaigning with bigwigs like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National President (BJP) Jagat Prakash Nadda, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge among others.

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Uddhav fails to protect Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, loses ‘bow and arrow’ to Shinde

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Few years Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray said the party will perish once he is dead. He openly on a television interview had said, he as a dictator and it requires a dictator to maintain decipline within the party. Friday’s developments has once again his farsightedness. This is why he is ‘the Balasaheb Thackeray’, you may not like or admire him but cannot ignore him.

Shiv Sena’s iconic symbol ‘bow and arrow’ goes to Eknath Shinde faction. Indeed, a shame for Uddhav Thackeray who not only failed to protect his father Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy from splitting into two faction (his own and Shinde faction), but now failed to retain the symbol and the name ‘Shiv Sena’ too. This comes at a crucial time Assembly Elections are to take place in Maharashtra.

On Friday, Election Commission of India (ECI) in a landmark verdict said that the party name “Shiv Sena” and the party symbol “bow and arrow” will be given to the Eknath Shinde faction.

Minutes after the ECI verdict, Uddhav was seen in tears but he and his arrogance is largely responsible behind this development which was evident. This has also come as a big jolt for Aditya Thackeray (Uddhav’s son) who was being looked upon as the parallel Chief Minister in the state and was enjoying undue advantages in the state. His association with the Bollywood has already been exposed after the Sushant Singh Rajput’s mysterious death.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar immediately after the verdict said the loss of the “bow and arrow” symbol and the name will not affect Uddhav Thackeray faction. The fact is not only this will have a strong impact on popularity of the party but has put the traditional Shiv Sainiks (members of Shiv Sena) into shame as the legacy of their founder leader has shifted to a different house from its own family that too under the leadership of son Uddhav.

Uddhav has announced his decision to move the Supreme Court against the ECI verdict. The question is does Uddhav has a moral face to even shout out at the ECI or counter its verdict as he had lost the battle or rather protecting the legacy of Shiv Sena the day party was split into two factions and now losing the smybol and name has actually shown the mirror to Uddhav and the defacto party Supremo Aditya.

However, the entire incident has once again spruced up the controvercial question if Raj Thackeray would have been a better option had Uddhav left the throne when Raj decided to part with Thackeray legacy and float his own party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in 2006.

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BJP and Congress outshine each other in respective states, AAP could not put a dent even

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The Assembly elections in Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD), Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were indeed interesting and exciting. Apart from the polls which has its own fun and charm especially for journalists who bask in the news of elections and related developments with the announcement of poll dates. The polling in all the three were Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) v/s Congress v/s Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP). In MCD, the BJP was wiped off by the AAP. However, in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the picture was little unpredictable – AAP was nowhere in Himachal Pradesh, and in Gujarat it could bag only four seats. BJP bagged over 157 seats in Gujarat and broke its own record.

Congress in Himachal Pradesh bagged 40 seats giving sleepless nights to BJP which has two sitting MPs who are also the ministers. JP Nadda is also the BJP national president and Anurag Thakur is union minister. Both of them represent Himachal Pradesh and had done extensive campaigning ahead of the polls. The question will be asked to them as what did they really see and on what grounds gave their reading that BJP will win the state.

Eventful day indeed, as per the trend, in the evening Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the party headquarters in Delhi and greeted all the workers. He expressed his gratitude to all for making BJP win in Gujarat which is also his home state and he had been the chief minister for 10 years. Infact, Gujarat fought the battle in the name of Prime Minister Modi in the backdrop as its poll icon.

There was a confusion in the Himachal Pradesh Congress over the name of chief minister. Three name came up – Pratibha Singh (widow of former chief minister Birbhadra Singh), Sukhvinder Singh ‘Sukku’, and Mukesh Agnihotri. The issue turned in serious party conflict and on Saturday, a team of senior Congress leaders – Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Saurabh Shukla,Chattisgarh chief minister Baghel were set to find a name. The name of Sukku was finalised as chief minister and Agnihotri’s name was making rounds for possible deputy chief minister.

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Himachal Pradesh: Sukhvinder Singh ‘Sukhu’ to become CM, Agnihotri Dy CM

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Congress in In the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, is all set to constitute their government. Though, the celebrations were outshined by the protests and agitations over the name of chief minister since december 8, 2022 when the results were declared. The political turmoil that continued for the past two days has come to an end with a consensus on the name of Sukhwinder Singh ‘Sukhu’, a four-time MLA and chairman of the Congress’ state election campaign committee as the new Chief Minister. Mukesh Agnihotri will be his deputy.

The party’s central observers announced the election of 58-year-old Sukhu as the Congress legislature party leader after the meeting of MLAs on Saturday evening here following days of intense lobbying by aspirants including Pratibha Singh, the state unit chief and wife of late party stalwart Virbhadra Singh.

Congress bagged 40 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got 25 seats, and others three. The Aam Aaadmi Party (AAP) failed to open its account.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Sunday and senior leaders including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will attend.

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Exit Polls show BJP winning Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh; MCD to AAP

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Second and final phase of Gujarat Polls were held on December 5 (today). Some of the prominent people who cast their mandate includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, State chief minister Bhupendra Patel among others. The festival of polls came to an end for this year.

Exit Polls were held immediately after the polling concluded. Results for Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were discussed. Though, any Exit Polls cannot be full proof or the last say but still it helps to understand the trend of winning or losing in any polls. Also, there are possibilities that entire or part Exit Polls can go wrong totally but the chances are rare. The samples collected for the survey are done after immense research and analysis.

The poll season or fever comes to an end with the closing of second phase of Gujarat polls.

Different brands or poll analysts have different readings but the message is more or loss clear. Suppose Channel A is predicting Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in lead then Channel B, C or D too have same reading, numbers may differ.

After returning to Delhi, PM Modi attended a party event at the BJP headquarters and discussed the 2024 general elections. This shows how serious this party is about winning elections. On the contrary, there is Rashid Alvi of Congress who on a television debate argued by saying “hum harenge kyunki hum jitna nahin chahte hain…” (We may lose because we were not interested in winning polls).

On average, in Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh the trend is towards the BJP. Congress making a dent and AAP being totally wiped off in Himachal Pradesh (seats between 0 to 1). Congress is trying to revive atleast in Gujarat where Exit Polls show it behind BJP with around 30 to 40 per cent) votes. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on average is fighting the battle with 1 to 15 seats.

Though it’s too early to predict as the picture may change on the actual counting day.

However, in MCD, the trends show that AAP has done good homework and is sweeping Civic Polls in Delhi with around 140 to 170 seats. This is indeed a very big development for a party that has lost its face value over liquor politics. Though, it’s not the ‘win win situation’ for the AAP but is getting the advantage of anti-Congress votebank.

The results for MCD will be declared on December 7, 2022. Results for Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh will be declared on December 8, 2022.

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Campaigning for MCD polls end, interesting to watch who wins

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Stage has been set… All the preparations are complete… If you are still wandering what I am talking about… I am referring to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls scheduled to take place on December 4, 2022. With barely 48 hours left, the campaigning came to a close at 5pm today. Now, it’s the waiting for the election day. Political parties Predominantly three parties in the fray – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress.

All the three parties have done their best as far as the campaigning goes. Some candidates have added a personal touch by going around houses, touching feet of elders and requesting them to vote for him or her. The others have taken out processions across the lanes and bylanes of their constituencies. In short, all the parties in this MCD have done extensive campaigning.

It was after decades I saw candidates almost daily hitting the road and interacting with locals at least it happened in Mayur Vihar constituency. While talking to locals, I found their criteria to elect their councillor is clear. Locals would go for that person who stay in the area or is easily accessible.

In this MCD polls, the most significant thing that has turned out to be an attraction is the fielding of women candidates in large number.

Though it’s too early to predict who will win the MCD polls but going by the trends, there is an indication of cut throat fight between BJP and AAP. Not only there will be one of them will put a dent on the other but will help the other party to win under anti-incumbency factor. Congress that used to be at the helm once, will only put dent or cut votes.

Apart from development, the issue of the viral video tape of Satyendra Jain is already working in favour of BJP which has and have touched to expose the AAP in the coming days.

MCD polls will decide the respective councillors and in broad sphere, the mayor. People are decided as some openly say BJP will be able to retain its MCD seat while others opine that AAP will come to MCD. Too early to react though, the results will be out on December 7, 2022.  

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Gujarat Polls 2022: Poor turnout, across the state, voting peaceful

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Polling is taking place for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections in 89 out of the total 182 seats across 19 districts of Saurashtra-Kutch region and southern parts of the state to decide the fate of 788 candidates.

People in large number are casting their votes. However, there are many who may be opting for the None Of The Others (NOTA) but still its significant as they are coming out of their houses and casting their mandate. Its extremely positive for ant democracy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the voters in Gujarat, especially those exercising their franchise for the first time, to poll in record numbers.

He tweeted the appeal as the first first phase of the assembly elections was set to start in his home state. “Today is the first phase of the Gujarat elections. I call upon all those voting today, particularly first time voters to exercise their franchise in record numbers,” Modi said.

The voting is being held across 14,382 polling stations, of which 3,311 are in the urban and 11,071 in rural areas, the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.