Wednesday, 22 May 2019

No change in counting process, Opposition request on VVPAT rejected

The Election Commission on Wednesday rejected Opposition demand to tally the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips before the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) on counting day - May 23.

The confirmation of results, on Supreme Court's order, will be matched with the VVPAT slips of five randomly-selected EVMs per assembly segment.

On Tuesday, 22 Opposition parties Tuesday requested that VVPAT slips ought to be checked first, and in the event that any inconsistency happens, then VVPAT slips should be counted for the entire assembly segments. However, the EC today dismissed the update presented by the Opposition parties.

"We told the EC that the VVPAT machines ought to be checked first and on the off chance that there is any discrepancy, at that point every one of them in that portion ought to be counted. During elections, there were many EVMs which broke down and much of the time, when votes for one political party were cast, it showed votes for some other party, especially the BJP," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here after meeting EC officials.

"These things we have told the EC. We, in the last three-four years have been complaining about the EVMs in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and even in states," he included.

Leaders of these opposition parties, who held a meeting here on the issue and then jointly approached the EC, also raised concerns over reports about EVMs being "replaced" at various places.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha election took place from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes begins at 8 am on May 23.

at No comments:

India focuses on terror, connectivity, Afghanistan at SCO Foriegn Ministers meet

NEW DELHI, May 22 Terror, connectivity and Afghanistan were the main focus areas for India during External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj statement at the Shanghai Co-task Organization (SCO) Foriegn Ministers meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Recalling the Sri Lanka terror attack on April 21, Swaraj stated, "Our wounds of Pulwama attack were still raw and the news from the neighborhood has made us more determined to fight firmly resolutely against this menace."

SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure or RATS has emerged as a significant discussion for counter-terror cooperation and India has called for making it more effective. On connectivity, India discussed 5 connectivity activities the International North-South Transport Corridor that will connect Mumbai with Moscow, Chabahar Port that will interface India to afghanistan and past, the Ashgabat Agreement for central asia connectivity, the India Afghanistan air corridor and towards the east the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. However, New Delhi said the connectivity projects needs to be, "inclusive, sustainable, transparent and respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity", a comment that questions Chinese Belt & road initiative that is causing debt crisis in many countries participating in it.

Lastly on Afghanistan, Sushma Swaraj stated, "India stands committed to any process" which can help "Afghanistan to rise as an assembled, quiet, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, with guaranteed gender and human rights." Comments on Afghanistan comes in the backdrop of Delhi's increased engagement with stakeholders such as US, China, Iran and Russia on the Afghan peace process.

This is the last high level engagement of Sushma Swaraj in a foriegn nation as the external affairs minister under the present government. This is the second SCO FMs meet in which New Delhi is participating as a full member of SCO, the last being in April last year in Beijing.

During the SCO FMs meet on Wednesday, Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani partner Shah Mahmood Qureshi met for first time since the Pulwama terror attack on 14th February whose obligation was taken by Pakistan based UN listed terror group Jaish e Mohammad. On expected lines, no meeting happened between the 2 India Pakistan ministers.

The last time both ministers were under same roof was during informal SAARC meet on the sidelines of United Nation General Assembly in New York in 2018. India got full membership of the grouping along with Pakistan in 2017 amid the Astana summit of SCO with the process starting during 2015SCO summit in Russia.

The SCO FMs meet comes weeks before the SCO leaders summit in Kyrgyzstan in which the new Indian Prime Minister will be participating. Focus in that summit will be on his possible meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping or if New Indian PM might want to meet his Pakistani counterpart- Pakistani PM Imran Khan.

at No comments:

Expound arrangements in MP for LS polls counting

Bhopal, May 22 Counting of votes in favor of 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh will be held at 292 centres crosswise over 51 district headquarters on Thursday and results are expected by late evening, a senior election official said.

Around 1,800 CCTV cameras have been introduced at the counting centres where internet and wi-fi services won't be accessible, state Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters here on Tuesday.

"The counting of votes for the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held from 8 am on Thursday in 292 halls across 51 district headquarters. Given the number of candidates and counting rounds, the first result may start coming in by 10 pm," he said.

After the finish of counting, five randomly selected Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from each Assembly segment of that particular Lok Sabha seat would be matched with the electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said.

The highest 29 rounds of counting will be held in Indore and the lowest 14 in Katni, he said.

Around 9,000 personnel, including 17 companies of central forces, have been sent for the security of strong rooms in which the EVMs have been kept, Rao said.

Polling for the 29 seats in the central state was held in four stages on April 29 (six seats), May 6 (seven seats), May 12 (eight seats) and May 19 (eight seats).

In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP packed away 27 of these seats while the Congress figured out how to win just two.

Afterward, the Congress increased its tally to three by winning the Ratlam seat by-election.

After wresting power from the BJP in the state after a year ago's Assembly elections, the Congress is optimistic of a good show in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Bhopal Lok Sabha seat saw one of the most keenly watched contest between Congress veteran Digvijay Singh and Hindutva activist and 2008 Malegaon blast case denounced Pragya Singh Thakur.

The Guna and Chhindwara seats, won by Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath, respectively, in 2014 were also in spotlight this time.

The Congress this time selected Nakul Nath from Chhindwara after his dad and sitting MP Kamal Nath turned into the state's chief minister.

Other prominent faces in this election were BJP state president Rakesh Singh (from Jabalpur), party pioneer Prahlad Patel (Damoh), Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar (Morena), ex-Union ministers and Congress candidates Kantilal Bhuria (Ratlam-Jhabua), Arun Yadav (Khandwa), and former leader of opposition Ajay Singh (Sidhi).

at No comments:

Counting of votes at 28 centres in Gujarat:LS polls

Ahmedabad, May 22 Counting of votes for elections to 26 Lok Sabha constituencies and bypolls in four Assembly seats of Gujarat will be taken up on Thursday at 28 centres over the express, a senior authority said.

Polling for all the 26 Lok Sabha and four Assembly seats was held in a single phase on April 23, recording a voter turnout of 64.11 percent, the highest in the state since 1976 when there was around 63.77 voting.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah saw 63.66 percent polling.

The BJP at that time won all the 26 seats.

"Counting of votes will be held on Thursday at 28 centres. Elaborate security arrangements have been made at all the counting centres," state Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishnan said in a release.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed confidence that the BJP will hold all the 26 seats in the state.

"There is a Modi 'wave', people of the state are enthusiastic to make Modi the prime minister once more. The results are sure," Rupani told reporters in Gandhinagar.

Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda, however, claimed his party will succeed at least 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

"The results of Gujarat will surprise all," he said.

In the 2017 state Assembly polls to 182 seats, the Congress won 77 seats while the BJP bagged 99 and came to power with a wafer thing majority.

The Congress is hoping to repeat that performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

The main contenders from the BJP this time were party chief Amit Shah from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat and Union minister Jaswantsinh Bhabhor from Dahod.

The Congress fielded former Union minister Bharatsinh Solanki from Anand and its leader of opposition in the Assembly Paresh Dhanani from Amreli situate.

at No comments:

Tuesday, 21 May 2019

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 21.5.2019

at No comments:

EVMs 'totally safe' in strongrooms: EC

New Delhi, May 21 The Election Commission Tuesday declared that EVMs used in the Lok Sabha polls are "totally safe" in strongrooms, rejecting allegations that the voting machines used in the elections were being exchanged with fresh ones ahead of counting of votes on May 23.

Alluding to the claims and complaints, the commission said it would like to "emphatically and unambiguously" clarify that all such report and allegations are "completely false and factually incorrect."

The visuals on TV and social media "don't pertain to any EVMs used during the polls", it said.

In aa statement, the EC stated, after the end of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to designated strongrooms, which are fixed with twofold secures within the sight of competitors and observers of the commission.

The whole process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is videoed.

"Continuous CCTV camera coverage is done till completion of counting. Every strongroom is protected with nonstop security by Central Armed Police Forces.

"Further, candidates or their designated agents stay present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times," the statement said.

On counting day, the strongrooms are opened within the presence of candidates or their specialists and onlookers. This is likewise videoed.

Prior to tallying begins, the checking specialists are demonstrated the location labels, seals and sequential number of EVMs to fulfill themselves to the validity and realness of the machines used in the polls, it said.

The provisions and protocols have been explained to political parties on multiple occasions, including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the commission, since the announcement of elections, the EC pointed out.

"It very well may be valued, the definite managerial conventions, security structure and procedural rules commanded by the commission totally abandon and pre-empt the likelihood of any naughtiness or control in the surveyed EVMs and VVPATs put away in the assigned strongrooms.

"The slanders in clasps being used in media just relate to the capacity or movement of reserve unused EVMs," the statement said.

It made it clear that any case of lapse, even in handling of reserve EVMs, is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible.

at No comments:

Nitish Kumar terms EVM issue fake, clears stand on Article 370

Patna, May 21 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi to attend a dinner hosted by BJP president Amit Shah for NDA allies and before flying from Patna, Kumar associated with media and talked on Article 370, Uniform Civil Code (UCC), EVMs and on Ayodhya matter.

The Bihar chief minister said that people are raising bogus questions on the credibility of EVMs, including that elections have turned out to be straightforward after the presentation of EVMs. "It's an innovation which has been scrutinized on different occasions and has been replied by the election commission ... faction which starts losing says there were errors in elections. It's not new," said Nitish.

The Bihar chief minister also talked about the contentious issues of Article 370 and Uniform Civil Code and said that JD(U) has no inconsistency over these issues. "There's no contradiction. We've always maintained Article 370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed," Nitish said.

Discussing Ayodhya issue, Nitish Kumar said that the dispute should be resolved either through mutual understanding or court's intervention. "The dispute ought to be settled through mutual agreement/court's intervention. We've kept up this since we first forged an alliance with BJP," Nitish stated, including that BJP's stand these issues isn't new and it is known to everybody. "A party has its very own stand yet when there is a coalition, the majority of this is talked about. So there is no issue there," commented the JD(U) leader.

Meanwhile, besides Nitish, several other NDA leaders including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders E K Palaniswamy and O. Pannerselvam are expected to attend Shah's dinner at BJP headquarters in Delhi.

at No comments:

ISRO chief K Sivan: PSLV-C 46 will concentrate on movements of terrorists near border areas

Tirumalai, May 21 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan on Tuesday said that PSLV-C 46 satellite, which will be launched on Wednesday, will concentrate on the developments of terrorists in border areas. Sivan included that the satellite will help the security forces out terrorism from the nation by helping them spot the hideouts of the terrorists near border areas.

ISAT 2 BR 1 satellite into space. The satellite will concentrate on terrorists' movements and their hideouts in the borders," ISRO director was quoted as saying by ANI. Sivan included that PSLV-C 46 satellite's life span is five years. He included that the Bengaluru-put together ISRO is also focused on launching Chandrayan 2 in July next year.

The nation's premier space agency is set to launch PSLV-C 46 from Sriharikota in Nellore locale of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. Sivan visited Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati on Tuesday with model of PSLV-C 46 and unique 'pooja' was performed by Tirumala temple authorities for success of mission.

It might be recalled that few days ago, ISRO had declared RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observation satellite, will be launched by PSLV-C46 on May 22. The launch will take place from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5.27 am IST, subject to climate condition. "PSLV-C46 set to dispatch RISAT-2B from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 0527 Hrs IST on May 22, 2019, subject to weather conditions," ISRO had tweeted.

PSLV-C46 is the 48th mission of PSLV. It will dispatch RISAT-2B from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of SDSC. As indicated by ISRO, PSLV-C46 is the fourteenth trip of PSLV in 'center alone' arrangement (without the utilization of strong lash on engines). This will be the 72nd dispatch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th dispatch from the First Launchpad. RISAT-2B will be placed into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degrees.

at No comments:

Arvind Kejriwal dials Akhilesh to talk about post-results strategy

New Delhi, May 21 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday addressed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to talk opposition strategy after Lok Sabha election results are announced on 23 May. Talking via telephone, the two leaders also discussed the political situation prevailing in the country.

Preparation about the discussion between the two party chiefs, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said that the need of the AAP is to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from returning to control. "Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to talk about the technique to be trailed that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah and common powers. This was also a courtesy call," he said.

While most exit polls have predicted BJP winning majority seats in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said that not BJP but rather the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party coalition will get more than 60 out of the 80 seats in the state. "I feel the gathbandhan will get in excess of 60 seats in UP. BJP will be cleared off the nation over," he said.

He also rubbished the exit polls which have projected over 300 seats for the BJP-drove NDA in the Lok Sabha elections stating that the Opposition will form the next government at the Center. "Exit polls will prove to be totally false like it had occurred previously. The opposition will form a strong government at the Center," he said. Exit poll results for Uttar Pradesh have hurled mistaking numbers for certain surveyors demonstrating that SP-BSP-RLD mahagathbandhan is in the number one spot, while some have anticipated that BJP would do better.

Prior on Monday, Akhilesh had met BSP supremo Mayawati at the latter's residence in Lucknow to have discussions over post-poll scenarios.

The two chiefs are sure of succeeding at least 55 out of 80 seats at stake in Uttar Pradesh. They also exuded confidence that the nation would get a new prime minister after the declaration of results on May 23.

at No comments:

Protests in Uttar Pradesh after videos show 'tampering' of EVMS

Lucknow/New Delhi, May 21 Protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs turned into a web sensation via web-based networking media, a charge rejected by the Election Commission as "unimportant" and "unwarranted".

As the videos went viral, workers of various parties held challenges in Ghazipur, Chandauli and Dumariyaganj alleging that EVMs were being "moved around" outside strongrooms.

A video clasp of EVMs being off-loaded and put in a room inside the counting centre complex in Chandauli was doing the rounds via web-based networking media. BJP's state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey is looking for re-appointment from the seat.

Another video is from Ghazipur where SP-BSP alliance candidate Afzal Ansari is seen staging protest alleging that the organization was trying to change EVMs.

In the video, Ansari and his supporters were seen having a heated exchange with a police officer. The officer is urging them to clear the area, but the leader and his supporters refuse to budge, claiming there was an attempt to take out a vehicle loaded with EVMs.

Afzal Ansari is the brother of don turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is serving sentence in Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail in connection with various criminal cases and is pitted against Union Minister Manoj Sinha of the BJP.

Ansari also demanded that at any rate two BSP workers must be issued goes to sit close to the premises where EVMs were kept in solid rooms at five different places.

Chief Electoral Officer of the state Venkateshwarlu allayed fears of political parties.

Referring to the Ghazipur incident, he said the candidate wanted more number of people to keep a watch on EVMs based on his apprehensions and the DM there has fulfilled him and those organizing protest have returned.

On Chandauli, he said the issue relates to unused EVMs which had been brought back and after talks they were kept independently from the used ones kept in the strong room.

There are CCTV cameras installed in strong rooms. Candidates are permitted to keep a watch on strong rooms through their representatives. All apprehensions are unfounded, he said.

"EVMS and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of political party candidates. CCTV cameras are installed ... one representative of each candidate is present. The allegations are baseless, an EC report said.

On Chandauli, the EC report stated, "Unimportant claim by certain people as EVMs are in proper security and protocol.

The protest took place when additional (reserved) EVMs from the Sakaldiha assembly segment were brought there.

The Commission said all aid down protocol relating to safekeep of voting machines and paper trail machines after voting were followed.

It said candidates and their representatives have been allowed to watch over strongrooms for which places have been earmarked.

In view of the viral videos, political parties directed their leaders, applicants and workers to stay additional careful in all regions where EVMs have been stored.

All opposition parties have issued directives to their district and city units asking their cadres to prepare for counting of votes.

Fearing irregularities during counting of votes, the high command of all opposition parties have asked their units not to be lax in maintaining security of strongrooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept.

at No comments:

PM Modi pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary

New Delhi, May 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday took to Twitter to pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary.

"Tributes to previous PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary," Modi tweeted

This comes after Modi named Rajiv Gandhi "bhrashtachari no 1" (degenerate no 1) at a election rally earlier this month

Hitting out at the former prime minister's son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal, Modi had stated, "Your dad was named 'Mr. Clean' by his retainers, yet his life finished as 'Bhrashtachari?No:1'."

Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a suicide bomber during a election rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur town on this day in 1991.

at No comments:

Friday, 17 May 2019

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 17.5.2019

at No comments:

PM Narendra Modi certain of BJP getting full majority in 2019 Lok Sabha surveys

NEW DELHI, May 17 In his first media instructions in the previous five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday communicated certainty that his party will form the government with absolute majority for the second time.

"I am confident that BJP will form the government with a full majority for a second term,'' the PM said.

''After a long time, a legislature will come back with a full majority,'' the PM included.

While outlining the achievements of his government in the previous five years, the PM also hailed the performance of the BJP-drove NDA government at the Center.

The PM made these comments while tending to a joint press conference with party president Amit Shah at the BJP headquarters in the national capital.

The press conference was organised shortly before the poll campaign ended for the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

During his brief press interaction, the PM stated, ''It was an excellent election campaign so far.''

''For me, really, this was a method for expressing gratitude toward the general population of this nation any place I battled for the gathering for allowing us the chance to serve the country for a long time,'' PM Modi said.

PM Modi, in any case, told columnists that he won't take any inquiries on the grounds that the question and answer session is being tended to by Shah, and in BJP's framework, the order must be pursued.

"We are disciplined soldiers of the party," PM Modi said.

On his turn, the BJP Amit Shah exuded confidence that the gathering will win in excess of 300 seats this time alone.

Shah also gave a point by point report card of the battling just as the exhibition of the NDA government.

''BJP will be back in power with a more prominent edge. We will win in excess of 300 seats this time,'' Shah said.

''We'll perform well in North-East, generally amazing in West Bengal. We'll do great in Odisha and will be an improvement in the quantity of seats in every one of the states in the South. We'll improve in Maharashtra likewise,'' Shah told journalists.

Shah expressed that ''under PM Modi's initiative, the general population are protected, the economy is fit as a fiddle and we have a steady and solid government at the Center.''

He radiated certainty that PM Narendra Modi will return as the Prime Minister indeed.

"Since Independence, these decisions have been the greatest for the BJP," Shah expressed, professing to get great outcomes in 2019 general surveys.

"We began our decision crusade from January 16… Our objective was to win 120 Lok Sabha seats which we couldn't win the last time. We are sure that we'll get great outcomes," the BJP president said.

Giving a report card of Modi government's performance in the last five years, Shah alluded to development and national security. "Narendra Modi government has propelled 133 plans to inspire all segments of society," he said.

Voting in favor of the last period of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 is expected on May 19. The counting of votes is planned for May 23.

at No comments:

Sachin Pilot: Resentment among people due to the politics of BJP

Rajasthan, May 17 There is hatred among the people of the nation due to the politics of the ruling BJP government at the Center, Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said on Friday.

Referring to the violence in West Bengal and BJP nominee Pragya Thakur's statement on Nathuram Godse, Pilot said it is out of the blue that an established foundation like the Election Commission of India needed to face several questions.

"The type of politics that BJP has done in recent days, it has created an environment of resentment in not only the Congress and other political parties but also in the entire country," Pilot said at a press conference.

"None of the senior BJP leader neither stopped nor objected Thakur's statement calling a person who killed Mahatma Gandhi as a patriot," he included.

"The party leadership has neither refuted the announcement nor ended her (Thakur) participation. The BJP's sidelining itself from the statement isn't sufficient," he said further.

Pilot, who is also the Rajasthan Congress chief, said that the criticism on six periods of Lok Sabha election shows that the BJP is trailing in all stages.

He said that the frustration of losing in elections can be measured from the announcements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and other senior leaders.

Talking about recent violence reported in West Bengal during electioneering, Pilot said, "The facts that have come to the fore from the ground in Kolkata clearly indicate that the BJP brought people from outside Bengal for their roadshow. Whatever happened there is condemnable and indecent."

Pilot also criticised Modi for looking at West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, her party and its leaders with stone pelters of Jammu and Kashmir.

"You can evaluate that the prime minister of the nation is comparing an elected chief minister and the stone pelters who follow a separatist ideology," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is censuring the violence in West Bengal however can't see the assault on a Congress official from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, Pilot said further.

Congress MLA Aditi Singh and members from the zila panchayat were on Tuesday injured in an attack while they were en route to cast a ballot on a no-certainty movement against zila panchayat head Avadesh Singh.

Avadesh Singh is the sibling of Dinesh Pratap Singh, the BJP applicant from Rae Bareli. The BJP and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath have censured the episode.

at No comments:

Modi says, Cant forgive Pragya for Godse deshbhakt remark

Khargone, May 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said he will never forgive BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur for insulting Mahatma Gandhi by calling his professional killer Nathuram Godse a true patriot.

Modi told a TV channel amid his last rally here in front of the last period of casting a ballot in the Lok Sabha polls, Modi also said her remarks were detrimental to society.

"The comments made about Gandhiji or Nathuram Godse are very bad and very wrong for society," he said. "She has sought an apology but I would never be able to forgive her fully," he added.

Prior Friday, BJP president Amit Shah said comments on Mahatma Gandhi's professional killer by three BJP leaders Thakur, Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde and Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar Kateel were not in accordance with the party belief system.

Shah had said the party disciplinary committee has sought an explanation from them in 10 days.

During a roadshow in Madhya Pradeshs Agar town, Thakur had stated, Nathuram Godseji deshbhakt the, hai, aur rahenge unko aatankwadi kahne wale log swayam ki gireban me jhaank kar dekhe chunav mein aise logon ko jawab de diya jayega (Nathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot, and will remain a patriot those who consider him a terrorist should search inside they will get an answer in this election).

She was reacting to a comment made by actor turned-government official Kaman Haasan, who said Godse was the primary Hindu terrorist in independent India.

The Malegaon blast accused later apologized for her statement.

at No comments:

Shatrughan Sinha: NDA will blow Mahagathbandhan in Bihar

Patna, May 17 The Modi lahar (wave) of 2014 has declined into kahar (disaster) in the last five years and the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar iis all set to blow away the BJP- led NDA, actor turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha claimed here Friday.

He said in the neighboring Uttar Pradesh as well, where his wife has been handled by the SP-BSP combine, however the Congress is challenging independently, the BJP will be comparably cleared away.

Mahagathbandhan un logon ke parkhachche udaa dega (grand alliance will blow them), Sinha, who looks to hold his Patna Sahib situate on a Congress ticket, said at a press conference here on the final day of campaign.

He is pitted against Union minister Ravishankar Prasad in Patna Sahib situate that will see voting on May 19.

Lambasting the BJP, which he quit a month ending nearly three many years of relationship, for claiming that Sinha had been unhappy over not getting a clerical billet in the Narendra Modi government, the on-screen character, who is fondly called Bihari Babu, quipped this is commensurate to chori oopar se seenazori (commit a wrongdoing and then brazen it out).

Let us, for a minute, expect that I had issues over not getting a pastoral compartment. Presently could the small time show and two man armed force (a term Sinha has been utilizing to portray the BJP under Modi and Amit Shah) clarify why it treated severely stalwarts like L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, he inquired.

The BJP ought to also explain why a scholarly goliath like Arun Shourie, who was with the gathering, is currently so sharply contradicted to it. What's more, what drove Yashwant Sinha, who was once such an incredible pioneer, to stop the gathering in appall, Sinha, who was flanked by gathering associate and previous Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay, his twin children Luv and Kush-other than different leaders of the mahagathbandhan which incorporates RJD, RLSP, HAM and VIP, said.

Their problem was, I was talking reality. I was talking about the gigantic bother caused to the people and damage done to the economy through demonetization. I was denouncing the terrible execution of the GST, which has caused our merchants to endure. Furthermore, I was requesting that the administration told the truth on the Rafale deal, the second-term MP from Patna Sahib said.

At yesterdays roadshow held by Rahul Gandhi, where the turnout was memorable and the excitement skirted on crazy, someone prodded me with the inquiry Chhenu aaya tha (did Chhenu come). I said I didn't know but rather Chowkidaar chor hai positively resounded through the air.

Chhenu aaya tha is a well known exchange from the old motion picture Mere Apne wherein Sinha had assumed the job of the rival named Chhenu a road miscreant partial to conveying impactful jokes.

Sinha showered acclaim on alliance accomplices for making the roadshow a triumph and bludgeoned the BJP for distributing abuse to imprisoned RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who is serving sentences in grub trick cases.

The motto correctional facility ka taala tootega, Lalu Yadav chhootega (the latch on the prisons entryway will be prised open and Lalu will be without set) would before long become a reality, he trusted.

Talking at the question and answer session, Sahay said the BJP once boasted it would get 400 or more. Presently it has downsized its rant by 100 seats. Truly, we are sure of Congress developing as the single biggest gathering and we recognize that states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Orissa where we don't have a partnership with the prevailing provincial gatherings, will assume a noteworthy contributory job in arrangement of the following government.

He ducked queries about the possibility of Rahul Gandhi becoming the Prime Minister saying we will discuss that at meetings of opposition opposition scheduled in New Delhi on May 21 and then again after results are out on May 23.

We don't believe in the BJP style of tyrant administration. Sonia Gandhi had plentiful help for taking up the top post after the 2004 general elections, however she chose generally in national intrigue, the former Union minister remarked.

at No comments:

Sensex takes off 537 pts; Nifty recovers 11,400-mark

Mumbai, May 17 The BSE Sensex soared 537 points and the NSE Nifty recovered the 11,400 level Friday in a broad based rally driven by banking and auto stocks ahead of exit poll results, despite global headwinds.

The 30-share BSE benchmark shut 537.29 points, or 1.44 percent, higher at 37,930.77. It hit an intra-day high of 38,001.13 and a low of 37,415.36.

So also, the more extensive Nifty rose 150.05 points, or 1.33 percent, to settle at 11,407.15. Amid the day, it hit a high of 11,426.15 and a low of 11,259.85.

In the Sensex pack, Bajaj Finance and Bajaj Auto wound up to 6.09 percent higher subsequent to posting solid quarterly numbers.

Legend MotoCorp, Maruti, Kotak Bank, HDFC, HUL, M&M, HDFC Bank, ITC, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Coal India, SBI, IndusInd Bank and Asian Paints were likewise among the top gainers, ascending to 4.26 percent.

Then again, Yes Bank, Vedanta, Infosys, HCL Tech, Sun Pharma, TCS and NTPC wound up to 2.36 percent lower.

Investors lapped up banking and auto stocks, boosting key indices, in front of the exit poll results scheduled for Sunday.

Broader indices followed the benchmarks, with the BSE mid-cap and small-cap indices settling in the green.

While Japanese stocks finished higher, bourses in China and Korea finished in the red in the midst of the US-China exchange struggle. European values too opened essentially lower.

The Indian rupee deteriorated by 16 paise to 70.20 against the US dollar intra-day.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.26 percent higher at USD 72.81 per barrel.

at No comments:

BJP pushed to corner, Cong furious as Godse centre of debate on last day of campaigning

New Delhi, May 17 As campaigning for the 2019 general elections wound down on Friday, the BJP was pushed into a corner and compelled to ask three of its leaders to clarify their remarks on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, as the Congress questioned the prime minister's silence on the row.

The Pandora's box opened on Thursday with BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate and Malegaon blast blamed Pragya Singh Thakur commending Godse as a "loyalist" and issuing an apology hours later saying she respected Gandhi and his work for the nation can't be forgotten.

As discussion seethed on the most recent day of battling, BJP president Amit Shah said the gathering has taken genuine note of the announcements from Union pastor Anantkumar Hegde, Pragya Thakur and its Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Stating that the remarks were against the party's ideology, Shah asked the party's disciplinary committee to submit a report on the issue in 10 days for further action.

"They have withdrawn their statements and also apologised. However, their comments are against the decency of open life and the BJP and furthermore against the gathering's belief system. Taking genuine note of their comments, the gathering has chosen to send them to the disciplinary committee," Shah said on Twitter.

The party went into damage control, sensing the remarks by the three could hurt the party's picture and its poll prospects in the last 59 seats that vote on Sunday. Throughout the most recent year or something like that, the BJP has been advancing itself as a torchbearer of Gandhi's standards and inheritance, which has for quite some time been the Congress area.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's quiet on Pragya's comments and said he can appeal to God for the nation.

In a tweet, Sibal stated, "When Sadhvi Pragya says: 'Godse a Deshbakht' and Modi is quiet with Vidyasagar's statue a casualty of the brutal I can petition God for my nation and expectation that one day the quiet lion's share will keep savagery under control."

His party colleague, former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, stepped into the discussion to state Godse,who killed the father of the nation in January 1948, was inspired by RSS ideology.

"Godse was inspired by Sangh Pariwar's belief system and so is Pragya. Former killed our Mahatma and the latter killed Mahatma's kids. Pragya who calls Godse a loyalist is embraced by @narendramodi Is this the indication of an endeavor to multiply Sangh's contempt based belief system," he tweeted.

As the row over Thakur's comments escalated, BJP's MP from Karnataka Nalin Kumar Kateel contrasted Godse and previous PM Rajiv Gandhi

"Godse executed one, Kasab murdered 72, Rajiv Gandhi slaughtered 17,000. You judge who is increasingly barbarous in this??" Kateel tweeted on Thursday, equating Godse, 26/11 convict Ajmal Kasab and Rajiv Gandhi.

Union minister Hegde, who also found himself in the news with a purported tweet justifying Godse's action, claimed his account was hacked.

"My Twitter account has been breached twice in the previous multi week and certain tweets have been posted on my course of events which has been disposed of and erased. Lament the presents credited on me."

"My account was hacked since yesterday. There is no doubt of legitimizing Gandhi ji's murder. There can be no sympathy or justification of Gandhi ji's murder. We as a whole have full regard for Gandhi ji's commitment to the country," he posted.

Prior, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) originator Kamal Haasan fed debate saying "free India's first fanatic was a Hindu", alluding to Godse.

"Dear MNM family and fans, this is an acid test for our etiquette and manner. Try not to tune in to their clamors and be drawn into their viciousness," the entertainer government official said in the midst of episodes, for example, throwing of stones and footwear amid his bypoll campaign in Chennai.

Campaigning for India's seven-phase elections ends on Friday evening. The last day of polling is May 19 and the votes will be counted on May 23.

at No comments:

Outsiders lure and threaten voters in Varanasi: Mayawati

Lucknow, May 17 BSP chief Mayawati Friday claimed that untouchables are being used to lure and threaten voters in Varanasi to guarantee a success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and inquired as to why the EC was not concentrating on the constituency.

Slamming the Election Commission, she asked why the poll body was not keeping a watch on Varanasi like it was doing in West Bengal.

In a tweet, Mayawati charged, "In a bid to guarantee that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins from Varanasi, outsiders are being used to lure and threaten voters. In this case, how can a free and impartial polls be held".

Varanasi will go to polls on May 19.

at No comments:

Thursday, 16 May 2019

PM Modi says TMC goondas broke Vidyasagar's statue, BJP govt will install his grand statue at the same spot

Mau (UP), May 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said his government was committed towards Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's vision and promised to install his grand statue at the same spot in Kolkata where it was vandalized by "TMC goondas".

While lashing out at Mamata Banerjee, the prime minister said he was going for a rally in Dum Dum later in the day but didn't know whether the West Bengal Chief Minister will enable his helicopter to land.

Addressing an election rally here, Modi said,"The statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was broken by TMC goondas during the road show of BJP President Amit Shah. Those involved in this act should be given strong punishment".

He said a great "panch dhatu" (made up of five metals) statue of Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar will be installed at a similar spot to give a befitting answer to TMC specialists.

Kolkata witnessed wide-spread viciousness amid BJP president Shah's enormous street show Tuesday. A bust of nineteenth century Bengali symbol Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was vandalized amid the savagery.

Hitting back at BSP supremo Mayawati, who had assaulted him over savagery in West Bengal, Modi stated, "The way wherein the West Bengal government has been focusing on UPiites, Biharis and those from Purvanchal, he thought Behenji will give a befitting reply but she is more concerned about power".

The prime minister said he is going to Bengal later in the day and added that "anarchy was spread by TMC workers during his earlier meetings there in West Midnapore and Thakurnagar".

"I have a rally in Dum. We should check whether Didi permits it, if she has her way she will not allow the helicopter to land, Modi said.

Lashing out at the SP-BSP alliance, he said those raising "Modi-hatao mottos are today frustrated.Uttar Pradesh has made their arithmetic all wrong and so their abuses have increased".

"Mahamilavatis want somehow to get 'khichdi' govt at Center which can be blackmailed for their needs," he said.

at No comments:

Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant named new brand ambassadors of Himalaya MEN

Bangalore, May 16 India cricket captain Virat Kohli and emerging wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant has been named as new official brand ambassadors of the nation's leading wellness firm, the Himalaya Drug Company.

Himalaya has signed Kohli and ICC Emerging Player of the Year 2018, Pant to promote its 'Men Face Care Range'.

In a first-of-its-kind commercial, both Kohli and Pant will be seen rapping to the most recent proposition by Himalaya MEN, "Looking Good And Loving It".

Commenting on the association, Kohli stated, "I am very excited to be a part of Team Himalaya and be the ambassador for their Men's Face Wash range. I have been a patron of Himalaya items for quite a while now."

Pant included: "Himalaya has helped individuals happier and healthier lives for over 88 years, and I am glad to be the brand ambassador for the Men's Grooming range of Himalaya.

at No comments:

Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence: Congress

New Delhi, May 16 Accusing the Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence, the Congress on Thursday said time has come to review the procedure of the poll panel's appointment.

Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the order prohibiting campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours is a "dim spot" on India's democracy and institutions like the Election Commission.

"Election Commission has totally abdicated its Constitutional duty under Art 324 to guarantee level playing field, other than discrediting the fair treatment under Article 14 and 21 of India's Constitution," he told reporters.

"The time has come to review the process of arrangement of Election Commission," he stated, calling for a national debate on the issue.

The Congress, a responsible political party, has never cast unwarranted aspersions on the actions of Constitutional bodies, Surjewala said.

"But we are deeply saddened to say that Election Commission of India has completely lost its independence and abdicated its Constitutional integrity," the Congress leader added.

at No comments:

Mamata Banerjee says thanks to Opposition for help against Election Commission's

Kolkata, May 16 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered her thanks to the Opposition parties for supporting her and speaking out against to Election Commission's 'biased' decision to cut short campaigning time in the state.

"Thanks and gratitude to Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Congress, Chandrababu Naidu and others for communicating solidarity and backing to us and the general population of Bengal. EC's one-sided activities under the headings of the BJP are an immediate assault on vote based system. People will give a befitting reply," Mamata tweeted on Thursday morning not long after Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati charged that the West Bengal chief minister is being targeted as a feature of a conspiracy to divert attention from failures of the Modi government.

"EC curtailed campaigning in West Bengal under strain from the central government," Mamata further said and included that it is "obvious that under present Chief Election Commissioner, Lok Sabha surveys are not being held in a thoroughly free and reasonable way."

The poll body on Wednesday night reported to summon Article 324 to reduce battling time in West Bengal by 24 hours in the wake of viciousness between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) specialists in Kolkata. The election campaign in West Bengal now ends on Thursday night at 10 pm, a day before its scheduled deadline.

"The decision to stop campaigning time isn't an EC decision. It is a BJP decision," Mamata had said at a press conference soon after EC announced the decision.

"I have never seen an Election Commission this way. They can send me a showcause see for saying this yet I am prepared for 50 showcause notices because I need to uphold Bangla respect. They can't utilize Article 324 here on the grounds that there is no peace issue. It is untrustworthy, unconstitutional. EC has RSS men," she included.

Rallying behind Mamata, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the EC's choice to cancel battling in West Bengal is "against all standards of majority rule reasonable play" and tweeted that he "completely supports Mamata in her battle."

Congress also came down heavily on EC and blamed it for losing its believability and freedom.

Congress' accused Randeep Surjewala said the order is a "dark spot" on India's democracy.

"The time has arrived to review the process of arrangement of Election Commission," he stated, requiring a national discussion on the issue.

The Congress, a responsible political party, has never cast unwarranted aspersions on the actions of Constitutional bodies, Surjewala said.

"But we are deeply saddened to say that Election Commission of India has completely lost its independence and abdicated its Constitutional integrity," the Congress leader added

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in a series of tweets slammed the EC and BJP.

BJP and TMC workers had clashed in Kolkata after Amit Shah's roadshow on Tuesday. Acts of violence and arson had been seen with the both parties blaming each other for it. A statue of Bengali writer and philosopher Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was also vandalised during the violence

at No comments:

Mayawati backs Mamata, says Modi-Shah targeting her is 'risky and unjust

UP, May 16 Expressing solidarity with West Bengal Chief Mamata Banerjee, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati lashed out at the RSS and the BJP blaming them of orchestrating violence in the state.

"It is clear that PM Modi, Amit Shah and their leaders are targeting Mamata Banerjee, its planned targeting. This is a very dangerous and unjust trend and one which sometimes falls short for the PM of the nation," said Mayawati on Thursday.

"The Election Commission has banned in West Bengal, yet from 10 pm today because PM has two rallies in the day. In the event that they needed to ban, at that point why not from today morning? This is unreasonable and EC is acting under pressure," she included.

In first such action in India's electoral history, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies to end at 10 pm on Thursday, a day before its scheduled deadline in the wake of violence between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers in Kolkata. Strongly condemning the act of violence, the EC conjured Article 324 and took the choice to confine battling time in the nine parliamentary seats in West Bengal - Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbor, South and North Kolkata.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of carefully planning a "strategy" to create ruckus in the express, the pformer UP chief minister stated, "Bengal has been in the news as far back as Lok Sabha poll dates were reported. The RSS and BJP is behind this"

The BSP boss cases that this is to occupy voters from Modi's inadequacies.

Banerjee later took to Twitter to thank Mayawati and other Opposition leaders for their support.

"Thanks and gratitude to @Mayawati, @yadavakhilesh, @INCIndia, @ncbn and others for expressing solidarity and support to us and the people of #Bengal. EC's one-sided activities under the bearings of the #BJP are an immediate attack on democracy. people will give a befitting reply,"she tweeted.

Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav are slated to address a joint rally in PM Modi's constituency demographic Varanasi on Thursday to seek votes for gathbandhan (alliance) candidate Shalini Yadav.

at No comments:

Rupee rises 9 paise to 70.25 vs USD in early trade

Mumbai, May 16 The rupee appreciated marginally by 9 paise to 70.25 against the US dollar in opening trade Thursday, driven by weakening of the greenback in overseas markets and positive opening in domestic equities.

Forex dealers stated, weakening of the American currency in the overseas markets supported the rupee, while rising crude prices, US-China trade concerns and foreign fund outflows weighed on the domestic currency.

The rupee opened at 70.26 at the interbank forex advertise, and touched a high of 70.25, displaying gains of 9 paise over its last close.

The nearby unit in any case, pared a few gains and was exchanging at 70.28 at 0957 hrs.

The rupee Wednesday had acknowledged 10 paise and shut down at 70.34 against the US dollar.

Then, remote institutional financial specialists net sold values worth Rs 1,142.44 crore on Wednesday, temporary information accessible with stock trades appeared.

Brent rough fates, the worldwide oil benchmark, rose 0.57 percent to USD 72.18 per barrel.

Domestic equity benchmarks BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty started on a tepid note Thursday. The 30-share index was exchanging 8.25 focuses, or 0.02 percent, higher at 37,123.13. The more extensive NSE Nifty was also trading 2.05 points, or 0.02 percent, up at 11,159.05.

On the global front, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banishing American companies from installing the foreign made telecom equipment esteemed a national security danger, a move evidently went for forbidding Chinese giant Huawei from US networks.

The decision taken on Wednesday risks escalating tensions with China as the world's two biggest economies conflict about whether Huawei the world's biggest supplier of media communications gear represents a spying danger to Western framework systems.

at No comments:

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 15.5.2019

at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

PM Modi: Congress insulted voters by questioning BJP's huge win

New Delhi, June 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday blamed the Congress for offending voters of the nation by questioning the massive ...