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Discordant notes in BJP on Modi’s turf
Change the govt if you want a change: Modi
Rahul mocks BJP’s doublespeak
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Haryanavis shower love on Rahul
No evil force can stop me, says Kejriwal
Not many takers for Congress’ Jat reservation card
After decade, TDP returns to NDA fold
It’s about riots, Modi ‘wave’ in western UP
RJD manifesto tries to woo minorities
campaign trail :Deepender singh hooda
In Muzaffarnagar, Mulayam defends govt on riots
Tie-up only for LS, not
Assembly poll: Lalu
All Muslim bodies supporting Cong, says PC
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Discordant notes in BJP on Modi’s turf
Ahmedabad, April 6 The Congress, being on a slippery ground, might not invoke protests from sections denied the party ticket while the new-entrant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) might even find it difficult to name 26 credible candidates in Modi's Gujarat. BJP’s troubles
Despite Modi's grip over the organisation in the state, the BJP was the worst hit, probably because the winnability of its candidates was rated the highest and every aspirant believed that a BJP ticket this time would be a sure passage to the Lok Sabha. Ticket allotment
Barring Vadodara where Modi himself is the BJP candidate and to some extent Gandhinagar from where veteran leader LK Advani will be seeking re-election, dissatisfaction over the choice of candidates surfaced almost in every constituency, including the seats where sitting members have been expectedly re-nominated. Sources admitted that the Advani camp was still feeling concerned but believed that in the battle where every seat would count to take the BJP towards the magic figure of 272, Modi would not risk it in Gujarat. Ahmedabad (East), Bardoli, Navsari, Mehsana, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kutch and a host of other seats also witnessed resentment from a section of the party workers. An entire town of Dehgam, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city, shut down for a day in protest against the denial of ticket to its seven-time winning candidate Harin Pathak, a former minister of state under Advani in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The MP and his large entourage of supporters publicly vowed to work for the defeat of the "unwanted" candidate in Valsad. Turncoats vs loyalists
One of the reasons for the large-scale dissatisfaction in the BJP rank and file over the selection of candidates was the fact that in many places, Modi chose to ignore the sincere and loyal party leaders and relied heavily on the Congress turncoats who have joined the party recently, some of them being as new as only last month. At least 11 of the 26 Lok Sabha candidates, and four of the seven nominees for the state Assembly, which will also go to bypoll along with the General Election, have their roots in the Congress, several of them having joined the BJP only a couple of days before the polling dates were announced by the Election Commission on March 5. Breaking Cong cadre
Realising that number of seats rather than a clean slate would be more important to achieve his goal of occupying the prime minister's office, Modi adopted the shortcut of weakening the Congress in the state rather than strengthening his own party. He launched massive poaching operation to bring over to the BJP the Congress workers, leaders and its elected representatives at all levels with or without incentives. Besides breaking some of the Congress-controlled municipalities and panchayat bodies, some half-a-dozen Congress members of the state Assembly were lured into the BJP, giving the already weak Congress a further blow. Most of them have been rehabilitated with BJP ticket either for the Lok Sabha or the state Assembly by-elections, thus hurting the sincere party workers who have disapproved giving importance to defectors at the cost of loyalists. Cong flays poaching
Modi's action also helped the Congress leaders to launch a frontal attack on him, pointing out how "hollow" was his claim of being the "most acclaimed leader of the six crore Gujaratis". The former leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Shaktisinh Gohil, who is contesting the Abdasa state Assembly by-election in Kutch district, raised a pertinent question as to why the Chief Minister had to launch the poaching operation if his claim of a "pro-Modi storm" blowing across the state was true? Some elements within the BJP unhappy over Modi's poaching moves have also privately consented with Gohil's remarks. Even before the process of filing of nominations began, several BJP candidates kicked up controversies with its Rajkot nominee Mohan Kundariya facing investigation at the behest of human rights commission for walking on the "human bridge" made by some yoga students. His claim that he performed the "act" only at the request of the students who wanted to demonstrate their yoga skills has been refuted by the organisers of the yoga camp who claimed that building of the human bridge was not in the agenda and that they were not aware why such a demonstration was given. In Ahmedabad (East), its Bollywood actor-turned- candidate Paresh Raval is facing a series of complaints for alleged violation of model code of conduct, including one for promoting his upcoming Hindi films during electioneering. Modi's policy to give ticket to Congress defectors has brought Poonam Madam to face her own uncle and sitting Congress MP Vikram Madam in Jamnagar while Bardoli in south Gujarat will witness a "guru-shishya" contest, Prabhu Vasava challenging his political mentor, Union Minister of State Tushar Chaudhary. In fact, except for Vasava, who recently crossed over to the BJP, his entire family is still with the Congress. Showdown in Congress
Modi's attempts to lure away Congressmen have also provoked movements in the reverse direction, but only at a very slow pace. So far, only two former BJP MLAs have crossed over to the Congress but the party, despite its low popularity rate, had faced problems of its own. While in some of the seats such as Vadodara, Surat, Gandhinagar and a few other pre-dominantly urban seats, the party initially had to face an embarrassing situation of not being able to find suitable ticket-seekers, in many other constituencies, the Congress, too, faced rebellion from amongst its rank and file over selection of candidates. A large section of office-bearers of the Banaskantha district Congress committee staged a "dharna" right inside the party office in Palanpur with a placard "Joitaram Patel nathi joita" (Joitaram Patel is not wanted) to press their demand for replacing him with a candidate representing the backward classes. The supporters of one of the aspirants for the Ahmedabad (West) seat, a retired police officer, vandalised the state Congress headquarter in Ahmedabad, the entire "Thakore" community strongly resisting the nomination of a "Patel" candidate for the Ahmedabad (East) seat while protests were held for days together in front of the Congress office here and in Surat to oppose the nomination of a former youth leader, Maqsood Mirza, for the Navsari seat. His critics claim that Mirza was not only a totally unknown face even in his own community but he would also be no match for the BJP strongman and sitting MP CR Patil who is seeking re-election. The party, however, has refused to reconsider the move probably because Mirza was considered to be close to party national vice-president Rahul Gandhi. AAP no exception
Even the political minnows the AAP had to face rebellion within its ranks over the candidature of Atul Shekhada, a social activist, for the Junagadh seat. A large number of party workers sent representations right up to its chief Arvind Kejriwal demanding his removal while pointing out that he would not have the heart to contest against the BJP as he was a strong follower of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev who was campaigning for Modi. But the party refused to budge. The leaders of the contesting parties, however, claim that such discordant notes would not adversely impact the prospects of their candidates and express the confidence that all the differences would be swept under the carpet once the electioneering begins in full swing.
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Change the govt if you want a change: Modi
Bijnore/Aligarh, April 6 The BJP PM candidate also targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav accusing them of indulging in vote bank politics and "misleading" Muslims. "The Congress has two soldiers in Uttar Pradesh. These people from the Congress, SP and BSP are indulging in World Wrestling Federation fights that you see on TV. These people indulge in stage managed fights in Lucknow, but they come together to grab power in Delhi," he said while addressing a rally in Bijnore. The BJP leader said the people have even before elections voiced the need for change and this time, "even the CBI cannot save the UPA government in these elections." Asking people to provide a strong majority to the BJP in the coming elections, he said the voters should ensure victory of BJP and NDA candidates and get them at least 300 seats. "If the teacher is weak, even kids don't like to go to school. So, make sure that the country gets a strong government and not a weak one. Please ensure that BJP gets more than 300 seats," Modi said. He reminded the voters that they have elected rulers for the last 60 years but "this time you elect a servant for next 60 months and I promise to do things which they have not done in last 60 years." At a rally in Aligarh, Modi blameed Sonia and Mulayam for communal clashes in the country, saying "700 riots took place right under the nose of Madam Soniaji in the past one year and 250 of them took place right here under Netaji (Yadav) in UP.” — PTI
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Rahul mocks BJP’s doublespeak
Sirsa/Panipat, April 6 Addressing an election rally on the HUDA ground in Sirsa and later in Panipat, Rahul said the saffron party leaders talked of wiping out corruption, but tied-up with tainted leaders in various states for electoral benefits. During his first visit to Haryana ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Rahul sought votes for Congress nominee and state unit president Ashok Tanwar in Sirsa and for Arvind Sharma in Panipat. "BJP leaders say they will end corruption if voted to power, but they are blindfolded to the extent of corruption in the states ruled by their party. In Karnataka, they embraced Yeddyurappa, who remained in jail for corruption. They do not see corruption in mining in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh," Rahul said, adding that the Congress-led UPA government had initiated many steps to weed out corruption. "We gave the country the Right to Information Act," he said, adding that five Bills moved by the UPA to bring transparency in the system had been stalled by the BJP saying that these were "Rahul Gandhi's Bills". He said the BJP came up with a new slogan every time the parliamentary elections approached. "In 2004, it coined "India Shining", but the balloon burst. In 2009, it brought a sequel "India Shining 2", but that, too, fell flat. This time, they have found another balloon and filled it with gas called Gujarat Model and want to sell it to voters. But this, too, will rip apart," Rahul said while appreciating Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's "Haryana model", claiming it was far better than Gujarat. In Panipat while trying to woo women electors, Rahul accused the saffron party of blocking passage of the Women Reservation Bill and said: "Our party will continue its struggle for the legislation that seeks to reserve 33 per cent seats in Parliament and state Assemblies for women." Listing achievements of the UPA, Rahul said the Congress had a definite plan to improve its own track record, unlike the BJP, which was yet to come out with a manifesto. Stating that Haryana had risen from the 14th position to number one after he became the Chief Minister in 2005, Hooda flayed the 'Gujarat model of development'. While Tanwar said projects worth Rs 40,000 crore had been approved for Sirsa during his five-year term, Sharma in Panipat listed out his achievements at a rally addressed by Congress general secretary and Haryana affairs in charge Shakeel Ahmed among others.
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Haryanavis shower love on Rahul
Panipat, April 6 The 10-minute speech in Hindi said it all — a pat for Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's development plan, lashing out at the BJP for being "anti-progress" and "anti-women" and his party's promises to 70 crore Indians striving to be part of the middle class. Supporters from in and around Panipat saw a "mature" Congress vice-president coming a long way from his first television interview a few weeks ago. He was poised, had his punctuations in place and repeatedly provoked those in attendance to periodically raise slogans such as "Rahul Gandhi zindabad", "Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Arvind Sharma zindabad". The synergy from the crowds forced him to comment: "Aap mein bahut josh hai (You have a lot of enthusiasm)." There was, however, a striking contrast in the scene at the HUDA ground around noon, when most of the chairs at the venue were empty. Organisers discovered that lot of people had come to the venue, but did not enter the pandal. Reason? Their love for "bidi". The security personnel had asked them to leave their "bidi" bundles and matchsticks out for security reasons, but they preferred skipping the rally over parting with their "bidis". Finally, Arvind Sharma, Congress nominee from Panipat, announced that those who let go of their "bidi" would be treated to "hooka". Once a message went to the security personnel to allow "bidi" and keep the matchsticks, the pandal just swelled. Once at ease, the audience and Rahul were almost in conversation. "It is natural for me to seek votes for my son Deepender Hooda (contesting from Rohtak), but I request you to give Arvind Sharma a bigger victory margin than Deepender. The fate of three historic battles was decided here. It is here that you will set a trend to decide the fate of Haryana," Hooda said. Rahul said, if voted to power, he would push 70 crore below middle class and above poverty line Indians into the middle class. Naming the BJP four times in 10 minutes, he indicated whom he considered his main rival in the General Election.
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In holy city, they cross swords in name of development
Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley is locked in a tough electoral battle in the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency with former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. In an exclusive interview to
Perneet Singh, they talk about their plans for the border constituency.
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No evil force can stop me, says Kejriwal
New Delhi, April 6 Claiming that his party was the only solution to an unjust system, Kejriwal said he showed the "true meaning of sacrifice" when he quit the Chief Minister's post in February this year. "How will people who roam around in cavalcades and speak only on well-decorated podiums, know the true value of sacrifice? In the current times, when even a chowkidar (watchman) does not leave his job, I left the chair of power. That requires courage. Our party is the only solution to an unjust system," Kejriwal said during a road show in New Delhi. Kejriwal said he was undeterred by the attacks and would continue his fight till the "last breadth" and that "no evil force" could stop his party. "I was hit with eggs, ink. My car was smashed with iron rod. Why Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi are not hit? They have a setting among themselves and we are the ones to be threatened," he said. "We gave our word for cut in power rates and free water, but our policies were withdrawn. If we could do it, why can't the ruling government do it?" Kejriwal said. — PTI
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Not many takers for Congress’ Jat reservation card
Jhajjar, April 6 Jats say inflation, corruption and development are more important issues. Getting reservation is not significant for Jats in Haryana, but it has become an issue for the backward caste voters who are opposing the government's move, saying that reservation was not required for Jats as most of them were in a comfortable position. "The reservation issue could not transform into a poll issue in Haryana as Jats are confused over the reservation benefits. It is not clear whether they will get the OBC status following the Supreme Court notice to the Centre," said OP Dhankhar, a khap leader and chief of the Dhankhar Sabha Haryana. He said a few Jat leaders motivated by the Congress were distributing unsigned copies of a gazetted notification raising doubts over its authenticity. These leaders were unsuccessfully trying to create political atmosphere in favour of the Congress, Dhankhar added. Deepak Rathi, national spokesman for the Akhil Bharatiya Aadarsh Jat Mahasabha, said: "The Congress cannot take the advantage of the Jat reservation as it is not a poll issue here." Virender Hooda, a resident of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's native village Sanghi in Rohtak, said: "The Congress' timing of rasing the reservation issue was perfect — just before Lok Sabha elections. Why the Congress-led government kept sitting on it for eight years?" Manoj Yadav, a student in Rewari, said: "The issue will backfire on the Congress as people belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) have been resisting the unfair move of the government which violated the basic principles for ensuring the OBC status to Jats with an intention to gain political mileage. The Congress will have to pay the price for it in the polls." Rahul Sharma, a social activist in Hisar, said: "Jats are already getting benefits due to their political dominance in the state. Reservation is irrelevant for them." Kamal Sehrawat, a resident of Gangerwa village in Jhajjar, said: "We will vote for the Congress if the Supreme Court gives a green signal to reservation.” Litany of agitationMarch 2008: The All-India Jat Mahasabha raised the demand in Jind 2009: The All-India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti formed Sept 2010: The AIJASS blocked rail traffic on Delhi-Hisar track in Mayyar village during which a youngster died March 2011: The AIJASS resumed stir at Mayyar which spread to the adjoining districts and 13 railway tracks were blocked by Jats Oct 2011: The AIJASS split in two groups March 2012: A youngster died in police firing during clashes at Ramyana village Aug 2012: The Sarv Jat Khap Mahapanchayat took the charge of the agitation in Jind Dec 2012: The state government accorded special backward status and 10% quota to five castes, including Jats Sept 2013: The AIJASS and khaps warned to resume stir 3 March 2014: The Union Cabinet cleared an ordinance paving the way for Jat reservation in govt jobs Apex court notice to Centre The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Union government over its decision to include the Jats in the central list of OBCs in nine states. The SC asked the Centre to bring records to show there was proper consideration of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) report to reject its recommendation against inclusion of Jats in the list of OBCs. The NCBC had objected to the recommendation, saying Jats are a forward community, mostly of zamindars. The SC directed Centre to place before it the entire material/files on a decision to bring Jats under OBC category.
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After decade, TDP returns to NDA fold
Hyderabad, April 6 The seat-sharing agreement was finalised by the two parties, capping weeks of hard bargaining and wrangling over the number and choice of constituencies. The announcement was made by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Naresh Gujral who played the role of a mediator. "We have taken the decision to join hands with the BJP in the interests of the nation. The time has come to rid the country of the Congress whose 10-year rule has ruined the country in all aspects," Naidu said. The TDP president showered praises on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying the entire country, irrespective of communities and region, was looking up to him to provide good governance. "Now, our goal is to see that the NDA bags 300-plus seats. We will provide a corruption-free government. The nation is waiting for the NDA to do it. The public perception about Modi is that he is pro-development," Naidu said. According to the seat-sharing agreement, hammered out after prolonged negotiations, the BJP has been offered eight Lok Sabha and 47 Assembly seats in Telangana which accounts for 17 Lok Sabha and 119 Assembly constituencies. In Seemandhra, the saffron party will contest five Lok Sabha and 15 Assembly seats out of the total of 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly constituencies. Though the agreement has been reached by the top leaders, there have been protests in both the regions by the BJP and TDP cadres against the tie-up and the choice of certain seats. In fact, the presidents of all the 10 Telangana district units of the BJP have threatened to quit if the central leadership went ahead with the tie-up with the TDP. The state BJP chief G Kishan Reddy himself is said to be opposed to the alliance. Similarly, TDP leaders staged protests against the allotment of certain constituencies in the adjoining Ranga Reddy district to the BJP. Appealing to the party cadre to cooperate and to work with a spirit of accommodation for the success of the alliance, Naidu said the list of candidates would be announced in a day or two. By forging alliance with the BJP, the political pendulum of the TDP has swung from the Left to the Right. In the 2009 General Election, the regional party had a tie-up with Left parties —CPI and CPM. The TDP-BJP alliance is being revived after a decade. Naidu was a key national player during the NDA regime with his party providing crucial outside support to the BJP-led alliance from 1998 to 2004. However, he ended the alliance with the BJP after losing power in the 2004 elections. Since then, Naidu has been attempting an image makeover by publicly expressing regret for aligning with the BJP and had even apologised to the minorities for committing the "biggest mistake of his life." On several occasions in the recent past, Naidu vowed not to join hands with the "communal" BJP again. Goes back on word
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It’s about riots, Modi ‘wave’ in western UP
Meerut/Muzaffarnagar/Shamli, April 6 In Muzaffarnagar on Friday, BSP chief Mayawati urged Muslims to avoid splitting of votes and support her party’s candidates to “prevent BJP from coming to power”. She may not have said so in as many words but behenji’s message was loud and clear —that Muslims have to come together to ensure that the BJP, primarily Modi, does not come to power. Communal riots in Muzaffarnagar saw over 60 persons killed and nearly 40,000 displaced. Aftershocks are still being felt across Muzaffarnagar, Kairana, Bijnour, Saharanpur, Meerut, Amroha and Bulandshahar. Victims are taking clear positions — Hindus for the BJP and Muslims for the Samajwadi Party or the Bahujan Samajwadi Party — and so are the voters. Sixty-year-old Vikram Singh Baliyan of village Shoran says that the cuts are deep and not likely to heal for a long time. The losers in this polarisation is the Congress and ally Ajit Singh’s RLD, whose major support base is located in the Jat belt. With her trusted voter bank — Dalits — showing signs of a split in favour of Modi, Mayawati’s worries are genuine. Consider this: Enroute to Muzaffarnagar from Meerut is Mansoorganj. Rakhi is one of those from the nearby village who has found livelihood in a food complex located on the National Highway. She belongs to the Balmiki community. Ask her whom she will vote for, she says “the man from Delhi.” Who this man is, she does not know. Give her some options - Rahul Gandhi, Modi - and she quickly opts for the latter. She does not know who the BJP candidate from her constituency is but “Modi will protect us,” she says. Containing Modi ‘wave’
Junaid Ahmad, an advertising executive, says “The division this time is not on basis of caste but religion. Perceived BJP edge may see Muslims opting for tactical voting to defeat Modi. The fight is between those who want Modi and those who do not want him. The Muslim turnout may rise to contain the ‘Modi wave’. To sum it up- riots are the factor number one and “Modi-wave” factor number two affecting these elections. The fact that they are interrelated is more than a coincidence. General belief, therefore, is that just before the elections on April 10 - a message will be flashed through the community to ensure that a large percentage votes in favour of one candidate - anyone among BSP, SP and Congress-RLD combine - so that division among Muslim votes does not work in favour of Modi. With traditional caste and vote banks splitting, it is the sizable Muslim population, around 20%, which will play a decisive role in the state that sends 80 candidates to the Lok Sabha. In affected regions of Muzaffarnagar, Kairana, Bijnour, Sharanpur, their percentage ranges between 30 to 40 per cent. Parties have selected candidates accordingly. The BSP candidate in Muzaffarnagar is sitting MP Kadir Rana, who was charge-sheeted for provoking communal tension with inflammatory speeches during a Muslim community panchayat. Kunwar Hassan is Mayawati’s candidate for Kairana. In Saharanpur, she has Jagdish Singh Rana and in Bijnour Malook Nagar to gain on Hindus. Despite her star power, RLD candidate Jaya Prada does not seem to have much chance in Bijnour. The SP has fielded mostly Muslim candidates in affected regions - Shahnawaz Rana in Bijnour, Nahid Hassan in Kairana and Shahzad Masood in Saharanpur. Masood is incidentally the cousin of Congress candidate Imran Massod, famous for making the anti-Modi speech. BJP’s candidates
BJP’s candidates Sanjeev Baliyan (Muzaffarnagar) and Hukum Singh (Kairana) were part of a mahapanchayat which was held despite prohibitory orders. Kunwar Bhartendu Singh, accused of inciting riots, is the party candidate in the neigbouring Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency. It is now to be seen how the RLD scores amid this sharp religion-based polarisation. “Elders may side with Ajit Singh but the younger lot is in favour of Modi. It will not be easy for Ajit Singh this time, even in Baghpat,” says Baliyan. Enroute to Shamli is village Palra where victims from Kutba village have bought land to settle down. Mohammad Zafar Siddiqui says that his group will vote for SP candidate Virender Singh. The fact that he is not a Muslim does not matter, he says. “The BJP is responsible for the riots. We have to keep Modi out,” he says.
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RJD manifesto tries to woo minorities
Patna, April 6 The manifesto promises ending the contractual system of employment in the state and regularising teachers, anganwadi sevikas, assistants, computer operators, drivers, engineers, doctors, home guards and others working on contract. Foremost among its poll promises, the RJD said it would provide reservation to the minority community in jobs and educational opportunities in government and semi-government institutions. Releasing the party manifesto, RJD president Lalu Prasad said: "Apart from reservation to the minority community in jobs and education, we will also bring changes in Article 341 to ensure Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians." The RJD manifesto also promises to implement the suggestions of Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra Committee for the minorities. Urdu teachers will be compulsorily appointed in private schools and an anti-riot force with proper representation of minorities in it would be formed. "The cases of Muslim youths who are languishing in jail for a long time in the name of terrorism will be reviewed and efforts will be made to provide justice to them," Prasad said. The RJD said it would provide reservation to people belonging to Extremely Backward Castes (EBC) in private sector and judicial services. The party promised to initiate efforts to provide SC and ST status to 14 castes in EBC category, including boatmen, barbers, carpenters, potters, gardeners and ironsmiths. — PTI
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campaign trail
:Deepender singh hooda Reaches out to voters through letters, telephone calls and media; electorate visits him to assure support Sunit Dhawan Tribune News Service
Rohtak, April 6 His poll campaign stands out for its remarkable feature. Instead of Deepender going to electors, they are visiting him and assuring him support. He is unable to go in the field due to spinal disorder. He has been reaching out to the voters through open letters, telephone calls and the media. Deepender's father and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, mother Asha and wife Shweta are also campaigning for him. The incumbent MP is undergoing treatment at AIIMS and has been advised bed rest. A number of people from Rohtak and other parliamentary constituencies visit his Delhi residence and assure him of their support. Bed-ridden Deepender starts his day around 7 am by going through newspapers. He meets visitors between 9 am and 2 pm. "I have come to enquire about Deepender's health," says 78-year-old Rampal, an ex-serviceman from Khidwali village. After a brief lunch-cum-therapy break, Deepender holds media interactions. An acupressure expert attends to him simultaneously. Deepender has a pair of special spectacles which enable him to look at the visitor seated beside him without lifting or moving his neck. He also has an LCD screen near his bed. Maintaining eye contact with mediapersons, the young Congress leader explains how confident he is of a third successive victory on the basis of his approach and work in the constituency. "Even loyal voters other parties visit me. I feel satisfied when they bless me for the work done in their area during my tenure," he says Deepender. The slot after the post-lunch media interactions is again occupied by visitors, and continues till late in the evening. Around 7.30 pm, Deepender starts telephoning electors in own constituency as well as other Lok Sabha segments to assess their mood and motivate them to vote for the congress. The phone calls stretch to past midnight. Meanwhile, a small team of professionals takes care of the social media and networking campaign on the instructions of the young leader. "He could have been a star campaigner for the Congress across the state had he been fit to canvass, but as luck would have it, he was confined to bed at the outset of the poll process," says Ajay Singhania, a supporter. Deepender's mother Asha Hooda has been extensively touring the Rohtak constituency along with local Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra and other party leaders to ensure his victory. His father Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other family members are also putting in their efforts to personally cover the entire constituency.
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One can't even blame the PM as there was always a super PM and super super PM.The charge sheet released by BJP amply brings out the facts Congress' 1 point programme is to facilitate the Son Rise in Delhi. The Nation is secondary…only the Son's career must be safe. Very sad. Would all Modi/ VHP/BJP acolytes pl now realise what VHP/BJP can do to attain Political power? They are ruthless power hungry lot. All this “ab key baar” is nothing but attyachar (torture) I am a regular reader of @TheEconomist I believe readers deserve better. Far better. PTs : Scan for all US and European "liberal" media for anti Namo articles & edits. Mafia &Al Qaeda are also desperate, so we need to decode Only 1% schools in Amethi comply with the Right to Education Act (RTE), lowest in Uttar
Pradesh.
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In Muzaffarnagar, Mulayam defends govt on riots
Muzaffarnagar, April 6 He claimed that Rs 115-crore assistance was given to victims unlike in Gujarat where "not a single rupee" was spent by Narendra Modi for 2002 riots affected. Addressing a rally in the western UP district that will go to the polls on April 10, he said that no party would gain majority in the elections. The Third Front would form the government and the SP would emerge as the largest party, he said. With SP government under attack for handling of communal riots that left over 60 persons dead and thousands of others homeless, he claimed the administration had successfully controlled the violence in two days. "The SP government provided an assistance of Rs 115 crore to riot victims. Such a big amount was never distributed as relief to riot victims. The Gujarat Government had not given a single rupee to the riot victims but the UP Government has distributed relief amount without any discrimination," the former UP CM said. — PTI Tall claims
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Tie-up only for LS, not
Assembly poll: Lalu
Patna, April 6 "The electoral alliance was only for Lok Sabha seats, and not for Legislative Assembly seats. We will put our candidates on five Assembly seats. There will be a friendly fight between us," Prasad told reporters today. Both parties have allied in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls with RJD contesting on 27 out of 40 seats in Bihar with the Congress fighting on 12 seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been given one seat in the alliance. Kochadhaman, Baisi, Chiraiya, Maharajganj and Sahebpur Kamal are the five assembly seats that are going to the polls concurrently with the General Election in the respective areas. Prasad also clarified that there had been "no talks about joint campaigning or dais sharing by both parties during the public rallies of Congress president Sonia Gandhi". The Congress has already declared its intention to contest all five Assembly seats despite its alliance with the RJD. Prasad also took potshots at Janata Dal (United), calling its manifesto 'a bundle of lies' and said the party was nowhere in the contest in the polls. — PTI No permanent friends
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All Muslim bodies supporting Cong, says PC
Chennai, April 6 "I welcome the support extended to our party by the Delhi Imam. Not only he, but all Muslims bodies are extending support to the Congress," he told reporters at the airport here. Bukhari, considered an influential religious leader, had last week appealed to Muslims to support the Congress and ensure that secular votes are not divided. Chidambaram also said he would campaign for all Congress candidates contesting the April 24 Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu. The minister has so far been focusing on electioneering in Sivaganga constituency, held by him and now allocated to his son Karti. Continuing his attack on Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for not "criticising Modi or the BJP," he said his accusation that the AIADMK was BJP's "B Team" was getting "proved”. — PTI
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SP, BJP responsible for UP riots: Ajit Singh Anti-AAP posters in Gujarat Ban on traffic from Nepal during polls
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Jhajjar, April 6
Rohtak, April 6
In Gandhinagar, though, the discordant notes surfaced from the candidate himself who was unwilling to contest from the seat he had won five times in the past. He feared alleged sabotage because of his frictions with Modi over naming him the prime ministerial candidate. Advani finally agreed to contest from Gandhinagar, but only after Modi assured him that ensuring victory would be his responsibility. 
