|
|
|
|
|
Hooda to voters: Let my son rise a 3rd time
Sops for Rohtak worry Congress
From kurtas to denims, netas become style icons
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
J&K set to take democracy test, once again
Beni Prasad booked for calling Modi ‘biggest goonda’ of RSS
AAP nominee against Sonia opts out of fray
Phase 2: Voting for 6 LS seats today
Graft, loot in Cong DNA: Modi
Ajit Singh, RLD struggle to retain grip over Jat stronghold of western UP
Gadkari-Damania feud livens up the contest in Nagpur
BJP leader Ashok Pradhan joins SP
Paresh Rawal richest candidate in Gujarat
|
|
Hooda to voters: Let my son rise a 3rd time
Rohtak, April 8 The party flags flutter atop shops and homes and are waved by supporters at the first sighting of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's 'rath', an improvised Swaraj Mazda. As it halts to acknowledge the cheering supporters, it is surrounded by the waiting crowd surging like the sea waters that rush in to occupy the empty space. The sounds of the beating 'dhol' greet Hooda as he is "lifted" from inside his 'rath' to the top. Seeks votes for his son
It's an age-no-bar medley as the young and old, children and women look up to him. Though he is two hours behind schedule and they have been waiting in the sun a bit too long, the discomfort is forgotten in the euphoria he generates. Hooda has chosen to canvass for his son and Congress nominee from the Rohtak seat Deepender Hooda, before campaigning ends today evening in Haryana which goes to polls on April 10. As Hooda waves back to "his people" from the rath, Deepender's message - a simple appeal to vote for his work - plays in the background. With Deepender unable to campaign following a back problem, Hooda is standing in for him. He begins his speech to a loud applause from the crowd and instantly strikes a chord with those present. "The Chautalas say they will shift the 'raj' to Sirsa. Another former Chief Minster's son (in an obvious reference to HJC chief Kuldeep Bishnoi) says he will take the 'raj' to Hisar. I want to tell them that you people have given me the 'raj'. I won't let it go. You perform your duty and vote for Deepender and I will do my duty of bringing back the government the third time," he says, accompanied by local leaders. Some villagers clamour to get a peek inside his 'rath'. They have brought food and salad, 'churma' and 'lassi' for Hooda. His nephew accepts it graciously despite the increasing stock lest he break their heart. As the CM 'descends' back after his address and security personnel make way for his motorcade to proceed, marigolds are showered and garlands are flung at him as he waves a final goodbye from his window. 40 meetings in a day
Having clocked over 6,000 kms (holding 40 meetings a day on an average) since it began rolling a day after nominations ended on March 23, he says the reception is as warm wherever he has gone. He leaves Diggal behind as his 'rath' moves on along dusty village lanes but strapping youngsters on zipping motorbikes haven't hand enough of him. They race the wind to lead and handover the carcade to the next village. Not on the itinerary, Hooda makes an unscheduled stopover, like many others, at Gochhi. People wearing T-shirts with Deepender stickers or draped in Congress flags or wearing caps, some even hidden behind Deepender masks declaring "mai Deepender" across their shirts, scramble to hold his hand, catch a glimpse and catch his eye. Each vote is important and the public is the king. Hooda realises this and urges the supporters to vote in large numbers this election and help Deepender better last election's record margin and his procession proceeds. Women receive special acknowledgement as the caravan proceeds and the same story of frenzy and enthusiasm repeats itself wherever he goes. Cong will repeat performance
"I have been welcomed with open arms all over the state, in every constituency. We will repeat the 2004 and 2009 performance and win nine seats. We may even win all 10," he remarks, refusing to admit anti-incumbency and the Narendra Modi wave despite knowing the real picture. However, he is cautious when he speaks of factionalism at the local level. "They are all working for the Congress," he says, dismissing that there is any trouble in the Congress paradise. While he insists that the people are fighting the Rohtak election for his son, he admits missing Deepender during the hectic campaigning schedule. "He was missed in Karnal, Kurukshetra and in other constituencies where he campaigned in the last elections," he remarks. As he heads for a road show in Rohtak city to wrap up the campaign, he rejects the idea that criss-crossing the state can be tiring. The people's love, he says, keeps him going as he readies for another address and another crowd.
|
|
Sops for Rohtak worry Congress
Chandigarh, April 8 The allegations of Rohtak-centric development have kept Hooda on his toes during his tenure. Even senior Congress leaders, including Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh, who later joined the BJP, and former Union Minister Kumari Selja, alleged disparity in development works in their areas. "The other areas of the state witnessed zero development at the cost of Rohtak, represented by the CM’s son Deepinder. The selective approach in development of the state will cost the Congress dear in the April 10 Lok Sabha elections," state BJP president Ram Bilas Sharma said. National spokesman of the INLD KC Bangar said: "Nearly 74 per cent of the total state budget is spent on salaries, pensions and other expenses. Only 26 per cent budget is left for development.” He said all roads leading to and from Rohtak were toll roads constructed by private contractors and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). "The Hooda government cannot pat itself on the back for these roads. "The people have been burdened with toll tax," he claimed. Congress spokesman Ran Singh Mann, however, refuted the allegation claiming that inclusive growth had been the hallmark of the Hooda regime. A tour of different parts of the state revealed the pitiable condition of roads and other infrastructure. While the Rohtak-Kalanaur stretch on the Rohtak-Bhiwani road was four-laned with streetlights dotting the highway, potholes greeted this correspondent from Kalanaur to Bhiwani. The situation on the Sohna-Nuh road was no different. Similarly, a drive on the NH-73 Panchkula-Yamunanagar highway was a nightmarish experience with potholes dotting the roads on regular intervals. The interior roads in Yamunanagar district were the worst. Development divide
Information procured by RTI activist PP Kapoor from the CM’s office from 2005 to 2012 reveals the development divide in the state. As many as 1,237 announcements were made in Rohtak district. Work on 1,082 projects had been completed and 58 are under progress. The CM announced 47 and 43 development projects for Panchkula and Yamunanagar, respectively, of which only 16 and 27 projects have been completed. Similarly, announcements for 813 works were made in the five districts of Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Faridabad and only 585 works were completed. However, in five Jat-dominated districts of Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajjar, Hisar and Bhiwani, 2,730 announcements were made out of which 1,975 works were completed and work on 297 projects was on. Vox populi
"Every day we see the CM and other state functionaries making tall claims about development in Haryana. However, there is nothing concrete to show on the ground. At least our area is yet to reap the fruits of development. Jobs have eluded the
youth." — Ram Diya, a resident of shamgarh (karnal)
|
|
From kurtas to denims, netas become style icons
As the 2014 poll campaign reaches a feverish pitch, apart from who said what, all eyes are trained on the dress quotient of the political brigade. Call it the television multiplier or the innate human desire to look good, more and more politicians are paying heed to how they fare on the dressing-up scale. While it might be farfetched to assume that sartorial choices can make or mar politicians' electoral prospects, underestimating the wardrobe power would be equally erroneous.
Gul tops the chart With a host of stars in the fray, style couldn't be far behind. Among the fashionistas AAP's star candidate from Chandigarh Gul Panag gets thumbs up for her carefully- crafted natural look, especially the way she teams up the Kejriwal scarf with her kurta and denims replete with stylish glares. Yet another dimpled beauty Kirron Kher may not be the showstopper, but the glam quotient is still palpable. In the same breath, she talks of keeping glamour at bay and underlines the women’s intrinsic right over shingaar ras. Shingaar also manifests by way of ubiquitous bindis. The BJP is using saffron bindis to beat the Election Commission's strict model code of conduct. Its spokesperson Smriti Irani, by all means a conventional dresser, is also adorning the same. In Mumbai, Rakhi Sawant has traded her dare-bare look with a new conceal-it-all avatar that includes full-sleeved kurtas and a Nehru waistcoat. Interestingly, while the glamorous stars-turned-politicians seem to be dressing down, the political heavyweights have over the years cultivated an inimitable political dress code. Gandhi bahu Sonia Gandhi and Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi have developed an understated style. But they made no mistake, be it Sonia’s immaculate sarees or Rahul's white kurtas often coordinated with the famous Nehru jacket— his grandfather’s gift to the fashion fraternity— none of the choices are an accident. The same goes for BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s well-attired look. Styled by designer label Jade Blu’s Bipin Chauhan, the half-sleeved Modi kurta has become a fashion statement of sorts. Mamata Banjerjee's austere look might seem out of place in the fashion world. But that hasn’t stopped the spartan Didi from turning a designer. Her Mamata saree achieved prominence after her victory in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. More recently, her “designing skills” were sought by the Bengal State Handloom Cooperative Society, which makes sarees under the brand name Tantuja. The warp and weft of Sonia's hand-woven sarees — sourced from various parts of the country—, many believe, is a subject worthy of an intensive research.
Head turner In Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh's Patiala shahi turban too has been a head turner and a trendsetter. As political parties in Punjab no longer dictate the turban of their leaders, many sport shades other than the 'official' ones. Capt Amarinder Singh, of course, goes the whole hog and we see him in distinctive turbans, reflecting his colourful persona. Here, the Muktsari kurta pyjamas too are a toast of political bigwigs such as Sukhbir Badal. Of course, it's the caps that do the talking in Himachal Pradesh. Donning aam aadmi’s look Caps and the Aam Aadmi Party, which has taught us a thing or two about how an aam aadmi looks like, too are synonymous. In a country where kurtas maketh politicians, the party leaders have redefined political sartorial sensibility. Arvind Kejriwal has opted for the regular shirt and trousers in sync with the aam aadmi look and the way he wrapped the muffler around his face made him even more aam, even if it invited some snide remarks too. Indeed, one could argue that political icons are invariably not on the same page as international ones on the style meter. Yet many have made a mark. In more recent times, among the younger generation Omar Abdullah and Sachin Pilot are highly rated by the style divas. Back in time, Nehru stood out with his trademark bandhgalas and the eternal rose. Who can forget Indira Gandhi's striking white hair streak, and the fabulous sarees she wore, unless she was sporting regional attire, aimed squarely at winning hearts and influencing the people. So dare we say, may the best dressed men (oops women too) win. But we do hope like the politicians of yesteryear they have the dare to look what they are deep down. Till then, for so many wannabe politicians, it's role play at work.
|
|
J&K set to take democracy test, once again The state goes to the polls in a six-phase process, beginning April 10. The Tribune takes a look at the main candidates in the fray and issues at stake in the six constituencies, where the electorate will come out in defiance of the separatists’ boycott call.
The situation on the ground is much better than in 1996, when Lok Sabha elections were held for the first time after militancy erupted in the early 1990s. The question then was whether the elections should be held. Now, it is whether to vote in view of the separatists’ boycott call. The divide is clear between the mainstream parties for the elections and the separatists against the poll process.
Though uncomfortable, the Congress cadres have been asked to seek votes for the NC in all three constituencies of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla in Kashmir. The Congress has fielded it candidates from Jammu, Udhampur and Leh, where the NC will seek votes for the Congress nominees. The performance of the NC-Congress government will be the deciding factor.
|
|
Beni Prasad booked for calling Modi ‘biggest goonda’ of RSS
Balrampur, April 8 District Magistrate Mukesh Chandra today said, "Beni had called Modi a goon of the RSS and said that Rajnath Singh was his slave." Taking cognisance of the statement, the district administration lodged an FIR at the Sadullah Nagar police station for violating the model code of conduct besides sending the report to the Election Commission, he said. On April 1, Beni stoked a controversy by calling Narendra Modi the "biggest goonda" (goon) of the RSS. "Modi could not have become prime ministerial candidate without the nod of Rajnath Singh. This proves that Rajnath Singh is not the president of the party but Modi's slave," he had said. Mukesh Chandra said the model code of conduct would be strictly followed and those violating it would not be spared. This is the second case of violation of the model code by the Union Minister. Another case was lodged against him on March 31 in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh for organising a road show in Tarabganj tehsil in which the number of vehicles was beyond the permissible limit. — PTI
|
|
AAP nominee against Sonia opts out of fray
New Delhi, April 8 Rae Bareli unit convener of the party Archana Shrivastava will now file her nomination for the seat. She is determined to put up a good show in Sonia Gandhi's bastion. BJP's Ajay Aggarwal, lawyer in Bofors and Taj Corridor cases, is the third candidate in contest for the seat. "He (Justice Fakhruddin) opted out of the contest two days ago as he is not keeping well. He will come out in my support tomorrow," she said. AAP today also named its contestant against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi from Vadodara. Social activist Sunil Digambar Kulkarni, a mechanical engineer, is the party choice from there. With three more candidates being announced today, the party has so far named candidates for 443 Lok Sabha seats so far. Last week, AAP had announced Aadarsh Shahstri, grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri, as its answer to Samajwadi Party's sitting MP Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh in caste-dominant Allahabad. In Punjab, the party has named Jasraj Singh Longia from Bathinda and former High Commissioner to Norway Harinder Singh Khalsa from the Fatehgarh Sahib (SC) constituency. Kulkarni against Modi * AAP has also named its contestant against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi from Vadodara *
Social activist Sunil Digambar Kulkarni, a mechanical engineer, will take on Modi in Vadodara .
|
|
Azam’s twist: Kargil War
was won by Muslims
Ghaziabad, April 8 The controversy-prone Khan, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh Government, dragged the Kargil conflict into the ongoing high-voltage Lok Sabha campaign at a rally in Ghaziabad last night. "Those who fought for victory in Kargil were not Hindu soldiers. In fact, the ones who fought for our victory were Muslim soldiers," he said in a speech laced with communal overtones. Khan also went on to say that no one can guard the country's borders better than those from the Muslim community. "Recruit us in the Indian Army. No one can guard the borders of our nation better than us," he said. — PTI
|
||
|
Phase 2: Voting for 6 LS seats today
New Delhi, April 8
The election to the sole Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram was postponed to April 11 today following a statewide bandh called against the exercise of franchise by Bru voters lodged in Tripura camps through postal ballots. Voting will be held for one seat each in Nagaland and Manipur and two seats each in Arunchal Pradesh and Meghalaya. In Arunachal Pradesh, simultaneous elections will be held for 49 of the 60 Assembly seats. The campagning in these constituencies has already ended. Nagaland's lone parliamentary seat will see only three candidates-Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (NPF), Congress' KV Pusa and Akheu Achumi of theSocialist Party (India)-in the race. In all, 11,79,881 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the second phase. Of the two parliamentary constituencies in Manipur, voting will be held in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency tomorrow. Among the 10 contestants in fray are sitting Congress MP Thangso Baite, Gangmumei Kamei (BJP), C Doungel (NCP), Kim Gangte (Trinamool Congress), Soso Lorho (Naga People's Front), L Gangte (JD-U) and MK Zou (AAP). Out of total electorate of 9.11 lakh, 4.63 lakh are women. There are 511 polling booths. The polling for the second seat in the state, the Inner Manipur constituency, will be held on April 17. In Arunachal Pradesh, Western and Eastern parliamentary constituencies will witness a multi-cornered contest among nominees of the Congress, the BJP, the NCP, the PPA and Independents. Among the eight candidates in the Western seat are Congress nominee and sitting MP Takam Sanjoy locking horns with former MP Kiren Rijiju, a BJP nominee. For the Eastern Arunachal Parliamentary seat, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering of the Congress is contesting against BJP nominee Tapir Gao and Wangman Lowangcha of the People's Party of Arunachal. In Meghalaya, elections will be held for two Lok Sabha seats that will decide the fate of 10 candidates, including NPP chief PA Sangma, sitting Congress MP Vincent Pala, former student leader Paul Lyngdoh and church leader PBM Basaiawmoit. The Shillong seat will witness a multi-corner contest among the ruling Congress, the United Democratic Party and an Independent candidate, while the ruling Congress will contest against the PA Sangma-led National People's Party for the Tura seat. The Election Commission today deferred the polling date for election to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and bypoll to Hrangturzo Assembly seat to April 11 from April 9 in view of a statewide bandh called against exercise of franchise by Bru voters lodged in Tripura camps through postal ballots. The EC decision followed the 72-hour statewide bandh called by the Joint NGO Coordination yesterday in protest against the exercise of franchise by Bru voters in six relief camps in Tripura. However, the outfit called off its bandh this afternoon, saying the Election Commission and the state government have agreed to its demands. — PTI
|
|
Mysore/Kasargod, April 8
Addressing a series of rallies in Karnataka and Kerala, Modi also tore into the UPA claims about its flagship programme MNREGA, saying it had only "filled the pockets of the Congress". He also sought to debunk the much touted RTI initiative. "Corruption and loot seems to be in the DNA of the Congress. Generations may change, the leaders will change, but the Congress intention will remain unchanged," Modi said during a rally at Mysore in Karnataka. "People have made it a point to punish the Congress for looting and ruining the nation," he said. At a rally at Kasargod in Kerala bordering Karnataka, Modi targeted the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPM-headed Left Democratic Front (LDF), saying both were engaged in a "friendly match". "The UDF comes to power for five years after which the LDF forms the government. Both are silent on each other's wrongdoings and omissions," he said. Kerala, which was a global hot spot for tourism, had been "converted into a nursery of terrorism", he charged. Renewing his offensive against Defence Minister AK Antony, whom he had called a "Pakistani agent" earlier, he said the country's defence had suffered seriously during his stewardship and said he owed an explanation to the people for this. — PTI
|
|
Ajit Singh, RLD struggle to retain grip over Jat stronghold of western UP
Baghpat, April 8 Reduced to rubble, the state highway touching Baghpat is dotted with potholes, some as deep as one foot. Traversing the area after the sunset is a nightmare. However, bad roads, poor power supply, lack of infrastructure, education, health facilities and delay in payment of sugarcane dues had never been the poll issues here, more so this time. Sanjay Tomar, a farmer of Angadpur village, says sugarcane dues worth Rs 100 crore are pending with the mills. But it is hardly an issue in the sugarcane rich constituency, which several-time MP Ajit Singh is trying hard to retain. Shooter-coach Rajpal Singh, who is supporting his friend Satyapal Singh-the BJP candidate for the constituency-explains the dynamics of politics in the Jat land here. "It is completely different from the rest of the country. This is a constituency where candidates do not have to spend money to woo voters. The elections here are all about Jat pride. Jats support a Jat candidate as if they are fighting the elections themselves. There is no 'jhanda' or 'danda' here. Voters are extremely conscious about their vote," he says. Rajpal Singh says the reason why shooters of the region are supporting Satyapal Singh is because the former Mumbai Police Commissioner was instrumental in setting up a shooting club in Jouhri, his village, in 1998. "This area was known for its Baghi culture. It was teeming with youth indulging in crime, using unauthorised country-made weapons. After the club was set up, boys and girls from our region started getting admission in top Delhi colleges like St Stephens, SRCC, Hans Raj and LSR, under sports quota. They are getting jobs and now no shooter is unemployed," he claims. Chotta Choudhury, as Ajit Singh is called in this region, is expecting a tough fight from BJP and SP candidates this time because of lack of support from Muslims. Samajwadi Party's Ghulam Mohammad has a good chance if Muslims, upset over Muzzffarnagar riots, join together to support him. Bahujan Samaj Party's Prashant Choudhary and Yogendra Dhaka, a local lawyer contesting on the Aam Aadmi Party ticket, also have the potential to harm Ajit Singh’s prospects. The RLD supremo knows this well and that is the reason that apart from talking about the airport he helped set or the stadium he helped build, he is also asking people to take care of his "topi" (his honour). Today, the younger lot among the Jats is rooting for Narendra Modi, says Tomar. While Ajit Singh may be able to save the day in Baghpat, the same cannot be said about the remaining seven seats that the RLD is contesting in alliance with the Congress. The RLD is contesting Fatehpur Sikri, Kairana, Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Mathura, Hathras, Bijnore and Amroha. It had five MPs in the outgoing Lok Sabha, including Ajit Singh from Baghpat and son Jayant Chaudhary from Mathura.
|
|
Gadkari-Damania feud livens up the contest in Nagpur
Mumbai, April 8
What could have been a straight fight between the Congress and the BJP where the RSS is headquartered has, however, been enlivened by the presence of Aam Aadmi Party candidate Anjali Damania. Gadkari's Purti group in the loop Known for doggedly pursuing Gadkari ever since he refused to help her in a corruption issue raised by her, Damania has raised fresh allegations of wrongdoing against the BJP leader. Earlier this month, the AAP leader alleged that Gadkari's Purti Group of Companies which run sugar factories and other enterprises had cheated the farmers who are engaged with the group for supplying sugar cane Damania came up with proof relating to one farmer and has promised to come up with more dirt on the BJP leader in the coming days. The Purti group has retaliated by filing law suits against Damania and other AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal. Damania's earlier exposes on Gadkari's business dealings had severely embarrassed the BJP and forced the party to deny him another term as the party president. "In 2011, I had exposed Gadkari's nexus with NCP chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and since then, I have collected enough proof to expose his five more scams. Now, I am ready to face and fight him in the 2014 LS poll," Damania told reporters recently. 'AAP: A passing phase' Gadkari himself is trying to play it cool. "The Aam Aadmi Party is only a passing phase in politics," Gadkari told reporters after filing his nomination recently. "I am in politics for the past 35 years in Nagpur and our workers are working hard for the elections. I will complete all tasks that have been pending for 25 years in the next five years," Gadkari said. Considering that he has a tough fight in hand, Gadkari has been wooing Muslim voters in Nagpur. Known to enjoy a close rapport with members of the minority community in his constituency, Gadkari reportedly asked BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi not to hold any rally in the city, despite Nagpur being the headquarters of the RSS. Though Damania is hogging a lot of media space, she is seen as an outsider in Nagpur. Even AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's rally in the city attracted a tepid response. Cong banks on MP's 'clean' image However, the public spat between Gadkari and Damania has drawn media's attention away from sitting MP Muttemwar. The seven-time MP has begun a public campaign in Nagpur highlighting the infrastructure projects which have been initiated during his tenure.
|
|
BJP leader Ashok Pradhan joins SP
Lucknow, April 8
Pradhan, who has been appointed SP’s national general secretary, claimed several other leaders in the BJP were equally disgruntled at the state of affairs. “I could not take it anymore so I quit,” he said adding that the decision had not been taken over a Lok Sabha ticket. “BJP’s LS ticket is up for sale. Even senior leaders such as LK Advani and Jaswant Singh have been sidelined and ignored. This is causing resentment among the cadre,” alleged Pradhan at the SP headquarters. Pradhan said leaders were only concerned about capturing power and not bothered about national issues. Mulayam flays Shah
"It's unfortunate that a person like Amit Shah is doing politics...Who is he? See his history...He was Home Minister (in Gujarat) when the riots took
place." Mulayam Singh Yadav, sp chief
|
|
snapshots AHMEDABAD: Popular actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate for Ahmedabad-East constituency Paresh Rawal is the richest contestant in Gujarat with a total family wealth of Rs 79.40 crore, pipping his party colleague from Navsari, C R Patil. Rawal and his family, including wife Swaroop and two sons Aniruddha and Aditya, are in possession of assets and investments worth Rs 79.40 crore (Rs 68.28 crores in Rawal's name, Rs 8.75 crores in Swaroop's name and Rs 2.37 crores with his two sons). — PTI Antony blasts BJP's stand on J&K THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Holding that the BJP's manifesto revealed its "communal agenda", defence minister AK Antony on Tuesday said the saffron party's stand on special status to Jammu and Kashmir was a matter of serious concern. "The BJP is manifesto is nothing but its communal agenda wrapped in colourful paper. It is a threat to the unity and integrity of the country," he said. — PTI
|
|
Is violence an answer to country's problems? let them tell me place n time. I will come there. Let them beat me as much as they want...... — Arvind Kejriwal 10 years of UPA rule:India is 2nd most corrupt country&most difficult to do business amongst BRIC nations:WB report — Rajeev Chandrasekhar Amethi is the most backward district in Uttar Pradesh in providing healthcare facilities to women and children — Smriti Z Irani UPA is more interested in Defence Deals rather than Defence Power & this explains why we are facing so many problems today. —Narendra Modi Why are CRTs are shedding tears for my being denied ND LS ticket when it makes no difference to me? Did they miscalculate my no reaction ? — Subramanian Swamy Now TDP has allied with Communal BJP and Babu has supported Modi I would appeal to Secular Forces in TDP to leave TDP and join Congress — digvijaya singh
|
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
The state goes to the polls in a six-phase process, beginning April 10. The Tribune takes a look at the main candidates in the fray and issues at stake in the six constituencies, where the electorate will come out in defiance of the separatists’ boycott call.
Jammu and Kashmir, with six Lok Sabha seats spread over three distinct geographic regions, is all set for the polls. Though the number of constituencies is less, the number matters. A single vote in Parliament from the state decided the fate of the Atal Behari Vajpayee government in 1999.
There are rumblings in the mainstream camp, with each trying to score a point over the other. The five-year coalition between the National Conference and Congress poses a major challenge to other opposition parties like the PDP. The right-wing BJP, which has been at the centre of criticism for its Hindutva approach with the baggage of Gujarat riots and the hoisting of the Tricolour in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk in 1992, is also testing the waters. 
But with the BJP scenting victory under the leadership of Narendra Modi, Gadkari has been asked to throw his hat in the ring. He will take on the Congress's seven-time MP from Nagpur --- Vilas Muttemwar.