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key Constituency Varanasi
key Constituency Visakhapatnam
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key Constituency Kangra It's two former MPs vs BJP dissident Dharamsala, May 4 In this Lok Sabha elections, the main battle in the Kangra parliamentary constituency is likely to be between BJP’s Shanta Kumar (79) and Congress' Chander Kumar (69). Sitting MP and BJP rebel Rajan Sushant (58), who is contesting on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket, would eat into the vote-bank of the two traditional parties, say poll analysts.
Cong V-P ties with Amethi nominal: Jaitley
Azamgarh base of terrorists backed by SP, says Amit Shah
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Holy city to test ‘Modi wave’ and its architect
The electoral battle may be more than symbolic for AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and Congress’ Ajai Rai Shahira Naim Tribune News Service
At first glance, it appears that the Holy city is completely smitten by Modi. Hoardings, posters, BJP flags atop buildings and saffron caps adorn the city. However, as one looks beyond this smokescreen, voices of dissent are audible across sections. Fifty-year-old chai-wallah Dayashankar Sahni, running his shop at the famous Dashashwamedh ghat, has not decided if he would support another much-touted chai-wallah. He says that he gets a little confused when he listens to Modi's call for change and appeal to give him a chance. "Change from what? Except for one term in 2004, Varanasi has had a BJP MP since 1991. All three urban Assembly segments have BJP MLAs. The city's mayor and nagar nigam is with the BJP. Still the city is neglected with no 'vikas' to speak of. So shouldn't we change this?" he asks.
Sitting on the stairs near the tea stall sipping tea and watching the picturesque evening "aarti" is a security guard at a national bank Naseem Ahmad Khan. Whenever he gets time, he comes here to watch this daily ritual. "Whoever comes to power, I don't think my lot will improve. I get Rs 3,000 a month as I am on contract. My cousin works in Gujarat and I know that the fate of an ordinary mazdoor (labourer) there is no better. So how can I hope that things will improve here?" he says. Congress candidate Ajai Rai's entire campaign is on the "insider" versus "outsider" issue. Sitting MLA from Pindara rural Assembly segment in Varanasi, Rai lives in the Chetganj area in the heart of the city and has a reputation of being available 24X7. The jailed MLA from neighbouring Mau, Qaumi Ekta Dal's Mukhtar Ansari, had given a tough fight to BJP's sitting MP Murli Manohar Joshi in Varanasi in 2009. However, the contest had dangerously polarised votes on religious lines. To avoid a recurrence, Ansari is not contesting from Varanasi this time. To keep Modi at bay, Ansari has declared to extend support to Rai, who traditionally had been his enemy in the notorious gang war politics of Purvanchal. Rai and Ansari coming together is being considered a viable alternative to offset Modi. Master weaver Maqbool Hasan of Peeli Kothi area is sceptic that the RSS-backed BJP would once again try to polarise votes to give Modi a smooth walkover. "The entire Nagpur population is sitting in Varanasi. All senior leaders of the BJP are here, micromanaging the election, which, for them, is a question of the party's prestige. They will leave no stone unturned to ensure Modi's victory. I fear that something would happen just days before the election, which will consolidate the Hindu votes and split the Muslims," Hasan says. If Modi's call is making a section of the traditional Dalit, Yadav and OBC voters ready to give him a chance, Kejriwal's appeal is also encouraging the discerning voters to try him out. Sonu Yadav, a peon in BHU and a traditional SP supporter, is supporting Kejriwal this time. Soon after attending Kejriwal's public meeting at Chittupur panchayat bhawan, Yadav (sporting an AAP cap) says: "Politicians may say whatever they want, but Kejriwal is a leader who quit office for his principles. My vote will go to him even if he loses his deposit." A similar sentiment is shared by Sarvjeet Kumar, a Dalit who assists the main caretaker at the famous Ravidas mandir built to mark the birthplace of the revered Dalit saint on the outskirts of Varanasi. Kashinath Singh, an eminent Hindi writer and Sahitya Akademi award winner for his famous novel 'Kashi ka Assi', however, fears that Modi's victory from Varanasi may dilute or even undermine the celebrated "Banarsipan" of the city where the principle of agreeing to disagree reigns supreme. "I already see the contours of this new culture of intolerance in Modi's campaign. A city that always heard out all shades of opinions is not just disallowing a candidate from roaming on its lanes, but is also physically attacking him and his supporters," says Singh, referring to the spate of recent attacks on Kejriwal and his associates.
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key Constituency Visakhapatnam BJP says educated sections will prefer TDP-BJP combine to ‘tainted’ Jagan Mohan Reddy Suresh Dharur Tribune News Service
By fielding Vijayamma, a soft-spoken homemaker who was forced into the rough and tumble of politics under extraordinary circumstances, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has raised the political stakes in this coastal city, the second largest in the state after Hyderabad. She is the honorary president of the fledgling party that is playing the sympathy card to the hilt and is banking on the undercurrent of goodwill of YSR for introducing a string of welfare schemes and pro-poor policies during his tenure between 2004 and 2009. Main contestants
The prestigious constituency saw internal wrangling within the BJP over the choice of the candidate. The sitting member and Union Minister D Purandeswari, who crossed over to the BJP just before the announcement of the election schedule, was keen on seeking re-election from the constituency. However, there was opposition to her candidature both within the saffron party and also from its ally the TDP. She was subsequently shifted to Rajampet in Rayalaseema region. The BJP's Seemandhra unit president Dr K Hari Babu, a respected local leader who has been nursing the region for long, has been fielded by the party. He is a former faculty member of the Andhra University College of Engineering. The Congress has fielded B Satyanarayana (Satya) who owns an IT company and a warehouse. The Jai Samaikyandhra Party, floated by former CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy, has fielded Sabbam Hari, a sitting Congress MP from Anakapalle. However, the main fight is between Vijayamma and Haribabu. Following creation of a separate Telangana state, the political dynamics in Seemandhra has undergone a major change. The issues concerning economic and industrial development and building of a new capital city have emerged as key issues now. Chandrababu’s past
During the election rallies, the TDP-BJP combine has been arguing that Chandrababu Naidu alone can take the new state forward on the path of progress because of his nine-year-long experience as Chief Minister between 1995 and 2004. It has been targeting the main rival YSRCP, headed by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, for being a party of "scamsters" and wondering how Jagan, who is currently out on bail in an illegal assets case, could ensure development of the state. Poll promises
However, the YSRCP has been harping on pro-poor and welfare schemes of YSR and promising the people that Jagan, if voted to power, would implement them in letter and spirit. Free power for farmers, fee reimbursement for students, health insurance for the poor, old-age pension and housing for weaker sections are among the programmes that continue to have impact on the voters. Emotional issues
Though not an effective orator, 58-year-old Vijayamma has been drawing huge crowds in the constituency. Not known for aggressive posturing, she speaks in a low, measured voice and keeps the tone and tenor of her speeches simple. She makes it a point to talk about her trauma following the death of YSR and how the former CM is still alive in the "hearts of millions of people." "The void caused in my life by the death of YSR cannot be filled by anyone. But, the void caused in your lives by his untimely death will be filled by Jagan. Trust me, Jagan will revive the golden era of YSR. I am handing him over to you," Vijayamma says in an emotional tone. Straight contest
It is a straight contest between the YSRCP and the BJP in the constituency that had elected Congress candidates in the 2009 and 2004 elections. Vijayamma's rallies focus on what the YSR government did during its tenure. By fielding his mother from this constituency, Jagan has raised the political stakes. The YSRCP expects that her presence would have a cascading impact on the seven seats under Visakhapatnam. Modi’s popularity
On his part, Dr Haribabu is confident that the educated sections would prefer the TDP-BJP combine over Jagan who is accused of scams and is facing cases. He is also banking on the growing popularity of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and the good governance track-record of Chandrababu Naidu. Home to PSUs
Described as the "Jewel of the East Coast" and the "City of Destiny", Visakhapatnam is home to a large number of public sector undertakings, steel plant, Hindustan Shipyard and is headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command. Assembly Segments Visakha South, Visakha West, Visakha North, Visakha East, Gajuwaka (all urban), Bheemunipatnam (semi-urban), and S Kota in the neighbouring Vizianagaram district, a rural segment
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It's two former MPs vs BJP dissident
Cong banks on state govt’s performance, BJP hopes to ride on ‘Modi wave’, AAP promises a change Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service
Sitting MP and BJP rebel Rajan Sushant (58), who is contesting on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket, would eat into the vote-bank of the two traditional parties, say poll analysts. While the BJP is banking on a strong wave in favour of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the Congress pins hope on the state government's two-year performance.
'Paniwala' CM
Shanta Kumar became the Chief Minister of Himachal in 1977 (Janata Party) and continued to retain the post till 1980. He returned to head the government again in 1990 (BJP), and stayed on till 1992. The government was dismissed midterm in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid issue along with other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Fondly referred to as the 'Paniwala CM' in Kangra for having taken up initiatives to provide drinking water to residents of lower Himachal, he also worked to provide basic amenities to all. Upper-lower divide
Initially the politics of the BJP revolved around the areas of Punjab that were merged with Himachal. The areas were referred to as lower Himachal. The BJP leaders accused the Congress of ignoring the lower areas of Himachal that were formally part of Punjab. The areas also included Kangra, which now has 15 Assembly segments and is the biggest district of Himachal in terms of population. The BJP came to power in the state only when it performed well in the lower areas of the state. The BJP government was sworn at Dharamsala in 2007 when it came to power in the state to give importance to lower areas. Cong endorses Kangra
After the BJP strengthened its position in lower areas, the Congress leaders also started paying heed to give recognition to the area. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who faced maximum allegations of bias towards lower areas of the state was instrumental in bringing major projects to Kangra district. It was Virbhadra Singh who got the assembly complex constructed at Dharamsala to give quasi-second capital status to Dharamsala. He also started the practice of holding winter sojourn of Chief Minister in lower areas of the state. During the last assembly elections, the Congress performed well in Kangra district winning 10 of the 15 seats. The BJP could win only three segments while two seats were won by independents. Cong banks on MLAs
Chander Kumar is now hoping that the party's government in the state, the charisma of Virbhadra Singh and 10 of its MLAs in Kangra would work in his favour. Here caste too is likely to play a vital role. Chander Kumar has always been a prominent OBC leader here while Shanta Kumar and Rajan Sushant both are Brahmins. In past years, it has been observed that the caste plays a vital role in Kangra. Chander Kumar is "relying on his OBC support big time". He says: "I have been a teacher and have taught in a college. I did not believe in caste divide until I joined politics and realised that one cannot ignore these groups in society. I have enjoyed a good support of the OBCs and SC and again in this poll they are united and supporting me." On the other hand, caste is one issue that Shanta Kumar refrains from raising. This poll, he has been concentrating on issues like "corruption" in the UPA Government and black money issue, especially that of the alleged Gandhi families in foreign banks. The Congress believes Sushant would eat into the Brahmin share of votes of Shanta Kumar. A senior Congress leader says that Brahmins in the constituency have concocted a slogan this time that 'Ab ki bari bare panditji' (this time it would be elder panditji (Shanta Kumar). Besides Brahmins and OBCs, Rajputs are another predominant caste in Kangra parliamentary constituency. Rajputs top list
Rajputs have maximum majority comprising about 34 per cent of the total voters. OBCs follow them closely at 32 per cent and Brahmins 20 per cent. The remaining 14 per cent are Gaddi and Gujjar tribals and members of the SC community. Vote statistics
Previous elections 2009 Rajan Sushant (BJP) 3,22,254 votes Chander Kumar (INC) 3,01,475 Narinder Singh Pathania (BSP) 12,745 Winning margin: 21,729 2004 Chander Kumar (INC) 3,14,555 Shanta Kumar (BJP) 2,96,764 Winning margin: 17,791 About the candidates Shanta Kumar,
79 years old, BJP Educational qualification: LLB Assets: Moveable Rs
47,40,830 Immovable: Rs 97,25,000 2nd candidate Chander Kumar,
69 years old, Congress Educational qualification: Post-graduate Assets: Moveable:
Rs 26,12,723 Immovable: Rs 1,52,77,682 3rd candidate Rajan Sushant,
58 years old, AAP Educational qualification: BAMS doctor Assets: Moveable:
Rs 20,77,124 Immovable: Rs 1,51,62,000
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Constituency Profile Pauri Garhwal Cong relies on caste equations as nearly 50% voters are Thakurs Jotirmay Thapliyal Tribune News Service
Khanduri had represented the seat on four earlier occasions. While Khanduri is trying to cash in on his own credibility and probable Modi wave, Rawat, on other hand, is expecting polarisation of votes on caste lines in his favour. Assembly segments
The Pauri Garhwal parliamentary constituency comprises 14 Assembly segments -- Badrinath, Tharali (SC), Karanprayag, Kedarnath, Rudraprayag, Deoprayag, Narendranagar, Yamkeshwar, Pauri (SC), Srinagar, Chobattakhal, Lansdowne, Kotdwar and Ramnagar. It includes higher reaches of the state such as Badrinath, Tharali and Rudraprayag and areas like Narendranagar and Deoprayag. The Ramnagar Assembly segment draws its strength from Kumaon division. Disaster-torn districts
Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts, which were affected the most in the Himalayan tsunami, form part of this constituency. Relief and rehabilitation works during the disaster continue to be a major issue in the constituency. While delays in rebuilding of infrastructure have been a matter of concern, voices have also been raised over alleged irregularities in the conduct of relief works. Other factors
Former Congress leader Satpal Maharaj, who has a strong base in the constituency, is now with the BJP and working for Khanduri's success. Newly appointed Chief Minister Harish Rawat's prestige is at stake as the party has won all five seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and this time, Rawat is facing a challenging time to maintain the party's earlier tally. Nearly 50 per cent of the voters are Thakurs and being a Thakur, Harak Singh Rawat is likely to take advantage of the caste.
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campaign trail: mala rajya laxmi shah Accuses Cong of failing to allocate funds for area's development Neena Sharma Tribune News Service
Dehradun, May 4 As her Mahindra Scorpio navigates through the potholed roads, she makes it a point to emphasise that improving the constituency's infrastructure, including roads, would continue to be her priority if elected to power again. For the past few days, she has been following a tight schedule, at times ploughing a lonely furrow due to the preoccupation of the BJP stalwarts in other parts of the country. In Raipur, she implores party's national secretary Trivender Singh Rawat to help her with the campaign. She says: "I know you have been busy helping the party in Uttar Pradesh, especially actor Hema Malini. Now we need you." An untainted track record of the family that has endeared the "Rani Sahiba" to her voters continues to be her unique selling proposition. But she knows that the youth will not support her merely on this basis. So, she is banking on the party's PM candidate Narendra Modi's charisma to help her woo young voters. Sensing his reach, the bigwigs in the party have planned an election rally in Herbertpur (Vikasnagar) to be addressed by Modi. After campaigning for several days in the Assembly segments falling under Dehradun district, her next focus is on Tehri and Uttarkashi. It is the first week of May and Pratapnagar in Tehri is her next sojourn, which also gives her a break from the oppressive heat of Dehradun. The adjoining areas of Pratapnagar, too, have their set of problems, but Mala has already been briefed by senior BJP leaders to focus on disaster management and unemployment. In Tehri and Uttarkashi, she accuses the Congress government of "failing" to provide employment to the youth, who had been adversely affected by the downturn in the tourism industry. Just as Mala reaches a local temple in Uttarkashi for puja, a swarm of BJP workers emerge. Curious onlookers, continue to have reverence for the royal family, come out of their houses to greet "the Rani". Seizing the opportunity, Mala launches an attack on her opponent Saket Bahuguna of the Congress for "failing to allocate funds for development" of the area. "They did not release the funds on time for several plans that were sanctioned under the MPLAD Scheme. I do not know why they tried to delay. After all, it is your money and has to be utilised properly," she says. Thereafter, some more BJP workers carrying saffron flags join in and discuss with her the gaps that have to be filled. Before calling it a day, "the Rani" makes a mental note of the areas that have to be covered the next day.
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BJP plans to abolish UPA schemes: Rahul
Amethi, May 4 "I have got information that intentions of the BJP and (Narendra) Modi are not clean. They intend to abolish legislations like food security and employment guarantee," he told an election rally at Tekarmafi here. Pulling out all the stops to woo voters, Gandhi further alleged that Modi's development model was limited to one or two industrialists, of which one was Adani. The Gandhi scion claimed farmers, who had been deprived of their land in Gujarat, were not being considered as native residents and were being forced to leave the state. The Congress-led government waived Rs 70,000 crore loan of the farmers, he said adding on the other hand, Modi gave land worth Rs 40,000 crore to Adani alone. "In Gujarat, 45,000 acre land of farmers was given to Adani at the rate of Rs 1 per square metre which was later sold at the rate of Rs 800 per square metre. Before giving land to Adani, Modi didn't ask farmers even once. We fought for Bhatta Parsaul... leading to the enactment of land acquisition law," he said. "Farmers in Gujarat are a harassed lot. They are being forced to leave the state. They are being told they are not native residents. Some of the farmers met me and narrated their stories," Gandhi said. The Congress vice-president said he respected women a lot and realised that they played an important role in the working of the country and had, therefore, created opportunities for 12 lakh of them by connecting them with banks. "Modi talks about giving power to women. I want to tell him that women of India are not weak. They are internally strong. Modi should learn to respect women," he said. In an apparent reference to the snoopgate row, Gandhi alleged policemen in Gujarat used to tap phones of women and harassed them. The Congress vice-president said Modi talks about the Gujarat model where budget for education and health is Rs 8,000 crore but despite this, the facilities are very poor.
— PTI
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Cong V-P ties with Amethi nominal: Jaitley
New Delhi, May 4 The Congress vice-president is seeking a hat-trick of victories from the seat but the BJP and the AAP have perked up the contest by fielding Smriti Irani and Kumar Vishwas, respectively from there. Jaitley said the BJP must convince the voters that a vote for the AAP would only divide the anti-incumbency votes. "The relationship of Amethi with its sitting MP is nominal. Despite having been a family stronghold for decades, Amethi remains one of the most backward constituencies... The situation is ripe for a strong anti-incumbency against the sitting MP," he said. "With a formidable candidate in place and a Modi campaign to back it, Amethi should be ready for a surprise. Amethi can be won by the BJP," the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha wrote on his blog. Arguing that Gandhi has not done much for the area, he said, "The infrastructure in Amethi is inadequate. It is a constituency where internal roads are not the object of envy. Many industrial units are sick. It is a constituency of people living in inadequate houses." Contending that it was Amethi's "tragedy" that the voters were never presented with an alternative option, he said the BJP was determined to put up a fight. He termed Smriti Irani as a "formidable candidate" and claimed that she was getting a good response from people.
— PTI
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Azamgarh base of terrorists backed by SP, says Amit Shah
Azamgarh/Ballia, May 4 Campaigning for the BJP's Azamgarh candidate, Ramakant Yadav who is taking on SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shah said the number of terrorists from here was high as the state government was advocating their release in many cases. "Azamgarh is the base of terrorists as there is no fear of the government, which is advocating their release," said the BJP in charge for UP. "The accused in Gujarat bomb blasts are from Azamgarh. Being the Home Minister there (Gujarat), I have got the accused arrested. Since then not a single terrorist act has taken place in Gujarat," he said. Attacking Mulayam, the BJP leader alleged that the former's socialism was limited to promoting nepotism and added that he was preparing political ground for his second son Prateek Yadav in Azamgarh. Dubbing the Congress the most corrupt government, Shah alleged that it usurped Rs 12 lakh crore through scams during its 10-year-rule, and accused the ruling party of neglecting the borders which were facing threat. Attacking the SP and BSP supremos, Shah said Mulayam and Mayawati were claiming that they would become the next prime minister, but they have no existence outside UP. At a meeting in Ballia, while replying to criticism by the Congress against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, he said Modi had not been accused of a single scam or corruption during his 14-year-rule, which was a record.
— PTI
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Instead of sitting in opposition, Congress would rather prop up an unstable coalition, plunge country into further chaos & instability! — Rajeev Chandrasekhar Feels like one has gone back in time. Tough to believe that #Amethi has been 'nurtured' by the First Family for decades. — Gul Panag Modi's views in 2001 and Modi in 2014 appeals to Muslims for support. Encouraging if he means it but can a Leopard change its spots ? — Digvijaya Singh
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Lalu cries conspiracy by ‘communal forces’ On alliance, Naveen keeps everyone guessing Congress failed in
communication: Ramesh
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