Now 'drama' in Canadian Parliament :::: Opposition MP calls Justin Trudeau 'wacko'

"When will we put an end to this wacko policy by this wacko prime minister?"  Pierre Poilievre, opposition parliamentarian asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons elected lower chamber.

Pierre Poilievre was expelled from the House The PM slandered Poilievre by calling him an associate of white supremacists.

Wacko ... informally means - mad or insane !!

Canada's opposition party leader, Pierre Poilievre, has been expelled from the House of Commons after he engaged in a heated argument in the parliamentary session on Tuesday. Poilievre called the PM a "wacko". The argument was sparked over the government handling of drug overdoses.

Opposition leader Poilievre slammed the ruling Trudeau government for failing to crack down on drug overdoses, reported Reuters. Trudeau responded with a barb by saying that Poilievre was an associate of white supremacists. However, Trudeau was allowed to remain in the House.

Speaker Greg Fergus, a Liberal, told Poilievre the comment was both unparliamentary and unacceptable and asked him four times to withdraw it. Poilievre declined on each occasion, saying instead he would use the word extremist or radical.

Fergus told Poilievre he was disregarding the speaker's authority and, in an unusual move, said: "I order you to withdraw from the House ... for the remainder of this day's sitting."

Poilievre continued to attack Trudeau's stance on drugs after leaving the House. He also reiterated this on his X post.

He wrote, "Trudeau's stance on hard drug use in public is wacko. He sees no problem in allowing addicts to smoke fentanyl in BC parks, playgrounds, and hospitals. That's wacko."

(With Reuters inputs) 'India Today' 

March to Delhi via Yadav-heartland in Uttar Pradesh :::: In Mainpuri, Dimple Yadav is pitted against BJP's Jaiveer Singh and Shiv Prasad Yadav of BSP

Agra/Hathras (Uttar Pradesh) 

Mainpuri - welcome to a key hub in the Yadav heartland.Mulayam Singh Yadav won from the constituency in 1996 to become India'sDefence Minister under H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral. Since then, this has been aYadav-family bastion. In 2022 by-poll after Mulayam's death the seat was won by his daughter-in-law Ms Dimple. 

The lawmaker wife of Samajwadi Party chief is not a Yadav by birth; but that's not the issue and hence she has been fielded again. This is one seat -- the BJP may not struggle to wrest amid a hyped Ram Mandir campaign. Perhaps they know, it is much more than a tough seat.   

Besides Mulayam and Ms Dimple Yadav, three others from Yadav clan have represented this.-- 1998 and 1999 Balram Singh Yadav, 2004 (by-poll) Dharmendra Yadav and 2014 by-pollTej Pratap Singh Yadav.

In 2024, SP nominee Dimple Yadav is pitted against BJP's Jaiveer Singh and Shiv Prasad Yadav of BSP.

The issue here could be development, lack of development and a case of typical 'alleged negligence'; but voters know that they have to back Netaji's Bahu - that is Dimple Yadav. But under Yogi Adityanath's leadership in the assembly polls, BJP could pick up  two assembly segments falling under the Mainpuri parliamentary segment. 

They are Mainpuri (Jaiveer Singh) and Bhongaon (Ram Naresh Agnihotri).

Importantly among the five segments former CM and Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav represents Karhal assembly and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav represents Jaswantnagar assembly.So, in other words, the family prestige will be at stake. 

The Agra-Firozabad and Mainpuri section or sub-region was once knownas the Yadav heartland. But since 2014 - as BJP's penetration deepened,there are changes on the ground.

Blogger's piece on UP polls in Telugu newspaper Eenadu 

Firozabad has often been a shaky ground for Mulayam's party. In 2009, Akhilesh Yadav had won the seat but after he vacated it, actor-turned-politicianRaj Babbar won it on Congress ticket. SP got it back in 2014 but in 2019, it was lost toBJP's 2019 Chandrasen Jadon.

In 2019, Akhilesh's uncle, Shivpal Singh Yadav formed a new partyPSP(L) and polled 91,869 votes. BJP nominee could humble Akshay Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, by a margin of 28, 781. 

The Shivpal factor is this time back with the family.Akshay Yadav is again contesting and lately the party got a boost as some Kushwacaste voters from BSP joined Samajwadi Party.The BJP has dropped its sitting MP Jadon and instead fielded Thakur Vishwadeep SIngh, the son of former MP Thakur Brajraj Singh.

The 10 parliamentary seats going to the polls in UP in the third phase on May 7are - Agra, Aonla, Badaun, Bareilly, Etah, Fatehpur Sikri,Hathras and Sambhal besides Firozabad and Mainpuri.

In Sambhal, the stage is almost set for a triangular contest between SP's Zia ur Rahman Barq, Parmeshwar Lal Saini of BJP and the BSP nominee Shaulat Ali   

The seat had hit headlines in 1996 when D. P. Yadav had won it as a candidateof Bahujan Samaj Party - then under Kanshi Ram. In 1998, Mulayam Singh Yadav won it for his Samajwadi Party and in 2004, it was Ram Gopal Yadav again ofSamajwadi Party. In 2009, Shafiqur Rahman Barq won it as Bahujan Samaj Party candidate.But in 2014, the strong Modi wave helped BJP get the seat for its nomineeSatyapal Singh Saini. And yet again in 2019 Shafiqur Rahman Barq won it andthis time he was with the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party.

In Hathras, a gangrape made news in 2020. But in 2024, even the Samajwadi Party which is campaigning on women’s safety is not talking about the rape and death episode for fear of 'antagonising' the substantial upper caste vote in this reserved SC seat.

In 2019, when the SP and BSP were allies, the SP’s candidate here was placed second.The Dalits and Thakurs could be around 3 lakh each in the Hathras Lok Sabha segmentfollowed by 2 lakh Brahmins, 1.80 lakh Vaishyas and 80,000 Muslims. The upper caste votes, apart from the support for it by non-Jatav Dalits, has always helped to make it a BJP bastion. 

The BJP has won Hathras consecutively since 1991. In 2009, the RLD won here as a BJP ally. The BSP finished runner-up in each poll between 1996 and 2014. 

In 2024, the BJP's candidate to sweat it out is Anoop Pradhan and his rival will beJasveer Valmiki of SP. 

In Agra, Ram Shankar Katheria of BJP had won the seat in 2009 and 2014. In 2019,BJP replaced Katheria and fielded S. P. Singh Baghel. The move paid in dividendsThree major communities who decide political journey for the Taj city are Dalits, Jatavsand Muslims. In political circles locally it is also called the Dalit capital of Uttar Pradesh.

SP's Suresh Kardam will try to woo mainly Jatav and Muslim voters and BSP'.

Pooja Amrohi will bank on Dalit votes. On the other hand, BJP has banked yet again on the incumbent MP S P SIngh Baghel who of course will try his luckyet again on welfare schemes and the powerful Modi factor.

It can be pointed out that in two consecutive polls - 1999 and 2004 - SP'sRaj Babbar had won the seat. Notably, for Baghel, the victory marginin 2019 was around 2 lakh votes.

People in some of these segments and roadside tea stalls irrespective of caste, genderand religion throw up reflections of political scenarios as they share anecdotes and theirpolitical views.  One fruit seller at Agra says, "I am a Muslim and would hate to vote for Modi.In 2014 and 2019, Modi made a lot of promises. He delivered some; and failed some. Buthe fulfilled all promises made to Hindus and failed on all promises made for Muslims".

He further says, "We lost the Babri Masjid....but we have to protect the Shahi Idgah at Mathuraand also other Masjids".

However, Hindu voters even belonging to a small caste such as Nai say the BJP is widely expected to win a third term in office.

"Under Modi, the Hindu has gained confidence. Today the common Hindus are creating the genesis of a new history. This election is also linked to civilisationalstruggles," says Bheem Manohar.

His argument was that in the face of a resurgent BJP onslaught, Samajwadi and BSP were too weak and too small to stem the rise of Hindutva politics. "It is the Congress alone which could fight,"but he also hastened to add that the Congress never tried to give a fight to the Modi-Yogi duo in Uttar Pradesh.

Badaun in this region is another important segment and it has quite a dramatic political history.In 1989, Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal had won. In 1991, Swami Chinmayanand wrestedit for the BJP. But between Bharatiya Janata Party1996 and 2004, four elections, Saleem Iqbal Shervani of Samajwadi Party

won the seat. In 2009 and even in 2004, it was Dharmendra Yadav of SP.

However, in 2019, Sanghmitra Maurya won the seat for the Lotus party.But she has been replaced and the seat will be fought by BJP's Durvijay Sakyaand Samajwadi nominee Aditya Yadav.

In Bareilly, BJP is banking on its sitting MP and a former ministerSantosh Gangwar. He has been winning the seat since 2014. In 2009,Congress candidate Praveen Singh Aron had won it for the Congress.This year, Aron is the Samajwadi Party nominee.Chhatrapal Gangwar MP, Chhatrapal Gangwar is a former UP minister of state for revenue.  

Interesting contest is on the cards in Etah and Fatehpur Sikri. 

The BJP’s campaign has also pushed a narrative of India emerging  as a world world and how the Modi government has attained economic growthand also making India as the world’s fastest-growing economy.

However, these days the people in this region are also debating the Inheritance Tax Act.Some share strong views on the Modi regime and say puttng Opposition leaders behind barsseemed to be a working formula of the BJP-led NDA government in the centre.

Some also criticised the Modi government  for even allegedly undermining the independence of institutions such as the Election Commission and abusing power through agencies such as the ED. 

The polls in 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh on May 7 will decide many things, analysts say adding, 'March to Delhi' is always possible in India via Uttar Pradesh and the erstwhile Yadav heartland

However, people also complain that the opposition and chiefly the Congress has not been able to strengthen the crusade against the Modi government. "I was surprised when some opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi said the ongoing general election is a rigged match. It automatically gives signals that you have lost the battle,"said Pulok Sen in Firozabad. 

There has been yet another issue vis-a-vis the functioning of the Samajwadi Party, which is contesting62 seats in Uttar Pradesh this year.SP chief Akhilesh Yadav changed its candidates from Meerut, Baghpat, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Badaun, Misrikh, Bijnor, Sultanpur, Muradabad, Kannauj and Shahjhanpur.

Some leaders were reportedly picked to contest the elections based on caste equations. However, not all the leaders were backed by the local SP leadership in the district units. 

ends 

Box 1:

Issues and Non-issues

** People in these seats think Muslim quota and a pie out of the OBC shareas alleged is a major election issue for May 7 third phase of voting.

** Muslims had serious complaints about law generally acting harshly againstthe community. Many under trials are behind bars since 2020 for the agitation against CAA.

** For Hindu voters, Ram temple is the foundation of people's faith. On this, they see both Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath having the image of strong Hindutva proponents. ** People also hail both PM Modi and CM Yogi for "guiding" the bureaucracy and police forces as agents of change and high-voltage actions. "Bulldozer baba" tag for Yogi will however indicate Muslims voting against BJP in substantial numbers. 

 Badaun seat

In 1989,  Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal won the seat. BJP's Chinmayanand wonit in 1991. In 1996, it was Saleem Iqbal Shervani of Samajwadi Party

Shervani also won the seat in 1998, 1999 and 2004. In 2009, it passedon to Dharmendra Yadav of Samajwadi; and he retained it in 2014 as well.However, it 2019, Sanghmitra Maurya of BJP breached it. But this year, she has been replaced by the Lotus party.

Box 3 Hathras - A reserved seat, BJP keeps winning

It is a bit surprising that a high profile rape case is no longer discussed inthe parliamentary constituency of Hathras. The BJP is also confident of winning it again.It's sad but true. The ill-fated 'Bitya Kand' (episode involving your daughter) isnow probably more famous about Hathras. Otherwise, this region was known for production of Heeng (as afoetida), Holi and gulal powders.A 19-year-old Dalit young woman was allegedly gangraped by four upper-caste men in Hathras. She died 11 days later in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital in September 2020.The BJP has won Hathras seat consecutively since 1991. In 2009, the RLD won here as a BJP ally.The BSP finished runner-up in each poll between 1996 and 2014. 

In 2019, BJP's Rajvir Singh Diler polled 684,299 votes making 59.49 percent and defeated

SP's Ram Ji Lal Suman. The victory margin was over two lakhs. 

Box  

Mainpuri:

1996 - Mulayam Singh Yadav Samajwadi Party

1998, 1999 - Balram Singh Yadav

2004 - Mulayam Singh Yadav. Later 2004 bypoll- Dharmendra Yadav

2009 - again Mulayam Singh Yadav. He wins again in 2014.

Tej Pratap Singh Yadav wins in the by-poll. In 2019, Mulayam Singh Yadavreturns and after his death, his Bahu, Dimple Yadav retains the family bastionin a by-poll.

ends 

This is real New India: 'Chizami Model' of Nagaland working in Gujarat ? ::::: "One way of showing 'unhappiness' was shutters down" !! ---- Assam Rifles intercept arms close to Indo-Myanmar Border

Late Shikiho Sema described Extortion & Corruption to -- Juicy fruits with thorns

New Delhi 

The ‘Rip Van Winkle' story is related to number 20.

This syndrome came to haunt 20 MLAs in Nagaland during the April 19 Lok Sabha election this year. 

It also caught up with 40 others -- especially on the polling day when grossly underestimated Supongmeren Jamir of Congress gave a spirited fight and almost handed over a shocking mandate to the NDPP nominee Chumben Murry.  

That is why we say the 'Rip Van Uncle' phenomenon caught up those on the other side of the table as  faceless voers hoped to turn the tide ... and got a chance to teach the 'stakeholders' a lesson.

Clever politicians can learn lessons pretty fast and so they took corrective measures on the polling day itself.  Maybe the prestige has been saved. . 

Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat; two Congress candidates-- Indore and Surat have withdrawn from the contest indicating that the BJP is already 2-0 into the next Lok Sabha.

Surrender or withdrawal of candidates have happened in the past as well. But once the last date of nomination withdrawal is over -- the contest remains.

This withdrawal of candidates just on the eve of voting day after the nomination withdrawal date is over is really surprising. It is a rare syndrome and probably started closer home in Nagaland from Chakhesang-stronghold Chizami. 

Look, how it has traveled to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh ?

Prior to 2018 - probably none knew about such things in Nagaland.

It was visible in Chizami in 2018 and it again surfaced again in 2023 polls and in the second instance - former MP and state Power Minister K.G (Aja) Kenye benefited.

In both instances Kevechutso Doulo was the loser.

The vote share data can explain my argument. NPF's Kezhienyi Khalo was the sitting MLA having won the election in 2018; but in 2023, his tally came down to 104. Is this politically or let us assume even humanly possible in Nagaland - that too from a politica outfit like NPF ? 

And that for a sitting legislator. 

NPP nominee Vevoyi Wideo took away 3,310 voters making it around 20.21% percent of votes. While Kenye of NDPP had polled 7,088 voters as opposed to 43.28% and Kevechutso Doulo polled 5,809 voters.

Doulo quit BJP and had contested the polls on the LJP(Ram Vilas) ticket as the Chizami seat was also snatched by NDPP in 2023 from the kitty of the Lotus party.

In 2018 also we had almost a similar tale and the one to benefit was Kezhienyi Khalo.

Deo Nukhu had won the 2013 poll as an NPF candidate but in 2018 he contested on an NPP ticket. Khalo was the NPF nominee. In 2018, Nukhu's vote share came down to 1667 - about 10 percent.

Khalo won the seat bagging 6563 votes and BJP nominee Kevechutso Doulo had ended up runners up polling 6,160 that is - 40.44 percent of vote share. 

Now, another related question comes in  -- but a vital one --- Why are Naga people always silent and yet angry?  Well, they have many reasons. 

One way of showing their 'unhappiness' was the recent story of shutters down in Dimapur  - state's preferred commercial hub and also elsewhere. 

Business chambers and common people are unhappy with extortion-related episodes. Of course, this is an old problem and extortion rockets have mainly thrived in the last two and half decades.

Some people are blaming it on the 24 Naga militant groups.

But what about "extortion" at other sources?

'Nagaland Page' link

The extortion menace was flagged off by the then Governor R N Ravi. He was hardly appreciated in public.

When stakeholders could have welcomed Ravi's statement  Some people worked for his exit, help was enlisted from Assam as well and Ravi was shunted out.

Did Nagaland gain by his removal? And as we try to raise some uncomfortable questions, we also know how government contractors operate or rather what is being lately whispered -- the contractors are forced to 'cooperate'.

Nagaland to a certain variety of people will always be a Model State of  'Good Governance' province.

Here everybody was 'happy' --- and is still happy -- the government servants, Netas, contractors. Share the love and achievements in the right percentage -- and happiness thrives.

Late Congress leader Shikiho Sema described the mixed-package of extortion (and threat letters) along with corruption to -- Juicy fruits with thorns. 

But about the common people? 

What about the children and youngsters when they grow up knowing that to be rich is the ultimate goal and that corruption is a via route ?

Will this generation blame only the 'extortionists' ? What about other kinds of extortion ? -- a church leader asked me in 2022. 

It’s a truism that every change or a big building constructed is not a sign of progress. This holds true for the state of Nagaland as well.

ASSAM RIFLES 

Assam Rifles intercepted huge quantity of arms, ammunition and other war-like stores close to the Indo-Myanmar Border 

Acting upon specific intelligence inputs, Assam Rifles intercepted huge quantity of arms, ammunition and other war-like stores close to the Indo-Myanmar Border in Mon district of Nagaland on April 29, 2024. 

The search operation launched during early morning hours, resulted in apprehension of one individual and recovery of huge quantity of arms and ammunition comprising of 11 Mortar tubes (81mm), 04 Tubes (106mm) 10 Pistols, 198 Hand Held Radio Sets, one satellite phone, one Kenbo bike, one Bolero vehicle and other war-like stores, PIB release said in Delhi.

Recovery of these heavy calibre, military grade weapons close to the border area is a major success for the border sealing operation underway by Assam Rifles. 

The recovery is also a major blow to the nefarious designs of inimical elements trying to disturb the peace in the region. The recovery of military grade weapons and nearly 200, Hand Held Radio Sets indicate the ill intentions and extent of damage that could have been caused by these weapons.

The apprehended individual and the recovered items have been handed over to the Nagaland Police. Alert troops of Assam Rifles have successfully thwarted the plans of unlawful elements from creating a serious security situation from the perspective of national security, the Defence Ministry release said. 

Snap: Ministry of Defence 

ends

PM Modi's interview to Times of India :::: "Congress have neither credibility nor the intention to fulfill promises ......UCC is one of the core agendas of our party"

 

TOI: Congress’s guarantees played a big role in its victory in the assembly polls in Karnataka and Telangana. Do you think ‘Modi ki guarantee’ can trump them?

PM Modi: For me, guarantee is far more than a word. It is a very sacred expression for me. It is linked to my hard work and my credibility. It is an outcome of my entire life in public service. 

When I speak about guarantee, it pushes me to work even harder for the people. When I attach such importance to my guarantees, naturally people also realise it. People see that whatever guarantee Modi gives, he fulfills it, no matter what the circumstances. 

From providing tap water connections to rations, from building houses for the poor to expressways, Modi is delivering on the guarantees made to people. There are no ifs and buts to Modi’s guarantees. 

For the Congress party, their promises are just a way to fool people to gain their votes. 

They have neither credibility nor the intention to fulfil their promises. 

"They had given many guarantees since Independence. Look at what happened to the biggest guarantee given by their tallest leader: the one of removal of poverty in 1971. 

Successive Congress PMs had spoken about removing poverty but nothing happened for decades. The poor were living without basic necessities like a house, toilet, water connection. Corruption continued unabated. 

"Countries which became independent around the same time as India marched way ahead of us in terms of their economies. India was considered as one of the ‘Fragile Five’ nations before we came to power. So, for the people, there is no comparison between Modi’s guarantees and Congress’s broken promises."

TOI: 

Is one nation, one poll going to be on the top of your ‘to do’ list in the third term? What about UCC? Will the Centre be an enabler or leave it to states?

PM Modi: 

For the longest time, govts have been driven by electoral considerations rather than national considerations. Every year, there would be some or other election taking place and the priority would always be to win the next election, even if it meant trading off the long-term interests of the people of India. 

It is a matter of concern for us. One nation, one poll is going to ensure that as a nation, our time, effort and resources get invested more productively towards nation-building. A high-level committee, under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind, has already submitted a report to President (Droupadi Murmu) prepared after extensive consultations with stakeholders and experts and research on implementing one nation, one poll. In our third term, one will see concrete steps being taken on the matter.

Uniform Civil Code, too, is one of the core agendas of our party. Already, BJP govts in states are mulling over its implementation. 

Uttarakhand has become the first state to implement UCC. 

It is clear that separate laws for communities are detrimental to the health of society. We cannot be a nation where one community is progressing with the support of constitutional norms while the another community is stuck in a time warp due to appeasement. 

We will do everything in our capacity to make Uniform Civil Code a reality in India.   

TOI: 

Your opponents in Karnataka and elsewhere have raised the issue of a NorthSouth divide, claiming the Centre discriminates against southern states. Do you see merit in it or is it driven by their need to fund their guarantees?

PM Modi: 

Raising the false bogey of discrimination is their way of diverting and distracting from their corruption and misgovernance. People of Karnataka proudly sing Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate, Jaya he Karnataka Maate (Victory to you Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India). 

Does Congress really think its move to further divide India will be accepted by the immensely patriotic people of Karnataka? 

Every patriotic Indian will reject this artificial and false divide that Congress is trying to create. Congress, in partnership with the Left, has left Kerala nearly bankrupt and is now seeking to do the same in Karnataka and Telangana. It has just been one year since Congress came to power in Karnataka and they have already done serious damage to its thriving economy. 

Debt incurred by the state govt has massively increased and their empty promises have not resulted in providing welfare to people. In fact, their misgovernance has spooked investors and led to flight of capital from Karnataka. There has been a 46% reduction in FDI and 80% reduction in funds for startups compared to last year in the state.

TOI: 

What is your worry about the current pitch for redistribution of assets? You have said the govt should not be expropriating wealth and assets of people and that a plan to do that is a reflection of the Maoist vision which has caused havoc in so many countries. Do you see this as a real threat?

PM Modi: 

"We should not consider this sinister plan of the Congress party like an idle threat, the threat is very real and stands to hurt our nation irreversibly. This is a clear example of Maoist thinking and ideology. It is saddening to see the Congress party and its Yuvraj carrying forward such Maoist vision which is a recipe for disaster. You would have seen the Yuvraj saying that we will do an X-ray. This X-ray is nothing but raiding every home. 

"They will raid farmers to see how much land they possess. They will raid the common man to see how much wealth he/she has earned through hard work. They will raid the ornaments of our women. Our Constitution protects the property of all minorities. 

This means that when Congress talks of redistribution, it cannot touch the properties of minorities, it cannot consider waqf properties for redistribution but it will eye the properties of other communities. 

This will sow complete and irreversible communal disharmony.

This is something we have to be very careful about, we cannot let anyone harm the country and its people, whatever reasons they may have. 

Our nation, the welfare of each and every one of our citizens is our first and foremost priority. Our govt doesn’t design policies to benefit a majority, we do not make policies that will benefit minorities; we make policies that benefit our nation and its 140 crore citizens without discrimination.

TOI: 

Barring Ram Mandir, there has been no emotive issue in play this time around. You seem to be optimistic that people will consider improvements in their lives and prospects and give you a ‘positive’ vote. 

Cases relating to Kashi and Mathura temples are in court. Rather than wait for a lengthy legal process, can these issues be sorted out by discussions between religious leaders of both communities?

PM Modi:

Yes, Ram Mandir is an emotive issue for the people of our country. It is a civilisational struggle of 500 years which has been resolved and the prayers of generations of Indians have been answered. But you are wrong in saying there is no other emotive issue. 

A ‘mahila’ getting a tap water connection, LPG connection, toilet and becoming a Lakhpati Didi and having the power to dream of a better future is an emotive moment for her and her entire family. For a youth who wants to start his own business and provide for his family and has aspirations to further expand his operations, getting a collateral-free Mudra loan is also a big emotive moment. 

A ‘kisan’ getting his ‘samman’, a father being able to provide the best treatment to his child due to Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a street vendor opening a second cart due to PM-SVANidhi and transacting entirely on UPI: all these mark emotive moments for the entire country. Improvement of living standards is an emotive issue which is resonating strongly in this election. 

For a large number of people of this country, they are seeing for the first time that they can have a better future and achieve their dreams, which is an emotive issue for them.

As far as Kashi and Mathura are concerned, I will not comment much as the cases are sub judice. But we are committed to developing our cultural heritage. Our manifesto speaks about the aim to boost cultural tourism across the country and develop temple spaces and cultural spaces of all religions in India as world-class destinations for pilgrimage and tourism. 

The massive development taking place in our temple towns will not only help the pilgrims but also the local economy.

"I met nobody in rural India who saw Modi as corrupt and autocratic...," wrote 'Indian Express' columnist Tavleen Singh

Her words should ultimately tell the story of Indian election 2024 .....

Sickular brigade is far off the target. When they say this will happen or that will happen -- especially in the context of Narendra Modi -- they are just clueless !!

" We continue to hope that he (Modi) will be defeated this time and hope that the message that democracy is in danger will resonate with voters. 

When the results come, we are likely to be disappointed again. I met nobody in rural India who saw Modi as corrupt and autocratic." -- Tavleen Singh 

Tavleen Singh is no blind supporter of Narendra Modi and hence one can say ... she is being objective and frank...  

Now let us take a few headlines from the western media and a few from likely Chinese proxies ;;;;  (in the context of elections in India and the functioning of the Modi Govt and PM Narendra Modi in particular) 

'Laments India's descent into authoritarianism' --- Nikkei Asia (Japan)  

** "Is India's BJP, the world's most ruthlessly efficient political party" ?? - 'Financial Times'. 

"The 'Mother of Democracy' is not in Good shape"

*** 'How Indian Democracy developed East Asian Characteristics' 

'Modi's Make in India did not make jobs' - 'Foreign Policy'

'Modi's Slide Toward Autocracy' 

Coming back to Tavleen Singh's article ....:

"What is it about ‘autocratic’, ‘dictatorial’ Modi that attracts ordinary Indian voters more? The answer that I got to this question on my recent travels in rural India is that people have seen changes in their lives, and they believe that these changes have happened because of Modi. 

"These are not remarkable changes. They are simple things like roads, drinking water, electricity, and Internet services but because they were not there before, they seem remarkable". -- she writes.

Tavleen also says:

"Those who have not but wish to continue being relevant cling these days to Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and hope that somehow, they will be able to defeat Modi. 

Some act as advisors to the current heirs of the Dynasty and fill their heads with grandiose ideas like saving the Constitution and saving democracy. 

"But the truth is that Rahul Gandhi’s main message remains the same as it was in the last general election. This is that Modi is corrupt and that he works only for a handful of rich Indians. He steals your money, he shrieks at his political rallies, and he gives it to his rich friends. 

How exactly does this work?" 

Jaishankar with Russian counterpart 

More firangi headlines:

Jacobin: "Narendra Modi preparing new attacks on Democratic rights"

"Who can stop Modi and his authoritarian vision for India"

Tavleen Singh yet again hits the nail ..... :::: this is also for Delhi elites.... the infamous and somewhat selfishly pushy --- Sickular brigade -- the Jugadu club ---

"When it came to politics and elections, we stuck loyally by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and its various heirs because they were people like us. We did not care that Parliament had been turned into a private members club. It was our club. 

Nor did we care that the Congress Party under Sonia Gandhi’s stewardship had also become a private club. It was our club. 

In our drawing rooms we talked endlessly of democracy and secularism and saw ourselves as ordained to protect these ideas."

"More worrying for me was that some ideas in the Nyaya Patra (Justice Letter) seemed copied from Modi. The Prime Minister has been saying since the beginning of this election season that in his eyes the four castes in India are: youth, women, farmers, and the poor. 

"The Congress President spoke of the four pillars of the party manifesto being: youth, women, farmers, and workers. His speech was received with such apathy by his colleagues that he asked in a sad voice if people had ‘forgotten how to clap:, Tavleen Singh wrote in another piece. 

On Foreign Policy front:

"For a party that has long been viewed, rightly or wrongly, as reluctant to engage with the US and soft on China, Congress appears to be rethinking the triangular dynamic with Washington and Beijing. The Congress perhaps sees that China’s power poses a great challenge to India and that the US must be a part of the answer. 

"Assuming this conjecture is correct, it is not something that any mainstream party would say aloud. Does the Congress’s tough line on China mean we have arrived at a new normal in India’s triangular relations with China and the US?" -- writes C Raja Mohan

Another Congress veteran quits, joins BJP in Madhya Pradesh ::::: "Aaj Bharat ghar mein ghus ke marta hai...." Modi pushes Strong India message in Latur

Fake videos being sold in "mohabbat ki dukaan”, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said rivals who are unable to take on the BJP-led government are misusing technology to circulate fake videos on social media.

“Now their condition is such that as their lies aren't working, they are using my face and with the help of artificial intelligence, selling fake videos in their "mohabbat ki dukaan”. This shop of lies must be shut down,” Modi said.

“Opponents are using artificial intelligence to distort quotes of leaders like me,” Modi said, addressing an election rally in Dharashiv district of Maharashtra.

'Attempts are being made to push West Bengal into riots', says UP CM Adityanath during election rally in state

Addressing a public rally in Berhampore, Murshidabad, BJP leader Yogi Adityanath says, "Today, I have come here to ask the West Bengal government, how are Sandeshkhali-like incidents happening in a State which gave the message of Durga Puja to us?. 

"Today's Bengal is not 'Sonar Bangla' which was imagined by our freedom fighters. Attempts are being made to push West Bengal into riots. Be it Congress or Trinamool Congress- both the parties are united to loot the State and conspire against India," said UP Chief Minister.

"...Seven years ago the situation was the same in Uttar Pradesh. Today, our daughters and businessmen and traders  in Uttar Pradesh are safe".

'Congress has only one identity - Betrayal', says PM Modi in Maharashtra's Dharashiv

Addressing a public rally in Maharashtra's Dharashiv, PM Modi says, "Can a weak government make a strong nation?..

Can a Congress govt take India to newer heights? Congress has only one identity - Betrayal"

PM Modi - sound bytes in Maharashtra's Madha?

- "I have left no stone unturned to empower women; thousands of women have joined Self Help Groups in the last 10 years".

- "Why waste your vote by giving it to those who are not contesting even the number of seats needed for a majority in Lok Sabha"

"When there is a strong government in the country, its focus is on the present as well as the future"

"People are seeing the difference between the 10 years of Modi government and 60 years of Congress rule."

'What Congress couldn’t do in 60 years, this 'sewak' of yours made it possible in 10 years', says PM Modi

“The love and the crowd I am witnessing today is a strength and blessing for me. In the last 10 years, since the time you have given me the responsibility, I have only devoted myself to serving you. 

Today, the citizens of the country and Maharashtra can see the difference between the Modi government’s 10 years and Congress’s 60 years of governance. 

What Congress couldn’t do in 60 years, this 'sewak' of yours made it possible in 10 years,” said PM Modi while addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Madha.

6-time Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat quits party, joins BJP in Madhya Pradesh

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: The Congress in Madhya Pradesh suffered a setback on Monday with its Lok Sabha candidate from Indore, Akshay Kanti Bam, withdrawing his nomination.

In another setback to the Congress, six-time MLA Ramniwas Rawat quit the grand old party on Tuesday and joined the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. Rawat was inducted into the saffron brigade at programme in Sheopur in presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ramped up his campaign schedule in Maharashtra where he was to touch upon three constituencies with his rallies. In Latur, Modi targeted the grand old party and said those who have looted the country for years have to return the loot. “This is Modi’s guarantee,” he stated.

We don't send dossiers on terror; we kill by entering their homes: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said government's approach on tackling terror has seen a drastic change compared to what was followed under the Congress rule, news agency PTI reported (India Today)

“During the Congress regime, the news headlines were of India handing over another dossier to Pakistan about terror activities. Some of our friends in media used to clap after any such dossier was sent,” Modi said at a rally in Maharashtra's Latur. 

“Today, India doesn't send dossiers. Aaj Bharat ghar mein ghus ke marta hai (Today India kills terrorists on their own turf)," Modi said.

 

If there is someone 'most popular' leader, he is PM Modi: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Addressing an rally, former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "If there is someone who is the most popular leader, he is PM Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, no one can stop India from becoming 'Vishwaguru'... Who will be Congress' PM candidate?...

 India will move forward with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister..."

   

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacks TMC and Congress during election rally in West Bengal

Speaking during a rally in West Bengal’s Bardhaman, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, 

“TMC and Congress were dilly-dallying this (Ayodhya Ram Temple) issue for 70 years. You gave 18 seats (in West Bengal) to Modi and made him the Prime Minister for the second time. In just five years, he won the case and did the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.”

'In last 10 years, I lifted 25 crore people out of poverty', says PM Modi in Maharashtra

"I have come to seek your blessings for a developed India. I have spent each and every moment in the last 10 years in your service:  Cong leaders only talked about poverty removal, but in the last 10 years, I have lifted 25 crore people out of poverty,” he said while speaking in a public rally in Maharashtra. 

BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj filed her nomination from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday. A surprise pick for the seat, Bansuri replaced the BJP's two-time New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi.

'Will try to implement UCC across the nation', says Amit Shah

Talking about the Congress' promise in its poll manifesto that it will restore the Muslim Personal Law Board, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "The Congress is trying to safeguard its support base, whatever is left, through appeasement politics. 

The BJP criticises this. We have said it in our poll manifesto that we will try to implement the UCC (Uniform Civil Code) across the nation and there's one law for people of every religion."

On being asked about Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's candidature from Amethi and Raebareli, 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said -- 

"I don't know whether they will contest elections or not but the amount of confusion shows that they lack self-confidence. 

The situation in Uttar Pradesh is that they have left their traditional seats and ran away..."

Modi potshot at Sharad Pawar in Pune: ‘Bhatakti atma’ unsettled Govts in Maharashtra

On the hometurf of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a dig at the veteran leader in the presence of members of the Pawar family, that included Ajit Pawar and his wife Sunetra, who is contesting the Baramati Lok Sabha seat against sitting MP Supriya Sule.

“There is a ‘bhatakti atma’ (wandering soul) in Maharashtra. If it does not manage success it spoils others’ good work. 

Maharashtra has been a victim of it,” said Modi, hitting out at Sharad Pawar without taking his name. 

'BJP is a supporter of reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs', says Amit Shah in Assam

Addressing a press conference in Assam today, Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said, 'Congress is spreading misinformation that BJP will end reservation after crossing 400 seats. These things are baseless and factless... 

I want to make it clear that BJP is a supporter of reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs and will always play its role as protector...'

Blogger 

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"If they had mismanaged the economy, at least they should have protected the social fabric. But they have wounded India's soul. Such a climate did not prevail in the past," Shashi Tharoor said in 2019. 

May 7 polls ..... BJP enters its 'stronghold pockets' ::::: In 2019 - Congress could win only 4; and Lotus party picked up 72

Lok Sabha Phase 3: BJP has many strongholds in Gujarat, Karnataka, Congress is much weaker .... to the level of a negligible force

Of the 47 strongholds among these seats — constituencies won by the same party in the last three general elections — the BJP has 42, showcasing its strength, especially in Gujarat and Karnataka. 

The Congress holds just one and other parties hold four such seats.

A total of 95 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories will go to polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7.

Of the 95 seats -- the BJP had bagged only 47 in 2009 and now they increased it to as many as 72 in 2019.  

This phase includes all seats in Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, along with significant contests in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.

In 2009, the BJP won 47 seats, which rose to 67 in 2014 and further to 72 in 2019. The party’s vote share, too, remained very high in these seats. The party bagged more than 40 per cent vote share on 78 seats. 

In contrast, the Congress decline was remarkable - from 27 seats in 2009 to 9 in 2014, and just four in 2019.

credit: 'India Today' 

In Uttar Pradesh :  March to Delhi via Yadav-heartland in Uttar Pradesh   

The 10 parliamentary seats going to the polls in UP in the third phase on May 7 are - Agra, Aonla, Badaun, Bareilly, Etah, Fatehpur Sikri, Hathras and Sambhal besides Firozabad and Mainpuri.  

Narendra Modi-led came to power in 2014 after the saffron outfit secured 282 seats in the 543-strong parliament in the 2014 general election. 

Modi's chief pledge was to transform India's economy and ensure a corruption-free regime.

He promised an inclusive India and of course 'the achhey din (happier days) - pledging the tough 10 million new jobs per year and increasing farm incomes by 2022.

Some of these promises and their implementation remain debated even up to 2024.  

One fruit seller at Agra says, "In 2014 and 2019, Modi made a lot of promises. He delivered some; and failed some. But he fulfilled all promises made to Hindus including Ram temple and Art 370;  but failed on all promises made for Muslims".

A series of structural economic reforms such as Goods and Service Tax and demonetization remain hallmarks of the Modi government. These were almost game-changers. However, critics said, although the Goods and Service Tax (GST) was a landmark legislation that overhauled India's indirect tax regime, it was allegedly burdened by a complex infrastructure.