The results of the state Assembly elections 2021 will be announced on May 2.Addressing a rally in Kamrup, Assam, Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the BJP will bring laws against ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’ in the state if elected. “There is a lot of talk in the BJP’s resolution letter, but the biggest thing will be done by the BJP government to bring a law against ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’,” Shah said. Shah also slammed the Congress party for increasing “separatism and terrorism” in the state under its regime.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released the election manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls in Puducherry. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiling the manifesto said that it speaks about ‘nyay’ and has been made after taking suggestions from the public. Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Giriraj Singh were also present for the release.
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of interfering in the functioning of Election Commission (EC), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said even if the EC transfers all the state officers, Trinamool Congress’ victory cannot be prevented.
Her statement comes after the EC ordered the transfer of five officers, including an additional director general of police, in West Bengal saying they will not be given any poll-related assignment, PTI reported. Those transferred in the state are ADG West Zone Sanjay Singh, DCP (South Kolkata) Sudhir Neelkantha, SP (Cooch Behar) K Kannan, SP (Diamond Harbour) Avijit Banerjee and district election officer of Jhargram Ayesha Rani, official sources told PTI on Thursday.
Accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “taking back Bengal to the 19th century, with no development work undertaken in the past 10 years”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the TMC dispensation, just like its predecessor, the Left Front, has wronged the people of the state.
The high-voltage campaign for the first phase of the poll in Assam and Bengal came to an end on Thursday evening. A total of 77 assembly constituencies (47 in Assam and 30 in Bengal) will go to the polls on March 27.
With Assam going to the polls on Saturday, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a video message on Friday, said Assam is being “divided on the basis of religion, culture and language” and urged voters to cast their ballot for a government that “upholds the Constitution of India and respects the principles of democracy”.
47 constituencies of Assam go to vote on Saturday in the first phase of a three-part election.
Singh, who represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for 28 years (1991-2019), said: “You must vote for a government that will care for every citizen, for every community. You must vote for a government that will ensure inclusive growth and put Assam on the path of peace and development once again.” -- Read more
'Unity in diversity is hallmark of our culture, which makes us strong. But two leaders of Congress party, the siblings come to Assam for tourism. Tea leaves haven't fully grown but Priyanka Gandhi is plucking them up for photo session,' Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Karimganj, Assam.
TMC leaders Derek O'Brien and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar visit EC office in Kolkata. "Many people with criminal records are living in Nandigram, Bhagwanpur & Haripur aren't voters of constituency. Voters are being scared & threatened. EC should ensure voters' safety," says Dastidar.
Highlighting BJP’s steps to empower women in Assam if elected, Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that every girl after 8th grade will be given free cycles and every female college going girl will be given scooters. “We have decided that after 8th grade all the daughters will be given bicycles. Scooty will be given to all daughters going to college, Shah said while addressing a rally in Kamrup, Assam.
Addressing a rally in Kamrup, Assam, Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the BJP will bring laws against ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’ in the state if elected. “There is a lot of talk in the BJP's resolution letter, but the biggest thing will be done by the BJP government to bring a law against 'Love Jihad' and 'Land Jihad',” Shah said.
Addressing a rally in Kamrup, Assam, Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday slammed the Congress party for bringing “separatism and terrorism”in the state under its regime. On the other hand, on BJP’s watch, Shah said, “Over 2,000 insurgents have welcomed peace and given up arms recently under the BJP govt to join the mainstream.”
Ahead of the assembly elections in Assam, Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday is addressing a public meeting in Kamrup, Assam. The address orginally scheduled for 11:30 am, was postponed till 1 pm.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released the election manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls in Puducherry. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Giriraj Singh officially unveiled the party’s manifesto in Puducherry.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that “reprehensible remarks by Sheikh Alam yet again exposes true colours of TMC” and that Mamata Banerjee’s strategy has been that of “Communal polarisation.” But this time, Pradhan said, “Bengal won't let TMC's allegiance to anti-India ideology go unpunished.”
A video of a man holding a TMC poster went viral for his controversial remarks. The man, identified as Sheikh Alam, is heard saying in the 30-second video that “if 30% Muslims of India come together, it can create four Pakistan.” The Trinamool Congress denied he was a party member and distanced themselves from his remarks.
On March 19, Basanti Kumari, a 38-year-old tea garden worker, was part of the small group that had lunch with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Rahul, she said, asked the workers about their issues over the meal at a garden in Chabua, a small town in Dibrugarh district which is lined with large tea gardens.
Kumari, mother of two (son, 8; daughter, 2), plucks tea leaves at the Chabua tea estate (one of India’s oldest, set up in 1836) for Rs 167 a day. Her husband unwell, she is the sole breadwinner. “I run the family with borrowed money — Rs 167 is not enough,” she says.
Later that day, addressing a rally in Tinsukia, Rahul reiterated the Congress’s promise to increase wages of tea workers to Rs 365.(Read Abhishek Saha's report here)
Puducherry Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has declared a public holiday on April 6, the day election will be held to the territorial assembly. Chief Secretary to territorial government, Ashwani Kumar said in a release on Thursday that in pursuance to Section 25 of Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 and the instructions issued by the Election Commission, the Lt Governor has declared April 6 a public holiday for all government offices, institutions, local bodies, commercial and industrial establishments in the Union Territory. (PTI)
Congress leader Sachin Pilot will visit Assam to campaign for the upcoming assembly elections, a statement said on Thursday. Pilot will be on a tour of the northeastern state on March 28 where he will address election meetings. He will attend road shows and address rallies in Silchar and Karimganj in support of the party's candidates. (PTI)
In 2019, when protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens broke out across India, Bengali theatre and film actor Anirban Bhattacharya wrote a poem in solidarity with the dissenters. Bhattacharya had recited the poem at a few events, alongside his translation of Aamir Aziz’s now-famous poem, Sab yaad rakha jayega.
Plans to release a protest video were stalled by the lockdown. But Bhattacharya, one of West Bengal’s most popular contemporary actors, says the project became more urgent as time went by. Read More
“Ya to humein LA (lab assistant) banao, nahin to hum MLA banenge,” says Arun Kumar Sharma, a father of two in his early forties.
Sharma is among the two candidates who have been fielded for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly by-elections by the Rajasthan Berozgar Ekikrut Mahasangh, which describes itself as a platform to raise issues including those influencing the unemployed youth, regularisation of contractual workers and appointments in pending recruitments of the state government. Read More
An Independent candidate from Madurai South constituency in Tamil Nadu is grabbing eyeballs for his extraordinary poll promises ahead of the state Assembly elections.
Thulam Saravanan (Saravanan R as per the affidavit), who works as a reporter in a local daily, is contesting from Madurai South, where more than 13 candidates are in the fray. Saravanan, who is contesting on a dustbin symbol, has promised to provide a mini-helicopter, Rs 1 crore to every household, a robot for homemakers to do household work, and 100 sovereigns of gold for women when they get married. Read more
"Should Saraswati puja take place in schools of Bengal or not? Should Durga puja & idol immersion happen or not? Didi banned Durga puja & Saraswati puja for vote bank. Bid adieu to Didi on May 2 & there will no one to stop Durga puja & Saraswati puja in Bengal," Home Minister Amit Shah said.
Rahul Gandhi’s travel programme in Kerala on March 26, 2021
BJP's Pandabeswar candidate Jitendra Tiwari was show-caused by the Election Commission for promising voters a free trip to the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya if elected, officials said on Thursday. Tiwari made the promise at two places -- once while speaking at a public meeting in Haripur on March 21, and then at a party meeting, they said. The Trinamool Congress lodged a complaint with the EC on March 22 over the issue. In his reply to the EC notice, Tiwari said that he was unaware that making such a promise would violate the model code of conduct. He also apologised to the EC for "being ignorant". --PTI
Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty holds roadshow in Jhargram ahead of Assembly polls in Bengal.
LF nominated CPI(M) candidate from Ranaghat Dakshin Vidhan Sabha constituency Rama Biswas is engaging with people during her door to door campaign.
Accusing BJP of interfering in the functioning of Election Commission (EC), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said even if EC transfers all the state officers, Trinamool Congress' victory cannot be prevented. Her statement comes after the EC ordered the transfer of five officers, including an additional director general of police, in West Bengal saying they will not be given any poll-related assignment, PTI reported. Those transferred in the poll-bound state are ADG West Zone Sanjay Singh, DCP (South Kolkata) Sudhir Neelkantha, SP (Cooch Behar) K Kannan, SP (Diamond Harbour) Avijit Banerjee and district election officer of Jhargram Ayesha Rani, official sources said on Thursday.
In an apparent reference to the Indian Secular Front, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the BJP of backing a new political party to eat into minority votes during the upcoming assembly polls.
Without naming any party or any person, Banerjee also claimed at an election rally in South 24 Parganas district the founder of that outfit receives money from the BJP. Read more
Clarifying his 'bermuda' remark, Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh Thursday said, "She's our CM, we expect her to act appropriately, befitting Bengal’s culture. A woman showing her legs in saree is inappropriate. People are objecting. I found it objectionable so I spoke."
'You won't get rid of malaria until Didi leaves. She's friends with dengue and malaria. Vote for us, we'll eradicate diseases in 2 yrs...On one hand, PM Modi is working for tribal welfare, while Didi is working for her nephew. Who do you want?' Amit Shah said in West Bengal's Jhargram.
Holding up a photograph of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami with former AIADMK leader Sasikala at a campaign rally in Ottapidaram, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "This is a picture in which the Chief Minister (Edappadi K Palaniswami) is seen touching Sasikala's feet. But as he became Chief Minister, he pushed her away. That's why we say he is venomous."
Speaking at a campaign rally in West Bengal's Jhargram, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Didi has scared innocent tribals with 'Khela Hobe' but doesn't she know that even a small kid plays football here. Nobody is scared of your 'Khela Hobe', Didi. Vote for us, I assure you that Didi's goons won't be able to harm you." (ANI)
Speaking at a campaign rally in West Bengal's Jhargram, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Jhargram is a land of tribals, forests & red soil. With Ma Mati Manush, Didi formed govt but didn't do anything for you. There's no drinking water. Leave Didi, vote for Modi Ji's lotus, in 5 years we will bring drinking water."
Speaking at a campaign rally in West Bengal's Bagmundi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Modi ji wants elections to be for your welfare. Didi wants elections as a means to make her nephew the next Chief Minister. Do you want the nephew as your CM or development in Bengal?"
"Earlier Bengal's per capita income was more than entire country’s per capita income. Now, the Congress, CPI(M), TMC have destroyed industries and made the youth jobless. Today there are no industries in Bengal, only TMC's industry of corruption is prevailing," UP CM Yogi Adityanath said during a campaign in West Bengal.
Kanimozhi, Thoothukkudi MP and Secretary of DMK’s women’s wing, speaks to The Indian Express ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on April 6.
How is the electoral battle shaping up in Tamil Nadu?
It looks very good, bright and positive for the DMK and the alliance. I think it is a definite win… I have travelled across the state, met people and they are quite upset and angry with the present government. They definitely want a change and they believe that change is the DMK. They want the DMK back in power because there is rampant unemployment. There is no investment in the state. The basic infrastructure and basic facilities… Nothing has been done. It is becoming a government where nobody can protest, nobody can ask questions… It is becoming very dictatorial.
What will the outcome of these polls signify for national and state politics?
For the state, it will signify a return to the right track and development. Tamil Nadu has always been at the forefront, but today we are slipping on all human development indicators. We have to put it back on track. As far as national politics is concerned, it will show that there are states which are different. Read the full interview here.
Septuagenarian C K Saraswathi who is seeking her electoral fortunes from Modakkurichi Assembly constituency in the district on a BJP ticket has offered free knee surgeries to the deserving. This medical doctor by profession makes it a point to wear a face mask during her fervent election campaign and braves the soaring mercury to engage in hectic electioneering.
Her prescription for a healthy constituency also includes attuning the young minds through introduction of moral instruction and religious books, nurturing talent, particularly at village level and ensuring employment. Notwithstanding the welfare schemes assured by her BJP, Saraswathi has offered knee surgeries to the deserving, at her personal expense.
"I heard that several people in the constituency are suffering from knee problems and being poor they are unable to afford expensive treatment. The affected persons may come to my hospital for treatment and knee surgery free of cost after the election," Dr Saraswathi told PTI. (PTI)
In a literal young versus old battle, BJP's 'Metroman' E Sreedharan will take on sitting Congress MLA Shafi Parambil here for the April 6 Kerala Assembly elections, seeking to convert his technocrat charisma into votes.
A fierce triangular contest is expected this time in Palakkad, held by the United Democratic Front (UDF) since 2011, as the ruling LDF has also fielded a first timer, to take on the Congress and the BJP.
The BJP, buoyed by its success in Palakkad in the recent civic polls, has fielded the 88-year old Sreedharan to fight it out with the 38 year-old Parambil, seeking a hatrick of terms. (PTI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gave money to the founder of a new political party backed by it, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged at a rally. She claimed that the saffron party decided to back the new party so that it could “eat into the vote share” in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar is set to campaign in West Bengal in support of Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. During a three-day visit from April 1, Pawar will hold rallies and press conferences in the state and will also meet Banerjee and other TMC party workers at Trinamool Bhavan, Maharashtra NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase told ANI.
Amusing spectacles unfold everyday with candidates attempting a variety of things from donning the role of a chef to washing clothes to woo voters, spicing up the campaign for the April 6 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu. Amid laughter and claps, AIADMK candidate from Royapuram here, D Jayakumar filled a pot fully with water for a woman by manually operating a roadside handpump.
Also, the Fisheries Minister Jayakumar dons the signature 'MGR' cap sometimes and goes around his constituency on a cycle-rickshaw to seek votes. During his campaign, DMK nominee from Virugambakkam AVM Prabakar Raja displayed his culinary skills at a small eatery by quickly pouring batter on the tawa and making a hot dosa.
If Makkal Needhi Maiam candidate Priyadarshini from Egmore sat at a roadside eatery, prepared spicy fried fish and requested support, popular actor and independent candidate Mansoor Ali Khan is going solo on a moped to seek votes. (PTI)
It’s 7:30 am and there is barely anyone up and about at Puthuppally in the rubber heartland of central Kerala. However, Karottu Vallakkalil, the house of the town’s most popular resident, is buzzing. Visitors stream in and out while, in a rather small office, Oommen Chandy, the former chief minister and among the tallest Congress leaders in Kerala, goes through a sheaf of papers, attends calls on multiple phones, and gives instructions.
At 77, Chandy is fighting one of the toughest elections for his party, which is up against a popular LDF government and a growing BJP. The Congress a divided house, he is among its chief fire-fighters, with allies, religious and community leaders.
Puthuppally has now voted Chandy 11 times consecutively, starting 1970. A 12th win from Puthuppally would equal the record of the late K M Mani. Read the full report here.
At the press meet in Kottayam, Kerala’s most visible political face is doing what he is best at – telling the media what exactly he wants to do. Not a word more, not a syllable less. The clinically controlled delivery is nothing new to those who have watched this 77-year-old stalwart of both party and government.
What is new is that the state’s laidback TV viewers have taken to the measured tone. Over the last one year, since the outbreak of the pandemic in March, Vijayan was on TV at 6 pm on weekdays, giving a methodical account of the day’s Covid situation. Malayalam news channels saw viewerships soar to entertainment channel highs.
Party insiders expect a corresponding voter response, notably from women. The cumulative daily build-up of a reassuring chief-in-charge is what the party banks on as the state votes on April 6. Called ‘triple V’ (Visual Vijayan Vote), this is crucial to an election that cannot be taken for granted. You can never rule out the Congress which under Rahul Gandhi scored an upset win in the last Lok Sabha polls. The BJP-led third front is out to win seats and become kingmaker. Read the full report here.
On December 12, 2019, a day after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament, this small town in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district had erupted into violent protests. The same night, the town’s railway station, post-office and Circle Office, apart from sitting BJP MLA Binod Hazarika’s house, were set on fire, with Chabua, home to both Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and wanted ULFA militant Paresh Baruah, emerging as the epicentre of the anti-CAA protests after Guwahati.
Hundreds of local youths were picked up from here and several charged under stringent laws.
Amidst the Assam elections, the BJP has maintained complete silence on the CAA, even after promising to implement it in West Bengal. Its manifesto released on Tuesday too didn’t mention the Act, though party president J P Nadda said, “The CAA has been passed by Parliament… It will be implemented in letter and spirit.” Read the full report here.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address public meetings in West Bengal on Thursday, ahead of the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state. He will address meetings in Joypur, Taldangra, and Kakdwip assembly constituencies. "Heading to West Bengal to address election meetings in Joypur, Taldangra and Kakdwip assembly constituencies. Looking forward to it," he tweeted.
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