Shourie was in conversation with The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta at the launch of Gupta’s book Anticipating India

Modi also sought to clarify that he had not insulted late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at his rally in Amethi.

Across the Ganga, villagers say they rarely see a BJP campaign.

The statement was widely criticised and the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, among others.

There are 24.25 lakh handpumps in Uttar Pradesh, of which 61,000 were installed during 2012-13.

The presence of Haji Islam has upset the calculation of the Congress with both banking on Dalit-Muslim votes.

Politics has long been a staple at Varanasi’s tea stalls, but the entry of self-claimed tea vendor Modi has turned up the heat.

BJP now promises cleaner ghats, better deal for weavers

The Congress faces the prospect of a rout in Seemandhra after Telangana was carved out against the wishes of Seemandhra leaders.

There are more than 48.10 lakh voters in 12 districts, including the snowy tribal belt of Kinnaur, Lahual-Spiti and Bharmour, part of Mandi.

Yogi was also scheduled to campaign in Muslim-dominated Gonda, Bahraich, Shrawasti and Ambedkarnagar.

Even Muslim beneficiaries of that scheme are weighing their options as they seek to identify who is best placed to defeat the BJP candidates.

Though urban pockets of Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipore and Pattan are expected to witness a boycott, the turnout could be heavy in rural areas.

“I have nothing to say; speak to my party leaders,” Soren responds when asked about her experience as a first-time candidate, handpicked by Mamata Banerjee.

The controversy was triggered by Modi’s statements in campaign rallies that all Bangladeshi “infiltrators” would be deported after May 16.

In Ladakh, the 1.6 lakh voters — the lowest in the state — have a choice of four candidates including Tsering Samphel of Congress and Thupstan Chewang of BJP.

The target of 30 out of 42 seats that seemed a possibility even a month ago looks a hard task for the TMC.

The group will reach Varanasi on Tuesday night.

Former minister Gordhan Zadaphia, who was reinducted into the BJP in February this year after a patch-up with Chief Minister Narendra Modi, has been sent to Varanasi  to mobilise  Eastern UP’s Kurmi voters who identify themselves with Patels of Gujarat. Zadaphia, who held more than 200 public meetings in Saurashtra region for mobilising Patel voters […]

Party sources said a final decision in this regard will only be taken by the central leadership after May 16.

Hitting back at Narendra Modi, Priyanka on Monday accused him of “insulting” her “martyred” father Rajiv Gandhi.

Targets Rajiv, Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka; says they failed constituency

Boycott notwithstanding, Mirwaiz urges ‘people of India’ to vote wisely.

The BJP’s candidate is Janardhan Singh Sigriwal while the JD(U) has fielded Dhumal Singh.