A section feels it does not make sense to replace Amit Shah as party chief just when big elections in Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi are looming on the horizon. Winning these states is important for the BJP if it wants to improve its position in the Rajya Sabha. At present, the ruling coalition has 99 members in the 250-member upper house.

Sources also said most of the outgoing ministers will be retained. They have incidentally been told to prepare a 100-day blueprint of what they plan to do in the first three months of NDA-2.

Some contestants who fought the national election and lost could also be accommodated. There may be some change in the big four ministries – Home, Finance, Defence and Foreign Ministry. There is much discussion around the finance ministry; Arun Jaitley, who is unwell, is unlikely to return as FM.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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Health and education, especially private sector medical colleges are demanding hefty fee and donation and producing substandard doctors. The government should open AIIMS type medical colleges in the state to produce quality doctors with empathy for patients. The government should also focus on a technical research area to cover the lost ground in innovation and discoveries. It leads to the second area where new yet old government need to focus – international area.

PM Narendra Modi is doing a fantastic job already and he should continue making the country self-sufficient in terms of modern warfare equipment and continue doing what NSA Ajit Doval famously said that “India should punch equal to its weight, if not more”!

The Correspondent Bureau

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Expectations 1)Good Governance 2) Quality Education 3) Rapid Employment generation 4) Pollution free River 5) Industry Development 6) Integrated Health policy 7) zero corruption 8) Encouragement for research sector 9) Strong bilateral relationship with the nebouring country. 10) castism free social life.11) Agriculture Reformation 12) execution of Paris agreement More focus on Climate Change.

Dr Mangesh Kashyap.
Founder President.
Society for environmental education research and management. Pune. Maharashtra India.

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“The Mahamilavatis say national security is not an issue. How can it not be one when so many common people lose their lives in terrorist attacks? 

“The perpetrators ought to be finished the way we did, by chasing them to their hideouts (Ghar mein ghuskar mara), Modi said in an oblique reference to the Balakot air strikes.

Addressing an election rally here under Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency, Modi made an emotional appeal to the voters “this is my last public meeting in the state during elections. But I will be back with my development projects among you in my fresh tenure. Your love has made me confident of a victory. But please do ensure, in the last phase, that the magnitude of the victory is handsome.” 

The prime minister also attacked the Congress over Sam Pitrodas “hua to hua” remark and alleged that it reflected the opposition partys “arrogance” and “unapologetic attitude” about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

He also came down heavily on Lalu Prasads RJD, the Congress ally in Bihar which he did not mention by name, accusing it of using the support of caste for achieving power but thereafter promoting those within the family, ignoring the contributions of workers with potential.

He also attacked the RJD for having allegedly promoted criminalization during its stint in power and “failure” to come up with innovations aimed at improving the living standards of the poor.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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She alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is targeting her nephew and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha Trinamool Congress candidate Abhishek Banerjee and is ready to splurge to orchestrate a riot in the area.

“It is Modi’s target to start a riot at Diamond Harbour. He is ready to splurge any amount for the purpose,” Ms Banerjee said at a poll rally in support of her nephew at Metiabruz in the south western part of the city ahead of the final round of polls in the state.

“Where will the country go if Narendra Modi comes to power again? He is the greatest danger of the country. West Bengal is a place where all religions co-exist. I will give my life to see that no riot takes place in the state”, she said.

Hitting out at her detractors who have blamed her for minority appeasement, Ms Banerjee said “People accuse me of appeasing Muslims. What do you mean by appeasement? The Muslims are also people of the state. What nasty politics is the BJP doing?”

Metiabruz is a predominantly Muslim area, historically the place where the last Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah was exiled by the British. Known as the second Lucknow, it is famous for its large tailoring community who supply ready-made garments to traders across east India.

She alleged that the BJP is after her nephew and is spreading rumours about him. “What wrong has he done? He is just a member of my family and is engaged in politics.”At Birlapur in South 24 Parganas, she said that PM Modi should be “thrown out of power” to save the country. “We (TMC) want all the 42 seats in West Bengal so that TMC can have a say in the formation of the Delhi government”, she said.

Ms Banerjee has been claiming for some time that her party will play an important role at the Centre and in the formation of the new government after the general elections.

Speaking at yet another rally at Namkhana in the Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas, Ms Banerjee asked voters not to give a single vote to PM Modi as the country will be destroyed by him.

PM Modi had not done anything for the country for the past five years, she claimed.

“If you choose the ‘chowkidar’ as Prime Minister, the country will be destroyed by him. The voters can oust him by not giving a single vote to BJP,” the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

“BJP has killed and lynched minorities, advisasis and journalists also”, she alleged.

“There is nothing to get afraid of the BJP. Don’t vote for it. Also, if a single vote goes to CPI-M and Congress, it will strengthen BJP’s hands”.

Ms Banerjee attacked PM Modi for demonetisation, which she alleged, had “killed” three crore jobs in the country and affected farming practices.

Prices of petrol, gas, diesel has risen over the last five years, she said.

Referring to West Bengal, she blamed the BJP government for going back on its words to construct the Tajpur port.

The state will develop the Tajpur deep sea port on its own as the Centre did nothing to start work on the project in the past three years, she had declared in January.

Ms Banerjee said the TMC government has been able to bring down unemployment in the state by about 40 per cent, while demonetisation had taken away three crore jobs across the country.1

“We have also decided to mobilise Rs. 1,000 crore in the next three to four years to build a bridge over Muriganga river in Gangasagar for which detailed project report has to be made”, she added. 

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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Congressmen think it is not a problem if the candidates of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) win the electoral battle, but the nominees of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance should not win the polls, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister alleged.

“Like the BJP, the Congress has started saying absurd things about the SP-BSP alliance. It is clear that both (Congress, BJP) have a tacit understanding and are contesting against our alliance unitedly,” Mayawati said while appealing to the voters not to waste their votes by supporting the Congress.

Addressing a poll rally in Barabanki, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the control of Mayawati and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav was in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“In the last five years, did the SP or the BSP take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly? Did you hear any statement from Mayawati or (SP patriarch) Mulayam Singh Yadav? See, I am not scared of Modi. I do not care. If someone is scared, it is Narendra Modi. But the control of Mayawati and Akhilesh is in the hands of Modi,” he had said.

Attacking the prime minister, Mayawati said, “He has made some comments on the BSP, taking the name of Bhim Rao Ambedkar. I want to tell him that Baba Saheb’s name might be for vote politics and self-interest for them, but he is the soul of the BSP. The BSP does not practice the politics of ‘Ramnaam japna, janta ko thagna’ (taking the name of Ram and duping people) like the BJP.” 

“I want to advise the BJP that it should not try to become fake ‘Ambedkarwadi’ like the Congress,” she added in a statement issued here.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo alleged that in line with the politics of caste and hatred, the Congress had fielded candidates to defeat the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh and benefit the BJP.

“The Congress and the BJP do not want people who suffered due to casteism, communalism, capitalism to rule in any way. These parties are two sides of the same coin,” she said.

Stating that Mulayam Singh Yadav blessing Modi in Parliament was due to his “old age”, Mayawati said, “He never intends to bless Modi and this is known to all.” 

“I want to tell the Congress that its president Rahul Gandhi is not old, but what was he doing by taking Modi in his arms? As the Congress and the BJP know that they will be wiped out from Uttar Pradesh in this election, they are upset,” she added.

Mayawati said the prime minister was mum on Pakistan for the last five years and now, during election time, he was showing all his courage to divert the attention of people from the core issues and hide the “failures” of his government.

“During its previous stint, the BJP not only took out Masood Azhar (of jail) but also left him abroad and now, they are trying to get votes in his name which is condemnable,” she added.

In a huge diplomatic victory for India, the United Nations Sanctions Committee designated Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed’s chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to ban him.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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The prime minister was briefed on the likely path of the cyclone, and the ongoing precautionary and preparatory measures being undertaken, official sources said.

These include the provision of adequate resources; deployment of teams from NDRF and the armed forces; arrangements to provide drinking water; and standby systems to restore power and telecom services.

After reviewing the emerging situation, the prime minister instructed senior officers to maintain close coordination with officers of affected states, to ensure preventive measures, and also to take effective steps for relief and rescue operations, as required. 

The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the PM, the Additional Principal Secretary to the PM, the Home Secretary, and other senior officials from the IMD, NDRF, NDMA, and PMO.

Cyclone Fani is expected to hit the coast of Odisha. Nearly eight lakh people are being evacuated from low-lying areas of the state as a precautionary measure.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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“It is a matter of satisfaction that a consensus has developed in the world on designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Der aaye, durust aaye (Better late than never),” Modi said at an election rally here. “It is a big success for India’s efforts to root out terrorism,” he said. The PM said India’s voice is being heard globally and its views can no longer be ignored. “This has been proved today.” He said under the previous “remote-controlled” government, even the voice of the prime minister was not heard, but now the voice of 130 crore Indians is making an impact at the United Nations.

“I want to say it loud and clear that this is just the beginning. Wait for what happens next,” Modi said. The prime minister said he was thankful to the world community for standing with India in its fight against terrorism. In a huge diplomatic win for India, the UN designated the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief as a “global terrorist” after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist him.

The PM also referred to the surgical strike by India across the LoC and the IAF strike in Balakot inside Pakistan, and said with Azhar’s designation, the nation is witnessing India’s diplomatic victory.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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“Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts and solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared,” Modi tweeted.

At least 15 C-60 commandos, including a woman, and a driver, were killed in a blast on two security vehicles triggered by Maoists in Kurkheda tehsil of Gadchiroli district afternoon.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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Addressing a poll rally here in Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also reiterated his allegations over the Rafale jet purchase deal.

“I can say with guarantee…if you go in front of the Race Course Road (residence of the PM) where personnel of CRPF, BSF stand with guns…and utter the word ‘chowkidar’ in front of them, they will respond by saying ‘chor hai’.

“You go to Race Course Road in Delhi and try this..say ‘chowkidar’..Probably the security personnel standing before Narendra Modi’s residence would say, ‘chor hai’,” he said.

The Congress president said such reply was a given “because the entire country knows that Modi has waived Rs 5.55 lakh crore of 15 persons in the country in the last five years”.

Gandhi has been raising the “Chowkidar Chor Hai” (Watchman is a thief) slogan to target the PM whom he accuses of being cosy with select businessmen.

He also alleged that the PM has given Rs 30,000 crore to businessman Anil Ambani through the “Rafale scam”. “Modi has committed a theft of several lakh crores of your money,” he said.

Gandhi asked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath to probe the “Bundelkhand package scam”.

“The then UPA government (at the Centre) had given Rs 3800 crore for development of the Bundelkhand region, but nothing happened,” Gandhi said.

The Congress has been alleging irregularities in the Bundelkhand package which was released when Shivraj Singh Chouhan government was in power in MP.

While six of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh went to polls in the first phase on April 29, the other 23 constituencies will vote on May 6, 12 and 19.

The Correspondent Bureau with inputs from agencies

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