First phase of Lok Sabha polls begins amid tight security

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: The first phase of polling out of five of elections to Lok Sabha has begun on Thursday on a moderate note. This phase of election polls will decide the fate of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha and TRS president K Chandrasekar Rao.

The voting began in 124 constituencies that is spread across 15 states and 2 union territories. In most places the polling will close at 1700 hrs and in naxal-infested areas at 1500 hrs.

More than 14.31 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballot across 1.85 lakh polling stations in the 124 constituencies set up by the Election Commission and secured by tens of thousands of police personnel.

In today’s poll 154 assembly segments in Andhra Pradesh and 70 in Orissa have also been included.

All over is 20 seats in Kerala, 11 in Chhattisgarh and 2 each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, 13 out of 40 seats in Bihar, 16 out of 80 in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra 13 (48), Andhra Pradesh 22 (42), Jharkhand 6 (14), Orissa 10 (21), Assam 3 (14), Manipur 1 (2) and Jammu and Kashmir 1 (6). Single seats in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Mizoram and Nagaland are also being covered in this first phase of election.

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IPL shifts out of India, Sharukh says elections is a bigger issue

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) NEWS: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners today said that they don’t have any problem with the BCCI's decision to shift the Twenty20 (T20) League matches out of the country because holding the general elections was a bigger issue before the Indian government.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan who owns Kolkata Knight Riders said that he could understand the security constraints in holding the event during Indian elections.

He said after meeting IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, "We have to respect the elections in the country. That is a bigger issue than our issue. By shifting the IPL abroad, we have tried to find a solution to the problem."

Sharukh Khan also added, "Off course the local buzz wouldn't be as strong as it is here but I guess elections will take care of the buzz."

When asked by the media that whether he would be there to watch all the matches featuring his team as was the case in the first edition then King Khan replied that it would depend on how the schedule pans out.

SRK also mentioned, "I will try to be there for as many matches as possible. Hopefully the schedule will help me."

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Preity Zinta, co-owner of King XI Punjab's also echoed Sharukh Khan's views and said that the general elections have to be given precedence.

She said, "As Shah Rukh said, we have to take elections into consideration. We have no problem with that"

Labels: IPL shifts out of India, Sharukh says elections is a bigger issue, Indian Election, Indian Premier League, IPL News, India News

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Mohan Bahgwat is the new RSS chief

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: KS Sudarshan, chief of Rashtriya Swayayamsewak Sangh (RSS), announced his retirement today citing his health reasons. Mohan Bhagwat has succeeded him.

Mohan Bahgwat is the new 'Sar Sangh Chalak' (chief) of the RSS. His appointment comes with an expectation to redefine relations with the BJP at a time when the saffron party is trying hard to come back to power at the Centre.

Mohan Bahgwat has replaced KS Sudarshan who steps down after being at the helm of the Sangh Parivar fountain head for nearly nine long years when there were many ups and downs in its ties with BJP during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's term as Prime Minister of India of the NDA government.

The election of Mohan Bhagwat as ‘Sar Sangh Chalak’ came on the 2nd day of the 3 day RSS conclave that is expected to redefine its relationship with the BJP.

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Rajnath Singh, BJP president and Bal Apte, on deputation from RSS, were present on the occasion.

Mohan Bhagwat is now 59 years old and he has good relations with the BJP leadership including L K Advani. Bhagwat was replaced as general secretary by veteran ideologue Suresh Soni. Suresh Soni used to be in the BJP hierarchy a few years ago as a joint general secretary.

Labels: Mohan Bahgwat is the new RSS chief, K S Sudarshan, Mohan Bahgwat, BJP, Indian Election News

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Election Commission announced video tracing of top politicians campaign

After the issue of Varun Gandhi’s communal inflammatory remarks during his campaign meeting on March 6, Video tracking is in in this Lok Sabha election. Video tracking is aimed to stop politicians from violating the model code of conduct established by the Election Commission of India.

The Election Commission of India announced today that top politicians and key campaigners will be video tracked during this Lok Sabha election campaigns.

N Gopalaswamy, the Chief Election Commissioner of India announced that, "All high profile leaders, candidates and criminal elements will be video tracked during the electioneering for which adequate video cameras are being organised."

This announcement of the Election Commission comes after the recent controversy surrounding Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) candidate Varun Gandhi. Varun Gandhi was recently served a notice for making communally inflammatory remarks during his election campaign meeting at Dalchand recently.

Labels: Election Commission announced video tracing of top politicians campaign, Indian Election, Indian Election News, Varun Gandhi, Election Commission

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IPL seeking for bullet-proof buses scheduled during the Indian elections in April-May

INDIA PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS: Indian Premier League (IPL), which was in news due to unavailability of proper security forces scheduled during the election months in India is now shopping for bullet-proof buses and cars to protect the star players. The fate of the IPL tournament still remaines uncertain on Friday.

Reports in media says that a South African private security firm hired by the multi-million dollar Twenty20 league had approached a local company to buy 16 buses and 64 SUV's. The vehicles are worth approx 3.1 million dollars in all.

Additional protection issue came last week in the wake of the deadly attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan on 3rd of March this year. The attack killed eight Pakistanis and have also injured seven players.

News also comes that with demand high from Indian politicians campaigning for next month's Indian general elections, the IPL may not be able to buy shielded vehicles at such a short notice.

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The report comes as the Indian Premier League remained embroiled in a row with the Indian government over security issues.

The IPL scheduled opening is on April 10 and is scheduled to end up by May 24. The elections in India will take place in five phases from 16 April to 13 May and the vote counting date is 16 May.

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Delhi High Court grants anticipatory bail to Varun Gandhi till March 27

Indian Election News: Varun Gandhi gets a relief, but only till March 27. Delhi High Court restrained police from arresting 29 year old BJP candidate from Pilibhit for making alleged inflammatory and communal speeches during his campaign.

Justice Reva Khetrapal granted Varun's plea. He rejected the submission of Delhi Police that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the petition as the FIR against him was lodged in Uttar Pradesh (India).

Varun Gandhi in his petition before the Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) High Court sought quashing of the FIR registered against him in his Lok Sabha election contesting region, Philibit, for his alleged inflammatory and communal speeches.

The High Court today granted anticipatory bail to Varun Gandhi till 27 March. He has got a bail on personal bond of Rs 50,000.

In the morning the lawyers of Varun visited Election Commission’s office to submit his reply on making communal statements. In the reply to the Election Commission, Varun Gandhi maintained that the CD has been doctored.

Labels: Varun Gandhi gets anticipatory bail, Varun Gandhi communal speech, Indian Election News, BJP, India News

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India ‘fit’ PM says Varun Gandhi’s remarks unfortunate

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: On the issue of Varun Gandhi’s communal speech, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh breaks his silence over the fresh effort of communalising politics in India on Thursday condemning the remarks that allegedly sought to target the minority community.

Manmohan Singh talking to media at the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan said, “It is unfortunate if Varun Gandhi had made these comments.”

Varun Gandhi is a BJP candidate from Pilibhit and is in a midst of a raging controversy over his alleged hate speech against minority.

In his brief to the press Manmohan Singh also sought to dismiss any apprehensions regarding his health. He said that he was fit to campaign for the party in the General Election.

Manmohan Singh is recovering after a cardiac surgery on January 24.

He further said: “The third front is our rival. It should not be underestimated. “The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) will win and I am confident that people will vote for UPA.

Labels: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Varun Gandhi, BJP, Indian Election, India News

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Prakash Karat says Left could talk to Congress after election

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: CPI General Secretary Prakash Karat said to the media that he would be open to talking to the Congress party in the formation of an alternative national government after the election.

In an interview to a private TV channel Prakash Karat said, "We can do business with them and ask them to support an alternative secular formation, it's possible- why not, I don't rule it out. Prakash Karat is a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

In the Third Front the CPM is a major force if it is talked about smaller regional parties, which aims to challenge India's two main national alliances led by Congress and the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Last year the Communist Party of India quit their support for the ruling Congress-led coalition over opposition to a civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

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Prakash Karat further added, “It’s not a question of untouchability. We'll do business with all parties but that business will be circumscribed by the nature of the mandate."

After the general election of 204, the CPM was the biggest of several left parties that backed the Congress government for four years.

Labels: Prakash Karat, CPI, Congress, Indian Election, BJP

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Varun Gandhi plays Hindutva card

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: Varun Gandhi sings a different song. A day after the Election Commission filed a case against Varun Gandhi for his communal remarks, he said that he is the victim of a political conspiracy. Varun mentioned that he is well aware of his roots as a proud Gandhi, an Indian and is also a Hindu in equal measure.

Briefing to the media Varun Gandhi said that there was an effort to malign his faith. He told to the press that anyone attempting to identify with Hinduism was inevitably branded communal.

In his own words: "I am a victim of political conspiracy." Varun Gandhi, son of sitting Pilibhit MP and former central minister Maneka Gandhi said this on tuesday.

Gandhi added, "Nothing I have said was to incite anybody. There is a rigorous attempt to malign my faith," he said, adding "each time anyone tries to identify with Hindusim, he is being branded communal."

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He also said that he is a pro-India and he is not against anybody.

BJP spokesperson, Ravi Shankar Prasad, later on the day, said, "We disapprove and disassociate ourselves from the statements made by Varun Gandhi."



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If my comments have hurt anyone, I apologise: Varun Gandhi

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: There was a communal speech by Varun Gandhi, son of Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, a day before in an election campaign in Pilibhit from where he is being fielded on a BJP ticket. Today Varun Gandhi has issued an apology while clarifying that he did not say anything against any particular community.

Varun Gandhi denied that his speech was communal. He said that he was speaking against anti social elements. In his area two girls had been raped and people were frightened. His main motive behind the speech was to bolster the people’s confidence.

Varun Gandhi apologized by saying, “If my comments have hurt anyone, I apologise.”

Varun in the recent political drama is in the eye of a storm for making inflammatory remarks with communal overtones which saw the Election Commission slap a notice on the him and his party the BJP.

This clarification of Varun Gandhi comes on the heels of the District Magistrate of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh (India) filing an FIR against him. The EC had directed Ups Chief Election Officer to file a case against Varun and issue notice to his party for the communal remarks against a particular religion.

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The FIR of this communal speech of Varun Gandhi has been filed under Section 153 A of the Indian Penal code that pertains to spreading enmity between two communities and this section is non-bailable.

The remarks of 29 years old Varun Gandhi were, "This is not a 'Hand' (Congress symbol), it is the power of the 'Lotus' (BJP symbol). It will cut the head of....... Jai Shri Ram." He said this in his rabid and vitriolic speech against members of a minority community in a raised voice.

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Election Commission issues notice to Varun Gandhi on his communal remarks

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: One more turn in Indian election campaign. Varun Gandhi is now in controversy. Varun Gandhi is of the Gandhi-Nehru family but is a BJP candidate in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Varun Gandhi today made an inflammatory remark against members of a community in his election campaign in Pilibhit from where he is being fielded. Over this the Election Commission has given a notice seeking his explanation.

In his campaign speech Varun Gandhi said, "This is not a 'Hand' (symbol of Congress ), it is the power of the 'Lotus' (symbol of BJP). It will cut the head of ....... Jai Shri Ram."

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He is the son of the late Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi. In another meeting he said, "If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand."

Sonia Gandhi condemned the remarks as "unethical and against law."



Youtube Video of Varun Gandhi's speech on Religious tolerance

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Mayawati’s dream of becoming Prime Ministerial candidate shatters

The dream of Mayawati of becoming prime minister has been shattered a bit after the CPI on Friday said that the Third Front would not name any leader for the top post in the run-up to the elections, which Mayawati demanded for.

A B Bardhan, CPI General Secretary, told to the press that the Third Front will not project anyone as its Prime Ministerial candidate during electioneering. He said this after a day after the Left and some regional parties came together to cobble up a third front as an alternative to combines led by Congress and BJP.

Bardhan mentioned that the question of Prime Minister will be considered only after the elections. It is assumed that this remark of A B Bardhan is significant to what S C Mishra, senior representative of Mayawati, said at the Third Front rally in Tumkur district in Karnataka. He said that BSP's objective was to make Mayawati the Prime Minister.

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On the participation of BJD in the Third Front, the CPI stalwart said that he would meet BJD supremo and Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik and discuss the matter.

Sitaram Yechury, the CPI-M leader had met Patnaik on 8th of March in a bid to persuade him to join the Third Front. Earlier the JD-S leader H D Deve Gowda and Chandrababu Naidu of TDP had also talked to Navin Patnaik in this regard.

Labels: Mayawati, A B Bardhan, Third Front, Naveen Patnaik, Indian Election

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Third force is a new alternative to voters pre-polls says Karat

In an address to a mass rally Prakash Karat, the General Secretary of CPM says that parties such as CPI, TDP, JD(S) and others have come together to provide a new alternative to the voters ahead of the election that is going to be held in April-May this year.

Karat also said that this is a historic get together of all democratic, secular and Left parties in India. These parties together will constitute a third force in India after the election.

He also said that the third force is standing for the interests of the vast masses for the firm defence of secularism against the communal forces. This new platform would fight for social justice for the oppressed sections.

Other who have joined the Prakash Karat are A B Bardhan (CPI leader), N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP chief) and H D Deve Gowda (former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief).

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Prakash Karat also added in his speech to the rally, "Today we have come together because the country needs a new alternative." Satish Mishra of the BSP, V Maitreyan of the AIADMK, representatives of TRS, Forward Bloc, RSP and Bhajan Lal's Haryana Janahith Party were also present at the launch.”

The Third Front was officially launched by JD(S) ched H D Deve Gowda in Karnataka in 1988.

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NDA hopes for ties with BJD post polls

It may be all over for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Orissa (India). But yes, the umbrella National Democratic Alliance, the alliance of BJP and better known as NDA is still hopeful that the BJD will go with them after the polls.

Sharad Yadav, convener of NDA told to the media that the BJD has not entered into an alliance with any party. Only in Orissa do they have an alliance with the Left. He also said that his party does not have allies at the moment. But the party is hopeful to get them after the polls.

BJD ditched the right and turned to Left, though this is a positive development for the Left's ambitious Third Front. They say that the real partnerships would depend on the numbers after the elections.

Sitaram Yechury, the politburo member of CPM says, "In the last 20 years, coalitions have been formed only after the elections."

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Yes it is true, in the last 20 years, all strong alliances have happened only after elections.

How the ties of the Left-BJD alliance can be will only depend on how the Third Front fares.

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BJD president is following the footsteps of Biju Patnaik: Deve Gowda

Latest news comes from India this hour. After Biju Janta Dal of Navin Patnaik split with the BJP over a seat-sharing issue there is a hope for the Third Front. BJD is in their fold now. But yes, the Orissa Chief Minister is not in hurry to join the Third Front.

Sitaram Yechury, the leader of Left on wrapping up a visit to Orissa told to the press that though he has discussed the seat sharing with Orissa Chief Minister, Navin Patnaik, a formal alliance will take a while.

JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda and Prakash Karat of Left have already welcomed BJD's breaking up with BJP.

Meanwhile the Orissa Governor on Sunday asked Chief Minister to prove majority on the floor of the House on 11 March. Patnaik currently has a few Third Front MLAs supporting him in his stake to form a government without the BJP.

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Deve Gowda has written to the Navin Patnaik asking him to be part of the Third Front.

Deve Gowda while speaking to the media said that he was happy that the BJD president was following the footsteps of Biju Patnaik (Navin Patnaik’s father).

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