Seventeen Way of Modi Sarkar to Start Change India

Seventeen Way of Modi Sarkar to Start Change India

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 1.Prime minister plan of jan dhan yojna:  

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 It is a incridible yojna of Modi that going to  become successful in every state of India although Modialso accept that he face some of problem to start it consulting with RBI and many department related to it but it necessary to start it and on 15aug. 2014 and a challenge to complete on 26jan. 2015.

2.Cabinate union has approved Juvenile Justice Act: 

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It will treat above 16 years as adults.it is a so necessary bill against the crimes as rape,acid attack,murder,theft by 16 year or above that is a crime but police and court could not do any thing because they were minors. Bill comes after delhi gang rape case and a  big change that was necessary for protect from crime.

3.Govt. replace Planning commission:

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India has 12th five year plann as commissioned by planning commission will suppose to end in 2017.Modi accepted soviet era of govt. scheme and invited citizen to give a shape the country by change in cities in future that is a good era of modi to develope the cities. EGoMs and GoMs has also disabled according Modi's rule to allow the minister to take fast decisions.

4.Simple ministry that perfect cabinate:

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 Very few minister are kept in cabinate that express lesser expensives on govt providing facilities and govt. banned to travel them in frist class travles for ministers and cut down the star seminar and also  need to permission from prime minister's office to go to out of India and target given to finance minister to reduce the expensives that are not planned and expenses by ministers.

5.Identify the presence of neighbours like Nepal and Bhutan: 

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It is the frist time in sixteen years that India prime minister visit to Nepal and as well as Bhutan. it is so necessary and and a big thinking result of Modi that  when many power full country treat like this to his neighbours and decision to give help to increase the power of him.


For read more ways continue read this blog........

German newspaper claimed that Russian rockets pointed at Poland

German newspaper claimed that Russian rockets pointed at Poland

               politicsalerts.blogspot.com

An important week in Polish-Russian relations got off to a difficult start last Saturday when the German newspaper Bild reported that Russia has deployed Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave on the Baltic coast.

The newspaper claimed that the missiles, which are capable of being fitted with nuclear warheads can reach targets in the whole of Poland as well as Berlin. Both Russian and Polish officials tried to play down the report with the Russian Foreign Ministry claiming it caused unnecessary panic and the Polish Foreign Ministry, while admitting the development was “worrying”, said the reports were “exaggerated”.

Sikorski survives vote in Sejm

Sikorski survives vote in Sejm

PiS demanded his removal as speaker in order to maintain the seriousness of the parliament and to restore public confidence in parliament. Krzysztof Szczerski from PiS said the time was right to end what he described as “the failed experiment of Radek Sikorski’s consolation prize” for losing his job as Foreign Secretary.

Following the vote there was the rather odd site of Mr Sikorski, as speaker, announcing MPs had voted not to dismiss Radoslaw Sikorski by a margin of 240 votes to 146 with 48 abstentions. Mr Sikorski turned to the house and said “thank you” before letting a no-doubt relieved smile cross his face. One hundred and forty six MPs voted for the motion, with 240 against and 48 abstaining.

President Pranab Mukherjee outlines Modi govt's plan to revive 'Brand India'

President Pranab Mukherjee outlines Modi govt's plan to revive 'Brand India' 

New Delhi:Mukherjee said 'Brand India' would be revived and that the government will work to fulfill the expectations of the citizens of the country.
Addressing a joint session of the Parliament, Monday, the President all said that the government will work for the poor of the country.

Highlights of Pranab Mukherjee's speech:
Brand India

Will revive 'Brand India', riding on its strengths of five 'T's -- tradition, talent, tourism, trade and technology -- and will pursue foreign policy on the basis of "enlightened nationalism" and mutually beneficial relationships.

The people of India have given a clear mandate. They want to see a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous India. They want to see a resurgent India regaining the admiration and respect of the international community.

Election of hope

This was an election of hope, the electorate transcended the boundaries of caste, creed religion to come together and vote precisely for development through good governance. The country needed a strong and stable government that could provide effective leadership. Serving the citizens the first priority.

The surge in aspirations and the belief that these could be realised through democratic processes, has been amply reflected in the record 66.4 per cent participation by voters and a clear verdict in favour4 of a single political party after a gap of nearly 30 years.

My government pledges to the principle 'sabka saath, sabka vikas. We will work to establish the credibility of the institutions of democracy and is committed to minimum government, maximum governance.

Economy

Country passing through extremely difficult phase on economic front; putting economy back on track is paramount for my government. We will work together to usher our economy into high growth path, rein in inflation, reignite the investment cycle, accelerate job creation and restore the confidence of the domestic as well as international community in our economy.

The government will create a policy environment which is "predictable, transparent and fair".

Government will formulate clear rules for allocation of coal, minerals and telecom spectrum.

Inflation

Containing food inflation would be the top most prioritise of the government. My government will take effective steps to prevent hoarding and black marketing. My government is aware of the possibility of a sub normal monsoon this year and contingency plan is being prepared.

Corruption

Government is determined to rid the country of the scourge of corruption and menace of black money.

Zero tolerance for violence against women

My government is committed to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament. Government will launch a "beti bachao, beti badhao" (save girl child, grow girl child) and will launch a mass campaign to save the girl child.


100 new cities and pucca houses for all by 2022
By the time the nation completes 75 years of Independence (2022), every family will have a pucca house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24x7 electricity supply.

100 new cities to be developed focused on specialised domains with world class infrastructure.

Soon 50% of India's population will reside in urban areas. Today urban infrastructure is under severe stress but soon the youth will look at urbanization as an opportunity

Infrastructure

Govt will chalk out an ambitious infrastructure development program, revamping railways on top of agenda. Expansion of railways in hilly states and the northeastwill be prime focus, will encourage R&D. Freight corridors with specialised agri-rail networks for perishable farm products

Diamond quadrilateral network of high speed trains to be developed.

Time-bound programme for national highways network.

Sagar Mala Project to connect sea ports with hinterland through road and rail. Existing ports to be modernised, new ports to be developed.

Mission Ganga

My government will work to clean the Ganga river, and ensure perennial flow in the river. Ganga is a symbol of faith of Indians.

Conservation of the Himalayas is also a priority area. A central university of Himalayan studies will be established

Defence

Government to encourage private investments in defence production. Will liberalise FDI in defence production. With available human resources, India can emerge as global platform for defence.

The armed forces will be modernised and manpower shortages addressed on priority. Recognizing the importance of coastal authority, my government will set up national maritime security authority.

National war memorial to be built. Government to appoint a Veterans Commission to address grievances.

Health

National Health Assurance mission will be put in place. AIIMS-like institutes to be set up in every state.

Tourism

India has a vast untapped potential for tourism which can play a special role in our socio-economic progress. The government will initiate a mission mode project to create 50 tourist circuits that are built around specific themes.

With a view to encouraging pilgrimage tourism, a national mission for beautifying and improving the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths will be launched.

Minority Welfare

Government is committed to make all minorities equal partners in the developmental of the country.

Unfortunate that despite several decades after independence several minority communities continued to suffer from neglect.

Youth of minority communities would be provided technical education and the government would initiate steps for modernisation of madrassas.

Foreign Policy

My government was committed to work towards building a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked neighbourhood and we will never shy away from raising issues of concern to us at a bilateral level.

We emphasise that the future of shared prosperity can only be built on the foundation of stability in the region, which requires sensitivity to security concerns and an end to export of terrorism to neighbours.

Will work with South Asian leaders to revitalize Saarc. Won't shy away from raising issues of terrorism.

Energy

My government will come out with a comprehensive National Energy Policy and focus on development of energy related infrastructure, human resource and technology. Will substantially augment electricity generation capacity through a judicious mix of conventional and non-conventional sources.

The government will also work towards expanding the National Solar Mission.

The international civil nuclear agreements will be operationalised and nuclear power projects for civilian purposes will be developed.

Cleaner fuels will be promoted to bring down pollution levels in our cities. The government will take up mitigation works to meet the challenges posed by climate change and will work with the global community in this regard.

Others

Government will try to end rural-urban divide and is committed to reverse trend of hopelessness among farmers that leads to suicides.

My government is committed to see that the SC/ST can avail all opportunities.

My government will launch a national sports talent search mission.

Will take steps to provide dignity of life to facilitate their participation in all walks of life. The government will take steps to identify the special needs of disabled people and provide institutional help.

Special efforts to be made to ensure that Kashmiri pandits return to the land of their ancestors.

Social media will be used as a tool for participative governance.

Government will work for the digitisation of government records and is committed to e-governance to bring equity and efficiency.

Critical public areas will be made wi-fi zones; will also establish broadband highway in rural areas.

Modi govt gave no concrete plan in presidential address

Modi govt gave no concrete plan in presidential address: Opposition

New Delhi: Opposition on Monday accused Narendra Modi government of failing to come out with any "concrete" plan in its agenda outlined by President Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament, saying it is "merely raising the aspirations" of the people but has no roadmap to meet them.

Questioning the government's claim that it would make the country proud in 60 months, Moily said the government was "merely raising the aspirations" of the people but had not said how it will go about fulfilling them. "They are not focussed particularly on the governance and creation of jobs and also on the issue of containing inflation. People were expecting and looking forward. But you don't find any concrete plans. There is no concrete roadmap. How they are going to achieve that?" Moily said. Another senior leader Kamal Nath said "the President's speech is enunciation of dreams and hopes which we have seen in the market place for last three months." "The next couple of months will determine how much on course is the government to make these dreams and hopes into a reality," he told reporters outside Parliament House.

Addressing the first joint sitting of Parliament after the recent Lok Sabha election, Mukherjee said the Modi government will initiate a series of social, healthcare and infrastructure programmes while asserting that there will be "zero tolerance" towards terrorism and extremism, besides violence against women.

PM Narendra Modi welcomes Telangana

PM Narendra Modi welcomes Telangana as India's 29th state

New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed the formation of Telangana and promised complete central support to help take the state to newer heights of progress.

He congratulated K Chandrasekhar Rao on becoming the first Chief Minister of the 29th state and expressed best wishes to its people.

"India gets a new state! We welcome Telangana as our 29th state. Telangana will add strength to our development journey in the coming years," he tweeted.

"Centre assures complete support to the people and Government of Telangana in taking the state to newer heights of progress," he said.

Noting that Telangana's birth is taking place after years of struggle and sacrifices by several people, Mr Modi said, "We pay our respects to them today."

"My best wishes to people for the state's development journey," the Prime Minister said.
"Telangana's birth comes after years of struggle and sacrifices by several people. We pay our respects to them today,"Modi said.
He said Centre assures complete support to the people and Telangana government in taking the state to newer heights of progress.
He also sent his best wishes. "Congrats to K. Chandrasekhara Rao Garu on taking oath as Telangana's first chief minister. My best wishes to people for the state's development journey."

He acknowledged the years of struggle and sacrifice behind the demand for India's newest state, and assured it that the
central government would give it and its government complete support in its development and progress.

UPA is intact, not collapsing

Congress: UPA is intact, not collapsing

 Allaying fears of any split in the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party on Friday said the coalition is intact and "issues" with its partners would be sorted out soon.

"The UPA is intact. It is not in shambles and it is not collapsing either. We have certain issues with our coalition partners over seat sharing in some states, but this must not be taken as a collapse of the UPA," Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said.

He was replying to a media question whether the UPA is collapsing after the tit-for-tat over seat sharing between the Congress and its allies - Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

The two key constituents of the UPA on Tuesday announced that they would contest the elections in Bihar together. Of 40 seats in Bihar, the RJD kept 25, gave 12 to LJP and left only three for the Congress.

On Wednesday, the Congress retaliated by unilaterally deciding the seat sharing for Jharkhand. Of the 14 seats in the state, the Congress gave five to the JMP and LJP.

Narendra Modi, on Wednesday invited his Pakistani counterpart

Narendra Modi, on Wednesday invited his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif

New Delhi: India's incoming prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday invited his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, to attend his swearing-in ceremony next week, an unusual gesture that has inspired hopes that the change in government will lead to improved relations between the two countries.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist who promised during his campaign to make India a more muscular presence on the world stage, has broken new ground by extending invitations to the leaders of all of India's neighbors.

Previous swearing-in ceremonies have been small affairs, a reflection of the country's inward-looking approach to politics. Modi has made it clear that he hopes to make India a leader in its own neighborhood, knitting together a regional trade and economic bloc.

The invitation to Sharif, who has never made an official visit to India, was the biggest surprise. A tentative effort to build economic and diplomatic ties under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the Indian National Congress fell apart last year, when deadly skirmishes broke out along the contested border in Kashmir. Singh, usually soft-spoken, declared that "after this dastardly act, there can't be business as usual with Pakistan."
News of the invitation prompted much speculation about Modi's foreign policy vector. During the campaign, he attacked the Congress-led government for maintaining high-level contact with Pakistan despite the clashes on the border in Kashmir, at one point famously saying, "heads of our soldiers are cut but then their prime minister is fed chicken biryani."

The foreign policy experts clustered around Modi are known as being relatively hawkish, and they have urged him to adopt a tougher military stance in the region. One of the advisers, former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, urged the new leader in a recent article to "develop the necessary military sinews to pursue a more robust foreign policy, including accelerating our strategic programs and climbing down from the nuclear disarmament bandwagon."

But others say Modi's ambitious development agenda will require India to improve relations with its neighbors by opening markets and normalizing trade across the subcontinent's borders.

"There are a whole lot of people who bet on Modi being a hard-liner and are catering to that," said C. Raja Mohan, a foreign-policy analyst. "Modi is not coming in to pick a fight with Pakistan. He wants to show that he can run this country, and do whatever it takes to promote India's regional interests. This is a good way of starting."

A Congress spokesman praised the decision to invite Sharif, as did the state government and opposition parties in Indian-administered Kashmir.

"This is a huge gesture," said Mahbooba Mufti, a Kashmiri opposition leader. "It is a very pleasant surprise, a very good beginning. If Modi can take some concrete steps in improving relations with Pakistan, he will be remembered in history."
G. Parthasarathy, a retired diplomat who has served as India's ambassador to Pakistan, warned against reading too much into the invitation to Sharif.

He predicted that Modi would be "very terrorism-focused" in his interactions with Pakistan and would not engage in any dialogue until India's security concerns were addressed, in part because his "whole constituency is very tough" on Pakistan. What was more important, he said, was that he had sent a message to the region's leaders expressing his desire to move past long-running disputes and pursue a much greater degree of economic integration.

Barack Obama Calls Up Narendra Modi

Barack Obama Calls Up Narendra Modi to Congratulate Him

Gandhinagar, Gujarat: United States President Barack Obama on Friday called up Indian prime minister-designate Narendra Modi and congratulated him on his "emphatic election victory", officials said.
Mr Obama said that the largest democracy in the world has given a "decisive mandate" and that he wished that under Narendra Modi's leadership, India will contribute significantly at the global stage.

Both leaders discussed the India-US Strategic Partnership and the prevailing global economic situation.
Mr Obama joined a number of world leaders including British Prime Minister David Cameron, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who have congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party leader on the overwhelming win in the general elections.

Narendra Modi gets stimulating welcome

Narendra Modi gets stimulating welcome in Delhi 

New Delhi:The triumph redrew India's political map, handing him a huge mandate for change, and heaping humiliation on the ruling Gandhi political dynasty.

"He made Gujarat great, he will make India great," said BJP party worker and businessman Rahul Sethi, 45, as he waited for his hero at the airport.

Modi's motorcade, now protected by the Special Protection Group (SPG), then proceeded to the BJP headquarters.

A mass of BJP supporters waving party flags and sporting Modi masks gathered at select spots on the route from the airport to the BJP office in the heart of the capital.

"Modi will leave Ahmedabad at 8am on Saturday and his flight is expected to reach here by 10am. BJP has made extensive arrangements for a victory procession of Modi from the airport to the party headquarter on Ashoka Road. The procession will stop at eight places on the way to party headquarters where cadres will felicitate him," said a source associated with the arrangements.

Modi is expected to reach party headquarters in central Delhi in two hours and will participate in the meeting of the parliamentary board scheduled at 12.30pm.

He will then fly to Varanasi in the afternoon where he is expected to participate in Ganga arti and a public meeting. He is expected to be back in the capital by night.

The prime ministerial guarding force, the SPG which is already involved in the security arrangements for Modi's victory procession in the national capital will formally take over his security when will take oath.

"Modi is expected to take oath by 22 May. But nothing is finalised as of now," said the source.

Modi wrested the top job in the country on Friday as a saffron wave swept most of India, lifting the BJP to its highest-ever tally and leaving the Congress in tatters.

The triumph capped an amazing run for the 63-year-old chief minister of Gujarat, who ran a high-voltage campaign that rewrote the political rule book and knocked his rivals off balance.

The result is the biggest landslide in 30 years, and the first time since 1984 that a single party has a majority in the Lok Sabha.

Narendra Modi wrested the top job in the country

Narendra Modi wrested the top job in the country on Friday as a saffron wave swept most of India

Narendra Modi wrested the top job in the country on Friday as a saffron wave swept most of India, lifting the Bharatiya Janata Party to its highest-ever tally and leaving the Congress in tatters.
Underlining the humiliation of India's oldest party, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had to scrap hard to beat the BJP's Smriti Irani in the Gandhi family bastion of Amethi, while several senior ministers bit the dust.

Modi led the BJP back to power after a decade in the opposition, taking advantage of public anger at the Congress for uncontrolled high prices, corruption scams and rising unemployment.

The triumph capped an amazing run for the 63-year-old chief minister of Gujarat, who ran a high-voltage campaign that rewrote the political rulebook and knocked his rivals off balance. The result is the biggest landslide in 30 years, and the first time since 1984 that a single party has a majority in the Lok Sabha.

The mandate gives Modi the chance to shape the new government as he wishes, without the pulls and pressures that have hobbled past coalitions. Expectations are growing that he will slash red tape, revamp tax laws and unveil measures to kickstart growth.

The Congress' incumbency problems were compounded by a listless showing from Rahul, who failed to grab the public imagination. He finally emerged in the afternoon and acknowledged that the responsibility for the defeat was his. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his cabinet will resign on Saturday.

Modi, who triumphed from both Vadodara and Varanasi, tweeted "India has won!" and went to seek the blessings of his 90-year-old mother Hiraben in Ahmedabad. Later, he told an adoring crowd in Vadodara, "I trust the people of India and they trust me, and it is the power of trust that will work for this country."

He will fly to Delhi on Saturday for talks with senior partymen and then journey to Varanasi later in the evening to offer thanks at the iconic temple town.
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was limping in at 57, heading for its worst-ever tally. Leads and results from all 543 seats were in.
The BJP-led alliance swept the electorally key state of Uttar Pradesh, leading or winning in a stunning 73 of the 80 seats, its campaign orchestrated by Modi's right-hand man Amit Shah. Mulayam Singh Yadav's  Samajwadi Party, which runs the state government, won just a handful of seats and Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was wiped out.
Congratulations came in from across the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

India has voted for a regime change

India has voted for a regime change. And it has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the BJP.

New Delhi: India has voted for a regime change. And it has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party giving it a clear majority and a massive mandate in the 2014 General Elections, sending its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to 7 RCR.

BJP on Friday stormed to power at the Centre after a decade creating history and reaching the halfway mark on its own and along with the NDA crossing the 300 figure, sending the party workers in a tizzy and its leaders overjoyed beyond words. Addressing the media in the national capital, BJP president Rajnath Singh said that a new era has begun in the history of the country.
NDA which comprises BJP and 24 smaller parties is projected to bag 282 seats on its own after Rajiv Gandhi's massive 400 plus victory in 1984. The half way mark is 272 in the 543-member House.

This is the first time that any non-Congress party has won a majority on its own. Before the results were out most of the BJP leaders were sure that it would romp home and touch the halfway mark along with its allies riding on the 'Modi wave'. However, after the results were out today, it seemed that a 'Modi Tsunami' had hit the country with BJP winning even in areas which was not traditionally its stronghold.

BJP has surely come a long way from a party of two Lok Sabha members in 1984. At the height of its popularity during Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime, considered to be BJP's tallest leader, the party got 182 seats in 1998 and 1999. This was in the backdrop of the Ayodhya movement and the Rath Yatra undertaken by the LK Advani.


On the other hand, the Congress was decimated today ending in double digit figures – its worst ever performance. Congress could not even open its account in seven states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Goa, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

Union ministers Sachin Pilot, Jitendra Singh, Chandresh Kumari, Namonarayan Meena and Girija Vyas, and six sitting Congress MPs including CP Joshi too tasted defeat.

In 2009, the Congress had won 206 seats with its vote share being 28.5 percent. The Congress won only two seats in UP - Nehru-Gandhi family pocket borough of Rae Bareli and Amethi.
Modi's close aide Amit Shah is being credited as being the man who turned around the crucial state for the BJP.

In Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha, the BJP's march was halted by regional strongholds AIADMK, Trinamool Congress and BJD, respectively.

Addressing a victory rally in Vadodara after the results were out, Modi promised to the people that he would spend every second of his life in working for the country. He also said that he would take everyone along in order to run the country. Later he also addressed a rally in Ahmedabad where he reiterated his commitment to take India on the path of growth and development.

Since he was anointed the BJP's PM candidate on September 13 last year, Modi undertook a whirlwind campaign criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country, addressing as many as four to five rallies in a day in the last lap. In all his rallies he talked of BJP's agenda of development and growth and taking on the Congress-led UPA government over issues of corruption, scams, price rise and inflation.
In the outgoing Lok Sabha, BJP had 116 members on a national vote share of 18.8 percent. The Congress had 206 members with a vote share of 28.55 percent. 

Barack Obama May Have to Congratulate Narendra Modi

Barack Obama May Have to Congratulate Narendra Modi this Week

New Delhi: President Barack Obama faces the prospect this week of having to offer his congratulations to Narendra Modi, who was barred from the United States less than 10 years ago after the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.

As voting concluded in the general election on Monday, four major exit polls showed Mr Modi set to become prime minister, with his BJP and its allies headed for a parliamentary majority.
Mr Modi has denied any wrongdoing in 2002 and, in 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that he had no case to answer. (Narendra Modi-led BJP Set For Victory, Exit Polls Show)

His rise on the national stage and the importance of relations with India, which the United States sees as a key counterbalance to China in Asia, has forced a rethink. Ambassadors of the European Union and the United States have met him to patch up relations. (Voters in India Expected to Give Narendra Modi a Mandate)

The US State Department has repeatedly declined to spell out whether it will issue a visa to Mr Modi as Prime Minister, but analysts say it is all but certain he will be given one because of the "strategic" nature of the US-India relationship, which Mr Obama has called "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century." (Barack Obama Looking Forward to Work With New Indian Government)

On Monday the State Department described the Indian elections, which were spread over five weeks, as "an inspiring example of the power of the democratic process in action."

"We look forward to working with the leaders chosen by the Indian people to advance this important partnership and to set an ambitious agenda," spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

In March, a report to the US Congress by a specialist in immigration policy, Ruth Wasem, noted the 2010 Supreme Court ruling and said that if Mr Modi were to become prime minister, he would be covered by diplomatic immunity and qualify for a visa.
Ashley Tellis, a South Asia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that if Mr Modi were elected, Secretary of State John Kerry should visit India as soon as possible and Mr Modi should be invited to the United States.

"I think the Obama administration will reach out to him if he is elected as prime minister as it would the leader of any other friendly state," Ms Tellis said.

Political Appeals by Religious Leaders

Political Appeals by Religious Leaders in Varanasi Under Scrutiny 

Varanasi: A clerics' body in Varanasi has controversially extended support to one of the candidates after the end of campaigning. In a written appeal, the Mufti Board of Varanasi asked voters on Sunday to press the button against the symbol of that candidate's party.

Varanasi, which is voting today, is seen as the mega contest of these elections. It is a prestige battle for Narendra Modi of the BJP, the first prime ministerial candidate to contest from the ancient city.

His chief challenger is Arvind Kejriwal, chief of the Aam Aadmi Party. Also in the contest is Ajai Rai, a local legislator fielded by the Congress and other candidates from parties like the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and even the Trinamool Congress.

A Special Observer appointed for Varanasi by the Election Commission has said about the appeal made by the Mufti Board Benaras Secretary Maulana Haseem Ahmad Habibi and the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Badshahbagh, "The issue needs to be examined and we will look into the statements."

Campaigning ended at 6 pm on Saturday. Vote appeals are not allowed thereafter.

Muslims account for about 15 per cent of the total electorate of Varanasi. The BJP is counting on that vote being split between Mr Kejriwal and the Congress. It reportedly saw in multiple roadshows being held by A-listers like the Congress' Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mr Kejriwal, scope for confusion for voters and a division of non-Modi votes.

Mukhtar Ansari, the jailed mafia don who heads the Qaumi Ekta Manch and who had come a close second to the BJP in 2009, did not contest the elections this time. He said he was backing the Congress' Ajai Rai to ensure that the "secular vote is not split."

On Sunday, Shahar-e-Mufti Maulana Abdul Batin, another influential cleric, told the media that Muslims should ensure there is no division of votes and "communal forces are defeated."

EC notice to Rahul

EC notice to Rahul over ‘hate speech’ in Himachal

The Election Commission on Friday served a notice to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over an alleged inflammatory speech delivered on May 1 and also directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer to probe the matter of Rahul entering polling stations and inspecting EVMs while votes were being cast in Amethi on May 7. The Congress claimed on Friday that Rahul had entered the booths to see the dysfunctional EVMs and those who accompanied him were not voters. The party also said it had lodged a complaint about the dysfunctional EVMs with Amethi’s Returning Officer on the polling day.

In his complaint to Amethi’s Returning Officer made at 8.35 am on May 7, District Congress Committee president Yogendra Mishra named 14 instances where EVMs were reportedly not working. Mishra had sought replacement of these machines to avoid inconvenience to voters.
“On the directions of the commission, further inquiry is being done by senior officers of CEO Uttar Pradesh. The matter will be processed on the receipt of the report,” an EC spokesperson said.
Rahul was also served a notice by the EC for having made an inflammatory speech at Solan in Himachal Pradesh in which he allegedly said, “If the BJP comes to power, 22,000 people will be killed”. Serving him a notice for his speech, the EC told Rahul that it was prima facie of the opinion that he had violated the provisions of the model code. Rahul has been given time till 11 am on May 12 to explain his stance on the matter, failing which the EC will take a decision without further reference to him.
“Japan ke log sawal poochte hain, aap jante hain kya sawal poochte hain. Hum apki madad karenge, sadak tayyar karenge… ek darr hai, kya yahan par shanti rahegi ya nahi. Kya Hindustan ke log ek-doosre se lad jayenge ya nahin. Yeh darr hai hamari zindagi mein bilkul. BJP hogi toh ladai hogi, BJP hogi toh 22,000 log marenge. Kyunki woh gussa phailatey hain,” Rahul reportedly said at the rally on May 1.

EC said Varanasi decision could have been quicker

EC said Varanasi decision could have been quicker

As the BJP continued to press for the removal of the Varanasi returning officer over the denial of permission for rallies by Narendra Modi, Election Commissioner H S Brahma on Friday conceded there had been an avoidable delay in conveying the decision to the party.

The EC, meanwhile, decided on Friday to send Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer Praveen Kumar to Varanasi as special observer for the May 12 poll.
A candidate has full right to campaign in his constituency, Brahma said. He said the episode was unfortunate, and “should not have escalated” in the way it did. In a high-profile constituency like Varanasi, decisions need to be taken and conveyed promptly, he said.

“…If you take 20 minutes normally, you should, maybe, take 10 minutes or 5 minutes”, Brahma said.

Speaking to Karan Thapar on the ‘To the Point’ programme on Headlines Today, Brahma said he personally felt that there was a “communication gap” between the returning officer and the BJP, and that the former should have acted “in a professional manner”.

“The RO should have explained to the applicant (of the BJP) the reasons for not allowing the programme (in Beniyabagh)… It should have been done in a professional manner… there was a communication gap between the RO and the applicant, I personally feel,” Brahma said in the interview, PTI reported.

Brahma confirmed that the denial of permission to hold rallies had to do with information provided by the Gujarat Police. He said that a Gujarat Police officer who was part of Narendra Modi’s advance security liaison team had “indicated” that the rally ground was not a “desirable” place for the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate because it was “highly congested” and “complicated”. The size of the venue was also considered inadequate for a large gathering.
He also denied the Election Commission was divided on the matter. “How can we be divided? We are too small, just three people, to be divided on issues,” he said.

Modi attacks "biased" EC in Azamgarh

Modi attacks "biased" Election Commission in Azamgarh

Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh – While addressing a rally in Azamgarh BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi, who cancelled all his programs in Varanasi to protest the Election Commission’s delay in issuing sanctions, attacked the poll body claiming it had failed to fulfill its responsibilities.
He declared the EC was biased against the BJP.
 The Gujarat CM claimed the EC had also failed in fulfilling its responsibility of conducting free, fair and unbiased elections.

“There have been serious reports of rigging till now at various places,” he said. “In the last three phases continuously, rigging took place in polling booths. I want to tell the EC that I warned you (EC) on April 24 and you (EC) are not fulfilling your (EC) responsibility which is a complaint of common people.”
"Shouldn’t elections be unbiased? Should there be hooliganism? Should there be booth capturing? Isn’t it EC’s responsibility to put an end to all this? But in the last three phases EC failed and with full responsibility I accuse EC of being biased,” said Modi. “EC is not unbiased. Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) himself came here to save his future but neither his future nor his respect will be saved.”

Voting begins for 7th phase of Lok Sabha polls

Voting begins for 7th phase of Lok Sabha polls, Narendra Modi casts his vote in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: After voting in Ahmedabad early this morning, Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate clicked selfies with his inked finger held out. He later posted a photo on Twitter saying, "Voted! Here is my selfie."
Mr Modi, seen as the forerunner for the country's top post, also held up the lotus symbol of the BJP and addressed the media gathered outside the polling booth. His political rivals have cried foul.
Wednesday, officials said.A total of 334 candidates are in the fray for the Lok Sabha. Balloting is taking place at 45,380 polling stations where over 234,000 polling personnel have been deployed. More than 40 million people are eligible to vote in all 26 constituencies where voting is being held in a single phase.
The Gujarat Congress has complained to the Election Commission. EC sources said they would examine if Mr Modi has violated its code.
In an attempt to demonstrate that crucial differences in his party are now settled, Mr Modi began the morning by tweeting, "On my way to vote. I consider myself extremely blessed & fortunate to be a voter in Advani ji's Parliamentary Constituency."
The Gujarat chief minister has apologised to his state and thanked it for backing him despite his having had "only 18 hours of campaigning" to spare for it. The BJP's election campaign this year has been fashioned around Mr Modi, who has dashed from state to state in the last many weeks, addressing as many as five rallies on some days.

Congress asks Modi to explain alleged links to man

Congress asks Modi to explain alleged links to man who it describes as hawala operator

New Delhi: The Congress has distributed photographs and a CD to allege that the BJP's Narendra Modi "is associated with a man accused of Hawala dealings" or money laundering.

In one of the  photographs, Mr Modi is seen at an public function on stage with a woman and a man that the Congress alleges is Afroz Phatta, who the party claims was caught last month by the Enforcement Directorate for a 700-crore rupee Hawala scam.

In other photographs distributed by the Congress, the man is seen with BJP leaders like spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain and Gujarat minister Anandiben Patel.

Randeep Surjewala alleged that the BJP website and the personal website of Mr Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, "proudly" display photographs of the man.

He has demanded to know whether "Mr Modi will agree to an independent probe" into the matter.

The Congress attack comes a day after the BJP released a video to target Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra on his alleged land deals.
  

Mamata's party says it's Narendra Modi who must apologise

Mamata's party says it's Narendra Modi who must apologise,After "butcher" remark

A day after it declared Narendra Modi "the butcher of Gujarat," Mamata Banerjee's party said that it is Mr Modi who owes an apology.
"He has said that a painting by Mamata Banerjee sold for 1.86 crore. He has to apologise for that," said Mukul Roy, a top leader of the Trinamool Congress. "He (Modi) violated all decency while speaking at a rally," Mr Roy added.
Mr Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, was addressing an election meeting in Bengal on Sunday when he professed that Ms Banerjee "has damaged Bengal more in 35 months than the Left did in 34 years."
He also asked why a painting by Ms Banerjee, who was elected chief minister in 2011, had commanded an alleged price of 1.86 crores. "Her paintings did not even sell for five lakhs," said Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool, adding that the money raised from Ms Banerjee's art was used to fund the party's electoral campaign.
Mr Modi did not name the businessman who bought that painting, but he was alluding to a controversial entrepreneur, Sudipta Sen, whose money marketing scheme collapsed, devastating lakhs of people.
Ms Banerjee's party reacted to Mr Modi's comment with a strong statement that labelled Mr Modi "the butcher of Gujarat", referring to the riots in 2002 in which more than a thousand people were killed in communal violence in Mr Modi's home state. A Supreme Court inquiry has said there is no evidence that Mr Modi, as chief minister, fuelled the riots. A court in Gujarat has upheld that report.