Latest 2023 assembly polls News | Top 2023 assembly polls News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking 2023 assembly polls News Today | English 2023 assembly polls News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

PM Modi Urges Opposition: Refrain from Venting Assembly Poll Defeat Frustration Inside Parliament Ahead of Winter Session

December 4, 2023, 11:19 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing reporters ahead of the commencement of the Winter Session of Parliament, emphasized the significance of constructive participation by the opposition in the House proceedings, steering clear of venting their election defeat frustrations.

Asserting that the Winter Session presented a significant opportunity for the opposition parties, PM Modi urged their cooperation in ensuring a productive and fruitful start to the session through constructive debates.

“The country has spoken against negativity. This is a momentous opportunity for my friends in the opposition. We seek everyone’s cooperation. Instead of channeling their defeat’s anger, there’s a chance to learn and shun the negativity lingering for nine years. Let’s approach this session with positivity,” stated PM Modi.

Highlighting the Parliament’s role as the bedrock of democracy essential for public aspirations and the nation’s progress, he stressed its vital role in fortifying India’s foundation as a developed nation.

Describing the recent assembly poll results as encouraging, PM Modi underscored the link between good governance, public welfare, and the diminished relevance of ‘anti-incumbency’. He emphasized that effective governance, dedication to public welfare, transparency, and robust plans for citizens had yielded positive mandates.

The BJP’s overwhelming victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan during the recent state assembly elections significantly reshaped the political landscape, surprising both opponents and some pollsters who had anticipated closely contested races.

The election outcomes, particularly the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, dealt a severe blow to the Congress’s aspirations for 2024, as it finds itself out of power across a significant portion of the Hindi heartland.

In Rajasthan, where the BJP emerged victorious with 115 seats against the Congress’s 69, and in Chhattisgarh, with the BJP securing 54 out of 90 assembly constituencies compared to the Congress’s 35, the election results defied several poll predictions.

BJP sweeps 3 Hindi heartland states; Congress routs BRS in Telangana

December 3, 2023, 7:00 pm

The verdict is 3-1 in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assembly elections 2023. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh were painted saffron as postal ballots and electronic voting machines revealed that the voters had gone with the incumbent in the first-mentioned state and thrown out the ruling party in the other two. The only silver lining for the Congress was Telangana where it delivered the knockout blow to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to bag the second southern state in its kitty after Karnataka.

Madhya Pradesh cemented its position as an impregnable BJP fortress as the party stormed back to power by winning almost 70 per cent of the seats in Assembly elections 2023. Putting to rest all doubts and exit polls about the party not doing well in the state, the BJP came out on top riding on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the development and welfare schemes of the state government.

Continuing with its sweep of the Hindi heartland, the party also secured big victories in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the two states where the Congress was in power. The desert state lived up to its reputation of throwing out the incumbent every Assembly election as the BJP secured a majority easily while the Congress was left licking its wounds.

Chhattisgarh, which pollsters and political pundits had claimed would return the Congress to power, was yet another feather in the BJP’s cap on Sunday (December 3, 2023). Defying all the naysayers, the BJP routed Congress to regain power in the state after five years.

But the Congress, which was betting heavily on a positive outcome in the Hindi-speaking states to bolster its claim as the numero uno opposition party and to claim the leadership position in the opposition INDIA bloc, wrested Telangana, which had since its inception in 2014 had been a pocket borough of BRS’s K Chandrasekar Rao.

The gamble of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the charge in the face of the next Lok Sabha elections due in about six months in May-June 2024 paid off handsomely as his connection and charisma saw the BJP surging past its principal pan-India rival in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

With the next Lok Sabha election approaching and political parties gearing up for the same, BJP’s big win in three states and the upsurge in its vote share in Telangana are a shot in the arm for the party as well as PM Modi. The scale of victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh also proves that the BJP versus Congress battle is heavily loaded in favour of the former.

How The States Voted

A comparison between the 2018 and 2023 election results reveals that the BJP has widened the gap between itself and the Congress. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP’s tally jumped from 109 in the last polls to 165 five years later while the Congress slumped from 114 to just 63 in the 230-member Assembly.

Rajasthan, which has a habit of giving narrow victories, gave the BJP 115 seats, a big jump from the 73 it had won in 2018 and ensured a comfortable majority in the 200-member Assembly. On the other hand, the Congress saw a dip of 30 seats as its score came down to 70 from 100 five years ago.

Chhattisgarh, which is a 90-MLA House and had given a massive mandate to the Congress in 2018, saw the tables turned in 2023 as the party’s candidates came out on top in only 34 constituencies leading to its numbers falling by the same number of seats. The BJP gained massively taking its tally to 54 from the lowly 15 in 2018.

In Telangana, too, the BJP registered a quantum jump with its tally going up nine times in five years. The party had just one MLA in the state Assembly after the 2018 polls, but it saw nine of its candidates romping home in the 2023 edition.

Congress claimed just one state in the battle where it had been boasting that it would come out on top in the other three states too. The battle for Telangana was between the ruling BRS of K Chandrashekar Rao and Congress.

After a 10-year-long rule in the state, KCR’s party saw a resurgent Congress decimating it by winning 64 seats to the later 40. The state has 119 constituencies.

Piyush Goyal Unveils Secrets Behind BJP’s Victory Surge!

December 3, 2023, 5:09 pm

Union Minister Piyush Goyal commented on the ongoing vote counting and the BJP’s current standing proclaimed on Sunday that the public has once again bestowed their blessings upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Goyal declared, “On the assurance of PM Modi, citizens across four states have overwhelmingly supported him. This victory is far from ordinary, with a historic lead in Madhya Pradesh, an absolute majority triumph in Rajasthan, and an unexpected triumph in Chhattisgarh, where we were previously dismissed.”

He further added, “Even in Telangana, where the BJP secured only one seat in the last election, the shift to double digits is a clear testament to the increasing faith in PM Modi. The people recognize that PM Modi delivers on his promises.”

Responding to Congress’ allegations on electronic voting machines (EVM), Goyal criticized the opposition party, stating, “It’s unfortunate that Congress, devoid of an agenda, is once again portraying themselves as sore losers. The global appreciation for India’s political and electoral system seems to be lost on them. The EVM tampering allegations are nothing more than a subject of mockery among the public.”

As per the latest trends from the Election Commission, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised for a second term in Madhya Pradesh, with significant leads in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Surprisingly, Congress is on the brink of securing victory in Telangana, ending the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s decade-long rule.

The latest figures from the Election Commission indicate that the BJP is leading in 168 of the 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 54 of the 90 seats in Chhattisgarh, and 114 of the 199 seats in Rajasthan. This remarkable victory underscores the party’s organizational strength and the popularity of its schemes and leadership.

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a potential continuation of the BJP’s dominant record, having ruled the state for 18 of the past 20 years, showcasing the party’s firm organizational grip and leadership appeal.

In Rajasthan, aligning with a three-decade trend of rotating governments, the Congress-led government led by Ashok Gehlot appears to be on the verge of defeat. Chhattisgarh, where the BJP faced initial scepticism, has witnessed a robust comeback, credited to an assertive campaign and promises that resonated with the electorate.

As the vote counting unfolds, the nation is gripped by the Modi wave once again, reshaping the political landscape with unprecedented results.

Chhattisgarh Gears Up for Vote Counting: Security Tight, Officials Ready

December 2, 2023, 5:51 pm

Chief Electoral Officer Reena Baba Saheb Kangale announced the completion of all arrangements for the vote counting process in Chhattisgarh. In a press conference held in Raipur today, Kangale confirmed the readiness of 90 assembly constituencies for the upcoming assembly elections’ vote counting scheduled for Sunday.

Kangale disclosed the deployment of a significant workforce, stating that 90 returning officers, 416 assistant returning officers, 4596 counting personnel, and 1698 microobservers have been appointed for the meticulous vote tallying process. Furthermore, 90 counting observers, appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), will oversee the counting procedures across the state’s constituencies.

Elaborating on the security measures, Kangale highlighted the stringent protocols set in place. Each counting hall will feature segregated entrances for candidates, counting agents, and election officials. Identity cards have been issued to candidates and their electoral agents, with strict restrictions on mobile phones within the counting halls. The officer stressed the prohibition of electronic devices, pan masala, and cigarettes inside these premises.

Security arrangements have been layered into a three-tier system, ensuring thorough checks at each level of entry. The entire counting process will be filmed to ensure transparency and monitor the proceedings.

The counting procedure will commence at 8 a.m., starting first with the counting of postal ballots, followed by EVM counting after a 30-minute interval. Each assembly constituency will host vote counting on 14 tables, except for six assembly seats, including Pandariya, Kakyon, Sargarh, Milaiger, Kasdol, and Mastapur-Sonhat, which will employ 21 tables for the same process.

Chhattisgarh witnessed elections in two phases on November 7 and 17, and the vote counting is anticipated to proceed smoothly with stringent security measures and an ample workforce ready to ensure a fair and efficient process.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Asserts BJP’s Firm Majority Ahead of Vote Counting

December 2, 2023, 12:44 pm

In anticipation of the imminent vote counting in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confidently stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to form a robust government in the state with a substantial majority.

Addressing reporters in Bhopal on Saturday, CM Chouhan expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects, emphasizing the widespread support garnered from all segments of society. He mentioned the blessings received from various sections, including ‘Ladli Bahna’ (beloved sisters) and the younger generation, asserting that the BJP has secured backing from diverse social strata, indicating a decisive victory.

Referring to the speculation on the BJP’s seat count, Chouhan indicated a paradigm shift in outcomes and remained non-committal, stating, “All previous estimations would prove inadequate.”

Responding to the Congress party’s assertion of confidence in victory, Chouhan refrained from making explicit comments, suggesting that clarity on the election results would prevail only on the upcoming day.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed a substantial voter turnout of 77.15% across its 230 constituencies during the elections held on November 17. The eagerly anticipated vote counting is scheduled for December 3.

Exit polls largely favor the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, with most projections positioning them ahead, although a few projections present a favorable outlook for the Congress party.

Chhattisgarh Polls: CM Bhupesh Baghel Exudes Confidence in Congress’ Victory Despite Exit Polls

November 30, 2023, 8:16 pm

Chhattisgarh Polls: Following the release of exit poll projections favouring the Congress in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed confidence that his party would secure a significant majority. Even though most exit polls predicted 57 seats for Congress, Baghel predicted that the number would rise to 75 by the time results were announced on December 3.

Addressing reporters after several exit polls placed Congress in the lead, Baghel highlighted that the quoted numbers in these projections would stabilize in the coming days. Regardless of exit poll projections, Baghel stated with confidence that Congress is poised to form the government in Chhattisgarh with a significant majority.

Referring to India Today’s Chanakya poll predicting 57–66 seats for Congress, Baghel asserted that this number would rise to 75 in the days leading up to the counting day. Responding to questions about the BJP launching an ‘Operation Lotus,’ Baghel dismissed the possibility, stating, “They won’t be able to do so. We have a majority; we believe in our hard work and have faith in the people.”

While three polls predict a clear victory for Congress, others suggest the party is within the winning range. The Congress fought the election, with Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel leading the charge.

According to ABP C-Voter predictions, Congress is poised to win 41–53 seats in the 90-member assembly, with the BJP expected to secure 36–48 seats and others 0–4 seats.

The India Today Axis My India poll predicts Congress getting 40–50 seats, the BJP 36–46 seats, and others getting 1–5 seats. The Republic TV exit poll gives Congress 44-52 seats, the BJP 34-42 seats, and 0-2 seats for others.

The India TV-CNX poll predicts 46–56 seats for Congress, 30–40 seats for the BJP, and 3-5 for others. Jan Ki Baat exit poll projects 42–53 seats for Congress and 34–45 for the BJP, with 0–3 seats for others.

The P-Marq poll suggests Congress is poised to win 46–54 seats with a 44.6% vote share, BJP 35–42 seats with a 42.9% vote share, and others getting 0–2 seats with 12.5% votes.

Chhattisgarh went to the polls in two phases on November 7 and 17, and the counting of votes, along with the other four states, is scheduled for December 3.

Rajasthan Exit Polls: BJP Ahead in Some, Congress Leading in Others

November 30, 2023, 8:08 pm

Rajasthan Exit Polls: Exit polls inject a fresh dose of uncertainty into Rajasthan’s assembly elections, projecting an intense battle in the Hindi heartland state. Breaking a three-decade tradition of keeping an incumbent government raises the stakes of the outcome. While three exit polls show the BJP with a clear lead, two others show the Congress with a better chance of forming the next government.

Exit poll predictions underscore the potential impact of “others,” encompassing smaller parties and independents, in shaping the state’s political narrative upon the announcement of results on December 3. Rajasthan saw polling across 199 out of 200 assembly seats on November 25.

In the lead-up to the elections, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s Congress government unveiled an array of populist schemes to counter the BJP’s challenge.

The India Today-Axis My India poll envisions Congress securing 86–106 seats with 42% of votes, while the BJP is poised to secure 80–100 seats with 41% vote support. The “others” category may clinch 9–18 seats with 7% of votes.

The India TV-CNX poll predicts Congress clinching 94–104 seats with 43% votes, while the BJP trails with 80–90 seats and a 42% vote share. The “others” category may secure 14–18 seats with 15% votes.

The Times Now-ETG poll allocates 56–72 seats to Congress with a 38.98% vote share, while the BJP is projected to secure 108–128 seats with 41.88% votes. The “others” category may secure 13–21 seats with a substantial 19.14% vote share.

The Jan Ki Baat poll envisions the BJP securing 100–122 seats with a 44% vote share, while Congress trails with 62–85 seats and a 41% vote share. The “others” category may secure 14–15 seats with 15% votes.

The P-Marq poll predicts the BJP winning 105–125 seats in Rajasthan with a 42.2% vote share, while Congress is projected to secure 69–81 seats with 39.7% votes. The “others” category may clinch 5–15 seats with an 18.1% vote share.

Despite the NEWSX Poll of Polls predicting Rajasthan’s adherence to the pattern of voting out the incumbent government, all exit polls favour the BJP, which suffered defeat in 2018. PolStrat suggests a closer battle with the BJP winning 100–110 seats, Congress securing 90–100, and others clinching 5–15 seats.

The election results on December 3 will not only decide the fate of Rajasthan but also carry significant implications for the BJP and Congress as they gear up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Assembly Elections 2023 Poll of Polls: BJP in MP, Rajasthan; Congress gets Chhattisgarh, disadvantage BRS in Telangana

November 30, 2023, 6:37 pm

With voting ending in the 119-member Telangana Assembly on November 30, it was time for the exit polls to come up with their predictions on the likely winners and losers. Madhya Pradesh will be a close fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enjoying a slight advantage in Assembly Elections 2023 while the party will easily go past the Congress in Rajasthan.

The Congress is comfortably ahead in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is facing a tough fight in Telangana and is likely to lose power to the Congress, according to the NewsX Poll of Polls.

Madhya Pradesh Exit Polls

Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP had failed to secure a majority in 2018 and only formed the government after a rebellion and split in the Congress, is predicted to come back to power again. The NewsX Poll of Polls give the BJP 119 seats in the 230-member Assembly while the Congress is second at 107. The others may bag four seats in the Assembly where the majority mark is 116.

PolStrat exit poll gave the BJP 106-116 seats in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2023 while Congress is predicted to have its nose ahead with 111-121 wins while others are in the 0-6 range. Jan Ki Baat exit poll puts BJp on 113, Congress 112 and others on five seats, while Matrize gave 118-130 seats to BJP, Congress at second spot with 97-107 and others at 0-2.

Rajasthan Exit Polls

Rajasthan is most likely to stick to the pattern of voting out the incumbent government with the Congress on its way out, according to the NEwsX Poll of Polls. All exit polls give Rajasthan to the BJP which had lost the last time in 2018.

According to the ETG exit poll, the BJP will win 108-128 seats in the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly while the Congress will be ousted with just 56-72 wins and other smaller parties may bag 13-21. Jan Ki Baat exit poll shows the BJP securing 100-122 wins, Congress 62-85 and others 14-15 while PolStrat claims it will be a much closer fight with BJP winning 100-110 seats, Congress 90-100 and other 5-15.

Chhattisgarh Exit Polls

All exit polls give Chhattisgarh to Congress with most predicting a simple majority while one gave it a sweeping victory. The CNX exit poll claimed that BJp will win 30-40 seats in the 90-member Assembly while Congress will be ahead with 46-56 wins and others will bag 3-5. The Jan Ki Baat exit poll predicts 34-45 seats for BJP and 42-53 for Congress while AXIS MY INDIA is giving 41 to BJP, 45 to Congress and four to others. On the other hand C-Voter gave a massive win to Congress with 72 seats while the BJP was with seven. TVS News also gave a big win to Congress with 54-64 seats and the BJP at the second spot with 29-39 and others between 0-2.

Telangana Exit Polls

Telangana presents an exciting picture according to the Assembly elections exit polls. While PolStrat pits the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Congress in a dead heat with the former predicted to win 48-58 seats in the 119 member Assembly, the latter will bag 49-59 seats. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is predicted to win 6-8 while BJP will get 5-10 seats.

Jan Ki Baat is giving Congress 48-64 seats while the BRS is expected to win just 4-7. AIMIM is also predicted to bag 4-7 while BJP will win 7-13. On the other hand, CNX is giving the Congress majority in Telangana with 63-79 seats and the BRS way behind at 31-47. The AIMIM is expected to bag 5-7 while BJP will get 2-4 seats. Matrize also gave the state to Congress with 58-68 seats, BRS second with 46-56, AIMIN at third spot with 5-7 and BJP getting 4-9 while others are expected to get 0-1.

Mizoram Exit Polls

The two exit polls in Mizoram have a similar take on the electoral outcome. While Jan Ki Baat is giving an advantage to the six-party alliance called Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) with 15-25 seats in the 60-member Assembly, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) of Chief Minister Zoramthanga is a close second with 10-14. The Congress is way behind with 5-9 and BJP is expected to bag 0-2 seats.

CNX exit poll gives ZPM 12-16 seats while the MNF is neck-and-neck with 14-18 while the Congress has 8-10 and BJP 0-2.

Telangana Assembly Polls: 51.89% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 3 PM

November 30, 2023, 4:16 pm

Telangana Assembly Polls: As of 3 PM in the ongoing Telangana Assembly elections for 119 seats, the state has recorded a voter turnout of 51.89%, according to the Election Commission of India. Here are key details from the update:

District-wise Turnout:
- Medak: 69.33%
- Mahabubabad: 65.05%
- Adilabad: 62.34%
- Hanumankonda: 49%
- Hyderabad: 31.17%
- Jangaon: 62.24%
- Kamareddy: 59.06%
- Khammam: 63.62%
- Nalgonda: 59.98%
- Nizamabad: 56.70%
- Sangareddy: 56.23%
- Rangareddy: 42.43%
  Long queues were observed outside polling stations across towns and rural areas in Telangana since the early hours of the day. Earlier, at 1 p.m., the total voter turnout in the state was recorded at 36.68%. The elections feature 2,290 contestants, including Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Minister-son K.T. Rama Rao, State Congress President A Revanth Reddy, BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and D Arvind. In the 2018 elections, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won 88 of the 119 seats with a vote share of 47.4%, while the Congress secured 19 seats. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 3.
  
  Prominent leaders, including Chief Minister KCR, state minister KT Rama Rao, YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila, BJP’s Arvind Dharmapuri, and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, have exercised their franchise, urging voters to participate in the electoral process.

Exit Polls for 2023 Assembly Elections Drop Today After 5:30 PM!

November 30, 2023, 3:07 pm

Assembly Elections 2023: The exit poll results for the state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram are scheduled to be declared after 5:30 pm on Thursday. These exit polls are crucial indicators of the possible outcomes of the assembly elections, providing insights into the level of support for political parties and their candidates.

Exit polls are surveys conducted immediately after people have cast their votes, aiming to gauge the preferences of voters for different candidates and parties. The voting in these states took place between November 7 and November 30, with results scheduled to be announced on Sunday, December 3.

The Election Commission of India (EC) had initially prohibited the announcement of exit poll results until November 30, as per a notification issued in October. However, the EC has now allowed the release of exit poll results after 5:30 pm on November 30, modifying its earlier directive.

These state assembly elections hold significant importance as they precede the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May the following year. The exit poll results will offer insights into the political landscape and potential outcomes in these states.

Telangana Polls: Shocking 36.68% Voter Turnout Breaks Noon Records in Assembly Polls!

November 30, 2023, 2:23 pm

Telangana, India: The ongoing Telangana Assembly elections for 119 assembly seats recorded a voter turnout of 36.68% till 1 pm, according to the Election Commission of India. Key areas, including Adilabad, Bhadradri, Hanumankonda, Jagtial, Kamareddy, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Medak, Mulugu, and Siddipet, reported varying percentages of voter turnout.

Adilabad recorded 41.88%, Bhadradri 39.29%, Hanumankonda 35.29%, Jagtial 46.14%, Kamareddy 40.78%, Khammam 42.93%, Mahabubabad 46.89%, Medak 50.80%, Mulugu 45.69%, and Siddipet 44.35%.

Long queues were observed outside polling stations across Telangana as citizens exercised their voting rights. By 11 am, the state had recorded an overall turnout of 20.64%. A total of 2,290 contestants, including Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Minister-son K.T. Rama Rao, Congress State President A Revanth Reddy, and BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar and D Arvind, are in the fray.

In the 2018 elections, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won 88 of the 119 seats with a 47.4% vote share, while the Congress secured 19 seats. Key leaders, including Chief Minister KCR, Minister KT Rama Rao, YSR Telangana Party President YS Sharmila, BJP’s Arvind Dharmapuri, and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, cast their votes, urging citizens to participate and strengthen democracy. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi emphasized the importance of voting to strengthen democracy and restore faith in the Constitution.

Amit Shah Stands Firm on CAA; Declares It National Law at Kolkata Rally

November 29, 2023, 4:01 pm

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a compelling public address, affirmed the Central Government’s unwavering resolve to execute the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), stating, “Nobody can hinder its implementation.” Shah, at a massive rally, criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for its purported indulgence in “appeasement politics,” urging the populace to elect a BJP government in the forthcoming assembly polls.

“The Citizenship (Amendment) Act is the country’s law, and we will enforce it regardless of opposition,” Shah said, emphasizing the importance of the CAA as a legal framework for the nation.

The CAA, which was passed in 2019, seeks to grant citizenship to migrants from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014.

Lamenting West Bengal’s state of affairs, Shah accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of dilapidating the state through political violence, corruption, and unchecked infiltration. He claimed that Mamata’s administration, like the previous communist regime, had failed to stop infiltration and bemoaned violence against BJP workers in the state.

The Union Home Minister vowed electoral retribution in the upcoming assembly polls, declaring, “The people will avenge the political murders of BJP leaders through their votes in 2026, ensuring a BJP government with a two-thirds majority.”

Shah also accused the ‘Trinamool syndicate’ of obstructing funds sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the state’s welfare, highlighting the developmental setbacks in West Bengal under Mamata’s administration.

Drawing a comparison between the developmental strides achieved under the BJP-led Centre and West Bengal’s purported stagnation, Shah asserted, “Modi ji has transformed the nation, yet Mamata’s appeasement politics has stunted Bengal’s growth.”

He concluded by urging the people of West Bengal to lay the foundation for a BJP government in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of the state.

CM Chouhan Seeks Public Support for State Development in MP Polls

November 17, 2023, 11:28 am

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan encouraged residents on Friday to cast their votes for the state’s development as polling commenced for the 230 assembly seats. Speaking to ANI, Chouhan confidently stated that the Congress party would not succeed in Madhya Pradesh. He appealed to the public to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), emphasizing the positive response the BJP receives for its work in society.

Regarding the Chief Ministerial face, Chouhan remarked that party leaders prioritize the mission of working for the country and state’s development over personal considerations. He stated, “Our party makes the decision on who has to work where. We don’t think about ourselves; our mission is to work for the development of the country and Madhya Pradesh…BJP is going to get the biggest majority in history.”

Voting for the assembly seats began at 7 a.m., with polling closing at 6 p.m., except for specific constituencies where voting concludes at 3 p.m. The BJP aims to maintain its nearly two-decade rule in Madhya Pradesh, while the Congress seeks to unseat the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

Security measures for the elections include webcasting at approximately 42,000 polling stations, deployment of nearly 700 central force companies, and two lakh state police personnel. Over 2,500 candidates are vying for electoral success, with around 5.59 crore eligible voters, including 2.87 crore males and 2.71 crore females. The counting of votes for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram is scheduled for December 3.

PM Modi: First phase of voting in Chhattisgarh busted Congress party’s balloon of lies

November 13, 2023, 3:13 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, lauded the electorate for the first phase of voting on November 7, declaring it had burst the “balloon of lies” propagated by the Congress. He urged the people of Chhattisgarh not to trust the incumbent Congress party, emphasising that the first phase’s results had set the stage for the departure of the “Kakka” from the government, referring to a significant Congress leader.

PM Modi accused Congress of focusing on looting Chhattisgarh rather than its development. He highlighted the BJP’s commitment to the state’s welfare, citing the construction of 4 crore ‘pucca’ houses for the poor in the last decade. In contrast, he criticised the Congress government for obstructing projects like the ‘Gramin Awas Yojana’ meant for public welfare.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Chhattisgarh, created by the BJP, would only witness progress under the party’s governance. Urging the public to spread the word that Modi had reached Mahasamund, he reinforced the BJP’s sacred relationship with the people.

Chhattisgarh is holding elections in two stages, with the first ending on November 7. The remaining 70 seats will be voted for on November 17, with the results expected on December 3.

Ahead of MP assembly polls BJP President JP Nadda releases Sankalp Patra

November 11, 2023, 5:18 pm

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda released the party’s Sankalp Patra (manifesto) for forthcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls at Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Center (Minto Hall) in Bhopal on Saturday. During this, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP State President VD Sharma, Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scinda, Ashwani Vaishnav, Prahlad Patel and others were present on the occasion.

The Sankalp Patra has been named ‘Modi ki guarantee, BJP ka bharosa, Madhya Pradesh Sankalp Patra 2023 (Modi’s Guarantee, Trust in BJP, Madhya Pradesh Sankalp Patra 2023).
There are ten major resolutions of the party in the manifesto which include the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for 5 years in which free ration to all the poor families and apart from this the party will provide pulses, mustard oil and sugar at subsidised rates.

The other resolution states no family in Madhya Pradesh will remain homeless. For this, along with the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, the Chief Minister will start the Public Housing Scheme. The Ladli Bahna will get the benefit of housing along with monthly financial assistance.

Similarly, the party will make arrangements for the purchase of wheat at Rs 2,700 a quintal and paddy at Rs 3,100 a quintal. The party will also provide Rs 12,000 annually to the beneficiaries of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Chief Minister Farmer Kalyan Yojana. Tendu leaves collection rate will be ensured at Rs 24,000 a sack and free education will be arranged till class 12th for all the students from poor families.

Nutritious breakfast will be provided along with a mid-day meal in government schools. Madhya Pradesh Institute of Technology on the lines of IIT and Madhya Pradesh Institute of Medical Science on the lines of AIIMS will be established in each division of the state.
The party will further ensure that at least one employment or self-employment opportunity in every family.

During this, BJP leader JP Nadda said, “The importance of the manifesto, Sankalp Patra has been declining slowly along with time because political parties first attract people and then forget. (They) make promises, forget, and mislead the public. But the BJP is the only party that has implemented the manifesto in letter and spirit. It is our track record.”
On the occasion, CM Chouhan said that it was a very auspicious day and the BJP’s Sankalp Patra was launched in the presence of the BJP National President.

“It is the guarantee of PM Modi that we will make this manifesto our road map for the development of Madhya Pradesh and for the welfare of the people of the state. I have a feeling of satisfaction when I say that, whatever we thought and said, we tried to fulfil it. When we noticed that girls were killed in the womb. We made a policy like the Ladli Laxmi Yojana,” CM Chouhan said.

Madhya Pradesh is one of the five states set to undergo polls in one phase on November 17 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3. Voters will choose legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies.

Congress Will Reverse Madhya Pradesh’s Development Journey says PM Modi

November 9, 2023, 5:55 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his criticism of the Congress during a rally in Madhya Pradesh, asserting that the party, if elected, would “reverse the development journey” in the state. Drawing a parallel with a vehicle’s reverse gear that moves backward, PM Modi accused the Congress of being adept at reversing progress. He cautioned against falling for Congress’ grand promises, suggesting that they often conceal unfavorable intentions.

In Satna, PM Modi emphasized that Congress couldn’t ensure development and bluntly stated, “Congress aayi, tabahi laayi (Congress came, brought with it destruction).” He asserted that the party lacked a concrete roadmap for Madhya Pradesh’s development, highlighting the skepticism among the state’s youth regarding Congress’ ability to deliver progress.

PM Modi’s recent rallies have significantly boosted the BJP’s campaign in Madhya Pradesh, where the assembly polls are scheduled for November 17. In contrast, the Congress is actively working to challenge the BJP’s hold on the state. The vote count for Madhya Pradesh and four other states is slated for December 3. The Prime Minister urged voters to repose faith in the BJP, portraying Congress as a party with a reverse gear and questionable commitments to development.

Sachin Pilot Optimistic About Congress Comeback in Rajasthan

November 8, 2023, 3:07 pm

Senior Congress leader and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot shared his optimism about the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections, pointing out that the desert state traditionally doesn’t re-elect the incumbent party. However, he believes that the mood and sentiments of the people are indicating a return to power for the Congress on November 25.

During an interview with ANI in the Tonk district, a week after filing his nomination, Sachin Pilot said, “While historically, the government here changes every five years, I sense that the mood this time is in favour of the Congress getting a fresh term at the hustings.”

Sachin Pilot is enthusiastic about the Congress’s chances of replicating its 2018 performance, stating, “From the kind of response I am getting from party workers, people, and fellow candidates, it seems that the public mood and pulse are in favour of the Congress. People want to see us form the government again in Rajasthan.”

He noted that the public is not necessarily looking for a change of leadership, but instead, they prefer the return of Congress.

The Congress is hopeful that Rajasthan will break the anti-incumbency trend and vote them back into power. Sachin Pilot emphasised that people have already made up their minds to bring the Congress back to power.

Furthermore, he expressed confidence in the Congress’s chances in the five poll-bound states and mentioned that people are looking for a change of government in Madhya Pradesh.

Sachin Pilot also addressed concerns about law and order, highlighting that the government has been swift in registering FIRs in cases of violence against women. He compared the government’s responsiveness to BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

In the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly elections, the Congress secured 99 seats, while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member house. With the counting of votes scheduled for December 3, all eyes are on the electoral outcome in Rajasthan and four other states.

Bihar Assembly in Disarray Over CM Nitish’s Birth Control Comments

November 8, 2023, 12:24 pm

Chaos erupted at the Bihar Assembly during the ongoing Winter Session on Wednesday as Opposition members rushed to the well, raising slogans against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar due to his objectionable remarks on birth control made the day before.

“I apologize and take back my words,” the Bihar CM told reporters after BJP legislators prevented his entry into the legislative assembly.

On Tuesday, during a debate on caste census in the Winter Session of the Assembly, the Bihar Chief Minister sparked controversy by stating that women should be educated to avoid sexual intercourse leading to pregnancy. He emphasized the need for girls’ education to address the issue of population growth in the state.

Kumar, in his address to the Assembly, claimed that the fertility rate in the state, previously at 4.3%, had dropped to 2.9% according to a report from last year.

“I would like to apologize to those whom I may have offended with my words,” Nitish Kumar told reporters on Wednesday.

His remarks incited strong criticism from the BJP, as well as the chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), who demanded an unconditional apology.

In response, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned Kumar’s statement, calling it “despicable, disgusting, atrocious, obnoxious, and anti-women.” He expressed concerns about the impact of such remarks and behaviour within the state.

Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai also expressed strong disapproval, stating that Nitish Kumar had lost his “mental stability” and should apologize and withdraw from politics.

Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav defended Nitish Kumar, asserting that his remarks were about sex education and should not be misinterpreted as offensive. He clarified that the Chief Minister was discussing practical ways to address the issue of population growth and that this should be considered as a matter of sex education.

Congress, corruption, are two sides of same coin remarks JP Nadda in Madhya Pradesh

November 7, 2023, 5:14 pm

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda has remarked that the Congress party and corruption are intrinsically linked, with corruption being synonymous with the Congress.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, Nadda stated, “Congress is equivalent to corruption. Party and corruption are two sides of the same coin. Wherever there is Congress, there is corruption, oppression, looting, and fraud.”He went on to contrast the BJP’s governance with that of the Congress, emphasising that wherever the BJP is in power, development and public welfare follow. He characterised the difference between the two parties as the contrast between light and darkness, akin to the difference between Amavasya (the new moon) and Poornamasi (the full moon).

“Madhya Pradesh was counted as one of the BIMARU states during the Congress’s governance. Now, it is one of the developed states. This is the difference”, he counted. During his speech, Nadda also drew attention to various corruption cases, including the AgustaWestland scam, the coal scam, and the MGNREGA scam, to illustrate the association between Congress and corruption.

Madhya Pradesh is one of the five states scheduled for elections in one phase on November 17, with the vote counting set for December 3. Voters will choose legislators for the state’s 230 Assembly constituencies.

Encounter Erupts Between Special Task Force and Naxals in Orchha, Chhattisgarh

November 7, 2023, 2:29 pm

An encounter between the Special Task Force (STF) personnel and Naxals erupted in the forest area near Orchha police station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Fortunately, the STF personnel remained unharmed as the Naxals retreated during the encounter. Security forces are currently conducting a search of the area. Officials emphasized that the information circulating on social media about Naxals surrounding polling booths is inaccurate, and voting is proceeding as scheduled.

With voting for the first phase in Chhattisgarh polls underway, the Naxals fired at District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel deployed for an outer cordon around 2 kilometres away from Banda polling station on Tuesday morning, police officials said. “Security forces retaliated and the firing from Naxals’ side stopped after 10 minutes,” the police stated. Meanwhile, all jawans are safe, and voting continues, they added.

In a separate incident earlier on Tuesday, a Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) jawan was injured in an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast triggered by Naxals in the Tondamarka area of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. The jawan was deployed for election duty at the time of the explosion.

Chhattisgarh, with its 90-member legislative assembly, is undergoing elections in two phases, with the second phase scheduled for November 17. Of the 20 constituencies currently undergoing polling in the state, 12 are located in the Bastar division, including areas affected by Naxal activity. Voting is taking place in districts like Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Kabeerdham, and Rajnandgaon.

The final step in this electoral process, the counting of votes, is set for December 3, after which the composition of the new legislative assembly will be determined.

Karnataka Assembly polls: Voting on May 10, counting on May 13

March 29, 2023, 12:37 pm

The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Karnataka Assembly elections today. The polling would take place in a single phase on May 10 said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar .

The counting of votes will be done on May 13, the CEC said in a press conference here. Detailing the data of the electors, the CEC said that there are a total of 5.21 crores in the state and the number of 100 plus voters is 16,976.

He informed that over 58,000 polling stations would be set up across the state. “There are 224 Assembly constituencies of which 36 are reserved for the SCs and 15 for the STs. The total electorates in the state are 5,21,73,579 crores of which males are 2.62 crores and females are 2.59 crores. The total number of 80 plus electors is 12.15 lakhs. It is an increase of 32 per cent from 2018. It also includes 16,976 proud electors who are 100 plus. The number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) has increased to 5.55 lakhs. This is an increase of close to 150 per cent,” Kumar said.

He said that the first-time voters have increased from 2018-19 by 9.17 lakhs in Karnataka. “All young voters who are turning 18 years of age by April 1, will be able to vote in the Karnataka Assembly elections,” he said. The CEC also laid down the security measures for the identified sensitive booths in the state.

“There are 58,282 polling stations in Karnataka of which 20,866 are urban. The average number of electors per polling station comes to 883. On all the sensitive booths which have been identified, we take four to five measures. Either there would CAPF, or web-casting or a micro-observer. With the combination of all of these, we tend to put more vigour and vigil on the sensitive booths,” he informed.

“There would be 240 model polling stations which will be made eco-friendly and green booths. 100 booths would be managed purely by persons with disability,” Kumar added explaining the measures taken by the ECI for attracting the youth to vote.
Meanwhile, Karnataka, which has 224 seats in the Assembly currently has 119 MLAs of the ruling BJP, while Congress has 75 and its ally JD(S) has 28 seats.

With months to go for the Assembly elections, the political parties including the ruling BJP, Congress and ally JD(S) began the spate of allegations and counter-allegations, with the latter attempting to corner the government over the issue of corruption.

The BJP government, being led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is also putting in efforts to return to power and stressing on the Kannadigas issue, reservation to the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities by scrapping a religion-based reservation for the Muslim community, a decision which the state government took recently.

The government, last year, had proposed that the companies that do not give first preference to Kannadigas will not be eligible for incentives. The government’s move came in the later part of last year in a bid to promote Kannada. It was included in the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill.

Pilot urges working together to keep Congress in Power in Rajasthan

October 11, 2022, 1:35 pm

Sachin Pilot, the former deputy chief minister, said the Congress won the state of Rajasthan in 2018 under his leadership. He thanked the hard work of the party’s workers while stressing the importance of working together to retain power when the state is set for the polls next year.

“Our goal is to retain power in the 2023 assembly polls, and we are all collectively working in this direction,” he told journalists in Kota on Monday.

Pilot, who later arrived in former chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s constituency of Jhalawar, said they won the last election because of the farmers, youths, and poor. “It is our collective responsibility to fulfil the expectations of workers and the public.”

The remarks highlighting the necessity of teamwork came days after the Congress was rocked by members loyal to Ashok Gehlot’s threat to topple the government unless he gets to choose his successor.

Numerous Congress members who were thought to be close to Gehlot gathered at minister Shanti Dhariwal’s house in a show of strength and threatened to resign. They claimed that the 102 legislators who backed Gehlot when his former deputy Pilot rebelled against him in 2020 should produce the new chief minister. It is generally accepted that Pilot had a guarantee from the Congress’s high leadership that he would be the successor of Gehlot.

The Congress Legislative Party gathering was likely to accept a one-line resolution that would have given the party president the power to choose the new chief minister, but the legislators were against it.

Gehlot decided not to participate in the election for the presidency of the Congress on October 17 due to the uproar. According to the one-man, one-post norm of the Congress, he was expected to step down from his position as chief minister and run in the election.

Congress leaders familiar with the matter said Pilot has begun touring the state as part of the poll preparations. They added that his visits to Kota, Jhalawar, and Jhalrapatan were seen as an attempt to boost the morale of his supporters.

Raje separately hit out at the state government and said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will return to power by winning over 163 of the 200 assembly seats. She added that the state was lagging behind in development and that Congress leaders were preoccupied with becoming chief minister.

The BJP got 120 seats in 2003 and 163 seats in 2013. If we unitedly work, then we will cross 163 seats,” she told a gathering at Bikaner. She said there is a lot of resentment against the government. “Do not get divided into castes. A historical win is certain if we fight unitedly.” She said the Gehlot government has failed on all fronts. “Under his leadership, the state is number one in atrocities against women, corruption, inflation, diesel, petrol prices, expensive electricity, and paper leaks.”