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Trump Narrows Harris’ Path to Victory as He Claims North Carolina, Leads in Key States

November 6, 2024, 10:26 am

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election vote count continues, Donald Trump has claimed North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes, further tightening the race with Kamala Harris. His strong leads in other key swing states—Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—are complicating Harris’ path to the presidency. With several battleground states still in play, the race for the White House remains razor-thin.

Trump Gains Ground in Key States
In addition to North Carolina, Trump is reportedly leading in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. These states collectively hold 45 electoral votes, which could provide a substantial boost to Trump’s tally if his leads hold.

Harris Faces Slimming Chances as Swing States Tilt Toward Trump

For Harris, reclaiming swing state leads is now critical to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency. Her campaign had initially focused heavily on states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, but with Trump maintaining narrow margins, her chances depend on remaining uncounted ballots, especially from urban areas that traditionally lean Democratic.

Current Election Map and Remaining Battlegrounds
As results come in, the election map shows Trump’s strategy focusing on key swing states, while Harris aims to counter with support from the West Coast and Northeast. Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia remain highly competitive, with both candidates closely monitoring final tallies in these pivotal regions.

With results still being finalized, both campaigns have urged patience, anticipating that full counts in some battlegrounds could stretch into the following days.

People may call our victory a miracle, but our hard work is behind it: Poonia

October 10, 2024, 3:00 am

Candidate selection, party management and election campaign played an important role in the Bharatiya Janata Party win for the third time in Haryana. People may call our victory a miracle, but our hard work is behind it.’ This is the statement of Haryana BJP in-charge Satish Poonia. After the formation of BJP government for the third time, Satish Poonia, in a special conversation with The Daily Guardian, shares every detail of his journey from becoming the state in-charge to the BJP’s third consecutive government in Haryana. When asked about Naib Singh Saini potentially becoming Chief Minister again, he stated that they campaigned under his leadership, but the final decision is made during the Legislative Party meeting. Here are the edited excerpts from the interview:
Question: When you were made in-charge of Haryana, what challenges did you face at that time and how did overcome those challenges?
Answer: I was made in-charge of Haryana just a few days before the Lok Sabha elections. Till that time, the concept was that BJP is going to play a losing game in Haryana. After that, I got less time, but for the Lok Sabha elections, we looked at the previous election results and the mood of the public. After that, I came to the conclusion that we can win 8 out of 10 Lok Sabha seats here. When the results came, we lost three more seats. However, BJP lost these three seats by a margin of only 20-22 thousand. In this context, we observed that in the Lok Sabha election results, we secured 44 seats at the assembly level. We viewed these results positively, and now the outcomes of the assembly elections are evident to the nation.
Question: Losing five seats in the Lok Sabha must have significantly affected your morale.
Answer: When the Lok Sabha election results were announced, we secured five seats. While many claimed that the BJP only won five seats, I viewed it differently: despite facing unfavorable narratives, we managed to achieve this victory. In the name of reservation, Congress spread confusion in the Lok Sabha elections and many protests took place. In this situation, our morale remained strong despite the Lok Sabha election results. However, as we engaged with the public in preparation for the assembly elections, we sensed a renewed hope that we could achieve a positive outcome.
Question: It’s common to observe anti-incumbency sentiments after a party has been in power for a decade, and this trend was evident in Haryana as well. What strategy was implemented to address this situation?
Answer: Look, if we look at the earlier background of Haryana, it has been against the Congress. People there did not love the Congress and they had no distance from the BJP. Congress attempted to connect the Constitution with the soldier, farmer, and wrestler, trying to mislead the public. In contrast, we engaged with the people by highlighting the achievements of both the central and state governments, addressing their grievances. As a result, voters chose to support the BJP in the elections. Historically, Congress hasn’t shown much regard for the people, even prior to 2014. However, during that time we could not form the government because till then we used to contest elections as a coalition. For the first time in 2014, we contested on all 90 seats and got 47 seats and formed the government. Next time we again secured 40 seats. When the 2019 assembly election results were analyzed, we were second in 37 seats. In such a situation, our presence was excellent in 65 to 70 seats. Keeping all these in mind, this time we performed even better.
Question: You might agree with me or not… However, even BJP leaders themselves had not anticipated this victory, that too with a clear majority. So, who will you credit for this victory?
Answer: Selection of candidates, party management and election campaign play a very important role in the victory. People may call our victory a miracle, but our hard work is behind it. We organized four rallies of Modi ji. These rallies were very successful. We got full support of Amit Shah and Nadda ji. We got amazing support from the four in-charges. It often happens that there is a rift among people, but we all divided our work and worked in an excellent manner. We excelled by dividing responsibilities effectively. The local team in Haryana collaborated closely with the in-charges. This election showcased our strengths in organization, management, and campaigning. Ultimately, the dedication of our workers paid off, leading to our victory.
Question: There were three focal points of Congress leadership in Haryana elections. Did the presence of three key figures in the Congress leadership provide an advantage to the BJP in the results?
Answer: Look, there was no such thing as an organization in Congress. There is a BJP worker at every booth. There was no conflict over leadership here. There were three people claiming to be the chief minister. There was a tussle between Kumari Selja, Surjewala and Hooda and there was a dispute going on between all these leaders. It is certain that the weakness of the enemy also proves helpful in winning the battle. The hard work of our workers played a crucial role in our victory. While Congress was under a misconception, we remained grounded in reality, consistently focusing on our efforts and executing effective social engineering. As a result, we secured 8 out of 17 ST seats and achieved wins across Jatland, urban, and rural areas. We emerged victorious in every district of Haryana, receiving support from all sections of society.
Question: When the central government brought the agricultural law, it was strongly opposed. In such a situation, what would you like to say about that movement after the election results.
Answer: One thing has become clear that the farmers’ movement was sponsored by the Congress. The things that were behind the scenes have come out. Between the Lok Sabha and the assembly elections, every point of that protest has come before the public. Only a small number of individuals participated in that protest, but it created a significant perception. However, by the time the assembly elections approached, the urgency of the protest had diminished. The criticisms directed at the BJP due to the protest had little impact overall, with noticeable effects only in Sirsa district. We plan to strengthen our organization in that area.
Question: It is being said that Non-Jat voters supported BJP, due to which the government was formed. To what extent is it true that Jats did not support BJP.
Answer: Congress engages in caste and religious politics to secure vote banks, while we aim to connect with every community. Approximately 25 to 30 percent of Jats voted for us, and we secured victories even in Jat-dominated assembly constituencies. Therefore, it’s not entirely accurate to claim that Jats exclusively supported Congress. For instance, in Sonipat, traditionally seen as Hooda’s stronghold in Jatland, we won four seats. There are several other Jat-majority areas where our party’s MLAs emerged victorious. It’s the Congress party that seeks to divide Jats from non-Jats; we strive to unite everyone.
Question: Will Nayab Singh Saini be the next Chief Minister of Haryana?
Answer: Look, there is a protocol of the party in this. The legislative party decides the Chief Minister, but Nayab Singh Saini was the face of the party in the elections and the elections were fought in his name. People have expressed faith in his face.
At present, it would be premature to say anything about the Chief Minister, because there is internal democracy in BJP and it is decided in the meeting of the legislative party. For that, the meeting of the legislative party should be awaited.
Question: How significant was the decision to remove Manohar Lal Khattar and make Nayab Singh the Chief Minister before the elections? How do you see it?
Answer: Every political party in the country and abroad makes changes and we also made changes. In this election, Khattar ji’s experience was useful for us and so was Nayab Singh’s energy. We benefited from the experience and energy of both. If the Chief Minister is changed in another party, there is a ruckus, but in our case, not even a leaf moved. Khattar ji is a senior leader of our party and the party is taking advantage of his experience everywhere.
Question: Will the victory in Haryana be able to do wonders in the by-elections of Rajasthan?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. The victory in Haryana has infused enthusiasm and brought energy to BJP workers across the country. People have once again expressed their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Along with the by-elections in Rajasthan, we will also win the elections of Jharkhand and Maharashtra to be held in the
coming time.

Policy Rollbacks: Victory for Opposition, Loss for Bharat

August 21, 2024, 4:00 am

The NDA government’s recent rollback of a well-conceived scheme to recruit talent laterally into the bureaucracy marks another instance where political expediency has overshadowed national interest. This decision represents the fifth major policy reversal by the current administration, a pattern that is increasingly concerning. While the opposition celebrates these rollbacks as political victories, the real loss is for Bharat.

Lateral Entry scheme: The lateral entry scheme aimed to bring fresh expertise into the bureaucratic system by allowing professionals from the private sector to join mid-level government positions. This initiative sought to introduce specialised knowledge and skills that traditional career bureaucrats might lack, thereby making the administrative machinery more agile and efficient. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, lateral entry has been crucial in enhancing the quality of governance. For example, the U.S. government frequently hires experts from the private sector to lead agencies or manage complex projects, ensuring that the best talent is harnessed for public service. The UK’s Civil Service Fast Stream also encourages lateral entry to bring in fresh perspectives. The rollback of this scheme in India is a significant setback, as it denies the government access to a broader talent pool, ultimately affecting governance quality and, by extension, the nation’s progress.

Farm laws: The repeal of the three farm laws, despite their alignment with reforms proposed by the Congress in its 2019 manifesto, represents a missed opportunity for India’s agricultural sector. These laws aimed to provide farmers with more options to sell their produce, potentially leading to higher incomes. Increased farm incomes would have translated into greater rural consumption, a key driver of economic growth. In countries like the United States, reforms in agricultural policies have played a crucial role in stabilising farm incomes and ensuring food security. By rolling back these laws, the NDA government has not only undermined the potential for agricultural growth but also missed a chance to boost the broader economy through enhanced rural demand.

Waqf Act Amendment bill:
The decision to send the bill to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to a Parliamentary committee rather than pushing it through reflects a hesitancy to address sensitive issues head-on. The Waqf Act, which governs the management of religious endowments for the Muslim community, has been criticised for creating disparities in how different religious communities are treated under the law. In a secular democracy, it is crucial that all communities are treated equally under the law to maintain national unity. Countries like France, with its strict separation of church and state, have shown that equal treatment under the law is essential for social cohesion. The delay in addressing these disparities only deepens societal divisions, weakening the fabric of Bharat.

The rollback of the lateral entry scheme by the NDA government is a significant setback in India’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its bureaucratic system. Lateral entry, which allows professionals from diverse fields to bring their expertise into government roles, has been a key component in transforming governance in several Western countries.

For instance, the United States has long embraced the concept of lateral entry. The U.S. government routinely brings in experts from the private sector, academia, and nonprofits to fill senior positions in various departments. This practice is especially common in agencies like the Department of Defense and the National Security Council, where subject matter experts are essential for making informed decisions on complex issues. These experts provide fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and specialised knowledge that career bureaucrats may lack, thereby driving more effective governance.

In the United Kingdom, lateral entry is also a well-established practice. The British Civil Service has a long tradition of appointing professionals from outside the government to senior positions. This practice is seen in the recruitment of Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General who bring with them a wealth of experience from the private sector. Their contributions have often led to more streamlined processes, cost savings, and better policy outcomes.

Similarly, in France, the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) system allows for lateral entry into senior bureaucratic roles. The French government has benefited from this system by integrating individuals with diverse experiences into its administrative machinery, leading to a more dynamic and responsive government.

These examples from the U.S., the U.K., and France demonstrate how lateral entry can infuse new energy and expertise into the bureaucratic system, leading to better governance outcomes. By rolling back the lateral entry scheme, India risks missing out on the opportunity to tap into the vast reservoir of talent outside traditional bureaucratic channels. This rollback not only hinders the goal of making the bureaucracy more efficient but also deprives the nation of the potential benefits that come from diverse and specialised knowledge in governance.

In conclusion, while the opposition may claim victory over these rollbacks, it is crucial to understand that the real loser in this political tug-of-war is Bharat—the very fabric of our nation. These policy reversals represent far more than just the undoing of specific legislative measures; they symbolise a retreat from progress and a missed opportunity for national advancement. Each of these decisions, when viewed in isolation, may seem like a concession to public opinion or a response to political pressure, but collectively, they signal a troubling trend of sacrificing long-term national interest for short-term political gain.

The rollback of the lateral entry scheme, for instance, is not just a reversal of a policy but a missed opportunity to inject much-needed expertise and innovation into our bureaucratic system. The lateral entry scheme was a visionary initiative aimed at bridging the gap between the public and private sectors, fostering a more dynamic and responsive government. By rolling it back, we are not only denying ourselves the benefits of this cross-pollination of ideas and skills but also sending a message that the status quo is preferable to progress. This is a step backward for Bharat, a nation that aspires to be a global leader in governance and innovation.

Similarly, the repeal of the farm laws is not merely a victory for the opposition but a defeat for the millions of farmers who stood to benefit from the increased market access and financial security these laws promised. The rollback has stalled the momentum for agricultural reform, which is desperately needed to modernise our farming practices and improve the livelihoods of those who feed the nation. This decision has wider implications for Bharat’s economic growth, as a vibrant agricultural sector is essential for sustaining rural economies and driving overall national development.

Furthermore, the decision to delay the amendment of the Waqf Act by sending it to a Parliamentary committee is a significant setback for the principle of secularism in our country. The amendment was a critical step towards ensuring equal treatment of all religious communities under the law—a cornerstone of our constitutional values. By postponing this necessary reform, we are allowing the existing disparities to persist, which only deepens societal divisions and undermines national unity. In a country as diverse as Bharat, maintaining social harmony and cohesion is paramount for our progress as a nation. Delaying such reforms weakens the very foundation of our secular democracy.

Each of these rollbacks, therefore, is not just a policy reversal but a step backward in Bharat’s journey towards becoming a more prosperous, unified, and efficient nation. The opposition may claim these as victories, but in reality, they are victories at the expense of national interest. These decisions reflect a lack of commitment to the hard choices and bold actions needed to propel Bharat forward. They represent a retreat into complacency and a reluctance to embrace the changes necessary for our nation to thrive in the 21st century.

As citizens, it is essential to recognize that the true cost of these rollbacks is borne by the nation as a whole. The path to progress is often fraught with challenges and resistance, but it is only through perseverance and a steadfast commitment to reform that we can hope to achieve our full potential. The rollbacks may have appeased certain factions in the short term, but they have done so at the expense of Bharat’s long-term prosperity and unity. The true victory will come when we collectively prioritise the nation’s future over immediate political gains, ensuring that every decision made is a step forward in the journey towards a stronger, more unified, and prosperous Bharat.

Siddhartha Dave is an alumnus of the United Nations University in Tokyo and a former Lok Sabha Research Fellow. He writes on foreign affairs and national security.

A recap of record Victories in LS polls

June 4, 2024, 4:15 am

Sometimes popularity of leaders is so high that margins in terms of votes set records. Pritam Munde, Narendra Modi, VK Singh, Rahul Gandhi and Mulayam Singh Yadav etched their names in this category.

Victories in Lok Sabha elections with the biggest margins are often seen as a reflection of a candidate’s immense popularity or the dominance of their political party in a particular region. Over the years, several candidates have won their seats with very large margins. Here are some notable examples:

Pritam Munde (2014)

Beed, Maharashtra: Margin: Over 6.96 lakh votes. – Pritam Munde, also from the BJP, won the Beed seat with the largest margin ever recorded in Lok Sabha elections.

She was born on 17 February 1983 and is a doctor and Indian politician who is the current Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Beed. In 2014, she won with a margin of 6,96,321 votes – the highest ever in India’s electoral history. She is the second daughter of former BJP leader Gopinath Munde and her mother Pradnya Munde. In 2019 elections she emerged as victorious candidate by defeating Bajrang Sonwane of Nationalist Congress

Party by margin of 1.68 lakh votes. Gopinath Munde was Central Cabinet Minister earlier. She has one elder sister Pankaja Munde and younger sister Yashashari. She is a niece of Pramod Mahajan, and a cousin to Rahul Mahajan and Poonam Mahajan. NCP leader Dhananjay Munde is also her cousin. She married Gaurav Khade in 2009 and they have a son named Agastya Khade.

Narendra Modi

In 2014 Lok Sabha election from Vadodara constituency, Narendra Modi won the seat with a huge margin of over 5.70 lakh votes. He later became the Prime Minister of India. However, he later retained the Varanasi seat. In September 2013, Modi was named the BJP’s candidate for prime minister ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Prior to the election, Modi’s media image had centred around his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots but during the campaign, the BJP focused on Modi’s neoliberal ideology and the Gujarat model of development. The BJP sought to identify itself with political leaders who publicly opposed Hindu nationalism, including B. R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose and Ram Manohar Lohia. Hindutva remained a part of the campaign; BJP leaders used Hindutva-based rhetoric in several states. Communal tensions were played upon, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Northeast India. A proposal for the controversial Uniform Civil Code was a part of the BJP’s election manifesto. The BJP’s campaign was assisted by its wide influence in the media. Modi’s campaign blitz cost around Rs 50 billion (US$630 million) and the BJP received extensive financial support from corporate donors. In addition to more-conventional campaign methods, Modi made extensive use of social media and addressed more than 1,000 rallies via hologram appearances.

The BJP won 31 per cent of the vote, and more-than-doubled its number of seats in the Lok Sabha to 282, becoming the first party to win a majority of seats on its own since 1984. Voter dissatisfaction with the Congress and with regional parties in North India, and support from the RSS were reasons for the BJP’s success. In states such as Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP performed well, it drew exceptionally high support from upper-caste Hindus, and its Muslim vote increased to 10 per cent. The BJP performed particularly well in parts of the country that had recently experienced violence between Hindus and Muslims. The magnitude of the BJP’s victory led many commentators to say the election constituted a political realignment away from progressive parties towards the right-wing. Modi’s tweet announcing his victory was described as being emblematic of the political realignment away from a secular, socialist state towards capitalism and Hindu cultural nationalism.
Modi was a candidate for the Lok Sabha constituencies Varanasi and Vadodara. He won in both constituencies, defeating Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi by 371,784 votes and Madhusudan Mistry of the Congress in Vadodara by 570,128 votes. India’s president appointed Modi, who was unanimously elected leader of the BJP, Prime Minister of India. To comply with the law prohibiting MPs from representing more than one constituency, he vacated the Vadodara seat.

V.K. Singh

In 2014, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: Margin: Over 5.67 lakh votes. – Former Army Chief General V.K. Singh, representing the BJP, won the Ghaziabad seat with a huge margin.
General Vijay Kumar Singh (retd) is an Indian politician and a former four-star General in the Indian Army. He is the current Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of Civil Aviation in the Second Modi ministry. He previously served as Minister of State for External Affairs, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of the North-Eastern Region and Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation in the First Modi ministry.

During his military career, Singh served as the 24th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from 2010 to 2012. Singh took the Government of India to court in a dispute over his date of birth and subsequent retirement, becoming the first serving Indian Chief of the Army Staff to take legal action against the Indian government. After his retirement from the military, Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 and was elected as Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha for the Ghaziabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh in that year’s general election. He was re-elected to the same seat in 2019.

Chandrababu Naidu (1999)

Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh: Margin: Over 5 lakh votes. – The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh won the Kuppam seat with a large margin.

Nara Chandrababu Naidu also known as Chandrababu Naidu is an Indian politician, statesman and the current leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He also served as Chief Minister from 1995 to 2004 and as opposition leader from 2004 to 2014 of Andhra Pradesh. He has been the national president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since 2015.

Naidu’s political career began in the 1970s with the Indian National Congress (INC). In 1978, he was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, and from 1980 to 1982, he served as a minister in the state cabinet. Afterwards, he switched party allegiance and joined TDP, which had been founded by Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, his father-in-law, whom he initially opposed. He gained the confidence of Rao, especially after helping thwart an INC attempt to oust Rao from his post as chief minister in 1984, becoming the party’s general secretary. Naidu served as a TDP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 1989 to 1995, during which period he became a high-profile opposition leader. In 1995, he became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh after an intra-party coup against the leadership of Rao.

During his two terms as Chief Minister, Naidu’s public image was that of an economic reformer and proponent of information technology-based economic growth. His policies brought modernisation and investments particularly to Hyderabad, where he directed the founding of HITEC City. He also had a role in national politics, first as the convener of the United Front in 1996. He supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, in which TDP won 29 seats, enhancing Naidu’s reputation as a nationally prominent politician. His leadership in IT and infrastructure was much ahead of his times and did not make sense to the voters as propaganda against his tech-driven policies in 2004 defeated his party by a coalition of INC and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). In 2014, after having been the leader of opposition during the whole intervening period, Naidu returned as Chief Minister, winning in the now-residuary (due to bifurcation) Andhra Pradesh. Between 2014 and 2019, he developed the basic infrastructure for new Andhra Pradesh, brought in several big-ticket foreign investments such as Kia Motors and created thousands of jobs for the state’s youth.
In the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, Naidu’s party faced an electoral setback, with TDP winning only 23 out of 175 seats. In 2023, Naidu was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) police in Andhra Pradesh due to alleged political vendetta and was released after 3 months, without any charges due to lack of evidence during Supreme

Ashok Kumar Yadav (2019)

Madhubani, Bihar: Margin: Over 4.80 lakh votes. – The BJP candidate won the Madhubani seat with a large margin.

Ashok Kumar Yadav is an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, lower house of the Parliament of India from Madhubani, Bihar in the 2019 Indian general election as member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly from Keoti (Vidhan Sabha constituency) as a member of Bharatiya Janata party in February 2005, October 2005 and again in 2010. He is the son of BJP leader Hukumdev Narayan Yadav.

How did INC secure its victory in Karnataka?

May 24, 2023, 3:02 am

The Congress was able to increase its vote share in the state by around 5 per cent. The party secured 42.9 per cent of the votes in 2023, as compared to 38.4 per cent in 2018. In the 2018 Assembly Elections, Congress won only 80 seats while in the 2023 elections, it crossed the majority mark with 135 seats. The party registered its strongest performance in rural and semi-rural constituencies, although its vote share increased across all regions, including urban and semi-urban areas as compared to the last Assembly elections.
The party was also able to double its share in Lingayat-dominated regions, winning 42 out of the 65 seats dominated by the Lingayat community, as compared to the 20 it won in 2018.
One of the major reasons for the Congress’s victory in the state wascan be attributed to the fact that the party’s focused on local issues, while the BJP focused its campaign on national issues. Corruption was a major issue on the voters’ minds as the term of the incumbent BJP government was marred with a slew of large scale corruption allegations. The INC used the “40% sarkar” jibe against the BJP government at almost every public rally and roadshow, claiming that ministers and government officials across the state demand a 40 per cent “commision” from contractors.
The party also focused on the five guarantees it promised in its election manifesto, which included Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi and Shakti. Its freebie strategy included five major guarantees of Rs 2,000 per month to every woman head of a family; free bus passes for all women; Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders as unemployment monthly payment; 10 kilos of rice; and 200 units of free power to households, which played well with the voters of the state.
In addition to this, the party also criticized the BJP’s decision to remove the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in the state, and said it would reinstate the same if voted to power. The party also promised to increase reservation for Schedule Caste from 15 to 17 per cent, and for Schedule Tribes from 3 per cent to 7 per cent. Similarly, the party also promised to restore minority reservation of 4 per cent and increase reservations for Lingayat, Vokkaliggas and other communities.
Political analysts also state that Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which had one of its longest legs in Karnataka, covering 511 kilometeres covering seven districts and 20 Assembly constituencies in 21 days, also helped the party.
The yatra played a key role in mobilizing the party’s cadre, while also helping Gandhi establish a connection with both voters and party workers. Analysts state that Gandhi refrained from his usual anti-Modi rhetoric and instead focused on interacting with people and understanding their issues on the ground, both of which played in the party’s favour.
Another major reason that, which can not be ignored is that the high level of anti-incumbency which also worked in the favour of the Congress. No incumbent party in the state has able to continue ruling in the past two decades, and this trend also continued in the 2023 elections. The BJP continued to fight the election on the basis of national issues, which did not work out in its favour.

New Zealand scripts dramatic one run win; become second team to do so

February 28, 2023, 1:53 pm

Cricket is known for its unpredictability, and fans in Wellington witnessed a thrilling match that ended with the victory of New Zealand by one run, becoming the second team to achieve this feat. The visitors dominated the match most of the time at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, but it ended in favour of the hosts.

Such a Test is exemplary, and it is the best advertisement for the promotion of the longest format of the game. The Kiwis were down the barrel and almost on the verge of losing the series 2-0. But Wagner turned the tables and got the wicket of Anderson, ending the match in favour of the home side.

The one-run win for the hosts means the series has been tied at 1-1, and both teams shared the honour.

England declared 435/8 in the first innings and then bowled out the Kiwis for 209. After the follow-on, the hosts left no stone unturned in the do-or-die situation and batted sensibly. Kane Williamson proved his worth and scored a masterful century.

In the second innings, England scored 256 runs and lost the match by the narrowest of margins. Williamson was named player of the match for his brilliant knock at the crucial moment.

Currently, England has been playing a new brand of cricket, which has changed the complexion of red ball cricket. The new concept has given lots of victories to the English side. Ben Stokes, the captain, has transformed the Test cricket concept. The boring period of Test cricket is over. The crowd would like to go to the stadium and watch cricket from the stands.

Test cricket is on the right track, with England leading the march. Other nations would also walk away as well.

Jadeja seven-fer helps India retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy for fourth consecutive time

February 19, 2023, 3:23 pm

India once again proved too hot for the Australians to handle. Batting on Indian pitches requires special skill to play the spinners. On the third day of the second Test match, the visitors were dancing on the turning track of Delhi against the duo of Jadeja and Ashwin. Both bowlers mesmerised the Australian batting line-up, which helped the hosts take a 2-0 lead in the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
On the third day, the pendulum of the match was in balance. Both sides were looking to take the initiative and press for victory. But the Australian batters were struggling against some remarkable bowling by the Indian slow bowlers. The visitors went from 61/1 to 113 all out.
Ravindra Jadeja was the wrecker in chief and took seven for 42, and he was ably supported by Ashwin, who scalped three wickets.
Indian batters didn’t bog down and scored 118 runs, scripting a six-wicket victory and going 2-0 in the series. Ravindra Jadeja was declared player of the match for his astonishing all-round performance.
It is needless to add that the turning point of the match was the partnership of Axar and Ashwin. At one point, India was down the barrel at 139/7. The lower order applied themselves sensibly, showed courage, and knit more than a 100-run partnership, denying Australia the opportunity to take a sizable lead.
Another Test ended in three days, and Australia is out of ideas on how to deal with the spinners and put pressure on the home side. The management of the Australian team has to sit down and make a new strategy to stop the India hurricane.
Cheteshwar Pujara equaled the record of Ricky Ponting by hitting the winning run in the 100th Test match. Ponting achieved this feat in 2006 in Sydney, hitting four off Johan Botha of South Africa. Pujara hits a winning boundary against Todd Murphy in Delhi, 2023.
Rohit Sharma’s team is now eyeing a clear sweep in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It is not impossible, but there is a mountain to climb for Australia to come back in the ongoing series.

Djokovic drubs Stefanos Tsitsipas to clinch 10th Australian Open title

January 30, 2023, 2:17 pm

Sublime Novak Djokovic put up a dominant show against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece to win the men’s singles final match 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) here at the Rod Laver Arena to claim the record-extending 10th Australian Open title. With this victory, the Serbian tied Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam crowns. With his victory over Tsitsipas, the 35-year-old returned to the top spot in the ATP Rankings for the first time since last June. Djokovic defeated Tsitsipas, who would have taken the top spot himself with a win in Sunday’s final, to record his 10th straight tour-level victory. Djokovic will now replace Carlos Alcaraz as World Number 1.

Despite Tsitsipas saving two break points from 15/40 to hold for 1-1 in the first set, Djokovic’s customarily reliable and accurate groundstrokes dominated the early going. The Greek was unable to duplicate the escape in the fourth game, when Djokovic secured the sole break of the set, as he repeatedly applied pressure to Tsitsipas’ backhand.

Tsitsipas’ thunderous serve and massive forehand only slowly started to go off as he realised he needed to alter the pace of the game. The third seed took advantage of the fervent atmosphere at Rod Laver Arena to increase his level on many occasions in the second set when the Greek responded to winning critical games by encouraging his supporters in the crowd.

Nevertheless, Djokovic managed to prevail despite Tsitsipas earning the only break point opportunity of the set (which also served as a set point) at 4-5, 30/40. Despite dropping three straight games to give up a 4/1 advantage, he arrowed a magnificent forehand winner to save the set point and remained composed to win the tie-break.

With his lone break of the match coming in the first game of the third set, Tsitsipas once more made a comeback threat. But Djokovic answered right away, as he has frequently throughout his career on stages this size. Prior to sealing a third set that was dominated by serve and his historic victory with a powerful tie-break performance, he broke back in the following game.

Ronaldo’s competitive debut in Al Nassr’s victory

January 24, 2023, 2:11 pm

Cristiano Ronaldo made his much awaited Al Nassr debut but failed to score as his new team defeated Al-Ettifaq 1-0 in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday.

In his debut game in Riyadh, Ronaldo played the entire 90 minutes and kept the crowd engaged. Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca gave Al-Nassr the lead shortly after the halfway point. Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem sent in a cross that Ronaldo rushed into the box to try to meet, but it sailed over his head and was met by Talisca, who was able to score. A few minutes later, Ronaldo lined up a free kick outside the area and had a great chance, but his shot went high and wide.

The second half saw the 37-year old race the ball down to the by-line and fire in a threatening cross, but the resulting shot missed the mark. Ronaldo scored twice for a Riyadh All Stars team in a 4-5 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain in an exhibition match. With 14 games under their belt, Al Nassr has surpassed the reigning champion Al Hilal by one point. Ronaldo, who was handed the important duty of captain, got off to a quiet start in the first half, twice misplacing the ball while trying to trick his teammates.

Soon after, Ronaldo blasted over a free kick from a prime location just outside the penalty area while being greeted with cries of “Siu!” whenever he touched the ball. “He’s one of the best players in the history of football, so it’s very important for us to do everything possible to put him in the best condition,” said Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia.

Arsenal overcome huge test, thrilling win against Man United

January 24, 2023, 2:01 pm

Arsenal overcame Manchester United in a thrilling 3-2 victory in the 90th minute thanks to a goal from Eddie Nketiah, moving the team one step closer to winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004. In a thrilling match at the Emirates, both teams exchanged leads before Lisandro Martinez’s equaliser for United early in the second half seemed to be heading for a tie. However, Nketiah won it for Arsenal in the dying seconds to keep the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the standings as he erased Marcus Rashford’s first-half goal with a first-half header.

The month of January was meant to be the true test of Arsenal’s surprise bid for the Premier League championship, but Mikel Arteta’s squad keeps defying the odds with impressive victories, none more vital than this 3-2 victory over Manchester United. Arsenal will win the title. It’s past time that this was published. There is no better or more complete team in England, despite what they won’t admit to themselves or even believe. The rival teams can attack them, even score against them, but they never fully surprise them, and they have a strong desire to win the ball back. These are all key signals.

However, Arsenal has earned this reputation, this respect, and the additional yard of room you get from intimidated rivals. In this game, Bukayo Saka attempted five shots. He has either figured it out on his own or Mikel Arteta has instructed him to be more forthright. His defenders have dispersed. They are afraid to confess. Saka has gained the additional yard of space that all wingers yearn for just by reputation alone.

After Sunday’s tough victory, the Gunners’ situation doesn’t get much better. They will go to Manchester City on Friday for an FA Cup fourthround matchup before travelling to take on struggling Everton in the Premier League on February 4.

“It’s great and we deserve where we are because of how we’re playing. But there are a lot of things that we can do much better.” — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports.