Amit Shah's Big Claim; Says 'Intruders From Bangladesh Are Cong Vote Bank' | Watch

In a charged election rally in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah takes aim at the Congress and Samajwadi Party. He questions the absence of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Akhilesh Yadav from the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha event, alleging fear of losing their vote bank. Shah further alleges that the Congress and SP consider intruders from Bangladesh their vote bank. He accuses Rahul and Akhilesh of indulging in vote bank politics. Additionally, Shah boldly predicts Narendra Modi's return as PM for the third time on June 4, sending a strong message to the India Alliance.

PM Modi Targets Congress Over Article 370 at Sonipat Rally

PM Modi Targets Congress Over Article 370 at Sonipat Rally Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday kept up the attack on the Congress, saying it should forget the ''dream'' of bringing back Article 370 as it has been ''buried'' in the ''kabristan (graveyard)''. Addressing a rally at Gohana here, his second of the day in Haryana, Modi referred to the Lok Sabha polls as a ''kurukshetra (battle)'' in which ''there is development on one hand and 'vote jihad' on the other''. Striking a chord with the locals, Modi referred to Gohana's famous ''Matu Ram ki jalebi'' to target the opposition. Attacking the INDIA bloc, he said they have a formula of having five prime ministers in five years if they come to power. ''Ask them is the prime minister's post our Matu Ram ki jalebi''. ''In the 2024 'kurukshetra', there is development on one hand and 'vote jihad' on the other,'' he said. ''I want to ask the people of Haryana... who will win?'' He waited for people to respond before saying, ''Your reply has decided 'Phir Ek Baar','' and the crowd went, ''Modi Sarkar''. Modi said now the Congress is not even hiding its ''desh-virodhi agenda (anti-national agenda). They are saying openly what Modi did in 10 years they will reverse it if they come to power, he said. But their ''dream'' of bringing Article 370 back will never be fulfilled, he added. ''They are saying that we will restore Article 370 in Kashmir... This means once again a free run for terrorism and bloodshed in the Valley,'' he said. ''From the brave land of Haryana, I want to tell those associated with the Congress that only tricolour will fly in Kashmir now,'' he said. ''Forget the dream of bringing back 370 in Kashmir. And if you try to do it 'lene k dene pad jayenge' (you will pay very heavy price).'' ''Dhara 370 ki deewar hamne kabristan me gaad diya hai....We have buried the hurdle of Article 370 in kabristan (graveyard),'' he asserted. Modi said the Congress is out of power for 10 years and therefore they are jittery. They are remembering their old days when the ''shahi parivar'' used to run the government with a remote control, he said. On the opposition naming their grouping INDIA, he said, ''The reality does not change by changing name. This INDI Alliance is a gang of the corrupt. (jJamaat of ghotalebaaz).'' ''They want power at any cost. And what is that cost? It is the country's security, stability and respect. And five prime ministers in five years. This is their formula to run the government,'' he said. ''Will the country benefit, if there is new PM each year. What will they do? Will you allow the country to go back to that period of instability.'' The prime minister claimed the Congress wants to give reservation meant for SC/ST and OBC to Muslims. He also ridiculed the party's manifesto, claiming it has Muslim League imprint. The Congress will X-ray people's property and distribute the ''excess'' to those who do 'vote Jihad', he said. He said the Congress party rejected the invitation for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration ceremony on January 22 whereas Iqbal Ansari, who used to fight against Ram temple in court, participated in it. Among those present on the occasion included Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from Sonipat Mohan Lal Badoli. Voting for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase of elections on May 25.

Yogi Adityanath Rallies for BJP, Slams Congress on Ram Temple and Security Issues

Yogi Adityanath Rallies for BJP, Slams Congress on Ram Temple and Security Issues Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said Ram Lalla will not allow Congress to come to power again and accused the opposition party of questioning the martyrdom of security personnel during 26/11. Addressing a rally here to campaign for advocate Ujjwal Nikam, BJP candidate for Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, Yogi said the ongoing elections are about choosing between Ram bhakts and Ram drohis. Ram bhakt is a rashtra bhakt who will serve the people of India and work for the country's progress. A Ram bhakt who paved the way for the construction of Ram temple can ensure respect for the people and the country as well as safety and security, he said. Mumbai North Central, where Congress has nominated its city chief Varsha Gaikwad, and 12 other constituencies in Maharashtra will go to polls in the fifth phase of the general elections on May 20. Campaigning for these seats ended at 6 pm on Saturday. Adityanath also accused the Congress and its allies of being upset with the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple. Congress leaders say Ram temple shouldnt have been constructed. If the Congress is so upset about it, it can construct a Ram temple in Italy. If they dont want a Ram temple, they can build one dedicated to Bajrangbali (Lord Hanuman). Some Congress leaders say that if their party comes to power, they will destroy the Ram temple, claimed the senior BJP leader. Ram Lalla will not allow you to come to power, he said. The Uttar Pradesh CM said when the BJP speaks with confidence of winning 400-plus seats, the ground beneath slips for opposition parties. People say they will support only those who got the Ram temple (constructed), he said. Adityanath also accused the grand old party of insulting the martyrs of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks by questioning their sacrifice. Nikam, the special public prosecutor during the 26/11 trial, was instrumental in sending terrorist Ajmal Kasab to the gallows, he said. Nikam stood against anti-nationals. No one has dared target Mumbai again. This is new India under (Prime Minister) Narendra Modis leadership. Now, even if a tiny cracker is burst on Diwali, Pakistan has to clarify that it was not behind it, Adityanath said. He urged people to vote for Modi, stressing that a third term for him would destroy Aurangzebs soul that has ''crept into'' the Congress and its allies. India will be atmanirbhar (self-reliant) and viksit (developed), he said. Earlier in the day, Adityanath addressed rallies in Malegaon in Nashik district and Palghar in the state. After Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath, we have to move towards Mathura, he said. During Congress rule, Indias borders were unsafe and the countrys image had diminished, he said, adding that there is respect, security and welfare of poor in new India.

BJP's Lallu Singh Eyes Hat-Trick in Faizabad Amidst Political Tensions

BJP's Lallu Singh Eyes Hat-Trick in Faizabad Amidst Political Tensions Eyeing a hat-trick of poll victories from the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, incumbent BJP MP Lallu Singh feels that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav are not visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya ''fearing that they will not get the votes of the minorities''. He also asserted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) never indulges in the politics of Hindu-Muslim. ''They feel that if they visit (the Ram temple), they will not get the votes of the minorities and hence, they are not going there,'' Singh told PTI, when asked whether he feels that Gandhi and Yadav are hesitating to pay a visit to the newly-built temple. ''In July 2005, when hand grenades were hurled at the Ram Janmabhoomi and then there was a terror attack, it was (SP patriarch) Mulayam Singh Yadav's government in Uttar Pradesh. Not even a minister of state went to Ayodhya after the blasts. From this, you can make out (about them) and they claim that they are devotees of Lord Ram,'' he said. The July 5, 2005 terror attack in Ayodhya left two people dead and seven paramilitary personnel injured. Five suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were eliminated by security forces in retaliatory action. Asked about Gandhi's allegation that prominent personalities and big businessmen were invited to the Ram temple's consecration ceremony on January 22, while poor people, labourers and farmers were nowhere to be seen, Singh said, ''People from different sections of the society, who had helped build the temple, were invited. He (Gandhi) too was invited. Besides, seers from across the country were present at the ceremony.'' On February 12, Gandhi said in Chhattisgarh's Korba that he saw the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and big businessmen at the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, but poor people, labourers and farmers were nowhere to be seen. Singh said, ''He (Gandhi) should talk about his own history. Why did they (the Congress) fail to do what Modiji has done (in 10 years), despite remaining in power for 60 years? Electricity had not reached villages, people neither had houses nor toilets and no one had an LPG gas connection. They never pondered over these (issues) and are talking about useless things.'' Refuting claims that the unity among opposition parties might impact the outcome of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the 69-year-old BJP leader said, ''Who is there (in the opposition) that they will unite? Does the Congress have anything in Uttar Pradesh? The Congress has nothing in Uttar Pradesh and the regional parties, whosoever they may be, have tied up with communal forces and are spreading casteism to get power. They do not think about the country. Gradually, people have understood everything.'' To a question on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) indulging in the politics of Hindu-Muslim, Singh said, ''We have never done it. You can ask the Muslims of Ayodhya and if we have done anything like this, then give examples.'' He also recalled that on December 30 last year, Modi unveiled a new-look old city with an airport, a revamped train station and projects worth Rs 15,700 crore, ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. The Faizabad Lok Sabha seat consists of five Assembly segments -- Dariyabad, Rudauli, Mikipur (reserved for SC candidates), Bikapur and Ayodhya. Dariyabad is located in neighbouring Barabanki district while the four other Assembly constituencies are in Ayodhya district. SP candidate Awadhesh Prasad is the MLA from Milkipur, while Dariyabad is represented in the Assembly by BJP's Satish Sharma, Rudauli by BJP's Ram Chandra Yadav, Bikapur by the saffron party's Amit Singh Chauhan and Ayodhya by the party's Ved Prakash Gupta. Polling for the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat is scheduled to take place in the fifth phase of the seven-phase election on May 20 and the counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. Thirteen candidates are in the fray from Faizabad, with the main battle between Singh and Prasad. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has also fielded a candidate from the seat.

Congress Rebuts PM Modi's Ram Temple Bulldozer Claim

Congress Rebuts PM Modi's Ram Temple Bulldozer Claim The Congress on Saturday took strong objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the party will ''bulloze the Ram temple'' if elected to power, accusing him of instigating people and demanded that the Election Commission takes action on him. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it is the BJP that uses the bulldozer. ''It is the BJP that uses the bulldozer. We have never run a bulldozer on anyone till date. The Election Commission should take action against Modi ji and the BJP for saying such things about the temple of God which is currently under construction by the trust. By saying such things, they are creating anger among the public. They are inciting the public, they are instigating them. ''The Prime Minister himself is giving instigative speeches, action should be taken against him. If some small leader had done this, we would not have paid attention, but the person sitting on the post of Prime Minister is speaking such language,'' Kharge said in a post on X. Modi, while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, had claimed that the Congress and the SP will run a bulldozer over the Ram temple if elected to power, and asked them to take lessons from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on where bulldozers should be used instead. ''If the SP and the Congress come to power, they will send Ram Lalla back to the tent and bulldoze the temple,'' he claimed. The Congress president, in his reaction, said Modi is inciting people by saying such things that are impossible as ''we cannot do such things''. ''The people of the country know that this will never happen. After our government comes, everything will be protected. This is what our constitution says, we will work under the constitution only,'' he said. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the party in its manifesto has promised to ''put an end to the weaponisation of laws, arbitrary searches, seizures and attachments, arbitrary and indiscriminate arrests, third-degree methods, prolonged custody, custodial deaths, and bulldozer justice''. ''That is a complete answer to the outrageous and false charge that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will take bulldozers to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya,'' he said in a post on X. ''Bulldozer justice may be the signature tune of the chief minister of U.P., but it is anathema to the Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc,'' the former union minister also said.

Salman Khurshid takes exception to 'Congress will bulldoze temple' remark of PM

PATNA: Former Union minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday voiced strong displeasure over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the Congress, if it came to power, will bulldoze the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Addressing a press conference at the Sadaqat Ashram, the state Congress headquarters, Khurshid also reminded Modi that he entire nation has accepted the temple that was built in accordance with a Supreme Court verdict. The Prime Minister should remember that the credit for the construction of the temple goes not to him but to the Supreme Court. God belongs to all, so do places of worship. It is unfortunate that the PM is speaking such language, said Khurshid. The senior Congress leader, who had held portfolios like Law and Justice and Minority Affairs in the UPA government, added Our party believes in the rule of law. We do not want to bulldoze any place of worship. He also scoffed at allegations made against the Congress, in recent past, by Modi like We will take away buffaloes of cattle owners and rob women of their mangalsutras. INDIA bloc will bulldoze Ram temple if it comes to power: PM Modi The PM has also claimed that our manifesto bore the imprint of the Muslim League. He should tell us when did he get to read the Muslim League's manifesto to draw such a comparison, added Khurshid. The Congress leader claimed that allegations of the PM and other senior BJP leaders were proof that even they have begun to sense that we are coming to power. We are confident of winning the elections, in any case. Once we come to power we will fulfil promises like scrapping of the Agniveer scheme and 10 kg free ration to the poor. The BJP has been boasting about its five kg ration scheme for which credit goes to the Right to Food Act that was passed under the UPA rule, said Khurshid. Modi inciting people, dividing society, alleges Kharge; Uddhav says 'acche din' coming after June 4 The senior Congress leader bristled at remarks of BJP leaders labelling a section of the population as Pakistan supporters and said Let them send their children to the neighbouring country which they refer to so frequently in their discourse. I am grateful to my ancestors who chose to stay back during Partition, preferring one's own mother to a stepmother (sauteli maa).

Salman Khurshid Rebukes PM Modi's Claims on Ayodhya Temple

Salman Khurshid Rebukes PM Modi's Claims on Ayodhya Temple Former Union minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday voiced strong displeasure over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the Congress, if it came to power, ''will bulldoze the Ram temple'' at Ayodhya. Addressing a press conference at the Sadaqat Ashram, the state Congress headquarters, Khurshid also reminded Modi that ''the entire nation has accepted the temple that was built in accordance with a Supreme Court verdict''. ''The Prime Minister should remember that the credit for the construction of the temple goes not to him but to the Supreme Court. God belongs to all, so do places of worship. It is unfortunate that the PM is speaking such language'', said Khurshid. The senior Congress leader, who had held portfolios like Law and Justice and Minority Affairs in the UPA government, added ''Our party believes in the rule of law. We do not want to bulldoze any place of worship''. He also scoffed at allegations made against the Congress, in recent past, by Modi like ''We will take away buffaloes of cattle owners and rob women of their mangalsutras''. ''The PM has also claimed that our manifesto bore the imprint of the Muslim League. He should tell us when did he get to read the Muslim League's manifesto to draw such a comparison'', added Khurshid. The Congress leader claimed that allegations of the PM and other senior BJP leaders were ''proof that even they have begun to sense that we are coming to power''. ''We are confident of winning the elections, in any case. Once we come to power we will fulfil promises like scrapping of the Agniveer scheme and 10 kg free ration to the poor. The BJP has been boasting about its five kg ration scheme for which credit goes to the Right to Food Act that was passed under the UPA rule'', said Khurshid. The senior Congress leader bristled at remarks of BJP leaders labelling a section of the population as ''Pakistan supporters'' and said ''Let them send their children to the neighbouring country which they refer to so frequently in their discourse. I am grateful to my ancestors who chose to stay back during Partition, preferring one's own mother to a stepmother (sauteli maa)''.

Aurangzeb's soul has crept into Congress: Yogi Adityanath on inheritance tax

MALEGAON: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday hit out at the Congress over its alleged proposal to introduce inheritance, and said Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's soul has crept into the grand old party. He said the inheritance tax is like the 'jizya' tax imposed by Aurangzeb. Addressing a rally in Malegaon town in Maharashtra's Nashik district, he said the BJP is contesting elections not merely for power but to build a developed India. There should be no doubt that Narendra Modi is coming back once again as the prime minister, Adityanath asserted. Inheritance tax is like jizya imposed by Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb's soul has crept into Congress, Adityanath said. The jizya tax was imposed by Aurangzeb on non-Muslim citizens. The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya symbolises the sentiments of 140 crore people of India, he said, adding that Lord Ram will ensure that the opposition bloc doesn't come to power to destroy his temple in Ayodhya. He said that before 2014, there used to be riots before every Hindu festival. I ask those who are pro-Pakistan to go and beg in that country. There is no place in India for those who shower praise on that nation, Adityanath said.

INDIA bloc leaders slam PM Modi on bulldozer remark

Mumbai: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and other INDIA bloc leaders on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his claim that the opposition alliance would bulldoze the Ayodhya Ram temple if voted to power, and said they were committed to protecting the religious freedom of all citizens and ensuring that the country runs as per Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Quit SP Due to Ideological Differences, Manoj Pandey Tells News18 After Joining BJP, Slams Swami Prasad Maurya

The MLA from Unchahar assembly seat said he decided to part ways with the party when SP chief Akhilesh Yadav turned a blind eye towards Mauryas diatribe against the Ramcharitmanas and Lord Rams consecration ceremony in Ayodhya

Sri Lanka: Rath Yatra of Holy Saryu water flagged off for Seetha Amman Temple

Colombo , May 18 : In a ceremonial event imbued with spiritual significance, Indias High Commisioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, alongside Members of Parliament and other dignitaries, inaugurated the Rath Yatra of Holy Saryu Water from Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil. The sacred water, drawn from the revered Saryu River in Ayodhya, India, marks the auspicious beginning of a journey destined for the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya. The event, resonating with ancient traditions and divine reverence, symbolises [] The post Sri Lanka: Rath Yatra of Holy Saryu water flagged off for Seetha Amman Temple appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Lord Ram's Guardian: Yogi Adityanath Vows to Protect Ayodhya Temple from Opposition Control

Lord Ram's Guardian: Yogi Adityanath Vows to Protect Ayodhya Temple from Opposition Control Lord Ram will ensure that opposition doesnt come to power to destroy his temple in Ayodhya: Yogi Adityanath at rally in Maharashtra.

Modi inciting people, dividing society, alleges Kharge; Uddhav says 'acche din' coming after June 4

MUMBAI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of inciting people and dividing society through his election speeches. Kharge was addressing a press conference of the INDIA bloc, where NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders were present. The opposition alliance held an election rally in the city on Friday. No prime minister before Modi has ever indulged in inciting people like he has been doing. He speaks about democracy repeatedly but doesn't adhere to the tenets of democracy, Kharge said. Responding to a question on PM Modi' statement that the Congress will bulldoze the Ram mandir in Ayodhya and also restore Article 370 if the INDIA bloc is voted to power, Kharge said, We have never used a bulldozer on anyone. Modi has the habit of lying and inciting people about things which Congress will never do or the things that are impossible to be implemented. Asked about his party's stand on Article 370, Kharge said , I am not answerable to Modi. We will implement what we have promised in our manifesto. Attacking the PM further, he said, Wherever he goes, he tries to create division, speaks of dividing society. PM Modi had described the Congress' manifesto as Muslim League manifesto, but now he says it is a Maoist manifesto, Kharge added. The Congress chief assured that reservation as enshrined in the Constitution will continue and nobody can touch it. Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray said, 'Achche din' are coming from June 4 (when Lok Sabha poll results will be declared) when INDIA bloc-led government takes charge. PM Modi calls us 'nakli' (fake) Shiv Sena, tomorrow he may call RSS as 'nakli Sangh', the former chief minister said. The BJP is floating 'Pakistan flags in our rally' narrative to divert people's attention from issues like jobs, he alleged. Pawar said that after coming to power, the INDIA bloc government's duty will be to protect all religious places in the country. Kharge noted that if elected, the opposition alliance's government will implement a simple, single rate GST, replacing the present GST. We introduced Food Security Act, but PM Modi is taking credit for free ration supply, he alleged.

No seat is family seat, its all peoples: Shah to Priyanka

LUCKNOW: Confronting the claim of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra that Raebareli Union Home Minister Amit Shah said it was not a seat of any family but that of the people. She (Priyanka Gandhi) says that Rae Bareli and Amethi are the seats of my family. I say that this seat does not belong to any family. This is the seat of poor youth of both the districts. Whoever the people of Rae Bareli and Amethi want will go to the Parliament. This is democracy, family has no seat, he asserted. Shah made a blistering attack on the Congress for declining the invite to consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya claiming that if the Congress would come to power, it would put the lock in the temple again. Addressing a rally in Daulatpur of Unchahar assembly constituency represented by SP turncoat Manoj Pandey who joined the BJP formally on Friday in Shahs presence, the Home Minister said, Congress allies who say Ram temple has not been consecrated properly, if come, they will put the Babri lock on Ram temple again. Calling the opposition alliance a family-based congregation of parties, Shah said: RJD leader Lalu Yadav wants to make his son the chief minister, Mamata (Banerjee) wants her nephew to be the chief minister and Sonia Gandhi wants to make her son the prime minister. He claimed that with Smriti Irani winning in Amethi and Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli, both the seats were going to go to the BJP. Assuring the people of Raebareli that Dinesh Pratap Singh would remain with them in their good and bad times, Shah said, I take a guarantee that if Dinesh Pratap is not seen in your good or bad times, it is my responsibility, he said. The Congress party was sitting on Article 370. (Prime Minister) Modi ended it. Congress says that we will bring back Article 370. Modi ji has ended terrorism from the country, the home minister said. No collectors office in Amethi till 2018 Discussing the development work done in Amethi during the last five years, Shah said, There was no collector office in the constituency, which they call the family seat for 70 years. Yogi government along with Smriti Irani laid foundation for the collector office in 2018, he said.

PM: Forced to spell out facts to expose opposition's communal mindset

PM Narendra Modi challenges opposition's 'Hindu-Muslim narrative' allegation, exposes their communal mindset at a rally in Barabanki. Mentions BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru's opposition to reservation based on religion in Karnataka. Warns against Muslim community OBC status in UP, discusses Ram temple in Ayodhya, SC verdict, rapid development, 1,000cc performance, strong govt, and gifts while going abroad.

Had Congress been dissolved on Gandhiji's guidance...: PM Modi's strong jibe in Maharashtra

Had Congress been dissolved on Gandhiji's guidance...: PM Modi's strong jibe in Maharashtra Taking a swipe at the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that had the party been dissolved on the suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi, India would have been five decades ahead from what it is now. He said that the Congress party made the poor people feel as if hey were born to live in poverty, adding that the Modi government was able to take 25 crore people out of poverty in the last 10 years. Addressing the public meeting in Mumbai, PM Modi said, Earlier, there were governments that did not trust the capabilities of Indians...I have seen Prime Ministers who called Indians lazy from the Red Fort...PMs with such a mentality cannot develop India. Under the guidance of Gandhiji, if the Congress had been dissolved after independence, the country would have been 5 decades ahead from now. Attacking the Opposition further, he said that many considered the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as impossible, but the struggle of 500 years was finally realized. Some people say that what Modi says is impossible. It is difficult to instill hope in people who are drowned in hopelessness. Everything is impossible for them. These are the same people who thought that the Ram Temple was impossible. The world has to accept that the people of India were so strong with their thoughts that they kept struggling for 500 years, for one dream...As a result, Ram Lalla is Virajman in a grand temple, the Prime Minister said. He also took a jibe at the Congress party over its on-fulfillment of the promise of eradicating poverty. Congress kept saying for 60 years that they will eradicate poverty... In their 20-25-minute speech from the Red Fort, the Prime ministers of this family only spoke on poverty...They made poor people feel as if they were born to live in poverty, it seemed impossible to eradicate people from poverty. In 10 years, Modi brought 25 crore people out of poverty. What seemed impossible, became possible, PM Modi added. He also heavily against the manifesto of the Congress party and said that if the Maoist manifesto is implemented, the country will go bankrupt. On one hand, Modi has a report card of 10 years and a roadmap for the next 25 years. On the other hand, you have INDI Alliance: Where there are as many parties that many promises, as many PM candidates as many parties, PM Modi said. If the Maoist manifesto of the Congress party is implemented, the country will become bankrupt, he added. Attacking Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), Prime Minister Modi said that he allied with the party that abused Ram Mandir and whose leaders were partying after the Mumbai attacks. The fake Shiv Sena has betrayed the sacrifices of Bala Saheb and Shiv Sainiks. For power... he went along with those who abused the Ram Mandir. For power... he went away with the people who were partying after the Mumbai attacks. The Congress which abuses Veer Savarkar day and night, today he has gone and sat in his lap, Prime Minister Modi said. He added, I challenge them to make Rahul Gandhi say that he will not abuse Veer Savarkar...they can't because as soon as the elections are over, he (Rahul Gandhi) will again start abusing Veer Savarkar. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra are being held in five phases: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. 13 constituencies including the six seats in Mumbai are among the ones that will vote on May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats. (ANI)

High-profile seats of Rae Bareli, Amethi to vote in Phase-V in UP, fate of 5 Union ministers at stake

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh, the political heartland of India, will witness voting in 14 seats in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20, with the fate of five Union ministers at stake. The 14 seats which will vote in the upcoming phase comprise not only the Congress citadels of Rae Bareli and Amethi but also Ayodhya, the nerve centre of the BJPs Hindutva plank. In fact, the fifth phase will decide the tone and tenor of the remaining sixth and seventh phases of the ensuing election which will be concentrated across 27 seats of Purvanchal. Moreover, four constituencies of Bundelkhand would also decide whether to let the ruling saffron brigade achieve a hat-trick or vote for a change going beyond the benefits of welfare schemes extended by the Modi government. Similarly, the political stature of the tainted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of the BJP, the six-time Lok Sabha MP, would also be put to test in Kaiserganj where his son is contesting as a proxy as he is caught in the sexual harassment case of ace female wrestlers of the country. The ruling BJP had swept the phase in 2019 by winning 13 of the 14 seats. While the BJP had wrested Amethi from the Congress, former AICC chief Sonia Gandhi had managed to retain Rae Bareli as the only party MP from UP in 2019. The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party had drawn a blank in this phase in 2019 and 2014. In the fifth phase, while the Congress is contesting in two seats Rae Bareli and Amethi its ally, the SP, is contesting in the remaining 12 seats. Rae Bareli is 'karmabhoomi' of both my 'mothers' Sonia and Indira Gandhi: Rahul At a glance Rae Bareli: One of the most prominent seats of the fifth phase is set for a fierce fight between former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi who has switched from his bastion Amethi replacing his mother and sitting MP Sonia Gandhi. He is being challenged by the BJPs MLC and Yogi government minister Dinesh Pratap Singh who had switched over to the BJP from the Congress in 2018. The BSP has fielded an OBC Thakur Prasad Yadav here. Amethi: Another high-profile seat witnesses a battle of nerves between Union minister and sitting MP Smriti Irani and KL Sharma, a low-profile representative of the Congresss first family of four decades. Smriti had defeated Rahul Gandhi in 2019 in Amethi and she is seeking a second term. The BSP has fielded Nanhe Singh Chauhan. Faizabad: The seat of the Ram temple is set to test the BJPs Hindutva plank. However, Faizabad has never been a saffron stronghold in the true sense. The Congress captured this seat in 2009, BSP won it in 2004 and the SP in 1998. The BJP won the seat in 1991, 1996, 2014 and 2019. In 2019, the BJPs Lallu Singh, five-time MLA and an MP twice, retained it defeating SPs Anand Sen by securing 48.65% of votes. Buoyed by the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the BJP hopes to win this seat with a huge margin in 2024. This time the contest is multi-cornered with the SP having fielded its 9-time MLA Awdhesh Prasad, while former IPS officer Arvind Sena of the CPI and Sachhidanand Pandey of the BSP are also in the fray. Lucknow: The real challenge before the ruling BJP is the winning margin of sitting MP Rajnath Singh who is seeking a third term carrying forward the legacy of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had represented Lucknow five times in the Lok Sabha from 1991 and 2004. The Lucknow parliamentary constituency is the BJPs citadel. The party has never lost this seat since 1991. BJP veteran and defence minister Rajnath Singh won the seat in 2014 and 2019. With no prominent candidate facing him, Rajnath Singh is expected to make a hat-trick. The SP has fielded sitting MLA Ravi Das Mehrotra while the BSP has given the ticket to a Muslim Sarwar Mallik. Time is an everchanging entity, Rae Bareli now Modi citadel: BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh Mohanlal Ganj: This reserved seat is adjacent to Lucknow with the Pasi community holding the key. BJP candidate and Union minister of state Kaushal Kishore is trying his luck for the third term in a row. Challenging him are the SPs RK Chaudhary and the BSPs Rajesh Kumar. Barabanki: Another reserved seat adjoining Lucknow, this has the tendency of changing winners each time. However, the BJP won the seat in 2014 and retained it in 2019. Pasis among the SCs and Kurmi voters among OBCs are decisive in the constituency. There are over 20% Muslim voters here. In 2024, the BJP replaced its sitting MP Upendra Singh Rawat with Rajrani Rawat and the Congress has fielded Tanuj Punia, son of former bureaucrat and Congress leader PL Punia. The BSP has fielded Shiv Kumar Dohre. Gonda: The BJPs sitting MP Kirti Vardhan Singh, hailing from the royal family, is in the fray for the third consecutive term. Challenging him is the SPs Shreya Verma, the granddaughter of party stalwart and prominent Kurmi leader Beni Prasad Verma, while the BSP has pitted a Brahmin Saurabh Mishra. Fatehpur: The BJP has repeated its sitting MP Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti who had defeated the BSPs Sukh Lal Verma, who was the joint SP-BSP candidate, with 54% of the votes in 2019. The SP has fielded its state chief Naresh Uttam, a Kurmi by caste, and the BSP has pinned its hopes on Manish Sachan. Kaiserganj: The BJP has fielded Karan Bhushan Singh, son of sitting MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, while the SP has fielded Baghatram Mishra and the BSP has made the contest interesting by fielding another Brahmin Narendra Pandey. Kaushambi: Adjacent to the Allahabad Lok Sabha constituency, this reserved seat is set for an interesting battle between the BJPs sitting MP Vinod Sonkar and one of the SPs youngest candidates, the debutant Pushpendra Saroj who is the son of SP MLA Indrajeet Saroj. The BSP has fielded Shubh Narain Gautam, a retired area development officer. Bundelkhand Jalaun: It is set for a three-cornered fight featuring Union Minister Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma of the BJP, Narayan Das Ahirwar of the SP, and Suresh Chandra Gautam of the BSP. While Verma has been a five-time MP and is seeking a third term from Jalaun, both the SP and BSP candidates are making their debut. Jhansi: This land of warriors is witnessing a showdown between Anurag Sharma, the sitting BJP MP, and Pradeep Jain Aditya of the Congress. The BSP has fielded Ravi Prakash making the contest three-cornered. Hamirpur: It is set for a tough contest between Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel of the BJP and Ajendra Singh Rajput of the SP. Chandel is seeking his third term while the BSP has given an interesting dimension to the fight by fielding a Brahmin Nirdosh Kumar Dikshit. Banda: The BJP has repeated its sitting MP RK Singh Patel to clash with Krishna Patel of the SP, along with Mayank Dwivedi of the BSP who is depending on the votes of upper castes.

Visakhapatnam: Steel Employees Stage Dharna for Wages

Vizag Steel Plant entrance. (Photo: AFP/File) Vizag Steel Plant entrance. (Photo: AFP/File) Visakhapatnam: Steel plant employees led by the CITU staged a dharna in front of the work executive directors office on Friday demanding immediate release of wages. The union leaders later submitted a memorandum to the executive director. Honorary president of CITU, J Ayodhyaram, said that as per the company rules, the steel plant management should be paying wages by the seventh of every month. But, contrary to rules, the wage payments were irregular for the last three months. The salary bills total `90 crore a month. The unionists warned that the employees would launch a full-scale agitation if the salaries were not paid on time. JMS general secretary Varasala Srinivasa Rao said banks were slapping abnormal fines on EMIs for the delay in payment of instalments due to the irregular release of the wages. All the banks have declared health accounts as NPA and are pressing the employees for clearance of dues. The banks are waiving loans worth several crores in the case of big business, but are harassing the employees who just missed one or two EMIs, Srinivasa Rao said. Sources said the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd, for the first time in its 42-year-old history, found it difficult to pay salaries to its employees. The steel plant has 13,557 regular employees, including 9,154 non-executive cadre employees and 4,403 executive cadre employees. A senior officer of RINL said the management was paying salaries before the scheduled date till some time ago. However, due to the current non-movement of raw material from Gangavaram Port to the Steel Plant due to the employees strike, the regular business was affected. The problem has been solved and we will pay the salaries in a day or two.

INDIA bloc will bulldoze Ram temple if it comes to power: PM Modi

LUCKNOW: Claiming that the opposition alliance, especially the Congress, had the intention of reversing the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that if they come to power they would get the temple bulldozed. Addressing a poll rally in Zaidpur in Barabanki on Friday, PM Modi advised the INDIA bloc to learn from CM Yogi Adityanath where to run bulldozers. A senior SP leader had said on Ram Navami that the Ram temple is useless. At the same time, the Congress is preparing to overturn the Supreme Court's decision on the temple. For them, only their family and power matter. If the SP and Congress come to power, they will send Ram Lalla back to the tent and bulldoze the temple, he claimed while asking them to take uition from Adityanath as to where bulldozers should be used. The PM addressed three poll rallies in UP at Barabanki, Hamirpur and Fatehpur on Friday. Underlining that the power of a vote had ended a 500-year wait and led to the enthronement of Shri Ram Lalla in the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the PM took a dig at the opposition saying that they never felt bad witnessing Ram Lalla in a tent. When people used to see Ram Lalla in a tent under the sky, they would abuse the government of the day, said the PM. He launched a scathing attack on the opposition bloc claiming that it was an incohesive conglomerate of power-hungry forces. PM Modi said that opposition parties was still not sure of their PM face and were fighting amongst themselves for the position but would eventually disintegrate like a pack of cards after the Lok Sabha election results on June 4. Modis Babbua & new Bua jibe at Akhilesh and Mamata He added that the shehzada of SP (SP chief Akhilesh Yadav), had a heartbreak when a Congress leader claimed that the people of Rae Bareli would elect the next PM of India. PM Modi was reflecting on the statement of ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel that after Indira Gandhi, the people of Rae Bareli were going to elect the Prime Minister of the country. He also hinted at the chinks in the INDI Alliance. Referring to the AAP and Congress, he said, An INDI alliance party has told the other not to mess with it in Punjab. The PM was seeking support for BJP candidate Rajrani Rawat in Barabanki and the partys Mohanlal Ganj candidate and Union Minister Kaushal Kishore. Aware of the caste dynamics of both the reserved constituencies, Modi accused the Congress of insulting SP stalwart and former MP Beni Prasad Verma, a tall Kurmi leader. Even now the SP shehzada is silent, he said. Maintaining that othing is bigger than vote bank for the SP-Congress, Modi said when he exposed them, they became restless and lost sleep. They start saying anything and start hurling abuses. This is a battle between BJP's policy of contentment vs INDIA bloc's appeasement politics: Modi The SP-Congress have surrendered to appeasement. And when Modi is telling the truth to the country, they say Modi is creating Hindu-Muslim divide. Even their vote bank has also started understanding the truth. Our mothers and sisters are happy with the law on triple talaq and are continuously blessing the BJP, Modi claimed. He said that the local MP from the opposition camp, if elected, will have just one task: abuse Modi day and night. People here should aspire for an MP who can work for them and develop their area and so the people have the only option of Kamal (lotus) , he said. Taking a swipe at SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, the PM said: The Babuaji here, the socialist prince, has now taken refuge under a new Buaji. Apparently referring to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Modi said: The new Buaji in Bengal has said that she would back the 'INDI alliance' from outside. In Fatehpur, the PM took a jibe at the Congress saying its aim was to win just 50 seats in the country so that it could save its honour. He also mocked Rahul Gandhi for contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Rae Baraeli instead of Amethi which he lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019. Taking a further swipe, Modi said, The dreams of 'panja' (Congress poll symbol) and 'cycle' (SP poll symbol) have shattered 'khata-khat, khata-khat'. Now they are planning for post-June 4 as to who should be blamed for the defeat 'khata-khat, khata-khat'. And, someone was telling me that tickets for foreign trips have also been booked 'khata-khat, khata-khat'. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had used the phrase Khata-khat khata-khat to claim that a fixed stipend would flow into the accounts of poor women if his party came to power. Addressing another rally in Hamirpur, the PM cautioned the people against the inheritance tax allegedly proposed in the Congress manifesto. He said the SP and the Congress would use people's votes to come to power and then gift a part of their property to those who carry out vote jihad for them. Today I have come to caution you against the SP and the Congress. They will take your vote, but after coming to power, they will distribute these gifts to those who do vote jihad for them, he said.

Mumbai: PM Modi pays tributes to BR Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar

Mumbai: PM Modi pays tributes to BR Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Veer Savarkar and Bhimrao Ambedkar in Mumbai on Friday. He paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar, the former Union Minister and head of the Constitution committee, at Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai. Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute to the Veer Savarkar, freedom fighter leader of Hindu Mahasabha, at the Veer Savarkar Memorial in Mumbai. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra are being held in five phases: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. 13 constituencies including the six seats in Mumbai are among the ones that will vote on May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats. Earlier in the day, during his address in Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur, PM Modi sharpened his attack against the Congress party, Samajwadi Party, and INDIA bloc, accusing it of appeasement politics. He said that Congress intends to change the Constitution by giving people's property to their vote bank that is engaged in vote jihad for them. Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur on Friday, PM Modi said, This time, the SP-Congress has made their intentions clear even before the elections. Congress is saying that it will investigate everyone's property. Then they will give a part of your property to the vote bank that does vote jihad for them. Where there is Congress government, these people are reducing the reservation of Dalits and backward classes and giving it to Muslims. Now these people want to change the Constitution and give the entire reservation of SC-ST-OBC to Muslims, he added. Prime Minister Modi also addressed a mega public meeting at UP's Barabanki, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Congress party and Samajwadi Party said they would run a bulldozer over the Ram Temple in Ayodhya if elected in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. If the Congress, SP, and their INDIA partners come to power, our Ram Lalla would have to return to the tent again as they would run a bulldozer over the Ram Mandir. They should take lessons from Yogi-ji (Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) on where to run bulldozers and where not to, PM Modi said. (ANI)

Amit Shah attacks Priyanka Gandhi for calling Rae Bareli 'family seat'

Rae Bareli : Union Home Minister Amit Shah at an election rally here on Friday attacked Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi for calling Rae Bareli a family seat, and said it's not a seat of any family but that of the people.Shah made a scathing attack at the Congress for turning down invitations for Ram Mandir's 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya, and said if the Congress came to power, they would put the Ayodhya lock in the temple again. Shah held a public meeting in Daulatpur of Unchahar assembly constituency. During the rally, rebel SP MLA from Unchahar, Manoj Kumar Pandey joined the BJP and sat beside Shah on the stage. Congress says that Ram temple has not been consecrated properly. If the INDI alliance comes, they will put the 'Babri lock' on Ram temple again, he said. Shah also called the INDIA bloc a family-based alliance. Lalu (Prasad Yadav) wants to make his son the chief minister, Mamata (Banerjee) wants her nephew to be the chief minister and Sonia Gandhi wants to make her son the prime minister, Shah said. She (Priyanka Gandhi) says that Rae Bareli and Amethi are the seats of my family. I say that this seat does not belong to any family. This is the seat of poor youths of both the districts. Whoever the people of Rae Bareli and Amethi want will go to the Parliament. This is democracy, family has no seat, he said. With Smriti Irani winning in Amethi and Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli, both the seats are going to go to the BJP, Shah said. The Congress party was sitting on Article 370. (Prime Minister) Modi ended it. Congress says that we will bring back Article 370. Modi ji has ended terrorism from the country, he said. On one hand, there is Narendra Modi, who is not accused of (scam of) four annas despite being the chief minister and prime minister for 23 years, Shah said. The Union home minister said that PM Modi will put in jail all those who have committed corruption. There was no collector office in the parliamentary constituency which they call the family seat for 70 years, Shah said, adding that the Yogi Adityanath government along with Smriti Irani laid the foundation stone of the collector office in 2018. Shah said that BJP candidate Singh will be among the people 24 hours. I take a guarantee that if Dinesh Pratap is not seen in your good or bad times, it is my responsibility, he said.

'Congress will bulldoze Ram temple if it comes to power,' says Modi in UP's Barabanki

Barabanki (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday here alleged that the Congress will run a bulldozer over the Ram temple if the INDIA bloc comes to power. Addressing an election rally, PM Modi said the Congress is planning to challenge the Supreme Court's order on the Ram temple once it comes to power and will eventually demolish the temple. If Samajwadi Party-Congress comes to power, it will send Ram Lalla once again to a tent, and a bulldozer will be rolled over the temple, he said. PM Modi also accused the Congress of being responsible for the Partition. He said what used to be thought of as impossible - that the country could ever be divided - was done by the party. When the freedom struggle was going on and the talk of dividing the country used to come up, every person used to wonder: Can the country be divided? Did it happen or not? They did it or not? They can go to any extent. Their track record is such, he said referring to the Congress. The country does not matter to them. For them, the game is for family and power, he added. The Prime Minister was in Barabanki to seek support for party candidate Rajrani Rawat who is contesting from the Lok Sabha seat. He thanked the people for voting for him in the previous elections, saying it was their vote which ended the 500-year-long wait for the Ram Mandir. People from Barabanki walked on foot to Ayodhya with bricks with 'Ram' inscribed on them. The youngsters, the first-time voters, will not understand the 500 years of wait ... Generation after generation of our ancestors struggled and sacrificed, he said. He alleged that Congress under its regime sent Ram Lalla to a ent and when it, along with the Samajwadi Party, was invited to the temple's consecration ceremony, the party refused to attend. There is so much poison in their belly... I don't know what enmity they have with Ram, PM Modi said. In Barabanki, there are 13 candidates in the fray with the main contest between Tanuj Punia of the Congress and BJP's Rajrani Rawat. Mr Punia is the son of Congress leader PL Punia, a former MP from Barabanki (SC) Lok Sabha seat. In March, a day after an explicit video allegedly involving him surfaced online, sitting BJP MP Upendra Singh Rawat, who was fielded again by the party, said he would not contest any election until proven innocent. Subsequently, the party gave the ticket to Rajrani Rawat. Barabanki will vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state on May 20.

Lok Sabha polls: Lord Ram on my side, says Samajwadi Party candidate in Ayodhya fight

LS polls: Lord Ram on my side, says SP candidate in Ayodhya fight

People won't forgive AAP, Kejriwal must apologise: MP CM Mohan Yadav on Swati Maliwal assault case

Madhya Pradesh CM criticizes AAP for Swati Maliwal's assault at Kejriwal's home. BJP demands action. Yadav travels to UP for a public meeting and party members visit Ram temple in Ayodhya.

They will run bulldozer on Ram Temple: PM Modi blasts Congress-SP combine in UP's Barabanki

Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against Congress and Samajwadi Party's potential threats to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, citing expelled Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam's claim. He accused them of appeasement politics and asserted BJP's path to a third term. Modi highlighted BJP's support among women and urged decisive voting.

'Our Ram Lalla would...': PM Modi makes big statement against Congress-SP in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki

Acharya Krishnam dropped a bombshell, claiming that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had planned to overturn the landmark judgment, settling the decades-old title dispute and paving the way for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Ayodhya voters: BJP fulfilled promises, but...

The year began with Ayodhya getting ready for the Ram temple consecration ceremony. Almost four months later, the excitement has settled down and some voters are crediting the Bharatiya Janata Party for fulfilling its promise while others feel that development should reach every corner of the district.

In Ayodhya's Faizabad, High-Stakes Battle Between BJP, Samajwadi Party And BSP

In the temple town of Ayodhya, BJP's Lallu Singh is eyeing a third term from the Faizabad constituency against Samajwadi Party's Awadhesh Prasad and BSP's Sachchidanad Pandey.

LS polls: Lord Ram on my side, says SP candidate in Ayodhya fight

LS polls: Lord Ram on my side, says SP candidate in Ayodhya fight Asserting that he enjoys the benevolence of Lord Ram, Samajwadi Party candidate from Faizabad Lok Sabha seat Awadhesh Prasad has claimed the BJP will not get any advantage of the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. ''Ayodhya's Ram temple is not at all an issue this time. And the BJP will not be able to get even one per cent of benefit from it,'' he told PTI in an interview. ''I am fortunate that I was born in Ayodhya. In this Lok Sabha poll, Lord Ram's benevolence will be on me, and his benevolence cannot be simply ignored,'' Prasad added. As campaigning for the Faizabad seat, which will go to polls on May 20, gathers momentum, Prasad -- a nine-time MLA -- is busy addressing public meetings in various assembly segments of Ayodhya which is part of the Faizabad parliamentary constituency. Attacking BJP's Faizabad candidate and sitting MP Lallu Singh, he said, ''The voters have been telling me that he (Singh) has never visited them in the last 10 years. If you ask this question to 100 persons, then at least 80 per cent of them will stand in my favour.'' On Singh making efforts to win Faizabad seat for a third term, the 78-year-old SP leader said he (Singh) will not be able to save his deposit in the polls. Denying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road show in Ayodhya has possibly increased the BJP candidate's chances, Prasad said, ''Modi ji had come to Ayodhya, but there were no discussions about his visit.'' He also said that unlike previous elections, ''this time, it is the people who are contesting the polls on my behalf. They are campaigning for me, and they have made up their mind to make the Samajwadi Party and INDIA bloc candidate victorious in the elections''. When asked how strong the INDIA bloc is in Faizabad, Prasad said, ''The alliance is very strong...local Congress leaders are extending full support to us in every assembly segment of the constituency.'' ''If we have to save the Constitution, save democracy and also the reservations, then we have to defeat the BJP. ''The voters of Faizabad want to defeat the BJP because it has virtually ruined their lives. Inflation is adversely impacting various sections of society, a large number of youngsters are jobless,'' the former UP minister said. He also thanked SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for reposing faith in him and fielding him from the seat. Prasad had won the Sohawal assembly seat for the first time in 1977 on a Janata Party ticket, followed by his victories in 1985 on a Lokdal ticket and in 1989 as Janata Dal nominee. In the elections held in 1993, 1996, 2002 and 2007, he won from Sohawal assembly seat as Samajwadi Party candidate. He then won the 2012 and 2022 UP assembly elections from Milkipur (SC) assembly constituency. According to Parasnath Yadav, the SP district president, Prasad began his political career when he was around 21-year-old. During the Emergency, he was jailed. Prasad was a cabinet minister and minister of state in the governments headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. Faizabad Lok Sabha seat consists of five assembly segments of Dariyabad, Rudauli, Milkipur (SC), Bikapur and Ayodhya. Of these assembly segments, Dariyabad is located in neighbouring Barabanki district, while the rest of the four assembly constituencies are in Ayodhya district. Except Milkipur (SC) seat which is with the SP, the other four assembly segments were won by the BJP in 2022 state polls. There are 13 candidates in the fray with the main battle being between BJP's Singh and SP's Prasad. The Bahujan Samaj Party has also fielded a candidate from the Faizabad constituency.

In Ayodhya, voters talk of a promise fulfilled and yearning for development

In Ayodhya, voters talk of a promise fulfilled and yearning for development The year began with Ayodhya getting ready for the Ram temple consecration ceremony. Almost four months later, the excitement has settled down and some voters are crediting the BJP for fulfilling its promise while others feel that development should reach every corner of the district. Prajjwal Singh, a resident of Arhgarha Chauraha, told PTI that Ayodhya's transformation began on January 22, when the Ram temple consecration ceremony was held. ''On January 22, 2024, the promise that was made to us by various BJP leaders was fulfilled in a grand manner. From that day, Ayodhya set out on the path of development,'' he said. ''The hospitality sector has seen visible growth. A number of eateries and food joints have come up. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath deserve a round of applause for such a positive transformation of Ayodhya,'' Prajjwal Singh told PTI. He said there are some traffic woes in the area but they are temporary and will be resolved subsequently. Tulsinagar resident Amit Pathak said growing up, he has witnessed the political and physical transformation of Ayodhya. ''No prime minister or chief minister has visited Ayodhya as many times as Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath. Electric buses, railway station beautification and airport inauguration are some examples of this transformation,'' he said, adding that today, it is easier to reach Ayodhya from any other part of the country. Himanshu Varma, a resident of Nirmochan Chauraha, said Ayodhya has witnessed development and it will take time to reach the entire district. Yashvendra Pratap Singh, a resident of the Khajurhat area of Ayodhya said there is no doubt the Ram temple has had a positive impact on the minds of people and that it has given an edge to the BJP over its rivals. ''However, infrastructure development should also take place in the outskirts of Ayodhya,'' he said. ''Holistic development of the entire district should take place. For example, the pilgrims who come to visit the Ram temple have to walk a few kilometres in scorching heat. There should be arrangements to provide water to them,'' he added. Homepathy doctor Indroneel Banerjee said issues like parking and sewerage system need attention. ''These elections will definitely be fought by the ruling party in the name of Lord Ram. A number of positive things have happened. The service sector has benefited in the last four months thanks to the Ram temple,'' he said. ''But some problems like lack of parking space remain. For a city which wants to take the next step in road traffic management, having parking lots is essential. The sewerage system could be a challenge in the days to come. We will come to know what steps have been taken to tackle waterlogging,'' he said. Shailesh Singh, a resident of the Balapakauli area, said rest houses should be built for pilgrims and steps should be taken to minimize traffic jams. For Adarsh Prakash, inflation and income tax relief and not Ram temple are the main issues in this election. Polling in the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency will be held in the fifth round of the seven-phase elections on May 20. It comprises five assembly segments -- Dariyabad, Rudauli, Mikipur (SC), Bikapur and Ayodhya Of these, Dariyabad is located in neighbouring Barabanki district and the remaining four assembly segments are in Ayodhya district. There are 19,27,459 eligible voters in the Faizabad constituency. Thirteen candidates are in the fray, including sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh and Samajwadi Party's sitting Milkipur MLA Awadhesh Prasad. Lallu Singh is eyeing a hat-trick from the seat.

Shah promises grand Sita temple in Sitamarhi in line with Ayodhya

PATNA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Thursday that the next NDA government at the center would develop the Punaura Dham Mandir in Bihars Sitamarhi district into a massive temple dedicated to Goddess Sita, believed to be her birthplace. Addressing an election rally in the Sitamarhi constituency in support of JD(U) candidate and Bihar legislative council chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur, Shah stated that the Punaura Dham Mandir would be developed as an international pilgrimage site. We will construct a massive temple of Sita Mata in Sitamarhi after the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, he remarked, making special reference to the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya after a long legal battle. He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built the Ram Temple for Prabhu Ram. The revered Prabhu Ram was in a tent before that. Congress and RJD created hurdles in the construction of the Ram Temple for years. But Modi won the case, laid the foundation, and consecrated the temple. Earlier, the Bihar government had approved Rs 72.47 crore for development of the temple. The Union Minister emphasized that the BJP doesnt fear vote banks. He said, Those who kept themselves away from the Ram temple cant do it. But if anyone can build a temple for Mother Sita, it is Narendra Modi and the BJP. He contended that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was part of India and the country would reclaim it at any cost. He also accused Congress and other constituents of the INDIA bloc of creating fear about Pakistans atomic power. He mentioned that the former Congress president Rahul Gandhi claimed bloodshed would happen after the abolition of Article 370, but not a single pebble had been thrown even after five years. PoK is ours and will remain so, he asserted. He also criticised National Conference leader Farooq Abdullahs remarks about PoK, accusing him of scaremongering by saying that India could not take back PoK as Pakistan had atom bombs. Modi government will also ensure full security along the India-Nepal border in its third term, he added. Shahs reference to PoK assumed significance given Sitamarhis proximity to the Nepal border. He said that the Modi government would ensure full security along the India-Nepal border in its third term. Launching an attack on RJD and Lalu Prasad, Shah said the Lalu-led RJD has joined hands with Congress only to make his son Tejashwi the chief minister of Bihar. What the state needs is Vikas Raj and not Jungle Raj. BJP ally JD(U) has fielded Devesh Chandra Thakur as its candidate against Arun Ray of RJD. Thakur is considered close to CM Nitish Kumar. Sitamarhi candidate Home MInister Amit Shahs election campaign on Thursday was in support of the JD(U) candidate and Bihar legislative council chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur. BJP ally JD(U) has fielded Thakur as its candidate against Arun Ray of RJD. Thakur is considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In 2019, JD(U) leader Sunil Kumar Pinto won the election, but this time, he was denied the ticket from Sitamarhi.

Congress Fielded Lawyers Against Ram Temple Construction: Union Minister

Hitting out at the Congress, Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday claimed it had deputed a battery of lawyers to ensure that the Ram temple in Ayodhya could not be constructed.

Congress deputed lawyers against Ram temple's construction: Anurag Thakur

Congress deputed lawyers against Ram temple's construction: Anurag Thakur Hitting out at the Congress, Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday claimed it had deputed a battery of lawyers to ensure that the Ram temple in Ayodhya could not be constructed. Addressing a public rally in Bilapsur district, Thakur also attacked the INDIA bloc and alleged that members of the opposition alliance sent lawyers who contested cases of terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and Dawood Ibrahim to the Rajya Sabha. ''What kind of character is this of the Congress and the opposition parties...they fielded a battery of lawyers against the construction of Ram temple and at the same time they sent lawyers to fight cases of the terrorists,'' he said. ''These are the same people who knocked the door of the court at 2:30 in the night to stop Afzal Guru's hanging,'' the senior BJP leader added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is engaged in securing the borders of the country while Congress leaders are giving slogans to break the country into pieces, he said. PM Modi considers Himachal as his second home and gave big projects worth thousands of crores of rupees to the state, Thakur said and added that today the entire country including Himachal has only one choice -- Modi. ''If you go to any corner of the country, people are saying 'My Choice Modi'. After four phases, it has become clear that the public has cast their vote for a stable and honest government -- the Modi government,'' he said. He said Modi is going to become the PM for the third time, and only an official announcement is to be made on June 4.

Ayodhya: Lallu Singh Is In War Mode

After Ram mandir, BJP now wants to build a Sita temple

Amit Shah announced BJP's plan to build Ma Sita temple at Punaura Dham, akin to Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya, showcasing BJP's dedication to Hindu heritage and cultural significance.

After Ram temple in Ayodhya, Amit Shah promises magnificent temple of 'Maa Sita' in Sitamarhi

After construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday promised that a big and magnificent temple of Maa Sita would be constructed in Sitamarhi and this would also be connected with Ramayan circuit.

Lallu Singh In War Mode; Not Taking Anything For Granted: Ground Report From Ayodhya

Congress follows Gandhi who said 'Hey Ram' before dying, not anti-religion: Priyanka

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defends Congress at 'Chaudah Mill roundabout,' 20 km from district HQ in Uttar Pradesh, citing Mahatma Gandhi's 'Hey Ram' ideals against Modi's anti-religion accusations about pitiable state-run cowsheds, turning down Ayodhya ceremony invites, and highlighting Gandhi family bond with Rae Bareli. She also criticizes Modi government for taking credit for free ration scheme

How Madhya Pradesh Emerged At The Heart Of BJP's Influencer Strategy

Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, CAA and more Malay Dixit and his social media army work as an extended arm of BJPs IT Cell across Madhya Pradesh to push the narrative of the saffron party in the assembly elections and now the ongoing Lok Sabha Polls.

Choose a PM who can showcase India's strengths to the world: PM Modi

Jaunpur (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that this Lok Sabha election is an opportunity for the country to choose a leader who can run a strong government that makes the world aware of India's strength.Modi was addressing an election rally organized at a college ground here in support of BJP candidates Kripashankar Singh from the Jaunpur parliamentary constituency and BP Saroj from the Machhlishahr (reserved) seat. This election is an opportunity to choose the prime minister of the country. Such a prime minister who runs a strong government which cannot be dominated by the world but which makes the world aware of India's strength, he said. Therefore, when you vote for our Kripashankar ji from Jaunpur, BP Saroj ji from Machhlishahr, your vote forms a strong government. The votes given to them will go directly into Modi's account, the prime minister said. Amid slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Har Har Modi', Modi said, Your enthusiasm shows that you have made it difficult for the INDI alliance to win even a single seat in Uttar Pradesh. On development, he said, You have seen in Kashi how a strong government works. We are seeing it happen in Ayodhya. Earlier when people used to talk about development, sometimes the discussion was about Delhi, sometimes about Mumbai. Now, the country and the world also talk about Kashi-Ayodhya, Modi added. It is my pledge to make a developed India and the growth engine of developed India will be Purvanchal. Modi and Yogi are going to change the picture and fate of Purvanchal in the next five years, he said. Voting will be held in Jaunpur and Machhlishahr on May 25.

This election is to choose prime minister who can make world aware of India's strength, says PM Modi in Jaunpur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, urging the country to choose a leader capable of leading a strong government that showcases India's strength on the global stage. Speaking at an election rally in Jaunpur, Modi supported BJP candidates Kripashankar Singh and BP Saroj. He highlighted the development initiatives in Kashi and Ayodhya, pledging to transform Purvanchal's future along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Lok Sabha election: BJP, SP battle in Faizabad/Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram Lalla

The Faizabad/Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh, historically significant due to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the tearing down of the Babri mosque, is in the spotlight as it gears up for polling in the fifth phase on May 20. Sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh faces competition from Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party.

Faizabad/Ayodhya: In birthplace of Ram Lalla, BJP, SP battle for poll sweepstakes

The News Mill

Ram Lalla Rath visits Fremont Hindu Temple

Ritu Maheshwari India Post News Service Ram Lalla Rath with Ram idol, Prasad and Akshat from Ayodhya are visiting all the 700+ temples in USA. Ram Lalla Rath visited Fremont Hindu Temple on Saturday, May 11th. There was outpouring of devotees excited to get a glimpse of Ram Lalla and be part of Ayodhya celebrations. []

People will vote for efforts of Modi, Yogi for Ayodhyas transformation' says Lallu Singh

A tryst with destiny that wasnt to be

AMETHI: Amethi is waiting for Godot. Or for a Gandhi. Not just for a 53-year-old with that name, but something inclusive of thatand more than that. A Nehru-Gandhi did not get into a direct contest here, but had long-time aide KL Sharma stand in. Those within and outside who had bet big on a re-run of 2019 are disappointed. The gladiatorial fight that was to be is now substantially downscaled. But a fight is on, albeit by proxy, and reduced to a scrimmage of competitive accusations. Even while abandoning Rahul in 2019, its as if Amethi kept up its love for high-profile contests, as if to keep itself in the reckoning by default, its own little tryst with destiny. They are getting one, even if in an abridged version. Smriti Irani, Union minister and the BJPs prime commentator-critic on all things Nehru-Gandhi, has stayed put to defend her turf. Though Rahul Gandhi has shifted to adjoining Rae Bareli, he looms large even in his absence. Mostly because his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is quite visibly there. Even though the Congress has appointed Rampur MLA Aradhana Mishra Mona as the party poll in-charge for Amethi, Priyanka is managing the electioneering here along with Rae Bareli, like a safe-keeper of the legacy vote. All around the constituency, the pockmarked narrative of Indian democracy reveals itself. Amethi moves through its village dirt tracks and peri-urban roadways at a groaning pace, as if caught in a time zone of struggle all its own. But also representative, at once, of the cracks in the India story. Despite its seeming mundaneness, the Amethi electorate stands witness to history. Its creation, in 1967, was coeval with the unfolding of the crucial post-Nehru phase in modern Indian politics. Since then, it has in a way reflected the mood of the nation at all the cusp moments. Electing a Congress candidate, Vidya Dhar Bajpai, as its first MP, going with the Janata Party candidate in 1977 and a BJP candidate in 1998 and 2019. Loyalty towards family, caste or party? What will decide the elections in Rae Bareli and Amethi? Does Amethi have no dreams? Yes, it would like to be Baramati... Intermittently, and for a long period till 2014, Amethi backed the Congressall of nine times. Emerging as a family bastion that sent Sanjay and Rajiv Gandhi, and then Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, to the Lok Sabha. In the first instance, the seat changed MPs under a tragic circumstance (Sanjay died in a plane crash). In the latter instance, it was an entitled transfer of legacy, giving rise to the third generation of Indians to use the phrase dynastic politics. Nonetheless, Amethi was waiting for Rahul Gandhi. When he decided to make Rae Bareli his second arena, as part of his much-awaited return to north India, it undoubtedly became a bit of a letdown for his supporters. A proxy war has been raging since, with Smriti Irani left stranded in a lonely fight almostshe had been camping in the constituency for weeks before the Congress made up its mind. If insiders are to be believed, INDIA bloc leaders strongly advised the GOP not to let any part of the election become a clash of big names. Avoid Smriti vs Rahul contest, it was said. For that would have hogged the headlines, overshadowing all else. It was to be made localor rather, issue-based. Amethi cannot entirely vanish into the provincial anonymity that is the lot of its other contiguous constituencies. (Who after all thinks of Pratapgarh or Sultanpur? Although Ayodhya, its northern neighbour, is another matter.) Such diminution of stature is impossible. What with Priyanka at the helm of an army come to reclaim its castle. And the aggressive Didijias Smriti is called in these partsis also quite hands-on, not confining herself to the plushness of her Gauriganj residence. The BJP top brass too have rolled up their sleeves, strategising to retain the seat, come what may. What benefits have accruedor notto the people of this star constituency under this regime or that? What development has happened? Thats the ball being thrown around in the heat and dust of Amethi. Memories, long and short, are being dredged up. Both sides claim to know Amethi like the back of their hand and take credit for having done transformative work. Each side disagrees entirely with the other, of course. What have the Gandhis ever done for Amethi? Look at the work of the last five years, from electricity to roads, Smriti thunders in meeting after meeting, bite after bite. What has she done? Can she even count the number of villages in Amethi on her fingers? Priyanka retorts. She lists the universal themesjoblessness, high prices, and the promise of instant Nyay. Theres nothing meethi about Amethi right now. Bitterness is writ large over the discourse as the attacks get personal . It may not be easy for the Congress. The ground is a bit more alien than it used to be. Part of the reason lies in Amethis five assembly segments. Three of these are held by the BJPTiloi, Jagdishpur (SC) and Salon (SC). Two by the Samajwadi PartyGauriganj and Amethi. Ironically, the latter two segments, particularly Gauriganj, are better off than the three held by the BJP. In a curious inversion, therefore, the SP MLAs and their familiesGayatri Prajapatis wife Maharaji Prajapati and Rakesh Pratap Singhare supporting Smriti. This is while the Congress has a tie-up with Akhilesh Yadavs party and is dependent on its workers for election work. Former Congress MLA Deepak Singh admits its time to read carefully. He can barely hide his disappointment that Rahul changed mind about contesting from Amethi. Were working on the ground silently, he says. The community map is more or less equalsavarnas (29%), OBCs (26%), Muslims (20%) and SCs (26%)but they are deeply divided. Sharma is attempting an MY + Brahmin combination. Whether he will succeed or not depends on who you ask. Didiji has put in a lot of hard work. She lives here and votes here. She has a clear edge because of her track record of development work, says Govind Singh, a local BJP worker, brushing aside talk about her being a bit brusque in her interactions with the local unit. Amethi has never seen such an involved MP before. Didi sab ka dukh sukh ki saathi hai (shes with everyone in their happiness and sorrow), says another BJP worker. Any delay or uneven development is blamed on the local bureaucracy. However, even as she wades from one village chaupal to the next, talk about Smriti focusing more on Gauriganj and Salon fly in the air. The constituency is also divided into micro zones of influence. The Congress presence is more in the southern parts of Amethi, Tiloi and Jagdishpur, where, local leaders claim, Smriti has focused less. Added to this is the still-simmering controversy over the shutting down and reopening of the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Munshiganj. There are also whispers about the BJPs Tiloi MLA Mayankeshwar Saran Singh having uneven equations with the MP. For cycle mechanic Rajesh, none of this matters much. He straightens his half-clad, sun-browned body and wipes the sweat off his brow as he says, So far, no one has come to ask for votes. My grandfather and father used to campaign for Rajiv Gandhi. Its my family legacy, cant break my ties with Rahulji. Does he know Rahul is not contesting? He turns his glazed eyes to the far horizon. How does it matter? Dilli bahut dur hai. My work can only earn my family two daily meals, he adds. Does Amethi have no dreams? Yes, it would like to be Baramati. But for that, UP has to become Maharashtraa growth engine. As of now, though, college student Ankush Tiwaris wish list is only to get to Mumbai for a job. Will UP's rural voters spring a surprise in this election? Rae Bareli is 'karmabhoomi' of both my 'mothers' Sonia and Indira Gandhi: Rahul

Ram temple was built in Ayodhya because of BJP govt's efforts: MP CM Mohan Yadav

Ram temple was built in Ayodhya because of BJP govt's efforts: MP CM Mohan Yadav The Ram temple was built in Ayodhya because of the efforts of the BJP government and this time when the party returns to power, ''even Lord Shri Krishna in Mathura will smile'', Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Wednesday. The BJP leader was in Delhi to campaign for his party for the Lok Sabha elections. The seven parliamentary seats in the national capital will go to polls on May 25 in sixth round of the seven-phase of general elections. ''If Lord Ram is smiling in his temple in Ayodhya, it is because of the efforts of the (Narendra) Modi government... So once again it will be the Modi government and this time, even Lord Shri Krishna in Mathura will smile. For this votes should go only to the BJP,'' he said. He said Delhi saw incidents of terrorism during the tenures of previous governments at the Centre. But nothing happened during the 10 years of the Modi government, Yadav said. ''This is an example of the strong leadership of the Modi government,'' he said. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a poll rally in Malkaganj in support of his party's North East Delhi seat candidate Manoj Tiwari. He dubbed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a ''Ranchordas (deserter)'' for fighting the Lok Sabha polls from Rae Bareli instead of Amethi. Both parliamentary seats are in Uttar Pradesh. ''In the previous Lok Sabha polls, he left Amethi and contested from Wayanad in Kerala. Now he is contesting from Rae Bareli. Why did not Rahul Baba contest from Amethi. He has become 'Ranchordas','' Chouhan said. He also attacked Congress' candidate from North East Delhi, Kanhaiya Kumar, alleging that he raised slogans ''Bharat tere tukde honge''. A gathering of Sikhs in the Chandni Chowk constituency earlier in the day extended support to BJP candidate Praveen Khandelwal. BJP national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, ''Now Sikhs across the country have understood that if anyone can fulfill the dream of a developed India, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On one hand there is the Congress which massacred Sikhs and on the other hand there is the BJP, which is a partner in the sorrows and joys of Sikhs.'' Manoj Tiwari campaigning for South Delhi BJP candidate Ramvir Singh Bidhuri in Sangam Vihar appealed to the Purvanchali people to vote for him to make Modi prime minister again of the country.

IRCTC Shri Ramayana Yatra: Journey from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram will take 18 days, only this much fare will have to be paid.

IRCTC Shri Ramayana Yatra: For the devotees of Ram, this Shri Ramayana Yatra is going to last for a total of 18 days and 17 nights, in which many important places related to the life of Lord Ram are going to be visited. IRCTC Shri Ramayana Yatra: There is good news for Ram devotees. IRCTC [] The post IRCTC Shri Ramayana Yatra: Journey from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram will take 18 days, only this much fare will have to be paid. first appeared on informalnewz .

PoK will be merged with India if BJP gets 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls: Himanta

PoK will be merged with India if BJP gets 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls: Himanta Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Wednesday asserted that if the BJP wins 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will be ''merged with India'', and a Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and Gyanvapi temple will be built in Mathura and Kashi, respectively. Addressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Ramgarh, he said the BJP needs to secure over 400 seats to also implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the country. PoK will be merged with India if the BJP gets 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The party needs that many seats to build the 'Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and 'Gyanvapi temple', just like when it crossed the 300-seat mark in 2019, it built the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Sarma said. Later, at a press conference in state capital Ranchi, the BJP leader also accused the Congress of suppressing Hindu sentiments. There is a Hindu awakening in the country after years and their voice cannot be suppressed amid this Modi tsunami across India, Sarma said. ''During the Congress regime, a law was enacted that discussion can be held on the Ram temple... Congress brought in such a law that no civil court, high court or the Supreme Court can adjudicate on the ownership of Krishna Janmabhoomi and the so-called Gyanvapi Mosque. Is such a law acceptable that prohibits us from building God's temples?'' the Assam CM said. The injustice on India by Aurangzeb and Babar (Mughal leaders) has been minimised with the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Sarma claimed. Sarma also emphasised on the need to check infiltration in Jharkhand, cautioning that unless that happens, original inhabitants will be reduced to minorities in 20 years and infiltrators from Bangladesh will become original citizens. He said Assam and West Bengal committed blunders by not checking infiltration during the Congress regime. Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader said: ''He roams around with a red-colour copy of the Constitution, whereas our original Constitution has pictures of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna on every page... It can never be red... China's constitution can be of red colour.'' He also wondered whether the copy of the Constitution displayed by Gandhi has directive principles of state policy. ''If yes, then why did your manifesto say that you will strengthen the (Muslim) Personal Law? It is mentioned in our Constitution that there cannot be Personal Law. The Constitution says that the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in our country,'' Sarma added.

Rahul Gandhi will face defeat in Raebareli, should have declared intention to contest two LS seats: Amit Shah

Rahul Gandhi will face defeat in Raebareli, should have declared intention to contest two LS seats: Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed confidence that BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh will defeat Rahul Gandhi in the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat and took a dig at the Congress leader, stating that he should have told people of Wayanad in Kerala that he will contest from two seats. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah alleged the INDIA bloc oycotted Ram Mandir Pran Prathishta ceremony fearing their minority vote bank. Targeting Rahul Gandhi, he said stature is built by the people and does not come by birth. Stature is built by the people of the country. It is not built by birth...What does democracy mean?...Dinesh Pratap Singh will defeat Rahul Gandhi, he said. Amit Shah said Rahul Gandhi should have declared that he is going to contest from two Lok Sabha seats and it is not right to hide it. Anyone can contest from anywhere but Rahul Gandhi should have said before elections that he is going to contest on two seats. I think from the democratic point of view, it is not right to hide it...He should have told the people of Wayanad about it and then asked them to make their choice...When you see a threat in post-poll survey, and then you come to Raebaerli, I think it is not correct.., he said. Rahul Gandhi, who is MP from Wayanad and is re-contesting from the seat, later decided to contest from Raibareli in Uttar Pradesh, a Congress stronghold, and a seat which his mother Sonia Gandhi has won from 2004. Rahul Gandhi lost to Union Minister Smriti Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Amethi. He has won the seat from 2004. Raebareli will go to the polls on May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election. Asked about his remarks that Sonia Gandhi spent over 70 per cent of MP funds on minorities, Amit Shah said the objection was to use most of it for a particular section. We object to 'minority only'. Are the rest of the voters, not yours? Are you taking them for granted? It is just a small question, he said. Shah also expressed confidence of BJP improving its tally in Uttar Pradesh, saying that the party will win more than 65 seats it won in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Asked about the opposition's Dakshin mein BJP saaf aur Uttar mein half retort, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the BJP party will emerge as the single largest party in the five southern states. I stand by my remarks. Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu - combining the seats in these five states, BJP will emerge as the single largest party, he said. Asked if the BJP gained politically because of the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, Amit Shah said it was not a matter of political gain or loss for the party and was a question of the trust of crores of people of the country. For us, there was no question of political gain or loss. From the beginning, it was a question of the trust of crores of people of the country, it was a question of faith and it was a question of devotion... Ram Temple became an issue during the elections when the Pran Pratishtha ceremony was taking place and invitations were sent to all the political parties, the entire INDI alliance boycotted the Pran Pratistha and this is my clear allegation that they did not consider it appropriate to go there due to fear of their minority vote bank, Amit Shah said. The entire Ghamandiya alliance (INDI Alliance) boycotted the Ram Mandir Pran Prathishta ceremony - My clear allegation is that they did this fearing their minority vote bank...On Eid, you have no issues spending, celebrating Eid with Muslim brothers, even though you aren't Muslim, but despite being Hindu you won't attend the Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha because your Muslim vote bank will be upset...what kind of politics is this? he asked. On Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Krishna Janmabhoomi, Amit Shah said both these cases are before the court. The court has also taken cognizance of it. It would not be appropriate for me to say anything on this... We decided to construct the Ram temple only after the court's decision, he said. Asked about his remark that BJP is getting 270 seats after four phases of Lok Sabha polls, Amit Shah said he believes that elections and the results of elections have great importance. Whatever government is elected, it should get support from every part of the country and the government should be stable and have a full majority...I believe that the opposition, as usual, has tried to politicise our '400 paar slogan', which is their short-sightedness. Stable governments give strength to the country, help in taking decisive steps, providing welfare to the poor, crushing internal security threats like terrorism, Naxalism and in changing the country's agenda and the country's position in the world, he said. He slammed the opposition parties for trying to mislead people over BJP's '400 paar' slogan for the party-led NDA. ...It has been very clearly explained that if our aim was to remove reservation, we would have the majority for 10 years, but we did not do that. As far as reservation for Muslims is concerned, I am still of the opinion that there should be no reservation in this country on the basis of religion, it is not the scheme of the Constitution, the Constitution does not agree with it. Bharatiya Janata Party will not provide reservation on the basis of religion. On the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), he said it is mentioned in the party's manifesto for Lok Sabha polls. This is certainly an important issue in our 'Sankalp Patra'. We will bring UCC...We also want to bring 'One Nation, One Election'. This too should be discussed. One of our important poll issues is that in the days to come, we will not allow personal laws to come, he said. Four phases of Lok Sabha polls have been held and the voting will conclude on June 1 with results on June 4. (ANI)

'Dream-come-true' moment for those who got Indian citizenship under CAA

'Dream-come-true' moment for those who got Indian citizenship under CAA Bharat Kumar's protracted struggle to call India home after escaping religious persecution in Pakistan ended following an 11-year wait as he was among the 14 people who were granted Indian nationality under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on Wednesday. ''It is a great feeling to be an Indian. It has given a new life to me,'' the 24-year-old told PTI minutes after he received the citizenship certificate from Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla at a special function held here. Kumar said his family came to India to escape religious persecution in the Sindh province of Pakistan. ''When we came here, I was just 13 years old. We had to leave Pakistan as it was difficult to live there under constant fear,'' he said about the life across the border. In Delhi, Kumar's family lives in the Majnu Ka Tila area and they are engaged in small-time business. He said a total of five people got Indian citizenship in his locality on Wednesday. Over a hundred had applied for it, he said. ''We were told that the rest of the applicants will also get the citizenship in due course,'' he said, adding that getting Indian citizenship is a ''dream come true'' for him. He said they were grateful to the government for ending the uncertainty and their woes. Seetal Das, who also lives in Majnu Ka Tila and sells mobile phone covers for a living, said his family of 19 too came from Sindh in Pakistan in 2013 and three of them got citizenship on Wednesday. ''I am very happy. The government has fulfilled our desire. Now I can live a dignified life in India.'' Asked about the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Kumar said he would miss exercising his franchise this time as the deadline to include his name in the voters' list is already over. ''I will definitely vote in next election as an Indian,'' he told PTI. Yoshoda, who too came from Sindh in Pakistan and received the Indian citizenship on Wednesday, said she can now live a dignified life as an Indian. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said that with her Indian nationality, the future of her family and children would be secured now. ''My long wait for getting Indian citizenship is over now. I am really happy.'' The first set of citizenship certificates under the CAA was issued Wednesday here to 14 people, nearly two months after rules under the contentious law were notified to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries. The union home secretary handed over the certificates to the 14 people after their applications were processed online through a designated portal. The CAA was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. After the enactment, the CAA got the president's assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued on March 11 this year after over a delay of four years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it a ''historic day'', saying the decades-long wait of those who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is over. Dayal Das, a 47-year-old resident of Majnu Ka Tila, said, ''Our kids' future is secure now as we have received the Indian citizenship certificate after struggling a lot to flee Pakistan. We came to India from Hyderabad in Sindh, Pakistan, in 2013. We felt unsafe there and came to our country. Today, our struggle has paid off and we can call ourselves Indians. I am really thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementing CAA and giving us citizenship.'' Das' two children -- Bharat and Yashoda (25) -- have also been granted citizenship along with him. ''My children will have access to education and other facilities. After our other family members also get citizenship, we will visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya to offer prayers. It is due to the blessings of the almighty that we have got citizenship of our country,'' he said. Das said that now he will apply for a voter card. ''It will be the first document that I will get. Then we will get other identity cards made. I will get to vote and I plan to exercise my franchise in the Delhi Assembly elections next year,'' he said. Das runs a cold drink shop in Majnu Ka Tila.

Shah Accuses Naveen Patnaik of Blocking Ram Temple Participation

Bhubaneswar: Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Wednesday attacked Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik by accusing that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government headed by him very tactfully stopped the people of the state from participating in Prana Pratishta Utsav of Ram Lalla at Ayodhyas Ram Temple on January 22. He asserted that people of Odisha will not forgive Naveen Patnaik for his misdemeanour and vote him out of power this time. When the whole world was celebrating the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla, Naveen Babu very cunningly deprived them of the opportunity to be part of this festival. This is a sheer act of ungratefulness, Shah said while addressing a grand public rally at Soroda in Ganjam district. Shah, as per political experts, hinted at the BJD government celebrating Jagannath Parikrama Pakalpa, a renovation programme of Lord Jagannath temples courtyard in Puri, in a grand style, apparently to divert the attention of Odisha people from all the euphoria that was created around the Prana Pratishta Utsav. The home minister also castigated the ruling BJD for not the Centres Ayushman Bharat healthcare programme saying CM Naveen Patnaik denied the scheme to people of Odisha fearing that it will account for rise in Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity in the state. He also took a potshot at the BJD for rebranding the free rice provided by the Centre to the poor in the state. Naveen Babu! You have pushed Odisha backward by 25 years. People of Odisha have decided to say Bye-bye, Tata, Goodbye to you. You cannot any longer cheat them. Odisha will have a new government after the elections and an Odia will become the chief minister of the state, declared Shah. The home minister, while questioning the state government on its silence over the missing of Lord Jagannaths Ratna Bhandar keys, assured that the Narendra Modi government will ensure that the persons responsible for missing of the keys are brought to book and punished. He also told the people that the patrons of chit fund scamsters who have looted Odisha people to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore will also be strictly dealt with. The BJP stalwart said there had been a complete halt in extremism and Maoist activism in the country due to strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier, we used to see bloodshed caused by the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. After Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre, he challenged them and destroyed the enemy camps in Pakistan soil. Now, bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir has stopped and Maoist activities have also come to an end, said Shah. Later in the evening, Shah held a roadshow in Cuttack city seeking votes for the party's Lok Sabha candidate Bhartruhari Mahtab and MLA candidates.

Three Sadhus Dead in Road Accident in Uttar Pradesh's Basti

Three Sadhus Dead in Road Accident in Uttar Pradesh's Basti Three sadhus were killed on Wednesday after being hit by a pickup vehicle near Raipur village here, police said. The police identified the victims as Ram Milan Pal (55) of Ayodhya, Achhe Lal (58) of Maharajganj and Ram Bhajan Pal (53) of Maharajganj district. According to police, the victims were going to Katra Kuti Dham from Makhauda Dham, after completing 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama' on foot. They were hit by a vehicle from behind, killing them on the spot, they said. A case was registered and the bodies were sent for postmortem. Efforts are being made to arrest the driver, they added.

Congress plotting to send Ayodhya's Ram Lalla back to the tent: PM Narendra Modi

With 300 we built Ram Mandir, with 400 well build Mathura; take back PoJK: Assam CM Himanta Sarma pitches for Modis return for the 3rd term

Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that when the BJP got 300 seats, it built the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and now temples will be built at Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura and in place of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi after it gets 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls

Will build temples in Mathura, Varanasi if BJP wins 400 seats: Himanta

New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that when the BJP got 300 seats, it built the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and now temples will be built at Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura and in place of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi after it gets 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls. He also said that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) will be included in India under the leadership of PM Modi. He further said that during Congress' rule, no discussions were held in Parliament regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. When the Congress government was in power, we were told that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan. It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has 'Occupied Kashmir,' it is actually ours. Right now, agitation is happening every day in PoK and people are protesting against Pakistan by holding the Indian tricolour in their hands. If Modi ji gets 400 seats, then PoK will also become India's. It has already started, Himanta added. The Assam Chief Minister also asserted that the BJP government is working to give more strength to reservations. PM Modi himself comes from the OBC category. BJP has been in power for 10 years. Our government is working to give more strength to reservations. Congress wants to end SC, ST and OBC reservations and give reservations to Muslims which they have already started in Karnataka, he added. Earlier, highlighting the protests in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, reiterated that it has been India and will always be, adding that people in PoK must be comparing their situation with those living in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out the evident progress in the latter region. The Pakistan Paramilitary rangers on Monday, unlawfully deployed in PoJK, gunned down several protestors leaving dozens and several others severely wounded. The incident left several locals of the area injured, as locals in several thousand were out on the streets to raise their demands against taxes on electricity bills, cuts in subsidies and an end to the perks and privileges of the Prime Minister and President.

LS polls: Caste looms over temple in Ayodhya

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradeshs Faizabad constituency, comprising Ayodhya, could be easily mistaken for the nerve centre of temple politics but if past Lok Sabha elections are anything to go by, the poll outcome in this temple town has mostly been tied to the caste factor. And the 2024 LS poll is no different. Sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh, also a five-time MLA from Ayodhya, is pitted against the Samajwadi Partys Awadhesh Prasad, a nine-time MLA and a former minister in the Akhilesh cabinet. Lallu Singh, who is a contractor by profession, is seeking a third term riding on the back of the general goodwill for the BJP after the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya and the resultant development in the district. In 2014, he had polled an impressive winning margin of 2.8 lakh votes, which however came down drastically to just 65,000 in 2019. This time, he is fighting anti-incumbency and a formidable SP candidate, who has the support of the Congress. The SP-Congress combine hopes their joint candidate can defeat the BJP this time. However, votes tell a different story. In 2019, the BJP had bagged 5,29,021 votes, while the SP got 4,63,544 and the Congress 53,386. This time, a third factor could influence poll calculations as the CPI has fielded former IPS officer Arvind Sen as its candidate. Sen is the son of veteran politician late Mitrasen Yadav, who had represented the constituency thrice in Parliament. Sen is expected to poll a considerable number of votes from the same electorate pool that the SP hopes to tap into. All this boils down to the constituencys caste dynamics, which can swing results. The BJP has retained Singh, a Thakur by caste, for the battle in the land of Lord Ram, who himself was a Rajput. The saffron party has the support of Thakurs and other upper castes as well as a section of non-Yadav OBCs. SP candidate Prasad comes from the Dalit Kori community and is trying to mobilise Dalits, who constitute a sizeable population of 5.5 lakh in the constituency. He can also expect help from the SPs traditional Muslim-Yadav vote bank. Meanwhile, CPIs Sen, an OBC, is getting traction among his caste group on the ground. The BSP has also fielded Sachidanand Pandey, a Brahmin, as its candidate for Faizabad but the community is not strong enough to create a ripple.

After Ayodhya, we will now focus on Mathura

Beyond the bluster of wild poll promises

Periodic polls are the lifeline of vibrant democracies and an occasion for slugfests between those in power and the opposition. Its a no-holds-barred war of words between the two sides. Impossible promises to the electorate and wild allegations against opponents are routine.In this mad race for power, facts are twisted, arguments are turned upside down, and lies are concocted to spin helpful narrativesusually in acerbic toneseither to expand ones support base or to demonise opponents. The ongoing 18th Lok Sabha election is no exception. The public discourse at present is reeking of toxicity, which is typical of Indian elections. The incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, seeking a third term, started his campaign by building on his achievements in the last decade and promising a bright future for India. He shared his dream to fully develop the country by 2047, the hundredth year of its independence. PM Modi has a lot to showcase and claim credit for. Arraigned against him is a rainbow coalition of 26 partiesincluding the Congress, Leftists, DMK, TMC, SP and RJDbearing the moniker INDI Alliance. These parties have little in common. They have often used the choicest of expletives against each other in the not-too-distant past. In many states, they are at each others throats, even after the formation of the alliance. The glue that holds the disparate opposition together is their visceral hate for Modi and his vision of India. The INDI Alliance parties had been considering drafting a common programme and holding joint rallies. However, they have failed to do both so far, thanks to their sharp differences on various issues and clash of interests. Among Modis notable achievements are a slew of welfare schemes that have changed the lives of millions of Indians for the better, the restoration of normalcy in strife-torn Jammu & Kashmir following the abolition of Articles 370 & 35A, the development of a Covid vaccine and its successful administration across India, and a massive impetus to the economypushing it to within touching distance of the third slot in the global ranking, from the tenth in 2014. The revamp of Kashi Vishwanath at Varanasi and the reconstruction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya are significant steps in Indias quest to rediscover itself and reclaim its spiritual past. Indias unprecedented progress in development parameters and rediscovery of its cultural roots may appear unrelated at the surface; still, they are part of a single phenomenonthe countrys spiritual renaissance. Rampant corruption, especially among politicians and senior bureaucrats seeping to the lowest rungs of officialdom, has corroded independent Indias administrative set-up for long and wrecked successive governments development plans. Even the best schemes, made with the noblest intentions, came to nought. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi estimated that out of the funds allocated, only 15 percent reached the target group, and 85 percent was stolen on the way. Modi stopped it. It was a singular achievement because none of his predecessors could do so. He was innovative, used technology and disbursed money through direct transfers to the bank accounts of millions of beneficiaries. A class of local leaders who doubled as dalals and siphoned off the public funds easily was decimated. More important, there wasnt any discrimination, against or for, any creed, caste or gender in the distribution of these freebies. As a part of their strategy, his detractors (read opposition parties), however, have largely side-stepped the developmental issues. Muslims, who constitute about 15 percent of the electorate, have been repeatedly told that Modi, if voted again to office, would disenfranchise them and reduce them to third-class citizens. Modi is also being painted as an authoritarian out to squash dissent, snuff democracy, upturn the Constitution, and do away with reservations for various vulnerable sections of the societyin vogue since the birth of the republic. There is absolutely no evidence that sustains these allegations. There isnt even a remote hint in any of the BJP documentsmanifesto, party resolutionsor the statements of its top leaders suggesting any such move. The BJPs manifesto celebrates Indias civilisational values, thought, wisdom and traditional knowledge, and seeks to craft policies to further Indias national interests with the spirit of Vishwa Bandhu and a Bharat First attitude. For the BJP, the last decade has witnessed the transformation of India from one of the fragile five to one of the top five economies of the world. The crux of Rahul Gandhi and Congresss electoral campaign, however, is identity politicsseeking to divide the country on the basis of castesomething the party had abhorred in the past. In a letter to chief ministers dated June 27, 1961, Jawaharlal Nehru observed, If we go in for reservations on communal and caste basis, we swamp the bright and able people and remain second-rate or third-rate. I am grieved to learn how far this business of reservation has gone based on communal considerations. It has amazed me to learn that even promotions are based sometimes on communal or caste considerations. This way lies not only folly, but disaster. Let us help the backward groups by all means, but never at the cost of efficiency. How are we going to build the public sector or indeed any sector with second-rate people? But to meet the exigencies of political ambitions, party policies in vogue for long can be buried fathoms deep. The Congress manifesto and statements made by Rahul Gandhi also indirectly speak about the redistribution of national wealth among various sections of societyscheduled castes, tribes, backward classeson the basis of their share in the national population. The plans for evaluation and distribution are lacking in detail. It appears that Rahul is on some sort of a nostalgic excursion, romanticising a bygone era when his grandmother Indira Gandhi successfully sailed to power on the Garibi hatao (eradicate poverty) promise. The result of her policies was disastrous for the country. Most of the commodities of daily use were either in short supply or available in the black market. Will the rich-poor binary, which yielded results in the 1970s, work in 2024? Looks difficult. (Views are personal) (punjbalbir@gmail.com) Balbir Punj Former Rajya Sabha member & author, most recently of Tryst with Ayodhya: Decolonisation of India

Assam CM Sarma Demands Vice President's Intervention in Alleged Incident Involving AAP MP Maliwal

Assam CM Sarma Demands Vice President's Intervention in Alleged Incident Involving AAP MP Maliwal Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the vice president should take suo motu cognisance of the incident with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence. ''There was an earlier allegation that a Delhi chief secretary was beaten by Kejriwal. Yesterday, he also thrashed a Rajya Sabha MP. I think the vice president, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, should take suo motu cognisance of how a chief minister can beat a Rajya Sabha MP,'' Sarma told reporters. Maliwal on Monday went to the Civil Lines Police Station and alleged that a member of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal staff ''assaulted' her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials said. The Assam chief minister also addressed a public meeting in support of BJP candidate Harsh Malhotra in Laxmi Nagar. Sarma said, ''The BJP government had promised the Ram temple (in Ayodhya) and the government kept the promise. The BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled all the promises.'' He said that a magnificent temple will also be built in Mathura, and a grand temple of Baba Vishwanath will be built after winning 400 seats. Attacking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sarma said, ''The Lal Qila (Red Fort) and the Qutub Minar are the main attractions of the capital, but the CM of Delhi invites people to show Mohalla Clinics, which are in bad conditions.'' He further said that medical colleges are being built in every district of Assam, and if the BJP is voted to power again, the government will build super-specialty hospitals and medical colleges in the national capital. Local MLA Abhay Verma, deputy president of Delhi BJP Lata Gupta and many other BJP leaders and workers were present during the meeting.

Ram Rajya will begin in country now, doesnt mean theocratic state: Rajnath

Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said he felt that Ram Rajya will begin in the country now that the temple in Ayodhya has come up, but stressed that this does not mean a theocratic state. Addressing an intellectuals meet in his parliamentary constituency, he said Ram Rajya does not mean a theocratic state, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Rajnath Singh Clarifies: Ram Rajya Implies Rule of Law, Not a Theocratic State

Rajnath Singh Clarifies: Ram Rajya Implies Rule of Law, Not a Theocratic State Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said he felt that Ram Rajya will begin in the country now that the temple in Ayodhya has come up, but stressed that this does not mean a theocratic state. Addressing an intellectuals meet in his parliamentary constituency, he said Ram Rajya does not mean a theocratic state, but developing a sense of responsibility and duty among people. ''We had said that Ram is the centre of our faith. If we get a majority, grand Ram Mandir will be built in Ayodhya. You saw, that work was also done. Now I have started feeling that Lord Ram has now come out of his hut and entered his palace, hence I have a firm belief that Ram Rajya will begin in India,'' he said. Explaining the concept of Ram Rajya, he said, ''If I talk about Ram Rajya, it does not mean that I am talking about any theocratic state. Ram Rajya means that a sense of responsibility and sense of duty should be developed among the common people. If a sense of duty is not developed, and there is only a sense of rights, then Ram Rajya cannot come. ''You should read the whole story of the Ramayan and see that Kaikeyi did not have a sense of duty but only sense of rights due to which the whole crisis had arisen, and Lord Ram had to go to the forest,'' he added. The defence minister said that politics means a system that takes the society towards the right path, but the irony is that in independent India the word 'politics' has lost its meaning. He said, ''I believe that India needs such politicians who can re-establish the lost meaning and spirit of the word politics in the Indian political system.'' Without naming anyone, he said, ''In the field of politics, I believe that the crisis of credibility should not arise under any circumstances. There should be no difference between the words and actions of leaders. Whatever the leader says, he should do it, only then there will be no crisis of trust in Indian politics.'' Asserting that he never gives assurances to people, he said, ''At the age of 26, when I was contesting the assembly elections, I had given some assurances once or twice. After that a thought arose in my mind that I have given assurances to the public so that we can get votes, but I have doubts whether I will be able to fulfil these assurances or not. ''The truth is that despite becoming an MLA, I was not able to fulfil some assurances, that is why I vowed that if I contest any election, I will not give any direct assurance to the public.'' However, Singh also said that the party he belongs to had not only accepted the crisis of credibility that had arisen in Indian politics as a challenge, but also won over it. ''I am saying this so that someone can pick up our election manifesto and look at it. Whatever promises we made in it, we have fulfilled them,'' he added. Referring to the abolition of the triple talaq system by the BJP government, Singh said, ''If it is a question of triple talaq, I know many people will say why are you interfering in the matter of another religion. ''The question is not about religion. I believe that be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jew, anyone, everyone's mother is like our, irrespective of the religion they follow. If we feel that she is being tortured, then to hell with politics... we don't worry about it. We will stand up to protect that sister and daughter. That is why we ended the practice of triple talaq,'' he added. At another meeting at the Awadh crossing, Singh said ''India's global stature has surged significantly. Previously, India's perspectives on international platforms lacked resonance, but today, the world pays heed to our nation's voice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserves recognition for this transformation. His mission, vision, and passion have propelled India to new heights across various domains.'' The defence minister further said that Pakistan MP Fazlur Rehman said that India is becoming a world superpower so fast, but Pakistan is ''begging'' the world to save itself from destruction. He added that India's economy is the fastest growing and it is acknowledged. We have diligently worked towards realising (former prime minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji's vision for Lucknow, and we remain committed to advancing it further in the future, the Defence Minister said. Upon securing majority in both Houses of the Parliament, we swiftly revoked Article 370, granting Jammu and Kashmir equal status with other states,'' he said. In his address UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath acknowledged the work done by Singh for his constituency. Polling in Lucknow will be held on May 20 in the fifth phase. Singh is vying to win the seat for the third consecutive term.

Ram Rajya Principles to Guide Nation-Building, Clarifies Rajnath Singh

Ram Rajya Principles to Guide Nation-Building, Clarifies Rajnath Singh Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said he felt that Ram Rajya will begin in the country now that the temple in Ayodhya has come up, but stressed that this does not mean a theocratic state. Addressing an intellectuals meet in his parliamentary constituency, he said Ram Rajya does not mean a theocratic state, but developing a sense of responsibility and duty among people. ''We had said that Ram is the centre of our faith. If we get a majority, grand Ram Mandir will be built in Ayodhya. You saw, that work was also done. Now I have started feeling that Lord Ram has now come out of his hut and entered his palace, hence I have a firm belief that Ram Rajya will begin in India,'' he said. Explaining the concept of Ram Rajya, he said, ''If I talk about Ram Rajya, it does not mean that I am talking about any theocratic state. Ram Rajya means that a sense of responsibility and sense of duty should be developed among the common people. If a sense of duty is not developed, and there is only a sense of rights, then Ram Rajya cannot come. ''You should read the whole story of the Ramayan and see that Kaikeyi did not have a sense of duty but only sense of rights due to which the whole crisis had arisen, and Lord Ram had to go to the forest,'' he added. The defence minister said that politics means a system that takes the society towards the right path, but the irony is that in independent India the word 'politics' has lost its meaning. He said, ''I believe that India needs such politicians who can re-establish the lost meaning and spirit of the word politics in the Indian political system.'' Without naming anyone, he said, ''In the field of politics, I believe that the crisis of credibility should not arise under any circumstances. There should be no difference between the words and actions of leaders. Whatever the leader says, he should do it, only then there will be no crisis of trust in Indian politics.'' Asserting that he never gives assurance to people, he said, At the age of 26, when I was contesting the assembly elections, I had given some assurances once or twice. After that a thought arose in my mind that I have given assurances to the public so that we can get votes, but I have doubts whether I will be able to fulfil these assurances or not. ''The truth is that despite becoming an MLA, I was not able to fulfil some assurances, that is why I vowed that if I contest any election, I will not give any direct assurance to the public.'' However, Singh also said that the party he belongs to had not only accepted the crisis of credibility that had arisen in Indian politics as a challenge, but also won over it. ''I am saying this so that someone can pick up our election manifesto and look at it. Whatever promises we made in it, we have fulfilled them,'' he added. Referring to the abolition of the triple talaq system by the BJP government, Singh said, ''If it is a question of triple talaq, I know many people will say why are you interfering in the matter of another religion. ''The question is not about religion. I believe that be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jew, anyone, everyone's mother is like our, irrespective of the religion they follow. If we feel that she is being tortured, then to hell with politics... we don't worry about it. We will stand up to protect that sister and daughter. That is why we ended the practice of triple talaq,'' he added. Polling in Lucknow will be held on May 20 in the fifth phase. Singh is vying to win the seat for the third consecutive term.

Indian Air Force tests BHISHM portable hospital for airdrop in Agra

Indian Air Force tests BHISHM portable hospital for airdrop in Agra The Indian Air Force on Tuesday tested BHISHM portable cubes at Agra for airdrops from the aircraft. This is the first time the Indian Air Force tested this portable hospital. This test was performed so that the portable hospital can be deployed to cater to emergencies anywhere. As per the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, BHISHM portable cubes are a part of the broader initiative named Project BHISHM - Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, which is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasising rapid response and comprehensive care. Notably, the Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies. It also integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field. The whole unit contains 72 easily transportable components that can be conveniently carried by hand, cycle, or even drone, providing unmatched flexibility. In the face of mass casualty incidents (MCIs), where requirements range from basic aid to advanced medical and surgical care, the Aid Cube stands out with its ability to be deployed within an astonishing 12 minutes. These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios. From airdrops to ground transportation, the cube can be rapidly deployed anywhere, ensuring immediate response capability. During the Pran Pratishtha ceremony held earlier this year on January 22 in Ayodhya, two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM units were strategically deployed to enhance medical preparedness and response capabilities. (ANI)

Hunch Mobility sees notable surge in charters for spiritual travel

In the wake of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir opening, Hunch Mobility has experienced a notable uptick in charter services catering to spiritual travel. Hunch Mobility, a provider of personalised charter services in India, has been operating a diverse fleet of helicopters, and aircraft across India for the past four years. While initially, charters were primarily...

Pilot Says INDIA Will Form Next Govt, Cong To Get More Seats Than BJP In Two States

Pilot Says INDIA Will Form Next Govt, Cong To Get More Seats Than BJP In Two States Asserting that people are voting for change, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday exuded confidence that an INDIA bloc government would be formed at the Centre and claimed his party will get more seats than the BJP in both Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The AICC general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said there was a ''sea change'' from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, with the people voting for real change this time. While Rajasthan has 25 Lok Sabha seats, Chhattisgarh has 11 parliamentary segments. The Congress had drawn a blank last time in Rajasthan and won only two seats from Chhattisgarh. In an interview with PTI while campaigning here for Rahul Gandhi, Pilot also accused the BJP of seeking votes in the name of religion and said it was doing so as it could not ask for mandate on its performance. ''It is absolutely incorrect to ask for votes in the name of religion. The Ram temple (in Ayodhya) was constructed with the order of the Supreme Court which all of us respected. We have always welcomed it but to seek votes in the name of religion is unbecoming of anybody, especially the ruling party,'' the Congress general secretary said. Urging the BJP to refrain from seeking votes in the name of religion, Pilot said, ''this shows that they (BJP) can't ask for votes on performance, delivery, fulfillment of promises, and that is why they have to resort to this politics of mangalsutra, mandir and masjid and Hindus and Muslims etc.'' ''I think people have moved beyond this and they must talk about real issues and keep religion out of politics,'' he asserted. Talking about his assessment of the ground situation after four rounds of polling, Pilot said his sense is that the Congress and the INDIA bloc candidates are ''surging ahead''. ''That is also reflected in the speeches of the BJP leaders. Top BJP leaders are now making outlandish statements and I get a sense that they have understood that people have voted against them,'' Pilot said. This is an election for change as people have had a government of the same party for 10 years and nothing has been delivered, he said. ''In the four phases of polls that we have had, the Congress and the INDIA bloc are way ahead of the BJP and the NDA,'' the Congress leader said. Pilot said he is absolutely confident that the ''ground is slipping from under the BJP's feet''. ''Come June 4, the INDIA bloc parties plus the Congress will get enough members of Parliament to form a government. The NDA has been given a chance for two consecutive terms and now people want change and the INDIA bloc will get a required majority on June 4,'' Pilot said. Asked about his assessment of his home state Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, he said, ''There is a bipolar contest between the BJP and the Congress. In both the states, we will get more seats than the BJP.'' On whether the Congress is headed for double digits tally in Rajasthan after drawing a blank in the last two Lok Sabha elections, Pilot said, ''absolutely, we will get more seats than the BJP.'' ''There are 25 seats in Rajasthan. Last time we did not get any seats. This time there is a huge change and I can see the atmosphere ' our campaign was better, our candidates were better, our manifesto was better, I think we will get more seats than the BJP in Rajasthan,'' he reiterated. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the Congress will get fewer seats than the age of Rahul Gandhi, Pilot said this kind of random assessment about numbers has no bearing, as ultimately it is the people of India who decide who will get how many seats. ''The BJP has stopped talking about '400 paar' because they have understood that they are on the backfoot, people want a change. Young people, farmers, cities, villages, everyone has decided that they have given them two chances and nothing has come out of it. Therefore people have made up their minds (for change),'' he said. Pilot accused the BJP of making baseless allegations against the Congress. ''The prime minister has himself talked about black money being transported in big tempos, to a party. They should go analyze, assess and investigate. They had promised that they are going to eradicate black money and corruption, when you yourself confess to the statement that has been made, it is very surprising. We are all waiting to see what action is taken on the allegations the PM himself has made,'' he said. Pilot said that on the other hand, the Congress' manifesto speaks for itself and people have liked what it has said. The BJP has not been able to match the Congress' governance track record, he said and added that his party's historical background suggests that when it says something, it means it. ''We will bring a law for MSP purchase, we will give 30 lakh government jobs to people of this country, we are going to increase the MGNREGA payments to Rs 400 a day. I think what has happened now is that when four phases are over, they (BJP) are running out of ideas and making baseless allegations against Mr Rahul Gandhi, Congress or the previous prime minister Manmohan Singh, but it will not pay any dividends,'' he said. The BJP must come forward and debate on real issues and talk about things that matter to the voter and that is what it is avoiding, Pilot said. The Congress on Monday claimed the BJP's graph is on a ''relentless downward trajectory'' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign is getting ''more desperate''. The fourth phase of the seven-phase elections concluded on Monday. The counting if votes will be held on June 4.

Three people killed in road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda

Three people, including two brothers, lost their lives in a road accident in Gonda (UP) on May 14. The victims died on the spot after a speeding car collided with them on the Ayodhya-Gonda highway. The driver of the car escaped.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Files Nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha Constituency

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Files Nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha Constituency Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday, an event attended by several NDA leaders including Union ministers and chief ministers in a show of strength as he seeks a third term from the constituency. In the morning, he offered prayers at the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kaal Bhairav temple here. He performed Ganga aarti at the ghat amid chanting of Vedic mantras and then took a cruise ride to reach the Namo Ghat. From there, Modi reached the Kaal Bhairav temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied Modi during his visit to the temple where the prime minister offered his prayers. In a post in Hindi on X before filing his nomination, Modi said, ''My relationship with my Kashi is amazing, inseparable and incomparable... all I can say is that it cannot be expressed in words!'' After visiting the Kaal Bhairav temple, the prime minister reached the Varanasi collectorate to file his nomination. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and two of the four proposers of the prime minister's nomination were present when Modi submitted the papers. BJP chief J P Nadda, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale, and a host of chief ministers and other leaders of the ruling party and NDA constituents were present at the collectorate for the occasion. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar did not attend the event citing health reasons. According to the BJP's Varanasi district unit media co-incharge Arvind Mishra, the four proposers of Modi's nomination were Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, long-time RSS functionary Baijnath Patel, Lalchand Kushwaha and Sanjay Sonkar. While Shastri was the one who decided the auspicious time for the consecration event at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Lalchand Kushwaha hails from the OBC category and Sanjay Sonkar, a Dalit, is the general secretary of the BJP's Varanasi district unit. Among the proposers, Shastri and Patel were present during Modi's nomination filing. PM Modi is eyeing a hattrick at the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, a seat he won for the first time in 2014. He was dressed in a white kurta-pyajama and blue sadri when he arrived at the Varanasi collectorate to file his nomination paper. He waved at the crowd gathered there on the occasion. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma, NCP leader Praful Patel, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan, Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular founder Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, UP minister and NISHAD party chief Sanjay Nishad, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Omprakash Rajbhar, RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary, LJP (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan, Anbumani Ramadoss, GK Vasan, Devanathan Yadav, Tushar Vellappalli and Atul Bora were also present at the collectorate. After the nomination process, Modi will hold a meeting with BJP workers at the Rudraksha Convention Centre. The prime minister held a dazzling roadshow in Varanasi a day ago and vowed to do a lot more to serve the holy city in his third term. A day later, he posted a clip from his Monday's roadshow on 'X' and said, ''The love and blessings that my family members of Kashi showered on me during the road show has become an unforgettable moment in my life.'' Voting in Varanasi will take place in the seventh phase on June 1.

'Fear of humiliation': Mallikarjun Kharge on why he skipped Ayodhya Ram Mandir's 'pran-prathista'

Live Update: PM Modi Files Nomination from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to file his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for the third consecutive time today. Starting off at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, he will mark the auspicious occasion of Ganga Saptami with prayers and rituals. A multitude of Union Ministers, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, as well as Chief Ministers from 16 states, and other prominent leaders of the NDA are slated to accompany PM Modi during this significant event. Stay tuned for the latest updates on PM Modi's nomination process. Impressive Assembly of Leaders in Kashi The nomination of Prime Minister Modi from Varanasi holds symbolic significance for the BJP, aiming to convey a powerful message, particularly to the opposition. The initial roadshow witnessed a diverse turnout reminiscent of India's cultural diversity, attracting a crowd of thousands. Now, as the nomination process unfolds, leaders and ministers from the NDA across the nation converge in Kashi, showcasing their collective strength. May 14, 2024 - 9:09 AM Acharya Ganeshwar Shastri, who presided over the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, along with Dravid Disabled National Shooter Sumedha Pathak and Padma awardees, will propose Narendra Modi's nomination this time. May 14, 2024 - 8:49 AM Filing the nomination amidst the auspicious Pushya Nakshatra, Sarvartha Siddhi, and Ravi Yoga on Ganga Saptami. Varanasi Nomination: Modi's Sacred Pledge Embracing the ethos of Sanatan (eternal) values, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meticulously aligns his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections with traditional customs. The chosen date, Vaishakh Shukla Saptami, holds profound theological significance, believed to mark the birth of Mother Ganga in heaven and her descent into Lord Shiva's locks. Ahead of filing his nomination, Modi will partake in rituals at Dashashwamedh Ghat, honoring the sacredness of the occasion. Tightened Security Measures As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up to file his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, stringent security measures have been put in place outside the District Magistrate's office. Lord Ram wishes that PM Modi will form govt again, Says UP CM Yogi Phase 4 Lok Sabha Voting: Live Updates, 40% Polling by 1 p.m., Bengal Violence PM Modi Alleges INDIA Alliance Undermining National Interests

Did not attend Ram mandir opening fearing humiliation as I am Dalit: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attempting to establish dictatorial rule in the country. He mentioned that the fear of humiliation prevented Modi from attending the Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya. Kharge highlighted the importance of upcoming elections and urged voters to prevent the rise of a dictatorial government.

Rahul, Uddhav did not attend Ram Mandir ceremony for Muslim votes: Amit Shah

Mumbai: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for resolution of the Ram Mandir issue and facilitating is construction. Addressing an election rally in Maharashtras Dhule, where he campaigned for BJP candidate Subhash Bhamre, Mr. Shah alleged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray did not visit the Ayodhya temple because they feared losing Muslim votes. Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray were invited for Ram Mandir inauguration. But they did not come because they were worried about their vote bank. The temple should have been built long ago. But the Congress and Sharad Pawar kept the issue unresolved. PM Modi not only helped resolution of the issue, but he also facilitated its immediate construction, Mr. Shah said. The BJP leader further said that the Congress allowed Article 370, which provided special status for Jammu and Kashmir, to continue for the same reason to protect its vote bank. Accusing Uddhav Thackeray of abandoning Hindutva and his father Balasaheb Thackerays ideology, Mr. Shah challenged him to clear his stand on issues like triple talaq, common civil code and Article 370. He said Uddhav Thackeray will not speak on those issues in order to protect his alliance with the Congress and NCP)Sharadchandra Pawar). Let Uddhav Thackeray answer my five questions, if he has courage. Rahul Gandhi said abrogation of Article 370 was wrong. Uddhav Thackeray should answer if abrogation of Article 370 was right or wrong. Today Congress leaders are supporting Ajmal Kasab and Uddhav Thackeray is sitting with them. He should clarify whether he supports those Congress leaders, Mr Shah said. The Union minister also challenged Uddhav Thackeray to clarify his stand on triple talaq and Muslim personal law. Congress leaders regularly insult Veer Savarkar. But Uddhav keeps quiet on it. He must answer if it is accepted to him. Congress and alliance partners insult Sanatan Dharma. Uddhav should clarify if that is also acceptable to him. If he has guts, he should answer my five questions, he said.

PM Modi Slams Opposition, Accuses INDIA Bloc in Bihar Rally

New Delhi/Muzaffarpur/Hajipur/Saran (Bihar) : Reminding Bihar of the jungle raj during the earlier RJD rule in the state and a huge legacy of crime and atrocities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lashed out at the Opposition INDIA bloc, calling its leaders cowards who were scared of Pakistan's nuclear power, about recent statements by INDIA bloc leaders. Mr Modi addressed three back-to-back rallies in Bihar's Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, and Saran Lok Sabha constituencies. He also recalled the scars of Naxalism faced by Bihar for decades and claimed that previous governments had fostered and exploited Naxalism against its people. Mr Modi, who later held a roadshow in his parliamentary seat in UPs Varanasi, from where he will be filing his nomination on Tuesday, also visited the Patna Sahib gurdwara and performed seva there and served langar. The PM was offered a samman patra from the gurdwara committee and a portrait of Mata Gujri, whom the PM hailed as a beacon of courage and sacrifice. The INDIA bloc seems to have leaders who are scared of Pakistan and have nightmares about its nuclear power If Pakistan does not wear bangles, we will make the country wear these. I knew they did not have food grains. Now, I come to know they do not even have an adequate supply of bangles, said the PM, whose remarks came in the backdrop of comments by National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah about Pakistan having atom bombs and not wearing bangles. But, we must look carefully at the Opposition which seems to be full of cowards and timid people, who give a clean chit to Pakistan on terrorism, raise doubts on surgical strikes their Left allies even want our nuclear arsenal to be dismantled, he said. Maintaining that the INDIA bloc had worked out a formula, which would allow five of its leaders, if the coalition came to power, to enjoy a year of premiership each, Mr. Modi said: Just imagine what type of a mess we would get to see if the bloc's plan to have a different PM, every year, for five years, succeeds. However, they are a motley group that is bound to fail. He asserted that the ongoing elections were for having a government that would give a further boost to the standing and clout enjoyed by the country. Asserting that money recovered in raids against politicians belonged to the countrys poor, the PM said: I will tell you why they are crying hoarse against the action of agencies like the ED. During the previous Congress regime, the ED seized only Rs 35 lakhs, which could be contained in a school bag. Ever since we took over, the agency has recovered Rs 2,200 crores, which would require 70 small trucks to be carried. The Prime Minister said unlike his opponents, who were concerned about promoting their offspring, I have no waaris (successor). The common people are my waaris. He reiterated the charge that parties like the Congress and the RJD will give away reservations to Muslims to pursue their vote bank politics, but added that as long as I am alive, I will not let this happen. Kidnapping and extortion flourished during RJD rule in Bihar the NDA fights for social justice, 60 per cent Union ministers from OBC/SC/ST categories, he asserted. It has been several days since I challenged the Congress-led Opposition to give it in writing that it will not give reservations on religious lines. They are yet to respond, Mr Modi said. The PM also alleged that the Opposition had plans to impose an inheritance tax but Modi would stand like a wall in their way, thwarting attempts to rob people of their wealth. He accused the Opposition parties of deliberately hurting people's sentiments by making obnoxious statements about the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Targeting RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, mentioning neither by name, Mr. Modi referred to the fodder scam, the land for jobs scam and attempts to take credit for work done by our ally (chief minister and JD-U president) Nitish Kumar. Speaking on a day when the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections was underway, he urged the people to turn out in large numbers and vote for the NDA to enable the formation of a strong government. In his speech, Mr. Modi also touched upon his government's track record on development, citing the construction of highways at a rapid rate and underscoring commitment to social justice and empowerment, while accusing the Opposition of trying to put hurdles in the way of measures like women's reservations.

BJP alleges Rahul Gandhi skipped Ayodhya event out of fear of losing Muslim vote bank

BJP alleges Rahul Gandhi skipped Ayodhya event out of fear of losing Muslim vote bank Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday claimed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as he feared losing his ''Bhendi Bazaar'' vote bank. The mention of Bhendi Bazaar is significant given it is a Muslim-dominated area in south Mumbai. He also asserted that despite the Congress' opposition to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the BJP government will introduce the common law. Shah addressed election rallies in Dhule district in north Maharashtra and Vasai, where he accused Congress of not removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir because of appeasement politics. This government will not run as per Sharia Law, Shah said while addressing a campaign rally at Vasai near Mumbai. ''Rahul Gandhi didn't visit the Ram Temple inauguration because he feared losing his vote bank, the vote bank of Bhendi Bazar,'' Shah said while campaigning for Hemant Savara, the BJP nominee from Palghar Lok Sabha constituency, who is pitted against Bharti Kamdi of Shiv Sena (UBT). Shah alleged the ''Sonia-Manmohan Singh government'' was involved in corruption amounting to Rs 12 lakh crore. ''But there is no such allegation against the Narendra Modi government (in the last 10 years),'' he said. ''I want to ask Uddhav Thackeray whether he is comfortable to sit with people who were soft on (Pakistani terrorist) Ajmal Kasab. The Congress is against UCC, but we will introduce it for sure. This government will not run as per the Sharia Law,'' the Home Minister added. Earlier in the day, Shah addressed a campaign rally in Dhule district for BJP's Dhule Lok Sabha seat candidate and former Union minister Subhash Bhamre. Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only helped in the resolution of the Ram temple issue but also facilitated its construction. Shah also targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Congress ally Uddhav Thackeray on Rahul Gandhi opposing the abrogation of article 370. The Congress did not remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir because of the appeasement politics, the senior BJP leader alleged. He claimed Rahul Gandhi and Congress insulted (Hindutva ideologue) Veer Savarkar. ''What does Thackeray have to say about it?'' ''I also want a clarification from Uddhav Thackeray. One of the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc is DMK led by M K Stalin, and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin has insulted Sanatan Dharma. Does Uddhav agree with them?'' Shah said. In a dig, he said at least 20 attempts were made to ''launch and relaunch'' Rahul Gandhi as a leader. ''Can he or his government ever give a befitting response to Pakistan? Can they end Naxalism or terrorism in the country? Can they make India prosperous?'' Shah asked. Dhule and Mumbai South constituencies will go to polls on May 20.

Rahul Gandhi Didn't Attend Ram Temple Event For Fear Of Losing Vote Bank: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday claimed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as he feared losing his Bhendi Bazaar vote bank.

Kharge Criticizes Modi's Leadership Approach in Upcoming Election

Kharge Criticizes Modi's Leadership Approach in Upcoming Election Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in dictatorship and the opposition will teach him a lesson in the elections. Addressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Latehar for Congress's Chatra candidate KN Tripathi, he alleged former CM Hemant Soren was put behind bars for not parting ways with the INDIA bloc. ''We believe in democracy and he believes in dictatorship. We will teach him a lesson,'' Kharge said. ''PM Modi is an RSS weapon and we are fighting against RSS ideology propagated by him,'' he added. Kharge said the PM did not forget to invite actors and industrialists during the Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya but failed to invite President Droupadi Murmu.

Amit Shah accuses Rahul Gandhi of avoiding Ram Mandir visit for vote bank

Amit Shah said Rahul Gandhi declined the Ayodhya Ram Mandir opening invitation for fear of losing political support.

Rahul Gandhi didn't visit Ram temple for fear of losing vote bank: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for not visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya, accusing him of fearing a loss of vote bank. Shah also questioned Gandhi's opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 and sought the views of Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray. Shah praised PM Modi's role in resolving the temple issue and accused the Congress of appeasement politics. Shah was campaigning for BJP's candidate in Dhule, Maharashtra, ahead of the upcoming elections.

Hindu culture making contribution to humanity since time immemorial:Maharaj

THANE, May 13: Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has said the Hindu culture is making a contribution to the entire humanity since time immemorial. He also said there are many temples of Lord Ram in the country but his birthplace Ayodhya has its own importance. He was speaking on Sunday night here at the release of a Marathi book, Ayodhya Andolanacha Talebandh, written by Dr Ashok Modak and Dr Prashant Dharmadhikari, [] The post Hindu culture making contribution to humanity since time immemorial:Maharaj appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'Baap Dada Ki Kamai Khanewale': PM takes jibe at Tejashwi Yadav during Bihar election rally

HAJIPUR (BIHAR): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a blistering attack on RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav for his allegation against him on employment by commenting that those dependent on their fathers wealth were unaware of employment and job creation. Addressing an election rally at Kutubpur in Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency from where LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan is contesting election, Modi sought to hit hard on former deputy chief minister Tejashwi for his repeated accusations against his government on the issue of employment. Baap Dada Ki Kamai Khane Wale Ko Rozgar Ka Pata Nahin, he remarked. Tejashwi who is trying hard to brighten electoral prospects of both RJD and the opposition INDIA bloc in the election, claims how he succeeded in providing five lakh government jobs to youths when his party was in power for 17 months last time. His party's election manifesto also promises one crore jobs if INDIA forms the government at the centre. Modi said that the country's economy was growing fast, creating jobs in various sectors like railway, road, fertilizer and thermal power and various infrastructure projects. Alleging that RJD would abolish women's reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies if INDIA was voted to power, the PM said that his government ensured for 33 percent reservation for women under the bill. He, while obliquely referring to the past instances of RJD MPs tearing copies of the bill in the Parliament, said that RJD and Congress and RJD could only increase migration from the state. How could Centre determine Hindu, Muslim population without even conducting Census: Tejashwi Yadav While referring to Enforcement Directorate (ED) seizing heaps of currency notes from the houses of leaders, PM Modi said that the central agency had seized Rs 22000 crore from the premises of corrupt people which would require 70 small trucks to be carried. On the other hand, the agency had seized only Rs 35 lakh when the UPA was in power at the centre, he added. Modi vowed to continue with his governments crackdown on corruption, notwithstanding allegations of misuse of central agencies against the Opposition. He said the money recovered in raids belonged to the countrys poor. Referring to Opposition leaders allegations that PM Modi had no waaris (successor), he said that they were promoting their offspring but 'I have no waaris' to promote. The common people are my waaris, he told the gathering. Talking about the Oppositions repeated accusations against BJP that it was planning to abolish reservation if voted to power, Modi said, As long as I am alive, I will not let this happen. He, however, alleged that Opposition would give reservations to Muslims to pursue their vote bank politics. The PM also accused the Opposition parties of deliberately hurting peoples sentiments by making obnoxious statements about the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Earlier in the morning, he participated in serving Langar at Patna Sahib Gurudwara. Modi also visited Sri Harmindir Ji Patna Sahib on Monday before leaving for Hajipur, Muzaffarpur and Saran to address election rallies. BJP manifesto ignores unemployment, issues concerning farmers, inflation: Tejashwi Yadav

STAAH Ventures into Ayodhya Amidst Rising Hotel Demand

The inflow of tourists and pilgrims into Ayodhya has seen a massive upswing with the recent inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. As a result, hotels, homesteads, and vacation rentals in the holy city are struggling to make sure that their booking process is streamlined, and they are able to maximize their revenue. STAAH,... The post STAAH Ventures into Ayodhya Amidst Rising Hotel Demand first appeared on Hospitality Biz India: Latest News & Analysis . The post STAAH Ventures into Ayodhya Amidst Rising Hotel Demand appeared first on Hospitality Biz India: Latest News & Analysis .

INDIA bloc leaders scared of Pakistan's nuclear power: PM Modi

MUZAFFARPUR/HAJIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lashed out at the opposition INDIA bloc, calling its leaders cowards who were scared of Pakistan's nuclear power. Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarpur Lok Sabha constituency of Bihar, Modi made an apparent reference to a recent statement of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, without mentioning him by name. The INDIA bloc seems to have leaders who are scared of Pakistan and have nightmares of its nuclear power, he said. The remarks come in the backdrop of comments by Abdullah about Pakistan having atom bombs and not wearing bangles. If Pakistan does not wear bangles, we will make the country wear these. I knew they did not have food grains. Now, I come to know they do not even have adequate supply of bangles, the PM said. But, we must look carefully at the opposition which seems to be full of cowards and timid people, who give a clean chit to Pakistan on terrorism, raise doubts on surgical strikes their Left allies even want our nuclear arsenal to be dismantled, he said. Earlier, addressing an election rally in Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency, Modi said the money recovered in raids against politicians 'belonged to the country's poor'. I will tell you why they are crying hoarse against the action of agencies like the ED. During the previous Congress regime, the ED seized only Rs 35 lakh, which could be contained in a school bag. Ever since we took over, the agency has recovered Rs 2,200 crore, which would require 70 small trucks to be carried, said the PM. Modi said unlike his opponents, who were concerned about promoting their offspring, I have no 'waaris' (successor). The common people are my 'waaris'. He reiterated the charge that parties like the Congress and RJD, which 'allowed extortion and kidnapping to flourish' while in power, will 'give away reservations' to Muslims 'to pursue their vote bank politics', but added that as long as I am alive, I will not let this happen. Kidnapping and extortion flourished during the RJD rule in Bihar...NDA fights for social justice, 60 per cent Union ministers from OBC/SC/ST categories, he asserted. Modi's roadshow draws enthusiastic crowds, first by a PM in Bihar's capital The prime minister also accused the opposition parties of deliberately hurting people's sentiments by making obnoxious statements about the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Speaking on a day when the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections were underway, he urged the people to turn out in large numbers and vote for the NDA to enable formation of a strong government. In his speech, Modi also touched upon his government's track record on development, citing construction of highways at a rapid rate and underscoring commitment to social justice and empowerment, while accusing the opposition of trying to put hurdles in the way of measures like women's reservations. Fondly recalling late Ram Vilas Paswan, his former cabinet colleague, whose son Chirag is contesting from Hajipur, Modi called upon people to vote for the young leader and ensure his victory with a margin that could beat his father's record-breaking wins. LS Polls Phase 4 | LIVE updates | Violence breaks out in several parts in West Bengal; TMC, BJP clash in Durgapur

Did Rahul Gandhi Visit Ayodhya Post Filing Nomination For 2024 Elections?

Claim: A video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is viral claiming that it captures Gandhi's visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya following his nomination filing from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli for the Lok Sabha elections. Fact: BOOM found that the video is old and from Jharkhand's Deoghar district. The footage shows Gandhi's visit to the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple as part of his nationwide Bharat Jodo Nyay rally on February 3, 2024. Tools used: BOOM ran a reverse image search on one of the keyframes from the viral video and found several news reports from February 3, 2024, carrying visuals of Gandhi coming out of a temple during his Bharat Jodo Nyay rally. Additionally, we came across news reports various other media outlets, such as News 18 and Punjab Kesari, who carried similar footages of Gandhi at that time. Read the full fact-check here .

Union home minister Amit Shah seeks 3 hat-tricks for BJP from Kaushambi voters

Amit Shah rallies for Modi's re-election and Vinod Kumar in Kaushambi. He criticizes Akhilesh Yadav, lauds Modi's Covid response, and accuses Congress of obstructing Ram temple construction in Ayodhya and vows to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Will Bonai assembly segment throw up a surprise for BJP in Odisha?

ROURKELA: Of the seven Assembly segments under Sundargarh Lok Sabha (LS) constituency, the mineral-rich Bonai (ST) is perhaps the weakest link of the BJP where it needs some element of surprise to win the seat. While a triangular contest is on the cards in Bonai, the BJP is likely to be placed at the third position in the home-turf of BJP stalwart and partys Sundargarh LS candidate Jual Oram. The formidable BJD, on the other hand, is trying hard to dislodge the sitting MLA of CPM Laxman Munda (65). Sources said despite being the highest mining revenue contributor in Sundargarh, Bonai continues to be among the poorest and most backward Assembly constituencies in the district. Ideally after Laxmans two consecutive terms in 2014 and 2019 and little development in the region, there should be strong anti-incumbency against the sitting MLA. But Laxmans base seems intact. The CPMs strategy of maintaining a firm control on the workforce at the railway sidings and mines in Koida Mining Circle (KMC) along with its committed tribal vote bank looks to be working well for the Left party. Poll observers said in the run-up to the election on May 20, the CPM appears to be in a advantageous position. Moreover, the party has the backing of its alliance partners Congress and JMM. BJD nominee and former Bonai MLA Bhimsen Choudhary (62) looks confident of ending the winning spree of Laxman and hand over the ruling party its first-ever victory from the seat. However, the BJD faces the threat of sabotage from within. Back in the old days, the BJP was a dominant force in Bonai till factionalism crept in from 2000 onwards to push the saffron party to the brink. Jual initiated his political journey by winning Bonai in 1990 when the party was a lesser-known entity in Odisha. Then, BJPs Junagarh MLA Bikram Keshari Deo and Jual were the only two BJP legislators in Odisha Legislative Assembly. Jual retained the seat in 1995 but resigned later to contest the Lok Sabha election from Sundargarh. This time, BJP has fielded Sebati Naik (50), a former chairperson of Lahunipada panchayat samiti, as its candidate from Bonai. The partys local unit believes the 2024 election would throw up a surprise. There has been a strong Hindutva undercurrent in Bonai and the highest number of BJP followers were mobilised from the Assembly seat for the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony, said a party leader. There are 10 candidates in the fray in Bonai this time. Five Independent candidates and two nominees of lesser-known parties may split votes which will eventually benefit the BJP, he claimed. Jual said the BJP is poised for a win as there is a strong undercurrent in favour of the saffron party over issues of Ayodhya Ram temple, scrapping of Article 370 and overall achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources said the BJP is likely to organise a rally of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Bonai where he had served as sub-collector in mid-1990s.

Exclusive | Lok Sabha elections 2024: Ayodhyas unity after temple ruling

Former Ayodhya litigant Iqbal Ansari shares insights on the regions evolving dynamics, debunking media portrayals of discord and highlighting the peaceful coexistence between Hindus and Muslims

Amit Shah Accuses Gandhis of Neglecting Rae Bareli, Sparks Controversy

NEW DELHI: Taking on the Gandhis in their bastion Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, senior BJP leader and Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the four-term MP and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi of spending more than 70 per cent of her MP funds on minorities. At another rally in the day in UP's Pratapgarh, Mr Shah said, Rahul Gandhi can be scared of an atom bomb, but the BJP is not. Seeking votes for BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, who is pitted against Mr Gandhi in Rae Bareli, Mr Shah accused Mrs Gandhi of not visiting her parliamentary constituency while she represented the seat in the Lok Sabha. Mrs Gandhi recently moved to the Rajya Sabha. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was also campaigning in Rae Bareli, vehemently rejected Mr Shahs charge. Addressing a poll rally in support of Mr Gandhi, Ms Vadra accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of never visiting any village in his Varanasi constituency. At Rae Bareli rally, Mr Shah said, You gave the Gandhi family a chance for years, but no development work has been done... They (the Congress) do not believe in development. They do not even come to you in your happiness and sorrows. Asking people to vote for the BJP candidate, the Union minister said, We will connect Rae Bareli with Modi Ji's development journey. The 'Shahzada' (referring to Mr Gandhi) has come here to seek votes. You have been voting for them for many years. Have you received anything from the MP fund? If you have not received it, then where did it go? It went to their votebank. Mrs Gandhi has spent more than 70 per cent of the MP funds on minorities, Mr Shah claimed. The MP fund refers to the member of Parliament local area development scheme under which MPs can recommend development programmes involving expenditures of `5 crores each year in their constituencies. Intensifying his attack, the senior BJP leader said, This Gandhi family is an expert in lying. They are now promising `1 lakh for every woman. In the Telangana (Assembly) elections, they had said that they will give `15,000 to every woman. The women of the state elected them (the Congress)... Forget about `15,000, they did not even give `1,500. Many people here told me that this is a family seat... It is true. The people of Rae Bareli have made the Gandhi and Nehru families win for years. But after getting elected from here, how many times did Sonia Ji and her family come to Rae Bareli? Okay, Sonia ji's health is not good, but have Rahul baba or sister Priyanka visited? After the rally, Mr Shah visited the residence of Samajwadi Party MLA from Unchahar Manoj Pandey, who on February 27 resigned from the post of the party's chief whip and cross-voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. In Pratapgarh, campaigning in support of the BJP candidate from Kaushambi (SC) Lok Sabha seat, Mr Shah said, Mani Shankar Aiyar of the Congress and INDIA bloc leader Farooq Abdullah said Pakistan should be respected because they have the atom bomb and don't demand Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Today, I want to ask... Is PoK not a part of India? Rahul baba, if you want to be scared of the atom bomb, be scared. We are not scared. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir belongs to India and we will take it. In a viral video, Mr Aiyar was heard saying that India should give respect to Pakistan as it is a sovereign nation and engage with it as it also possesses the atom bomb. He indicated in the video that if a mad person comes to power there and uses the atomic bomb, it will not be good and will have its effect here too. While Mr Aiyar said the video was old and dredged up now as the BJP's election campaign is faltering, the Congress said it totally disagreed with the remarks made by Mr Aiyar some months ago. Every child of Kaushambi is willing to lay down his life for Kashmir. The Congress, the SP and the BSP were taking care of Article 370 as their 'illegitimate child'. You made Modi Ji Prime Minister for the second time and he scrapped Article 370, worked to end terrorism in Kashmir and made it an integral part of India, Mr Shah told the rally. But these two princes -- SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Baba -- say that if they come to power they will bring back Article 370, he claimed. Asserting that the Opposition INDIA bloc black has no chance of winning the Lok Sabha election, the senior BJP leader said, Assuming that they do, who will be their Prime Minister? When asked about it, the answer was a one-year term on a rotational basis. Rahul baba, this is not a grocery shop, Mr Shah said. Referring to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said that for 70 years, the Congress, the SP and the BSP kept blocking it. Modi Ji did ' bhoomipujan ' and on January 22, he performed the consecration ceremony, Mr Shah said. The Union home minister claimed that the Opposition leaders, including Mrs Gandhi, Mr Gandhi, Mr Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav, were invited to the consecration event at the Ram temple. But these people did not go, because they are afraid of their votebank. But the BJP is not afraid of votebank. Not only the Ram temple, Modi Ji also built Baba Vishwanath's darbar (in Varanasi) which was destroyed by Aurangzeb. The Somnath temple is also being built. Modi Ji has worked to redecorate our places of worship, he said. Calling on the people of Kaushambi to ensure three hattricks, Mr Shah said, First is to make Mr Modi the Prime Minister for the third time. The second hattrick in UP is to completely wipe off the SP, the BSP and Congress for the third time and the third hattrick is to make my friend (Vinod) Sonkar the MP for the third time, he said. Later, addressing a rally in Gonda, Mr Shah said, This election is to make India the third largest economy in the world. This election is to give a befitting reply to Pakistan for its actions. This election is to answer the terrorist's bullet with a shell, said the senior leader.

Net metering key to rooftop sunshine

The promise of 300 units of free electricity for setting up rooftop solar panels is attractive. However, since many states give free power, setting up solar panels seems like an additional effort with no significant benefit. Outreach to target consumers, and increasing their awareness of the benefits of switching to rooftop solar, must be an integral effort of this programme. The on-ground outreach in Ayodhya for rooftop solar could serve as a template in other towns and cities.

How many times have they visited Rae Bareli after being elected: Amit Shah questions 'absence' of Gandhis from constituency

LUCKNOW: With the ensuing Lok Sabha election approaching its halfway mark way with the impending voting for fourth phase on Monday, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Sunday, launched a frontal attack on Gandhis in their bastion of Rae Bareli by questioning their absence from the constituency despite securing successive electoral victories. Addressing a poll rally in support of BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli, Shah raised question on the track record of Gandhis in the constituency putting five posers to them seeking them to come clear on issues of national importance including abrogation of Art 370, law against Triple Talaq, Uniform Civil Code, two military actions by India against Pakistan in response to terror activities and rejection of the invitation for the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya . EXCLUSIVE | Strong Modi wave in country; NDA all set to cross 400 mark: Amit Shah Shah criticized the alleged lack of development in Rae Bareli despite the Gandhis being elected from there for decades. I was listening to Behen Priyanka ji's speech, she said that she had come to Rae Bareli to ask for votes from her family. It is true, the people of Rae Bareli have made the Gandhi-Nehru family win for years. I ask them how many times have Sonia Gandhi and her family visited Rae Bareli after being elected from here? More than three dozen major accidents happened in Rae Bareli, did the Gandhi family come? During the pandemic did they come even once? Okay, Sonia jis health is not good, but has Rahul baba or sister Priyanka come?, he added. PM Modi has given country's 'entire wealth' to 'four or five rich people': Priyanka Gandhi He stated: You gave the Gandhi family a chance for years, but no development work has been done... They (Congress) do not believe in development. They do not even come to you to share sorrows and happiness. The Union Home Minister went a step further when he accused former Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi of spending more than 70 per cent of her MP funds on minorities and the Gandhi family of being experts in lying. He alleged that the scion (Rahul Gandhi) of Gandhi family used to reach out to the people of Rae Bareli for votes. You have been voting for Gandhis for many years. Have you received anything from the MP fund? If you have not received it, then where did it go? It went to their vote bank. Sonia Gandhiji has spent more than 70 per cent of the MP funds on minorities. The voting for the Raebareli constituency is scheduled in the fifth phase on May 20. In the ensuing elections, Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Rae Bareli , the seat held by his mother Sonia Gandhi for the last two decades. She recently moved to the Rajya Sabha. Rahul Gandhi has also contested from Wayanad in Kerala. Shah also targeted the Congress party's promises, highlighting discrepancies between commitments and their fulfilment. This Gandhi family is an expert in lying. They are now promising Rs 1 lakh for every woman. In Telangana (assembly) elections, they had said that they would give Rs 15,000 to every woman. The women of the state elected them (Congress) ... Forget about Rs 15,000, they did not even give Rs 1,500. Asking people to vote for BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, the Home Minister said, We will connect Raebareli with Modiji's development journey. The Union Home Minister's remarks come amidst escalating war of words between the ruling alliance and the opposition bloc in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. In addition to his criticism of the Congress leadership, Shah reiterated the BJPs commitment to development and national security. After the rally, Shah visited the residence of Samajwadi Party MLA from Unchahar Manoj Pandey, who, on February 27 resigned from the post of the partys chief whip and cross-voted in favour of the BJP candidate in Rajya Sabha polls. He also addressed two more rallies at Pratapgarh and Kaushambi in support of BJP candidates.

Amit Shah Questions Congress Leaders' Absence in Constituencies After Elections

Lucknow: U nion Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition, especially the Congress, of avoiding the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya out of fear of losing their vote bank. Speaking at a public gathering in Kaushambi, Pratapgarh district, Shah stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, within five years, resolved the Ram Temple issue, performed the bhoomipujan, and attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla. He mentioned that an invitation was extended to leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Dimple Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, but none of them attended, indicating their fear of losing their vote bank.Shah assured that the BJP is not afraid of anyone and has taken bold steps such as building the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and reviving the Somnath Temple. He also mocked the INDI alliance, questioning who would become Prime Minister if they were to win. Referring to the recent statements by certain opposition leaders about reintroducing Article 370, Shah questioned the wisdom behind such claims and affirmed that the Modi-led government has successfully ended terrorism in Kashmir and made it an integral part of India.Shah also criticized the Congress leaders, particularly Priyanka Gandhi, for not visiting their respective constituencies after winning the elections. He questioned the utilization of MP's funds and accused the Congress of prioritizing their vote bank over the welfare of the people. Meanwhile, addressing a public meeting in Raebareli, Shah questioned the Gandhi family's absence from the constituency after winning the elections and raised concerns about the utilization of MP's funds.He pointed out that while Sonia Gandhi has won from Raebareli, there has been minimal development in the constituency. Shah also questioned Rahul Gandhi's performance as an MP and highlighted the contrast between his promises and actions.In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Raebareli constituency will witness a contest between Rahul Gandhi and BJP leader Dinesh Pratap Singh. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Skips AAP Meeting, Police Seek Cooperation in Investigation Fraudulent SIM Card Business Unearthed: Abdul Roshan Arrested with 40,000 Fake SIM Cards Uttar Pradesh: Elderly Man Killed, Family Brutally Assaulted During Election Debate