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 5<2 &-3 3  Chief Minister Mamata show. Rahul Gandhi may have Banerjee, who had emerged as won from Wayanad with a   odi hai to mumkin hai. the most vocal critic of the record margin, but his humil- MThe evocative tagline of Prime Minister during the poll iating defeat at the hands of the BJP campaign aptly reflects campaign. All the seven phas- Smriti Irani in the family pock- &:: 7721:<  would fast-track its war against the party’s massive victory in es of the polls were marred by et borough of Amethi is the poverty next five-year. Taking the Lok Sabha polls. The brand violence, and both the PM cruelest blow the BJP has tating that the landslide a dig at Left parties and their ‘Modi’ has outshone every and BJP chief Amit Shah had inflicted on the Congress chief. Srepeat mandate has sur- alleged commitment to the competitor, be it regional warned that those engaged in The results show that in prised the whole world and put welfare of workers, he said the satraps or Congress president bloodletting will pay for it direct contest with the BJP, the forward a “new narrative” for BJP Government provided Rahul Gandhi, who found few after the elections. Now, that Congress has no chance to India for waging a decisive bat- pension to 40 crore labourers takers for his “chowkidar chor the BJP stands neck and neck survive. The two parties were tle against poverty, Prime in the unorganised sector. hai” jibe at the PM. with the TMC in terms of locked in direct contest on Minister Narendra Modi on Even as Shah in his address The result shows the BJP tally and its voting percentage 184 seats, of which 174 went to Thursday promised that he to workers directly attacked has emerged as a pan-India has increased phenomenally, the BJP. would go all-out to live up to dynasty, caste and politics of force as the saffron party made the party is expected to make There is no denying the the “big trust” reposed on him appeasement and the setback big inroad into the strongly a big push to grab power in the fact that Hindutva and nation- by the people. The PM said he they got in the poll results, the protected fortresses of Mamata State in next alism were the two most would carry all political parties Prime Minister said he would Banerjee’s West Bengal and Assembly polls. prominent agenda for the BJP. along to make the country let go of what happened during Navin Patnaik’s Odisha. Except The West Bengal result No surprise Sadhvi Pragya prosperous and strong. polls and run the Government Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the shows that, like in every other Singh Thakur was able to van- Modi, who walked into with the consensus of all. footprint of the BJP is clearly part of India, there has been a quish veteran Digvijaya Singh the BJP headquarters in the “Governments are formed visible all over the country. significant consolidation of despite calling Nathuram evening along with party chief by majority but run by con- The result emphatically Hindu voters in the State with Godse a nationalist. Giriraj Amit Shah to a tumultuous sensus of all”, he said adding negated pre-poll calculations 27 per cent Muslim population. Singh’s massive victory over welcome with thousands of “we have to look ahead” and that the coming together of The BJP’s strategy to centre its Kanhaiya Kumar is also reflec- workers chanting “Modi- taken even our political rivals anti-BJP forces in several States campaign around Hindutva tion of the success of the party’s Modi”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and with us for making India a could stop Modi’s juggernaut paid off rich dividends. Hindutva agenda. “Vande Mataram’, said the ulti- prosperous and strong country. there. While the Uttar Pradesh’s The BJP victory is all the The BJP victory is mate victor in the elections are Thanking all party workers mahagathbhandhan of more significant because the undoubtedly fuelled by the people of India who “ fought for their “selfless work”, Modi Samajhwadi Party and BSP did party crossed halfway mark of support of all sections and the polls”. said “aapne is fakir ki jholi bhar pull down the BJP a bit, but in 50 per cent seats in 17 States caste, but it is believed that even He said political pundits di” and it is time “I fulfil my Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, a significant section of the will have to re-visit their tools promises”. In 2014, he said and Maharashtra, no one could Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, UP, Muslim voted for the saffron to analyse the repeat “prachand people did not know him but withstand the force of the all- Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh outfit. Senior BJP leader bahumat” (massive mandate)” trusted and “now you trusted pervasive Modi wave. among others. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi put this saying “this is new India”. after knowing me”. The outcome is particular- The Congress will have a number to 30 per cent. Taking a dig at political Shah, in his speech, said ly worrisome for West Bengal lot to think after its pathetic Related copies on P5/6/7 parties deriving their suste- BJP won more than 50 per cent nance from the “tag of secu- votes in 17 States including in larism”, Modi said they were Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, <   silenced by the big political vic- Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan,     $      tory of BJP in 2014. “2014 tak Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,  ()  us jamat ne bolna band kar Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He  
 = diya”, he said saying they were said this (50 per cent) vote was  <   “de-masked”. achieved by shaking up the tra- 
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 The party president Rahul Pradesh. Apart from these, the 2019 to 24”.   Gandhi faced the mortification Congress also has no presence Detailing his welfare 
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   hands of Smriti Irani in the Dadra and Nagar Haveli, rations of youth, farmers, =;     family bastion of Amethi. Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, labourers and middle-class,   55  The party scored a duck in Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim               
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<-2 - )  Haryana is more alarming 26, finished at poor fifth posi- or fourth place. the “mother of all poll battles”  7 for the Congress, whose big tion and forfeited his securi- The JJP had fielded can- with three political dynasts in shots failed to provide even a ty deposit. Arjun is the son of didates on seven leaving the the fray. This included the s the Hooda father-son single seat in party’s kitty party secretary general Abhay rest three seats for the AAP outgoing MP and JJP nomi- Aduo failed to deliver from the state. Chautala and grandson of while the BSP had contested nee Dushyant Chautala and desired results for the Former Chief Minister former Chief Minister OP on eight seats leaving two for political greenhorns-BJP Congress and make their way Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Chautala. its alliance partner LSP, float- nominee, Brijendra Singh and to success in general elections his son Deepender Singh The INLD, which was ed by rebel BJP MP Raj Congress candidate Bhavya 2019, the saffron party deliv- Hooda, who were contesting once considered to have a tra- Kumar Saini. Bishnoi. ered a crushing blow to the from Jat-dominated Sonepat ditional Jat vote bank, had re- After BJP’s resounding Brijendra’s father Birender opposition parties in Haryana and Rohtak Lok Sabha seats nominated its Sirsa MP victory in Haryana, the state Singh is the grandson of Sir on Thursday. respectively, faced defeat at Charanjit Singh Rori and party chief Ashok Tanwar on Chhotu Ram, one of the Haryana poll results the hands of BJP candidates. fielded nine new faces in the Thursday said, “We respect tallest Jat and farmer leaders showed that Prime Minister Their candidature in polls. the verdict of people of the of pre-Partition era. Narendra Modi’s charisma adjoining seats of Rohtak and The political fate of the state. The key issues remained Former IAS officer worked twice in a row for the Sonipat was seen as Congress’ INLD now seems bleak in missing in this elections and Brijendra Singh managed to saffron party in the state. strategy to consolidate Haryana with most of its vote Modi dominated it.” make a successful electoral As the people of Haryana Haryana’s Jat voter bank, bank apparently shifting to its “We will analyze the elec- debut against Dushyant gave a thumping victory to which largely remained splinter group -Jannayak Janta tion result. The party will now Chuatala, who belongs to the BJP, which swept the state against the ruling BJP after Party in the elections. INLD, start preparing for the State influential Chautala family winning all 10 Lok Sabha the violent Jat reservation stir which had contested on its Assembly elections due to be and Bhavya Bishnoi, grand- seats, it was a most disap- 2016. own on 10 Lok Sabha seats in held later this year. The party son of former Chief Minister pointing run for the opposi- However, with strong Haryana, has already been will continue its fight,” Bhajan Lal. tion parties especially consolidation of non-Jat votes witnessing exodus of its Tanwar added. Dushyant’s younger Congress. working in favor of BJP, the senior leaders and current JJP leader Dushyant brother- Digvijay, 27, fin- From 9 seats in 2009 Lok Hooda father-son duo suf- MLAs to rival camps. Chautala said that the party ished at third place in Sonipat Sabha elections, the Congress fered defeat in their bas- Notably, the INLD had accepts its defeat. We will Lok Sabha constituency. was restricted to just one seat tions—Sonipat and Rohtak. ,  -    % --  -    -        (      split last November following continue to work on the Congress veteran and a in 2014 and has been pushed The stakes were high for a power struggle between two vision of former deputy Prime prominent Jat leader, to zero seat in Haryana in both the BJP and its main string of corruption cases Hisar seat, Bhavya Bishnoi, remained adamant against brothers, Abhay and Ajay, Minister Devi Lal, he added. Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s son 2019 parliamentary polls. rival Congress in Haryana, which dented Hooda’s image who is son of MLA Kuldeep entering into an alliance with grandsons of former Deputy Deepender, who was seeking This time, the state had where the electorate will elect and caste-polarisation of vot- Bishnoi and grandson of for- Aam Aadmi Party in Haryana Prime Minister Chaudhary :F:(1<):&1 % mandate for the fourth time witnessed a multi-cornered 90 legislators in Haryana ers after the Jat reservation mer Chief Minister Bhajan and had claimed to be in a Devi Lal. Following this, !;<< ;&3  in Rohtak was defeated by contest with BJP, Congress, Assembly polls due to be held agitation 2016 seems to have Lal, finished at third place strong position to win on its Jannayak Janta Party, a splin- 9 <;:&!<1: BJP’s Arvind Sharma. Indian National Lok Dal, in October. immensely impacted the poll while other Congress candi- own in the state. AAP had ter group of INLD was Except Union Minister Chaudhary Ranbir Singh, Jannayak Janta Party-Aam outcome in Jat dominated dates finished at second place later forged an alliance with formed by Ajay Chautala and Birender Singh’s son Brijendra father of Bhupinder Hooda, Aadmi Party combine, For the Congress partic- constituencies of the state. in general elections. Jannayak Janta Party, a splin- his two sons, Dushyant and Singh, other dynasts in the had won the Rohtak seat Loktantra Suraksha Party- ularly, the poll results have A four-time former MP Apparently, the Congress ter group of Indian National Digvijay. fray lost the general elec- twice, Hooda had won it four Bahujan Samaj Party com- decided the political fate of from Rohtak, Bhupinder showed no signs of revival Lok Dal (INLD). The emergence of two tions. times while Deepender had bine, flexing muscles to win many heavyweights. After his Singh Hooda had last con- with its moral-shattering On the other hand, the new political parties namely Cutting across political won it thrice. the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the defeat, two-time Chief tested the Lok Sabha polls in defeat in general elections. INLD, which was once the Jannayak Janta Party and spectrum, the family lines In Bhiwani- state. Minister Bhupinder Singh 2004 while his son Deepender The party had earlier faced main opposition party in Loktantra Suraksha Party and had remained a dominant Mahendragarh constituency, The new alliances of JJP- Hooda is unlikely to remain was seeking mandate for the humiliating defeats in last Haryana, also faced crushing their respective new alliances factor in Haryana this elec- another dynast— Shruti AAP and LSP-BSP failed to in the race for top post in fourth time in Rohtak. year’s civic body polls and defeat in elections as it failed have also failed to make any tion. Choudhry, granddaughter of sway the voters in the state as State Assembly polls in Other Congress heavy- Jind assembly bypoll in the to retain two seats including major impact in the general The young generation of former Chief Minister Bansi the contest remained mostly October. weights including state party state. Sirsa and Hisar, which the elections. three famed Lals of Lal, faced second consecutive confined to BJP and The entry of former Chief chief Ashok Tanwar, Rajya With each defeat raising party had won in 2014 polls. Except Hisar Lok Sabha Haryana—Devi Lal, Bhajan defeat in general elections Congress. Minister into the electoral Sabha MP Kumari Selja, for- questions on Congress’ style The INLD performed constituency where the JJP Lal and Bansi Lal— who against BJP’s Dharambir On nine Lok Sabha seats, arena was touted as a game- mer MP Avtar Singh of functioning in Haryana, poorly with most of its can- leader Dushyant Chautala fin- served as Chief Minister of Singh. the Congress finished at sec- changer but he alongwith Bhadana, former Speaker the main question remains, didates finishing at a distant ished at second spot, other Haryana, were in the fray to Arjun Chautala, who ond spot while JJP candidate other party big shots tasted Kuldeep Sharma were also who will lead the party in fourth or fifth on 10 Lok JJP-AAP candidates finished preserve their political legacy. belongs to Chautala clan, fin- Dushyant Chautala finished defeat at the hustings, swept defeated by BJP candidates in State Assembly polls now? Sabha seats. at third or fourth spot. The Hisar was one such ished at a distant fifth rank in as a runner up on one seat. away by the Modi wave. the parliamentary polls. Notably, Hooda and INLD’s most prominent candidate of BSP-LSP alliance unique Lok Sabha con- his poll debut in Kurukshetra The saffron surge in Besides Modi wave, a Congress’ candidate from senior state leaders had candidate, Arjun Chautala, also finished at distant third stituency, which witnessed Lok Sabha seat.         

<-2 - )  Kirron Kher had defeated sporting saffron-coloured caps  7 former four-time MP Bansal and offering desi ghee ladoos  % with a margin of around to celebrate. iding high on “Modi 70000 votes. Amid shouting slogans Rwave” once again, the This time, there were a like “Har Har Modi”, Bharatiya Janata Party man- total of 36 candidates in the “Narendra Modi Zindabad”, aged to retain Chandigarh’s fray from Chandigarh parlia- the party workers danced to & lone Lok Sabha seat. mentary seat, which went to the vibrating beats of dhol BJP’s MP Kirron Kher polling on May 19. The city nagadas to celebrate the remained “fortunate” for the had witnessed 70.62 per cent beginning of second term of   $ Ashray Sharma, who is the second time in a row defeat- voter turnout. Prime Minister Narendra grandson of former Telecom ing Congress’ old war horse- As many as 4335 city res- Modi. iding on a Modi wave, the Minister Sukh Ram. Ram Pawan Kumar Bansal in idents accounting for 0.95 In the union territory of Rruling Bharatiya Janata Swaroop Sharma retained the Chandigarh, the joint capital percent of the total votes Chandigarh, the Congress Party (BJP) in Himachal seat by a margin of more than of neighboring states of polled, preferred None of the had pitched its campaign on Pradesh retained all the four 3.63 lakh votes. Punjab and Haryana. Above (NOTA) option instead “local” issues while the BJP Lok Sabha seats in the state as Sukh Ram, a Congress The actor turned politi- of favoring any candidates in was banking on “Modi factor” its candidates won by a huge veteran, had joined the BJP cian, Kher trounced former the poll fray from Chandigarh and nationalism plank to beat margins on Thursday. just before the Assembly elec- Union Minister Pawan Kumar parliamentary seat. NOTA, the anti-incumbency. Hamirpur sitting MP tions, but defected back after Bansal with a margin of more which stands for 'None Of The Kher, who became the Anurag Thakur, Kangra can- his grandson was denied a than 46900 votes. Aam Aadmi Above', was an option avail- city’s first woman MP in 2014 didate Kishan Kapoor, Shimla ticket. Party’s Harmohan Dhawan able to voters who did not had remained under attack candidate Suresh Kashyap and Counting of 38 lakh votes finished at third spot followed want to vote in favour of any from her opponents for “guest Mandi sitting MP Ram for the Shimla, Mandi, by Bahujan Samaj Party’s can- candidate standing for a par- appearance” and “lack of Swaroop Sharma won their Hamirpur and Kangra parlia- didate Parveen Kumar. ticular constituency in Lok focus” in the city due to her seats by defeating their near- mentary seats began at 8 a.m. Kher was polled 231188 Sabha polls. shuttling between Mumbai est Congress rivals. amid tight security. votes (50.64) percent, while After party’s victory, the and Chandigarh during her The main contest was A total of 38,01,793 voters his nearest rival Bansal got mood was jubilant at the BJP five years tenure. However, she between the Congress and the -- 72.25 per cent of 52,62,126 184218 votes (40.35). KAMLAM office at Sector 33 managed to register second BJP. eligible ones -- exercised their In 2014 general elections, here with party supporters consecutive victory on Chief Minister Jai Ram franchise on May 19 in a sin- Chandigarh’s Lok Sabha seat, Thakur thanked all the voters gle phase to select their rep- due to Modi wave. for the landslide victory of the resentatives to the 17th Lok To give a boost to party’s 5!:!;;:& party. He told reporters here Sabha. poll prospects in the city, ,+8+/*,*8+ =8=8+/8* that the victory confirms that Forty-five candidates, Prime Minister Narendra + ) #>%>""?!2 & people have expressed faith including a lone woman, were Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and confidence in the pro- in the fray from the four seats. had addressed election rallies ** :3***,   >"&>#"&!2%? grammes and policies of his With the electorate in the here. Kirron Kher husband, *3)*)** %>"%2!# government. Lok Sabha polls traditionally noted actor Anupam Kher For former chief of the favouring the party at the had also intensively cam- *
 :3*  >%' 2 # national cricket bodies Anurag helm in the state, these elec- paigned for her. Thakur this was the fourth tions were being seen as a ref- Political experts feel that age vote share) against her Congress candidate congratulate Kirron Kher consecutive victory. He won by erendum on the state's 17- Chandigarh being an urban main rival Congress’ Bansal, Pawan Kumar Bansal, while on her victory from over 3.81 lakh votes against month-old Jai Ram Thakur city, Modi factor worked here who got 121270 (26.84 per- accepting people’s verdict, Chandigarh. Congress legislator Ram Lal government. in favor of Kirron Kher. Akin cent vote share) votes in his Thakur. The BJP wrested the state to national level, the Congress favor. From Kangra, the largest from the Congress in failed to counter Modi factor Seeking mandate for a Lok Sabha constituency in the December 2017, winning 44 in the city, they say. second term in Chandigarh, ,.   - 
state in terms of voters, the BJP seats in the 68-member In the last general elec- Kher had promised mono-rail had fielded Cabinet Minister Assembly. The Congress won tions 2014, Kher was polled project for Chandigarh, regu-      & Kishan Kapoor, 68, after drop- 21 seats, Independents two 191362 votes (42.20 percent- larization of changes to the ping veteran leader Shanta and the Communist Party of houses, one time settlement of   $ the chief minister said in a Kumar, against two-time India-Marxist won one. all issues related to statement here. Congress legislator Pawan Chandigarh Housing Board imachal Pradesh Chief The result is a referendum Kajal. !&<- >!% houses, ensuring 24 hours HMinister Jai Ram Thakur of the people of the nation and Kapoor defeated Kajal by !/1:- ;!% water supply, preference to on Thursday thanked the the state on the policies and a margin of more than 4.47  35<1(- &1 </- Chandigarh residents for jobs state's electorate for their programmes of the BJP gov- lakh votes. Shimla: Prime Minister in Chandigarh, resolving all unprecedented support to the ernments at the Centre and the In the Shimla (reserved) Narendra Modi has won the parking problems, imple- BJP and congratulated Prime state, he said. seat, it was an ex-serviceman parliamentary elections while mentation of 6th pay com- Minister Narendra Modi and In his congratulatory mes- versus an ex-serviceman. the Congress has lost, six- mission among other things to party chief Amit Shah for the sage to Modi and Shah, Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil time Himachal Pradesh Chief the people of the city. massive mandate in the Lok Thakur said, "It is a mandate (retired), who was the Minister and Congress leader After her victory, Kirron Sabha elections. for a strong and vibrant India Congress candidate, lost by Virbhadra Singh said on Kher, while talking to the The ruling BJP made a which is only possible under over 3.23 lakh votes to BJP Thursday. mediapersons thanked party clean sweep in Himachal the dynamic leadership of nominee and former Indian "We have lost, Modi has office bearers and workers Pradesh, as all its four candi- Narendra Modi." Air Force (IAF) officer Suresh won," he said reacting to the for working day and night to dates won by huge margins. The results are vindication Kashyap. results. Congratulating Modi make the win possible. "It is for the first time in of the policies and pro- Sitting BJP MP and the for winning a majority of seats She also thanked people of the history of the state that BJP grammes of the NDA govern- Chief Minister's confidant in the country, Singh said it Chandigarh for faith shown in candidates have won with such ment initiated during his five Ram Swaroop Sharma won the was time for the party to the BJP for the second time a huge margin in all the par- years of eventful tenure, he seat for a second term from introspect. "PM Modi's tenure and promised to work for the liamentary seats (of the state)," added. Mandi. He was contesting will keep focus on nation's development of the city. against Congress greenhorn interests," he added.

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  years, there is truly a “Hindu rule and a     (  Hindu ruler” which needs to be given its lectoral history due. I am not sure how many subscribe to Eof India was re-  )  ()    this view and even BJP officially doesn’t say written on May 23     so but the undercurrent of this thought with Narendra Modi dominating the discourse in several parts winning second        of the country cannot be ruled out. consecutive majori-         In fact, Congress tried to replicate ty mandate for the Hindutva to a limited extent but then who Bharatiya Janata Party, a phenomenon last  =   will vote for the B team when the A team seen 48 years ago in 1971 when Indira (%      is more strong, vibrant, thriving and Gandhi managed to win second consec- 

  
 kicking under a popular leader like Modi. utive majority mandate. Also, the duplicity of Congress here was That is the kind of magic Modi has        all too evident and seen simply as politi- been able to weave all across the country,      % cal opportunism. Policy makers in cutting across all divides—class and caste, Congress thought that they would get the language and culture, south and north, east 
     minority votes in any case and by over- and west in 2019. doing temple hopping, they will get rid of The Modi Magic this time round or the tag of “secular fundamentalist” attached what you call—a wave, cyclone, News Similarly, to them for long. They were absolutely Tsunami, Moditva – or any other term in the states wrong. you coin to describe this phenomenon, where Combine Hindutva with nationalism has defied all conventional electoral Analysis Congress won and Bharat Mata ki Jai which the BJP wisdom. A study of the functioning of Assembly elec- repeats as a mantra and you come out with Indian electoral system and people’s tions barely six a phenomenon which is bound to gener- verdict in the last almost five decades of months ago—Madhya Pradesh, ate frenzy and it has. Post Pulwama and course suggested that it was going to be Chhatisgarh and Rajasthan, the only fac- Balakot, this nationalism was effectively Modi again, though with a reduced mar- tor between the two elections was Modi. converted into votes and this phenemo- gin than 2014. This was because Indian The results in these states prove beyond neon has spread into new areas now, giv- electorate is considered to be more or less doubt that when Modi becomes the fac- ing a solid edge to the party. restless, expects a lot from the ruling party tor in elections, all other factors are over Of course, factors like taking electric- and never fails to teach anyone the right written and marginalized and subdued. ity to the last household, Ujjwala Yojana, lessons, particularly incumbent govern- That perhaps is the new reality of Indian Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana ments. But every such wisdom has gone politics as of now. (PMJDY), Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, for a toss in this intense and strong wave A lot would be written about the Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension blowing all across the country. inroads of BJP into new territories like Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana etc Also, the electoral history of recent West Bengal, Odisha and north-east where        
  -    .  (  (&   took government schemes to the last times, especially after 1984, was such that it was a fringe player and not even a play- mile and the underprivileged. The icing on several regional parties came to the fore er sometime back. But whatever analysis ly be arithmetical additions and not by any where religion has always been an impor- ment of the Mandal Commission. Over the cake was depositing money in the bank as regionalism strengthened, bringing you come up with, you have to give cred- chemistry or particular policy and pro- tant issue for the people and a way of life three decades later since the Mandir account of marginal farmers and ensuring down the tallies of the national parties, like it to the man and that man of the match, gramme. for them. BJP never wavered on its com- movement, it can be safely said that reli- that they got the first installment before the Congress consistently. But despite such the man of the moment and the man for When Rahul Gandhi coined the thor- mitment to this segment of voters even gion has overridden all considerations of voting. The farmers and underprivileged ground realities and emergence of caste the near future is of course Modi. oughly ineffective and useless slogan of though Rahul tried temple hopping, wear- caste. Look at the results of Uttar Pradesh were convinced about the sincerity of Modi based and region based parties, what is He coined one slogan after the other “Chowkidar Chor hai”, Modi immediate- ing Janeu and refusing to have any tuck and Bihar where all the parties which were and wanted to continue with him, hoping being called as Moditva—the Modi brand to counter the opposition. The word ly got into action mode and prefixed with the minorities openly. represented by castes got a thorough to have more such schemes. of politics—triumphed all across the Mahamilawat (loosely translated as big “Chowkidar” in his name in his tweeter Ever since the Ayodhya temple move- drubbing. What Advani and his BJP visu- When Congress came out with its country, overriding the regional and lin- time adulteration) stuck with the voters big account. Millions of BJP workers and lead- ment began in the country with LK alized at one point of time, has been half-baked “Nyay scheme”, it convinced guistic differences. time. When the opposition leaders stood ers followed suit and ensured that the term Advani astride a chariot touring all across, accomplished by Modi and BJP led by few. Modi hit back saying that the grand Take for example, Uttar Pradesh and on a platform and raised or joined their coined by Gandhi was reduced to a joke. a core constituency of Hindutva has Amit Shah. old party which won several elections on Bihar—two fulcrums of caste based region- hands, it was a law of diminishing returns In any case, targeting Modi on corruption emerged. It has consolidated and strength- I have talked to various people from “Garibi Hatao” slogan is still talking al politics for three decades. BJP was fac- which was working. People recalled the was something which no one was going to ened over a period of time with the tire- various backgrounds over the years and a about the same. This struck a chord with ing a formidable caste alliance of BSP-SP unstable days of VP Singh, buy. That is where Rahul failed as he kept less work of the sangh parivar and BJP. lot of them, even some of those who call the young voters who believed Modi in UP and the numbers against it was quite Chandrashekhar, HD Deve Gowda, IK on repeating the same slogan in rally after With his chief ministerial term in Gujarat, themselves secular, say that India has been instantly and refused to trust Rahul and strong. But what happened? Moditva Gujaral and the short lived Atal Bihari rally, failing to gauze the mood of the peo- Modi endeared himself to this segment all ruled by the Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis and his party. overrode all such possibilities and quite Vajpayee government and the only word ple and how it had boomeranged on his across the country with his unwavering Mughal emperors at the central level and BJP kept on reinventing itself with reassuringly, demolishing the caste barri- which came to their mind was instability party. commitment to the RSS-Hindutva brand many Nawabs and Sultanate at the local slogans, welfare schemes and countered er like never before. In Bihar too, Congress and a series of unstable governments. From Various shades of Hindutva—from lib- of politics. level for hundreds of years in medieval each narrative of the opposition con- and RJD had cobbled together a formi- the very beginning, voters were not con- eral to hard-line, was of course the under- When Advani started the rath yatra, India. This was followed by the British rule vincingly. Match it with a popular mass dable caste alliance on paper, but BJP-JDU vinced of their authenticity, their intention current all across the country as it was in the then BJP believed that only religion can for almost 200 years and then “secular rule” leader like Modi and there you have—a simply demolished it, riding high on and their logic of joining hands except that 2014. Right wing politics is here to stay and override the resurgence of intermediate of the Congress. A section believes that mandate which in many ways is unpar- Moditva. they were trying to come to power mere- thrive given the history of the country caste forces unleashed by the announce- after a long time, perhaps after a 1000 alleled.

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+5 )*3*655* #> % testing on its own on all 10 par- +* :+8*:*,)1** %>!'>'" liamentary seats in Haryana, registered a rise of three seats +6*8  *:)+1):6+5 +)5* > &>" & in its tally from last general elections 2014. Its main chal- lenger Congress failed to retain Kuldeep Sharma on Karnal the big victory in Haryana is Haryana, the Chief Minister, its stronghold –Rohtak, which parliamentary seat. the result of various factors while talking to the media- witnessed a nail-biting finish. In Kurukshetra, the land of including Modi wave, nation- persons said that the nation- The ballot battle in Mahabharata, the BJP’s Nayab alism plank and strong polar- alism has been a major issue in Haryana was multi-cornered Saini, Minister of State in ization of non-Jat vote bank. the polls and since early days, this time with the BJP, the Haryana Cabinet trounced his The nationalism rhetoric that it has been a core principle of Congress, the Indian National closest rival Nirmal Singh of the BJP liberally used across the BJP. The Congress, how- Lok Dal, Jannayak Janta Party- Congress with a margin of 3.8 the state during campaigning ever, failed to understand the Aam Aadmi Party alliance and lakh votes. worked well in elections while public sentiment on national- Bahujan Samaj Party-Loktantra Union Minister Birender the Congress’ campaign on ism and targeted the BJP for Suraksha Party combine in the Singh’s son, Brijendra Singh allegations on Rafael deal raking up the issue, he said. fray. defeated the outgoing MP and failed to resonate with voters, He said, “I had been main- Riding high on a “Modi- JJP leader Dushyant Chautala they say. taining from the beginning for-PM” and nationalism on Hisar parliamentary seat. While the victory has that the NDA will win with a plank, the BJP swept Haryana The political greenhorn boosted the morale of BJP comfortable majority and BJP as bigwigs of its main chal- Brijendra Singh registered a leaders and workers, who have will make a clean sweep in lenger – Congress-tasted comfortable victory by a mar- already started preparations Haryana.” humiliating defeat. The gin of more than 3 lakh votes for State Assembly polls in People fully backed the Congress’ heavyweights who against Dushyant, who is Haryana, the Congress has government for giving a trans- suffered defeat included two- Government under Chief in October, had placed its bet face in Haryana was defeated Lok Sabha polls. grandson of former Chief suffered a major setback with parent and clean administra- time former Chief Minister Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. on tried and trusted heavy- by BJP’s MP Ramesh Chander Rao Inderjit Singh regis- Minister Om Prakash Chautala its prominent leaders failing to tion, for providing good gov- Bhupinder Singh Hooda, his As the BJP pulled out all weights. Kaushik in Sonipat parliamen- tered third consecutive victory while another dynast, halt the BJP’s juggernaut in ernance, giving jobs on merit son Deepender Singh Hooda, stops on the campaign trail to Both national parties had tary seat by over 1.6 lakh votes. on Gurgaon Lok Sabha seat Congress’ Bhavya Bishnoi, Lok Sabha polls, the political and showing zero tolerance Haryana state party chief protect its 2014 tally, the “Modi also brought out their bigwigs With the embarrassing with a margin of over 3.8 lakh grandson of former Chief analysts say. towards corruption, he said. Ashok Tanwar, Rajya Sabha factor” also compensated for in the run-up to the general defeat, Hooda’s aspirations to votes against Congress’ nomi- Minister Bhajan Lal finished at In Haryana, the BJP has People of the state have MP Kumari Selja, four-time the anti-incumbency and alle- elections, with PM Narendra become Congress’ Chief nee Capt Ajay Singh Yadav. third place. grown from strength to also rejected dynastic and MP Avtar Singh Bhadana. gations of lack of personal Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Ministerial face in Haryana In Bhiwani-Mahendragarh After BJP’s clean sweep in strength since 2014 Lok Sabha regional politics. In Haryana, Other political players in connect faced by the Haryana Congress president Rahul assembly polls due to be held parliamentary seat, BJP MP Haryana, Chief Minister polls. The BJP inflicted a rout it used to be said this area is the fray including INLD, JJP- BJP MPs, who sought votes in Gandhi, Congress general sec- later this year seems implausi- Dharambir Singh trounced Manohar Lal gave credit to on Congress with 47 seats stronghold of a particular AAP alliance and BSP-LSP the name of Prime Minister retary Priyanka Gandhi hold- ble now. Congress’ Shruti Choudhry for Prime Minister Narendra against Congress’ 15 seats in a leader and that leader is strong failed to make any major and his brand of nationalism. ing several rallies featuring The former Chief the second consecutive time. Modi, party president Amit 90-member House in 2014 from other area, but we rose impact in the electoral contest In the last parliamentary blistering personal attacks. Minister’s son Deepender Dharambir won the seat by a Shah and his government’s Assembly polls. Later on, the above these factors and under- in the state. The poll battle elections also, the BJP while The state had witnessed Singh Hooda lost with a mar- margin of over 4.3 lakh votes pro-people policies in the saffron party went on to win took all-round development remained confined to BJP Vs riding high on “Modi wave” about 70 percent voter turnout gin of about 2600 votes against against Shruti Choudhry, who state. civic body polls and Jind with spirit of Haryana ek, Congress except on one i.e and with the help of several on May 12 with Sirsa parlia- BJP’s nominee Arvind Kumar is the daughter of CLP leader Accepting defeat, former bypoll in the state narrowing Haryavanvi ek and Sabka Hisar, where JJP leader and political turncoats had man- mentary constituency Sharma. Kiran Choudhry and grand- Chief Minister Bhupinder the Congress’ chances of a Saath, Sabka Vikas, he added. outgoing MP Dushyant aged to win seven of eight Lok (reserved) recording the max- Another prominent daughter of former Chief Singh Hooda said that it seems comeback. Asked about former Chief Chautala finished at second Sabha seats the party contest- imum voting with 73.48 per- Congress leader, Rajya Sabha Minister late Bansi Lal. the Modi wave has worked for Minister Bhupinder Singh place. ed in the state. Its ally Haryana centage and Karnal recording MP Kumari Selja lost election Haryana Congress chief the party. He also congratu- -<:9<<:1/<5: Hooda’s performance in the In general elections, the Janhit Congress (BL) at that the lowest with 64.68 percent- in Ambala Lok Sabha seat to Ashok Tanwar faced second lated the winning candidate 1:&<!!&< & polls, he said, “The Congress anti-incumbency factor failed time could not win a single seat age. BJP MP Rattan Lal Kataria by consecutive defeat in general Ramesh Chander Kaushik <- - has paid for its policies, its cul- to pierce through the “Modi losing two it had contested, As many as 223 candi- a margin of 3.4 lakh votes. elections on Sirsa Lok Sabha from Sonipat Lok Sabha seat. Haryana Chief Minister ture of being self-centric and factor” as the BJP successfully while INLD had won two seats dates including 11 women con- Two Union Ministers— seat. BJP’s Sunita Duggal The resounding victory Manohar Lal Khattar on for its negative campaign.” played the nationalism card and Congress had won one seat tested on 10 Lok Sabha seats, Krishan Pal Gurjar and Rao defeated Tanwar by a margin of has given the BJP an edge over Thursday hailed the BJP-led Countering opposition’s with continuous references to i.e Rohtak. which went to polling on May Inderjit Singh—managed to over 3 lakh votes opposition parties in Haryana, NDA’s performance in the Lok attack on BJP leaders for seek- Pulwama terror attack and the For the 2019 parliamentary 12 in the state. retain their parliamentary seats. In Chief Minister’s home- which is due to go to Assembly Sabha polls and gave credit to ing votes in Modi's name, he Balakot air strikes during its polls, the BJP keen to strength- As far as contest on parlia- Krishan Pal Gurjar won from turf- Karnal, his confidant and polls later this year. Prime Minister Narendra said there was nothing wrong campaigning in Haryana. On en its grip on the state had mentary seats is concerned, Faridabad seat against his near- political greenhorn Sanjay In 2014 State Assembly Modi and his government’s in doing so. the other hand, the Congress, retained its five MPs, fielded two –time former Chief est rival Congress’ Avtar Singh Bhatia registered his victory in polls, the BJP had created a pro-people policies for On party’s plan for State which targeted the BJP over four new faces and one promi- Minister Bhupinder Singh Bhadana by a huge margin of style recording the highest history by attaining absolute resounding victory. Assembly polls, the Chief non-fulfilled poll promises and nent turncoat candidate. The Hooda was among the heavy- over 6.15 lakh votes. Krishan winning margin of over 6.5 majority on its own. In the 90- He also praised party pres- Minister said that the party has alleged corruption in the Rafale Congress, which was trying to weights ending up on the los- Pal had won by a margin of lakh votes in the state. member Haryana Assembly, ident Amit Shah for NDA’s geared up for the assembly fighter jet deal, failed to impress put a formidable fight and ing side in the general elections. over 4.6 lakh votes against the Recording an emphatic victo- the BJP currently has 48 stupendous show in the Lok elections. We still have four the voters in northern state of make a comeback in Haryana Hooda, who is seen as same rival Avtar Singh ry, Bhatia defeated Congress’ MLAs. Sabha polls. months for the state elections, Haryana, which is ruled by BJP ahead of State Assembly polls Congress’ most prominent Jat Bhadana of Congress in 2014 MLA and former Speaker Political experts feel that After the BJP swept he added.      !"  !"#$%&"' () %)*
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!<7  ;<7  7 MPs — Ravneet Singh Bittu taste the success. Minister Vijay Sampla with erable number of votes — per- Bureaucrat-turned-politician from Ludhiana, Santokh Singh Despite a marginal increase sitting MLA Som Parkash. forming better than the candi- Khushi Ram, who contested he tsunami that swept the Chaudhary from Jalandhar, in its vote share, from 26.4 per- However, the decision proved dates of the state’s principal from Hoshiarpur, bagged Tnation failed to wash the and Gurjeet Singh Aujla from cent in 2014 to 27.49 percent in rewarding with BJP retaining opposition party, AAP. 1,28,215 (13.06 percent) votes. Congress off the political Amritsar — had comfortable 2019, SAD’s tally has come the seat with 48,530 votes. In fact, Capt Amarinder At the same time, other shores as Captain held on to his victories, except party’s state down to just two, that too at a This win may give the saf- too pointed at the number of PDA members failed to make ship in Punjab, doubling the president and Gurdaspur MP time when the nation was fron party a chance to further votes polled to the BSP candi- a mark. Even as Lok Insaaf party’s tally by bagging eight of Sunil Jakhar who faced defeat swept by Modi tsunami. its chances for gradual gains in dates — something to ponder Party’s president and sitting the 13 parliamentary seats. from a political greenhorn and The mood in the SAD-BJP the 2022 state elections with over. MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains But the Bharatiya Janata Bollywood action hero Sunny camp was that of celebrations Kartarpur Corridor serving as BSP, which contested on bagged 3,07,423 (29.36 percent) Party’s (BJP) peak performance Deol. after the announcements of an ideal starting point. three seats under PDA banner, votes, it was not enough to beat in other parts of the country results. But insiders agree that got 3.49 percent votes. All its Congress’ sitting MP Bittu. failed to help its allies, the 1:9:1:&2!>!' the results are sure to leave the  . P!: candidates received more than His party colleague and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). 3: 1'!;&!//!5 senior party leaders thinking   13 one lakh votes, with one of its social activist Manwinder The state’s regional party was Carrying forward the about a factor which they have history in 2014, AAP has candidates crossing two-lakh Singh Giaspura, PDA candidate left high and dry in Punjab momentum it gained in 2017 all along been relegating to the been relegated to just one- mark — something which from Fatehgarh Sahib, bagged despite the “wave” as only the state polls, the Congress party trashcan of their thoughts — man army this election with its none of the AAP candidates, 1,41,969 (14.45 percent) votes. Badal couple managed to flow managed to emerged as a win- prevailing anger amongst the popular face Bhagwant Mann except Mann, could do. Surprise loss was of Bibi into the Parliament. ner with seven percent jump in people on sacrilege issue. being the lone candidate win- Its candidate from Paramjit Kaur Khalra, Punjab For the saffron party, it was its share as compared to the SAD-BJP combine had ning election out if three states, Jalandhar, Balwinder Kumar, Ekta Party member, who could performance as usual with the previous general elections — believed that anti-incumbency where the party contests the finished third getting 2,04,783 bag 2,13,550 (20.52 percent) victory on two out of the three from 33 percent in 2014 to 40 against the Congress in the election. (20.1 percent) votes, while its votes, but finished third despite seats it contested in the State. in 2019 — giving a stamp of State and Modi factor across AAP’s remaining 12 can- candidate from Anandpur massive public support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), approval to the state govern- the nation is so strong that it, didates lost their deposits on 12 Sahib Vikram Singh Sodhi got widow of human right activist the surprise performer in 2014 ment’s performance in these in no way, let the sacrilege and of 13 seats — not even secur- 1,46,441 (13.54 percent) votes. Jaswant Singh Khalra. elections, was relegated to one- two years, besides a further related firing issue come in its ing one-sixth, that is 16.6 per- man show in the Lok Sabha boost to Capt Amarinder’s way towards victory. But, the cent, of the total votes polled. with its state unit president leadership. results have proved it the other Marred with defections .     & 2  Bhagwant Mann emerging the In fact, the Congress’ way. and rebellion by its legislators, solitary winner, while remain- gained from where AAP lost. Both Sukhbir and AAP has lost what it achieved ing 12 candidates even failed to AAP, which bagged four seats Harsimrat managed a win in in 2014. It emerged on the  -      secure their deposits. with 24.5 percent vote share in their bastions. While political state’s political scene with a A fourth front, a con- 2014, has been consigned to analysts are attributing bang by winning four seats, but !<7  ;<7 “damaging remarks” on the last glomeration of six political just one seat with its vote share Harismrat’s hattrick to consid- failed to maintain the same  7 day of campaigning in parties or splinter groups under falling down to just 7.37 per- erably weak opponents coupled force in these five years. Bathinda, that had an adverse the banner of Punjab cent. At the same time, the vote with a rumoured “political In the next year, two of its unjab Chief Minister Capt impact on the party’s perfor- Democratic Alliance (PDA), share of the SAD and the BJP understanding”, Sukhbir’s vic- MPs parted ways. Eight of its PAmarinder Singh had his mance in the Badals’ bastion. failed to make a mark despite was almost similar to what it tory is accredited to Ferozepur total 20 legislators rebelled, share of cake for the party’s vic- “It is a democracy and any- having big names, including was in 2014 — indicating clear- being a “safe” seat. with two went on to form a tory on eight of the total 13 one can do or say whatever he two sitting MPs and three leg- ly that Congress managed to fill Nearly wiped out in 2017 new political outfit, two shift- seats in the state, while leaving or she likes. But, if he has any islators, in its list. in the vacuum AAP has creat- elections, SAD’s strategy to lay ed their loyalties towards the the brickbats for his cabinet difference of opinion, oh ikk However, with the Bahujan ed in these five years. its bet on the winning and Congress, while the remaining colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu. din baad nai keh sakda tha Samaj Party (BSP), which con- In addition, the Congress trusted horses has failed to give campaigned against the party Capt Amarinder, minc- (can’t he say it a day after),” said tested on three seats as a part kept the issue of sacrilege and desired results. Except the while still being its part—that ing no words, blamed Sidhu for Capt Amarinder on Thursday of the PDA, securing a con- related firing incidents alive to Badal couple, all senior leaders cist the party dear. the party’s defeat in Bathinda after declaration of results. siderable number of votes, use people’s anger against the including Parminder Singh In 2017, AAP was seen as and other urban pockets, for At the same time, he said indications of its resurgence in SAD with the party winning on Dhindsa, Prof Prem Singh a possible alternative to the more than one reasons. that the performance of the Punjab is in sight, with even the panthic seats of Khadoor Chandumajra, Bibi Jagir Kaur, state’s traditional parties. But Dubbing Sidhu as the “non- Ministers and the legislators Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Charanjit post 2017, it disintegrated with performing” Minister, Capt would be reviewed in the back- Singh pointing at the same. and also in Faridkot — which Singh Atwal, and Surjit Singh little patience. Now, party’s Amarinder also pointed that drop of the Lok Sabha results Unlike 2014 elections when has been the epicentre of 2015 Rakhra, were made to bite state unit chief Bhagwant the former cricketer’s “friend- in the state. “We will review the AAP stunned the traditional sacrilege incidents. dust. Mann is leading a fight for ly match” remarks in Bathinda performance of the Ministers, political players, polls this time Even as the Congress per- As the party has fielded its party’s political survival, who has cost the party dear, besides it was not a veiled threat made did not throw any surprises as formed badly across the coun- senior leaders who are a known only emerged as a winner. his “yaari and jhappi” (friend- by the party before the elec- the expected emerged as win- try, Punjab was a saving grace face among the state’s electors, Capt Amarinder maintained ship and hugs) with the tions,” he said. ners. with the party relegating the sitting MPs and MLAs who that the party was “a close Pakistani Army Chief that Visibly upset with Sidhu, The SAD’s power couple BJP-SAD combine to just four have won the people’s mandate chapter now in Punjab”. failed to go down well with the Capt Amarinder categorically secured a massive win in their seats, despite the Modi wave. earlier, the party finished at the people of the border state. said that Sidhu was a “non-per- bastions — party chief Sukhbir distant second spot with just (P1:5<5 ; In fact, Capt Amarinder forming” Minister as the head Badal from Ferozepur and ( & ;P><% & two seats. The 2019 election results maintained that he would, in of Urban Development which Harsimrat Badal securing hat- ;!: show a sign of revival of the the next three-four days, would has cost the party in urban trick from Bathinda. Likewise, Badals and Akali Dal have : !9 991! Bahujan Samaj Party with its be visiting the national capital areas of Bathinda, where it Chief Minister’s wife Preneet always been considered syn- As the sea of saffron swept candidates bagging a consid- and take up the issue of Sidhu’s always had a lead. Kaur too wrest the citadel from onymous. But, the victory of its the nation, Punjab too was del- the cardiologist-cum-social power couple did not pull the uged by it — at least on the worker Dr Dharamvir Gandhi party out of the doldrums. seats from where the BJP con- in Patiala, who was pushed to The duo won, but the remain- tested. BJP secured big wins in the distant third. ing eight candidates failed to Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur, Besides, Congress’ sitting while losing Amritsar to the Congress’ sitting MP Aujla. Political analysts attributed the victory more to the Modi factor, than to the candidates in fray. Pulling out all the stops to take Bollywood action hero Sunny Deol on board — a deci- sion which has not only gave the much-needed push to its campaign, but also that of the Akali Dal, the party wrested back Gurdaspur from the Congress’ Jakhar. In his first electoral hustings, Sunny won the seat by 77,009 votes. BJP took everyone by sur- prise when it replaced its sitting Hoshiarpur MP and Union     !"   / /R     1 -2; &   

Mamata Banerjee: The most vocal Akhilesh Yadav: Having taking K Chandrashekar Rao: Having Sharad Pawar: The Maratha strong- and combative, TMC chief and over the mantle of SP from his swept the Telangana state assembly man and NCP chief, rated to be one West Bengal Chief Minister nursed father and veteran politician polls last year, the TRS chief and of the most astute and shrewd Prime Ministerial ambitions; Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh's chief minister was nursing ambitions politicians of the country, was a PM launched a blistering campaign plans to play a major role at the cen- to project himself at the national candidate even as he sought to play against Narendra Modi and was tre - even burying the over-two- stage. He met several leaders includ- the mentor's role in bringing togeth- averse to backing Congress presi- decades-old hatchet with BSP ing DMK chief M K stalin and TMC er the opposition camp to face the dent Rahul Gandhi as the UPA's PM supreme Mayawati in the process - chief Mamata Banerjee. However, as BJP. But the Modi juggernaut, with candidate. Given her complete have come to a naught with the Rao was busy with his efforts to forge the Shiv Sena, simply brushed aside supremacy in the state, even pundits party faring badly in its stronghold a federal front, the BJP breached his HD Deve Gowda: The former any challenge posed by the NCP were skeptical about the BJP's Uttar Pradesh. Though the young fortress to make a debut from the Prime Minister and JD(S) chief has along with the Congress. Pawar's chances. However, the saffron leader never openly aired his polit- Mayawati: The BSP supremo and State in the Lok Sabha. Even the a lot on his plate now after his party clout nationally has taken a severe brigade stunned everyone by storm- N Chandrababu Naidu: Ahead of ical ambitions, he was eyeing a king- former chief minister of UP had Congress managed to make inroads which in coalition with the Congress beating. The NCP has already ing her citadel. Having failed to stop the results, Andhra Pradesh chief maker's role. He vigorously cam- made no bones about her Prime in the State. Though Rao played the is running Karnataka with his son blamed the Congress for not per- the BJP from making strong inroads minister and TDP chief Naidu was paigned for the 'Mahagathbandhan' Ministerial ambitions and hence, did most important role in the creation H D Kumaraswamy as the chief forming upto expectations. in a big way into her bastion, she will the most active in trying to forge an to put up a united front against the not even allow Congress to join the of Telangana, the voters, however, minister could not withstand the have to rethink her strategy to Opposition alliance in case the BJP. Facing a drubbing for the sec- 'Mahagathbandhan' to ensure she preferred to vote for Modi at the Modi wave. Deve Gowda was con- defend her turf in the 2021 NDA did not get past the post. ond consecutive time in the Lok had a larger share of seats to fight in national level. sidered to be one of the king mak- Assembly polls. Besides Mamata, he had been the Sabha polls, the SP will have to rein- UP. She also gave no-holds-barred ers in case of fractured mandate due most critical of Modi. He must be vent itself to remain relevant in fast speeches against Modi during the to his seniority and stature. Trailing ruing his decision to quit the NDA. changing political dynamics. campaign but the frontal attack in the electoral battle till last trends Despite his political acumen, he failed to spin magic in her favour. came in, Deve Gowda like other could not decipher the public mood Her caste combinations failed to aspirants Akhilesh, Mayawati and with Jaganmohan Reddy's YSR trump Modi's charisma. Along Pawar is now on a very weak wick- Congress Party sweeping the polls with the SP, the BSP also fared badly. et to play a role at the state and in the state. TDP has been almost The stunning reversal brushing national level. Coming days will see wiped out from the Lok Sabha too aside caste and other related factors the JD(S) chief definitely taking dealing a massive blow to his polit- will make it all the more necessary stock where his electoral strategy ical clout. Naidu's problems could for Mayawati to present a new failed even as the BJP's win could compound in the coming days if image for her party to survive in the impact the survival of his son's gov- Jagan join hands with the NDA. most politically-crucial State. ernment too in the State. 01() .. (("'-
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&:: 772 1)-  1 7:-7</-  Chander Kaushik.  The performance of mid a poll pitch against Bhupinder Hooda, who had ongress' young turks failed Aparivarvad by the BJP, the defeated former deputy Prime Cto deliver, while those from political dynasts had a mixed Minister Devi Lal from the the BJP rode on the Modi fate during the Parliamentary Rohtak LS seat earlier, is a wave to register win in the polls. While some political major setback for the Congress. high-voltage Lok Sabha polls. families have managed to However, Bhupinder's son Sitting Congress MPs — secure their bastions, others like Deepender Hooda is engaged Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sushmita Congress president Rahul in a sea-saw battle in Rohtak, Dev and former Union Gandhi lost their prized seats. where fortunes are fluctuating Minister Jitin Prasada, Milind While former UPA chair- between Deepender and his Deora, who all are in the close was contesting on a Congress Dhumal, Punam is daughter of emerged victorious from the person Sonia Gandhi is pro- nearest BJP rival Arvind circle of party chief Rahul ticket. Ajit Pawar's son Parth, late BJP's strategist Pramod Jhalawar-Baran Lok Sabha seat jected to win in Rae Bareli, her   
-  .       - - Sharma as the figures are Gandhi, lost badly. They had and Shankarrao Chavan's son Mahajan. who defeated his Congress son Rahul lost out to BJP's !"#$%&      '  (  (1 changing with each round of been the most vocal inside Ashok Chavan too lost in Another big win registered rival Pramod Sharma. Sharma, Smriti Irani in his so called counting. and outside the Parliament on Maharashtra to BJP candidates. was by Tejasvi Surya, BJP's a BJP rebel, had joined the pocketborough Amethi. Rahul stituencies. Union Minister the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) — Down South, former Prime every issue. On other hand, Anurag youngest candidate from Congress ahead of the Lok has already conceded defeat Maneka Gandhi who was a constituent of the BSP-SP led Minister and JD(S) patriarch H On the other hand, sitting Thakur retained Hamirpur Lok Bangalore South, against Sabha election and contested against Irani and congratulat- engaged in a see-saw battle in 'mahagathbandhan' is project- D Deve Gowda was trailing in BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Sabha seat alongwith her Congress heavyweight BK the polls for the first time. Raje ed her. Sultanpur eventually won ed for a mixed outcome. While Tumkur against BJP's G S Poonam Mahajan, Dushyant another party colleague Punam Hariprasad. had represented the seat for five However, the Congress defeating BSP's Chandra RLD chief Ajit Singh is moving Basavaraj. His grandson and Singh and first timer Tejaswi Mahajan in North Mumbai. Former Rajasthan chief terms from 1989 to 2004 after president is all set for a com- Bhadra Singh "Sonu". ahead in Muzaffarnagar, his son Chief Minister H D Surya registered win from their While Thakur is son of former minister Vasundhara Raje's which her son was elected fortable victory in Wayanad In the Samajwadi Party, and party vice-president Jayant Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil respective Parliamentary con- CM of Himachal Pradesh Prem son Dushyant Singh too from the seat. constituency of Kerala where patriarch Mulayam Singh Chaudhary is trailing from was also trailing against inde- stituencies. he is leading by over 4 lakh Yadav led in Mainpuri while Baghpat. pendent candidate- Sumalatha Amongst the losers, the votes. Akhilesh looked comfortable to In Haryana, former State Ambareesh, supported by the biggest one is Jyotiraditya The other mother-son duo win in Azamgarh. Chief Minister Bhupinder BJP, in the bitterly fought Scindia, who was seeking his $-  ..  from the Gandhi family — However, Akhilesh Yadav's Singh Hooda is trailing in Mandya constituency. fifth term from his family bas- Maneka and Varun — who are wife Dimple Yadav was trailing Sonipat. Bhupinder, a sitting However, Gowda's other tion Guna Lok Sabha seat. He contesting on BJP tickets from in Kannauj constituency and MLA from Rohtak district grandson Prajwal Revanna, lost to BJP's Krishna Pal Singh. 1-  )3!<  Congress-JD(S) coalition. He earned a public reprimand Sultanpur and Pilibhit respec- that could be bad news for the who contested the Lok Sabha son of minister H D Revanna, Prior to Jyotiraditya, his father was first elected from Karkala from none other than Prime tively are heading towards a vic- Yadav clan. polls after a gap of 14 years, was is leading in Hassan against A Madhavrao Scindia, the erst- hat's common for Sheila in Udupi district as an MLA in Minister Narendera Modi tory in their respective con- As per the available trends, behind sitting MP Ramesh Manju of the BJP. while titular ruler of Gwalior, WDikshit (Delhi), 1992. He won from there six himself for her controversial had won the seat in the 1999 Bhupinder Singh Hooda consecutive times. remarks against Mahtama elections. Madhavrao died in (Haryana), Harish Rawat Two-time Arunanchal Gandhi. 2001 and since then Jyotriditya (Uttarakhand), Digvijaya Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Yet another CM to have 03$)((%456)
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%(,", Scindia has represented the Singh (Madhya Pradesh), Tuki lost to Union Minister of lost in the hustings is former seat. In 2014, he was among the Ashok Chavan and Sushil State for Home Kiren Rijiju of Union Home Minister and only two leaders from MP Kumar Shinde (both from the BJP. He has been seeking a Maharashtra CM Sushilkumar 1 ):-72 1  Pradesh, 51.5 per cent in Congress was shown to have which secured 45 per cent votes who were able to hold on to his Maharashtra), Mukul M third term from the State's West Shinde, who was defeated by Karnataka, 51 per cent in UP, bagged 22.5 per cent votes till the in the first parliamentary elec- seat. Sangama (Meghalaya), Nabam Parliamentary constituency. For Lingayat Swami from Solapur JP chief Amit Shah's game- 51.7 per cent in Goa, 51 per cent reports last poured in. tions in 1952, saw its voting per- Another surprise loss was Tuki (Arunanchal Pradesh) his part, former Maharashtra Lok Sabha seat. Bplan of targeting over 50 per in Jharkhand and 50.5 per cent The BJP had got 7.74 per centage remain in 40s till the Mahila Congress President and Veerappa Moily Chief Minister and Congress In neighbouring Haryana, cent vote share has succeeded in in Chandigarh among others. cent vote share in 1984 when it 1971 elections. After a slump to Sushmita Dev, who lost to (Karnataka)? They are all candidate Ashok Chavan lost to former Chief Minister over 15 States. Comparatively, It was Shah's strategy to have got two Lok Sabha seats, after 34.5 per cent in 1977, the BJP's young gun Rajdeep Roy Congress stalwarts and former Pratap Chikhlikar of BJP in Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a the Congress managed to do an eye over 50 per cent vote which it consistently saw an Congress again returned to 42.7 from the most high-profile Chief Ministers. And they Nanded Lok Sabha seat. sitting MLA from Rohtak, was that in just Puducherry, where share to trump any caste politics, increase till 1998 (25.59 per cent) per cent in 1980 and then to a Silchar Lok Sabha seat of have all bit the dust in the Lok In Uttarakhand, ex-Chief defeated in Sonipat which was it recorded about 57 per cent. played by the Opposition and then slipped for three con- record high of 48.1 per cent in Assam. Both Rahul and Sabha Election 2019. Minister and Congress leader retained by sitting BJP MP As per the Election alliances. Of the total 90 crore secutive national elections till 1984/85. Priyanka Gandhi campaigned Dikshit, who is Congress Harish Rawat faced a humili- Ramesh Chander Kaushik. Commission's preliminary esti- voters, the BJP was eying the 50 2009 (18.8 per cent), before After Indira Gandhi's assas- for her. Sushmita's father late Delhi Chief and the only party ating loss to BJP's State chief Another former Congress mates, the BJP has got more than crore beneficiaries who benefit- surging again in 2014. sination in 1984, the Congress Santosh Mohan Dev, won veteran having donned the Ajay Bhatt in the Nainital- Chief Minister who found half of the total votes polled. And ted from the 133 schemes of the In contrast, the Congress record a vote share of 49.1 per Silchar seat five times. Both Chief Ministers' cap thrice Udhamsingh Nagar con- himself in the list of losers was BJP chief Amit Shah gave these Modi Government. The BJP could get a vote share of just cent, it got 32.14 per cent votes Jitin Prasada and Milind Deora from Delhi (from 1998 to stituency. The BJP swept all the Mukul M. Sangma. A former statistics, saying the party had fought some Assembly elec- about 6 per cent in UP and in delayed polls that were held who's father Jitendra Prasada 2013), lost to her rival and city seats in the Hill State. Chief Minister of Meghalaya, crossed the 50 per cent vote tions last year based on the same Bengal, and a little higher at in Punjab and Assam in 1985 — and Murli Deora, , too lost. BJP chief Manoj Tiwari from In Madhya Pradesh's Sangma is the current Leader share mark in 17 States. strategy. about 7 per cent in Bihar. The resulting in an overall figure of Rajasthan Chief Minister North East Delhi seat while Bhopal, Congress leader of Opposition in the State It bagged 69 per cent votes As a result, the BJP has sig- score is even worse at just about 48.1 per cent. Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav lost Moily (former Karnataka Chief Digvijaya Singh suffered a Legislative Assembly. The in Himachal Pradesh, 62 per nificantly improved its nation- 1 per cent in Andhra Pradesh The Congress vote share, in Jodhpur to BJP's Gajendra Minister) was defeated by BJP's crushing defeat at the hands of Congress candidate from Tura cent in Gujarat, 60 per cent in al vote share from 31.34 per cent and Sikkim. Even in Punjab, however, began to dip after Singh Shekhawat. In B N Bache Gowda in BJP newcomer and controver- lost to National People's Party Uttarakhand, 59 per cent in in 2014 to a new record high, where the Congress led the way, that with its voting percentage Rajasthan's Barmer, Manvendra Chikkaballapur, a Congress sial leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh (NPP) candidate Agatha Rajasthan, 58 per cent in while there seems to be only a its vote share is about 40.10 per dropping to 39.5 per cent in Singh, son of Jaswant Singh, stronghold. Moily, a former Thakur, who won the high- Sangma, a veteran politician Madhya Pradesh, 57 per cent in marginal change in case of the cent. It is 37.3 per cent in Kerala, 1989 and further to 20s between founding member of BJP lost by Union Minister, was the joint profile Bhopal seat. The and former Lok Sabha Speaker Haryana, 57 per cent in Delhi, Congress from its 19.5 per cent where it was on course to win 15 1996 and 2009, and even below over 3.2 lakh votes. Manvendra candidate of the ruling Malegaon blast accused had late PA Sangma's daughter. 57.7 percent in Arunachal score of the last elections. The of the 20 seats . The Congress, that mark in 2014. )(    & &--    
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1-  )3!<  predicted not only the winning 1 7:-7</- about Nathuram Godse, Hegde controversy by stating this would party but also the range of their  claimed his account was be the last election in the coun- hey predicted and they mandate. "hacked". But later asserted there try and there would be none in Tstood vindicated! Nine out The Congress-led alliance otormouths and contro- was no question of justifying 2024. of nine exit polls on May 19 was projected as gaining in Mversial leaders from the Mahatma Gandhi's killing. Ahead of the nomination had predicted an outright vic- Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. BJP like Anantkumar Hegde Before that, Hegde had for the Unnao constituency, he tory for the BJP and six of them And it did. Some pollsters gave (Uttar Kannada), Nalin Kateel called Congress chief Rahul had warned the BJP that "results had projected the party win- Congress a tally as low as 38, (Dakshin Kannada), Sadhvi Gandhi a "hybrid breed", won- would not be good" if he was not ning more than 300 seats. The less than the 44 it won in 2014. Pragya Thakur (Bhopal), Sakshi Another BJP leader dering how can the son of a re-nominated from Unnao. The pollsters had also projected The Congress fared a shade bet- Maharaj (Unnao), and Giriraj Anantkumar Hegde, known for 'Muslim' father and a Christian BJP had been contemplating the UPA's dismal performance ter than 44 but turned true the Singh (Begusarai) are set to making controversial remarks, mother be a Brahmin. dropping him. in the wake of the rolling BJP projections that it would not register big wins. won the Uttara (North) "...They have no sense about In his election affidavit, juggernaut. And some had cross the three-figure mark Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was Kannada seat in Karnataka, religion. See how much they lie, Maharaj has listed 34 criminal forecast that the Opposition this time round too. leading against Congress' defeating his nearest rival Anand father is a Muslim, mother a cases promoting enmity among alliance will not touch the All the exit polls gave the BJP a in the State. The News18- In the politically crucial Digvijay Singh by over 3.5 lakh Asnotikar of the Janata Dal Christian, son is Brahmin. How communities, criminal intimi- three-digit mark. clear mandate and showed the IPSOS exit poll said the BJP is Uttar Pradesh with 80 Lok votes and was projected to win (Secular) by a massive margin of did it come?" You cannot get dation, robbery, dacoity, mur- It made the ruling dispen- UPA at a distant second. set to get 22 to 23 seats in the Sabha seats, the pollsters has the constituency by a significant 4.79 lakh votes, according to the such hybrid breed in any labo- der, forgery, cheating and crim- sation (BJP and its allies) gung- The India Today-Axis and desert State, while Today's come up with a mixed bag of margin. Pragya had hit the results declared by the EC on ratory in the world, it is available inal breach of trust besides ho but invited criticism from News 24-Chanakya exit polls Chanakya exit poll predicted all results indicating the com- headlines in the run up to the Thursday. in our country's Congress lab- rape. the Opposition Congress and have been bang on target. 25 seats to fall in BJP's kitty. plexities involved at the ground polls by claiming that IPS offi- Hegde held the portfolio of oratory only," he had said, Union Minister and anoth- others who called it were paid Most pollsters also cor- The latter hit the bull's eye. level. If India Today-Axis gave cer Hemant Karkare was killed junior minister in the Skill attacking Rahul, at an event in er firebrand leader Giriraj Singh for, unreliable, inaccurate and rectly forecast the BJP's per- Ditto is the case of Prime the BJP-led NDA a maximum in the 26/11 attacks due to his Development and Uttara Kannada district. retained the Begusarai seat gossip. formance in Rajasthan, Minister Narendra Modi and of 68 seats and News 24- karma and that he was a traitor. Entrepreneurship Ministry dur- Nalin Kumar Kateel trouncing his nearest rival While the BJP looks set to Madhya Pradesh and BJP chief Amit Shah's home Today's Chanakya said its tally She had to later apologise for the ing Narendra Modi's first term (Dakshina Kannada), who had Kanhaiya Kumar of the CPI by cross the 300-mark on its own Chhattisgarh — where the state Gujarat, where BJP, as per could even cross the 70-seats remarks. She had also stoked a as PM. Hegde had also made backed Pragya Thakur on the a huge margin of over four lakh and the NDA hogging 350 Opposition Congress recently the India Today-My Axis India mark, then ABP-Nielsen gave controversy by terming headlines for wrong reasons Godse issue, also won by 2.74 votes. seats, the UPA tally was pegged won the Assembly polls. Exit Poll, is set to make a NDA as less as 22 Lok Sabha Nathuram Godse, who had when he had said the lakh votes, as per the results Singh, who had moved to at 85 seats, as per the trends Take the case of Rajasthan. complete sweep in the Gujarat seats and the SP-BSP-RLD killed Mahatma Gandhi, as a Constitution would be changed. announced on Thursday. Begusarai from Nawada, after and results last available. Almost all exit polls predicted Lok Sabha elections possibly alliance a high of 56 seats. As nationalist. She had to again ten- He had to later tender an apol- For his part, the vocal Sakshi initial reluctance, polled 6.88 It was also, perhaps, the first a clean sweep for the BJP in the winning all 26 seats. things stand, the Axis and der an apology after the remarks ogy in the Parliament. Maharaj won from Unnao with lakh votes out of a total of 12.17 time that the pollsters were Western State, with some exit Axis My India was among Chanakya estimates were the generated a nationwide out- And amid reports of his a record margin of four lakh lakhs polled on the elections unanimous in their projections. polls handing them all 25 seats those who had successfully closest. rage. controversial remarks on Twitter votes. He had recently stoked held April 29.     !" 

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'  *-,..&    CPI(ML) candidate, in Begusarai, was leading by 4.22   lakh votes. Radha Mohan Singh Housing and Urban Affairs In UP's Baghpat, Satyapal sailing on Bikaner seat by 2.5 fielded from Purvi Champaran minister Hardeep Puri lost in Singh was also engaged in a lakh votes. Anant Kumar xcept Union Minister was ahead of his rival Aakash Amritsar by a margin of over keen fight with RLD candidate Hegde (Uttara Kannada) was EManoj Sinha, Hardeep SIngh by a margin of nearly 99,00 votes Another big loss of Jayant Chaudhary. Singh was leading by nearly five lakh Singh Puri and KJ Alphons, a two lakh votes. In Arrah, RK the BJP was Union minister of trailing behind with 1068 votes. votes against JD(S) candidate record number of Union Singh led against his nearest state for Railways Manoj Sinha Sanjiv Balyan was engaged Anand Asnotikar. Ministers won their seat due to rival of CPI(ML) by a margin who was down by around 1.15 in an intense contest in Union minister Mahesh Modi-Amit Shah wave in the of over one lakh votes. lakh votes against BSP's Afzal Muzaffarpur seat in UP. He was Sharma was leading on 2019 Lok Sabh polls. Union Ravi Shankar Prasad was Ansari on Ghazipur seat. leading over his rival and RLD Gautam Buddh Nagar(Noida) Textile Minister Smriti Irani leading against Congress' The big winners included chief Ajit Singh by thin margin seat by over two lakh votes, emerged as a giant-killer Shatrughan Sinha on Patna Rajnath Singh and Nitin of 3,782 votes. against BSP's Satyapal. In against Congress president Sahib seat by nearly 2.83 lakh Gadkari. Singh led against Maneka Gandhi, who Bareilly, Santosh Gangwar Rahul Gandhi who conceded votes. Samajwadi Party candidate and switched to Sultanpur(UP) seat, sailed through with around defeat from Amethi in one of Firebrand leader and Shatrughna Sinha's wife was leading by a slender mar- 1.5 lakh votes. the most keenly watched con- Union minister Ashwini Poonam Sinha in Lucknow by gin of 13,859 votes against Other ministers of Modi tests in the country. Kumar Choubey too sailed over 3.45 lakh votes. BSP's Chandra Bhadra Singh. government including Jual The official announcement through against RJD's Gadkari won from Nagpur BJP's biggest winners Oram(Sundargarh), Sadanand on most of the seats was await- Jagadanand Singh, leading by by a margin of around 1.97 included VK Singh who led Gowda(North Bengaluru), ed as matching of electronic around 1.5 lakh votes. lakh votes. He was up against over his rival from SP Suresh Shripad Yesso Naik(North Goa) voting machine (EVM) counts Cabinet Minister KJ Congress's Nana Patole. On Bansal by a margin over five Ram Kripal Yadav, Jitendra with voter verifiable audit Alphons was facing a humili- Chandrapur(Maharashtra) seat lakh votes in Ghaziabad con- Singh(Udhampur), Rao trail(VVPAT) slips was in ating defeat in Kerala. He Union minister of state for stituency. Inderjeet Singh(Gurgaon), progress. trailed at the third place behind Home Affairs Hansraj Rajyavardhan Rathor was Narendra Singh Prime Minister Narendra Congress' Hibi Aeden and Gangaram Ahir had a tough leading against Olympian Tomar(Morena), Babul Modi retained Varanasi by over CPI(M) candidate P Rajeev contest on the platter and he Krishna Poonia of Congress by Supriyo(Asansol), Ajay 4.79 lakh votes. He increased on Ernakulam seat. was trailing behind Balubhau 3.89 lakh votes on Jaipur(Rural) Tamta(Almora) among others, his victory margin as compared His colleague and Union by over 50,000 votes. seat. Arjun Ram Meghwal was were on the victory march.     -           P
   &  (       !" / - / 09  :   / 1 /-2 -  $ $ ernment, the ruling BJP-Shiv Union Minister of State The other highlights of the Sena alliance has dimmed the Hansraj Ahir by a margin of polls were the victories of BJP’s   Secretary, D Raja told PTI that n a virtual repeat of its spec- hopes of the Congress-NCP 50,288 votes. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari although now was not the time Itacular performance in the alliance returning to power in The Congress’ embarrass- (Nagpur), state president issures within the Opposition to blame any individual party 2014 polls, the BJP-Shiv Sena the State. ing electoral debacle can be Raosaheb Danve-Patil (Jalna), Fcamp emerged within hours or leader for the dismal per- alliance on Thursday swept The BJP-Sena alliance per- gauged from the defeats of its late senior party leader of the BJP-led NDA looking set formance of the Opposition, it the Lok Sabha polls in formed well in all the regions two former chief ministers Gopinath Munde’s daughter for a stupendous win, with the is also true that it was because Maharashtra, by either winning in the state. While the saffron Ashok Chavan in Nanded and and sitting MP Pritam Munde CPI and the NCP blaming of the unity among the allies or establishing unassailable alliance won all the six seats ( Sushilkumar Shinde fell by (Beed), late party leader Congress and its president Rahul that in states like Tamil Nadu, leads in 41 out of the total 48 BJP-3 and Sena-3) in Mumbai, way side. While Chavan was Pramod Mahajan’s daughter Gandhi for the poor perfor- the BJP wave did not have any seats in the State, decimating walked away with nine seats in trounced by Prataprao Patil Poonam Mahajan (Mumbai mance in the elections. effect. “Every political party once again the Opposition western Maharashtra, six seats Chikhalikar of the BJP, Shinde north-central). Soon after the trends were should introspect and analyse Congress and limiting the tally in north Mahnarashtra, six suffered a defeat hands of Jai Bollywood actress Urmila out, CPI national secretary Atul how this situation happened. of NCP to five. seats in Konkan region, eight Sideshwar Shivchary Matondkar, who contested the Anjan come out in media crit- We have to rework strategies, On a day when senior seats in Marathwada and eight Mahaswamiji. polls as a Congress candidate icising Rahul for the wrong reorganise party and reconnect Congress leaders Sushilkumar seats from Vidarbha region. The annexing of Chavans’ from Mumbai north con- decisions which led to the cur- with the people. Shinde and Ashok Chavan bit Though it increased the home turf of Nanded is of stituency, suffered a massive rent pathetic stage. He even “With BJP capturing electoral dust, the saffron 2014 tally by one seat, the extreme political significance defeat at the hands of BJP’s sit- blamed Rahul for opening up power, they will now aggres- alliance both humiliated the NCP had nothing to gloat considering that barring four ting MP Gopal Shetty. doors for Prime Minister sively pursue Hindutva agenda Congress further by reducing about its electoral performance. terms, Nanded was under the In the initial stages of Narendra Modi’s grand victory. and cultural nationalism. The its embarrassing 2014 tally of For, NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s control of the Congress since counting in the morning, NCP MP Majeed Memon secular democratic parties have two seats to one seat. daughter and two-time MP 1952. While late S B Chavan Matondkar had created a stir by also vented his anger against failed to form a credible In a surprise outcome,All Supriya Sule managed to retain represented the constituency lodging a complaint with the Congress in TV channels’ alliance and that has been our India Majlis-E-Ittehadul the home seat of Baramati, twice (1980 and 1984), Ashok Election Commission of India debates, blaming the “not upto failure,” Raja said. Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislator while his grand nephew and Chavan himself was elected to alleging ‘changed’ EVM, here mark performance of the grand CPI general secretary and former TV journalist former deputy chief minister Lok Sabha once in a bye-elec- on Thursday. old party. Sudhakar Reddy also blamed Imtiaz Jaleel was poised to bag Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar tion in 1987, following the “On the form of EVM 17C “The BJP fought these elec- Congress for its reluctance to Aurangabad by defeating four- suffered an embarrassing defeat 2014 election, while the Shiv tally of 15 seats, by winning as resignation of his father. Late S from Magathane, the signatures tions on the basis of social and ally with Left parties in West time MP Chandrakant Khaire at the hands of Shiv Sena’s sit- Sena contested 23 seats as many as 18 seats. B Chavan’s son-in-law and and the machine numbers are religious divisive policies and Bengal. “Sabarimala under- of the Shiv Sena. ting MP Shrirang Appa against 22 seats it had contest- However, with its winning Ashokrao’s brother-in-law different. A complaint has been the agenda was set by them on current” helped the UDF elec- The ruling saffron alliance’s Chandu Barne by a margin of ed in the previous polls. tally having been reduced to Bhaskarao Khatgaonkar has filed with the EC,” Matondkar this basis. But more significant torally in Kerala, where Rahul superlative performance has 2,15,913 votes. Both the BJP and the Shiv mere one seat, the Congress’ represented the constituency had tweeted. is the fact that the unity of the Gandhi contesting from come as a big boost to the BJP- Incidentally, both the BJP Sena have been contesting the stock has hit its nadir in thrice (1998, 1999 and 2009). However, later in the Opposition has been damaged Wayanad also consolidated the Shiv Sena combine ahead of the and Shiv Sena retained their Lok Sabha polls as an alliance Maharashtra which was long- Chavan, who was inciden- evening, Matondkar conceded by the Congress. The policies minority votes behind the State Assembly polls to be held 2014’s winning tally of 23 and since 1989. In both the 2014 considered its bastion. tally is one of the two Congress the defeat through a tweet: and decisions of Rahul Congress, he added. in October this year. With its 18 seats respectively. The only and 2019 polls, the BJP romped The only seat that the candidates (out of its 26 can- “Congratulations to Prime Gandhi has weakened opposi- Memon, for his part, said: stunning performance difference this time around home with its best-ever win- Congress won was didates) had been elected to Minister @narendramodiji and tion unity, led to divisions and “We have some setbacks and achieved after bucking the was that the BJP contested 25 ning tally of 23 seats as against Chandrapur, where its candi- Lok Sabha in 2014 polls from his team on a stupendous vic- opened the doors for Modi’s we find that unfortunately the severe anti-incumbency faced seats in the 2019 polls in against 18 it had won in 1996, while the date Balubhau alias Suresh Maharashtra in the face of a tory... one that can only be victory,” said Anjan. Congress didn’t perform up to by the Devendra Fadnavis gov- 26 seats it had contested in Sena improved its previous Narayan Dhanorkar trounced fierce Modi wave. applauded with a mighty vigour”. The party’s other National the mark.”  4) R
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2    In West Bengal’s the minds of people about elections. In 2014, the BJP had Bengal was lost by the Congress them are set to lose. Alipurduar seat in north EVMs. But, I don’t want to won 282 seats out of the total for the very first time. Actor-politician Shatrughan 1
  Bengal, Dasarth Tirkey the sit- blame the machines now, since 543 in Lok Sabha. However, in 1967 elec- Sinha, who joined Congress ting TMC MP from the results are out. Once the Jawaharlal Nehru won tions, Nehru’s daughter Indira ahead of the Lok Sabha election,      Alipurduar, who was once a sit- verdict is out, we have to accept around three-fourth of the Lok Gandhi was able to get 283 lost to rival Union Minister Ravi      ting RSP MLA, is staring at his it gracefully... I am accepting it Sabha seats in the first elections seats out of total 520 seats. This Shankar Prasad from Patna defeat. Manas Bhunia, Apurba gracefully,” in the country during 1951-52. was Indira’s first electoral vic- Sahib constituency in Bihar. (  Sarkar, Kanialal Agarwal, all “We will definitely examine Subsequently, he was able to win tory in general elections. In In nearby Madhepura, for- former Congress MLAs, who the reasons for our defeat in the 1957 elections as well as 1962 1969, Indira expelled the old mer JD(U) leader Sharad contested from Midnapore, polls. We will increase our con- elections with full majority. guard of the party, which were Yadav, who joined RJD before Devendrappa are leading from Baharampur and Raiganj tact with people in the run-up to Since the elections were taking called as Congress (O). This polls, was lagging by over 1.30 Gulbarga and Bellary, respec- respectively on TMC tickets are State Assembly polls due in place for the first time in inde- section of Congress was led by lakh votes from Dinesh tively, BJP candidate from trailing. Paresh Adhikary and October. Verdict is out now... pendent India in 1951, the Morarji Desai. Chandra Yadav of JD(U). Hassan A Manju is behind by Mafuja Khatun, former MLAs State is reeling under severe polling had to be spread over a It was during this time Tariq Anwar, who switched 1.42 lakh votes from Prajwal of Forward Bloc and CPI(M) drought, we will have to reach period of five months from that Indira coined the slogan from Sharad Pawar’s Revanna, grandson of former who contested on TMC and assistance to drought-affected October 1951 to February 1952. “Garibi hatao”, which found a Nationalist Congress Party Prime Minister HD BJP tickets respectively, are people. Whatever drought relief While the Congress dom- wide emotive appeal among the (NCP) to Congress, is also Devegowda. trailing in Coochbehar and programme we have undertak- inance was insurmountable in Indian voters. As a result, she trailing by over 40,000 votes Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Jangipur Lok en will continue,” Pawar said. 1951, various other political was able to increase her tally to from Katihar. senior Congress leader Sabha seats. Pawar’s daughter and two- strands such as Bhartiya Jana 352 in 1971 elections for her Cricketer-turned-politician Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, had time MP Supriya Sule retained Sangh, Kisaan Mazdoor Praja second term. Kirti Azad is trailing from switched to BJP from Congress. the Baramati seat, while his Party, Scheduled Caste In between 2010 and 2014, Dhanbad by nearly 1.6 lakh He is ahead by over 2.30 lakh grand nephew Parth Pawar Federation and Socialist Party with UPA Government facing votes. He had joined Congress votes in Ahmednagar con- suffered a humiliating defeat at had started to take shape by multiple allegations of massive from BJP. stituency of Maharashtra. the hands of Shiv Sena’s irang then. The Congress was able to corruption scandals, the BJP Son of former Union Suresh Dhanorkar, who Appa Chandu Barne by a mar- win 364 out of 489 seats dur- decided to appoint the then Minister Jaswant Singh, joined Congress leaving Shiv gin of 2,15,913 votes. ing 1951-52 elections. The Gujarat Chief Minister Manvendra, who is contesting Sena, is ahead of sitting BJP MP Alluding to the Prime party polled around 45 per cent Narendra Modi as their Prime on a Congress ticket from Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in the Minister Narendra Modi’s visit of the total votes then. Minister candidate for 2014 Barmer is also trailing by about Chandrapur seat from the state. to a cave near Uttarakhand’s In 1957, when Nehru was up general elections. 3.12 lakh votes. In Nanded, Pratap Kedarnath temple for medita- for re-election, India was going With a promise of devel- Meanwhile, Bhojpuri actor Chikhlikar, a turncoat from tion during the last phase of the through a difficult phase as the opment (vikas) across India, Ravi Kishan Shukla, who had Shiv Sena to BJP, is leading Lok Sabha polls, Pawar said: “In Prime Minister was battling the Narendra Modi won his first contested on Congress ticket in against state Congress chief the last phase of polling, we saw right wing inside and outside his ever general the last general elections but Ashok Chavan by about a ‘chamatkar’ (miracle) of party after passage of the Hindu elections joined the BJP ahead of the Lok 37,000 votes. (prime minister Narendra Marriage Act in 1955. with full Sabha polls, is leading by over Baijayant Panda who was Modi) sitting in a cave. This The country was facing majority in 2.80 lakh from Gorakhpur expelled from the BJD and is was something we had never many language disputes. 2014 constituency. contesting from Kendrapara seen before in this country. We Consequently, after establish- with 282 In Karnataka, three politi- on BJP ticket is lagging behind did not expect such things. We ment of States Reorganisation seats. cal leaders changed affiliations by 40,000 votes. will have to see how much it Committee in 1953, many from Congress to BJP, with two Former Union Minister benefited (the BJP). We don’t states were formed on the basis of them leading in vote counts. Panabaka Lakshmi who want to jump to the conclu- of language. The country was While Umesh Yadav and Y changed sides from Congress sion,” he said. also feeling the heat due to food insecurity. However, among all     1

  tiple emojis. A meme collage showed Javed Bajwa along with the dia- Soon, the memes on multiple images of Smriti Irani, logue: “Hum dukhi the, par ocial media was flooded Congress President Rahul saying: “Smriti Irani looking for humse bhi zyada 2 log aur Swith opinions, debates, Gandhi and other politicians some competition from Rahul dukhi the.” jokes, memes especially aimed began making the rounds. Gandhi”. An old picture of the to the Opposition and the BJP candidate Smriti Irani’s Citing a famous scene from Gandhi family — showing Congress. One of the most win over Rahul Gandhi in the film “3 Idiots” a creative Indira Gandhi and Rajiv noticed developments was Amethi further stirred the meme showed Prime Minister Gandhi sitting near a lotus-bud Prime Minister Narendra Modi meme broth. Narendra Modi telling Rahul clad pond — resurfaced again removing Chowkidar from his One trending meme Gandhi, “Neeche se check kar, with the caption: “Kamal khilne twitter handle. He had prefixed showed Rahul Gandhi’s face neeche se!” A rendition of ke intezar mein”. it to counter Congress presi- photoshopped on Deepika another scene from the same One picture showed Rahul dent Rahul Gandhi’s attack Padukone’s body in the film, showed a picture of Gandhi addressing a media against him saying ‘Chowkidar Padmavat poster that read Pakistan Prime Minister Imran campaign captioned, “Aree Chor Hai ‘. “Sadmavati”. Khan and Army Chief Qamar haarna jeetna chhoro, Ever since the vote count manoranjan mei toh koi kami commenced, netizens began nahi hui na?” their day with a video clip One viral meme on Smriti showing television journalist Irani’s victory in Amethi read: Arnab Goswami mistakenly “If “Ghar mein ghus ke marna” referring to Sunny Deol as has a face!!” Sunny Leone. Don’t miss this hilarious The clip was shared in one for the Opposition: “Bade such a huge number that it con- dukh ke saath soochit karna vinced actor Sunny Leone to pad raha hai ki ess desh ne ek post, “Leading by How many & 1       saath 22 pradhan mantri kho votes????” on Twitter with mul-  1   diye hai”.     !" &.& 0    .*/012/345*+,6+ ()*+,+ +8**32/345*+,6+4     5  /'  !   '&   &/    234& &       $  $       )      O:5+
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It’s an oft-repeated say-               O     ing that the road to Delhi’s seat of power       0   1     2$%    passes through UP and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) proved that          ((     S  its pan-India weight could fill any    # (              (  trough, even the one in UP.         3444    S      Most political pundits had predict- ed not more than 30 seats for the BJP in                       this State, particularly after the gathband-             5          16$S  ( han of the Samajwadi Party (SP),                         Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and               7  *    "  Rashtriya Lok Dal came into existence. These parties were heavily enthused by       )   (            ( the bypoll results of Kairana, Gorakhpur                   ( and Phoolpur, where castes like Jats,  1                   Yadavs, Dalits and Muslims played a vital role to defeat the BJP. Parties thought that    "                    this time, too, the same formula would          5       *S     work and the BJP would be decimated.      8 #     9    ! % UP comprises more than 25 per cent rides, the bottomlines are disastrous. ers. This is something that was unthink- Dalits, nearly 18 per cent of Muslims and Except for Rai Bareli, the grand old party able at a time when the SP or BSP ruled                  - ) S   15 per cent of Yadavas and Jats. Their has not been able to retain even Amethi the State. Further, the Yogi Government       :4;<          S   :4;= alliance would have been lethal to fin- from where its national president Rahul also banned illegal slaughterhouses,          ish the BJP but this formula did not work Gandhi was contesting. These two seats thus winning the support of the Hindus. in 2019. Belying all expectation, the BJP have been the pocketborough of the   7 To top it all, not even one communal #                     ( romped home with 60 seats. Many Congress and except for 1977, both have riot has taken place in the State during            > $   #S   +$(1+$(!2  journalists and analysts, who analysed always been held by the party. The so- $   the period of Modi and Yogi. There was           S            the outcome of the Lok Sabha election, called Congress Brahmastra, too, failed.    no peace, no security during the SP/BSP keeping in mind the caste angle, ignored Now let us consider how the BJP era. Anti-social elements used to have         ,      0   6     something that clearly worked in this was able to shatter the dreams of the $ 7  a field day and the police was made pli-                      election — the politics of emotion, one gathbandhan. Results show that while    <=  < ant to the MLAs and MPs belonging to                       which helped Prime Minister Narendra the SP-BSP combine could not make the castes of the Chief Ministers of their Modi project himself as the do-gooder any significant change in the political     time.            )     who was being obstructed by greedy contours of Uttar Pradesh, the BSP has Distribution of electricity has con-     "           ( power players. And for all the polarisa- been quite lucky. In fact, it has ridden     siderably improved in small villages.       :4:: #           *   tion, he seems to have cut across the piggyback on the larger appeal of a  < >  Thus, the slogan of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka masses in terms of appeal and acceptabil- front. In the last Lok Sabha elections of Vikas’, has gone down well with the peo-          *        (*  ( ity as a worthy choice in a national bet. 2014, the BSP had drawn a blank. On      ple of the State. Another factor which      +  1 6 S   $      So while in the 2014 Lok Sabha elec- the other hand, SP could secure five = has worked in favour of the BJP is a   +             5   S "( tions, there was a discernible Modi wave seats last time, mainly held by family direct transfer of the subsidy amount in sweeping across the country, in 2019, members, including one by Mulayam the accounts of the beneficiaries. This                # #  9    there was a complete denial of this wave Singh Yadav. This time, it has held just successfully eliminated the army of ) 1                   by most parties and political commen- nine seats. However, the BSP under middleman and contractors, who never                +      tators as well. The SP and BSP are, with- Mayawati has improved its tally from allowed the farmers and poor to be ben- ?               out doubt, casteist parties. While SP zero to 12. This shows that despite get- fast. Almost all villages in the State are efited by the numerous welfare schemes. depends heavily on the Yadavas and ting full support of Muslims and now connected with motorable roads, Going forward, Balakot and surgical             5     Muslims, BSP claims the monopoly over Yadavas, the SP has not been able to get every household has electricity, every strikes worked heavily in favour of the                    the Dalits votes plus some Muslim the Dalit votes transferred in its favour. family avails gas connection under the BJP too, particularly in rural areas. The               votes. It is an unconcealed fact that by It is also alleged that Mayawati did not Ujjwala Yojana. There is hardly any BJP also sold it properly to the people. and large, Muslims have been against the send her message to the Dalits in house even in the remote countryside, On the other hand, the Opposition,           97     BJP and in this election were expected favour of the SP candidates because in which does not have a toilet facility. So mainly the leaders of the gathbandhan, 1                to vote against the BJP. Muslims are con- her heart of hearts, she does not like the much so that those, who did not have failed to raise any issue before the elec-           #  S   sidered to be politically very wise and Yadavas. This was enough for Dalits to a house to live, are living in pucca hous- torate as they were heavily dependent vigilant and they vote in favour of the not transfer their votes in favour of the es today. There is hardly any member on caste factors. Mayawati got so des-         0+! 9 S 6 !    candidate who can defeat the BJP, irre- SP, which is dominated by the Yadavas of any family who does not have a bank perate that she showed the audacity of          #      spective of the party he/she belongs to. and who are considered to be the mus- account under the Pradhan Mantri Jan presenting Mulayam Singh Yadav as the 9         )   This was the reason why the gathband- clemen. In the last Assembly election, Dhan Yojana. Almost everyone has genuine backward and Modi as the fake han was overconfident of pulverising the Mayawati had coined the slogan “Chadh been ensured under the Ayushman backward. People realised that only the       )@   +     BJP this Lok Sabha election. It was con- Gundan ki Chhati Par, Mohar Lagao Bharat Yojana. family members of Mulayam Singh     S         sidering itself to be invincible but all the Haathi Par.” She used to say that These schemes have been imple- Yadav and Mayawati have reaped the #             6 planning proved to be day-dreaming. Yadavas are the cruel oppressors of the mented without any discrimination on fruits of power in amassing a huge The reality is that in this complicated Dalits and this slogan silently resonat- the basis of caste, creed and religion. amount of money. Corruption had 6    (      )  deal, vote transference didn’t happen ed in this election, too. There was a constant crisis of urea but become a byword during the tenures of   +  $        among partners across the State though While the gathbandhan parties now it is available in plenty. Soil health Mayawati and Mulayam, which has                 it had worked at the bypoll level. were mainly dependent on the votes of cards have been distributed to all farm- been completely unheard of during the The Congress has almost no pres- Jat, Yadavas and Muslims, the BJP, ers, which have helped them. Hence, Modi and Yogi regime. This has been          ( ence in UP. It has been non-existent for under the leadership of Prime Minister casteist factors could not cut any ice. the reason why caste politics of gath-     @9 !  #   all practical purposes for nearly three Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Another important factor that led bandhan has been buried deep and the         8 decades. Yet for all the concentrated Adityanath, was telling the people to the BJP’s win is that it was, perhaps, politics of development has been pre- focus by Congress general secretary about their achievements. There is no for the first time that the farmers got ferred in Uttar Pradesh. #      9     ( Priyanka Gandhi to wean the upper denying the fact that the pace of devel- timely and proper payment for their (The writer is Advocate on Record at           castes away with her temple run and boat opment in Uttar Pradesh has been very produce, particularly sugarcane grow- the Supreme Court of India)            (              (    A      %  !  $    S               !    3   14             . !    16$      $  )   P    Q          $ 
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PKI’s embed-             Q   ,  ded organisation, the 13th of September Movement, believed that a large portion of the 1             country’s armed forces was anti-Communist and       9    $ (      under the influence of the US, which was plan-       9   #     ning to topple Sukarno.                G  ( Sukarno was not a communist himself. In   F             her book, Maoism: A Global History, Julia Lovell                 ( writes that he had kept the large PKI on his side              ( to neutralise the influence of the military.                  ( Nevertheless, in the early 1960s, as tensions  P.           *  between the military and PKI mounted and the                 economy began to unravel, Sukarno made an alarming speech in August 1964. Alluding to the                  developing crisis, Sukarno stated that the coun-        "    Q   try was “living dangerously.” !    9   The 1965 coup attempt was brutally thwart- +  :4;H 9       1*- * ed by anti-communist military factions. The  + 2          coup was crushed by Major-General Suharto.        ;;    1  G  ( Adrian Wickers, in his 2013 book, A History of   $            ( Modern Indonesia, writes that the military gave                far-right Islamic and Catholic groups ample          G   #     ( space and impunity to carry out some of the             + G  S worst massacres of the 20th century. A 1977 on May 12, 2007. As the judge was waiting at the mosque), 10 soldiers and one ranger. As the                ( Amnesty International report suggests that the city’s airport, riots and open gun battles political and economic situation continued to “about one million” Indonesians — believed to between MQM activists and those belonging to deteriorate, while terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda-                 be PKI members or sympathisers — were mer- the anti-Musharraf alliance such as the Pakistan  =$%> affiliated outfits increased in number, the exiled           *      cilessly slaughtered and these included pregnant Peoples Party (PPP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami chairperson of the PPP Benazir Bhutto, returned                 ( women and children. Party (PkMAP), Pakistan Muslim League $ < to Pakistan in October. A large rally in Karachi  #           @     The Australian novelist Christopher Koch (Nawaz) (PML-N) and Awami National Party    < that was escorting her from the Jinnah       @           1  dramatised the carnage in a 1978 novel. The title (ANP), erupted on the roads and streets of the International Airport was attacked by suicide      @                ( of the novel, The Year of Living Dangerously, was city. Government buildings, media outlets, cars $7 2 bombers and 124 people were killed in the car-   (             ( inspired by Sukarno’s speech. Since the novel was and buses were fired upon and torched. Snipers $$ > nage. Al Qaeda-affiliated groups were suspect-             $ @  1*- turned into a film in 1982, the expression “year took positions on overhead bridges and mowed ed of carrying out the attack. .                 ( of living dangerously” is often used by writers down opponents with bullets.   =   On November 3, Musharraf declared a state                 and journalists to describe a tumultuous year in The city came to a standstill as armed men of emergency. The same month, sectarian vio- the life of a country and/or a particularly vio- roamed the streets amid dead bodies, abandoned  $7  lence in Kurram Agency killed 80 people and              F   lent period in which a country spirals into anar- cars and burning motorbikes and buses. Islamic militants began to take over buildings               +    chy and unprecedented bloodshed. According to a May 13, 2007 report by CNN, 33 "!  in Swat. On November 22, Pakistan was sus-      @      @      If one sets aside 1971’s bloody civil war in people were killed and dozens were wounded. $ $   pended from the Commonwealth for refusing                 former East Pakistan, then the year in which The MQM and the Musharraf regime accused to lift the emergency. On November 26, PML-        F S          Pakistan lived dangerously (in the context of the Opposition parties for the violence, where- 7   = N chief Nawaz Sharif returned from exile.                    the mentioned expression) has to be 2007. It as the former and most local and foreign news   7   2 On December, 13 Islamist militant groups               7    is remarkable that the country actually came outlets put the blame on the latter and formed the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),                 # out of it at all. Musharraf.  =$##> which would go on to kill thousands of   F                The year got off to a terrible start when, in Then in June, unprecedented monsoon   Pakistanis in the following years. On December    ;I4       ;I444 January, an Al Qaeda suicide bomber killed 12 rains in Karachi killed over 200 people. The 27, suicide bombers assassinated Benazir Bhutto. policemen in Peshawar. Then in February, very next month on July 3, militant clerics and Dozens perished with her and dozens more were *   34(  ( ,    ((  F S military chief and president Pervez Musharraf their ‘students’ fired at security forces posted < $ killed in the riots which spread across Pakistan  ((      F      suspended the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar outside Islamabad’s Red Mosque. The mosque $$ <  for three days. Enraged mobs ran amok, setting          ,       F  Chaudhry, accusing him of corruption. and its seminary had been taken over by rad- fire to buildings and automobiles, especially in        "        The lawyers’ community rejected the sus- ical clerics and their supporters, who for < 7  < Punjab and Sindh.          ,        pension and began a movement. It was soon months had been harassing the people of the $7 2  Things almost completely fell apart in    #             joined by both big and small Opposition par- locality on the pretext of “vanquishing anti- 2007. However, the country managed to limp       (    ties, whose rallies were often attacked by riot Islamic activities.” As tensions between the cler-  =$# >$C back to some “normalcy” but the economy con- 9    1*- S       ,   ( police. As the movement transformed into a ics and the state rose, security forces moved in  <J  < tinued to plummet and terrorist attacks became                 ( populist anti-Musharraf drive and spread from after it was confirmed that the clerics and their endemic. Things in this respect began to some-    F  9       F       Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, its leaders “students” were heavily armed. The major siege  < $ what improve from 2015 onwards. But an eco- decided to take it to Sindh’s capital city, Karachi. took place on July 10 and 11 when Pakistan mil- nomic downturn, the recent spike in terror                 Karachi’s then largest party, the Muttahida itary commandos entered the building and K  attacks and intense political polarisation, are      P5             Qaumi Movement (MQM), was a staunch ally eliminated the militants. once again threatening the country. Are we                  ( of the Musharraf regime. On July 13, newspapers reported that 102 once again moving towards a year of living      Q    The MQM wasn’t happy when the suspend- people had been killed. These included 91 civil- dangerously?           ed judge and his supporters arrived in Karachi ians (most of whom were militants holed up in (Courtesy: The Dawn) 8 &                 @  @        E  94#"2                    

to in the sub-clause 1 (a) of Article 2 map the trajectory of Anthropocene Assessment’, delineating the impacts of demands for water, administering cially water. To ensure water security for of the Paris Agreement, 2015, and fix and associated global greenhouse gas climate change and increasing global equitable distribution of water resources the region, understanding localised a numerical baseline for the average emission pathways. temperature on HKH and its resources. for different sectors and needs can be variations will be the key. For example, global temperature. In the face of huge human influ- According to the report, glaciers have even more challenging for the existing in the hilly areas of the region, the main The challenge is to separate and ence on the earth system, pursuing the been shrinking since the mid-18th cen- water governance structures in the source of water is the springs. Thus, in quantify human influences on climate efforts to limit the temperature increase tury, the exception being from 1920 to region. this case, relevant geographical units for   change from that of nature. This will above 1.5ºC is an ambitious task. 1940. The ICIMOD warned of dire Hydro-politics played out as a sub- effective water resources management < <  help convince and stimulate decision- Unchecked, the temperature rise above consequences if the global climate set of regional geopolitics often fer- will be the springsheds and not the river $*,*/158)/:**5 makers throughout the world for tak- 1.5ºC may have significant, long-last- response fails to contain the rising tem- ments competition among countries basins. Augmenting water resources,
++8*8+/:,*8  "#))*! 16;2 ing up the much-needed climate ing and irreversible impacts on human perature and said that “current emis- which undercuts the prospects of rejuvenating water bodies and strength- change mitigation actions as stated in and natural systems. Among the many sions would lead to five degrees in cooperation. In the geopolitical tug of ening water governance institutions will /36,,+*88) he human influence on the plan- Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, 2015, impacts and the cascading risks that warming and a loss of two-thirds of the war, it is no denying that countries may be vital for the development of the 3*I:8+>8+,,,8 et and its environment, leading “to limit the temperature increase to changing climate and increase in glob- region’s glaciers by 2100.” be inclined to use water as a geo-strate- region, human security and achieving 6:*58)6:0,+/*5 Tto global warming, are no more 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels…to al temperature will lead to, one is on the Though commonly described as gic weapon. Establishment of effective sustainable development goals, especial- *,+*3888:8) hidden. However, there can also be sev- significantly reduce the risks and Himalayas (to be specific, Hindu Kush- ‘Water Tower of Asia’, water crisis is transboundary water governance struc- ly Goal 6. eral natural factors that cause climate impacts of climate change.” Himalaya region) and the natural looming large over countries in the tures and constant dialogues to achieve It is also important to develop insti- B:5382)*86.:5 change and variations in global temper- The geological era dominated by resources thereof. HKH region. The unfolding water cri- trade-offs between upstream and tutional capacities at multi-level gover- *568*/85.*+,:++ atures. In fact, increased volcanic erup- human influences on climate is consid- The International Centre for sis is likely to get worse in the coming downstream water uses may preclude nance structures for adaptive and ,*6*88)*) tions and periods of few sunspots may ered as anthropocene. A recent special Integrated Mountain Development years, aided by human drivers such as such a scenario. It is important for effective governance, build cross-scalar 8)),+86/ lead to a drop-off in the temperature report by the Intergovernmental Panel (ICIMOD) described the Hindu Kush- climate change. The per capita water nations to understand that cooperation interfaces among the various knowl- )*015>) as it happened over the Northern on Climate Change (IPCC) titled, Himalaya (HKH) region the “Third availability has drastically gone down, on water issues leads to a win-win sit- edge-based systems and strengthen the Hemisphere for about a thousand ‘Global Warming of 1.5ºC’ attempts to Pole” as it “stores more snow and ice thus compromising on the develop- uation. Efforts must be on to promote resilience of the communities. As the +8+)
8+,, years, known as Little Ice Age, which trace the temporal extent of anthro- than anywhere else in the world out- mental needs, especially of the pover- regional dialogue and multi-stake- IPCC special report on ‘Global 6*8+/+6*8+:6* lasted roughly till the mid-18th pocene. The report says that anthro- side the polar regions.” The HKH ty-stricken population. holders partnership on water issues for Warming of 1.5ºC’ suggests, there is a 6*,+*38*,/8+ Century. Climate variations are, there- pocene has geological merit to be ecosystem is already showing signs of Rapid rate of urbanisation (often effective water resources management strong need to establish synergies ):5*>*5)8)*86,, fore, generally induced by a mix of nat- regarded as a formal epoch in the geo- human influences. Changes in cryos- unplanned), ever-growing population and conflict mitigation in the region. between climate change mitigation, +/8*+8*53++8* ural and human factors. Precisely logical time scale and that it begins from phere are an important indicator of cli- and fast-paced industrialisation in the About two billion people living in adaptation and sustainable develop- because of this, climate scientists find the mid-20th century and continues. mate change. In February 2019, the ICI- HKH region stress upon the already the basins of the 10 major rivers, which ment goals. 0:8*,
5+/88)6+3 it difficult to define the phrase “2°C Scientists, artists and documentary MOD came out with a landmark depleting natural resources, including originate from HKH, benefit directly (The writer is a freelance 3++8*5)6*82 above pre-industrial levels” as referred makers are all trying to capture and study titled, ‘The Hindu Kush Himalaya water. In the face of competitive sectoral or indirectly from its resources, espe- commentator)             !" < + , - '
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    Rajnath Singh efforts to be made to clean the  Lucknow would be made river Ganga there. Anupriya Patel ith people reposing faith one of the most beautiful cities  Dholak trade to be  Mirzapur to be devel- Win the Bharatiya Janata of the world. Projects worth Rs developed under One District oped as a tourist destination Party (BJP) once again and giv- 50,000 crore are in the pipeline One Product (ODOP) scheme. which in turn will generate ing a resounding mandate to which will make Lucknow  Behmai bridge to be employment at village level. Prime Minister Narendra commuter-friendly and one of completed. Temple of Vindhyachal Modi, it will be a trying time the cleanest cities of India. An auditorium will be will be brought under reli- for the ruling party leaders to constructed in Varanasi. gious tourism map. fulfil the promises they have Chief Minister Yogi made during the election cam- Adityanath Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Santosh Gangwar paign.  If the BJP comes to  A medical college and The famous rubber fac- The poll promises range power in 2019, the NDA gov- a Central school in Fatehpur. tory to be re-opened in Bareilly. from building bridges to pro- ernment will set up a sports  Rail Park in Fatehpur Four industrial areas of viding jobs and setting up university in Meerut. city. Parsakheda, Rajau, Bhojipura medical college to developing Green Expressway from  Drinking water to be and Faridpur to be developed. city as tourist hub. Delhi to Saharanpur to provided in 64 villages near Textile Park will be set Sample the promises that Yamunotri. Ganga by constructing over- up in city. the BJP leaders made during Vasudev Tirth Sthal to head tanks and installing 64 Mega Food Park will be the poll campaign: be developed in Amroha and hand pumps. re-opened. 3+5.*. '&  /,*)> ,1*8* 88368 4    . -   5     '  6 
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+    --   %(  <       nationalism in their poll cam- campaigners of the party. He he said. )&::-< & 1:&&3 headlines at national level as alone and coming up with paigns and the people liked it. was the most sought after and Yogi said that this result  178 farmers filed nominations such an impeccable perfor- treets in the metropolis lated by BJP’s resounding “Prime Minister Narendra addressed a series of rallies had dispelled the myth that against CM KCR's daughter, to mance, signals towards a dawn Semptied by early on Evictory in the Lok Sabha Modi had given the slogan of across the country. His prestige votes could be transferred on he wait is finally over for highlight the failure of of a new era in Telangana pol- Thursday evening amid fear of elections, Chief Minister Yogi ‘Abki baar 300 paar’ and the was at stake in Gorakhpur one command. “The political Tthe saffron party in Telangana government in itics, where three party fight clashes as election trends Adityanath said the results people voted en bloc to fulfil from where he was elected leaders should now realise that Telangana. In a historic man- addressing farm distress. Even will be witnessed among TRS, poured in with the ruling reflected defeat of negativity the dream of Modi and the MP five times but had lost the people will vote for only that date, four BJP candidates after results, Nizamabad seat BJP and Congress. Trinamool Congress and the emanating from dynastic pol- BJP,” the Chief Minister said. seat in the by-election in 2018. party which will work at the emerged victorious in the made headlines at national "We have been saying that surging BJP locked in a neck itics and victory of develop- “We won because of the He ensured that his protégé ground level,” he added. Loksabha polls, ensuring a level, as daughter of Telangana BJP will emerge as the alterna- and neck battle for the 42 Lok ment and nationalistic politics. leadership shown by Prime Ravi Kishan sails through com- Claiming that Prime grand debut for the national CM, who ardently pitched for tive to ruling TRS after Sabha seats in West Bengal. “The results are clear indi- Minister Modi and the politi- fortably. Minister Modi had worked party in Telangana. Federal Front, got defeated by Loksabha polls in Telangana. People reached to the safe- cation that people no longer cal strategy adopted by party’s When asked about the during his five-year term for While BJP's former state a rookie. Ironically BJP's win- People saw BJP as better party ty of their homes before the for- want negative politics of caste national president Amit Shah. mahagathbandhan, the Chief development of the country chief G Kishan Reddy won in ning candidate D Arvind's to fight TRS than Congress. mal declaration of results, fear- and dynasty. They want basic Millions of BJP workers Minister said that no one could and for enhancing the infra- sitting seat Secunderabad, like father D Srinivas is officially BJP has a good cadre and ing violent fallout of the poll facilities and they voted for worked tirelessly to ensure that take the voters for a ride any structure, Yogi said. “The coun- many expected, what's amazed Rajyasabha MP from TRS, but strong organisational set up. outcome amid a bitter election development in this election,” the plan made by Modi and more. “The alert voters have try’s globally improved image one and all is the victory of has been keeping away from We have been looking for battle between the two parties, Yogi told a select group of Shah was implemented to the rejected the mahagathband- also gave a boost to the BJP’s other three candidates. The TRS. opportunity to make our pres- leaders of which were involved reporters at his official resi- T at the ground level. This is han’ (grand alliance) of oppo- election prospect while the victory of Dharmapuri Arvind Another notable victory is ence felt in Telanagna politics. in a no-holds barred attack in dence here on Thursday. the success of the team BJP,” the sition parties. It is high time for counter-terrorism action also from Nizamabad, Bandi Sanjay of Bandi Sanjay in Karimnagar This is a monumental oppor- a grueling two-month long He said the BJP leaders Chief Minister said. the opposition to introspect gave a political advantage to the from Karimnagar and Soyam segment, where he trounced tunity for BJP's growth in campaign. talked about development and Yogi was one of the star and shun politics of negativity,” party,” he said. Babu Rao from Adilabad KCR’s close confidante, sitting Telangana and we will utilise it amazed people and political MP B Vinod Kumar. Though to make inroads into every vil- analysts alike. Karimnagar was considered lage and remotest corner of Though BJP has been gain- among the probable seats Telangana," said N           
  ing ground steadily in most where BJP might give tough Ramchander Rao, senior leader parts of India over the past two fight, majority of 89508 votes, of BJP speaking to The Pioneer decades, has not been able to points towards BJP's future after the results. !-<7 &- 1< $$ 1256 votes from Jammu- repeat the same in Telangana, prospects in Telangana. Though Ramchander Rao, Poonch Lok Sabha seat. in spite of a dedicated cadre and The trend has been so BJP's leader in Legislative iding high on the 'crest' of Meanwhile, reacting to the vote bank, due to various rea- favourable towards BJP, even in Council, lost in Malkajgiri, RModi wave, Bharatiya poll results, National sons. But thanks to Modi wave the tribal dominant Adilabad, expressed confidence that this Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday Conference Vice President and and TRS party's mistakes, 2019 Soyam Babu Rao won. TRS is the new beginning for BJP in retained all three Lok Sabha former Chief Minister Omar General Elections gave much party's growing familiarity with not just Telangana but also will seats, two in Jammu division Abdullah congratulated Prime needed break for the party in AIMIM, is said to have back- pave way for further expansion and one in Ladakh while Minister Narendra Modi and youngest state of India. fired in Adilabad constituency, of party in South India. National Conference, led by BJP Chief Amit Shah for their Especially Dharmapuri which has a history of com- BJP's debut has been so former Union Minister Dr stellar performance in the Arvind's victory in Nizamabad, munal tension, leading to BJP's impressive that it got a vote Farooq Abdullah, staged a polls.Omar tweeted, "So the where he trounced sitting MP victory. Giving ticket to Adivasi share of about 20 percent in GE comeback by dislodging all exit polls were correct. All and Telangana CM KCR's leader Soyam Babu Rao who 2019 in Telangana, compared three rival PDP candidates in that’s left is to congratulate the daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha, defected to BJP from Congress, to about 8 percent in 2018 Kashmir valley. BJP & NDA for a stellar per- sent clear signals to CM KCR also helped saffron party score Assembly polls. The massive The cold desert region of formance. Credit where credit that Telangana people are ready a stunning victory. gain in seat and vote share, has Ladakh, initially witnessed a is due PM Modi Sahib & Mr to side with BJP and dump rul- While BJP won four seats given a new reason and pur- close fight between BJP and an Amit Shah put together a win- ing TRS, if needed and in the fiercely fought polls, pose for BJP leaders and cadres independent candidate Sajjad ning alliance & a very profes- Telanagana is not the 'jagir' of what's significant is, it fought across Telangana, to embark on Hussain. In the final tally, BJP's sional campaign. Bring on the Kalvakuntla family. this elections without any a new journey and set their Jamyang Tsering Namgyal won next five years". Nizamabad election made alliance. Fighting elections sights high. the seat by a margin of over PDP Chief Mehbooba 9000 votes.Namgyal secured Mufti while conceding defeat 41315 votes while Sajjad also posted a message on her   %& Hussain could secure 31552 twitter timeline. She wrote, 
 ' votes only. I’ve been fortunate to get the  O    7 However, the biggest upset             7
   &  (   love & affection of my people. in the state was recorded on They have every right to " . #!   Anantnag LoK Sabha seat. toric victories over their rival votes. Jugal Kishore secured votes from Anantnag, Mohd express their anger for my fail-   9:  Here, PDP Chief, Mehbooba candidates. MoS PMO, Dr 839385 votes while his rival gar- Maqbool War from Baramulla ings. Accept their verdict with <    Mufti, failed to garner major- Jitendra Singh, contesting nered 550922 votes. secured 5448 votes while jour- humility. Congratulations to 
- ity votes. Despite running 'vit- Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha In Anantnag, National nalist turned BJP leader Sheikh winning candidates from NC. erming the Lok Sabha poll results as riolic' campaign against the seat for the second time, defeat- Conference candidate, Justice Khalid Jehangir secured 4631 I’m grateful to my party work- 72 1-:;;    Tunprecedented, BSP president BJP she finished at number ed Vikramaditya Singh of the (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi votes from Srinagar Lok Sabha ers & colleagues. Mehbooba Mayawati again raised doubts over EVMs three in the final tally of votes. Congress party by a record defeated JKPCC Chief,GA. seat. Rebel BJP leader Lal Singh, also wrote, "Congratulations to he Indian National Congress owes it to Tamil on Thursday and indicated that her alliance Mehbooba had never lost any margin of over 3.48 lakh votes. Mir, his rival candidate of who had contested from both Narendra Modi ji for a historic TNadu and Kerala for providing a crucial with the SP and the RLD will continue. election in her two decade Dr Karan Singh, father of Congress party, by a margin of the Lok Sabha seats in Jammu mandate. Today surely belongs southern comfort by contributing 26 seats to its total "We had not contemplated that the long political career. This is the Vikramaditya Singh and con- over 7000 votes. Mehbooba failed to make significant to BJP and it’s allies. Time for kitty of 53 seats. The Congress which contested the alliance will fare so badly. People are not first election she had contest- gress stalwart Ghulam Nabi Mufti stood third. She secured impact.Singh had floated Dogra Congress to get an Amit Shah". 2019 Lok Sabha election as a constituent of the able to digest the poll results. It is against ed in the absence of her men- Azad had campaigned in sup- 30223 votes (24.6 percent) of Swabhimaan Sangathan party Addressing a press confer- DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in their sentiment and aspirations," she said. tor and PDP patron Mufti port of the NC-Congress joint the total votes polled. after resigning from the BJP in ence in Srinagar, Dr Farooq Tamil Nadu won nine of the ten seats allocated to Pointing fingers towards electronic Mohd Sayeed. candidate. In Baramulla, former J&K the aftermath of controversy Abdullah expressed hope that it. This includes the lone seat from the union ter- voting machines (EVMs), the Bahujan In Srinagar, 83 year old Dr BJP's Jugal Kishore Sharma, Assembly speaker Mohd Akbar over Kathua rape and murder the new government in Delhi ritory of Puducherry. Samaj Party (BSP) supremo said, "Several Farooq Abdullah won Srinagar contesting from Jammu- Lone defeated his rival candidate case of a minor Gujjar girl. will do justice with Jammu and The Congress led-UDF literally swept Kerala as shortcomings of conducting elections seat,for the fourth time, by a Poonch Lok Sabha seat, bet- of Peoples Conference, Raja Lal Singh secured 6848 Kashmir. it won the 19 out of the 20 seats from the State leav- through EVMs have come to our notice margin of over 70,000 votes. He tered his previous record. He Aijaz Ali by a margin of over votes from Jammu-Poonch Lok “We hope the new govern- ing the lone seat of Alappuzha to the CPI(M). The and there is opposition to EVMs all over defeated PDP's rival candidate defeated Congress candidate 29,000 votes. In all three Lok Sabha seat and 18470 votes ment in Delhi will do justice Kerala result is a major setback to the CPI(M) as well the country." Aga Syed Mohsin. Dr Abdullah Raman Bhalla by a margin of Sabha seats, BJP candidates from Udhampur-Doda seat. with J-K and engage in dia- as the BJP. The Hindutva party had given enough indi- She added that after this results, had secured 106750 votes. over 2.88 lakh votes. In 2014, he could garner less than 20,000 Refugee leader Rajiv Chunni, logue with Pakistan so that we cations that it was all set to open its parliamentary whatever confidence people had in EVMs In Jammu region, both the had defeated Congress candi- votes collectively. BJP MLC, who claimed support of are taken out of this morass,” he account in Kerala but it turned out to be a misplaced will disappear. BJP candidates recorded his- date by a margin of 2.57 lakh Mohd Yousaf Sofi secured 9687 refugees, could only secure said. hope. The State of Kerala remains the BJP’s Rishyamukh (the mountain mentioned in Ramayana which remained inaccessible to the monkey king Vali ) as the entire minority communities maintained their +&+'("  distance from the party. 619. The strong anti-incum- ! 1+= &
 & bency feeling against the = ruling AIADMK played 72 1-:;;    just one seat in the 2019 election. The many sleeper cells in the AIADMK &<8& &' spoilsport of the BJP’s party has been weakened because of and would bring down the    Tamil Nadu dreams. The amil Nadu remained inacces- the internal fighting for the control Palaniswamy-led government at the BJP should have taken into Tsible to the BJP for the second of the party by the factions led by time of his choice. Tamil Nadu vot- consideration its experi- time in succession. In addition to Panneerselvam and V K Sasikala, ers were annoyed with the kind of ences when it had forged alliance with the AIADMK the ignominy of failing to win a sin- and the number of corruption street fighting staged by the in the past (1998 and 2004). What happened this time gle seat from the Dravidian Land, charges against the Palaniswamy-led AIADMK and the AMMK. They was the repeat of 2004 when both the parties were the BJP faces a bleak future in the government. People of Tamil Nadu used their rights at the first instance obliterated in the hustings. State. The BJP failed to win at least saw the residences and offices of a by casting their votes to the DMK, The Edappady Palaniswamy-led Government has one seat from Tamil Nadu despite minister as well as the chief secretary the one and only viable alternative. managed to prolong its longevity in office by scrap- hectic campaigning by PM. getting raided by the sleuths of the Though there were parties like the ing through the bypolls by winning eight of the 22 seats. The results of the elections CBI and the Income Tax MNM ( launched by actor Kamal Thoigh there is no threat to the AIADMK government from the State underscore many Department, hitherto unheard of Haasan) and AMMK in the electoral in the near future, chances of more MLAs of the party factors. The ruling AIADMK is yet anywhere in the country. arena, Tamil Nadu voters preferred revolting against the leadership cannot be ruled out. Out to get over the demise of party The party underwent a major the DMK and its allies because the of the 22 assembly seats which went to the by-poll, the supremo J Jayalalithaa while the split in 2017 as the Mannargudi former lacked trust and track record. AIADMK had won 21 in the 2016 assembly election. combined leadership of Chief clan, led by Sasikala and her nephew BJP’s efforts to make its pres- So, the parry has lost 13 seats from its benches. Minister Edappady Palaniswamynd TTV Dhinakaran was eased out of ence felt in the State came a crop- There was a big anti-BJP feeling in Tamil Nadu his deputy O Panneerselvam has the AIADMK by the EPS-OPS duo. per. “There are no leaders in Tamil which was intensified by the blitzkrieg unleashed by failed to rejuvenate the party. This antagonised the Thevar com- Nadu BJP capable of winning elec- the DMK-led front. The anti-Sterlite agitation, the There was no Modi wave in Tamil munity in central Tamil Nadu tion. And they do not want the anti-hydrocarbon extraction campaign and the agi- Nadu. At the same time, the DMK which had stood with the AIADMK party to emerge as an alternative in tation against the Salem -Chennai Greenfield corri- under the leadership of MK Stalin since the party was launched by M the State because of obvious rea- dor played a big role in creating a wide rift between fought valiantly despite many odds G Ramachandran in 1972. sons. The rulers in Kamalalayam, the BJP and the people of Tamil Nadu. The state unit and reasserted its supremacy. Dhinakaran retaliated by the BJP head quarters, are afraid of of the BJP failed miserably when it came to explain The AIADMK which has won launching the AMMK to teach the losing their prominence if the to the people of Tamil Nadu the pro-poor measures 37 of the 39 seats in the 2014 lok ‘treacherous’ EPS and OPS a lesson. party emerges as a strong force,” P  -   ;    6  & -   
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?C#"@ for all Indians. Japanese automaker for two Prime decades, was arrested in Minister Modi-led November and charged with Bharatiya Janata <  As per the trend, BJP-led underreporting his income and Party (BJP) appears NDA will form the government breach of trust. He was released set to post an oody’s on Thursday said at the Centre for the second on bail in March, rearrested in emphatic victory in the Lok Tax, passage of the Insolvency to grow into a $5 trillion econ- Mits credit view on India successive term with absolute April on fresh accusations and Sabha election, bringing Modi and Bankruptcy Code, and a omy in the next five years. will depend on policies of the majority. then released again on bail on back into office for a second term. variety of legal and regulatory “USIBC believes that trade new government and expressed In 2017, the US-based rat- April 25. “Congratulations to” Modi reforms catapulted India’s Ease and investment between the hope that the country would ing agency upped India’s rating Ghosn insists he is inno- and the BJP “for a command- of Doing Business ranking two countries is a critical ele- continue with its fiscal consol- to ‘Baa2’ from ‘Baa3’, changing cent and says he was targeted ing victory,” said Nisha Desai from 142 to 77, she said. ment of India’s future growth, idation plan. outlook to ‘stable’ from ‘posi- in a “conspiracy” by others at Biswal, president of US India “These reforms laid the and looks forward to working “Any credit implications of tive’, and said reforms would Nissan Motor Co. Business Council (USIBC). foundation for India’s strong with Prime Minister Modi and the outcome of India’s general help stabilise rising levels of Nissan, which is allied with The Prime Minister “has record of economic growth. his team to unlock new growth election will be determined by debt. Renault SA of France, has seen the potential to transform India Still, much remains to be done opportunities across the US- the policies adopted by the Deviating from the fiscal profits nose-dive amid the fall- and forge opportunity for all to unlock the expansive growth India corridor,” Biswal said. government in the next few consolidation path as per the out from Ghosn’s arrest. Indians,” she said, adding that potential of the Indian market. Biswal was the last diplo- years. These policies are yet to Fiscal Responsibility and Ghosn has hired a strong (& =      )   &. '
  the USIBC looks forward to With a strong mandate from the mat to hold the position of be formulated,” Moody’s Budget Management (FRBM) legal team as he fights to clear )  '  F  , -'    -   )  work with the BJP government. Indian people, Prime Minister Assistant Secretary of State for Investors Service VP Sovereign Act, the government in his name. One of his top    '  %
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Commending Modi on his Modi will have an opportunity South and Central Asia in the Risk Group William Foster said. February’s interim budget lawyers, Junichiro Hironaka,    .  
1 )   C"   ->   electoral success, Biswal said to usher in an era of global eco- Obama administration. Moody’s expects the broad pegged the fiscal deficit for was seen walking into the court- the first five years of Modi’s nomic and strategic leadership She left the position on push towards fiscal consolida- 2019-20 at 3.4 per cent of room Thursday with Ghosn. government saw good progress for India,” Biswal said. January 20. The important tion to remain, although with GDP, as against the original tar- One of the conditions of on reforms. A strong US-India com- diplomatic post has been greater policy emphasis on get of 3.1 per cent. Ghosn’s release on bail is that The establishment of a mercial partnership will sup- vacant in the 28 months of the supporting low incomes, Foster In 2018-19, the fiscal deficit he is forbidden to contact his national Goods and Services port these goals, helping India Trump administration. added. was 3.4 per cent of GDP. wife.  * -    :' C )+*8*58+/*B6*5+

- , - 4&    1   
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  ! transactions with Huawei and its !"#$0(      9  .  =    9 apan’s Panasonic on Thursday 68 group companies... That are <   7  Adil Mohommad said that “In addition, higher trade Jsaid it would stop supplying subject to the US government &. consumers in the US and barriers would disrupt global some components to Huawei, ban,” Panasonic spokesman Joe he escalation of trade ten- China are unequivocally the supply chains and slow the joining a growing list of firms Flynn told AFP.    7 Tsion between the US and losers from the trade tension. spread of new technologies, *   
  distancing themselves from the Panasonic’s business with China has the potential to dis- Cerutti is currently the ultimately lowering global pro- Chinese telecoms giant after a US Huawei includes the supply of hina is seeking support rupt the global supply chains Assistant to the Director at the ductivity and welfare. More ban over security concerns. “electronic parts,” he said, declin- Cfrom Russia and from and jeopardise the projected Research Department of the import restrictions would also  &  Q Japan’s Toshiba also ing to provide further details. its Central Asian neighbours recovery in growth in 2019, the IMF, Mohommad is an make tradable consumer goods announced it was temporarily Washington’s restrictions in its escalating tariff fight IMF warned Thursday, over 10 Economist in the Research less affordable, harming low- halting shipments to Huawei to affect products made fully or par- with the U.S., while also days after President Donald Department of the IMF and income households dispropor-
- 11! 2' check whether US-made parts tially in the United States, where stepping up protests against Trump imposed 25 per cent Indian-origin Gopinath is the tionately,” the IMF said. were involved, in order to com- Panasonic manufactures some of moves to penalize its tech- tariff on USD 200 billion worth Chief IMF Economist. Noting that the US-China 9 <   global aviation regulators in ply with Washington’s new the components it supplies to nology sector. of Chinese imports. At the global level, the trade tensions have negatively Fort Worth, Texas. Elwell said restrictions. Huawei, the Japanese firm said. Speaking Wednesday at a The world’s two largest additional impact of the recent- affected consumers as well as he US’ aviation regulator the FAA sent Boeing addi- The moves came a day after There was no immediate meeting of the Shanghai economies are locked in a ly announced and envisaged many producers in both the Thas still not received tional questions about its pro- major Japanese and British comment from Huawei on the Cooperation Organization in trade war since Trump new US-China tariffs, expect- countries, the IMF said the tar- Boeing’s proposed fix for its 737 posed fixes for the MAX mobile carriers said they would move, and a Panasonic official Kyrgyzstan, Foreign Minister imposed heavy tariffs on ed to extend to all trade iffs have reduced trade between MAX aircraft, which have been planes, which caused the delay. delay releasing new Huawei declined to comment on what Wang Yi said representatives imported steel and aluminium between the two countries, the US and China, but the bilat- grounded globally following The summit set to begin handsets, upping the pressure on business the Japanese firm would of the eight-nation grouping items from China in March last will subtract about one-third of eral trade deficit remains two deadly crashes, the agency’s Thursday will see the FAA the world’s second-largest smart- continue to do with the Chinese had expressed “broad sup- year, a move that sparked fears a percentage point of global broadly unchanged. chief has said. attempt to re-establish trust phone manufacturer. company. port” for China’s position. of a global trade war. In GDP in the short term, with “While the impact on glob- Boeing has said it will with aviation regulators from In comments reported response, China imposed tit- half stemming from business al growth is relatively modest patch the Maneuvering 33 countries including China, Thursday, Wang reiterated for-tat tariffs on billions of and market confidence effects, at this time, the latest escalation Characteristics Augmentation Canada, the European Union, China’s stance that it would dollars worth of American the IMF said. could significantly dent busi- System (MCAS) stall preven- Ethiopia and Indonesia. never accept unequal trading imports. Failure to resolve trade dif- ness and financial market sen- tion system, which has been The regulator called the arrangements. The trade war escalated ferences and further escalation timent, disrupt global supply blamed for the two crashes in summit to walk through the Beijing will match after Trump on May 10 in other areas, such as the chains, and jeopardise the pro- Indonesia and Ethiopia that steps taken to address concerns “extreme pressure” from the increased the import duty on auto industry which would jected recovery in global killed a total of 346 people and with the MAX aircraft after it U.S. With its own measures, Chinese products worth USD cover several countries, could growth in 2019,” it said. caused the best-selling planes was criticized for dragging its he said in remarks posted on 200 billion from 10 per cent to further dent business and The research, using price to be taken out of service. feet on ordering the jets the ministry’s website. 25 per cent. financial market sentiment, data from the Bureau of Labor Boeing said last week that grounded. The trade frictions have The International negatively impact emerging Statistics on imports from it had finished making changes Canadian and American “aroused great concern from Monetary Fund (IMF), in a market bond spreads and cur- China, found that tariff revenue requested by the US Federal regulators have differed on the the international communi- blog authored by Eugenio rencies, and slow investment collected has been borne almost Aviation Administration (FAA), proper training for the 737 ty,” Wang said. Cerutti, Gita Gopinath and and trade, it said. entirely by the US importers. but the agency’s interim chief MAX 8, with Canada insisting Dan Elwell told reporters on pilots train in a flight simula- Wednesday that the agency tor and the US saying a train- hadn’t yet seen the fixes. ing course on a computer or “We are still waiting for iPad is enough. Boeing to formally submit the “We haven’t determined software for approval,” he said the final training yet,” on the sidelines of a summit of Elwell said. 0+.+?8+8+%',*1) .3*+6:,*8+
8*5+  8/168+38

<  Raman Alloys and Vindus Holdings were levied a penalty arkets regulator Sebi on of 9 lakh each while 11.20 lakh MThursday levied a total was imposed on Subhlabh Fiscal fine of over 39 lakh on five Services, totalling 39.20 lakh. entities for indulging in fraud- After observing large scale ulent trades in the illiquid reversal of trades in stock stock options segment of BSE. options segment of the bourse, Among the five entities, the Securities and Exchange Straight Line Food Products Board of India (Sebi) conduct- and Winsher Commercial were ed an investigation between fined 5 lakh each, Shri Radha April 2014 and September 2015.     !" &<

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38 electoral triumph and chance of peace talks with government in New Delhi. Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday countries and emerging ):5*6865*/:/+*, expressed desire to work with India and settle the Kashmir Faisal also said that India telephoned her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to congrat- hinese President Xi Jinping economies in the world. +8
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//+ Modi on Thursday led his spokesman Mohammad Faisal aspirations of the people of Prime Minister Modi led his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general elections, in a rare ges- ment under the joint efforts of 3*50+3$++8)* Bharatiya Janata Party towards said that Pakistan was com- Kashmir. towards an emphatic victory for a second term in office. ture of greeting a foreign leader both sides”. Significantly, Xi in $*2 a super-sized victory for a sec- mitted to resolve all issues Just a day before the The Bangladesh Prime Minister telephoned Modi to con- well before the official his letter to Modi highlighted ond term in office. with India through dialogue announcement of results, gratulated him on the clear mandate given by the people of India announcement of the results. the “good” coordination and 2; !:&"+7 “I congratulate Prime irrespective of the outcome of Pakistan's Foreign Minister to the NDA Government, an official statement said. In a letter delivered by the cooperation between the two 1!!!>: < Minister Modi on the electoral the elections. Shah Mahmood Qureshi and During the telephonic conversation, which lasted over five Chinese Embassy in New Delhi countries on multi-polarisa- >   . ..+/+*,*8) victory of BJP and allies. Look “Pakistan has consistently his Indian counterpart Sushma minutes, Hasina said “this emphatic verdict is a reflection of the to the Ministry of External Affairs tion, economic globalisation 8*+,,686,*8 forward to working with him for maintained that the only way to Swaraj on Wednesday trust and confidence reposed on you by the people of India.” amidst the counting of votes, Xi and multilateralism. 8))+8:85:68 peace, progress and prosperity in resolve all outstanding issues, exchanged pleasantries on the She said that the people of South Asia would be happy over said: “on the occasion of the China, which is battling a !>!!!33+/*868 South Asia,” Khan tweeted in including the Jammu & Kashmir sidelines of the Shanghai this win and expected to pave ways for the people of the region National Democratic Alliance bruising trade war with the US, 8)8+*80.:6 both English and Urdu. dispute is through implementa- Cooperation Organisation to work together. wining the 17th Lok Sabha elec- has emerged as a bitter critic of 5./**+8688+*, The results of India's gen- tion of the UNSC resolutions. Council of Foreign Ministers' “The two leaders pledged to continue to raise the India- tions of India under your lead- President Donald Trump's poli- *+*8)*82.,*5 eral elections are very signifi- Dialogue is hence essential. We meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Bangladesh relationship to unprecedented new heights. They ership, I would like to extend my cies putting America first, under- 8,5 +*,..+/+*, cant for Pakistan as the for- remain committed to the same, and conveyed to her Pakistan's recognised the importance of rapidly completing on-going plans heart-felt congratulations. mining the process of globalisa- :5*8)*88) 5G8 mation of the next government irrespective of whoever forms desire to resolve all issues for deepening the partnership in security, trade, transportation, “As important neighbours tion which had benefitted the *888*+8) **5 in New Delhi will determine the new Government in India,” through dialogue. energy and people-to-people contact,” the statement said. PTI to each other, China and India developing countries. PTI *885C/*,*88)/++2 2; > 7:1 :+*O:8+ </)+58 #%,' ) !/1 2; : !&<% 3;!!7</ /*8:,*8 $*/85 3) .$"
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+/+ FMacron on Thursday con- JShinzo on Thursday congrat- Narendra Modi on his impres-
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+/58)*8>*8)+3 ther strengthening of the bilat- special strategic ties. Prime Minister Modi led $++8. 5+*>:+,,.:8) eral Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Modi led his BJP towards a huge victo- 88)8)/8:+C,5 Prime Minister Modi on his Bharatiya Janata Party ry for a second term in office. .+5)+608:66, Thursday led his Bharatiya towards what is certain to be a “As co-chair of the Senate *58)*,,C:55
,638.* Janata Party towards a victory resounding victory for a second India Caucus, I want to con- 6*8+/:,*,6+
+,58*8+/ for a second term in office. term in office as it led in 302 gratulate the Indian people on 6*8)+608:+**5 Macron congratulated seats, according to trends today's historic election - the 5+*>M:8+*+5+* Modi over telephone and the released by the Election largest democratic election in /*8:,*83*2 two leaders reaffirmed their Commission for all 542 seats history,” Senator Mark Warner, ):+*,*565)+ commitment to work together that went to polls. Co-Chair of the powerful Senate *5+8/8+:.:+8.:, towards further strengthening “Prime Minister of Japan, India Caucus in his congratu- 6*,/8*/8+8)+3 of the Strategic Partnership Abe Shinzo called Prime latory message to Modi. $++8$5+*581 between India and France, an Minister Narendra Modi and “I look forward to contin- 88)80:+,5:68).:,,* official statement said. congratulated him for the uing our work with PM Modi's .0+,*8*,,*8+*5 Modi thanked France for resounding victory of his party administration to strengthen /8:/8+
+8*/8++ her steadfast support to India in the 2019 General Elections,” our important alliance with +8*8+*,*..*+>8) 3,+ on critical issues. the Ministry of External Affairs India,” said Warner. PTI *+5+*8*8382  said in a statement. : ;1<:<<:1 *,O8**): 0:)*0+  5+*C3+/* !/1 2; :!&< +//*8:,*8 9!1!;;>< /*8:,*8$5+ /,0*8$5+G ):6,,
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+/8 < $ <  $ Dubai: Mohammed bin Zayed, Washington: Indian-Americans epalese Prime Minister K the Crown Prince of Abu from across the US on Thursday NP Sharma Oli on Thursday sraeli Prime Minister Dhabi and Deputy Supreme celebrated the electoral victory congratulated his Indian coun- IBenjamin Netanyahu on Commander of the UAE's of Prime Minister Narendra terpart Narendra Modi for a Thursday became the first world Armed Forces, on Thursday Modi by distributing ladoos “landslide victory” in the gen- leader to congratulate his coun- congratulated Prime Minister and watching election results in eral elections and hoped to terpart Narendra Modi for Narendra Modi on his election movie theatres and restaurants. work closely with him in future. scripting an “impressive victory” victory, saying he looked for- Election watch parties were As the early trends in the in the elections and vowed to ward to working with him to held in restaurants and in vote count indicated a resound- strengthen their “great friend- deepen the strong bilateral ties. homes where scores of Indian- ing victory for Modi, Oli post- ship” as well as bilateral ties. Prime Minister Modi on Americans, along with their ed a tweet wishing him a suc- Riding on a massive Modi Thursday led his Bharatiya friends and families, gathered cessful tenure. wave sweeping through most Janata Party towards a super- late Wednesday night to watch “I extend warmest con- parts of India, the BJP was set sized victory for a second term election results live either on gratulations to Prime Minister to return to power Thursday as in office. Indian new channels or @narendramodi ji for landslide it led in 292 seats while the “I was pleased to talk to my Facebook. election victory in the Lok Congress trailed far behind dear friend Narendra Modi, The election results were Sabha Elections 2019. I wish all with 51, according to trends India's PM, over the phone to shown live in at least two the- success ahead. I look forward released by the Election congratulate him on his party's atres, including one in to working closely with you,” he Commission for all 542 seats election win,” said Mohammed, Minneapolis. PTI tweeted. that went to polls. colloquially known as MbZ.PTI

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 Krantiveer, Dil Chahta Hai and Finding Fanny .&' & )/8:308)/*8+8)66:,*=)+,,05+6,*5 among others. ( %3 Mumbai-based talent manager Purvi (' &C %A Lavingia Vats, who was instrumental in getting ostumes worn by the Also included are Howard’s plaid course of 12 seasons. once I had that thought, I was like, Ali Fazal a role in Fast and Furious 7, says she 4'&.. seven main cast members shirt and red turtleneck, Raj’s sweater “I was under a misapprehension ‘Well, that’s your answer’,” he added. pitched Dimple for the role to Nolan’s casting &' of the 12-season TV show vest and jacket, Bernadette’s yellow that my accomplishments were mine Parsons will, however, remain in team in Los Angeles. *  The Big Bang Theory, cardigan and floral dress and Amy’s alone. Nothing could be further from the The Big Bang Theory orbit as he “Dimple is a great and a wonderful person. &&,%& ( which closed in a big brown wool sweater and green, knee- the truth. I have been encouraged, continues to narrate and executive- She is the only Indian actor to be a part of this Cfinale, would be donated to a muse- length skirt. sustained, inspired and tolerated, produce its prequel Young Sheldon. project as of now. They will be shooting the '& %P um here. However, the museum said there not only by my wife, but by the great- “There was no factor; there was film in different countries, and India is one of L= !& As per the creator Warner Bros, are no current plans for its display. est group of friends anyone ever had,” no situation that I was like, ‘Well, I’ve them,” Vats said. the costume donation to the The series about scientists drew he said. had enough of that.’ No. There was “It took me a few months of convincing. /8) J2:;<:9:1 &:H Smithsonian’s National Museum of to a close after 12 seasons, with an The Big Bang Theory was nothing like that. It was just...when But Dimple was up for it. It is something dif- American History here includes those emotional finale that revealed some launched in 2007. The show has you know, you know. And you’re sus- ferent for her, and it was an interesting *)+*+8+
6>*5 worn by characters Sheldon Cooper big news, tied up loose ends and even received 52 Emmy Award nomina- ceptible and thrown around by the process to make it all a reality,” added Vats, who *8+
/338/+*,35+* (Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter featured a celebrity cameo. tions and 10 wins, seven Golden whims of your own existence and get- is focussed about getting more international 5*../8)2 (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley In the first of two back-to-back Globe nominations, and the spinoff ting to a certain age and your life exposure for Indian talent. )*+5> Cuoco), Howard Wolowitz (Simon episodes, scientists Sheldon Cooper prequel Young Sheldon. changes and suddenly you just think Tenet was so far being described as a “mas- L)*
*,, Helberg), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal (Jim Parsons) and his wife Amy Actor Jim Parsons has opened up different,” Parsons said. sive, innovative, action blockbuster,” but plot Nayyar), Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim (Mayim Bialik) got the news that they about his decision to leave The Big He added, “It has been fascinat- specifics are under wraps. :668+
> Bialik) and Bernadette Rostenkowski- are receiving the Nobel Prize in Bang Theory, saying he could not ing to think about who I was 12 years Pattinson, John David Washington and Lea 5.**5 Wolowitz (Melissa Rauch). physics for their theory of super bring himself to do another season of ago. And sometimes when I have Seydoux are previously announced cast mem- ,
36C The items will join thousands of asymmetry. the hit show. trouble learning a line or saying a line bers. Apart from Dimple, the new joinees in 6, artefacts in the museum’s popular At the Nobel ceremony in The Golden Globe winner has of Sheldon’s right now, it’s hard to the film, to be distributed by Warner Bros. 8**32:8 entertainment collections and help Sweden, Amy encourages little girls featured as the beloved Sheldon know why specifically. But it’s like, Pictures in theatres worldwide on July 17, 2020, tell the story of ground-breaking “who dream about science to go for Cooper on the hit comedy series for you’re not the same person you were. include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kenneth +8/:,50 work in American television. it.” In a cameo appearance, Sarah 12 seasons. Late last year he revealed There is a possibility that this actu- Branagh, Clemence Poesy and Caine. /338> The donations are full costumes Michelle Gellar sits next to Raj he was stepping away from the show. ally became more difficult for you in Pattinson said, “I’ve been a little wary of 6*+38)+*8+
> worn by the seven primary characters (Kunal Nayyar) in the audience, but “It was the first time in my life of a way. And I don’t know what that doing big films for years and years, but there’s *5 O,,0,+1>N):,5:* from the series costume designer assures him it’s “not a date”. doing this show that it occurred to me means but it’s like you just change.” just something about Chris Nolan’s stuff. He Mary Quigley. Cooper gives a heartfelt accep- that I might want to not do another The show revolved around the seems like the only director now who can do 8)*8OOM Among the costume pieces are tance speech that, to fans who have contract after (season) 12 was up,” a lives of four socially awkward friends, what is essentially a very personal, indepen- )*/8*+58)*8+85*../8 Sheldon’s iconic “Flash” t-shirt, been tuning in since the show’s website quoted Parsons as saying. Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj. dent movie that has huge scale. I read the script )2L *3*+8+
6> Leonard’s “recycle” t-shirt and hood- beginning, shows how much the “I don’t know if it’s because I’m an The show is aired in India on Zee and it’s unreal.” +8525 */8:*,,*88 ed cargo jacket, Penny’s pink tank top character has grown out of his ego- Aries or just because maybe I’m in Cafe and can be streamed on HOOQ Nolan’s last film was Dunkirk. 888)*86+8) O50,+1> and Ugg boots. tistical and selfish personality over the touch with myself. Whatever it is, in India. L   L1 & :1)*8>N)*:8* 8)*8>O:1O:8>+852M %&%&#%$' . 'B'"4" O>&$ '  E+&&P ):8+**/+081.5+6,*+)+55*5..8)*/8*/1 $  /8<-:;;:><;;< )* 8+/5*5+../+8)1C ustrian Formula 1 racing However, more than just 6,*//:,8:*.88)N$ legend Andreas Niklaus being a great driver, Lauda’s 3
382 ALauda passed away earlier doggedness came out more dra- this week. He was more than a matically to the rest of the world )*+5>L .,,+18) legend. His comeback from his when he personally went to the 5*3+/8)* fiery accident at the old crash site of Lauda Air 004 in /)*52)5O8): Nurburgring is one of the most   Thailand. :*32:5O8 remarkable stories in sports, to Niki Lauda came from a race just six weeks after almost  7 wealthy Austrian family and once 8*3+6> losing your life is a great subject he retired from the sport finally, :8*3+ for a movie and it was made into  $>  he got into his other love, aviation. )*5)*12 one. Rush documented the 1976  <  He began Lauda Air as an airline L .,,+13 Formula 1 World Championship. < $  catering to tourists but it suffered 6*/)*65:6 Lauda was not a flamboyant play- a horrible accident when 196 boy in the mould of many of the  =   people died at that aforemen- +8)3>+8) British racers of that era, but he tioned crash. Lauda himself went */8:*,/*8+
 was good. So good that he made = to the site in order to give answers 6/2)6*/ another comeback in the 1980s   to those who died. And like the )*65:6.3 when he drove a McLaren to his  <  < Boeing 737 MAX today, it 80*0,80 third World title after winning emerged that there was a techni- two with Ferrari. We can always  <2 <  > cal fault that caused the crash. It )*5>M)*5552 wonder how many world cham- was Lauda’s remarkable determi- +,,+*3)*.: pionships Lauda would have won $ = nation and engineering skill that /* /*3+*C had he not had his devastating    < got Boeing to admit that they 8+.)1+ accident or retired from the sport ultimately claimed him. Its after- a couple of years ago was an aber- that movement. And while it was made a mistake which caused the

   for the first time, but his impact 7   effects played a role in his death ration. When Niki Lauda was rac- finally the dramatic events of the thrust reversers to open mid- on the world of motorsport is pos- ' ! as the flames and even the fire ing at his prime, at least three-four San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 flight causing the crash. &  ' ' sibly much greater than his three extinguisher fumes seared the Formula 1 drivers died every when Ayrton Senna died that Lauda’s determination and

 ( titles and his later role as the inside of his lungs, causing per- year and drivers, fan and even finally pushed the safety agenda skills will be missed from the )  *5 Chairman of Mercedes-AMG F1 manent damage. Ironically, it administrators took that to be a for race cars and even road cars Formula 1 circuit and as the grid (    * Racing, the dominant team of the happened despite the fact that the fact of life. Of course, the move to the central agenda, the near- collects at the annual signature contemporary Formula 1 era. Austrian had led other drivers in towards safety had begun in the death of Niki Lauda is what real- race in Monaco this year, I hope Lauda’s accident, something protesting the unsafe conditions 1960s with drivers like Jackie ly pushed the safety agenda out of the race car series sends him off he barely survived back in 1976, of the race. Jules Bianchi’s death Stewart, but Lauda supercharged the fringes. in style to race in the heavens!     !"

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ooking in the 21st century is often    Cequated with new methods like molecular gastronomy. However, at !!!!R&  PAUL, they believe that there is noth- ing better than spending time with fam-      ily and friends over a delicious meal. Located in the busy Ambience Mall,   Gurugram, this restaurant will make you fall in love with the French cuisine. “We  :%!%!< 99!" received a set of rules and guideline from PAUL International for everything. he posh lanes of Khan From the décor to the machines, which Market are somewhat we are supposed to use and the recipes,” akin to a food lover’s par- say chef Vipin (head pastry chef) and adise. And it is here that chef Lokesh (executive chef). TI headed to Baar Baar, a dine-in Before I talk about the food, I want- restaurant, as a writer and food ed to elaborate on something that the lover could indulge in her love for place exuded which made the visit more First, one on the table was the seafood fusion dishes as the place offers memorable. Here, they believe that fettucini. The fish and whole prawns Indian food with a modern twist. “there is no sincerer love than that of were lightly tossed in tomato sauce that And was I in for a surprise and not food,” and they show it. There is love in gave the dish a vibrant orange colour. a change of view towards the way exe- the food they bring to the table and it Taking a bite, the first flavour that coat- an authentic Indian dish could cuted is evident in the way they treat their ed the palate was the tanginess of the taste. to perfec- guests and probably that’s the reason sauce which gradually made way for The ambience, replete with tion as these why you don’t want to leave. thyme and buttery-ness. The seafood colours like magenta and teal, appeared and tast- The ambience really seems to take adds an earthy and salty flavour to the peppered with brass and wood- ed more like potato you to one of the cafés along the walk- pasta, balancing out the dish altogeth- en decor, sets the tone for exper- wedges. The dried cheese didn’t way in France. Sitting inside, you can er. The second seafood dish was PAUL’s imentation. It makes you recon- make too much of an impact. smell the breads baking, the coffee brew- signature, the grilled tiger prawns. The sider how Indian dishes could be With two disappointments in ing and the aroma of decadent food. The slightly charred prawns presented on a prepared with a new outlook. a row, I looked up to the next décor is simple yet elegant and the smell bed of nutty romesco sauce (made with The first. I bit into the papad- dish, which was Malai broccoli of bakery in the air is comforting. sweet red pepper), served with buttered like sweet potato, yam and and pumpkin, crispy lentil cake While I was just about sinking in veggies, is bound to sweep you off your banana kadak naan and chaat and parmesan mousse mixed in the experience, the first of the courses feet. A little sweet-heat from the corn roti, served with sweet corn a salad bowl. A vegetable lover was brought to the table. This were the romesco sauce with the tiger prawns, mousse and tomato sea buck- like me would absolutely drool smoked salmon bites, traditionally cooked to perfection, sings in harmo- thorn chutney. The taste was even at the very names of its referred as a tartine in French or sim- ny on your palate. such that it would remind one of ingredients, but the dish failed to ply put, sliced and toasted baguettes, Last but definitely not the least of hummus and pita bread but at the meet my gastronomic expecta- topped with ingredients.This tartine was the mains, was the roasted baby chick- same time, forget it as this has a tions. bite size, toasted baguettes, topped signature salad was served. Made up of en. This dish is to die for. Sous-vide distinct flavour. The chopped Next up was the chicken with a refreshing dill sour cream, iceberg lettuce, grilled chicken, finely- chicken, cooked off in the pan, served cashews, sprinkled on the top, malai tikka, topped with cheese smoked salmon and sprinkled with with cut green apple, carrots and topped with with some veggies and a salad topped added flavour to the ‘perfectly fondue and walnut crumbs. capers and mustard grains. The crunch- walnuts and emmental cheese, this with a pepper jus. The sous-vide cook- bland’ yet the most tasteful Ideally, a perfect example of iness from the fresh baguette added a salad burst with goodness. It was sweet, ing process helps the chicken retain all mousse. fusion. bite to the dish while the creaminess of salty, smoky and crunchy. There was its juices while cooking. While cutting My confidence about the As I neared a saturation, the the sour cream and silkiness of the nothing to complain about here. Its sim- the chicken on the plate, I realised that curations by New York chef last dish in line was the yoghurt salmon, melted in the mouth. The plicity marked its perfection. there was crispy skin which crackles as Sujan Sarkar went up a notch apricot kofta served in dum gravy capers and the mustard grains further, Making the French experience even the knife slices through it. Taking a bite, further with the potato tikki and with sea buckthorn papad- enhanced and elevated the bites by better, the croque-monsieur made its way the skin was crunchy while the chick- which was served next. It like breads and pickled apple. The adding a little pungency and saltiness. to the table. It is the French version of en underneath it was tender and was nothing like the ones crispy on the outside, softer kofta, soft as cotton, could be an This dish was sophisticated and a per- a ham and cheese sandwich. There was released all its juices as you bite in. The found at the street side inside. Only the colour was dif- appropriate replacement for fect appetite builder. extra cheese with fresh ham, served pepper added a layer over the chicken chaat thela (vendor). The ferent— maroon instead of paneer (cottage cheese) or usual I was still savouring the flavour of along-side crispy, golden-brown hash and binds the dish together. To cut crispiest tikki, in the cen- white. koftas — finally, a perfect fusion. the salmon bites when a whiff of browns. One would realise why it’s a through the richness of the dish, the tre was surrounded by Pairing beer with the meal The speed of the service was onions, freshly baked bread and cheese French classic as it makes you fall in love salad on the side helped. battered and deep-fried is usually seen as the most viable not uniform. But I was lucky to wafted through the air. The next thing with food, all over again. To end the evening on a sweet note, kale and spinach tempura option, however, one can’t help get my desserts a bit late as after I knew, a French onion soup was Next up was a Margherita pizza and desserts were served — Tiramisu and and had a sweet and sour but look at the menu when it has all the food that I had, it took placed before me. Campagne bread a Pepperoni pizza. Pizzas at PAUL’s are a Strawberry cheesecake. The tiramisu yoghurt mousse poured over a wide range of cocktails to time for me to make some space. served as a bowl for the soup, where as hand-tossed and thin crust. The was as authentic as it could get. However, its top. The taste could make choose from. I went for Calcutta But desserts were worth the wait. soon as the lid was removed, I could Margherita one was topped with fresh to take the traditional creation one step one wish that every thela should Cup. The drink was an amalga- The first one was the Thandai smell the caramelised onions and the tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and further, Kalhua was added to the bat- prepare the tikki that way. But mation of bourbon and Islay cassata, served with bits of tutty- baked cheese. The soup was essential- garnished with basil leaves. As for the ter. The flavour of the coffee was uniqueness was presumably the make you want single malt whiskey infused with fruity pistachios and black pep- ly, a thick brown broth in which onions Pepperoni pizza, it consisted of toma- stronger and more rustic, pertaining to drill, here. The next ensemble to reconsider your food orienta- flavours of mango ginger, honey per meringue. The crispy waffers were slow cooked. A sip revealed that to sauce topped with pork pepperoni the premium Lavazza espresso shots made it very apparent. tion. syrup and citrus. The cocktail, on top melted in my mouth like it contained the richness of onions, and mozzarella. What was commend- used in the making. Tiramisu is definite- Served with an ulta tawa While I was still gorging on however, made only a little cream. The cassata had my heart. cheese and butter. This is what heaven able about both the pizzas, was the fresh- ly a choice for the ones who don’t have parantha at its bottom, the cylin- the duck kebabs, sous chef Hitesh impact to my already impressed The second dessert was the is made of. The onions made the broth ness of ingredients that one could taste. much of a sweet tooth and love coffee. drical duck seekh kebab was Lohat was keen on serving the tastebuds as I felt the flavours Cashew cake, served with milk sweeter, however, it was balanced with Another thing that made them stand out For the ones who like their desserts topped with mixed berry chutney best under his domain. The beet- could have been stronger. ice cream and apricot gel. Even the saltiness that was provided by the was the tomato sauce that was not sweet, the strawberry cheesecake is your and housemade pickles. The root and peanut chops were As I continued with the food, as the ice cream was a perfect cheese and butter. The soup was rich, entirely brought down to a liquid con- choice. The buttery cracker base topped kebab didn’t have the overtly served with garlic, apricot and the baked truffle fries made their replacement to the vanilla, the wholesome and left a heavy coat on the sistency. The tomatoes still have a bite with vanilla cheesecake and finished non-vegetarian taste yet was per- chilli chutney, greens and pickles. way to my plate. These were cake could have had balanced its palate. Rest assured, the dish is bound to them which gives out a tanginess, that with strawberry crush, was beautiful, fectly meaty. A special alert for It reminded me of a crazy ball- topped with cheese fondue and sweetness, which was a tad bit too to take you to your happy place. will make you ask for more. airy and light. Just the perfect way to end vegetarians. This one might just sized coconut, brown, hard and fried in truffle oil but the idea was much. In order to freshen things up, their The seafood mains were up next. the evening! &  O 6* *,68 *+ *. </)5
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& A  ; . 6 -     C#     1 >   IFA shelved a proposed expansion Fof the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to <■ 7  48 teams, dealing a blow to the world  CC& football body's president Gianni ix-time world champion Mary +=&(A& Infantino. SKom overcame some stiff resis- ($ The 2022 tournament in the Gulf tance to beat promising Nikhat state will now be played with 32 Zareen in a split decision to enter &(.  
  nations taking part. the women's 51kg category final, &( <$A &&$ FIFA said it had abandoned the while the men pugilists dominated expansion plans "following a thorough the ring by making it an all-Indian &(&  and comprehensive consultation Gold-medal clash in seven cate-  J$ & process" which led to the conclusion gories in the India Open here on ($( that "under the current circumstances Thursday. such a proposal could not be made In the most-anticipated bout of "$ &  now". the day, 22-year-old former world &&  "(The tournament) will therefore junior champion Nikhat of . & remain as originally planned with 32 million (265-354 million euros) of Telangana was at her aggressive best teams and no proposal will be submit- additional income". against her 'idol' Mary Kom who .& ted at the next FIFA Congress on 5 Specifically FIFA was counting on was happy to play the waiting June," FIFA said in a statement. an additional $120 million in TV game before taking the upper hand but this is my big chance to show The expansion was a pet project of rights, $150 million in marketing in the third round to win 4-1. my prowess at a major competition. Infantino, who pushed the idea despite rights and $90 million from ticket The 36-year-old Mary Kom, I hope to give my best and return the likely need for Qatar's neighbours sales. who was making her competitive winner," Siwach, who won a Bronze to put aside a two-year blockade and The news comes after Europe's top debut at home in 51kg, took some at the GeeBee Boxing tournament help to host an expanded tournament. football clubs said in March they blows initially but was quick to in Finland in March, said. "The involvement of these coun- would boycott an expanded 24-team make amends as Nikhat was not Shiva Thapa also remained on tries in the organisation of the tour- Club World Cup — also backed by able to connect her punches as the course to clinching a Gold at the nament jointly with Qatar implies the Infantino — which is planned to take bout progressed. same venue where he was crowned lifting of this blockade, in particular place in June and July 2021, replacing Using her vast experience, Mary national champion three years ago the lifting of restrictions on the move- the Confederations Cup tournament. Kom regained her composure and as he fended off a strong challenge ment of people and goods," said a fea- An announcement of the final dealt a few telling blows on the from his Polish opponent D sibility study submitted to March's decision had not been expected until Strandja Memorial Gold winner Krystian Sczepanski to emerge 5-0 FIFA Congress in Miami. next month's FIFA Congress to be held Nikhat and that seemed to have winner. The study also claimed that a in Paris ahead of the women's World clinched the issue in favour of the Sczepanski was at his aggressive Qatar World Cup with 48 teams Cup that takes place in France between London Olympics Bronze medallist best and kept hurling punches but would generate "between $300-$400 June 7 and July 7. Manipuri in the third round. Shiva cleverly kept frustrating his Mary Kom will face Vanlal opponent by going out of his range. Duati of Mizoram in the Gold- "It made him tired at the end of medal bout on Friday. every round. I was playing my style, In the men's section, 17 Indians did not give my 100 per cent. I was (   4   stormed into the final in 10 weight just trying to be tactical with him categories. and let his punches go in the air and Continuing his dream run, for- miss it so that he loses his control  )  mer world youth champion Sachin 6     
  -   and confidence," Shiva said. Siwach registered an upset win He will face Manish Kaushik in over reigning Commonwealth <■ 7   want to say I don't want all this. will get more experience," the the 60kg final on Friday. 9■    over the last few years has been Games champion Gaurav Solanki in It has come out in the newspapers London Olympics Bronze medal- There was also a setback in unbelievable," Hales said in an inter- a unanimous decision to set up a livid Mary Kom on Thursday that she's challenging me," Mary list continued. store for India in the men's 75kg cat- lex Hales insists he will still sup- view broadcast by Sky Sports. 51kg gold medal clash against Aasked her vanquished oppo- Kom said after beating Nikhat to Mary Kom, however, said egory, when Manjeet Panghal twist- Aport England at the upcoming "I will be (keeping an eye on the Asian Games Gold medalist Amit nent Nikhat Zareen to prove her- enter the 51kg final. Nikhat's comments made her ed his knee in the first round to be World Cup despite his shock exile World Cup). The guys deserve to win Panghal. self in the ring instead of making Mary Kom beat 22-year-old more determined. knocked out by his Filipino oppo- from international cricket. it and I'll be sat there watching and A day after he eliminated World irritating comments. Nikhat 4-1 in a split decision. "I was so surprised to read her nent Eumir Felix Delos Santosh. The Nottinghamshire batsman cheering." Championship Bronze medalist Mary was reacting to former "First you prove inside the comments in the newspaper. It's Santosh will face Ashish Kumar was on course to feature for World As for his feelings about his World Rogen Ladon in a well-calculated world junior champion Nikhat's ring and then speak out (against so irritating. How can they say all in the final. Cup hosts England until a report in Cup exile, confirmed when Hales was bout, the 20-year-old from Haryana comments in the media that she me). She has won just one medal this. Yes, everyone has the right to Former Asian champion the Guardian newspaper last month left out of England's 15-man tourna- had his task cut out against his spar- was excited to take on her 'idol' at the international level and such say and anyone can challenge. But Chatchai Decha Butdee of Thailand revealed he was serving a 21-day ban ment squad announced Tuesday, he ring partner but he again emerged and she would "put up a strong is her ego and attitude! They feel I'm also a human being. It causes also created an upset in the men's following a second positive test for simply added: "I'm not here to talk victorious. fight by using her brain" in the proud and satisfied. This is a very a lot of disturbance. Never mind, 56kg by ousting former World recreational drug use. about that." Panghal, who had clinched a India Open 51kg semifinals which bad habit," the 36-year-old Mary it made me more determined to Championship Bronze medalist The England and Wales Cricket The CPL draft saw Hales select- Gold in his new weight category in the celebrated Manipuri boxer Kom said. do well." Gaurav Bidhuri in a unanimous Board responded to the report by ed ahead of West Indies captain Jason the Asian Championship, defeated won on Thursday. "How many years I've com- Told that Nikhat considered decision. The Thai will take on announcing that Hales, a member of Holder and star batsman Chris Gayle, national champion P L Prasad in the "Every bout is a new experi- peted for the country? And how her as her idol, May Kom said: Kavinder Singh Bisht in the final. the provisional World Cup squad, had with the competition starting on second 52kg semifinal. Panghal ence for me. Even I don't know many times I've proved? It's bet- "Why they challenge me then? The 64kg category will also see been withdrawn from international September 4. had won the Asian Games Gold in who this girl is. I've been fighting ter to say in a mild way. They are Idol means you have to show a non-Indian in the final with duty. "I just want to get back playing Jakarta last year in 49kg. since many years now. I clearly so lucky fighting with me. They respect, talk with respect." Rohit Tokas taking on Colin Louis Hales, 30, is now turning his what I love most and that's cricket," "Amit has improved a lot of late Richarno of Mauritius. attention instead to a stint with the Hales, now a white-ball specialist, Barbados Tridents in the seventh added. season of the Caribbean Premier "This is such a good opportunity League. to go and play at a ground where I  
  The hard-hitting batsman, speak- have such fond memories of — the ing after being selected as the first pick Kensington Oval — and play in a big in the draft for the Twenty20 franchise tournament in some different condi- 
  8
 competition staged in London on tions. Wednesday, said he still wanted "I've got a few things to do with England to win the World Cup in his the English Cricket Board (ECB), +8+*+,,,*5:/)*36++ < absence. there's obviously a process to go "I'm still a fan and wish all the through and then I start training I *8+*3+.+*,**+8 +8,*5 boys all the best. What we have done guess."

■  ofra Archer, the England $3,%$'( .-" 41( Jpaceman, has come in for high praise from India captain Virat Kohli, who said he would be the "X factor" for England at the ICC Men's Q>*"3
)$1/),-' Cricket World Cup 2019. Kohli was speaking dur- ing the Captain's Day in him, there's good reason why London, alongside the skip- he was fast-tracked into play- pers of the other 10 teams, ing for England in a tourna- 5  & = when it was put to him that ment like the World Cup," said Archer, after being confirmed Kohli. in England's final 15-man "I think he's probably  )&*:;'/ ;<(!. Captain Cristiano squad, had said he was eyeing going to be their X factor, Ronaldo was included in the Indian captain's wicket. because he holds a skillset Portugal's squad for next "I'd quite like to get Virat that's very different from any- < ■  trophy that ultimately decides good side, I am a little worried month's Nations League semi- Kohli out because I wasn't able one else. He can generate a lot who the boss is. about the bowling, both new final against Switzerland, head to in the IPL," he told Sky of pace, which can be intim- osts England and Team "This time I think we have ball and the death. But I am coach Fernando Santos Sports. idating. You don't really HIndia have been touted as a genuine chance of winning very much optimistic that we announced on Thursday. Kohli wasn't aware of that, expect that because of his favourites to go the distance in the tournament, but keeping can go the whole length. We Ronaldo, 34, a five-time but the Indian captain made run-up. the 2019 edition of the World the format of the tournament in have experience, have guys Ballon d'Or winner missed the it a point to laud the all- "And the way he's built, he's Cup. But Bangladesh all- mind, we must look to play well who have played 3 or 4 World group stages preferring to try rounder, who was fast-tracked a great athlete. He's going to be rounder Shakib Al Hasan is consistently. If we can do that, Cups. It is a good thing as we and adapt to life in Juventus into the England squad for the a delight to watch in the World keen to remind all that cricket we can definitely look at qual- know what we need to do. since moving from Real tournament, having not Cup. I personally would be is a game that is played on the ifying for the knockouts and Need to get the momentum Madrid. played an ODI prior to the watching his bowling as well - field and not on paper. take it forward from there. I am early on. I am confident. The Euro 2016 champions naming of their preliminary whatever I've seen of him, he's Shakib said that while there confident that we will do well Anyone can beat anyone on welcome the Swiss on June 5 squad. been very, very impressive." is no doubt that Eoin Morgan this time. their day. Consistency is an in Porto and the Netherlands Twitter Ads info and pri- Eoin Morgan, the England and Virat Kohli's men are rul- "Personally, obviously I important factor to go all the play England in Guimaraes a vacy captain, who was sat right next ing world cricket at the moment wish that Bangladesh win the way," he revealed. day later before a third place "Did he say that? I had no to Kohli, concurred and added in the 50-over format, the trophy this time. But a lot of With the advent of the play-off and a final on June 9. idea - that's news to me. It's that it was a huge opportunity favourites tag alone doesn't factors need to click together various T20 leagues, He lifted the Serie A title news to Morgs as well," Kohli for Archer. "Nothing's sur- win any team the coveted title for that dream to be realised. Bangladesh players are now with his Italian club this sea- said with a smile. "We don't prised me about him. He's in the 50-over World Cup. While I didn't play much in the getting an opportunity to rub son but failed to clinch a third really focus on these things. come in and performed exact- "India and England are IPL, I had been working hard shoulders with some of the best straight Champions League We don't really focus on ly how he has been around the obviously favourites, but that on my game and was looking to players in the world. In fact, after losing to Ajax in the whether an individual wants world," said Morgan. "He's doesn't get you the crown. You prepare for the World Cup. they also have their own T20 quarter-finals. to get you out or whether impressive in all three parts of need to do the hard yards to Gave it my all in the practice league and Shakib feels this has Head coach Fernando you're spoken of more or a 50-over game, he gives you an win a tournament like the sessions and tried to maximise helped in getting quality play- Santos has chosen not to call things like that. option in different areas, and World Cup. Australia have been the output in every training ses- ers to play for the country as up veterans Adrien Silva, "Our focus is on con- obviously has that extra bit of doing well recently and West sion," he explained. talent can be identified better Nani and Ricardo Quaresma tributing to the team. I take a pace. Indies have peaked at the right While Bangladesh have in now thanks to so many plat- and Sevilla forward Andre lot of pride in performing for "It is a huge opportunity. time. To be honest, all the the last few years made a name forms. Silva misses out with a knee the team, and making impact The guy is very young, very teams look like they are ready for themselves in the big league "I feel playing in the T20 injury. performances in every game. ambitious, very confident, for a fight. Depends who on by putting in far more consis- leagues around the world has Highly-tipped Benfica If Jofra said that, it's a big F4 $G.&& &  wants to play international that day does well," he pointed. tent performances than before, really helped our boys in recent uncapped youngster Joao compliment. Because he him- cricket for England. That's Personally, Shakib got the but Shakib is still a bit worried times as you gain in experience. Felix is also included along- self is a world-class bowler." H' &A&$ extremely exciting. He's at the perfect boost going into the with the team's bowling attack. Apart from building your own side three other club team- Kohli went on describe his  G
'' '&(&% very start of his international showpiece event as he overtook The all-rounder though feels game, you also get to see other mates who won the Portugese observations of Archer during 3 & &'.A career, and it so happens that it's Afghanistan star Rashid Khan that the experience in the side stars closely and try and learn league champions this season. their clashes in the Indian at the start of the World Cup as the No 1 all-rounder in will come to the rescue in from them as well. It has Portugal squad to face Premier League. "The way  ( %2&&G  and Ashes year, and he could ODIs. But for the star crunch games. helped us become more com- Switzerland on June 5 in the he's come about in the IPL the .   &'C.N potentially have lots of time Bangladesh player, he wants the "I think we have a very petitive as a unit," he smiled. Nations League semis. AFP last couple of years I've seen playing. It's extremely exciting.     !" .& < 9 C"" ;.3 6 :  ; .   -        
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ngland could be the first team to score 500 runs in ODIs, India Ecaptain Virat Kohli said in jest as captains could not agree on the scor- ing trends in what is expected to be a high-scoring World Cup. With 481 for six against Australia last year, England already hold the record of highest ODI total. In their build to the World Cup, they outplayed Pakistan 4-0 in a high-scoring series. <' '--4%3'4% At the captains' media interaction ahead of the mega event, Kohli was (('%(*"
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' . asked if the 500-run mark could be breached in this edition. "I was just going to say it really <■ $  in, the middle order looks a lot depends on these guys. They seem to better against spin bowling be obsessed with getting to 500 before ormer skipper Ricky than it probably was." anyone else," said Kohli while point- FPonting believes defending Warner and Smith had ing to his English counterpart Eoin champion Australia's ability served a 12-month ban and Morgan, who sat next to him. to bowl and play spin will returned to competitive crick- Kohli conceded that the tourna- define their success in the et at the Indian Premier League ment will see a run-fest but pressure upcoming World Cup. with Warner amassing 692 of playing in a World Cup will make "The thing that will define runs in 12 matches and Smith even 260-270 hard to chase. Australia's success in the World scoring 319 runs in 12 match- "It is going to be a high scoring Cup is, one, how well they bowl es and leading Rajasthan tournament but back home too I said spin and, two, how well they Royals to three wins in five 260-270 will also will be as tough to play it," Ponting was quoted as matches. get in a World Cup as chasing 370-380. saying by the 'Sydney Morning "They're both playing real- I don't see many high scoring games Herald'. ly well. Steve Smith still thinks in the later stages of the tournament, "That's been their Achilles' he's not probably 100 per cent initially some teams might get on a roll heel the last 12 or 18 months. fit just yet — but he's not far but later on you will see 250 defend- With [Adam] Zampa bowling away. And Warner's been the ed as well. That is the kind of pressure well now, Nathan Lyon's obvi- dominant batsman in the IPL," World Cup brings." ously in the squad and Glenn Ponting said. The Indian captain expects the Maxwell's done a good job with There are concerns that teams to be more cautious as the tour- the ball whenever he's played." Smith and Warner will be tar- nament progresses. Ponting said there were geted by the crowd during the "Not all the teams are going to be Australian captain Aaron Finch, who it would be a highly competitive tour- "Look India Pakistan is always a India captain as Sarfaraz nodded in concerns about the middle- World Cup with English crick- in a great position (in the later half). was also part of the 2015 World Cup nament with all teams playing each very very anticipated match but we agreement. order's ability to play spin a eter Moeen Ali urging the The ones who have to make sure that winning squad. other at least once. keep saying again and again. If you ask "My answer is the same. I don't year ago but the return of spectators to treat them with they get the result are going to be "If you see the last couple of Kohli also agreed with Finch that the players it is very different from need to add," said the Pakistan skip- David Warner and Steve Smith respect. under pressure to chase even a small years, trajectory of scores has been England are going into the World Cup how the fans look at the game. Yes you per. has strengthened the team. "Those two coming in, total. The fact that you are going to be going up and up in England. We have as the "strongest" side. feel the anticipation and excitement of While many expect a bagful of "And I think some of our obviously they're class players close to a knock out berth will get you been at the receiving end of the high- The marquee clash of the mega the fans when you enter the stadium runs in the World Cup, bowlers are middle order are probably - they'll have their fair share of under pressure in the latter stages and est one. I don't want to put a number event will be on June 16 when India but as soon as you step on the field, bound to come into play at some slightly better players of spin issues to deal with from the all teams recognise that. one it. Hard to tell (what could be the take on arch-rivals Pakistan at Old it is very professional. point, said New Zealand skipper now than they were 12 or 18 crowds and stuff when they get "Then you will not see many highest-score in the tournament). Trafford. "For us it is just another game you Kane Williamson. months ago," said the 44-year- over there," he said. teams going gung ho from ball one. "On small grounds with good A question on that mouth-water- need to win as a team. Yes it brings "We have spoken about the bat- old, who won Australia the "But they're big boys. Generally both teams would like to pitches, if the top order gets going, the ing contest was always coming and pressure because the atmosphere in ting but equally important is the bowl- 1999 World Cup as a player, They've been there and seen it start in a balanced way and look to teams are so explosive these days and when it came, Kohli and Pakistan the stadium is very different and as I ing. I have no doubt that there will be before guiding the team to suc- all before. I'm sure they'll be capitalise on the moments. So I see if they keep going till the end it (the skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed were asked said you only experience that till the venues who will be more suited to the cessive titles in the next two fine." pressure being a massive factor in the total) could be anything." how they will approach the high-pres- time you start competing in the bowlers. We will have to find a way editions as a captain. Australia will begin their World Cup." Finch picked India and England as sure game. And their reply was a stock game. As soon as you get into it, it is to play well in all conditions," said "With Warner there now campaign against Afghanistan The same question was posed to the teams to watch out though he said one. a game of cricket for all of us," said the Williamson. and Steve Smith coming back on June 1 at Bristol. 9 R     !  

■  World Cup right up there in playing for Australia now. It's bubbling "I'd like to think that the way that terms of the rankings and depth up very nicely to be a very exciting we've improved over this four-year ngland batsman Joe Root said within their squad for a number series, and I'm sure that World Cup cycle, we are probably ahead of where Ethat there is plenty to learn of those World Cups and they've game won't disappoint either," Root we thought we would be at this stage," from Australia, whom they play in won pressure moments. So there's said. "We want to beat Australia's Root said. "We've worked really hard to an official warm-up match on plenty to learn from them as a strongest side and those two are defi- deserve the tag of the No.1-ranked team Saturday, 25 May, and their histo- side." nitely in that. It's a very exciting peri- going into the tournament; I think we ry in World Cups. Root was also excited by the od for us, and we've got such a great should enjoy that. We should get a lot Australia have historically challenge of taking on a rejuvenat- opportunity to do something very of confidence from that and really raised their game at the ICC ed Australian team at the World special." embrace that and enjoy what we've Men's Cricket World Cup, display- Cup. Australia have won their last Reflecting on England's own trans- been doing and take it forward into the ing sustained excellence and ruth- eight ODIs on the trot, and that formation into a world-class ODI games. less professionalism. Those are the was even before the returns of team, Root put it down to a lot of hard "The best thing about it is that we very traits that have given them Steve Smith and David Warner. work and hoped they could enjoy the are confident, but we are realistic that four title wins in the last five edi- With the two now back, it has only fruits of that labour at the World Cup. nothing is ever given to you in this &-", .$'%$ tions of the tournament. further shored up the side's Since the 2015 World Cup, England game, and that you are going to have "Australia have always had strength and confidence. have won 58 out of their 88 matches, to continue to work very hard. To win strong squads," Root told Sky "We've got two of the best making them the winningest team in a tournament, you have to be consis-
," %%$#%*)$% Sports. "They've gone into every players [Warner and Smith] back the interim four-year period. tent as well." <■    &
  + 9 ime away from the game has made him "hun- $*))*66806,**.,*8 Tgrier than ever before" says South Africa bats- man Hashim Amla, gearing up for his third World :>&:;-<. Australia batsman Shaun ( 8
 Cup. Marsh said that he is not worried With more than 18,000 international runs under about his role, or the competition for <■ $  his belt, Amla was once a batting mainstay for spots, at the upcoming men's World Proteas but lost his place in the team due to a dip Cup. ormer Australian pacer Brett in form. Marsh, who scored an unbeaten FLee has picked India's Jasprit He missed the ODI series against Sri Lanka ear- half-century in Australia's comfort- Bumrah as one of his top three lier this year, with Aiden Markram taking his place able win over West Indies in an unof- fast bowlers for the upcoming as an opener alongside vice-captain Quinton de ficial fixture on Wednesday said World Cup. Kock in the series. that he was happy with the acclima- "What a wonderful bowler," Amla was also missing in action at the IPL and tisation the knock afforded him. said Lee of Bumrah, who has he says the long break helped him to sharpen his Marsh was one of Australia's taken 85 wickets in 49 ODIs. game. biggest positives in their 5-0 defeat "He's got a good record, "Things happen that you don't anticipate and against England in June last year. The bit." wonderful yorker, good pace," fitness. "He's still got that qual- I did not anticipate how things have gone recent- .+5+*8/: 35-year-old had scored 288 runs at Marsh didn't sound worried added the Australian. ity. When that pace is up he's ly. But I am a firm believer that when something an average of 57.60, which included about making the XI and also Besides Bumrah, Lee picked hard to go past," Lee said of happens, there is some good in it. I have had time two spectacular hundreds. brushed aside concerns when asked compatriots Mitchell Starc and Starc, who was the 2015 Player away and now I am really looking back to wearing .3N0*,*/5G*1 "It certainly does give you con- if he thinks he will be competing with Pat Cummings as the other two of the Tournament for his 22 the green and gold again," Amla was quoted as say- fidence if you've scored runs here in Usman Khawaja for a spot in the fast bowlers who will do well at wickets at 10 runs apiece. ing by the ICC. < ■   always been an area of concern the past," Marsh told reporters. "It was team. "I'm not really sure. I'd like to the quadrennial tournament. Heaping praise on "I am hungrier than ever before, there is no — has looked good this time nice to spend some time out in the think I'm nice and flexible," he said. "You'd have to stick with Cummins, Lee said, "Pat doubt about that. I have been blessed to have this owling has always been round. middle and get my feet moving. I "I've batted from one to six through- Mitchell Starc," Lee told crick- Cummins: pace, accuracy, vari- shirt for a while but the time off has made me want BPakistan's strength and the "I think this team has the enjoy batting out here. Obviously, it's out my career. I'm just going to try et.Com.Au. ations. He can do it all." In six to come back stronger. return of Wahab Riaz and right combination. The best a different challenge. The wickets are and enjoy the practice games and Starc, a left-armer, had suf- matches this year, Cummins "This is my third (World Cup) so I know what Mohammad Amir has given the thing is (that) batting used to be slower [compared] to what they are spend more time out in the middle. fered a chest injury last has taken 17 wickets at just it is all about. I have a strong record in England and unit the much-needed balance a constant worry for us but our back home, and it swings around a And see what happens." PNS February and is nearing peak 14.29. I have always enjoyed coming here." feels former Pakistan skipper batsmen are now in good form," The 36-year-old has already featured in two Shahid Afridi. he explained. World Cups for South Africa but New Zealand "We did quite a few exper- But Afridi warned that in a ended their run in both the editions — quarter- iments with the side. We rested tournament like the World Cup, = 

OG& finals in 2011 and semi-finals four years ago. the seniors in the series against it will be very important to start South Africa will open their campaign against Australia, giving chance to well and gain momentum early <■ $  breathed a sigh of relief. World No 1 England, a side tipped to win the World youngsters," Afridi said in a into the event. "It was very scary," said Shaun Marsh, Cup, and Amla believes the underdog status will suit video posted by the Pakistan "It's very important to win ustralia suffered an injury scare ahead of who hit an unbeaten half-century in the vic- South Africa. Cricket Board on its twitter the first couple of matches to Athe World Cup after opener Usman tory. "It is the best first game we could have asked account. build a momentum ... Our Khawaja suffered a nasty blow on the helmet "It copped him on the side of the cheek- for. We have played England recently and had some "Our bowling struggled youngsters are capable of beat- while batting against West Indies in a warm- bone … The main thing is he is OK and can success against them, I have done well against them before the World Cup I think ing any team in the world. up match. bounce back pretty quickly. too," he said. because they lacked experience "I see Pakistan as one of the Khawaja was struck by a bouncer from "(Khawaja was) a bit shaken, as you are "This year, you don't see the same big names there. Now Wahab Riaz, (leg- teams in the semi-finals and, Andre Russell in the second over while when you get hit on the head. But he is a and that is why the focus is not on us but that has spinner) Shadab Khan and God willing, I'm confident Australia was chasing 230, forcing the open- tough cookie, Uzzy, and he'll be ready to go." some good in it. There has not been much chat about Mohammad Amir are back and they'll play the final too. Pressure er to retire hurt. Khawaja didn't take part in the match us winning in comparison to the past but I don't it's a well-balanced team. We is inevitable in international He looked in discomfort and walked off again even as Australia went on to register a think that played a part in how we performed. should not have any excuse cricket. It tests a player and his the field accompanied by Australian team seven-wicket victory over West Indies in the "At the end of the day, we always gave our best now." mental strength. But World doctor Richard Saw, sending a scare through first of their three warm-up games. and played to win. The fact there has not been a lot Afridi said that the best part Cup is also a great opportunity the Australian World Cup camp. Khawaja is expected to be available for of chat at this World Cup means there is less expec- about this Pakistan team was to become a hero with the However, scans on his jaw later cleared selection for Australia's next warm-up match tation but in the team we think we can do well." that the batting — which has whole world looking at you." him of any serious injury as Australia against England on Saturday.