Modi is frontline leader of communal forces: Pawar: "Narendra Modi is frontline leader of communal forces: Sharad Pawar
Pune, March 16: On a campaign trail in western Maharashtra, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and BJP leader Narendra Modi derided each other, with the Maharashtra strongman describing the saffron campaigner as the 'frontline leader' of communal forces in the country.
Modi hit back, saying Pawar has been hoodwinked by Congress on the issue of prime ministership.
The Gujarat Chief Minister, who launched the BJP-Shiv Sena's poll drive here Sunday night, said Pawar who has spent many years in Congress failed to understand the stratagem of that party to keep him out of the race for the top post.
Referring to recent statement by Pawar that a Maharashtrian should get an opportunity to become PM, Modi said by making Pratibha Patil the President, Congress employed a 'shrewd ploy' to sideline the NCP president shutting doors on his prime ministerial ambitions."
What we see as contradictions in various walks of Life
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What is Booth Capturing?
What is Booth Capturing?: "Basic booth capturing works in the following way: At a polling center, members of a certain political party will “capture” a booth, by filling it with a stream of party loyalists. Typically these loyalists are not legally registered to vote at that particular booth, and may vote several times for their party member. By keeping the booth occupied, votes for an opposing party are kept lower, and people who have the legitimate right to vote may not be able to wait for an extended time to cast their vote, or they may be so intimidated by fierce seeming mobs capturing a booth that they simply don’t vote."
Indian Elections - 2009
Indian Elections - 2009: "Criminalization of Poiltics: This is the single most shameful and sad aspect of the Indian politics. Approximately 20% of the Members of Parliament in India face criminal charges in Courts of Law. Admittedly, some of these are political cases, yet the figure is way too high for comfort.. The people of India do not deserve this"
Six reasons why Congress will lose Election 09
Six reasons why Congress will lose Election 09: "Here are six reasons the Congress will taste defeat in Elections 2009. The next part of this article will present the reasons that make the BJP-led NDA most likely to win the people's mandate.
1: Betrayal of the aam aadmi: The Congress party sought votes in 2004 in the name of the aam aadmi. Five years later, it has proved itself to be a party that brought pain to the aam aadmi and further prosperity to the khaas aadmi. The government is projecting near-zero inflation rate as a big achievement, but the common man knows that the prices of essential commodities, especially food items, have hardly come down from the record levels they reached during the UPA years."
1: Betrayal of the aam aadmi: The Congress party sought votes in 2004 in the name of the aam aadmi. Five years later, it has proved itself to be a party that brought pain to the aam aadmi and further prosperity to the khaas aadmi. The government is projecting near-zero inflation rate as a big achievement, but the common man knows that the prices of essential commodities, especially food items, have hardly come down from the record levels they reached during the UPA years."
No recession for India election spending
No recession for India election spending
13 hours ago
NEW DELHI (AFP) — Election season means spending season in India, where the world's largest democratic exercise triggers a cash splurge on everything from leasing private planes to buying individual votes.
According to a survey by the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), the month-long general election beginning on April 16 will witness an outlay of something like 100 billion rupees (two billion dollars).
Of that total, about 20 billion rupees will be spent by the national Election Commission and state governments on organising the actual polling, which be held in five stages and requires a mammoth security operation.
The rest will be spent by official parties and individual candidates, with the CMS estimating that as much as 25 billion rupees has been earmarked for "unofficial" cash purchases of individual votes on the eve of balloting.
13 hours ago
NEW DELHI (AFP) — Election season means spending season in India, where the world's largest democratic exercise triggers a cash splurge on everything from leasing private planes to buying individual votes.
According to a survey by the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), the month-long general election beginning on April 16 will witness an outlay of something like 100 billion rupees (two billion dollars).
Of that total, about 20 billion rupees will be spent by the national Election Commission and state governments on organising the actual polling, which be held in five stages and requires a mammoth security operation.
The rest will be spent by official parties and individual candidates, with the CMS estimating that as much as 25 billion rupees has been earmarked for "unofficial" cash purchases of individual votes on the eve of balloting.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - India’s ‘Third Front’ off to rocky start
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - India’s ‘Third Front’ off to rocky start: "Disunity: Despite attracting a crowd of around 200,000 people at a rally this month, observers have poured cold water over the idea that the ad hoc alliance can stick together - either before or after the election. “This is a replay of the 1990s,” said Subhash Agrawal, political analyst and editor of India Focus magazine, referring to the anti-BJP and anti-Congress alliances that take shape every election year. He said poor planning and inflated egos were likely to prevent the Third Front from ever forming a government."
My alliance is with people, God: Captain - Chennai - Cities - The Times of India
My alliance is with people, God: Captain - Chennai - Cities - The Times of India: "KANCHEEPURAM: In what could be a big setback to the Congress, DMDK founder Vijayakanth on Sunday threw a strong hint that he would go it alone in
the Lok Sabha elections. With the PMK showing signs that it may move towards the AIADMK camp, the DMDK decision could mean that the DMK and Congress would be left without any significant ally.
'My alliance is only with God and the people,' the 56-year-old actor-politician said in a crowded street corner in this temple town, where he made a token beginning to his campaign at an auspicious hour, much ahead of other parties."
the Lok Sabha elections. With the PMK showing signs that it may move towards the AIADMK camp, the DMDK decision could mean that the DMK and Congress would be left without any significant ally.
'My alliance is only with God and the people,' the 56-year-old actor-politician said in a crowded street corner in this temple town, where he made a token beginning to his campaign at an auspicious hour, much ahead of other parties."
The Hindu News Update Service
The Hindu News Update Service: "UPA has disintegrated, says CPI(M)
New Delhi (PTI): The UPA has 'disintegrated', the CPI(M) said on Monday after the RJD dealt a major blow to the Congress over seat-sharing in Bihar.
'There is no UPA today. The UPA has disintegrated,' CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat told reporters here in response to questions."
New Delhi (PTI): The UPA has 'disintegrated', the CPI(M) said on Monday after the RJD dealt a major blow to the Congress over seat-sharing in Bihar.
'There is no UPA today. The UPA has disintegrated,' CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat told reporters here in response to questions."
'Pranab's punishment decision is unwelcome' - Kolkata - Cities - The Times of India
'Pranab's punishment decision is unwelcome' - Kolkata - Cities - The Times of India: "KRISHNAGAR: External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee's comment that Congress workers who oppose the alliance with Trinamool Congress would be
punished is 'unfortunate', said Nadia Congress leader Shankar Singh on Sunday"
punished is 'unfortunate', said Nadia Congress leader Shankar Singh on Sunday"
Concerns over tampering of EVMs in Assam- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times
Concerns over tampering of EVMs in Assam- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times: "GUWAHATI: Opposition parties in Assam including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) have raised concerns over
tampering of electronic voting machines (EVM)."
tampering of electronic voting machines (EVM)."
Mulayam vents his ire at UP lady official - India - The Times of India
Mulayam vents his ire at UP lady official - India - The Times of India: "Yadav alleged the way in which the DM (who is also district election oficer) was cancelling arms licences had created an atmosphere of terror in the district.
'This is also affecting my elections and it is not tolerable', he said.
'She has lost her sense to discriminate between a criminal and a common man. She should get her head cheked', Yadav said angrily."
'This is also affecting my elections and it is not tolerable', he said.
'She has lost her sense to discriminate between a criminal and a common man. She should get her head cheked', Yadav said angrily."
Priyanka Gandhi slams Varun for anti-Muslim comments - India - The Times of India
Priyanka Gandhi slams Varun for anti-Muslim comments - India - The Times of India: "'Varun's comments are against the traditions and principles of the (Gandhi) family and he has gone against what the Gandhis have lived and died for... It made me very sad to see him saying those things on TV... What can I say?,' Priyanka told reporters in the Bachrawan Tehsil of Rae Bareli, the constituency of her mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi."
AFP: Congress coalition ahead in India election race
AFP: Congress coalition ahead in India election race: "NEW DELHI (AFP) — A coalition led by India's ruling Congress Party will secure the most seats in upcoming elections, but not enough to govern alone, according to a poll published Monday.
The survey by research firm Nielsen for the Star News channel predicted a Congress-led coalition could grab as many as 257 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament.
An alliance led by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure 184 seats, the poll said.
Either bloc would need to attract further support to obtain the required 272-seat majority."
The survey by research firm Nielsen for the Star News channel predicted a Congress-led coalition could grab as many as 257 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament.
An alliance led by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure 184 seats, the poll said.
Either bloc would need to attract further support to obtain the required 272-seat majority."
President issues notification for first phase of elections - Yahoo! India News
President issues notification for first phase of elections - Yahoo! India News: "New Delhi, Mar 23 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil on Monday issued the notification for the first phase of the five phased Lok Sabha elections.
Notifications were also issued by respective Governors for 154 of the 294 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and 70 of the 147 Assembly seats in Orissa, going to polls along with the Lok Sabha elections in the first phase"
Notifications were also issued by respective Governors for 154 of the 294 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and 70 of the 147 Assembly seats in Orissa, going to polls along with the Lok Sabha elections in the first phase"
Sunday, March 22, 2009
NDTV.com: PMK to go with Jayalalithaa this election
NDTV.com: PMK to go with Jayalalithaa this election: "Who forms the next government at the Centre - a lot would depend on which way the smaller parties are going.
And when it comes to the most bizarre alliances and marriages of convenience, there is no state quite like Tamil Nadu.
PMK, which was a part of UPA since 2004, is now all set to go with Jayalalithaa's AIADMK.
This is one of the possibilities being discussed for an alliance in Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly before the elections in 2004, since 1999, PMK has swung like a pendulum from the AIADMK to the DMK, then back to the AIADMK and then DMK-led coalitions"
And when it comes to the most bizarre alliances and marriages of convenience, there is no state quite like Tamil Nadu.
PMK, which was a part of UPA since 2004, is now all set to go with Jayalalithaa's AIADMK.
This is one of the possibilities being discussed for an alliance in Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly before the elections in 2004, since 1999, PMK has swung like a pendulum from the AIADMK to the DMK, then back to the AIADMK and then DMK-led coalitions"
The Hindu News Update Service
The Hindu News Update Service: "IIT, IIM alumni to join poll fray
Lucknow (PTI): After businessmen, dancers, eunuchs and teachers, the colourful Indian political bandwagon will get a touch of intelligentsia in the coming polls with alumni of the elite IITs and IIMs planning to test their electoral fortunes.
While the Bharat Punarnirman Dal, a political party founded by a group of former IITians has announced its first list of eight candidates for the coming Lok Sabha polls, students from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow are actively involved in managing election campaigns of different political parties"
Lucknow (PTI): After businessmen, dancers, eunuchs and teachers, the colourful Indian political bandwagon will get a touch of intelligentsia in the coming polls with alumni of the elite IITs and IIMs planning to test their electoral fortunes.
While the Bharat Punarnirman Dal, a political party founded by a group of former IITians has announced its first list of eight candidates for the coming Lok Sabha polls, students from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow are actively involved in managing election campaigns of different political parties"
Jaago Re - About Us - Jaago
Jaago Re - About Us - Jaago: "One of the key innovations is the launch of India’s first online voter registration engine, which allows you to fill out your voter registration form online within 5 mins! The engine has an added feature (in the 35 target cities) to locate your house address on your city map through a GIS application, in order to determine your Assembly Constituency. Click here to know about the other innovations and benefits of registering at www.jaagore.com."
Manifestos
Cut & Paste Job - Special Report - Sunday TOI - The Times of India: "This is that time in our national life, when 'freedom' is in the air: free rice, free wheat, free water, free electricity and, of course, a colour TV, on which you can see the great drama of democracy unfolding 24x7. So is anything missing here? Yes, a small irritant called the Election Manifesto. The first phase of the Lok Sabha polls is just four weeks away and not a single political party has bothered to release its manifesto. Technically, that should be in place before the campaign. A manifesto, after all, is supposed to be the blueprint of a party's plans for the nation for the next five years; a commitment to its values; a list of the promises it has made and plans to fulfil for millions of people."
Crises of Indian Parties - Mainstream Weekly
Crises of Indian Parties - Mainstream Weekly: "Personality Cult
Personality cult, the crowd mentality of Indian hero worshipping, is not only accounting for distortions in voting behaviour of the electorate but has also resulted in the rise and continued existence of many small parties.
In the Congress, right from Nehru to Sonia Gandhi, the emphasis of the leadership had been on personality and not on the ogranisational unity of the party. The common political logic undergirding the playing of the Sonia card, despite having many senior and experienced Congressmen, was that only she would probably emerge as a national level vote-catcher.
Leaders like Jayalalitha, Chandrababu Naidu, Mayawati, Bal Thackeray, Laloo Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Raj Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee, and so on, are sole leaders of their respective parties."
Personality cult, the crowd mentality of Indian hero worshipping, is not only accounting for distortions in voting behaviour of the electorate but has also resulted in the rise and continued existence of many small parties.
In the Congress, right from Nehru to Sonia Gandhi, the emphasis of the leadership had been on personality and not on the ogranisational unity of the party. The common political logic undergirding the playing of the Sonia card, despite having many senior and experienced Congressmen, was that only she would probably emerge as a national level vote-catcher.
Leaders like Jayalalitha, Chandrababu Naidu, Mayawati, Bal Thackeray, Laloo Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Raj Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee, and so on, are sole leaders of their respective parties."
Corporates work overtime to clean up politics of criminals
Corporates work overtime to clean up politics of criminals: "In the present Lok Sabha, one in five Members of Parliament (MPs) have criminal charges, and some like Shibu Soren have blood on their hands. The Mumbai terror attacks on places where the rich and famous stay seems to have triggered a sense that to keep terrorists at bay it is necessary to deny criminals Parliament play."
Silence of Rajini baffles politically-inclined fans
Silence of Rajini baffles politically-inclined fans: "Silence of Rajini baffles politically-inclined fans
Gokul VannanFirst Published : 17 Mar 2009 01:50:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 17 Mar 2009 03:32:18 PM ISTCHENNAI: Whom will ‘super star’ Rajinikanth support in the Lok Sabha elections? Keenly awaiting a word from him are his fans across the state, whose number is said to be around 10 lakh and who are expected to follow his diktat blindly.
The actor who has been politically active since 1995, has, in the past, guided his fans in a few elections.
However, he has not given in to his fans’ request of launching a political party, saying he is ‘waiting for a divine order’ to do so."
Gokul VannanFirst Published : 17 Mar 2009 01:50:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 17 Mar 2009 03:32:18 PM ISTCHENNAI: Whom will ‘super star’ Rajinikanth support in the Lok Sabha elections? Keenly awaiting a word from him are his fans across the state, whose number is said to be around 10 lakh and who are expected to follow his diktat blindly.
The actor who has been politically active since 1995, has, in the past, guided his fans in a few elections.
However, he has not given in to his fans’ request of launching a political party, saying he is ‘waiting for a divine order’ to do so."
Ramadoss plumps for Jaya; DMDK ties up with Congress
Ramadoss plumps for Jaya; DMDK ties up with Congress
CHENNAI: A broad picture on the pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu emerged on Friday with the PMK deciding to go with the AIADMK and actor Vijayakant’s Desiya Murpoku Dravidar Kazhag am (DMDK) finalising a tie-up with the Congress, thus finding itself a place in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA).The suspense over the PMK’s decision came to an end with a senior DMK leader saying that the PMK was not with them, while the DMDK is said to have clinched a deal with the Congress in New Delhi.Top rung DMDK functionaries Panruti Ramachandran and L K Sudeesh, who had gone to New Delhi to prevail upon the Election Commission to allot the ‘drum’ symbol to their party, also held parleys with senior Congressmen like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel.
CHENNAI: A broad picture on the pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu emerged on Friday with the PMK deciding to go with the AIADMK and actor Vijayakant’s Desiya Murpoku Dravidar Kazhag am (DMDK) finalising a tie-up with the Congress, thus finding itself a place in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA).The suspense over the PMK’s decision came to an end with a senior DMK leader saying that the PMK was not with them, while the DMDK is said to have clinched a deal with the Congress in New Delhi.Top rung DMDK functionaries Panruti Ramachandran and L K Sudeesh, who had gone to New Delhi to prevail upon the Election Commission to allot the ‘drum’ symbol to their party, also held parleys with senior Congressmen like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - HUM HINDUSTANI: Tangled in tapes —J Sri Raman
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - HUM HINDUSTANI: Tangled in tapes —J Sri Raman: "Bal Thackeray has heaped praise on Varun for putting pro-Hindutva valour before poll-time discretion. It has echoed and endorsed his view that “anyone speaking for Hindus is castigated as communal”. The Sena has “advised” the BJP to stand by Varun"
How money corrupts Indian politics
How money corrupts Indian politics: "If there was a vote on whether the cricket should be postponed or the elections, which way would the electorate go? Why miss out on a contest of skill and transparency when all we get in return is a murky game where a tribe of varied characters spend dubious money in a process that may not even declare a clear victor? At least the 20-20 rules do not permit indecision.
To be fair, democratic politics always needed money as a part-time servant. Unfortunately, the dependency has been reversed. Money now needs politics at its beck and call"
To be fair, democratic politics always needed money as a part-time servant. Unfortunately, the dependency has been reversed. Money now needs politics at its beck and call"
India Today - India's most widely read magazine.
India Today - India's most widely read magazine.: "Power has unlimited glamour: Shatrughan Sinha
IANS
Mumbai, March 21, 2009
He admits that 'power has unlimited glamour'. Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Patna Saheb in Bihar, also candidly says that he is not interested in the 'temple-mosque' row but in development issues.
'Let those who wish to go on and on about 'mandir-masjid' do so. I'm interested in 'manav mandir', human growth and development,' the man popularly known as 'Shotgun Sinha' told IANS in an interview."
IANS
Mumbai, March 21, 2009
He admits that 'power has unlimited glamour'. Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Patna Saheb in Bihar, also candidly says that he is not interested in the 'temple-mosque' row but in development issues.
'Let those who wish to go on and on about 'mandir-masjid' do so. I'm interested in 'manav mandir', human growth and development,' the man popularly known as 'Shotgun Sinha' told IANS in an interview."
DNA: India: Former PA of Gandhi to contest elections
DNA: India: Former PA of Gandhi to contest elections: "Former PA of Gandhi to contest elections"
Khichdi sarkar zindabad!
Khichdi sarkar zindabad!: "Khichdi sarkar zindabad!
Aditya SinhaFirst Published : 21 Mar 2009 02:20:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 21 Mar 2009 09:01:52 AM ISTYou don’t need an insider to gauge the lack of interest in the Congress party in forming the next government, if it retains the number of seats it has in the parliamentary elections (though an insider will tell you that the Congress feels a stint away from the treasury benches will help Rahul Gandhi emerge party leader in his own right). The BJP’s L K Advani appears to have given up on forming the next government: one, the third-front-like squabbles among his closest advisors indicate his 81-year-old grip is slipping; and two, Varun Gandhi’s polarising remarks are evidence that the RSS has seized control of the campaign in the Hindi heartland from Advani."
Aditya SinhaFirst Published : 21 Mar 2009 02:20:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 21 Mar 2009 09:01:52 AM ISTYou don’t need an insider to gauge the lack of interest in the Congress party in forming the next government, if it retains the number of seats it has in the parliamentary elections (though an insider will tell you that the Congress feels a stint away from the treasury benches will help Rahul Gandhi emerge party leader in his own right). The BJP’s L K Advani appears to have given up on forming the next government: one, the third-front-like squabbles among his closest advisors indicate his 81-year-old grip is slipping; and two, Varun Gandhi’s polarising remarks are evidence that the RSS has seized control of the campaign in the Hindi heartland from Advani."
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Decline of India's political leviathans
BBC NEWS South Asia Decline of India's political leviathans: "As India braces for another split verdict in the forthcoming general election, Mahesh Rangarajan analyses the decline of the country's national parties.
Neither of the premier parties, Congress or the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is confident of leading their respective alliances to full power.
India is completing a decade in which coalitions dominated by one or the other have held power.
After five years at the helm, the alliance headed by Dr Manmohan Singh has much to smile about. For four of these years, growth rates were well over 8% and even now, amid a global slump, India will be the world's second fastest growing economy."
Neither of the premier parties, Congress or the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is confident of leading their respective alliances to full power.
India is completing a decade in which coalitions dominated by one or the other have held power.
After five years at the helm, the alliance headed by Dr Manmohan Singh has much to smile about. For four of these years, growth rates were well over 8% and even now, amid a global slump, India will be the world's second fastest growing economy."
Saturday, March 21, 2009
elections maharashtra - Google News
elections maharashtra - Google News: "Stay up to date on these results:
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Create an email alert for elections maharashtra
Add a custom section for elections maharashtra to Google News
Search blogs for elections maharashtra
Add a news gadget for elections maharashtra to your Google homepage
Subscribe to a news feed for elections maharashtra in Google Reader"
Cracks in the jigsaw
Cracks in the jigsaw: "Just when coalitions were appearing to stabilise, they have started cracking. First, it was the UPA-LF coalition that split on the rock of the nuclear deal. But the NDA was not to be left behind: it steadily kept losing partners — the National Conference, Trinmool, and finally the BJD. One would have thought that the Congress would seize the initiative and create a larger alliance before the elections; but the party, even while forging an alliance with Mamata Banerjee, chose to literally throw away partners in a too-clever-by-half move, announcing instead that it would not have any national level alliance. Come election season and everyone is finding new allies and finding excuses to dump older allies."
Congress, NCP Finalize Seat-Sharing in Maharashtra - myPOPKORN
Congress, NCP Finalize Seat-Sharing in Maharashtra - myPOPKORN: "India Election 2009
March 20, 2009: Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday finalized seat-sharing for Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections to be held in next month.
According to the agreement, Congress would contest polls from 26 parliamentary seats, while NCP would fight elections in 22 constituencies."
March 20, 2009: Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday finalized seat-sharing for Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections to be held in next month.
According to the agreement, Congress would contest polls from 26 parliamentary seats, while NCP would fight elections in 22 constituencies."
Friday, March 20, 2009
Strange bedfellows! Cong, BJP ditched by trusted allies - Express India
Strange bedfellows! Cong, BJP ditched by trusted allies - Express India: "Strange bedfellows! Cong, BJP ditched by trusted allies"
The Election Circus - MouthShut.com
The Election Circus - MouthShut.com: "The Election Circus
Posted on Mar 17, 2009 under General
The Indian electoral process has started. The election is no less than a circus with Messrs Gopalswamy, Chawla and Qureshi as ringmasters. Previous elections always used to have a front runner. But this election has no favourites with three fronts being formed. The ruling UPA is facing severe anti-incumbency and the Congress party's allies are taking it for a ride. The NDA which six months back looked all set to make a comeback is now suddenly on the backfoot, with it allies waiting to desert it. And the motley group of Prime ministerial aspirants calling themselves the Third Front are waiting to see which side they can jump to, after the election results."
Posted on Mar 17, 2009 under General
The Indian electoral process has started. The election is no less than a circus with Messrs Gopalswamy, Chawla and Qureshi as ringmasters. Previous elections always used to have a front runner. But this election has no favourites with three fronts being formed. The ruling UPA is facing severe anti-incumbency and the Congress party's allies are taking it for a ride. The NDA which six months back looked all set to make a comeback is now suddenly on the backfoot, with it allies waiting to desert it. And the motley group of Prime ministerial aspirants calling themselves the Third Front are waiting to see which side they can jump to, after the election results."
The Hindu Business Line : Will it be ‘Untied’ Progressive Alliance?
The Hindu Business Line : Will it be ‘Untied’ Progressive Alliance?: "The manner in which the Congress has been treated by its allies in Bihar is an indication of the progressive shrinking of political space for India’s Grand Old Party."
Social networking media warm up for elections
Social networking media warm up for elections: "A discussion in Twitter criticises the Congress for using the ‘Jai ho’ song from Slumdog Millionaire. “The Congress has lost all credibility in my books after lobbying the ‘Slumdog’ kids for their campaign,” said a tweet. “Indian Congress party bought the rights to Jai ho, the Oscar-winning song for $200K. How many starving children will it feed?” asks another. People also compare BJP’s online campaign with that of Congress. “Indian Political party BJP is betting big on internet audience for 2009 election, I see their adverts all places. Congress targets roadsides”."
The political circus and more
The political circus and more: "Now let me take you to other stories of the great Indian political circus. The tale from the “republic of Bihar” is; its leader Ram Vilas Paswan and Lalu Prasad Yadav, the sworn political enemies, have shook hands to fight the Lok Sabha election together. One may recall Paswan had shown his thumbs down to Yadav when the latter was desperate to form the government after the assembly elections. At that time Paswan had sworn to free Bihar from the clutches of the Lalu raj. Now by aligning with Yadav, he has given fillip to the return of the jungle raj in Bihar. Well that’s why Chameleon thy name is Indian politician!"
The Hindu Business Line : Cong scouts for more regional alliance ahead of LS polls
The Hindu Business Line : Cong scouts for more regional alliance ahead of LS polls: "In this election year, what has dented the regional parties' aspirations for more seats in states, other than the ones in which they have primary influence, is the unilateral stand of the Congress Working Committee which stated in its last meeting that t he party will only go for regional and not a national alliance. - PTI"
Third Front is at best a bargaining platform- ET Debate-Opinion-The Economic Times
Third Front is at best a bargaining platform- ET Debate-Opinion-The Economic Times: "the Third Front is presently an inchoate medley of parties lacking organisational cohesion or a common programme, with ambitious, mercurial, regional chieftains like Mayawati, Pawar and Gowda who would like to be PM but would not be able to run a coalition jointly.
Membership remains open with many like the TDP yet to decide, many — including the Left — could join/desert after the elections to maximise gains. Apart from Mayawati, much of the posturing by regional leaders is to protect weakening home turfs from opposition parties or forces emerging from the penetration of regionalisation into new regions/communities.
The DMK faces a challenge from not only the AIADMK or PMK but also Vijaykanth’s DMDK; the TDP from TRS and Chiranjeevi’s Prajarajyam; the Left from Mamata’s Trinamool, and the SP from Mayawati’s BSP. The BJD jettisoned the NDA based on calculations that it can fight alone in Orissa, not because it was keen to join the Front.
Thus, despite eight members, the Front remains at best a “bargaining platform” for a greater share in state and national governance; forming a national government remains a distant dream."
Membership remains open with many like the TDP yet to decide, many — including the Left — could join/desert after the elections to maximise gains. Apart from Mayawati, much of the posturing by regional leaders is to protect weakening home turfs from opposition parties or forces emerging from the penetration of regionalisation into new regions/communities.
The DMK faces a challenge from not only the AIADMK or PMK but also Vijaykanth’s DMDK; the TDP from TRS and Chiranjeevi’s Prajarajyam; the Left from Mamata’s Trinamool, and the SP from Mayawati’s BSP. The BJD jettisoned the NDA based on calculations that it can fight alone in Orissa, not because it was keen to join the Front.
Thus, despite eight members, the Front remains at best a “bargaining platform” for a greater share in state and national governance; forming a national government remains a distant dream."
Tamil Nadu: Will Vijayakanth be the captain?
Tamil Nadu: Will Vijayakanth be the captain?: "Vijayakanth's campaign and party manifesto is simple to the point of being naive. He is opposed to both the DMK and the ADMK. So does that put him in the camp of the Congress? No, he doesn't support the Congress either, at least not just yet.
The fact is, there is a 9 per cent vote in Tamil Nadu that is uncommitted: It votes for neither the DMK nor the ADMK. It is this vote that Vijayakanth is hoping to get. And the party that aligns with him will have access to this vote as well."
The fact is, there is a 9 per cent vote in Tamil Nadu that is uncommitted: It votes for neither the DMK nor the ADMK. It is this vote that Vijayakanth is hoping to get. And the party that aligns with him will have access to this vote as well."
Jayalalitha asks Congress to shun DMK
Jayalalitha asks Congress to shun DMK: "Jayalalitha asks Congress to shun DMK
Jayalalitha said that her party and the Congress have shared friendly relationship in the past and now it was time to take corrective action. She said that DMK was sinking and any party which aligns with it will also sink in quicksand.."
Jayalalitha said that her party and the Congress have shared friendly relationship in the past and now it was time to take corrective action. She said that DMK was sinking and any party which aligns with it will also sink in quicksand.."
Indian Elections 2009 » Jayalalitha woos Congress
Indian Elections 2009 » Jayalalitha woos Congress: "AIADMK chief and ex-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is actively wooing Congress to become a part of it’s UPA coalition. Jayalalithaa asked Congress to break it’s existing alliance with it’s arch rival DMK."
BSP will contest general elections alone, says Mayawati .:. NewKerala - India 's Top Online Newspaper
BSP will contest general elections alone, says Mayawati .:. NewKerala - India 's Top Online Newspaper: "Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said on Sunday that her party will not form an alliance with any political party for the general elections this time"
The Hindu Business Line : The importance of being PMK
The Hindu Business Line : The importance of being PMK: "Speculation is rife in the local media over which way the astute politician will go. There were reports last week that Dr Ramadoss was going to call on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president, Mr M. Karunanidhi, who also heads the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance in the State. Then came reports that Dr Ramadoss was going to meet the AIADMK supremo, Ms Jayalalithaa. Neither event happened, with Dr Ramadoss seemingly content to leave political parties and analysts on tenterhooks"
DNA: India: RSS prevails on Jaitley
DNA: India: RSS prevails on Jaitley: "Jaitley's climbdown did not surprise anybody. The Sangh Parivar does not take kindly to challenges to authority. The clout of RSS over BJP is established: even LK Advani had to step down on RSS orders following his Jinnah remark. It is, however, a mark of Jaitley's clout that he got away without any action taken against him."
MP Elections : CD tampered, claims Varun » Delhi Elections Results : India Elections,India MP Elections 2009,India Lok Sabha Elections 2009, MP Elections Results,Delhi Elections,General Elections 2009,General Elections Results 2009
MP Elections : CD tampered, claims Varun » Delhi Elections Results : India Elections,India MP Elections 2009,India Lok Sabha Elections 2009, MP Elections Results,Delhi Elections,General Elections 2009,General Elections Results 2009: "Breaking his silence on his controversial speech targeting the Muslim community allegedly made during an election rally in Pilibhit on March 6, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi on Wednesday morning issued a clarification saying he was a Gandhian and the CD of his speech had been tampered with."
Election Schedule 2009,General Elections Schedule,15th Lok Sabha Election Schedule, Election Date
Election Schedule 2009,General Elections Schedule,15th Lok Sabha Election Schedule, Election Date: "Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies 2009"
India Elections 2009
Indian general election, 2009
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This article or section contains information about a forthcoming election.Content may change dramatically as the election approaches........more
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This article or section contains information about a forthcoming election.Content may change dramatically as the election approaches........more
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