Telangana SEC postpones counting of votes in civic polls ## Telangana SEC postpones counting of votes in civic polls
The Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) Friday postponed the counting of votes, scheduled to be held on May 27, in the rural local body polls. The three-phased rural local body polls concluded on May 14. "...the State Election Commission decides to postpone the counting date from May 27 to another date to be notified shortly," the SEC said in an order.
Trump telephones Modi to congratulate him, both agree to meet at G-20 Summit: WH ## Trump telephones Modi to congratulate him, both agree to meet at G-20 Summit: WH
President Donald Trump on Friday telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his "historic" electoral victory during which both the leaders pledged to continue to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, the White House said.Prime Minister Modi on Thursday led his Bharatiya Janata Party to a landmark victory for a second five-year term in office, winning 302 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.The two leaders also agreed to meet at the G-20 Summit, to be held on June 28 and 29, in Osaka, Japan.
Dalai Lama, Tibetan government in exile congratulate Modi ## Dalai Lama, Tibetan government in exile congratulate Modi
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on the "sweeping victory" in the Lok Sabha elections."I pray you will be successful in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of India," he wrote in a letter.The result of the 17th Lok Sabha election has set Modi on the course to become the first prime minister after Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to win a second consecutive five-year term with a full majority."India is one of the great ancient civilizations, a distinctive and fundamental feature of which has been ahimsa and karuna non-violent conduct motivated by compassion," the Dalai Lama said.
Day after BJP's massive victory, all eyes now on govt formation ## Day after BJP's massive victory, all eyes now on govt formation
As the BJP swept to power with a spectacular performance for a second term, all eyes are now on government formation, amid speculation that several new faces including party president Amit Shah may be brought into the new cabinet.Many party leaders are of the view that Shah will join the Modi Cabinet and be given one of the four key ministries -- Home, Finance, External Affairs and Defence.With Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj having health issues, there have been talks whether they will be part of the new dispensation or not.Jaitley, a Rajya Sabha member, had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election from Amritsar in 2014, while Swaraj, who had won from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, opted out from the electoral battle this time on health ground.The two leaders have not commented on whether they would like to join the government or not.