Modi wave sweeping across the country, says Suresh Prabhu ## Modi wave sweeping across the country, says Suresh Prabhu
Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday claimed that a 'Modi wave' is "sweeping" across the country as the people want continuation of developmental work that they saw in the last five years. "Electioneering has gathered momentum. I am travelling across the country, and I can claim that Modi wave is sweeping from east to west and north to south. The people themselves are eager to retain Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a second term to carry on the developmental work seen in every sector in the last five years," Prabhu told a press conference here. Prabhu, who visited Hazaribagh to address a poll meeting after BJP candidate and Union Minister of state for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha filed nomination from Hazaribagh seat, said that the Modi government is focused on developmental works through "saab ka saath, saab ka vikas" (together with all and development for all) mantra.
PM Modi cites 'Bofors sins' to counter Rahul's Rafale jibe ## PM Modi cites 'Bofors sins' to counter Rahul's Rafale jibe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attempted to turn the tables on Congress president Rahul Gandhi, citing the Bofors scam to blunt the edge of the latter's attack on the Rafale deal. Addressing a poll rally here, Modi indicated that the Congress chief was "burdened" with "Bofors sins" of his late father (Rajiv Gandhi) and therefore, was accusing others of corruption. The Bofors deal, signed in 1986, was believed to be one of primary reasons for the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress' defeat in the 1989 Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the prime minister on the Rafale fighter jet deal purchase, calling it a scam. Referring to the I-T raids on close aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Modi said the opposition party wants to be in power to loot. "After 15 years, they got a chance in Madhya Pradesh. It has been only few days of their government there, but the kind of loot they are engaged in such a short span," Modi said.
PM Modi worse than Hitler, alleges HD Kumaraswamy ## PM Modi worse than Hitler, alleges HD Kumaraswamy
Furious over the recent Income Tax (I-T) raids on his partymen and a top I-T official seeking action against him, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "worse than Hitler".The Janata Dal (United) leader is apparently upset over the recent statewide I-T crackdown on his partymen and others and the state Income Tax Commissioner's letter to the Election Commission (EC) seeking legal action against him and the Congress and JD(S) functionaries who protested against the action outside the I-T department here."Modi is a dictator -- a man worse than Hitler. He is the worst prime minister who brought a bill to confiscate the personal properties of individuals," Kumaraswamy told his supporters here on Tuesday night.Principal Chief I-T Commissioner (Goa-Karnataka region) B R Balakrishnan has written to the state chief electoral officer, seeking action against Kumaraswamy and others for allegedly intimidating. I-T officers and obstructing them from discharging their duties during the raids.
He has also demanded that cases be registered against all those who took part in the protests for unlawful assembly, intentional insult, breach of peace, criminal intimidation and threat of injury to public servant under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Security up in Telangana for polls amid looming naxal threat ## Security up in Telangana for polls amid looming naxal threat
In view of the parliamentary polls in Telangana on Thursday, the state police have sounded a high alert and beefed up security in the bordering areas after the naxal attack in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.The police have already geared up for free, fair and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections and taken all measures to maintain law and order in 33 districts of the state. Over 50,000 personnel from the police and central para-military force would be part of bandobust duty.Vigil has been mounted in the Left-wing extremism-affected areas and the combing operation intensified."All necessary arrangements are in place to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha elections in the state," a senior police official told PTI.
JJP seeks tie-up with 'like-minded outfits', says Dushyant Chautala ## JJP seeks tie-up with 'like-minded outfits', says Dushyant Chautala
Jannayak Janata Party leader Dushyant Chautala Wednesday said his party is in the process of forging an alliance with "like-minded outfits" to contest the Lok Sabha polls and an announcement in this regard will be made within four days.The Hisar MP said a three-member panel of JJP that includes K C Bangar, S S Kadian and state unit chief Nishan Singh has prepared a report which will be discussed with party patron Ajay Chautala, who will take a final call on the tie-up issue.He indicated that the Aam Aadmi Party could be onboard among the like-minded parties, while some smaller outfits, who may not put up candidates to fight the Lok Sabha polls, could also be among those to extend support to the JJP.Dushyant Chautala said only one member from his family will be contesting the general election.His mother Naina Chautala is a sitting MLA from Haryana, brother Digvijay Chautala recently fought the Jind bypoll and finished first runner up, while father Ajay Chautala, a former MP, is serving a jail sentence in connection with a teachers recruitment scam in the state."Within four days, we will come out with details and make an announcement. We are ready to have like-minded parties and groups on board," he said here.Replying to a question, Dushyant Chautala asserted that if AAP enters into any tie-up with the Congress in Haryana for the Lok Sabha polls, in that scenario possibility of having any understanding with Arvind Kejriwal's party will end."Our fight has been against Congress' policies, our ideology also does not go with them," he said.
Stage set for first phase of Lok Sabha poll in Tripura ## Stage set for first phase of Lok Sabha poll in Tripura
The stage is set for over 13 lakh voters to exercise their franchise for the West Tripura Lok Sabha seat which would go to the polls on Thursday. Chief Electoral Officer, Sriram Taranikanti said, elections would begin at 7 am and would continue till 5 pm and adequate security arrangements have been made. The CEO said 13,47,381 voters including 6,82,044 male and 6,65,327 female voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 1679 polling stations of the constituency. "Adequate security measures have been taken, 99 percent voters have received their voter slips, 30 polling stations would be fully manned by women and a total of 3030 postal ballots have been cast so far for the West Tripura parliamentary constituency," Taranikanti told reporters. Altogether, 13 candidates including BJP's Pratima Bhowmick, CPI(M) nominee Shankar Prasad Datta and Subal Bhowmick of the Congress are in the fray.
"Where did the court say what Rahul Gandhi claimed. But today what he has done is gros contempt of court. has today the court said anything to this effect? Is baat ko Court ne maan liya. Where did the court say this? Who has given Rahul Gandhi the right to misinterpret the court verdict?" says Nirmala Sitharaman.