An FIR was today registered against Union minister Salman Khurshid and one of his supporters for alleged violation of poll code here. Khurshid, it is alleged that held an election meeting in the evening here after the prescribed time for the campaigning was over.

The case was registered at Fatehgarh police station here, sources said. The FIR was registered reviewing EC observer's report in this regard, the sources said.

BJP leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda today accused the regional parties of being involved in "politics of bargaining" in government formation after polls by not agreeing for a pre-poll alliance with national parties.

He also said that there was dearth of nationalistic feelings in the regional parties which has become a big challenge for the country.

"The void in nationalistic feelings has become a serious challenge for the country.

On being elected in Lok Sabha, they (regional parties) involve in politics of bargaining in government formations, which leads to corruption," Munda said here. Munda, who headed coalitions with the support of Ajsu party and JMM in the state, was replying on the winning possibility of JMM, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha and Ajsu party in the general elections in Jharkhand.

"I know you are cold, hungry, scared, hurt down there,' said one of the well-wishers' notes stuck on a rescuers' tent on a pier on this island. "My dear, the rope of life is coming your way. 'Such messages sounded more forlorn than hopeful on Wednesday, as divers searching the ferry that sank a week earlier in waters off southeast South Korea brought out scores of bodies, nearly all those of high school students, but reported no sign of life inside. 

Prosecutors expanded their investigation into the owner of the sunken South Korean passenger ferry on Wednesday as inspectors confirmed the cargo weight declared by the ship on its final voyage was three times the recommended maximum.

In a major public relations disaster, the New York City police today made a hasty retreat after its Twitter hashtag was hijacked by angry citizens who posted photos showing alleged police brutality or misconduct. 

Reacting to the controversial remarks made by its leader Shazia Ilmi in a video clip, the AAP today said that it does not believe in the politics of communalism, but questioned the intentions of those who circulated the clip. 

Terming veteran BJP leader L K Advani as a father figure, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi urged voters at a rally in Kalol here today, to elect him from North Gujarat's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency with a huge margin. 

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters beat up Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti during a television show on India TV.

A day after she praised Rohan Murthy's performance at Infosys' board meeting, the firm's newly-appointed independent director and Biocon head Kiran Mazumdar Shaw today apologised for the remarks. 

The Central Bureau of Investigation today informed the Bombay High Court that it was considering taking over the probe into the murder of anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar. 

Granting a big relief to social activist Teesta Setalwad, her husband Javed Anand and slain Congress MP Ehsan Jafri's son Tanvir Jafri, the Gujarat High Court stayed their arrest in Ahmedabad today, until June 19, in connection with the Gulbarg Society fund embezzlement case.

The High Court extended the stay after the Additional Advocate General of Gujarat sought time to file a reply and assured that Teesta and others would not be arrested until further orders.

After the representation, Justice Anant S Dave of the Gujarat High Court asked the Gujarat state about the reason for seeking time once again in a case of anticipatory bail.

The government advocate said that time is needed to study documents of the case, after which the Court gave time till June 19 and also extended the stay on arrest of all the five, including Setalwad.

Earlier on April 4, the Gujarat government had sought time to file its reply in connection with the Gulbarg Society fund embezzlement case.

Lalu Prasad Yadav has been making rounds of different constituencies in the state to seek votes for RJD-Congress alliance candidates. Read

The Cabinet Room in the South Block is being spruced up as the first Union Cabinet meeting is to be held inside the PMO.

Whichever government is sworn in, the speculation is that the first batch will have fewer number of Cabinet Ministers and therefore the Cabinet Room in the PMO is being readied to accommodate at least 20 to 25 people.

President Pranab Mukherjee is expected to receive the list of 543 names of the newly elected Lok Sabha members on May 18, Monday. This list will be presented by Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath accompanied by HS Brahma and S Zaidi.

On March 5, the full bench of the Election Commission had sought permission from the President to conduct the Lok sabha polls.

The farewell dinner hosted by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for his council of ministers is likely to be held at 7, Race Course Road on May 15, a day before the counting of the Lok Sabha polls.

Dr Singh will move out of 7 RCR by the first week of May and has plans to invite the three chiefs of staff to a dinner.

It is customary for the prime minister to host a farewell dinner to the Chief Justice and all the judges of the Supreme Court as well. And then, another one with the Secretaries to the Government of India with the Directors General of Central Police Organisation, and the diplomatic corps. 


Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections       

Seeking to corner Narendra Modi, Priyanka Gandhi today raked up the "snoopgate" controversy surrounding him and questioned his credentials of talking about empowering women.

Campaigning for her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in this constituency of Uttar Pradesh, she asked the electorate not to vote for a person who believes in concentrating all powers with himself and exhorted them to reject divisive politics.

Taking on Modi without mentioning his name, she said, "If you want to empower women, how will you do that? You empower us by listening to phone conversations in closed rooms?" She was clearly referring to the alleged snooping of a woman in Gujarat ostensibly on orders from Modi.

"If there are leaders who are disrespecting women, throw them out of your homes," the Congress' star campaigner told gathering in Rae Bareli.

Asserting that empowerment is a right of women, she said nobody should think that it was some kind of favour towards the fair sex which comprises half the population.

"If we talk about women empowerment, we need to recognise the strength of a woman, we need to talk genuinely about women empowerment, without being condescending towards women," she said.

She emphasised that women, besides being mother, daughter, wife and sister, had an independent identity which needs to be respected.

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections       

Arvind Kejriwal tweets: Will Arnab disclose the amount of advertising money in white and black that Times Now has recd from Modi?

BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address public meetings in tribal-dominated areas in Central Gujarat on April 26.

Modi, who is contesting from Vadodara as well as Varanasi constituencies, will address a rally in Vadodara tomorrow and at Pavijetpur, which falls under Chhota Udepur reserved constituency, on Saturday.

Rahul will be addressing two public meetings at Devgadh Bariya under Dahod (ST) constituency and at Dediapada under Bharuch parliamentary constituency on the same day, sources said.

I don't think there is a need to order a fresh investigation into the complaint against Modi & Co. As the amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran said in his report to the Supreme Court, the existing material is more than sufficient to prosecute Modi and other high-ups of his regime,' Manoj Mitta, author of the book Fiction Or Fact-Finding: Modi & Godhra tells Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore. Read

AAP leader Manish Sisodia has condemned the allegedly communal remarks made by Shazia Ilmi. This is what he tweeted: "I've seen Shazia's clip. She should have not said it. AAP does not believe in communal politics. Our politics is to unite all Indians."

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections       

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will bid farewell to the Planning Commission on April 30 with a visit to the Yojana Bhavan in Parliament Street. Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who is the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and a close friend of Dr Singh, will receive the Prime Minister and usher him to the Conference Hall. The PM will preside over his last meeting with the Planning  Commission.

Informed sources also confirm that the Prime Minister may ask the Deputy Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission to stay on till the new government is formed. While there is no formal resignation required  of the members of the Planning Commission, their tenure is co-terminus with the Prime Minister's term.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal files his nomination papers from Varanasi. 

Maternal relationships in the Scindia royal family turn sour when it comes to politics. Former Congress leader Madhav Rao Scindia didnt see eye-to-eye with his mother, Vijaya Raje Scindia, on their political affiliations. Vijaya Raje was a former BJP leader.

Cut to present, Madhav Raos son and Congress minister Jyotiraditya and his mother-in-law Asharaje Gaekwad, a member of the Vadodara royal family, may not have personal differences but they do have political differences.

Asharaje believes Narendra Modi is the only capable leader who can transform India into a developed nation. In an exclusive interview to Kiran Tare, Asharaje says she will back BJP and would like to see Modi become Indias Prime Minister. Excerpts

JUST IN: Sadhu Yadav, brother of Rabri Devi, has withdrawn his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls, saying he doesn't want to divide Nitish Kumar's votes.

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections           

Geo News accused of libel, after allegations the military's main intelligence agency had ordered its star journalist killed. Read

AAP member Shazia Ilmi clarifies on her comment that Muslims should be communal: "I was just saying till when will you vote for so called secular parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party who do nothing for you. I had used the word 'communal' in sarcasm, so it's sad that I am being misunderstood. AAP doesn't believe in communalism. I am shocked to see that a statement like this can be so distorted. I was speaking sarcastically. Meera Sanyal, Mayank Gandhi and Kejriwal are not Muslim. I was asking those people to vote for them. So how is it communal?

 

A video, believed to be shot in Mumbai went viral yesterday. Ilmi speaking to a group of Muslim men says, "Muslims are very secular. Muslims ought to be more communal. (They) do not vote for their own. (AAP leader) Arvind Kejriwal is your own. I say, it is enough of secularism."

"According to sources in the Vishva Hindu Parishad, soon after Narendra Modi acknowledged Jashodaben as his wife, Hindu activists and security professionals dressed as pilgrims arrived on her doorsteps in three white SUVs.

"They told her that her long-standing wish for a Char Dham yatra had come true. Sources said the group took her to Ahmedabad, where she boarded a chartered flight to Aurangabad near the Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, and then to Ramdev's isolated mountain-top ashram at Rishikesh. Labourers in the ashram say a lady was seen arriving in a white vehicle on April 13.

"Jashodaben is protected by top-level security people with ties with the Gujarat security services. Perhaps, she does not even know that those with her are not pilgrims but people tasked with keeping her away from the public eye, said a source close to Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth, who recently spoke out against Modi."

That's an excerpt from the Week's cover story on Modi's wife. Read more

Former leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam said that he is not aware of any first information report filed by the Mumbai police in connection with his hate speech against Muslims on April 21, at a joint rally attended among others by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray.

Speaking to Rediff.com's Prasanna Zore in Mumbai, Kadam said, "Please zara majhyavar meherbani kara tumhi. Mala notice haatat yeu dya agodar. Please give me some time. I haven't yet received a copy of the FIR or seen the FIR yet. I will speak with the media only after seeing the FIR."

He alleged that the Hindi news channels have misinterpreted his speech where he said that the Narendra Modi government will straighten Muslims for their aggression if it comes to power.

Kadam was speaking in the context of a rally organised by the Raza Academy in Mumbai where Muslims attacked cops, including women cops on duty.

The Raza Academy had organised a big rally in August 2012 to protest against Muslims in Assam and Myanmar.

Subsequent to the violence Raza Academy president Mohammed Saeed Noori had apologised for the violence against cops and media.Kadam said that he has come to know about the said FIR against him for his speech only through the media and would respond appropriately when he gets a copy of the FIR.

"It is through you that I am coming to know that the Mumbai police has filed an FIR against me. If I haven't yet receivd an FIR yet why are you asking me for my reaction. What is the point in showing so much haste. Let me see the FIR first," Kadam said.

My speech at the rally was misinterpreted by all Hindi channels and they gave their own spin to what I said.

Whether due to economic disparities or the stoking of enmities by different religious groups, the chasm between Sarna and Christian tribals has widened. Read

By asking Hindus not to allow Muslims to buy property in 'Hindu localities', Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia was seeking to undermine the basic constitutional values of the nation. Read

The electoral system in its current avatar is not serving India's democracy. Read

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections            

NDTV reports: Priyanka Gandhi continued her attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party on Day 2 of her campaign in Rae Barerli.

"Sonia ji has sent me," Priyanka, told voters in Rae Bareli.  "You must vote not for her, but for India," she said.

Without making a mention of Narendra Modi, she said, "The other campaign is centred  around one man and giving power to him. If all power is vested in one person, is that right?"

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections            

A first information report has been filed against Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam for his alleged 'anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan remarks'. The Mumbai police have registered an FIR after complaint from the Election Commission.

Sharing the stage with Narendra Modi at a rally in Mumbai, Kadam said, "These Muslims rioted against police and burnt their vehicles".

"They vandalised the statues of martyrs, they molested policewomen... I am confident Narendra Modi will ensure that such acts are not left unpunished," he said, referring to the riots at Azad Maidan in 2012."


Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections            

"I have Rs 500 in my pocket and an old jeep," Arvind Kejriwal said in Varanasi today as he slammed Narendra Modi for using the helicopter.

"I have seen the problems faced by citizens here by facing these at first hand; people need a representative who understands these. Where did Modi and Rahul Gandhi get these crores of rupees for their expensive campaigns? It's all black money," he asked.

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections            

Stepping up its efforts to prevent the use of black money and other means to influence voters during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission has so far seized Rs 240 crore in cash and crores of litres of liquor and drugs.

According to the latest data released today by the poll panel, officials at the ground have seized Rs 240 crore in cash, including Rs 102 crore in Andhra Pradesh, Rs 39 crore in Tamil Nadu and Rs 20.53 crore in Karnataka.

The EC said sleuths of various agencies have also recovered illicit liquor to the tune of 1.32 crore litres, besides 104 kg of heroin.

Before filing his nomination in Varanasi, Arvind Kejriwal begins his roadshow. The AAP leader said people have vowed for a change in Varanasi. He talks about cleaning the Ganga and better roads, as he addresses massive crowds.

Slamming Rahul Gandhi he says, "He can help only if he travels in helicopters." He also targets Modi on the same issue. He says, "If Modi will come to Varanasi in a chopper how will he help people."   

Pic: @AamAadmiParty/Twitter

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections

     

The Election Commission has asked Maharashtra's chief electoral officer to take action against Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam for his inflammatory remarks against Muslims during Narendra Modi's rally in Mumbai on Monday.

Kadam, a former leader of opposition in the state assembly, said, "These Muslims rioted against police and burnt their vehicles".

"They vandalised the statues of martyrs, they molested policewomen... I am confident Narendra Modi will ensure that such acts are not left unpunished," he said, referring to the riots at Azad Maidan in 2012.

Shiv Sena yesterday distanced itself from Kadam's remarks terming them as his "personal view."

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections       

Slamming AAP's Shazia Illmi for her inflammatory remarks the Congress said today, "Shazia Ilmi has become another Togadia. What's the difference between her and the RSS. We condemn her comments."

Read what Shazia said here

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The principal of Mumbai's prestigious St Xavier's College has slammed the Gujarat model of development in a strongly-worded letter to students.

In the message titled, 'In the background of Elections', Father Frazer Mascarenhas writes, "The approaching Elections have brought interesting discussions to the public forum on what constitutes human development and how it is to be achieved. The Gujarat model has been highlighted for our consideration Gujarat may be doing well in the first sense, although not as good as some other states in the country. But all the human development index indicators and the cultural polarization of the population show that Gujarat has had a terrible experience in the last 10 years."

He also praised the UPA's Rojgar Yojna and Food Security Act.

Read the letter here        

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal is on his way to Varanasi to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha election. People have gathered on rooftops and poured into the streets to get a glimpse of Kejriwal.

Last month, Kejriwal had announced that he will contest from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat after BJP's decision to field Modi from the city, considered one of the most prestigious constituencies in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.

Modi is expected to file his nomination on tomorrow.

Pic: @AamAadmiParty/Twitter

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections   



   

The war of words between Priyanka Gandhi and the Bharatiya Janata Party has escalated with, Arun Jaitley saying that it was the Gandhis who have personalised the attack on Narendra Modi.

"Priyanka is right; personal attacks should be avoided. She said she was pained by attacks on her husband (Robert Vadra). I wish Priyanka's political friends also realise this. If they had Rahul would not have raised the issue on Modi's marriage."

Further hitting out at Priyanka, he said, "Issues of public life are not personal. Her also slammed her for claiming that she is not in politics.

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections   

     

AAP leader Shazia Illmi's inflammatory remarks has put the party in a spot.

Demanding that Illmi should be sacked, the BJP has decided to approach the Election Commission on the issue.

Further slamming Illmi, cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid told Times NOW, "Muslims have always vote for a secular leader."

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections   

A non-bailable warrant has been issued against Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party leader Giriraj Singh today.

He has been under fire for his inflammatory remarks stating that "critics of Narendra Modi will have to go to Pakistan after the BJP is elected". 

The Election Commission has banned him from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Condemning the remarks, BJP's PM hopeful tweeted yesterday, "Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development & good governance."

Follow latest election updates on Twitter: @RediffElections

CNN-IBN reports: Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, National Conference leader and Union minister Farooq Abdullah said that he can never be a secular leader like former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Vajpayee was also from the RSS but he was a modern man and he realised India has to be kept together. He had to forget the RSS ideology and carry every religion together. That was different. This man has made announcement already that 'I am a Hindu and my job is to see that Hindu's prosper'. Vajpayee never said that," Farooq said dismissing all possibilities of an alliance with the NDA ever again.

Read the full report here

A local TV journalist was today shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Mianwali district of Pakistan's Punjab province. According to police, four armed men intercepted SAMAA TV journalist Shahzad Iqbal and opened fire on him in Mianwali town, some 300 kilometers from Lahore.

Iqbal suffered multiple bullet wounds and was shifted to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. District Police Officer (Mianwali) Mujahid Akbar told PTI that Iqbal, 28, had an enmity with Bashir Ahmed and his brothers over a (woman) issue. He said the deceased family had named Bashir and his three brothers in the FIR.

Iqbal had been in the journalism profession for the last seven years or so and he worked for different publications during his career. The DPO dismissed the reports that Iqbal lost his life in a terror attack.

'UPA treating the Armed Forces with callousness'
Pak army chief lauds sacrifices made by ISI officers
Shiv Sena distances itself from 'anti-Muslim' remarks made by leader
It's the pot calling the kettle black: Mayawati on Modi's vow to cleanse Parliament
Modi crossing all limits to mislead people: Sonia
Cong releases videos of 'saffron hatred' to target Modi
'Why stop candidates from giving money to voters?'