Indo-China trade worsening for three years - FDI inflow/outflow fell rapidly

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Delhi, Sep 19

Indo-China relations may have soured after the Ladakh stand-off. But the FDI inflow from Chinese companies has been falling at a rapid pace to India for the past three years. Even Indian companies have been keeping away from China. 

This was revealed in the FDI inflow figures saying if $350 million was invested in India by the Chinese companies in 2017-18, it came down to $229 million next year and further fell to a record low of $ 163.77 during 2019-20.

It is not as if only FDI inflow has been falling regularly. The Indian companies have been investing less and less in China for the past three-four years. If Indian companies invested $49.19 million in 2017, it came down to just $12.61 million next year and rising slightly to $27.57 million during 2019. 

When the Minister asked in the Lok Sabha if the Government has any proposal to not accord any permission to any Chinese firms to invest in India, he emphatically denied “No.”

Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Railways informed the Parliament separately that India’s trade deficit with China came down to $5.8 billion in the April-June 2020-21 period from $13.1 billion in the same period of the last financial year. Even the total trade between the two nations also slipped to $16.55 billion in Q1 FY21 from $21.42 billion in the April-June period of 2019-20.

Interestingly, when asked if trade barriers have been imposed against China to ward off trade deficit, Goyal said at present, about 550 products) are under the restricted/prohibited category for imports under the Foreign Trade Policy not only from China but from all countries. Obviously, the ban was not China specific.

Rahul Gandhi underwent Coronavirus Test at Airport

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat exclusive story

Rahul Gandhi underwent Coronavirus Test at Airport

Returned to India from Italy on Feb 29

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, March 4

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi underwent Coronavirus test at T-3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) as soon as he returned to India last week.

Highly placed sources in the government say that Rahul Gandhi followed the drill issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued for the passengers coming from Italy and other countries to be thoroughly checked for Covid-19.

Rahul Gandhi boarded the Air India flight no 138 from Milan on February 29 evening and landed at the IGIA in the morning of Saturday. Since Italy is among the watch list of nations for Coronavirus, all passengers disembarking were requested to undergo necessary tests. Rahul Gandhi had been returning to the country after two weeks of stay abroad and the world was rising to fight the Covid-19. Since Rahul Gandhi is a Z-plus security cover VIP and a member of the Lok Sabha, he was offered all due courtesies. But sources say that Rahul Gandhi decided to follow the drill along with other passengers and volunteered to follow all instructions in this regard. The check up went on for 20-25 minutes even as his personal staff and security personnel were getting anxious due to abnormal delay. They were keen to rush through the process. But Rahul Gandhi signaled to them that the systems must be followed, say these sources. 

Rahul Gandhi was also briefed extensively at the airport by the health authorities at the airport do's and don'ts with regard to the Covid-19.

Since Italy has emerged lately as the Europe's global Covid-19 hub, the Indian authorities have not only suspended the visa facilities including visa on arrival. It was also decided all passengers disembarking at Indian airports from Italy and other such named countries be thoroughly checked.

Sources say after the tests, Rahul Gandhi left the airport smiling. He also thanked the health department officials who were deployed for these tests.

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New Year season brings Marathon Ministerial meetings

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

New Year season brings Marathon Ministerial meetings

Modi to hols several conclaves of Council of Ministers

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 6

After holding nine-hour marathon meeting with his council of ministers on Saturday last, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has decided to hold sectorial meetings of the his council during the next two weeks. All the ministers have been advised to stay put during these meetings and curtail their visits outside the Capital barring unforeseen reasons.

If sources are to be believed, the Council of Ministers comprising of 56 ministers have been asked to be present during the series of such meetings beginning tomorrow. PM Modi wants to involve not only Cabinet ministers numbering 23, he also wants all nine Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and 24 Ministers of State with his plan of action for the next five years. Modi wants ministries of infrastructure, agriculture and rural development sectors to make presentations to apprise all the ministerial colleagues of the vision for the next five years and involve them.

While the Saturday's nine hour meeting was aimed at Civil Aviation, Urban development, railways, agriculture and Jal Shakti ministries, the next meetings will focus on specific sectors and plans. According to sources, the second meeting of the Council of Ministers will be held tomorrow and then day after. The Council of Ministers used to meet twice a year, at least that had been the pattern during Modi's first stint between 2014-19. But now the PM wants to involve the entire council frequently. This may be five-year sector-wise vision documents concerning a group of ministries with all the secretaries in toe.

Modi wants that his ministerial colleagues must have detailed understanding of issues which are not related to their ministries. This will create a synergy within the government but also bring cohesiveness of functioning. Modi plans to hold similar sessions for the members of parliament in the weeks to come so that they are also aware of complexities of the functioning and importance of development. The focus of the Saturday meeting was infra and agriculture sectors.

Obviously, the Prime Minister's focus is on development and telling the countrymen of his achievements in 2024 Lok Sabha polls as promised. Of course, there have been several light-hearted moments and stray comments. But politics per se was not discussed including the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

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Clamour for Rahul Gandhi's return as Congress Chief grows

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

Clamour for Rahul Gandhi's return as Congress Chief grows

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 13

Congress Interim president Sonia Gandhi has renewed her efforts to persuade Rahul Gandhi to take the reins of the party once again.

Rahul Gandhi who had virtually gone into a shell, stopped meeting party leaders, attending meetings and remaining absent from Lok Sabha, has been active again.

He has not only been active on twitter but meeting with leaders again. He also attended the Speaker, Om Birla's customary tea party this afternoon after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine-die.

He has agreed to address the Congress rally tomorrow at Ramlila grounds – a brainchild of Sonia Gandhi, aimed at bringing focus on Rahul Gandhi. Enthused by the formation of the Opposition government in Maharashtra, slowdown in the economy and growing protests against the CAB, Sonia Gandhi decided to hold a major rally in the Capital.

There are reports that leaders after leaders of the party will make a plea to Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation at tomorrow's rally. Though the official purpose of the rally is to attack on the NDA government for its failure on all front and show to the people that Congress is an credible alternative, the covert purpose is to persuade Rahul Gandhi to listen to the voices of leaders and withdraw his resignation.

Rahul Gandhi did not listen to her advice and abruptly resigned taking responsibility for the rout of the party immediately after the Lok Sabha polls. Though leaders present at the Congress Working Committee tried hard to persuade him not to press for his resignation, he insisted on resigning. Its a different matter that his resignation was never accepted by the working committee and pending his absence, Sonia Gandhi took interim charge of the party.

Several senior party functionaries including Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, chief ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have openly asked Rahul Gandhi to take back resignation.

Though Sonia Gandhi as Interim chief has improved the Congress graph in several states including Haryana and Maharashtra. But she wants to relinquish the charge due to various reasons including health reasons.

All eyes are now set on Jharkhand, where Assembly poll process is on and the party is upbeat.

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Modi Govt. ends reservations for Anglo-Indians in Lok Sabha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi Govt. ends reservations for Anglo-Indians in Lok Sabha 

Bill to come in Rajya Sabha tomorrow

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 11

All eyes are set in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow when the bill

for extending the reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for ten years will be introduced. The eyes are set not because there is a division within the political class on giving benefits of reservations for ten years to these communities. It was unanimously passed in the Lok Sabha after a debate which continued till mid-night. The issue at stake is in the same bill, the Modi government intends to withdrew reservations for two seats in the Lok Sabha for the Anglo-Indian community.

Two members of the Anglo Indian community have been nominated in the Lok Sabha since the adoption of the Constitution, under article 334(b) since 1952. Now the decades old provision has been done away with as the government felt that the community does not require this reservation any more after 70 years.

The reservation for members of the Anglo-Indian community had been done away with “for the time being”. The issue could be revisited at a later day, if required.

There are 84 members from the Scheduled Caste and 47 from the Scheduled Tribe communities in Parliament which will continue to enjoy the fruits of reservations.

With this the strength of the Lok Sabha will come down from 543 from the existing 545 if the bill is cleared by the Rajya Sabha. The President of India nominates two members from the Anglo-Indian community, making it a house of 545 members after 543 members are elected.

During the first term of the Modi government, two members from the Anglo-Indian community were nominated to the Lok Sabha. With the bill, it became clear that the Modi government had decided well in advance that the two seats for the anglo-Indians will be abolished.

A panel, comprising Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot had earlier decided to do away with the two nominations.

Ends

Sena, NCP lent helping hand to Govt. in Rajya Sabha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

Sena, NCP lent helping hand to Govt. in Rajya Sabha

Their 5 MPs absented from voting on CAB 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 12

The Shiv Sena may be stoutly opposing the BJP and accusing its policies left, right and center. But when it comes to voting against the ruling BJP's bills, the Sena has different yardstick. All three members of the Shiv Sena in the Rajya Sabha – Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai and Rajkumar Dhoot walked out of the Rajya Sabha when the Citizenship Amendment Bill (Bill), 2019 was put to vote. The Shiv Sena voted for the bill in the Lok Sabha and took a 180 degree turn when Congress threatened to pull the plugs on the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra. They all walked out and helped in different way to get the CAB passed by a massive margin. The CAB was passed by the RS by 125 to 99 though the NDA's official strength was only 99. It mustered 26 extra votes despite four of its own supporting MPs were absent due to severe health reasons.

As if this was not enough, two senior leaders of the NCP- Majeed Memon and Vandana Chavan – were also absent when the CAB was put to vote in Rajya Sabha last night. Though Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel were present but the two other members ensured their absence paving the way CAB's smooth passage.

Two members of the Bahujan Samaj Party out of the four were also absent without any explanation and same was case with the K D Singh of the TMC who “suddenly developed high BP.” The TMC leadership is considering to issue him with a show cause notice. Beni Prasad Verma of the Samajwadi Party was also absent in the Rajya Sabha. One member of the Congress Party Mukut Mithi also absented at the time of voting.

There are 240 members in Rajya Sabha at present with five vacancies. The AIADMK (11), Biju Janata Dal (7), TDP (2) and several others lent the helping hand to the BJP in smooth passage of the bill. But the chinks were exposed in the Opposition camp making the PM Modi and Amit Shah to smile.

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Akalis threaten to quit government Protest over Inter-State River Water Dispute Bill

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Akalis threaten to quit government 

Protest over Inter-State River Water Dispute Bill

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Aug. 4

The Akali Dal, a key ally of the BJP has threatened to quit the government if the Inter-state River Water Dispute (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was not sent to the select committee. The Bill has been listed for passage in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow after the same was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The Bill is designed to speed up the resolution of long-festering inter-state water disputes by establishing a single central tribunal in place of the numerous existing ones. Inter-state River Water Dispute (Amendment) Bill, 2019, follows the failure of existing tribunals to resolve river water disputes in a time-bound manner. Of the nine tribunals set up to adjudicate such disputes, only four have given their awards and the time taken to do so ranged from seven to 28 years, minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told Parliament. Heading the list of unresolved disputes is the one over the waters of the river Beas, which has been awaiting an award for 33 years, followed by the Cauvery dispute (29 years). Issues related to other rivers—Krishna, Narmada and Godavari—also continue to rage.

The Akali Dal is protesting as the Centre will take away the powers to resolve the water dispute between Punjab & Haryana on water sharing.

When asked why the Akali Dal did not oppose the bill in Lok Sabha where it was passed, a senior functionary said the importance could not be understood. Now section 12 of the Bill is very dangerous for Punjab and "We can't accept it."

He said, "We will quit the government if the Bill was not sent to the Select Committee."

Om Birla is New Speaker Lok Sabha

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Om Birla is New Speaker Lok Sabha

Modi surprises parties by his choice

2 term MP may be elected unanimously

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, June 18:

In a surprise development, the BJP leadership named two-time Lok Sabha MP from Rajasthan Om Birla as the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha. The 57 year old former Rajasthan Minister will succeed 76-year-old Sumitra Mahajan.

As many as ten political parties belonging to the NDA and non-NDA decided to support his candidature. The Congress decided not to put up a candidate for the post of the Speaker signalling that Om Birla may be declared unanimously elected tomorrow.

Apart from the Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, LJP, Janata Dal (U), MNF, NPP, AIADMK and Apna Dal, the YSR Congress, BJD and others have lent their support to Om Birla.

After the decision was taken this morning by the core committee of the ruling dispensation, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Prahlad Joshi contacted leaders of various political seeking their support. “I have spoken to Congress leaders .K Suresh and Gulab Nabi Azad. They have not signed till now but I think they would not oppose,” Joshi said today.

Om Birla's selection surprised many as there are large number of veterans in the BJP in Lok Sabha who have huge parliamentary experience. The names of Maneka Gandhi, Radha Mohan Singh, S S Ahluwalia, Jual Oram, were doing the rounds.

But sources in the BJP say that Om Birla is a senior party functionary and has wide ranging experience in legislation as he was three time MLA and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Vasundhararaje Government in Rajasthan. Later, he fell out with her but got protection from the Party high command in Delhi and brought to Lok Sabha in 2014.

In any case, Maharashtra's Manohar Joshi of the Shiv Sena was appointed Speaker in his first term in the Lok Sabha in the year 2002. Joshi succeeded Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi of the TDP, who was was appointed Speaker in his second term as MP. Balayogi had died in a helicopter crash.

Insiders in the BJP say that Om Birla is close to the BJP chief Amit Shah who is also Union Home Minister.

In fact, the decision to make Om Birla as Speaker was announced not by the party but his wife Dr Amita Birla who had gone with her husband to congratulate J P Nadda for assuming the charge of Working President of the party.

It was she who confirmed his nomination.

Ends 

Indecision in BJP delays tickets in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Indecision in BJP delays tickets in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh

Sitting MP s on Chopping Block 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 7

The BJP leadership is in a serious dilemma as to what it should do in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh and remaining two seats in Haryana. In all, the BJP has announced 406 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls and announcement for the 31 seats has been withheld. This include all the seven LS seats in Delhi, three out of 13 in Punjab, lone seat in Chandigarh and two in Haryana.

The leadership wants to do a major surgery in Delhi as there is huge anti-incumbency against some of the seven sitting M Ps.

Sources in the party say that at least three sitting Lok Sabha MP s may be shown the door including Meenakshi Lekhi, Lok Sabha MP from New Delhi, Udit Raj from North West and and Mahesh Giri from East Delhi. Gautam Gambhir is set to get the nomination from New Delhi after he made his maiden entry in the party a few days ago. Udit Raj has been voicing his concerns against some of the policies of the party. Though he was brought with big fan fare. But his performance in the constituency was a matter of concern. The third victim could be Mahesh Giri from East Delhi. Union Cabinet Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan may be shifted to East Delhi and a new face may enter Chandni Chowk where Kapil Sibal may be a common Opposition candidate if there is an alliance between AAP-Congress.

The BJP leadership is extremely worried in Delhi despite claims of massive Modi wave and wants to bring new faces to avoid any anti-incumbency. A Congress-AAP alliance will surely give the BJP run for the money as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal continues to command following among the poor sections of the society. His hard bargaining with the Congress to concede seats in Haryana, Punjab and Goa in lieu of three seats in Delhi is delaying the process.

But many in the BJP feel that this shows party's weakness and sending a wrong signal. In all likelihood the party may announce its candidates for the remaining seats of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi within the next 48 hours.

It now transpires that the BJP leadership is undecided whether to field a Jat candidate from Rohtak or a non-Jat. Chief Minister Manoharlal Khattar feels that a non-Jat be pitted from Rohtak as the non-Jats are against Hoodas.

The BJP failed to win three seats in Haryana during the massive Modi wave and Rohtak was one of them. In Punjab, the BJP-Akalis alliance is in serious trouble where Capt. Amrinder Singh of Congress is very strong.

A search for candidates by the BJP in Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur is on.

Ends

Rahul Mantra: Win More Contest Less

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Bullet points

Rahul Mantra: Win More Contest Less

Congress to contest 396 LS seats

Alliances clinched across India

Sacrificing seats to defeat Modi

Brings More aggression and Prompt reaction

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 6

The congress had contested 464 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 and secured 44, its lowest tally ever.

It had no ally in the entire country except Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala and adjustments in Jharkhand.

However, this time, the party will be contesting around 396 seats and has alliances in most of the states which matter for the party. If it is able to stitch alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and neighbouring state of Haryana, the tally may come down but winnaibility of seats will be enhanced to some extent. and has strong allies in some of the states including. Interestingly, it may not have a direct alliance in Andhra Pradesh and contesting all the 25 seats. But it will help CM N Chandrababu Naidu in cutting into anti-TDP votes. In fact, TDP may gain as anti-TDP votes will be divided among the Congress, YSR Congress and the BJP. Another consolation point for the Congress is that TRS did not enter into any alliance with the BJP leaving options open for it in a post-poll scenario.

The Congress has strong allies in Maharashtra and left 23 seats for NCP and Swabhiman Pakshe and BAV. Similarly, it is positioning itself to focus on more on Karnataka and Kerala to enhance its seat and vote where. In Both these states the Congress had secured 9 and 8 Lok Sabha seats respectively. Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a decision to enter into an alliance with Janata Dal (S) and sacrificed the post of the Chief Minister to ensure that BJP's tally is brought down from 18 seats. The Congress-JD (S) together are targeting to take the tally to at least 16-18 seats. Similarly, Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad is aimed at enhancing Congress tally and relatively be free for campaigning across the country and spend too much time in Amethi. In Bihar, the Congress contested 12 seats in 2014 and secured 2. But it came down to contesting 9 in 2019 so that it could get 4-5 seats and contain BJP-JD (U)-LJP juggernaut to win 32 seats again. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress contested all the 39 seats on its own in 2014 and drew a blank. Now it hopes to reap the harvest in alliance with the DMK by contesting only 8 seats. In UP, the Congress may not be in alliance with SP-BSP and got only two seats. But it is contesting only 51 seats and pitted candidates on some seats who will indirectly help the SP candidates. The Congress hopes to gain in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and North East including Assam.

Rahul Gandhi has brought new blood and aggression in the party and faces like K.C. Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala, Dipak Babaria, Shaktisinh Gohil, Avinash 

Pandey, Jitendra Singh, Rajeev Satav, Sushmita Dev, R.P.N. Singh, Gaurav Gogoi etc to name a few.

"Unlike Soniaji, he is hands-on “CP” a term used for Congress president. Under Rahul's leadership, the party is very prompt in rebutting BJP charges, setting the agenda and use of social media.

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BJP axes 15th leader above 75 years age

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

BJP axes 15^th leader above 75 years age

No Decision on Sumitra Mahajan yet

Malini Gaur in Race 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 2

With the denial of ticket to 15^th leader Lilabhai Vaghela who was 83 years old by the BJP high command in Patan, Gujrat, the last of the legends Sumitra Mahajan is miffed over the delay in announcing her candidature. The 8^th term Lok Sabha MP from Indore and Speaker of the Lok Sabha is waiting with bated breath for the green signal to contest 9^th time from the coveted seat.

The BJP veteran was so upset that she chose to stay away from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mai Bhi Chowkidar’ event in Indore on Sunday last. Until the event it was widely believed that the “Tai” as she is popularly known in the BJP, will get the ticket. Her argument convinced some of the BJP leaders that Speaker is not a government post but a Constitutional one and 75 year rule should not apply in this case.

But the the fact that the BJP has showed the door to 15 leaders so far who were above the age of 75 years, Indore is the only seat where BJP has not declared the candidate. Sumitra Mahajan's absence from the “Mai Bhi Chowkidar” event has triggered speculations that all is not well.

Though some other BJP leaders, including Indore-V MLA Mahendra Hardia and Indore-III MLA Akash Vijayvargiya too skipped the program, it was Sumitra Mahajan's absence that triggered speculations about the possibility to becoming the 16^th victim of the rule.

A miffed Mahajan has not even added the prefix Chowkidar to their official twitter handle in support of the PM Narendra Modi’s Mai Bhi Chowkidar call. She is among the handful of such leaders. May be, she has got wind of the impending decision and staying away from media glare for the past sometime.

This development has, however, elated the supporters of Indore Mayor Malini Gaur in the party. She is a BJP loyalist and brought laurels to the city by getting the Cleanest City of the country for the past two years. The Prime Minister is very happy with her performance and wants to elevate her. She was not given the MLA ticket when the Assembly polls took place as party general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya gave it to his son. Now he has been told to confine himself to West Bengal.

The last date of filing nomination papers is April 29 for Indore, where polling will be held on May 19.

ends 

BJP welcomes Celebrities, But with a rider

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

BJP welcomes Celebrities, But with a rider

Film Stars, Cricketers seeking tickets

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, March 13

BJP high command is not very enthused towards the idea of fielding a large number of celebrities from cricket, cinema, art etc in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

Contrary to reports appearing in a section of the media that BJP is contemplating to field former cricketers Virendrer Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sunny Deol and others, the BJP won't like to field a celebrity merely because of a name.

A member of BJP parliamentary board said on the condition of anonymity, “We are not averse to induct talent from these fields. We are talking to couple of them who have shown interest. But our experience has been that these celebrities become a more of a liability than asset.”

Except for Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha hardly anyone stayed and worked sincerely for the party. Lately, even Sinha chose to become a rebel after serving the party for 28 long years.

Secondly, after the exit of celebrities, Kirti Azad, Sinha and Navjot Singh Sidhu, the BJP leadership is cautious in picking such faces on a large scale. Instead of inducting such celebrities from party's strong states, the BJP would like to these celebrities belonging to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and North Eastern states. The BJP wants to expand in these states and inducted Suresh Babu, Mary Kom into Rajya Sabha. The leadership is not very enthused in bringing in such stars in states where it has a formidable presence like Delhi, Bihar, UP, Gujrat, etc. Of course, the party brought in Paresh Rawal (Gujrat) and Rajya Vardhan Rathore (Rajasthan) in 2014.

Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have been keen to contest but they didn't get involved in the political or social work. The BJP wanted film star Akshay Kumar to join. But he will take his own time. Akshay Khanna wants to contest Gurdaspur seat which was represented by his late father. , Mohanlal and Sunney Deol are keen. But last word on them is yet to written. The names of Madhuri Dixit and Mohan Lal are being mentioned from Mumbai/Pune and Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituencies respectively.

In June last year, BJP chief Amit Shah had met the actor at her residence in Mumbai and Kapil Dev during his party's 'Sampark for Samarthan' (Contact for Support) program and briefed them on the achievements of the Narendra Modi government.

Therefore, a fine balance is required. But Gambhir won't be fielded from New Delhi, a seat held by Meenakshi Lekhi who is groomed to play more important role.

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Is It Modi VS Shatru in Varanasi ?

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Is It Modi VS Shatru in Varanasi ?

Opposition parties pitching a Joint candidate in 2019 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 22

The Opposition parties are contemplating pitching a joint candidate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency this time.

If sources in the top echelon of the Opposition are to be believed, rebel BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha has been sounded to take on the mighty Modi in May 2019 Lok Sabha polls.  

It transpires that Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is the brain behind this move and a primary round of discussion had already taken place in Kolkata when these leaders met on Sunday last.

These sources told Lokmat today that Shatrughan Sinha is the most sought-after leader by Opposition parties today; if Mamata Banerjee wants him to contest from any seat in West Bengal, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal asked him to contest against BJP leader Manoj Tiwari in Delhi.  RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav wants him to be the joint Opposition candidate from Patna Sahib in Bihar, a constituency he currently holds in Lok Sabha as BJP MP.Sinha had met Lalu in Ranchi jail last month.  The Congress leadership is also very soft on him and willing to take him on board.

However, the Opposition leaders are looking for a formidable candidate against PM Modi from Varanasi and it is felt that  Shatrughan Sinha foots the bill given the situation. He is a BJP insider, a party veteran, popular, seasoned and commands a lot of goodwill.

The BJP leadership is also moving with caution to proceed against Sinha even after issuing him a public warning on Sunday itself when Shatrughan Sinha addressed an Opposition rally. Last ditch efforts may be on for some sort of a patch up though the die seems to have been cast.

The Opposition had failed in 2014 to put up a joint candidate against Modi from Varanasi due to variety of reasons with Congress and BSP candidates losing their deposits and Arvind Kejriwal getting more than two lakh votes and Modi touching almost 6 lakh vote figure. The opposition parties are keen to give BJP run for its money Varanasi this time and if Shatrughan Sinha is agreeable, it will be a stellar. Sinha will have nothing to lose even if he loses from Varanasi as he will be brought to the Rajya Sabha.

Ends 

Rattled Modi Goes soft on regional parties,

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Rattled Modi Goes soft on regional parties,

Puts Plan B in Operation, Tells leaders not to attack non-allies

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 21

Rattled by state-level alliances and adjustment of seats in states by the Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted for Plan-B.

Rather than naming and shaming leaders and parties individually, Modi has decided to play safe and choosing to attack them for forming an “unholy” alliance. Earlier, he was hitting hard at all & sundry calling them name individually at public rallies and interactions. But not any more. He is soft-pedaling with some non-Congress non-BJP parties.

For example, during his visit to Odisha in Bolangir last week,

he did not speak a single word against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik either directly or indirectly. He did not even mention that the BJP will win 15 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state and dislodge Patnaik.The PM indirectly criticized the BJD government only one issue – poor utilisation of District Mineral Fund. This sudden change of heart on the part of Modi, has created speculations over the emergence of a new equation that may take shape up after the general elections. This mood of Modi also left many senior BJP leaders red- faced. This was in sharp contrast to the approach of BJP Chief Amit Shah who vowed to dislodge the Patnaik government. It would be worthwhile to mention here that on earlier two occasions when Modi visited Odisha in December-early January he had bitterly attacked the “Corrupt” Naveen Patnaik government.

Perhaps, things changed after the SP-BSP alliance in UP and later coming together of Opposition parties in Jharkhand and Bihar too.

In fact, none of the senior leaders of the BJP including the PM and BJP Chief have uttered a single word against BSP chief Mayawati. On the contrary, BJP leaders are saying in private that Mayawati became CM of UP three times with the help of the BJP and she will come around after the Lok Sabha polls.

Modi has been lashing out at the Congress for all the ills of the country and blaming it for "ill-treating" regional parties.

The leadership has also issued stern warning to motor-mouths of the BJP not to speak out of turn or personally attack any of the these leaders personally. The way, UP BJP MLA was reprimanded and made to apologise publicly is an indication that the party is moving with extreme caution.

A senior Cabinet Minister told Lokmat that barring Lalu's RJD and Samajwadi Party, all other parties have been part of the alliance with the BJP during the past 20 years and none were untouchables.

Be it BSP, TDP, National Conference, PDP, JMM, JVM, BJD, DMK, AIADMK, TRS or even TMC, all were part of the NDA.

Even when DMK leader M K Stalin openly proposed the name of ally Rahul Gandhi for the post of PM, Modi went out of his way to placate him. Modi said to party workers through a video conference in Chennai that the BJP was open to alliances and cherished its old friends. This was a clear hint that it was looking to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu – before or after the LS Polls.

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Modi govt. Sets new precedent

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi govt. Sets new precedent

President to address two Joint sittings in a single year

Interim Budget on February 1

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 9

Departing from the past practice, the Modi government's Interim Budget session beginning January 31 will commence with the President's address to the joint session of Parliament.

This will be first time in several decades that the President will be addressing two joint sessions of Parliament in a single year on the opening day of the session.

The President will open the Parliament's session on January 31 and then again do the same when the 17th Lok Sabha is elected and both houses are summoned by the new government in June, 2019.

In a sudden move the government decided to declare Lok Sabha sine-die last night immediately after the Constitution's amendment bill giving 10% reservations to the upper strata of the society was passed. This was contrary to all conventions and past practices. It had been decided that the Winter session will be adjourned on January 8 and meet on again on January 31. The parliament won't be prorogued.

But last night the Lok Sabha adjourned sine die and the Rajya Sabha will also adjourn sine die after passing the reservation bill.

Highly placed sources in the government say that this decision was taken as Rajya Sabha could not pass several important bill including Triple Talaq, Indian Medical Council (amendment), Aadhaar & other Laws and National Register of Citizenship Bill relating to Assam. The government would now be forced to bring Ordinances to ensure continued implementation of these bills. Otherwise, some of the key bill will lapse. These sources say that if the Parliament is not prorogued, no Ordinance can be issued.

Therefore, it was decided that let both Houses adjourn sine die and fresh session be convened on January 31 and the President be requested to address the joint sitting on the opening day.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to present an interim budget on February 1.

The Budget Session of the Parliament is likely to be held between January 31 and Feb 13, and an interim budget is expected to be presented on February 1.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs deliberated on the dates for the budget session at a meeting. It is expected to be the last session of the current Lok Sabha as general elections are due in April-May.

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BJP worried as Modi Magic waning

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

BJP worried as Modi Magic waning

Of 24 states, BJP could win 12, 

It lost 12 in four years

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan 6

Reality is donning the BJP strategists as it is preparing for the Lok Sabha polls due this April-May. The BJP's spin doctors may have created a hype about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invincibility during this period.

But the data presented by the party's election strategy group revealed that the BJP thrived on the anti-incumbency sentiments in Assembly polls states after states in between 2014 to 2017. By 2018, the Modi magic started waning. Of the 24 state assembly polls held during the past four years, the BJP could captured only 12 states from Congress and its allies. The BJP was also successful in meting out a humiliating defeat to the CPM's Manik Sarkar government in Tripura.

But the BJP failed to see the writing on the wall in in Goa in 2017 which it failed to win. There was a huge anti-incumbency against the BJP in the state and could win only 13 out of the 40 seats. It was BJP's drawing room skills that paid rich dividends. The same happened in Manipur which the BJP failed to win but formed the government. Delhi and Bihar defeats were considered an aberration by the BJP. But by 2018, the major shocker came when BJP failed to snatch

Karnataka and the anti-incumbency didn't work in favour of Modi-Shah team.

The table showed that if the BJP won 12 states, it failed in equal number of states. The party's core group is worried that the BJP failed to retain its own three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Though BJP chief Amit Shah has held met party Mps from these three states separately in three batches, he did not ask them why the party lost. He did not give them the reasons of the party's defeat either. He merely directed them that they should now be in the field and work for the victory by highlighting the achievements of the Modi government.

The party strategists point out that the wrong reading of the massive mandate in UP where BJP secured 325 seats on its own made the leadership complacent. It did not crack the whip in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where workers were saying that leaders must be changed.

In 2017, the BJP snatched Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand from the Congress, UP from SP-BSP and could barely retain Gujrat. But the BJP lost its moorings in 2018 when it failed to win any state except Tripura.

Modi himself tried to explain in an interview recently about these defeats and explained that BJP was not a force in Telangana and Mizoram.

Therefore, the challenges before the leadership are humongous in 2019 in several states. Party strategists admit that Modi's own magic can ensure party's return at the Centre. Otherwise the record of 24 state assembly results does not augur well. is not very placating to the BJP.

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Modi not to contest from Puri

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi not to contest from Puri

BJP shows “white Flag” to Naveen Patnaik

PM may contest from Gujrat too

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan. 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the horns of dilemma when it comes to selecting the second Lok Sabha seat in addition to Varanasi in UP in the ensuing Parliamentary polls in May 2019.

It was speculated earlier that he will contest from the Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha as part of the mega plan to conquer the coastal state which has 21 parliamentary seats.

Though the PM ducked the question in a TV interview yesterday when asked whether he would contest from Puri, sources in the BJP told Lokmat the plan was abandoned.

After the outcome of the recent Assembly poll results, the plans have hit a hurdle and the PM doesn't want to contest from Puri at all. If sources are to be believed, he is contemplating to contest from the second seat in his home state of Gujrat. Surely, he can contest from Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency which he vacated in 2014 itself and Ranjanben Bhatt was elected. But he is eyeing the Gandhinagar seat presently held by BJP veteran L K Advani who is now 90 years plus. However, intermediaries are working to find a solution as Modi doesn't want to be seen to be denying Advani Lok Sabha ticket as it may become an emotive issue. Modi has been told by BJP leadership that if he contests from Gujrat once again, the party can retain all 26 Lok Sabha seats.

It now transpires that the BJP high command has sent clear signals to the Naveen Patnaik government that Modi has no plans to contest from Puri. Rather, the BJP doesn't have much of a problem with the Biju Janata Dal government in Odisha as long as it keeps Congress at arms length. The BJD responded positively to these signals with a condition that its dissidents like B J Panda, a former member of the Lok Sabha, should not be patronized. Secondly, the BJD leaders should not be harassed in false cases by the CBI & ED “We have no interest in Delhi politics and Delhi should not look at East either,” Naveen sent the word.

Its largely because of this very reason that the CBI has gone silent in pursuing cases against BJD ministers and MLAs of the Naveen Patnaik government in various scams including Sarada Chit Fund cases.

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