Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been barred from campaigning for the next three days for his communal comments, criticised by the opposition as a blatant violation of the Model Code. The Election Commission also took action against Mayawati, barring her from campaigning for 48 hours for her provocative speech.

The action by the Election Commission came as the Supreme Court today pulled up the poll body for failing to take action in cases of Model Code violation and questioning if it was even aware of its powers to have errant political leaders fall in line.

The court, which was hearing an appeal seeking action against political parties using use religion and caste to seek votes, had been extremely upset when the Election Commission representative said, “We don’t have any powers. We can’t bar them from contesting. We can derecognise them”.  

“The Election Commission says ‘we are toothless’. They issue a notice if someone violates model code…or uses religion or caste for votes…then an advisory of they don’t follow notice… We would like to examine the matter, we want a representative of the EC who is conversant with the details to appear,” a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had said.  

Within an hour, the Commission – which had earlier issued notices to Yogi Adiyanath and Mayawati – issued orders against them, invoking special power under Article 324 of the Constitution.

In an interview to NDTV earlier today, asked about the opposition criticism that the commission was soft on powerful political leaders, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said while there are options like debarring the candidate from the polling process, “I don’t think, even sending an advisory to a person who is CM of biggest state, that too in black and white, that is a slap on the wrist”.7

He, however, said now they have the full transcript on his “Ali, Bajrangbali” comment. “We have got all the transcripts, we will be taking a call tomorrow,” he added.

Aligarh, Apr 15 : Claiming the alliance to be ‘true’ disciple of Bajrangbali, BSP supremo Ms Mayawati on Monday said the presence of massive crowd at her rally was a clear indication of the fading Narendra Modi wave.
‘Namo-Namo’ is on its way out only to be replaced by ‘Jai Bhim’, she asserted while addressing an election rally here at the Maheshwari inter college ground.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in order to cover up his lapses, was attacking the alliance,” she said while advising the PM to introspect before criticising Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. “It seems that their ‘acche din’ are over and ‘bure din’ awaits the BJP,” she further said.
After independence, she said, the Congress and BJP ruled the country and both were responsible for its backwardness. ” In the last elections in 2014, the PM had promised several sops for the Dalits, Muslims and others, but nothing was done for anyone expect for a few industrialists,” she said.
“If the PM was so honest, then why he did not fulfil the promises made to the people. Also, he would not have gone for another series of promises in this election,” Ms Mayawati said, adding that in the past five years, the economic disparity has increased with the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poorer.
She also raked up the anomalies in the reservation system, saying that there is lot of discrepancies but neither the Congress nor the BJP was interested in solving it.
“The people had faced problems during demonitisation and GST which led to increase in corruption. While during the Congress regime there was Bofors scam, now in BJP tenure Rafale aircraft deal irregularities has surfaced,” she said.
The BSP president also criticised the Congress for announcing Rs 72,000 annually for the poor. ” When they have no base, how will they do it,” she said.

Chamarajanagara, Karnataka, Apr 15 (UNI) Five time MP and former Union and Karnataka Minister Srinivas Prasad is attempting to make a re-entry to Lok Sabha in Chamarajanagara (Reserved) seat by defeating sitting Congress MP Dhruvanarayana in the first phase of Polling slated for April 18.
While Srinivas Prasad, who had won the seat on Congress and JDU ticket in the earlier election, has joined BJP quitting Congress after being dropped from the State Cabinet, Druvanarayana is a joint candidate of coalition partners Congress and JDS.
Besides, former UP Chief Minister Mayawati led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has put up its candidate in an attempt to make a inroad. BSP’s attempt comes following victory of its candidate N Mahesh from Kollegal Assembly constituency in the 2018 election. Mahesh, the first time winner, was also made Cabinet Minister by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. However, he quit following Mayawati coming out of ‘Mahaghatabandan’. BSP surprised many by winning nine out of the 30 seats in the Kollegal City Municipal Council (CMC) in the elections held in September last.
BSP State General Secretary Arkalavadi Nagendra said that ?the party’s support base is not confined to Kollegal Assembly but the support is spread in H D Kote, T Narsipur, Varuna and other Constituencies also.
Srinivas Prasad had contested general elections from Chamarajanagar as many as seven times since 1980 and won the seat four times on Congress ticket and once on JD(U) ticket. The victory in 1999 saw him he became Union Minister under A B Vajpayee Cabinet.
Prasad’s attempt to re-enter Lok Sabha, after two decade, is expected to ensure that Dhruvanarayan’s victory who has established himself and has became a popular among the voters. This time the battle for him is different since he has to wage war against his one time Political mentor (guru).
Talking to UNI, Dhruvanaryana said that he has been banking on development works he had undertaken during his two terms — it may be National Highway works, establishment of Agriculture College, Law College, Passport Centre and other Railway Works. Besides, JDS is also supporting him as per Coalition agreement. ” I am not worried about Srinivasa Prasad attempting to make a re-entry as Congress party has its own hold in the constituency”, he added.
Absence of JDS candidate may arrest division of votes this time, but the growing popularity of BSP in parts of the constituency, particularly in Kollegal, which is represented by the BSP’s former Minister N. Mahesh in the Assembly, may to some extent affect progress of the Congress candidate.
The BSP derives its support from the same sections of the society that have been traditionally supporting the Congress, even though Prasad had carved political space for himself in the region as a leader of the Dalits.
Even if the BSP is not strong enough to emerge victorious, it has the potential to hurt the prospects of the Congress, said Mallikarjunappa, a BJP leader from Chamarajanagar.
Apart from Prasad’s traditional ties with the voters, the BJP is banking on the Lingayats and the popularity of former Chief Minister and BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa among them.
The Congress is getting support of A R Krishnamurthy, who finished second as the BJP’s candidate in the last two elections and has been actively campaigning for Dhruvanarayan.
The constituency comprise of Hanur, Chamarajanagar, Kollegal and Gundlupet Assembly segments in Chamarajanagar Revenue District and H D Kote, Nanjangud, Varuna, and T Narsipur in Mysuru revenue District ? is home to not only Lingayats and Dalits, but also a sizeable number of Upparas, Nayakas and Vokkaligas.
Congress had won four assembly seats in 2018 election (Chamarajanagara, Hanur, H D Kote and Varuna, while BJP had won Gundlupet and Nanjangud, JDS in T Narasipura.
There are 16.80 lakh eligible voters and 10 candidates in the fray.
The BJP is banking on the ‘Modi wave’ to a great extent. Besides, the mood is upbeat in the BJP camp with the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and other leaders are campaigning besides the party is hoping to consolidate the Lingayat votes.

Hassan, Apr 15: Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, who is also District Election Officer, has asked all political party workers and leaders, who are not voters, to leave the place 48 hours before the polling on April 18.
In a release issued here on Monday, she said that instructions were given to Hotel and Lodge owners to see that those who have occupied rooms from outside vacate the place within stipulated time and submit details of those who are staying by April 16.
She made it clear that tourists from other places need not be disturbed. However, those affiliated with political parties and campaigners would not be allowed to stay in the district.

Lucknow, Apr 15 : Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Uttar Pradesh state capital Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination from this parliamentary seat on April 16.
On the day of filing his nomination, Mr Singh is also expected to hold a road show from the party office to the Collectorate while several senior BJP leaders and NDA alliance leaders may also be present on the day.
Mr Singh is expected to reach the party office at around 0930 hrs on April 16th.
During the road show, the Minister will pay his tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar near the Hazratganj Chauraha.
He will reach the Collectorate at around 1200 hrs file his nomination for the Lucknow seat.
BJP leader and candidate from the Mohanlalganj parliamentary constituency is also set to file his papers the same day.
Although the Opposition is yet to field a candidate against Mr Singh, sources said that the Opposition candidate may be announced in the next 24 hours.
The last date to file nominations is April 18.
Lucknow is considered to be the stronghold of the ruling BJP which has held the seat since 1991. In such a scenario, it will be interesting to lookout for the way in which the electoral battle from this seat, which also has a legacy of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, eventually turns out.
Mr Singh had earlier contested from the Lucknow seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and secured a decisive victory by defeating Prof Rita Bahuguna Joshi by winning about 5,61,106 votes. Ms Joshi, who had then contested on a Congress ticket, later joined the BJP in October 2016.
Earlier, the Union Minister had contested from the Ghaziabad seat in 2009.
Lucknow goes to polls in the fifth phase and the nominations for this phase started from April 10.
Voting will be held here on May 6.

New Delhi, Apr 13 : Reacting to fresh revelations on the Rafale deal that the France government waived taxes worth 143.7 million euros owed by a local subsidiary of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Global Comm Limited in 2015, around the same time when India was negotiating the aircraft deal, the Congress on Saturday said that it was now clear that Prime Minister narendra modi acted as the middleman of industrialist Anil Ambani in the deal,
Talking to reporters here, AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said,”French newspaper Le Monde has reported that the France government waived taxes worth 143.7 million euros owed by a local subsidiary of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Global Comm Limited in 2015, around the same time when India was negotiating the Rafale aircraft deal. Reliance Atlantic Flag France was investigated by French tax authorities and found liable to pay 60 million euros in taxes for the period 2007 to 2010. After another investigation for the period 2010 to 2012, they were asked for an additional tax demand of 91 million euros in taxes. Thus the total tax liability came to 151 Million euros.

As against this, Reliance Atlantic Flag France of Anil Ambani wanted to settle it for a mere 7.6 million euros, which was rejected by the French. However, after PM Modi, on April 10, 2015, announced purchase of 36 Rafalefighter jets, off the shelf, the French suddenly turned benevolent and canceled a tax recovery of of 143.7 million euros of Reliance Atlantic Flag France and settled for 7.6 Million Euros, as per the sensational and shocking revelation . It is now clear that PM acted as a middleman of Anil Ambani in the deal.”

Anil Ambani’s company is the major offset partner of the Dassault Aviation, maker of Rafale fighter aircraft.
The Congress spokesperson alleged that the money trail in the deal is being exposed gradually.
“On March 23, 2015 AA (Anil Ambani) visited Paris and met defence officials and others in the French Defence Ministry. Till then, the contract of making 128 Rafale fighter jets was with the Defence PSU HAL,

48 hours before PM Modi’s visit to Paris, India’s Foreign Secretary denied that purchase of any aircrafts would be even considered at PM level visit. He infact said that negotiations between HAL and Rafale are underway. On April 10, 2015, PM Modi unilaterally announced ‘off the shelf’ purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts in a 7.89 Billion Euros deal, affectively shelving the 126 Rafale aircraft with Transfer of Technology negotiated by UPA. On September 21 2018- French President, Mr Francois Hollande claimed that Reliance was offered as ‘Offset Partner’ by India i.e PM Modi, and they had ‘no choice’ but to accept it,”Mr Surjewala said.

“As we all know till March 13, 2014 the Dassault Aviation had a workshare agreement with the HAL worth of Rs 30,000 crore,” he added.
He also questioned the Dassault Aviation for investing Rs 284 crore in Anil Ambani’s company and said, “In 2017-18, the DA invested Rs 284 crore in Anil Ambani’s zero sum company which had no profit and business. . The company’s name is Reliance Airport Developer Limited (RADL) and it was investing at a time when the Indian government was making advance payment.

Why would Daasualt Aviation buy a share of Rs 10 at Rs 1000-1100? It is a case of money trail. Has the money trial come out in public in Rafale deal? Has PM Modi worked as an agent of his friend Anil Ambani?”

Agencies

Maddur, Karnataka, Apr 13 : Karnataka Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy clarified on Saturday, that he had not made any insulting remarks on soldiers, who joining the Indian armed forces ”because it was due to their poor financial conditions”, as reported in a section of the media.
Speaking to newsmen, during his campaign for his son Nikhil K, fighting Lok Sabha elections from the Mandya Constituency, the chief minister said, ?I had only reflected on the financial status some of the soldiers, who join the Army?.
?There was no any intention to demean them nor insulted the soldiers? he said.
At a election meeting at Gangavati in Karnataka yesterday, prime minister Narendra Modi had slammed Kumaraswamy for saying that poor youth who could not afford two meals a day were joining the armed forces. ”JD(S) leader has insulted jawans by saying that people are joining defence forces, due to poor conditions,? Modi had said.
?Your statement only reflects yours state of mind on soldiers, those who spoke ill of soldiers should drown and die? the Prime minister had said at the public meeting in Gangavathi on Friday.

PM Narendra Modi criticised Kumaraswamy for his statement even as Kumaraswamy clarified the context in which he had made the statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy engaged in a war of words after PM Modi criticised Kumaraswamy for his remark about Indian Army personnel where he had said that those who don’t get a square meal join the army and become jawans.

A 15-second video clip of Kumaraswamy’s statement was shared by BJP’s state unit and the same statement was referenced by PM Modi in his speech during a rally in Koppal on Friday. 

“It is shocking to know a Chief Minister’s thinking is so low to say those who don’t get a square meal a day join the Army and not the rich. What else can people expect from such a leader? By using such words, Kumaraswamy has insulted our patriotic soldiers who sacrifice their life to protect the country,” PM Narendra Modi said, addressing a rally in Koppal on Friday.

After the comment sparked a controversy, Kumaraswamy had clarified that the video had been cut short to create a false implication and shared the full video clip of his speech. 

In response, Kumaraswamy had shared a longer 1:08 clip describing the context in which he made the statement. He said, ” A youth like Guru has lost his life in a bomb blast under the rule of Narendra Modi and his family is suffering and we are hurt by this and not due to the Pakistan air strike. As a nation-lover, have you given emphasis to the nation? What about the poor families who are crying today? People who guard our borders are not children of rich. Because they don’t have food to eat, ultimately some youth join armed forces and the PM is playing with their lives,” he had said.

In his previous election rally in Karnataka, PM Modi had asked if the Chief Minister has his vote bank in India or Pakistan.

Agencies

The Box off-loaded from Helicopter of PM contained security apparatus: Police
Chitradurga, Karnataka, Apr 13 : Clearing the doubts over the off-loading a box from a Helicopter traveled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his election visit to the District on April 9, had contained equipment belonging to the security personnel who accompanied him, District Superintendent of Police Dr K Arun, clarified on Saturday.
In a statement here on Saturday, the District Police Chief informed that the box with the security equipment was
off-loaded from the Helicopter and transferred it to another vehicle.
A video clip, showing a huge box was unloaded form Modi traveled Helicopter and shifted to a Car, had gone viral, and largely circulated in the Social media.

Hassan, Apr 13 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prove his charge made against the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the State on corruption.
Strongly refuting the charge of the Narendra Modi, that Karnataka government is 20 per cent Commission government, he said that ?Modi should prove his charge made on the State government?.
?Let him come out with the facts and figures on which scheme the State government had received such Commission? he said addressing a Press Conference here on Saturday.
Stating that those who were in responsible posts, should not indulge in hurling such false charges, he demanded the Modi to tender an apology for making baseless allegations.
Maintaining that the coming General elections are very much crucial for the future of the nation, he said that ?We are seeking votes on the basis of our performances and achievements and the response is encouraging?.
Dr Parameshwara urged Modi to come out with a ‘report card’ on the performance of the five year rule of the NDA government at the Center.
?Modi is banking only on stoking emotions and have nothing else to present to the people? he said.