Elections 2019: Mamata Banerjee Reshuffles West Bengal Cabinet
Catch the latest news updates of Lok Sabha elections 2019 on The Quint.
The 2019 Lok Sabha elections ended with a thumping victory for the BJP-lead NDA, as it managed to outperform itself as compared to 2014. The NDA secured 353 seats, while the UPA managed just above 90.
Catch all the live updates here.
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West Bengal Sends 31 Crorepatis To Lok Sabha, 5 More That 2014
Of the 42 elected Lok Sabha MPs from West Bengal, 31 are crorepatis, five more from than the 2014 tally, while 23 parliamentarians have declared criminal cases against them, a study said.
Compared to the 26 MPs in 2014 who had assets worth over Rs. 1 crore, 31 out of the 42 MPs in 2019 are crorepatis, according to an analysis by the West Bengal Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
(IANS)
Bihar MLA Mewalal Choudhary, His Wife Injured in Gas Cylinder Explosion
Tarapur MLA Mewalal Choudhary and his wife and former MLA Neeta Choudhary have been injured in a gas cylinder explosion at their residence in Bihar’s Tarapur (Munger) on Monday night, 27 May. The two were taken to a hospital in Bhagalpur from were they have been referred to Patna, reports ANI.
Kiran Bedi to Attend Swearing in Ceremony of Narendra Modi
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi will attend the 30 May swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the second term.
An official source said Bedi left Puducherry for Delhi on Tuesday, 28 May.
The Lt Governor will in the meanwhile complete three years in office on Wednesday, but will not be in the union territory because of her visit to Delhi.
She has been at loggerheads with Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his government on various administrative issues ever since she assumed office in 29 May 2016.
(Source: PTI)
Newly Elected DMK MLAs Take Oath at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat
67 MLAs in Odisha Assembly Facing Criminal Charges: Report
Nearly half of the newly elected MLAs in the Odisha Assembly have criminal charges against them, an 11 percent rise as compared to 2014, according to a joint report prepared by Odisha Election Watch (OEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, the state convener of Odisha Election Watch, said 67 legislators in the new House are facing criminal cases as mentioned in their affidavits, 49 of them having serious charges against them, such as kidnapping, murder and attempt-to-murder.
"In the 2014 polls, 52 MLAs (35 percent) of the total legislators were found to have been facing criminal cases. This time it is 67 (46 per cent)," he added.
The report maintained said that the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD has more number of newly elected MLAs with criminal cases.
(Source: PTI)
Shiv Sena MPs to Take Oath in Marathi
Newly-elected MPs of the Shiv Sena will take oath of the 17th Lok Sabha in Marathi, a party leader told PTI.
In the just-concluded elections, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party won 18 out of the total 48 seats in Maharashtra. The Sena ally, the BJP, bagged 23 seats.
"MPs have the choice of language in which they can take oath. We are proud of Marathi language and our land. Moreover, the Shiv Sena was born to protect and promote Marathi. Hence all our MPs will be taking oath in Marathi," Sena MP from Kalyan, Shrikant Shinde, said on Monday night, 27 May.
Ramdev's Statement on Population Control Should Be Seen in a Positive Light: Giriraj Singh
BJP MP from Begusarai, Giriraj Singh says “Baba Ramdev's statement on population control should be seen in a positive light. Population control laws are necessary for the development of the country.”
(Source: ANI)
Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot & Priyanka Vadra Meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had a series of visitors on Tuesday, 28 May, with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as well as Rajasthan's ruling duo Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot calling on him amid rumblings of discontent in the state and his insistence on quitting.
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Pilot met Gandhi at his residence in Delhi followed by Chief Minister Gehlot.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi was present during the discussions, party insiders said. The party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and general secretary KC Venugopal also met the party president at his Tughlaq Lane home.
It is not immediately known what transpired at the meetings.
All senior leaders since Saturday have been trying to convince Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation, but he seems to be adamant about going ahead with his decision to step down as party president.
(Source: PTI)
More Than 15 MLAs Are Leaving Congress, Says Alpesh Thakor
“It was a collective decision that we don't want to be here (with the Congress). We want to work for our people and the poor with help of the government.. Wait and watch, more than 15 MLAs are leaving Congress (because) everyone is distressed. More than half of the MLAs are upset,” ANI quotes Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakor as saying.
Congress Can't Be Wiped Out, Says DK Shivakumar
"I never expected such a big loss to the Congress party. We all should sit together and try to work this out. The Gandhi family has been protecting the party in all crisis... the Congress can't (just) be wiped out...," Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar tells ANI.
BJP Leader BS Yeddyurappa Bats for Mid-Term Polls in Karnataka
Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa in Bengaluru says "We have won 25 out of 28 seats in the state. It is a historic win and therefore it is better if the government is dissolved and mid-term polls are held. No BJP MLA is in touch with the Congress or the JD(S)."
Source: (ANI)
'Modi a Charismatic Leader': Rajinikanth Confirms His Presence at Swearing-In
Narendra Modi is a charismatic leader, Actor turned politician Rajinikanth tells mediapersons in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, even as he confirms his presence at the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Modi scheduled for 30 May.
PM-Designate Modi Meets Former President Pranab Mukherjee
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi met Former President and veteran Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi on Tuesday, 28 May.
Modi, who will take oath as the prime minister for the second time on Thursday, described the former president as a "statesman".
"Meeting Pranab Da is always an enriching experience. His knowledge and insights are unparalleled. He is a statesman who has made an indelible contribution to our nation," Modi tweeted, posting pictures with Mukherjee.
"Sought his blessings during our meeting today," he added.
Rajasthan's 6 BSP MLAs to Meet Mayawati on 1 June
Rajasthan's six BSP MLAs will meet party chief Mayawati in Delhi on 1 June during which the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls in the state will be reviewed, a legislator said on Tuesday, 28 May.
BSP MLA Wajib Ali told PTI that the party's support to the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government would continue.
"There is no agenda of withdrawing support from the government, rather we will discuss how efficiently we can work with the government here," he said.
"We will discuss the party's performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Future strategy will also be discussed in the meeting," the MLA added.
Ali said that based on the discussions with the party chief, a decision would be taken regarding the meeting with the governor.
(Source: ANI)
Goa House Strength Back to 40 as Four MLAs Take Oath
The strength of the Goa Legislative Assembly was restored to original 40 on Tuesday, 28 May, after four newly-elected MLAs took oath.
Acting Speaker Michael Lobo administered the oath to the MLAs - three from the BJP and one from the Congress.
The legislators who took oath are Subhash Shirodkar, Dayanand Sopte and Joshua D'Silva - all from the BJP, and Atanasio Monserratte of the Congress.
All of them got elected in the bypolls held to four seats, results for which were announced on 23 May.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was amongst the dignitaries who attended the swearing-in ceremony held at the Assembly complex.
(Source: PTI)
LJP Passes Resolution Naming Ram Vilas Paswan as Party Representative in Modi Govt
BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party on Tuesday, 28 May, passed a resolution, recommending its president Ram Vilas Paswan's name as the party's representative in the Modi government.
LJP leader Chirag Paswan told reporters that the party's parliamentary board unanimously passed a resolution to this effect at a meeting attended by all its six MPs and other senior office bearers.
He also played down reports that Ram Vilas Paswan, who is a Cabinet minister in the outgoing government, had pushed for his name in the new Council of Ministers, saying it was more out of fatherly feelings.
(Source: PTI)
4 Congress Turncoats Who Won on BJP Tickets Take Oath as Gujarat MLAs
The ruling BJP in Gujarat has improved its strength to 104 in the 182-member House with four MLAs, who were previously with the Congress, winning the recently-held bypolls as BJP candidates.
All the four legislators were on Tuesday, 28 May, administered oath by Assembly speaker Rajendra Trivedi.
The MLAs Jawahar Chavda, Parsotam Sabariya, Raghavji Patel, and Asha Patel have won the bypolls to Manavadar, Dhrangadhra, Jamnagar (rural) and Unjha assembly constituencies, respectively.
The byelections were held on 23 April along with the Lok Sabha polls, results for which were declared on 23 May.
The MLAs took oath at the Speaker's chamber in the Assembly building in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, BJP state unit president Jitu Vaghani, ministers Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Pradipsinh Jadeja among others.
(Source: PTI)
Indian-American Supporters of BJP Organise Victory Parties Across US
Indian-American supporters of BJP and several other organisations held victory parties across the US to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election in the general elections and expressed hope that it will further enhance ties between the US and India.
Overseas friends of BJP (OFBJP) Houston organised "NAMO Victory Celebrations" in Houston in which over 500 people, including members from local political parties and leaders from various supporting organisations participated.
OFBJP Chicago and Atlanta also organised victory celebrations over this weekend and hundreds of Indian Americans participated the events.
Congratulating Prime Minister Modi on his stunning election victory, Indo American Chamber of Greater Houston (IACCGH) president Swapan Dhairyawan said, "We firmly believe that the country will prosper under a strong and proven leadership of Modi and indicated that this historic win will further enhance trade and economic growth between our two democracies".
(Source: PTI)
Rahul Best Person to Lead Party, Too Premature to Write Cong's Obituary: Shashi Tharoor
Rahul Gandhi is the best person to pull the Congress out of its predicament following the setback in the Lok Sabha polls, says party leader Shashi Tharoor while declaring that his party is "alive and kicking" and it is too premature to write its obituary.
The Congress has no time to sit and lick its wounds as it must immediately pick itself up for the upcoming state elections, Tharoor told PTI.
Tharoor, who scored an electoral hat-trick by winning from the Thiruvanathapuram seat in the Lok Sabha polls, also said he is ready to take on the job of the Congress' leader in the Lok Sabha if offered the post.
Rahul Gandhi Should Continue to Lead Congress: Lalu
Hours ahead of a review meeting to discuss the RJD-led Grand Alliance's routed in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar, jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday advised Congress President Rahul Gandhi to not resign from the post calling his offer "suicidal", acording to IANS.
"Rahul's offer to resign is suicidal. Opposition parties had the common goal to dislodge BJP but failed to build a national narrative. The result in a particular election can never alter the reality in as diverse and plural a country as India," said Lalu Prasad in a tweet.
MK Stalin to Attend AP CM-Elect Jagan Mohan Reddy's Swearing-in Ceremony
DMK President MK Stalin to attend Andhra Pradesh CM designate Jagan Mohan Reddy's swearing in ceremony on 30th May, as per ANI.
MK Stalin Requests Rahul Not to Step Down as Party Chief
DMK President MK Stalin had a telephonic conversation with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi & requested him not to step down from presidential post, as reported by ANI. Rahul Gandhi congratulated Stalin for DMK-Congress Alliance victory in Tamil Nadu. Sonia Gandhi too congratulated Stalin.
It Is Untrue That BJP Is Strengthened in T'Gana: Cong Leader
The BJP getting a few seats in Telangana in the Lok Sabha polls was just a fluke and it is untrue that the party is strengthened, state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said Tuesday, reported PTI.
Referring to comments of BJP leaders that their party would emerge as the alternative to TRS, he said it is only the Congress which would defeat TRS and be the alternative to the ruling party.
"It is Congress which will defeat TRS and dislodge the TRS government in Telangana. BJP getting some seats was just a fluke. To say that BJP is strengthened in Telangana, it is a lie. We don't think it would be strengthened in future also," he told reporters here.
The BJP pulled off a surprise in the Lok Sabha polls, winning four of the 17 seats in Telangana. The Congress secured three, while TRS bagged nine.
Amid TMC-BJP Rift, CPI(M) Manages Reclaims Over 150 Party Offices in WB
The CPI(M), which drew a blank in West Bengal in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, seems to have emerged as the surprising beneficiary in the pitched battle for control of party offices between the BJP and TMC in the state, with the Left party managing to reopen more than 150 of them in the last four days, sources said.
Party offices in Bankura, Purulia, Coochbihar, Bardhaman, Hoogly, North 24 Parganas and Howrah among others have now not only been taken over by the CPI(M) cadres, but the party symbol is being painted on them and party flags are now flying proudly atop the buildings.
"BJP's IT cell is running a propaganda saying that the BJP is helping the CPI(M) to reclaim its offices in the state. It is a complete lie. We have recaptured our offices which had been taken away from us by the TMC. We have been able to do this because TMC has been weakened, its erosion is clear. Our people had been preparing to take over the offices," senior CPI(M) leader and Politburo member Nilotpal Basu told PTI.
3 TMC MLAs, Over 50 Councillors Joining BJP: Kailash Vijayvargiya
Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP National General Secretary said, “Three MLAs and 50-60 Councillors are joining BJP on Tuesday, 28 May. Such inductions will continue in future also.”
As per ANI, BJP leader Mukul Roy and his son & suspended TMC legislator Subhrangshu Roy at BJP headquarters in Delhi.
JD(S)-Congress in K'taka Allotted Land at Cheaper Rate to JSW to Fill Their Coffers: BJP
The BJP's Karnataka unit on Tuesday, 28 May, alleged that the JD(S)-Congress government took a cabinet decision in a "hurry" to allot 3,700 acres of land at a cheaper rate to the JSW Steel plant in Ballari to "fill" their coffers and out of fear that they might lose power in the state. State BJP general secretary C T Ravi also claimed that the coalition government is on a "shaky ground" and a cabinet proposal on the JSW Steel plant was cleared on Monday. He demanded that the state government immediately stop this.
"The Karnataka government has given 8,000 acres of land in Sandur, Ballari district, to JSW Steel plant in tranches since 1993. The land was given on lease. Yesterday, the cabinet took a decision to allow a sale deed for 3,700 acres at Rs 1.25 lakh per acre," Ravi told reporters here.
While the market value of the land near the steel plant is in the range of Rs 15-20 lakh per acre, the government's decision to sell it at only Rs 1.25 lakh per acre is against the interest of the state, he said.
2 TMC MLAs, 1 CMP MLA in WB Join BJP
Two TMC MLAs and one CPM MLA from West Bengal join BJP at party headquarters in Delhi. More than 50 Councillors also join BJP.
Vikhe Patil's Entry Into BJP Will Be Unconditional: Mahajan
Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil might join the BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes oath for his second term on May 30, a senior BJP minister said Tuesday.
He also said that Vikhe Patil's entry into the BJP fold would be unconditional.
However, Vikhe Patil, who had resigned as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in the run up to Lok Sabha elections, remained tight-lipped about his next political course.
Vikhe Patil met Water resources Minister Girish Mahajan at the latter's official bungalow here this morning.
He said he had come to thank Mahajan for the latter's support in ensuring his son Sujay's victory from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Stalin Non-Committal on Pursuing Motion for TN Assembly Speaker's Removal
DMK president M K Stalin on Tuesday, 28 May, declined to categorically comment if his party would take forward its motion seeking removal of Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapa, reported PTI.
"Wait and see," he said without elaborating.
Asked if his party would consider moving a motion of no confidence against the government, Stalin said his party will decide on that after the dates for the assembly session are announced.
"After it (dates) is made known, we will take a decision about it," he told reporters.
Dhanapal had issued notices to three All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLAs for siding with rival leader T T V Dhinakaran on April 30, days after the ruling party petitioned the Speaker, seeking action against them for alleged anti-party activities.
'NC Will Surpass Its 1996 Tally in Upcoming Assembly Elections': Rana
The National Conference on Tuesday claimed it will improve and surpass its 1996 tally of 57 seats in the upcoming assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir and form a "strong, stable and responsive" government.
National Conference (NC) provincial president Devender Singh Rana said the recent poll outcome in the seats the NC contested is "testimony of the public support".
"Given the support of the people, NC will improve and surpass its 1996 tally of 39 assembly seats in Kashmir, 15 in Jammu and three in Ladakh region," Rana told reporters at the party headquarters here.
He criticised the state BJP over its demand for revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution and "twisting statistics" with regard to the just concluded parliamentary elections, saying this speaks of its fear and frustration in the wake of "imminent rejection by the people".
Will Retain Allies, Says GOA Cm as Bjp Becomes Largest Party
On a day his party's strength in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly increased to 17, making it the single largest party, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he would not drop any of the alliance partners.
The strength of the Assembly was restored to original 40 on Tuesday after four MLAs, who won recently-held byelections, took oath.
In the new setting, the BJP has 17 MLAs, reversing the 2017 position when the saffron party had won 13 seats and the Congress 17 in the assembly elections.
Acting Speaker Michael Lobo administered the oath to the MLAs--three from the BJP and one from the Congress.
The legislators who took oath are Subhash Shirodkar, Dayanand Sopte and Joshua D'Silva--all from the BJP, and Atanasio Monserratte of the Congress.
Delhi Congress Urges Rahul Gandhi to Take Back Resignation
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee has released a statement appealing to Congress President Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation, as per ANI.
Elections Over, Fuel Prices Begin to Rise
Petrol and diesel prices started rising soon after the last phase of the general election concluded, and have increased by 70-80 paisa per litre in the past nine days, reported PTI.
Prices have been on the rise since May 20, a day after the final phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections ended.
Jagan Invites Chandrababu Naidu for Swearing-In Ceremony
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-designate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday invited Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu for his swearing-in ceremony in Vijayawada on May 30.
Reddy, whose YSR Congress swept the state elections bagging 151 of the 175 seats, will be sworn in as chief minister at 12.23 pm on Thursday.
YSRC sources said the CM-designate spoke to the TDP chief over phone and extended a formal invitation for the swearing-in ceremony.
Yeddyurappa Seeks Dissolution of Karnataka Assembly and Fresh Polls
BJP's Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said it would be "better" if the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the State dissolves the assembly and goes for fresh polls.
The former chief minister also ruled out the possibility of any BJP MLA switching sides to the Congress or the JD(S).
"In 177 assembly constituencies (out of 224) we are in number one place, we have won 25 Lok sabha constituencies (out of 28), better if they dissolve the assembly and go for fresh elections...we will welcome (if they take that decision)," Yeddyurappa said.
Parties Engage in Blame Game Over Post-Result Tripura Violence
Political leaders in Tripura engaged in a bitter spat Tuesday over the clashes that broke out in the state since the announcement of poll results on May 23, with the Congress pointing fingers at the BJP and the saffron party shifting the blame to the CPI(M).
Two persons were killed and several injured in the clashes that broke out in West Tripura and other parts of the state following the announcement of general election results.
The BJP claimed that the two victims were activists of the party, but the police said it had no information about their political affiliations.
U'Khand BJP Credits Modi for Party's Landslide Victory in LS Polls
Pradesh BJP president Ajay Bhatt, under whose leadership the party retained the five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand, Tuesday credited the BJP's landslide victory everywhere in the country to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ever growing popularity.
Bhatt, who was accorded a grand welcome by BJP workers as he arrived here for the first time after the party's big win, said the five MPs from the state will follow Modi's advice of never letting arrogance get the better of them and not losing touch with people.
Two More Rajasthan Cong Leaders Air Disappointment over Poll Results
The crisis in Rajasthan Congress after the debacle in the Lok Sabha polls deepened Tuesday with two more leaders voicing their disappointment despite an advisory from the party against making public statements.
Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Sushil Asopa said the state unit chief Sachin Pilot should have been made chief minister instead of Ashok Gehlot.
Jaipur former mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, who was also the Congress candidate in the Lok Sabha polls, blamed poor booth management for her own defeat and sought a detailed analysis.
In Delhi Tuesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot separately.
Ajit Pawar Owns up Responsibility for Son's Defeat in LS Polls
Senior Maharashtra NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday owned up the responsibility for his son Parth's defeat form Maval Lok Sabha constituency in the debut contest.
Shiv Sena's Shrirang Barne defeated Parth from the constituency that covers parts of Pune and Raigad districts by a margin of 215913 votes.
Analysing the outcome, the former Deputy Chief Minister said the people had made up their minds to see Narendra Modi as prime minister again.
Pawar Calls Meeting of NCP Leaders, Lawmakers on 1 June
NCP president Sharad Pawar has convened a meeting of his party's leaders and lawmakers to take stock of the political situation in Maharashtra after the NCP-Congress combine's poor showing in the just held Lok Sabha elections.
The NCP-Congress combine bagged only five of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra where the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance's tally stood at an impressive 41.
The meeting called by Pawar will take place on June 1 at the Y B Chavan Centre here where MPs, MLAs and important leaders will be present, state NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said here Tuesday.
BJP Lashes out at AAP Govt over Water Crisis in Delhi
A Delhi Jal Board meeting was deferred after BJP members vociferously protested over the AAP government's alleged failure to deal with the "worsening" water crisis in the city.
BJP leaders on the board had asked some "tough questions" to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who heads the DJB, during its meeting on Monday, the saffron party's councillor from Sadar Bazar, Jai Prakash, told PTI Tuesday.
TDP Will Play Role of Constructive Opposition: Chandrababu Naidu
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said his party will play the role of a constructive opposition and extend co-operation to the new YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh.
In his first public appearance after his party faced a humiliating defeat in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state, Naidu said the TDP will watch the performance of the new government for some time.
"A new government is coming in. We have to give it some time. They promised certain things; let them fulfil those promises," the outgoing chief minister said.
BSP Leader, Nephew Shot Dead in Bijnor
BSP leader Haji Ahsan and his nephew Shadab were shot dead at around 3 pm by unidentified assailants in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor. Additional, SP says, “Unidentified assailants shot at him while he was at his office with his nephew around 3 pm. Prima facie it appears to be a case of enmity.” He said the the probe is on.
Newly Elected MNF MLA Takes Oath
Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo on Tuesday administered oath to newly elected Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Zothantluanga, reported PTI.
Zothantluanga won the bypoll of Aizawl West-I Assembly constituency held on 11 April. The result of the bypoll was announced on 23 May.
Gujarat Leader of Opposition Sends Resignation to Congress High Command
Gujarat Leader of Opposition sent his resignation to the Congress high command, reported news agency IANS.
Azad, Venugopal Rush to Bengaluru to Defuse Karnataka Crisis
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and KS Venugopal rushed to Bengaluru on Tuesday, 28 May, to defus the political crisis in Karnataka, reports IANS.
Azad and Venugopal will reach Bengaluru on Tuesday evening and are expected to hold discussions with senior state leaders of the alliance like Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of JDS and Congress leaders -- Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameswara, D.K. Sivakumar and Siddaramaiah, sources said here on Tuesday.
Expansion of the Cabinet is also planned to check the possible desertions, they said.
PDP Open for Joint Response to New Political Challenges in J&K
Expressing concern on the attempts being made to fragment the mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday asserted that it shall be open for joint response to the new political challenges in the state.
The concerns were expressed by the members of Political Affairs Committee of the PDP, who met party president Mehbooba Mufti.
"The party held threadbare discussion about the current political situation within the state of Jammu and Kashmir besides the measures to be taken to strengthen the party at grassroots level," PDP spokesman Rafi Ahmad Mir said after the meeting.
Rahul Best Person to Lead Party, Too Premature to Write Cong's Obituary: Tharoor
Rahul Gandhi is the best person to pull the Congress out of its predicament following the setback in the Lok Sabha polls, says party leader Shashi Tharoor while declaring that his party is "alive and kicking" and it is too premature to write its obituary.
The Congress has no time to sit and lick its wounds as it must immediately pick itself up for the upcoming state elections, Tharoor told PTI.
The party faces an existential crisis with the party president adamant on his decision to quit after the poll debacle -- winning just 52 Lok Sabha seats -- and its state governments facing an uncertain future.
Need to Have a Govt That Completes One Year: Cong MLA
On the upcoming state Cabinet reshuffle, Ajay Singh, Karnataka Congress MLA said, “I’m also an aspirant. It's left to the party seniors & High Command whom they accommodate. The first choice is that you need to continue the government which will complete one year. The party is always first.”
Post-LS Poll Rout, Oppn Mulls Joint Fight in Maha Elections
Constituents of Maharashtra's opposition grand alliance, which suffered drubbing at the hands of the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena combine in the state, on Tuesday discussed the possibility of fighting the upcoming Assembly polls together.
The grand alliance members also blamed the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) for being one of the key factors that led to the alliance's poor show in the state.
Formed by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the VBA had contested all the 48 seats in the state and its candidates secured sizeable votes in many of them.
Will Always Stand by Tejashwi: Tej Pratap
RJD leader and Lalu’s son Tej Pratap Yadav told ANI, “Those who don't like Tejashwi's leadership can leave, be it mahagathbandhan or RJD, I will always stand by Tejashwi.”
Congress Forms Panel to Probe Kerala Party Leader Praising Modi
The Kerala unit of the Congress will appoint a commission to probe senior party leader A.P. Abdullakutty praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state party chief said on Tuesday.
State Congress chief Mullapally Ramachandran told the media here that following a complaint that they received from the Kannur unit of the party about a Facebook post by Abdullakutty praising Modi, the party has decided to appoint a commission to probe it.
Mamata Banerjee Likely to Attend PM Sweating-in Ceremony
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on 30 May. She said, “I have spoken to other Chief Ministers also. Since it is a ceremonial program we thought of attending it. Yes I will go.”
Dikshit Appeals to Rahul Gandhi to Withdraw His Decision to Quit as Party Chief
Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit Tuesday appealed to party president Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his decision to step down, saying the party has bounced back in the past from challenging circumstances to triumph.
The Congress faces a critical crisis with Gandhi staying firm on his decision to quit after the poll debacle. The party won only 52 Lok Sabha seats and its governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan face an uncertain future.
Sachin Pilot May Quit Congress If Rahul Resigns
With uncertainty looming over Rahul Gandhi continuing as Congress President, there is speculation that Sachin Pilot too may quit as Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief along with his team of MLAs, in case Gandhi quits his post, reported IANS.
Party sources say Rahul Gandhi was instrumental in making Pilot as the state Congress chief in 2014. After the Assembly polls late last year, Pilot was made Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's deputy. With Congress chief himself mulling over his resignation, Pilot's future hangs in the balance, sources said.
Mamata Banerjee Reshuffles West Bengal Cabinet
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reshuffles state cabinet after poll drubbing, reported PTI.
BJP Needs to Rule at Centre, Delhi, MCDs for Smooth Functioning: Tiwari
The BJP needs to rule at all three levels-- the Centre, Delhi and MCDs-- to ensure smooth work on development projects in the national capital, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said at a 'Khichdi lunch' hosted by him for party leaders and workers.
The lunch hosted at Tiwari's residence was also attended by former AAP MLAs Devender Sehrawat and Anil Bajpai. They had joined the BJP recently.
Jagan Arrives in Tirumala to Offer Prayers at Lord Balaji Temple
YSR Congress Party chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy Tuesday arrived at Tirumala near here to offer prayers at the Lord Venkateswara temple before taking over as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-designate landed by a special flight at Renigunta airport from Vijayawada and reached the hills by road amid tight security.
He would visit the shrine to pay obeisance to Lord Venkateswara on Wednesday morning, a temple official told PTI.
Karnataka CM Meets Cong State Chief, Siddaramaiah
A meeting held between Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, Congress state chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and Former CM Siddaramaiah, as per ANI
Gehlot Returns from Delhi Visit
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot returned to the state after his New Delhi visit on Tuesday.
Gehlot was in New Delhi to take part in the Congress Working Committee meeting, which analysed the reasons for the party's poor performance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.
Ram Vilas Paswan Is Ljp's Choice for Ministerial Berth in Modi Govt
Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan is likely to represent his Lok Janshakti Party in the Modi government, which will be sworn in on May 30, after the party passed a resolution Tuesday, recommending his name for a ministerial berth.
The LJP's parliamentary board passed a resolution to this effect at a meeting, which was attended by its six newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs, the board's chairman and Ram Vilas Paswan's son Chirag Paswan told reporters.
Asked about Ram Vilas Paswan's comments suggesting that his son should be inducted in the second Modi government, Chirag Paswan played it down, saying the LJP president might have said it out of "fatherly feelings".
DMK to Soon Decide on No-Trust Motion Against Speaker
The DMK would decide on its no-confidence motion decision against Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal once the assembly is convened.
"Wait and see," was the reply by Stalin when a reporter asked whether the party would press for the no-confidence motion against Dhanapal for which the party has given a notice earlier.
Gujarat Opposition Leader Offers to Quit Over Cong Poll Rout
In the wake of stunning defeat of the Congress in Gujarat, its senior legislator and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani has offered to resign from his post taking moral responsibility for the rout.
Dhanani joins various Congress leaders across the country who have either resigned or offered to quit from their respective post after the Rahul Gandhi-led party's humiliating defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The Congress could not open its account in Gujarat, where the ruling BJP won all the 26 Lok Sabha seats at stake.
Rift Widens, Rajasthan Congress Leader Wants Pilot as CM
Amid a looming leadership crisis in the Congress, the state party committee secretary Sushil Asopa on Tuesday shared a post on his Facebook wall supporting Sachin Pilot as chief minister, bringing factionalism within the party to the fore.
In his Facebook post, Asopa said the results in the Lok Sabha elections would have been different in Rajasthan had Congress leader Sachin Pilot been made chief minister.
"No matter where you go in Rajasthan, there is just one voice that echoes: the election results would have been different had Pilot been made the chief minister. People have been saying that it was because of Pilot's efforts in the last five years that Congress MLAs won because the youth felt that Pilot would get a chance to lead this time," said his post.
Ministerial Aspirants Lobby as Kumaraswamy Struggles to Save Govt
Ministerial aspirants started lobbying on Tuesday, with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamyreportedly planning cabinet expansion or reshuffle in a bid to savethe Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government in Karnataka.
The development came as Kumaraswamy himself swung into action by personally meeting disgruntled legislators, mainly from the Congress and made attempts to pacify them.
Senior Congress legislator, V Muniyappa, who is also political secretary to the Chief Minister, met Kumaraswamy andis said to have expressed his desire to become minister this time.
Violent Attacks in Tripura on Those Who Did Not Vote for BJP: Cong
The Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP of violent attacks on Tripura electors who did not vote for it in the Lok Sabha elections and sought deployment of the Assam Rifles, alleging the law and order in the BJP-ruled state has worsened.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera and the party's Tripura chiefm, Pradyot Deb Barman, said as a last resort, they will move the Supreme Court demanding a compensation for victims of violence during the polls.