This pivotal electoral contest sees a roster of prominent candidates vying for the seat, including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from the Aam Aadmi Party, Taranjit Singh Sandhu representing the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Gurjeet Singh Aujla from the Indian National Congress.
Tag: Lok Sabha election
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The man who wanted to challenge Modi but lost the battle even before it began
For many years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not just a leader but a hero for Shyam Rangeela, mirroring the admiration held by millions of Indians. Shyam was so inspired that he began to mimic Modi, even mastering the PM’s iconic “Bhaiyon, Behno” greetings.Over time, however, things changed. Shyam experienced a shift in perspective, particularly after facing what he called restrictions on his work from a group of Modi supporters. This marked the beginning of his transformation from a devoted fan into a critic.Recently, the comedian made headlines with his announcement to contest against Modi from Varanasi as an Independent candidate.“Halfway into the show in which I was mimicking the PM, I was asked to walk out, and mend my ways. That day, I felt that my freedom was clipped. Later, I realised that such intimidation was common. Politicians are not so generous in taking humour and criticism,” a ToI report (by Shailvee Sharda) quoted Rangeela as saying.AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesJourneying all the way from Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar to file his nomination, Shyam’s efforts were thwarted by a technical error. The reason for the cancellation of his papers was due to the omission of “not taking oath” during submission, leading to what he calls the “shattering of a dream”. Though disappointing, Rangeela sees the rejection as a form of victory. “The cause of freedom for which I stood up got some attention,” he adds, reflecting on his “chhoti si poll story”.Embracing the rejection, Shyam is relishing the moment, giving interviews, and meeting journalists and influencers from around the globe.Sharing his experience with TOI, the comedian says, “Wo kehte they ki challenge ke bina maza nahi aata hai. Why couldn’t Modi ji keep his words?” he wonders, questioning his rejection.
Does he regret his political venture? The narrative doesn’t explicitly answer, leaving room for interpretation.
“Haan, main toh kahin ka nahi raha. BJP wale kehte hain ki maine Modi ji ka mazak banyaya. Congress wale kehte hain main Rahul ki mimicry ki hai. Mujhe dono taraf se kaam nahi milta hai. Chunav mein bahut paisa bhi kharch ho gaya hai to ab naya kaam dhoondh ke hisab theek karna hoga,” Rangeela told the newspaper.
He claimed to the newspaper that he said no to offers to join opposition candidates and target Narendra Modi from a stronger political platform.
“I didn’t want to get tagged. In this way, I will prove my trollers right,” Rangeela adds.
“Jibes such as ‘mazak mazak mein serious ho gaya’ and ‘ghode pe aaya tha nomination bharne’ are very decent compared to allegations like my nomination was rejected because of a pending rape case against me,” he says.
Rangeela says he will miss the love that people showered on him when he announced to contest poll from Kashi.
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Stalin says DMK will dedicate INDIA bloc’s victory in Lok Sabha polls to Karunanidhi
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and ruling DMK President M K Stalin on Sunday said his party would dedicate the INDIA bloc’s victory in the Lok Sabha polls to late party patriarch M Karunanidhi and celebrate his centenary at the national level.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Karunanidhi (1924-2018) on June 3, which also marks the culmination of year-long (2023-24) centenary celebrations of the DMK icon, Stalin heaped praise on the leader for his contributions to democracy and the nation. Whenever democracy faced crisis situations, “leaders from North India looked up to Karunanidhi” and it was his “stellar contributions” that ensured the retrieval of democracy and brought stability to the government, and “this cannot be disputed by anybody”, Stalin said.
“It was Karunanidhi who championed state autonomy at the national level, batting for federalism.” He went on to say, “The Lok Sabha election results will be out on June 4. That day we shall hoist the victory flag and dedicate INDIA’s (bloc) victory to Kalaignar,” he said, adding that the centenary celebrations would be organised at the national level. The DMK has invited INDIA bloc leaders for the centenary celebrations on June 3 at its Delhi party office. The Dravidian party chief said that Karunanidhi, through his actions, has strongly reinforced DMK’s commitment to the ideals of social justice, harmony, state autonomy and protecting the mother tongue. That is why “those doing communal politics” are targeting the DMK “with malice” in poll-bound regions of the country by “spreading rumours”, Stalin said. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States”Their voice shows they are trembling due to the fear of defeat.” Without naming the BJP, Stalin said it can be understood that such forces are lamenting as they have realised the imminent formation of a ‘new India’ (a new government at the Centre by the INDIA bloc) with the support of the DMK. In a letter to party workers, Stalin exhorted them to celebrate the birth centenary of late party patriarch Karunanidhi on June 3 by organising events around welfare of the people, and said that such events should be adhere to the Model Code of Conduct which is in force. Stalin said the year-long centenary celebrations that commenced on June 3, 2023 and set to conclude on June 3 this year, was marked by DMK regime’s stellar schemes and initiatives that are beneficial to the people. The Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital in Guindy, Chennai, the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai and the Kalaignar Memorial on the Marina beachfront were inaugurated during 2023-24 to mark the centenary celebrations. Referring to a slew of party events to mark the centenary year, the DMK president said that thanks to the work of all the party’s office-bearers, about one crore new members had been enrolled, which has taken the party’s membership count to 2 crore plus, he said, appreciating the “great work”.
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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: ‘After June 4…’: PM Modi gives another ‘Guarantee’ at Bengal rally – The Economic Times Video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at the Trinamool Congress for “indulging in scam over recruitment of teachers” and warned that his government will take strict action against those involved in corruption after it forms the government at the Centre after winning the Lok Sabha elections. “I am giving another gurantee. After 4th june, when new government is formed, the brashtacharis (corrupt) will be spending their life in jail. More strict action will be taken. I will return the money to the people they have looted from,” he said at an election rally in Purulia.
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The Rise of ‘Khata Khat’ in the 2024 Elections: Modi vs Rahul Gandhi – The Economic Times Video
In the 2024 Indian elections, the phrase ‘Khata Khat’ gained attention, as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi used it in their campaigns with different connotations. The ‘Khata Khat’ battle continues, and the winner will be revealed on June 4th. Watch!
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PM Modi will seek votes in the name of Lord Ram, but won’t speak on development and inflation: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek votes in the name of Lord Ram but will not speak on development, inflation and jobs. Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trailing after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
The third phase of polls will take place on May 7.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Sunday and hold a roadshow. “Modi will go to Dwarka, Mathura and Ayodhya. He will go to every temple but won’t talk about development, inflation and jobs. He will not talk about why the (2019) Pulwama attack took place,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesHe also hit out at the prime minister over the attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which a soldier was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Poonch district.
“Yesterday, in broad daylight, our soldiers were attacked and killed. He will not talk about this in Ayodhya. (He will) just seek votes in the name of Lord Ram,” Raut said.
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Farooq Abdullah & Mehbooba Mufti react to PM Modi’s ‘Congress will take your Mangalsutra’ remark – The Economic Times Video
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`PM Claims To Be Admirer Of Dr Ambedkar But….`: Shashi Tharoor Accuses Modi Of Despising People Of A Segment
Shashi Tharoor said that Dr BR Ambedkar wanted to word ‘Fraternity’ in the constitution and PM Modi is drawing distinctions among the people.
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`He Has Nothing To Say….`: Kharge Slams Modi For Criticizing Congress
Mallikarjun Kharge said that PM Modi should talk about his own concrete work instead of always criticizing Congress.
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BSP quite confident and competent this time: Akash Anand
BSP National Co-ordinator and party chief Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand is virtually leading the party campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as she appears to have taken a back seat. Anand spoke with Rakesh Mohan Chaturvedi on a host of issues.Q: BSP had contested the 2019 general elections in alliance with SP and RLD, winning 10 seats. Why fight alone this time?A: If you look at 2014 and 2019 data, we were hovering around 19% percent. On cutting into Opposition votes, we want to make absolutely clear that when we contest alone we maintain our vote-share but in alliance our partner cuts into our vote-share, helping BJP. We are quite confident and competent this time.Does BSP feel that though it is able to transfer its vote to its pre-poll ally, its partners like SP or RLD do not?Historically, it is very clear that BSP is able to divert its votes to its alliance partner, but the same cannot be said for the other side.What about the perception that BSP contesting alone will cut into non-BJP votes and thus help BJP?It is a negative way of putting this that BSP will cut into Opposition votes. Voters are not anybody’s heirloom. We are all political parties and we all deserve to go out and ask for votes and let the voters decide.
Does BSP apprehend that Congress will wean away its votes?
No. I think there is a principle and fundamental challenge with Congress. We don’t align with that- whether it was about giving reservations or representation to our people or paying respects to Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Congress failed miserably on these issues.How do you see INDIA bloc, especially Congress and SP contesting together in UP?I think they are becoming a distraction for the voters. They will eventually end up helping BJP win seats, rather than the Opposition. Voters deserve the right to know exactly where a party stands on issues that matter to them and Congress has not been able to put that across categorically- on free rations, employment, law and order. They are in power in some states and are a part of the system that believes in free giving schemes. They are not discussing the real challenges facing the people.One of the main poll planks of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the welfare schemes like free foodgrains, affordable housing, Ujjwala and so on. How do you see that?Whenever there is a free scheme- whether free rations or subsidy on LPG cylinders, I think addressing the base price and backend cost is more important than subsidies. BJP is providing free rations to 80 Cr which is going to cost Rs 2 Lakh Crore of taxpayers money. That is the cost borne by the taxpayers, especially the middle class…. Nobody has asked them if this is something that is right… Where the real issue lies is that if this money had been used to convert those 80 crore people into employed people that would have added a minimum of Rs 2 Lakh Crore to the GDP.
Are you suggesting that the free foodgrain scheme should be discontinued?Of course, the government should phase it out. If not immediately, then slowly. Government should focus on creating employment, work on the backend cost, and on reducing prices of gas cylinders. Government should focus on that rather than give subsidies. This will lower the burden on taxpayers and reduce the deficit.
There is a perception that with the growth of BJP since 2014 Mayawati has gone into the background and is not very active in politics. Why?Ma’m has always believed in ground work rather than creating perceptions. She believes in handling the issues upfront. That is what she has done in the past decade. It is a matter of strategy and a very conscious step… On the ground our cadre remains with us and our vote-share has not moved much.
BSP has been on the decline since 2014. It needs the extra votes apart from its 19% core votes.Our core voter is with us. As for the floating voters, yes there has been little bit of weaning away. Now we are trying to recapture the mind-space of new voters, we feel we will get the support back.
BSP has fielded many candidates from the minority community that many see as cutting into the Opposition votes and helping BJP.That may not be the right statement. Just like other parties, we are trying to get votes. It could also be said that they are cutting into our votes. Congress and SP have learnt that if we give space to minorities in Parliament, they will also have to do so.
In 2007, BSP formed a government through social engineering when Brahmins voted for BSP. After the Ram temple issue gained traction, this voter has moved away.I think the voters will realise the core issues. BSP stands for employment, safety and security of all, health and welfare of all, including Brahmins…. The voter is clear that they want a government that can help secure their future, rather than on sentiments.
You think the government should stop subsidies?Certainly, we need to actually grow our economy. Our dependency on China is growing. We should be focusing on production inhouse, instead of being import surplus… Subsidy is a temporary solution; only a band-aid on a deep cut.
There was a charge that during Mayawati’s government, a lot of taxpayers’ money was spent on constructing parks.If Ram temple is justified, our parks are a way of paying homage to our leaders…. We are not opposing Ram temple, Babri mosque, or BJP’s tribute to Atal ji. It is very unfair to oppose BSP when it is paying respects to its leaders.
BJP has assured that if it comes to power for the third time, it will not do away with reservations.One should look at their track record on what they have committed and what they have delivered on the ground. It is very difficult for the common people to take their word on whether they will or will not change a certain section of the Constitution. There were a lot of promises around employment, development, and defending the country’s borders. The government has successfully created a narrative on how well they have done rather than on what has been done on the ground.
In case BJP gets an overwhelming majority, do you apprehend they will do away with reservations?They have been very vocal on the ground (about it). Videos of their leaders saying 400 is only a number, the real issue is to change the Constitution. I think it is there and it is for the people to realize this. Changing the Constitution without an Opposition that is strong enough to question it is very dangerous. We are not against amendments in keeping with the changing times but there should be a healthy debate and a consensus.
BJP has taken on the Opposition on dynasty politics. You are in a prominent position in BSP and you are related to Mayawati.Empires have been built again and again over the ages. Even in BJP, which takes a lot of pride in not being into dynastic politics, apart from Modi ji- I cannot even count Amit Shah as his son is in a powerful position- the second and even the third generation of all their leaders are active in the party. It is alright for them to participate but one’s rise and fall depends on one’s caliber. If you are not capable, people will oust you. It is best for the people to decide.