Statewide and National runup to 2014 General elections

Ashok Sarraff · Post by **Ashok Sarraff** » 12 Jun 2013 18:39

In a way its good that everyone is fighting for 'secular' votes. This leaves only one party that is in the play for 'communal' votes. Polarization and consolidation of 'communal' votes and fragmentation of 'secular' votes to multiple parties can only be beneficial to the country.

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 12 Jun 2013 21:55

I think BJP under Modi's leadership will lead to one necessary outcome: the small sub-regional outfits will be the first to choose and merge into either BJP or INC. this is a necessary phase. we need to make people choose. no more A or B or C or D or E options. it's just A or B. that's how people come out of the closet and show their hands/colors. it's important to do this. it not only polarizes, but most importantly, it shows who is with us and who isn't. and this makes it much less likely for INC to have its bidding done by puppets. whatever unpopular things it needs doing, will have to be done directly. this also shows the people who is what.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 12 Jun 2013 22:02

If people are angry at the Congress, and they want to vote differently this time, they of course have the option of voting for a regional party as they are wont to do anyway. But if they for a second wait to think about the chances of this regional party being successful at the Center, then could rethink the chances and benefits of their voting pattern and vote for the other national party, the BJP.

So BJP has to go and tell SP voters, BSP voters, JD(U) voters, Trinamool Congress voters, BJD voters, TDP voters ....

that they are wasting their votes, because there is no chance for them ever coming close to power. SP and BSP did not have much of a say in UPA, so UP and UP's interests went unrepresented.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 12 Jun 2013 23:25

Regardless of outcome of upcoming elections, India will be a changed place afterward. We have discussed about determined minority bringing the favorable result, This time its the determined nationalistic bloc trying to achieve something similar . Lets hope they succeed. Imagine India twenty years down the road under clean rule of Governence!!

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 12 Jun 2013 23:40

Faking News: Restaurant called Third Front launched for people who just can’t decide what to order.

New Delhi. Taking inspiration from politicians who can’t decide between Congress and BJP, a restaurant called “Third Front” has been launched for people who can’t decide between a Tandoori chicken and Barbeque chicken.

“Every restaurant gets frustrated with customers who take hours to place their order. They keep discussing among themselves – aaj Mexican try karte hain, Thai try karein kya – and finally order Hakka noodles or Paav Bhaaji,” Nitish Patnaik, chef of newly launched Third Front told Faking News.

“Sometimes they even ask for details of the recipe as if that’d help them decide,” the chef further revealed, “Once I tried to explain difference between cauliflower and broccoli, but it was like explaining difference between Tamil and Telugu to a Haryanvi. Just not worth it!”
“They are fundamentally confused and indecisive, and end up wasting time for everyone. It’s better if they come together at one place,” Nitish explained the rationale for Third Front, the restaurant.

The restaurant won’t have any menu at all. The customers will be just asked “veg or non-veg?” and they will be given something to eat.
“We will not let our customers feel insignificant, and hence all of them would be given ‘reserved’ tables – akin to a ‘special status’ in a normal restaurant,” disclosed Mita Banerjee, the manager of Third Front.

While the promoters of Third Front are hopeful of grand success and profitability of their venture, not many are convinced. “Confusion is good, but it’s good to keep the customers confused rather than appear confused,” claimed Maya Yadav, promoter of a leading restaurant chain in Uttar Pradesh.

muraliravi · Post by **muraliravi** » 12 Jun 2013 23:55

Sharad Yadav seems really rattled. I guess his MLA's and MP's have told the rootless top brass on JD(U) that they will lose badly without BJP and if they go with congress they will be toast. All this drama is just to create a face saving method of accepting Modi.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Jun 2013 00:05

Sharad Yadav has probably not been forceful enough in his views when he told these to Nitish Kumar earlier.

Muslim vote banks is a mirage, the golden fruit each Jātivadi hopes to eat alone, but in the end either gets distributed among the many hopefuls giving no sustenance to the eater or it gets devoured by a single eater and all the rest go home dejected till the next elections where they again hope of getting this golden fruit only for themselves.

It is pathetic.

BJP hasn't yet really started on raiding Nitish Kumar's Mahadalit and Extremely Backward Caste vote-bank.

muraliravi · Post by **muraliravi** » 13 Jun 2013 00:12

RajeshA wrote:Sharad Yadav has probably not been forceful enough in his views when he told these to Nitish Kumar earlier.

Muslim vote banks is a mirage, the golden fruit each Jātivadi hopes to eat alone, but in the end either gets distributed among the many hopefuls giving no sustenance to the eater or it gets devoured by a single eater and all the rest go home dejected till the next elections where they again hope of getting this golden fruit only for themselves.

It is pathetic.

BJP hasn't yet really started on raiding Nitish Kumar's Mahadalit and Extremely Backward Caste vote-bank.

BJP should be very careful here. Walk a fine line. They should do anything to avoid a situation where it is BJP vs JDU vs CONG+RJD+LJP.

Any other situation is fine like BJP sticking on to JDU (of course no compromise on NaMo) or BJP vs RJD+LJP vs CONG+JDU.

The last one is ideal. BJP on its own can get 20 seats.

fanne · Post by **fanne** » 13 Jun 2013 00:23

no Congress knows, so it will be Laloo+paswan+cong getting 35 out of 40 seats. Both JDU and BJP cut to size!!

muraliravi · Post by **muraliravi** » 13 Jun 2013 00:50

fanne wrote:no Congress knows, so it will be Laloo+paswan+cong getting 35 out of 40 seats. Both JDU and BJP cut to size!!

No way boss. Even if they go that route, BJP is slated to get 9 seats and JD(U) about 5 seats. So its not all hunky dory for UPA even in that case. And this is pre-campaign scenario. This is no more the Advani BJP, wait for these guys to pull out their cards after the dust has settled.

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 13 Jun 2013 00:50

muraliravi wrote:Sharad Yadav seems really rattled. I guess his MLA's and MP's have told the rootless top brass on JD(U) that they will lose badly without BJP and if they go with congress they will be toast. All this drama is just to create a face saving method of accepting Modi.

It could be Advani's plan too. He wants to look like a person who saved NDA from disaster. I keep losing all the respect for Nitish

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Jun 2013 01:51

The "Federal Front" is something the Congress was hoping would not come this soon. I think they were hoping that they could use their closeness to JD(U) to get more seats from Lalu in seat arrangement for 2014. Now Congress may have to do with a more assertive Lalu though not as assertive and foolish as in 2009.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Jun 2013 02:01

Published on Jun 12, 2013
Both JD(U), BJP should respect voters in Bihar, says BJP: PTI

Asked about the status of the BJP-JD(U) alliance, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said, "10.5 crore people and 21 crore eyes of Bihar are looking at this alliance with hope.

The voters of Bihar had not voted for any one party or leader but for the JD(U)-BJP alliance." He maintained that the continuation of this alliance will benefit the state and the parties should not betray the voters' trust by breaking the tie-up.

This can be read as a plea by BJP to JD(U) to stay with NDA.

But it can also be read differently. BJP is telling JD(U) how they see the people's mandate, as being BJP-JD(U) combine. This means that if subsequently should BJP try to entice JD(U) legislators to split from Nitish Kumar and form their own splinter party or merge with BJP, then BJP would feel to be morally on high ground.

Advani talking to Nitish to relent on leaving, and then requesting Badal Sr. to also intervene, may be designed to empower Advani but it is also to show the people of Bihar that they tried everything, to stop JD(U) from leaving NDA and breaking the alliance.

What follows now is that Nitish would become paranoid about his flock leaving him.

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 13 Jun 2013 05:03

Interesting how Modi has to retrain BJP units in UP how to get back to basics. What are all these so called leaders doing all these years. No wonder the party has lost ground totally by ceding control to JDUs of the world.

Amit Shah arrives in Lucknow, gets down to business right away

Getting straight down to business after his arrival for the first time in the state to a rousing welcome as UP in-charge, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's trusted aide Amit Shah directed a total revamp of the organisation while making senior leaders of the state accountable up to the booth level. This will do away with appointment of bhawan pramukh as planned earlier.

"Forget about winning Lok Sabha seats, just concentrate on garnering maximum votes at the booth you all will have to adopt," Shah told party officials and workers, according to BJP sources. Shah was minister of state for home in Gujarat and quit after his name linked to the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case.

There are 1.27 lakh booths in the state and around 72,000 BJP members. If each worker, including the leaders, adopted one booth to ensure voter turnout, no one could stop BJP from winning maximum Lok Sabha seats, said state BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpayi quoting from Shah's address in various meetings.

Shah evolved a formula to collect donation of at least Rs 1,000 from each booth to make the organisation up to the booth level self-reliant, Bajpayi said, adding that any donation above Rs 5,000 would be acceptable through cheque.

He also directed the office bearers up to division level to tour the state that sends 80 MPs to Delhi at least for 20 days in a month. He will also be staying in the state for 20 days in a month, said Bajpayi.

Katare · Post by **Katare** » 13 Jun 2013 05:42

Modi destroyed NDA now it's BJP's turn to get ripped into many pieces.......

ashashi · Post by **ashashi** » 13 Jun 2013 06:15

Mamata Banerjee is delusional like Nitesh Kumar. In the last elections, her party won because of consolidation of anti leftist and muslim votes. INC and TMC fought together. This time, INC will contest alone splitting the vote. Leftists will win big in a three way contests.

Nitesh is completely discounting the BJP vote, giving credit to OBCs and Muslims for the victory. He is counting on the muslim vote consolidation for JD(U) as a result of Modi lead BJP. But the consolidation of nationalistic vote will help BJP.

muraliravi · Post by **muraliravi** » 13 Jun 2013 06:45

ashashi wrote:Mamata Banerjee is delusional like Nitesh Kumar. In the last elections, her party won because of consolidation of anti leftist and muslim votes. INC and TMC fought together. This time, INC will contest alone splitting the vote. Leftists will win big in a three way contests.

Nitesh is completely discounting the BJP vote, giving credit to OBCs and Muslims for the victory. He is counting on the muslim vote consolidation for JD(U) as a result of Modi lead BJP. But the consolidation of nationalistic vote will help BJP.

Nitish never got muslim vote, he wont in future either. Dont know why his strategists are fooling him.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 13 Jun 2013 07:03

Narendra Modi gets Balraj Madhok’s blessings - http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/capital ... blessings/

(For historical background see http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/capital ... as-to-say/)

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 07:09

^^^
May be nitish knows what he is talking bout. Otoh in my yupii crowd, it is all== only between inc and the bjp. No amount of logic can change minds.

In that case itis the rural india that has to save the nation. Butwe dont have thereal picture as to what the rural india is thinking.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 13 Jun 2013 07:14

JD(U) prepares to walk out of NDA, Advani dials Nitish and Sharad

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Jun 2013 07:28

New Delhi: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has cited confidentiality and refused to answer a Right to Information application related to the controversial land deals of businessman Robert Vadra. (See the PMO's reply)

Mr Vadra is the son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, often described as the most powerful person in the country.

Last year, Nutan Thakur had filed a Public Interest Litigation or PIL in Uttar Pradesh asking that Dr Manmohan Singh's office order an investigation into whether Mr Vadra was given sweetheart land deals by real estate major DLF in the state of Haryana, where the Congress is in power.

Ms Thakur's appeal was rejected by an Allahabad court after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said it could not order a probe in business dealings between two private entities. The PMO's response was listed in an affidavit to court.

The court observed that her petition was based solely on media reports and was not backed by direct evidence.

Ms Thakur then filed a Right to Information application, asking for details of documents and notings that were used to prepare the PMO's affidavit. She also asked for details of what action did the PMO take - whether it involved other ministries, for example - after she filed her petition in court seeking an investigation against Mr Vadra.

In its response to her, the PMO has said that while the Right to Information Act aims at creating transparency to contain corruption and increase accountability, it also seeks to "ensure that revelation of information, in actual practice, does not harm or adversely affect other important public interests which include efficient functioning of the governments, optimum use of limited fiscal resources, and preservation of confidentiality of sensitive information."

vivek.rao · Post by **vivek.rao** » 13 Jun 2013 08:40

BJP neither pushes nor humours ally

The BJP today said it would not take the initiative of calling off its alliance with the Janata Dal (United) because that would be a “betrayal” of the mandate they won together in the last Bihar election, but was dismissive of its ally’s concerns over Narendra Modi’s anointment.

“Modi was a national secretary when the Dal (United) teamed up with the BJP. The alliance continued even when he was the chief minister. So what is the provocation?” asked BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

The Gujarat chief minister’s elevation as head of the party’s campaign committee for 2014 was an “internal” decision and the Dal (U) could not dictate who should be appointed on the BJP’s panels, he added.

Finally BJP is talking like a serious party. Really impressed with Rajnath Singh.

Advani faction made Nitish act like this. This was their plan to defeat people of India and destroy the nation wittingly or unwittingly by keeping a decrepit political system. That is why from Nitish to paid media, every one suddenly has become Advani backer. THey want to destroy Modi and get Advani or Sonia or any one other than Modi.

Modi and the BJP president, Rajnath Singh, would together “conduct an effective campaign to liberate the country from the Congress”, the spokesperson said.

Hussain’s comments at a news briefing came on the day the protests against Modi got shriller in the Dal (U) and the party appeared to signal it was headed for a split with the BJP.

“As many as 10.5 crore people of Bihar voted for our alliance and want it to continue because with great difficulty, the BJP and the JD(U) managed to put the state on the fast-growth track. In a democracy, it becomes imperative to respect people’s sentiments. Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid the foundation of the NDA coalition and, therefore, it is incumbent on us to keep it intact,” the BJP spokesperson said.

However, party president Rajnath did not contact Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar or Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav today to allay their misgivings, sources said. Nor did he authorise anyone else to work the phone lines, the sources added.

Asked if Advani had assured them Modi would not be the BJP’s candidate for Prime Minister in 2014, Sharad told The Telegraph: “It is improper to disclose a private conversation. I was speaking to Advaniji after a long time.”

BJP sources emphasised there was “no way” Advani could give such an assurance on his own, without consulting party colleagues. “The talk (with Advani) was satisfactory,” Sharad said, but was silent when asked if it would end the tension between the partners.

Sharad admitted that the latest war of words was triggered by the Dal (U)’s defeat in Maharajganj and the BJP’s alleged refusal to cooperate, and Advani’s resignation.

Reminded that the Advani-inspired crisis had blown over after he withdrew his resignation on Tuesday, the Dal (U) president said: “Yes, but we are not aware of what went on behind the scenes and what its implications could be.”

Advani's games are continuing. But looks like Nitish/Sharad trying to pul back from the brink but BJP is not bending back to please the idiots. So they are using Advani as an excuse.

archan · Post by **archan** » 13 Jun 2013 08:51

Singha,
Appreciate you posting that but what does it have to do with this thread?

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Jun 2013 09:31

it can be made a election issue like bofors

(I hope)

Sri · Post by **Sri** » 13 Jun 2013 09:37

ashashi wrote:Mamata Banerjee is delusional like Nitesh Kumar. In the last elections, her party won because of consolidation of anti leftist and muslim votes. INC and TMC fought together. This time, INC will contest alone splitting the vote. Leftists will win big in a three way contests.

Nitesh is completely discounting the BJP vote, giving credit to OBCs and Muslims for the victory. He is counting on the muslim vote consolidation for JD(U) as a result of Modi lead BJP. But the consolidation of nationalistic vote will help BJP.

Both Mamta and Nitish are old horses who have been successful because of their sheer determination and dogged grassroots politics for years. It is fool hardy for us to think they are delusional. Atleast Nitish if with NDA will be a BIG asset.
I have posted earlier, there is something amiss that we don't know yet.

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 13 Jun 2013 09:42

^ +1. Although I am not a fan of Nitish's and Mamata Banerjee's recent behavior, I guess we should remember that they are far better than Laloo and Jyoti Basu.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 10:00

Singha wrote:it can be made a election issue like bofors (I hope)

Now that, LKA is marginalized. I surely hope so. Cause I remember DS, speaking through the Media regarding the non targeting of Advani / Vajpayee family. With LKA shutting up shortly thereafter.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 10:14

Rahul to shake up Congress; Azad, Tytler may lose party posts

RG it seems is exercising his newly acquired executive authority.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 10:19

EC’s ‘name and shame’ policy to battle paid news

It seems the EC is getting serious about Paid news. Only time will tell if, the EC's initiative will have any lasting impact.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 13 Jun 2013 10:39

From India Today on twitter

>>@IndiaToday 45s
JDU leader Jai Narayan Nishad changes track, now says JDU-BJP split will harm both parties

Samudragupta · Post by **Samudragupta** » 13 Jun 2013 10:55

ashashi wrote:Mamata Banerjee is delusional like Nitesh Kumar. In the last elections, her party won because of consolidation of anti leftist and muslim votes. INC and TMC fought together. This time, INC will contest alone splitting the vote. Leftists will win big in a three way contests.

Nitesh is completely discounting the BJP vote, giving credit to OBCs and Muslims for the victory. He is counting on the muslim vote consolidation for JD(U) as a result of Modi lead BJP. But the consolidation of nationalistic vote will help BJP.

MB's single point agenda is to hit the Congress in the center and commies in the state...BTW the commies in the state are living with the oxygen provided by the C system not only Congress as political party....her alliance with the Muslim vote bank is a tactical necessity..not a strategic one she knows how to hit them once the C system is destroyed in Bengal...C system is out to destroy the Bengalis once and for all, MB is hitting back not only in Bengal but in the entire East India...think in this context...

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 10:57

^^^

If the split is to happen then let it take place. The sooner it happens the better it will be. Cause the daily snipping is creating bad blood on the ground and will have adverse consequences in polls.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 13 Jun 2013 11:01

Pranav wrote:Narendra Modi gets Balraj Madhok’s blessings - http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/capital ... blessings/

(For historical background see http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/capital ... as-to-say/)

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 11:05

Samudragupta wrote: MB's single point agenda is to hit the Congress in the center and commies in the state...BTW the commies in the state are living with the oxygen provided by the C system not only Congress as political party....her alliance with the Muslim vote bank is a tactical necessity..not a strategic one she knows how to hit them once the C system is destroyed in Bengal...C system is out to destroy the Bengalis once and for all, MB is hitting back not only in Bengal but in the entire East India...think in this context...

Saar ji,

I hope that you are right. But actions on the ground don't compute. If the objective to destroy the INC. Then she will have a better chance in trying to polarize the Hindu majority and allying with the BJP. This federal front fantasy will not get her very far as the left front will remain viable along with the INC in Bengal.

She has to go for the kill, and that is possible only through an alliance with the NDA and not through the Fantasy called the federal front. As it will not have enough seats to form the next government at the center. Not unless it is supported either by the BJP or the INC.

Considering the Sikular credentials of the Federal front, BJP support is ruled out. That in turn just makes it UPA lite.

So all in all no major gain for Didi.

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 13 Jun 2013 11:07

Modination, Will he win 'em all?
Checkout the infographics in the link.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 13 Jun 2013 11:41

Dilbu wrote:Modination, Will he win 'em all?
Checkout the infographics in the link.

Beta Dilbu, abhi shaadi ki pehli saalgirah poori huyi nahin aur tum L&M dhaaga ko bhool gaye?!@#$%

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Jun 2013 13:34

Hari Seldon wrote:From India Today on twitter

>>@IndiaToday 45s
JDU leader Jai Narayan Nishad changes track, now says JDU-BJP split will harm both parties

Probably got wind that JD(U) would have split!

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 13 Jun 2013 13:46

Food ordinance postponed, Govt to try for Parliament special session instead

Will the INC try to call a combined session of both the LS & RS to make it happen.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Jun 2013 13:47

Pratyush wrote:
Samudragupta wrote: MB's single point agenda is to hit the Congress in the center and commies in the state...BTW the commies in the state are living with the oxygen provided by the C system not only Congress as political party....her alliance with the Muslim vote bank is a tactical necessity..not a strategic one she knows how to hit them once the C system is destroyed in Bengal...C system is out to destroy the Bengalis once and for all, MB is hitting back not only in Bengal but in the entire East India...think in this context...

Saar ji,

I hope that you are right. But actions on the ground don't compute. If the objective to destroy the INC. Then she will have a better chance in trying to polarize the Hindu majority and allying with the BJP. This federal front fantasy will not get her very far as the left front will remain viable along with the INC in Bengal.

She has to go for the kill, and that is possible only through an alliance with the NDA and not through the Fantasy called the federal front. As it will not have enough seats to form the next government at the center. Not unless it is supported either by the BJP or the INC.

Considering the Sikular credentials of the Federal front, BJP support is ruled out. That in turn just makes it UPA lite.

So all in all no major gain for Didi.

Pratyush ji,

One cannot leave any vacuum. There would be a sickular front for a long time. It is better that this sickular front is monopolized by Jātivadi and/or Regional parties. This would ensure that both Congress and Communists would be finished in India. Basically they are the ones that give historical and ideological nourishment to sickularism.

This makes Bharatiya Nationalist Movement, the other alternative, and thus India becomes a two-coalition system - BJP-led NDA and "Federal Front".

The goal is Congress-Mukt and Communist-Mukt Bharat. But religious minorities are still an electoral factor and it is better they get some other alternative than parties with historical and ideological gravitas.

At the moment it is important that the Federal Front munches up Congress and Communist presence. Congress needs to brought below 80 this time in 2014 and below 50 in 2019.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 13 Jun 2013 13:57

Dilbu wrote:Modination, Will he win 'em all?
Checkout the infographics in the link.

I am hoping that the Nair Service Society (NSS) of the upper caste Nairs, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalanayogam (SNDP) of the OBC Ezhavas and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church throw their support behind Modi in Kerala, and Modi gets a seat or two in Kerala.