Statewide and National runup to 2014 General elections

[JohnTitor]

^^ There is no official news about Kumble or Srinath. In fact, someone posted an article that said Srinath dismissed that theory.

[gunjur]

^^ There is no official news about Kumble or Srinath. In fact, someone posted an article that said Srinath dismissed that theory.

yes, hence i had mentioned that these two contesting is more or less not possible.

[Shanmukh]

Not sure if this was posted or even hinted over here, but anyways...

Yeddyurappa was talking to press this evening and has told that as per high command wishes he maybe contesting 2014 elections from Shivamogga seat.

I don't think Gaddigoudar is contesting again from Bagalkot - he is not exactly popular, and was, by some reports, reluctant to contest. Better to replace him with someone else. Murugesh Nirani, perhaps, or Veeranna Charanthimath?

Suresh Angadi is also a wobbly candidate in Belgaum. Maybe Jarkiholi or U V Katti should contest.

And personally, I hope, Shobha does not contest from Mysore. They have much better candidates from Mysore.

For Uttara Kannada (Karwar) seat, I would go with Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri - he is a powerhouse in the region, and he has an impeccable reputation (but he is not particularly fond of Yediyurappa, though).

For Udupi, another possible choice would be Haladi Sreenivasa Shetty.

I agree with you that Sreeramulu should be kept at least a few miles away from the BJP. He is a jumped up thug, and he is best kept away.

If the BJP does not have a good candidate in Hassan, they should field a weak candidate and shift Lingayat and Brahmin (the only two votes which the BJP has in the constituency) towards the Congress. A lot of profit if JD(S) dies totally.

Bangalore Central - the seat has a lot of minorities. Not sure if the BJP has any inspiring Muslim/Christian to field there.

[gunjur]

Not sure if this was posted or even hinted over here, but anyways...

Yeddyurappa was talking to press this evening and has told that as per high command wishes he maybe contesting 2014 elections from Shivamogga seat.

I don't think Gaddigoudar is contesting again from Bagalkot - he is not exactly popular, and was, by some reports, reluctant to contest. Better to replace him with someone else. Murugesh Nirani, perhaps, or Veeranna Charanthimath? Murugesh nirani can be a good choice

Suresh Angadi is also a wobbly candidate in Belgaum. Maybe Jarkiholi or U V Katti should contest. Congress maybe putting a jarkiholi, so bjp can not put jarkiholi. Family memebers will not allow it.

And personally, I hope, Shobha does not contest from Mysore. They have much better candidates from Mysore. Who?? Doubt vijayshankar can win. Why will kuruba's vote for vijayshankar, when you have siddaramaiah himself from mysore. Also shobhakka mele nimge bejar yake?

For Uttara Kannada (Karwar) seat, I would go with Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri - he is a powerhouse in the region, and he has an impeccable reputation (but he is not particularly fond of Yediyurappa, though).

For Udupi, another possible choice would be Haladi Sreenivasa Shetty. Even if he comes back, doubt he would want to contest LS elections. DVS is a good option, considering chickmagaluru also present. But he wants a safer seat from bengaluru north.

I agree with you that Sreeramulu should be kept at least a few miles away from the BJP. He is a jumped up thug, and he is best kept away.

If the BJP does not have a good candidate in Hassan, they should field a weak candidate and shift Lingayat and Brahmin (the only two votes which the BJP has in the constituency) towards the Congress. A lot of profit if JD(S) dies totally.Devegowda loosing is highly unlikely. Though needs to be seen who congress fields here.

Bangalore Central - the seat has a lot of minorities. Not sure if the BJP has any inspiring Muslim/Christian to field there.With congress and JD(s) mostly putting minority candidates, why would seculars vote for bjp here. Last time bjp won because secular vote was divided between congress and jd(s).

Also former BBMP commisioner Siddaiah joning JD(s), is slated to contest from kolar. Would like to see how narayanaswamy would fare in kolar. Though chances of muniyappa (congi) loosing is difficult.

My comments in blue.

[Shanmukh]

Gunjur avare,
Nice to hear your thoughts.

Suresh Angadi is also a wobbly candidate in Belgaum. Maybe Jarkiholi or U V Katti should contest. Congress maybe putting a jarkiholi, so bjp can not put jarkiholi. Family memebers will not allow it.

Interesting. BJP has many good workers, but no great leaders. If Jarkiholi is contesting from the Congress, BJP will need a strong candidate. Offhand, the only one I can think of, apart from Umesh Katti, is Sanjay Patil. But beating a Jarkiholi is not an easy job.

And personally, I hope, Shobha does not contest from Mysore. They have much better candidates from Mysore. Who?? Doubt vijayshankar can win. Why will kuruba's vote for vijayshankar, when you have siddaramaiah himself from mysore. Also shobhakka mele nimge bejar yake?

Shobha - let us just say she did not endear herself with her work as a minister. What about Shankaralinge Gowda? Is he back in BJP (he is a 4 time MLA, who quit near the end of the BJP term because he was not given Ministry)? If Shankaralinge Gowda is unavailable, I suppose we will have to make do with Shobha (Ramdas does not have enough appeal).

For Udupi, another possible choice would be Haladi Sreenivasa Shetty. Even if he comes back, doubt he would want to contest LS elections. DVS is a good option, considering chickmagaluru also present. But he wants a safer seat from bengaluru north.

Sadananda Gowda is an outsider - from Puttur. There was a bit of unhappiness even last time that an outsider was being fielded. If Sreenivasa Shetty does not want to contest, what about C T Ravi?

If the BJP does not have a good candidate in Hassan, they should field a weak candidate and shift Lingayat and Brahmin (the only two votes which the BJP has in the constituency) towards the Congress. A lot of profit if JD(S) dies totally.Devegowda loosing is highly unlikely. Though needs to be seen who congress fields here.

I am hearing strange things about Hassan. Apparently, the OBCs and Muslims are solidly with the Congress this time. If the Congress fields B M Anand, or B Shivaramu (both Vokkaligas), the Vokkaliga vote will be split, while the OBCs and Muslims votes will accrue much more to the Congress. If BJP throws its Brahmins and Veerashaivas to the Congress, the JD(S) could be wiped out. The wildcard are the SCs, particularly in Belur. Maybe it is time for Puttaranganath to push the SCs also to Congress?

Bangalore Central - the seat has a lot of minorities. Not sure if the BJP has any inspiring Muslim/Christian to field there.With congress and JD(s) mostly putting minority candidates, why would seculars vote for bjp here. Last time bjp won because secular vote was divided between congress and jd(s).

Agreed. Besides, BJP has no impressive minority candidates to field. Sangliana is in Congress and he may be fielded again from Bangalore central.

Also former BBMP commisioner Siddaiah joning JD(s), is slated to contest from kolar. Would like to see how narayanaswamy would fare in kolar. Though chances of muniyappa (congi) loosing is difficult.

BJP does not really have a base in the Kolar district. Are they fielding Narayanaswamy this time? Does D S Veeraiah not want to contest from BJP from Kolar, this time?

[RajeshA]

Published on Feb 05, 2014
By BV Shiva Shankar
Chandrababu Naidu emerges as NDA’s standby PM candidate: Times of India

HYDERABAD: In an unexpected development that is raising eyebrows, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu is emerging as the NDA's consensus candidate as Prime Minister in the event of the BJP failing to get more than 200 parliamentary seats on its own, revealed top leaders privy to the development.

Leaders said along with a formal pre-poll alliance between BJP and TDP, the formal announcement on Naidu emerging as the dark horse will come after Parliament session ends. With more than 200 seats on its own Narendra Modi will be the clear PM favorite. "It would be difficult for us to see Modi at the helm in case we fail to cross the 200 mark. While we are hopeful of getting more than 200 seats, it is practical to have plan B and leaders like Chandrababu Naidu would be the natural choice, going by his acceptance," said a top BJP leader who commented that he would be expelled by his party if he is named.

Naidu is likely to contest the parliamentary polls either from Malkajgiri in Ranga Reddy district or Hindupur in Anantapur district.

"It is for sure that Chandrababu Naidu is going to play a pivotal role in government formation at the Centre. And we are not denying the fact that he is the prime ministerial candidate. As the dynamics of the pre-poll coalition are being worked out, Naidu rightfully tops the list of consensus candidates for the PM post," said senior TDP legislator A Revanth Reddy.

While he himself is among the aspirants to run for the Lok Sabha from Malkajgiri, Revanth Reddy said he would work for Naidu in the constituency if he prefers to contest from that constituency."As it is likely that Naidu would contest from Malkajgiri, I will be one of his campaign managers," added Revanth Reddy.BJP leaders said it was important that Naidu be on their side in the post-poll scenario while the party faces an uphill task to win over the coalition partners with Narendra Modi being the prime ministerial nominee.

Veteran BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu told TOI that the coalition scenario would get clearer once there was clarity on Telangana, which he expects after the Parliament session ends. "We are waiting for the Telangana issue to be settled before going for the formalities of the coalition. Andhra Pradesh is one of the most important states for us because we have strong old partners here," said Venkaiah Naidu.BJP insiders said internal political dynamics in the party was also aimed at reining in Modi. They said Naidu's prime ministerial candidature was strongly being projected by the camps opposed to the Gujarat chief minister. They said leaders including L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, and Arun Jaitley are in touch with Naidu.

As Naidu called on Advani and Sushma in Delhi on Tuesday, the BJP leaders said there was more to the meeting as it is being perceived as the TDP leader's bid to stop the Congress from going ahead with the bifurcation of AP for its political gains. .Sources said Naidu was in touch with the JD(U), which is vehemently opposing Modi as prime minister

Going by the positive response he was getting, the BJP leaders said Naidu would prove a good leader to rope in the coalition partners in the post-poll scenario. As united AP has 42 seats, the TDP is hopeful of emerging the single largest party in Seemandhra, which sends 25 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The party is pinning its hope on Chandrabau Naidu who is claiming to have turned the tide on the division issue by convincing the BJP not to support the Telangana Bill in its present form.

It seems NDA may even get a "Deputy PM Candidate"!

In any case if NDA does declare CBN as a Dy-PM Candidate, then there is a chance

1) CBN would get a much bigger number of seats in AP itself. If Telangana Movement is about dividing AP, then a Telugu as a Dy-PM Candidate or a Plan-B PM Candidate, is indeed an announcement which could bring Telugus together in support of such a candidacy.

2) Secondly it deflates Jayalalitha's sales-pitch that somebody from South India should become Indian PM. It is based on such considerations that HH Deve Gowda of JD(S) too came out in support of Amma's PM ambitions, as some form of South-South consolidation.

Now who would have thought that CBN would make such a comeback.

Also it is telling BJP cadre that no other BJP leader can usurp Modi's accomplishments. D4 are not going to be entertained, and so it is useless for their followers to try to sabotage BJP chances in any seats. If BJP doesn't come up with the required number of seats then it does not mean Advanis and Swaraj and Jaitleys and Rajnaths can start going around trying to find allies on their own for themselves.

It is Modi or nobody from BJP.

It takes away any motivation for internal sabotage in BJP.

So all in all it would be a very good strategy by Modi if he declares CBN as his deputy or as Plan B. Now if a Telugu is being given a chance to be Second in Command of India, sort of India's Veep, why would Telugus want to vote for YSRCP or even TRS?

Of course Maratha Manoos like Uddhav Thackeray may feel a bit pissed off, but he is a Faltu ka Aadmi, who can't grow to be PM. UT once said where are the allies in NDA when asked whether he would like to become NDA Convener in the aftermath of JD-U walking out of NDA. It was his way of taunting Modi.

Badals belong to a very small state Punjab and can't make much of an impact.

So CBN is a natural choice. A good one!

[RajeshA]

Published on Feb 05, 2014
Amma willing, Sriramulu will return to BJP: Times of India

BANGALORE: The state BJP's strategy for the Lok Sabha polls appears to hinge on the return of its erstwhile senior leaders. After former CM BS Yeddyurappa's re-entry, some party members are aggressively lobbying to get BSR Congress chief and MLA B Sriramulu back in the party.

But ironically, opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, once believed to be his and the Reddy brothers' godmother, is opposing the move tooth and nail. She doesn't mind even losing the advantage his induction will bring to the party in the polls.

Senior leaders, including Yeddyurappa and several district units of the BJP, favour Sriramulu's return as he is the most noted leader from the Nayaka community (a Scheduled Tribe) which has a sizeable presence in his home district of Bellary as also neighbouring Koppal, Raichur, Gadag and Chitradurga districts. Political pundits too agree that he wields considerable clout in these districts.

Two sitting BJP MPs, Sriramulu's sister J Shantha (Bellary) and Sanna Fakirappa (Raichur), have identified themselves with the BSR Congress, though they are technically with the saffron party. "He (Sriramulu) himself faces no corruption or illegal mining case, so we want him in the party," a BJP core committee member maintained.

Sushma and the Reddy brothers were a family after her historic contest against Sonia Gandhi in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls in Bellary. "Amma,'' as they addressed her, would even visit their house during the Varamahalakshmi festival every year. She was believed to have got them cabinet berths when the BJP came to power in 2008. But things changed after the brothers were slapped with illegal mining charges. She distanced herself from them even as G Janardhana Reddy was jailed.

QUOTE

'Natl leaders to decide'

The process (whether to admit Sriramulu or not) has started. There are views, both for and against, about his re-entry. National leaders will decide

I haven't quite understood why Sriramulu is not wanted in BJP.

[Vayutuvan]

Also UT neither has the experience equaling CBN nor the name recognition CBN had. What kind of a name recognition CBN has now? Would it be lot more once BJP starts projecting him as the Plan B?

[RajeshA]

Also UT neither has the experience equaling CBN nor the name recognition CBN had. What kind of a name recognition CBN has now? Would it be lot more once BJP starts projecting him as the Plan B?

I think many people see CBN as not up to the task of facing up to the might of Congress and Congress proxies in AP. I think CBN is weak because people see him as weak.

But people do remember him as a CM who brought some IT to AP.

On Modi's side, CBN would start looking much taller. , as capable of taking on Congress and Congress-Bs, and thus would also get support. Strength attracts strength.

[johneeG]

I hope, with Goddess' grace, TDP wins handsomely in united AP and gives a good governance. But, I think CBN is very unreliable and ideological mercenary to be declared as a NDA's plan B to NaMo. CBN was once a darling of many Amirkhan MNCs and World Bank. He implemented many of their recommendations and policies. It led to IT boom, but other areas suffered, particularly agriculture. And that was the reason for his loss. So, if CBN is the plan B for NaMo, it is a great incentive for the MNCs to makesure that CBN comes to power.

Anyway, CBN should concentrate on AP rightnow instead of trying to be a national leader. I think this is just a farticle or at best the ploy of anti-NaMo forces to divide CBN from NaMo just as they worked up the Nitush by making him dream of PMgiri. Similarly, they have managed to rake the fantasies of Amma. Now, they are working on CBN. One can see a clear pattern. Every regional leader who wants to ally with NaMo is told that they themselves can become PM instead of allying with NaMo. Then those leaders start daydreaming and refuse to ally with NaMo.

[RajeshA]

Published on Feb 04, 014
By Rasheed Kidwai
Crossover buzz keeps MP Cong on edge: The Telegraph

Bhopal, Feb. 4: A fear of defection grips the Congress in Madhya Pradesh with speculation that some of its Lok Sabha MPs may join the ruling BJP between now and the general election announcement expected later this month.

Having lost two key leaders ahead of the state elections in November, the Congress’s gimlet eyes are now on a group of five Lok Sabha MPs. They are rumoured to be in touch with BJP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for a deal under which they would be rewarded with parliamentary nominations if they cross over.

The composition of the group has added to the Congress’s worries — two of them are Scheduled Tribe leaders, another two are from other weaker sections.

Defections from the Congress to the BJP have become a new trend in the politics of the state where the BJP has returned to power for the third time.

Uday Pratap, a Congress MP from Hoshangabad, had joined the BJP in the middle of the campaign for the November Assembly polls.

Before that, deputy leader of Opposition, Rakesh Chaturvedi, had stunned the Congress by defecting to the BJP while a no-trust motion against Chouhan was being debated in the Assembly in July.

At present, the Congress has 11 Lok Sabha MPs and the BJP 16. The state has 29 seats. The BSP has one MP while one seat is vacant because of Pratap’s switch.

Key state Congress leaders claimed ignorance about the possibility of more defections ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, but many others did not rule it out.

According to them, the Congress in Madhya Pradesh is on the verge of “going the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar way”.

The reference was to the manner in which Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh and Lalu Prasad in Bihar were seen as playing a calibrated game of wooing and weaning away the Congress’s core support base of backward castes, Dalits and sections of Muslims.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has been grappling with several problems. One is factionalism in the state unit where the rise of sons and daughters of satraps is reported to have demoralised the rank and file.

Another sticking point is the apparent disillusionment among several state leaders with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi’s perceived inaccessibility — staying away from states, denying them access and relying on Delhi-based satraps like Digvijaya Singh, Jotiraditya Scindia, Kamal Nath, and Suresh Pachauri among others.

Now some of the discontent seems to be spilling out. Sajjan Singh Verma, a senior Congress leader and the MP from Dewas, has turned a vocal critic of his own party.

In recent weeks, he has been openly blamed Rahul for the ills and recently questioned the Congress vice-president’s alleged role in granting Rajya Sabha nominations to veterans leaders like Digvijaya, Motilal Vora and Madhusudan Mistry.

[Vayutuvan]

johneeG: Since CBN doesn't enjoy as much popularity as Amma or Nitish Kumar coupled with his not being in power, his blowing his chance last time around, and the mistrust he engendered among the AP farmers last time around, if he is smart (I think he is) he would not dream of going to the top right away. If he spends time at the national level being the minister for a few important ministries (Home, External, Defence, Human Resources) then he can step into the shoes of NaMo when the latter wants to step down say after two terms. Not sure how old CBN would be by then but guessing would be young enough to last one term surely and may be two terms if he performs in the first term.

[ShyamSP]

johneeG: Since CBN doesn't enjoy as much popularity as Amma or Nitish Kumar coupled with his not being in power, his blowing his chance last time around, and the mistrust he engendered among the AP farmers last time around, if he is smart (I think he is) he would not dream of going to the top right away. If he spends time at the national level being the minister for a few important ministries (Home, External, Defence, Human Resources) then he can step into the shoes of NaMo when the latter wants to step down say after two terms. Not sure how old CBN would be by then but guessing would be young enough to last one term surely and may be two terms even if he performs in the first term.

He is at best can be PM for bench-warming for NaMo to take later. Best fit for him would be Dy PM as he can bring "secular" parties like SP who can detach themselves directly associating with "communal" party.

I think he should leave AP and go to National politics leaving AP to his deputies and Brother-in-law. It is high time TDP gives CM position to a loyal BC leader to flush out all the propaganda against it from YSR times.

Also it is telling BJP cadre that no other BJP leader can usurp Modi's accomplishments. D4 are not going to be entertained, and so it is useless for their followers to try to sabotage BJP chances in any seats. If BJP doesn't come up with the required number of seats then it does not mean Advanis and Swaraj and Jaitleys and Rajnaths can start going around trying to find allies on their own for themselves.

It is Modi or nobody from BJP.

It takes away any motivation for internal sabotage in BJP.

If BJP can make it, it is Namo. If not it is Namo and CBN/JJ as Dy PM. If not it is CBN/JJ as PM bench-warming for Namo. If not India is flushed down the toilet.

[Gus]

they are trying to prop somebody as an 'alternative' to modi. and nothing is working. not even lolworthy...

[KLP Dubey]

So CBN is a natural choice. A good one!

Your analysis is good assuming the news is true, but unfortunately it seems like bogus rumors inserted by some paid plant.

[Yagnasri]

The report on CBN is rubbish. There is no MP seat called Malkajgiri or Hindupur. Both are MLA seats to my knowledge. Further no one from BJP is going to accept anyone other in BJP than Modi. Then why shoould they accept a non BJP man. That too an unreliable person like CBN.

[Muppalla]

The report on CBN is rubbish. There is no MP seat called Malkajgiri or Hindupur. Both are MLA seats to my knowledge. Further no one from BJP is going to accept anyone other in BJP than Modi. Then why shoould they accept a non BJP man. That too an unreliable person like CBN.

Both are LS seats

[Lilo]

I think CBN should stick to his state and show some Balls first by going hammer and tongs exposing the corrupted and Hi-command worshipping Evanjehadi YSRCP and other Congi minions in AP (including TRS). There was some news that YSRCP is loosing steam in Costal andhra (but still going strong in Rayalaseema). Only when Coastal AP is going to be a clean sweep for TDP BJP combo , they can dream of these fancy plans. First of all let TDP come out with pukka Hindutva elements in its manifesto etched in rock let it make its position clear on its antiappeasement outlook , its support for uniform civil code etc.
Let there be no chance of opportunism by TDP to split away from BJP in the future.

Anyway people don't want a consensus candidate .The various turd parties need to be shown the mirror that there is no Political alternative to NaMo or BJP, in a post mandal bharat , heading for a twin party system in the longterm and decimation of all regional rubbish. You are either with BJP or with Congress.

If BJP doesn't cross 200 - let the ineffectual ideologically bankrupt Turd front take the mantle.
Let NaMo sit in opposition - even if the situation unexpectadly doesnt go to dogs , people will come around - and the swelling NaMo supporters meanwhile will be doubly motivated and working for his elevation to the top post (they don't seem working for him for some payments or to taste political power themselves) so I don't see a problem in waiting or sitting in opposition benches.

In the meanwhile, Let no stupid compromises be pushed upon NaMo for sake of gathering support among allies.

You are either with BJP or with Congress - this should be the resounding message.
Force all the turds to take a stand in support of congress to show that a vote for them is a vote for corruption .
And in NDA there is no alternative to NaMo as PM unless he is dead for some reason.

[habal]

A massive operation is underway in this country as we speak, the rejerve bank has stopped issuing new 100/500/1000 rupee notes to banks and is now in process of withdrawing all currency notes of above denomination printed after before 2005. Enlightened minds can connect the dots. Cleaning the stables and all evidence of malfeasance before current dispensation bows down & out.

[JohnTitor]

A massive operation is underway in this country as we speak, the rejerve bank has stopped issuing new 100/500/1000 rupee notes to banks and is now in process of withdrawing all currency notes of above denomination printed after 2005. Enlightened minds can connect the dots. Cleaning the stables and all evidence of malfeasance before current dispensation bows down & out.

eh? I thought they were withdrawing notes printer prior to 2005 as those had fewer "security" features.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rbi- ... 39195.html

[krishnan]

i dont think they have changed anything after 2005, or have they ???

[habal]

yes, you may be correct and I am wrong on this. but there are caveats, and if the issue is discussed in depth, it will amount to some scaremongering. Issue revolves around 'compromised template' and there are reports that even post 2005 notes are not immune, which means the difference between fake notes and original notes is so little that they are rarely even found out by the currency counterfeit detectors kept in various malls and banks. Now another solution suggested is to replace 50 with plastic notes.

[rohitv]

Narendra Modi will hold 12 rallies in NE by may!!! This is huge

[vipins]

As LS polls near, PDP says it's willing to work with BJP

Mufti however said a "strong leadership and national party" at the helm in Delhi would be good for Kashmir. "Our agenda is to provide good governance and also work towards a resolution on Kashmir. We have worked with Vajpayeeji and we have worked with the UPA, so we think a strong leadership at the Centre will be good for Kashmiris," she said.

[Supratik]

Narendra Modi will hold 12 rallies in NE by may!!! This is huge

Good news. He should concentrate on Assam, AuP and Manipur.

[Supratik]

As LS polls near, PDP says it's willing to work with BJP

Mufti however said a "strong leadership and national party" at the helm in Delhi would be good for Kashmir. "Our agenda is to provide good governance and also work towards a resolution on Kashmir. We have worked with Vajpayeeji and we have worked with the UPA, so we think a strong leadership at the Centre will be good for Kashmiris," she said.

Only if they agree on Art 370.

[harbans]

Only if they agree on Art 370.

Every time we say abrogate Art 370 for the state of J&K we make a fundamental flaw. That of recognizing the State as it existed pre-1947. State boundaries have NEVER been sacrosanct in India, Neither Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Punjab, Bihar, UP, Bengal etc etc. And least of all J&K thanks to Paki and Chinese land grabs. Art 370 abrogation and complete integration into the Indian union must be done starting with each district. Ladhak, Jammu, Kargil, Shia districts. Till a small rump of a valley with Art 370 is left. Whatever is integrated into the Indian Union, prevent the areas that have Art 370 from settling there. Allow Dharmics to own apartments and work there. Get the demographics correct. I have written about the Integration Referendum here:

Solving Kashmir: The Integration Referendum

Modi should gradually increase Utsah/ hope for such a solution in Jammu, Ladhak in exchange for a massive development vision. Slowly as people get used to thinking that individual districts and Dharmics in those particularly have aspirations to not be at the mercy of a large population in a small valley, the solution to the Kashmir problem will come about. The solution will NEVER come about if we keep alluding to the sanctity of the State which does not exist.

[panduranghari]

[VinayB]

is there any change in the script for the AAPtards and Kejriwal of late? it appeared they were onto a self-destruct mode in the week that bunch of opinion polls predicted BJP crossing 200, and Rajdeep repeatedly hollered that AAP is cutting more into cong votes. that sounded like a warning he wanted very badly to convey. (opinion polls got broadcast that week but it is very possible that the insiders had the data before)

AAPtards managed to stay on the top of the news even in weeks with other intensive news (like a hi-profile twitter episode and death). i think i have not seen AAPtards in the top of google news last two days, and i think that is after a very long time.

[gunjur]

Gunjur avare,
Nice to hear your thoughts.

Suresh Angadi is also a wobbly candidate in Belgaum. Maybe Jarkiholi or U V Katti should contest. Congress maybe putting a jarkiholi, so bjp can not put jarkiholi. Family memebers will not allow it.

Interesting. BJP has many good workers, but no great leaders. If Jarkiholi is contesting from the Congress, BJP will need a strong candidate. Offhand, the only one I can think of, apart from Umesh Katti, is Sanjay Patil. But beating a Jarkiholi is not an easy job.

And personally, I hope, Shobha does not contest from Mysore. They have much better candidates from Mysore. Who?? Doubt vijayshankar can win. Why will kuruba's vote for vijayshankar, when you have siddaramaiah himself from mysore. Also shobhakka mele nimge bejar yake?

Shobha - let us just say she did not endear herself with her work as a minister. What about Shankaralinge Gowda? Is he back in BJP (he is a 4 time MLA, who quit near the end of the BJP term because he was not given Ministry)? If Shankaralinge Gowda is unavailable, I suppose we will have to make do with Shobha (Ramdas does not have enough appeal).

For Udupi, another possible choice would be Haladi Sreenivasa Shetty. Even if he comes back, doubt he would want to contest LS elections. DVS is a good option, considering chickmagaluru also present. But he wants a safer seat from bengaluru north.

Sadananda Gowda is an outsider - from Puttur. There was a bit of unhappiness even last time that an outsider was being fielded. If Sreenivasa Shetty does not want to contest, what about C T Ravi?

If the BJP does not have a good candidate in Hassan, they should field a weak candidate and shift Lingayat and Brahmin (the only two votes which the BJP has in the constituency) towards the Congress. A lot of profit if JD(S) dies totally.Devegowda loosing is highly unlikely. Though needs to be seen who congress fields here.

I am hearing strange things about Hassan. Apparently, the OBCs and Muslims are solidly with the Congress this time. If the Congress fields B M Anand, or B Shivaramu (both Vokkaligas), the Vokkaliga vote will be split, while the OBCs and Muslims votes will accrue much more to the Congress. If BJP throws its Brahmins and Veerashaivas to the Congress, the JD(S) could be wiped out. The wildcard are the SCs, particularly in Belur. Maybe it is time for Puttaranganath to push the SCs also to Congress?

Bangalore Central - the seat has a lot of minorities. Not sure if the BJP has any inspiring Muslim/Christian to field there.With congress and JD(s) mostly putting minority candidates, why would seculars vote for bjp here. Last time bjp won because secular vote was divided between congress and jd(s).

Agreed. Besides, BJP has no impressive minority candidates to field. Sangliana is in Congress and he may be fielded again from Bangalore central.

Also former BBMP commisioner Siddaiah joning JD(s), is slated to contest from kolar. Would like to see how narayanaswamy would fare in kolar. Though chances of muniyappa (congi) loosing is difficult.

BJP does not really have a base in the Kolar district. Are they fielding Narayanaswamy this time? Does D S Veeraiah not want to contest from BJP from Kolar, this time?

Nagesh avare,

WRT chickmagaluru-udupi, CT Ravi was the initial choice but his name is not doing the rounds of late. But pratap simha'name is doing rounds, many people have asked him on twitter and he has not responded to this Q. So maybe mounam sammati lakshana??

WRT Shankarlingegowda from mysore, really don't know whether even he is aware of which party he currently belongs to?? bjp or jd(s)?? Shobha still is a better candidate.

Mangaluru may see a yet another sonrise in form of harsha moily from congress. Atleast in the last 3-4 elections, internal sabotage in congress ranks ensured(or certainly helped) bjp win in mangaluru. There are rumours that janardhan poojary will be accommodated in RS(congress has strength in karnataka assembly to see through that), clearing way for a close contest between bjp and congress.

As far as tumkur, would basavaraj be retained by bjp?? There were reports that he is unhappy etc etc. With Yeddyurappa back in bjp, maybe he may work for bjp.More than congress, i heard jd(s) is putting more efforts there.

Also in chitradurga, jd(s) most probably will be fielding goolihatti shekar. Last time janardhana swamy won mainly because of yeddyurappa. But its advantage congress this time.

[Kati]

Narendra Modi will hold 12 rallies in NE by may!!! This is huge

Wish one rally by NaMo in Tripura too. This is a state with two MP seats which is up for grabbing.
Has a lot of ground sympathy for BJP, but at the time of balloting people think that BJP may not win, so don't waste the vote. There is a certain threshold which, if crossed, will bring both the seats to BJP. As such hindu Jamatias, Riyang and Tripuri tribes are strong pro-hindutva.

[Hari Seldon]

^There is an NM rally in Tripura, IIRC. And one each in Silchar (Asom) and Arunachal.

[krishnan]

BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee would address separate public rallies here to start campaign for their respective parties in the North-East for the coming Lok Sabha elections, party sources said today.

[disha]

^TMC will cut into CongI/Left votes!! Excellent.

In Assam, BJP+AGP combine should yield results at that stage.

[Shanmukh]

^TMC will cut into CongI/Left votes!! Excellent.

In Assam, BJP+AGP combine should yield results at that stage.

A BJP-AGP alliance may help the Congress more than the BJP. The Hindu votes are almost all gone for the AGP - only a few hardcore voters in upper Assam prefer AGP. On the other hand, the AGP still retains a few Assamese Muslim votes. If there is a BJP-AGP alliance, the Bengali Hindus (who hate AGP) and the Assamese Muslims (who hate BJP) may both tilt towards Congress. The BJP is doing the better thing - they are grabbing almost all leaders of significance from the AGP. Chandramohan Patowary, Arun Kumar Sarma, Sabda Ram Rabha - are all being poached from the AGP by the BJP. By merging most of AGP into the BJP, the BJP can ensure that they get all Hindu votes, while the remaining rump AGP still eats a few hardcore Assamese votes (including the Assamese Muslims). BJP may do better than BJP+AGP. One part is greater than the sum of the parts, because chemistry trumps arithmetic.

[kmkraoind]

[gandharva]

In Delhi

[Altair]

^^ I also found similar flexis in Hyderabad. Owaisi is featured in many places alongside.

[Shanmukh]

AGP leaders planning to join BJP

http://www.newstimeassam.co.in/newsupda ... vNuCZX8t0g

A gist - leaders including Chandramohan Patowary and Brindaban Goswami to join BJP. This, IMHO, is excellent. The only thing lacking for the BJP is a consolidation of the Bodos under the BJP banner (vital, not only in Kokrajhar, but also in Barpeta and Mangaldoi). They need to get the BPF or BPPF to go with the BJP, in return for Kokrajhar. If this were happening an year ago, I would have said, `Start a large scale membership drive in Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, and Nalbari, and get Bodos to join BJP.' But with two months to go, it is rather hard to get the Bodos fast enough.

On a sidenote, the Rajya Sabha ticket for Sanjay Singh (from Amethi) is turning fast into a very polarising fact in Assam. Assamese Congressmen are annoyed that Assam is being used as a gateway to Rajya Sabha by non-Assamese, who contribute nothing to Assam, and Gogoi is being accused of folding before the High Command. Himanta Biswa Sarma was asking for two Assamese to be sent to RS from other states, but I am almost certain that Sonia will ignore Himanta Biswa Sarma - if she could ignore Gogoi, she won't listen to Sarma.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140202/j ... vN2FpX8t0h

If the BJP plays its cards smartly, it can grab a few old time nationalist Congressmen as well, and highlight discrimination against Assam.

NaMo rally is being held in Veterinary Science College grounds. My memory of Gauhati is more than 25 years old, but isn't the field capable of hosting 10 lakh people? Out of curiosity, what number in the rally would the Assam gurus consider a good figure?

[Supratik]

This is good news from Assam. You have to cannibalize the AGP to make it a direct contest.