Statewide and National runup to 2014 General elections

[SwamyG]

Is it sad or hilarious when Laloo Prasad Yadav uses the word "fascist" ?

[sivab]

Friends from TN - Is this a possibility at all? Not just HT, even others are saying the same.

Seems like BJP leadership is sensing something. First Modi spent a lot of time and energy, now LKA, Rajnath singh and Niti Gadkari
are campaigning in TN.

http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/e ... home-south

[AkshayM]

Looks like the BJP leadership is confident on other areas and they are going for the kill, extending the seat lead to as much as possible that's why focus on Tamil Nadu.

[Yogi_G]

I am a Brahmin and I am going to vote for Ila Ganesan ji for south Chennai because he is a Bharatiya and not because he is a Brahmin. The days of Brahmins being the intellectual torch of the nation and guiding it on ethics is long gone. Hope this Brahmin organization is not truly representative of the Brahmin community in TN.

[niran]

almost half of India have exercised their voting rights and me find BRTfities confused on how to get Voter ID cards

for those who are already registered regardless of whether you have voted before or not
go to the Election commission of India web site or click here

on your right hand side of the screen you will find "search your name in the voters list" click it
select your district and type in your name(if you know it of course ) click search and look for your name and match it with your Father's name(if you are male females have two options hubby's name &Pappy's name)
click show details match the address etc. and when you are certain it is you find a way either to print
that page or save it on your phone bring it along with one Sarkari issued photo ID which is
Drivers license(Bharat sakar issued not yemiriki) Passport, these two are the best and no, no Adhaar card, babu at booth do not recognize adhaar card as valid.

for first timers
on the same page the second clicky says enroll and become new voter click it and do the needful
remember enrollment is open right upto the voting day

perform yer Dharma genteel folks, enroll and vote.

[krishnan]

BJP and DMK are going around asking for votes, the later had 5-6 people and former around 30 people.

[Vayutuvan]

... Simple. Start a "Citizens for Democracy" NGO and have the cable services shut down on poling day; Of course voluntarily.

Good judo move

[member_20292]

almost half of India have exercised their voting rights and me find BRTfities confused on how to get Voter ID cards

for those who are already registered regardless of whether you have voted before or not
go to the Election commission of India web site or click here

on your right hand side of the screen you will find "search your name in the voters list" click it
select your district and type in your name(if you know it of course ) click search and look for your name and match it with your Father's name(if you are male females have two options hubby's name &Pappy's name)
click show details match the address etc. and when you are certain it is you find a way either to print
that page or save it on your phone bring it along with one Sarkari issued photo ID which is
Drivers license(Bharat sakar issued not yemiriki) Passport, these two are the best and no, no Adhaar card, babu at booth do not recognize adhaar card as valid.

for first timers
on the same page the second clicky says enroll and become new voter click it and do the needful
remember enrollment is open right upto the voting day

perform yer Dharma genteel folks, enroll and vote.

yes...but the search function on this websites sucks. in general the site design is terrible and tough to navigate.

enrolling form 6 etc are all broblematic.

[archan]

for first timers
remember enrollment is open right upto the voting day

That is incorrect. It will give you a message that registration process for constituency X is closed due to election process and will reopen on May 16.

[archan]

Gentlemen, so what is the prediction for J&K from various resources?

[member_28108]

I have posted also how to get your VoterID card if you have not got it or have misplaced it.Basically go to your citizen's service center and they will print it out and laminate it for you.For that they need you constituency, Part Number and serial number that you can get on the state chief electoral officer website.
If my 89 year old grandmother can vote so can those younger than her too! Younger ones should mobilize the elderly to vote and people should motivate all family members to do so as a homework.

My Son who is below voting age has made a slogan that if you don't vote you have no right to crib about the government and its functioning - for those who do not vote.

[niran]

for first timers
remember enrollment is open right upto the voting day

That is incorrect. It will give you a message that registration process for constituency X is closed due to election process and will reopen on May 16.

aah! saary sir, on the polling day you have to get to the Local EC center physically along with proper documents
and enroll get a slip go vote until 11:00 am.

[abhik]

Shekhar Gupta is as usual lying. The words "secular" and "socialist" were added to the constitution during IG regime and emergency.

Since they were added during Emergency, doesn't it make the entire 42nd amendment unconstitutional? Shouldn't the BJP challenge the amendment in its entirety?

No party wants to touch this amendment because of the word secular in it. You might as well introduce another amendment with a clause called "pro-poor" in the Preamble & it will sail through Parliament

Not an eggspert, But does this mean that any constitutional amendment cannot be challenged in court? Wiki:

The third purpose of the amendment was to give Parliament unrestrained power to amend any parts of the Constitution, disallowing judicial review of those changes and also give maximum protection to social revolutionary legislation from judicial challenge

[krishnan]

http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/i-t ... la-network

Akhtar Quereshi, a leading meat exporter and president of the Doon School Old Boys Association with close connection with ministers, bureaucrats and other influential people, is being probed for alleged hawala links used to transfer crores of rupees to western countries through Dubai. But the Income Tax Department, which has been conducting investigations into Quereshi's various activities and businesses, is reported to be under pressure to go slow.

[member_28108]

That is incorrect. It will give you a message that registration process for constituency X is closed due to election process and will reopen on May 16.

There is a cut off date for this election (typically one month from the poll date for that area) for eg it was March 16 for Karnataka. Beyond that voter enrollment stops for this election and will resume thereafter.This is done as they will have to have a fixed voter enrollment list.

[Rahul M]

Not an eggspert, But does this mean that any constitutional amendment cannot be challenged in court? Wiki:

The third purpose of the amendment was to give Parliament unrestrained power to amend any parts of the Constitution, disallowing judicial review of those changes and also give maximum protection to social revolutionary legislation from judicial challenge

yes, parliament is the ultimate authority as far as constitution is concerned. (unlike, say the US model where courts have significant say)

however, there's a rider. the parliament can't change the 'basic nature' of the constitution. if it does the SC can strike it down. what constitutes basic nature of constitution is interpreted by the SC. (kesavananda bharati Vs kerala 1973)

[Rahul M]

bhailog, any news of what's going to happen in kerala ??

[niran]

Varanasi:
NaMo from BJP
against him
Ajai Rai from Congress
Some Kinar + whatishisname from SaPa(or is it BaSaPa? who cares)
AK49 from AAp
total number of registered around 1.6 million or 16 lacs
out of which
Musalamans 2.5 lacs
Brahmins 2.5 lacs
koyiri(apana dal now bjp) 2 lacs
Rajputs or shall we say Thakurs 1.3 lacs
Sikhs 80,000
rest amongst the rest
that is a million plus against 2.5 lacs this is why sekulars go ballistic whenever they hear the word Hindutava
this time it is them against us as in Hindutava against them at least in Varanasi.

the main issues is River, viewer, sewer
i.e. Ganga Tourism and sewer currently in a collapsed state.
people genuinely believe( the Sabarmati river front helped a lot) NaMo can tackle it and in 3-4 years Varanasi will have a booming tourism trade rest will follow.

all the booths identified, booths workers allotted, Voters list checked thrice, every household have had visits by some BJP neta
or functionary twice 9 tons of stickers pamphlets etc. distributed yes BJP Varanasi is ready, if voting percentage reaches 65% then in all probability NaMo will get around 4 lacs votes if it reaches 80+ then mouth watering 6lacs votes.

[Sridhar K]

Spoke to quite a few locals in Suburban Chennai. All want Modi but when I ask them, whom they will vote, they say ADMK or DMK depending on their likes for Kalaignar or Amma. I was perplexed and most of them said, for Delhi it is Modi and he will win anyway and we need to vote either of the two if BJP is not in the constituency. They don't want to waste the vote for MDMK or other allies.

Per local reports Sriperumbudur is for DMK. People also say that for S. Chennai, there is a tacit understanding with ADMK as Jaya has fielded a newcomer to facilitate a L Ganesan win. Take it for FWIW.

[RamaY]

Niran Bhai,

Can we see if Cable services can be shut down voluntarily to increase voting% in one of the constituencies on a trial basis? Will it help?

[pankajs]

Dr. Praveen Patil ‏@5Forty3 1h

Our stunning picture of 17th April (for Heartland) will soon be out, the sheer amount of data and the analysis has caused the delay

[member_28108]

http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/Pre ... 032014.pdf

[johneeG]

Not an eggspert, But does this mean that any constitutional amendment cannot be challenged in court? Wiki:

The third purpose of the amendment was to give Parliament unrestrained power to amend any parts of the Constitution, disallowing judicial review of those changes and also give maximum protection to social revolutionary legislation from judicial challenge

yes, parliament is the ultimate authority as far as constitution is concerned. (unlike, say the US model where courts have significant say)

however, there's a rider. the parliament can't change the 'basic nature' of the constitution. if it does the SC can strike it down. what constitutes basic nature of constitution is interpreted by the SC. (kesavananda bharati Vs kerala 1973)

What if that sc judgement itself is not accepted by the parliament and challenged? Can SC override people's mandate in a democracy? Does constitution give it that power or is this power assumed by sc? Its an sc judgement/interpretation that there is certain 'basic nature' of constitution(which allows the sc to intervene or perhaps even go against the parliament). So, this judgement/interpretation gives power to sc to decide and protect the 'basic nature' even against the will of parliament/people. But, constitution itself does not describe any basic nature. So, its an interpretation of a certain sc panel. So, if, at some point, the parliament/people does not accept this particular interpretation, then what?

What if another sc judgement is pronounced that goes opposite to this particular interpretation?

For example, can sc give judgement that the basic nature of constitution also involves 'uniform civil code' and therefore no parliament/people can go against the 'uniform civil code'? If there is such an sc judgement/interpretation, then what happens? Remember, shah bano case was similar where the sc judgement was over-ruled by the parliament. So, if there is another sc judgement that 'uniform civil code' is also part of 'basic nature' of constitution, then what happens?

If 'basic nature' of constitution is freezed forever, then is it not against the democratic ethos? Was there an election to decide what the 'basic nature' of constitution should be? Did the constitution specify the 'basic nature'?

To me, this seems like a very grey area.

Also, what powers the courts hold or don't hold can also be decided by the parliament. For example, if a particular parliament wants, it can bring in laws to curb the powers of courts and judges, if it wants. Ultimately, it boils down to who is subservient to whom: is judiciary subservient to legislative or is legislative subservient to judiciary?

If judiciary is subservient to legislative, then all the judgements by the judiciary can be, in onw way or the other, overturned by the legislative. If the legislative is subservient to judiciary, then all the decisions of legislative can be overturned by the judiciary in one way or the other. But, if the legislative is subservient to judiciary, then it cannot be a proper democracy.

[suryag]

Haiyyo mee dhot shivering Namo only getting 25% of the total votes

a number of our friends met today and they are all impressed with thanthi tv show, most of them were concerned about the health of NaMo, hope he gets fitter

[niran]

Niran Bhai,

Can we see if Cable services can be shut down voluntarily to increase voting% in one of the constituencies on a trial basis? Will it help?

why? tis the heat and the thinking Modiji,gonna win anyway one vote won't matter the main reasons for a low turnouts plan for the laziness is in place but you can do zilch about heat, the young'uns and female
voters have been emotionally charged and morally bound to vote the above 35 are difficult cases

[Manish_Sharma]

After Harkishan Surjit and Jyoti Basu croaked I was hoping these parties would soon fold up. But Yechuri, Karat, Raja, and assorted Bengali commies are pulling on somehow. All useless fellows. I hope they croak soon. Silver lining is that I don't see any significant "younger generation" leadership in these parties.

Yechuri, Karat, D Raja are mostly drawing room leaders, who hate to go to public meetings. They just love to move in Lutyens Delhi. Unlike Jyoti Basu. They have none in sight too, to counter mamta in bengal.

[pankajs]

shub ‏@rewastr 1h

@mediacrooks This is the reputation of this man @digvijaya_28 in MP among his own supporters. Here No one respect him pic.twitter.com/8AkT0afUm0

[Rahul M]

@johneeG
it is a grey area but precedence shows that SC doesn't exercise this power unless it's a case of really fundamental alteration of the constitutional structure. AFAIK it hasn't been used by SC even once.


>> If 'basic nature' of constitution is freezed forever, then is it not against the democratic ethos?

no. basic nature would obviously be frozen with little flexibility. otherwise we end up like pakistan that has had half a dozen constitutions so far.
that doesn't disallow enough flexibility to modify the constitution, as has been done more than a 100 times since its adoption.

=========
@KLPD, bengal's commies are going down and bjp is trying to fill in the vacuum but not doing enough.
btw, cong is likely to come last in the 4 cornered contest in WB this time.

[Rahul M]

any input from malluland please ? what's the scenario in kerala, anyone ?

[harbans]

On the Skull cap debate: Why Modi is right. Constitutional provisions in Art 25 cl (2) scl (b) gives Modi complete rights to practice and visit institutions of fellow Dharmic faiths. Folks this Art 25 cl 2, sub cl b is very critical to Dharmic unity. I recommend though the word in Explanation II be replaced with Dharmic.

http://vicharprachar.wordpress.com/2014 ... -is-right/

[Sridhar]

There has been an ongoing tussle between the Supreme Court and Parliament related to Parliament's right to amend the Constitution absolutely and the Supreme Court's right to review any act of Parliament including a Constitutional Amendment Act itself. The British Parliament has absolute sovereignty and while Britain does not have a written Constitution, it is well established by case law and customs and traditions that courts cannot review anything that Parliament enacts, even if it violates fundamental rights for instance. (Of course, when Britain joined the EU, it subjected itself to review in the European courts, e.g. the European court of human rights).

When the Indian constitution was written, the British Parliamentary traditions were adopted, but following the US system, courts were given the power to review legislation for their constitutionality. But it was not explicitly stated whether courts had the right to review constitutional amendments themselves. The very first amendment of the constitution was struck down by the Supreme Court, citing incompatibility with other parts of the constitution. But since the amendment and the parts it was deemed to be incompatible were parts of the same constitution, judging which one was supreme was a grey area. Parliament then amended the Constitution again, specifically including the provision of the ninth schedule which specified a set of Constitutional provisions that were beyond judicial review. Courts struck back with the basic structure doctrine, laying down some basic features of the Constitution that are beyond the power of Parliament to amend. This tussle went on for a while with Parliament amending the Constitution to limit judicial oversight in some areas, and the judiciary striking back and specifying what Parliament could not do.

The current status quo is that there is a ninth schedule in which there are acts beyond judicial oversight, and there is a basic structure doctrine specifying limits on Parliament's power. The final arbiter still remains the Supreme Court as to whether something in the ninth schedule violates the basic structure or not. Further, the courts are in the process of considering whether the ninth schedule itself is Constitutional or not.

And yes, the Supreme Court has repeatedly used its power to review Constitutional amendments, invoking the basic structure doctrine. One of the most famous recent cases has been the 50% limit on reservations imposed by the court. This has been violated by certain states (famously Tamil Nadu) and such exceptions have been placed by Parliament in the ninth schedule as a grandfather clause. That action is the basis of the case before the Constitution bench to review the constitutionality of the ninth schedule itself.

[vishvak]

http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/i-t ... la-network

Akhtar Quereshi, a leading meat exporter and president of the Doon School Old Boys Association with close connection with ministers, bureaucrats and other influential people, is being probed for alleged hawala links used to transfer crores of rupees to western countries through Dubai. But the Income Tax Department, which has been conducting investigations into Quereshi's various activities and businesses, is reported to be under pressure to go slow.

Doon school is perhaps has the most influential alumni network in India.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... ject-arrow
http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... ar-schools

A few interesting alumni
a maoist http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/m ... on/520448/

[Yagnasri]

This is not the thread gurus to discuss Keshavananda Bharathi, except to say that Justice Khanna who held this basic structure idea was superseded and his junior was appointed as chief justice of India by India Gandhi.

So much for mafia talk.

[Dilbu]

any input from malluland please ? what's the scenario in kerala, anyone ?

Local BJP leaders made a statement yesterday that O.Rajagopal is going to win from Thiruvananthapuram. They are saying BJP has eaten into LDF and UDF votes this time. This happens every time after an elaction so I am taking it with some salt but hey I am willing to be pleasantly surprised on May 16. Also no word on Kasargod so that is a lost cause I guess.

[Dilbu]

Modi will lose onlee.

[pankajs]

Inside track

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinio ... ote]Things are topsy turvy party-wise in Barmer constituency of Rajasthan. BJP stalwart Jaswant Singh lost his party nomination to Col Sonaram, a long-time Congressman and former Congress MP. Now in a last-minute tactical move, the Congress recently informally asked its voters to cast their ballot not for the party candidate, Harish Chaudhary, but for Jaswant Singh, who is fighting as an Independent. The Congress hopes this way it will defeat the BJP in this prestige contest.[/quote]

Around two months ago at the wedding reception of Vaghela’s granddaughter in Gandhinagar, Modi was an honoured guest and he stayed for so long that Ahmed Patel had to wait before entering the reception venue. Patel did not want to be seen at the venue at the same time as Modi. The buzz is that Vaghela, who is contesting from Sabarkantha, may be one of the few Congressmen to win parliamentary elections from the state.

There is a proposal in the PMO to grant ambassadors to the US, China and Russia a fixed two-year tenure. This is meant to ensure that Manmohan Singh’s appointees continue under a new regime. But the Model Code of Conduct may come in the way of the move, as the department of expenditure has said that Cabinet clearance is needed for the proposal.

The BJP has spent Rs 60 crore on a 3D holographic system through satellite which brings an eight- and- a- half feet image of Modi delivering a speech on the screen in over a 100 places all over the country simultaneously. The party has tried out the system thrice and plans to have 15 live shows. On an average , some 3,000 people assemble in front of the screen at each venue. Eventually, the costly communication system can be viewed in 200 different places at the same time. A BJP leader’s explanation for the expense is that in India where a crowd gathers even for the landing of a helicopter, the Modi speech via satellite will be a major hit in small towns.

[Rahul M]

thanks Dilbu, any overall figures part-wise ?

[Dilbu]

I don't have any numbers as it is very even contest this time. LDF may have slight advantage.

[pankajs]

Swapan Dasgupta ‏@swapan55 4h

Mani Aiyar in today's HT: "By mistake if the voters elect Modi, we have to quickly topple that government". Democracy exemplified!

Prasanna Viswanathan ‏@prasannavishy 4h

Kangress predicted to win in BLR central,Rural,Mysore,Gulbarga,Chitradurga,Kolar,Chamrajnagar,Koppal

Prasanna Viswanathan ‏@prasannavishy 4h

JDS predicted to win in Mandya, Chickballapur and Hassan

Prasanna Viswanathan ‏@prasannavishy 5h

Overtly optimistic but Karnataka police intelligence sources predicting 17 for BJP,8 for Kangress and 3 for JDS

Prasanna Viswanathan ‏@prasannavishy 5h

Good @5forty3 will do a prediction based on data but my personal take on KTK . Kangress -14, BJP-11, JDS 3

[member_28352]

Isn't the INC Bangalore Central candidate a lover?