Anti-incumbency an issue in Kashmir only if voter turnout is higher

SRINAGAR: Large parts of Srinagar turned into a swamp yet again as it rained continuously last week. They have since turned into a dustbowl thanks to a few sunny days. On the flipside, the power supply has improved. But the traffic jams are perennial among myriad problems dogging the city.

These civic issues would have been as glaring in the national elections had not the ruling National Conference (NC) contested the last assembly polls purely on the 'Bikli, Sadak and Pani' issues while insisting they would have no bearing on the larger Kashmir issue. There has been little progress in capitalizing on almost negligible militant violence on the development front. On the other hand, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act remains and so does the Public Safety Act for administrative detention.

Experts say anti-incumbency is an issue, but it would not matter if the voter turnout is not higher. The anger against the government's failures could push the voting percentage that has been dismal in the Lok Sabha elections. "Azadi as a sentiment remains strong. But the people want civil liberties and development in the short term which may bring people to the polling booths," said Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari.

There is little to suggest that in at least Kashmir's political nerve centre of Srinagar, where it is difficult to imagine that the constituency is going to the polls next week at least in the urban areas, there is not even a single party flag or banner in the city centre or along the upscale airport road.

"People may vote. But we are going to boycott it," said Gowhar Ahmad, referring to his neighbourhood, Baghi Mehtab, in Srinagar.

But the mood in Srinagar can be deceptive and does not necessarily reflect the feelings particularly in the rural areas, where patronage networks of unionist parties are deeper. "I am going to vote due to the broken promises and because lower turnout helps elect unpopular people," said an Anantnag businessman, who did not wish to be named.

Experts say this has forced the NC to fall back upon its autonomy plank while it has done little for it since the BJP government rejected it over a decade back. The party leaders have been speaking like a broken record warning people against voting for PDP, which they say means supporting BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi. The BJP leader has become a virtual bogeyman for the ruling party.

"Modi is a nonissue in Kashmir. BJP is perceived to have done much more for Kashmir and the Congress nothing in the last 10 years," said Bhukhari. "Even article 370 is not an issue. You need three-fourth majority to revoke it and if you do that it nullifies J&K's accession with India as in very clear under the Article 1 of the state's constitution."

NC leader Tanvir Sadiq insists this election is not about civic issues. "It is a good versus evil election. Modi is even talking about abrogation of article 370. We will speak about Bijli, Sadak, Pani when it comes to assembly elections. Now the priority is to prevent BJP from coming to power and bringing back the Congress to power."

The PDP is undeterred by the NC's attempts to corner it by making its secret alliance with the BJP its main campaign plank. "Modi is a non-issue. The NC is trying its old trick of playing with emotions and substituting it with issues. We want to bring back Kashmir back into the national discourse," said PDP leader Nayeem Akhtar.

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PIL on Modi's marital status dismissed by Madras high court

CHENNAI: Madras high court has refused to entertain a PIL which sought legal action including criminal action against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for having submitted false affidavits with regard to his marital status all these years.

The first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh dismissed the PIL on Tuesday saying the PIL was not at all maintainable, and that the issue raised by it could be dealt with by the Election Commission of India alone.

The PIL, citing Modi's nomination papers earlier this month, said that though he had contested several elections before, he had, for the first time, declared that he had a wife by the name Jashodaben. Noting that the wedding took place way back in 1967 and the couple lived separately within a few months of the marriage, the PIL by Varaaki said that suppression of this information by Modi all these years was an offence punishable under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, besides the Indian penal Code.

The PIL-petitioner said he had submitted a representation to the Election Commission on April 20 seeking appropriate legal action, including criminal action against Modi for having filed false affidavits. Since there was no response from the commission, he was forced to approach the high court, he said.

Rejecting his plea, the first bench pointed out that the petitioner had submitted a representation to the Election Commission on April 20, and approached the high court for action the very next day. It said, "We do not find any reason to entertain this writ petition, as the issue raised is to be dealt with by the Election Commission alone. Writ petition is dismissed."

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Is Congress worried for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi?

AMETHI: Is the Congress getting the jitters in Amethi, a high-profile constituency long considered a pocket borough of the Gandhis? While no Congressman openly talks about it, senior leaders concede in private of an "opposition onslaught" that was "worrying if not frightening".

They are emphatic that incumbent MP Rahul Gandhi will win a third term, but they are haunted by a rare spectre of a narrowed down margin of victory for the Gandhi scion.

And it is not without reason that Rahul's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held her first election rally in 10 years in Amethi last week.

Striking an emotional chord, Gandhi asked people to repose their faith in Rahul whom she "gave to them in 2004".

"Like Indira ji gave Rajiv ji, my husband, to you many years back, I gave Rahul to you in 2004 and hope your love for him will continue," she said at the rally.

This is very unlike the Gandhis who in the past have only held a road show prior to the nomination and leave the campaigning to local leaders and Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The "once-in-a-decade" rally of Sonia Gandhi has caught the attention of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who has since been taunting the first family of Indian politics, saying when Rahul has failed to take care of Amethi, how can he look after the country?

"Sonia ji is seeking votes for her son on an emotive note...things are clear hence," Modi said at several rallies in the northeast.

The worry for Congressmen does not seem misplaced too.

Considering the near rout of the Congress in Amethi in the 2012 state assembly elections, the candidature of Kumar Vishwas by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Smriti Irani of the BJP has also made the electoral contest tough.

Faced with a strong anti-incumbency sentiment across the country, the party is now worried that the two glib talking contestants would take the sheen off from the Congress 'yuvraj'.

Leading the charge is poet-turned-politician Kumar Vishwas who has been camping in Amethi for the last three months, ever since the AAP set its eyes on the VVIP constituency.

Having rented a house for himself here, Vishwas calls himself the frontrunner and says that "history will be written May 16" when the votes are counted.

"I am the real 'ummeedvaar' from here as people have ummeed (hope) from me alone," Kumar Vishwas said.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has been MP from this place for 10 years, look at the state of roads and the grim power scenario," he says as a handful of people listening attentively to him clap in agreement.

He goes on to attack Rahul's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, saying how Robert's rags-to-riches story was a slap on every sane thinking, law-abiding citizen of the country.

Worry for the Gandhis, as admitted by Priyanka to close aides, says a source, is also the presence of thousands of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists who are camping in the villages trying to win them over for the BJP candidate.

Smriti Irani, a favourite TV bahu is also sweating it out, staying at a one-room accommodation.

She is largely pinning hopes on the "Modi wave" and is appealing to the women in the countryside, assuring them of "acche din aane waale hain" (Good days will come soon) if the BJP is voted to power.

Priyanka, who is the campaign manager of her brother, has sent an SOS to her mother Sonia Gandhi of "increased RSS activity" in the area, forcing Sonia to hold her first election rally in Amethi in a decade.

Not ready to take any chances, the party has also rejigged the local party hierarchy. Kishori Lal Sharma has once again been given the charge of election management, while party strategist Manoj Mattoo has once again been roped in.

Senior Congress leader Chandrakant Dubey, hitherto holding charge of Rahul's campaigning, has been given other tasks to attend to.

A trip to Amethi, specially the pot-holed roads in the countryside, is enough to suggest that all talk of development in the constituency is far from reality.

People from Delhi and other places are quick to point out the back breaking journey and powerless nights in the villages of Amethi. And this is what the opposition parties are out to capatilise on.

As the people vote May 7, the fear among the Congressmen is of the dent on the Gandhi halo.

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Is Congress worried for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi?

AMETHI: Is the Congress getting the jitters in Amethi, a high-profile constituency long considered a pocket borough of the Gandhis? While no Congressman openly talks about it, senior leaders concede in private of an "opposition onslaught" that was "worrying if not frightening".

They are emphatic that incumbent MP Rahul Gandhi will win a third term, but they are haunted by a rare spectre of a narrowed down margin of victory for the Gandhi scion.

And it is not without reason that Rahul's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held her first election rally in 10 years in Amethi last week.

Striking an emotional chord, Gandhi asked people to repose their faith in Rahul whom she "gave to them in 2004".

"Like Indira ji gave Rajiv ji, my husband, to you many years back, I gave Rahul to you in 2004 and hope your love for him will continue," she said at the rally.

This is very unlike the Gandhis who in the past have only held a road show prior to the nomination and leave the campaigning to local leaders and Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The "once-in-a-decade" rally of Sonia Gandhi has caught the attention of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who has since been taunting the first family of Indian politics, saying when Rahul has failed to take care of Amethi, how can he look after the country?

"Sonia ji is seeking votes for her son on an emotive note...things are clear hence," Modi said at several rallies in the northeast.

The worry for Congressmen does not seem misplaced too.

Considering the near rout of the Congress in Amethi in the 2012 state assembly elections, the candidature of Kumar Vishwas by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Smriti Irani of the BJP has also made the electoral contest tough.

Faced with a strong anti-incumbency sentiment across the country, the party is now worried that the two glib talking contestants would take the sheen off from the Congress 'yuvraj'.

Leading the charge is poet-turned-politician Kumar Vishwas who has been camping in Amethi for the last three months, ever since the AAP set its eyes on the VVIP constituency.

Having rented a house for himself here, Vishwas calls himself the frontrunner and says that "history will be written May 16" when the votes are counted.

"I am the real 'ummeedvaar' from here as people have ummeed (hope) from me alone," Kumar Vishwas said.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has been MP from this place for 10 years, look at the state of roads and the grim power scenario," he says as a handful of people listening attentively to him clap in agreement.

He goes on to attack Rahul's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, saying how Robert's rags-to-riches story was a slap on every sane thinking, law-abiding citizen of the country.

Worry for the Gandhis, as admitted by Priyanka to close aides, says a source, is also the presence of thousands of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists who are camping in the villages trying to win them over for the BJP candidate.

Smriti Irani, a favourite TV bahu is also sweating it out, staying at a one-room accommodation.

She is largely pinning hopes on the "Modi wave" and is appealing to the women in the countryside, assuring them of "acche din aane waale hain" (Good days will come soon) if the BJP is voted to power.

Priyanka, who is the campaign manager of her brother, has sent an SOS to her mother Sonia Gandhi of "increased RSS activity" in the area, forcing Sonia to hold her first election rally in Amethi in a decade.

Not ready to take any chances, the party has also rejigged the local party hierarchy. Kishori Lal Sharma has once again been given the charge of election management, while party strategist Manoj Mattoo has once again been roped in.

Senior Congress leader Chandrakant Dubey, hitherto holding charge of Rahul's campaigning, has been given other tasks to attend to.

A trip to Amethi, specially the pot-holed roads in the countryside, is enough to suggest that all talk of development in the constituency is far from reality.

People from Delhi and other places are quick to point out the back breaking journey and powerless nights in the villages of Amethi. And this is what the opposition parties are out to capatilise on.

As the people vote May 7, the fear among the Congressmen is of the dent on the Gandhi halo.

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Narendra Modi says he will reach out Muslim 'brothers'

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he would reach out to Muslim "brothers" like any other citizen of the country and made it clear that the contentious issues of Ram temple and Uniform Civil Code would be addressed within the Constitutional framework.

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate underlined that he sees all Indians as one and it is his "responsibility" to reach out to all sections of the society, which includes Muslims.

"As chief minister of Gujarat, I have tried to connect to six crore people of the state as much as possible. Now I have been entrusted with the national responsibility. I will use all efforts at my command to reach out to 125 crore people. This is part of my responsibility and I must do it.

"It may mean walking 100 steps. I may walk three steps, five steps or seven steps, that is a different matter. But it is my responsibility that I must make demonstrative efforts to reach out to every citizen of the country," he said.

He was responding on ABP News channel's 'Ghoshnapatra' programme when pointed out that he appeared to have started establishing contact with Muslim community.

Asked specifically whether his effort to reach out to every citizen included Muslims, Modi replied, "I will never go by this terminology of yours. Even if you drag me, I will not. I will meet my countrymen. I understand only one language that they are my countrymen, they are my brothers. You may see with whatever colour you want, Modi will not go into that colour."

He went on to add, "even if I lose elections, let it be so, I have no problem. But the country has been destroyed by this language, the mindset of you people and I will never own that mindset. And you please stop such attacks on my freedom."

Modi was referred to the issues of Ram temple and Union Civil Code, which have been a major point of contention between BJP and Muslims, and asked whether he would implement these unfulfilled subjects of BJP agenda considering his 'tez tarrar' (fiesty) image.

"The country does not run by 'tez tarrari' (fiestyness) but by the Constitution. Fiestyness is for elections but not for running the country," the BJP's prime ministerial nominee said, making clear that he would abide by the Constitution on these issues.

He was also asked whether his work as Prime Minister would have "RSS imprint" since he has been groomed by it.

"Let me tell you, I have to run the government. A government runs according to the Constitution. I believe that a government has only one religion — India first. A government has only one holy book — our Constitution. A government has only one kind of devotion — towards nation. A government has only one style of functioning — 'sabka sath, sabka vikas' (cooperation of all, development of all).

When referred to 2002 riots, the Gujarat chief minister said he has "stood the test" and was "ready for any test" but would "never surrender before lies and political motives."

He said, "...Till 2007, I have spoken a lot on this issue. Whether you like it or not, I will not succumb to you (on the issue)."

Attacking the UPA government, he said it "dragged" him to the Supreme Court on the issue and "now I should not speak as SC should be influenced."

He, however, referred to the questioning he faced on the matter from the investigators.

"Till now, no CM has been grilled by policemen for nine hours. It was done on the orders of Supreme Court. SC has seen the video of that recording. I have stood that test and even in future, I am ready for any test," he added.

Asked about the statement by BJP leader Giriraj Singh that those opposing Modi should go to Pakistan, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said "nobody can agree with that (statement)."

To buttress his point that he would not be vindictive, Modi said, "After election victory of 2002, I went to thank the electorate of Maninanagar (in Gujarat). There, I said 'this government is of those who have elected it, this government is also of those who voted against and this government is also of those who did not go to vote'."

Asked about different voices in BJP over whether action should be taken against Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra in connection with alleged inappropriate land deals, Modi made it clear that he would focus on development rather than such issues which will be dealt with by the law as deemed fit.

"We get elected for five years and for five years should we roam around with this mess or do some good work? My personal belief is that my energy should not go into this, that my energy be utilised for positive and good work. Otherwise, five years is very less time. If we get entangled in this, what good work can we do," he said.

Citing his "track record" as chief minister of 14 years, he said it "shows that I have never opened any file against anybody. I believe that one gets entangled in such things and cannot do good work. I have only focussed on positive initiative. I do not even keep information about old cases. It is for government, let them do."

At the same time, he said, "Nobody is above the law. Imagine if there allegations against Modi and he is the Prime Minister. Should the case not be pursued just because he has become the PM. It should not be so that it should be stopped. I am not above the law. I am not answering the question you asked. So do not mix up."

On the controversy over the 'marriage' section of his affidavit and whether he expected it, he said, "I do not get surprised by anything. There is nothing in my life. They (rivals) have no issue so they will continue to do it."

The question related to his mentioning for the first time that he has a wife, over which he is facing attack from Congress.

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Row over Pravin Togadia's 'anti-Muslim speech', EC seeks report

NEW DELHI/RAJKOT: Congress and several other parties on Monday came down heavily on Pravin Togadia for "spreading venom" through his reported remarks that Muslims should be stopped from buying property in Hindu areas and said that the VHP leader should be "hospitalised" for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought the recording of the speech made by Togadia in Bhavnagar on Saturday.

"They (EC officials) are in the process of acquiring the recording of the statement made by Togadia and after listening to it they will decide the future course of action," Bhavnagar district collector and returning officer P K Solanki said in Rajkot today.

While NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal said the Indian society has no place for such people, RSS dismissed the report, saying that "no swayamsevak thinks on such divisive lines."

"He always spreads venom, you know that. And he belongs to that category of people in this country who do not believe in the unity and the integrity of India. What can you say about people like this?," Congress leader and Union minister Kapil Sibal said.

"It (statement) spreads venom and it is for the authorities to decide," he said.

Togadia had reportedly joined a group of VHP and Bajrang Dal members in a street protest in Rajkot on Saturday outside a house purchased by a Muslim businessman. Togadia reportedly told the gathering to take forcible possession of the house.

Condemning the statement, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "I think Togadia should be given treatment. He should be hospitalised.

"In this country, if Hindus stay in a Hindu area and Muslims in a Muslim area, and they are not allowed to buy property in each other's areas, it will be against the Constitution," Alvi said.

Naresh Gujaral of Shiromani Akali Dal said while he is not aware of what Togadia has exactly said, India has survived because of its democracy.

"Democracy can survive only if there is accommodation and acceptance for each other....We can't be rigid about these things and anybody who speaks this kind of language has no place in our society," he said.

Denying the reports that Togadia has made such a statement, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said, "I have spoken to Praveen Togadia. He completely denies making such comments. It is fabricated.

"No Swayamsevak thinks on such divisive lines. They think of all people as one. One people, one nation," he said.

Slamming the statement, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, "Togadia seems to be influenced by Taliban mentality....No action has been taken against him due to a weak government".

Fatehpuri mosque's Mufti Mukkaram said the VHP leader should be arrested immediately.

The "government should take action against him. The Election Commission should also take action against him. This is conspiracy to spread riots. He should be booked for spreading communal tension," he said.

CPM lashed out at the VHP leader for his "hate speech" and sought his immediate arrest, saying that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who also holds the Home portfolio, should take this action.

"As the home minister of Gujarat, Modi should himself act (against Togadia) for his hate speech. If he doesn't, then it is clear that Togadia said all this with his blessings," CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said.

Yechury's party colleague Brinda Karat demanded the immediate arrest of Togadia, saying, "This shows the Modi style of governance of giving protection to those who should be behind bars for his hate speech and communal statement in Bhavnagar."

Yechury said that under the 'Gujarat model', "there has already been compartmentalisation of areas in the state for Hindus and Muslims. This is ghettoisation of India and is the real Gujarat model which is the real danger."

He also demanded immediate action against Togadia by the Election Commission and the law and order machinery.

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​Govt approves voluntary retirement of superseded Vice Admiral in Navy

NEW DELHI: The government, on Monday, approved the "voluntary retirement" of Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, who had put in his papers after Admiral Robin Dhowan superseded him to become Navy chief last week, even as the Army commanders' conference kicked off amid uncertainty over its own line of succession.

Defence minister A K Antony accepted Vice Admiral Sinha's request — sent soon after Admiral Dhowan was appointed as the chief on April 17 — for hanging his boots as the Western Naval Command (WNC) chief with "immediate effect".

Six months senior to Admiral Dhowan, Vice Admiral Sinha's continuance in office had become untenable in the rigidly hierarchy-conscious armed forces. Similar resignations had taken place when Lieutenant general SK Sinha had been overlooked by the government to make General AS Vaidya the Army chief in 1983, and Air Chief Marshal SK Mehra had become IAF chief by superseding Air Marshal MM Singh in 1988, as earlier reported by TOI.

The Navy is now headed for a reshuffle in its top brass, with the two crucial posts of vice-chief and WNC chief becoming vacant. The force's line of succession, of course, has also gone for a complete toss, with present National Defence College commandant Vice Admiral Sunil Lamba now slated to succeed Admiral Dhowan as the Navy chief in May 2016.

The defence ministry felt that Vice Admiral Sinha had to take his share of the blame for the recent string of warship mishaps under the WNC. This came after Admiral D K Joshi owned "moral responsibility"for the accidents and quit as the Navy chief on February 26 — a resignation which was accepted by the MoD with unseemly haste.

But the MOD's junking of the seniority principle has sparked some concern in military circles because successive governments have almost always stuck to it in appointing service chiefs. The chain of seniority in Indian military is considered virtually sacrosanct, with supersession being exceptionally rare.

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TRS is only interested in power: Rahul

MAHABUBNAGAR (Andhra Pradesh): Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is interested only in power and urged people to vote for his party to ensure development and prosperity in Telangana.

Addressing an election meeting in this town in Telangana, he accused the TRS of going back on its promise to merge it with the Congress after formation of Telangana state.

"They had also said that a Dalit will be the first chief minister of Telangana. They forgot their promises. They will also forget the promises they are making to you," he said.

Addressing his first public meeting in Telangana region after the parliament passed the Telangana bill in February, he said the TRS had no role either in drafting the bill or passing it in parliament. He alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to stall the bill.

Gandhi said the 60-year-old dream of Telangana people would come true on June 2 with the formation of Telangana state.

"Without the Congress and without Sonia Gandhi this dream could have never been fulfilled," he said.

Advising people to dream big, he asked them to bring Congress to power both at the centre and in the new state of Telangana to change their lives.

"If you bring Congress to power, we will develop Telangana because Congress knows how to rule, how to achieve development and how to make all sections of people part of the development," he said.

Gandhi said Congress alone could ensure social justice, protect secular values and carry along all sections of people. He targeted the BJP saying the party pit Hindus against Muslims and work only to benefit few businessmen and industrialists.

"They want two India. One for poor and another for rich. We want one India where all people should enjoy the fruits of development," he said.

"Today, the clothes you wear, the wristwatch and footwear you use, all carry made in China label. I dream of a day when all these items carry made in Telangana and made in India labels. I also want to see a day when people in other countries use mobile phones and cameras, they carry made in Telangana and made in India stickers," he said.

Claiming that the UPA government during last 10 years lifted 15 crore people out of poverty and empowered poor through revolutionary schemes like rural employment guarantee, food security and right to education, he said if UPA came to power in 2014, it will give three more powers to people.

Rahul said the Congress would ensure a house for every poor, free healthcare to poor and pass a bill in parliament for 33 percent reservation for women.

He said the women self-help movement, which is strong in Andhra Pradesh, would be extended to other states and 2,000 police stations would be set up exclusively for women.

Former union minister S. Jaipal Reddy, who is contesting from Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha constituency, Congress candidate from Nagarkurnool Nandi Yellaiah, party candidates from 14 assembly constituencies in Mahabubnagar district, and Telangana Congress chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah were also present.

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J&K's ruling party makes rival PDP’s ‘understanding’ with Modi main electoral issueÂ

SRINAGAR: The BJP has token presence in Kashmir, where it is better known for its strident opposition to Jammu & Kashmir's cherished special status. Yet its prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, appears to loom large over the Lok Sabha election campaign here even as there are no physical signs of it. The ruling National Conference (NC) has made its arch foe People's Democratic Party (PDP)'s ambivalence towards Modi and 'communal forces' a major and acrimonious election issue.

The NC sharpened its attack on the PDP since Mehbooba Mufti declared her party was ready to work with the BJP. Her reference to 'strong leadership of a national party' at the helm in New Delhi would be 'good for Kashmir' was construed as her approval for Modi.

A month later, she was more categorical and hoped Modi 'would follow in the footsteps of ex-PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee' and questioned whether anyone resigned after the Muzaffarnagar or the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This along with her criticism of the NC's ally, the Congress, for its failure to pass the anti-communal violence bill was seen as the BJP leader's another endorsement. "He (Modi) has stated that he would pursue Vajpayee's policy on Kashmir. That is a welcome sign.''

Chief minister Omar Abdullah and his father, Farooq Abdullah, have since made the alleged BJP-PDP understanding the centrepiece of their campaign. They have been highlighting the 2002 Gujarat pogrom, BJP's Hindutva agenda, Modi's refusal to implement minority scholarship programmes etc. to corner the PDP.

This is seen as an attempt to divert attention from their government's dismal performance on governance and conflict resolutions fronts besides countering goodwill Vaypayee appears to enjoy here due to his conciliatory policies. This is contrasted with the Congress-NC alliance's failure to capitalize on them. The militant violence may have been almost negligible but Kashmir continues to be a tinderbox as more people have been killed in security forces firings on unarmed protesters since 2009.

Omar, who continued to be a minister in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance despite the 2002 pogrom, described Mehbooba and her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, as 'Amit Shahs' of Modi in the state at a rally last week. He called Modi 'godfather of Muftis' at a separate rally in Shangus on Sunday in his continuing focus on their alleged nexus, which he has maintained is aimed at dividing 'the society on communal lines'.

"The PDP is an open supporter of the BJP and wants Modi to be the Prime Minister despite his communal record and open animosity towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir,'' he said at a rally in the Muftis stronghold of Anantnag.

Omar maintained voting in favour of the PDP is akin to supporting Modi. "The Muftis owe their political existence to the BJP and it founded the PDP, '' he said. He reminded the people about the 'stigma Modi carries'. "He has not even expressed regret for the innocent killings in Gujarat.''

In Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah cautioned people against the PDP's 'machinations to strengthen 'Modi's communal hands'. "Every vote cast against the NC-Congress candidates would be a direct endorsement of Modi and would strengthen his nefarious plans,'' he said. "PDP is hand in glove with the BJP and is working tirelessly to make Modi the prime minister.''
The father-son duo virtually echoed similar rhetoric at their rallies in Kokernag and Chadoora in sorth and central Kashmir on Monday.

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Will not spare MPs with criminal antecedents even from BJP and NDA, Narendra Modi claims

HARDOI: 'Modi sarkar' will opt for political cleansing and in the process it won't even spare MPs from BJP and the NDA.

Addressing a rally at Hardoi while taking a line different from his development oriented speeches, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said that he would flush out all MPs with criminal antecedents from Parliament and in the process he won't even spare those from either BJP or the NDA.

Modi's statement at a rally in Hardoi's ITI ground in support of the party's Sitapur candidate Anshul Verma, and Mishrikh candidate Anju Bala, on Monday, comes a couple of days after his trusted lieutenant Amit Shah's demand for probe into AK-47 dealings of Congress candidate from Varanasi Ajay Rai resulted in Congress-BJP locking in a war of words.

No wonder though that it has evidently been a case of the pot calling the kettle black as both of the parties have fielded candidates with criminal records.

"Today, I will tell you what my plans are for the people of UP," Modi said. "After the government is formed at the Centre, I will form a committee," Modi said and added that the panel would shortlist MPs with criminal records on the basis of affidavits they have submitted before the Election Commission.

After checking the genuineness of the cases, the government will knock the doors of the Supreme Court and urge the court to proceed with cases against these MPs, Modi said and added that following which they would be put behind the bars.

The result would be the same for the MPs from BJP and NDA, Modi said.

"I have decided to cleanse the politics of the country after May 16," Modi said and added that the democracy of the country would not progress if the politics of the country is not made crime-free.

Taking a dig at the opposition, Modi said that those who have been indulging in politics of crime will not be able to cleanse the system. "Main toh maut ko apni mutthi mein lekar chalta hoon, isliye main kar sakta hoon (I carry death in my pocket, therefore, I can do this)," Modi said and added that for this to happen, people would have to ensure win of at least 300 BJP MPs.

Continuing a hard-hitting attack on SP, BSP and Congress ('sabka' as he prefers to call them), Modi said that the game of power by the clan of parties has been the root cause of the problems of the people.

"While the country has been destroyed by the governments of mother and son, Uttar Pradesh has been destroyed by a father-son government. On one hand there is a father-son duo while on the other hand is Behenji (Mayawati) ... they waste their five years in demeaning each other," Modi said.

The mother and son (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi) at the Centre keep on adding fuel to the fire, Modi said and added this is how their clan has been ruling the country without any interest in the welfare of the common man.

At Mathura, Modi, while targeting the mother-son duo, promised to bring back the black money that has been stored by them in the foreign accounts. "I want to bring prosperity in our country with this money," Modi said and added their (Gandhis) only plan these days is to stop Modi.

Once again taking a pot shot at Robert Vadera, Modi said that they (Gandhis) believe that the country could only be run by their family members, which has now extended with the addition of son-in-law and that the common man doesn't have the spark to run the country.

Interestingly, Modi once again likened Rahul Gandhi's visit to the homes of the poor with tourists who visit Taj Mahal.

"Rahul bhaiyya visits the homes of the poor and dalits," Modi said and added that it the same as people visiting Taj Mahal.

Since he was born with a golden spoon, he doesn't know what poverty is, Modi said and added that to see poverty tourism Rahul carries with him a battery of electronic channels and photographers and get their photograph clicked with a poor child in their lap. However, the moment the photograph is clicked, they dump the child, Modi said.

"They (Gandhi family) wonder whether the poor have two legs, two hands; does the poor also have a voice. These people go on poverty tourism," Modi said.

At Ferozabad, Modi urged the Election Commission to ensure free and fair election.

Samajwadi Party has fielded party's general secretary Prof Ramgopal Yadav's son Akshay Yadav against BJP's candidate and turncoat SP Singh Baghel.

Modi also addressed a rally at Etah in support of Rajveer Singh, son of former chief minister Kalyan Singh.

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