Page 14 - Gujarat Elections

AIMIM prez Owaisi declares three candidates for Gujarat Assembly polls

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday evening declared his party's candidates for three seats for the coming Assembly elections in Gujarat. Elections in the BJP-ruled state, yet to be announced, are expected to be held by December. Sabir Kabliwala, president of the state unit of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen, would contest from Jamalpur-Khadia in Ahmedabad, Owaisi announced while addressing a gathering in Juhapura area here. The party's Dalit face Kaushika Parmar will contest from Danilimda (SC) seat of Ahmedabad, while Wasim Qureshi will contest from Surat-East. Jamalpur-Khadia and Danilimda seats are currently held by Congress while Surat-East is with the ruling BJP. In 2012, Kabliwala, a former Congressman, had contested from Jamalpur-Khadia, which has nearly 60 per cent Muslim population, as an Independent after he was denied ticket by the Congress. Due to a possible division of votes between Kabliwala and Congress's Samirkhan Pathan, BJP's Bhushan Bhatt .

Kejriwal, Mann to visit poll-bound Gujarat on Sunday to hold meetings

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann will visit Ahmedabad on Sunday and hold interactions with the youth, sanitation workers and temporary employees of the Gujarat government. Every section of the society in Gujarat is looking to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with hope, Kejriwal said, ahead of his visit to the poll-bound state ruled by the BJP. "Bhagwant Mann and I will go to Ahmedabad tomorrow. Will interact with youth, safai karmacharis and temporary employees there. Every section of Gujarat considers the Aam Aadmi Party as their hope, AAP national convenor Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi on Saturday. Of late, the AAP national convenor has started visiting Gujarat every week to lead his party's poll campaigns as well as review and fine-tune his party's poll preparations in the state where assembly elections are expected to be held by the end of this year.

MP Raghav Chadha appointed AAP's Gujarat co-incharge for state polls

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday appointed its Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha as the AAP's Gujarat co-incharge for the state Assembly elections due later this year. The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had earlier appointed Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak at its Gujarat in-charge. Chadha had also held the responsibility of the party as Punjab affairs co-incharge, ahead of the Assembly elections in that state held earlier this year. The AAP had won the Punjab polls. It has now positioned itself as the main rival of the BJP which has governed Gujarat for 27 years. "Congratulations and best wishes to Rajya Sabha member and youth leader Raghav Chanda on being appointed as the "AAP' Gujarat sah-prabhari (co-incharge)," AAP Gujarat said in a tweet. In a response to his appointment, Chadha said, "I thank @ArvindKejriwal ji for entrusting me with this big responsibility. I will put in my blood, sweat, tears and toil to meet the expectations of my party. Gujarat wants change, Gujarat wants good .

BJP trying to 'crush' AAP in name of fighting corruption: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, accusing them of trying to "crush" the AAP in the name of fighting corruption as they feared a defeat in Gujarat polls. Addressing the first-ever national conclave of his party's elected representatives, Kejriwal also alleged that the Modi government has been trying to frame his party ministers and leaders in false corruption cases as the BJP is "not able to digest the growing popularity of the AAP in Gujarat". The BJP is so rattled by the AAP's growing influence ahead of Gujarat assembly elections that "the prime minister's advisor Hiren Joshi has warned several TV channels owners and their editors not to give coverage to AAP party in Gujarat, threatening them with dire consequences", the party's national convenor alleged. No immediate reaction to Kejriwal's charge was immediately available from the PMO or Joshi. "Stop doing things. If these editors share the ..

Gujarat polls: Cong announces several pre-poll 'guarantees' for fishermen

The Congress on Friday promised Rs 3 lakh financial assistance and Rs 400 daily allowance to the families of fishermen from Gujarat languishing in Pakistani jails, besides a Rs 50 lakh package to the owners of boats seized by the neighbouring country if the part is voted to power in the state. State Congress president Jagdish Thakor and senior leader Arjun Modhwadia made the announcement in a press conference here while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government of acting against the interests of the fishing community by cutting down the subsidy and not taking concrete steps for the release of the fishermen apprehended by Pakistan. Apart from providing higher subsidies on petrol and diesel used in fishing boats, the Congress government will also put in place a cooperative system for boat building and priority will be given to traditional fishing communities for prawn farming and fishing in inland water bodies, the leaders said. Assembly elections in the BJP-ruled Gujarat are

AAP's Kejriwal guarantees corruption-free govt if voted to power in Gujarat

Kejriwal alleged that in the BJP ruled-states, citizens have to pay bribes for getting their work done in government departments

BJP set for another easy victory in Gujarat assembly poll, says Amit Shah

Earlier in the day, Vedanta group had signed an MOU with the state government to invest Rs 1,54 lakh crore in Foxconn Semiconductor plant in Gujarat

Gujarat asking for change, Sisodia to soon take out march here: Kejriwal

Gujarat is asking for change and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia will soon take out a march in the BJP-ruled state to fulfil the demand of people, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. The AAP national convenor, however, did not mention in his post when his deputy Sisodia will visit Gujarat to take out a march of his party for change in the state. "Gujarat is asking for change. Soon, Manish Sisodia ji will take out a march in Gujarat," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. "Just need change now", he added. Responding to Kejriwal's tweet, the AAP's Gujarat unit chief Gopal Italia welcomed Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, ahead of his visit and appealed to the people of the state to bring "change" by voting for the Kejriwal-led party in the upcoming assembly polls "on the issue of education, health, electricity and employment". "Welcome to Gujarat, Manish Sisodia--the hero of the revolution brought in the education sector in Delhi," Italia sa

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to visit poll-bound Gujarat on September 12-13

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat on September 12 and 13, a party leader said on Friday. The detailed programme for the two-day visit will be released on September 11, he said, adding that Kejriwal will be in Ahmedabad on both the days to attend various events. Assembly polls are expected to be held in December this year and the AAP has already released a list of 29 candidates. Kejriwal last visited the state on September 2 and 3, making promises like farm loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh, day-time power supply to farmers and creating an MSP mechanism to prcoure produce. Other promises he has made during earlier visits include free electricity up to 300 units, unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000, 10 lakh government jobs etc.

Delhi CM Kejriwal promises fixed salary for village heads in Gujarat

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday promised fixed salaries for village heads besides direct funds for panchayats if his party came to power in Gujarat. The Delhi chief minister, who arrived in the BJP-ruled state for a two-day campaign tour on Friday, was speaking at a conclave of sarpanchas (village heads) here. Elections are due in Gujarat by year-end. An AAP government will provide a salary of Rs 10,000 per month for the sarpanch and Rs 10 lakh for the village panchayat which would be transferred directly by the state government, Kejriwal said. Village Computer Entrepreneurs (VCEs) who work on commission basis will also get a salary of Rs 20,000, he added. "A sarpanch wins an election in his village and people like and respect him. He is the leader of his village. After winning the election, the sarpanch spends money from his pocket because he has no funds for the work people want him to do," Kejriwal said at the townhall event in Surendranagar city. ..

Don't quit BJP but work for AAP internally: Kejriwal tells Gujarat workers

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday appealed to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Gujarat to work for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) while staying in the ruling party. Kejriwal said BJP workers should continue to get "payment" from the BJP but work for AAP "from inside". Addressing a press conference in Rajkot on the final day of his two-day visit to poll-bound Gujarat, Kejriwal said BJP workers will benefit from all the "guarantees" promised by him to people when his party comes to power in the state. "We do not want BJP leaders. The BJP can keep its leaders. BJP's 'panna pramukhs', workers in villages, booths and talukas are joining us in droves. I would like to ask them what the BJP gave them in return for their service in the party even after so many years?" the AAP national convener asked. Kejriwal said the BJP did not offer free and quality education, healthcare and free electricity to BJP workers and their family members but AAP will care for their welfare. "Y

Kejriwal on 2-day Gujarat visit from Friday, to announce pre-poll guarantee

Continuing his focus on poll-bound Gujarat, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal will be on a two-day visit of the state from Friday to provide a fillip to his outfit's campaigning and also announce another pre-election "guarantee" for voters. During his visit, Kejriwal will declare a "major pre-poll guarantee" for the people of Gujarat, where Assembly elections are due by the year-end, an AAP statement said on Thursday. Till now, Kejriwal has announced a set of "guarantees", including free electricity up to 300 units per month, unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000, ten lakh government jobs, free and quality healthcare to all and free education in state-run schools and Rs 1,000 allowance for women if the AAP comes to power in Gujarat, currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The AAP leader will start his two-day trip from Devbhumi Dwarka district by addressing a gathering in Dwarka town, during which he will announce the new pre-poll ...

PM Modi inaugurates 'Smriti Van' memorial for earthquake victims in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday inaugurate the 'Smriti Van' memorial and launch projects worth Rs 4,400 crore at Bhuj in Gujarat's Kutch district during the second day of his visit to the state where the Assembly elections are due later this year. The PM will also lead a three kilometre long roadshow in Bhuj while on way to the Smriti Van. The Smriti Van memorial has been built in nearly 470 acre area to celebrate the spirit of resilience following the death of 13,000 people during the 2001 earthquake which had its epicentre in Bhuj. The memorial carries names of the people who lost their lives during the earthquake. It also has a state-of-the-art Smriti Van Earthquake Museum, as per a government release. The museum showcases Gujarat's topography, rebuilding initiatives and success stories after the 2001 earthquake, and informs about different kinds of disasters and future readiness for any type of disaster. It also has a block to relive the experience of an earthquake

Arvind Kejriwal announces recruitment calendar in poll-bound Gujarat

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was in Gujarat along with his deputy Manish Sisodia as part of the Aam Aadmi Party's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections

AAP's pre-poll promises deceptive, Gujarat voters won't trust them: Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said the pre-poll promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Gujarat voters were deceptive in nature and the people of the state will not fall for them. The senior Congress observer for Gujarat Assembly polls said the AAP, which insulted Mahatma Gandhi by removing his photographs from Delhi government offices, was now doing election campaigning in the home state of the Father of the Nation. Seeking to downplay the AAP's entry in the Gujarat Assembly elections, due by the year-end, Gehlot exuded confidence the people of the state will not trust the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit's pre-poll "guarantees". In an apparent attack on the AAP government in Delhi, the Congress leader said Those who insulted Mahatma Gandhi by removing his photographs from government offices in their state are now doing poll campaigning in Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel." He was addressing party MLAs, office-bearers and

Central agencies may arrest Sisodia, even me till Gujarat polls: Kejriwal

"Once the elections are over, this all will be on the backburner," he added.

Sisodia deserves Bharat Ratna, but he's being hounded by Centre: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his deputy Manish Sisodia should be given the Bharat Ratna for improving standard of education in Delhi schools, but is being hounded by the Central government due to political motives. The New York Times has lauded our education model, Kejriwal, on his fifth visit in a month to poll-bound Gujarat, said. Instead of appreciating Sisodia, he is being targeted, Kejriwal told reporters. Kejriwal also expressed apprehension that Sisodia may be arrested soon. Manish Sisodia may be arrested; who knows I may also be arrested. All this is being done in view of Gujarat Assembly elections, he said. Kejriwal said the people of Gujarat are sad and are bearing the brunt of the arrogance of the BJP regime of last 27 years in the state. He promised quality education and health care to the people of Gujarat if his Aam Aadmi Party government comes to power in the state.

Good or bad economics? 'Freebies' divide Gujarat politicos, economists

Will BJP's promises for Gujarat fall in the freebies category or welfare schemes, asks political opponent

NCPCR seeks legal action against AAP for inducting minor as party worker

The NCPCR on Thursday sought legal action against the Aam Aadmi Party for allegedly recruiting an 11-year-old boy as a worker of their party. In a letter to Gujarat DGP, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said it has been alleged that Gopal Italia, President of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat Unit, and Isudan Gadhvi, a leader of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat, used a minor boy for political gain. "It is mentioned in the complaint that the minor has been recruited as a worker in the said political party and is being used for protests and child labour for political gains. It is further mentioned in the complaint that the minor has been used by the party to further influence other people to join the party," the child rights body said. It said that the complainant has also provided various social media links of AAP's official handles with content posted by the minor along with his complaint, proving the contents of the complaint. The Commission said that in employing a .

Rajasthan CM Gehlot's visit to Gujarat postponed due to bad weather

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot will now visit the western state on Wednesday and Friday