Page 23 - Video Gallery

Mamata accepts EC order to transfer officials

New Delhi, April 9 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accepted the Election Commission of India's (ECI's) order to transfer five Superintendents of Police (SPs) and a district magistrate. Banerjee's climbdown came after the poll panel rejected the state government's plea to revisit its decision on the transfer and gave a deadline of 10 a.m. Wednesday for it to comply with its orders. Banerjee called a press conference on Tuesday to announce her decision to agree to the transfers, but not the replacements decided by the poll panel. The officials whose transfer was ordered by the EC included superintendents of police (SPs) in West Midnapore, Bardhman, Birbhum, Malda and North 24 Parganas.

Azam Khan says Muslims, not Hindus won Kargil war, Politicos react

New Delhi/ Lucknow, April 9 (ANI): Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's controversial statement that Muslims, not Hindus won the Kargil war has invited reactions from various eminent leaders. Former SP leader Shahid Siddiqui said that such statements tend to divide the people on basis of religion and this should be rejected. Meanwhile, senior Muslim cleric Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi also condemned Azam Khan's statement saying that army should be kept away from politics. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi too slammed Khan and said that he is against such remarks. Congress Secretary KC Mittal also criticized the statement and requested everyone to maintain law and order during election time.

Narendra Modi to file nomination from Vadodara

Vadodara, April 9 (ANI): BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination from the Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday. Modi will arrive at the district collectorate's office to file his nomination papers after holding a roadshow. Thousands of police personnel have been deployed along the four-kilometre-route through which his cavalcade is passing through. Modi is also contesting from the Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Vadodara is considered a BJP stronghold with the party winning the seat by almost 1.5 lakh seats in 2008. Six of the seven assembly segments in the constituency are held by the BJP while the remaining seat is held by an independent, who is now in the BJP fold.

Will not let Narendra Modi become PM: Mulayam Singh Yadav

Aligarh, April 9 (ANI): Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has said that his party will fight all out against the BJP to prevent its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi from becoming the prime minister. Yadav, was addressing a public rally in Aligarh in a bid to garner votes for the general election.

LS Polls: Voting begins in Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar/ Dimapur/ Imphal April 9 (ANI): Polling began on Wednesday in four northeastern states, in the phase two of the nine-phase Lok Sabha elections. Voting is being held in one seat each in Nagaland and Manipur and two seats each in Arunchal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Voters have queued up outside the polling booths eagerly waited for their turn. Nagaland's lone Parliamentary seat has three candidates in the race - Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (NPF), Congress' KV Pusa and Akheu Achumi of Socialist Party (India). In the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, one of the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Manipur, an Aam Aadmi Party candidate is also in the contest, along with those of the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, Naga People's Front, NCP and JD (U).

Arunachal Pradesh begins voting for 2 Lok Sabha seats, 49 Assembly seats

Itanagar, April 9 (ANI): Polling began on Wednesday in Arunachal Pradesh for 2 Lok Sabha seats and also 49 of the 60 Assembly seats in phase two of the nine-phase Lok Sabha elections. The main contest will be between Congress and BJP but new entrant Naga Peoples Front (NPF), along with PPA and NCP are expected to put up formidable fight in several seats. The polling will be done in 2,158 voting booths across Arunachal Pradesh with 24 companies of central paramilitary forces already deployed getting the help of another 20 companies of central paramilitary forces along with over 8,000 policemen.

I fear more attacks in future: Kejriwal

New Delhi, April 08 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday that there may be more attacks on him in future and that he might also get killed. Kejriwal questioned as to why only he was being attacked and wondered as to who was the mastermind behind them. However, he added that he had forgiven all those who had attacked him. He also said that attacks on him may be due to the fact that he had disturbed the setting of the BJP and the Congress.

All who believe in politics of corruption, dishonesty are attacking Kejriwal: Somnath Bharti

New Delhi, April 08 (ANI): AAP leader Somnath Bharti on Tuesday condemned the attack on party chief Arvind Kejriwal. Bharti said those who believe in the politics of corruption and dishonesty are attacking him.

LK Advani confident of poll victory

Trivandrum, April 08 (ANI): Senior BJP leader LK Advani, on Tuesday said that he was "rejoiced" after filing his nomination papers from Gandhinagar constituency and was confident of BJP's win in the mammoth general elections as voting has begun. Addressing a rally in Trivandrum Advani expressed his confidence in his party's win in the general elections. Advani claimed large number of people had abandoned their political parties and had joined forces with the BJP.

Congress fields Ajay Rai from Varanasi against Narendra Modi

New Delhi, April 08 (ANI): Ending days of speculation over its candidate from Varanasi, the Congress on Tuesday fielded local MLA Ajai Rai against BJP's Narendra Modi from the constituency. Rai, a legislator in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, will take on not only Modi, but also but also Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Shashi Tharoor: Worked on 475 small projects

In conversation with Govindraj Ethiraj, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor talks about politics as well as his personal life. Listen in.

BJP releases manifesto, Politicos condemn 'Ram Mandir' part among others

New Delhi/ Patna/ Kolkata, April 07 (ANI): As BJP released its manifesto with the commencement of general elections in Tripura and Assam, politicos condemned 'Ram mandir' part among others mentioned in the same. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that they have copied a lot from Congress' manifesto. He also said that no constitution allows demolition of any temple or mosque. Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh also condemned it and said that BJP has always advertised the name of Ram and caste. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi also lashed out at BJP manifesto. Meanwhile, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said that under the guise of Constitution, BJP is coming out with their old 'Ram Mandir' slogan.

VHP on BJP's manifesto

Kanpur, April 7 (ANI): VHP leader Prakash Sharma on Monday welcomed the manifesto released by the BJP. Talking about the issue of Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya, Sharma said that at least there is one party that has boldly said that it will facilitate the temple's construction. The BJP, in its manifesto, has said that it has given commitment to explore all possibilities to facilitate the Ram Mandir's construction within the Constitutional framework.

Ajit Gulabchand: Job creation needs to be addressed

In conversation with Govindraj Ethiraj, Ajit Gulabchand says that for the youth we need to create jobs double the size of America

Rajnath says promises will be fulfilled as BJP releases manifesto

New Delhi, April 7 (ANI): BJP President Rajnath Singh, during the manifesto release ceremony on Monday said that the promises made in the manifesto will be fulfilled by the party once it comes to power. Further Rajnath also congratulated senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi and other party members responsible for forming the manifesto, which Rajnath said was quite impressive. Singh also stated that BJP will bring a change in the country as is being demanded by the people.

Good governance development essence of BJP manifesto: Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Apr 7 (ANI): During the BJP manifesto release ceremony for the general elections on Monday, Party's PM Candidate Narendra Modi said that good governance and development are at the core of the manifesto and also added that they will work for the same.

BJP releases election manifesto as 2014 poll begins

New Delhi, April 07 (ANI): BJP on Monday released its election manifesto for the general elections which commenced today with Tripura and Assam going for polls, promising "modern, prosperous and vibrant India based on ethos and values". Releasing the manifesto, party leader Murli Manohar Joshi said that BJP consulted people from all sections of society before finalising the manifesto. The much-awaited manifesto summarized basic issues facing the nation today, including price rise, health, security, employment, black money, policy paralysis and poor delivery or services, among others.

Rahul Gandhi lashed out at BJP for trying to divide people on communal lines

New Delhi, April 07 (ANI): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launches a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party over its attempt to "divide the society on communal lines". In a bid to garner votes ahead of general elections, Gandhi alleged that former Delhi government headed by Aam Aadmi Party chose an escapist route and shrugged off their responsibilities. Gandhi further, slammed BJP for trying to project Modi as the answer to all the issues faced by the people of the country. Gandhi also added that he would continue his fight for 33 percent reservation for women empowerment.

Two FIRs lodged against Amit Shah, EC ensured action

Kolkata, April 07 (ANI): Trouble mounts for BJP leader Amit Shah after Bijnor authorities lodged second FIR against him for his 'hate speech' in the district, and the outburst is under the scrutiny of the Election Commission. Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath ensured of action against Shah if he is found guilty of making alleged hate speech. While addressing voters for parliament polls in Bijnor, Shah allegedly said it was an election for honour and to take revenge for the insult heaped on them. The BJP leader also added that it was an election to teach a lesson to those who did injustice.

Congress alone can counter BJP's 'divisive ideology': Manmohan Singh

Kochi, April 07 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lashing out at Bharatiya Janata Party, said that the Congress alone could counter the "divisive ideology" of BJP and its misleading propaganda against the ruling government in handling graft cases as well as developmental issues. Singh addressed a public rally in Kochi in Kerala endorsing the economic development achieved during the Congress led UPA government. While addressing the rally, Singh also took jibes at the Left saying that its stock was bound to dwindle further in the future unless they changed in tune with the times.