Rahul confident of return of Congress Government

NEW DELHI, May 11: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi appeared confident that his party will form the next government at the Centre, and claimed the BJP's "disrespect" of the election commission (EC) reflected the saffron party's nervousness about the outcome of the polls.

"It is sad to see the BJP's disregard of national institutions such as the EC. This attitude does not bode well", Gandhi said.

The principal opposition party has been scathing in its criticism of the poll body this week with BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi accusing it of doing "unlawful things" at the behest of the Congress after the EC denied Modi permission to hold a rally in Varanasi on Thursday.

Gandhi claimed that while the BJP was better at "marketing itself", the electorate trusts the Congress more than communal parties. "Let us not forget that the wisdom of the Indian voter can easily see through campaigns like India Shining," Gandhi said.

Calling the BJP's campaign "high on noise", Gandhi admitted that the Congress' marketing abilities weren't as good as the "advertising blitz" of the saffron party. He, however, stressed that the Congress was more capable of working on the ground and delivering programs. "The Congress understands the needs of the people, particularly those who are poor and disadvantaged", Gandhi said.

The Congress vice-president said that the UPA's strength was its "transformative politics" that delivered the benefits of growth to every Indian. "I am confident that the voters will give a mandate to an inclusive, fair and unifying government that the Congress party offers", he said.

When asked if Congress' prospects suffered due to UPA'S perceived failure to rein in prices, Gandhi stressed that "price rise was an issue in every election for the incumbent".

"However, the UPA delivered the highest average 10-year growth in the history of India", he said.

But the Congress vice-president avoided a direct response when asked if the Congress would have been better served if he had become PM a year ago. "The UPA government had been led very ably by Manmohan Singh," was his response.

Rubbishing talk of a "policy paralysis" of the UPA government, Gandhi said the Congress was committed to decentralisation and devolving powers to the people. "The UPA introduced an unprecedented rights-based framework of legislations over the past decade", he elaborated.

Amethi won’t forgive Modi for insulting my father: Priyanka

AMETHI, May 6: Taking strong exception to Narendra Modi’s remarks against her family at his rally in the Nehru-Gandhi bastion of Amethi on Monday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the people of Amethi would give Modi and the BJP a befitting reply for insulting her martyr-father late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Modi said at his rally that Rajiv Gandhi had practised the politics of anger – a charge made against Modi by Rahul Gandhi during these elections – by humiliating the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh to the extent of bringing tears to his eyes when the CM had gone to the Hyderabad airport to receive Rajiv, who was then a Congress general secretary.

Priyanka’s counter-attack on Modi came within hours of Modi’s rally in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of her brother and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

“They have insulted my martyr-father. The people of Amethi will not forgive them for this,” Priyanka said in a statement released to mediapersons here.

“My booth workers will give a befitting reply to the low level of their politics. This reply will come from each and every booth of Amethi,” she said.

Earlier in the day, it was business as usual for Priyanka on the last day of campaigning in Amethi.

Priyanka, who flew back to Delhi minutes before Modi’s rally began, visited some villages which had not been covered during the Congress campaign, interacted with residents and accepted their greetings before winding up the campaign.

All the while, Priyanka, who had camped here to campaign for Rahul, appeared unconcerned about Modi’s rally. She left the Munshiganj guesthouse around noon to go to the villages she had not visited earlier. On the way, she stopped briefly at many places to meet people waiting on the roadside in large numbers.

As Priyanka’s fleet moved from village to village, her son Rehan was seen watching her from the rear seat of her car.

Priyanka began her day at the Munshiganj guesthouse by meeting booth-level workers, giving last-minute touches to the party’s strategy and even supervising the distribution of booth kits to those in charge of nearly 1,200 polling booths of Amethi. She also chatted with journalists in two separate groups.

Rahul confident of forming Congress Government

AMETHI (Uttar Pradesh), May 5: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has expressed confidence that the Congress would get required number of seats to form the next Government. He also ruled out the possibility of his party supporting the Third Front to form the government.

While replying to queries on whether his party will explore post-election tie-ups with a Third Front to form the government, Rahul Gandhi said "We will not support any front."

"We will get the required number (of seats)," he said.

Rahul's remarks are significant as they came a day after CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said a repeat of the 1996-like situation is possible and the Congress may be forced to support a government of secular parties at the Centre to keep the BJP out of power.

Also, Samajwadi Party leaders have been claiming that they would be getting support of Congress in formation of Third Front government.

On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi held a roadshow in his constituency where he said he has a familial relationship with the area and will always work for its development.

"I always get an overwhelming response in Amethi, I have family ties with this place. My relationship with Amethi is based on love and I will give my whole life to Amethi," he said.

A large number of Congress supporters gathered to catch a glimpse of Mr Gandhi and his sister Priyanka, who accompanied him in the roadshow. The vehicle carrying them moved slowly during the 2 km journey as the huge crowd waved Congress flags and shouted slogans eulogising Rahul Gandhi. Some enthusiastic supporters also showered rose petals at them.

Priyanka has been aggressively seeking support for Rahul. She has also been campaigning for her mother in neighbouring Raebareli.

This was the second roadshow by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in the constituency. Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi as well as Priyanka, staged a roadshow ahead of filing his nomination for the constituency on pril 12.

Though Gandhi has been representing Amethi in the Lok Sabha since 2004, he is facing a tough contest this time. While the BJP has fielded actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani from Amethi, Aam Aadmi Party's Kumar Vishwas, a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, is the party's candidate from the constituency which has come to be regarded as a Gandhi family bastion. Amethi votes on May 7.

You are PM-aspirant, why do you indulge in childish behaviour? Priyanka

NEW DELHI, April 30: Priyanka Gandhi has slammed BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi calling his behaviour 'childish'.

"Your aim is to become the Prime Minister of the country, so why do you indulge in childish attacks?" Priyanka said on Tuesday in Amethi referring to Modi's 'shahjada' and other barbs at Rahul Gandhi.

"You should understand the dignity of the position you are aiming for," Priyanka said without taking Modi's name.

Campaigning for Rahul, Priynaka invoked former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to seek votes for her brother.

She also attacked BJP candidate Smriti Irani and said, "some leaders sit in closed rooms with reporters and pass value judgment on development in Amethi."

"These leaders are not interested in ensuring development," she said calling Smriti an 'armchair politician'.

Ahmed Patel: Congress, allies will get majority

NEW DELHI, April 30: Congress leader Ahmed Patel has asserted that Congress along with its allies will get a majority on its own.

Patel has consistently said that Congress, along with its allies, will get a majority. "My confidence gets only stronger as we near the home stretch." He added that he was "not authorized to craft the party's stance on his own".

"The feedback that we have been getting from our units across the country has been very encouraging, and shows that people have again seen through the BJP's deception game," he further said.

Patel, political secretary to Sonia Gandhi, said the party's stand on alliances was decided by the Congress president in consultation with other party leaders.

BJP scrambling like panic-stricken rats: Priyanka Gandhi

RAE BARELI, April 28: Priyanka Vadra on Sunday once again led the Congress charge against BJP and Narendra Modi, saying the opposition party was scrambling like "panic-stricken rats". She also told the BJP's PM nominee that one did not need a 56-inch chest to run the country but a big heart and compassion.

Sporadic interventions by other leaders notwithstanding, Priyanka has been leading the line ever since she started campaigning in the family boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli, repeatedly taking on the BJP. In the last leg of the poll campaign, the war-of-words has turned into a Priyanka versus Modi affair as her speeches are aimed at launching a counter-offensive against BJP's PM candidate.

Priyanka has been playing a force multiplier for Rahul and Sonia and is getting big attention from TV channels.

Taking a dig at Modi, she said, "It takes a big heart and compassion, not a 56-inch chest, to run India. It doesn't take brute force to run this country, it takes internal and moral strength, even a determination to lay one's life for the unity of the country."

Reacting to Priyanka's remarks, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "Calling BJP rats is abusive politics. They have taken democratic discourse to such a low and they have now distorted democracy and hurt democracy."

Another BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Priyanka was Congress's only hope but they had wasted her by wheeling her out at a time when they were destined to lose.

At a rally in Gorakhpur, Modi had said it took a 56-inch chest - like his - to convert UP into Gujarat. The swipe, largely aimed at Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, was picked up by Priyanka on Sunday and used to Congress's advantage.

Referring to the use of brute force, Priyanka also made a quiet, but arched reference to the 2002 Godhra riots.

Priyanka called India a country of Mahatma Gandhi, where tribals and dalits had also laid their lives for the nation's unity. She said it was this culture of unity that she had inherited. "This is the blood that flows through my veins," she said.

Repeatedly telling people, as she has over her campaign trails, to protect and preserve the culture of unity in India, Priyanka warned people of the divisive forces at work, out to spread hate and divide people on the lines of caste, religion and community.

She said, "Vote for development, but also think about strengthening this country.

Don't limit your vision, think of your sisters, the youth. What kind of country do you want? This is a country that believes in mutual coexistence, it needs a government that will keep them together."

Building the momentum of the electoral campaign ahead of April 30 polls in Sonia's constituency, Priyanka urged people to vote for the Congress. Telling people about the drastic improvements that Sonia had brought to Rae Bareli, Priyanka said, "People have the power to lead political parties on the right path. Rahul and Sonia's politics is about empowering your hands. Everyone in my family, from Jawaharlal Nehru downwards, knew we are nothing without the support of the people. You make us. You matter. Nothing else is of any consequence."

TMC calls Modi ‘Butcher of Gujarat’ who couldn't 'take care of his wife'

SERAMPORE (WEST BENGAL), April 28: Trinamool Congress heaped scorn on Narendra Modi, calling him the "Butcher of Gujarat", in an angry retaliation to his no-holds barred attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Butcher of Gujarat air-dropped into Bengal. He has no answers to Bengal's development model. So, making personal attacks," TMC Spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in a series of tweets lambasting the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate after the latter's fresh attack on the party supremo at a rally in Serampore earlier in the day.

"The Butcher of Gujarat could not take care of his own wife. How will he take care of this great nation?," he tweeted.

Firing a salvo at Banerjee for the second time in the past three weeks after adopting a soft approach two months ago, Modi raked up the Saradha scam and said he did not expect this from the Trinamool supremo.

"Saradha is the other name of Saraswati, she is worshipped everywhere, and this Saradha turned into a chit fund? Mamataji, we did not expect this from you," he said.

"Personally, I have always respected you. But what have you done, you have broken the dreams of the people of Bengal," Modi said. "So much lust for the chair? The people of Bengal had so much expectations from you and gave you so much love and you could have done so much for the state, but you are doing what the Left had been doing. "You are walking on their footsteps only. You have imbibed the bad things of both the Left and the Congress," Modi said.

Saradha scam has become a hot poll issue in the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Sarcastically lauding Banerjee's talent for painting, he said, "your paintings used to be sold for Rs 4 lakh, 8 lakh or 15 lakh, but what is the reason that one of your paintings sold for Rs 1.80 crore. I respect art. "But who was the person who bought the painting for Rs 1.80 crore," he said.

"Who all have bought her paintings, for what price they bought it, suddenly how they found out your talent, this the people of Bengal want to know. "If for this your image has suffered blemishes, then the people of Bengal, who are known to be ardent lovers of art, where art is worshipped, then the people of Bengal will not tolerate if art is sold in the hands of thieves," Modi said.

Reacting to Modi's allegation in connection with the paintings, O'Brien tweeted, "Paintings were sold not for personal gain. Money used for good causes as well as to fund elections. Hence electoral reforms a priority."

In another tweet, he said, "Butcher of Gujarat says Didi pocketed Rs 1.8 crore by selling one painting of hers. He should prove it or face defamation." O"Brien later said Modi was making personal and unsubstantiated attacks at Trinamool. The war of words between Modi and Banerjee, just ahead of the next phase of polling only hints that there's little chance of the two leaders being able to reconcile following the elections.

Banerjee, at one time a part of the National Democratic Alliance, could have been considered as a potential ally after the elections in the event of the BJP falling short of a majority. However, the West Bengal Chief Minister has shown no inclination towards the NDA and has instead in the past touted the chances of a 'Federal Front' alliance.

I am proud to be a Hindu, asserts Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI, April 28: BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was proud to be a Hindu but would like to see himself as an Indian first.

In an interview, Modi said, "I would like to see myself as an Indian first and foremost, I am a Hindu by faith and I am proud of the faith I belong to. I love my country. So you can say that I am a patriot."

Though Modi had called himself a Hindu nationalist only a few months back in a similar interview, his expression of pride in his faith is an assertion of the Sangh Parivar slogan "Garv Se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain" (say with pride that we are Hindus). It's a saffron theme that the Parivar traces back to Swami Vivekanand, a Hindu monk who ranks high in Modi's pantheon.

Modi, in fact, made the assertion while answering a question about his 'Hindu nationalist' statement in July last year. He has, however, maintained since that the government has only one religion — "India First". He was asked if he saw a contradiction there.

In a recent interview to a news channel, Modi had said the government was run according to the Constitution and not by the ideology of any organization (reference to RSS). He said he would take everyone along and work for their development.

Modi's interview has come at a time when polling on 349 seats are over with 194, including Varanasi, still to go.

Sharpening his attack on Congress, Modi said the party was "hiding in the bunker of secularism" as it had failed on all parameters of governance. Modi said Congress was fighting for its survival with even a 100-seat mark in the new Lok Sabha appearing "an uphill task for it".

Modi's secularism barb was in reaction to Congress president Sonia Gandhi's accusation that his election campaign was a "dangerous combination of religious fanaticism, power and money". "Its last hope is to somehow cross the 100-seat mark which now appears an uphill task for it," Modi said.

Responding to Sonia's dig that he was promising to make India a paradise, he said, "I have never claimed that I will make India a paradise and that I have solutions to all problems. I am sure even people do not expect this from me." People of India were not looking forward to miracles but "they certainly deserve a stable, decisive and sensitive government," he said.

Asked about recent attacks on him by Priyanka Gandhi who had accused him of humiliating her family and husband Robert Vadra, the BJP leader said as a daughter and sister she had the right to campaign for her mother and her brother. "It is natural that a daughter would like to defend her mother. A sister would like to defend her brother. I do not have any problems with that," Modi said.

Modi reiterated that the issue of Vadra's land deals would not be treated with a sense of vendetta and witch-hunt that he had been subjected to by the Congress in the past 10 years. He said that law would take its own course.

Priyanka tears into 'snoopgate' Modi

RAE BARELI, April 23: Priyanka Gandhi took centrestage in the Congress campaign on Wednesday by raking up 'snoopgate' as she stepped up her attack on BJP leader Narendra Modi who she accused of eavesdropping on telephone conversations of women.

A day after she countered Modi's allegations that her husband Robert Vadra had amassed a fortune in land deals due to his connection with the Gandhi family, Priyanka asked voters to reject leaders who did not respect women.

"Some parties talk about empowerment of women but do not say exactly how they will do it. But you should ask these people if they think empowering women means eavesdropping on conversations women have in their homes," Priyanka told an audience of women leaders.

Responding to the jibe, Modi hit back at a rally in Gujarat, saying, "I am facing muck and lies every day for the last 14 years, but have never left the path of truth. But someone (Priyanka) can't even face a little public criticism."

Taking a dig at Priyanka's comment that attacks on Vadra will make her stronger, Modi said, "It's not a matter of them becoming stronger. They have become strongest in last 60 years, but the issue is to make the country stronger."

Though she has limited herself to the family bastions of Rae Bareli and Amethi, Priyanka's move to take on Modi, first over Vadra and now on snoopgate, has seen her upstage brother Rahul Gandhi over the past two days.

With TV playing her speeches live, Priyanka's bid to challenge Modi, who has been taunting the Gandhis on a daily basis, put her in the front line of Congress's poll battle that has so far largely been led by Rahul.

Speaking in a suggestive tone, Priyanka said, "You must be knowing (about snoopgate), isn't it? If there are such political leaders who indulge in wrong acts against women, they should be thrown out of parties."

Though she did not name Modi, the reference to the controversy over surveillance of a young woman architect, allegedly at the behest of the Gujarat chief minister, was plain and obvious.

Priyanka also questioned why women need be seen only as mothers, sisters or wives, saying,"When there is talk about women's empowerment, you must have seen, a lot of leaders come and speak on the issue. It is always about the role of a woman as mother, sister, daughter or wife. This is fine. I too am a mother, sister, daughter and wife. But that is not our 'astitva' (existence). We are 'nari' (women) and that is our existence."

In a more conventional vein, Priyanka hit out at BJP as a divisive force and asked voters to elect Sonia Gandhi as that would serve their interests best. She spoke of UPA's decisions like food security and rural employment.

Looking to hit a vulnerable spot in the Modi campaign, Priyanka said BJP was making "hollow" promises in the name of women's empowerment and targeted the Gujarat chief minister for being presented as one individual who could sort out all problems.

"Congress has fought for the rights of people. It believes that the people of the country should be empowered instead of a few people," she said, adding that BJP's ideology was "vinashak" (destructive) in nature, and bad for the secular fabric of the country.

Only Congress can ensure development, says Rahul

MUMBAI, April 20: Lashing out at the BJP for indulging in divisive politics and misleading Indian people, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said only the Congress can ensure all-round development and progress in the country.

Addressing his first rally in Mumbai at the suburban BKC Grounds, Gandhi targeted Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for making false claims.

"Modi wants Hindus and Muslims to fight. What happens after the riots? You, the poor suffer, they go home. We want everybody to live and work harmoniously for the country's progress. That is the difference between them and us," Gandhi said.

Assuring that only the Congress could ensure all-round development of the country with the fruits of progress reaching the poor, he said Modi's thinking was different.

"He believes that only two-three industrialists should benefit, while the poor should remain where they are. He has given away 45,000 acres of land, the equivalent of Thane city to a group at Re.1 per square metre. This is the Gujarat model of development," Gandhi said.

Referring to Modi's slogan of "empowering women", Gandhi said that in Gujarat, women's phone calls were tapped, while in Bangalore BJP workers assaulted women.

"Women in the country are strong and don't need any 'empowerment'. Just give them respect, the rest will automatically follow," Gandhi said amid applause.

He said if the UPA is voted to power, it would first take up the issue of 33 percent reservation for women which has been stalled by the opposition in parliament.

"We shall open 2,000 all-women police stations and give 25 percent police jobs to women. Only then will India become a superpower," Gandhi said.

Enumerating the government's achievements, he said that in the 10 years of UPA, food security was assured to all poor people.

He assured that the UPA plans to go ahead and give benefits of all types of expensive surgeries to the deprived sections, guaranteed housing and jobs to youth, and uplifting the maximum number of poor to the middle class.

"But, when Modi came to Mumbai, he only said there should be a university for acting. He forgot the poor, only remembered Bollywood," Gandhi said.

He also said the textile industry is in doldrums in Gujarat, while the diamond industry is facing crisis and one out of every two children is hungry.

"In fact, compared to the NDA, the UPA has constructed three times more roads, generated two times more power. But they don't see all this development. They want the poor to remain where they are, we want the poor to progress along with the nation," he said.

Rahul Gandhi's unscheduled rally came after his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi cancelled her state election tour due to ill health.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, union ministers Sushilkumar Shinde, Milind Deora and Rajiv Shukla, city Congress chief J. Chandurkar and state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre were also present at the rally.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar could not make it due to technical problems in his helicopter.

Haryana’s biggest khap panchayat scripts history, allows inter-caste marriages

CHANDIGARH: Scripting history by bringing about changes in the norms pertaining to marriages, Haryana's biggest khap panchayat called by Satrol khap in Hisar on Sunday gave a go-ahead to inter-caste marriages that have in the past triggered bloody killings in the state and surrounding regions.

The khaps, in the name of tradition, have been opposed to inter-caste marriages, inter-village marriages (that is, within a radius of 42 villages) as well as same-gotra marriages. With Sunday's meeting, a substantial swathe under Satrol khap will henceforth allow inter-caste marriages as well as weddings between families from villages within the radius of 42 villages — though marriages within the same village and immediate bordering villages remain banned. Same-gotra marriages too remain barred, and the weddings can take place only with parental consent.

The reform is significant and represents the first moderation in the hitherto unyielding opposition of khaps to inter-caste and inter-village marriages. These rules have led to persecution of couples, suicides, honor killings and caste conflicts in rural belts, and even forced bachelors to get brides from other states. The largest number of killings has occurred owing to inter-caste marriages, followed by same village (42 village radius) marriages, followed by same-gotra marriages.

Satrol panchayat covers 36 castes in 42 villages spread over 250 sq km area of Narnaund village of Hisar district and has 60 per cent population of jats, who would be able to marry into different castes subject to parental approval. Barring members of Petgaon tapa (a cluster of villages), all delegates unanimously approved the resolution redefining jurisdiction and permitting inter-caste marriages.

"This is the only way out to keep our old traditions alive. Instead of getting a bride from outside the state who takes time to adjust, we preferred to prune the jurisdiction of prohibited areas. This will bring revolutionary change in Haryana," said Satrol khap president Inder Singh Subedar.

Bibipur sarpanch and president of Nogama khap Sunil Jaglan, who was a special invitee, termed the step "revolutionary". "Now, khaps will be seen in positive sense. We really appreciate this; it will usher in more changes," said Jaglan, who also represents the voice of youth.

Neelam Jain, a research scholar in Delhi University who has worked in several Haryana villages, termed it a progressive decision and an initiative to weed out social wrongs created by misunderstandings and misconceptions.

Dr Om Parkash Dhankar, Sarv khap panchayat coordinator and Haryana Dhankar khap president welcomed the decision. "This will further strengthen our fight for amendment in Hindu Marriage Act to bar same-gotra and same-village marriages," he said.

Modi favours few industrialists: Rahul

GAURIGANJ, April 12: Attacking the Gujarat model of development, Rahul Gandhi has accused Narendra Modi of favouring a few industrialists, one of whom has grown from a turnover of Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore.

During an interview with a news channel telecast on Saturday night, Rahul did not name any industrial house in this regard but has recent days been attacking the Adani group perceived close to the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate.

Without explicitly mentioning the group by name, the Congress vice president alluded to it when he said, "land equal to Vadodara was given to him. Do you know for how much? For Rs 300 crore. Coastline equal to Mumbai was also given to him."

Vadodara has an area of 149 square kilometers and the Mumbai coastline is 167 km long.

"When Gujarat grew, it was because of the small industries, because of movements like Amul and that is its strength. Now you see the Gujarat model, the turnover of one industrialist has grown from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore," the Congress Vice President said.

He went on to add that Modi's economic model is that the "entire money of the state should be given to two-three persons. This mindset is also dangerous for the country. I keep fighting against such mindset."

Though he did not name the Adani group, Rahul has in the recent days been attacking it.

Slamming Modi's development model, he said "the reality of Gujarat is that two-three industrialists are prospering" while people are dying in the state. "Their (Modi's) focus is on benefitting three-four industrialists so that there is trickle-down effect. Trickle-down effect happened in the US also and it has gone bust," the Congress leader said.

He insisted that UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh had performed better than NDA even though there was slowdown in growth briefly because of global recession.

While listing a number of programmes and achievements of the UPA government, he said, "The reality is that we have been in power for 10 years... There will be little bit of anti-incumbency."

When pointed out that the election campaign had become personal, Rahul said he has "no interest in personal attacks and I don't indulge in that."

He added, "Narendra Modiji is a person. He has his issues. I have nothing to do with that. But he represents an ideology. This ideology pits one Indian against another Indian. That is dangerous for the country. My fight is against this ideology."

On the issue of corruption, he said it is a reality but it is time to stop talking and start action against it by building institutional frameworks.

He insisted that the UPA government and he himself had been working in this direction through initiatives like RTI, Lokpal, Land Acquisition Bill and MNREGA.

Targeting BJP in this regard, he said its manifesto talks about corruption but "show me one line which says what it will do.... Talking is one thing, doing is another thing."

"To fight corruption in reality is a long fight, I am doing it and will do," Rahul said.

He admitted that Congress was not matching BJP in the media blitz but maintained that he believes in the actual work.

Noting that the future of India is optimistic, he said the country is actually progressing well and "if we work with love, we will overtake China. But if we fight... the growth will stop."

Targeting Modi, the Congress leader said the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate says "all the decision-making should be bestowed with him and he will become 'chowkidar'."

Comparing this with his model, he highlighted the process of choosing candidates through the primaries system.

When it was pointed out that a candidate chosen by the primaries system in Gujarat had opted out finally, Rahul said the entire idea cannot be dismissed by one anomaly.

He said his idea, modelled on the US system, had charged up the cadres.

To a question on unparliamentarily language used by leaders of Samajwadi Party, he said "extremism of any kind is dangerous" and "we are fighting against SP in UP."

Asked about his marriage, he said he would marry when he finds the right girl. "It is a matter of destiny."

India's watershed moment will have global ripples

By Daniel Twining

Indian voters have lived through a decade of lackluster Congress party rule, blighted by corruption and eight straight quarters of comparatively weak economic growth. After near double-digit expansion in the early 2000s, the recent pace of less than 5% annually seems indefensible for a country with such potential -- albeit one in which every other child suffers from malnutrition. Restoring economic vigor through good governance and decisive reform will be the clear mandate of the electoral victor on May 16.

For the region and the world, India's revitalization under a new leader would be felt far beyond its borders. The government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is investing heavily in India as a counterweight to China -- and an alternative investment destination for Japanese companies rattled by China's authoritarian nationalism.

Southeast Asian states, meanwhile, want a strong India as a player in regional security alongside the U.S., China and Japan. Beijing knows it cannot claim to speak for Asia when a neighbor of 1.3 billion people contests its leadership. And any true U.S. "pivot" to Asia must be anchored by robust partnerships with the predominant powers of the Indo-Pacific littoral -- India and Japan. Beyond security, the world economy would unquestionably benefit from the return of India, and its billion-plus consumers, as an engine of global growth. In short, there is more at stake for Indian voters than their own domestic politics.

Polling by the independent Pew Research Center shows voters prefer Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party over the ruling Congress by more than three to one. According to Pew, Modi enjoys majority support from upper- and lower-caste Indians, rural and urban voters, and Indians in both the populous north and wealthier south. By more than two to one, voters rate the BJP highly for its ability to manage the key challenges confronting the country, from inflation and corruption to terrorism.

Yet nothing is straightforward in such a populous society. If previous elections are any guide, nearly half the voters will support the regional parties that govern India's largest states -- parties that will play kingmaker in any coalition government. Given their particularistic agendas, such parties could put the BJP in a policy straitjacket in the event of an alliance, dashing hopes for bold change. One in 10 Indians supports the protest-movement-turned Common Man Party of Arvind Kejriwal, which wants to end politics-as-usual, with their associated nepotism and corruption.

At the same time, Congress enjoys a formidable grass-roots network, as well as the lingering power of the dynastic politics it has perversely embedded at the center of the world's largest democracy.

Modi's baggage

As the son of a tea seller who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, Modi appeals because he is no princeling. He also boasts an impressive governing record. His state of Gujarat produces about one-quarter of India's exports. Its base of industry and infrastructure more closely resembles China than the rest of India. Gujarat's economic growth has outpaced India's for the last six years. Modi promises to bring this record of decisive, technocratic governance -- and its economic fruits -- to all of India.

He makes a convincing case. But he also has baggage -- the killing of hundreds of Muslims in Gujarat that occurred on his watch in 2002. Modi has abandoned fiery Hindu nationalist rhetoric in favor of a development agenda he argues has benefited Muslims as much as Hindus in Gujarat. He understands that open sectarianism does not win national elections. Unfortunately, other BJP leaders seem enamored of the "clash-of-civilizations" approach to voter mobilization.

Meanwhile, Congress remains an unnatural home to many who do not support its socialism but fear the specter of communalism. Even so, anxious voters seem ready to accept Modi's past in return for his promise to deliver the economic goods.

Policy hat trick

Regardless of India's external orientation, a return to dynamic growth through infrastructure investment and deregulation will have international implications. Still, the nation's foreign policy will be shaped by the ambitions of the man at the top, and hints about those ambitions are intriguing.

The last BJP prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared India and the U.S. "natural allies" after decades of alienation. His government conducted nuclear tests to balance China's military power and opened the door to U.S.-India defense cooperation. Vajpayee also sought detente with Pakistan, bulletproofed by his hawkishness against charges of appeasement. This policy trifecta -- a strategic partnership with America, strengthened deterrence against China and an opening to Pakistan -- would be a neat hat trick for Modi to recreate, if he wins the election. He should also build on the deeper strategic cooperation India's current government has developed with Japan, a partnership that could be a game-changer for Asia. These policies would enjoy popular support: Most Indians view the U.S. and Japan favorably, see danger in China's growing power and fear instability in Pakistan.

Modi lauds Vajpayee's foreign policy as the right blend of shanti and shakti -- peace and power. He promises to vigorously resist China's "mindset of expansion," including its claims to Arunachal Pradesh. His vision for U.S.-India relations remains opaque, tinged by a visa ban Washington imposed following the Gujarat violence. But he will certainly seek greater American trade and investment to catalyze Indian growth. This may be enough: the best way to restore momentum to U.S.-India relations is to get India growing again, making it a more attractive partner to the world's superpower.

This election may prove to be a turning point in India's political history. A new "politics of aspiration," to use the journalist Shekhar Gupta's phrase, may replace the old "politics of grievance," which was about redistributing the economic pie rather than growing it. The emergent urban, youthful, middle class India -- the India of 900 million mobile connections -- will displace the old rural peasantry as the decisive demographic.

The revolution of expectations among India's aspiring masses means the hardest task confronting India's politicians will not be winning power. It will be meeting the surging demand for change.

-- Daniel Twining is senior fellow for Asia at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He previously served as a member of the U.S. secretary of state's Policy Planning Staff and as the foreign policy adviser to U.S. Senator John McCain.

BJP sticks to Ram Temple, abrogation of Art 370, Uniform Civil Code in its manifesto

NEW DELHI, April 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in the presence of senior leaders LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj and party president Rajnath Singh. The document brought back the issues of Ram temple, abrogation of Art 370 and Uniform Civil Code that have been given up by the Vajpayee government some 16 years ago.

The manifesto that was released on the first day of polling brought in criticism from the national parties that called it violation of model code of conduct.

The document, released by its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi among others at the party headquarters in new Delhi, also pledged to provide good governance and inclusive development and said "this is a new beginning for our country".

The Election Commission has blocked the release of the BJP's manifesto in Assam and Tripura as the first phase of polling is underway in these two northeastern states.

In its 52-page election manifesto, the saffron party raised the main slogans of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" (One India, best India) and "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas".

Senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who headed the BJP manifesto committee, told reporters that the focus is on five Ts in the party's manifesto - talent, tourism, trade, tradition and technology.

"Our country has moved backwards in the last 10 years. The BJP manifesto focuses on things that will help the country bounce back," Joshi said.

The release of the manifesto which came on the opening day of the nine-phased Lok Sabha elections drawing criticism from rivals.

There was speculation that Modi had reservations over the document drafted by Joshi and that the pet themes of Sangh parivar may not figure in it in view of Modi's stress on development in the current campaign.

Contentious issues like construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and enactment of Uniform Civil Code have been included in the BJP's election manifesto.

"BJP reiterates its stand to explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya," the manifesto, delayed by a fortnight, said.

Asked about the reported differences within the party over inclusion of the Ram Temple issue, Joshi said "whatever is there is there in the manifesto. If you want to write something on the basis of your own perceptions, you are free to do".

Asked if the party was trying to confuse voters by including Ram Temple and whether this could be called raking up Hindutva, Joshi said, "this has nothing to do with Hindutva or athva (otherwise). This is only a promise of development programme."

He said Hindutva has never been an election issue and added the manifesto was based on issues of development and governance.

"We have put it in the section on "Cultural Heritage". What is culturally important for us we have said," Joshi said referring to the promise on Ram Temple.

He added the issue had been included in the previous election manifesto too and the party's stand remained unchanged.

On Uniform Civil Code, the manifesto said Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as one of the directive principles of the state policy.

"BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time India adopts a UCC which protects the rights of all women and the BJP reiterates its stand to draft a UCC drawing upon the best traditions and harmonising them with modern times," said the document.

Dealing with Article 370 in the chapter on Jammu and Kashmir, the manifesto said "the BJP reiterates its stand on the constitution provision and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this article."

Return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the land of their ancestors with full dignity, security and assured livelihood will figure high on the BJP's agenda, it said.

In the "Cultural Heritage" section, the manifesto says that Ram Setu is part of India's cultural heritage and also of strategic importance due to its vast thorium deposits. These facts will be taken into consideration while taking any decision on Sethusamudram channel project.

Haryana does not need Gujarat model: Rahul Gandhi

By Deepak Arora

PANIPAT/SIRSA, April 6 – Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday told the people of Haryana that their state does not need the ‘Gujarat model’ to grow and that such a model would be detrimental to the interests of the poor, farmers and backward classes. He also cautioned the voters against being misled by the big speeches and false dreams marketed by the BJP.

“Only a day is left for polling, and the BJP manifesto is nowhere in sight. Their leaders make big speeches and sell big dreams, but they haven’t presented the manifesto to the people. They are selling the Gujarat model but Haryana does not need Gujarat model. Be it wheat production or the number of sportspersons from Haryana, the state is ahead of Gujarat,” said Mr. Gandhi, adding that the BJP does not believe in listening to the people.

He addressed two rallies in the state,one at Panipat and the other at Sirsa.

The Congress Party released its manifesto more than ten days ago,after wide consultations with people from all over the country. Close to 5 lakh people gave their inputs for the manifesto. Congress Vice President himself held close to 40 meetings with different groups, such as rickshaw pullers, farmers, coolies, daily wage labourers, among others, to seek their views and inputs.

Mr Gandhi said that the BJP’s balloon will burst again, just like it happened in 2004 and 2009. “After the elections, BJP leaders will question why they wasted so much money on marketing this model” he told a massive rally in Sirsa. He also charged the BJP of adopting double standards on corruption, as it conveniently overlooks the corruption in the states governed by it.

Mr. Gandhi also said that while the Congress believes in listening to and taking everybody along, the BJP divides people and spreads anger. He also elaborated on the plans of the Congress Party for the future. “Our plan is to bring 70 crore people into the middle class in the next five years. We will provide right to shelter and healthcare. We are building industrial corridors which will generate millions of jobs for the youth. We will make more colleges and universities and ensure there is space for the poor in these institutions,” he said at the rally in Panipat.

He added that the Congress Party has worked for the welfare and benefit of farmers, labourers and other backward sections of the society in the last ten years. “The money that you receive now for your agricultural produce is the highest historically. We waived farmer loans worth Rs. 70,000 crore. We fought the battle for your land and ensured that you get four times the market rate. When we wanted to pass these bills, the BJP opposed them vehemently,” he said.

Women unsafe in Gujarat; police follows them: Rahul Gandhi

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, April 6: Addressing a massive rally at the DDA ground in Dakshinpuri, Congress Vice President Mr. Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Aam Aadmi Party of running away from Delhi after making false promises.

Acknowledging the Party’s performance in the Assembly elections he said, “We made mistakes that hurt the people of Delhi. We supported the opposition because we thought they had the people’s mandate…But they did not fulfill their promises.” Mr Gandhi said to a cheering crowd.

“The truth is that the people who were running the government here have run away to other states,” he said.

Mr Gandhi said that the message to the Congress Party from voters in last year’s Assembly elections was that it won’t win supporters if it kept its doors closed, and added that the party was taking steps to change itself.

Reminding people of the development work the Congress Party did in Delhi during its 15-year rule, Mr Gandhi said that the UPA ran a government for the common man and gave the poor benefits that helped them raise their standard of living.

He came down heavily on the BJP’s political plank built around one man, and said the 2014 Lok Sabha election was a battle between two ideologies. While the BJP is of the view that there should be a government of a chosen few backed by big business, the Congress Party believed in progress and growth that would benefit the poor and

He said the so-called Gujarat model of development that the BJP has been hawking to voters has too many holes in it. “They say they want to give power to women, In Gujarat, the police taps women's phones, they keep tabs on their movement...That is the Gujarat model of development,” he told the rally, adding that right-wing activists attacked and beat women in Bangalore during the BJP rule in Karnataka.

‘The Congress Party truly respects women and I want to see more and more of you in the parliament. The opposition stalled passage of women’s reservation bill. But we will pass it when we form the government now” he said.

Mr. Gandhi told the audience to enquire about the state of Sikh farmers in Gujarat. “They are thrown out of the state (Gujarat) because they are considered to be ‘outsiders’,” he said.

The BJP’s politics is all about one man, who seems to know everything and will change everything if he becomes Prime Minister, Mr Gandhi said.

“India is not run by its leaders, but by its people. We want to give the people more rights so that this country can be run better,” he told a cheering crowd.

“The BJP has put in place its chowkidar and wants to make him Prime Minister. We want crores of chowkidars with the right to question,” he added.

‘Secular vote’ must not split, Sonia appeals to Muslims

NEW DELHI, April 1: In one of her strongest appeals to minorities ahead of a difficult election, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday told a Muslim delegation led by Jama Masjid imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari that she embraced politics — after initial hesitation — to help nurture the cause of “secularism”.

“One of the main reasons I entered politics was to safeguard and promote secularism,” Bukhari quoted Gandhi as saying, adding she appealed for a united move to stop the so-called “secular vote” from splitting.

Chaperoned by Congress leader Ahmed Patel, the meeting with Bukhari is the first direct talks between the hereditary cleric of one of Delhi’s important mosques and the party in 30 years. In the 80s, Indira Gandhi had sought similar support from Bukhari’s father Syed Abdullah Bukhari, a staunch supporter.

A likely endorsement by Bukhari could help the Congress gain a well-known Muslim voice. One of the cleric’s aides said that he would make an appeal so that the “secular vote” isn’t divided.

Gandhi said minorities could never doubt the Congress’s credentials. “I know Muslims have lot of grievances regarding welfare schemes, but our jurisdiction stops at the states which implement them. We will find new ways to better implement our programmes,” secretary of Jama Masjid Foundation Rahat Mahmood Chaudhury, who was also present, quoted Gandhi as saying.

Despite some historic measures by the UPA to bring development to Muslims, India’s largest minority, wide sections in the community have voiced unhappiness with the Congress for poor delivery.

According to the 2005 PM-appointed Sachar panel, Muslims made up less than 4% of undergradutes, along with other skewed socio-economic indices. For instance, despite being self-employed at a far higher rate, their access to credit was limited.

Though psephologists say Muslims seldom vote as a bloc, there is evidence that they have voted tactically to shape poll outcomes. Gandhi said the National Investigation Agency had been asked to “properly probe all terror cases without making any distinction between anybody”. She said this was the reason why “Malegaon blasts had been re-probed”, Bukhari said.

While it is unclear to what extent Muslim elites, such as Bukhari, will be able to help shore up support, Gandhi’s appeal is a robust attempt to connect with the 160 million community.

The Jama Masjid cleric had sided with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in the last assembly elections and had campaigned extensively in some western Uttar Pradesh seats which is thought to have increased the SP’s vote share in the region.