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Narendra Modi expands cabinet
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Gandhinagar, Jan 4 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi expanded his cabinet with the induction of 18 ministers here on Friday.
The ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma at a ceremony on the lawns of Gujarat Assembly.
Nine of the ministers sworn-in were of cabinet rank. They are Vaju Vala, Narottam Patel, Anandiben Patel, Amit Shah, Saurab Patel, Ramanlal Vora, Mangubhai Patel, Jaswantsinh Babhor and Purshottam Solanki.
The new faces are Nitin Patel, Dilip Sanghani, Fakir Vaghela, Jaynarayan Vyas, Maya Kodnani, Kiritsinh Rana, Parbat Patel, Jaysinh Chauhan and Vasan Ahir.
The Modi Government came back to power winning 117 seats in the 182-member Assembly.
Modi became Chief Minister for the third consecutive time on December 25.
He first became Gujarat's Chief Minister in October 2001 after his predecessor Keshubhai Patel resigned following the defeat of the BJP in by-elections.
He was re-elected as chief minister in December 2002 after the BJP won with 127 assembly seats in the 182-State Assembly. (ANI)Labels: Politics
Modi to form his cabinet tomorrow
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Ahmedabad, Jan 3 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will form his cabinet at a ceremony in Gandhinagar on Friday.
Governor Naval Kishore Sharma will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the members of the new ministry.
According to sources, 15 to 20 ministers will be inducted.
Portfolios will be allocated in a meeting to be followed by the swearing-in- ceremony.
Among the seniors, Vajubhai Vala, Ashok Bhatt, Anandiben Patel, Narottam Patel, and Mangubhai Patel are likely to be re-nominated.
Ministers of State Amit Shah, Saurabh Patel, Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, and Parsottam Solanki are likely to be repeated from the outgoing Ministry.
Modi became Chief Minister for the third consecutive time on December 25.
He first became Gujarat's Chief Minister in October 2001 after his predecessor Keshubhai Patel resigned following the defeat of the BJP in by-elections.
He was re-elected as chief minister in December 2002 after the BJP won with 127 assembly seats in the 182-State Assembly. (ANI)Labels: Politics
Congress announces candidates for second phase of Gujarat polls
Monday, November 26, 2007
New Delhi, Nov 26 (ANI): The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has announced a list of 50 candidates for the second phase of Gujarat polls.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narharibhai Amin, AICC Secretary Siddharth Patel and former Union Minister Bharatkumar Makwana are among the 50 candidates whose names figure in the list.
Senior Congress leader Nareshkumar Raval will contest from Mehsana, while Mukeshkumar Gadhvi, son of former Union Minister late B K Gadhvi, will stand from Danta.
The party is likely to announce a candidate against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Maninagar today.
According to sources, nine seats have been left to Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.
Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat as the term of the State's Legislative Assembly is due to expire on December 26.
The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will take place on December 23
The BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI)
- AY Labels: Politics
Keshubhai Patel refuses to campaign for BJP in Gujarat
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Rajkot (Gujarat), Nov 25 (ANI): Sulking former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel has opted out of campaign for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the State Assembly elections in Gujarat next month.
A dissident BJP leader in Saurashtra region, who was denied BJP ticket for his proximity to Patel, said the party would face a tough time defending 38 of the 58 seats it won in the 2002 polls in its stronghold, the Kutch-Saurashtra region.
"There will be tremendous difference this time," said Tapubhai Limbasiya, a dissident BJP leader in Rajkot.
Based on his observations during his visit to the region, Limbasiya said: "I can say with surety that Congress will get at least 32 seats from Saurashtra."
Meanwhile, the Congress is buoyant with the turnaround of events after Keshubhai Patel's son, Bharat Patel, also declined BJP's offer for a berth in the State polls.
"Congress will be benefited especially in Saurashtra. By using names of Keshubhai Patel we can benefit a lot and will at least get 40 seats in the region," said Vithal Radadiya, a Congress leader.
Radadiya had recently organised a rally in Dhoraji, which was graced by no other than Keshubhai Patel.
Despite no love lost between Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Keshubahi Patel, the BJP believes that he would not do anything that would harm the party.
"I know his health may not permit him to go out and campaign, but still his blessings and good wishes will always be there for BJP," said S S Ahluwalia, a senior BJP leader.
The two-time Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel had to hand over the power to firebrand Narendra Modi in October 2001.
Keshubhai Patel, who still nurses the idea to become Gujarat Chief Minister, is livid with the working style of Modi, and also with the fact that deputies close to him are meted out a cold shoulder by Modi.
Six BJP MLAs -- Dhiru Gajera (Surat), Bechar Bhadani, Bavku Unghad, Balu Tanti, Gopal Dhua and Narendrasinh Jadeja -- have resigned from the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, as well as from the primary membership of the BJP.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi who is the star campaigner for the BJP, has often been accused by human right activists of fomenting communal violence in Gujarat before the 2002 State Assembly elections.
Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat as the term of the State's Legislative Assembly is due to expire on December 26.
The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will taken place on December 23
The BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI)
--MP Labels: Politics
Congress' poll campaign goes hi-tech in Gujarat
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Ahmedabad, Nov 21 (ANI): The Congress party in Gujarat has taken to video canvassing in a bid to reach out to voters of the state ahead of the next month's elections.
The party has hired small vans with LCD screens to move across remote areas of the state to highlight the party's achievements.
"The idea is to reach out to remote villages, where there is no cable connection or television and other means of campaigning cannot reach them. These video vans will go there and impart UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's message," said Rohit Patel, a party worker.
The canvassing will also highlight the failures of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"We aim to apprise the people about the false promises that the BJP has made to voters. This type of campaign will help even illiterates comprehend the ground situation. We are trying to reach out to various sections of people including women and traders," said Manish Doshi, a party campaigner.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi who is the star campaigner for the BJP, has often accused by human right activists of fomenting communal violence in Gujarat before the 2002 state election.
Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat. The term of the Assembly expires on December 26, 2007.
The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will taken place on December 23. (ANI)
- AY Labels: Politics
Congress clears 27 candidates for first phase of Gujarat polls
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Ahmedabad, Nov.20 (ANI): The Gujarat unit of the Congress party has cleared the names of 27 candidates who will contest the first phase of two-phased elections in Gujarat on December 11.
After much deliberation which continued till 4 a.m. this morning, the Congress leadership in the state arrived at a consensus.
The list of 27 candidates whose names have been cleared is as follows.
Mandvi - Chhabil Patel
Bhuj - Shivji Ahir
Rapar - Babu Meghji Shah
Dasada - Manhar Makwana
Vadhwan - Himanshu Vyas
Lambadi - Bhawan Bahrwad
Halwad - Devjibhai Fatapara
Jasdan - Kunwarji Bawalia
Dhoraji - Vitthal Radadia
Jamnagar - Dinesh Parmar
Jodiya-Dhrol - Raghavji Patel
Dwarka - Patramal Sumaniya
Porbandar - Arjun Modhwadia
Mangro - Chandrika Chudasma
Somnath - Jasabarad
Una - Punja Vansh
Amreli - Paresh Dhanani
Botad - Chandrakant Pithawala
Gadhada - Pravin Maru
Bhavnagar(S) - Shaktising Gohil
Vaghra - Iqubal Patel
Jhagadhia - Chandubhai Vasava
Dediapada - Amarsing Vasava
Nirjhar - Paresh Vasava
Vyara - Puna Gamit
Chikhali - Bharti Patel
Mota Ponda - Jitu Chaudhari
Further names are awaited (ANI)
--MP Labels: Politics
Dissension in Gujarat BJP, as six MLAs resign
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Ahmedabad, Nov 17 (ANI): Six Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs today submitted their resignations from the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, as well as from the primary membership of the party, bringing to fore the dissension in the party.
The MLAs, who resigned are -- Dhiru Gajera (Surat), Bechar Bhadani, Bavku Unghad, Balu Tanti, Gopal Dhua and Narendrasinh Jadeja.
They met Assembly Speaker Mangaldas Patel and submitted their resignation letters.
Gajera, Bhadani, Unghad and Tanti were recently suspended from the party for dissident activities, while BJP was yet to take action against the other two.
All the six have reportedly decided to join Congress party and contest Gujarat Assembly elections scheduled for next month on Congress tickets.
The elections are to be held in two phases. The first phase of polling for 87 constituencies will take place on December 11. The remaining 95 seats will go to polls on December 16.
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Election Commission to conduct polls fairly.
In the run up to the two-phase polling, political activities have started gaining momentum, particularly after the Tehelka sting operations related to 2002 post Godhra riots, with the BJP and the Congress trading charges and counter-charges against each other.
Counting of votes for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will take place on December 23.
The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI)
--MP Labels: Politics
`I am not a pessimist, asserts Narendra Modi ahead of Gujarat polls
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Ahmedabad, Nov.17 (ANI): With elections less than a month away in Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that he is not a pessimist, and believes that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win the two-phased polls.
Speaking in an exclusive interview to ANI, Modi dwelled on a number of issues while declaring himself the future of Gujarat.
Rubbishing surveys that are predicting his eminent defeat in the assembly elections, Modi reiterated that the development of Gujarat would be his top priority after being re-elected.
"I do not believe that the elections decide the fate of a particular individual and I am not a pessimistic person. I am associated with the future of Gujarat. I want the best for my state, hold it in esteem, importance, and therefore, I do not waste my time thinking about consequences. This is an election in which neither the political parties are setting agenda nor the media is doing so, but an election where the agenda has been set by the people of Gujarat, on what would be the future of Gujarat and its development. The parties which would not follow this agenda would be voted out by the people of the state," declared Modi.
To posers about his adversaries and continuous criticism of his tenure, Modi said that such people could not accept the fact that Gujarat is developing and the rate with which it has achieved so much in the recent years.
"For the past five years, Modi has been attacked. People who could not acknowledge the development of Gujarat are trying to fire upon me time and again and defame Gujarat. They can try whatever seems possible to them, but Gujarat won't be defeated. I even have the same mantra in this election 'Gujarat will win' now," confided Modi.
"Why would we be defeated since we are moving ahead with the aim of making Gujarat win. Nobody can defeat Gujarat," added Modi.
He, however, minced no words in condemning the opposition Congress on various issues like its policies, its leadership and even its drive of creating communalism in the name of reservations.
"Congress has no leader and it has not even cleared its policy in the elections. They are only coming up with the slogan of 'Modi Hatao' and have nothing except the negative things to say and do. Such a party has no comparison with BJP," observed Modi.
While answering a question on endorsing Hindutva and communalism, he hit back at the Congress party by saying that "Yhey (Congressmen) have been the primary source of bringing the evil of communalism into the existence."
"When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is saying that the minority has the first right on the banks and reserves of the country, isn't it a communal divide? The builders and the creator of India said that there would not be any reservation on the basis of religion, but Congress is making reservation on the basis of religion, isn't it a communal divide? When the Government itself appoints a Muslim constable in the Muslim-dominated region, isn't it a communal divide? The people, who are into committing these mistakes and practicing vote-bank politics, should be asked such questions. People who were responsible for dividing India and Pakistan on the basis of religion have no right to ask such questions," said Modi.
"The people who have been anti-Gujarat, have been trying for the past 30 years to impede the Narmada project, but the will-power of Gujarat has defeated all those people and moved ahead with the work of Narmada," reiterated Modi while answering on the much-politicised Narmada project.
He further claimed that his Government has worked in leaps and bounds to make that difference in Gujarat, and during his five years' tenure; he had brought Gujarat into the competitive world scenario.
"The entire world is discussing the progress of Gujarat. The growth rate of Gujarat is much more than any other Asian country. Gujarat has become the petro-capital of the country. Two CNG terminals are here. It (Gujarat) even has the world' biggest oil refineries. It has 2200-kilometer gas grid and various companies have now become multinational companies. All these have been considered as an idol in the country in terms of finance. At one time the State owed a revenue deficit of rupees 6700 crores but today the same is surplus. When an earthquake hit the Kutch region of Gujarat, it went back to normalcy within three years. There are so many things which one can say with pride about Gujarat," said the Chief Minister.
To a question about the priorities of his government, he responded by elaborating the quality of life index (QLI).
"We have taken a vow to serve the people of Gujarat. My priority is the betterment of the poor, every poor should be benefited by the development of Gujarat and the lifestyle of every human being should change for the better. I am hopeful of fulfilling the said promises and have been working with these dreams and would continue to do so," claimed Modi.
He described himself as a realist and an optimist.
"Narendra Modi lives in the present and would continue to do so. He never dreams or thinks blindly about the future and would never practice such blinkered views" he said.
The two-phase polling in Gujarat would be held on December 11 and 16, 2007 while the second and last round of polling in Himachal Pradesh is scheduled for December 19, 2007. (ANI)
--MP Labels: Politics
Gujarat poll effect: Sonia lambasts BJP at AICC
New Delhi, Nov 17 (ANI): With Assembly elections in Gujarat scheduled for the middle of next month, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today targeted the BJP, saying Gandhian ideas, ideals and institutions are under threat in our own country, and added that "they are under sustained assault in the state of his birth itself and in other BJP-ruled states."
Addressing the All India Congress Committee (AICC) gathering here, Gandhi said, "No words are strong enough to condemn the BJP's attacks on our Prime Minister and on our party.
Virtually acknowledging that coalition politics is a compulsion of the current times, she said that working in a coalition did not mean that we give up our political space forever, and asserted the party would strive for achieving its past glory.
Accepting that coalition is a balance and a political challenge, she said, "But it is my firm view that the Congress should be taken to its glorious heights of the past. And the party was fully committed to running the UPA coalition in a totally harmonious manner."
Gandhi said as a democratic organisation, there was freedom for internal debate and discussion in the party "but this has to be kept in mind that till such a time that the party does not give its views on an issue, no one should give his opinion publicly, and once the party gives its views, it is not acceptable that anyone gives his individual different view."
As regards other office-bearers, she said they would reach out to the workers and be available to them and spend more time in districts and villages so that the party's activities are made vibrant.
Gandhi also said that there was too much talk about anti-incumbency which she felt was not that insurmountable if the party remained fully active and in touch with the people.
Dwelling on the outcome of the assembly polls in the last two years, Gandhi said, "The results showed that the party has goodwill among the people, but the organisation failed to convert it into votes."
"In states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, party has tough challenges ahead and there was no alternative but to "stand on our own feet" by forgetting the differences", Gandhi added.
Speaking on Nandigram, Gandhi said that the party was unsparing of the CPI (M) in West Bengal when the draft resolution at the meeting condemned the culture of violence and the cult of armed cadres in Nandigram.
"All this is the natural outcome of a system where the interests of party cadres are placed above the interests of the people at large and the law and order machinery is not allowed to function professionally," a draft political resolution of the AICC said.
Commenting on Naxalism, she said the party has always viewed it as a question of law and order as well as a social issue.
"Therefore, to fight extremism, administration in tribal areas should be more sensitive and focused on development," she added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh described it as the most serious challenge to internal security. (ANI)
--MP Labels: Politics
Congress accuses Modi of misusing power to influence voters
Friday, November 16, 2007
Ahmedabad/Rajkot, Nov 15 (ANI): Congress has accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of misusing his powers to influence voters ahead of the Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in December.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists can be seen roaming in the city with framed pictures of Modi and distributing it in shops and showrooms.
Congress leaders feel that Modi is getting his framed picture distributed in every shop and showroom in the state to influence the voters.
"This is a murder of democracy. It is not wrong to advertise a party, but he is advertising himself and not his party by distributing his photo frames. This is not only wrong from Congress point of view but also from BJP point of view. He is misusing his powers," said Kashmira Nathwani, a Congress leader.
However, the businessmen seem to have no problem in keeping Modi's photograph in their shops.
"We thought that Modi has done good work for Gujarat. I am thinking of keeping his framed photograph at my office because this will also benefit Gujarat," said Mehul Damani, a merchant.
Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad some voters complained of absence of their names in the voter list and pointed out several mistakes in their voter identity cards.
"In the minority community people stay in a joint family and when they separate it gets difficult for them to get a ration card. So, because of lack of information and unavailability of ration card, it is getting difficult for them to get an election card," said Farzana Sheikh, Member of a voluntary organisation.
The first phase of polling for 87 constituencies will take place on December 11.
The remaining 95 seats will go to polls on December 16.
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Election Commission to conduct polls fairly.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy, Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi visited the state to review the poll preparedness.
In the run up to the two-phase polling, political activities have started gaining momentum, particularly after the Tehelka sting operations related to 2002 post Godhra riots, with the BJP and the Congress trading charges and counter-charges against each other.
Counting of votes for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will take place on December 23.
The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI) --MP Labels: Politics
Electoral process in Gujarat to begin today
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Ahmedabad, Nov 15 (ANI): The electoral process for the Assembly polls in Gujarat will begin today with the issue of notifications.
The notifications will be issued for 87 constituencies, which will go to the polls on December 11. In the first phase, polling will be held in Saurashtra and some tribal-dominated areas.
The remaining 95 seats will go to polls on December 16.
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Election Commission to conduct polls fairly.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy, Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi visited the state to review the poll preparedness.
In the run up to the two-phase polling, political activities have started gaining momentum, particularly after the Tehelka sting operations related to 2002 post Godhra riots, with the BJP and the Congress trading charges and counter-charges against each other.
Counting of votes for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will take place on December 23.
The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI)
- AY Labels: Politics
Sonia to launch campaign in Gujarat
Saturday, November 3, 2007
AY: Congress president Sonia Gandhi will launch her party's campaign on Saturday for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Narendra Modi run-Gujarat where the organisation is making a determined bid to cause an upset. The Congress chief had a couple of days back, in a veiled attack on the Narendra Modi regime and obliquely referring to the recent sting operation over the Gujarat riots, spoken about the "truth that has come to light recently". She stressed on the need for fight against anti-social forces, failing which there could be "dangerous consequences" for secular and democratic India. The Congress has, meanwhile, also challenged Modi for a public debate on the issue of development in the state and said it would expose his "tall claims" about achievements of his government. The state will have two-phase elections -- on December 11 and 16. Labels: Politics
Unite against ‘communal evil’ in Gujarat, says Sonia
Thursday, November 1, 2007
AY: Making her first public comment on the recent Tehelka sting operation on Gujarat riots accused, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has said the `revelation' has once again reminded the Congress men and others the need to launch a "united fight against the evils of communalism". Delivering her speech at a function here to present the Indira Gandhi national integration award, Ms Gandhi said: "In the wake of the recent revelation, it is all the more important for every Congress men to keep up their fight against communal forces. If we don't fight this kind of evils (hevaniyath), it will destroy the very secular foundation of the country".
Labels: Politics
CEC to commence three-day Gujarat visit today
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
AY: Ahmedabad, Oct 30 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N. Gopalaswami will begin a three-day visit to Gujarat from today in a bid to hold ''free and fair'' elections for the state assembly. The CEC team will meet senior officials besides visiting Surat and Vadodara where they will review the election work. Gopalaswami will also meet District Electoral Officers of Surat, Navsari, Dangs and Valsad to take stock of the arrangements. On Wednesday, Gopalaswami will visit Vadodara and interact with the DEOs of Vadodara, Godhra, Dahod, Narmada and Bharuch. This is the CEC's second visit to Gujarat after the announcement of election dates on October 10. In the run up to the two-phase polling, political activities have started gaining momentum, particularly after the Tehelka sting operations related to 2002 post Godhra riots, with the BJP and the Congress trading charges and counter-charges against each other. The electoral process for the 12th Gujarat State Assembly will begin from November 15, and state electorate will cast their votes on December 11 and 16. Counting of votes for the 182-member Gujarat assembly will take place on December 23. The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI) Labels: Politics
Post Tehelka expose: Muslims protest against Narendra Modi in Delhi
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
AY: New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): Muslims and activists of other organisations staged a protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi here today and demanded re-opening of all cases in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots in the wake of sensational revelations made in a sting operation carried out by a weekly newsmagazine Tehelka. Tehelka recently aired a sting operation, claiming that the 2002 massacre of Muslims in Gujarat were carried out "with the knowledge and sanction of Chief Minister Narendra Modi." The activists said Modi, who is seeking re-election, gave mob a free run for three days. The protestor, holding placards that read "Give Punishment To Rioters", raised slogans against Modi. They also burnt a cut-out of Modi. The protest led by Muslim Yuva Atankwad Virodhi Samiti demanded capital punishment for the politicians and police officers mentioned in the sting. "Narendra Modi, Babu Bajrangi and all of them (mentioned in the sting) should be hanged," said Mohammad Shakeel Saifi, Chairman of the Muslim Yuva Atankwad Virodhi Samiti. "We demand that the Central Government open all the closed riot cases in Gujarat," said Saifi, adding that he would file a writ petition in the Delhi High Court in this context. Saifi also demand a ban on organisations like VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) and Bajrang Dal. Tehelka had claimed that the six-month long investigation confirmed that "the Gujarat murder of Muslims was not a spontaneous swell of anger, but a planned genocide strategised and executed by top functionaries of the RSS, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and the state authorities." The protestors said no one should issue a statement against any particular community. "They should not divide us by issuing a statement against any community. Today they have issued a statement against Muslims; tomorrow they will speak against Punjabi, Marathi and Christians. It is not right," said Shri Ram, National President, Punjabi Ekta Munch. Tehelka said the report was the result investigation by one of its reporters, who posed as a research scholar and spoke to the activists. Meanwhile, the BJP said the activists quoted by Tehelka had colluded with Congress party to discredit Modi ahead of the State Assembly election. About 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, are estimated to have been beaten, stabbed or burnt to death in the Gujarat in 2002 after suspected Muslims set fire to a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing 59 people. Labels: Politics
CEC to commence three-day Gujarat visit today
AY: Ahmedabad, Oct 30 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N. Gopalaswami will begin a three-day visit to Gujarat from today in a bid to hold ''free and fair'' elections for the state assembly. The CEC team will meet senior officials besides visiting Surat and Vadodara where they will review the election work. Gopalaswami will also meet District Electoral Officers of Surat, Navsari, Dangs and Valsad to take stock of the arrangements. On Wednesday, Gopalaswami will visit Vadodara and interact with the DEOs of Vadodara, Godhra, Dahod, Narmada and Bharuch. This is the CEC's second visit to Gujarat after the announcement of election dates on October 10. In the run up to the two-phase polling, political activities have started gaining momentum, particularly after the Tehelka sting operations related to 2002 post Godhra riots, with the BJP and the Congress trading charges and counter-charges against each other. The electoral process for the 12th Gujarat State Assembly will begin from November 15, and state electorate will cast their votes on December 11 and 16. Counting of votes for the 182-member Gujarat assembly will take place on December 23. The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI) Labels: Politics
Gujarat to go for polls on December 11, Himachal on November 14
Monday, October 29, 2007
New Delhi, Oct 10 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswami today announced that the two-phase State Assembly polls in Gujarat would begin from December 11, while in Himachal Pradesh voting will take place on November 14 and December 19.The electoral process for the 12th Gujarat State Assembly will begin from November 15, and state electorate will cast their votes on December 11 and 16, Gopalswami said.Counting of votes for the 182-member Gujarat assembly will take place on December 23, he added. The Electoral process for the 68-member Himachal Pradesh would begin from October 20, and voting will take place on November 14 and December 19 and counting will take place on December 28, Gopalswami said.Congress State unit president Bharat Solanki was demanding one-day election in the state."The two-phased polls will give chance to large 'worker force' of ruling BJP to carry out bogus voting," Solanki had said.The Bharatiya Janata Party managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI)Labels: Politics
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