Omar Abdullah unfit for CM: Congress

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday hit out at Congress for trying to take credit for all the good work done by NC-led government and described the attitude of the party as the highest example of 'opportunism and falsehood'.
  
"We thought Omar Abdullah is young and energetic and that he can deliver well. However, we were wrong. He was unfit for such a prestigious position. What has Omar Abdullah achieved in these 6 years?" Congress spokesman Salman Nizami said here on Thursday night.
  
The spokesman said that to hide the failure of his government on every front, Omar was making false accusations against the Congress.
  
"This government did no good to the constituencies we represent. Our (Congress) constituencies were discriminated," he said.
  
The Spokesman said that the Congress is the only party which is committed to equitable development of all the regions of the state.
  
"The people have to make a right choice in these elections," he said.

Source: News

Sonia to address election rally in Nagpur on 5th April

Nagpur district Congress committee president Vikas Thakre said preparations for the public meeting have begun. This will be the Congress president's first election rally in Vidarbha.

   

During last elections in 2009, Gandhi had campaigned for Wasnik in Kamptee in rural Nagpur, about 15 kms from here.

From Nagpur, she will proceed to neighbouring Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency from where NCP heavyweight and Union Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel is contesting.

   

The election rally is likely to be held at Lakhani in Bhandara district, sources said.

The Congress is hoping that Gandhi's rally would give the party campaign the much needed momentum.

Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi has already toured Wardha and Gadchiroli Lok Sabha constituency, from where Sagar Meghe and sitting MLA Dr Namdeo Usendi are respective Congress nominees.

(Agencies)

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Mulayam facing tough challenge from former protégé in Azamgarh

As soon as BJP announced that its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would contest from Varanasi, Mulayam made no delay to jump in the electoral battle in neighbouring Azamgarh. Mulayam might seem to have an upper hand against Ramakant Yadav but he is not going to get a walkover in Azamgarh especially after QED and BSP deciding to field strong candidates from this seat.

Mastering the Muslim-Yadav equation has always been the backbone of Mulayam’s political success in the past but this time around it is going to be tested like never before. Perhaps, that is why Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav himself is managing entire poll campaign of his father in Azamgarh.

Social polarisation is not new to Azamgarh which has been a stronghold of SP since the end of Ram Manohar Lohia era in1967. The social equations in Azamgarh changed drastically after the Ram Janmabhoomi Andolan.

In fact, Azamgarh is a classic case in point of how SP emerged as a strong political force in Uttar Pradesh by winning over the Muslim-Yadav vote bank simultaneously.

The 20 percent Yadav and 25 percent Muslim populations in Azamgarh have always played a decisive role in SP’s previous triumphs here. The importance of 30 percent Dalit voters and 25 percent other category voters cannot be overlooked as well. This strong vote bank has helped BSP win this seat in the past.

Ramakant Yadav has also managed to get good share of the Yadav, Dalit and other category vote banks, which altogether played a significant role in his win in 2009 on BJP ticket.

In 1996 and 99, he won elections on SP ticket and in 2004 he registered victory as BSP nominee. In 2009, he entered the Lok Sabha as BJP candidate.

Mulayam is once again banking on Muslim-Yadav vote bank but the blot of Muzaffarnagar riots and other parties fielding strong candidates here may give a tough challenge to him.

If QED and BSP manage to sneak out a substantial chunk of Muslim vote bank, winning from this seat won’t be a cake walk for Mulayam from here. This is probably the reason behind Mulayam announcing that he won’t relinquish this constituency after victory.

(JPN/Bureau)

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Rahul Gandhi interacts with Tribal women in Jharkhand

"Women should get proper representation in Parliament and Assembly elections," a woman told reporters after the interaction at a hotel here.

"All of us also told Rahul that we would like to see him as the Prime Minister," a woman said.

Another woman said, "We told him about protection of women’s rights from the grassroots level."

She quoted Rahul as saying women should come forward in politics in large numbers.

"Rahul also said Congress has old ties with tribals, who have made a large contribution to development programmes," she said.

"Food Security Act will also benefit the tribals," said another woman quoting him.

She said that Rahul was urged to ensure strict implementation of the Panchayat Raj Act (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) in Jharkhand.

The interaction was not open to the media.

Earlier, after arriving Rahul garlanded the statue of Birsa Munda at the Birsa Chowk.

(Agencies)

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