#VerdictWithTimes: Early trends show second term for Modi

#VerdictWithTimes: Early trends show second term for Modi

As vote counting began following the conclusion of 6-week-long general elections, the early trends show the BJP will retain power for next five years. The Election Commission data as of 11:00 AM revealed the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 294 out of 542 seats. While the main opposition party, Congress is ahead only in 50 seats. BJP also made inroads in Odisha and violence-hit West Bengal. In Uttar Pradesh, the Mahagathbandhan failed to sweep in the state as BJP is leading in 50 seats. However, the Mahagathbandhan ally, BSP, which reduced to nil in 2014, is leading in 15 seats. There is a double whammy for Congress party as on one hand the party failed to garner good amount of votes and on the other hand its President Rahul Gandhi is trailing Smriti Irani in Amethi. The election has been seen as a referendum on Modi, whose economic reforms have had mixed results but whose popularity as a social underdog has endured. In election campaign, Modi projected himself as a self-made man, who can eradicate corruption; defend the country from enemy and bring prosperity to the nation. Earlier, almost all exit polls gave NDA an edge, which can easily cross the majority mark. “Mr. Modi’s going to be the next prime minister, we are very assured of that,” said Meenakshi Lekhi, a member of Parliament running for re-election in New Delhi.

ISRO successfully puts earth observation satellite into orbit

There is one more feather in ISRO’s cap as the Indian space agency successfully put its earth observation satellite RISAT-2B into orbit that will enhance the surveillance capabilities of the country. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C46) lifted off at 05:30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh and injected RISAT-2B into an orbit of 556 km, about 15 minutes and 25 seconds after the launch, an ISRO statement said. The ISRO statement said, “RISAT-2B is a radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 615 kg. The satellite is intended to provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management. ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated the launch vehicle and satellite teams involved in the mission.” “With this launch, PSLV lofts 50 tonnes to space by launching 354 satellites, including national, student and foreign satellites,” he said. ISRO told that about 5000 visitors witnessed the launch live from the Viewer’s Gallery, which is opened to the public. ISRO also reveals about its future missions. It said that the space agency is gearing up for the launch of Chandrayaan-2 onboard GSLV MkIII during the window of July 09, to July 16, 2019, with an expected Moon landing on September 06, 2019.

Amit Shah hosts dinner for NDA allies

Ahead of election results, BJP President Amit Shah hosted a dinner for leaders of NDA allies, which was attended by top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prakash Singh Badal, Nitish Kumar and Uddhav Thackeray among others. The dinner was followed by a brief thanksgiving meeting in which NDA leaders felicitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Rajnath Singh were also present in the meeting. PM Modi expressed concern over Opposition making needless controversy regarding electronic voting machines. He also got emotional over violence against BJP workers in West Bengal and Kerala. PM Modi said that the NDA is an alliance of India’s hope and aspirations, which has become an “organic entity” like a family and representative of the country’s regional aspirations. The NDA meeting, which was attended by 36 parties, passed a resolution of making India “strong, developed, prosperous and inclusive by 2020, when India completes 75 years of its independence. The NDA meeting grabbed headlines as almost exit polls have projected clean sweep for BJP and its allies.

13 killed as truck crushes tempo in Maha’s Buldhana

At least 13 people were killed in a horrific road accident in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district. The mishap took place when an out-of-control truck overturned on a tempo, killing all thirteen passengers including five women and two children. “The truck driver lost control after a tyre burst, following which the vehicle veered and fell on top of the tempo, crushing it. Thirteen passengers of the tempo died instantly and three suffered grievous injuries. An accidental death case has been registered and probe is underway,” Superintendent of Police Dilip Patil Bhujbal said. The police official said that the accident took place at around 2:15, adding that the deceased were brick-kiln workers who were returning to Anurabad village after buying groceries. The truck was loaded with 400 bags of salt and was on its way to Nagpur. Among the dead, five are from Anurabad, six from Nagzari and two from Bhusawal, an official added. A team has been formed to nab the truck driver, who managed to escape from the spot.

Sonia, Rahul & Priyanka pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on death anniversary

Senior Congress leaders, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi paid floral tribute to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary at Veer Bhumi in Delhi. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President Pranab Mukherjee also paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra was also present with the Gandhi family to pay his obeisance. Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi. “Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary,” he tweeted. Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister after the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. He represented Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi parliamentary constituency four times. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991.

Lok Sabha elections: Exit polls predict NDA win

After almost two months of high-octane campaign and a long poss schedule of seven phases, the exit polls forcasted sweeping vitory to BJP-led NDA. At least six exit polls observed the NDA would cross 300 mark and garner more seats in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. India Today-My Axis and Chanakya exit polls predicted unprecedented victory for the BJP-led alliance with over 350 Lok Sabha seats. However, ABP-Nielsen and Neta-News X gave less seats to the ruling alliance, which may fall short of a majority at 367 and 242 seats, respectively. Exit polls were also divided in their prediction for the most crucial state of Uttar Pradesh with some ABP-Nielsen saying that the BJP’s tally may fall to 22 from 71 while a few others like New 18-Ipsos and News 24-Chanakya tipping its tally over 60 seats. The saffron party appeared to make major gains in West Bengal and Odisha. Jubilant BJP leaders hailed the exit polls and said that the nation wants to see Narendra Modi as a Prime Minister again. Although, Opposition parties rejected the prediction of Exit polls. Senior Congress leader dubbed the exit polls as wrong while National Conference leaders said that every body should wait till May 23.

Best pictures from Lok Sabha Elections 2019

A supporter of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wears a mask of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and waits for his arrival during an election campaign rally in Prayagraj, India. The final phase of India’s marathon general election will be held on Sunday, May 19. The first of the election’s seven staggered phases was held on April 11. Vote counting is scheduled to start on May 23. India has 900 million eligible voters. (AP)

Phase 7: 59 Lok Sabha seats go to polls in 8 states

Indians voted in the seventh and final phase of national elections, wrapping up a 6-week-long long, grueling campaign season with BJP seeking re-election for another five years. The voting also covers Modi’s constituency of Varanasi, a holy Hindu city where he was elected in 2014 with an impressive margin of over 200,000 votes. He spent Saturday night at Kedarnath, a temple of Hindu god Shiva nestled in the Himalayas in northern India. The last round of election includes 59 constituencies in eight states. Up for grabs are 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number in Uttar Pradesh, eight each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, four in Himachal Pradesh and three in Jharkhand and Chandigarh. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 23. In Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, voters lined up outside polling stations since early morning to avoid scorching heat with temperatures reaching up to 38 degree Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit). Armed security officials stood guard in and outside the centers amid fear of violence. While the election since April 11 has been largely peaceful, West Bengal is an exception. Modi is challenged here by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who heads Trinamool Congress party and eyes a chance to go to New Delhi as the opposition’s candidate for prime minister.

Thunderstorms and rains lash Bengaluru

Heavy rains with hailstorm hit several parts of Bengaluru, leaving several areas submerged in water. The Gantiganahalli area in Bengaluru North Taluk recorded the most intense rainfall of 22.5 mm between 1:15-1:30 pm on Friday. Sunil M Gavaskar, Meteorologist at Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre, said, “The hail is due to thunderstorm activity starting from northern Bengaluru to central parts. Hail is possible because it is sudden convection. Hailstorm is common during pre-monsoon rains and it was observed yesterday (Thursday) also in some parts of the city. There will be moderate rainfall in Bengaluru today as well.” He further said that the light to moderate rain will continue for next two days. “Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajanagara, Tumkur, Hassan, Ramanagara, Chikballapura, Kolar, Bengluru Rural and Benagluru Urban districts are likely to have thunderstorm activity associated with scattered light to moderate rains and isolated places heavy rains with gusty winds at times during evening to late evening hours today (Friday),” he added. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre also predicted that maximum temperatures will be recorded above normal at some places in Karnataka.

PM Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath

Ahead of the last phase of general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand. He arrived at the Himalayan shrine in a chopper and walked from the helipad to the temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. PM Modi waved at devotees and locals, who gathered at a distance to get a glimpse of him. In the temple, PM Modi performed puja rituals and took rounds of the sanctum-sanctorum as per Hindu practice of worship. People, who were standing outside the temple premises hailed PM Modi with loud chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’. He also took stock of the Kedarnath re-development project and was seen being briefed by the senior officials. This was PM Modi’s fourth visit in three years. He is also scheduled to visit famous Badrinath temple during his ongoing Uttarakhand visit. Keeping in view PM’s visit, the Uttarakhand government beefed up the security near the Kedarnath temple, which is located at 11,755 ft above the sea level. PM Modi’s last visit to the Himalayan shrine came on the occasion of Diwali in November 2018. PM Modi is contesting election from temple town of Varanasi. BJP’s top leadership is camping in Varanasi to make PM Modi victorious with record margin.

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