(Image source- Reuters) The 11th of December is not a day that the Modi government will forget easily. In addition to conceding ground in Telangana, India’s ruling party, the <keyword id="58687" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Janata-Party">Bharatiya Janata Party</keyword> (BJP), was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/we-accept-the-peoples-mandate-indias-state-election-results-prove-a-huge-setback-for-pm-narendra-modis-bjp/articleshow/67053526.cms">beaten</a> in <keyword id="6355644" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="elections">elections</keyword> in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh by the main opposition party -- the Indian National <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>. It wouldn’t be remiss to say that the BJP was expecting a better performance in the three states, all of which lie in the Hindu heartland. While the party suffered heavy defeats in Rajasthan, where power has alternated between the BJP and Congress since 1993, and Chattisgarh, it fell short of the Congress by a few seats in Madhya Pradesh, where it was campaigning for its record fourth consecutive term. And so begins a period of introspection for India’s ruling party, which up until yesterday, seemed insurmountable in the face of a divided opposition. While the BJP blames the results on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/local-issues-determined-outcome-will-do-better-in-2019-bjp/articleshow/67049584.cms">“local issues,”</a> in effect, downplaying any apprehensions they have about their strength ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha elections, it remains to be seen what exactly went wrong. Here are a few possible reasons: The anti-incumbency wave One of the primary explanations here seems to be that the BJP underestimated the anti-incumbency problem and how it was mostly targeted at chief ministers. Despite its diverse makeup, the Indian electorate can be remarkably consistent when it comes to voting for change. Anti-incumbency is always a key consideration in the minds of voters come election time and this time it was no different The BJP was the ruler in all three states that it lost to the Congress, and failed to make a good enough case for re-election. This was compounded by the general resentment of upper-caste voters, who felt shunted by recent changes to the SC/ST Act. The BJP wasn’t able to demonstrate that it had made good on its promises. For example, in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, did not deliver on her goal of creating 1.5 million new jobs. Meanwhile its rival Congress swayed voters with promises of better welfare schemes a change in the way of doing things. Farmer distress A number of factors have dominated the public conversation in India all year: High fuel prices, youth unemployment, lack of funds for small businesses and most importantly, the need for farmers to secure debt relief. The BJP suffered heavy losses in rural constituencies as compared to urban ones, and this may be due to the fact that it didn’t cater to a crucial voter bloc. Madhya Pradesh is largely a rural state, and a significant proportion of its voters are farmers. In fact, the BJP lost a number of seats in <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/distressed-farmers-speak-out-via-ballots/articleshow/67053185.cms">two key regions in the state</a> that were notable for farmer suicides and protests. In contrast, the Congress made farmers a key part of its election proposals. In addition to promising an increase in the minimum support price for agricultural commodities, <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> alluded to a <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rahul-gandhi-hints-at-nationwide-farm-loan-waiver/articleshow/66962964.cms">national waiver</a> for all farmers - an unrealistic proposal, but one that resonated nonetheless - while criticising the Modi administration’s supposed approach to writing off the bad loans of large companies. The BJP was unable to present an adequate response or counter-offer to the Congress’s pitch to farmers. A failure of leadership Anonymous sources told the <a href="https://indianexpress.com/elections/state-assembly-elections-2018-rumbling-in-bjp-just-as-they-take-credit-top-should-share-blame-too-5489279/">Indian Express </a>that the BJP’s core leadership played a very heavy hand in deciding electoral strategies in each state and did not decentralise power to the chiefs of state units, which resulted in them overlooking issues of local importance. In addition, there were reports of conflicts between state chiefs and party leaders, as seen in the tussle between Raje and BJP President <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amit-shah">Amit Shah</keyword> over the <a href="https://scroll.in/article/901550/rajasthan-elections-amit-shah-vasundhara-raje-now-at-loggerheads-over-ticket-distribution">distribution of tickets in Rajasthan.</a> There were also complaints of “overconfidence” among the party’s leaders, a plausible claim given the BJP’s strong showing in multiple state elections over the last few years. More importantly, its decision to play into the Hindutva nationalism narrative, as evidenced by sending UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the campaign trail and bringing up the Ram Temple issue, did not pay off. The electoral victory is the most significant one for the Opposition since the BJP stormed to power in the general elections of 2014 on a wave of popular support for Brand Modi. It may be too soon to say if the Modi star is dimming, however. In fact, the string of losses will likely propel the ruling party to rely more on its star figure and hand out more sweeteners to allies and farmers as campaigning for the general elections ramps up. The Congress showed that it is still a force to reckon with in the Hindi-speaking belt of India and will now have a renewed vigour when it comes to sealing alliances with other opposition parties. Having presented the election results as a collective assessment on the Modi government, it is in a strong position to take on India’s ruling party in next year’s Lok Sabha elections. However, it remains to be seen if the promise of loan waivers and freebies can fuel its campaign. The stage is set for an interesting 2019. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/we-accept-the-peoples-mandate-indias-state-election-results-prove-a-huge-setback-for-pm-narendra-modis-bjp/articleshow/67053526.cms">'We accept the people's mandate': India's state election results prove a huge setback for PM Narendra Modi's BJP</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-top-two-political-parties-in-india-are-bickering-over-whos-better-at-building-toilets/articleshow/63941200.cms">The top two political parties in India are bickering over who’s better at building toilets</a>

Here are some reasons why India’s ruling party lost to its main rival in three very important state elections

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/40868489.cms" /> BJP president <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> has said the Narendra Modi-led government and the Indian army will give a "befitting reply" firing from <keyword id="3001" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword> along the international border in <keyword id="6357972" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jammu">Jammu</keyword> and Kashmir. 
 "Home Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajnath-Singh">Rajnath Singh</keyword> has clearly said that if Pakistan resorts to firing, we will definitely give a befitting reply to them," Shah said during a rally in Jammu. 
 
Shah also visited two camps set up for the villagers driven out of their homes near the Line of Control due to indiscriminate firing from Pakistan. 
 
"It was Omar Abdullah's duty to meet people displaced due to the Pakistani firing. Why didn't he meet affected people rather than add insult to injury?" Shah said. 
 
Reacting to Shah's attack, Omar Abdullah said, "We can't do anything with cross border shelling. That's something for the government of India to see how they will respond to that. But saying that we are not doing anything for those who are affected would be wrong."

India Will Give Befitting Reply To Pakistan: Amit Shah

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/42188054.cms" /> The Uttar Pradesh police has filed a chargesheet against <keyword id="6374198" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="BJP-President">BJP President</keyword> <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> for allegedly giving a ‘<keyword id="6406418" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hate-speech">hate speech</keyword>’ in violation of the model code of conduct while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Muzaffarnagar. The chargesheet was filed in a Muzaffarnagar court for allegedly seeking votes on the basis of religion, race, caste and community. 
 
The chargesheet has been filed under various sections of IPC, including 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, etc.), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class) and 505 (false statement, rumour, etc. circulated with intent to cause mutiny or offence against the public peace), and Section 123-3 of Representation of People Act (making an appeal to vote on the grounds of religion amounting to corrupt practice). 
 Shah had allegedly said that the 2014 <keyword id="43815" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-election">Lok Sabha election</keyword> was an opportunity to seek "revenge for the insult" meted out during the riots in Muzaffarnagar in 2013. Shah's political opponents accuse him of using communal tension to electoral advantage, which he has denied. The ruling <keyword id="6354265" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="samajwadi-party">Samajwadi Party</keyword> leader <keyword id="6355085" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Azam-Khan">Azam Khan</keyword> was also under fire for similar charges.

Chargesheet Filed Against Amit Shah For Alleged Hate Speech In Muzaffarnagar

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/45618285.cms" /> Voters in <keyword id="17605" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword> haven’t given any political party the chance to emerge out s a winner. While People's <keyword id="155982" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Democratic-Party">Democratic Party</keyword> (<keyword id="42369" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="PDP">PDP</keyword>) emerged as the single largest party, <keyword id="58687" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Janata-Party">Bharatiya Janata Party</keyword> (BJP), which was aiming for 44 plus, managed to grab the second spot. In <keyword id="6360371" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jharkhand">Jharkhand</keyword>, BJP will be able to form the government on its own. As per latest reports, the final result tally in Jammu and Kashmir is: PDP (29), BJP (25), National Conference (12) and <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> (12). In Jharkhand, the tally stands as: BJP (41), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (20) and Congress (7). 
 
Although the National Conference (NC) has lost power, it has managed to salvage at least some pride as the party is leading in 12 seats. 
 
Contrary to what the exit polls had projected, the Congress’ performance has been bad across constituencies. The most likely post-poll scenario is that the PDP would form the government with either the Congress or BJP. However, there is also a possibility of the BJP forming the government in alliance with the NC. "All options are open for us, BJP will decide on how other parties respond or initiate," BJP President Amit Shah said. 
 
Jharkhand, which has seen nine chief ministers in the 14 years, has finally been able to get a stable government. The BJP and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) alliance is leading in 41 seats, which is the magic number in the 81-member Assembly. It is pertinent to mention here that some exit polls like Today's Chanakya had predicted 61 seats for the BJP. Even other agencies had predicted more than 50 seats for the party.

Hung Assembly In J&K; Lotus Blooms In Jharkhand

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/56101491.cms" /> 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Prime+Minsiter+Narendra+Modi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi</a> has always addressed Indian <keyword id="57609" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diaspora">Diaspora</keyword> during his foreign tours, appealing and encouraging them to invest in their homeland. Behind the powerful speeches, actions and plans is <keyword id="667859" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vijay-Chauthaiwale">Vijay Chauthaiwale</keyword>, who plans how <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword>’s foreign policy should be. 
 
Chauthaiwale, 53, was chosen by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=BJP&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">BJP</a> President <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Amit+Shah+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Amit Shah </a>and since then, he has driven Modi’s efforts to reach roughly 28 million expatriates and people of Indian origin around the world, helping plan glamorous events at venues such as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Wembley+Stadium&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Wembley Stadium</a>. 
 
To lure foreign investments, Modi has been bettering relations with the NRIs. It also allows Modi to increase the profile of Indians in the U.S, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere, turning these large communities into politically potent constituencies that can push local politicians and businesses to seek closer economic ties with India. 
 
"This government sees diaspora as a part of the development story and we want them to be informal ambassadors for India in their own country, engaging themselves with local politicians and actors," Chauthaiwale told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-20/meet-the-man-leading-modi-s-outreach-to-india-s-huge-diaspora">Bloomberg </a>in an interview. 
 However, everyone isn’t convinced. Experts say Modi's compelling picth is yet to see results. “PM Modi’s reform efforts have yet to compel a significant number of non-resident Indians to invest or return,” <keyword id="1020377" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sreeram-Chaulia">Sreeram Chaulia</keyword>, dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs and author of a book on Modi's foreign policy, told Bloomberg. 
 
“Part of the challenge is that India's economy remains as unpredictable as ever: On Nov. 8, Modi plunged the country into social and economic uncertainty by suddenly invalidating 86 percent of currency in circulation, leading analysts to downgrade growth forecasts. NRIs still look at India with some skepticism, because ease of doing business in India has not improved that much," said Chaulia. 
 The Indian diaspora is a crucial part of India's economy. In 2015, the <keyword id="6354424" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Bank">World Bank</keyword> said the diaspora sent back $72.2 billion in remittances, more than India's bilateral trade with the U.S. and almost as much as the $74.9 billion trade relationship with China. 
 
The diaspora, including groups like the Overseas Friends of BJP, can also help Modi's attempt to change the Indian economy's reputation for corruption and red tape, Chauthaiwale said. 
 "Rebranding was necessary, because when Prime Minister Modi took charge, practically everyone had written off India because of the corruption scandals, nepotism and indecision. People are rediscovering the potential of India, especially the <keyword id="6357804" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="NRI">NRI</keyword> community,” said Chauthaiwale, 
 In an era characterized by a backlash against immigration -- with the election of President-Elect <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword>, the Brexit vote and Modi's clash with British Prime Minister <keyword id="368666" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Theresa-May">Theresa May</keyword> over student visas -- India's global workforce is under threat. 
 
Modi is pushing for looser migration rules for India's mobile professionals and Chauthaiwale said the government has made it easier for non-resident Indians to return to India, invest and do philanthropy in their home villages. 
 
Outreach to diaspora groups is a key plank of Modi's foreign policy that "helps India get accepted as a rising power," said Chaulia. 
 
These wealthy communities are also a large source of political donations for the BJP, he added. 
 
"It's a big fundraising mechanism," Chaulia said. "They don't mention it. But it's there." 
 
As the BJP prepares for crucial state elections next year, the party won't end its global outreach, Chauthaiwale said, and will help to coordinate foreign visits for cabinet ministers with newly engaged diaspora groups. 
 
"They have a new sense of identity, and they are now also seeing themselves as a force to be reckoned with," he said.

Meet Vijay Chauthaiwale - the man leading PM Modi's campaign to woo Indians abroad

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/56499512.cms" /> <keyword id="6406658" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vibrant-Gujarat">Vibrant Gujarat</keyword>, the biennial business meet in <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword> has been labelled as the ‘<keyword id="100810" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Davos">Davos</keyword> of the East’ by the world’s major investors. Under the leadership of <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword>, during his Chief Ministership, Gujarat has evolved as an investors’ delight. During 2003, when most states of India were riding the IT wave and struggling to find profitability, Modi was calling investors from all over the world and briefing them about ease of doing business in India’s west coast. And he actually did it. 
 Cut to 2017. The 8th edition of Vibrant Gujarat is taking place under a Chief Minister who is just a little more than five months into his job. The erstwhile Chief Minister <keyword id="4057401" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="anandbehen-patel">Anandbehen Patel</keyword> had failed in her job to appease Dalits, create more jobs and keep <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> president <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> convinced. As Gujarat’s ‘economic expressway’ (as they prefer calling the event) seems to zoom off, you can hear echoing whispers among a few industrialists at the event, how much of the proposed promises have actually been implemented. Gujarat, which topped the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India has now lost it to <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> and Telengana. 
 
Experts believe, as Modi has become the Prime Minister, there have been instances of social unrest and political instability that came to the fore. And as the last business summit before the election is underway, investors’ minds are getting impacted. 
 
This edition of Vibrant Gujarat has seen MoUs touch Rs 20 lakh crores. The amount is likely to cross Rs 30 lakh croremark today, according to The Times of India. Among the sectors where companies expressed their intent to invest defence and aerospace, mining and minerals, chemicals, steel, urban infrastructure, petroleum and petrochemicals, renewable energy, automotive, electronics and information technology are noteworthy. 
 While the state government of Gujarat said that conversion rate is clocked at 70%, the opposition party <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> claimed the actual to be pegged at not more than 10%. However top business conglomerates <keyword id="4057400" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-and-adani-group">Reliance and Adani Group</keyword> said that they have fulfilled their promises. 
 To believe Gujarat’<keyword id="4057399" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="s-directorate-of-economics-and-statistics">s Directorate of Economics and Statistics</keyword>, about 8% have been implemented out of Rs 40 trillion proposed investments. Citing the Socio-Economic Review of Gujarat for 2015-16, The Mint had reported that 57% proposals made between 2003 and last year have been commissioned or implemented. 
 While Gujarat ranked fifth, Maharashtra that doesn’t organize any such summit has attracted the most FDIs, almost 30% of India’s total between 2002-2016, according to <keyword id="29740" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bloomberg">Bloomberg</keyword>. The same media report said, Gujarat is no longer the easiest place to do business any more. 
 However, Modi’s brain child Vibrant Gujarat has seen several other states including <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword> and <keyword id="6355588" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajasthan">Rajasthan</keyword> adapt the same concept and get investments. 
 The social unrest in India’s one of the most opulent states is rising. Only a few weeks back, Conveners of <keyword id="2983086" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Patidar-Anamat-Andolan-Samiti">Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti</keyword> (<keyword id="6406288" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="PaaS">PAAS</keyword>), <keyword id="45661" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="OBC">OBC</keyword> leaders and dalits have threatened to disrupt the summit, if fixed-pay and contractual employees were not made permanent by the state government. So a state, whose Minister of Industries, Mines and Minerals and <keyword id="25455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance">Finance</keyword> department <keyword id="387325" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rohit-Patel">Rohit Patel</keyword> boasted of ‘minimum labour unrest’ during his speech seems to be getting distracted. 
 
Not just that. A few months ago, Gujarat has witnessed backlash against jobless economic growth that could jeopardise development and BJP’s coming back t power in 2019, reported Bloomberg. 
 
This season of Vibrant Gujarat seemed to be relying largely on the previous editions of success. Most state ministers thanked Modi immensely for this summit, while avoiding media question of how much implementation has happened. What they offered are figures of investments and not facts about implementation.

Is Vibrant Gujarat losing its sheen
and surviving on the past glory of Modi days in Gujarat?

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/47427119.cms" />It is not necessary that all cabinet ministers have to gel with PM Narendra Modi. There are few ministers who had to work towards getting their equation right with the PM. 
 Economic Times reported how <keyword id="6391015" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Finance-Minister-Arun-Jaitley">Finance Minister Arun Jaitley</keyword>, Home Minister Rajanth Singh and Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj adjusted to work out their private equation with Modi. 
 
The most important minister in Modi’s cabinet is Jaitley. Arguably, Jaitley is Modi's go-to man. People close to Jaitley told ET that he was one of the trongest backers of Modi as BJP’s PM candidate at a time when several heavyweights were against the idea. 
 
The Finance Minister had also handled legal issues of both Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. A party leader told the financial daily that when Shah was banned from entering Gujarat by the Supreme Court, he went to Jaitley's house. 
 
The leader added that Shah relies heavily on Jaitley. "Those working closely with Shah now in the party are all Arun Jaitley's people. Shah's assessment of people is based on Arun's assessment and Modi too goes along," a party leader told ET. 
 
The leader also said that people close to Jaitley were given key ministries and the names were endorsed by Shah as well. 
 
A BJP leader told the financial daily that the close relationship between Modi, Jaitley and Shah was a source of much jealousy. 
 
"Of the trio, Jaitley is the easiest to attack since Modi can't be attacked and attacks on Shah will only start post Bihar if the party does badly," said the leader. 
 
The leader added that Jaitley was Modi's chief troubleshooter. 
 
One of the leaders also told ET that if performance of Modi Sarkar was to be judged largely on economy, Modi's most important minister was also the one who will be judged most ultimately. 
 Meanwhile, <keyword id="2286211" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Home-Minister-Rajnath-Singh">Home Minister Rajnath Singh</keyword> learnt to like Modi. 
 Singh is officially the number two in the <keyword id="581221" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Modi-Cabinet">Modi Cabinet</keyword> and as per an official notification, he gets to chair Cabinet meetings when the PM is away. 
 
Singh is a political heavyweight and Modi and Shah are quite careful not to mess with him. When the Home Minister publically expressed displeasure at rumours being spread about his son, allegedly by a Cabinet colleague, Modi and Shah rushed to assuage him. 
 
After Singh’s response, those rumours stopped. 
 
"The message was clear - Rajnath was not going to stay quiet," a BJP functionary told ET. In his first stint as BJP president, Singh shared an uneasy relationship with Modi and Jaitley. 
 
Singh had dropped Modi from the party's central parliamentary board and Jaitley from the post of chief spokesman. However, during his second stint, Singh’s relationship with Modi improved. 
 
Singh batted for Modi against party veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Sushma Swaraj. 
 
Economic Times reported that a senior Congress leader had also gone to Singh's house when he was the president to dissuade him from declaring Modi as the party's PM candidate. But to no avail. 
 
"He also got dissidents to stop critiquing Modi in public during the run-up to the election," a BJP leader told ET, adding “At one point Singh got Yashwant Sinha to speak to Shatrughan Sinha to tone down the latter's remarks against Modi.” 
 
Party leaders told ET that as smooth as Singh-Modi relations may be now, the uneasy relationship between the finance and home ministers could still become a problem for the prime minister. 
 
"The downfall of UPA-2 started with the shadow war between Pranab Mukherjee and P Chidambaram. Round-2 of Singh vs Jaitley, if it happens, can get troublesome for the PM," a party veteran told the financial daily. 
 
Coming to Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, she was a Modi critic was adjusted. 
 
“Sushma-ji's is a case of a remarkable transformation,” a BJP leader told ET. Before Modi climbed to top of the party, Swaraj was a Modi critic. 
 
A BJP veteran said Swaraj is good with her job even if no one talks about it. Officials say Modi is even more personally involved than most recent PMs. This could have been a source of angst for Swaraj, but she has simply got on with it. 
 
"She's shown great dignity," a BJP leader told ET. As per officials, Modi has asked the foreign minister to keep special focus on the Middle East and SAARC. 
 
"Sushma Swaraj really knows the dos and don'ts of ministerial functioning," a senior official told ET. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Know how Sushma, Rajnath and Arun Jaitley manage their equations with the PM

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43214980.cms" />MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: With <keyword id="6374198" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="BJP-President">BJP president</keyword> <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> issuing categorical instructions to the party’s Maharashtra leaders not to accept anything less than 130 assembly seats from <keyword id="6358821" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shiv-Sena">Shiv Sena</keyword>, the 25-year-old saffron alliance is likely to disintegrate, say observers. 
 Both Sena and <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> are said to be preparing to go their separate ways. The two parties have asked their cadre to prepare to go solo in the October 15 polls. The state BJP has convened a meeting of senior party functionaries in Mumbai on Tuesday to review the political situation in the wake of the aborted seat-sharing talks. 
 
As it became clear that the alliance was set to walk into the sunset, the two parties began the blame game. BJP state unit chief Devendra Fadnavis accused the Sena of bringing seat-sharing talks to a halt. “You can’t hold negotiations with a person who has closed the doors of his mind,” he told a Marathi news channel. 
 
A key Sena functionary said the alliance is dying an untimely death because of BJP’s Big Brother attitude. “BJP should accept the fact that Sena is a senior ally in the state... We accepted BJP’s ‘Mission 272’ during the LS polls. Why should our ‘Mission 150’ ruffle it?” he asked. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43214788.cms" /> 
 
 The Sena did make a feeble attempt earlier in the day to revive the alliance. A close confidant of Sena president <keyword id="53973" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Uddhav-Thackeray">Uddhav Thackeray</keyword> rang up BJP’s poll observer for the state, Om Prakash Mathur, suggesting resumption of seat-distribution talks, sources said. 
 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43214786.cms" /> Sena BJP leaders at their first poll rally in 1984. (Left to right) AB Vajpayee, <keyword id="6371377" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bal-Thackeray">Bal Thackeray</keyword>, Ram Naik, <keyword id="38062" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ram-Jethmalani">Ram Jethmalani</keyword>, Manohar Joshi and Pramod Mahajan. (Picture courtesy — Bal Thackeray: A photobiography by <keyword id="6355257" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Raj-Thackeray">Raj Thackeray</keyword>) 
But Mathur insisted on the party’s formula that the BJP should get 130 seats and the Sena could contest 140. The Sena president’s emissary did not get back to Mathur. 
 
Speculation was rife that the Maharashtra BJP may go for new allies, including the MNS and the NCP. However, BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy scotched talk of any kind of partnership with the NCP. 
 
“Actually, we would want the saffron partnership to survive the present crisis and we are eager to contest the assembly polls as allies. This is the collective wish of the people of Maharashtra. However, should the alliance end, the BJP will contest the election [all 288 seats] on its own. There is no question of cosying up to new friends,” Rudy said. 
 
Thackeray’s Sunday formula, which earmarked 151 seats for the Sena and 119 for BJP, with the remaining 18 seats going to four smaller allies, has been rejected by BJP. “The party is over. But we have no regrets,” said a senior BJP functionary. 
 
Sena and BJP offered completely contradictory versions on reports that Shah had spoken with Thackeray over the phone earlier in the day and urged for reconciliation. While Sena rubbished these reports, Rudy said, “Shah has spoken to the Sena chief, and that itself indicates that we are very, very eager to have the alliance. We won’t pull the plug. We are hopeful a solution will be found.” 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43214791.cms" /> 
 
 
Sources said neither party wanted to create the impression that it was the one pulling the plug. 
 
Sources in New Delhi said Shah had reiterated to Sena president BJP’s demand for 130 seats, saying the party was prepared to accept the seats which Sena had never won in the last 25 years. Sena is then learned to have improved its offer to 126 seats instead of 119, sources said. 
 
The state BJP, however, said there was no new offer from Sena for more seats. “There is practically no room for fresh talks with Sena as Thackeray has said in no uncertain terms that he would not offer a single seat more to us,” a BJP functionary pointed out. 
 Reports also said Uddhav had spoken to two top BJP leaders—foreign minister <keyword id="6355111" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sushma-Swaraj">Sushma Swaraj</keyword> and home minister Rajnath Singh—on Sunday to try and find a way out of the impasse. 
 
The saffron alliance’s fate was sealed at the BJP’s Parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, sources said. The state BJP leaders briefed the party president on the Sena’s “haughty” stance on seat-sharing and re-allocation of 59 Sena seats which it has been losing in five consecutive polls. 
 
Shah is believed to have told the Maharashtra leaders to take the final decision on whether or not to continue the alliance. He, however, made it clear that the party should not accept anything less than 130 seats. 
 
Shah is upset with the Sena for several reasons, it is said. First, for ignoring his “come two steps forward” appeal last week. Second, for rejecting the BJP’s 140:130:18 formula. Third, Thackeray announcing the 151:119:18 formula at a Sena conclave on Sunday in full media glare. “Seat-sharing proposals are not announced on TV channels,” remarked state BJP leader Eknath Khadse. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43214789.cms" /> 
 Fourth, for referring to <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> Narendra Modi’s ‘chaiwalla’ antecedents at the Sena’s Sunday conclave. Fifthly, for snubbing Om Prakash Mathur, the BJP’s poll observer in Maharashtra, by sending Aditya Thackeray as the Sena’s emissary to a crucial meeting with Mathur last week. 
 
BJP is keen on retaining the Rashtriya Samaj Party, RPI and Shiv Sangram Sanghatana as allies in the post-Sena era as part of a rainbow coalition of caste-based parties. 
 
Sena tried to put up a brave face in the middle of this crisis in the alliance. “Sena has survived many crises in the past. We will emerge stronger from the present one as well,” said Sena leader Vinod Ghosalkar, an MLA. 
 
Pooh-poohing talks of the MNS joining hands with the BJP, MNS leader Nitin Sardesai, also an MLA, said, “As of now, we would like to concentrate on the polls entirely on our own.”

As Alliance Crumbles, BJP & Sena Begin Blame Game

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43136513.cms" />NEW DELHI: Reconciled to a near-inevitable break-up with <keyword id="6358821" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shiv-Sena">Shiv Sena</keyword>, BJP on Sunday rolled out a plan to contest all 288 seats in Maharashtra along with its smaller allies. 
 The decision was taken by the party’s central election committee (CEC) after <keyword id="114039" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="BJP-chief">BJP chief</keyword> <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> briefed Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> about the <keyword id="6394856" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sena">Sena</keyword>’s adamant posture on seat-sharing. The CEC also finalized candidates for all the seats. 
 <keyword id="6356617" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="bjp-leader">BJP leader</keyword> Rajiv Pratap Rudy said after the meeting, "Maharashtra seats were discussed at the CEC meeting. Most of the candidates have been decided upon, and party president Amit Shah will announce these names. The political situation in Maharashtra was also discussed, and it was decided that efforts to continue with the alliance will be on, and we would want it to continue in the same spirit that the partnership has been going on for so long in a mutually respectful manner." 
 
With the process of filing nominations for the October 15 assembly polls not expected to gather momentum before September 25 because of the ongoing ‘inauspicious period of pitru paksha,’ both parties are considering waiting for another 72 hours before taking a final decision on the crucial alliance. 
 
"There is time till ‘shradh’ (which ends on September 24) for the tug-of-war to go on," a senior BJP leader said. 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43136258.cms" style="font-size: 13.63636302948px;" /> 
 
Senior BJP leaders from Maharashtra, who were in New Delhi on Sunday to attend the party’s Parliamentary board meeting, sought the central leadership’s go-ahead to snap poll ties. BJP also rejected Sena’s latest formula which Uddhav Thackeray spelt out at a party jamboree held in a Bandra auditorium on Sunday. Thackeray said Sena would contest 151 seats and leave 119 for BJP and 18 for junior allies. 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/As-Sena-and-BJP-negotiate-smaller-allies-talk-of-parting-ways/articleshow/43102232.cms">As Sena and BJP negotiate, smaller allies talk of parting ways</a> 
 
"This is all that I have to offer to BJP. If they reject this, then I am left with no other alternative," Thackeray told Shiv Sainiks. This is Uddhav’s lump-it-or-leave-it ultimatum to BJP, said observers. Like the Maharashtra BJP, Sena has asked all its party units across the state to be prepared to contest polls on their own strength, sources said. 
 
In his 45-minute speech, Thackeray gave ample indications that he was willing to plan Sena’s future minus BJP. "I will undoubtedly feel sorry if the alliance breaks... But if you are going to treat us like a blade of grass then our tigers are ready (to go solo)," he said. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43136262.cms" style="font-size: 13.63636302948px;" /> 
 
 
Urging Shiv Sainiks to remain united and stand behind the party leadership, Thackeray said, "This is our battle for survival... This is our final test. We will succeed if providence is on our side... We will fail if fate is not in our favour... Don’t forget that Chhatrapati Shivaji was born in Maharashtra and he took on the mighty Mughal rulers." 
 
Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, BJP leaders Eknath Khadse and Vinod Tawde summarily dismissed Sena’s formula. Khadse said his party was not ready for any more sacrifices for the Sena’s sake. Both he and Tawde made it clear that extracting more seats from Sena was their party’s top priority. "The Maharashtra BJP’s strike rate was 60% in 2009, while the Sena’s strike rate was 40%," Khadse pointed out. 
 
Stating that BJP had offered its Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra to RPI leader Ramdas Athavale in the larger interest of the ‘maha yuti’, Khadse expressed shock and dismay that the Sena was not willing to part with a couple of assembly seats as compensation. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43136259.cms" style="font-size: 13.63636302948px;" /> 
Shiv <keyword id="115191" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sena-chief">Sena chief</keyword> Uddhav Thackeray with BJP president Amit Shah. (PTI file photo) 
 
Earlier in the day, hours after Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's tough talk in Mumbai, BJP told its partner that it was the duty of both parties to continue the tie-up and sort out issues instead of going through the media, in remarks directed at the Sena chief. BJP also termed Thackeray's final offer to it as being “nothing new” as the party has been contesting on 119 seats ever since the partnership started 25 years ago. 
 
Tawde said Sena should accept BJP’s demand for re-allocation of assembly seats. "The number of seats which Sena lost in the last five elections is 59. We want these seats to be re-distributed," he stated. 
 
"The issue of seat-sharing issue can be sorted out mutually through face-to-face talks and not through media (TV)," Tawde added. 
 
Uddhav, too, used harsh words for the 25-year-old ally. Giving a lowdown on the seat-sharing talks, he said BJP’s Om Prakash Mathur came to him 10 days ago with the 135:135 formula. "I told him we should sit down and talk. We must iron out the issues between us. Mathur later came to see me with an offer of 145 seats... We will give you these many seats, he said. Who are they to give us?", he asked. 
 
Thackeray also referred to the 140:130 formula which state BJP president Devendra Fadnavis presented to him on Saturday. 
 
The thrust of Thackeray’s speech was that BJP was not ready to acknowledge Sena’s growing strength in Maharashtra and that Sena would not tolerate humiliation from its poll partner. "What is in our ‘naseeb’ (fate), no one can take away from us," he remarked. 
 
"We have respect for Narendra Modi. But he too was humiliated as a chaiwalla... Our Sainiks will assume power if Goddess Tulja Bhavani and Goddess Mahalakshmi bless them," he added. 
 
Recalling Sena-BJP’s halcyon days, Thackeray praised Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde for leading the alliance. "Mahajan and Munde never stretched things too far. Our differences would never spiral out of control." 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/43136261.cms" style="font-size: 13.63636302948px;" /> 
 
(From left) BJP leader Vinod Tawde, BJP national president Amit Shah, president of Maharashtra state unit of BJP Devendra Fadnavis and BJP MLC Chandrakant Patil during a rally in Kolhapur. (TOI photo) 
 
"I have no ego, no ambition. I have a high level of self-confidence… I want power in Maharashtra, not for any other reason but to accelerate Maharashtra’s development," said the Sena president. 
 
Senior Sena functionary Subhash Desai said there was no Modi wave in Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country. Why did the BJP lose heavily in recent by-elections if there was a Modi wave, Desai asked. 
 
Thackeray claimed Modi could continue as Gujarat CM after the Godhra episode because of Balasaheb Thackeray. "L K Advani had sought Balasaheb’s advice on whether to remove Modi as Gujarat CM following widespread clamour against him. Balasaheb told Advani to retain Modi, and described Modi as a ‘mard’ (brave man) and a ‘tiger’," Uddhav said. 
 
The smaller allies, meanwhile, gave a word of warning. Mahadeo Jankar of the Rashtriya Samaj Party asked the Sena-BJP to finalise the seat-sharing formula by Monday, failing which he and the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana led by Raju Shetti would walk out of the alliance. 
 
"If the differences over seat-sharing are not resolved by tomorrow, I and Raju Shetti will contest all the 288 assembly seats jointly," Jankar told agencies. The two parties would contest 144 seats each, he said. 
 
Ramdas Athavale of the RPI demanded 20 seats for the smaller allies. "Out of the 20 seats, RPI should get 10, five each from the Sena and BJP," he said.

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