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Assembly election results of five Indian states, viz. Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry were declared today, and here are the 10 takeaways that came out. 
 
1. Days of Congress look limited 
 
Even though it is back in Uttarakhand, but Congress has lost two more states, Assam and Kerala, which means that its days in the country are limited as of now. Presently, Congress has its government only in 6 out of the 29 Indian states. 
 
2. Only central power doesn’t work 
 
After losing Delhi and Bihar assembly elections, BJP seems to have realized that they can’t win everywhere only because of PM Modi. This is why local leadership is always useful. 
 
3. Rahul Gandhi needs another update, fast 
 
Congress scion Rahul Gandhi is having a tough time in convincing Indians about his caliber. With his return to prominence last year, which was named Rahul 2.0, he seems to have lost the zeal once again, unable to engage himself in politics the way he is supposed to. 
 
4. Saffron is India’s new favorite color 
 
Even though the growth is slowly, but BJP is surely paving its way into India’s heart. Winning Assam has made BJP come out of the tag of being a cow-belt party. With governments in 9 states and sharing power in 4 states, one can see how fast India is turning saffron. 
 
5. West Bengal has a strange algorithm of its own 
 
What worked for the Congress party in Bihar, fell on its face in West Bengal. While Rahul Gandhi was able to bring Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad together, forming a RJD-JDU-Congress alliance, he couldn’t defeat TMC (39.79%) even after a Left-Congress alliance (39.64%), because of the visible tension between Left and Congress in Kerala. 
 
6. Age, what’s that? 
 
While India as a country talks of its young population, Indian politics doesn’t understand this concept. VS Achuthanandan and Karunanidhi, both nonagenarians have led their parties to power in two important states. 
 
7. Corruption can still make you win 
 Corruption is not the only factor that would decide your fate in <keyword id="444541" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-elections">Indian elections</keyword>, and this is visible from TMC’s win, despite scams like viz. Saradha and Narada. 
 
8. Incumbent or not, who cares? 
 <keyword id="43868" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mamata-Banerjee">Mamata Banerjee</keyword> became the CM because of being a CM, and <keyword id="6364034" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tarun-Gogoi">Tarun Gogoi</keyword> lost because of this. So incumbent or not, it doesn’t decide your victory or loss. 
 
9. Modi is still to get an arch rival for 2019 
 
When PM Narendra Modi goes in for the 2019 general election, who is going to be his arch rival? This is something that is yet to be decided, because Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar and now Mamata Banerjee have all emerged as possible competitors, but not all of them can stand tall in the 2019 elections. 
 
10. It’s going to be BJP vs regional parties now 
 
With Congress majorly out of scene, Indian would see a national party BJP battling with several regional parties in the future. So one can be ready to see BJP fighting it out with SP, BSP, Nitish Kumar- led coalition and other parties. 
 
<a href="http://blogs.ft.com/photo-diary/files/2013/12/PB2768052.jpg">Image source</a>

Here are 10 things you must know about today’s assembly election results

NEW DELHI: The BJP vs Congress war over Robert Vadra's land deals shows no signs of abating with the saffron party asserting that the Rajasthan government will begin its probe into the controversial deals next month and questioning the "silence" of party chief Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi on the transactions. 
 
BJP declared Vadra's deals will be investigated in Rajasthan, where CM Vasundhara Raje will ensure a thorough probe once the Lok Sabha polls end on May 16. BJP said the silence of Congress's top duo only added to suspicions that the "family" had something to hide on the land deals, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said. 
 
Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari also chipped in from Lucknow where he was campaigning for Rajnath Singh, saying the UPA government should either set up a judicial probe into Vadra's dealings or Sonia should file a defamation suit if the allegations against her son-in-law are baseless. 
 
Sitharaman added, "It is not an issue of vendetta politics. It is more an issue of an electoral promise given by Raje that she will definitely look into all the malpractices of the Gehlot government and Vadra is one of these ... once the model code is lifted ... law will take its due course." 
 
Congress retaliated by dismissing BJP's threats, saying the saffron party had got "nervous" because of Priyanka Gandhi's effective campaign. "It is very clear BJP is panicking due to Priyanka Gandhi's campaign in Rae Bareli and Amethi. Her campaign is resonating across the country," party spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, describing the information in a CD and booklet released by BJP as "trash allegations made by an elementary school kid". But BJP is showing no signs of easing its attacks on Vadra. "Till date, we don't have the Congress chief talking about it nor has the vice-president, who had said he will bring in great reformatory changes in the party," Sitharaman said. 
 
BJP also termed Congress's claim of the Supreme Court giving Vadra a clean chit an "incorrect interpretation". With the two parties sparring over the issue, AAP accused both of "selective shadow-boxing", saying they were driving away the focus of the campaign from real issues. In a statement, the party said it had already highlighted the issue of Vadra's dealings 18 months ago.

Rajasthan Government Will Probe Vadra's Land Deals After LS Polls: BJP

<ul><li>As 14 constituencies in <keyword id="6354780" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword> head to the polls today, 24.3 million voters will choose between the Congress-Janata Dal coalition currently ruling in the state and the party in power at the centre, the <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword>. </li><li>After consistently voting for the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> till 1991, the state has swung between electing a majority of BJP candidates vs Congress candidates since 1996. </li><li>A key issue on voters minds will be the slow implementation of the Congress-JDS government’s state <keyword id="56684" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waiver">loan waiver</keyword> scheme, which has also been stalled by the Election Commission until polling is over. </li></ul> As 14 constituencies in Karnataka head to the polls today, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/modis-popularity-on-test-as-karnataka-goes-to-polls/articleshow/68920931.cms">24.3 million </a>voters will choose between the Congress-Janata Dal coalition currently ruling in the state and the party in power at the centre, the BJP. After consistently voting for the Congress till 1991, the state has swung between electing a majority of BJP candidates vs Congress candidates <a href="http://www.elections.in/karnataka/parliamentary-constituencies/">since 1996</a>. The state, which is also home to the country’s startup capital, Bengaluru, will be a crucial one in this election too since no party or alliance exerts an unassailable influence so far. As voters assess the 241 candidates, which include 133 Independents, in the following constituencies - Udupi-Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajnagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkaballapur and Kolar - a big question will be on the minds of the state’s farmers: which party’s handouts will be more generous? The situation for farmers has been bleak for a while. Following months of damage to farmland due to floods and landslides, by the end of 2018, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/we4v5MvF7mj6ZWG0kiC8gJ/Farm-crisis-deepens-in-Karnataka-156-talukas-declared-droug.html">156 out of 176 administrative divisions</a> on the state were declared drought-hit, amplifying farmer distress. As campaigning for state elections in May 2018 reached fever pitch, both the BJP and Congress pledged loan waivers and income support. Both their manifestos promised <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/karnataka-election-2018/story/how-both-bjp-and-congress-aggressively-woo-farmers-in-karnataka-1226789-2018-05-04">thousands of crores of loan waivers </a>as well as funding for agriculture projects. State elections in May last year ultimately resulted in a hung Assembly, with the Congress and <keyword id="123462" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Janata-Dal">Janata Dal</keyword> joining forces to form a coalition government. One of the coalition’s first orders of business was to waive farmer loans to the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/rs-44000-crore-loan-waiver-has-helped-only-800-farmers-so-far-karnataka/articleshow/67069947.cms">tune of ₹440 billion</a>. The initial goodwill around the scheme likely powered an important victory for the Congress <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/karnataka-bypoll-results-congress-jds-coalition-leads-in-two-ls-seats-bjp-in-one/articleshow/66521102.cms?from=mdr">in five bypolls</a> in November 2018. However, the scheme was slower to implement than expected. As of mid-December 2018, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/rs-44000-crore-loan-waiver-has-helped-only-800-farmers-so-far-karnataka/articleshow/67069947.cms">only 800 farmers </a>had benefited from the scheme, a far cry from the millions of farmers that were expected to avail of it. The problem? The state’s banks had trouble reconciling the final list of eligible beneficiaries. The state government was quick to do damage control amid growing discord with farmers. In February 2019, it announced that around <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/karnataka-released-rs-5-450-crore-for-farm-loan-waiver-chief-minister-kumaraswamy-1990568">₹54.5 billion of funds</a> for the scheme had been released, and that the number of eligible beneficiaries had nearly doubled to 11 million. A strong election campaign for the Lok Sabha was assured. Until the <keyword id="65281" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Election-Commission-of-India">Election Commission of India</keyword> (ECI) stepped in. In March 2019, the ECI ordered <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/loan-waiver-scheme-hits-poll-code-roadblock/article26594392.ece">the temporary suspension of the loan waiver scheme</a> until general elections were over, saying that payments under the scheme could be used to influence voters. The move stalled ₹1.5 billion of loan repayments. While the suspension further slows down the scheme and will delay <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/loan-waiver-scheme-hits-poll-code-roadblock/article26594392.ece">its final implementation well past July 2019</a>, the state’s farmers are looking to the <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> administration for a lifeline. The cash transfer scheme for announced in the government’s interim budget is expected to benefit eight million smallholding and marginal farmers in the state, with <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/pm-kisan-scheme-about-5-cr-farmers-to-get-2nd-installment-from-next-month/story/330337.html">two of three installments </a>coming right before polling started. Apparently, the ECI didn’t feel that would exert undue influence on voters. As things stand, the state’s farmers are caught between two competing governments and two competing schemes. A vote will likely mean a vote for a scheme that has helped them to a greater extent. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/uttar-pradesh-lok-sabha-elections-2019-first-phase-polling-will-see-farmers-anger/articleshow/68820034.cms">Uttar Pradesh’s unpaid farmers who are owed ₹128 billion will express their anger with ballot ink</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/lok-sabha-elections-2019-first-phase-of-polling-key-issues-in-all-states/articleshow/68824300.cms">142 million voters go to polls today in 20 states— here’s a look at the key issues in every state</a>

A crucial swing state in India is upset over a patchy loan waiver and that may be an advantage for Narendra Modi

<ul><li>The ED issued a summons for popular Hindi film actor <keyword id="6357861" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ranbir-kapoor" source="Orion">Ranbir Kapoor</keyword> a month back while investigating the <keyword id="15960875" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mahadev-app" source="Orion">Mahadev App</keyword> case.</li><li>The investigation started after a lavish wedding in UAE budgeted at Rs 250 crore drew the ED’s attention.</li><li>BJP and Congress are trading allegations regarding the app’s ban timing.</li></ul> The Mahadev App, a live betting platform, promoted by Ravi Uppal and Sourabh Chandrakar has allegedly earned Rs 5,000 crore through a scam. The Directorate of Enforcement or ED says that the grand Rs 250-crore wedding of Sourabh Chandrakar in the United Arab Emirates prompted an investigation. The alleged scam has drawn in popular Hindi film actor, Ranbir Kapoor who has also been questioned in this investigation. Additionally, the BJP and the Congress are locked in a war of political allegations over this matter as the Chhattisgarh election draws near. Here is what we know so far about this multifaceted case. Why is Mahadev betting app back in news? The Indian central government has imposed blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including platforms like Mahadev Book Online and Reddyannaprestopro after an investigation into the Mahadev App. So, what does the Mahadev app do? The Mahadev Book App, before getting banned, provided a platform for betting on live games such as cricket, football, tennis, poker, etc. in India. It functioned through several websites and allowed betting advertisements. Why was Ranbir Kapoor questioned? While investigating the case, the ED issued a summons for popular Hindi film actor Ranbir Kapoor on October 6. The ED probe into the Mahadev app showed that Ranbir Kapoor was paid by the application promoters for endorsing their gaming platform. Allegedly, the payment made to Ranbir Kapoor could have come from the proceeds of the crime. Thus, the Bollywood star was asked to come before investigating authorities. Politics over Mahadev: The BJP vs Cong war of words Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar did not send any request to block these platforms despite having powers to do so alleges the Chhattisgarh government. However, in a post on social media platform X (earlier known as Twitter), Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "ED has been investigating the 'Mahadev App' case for several months. Still, it is surprising that it took so much time to ban it." He claimed that the demand to ban Mahadev App was also first made by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on August 24. What is the accusation against CM Baghel? The BJP has accused the state chief minister of being in the know about the scam. The BJP's IT Cell chief Amit Malviya has further claimed that the betting app ran under the patronage of "Bhupesh Baghel's police", adding that several police officers also "collaborated" in the scam. What has the ED said about the investigation? The Enforcement Directorate said a person, identified as Asim Das, was sent from the UAE to deliver a large amount of cash for the election expenses of the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh. The ED has also claimed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was paid Rs 508 crore by the promoters of the Mahadev betting app.

Explained: The hullabaloo over the Mahadev App that dragged Ranbir Kapoor to the ED office

The fight between scam vs sham has hit the roof. The most ambitious ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/How-Modi-Government-Used-India-Economic-Summit-To-Showcase-Its-Reforms-Agenda/articleshow/45146210.cms">reforms</a>’ agenda as promised by Modi government looks like a rose tinted picture of a land that does not exist anywhere yet. Reason, the country’s opposition has been continuing to block the government from functioning, by way of stalling the parliament—something and the same thing that BJP did for years when former PM Manmohan Singh government was in control of the country’s fate. 
 <keyword id="6354721" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="parliament">Parliament</keyword>’s monsoon session is heading towards a complete ‘washout’ if the terms are to be used precisely. It has been more than two weeks since the government decided to bring some crucial bills to be tabled, and the opposition is holding the government to ransom over things that have ranged from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Apologise-to-Sushma-Swaraj-or-face-defamation-suit-Gadkari-warns-Rahul-Gandhi/articleshow/48201128.cms">Sushma Swaraj</a> and Vasundhara Raje’s efforts to get the ‘fugitive’ Lalit Modi a visa to travel abroad. This was just the tip of the iceberg. What followed was the suspension of 25 <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> MPs by the speaker and all hell has broken loose. 
 The logjam in the parliament has almost put a huge spoke into government’s plans of furthering the <keyword id="6447217" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="reforms">reforms</keyword> agenda, a year later it assumed office. In the meantime, the most controversial bill of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Land-BillVictory-for-the-time-being/articleshow/48357574.cms">land acquisition</a>, and the legislation relating to tax reforms have been in a quandary. 
 
While the government has completely done a U turn on land acquisition bill, there is more to come in the future. The bill that was amended by the BJP government with nine points that had landed it in the soup, has now returned to the original draft as prepared by the Congress led UPA II. 
 
This has not gone down well with the corporate sector which was waiting for its share of acche din, as promised by Modi to the corporates who were keen on setting up businesses in India. Even the in-house ones, are viewing this U turn as a major setback to their plans of expanding businesses. 
 
With respect to both the bills, there is a delay and hence the dilution in the content. This is worrisome for the corporate sector since any dilution in the bills is bound to cost them time, resources and enormous amounts of financial investment to make things work. 
 
The land bill that could have made it easier for the government to acquire lands and give it away for industrial and development purposes, is now a fairy tale that has been laid to rest. The amateurishness of the government in this is showing, and how! Much to the dismay of the people who vested their faith in it, Modi’s government is somehow crumbling the cookie. 
 
The government which enjoys the majority of only 31% people who voted it to power, did not pay attention to the fact that it had to take opposition into confidence to make things work. Analysts say this is costing the government very dear, in terms of agendas and bills being stalled and sessions in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/India-to-boycott-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Union-meeting-in-Islamabad-next-month-Lok-Sabha-Speaker/articleshow/48393808.cms">parliament</a> being disrupted. 
 
The monsoon session is turning the government into a desperate situation where the political impasse is hurting very badly. The promise of restoring momentum seems like a far cry, what with the government not treading the right path with the reforms agenda. 
 
The opposition too, is referring the disruption back to BJP where the latter did the same with UPA II. The chickens have come home to roost and it is hurting the overall image of the government very badly. Opposition says this was something they learnt from the party that is in power now. Having said that, Congress’ ways and means of disrupting the session aren’t well appreciated either. Doing it for the heck of it, may not be the right way to echo people’s emotions. 
 
For its side, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/RaGa-hibernates-Congress-waits/articleshow/46783239.cms">Congress</a> felt people need to have a say in land acquisition process and hence, they took the fight to the streets and were greeted with great enthusiasm. This was the comeback moment for the party that suffered a serious drubbing last year. 
 
But, disrupting the parliament over issues that have no serious political implications is doing injustice to the people of India. For the monsoon session, though the BJP had also come prepared with some serious allegations against states where Congress was in power, the session has turned into a huge blame game that sees no respite at the end of it. 
 
People who voted for acche din, weren’t staggering numbers. The beauty of democracy is unraveling in the parliament. And this is not presenting a pretty picture at all. 
 
Some concrete steps have to be initiated to break the impasse and get the monsoon session to deliver some goods to the people of this nation. After all, people cannot move from non-functionality to the days when nothing gets done because of corruption or ulterior motives. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

Monsoon
session: ‘Washout’ is hurting

NEW DELHI: <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> has said he is ready to take any responsibility given to him by the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> leadership, refueling speculation that he might be anointed the party’s PM candidate at the AICC session in Delhi on Friday. 
 
"There is no word called reluctance in my life," he said in an interview to a Hindi daily when asked whether he was wary of accepting responsibilities. 
 
"People of India will decide through their elected representatives who will be the PM of the country. In national interest, it is a must that Congress returns to power. And to fulfill that objective, I will discharge with full dedication every responsibility that the party has given to me or will give me in the future," he further said. 
 He also clarified that his earlier comment, quoting <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword>, that power was like poison did not connote an aversion to power, emphasizing that what he meant to say was that power should be used for the betterment of others, not for self-aggrandizement. 
 
Rahul did evade a direct response to a question about the possibility of a "specific" and "direct" declaration, saying this had never been the party’s style. He also expressed reservation over the obsession with individual personalities and individual posts: a reference to the incessant "will he be, won’t he be" talk about whether he will be declared the PM nominee. 
 
Yet, Rahul’s remarks were interpreted as his readiness to be announced the PM candidate. There has been stubborn clamour within Congress for the young leader to be named the party’s PM pick. 
 Significantly, the interview did not lift the uncertainty on what might unfold at the AICC session on Friday. Congress seems to be divided whether it should name Rahul as the PM candidate or should it stick to the old policy of going into elections without a <keyword id="2015473" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="formal-PM">formal PM</keyword> nominee. 
 
The party has in the last week or so oscillated between the ambitious desire to declare him to be the PM nominee at the AICC huddle on the one hand, and the hardnosed recognition that doing so could be risky and might dent Brand Rahul at a time when the going is not good for the party in any case. 
 
A section in the party believes there is little to be gained by keeping the ambiguity about leadership since Rahul is anyways seen to be leading the Congress and applause and criticism are bound to be directed at him. 
 
Instead, this school of thought thinks that naming Rahul would give a sense of direction to the party and would show it as a confident player in the 2014 elections. 
 But opinion is divided because there is also another group that holds that putting Rahul up for the contest would harm the party’s prospects. With BJP having announced <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> as its PM candidate, it would bring Rahul directly in contest with the Gujarat <keyword id="5269" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chief-Minister">chief minister</keyword> and open him to closer scrutiny. 
 
It is felt there is little to be gained from changing the party policy of not going into elections with a PM candidate. 
 Many believe that facilitating a "Rahul vs Modi" battle would reduce the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> elections to a direct battle between two aspirants while keeping Rahul out of the prime ministerial race would let the national battle become an aggregate of state elections which would bring local factors into play. The BJP’s geographical limitation come into play in the absence of a "Rahul vs Modi" contest, this group argues. 
 
Interestingly, the interview was marked by what looked like an almost unprovoked reference to three figures from India’s history. "India has witnessed Samrat Ashok, Akbar and Aurangzeb. Ashok is famous for integrating people, Akbar too worked in this direction and this is why people take their name with great respect. However, Aurangzeb is known for other reasons," he said. Many wondered whether the allusion was a dig at Modi. 
 Rahul also made his first direct criticism of the <keyword id="6354944" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aam-Aadmi-Party">Aam Aadmi Party</keyword> even as he complimented the rookie outfit for seeking to change the nature and role of politics. "<keyword id="6356115" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="AAP">AAP</keyword> has also worked toward this direction, but we are two different entities with different ideologies and different styles of working. I don’t agree with many of their recent decisions because our decisions should not be based on short-term gains, instead the decision should be made while keeping long-term benefits and a secure future for people," he said. 
 
Times View 
 
Although an online poll by this newspaper suggests that popular opinion is against Rahul Gandhi being projected by the Congress as its prime ministerial candidate, we feel he should take the plunge. There are two reasons for this. First, a strong perception has grown that the Gandhi scion is averse to taking up responsibility that comes with accountability. If he steps up to the plate for the upcoming PM’s contest, he may or may not succeed, but he will certainly dispel this impression and will be taken seriously by the people. It can only help him. Secondly, for long Rahul has been hovering in the wings, exercising considerable authority without any formal responsibility – for instance, the way he intervened to scupper an ordinance. But it is no substitute for real responsibility. Nor is it a happy situation. It's time for him to stand up and be counted.

I Am Ready For Any Role Congress Gives Me, Rahul Says

(Image source- Pixabay) <ul><li>One of the major reasons the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> was able to wrest three very important states from the ruling <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> in the recent round of <keyword id="6355644" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="elections">elections</keyword> is because of its promises to write off farmers loans. </li><li>After a <keyword id="56684" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-waiver">loan waiver</keyword> is announced, farmers stop servicing their loans. As banks won’t be able to recover these debts, the waiver leads to a buildup in their <keyword id="142154" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="bad-loans">bad loans</keyword> and shortage in liquidity. </li><li>The state government writing off the loans usually compensates the banks, but it can take a number of years for the funds to reach the banks. </li><li><keyword id="6358908" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="raghuram-rajan">Raghuram Rajan</keyword>, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, has written to the Election Commission to recommend a ban on pre-election announcements relating to loan waivers. </li></ul>It has become a common, albeit alarming, practice by India’s political parties in recent months to offer loan waivers to farmers while on the campaign trail. The move makes sense. Farmers are a huge vote bank and can be easily swayed by promises that their debts will go away. But, ultimately, when the party makes good on its electoral promises, it’s the banks, taxpayers and most importantly, future governments that end up inheriting the problem. It’s the classic conundrum of short-term gain vs long-term instability. Farm loan waivers offer immediate relief but don’t solve the problem of high input costs and weak prices of agricultural commodities. While they’ve been mooted as solution to preventing farmer suicides, the waivers actually apply to farmers with relatively large landholdings since they have the ability to secure loans from formal institutions. Smallholder farmers do not usually get covered under waiver schemes since they borrow money from loan sharks. Loan waivers also prevent productive investments by the government in agricultural research and innovation. More importantly, based on the regularity of such handouts, farmers are disincentivised from servicing their loans in the first place. One of the major reasons the Congress was able to wrest <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/here-are-some-reasons-why-indias-ruling-party-lost-to-its-main-rival-in-three-very-important-state-elections/articleshow/67057122.cms">three very important states</a> from the ruling BJP in the recent round of elections is because of its promises to write off farmers loans. It did, to be fair, take a cue from BJP governments in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, which wrote off loans last year. Within days of assuming power, the new governments of both Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh announced the waiver of loans with Rajasthan also following suit. The decisions endanger the recovery of a significant proportion of the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/farm-loan-waivers-in-states-may-put-squeeze-on-lending/articleshow/67184308.cms">₹1.47 trillion</a> worth of farmer loans outstanding in these three states. After a loan waiver is announced, farmers stop servicing their loans. As banks won’t be able to recover these debts, the waiver portends a buildup in their bad loans and shortage in funds for the purpose of extending further loans. In addition, banks become reluctant to grant large loans to the agricultural sector. The state government writing off the loans usually compensates the banks, but it can take a number of years for the funds to reach the banks. And where do these funds come from? The coffers of the state government, or if it doesn’t have enough cash on hand, it raises the money from debt markets by issuing bonds. In essence, the government is currying favour from the electorate by taking a loan from taxpayers and future state governments, which will inevitably struggle to govern amid financial pressure. Last week, Raghuram Rajan, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, said that he had written to the Election Commission <a href="https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2018/12/14/Raghuram-Rajan-bats-for-banning-of-loan-waiver-promises-in-poll-manifestos.html">to recommend a ban </a>on pre-election announcements relating to loan waivers. Despite Rajan’s efforts, the trend looks set to continue. Following their election losses, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government is reportedly <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/modi-likely-to-announce-farm-loan-waivers-to-win-back-rural-voters/article25723758.ece">planning</a> their own handouts to farmers ahead of general elections in mid-2019. Following a pledge from the Congress to provide a national loan waiver, the party in power at the centre is expected to write off ₹4 trillion worth of farmer loans over the next couple of months, which will exacerbate their fiscal deficit. However, they will cross that bridge when they come to it. The immediate priority is of course, re-election and that means, playing into the demands of rural voters. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/here-are-some-reasons-why-indias-ruling-party-lost-to-its-main-rival-in-three-very-important-state-elections/articleshow/67057122.cms">Here are some reasons why India’s ruling party lost to its main rival in three very important state elections</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-bad-loan-problem-continues-to-break-records/articleshow/64601136.cms">India's bad loan problem continues to break records</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-amazing-public-relations-of-the-farmer-protests-in-maharashtra/articleshow/63328247.cms">The amazing public relations of the farmer protests in Maharashtra</a>

Politically driven, financially unsound: The loan waivers offered by India’s political parties will only serve to worsen the country’s bad loan crisis

Out of the 1,463 candidates in the poll fray in the second phase of <keyword id="9317522" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-bihar-assembly">the Bihar Assembly</keyword> elections, 502 have criminal cases against them of which 389 are serious, a report claimed on Tuesday. The report was released by <keyword id="10176486" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-bihar-election-watch">the Bihar Election Watch</keyword> and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) after analysing the self-sworn affidavits of all the 1,463 candidates contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections Phase II. The second phase of the polls is scheduled in 94 <keyword id="68073" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assembly-constituencies">Assembly constituencies</keyword> in 17 districts on November 3. The report said that out of the 1,463 candidates analyzed, 502, which is 34 per cent, candidates have declared criminal cases against them. "While 389 candidates, which is 27 per cent of 1,463 candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves," the report said. The report also claimed that the <keyword id="123786" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rashtriya-Janata-Dal">Rashtriya Janata Dal</keyword> (RJD) has the maximum candidates with criminal cases registered against them followed by the BJP. It said, "Out of 56 RJD candidates, 36, which is 64 per cent, candidates have criminal cases against them, followed by the BJP with 29 out of 46 candidates which is 63 per cent." The report pointed out that out of the 24 Congress candidates, 14 have criminal cases against them which is 58 per cent, and out of 52 Lok Jan Shakti Party candidates 28, which is 54 per cent, also have criminal cases. The report pointed out that the ruling Janata Dal- United (JD-U) has the least number of candidates with criminal cases. "Out of 33 candidates in the second phase, 16, which is 49 per cent candidates from the BSP have criminal cases and from the JD-U, 20 out of 43 candidates, which is 47 per cent have declared criminal cases against them in their affidavits," the report said. The RJD again topped in the serious crime cases registered against candidates with 50 per cent, followed by the LJP with 46 per cent, the BJP with 44 per cent and the JD-U again at the bottom of the table with 35 per cent. The report said that out of the 50 candidates of the RJD, who were analysed, 28 have serious cases registered against them followed by the LJP with 24 out of 52 candidates, and 20 out of the 46 BJP candidates have serious cases against them. The report said that 14 out of the 33 candidates of the <keyword id="6356515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bahujan-samaj-party">Bahujan Samaj Party</keyword> (BSP), 10 out of 24 candidates of the Congress and 15 out of 43 candidates of the JD-U have serious criminal cases against them. It said that 49 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women, with four of them facing charges of rape. The report noted that 32 candidates are facing cases related to murder while 143 candidates are facing cases related to attempt to murder. It also said that in the second phase Assembly polls, 84 out of the 94 constituencies are red alert ones, which is a total of 89 per cent. According to the ADR, red alert constituencies are those where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases registered against them. The report said that the directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in the selection of the candidates in Bihar as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 34 per cent candidates with criminal cases. It said all major parties contesting in Bihar second phase elections have given tickets to 47 per cent to 64 per cent candidates, who have declared criminal cases against them. It said the Supreme Court in its directions dated February 13 had specifically instructed the political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the candidates have to be selected with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/hcl-tech-is-looking-to-expand-operations-in-canada-if-h-1b-visa-issues-persist/articleshow/78884838.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink"> EXCLUSIVE: HCL Tech is expanding operations in Canada as H-1B visa issues persist</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/bezos-vs-ambani-battle-eight-questions-regarding-amazons-disclosures-of-future-deal-will-be-in-the-spotlight/articleshow/78883583.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bezos vs Ambani battle: Eight questions regarding Amazon's disclosures of Future deal will be in the spotlight</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/how-to-register-for-neet-counselling-2020-online/articleshow/78884869.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">NEET counselling 2020 registrations begin today: Here’s all you need to know</a>

Bihar polls: 502 candidates have criminal cases, Lalu Yadav’s RJD tops the list

Election 2019: Congress candidates list for Karnataka

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

<ul><li>Gandhi was disqualified as a <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> member on March 23.</li><li>The Supreme Court on Friday last stayed his conviction, paving the way for restoration of his Lok Sabha membership.</li><li>Senior <keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> leaders and party workers on Monday hailed <keyword id="5268" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="rahul-gandhi" source="Orion">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>'s reinstatement.</li></ul> The Lok Sabha membership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was restored on Monday. The <keyword id="168251" type="General" weightage="70" keywordseo="lok-sabha-secretariat" source="Orion">Lok Sabha Secretariat</keyword> issued a notification announcing that his disqualification has been revoked and his membership restored. Gandhi was disqualified as a Lok Sabha member on March 23 after a Gujarat court convicted him in a defamation case and sentenced him to two years in jail. A punishment for two years and above automatically disqualifies a lawmaker. The Supreme Court on Friday last stayed his conviction, paving the way for restoration of his Lok Sabha membership. Congress celebrates Senior Congress leaders and party workers on Monday hailed Rahul Gandhi's reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP, saying it is a victory for truth and justice. As soon as the Lok Sabha membership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was restored on Monday, celebrations broke out at the AICC headquarters here with workers dancing and raising slogans in favour of Gandhi. Reacting to the development, Congress' deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said, "Truth has triumphed, and lies has been defeated. INDIA has won, our lion Rahul Gandhi has won, Modi Ji, your defeat has begun." In a tweet, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "With enormous relief, welcome the official announcement of @RahulGandhi's reinstatement. He can now resume his duties in the Lok Sabha to serve the people of India and his constituents in <keyword id="461419" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="wayanad" source="Orion">Wayanad</keyword>. A victory for justice and for our democracy!" BJP's next plan of action Congress' main adversary, the Bhartiya Janta party (BJP) is gearing up to shift its strategy to attack Rahul Gandhi with a view to counter the opposition. Talking to IANS, a top BJP leader said: "The party will not comment on the apex court verdict, but the question will now definitely be asked to Rahul Gandhi, that what are his thoughts about the Supreme Court, on which he used to make comments from the Ramlila Maidan to across the country and even to London and America, going to the extent of contempt of the apex court?" He said that this question will be asked to Rahul Gandhi, who is excited only by the stay on conviction, that what is his thinking now on the independence of the judiciary and other constitutional institutions of the country and his continuous derogatory statements about democracy in India. BJP will not only target Rahul Gandhi on his statements but will also attack states rules by the Congress and its allies on increasing atrocities against women in Rajasthan, scams in Chhattisgarh, violence during West Bengal panchayat elections, situation in Bihar, 'corruption' of Kejriwal government. It will also target the opposition-led alliance INDIA on the condition of the states ruled by its allies. With text inputs from PTI and IANS

Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as Lok Sabha member revoked

<ul><li>After a week of legal wrangling and discussions, <keyword id="54572" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PepsiCo">PepsiCo</keyword> decided to withdraw its lawsuit against four Indian smalholder <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword>. The lawsuit had been filed in <keyword id="6354766" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword> in April. </li><li>The farmers in question had allegedly infringed the corporation’s patent by growing a type of <keyword id="22905" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="potato">potato</keyword> - FC5 which are used in the production of Lay’s chips. </li><li>Pepsi had been seeking damages of ₹10 million each from four farmers, saying it had exclusive rights to the potato in India since 2016. </li><li>Not only did activists petition the government to intervene, but the lawsuit provided a strong opportunity for India’s campaigning politicians to show their support to farmers, who are considered a strong vote bank.</li></ul> After a week of legal wrangling and discussions, PepsiCo decided to <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/pepsi-withdraws-lawsuit-india-potato-farmers-1515501-2019-05-02">withdraw its lawsuit</a> against four Indian smalholder farmers. The lawsuit had been filed in Gujarat in April. Prior to the withdrawal, it had also attempted to settle with the farmers by offering them the chance to sell all the FC5 potatoes they produced to Lay’s or stop producing them altogether. The farmers in question had allegedly infringed the corporation’s patent by growing a type of potato - FC5 which are used in the production of Lay’s chips. According to the filing in a district court in Ahmedabad, Pepsi had been seeking damages of ₹10 million each from four farmers, saying it <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/The-177-billion-owner-of-Lays-chips-is-suing-small-time-Indian-farmers-for-growing-a-type-of-potato-it-claims-exclusive-rights-over/articleshow/69057156.cms">had exclusive rights to the potato i</a>n India since 2016 after registering it under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act. The potato variety has a lower moisture requirement. PepsiCo did clarify that while hundreds of farmers had been allowed to cultivate the potato, the four farmers in question had been granted the right. Bad timing It appears that Pepsi chose the wrong time to pick a fight with Indian farmers. India is a popular market for the company’s products and the backlash was severe. Not only were the PR machines lapping up the “David vs Goliath” narrative, but the lawsuit provided a strong opportunity for India’s campaigning politicians to show their support to farmers, who are considered a strong vote bank. Threats of <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pepsico-gujarat-farmer-dispute-turns-political-after-leaders-take-to-twitters/articleshow/69080125.cms">a boycott of Pepsi products</a> came from Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, the spokesperson of the BJP’s Delhi unit, unless the lawsuit was withdrawn swiftly. The Bhartiya Kisan Sangh and Swadesh Jagran Manch, both affiliates of the RSS, both rallied against PepsiCo, with the former calling on the government to <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/pepsico-row-rss-affiliate-bats-for-farmers-seed-rights/article26995166.ece">establish the farmers’ rights </a>to grow the potato and the latter accusing the company of <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/pepsico-lays-potato-chips-bjp-swadeshi-jagran-manch--sjm--gujarat-ashwani-mahajan/story/341797.html">“coercing farmers”</a> through it settlement offer. Even on the other side, Ahmed Patel, an MP from the Opposition party the Congress called upon the state government of Gujarat, which is led by the BJP, <a href="https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/ahmed-patel-urges-gujarat-to-intervene-in-interest-of-farmers">to intervene</a>. In a tweet, Patel said that the lawsuit was a “violation of the farmers' rights”. Even activists weighed in.Around 200 activists petitionedIndia’s Department of Agriculture, calling the lawsuit against the farmers <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/pepsico-india-lays-potato-farmers-gujarat-sued-1510090-2019-04-25">"false and untenable".</a> Legal funds were also raised on behalf of the farmers. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/The-177-billion-owner-of-Lays-chips-is-suing-small-time-Indian-farmers-for-growing-a-type-of-potato-it-claims-exclusive-rights-over/articleshow/69057156.cms">The $177 billion owner of Lay's chips is suing small-time Indian farmers for growing a type of potato it claims exclusive rights over</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/67-82-lakh-farmers-miss-pm-kisan-scheme-benefits/articleshow/68457919.cms">Over 6 million Indian farmers may be left out of the government's key farmers program</a>

You Searched For "Congress vs BJP" and got 12 results

Here are 10 things you must know about today’s assembly election results

BI India Bureau

Rajasthan Government Will Probe Vadra's Land Deals After LS Polls: BJP

Times Of India

A crucial swing state in India is upset over a patchy loan waiver and that may be an advantage for Narendra Modi

Dilsher Dhillon

Explained: The hullabaloo over the Mahadev App that dragged Ranbir Kapoor to the ED office

Abhishek Jha

Monsoon session: ‘Washout’ is hurting

Preetam Kaushik

I Am Ready For Any Role Congress Gives Me, Rahul Says

Times Of India

Politically driven, financially unsound: The loan waivers offered by India’s political parties will only serve to worsen the country’s bad loan crisis

Dilsher Dhillon

Bihar polls: 502 candidates have criminal cases, Lalu Yadav’s RJD tops the list

IANS

Election 2019: Congress candidates list for Karnataka

BI India Bureau

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

BI India Bureau

Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as Lok Sabha member revoked

BI India Bureau

Bowing to pressure, PepsiCo withdraws its lawsuit against four Indian potato farmers

Dilsher Dhillon

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