<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53668977.cms" /> Congress president Sonia Gandhi is not well these days, but with UP assembly polls scheduled next year, her daughter <keyword id="12587" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Priyanka-Gandhi">Priyanka Gandhi</keyword> has stepped into her mother’s shoes, handpicking names from the list of candidates for the elections, and making sure that almost all sitting MLAs are given their tickets for constituencies where Congress has a strong presence. 
 Priyanka, who shares a good rapport with brother and Congress vice-president <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>, is not finding it hard to do what’s required of her in these elections. The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) was anyway trying hard to convince Priyanka to be the face of the campaign. 
 
"After the road show in Varanasi, Sonia madam has not been in the best of health. In the meantime, Priyanka has taken charge of the UP campaign. She has emerged as a true leader while her mother took ill, ensuring that the party's confidence remains high," a senior party functionary told Times News Network requesting anonymity. 
 "One has to understand that the <keyword id="5968" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gandhi-family">Gandhi family</keyword> operates as one unit and they should be seen as such. You cannot single out any one member of the family .They speak in one voice. We all want Priyanka to come to UP and campaign. She has already done a great job in Amethi and Rae Bareli in previous polls," said UPCC chief Raj Babbar. 
 
<a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/rf/image_size_800x600/HT/p1/2012/02/14/Incoming/Pictures/811390_Wallpaper2.jpg">Image source</a>

Sonia Gandhi is unwell, but daughter Priyanka is not letting Congress suffer in her absence

Full transcript of PM Narendra Modi's TV interview

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/31585586.cms" />NDA is likely to get between 212 and 232 seats if the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> elections were held today, with BJP alone winning between 193 and 213, according to an opinion poll done for a TV channel. The poll, based on a survey of six states, puts the UPA a distant second with 119 to 139 seats, of which <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> was projected to win between 94 and 110. 
 The CNN-IBN poll, conducted by CSDS and Lokniti, made these projections based on surveys in Uttar Pradesh, <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword>, Maharashtra, <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword>, <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> and Delhi. While the seat figures are more or less the same as the projections done by the same pollsters in January, the popularity rating of <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> has dipped significantly. 
 In January, 36% of respondents to the survey had chosen Modi as their preferred PM. That figure is now down to 31%. In contrast, there has been an uptick of one percentage point each in those picking <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> (now 13%), <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword>, <keyword id="6357690" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="mayawati">Mayawati</keyword>, Mulayam Singh and <keyword id="6359397" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Manmohan-Singh">Manmohan Singh</keyword>. 
 
The poll also shows BJP’s projected vote share down marginally from the January estimate and the Congress vote share too down marginally. The saffron party continues to enjoy a significant lead with 33% compared to Congress’ 26%. 
 Apart from the NDA and UPA, the <keyword id="43826" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Trinamool-Congress">Trinamool Congress</keyword> is likely to be the biggest party winning between 20 and 28 seats, according to the survey. <keyword id="120271" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="The-Left">The Left</keyword> with 15-23, AIADMK with 14-20, YSR Congress and <keyword id="6355032" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="SP">SP</keyword> with 11-17 seats each, BJD, TDP and DMK with 10-16 each and BSP with 8-14 could be the other significant players in the 16th Lok Sabha, it projected. 
 
If these projections turn out right, it would almost certainly mean that the next government in New Delhi would be headed by Modi and would be cobbled together by the existing NDA joining hands with smaller regional parties. Neither Congress nor the ill-defined Third Front/Federal Front would really be in a position to take a meaningful shot at forming a government in such a scenario.

Modi's Popularity Dips But NDA Still Leading: Survey

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33218613.cms" />NEW DELHI: In perhaps the strongest push yet for bringing <keyword id="12587" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Priyanka-Gandhi">Priyanka Gandhi</keyword> to the forefront of the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>, senior party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi has said that <keyword id="12596" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rajiv-Gandhi">Rajiv Gandhi</keyword> spoke to him about his daughter's political aptitude way back in 1990. 
 
While promising to reveal details in due course, Dwivedi said, "As far as I know, her (Priyanka) interest in politics started at an early age. She was keen to understand political developments and the language of politics from the very start. I even have proof of this but I don't want to discuss it now. All I'll say is that Rajiv Gandhi told me something about this in 1990. That's all for the moment." 
 
While there was complete silence from the party, the comment immediately led a group of Congress leaders to claim, off the record, that there were plans afoot to bring Priyanka into active politics. 
 
The renewed speculation could unsettle the Congress since any talk of Priyanka's coming into politics undercuts Rahul's fledgling leadership. Dwivedi is seen to be representing a significant group in the top and middle rungs of the party management who would prefer 42-year-old Priyanka as political legatee of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty in place of her one-year-older brother. 
 His remarks are being seen in certain sections of the party as a vote of low-confidence in <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>, who is leading the Congress charge in a difficult national election. Rahul was elevated to the No 2 position in Congress last year but is still far from succeeding his mother <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> at the top. In the past few weeks, the much-discussed transformation of Congress in Rahul's image — the emergence of a Congress (R), as it were — appears to be have been put on hold as the party's primary focus has shifted to avoiding its lowest-ever tally (114 seats in 1999). 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/33218498.cms" /> 
 A section of the party has for some time been pushing for a larger role for Priyanka. But she has confined herself to managing the family fief of <keyword id="43068" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rae-Bareli">Rae Bareli</keyword> and Amethi since her mother came into electoral politics in 1999; of late, though, she has been active in the planning of her brother's political affairs. 
 
The invocation of Rajiv Gandhi's name by Dwivedi is being seen as significant. If the former PM did reveal details about Priyanka's interest in politics dating back to as early as 1990, it would appear that it developed at a very young age; she would have been about 18 at the time. Party veterans recall at least one interview that Rajiv gave in the late 1980s where he seemed to suggest that his daughter had a greater interest in politics than his son did. 
 
Dwivedi has indirectly hinted that Rajiv did not speak about Rahul, raising the sensitive question as to whether the late leader had a different plan of succession in mind. 
 
Congress leaders are now waiting for a second instalment from Dwivedi: the details of what Rajiv reportedly told him. Party sources say it may come if Congress performs dismally in the elections, which would be an opportune time for insiders to raise questions about the leadership skills of Rahul Gandhi.

Bigger Role For Priyanka Gandhi? Congress Leader's Remarks Spark Buzz

Rahul Gandhi's first interview: Full text

New Delhi [India], July 24 (ANI): Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Wednesday lashed out at the opposition's claim that the budget was 'discriminatory' and said that it was an '<keyword id="22528799" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Outrageous-allegation" source="Orion">outrageous allegation</keyword>' and a deliberate attempt by the opposition parties led by the Congress to give the people the wrong impression that their states were not allocated funds or schemes. The Finance Minister reacted after Leader of Opposition <keyword id="19897159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mallikarjun-Kharge" source="keywords">Mallikarjun Kharge</keyword> made claims that the budget was discriminatory towards the states of the country. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister said, "It is unfortunate that the opposition, particularly a senior leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, stood up to say what he heard of the budget yesterday. Now that the leader of the opposition raised issues on the budget, which was presented and tabled in the house yesterday." "Just to the point he raised, I have not named many states and only spoken of two states. There are a few points I would like to make here as to what happens in a speech. The Congress party has been in power for a very long time in this country and they have presented so many budgets that they would know clearly that in every budget, you don't get an opportunity to name every state of this country," she said. "I'll take this example: between the vote on account which was presented on February 1 this year and the full budget that was presented yesterday for this year, I have not named very many states. The Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to set up a port at Vadhvan, but Maharashtra's name was not included in the budget yesterday. Does this mean that Maharashtra feels ignored?" she said. The Finance Minister said that 76 thousand crores have been announced for Mahrashtra for that project. "Maharashtra's name was not taken on vote-on-account. The state's name was not mentioned even yesterday; does that mean the state got ignored?" she stated. Adding further, she said, "And I can take the name of so many different states that have so many major projects. If the speech does not mention the name of a particular state, does that mean the schemes and programmes of the government of India, the externally aided assistance that we obtain from the World Bank, ADB, AIB and so on, do not go to these states?" "They go as per routine, and, in the expenditure statement of the government, the department-wise allocation of the government mentions all this," she stated. "I am saying with responsibility that this is a 'deliberate attempt' of the opposition parties led by the Congress to give the people the wrong impression that their states were not allocated funds or schemes," said Sitharaman. Challenging the Congress, the Finance Minister said, "I would challenge the Congress party that for all the budget speeches they have delivered. Have they named every state of the country in each of their budget speeches? This is an outrageous allegation," she stated. This comes after Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the budget presented yesterday and claimed that no other states other than Andhra Pradesh and Bihar received anything. "Sabke thali khali aur sirf do ke thali mai pakoda aur jalebi. Ye do states ko chodkar, kisi ko kuch nai mila. Neither Tamil Nadu Kerala nor Karnataka got anything. Neither Maharashtra nor Punjab or Rajasthan and neither Chhattisgarh," he said. "Even Delhi did not receive anything nor did Odisha. I have not seen this kind of budget until now. This budget has been presented only to keep some people happy and it has all been done save their chairs, 'Kursi bachane ke liye' kiya gaya. We condemn this budget and protest against it. The whole of INDIA bloc condemns this," said Kharge. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc MPs held a protest in the Parliament complex on Wednesday, against the <keyword id="6360189" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget" source="Orion">Union Budget</keyword>, presented on Tuesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "Opposition virodhi kursi bachao Budget murda baad" slogans were raised by the INDIA bloc leaders as they protested holding placards in the Parliament building, claiming that the Budget is "discriminatory" in nature. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party General Secretary KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC MP Dola Sen were seen participating in the protest.

"Outrageous allegation!": Nirmala Sitharaman reacts to opposition protesting budget, labeling it 'discriminatory'

<ul><li>The former Finance Minister of India succumbed to sustained illness today (August 24).</li><li>For a politician who never won an election, Jaitley remained largely relevant and influential throughout his career spanning decades.</li><li>Jaitley famously backed Narendra Modi in his early days and even when the party's leadership denounced the latter, he stoody by Modi.</li><li>In a world where friendships are forged with secrets and power, Jaitley was everyone’s confidante, philosopher, and guide. </li></ul>India’s former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passed away after sustained illness at the age of 66 after an impressive political career spanning decades when he never won an election but was always relevant and maintained his deep influence in Indian politics. Jaitley, along with the former Foreign Minister, the late Sushma Swaraj -- <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">who passed away earlier this month</a>-- were instrumental in keeping the Bharatiya Janata Party relevant, as an opposition party, in the ten years preceding 2014 when Narendra Modi swept to power as India's Prime Minister. Modi himself owes a lot to Jaitley for his rise to political prominence in India. Not just Modi, even the BJP's harshest critics found it way easier to deal or negotiate with Jaitley. A very apt example of Jaitley's realpolitik, his ability in the <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/1JEYCQDdw88BvxjCIHATxK/Reforms-are-the-art-of-the-possible-Arun-Jaitley.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">'art of the possible'</a>, is the rollout of the complicated Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, through the GST Council-- which Jaitley led until May 2019-- where Jaitley had to convince state governments with conflicting interests to find a common ground. It is not possible to be a successful politician or a lawyer without making a few enemies. But the smooth-talking Arun Jaitley, who studied at St Xavier's and Shri Ram College of Commerce, wore both these hats causing little or no animosity around him. Paradoxically, Jaitley was also sharp-tongued and temperamental by nature but he dictated his mood and not the other way around. When the Supreme Court struck down an Act which intended to break the age-old collegium system of appointing higher judiciary, Jaitley was quick to call it the “tyranny of the unelected”, something he knew it will be thrown back at him for his electoral failures. Jaitley remained an nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament, from 2000 to 2018 as he never won an election. The Former Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, did taunt him in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD2GNu556aA" data-type="tilCustomLink">a televised national debate in 2015</a>. But Jaitley was prepared and he knew how to direct the debate in the direction he wanted. That was his skill, the ability to know the strengths and weaknesses, not just of himself but of his rivals too, like few else can. Watch the riveting debate between Arun Jaitley and Former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha over the National Judicial Appointments Commission in 2015. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="tD2GNu556aA" title="NJAC Debate with Arnab Goswami | Legislature Vs Judiciary | Arun Jaitley Vs Justice R M Lodha - Full" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tD2GNu556aA/mqdefault.jpg"></div>













































 Jaitley could see the future and he placed his bets, and made friends, accordingly right from the days as a student politician, to when he became a lawyer and later, the member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Jaitley was Vajpayee’s man who stood by Modi Years before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister and was barely a politician of any significance, Jaitley became his friend. Modi was living out his exile from Gujarat politics in 1995 at the BJP party headquarters in Delhi, when he met Jaitley--who was then called ‘Vajpayee’s man’. Jaitley had lobbied for <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ties-that-bind/291379">Modi and turned </a>instrumental in making him the chief minister and later the country's Prime Minister. And his ability to network was so slick that even when he chose sides, he made no foes. For one, he chose Modi over LK Advani as the Prime Ministerial candidate in 2013, and yet remained close to the latter. Years later, everyone came to know Jaitley as Modi’s man. The current Prime Minister had so much confidence in Jaitley that during the first five years of the Modi government, Arun Jaitley held the portfolios of Finance, Corporate Affairs, Defence, and Information and Broadcasting-- and at times he was in multiple important portfolios simultaneously. A <a href="https://caravanmagazine.in/sports/rajat-sharma-the-ddca-and-the-perks-of-a-close-friendship-with-arun-jaitley" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">similar friendship forged with Rajat Sharma</a>, the founding editor of India TV, one of India's most influential television channels, lasted Jaitley's lifetime. Sharma reportedly used to drive Jaitley around the Delhi University on his scooter while the latter was campaigning as a student politician in the 1970s. Jaitley represented both Coke and Pepsi as a lawyer against each other at different times He could have even written the famous book ‘How to make friends and influence enemies?’ if Dale Carnegie wouldn’t have beaten him to it. Jaitley had represented two of the world’s most bitter rivals—<a href="https://www.sify.com/news/how-everybody-loves-arun-jaitley-news-columns-pmwpk3ebbdfjd.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Coca Cola and Pepsi as a lawyer</a>. He was Coca Cola’s lawyer for a case against Pepsi and vice versa. Though many would have rolled their eyes at this feat, for him it was a small game. Jaitley's frienship with rivals Sonia Gandhi and P Chidambaram In the <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ties-that-bind/291379" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">long list of unlikely friends</a> is Sonia Gandhi, the head of the rival Congress party, and former Finance Minister, and a lawyer turned politician just like him, P Chidambaram. Jaitley seemed to have gotten through his life keeping all his friends along with a successful career. But many of his friendships were tested, in court as well as Parliament. In 2012, Jaitley was a part of the Opposition party, and he was chosen to question and grill P Chidambaram, the home minister of the ruling Congress party about <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-aircel-maxis-case" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the Aircel-Maxis deal</a>. Chidambaram started answering the question by saying that <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/aircel-maxis-deal-probe-will-test-friendship-between-chidambaram-and-jaitley-116030300275_1.html">he was happy that </a>“a friend of 22 years has questioned him.” Though later through the session, Chidambaram turned emotional and “felt as if someone plunged a dagger into him.” Their friendship withstood the barbs, the scams, as the Congress politician continued to attend Jaitley’s annual lunch parties which also doubled as his <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ties-that-bind/291379">birthday </a>celebration. Jaitley's rivalry with Subramanian Swamy and Ram Jethmalani Two of Jaitley’s most vicious critics are country’s top lawyers Ram Jethmalani and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. Both have <a href="https://www.pgurus.com/mr-arun-jaitley-hope-you-have-learnt-your-lesson-for-treating-sonia-family-with-kid-gloves-you-owe-answers-in-mallya-exit/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">passed vitriolic comments</a> against Jaitley and they both had old beefs to settle. Jaitley was once the legal assistant to Jethmalani. Yet, the camaraderie did not last long. Jaitley is known to <a href="http://www.indialegallive.com/commercial-news/controversy-news/battle-legal-eagles-21529">have influenced Vajpayee </a>to push Jethmalani from his position as the law minister unceremoniously. The fire-breathing lawyer had never forgiven Jaitley nor forgotten the slight, and had used every excuse to criticise him. He also went back to court as Delhi chief minister Arun Kejriwal’s lawyer in a libel case, just for the pleasure of cross-examining his old adversary. But Jaitley was not a man to be easily undone either and kept his cool, passing the bitter examination with flying colours. Jaitley was also not undone even as Swamy questioned his every move. This rivalry too started when he found a legal loophole to deny the payment of his dues over a case he argued. Ever since, <a href="https://theprint.in/politics/subramanian-swamys-rivalry-with-arun-jaitley-goes-back-to-1993-iit-delhi-salary-row/219800/">he accused Jaitley </a>of being a Congress insider, instigator or a coup and much more. When Jaitley did try to clamp him over discipline, Swamy retorted, “People giving me unasked for advice of discipline and restraint don’t realise that if I disregard discipline there would be a bloodbath.” Jaitley wisely never rose to the bait, like a seasoned solider who picks his battles. Jaitley may be no more but the way he deftly maneuvered India's labyrinth political space will provide lessons in the art of the possible. In a world where friendships are forged with secrets and power, Jaitley was everyone’s confidante, philosopher, and guide. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more</a>

Arun Jaitley, every big man's friend, passes away at the age of 66-- leaving behind lessons in the 'art of the possible'

<ul><li>In the Indian state of Bihar, a case has been filed against the lead actors — Anupam Kher of "New Amsterdam" and Akshaye Khanna — and others associated with the movie "<keyword id="1993208" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Accidental-Prime-Minister">Accidental Prime Minister</keyword>".</li><li>The lawyer that filed the case alleges that he felt ‘hurt’ upon watching the promos of the upcoming movie and claims that the films projects India as well as its political leaders a 'poor light’.</li><li>The President of the Maharashtra State Youth Congress, Satyajeet Tambe Patil, has demanded a 'special screening' of the movie citing that he is concerned about 'the incorrect representation of facts'.</li><li>The "Accidental Prime Minister", set to launch on January 11, is facing controversy on social media after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India’s governing party, posted a tweet promoting the film.</li><li>Users on social media are claiming that the making of the film is probably influenced by the political party showing the opposing party, Congress, in an unfavourable light.</li></ul>The "Accidental Prime Minister" created waves when the book first came out and now the trailer of the political drama is creating buzz on social media — and it continuing to do so after five days after its release. A lawyer in the Indian state of Bihar has filed a petition against the people associated with movie about India’s former prime minister, Manmohan Singh. He is alleging that the promotional trailer of the movie has ‘hurt’ his sentiments. That includes the lead actor of "Accidental Prime Minister" Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna playing the former prime minister’s media advisor, Suzanne Bernert playing Sonia Gandhi and Aahana Kumra playing Priyanka Gandhi among others. The PIL filed in local courts also claims that the movie projects India and its political leaders unfavourably to the rest of the world. It’s not only about India’s former prime minister, but also other noted Indian politicians like Lalu Prasad, Mayawati and another former prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The petition has been filed under the sections of Indian Penal Code that relate to promoting enmity between different groups, sale of obscene objects, insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal conspiracy. What's the big deal? The content of the biopic has been called into question after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the current ruling party of India's central government, posted a tweet promoting the film. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="BJP4India" handlename="BJP" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/812531108092874753/frVON4bm_normal.jpg" favoritecount="12599" retweetcount="4412" status="Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was hold… https://t.co/kIcWZrkVdu" createdat="1545926460000" id="1078319849082839041"></div>














 The main point of contention seems to be that political parties aren’t normally seen propagating commercial films and the timing of the BJP sharing such an update ahead of the 2019 General Elections in India seems to be ill-advised. Others who claim the film is unfair The movie has created such controversy that the President of the Maharashtra State Youth Congress, Satyajeet Tambe Patil, went as far to write a letter to producer of the film demanding a ‘special screening’ ahead of its release. Patil questioned the accuracy of the film stating that there is an ‘incorrect presentation of facts’. The issue is that with the BJP tweeting about the film, most people on social media opine that the making if the film is influenced to show the opposing political party, Congress, in an unfavourable light. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="sadhavi" handlename="Sadhavi Khosla" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1073180886168944640/VGMXFjX2_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1948" retweetcount="827" status="A political party promoting a commercial film - hence endorsing that its self produced for propaganda and for defam… https://t.co/qZkgMIj0h5" createdat="1545928238000" id="1078327304189853697"></div>















 Some even believe that this isn't anything more than a publicity stunt. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="akashbanerjee" handlename="Akash Banerjee" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1072532908542431233/y-1Vim3H_normal.jpg" favoritecount="6764" retweetcount="1306" status="Sources: Tickets to #AccidentalPrimeMinister will be available at @bookmyshow &amp; all BJP offices." createdat="1545989167000" id="1078582859160584192"></div>















 
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="OmarAbdullah" handlename="Omar Abdullah" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1071666850218545157/UJEF9IMT_normal.jpg" favoritecount="13479" retweetcount="3002" status="Can’t wait for when they make The Insensitive Prime Minister. So much worse than being the accidental one." createdat="1545979469000" id="1078542185157537792"></div>









 Actors and others associated with the 'Accidental Prime Minister' stand by it Renowned <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> director, Hansal Mehta, stated that <keyword id="2193106" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Accidental-Prime-Minister">the Accidental Prime Minister</keyword> is not a film that takes sides but simply a drama about democracy ‘that has always been bogged down by personality cults’. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="mehtahansal" handlename="Hansal Mehta" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1028846272155856896/yxHaMe9k_normal.jpg" favoritecount="353" retweetcount="67" status="Inspite of differing political views of many of us I've never seen #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister as a film that takes… https://t.co/xH7dHnF5m9" createdat="1545905360000" id="1078231348593156096"></div>














 Kher also maintains that the movie is an accurate depiction of events. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="AnupamPKher" handlename="Anupam Kher" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1059456064482144257/tCqvUn38_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3237" retweetcount="698" status="I am not going to back off. This is my life’s best performance. #DrManmohanSingh will agree after seeing the film t… https://t.co/6Zwe78owQX" createdat="1545989498000" id="1078584246674042880"></div>














 He even wrote to YouTube about how the trailer for the movie isn’t appearing in the platform’s search results. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="AnupamPKher" handlename="Anupam Kher" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1059456064482144257/tCqvUn38_normal.jpg" favoritecount="5489" retweetcount="1650" status="Dear @YouTube!!! I am getting messages &amp; calls that in parts of our country if you type, trailer of… https://t.co/eDvmTZeehI" createdat="1546345365000" id="1080076863010091009"></div>





















 The political party at the center of the controversy, BJP, retaliated to naysayers claiming that political leaders like Rahul Gandhi, the president of Indian National Congress, and the Arvind Kerjiwal, the chief minister of Delhi, tweeted about "Udta Punjab" — a film on Punjab's drug problem — in the past. That too at a time when BJP's ally, Akali Dal, was the ruling party in the Indian state of Punjab. Manmohan Singh <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-asked-about-the-accidental-prime-minister-his-response-1969249">declined</a> to comment on the release of the movie when he was asked for his reaction outside the Congress office earlier today. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="sardesairajdeep" handlename="Rajdeep Sardesai" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1027463758854189057/zInujNK9_normal.jpg" favoritecount="11044" retweetcount="1980" status="Through all the needless controversy over The Accidental Prime Minister, the one person who comes across with digni… https://t.co/l8ZE2IbhxQ" createdat="1546023387000" id="1078726387928842240"></div>













 The endorsement by the BJP could undercut the credibility of the movie that’s set to come out on January 11, 2019. The 'Accidental Prime Minister' stars Anupam Kher playing the lead character, Manmohan Singh, and Akshaye Khanna playing Sanjaya Baru, the former Prime Minister’s media advisor.

Bollywood film on former Indian PM is at the epicenter of a massive political controversy in India — and now there's a claim that it's projecting the country's political leaders in poor light

As the Narendra Modi government won with a thumping majority, it has little opposition that would stop him from passing bills and turn them into laws. While some of the new laws are historic, others are contentious and some others evoked widespread public anger⁠— none more than the controversial <keyword id="495829" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Citizenship-Act">Citizenship Act</keyword> that is seen as changing the very nature of India’s democracy. The ‘promised land’ for minorities of Indic religions fleeing from some other countries The <keyword id="2743057" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Citizenship-amendment-bill">Citizenship Amendment Bill</keyword> of 2019 was passed by both the upper and lower house of the Parliament—and the law now changes the way new India’s citizens are chosen – on the basis of religion. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Christians and Buddists from countries where they are minorities like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh – will be allowed to become citizens of India. Not only does it blatantly exclude Muslims and Hindus of Sri Lanka where they are minority, it also violates the tenet of ‘equality and secularism’ that has since been governing the way India works.The same government that wants to open its arms to oppressed Hindus in India’s neighbourhood, did not extend the same gesture when persecuted Rohingya Muslims wanted asylum. A day after it was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/government-passes-bill-to-regularise-delhis-1731-unauthorised-colonies/articleshow/72280836.cms">passed in the Parliament</a>, the move has already been taken to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality. 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="72487481" title="India's Citizenship Act gets challenged at the Supreme Court barely a day after passing Parliament" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>



 Corporates can choose the tax they want to pay This session, the government also passed the Taxation Laws Amendment Act 2019 which will provide companies with an option to avail of a reduced corporate tax at 22%. However, to be able to avail of this, companies should let go of some deductions under the Income Tax Act. New manufacturers can also pay 15% corporate tax if they let go of IT deductions. 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="71215174" title="Here's how Indian companies can halve their effective tax rate" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>



 E-cigarettes no more The government which has been crusading against tobacco and other nicotine-based products with taxes and public warnings – has also extending it to e-cigarettes. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019 completes bans all aspects of it -- manufacturing, import, export, sale, distribution and advertisement. Vaping products which are marketed as anti-addiction products have come under the government radar, since they are being branded extensively with multiple flavours and are known to cause the same ill-effects as tobacco products. Transgenders to be so only if certified The new law defines transgenders and allows themselves to change their identity as different from what was assigned at birth. The new laws also tries to end the rampant discrimination against them when it comes to accessing healthcare and other basic services – in addition to employment. However, the law angered the community as it does not allow an individual to declare their own identity and requires a certificate from the authorities to be recognized so. 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="72242192" title="Transgenders want to identify their own gender but law now says they need a certificate" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>



The International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 The law will bring a new regulator into the market – International Financial Services Centers Authority which will be in charge of -- financial products (such as securities, deposits or contracts of insurance), financial services, and financial institutions which have been previously approved by any appropriate regulator (such as RBI or SEBI). The Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 As per the new law, the SPG will provide security to the Prime Minister and his immediate family at the official residence. It will also provide security to former Prime Ministers and family members for a period of five years from the date on which he ceases to hold the office. This would cease the SPG that is offered to Sonia Gandhi and family since 1991. The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Bill, 2019 This law allows the residents of unauthorized colonies in the NCR region with valid documents like power attorney and sale agreement to obtain right of ownership. It also allows Delhi Development Authority to notify a colony for regularisation. The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 The new law aims at decreasing firearm ownership in the country. Not only does it reduce the licence time period to three years from five – it also reduces the number of firearms permitted to one from three earlier. It has also introduced more stringent punishments to those to break this law. Earlier, offenders would be jailed for three seven years with a fine. Now, they can be jailed between seven years to life with a fine. 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="72467282" title="No guns at weddings: Indian Parliament just made 'celebratory' gunfire punishable" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>



The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019 This law extends the reservation of seats to SC, ST and Anglo-Indian communities in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This law merely extends the timeline of the reservation which was introduced for 70 years and will expire in January 2020. It has been extended for another 10 years. 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="68925204" title="Nearly a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha are “reserved” and they matter a lot in this election" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>



 The Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 The law intends to make ship owners accountable for the hazardous material used in ships and directs its reuse. The law covers warships, those registered in India and those entering Indian waters. The National authority will also carry out periodic surveys and monitor recycling. It also specified fines in case of oil spills at anywhere between ₹5-10 lakhs. The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019 As per the new law, creators of chit funds will need the prior sanction of the government. It also regulates this business and brings fraternity funds and rotating savings credit institution into it. As per the new law, a chit should be drawn in the presence of subscribers via video conferencing. The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019 As per the law, four our National Institutes of Design in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Haryana will be given the power to grant degrees and diplomas.

12 new laws which passed this Parliament session – and India will never be the same again

<div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52a9d868ecad041f4b0dbdd7-1200-858/rtx16dz0.jpg?maxX=800" border="0" alt="RTX16DZ0" width="800" />REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee <keyword id="44775" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Gay-rights">Gay rights</keyword> activists wave flags and shout slogans as they attend a protest against a verdict by the Supreme Court in New Delhi on December 11, 2013. </div></div><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>'s government said Thursday it would look at ways to swiftly reverse a shock ruling which reinstated a ban on gay sex, accusing the Supreme Court of dragging the country back to the 19th century.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who doubles up as the government's chief spokesman, said gay rights legislation could be drawn up following Wednesday's verdict but warned that such a move would be time-consuming.
Law Minister Kapil Sabil pledged that the government would take "firm and quick action" to alter what he called an anachronistic law.
Gay sex had been effectively legalized in 2009 when the Delhi High Court ruled that a section of the penal code prohibiting "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" was an infringement of fundamental rights.
But in a shock judgement on Wednesday, a panel of two Supreme Court judges ruled that the High Court had overstepped its authority and that a law passed in 1860 during British colonial rule was still valid.
"What we have done is go back in time to 1860 and I'm terribly disappointed," Chidambaram told the NDTV network.
"We must explore ways and means in which this judgement can be reversed very quickly. Legislation is one way to reverse it but that may take time.
"(While) not giving up that option of legislation, we must explore other ways and I am willing to sit with my colleagues to find out if there are other ways in which this judgement might be reversed."
Sibal confirmed that the government was considering its "options" to prevent millions of people being categorized as criminals.
"This is not a law that fits in with the times, you cannot have an antediluvian and anachronistic law like this," he told reporters.
"Time is of essence, we believe in taking quick action, the government believes in firm and quick action."
The ruling was met with dismay by gay rights activists who called it a "Black Day" for India while newspapers said the judgement was an embarrassing throwback.
"It brings a discriminatory law that was created over 150 years ago by our colonial masters. It deals a body blow to the very idea of individual choice," said The Times of India in a front-page editorial.
But the same paper also said politicians had only themselves to blame for leaving such an issue in the hands of the courts rather than address it through legislation.
"An amendment of 377 (the section of the code in question) is something Parliament should have done on its own a long time ago," it said.
Sonia Gandhi, leader of the main ruling Congress party, also urged parliament to bring in legislation.
"I hope that parliament will address this issue and uphold the constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to all citizens of India, including those directly affected by this judgement," she said in a statement.
However the prospects of any gay rights laws being passed ahead of elections due next May look remote as Congress and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been at loggerheads for months.
Chidambaram proposed that the government seek a review of the judgement before a larger panel of senior judges, saying that judicial interpretation of law could not remain "static".
"I think the government should ask for a review or file a curative petition and ask that the matter be considered by a bench of five judges," he said.
"Today, in the year 2013.... to say that there is something like 'intercourse against the order of nature' and that is the social and moral value of today and that therefore should be the legal value of today is completely outdated, completely inappropriate," he added.
The judgement has been widely criticized outside India as well, including from the United States.
"We oppose any action that criminalizes consensual same-sex conduct between adults," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Wednesday.
Religious groups who opposed the 2009 repeal have hailed the reinstatement of the law, which is rarely invoked in practice.
Gay sex has long been a taboo subject in conservative India, where homophobic tendencies abound and many still regard being gay as a mental illness.
In recent years, the gay community in India has raised its profile through gay pride marches, magazines and events which have encouraged many to come out of the closet.
But the country still has no major openly-gay public figures in politics, entertainment or sport.
<div class="nc_footer">
Copyright (2013) AFP. All rights reserved.
</div>
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