Home Blog Page 6705

Rahul Gandhi eats dosa in a five star hotel, friendly media spins it as a humble move

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rahul Gandhi eats dosa in a five star hotel, friendly media spins it as a humble move

The congruous relationship between the Congress party and some ‘pliable’ media houses are not a secret anymore. The controversial media group NDTV, which often indulges in anti-India propaganda and the likes of India Today group have always stood behind the first family of the Congress by pushing the narrative of the political party under the guise of “independent” journalism.

On Friday, both NDTV and India Today ended up being a laughing stock after social media users found that they had published a bizarre report glorifying Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s stopover at a restaurant to have South Indian delicacy dosa and filter coffee.

India Today report on Rahul Gandhi’s Dosa stopover

India Today even went on to mention how Rahul Gandhi is ‘often known’ to visit restaurants in ‘mostly middle class and upmarket areas’ in Delhi. Not sure whether India Today meant the Sagar Ratna Rahul Gandhi visited was middle class or upmarket since the outlet he visited is situated inside Hotel Ashok, a five-star hotel. If the average cost for two at Sagar Ratna outlets is Rs 600-750, the one Rahul Gandhi visited costs around Rs 1,200.

NDTV, the foster channel of the Congress, which also performs the duties of managing public relations for Congress President Rahul Gandhi seemed to be very happy to report Rahul Gandhi’s dosa endeavour following his stopover at one of the restaurants in opulent Lutyens Delhi.

NDTV report on Rahul Gandhi’s Dosa event

Social media reacted to the ‘so-called’ independent media’s attempts of indulging in public relations management of Rahul Gandhi and called out the inherent bias of these media groups.


Another social media user went on to note the desperation of the NDTV as it posted the same report multiple times in a span of a few hours to promote Rahul Gandhi’s Dosa event.


Congress party with its media ecosystem seems to have managed the issues extremely well in both creating and sustaining narratives for decades now. Recently, we had reported regarding a similar public relation event of the Congress party ‘directed’ by a reporter belonging to India Today group.

NDTV, often known to be the country’s greatest embarrassment in the field of journalism has maintained a very close relationship with the first family of the Congress party. Recently, a journalist who worked for NDTV had revealed how NDTV used to take editorial orders from PMO during the UPA era.

NDTV, once a hot shot during the Congress regime, seems to have been rejected by the people as there are several instances of them being caught for not only spreading fake news but also sometimes alleged to have revealed sensitive details.

NDTV is not only under severe challenges of stable revenue generation and credible journalism but is also facing an existential crisis. The promoters of the channel, Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy have been alleged to have indulged in massive fraud and are being investigated by the present government. After these facts came to the fore, many usual suspects from the media started to malign the NDA government by resorting to fake news.

Manish Tewari makes an outlandish charge, alleges ‘parts of the budget has been leaked’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Manish Tewari makes an outlandish charge, alleges ‘parts of the budget has been leaked’

The Congress party has developed a penchant for furthering conspiracy theories and outlandish claims everytime there is a significant event in India. Whether it’s their Rafale “scam” theory which has been trashed over and over again or their theories about EVM tampering every time they lose, Congress has clearly tossed caution to the wind in a bid to fear monger. Today, when the Country is moments away from the Budget 2019 being presented, Congress leader Manish Tewari has floated another charge: That the budget has been leaked in parts to the media and others.

Congress leader Manish Tewari has taken to Twitter to attach photographs and allege that parts of the budget has been leaked to the media.


The photograph attached by the Congress leader is not a media article or information from any reliable source. It is merely a list of speculative points being furthered as ‘government sources’, which is the pet phrase of the media in any case.

Several people have been speculating what the Modi government may offer in the Budget 2019 considering it is their last budget before the make-or-break 2019 General Elections. Many have speculated that the government will stick to fiscal prudence, however, several others have predicted the Modi government opening up its coffers to offer a Tax rebate for the middle class, a big announcement for farmers and the poor and also, some headway in terms of a targeted basic income scheme.

All of this is, however, just speculation. Budgets have been prone to analysts speculating what the government might offer, however, for Congress leader Manish Tewari to take to Twitter and float a bizarre conspiracy theory with nothing to offer as proof is not just irresponsible but malicious.

This is a reminder of how Congress tried to silently organise an “EVM hacking expose” but gave their plan away when Kapil Sibal was spotted overseeing the “event”. In fact, after all the noise they made, eventually, the “hackers” said that they had no proof that EVMs could be hacked.

Yesterday, after Congress leader Randeep Surjewala lost Jind bypoll, Congress floated the ‘EVM hacked’ theory. It is surprising how EVMs magically get hacked only where they lose and not where they win. And this mentality is evidence of the fact that Congress is now only focussing on fearmongering and rabblerousing before the 2019 elections.

Cow meat smugglers speed away seeing police, 4 quintals of banned meat recovered from abandoned car: Reports

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Cow meat smugglers speed away seeing police, 4 quintals of banned meat recovered from abandoned car: Reports

In another incident of cow meat smuggling in Uttar Pradesh, a policeman was almost run over by two smugglers when they sped away seeing the police.

According to a report in Jagran, late on Wednesday night, policemen on patrol noticed a car standing at a puncture repair shop near the petrol pump in Gajraula area. Two young men who had stopped for repairing the punctured tyre reportedly panicked seeing the police vehicle and started speeding away in the car.

Being suspicious of their behaviour, the police vehicle also gave chase. While passing near the local police station on their way, the police constable standing near the station tried to stop the car.

The smugglers almost ran the constable over as they kept speeding away in their car. The car allegedly ran over his foot. Noticing that the police vehicle was still chasing them at a distance, the smugglers then reportedly abandoned the car at a desolate location and escaped on foot.

When the police vehicle chasing the car arrived and examined, they found 4 quintals of cow meat inside the car. The report has quoted the veterinarian called by the police as saying that prima facie, the meat found inside the car is cow meat, however, samples will be sent to a laboratory to officially confirm it.

Pilibhit police have lodged a case against the beef smugglers based on the registration number of the vehicle. Police officials have stated that they have found clues and soon the smugglers will be arrested too.

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed rampant cattle and beef smuggling in recent times. After the Bulandshahr incident, the Yogi government has instructed the police to take a tough stand against cattle smugglers.

Pilibhit itself has seen many incidents of cattle and cow meat smuggling in recent times. in December, 10 smugglers were caught with 500 kgs of cow meat. There have also been instances of smugglers attacking and firing upon policemen to avoid arrest.

Pilibhit is the constituency of union minister Maneka Gandhi, who is a fierce animal rights activist.

Karnataka crisis: Trouble mounts for Congress as Deve Gowda says he has been in pain over alliance with Congress

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Karnataka crisis: Trouble mounts for Congress as Deve Gowda says he has been in pain over alliance with Congress

Former Prime Minister and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s father HD Deve Gowda has now expressed displeasure over the JD(S)-Congress alliance in Karnataka.


Deve Gowda said that it has been six months since HD Kumaraswamy swore-in as the chief minister and “all kinds of things have happened in these six months.” Sending out a strong message to the coalition partner Congress, he said that this is not the way to run a coalition government if every day you need to request them not to make unparliamentary remarks.

Earlier, few Congress MLAs had gone on record to say that they consider former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah as their chief minister. A visibly upset Kumaraswamy had even offered to step down as the chief minister saying that the Congress MLAs were crossing the line.

Read also: Congress tries to pacify cry-baby Kumaraswamy, sends show cause notice to MLA who spoke against the CM

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has earlier expressed his unhappiness over the coalition government. A few days back, he had become emotional and said to the party colleagues that he was functioning like a clerk and not like a chief minister because of Congress’ interference in the functioning of the government. Kumaraswamy was also reportedly heard complaining that he is working under “tremendous pressure”.

The rift between Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) has been widening recently as both parties have tried to outdo each other to grapple as much as power in the coalition government. The recent cabinet expansion has further widened the rift, with leaders from both the parties are openly conspiring against each other. In July last year, expressing his unhappiness over the coalition government Kumaraswamy had cried saying he was unhappy and swallowing the poison of a coalition government.

Recently, there were speculations that the coalition may be heading towards a breakup with reports that Kumaraswamy’s brother HD Revanna had met the BJP leaders in Karnataka.

Leaked NSSO report on unemployment not finalised and verified, not correct to use it as final: NITI Aayog

Aditi
-
0
Leaked NSSO report on unemployment not finalised and verified, not correct to use it as final: NITI Aayog

The NITI Ayog has said that the “leaked” National Sample Survey of Office (NSSO) report which showed the unemployment rate during July 2017-June 2018 at 6.1 percent, a 45-year high, is not verified. Hours after the NSSO report came out in media, the NITI Aayog clarified that it was a draft report which is still being processed and that the data in the report is not finalised.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said that the Government did not release the data which is still being processed and will release the report when it is ready. The government think-tank said that the Employment Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data shows that 4.8 million additional jobs have been created. “Data collection method is different now we are using a computer-assisted personal interviewee in the new survey. It is not right to compare the two data sets, this data is not verified. It is not correct to use this report as final.” Kumar added.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that enough jobs are being created but there is a lack of good quality jobs. “The NITI Aayog analysis shows that we are creating 7-8 million jobs. Conventional estimates had suggested that there are 12 million new entrants per year. New estimates suggest that because of higher education and declining women’s labour population, the country needs 7 million jobs”, Kant said.

After the report was leaked earlier in the day, the opposition started attacking the government. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had termed it a “national disaster”.

Martyred Army soldier Aurangzeb’s father Mohammad Haneef likely to join BJP

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Martyred Army soldier Aurangzeb’s father Mohammad Haneef likely to join BJP

Martyred rifleman Aurangzeb’s father Mohammad Haneef, who is a former sepoy of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, is likely to join BJP during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on February 3. Aurangzeb’s family resides in Poonch district in J&K.

Aurangzeb was posted at the 44 Rashtriya Rifles camp at Shadimarg in Shopian when he was brutally murdered by terrorists in Pulwama in June last year. He was on his way back to home for Eid celebrations when he was abducted by the terrorists. His body was found in Gussu village about 10 km away from Kalampora, in Pulwama district. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously. The last video of Aurangzeb which was allegedly shot minutes before he was killed by the terrorists had become viral on social media. Aurangzeb was seen fearlessly speaking to the terrorist, presumably, who was not visible in the video.

After Aurangzeb’s death around 50 boys had reportedly left their job in the Gulf to join the Army and the police. His had appealed to PM Modi to end militancy in the area to avenge Aurangzeb’s death. According to reports, Aurangzeb’s father’s name has been forwarded to the BJP President Amit Shah for consideration.

Congress says Modi govt should not bring full-fledged budget, here are some major changes they made in interim budget while in power

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress says Modi govt should not bring full-fledged budget, here are some major changes they made in interim budget while in power

For the last few weeks, it was being speculated that the Modi government was planning to present a full budget instead of an interim budget. Reacting to the reports, Congress party had strongly opposed the reported move, saying government does not have the mandate to bring a full budget. Congress leader Manish Tewari had said that “the Congress party strongly demands that the NDA-BJP Government follows constitutional propriety and only presents a vote-on-account on February 1, 2019”. In a vote of account, the government in its last year seeks the parliamentary approval for expenses for the remaining few months in its term, and no changes in the tax regime is made.

Although traditionally governments have been presenting Vote on Account in their last years, that is always not the case. Congress governments themselves had brought changes in tax rates in the interim budgets presented in the last year of their rules.

In the interim budget for the year 2014 presented by finance minister P Chidambaram, several changes were made in tax rates. In that budget, the excise duty on Small cars, motor cycles, scooters and commercial vehicles was reduced from 12% to 8%, excise on SUVs was reduced from 30% to 24%, and for large and mid-segment cars it came down from 27/24% to 24/20%.

Tax changes in 2014 interim budget

Similarly, various taxes like CENVAT, customs duty, CVD etc on mobile handsets, soaps, construction machinery etc were reduced to encourage domestic production.

Other than changes in taxes, P Chidambaram had also announced that the government had accepted the principle of One Rank One Pension for the defence forces. The finance minister had allocated ₹500 for the scheme. This was a major policy decision incorporated in an interim budget.

Major policy decisions had been made in several other interim budgets too earlier. Therefore, even if Piyush Goyal announces some major policy decisions or makes changes in tax structure, Congress party has no right to oppose the same. The finance ministry has already announced that it will be presenting an interim budget, not full budget as reported by media reports.

SBI data breach: Bank forgets to password secure its server, ends up compromising customer details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
SBI data breach: Bank forgets to password secure its server, ends up compromising customer details

What can be called serious negligence on the part of India’s largest bank, the State Bank of India (SBI) forgot to secure its server hosting sensitive information in one of its Mumbai installations, allowing anyone to access financial information like bank balances and recent transactions of millions of its customers?

It is being anticipated that due to this blunder, information related to bank balance, bank account number and other key bits were leaked.

According to a report published by Techcrunch, a tip-off from an anonymous security researcher highlighted that “the bank had not protected the server with a password, allowing anyone who knew where to look to access the data on millions of customers’ information”.

Though there is no surety as to how long this lapse persisted, it was rectified soon after Techcrunch approached the bank and informed about the glitch.

None of the SBI officials commented on this matter.

According to findings, this unsecured bank server was part of SBI Quick. This facility allows the bank customers to send a message or make a call to carry out basic banking functions.

According to the information provided on the bank’s website, the ‘SBI Quick – MISSED CALL BANKING is a free service from the Bank wherein you can get your Account Balance, Mini Statement and more just by giving a Missed Call or sending an SMS with pre-defined keywords to pre-defined mobile numbers from your registered mobile number.’

Meanwhile, what makes it more concerning is that because this particular app connects the customer’s phone number to his/her account, the data leaked from the bank’s server can be used by identity thieves or scammers to swindle money from bank’s accounts.

The report issued by Techcrunch noted that after gaining entry to the unsecured SBI server, the Techcrunch team was able to see “text messages going to customers in real-time, including their phone numbers, bank balances, and recent transactions The bank sent out close to three million text messages on Monday alone.” The server also allowed access to the archive of messages till December 2018, that were supposedly sent to SBI users.

Its database also contained the customer’s partial bank account number, confirmed Techcrunch.

The India-based security researcher, Karan Saini asserted that “the data could be potentially used to profile and target individuals that are known to have high account balances”.

Saini also confirmed that knowing a phone number “could be used to aid social engineering attacks- which is one of the most common attack vectors in the country with regard to financial fraud,” he said.

Recently, State Bank of India (SBI) had alleged misuse of Aadhaar data. Logins and biometrics of their Aadhaar operators have been misused to generate unauthorised Aadhaar cards, bank officials informed UIDAI.

However, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the authority that established the database, had rubbished SBI’s claims.

SBI has more than 500 million customers across the world, with 740 million accounts.

Congress resorts to vandalism after crushing defeat in Jind bypoll, raises the ‘EVM tampering’ bogey

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress resorts to vandalism after crushing defeat in Jind bypoll, raises the ‘EVM tampering’ bogey

As Congress party realised that their candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala is set to lose the important Jind by-polls in Haryana, the workers of the Congress party took to the streets to protest against the election results while raising doubts regarding EVM tampering.

According to Times Now, Congress workers created ruckus after embarrassing results in the Jind by-polls, where senior Congress leader and close aide of Rahul Gandhi, Randeep Singh Surjewala was pushed to humiliating third position. As soon as the Congress workers recognised that the party’s contest was over, they resorted to vandalism while also claiming that there was an ‘EVM-fraud’.


Reportedly, counting of votes was also stopped for a while after opposition parties raised doubts of EVM tampering and claimed that there was some mismatch in the number of votes during the counting process. Some workers belonging to the opposition parties held the protests while alleging that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) had been tampered with.

Virender Jaglan, polling agent of Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that there were irregularities in 2-3 EVM machines. Jaglan added that along with other opposition parties they have raised a demanded that there should be recounting of votes in those EVMs where mismatch had occurred.

Following the ruckus, Haryana police took control of the situation by lathicharging the workers present outside the counting venue of Jind by-polls. “There was an unlawful assembly which didn’t disperse when we asked them to leave. We had to use a slight force to disperse them. Situation normal now. Counting underway,” said SP Jind Ashwin Shenvi.

The BJP won the Jind by-polls with a margin of 12935 votes, securing a total of 50566 votes. JJP’s Digvijay Singh Chautala came second with 37631 votes while Congress leader Randeep Surjwala finished third with 22740 votes. The Jind by-poll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha, whose son Krishna Middha contested from a BJP ticket to secure the victory.

BJP’s Krishna Middha said, “I would like to thank everyone who supported the party and me. It’s their victory. There were big leaders in the contest as well, but we have defeated them too. We will follow the schemes launched by PM and take them forward.”

A SWOT analysis of the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections

Divya
-
0
A SWOT analysis of the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections

In less than 100 days, India will be facing one of its most important elections in recent times. Not for nothing has it often been alluded to as the Battle of Panipat. The stakes for both sides are very high and the long-term implications of 2019 outcome are for all to see.

With that in mind, we undertook a SWOT analysis exercise for BJP with respect to its chances in Elections 2019.

For the uninitiated, SWOT stands for Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat – it is an analytical tool used to examine the strategic and competitive position of an organisation.

So here is how BJP stacks up:

Strengths

1. Brand Modi

It is an undisputable fact that Brand Modi is still at a high, though media may try and push their “Rahul catching up with Modi” narrative for the umpteenth time. His strongest points have been personal integrity and selfless dedication to the nation. These have withstood the allegations of Rafale and beyond media noise, the man on the road still believes he is incorruptible. In fact, baseless allegations flung around without following up with concrete evidence have convinced many that this is akin to a witch-hunt. The opposition has managed to create a Presidential format of election for 2019. With no clear opponent in sight, this does seem to make it Advantage Modi.

2. Schemes like Ujala, Ujjwala, PMJay, Ayushman Bharat

The transformation brought about in rural lives will probably be the hallmark of the last 4 years. From ensuring 95% basic sanitation to almost 100% electrification, millions of lives have changed drastically. In addition to re-enforcing the image of BJP in governance matters, it has also brought forward in contrast, the utter failure of 60 years of Congress rule. The fact that they did not have the will to provide even the most basic necessities to millions of rural folk when they could have, makes every promise they make now sound hollow and insincere.

3. Macroeconomic indicators

India has already entered the top 5 economies in the world and is predicted to overtake China in terms of growth. Most macro growth indicators that had been in the red pre-2014 have seen considerable improvement. Demonetisation and GST are largely seen as bitter pills to set the house in order, and inflation has been under control.

4. Dedicated support base

BJP has the most dedicated voter base in the country. 2014 saw thousands of volunteers take a break from their careers and give it their all to see Modi get elected. This time around, the enthusiasm was a tad lower but a rejuvenated cadre seems to have sprung into action of late. Also, BJP is the only party that has supporters express grievances upwards, which are often addressed and course correction initiated. A real strength in a scenario where other political parties are filled with sycophants and Yes-Men unable to point out where they are going wrong.

5. Terror-free rule

Even the harshest critics of Modi agree that the last 4 years have seen a peaceful, terror-free existence. Nobody has forgotten the frequent blasts and the callousness with which concerns were addressed by the UPA government. In cities and Metros, this is a huge motivator for people to vote in this government once again.

Weakness

1. The real pliant media

Among the funniest and phoniest criticism to have come from anti-Modi camp is that the Indian media is soft on Modi. It is a fact that for the last 4 years the Congress fed ecosystem, which includes the media, has been setting the narrative – such as hate crime or lynching that is not based on verifiable data and in fact have often been falsified with data and logic – while BJP has been playing on the backfoot. Rather than talking about achievements, the government seems to be caught in a perpetual fire fighting mode. No efforts have been made to address false and malicious news on a daily basis, which has emboldened peddlers even more.

2. Judiciary

From corruption cases to RJB to constant attacks on Hindu culture, the deviancy of the SC has been one of the gnawing features of the last 4 years. This in fact also puts a spanner into the arrests of Christian Michel, Rajeev Saxena and Deepak Talwar. With less than 3 months left, will any of these arrests bear results? “Modiji ne kisko jail bheja?” is a common refrain heard among the dissatisfied.

3. Motormouths in Hindu Pariwar

There were many first-time BJP voters in 2014, who were fed up of Congress corruption and were willing to give the “Hindutva party” a chance. Many of them have been successfully swayed by the Gaurakshak and Hindutva narrative spread by media. Will this category vote for Modi or will choose NOTA?

4. Middle-class discontent

Although the supporters of the government have pointed out various ways in which the middle class has benefited, many of these benefits are indirect and not easily appreciated by an average person running his or her household. Despite inflation being under control, an apparent lack of direct benefits to the middle class such as any tax cuts or other concessions from the finance ministry is one of the weak spots of the Modi government. Could the interim budget change that?

5. Lack of ecosystem

In the last 60 years, Congress has governed less and ruled more. They have successfully created a devoted and easily co-opted support base which does their bidding each time they are called into doing so. Little wonder that the Padma Awardees “gifted” by them are often called into for service. From the award wapsi gang to the op-eds crying intolerance, these people have managed to create an atmosphere of a seemingly chaotic and intolerant rule. The fact that they have been able to do it with such ease, is not a contradiction lost to many. However, they succeed in affecting the impressionable minds.

Opportunities

1. Brand Pappu

This requires an article in itself but to keep it short and simple, Brand Pappu is today as big a motivator to elect Modi as he was in 2104, if not bigger. The narrative peddled by Pidi media (the real pliant media) notwithstanding, the last 2 years have brought to fore, a deranged, manic kind of a personality who can go to any extent to grab power. In addition to that, his winking and hugging and other unpredictable gestures validate Wikileaks expose made about him in 2014. The country at large does not seem to be in the mood to put this kind of a person at the helm of affairs.

2. Disillusionment with Congress in MP, Rajasthan and Karnataka

Kamalnath and company have hit the ground running with their version of governance in their respective states. MP almost immediately saw BJP cadre get killed, there were riots for urea procurement in MP and Rajasthan, the loan waivers have already been proved as a fake promise. One can only wonder at the sheer audacity of these people who will have to face voters in less than 3 months. Will this send the voters back into BJP arms in 2019?

3. Gains in North East

BJP has made impressive strides in the North East through ground connect and infrastructure development. The party is hoping to improve upon its 2014 seat share there. (However, the Citizenship Amendment Bill is already creating problems for BJP in Assam and other states in the region. Some believe this has the potential to harm BJP prospects in North East.)

4. Individual aspirations of Mahathugbandhan

There is no clarity of a hierarchy in the MGB. It is a collection of individuals who have got together to topple Modi but are big leaders in their own states and more importantly in their own minds. This is going to lead to an interesting scenario of leadership claims in the unfortunate situation that BJP does not manage a simple majority. The assertiveness of this type has already been displayed by Mayawati, Yashwant Sinha, Akhilesh Yadav among others. And it is highly unlikely that Congress will be ready to play second fiddle to any of these. This khichdi scenario is reason enough for many sane minds to vote for Modi solely for the sake of stability.

5. Ram Mandir

On the heels of repeated dilly-dallying by the SC, the government has filed a petition for the return of undisputed land at the RJB. This has led to a flutter of excitement among the RW who see it as a hope towards construction. Whether the SC dithers or not, the government has made its stand clear that they are not willing to wait any longer. Will this be able to placate voters who voted for this government with RJB as the sole motive?

6. Return of Nirav Modi, Choksi, Mallya etc.

Having built up the Chowkidaar Chor hai narrative to a crescendo, it remains to be seen how the public will react IF any or all of these are brought back to India before the elections. Will it be a huge setback to the agenda that was peddled all along? Getting any of them to sing in custody can bring huge benefits to the anti-corruption plank of Modi government.

Threats

1. Caste-based mobilisation

Electoral mathematics will go a long way in determining the outcome of 2109. Having tasted victory in Bihar Assembly elections and to some extent in Gujarat and Karnataka, it is very likely that caste-based calculations by ‘secular’ parties can tilt the balances away from BJP’s favour. Can Amit Shah’s famed candidate selection offset losses due to caste arithmetic by the other side?

2. Instigation of large scale caste/religion based riots

Congress is already scraping the bottom of the barrel with their power grabbing agenda. From beseeching Pakistan to help in removing Modi to Rahul Gandhi secretly meeting Chinese officials, they have consistently displayed that no step is too low when it comes to power. Bhima Koregaon happened in not a too distant past and it is not unexpected that if push comes to shove, they will not shy away from employing every possible avenue. Recently Shashi Tharoor quoted an American Spymaster predicting that BJP may organise riots in the country before elections. Is there more to it than meets the eye? Are they setting the stage for something sinister? No one has forgotten Mallikarjun Kharge’s Rakhtpaat threat nor Rahul Gandhi’s famed “22000 people will be killed if BJP comes to power” dialogue.

3. The rise of the “Group 140” aspirants within BJP

The secular cabal has found a sudden fondness for Mr Gadkari. Each of his statement is being twisted around and projected as anti-Modi. To what extent this will be successful and whether they will be able to create dissonance in BJP cadre by projecting more power centres is something to watch out for.

4. NOTA warriors

There are two main sets of NOTA warriors currently. Firstly those who voted for BJP for the first time in 2014, and are currently dissatisfied due to various causes like Economy, Hindutva, Demonetization etc. The second lot is the pro-Hindutva brigade which had expected a Hindu Rashtra at the end of 2019 and are sorely disappointed. Whether the coming 100 days will see a situation that can bring back some of these disgruntled supporters is of utmost importance. NOTA will play a big role in 2019. As some say, this election is not about coming to power, but about keeping Modi out of power.

The above lists are obviously not exhaustive and are in fact quite dynamic. The next 3 months will see a roller coaster ride in politics, of a magnitude rarely witnessed before. Hopefully, at the end of the individual ups and downs, there will be only one victory and that will be of INDIA.

1...6,7046,7056,706...7,672Page 6,705 of 7,672