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BJP crosses 300 in UP; Congress grabs Punjab

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The BJP wave grew into a tsunami and threw all calculations awry. Once considered a small challenger, the saffron party emerged the biggest victor on March 11, crossing the 300 mark in the total 403-member UP assembly. The Samajwadi Party was kept within the 50 mark, while their party in alliance, the Congress, could not even manage to reach double digits.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was bewildered, having won 19 seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has failed to find favour with the electorate. It has struggled to find a footing in both Punjab and Goa, where it pushed into, with huge preparations and it certainly failed to become a logical alternative to the BJP except in the urban area of Delhi. It is time for Arvind Kejriwal to introspect and find a reason why it failed at the grassroots.

The Manipur verdict is moving down a path nobody expected it to take. Irom Sharmila’s defeat was a wakeup call, and by the time things started getting less ambiguous, the BJP had crept up into a position where it would not need a helping hand from rebel MLAs.

In Uttar Pradesh, as BJP striding crossed the 300 mark, the results of the infighting of the Samajwadi Party are showing up. Shivpal Yadav, who was removed just before the elections, appeared in victory mode, cheering and saying:  “Sabhi logon ko badhai.” Earlier, he had tweeted: “Ye ghamand ke haar hai.”

It was a sad reflection of the way things are, and Mulayam Singh Yadav, yet to make a comment, would not be happy with the way things were handled in a complex state by his son Akhilesh. Shivpal’s comments hit right into the heart of the party.

Congress comes in next, not in numbers, but in accountability. How would Rahul Gandhi explain to the SP their demand for 100 seats and how his party has handled it? Interestingly, Akhilesh wants the alliance to continue.

Mayawati’s party has virtually been washed away. She has claimed that the EVMs had been tampered with; she said she wants to go to court, start a movement. All in vain; because the verdicts have been overwhelming.

In Uttarakhand, all early drama was washed away with Chief Minister Harish Rawat losing both seats he contested. He has resigned.

Here are the basics of each state, with some special quotes.

UTTAR PRADESH

The colour of Holi this year is just one: saffron. So it seems as the Uttar Pradesh results started coming in. All exit polls, as usual, were proved wrong in this state, with the BJP at last reading, having won 304 and leading in eight seats.

Demonetisation has had no effect so far, loss of jobs has not reflected in the showdown and the steady growth of the Modi wave has turned into a tsunami now.

Rahul  Gandhi: “I congratulate Shri Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand.”

Kapil Sibal, Congress: “Just as you can’t blame Modi for BJP’s defeat in Punjab, you can’t blame Rahul Gandhi for our defeat in UP.”

Somnath Bharti: “We don’t indulge in politics of religion or caste and never will. Yes, it’s Modi’s win, but hum log lage rahenge, logon ko aware karne ke liye.”

Surendra Rajput, Congress spokesperson:  “It’s Modi’s win and congrats to him for that. But we expect that he will fulfill the promises that he has made, not indulge in jumlas. We do alliances for something constructive. It’s up to the voter to give a stamp of approval on it.”

Pankaj Singh, Rajnath Singh’s son, won from Noida. Says Singh: “BJP going to break its own record. 1991 Kalyan Singh’s record. Responsibilities increased. Kaam bolta hai issue has become non-issue.”

Anila Singh, BJP spokesperson: “The way corruption has become rampant. It’s important to open files to set example. This was our promise. To give them a transparent government.”

MoS Jitendra Singh: “Voters of India have risen above caste, religion and other factors. People have reposed their faith in Modi. It is a new India. The message is at multiple levels.”

Deepak Mishra, SP spokesperson: “Every time SP has lost, it has introspected, worked on its shortcomings and emerged stronger next time.”

Mohsin Raza: “Congress had given them (Muslims) topi andmadarsa. We are giving them Quran in one hand, laptop in another.”

PUNJAB

Congress won 76 seats, leading in 1; BJP won 3: AAP won 20; SAD won 15.

Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal said he will resign on Sunday.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said: “This is a new year’s gift to Soniaji, Rahul and Captainsaab (Amarinder Singh). People have defeated evil forces and dharma has emerged victorious.”

Amarinder Singh: “Punjab voters have made the right choice/Man of the match in Punjab.”

Ambika Soni: “Many contributed to Punjab results.”

UTTARAKHAND

BJP won 56 seats, leading in 1; Congress won 11.

MANIPUR

BJP won 20 seats, leading in 1; Congress won 26.

Irom Sharmila has lost.

Congress’ Ibobi Singh won.

GOA

The anti-BJP forces were not in the picture with only the Congress still the major force against it.

BJP won 13 seats; Congress won 16, leading in 1.

Laxmikant Parsekar, Goa CM, lost to Congress’ Dayanand Sopte in Mandrem and has resigned.

The final tally of seats in all the five states:

FINAL Election Result 2017

FINAL Election Result 2017

Written with contributions from Sujit Bhar, Meha Mathur, Sucheta Dasgupta,
Prabir Biswas, Punit Mishra, Bhavana Gaur, Kh Manglembi Devi,
Ram Lagan, Anthony Lawrence, Amitava Sen, Anil Shakya, Anubhav Tyagi and Ravi Kumar

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India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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