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With GST rate cuts and project-launch spree, Modi tries to woo poll-bound Gujarat again

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9 years ago

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With GST rate cuts and project-launch spree, Modi tries to woo poll-bound Gujarat again

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Traders and cloth merchants across Gujarat had been protesting against the GST rollout and could have dented the BJP’s poll prospects later this year

Terming it an “early Diwali”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi looked to assuage dissent among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in poll-bound Gujarat by lauding the government’s move to revise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates as he addressed the public in Dwarka on Saturday.

Traders and cloth merchants, who carry substantial clout and influence in the Gujarat’s political landscape, had been protesting against the Modi government’s GST rollout for months as the high tax rates under the new unified tax regime had hit their business hard. It had largely been touted that the unrest among the trader lobby in Gujarat could have dented the BJP’s poll prospects in the state that goes to Assembly elections later this year.

The BJP has managed to stay in power in Gujarat since 1995 despite major political churning and signs of its citadel crumbling on more than one occasion – most notably after the 2002 post-Godhra pogrom. However, ever since Modi – who had managed to keep the BJP’s political fortunes in the state on an upswing even after the 2002 riots – moved to New Delhi as Prime Minister in May 2014, his party’s poll prospects have been uncertain. The state has, since May 2014, seen two chief ministers – Anandiben Patel and incumbent Vijay Rupani – and three major long-drawn anti-BJP agitations, first by the party’s loyal votebank – the Patel/Patidar community, then from Dalits and most recently by traders affected by the GST rollout.

It is thus difficult to believe that the change in GST rates meant primarily to curb dissent among owners of macro and small enterprises, and traders, cloth merchants and small retailers like Khakra (one of the most popular Gujarati snacks) manufacturing household industries came on the eve of Modi’s two-day visit to his home state ostensibly aimed at kick-starting his party’s poll campaign. Modi’s visit to Gujarat follows a three-day tour of the state’s Saurashtra region by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi earlier last week during which he hit out at the BJP government for its failure to create jobs and also over the GST rollout.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The change in GST rates that was announced on Friday night – a day after Modi’s ‘emergency meeting’ with BJP national president Amit Shah and finance minister Arun Jaitley – has expectedly given the Prime Minister and self-appointed flagbearer of Gujarati asmita an opportunity to flaunt his government and party’s sensitivity towards the concerns of the small and medium scale enterprises and traders.

Stating that he was happy with the reception to the changes in GST, Modi told the public gathering in Dwarka that his government had further simplified the unified tax system.

The stated objective of the public gathering was foundation stone laying ceremony for a four-lane cable stayed signature bridge between Okha and Beyt Dwarka to be built at a cost of Rs 962.42 crore. However, Modi did not miss to utilize the opportunity to harp about the change in GST rate cuts.

“Today, everywhere it is being said that Diwali has come 15 days ahead. I am happy… We had said that we will study GST implementation for three months and shall overcome any discrepancies. Our finance minister (Arun Jaitley) convinced everyone in GST council to bring changes,” Modi claimed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“When there is trust in the government and policies are made with best intentions, it is natural for people to support us. I thank people of this country for their support,” Modi asserted.

It is, however, a different matter that the Prime Minister’s tall claims of his government’s sensitivity towards the problems that the public was facing because of what economic experts Opposition leaders and BJP veterans like Yashwant Sinha termed as “hasty implementation of GST” also come at a time when the slowdown in India’s economy is being attributed in part to the new tax regime.

Modi also announced the setting up of India’s first and biggest marine police training institute at Mojap in Dwarka district. “I would like to give a gift to the people of Gujarat that will benefit the entire country. For security of coastal area, we are working to modernise marine police who look after coastal security till five km from shore. To help train policemen from across the country, a marine police training and research institute will be set up near Mojap,” he said.

Alluding to the rising criticism of his government’s economic agenda, Modi said that development would continue to be the driving force for his government.

“This generation may have suffered poverty but we would take development to such heights that future generations do not get to see poverty,” the PM said.

Through the course of his two-day visit, Modi is scheduled to address six public meetings at launches of various schemes and projects across three regions of his home state.

After Dwarka, Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 2,500-crore Rajkot International Airport on the outskirts of the biggest city in Saurashtra. He also addressed another public rally at the pilgrim town of Chotila in Surendranagar district.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Modi is also scheduled to dedicate a new building of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar to the nation at a function scheduled for Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Modi will visit his birthplace Vadnagar in North Gujarat to inaugurate a Rs 500-crore civil hospital and a medical college, apart from dedicating a re-developed lake and facelift of the Vadnagar railway station.

Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the Rs 1,200-crore Devi Ni Mori International Buddhist complex near Shamlaji in Aravalli district, also in North Gujarat, on Sunday.

Later, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Rs 3,000-crore Bhadbhut barrage project over river Narmada, as well as a Rs 650-crore Dahej-Ghogha Ro-Ro ferry service near Bharuch in South Gujarat, before flying off to New Delhi from Vadodara.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Maharashtra MLC Polls: MVA finalizes 15 seats, tussle remains over two key constituencies

The Maha Vikas Aghadi has ironed out differences across 15 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats, leaving Nashik and Nanded as the final points of contention between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Published

7 hours ago

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May 29, 2026

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The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), has successfully reached a seat-sharing understanding for 15 out of 17 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. While a major breakthrough has been achieved, the alliance is currently witnessing a stalemate over Nashik and Nanded, as multiple constituent partners assert their presence in these regions.

According to sources, the distribution plan was designed to prevent internal rifts by respecting the geographic and organizational strongholds of each party.

Congress secures maximum share of seats

Under the initial draft layout, Congress has come out as the largest stakeholder with seven seats in its quota. The party has been assigned constituencies across northern Maharashtra, western Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, where its ground-level network remains sturdy.

The locations likely allocated to Congress feature Solapur, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Dharashiv, Amravati, and Ahilyanagar. To gear up for the electoral challenge, state party president Harshvardhan Sapkal has already designated senior leaders to observe and coordinate at the constituency level.

Five seats assigned to Uddhav Thackeray faction

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been allotted five seats under the proposed arrangement, focusing its reach on the Konkan region and Marathwada. The seats projected for the party encompass Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalgaon, Hingoli, Raigad, and Parbhani.

Concurrently, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction is expected to field its candidates from three constituencies: Thane, Pune, and the joint Satara-Sangli seat. Even though Thane has been known as a core stronghold of the traditional Shiv Sena, evolving dynamics inside state politics led to this assignment during discussions.

Stalemate over two key constituencies

Despite finding common ground on most locations, Nashik and Nanded continue to be sources of disagreement. Media reports show that both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) want the Nashik seat, pointing to their local machinery. On the other hand, Nanded has traditionally stayed a bastion for Congress, but shifting political landscapes have led to claims from alliance partners too.

Leaders from the opposition have stressed that their core objective is to challenge the ruling Mahayuti coalition and prevent votes from splitting through friendly contests. Senior members are expected to hold more rounds of talks over the coming days to untangle the deadlock.

Ruling alliance formula takes shape

Sources close to the matter suggest that the ruling Mahayuti coalition has also neared completion of its election blueprint. Under their anticipated plan, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction might contest Pune and Raigad, whereas the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is tipped to take over Nashik, Thane, Parbhani, and Yavatmal. The remaining council seats are expected to be contested by the BJP.

Political experts are keeping a sharp watch on prospective inner rebellion inside the ruling camp, especially in regions like Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where disgruntled figures might look to explore options alongside independent candidates.

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Siddaramaiah to step down as Karnataka Chief Minister, names DK Shivakumar as successor

In a major political development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced his decision to step down, clearing the path for his deputy, DK Shivakumar, to assume leadership.

Published

2 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Bringing the curtain down on a long-standing leadership dispute within the state ruling party, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Thursday morning that he will resign from his post. The significant announcement was made during a breakfast meeting hosted at his official residence, ‘Kaveri’, in Bengaluru, where senior cabinet ministers and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were present.

Siddaramaiah informed his cabinet colleagues that he will formally tender his resignation at 3:00 PM. He further requested the ministers to extend their support to DK Shivakumar, declaring him as the next Chief Minister of the state.

A graceful transition of power

The breakfast meeting, which featured traditional Kannada dishes like masala dosa, idli, and kesaribath, served as a poignant farewell from the veteran leader who recently completed three years of his second term in office. Ministers present at the gathering described the atmosphere as emotional yet graceful. While some cabinet members broke down in tears following the announcement, Siddaramaiah remained poised, expressing his gratitude to the team for their cooperation during his tenure.

Ahead of the formal discussions, the two top leaders displayed a strong message of camaraderie and unity. Images released from the residence showed DK Shivakumar touching the Chief Minister’s feet to seek his blessings, followed by a warm embrace between the duo. Following the meeting, the state party unit shared these images on social media with a caption emphasizing that unity remains their core strength and public service their eternal commitment.

High command intervention ends long-standing dispute

The decision follows 48 hours of intense consultations in New Delhi with the party’s central leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Media reports indicate that the party high command actively facilitated the transition, offering the outgoing Chief Minister a national role, which includes a Rajya Sabha seat.

As the Governor is currently out of the state on personal matters, Siddaramaiah is expected to hand over his resignation letter to the Governor’s secretary at Raj Bhavan. Following the formal acceptance of the resignation, a Legislature Party meeting will be convened to officially elect Shivakumar as the new leader before the scheduled swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile, celebrations have already erupted outside Shivakumar’s residence, where supporters gathered to distribute sweets and chant slogans welcoming his upcoming elevation.

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Siddaramaiah not interested in taking Rajya Sabha post, say sources

Sources reveal that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has turned down an offer for a Rajya Sabha seat, preferring to remain active as an MLA in state politics despite leadership transition talks by the Congress high command.

Published

2 days ago

on

May 28, 2026

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The political landscape in Karnataka is witnessing intense developments as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly expressed his unwillingness to accept a Rajya Sabha berth or transition into a national role in New Delhi. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the veteran leader prefers to remain active within state politics and continue his tenure as an MLA rather than shifting his focus to the national capital.

High command pushes for transition

This revelation comes on the heels of marathon high-level meetings convened by the Congress leadership in Delhi to address the ongoing leadership discussions in Karnataka. Insiders state that the party central leadership has backed Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take over the top post, in line with internal understandings following the 2023 assembly elections.

To facilitate a smooth leadership transition in the state, the high command offered Siddaramaiah a parliamentary seat in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections alongside a prominent national role. However, sources indicate that the Chief Minister has rejected this proposal and requested more time to deliberate on his next steps.

Official stance downplays leadership shift

Publicly, senior party leaders have sought to quell rumors regarding an immediate change of guard. Following a lengthy deliberation at the party headquarters, General Secretary K.C. Venugopal stated to the media that the discussions were exclusively centered around selecting candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council seats in Karnataka. He dismissed reports of an imminent chief ministerial swap as mere speculation.

Siddaramaiah also echoed this sentiment when questioned by journalists, emphatically denying that any leadership changes were debated during the official meeting. Despite these denials, political circles remain abuzz, as the Chief Minister has reportedly met with cabinet ministers and loyalists to discuss the evolving situation before returning to Bengaluru.

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