News18 Power Circuit

Image: PTI

Fit LeaderMost of the political class in the country is known to not take care of their health but recent entrant to the BJP, Naveen Jindal, is an exception. Recently, a video of BJP’s candidate for Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat has surfaced in which he can be seen effortlessly loading wheat sacks onto a truck. The senior leader and industrialist is a known fitness freak and also participates in polo matches regularly.

Breaking PerceptionsBahujan Samaj Party is trying to break the perception of being the ‘B’ team of BJP. Of the 55 tickets given so far by BSP chief Mayawati, 14 are Muslims. The community constitutes about 20 per cent of the population of Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc has given only seven tickets to Muslims of the 72 seats announced so far, a point being raised by various BSP leaders during their ongoing electoral campaign.

Image: X

New TaskAAP is reeling under severe pressure from several quarters, ever since the arrest of several of its senior leaders, including its chief Arvind Kejriwal. The buzz is that senior party leader Sandeep Pathak has been tasked with keeping the AAP flock together. He is understood to have emerged as the chief points person of Kejriwal, and has also been meeting him in prison on a regular basis to receive and discuss messages related to the party.

Veiled ThreatThe BJP’s central leadership is understood to have asked its state leaders to fall in line and act in a disciplined way as the voting for Lok Sabha polls is set to take place later this week. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is learnt to have held a meeting with Madhya Pradesh leaders to ensure discipline in the party. It has been clarified to these leaders that this election is important for the party. If there is any deficiency or indiscipline on their part, the BJP will analyse it later and take appropriate action.

Image: X/ChouhanShivraj

Bhajan and campaigningFormer Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is known for his fondness to sing bhajans. The senior leader has continued to indulge in his passion despite high-octane campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls. Over the past few days, Chouhan has been seen singing bhajans at various public meetings when he is out for campaign. The voters too are seen delighted to get their favourite "mamaji" back in form after being relieved of the CM's post by the BJP a few months ago.

Haunting videosIdeological changes by the political class have often turned embarrassing for various leaders. Congress candidate from Northeast Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, Kanhaiya Kumar, is facing some tricky situations. His chief opponent, the BJP, has been sharing old videos of Kumar on social media, in which he can be seen attacking the grand old party. The situation has turned ugly even as various BJP leaders have also started quoting from these earlier statements of the former JNU students' union leader.

Image: PTI

Follow the LeaderTaking a leaf out of PM Narendra Modi's book to connect with the masses, Union minister and senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has launched his website which aims to provide real-time information about the programmes of Scindia during the poll process. People and voters have also been encouraged to give their suggestions through the website jyotiradityascindia.in.

Taking A BreakCampaign trails during polls can be very tiring and stressful for leaders. Many of them have devised various ways to overcome this stress. Union minister Anurag Thakur was seen playing badminton in Chhindwara on the sidelines of an election campaign. This also enabled the senior leader to connect with the youth of the area. The BJP is trying very hard to break the bastion of Kamal Nath and is utilising all resources to succeed in the task.

Image: PTI

Missing LeadersTwo former chief ministers, Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot, are missing from the Lok Sabha election campaign for their respective parties in 2024. Raje was not seen anywhere in the entire election campaign except in Jhalawar, the parliamentary constituency of her son Dushyant Singh. On the other hand, in Congress, former CM Ashok Gehlot is also more active in Sirohi-Jalore, the parliamentary constituency of his son Vaibhav Gehlot. The two veteran leaders, who once played an important role in the electoral politics of Rajasthan, are seemingly confining themselves to protect their sons.

Rescue AttemptAfter the Rajput caste panchayat called for the boycott of BJP, the party has apparently roped in its top leaders who hail from the community to help create an outreach with the antagonised group. Senior leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have been roped in to help cool tempers amongst the members of the community. The BJP wants to show that it is not taking the Rajput community for granted and hopes to keep their support in the forthcoming polls.

Image: PTI

Back to BasicsChanges are visible in the slogans of BSP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the statement issued by the party for its chief Mayawati's election meetings, the slogan 'Bahujan Hitay, Bahujan Sukhay' has been used. Till the last elections, BSP's posters had 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaay'. This time the party seems to be returning to its roots to regain its lost support base. Will the move work? This question will be answered on June 4 when the results of Lok Sabha polls will be declared.

Still UndecidedWhile the BJP and AAP have already begun their campaigns in the national capital, the Congress still hasn't finalised its candidates. The likes of Kanhaiya Kumar, Alka Lamba, Udit Raj, JP Agarwal and Sandeep Dikshit are among the probables that are being considered. The Congress has been allocated three out of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital as part of INDIA bloc deal with AAP.  The delay in announcement of names isn't being appreciated by leaders and workers of the Congress. 

Image Credit: PTI

Unique ProtestTMC MPs, MLAs, and leaders were on a dharna at a Delhi police station. The highlight, according to some, was the food being ordered by these MPs during their almost 24-hour dharna. Food from various restaurants was apparently brought in to ease the hunger pangs of these leaders. During the protest, the police personnel had reportedly urged these leaders that they were free to leave, and were not under detention. However, most of these leaders decided to stay put.

Voter OutreachBefore the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission is trying to motivate young voters to vote through special campaigns. Under this, the commission has started an initiative called Turning 18 for young voters, especially those who are going to vote for the first time. Under this campaign, the commission wants to motivate the youth and especially the voters going to vote for the first time. The aim of the commission is that more and more youth should participate in the voting process and the voting percentage can be increased.

File Photo/PTI

Joining handsThe first joint public meeting of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is expected to be held in Pilibhit. The opposition INDIA bloc has decided to choose the constituency as the BJP is seemingly on a back foot on the Lok Sabha seat after denying the nomination to sitting MP Varun Gandhi. The two senior leaders are expected to raise this point in front of the voters while trying to wrest the seat from the saffron party.  

Late starterBahujan Samaj Party, which is contesting alone on all 80 seats of Uttar Pradesh, is lagging behind in announcing candidates. The party has not yet been able to decide tickets for more than half the seats. Earlier, Mayawati's strategy has been to declare the party candidate from the very beginning, but in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls she seems to be delaying the announcement of names. Party officials and workers are also confused about the announcement of candidates till now. While the BSP has been delaying the announcement, the BJP and INDIA bloc have already named candidates for a majority of seats.

Image Credit: PTI

Human TouchThe political class is often blamed for being devoid of human touch. But a sensitive side to this profession was seen when RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav called on ailing BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. The senior leader was recently diagnosed with cancer. An emotional Yadav reportedly told Modi that he will pray before Lord Krishna for the BJP leader's wellbeing and health.

Caste ConflictThe shadow of caste conflict during assembly polls may affect the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls in the western Uttar Pradesh region where the BJP has been bearing the brunt of Rajput anger. Two leaders who had lost in the last assembly polls are reportedly creating trouble for official party candidates who belong to the Jat community. The situation got so ugly that the senior leadership had to interfere and cool tempers between the two camps during a recent meeting.

Image Credit: News18

Poster WarA day after the controversy over the expulsion-resignation saga of Sanjay Nirupam from the Grand Old Party, Mumbai Youth Congress has put up a 'Thank you AICC' board in front of Nirupam's house. The posters thank the Congress for expelling Nirupam for indiscipline. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had approved expelling Nirupam from the party for six years following complaints of indiscipline and anti-party statements. However, Sanjay Nirupam had claimed that he had resigned from the party.

Social EngineeringThe Bahujan Samaj Party is indicating a return to its old social engineering formula in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Before the BSP list came, it was believed that this time it would again stick to the Dalit-Muslim equation. Now, when the candidates have been officially announced, the picture looks different. Till now, three lists of BSP have come and 36 candidates have been announced. Among them, most are upper castes. Dalits and Muslims have also been given importance. This has set off speculation whether BSP is going to return to its old social-engineering formula.

Image: News18

Clueless CongressLike every joining in BJP, boxer Vijender Singh's move, too, caused major embarrassment for the Congress. The move, likely due to delay in announcement of his candidature for the Lok Sabha polls, was a complete surprise for the grand old party. It is believed that Singh was speaking to senior leadership of the Congress regarding his possible candidature even hours ahead of making his saffron move, leaving the leadership of the grand old party clueless on the sudden change.

Forgetful candidateIn a unique case, Sangeeta Beniwal, the Congress candidate from Pali Lok Sabha seat, reportedly forgot to bring her nomination form while filing her nomination. The forgetful leader realised this when the returning officer asked for relevant papers to file her nomination. Beniwal reportedly forgot to bring her nomination form, causing panic among the Congress leaders. Later, the form was arranged hurriedly and she could file her nomination. Beniwal is pitted against BJP's PP Choudhary on the seat. 

Image Credit: Getty

Powerless & ForgottenRamakant Goswami, part of the legendary Sheila Dikshit cabinet, has seemingly fallen out of favour not only in the Grand Old Party, but also his former fraternity of journalists. The journalist-turned-politician was seen sitting in Press Club of India, without finding much recognition. The senior leader has already been sidelined by the Congress, which has refused to field him in any political contest.

Family MattersThe Bishnoi family is likely to enter the Lok Sabha fray in Haryana. There is a buzz that the Congress is preparing to give a ticket to former deputy CM Chandramohan, son of former CM Bhajan Lal, from here. The move came after the BJP denied a ticket to Kuldeep Bishnoi and the Congress hopes to make gains in this Bishnoi bastion. Chandramohan has been MLA from Kalka in Panchkula four times. Apart from this, he has also contested elections from Nalwa assembly constituency of Hisar.

PTI Photo

Gandhis Buckle DownThe Congress’s first family is often accused of not taking electoral contests seriously. However, it seems that the Gandhi family is out to take the BJP head on this time. Despite facing health issues, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is expected to address a public meeting in Jaipur later this week. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also expected to join the campaign trail for the Lok Sabha elections this week.

PTI Photo

'Are You Angry With Me?'Elections are a tricky affair, especially when the goal is to prevent the votes from being fractioned among likeminded parties. Congress candidate from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi is understood to have made an attempt to consolidate his votes when he was seen talking to CPI’s D Raja. At the Opposition rally in the national capital, the senior Congress leader is learnt to have asked Raja whether he was “angry” with him as his wife, Annie Raja, was also in the fray from the same Lok Sabha constituency. It's being seen as an attempt by Rahul Gandhi to try and get the CPI to withdraw from the contest.

Image Credit: PTI

Monitoring CleanlinessPromoting cleanliness has been one of the main mantras of PM Narendra Modi. In keeping with his boss' agenda, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has been closely monitoring the sanitation drive in railways. The minister is understood to himself monitor cleanliness across the network on a weekly basis, while also going on inspection drives whenever he is on tours.

Testing WatersA senior AAP leader, with a connection to Bollywood, is understood to be desperately seeking to jump ship. There is strong buzz that the leader has sent feelers to top BJP leadership, seeking possibility of joining saffron ranks. The move comes even as several of his colleagues are currently cooling heels in judicial custody.

Photo Credits: X/MPNaveenJindal

BJP or Congress?The Bharatiya Janata Party is in a unique position in Haryana with more than half its Lok Sabha candidates being erstwhile Congress party members. The list of saffron candidates includes Naveen Jindal, Ashok Tanwar, Rao Inderjit Singh, Ranjit Chautala, Arvind Sharma and Dharamveer Singh who have been earlier members of the grand old party. With 10 Haryana Lok Sabha seats up for grabs, it seems the BJP is banking on old Congressmen to win in the state.

Break a LegThe phrase 'break a leg' is often used in the West to send good luck towards someone. In a seemingly bizarre incident, a BJP Lok Sabha candidate from the national capital broke his leg during campaign. The candidate and several others were injured when the stage, from which he was addressing a crowd, collapsed. Many in the party, including the candidate, are taking it as a good omen towards his victory in the forthcoming polls.

Image Credit: PTI

More DesertionsThe Congress in Punjab is likely to face more desertions over the next few days. It is believed that the game is not over yet, with Ravneet Singh Bittu joining the BJP. Many more leaders from the Grand Old Party are still in the queue and are likely to jump ship ahead of Lok Sabha polls. This list includes at least one Member of Parliament and several MLAs from the state, who are expected to make their move soon.

Cooling TempersA Union minister recently cancelled his much-anticipated press conference. The press meet was called after he was denied a ticket and was reportedly upset over the decision. Senior leaders of the BJP have met him at the party office and have tried to placate him. The buzz is that he was assured of a prominent organisational or gubernatorial role in the coming days. Incidentally, his name was included in the party's star campaigner list for Bihar.

Image Credit: News18

Actor Vs Actor?After BJP fielded actor Kangana Ranaut from Mandi, the buzz is that the Congress too is looking for an actor opposite her. It is believed that one name being mulled is that of Yami Gautam who is from Bilaspur and has a nationalist image as well. Efforts are also on to convince Pratibha Singh to contest from the Lok Sabha constituency.

Campaign TrailWith Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh being set in motion from its western part, the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to go all guns blazing in its campaign strategy. In an effort to achieve the best results from the region, the state leadership has sought that at least three major rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi be conducted in western UP region. UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary, who recently joined the NDA, are also scheduled to lend support to the alliance candidates.

X/@byadavbjp

Campaigning With ColoursWith campaigning for Lok Sabha elections underway, most candidates preferred to celebrate Holi among their voters. Many of them used the festival as an opportunity to connect with the public. Several political leaders, including senior ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav, also shared glimpses of these celebrations on social media.

PTI Photo

MP CM Reprimanded on Ujjain VisitsMadhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav is understood to have come under criticism from the BJP's central leadership. The senior leader was reportedly asked to spend more time in Bhopal and curtail visits, which were becoming too frequent, to Ujjain. The CM has been asked to stop worrying about the Indore region and focus on the responsibility of the entire state, which should be his focus ahead of Lok Sabha polls. 

Image Credit: PTI

Heightened SecurityFormer Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar will now be given Z+ security. It is understood that the committee formed to assess VIP security in the state has received input that there may be a heightened threat perception for Khattar due to the ongoing farmers’ agitation. Khattar had been leading from the front while dealing with the protestors and was successful in stopping them from entering the national capital.

All In The FamilyAnother one from the family of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad's is likely to take the electoral plunge. Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya is likely to be fielded from the Saran seat in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Archarya will be the fourth child of the Yadav family to enter politics after her siblings Tejashwi, Tej Pratap, and Misa. Apart from them, their father (Lalu) and mother (Rabri) have also been elected representatives for several terms.

Image Credit: PTI

Varun for SP?INDIA bloc ally Samajwadi Party is contemplating backing senior leader Varun Gandhi in case the BJP decides to deny ticket to the Pilibhit MP for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. It is believed that the SP leadership is considering the option as murmurs emerge of a possible denial of ticket by the saffron unit to Varun. Speculation is rife that in a situation of denial of ticket by the BJP, Varun may ally with the INDIA bloc to save the family’s political citadel.

Longest TenureWhile the nation is busy with the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, this week Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant became part of a unique achievement. He completed five years in office and has also become the longest-serving chief minister of the BJP in the state. Goa has been notorious as most of its elected governments or chief ministers haven’t completed their full tenure ever since the Union territory achieved statehood in 1987.

News18 Hindi File

Finding Candidate for KurukshetraSuitable candidate    After making Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini the CM of Haryana, the search of BJP strategists looking for a winning candidate for this seat has stopped at the wife of an industrialist. BJP is ready to give ticket from this seat to the former Congress family and is now awaiting the nod by the family. There had been speculation for the past several weeks that the family was planning to join the saffron unit.   

Muting RebellionA BJP chief minister is understood to be facing rebellion from the saffron ranks. The buzz is that several legislators from the state went to the national capital recently to meet the central leadership and complain about the CM. The state leaders are understood to have been assured that their concerns would be looked into. The central leaders have also asked these leaders to wait till after the Lok Sabha polls for possible action on the issue.   

PTI File Photo

Delhi BattleThere is a strong buzz that the names of JP Agarwal from Chandni Chowk, Sandeep Dikshit from East Delhi and Rajkumar Chauhan from North-West Delhi can be approved by the Congress. These names have been sent for approval by the PCC to the central leadership. The final names may be approved by the screening committee. Along with this, names of candidates for some other seats are also expected to be announced soon. 

Unhappy MembersBJP headquarters witnessed some unruly behaviour between two members of its media unit. The two seemingly indulged in a verbal spat after a dispute over their importance in the department. Several members of the BJP's all-powerful unit have been trying to seek tickets for contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. While some of these have been successful in securing the party's nomination, a few have been frustrated due to denial.   

Trouble Ahead?A senior MP, who has recently been denied ticket by the BJP leadership for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, is learnt to have been seeking placement as a Governor in lieu of the denial. The senior MP wants to be accommodated in a constitutional position to bow out from politics in a dignified manner. However, as he wasn’t accommodated by the senior leadership, now the several-term MP is likely to create a problem for the senior minister who has been fielded from his erstwhile constituency.

Image Credit: PTI

No Takers?There is a strong buzz that the Congress wanted to field its two spokespersons Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate from Varanasi and Amethi respectively. However, both the leaders aren’t seemingly too keen to for the contest. With the Gandhi family reportedly opting out of Amethi and Rae Bareli, the replacements were supposed to take on PM Narendra Modi and Smriti Irani in these constituencies respectively.

Image Credit: PTI

Sharing SpaceCongress has announced candidates for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav has been given ticket from Jalore Sirohi Lok Sabha seat and he has started his election campaign. However, Vaibhav courted controversy as soon as he got the ticket because of a post on social media in which the photo of state party president Govind Singh Dotasara is missing.

Internal BickeringIt has been several days since the finalisation of seat sharing between AAP and Congress. While AAP has announced the names of its candidates and they have also begun campaigning for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is seemingly still working hard to finalise its three candidates in the national capital. It is believed that the Congress’ house isn’t in order as several senior leaders are taking a stand against DPCC chief Arvinder Singh Lovely.

PTI Photo

Cong to Prop Up Mayawati as PM Face?There is a strong buzz in political corridors that the Congress may be trying to woo the BSP ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Rumours suggest the Congress high command hopes to woo BSP supremo Mayawati by projecting her as the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition INDIA bloc. The move, if it goes through, has the potential to change political equations in the country. 

BJP's Travel PlansWith two candidate lists for Lok Sabha elections already out, the BJP has begun planning the election tour of its senior leaders. The party has been off the mark earlier than its opponents as it embarks on the campaign to get elected at the Centre for the third time in a row. Most senior leaders are expected to be on the campaign trail for the next several weeks.