Gujarat BJP MLAs likely to pick next chief minister on Friday
21/12/2017, Thursday
Ileana D’Cruz: Will do television if it gives me...
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In Narmada, home to PM Modi’s Sardar Patel statue project, BJP crumbles
⁄ On Monday, Congress workers in Dediapada broke into celebrations after Bhartiya Tribal Party president Mahesh Vasava won by a margin of 21,700 votes against sitting MLA Motisinh Vasava
state.” Sources in the temple said that the head priest of the temple blessed Rahul and prayed for him to become “the Prime Minister in 2019.” On Monday, Congress workers in Dediapada broke into celebrations after Bhartiya Tribal Party president
Mahesh Vasava won by a margin of 21,700 votes against sitting MLA Motisinh Vasava. The Congress had entered into a pre-poll alliance with the BTP, which initially had irked the party’s local cadre. But in the end, they got together to campaign against the BJP in the end. “Initially, there was resentment as the party cadre had worked very hard for the seat. So, they also wrote to the central Congress leaders to reconsider the decision to share
were counted and tallied with the data from the EVMs. No mismatch between the two sets of data (from EVM and VVPAT slips) was found during this process,” B B Swain, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, said. Swain, however, did not divulge the total number of VVPAT slips that were counted and matched with the data from the EVMs. “The EC had
sought a report on this process and we will be sending them a report by Wednesday,” the official said. VVPAT paper slips of 182 polling stations were counted as part of a pilot project initiated by the Election Commission that was reported by The Indian Express in October 2017. The pilot project was initiated amid apprehensions of EVM tampering.
the Prime Minister’s Office. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma arrived in the city on Tuesday after tying the knot in Italy and spending a few days in the country. The couple announced the news of their marriage on social media in a joint statement, saying, “Today we have
promised each other to be bound in love for ever. We are truly blessed to share the news with you.This beautiful day will be made more special with the love and support of our family of fans & well wishers. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey.”
SS News | Ahmedabad
In May this year, several months before he began his Navsarjan Yatra in Gujarat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi held a public meeting in Dediapada, a tribal-dominated Assembly constituency, in Narmada district. Before addressing tribals who had gathered in large numbers to hear him, Rahul paid a visit to Goddess Panduri temple in Dev Mogra,
about 25 km from Dediapada, where in the visitor’s book he wrote, “Thank you for a wonderful visit. I look forward to coming back here soon. May Yahamogi Panduri Mataji bless Gujarat and all of us to bring happiness and prosperity to the
NEWS VVPAT slips match EVM BRIEF data at 182 booths: EC Delhi confidential: Happy with result
Agency | New Delhi
The Congress is in a celebratory mood after the Gujarat results. The party may not have won, but the fact that the election became a close contest, to a large extent due to Rahul Gandhi’s extensive campaigning, has energised party leaders. Sonia Gandhi, who wore a Gujarati saree to the Lok Sabha, was all smiles on Tuesday as she told Congress MPs that touching 80 seats was a moral victory for the Congress. 49 seats changed hands between Cong and BJP, 41 of these in rural areas Agency | New Delhi
As many as 49 seats changed hands between the Opposition Congress and ruling BJP in the Gujarat assembly elections that returned the BJP to power Monday. Of the 49, Congress wrested 33 seats that the BJP won in the 2012 assembly elections while the BJP snatched 16 seats from the Congress. A scrutiny of the results data of 2017 and 2012 shows that 41 of the 49 seats that changed hands were in rural areas. The 33 seats that the Congress grabbed from the BJP took its tally to 77 in the House of 182.
SS News | Ahmedabad
The Election Commission on Tuesday said that during the counting of votes in Gujarat elections, the number of VVPAT (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail) slips matched with the data of the EVMs at 182 polling booths that were randomly selected for the pilot project, meant to establish the authenticity of EVMs. “After the formal counting process of the Gujarat polls ended on Monday, the returning officers in each of the Assembly constituencies randomly selected a polling booth where the VVPAT slips
Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi Agency | New Delhi
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invited him for their reception in New Delhi on December 21. Modi also conveyed his regards and congratulated the couple on their marriage. Along with the pair, Kohli’s brother Vikas was also present during the meet. “Captain of the Indian cricket team @imVkohli and noted actor @AnushkaSharma met PM @narendramodi this evening. The Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding,” tweeted
the seat with the BTP. But as the election approached and due to intervention by senior leaders, the local unit campaigned for Vasava,” a Congress leader said. It was not only in Dediapada, but also in Nandod Assembly segment in the district where the BJP suffered a big upset, losing its hold in the tribal district completely. The BJP’s highpitched appeal that the Statue of Unity — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project of erecting the 182-metre-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — would change the fortunes of the tribals here brought no dividends. The BJP’s defeat in Nandod has put the party’s leaders in an embarrassing spot. Sitting MLA and State Minister for Forest and Tribal Development Shabdasharan Tadvi lost to Congress’s Premsinh Vasava.
December 21, 2017, Thursday
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Gujarat Assembly polls: NOTA determines victors on 30 seats
SS News | Ahmedabad
Over 5.51 lakh voters, in the just concluded Gujarat Assembly polls, pressed the NOTA (None of the Above) button, adversely affecting the results for both the BJP and the Congress. On at least 30 seats, the votes polled by NOTA were more than the victory margin. In Dholka, where sitting cabinet minister Bhupendra Chudasma won by 327 votes, 2,347 votes were polled NOTA. Similarly, on the Chhota Udepur seat, the sitting leader of opposition, Mohansinh Rathwa won by a
margin of 1,093 votes where a total of 5870 votes were cast in the favour of NOTA. The number of votes cast for NOTA seems to have affected the result for both BJP and Congress on 15 seats each. These also include the two seats won by independent candidates in Lunawada and Morva Hadaf, where the BJP candidates were a close second. On the Jamjodhpur seat in Saurashtra as well, sitting BJP minister Chimanbhai Sapariya lost the Congress candidate by a mere 2,518 votes. Here the votes polled by NOTA was 3,214.
On the Porbandar seat, the number of votes cast in favor of NOTA was 3,433 while former GPCC president Arjun Modhwadia lost to sitting BJP minister Babu Bokhiriya by a margin of 1,855. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said, “There are two reasons for the high number of NOTA voters. First, it shows the disillusionment of the voters towards the political parties. Secondly, it shows that a large section of the electorate who were disillusioned by the BJP’s regime and could not be attracted towards the Congress.”
2 / Dt. 21-12-2017, Thursday, www.sunvillasamachar.com Editors’ Picks thursday, 21 December, 2017 The annual Upliftment Drive aims to help thousands of families in over 650 towns and cities across India and internationally
The health and vibrancy of a society are determined by the universal availability and accessibility to basic needs: food, healthcare, education, potable water, sanitation and affordable housing. In keeping with these socio-economic essentials, the Dawoodi Bohra community has come together to begin its third annual five-day Upliftment Drive. The five-day drive, starting on the 21st of December, aims to improve the wellbeing of members of the community as well as society at large. Preparations began in earnest from the Prophet Mohammed’s SAW birthday, which was celebrated last month; his teachings regarding helping the less fortunate and showing kindness to others lie at the heart of this drive. The various initiatives include a worldwide food distribution drive for the under-privileged,the organization of free medical camps to check for elevated blood pressure and diabetes, vaccinations and eye and dental check-ups. It is perhaps fortuitous that the days of this Upliftment drive come at the same time as when many people throughout the world are celebrating their own season of giving and spreading goodwill. More than 21,000 community officials and members comprising of clergy and community officials, doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, businessmen, homemakers, and students will set out for over 450 towns and cities across India and 200 cities outside the country. Many individuals have flown into the country specifically for this purpose. Students and faculty of the community’s primary educational institute, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, form the largest contingent of this volunteer group. Together they will look into the basic needs of the communities, particularly those aspects emphasized by His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, in his sermons and travels. In a recent sermon in Mumbai on the occasion of the death anniversary of his respected father, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS encouraged community members to take out time to volunteer in the Upliftment drive, specifically asking the community’s businessmen and professionals to build and provide homes for those who do not have the means to do so themselves. In addition, he spoke of the need for greater awareness regarding sanitation and highlighted the need for personal counselling for younger generations.
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR, Ahmedabad
Hollywood-Bollywood Ileana D’Cruz: Will do television if it gives me good content Agency | New Delhi
Actor Ileana D’Cruz says she will work on the small screen provided the content is challenging and different. Asked if she would like to try the small screen, Ileana said over the phone from Mumbai, “I’ve always been someone who has worked with good content and I like to do so, hence it doesn’t matter to me. If TV gives me good content, I’ll do it. If it’s challenging and pushing me to do something different then why not?” Ileana’s film Mubarakan will be premiering on Sony MAX on
Romancing Salman Khan and Aamir Khan onscreen is wonderful: Katrina Kaif
Agency | New Delhi
It is a fairytale for both Meghan Markle, Anushka Sharma: Priyanka
- Kapilkumar M. Hirpara
Editor
Akshay Kumar is the perfect husband to Radhika Apte
Agency | New Delhi
“Aaj Se Teri”, the first song from PadMan, is out. The romantic number, launched on Wednesday, highlights the lovely relationship of Lakshmikanth with wife Gayatri played by Radhika Apte. Composed by Amit Trivedi, “Aaj Se Teri”, crooned by Arijit Singh, is a love ballad which begins with Akshay and Radhika’s nuptial. As the song penned by Kausar Munir plays, the two look head over
Saturday. She says she is looking forward to people watching it. Asked if she feels TV helps in connecting with a wider audience, she said, “I’m really not sure about that but I do know that sometimes watching a film in the theatre is a different experience and sometimes we just want to sit back and watch the movie…” What is she expecting out of the television premiere of the film? “I think it will be just as good, if not better because it’s a film which you can keep watching over and over again. I love the fact that it’s coming on TV, for everyone who has not watched it yet,” she added. Directed by Anees Bazmee, Mubarakan also stars Athiya Shetty, Arjun Kapoor and Anil Kapoor. After Baadshaho, Ileana is also will be once again seen reprising her sizzling chemistry with Ajay Devgn in her upcoming film Raid. Helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta the film is set to hit the screens in March next year.
Agency | New Delhi
Expressing her happiness over the big news in the personal lives of her colleagues and friends – Hollywood actor Meghan Markle and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, actor Priyanka Chopra says it fills heels in love with her heart with joy each other. Like a perfect husband, Akshay knows exactly how to make his wife hap- Agency | New Delhi py and is considerate Sounding hopeful towards her small about his controverneeds. And, Radhika sy-laden period drais not far behind from ma Padmavati, actor her ideal husband in Shahid Kapoor says fulfilling her duties as the team will know a wife. For those who take the actor only as the film’s release a comedian or an ac- date in the coming tion hero, this song is 10 days. The release a proof that Akshay of the film, which nails the genre of ro- was initially schedmance as well. Also, uled for December 1, the soulful magic of was voluntarily deArijit’s voice will ferred after it ran into leave you hooked to a huge controversy over sections of the the song.
to see the two women living their fairy tales. While Anushka tied the knot with longtime boyfriend, cricketer Virat Kohli on December 11, Meghan announced her engagement to Prince Harry last month and is set to wed him on May 19 next year. Re-
acting to Meghan’s engagement, Priyanka Chopra said she has spoken to the Suits actor and is very happy for her. “I don’t know about the wedding. I don’t know about that but of course I have spoken to her (Meghan) and I am extremely happy for her.”
Rajput community raising an objection on the portrayal of queen Padmini in the movie. Also, a delay by the makers in submitting the film to the Central Board of Film Certification added to their woes and they had no other option but to postpone the release. Now that the film is
with the CBFC, there is constant speculation about its release date. When asked about it, Shahid Kapoor said that there will be a clarity by the year-end. “I am sure we will have a clarity by the end of this year about when the film is releasing but we want it to release as soon as possible,” the actor told mediapersons at the red carpet of Zee Cine Awards.
Here’s what Shahid Kapoor has to say about the release date of Padmavati
Katrina Kaif is a self-proclaimed fan of romances, and says the genre becomes more exciting when she has co-stars like superstars Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, with whom she shares a great rapport both on and off the screen. Kat is currently awaiting the release of Tiger Zinda Hai, which brings her and Salman back together after five years and also gearing up for her next film Thugs of Hindostan co-starring Aamir. She was all praise when asked about her
working chemistry with both the stars. Talking about reuniting with Salman in Tiger Zinda Hai, Katrina said, “So, it has been five years since ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ released. It’s an incredible story (of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’). I think Ali (Abbas Zafar, the film’s director) has taken the story forward in an amazing way. It has been really fun, every day on set with Ali and Salman. It has been really wonderful, the whole experience of filming it has been really nice.” Salman and Katrina were alleged-
ly dating for a few years before breaking up in 2009. The two first worked together in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya in 2005, which was also Katrina’s third Bollywood film. Kat said their equation has only evolved with time and today they hold each other in high regard. “Salman and I know each other for quite some years (laughs). Let’s put it like that. It has been a few years now and I think we share a really great equation and there’s a lot of respect between each other. So, I think that’s great,” she said.
everyone is keeping a watchful eye on whether either of them will move their release date in order to avoid speculation and attention. But if Fanne Khan’s producer, Prerna Arora of Kriarj Entertainment is to be believed, Aishwarya is not bothered about bringing her film against Salman’s Race 3 on June 15, 2018. At the red carpet of Zee Cine Awards, when Prerna was asked if
Aishwarya was happy with the clash, the producer smiled and said, “Aishwarya is fine with the release date. It is not a concern for her.” Prerna said personally, she is actually excited for the clash because she is a fan of both the actors. She explained that even as a producer she doesn’t feel any risk for Fanne Khan as the film is quite smaller in comparison to Salman’s action movie.
Fanne Khan vs Race 3: Aishwarya Rai not concerned about clashing with Salman Khan film, say producers
Agency | New Delhi
If it happens, it’ll be the biggest box-office clash of 2018 – Salman Khan’s Race 3 against Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Fanne Khan. Never has any past relationship between two Bollywood celebrities generated and maintained interest of the audiences as Salman and Aishwarya. Now, as their respective films are up for a box-office face-off on Eid 2018,
3 / Dt. 21-12-2017, Thursday, www.sunvillasamachar.com India vs Sri Lanka: IPL graduates in the limelight for 1st T20I
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR, Ahmedabad
MS Dhoni at no. 4 was just class, says Rohit Sharma
SPORTS ROUNDUP
Agency | Cuttack
Agency | New Delhi
INDIA’S ODI team has had a settled look in recent times. In the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer responded with two sumptuous half-centuries. However, in the T20s space, the team is exploring different options in a bid to get the perfect balance. Consequently, the selectors have inducted a bevy of uncapped players for the series against Sri Lanka, which begins in Cuttack today. The Rohit Sharma-led squad has rookies Basil Thampi, Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar, while the bowling will comprise the likes of Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammed Siraj, all of whom have hardly
had much experience at the international level. But it’s the IPL experience that has prompted selectors to give them the nod, a fact attested by Dinesh Karthik ahead of the series opener. “All of them have come with a lot of IPL experience behind them — some have played 20-30 games. They are not as perturbed as they used to be in earlier days. It gives them a lot of confidence to come into the international set-up. I’m sure these are exciting times for the young boys. I’m very confident that they will make best use of the chances given to them. It’s a great opportunity for all the young boys coming in,” he said.
IPL 2018 auctions scheduled for January 27, 28 in Bangalore
Rohit Sharma indicated that fans might see MS Dhoni batting more often at no 4 in T20Is. In the presentation ceremony that followed India’s 93-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20 at Cuttack, Rohit commended the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman and Manish Pandey for the finish they provided to the innings. “Great finish to our innings by MS and Pandey,” said the Indian captain, “Pandey hasn’t had much game time in the middle, so to come out and bat like that is good. And MSD, he’s just class. No. 4 really paid off. He’s played so many games for us, won so many games for us
The mega auctions of the Indian Premier League’s 11th edition will be held in Bangalore on January 27 and 28. The news was confirmed by a senior BCCI official. “Since most of the capped players will be back in auction, it will be a mega auction that will be held in Bangalore on January 27 and 28. Since Bangalore has been hosting all previous auctions, that was the choice of franchises,” a senior BCCI official told on Tuesday. This year’s auction will see teams having an increased budget of Rs 80 crore from previous Rs 66 crore. In all five players can be retained by a franchise, which includes two Right
to Match cards. The return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals to the cash-rich league could see a lot of movement before the season gets underway. With retention rules in place, Chennai will have a shot at retaining star players like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin. RETENTION POLICY: * All the eight teams that will take part in IPL 2018 – Chennai Superkings (CSK), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Delhi Daredevils (DD), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – will have a maximum five player retentions.
Agency | Mumbai
and moving forward, we feel making him bat at No. 4 is ideal. That allows Manish and Dinesh (Karthik) to finish games off.” Rohit said that the team would be better off now if MS Dhoni batted freely. “For a long period of time, MS has been finishing games off, but we want him to bat free-
ly now, without that pressure,” said Rohit. Dhoni’s place in the Indian team had come under a question mark after he failed to get going in recent innings. But, on Wednesday, Dhoni and Pandey took India out of a sticky situation and helped them post 180/3 in Cuttack.
that he does not need to talk to selectors and the day he loses motivation he will stop playing cricket. “Keep scoring runs, that is what you can control and you can do. You can’t control things which are not in your hands. The only thing you can control is to get a bat in your hand, go out there, perform and score as many runs as possible,” Gambhir said in an interview
with said. “That is what you are meant to do and that is what I am trying to do. This year is no different from what I used to do last year. The motivation is exactly the same. The day I don’t feel the same I will not hang around,” the southpaw said before adding, “I don’t speak to the selectors and I don’t need to speak to the selectors. Ultimately, my job is to score runs and that is what I only focus on.” In the current Ranji season, Gambhir has scored 632 runs but he is not the among the one to bask in the glory. “We reached the finals so obviously the achievement is great. Hopefully, we can go one step ahead and win it after 10 years which is going to be great,” he said.
I don’t need to speak to selectors, my job is to score runs: Gautam Gambhir Despite Delhi's recent success, Gautam Gambhir feels that it still has a long way to go before matching sides like Mumbai and Karnataka
Agency | New Delhi
Agency | New Delhi
Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav skittle out Sri Lanka for 87 as India record biggest win in T20I’s
After enjoying yet another successful season in the domestic circuit, veteran Gautam Gambhir has declared that he is no mood to give up on the playing the game of cricket and is looking forward to continuing doing what he does best – scoring runs. Stating that a return to the national side is not something he is concerned about, Gambhir maintained
India is the No.1 Test side and I hope they can deliver in South Africa
India recorded their biggest win in T20I’s after defeating Sri Lanka by 93 runs in Cuttack on Wednesday. After being asked to bat first the hosts did an able job with the willow and put up a challenging total of 180. Later on, it was the spin twins – Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal who proved to be the match winners on the day as they scalped six wickets between themselves to skittle out the visitors for a paltry 87. For his brilliant spell of 4/23 with the ball, Chahal was also awarded the man of the match. India were asked to bat first after oppo-
sition skipper Thisara Perera won the toss. In what was not the easiest of batting conditions, openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul took a cautious approach as the ball did seam around initially. However, skipper Rohit Sharma had to depart early after Angelo Mathews outfoxed him with a ball that bounced more than expected. Once Rohit got out, Rahul took the responsibility and batted admira-
bly. After bringing up his fifty in the 10th over of the Indian innings, Rahul tried to up the ante but was dismissed for 61 (48 balls). His partnership with young Shreyas Iyer ensured that the Indian middle order wasn’t exposed early on and set the platform for the lower order. After facing the axed from the ODI squad, this knock by KL Rahul will surely give him a lot of confidence.
Ranji Trophy 2017: Vidarbha inch closer to maiden final
Vidarbha stood on the verge of making their maiden Ranji Trophy final as they left fancied Karnataka, chasing 198, in a spot of bother at 111 for seven on the fourth day of their last-four clash. Vinay Kumar and allrounder Stuart Binny picked up three wickets apiece and Sreenath Aravind had two to his name. Chasing a modest total with more than a day to Ganesh Satish scored spare, Karnataka were 81 in second innings off to a disastrous start for Vidarbha against as they lost Mayank karnataka Agarwal (3) quickly. Agency | Kolkata (1) were batting at Ravikumar Samarth Vidarbha stood on the Eden Gardens. (24) and Dega Nisthe verge of making Resuming at 195 for chal (7) got out in their maiden Ranji four and with a lead quick succession, but Trophy final as they of only 79, Vidarbha the big blow was dealt left fancied Karna- relied on a solid 55 on Karnataka when taka, chasing 198, from Aditya Sarwate, Karun Nair (30 off in a spot of bother at whose primary duty 41 balls) was caught 111 for seven on the is to take wickets behind off the bowlfourth day of their with his left-arm spin ing of Gurbani. C M last-four clash, in bowling, to reach 313 Gautam, too, was disKolkata on Wednes- before being all out. missed by Gurbani as day. At stumps on Overnight on 71, Ga- Karnataka, seeking to the penultimate day, nesh Satish was cas- reach their third RanKarnataka skipper R tled by Abhimanyu ji final in five years, Vinay Kumar (19) Mithun for addition of found themselves in a and Shreyas Gopal only 10 more runs. R precarious position.
The intent was for the CoA to supervise the administration and not to usurp it: NCA chairman Niranjan Shah Agency | New Delhi
Agency | New Delhi
India’s tour to South Africa will be the Litmus Test for Virat Kohli and his men. The Test series which will begin from January 5, will witness the top two sides in cricket collided in a battle for supremacy. While the Proteas will be favourites at home, veteran Indi-
an batsmen Gautam Gambhir has put his weight behind the men in blue and said that since India is the number one side in the longest format, they should win in all conditions. In an interview with said, Gambhir said, “It’s going to be a tough tour because South Africa is a very good
side especially in their own backyard. They have got quality bowling, they have got quality batting. India really has to play well to beat them.” “I hope they have got the confidence from what they have done in the last two years. Even if they have played the bulk of their cricket at home.
In a letter to the Committee of Administrators (CoA), National Cricket Academy (NCA) chairman Niranjan Shah has urged the Supreme Court-appointed committee to ‘supervise the administration and not to usurp the administration’. Hitting out at the COA, Shah also expressed dissatisfaction after the Vinod Rai-led committee held a meeting of the NCA last week and
did not invite some of the top BCCI officials for the same. The meeting resulted in the appointment of Tufan Ghosh who will assume the role of a new Chief Operating Officer of the NCA in Bengaluru. Expressing disappointment
over the developments, Shah wrote, “I am the Chairman of the National Cricket Academy. For some reason unknown to me, it appears that the BCCI has intentionally avoided inviting me to attend and chair the NCA meetings.
4 / Dt. 21-12-2017, Thursday, www.sunvillasamachar.com
Controversy over Rafale deal motivated, baseless: Nirmala Sitharaman
Agency | New Delhi
The government today termed as “motivated” and “baseless” the controversy over the Rafale deal and asserted that the fighter jets have been bought at better terms. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said all the provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) have been followed and an inter-governmental agreement was signed on September 23, 2016 after the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). “The allegations are mo-
tivated and baseless. The government has bought the Rafale aircraft at better terms,” she said. The question was asked by six MPs, including three from the BJP, BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab, Samajwadi Party member Tej Pratap Singh Yadav and Shiv Sena’s Rahul Shewale. The Congress had alleged a “huge scam” in the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft saying this was done unilat-
erally without following the DPP, without any inter-governmental agreement and in the absence of the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The Congress had also made it an election issue in the Gujarat polls. In response to a question on the number of surgical strikes made by the Army in the last three years, the defence minister did not given any direct answer. “Based on
specific and credible inputs, Indian Army strikes at terrorists/ infiltrators at the borders from time to time, in order to preserve the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation,” she held. In response to another question on whether the government foresees a twofront war at western and northern borders and initiatives taken by the government to deal with situation like Dokalam and proxy war by Pakistan, Sitharaman said the government is fully seized of the security threats and remains prepared to deal with all kinds of security challenges.
Congress stalling Parliament to vent its frustration of poll loss: BJP
If anyone ever humiliated Manmohan Singh, then it was Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had torn up an ordinance proposed by the UPA government and called it nonsense, Sambit Patra claimed Agency | New Delhi the UPA government
The BJP on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not uttered a single word for which he should apologise and accused the Congress of venting frustration of its defeat in the recent assembly polls by stalling Parliament. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back at the Congress after its leaders demanded that Modi apologise for the allegation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh had colluded with Pakistan to influence Gujarat polls. He told reporters that
the opposition party should rather come clean on the dinner meeting as its leader Anand Sharma had first denied any such event before accepting it. Patra alleged that Congress leaders, including its former chief Sonia Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka and many others, had humiliated Modi multiple number of
times and the opposition party never tendered an apology to him. It was appalling, he claimed, that the Congress had stooped down to stalling Parliament. If anyone ever humiliated Manmohan Singh, then it was Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had torn up an ordinance proposed by
minister Arun Jaitley and party general secretary Saroj Pandey hold consultations with the party’s 99 MLAs. Though outgoing Chief Minister Vijay Rupani remains a strong candidate to retain the post, there has been intense speculation that he might not
be handed over the reins after the BJP failed to improve on its previous tally and fell short of the 100 mark. BJP national president Amit Shah had previously said during the party’s poll campaign that the electoral battle will be fought under Rupani’s leadership.
and called it nonsense, he claimed. “Our prime minister has not uttered a single word or done any wrong for which he should apologise,” he said. The Congress ran out of issues after people showed their support to demonetisation and the GST by voting for the BJP as it used them to stall Parliament, he said. ‘Vikas purush’ (man of development) had defeated the ‘Gabbar Singh’ and anti-reform politics, he said, a reference to Gandhi’s moniker of ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ for the GST.
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR, Ahmedabad
FIR against Hardik Patel for holding roadshow sans permission An FIR was registered today against Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and around 50 of his supporters for holding a roadshow on the city outskirts on December 11 without permission, police said. The Ahmedabad Police registered the case in connection with the roadshow held in Bopal area. “Hardik, who heads the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), and his supporters were booked under IPC section 188 for disobeying the police order,” Bopal Po-
Fresh from winning Gujarat for the sixth straight time, the BJP MLAs are likely to choose the next chief minister of the state on Friday, according to said. The decision on who will lead the BJP government in Gujarat will be taken after Union
Gujarat assembly elections 2017: Imran Yusufbhai Khedawala — from councillor to MLA
SS News | Ahmedabad
Come Thursday, as Imran Yusufbhai Khedawala enters the Gandhi Hall of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to attend its general board meeting, he will bear a new feather in his cap. From a lone Independent AMC councillor to a first-time Congress MLA from the corpo-
ration, he has come a long way. Khedawala, who is among the four Congress winners in 18 urban constituencies of Ahmedabad district, has wrest Jamalpur-Khadia seat from BJP’s Bhusan Bhatt. Rest 14 have been bagged by the BJP. From being a Congress councillor in 2010 to winning the
Jamalpur ward as an Independent in 2015 and back to the party fold, emerging victorious in the 2017 Assembly polls, Khedawala’s journey has been an interesting one. And, in his journey, he has been well-guided by two senior Congress leaders, Gyasuddin Shaikh and Himmatsinh Patel.
ing questions over celebrations by BJP after the Gujarat victory, Uddhav asked, “Is the BJP’s Gujarat victory so stellar to dance with gay abandon… though BJP won, the discussion in the country was centred around
the big stride taken by Rahul Gandhi.” Uddhav said Rahul brought young warriors like Hardik Patel and others under one umbrella and almost managed to pull off a win. “He fought the Gujarat war by bringing all young warriors
together and almost won…” Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played the Gujarati self-respect card, Uddhav said voters stood by Modi in 99 seats following his appeal for Gujarati self-respect, “Apno Manas”, but on 77 seats Rahul and Hardik stood tall. Complimenting the BJP without mentioning Modi, Uddhav said, “I am extending my special compliments to the BJP for its success in Gujarat.
Agency | New Delhi
the Congress winning in 6 wards. According to information published on the website of the state election commission, the Congress emerged victorious in all four Zilla Parishads — Banswara, Bhilwara, Jalore and Karauli — where the bypolls were held. In the Panchayat Samiti elections, the Congress won in 16 places while the BJP
emerged winner in 10 Samitis. Speaking on the results, state Congress chief Sachin Pilot said the countdown for the BJP government in the state has started. He said the state government has been working against interests of people. Pilot cited results of Gujarat elections to say that Congress has won a “moral victory”.
Rahul Gandhi, who took over as party president on December 16, will be present on the last day of the shivir. State Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki told The Indian Express, “The exercise is being conducted
not only to conduct a post-mortem of the party’s performance in this Assembly election, but also to plan for the future.” After the poll results were declared on Monday, Solanki had taken responsibility for the Congress’s loss.
lice Inspector I H Gohil said. Hardik and his supporters, who were on their bikes, had organised a roadshow on December 11, despite being denied permission by the district authorities, he said. “Today, we have lodged an FIR against him and 50 other bikers for disobeying the police notification,” Gohil
Uddhav Thackeray calls Rahul Gandhi a ‘bazigar,’ says Gujarat model trembling Agency | Pune
Describing Rahul Gandhi as “bazigar” in its frontpage headline in Saamana, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday showered praise on the Congress president, saying that even though the BJP won Gujarat, the discussion in the country was all about the big stride taken by the Gandhi scion. “The Gujarat model is trembling and one hopes it will not collapse in 2019,” he said. In an Saamana editorial, Uddhav said that though the BJP cleared the Gujarat examination with passing marks, it was parading itself as if it had secured a distinction. Rais-
Gujarat BJP MLAs likely to pick next chief minister on Friday Agency | New Delhi
said. This is the first FIR against Hardik after the state Assembly elections. Three days before the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls, the rally-cum-roadshow on motorcycles and cars was organised, which started from Bopal and culminated at Nikol area on the other end of the city, covering a distance of around
15 km. While Bopal area falls under the jurisdiction of rural police, Nikol area is under the city police limits. After the roadshow, Police Commissioner A K Singh had expressed displeasure over Patel’s move and said that legal action would be taken for holding the event without permission. Singh had denied permission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to hold roadshows in the city during the campaign which the leaders of the two parties had obeyed.
SS News | Ahmedabad
Congress shines in Rajasthan local bypolls
The results of the Rajasthan local body by-elections held in 26 districts of the state were announced on Tuesday, with the Congress surging ahead of the BJP in both the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti bypolls. In the civic body polls, the BJP won in 7 wards of municipal councils around the state with
In 3-day camp, Congress to introspect on Gujarat loss SS News | Ahmedabad
Rupani is known to be close to Shah and is seen as caste-neutral, qualities which may tilt the scales in his favour. Sources, however, told said that a last minute change cannot be ruled out. With an eye on the 2019 general elections, a section in the party feels that the next chief minister must be from the Patel communi-
ty. BJP, which was traditionally backed by the Patels, lost in key Patidar bastions in the recently concluded polls. PAAS convener Hardik Patel had actively campaigned in Gujarat, asking the Patidar community to vote out the BJP. The community has been demanding reservations for Patidars in jobs and education.
The Congress will hold a three-day ‘chintan shivir’ to introspect on the reasons behind its failure to reach the halfway mark in the Gujarat Assembly elections, results of which were declared on Monday. In the 182-member Assembly, 92 is the minimum number of seats required to form the government. The meeting will be held in Ahmedabad on December 20-22 and
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