Manipur Governor asks CM O Ibobi Singh to submit resignation

Imphal, Mar 13 (PTI) Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla has asked incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of the Congress to submit his resignation immediately, so that the process of formation of the next government can be started.

"Ibobi Singh, along with deputy chief minister Gaikhamgam and state Congress president T N Haokip, had met the Governor last night. The Governor had asked Singh to resign immediately so that she can start the process of government formation," a highly placed source in the Governor's House said.

"As per rules, until and unless the present chief minister resigns, the process of formation of the next government cannot be started," the source said.

"It was during the meeting that Ibobi Singh had staked claim to form the next government by showing a list of 28 Congress MLAs. He also claimed to have the support of four National People's Party (NPP) MLAs.

"On seeing the names of the four NPP MLAs on an ordinary piece of paper, Heptullah asked Ibobi Singh to bring the NPP president and the MLAs," the Governor House source said.

The Governor said that it was her duty to cross check the claims and that she would not accept an ordinary piece of paper as a "letter of support" unless she meets the NPP MLAs, the source said.

The BJP leadership with their 21 MLAs, along with NPP president and four party MLAs, one Congress MLA, lone LJP and TMC MLAs had also met the Governor.

The BJP had claimed that it enjoyed the support of 32 MLAs in the 60-member assembly.

They also submitted a letter from the Naga People's Front (NPF) president regarding their support to the BJP to form the government, the source said, adding that the Governor is yet to invite any party for government formation.

The Congress had won 28 seats in Manipur, followed by the BJP 21. The NPP and the NPF have won four seats each, while the LJP and the Trinamool Congress have bagged one seat each.

Meanwhile, the Congress Legislature Party meeting was underway at the Chief Minister's office where 27 MLAs were present, said Manipur state Congress general secretary Devrata Singh.

BJP may go for a relative greenhorn as U'khand CM

Dehradun, Mar 13 (PTI) The BJP today hinted that it might pick a relative greenhorn, rather than a party stalwart, for the chief minister's post in Uttarakhand where it recorded a landslide victory winning 56 of the 70 assembly seats.

Battling the problem of plenty with as many as four former chief ministers in the party's ranks besides a crop of young and promising leaders, making a choice for the top job in Uttarakhand is indeed a daunting task for the BJP.

BJP leaders here indicated that the choice will be made by the party's Parliamentary Board absolutely on the basis of the person's ability to deliver on the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of the state in the run-up to assembly elections.

"As a strong Modi wave is believed to have swept the party to an absolute majority in the state, whoever is finally chosen as the chief minister will have to deliver on the promise of clean and efficient governance made by the Prime Minister to the people of the state," a senior party leader said, requesting anonymity.

"The party cannot afford to take chances with a massive mandate like this. It has to meet the enormous expectations of people. And the sole parameter for choice of a chief minister will be his ability to deliver, tried or untried, old or new will not be much of a factor," he said.

The inference gains credence primarily from Modi's speech at the party headquarters in Delhi yesterday where he said that even a lesser known elected representative who may not ever have made headlines could emerge as chief minister.

Modi had also promised to people at an election rally in Uttarakhand in the last phase of campaigning that he will give them a good team which will perform under his direct supervision.

However, while it is a million dollar question in Uttarakhand at the moment as to who would get the top job, names of quite a few probables are doing the rounds including those of former CMs Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri, Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Vijay Bahuguna, besides Chaubattakhand MLA Satpal Maharaj, Doiwala MLA Trivendra Singh Rawat and Pithoragarh MLA Prakash Pant.

Given Modi's preference for relatively young faces, the contention of Khanduri, Koshiyari and Maharaj for the top office looks comparatively weak.

However, Khanduri's clean image and Koshiyari's deep RSS roots could work in their favour.

Another factor that weakens Maharaj's contention is that though his stature is big as he has also been a spiritual leader with followers in all sections, he is a new entrant to the BJP. Maharaj quit the Congress in 2014 to join the BJP.

Parrikar resigns as Defence Minister; set to don Goa CM's role

Panaji, Mar 13 (PTI) Manohar Parrikar today resigned as the Defence Minister to take over the new role as Goa Chief Minister.

"I have tendered my resignation as Defence Minister. The resignation letter has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office this morning," Parrikar told PTI today.

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha has invited Parrikar to form the next government in the coastal state after he submitted a letter of support from 21 legislators yesterday.

Parrikar, who took the BJP to victory in the 2012 Goa assembly polls, had resigned as the Chief Minister and took over as Defence Minister on November 9, 2014.

"Initially I was finding the role as Defence Minister difficult but during last two-and-a-half years I have done my job well. I have done it with full honesty," Parrikar said.

"The Defence Ministry is such a portfolio where allegations are always levelled against the minister, but during last two-and-a-half years, despite so much of procurement, there was not a single allegation against the ministry or me," he said.

Parrikar said, "If I want to sum up my achievements as Defence Minister, I can say I have worked towards boosting the morale of the forces and for better procurements." 

Parrikar pointed out that through various defence deals, the ministry saved crores of rupees as many tenders were over-quoted by the earlier central (UPA) government.

The BJP leader who spearheaded the party's campaign in Goa was tipped to be the next Chief Minister of the coastal state if party manages to form the government.

Parrikar had represented Panaji constituency in the Assembly for last four terms before being elevated as a Union minister in the Modi cabinet.

Parrikar served as the Chief Minister of the state in three terms -- 2000-2002, and 2002-2005 and later from March 2012 till November 2014.

After poll win, PM asks people to pledge to create 'new India' by 2022

Delhi, Mar 12 (PTI) A day after the massive poll victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appeared to be setting his sights beyond the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he asked the countrymen to join him in building a new India by 2022.

He asked the people to take a pledge and express their commitment to building a new India on his Narendra Modi Mobile App.

A new India is emerging, which is being powered by the strength & skills of 125 crore Indians. This India stands for development, Modi tweeted.

When we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022, we should have made an India that will make Gandhi Ji, Sardar Patel & Dr.

Babasaheb Ambedkar proud, he added.

In a statement on his website Narendramodi.in, the Prime Minister said, Together, let us build the India of our dreams so that when we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022, we have an India that will make Gandhiji, Sardar Patel and Babasaheb Ambedkar proud. 

He said, India is transforming, powered by the strength of each and every citizen of India; an India that is driven by innovation, hard work and creativity; an India characterized by peace, unity and brotherhood; and an India free from corruption, terrorism, black money and dirt. 

He also listed out a set of pledges which he wanted the countrymen to take.

Modi wanted the countrymen to pledge that they stand for a corruption-free India, that they will undertake cashless transactions, that they will dedicatedly work towards a Swachh Bharat , that they will ensure a drugs-free India.

The Prime Minister also wanted the people to pledge that they will support and encourage women-led development, that they extend complete support to an accessible India , that they will stand for an India of peace, unity and harmony and that they will be job creators, not job seekers.

This came a day after the BJP, powered by a spirited campaign by Modi, posted landslide victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, decimating the rivals.

BJP MLAs want Parrikar as SLP leader, MGP supports him too

Panaji, Mar 12 (PTI) Newly elected Goa BJP MLAs today unanimously backed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as the state legislature party leader, while the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) too said it will support a government led by Parrikar.

The newly elected BJP MLAs, who met today to explore the possibility of forming government in the state, passed a resolution urging party chief Amit Shah to nominate Parrikar as leader of the legislature party.

"All the BJP legislators, except Milind Naik, whose brother expired yesterday, were present in the meeting held today," BJP MLA Michael Lobo told reporters outside the party headquarters here.

"It was unanimously resolved to request party president Amit Shah to allow Manohar Parrikar to be elected as the legislature party leader in Goa," Lobo said.

"We have already decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the party president. A letter would be written asking him to permit Parrikar to head our legislature wing," he said.

Lobo was flanked by other BJP MLAs like Pramod Sawant, Glenn Ticlo and Nilesh Cabral.

The BJP's efforts to cobble up a majority to form government in Goa received a boost as the MGP said it would extend support to the saffron party, if Parrikar is appointed as the Chief Minister.

"MGP has already extended its support while we are in discussions with Goa Forward Party and independents," Lobo said.

The MGP today passed a resolution extending support to the BJP, if it forms government under the leadership of Parrikar 

BJP won 13 seats in the state polls. Besides, it has the support of a party-backed independent MLA. The Congress, which won 17 seats, and the BJP are wooing the smaller parties to form government in the 40-member House, where the majority mark is 21. The MGP, Goa Forward and independents won three seats each while the NCP bagged one seat in the state.

"MGP unanimously passed a resolution that it will extend support to BJP if they recall Manohar Parrikar from the Centre to the state and appoint him as Chief Minister," MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar told PTI after emerging from the party's legislature wing meeting.

"The resolution is very clear. MGP will support BJP only if Manohar Parrikar is made Chief Minister. Our support is not to BJP but to Manohar Parrikar," he said.

Trade war will bring nothing but harm: China warns Trump

Beijing, Mar 11 (PTI) China today warned Donald Trump that any trade war between the two countries will bring nothing but harm amid concerns that the US President may go through with his polls promise of hiking tariffs against Chinese goods.

A trade war between China and the United States is not in line with the interests of the two countries and will bring nothing but harm, China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan told reporters here on the sidelines of the Parliament session.

Cooperation is the "only right choice" and the two countries should work to enhance cooperation and manage differences, Zhong said, stressing that the role of economic and trade cooperation as a "ballast" and "propeller" in bilateral relations.

China is now concerned whether Trump would also act on his polls promise of rising 45 per cent tariffs against Chinese goods and declare Beijing as a currency manipulator.

He has also accused China of trying to reap more benefits from its over USD 400 billion exports to the US.

The US exports around USD 100 billion worth of goods to China.

Zhong said the two countries, whose interests are closely interwoven, have seen their economic and trade relations on the right path since they forged diplomatic ties.

"Any form of protectionism is not in line with the interests of the two countries," he said.

Zhong said he looks forward to meeting his US counterpart Wilbur Ross, who became secretary of commerce under the US' new administration late last month.

He expressed the belief that the two countries' leaders and governments will make the right judgement on bilateral trade ties, pledging efforts to guide China-US economic and trade ties in the right direction.

Zhong was appointed commerce minister to replace Gao Hucheng last month.

BJP storms back to power in UP, U'khand; Cong takes Punjab

Lucknow/Chandigarh, Mar 11 (PTI) The BJP today stormed back to power in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand securing landslide wins while the Congress achieved a similar feat in Punjab and emerged as the single largest party in Goa and Manipur which threw up a hung Assembly.

Anchored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, the BJP juggernaut rolled on in UP and in the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand, bagging three-fourth majority. The popular Congress Chief Minister Harish Rawat lost both seats that he contested in the hill state.

The BJP is returning to power in the politically crucial state of UP after a gap of 15 years during which regional parties such as the SP and the BSP held sway.

As the Assembly elections in the five states turned into a virtual referendum on Modi's popularity and demonetisation, the BJP decimated the ruling SP, its alliance partner Congress and Mayawati's BSP in UP.

After a hiatus of 10 years, Congress led by former chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh stormed to power in Punjab getting 77 seats, falling just one seat short of two-third majority.

It was a birthday present for Amarinder who turned 75 today as the Congress routed the SAD-BJP combine and dashed hopes of Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, which was confident of sweeping the Assembly polls on its debut.

BJP leaders hailed the spectacular victories of BJP as a vindication of Modi's popularity and his pro-poor policies with some calling it a "tsunami".

Shah, who crafted and conducted the election strategy in UP, said the results have catapulted Modi to the stature of the "tallest leader" since independence.

"The only factor for the win is the performance of the Modi government," Shah told a press conference in Delhi. "The outcome has shown the faith the poor have reposed in Modi...

Even his political rivals will have to admit that he has emerged as the tallest leader in the country since independence," he said.

"This is the victory of the corruption-free rule and pro-poor policies under the leadership" of Modi, he tweeted earlier.

At the end of vote counting, the BJP bagged 312 seats on its own with a nearly 40 per cent vote share and with allies Apna Dal (Soneylal Patel) and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) their strength goes up to 324 in a House of 403. The BJP had just 47 seats in the outgoing House.

The previous best showing by BJP in UP was in 1991, at the height of Ram Janam Bhoomi movement, when it got majority on its own winning 221 seats out of 425 in an undivided state.

The highest number of seats bagged by a single party in the UP assembly polls was in 1977 when Janata Party got 352 seats when Uttarakhand was part of the state.

BJP had not put forward any chief ministerial candidate in UP where it also did not put up any muslim candidate.

The UP chief minister will be selected tomorrow by the BJP parliamentary board and the legislature party in the state.

The ruling SP whose campaign was steered by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on development agenda received a severe drubbing getting only 47 seats as against its previous tally of 224 while alliance partner Congress was reduced to single digits(7), down by 21 seats.

SP received a major jolt in Lucknow Cantt seat where its patron Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav lost to BJP's Rita Bahujuna Joshi, who left Congress ahead of the elections.

BSP could garner only 19 seats in a huge slump from the previous tally of 80. 

Dissemination of Trends and Results of General Elections of 5 Assemblies to start at 8 am tomorrow through ECI website

A Novel Initiative: ECI website to provide Comparative Analysis on Results of 5 Assembly Elections, 2017 with the 2012 polls

Election Commission has set up robust, fool proof and secured infrastructure facility for disseminating Trends and Results General Elections of 5 Assemblies in Feb - March 2017, through its popular website www.eciresults.nic.in which will start functioning from 8.00 AM  tomorrow and will show trends update continuously. The IT solution captures number of votes secured by the candidates contested in elections round wise and after compilation shows Assembly constituency wise, Political party wise and Candidate wise trends. It is worthwhile to mention that this website has a track record of very large number of hits ranging from 36 Million to 16 Billion in a day in past, when Trends were being disseminated. The website can also be accessed through www.eci.nic.in website which is main official website of the Election Commission of India.

For the First Time , ECI to provide analytics through interactive dashboard

            As a proof of Concept, ECI is presenting some interactive dashboards, for the first time, for public use which will comprise of both data and analysis in its official website (www.eci.nic.in) on 12.3.2017. The analysis will be presented in user friendly, clickable infographics which may be of immense interest to all stakeholders. The users can download data, crosstab, PDF and images for analysing the elections further at their end. It will include comparative analytics between 2012 and 2017. The users will get constituency analysis with respect to participation of electors (constituencies with more female electors, constituencies by slabs of voter turnout, turnout by poll days) and candidates (gender wise participants, winners and major competitors). To assess performance of political parties, analysis on seats won by them, the percentage vote-share in the State and the profile (Age and Social Category) of candidates fielded by them have been included. Candidates have been mapped to their constituencies and the votes polled in their favour.

BJP, Cong-SP alliance confident about UP victory

New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) Leaders of the BJP and the SP-Congress combine today exuded confidence about victory of their respective party in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, a day after exit poll results suggested the saffron party will have an edge over rivals.

BJP leaders said they would get a "two-third majority" in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly.

The SP sought to pick holes in the surveys, terming these as "nonsensical" and "influenced".

Dismissing the exit poll results, the Congress said that the poll outcome tomorrow will be in its favour.

The counting of votes for assembly polls held in five states including Uttar Pradesh will take place tomorrow.

"The surveys have shown BJP will win. We are going to get a two-third majority in Uttar Pradesh. Wait for tomorrow," senior BJP leader Om Mathur told reporters at Parliament House.

Asked to comment on Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's remark hinting at a post-poll tie-up with the BSP, BJP MP from the state Yogi Adityanath said this showed that the SP-Congress combine has "already accepted its defeat".

Mathur, Adityanath and Union Minister Kalraj Mishra maintained that the BJP leadership will take a call on who will be the next chief minister of the state, if the party is voted to power there.

SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, however, maintained that Akhilesh will get a second consecutive term as the state's chief minister.

"The exit polls were influenced. Money spoke on March 9 (when the exit poll results were put out by news channels).

People will speak on March 11," he said, reiterating that the SP-Congress combine will get around 240 seats.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar also played down the exit poll results.

Babbar also defended Akhilesh for extending an olive branch to the BSP, saying it is a "vision and not desperation of a young leader".

"We are going to form the next government," he added.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury questioned that authenticity of the surveys.

Open to "all possibilities" to prevent BJP from coming to power: Akhilesh

Lucknow Mar 9 (PTI) With exit polls predicting a hung Assembly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today did not completely rule out a post-poll tie-up with the BSP to prevent BJP from coming to power in the state.

As exit polls indicated the BJP emerging as the largest single party in the key cow belt state but falling short of the magic figure of 202 in the 403-member House, Akhilesh told BBC he was open to "all possibilities" to prevent the saffron party from coming to power.

"No one will want President's rule imposed in the state and BJP run the government through the remote control.

"SP-Congress will get enough seats, will form government on its own. But if required let us see," he said.

Replying to a question about whether he was ready for a post-poll alliance with the BSP, Akhilesh said, "I will not yet speak about alliance. Samajwadi Party and Congress will get enough seats to form the government.

"However, as I have always referred to the BSP chief as a relative, it is natural for people to think we might take their help or might go with them.... but it is difficult to say this as of now". Akhilesh, also the Samajwadi Party president, has always referred to Mayawati as 'Buaji' (aunt).

With the counting of votes barely two days away, the SP president's remark is likely to trigger speculation about the possibility of a realignment of political parties.

Throughout the bitter, recrimination-filled campaign, Mayawati never attacked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who had a word of praise for the BSP chief when he said his respect for her was intact. He had said he considered BJP and not BSP dangerous for the country.

When reached for comments, senior Congress leader Sanjay Singh said it was better not to say anything about it "at this stage".