Assembly Elections 2016 India - Latest News, Results, Updates, Photos

Assembly Elections 2016 India - Latest News, Results, Updates, Photos

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Kerala Assembly Elections 2016 -Somalia comparison, the CPI-M here today said situation in the state did not become like the African country because BJP never came to power here.

"Modi's statement would result in a setback to BJP in the ensuing polls as it has insulted the people of the state," CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

Referring to Modi's Somalia remarks, Balakrishnan said "one thing the Prime Minister should understand is that the state has no such situation as in Somalia because, BJP has never come to power".

He said "Gujarat Model" development projected by the BJP was actually a false propaganda.

"It was the first communist government formed in 1957 that laid the foundation for the development path of the state with its policy on land reforms, education, health and also in other sectors," Balakrishnan said.

Taking a swipe at Modi, the CPI-M leader said whichever states that went to polls where Modi led the campaign as Prime Minister, BJP suffered defeat.

"In Kerala also, the same thing is going to happen. BJP is not going to open an account in the state this time also", he said.

Assailing the Congress-led UDF, he said political climate in the state was in favour of LDF and the "Front will come to power with more than 98 seats which it got in 2006 Assembly Elections 2016 polls".

He alleged that it was the soft stand taken by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that paved way for the growth of "Hindutva force" in the state.

Balakrishnan said UDF government had withdrawn cases against Hindutva leaders including VHP leader Praveen Togadia.

This government has refused to file any case against the VHP workers when 'ghar wapsi' was organised in the state, he pointed out.

Referring to Modi's remark that CPI(M) encouraged violence, Balakrishnan said 221 CPI(M) workers had been killed by BJP activists since 1970. After the UDF government came to power in 2011, 28 CPI(M) workers were killed.

The LDF would decide on its leader (Chief Minister) after the results are out, he said.

Muslim ban proposal temporary, just a suggestion: Donald Trump

Reiterating that his proposal to ban entry of Muslims in the US is "temporary", Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump today said it is "just a suggestion" until the issue is worked out.

"We have a serious problem, it's a temporary ban, it hasn't been called for yet, nobody's done it, this is just a suggestion until we find out what's going on," Trump told Fox Radio in an interview.

"We have radical Islamic terrorism all over the world, you can go to Paris, you can go to San Bernardino, all over the world, if they want to deny it, they can deny it, I don't choose to deny it," he said responding to a question on newly- elected London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Trump said he would grant exemption to the Pakistani- origin mayor to come to the US under his presidency though he was critical of Khan.

"Well I assume he denies there is Islamic terrorism. There is Islamic radical terrorism all over the world right now. It's a disaster what's going on. I assume he is denying that. I assume he is like our President that's denying its taking place," the real estate tycoon said to a question on an interview by Khan to CNN.

"My message to Donald Trump and his team is that your views of Islam are ignorant. It is possible to be a Muslim and live in the West. It is possible to be a Muslim and love America," Khan told CNN.

Trump refrained from giving any hint on who his vice presidential nominee would be.

He said he would reveal the name at the Cleveland convention. But he praised two Senators Bob Corker and Jeff Sessions.

"Well Corker is a great guy. I want to keep it as a total surprise. I want to surprise even you. You have such access to me and everything I do, every once in a while I like to surprise even you. But I can tell you, Sessions and Corker are fantastic people, they love the country, they love their party and they love the country," he said.

While Sessions is helping him on immigration policies, Corker is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on foreign policy. It is Corker who has put a hold on the use of US taxpayers' money for sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan.

Hillary Clinton would be next US president, says Joe Biden

Hillary Clinton would be next US president, says Joe Biden

US Vice President Joe Biden has said Hillary Clinton would emerge as the Democratic party's presidential nominee and eventually replace Barack Obama at the White House next January.

"I feel confident that Hillary will be the nominee, and I feel confident she'll be the next president," Biden told ABC's 'Good Morning America' television show in an interview, the excerpts of which were release yesterday. The full interview would be broadcast today.

Biden's remarks hold significance given that the Democratic presidential primary is still underway. Such a comment from him is considered to be a step below endorsement by the White House. Last year, Joe Biden had announced that he will not run for US presidency.

Clinton, 68, has a distinct advantage over her sole primary rival Senator Bernie Sanders, 74, from Vermont.

Why is a 100 year old woman a poll mascot in a Kerala district?

Kerala Assembly Elections 2016

When Kerala Elections goes to polls on May 16, there will be many who will be voting for the first time. But there is one special, first time voter who will be the poll mascot in District Kannur. 100 year old Thressiamma Chacko who lives with her son Johny in Kolakkad in District Kannur, Kerala, will vote for the first time in her life in these assembly polls in Kerala.

Thressiamma received her voter I-card from District collector P Bala Kiran who personally visited her home to hand over her I-card. "She is very active even at this age and really enthusiastic to exercise her franchise. She will be an inspiration to all voters to exercise their franchise in the upcoming polls," Bala Kiran told PTI. Kannur Collector’s Facebook page shared images of the centenarian receiving the card and training from government workers about using the electronic voting machine.

Thressiamma had applied for her voter i-card at Akshaya Centre of the Kerala Elections 2016 government. These centres focus on various facts of e-learning and e-governance. She says she had never voted in her young age since she had no time to think about polls or voting as she was busy trying to make ends meet for her family. Well, all we can say is better late than never Amma!

Jawaharlal Nehru's name 'removed' from Rajasthan textbook; state minister denies deliberate omission

The "removal" of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's name from new textbooks for classes sixth to eight in Rajasthan elicited a strong reaction from the Congress even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied any wrongdoing.

The textbook, according to an Indian Express report, has been written "following a year-long curriculum re­structuring exercise".

According to a NDTV report, the textbook, "Samajik Vigyan", makes no mention of  Nehru as a freedom fighter or as "a leader of Independent India".

The report adds that the textbook does not mention Mahatma Gandhi's assassination at the hands of Nathuram Godse.

The Rajasthan unit of the Congress on Sunday reacted strongly to the move.

State Congress chief Sachin Pilot told IANS on phone: "It's absolutely unacceptable that the BJP is working in a vindictive manner by not even mentioning India's first prime minister in the textbooks."Read More.

AIADMK vows free mobiles, laptops with internet, free electricity in manifesto

AIADMK vows free mobiles, laptops with internet, free electricity in manifesto

The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has announced several freebies to voters in Tamil Nadu if re-elected. These include free mobile phones, free laptops, along with internet and free electricty.

This time, other political parties including the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have refrained from offering major free schemes in their election manifesto.

The AIADMK’s, issued on Thursday by its head and state chief minister, J Jayalalithaa (pictured), promises all ration card holders will get mobile phones free of cost. A free set-top box will be provided to all Arasu Cable TV subscribers. Free internet and up to 100 units of electricity free of cost, in effect exempting close to eight million consumers from paying power bills. Also, a Rs 500 gift coupon to all ration card holders during the Pongal festival. And, continuation of the earlier free laptop and free internet scheme for students. Read More

Kerala Assembly Elections 2016

  Kerala Assembly Elections 2016

With electioneering for the May 16 Assembly polls in Kerala Elections picking up steam, emergence of the BJP-led NDA third front has become the main campaign plank of the ruling UDF and its rival LDF with both targeting it and as as a result relegating to the background, the solar and bar bribery scams.

The bipolar politics of Congress-led UDF and CPI(M) headed LDF that dominated state's electoral arena for the past several decades seems to have received a beating with the third Front of BJP-led NDA becoming a reality this time.

With only a fortnight left for the polls, both UDF and LDF are fiercely attacking the BJP led-NDA alliance with slogan of 'BJP free Kerala Elections ResultAssembly' as their main agenda.

UDF that focused its electioneering in the initial stages on 'development initiatives' of the government to retain power has lately shifted its campaign gear by targeting BJP.

Similarly LDF, which attacked UDF over corruption charges, especially relating to solar, bar bribery scams and land assignment row, seems to have now sidelined these issues to some extent.

However, the exception is 93-year CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan who is continuing his tirade against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over corruption allegations connected with bar and solar scams.

Launching a fierce attack on BJP, CWC member and former Defence Minister A K Antony set the tone with his statement that Congress party's main agenda is to ensure that BJP does not open its account in the state in the assembly polls.

Antony also claimed that there would be a communal divide in the state if BJP wins seats in the polls.

CPI(M) politburo member Prakash Karat welcomed Antony's remark but said Congress "has no resources neither politically or ideologically to take on the BJP and in Kerala Elections 2016, it is only LDF that can challenge the saffron party."

Both Congress and CPI(M) leaders also asserted that BJP would not win a single seat this time also despite the campaign hype the saffron party is trying to create by lining up its top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to canvass for NDA candidates.

"Attacking BJP is part of UDF and LDF strategy to lure the minority votes," a political observer claimed, adding, "accusation by each Fronts of having links with BJP is also part of that strategy.

BJP, in turn, has countered UDF and LDF by raking up the ties between Congress and CPI(M) in West Bengal.

BJP leaders also feel that UDF and LDF's attack on them is with an eye on minority votes and it would only result in polarisation of majority votes in their favour.

BJP this time has forged an alliance with Bharat Dharma Jana Sena, a new party formed by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, a social organisation of the backward Ezhava community.

The saffron party has also roped in Janathipathya Rashtriya Sabha, led by well-known tribal leader C K Janu, who is contesting as NDA candidate in Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district.

Slamming Antony for his remark against BJP, party state President Kummanom Rajasekharan said "Antony is trying to divide the society on communal lines."

"Antony's attempt is to create communal tension in the state by provoking religious communities," Rajasekharan said adding he would approach Election Commission against the former defence minister's statement.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Chandy, KPCC President V M Sudheeran and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, have alleged a secret tie-up between CPI(M) and BJP.

CPI(M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Party politburo member Pinarayi Vijyan have countered this, alleging that there is an understanding between Congress and BJP for the polls.

In the UDF, Congress is contesting in 87 seats, while its second largest partner Indian Union Muslim League 24, Kerala Congress (M) 15, RSP five, JD (U) seven and CMP and KC-J one each.

CPI(M), the lead partner in LDF, is contesting in 92 seats while CPI in 27, JD (S) in five, NCP four, Congress (S) 1 and its associates Democratic Kerala Congress four, INL three, and CMP, KC-B, RSP (L), KC-Sacria Thomas one each.

In the NDA, BJP is contesting in 97 seats while second largest partner BDJS in 37 and Kerala Congress (P C Thomas faction) four, and JSS (Rajan Babu) and Janathipathya Rashtra Sabha one each.

A total of 1203 candidates are in the fray this time, while 971 candidates had contested the 2011 assembly polls.

Assam Assembly Elections 2016

Assam Assembly Elections 2016

They make the most unlikely allies but the BJP and theAIUDF of Maulana Badruddin Ajmal are exploring the possibility of forming a coalition government ifAssam Assembly Elections gets a hung assembly.

"That may be like going back on everything the two parties have said during the election campaign, but that is politics," said a senior leader of the All India United Democratic Front.

The leader said AIUDF chief Ajmal had been approached by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has had a few rounds of discussions with Ajmal and it looks like Ajmal has decided to go with the BJP if the Congress doesn't win enough seats to merit a coalition," the source said.

Ajmal has told the media: "All depends on how many seats goes to who. That will influence our decision whom to support."

But he dodged questions on whether he will insist on not supporting the BJP come what may.

Before the two-phase Assam Assembly Elections 2016 began in Assam, Ajmal had said there was no question of supporting the BJP and that the Congress could be backed if they dropped Tarun Gogoi as chief minister.

"Gogoi is a failure," said Ajmal, reviving the personal feud that erupted in 2006 when Gogoi said "Ajmal kaun hai?" (Who is Ajmal?)

The BJP leadership is confident that the alliance it leads will emerge as the single largest block in the 126-member assembly even if it doesn't get a clear majority.

"Our first choice will be to win over the independents, some of whom may win. But if we still need some support, the only party we can go to is the AIUDF," said a top BJP leader.

Not everyone feels this can happen.

"The BJP is out to detect and deport illegal migrants from Bangladesh, at least that is their main poll plank, while the AIUDF is seen as a party of those very illegal migrants," said Samir Purkayastha, a political analyst who has written extensively on Assam.

Purkayastha says the AIUDF is not keen on an alliance with the Congress because they see a competition between them for the minority support base.

Ajmal is also known for his close relations with Himanta Biswa Sarma from the latter's days in the Gogoi cabinet.

Sarma could well be trying to use his friendship with Ajmal and Bodo leader Hangrama Mohilary to outgun BJP's declared chief minister candidate Sarbananda Sonowal.

Sonowal is hugely popular amongst ethnic Assamese and tribals for his spirited legal challenge that led to the scrapping of the IMDT act of 1983 that was seen as protective of illegal migrants.

Political analyst Amarjyoti Bora says that if the BJP-led alliance falls short of the majority, Sarma will use his clout with alliance partners AGP and Bodoland Peoples Front for the numero uno position, more so if the BJP has to lean on the AIUDF to take power.

"Ajmal may not agree to go with the BJP if it sticks with Sonowal as chief minister. So Sarma may be the compromise candidate," said Purkayastha.

Sarma and Ajmal reportedly started their confabulations immediately after the Assam polls ended on April 11.

"If they don't win a majority, the BJP is looking at a Kashmir-type situation. The only difference is that in Assam the BJP will be the senior partner and the AIUDF the junior partner," said analyst Bora.

AIUDF founder Hafiz Rashid Chowdhury, now with the Samata Party, says if Ajmal goes with the BJP, he will "betray the basic spirit of minority politics in Assam".

Many in AIUDF don't agree.

"If we have an alliance with a party which is in power in the Centre, Assam will get a lot of development funds," says AIUDF activist Abu Sufian.

That could well be Ajmal's selling point if he seeks to ally with the BJP.

For the BJP, shaking hands with AIUDF will be a drop from the high cloud of anti-migrant rhetoric to the more mundane talk of governance.

The Congress is also keen on an alliance with the AIUDF but it will be in business only if it gets close to 50 seats and the AIUDF manages a 15-plus score.

Spain misses deadline for new government; June election set

Spain misses deadline for new government; June election set

Spain has missed the deadline for its politicians to form a new government following inconclusive elections held December 20 so King Felipe VI must now dissolve parliament before a new election on June 26.

Since no political party had enough support to form a government and all parties failed to reach coalition agreements by midnight yesterday the deadline the stage is set for an unprecedented repeat of general elections, six months after the previous ballot ended Spain's two-party system.

The king will sign a decree dissolving parliament today.

Spain has been in a political stalemate, governed by a caretaker governmentwith Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy as prime minister since December 20, when newcomer parties Podemos and Ciudadanos upset the longstanding dominance of the Popular Party and Socialists.

ISIS developing Google-style driverless cars for attacks

Islamic State (ISIS) technicians are working to develop a Google-style driverless car that could navigate itself into a crowded area before detonating an explosive device, aNATO security expert has warned.

ISIS' research and development department in the terror group's de facto Syrian capital, Raqqa, is believed to be producing the vehicles at the same time as US Internet giant Google attempts to perfect the same technology.

If successful, the invention could prove to be a major headache for security services in Britain and throughoutEurope and North America, where self-driving cars are expected to become commonplace, Daily Express reported.

Thousands of driverless cars are expected to be on Britain's roads within the next few years and there is a very real prospect jihadis could prey on the new technology to launch attacks in the UK.

Jamie Shea, NATO's deputy assistant secretary general for emerging security threats, said the Islamic extremists were using their bomb making factory in Raqqa to develop the technology.

He said ISIS was using its "technical expertise" to "play around" with driverless cars in a "worrying" development.

Shea said: "We are focusing very much on...Raqqa at the moment, where ISIL [ISIS] has its bomb making factory.

"It is not just Google that is producing the autonomous car, ISIS is also trying to do the same."

The technology would remove the need for suicide bombers and could help the death cult - also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh - cope with the dramatic drop in its numbers, which has seen its fighting force cut almost in half.

The FBI has long argued autonomous cars could be used by criminals as lethal weapons.