New Delhi: While the BJP has proposed to cancel the recognition of the Congress by demanding action against Sonia Gandhi on the issue of Karnataka's sovereignty, the Congress has complained against leaders including Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath. The Congress claims that the BJP leaders have violated the model code of conduct by appealing to the voters to vote for the BJP after the election campaign period is over. Strict action should be taken against them for campaigning during silent period.

BJP's Christian card to increase influence in Kerala

BJP has started playing the Christian card to increase influence in Kerala. While Congress and CPM are protesting against the film 'The Kerala Story' and demanding its ban, BJP has started protesting against the Malayali drama Kakkukali. The play has been called anti-Christian by the Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC). BJP along with HCPBIs has started demanding ban on Kakkukali drama.

The play Kakkukali has been running for the past two years. In this play, reformation of the society is advocated by removing the vices prevailing in the Christian community. KCBC president Cardinal Basilios Klimis claims that Kakkukli spreads false information about Christianity.

In the last assembly elections, most of the Christians voted for the Left Front, but Christians are upset over this issue. In Kerala, the BJP needs the support of Christians to open an account, so the BJP has jumped at the chance.

In Karnataka, BJP is worried about Muslims, Congress is worried about Owaisi

BJP, Congress and JDS are in tension after moderate polling on 224 seats of Karnataka Assembly. Every party is worried that its voters are not staying away from voting. BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) have put all their efforts to win this election, but they are worried that the reduced percentage of voting will not turn the tide.

BJP has put all its strength into the issue of Hindutva. Finally, the issue of Bajrang Dal was heavily discussed by the BJP, but because of that, the Muslim voters will not unite and vote against the BJP. Congress and JDS are also worried about smaller parties like AIMIM and SDPI spoiling their game. In 78 seats of Karnataka, the number of Muslim voters is more than 20 percent. In 2018, BJP won 36 seats and Congress won 35 seats.

The pilot did not come to welcome Rahul

The issue of Sachin Pilot not coming to welcome Rahul Gandhi who went to Mount Abu to attend the Sarvodaya Sangam camp of the Congress has become a topic of discussion in the Congress. When Rahul Gandhi arrived at Udaipur's Dabok airport by a routine flight from Delhi, Rahul was welcomed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara, but the pilot was absent.

In Mount Abu, former Pindwara MLA Lalaram Garasia and Gangaben Garasia reached to meet Rahul but there was a lot of drama when they were stopped by the police. When the police stopped them, both the former MLAs raised a ruckus by expressing their displeasure. Both of them raised eyebrows by claiming that they were being prevented from meeting Rahul Gandhi despite being representatives of the tribal people of the area. He claimed that Gehlot was preventing him from meeting her. After hearing this from Rahul, both of them were called inside after 30 minutes and both of them had a discussion with Rahul.

Pawar upset with comments on political inheritance

Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamana has upset Sharad Pawar over his comments about his political legacy. Expressing displeasure at reports that Sharad Pawar has failed to groom his successor, Sharad Pawar said he does not care what others write about him. The ones I have prepared have proved their strength and I am satisfied with that. We have prepared a new generation of leaders and there are many capable leaders in the party.

Pawar also slammed senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. Chavan expressed doubts about the NCP's dealings and its alleged ties with the BJP. Pawar questioned that what is the status of Prithviraj Chavan in Congress? My colleagues will tell you personally about Prithviraj Chavan.

After Pawar's criticism, Sanjay Raut has clarified that Saamna's article does not criticize Pawar and only presents a point of view.

According to BJP, Mamata Aghunik is the 'Jina' of India.

Mamata Banerjee has created a political uproar in West Bengal after banning 'The Kerala Story', BJP's National Tarun Chugh has described Mamata Banerjee as a new-age 'jeena'. Chugh said that Mamata creates hurdles in every nationalist work of the country. Mamata is a modern wee because she is concerned about everything in the country including the development of India.

BJP believes that Mamata's ban on 'The Kerala Story' is all set to create a wave of Hindutva in Bengal. BJP can get a huge advantage in the entire country including Bengal in the Lok Sabha elections so this issue should be taken up. Due to this, the film is being made tax free in BJP ruled states.

However, the anti-BJP parties are using 'The Kerala Story' controversy to their advantage and especially to sway the Muslim voters towards them. This is why Tamil Nadu and West Bengal governments have banned this film.

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Karnataka: Real battle between Congress and BJP

The results of the assembly elections in the southern state of Karnataka, where 224 seats have been polled in one phase today, will be declared on May 13. The Janata Dal (Secular) is a strong third party, but the contest for most seats will still be between the Congress and the BJP. BJP can exert more influence in the southern part of the state. The Janata Dal (S) first contested the elections in 1999, the Congress won a majority in 1999 and 2013, while the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the 2004, 2008 and 2018 elections. Of course it never got majority on its own strength. This situation creates an opportunity for the Janata Dal (S) to play the role of kingmaker in the state.

Narayan Murthy got up at 6 o'clock for voting

Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayan Murthy and his educationist wife Sudha Murthy cast their ballots early today for the Karnataka assembly elections. Speaking to reporters after casting their vote at Bengaluru's Jayanagar polling station, he urged the youth to exercise their right to vote. Narayan Murthy said it is the job of elders to inspire the youth to vote. His wife Sudha Murthy said that voting gives people the right to speak. He appealed to the voters to vote and said, "Look at us: we are old, but we got up at 6 am to vote on time." Voting is a sacred part of democracy, said the 72-year-old Padam Bhushan woman, inspiring the youth.

Sitharaman's view on the Bajrang Dal controversy

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the promise of banning the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in the Congress's election manifesto is an example of folly. He said after casting his vote here today that we always respect Bajrangbali and recite Hanuman Chalisa. However, it is an election issue for the Congress. Karnataka is the birthplace of Hanumanji. Congress makes Bajrang Dal part of election manifesto. Seetharam was voted in by the Bharat Education Society polling station in Jayanagar, Bengaluru. The promise of a ban on Bajrang Dal sparked a major controversy, as Prime Minister Modi invoked Lord Bajrangbali, while the Congress accused him of equating Bajrangbali and Bajrang Dal.

Speculation from meeting between Nitish-Naveen

Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, who runs the seven-party front government in Bihar, has been meeting various opposition leaders to form a united opposition front to face the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha battle. He met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday. However, the difference remained over the seat. Both the leaders called it a courtesy visit, denying that there was any talk about opposition unity. Patnaik said that his friendship with Nitish Kumar is well known. We have been colleagues for many years. Naveen Patnaik said that no alliance matter was discussed today, while Nitish said that my relations with Navinji's father Bijubabu and Navinji are very old. We could not meet due to Corona. There was no political discussion today.

Concerns rise in Rajouri-Poonch districts

At least 20 Indian soldiers have been martyred in two districts along the Line of Control with Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) in the last few months. While 9 other Indian citizens were also killed. Bhimber, Mirpur, Kotli and Rawalkot of this region (POJK) are where most of the terrorist training and launch pads are operated by Pakistan Army and ISI. Indian security forces have so far been able to kill only one Pakistani terrorist, so the ongoing Operation Trinetra has not been as successful as expected. The security forces need to launch a successful snake-wiping operation in the two border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where Pakistani agencies have focused their attention to revive terrorism.

Six NGOs violated FCRA

60 per cent of the NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) inspected or audited by the Union Home Ministry between June, 2019 and April, 2022 have committed more than one compoundable offense under the Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA). An offense in which one can escape by paying the fine is called a compoundable offence. Out of the 335 NGOs audited by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been found that NGOs have committed crimes in 21 cases.

- Inder Sahni