Is BJP poised to win the Hindi heartland with absolute majority?

The country's largest state-level electoral exercise is drawing towards its business end. But there are no clear winners emerging in the fray. The top brass in all three parties are pulling crowds to rallies. All parties have their own soft spots to hide and save. An exhaustive analysis of the humongous electorate's mood is as futile as it is impossible to truly gauge, and let's accept it: Survey polls in the past also have often been off the mark.

However, the heady mix of politics that the elections in Uttar Pradesh are, they still tempt journalists to attempt to predict that who is running with a clear advantage. They go out in the field, read facts, express opinions, and whip up a conclusion with their own experience of watching closely scores of polling exercises in the world's largest democracy.

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In that sense, if veteran journalist Prannoy Roy's prediction and analysis is to be believed, the Bharatiya Janata Party may have a clear advantage in the crucial state Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. As reported in this article, NDTVjournalists have given the saffron party a 55 to 65 percent chance of winning the election as compared to Samajwadi Party-Congress's  30 to 40 percent chance of repeating their 2012 sweep. The BSP, according to them, is trailing at the third position with only five to 10 percent chance of winning.

Why UP election results could shock BJP

Results of Uttar Pradesh elections may well be quite contrary to the poll bravado used so extensively by Team Modi.

There is a sense of deja vu about how Team Modi has been handling the ongoing UP elections, arguably the political semifinals for Indian politics, before the 2019 finals.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his handpicked president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Amit Shah and their entire team of the government and the ruling party at the Centre have done it before - not once, but twice before.

Team Modi approached Bihar elections in the last quarter of 2015 in a similar vein. Prior to that, Team Modi had done it in Delhi Assembly polls two years ago.

Modi ensured carpet bombing in campaigning during Assembly polls for Delhi and Bihar and personally led the poll campaign. He lost both elections miserably for different reasons.

He lost Delhi because he underestimated the vast political undercurrent in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which feasted on the Congress' vote share, and also, because he para-trooped a rank outsider, Kiran Bedi, and projected her as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate. She eventually lost even her own seat.

Palanisamy to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at 4 pm

E Palanisami, VK Sasikala’s loyalist and nomination for Tamil Nadu chief minister, has been invited by Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to form government. He is likely to be sworn in as chief minister today itself2.00 pm: At the press conference held by OPS, supporters from his camp kept chanting that they want the CM to be the one selected by Amma (Jayalalithaa) – Pannerselvam. On his part, Panneerselvam has vowed to fight against the party ending up with the Sasikala family and has said he will continue the fight to restore Jaya-style governance.

Who will make their way out of UP elections heat?

From the time of declaration of opinion poll elections in Uttar Pradesh, the political parties of the state have geared up for the polls. This year the state will be witnessing a triangular contest. The ongoing ruling Samajwadi Party has forced an alliance with Congress. The congress party had declared Sheila Dixit as its chief ministerial candidate and then withdrew after it sealed the association with the Congress.

The prominent political leaders of Uttar Pradesh are Akhilesh Yadav, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Varun Gandhi, Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav, from various political parties. Presently, the Samajwadi Party is ruling the government in with Akhilesh Yadav as its Chief Minister.

[Also Read]: Uttarakhand Assembly Election 2017 Live Updates

The Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2017 opinion polls have been distributed in seven phases starting from February 11th. The second phase of voting will be held on 15th of Feb, third on 19 Feb. The fourth and fifth phase of elections will be taking place on February 23rd and 27th respectively. The state will be witnessing the sixth and the seventh phase voting on March 4th and March 8th respectively. The closing of the elections session will be on March 11th by counting the votes along with Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

Voting would be held in the districts of Agra, Aligarh, Bulandshahar, Etah, Firozabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Hathras, Kasganj, Mathura, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli

[Also Read] : UP Assembly Election Results

Uttar Pradesh has 80 parliamentary constituencies, out of which 17 are received for candidates under schedule caste. On the other side, the state has 403 legislative assembly constituencies out of which 85 are reserved for the candidate belonging to SC.

According to the expert’s predictions, a good number of seats for newly formed SP-congress alliance, giving them 168-178 seats, slightly behind the BJP. The poll also predicts a dismal performance by Bahujan Samaj Party which would bag only 39-43 seats.

Uttar Pradesh, the country's fifth-largest state in area, is the most populous in the country. The state has the largest number of members in the Indian parliament and so the election results in UP often decides the fate of the government at the centre.

[Also Read] : Punjab Assembly Election Results

YuppTV India brings forth the live coverage of Uttar Pradesh Legislative assembly elections, political campaigns of various parties in UP, Live elections News from a wide range of news channels like UP Samay, Aajtak and ABP news channels.

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a 4-cornered battle comprising of 2 National parties and the 2 caste-based regional parties. Going by political assessments and opinion polls, BJP is expected to win the majority seats in UP. 

Have you used the weapon called VOTE? Do tell us in the comments section!

[Also Read] : Goa Election Results 2017 Live

Rahul Gandhi to start 75 km roadshow in Haridwar on Feb 12

The Amethi MP will cover 10 assemblies on the last day of campaigning in Uttarakhand. He will start his 75-km road journey in Haridwar from Bhagawanpur and end the same at Har Ki Pauri.

Also Read: Latest News on Uttarakhand Elections 2017 LIVE

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar on February 12.

The Amethi MP will cover 10 assemblies on the last day of campaigning in Uttarakhand. He will start his 75-km road journey in Haridwar from Bhagawanpur and end the same at Har Ki Pauri.

Criss-crossing from Bhagawanpur, Jhaberda, Roorkee and Haridwar city, Rahul will hold a two-kilometre-long roadshow in Haridwar city, starting from the Haridwar Railway station to Har Ki Pauri.  Source content: indiatoday

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Governor Vidyasagar Rao to meet Sasikala & OPS in Chennai

Amid the prevailing tussle for power in the state, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao will finally arrive in Chennai on Thursday, a source from Maharashtra Rajabhavan confirmed the development.

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The New Age Political Leader – KT Rama Rao

He is the new man of the new millennium. For all those who had apprehensions about the newly elected Government of the youngest State of India, here’s the good news. Not only is KT Rama Rao an antithesis of the archetypal politician, he’s also somebody who has the conviction and the means to make Telangana one of the finest global hubs. And if you go by the achievements of the ruling party Telangana Rashtra Samithi in the last year, it’s obvious that his portfolio has contributed immensely to the party’s and the State’s growth.

The very dapper and dynamic Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao aka KTR, Minister for IT and Panchayat Raj, is probably the only minister in the State to be armed with impeccable educational qualifications  – two post graduate degrees – M.Sc in Biotechnology from Pune University and MBA in Marketing and e-commerce from the University of New York, and an impressive work record – Regional Sales Director, INTRA, before he decided to plunge into politics full time. In between countless phone calls and an army of people waiting to see him in the buzzing corridors of the Secreteriat, KTR accords us the privilege of chatting with him in the inner chambers of his spartan office. He speaks…

“In 2004 September, I came back to India to head the South Asia division of the company INTRA I was working for in the US as the Regional Director. In 2006, there was a by-election because of my dad’s resignation. At that point of time, it was a make or break for my father and the party. I kept telling my wife that I want to get into politics. Without even telling my dad I quit my job and started working for the party. Without his knowledge I took the decision. I told him after we won. He was not very happy but once he realised I was very serious, he was supportive.

I wouldn’t probably have been in politics if I were not KCR’s son. I wouldn’t have been a minister. I am very realistic about these things. In India, being somebody’s son or daughter helps you get an easy entry but people in a democracy will be quite critical if you don’t deliver. They won’t vote you the second time. The first time they may look at you as somebody’s son and vote based on their opinion of your father or your mother. But I’ve won thrice now. So the fact that they have elected me two more times goes to show that I’ve delivered, that I have worked. Being somebody’s son does give you easy access but at the same time, there is a burden of expectations to deal with.”

“I can say that I have represented my party and our causes and issues at various national fora. In the last six years, I have put in my best to serve my constituency. More than anything, I have played my own little role in the agitation for a separate Telangana. I feel happy that in the last 9 years, I have been a part of the objective my father and several other leaders set out to achieve. Now our tasks are cut out and I hope to play a significant role.

A multi-pronged approach

In the last one year, the biggest challenge was to revive the confidence in people. A lot of people thought that after the formation of Telangana, the IT industry would move away from Hyderabad, that new developments may not happen and so on. A lot of apprehensions, a lot of prejudices… We have overcome all that in the last one year. Hyderabad remains one of the most attractive destinations, we have positioned it well. We have been able to attract majors like Google and Amazon to open their largest campuses here outside of the US. We have grown at a very healthy rate. While the country’s IT exports grew at 13%, ours grew at 16 %, 3% more than the national average. We were able to create more than 50,000 new jobs and 2,50,000 direct jobs. We have attracted a lot of IT hardware manufacturers to Telangana. We have made our presence felt in the US, Hong Kong and Dubai. We have positioned the brand image of Telangana and Hyderabad very well overseas. We have been able to retain the existing investors in Hyderabad and also attract new ones.”

IT and Panchayat Raj are two ends of the spectrum. The convergence we’re trying to bring about is very unique and challenging. We’re trying to leverage IT and communications to bring about a social change because technology that does not bring about social change is useless. So we’re trying to incorporate IT into the rural sector also. We’re coming up with a concept called e-Panchayat through which services will be offered right at the doorsteps of the villagers. It will be launched soon. We are also trying to lay the last mile connectivity to each and every household in Telangana. If you talk about e- health, e- education, e- commerce, the potential is huge. So there are several things we’re working on right now and you’ll see a lot of things falling into place in the next couple of years.”

“Not just literacy but digital literacy is a challenge. With literacy you can actually leverage e -education where you’ve a good teacher teaching from Hyderabad and that can be broadcast all over. Good teaching methods and teachers are in short supply in rural areas. Therefore a lot of changes can be brought about and we’re working towards it.

Firstly, as far as IT goes, we have 10-point agenda. There are a lot of targets to achieve. In rural development, we have a bigger challenge cut out for us. We have to not only empower Panchayats but also be firm on the infrastructure. A lot of new and upcoming areas need improvement and have to be focussed on. Women empowerment serves in a big way as far as elimination of rural poverty is concerned. Federated women’s groups are something we’re very excited about because we are involving women’s self help groups in a lot of activities starting from education to procurement of grains. In the next few years, you’ll not only see a quantum leap in rural infrastructure but also rural empowerment and using technology for social change.”

India For The Future

“There is no better country to be in than India for young people today. There is no better place to explore one’s future, one’s career. At the same time they can help our country grow. I don’t think many countries in the world today present that kind of opportunity. In a developed country, all you can do is develop your own career. But I think, in a country like India, there is a huge scope to make a difference not only in terms of social infrastructure but otherwise as well. Our country is full of challenges and needs solutions to them. Today’s youth has so many opportunities and so much information at their disposal. I think they should make better use of it.

One thing I strongly believe in is ‘Politics decides your future, so you decide what your future politics is’. Because in a democracy, everything you do in your daily life is determined by politics. So you better start taking a stand.

 I’m not saying everybody should get into active politics but you should be aware of what’s going on because the kind of leaders you want, you should definitely have an opinion on. If you don’t like the kind of leadership you have, you should take it upon yourself to change it.”

source:http://www.ritzmagazine.in/2015/12/the-new-age-political-leader-kalvakuntla-taraka-rama-rao-aka-ktr/

Telangana set to add 2,500 MW to solar capacity

Telangana set to add 2,500 MW to solar capacity
Providing a big push to solar power generation, the Telangana Government plans to add 2,500 MW solar photo-voltaic power generation capacity by next year.

The State Government, which had invited interest for 2,000 MW of solar power capacity earlier this year, has received overwhelming response with expression of interest to set up more than 6,000 MW solar capacity. It plans to finalise the developers later this month, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/telangana-set-to-add-2500-mw-to-solar-capacity-by-next-year/article7278775.ece

Telangana Budget 2014-15

Hyderabad: Irrigation, Power, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Medical and Health and Industrial sectors are reported to get a major share in the Budget estimates for the year 2014-15, to be presented in the Legislature today by the Finance Mnister Eetela Rajendar.

The following allocations were proposed in the Budget Estimates for the year 2014-14, to various sectors and departments:

Total Budget : Rs. 100637 Crores

Non Plan Expenditure: Rs.51,989.49 cores

Plan Expenditure: Rs. 48,648.47 Crores

Revenue Surplus:  Rs.301.02 Crores

Allocations

Rs. 1,000 crore earmarked for weaker section housing scheme comprising two bed room flats.

Constituency development programme fund increased from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.5 crore. Rs. 234 crore allocated for this purpose

Rs. 90 crore for sports stadium and modernisation of sports facilities across the state.

Rs. 100 crore earmarked for Godavari pushkaralu.

Rs. 11 crore earmarked for Samskrutika Sarangi to spread awareness about government programmes through cultural artists.

Tourism and culture gets a fillip. Telangana Kala Bhavan to come up in 11 acres near India Park in Hyderabad. Telangana kala Bhavan and kaloji cultural centre in warangal get Rs. 15 crore allocation.

Rs. 1,000 crore investment in TSGENCO under state plan.

Rs. 3,241 crore allocated to energy sector, which includes Rs. 3000 crore in subsidy.

Corpus fund of Rs. 300 crore for Herita Haram scheme to raise 230 crore trees in next four years. Forest college gets 10 crore.

Journalists in Telanagana to get health cards. Rs. 10 crore allotted for construction of Journalist Bhavan.

Telangana government signs MoU with Chattaisgarh for supply of 1000 MW

NTPC to set up 4000 MW plant at Ramagundam

BHEL to set up thermal plants with a capacity of 6000 MW.

20,000 MW power to be added in next 5 years.

TSRTC gets 400 crore for procuring 1000 new buses.

All roads connecting Mandala headquarters to District headquarters to be made into double lane roads at a cost of Rs. 400 crore.

Power loom weavers to get one lakh loan waiver.

Rs. 19.30 crore incentive for SC entrepreneurs to set up industries.

Telangana government plans to link research institutes academia and industry in and around Hyderabad under the umbrella of research and innovation circle of Hyderabad (RICH).

NIMZ has potential to attract investments of Rs. 40,000 crore and employment for 3 lakh people and support 4.5 lakh people indirectly.

Major national project as part of national investment, and manufacturing zone to come up in Medak district spread over 12,365 acres.

Rs. 90 crore for ITIR projects in Hyderabad.

Land bank to be set up in five lakh acres For establishment of industries. Telangana industrial infrastructure corporation to overlook land allocation. Rs. 100 crore allocated for providing facilities in the land.

Health sector gets Rs.2,282 crore.

Gandhi and Osmania hospitals provided Rs. 100 crore each. Maternity hospital in Hyderabad to get Rs. 50 crore. Nil oufer and King Koti hospitals given Rs. 30 crore and Rs. 25 crore each.

Rs. 25 crore earmarked to provide improvised education from KG to PG. Rs. 940 crore for setting up model schools at mandal level. Technical education gets Rs. 212 crore. IIIT Basara gets Rs. 119 crore.

Rs. 100 crore allocated for one time supply of LPG connections to poor women.

Rs. 1,317 crore earmarked for payment of pensions to aged and widows. Pension amount enhanced to Rs. 1,000 per month for aged and widows under the Asara pension scheme. Disabled to get Rs. 1,500 per month.

Rs. 1,003 crore for women and child welfare schemes.

Rs. 330 crore for Kalyanalaxmi scheme in which a newly-weded woman gets 51,000.

Government earmarks Rs. 7,579 crore and Rs. 4,559 crore respectively for SC and ST sub plans. Rs. 2,022 crore for welfare backward classes. Rs. 1,030 crore for minorities welfare.

Tribal museum and memorial for Gond martyr Kumram Bheema to be set up at Jodeghat in Adilabad district.

Government plans suitable provision for development of fisheries sector.

Rs. 1000 crore earmarked for distributing land to landless SC families.

Tribal sub plan raised 9.34 per cent amount to 4461 crore in the budget. Tribals hamlets to be upgraded to gram panchayats. Schemes to be formulated on the lines of ITDAs for tribals living in plain areas.

Govt committed to provide Rs.50,000 crore for welfare of SCs in next five years. Social welfare department renamed as SC welfare department.

Government allots 16.30 crore as incentive give to milk producers. Rs. 4 per litre incentive for those supplying milk to Vijaya Dairy, a govt-run dairy.

Govt announces Rs. 20 crore power subsidy for poultry farmers. 1.5 lakh tonnes of maize supplied to poultry farmers at subsidised rates of Ra 10 per kg.

Government to give 100 per cent subsidy to SC/ ST farmers, 90 per cent to small and marginal farmers 80 per cent to others for setting up drip irrigation projects. Rs. 250 crore allocated for this purpose.

State to promote drip irrigation in 1.36 lakh acres.

Green house farming to be promoted in 1000 acres around Hyderabad in pilot basis to cultivate exotic and unseasonal vegetables at a cost of Rs. 200 crore. Government to extend 75 per cent subsidy to set up green houses.

Government decides to consolidate agricultural land holdings to make farming prices utile and intensive.

Government proposes to make Telanagana as seed bowl of the country.

Rs. 100 crore allocated for farm mechanisation.

Rs. 20 crore earmarked for crop colonies and soil testing.

Rs. 10 crore for farm field schools.

Government to release Rs.480 crore for input subsidy dues to farming community. Rs. 1,150 crore released for red jowar seed growers farmers in Nizamabad.

Government allocates Rs. 4,250 crore for farmer debt waiver scheme. Loans up to Rs. 1 lakh per family being waived.

To provide piped drinking date through a network of pipelines at a cost of Rs. 25,000 crore, Rs. 2,000 crore allocated this year.
State drinking water grid to be established.

Government focussed on water and drinking Water projects, says Mr. Rajendar. Ten per cent of water in irrigation projects to be used for drinking water purposes.

Nettempadu, Kalwakurthy, Bheema, Koil sagar lift irrigation schemes to be completed this year. Total of 2,97,550 acres to be brought under irrigation under these projects.

With a focus on revival of tanks and irrigation sources, budget allocates Rs. 2000 crore for restoration of irrigation tanks.

45,000 irrigation tanks to be restored in five years, out of which, 9000 tanks will be restored this year.

Rs. 6500 crore alloted for irrigation and command area development.

The comprehensive household survey will be used to better target welfare programmes.

First time, a news state has attempted to democratise the entire process of budget making: Finance Minister

Short, medium and long term action plans conceived for which 14 task force committees were constituted, Mr. Rajender says explaining the budget process.

Budget is a major departure from the past both in its approach and content. People suggestions were sought at village and ward level before preparing the budget, says Mr. Rajendar.

Government allocates Rs. 100 crore for welfare of families of Telangana martyrs.

Though the budge is only available for ten months of current financial year 2014-15, it has been so programmed to integrate see lesson into the five year perspective plan 2014-19, says Mr. Rajender.

Non plan expenditure is Rs. 51,989 crore; Plan expenditure is Rs. 48,648 crore; Estimated revenue surplus is 301 crore; Fiscal deficit estimated at Rs. 17,398 crore.

Finance Minister Etela Rajender is presenting the maiden budget of Telangana Assembly.

Telangana government presents budget with a total expenditure of Rs. 1,00,637 crore for a period of ten months.