Narendra Modi Sees BJP Winning Strongest Mandate Since 1984

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that the party will win the strongest mandate since the 1984 general election, in which the Congress returned to power with 49% of the vote and more than two-thirds of the seats in the Lok Sabha.

The Gujarat chief minister made the claim in response to a question about a potential alliance with Tamil Nadu’s ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in an interview broadcast by Times Now television channel on Thursday night.

“I will tell you, don’t waste your time in finding allies,” Modi said in the interview with the channel’s anchorman Arnab Goswami on the programme, Frankly Speaking. “You have already asked me six questions related to this. I have explained everything clearly that BJP is winning with a clear majority and we will be forming the strongest and most stable government since Rajiv Gandhi’s government.”

Under Modi, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has emerged in many opinion polls as the front-runner in the 16th general election, which concludes on 12 May and whose outcome will be known on 16 May.

After back-to-back electoral victories in 2004 and 2009, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is being tipped to lose power under the weight of corruption scandals, and its inability to control inflation and generate jobs.

The BJP would need to win 272 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha for a simple majority to form a government without depending on the support of other parties.

No party has achieved the feat since the Congress in 1984 rode a sympathy wave to a brute majority after the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi that year.

In the interview, an English-language transcript of which was provided by the news channel, Modi said he would try and carry all parties along.

“There is an arithmetic needed for the Parliament. That is in its own place,” he said in Hindi. “But there is no arithmetic needed to run the country. A spirit is needed to run the country. The spirit is all-inclusive. Therefore, hypothetically, even if I and my party get 300 seats, then it is my duty in a democracy to respect all parties, even my political rivals have a purpose, even those who severely criticize me have a purpose. That is how a democracy functions,” he said.

Modi added: “The country will give me the numbers needed to run the government. To run the country, I need everyone’s cooperation. I will do all I can to get everyone’s cooperation, even if it’s the Congress... We will know the numbers on the 16th. Even if we get 350 seats, every single MP (member of Parliament) from a single party is as valuable to me as 125 crore citizens.”

In the interview, Modi answered questions about issues ranging from the BJP’s pro-Hindutva agenda, alleged communal remarks by some party colleagues, the 2002 religious riots in Gujarat to the Gandhi family, the economy and relations with Pakistan.

Asked whether a BJP government would revoke the 2012 decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in supermarket chains, he evaded a direct answer.

“All we have said is that the country is now going to face a huge shock in the manufacturing sector, and our youth will lose jobs. Therefore, the country’s priority must be to ensure job creation. Our policies must be implemented for job creation, and that will be our priority. For example, if they try to trade umbrellas in India from the international market, as a result of which small umbrella-making organizations in our country lose their purpose and are forced to shut down, how are our people going to make their living,” he asked.

He ruled out talks with Pakistan until that country’s perceived backing for acts of terror in India stop.

Modi said: “Is it possible to have discussions amidst bomb blasts and gunshots? Do you think it is possible to have a discussion amidst the deafening noise of bomb blasts and gunshots? So to have a reasonable discussion, first the blasts and gunshots have to stop.”

Source: LiveMint

Stock Market Takes a View on Exit Poll Results, Sensex on a High over 23000 Mark

Have the stock markets got wind of exit poll results? Is today’s stock market rally caused by leaked exit poll results?

Some dealers and traders believe so.

The BSE Sensex ended the day up 693 points at a record high of 23,037. The Nifty too was up 3% at 6866 points.

According to market participants, some traders seem to have got tip offs on what seemed to be exit poll results, and have decided to take a position based on that.

“We don’t know how reliable the information is, there are lots of numbers doing the rounds,” said a dealer.

It may be noted that the crucial penultimate phase of the polls got over yesterday.

Exit polls are being conducted by various agencies on behalf of various TV channels.

Their results will be released on Monday evening.

According to election commission rules, exit poll results cannot be announced before the final vote has been cast.

Source: RTN.Asia

Modi-Wave in Bengal? BJP may Better Seat Tally in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections

The evening before the seventh phase of polling on April 30, BJP candidate from Hooghly Chandan Mitra is scowling. "It's less than 12 hours to the poll and look at the organizational mess," he growls at his ancestral riverfront residence at Chinsura, 60 km from Kolkata. It has been a long day for the Delhi-based journalist and a two-time Rajya Sabha member.

In the morning, Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers surrounded his car outside the local railway station and alleged that he was distributing money to lure voters. And now Mitra is being barraged with complaints from frustrated polling agents that party flags are in short supply.

"Calm down and stop calling me," he shouts back over phone, "what can the candidate do if those in charge of supplying polling booth material are not around?"

Did the party not anticipate such enthusiasm from the workers and voters in Bengal? In an instant, the frown disappears.

"We couldn't have. Since I landed here in the second week of March, there has been a sea change in the public mood," Mitra smiles. "The people of Bengal have had enough of the TMC and the Left. They are rallying around Narendra Modi. The results will surprise everyone."

Surprise. That has been the promise of the BJP leadership in Bengal since polls began in April. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the party's vote share shrank to a mere 6%.

This time, the state leadership claims that the BJP will top its best show recorded during the peak of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1991-92 when the party's vote share swelled to 12% and 16% in Lok Sabha and panchayat polls, respectively.

In Bengal's tight four-cornered fight this summer, nobody knows how many seats a vote share in excess of 16% may translate into. While the party's media posturing projects well over a dozen, its internal assessment keeps the tally at 3-6 seats.

That itself will be a minor saffronBSE 4.84 % coup in the land of Syama Prasad Mookerjee — the founder of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh to which the BJP traces its roots — which never really warmed up to right-of-the-centre politics. After all, the BJP's best performance here so far has been winning two seats in alliance with the TMC in 1998.

That record would be bettered many times over, claims Mitra, if only the party could make the most of the Modi wave.

"Wherever our organization is strong, we will get a good result." So it took a Narendra Modi for the BJP to finally breach Bengal? "Of course, Modi as our prime ministerial candidate has irresistible mass appeal," Mitra savours the reflected glory.

"But this swing for the BJP is a combination of many positives. You don't judge a dish only by its dal or its tadka, do you?"

Source: EconomicTimes

Lok Sabha Poll Outcome: May 13 will be a Bigger Event than May 16, say Analysts

NEW DELHI: Although May 16, when election results are expected to come out, is supposed to be a very big and important day for the markets, but analysts feel that the big move in the markets may come in from May 13th onwards when the outcome of the exit polls starts trickling in.

"We have moved higher in the past couple of months with benchmark indices gaining over 6 per cent since March 2014. The basis of this euphoria on the street is the result of opinion polls, predicting a BJP-led government. But will the BJP have a clear and absolute majority remains to be seen," say experts.

The exit poll data could be used as a proxy or foreshadowing of the actual results on May 16th and investors or traders might start taking action early.

"Whatever is the result of the exit polls, it will start impacting the markets from May 13 onwards. It is also possible that there is some privately carried out exit poll information for their private consumption available to some sophisticated investors," said Dr. Vikas V Gupta (Head- Research & Product Development) at ArthVeda.

The recent run-up seen in benchmark indices confirms the fact that the markets are pricing in some probability of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. If the exit poll numbers are in favour of NDA, there is a possibility of a sharp up-move while a vice-versa situation could be disastrous for the markets, say analysts.

"I agree that 13th May would be a precursor to 16th May Lok Sabha elections results. If the exit poll numbers are in favour of NDA and Narendra Modi, the market will zoom and touch a all-time high on 13th itself," said Rajesh Sharma, Director, Capri Global Capital Limited.

"However, if the numbers reveal the probability of the hung Parliament, then the market will certainly tank by more than 500 points in a day, as the market had been moving up in anticipation of NDA coming to power at the Centre," he added.

The euphoria ahead of elections results due in mid-May cannot be ruled out in the markets. The Indian markets have got support from strong inflows from foreign institutional investors ( FIIs) who are almost certain of a Narendra Modi-led NDA government after the general elections.

Amid hopes of a stable and reform-oriented government after the general elections, foreign investors pumped in Rs 9,600 crore in Indian stocks in April, the eighth consecutive month of inflows, as per latest data.

Analysts feel the time period between 13th and15th May will be very crucial for the markets and wild swings can be expected on either side. The strong expectations of the BJP-led government and extensive media coverage over exit polls would keep the sentiments positive. However, investors would prefer to hold a certain portion of their liquidity to cover unexpected results.

"Exit poll throws the ball park figure of the next government which the markets would react to immediately. Between 13 and 15th May 2014, the markets would be volatile and react to exit poll results and show a direction going forward," said Siddharth Sedani, Vice President (PMS) at Microsec 4.91 % Capital Ltd.

Shashank Khade, Director and Chief Equity Advisor, Entrust Family Office Investment Advisors, is of the view that a knee-jerk reaction is possible if exit polls show an outcome away from the consensus.

"Any government getting constructed backed by majority shall be cheered by the markets. Any risk of an unstable government which can lead to slow decision making shall lead to a knee-jerk reaction in the short term," he added.

Most of the opinion polls are now predicting that NDA should be able to bag over 240 seats, if we include the recently-announced coalition between the BJP and the Telegu Desam Party (TDP).

In such a situation, the NDA can garner support from independents and very small parties with less than two seats (in 2009 they got more than 25 seats) and may not require support from any large regional party, said a Standard Chartered report.

With a stable and cohesive government, the chances of the NDA following its growth-oriented economic programme will be higher. Hopes of economic recovery and reduced uncertainty should encourage investor flows to India, say analysts.

What will happen on the D-day (May 16)?

The exit poll data could be used as a proxy or foreshadowing of the actual results, but the real action will take place on May 16th. If the exit polls throw any doubt on the possibility of a stable government, then it could lead to a correction.

However, if the exit polls from different sources throw an unambiguous stability mandate, then some calm in the markets can be expected, but not a euphoric move, say experts.

"The D-day of 16th May would be absolutely critical as it would either consolidate the rally or slump sharply in an event of an unexpected outcome," said Tushar Pendharkar, Equity Strategist at Right Horizons Financial Services.

"The probability of marginal change to the indices after election results appears remote. Index fluctuation on the result day could be significant in either direction," he added.

The last two national elections in 2004 and 2009 saw the markets hitting the circuit limits when trading was halted on the day of the poll results.

As per analysts, considering the fact that the markets have already run-up ahead of elections in quick time, a euphoric response on the results' day is a little far-fetched idea.

Anil Singhvi, Chairman, Ican Investment Advisors, is of the view that the event to a very large extent has already been discounted for. It could be a short-lived rally.

"However, if BJP, NDA put together get 270 or 280 seats, then the next rally is going to be far bigger and a better rally than what we are seeing under the next 10 days' situation," he added.

Source: EconomicTimes

NDTV Survey Predicting 23-Seats Out of 33 for BJP in UP of Last 2-Phases

New Delhi: Despite strict orders from the Election Commission prohibiting opinion polls, NDTV Hansa Group has come out with a new survey.

The report says that out of 33 seats in Uttar Pradesh, BJP may win 23.

However, big question here is that the poll has violated the EC’s order released on April 16 where it had stated that no TV channel or newspaper can show opinion poll under disguise of exit poll.

Even on April 14, NDTV Hansa group came out with an opinion poll.

The opinion poll predicts outcome on remaining 33 seats in UP, which will go to voting on May 7 and May 12. However, NDTV released its survey on the night of May 4.

The constituencies include Varanasi, Amethi, Azamgarh and Sultanpur.

Going by the survey, BJP maybe at an advantage winning 19 more seats when compared with the scenario in 2009. The ruling Samajwadi Party will emerge victorious on 6 seats out of 33 while BSP stands third with 3 seats. Congress has been shown to win a single seat.

Source: Daily.Bhaskar.com

Lok Sabha Elections 2014: Modi Dares Election Commission

ASANSOL: Complaining of booth rigging in West Bengal, Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi today alleged that the Election Commission was not acting impartially and dared it to take action against him.

"Why are you not acting? What is your intention? If you feel wrong about what I am saying now, then you are free to lodge another case against me," Modi told an election rally here.

"It is your responsibility to ensure impartial polls. I am making very serious allegations," he said accusing the Election Commission of having failed to take action.

He said poll violence and booth rigging took place in West Bengal, Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh.

"I am putting serious allegations against you. You have failed to stop rigging and violence in these areas. False cases have been filed against our candidate Babul Supriyo. Election Commission's work is to protect people. I request you to fulfil your responsibilities in the right way."

He said that the poll watchdog has all the government machinery at its disposal and have more powers than even the Prime Minister.

"Democracy doesn't work like this, I know that in the elections on 30th, how much rigging took place. Will this game go on?" he asked.

Modi recalled that he had said in Uttar Pradesh also that in some areas problems are going to happen.

"But Election Commission could do nothing. Today I am saying it again that in Bengal, Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh the same thing is going to happen. Is it not the responsiblity of the Election Commission that elections should be peaceful, there should be no rigging, no violence?," he said.

Election Commission had taken serious note of the Gujarat Chief Minister's violation of the electoral laws, under which no person can display any election matter or address a meeting in a polling booth on the day of election, and an FIR against Modi following its direction.

Modi had told a poll campaign at Tirupati that he had not committed any offence that warranted an FIR and that he only showed a lotus badge to people after casting his vote at Gandhinagar on April 30. Lotus is the symbol of BJP.

Source: IndiaTimes.com

Modi to Campaign in Amethi for BJP Candidate Smriti Irani on 5-May

BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi will campaign in Amethi on May 5 for party candidate Smriti Irani, who is challenging Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in his family bastion.

Modi will address a rally in Amethi on Monday, the last day of campaigning in the constituency which will go to polls on May 7.

Other senior BJP leaders including L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley will also campaign for Irani.

Jaitley said senior party leaders will be campaigning for the favourite television "bahu" in the Gandhi stronghold.

BJP is giving all the push to the television actor-turned -politician for giving a tough fight to Rahul, whose campaign is being steered by his sister Priyanka Gandhi in the constituency.

Two-time MP from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi is locked in a triangular contest from the family pocket borough with Smriti Irani and Kumar Vishwas of Aam Aadmi Party pitted against him.

Though the Congress Vice President had won the seat in 2004 and 2009 elections with huge margins, Congress had lost in three of the five assembly segments falling under Amethi Parliamentary seat during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2012.

The constituency is known as the seat of power of the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty since 1980, when Sanjay Gandhi represented it once and later Rajiv Gandhi represented the seat four times.

Sonia Gandhi also represented the seat but later shifted to Rae Bareily, to vacate the seat for Rahul. Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru also represented the seat.

Source: DNA