Although the threat of anti-incumbency factor always makes the ruling party insecure in electoral battles, at least half-a-dozen states like Delhi, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar and Haryana have

“Uttar Pradesh Pride” is missing from the election campaign theme with the key political parties focusing more on castes, corruption and governance this time in the electoral battle they are fighting

Even as the Congress high command is yet to make up its mind on projecting a leader in the states going to Assembly polls in the next three months, Capt.

At least three major parties — the Congress, the BSP and the Samajwadi Party — are not depending on filmstars to attract floating voters in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections which is a “do-or-die” battle for them.
This is because of the emergence of Mr Rahul Gandhi and Mr Akhilesh Yadav as star campaigners of the Congress and the SP, respectively, while the BSP supremo and chief minister Mayawati is leading the electoral battle from the front. “We are not depending on stars in the state which is politically sharp,” Congress insiders viewed.

The Congress could make a dent in the Mulayam-Mayawati support base among Muslims following the Centre’s decision to fix a 4.5 per cent share for minorities within the existing 27 per cent Other Backward Classes (OBCs) reservation in jobs.

“Jo dar gaya, wo mar gaya (one who gets panicky, loses out)” was the reaction of some Union ministers after the government introduced the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following heated arguments.

After reviving the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday interacted with party MPs for over three hours after the CPP general body meeting. The interaction was both free and frank.

Political parties appear divided on whether the Winter Session of Parliament will be extended by only a day or three days to consider and pass a revised Lokpal Bill.

The Lok Sabha’s business advisory

Political parties appear divided on whether the Winter Session of Parliament will be extended by only a day or three days to consider and pass a revised Lokpal Bill.

Talks of a conscience vote on the Lokpal Bill has begun among MPs, but the government remained noncommittal saying this issue has not come before it so far.

A senior Congress member in Lok Sabha said