ELECTIONS

The largest city of Rajasthan is the capital, 'pink city' Jaipur. Number 7 among the 25 parliamentary constituencies of the state, Jaipur is all set to go to polls on May 6th. Jaipur parliamentary constituency comprises eight assembly constituencies: Hawa Mahal, Vidhyadhar Nagar, Civil Lines, Kishan Pole, Adarsh Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Sanganer and Bagru. Jaipur is seen to be a BJP bastion, with the Congress winning this seat just thrice in the last 16 polls, since 1952. The BJP won the seat eight times. In 2014, the city had 19,57,820 electors, of which 1,047,468 were male and 910,350 were female.…

The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on May 6th in 51 constituencies across Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has published its comprehensive analysis of candidates contesting in this phase. In a first, around 12% of the candidates in the fray on May 6th are women. This is the highest percentage of women so far and surpasses the previous four phases of elections. It is five percentage points higher than the 7% representation seen in the first phase. However, in absolute terms, women…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his campaign speech in Aligarh on April 14th, invoked three main development indicators, "bijli...kanoon vyavastha...sadak” (electricity, law and order and roads)**." Development or "vikas" has been one of two constants in his campaign; the other being "karobaar " or business. In his Aligarh speech, he specifically mentioned how this election was a fight to get "nyay" not only for youth, women and farmers but also for "chote karobaari" or small business owners. Yet, in Aligarh, vikas and chote karobaari clashed head on when shops belonging to small business owners were demolished to widen roads as…

On a day that India saw another round of voting in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, and people were engrossed in coverage of verbal slugfests between leaders, sensational comments by candidates and all the typical frenzy that accompanies the conduct of elections, the national capital quietly conducted the final phase of an election that is no less important for the Delhiite. The annual elections for the post of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the vital three member standing committee (Sthayi Samiti) of three autonomous municipal bodies of Delhi (MCDs) concluded on Monday unanimously. With the ruling BJP enjoying a clear majority…

As Mumbai voted to elect its representatives to the next Lok Sabha on April 29th, it was in a way the realisation of a three-decade long dream for the SP-BSP candidate in Mumbai’s north west constituency. Or almost. Two-time MLA in UP, Subhash Pasi has indeed made a long journey to finally arrive at this day. A UP bhaiya, Pasi, 60, claims to represent the large number of his fellow bhaiyas, and Muslims and Dalits of this constituency. “They comprise about eight lakh of the 16 lakh voters,” said Pasi, Pasi’s family arrived in Mumbai from UP in the early…

India is in the middle of Lok Sabha elections, and the entire nation is in the throes of emotional upheavals ranging from hope to despair, wrath to apathy, and a general heightened level of excitement. Every election brings hope to millions who believe their fortunes would turn around at least this time, but it has remained a gambler’s fallacy every time. Factors such as a young and rapidly-growing working-age population, increasing education and engineering skill levels that enhance growth of the manufacturing sector, and a growing middle-class that offers sustained growth of the consumer market, are factors that have propelled…

Mumbai North-East was formed prior to the 1967 elections. The region is a symbol of the city's dichotomous development. Even though it is reputed for prime real estate and some important infrastructure projects, this is also the region where massive rehabilitation projects are being pursued to compensate those who have given up their land and homes. The constituency consists of Mulund, Vikhroli, Bhandup West, Ghatkopar West, Ghatkopar East and Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar assembly constituencies. In 2014, Mumbai North East had 16,68,357 registered electors. The winner, Kirit Somaiya got 5,25,285 or 60.9 percent of the votes, while the runner-up, Sanjay Dina…

Mumbai North-East was formed prior to the 1967 elections. The region is a symbol of the city's dichotomous development. Even though it is reputed for prime real estate and some important infrastructure projects, this is also the region where massive rehabilitation projects are being pursued to compensate those who have given up their land and homes. The constituency consists of Mulund, Vikhroli, Bhandup West, Ghatkopar West, Ghatkopar East and Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar assembly constituencies. In 2014, Mumbai North East had 16,68,357 registered electors. The winner, Kirit Somaiya got 5,25,285 or 60.9 percent of the votes, while the runner-up, Sanjay Dina…

Rahul Ramesh Shewale is with the Shiv Sena Party and is the incumbent Member of Parliament from Mumbai South Central constituency. He defeated the sitting MP Eknath Gaikwad from the Congress in the 2014 lok Sabha polls, with a margin of 1,38,180 votes. While Shewale secured 381008 votes Gaikwad got 242828 votes. The stage this time is set for yet another battle between Shewale and Gaikwad, and 28 other contestants from the South Central Constituency. First-time MP in 2014, Rahul had been Chairman of the standing committee of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for four terms till 2014. He is an active…

Rahul Ramesh Shewale is with the Shiv Sena Party and is the incumbent Member of Parliament from Mumbai South Central constituency. He defeated the sitting MP Eknath Gaikwad from the Congress in the 2014 lok Sabha polls, with a margin of 1,38,180 votes. While Shewale secured 381008 votes Gaikwad got 242828 votes. The stage this time is set for yet another battle between Shewale and Gaikwad, and 28 other contestants from the South Central Constituency. First-time MP in 2014, Rahul had been Chairman of the standing committee of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for four terms till 2014. He is an active…