From twisting ears to poking into strange claymen from China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proven time and again that he is an awkward-moment magnet. The camera loves him, and he responds in kind, always.
Wednesday's expansion shows that Modi still has a keen eye on Bengal. The BJP is gearing up for the panchayat elections in Bengal next May and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi incurred a total poll expenditure of a little over Rs 50 lakh in Vadodara, one of the two Lok Sabha seats from where he contested and won.
Chhattisgarh Congress expelled party MLA Amit Jogi and passed a resolution seeking party high command's nod for termination of the membership of his father and state's former CM Ajit Jogi over the Antagarh assembly by poll audio tape row.
He accused the BJP of creating friction between communities and 'igniting' fire and ramped up his attack on the PM.
'My God, what do I say? It's shocking!' 'They had 27 MLAs in 2012. And now they have just seven.' 'My party (the Apna Dal-S) contested 11 seats and won in nine.'
Khadi commission workers demanded reprinting of the calendars with Gandhi's picture being featured on them.
Shatrughan Sinha says he was ignored even after he offered to campaign in Bihar.
The Congress president also hit out at Modi's Gujarat model of development, describing it as "good propaganda" and marketing, but "hollow from within".
Leaders from all political parties congratulated the saffron party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He further said that demonetisation 'yagna' is aimed at benefitting the rich.
Sonia, Rahul and former prime minister Manmohan Singh gave fiery speeches attacking the Modi-led government.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is facing sedition charge, on Monday said he is a "bigger patriot" than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party does not want to upset Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti by arresting the "real traitors" in the JNU case.
In televised remarks after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget, Modi said it has many provisions for the agriculture sector, including for making loans easier for farmers.
Asserting that the people of Kairana were no longer living in fear, Shah said a satisfactory law and order situation is the primary condition for development and the Yogi Adityanath government has ensured this in Uttar Pradesh.
Modi drove to the residence of Patel, who fell out with the BJP stalwart and floated his own party ahead of the election, in Gandhinagar to meet him. "Modiji had come to seek blessings after his win in the elections. I congratulated him for the win," Patel said after Modi's visit.
'If banging thalis could drive corona as Modi said, banging thalis will drive away the farm laws.'
He said he spoke whatever he felt from within and added 'neither I dream it, nor there is any liaisoning, nor any PR'.
The Sangh has let it be known that a 'social' outfit called the Hindu Yuva Vahini, set up years ago by Yogi, did not have its approval.
The demonetisation camp remains devided, while some feel the exercise is a total flop, others feel the government should be given some more time
He termed the situation with China as 'very dangerous' and said India under Modi does not have any clear cut strategy on China, which is testing the country and will not sit silent.
This unprecedented entry of Muslim candidates as BJP nominees has been a shot in the arm for the party cadres in the Muslim-predominant Malappuram district, a citadel of Indian Union Muslim League.
Gandhi asked the students whether 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' ('Clean India Mission') was working, to which most replied in a resounding 'yes'.
Gandhi attacked Modi and the BJP while latching on to the bribery allegation made by Narendra Patel, an activist of the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.
The Congress chief took a swipe at the ruling party saying if it had a film franchise it would be called "Lie Hard".
"Manmohan Singh Ji (former Prime Minister) tried many times but could not do. Today when it is implemented, propaganda is being spread," Tomar said.
'Papaji had a dream one night where he saw my father as Hanuman.'
The party will meet Governor Najma Heptullah soon to stake claim for forming government.
'In Rajiv Gandhi's time, out of every Re 1 spent by the government only 15 paisa reached the public.' 'At this moment, I cannot say that the entire Re 1 reaches the common man's pocket, but yes, two-thirds of that money definitely reaches the common man.' 'And the rest of the money will also reach soon.'
The Congress on Monday demanded an independent probe into the issue involving alleged phone tapping of prominent personalities including journalists in India using Israeli Pegasus spyware.
In a tweet, the party said Ram Temple was not on the agenda of Shah during his one-day trip to Hyderabad.
The Australians found it difficult to breach VVS Laxman's defence during his playing days but on the same soil, it was Narendra Modi's speech that 'bowled' him over and he is confident that young India will achieve success under the Prime Minister's able leadership.
Gandhi said Modi had "claimed that he wants to be a 'chowkidar' (watchman of the country) but he actually proved to be a 'chowkidar' of Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi and has been working for them since last four years."
'Mamata will beat the living daylights out of BJP workers with the result that people who are not totally committed, they will promptly leave the party and go back to Trinamool.' 'Or when they find they cannot get what they came to the BJP for they will go back to Trinamool.'
Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief imam of the All India Imam Organisation, who led a delegation of 30 Muslims to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 3, tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com how the meeting came about and what was discussed during the 75-minute convivial meet.
'Farmers' issues will rule the narrative in the 2019 elections.'
Rahul's remarks came after Modi accused the first family of the Congress for disruption in Parliament.
The Congress vice president took to Twitter asking the prime minister as to whom had he consulted before taking the decision and wondered as to why were "experts, economists and Reserve Bank of India not consulted".
"Maharashtra has got nothing to do with Kashmir? Soldiers from Buldhana sacrificed their lives for the protection of Kashmir. Opposition doesn't feel national issues are important," he said.
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on Sunday said writers and artistes who returned their awards "are not mad" but pained at the situation in the country, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should rein in people responsible for it as there is lot of hope from him.
