Politics

The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs asserted that the country and party needed Narendra Modi's leadership but said the BJP "will take note of these views and concerns."

The BJP response came by way of a joint statement issued by three Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari, all former BJP Presidents.

Lalu's conviction in a fodder scam case in 2013 came as a personal blow to him as it led to his immediate disqualification from the Lok Sabha and a ban from contesting an election at least for six years.

"Instead of allowing or projecting local state leaders, Narendra Modi made it an election between him and Nitish-Lalu combine," said Aiyar.

Most of the exit polls have predicted a close contest between the BJP-led NDA and the grand alliance of JD(U)-RJD- Congress with a slight edge to the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led grouping.

Maintaining that Congress is the only solution to the farmers' problems, Rahul said at Mallawala that the Modi and Badal governments are "anti-farmers and anti-labourers.

The charred bodies of S Sarika and her three children Abhinav (7), and twins Ayaan and Shriyaan (3) were recovered on Wednesday from the house of the former MP at Hanamkonda.

Earlier, Adityanath said, "If we ban or stop watching Shah Rukh Khan's movie then he will come on road like other Muslims."

Leaders of all the political parties are in their war rooms to take stock of the situation and keep an eye on the voting in the fifth phase of Bihar Assembly elections.

The march comes in the backdrop of protests by artistes, writers and scientists over the alleged rising intolerance.

Soon after the results, Uddhav Thackeray had attacked the BJP claiming that the entire Maharashtra cabinet had turned up to campaign for candidates of the NDA major, but Shiv Sena was successful in winning people's confidence.

While NDA's plan has seen Modi rallies in all crucial districts, the Mahagathbandhan has gone for a low key campaign where volunteers have been trained to visit all town, villages in a constituency.

The government is firm on its stand claims that names were deleted after due verification and issuing of notices.

"If Mohan Bhagwat had not spoken about reservation then this discussion would not have started. If they come to power in Rajya Sabha they will make changes in the Constitution," he added.

After the first two phases in which votes were cast in 81 seats, the Mahagahthbandhan has been claiming victory. But now the area where polling is going to take place has been traditionally the BJP's strength.