Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is making all the possible efforts to fulfill his dream of becoming the Prime Minister if the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance fails to reach the magic figure of 272 seats.

According to some confidential sources, Pawar is trying to unite the Third and Fourth Fronts.

Sharad Pawar, who already has the support of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and Biju Janata Dal chief and Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik for the top post is in talks with the Fourth Front leaders.

Exit polls have suggested that the Third Front consisting of Left, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Janata Dal (Secular), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) all combined together could end up with approximately 100 seats.

Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh on Thursday termed exit polls as 'politically inspired' and said "exit polls could not decide the fate of political parties already sealed in EVMs. The results will be out on May 16. You will see who gets what"

While talking to mediapersons SP leader Amar Singh said, "The exit polls shown on TV channels are politically inspired. Only a few people carry out the exit polls. How can they be relied upon."

Amar Singh also claimed that his party was not shown as a big gainer in the last general elections but they managed to get 40 seats. Therefore, they do not go by the predictions of exit polls.

Repeating the sentiments of the party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav that SP would not open its cards before the results, Amar Singh said that "political decisions and strategies cannot be shared on TV."

He also added, " we will not talk to anyone or meet any leader before May 17. It is a decision we have taken."

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered the Uttar Pradesh Government to remove charges under National Security Act against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi at the earliest.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said, "The State government shall forthwith withdraw the detention order against Varun Gandhi under the NSA."

The Mayawati Government has also been told by the bench that it has "no ground to challenge" the state advisory board's decision to scrap NSA's imposition against Varun.

Varun, responding to the Supreme Court judgment said, "I stand vindicated. I have always said that NSA was applied wrongly on me. Mayawati had flouted democratic norms."

Varun's aunt Ambica Shukla said the decision of the Supreme Court was a welcome relief for them.

According to the reports of differences in the Third Front, leaders of the non-Congress, non-BJP parties, including BSP, will meet on May 18, in New Delhi to talk about the chances of forming an alternative secular Government.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat on Wednesday said, TRS, which switched to the NDA side three days ago, has not been called for the meeting.

Karat told mediapersons "Leaders of non-Congress, non-BJP will meet here on May 18 to decide the future course of action. BSP will join these discussions where we will explore the possibilities of forming an alternative secular government."

The CPI (M) General Secretary also said that the Left parties will meet on May 17 in New Delhi which will be followed by the CPI(M)'s Politburo meeting on May 18 and Central Committee the following day.

"This will be the first round of meeting among the parties," he added.

Just a day after the final phase of polling, Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan hinted that the Fourth Front will not allow Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance to come to the power, but the final decision will be taken jointly by the Fourth Front after the election results.

Replying to the question whether he will prefer a UPA government or a Third Front-led government, Paswan said, "Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Janshakti Party and are already with the UPA. After the elections what will happen that the three parties - Samajwadi Party, RJD and LJP will sit and take a decision."

Clarifying the conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar quoted, "I spoke to the Prime Minister on certain issues. We got a letter from the Central Government denying our rights so far as Kosi issue is concerned. We asked for rehabilitation money and got a negative reply. There is nothing political about the meeting with Prime Minister."

Nitish kumar also hinted that he does not have any problem sharing the dias with the BJP leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The JD(U)-BJP alliance is likely to win LS elections in Bihar with Nitish being supported by 65% of the state voters, as preferred chief minister in post poll surveys conducted by media channels.

The Congress-led alliance appears to be ahead of the Bharatiya Janta Party and its allies according to three exit poll projections/surveys of the television channels for the Lok Sabha elections. The Third front crosses the three figure mark in the 543 member Lok Sabha.

According to the Star-Nielsen survey, it shows the Congress marching ahead with a projection of 155 seats for the party and its alliance notching a total of approximately 199 seats. The survey also suggests the BJP-led alliance bagging 196 seats, with the leading partner, the BJP, projected to manage 153 seats.

The survey gives the Third Front 100 seats, including 25 for the CPI-M and 28 for the BSP, while the nascent Fourth Front, is estimated to get 36 seats with the Samajwadi Party bagging 26, the Rashtriya Janata Dal 8 and the Lok Jan Shakti Party 2. No seats to the newly formed Praja Rajyam Party in Andhra Pradesh, according to the survey.

CNN-IBN along with Dainik Bhaskar on the basis of National election study claims UPA to be in a range of 185-205 seats against BJP in the range of 135-150 seats. The Third Front could get 110 to 130 seats and the Fourth Front between 25 and 35 seats.

According to the India TV-C-Voter exit poll predictions, UPA would get between 189-201 seats. It also gives the Congress 149-155, the DMK between 9 and 13, the NCP 12-16 and the Trinamool between 12 ­ 16. Further it shows, NDA-led front with 183 ­ 195 seats which also includes BJP (140-146), the JD (U) 17-21. The Third Front is expected to bag between 105 and 121 seats. The break-up shows the Left parties in the range of 31-37 seats, the BSP (24-30), the AIADMK (23-29), the TDP/TRS (13-19) and the BJD (6-8). For Praja Rajyam Party seats between 0-4 are predicted.

Approximately 62 percent of the electorate on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the fifth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Polling was all together peaceful except stray violence in which two persons were left dead. Nearly 11 crore voters voted for 86 constituencies across nine states and union territories.

In Tamil Nadu polling was held in all its 39 constituencies. It is considered as a strategic swing state, as the voter turnout was recorded as 60-62 per cent.

Polling was marred in some places in Tamil Nadu due to the skirmishes leaving one local DMK functionary dead in Dindgul district.

In Uttar Pradesh voting was held in 14 constituencies which recorded a 52 per cent of the voter turnout.

Polling passed off quite peacefully in West Bengal barring the killing of a local CPI(M) leader allegedly by Trinamool Congress activists. Overall 70 per cent turnout was recorded in 11 constituencies in West Bengal.

Navin Chawla Chief Election Commissioner told mediapersons that the overall turnout of voters involving nearly 714 million voters in the five phases was 59-60 per cent.

With the completion of the fifth and final phase, polling is now over for all the 543 seats of Lok Sabha. The results of the 15th Lok Sabha elections will be out on 16th May.

While two days are left for the results of the Lok Sabha elections, the Satta Bazaar records heavy betting on the fate of individual candidates and political parties across the country.

A famous bookie told mediapersons "Bets worth several thousand crore rupees have already been laid so far, and the tempo is likely to go up in the next couple of days. Mumbai has created a record of sorts with a punter — who is in the real estate business — betting as much as Rs 300 crore on different candidates, parties and their combinations."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh still tops the list of next PM with the bhav on him being 60 paise. This implies that every rupee bet on Manmohan Singh will fetch Rs 1.60 to the bettor if he is re-elected for the post of PM.

On the other side, the bookies predict that L K Advani has very little chance of becoming PM. The bhav on him is Rs 2.50. However, some bookies are also offering bhav of Rs 6 on his quitting politics before May 31. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is having a bhav of Rs 50 on his becoming the PM.

Congress-led UPA is supported to secure 151 seats at even bhav that means every rupee bet will fetch a good profit while for BJP-led NDA, it is even odds for the party winning 122 seats.

Speculations are that Lalu Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan and Mulayam Singh Yadav may face surprise defeats — the bhav on these candidates are Rs 3, Rs 1.50 and Rs 1.40 respectively.

J. Jayalalitha, the AIADMK chief is commanding even bhav for 25-plus seats. The bhav is even for the CPM securing 35 seats.

Finally the fifth and final phase of Lok Sabha polling wrapped up on Wednesday. The major highlights of India's national elections 2009 that will decide the ruling power for the next five years are given below:

A total of 714 million voters were eligible to cast their votes at more than 828,000 polling booths.

The overall turnout was approximately 59-60% .

Key players: Congress party which has governed India for a total of more than four decades, since independence from Britain in 1947; Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party; Third Front: An alliance of communists, socialists, caste-based parties and regional parties.

Major campaign issues: There were no central issues resonated with voters. Most of the campaigning revolved around vague promises of prosperity and jobs.

First phase of voting, April 16: Total of 143 million voters were eligible, but the voter turnout was 60 per cent.

Second phase, April 23: Total of 19.4 million voters were eligible, but the voter turnout was 55 per cent.

Third phase, April 30: Total of 144 million voters were eligible, but the voter turnout was 52 per cent.

Fourth phase, May 7: Total of 9.46 million voters were eligible, but the voter turnout was 57 per cent.

Fifth phase, May 13: Total of 108 million voters were eligible, but the voter turnout was 62 per cent.

AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa whose party fought the LS elections as part of the Third Front on Wednesday said that she has got feelers from many places but she will decide on her strategy once the election results are out.

The former Tamil Nadu chief minister whose AIADMK is in coalition with the Left parties, PMK and MDMK in Tamil Nadu and is expected perform really well in the elections said she will decide only after consulting to her allies on her strategy.

When asked whether she has got any feelers from the BJP for her support to the NDA Government Jayalalithaa replied "There are feelers from many places. But I am not responding to any overtures now. I prefer to wait until the 16th, until I have the results in my hand and then I'll decide what to do after consultation with my allies."

Jayalalithaa refused to comment when asked a question on JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda's statement that the Third Front will remain.

when asked whether she will go to Delhi after the results are out she replied "Everything depends on the results. If the results are as the way I expect I will be going to Delhi."

She also said if the polls are held in a "free and fair manner" in Tamil Nadu her party-led alliance "will sweep the elections."

BJP candidate from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi on Wednesday has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to scrap the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on him by the UP Government.

The petition filed by Varun was mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan which posted it for hearing on Thursday.

The Bench said that it will hear the petition of Varun Gandhi along with the application filed by the UP Government challenging the decision of the three member advisory board.

Varun contesting from Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh is on a parole till Thursday.

Polling for the final phase of Lok Sabha elections ended at 5 pm on Wednesday. People voted for 86 constituencies in nine states and union territories.

In Tamil Nadu polling was held in all its 39 constituencies. Besides Tamil Nadu polling was also held for 4 seats in Himachal Pradesh, 2 in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in West Bengal, 5 in Uttarakhand and 1 seat each in Chandigarh and Puducherry.

Some of the prominent candidates whose fate has been sealed by the voters in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections are P Chidambaram( Tamil Nadu), Mohammad Azharuddin (Moradabad), Dayanidhi Maran (Chennai Central), T R Baalu (Sriperumbudur), Navjot Singh Sidhu (Amritsar), Vinod Khanna (Gurdaspur), Mani Shankar Aiyar (Mayiladuthurai), Mamata Banerjee (Nandigram), Bhartiya Janata Party's (BJP) Varun Gandhi (Pilibhit) and Maneka Gandhi (Aonla) and Samajwadi Party's Jayaprada (Rampur).

With the completion of the fifth and final phase, polling is now over for all the 543 seats of Lok Sabha. The results of the 15th Lok Sabha elections will be out on 16th May.

On Wednesday voting began for the fifth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections. An estimated number of over 10.78 crore voters will be casting their votes to elect 86 MPs to the 545 Lok Sabha members.

The polling began at 0700 hrs across 1.21 lakh booths. Besides all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, elections are currently taking place for 4 seats in Himachal Pradesh, 2 in Jammu and Kashmir, nine in Punjab, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in West Bengal, 5 in Uttarakhand and 1 seat each in both Chandigarh and Puducherry.

Some of the prominent candidates whose fate will be decided by the voters in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections are P Chidambaram( Tamil Nadu), Mohammad Azharuddin (Moradabad), Dayanidhi Maran (Chennai Central), T R Baalu (Sriperumbudur), Navjot Singh Sidhu (Amritsar), Vinod Khanna (Gurdaspur), Mani Shankar Aiyar (Mayiladuthurai), Mamata Banerjee (Nandigram), Bhartiya Janata Party's (BJP) Varun Gandhi (Pilibhit) and Maneka Gandhi (Aonla) and Samajwadi Party's Jayaprada (Rampur).

Somnath Chaterjeee, Speaker of 14th Lok Sabha has predicted less number of seats for the Left parties in the 15th Lok Sabha elections. However, he asserted that the Left will play a crucial role in forming the Government.

Somnath talking to the mediapersons after casting his vote, said, ˜I am not associated to any party so I have voted for a secular government.

Chaterjee also said, ˜I think Left will get comparatively less number of seats but they will play a crucial role in the formation of the government.

Tight security measures have been taken up in Rampur in Uttar Pradesh which goes to polls on Wednesday.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan has hit back at actor turned politician Jayaprada who accused him of distributing her nude photographs.

Jayaprada said, My nude, morphed pictures are being circulated, disgusting things are happening. I thought there is no point in living in this world.

The conflict between the two SP leaders took another twist on Tuesday when Jayaprada's hotel was raided by the police.

Jayaprada has alleged that this is another attempt by Azam Khan to harass her.

It is the work of opposition; they are harassing my family and me. It's a plot by the Congress government. We are complaining to the Election Commission, Jayaprada alleged.

Rebel SP leader Azam Khan said, The kind of allegations she is putting on me, they can be part of her Bollywood life. Her mentality has reached such a level that any condemnation is of no use. I appeal to the people to beware of the Jayaprada, the way she has shown her character.

During an election campaign the Pilibhit's Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Varun Gandhi commented at the Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party.

Addressing an election rally Varun Gandhi said "Congress is dying and I don't want to say anything for those on death bed" and all those who raise their hands against him will have to answer him.

Varun Gandhi further added that the BSP would not be able to be the major player in the national politics.

Commenting on BSP he quoted, "Gates of Parliament are too small for an elephant (BSP's election symbol). So it can't enter there."

The Uttar Pradesh government approached the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of National Security Act (NSA) against BJP leader Varun Gandhi by a state Advisory board under the Allahabad High Court.

Confirming the filing of petition in the apex court's registry Uttar Pradesh advocate GV Rao said the UP government in its petition had argued that the Advisory Board's decision was not correct as it had ignored "cogent evidence" against Varun Gandhi.

Earlier, the advisory board had scrapped the UP government's decision to invoke the NSA against BJP leader Varun Gandhi stating the decision was too harsh.

Engaged in a head to head tussle with party leader Azam Khan, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh hinted that after the the Lok Sabha elections he will take retirement from active politics on health grounds.

While addressing an election rally at Garh Mukteshwar Amar Singh said, "My kidneys have been affected. I have just returned from hospital because the party chief ordered me to. I want to give more time to my wife and my family. Therefore after the last day of polling (on May 13), I will retire from politics."

Amar Singh was admitted to a hospital on Saturday in Uttarakhand during his campaigning on Saturday and got discharged on Monday after being treated for dehydration. Singh said he was fed up by the Azam Khan episode and now wanted to 'be at home' and 'lead a tension-free life'.

Bharatiya Janata Party has started preparing the ground with major players to seek support in case its expectations of emerging the single largest party ahead of Congress turns out to be well-founded. BJP is quite confident that they are poised to end up ahead of Congress in the elections and are determined to be a strong player in the government formation.

Talking to mediapersons a BJP campaign source said, "All parties barring Congress, Left and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are in our diaries. We can do business with any of them and are in the process of making sure that our lines of communication are open. There is no such thing as a no-fly zone other than what is obviously out of bounds."

According to the calculations of BJP based on exit polls BJP might be in the range of 160 seats and its allies reach 200-210 seats in the 15th Lok Sabha elections. BJP admits that to demand an invitation from the President Pratibha Patil to form a Government it must be ahead of Congress in the medals tally.

BJP leaders said that they were are open with parties like Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) in Andhra Pradesh and TDP. They had even for a tie-up before the election with the PRP party but Chiranjeevi's concern was to alienate Muslim voters.

BJP has also approached for a partnership with AIADMK leader Jayalalitha and other smaller parties like PMK and MDMK have been part of the NDA government at the Centre.

According to the BJP senior leaders, even if BJP party met its poll projections the task of government formation would not be so easy as major parties like AIADMK, TDP and even Trinamool Congress have reservations that are not easy to surmount.

Bharatiya Janata Party has accused Orissa chief minister and Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik of breaking the year old BJP-BJD alliance and betraying the party. BJP president Rajnath Singh has alleged Naveen Patnaik of violating model code of conduct by granting a mining lease to the South Korean steel major POSCO.

BJP also claims that in return of the lease, the South Korean steel giant massively funded the election campaign of the ruling BJD. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had signed the mining release order for ore deposits in Kandahar in Orissa's Sundergarh district on April 19, just four days prior to the final phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Talking to mediapersons the president of BJP's Orissa unit Suresh Pujari said "The modal code of conduct was in force in the entire state of Orissa and there was a directive by the Election Commission to all the state governments to not take any policy decision without the prior permission of the Commission. The Government of Orissa took a decision on April 19 that is fours days ahead of second phase of polling."

However, the Orissa government has called all the BJP's allegations as baseless. According to the Steel and Mines Minister Pradeep Amath the recommendation was made as early as January 9 and the Chief Minister's letter was just to comply with a High Court order.

Pradeep Amath further quoted, "Case by BJP regarding violation of modal code of conduct by honourable Chief Minister is completely baseless and there is no proof of it."

Sources said, "The order is for iron ore worth Rs 40,000 crore and the party has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against BJD."

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Monday said that the Left will join a Government in which it can play a "meaningful role".

Buddhadeb told mediapersons,"If an alternate government is formed according to an unified agenda, there is a change in the country's internal, economic and foreign policies, and we can play a meaningful role to achieve that, we will join that Government."

He also asserted that the main motive of his party was to form another Government, without the help of two major national parties (Congress and BJP).

"At this moment, we are trying to form a Government without Congress, without BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). This is our basic objective at this moment," he said.

Bhattacharjee, keeping all his options open, said: "Let the elections be over. Let the results be announced. Then we will take a final decision. At this moment of time I just cannot say who is going to support whom."

He also said the Left was not "running after a particular party or leader".

"We are trying to formulate a policy, a formula for an alternate Government at the centre. This is our basic objective."

Soon after Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's statement, Congress spokesperson Ashwini Kumar repeated that secular parties should join a Congress-led government to "support a stable secular Government formation post-May 16".

RJD chief Lalu Yadav on Monday attacked Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for giving Nitish Kumar a "secular certificate" and said the Bihar Chief Minister's "secular facade" stood exposed after he shared dais with his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi.

"I always said Nitish has 'teeth in his stomach' (a complicated person). Now people like Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who had given him the secular certificate, and others who favourably spoke of him will realise how secular he is," Lalu told mediapersons.

Lalu also said,"Nitish had refused to attend an earlier NDA rally in New Delhi, saying he was not prepared to share stage with Modi, but once the elections in Bihar were over, he (Nitish) returned to his original self."

Lalu had sidelined the media after he alleged that he was given the bad media coverage during the Lok Sabha elections in the state on May 7.

On Sunday, Nitish and Modi clasped hands at the Ludhiana rally which was a show of NDA unity. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi even praised the Bihar Chief Minister for transforming agriculture in the state.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from Rampur Jayaprada on Monday accused SP leader Azam Khan of circulating her nude pictures to sully her image.

Jayaprada also said that she would complain to the Election Commission about it.

Jayaprada told a private TV channel, "They came out with a naked poster of mine and I have now heard that they have come out with CDs. I am going to the CEC against the posters as well as the CD issue."

The actress-turned politician also said, "He (Azam Khan) is like my elder brother. But he is sullying my image by involving in cheap campaigning against me. His action is an insult to women."

Jayaprada, who is looking for re-election from Rampur constituency in Uttar Pradesh alleged they (Khan and supporters) have released my CDs and posters just to scandalise my image."

"I am yet to see the content of the CDs but the posters released by them are very bad in taste, damaging my reputation. I am approaching the Election Commission to check this sort of campaigning," she said.

"This is not good. They want to demoralise woman's pride by engaging in cheap campaigning," she said adding that she has already approached the police on the issue.

When questioned if Khan was indirectly pointing at Kalyan Singh by doing so, she said, "if that was the case then why he (Khan) is supporting Congress which was equally responsible for Babri Masjid demolition".

"It is ethically and morally wrong on the part of the senior leader Khan for supporting the candidature of her opponent Noor Bano," she added.

Campaigning ends on Monday evening for the fifth and the final phase of Lok Sabha polls. The candidates are trying to woo voters and attract them in this last phase of polls.

The voters will be casting their votes in 86 constituencies spread over nine states and union territories.

Some of the prominent candidates whose fate will be decided by the voters in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections are P Chidambaram( Tamil Nadu), Mohammad Azharuddin (Moradabad), Dayanidhi Maran (Chennai Central), T R Baalu (Sriperumbudur), Mamata Banerjee (Nandigram), Bhartiya Janata Party's (BJP) Varun Gandhi (Pilibhit) and Maneka Gandhi (Aonla) and Samajwadi Party's Jayaprada (Rampur).

The final phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on May 13 for 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in West Bengal, 9 in Punjab, 5 in Uttarakhand, 4 in Himachal Pradesh, 2 in Jammu and Kashmir, 1 each in Chandigarh and Puducherry.

As the campaigning for the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections will be ending soon, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be catching up with NDA's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani in Amritsar on Monday. The two prominent leaders will be addressing Majha voters in this constituency.

According to the Congress sources, the Prime Minister will address a public rally around 11 am in Amritsar, just when L K Advani would be doing the same a small distance away in Majitha.

Manmohan Singh during his brief stay here at 10.15, will also address a rally at Ranjit Avenue before leaving at noon. Singh will then address another poll meeting at Khadoor Sahib parliament constituency where he will be campaigning for the party candidate Rana Gurjit Singh. Congress legislative party President Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is also likely to attend these rallies along with party's campaign incharge Amarinder Singh.

Advani would be accompanied by senior SAD leaders including chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal, as also BJP state president Rajinder Singh Bhandari. Advani is also slated to visit the Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple besides paying his homage to freedom fighters at Jallianwala Bagh.

Pilibhit candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party Varun Gandhi on Sunday said the suggestion of the court panel to revoke the National Security Act (NSA) against him was a slap on the face of the Mayawati's Government in Uttar Pradesh.

While addressing an election rally in Pilibhit Varun Gandhi said "The recommendation to revoke the NSA against me has come as a defeat for the state government. It is a slap on the face of Mayawati government."

He further added, "My fight is against all those who are against the poor and weaker sections of the society."

Mentioning that he will not stop his fight under any circumstances Varun said "Self-respect of poor is of prime importance for me and it's the biggest electoral issue in my view. To ensure the poor get their self-respect, I will continue with my efforts."

The advisory board of the Allahabad High Court has strongly recommended withdrawal of the stringent National Security Act (NSA) invoked against Varun Gandhi for his alleged hate speeches directed towards the Muslims.

The advisory board headed by the Justice Pradeep Kant, declared the decision on Friday.

The NSA was imposed by the Mayawati Government on Varun Gandhi on March 29 for his alleged hate speeches in Pilibhit and encouraging his supporters to create disturbances on March 28 when he went to surrender before the Pilibhit court.

Gandhi said on Friday that the court panel's decision had "vindicated" him and "exposed" the UP and Central Governments.

Gandhi in a statement on Friday said, "I have all along expressed full faith in the judiciary and that has been completely vindicated today. I am grateful that this conspiracy by the State and centre for petty political gain has been exposed."

He also said, "For the 20 days that I have spent in illegal detention will have to be answered 20 times over by the authorities to the people of India. It is a historic moment, not just for me but for Indian Democracy."

However, the UP Government remained firm and will move to the Supreme Court to retain NSA against Gandhi.

Congress removes M Veerappa Moily as chairman of the Congress media department for making refuting remarks to Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar on Friday.

All India Congress Committe (AICC) General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi is the replacement of Moily.

Moily's removal is believed to be due to the displeasure of the party high command over his statement against Nitish Kumar, who was wooed by the party leader Rahul Gandhi.

Moily's made a statement that Congress is not going to "make a hero" of Nitish Kumar.

He even said, "I do not thing Congress is going to make a hero of Nitish Kumar, the manner in which he has aligned with BJP and is carrying on...that kind of pollution of his secular credentials with the communal."

When asked about the Congress' decision to relieve him of his charge, Moily said that he had given the charge to Dwivedi as he would be away in Karnataka till May 17. He is also contesting elections from Chikkballapur, Karnataka.

Yesterday, Moily first attacked Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and LJP Chief Ramvilas Paswan in the wake of reports that they were not attending the meeting of the Union Cabinet but later said that they were part of the UPA and would be back in a UPA government.

The sources said Moily had earlier created such an awkward situation for the party too.

Moily, had handed over the charge to Dwivedi last month when he went to Karnataka and had resumed the responsibilities only last week.

The rivalry between the Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretaries Amar Singh and Azam intensified with the two leaders' supporters who clashed in rampur on Friday.

It is reported that Azam Khan's men first initiated the clash by attacking SP's Rampur candidate Jayaprada's convoy. They did not stopped after this, as they pelted stones on the car of SP's Mumbai unit President Abu Azmi, who was campaigning for Jayaprada.

The main cause of rivaly between the two SP General Secretaries is believed to be over Jayaprada's nomination. Amar Singh is supporting Jayaprada and is working hard to ensure her victory in the election. Whereas, Azam Khan is opposing Jayaprada's candidature and has promised to pull the rug from under her feet.

Azam Khan said, "She was a good actress and a dancer but that does not necessarily make her a good MP."

The conflict between Amar and Azam has been going on for two months but it further intensified last Thursday when Khan was publicly crticised by Amar Singh at a rally in Dhakia.

On Friday, Singh said, "Azam Khan is a favourite of Mulayam Singhji. In spite of Khan's intolerable utterances against me, I was silent. There is a limit to how much one can bear."

Amar Singh also said, "Khan has been trying to create problems for us. Enough is enough. The leadership should immediately take action against him."

However, declining the charges against him, Khan said, "Criminals and mafia from Mumbai and Purvanchal have gathered in Rampur. They are least bothered about the rich culture and tradition of the city. They walk into Muslim houses without caring about the women within. The brewing anger of the people, who want to keep their pride and respect intact, culminated in Friday's attack."

The Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was surprised at the violent clashes between the party workers. He has warned Azam Khan of a disciplinary action after the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 13.

On Thursday contemplation over the support of Left to Congress-led collaboration at the centre continued with CPM Genral Secretary Prakash Karat reiterating that they were "working towards a non-Congress secular Government" even as his party colleague Sitaram Yechury's statement was considered different.

Yechury's statement that the Left is in the battle for non-BJP govt, non-Congress and the clear picture will be there after the after the results of the polling, on May 16 created confusion about CPM's intention.

"Apart from the need for an alternative policy trajectory in economic policies, for ensuring effective social justice and for resolutely combating both communalism and terrorism, the forging of a non-Congress secular combination to form the Government at the Centre acquires utmost urgency," he said.

"The key thing in this election will be Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the two states from where Congress made maximum gains in 2004. We are working towards it," Karat told mediapersons while explaining Left's strategy.

Yechury's editorial is in the context to Congress' overture to Left and says, "This is nothing but an admission of the fact that the Congress has seen the writing on the wall that it cannot form the next Government along with its existing allies. The indispensability of the Left in the current Indian political situation has been articulated from other quarters as well. These include the current allies of both BJP, like JD(U), and Congress, like NCP and others. What is in store for the future, therefore, is a realignment of political forces leading to the emergence of a new secular combination post-elections." Yechury even mentioned incidences of post-poll formation of United Front Government in 1996, NDA in 1998 and UPA post 2004 elections.

It's strange for Yechury that Congress while considering Left is also focusing the Indo-US nuclear deal that resulted in withdrawal of support to UPA. Yechury says, "Left's reasoning for withdrawing its outside support to the UPA Government when the latter unilaterally insisted on going ahead with this deal is now vindicated by the latest pronouncements made by the US administration itself."

"Now it is clear that while cementing the India-US nuclear deal, the UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh, has virtually surrendered to US imperialist pressures and committed India to ratify the NPT. This is tantamount to a complete negation of India's traditional proclamations of seeking universal nuclear disarmament and not allowing a discriminatory monopoly of nuclear weapons by the P-5," he says.

Delhiites were found more enthusiastic and concerned than Mumbai people to cast their votes and elect the leaders of their choice. Scorching heat and hot windy air couldn't stop the real spirits of the electorate in the capital, to come out and exercise their franchise on Thursday.

Mumbai witnessed a meagre 41.24% polling in the third phase of elections on April 30, which was found lowest since 1977. It is anticipated that the responses of the Mumbai people would have got affected due to the 26/11 terrorist attack.

However, Delhiites were more supportive than the Mumbai people, as they participated with full valor and spirit. The 50.03 percent polling marks an increase of nearly three per cent over the voters turn out in the last general elections in 2004.

The crowd at the polling stations to cast their votes was quite good,the polling started on a high note and continued till 5 in the evening. Though the polling procedure saw a slight dip during the day but somehow it went smoothly in the capital.

The fourth phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections ended on Thursday. Voter turnout was better for this phase four of Lok Sabha elections, as 57 per cent electorates casted their votes for 85 Lok Sabha seats spread across eight states. Polling concluded peaceful voting, barring stray violence in West Bengal and Rajasthan.

One person died in Rajasthan when security forces opened fire to capture a booth. In West Bengal four voters died in poll violence.

Despite the violence, West Bengal witnessed the highest voter turnout (75 per cent). Punjab and Haryana had impressive voter turnouts of 65 per cent and 63 per cent respectively. UP and Rajasthan had around 50 per cent turnout.

Capital Delhi witnessed a 50 per cent turnout on a typical summer day. In terms of voting, the city scored over Mumbai, which had seen a mere 41 per cent voting a week back, considered to be the lowest since 1977.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, her children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, were among those who casted their votes in the capital.

The voting is now over for 457 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats. The voting for the remaining 86 seats will be held on May 13, which will be the last round of the Lok Sabha elections.

BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani on Friday expressed surprise at Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's remark that he would support anybody who dismisses Mayawati Government in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP leader further said that the Constitution does not allow centre to take such a step.

Advani told mediapersons, "What can I say? I am surprised that such a public statement has come (from Yadav). Constitution does not give right to any Central government to dismiss a democratically elected state government. It has a certain dignity.”

Advani commented "Mulayam's comments about Mayawati are against democracy."

Advani also expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was way ahead of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance(UPA) as per the latest trends available till date.

"I can say that as of now, the BJP will emerge as the single largest party and would be much ahead of Congress," he said.

Advani also said, "Our alliance too will be ahead of UPA. Thanks to the hard work of our party workers, Chief Ministers and leaders, the situation today is very much in our favour, which even I did not anticipate."

The BJP leader further added that the NDA lost the 2004 Lok Sabha elections mainly due to overconfidence however this time the party has ensured that there is no such feeling.

When requested to give comment on the efforts made by the Congress to woo Janata Dal (JD-U) chief Nitish Kumar, Advani said "Nitishji himself has clarified on this. All speculation on this issue are baseless and endless. There is no need to speculate on all this."

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has given an ultimatum to Mulayam Singh Yadav over the Azam Khan issue in which the SP leader has threatened to quit the party after the Lok Sabha elections. He has accused the Muslim leader Azam Khan of making "intolerable utterances" against him.

Singh said that he will decide after the final round of the polling over continuing in the party in reference to Yadav's statement that 'party mein rehna hai to Azam Khan ko khush rakhna hai' (If you want to remain in the party, you will have to keep Azam Khan happy).

Yesterday, while addressing a public meeting in Rampur, Amar Singh said, "Azam Khan is a favourite of Mulayam Singhji and in spite of his (Khan) intolerable utterances against me, I was being asked to keep silent."

Singh said that he is also expecting a shoe as a "gift" from Azam Khan, his conflicting party colleague, claiming he (Khan) must have readied one by now.

"I am impatiently waiting for the moment when Mr Khan will implement his plan out of proportion to insult me," said Singh.

He further added, "If a shoe comes from Khan, I would first decorate this precious gift and then place it in a museum."

The increasing rivalry between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress is likely to burst out in the open with the Union Minister and party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav deciding to abstain from the Cabinet meeting on Friday, according to the media reports.

The cabinet meeting is considered to be important, as it is being seen as an effort by the Congress to negotiate with the allies, necessitated after many of them coming out in the open with their resentment to the overt courting of their political opponents by many Congress leaders.

Lalu Yadav is angry with the Congress because of the Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's overture to JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar during a recent press conference.

However, the RJD chief will be sending Union Minister and senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh to attend the Cabinet meet at the Prime Minister's residence on Friday at 8pm.

Criticising the BJP for calling Dr Manmohan Singh a weak PM Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that he "has never seen any weak Sikh in his life".

Gandhi while addressing an election rally at Barnala said, "They call our Prime Minister weak, the lion of Punjab, who has earned a name to the country in the world. I have not seen a weak Sikh in my life."

While continuing the attack on the saffron outfit he also accused the BJP of playing divisive politics.

Actor-turned-politician Sanjay Dutt has been charged again for making "insulting" remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

"Sanjay Dutt and Amar Singh have been booked under section 171 G (false statement in connection with an election in relation to the personal character or conduct of any candidate) for making insulting comments against the chief minister," Deputy Superintendent of police Shirish Chandra told mediapersons.

Dutt and Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretary Amar Singh have been accused of making offensive remarks against BSP(Bahujan Samaj Party) chief Mayawati at an election meeting in Bijnor.

A BSP leader alleged Amar Singh for saying that "Maya aur Atalji ka teen baar siyasi nikaah ho chuka hai lekin abhi talaq talaq talaq nahin hua hai (Maya and Atalji have been married politically three times but still haven't divorced)," in the May 3 rally in Bijnor.

Complaints had already been filed against Sanjay Dutt for offering 'jadoo ki jhappi' (magical hug) and 'pappi' (kiss) to Mayawati, He has again repeated his offer for the BSP chief Mayawati. Two FIRs for using "objectionable words" had already been registered against Sanjay Dutt.

On Tuesday evening the latest case against Sanjay Dutt and Amar Singh was registered, following the directives of the district authorities.

On Tuesday Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati expressed clearly that she wanted to be the Prime Minister and also said that a Dalit must get the top post.

"If the Congress and BJP can make any person Prime Minister, why can't a Dalit's educated daughter be Prime Minister," said the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) at an election rally in Agra just few minutes before the campaigning for the fourth phase of the elections ended on Tuesday.

Maya said, "Today, everybody wants to become the Prime Minister of the country." She further added, "Strengthen our hands and vote for BSP candidates if you want a pro-poor Government at the centre." She even spoke about the party's policies on poverty, price rise, education reservations and unemployment.

The BSP Supremo Mayawati accused Congress-led Central Government for not giving her money for Uttar Pradesh’s development despite that her Government had sent plans for Rs 80,000 crore worth of projects. She also alleged, "Power had gone in the hands of wrong people at the centre."

Mayawati said that BSP Government at the centre was important for the welfare of 'Sarvjan Samaj' (all sections of society). She promised that new states would be created comprising Bundelkhand and eastern and western Uttar Pradesh if the BSP comes to the power at the centre.

With hardly few days left before the results of the Lok Sabha elections are announced, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for a meeting of Planning Commission to review the performance of the UPA Government in its five year regime.

According to the top Government sources the plan panel is likely to meet Manmohan on Wednesday. They are expected to seek his permission on a dossier of achievements of the UPA rule compiled by the commission.

The main motive of this meeting planned by Manmohan Singh aims at equipping the Government top officials to meet the post poll scenario. If the UPA-led Government comes to power in the Centre, then according to many the dossier will help the Government to carry forward the unfinished agenda. But, if in case, UPA fails to get the majority then the dossier will be used to counter possible allegations of failure that could be levelled by the new Government.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said. "The PM has asked us to meet him on Wednesday. There is no agenda fixed for this meeting as it will be an informal one.”

However, Ahluwalia steered clear of calling it a "farewell" meet. "We will not talk on any specific issue and will not give any presentation to the PM," he said.

A meeting of this kind just before the change of guard at the centre clearly reflects on the fact that there is growing consensus within the plan panel and the members' willingness to follow decisions of the Deputy chairman.

An internal meeting of the plan panel was undertaken by Ahulwalia throughout the day on Tuesday that was attended by the all the members. In the meeting the achievements of certain sectors like infrastructure and water resources were reviewed.

The panel members have also been asked by the Deputy Chairman to prepare a action plan for the new Government. A member of the panel said the action plan would be in the form of snap notes on each sector on issues that will need attention of the next Government.

In the action plan each plan panel member will focus on the important issues for the sectors they handle. Another member of the panel said that the next Government in the centre will have to formulate some measures to ward off the impact of economic downturn on the vulnerable and deprived who are likely to be the worst hit.

On Tuesday Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that although his party had ideological differences with the Left parties but he was still confident of their support to Manmohan Singh in the post poll scenario.

While addressing a press conference Rahul said,"We will do better than last time. And I am confident that the Left will support Manmohan Singh".

He further added that his party too would support the Left if such a scenario were to unfold."If the Left gets 180-190 seats, we will support them. If they achieve that, then I will be the first one to say that we will support them," said Gandhi.

"I will speak personally. I do say that the Left has old ideas. Left's views towards something like the nuclear deal is 20-30 years old. On a lot of counts they have to accept that the world has changed and slowly they will be forced to accept that. We feel that there are ideological differences between Congress and the Left," said Rahul.

"On a lot of concepts we agree with the Left. They say education and health is important and the poor needs to be looked after and we agree with that," said Gandhi.

The Janata Dal (JD-U) leader Nitish Kumar on Tuesday denied the claim of Congress that he may join the Congress-led UPA. Nitish clearly asserted that he would never leave the NDA.

He said there was no truth in the statement made by the Congress leader Shiela Dikshit that the JD-U leader can move over to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) after the Lok Sabha polls.

"I am thankful to him and nothing more. We are in NDA (National Democratic Alliance), we are part of NDA, and we are working hard for the victory of NDA. So, if somebody praises, nothing should be read into it." Bihar Chief Minister replied to the praise he received from Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Earlier, Nitish Kumar had received a word of praise from Rahul Gandhi for the developmental work done in Bihar.

"I am not saying that only Congress has leaders (who have done good work), there are leaders in the Opposition.... Nitish Kumar, for example," Gandhi said while addressing a press conference.

On Tuesday Prime Ministerial candidate of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) LK Advani targeted Congress saying that the party has no culture of sharing power.

Advani said it was the BJP that shared power with other parties at the centre, while addressing a rally in favor of the BJP candidate I.D. Swami in Haryana district.

He further added, "The Congress has no culture of sharing power at the centre. The Congress has ruled alone for nearly 50 years. It is the BJP which has worked successfully with coalition partners."

"The 20th century may have belonged to America or Britain. We will ensure that the 21st century belongs to India," said Advani.

L K Advani said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government was unsuccessful to tackle issues like terrorism, poverty and economy.

Advani also said, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will introduce a pension scheme for farmers and would ensure that all loans of farmers are waived, if it is voted to power.

The Congress Party has indicated a coalition with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dumping his rival RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad said that the party can look at an alliance with Nitish Kumar's party JD(U).

Shakeel Ahmad while talking to mediapersons said, "UPA can consider an alliance with JD(U). We might drop Lalu Prasad Yadav in the next Lok Sabha."

On the other hand, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has rejected the chance of joining the Congress. He further added that he didn't had any type of contact with the Congress and his party was a longtime ally of NDA.

Nitish also refused any type of coalition with the Left also but was quick to assert that his party shared identical opinions with them on various issues.

Campaigning will end on Tuesday for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on May 7.

1,315 candidates including 119 women are in the battle for the fourth phase of elections that will witness polling to 85 Lok Sabha seats. An estimated number of 9.46 crore voters are expected to cast their votes on May 7 and nearly 1.29 lakh polling stations have been set up for the elections.

These polling stations will be safeguarded by 6.5 lakh polling personel and 1,34,267 control units. 1,71,902 ballot units of EVMs will be pressed into service.

The Election Commission has recognised about 12,048 villages and hamlets as susceptible to intimation of voters in the fourth phase.

The EC has also particularly identified about 60,405 individuals who can create disturbance in the fourth round of Lok Sabha elections.

The polling would be held from 7am-5pm except for four assembly segments that include Masauri and Paliganj in Patliputra LS constituency in Bihar and Islampur and Hilsa in Nalanda parliamentary constituency, where polling will be held from 7am-3pm.

Bihar's Chief Minister and BJP ally Nitish Kumar is keeping all his options open.

While speaking to mediapersons in Patna he categorically ruled out any coalition with the Congress, but when asked about going with the Left post-polls, he said it is difficult to anticipate post-poll scenario, but Left parties are his friends.

Nitish's comment holds importance in the wake of Left leader Sitaram Yechury's statement in Kolkata where he commented that the political parties take their position on the basis of their ideology and not on the basis of any phone call or friendship.

But this is not the first time Nitish Kumar has indicated that he may not be with the NDA for long. Earlier also while speaking to the reporters in April, he indicated that it is unpredictable to say anything about the future. He is with the NDA today but its impossible to anticipate the post-poll scenario.

On Monday AICC spokesperson and junior Union home minister Shakeel Ahmad said that Congress will have no agreement with JD(U) until it snaps its ties with BJP.

This was contrary to the statement made by the Congress leader and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday. She said that JD(U) might join Congress after the Lok Sabha elections.

Shakeel said that Congress would have no hostility with JD(U) if Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar continued to be with BJP. He said that Nitish kept silent when BJP announced that Gujrat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would be the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "People of Bihar are very wise and they can well understand the political arithmetic of JD(U)," he said.

Ahmad also said that Congress would alone contest assembly elections in Bihar. No understanding with RJD will be there at any cost, he said.

Shakeel further said that CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat had recently said that the Left would not carry Congress's palanquin this time. Left leaders are also making objectionable statements and under these conditions Congress cannot think of continuing relations with them.

Ahmad refused the obligations that the UPA Government at the Centre was biased against the BJP-ruled states.

The Supreme Court on Monday will hear the contempt petition against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi that was filed for Modi's statements that suggested link between the congress and the apex court.

Making an attack on the Congress after the SC's order to probe against him in post Godhra riot cases, Narendra Modi said that, the Supreme Court's order came 15 days after he was threatened by the Science and Technology Union Minister, Kapil Sibal to put him behind the bars that clearly poined out that the order was influenced by the Central Government.

However, the main point to be noted here is that, Modi and his party BJP, did not react on the day when SC ordered that a special investigation team should also inquire the role of Modi and others in post Godhra riots.

The issue was taken by advocate Prakash Bhushan who has been helping the Court,as amicus curiae in the matter of Jakia Nasim, wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri.

The contempt petition will be heard by a division bench of the Supreme Court that is headed by the chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday questioned the BJP's claim of having taken a strong action against terrorism. He said that record of the BJP party on the issue of terrorism is absolutely different from the claim made by it.

Dr. Manmohan Singh while addressing an election meeting at Pheowa (about 30 kms from Kurukshetra) said, "Our opponents claim is that only they can take a decisive and strong stand against terrorism, but by looking at the record of the BJP a completely different picture emerges.

Manmohan Singh referred to the Kandahar hijack case and said that three dreaded terrorists were set free and sent to Afghanistan during the rule of BJP.

He also said that during the BJP's regime, terrorists attacked Parliament, Red Fort, Raghunath temple, Akshardham and Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Terrorists entered Kargil, but then also the BJP Government remained unfamiliar of the problems.

"This is the record of the BJP...you decide how strong and decisive are these leaders (of BJP)," he said.

Singh said that the Congress-led UPA Government took courageous decisions to face and tackle the terrorists attack in Mumbai. "We will keep facing terrorism bravely and with full commitment," he said.

"All necessary steps needed to be taken to tackle terrorism will be adopted...but we will keep in mind that a particular religion or section of society does not face problems unnecessary," Singh said.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the fact that coordination between states is very much essential to handle the problem of terrorism.

He said, "The lack of peace and stability in neighbouring Pakistan, Nepal and Sri lanka could also have affect on our country.

"In my opinion only a national party like Congress can deal with such problems," he said, adding, "His party has experience and capability to deal with such problems."

Although CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat had ruled out support to a Congress-led Government at the Centre, politburo senior member Sitaram Yechury on Monday said that the party's next step would be decided only after the Lok Sabha elections.

Yechury while addressing mediapersons said, "We will decide what will happen post-election, but right now our objective till the elections are over is the third alternative. However, we do not think the need to support a Congress-led Government will arise.

When asked about the Karat's comment, in Kolkata recently, that the Left would not provide support to a Congress-led coalition again, Yechury replied, "I do not know in what context he had said this. We will meet and decide what will happen post-election."

Yechury also said that the Congress leaders were saying after the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections that they would acquire support of the Left if the opportunity to form a Government appeared.

"But this is an admission of their realisation that they are not coming back to power. Our objective is to form a Third Front Government and we are confident about that Yechury added further.

Also when asked if the Left was proposed to support a Congress-led coalition minus Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister, he replied they were not concerned about individuals, but issues.

Firing yet another comment at Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, senior BJP leader LK Advani, on sunday said, all the previous Prime Ministers were capable of taking decisions on their own, but the present incumbent was dependent on others for the same.

While addresing an election rally in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district, Advani descibed Manmohan Singh as the 'weakest' Prime Minister in the Indian history.

Advani said, "All the Prime Ministers from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Atal Bihari Vajapyee were capable of taking decisions on their own, but Singh is the only one who is dependent on others for the same.

Advani said if his party (BJP) comes to the power then they would convert the slogan into reality, "Har Hath Ko Kam aur Har Khet Ko Pani" (work for every hand and water for every farm).

To further develop an emotional chord with the locals, Advani said that, he was attached to this place which he had visited in 1952 during the first General Elections.

Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday, told mediapersons that, Dr. Manmohan Singh is the Congress Party's best Prime Ministerial candidate. He clearly asserted that if Congress party comes to power and has to lead the next Government then Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister is not negotiable.

Rahul also said that "From my side, I know - and I do know my mother's views on this - that Dr Manmohan Singh is the best prime ministerial candidate. He is our candidate and we are going to stick by him like we did in the case of the Indo-US nuclear deal even if the Left insists on another face for Prime Minister in return for their support.

CPM Politburo member, Sitaram Yechury said, "If the Congress can get a majority, then they can have such a stand.

A contempt of court plea was filed against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The plea was filed for his reported remarks on the Supreme Court's order to probe into his role during 2002 communal carnage in Gujarat.

The petition was filed by the senior advocate Prashant Bhushan who is supporting the Supreme Court in cases related to Gujarat communal violence 2002.

On Monday, a probe was ordered by the Supreme Court into the role of Modi along with his cabinet colleagues and senior officials during the communal violence. However, Modi termed this ruling as a Congress conspiracy while addressing an election rally in Gujarat.

Kalyan Singh, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, blamed, the Bharatiya Janata Party for keeping him in the dark about the Babri Masjid demolition in the year 1992 and planning a conspiracy against him.

The rebel BJP leader Kalyan Singh, who is contesting as an independent from Etah district said, "It was a conspiracy against me by the BJP leaders. It was a conspiracy to oust me. I was kept in the dark (about the demolition).

Kalyan Singh also said that the BJP leaders had assured him that nothing will happen. In an effort to gain Muslim votes,"Senior BJP leaders said no demolition will take place. I believed them,he said.

Fuming up the caste factor, he said, "I was not acceptable to the BJP. I was targeted because I come from the backward classes."

The 16th century Babri Masjid was demolished by Hindu activists on December 6, 1992, when Kalyan Singh was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The demolition of Babri Masjid led to wide spread communal violence all across the northern India.

On Saturday, RJD chief, Lalu Prasad, said, no single party would be able to form a Government after the Lok Sabha elections. He once again made a comment on the Left, and said, the door for them was always open.

"The era of coalition Governments is here to stay for long and we want the Left and secular forces to come together. The door for the Left is always open," Lalu Prasad told a press conference.

When asked to comment on CPM leader Sitaram Yechury's statement that the Left was not afraid to align with the JD(U) after the polls, Lalu retaliated, "do you (the media) think that the Left will join forces with the communal parties. Nitish Kumar (Bihar chief minister) is sitting in the lap of communal BJP. The Left will never allow the communal forces to come to power,"

On All India Congress Committee (AICC), General Secretary, Gulam Nabi Azad's statement that it was a "big mistake" of the Congress to have joined hands with regional parties in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, He further added, "RJD is a national party and all should know that. The Congress virtually has no existence in the two states."

Azad said, "The Congress should have tried to stand on its own legs in UP and Bihar much earlier. We apologise to the people for the big mistake. The party will not be left at the mercy of regional parties.

In Maharashtra, everyone was surprised when the voters, political leaders and the celebrities, faced the cameras after casting their vote. The indelible ink was marked on their middle finger of the left hand after they casted their votes. Everybody outside the state had an opinion that the officials had committed a big mistake.

However, according to the sources, the Election Commission said that the officials in Maharashtra were asked to mark the middle finger of the voters instead of forefinger because of the recently held local elections in the state. Therefore, in order to avoid any confusion, the Election Commission gave permission to the state CEO to put the indelible ink on the middle finger of the voters.

A day after the third phase of Elections, the political agrument continued with Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, rebuking the Left in its fortification of West Bengal while Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, taking on the Bhartya Janta Party in Rajasthan.

While addressing a rally in Howrah, West Bengal, Manmohan Singh said, "West Bengal lags behind because of the Left's policies." Sounding similar to the words of Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul, who had been criticising the Left Front.

West Bengal went to polls in the third phase of elections and will also have balloting in the last two phases. Rajasthan will be polling in a single round during the fourth phase of elections on May 7.

Sonia Gandhi expressed a frontal charge on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Sriganganagar,Rajasthan. Sonia at a poll rally, volleyed the previous NDA Government period as "an era of darkness".

The Prime Minister, while denoting to the communists' opposition to many of the UPA Government's policies, said that,the Left had not maintained "pace with the time". "Their stand on a lot of issues has not kept pace with time... I advice them to change their thoughts to remain on par with the needs of the time," said the Prime Minister.

Manmohan Singh made a remark, in an election meeting at Dumurjala, that, the Left has named the Congress 24 times for criticism, quipping: "They forget that they supported the Congress for four years."

He further added,"I have personally taken interest in Bengal's development programmes. I came to Bengal seven times during my tenure. I regularly reviewed development work in the state...whenever the state government and the chief minister sought help, we obliged them happily."

The Prime Minister also made a plea to people to give the Congress-Trinamool combine a chance. "We will work better than the Left," he assured.

The Left has also been arraigned for helping the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections by dividing secular votes. "In a way they are helping the BJP in these elections by dividing the secular votes," he said.

He also attacked the Third Front led by the Left parties and said the conglomeration has no chance of coming to power. "The Third Front parties do not have any programme. Their single point programme is to thoughtlessly oppose every work done by the Congress."

Sonia Gandhi too snubbed the Third Front for aligning neither to the NDA nor to the Congress-led UPA and said, "their sole aim is to grab power".

Accusing NDA for spreading communal hatred, she said, "NDA's rule was devoted to spreading hatred in the name of religion and caste and poisoning the society". She added that the "country's borders were unsafe during the period".

Polling for the third round of the Lok Sabha elections, held in 107 constituencies spread across nine states and two union territories concluded peacefully on Thursday, barring stray violence in Bihar and West Bengal.

Compiling the preliminary statistics from nine states and two union territories, Balakrishan, Deputy Election Commissioner, said that the voting percentage in Uttar Pradesh was 45 %, Bihar (48 %), Madhya Pradesh (44 to 45 %), Karnataka (57%), Maharashtra (43 to 45 %), Gujarat (49 to 50 %), Jammu and Kashmir (30 %), West Bengal (64%) Sikkim (65 %).

Polls were held in nine States Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh , Bihar, Gujarat, Sikkim, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka. The two Union Territories being Daman and Diu and Dadar and Nagar Haveli.

During the third phase of elections, the prominent leaders in fray included Congress President Sonia Gandhi (contesting from Rae Bareli), the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L.K. Advani (Gandhinagar), the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda (Hassan), BJP leader Jaswant Singh (Darjeeling) and Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav (Madhepura)

On Friday Supreme Court extended the parole of BJP leader Varun Gandhi till May 14.

According to the sources, the order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan before which the Uttar Pradesh Government accused Varun of violating the undertaking furnished by him for securing the interim bail.

UP police on March 17 had registered a FIR against Varun Gandhi under section 153A for allegedly making inflammatory remarks with communal overtones during a rally held on March 6 in Pilibhit.

Harish Salve, senior advocate,appearing for state government averred Varun for not furnishing his whereabouts to Pilibhit district magistrate on two occasions that is on April 16 to 20 and April 23 to 25. He is also been professed for not informing the authorities in Pilibhit, as he was in Uttar Pradesh

However, Mukul Rohtagi,senior advocate, Varun's lawyer denied the allegations and said he would respond to them. Rohtagi mentioned that Varun had made a representation before the Central Government against invocation of the National Security Act that was rejected.

He also suspected that both the Central and State Governments have one agenda to keep Varun in jail.

Varun Gandhi was released on April 16 by the Supreme Court on interim bail for a period of two weeks after extracting the promise of impeccable behaviour and not to violate any communal sentiments.

Parole of Varun Gandhi, the BJP candidate from Pilibhit, ends on Friday but he will appeal for an extension of his parole in the Supreme Court.

Varun was jailed under the National Security Act, imposed against him by the Uttar Pradesh Government for making hate speeches during his election campaign.

Varun then appealed to the Supreme Court, which granted him a two-week parole with a warning that he refrains from making inflammatory speeches.

Varun had to provide a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of like amount for his release on parole.

Rashtriya Janta Dal(RJD) chief Lalu Yadav is realising that he is losing his traditional Muslim votebank.

On Thursday, he made an iniquitous remark on Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader and Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi even though several Muslim-dominated pockets of the state like Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia and Kishanganj went to vote.

"Supreme Court has ordered for an investigation into the role of Narendra Modi in Gujarat riots and submit the report in three months. He wants to polarise the voters in Bihar too," said Lalu while making a verbal attack on Modi at an election rally.

Lalu didn't even spared, BJP's Pilibhit candidate,Varun Gandhi, who made provocative attempts against the minorities in Uttar Pradesh.

"Varun Gandhi is a young and inexperienced politician. He has targeted the Muslim community in his speeches and when I replied to him, then Nitish (Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar) became uncomfortable," RJD chief said.

Still, Lalu pretended to be quite confident, by making sure to portray as a winner.