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Election Campaign 2019 LATEST updates: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that Amethi is his ‘karmabhoomi’ and will remain so. He further said that the decision on contesting from more than one Lok Sabha seat will be taken by his party soon. In a veiled attack on TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, Narendra Modi said at a rally in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool, “The schemes made by the TDP government are for scams. When your chowkidar raised question on the corruption, then ‘U-turn babu’ took a U-turn from the progress of Andhra Pradesh and exitted the NDA.” Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will accompany BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday during his nomination filing in Gandhinagar, in a show of strength of the NDA alliance. “Amit Shah called Uddhav Thackeray and extended a special invitation, requesting our party chief to accompany him at the nomination in Gandhinagar,” Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told ANI. The Telugu Desam Party suspended nine rebel members who filed nominations for the Lok Sabha election after they were denied party ticket. The members are KPRK Phaneeswari, K Srinivasa Rao, Kantamaneni Ravi Shankar, M Madhava Reddy, Bommanacheruvu Sriramulu, N Vijaya Jyothi, A Raja Gopal Reddy, Sarva Srinivasarao, N Viswanadha Reddy. The Gujarat High Court refused to stay Hardik Patel’s conviction in the 2015 Mehsana rioting case. Patel had filed a plea seeking suspension of his conviction. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, he won’t be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction. In Telangana’s Mahabubnagar, Narendra Modi took a dig at the Gandhi family and said that one should reward performance and hard work, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will reach Ayodhya shortly, reports have said. Priyanka will also visit the Hanuman Garhi shrine in Ayodhya. Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Republic Bharat, Narendra Modi said that he was confident over BJP’s electoral prospects in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Modi said that the NDA will form the government with over 300 seats. Priyanka will not visit the disputed Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site, TV channels reported. There was no official confirmation from the party, but it is unlikely that the Congress general secretary will rake up the Ayodhya issue during election campaigning. Narendra Modi has urged people to vote wisely and said, “Do you want a government which attacks the enemy in the house or who run away from the battleground? Do you want a government which makes decisions or which only raises slogans? Does Odisha need a weak or strong government? Doesn’t India need a strong government? You gave BJD and Congress the responsibility of handling the state, but do you want to lose the opportunity to punish them? Shouldn’t they be removed from power, you need to make a decision during these elections.” Slamming the Biju Janata Dal government led by Naveen Patnaik, Modi said that the chief minister has hardly taken any steps to curb the Naxal problem in neighbouring areas. “2019 Lok Sabha election is not an election for just one MP or an MLA. These elections are the time to elect a BJP government so that development in both Centre and state can run at double the speed. It is time to elect five more years of development for Odisha and India.” Addressing a massive rally at Odisha’s Koraput, Narendra Modi slammed the Congress for questioning the intention of the Indian Army and the scientists of the country. “Aapko bharosa hai sena pe? (Do you trust the Indian Army),” asked Modi and the crowd responded with a loud, “Yes”. Instead of attacking the Opposition for being skeptical about the Centre, Modi told the gathering to decide the kind of government you want. “Do you want a strong government? Or do you want a government which sits down with its head hanging low?” Prime Minister Narendra Modi began day two of his campaigning in Odisha’s Koraput. “I promised to work for you with full dedication and as your pradhan sevak, I have tried to keep all my promises,” Modi said. The Prime Minister will be visiting three states today — Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — to address rallies after he kicked off his poll campaign with three rallies on Thursday. Stay tuned on our website for updates on his rallies. Modi is expected to address Koratpur, Odisha at around 11 am; in Mahabubnagar, Telangana at 2 pm; and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh at around 4 pm. After days of her joining, the Congress Election Committee has confirmed that actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar will contest from the Mumbai North parliamentary constituency. Matondkar had officially joined the party on Wednesday. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit Ayodhya on Friday in the last leg of her three-day Uttar Pradesh visit, which will culminate with a road show. The party’s eastern in-charge of the state will reach Faizabad around 11.30 am and meet party workers at several places in the temple town. She will then embark on the road show to Ayodhya. Later she will pray at the Hanumangarhi temple before concluding her journey. Priyanka sent ripples across the political spectrum after her swift riposte “Why not Varanasi” (the Lok Sabha seat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi) to the party workers’ request to contest elections from her mother Sonia Gandhi’s parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli. Her remark came at an interactive meeting with party booth workers, block presidents, gram panchayat and nagar panchayat heads at a guest house here, about six km from the district headquarters. After Priyanka told the gathering that her mother was tense as she could not come among them, some workers asked her to contest from Rae Bareli instead. At this, she smilingly said: “Why not Varanasi?” Priyanka also said that she had told her mother not to worry as she would look at the work of her constituency. If the younger Gandhi sibling jumps into the fray against Modi, then it would be the most high-profile contest of the current Lok Sabha polls. But for now, it seems to be only a quick retort made by her. Earlier in the day, the Congress leader said that she has been given the key task of strengthening her party in the Uttar Pradesh - even beyond the Lok Sabha elections - and ensure it comes back to power in the 2022 Assembly polls. NARENDRA MODI IN ANDHRA PRADESH, ODISHA After campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu on Thursday, Modi is headed to Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh today. The prime minister is expected to address a rally in Odisha’s Karatpur at 11 am; Mahabubnagar, Telangana at 2 pm; Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh at around 4.30 pm. Launching Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lok Sabha poll campaign in three states, Modi on Thursday kept the focus on national security, terrorism and how his “decisive” government showed the courage to conduct a surgical strike in all spheres — land, sky and space. Modi addressed rallies in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Rudrapur in Uttarakhand and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir–all part of Lok Sabha constituencies figuring in the first phase of the polls on 11 April. Modi also tore into the opposition parties by coining an acronym ‘SARAB (alcohol’) from the initial letters of the Samajwadi Party(SP), Rashtriya Lok Dal(RLD) and Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) alliance and urged people to “stay away from ‘SARAB’ in the polls for the good health of Uttar Pradesh.” The Hindi word for liquor is ‘sharab’. The remarks by Modi, who also termed the SP-RLD-BSP alliance in UP ‘mahamilavat’ (adulterated), drew a furious reaction from the Congress and the SP. Congress demanded an apology from Modi while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused him of spreading the “intoxication of hatred”, saying the prime minister didn’t know the difference between ‘sharab’ and ‘sarab’ (mirage). “By comparing three political parties with liquor, Modi ji has made fun of the entire democratic system. You should apologise to the 130 crore people who believe in the democratic system, otherwise the country and Uttar Pradesh, will never forgive you,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. Continuing his attack on the Congress, Modi accused it of raising questions on the valour of the armed forces after the post-Uri surgical strikes in 2016 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) and later the air strikes in Balakot inside Pakistan in February. The contest is between “a decisive government and an indecisive past”, Modi said at the BJP’s Vijay Sankalp rally in the western UP town of Meerut, a day after announcing that India had demonstrated the anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite to join an elite club of space superpowers.
Election Campaign 2019 LIVE updates: Rahul says decision on contesting from another seat will be taken by Congress 'soon'
Election Campaign 2019 LIVE Updates: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that Amethi is his ‘karmabhoomi’ and will remain so. He further said that the decision on contesting from more than one Lok Sabha seat will be taken by his party soon.
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52 candidates in fray for 5 seats in Uttarakhand
Fifty-two candidates are in the fray for the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, the state election commission said.
The last date of withdrawal of nominations for Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, Nainital, Haridwar and Almora (reserved) seats ended on Thursday.
Haridwar and Tehri seats will see the maximum number of candidates trying their luck — 15 each. The minimum number of candidates — six — are in the Almora seat, while nine candidates will be battling it out in Pauri Garhwal and seven in Nainital. — PTI
Priyanka Gandhi holds roadshow in Ayodhya
Congress releases list of 5 candidates
The Congress announced its candidates for four seats — Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Gauhati — in Assam and one (Etawah) in Uttar Pradesh.
Never saw such intoxication of power earlier, says Kapil Sibal on Narendra Modi
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “We never saw such intoxication and pride of power earlier. I know Indians don’t want Modi ‘s win. He is under the influence of pride of power. Such a prime minister is not required.”
On Congress’ announcement on minimum income scheme, Sibal said, “We announced to give Rs 72,000 to poor in comparison to this government scheme of Rs 6,000 annually. The prime minister is scared of this announcement. The prime minister believes that in Congress, everything is fake and he thinks his fakes are correct. Demonetisation resulted to big losses to the public, it snatched income of the poor. Rahul Gandhi has said we will cover this loss by the minimum income scheme.”
(Input courtesy: News18, Delhi)
Rahul Gandhi says Congress to soon decide on him contesting from another LS seat
Congress president Rahul Gandhi told PTI that Amethi is his ‘karmabhoomi’ and will remain so. He further said that the decision on contesting from more than one Lok Sabha seat will be taken by his party soon.
On his sister and AICC general-secretary Priyanka Gandhi’s chances of fighting election, he said that it was up to her to decide if she wants to contest election or not.
Our manifesto will reflect people’s voice, not one man’s view: Rahul Gandhi
The Congress’ soon-to-be released manifesto will lay major thrust on jobs creation, addressing agrarian distress and strengthening the education and health sectors besides charting a roadmap to boost economic growth, says party president Rahul Gandhi.
He said the manifesto, being prepared after extensive nationwide consultations with key stakeholders, will reflect the people’s voice and not just one man’s views, an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress chief said the Congress-led UPA is storming back to power as people have rejected Modi’s politics of “false promises”. “We want India’s voice and aspirations to prosper. We don’t believe in one man’s voice. We believe in everyone’s voice and choices. It requires tremendous discipline and hard work to do, but it works,” he said.
PTI
AAP fields its first transgender candidate from Prayagraj
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh Friday said his party has fielded its first transgender candidate from the Prayagraj seat in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Member of ‘Kinnar Akhada’ Mahamandaleshwar Bhawani Nath Valmiki will contest on the Aam Aadmi Party ticket from Prayagraj, Singh said. The senior AAP leader hoped that Valmiki wins and becomes the first transgender to become the Member of Parliament.
“BJP has insulted the transgender community by bringing a derogatory bill (Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Bill, 2016) against them. “The AAP has utmost respect for the community and this move of ours proves it,” he said. Valmiki, 46, is a social activist and has been a jury member of the Delhi international film festival.
PTI
Congress tweets visuals from Rahul Gandhi’s Parivartan Bus Yatra
In Kurukshetra, Rahul says Congress will replace Gabbar Singh Tax with ’true GST’ after coming to power
Addressing a rally in Kurukshetra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, “After our government comes to power, we will introduce ’true GST’ for the small businessmen and shopkeepers of the country and remove Gabbar Singh Tax.”
Speaking on his minimum income promise, he said, “Our NYAY scheme plan is a surgical strike on poverty. We will get 25 million people out of poverty. You should help spread the word about NYAY scheme.”
Narendra Modi’s dig at ‘sticker babu’ Chandrababu Naidu
In Kurnool, Narendra Modi stepped up his attack against Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and said, “He is an artist who puts his sticker on the schemes of the Central government. This is why people have also started calling him ‘sticker babu’.”
Narendra Modi calls TDP chief ‘U-turn Babu’
In a veiled attack on TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, Narendra Modi said at the Kurnool rally, “The schemes made by the TDP government are for scams. When your chowkidar raised question on the corruption, then U-turn babu took a u-turn from the progress of Andhra Pradesh and made the TDP leave the NDA.”
Narendra Modi targets TDP govt in Andhra Pradesh
In Kurnool, Narendra Modi said, “The ones running the government in Andhra Pradesh don’t want the state to progress. There are two words in English: SUN and SON. On 11 April, your vote will ensure a sunrise in Andhra Pradesh and a sunset of corruption. Don’t we want a sunrise for Andhra Pradesh? Shouldn’t the “son” set for that to happen?
Narendra Modi tells Kurnool rally ‘chowkidar’ gave nod to several projects in Andhra Pradesh
“In 2014, you made me the prime minister. In the very first Cabinet, who gave nod to the Polavaram ordinance? Who sanctioned first central university in Anantpur in Andra Pradesh? It was your chowkidaar who did all this,” said Narendra Modi at a rally in Kurnool.
Narendra Modi addresses rally in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool
“Five years ago, your votes made me the “pradhan sevak”. This government has worked for the people day and night for five years. Your chowkidaar in five years, has guarded Andhra Pradesh for the benefit of the people,” said Narendra Modi in Kurnool.
Uddhav Thackeray to accompany Amit Shah for nomination filing in Gandhinagar tomorrow
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will accompany BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday during his nomination filing in Gandhinagar, in a show of strength of the NDA alliance.
“Amit Shah called Uddhav Thackeray and extended a special invitation, requesting our party chief to accompany him at the nomination in Gandhinagar. He (Uddhav) accepted the nomination and he is going to Gandhinagar tomorrow, in a show of strength of the NDA alliance,” Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told ANI.
CPI releases manifesto, announces assured pension of Rs 9,000 per month
The Communist Party of India (CPI) announced that it would give a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month, grant full statehood to Delhi and Puducherry and a one-time comprehensive loan waiver for farmers as part of its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. The party also proposed a law for agricultural workers and a separate budget for agriculture.
The CPI said it would increase the number of guaranteed employment days under the MNREGA scheme to 200 days per family and ensure wage payment within the period of guaranteed statute and at par with legal minimum wages for unskilled farm labour.
PTI
Tamil Nadu govt moves HC seeking order to restrain MK Stalin from speaking on Kodanad Estate heist
The Tamil Nadu government approached the Madras High Court seeking a gag order to restrain DMK chief MK Stalin from speaking about Kodanad Estate heist during the election campaign. The high court has sought response from Stalin in this regard by 3 April, ANI reported.
AAP files complaint with EC against Narendra Modi over MCC violation
The Aam Aadmi Party said on Twitter that it has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, requesting appropriate action as per the law against Narendra Modi for “using Indian Armed Forces for political gain.”
TDP suspends 9 rebel members for filing nominations after not getting party tickets
The Telugu Desam Party suspended nine rebel members who filed nominations for the Lok Sabha election after they were denied party ticket. The members are KPRK Phaneeswari, K Srinivasa Rao, Kantamaneni Ravi Shankar, M Madhava Reddy, Bommanacheruvu Sriramulu, N Vijaya Jyothi, A Raja Gopal Reddy, Sarva Srinivasarao, N Viswanadha Reddy, reported ANI.
Sambit Patra files nomination for Puri Lok Sabha Constituency
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra filed his nomination at district collector and magistrate’s office in Odisha’s Puri.
Urmila Matondkar begins election campaign
Earlier on Friday, Congress’ Maharashtra unit announced that actor-turned politician Urmila Matondkar will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North parliamentary constituency. She will be up against BJP’s sitting MP Gopal Shetty. The announcement came two days after she joined the grand old party.
Hardik Patel won’t be able to contest Lok Sabha polls
The Gujarat High Court refused to stay Hardik Patel’s conviction in the 2015 Mehsana rioting case. Patel had filed a plea seeking suspension of his conviction. As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, he won’t be able to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction.
Modi says chowkidar working so that hard work gets rewarded
Addressing his rally in Telangana’s Mahabubnagar, Narendra Modi hailed his government and said ’this chowkidar’ has tried to give new thinking to the country, so that one gets respect for labor, and hard work is valued more than heritage.
In Telangana, Narendra Modi slams Congress, says Gandhi family can’t think about poor
In Telangana’s Mahabubnagar, Narendra Modi took a dig at the Gandhi family and said the ones who solely keep their family as a priority, cannot spare a thought for the poor, the Dalits, the deprived, the suffering and the exploited. “They were in a rush to hold elections, however, they took an immense time to form a cabinet,” Modi said in Telangana. “Who is going to decide the fate of the state? The people of Telangana or an astrologer,” he said.
‘Tremendous support for BJP in Odisha,’ says Narendra Modi
After his rally in Odisha’s Koraput, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared pictures of the demonstrators to highlight the “support for the BJP” in the region. “People of Odisha are tired of mining mafia, chit fund scams, misgovernance and inability to solve issues relating to health & education. Odisha is set to reject BJD. Congress is nowhere in the picture!”
With his GST, demonetisation**, Narendra Modi ’looted’ small traders, says Rahul Gandhi**
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in his public rally in Haryana’s Yamunanagar, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over GST. “I would like to tell the shopkeepers that you were looted by Narendra Modi.” He also said, “When we (Congress) work, we plan and work. That is the difference between Congress and Modi.”
“Narendra Modi only gives nyay to the rich. Congress will give justice to the poor, the small businessmen,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi in Haryana: Help Congress win
Addressing a rally in Haryana’s Yamunanagar, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi slammed Narendra Modi for “lying” to the country. “I do not lie like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The schemes of the current government are all fake — Make in India, Digital India — take anything. Unlike the BJP, the Congress does not back out from what it promises. Unlike Gabbar Singh Tax, the Congress will not bleed the poor the way this government has,” Rahul said.
2019 is important for West Bengal’s identity: Amit Shah
BJP chief Amit Shah is addressing a rally in West Bengal’s Alipurduar, “This election is very important for the nation but for West Bengal it’s important for its identity. It will decide if there’ll be democracy here. The manner in which Mamata didi governed this state, they only worked towards destroying the culture of Bengal.”
Prashant Kishor won’t contest polls
Janata Dal(United)’s Prashant Kishor said that he will not be contesting the upcoming polls. “In Bihar, the NDA is fighting firmly under the leadership of Honorable Modi and Nitish ji. JDU’s responsibility for election campaigning and management is on the strong shoulders of the senior and experienced leader of the party Mr. RCP Singhji. My role in this early round of politics is to learn and collaborate.,” he tweeted.
Journalist Supriya Shrinate quits ET Now to contest from Maharganj on Congress ticket
In Uttar Pradesh’s Maharganj, Congress has replaced daughter of jailed politician Amarmani Tripathi Tanushree Tripathi, with journalist Supriya Shrinate who quit business news channel ET Now.
Reject government which curbs basic rights: Priyanka
Priyanka Gandhi appealed to people of Faizabad to reject a government which curbs basic rights. “Be determined to elect a government which comes to your household, listen to your problems, and solve them,” she added.
2019 Lok Sabha polls is an election to save the Constitution, says Priyanka
Attacking the BJP over “bypassing” and “diluting” the Constitution and institutions like Supreme Court and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Priyanka urged the masses to vote wisely. “It is an election to save the Constitution. Gandhiji fought using truth as his weapon. I see that truth in the eyes of the farmer who tells me that he does not have a chowkidar. If a politician can’t hear the people then that person is weak. The real truth of the nation lies in the villages.”
Priyanka Gandhi meets women voters of Faizabad during her campaign trail
BJP does not have money for poor**, but businessmen: Priyanka**
Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress incharge of east Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi reached Ayodhya and said that the ruling party has only peddled lies for the last five years. “BJP does not have money for the poor or the farmer, but for the rich businessmen of the country,” Priyanka told the gathering.
BJP wants to shut down MNREGA, says Priyanka Gandhi
“Congress gave you MNREGA. But this government has made sure that people under MNREGA are not paid. People have not been paid in over 6 months. They want to shut down the MNREGA scheme,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said at an election rally near Ayodhya
‘Modi didn’t get time to visit even one village in his constituency’
Sharpening her attack against Narendra Modi, Priyanka said that even if one forgot about the failures of Modi government on a larger scale, the fact that the prime minister did not find time to visit even one village in his constituency speaks volumes about his approach. She said that the Modi government lives in cities and works for the rich.
BJP campaign full of lies, says Priyanka Gandhi in Ayodhya
Congress incharge of UP east Priyanka Gandhi addressed a public rally in Ayodhya. She alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was lying all through its campaign. She said that the people were searching for ‘vikas’ for the last five years but couldn’t find it.
BJP releases 12th list of 11 candidates
The BJP’s Central Election Commission released its 12th list of 11 candidates. The list includes candidates from Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The party is fielding Jamyang Tsering Namgyal from Ladakh.
Narendra Modi slams Opposition for questioning timing of Mission Shakti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Opposition for questioning the timing of the announcement of Mission Shakti being too close to the election dates. Speaking to Republic TV, the prime minister said that the Congress party’s stand was amateurish and lacked even a basic understanding of the issue.
“In Opposition, if a younger, inexperienced person commits such a mistake it is understandable. But Congress is the oldest party in India and it has a long list of very senior leaders. The party should have sought their opinion before deciding its official stand. The party’s stand is lacking on even primary understanding about the subject matter.”
The prime minister said that firstly, contrary to what the Opposition is alleging, these things cannot be made to coincide with a particular thing, because one has to seek out a time in coordination with the international community. It is important because we need to close our airspace and notify other countries so that no untoward incident happens by chance, Modi said.
He further argued that neither can such projects come to fruition in an instant. “This was going on for a long time and we can’t pre-plan because we don’t know when we are faced with any sort of problem. These things are done on an immediate basis as and when we find a window,” Modi claimed.
On Wednesday, Opposition leaders mocked M odi, accusing him of indulging in theatrics and “playing politics” over scientists’ achievements. Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Modi wishing him “happy World Theatre Day” even as he congratulated the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that Modi’s announcement was “limitless drama and publicity mongering”, amounting to “gross violation” of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). She also accused the Prime Minister of making the announcement to “reap political benefits” and said her party will move the Election Commission.
EC absolves Narendra Modi of MCC violation regarding ‘Mission Shakti’ address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on ‘Mission Shakti’ did not violate the Model Code of Conduct , the Election Commission announced on Friday, even as the Opposition had accused the prime minister of violations and “publicity mongering”.
The EC committee headed by Deputy Election Commissioner in charge of the MCC division Sandeep Saxena came to the conclusion that Modi’s speech did not violate the guidelines because “he did not mention the BJP, nor did he appeal for votes” in the duration of his address. The MCC has been enforced since the EC announced the dates for Lok Sabha election 2019 on 10 March.
On Wednesday, the prime minister, in an address broadcast over television, radio and social media to the nation said that India has become the fourth nation in the world to achieve the feat of sending an anti-satellite missile to space, as part of its Mission Shakti.
“India today occupied its place in the space power group. A little while ago, our scientists sent an anti-satellite weapon, A-SAT, into space and it has successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit,” Modi said.