Gloves off: who to watch in India's rough-and-tumble election

NEW DELHI – India is not just the world's biggest democracy, its elections are also the most gruelling - with nearly six weeks between the first round of voting on 11 April and the last.INDIA'S TOUGH GUYThe 68-year-old son of a street tea seller guided the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to a landslide victory in 2014 to form the country's first majority government in almost three decades.

Modi portrays himself as a strong leader and India's military action against Pakistan in February has given him a new boost.Rahul Gandhi is the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which has provided three prime ministers since India's independence in 1947. As president of the BJP, the 54-year-old Shah is Modi's enforcer, closest aide and most trusted lieutenant.

While a minister in Modi's Gujarat state government, Shah was accused of ordering police to carry out three extrajudicial killings in 2005. A judge cleared him for lack of evidence in 2014. Banerjee's party took most of the state's 42 parliamentary seats in 2014, giving her a national profile.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Sibiya likely to hang up his glovesDefeat to SA champ Mpontshane sobering for veteran boxer.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

How Bollywood could impact the India election | IOL NewsBollywood is playing a lead role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign for a second term, endorsing him on-screen and off.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »

Ten women die in India mudslide'They were daily wage labourers and were working at a digging site. They went near a hill to have their lunch when the mudslide occurred,' said G. Sridhar, the deputy police superintendent of Narayanpet.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

As election looms, more than 11 million face eviction in India | IOL NewsAt least 11 million people in India risk being uprooted from their homes and land as authorities build highways and airports ...
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »

India didn't shoot down Pakistani F-16: reportA US magazine cast serious doubt Friday on India's assertion that it shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet during the two nuclear-armed countries' latest bust-up in February.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

Ten women die in India mudslide'They were daily wage labourers and were working at a digging site. They went near a hill to have their lunch when the mudslide occurred,' said G. Sridhar, the deputy police superintendent of Narayanpet.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

India keen on Africa’s potential, despite challengesThe country has historically strong expertise in sectors that require growth and investment in our continent, writes Cheryl Buss
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Millions face eviction and displacement as India boomsForced removals have become so common they are normalised, says advocacy group boss
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Pakistan PM accuses India of war hysteria over downed F-16 claimPakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for 'whipping up war hysteria' over claims that India shot down a Pakistani F-16 during a standoff in February, saying the truth is always the best policy.
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

Opposition enlists star power as India vote approachesBut Narendra Modi looks set to return stronger than before, with his sabre-rattling at Pakistan proving to be popular
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »