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Mon, 04 December 2023
Congress received Rs 80 cr in FY23; BJP Rs 720 cr
Timeline Refresh
Soldiers shifting people to safe areas in Chennai after heavy rain flooded city/ANI
23:46 Foxconn, Pegatron, Hyundai suspend operations due to floods, cyclonic conditions in Chennai
iPhone vendors Foxconn and Pegatron, and automobile company Hyundai are among the companies that have suspended their manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu due to cyclonic conditions.
Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc across Chennai and its neighbouring districts, inundating the city, causing disruptions in flights and trains, and startling residents with a video capturing a crocodile crossing a submerged road.
Sources said that several factories in and around Chennai have temporarily suspended operations.
When contacted, a Hyundai Motor India spokesperson said, "Considering the safety and well-being of our employees under the prevailing cyclonic conditions in Chennai and surrounding districts, the factory operation (all shifts) at Hyundai Motor India Sriperumbudur facility has been suspended for today (December 4, 2023).
"No comments were received from Foxconn and Pegatron. Foxconn and Pegatron are engaged in the manufacturing of iPhone. Pegatron had briefly suspended iPhone production in September after a minor fire accident. -- PTI
23:36 Congress received Rs 80 cr in FY23; BJP Rs 720 cr
The Congress received contributions of nearly 80 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal from entities, party leaders, individuals and electoral trusts. The Election Commission on Monday put in public domain the contribution report of the Indian National Congress filed in November.
The party received Rs 79.92 crore in its kitty with Kolkata-based Samaj Electoral Trust giving Rs 50 lakh.
The ruling BJP, on the other hand, received nearly Rs 720 crore in contributions from entities, electoral trusts, individuals and its lawmakers during the financial year 2022-23.
Both the BJP and the Congress are recognised national parties. Political parties are required to submit to the Election Commission every year details of donors who have made donations above Rs 20,000 in a financial year. -- PTI
23:04 Tracking Cyclone Michaung
With severe cyclonic storm 'Michaung' set to make landfall on Tuesday, the Odisha government has deployed rescue teams in the southern districts of the state as a precautionary measure.
The severe cyclone over the Bay of Bengal is set to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla, in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday morning.
Vasundhara Raje
22:41 25 BJP MLAs meet Vasundhara in show of strength
In what appears to be a "show of strength", about 25 Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs on Monday met former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje here who is said to be among the frontrunners for the CM's post.
The development comes amid intense speculations over the contenders for the top post after the BJP returned to power in the state, winning 115 seats in the assembly polls held last week.
The party did not name its CM candidate in the elections.
Though the MLAs termed it a courtesy meeting, they said they will support Raje if the party leadership chooses her for the post in the state.
Nasirabad MLA Ramswaroop Lamba said that people have seen the works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Raje and that the decision regarding the CM will be taken by the party's parliamentary board.
"BJP has returned to power in Rajasthan only because of the work done by PM Modi and Vasundhara Raje," he said.
When asked whether the party MLAs will support Raje for the CM's post, Lamba said the legislators are with her.
Over two dozen BJP MLAs from various districts reached Raje's Civil Lines residence till evening. Apart from Raje who won assembly elections from Jhalrapatan seat, Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Arjun Meghwal, and party MPs -- Baba Balaknath and Diya Kumari who also won assembly polls -- are among the contenders for the CM's post.
According to sources, BJP state in-charge Arun Singh and state unit president CP Joshi are in Delhi for a meeting with the party high command.
They met party president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the sources said. -- PTI
File image
22:15 Centre to introduce cashless treatment of accident victims across India: Official
The ministry of road transport and highways plans to roll out the facility of cashless medical treatment of road accident victims across the country in three to four months, a top government official said on Monday.
Road transport and highways secretary Anurag Jain while inaugurating an event organised by the Institute of Road Traffic Education noted India has the highest number of road accident deaths in the world.
"Free and cashless medical treatment to accident-injured victims is part of the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019. Some states have implemented it but now the ministry of roads in league with the ministry of health and family welfare will be fully implementing it across the nation," Jain said.
He added the facility will be rolled out in three to four months.
According to him, it is envisioned to provide access to cashless trauma care treatment for road accident victims at the nearest appropriate hospital in the country, in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling, and by drawing its power from the Motor Vehicle(Amendment) Act 2019 (MV Amendment Act). -- PTI
21:51 Special trains to be run for Ambedkar death anniversary
Central Railway will operate 18 special long-distance trains to and from Mumbai and 12 extra local services to cater to the rush of people who will visit the city on B R Ambedkar's death anniversary -- Mahaparinirvan Din -- on December 6.
Additional RPF and GRP personnel are being deployed at Dadar and other stations in Mumbai.
CR will operate 18 special long-distance trains (eight towards Mumbai) and 10 (from Mumbai) besides 12 extra suburban services to facilitate the movement of people from different locations on December 5 and 6.
Extra 140 personnel of RPF (Railway Protection Force) and 250 personnel of GRP (Government Railway Police) will be on duty at Dadar station on December 5 and 6, besides the deployment of 24 extra personnel of RPF each at CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Kalyan stations, a release said.
People from various corners of Maharashtra and other states visit Chaityabhoomi in Dadar on December 6 every year to pay tributes to Ambedkar on his death anniversary.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee/File image
21:32 Mamata drops out of INDIA meet on Dec 6
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she won't be able to attend the upcoming opposition INDIA bloc meeting scheduled in Delhi on December 6, citing prior engagements in North Bengal.
Banerjee said she was unaware of the meeting date and indicated that had she been informed in advance, "she would have rescheduled her itinerary."
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc are set to convene at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on December 6 to formulate a strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as per sources on Sunday.
"I will be visiting North Bengal from December 6- December 11. I was not aware of the meeting date on December 6. Had I known about the meeting date beforehand, then I could have rescheduled my visit," Banerjee told reporters outside Raj Bhawan.
The participation of any other leader from the party at the meeting remains unclear at this point.
Banerjee, accompanied by her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, has consistently attended previous meetings of the INDIA opposition bloc.
During the anticipated meeting on Wednesday evening, leaders are expected to deliberate and finalise their plan to collectively confront the BJP in the lead-up to the polls. -- PTI
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20:57 Five booked for setting up bogus toll plazas on NH in Gujarat's Morbi
The police launched an investigation after bogus toll plazas were found to be operational to extort money from motorists in Gujarat's Morbi district, an official said on Monday.
A case has been registered against five persons, including the owner of a defunct ceramic unit, who have been identified, and others.
The accused persons named in the FIR used to stop vehicles and force them to use the makeshift toll plazas set up by them instead of the one operated by an authorised operator on a national highway.
They used to charge less money from vehicles compared to the government toll naka, the police said.
One Amreesh Patel set up two gates on the boundary wall of his closed ceramic unit on one side the national highway.
He used to force vehicles to pay up so that they could bypass the toll plaza being operated by an authorised operator, a Wankaner city police station official said.
Among the five persons booked by the police, four are accused of forcing vehicles to use two railway crossings to pass through Nava Vaghasiya village on the other side of the national highway to avoid paying at the same government toll plaza, the official said.
A similar bogus toll plaza was set up using two railway crossings in the village by two residents and others who used to charge the toll from motorists and other vehicles, he added.
At least five persons have been identified.
They and other unidentified persons were booked under sections 384 (extortion), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) among others of the Indian Penal Code and efforts are underway to nab them, the official said. This illegal activity has been going on for a long time.
The accused had threatened officials of the authorised toll plaza with dire consequences when they raised objections. -- PTI
A vehicle submerged in the waterlogged underpass road in Chennai./ANI
20:32 Heavy rain leaves 5 dead in Chennai; airfield closed
As many as five people have been killed in separate incidents in Tamil Nadu's Chennai amid heavy rain due to cyclone Michaung, according to an official statement by the Chennai police.
One person has been injured due to the falling of a tree, according to the police.
Meanwhile, the Chennai airfield is to remain closed until 9 a.m. tomorrow.
"Airfield closed for arrival and departure operations till 0900 hrs IST tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions", said the Chennai airport authority in a post on 'X'.
Subways have been closed due to the severe waterlogging in Chennai.
Also, traffic has been closed from Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to the release of water from Puzhal Lake, said the police.
"DDRT Teams are available in all vulnerable areas and they are working in coordination with the GCC and highways department," it added.
Cyclonic storm 'Michaung' intensified to a severe cyclonic storm at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, about 90 km east-northeast of Chennai. -- ANI
20:06 SC protects scribe from coercive action over tweets on Manipur violence
The Supreme Court on Monday protected a journalist against any possible coercive action in connection with an FIR lodged against her for tweets on the ethnic violence in Manipur.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Makepeace Sitlhou, and granted protection to her from criminal proceedings.
Sibal said an FIR was filed against Sitlhou, an award-winning freelance journalist, in Imphal over her tweets on the ethnic violence in the state.
"Pending further orders, there shall be a stay in proceedings concerning the FIRs against her. Issue notice...,' the bench said. -- PTI
PM Modi at Navy Day function in Malvan, Maharashtra
19:54 Navy ranks to change as per Indian culture: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that his government is committed to increasing the strength of women in the armed forces and said Indian Navy ranks would be renamed according to the country's culture.
Paying tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his vision and warfare strategy, he noted that the 17th century Maratha king knew the importance of naval power.
The PM was speaking at a Navy Day event held at Malvan in coastal Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, around 500 km from Mumbai.
"We are emphasising on increasing the number of women in the armed forces," he said.
Modi lauded the Navy following the announcement that a woman officer would be commanding a Naval ship for the time time.
He said ranks in the Indian Navy would be renamed according to the Indian culture.
Modi also announced that the epaulettes worn by naval officers will have a reflection of Chhatrapati Shivaji, credited for building the country's first modern Navy.
The legendary Maratha empire founder knew the importance of naval power for a country and built a strong maritime force during his reign, said the PM.
Taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji, India has left behind the mentality of slavery and was racing forward on all fronts, he asserted.
19:21 And Oxford's word of the year is....
Rizz, a colloquial word, which refers to style, charm, attractiveness or the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner, was announced the Word of the Year 2023 by the Oxford University Press (OUP) on Monday.
The word has been chosen from a shortlist of eight words which was prepared by the experts at OUP after examining the 19-billion-word corpus of spoken and written language data for words or expressions that have seen a spike in usage or that have been recently added to the language.
Etymologically, the term is believed to be a shortened form of the word 'charisma', taken from the middle part of the word, which is an unusual word formation pattern.
Other words on this year's shortlist were 'situationship', 'swiftie', 'beige flag', 'de-influencing', 'parasocial', 'heatdome' and 'prompt'.
Swiftie is an enthusiastic fan of the singer Taylor Swift; prompt refers to an instruction given to an artificial intelligence program or algorithm determines or influences the content it generates; and situationship refers to a romantic or sexual relationship that is not considered to be formal or established.
De-influencing - the practice of discouraging people from buying particular products, or of encouraging people to reduce their consumption of material goods, especially via social media.
'Rizz' was chosen by the language experts at OUP as an interesting example of how language can be formed, shaped, and shared within communities, before being picked up more widely, a statement from the publisher said.
It shows how younger generations create spaces online or in person where they own and define the language they use. From activism to dating and wider culture, as Gen Z comes to have more impact on society, differences in perspectives and lifestyle play out in language, too, they said.
19:07 ZPM to stake claim to form govt after meeting
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) said it will stake claim to form the government in Mizoram after holding a consultative meeting of newly elected MLAs and senior party leaders.
ZPM working president K Sapdanga said the meeting will be held on Tuesday and party leader Lalduhoma, who was in Serchhip, was travelling to Aizawl on Monday to meet the newly elected MLAs.
"A meeting of newly elected MLAs and Val Upa Council, the decision-making body of the party, will be held most likely on Tuesday to decide on claiming stake to form the government in Mizoram," Sapdanga told PTI.
ZPM, the opposition party, swept the polls, winning 27 of the 40 seats, while the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, bagged 10 seats and was leading in one.
Sapdanga said the party's victory was attributed to people's desire for 'Kalphung Thar' or a new system of governance promised by ZPM.
"We are thankful to the people for giving us the mandate. Our victory is mainly because people desire to test the new system of governance," he said.
ZPM leader Lalliansawta congratulated the winning candidates and asked those who lost not to lose heart. -- PTI
IMAGE: The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) supporters celebrate after the party's victory in the Mizoram Assembly elections, in Aizwal on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo
18:44 Will he be Rajasthan CM? BJP's Balaknath says...
Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party leader Balaknath remained non-committal on Monday over the possibility of his becoming the chief minister of the state, even as his name is doing the rounds for the top post after the saffron party's emphatic victory in the just-concluded assembly polls.
The BJP returned to power in Rajasthan on Sunday, winning 115 of the 199 seats that went to polls.
The Congress, which was hoping to buck the trend of the incumbent being voted out in the desert state every five years, ended up winning 68 seats.
After the poll results, speculation is rife about Balaknath being one of frontrunners for the chief minister's post.
The other contenders are Rajasthan BJP heavyweight and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Diya Kumari, who is a member of the erstwhile Jaipur royal family, party MP C P Joshi and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
"It is all because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance. The BJP got all the votes in his name," Balaknath told reporters at the Parliament complex when asked for his comment on the poll results.
Asked who is going to be the chief minister of Rajasthan, he evaded a direct reply and said, "Aap sab ki kripa hai (it is your kindness)."
"I have dedicated my life to public service. I am serving the party. I am engaged in serving people," the BJP leader said when a reporter asked if he would accept any responsibility in the state that the party gives him.
The BJP had fielded Balaknath, a mahant (seer) and an MP from Rajasthan's Alwar, to contest the Assembly polls from Tijara.
He won with a margin of 6,173 votes, defeating Congress candidate Imran Khan. -- PTI
18:22 4 Indian-origin men wanted in Canada
Canadian authorities have launched a search for four Indian-origin men in connection with an aggravated assault that took place in Brampton city in Ontario province in September.
Early on September 8, the victim, who was not identified by the police, was assaulted by 'multiple parties' in Brampton, a press release by the Peel Regional Police said on Sunday.
The attackers fled the area before the police arrived, while the victim suffered severe non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
Investigations said the men, between the ages of 22 and 30, were responsible for the assault.
Peel's Regional Police has sought public assistance in locating Aftaab Gill, 22, Harmandeep Singh, 22, Jatinder Singh, 25, and Satnam Singh, 30, in connection to the aggravated assault.
Their photos were also released by the police on X. Authorities have urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the four men to contact investigators, according to the release. -- PTI
Representational image. Pic: Kamal Kishore/Reuters
18:09 RS okays bill allowing interception of postal items
The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Post Office Bill, 2023 that seeks to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act and consolidate and amend the law relating to post offices in the country.
According to the proposed legislation, "the central government may, by notification, empower any officer to intercept, open or detain any item in the interest of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency or public safety, or upon the occurrence of any contravention of any of the provisions of any law for the time being in force".
Replying to the discussion for the consideration of the Bill in the Upper House of Parliament, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained the provision for interception.
"In a society which is as complex and diverse, and times which are as difficult as they are, it is very important that interception is done. This kind of a provision is kept for national security," he said.
The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament.
Representational image
17:27 13 killed as Manipur militant groups clash
At least 13 people were killed in a gun-battle between two groups of militants in Manipur's Tengnoupal district on Monday, officials said.
The incident took place at Leithu village on Monday afternoon, they said.
"A group of militants on their way to Myanmar were ambushed by another group of insurgents dominant in the area," an official in the hill district said.
Security forces reaching the spot found 13 bodies so far, he said, adding that their identities were yet to be ascertained but they appeared not to be locals.
Tengnoupal district shares a porous border with Myanmar.
17:05 Adhir asks Balaknath: Raj ke CM ban rahe aap?
Winter Session of Parliament: Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and BJP MP Yogi Balaknath share a light moment in the Parliament premises as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "Rajasthan ke naye CM ban rahe hai naa..."
The BJP returned to power in Rajasthan on Sunday, winning 115 seats out of the 199 Assembly constituencies election, while Congress secured 68 seats.
After surging to power once again, the big question in front of the saffron party is which candidate will become the next Chief Minister. The BJP has not put forward any potential candidate for the Chief Minister position in this year's assembly polls.
As per reports, Baba Balak Nath, seen as a mirror image of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, could become the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Hailing from Alwar, Baba Balak Nath, the saffron sant, is the mutt head selected by the BJP to contest against Imran Khan of the Congress in the Muslim-dominated Tijara Assembly constituency.
16:59 Imran to be indicted in cipher case again on Dec 12
A special court in Pakistan on Monday ruled that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his close aide ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would be indicted again on December 12 in the cipher case for allegedly leaking state secrets and violating the laws of the country.
Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqernain heard the case in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi where the two leaders have been incarcerated in the case.
The in-prison hearing of Khan, 71, and Qureshi, 67, began from the start on Saturday after a ruling by the Islamabad High Court last month declared the jail trial illegal on procedural grounds and also nullified its proceedings.
The judge said that fresh indictment was mandatory in the light of the Islamabad High Court judgment which declared all proceedings illegal after ruling against the jail trial on procedural grounds. -- PTI
16:21 Zoramthanga hands in his resignation
Mizoram CM Zoramthanga tenders his resignation to Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan.
16:11 Man who will be Mizoram CM used to be Indira's...
From earning the dubious distinction of the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law to being all set to becoming the chief minister of Mizoram, 73-year-old Lalduhoma's political journey has been all about battling against odds.
Lalduhoma, an ex-IPS officer who served as the in-charge of former prime minister Indira Gandhi's security, is the chief ministerial face of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM).
The ZPM which was registered as a political party only in 2019 secured a majority in the Mizoram assembly on Monday, winning 27 of the 40 seats and leading in one other, as votes were being counted, according to the Election Commission (EC).
Lalduhoma himself bagged the Serchhip seat by defeating his nearest MNF rival J Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng by 2,982 votes. For over three decades, chief ministership in the northeastern state has been a see-saw affair between two senior politicians Lal Thanhawla of the Congress and MNF's Zoramthanga.
Lalduhoma first contested the Mizoram assembly polls on a Congress ticket in 1984, but lost to People's Conference party nominee Lalhmingthanga by a margin of 846 votes.
The same year, he contested the Lok Sabha polls as a Congress candidate and was elected unopposed.
The ZPM leader resigned as state Congress president and withdrew his primary membership from the party in 1986, after he was accused of conspiring against then chief minister Lal Thanhawla and some cabinet ministers.
Lalduhoma became the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law after he quit the Congress in 1988. He was also disqualified by Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo in 2020, after 12 Mizo National Front (MNF) legislators filed complaints, alleging he defected to the ZPM by actively participating in party activities, though being elected as an independent in the 2018 polls.
Lalduhoma was the first legislator to have been disqualified under the anti-defection law in Mizoram, but he managed to win the by-election to the Serchhip seat in 2021.
Besides the Congress, he was once part of the MNF. He had floated his own party, the Zoram Nationalist Party, and was also instrumental in the formation of the ZPM. In the 2018 assembly polls, Lalduhoma won two seats Serchhip and Aizawl West-I.
He had defeated incumbent legislator and five-time chief minister Lal Thanhawla from Serchhip by a margin of 410 votes. Lalduhoma subsequently vacated the Aizawl West-I seat to retain Serchhip. -- PTI
16:02 What Chennai streets look like today
Dr Saundarya Rajesh, the founder of Avtar, a 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consulting Firm' posted this two hours ago. "This is Mt Rd - pride of Chennai, an hour or so back. The skies are unrelenting. The latest weather report speaks of the climax of the cyclone happening a few hours from now. Chennai needs a lot of prayers. To think of the aftermath is terrifying."
15:52 Markets cheer BJP wins, hit record high
India's benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, soared to unprecedented highs during Monday's market opening. This surge was fuelled by the recent triumph of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in state elections, coupled with robust domestic macroeconomic data and mounting expectations of a US rate cut in March.
As the Sensex and Nifty reached their all-time highs, market experts provided insights into the driving forces behind this impressive rally.
Sunil Shah attributed the surge to the favourable outcome of state election results, stating, "Only one reason I would accurate to this rally, Sensex is up by more than 900 points, the reason is the outcome of state election results and results are in favour of the ruling party".
Shah added, "It's a huge mandate by the people and that makes the market feel very comfortable that if this was considered to be semi-final, the final will be played in the month of May and the outcome is now more predictable than before. So investors are confident about the continuation of the policies and this growth momentum and the thrust of the government where it is, so the growth is the focus area of the government".
15:28 Raghav Chadha has reason to smile
AAP MP Raghav Chadha returns to the Parliament as his suspension was revoked by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, after 115 days.
15:26 Will speak when tabled: Mahua on Ethics report
Amid the ongoing controversy on the alleged "cash-for-query" case, TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Monday denied commenting on the Ethics Committee report saying "she'll only speak when they table the report before the Parliament."
The TMC MP said, "What can I say when it was not even tabled (before the Parliament)? Had they tabled it, I would have said something. I will speak when they table it..."
According to several media reports, the committee in its report has recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a "cash-for-query" case. -- ANI
14:47 AAP MP Raghav Chadha's suspension revoked
Rajya Sabha revokes suspension of AAP member Raghav Chadha. Raghav Chadha's suspension was revoked on the motion moved by Bharatiya Janata Party MP GVL Narasimha Rao.
Chadha was suspended from the Upper House on August 11 for "breach of privilege" during the Monsoon Session after complaints. Raghav Chadha was accused of forging the signatures of five Rajya Sabha MPs in a motion related to the Delhi Services Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill was passed by both Houses.
Faced with suspension, Chadha had moved to the top court, challenging his indefinite suspension from the Upper House.
However, the Supreme Court asked Chadha to meet Jagdeep Dhankhar and tender an unconditional apology.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra hoped that the chairperson would take a "sympathetic" view of the matter.
14:31 Mizoram CM to meet governor at 4 pm to resign
Mizoram CM Zoramthanga will meet Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at 4 pm today to resign.
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is all set to form the next government in Mizoram after the party swept the elections bagging 26 seats in the 40-member House on Monday.
According to the Election Commission (EC), the party was leading in one seat. The prominent ZPM winners include the party's CM face Lalduhoma who bagged the Serchhip seat defeating his MNF rival J Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng by 2,982 votes.
14:17 Chennai rain fury: Airport flooded, no flights
North Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal is likely to experience isolated heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall (above 204.4 mm) today, says IMD.
Due to the Cyclonic storm 'Michaung', all schools, colleges, educational institutions, government offices including the Offices of Public Undertakings/ Corporations, Boards, Banks, and Financial Institutions in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu Districts will be closed tomorrow.
Air India announces that, "All flight movement to and from Chennai is suspended till 2300 Hrs of 4th December 2023, due to inclement weather. In view of the situation, Air India will offer its guests holding confirmed tickets on any flight to/from Chennai on 4th December 2023, a one-time waiver of rescheduling/cancellation charges on bookings."
The Chennai airport operations were suspended from 9.40 am to 11 pm. As many as 70 flights arriving to and departing from the airport were cancelled owing to non-stop rains. The runway and tarmac also remain shut due to waterlogging, the Airport Authority of India said.
According to airport officials, 12 domestic outbound services, including to destinations like Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram were cancelled. Four international services, including to Dubai and Sri Lanka were cancelled by a private carrier.
Three arriving international services were diverted to Bengaluru.
As many as 14 subways in the city have been closed due to inundation, the city police said.
13:45 What YOU Must KNOW About The New Laws!
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023 -- that envisages replacing the existing criminal jurisprudence under the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act -- introduced in Parliament by Union Home Minister Amit A Shah -- has come in for severe flak from not only the Opposition but also from criminal lawyers and human rights activists for being vague, arbitrary, opaque and providing immense, unilateral powers to the law enforcement agencies.
In a two-part interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com, senior Supreme Court advocate Shahrukh Aslam discusses the Bharatiya Saksha bill (a bill to consolidate and to provide for general rules and principles of evidence for fair trial), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (a bill to consolidate and amend laws related to criminal procedure) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (a bill to consolidate and amend the provisions relating to offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto).
Read the interview here.
ZPM CM candidate Lalduhoma
13:41 ZPM crosses majority mark in Mizoram
Zoram People's Movement gets majority in Mizoram assembly, wins 21 of 40 seats, says the EC. The party is set to form government in the north-east state.
13:29 Noted economist M Kunhaman dies
Kunhaman was the 2nd Dalit postgraduate in Kerala after KR Narayanan. Born and brought up in poverty, Kunhaman contributed significantly to the Dalit cause in Kerala despite being overlooked for top posts.
Read more here.
Kumhaman's last interview was with Rediff.com. Read: 'Caste Won't Disappear From India' here
13:24 Who leaked Mahua's Parl Ethics report? BJP says...
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday alleged that the Congress MP and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leaked the Ethics Committee report on Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra before it was tabled in the House.
Speaking to ANI, the BJP MP also said that he is not aware of what is mentioned in the report.
"...Let the report be tabled. I don't know what is mentioned in the report...What I had to say, I said before the Ethics Committee...I will be able to make a comment only after the report is tabled. The report will be tabled after 12 pm...I don't know how was the report leaked, I think Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury leaked it..." Dubey said.
According to several media reports, the committee in its report has recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a "cash-for-query" case.
The Ethics Committee, which probed the 'cash-for-query' allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, will lay its report in Lok Sabha on the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament on December 4.
The listed agenda of Lok Sabha mentions that Ethics Committee chairperson Vinod Kumar Sonkar and member of the Committee Aparjita Sarangi will be laying "on the Table the First Report (Hindi and English versions) of the Committee on Ethics".
Lok Sabha Ethics Committee had last month submitted its draft report connection with the 'cash-for-query' case to Speaker Om Birla. Sources said the committee had recommended the expulsion of Moitra.
The Ethics Committee, which investigated the allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, adopted its 500-page report on November 9 recommending Moitra's expulsion from the 17th Lok Sabha in view of her "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct."
However, several leaders of the opposition, including Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has opposed the report.
"Ethics Committee report is against the rules; Mahua Moitra's deposition is incomplete. So, we are demanding a discussion, at least in the House. We have also written to the Speaker about how can there be a suo-motu recommendation against a member. Nobody is ready to abide by the rules and regulations..." Danish Ali said.
Adhir Ranjan, while speaking to ANI said that his party will oppose the expulsion of Mahua from Parliament.
"We will oppose as such an expulsion should not be done. We have written a letter and we have been saying that the issues of Parliament should be dealt inside the Parliament..." he said.
12:51 Chhattisgarh: BJP performs well in tribal-dominated seats
The BJP, which suffered a huge setback in Chhattisgarh's tribal-dominated assembly seats in the 2018 polls, put up a good show this time winning 17 of the 29 seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
According to poll experts, the public rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in the tribal belt, launch of the party's two parivartan yatras from tribal pockets and pre-poll promises worked in the party's favour in the adivasi belt.
The BJP on Sunday wrested power from the Congress in Chhattisgarh, winning 54 of the 90 seats in the state assembly, while the grand old party got 35 seats.
The Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) bagged one seat. In the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly, 29 seats are reserved for the ST category, which comprises around 32 per cent of the state's population. The Congress, which won 25 ST-reserved seats in the 2018 assembly polls, managed to secure just 11 this time.
On the other hand, the BJP significantly improved its tally from 3 in 2018 to 17 tribal-dominated seats this time. One tribal seat was bagged by the GGP.
Tribals are considered to be crucial in the formation of government in the state. Despite taking a number of pro-tribal welfare measures, the Congress could not retain their support this time, Raipur-based poll analyst R Krishna Das told PTI.
Several incidents of clashes were reported between tribals and the tribals who converted to Christianity in different areas of the state, particularly in Bastar division, related to religious conversion in the last couple of years, he said.
The issue continued to haunt the ruling Congress during electioneering as top BJP leaders in their poll campaigning aggressively targeted the Bhupesh Baghel government, accusing it of giving protection to those who indulged in conversion, Das said.
Tribal pockets in Surguja and Bastar division also witnessed protests against mining, he noted.
The GGP and Hamar Raj Party (an outfit recently floated by Sarva Adivasi Samaj- an umbrella organisation of tribal groups) also affected the Congress' prospects in many ST-reserved seats, he said. Congress' senior tribal minister Amarjeet Bhagat, who had been unbeaten in SitapurST seat since the formation of the state, suffered defeat this time. Another senior tribal leader and former Congress' state chief Mohan Markam also lost his Kondagaon (ST) seat.
BJP's senior tribal leaders who have this time won from seats reserved for the ST community are Union minister Renuka Singh (Bharatpur-Sonhat), MP Gomti Sai (Pathalgaon), former Union minister Vishnu Deo Sai (Kunkuri), former state ministers Ramvichar Netam (Ramanujganj), Kedar Kashyap (Narayanpur) and Lata Usendi (Kondagaon). Neelkanth Tekam, an IAS officer who quit his service ahead of polls and joined the BJP, emerged victorious in Keshkal-ST seat.
In the first assembly elections held in Chhattisgarh in 2003 after the state was formed in 2000, the BJP managed to make deep inroads among tribals, who were once considered staunch supporters of the Congress.
But in the next elections, the BJP kept losing hold over them.
In the 2003 assembly polls, 34 seats in the 90-member House were reserved for the ST category. The BJP then registered a victory as it defeated the Ajit Jogi-led Congress government by winning 50 seats, including 25 reserved for the ST category. The Congress then won nine ST-reserved seats.
In the 2008 assembly elections, the BJP again formed government by winning 50 seats in the state, including 19 out of 29 ST-reserved seats, while the Congress won 10 ST-reserved seats. The delimitation reduced the ST-reserved seats from 34 to 29 in the state in 2008. -- PTI
12:47 ZPM all set to form government in Mizoram
ZPM all set to form government in Mizoram.
Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma wins from the wins Serchhip seat. He says, "Mizoram is facing financial crises. That is what we are going to inherit from the outgoing government. We are going to fulfill our commitment. Financial reform is necessary, and for that, we are going to make a resource mobilisation tea. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will meet the Governor and swearing-in will be within this month."
Four major contenders are in fray in the northeastern state, which voted to elect its 40-member legislative assembly on November 7.
These include the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), the Congress and the BJP.
Mizoram's political landscape has been dominated by the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) since it attained full statehood in 1987.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga was trailing in the Aizawl East-1 seat to ZPM's Lalthansanga after three rounds of counting. Deputy CM Tawnluia lost to ZPM candidate W Chhuanawma in the Tuichang seat by a margin of 909 votes.
Rural Development Minister Lalruatkima lost to ZPM's Lalnghinglova Hmar in Aizawl West-II seat by 4,819 votes. Health Minister R Lalthangliana lost to ZPM nominee Jeje Lalpekhlua in South Tuipui seat by 135.
LEADS: ZPM: 13, MNF: 7, CONG: 1
WINS: ZPM: 14, MNF: 3, BJP: 2
11:54 Is Revanth a shoo-in for T'gana CM? Cong says...
As Congress is set to form the first non-BRS government in Telangana after the bifurcation of the state in 2014, Congress leader and former member of Rajya Sabha V Hanumantha Rao said that the Chief Minister would be decided after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Hyderabad today.
Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao said, "We will have to see what is decided in the CLP meeting. Most probably, Revanth Reddy has chances to become the Chief Minister going by all the work he did."
As the party is poised to form the next government in Telangana, Congress MLAs expressed their joy on the verdict.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday Revanth Reddy thanked the people for reposing faith in the Congress.
"The people of Telangana have blessed us. Our leader Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Shri Rahul Gandhi ji expressed confidence in us and inspired us. Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi also campaigned vigorously in Telangana. I, on behalf of in-charge Manikrao Thackeray ji and the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, thank the top leadership. Whenever the need has arisen, the people of Telangana have responded appropriately and helped us. We will take inspiration from the martyrs of Telangana movement and carry forward their dream," Revanth Reddy said.
11:48 Sonia Gandhi in Parliament
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the Parliament premises, on the first day of the winter session. The Lok Sabha stands adjourned till noon.
11:31 2 IAF pilots killed in plane crash
Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed in action when their Pilatus trainer aircraft crashed at 8:55 during training at Air Force Academy, Dindigul in Telangana. The pilots include an instructor and one cadet. No damage to any civil life or property has been reported, say Indian Air Force officials.
11:27 'Teesri baar Modi sarkar' chant BJP MPs in Parl
BJP MPs raise the slogan of "Teesri Baar Modi Sarkar" and "Baar Baar Modi Sarkar" in Lok Sabha in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the winter session of the Parliament commences.
11:27 ZPM begins celebrations
ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) workers and supporters begin celebrations in Serchhip after the party registers a comfortable lead in the state election -- winning 2 and leading on 24 of the total 40 seats. Not your usual laddoos for mooh mitha, but a fruit-based dessert and juice.
The counting was supposed to happen on Sunday along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. However, it was deferred by the Election Commission following appeals by political parties, NGOs, churches and students' bodies as Sunday holds a special significance for the people of Mizoram, a Christian-majority state.
11:11 Don't vent frustration of defeat inside Parliament: PM
Update: Ahead of Parliament's Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the opposition not to vent its frustration of the assembly polls defeat inside the House and move forward leaving behind its "negativity" of last nine years.
Speaking with the media outside the Parliament building, Modi said the country has rejected negativity and asserted that the Winter Session was a golden opportunity for the opposition.
"If I speak on basis of the assembly poll results, this is a golden opportunity for opposition. Instead of making plans for venting frustration over defeat, they should learn from this defeat, leaving behind the habit of negativity of the last nine years, if they move forward with positivity this session, the country will change its views towards them," he said.
"A new door could open for them. I am giving them advice even if they are in opposition," he said.
"Everyone's future is bright, there is no need to lose hope but please don't vent the frustration of the defeats suffered outside inside Parliament. There would be frustration and disappointment," he said.
The BJP swept Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Sunday inflicting a resounding defeat on the Congress to tighten its stranglehold in the Hindi heartland.
11:06 'North-South Divide Is Very Worrying'
"Every Indian who is concerned about the unity and integrity of India should be worried about this growing divide," says Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of The RSS: Icons of the Indian Right and Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times, to Archana Masih/Rediff.com.
Read the interview here.
11:01 Heavy rains lash Chennai and nearby districts
Heavy rains continued to pound Chennai and nearby districts on Monday under the impact of a cyclonic storm, which is likely to cross the coast in Andhra Pradesh on December 5.
Low-lying areas and many residential parts witnessed inundation, even as civic agency personnel were involved in clearing the stagnant water.
Several areas in the city saw power outage and internet disruption as torrential rains accompanied by squally winds coninued to lash the region. The Chennai airport suspended operations from 9.40 am to 11.40 am.
As many as 70 flights arriving to and departing from the airport were cancelled owing to non-stop rains.
The runway and tarmac also remain shut, sources said. Chennai and nearby Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts among others received widespread rains since late Sunday under the impact of cyclonic storm Michaung.
Cyclonic storm "MICHAUNG lay centered over Southwest Bay of Bengal about 210km east-northeast of Puducherry, 150km east-southeast of Chennai at 2330 hrs 3 Dec. Likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify & cross b/w Nellore and Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) during forenoon of 5 Dec as a Severe CS," an update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Rail and air services suffered cancellation and delays.
"In view of water flowing above danger level, the bridge no.14 between Basin bridge and Vyasarpadi has been suspended on account of safety reasons," and six trains originating from the Dr.MGR Chennai Central to destinations including Coimbatore and Mysuru were cancelled on Monday morning, the Southern Railway said, adding full refund shall be granted to all passengers of the above trains.
According to airport officials, 12 domestic outbound services, including to destinations like Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram were cancelled. Four international services, including to Dubai and Srilanka were cancelled by a private carrier. Three arriving international services were diverted to Bengaluru.
As many as 14 subways in the city have been closed due to inundation, the city police said. In 11 places, uprooted trees were removed. -- ANI
10:40 Modi: Anti-incumbency is irrelevant when...
Winter Session of Parliament Day 1: PM Narendra Modi's speech just before Parliament is set to begin today in the aftermath of the BJP's spectacular wins in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh yesterday.
"When there is good governance, when there is devotion to public welfare, the word "anti-incumbency" becomes irrelevant. You can call it "pro-incumbency" or "good governance" or "transparency" or "concrete plans for public welfare" -- but this has been the experience.
"After such an excellent public mandate, we are meeting at this new temple of Parliament.
"...Rajnaitik garmi badi tezi se badh rahi hai. Yesterday, the results of the four-state elections came out. The results are very encouraging - encouraging for those who are committed to the welfare of the common people of the country and to the bright future of the country...
"The country has rejected negativity. Before the commencement of the session, we hold discussions with our colleagues in the Opposition...
"We urge and pray for the cooperation of everyone. This time too, the process has been undertaken... I also urge all our MPs that this temple of democracy is essential for public aspiration and to strengthen the foundation of developed India."
10:30 Winner takes it all
BJP MPs, including JP Nadda, Pralhad Joshi and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, show a victory sign in Parliament. Today is the first day of the winter session Parliament.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga
10:23 Mizoram Dy CM loses to ZPM candidate
Mizoram Deputy CM Tawnluia loses to ZPM candidate W Chhuanawma in Tuichang, says the EC.
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) was leading in 17 seats, while the MNF was ahead in 10 as initial trends poured in for the assembly elections in Mizoram on Monday morning, officials said.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga was trailing in the Aizawl East-1 seat to ZPM candidate Lalthansanga after the first round of counting. Zoramthanga got 3,074 votes, while Lalthansanga secured 3,714 votes, they said.
Health Minister R Lalthangliana was trailing in the South Tuipui seat, and ZPM candidate Jeje Lalpekhlua was leading. ZPM's CM candidate Lalduhoma was leading in the Serchhip seat.
10:07 A General reviews Sam Bahadur
"I went sceptically to watch Meghna Gulzar's biopic on Field Marshal S H F J Manekshaw (affectionately called Sam by everyone); that is because I had thought no one could adequately research his magnetic personality, translate it into a screen depiction and have an actor play his larger than life persona, it was just not possible.
"However, compliments to Meghna, she has done all that, with Vicky Kaushal outdoing himself to play one of India's most charismatic figures. That is the sum total, but I have a lot to pick on, praise or even criticise, all in a constructive mode of course," writes Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd). Read the review here.
10:05 Will Shivraj be CM again? BJP sent these signals
The ruling party fielded seven Lok Sabha members, including Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Prahlad Patel, and general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya from Madhya Pradesh.
The move sent out signals that the BJP has kept options open for the top post and Chouhan may not be the automatic choice if the party retains the state.
Despite not getting an open endorsement from the central leadership for the CM post, the BJP leader put his heart and soul into campaigning where he often got emotional during his speeches.
Speaking at an event in early October on his home turf Budhni, Chouhan turned emotional and told the women in the gathering they would never get a "brother" like him and would miss him when he is not around. This led to speculation of him being sidelined in the party.
In the last phase of canvassing, Chouhan addressed as many as 13 poll meetings in a day, while the count was minimum 10 on other days after the election schedule was announced.
In contrast, his main rival and former chief minister Kamal Nath of the Congress addressed 2 to 4 rallies in a day.
Though the opposition Congress linked Chouhan to the multi-crore Vyapam scam, he emerged unscathed. The CBI gave a clean chit to Chouhan.
The Vyapam scandal was an entrance examination, admission and recruitment scam that was unearthed in 2013. It involved politicians, senior and junior officials and businessmen systematically employing imposters to write papers, manipulate exam hall seating arrangements and supply forged answer sheets by allegedly bribing officials.
10:02 What When The Modi Magic Fades?
"Modi has become, and remains, the party's only trick in the book. Ironical, given that the party's calling card in 2014 was 'vikas'. How many of us heard the word mentioned in this round of campaigning, or at any time recently -- unless the party believes 'vikas' has been achieved, in which case extending the free foodgrains scheme to 810 million Indians for five years is wrong, they don't need it!," says Saisuresh Sivaswamy/Rediff.com.
Read the column here.
09:52 4000 personnel at Mizoram's counting tables
Mizoram: More than 4,000 personnel are involved in the counting process. In all, there are 399 tables for the EVMs and 56 for the counting of postal ballots.
Polling was held on November 7, and over 80 per cent of the state's 8.57 lakh voters exercised their franchise.
A total of 174 candidates, including 18 women, were in the fray. The MNF, ZPM and Congress contested 40 seats each, while the BJP fielded candidates in 23 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested the assembly polls here for the first time, fought in four seats. Also, there were 17 Independent candidates.
09:43 Why the BJP won Madhya Pradesh again
"The BJP is always in election mode and their cadre -- be it a panchayat election, municipal election or any other local level administration -- move earth and heaven to help their candidates win," says Dr Virendra Chawre, Assistant Professor, School of Studies in Political Science and Public Administration, Vikram University, Ujjain, on the BJP's win in Madhya Pradesh. In conversation with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.
The desolate Congress office in Raipur
09:39 BJP's new Chhattisgarh MLAs to meet today
The BJP, which has wrested power from the Congress in Chhattisgarh, has convened a meeting of all its newly-elected MLAs here on Monday, a party functionary said.
The meeting will be held at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the state party's headquarters in Raipur, from 11 am, he said.
The BJP on Sunday registered a massive victory in Chhattisgarh winning 54 seats in the 90 member assembly. The ruling Congress was reduced to 35 seats while the Gondwana Gantantra Party managed to win one seat.
All the 54 BJP MLAs including, former chief minister Raman Singh, state party chief Arun Sao, Union minister Renuka Singh and former Union minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be present in the meeting, the party functionary said.
It will be like an introductory meeting with the newly elected legislators and a decision is also likely to be taken on further course of action to hold the legislature party meet, he said.
BJP's in-charge for Chhattisgarh Om Mathur, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who is also party's joint in-charge for Chhattisgarh polls, and party co-incharge for state Nitin Nabin, will be present in the meeting. PTI
09:31 Man, four friends rapes sister, kills her
A man along with his four friends allegedly raped his sister and then killed her in Odisha's Kandhamal district, police said on Monday. The incident happened in Chakapad police station area on November 3, but the man and his friends were arrested on Saturday after police cracked the case, they said.
The 25-year-old woman came to know that his brother was having an illicit relationship with his sister-in-law. She asked him to end it and threatened that otherwise she would inform others about it. To stop her, he hatched a plan, police said.
On the day of the incident, the woman went to a nearby forest to collect Siali leaves. Her elder brother was also there with his cows. He called his four friends to the forest, got them drunk and under the influence of alcohol, they took turns in raping her, police said.
As the woman fought back, they strangulated her, and then attacked her with an axe, killing her on the spot, said Lalit Mohan Sagar, the inspector-in-charge of Chakapad police station. The brother also lodged a missing person's complaint with the police on November 6, he said. The woman's decomposed body was found in the forest on November 7, and in the post-mortem examination, it was found that she was raped by multiple people and then killed, he added. PTI
09:26 The prep in Aizawal goes like this
Aizawl: Nazuk Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, says, "...We started at 8 a.m. with the postal ballots... Now we have started with round one of EVMs...Everything is peaceful... We have 12 counting halls...We are prepared for any victory procession and any celebrations that happen... We have CAPF deployed in the innermost Cordon and state police in the outer Cordon..."
09:12 Mizoram polls: ZPM ahead of MNF in early trends
The opposition ZPM was ahead of the ruling MNF as the initial trends poured in for the assembly elections in Mizoram on Monday morning.
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) was ahead in 11 seats, while the Mizo National Front (MNF) was leading in six seats, TV channels showed. According to PTI correspondents at the counting centres, the ZPM was ahead in two seats and the MNF in one.
The Election Commission website showed that the ZPM was leading in one seat and the BJP was leading in one. The counting of votes for the 40 assembly seats in the state began at 8 am. The counting was being held in 13 centres.
Postal ballots were counted first, and from 8.30 am, the counting for votes polled in the EVMs began. Besides three counting centres in the Aizawl district, which has 12 assembly constituencies, one centre each has been set up in the 10 other districts, he said.
In some of the seats that have a lesser number of voters, only two rounds of counting will be held, but in most of the constituencies, five rounds will be counted, he added. More than 4,000 personnel are involved in the counting process.
In all, there are 399 tables for the EVMs and 56 for the counting of postal ballots, the official said. Polling was held on November 7, and over 80 per cent of the state's 8.57 lakh voters exercised their franchise. A total of 174 candidates, including 18 women, were in the fray. -- PTI
08:56 Will be part of next govt: BJPs Mizoram chief
Bharatiya Janata Party's Mizoram unit president Vanlalhmuaka on Monday said that his party will be a part of the next government in the state, as the counting of votes for the 40 assembly seats was underway.
Speaking to PTI, Vanlalhmuaka said he was confident that his party will win at least three seats.
"We are certain that we will win three seats. We are expecting more than five seats. Let's wait for the results," he said.
"The BJP will participate in the new government which will be formed soon," he said.
In the last assembly polls, held in 2018, the BJP had won one seat. The party fielded candidates in 23 seats this time.
The counting of votes began at 8 am amid tight security.
Most of the exit polls have indicated a hung House in Mizoram with no party getting a clear majority.
Though the ruling MNF was a part of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance in the region, and supported the NDA at the Centre, the two parties stayed away from each other in the state. -- PTI
08:23 Counting of votes for Mizoram election begins
The counting of votes polled in the assembly elections in Mizoram began at 8 am on Monday amid tight security, officials said.
Additional Chief Electoral Officer H Lianzela told PTI that the counting was being held in 13 centres across the state.
One counting hall has been set up for each of the 40 assembly seats at these 13 centres, he said.
The counting was supposed to happen on Sunday along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. However, it was deferred by the Election Commission following appeals by political parties, NGOs, churches and students' bodies as Sunday holds a special significance for the people of Mizoram, a Christian-majority state.
Postal ballots were being counted first, and from 8.30 am, the votes polled in the EVMs will be counted, Lianzela said.
Besides three counting centres in the Aizawl district, which has 12 assembly constituencies, one centre each has been set up in the 10 other districts, he said.
In some of the seats that have a lesser number of voters, only two rounds of counting will be held, but in most of the constituencies, five rounds will be counted, he added.
More than 4,000 personnel are involved in the counting process. In all, there are 399 tables for the EVMs and 56 for the counting of postal ballots, the official said.
Polling was held on November 7, and over 80 per cent of the state's 8.57 lakh voters exercised their franchise. A total of 174 candidates, including 18 women, were in the fray.
The MNF, ZPM and Congress contested 40 seats each, while the BJP fielded candidates in 13 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested the assembly polls here for the first time, fought in four seats. Also, there were 17 Independent candidates.
Some exit polls have predicted a clean sweep by the ZPM, but the majority indicated a hung House with no party getting a clear majority. -- PTI
03:13 Row over Cong leader's 'South vs North' post
Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty triggered a controversy Sunday with his remarks that the south-north boundary line is getting 'thicker and clearer', as the party edged out the Bharat Rashtra Samiti in Telangana to register a second win in the southern region where the BJP is not in power in a single state.
Chakravarty, however, deleted his post on X as it drew sharp reactions from various quarters, with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders accusing the Congress of promoting divisive politics.
The Congress faced defeat in three Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh at the hands of the BJP.
'The South-North boundary line getting thicker and clearer!' Chakravarty, who is the chairman of the Professionals' Congress and the party's data analytics department, posted on X along with a picture captioned 'South Vs North'.
These have been deleted.
Congress MP from Tamil Nadu Karti Chidambaram on X only posted 'the South'.
Warning against posts such as that of Chakravarty, Congress sympathiser Tehseen Poonawala said that 'just like people did not like the abuse of Sanatan Dharma, they won't tolerate the north-south divide'.
In a post on X, he said, 'Warning: The north-south divide will backfire! Don't indulge in it and reduce the legacy of the Congress, the first nationalist and the oldest political party of this great nation! Just like people did not like the abuse of Sanatan dharma, they won't tolerate the north-south divide!'
Earlier this year, the Congress wrested power from the BJP in Karnataka. With the Telangana win it has strengthened its base in the south.
The Congress is in alliance with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu, but is not part of the government there.
Tagging Chakravarty's post, BJP general secretary B L Santhosh hit back, saying that 'Already Sir !!! They always keep two cards ready. Now they have taken out second card Right from the drawing room of 'Bharat Jodo' and 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan'.'
Santhosh also shared a screenshot of Chakravarty's post on X.
Kerala BJP president K Surendran on X said that after failing on their regular capsules of 'Hindu party, caste politics, EVMs and freebies, @INCIndia adopts the 'south-north' separatist narrative, echoed by the @cpimspeak.'
'Ironically, these are the same people behind 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. @BJP4India's southern strength is clear: ruling in Goa, Pondicherry; strong in Karnataka; rising in Telangana; holding key Lok Sabha seats. BJP will win more seats in 2024, including in Kerala,' he said.
C R Kesavan, the great grandson of noted freedom fighter and India's last governor general C Rajagopalachari, who left the Congress to join the BJP earlier this year, said the Congress' 'toxic plan is to attack Bharat with north-south divide'.
'The dynastic Congress party's agenda to divide Bharat on caste lines and uproot Sanatana dharma, has been outrightly rejected by our people. Now, their toxic plan is to attack Bharat with north-south divide. In 2024, the Congress will be consigned to the dustbin of history,' the leader from Tamil Nadu said. -- PTI
00:52 INDIA leaders to meet in Kharge's chamber today
With the Parliament's Winter Session set to begin on Monday, the leaders of various opposition parties of the INDIA bloc would meet in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out their strategy in both the Houses.
Sources said that the INDIA partners' parliamentary leaders would meet on Monday morning in Kharge's chamber in the Parliament House.
The opposition leaders have been holding meetings during the Parliament sessions to evolve a joint strategy in both the Houses to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
The Winter Session of Parliament is likely to start on a stormy note as the expulsion of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra is on the cards on the first day itself.
This is the last full session ahead of next year's general elections and the BJP would like to clear all pending legislations during the Winter Session.
Among the bills pending before the Parliament include the new bills to replace the IPC, Criminal Penal Code and the Evidence Act besides the bill on appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners. -- PTI
T S Singh Deo
00:20 Chhattisgarh Dy CM Singh Deo loses by 94 votes
Nine out of 13 ministers in the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh have suffered defeat in the state assembly polls.
They include Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo and home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, both key leaders who were chief ministerial aspirants after the Congress' thumping win in the 2018 polls, and state unit chief Deepak Baij.
Singh Deo, who polled 90,686 votes, lost from Ambikapur by 94 votes against BJP's Rajesh Agrawal (90,780 votes).
In Durg Rural seat, BJP candidate Lalit Chandrakar defeated Tamradhwaj Sahu by 16,642 votes.
Agriculture minister Ravindra Choubey lost by 5,196 votes in Saja against BJP's Ishwar Sahu.
In Kawardha seat, BJP's Vijay Sharma trounced minister Mohammad Akbar, another influential Congress leader, by 39,592 votes.
Other ministers who bit the dust are Shivkumar Dahariya (Arang), Guru Rudra Kumar (Nawagarh), Amarjeet Bhagat (Sitapur), Mohan Markam (Kondgaon) and Jai Singh Agrawal (Korba). Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel retained his seat Patan, while his cabinet colleagues Umesh Patel (Kharsia), Anila Bhendia (Dondi Lohara) and Kawasi Lakhma (Konta) managed to win their seats.
State Congress chief Deepak Baij lost in Chitrakot by a margin of 8,370 votes against Bharatiya Janata Party's Vinayak Goyal.
The BJP defied exit poll predictions to register a massive victory in Chhattisgarh by winning 54 seats in the 90-member assembly and reducing the Congress to 35.
The Gondwana Gantantra Party won one seat. -- PTI
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