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Mon, 22 April 2024
BJP moves EC against Rahul for North-South remark
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CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury/PTI file image
23:59 CPM sends complaint against Modi over Raj speech to Delhi police chief
The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Monday said it has sent a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "distribution of wealth" remarks in Rajasthan to the Delhi police chief after officers at a police station in the national capital refused to register its objection.
In a statement, the CPI-M said party leaders Brinda Karat and Pushpinder Singh Grewal approached the Mandir Marg SHO to lodge a complaint against Modi.
"Since the Mandir Marg police station refused to accept the complaint, it has been sent to the commissioner of police, Delhi," the party said.
Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, Modi alleged the Congress planned to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children".
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, in a post on X, also urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take cognisance of the complaint and launch proceedings against Modi and the BJP. -- PTI
File image/ANI Photo
23:52 IAF rejects reports of fire incident at Vayu Bhavan
The IAF on Monday rejected reports that a fire had broken out at the Air Headquarters in Delhi and said no such incident had taken place at Vayu Bhavan or its immediate vicinity.
Reports by some publications suggested that the claimed incident occurred on Sunday.
"#Fakenews. Multiple social media posts have reported about a fire incident at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhavan, in New Delhi. It is hereby informed that no such fire incident has taken place in Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhavan, or its immediate vicinity," the Indian Air Force said in a post on X.
Vayu Bhavan is a multi-storey building along Rafi Marg housing the IAF headquarters.
Officials of the Delhi Fire Services had said a fire broke out in waste dumped at the site of an under-construction building near the Janpath roundabout on Sunday.
However, no one was hurt in the incident.
"Our teams controlled the fire," a Delhi Fire Services official had said. -- PTI
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi/ANI Photo
23:48 BJP moves EC against Rahul for North-South remark
The Bharatiya Janata Party filed a complaint against the Election Commission of India against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Wayanad MP of "conspiring to divide the country" in the name of language and region, and has demanded 'strict action' against him.
BJP national general secretary also accused Rahul Gandhi of creating misinformation regarding the increase in poverty and 'One Nation One Leader One Language'.
Speaking to reporters, Tarun Chugh said, "Today we have complained to the Election Commission about the way Rahul Gandhi is constantly conspiring to make divide the country in the name of language and region. We have said that he (Rahul Gandhi) is a habitual offender of spreading myths, telling lies. This time Congress has hatched a conspiracy to make the country fight by creating a rift between North and South."
The BJP leader said that Congress and Rahul Gandhi are trying to create a divide in the country by creating a rift between North and South through his speeches.
"They are lying that the idea of 'One Nation One Leader One Language' is going in the country. We had complained earlier too, but even after that in his speeches in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, he has made every effort to make North and South fight...We have provided the links to Rahul Gandhi's remarks and have demanded a strong action against him. We have also complained against Rahul Gandhi spreading misinformation that 30 crore poor people have increased in the country," the BJP leader said.
Tarun Chugh further said that the BJP respects every language and has promised further development and promotion of the Tamil language.
"BJP respects every language and we are proud that one of our languages, Tamil is one of world's oldest language. We have also stated our commitment to the development of the Tamil language in our manifesto," he added. -- ANI
Mohanlal/Courtesy X
22:57 Mohanlal expresses gratitude as he starts shooting for his 360th film
Superstar Mohanlal has started shooting for Tharun Moorthy's directorial 'L360'.
The Company actor expressed gratitude as he started shooting for his 360th film. Tharun Moorthy, who is known for his projects like Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka is coming up with a new movie also starring veteran South star Shobana.
The two famous stars -- Mohanlal and Shobana are coming together after a long hiatus.
They were seen in movies such as Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, which was released in 2009.
The film, which is tentatively titled L360, went on floors today, April 22.
Taking to X, Mohanlal shared several pictures from the set and wrote, "On the set, joining in prayers as we commence filming the project led by director Tharun Moorthy and produced by M. Renjith under Rejaputhra Visual Media.
"I express my deepest gratitude and seek your blessings as I embark on my 360th film venture. #L360 #MRenjith #TharunMoorthy #Shobana #RejaputhraVisualMedia".
Mohanlal will also be seen in actor and director Prithviraj Sukumaran's upcoming directorial L2E: Empuraan. -- ANI Photo
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal/File image
22:26 LS polls: SAD to support INLD in Haryana
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Monday said it will support Indian National Lok Dal candidates in the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the SAD's Haryana unit which was presided over by the party's state affairs incharge Balwinder Singh Bhunder, a party statement said.
The meeting held at the SAD's head office here was attended by the party's Haryana president Sharanjit Singh Sotha and INLD general secretary Abhay Singh Chautala. Chautala thanked the SAD for its decision to extend wholehearted support to the INLD in the Lok Sabha polls, according to the statement.
Polling for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth round of the seven-phase general elections on May 25.
Chautala said the INLD and the SAD are traditional alliance partners and their unity in the forthcoming elections will help his party emerge victorious.
The former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala-led INLD is contesting all the 10 seats in the state.
The party has announced candidates on six seats so far. -- PTI
A view of AMU campus/PTI Photo
22:13 AMU gets first woman VC in over 100 years
Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday.
Khatoon was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is Visitor to the University, they said.
Permission from the Election Commission of India was also sought in view of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in place, they said.
"Naima Khatoon, Principal, Women's College, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of AMU for a period of five years. The ECI has stated that the commission has no objection from the MCC angle to the proposal related to the appointment of the AMU VC subject to the condition that no political mileage be derived from it," a source said.
Khatoon, who completed her PhD in psychology from AMU, was appointed as a lecturer in the same department in 1988 before being elevated to professor in 2006.
She continued there before being appointed the principal of the Women's College in 2014. -- PTI
21:57 81.6 pc voter turnout in Manipur repoll
A voter turnout of 81.6 per cent was recorded during repolling at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on Monday, officials said.
No incidents of disturbance or violence were reported at any of the polling stations, an election official said.
A complaint, however, was received from the Congress claiming that an unidentified man had threatened a Congress agent over the phone to vacate the polling booth at Moirangkampu Sajeb, the official said.
The decision about fresh polling was taken following a directive from the Election Commission, which declared voting held at these stations on April 19 as null and void.
Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling stations and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur, which recorded a turnout of 72 per cent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies -- Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur -- on Friday.
The repolling on Monday began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm at all the polling stations amid tight security arrangements.
"Voters queued up since early morning to exercise their franchise at all the 11 polling stations, which were affected by a riot-like situation on Friday. No disturbance or violence has been reported so far on Monday," the election official said.
21:30 Five militants of 3 banned outfits held in Manipur
Five militants of three banned outfits were apprehended by the Assam Rifles at Kangkhum village in Manipur's Kamjong district, officials said on Monday, adding they have been handed over to the state police.
The cadres belong to Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup, PREPAK and NSCN-IM, a statement by the Assam Rifles said.
An amount of Rs 1.86 lakh was also recovered from them, it said. -- PTI
Karnataka ex-chief minister KS Eshwarappa/ANI Photo
21:16 BJP expels Karnataka rebel Eshwarappa for 6 years
The Bharatiya Janata Party expelled KS Eshwarappa from the party after the leader decided to contest Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Karnataka's Shivamogga.
The party in a statement said that KS Eshwarappa has "embarrassed" the party by going to the polls as an independent candidate.
Shivamogga will go to the polls on May 7 in phase 3.
"BJP expelled KS Eshwarappa from the party for 6 years for embarrassing the party by contesting as an Independent from Shivamogga constituency," the Karnataka BJP said.
Former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Eshwarappa submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate from Shivamogga on April 12.
Three Independent candidates, who had filed nomination papers for the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat, withdrew their papers on Monday.
With that, 23 people including Eshwarappa have remained in the fray. -- ANI
Sanjay Mashruwala/File image
21:03 Sanjay Mashruwala resigns as managing director of Reliance Jio
Sanjay Mashruwala, one of the two managing directors at Reliance Jio, has resigned from the company, the firm said in a stock exchange filing.
Mashruwala, 76, has been a key executive with Reliance since founder Dhirubhai Ambani's times and has been involved with several of its projects and business initiatives.
He will leave Jio effective from June 9, the firm said. Pankaj Mohan Pawar, the other managing director, will continue, according to a BSE filing.
"This is to inform that Sanjay Mashruwala, managing director, has tendered his resignation as Director of the company, effective from June 9, 2024," the filing said.
Mashruwala, 76, is an accomplished professional and has been the managing director of the company since 2013. -- PTI
20:45 Promotional trailer only meant to encourage viewer to purchase movie ticket: SC
A song, dialogue, or a short visual in a trailer are used to create a buzz about the release of a film and do not represent information about its contents, the Supreme Court said on Monday while setting aside an order of the top consumer disputes body which directed Yash Raj Films to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation besides litigation costs to a consumer aggrieved by exclusion of a song in Bollywood movie Fan.
Allowing the appeal filed by the film production firm, a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Aravind Kumar said there was no "deficiency" in service and the complainant wrongly assumed that a promotional trailer is an offer or a promise.
The top court's verdict came while hearing an appeal filed by Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd challenging an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission which upheld the State Commission's 2017 direction to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to Afreen Fatima Zaidi and a litigation cost of Rs 5,000.
"A song, dialogue, or a short visual in a promotional trailer may be seen in the context of the multifarious uses of advertisements. These could be used to popularise or to create a buzz about the release of the film, rather than to purely represent information about the contents of the film..."
"A promotional trailer is unilateral. It is only meant to encourage a viewer to purchase the ticket to the movie, which is an independent transaction and contract from the promotional trailer. A promotional trailer by itself is not an offer and neither intends to nor can create a contractual relationship," the bench said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi/ANI Photo
20:18 Congress team meets EC over Modi's remark
The Congress on Monday moved the Election Commission seeking "appropriate action" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'redistribution of wealth' remarks at a poll rally in Rajasthan, alleging the comments were "divisive", "malicious" and targeted a particular religious community.
A delegation of Congress leaders met the Election Commission and handed over complaints against the prime minister, alleging that he has trampled upon and violated the model code and directions of the poll body.
"The Prime Minister has to be held accountable by the ECI for the brazen trampling of the Model Code of Conduct as well as the whole gamut of offences -- electoral and otherwise -- committed by him and his party," the Congress said in a representation, adding inaction by the poll panel in the matter will tarnish its legacy.
The delegation comprising Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Gurdeep Sappal met Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and put forward 16 complaints and memorandums against the BJP and others for alleged violations of The Representation of the People Act, 1951, various judgments of the Supreme Court, and the Model Code of Conduct. -- PTI
President Droupadi Murmu confers the Padma Vibhushan on ex-Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi/ANI Photo
19:59 Venkaiah Naidu, Mithun Chakraborty, Usha Uthup, Ram Naik conferred Padma awards
Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak and a host of other prominent persons were conferred with Padma Awards by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremonial function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.
Naidu, Pathak, who was given the award posthumously, and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam were conferred with the Padma Vibhushan.
Actor Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup, former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik and industrialist Sitaram Jindal were conferred with the Padma Bhushan.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, among others, were present at the function.
Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, are conferred in three categories -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The awards are given in various disciplines or fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. -- PTI
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu/File image/ANI Photo
19:14 Defection by MLAs major poll issue in Himachal Pradesh: Sukhu
The Congress is contesting elections to save democracy in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday, stressing that the defection by its six MLAs will be a major issue in the polls.
Six Congress rebels, who were later disqualified and are now contesting on BJP ticket in the assembly bypolls, and three independents had voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections held on February 27.
"Elections are being held, it is a festival of democracy and in Himachal Pradesh, we are contesting elections to save democracy. We are appealing to the general public why the leaders they elected for five years voted in favour of the BJP candidate in Rajya Sabha polls in 14 months and then got disqualified," Suku said in Kangra district.
The six Congress MLAs -- Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala), Ravi Thakur (Lahaul and Spiti), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Barsar), Chetanya Sharma (Gagret) and Devinder Kumar Bhutto (Kutlehar) -- were disqualified for defying a party whip to be present in Vidhan Sabha and vote in favour of the government during the passage of budget. -- PTI
File image/ANI Photo
18:57 No heatwave concerns for phase 2 polls: IMD to EC
There is "no major concern" regarding heat wave for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls to be held on April 26, the India meteorological department told the Election Commission on Monday.
Director general, IMD, Mrutunjay Mohapatra also told the poll panel that the weather forecast is "normal" for the 13 states and Union Territories going to polls in phase two, according to an official statement.
Amid concerns over rising temperature, the commission on Monday held a meeting with the agencies concerned to understand the developing weather situation and discuss measures to mitigate any risk due to hot weather conditions during the Lok Sabha polling period.
The elections are being held in seven phases beginning April 19 and ending June 1.
The meeting also comes amid concerns that heat wave could affect voter turnout.
It was decided at the meeting that a task force comprising officials from EC, IMD, National Disaster Management Authority (and the Union health ministry will review the impact of heat wave and humidity five days before each polling phase for any "concerning developments" and mitigation measures required, the statement said. -- PTI
File image
18:38 Illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis challenge in Tripura: BSF official
Cross-border crimes, especially illegal infiltration, have emerged as the biggest challenge for the Border Security Force in guarding the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, a top official said on Monday.
He said altogether 1,018 illegal infiltrators were detained while crossing the international border in the last one-and-a-half years.
"Cross-border crimes, smuggling of contraband items and infiltration have emerged as the biggest challenge for the troops to guard the 856 km borderline with Bangladesh," BSF IG, Tripura frontier, Patel Pijush Purusottam Das, said at a press conference.
"During 2023, the influx of Rohingya illegal migrants and Bangladesh nationals has increased in the state. They are using the northeastern state as a corridor to reach different destinations in India. A well-established network of touts exist across the border which facilitate illegal migration," Das said.
A special operation was launched by NIA with the active assistance of BSF in November and December last year and 29 agents involved in illegal migration were arrested for their alleged involvement in human trafficking, he said. -- PTI
File image/PTI Photo
18:12 Bank account frozen after stir against Adani: Kerala church
Just days before Kerala votes on April 26 in the general elections, the influential Latin Church has said its bank accounts were frozen by the central government after its 2022 protests against Adani Group's Vizhinjam International Seaport, and the account freeze is still hurting it.
Vizhinjam, a coastal hamlet in the state capital, had witnessed strong protests against the seaport, which also resulted in violence in November 2022.
In a pastoral letter read during Sunday Mass, the Latin church said it was facing a funds crunch due to the freezing of its bank accounts by the authorities.
"We are unable to receive funds even for our missionary purposes because, after the Vizhinjam protests, the authorities have frozen our bank accounts. That situation continues even now," the letter, which was read across all the Latin churches, said.
The issue of the account freeze was mentioned in the letter seeking financial assistance from believers, for the various expenses of the church. -- PTI
Lingayat seer Dingaleshwar Swami/ANI Photo
17:55 Lingayat seer withdraws nomination from Dharwad LS seat in Karnataka
In a surprising turn of events, Lingayat seer Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami of Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Mutt withdrew his nomination from the Dharwad parliamentary constituency on Monday.
The Lingayat leader submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate on April 18.
His political agent withdrew the seer's nomination on his behalf.
On Swami withdrawing the papers, his agent Sachin Patil said, "I withdrew his nomination today as per Swamiji's order. Only he knows the reason behind this. The followers of Swamiji will also do whatever he orders."
Dingaleshwar's decision to step back from the electoral fray comes at a critical juncture, as the race for the Dharwad parliamentary seat heats up with the formidable presence of Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Pralhad Joshi.
he Lingayat seer's initial entry into the contest had injected a new dynamic into the electoral dynamics of the region, with many anticipating a fierce battle. -- ANI
17:35 Paid price for switching to BJP: Vijender Singh
Boxer-cum-politician Vijender Singh has said he has no qualms about admitting that he has paid an emotional price for the decision to make a political switch from the Congress to the BJP, but insisted that he had his reasons to do so.
"I have just changed the platform, I haven't changed myself. I am the same guy," he said. "Of course, there has been an emotional toll," Singh told PTI in an interview at his residence.
As he opened up about his shocking political switch from to the BJP, he conceded that the move has cost him a few close friendships. But he hopes to regain them by staying true to his "core character".
The 38-year-old, who is India's first and only male boxer to have an Olympic medal (bronze in 2008) to his credit, drew a boxing analogy to explain his decision which left many stunned. But he exuded confidence that those who are feeling offended now will eventually come around when they see that he "remains the same guy".
"It's like when you move up a weight category in boxing. You do that when your body finds it difficult to adjust in your existing category. So, in politics when I found it difficult to adjust, I moved to a different platform," he said.
Singh said he joined the BJP for the betterment of youth and the country. His decision has hurt a few of his friends but he is there for them whenever they need him and they will see his actions, he said.
"I have to prove myself to them and I believe those who are your own never leave you. Some people close to me in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (are upset). But there were a lot of issues," he added, refusing to pinpoint any specific cause for his discontent with the Congress party.
"Yes, of course the Congress people reached out but I shall talk about that later," he responded when probed further on the reasons for his exit and whether the Congress party tried to reason it out with him.
"When one gets a good platform to present her or his views, that person should move on," he said. Singh said his core character and his sense of right and wrong remain the same.
He said he will not stop raising his voice against injustice. He said he was drawn to the BJP due to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Our PM's vision is very good for India. He is the first to apologise when he feels he has gone wrong. He is not someone who only believes in one thing," said Singh, an Arjuna and Khel Ratna awardee who also happens to be India's first male boxer to claim a world championship medal (bronze in 2009).
"Prime Minister Modi has said by 2047, India will be a developed country which is a huge thing," he said, and added that to give a vision like that to a young person in India is huge.
"I hope all of it comes true and especially the youth benefits from his plans," he added.
On whether he has been given any specific role by the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Singh said, "Not yet." "(But) I will campaign in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi," he added, hoping that his presence would help the party consolidate its Jat base in these states. -- PTI
17:28 Byju's clears March salary of employees ahead of NCLT hearing
Ahead of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) hearing on Tuesday, Edtech company Byju's has paid partial salaries to employees for March. Sources told ANI that Byju's founder and CEO Raveendran has raised debt in personal capacity to pay part of March salaries of employees. Teachers, staff at lower levels are paid 100 percent of salary.
The development comes just before the April 23rd hearing at the NCLT on the oppression and mismanagement plea filed by four investors of Byju's. The plea was filed by Peak XV Partners, Prosus NV, General Atlantic, and Sofina SA, who opposed the company's decision to raise USD 200 million rights issue.
17:10 Court directs AIIMS to constitute medical board to examine Kejriwal
Update: A Delhi court on Monday directed the AIIMS to constitute a medical board to examine Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to determine whether he needs insulin to control his sugar levels and consider his other medical issues.
Special Judge for CBI and ED cases Kaveri Baweja passed the order while declining Kejriwal's plea for video consultation with his doctor. Kejriwal had on Friday alleged he was not being administered insulin in jail leading to "alarming" rise in his blood sugar levels. PTI
Atishi and AAP workers carrying insulin injections, stage a protest outside Tihar jail on Sunday
16:59 No insulin, doc consultation for Kejriwal: HC
Delhi Court declines a plea moved by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking direction to Tihar jail authorities to administer insulin and allow him to consult through video conferencing daily for 15 minutes with respect to his acute diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar level.
Arvind Kejriwal has written to the Tihar jail superintendent on Monday claiming he has been asking for insulin daily amid spike in sugar levels, according to AAP sources.
The sources said Kejriwal has also rejected the jail authorities' claim that AIIMS doctors have said there was no reason to worry about the chief minister's health condition. In the letter written to the superintendent on Monday, he accused the jail administration of "lying" under "political pressure", the sources said.
16:50 'Surat has presented first lotus to Modi'
Update: BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was on Monday elected unopposed from Surat Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat after all other nominees withdrew from the fray, a poll official said.
The development marks the first victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "I declare that Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal, sponsored by the BJP, has been duly elected to fill the seat in the House from Surat parliamentary constituency," district collector cum election officer Saurabh Pardhi told media persons as he handed over the Certificate of Election to Dalal.
Voting for all 26 constituencies in Gujarat is scheduled for May 7, but with the result of Surat seat already out, polling will be held on 25 seats. Except for Dalal, all 8 candidates in the fray from Surat- 4 Independents, 3 from smaller parties and Pyarelal Bharti of Bahujan Samaj Party- withdrew their nomination papers on the last day, as per the Surat district election office.
Notably, the candidature of Congress' Nilesh Kumbhani from Surat seat was rejected on Sunday after the district returning officer prima facie found discrepancies in the signature of the proposers.
The nomination form of Suresh Padsala, the Congress' substitute candidate from Surat, was also invalidated.
The Congress on Sunday alleged that Kumbhani's nomination form was rejected at the behest of the BJP and said it would challenge the rejection in the High Court.
"Surat has presented the first Lotus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I congratulate our candidate for Surat Lok Sabha seat Mukesh Dalal for getting elected unopposed," Gujarat unit BJP president C R Paatil posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In 2019 the seat was won by the BJP
16:36 SP fields Tej Pratap Yadav from Kannauj seat
The Samajwadi Party on Monday declared Tej Pratap Yadav as its candidate from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, ending speculation that party chief Akhilesh Yadav could contest from the Lok Sabha constituency.
The party also named Sanatan Pandey from Ballia seat.
Tej Pratap Yadav Yadav, who is a grand-nephew of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and son-in-law of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, had represented the Mainpuri seat from 2014-2019.
There was speculation that former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav could contest from the Kannauj seat. In the 2019, polls the seat was won by BJP's Subrat Pathak, who defeated Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav. PTI
16:20 BJP wins Surat Lok Sabha seat unopposed
Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil tweets "Congratulations and best wishes to Mukesh Dalal, candidate for Surat Lok Sabha seat, for being elected unopposed.
This is what Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had to say on the win.
"Democracy is under threat. Aap chronology samajhiye:
-- Surat District Election Officer rejects @INCIndia's candidate for Surat Lok Sabha, Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination for "discrepancies in verification of signatures of three proposers'
-- On similar grounds, officials reject the nomination of Suresh Padsala, the INC's substitute candidate from Surat. Congress Party is left without a candidate.
-- All other candidates withdraw their nomination except BJP's candidate, Mukesh Dalal.
-- BJP candidate declared "elected unopposed' from Surat Lok Sabha seat on April 22nd, 2024, nearly two weeks before polling on May 7th 2024. The distress and anger faced by MSME owners and businesspeople in Modi's Anyay Kaal has spooked the BJP so badly that they are attempting to "match-fix' Surat Lok Sabha, which they have won consistently since 1984 Lok Sabha elections! Our elections, our democracy, Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution -- all are under a generational threat. This is the most important election of our lifetime!
#BJPHataoSamvidhanBachao
#MatchFixingNahiChalegi."
Narendra Modi with Vladimir Putin in 2018
16:10 I fear a new Putin in the making in India: Pawar
NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar on Monday claimed former prime ministers worked to make a new India but PM Narendra Modi only criticises others and doesn't speak about what his government had done for the people in the last ten years.
Addressing a campaign rally in Amravati for a Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate, Pawar said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to the country cannot be questioned.
He claimed some BJP leaders had spoken publicly about changing the Constitution and appealed to the people to not allow autocracy to take shape in India.
A high-profile poll battle is shaping up in the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency where the BJP has fielded Navneet Rana, the sitting MP who won the 2019 polls as an Independent candidate, against Balwant Wankhede of Congress.
Pawar alleged PM Modi was trying to create fear and emulating Russian President Vladamir Putin. Pawar said he has come to apologise to the people of Amravati for the "mistake" he had committed in the 2019 elections by supporting the candidate (Navneet Rana).
"In the last elections, I had sought the support of people and made an appeal (to elect Rana). People elected the candidate I had appealed for. Time has come to amend that mistake," he said.
Wankhede, who belongs to Congress, is contesting the election as a candidate of the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Congress.
"After Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, I saw the working of almost all PMs ranging from Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Narasimha Rao to Manmohan Singh. Their efforts were to make a new India, but the incumbent PM only criticises," Pawar said.
He said that no one in history can forget the contribution of former PM Jawaharlal Nehru but the prime minister (Modi) continuously criticises him.
"Instead of telling what the Central government did in the last ten years, he (Modi) keeps criticising others," Pawar added. "We fear that a new Putin is in the making in India", he said.
He hailed Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray for "shouldering the responsibility to protect the national interest" by working closely with the Congress and the NCP (SP) like in the past. PTI
KBK Infographics
15:57 Party with maximum candidates with criminal records is...
A look at Lok Sabha Elections Phase-II: Criminal Candidates
15:53 LS polls 2024 generate up to 9 lakh temp jobs
As the country goes through general elections, industry experts say up to 9 lakh temporary jobs are expected to have been created across different roles due to the hustings.
The first phase of general elections was held on April 19 with 102 constituencies across 21 states and UTs going to polls. The last phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be held on June 1.
"The exact number of temporary jobs created during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections across the country would depend on various factors such as the scale of the election, the number of polling stations, and the requirements of election-related activities. However, on our platform, we anticipate at least 9 lakh jobs during the elections," WorkIndia CEO and co-founder Nilesh Dungarwal told PTI.
The temporary jobs created during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections encompass a diverse range of roles catering to different aspects of the electoral process, he said.
He said some common positions include polling booth officials, election clerks, security personnel, data entry operators, transportation coordinators, and administrative staff, which are crucial for ensuring the smooth functioning of the electoral process and maintaining transparency throughout the elections.
"During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, job roles that saw a significant increase on our platform were accounting (80 per cent), data entry jobs (64 per cent), security personnel (86 per cent), back office (70 per cent), delivery, drivers, field sales and retail (65 per cent), manual jobs (82 per cent), content writing (67 per cent) among others," he added. Echoing the view, CIEL HR Director and CEO Aditya Narayan Mishra said that over the past six months it is estimated that about 2,00,000 temporary positions have emerged as contestants prepare for the upcoming elections.
These roles span various sectors crucial for election preparation such as data analysis, planning, public relations, market survey, media relations, content design, content marketing, social media marketing, AI strategies and project management, he said.
15:45 My Life Was In Danger: Salma Agha
She became a household name in 1982, after the release of her debut film, Nikaah. It turned the spotlight on triple talaaq and sparked off a huge controversy, but then went on to bust the box office.
Thirty-seven years later, this practice, which had ruined the lives of so many Muslim women, was declared illegal and void.
Salma Agha raised her voice in support of the ban and invited death threats. But there was no keeping her down.
More recently, speaking to Rediff.com Senior Contributor Roshmila Bhattacharya, the actress-activist reveals, "I want to get back to acting, both in films and OTT, and have lost 15 kilos. I also want to start singing again and there are plans to open a production company in Mumbai.
Read the interview here.
A Mumbai crime branch team in the Tapi river
15:15 Salman firing: The supercop hunting for gun is...
A Mumbai crime branch team on Monday launched a search in the Tapi river in Gujarat's Surat city to recover the pistol used by two men for allegedly firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence, police said.
The two arrested men - Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) - told the police during interrogation that they threw the weapon into the Tapi river in Surat from a railway bridge when they were fleeing towards Bhuj in a train after arriving in Surat by road from Mumbai following the firing incident, according to sources.
The duo allegedly fired outside 58-year-old Khan's house at the Galaxy Apartment in Bandra area of Mumbai on April 14 and then fled the spot on a motorbike.
Based on the technical surveillance, they were apprehended on April 16 from a temple premises at Mata No Madh near Bhuj town in Gujarat by joint teams of the Mumbai and Kutch police. They were subsequently handed over to the Mumbai police for further investigation.
"A team of Mumbai police has come to Surat to recover the gun used by two men for firing at Salman Khan's residence there. Our teams are assisting the Mumbai police in recovering the weapon," Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot told PTI.
Senior police inspector Daya Nayak, known as 'encounter specialist', was also with the Mumbai crime branch team which was searching for the weapon in the Tapi river in Surat with the help of local divers and fishermen, another official said.
As per the investigation, Gupta and Pal had reached Surat by road after firing at Khan's house in Mumbai on April 14. They then boarded a Bhuj-bound train from Surat railway station. They disposed of the pistol in the Tapi river when the train was passing from a bridge in the city. Prima facie, the duo's main objective behind firing outside Khan's residence was to create "terror", police had said.
The Mumbai police have declared jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi as "wanted accused" in connection with the incident. Gupta and Pal were allegedly receiving instructions from the two Bishnoi brothers, the Mumbai police have said. While Lawrence Bishnoi is lodged in the Sabarmati central prison in Gujarat in another case, his brother is believed to be in Canada or the US, an official earlier said. PTI
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
14:56 Kejriwal has been asking for insulin daily: AAP
AAP sources said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Tihar jail superintendent on Monday claiming he has been asking for insulin daily amid spike in sugar levels.
He also rejected the jail authorities' claim that AIIMS doctors have said there was no reason to worry about the chief minister's health condition, they said.
In the letter written to the superintendent on Monday, he accused the jail administration of "lying" under "political pressure", the sources said. There was no immediate reaction from Tihar jail authorities.
In a statement on Sunday, the Tihar administration had said they had arranged a video conference of Kejriwal on April 20 with senior specialists from AIIMS during which neither "the issue of insulin was raised by Kejriwal, nor was it suggested by the doctors".
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Tihar administration of denying insulin to Kejriwal, who suffers from diabetes. The party has also alleged a "conspiracy" to "kill" him.
"Kejriwal wrote to Tihar jail superintendent saying he was hurt after reading the statement from jail authorities in newspapers," a party source said.
"In the letter, he said the statements of Tihar administration are false and said he has been asking for insulin on a daily basis. During the day, his sugar levels see a spike thrice and read anywhere between 250 to 320," said a source from AAP.
In the letter, he also said that AIIMS doctors had not said that there was no cause of worry. "The doctors had said that they will assess the situation based on the history and data of Kejriwal's condition," added the source.
The Tihar administration, in the statement on Sunday, said appropriate senior specialists from AIIMS provided consultation to Kejriwal during the video call on April 20.
"After a 40-minute detailed consultation, Kejriwal was assured that there was no serious concern and was advised to continue with the prescribed medicines, which will be evaluated and reviewed regularly," a jail official had said. The video conference was organised by the Tihar Jail administration on a request by the chief minister's wife Sunita Kejriwal.
Apart from a senior specialist from the hospital, medical officers of the Tihar jail were also on the call. The AIIMS specialist was provided with a complete record of CGM (Glucose Monitoring Sensor) and the details of diet and medicines being taken by Kejriwal, the official said. "Neither the issue of insulin was raised by Kejriwal, nor was it suggested by the doctors," the official added.
PM at a rally in Amroha, UP
14:48 PM has called a spade a spade: BJP on Modi rally
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a spade a spade and has echoed people's sentiments, the BJP asserted on Monday after the opposition termed his remarks at a poll rally in Rajasthan as communally divisive.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told reporters that the opposition is in pain as Modi has showed them the mirror about its past. His remarks have resonated with people as for the opposition INDIA bloc those who have illegally entered the country are more important than citizens if they happen to be Muslims, he alleged.
Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, Modi alleged that the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children".
In his remarks in Rajasthan, Modi had said," Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children".
Targeting Modi, the Congress on Monday accused him of attempting to create communal polarisation for electoral gains.
AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation K C Venugopal said the prime minister was quoting something that wasn't there in the Congress manifesto and that he was attempting to create "communal polarisation" in the country for electoral gains.
Bhatia asked if the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had in 2006 not said that minorities, especially Muslims, have the first rights in the country's resources.
He said the UPA was a black chapter in the Indian democracy and if the INDIA alliance feels ashamed, so be it.
Addressing the 52nd Meeting of the National Development Council in 2006, former prime minister Singh had said, "We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources. The Centre has a myriad other responsibilities whose demands will have to be fitted within the over-all resource availability." PTI
Narendra Modi at the rally in Rajasthan
14:19 Political discourse never so low: Sibal slams PM
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'Congress will redistribute wealth' remarks, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday said political discourse had never sunk to such a low in India's history and urged the Election Commission to take action in the matter.
Sibal's attack came a day after Prime Minister Modi suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources.
"After the PM's speech, crores of people will be disappointed. Probably no other prime minister has given such a statement since 1950. The speech points out that our minorities who have been living in India for years are infiltrators. What kind of politics is this?" Sibal said at a press conference here.
"What kind of culture is this? You talk of Ram Mandir, inaugurate the temple, talk about Ram's ideals and on the other hand you spread hate. Where is 'sabka saath, sabka vikaas, sabka vishvaas'. You cannot maintain India by being the groom of hate," Sibal said, slamming the prime minister for his remarks.
Sibal said he was deeply disappointed with the remarks because he respects the post of the PM and the person sitting on it. "But when the PM is not worthy of respect then the intellectuals of the country should come forward," he asserted.
Sibal also questioned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's silence on the remarks. "We oppose the RSS and will do so in future but I also know that the RSS has not taught these things to Modi, it is not their culture. Where has this come from," the former Congress leader said.
Sibal said that the prime minister talked about wealth at a time when over 40 per cent of the country's wealth is in the hands of one per cent of the population "He states that the Congress will give the wealth to infiltrators. Do the 20 per cent people of the country don't matter. Never in India's history, has political discourse touched such a low," Sibal said.
He said he wants to ask the Election Commission as to why it has not taken any action on Modi's speech. "You (EC) should condemn this statement, give a notice to Modi, direct channels to not repeat this, file a case under IPC 153A. Election Commission should not forget that it has sworn on the Constitution. If they violate that and stand with such speeches, it will neither be good for them nor the country," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Hitting out at the PM, Sibal accused him of speaking "untruths".
"The Congress and particularly Manmohan Singh never had the intention that the country's wealth goes to one community. They always strived that the SCs, STs, deprived, minorities are uplifted which is the right thing," the former minister in the UPA government said.
"By giving such inciting speeches and spreading hate it means that you have forgotten 'sabka saath, sabka vikaas, and nobody has 'vishvaas' in you," Sibal said. Speeches should be made on development issues and progress of the country, he asserted.
13:53 Why Kharge has asked for a meeting with Modi
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his controversial speech at an election rally a day ago, the Congress on Monday accused him of attempting to create communal polarisation for electoral gains.
AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation K C Venugopal said Modi made statements that were not befitting the post of Prime Minister.
He alleged that the Prime Minister was quoting something that wasn't there in the Congress manifesto and that he was attempting to create "communal polarisation" in the country for electoral gains.
Making a jibe at Modi, Venugopal said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to "educate him" about the party manifesto.
The Congress stepped up its attack on Modi after he suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute people's wealth to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources.
Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara yesterday, Modi had also alleged the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children."
Venugopal said all Congress leaders, including party candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, will send copies of the manifesto to Modi. He also alleged that Modi distorted the speech of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. PTI
13:43 EC holds meet to mitigate risks due to heatwave
Following forecast of above-normal temperatures and heat waves in parts of the country, the Election Commission held a meeting on Monday with different stakeholders, including officials of the Met department.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu chaired the meeting.
The meeting discussed measures to mitigate risk occurring out of heatwaves during the Lok Sabha polls.
Six more phases of the seven phased exercise are yet to be held in the country. Officers of the Indian Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Authority and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare attended the meeting. Director General of Meteorology of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, "IMD is in continuous touch with the Election Commission of India. Along with seasonal forecasts, we are doing monthly, week-wise and everyday forecasts and giving them forecasts about heat waves, and humidity levels. We are providing the ECI, inputs and forecasts about the places where elections are going to be held in different phases." -- ANI
12:56 Now, Ranveer Singh's deepfake video trashes PM
Actor Ranveer Singh has filed a complaint over a widely-circulated deepfake video that showed him endorsing a political party.
While the video -- an interview he gave to the news agency ANI during his recent visit to Varanasi -- is genuine, the audio was generated through an AI-enabled tool.
In the deepfake, Ranveer Singh was seen criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment and inflation.
The video later concluded with a message urging people to vote for the Congress party.
His spokesperson says, "Yes, we have filed the police complaint and FIR has been lodged against the handle that was promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Ranveer Singh."
Actor Aamir Khan has also been a target of a deepfake video endorsing a political party and criticizing PM Narendra Modi.
The Mumbai Police has registered an FIR against an unnamed person in connection with the deepfake video of Aamir Khan.
12:48 Ghazipur toxic horror: 'We are left to die here'
Toxic fumes from the Ghazipur landfill on Monday sent local residents gasping for breath and cursing politicians over the garbage mountain that still blights the city.
Thick plumes of smoke still rose skywards from Ghazipur landfill on Monday, hours after a major fire broke out there.
According to the Delhi Fire Service, the landfill witnessed a big fire Sunday evening due to the gases produced in the massive mountain of waste.
"It's been 15 hours since the fire broke out. This smoke is not any common smoke, it is very poisonous. We are unable to keep our eyes open due to irritation and are breathing with difficulty," Ram Kumar from Gharoli village, close to the landfill, said.
Several residents told PTI Videos that due to smoke they were not able to send their children to the school. They accused the MCD and the city government of not taking any action to give a better life to them.
"It's been 15 years. Ministers visit us only during elections. But after that not a single one returns to our door to know if we are facing any problem. This landfill is a curse for us. We are forced to suffer foul smells every day. And now this fire has caused several health problems for us. Why do they (ministers) want us to die?" Ilayas Khan said.
Rakesh Kumar, a heart patient, said he had to move to his relative's place because he could not bear the suffocation any longer.
"And this is not only my condition, several people are leaving their house due to the same reason," he said. Bilkis, another resident, said the landfill still sits where it does because politicians never made good on their promises.
"Now they will be here again, showing their concern just to take votes. Nothing will happen," she said. Mehfuz said when he purchased a house in the area around 20 years ago, the landfill wasn't this big.
"There was nothing such as this huge landfill now. Why is the government not able to find any proper solution? We are even unable to send our children to school due to smoke," he said. The fire department got a call on Sunday at 5.22 pm about the fire and pressed 14 fire tenders to put out the blaze. PTI
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
12:20 No extraordinary interim bail for Kejriwal: HC
The Delhi HC dismisses with Rs 75000 costs, a PIL seeking extraordinary interim bail for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise matter.
The plea for extraordinary interim bail for Kejriwal was filed on the ground that his safety is in danger as he is confined with hardcore criminals.
Kejriwal is lodged in the Tihar jail in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.
The plea said to fulfil the responsibilities of the chief minister, Kejriwal's physical presence is required in his office and home to take quick decisions on all issues and to pass orders in the welfare of the public at large.
12:15 1977 redux
"Indians have begun voting in the country's eighteenth general election. Of the seventeen previous iterations, two were particularly important. One was the first general election, held in 1951-1952.
"That exercise was widely mocked by sceptics who believed that Indians were too poor, too divided, and too illiterate to be granted the right to choose their leaders.
"A maharaja, who had reluctantly joined the Indian Union, told a visiting American couple that any Constitution that sanctioned universal suffrage in a land of illiterates was "crazy'. A Madras editor complained that "a very large majority [will] exercise votes for the first time: not many know what the vote is, why they should vote, and whom they should vote for; no wonder the whole adventure is rated as the biggest gamble in history.'
"And the RSS weekly, Organiser, loftily remarked that 'Pandit Nehru would live to confess the failure of universal adult franchise in India.'
"Yet the gamble worked. A variety of parties and individuals representing different ideological persuasions contested the election, and adult men and women freely chose among them. The successful holding of that first election was a major milestone in Indian history. Later elections in 1957, 1962, 1967 and 1971 consolidated the gains made in 1952."
Read Ramachandra Guha's column here.
12:09 Mamata lioness before vote, cat after: Dilip Ghosh
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dilip Ghosh said on Monday that the people of West Bengal will only get their rights when the BJP comes to power in the state.
"There will be a BJP Government in the state one day and the public will get their rights," he said.
Ghosh took a jibe at the West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo saying before the vote, she is a lioness, after the vote, she is a cat.
Ghosh also criticized the Bengal leadership for causing corruption by turning a leader into a thief and a thief into a leader. He warned them to bear the consequences of their actions and not expect any sympathy.
"Before the vote, she is a lioness, after the vote, she is a cat. Reap the fruits of the work you have done, you won't get any sympathy. You have left the whole of Bengal in corruption, made a leader into a thief and a thief into a leader, they have to atone for it. They thought they would escape, but there is no way out," he said.
Ghosh is the BJP's candidate from the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency.
On Sunday, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday called Mamata Banerjee's TMC party, a party of goons that lacks support from the people."TMC is a party of goons. TMC is not a political party...Goons and police are with them, not the people," Adhikari said.
The voting for the first phase recently concluded in the Coochbehar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri parliamentary constituencies. The BJP won in all these constituencies in the last election in 2019.
Voting for the remaining constituencies of West Bengal will be held on April 26, May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4.
11:56 ECI orders repoll in 8 polling stations in Arunachal
Election Commission of India has ordered repolling in eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh where EVM damage and violence were reported during polling to simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on April 19, an official said.
The Commission in an order on Sunday declared the polling in the eight polling stations as void and ordered fresh polling on April 24 from 6 am to 2 pm, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu said in a communique.
The polling stations where repoll would be held include, Sario in Bameng assembly constituency in East Kameng district, Longte Loth under Nyapin assembly seat in Kurung Kumey, Dingser, Bogiya Siyum, Jimbari and Lengi polling booths under Nacho constituency in Upper Subansiri district. Repoll will also be held in Bogne and Molom polling booths under Rumgong assembly constituency in Siang district, the communique said.
An estimated 76.44 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercised their franchise on April 19 to elect 50 MLAs for the 60-member assembly in the northeastern state. The ruling BJP had already won 10 assembly seats unopposed. PTI
11:51 ED lied about insulin for Kejriwal: Atishi
Delhi Cabinet minister Atishi Monday alleged that the ED "lied" in court about consulting specialists from AIIMS over whether Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a diabetic, needs insulin.
Kejriwal had on Friday moved a fresh plea seeking consultation with his physician for 15 minutes every day and administration of insulin in jail. Addressing a press conference, Atishi said, "The ED lied in court and said specialists from AIIMS were consulted and they have said that no insulin is needed and have also formulated a diet chart for Kejriwal."
"However, the diet chart was not prepared by an endocrinologist or diabetologist, but by a dietician. We all know that dieticians are not MBBS doctors. On the basis of that diet cart, they have been saying in court that Kejriwal does not need insulin," she said.
The Tihar administration had on Saturday arranged a video conference of Kejriwal with specialists from AIIMS, during which neither "the issue of insulin was raised by Kejriwal, nor was it suggested by the doctors," prison authorities said.
"After a 40-minute detailed consultation, Kejriwal was assured that there was no serious concern and was advised to continue with the prescribed medicines, which will be evaluated and reviewed regularly," a jail official said. PTI
WB CM Mamata Banerjee
11:36 HC declares null and void 2016 recruitment test for Bengal govt schools
The Calcutta High Court on Monday declared as null and void the selection process of State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools, ordering cancellation of all appointments made through it.
A division bench comprising justices Debangsu Basak and Md Shabbar Rashidi also directed the CBI to undertake further investigation in respect of the appointment process, and submit a report in three months. The bench directed the West Bengal School Service Commission to initiate a fresh appointment process. Over 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the 2016 SLST for 24,640 vacant posts. PTI
11:15 PM diverting attention to 'business of lies': Rahul
The Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of speaking in a "poisonous language" and said that he has several new tactics for diverting attention from real issues but the end of "business of lies" is near.
The Congress on Sunday night had also hit back at Prime Minister Modi over his "redistribution of wealth" remarks targeting the party, saying after facing "disappointment" in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, the PM has now resorted to "lies" and "hate speech" to divert people from the real issues.
Sharing the Congress' latest advertisement that focuses on rising prices and unemployment on Monday, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said, "Unemployment and inflation are at their peak in the country and Narendra Modi says 'everything is fine'."
"He (Modi) has several new techniques to 'divert from the issues', But the end of the business of lies is near," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also stepped up his attack on the prime minister.
"The Prime Minister speaks in a poisonous language on a whole lot of issues. He should also answer a simple question - Since 1951, census has been conducted every ten years. This reveals the actual data of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population. This should have been done in 2021 but has not been done till date. Why is the Prime Minister silent on this?" Ramesh said. This is a conspiracy to destroy the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar," Ramesh alleged.
The Congress stepped up its attack on the prime minister after he suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources. Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, Modi alleged the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children". PTI
10:42 Nafrat ke ghode ka dulha, Sibal refers to Modi
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal says, "Recently, PM Modi gave a speech, it seems that the first phase of elections have not been in their favour. After that speech, I feel that a lot of people would be disappointed...Which indicates that minorities living here are intruders. What kind of politics and culture is this?..."
"Nafrat ke ghode ka dulha bann kar aap kabhi Hindustan ko barkarar nahin rakh sakte. We respect the post of Prime Minister and the person holding that post but when the PM is not worthy of respect, the intellectuals in the country should raise their voice. Mohan Bhagwat is silent. Why is he silent?...
"You (PM Modi) are giving a speech that the Congress will give the properties of the women to infiltrators and terrorists...Politics has stooped down to such a level and it has not happened in history and I do not want it to happen. I want to ask a question to the Election Commission why action was not taken immediately. You (EC) should condemn it and a notice should be given to PM Modi..."
In his remarks in Rajasthan, Modi said, "The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom -- Manmohan Singh's government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets."
"Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children," the prime minister said.
10:42 PM now resorting to hate speech, lies: Cong hits back
How the Congress reacted: The Congress on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'redistribution of wealth' remarks targeting the party, saying after facing 'disappointment' in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, the PM has now resorted to 'lies' and 'hate speech' to divert people from the real issues. Read more here
Representational image
10:19 50 students hospitalised due to food poisoning
Over 50 students from a private coaching centre in Khed tehsil of Pune district were hospitalised allegedly due to food poisoning, police said. The incident happened last night. The condition of the students was stable, and they were discharged after primary check-ups and treatment, a senior police officer said.
The coaching centre offers coaching for Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and all India pre-medical entrance, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), and provides boarding facilities to over 500 students.
"After dinner last night, some students started complaining of food poisoning following which they were admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment," Rajkumar Kendre, Senior Police inspector at Khed Police station of Pune (Rural), said today.
"With some primary check-ups and treatment, students were discharged from the hospital," he said.
Police have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the food poisoning, with food samples being sent for laboratory testing, he added.
09:56 65,000+ Indians became US citizens in 2022
A total of 65,960 Indians officially became US citizens, making India the second-largest source country for new citizens in America after Mexico, according to the latest Congressional report.
An estimated 46 million foreign-born persons resided in the United States in 2022, approximately 14 per cent of the total US population of 333 million, according to American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau.
Of these, 24.5 million, about 53 per cent, reported their status as naturalised citizens. In its latest US Naturalisation Policy report of April 15, the independent Congressional Research Service in the fiscal year 2022, a total of 969,380 individuals became naturalised US citizens.
Individuals born in Mexico represented the largest number of naturalisations, followed by persons from India, Philippines, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, it said.
09:35 Repolling underway at 11 polling stations in Manipur
Repolling is underway at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency amid tight security, officials said on Monday.
The decision about fresh polling was taken following a directive from the Election Commission, which declared voting held at these stations on April 19 as null and void.
"Voters have been queueing up since early morning to exercise their franchise at all the 11 polling stations, which was affected by riot-like situation on Friday. No disturbance or violence has been reported so far on Monday," an election official said.
The repolling began at 7 am. Fresh polls are being conducted at Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in Khurai constituency, two each in Bamon Kampu and Irilbung in Kshetrigao constituency and at Khongman Zone V in Thongju in Imphal East district, three in Iroishemba area in Uripok constituency and at Khaidem Makha in Konthoujam in Imphal West district, he said.
Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling stations and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur, which recorded a turnout of 72 per cent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies -- Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur -- on Friday. -- PTI
09:02 BJP's Hyderabad candidate booked for hurting religious sentiments
A first information report (FIR) was registered against the Bharatiya Janata Party's Hyderabad candidate K Madhavi Latha following a complaint that she hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community by gesturing to shoot an arrow towards a place of worship, police said on Sunday.
A purported video of the incident was widely circulated on social media last week.
The complaint alleged that Madhavi Latha made a gesture of drawing an arrow and shooting it at the place of worship during a Ram Navami procession on April 17, hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community, the police said.
The case was registered on April 20 under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code, they said.
After the clip went viral, Madhavi Latha said in a post on X that it had come to her notice that an incomplete video of her was being circulated to create negativity.
"I would like to clarify that it's an incomplete video and even because of such video if any one's sentiments are hurt then I would like to apologise as I respect all individuals," she had said. -- PTI
08:45 Rahul cancels poll campaign in Kerala after taking ill
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has cancelled his election campaign in Kerala scheduled to be held on April 22 following indisposition, the party said on Sunday.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) acting president, M M Hassan, who also the UDF convenor, said all the public meetings of Gandhi scheduled to be held on Monday stand cancelled.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi, did not participate in the INDIA bloc rally in Ranchi, which senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said, 'he took ill suddenly and is unable to leave New Delhi for the present'.
Shri Rahul Gandhi was all set to campaign today in Satna and Ranchi where the INDIA rally is being held.
He took ill suddenly and is unable to leave New Delhi for the present, Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge communications, said.
Gandhi is the Congress candidate from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.
The election for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala will be held on April 26. -- PTI
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