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Tue, 08 October 2024
EVM battery strength not linked to results: Sources
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Yati Narsinghanand/File image/ANI Photo
23:40 Protest held against Narsinghanand in UP, dozens of demonstrators booked
Members of the Muslim community staged a demonstration in Ghaziabad against controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand on Tuesday, blocking the service lane from Delhi to Ghaziabad at the UP Gate, prompting the police to register an FIR against scores of protestors.
The police said they have filed charges against 11 named individuals, including Zakir Ali Saifi, Dilshad Ahmed, Shakeel Ansari (national vice president of World Peace Harmony), along with 60 unidentified persons under Section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The protest, led by Haji Shakeel Saifi, chairman of the WPC, aimed to express their discontent against Narsinghanand for his remarks on Prophet Muhammad on September 29.
"The protesters attempted to enter Ghaziabad from Delhi without obtaining permission. Prohibitory orders are currently in place in the district," deputy commissioner of police (Trans Hindan) Nimish Patil said.
The demonstration featured slogans condemning Narsinghanand for comments he made during a programme organised by the Martyr Major Asharam Tyagi Sewa Sansthan at Hindi Bhavan, Lohiya Nagar.
WPC chairman Saifi submitted a memorandum regarding the protest to ACP Indirapuram Swatantra Kumar Singh at the UP Gate. -- PTI
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23:22 AFSPA extended in 4 districts of Assam due to situation in Bangladesh
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA, under which an area is declared "disturbed" for the convenience of security forces, was extended in four districts of Assam for six months in view of the "recent disturbances" in Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on the law and order situation, according to a notification issued on Tuesday.
The districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar will remain "disturbed area" under the AFSPA, it said.
Reports from various agencies obtained through the police headquarters have indicated that "due to sustained efforts and proactive counter-insurgency measures of the security forces, the overall scenario in the state of Assam has significantly improved during the last few years and particularly during last three years", the notification said.
"However, due to the recent disturbances in the neighbouring country Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on internal law and order situation, the Government of Assam recommends that the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 may be retained for another 6 (six) months," it added.
The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of home affairs, which after due consideration decided to maintain the "status quo" regarding disturbed areas in the state for a further period of six months from October 1, the notification said.
These four districts have been the only areas under AFSPA in the state since October last year, with the law being gradually withdrawn from other parts.
It was withdrawn from Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao last year, while other areas were taken out of its purview earlier. -- PTI
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22:57 EVM battery strength not linked to results: Sources
Election Commission sources on Tuesday rejected claims by Congress leaders of alleged tampering of EVMs in some Haryana seats where machines with varying battery strength gave out different results.
The sources were responding to claims by Congress leaders who said complaints had been received from Hisar, Mahendragarh and Panipat that there were electronic voting machines with 99 percent battery on which the BJP won while units with 60-70 percent battery saw the Congress win.
"Have you understood this conspiracy? Where there was 99 percent battery in EVMs, the BJP won. Where there was less than 70 percent battery, the Congress won. If this is not a conspiracy, then what is it?" party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Tuesday.
The EC sources explained that alkaline batteries are used in the control unit of EVMs.
New batteries are inserted in the control unit on the day of commissioning in the presence of candidates and are sealed, they said.
They explained that initially, the battery provides a voltage between 7.5 and 8 volts.
Hence, the battery capacity is displayed as 99 per cent when the voltage is above 7.4, they said. -- PTI
22:49 BJP ex-leader dies, wife hospitalised in Himachal after 'consuming' poison
Rakesh Chaudhary, a former Bharatiya Janata Party leader died on Tuesday and his wife is hospitalised after they allegedly consuming a poisonous substance, the police said.
According to police, the incident occurred late Monday night after Chaudhary returned home from a wedding ceremony.
The police were informed of the situation on Tuesday morning.
Preliminary investigation reveals that both Chaudhary and his wife had allegedly consumed some poisonous substance, superintendent of police, Kangra Shalini Agnihotri said.
Chaudhary, who had unsuccessfully contested from the Dharamshala assembly seat twice as an independent candidate and once under the BJP banner, was critical and died on Tuesday afternoon while his wife's condition is reported to be stable.
However, she added that further confirmation would come only after a detailed medical report is available.
No formal statements have been taken yet.
The police said that further investigations are underway.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have expressed grief over the untimely demise of former BJP leader Rakesh Chaudhary. -- PTI
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22:31 Haryana polls: Highest and lowest victory margins
The Uchana Kalan seat in Haryana saw one of the fiercest electoral encounters with BJP's Devender Chatar Bhuj Attri defeating Congress candidate Brijendra Singh by just 32 votes.
The margin of 32 votes was the lowest margin among the 90 assembly segments where polling took place on October 5.
The Jannayak Janta Party Dushyant Chautala who was the outgoing MLA from Uchana Kalan seat was at the fifth spot, as per the Election Commission.
On the other hand, Congress party's Mamman Khan won the Ferozepur Jhirka seat in Nuh district by a highest margin of 98,441 votes.
Khan, who was the sitting MLA from this seat, defeated BJP's Naseem Ahmed.
Khan polled 1,30,497 votes while his nearest rival got 32,056 votes. -- PTI
22:12 Haryana gets 13 women MLAs
Thirteen woman candidates have been elected to the 90-member Haryana assembly, according to state election results declared on Tuesday.
During the 2019 assembly polls, eight women candidates were elected as MLAs.
A total of 1,031 candidates, including 464 Independents and 101 women, were in the fray in the October 5 polls.
Five women candidates of the BJP and seven candidates of the Congress won.
Independent candidate Savitri Jindal won the Hisar assembly seat. She defeated Congress' Ram Niwas Rara by a margin of 18,941 votes. Jindal is the mother of BJP's Kurukshetra MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal.
BJP nominee Shakti Rani Sharma won the Kalka seat while Krishna Gahlawat won the Rai assembly segment.
BJP nominee Shruti Choudhary, who is the daughter of BJP MP Kiran Choudhary, won the Tosham seat, while party candidate Arti Singh Ran who is the daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, won the Ateli seat.
Kiran Choudhary, the daughter-in-law of former Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal, switched from the Congress to the BJP in June this year.
BJP's Bimla Chaudhary won the Pataudi assembly seat.
Among the Congress candidates, wrestler Vinesh Phogat won the Julana assembly segment while former minister and Congress nominee Geeta Bhukkal retained the Jhajjar seat.
Shalley Chaudhary won the Naraingarh seat while Shakuntla Khatak won the Kalanaur seat.
Pooja won the Mulana assembly segment while Renu Bala won the Sadhaura seat.
Congress nominee Manu Choudhry won the Nangal Chaudhary seat. -- PTI
During the 2019 assembly polls, eight women candidates were elected as MLAs.
A total of 1,031 candidates, including 464 Independents and 101 women, were in the fray in the October 5 polls.
Five women candidates of the BJP and seven candidates of the Congress won.
Independent candidate Savitri Jindal won the Hisar assembly seat. She defeated Congress' Ram Niwas Rara by a margin of 18,941 votes. Jindal is the mother of BJP's Kurukshetra MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal.
BJP nominee Shakti Rani Sharma won the Kalka seat while Krishna Gahlawat won the Rai assembly segment.
BJP nominee Shruti Choudhary, who is the daughter of BJP MP Kiran Choudhary, won the Tosham seat, while party candidate Arti Singh Ran who is the daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, won the Ateli seat.
Kiran Choudhary, the daughter-in-law of former Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal, switched from the Congress to the BJP in June this year.
BJP's Bimla Chaudhary won the Pataudi assembly seat.
Among the Congress candidates, wrestler Vinesh Phogat won the Julana assembly segment while former minister and Congress nominee Geeta Bhukkal retained the Jhajjar seat.
Shalley Chaudhary won the Naraingarh seat while Shakuntla Khatak won the Kalanaur seat.
Pooja won the Mulana assembly segment while Renu Bala won the Sadhaura seat.
Congress nominee Manu Choudhry won the Nangal Chaudhary seat. -- PTI
22:11 After Haryana rout, Cong's reminder to Maha allies
In the wake of its shock defeat in the Haryana Assembly polls, the Congress on Tuesday reminded its Maharashtra allies that it was the number one party in the Lok Sabha polls in the state.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh's remarks came when asked about Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Priyanka Chaturvedi's reported comments that the Congress is found wanting in a direct fight with the BJP.
"In Maharashtra, I want to remind that in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress was in the first place and 'coalition dharma' is that we discuss issues between ourselves and not through the media," Ramesh said.
"We are in alliance in Maharashtra, it is our responsibility to strengthen the alliance. We will not say anything about our allies," he said.
The BJP suffered a setback in Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, with its tally dwindling by almost half compared to 2019, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar were on a roll.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena won nine and one seat respectively, the Congress won 13, the Shiv Sena-UBT and the NCP-SP nine each.
Assembly elections are due in Maharashtra later this year. -- PTI
21:50 More J-K voters opt for NOTA than those in Haryana
More voters in Jammu and Kashmir used the none of the above (NOTA) button against those in Haryana, latest Election Commission data shows.
In elections to the 90-member Haryana assembly, out of over two crore electors, 67.90 per cent had exercised their franchise.
Out of these, 0.38 per cent used the NOTA option on the voting machine.
In the three-phased Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls to 90 seats, 63.88 per cent of the total electorate voted.
Out of these, 1.48 per cent opted for the NOTA option.
According to trends, not more than two per cent of the voters have opted for the NOTA option, indicating continued reluctance of electors in choosing the option.
Introduced in 2013, the NOTA option on electronic voting machines has its own symbol, a ballot paper with a black cross across it.
After the Supreme Court order in September 2013, EC added the NOTA button on the EVMs as the last option on the voting panel.
Before the apex court order, those not inclined to vote for any candidate had the option of filling what is popularly called form 49-O.
But filling out the form at the polling station under Rule 49-O of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, compromised the secrecy of the voter.
The Supreme Court had, however, refused to direct the EC to hold fresh polls if the majority of the electorate exercised the NOTA option while voting.
Recently, former chief election commissioner O P Rawat had said, "In the present situation, NOTA has only symbolic significance and it cannot have an impact on the election result of any seat."
"More than 50 per cent electors will have to once opt for NOTA in a seat to show the political community that they do not consider candidates with criminal background or other undeserving ones worthy of their votes. Only after this, pressure on Parliament and the Election Commission will increase and they will have to think about changing laws to make NOTA effective on the election results," he had said. -- PTI
21:41 Restoring J-K statehood to be priority: Cong
The Congress on Tuesday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have defeated the 'mischievous designs' of the Bharatiya Janata Party to 'engineer a majority' and asserted that the Congress-National Conference government's priority will be the restoration of full statehood for the Union Territory.
The opposition party, however, also conceded that its performance in Jammu should have been better.
The pre-poll alliance between the National Conference and Congress managed to cross the halfway mark by securing 49 seats with the regional party getting the lion's share of 42 seats.
The BJP secured 29 seats. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a clear, decisive, and convincing mandate to the NC-Congress alliance.
"The priority for the alliance government will be the restoration of full statehood for the UT of J-K. Of course, we have our manifestos, we will have a common programme. Both Congress and National Conference are duty bound to give a government, an administration that is responsible, responsive, accountable and transparent to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Ramesh said at a press conference at the All India Congress Committee headquarters.
"I just want to say that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have defeated the mischievous designs of the BJP to engineer a majority of its own," he said.
Ramesh alleged that till Monday, this effort was being made but the people's verdict has come out very clearly and the moves of the BJP and those who were managing the elections to somehow cobble up a majority have been defeated.
"I admit that our performance should have been better in Jammu. There would be deliberation and review of that," he said. -- PTI
20:43 Will stake claim to form govt only after...: Omar
National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will stake claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir only after the alliance partners meet to elect the leader of the coalition in the assembly.
"Let the NC legislative party meet, I am not staking a claim to the chief ministership of J-K. It is for the alliance and the elected members to decide who they feel should lead the state over the next five years, and that is as far as I am willing to go," Abdullah told reporters outside his residence in Srinagar.
His remarks came after his father and NC president Farooq Abdullah announced Omar would be the chief minister.
The junior Abdullah said that as grateful as he was for the vote of confidence reposed in him by the NC president, 'this is a decision for the legislative party of the NC' and a decision to be taken by the allies together.
Let the party celebrate its win and colleagues heave a sigh of relief before a meeting of the NC's legislative party takes place, he added.
"In a couple of days, we will call our legislative party meet where the NC legislative party leader will be elected. Then, we will sit with the alliance to decide who will head it. Then, when we have all the letters of support, we will stake our claim to the LG for government formation," Abdullah said.
The NC leader said the mandate proves that the people have voted against the BJP's politics in Jammu and Kashmir.
"There was no division of votes in Kashmir and the higher reaches of Jammu. I think the people used their vote thoughtfully. It is now the responsibility of the alliance to provide a clean government which comes up to the expectations of the people," he added. -- PTI
20:12 Can't accept Haryana verdict, democracy lost: Cong
The Congress on Tuesday said it cannot accept the Haryana assembly polls verdict as there were 'serious issues' about the integrity of the counting process and functioning of the EVMs in some districts, and asserted that it would take up the matter with the Election Commission.
Alleging a conspiracy, the opposition party said that in Haryana 'democracy had lost and establishment had won'.
"Serious questions have been raised by our candidates. We will bring it to the notice of the Election Commission," Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said at a press conference with All India Congress Committee media and publicity department head Pawan Khera.
"What we have seen today in Haryana is a victory of manipulation and subverting the will of the people. It is a defeat of transparent, democratic processes. The chapter on Haryana is not complete, it will continue," he said.
Ramesh said the results in Haryana are 'totally unexpected, completely surprising and counterintuitive'.
They go against ground reality, against what the people of Haryana had made their mind up for which was for change and transformation, he added.
Khera alleged that complaints had been received from Hisar, Mahendragarh and Panipat that there were electronic voting machines (EVMs) with 99 per cent battery on which the BJP won while units with 60-70 per cent battery saw the Congress win.
"Have you understood this conspiracy, where there was 99 per cent battery in EVMs, BJP wins where there is less than 70 pc battery, Congress wins. if this is not a conspiracy, then what is it?" Ramesh said, adding that the complaints were from 12 to 14 seats as of now.
"Ye loktantra ki haar hui, hai aur tantra ki jeet hui hai (Democracy has lost and establishment has won)," the Congress general secretary said.
"All afternoon I have been in touch with the Election Commission, and the EC has replied to my complaints. I have replied to the reply of the EC. We have received very serious complaints about the process of counting, the functioning of EVMs in at least three districts, there are more that are coming in," Ramesh said.
"We have spoken to our colleagues in Haryana and this information is being collected. We hope to present this in a consolidated form to the Election Commission tomorrow or the day after, we will seek time from them," he said.
"I think under these circumstances, it is not possible for us to accept the results that have been announced today," Ramesh said.
He asserted that the party will introspect the results and a committee will also be formed.
"We will talk to everyone. But now is not the time for analysis, the important thing is that victory has been snatched from us. The systems have been misused. Everyone felt that the ground reality was in favour of change. The results that have come do not reflect that," Ramesh said.
The reason why the Congress is not accepting the results is because not only it is surprising and unexpected but there are serious issues with the integrity of the counting process and the functioning of the EVMs in at least three to four districts in which about 12 to 14 constituencies are involved, he said.
"EC is our first stop. It is a constitutional body, it is an independent body, we expect it to function constitutionally and independently," Ramesh said.
"There are serious questions about the instruments of the system, namely the EVMs and also the extraordinary pressure on local administration officials. It is a double engine pressure of the state government and the Centre.
"There was an environment in which people have lost by 200 votes, 300 votes, 50 votes, people who had healthy leading margins have ended up losing by 100-200 votes. This can be explained only by manipulation and pressure," Ramesh said.
The BJP coasted towards a hat-trick win with its biggest tally in Haryana and the National Conference-Congress combine was set to form government in Jammu and Kashmir, voters in both places giving the victors a decisive edge as counting day progressed with many a surprise on Tuesday.
One state, one Union Territory and three main stakeholders. Bucking exit poll predictions and pollsters in the first elections after the June Lok Sabha verdict, the results threw up a mixed bag for the BJP, sobering lessons for the Congress but clear-cut unambiguous victory for the NC, which led the alliance to power in Jammu and Kashmir. -- PTI
19:44 BJP win in Haryana victory of good governance: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party's win in the Haryana assembly polls as a victory of its politics of development and good governance, assuring people that the party will leave no stone unturned to fulfil people's aspirations.
In a series of posts on X, Modi also complimented the National Conference for its 'commendable' performance in the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
These elections in Jammu and Kashmir were very special, he said, noting that they were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, showing people's belief in democracy.
He offered compliments to 'each and every person' of the Union Territory for this.
Expressing heartfelt thanks to the people of Haryana, he conveyed his gratefulness to them for giving the BJP a majority for a third straight term.
Describing the win as a grand victory, he hailed the party's 'hardworking' members for serving the people and taking the organisation's development agenda to them.
"The BJP has achieved this historic win due to this," Modi asserted.
With the party also notching up its best-ever tally in Jammu and Kashmir as in Haryana, he said he was proud of the BJP's performance in the Union Territory.
"I thank all those who have voted for our party and placed their trust in us. I assure the people that we will keep working for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir," he said, praising party workers for their hard work.
The BJP has won 48 and 29 seats in Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir assemblies respectively.
Both legislatures have 90 members. -- PTI
19:07 Cong calls meet of winning Haryana candidates
As the Congress fell far behind the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Haryana assembly Election, party MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said that it has called for a meeting of the newly elected MLAs tomorrow.
Surhjewala was addressing the public in Haryana's Kaithal Assembly constituency, from where his son Aditya Surjewala secured victory by 8,124 votes defeating BJP's Leela Ram.
"The Congress has called for a meet of party MLAs tomorrow. The Congress president and senior leadership has called me today to discuss on some things." Surjewala said.
Surjewala celebrated the victory of Aditya from the Kaithal assembly Constituency and launched a scathing attack on BJP's Leela Ram. -- ANI
18:49 BSE Sensex: Top gainers today
From the Sensex pack, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones, Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Larsen & Toubro, NTPC, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cement and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the major gainers.
In contrast, Tata Steel, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, JSW Steel, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Tata Motors and Tata Consultancy Services were among the laggards.
18:48 Markets end six-day slide, Sensex up by 585 points
Stock markets snapped the six-day losing run on Tuesday with benchmark Sensex climbing nearly 585 points on the back of value buying in blue-chips like HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and Mahindra & Mahindra.
The 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 584.81 points or 0.72 per cent to close at 81,634.81.
During the day, it surged 713.28 points or 0.88 per cent to hit an intraday high of 81,763.28. -- PTI
18:34 Shah slams Cong's divisive politics in Haryana
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the massive victory of the BJP in Haryana is a victory of the unwavering faith of farmers, poor, backward, soldiers and youth in the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shah also said the people of 'Veerbhoomi' Haryana have completely rejected the "negative and divisive politics" of Congress which "divides" people on the basis of caste and region.
The people have chosen the 10 years track record of development and welfare of poor of BJP, he added. "Salute to the people of Veerbhoomi Haryana.
This massive victory of the BJP in Haryana is a victory of the unwavering faith of farmers, the poor, the backward, the soldiers and the youth in the BJP government led by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji," he wrote on X in Hindi. The home minister said Haryana, the land of farmers and soldiers, has taught a lesson to those who go abroad and insult the country for their vote bank.
"I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Haryana for giving BJP the opportunity to serve the state for the third consecutive time," he said. Shah said the BJP government at the Centre and in the state under the leadership of Modi will fulfil all aspirations and hopes of the people of the state.
The BJP is set to return to power in Haryana for the third consecutive term with an absolute majority in the 90-member assembly. The polling was held on October 5 and results were declared on Tuesday. PTI
18:27 Ek Modi sab par Bhaari: Giriraj Singh
As the BJP approaches the majority mark and edges towards a hat-trick in the Haryana Assembly, Union Minister Giriraj Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that "one Modi outweighs everyone combined," and that the people of Haryana have taught Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a lesson.
"We are witnessing the results: 'Ek Modi sab par bhaari'... The people of Haryana have made him (Rahul Gandhi) learn a lesson. They trusted PM Modi, not Rahul Gandhi's statements. All the farmers and wrestlers are with us," said the Union Minister.
Criticising Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for supporting the National Conference, Giriraj Singh added, "We have defeated the Congress in J&K as well. They are nowhere near the BJP... He (Rahul Gandhi) supported Farooq Abdullah, the same Farooq Abdullah who speaks about Kashmir and bringing back Article 370. Be it Haryana or Jammu and Kashmir, I want to thank the people in both."
According to the latest update on the Election Commission website, BJP has won 42 of the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana, with leads in 6, while Congress has won 34 seats with leads in 3 seats.
BJP leaders watch the election results. Pic: Umar Ganie
18:09 J-K poll results: 7 independents emerge victorious
Seven independent candidates have emerged victorious in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, marking an increase from the 2014 elections when three such candidates had won.
Satesh Sharma, who left the Congress and contested as an independent from the Chhamb seat of Jammu region, won the election by defeating BJP candidate Rajeev Sharma with a margin of 6,929 votes. Satesh Sharma, 42, who is son of two-time MP and former Congress minister Madan Lal Sharma, polled 33,985 votes.
Former deputy chief minister and Congress candidate Tara Chand, who had won this seat three times, finished third with 16,449 votes. In Inderwal, independent candidate Payare Lal Sharma defeated veteran leader Gulam Mohammad Saroori by a narrow margin of 643 votes. Sharma received 14,195 votes, while Saroori, also an independent candidate, secured 13,552 votes. Saroori had previously won this seat twice.
18:02 Serious issues with H'yana counting process: Jairam
Alleging a conspiracy, the Congress on Tuesday said it would not accept the Haryana Assembly poll result as it raises serious questions about the integrity of the instruments of the democratic system.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Haryana result is a victory of manipulations, and subverting the will of people. He also alleged that it is a defeat of the transparent and democratic processes.
Ramesh claimed there were serious issues with the counting process and the functioning of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in around 14 constituencies and that Congress would take up the matter with the Election Commission soon.
"Results in Haryana are totally unexpected and surprising. They go against ground reality and the sentiment of the people which was for change, Ramesh said at a press conference with Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera. "Under these circumstances, it is not possible for us to accept these results (in Haryana)... there are serious issues raised by our candidates which we will raise with the EC," Ramesh said.
"Victory has been snatched from us in Haryana... the results are against the sentiment of the people which was for change. The Congress has been made to lose in Haryana and the chapter is not closed," Ramesh said.
On the Jammu and Kashmir results, Ramesh said the people have defeated the mischievous designs of the BJP to muster a majority somehow.
17:47
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the Centre should take a lesson from the decisive verdict of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls and "not meddle" in the affairs of the upcoming National Conference-Congress government.
She congratulated the National Conference (NC) leadership on its victory and said her party would play the role of a constructive opposition.
"I congratulate the NC leadership for its spectacular win. I also want to congratulate the people of J-K for voting for a stable government and not a hung assembly because they faced several problems, especially after August 5, 2019. A stable and strong government is very important for the resolution of those problems," Mehbooba told reporters in Srinagar.
"It seemed that if there was not a clear mandate, then there would be some misadventure," she said. She also welcomed the NC's announcement that its vice president Omar Abdullah, who contested from Budgam and Ganderbal seats and won both, would be the chief minister. The PDP chief said the Centre should take a lesson from the verdict and "not meddle" in the government's affairs.
"If they do that, it will be disastrous and worse than what has happened to them now," she said.
"A message has gone out that the people of J-K are wise and clever and that they do not want any horse-trading by the Centre here," she added. Mehbooba said the people thought the NC-Congress alliance would provide a stable government, "fight the BJP and keep it away".
"I think that is the biggest reason (for the victory of the NC-Congress alliance)," she said. The PDP chief also expressed her gratitude to her party leaders and cadre who worked for it "even in such a difficult situation" and appealed to them to not lose heart.
"We will play the role of a constructive opposition. The issues of the people do not end with an election," she said.
Asked about the PDP's dismal performance in the polls, the former chief minister said her party might be down but was not out. "These things happen. What can you do about it? This is the people's choice and you should accept that choice. This is democracy," she said. The PDP won only three seats in the assembly polls, down from 28 in 2014.
"We are not at a low. We are in the fight everywhere. Who is fighting the NC? Who gave a challenge to the CM face in Ganderbal and Budgam? It is the PDP. We are a force to reckon with. We may be down, but we are not out," Mehbooba said.
"This is not a crisis for the PDP. The PDP has an agenda and a vision which perhaps no other party has," she added. Asked about the nomination of five MLAs by the lieutenant governor (LG) to the assembly, Mehbooba said it was immoral and unconstitutional.
"Very wrong on their part. The people of J-K have voted clearly, but if there was a fractured mandate, then it would have caused problems. The LG should not do so. This is immoral and unconstitutional," she said. According to reports, the LG will nominate five members to the assembly based on the Union home ministry's advice. -- PTI
17:43 Nepo kid Iltija lost from PDP bastion: BJP
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posts on the J-K results.
"Out of the 29 seats won by the BJP in the Jammu region, it has secured a vote share of more than 50% in 21 seats. In 8, its vote share is between 40-50%. This is a comprehensive mandate for the BJP's brand of developmental politics.
"Iltija Mufti, a nepokid, rabid Islamist, who supported Hamas and Hezbollah, suffers a humiliating defeat in Bijbehara, a PDP bastion. People of Kashmir want peace and development."
Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti lost her elections from Surgufwara-Bijbehara.
17:38 Cong's narrative appears to have failed to find resonance with voters
As the BJP looks set to retain Haryana, the Congress' poll campaign, which was built around various issues including unemployment, farmers' plight and Agnipath scheme, appeared to have failed to click with a majority of the voters.
The intense poll campaigns by the senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also could not yield the desired result for the opposition party. The party was looking to make a comeback after a decade by wresting power from the BJP.
However, the trends showed that the ruling BJP has crossed the majority mark in the Haryana assembly and was leading on 51 seats, while the Congress was ahead on 34.
The Congress had built its poll narrative around unemployment, farmers' demand for a legal guarantee to minimum support price, the Agnipath military recruitment scheme and inflation in order to target the BJP's 10-year tenure. However, BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah countered the Congress party's offensive with the transparent system of providing government jobs and guaranteed and pensionable job for an Agniveer hailing from Haryana.
The BJP hit back at the Congress with the 'kharchi-parchi' (bribery and favouritism) in government jobs during Bhupinder Singh Hooda's 10-year dispensation. It also promised two lakh government jobs for the youth without 'kharchi-parchi', a reference to the alleged corruption prevailing earlier under the Congress regime.
The ruling party also highlighted giving MSP on 24 crops in Haryana, claiming that it was the first state in the country to do so. In its poll promises, the BJP promised Rs 2,100 per month to women under the Lado Lakshmi Yojna and also announced to give a cooking gas cylinder at Rs 500 under the Har Ghar Grihni Yojna. Bringing Nayab Singh Saini, an OBC face, as chief minister after replacing Manohar Lal Khattar in March by the BJP, also appeared to have worked to the advantage of the ruling party.
When Saini took over as CM, the ruling BJP in Haryana was facing anti-incumbency as it had been in power for nine-and-a-half years.
17:30 Business as usual won't work: Selja slams Cong
Kumari Selja attacks Congress and Rahul Gandhi. "The Haryana poll result is disappointing, the Congress high command should assess the reasons behind it. The High command should work out s plan to help revive the party in Haryana, identify those responsible for such results. I'm pained at the Cong workers' disappointment, I'm sure party high command will assess reasons for defeat. Business as usual won't work."
Congress said it does not accept the Haryana verdict. This is win of system not democracy.
16:07 India's richest woman Savitri Jindal wins from Hisar
Independent candidate Savitri Jindal won the Hisar assembly seat in Haryana, according to the Election Commission. Jindal, who is the mother of BJP's Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal, defeated her nearest rival and Congress candidate Ram Niwas Rana by a margin of 18,941 votes.
Jindal polled 49,231 votes while the Congress candidate secured 30,290 votes. BJP candidate and outgoing MLA Kamal Gupta was at the third spot with 17,385 votes. Forbes India listed Savitri Jindal as the richest woman in the country this year having a net worth of USD 29.1 billion. Counting of votes polled for the 90 seats in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday. PTI
16:04 EC to Cong: Slow update allegations unfounded
The Election Commission on Tuesday told Congress leader Jairam Ramesh that there was nothing on record to substantiate his "ill-founded allegation" of a slowdown in updating of Haryana poll results.
Earlier in the day, the Congress had raised with the EC the issue of an "unexplained slowdown" in updating of results of the Haryana elections on the poll watchdog's website and urged it to direct officials to update accurate figures so that "false news and malicious narratives" can be countered immediately.
In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Ramesh said that over the last two hours between 9 and 11 am, there has been an "unexplained slowdown" in updating of results on the ECI's website.
In another post on X, Ramesh said, In Adampur Vidhan Sabha (Haryana), @INCIndia candidate Chander Prakash has reportedly won by 1,426 votes - but the ECI has not issued an election certificate yet and the website is not showing the results of the last three rounds. What explains this delay Election Commission, he asked. In its response, the poll authority said counting of votes is being carried out as per Rule 60 of Conduct of Election Rules at the designated counting centres and by the designated authorities following statutory and regulatory regime. The EC said the entire counting process in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir is unfolding in the presence of candidates, observers and micro-observers as per rules.
"There is nothing on record to substantiate your ill-founded allegation of slowdown in updating of results. Your memorandum also does not bring out any contrary facts as to the delay at any of the constituencies in Haryana or J-K," it told Ramesh. PTI
15:50 Sonam Wangchuk continues indefinite hunger strike
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday continued his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Ladakh Bhawan along with his supporters. Wangchuk, who is spearheading an agitation for Ladakh's Sixth Schedule status, had started his fast on Sunday afternoon.
According to the protesters, they have not been approached by any government representative so far. Mehdi, one of the activists who is sitting on fast with Wangchuk, said that a medical tests of the protesters was done on Tuesday morning and many had low blood pressure.
"We are sitting here in 40 degrees (Celsius)... It is the third day, we have been sleeping here in the open," Mehdi told PTI. "There are old people sitting here as well, some have diabetes, blood pressure issues. But we are not going to leave until our demand is met," he said.
Liyaqat, who is also participating in the hunger strike, said the people from Ladakh are not being allowed inside to meet them.
15:37 50 senior doctors of RG Kar hospital resign in solidarity with medics
Around 50 senior doctors of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here on Tuesday tendered their resignations in a mark of solidarity with medics who have been on fast-unto-death demanding justice for the deceased woman doctor, sources in the health facility said.
The decision to resign en masse was taken at a meeting of the heads of various departments of the state-run hospital on Tuesday morning, they said. This has been decided at today's meeting of the HoDs.
All 50 senior doctors of our hospital have signed their resignation letters. This is to express our solidarity towards those young doctors who are fighting for a cause, a senior doctor told PTI. Senior doctors at NRS Medical College and Hospital were also mulling to follow the footsteps of their colleagues in the RG Kar hospital, he said.
The Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal pledged solidarity with the junior medics who have been demanding justice for the rape and murder of the woman doctor of R G Kar hospital and an end to the "corruption-ridden" healthcare system.
While junior doctors have been on fast-unto-death for the last four days voicing their demands, there has been "no response from the appropriate authority to solve the issues", a statement issued by the platform said.
The doctor's platform also voiced concern over the health condition of those who are on the fast-unto-death and said they are fighting for campus democracy and patient-friendly system". "In this situation, we will stand in solidarity," the statement added. PTI
15:25 Physics Nobel announced for enabling machine learning with artificial networks
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton "for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks."
15:20 Those who tried to destroy us lost: Omar
With the latest trends in the Jammu Kashmir Assembly vote counting showing the National Conference- Congress alliance leading more than half the seats, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that he was happy that the people made National Congress win with their votes.
"We should wait for the final results to come. Only after that we can say something. As of now, I am really happy that NC has got victory and we are thankful to the voters. People have supported us more than we expected. It will now be our efforts to prove that we are worth these votes," Abdullah said.
Further, he said that efforts were made by the competitors to completely finish the National Conference party over the last five years.
"Efforts were being made by other political parties to completely finish the National Conference party since the last five years. However, those who tried to finish us have lost themselves today," he added.
15:10 NC wallon, how's the josh, says Omar's sister
Safia Abdullah Khan shares this image with her brother, Omar and her mother, Mollie, saying, "NC wallon, how's the josh?"
Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, his father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah announced on Tuesday as the party looked on course to come to power in the union territory with ally Congress.
"Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister," the senior Abdullah told reporters when asked who would be the alliance's CM face.
The NC president also said the verdict was a proof that the people of J-K were against the abrogation of Article 370.
14:50 Omar will be J-K chief minister: Farooq Abdullah
Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, his father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah announced on Tuesday as the party looked on course to come to power in the union territory with ally Congress.
"Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister," the senior Abdullah told reporters when asked who would be the alliance's CM face.
The NC president also said the verdict was a proof that the people of J-K were against the abrogation of Article 370.
"The people have given their verdict and proven that the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 are not acceptable to them," he said. "I am thankful to everyone that the people participated in the polls and did so freely. I am grateful to God for the results."
The former Union minister said the elected government would have do a lot of work to end the "sufferings" of the people.
"We have to end unemployment and address issues like inflation and drug menace. Now, there will be no LG and his advisors. Now, there will be 90 MLAs who will work for people," he said. -- PTI
Omar Abdullah posted this image this morning
14:06 Omar Abdullah wins by 18,000+ votes
NC vice president Omar Abdullah wins the Budgam seat, defeats PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi by more than 18,000 votes: Election Commission. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Congress, partners in the INDIA alliance, jointly contested the assembly elections while the PDP and BJP fought the elections on their own.
Leads: NC-INC: 47, BJP: 29
13:55 Biggest lesson from Haryana is never be overconfident: Kejriwal
With the BJP racing ahead in Haryana as per the early trends, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the "biggest lesson" of the poll results is that one should never be "overconfident" in the elections. The BJP looks forward to a comfortable win in Haryana, leading in 50 of the 90 assembly seats.
"Let us see what the results are in Haryana. The biggest lesson of this is that one should never be overconfident in the elections," said Kejriwal addressing a gathering of the AAP municipal councillors.
"No election should be taken lightly. Each election and each seat is tough," he added. The AAP failed to reach a pre-poll alliance in Haryana with the Congress due to disagreement over number of seats to be contested by it.
It independently contested 89 of the total 90 seats in the state after its demand for being given 9 seats was turned down by the Congress. The AAP candidates were trailing on almost all the seats behind their BJP and Congress opponents. Kejriwal had earlier during the poll campaign in Haryana asserted that no government would be formed in the state without the AAP's support.
He asked the party councillors to work hard for the Delhi Assembly polls due in February next year and ensure that the garbage was properly collected and disposed of from their wards.
"You will have the most important role in this (Delhi) election. We will win the elections just if you ensure there is proper garbage collection and disposal from your areas which is a very basic thing," said the former Delhi chief minister. PTI
13:44 Vinesh Phogat wins from Julana with 5000+ votes
Former wrestler and now Congress candidate, Vinesh Phogat, wins from the Julana constituency with 5000+ votes.
The ruling BJP has crossed the majority mark in the Haryana assembly and was leading on 49 seats, while the Congress was ahead on 35, according to the latest trends available on the Election Commission website.
13:18 Congress wins 1st seat in H'yana amid EC row
The first win from Haryana has come. Aftab Ahmed the Congress candidate from Nuh wins by huge margin of 46,963 votes.
The ruling BJP has crossed the majority mark in the Haryana assembly and was leading on 49 seats, while the Congress was ahead on 35, according to the latest trends available on the Election Commission website.
Pic: Umar Ganie
13:00 Exit polls are a waste of time: Omar
Omar Abdullah: "If you pay for exits polls or waste time discussing them you deserve all the jokes/memes/ridicule. There was a reason I called them a waste of time a few days ago."
The NC VP is leading from the Ganderbal constituency by 5700 votes.
12:39 2 wins from J-K: BJP wins 1 seat, NC wins 1
First wins in J-K: Nazir Ahmed Khan of the NC wins from Gurez, while Darshan Kumar from the BJP wins from Basohli.
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah earlier warned the BJP not to "pull off any tricks" if the mandate of the people is against them. He also exuded confidence in the win of the NC-Congress alliance in the election.
"We have the hope that we will win. The decision has been made by the voters of Jammu and Kashmir, and we will get to know it by today afternoon," Omar Abdullah told reporters.
"There should be transparency. If people's mandate is against BJP, they shouldn't pull off any tricks," he added. He said that his party allied with Congress to win the election. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the election after a gap of ten years. However, Omar Abdullah said it's still early to say if they will need the support of parties like the PDP.
12:16 BJP trying to build pressure on administration: Cong
Update: The Congress on Tuesday alleged that there was a slowing down in uploading trends for the Haryana polls on the Election Commission website. The opposition party also asked whether the BJP is trying to build pressure on the administration by sharing "outdated" and "misleading" trends.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Like the Lok Sabha elections, in Haryana we are again witnessing slowing down of uploading up-to-date trends on the ECI website."
"Is the BJP trying to build pressure on administration by sharing outdated and misleading trends @ECISVEEP?" Ramesh said.
Latest trends uploaded by the Election Commission showed that the BJP was ahead in 49 seats while the Congress in 35. The majority mark for the 90-member assembly is 46.
12:10 Cong questions slowing trends on EC for Haryana
Congress cries foul over the leads in Haryana.
General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "We are filing a memorandum in the next 5-7 minutes. We are lodging a complaint. We hope that the EC will answer our questions. The results of 10-11 rounds are already out but only 4-5 rounds have been updated on EC website. This is a tactic to pressure the Administration. The administration is trying to pressurise the EC. The BJP is sharing outdated and misleading trends."
The BJP says Rahul Gandhi's promise to scrap quota if the Congress comes to power in Haryana backfired for them and that it should accept defeat.
Cong: 34, BJP: 49
12:06 The next J-K CM?
Omar Abdullah: "Sitting in the lawn quietly watching the results unfold on @deKoderdigital. Ever since I can remember elections have always been with @PrannoyRoy7749 & his calm, noise free analysis so why should this one be any different! #elections #JammuKashmirAssemblyElection #JammuKashmir."
NC+Cong = 50, BJP: 29
11:39 Vinesh trails, Hooda leads, Surjewala leads
In a stunning turn of events in Haryana, Yogesh Kumar, the BJP candidate, has surged ahead with 26.670 votes, while Vinesh Phogat falls behind with a total of 25433 votes, trailing by a significant margin of 1237 votes as of 11.25 am after 6 rounds of counting.
The election results are heating up, and it seems that Yogesh Kumar is gaining momentum. While, Congress Bhupendra Singh Hooda, the Congress candidate from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat, has raced ahead with an impressive 29,920 votes, extending his lead by a whopping 22,182 votes. Aditya Surjewala, the Indian National Congress candidate, has taken the lead with 17,910 votes, edging ahead by a comfortable margin of 2,623 votes. Aditya Surjewala on the latest trend, after BJP takes lead in Haryana, expressed hope & confidence of Congress win in state.
"Only two rounds (of counting) have taken place so far. In the third round of counting, I am ahead by 2600 votes. I can't tell you the trend only after two rounds but after at least 10 rounds. Congress will come in Haryana," he said.
As per the election commission data between 3-5 rounds of counting has been completed in most of the 90 constituencies in the region.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Partyis leading in 28 seats as of 10:15 AM. With the counting currently underway, the trends by the Election Commission of India have indicated that in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu Kashmir National Conference and Congress alliance has crossed the halfway mark with leads in 47 seats as per trends released by the Elections commission at 10:15 AM.
The voting results decide the electoral fate of several former ministers including Tara Chand, Muzaffar Baig, Raman Bhalla, Basharat Bukha along with Omar Abdullah, Ravinder Raina, Yousuf Tarigami and several others.
11:30 Mehbooba Mufti's daughter concedes defeat
Mehbooba Mufti's daughter, Iltija, concedes defeat. "I accept the verdict of the people. The love & affection I received from everyone in Bijbehara will always stay with me. Gratitude to my PDP workers who worked so hard throughout this campaign."
She lost to NC's Bashir Ahmad Veeri.
The latest trends by the Election Commission of India have indicated that in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and Congress alliance has crossed the halfway mark with leads in 51 seats. The BJP is leading in 26 seats while the PDP is leading in 4 seats. The JK People's conference is leading in two seats while Independents and smaller parties are leading in 8 seats.
The voting results will decide the electoral fate of several former ministers including Tara Chand, Muzaffar Baig, Raman Bhalla, Basharat Bukha along with Omar Abdullah, Ravinder Raina, Yousuf Tarigami and several others.
NC+INC: 51, BJP: 26, PDP: 4
11:20 Cong will form govt on its own in Haryana: Hooda
Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday asserted that his party is going to form the government on its own in Haryana, where trends showed the BJP crossing the halfway mark.
Speaking to reporters in Rohtak, former chief minister Hooda said the Congress "will get a majority".
Asked whether his party will require any support for forming the government, he reiterated that the Congress will form the government on its own. "The credit will go to Rahul Gandhi ji, Mallikarjun Khargeji, Priyanka Gandhi ji, and other leaders," he said.
Real credit goes to the people of Haryana, he further added. According to the latest trends on the Election Commission website, BJP was ahead on 49 seats, more than the majority mark in the 90-member Assembly, while Congress was leading in 35 seats, Independents in 5, BSP and INLD was ahead in one seat each.
BJP: 48, Cong: 36, INLD: 1
10:49 Nadda calls for meeting of BJP general secretaries
JJP leader Dushyant Chautala is trailing from the Uchana Kalan assembly seat in Haryana, according to Election Commission of India trends. Counting of votes polled in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday. Chautala, a former deputy chief minister of Haryana, was at the fifth spot, the trends showed around 10.30 am.
BJP president JP Nadda has called for a meeting of the party's general secretaries. The BJP is set to be in a huddle over Haryana where it is leading in 47 seats against the Congress party's 36.
Candidates: Congress's Vinesh Phogat is trailing from Juliana.
Prominent among those in the fray are Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini (Ladwa), Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi), INLD's Abhay Chautala (Ellenabad), JJP's Dushyant Chautala (Uchana Kalan), BJP's Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt), Capt Abhimanyu (Narnaund), O.P. Dhankar (Badli), AAP's Anurag Dhanda (Kalayat).
Among the Independents are Savitri Jindal (Hisar), Ranjit Chautala (Rania) and Chitra Sarwara (Ambala Cantt).
10:23 Haryana: Savitri Jindal leading from Hisar
Independent candidate Savitri Jindal is leading from the Hisar assembly seat in Haryana, according to Election Commission trends. Jindal, who is the mother of BJP's Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal, is leading by a margin of 3,836 votes from Congress candidate Ram Niwas Rara.
BJP candidate and outgoing MLA Kamal Gupta was at the third spot. Counting of votes polled in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday. PTI
10:20 Are we looking at the next J-K CM?
Omar Abdullah does this steps as his people decide his fate. The former J-K CM posts this on X saying, "Counting day 7K done. Last time around it didn't end well for me personally. InshaAllah this time around it will be better."
Vinesh Phogat is leading
10:16 Haryana thriller: BJP leaves Congress behind
Several exit polls have predicted a Congress victory in Haryana which recorded a voter turnout of 67.90 per cent. However, the BJP has claimed it will return to power for a third consecutive term in Haryana. The key parties in the fray are the BJP, the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party. However, most seats will see a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress. A total of 1,031 candidates, including 464 Independents and 101 women, are in the fray on Haryana's 90 constituencies which voted in a single phase on October 5.
BJP leads over INC in Haryana with 41 seats against 34 so far.
Bhupinder Hooda trails from the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat.
While the BJP is looking to retain power for a third consecutive term, the Congress is eyeing a comeback in Haryana after 10 years.
Counting of votes polled in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday.
09:54 Bhupinder Hooda leading from Garhi Sampla Kiloi seat
Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda is leading from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat in Haryana, according to early trends. Hooda, the former chief minister of Haryana, is leading by a margin of 5,082 votes, the Election Commission trends showed. Counting of votes polled in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday.
09:49 There should be no fiddling with people's mandate: Omar
National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah Tuesday asserted there should be no "fiddling" with the mandate of people in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Centre and the Raj Bhavan must not indulge in any "machinations".
"Transparency should be there. Whatever happens should be done in a transparent manner. There should be no fiddling with the peoples' mandate. If the mandate of the people is against the BJP, then the BJP should not indulge in any 'jugaad' (machinations) or something else," Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar as early trends from counting of votes showed the party ahead of the BJP and other rivals.
"The Raj Bhavan and the Centre should accept the decision of people the way we did in the Parliamentary polls," Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar. The NC leader, who is contesting the assembly polls from Ganderbal and Budgam seats, expressed hope his party's alliance with the Congress will with the polls.
"We have hopes of a win, but the rest is in the hands of God. We will come to know around the noon what the people of J-K have decided," he added.
09:46 Congress, BJP neck-and-neck in Haryana
Big leads/trails so far:
Omar Abdullah (NC) leads
Vinesh Phogat (INC) leads
Iltija Mufti (PDP) trails
Anil Vij (BJP) trails
Aditya Surjewala (INC) trails
Early trends from counting of votes on Tuesday showed the Congress well ahead of the BJP in Haryana, and leaving the BJP behind in Jammu and Kashmir as well with ally National Conference.
Haryana: Cong: 43, BJP: 43, INLD: 1, JJP: 0
09:34 Power not permanent: Engineer Rashid
As counting of votes in Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir got underway on Tuesday, Awami Ittehad Party President and Member of Parliament, Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid appealed for peace and rights saying that the power is not permanent and that JK is no ordinary region.
Rashid emphasised the strategic importance of Jammu and Kashmir, which is sandwiched between Pakistan and China, stating "the world is watching us".
"Power is not a permanent thing...Jammu and Kashmir is not an ordinary State. On one side there is Pakistan, on the other side there is China. The world is watching us. Let the people of Kashmir live and give them their rights," he said. Rashid also urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to use his upcoming visit to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to work behind the scenes to bring about meaningful peace in Kashmir.
Read the Engineer Rashid interview here.
09:17 All party heads lead in Haryana
Haryana: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was leading from his Ladwa seta in Kurukshetra district, while Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda was ahead of his rivals in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency in Rohtak district. BJP leader Anil Vij was leading from his Ambala Cantt seat.
Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Singh Chautala was ahead from his Ellenabad constituency, according to early trends. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala's son Aditya Surjewala was leading from Kaithal seat. Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal said three-tier security arrangements were in place at counting venues.
Ahead of the commencement of counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP state unit president Ravinder Raina performed a 'yagya' Tuesday morning and expressed confidence the party would secure a majority and form a government, potentially with the support of Independents. The counting of votes in both Haryana and J-K began at 8 am. These are early trends and the final results may vary widely.
09:09 J-K: Cong-NC in majority; H'yana: Cong hits 2/3rd
Congress workers gathered outside the party headquarters In New Delhi on Tuesday morning and raised slogans in support of the party on the counting day for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
Congress crosses the 2/3rd mark in Haryana in leads.
Cong: 63, BJP: 22, JJP: 2, INLD: 1
NC-Cong crosses majority in J-K in leads.
NC-Cong: 46, BJP: 27, PDP: 5
Exuding confidence in the party's victory, the Congress workers said that the belief in the party's success is a result of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra and Nyay Yatra initiatives, which advocate for farmers, women, and laborers while promoting inclusivity across all castes and religions and resonating well with the public.
08:57 Best of luck for results, says Omar; NC-Cong leads
Amid speculation over possible permutations and combinations for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday express hope for positive outcome.
"Here's wishing all my colleagues and allies the very best of luck for today. We fought the good fight & now, InshaAllah, the results will reflect that." he said.
Earlier on Monday, Omar Abdullah said that PDP has not offered support and called for putting end to all speculations till the results are out.
He was commenting on his father Farooq Abdullah's remarks that the National Conference-Congress alliance will take support of PDP even if it does not need it as "we have to go ahead together".
"They haven't extended support, they haven't offered support and we don't know what the voters have decided yet, so I really wish we could put a lid on all this premature speculation for the next 24 hours," Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.
Leads: NC-Cong: 37
PDP: 3
BJP: 26
08:49 Nayab Saini, Hooda leading in their seats
Counting of votes polled in the October 5 assembly elections in Haryana began at 8 am on Tuesday, with early trends showing the Congress slightly ahead of the ruling BJP.
While some reports from the counting of postal ballots showed the Congress ahead on 26 seats and the BJP 21. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was leading from his Ladwa seta in Kurukshetra district, while Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda was ahead of his rivals in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency in Rohtak district.
Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal said three-tier security arrangements were in place at counting venues. He said a day earlier that postal ballots will be counted first, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) beginning 30 minutes later.
Several exit polls have predicted a Congress victory in Haryana which recorded a voter turnout of 67.90 per cent. However, the BJP has claimed it will return to power for a third consecutive term. The key parties and alliances in the fray are the BJP, the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party. However, most seats will see a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress.
08:46 'Counting of votes will take place in peaceful manner in J-K'
As the counting gets underway for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election results, Deputy Election Officer in Ramban, Abdul Jabbar highlighted the arrangements set up for the counting of the votes in 90 assembly constituencies across the union territory.
The Deputy Ramban Election Officer said that all the preparations have been made for the counting procedure and that the counting of votes is going to take place in a very peaceful manner in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to ANI, Abdul Jabbar said, "All the arrangements for the counting as per ECI guidelines have been prepared. This includes the setting up of tables, the process of counting postal ballots. Additionally all the preparations for the security has also been set. The counting is going to take place in a very peaceful manner."
08:40 Mooh meetha time for Congress?
Congress workers distribute sweets outside the Congress office as counting of votes for the Haryana elections and Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election is underway.
08:31 Trends: Cong ahead in Haryana, J-K tight contest
Early trends from counting of votes on Tuesday showed the Congress ahead in Haryana, and in a tight contest with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress was ahead on 24 seats, and the BJP on 19 in Haryana, with early postal ballot trends showing two seats in favour of 'others'.
In Jammu and Kashmir the Congress-National Conference alliance was tied at eight seats with the BJP, while the PDP was yet to lead in any seat, according to TV channels. The counting of votes began at 8 am with postal ballots being opened first. The counting of votes polled through EVMs will start half an hour later. These are early trends and the final results may vary widely. PTI
Haryana leads: BJP: 19, Cong 15, INLD: 2, JJP: 1, Others: 3
08:28 Counting at 28 centres, 20 districts in J-K
The counting of votes began on Tuesday for 90 Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, the final leg of an electoral journey that will give the union territory its first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The counting of votes commenced at 8 am amid a three-tier security cover at 28 centres set up across 20 districts of the union territory, an election official said. A clear picture of trends is expected by afternoon, the official said.
The Congress-National Conference alliance, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the main stakeholders in the keenly watched assembly election held five years after the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
J&K Chief Electoral Officer P. K. Pole said adequate checkpoints were set up within 100 metres of each counting centre and CCTV cameras were installed in all strong rooms housing the EVMs to closely monitor all activities.
Unauthorised individuals will be restricted from entering these areas and CCTV cameras have been installed at the main entrance and throughout the entire premises of the counting centres to ensure comprehensive monitoring," Pole said.
Pole said the postal ballots will be counted first, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after 30 minutes, adding that accurate information on each round of counting will be uploaded promptly.
The official said two counting centres each have been set up for Kupwara, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur and Reasi districts, one counting centre each for Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts while three counting centres have been set up for migrants.
Various observers have been appointed by the Election Commission to monitor the counting process, Pole said, adding that only authorised individuals, officials and staff were permitted inside and around the counting centres.
Representational image
08:12 Counting of votes begins for J-K, Haryana polls
The counting of votes for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana began on Tuesday at 8 am.
The J-K assembly election for 90 constituencies was held over three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1, respectively. Meanwhile, polling for the 90 seats of the Haryana Assembly ended on October 5.
Nayab Singh Saini
08:07 BJP worked with honesty for 10 years, says Haryana CM
Ahead of the counting of votes for the Haryana assembly elections, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday expressed confidence in forming the government for the third time in the state, adding that the BJP has worked with honesty whereas Congress did a lot of corruption.
"BJP has worked a lot for the development of Haryana in the past 10 years...BJP has worked with honesty for all sections of the society...Our government will continue to work for the development of Haryana and BJP will be forming the government in Haryana for the third time...BJP worked with honesty whereas Congress did a lot of corruption," Saini told ANI.
Hitting out at the opposition, the Haryana CM said that the Congress works for power while the BJP works for service.
"Today is the day of counting and I am confident that as a result of the works done by the BJP government in the past 10 years, we will be forming the government in Haryana for the third time...Our government will continue to serve the people of Haryana. Congress works for power, BJP works for service," the chief minister told reporters.
Nayab Singh offered prayers at Shri Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple located in Brahma Sarovar ahead of the counting of votes for the Haryana assembly elections. He also visited Saini Samaj Dharamshala in Kurukshetra on Tuesday.
Saini, contesting the elections from Ladwa assembly constituency of Kurukshetra district, was pictured interacting with the party workers and supporters at the Saini Samaj Dharamshala.
Counting of votes for assembly elections in Haryana will begin at 8 am. Postal ballots will be counted first, followed by EVM counting after 30 minutes.
Pic: PTI Photo/Rediff archives
08:01 We fought the good fight, says Omar Abdullah
Amid speculation over possible permutations and combinations for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday express hope for positive outcome.
"Here's wishing all my colleagues and allies the very best of luck for today. We fought the good fight & now, InshaAllah, the results will reflect that." he said.
On Monday, Omar Abdullah said that PDP has not offered support and called for putting end to all speculation till the results are out. He was commenting on his father Farooq Abdullah's remarks that the National Conference-Congress alliance will take support of PDP even if it does not need it as "we have to go ahead together".
"They haven't extended support, they haven't offered support and we don't know what the voters have decided yet, so I really wish we could put a lid on all this premature speculation for the next 24 hours," Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.
The Election Commission of India said that an overall 63.88 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the assembly elections in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The poll panel said that a voter turn of 69.69 percent was recorded in the third phase held on October 1. Phase-1 and Phase-2 saw polling percentages of 61.38 percent and 57.31 percent, respectively.
The three-phase assembly elections concluded peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir on October 1. These were the first assembly polls held in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Congress, partners in the INDIA alliance, jointly contested the assembly elections while the PDP and BJP fought the elections on their own. The elections also saw a notable increase in voter turnout in areas historically associated with militancy and boycotting democratic processes.
Polling percentages rose by 12.97% in the Pulwama assembly constituency compared to the 2014 elections. Zainapora in Shopian saw a 9.52% increase, while Eidgah in Srinagar recorded a 9.16% rise, reflecting growing confidence in the electoral process.
07:54 Will win 30-35 seats, claims BJP's J-K chief
Ahead of the counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir, J-K BJP chief and candidate from Nowshera assembly, Ravinder Raina on Tuesday exuded confidence in BJP's victory in the Union territory and said that the party will win 30-35 seats.
The counting of votes for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to commence at 8 am on Tuesday.
After performing havan, a BJP candidate from Nowshera assembly said, "We are confident that BJP and its supporting parties will win the elections with full majority...We will win 30-35 seats."
Former Deputy CM and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta asserted that the BJP would emerge as the largest party in the Union territory and would win the elections.
"The BJP has taken people in J-K on the path to development, they have taken away from stone pelting. They have been freed of separatism, terrorism, corruption, and dynasties. So, the manner in which we have headed from bullet to ballot, from terrorism to tourism, people have voted for the BJP and it will emerge as the largest party and we will form the party," Gupta told ANI.
On exit polls, he said that results will be in the favour of the BJP.
"There are differences between the numbers in exit polls and our numbers. We have been among the people...We know the opinion of people...Results will be in the favour of BJP," he added.
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07:45 Postal ballots to be counted first, EVMs next
The counting of votes for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana is scheduled to commence at 8 am on Tuesday.
The J-K assembly election for 90 constituencies was held over three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1, respectively.
Polling for the 90 seats of the Haryana assembly ended on October 5. Counting of votes for assembly elections in Haryana will begin at 8 am.
Postal ballots will be counted first, followed by EVM counting after 30 minutes.
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal stated that 93 counting centres have been set up for 90 assembly constituencies in 22 districts of the state.
Two counting centres each have been set up for the Badshahpur, Gurugram, and Pataudi assembly constituencies, while one counting centre each has been established for the remaining 87 assembly constituencies, where the counting will take place.
To monitor the counting process, 90 counting observers also have been appointed by the Election Commission.
Agarwal informed that comprehensive security arrangements have been made for the counting.
A total of 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed at 93 counting centres which have been put under a three-tier security cover.
Central security forces have been deployed in the innermost security cover. After that, state-armed police and district police personnel will be deployed in the outermost cover. Around 12,000 police personnel are on duty at the counting centres across the state.
Agarwal stated that adequate checkpoints have been set up within a 100-meter perimetre of each counting centre. CCTV cameras have been installed in all 90 strong rooms where the EVM are stored to closely monitor all activities. Unauthorized individuals will be restricted from entering these areas.
Additionally, CCTV cameras have been installed at the main entrance and throughout the entire premises of the counting centres to ensure comprehensive monitoring.
A meeting was held to review the counting preparedness with Deputy Commissioners/District Election Officers, to provide instructions for ensuring a well-organised counting process on October 8.
Accurate information on each round of counting will be uploaded in a timely manner, a release said.
Ahead of the counting of the votes, security has been heightened at counting centres in Jammu. On the day of the counting, the strong rooms will be opened in the presence of candidates, their authorized representatives, Returning Officers (ROs)/Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), and ECI observers, with videography conducted. Mobile phones will not be allowed inside the counting centres.
During the process, only authorized individuals, officials, or staff will be permitted inside and around the counting centres. People and political party representatives have been requested not to crowd the counting centres and check the results at home.
The results will be available on the Election Commission of India's website http://results.eic.in/ and through the Voter Helpline App. Media centres have been set up at the counting centres for the press to access the latest updates. Additionally, instructions have been given to closely monitor social media to prevent the spread of any rumors related to the counting process, the release said.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole said CCTVs have been set up in each counting hall for record creation.
"Counting will begin at 7.30 am for postal ballots and 8 am for EVMs. Polls were held peacefully and no candidate or political party faced any kind of difficulty. Violence-free public participation was witnessed," Pole told ANI.
"Postal ballots will be counted first, after which EVM counting will begin. In every district headquarters, counting centres have been set up. Counting of territorial polling stations will be done in 25 locations and counting of migrant polling stations will be done in 3 locations. All arrangements have been made. Candidates have also given information about their counting agents," he added.
Exit polls have predicted that Congress is poised to win Haryana and that the National Conference-Congress alliance has an edge in Jammu and Kashmir. The results are likely to reflect political sentiments as parties gear up for upcoming electoral battles in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
00:59 President Murmu hosts her Maldivian counterpart
President Droupadi Murmu hosted Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed for a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and said that Male holds a special place in New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and SAGAR Vision.
During the gala, President Murmu said that Maldives is a close friend as well as a key partner for India in the Indian Ocean Region.
She said that the vision document adopted during Muizzu's visit would elevate the level of the relationship for both nations and would also provide a clear roadmap for achieving a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership.
President Murmu noted that India is one of the top trading partners of Maldives and highlighted that there is also potential for taking forward collaboration in the field of digital payments and other new technologies.
Both leaders agreed on the advancement of the bilateral partnership that would benefit the people of both nations.
"President Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President hosted a banquet in his honour. Both leaders reviewed the multifaceted India-Maldives bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance the ties. President Droupadi Murmu said that Maldives is a close and an important partner under India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Vision SAGAR' policies," Murmu said in a post in X. -- ANI
IMAGE: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu meets President Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo
00:53 Doctor's association announces nationwide hunger strike
In a move
to support the ongoing protest against the alleged rape and murder of a
junior doctor in West Bengal, the Federation of All India Medical
Association (FAIMA) on Monday announced a nationwide hunger strike.
The doctors' association held a meeting on Monday and announced that the
hunger strike will begin on Wednesday, which will be two months from
the day the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar
Medical College in West Bengal happened on August 9.
"We have been in
close contact with the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front and are united
in our stance," said Suvrankar Datta, President of FAIMA.
"After
extensive deliberation, we have decided to organise a nationwide hunger
strike in solidarity with our colleagues in West Bengal," Datta said.
Datta also emphasised that the hunger strike is intended to amplify the
voices of the junior doctors who have been on strike for weeks,
advocating for better working conditions, enhanced safety protocols, and
other essential reforms.
The doctors' association has also called on
healthcare workers across the country to participate in the strike, to
highlight unity among medical professionals in their fight for fair
treatment and improved conditions, FAIMA said in a statement. -- PTI
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