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Wed, 23 October 2024
Kanpur airport gets threat emails, security enhanced
Timeline Refresh
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw/File image
23:44 Vaishnaw reviews preparations to minimise cyclone impact on services
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with senior officials of the Railway Board and the East Coast and South Eastern zones to review their preparedness to minimise the impact of cyclone 'Dana' on services.
The cyclonic storm is likely to make landfall between the Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, located around 70 km away from each other, in Odisha early on Friday. It has already led to the cancellation and route diversion of over 150 trains.
"The minister for railways instructed to ensure maximum preparedness with minimal disruption. He also advised that care must be taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to passengers," the railway ministry said in a statement.
"In the meeting, the general managers of East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway provided the details regarding preparedness," it said.
According to the statement, nine round-the-clock dedicated war rooms shall be established in West Bengal and Odisha with officers of engineering, signal and telecommunication, operating, commercial and the Railway Protection Force so as to take prompt decisions on account of the cyclone and ensure early restoration of services and infrastructure. -- PTI
23:25 Kanpur airport gets threat emails, security enhanced
The Central Industrial Security Force at Kanpur airport has received two threatening emails, prompting the police to lodge an FIR on Wednesday, officials said.
Security at the airport has also been tightened as a precautionary measure, they said.
The two threat messages were received by the CISF's official email address on October 4 and October 6, said KS Rathod, assistant commandant CISF, Chakeri airport.
Deputy commissioner of police (East) Shrawan Kumar Singh told PTI that based on an application by the CISF, Chakeri police registered an FIR and initiated a probe.
He did not elaborate on the content of the emails.
The police are trying to identify those who sent the email, the DCP said.
Instructions have been issued to monitor all suspicious persons at the airport and proper frisking is done before allowing anyone inside the airport premises, the DCP said. -- PTI
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
23:07 Telangana cop booked for sexually harassing minor girl
A case has been registered against a police inspector for allegedly sexually harassing a minor girl in Hanamkonda district of Telangana, police said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on October 9 at the residence of the CI and based on a complaint the accused was booked on charges of sexual harassment, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act on October 22.
The complainant stated that the police official, who resides in the same apartment building, found the girl speaking with her classmate in the corridor adjoining their residence and went to her and questioned her friend.
The girl replied that he was a classmate and friend upon which the accused told her to send him away and come to his residence.
Out of fear she went to the residence of the accused where he allegedly caught the victim's arm and attempted to drag her towards his bedroom, but she resisted him, as per the FIR. -- PTI
MP Jaya Bachchan/File image
22:31 Jaya Bachchan's mother suffers fracture, is stable: Caretaker
Indira Bhaduri, actor and MP Jaya Bachchan's mother, suffered a fracture in her backbone but her condition was stable, her caretaker on Wednesday said in Bhopal.
"Her condition is okay. She suffered a fracture in her backbone and was hospitalised. She is taking food and also interacting properly," said Bhaduri's caretaker Babli when asked about her health.
Earlier in the day, rumours about Indira Bhaduri's death spread on social media.
Noted actor and close relative Rajeev Verma said that it was fake news and she was "absolutely fine." -- PTI
Security forces at the terrorist attack site in Ankara, Turkey/Reuters/ANI Photo
22:27 4 killed in terrorist attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries facility
Four persons were killed and 14 injured in a terrorist attack that targeted the facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries in the Turkish capital, Ankara, early on Wednesday, according an Associated Press report.
Turkey's Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed the news in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc Ankara Kahramankazan facilities. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people after the attack. The public will be informed about developments..."
Yerlikaya called on the public to rely on statements from official sources for updates, emphasising the importance of avoiding misinformation.
Turkey's Industry and Technology Minister, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, also weighed in, asserting that the attack would not derail the country's defence initiatives, reported Anadolu.
"Technology Initiative and our defence industry are the keys to a fully independent Turkiye," he said, reaffirming the country's commitment to its "National Technology Initiative journey."
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that an investigation had been launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
"An investigation has been launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the treacherous terrorist attack, with one chief prosecutor and eight public prosecutors assigned to the case," he said. -- ANI
22:04 Tracking Cyclone Dana
The cyclone, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph (75 mph), is likely to hit between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha by Friday morning, the India meteorological department said.
21:50 Cyclone Dana: ICG mobilises vessels, aircraft
With Cyclone Dana forecast to make landfall on October 24-25 along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha, the Indian Coast Guard is on "high alert" and has mobilised its vessels and aircraft, positioning them strategically to respond swiftly to any emergency situation at sea.
The ICG has been closely monitoring the situation and has taken proactive steps to ensure preparedness for dealing with any emergency arising from the cyclone's impact, the defence ministry said in a statement.
The ICG is on "high alert" with its dedicated disaster relief teams and assets ready to provide assistance, rescue and relief operations, it said.
"As Cyclone Dana is forecast to make landfall on October 24-25, 2024 along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha, the Indian Coast Guard Region (North-East) has implemented a series of preventive measures to safeguard lives and property at sea," the ministry said. -- PTI
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
21:24 Fadnavis to file nomination from Nagpur South-West seat
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will file his nomination papers from Nagpur South-West assembly constituency in Nagpur on Friday, a BJP release said.
The BJP has already released its first list of candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.
Along with Fadnavis, the party's Nagpur-South candidate Mohan Mate and Nagpur-East candidate Krishna Khopde will also file their nominations at the Nagpur district collectorate on October 25.
Before filing the papers, Fadnavis and the other two leaders will pay floral tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue at Sanvidhan square, said city BJP chief Bunty Kukde. -- PTI
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah/File image
21:06 J-K CM Omar Abdullah meets Amit Shah, discusses statehood issue
The newly elected chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and discussed issues related to the Union Territory including early restoration of statehood.
On his first visit to the national capital after assuming office last week, Abdullah spent nearly 30 minutes with the home minister.
He later said that it was a courtesy call during which he apprised the Union home minister about the situation and also discussed the issue of restoration of statehood.
Abdullah's visit follows the terror attack in the Gangangir area of Ganderbal district, where terrorists mercilessly killed seven individuals, including a doctor, just three days ago.
Since the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019, the police force has been under the jurisdiction of the Union home ministry.
During his stay in Delhi, the chief minister is scheduled to meet the central leadership, including an anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. -- PTI
File image
20:59 Cyclone 'Dana': Bengal evacuates 1.14 lakh people
In view of severe cyclone 'Dana' approaching the coast, the West Bengal government has evacuated more than 1.14 lakh people from vulnerable areas, including Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to safer shelters, according to an official statement.
The India meteorological department on Wednesday said the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, located around 70 km away from each other, in neighbouring Odisha early on Friday.
To support the evacuation efforts, 13 battalions from West Bengal's disaster management team and 14 battalions of the NDRF have been deployed in the coastal regions of the state, officials said.
The state government has identified 2,82,863 people from the districts of Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Paschim and Purba Medinipur and Kolkata for evacuation.
So far, 1,14,613 people have already been moved to safety, they said.
The evacuation is mainly focused on moving people from coastal regions to shelters, especially in South 24 Parganas district, which includes Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip. -- PTI
File image
20:55 Unidentified caller threatens to blow up MP airport; hoax call, say police
An unidentified caller on Wednesday threatened to blow up the Dumna airport in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, which turned out to be a hoax, a police officer said.
The caller told airport authorities that a bomb was planted in an IndiGo flight and threatened to blow up the airport, additional superintendent of police Anand Kaladagi said.
The call turned out to be a hoax. Airports Authority of India officials lodged an FIR against an unidentified person under section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the police officer said.
The cyber cell of the police is investigating the matter, he added. -- PTI
20:28 Modi leaves for home after 'impactful' BRICS Summit in Russia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for home after wrapping up his two-day "impactful" visit to Russia where he attended the 16th BRICS Summit and held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"PM @narendramodi wraps up an impactful visit to Kazan and emplanes for New Delhi," the ministry of external affairs posted on X.
Modi arrived in the heritage city of Kazan on Tuesday for the BRICS Summit.
He was warmly received by the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. In his address at the BRICS Summit on Wednesday, Modi said India supported dialogue and diplomacy and not war and called for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peaceful negotiations.
Modi also flagged concerns over pressing challenges such as wars, economic uncertainty, climate change and terrorism and said the BRICS can play a positive role in taking the world on the right path.
The prime minister strongly pitched for "single-minded" focus and "firm support" of all in combating terrorism, asserting that there is no place for "double standards" to deal with the challenge. -- PTI
20:11 Sena-UBT pits nephew of CM's mentor against him
A riveting electoral battle is shaping up in Thane where Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has declared the candidature of Sena veteran late Anand Dighe's nephew Kedar Dighe against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Notably, Shinde hails late Dighe as his political mentor, emphasising his loyalty to the ideology of Bal Thackeray while targeting his arch rival Uddhav.
Kedar Dighe, who heads the Thane district unit of Shiv Sena-UBT, will face off against Shinde in the latter's home constituency Kopri-Pachpakhadi.
The Shiv Sena-UBT on Wednesday evening released its first list of 65 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.
Former MP and Uddhav Thackeray loyalist Rajan Vichare has been fielded from the Thane assembly constituency against sitting BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar.
A triangular contest is on the cards in this constituency with the MNS giving a ticket to Avinash Jadhav.
Former deputy mayor Naresh Manera is the Shiv Sena-UBT's pick from the Ovala-Majiwada segment in the limits of Thane city against Shinde Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik.
In Kalyan Rural constituency in Thane district, Shiv Sena-UBT nominee and former legislator Subhash Bhoir will clash swords with sitting MNS MLA Raju Patil.
CM Shinde is likely to file his nomination papers on October 28, said Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, who is overseeing the poll preparations.
Shinde has been winning from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency since 2009 as Shiv Sena (undivided) candidate.
In the 2019 polls, he defeated Sanjay Ghadigaonkar of Congress by a margin of over 89,000 votes.
Pratap Sarnaik, who sided with Shinde when the latter rebelled against Uddhav in June 2022, won the Ovala-Majiwada segment on three consecutive terms in 2009, 2014, and 2019. -- PTI
19:45 Cyclone Dana: Kolkata airport to suspend flight ops
The Kolkata airport authorities have decided to suspend flight operations for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday in view of the possible impact of cyclone Dana, an official said.
The step has been taken keeping in mind the safety of passengers, airline employees, various equipment, navigational aids and infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said on Wednesday.
"In view of Cyclone Dana's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend the flight operations from 6 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall at Kolkata," an AAI spokesperson said.
The IMD said that the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in neighbouring Odisha early Friday.
The maximum speed during the landfall process is likely to be around 120 kmph.
14 trains in SECR zone cancelled
As many as 14 trains passing through the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone have been cancelled on account of cyclonic storm 'Dana' which is expected to make landfall on the neighbouring Odisha coast by October 25, an official said on Wednesday.
The LTT-Puri Express, Durg-Puri Express, Brahmapur-Surat Express, Puri-Durg Express, Puri-Ajmer Express, Puri-Ahmedabad Express and Puri-Rishikesh Express will be cancelled on Thursday, a public relations officer of the Railways said in Raipur.
Visakhapatnam-Amritsar Hirakud Express and Puri-Nizamuddin Express will remain cancelled on October 25 while Rishikesh-Puri Utkal Express and Surat-Brahmapur Express were cancelled on October 23, he said.
The Gandhidham-Puri Express was cancelled on October 22, Ajmer-Puri Express on October 29 and Ahmedabad-Puri Express on October 26.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier on Wednesday said the cyclone was likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port, separated by around 70 km, on early Friday. -- PTI
19:26 Waqf row: BJP MPs want Kalyan Banerjee booked
Three Bharatiya Janata Party MPs have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding the filing of a first information report (FIR) against Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee and his immediate suspension from the House pending investigation for what they called 'unprecedented violence' during a meeting of the joint parliamentary panel on the Waqf bill.
The letter signed by Nishikant Dubey, Aparajita Sarangi and Abhijit Gangopadhyay also sought an investigation into the matter by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee to consider rescinding Banerjee's membership from the Lower House.
Amid a heated exchange of words with Gangopadhyay during the meeting on Tuesday, Banerjee smashed a glass bottle and allegedly threw it towards the panel's chairperson Jagdambika Pal.
In their joint letter to the Speaker on Tuesday, the BJP members said that they along with other members of the panel witnessed the 'act of goondaism and unpardonable violence' by Banerjee during the sitting of the parliamentary committee.
"The goondaism and unpardonable violence exhibited by Kalyan Banerjee has surpassed all limits of a civilised behaviour expected from a Member of Parliament which has now become an act of life-threatening attack on the Chairperson Jagdambika Pal," they noted.
"Therefore the same calls for stringent action by your goodself as otherwise, our cherished parliamentary system of governance would be tarnished beyond repair," they added.
The BJP MPs urged that an FIR may be lodged against Banerjee for 'unprecedented goondaism, unpardonable violence and life-threatening attack' on Pal followed by his immediate police custody, interrogation and investigation by the 'competent law enforcement agencies'.
"In terms of Rule 316B (a) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the unethical conduct of Kalyan Banerjee, Member of Parliament, may be referred to the Committee on Ethics for examination, investigation and report for considering rescinding his membership," they demanded.
Pending further action against him, Banerjee may be suspended from the proceedings of the House and its committees and also barred from entering the Parliament Estate till the concussion of the inquiry against him, the BJP MPs added. -- PTI
The letter signed by Nishikant Dubey, Aparajita Sarangi and Abhijit Gangopadhyay also sought an investigation into the matter by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee to consider rescinding Banerjee's membership from the Lower House.
Amid a heated exchange of words with Gangopadhyay during the meeting on Tuesday, Banerjee smashed a glass bottle and allegedly threw it towards the panel's chairperson Jagdambika Pal.
In their joint letter to the Speaker on Tuesday, the BJP members said that they along with other members of the panel witnessed the 'act of goondaism and unpardonable violence' by Banerjee during the sitting of the parliamentary committee.
"The goondaism and unpardonable violence exhibited by Kalyan Banerjee has surpassed all limits of a civilised behaviour expected from a Member of Parliament which has now become an act of life-threatening attack on the Chairperson Jagdambika Pal," they noted.
"Therefore the same calls for stringent action by your goodself as otherwise, our cherished parliamentary system of governance would be tarnished beyond repair," they added.
The BJP MPs urged that an FIR may be lodged against Banerjee for 'unprecedented goondaism, unpardonable violence and life-threatening attack' on Pal followed by his immediate police custody, interrogation and investigation by the 'competent law enforcement agencies'.
"In terms of Rule 316B (a) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the unethical conduct of Kalyan Banerjee, Member of Parliament, may be referred to the Committee on Ethics for examination, investigation and report for considering rescinding his membership," they demanded.
Pending further action against him, Banerjee may be suspended from the proceedings of the House and its committees and also barred from entering the Parliament Estate till the concussion of the inquiry against him, the BJP MPs added. -- PTI
18:56 Four Years in Jail Without Trial: The Price of Dissent in Modi's India
A Muslim protest leader has become a symbol of a wide-ranging clampdown on opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Read the full New York Times article on Umar Khalid HERE.
Image only for representation
18:47 Cyclone Dana: NDRF deploys 56 teams in 5 states
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a total of 56 teams in five states, including Odisha and West Bengal, in view of cyclone 'Dana', which is expected to make landfall along the Odisha coast between October 24 and 25.
Mohsen Shahedi, deputy inspector general (operations) of the NDRF, told PTI that the teams are equipped with pole and tree cutters, inflatable boats, basic first-aid tools and other flood rescue equipment.
"The focus areas for us, and as informed by the IMD and other agencies, are the states of Odisha and West Bengal," the officer of the federal disaster contingency force said.
A senior officer added that a total of 45 teams were sought by the states in view of the cyclone.
The NDRF has earmarked a total of 56 teams, out of which 45 are on active deployment right now.
Those in reserve will be positioned on active duty as the situation develops, he said.
There are 20 teams in Odisha, out of which one is in reserve, while of the 17 in West Bengal, 13 are in reserve. Apart from the NDRF, the respective state disaster response forces are also deployed in these areas, the second officer said.
The NDRF has also deployed nine teams each in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand while one has been based in Chhattisgarh as these states may face heavy rains and flooding post the landfall of the cyclone in the intervening hours of Thursday and Friday.
The rescue teams, along with the state forces and local administration, are currently evacuating people from the coastal and affected areas, the officer said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said the cyclone is likely to make landfall between the Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port, around 70 km away, early Friday.
It said that the landfall process will start from the night of October 24 and continue till the morning of October 25. The maximum speed during the landfall process is likely to be around 120 kmph, as per the IMD.
Dana means 'generosity' in Arabic and the name for the cyclone was chosen by Qatar as per the standard convention of naming tropical cyclones in the region. -- PTI
17:43 Modi, Xi talks underway in Russia
JUST IN: Bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are underway on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
It is their first structured meeting since the eastern Ladakh border row erupted in May 2020.
The meeting comes two days after both countries firmed up an agreement on patrolling by their militaries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, in a major breakthrough to end the standoff. -- PTI
The meeting comes two days after both countries firmed up an agreement on patrolling by their militaries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, in a major breakthrough to end the standoff. -- PTI
17:37 BSE Sensex: Top losers today
From the 30 Sensex pack, Mahindra & Mahindra, Sun Pharma, Power Grid, NTPC, Adani Ports, Larsen & Toubro, ICICI Bank and Titan were among the biggest laggards.
Bajaj Finance climbed nearly 5 per cent after the firm reported a 13 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 4,014 crore in the second quarter ended September 2024.
Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, HDFC Bank, HCL Technologies and Bajaj Finserv were among other big gainers. -- PTI
17:35 Sensex falls 138 pts in 3rd straight day of losses
Extending its losing streak to third day, benchmark Sensex declined by 138 points on Wednesday in a choppy trade as investors booked profits in auto, pharma and capital goods shares amid continued FPI outflows.
The 30-share BSE Sensex erased its earlier gains and closed lower by 138.74 points or 0.17 per cent at 80,081.98 with 22 of its constituents ending lower.
The index opened lower but later traded with gains on bouts of buying by investors.
However, increased selling in the second half dragged the index below the 80,000 mark to 79,891.68. -- PTI
17:31 Hindus, Sikhs in Pak to get cash aid for festivals
Pakistan's Punjab government will give PKR 10,000 to 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families each in the province on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali.
Pakistan's Punjab government will issue a 'festival card' for 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families each in the province under which PKR 10,000 (about INR 3,000) will be given to them on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali.
Special arrangements are in place for foreign pilgrims expected to arrive next month to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, officials said.
Punjab government spokesperson told PTI on Wednesday that the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to immediately start the process of issuing the festival card to 'our Hindu and Sikh brothers'.
The Punjab cabinet has approved issuance of 'festival card' for 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families under which PKR 10,000 will be given to them to celebrate their religious festivals -- Baba Guru Nanak's birth anniversary (which is falling next month) and Diwali, he said.
Starting this year, the money under the festival card will be given to these 2,200 families each year. -- PTI
Pakistan's Punjab government will issue a 'festival card' for 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families each in the province under which PKR 10,000 (about INR 3,000) will be given to them on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali.
Special arrangements are in place for foreign pilgrims expected to arrive next month to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, officials said.
Punjab government spokesperson told PTI on Wednesday that the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to immediately start the process of issuing the festival card to 'our Hindu and Sikh brothers'.
The Punjab cabinet has approved issuance of 'festival card' for 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families under which PKR 10,000 will be given to them to celebrate their religious festivals -- Baba Guru Nanak's birth anniversary (which is falling next month) and Diwali, he said.
Starting this year, the money under the festival card will be given to these 2,200 families each year. -- PTI
16:42 30+ countries want to join BRICS: Putin
Over 30 countries have expressed a desire to join the BRICS Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday addressing a meeting of the grouping.
Addressing world leaders at the Plenary Session of the 16th BRICS Summit, Putin said the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting but that it was important to strike a balance in any expansion, Reuters news agency reported.
During the session held at the Kazan Expo Center in the Russian city of Kazan, Putin said, "Over 30 countries have expressed the desire to join BRICS.""It would be wrong to ignore the unprecedented interest of the countries of the Global South and East in strengthening contacts with BRICS," Putin said.
"At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a balance and prevent a decrease in the effectiveness of the BRICS," he said, adding that the grouping would also discuss "acute regional conflicts," the Russian President was cited as saying by Reuters.
He further said that the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting, while keeping in mind the need to maintain efficiency, according to Reuters.
Later today, PM Modi is set to have a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit.
16:23 Cops make 11th arrest in Baba Siddique murder case
Mumbai Police on Wednesday nabbed one more accused in connection with NCP leader Baba Siddique's murder case, taking the number of persons in custody so far to 11, officials said.
The accused, identified as Amit Hisamsing Kumar (29), was nabbed from Haryana after his role in the crime came to the fore during the interrogation of other accused. Siddique was shot dead outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Bandra area of Mumbai on October 12.
Investigators have not yet established the motive behind the murder. They are probing the crime from different angles, including contract killing, business rivalry or threats over a slum rehabilitation project in Mumbai. Police have so far arrested ten persons, including two suspected shooters while the main shooter and two conspirators are on the run. PTI
16:12 Radicalisation of youth must be stopped: PM@BRICS
India supports dialogue and diplomacy and not war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the BRICS Summit here on Wednesday, in an unambiguous message calling for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peaceful negotiations.
In his address, Modi flagged concerns over pressing challenges such as wars, economic uncertainty, climate change and terrorism and said the BRICS can play a positive role to take the world in the right path.
"We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war. And just as we were able to overcome a challenge like COVID together, we are certainly able to create new opportunities to ensure a secure, strong and prosperous future for future generations," he said.
The summit was attended by top leaders of BRICS nations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The prime minister also batted for concerted global efforts to deal with terrorism and that there must not be any "double standards" in fighting the menace. "In order to counter terrorism and terror financing, we need the single-minded, firm support of all. There is no place for double standards on this serious matter. "We need to take active steps to stop the radicalisation of youth in our countries. We must work together on the long pending matter in the UN of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism," he said.
"The same way, we need to work on global regulations for cyber security and for safe and secure AI," he added. Modi said India is ready to welcome new countries into BRICS as partner countries. "In this regard, all decisions should be taken by consensus, and the views of BRICS founding members should be respected," he said. -- PTI
15:44 Bengaluru bldg collapse: Contractor held, toll 7
Six more bodies were recovered during search and rescue operation after an under-construction building collapsed at Babusapalya in Bengaluru, taking the death toll to seven, police said on Wednesday.
Teams from the fire and emergency department, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been pressed into rescue operations since the incident occurred during heavy downpour on Tuesday, they said.
"Bhuvan Reddy, son of Muniraja Reddy under whose name the building is being constructed and the contractor Muniyappa who was building it have been taken into custody," a senior police official said.
"Permission was only for construction of a four-storey building but seven floors were being constructed," the official said. One body was recovered by the rescue team on Tuesday. "Six more bodies have been recovered and six workers were injured," the official said. Thirteen workers have been rescued. PTI
15:25 Madurai flooded
Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain in Madurai leads to severe flooding, with water from the overflowing Pandalkudi canal entering residential areas. The water has risen to knee-deep levels; areas in low-lying areas are inundated.
15:09 Questions still remain: Cong on LAC agreement
Days after India and China firmed up an agreement on patrolling by their militaries along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Congress on Wednesday said it expects that the disengagement will restore the status quo ante as it existed in March 2020 and asked the government to take the people of India into confidence on the matter.
The opposition party's assertion comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's bilateral talks on the margins of the BRICS summit in Russia.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said many questions remain about the Modi government's announcement that an agreement has been reached with China on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"The Foreign Secretary has said that this is 'leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020'. We hope that India's worst foreign policy setback in decades is being honourably resolved," he said in a statement.
"We expect that the disengagement will restore the status quo ante as it existed in March 2020," he said. Ramesh alleged that "this sorry saga is a complete indictment" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gullibility and naivete regarding China. Recalling PM Modi's June 19, 2020 statement saying 'Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai' (no one has infiltrated into India and no one is inside our territory), Ramesh said, "India's standing hit its lowest point on 19 June, 2020 when the PM gave his infamous clean chit to China".
"This statement was made only four days after the clash in Galwan in which 20 of our brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice. A profound insult to our fallen soldiers, it also legitimised China's aggression and thereby impeded the timely resolution of the standoff at the LAC," the Congress general secretary alleged.
"The Modi government's approach to the entire crisis could be described as DDLJ: Deny, Distract, Lie and Justify," Ramesh said. Having reached this agreement with the Chinese, the government must take the people of India into confidence, the Congress leader said and demanded answers to important questions such as whether Indian troops be able to patrol up to our claim line in Depsang to five patrolling points past the Bottleneck junction as they were able to earlier.
14:57 Air pollution kills more than Covid: Ex-AIIMS chief
As Delhi grapples with rising air pollution Chairman of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta and Former Director AIIMS Delhi Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday warned that air pollution can lead to more mortality than COVID-19.
As the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital city continues to deteriorate, several parts of the national capital have witnessed smog in the last few days. A thick layer of smog enveloped the city this morning as the Air Quality Index (AQI) registered at 354 remaining in the "very poor" category.
Dr Guleria noted that 8 million people in the world have died because of air pollution in 2021, which is more than the people who have died due to COVID-19.
"The report by the Health Effects Institute said in 2021 that almost 8 million people in the world died because of air pollution. This is more than the number of people who have died due to COVID-19. We are concerned about COVID, but we are not concerned about air pollution." Guleria told ANI.
"We were very concerned about COVID, but we are not that concerned that we should be air pollution," he added.
Dr Guleria further said that recent data from India suggests that just a 10 microgram per meter cube increase in Pariculate Matter 2.5, a type of air pollutant made up of extremely small particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, is associated with higher deaths. -- ANI
14:53 Kolkata metro project: No tree felling, says SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed no felling or transplantation of trees will take place for the metro rail project near the iconic Victoria Memorial in Kolkata without the permission of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
A bench of Justices B R Gavai, P K Mishra and K V Vishwanathan passed the order while hearing a plea challenging a June 20 verdict of the Calcutta High Court. The high court had dismissed a petition seeking a direction to stop all metro construction in the maidan area, the proposed project site, due to alleged felling and transplantation of a large number of trees. The apex court observed to allay the apprehension of the petitioner, it would be appropriate that the CEC examined the issue.
"We, therefore, direct that the respondents shall not undertake transplantation or felling of the trees without the permission of the CEC," said the bench and disposed of the plea. The counsel appearing for petitioner, 'people united for better living in calcutta (PUBLIC)', informed the bench that while they weren't opposed to the metro project, the work regarding one of the stations would entail felling of over 900 trees. The counsel submitted destroying the environment was not in public interest. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, however, said trees were not being felled but transplanted. He said of the 827 trees required to be transplanted, authorities had transplanted 94 trees. Mehta further submitted under the compensatory afforestation programme, a total of 2,370 trees would be planted. He said the metro project was of vital public importance and decongest roads upon completion. During the hearing, the counsel appearing for West Bengal sought time to get appropriate instructions in the matter. The bench observed each day's delay would add to the project's cost. On September 13, the apex court had stalled either tree felling or transplantation till the next hearing.
14:13 Flight bomb threats: Centre blasts 'X' for...
The Union Ministry of Electronics and IT today blasted social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for 'abetting crime' by allowing bomb threat rumours to spread.
Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve chaired a virtual meeting with representatives of airlines and social media platforms such as X and Meta. The official said that the situation amounts to "X abetting crime" and questioned its representatives on the steps taken to stop such alarming rumours from spreading, reports NDTV.
More than 120 flights operated by Indian carriers have received bomb threats over the past few days. Even yesterday, 30 flights operated by IndiGo, Vistara and Air India received such threats. The airlines said they followed standard operating procedures: authorities were alerted and security protocols were followed.
14:08 NCP releases 1st list, Ajit Pawar to contest from...
The Nationalist Congress Party on Wednesday released its first list of 38 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls with Deputy Chief Minister and party head Ajit Pawar being nominated from Baramati seat in Pune district.
Apart from renominating 26 sitting MLAs, including ministers who sided with Ajit Pawar when he joined the ruling camp, the NCP has also fielded sitting legislators Sulbha Khodke (Amravati) and Hiraman Khoskar (Igatpuri) who switched over from the Congress recently.
Bharat Gavit, son of Congress veteran late Manikrao Gavit, has been fielded from Navapur. Deputy Speaker of state assembly Narhari Zirwal has been fielded from Dindori and state cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Yeola. Former minister Rajkumar Badole, who was earlier with the BJP, has been given the ticket from Arjuni-Morgaon. PTI
13:34 Take care of my sister, Rahul tells Wayanad
Rahul Gandhi urges people of Wayanad to take care of his sister Priyanka and vote her to Parliament. "People of Wayanad will have two MPs to represent them in Parliament," Rahul says.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra filed her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.
She was given a rousing welcome by thousands of people, including UDF leaders and workers, at Kalpetta in Wayanad on Wednesday as she prepares to make her electoral debut by filing nomination papers for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.
Priyanka, who arrived in the hill district on Tuesday night along with her mother -- Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi -- led the roadshow along with her brother -- Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi -- from the new bus stand at Kalpetta.
Priyanka's husband, Robert Vadra, and one of their children were also seen along with her in the open-roof vehicle along with other senior party and IUML leaders during the roadshow. Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma was also present with them in the vehicle.
13:10 Kolkata metro services affected as woman jumps before running train
Metro railway services in the north-south corridor were affected for nearly an hour on Wednesday as a woman allegedly jumped before a running train at Chandni Chowk station, an official said.
Normal train services were resumed at 11.50 am after the injured woman was pulled from under the train and sent to hospital, he said. Metro services were affected in the north-south corridor from 10.54 am owing to the incident, the official said.
Truncated services were run till Maidan station in the south and up to Girish Park in the north during the period of disruption, he said. PTI
12:37 99% work on MVA seat-sharing done: Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said 99 per cent of work on the Maha Vikas Aghadi's seat-sharing arrangement has been completed and leaders of the three alliance parties are expected to announce the formula later in the day.
Talking to reporters, Raut also indicated his party could contest 100 seats. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are scheduled on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.
Top leaders of the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance met here late Tuesday night with indications that the seat-sharing arrangement for the assembly elections has been finalised.
The MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP). After the talks, especially those between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, hit a roadblock, senior state Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat first met NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday and then Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Later, Thorat and other leaders of the MVA again sat together for a meeting that lasted for several hours at a hotel here. Leaders of the three parties were involved in hectic seat-sharing deliberations which continued until late Tuesday night.
Raut on Wednesday said, "Ninety nine per cent work on seat-sharing has been completed. By today evening, leaders of the three parties will hold a press conference."
"Shiv Sena (referring to his faction led by Uddhav Thackeray) is an experienced player, so it has to hit a century. There are expectations of people that Sena should hit a century in seats and overall victory," he said.
Taking a dig at the Shiv Sena (headed by CM Eknath Shinde), BJP and MNS which have released their first lists of candidates, Raut said the MVA has to form government which is why the allies took time. Each assembly segment was being deliberated upon, the Rajya Sabha member added.
He said even if the MVA has not released its list, the three parties have already given A and B forms to their candidates. The A and B forms are important documents, which denote a certain candidate has been approved by a political party and should be allotted the election symbol of that party.
Asked if his party will field a candidate from Mahim against MNS president Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray, Raut said the Sena was formed in Mahim-Dadar belt and it cannot be the case that it will not field a candidate there.
Raut also asserted that Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray will win from Worli seat with a bigger margin this time.
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi
12:16 Baba murder: Shooters contacted Bishnoi's brother
Three suspected shooters allegedly involved in the Baba Siddiqui murder case were in contact with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi, through Snapchat, before executing the shooting of the NCP leader, according to the Mumbai Crime Branch.
The Crime Branch said that the three suspected shooters who committed the murder had talked to Anmol Bishnoi through the instant messaging app (Snapchat) prior to killing Siddiqui. Former MLA and NCP leader Siddique sustained gunshot wounds to the chest after being shot at outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, Mumbai.
He was was taken to the city's Lilavati Hospital for emergency treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 12. The Crime Branch has so far arrested 10 accused in the case, including two shooters and a weapon supplier.
When the Snapchat of the arrested accused was examined, it was found that the shooters and Pune-based Praveen Lonkar, alleged to be the mastermind, were directly in touch with Anmol Bishnoi and used to delete the messages after receiving them. Anmol was in contact with the accused from Canada and America and four mobile phones have also been seized from the accused, the police said.
Shooter Shivkumar Gautam and several other accused named by the police in the Baba Siddiqui murder case are still absconding. On October 19, Mumbai Police suspended police security guard Shyam Sonawane, who was present with the former Maharashtra minister during the time of the incident.
12:02 Husband, brother accompany Priyanka in Wayanad
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra begins her roadshow in Wayanad. Her brother and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and her husband Robert Vadra are also with her.
11:43 HC suspends Chhota Rajan's life sentence, grants him bail
Update: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday suspended the life sentence of gangster Chhota Rajan in connection with the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty here in 2001 and granted him bail in the case.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan directed Rajan to furnish a bond of Rs one lakh for the bail. Rajan will, however, continue to remain in jail in connection with other criminal cases.
In May this year, a special court convicted Rajan in the hotelier's murder case and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Rajan filed an appeal in the HC against the conviction. He sought that the sentence be suspended and he be granted bail in the interim.
Jaya Shetty, who owned the Golden Crown hotel at Gamdevi in central Mumbai, was shot dead by two alleged members of Rajan's gang on the hotel's first floor on May 4, 2001.
A probe suggested that Shetty had received extortion calls from Hemant Pujari, a member of the Chhota Rajan gang, and was killed because of his failure to pay the money. Rajan, already serving a life term for the murder of veteran crime reporter J Dey, is currently lodged at the Tihar jail in Delhi. PTI
11:32 Gangster Chhota Rajan gets bail
Bombay HC suspends life sentence of gangster Chhota Rajan in case of murder of hotelier in 2001; grants him bail.
11:30 Modi in Russia...
Congress Kerala shares this image on X: "Very rare photo.. Modi is not looking at Camera.."
11:04 Priyanka files nomination from Wayanad
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary, officially signed her nomination papers today in the presence of local leaders. She will shortly begin the nomination roadshow and file her nomination.
10:42 Rahul reaches Wayanad ahead of Priyanka nomination
Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives in Wayanad for the nomination filing of party's national general secretary and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for Wayanad Lok Sabha by-elections.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will mark her electoral debut by filing her nomination papers on Wednesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll in Wayanad. Priyanka arrived in the hill district on Tuesday night along with her mother, Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Besides them, chief ministers of Congress-ruled states and senior AICC leaders will also be present as a show of support to Priyanka. Priyanka, along with her brother Rahul Gandhi, will hold a roadshow at 11 AM in Kalpetta here before filing her nomination. At 11.45 AM, after the roadshow, there will be a public address by her and thereafter, she will file her nomination, according to her itinerary.
10:09 Markets rebound after sharp fall
Stock market benchmark indices rebounded in early trade on Wednesday amid continuous buying by domestic institutional investors and firm trends across Asian bourses.
The BSE Sensex climbed 168.79 points to 80,389.51 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 46.2 points to 24,518.30. From the 30 Sensex pack, Bajaj Finance climbed over 3 per cent after the firm reported a 13 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 4,014 crore in the second quarter ended September 2024.
Bajaj Finserv, HDFC Bank, Nestle, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, and Maruti were among the other big gainers. NTPC, Power Grid, Mahindra & Mahindra, and UltraTech Cement were among the laggards.
09:57 Odisha: IAF airlifts NDRF team, relief material ahead of Cyclone Dana landfall
As part of preparations ahead of the predicted landfall of Cyclone Dana on the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircrafts on Wednesday lifted 150 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and relief material to Bhubaneswar, as per an IAF official.
One IL 76 and AN 32 carrying the NDRF personnel and relief material were flown in from Bhatinda and landed in Bhubaneswar early this morning.
As per the Indian Meteorological Department, 'Cyclone Dana' is anticipated to make landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara and Bhadrak or Balasore off the Odisha coast.
The Odisha government is expecting maximum impact in districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Puri.
The IMD said that a deep depression over the East Central Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 18 km per hour and lay centred at 5:30 am on Wednesday, over latitude 16.3 N and longitude 89.9 E. The depression lay 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 630 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh).
The depression is also likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the north-west Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 24 and cross north of Odisha and West Bengal coasts between the Puri and Sagar island during the night of October 24th and morning of October 25th as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100 to 110 km per hour, gusting 120 km per hour.
NDRF and SDRF teams at the site
09:52 Bldg collapse survivor: I'm alive because I jumped
Five bodies have been recovered, and five people were injured after an under-construction building collapsed in the Horamavu Agara area of eastern Bengaluru amid heavy rain, said Bengaluru police sources.
According to Satish Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Bengaluru, the bodies have been identified as Harman (26), Tripal (35), Mohd Sahil (19), Sathya Raju (25), and Shankar.
The injured individuals have been identified as Jagadevi (45), Rasheed (28), Nagaraju (25), Ramesh Kumar (28), Harman (22), and Ayaj. Five injured individuals are being treated at Bengaluru North Hospital, while one is at Hosmat Hospital.
A total of seven other people were rescued, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to 13. Several others are still feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with dog squads, have been deployed at the site as the search continues for people trapped under the rubble.
Vakeel Pasawn, a labourer who jumped from the building to save himself, said, "Out of the four of us, three managed to escape, but the fourth one got stuck. I was unable to understand what was happening at the time. I was working on the sixth floor. I worked as a labourer and lived here as well."
Director General of Fire Services Prashant Kumar Thakur had earlier stated that five people were currently trapped in the building, and the rescue teams were waiting for professional concrete cutters to remove the debris.
He emphasised that the assessment of casualties would be conducted after the rescue operation was complete. "The police control received the information at 4 PM on Tuesday, and the fire control received the information at 5 PM. After we received information regarding the collapse of the building, fire tenders and personnel were rushed to the spot. Teams of SDRF and NDRF were also informed to reach the location, and rescue operations are underway. As per our information, five people are currently trapped, and we are waiting for professional concrete cutters to remove the debris," Thakur said.
"After the investigation, we will know how many people have died. We are now trying to rescue the individuals trapped under the debris. Around 15-20 labourers were living in the building, and there were others who lived in a shed near the building. Efforts are underway to rescue them," he added.
Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar in 2019
09:24 Sule: I know only one Ajit dada who didn't like...
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has taken a jibe at her cousin and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar over his frequent visits to Delhi, saying she remembers her brother who did not like to go to the national capital. NCP head Ajit Pawar and his party leader Praful Patel visited New Delhi on Tuesday, ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled on November 20.
Asked about it, Sule, the daughter of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, said, "I remember only one Ajit dada who never liked to go to Delhi."
"I do not know why he went to Delhi because I have not been in touch with him for months now and I would not be able to give an answer why he visited Delhi," the Lok Sabha member told reporters in Baramati on Tuesday.
Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has almost finalised its seat-sharing deal for the state assembly elections. On his absence at the talks between leaders of BJP and Shiv Sena in Mumbai on Monday, he said, "There is no reason for me to be present at the meeting when the decision on some seats is to be taken between the BJP and Shiv Sena."
There has been no confirmation so far from any of the ruling alliance leaders on media reports that the BJP may contest 156 of the 288 seats, while Shiv Sena may fight on 78 seats and the NCP may get 54 seats to contest. PTI
Representational image
09:14 Cyclonic storm Dana rolls into Bay of Bengal
The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Dana' on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
It is expected to become a severe cyclone before crossing the eastern coast between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal, with wind speeds reaching 120 km per hour on October 25, according to the IMD.
In a bulletin, the national weather agency said, "Yesterday's deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward at a speed of 18 km per hour over the past six hours and intensified into cyclonic storm Dana'."
As of 5:30 am, the system was located approximately 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha) and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal).
The IMD further noted, "It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning on October 24. It is expected to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, 2024, as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of up to 120 km per hour." -- PTI
09:04 Jharkhand poll: Hemant, Kalpana Soren in JMM's 1st list
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha released its first list of 35 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls on Wednesday, fielding Chief Minister Hemant Soren from Barhait and Kalpana Soren from Gandey segments.
The assembly polls will be held in two phases -- on November 13 and 20 -- while the results will be declared on November 23.
Hemant Soren is the sitting MLA from Barhait (ST) constituency in Sahibganj district. He won the seat by 25,740 votes over his nearest BJP rival Simon Malto in the 2019 assembly elections.
His wife Kalpana Soren had won the Gandey bypoll by 27,149 votes over her nearest BJP rival Dilip Kumar Verma. The seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad.
Of the 35 JMM nominees, Basant Soren, the incumbent chief minister's brother, will contest from Dumka, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindranath Mahto from Nala, Minister Mithilesh Thakur from Garhwa, Sonu Sudivya from Giridih and Bebi Devi from Dumri.
Basant defeated former BJP minister Lois Marandi by over 6,842 votes in party stronghold Dumka, the constituency vacated by his elder brother Hemant Soren after he won Dumka and Barahit in the December 2019 assembly elections and decided to retain the latter.
Assembly Speaker Mahto won Nala in Jamtara by a margin of 3,520 votes, defeating Satyanand Jha of the BJP in the last elections. Mahto had won the seat in 2005 and 2014 also.
The other candidates announced by the JMM include Dipak Birua from Chaibasa and Kedar Hazara, a three-term sitting MLA of BJP who joined the party recently, from Jamua. -- PTI
09:00 Wayanad bypoll: Priyanka to file nomination today
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will mark her electoral debut by filing her nomination papers on Wednesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll in Wayanad.
Priyanka arrived in the hill district on Tuesday night along with her mother, Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, reached the district subsequently. They will be accompanying Priyanka when she files her nomination papers before the District Collector.
Besides them, chief ministers of Congress-ruled states and senior AICC leaders will also be present as a show of support to Priyanka.
Priyanka, along with her brother Rahul Gandhi, will hold a roadshow at 11 AM in Kalpetta here before filing her nomination.
At 11.45 AM, after the roadshow, there will be a public address by her and thereafter, she will file her nomination, according to her itinerary.
She is pitted against LDF's Sathyan Mokeri and BJP's Navya Haridas.
The by-election for Wayanad LS seat became necessary after Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha polls from there and Rae Bareli constituency, decided to vacate Wayanad. -- PTI
08:38 Maha poll: All sitting MLAs dominate Sena's 1st list
The Shiv Sena has released its first list of 45 candidates for the Maharashtra assembly polls, nominating Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri-Panchpakhadi in Thane city and more than half a dozen cabinet members from their respective seats.
As per the list released late Tuesday night, the ruling party has re-nominated almost all the MLAs who backed Shinde when he led a revolt against the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022.
With this, the Shiv Sena has become the second major political party to release its list of candidates for the state assembly polls. Its ally BJP released a list of 99 candidates on Sunday.
Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.
Shinde will seek re-election from Kopri-Panchpakhadi seat in Thane city adjoining Mumbai.
The party has fielded ministers Gulabrao Patil, Deepak Kesarkar, Abdul Sattar and Shambhuraj Desai from Jalgaon Rural, Sawantwadi, Sillod and Patan, respectively.
Another cabinet member, Dada Bhuse, will contest from the Malegaon Outer assembly constituency in Nashik district.
Ministers Uday Samant and Tanaji Sawant have been fielded from Ratnagiri and Paranda, respectively.
Another prominent leader Sada Sarvankar will fight the polls from Mahim in Mumbai.
The party has also fielded kin of several leaders.
From Rajapur, it has given ticket to Kiran Samant, brother of minister Uday Samant.
Suhas Babar, son of late legislator Anil Babar, will contest from Khanapur in Sangli district.
Manisha Waikar, wife of Shiv Sena Lok Sabha member from Mumbai North-West Ravindra Waikar, has been fielded from Jogeshwari (East), while Abhijit Adsul, son of Sena leader and former Union minister Anand Adsul, will contest from Daryapur in Amravati district.
Vilas Bhumre, son of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Lok Sabha member Sandipan Bhumre, will contest from Paithan.
The ruling Mahayuti, which consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP, is yet to announce its seat-sharing deal for polls to the 288-member assembly. -- PTI
01:19 LG summons J-K assembly session on Nov 4
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday summoned a session of the legislative assembly in Srinagar on November 4.
The newly elected members of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly were administered the oath on Monday by pro tem speaker Mubarak Gul.
"Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under sections 18 and 19 of the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019, has summoned the session of Legislative Assembly for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir at Srinagar on Monday, 4th Nov 2024 at 11.30 am," a spokesperson of Raj Bhawan said.
The lieutenant governor will address the assembly. In exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Rule 9(1) of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly, Sinha has fixed November 4 for the election of the speaker, the spokesperson said. -- PTI
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