ECI finally releases APs poll percentage

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. (PTI File Image) Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. (PTI File Image) Vijayawada: Election Commission of India has finally released details of poll percentage recorded in Andhra Pradesh, which witnessed polling in its 175 assembly and 25 parliamentary constituencies on May 13. According to the figures released by ECI on Friday, AP has registered the highest poll percentage of 81.86 in the country, 80.66 per cent through EVMs and 1.2 per cent through postal ballots. This is the highest poll percentage recorded in a state during the last four phases of polling. The poll percentages released Lok Sabha constituency-wise are Amalapuram (SC) 83.85, Anakapalle 82.03, Anantapur 80.51, Araku (ST) 73.68, Bapatla (SC)- 85.48, Chittoor (SC) 85.77, Eluru 83.68, Guntur 78.81, Hindupur 84.79, Kadapa 79.57, Kakinada 80.30, Kurnool 76.80, Machilipatnam 84.05, Nandyal 80.61, Narasapur 82.59, Narasaraopet 85.65, Nellore 79.05, Ongole 87.06, Rajahmundry 80.93, Rajampet 79.09, Srikakulam 74.43, Tirupati 79.10, Vijayawada 79.37, Visakhapatnam 71.11 and Vizianagaram 81.05. Thus, among all the parliamentary constituencies of Andhra Pradesh, Ongole recorded the highest 87.06 per cent polling, while Visakhapatnam registered the lowest polling percentage of 71.11.

Candidates Concerned About Safety of EVMs

Vijayawada: Several candidates from both the YSRC and the three-party alliance in AP are apprehensive about safety of EVMs, which were secured and placed in the strongrooms. This fear is mainly in relation to Rayalaseema in view of the series of incidents in the region during and after Mondays polling. These contestants felt the state administration failed to control the poll-related violence. The post-poll scenario was worse in areas like Anantapur, Annamaiah, Tadipatri, Chandragiri, Macherla, Narasaraopeta etc, they noted. Even as we were delighted that there was a huge turnout of voters - 81.86 per cent polling in the state - the violent incidents were very unfortunate. BJP nominee from Dharmavaram Y. Satya Kumar said, We are very much concerned about the safety of EVMs in view of the violence. I am keeping a trusted man at the strong room on behalf of me at Lepakshi to keep a close watch on the sealed EVMs. Earlier, Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena announced that the EVMs were secured in 350 strongrooms in 33 locations across the state. These have been provided with a three-tier security cover including the deployment of central forces alongside the local police especially at the entry level. There is also electronic surveillance, he said, and sounded confident there would be no safety lapse. There was an assault on Chandragiri Assembly segment TD nominee Pulaparthi Venkata Mani Prasad when he was trying to visit the strongroom at the Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam in Tirupati on May 14. The culprits were arrested. Rajahmundry Rural YSRC nominee and minister Srinviasa Venugopal Krishna said, We are fortunate that we dont have such issues in this region. The EVMs are secured in the strongrooms at Adikavi Nannaya University and no one here encourages violence. Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu, in a statement on Thursday, sought an inquiry to find out how some police officers failed to maintain law and order in several areas. They failed to control the YSRC rowdies, he said and expressed concern over the way the violence even reached Visakhapatnam. Rajahmundry Rural Assembly segment nominee from Telugu Desam, Gorantla Butchaiah Choudhary said, The YSRC leaders and supporters are acting in frustration. They are causing violence in several parts of the state. Kaikaluru Assembly segment BJP nominee Kamineni Srinvasa Rao said, Poll-related violence should be condemned by all. Fortunately we are not having any issues on safety of EVMs at the strongrooms in our area.

Voter turnout likely to touch 81% in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: The voter turnout in Andhra Pradesh is expected to touch 81% with polling continuing till 2 am on Tuesday. Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena in an informal interaction with mediapersons said voting percentage was estimated to be 78.25% as of midnight. He added that the number will go up marginally, as voters in around 20 polling stations cast their votes till early morning on Tuesday. Cliffhanger in Andhra Pradesh as voter turnout may touch 80% As votes cast through postal ballots accounted for 1.2% of voters, total voting percentage stood at 79.4%. In 2019, 79.8% voting was recorded. Scores of women and elderly people thronged the polling booths after 4 pm on Monday to cast their vote. This is said to be one of the reasons for the prolonged polling in some places. Voting was affected at 20 polling stations due to EVM-related issues. As per data obtained from district election officers, the highest voter turnout was reported in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district and the lowest in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. The figures might change as data was still being collated at the time the report was filed. Voter turnout stood at 80.30% in Kakinada district, with Pithapuram recording the highest polling of 86.63%. East Godavari district reported 80.93% voter turnout with Rajanagaram recording 87.53%, followed by 86.23% in Anaparthi. Except for Rajahmundry Urban and Rural segments, all other Assembly constituencies reported polling above 80%. Nandyal district in Rayalaseema region reported 81.12% voting with Nandyal Assembly segment recording 75% turnout. Allagadda recorded the highest polling of 83.12%. Chittoor district logged 82.65% polling with Kuppam reporting the highest voting at 85.87%. All the Assembly segments in the district reported above 80% polling. Sri Sathya Sai district reported 82.77% voting with Dharmavaram Assembly segment recording highest turnout of 88.61%. Bapatla district reported 82.33% voter turnout, while Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema reported 83.19%. The highest voter turnout of 87.50% was reported in Mandapeta Assembly segment. Except for Razole, all other segments reported polling above 80%. Eluru district reported 83.04% with voter turnout of 87.75% at Ungutur. NTR district reported 78.70% with Jaggayyapet and Nandigama reporting the highest voter turnout of 86.50%. Krishna district reported 82.20%.

Railway's Preferential Treatment Helps Passengers Cast Their Votes

Vijayawada: A preferential treatment given by railway authorities to the Visakhapatnam-bound Nanded train (No. 20812) helped several passengers travelling between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam to cast their votes on Monday. As per the schedule, the train was scheduled to reach Rayanapeta by 2.55 pm, Eluru-4.08pm, Tadepalligudem-4.48pm, Rajahmundry-5.38pm, Duvvada-8.35pm and Visakhapatnam by 9.10 pm. However, the train was running late by more than 8 hours after a delayed start in Nanded and reached Vijayawada late by nearly 8.25 hours. Following the media reports that the passengers travelling by train were being delayed for voting, the railway authorities decided to provide 'preferential treatment' to the train without causing a further delay. The railway authorities said that the scheduled train was delayed by several hours as it was diverted from its originating point in Amritsar due to ongoing farmers strike at Sambhu in the northern railway station. However, several voters later thanked the railway authorities for helping them reach their destinations early and cast their votes.

Some trains from Visakhapatnam to Guntur, Rajahmundry to be cancelled from May 15 for safety works

Andhra Pradesh: Governor, CEO & other VIPs cast their votes

VIJAYAWADA: VIPs exercised their electoral franchise in their respective constituencies, including Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer and First Lady Sameera Nazeer, who exercised their electoral franchise by participating in voting at the Green Polling Station at Railway Function Hall in Vijayawada Central Constituency on Monday. CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena exercised his vote at 7.30 am at Railway Function Hall Polling Station 155, Suryaraopeta in Vijayawada Central Constituency. Meanwhile, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy exercised his voting franchise at the Bhaskarapuram polling station in Pulivendula, along with YS Bharathi Reddy. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu exercised his voting franchise at a polling station in Undavalli, along with Nara Bhuvaneswari, Mangalagiri TDP candidate Nara Lokesh, and Nara Brahmani. BJP State President and Rajahmundry BJP Parliament candidate exercised her voting rights in VR Puram, Polling station, Rajahmundry. JSP chief Pawan Kalyan, along with Ana Konidala, exercised their voting franchise at the Tribal Welfare Corporation Polling station, Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Colony, Mangalagiri. APCC chief and Kadapa INC MP candidate YS Sharmila, along with her spouse Anil Kumar, exercised her voting franchise in Idupulapaya, Pulivendula constituency. TDP leader and Hindupur TD candidate Nandamuri Balakrishna, along with Nandamuri Vasundhara Devi, exercised their voting franchise in Hindupur, Satya Sai district. Gopalapuram YSRC MLA candidate and Home Minister Taneti Vanitha also exercised her franchise.

Rajahmundry braces for 3-way contest between Congress' Raju, BJP's Purandeswari and YSRCP's Srinivas

Rajahmundry is one of the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies of the state of Andhra Pradesh. As per the announcement made by the Election Commission of India on March 16, Rajahmundry will undergo voting in the 4th phase of the 2024 general elections i.e. May 13. The date of vote counting is June 4.

Mother's Day: Ram Charan to spend time with mother

Earlier, the actor was visibly moved by the warm reception at the Rajahmundry airport yesterday. He waved to express his gratitude to his fans, thanking them for their unwavering support and love

Rajahmundry braces for 3-way contest between Congress Raju, BJPs Purandeswari and YSRCPs Srinivas

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Ticket turmoil: Private bus fares surge amid poll travel rush in Telangana

HYDERABAD: As the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh are to be held simultaneously on Monday, a surge in passenger traffic from the city was witnessed on Saturday. While passengers travelling via AP and Telangana RTC buses continued to benefit from the regular fares, those opting for private operators faced steep hikes in ticket prices, from 75% to 100%. To accommodate the influx, TSRTC deployed an additional 400 to 450 special buses on Friday and Saturday along various routes, primarily to Vijayawada and Kurnool. The buses are allocated based on passenger traffic. We are plying them to several districts like Rajahmundry, Guntur, Ongole, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam. Typically the regular number of buses to AP stands at 280, a source within RTC told TNIE . With a daily ridership of approximately 55 lakh, including services like Super Luxury, Palle Velugu, Deluxe, Express among others, the pre-election period has seen a surge to four to five lakh passengers with majority of them traveling to AP. For voters travelling to remote areas of Telangana, around 1,500 special buses have been added over the four days from JBS, Uppla, LB Nagar, MG Bus and other terminals. Those travelling to the interiors of Telangana are likely to travel on Sunday evening or Monday morning. The passengers who belong to far-off districts like Wanaparthy, Mahbubnagar, Achampet and others will travel on Sunday evening and the ones from nearby places like Warangal on Monday morning, a source said. Despite booking tickets two weeks in advance, passengers opting for private buses to AP found themselves compelled to pay exorbitant fares. The ones who tried to book RTC buses earlier for cheaper fares were left dejected by full bookings. One such passenger was Arun Teja (32), who was going to his native in West Godavaris Moghalpur mandal. Waiting for the bus at Ameerpet bus stop, the mechanical engineer told TNIE, On a regular day, I book a bus to my hometown through RTC for Rs 800. Even the private bus ticket costs Rs 1,050. However, due to the rush, I am shelling out Rs 3,000. What can I do? I want to exercise my right to vote, Teja said. S Ravi Teja, a design engineer and his friends got lucky as they managed to find reservations in an APSRTC seater bus. Traveling to his native place in Rajahmundry from SR Nagar bus stop, he told TNIE, When I checked private bus fares two weeks ago, they had shot up to Rs 2,000 when they usually are Rs 700-800. Teja believed that people had started booking the buses as soon as the election dates were announced. When asked what the trio would have done if they would not have found the bookings in the RTC, he remarked, Either we would have dropped the idea or traveled by bike as private buses ticket prices were very high. A private bus tours and travels agency at Ameerpet claimed that the prices have increased sharply between 75% and 100% as a result of huge demand. Suppose, if the price from Hyderabad to Vijayawada is Rs 500 to Rs 700 for a sleeper bus, it has gone up to Rs 1,800. For Vijayawada, if it was Rs 800 to 900 earlier, it has escalated to Rs 2,500 to 3,000. MA Gaffar, a driver of a private bus agency, told TNIE that apart from the huge demand of commuters, another reason for fare escalation is the fear of returning empty-handed due to holiday.

Andhra Pradesh's Rajahmundry Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates, main parties, schedule

Rajahmundry LS constituency in AP, India, has 7 segments. Candidates include D Purandareshwari, Gidugu Rudra Raju, Dr Guduri Srinivasulu. In 2019, Margani Bharat won. Next vote on 13th May 2024, results on 4th June per March 16 announcement.

Ram Charan mobbed at Rajahmundry Airport

Tollywood actor Ram Charan, fondly known as the 'Global Star', received a resounding welcome from his fans at Rajahmundry airport today. The actor, who has been basking in the glory of his father Chiranjeevi's recent Padma Vibhushan honor, was greeted with immense enthusiasm and fervor by his fans. As he stepped out of the airport, Ram Charan was mobbed by a sea of fans, all eager to catch a glimpse of their beloved star. The actor, known for his humility and down-to-earth nature, was visibly moved by the warm reception. He waved to express his gratitude to his fans, thanking them for their unwavering support and love. Ram Charan's visit to Rajahmundry is a special one, as he heads to Pithapuram to offer prayers at the revered Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy temple. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, holds great significance for the actor and his family. Ram Charan's father, Chiranjeevi, recently received the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award, and the actor wants to thank the almighty for this honor. By offering prayers at the temple, Ram Charan seeks to express his gratitude and seek blessings for his family's continued success. As Ram Charan made his way to Pithapuram, his fans followed him in large numbers, eager to catch a glimpse of their star in action. The actor's visit to the temple is a testament to his strong spiritual beliefs and his desire to stay connected with his roots. Ram Charan's visit to Rajahmundry and Pithapuram has generated immense excitement among his fans, who see this as an opportunity to see him. The actor's humility and devotion to his craft have made him a household name, and his visit to the temple is a reminder of his strong spiritual foundation. As Ram Charan offers prayers at the Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy temple, his fans will be eagerly waiting to hear about his experience. With this visit, Ram Charan has once again proven himself to be a true hero, both on and off the screen.

Heavy Rain Forecast for Rayalaseema on Polling Day

Visakhapatnam : Heavy rainfall is likely to lash Rayalaseema region on May 13, the day Andhra Pradesh goes to elections. Moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in coastal Andhra Pradesh and some parts of north coastal Andhra on that day, the weather office said. There would be respite to heat waves in AP for over a week. An IMD report said Wednesdays trough from northeast Rajasthan to south interior Karnataka now ran from above the cyclonic circulation over central Maharashtra to south interior Karnataka, across north interior Karnataka, and extends upto 1.5km above mean sea level. Under its influence, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speed upto 30-40kmph are likely at isolated places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema from Friday. The thunderstorms would continue till May 13. The report said AP got relief from the heat conditions as temperature fell by two to three degrees Celsius in many regions including the hotbed districts of Rayalaseema-Nandyal, Kurnool, Kadapa and Tirupathi. Only Tirupati recorded 40.1 degrees Celsius while the average temperature remained at 36 degrees in the other regions. Visakhapatnam registered the lowest temperature of 33.7 degrees Celsius. Senior scientist at IMD Amaravati, S Karunasagar, said parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh received an average of 10cm rainfall each during the last three days with the highest rainfall of 12cm in Vemagiri, near Rajahmundry. The state might not experience heat waves for another 10 days, he said.

ED Files Case Against Former Regional Director of Municipal Administration in Rajahmundry

HYDERABAD: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad officials, filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against Vuchula Rajendra Prasad, the then Regional Director cum Appellate Commissioner, Municipal Administration, Rajahmundry and his family members under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 before the Special PMLA Court, Visakhapatnam. The Court has taken cognizance of the prosecution Complaint after finding that a prima-facie case has been made out under PMLA, 2002 against the accused. ED initiated investigation based on FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Andhra Pradesh Police, Vijayawada under section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Charge Sheet filed before Special Judge for SPE & ACB cases, Vijayawada, alleging that Vuchula Rajendra Prasad, being a public servant, had abused his official position and acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs 2.22 Crore through illegal and corrupt means in his name and in the names of his family members during the period February 5, 1990, to May 12, 2015. The investigation revealed that Vuchula Rajendra Prasad, being a public servant while working in different capacities under the Government of Andhra Pradesh, generated proceeds of crime of more than Rs 2.22 Crore by illegal means which was utilized in acquisition of movable/immovable properties including plots, gold and silver ornaments, vehicles in his name and his family members names which were disproportionate to his known source of income.

Vishwa Hindi Parishad extends support to BJP for development of Indian languages

VIJAYAWADA: Vishwa Hindi Parishad has declared its support for the BJP in the current elections, following Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to the development of Hindi and other Indian languages. Prof Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, the national president of Vishwa Hindi Parishad, announced the decision of the Parishad in a release, stating that their organisation stands behind the BJP. In alignment with this, the National Working Committee of Vishwa Hindi Parishad has instructed Lakshmi Prasad to conduct effective campaigning for the TDP, BJP, and JSP alliance in the State. Lakshmi Prasad, who is currently on a tour of eight Eurasian countries to advocate for Hindis recognition in the United Nations, is scheduled to return to India on Wednesday. In the first phase of his campaign, he will visit constituencies such as Vijayawada West, Kaikaluru, Undi, and Rajahmundry to express support for the alliance candidates. He will take part in campaign events at Anakapalli on Friday. Subsequently, he will visit Dharmavaram and Rajampet to work towards the victory of the alliance candidates.

Rains Lash AP, Lightning Kills 3

Visakhapatnam: Moderate to heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightning struck parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema districts in Andhra Pradesh during the last 24 hours claiming three lives. However, the rains provided the much-needed reprieve from the searing heat wave that had engulfed the state since the last two weeks. Nandyal, Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur recorded average temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. A 41-year-old Parasa Rama Rao died on the spot when lightning struck him at Yadavalli village under Lingapalem mandal in Eluru district. Rama Rao was grazing cattle near a field when the incident took place. In another incident, lightning killed a woman Bondala Nagendramma (52) and her 25 year old daughter Y Nagarani when they were returning from a farm field at Vutukuru under Krosuru mandal of Palnadu district. A trough running from east Vidarbha to south Tamil Nadu brought rains and thunderstorms in the state on Tuesday. The system is set to bring more rains on Wednesday Normal life was thrown out of gear and more than six places reported mild water logging, with trees and power poles uprooted at few localities as heavy rain accompanied with gusty winds lashed at Rajahmundry town in East Godavari district on Tuesday. An unexpected hailstorm brought cheers to the people in a few villages under Chintapalli and Paderu mandals in ASR district. Though the rains have brought down the mercury levels by 2 to 6 degree Celsius on Tuesday, the summer rain caused damage to chili, maize, and mango crops in parts of the state. The IMD said Vemagiri in Rajahmundry recorded 12.4 cm rain, Palasa (Srikakulam district) and Palamaner (Chittoor district) recorded 6 cm rainfall each between Monday night and Tuesday morning, followed by 5 cm each in Tekkali (Srikakulam), Atmakur (Nandyal) and 4 cm in Arogyavaram (Annamayya). Parvathipuram (Manyam), Madanapalle (Annamayya), Atlur (Kadapa) and some places in the state recorded rainfall between 1 cm and 3 cm. The IMD has predicted moderate rainfall and thundershowers at few places across the state on May 8 (Wednesday) which include Chittoor, Annamayya and Tirupati districts of Rayalaseema region and Nellore. ASR and Srikakulam district of CAP will receive heavy rainfall.

PM Modi accuses YSRC & Congress of corruption

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM/ANAKAPELLE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the YSRC and Congress, accusing them of indulging in rampant corruption. Speaking at NDAs election rallies at Vemagiri in Rajamahendravaram and Rajupalem in Anakapalle on Monday, Modi said both parties are cut from the same cloth. Citing the seizure of mountains of cash at the house of a servant of the personal secretary of Jharkhand Rural Development minister and Congress leader Alamgir Alam, the Prime Minister wondered why such persons were close to the Congress first family. He further quipped, They (Congress) have turned the workers house a godown of corruption. Pointing out that this is not the first time such a huge cash haul has been reported, Modi recalled, Earlier also a big sum of cash was seized at an MPs residence in Jharkhand. The catch was so huge, even machines were tired of counting. Demanding to know if the money was stacked in the godown to supply it, he said, The country wants to know from Congress Shehzada (referring to Rahul Gandhi), if the partys first family has established warehouses of black money. PM Modi leads grand procession in Ayodhya amidst saffron sea of supporters PM Narendra Modi and JSP chief Pawan Kalyan during Praja Galam meeting | Express YSRC can manage corruption, not finances: PM Stating that he was seeking legal consultations on returning the stolen money to the rightful owners, Modi explained, As of now, the ED (Enforcement Directorate) has only caught hold of property worth `1.15 lakh crore. But if you sum all of these up, it accounts for many crores of rupees. Hence, I am consulting with legal experts to try and get back peoples money that was stolen. Asserting that it is Modis guarantee that no poor person will be affected, he said `17,000 crore has already been returned to the rightful owners. Training his guns on the ruling YSRC in Andhra Pradesh, the Prime Minister alleged, The government wanted to establish three capitals with a motive of looting the State, but could not as the exchequer was empty. YSRC can manage corruption, but not finances. Further, Modi said the YSRC had an opportunity to prove its mettle for five years, but it wasted the time and also let the States potential go to waste. When Chandrababu Naidu was in power, the State was at the peak of its league. But the YSRC government derailed all that progress. Instead of working for the welfare of the people, the YSRC drowned the State in debt, Modi claimed. He reiterated, Be it anywhere, only NDA can guarantee welfare. Stating that the youth of Andhra Pradesh are known for their technological skills and acumen, Modi said the State should grow along with the country. However, under the present regime, development has been zero and corruption has been 100%, he criticised the ruling YSRC. Cautioning people to be wary of the Congress, he remarked, Till 10 years ago, all that the country saw was scams. Emphasising that development would be possible only with a double-engine NDA government, he asserted that the State will script a new chapter in growth after June 4. Stating that the NDAs mantra is reform, perform, and transform, Modi said, Your right vote will transform problems into opportunities. Questioning the YSRC governments credibility, Modi sought to know how its promise of total prohibition became a liquor business run by the government forming syndicates. Liquor, sand, and land mafia rule the roost in the State, he alleged. Elaborating on the Centres contribution to the development of the State, he blamed the YSRC government for delaying the Polavaram project. The Prime Minister said though the Centre released `15,000 crore, the State government could not complete the irrigation project. It has curtailed the lifeline of the State, he said. Claiming that the farmers of the State were struggling for proper irrigation, and werent even receiving MSP (Minimum Support Price) for paddy, Modi promised that after June 4, the NDA government in the State will address all these problems. Referring to the Uttarandhra Sujjala Sravanthi Project, Modi said Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy did not continue the projects taken up by his father and former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Modi also found fault with the YSRC government for not distributing even half of the total 24 lakh houses allocated under the PM Awas Yojana. Further, he assured good days for sugarcane farmers and fisherfolk under the NDA government in the coming days. While TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh, Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan and BJP State unit chief D Purandeswari were present in Rajahmundry during PM Modis public address, TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and JSP secretary general Nagendra Babu attended the meeting in Anakapalle. The Prime Minister left soon after his public address, before Naidu began his speech. Muslims now stand with BJP; understood Congress, INDIA bloc using them as pawns: PM Modi

YSRCP government plunged in corruption: Modi

Rajahmundry, May 6 (UNI) Alleging that the Jagan Mohan Reddy-headed Andhra Pradesh government has plunged into corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out that the YSR Congress has the opportunity for a full five years but they wasted these five years and pushed Andhra Pradesh behind in development. Addressing an election meeting at Vemagiri village... The post YSRCP government plunged in corruption: Modi first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

YSR Congress derailed Andhra Pradeshs development: PM Modi

Rajahmundry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the people of Andhra Pradesh have rejected the ruling YSR Congress Party as it wasted five years and derailed the states development. He exuded confidence that NDA would form the government in the state and complete the pending projects including Polavaram. He was addressing a public Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Modi to Address Public Meeting in AP Today

Vijayawada: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Rajahmundry on Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. He will arrive at the Rajahmundry Airport by an IAF aircraft from Jagadalpur in Chattisgarh. From Rajahmundry Airport he will reach Vemagiri to address a public meeting. TD national general secretary N. Lokesh and AP BJP chief, Rajahmundry Lok Sabha nominee D. Purandeswari, and NDA Lok Sabha nominees from Amalapuram, Kakinada, Eluru, Narasapuram and Rajahmundry and nominees from seven assembly segments falling under the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment will attend the PMs public meeting. Post the Rajahmundry public meeting, Narendra Modi will proceed to Anakapalli to address another public meeting between 4:00 pm and 6:00 p.m. Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena leader Nagababu will attend this meeting, apart from NDA nominees from Anakapalli Lok Sabha and assembly segments within its purview.

Amit Shah trains guns on YSRC over Polavaram & English medium

DHARMAVARAM: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday promised to complete the Polavaram irrigation project within two years, once the NDA forms government in the State and at the Centre. Lashing out at the YSRC government in Andhra Pradesh, Shah blamed Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for the delay in executing the irrigation project. Addressing a public meeting at Dharmavaram in Sri Sathya Sai district on Sunday, Shah alleged that the YSRC government derailed the project with rampant corruption. The Polavaram Project, which is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh, was approved by the NDA government after the State bifurcation. One of Modis guarantees is to complete the Polavaram project in two years, if the BJP-led NDA is voted to power at the Centre and the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance forms government in the State, Shah vowed. The Union minister avoided the subject of 4% reservation for Muslims. However, hours later, while speaking during an election rally at Kagaznagar in Adilabad, Telangana, he reiterated that while religious reservations will be scrapped, the quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs will be increased. Shah said reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will not end as long as there was at least one saffron party MP in Parliament. It may be noted that TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has assured Muslims in Andhra Pradesh that 4% reservations for them will continue. The BJP strongman said, The three parties have come together to put an end to rampant crimes and corruption in the State and to protect the sanctity of the Tirupati Balaji temple. I have come here today to offer my support to this fight. Accusing the Jagan government of trying to replace Telugu with English in primary education, Shah asserted that the tripartite alliance will strive to protect Telugu language. As long as BJP is there, it will not allow Telugu language to vanish, he asserted. Charging Jagan with neglecting the development of Rayalaseema, Shah appealed to the gathering to vote for Chandrababu Naidu and Narendra Modi so they can complete not just Polavaram, but also Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanti (HN SS), Veligonda and other irrigation projects. When Naidu was the chief minister of the undivided State, he took Andhra Pradesh to the very top. Even after the bifurcation, he started the development process of the State, but Jagan derailed all those efforts. While development and investment stand at zero, unemployment is at its peak in the State. He burdened people of the State with a debt of Rs 13.50 lakh crore. Infrastructure projects have been stalled, but the land mafia is in full swing. Jagan promised total prohibition, but started a liquor syndicate instead, he alleged. Saluting the land of Hindupur, the BJP leader noted, Lepakshi is where Lord Ram met Jatayu. It also is the place where Sri Satya Sai Baba spread the message of peace and harmony worldwide. Further, Shah found fault with Jagan for not visiting Ayodhya Ram Mandir for the Pran Pratishta ceremony, just like Rahul Gandhi, even after being invited. Mocking the I.N.D.I.A bloc for not having a proper Prime Ministerial candidate and yet seeking public mandate to win the elections, Shah said, In front of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I want to ask them (I.N.D.I Alliance), if, God forbid you come to power, who will be the PM? My brothers and sisters, you tell me can Sharad Pawar ever be the PM? Or can Mamata Banerjee be the PM? Or Stalin? Or Uddhav Thackeray? I will take another name, please dont laugh, but could you imagine Rahul Gandhi being your PM ever? Pointing out that two phases of the Lok Sabha polls have been completed, he confidently said PM Modi is way ahead of the Opposition. In the third phase, he shall take a step further to achieve his aim of securing 400 plus seats, he said. PM Modi public meet today PM Modi will take part in election rallies in Andhra Pradesh on May 6 and 8. Sources said Modi will arrive in Rajahmundry on Monday & address a public meeting at Ramgiri Highway and later in Anakapalle

Narendra Modi to address two rallies in Andhra Pradesh today

Amit Shah criticizes YSRC govt. PM Modi's Andhra Pradesh visit for 2 public meetings. Modi to address gatherings in Rajahmundry, Anakapalli, Rajampet, and Vijayawada, focusing on key issues to sway voters.

PM Modi to take up poll campaign in AP on May 6, 8

Vijayawada: NDA leaders announced the schedule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit parts of AP on May 6 and 8 to take part in the electioneering for the upcoming polls in AP. BJP leader Lanka Dinakar, Telugu Desam former MLC Ashok Babu and Jana Sena leader Gautam disclosed the details of Modis tour programme. Accordingly, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Vemagiri near Rajahmundry at 3.30 pm on May 6, to support the candidature of BJP Rajahmundry Lok Sabha nominee and AP BJP chief D. Purandeswari and also nominees from the NDA contesting in the seven Assembly seats failing under the Lok Sabha seat. TD chief Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan will also join Modi to address the gathering. On the same day, Modi will address a public meeting at a place located at Ugginapalem gram panchayat of Kasimkota mandal in Anakapalli district at 5.55 pm to support the candidature of BJP nominee C.M. Ramesh from Anakapalli Lok Sabha seat and also other nominees from the Assembly seats falling under its jurisdiction. Modi will be joined by Naidu and Pawan Kalyan. On May 8, Modi will address the public at Kalikiri at 3 pm to support the candidature of Rajampet Lok Sabha nominee N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and other nominees from the Assembly seats falling under its purview. TD chief Naidu and JS chief Pawan Kalyan to join Modi. At 5 pm, Modi, joined by Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will take out a road show from Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium to Benz Circle in the city to support the candidates of NDA nominees in the elections.

I will resolve perennial problems of Rajahmundry: Margani Bharatram - The New Indian Express

I will resolve perennial problems of Rajahmundry: Margani Bharatram The New Indian Express

I will resolve perennial problems of Rajahmundry: Margani Bharatram

Margani Bharatram, a film actor turned politician, is the first BC MP elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajahmundry. He did his management degree in the USA. His father Margani Nageswara Rao is a well-known BC leader in the State. He is popular as Common Man MP in the erstwhile undivided East Godavari district for his easy accessibility to people. The sitting YSRC MP is in the fray from Rajahmundry City Assembly segment. In an interview with KV Sailendra, Margani Bharatram explained his vision to develop Rajahmundry City if elected. What made you contest in the Assembly election? I have entered the fray as per the directions of YSRC supremo and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. I am happy to contest the MLA seat. As an MLA, I will have an opportunity to concentrate more on development of Rajahmundry City. I have taken it as a challenge. What are your achievements as an MP of Rajahmundry? The Centre has sanctioned six flyovers for Rajahmundry Lok Sabha constituency to ease traffic congestion on highways. Morampudi flyover is fast coming up. Road Over Bridges are also coming up in Anaparthi and Nidadavolu Assembly constituencies. I got Rs 375 crore sanctioned for the development of Madhurapudi airport and Rs 275 crore for Rajahmundry railway station. The State government has also sanctioned Rs 125 crore for various development projects in the city. Happy Street, Food Plaza and Pushkar Plaza have come up in the city. The beautification of the Cultural Capital of AP has also been taken up as part of the development projects. I am planning to set up Fashion Street in the city. On law and order front, the blade batch menace in the city has been completely wiped out, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Are you confidant of breaching the TDP bastion? The BJP and TDP MLAs did nothing for the development of the city though they represented Rajahmundry in 2014 and 2019. The sitting TDP MLA, who is reluctant to meet the people of the constituency, has failed to ensure its development. The electorate is frustrated with the dismal performance of the TDP MLA. Hence, they will certainly give their massive mandate to me. How do you tackle the major issues of the city? The city needs proper underground drainage system. The drinking water supply in the city should also be strengthened. I am the first MP to speak in the Lok Sabha underlining the need for cleansing Godavari River. I have also got a government medical college sanctioned for Rajahmundry by taking the matter to the Chief Ministers notice. I promise to resolve the long pending civic issues of the city, besides focusing on infrastructure development, if elected. What is the peoples response to your election campaign? I have been interacting with a cross section of people in the city as part of my electioneering. The response is tremendous. I am also getting support from different communities in the city. I am confidant of winning the election with a huge majority. The YSRC will also achieve landslide victory in the State for its commitment to the peoples welfare and development. How do you assess the TDP-led tripartite alliance? TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan have formed an opportunistic alliance with the BJP, unable to face the YSRC in the elections. The plans of tripartite alliance to grab power in the State should be thwarted to ensure that welfare schemes and development programmes initiated by Jagan continue without any hindrance.

Andhra Pradesh: Glass Tumbler in certain MP, MLA segments frozen by ECI

VIJAYAWADA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has frozen the Glass Tumbler symbol in certain Assembly and parliamentary constituencies to candidates other than the Jana Sena Party (JSP) nominees. Accordingly, independents or Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP) candidates other than the JSP would not be allotted the symbol with the decision of the Election Commission. Hearing petitions filed before it seeking directions to the ECI to freeze the Glass Tumbler symbol to the JSP and not to allot the symbol to independents as it would hamper the prospects of the tripartite alliance candidates, the court on Tuesday directed the ECI to pass orders within 24 hours on the issue. Following the court directions, the ECI has issued orders freezing the symbol in all such Assembly constituencies, which fall under the parliamentary constituencies where the JSP has put up its candidates, and in all such parliamentary constituencies consisting of the Assembly constituencies where the JSP has put up its candidates, for all other independent or RUPP candidates other than JSP. The JSP is contesting 21 Assembly and two Lok Sabha seats. With the orders, no independent or RUPP candidate contesting in any of the Assembly seats in Kakinada and Machilipatnam Lok Sabha segments would be allotted the Glass Tumbler symbol. TDP files plea on common symbol in HC Similarly, no independent or RUPP candidate contesting as an MP under the Assembly constituencies being fought by the JSP would be allotted the Glass Tumbler symbol. The 21 Assembly segments, where the JSP is in fray fall in 13 parliamentary constituencies, which include Kakinada, Tirupati, Guntur, Vizianagaram, Anakapalle, Rajahmundry, Amalapuram, Narasapuram, Eluru, Rajampet, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam and Araku. The ECI asked the officials to revise the allotment of symbols to the contenders. When the petition came up for hearing on Wednesday, JSPs counsel YV Raviprasad expressed satisfaction over the ECI orders, following which the HC disposed of the petition. Meanwhile, the TDP filed a petition in the court on Wednesday, seeking directions to the ECI not to allot the Glass Tumbler symbol to any independent of RUPP candidates in any of the Assembly or parliamentary constituencies in the State. It maintained that the TDP, BJP and JSP are contesting as an alliance, and the allotment of the Glass Tumbler symbol to independents would affect their prospects. The petition will come up for hearing on Thursday.

ECI orders freezing of allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol to others

Vijayawada: The Election Commission has ordered freeze of the Jana Sena party symbol Glass Tumbler to Independents and to contestants from the registered unrecognised political parties in certain Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies. It directed returning officers to revise the allotment of symbols to the contestants accordingly. The EC stated that in the Lok Sabha constituencies where the Jana Sena is contesting, there will be no allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol to the candidates in the Assembly constituencies falling under such jurisdiction. Similarly, in Assembly constituencies where the Jana Sena is contesting, there will be no allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol to other candidates in the fray in Lok Sabha constituencies linked to such Assembly constituencies. This is to avoid public confusion over the JS symbol. The order came in the backdrop of Jana Sena representations to EC to reserve the Glass Tumbler symbol and remove it from the list of free symbols so that the same symbol would not be allotted to any other candidate. The party even moved the High Court citing difficulties and hardships due to the confusion being created due to the common symbol Glass Tumbler being allotted to other unrecognised political parties and independent candidates in the constituencies where the party did not field its candidates. Jana Sena is an unrecognised political party and when it got registered with the ECI, it was allotted the common symbol of Glass Tumbler for the AP polls. As Jana Sena, in alliance with Telugu Desam and BJP, is contesting the polls, the three parties shared the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats among themselves for the contests. Accordingly, the JS share is 21 Assembly and two Lok Sabha constituencies. They are: Anakapalli, Pendurthi and Elamanchali that fall under Anakapalli Lok Sabha segment; Palakonda that falls under Araku LS; Nellimarla that falls under Vizianagaram LS; Visakhapatnam South that falls under Visakhapatnam LS; Razole and P Gannavaram that fall under Amalapuram LS: Polavaram and Ungutur that fall under Eluru LS; Pitapuram from where the JS chief Pawan Kalyan is contesting and Kakinada Rural that fall under Kakinada LS; Narasapuram, Bhimavaram and Tadepalligudem that fall under Narasapuram LS; Rajanagaram and Nidadavole that fall under Rajahmundry LS; Avanigadda that falls under Vijayawada LS; Tenali that falls under Guntur LS; Tirupati that falls under Tirupati LS and Kodur that falls under Rajampet LS. The two Lok Sabha segments are Kakinada and Machilipatnam. Each LS constituency comprises seven Assembly segments. As per norm, the Glass Tumbler will not be allotted to others in 13 Lok Sabha segments. Kakinada LS has seven Assembly segments including Kakinada City, Pitapuram, Jaggampeta, Peddapuram, Kakinada Rural, Prathipadu and Tuni. Machilipatnam LS also has seven segments-Gudivada, Penamaluru, Machilipatnam, Avanigadda, Pedana, Gannavaram and Pamarru. As per norm, there will be no allotment of Glass Tumbler in 14 Assembly segments where JS is contesting - two Lok Sabha segments - to others. Following this order, the returning officers concerned started calling the independents and others from registered unrecognised political parties who got allotment of Glass Tumbler as a common symbol, to ignore the assignment and now wait for allotment of another symbol. The RO from Visakhapatnam LS called contestant G. Rajesh from Navataram party as he got allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol earlier and said this would be changed to Mike. The Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat contestant Meda Srinivas from Rashtriya Praja Congress who got his Glass Tumbler symbol will have this changed to gas cylinder. Similar is the situation happening all over the state where several independent contestants or others who got allotment of Glass Tumbler symbol are getting their symbol withdrawn and new symbol is being allotted to them as per norms of ECI.

454 MP candidates and 2,387 MLA nominees in fray in Andhra Pradesh

The highest of 33 nominations have been filed from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency, while the lowest of 12 candidates are contesting for Rajahmundry seat

Vote for Congress to fight BJPs privatisation policy, Gidugu urges supporters of Left parties

BJP has been striving to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant putting the lives of thousands of workers at risk, says the Congress Rajahmundry Lok Sabha candidate

Andhra Pradesh: Over 2,800 candidates in the election race

The Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency has the highest number of candidates with 33, while Rajahmundry has the least with only 12

Summer trains between SMV Bengaluru, Sambalpur and Surat, Brahmapur

Visakhapatnam : To accommodate the extra passengers in summer, special trains will run between SMV Bengaluru-Sambalpur and Surat Brahmapur. Train No. 08321 Sambalpur, the SMV Bengaluru special train, will leave Sambalpur on Thursdays at 6.45 pm on May 9 and 16, reach Duvvada on the next day at 4.55 am and leave at 5 am to reach SMV Bengaluru at 11.30 pm. In the return direction, Train No. 08322 SMV Bengaluru, Sambalpur special train will leave SMV Bengaluru on Saturdays at 1.30 am on May 11 and 18, reach Duvvada at 8.30 pm, and depart at 8.35 pm to reach Sambalpur on the next day at 6.30 am, according to a statement issued by K. Saandeep, senior divisional commercial manager of Waltair Division. These special trains will have stoppages at Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Singapur Road, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, Kothavalasa, Pendurthi, Duvvada, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Ongole, Gudur, Renigunta, Tirupati, Katpadi, Jolarpettai and Krishnarajapuram. Similarly, Train No. 09069 Surat Brahmapur Special will leave Surat at 2.20 pm on Wednesdays from May 1 to 26 and reach Rayagada at 2 pm. In the return direction, 09070 Brahmapur, Surat special will leave Brahmapur at 10 pm on Thursdays from May 22 to June 27 and reach Surat at 6.30 am on Saturdays. This train will have stoppages at Nandubar, Dharangaon, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Akola, Wardha, Nagpur, Tumsar Road, Gondia, Durg, Raipur, Mahasamund, Khariar Road, Kantabanji, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Singapur Road, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road and Palasa.

Septuagenarians ready for ballot battle in Andhra Pradesh

A cohort of septuagenarians are in the poll fray to continue the stranglehold on their respective Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh. With their rich political experience, these veterans are expected to be the guiding force for the young brigade in the development of AP on all fronts. A look at the veterans of ballot battles. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, 74 The TDP supremo is contesting for the record 10th time to the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly. The former Chief Minister ventured into politics during his college days and first contested as an MLA from Chandragiri in 1978 on Congress ticket and won. He lost the election in 1983. Later, he joined the TDP and contested the election from Kuppam Assembly constituency in 1989. Since then, he has remained undefeated. He served as Chief Minister of AP thrice. He is contesting from Kuppam constituency for the eighth consecutive time. Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, 71 The Energy Minister is also contesting for the record 10th time to the State Assembly. He first contested as an MLA from Piler on Janata Party ticket, but lost, In 1985, he contested the same seat on Congress ticket and lost. He entered the Assembly for the first time from Piler in 1989. In 2009, he won from Punganur. In 2014, he won from the same Assembly seat on YSRC ticket. He has remained undefeated since then, and is now contesting for the fourth consecutive time from Punganur. Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, 70 He entered politics at a very young age and won the elections in 1998, 2004 and 2009 from Ongole Lok Sabha seat on Congress ticket. In 2014, he contested as Ongole MP on TDP ticket and lost. He won the poll on YSRC ticket in 2019. In February, he rejoined the TDP. Now, he is in the poll fray from Ongole Lok Sabha seat. Simhadri Chandrasekhar Rao, 70 The renowned oncologist is making his electoral debut from Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency on YSRC ticket. Son of renowned lawyer and former MP Simhadri Satyanarayana, who held portfolios of Endowments and Commercial Taxes in the Cabinets of NT Rama Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, he was initially made YSRC incharge of Avanigadda Assembly constituency. Later, the YSRC leadership had changed its decision and fielded him from Machilipatnam Lok Sabha seat. Adala Prabhakar Reddy, 75 In his 25 year political career, he won on TDP, Congress and YSRC tickets. After quitting the TDP, he joined Congress and won from Sarvepalle constituency in 2004 and 2009. Later, he joined the YSRC and won from Nellore Lok Sabha constituency. Now, he is contesting from Nellore Rural against K Sridhar Reddy of TDP. Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, 71 He started his political career by contesting from Nellore Assembly seat in 1983 on TDP ticket, and became a minister in NTRs first cabinet. In 1985, he won from Rapur. In 1991, he joined the Congress. He served as a minister for four times. In 2018, he joined the YSRC and won from Venkatagiri. In 2023, he was suspended from the YSRC. The six-time MLA, is contesting for the 10th time on TDP ticket, from Atmakur. Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, 78 The veteran Telugu Desam leader won from Rajahmundry Assembly constituency for the first time in 1983. He lost in 1989, but won the subsequent two elections. However, he lost the next two Assembly elections. In 2014, he shifted to Rajahmundry Rural Assembly constituency and won. He has been the general secretary of the TDP. He served as the civil supplies minister in NT Rama Raos cabinet. He retained the Assembly seat in 2019. He is in the election fray for the 10th time, and contesting from Rajahmundry Rural segment. Velagapalli Varaprasad, 71 After taking voluntary retirement as an IAS officer, he joined Praja Rajyam Party and contested from Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency in the 2009 elections and lost. Later, he joined the YSRC and contested from Tirupati Lok Sabha seat and won. In the 2019 elections, he contested from Gudur Assembly constituency and won. He quit the YSRC on March 24, 2024 and joined the BJP. Now, he is in the fray from Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency on BJP ticket

AP: 503 nominations for 25 Lok Sabha seats; 2,705 for 175 Assembly seats okayed

VIJAYAWADA: In all, 503 nominations for 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 2,705 papers for 175 Assembly segments in the State have been approved after scrutiny, informed Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena on Saturday. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 29. The final list of candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be out after the withdrawal of nominations. As many as 686 nominations were filed for 25 Lok Sabha constituencies, and 3,644 for 175 Assembly seats. The CEO informed that 183 nominations for parliamentary constituencies and 939 papers for Assembly segments were rejected in scrutiny. The highest number of 47 nominations were filed for Guntur parliamentary constituency and the lowest number of 16 for Srikakulam. The highest number of 36 nominations were approved for Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency and the lowest number of 12 for Rajahmundry. While the highest number of 52 nominations were filed for Tirupati Assembly constituency, Chodavaram got the low number of eight. The highest number of 48 nominations were approved for Tirupati Assembly segment, and the lowest number of six for Chodavaram, the CEO added.

EC accepts 503 nominations for LS, 2,705 for Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh

As many as 939 nominations out of 3,644 papers received for Assembly elections were also rejected following scrutiny, he added. For Parliament constituencies, Nandyala Lok Sabha segment saw the highest number of accepted nominations at 36 after scrutiny, while Rajahmundry saw the lowest number at 12, said Meena in a release.

Cash, Items of Rs 165.91 Crore Seized in AP After Release of Election Schedule

Vijayawada: Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Meena has said cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, free bees and other items worth more than Rs 165.91 crore have been seized since the announcement of the election schedule in AP. He said that as the general elections are slated for May 13 in the state, a strong vigil has been kept on the illegal transportation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals etc that might be distributed by candidates or parties to attract voters. Through inter-state as well as other check posts in the state, more than 20 enforcement agencies such as police, excise, income tax, forest, ED, NCB, RPF, customs etc are on constant vigil against illegal transportation of cash and goods for election-related canvassing. Illegally transported assets worth Rs 8.65 crore have been seized in the last 24 hours alone. The highest amount of Rs 30.66 crore was seized in Anantapur LS constituency and the lowest amount of Rs 1.15 crore in Narsapuram LS. The total amount seized till date was Rs 36.89 crore in cash, 6,62,402.65 litres of liquor worth Rs 20.32 crore, 52,28,218.94 grams of drugs worth Rs 2.78 crore, 14,73,734.46 grams of precious metals worth Rs 91.26 crore, 4,88,557 items worth Rs 2.90 crore, Freebies (freebies) and other items worth Rs 11.74 crore were seized, he said. In Tirupati (SC), Rs 19.37 crore was seized; Kakinada Rs 18.18 crore, Elur Rs 13.77 crore, Visakhapatnam Rs 12.50 crore, Rajampet Rs 6.96 crore, Vijayawada Rs 6.75 crore, Nandyala Rs 5.63 crore, Kadapa Rs 5.62 crore, Narasaraopet Rs 4.61 crore, Vizianagaram Rs 4.18 crore, Bapatla (SC) Rs 3.99 crore, Anakapalli Rs 3.72 crore, Rajahmundry Rs 3.62 crore, Srikakulam Rs 3.61 crore, Araku (ST) Rs 3.37 crore, Nellore Rs 3 crore, Machilipatnam Rs 2.87 crore, Guntur Rs 2.75 crore, Kurnool Rs 2.45 crore, Chittoor (SC) Rs 1.94 crore, Ongole Rs 1.93 crore, Hindupur Rs 1.63 crore and in Amalapuram (SC) Rs 1.52 crore.

SCR Announces Cancellation, diversion and Rescheduling of Trains

Visakhapatnam : The South Central Railway has announced the cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of trains due to non-interlocking works for the commissioning of the 3rd line between Bona Kalu-Chinta Kani-Pandillapalli and Errupalem-Tondalagopavaram-Madhira stations over the Kazipet-Vijayawada section. Diversion of trains: Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 20805 (Visakhapatnam-New Delhi) and Train No. 20806 (New Delhi-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted from their existing routes to pass through Vizianagaram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur, and Nagpur. Stoppages will be eliminated at Anakapalle, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Balharshah, and Chandrapur stations. Train No. 20803 (Visakhapatnam-Gandhidham) and Train No. 20804 (Gandhidham-Visakhapatnam) will also follow this diverted route, with Stoppages were eliminated at certain stations. Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 18519 (Visakhapatnam-LTT) and Train No. 18520 (LTT-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted through Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad route instead of the existing route via Kazipet. Stoppages will be eliminated at Kazipet station. Similarly, other trains like Train No. 18045 (Shalimar-Hyderabad), Train No. 18046 (Hyderabad-Shalimar), Train No. 11019 (CSMT-Bhubaneswar), and Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT) will be diverted via this route, with specific stoppages eliminated. Diversion via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nandyal-Guntakal-Ballari: Train No. 18112 (Yeshvantpur-Tata) will follow this diverted route with stoppages eliminated at Raichur, Yadgir, Chittapur, Tandur, Vikarabad, Lingampalli, Secunderabad, Moula Ali, Warangal, and Khammam stations. Elimination of stoppages: Stoppages at Madhira Station for certain trains, including Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT Konark Exp), Train No. 12861 (Visakhapatnam-Mahbubnagar Exp), and Train No. 12862 (Mahbubnagar-Visakhapatnam Exp) will be eliminated on specific days. Rescheduling of trains: Additionally, there will be rescheduling of trains, including Train No. 20833 (Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat) and Train No. 20834 (Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat) with varying reschedule times at Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad stations on specific dates. The South Central Railway advises passengers to check updated schedules and plan their travel accordingly, considering the diversions and rescheduling of train services due to the ongoing non-interlocking works.

Indian Railways Introduces Affordable Economy Meals at Select Stations

Hyderabad: The railways will provideeconomymeals at affordable pricesto rail passengersin the summer. The facility will be available at 12stationsnear the general coaches, a statement said. There are two categories, the economy meal which costs `20 and thesnackmeal which comes at `50. Passengers can buy their refreshments directly from these counters, eliminating the need to search for vendors or venture outside the station In the South Central Railway (SCR) zone, the facility will be available atHyderabadandVikarabad in Telangana; Vijayawada, Renigunta, Guntakal, Tirupati, Pakala, Rajahmundry, Dhone and Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh and Purna and Aurangabadin Maharashtra. SCR General ManagerArun Kumar Jainsaid a pilot project of the servicewasrunsuccessfully at 51 stations last year acrosstheIndian Railways. Overall, these meal counters are operational at over 100 stations and nearly 150 counters across Indian Railways, and the facility will be expanded further.

Rajahmundry: Polling begins in Yanam

KAKINADA: Polling started at Yanam, a legislative assembly constituency in Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. Brisk polling is underway with 12.55 per cent turnout recorded till 9 AM. Former Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Yanam MLA Gollapallil Srinivas along with their family members exercised their franchise. The polling exercise is progressing in 33 polling stations in Yanam.

Railway TTE Rescues Runaway Minor Boy

Vijayawada: A railway travelling ticket examiner (TTE) rescued a runaway minor boy on board train no. 17210 Kakinada Town-Bengaluru Express at Rajahmundry railway station on Thursday. Vijayawada divisional railway manager (DRM) Narendra A. Patil on Thursday said the minor boy Rehman, a 17-year-old resident of Kakinada town had failed in his intermediate board exams. After he fled from home on Wednesday evening, his parents started enquiring about his whereabouts along with his photo at the bus stand and railway station in Kakinada. Narendra Patil said licensed porters at Kakinada town station had noticed the boy boarding train no. 17210 Kakinada Town-Bengaluru Express. Following this, the boys father Usman relayed the information to his brother residing in Rajahmundry. Usmans brother arrived at Rajahmundry railway station and started enquiring about the boy with his photo. S.S. Chandramouli, chief ticketing inspector, Rajahmundry, alerted all ticket-checking staff to trace the boy. He also informed RPF and GRP. DRM Patil said at 6:43 p.m., as soon the train started rolling into the platform at Rajahmundry railway Station, TC staff and railway police started checking the general coaches at both ends of the train. They noticed a teenage boy sitting on the footboard of the train at Rajahmundry in S-11 coach. They made inquiries with the boy and gently took him to the TC office at the railway station, where his relatives identified the boy. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had run away from his home in Kakinada and was contemplating to end his life. TC Staff and GRP counselled the boy and handed him over safely to his relatives after confirming with his parents. Narendra Patil commended the railway staff for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, especially vulnerable individuals like minors.

Divisional TTE rescues minor boy contemplating suicide at Rajahmundry station

Divisional TTE rescues minor boy contemplating suicide at Rajahmundry station In a heroic act, a Railway Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) on Wednesday rescued a runaway minor boy who was considering dying by suicide aboard the train Kakinada Town-Bengaluru at Rajahmundry Railway Station. The 17-year-old minor boy named Rehman, a resident of Kakinada Town, after failing in Intermediate Board Exams fled from home warning parents of dying by suicide at around 4:30pm on Wednesday. After the boy ran away from home, parents started asking local people regarding his whereabouts at Railway Station and Bus Stand in Kakinada. Licensed Porters who noticed the boy boarding the train Kakinada Town- Bengaluru at Kakinada Town Station informed the aggrieved parents upon identifying the photo. After getting the information from Licensed Porter, the boy's father Usman relayed the information to his brother residing at Rajahmundry. The Relatives of the boy approached Rajahmundry Railway Station and started enquiring for the boy with his photo. Chief Ticketing Inspector S S Chandramouli, at Rajahmundry Station after paying attention to their grievance, alerted the rest of the ticket checking staff to trace the boy on incoming Seshadri Express. Chandramouli informed the escort RPF and GRP and Rajahmundry Station RPF regarding the incident and shared the boy's photo. At 6.43 pm, as soon the train started rolling into the platform at Rajahmundry railway Station, TC Staff and Railway police started checking the General Coaches at the both ends of the train. CTI Chandramouli noticed a teenage boy sitting on the foot board of the train at Rajahmundry in S-11 Coach. As soon as the train stopped he immediately went into the Bogie and enquired about the boy regarding his whereabouts. After much persuasion, he gently took the boy to TC office on Railway Station, where the relatives confirmed and identified the boy. Upon inquiry, the boy revealed that he had run away from his home in Kakinada due to desperate consequences and was contemplating dying by sucide. TC staff and GRP counselled the boy and handed him over safely to his relatives after confirming with their parents. The boy's parents and relatives expressed their gratitude to S.S. Chandramouli, CTI and the RPF for their timely intervention, which saved their son's life. Sr. DCM Vijayawada ,Vavilapalli Rambabu praised and congratulated the Ticket Checking Staff at Rajahmundry for rescuing the minor boy. Narendra A. Patil, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division commended the selfless act of S. S. Chandramouli, CTI, Rajahmundry for his exemplary efforts in tracing the minor boy. Narendra A. Patil, DRM said that such incidents highlights the importance of human compassion and the role of railway staff in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, especially vulnerable individuals like minors. (ANI)

Two Drug Peddlers Arrested With 28 GM MDMA Worth Rs 5.70 Lakh

Hyderabad: Madhapur police arrested two interstate drug peddlers who both are students, and seized 28 grams MDMA and two mobile phones worth Rs 5.70 lakh from their possession. The accused G Shyam Babu (22), a B. Tech student from Rajahmundry who was recently released from jail, procured MDMA from a Nigerian in Bangalore, police said. Babu was selling the contraband to customers in Rajahmundry on April 4 when he met Katuri Surya Kumar (22) an engineering student. They went to Bangalore and bought 30 grams of MDMA from Nigerian Solman and came to the city on Tuesday, police said. Based on a tip-off, they were arrested in Madhapur while they were trying to sell the contraband to customers on Tuesday. Solman is absconding.

AP HC Dismisses Petition on Jana Sena Symbol

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition on Election Commission of India (ECI) allocating the glass tumbler symbol to Jana Sena Party for contesting the forthcoming elections. A single judge bench headed by Justice B. Krishna Mohan delivered this verdict here on Tuesday. Rajahmundry-based Rashtriya Praja Congress (Secular) founder president Meda Srinivas had filed the petition challenging ECIs decision to allot glass tumbler as symbol to the Jana Sena. Jana Senas counsel Venugopala Rao argued that the ECI allotted the symbol on first-cum-first-served basis. ECIs counsel Avinash Desai said as per rule, an application should be submitted for allotment of symbol six months before completion of term of the assembly comes to an end. The term of the current assembly would end on June 11. As JS had applied for allocation of the symbol on December 12, it had been taken into consideration, Desai maintained. Though the arguments had been completed earlier, the High Court had reserved its verdict on April 4 and delivered it on Tuesday.

Visakhapatnam-Guntur Simhadri Express Assistant Loco Pilot Praised Hailed for Heroism

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Rajahmundry assistant loco pilot, G. Rajat Kumar, is being hailed a hero for his quick thinking and bravery in ensuring the safety of passengers aboard the Visakhapatnam-Guntur Simhadri Express on Saturday. The incident unfolded when the alarm chain was pulled unauthorisedly between Gollaprollu and Pithapuram stations. With the train halting on a bridge, accessing the device from the side became impossible. Undeterred by the risk involved, Kumar crawled underneath the carriage in the sweltering heat to reset the alarm, sustaining minor scrapes in the process. His commendable act ensured the train's journey resumed within 30 minutes. N.K. Mohan, the loco pilot, and Kumar's swift response and dedication to duty were lauded by Narendra A Patil, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway (SCR). The DRM commended this incident as a shining example of the professionalism and commitment displayed by railway staff during challenging situations. He urged passengers to refrain from pulling the alarm chain unless absolutely necessary, emphasising it's a punishable offense under the Indian Railways Act.

South Central Railway Announces Summer Special Trains to Cuttack

As many as 97.61 per cent of the 67,749 non-gazetted employees of South Central Railway voted in favour of going on strike. As many as 97.61 per cent of the 67,749 non-gazetted employees of South Central Railway voted in favour of going on strike. Visakhapatnam: The South Central Railway (SCR) has announced the operation of special summer trains between Hyderabad and Cuttack to cater to the increased demand during the season. These special trains will operate on a weekly basis, offering a convenient travel option. Train number 07165 will depart Hyderabad for Cuttack every Tuesday, starting April 16, 2024. The return train, number 07166, will leave Cuttack for Hyderabad every Wednesday, starting April 17, 2024. The services will continue until May 1, 2024. The trains will halt at major stations, including Secunderabad, Nalgonda, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Bhubaneswar. This ensures easy access for passengers traveling along the route. To secure your seat on these special trains, booking your tickets in advance is recommended. Bookings can be made through the Indian Railways website or at railway reservation counters.

Visakhapatnam-Rajahmundry passenger train to be cancelled from April 11 to 28

Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan to Take up Poll Campaign in Erstwhile Godavari Districts from April 10 to 11

Vijayawada: Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan to take up a poll campaign called Praja Galam jointly for two days covering Tanuku, Nidadavole, P. Gannavaram and Amalapuram Assembly segments on April 10 and 11. TD chief Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will take part in the road show and junction meeting to address the people at Tanuku covering Narsapuram Lok Sabha segment at 4 pm and they will also attend the road show and junction meeting at Nidadavole at 7 pm on April 10. This covers Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment. On April 11, Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will attend the road show and junction meeting at P. Gannavaram (SC) covering Amalapuram Lok Sabha segment at 4 pm and both will conduct the road show and junction meeting at Amalapuram (SC) covering Amalapuram Lok Sabha segment at 7 pm. Interestingly, both Naidu and Pawan Kalyan will share the campaign vehicle of others like Naidu to board Pawan Kalyans Varahi and similarly, the Jana Sena chief to board Naidus Prachara Ratham while taking part in the poll campaign for the two days.

Special Rituals at Srisailam, Ahobilam, Mahanandi Temples

Kurnool : Special pujas were performed on the fourth day of the Ugadi festival at Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Ammavaru on Tuesday. Chandeeswara Puja, Mandaparadhana, Japanushtanam and Rudrahomam for the welfare of the world followed at the Swami's Yagashala. Chandihoma was performed at the Ammavari Yagashala in the morning. Devotees offered special prayers to Goddess Bhramaramba. Evening witnessed Rathotsavam for Sri Swamy and Ammavaru, which included Rathanga Pooja, Rathanga Homam and Rathanga Bali rituals as per tradition. The chariot used in Rathotsavam was adorned with flowers on the occasion. Additionally, Panchanga Sravanam took place at the Sri Swamy and Ammavarla Nithikalyana Mandapam as part of Ugadi. Nandyal district SP K. Raghuveer Reddy, joint collector T. Rahul Kumar Reddy, devasthanam executive officer D. Peddiraju, priests, Vedic scholars, officers and staff participated in the event. Pandit Butte Veerabhadra Daivajna from Rajahmundry recited the Panchangam. Traditionally, Kumbhotsavam for Goddess Sri Bhramaramba Devi is celebrated on the Tuesday or Friday after the full moon in Chaitra month. This year, Kumbhotsavam will be held on April 26. Coconuts, pumpkins and lemons are offered as Sattvika Bali to the Goddess on the occasion. As part of the festivities, coconuts were offered to Ammavaru on Tuesday. Ramavani Sevita Rajarajeshwari Alankaram and special poojas were performed to Ammavari Utsavamurthy as part of the Ugadi Utsavam decorations. At Ahobilam, Nava Kalasha Thirumanjanam was performed to Moolavirat in the sanctum sanctorum of Eguva and Diguva Ahobilam temples. Sri Ranganatha Yatheendra Mahadesikan Swamy, in the presence of Sri Prahlada Varada Swamy, the 46th head of Sri Ahobila Mutt, placed the panchangam at the feet of Sri Ahobila Narasimhaswamy and recited the Panchangam after the Maha Mangala Harati. Mahanandi Temple also celebrated the Sri Krodhi Nama Ugadi festival with grandeur. Ganapati Puja, Punyahavachanam, special Abhishekam for Mahanandeeswara Swamy, Khadgamalarchana for Goddess Kameshwari Devi, and Thirumanjana Seva for Utsavamurthy were conducted on the occasion.

Jagan forced Naidu to announce his list early this time

Vijayawada : It would appear that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy forced Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu to announce his list of nominees for the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls a bit early this time, unlike his usual practice of naming them at the last minute. In the past, Naidu used to drag the announcement of several names till the last minute of withdrawal of nominations. He would ask more than one from his party to file nominations for a seat and give his final work at the last moment only. This time, Jagan Mohan Reddy as YSRC chief announced his list of nominees for all 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha segments much ahead of the announcement of poll schedule so that the nominees got adequate time to reach out to the people and explain about a series of welfare schemes and developmental works taken up by the YSRC government. The TD chief took the cue and he too tried to follow suit, though a bit later than the YSRC announcement of names. As the Telugu Desam forged an alliance with the Jana Sena and the BJP for the elections, they shared among them the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats. The TD got its share of 144 Assembly segments and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies. Naidu announced the list of contestants for all the segments in three phases. However, there are demands for change of nominees from one or two segments to accommodate others who claim to have a better chance of winning. For instance, though TD nominated Ch. Bhupesh Reddy for Kadapa Lok Sabha segment, there is a proposal from BJP nominee from Jammalamadugu Assembly segment for change of nominees, vice versa, claiming that both will be having better chances of win. Top leaders from both TD and BJP are yet to take a decision on the proposal. Similarly, in the Undi Assembly segment, TD has nominated Mantena Rama Raju. There is a proposal to replace him with K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju. The TD leadership is yet to take a final decision. Telugu Desam leaders say that the early announcement of nominees is helping them forge ahead on the campaign front. We can reach out to more people and persuade them to support us. Telugu Desam leader Gorantla Butchaiah Choudhary who is party nominee for Rajahmundry rural Assembly segment said, Though there was some confusion initially to finalise the names due to TD forging an alliance with JS and BJP, that is old story now. Similar is the opinion from other contestants who say that the current elections are witnessing unprecedented developments with the ruling and the opposition parties making claims and counter-claims on various issues and complaining to the election commission on poll code violations etc.

Purandeswari didn't Even Know Borders of Rajahmundry LS: YSRCP

YSR Congress MP Margani Bharat said the BC, SC, ST and minority families have been empowered in the form of the Jagananna for their economic, social and political uplift. They feel CM Jagan has stood up as a beacon of hope for the downtrodden sections and express their sincere gratitude to him, he said. (Image Source: Twitter) YSR Congress MP Margani Bharat said the BC, SC, ST and minority families have been empowered in the form of the Jagananna for their economic, social and political uplift. They feel CM Jagan has stood up as a beacon of hope for the downtrodden sections and express their sincere gratitude to him, he said. (Image Source: Twitter) Kakinada: Rajahmundry MP and YSRC Rajahmundry Urban candidate Margani Bharati lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Daggubati Purandeswari for her remarks against the Rajamahendravaram development. He told the media on Saturday evening that Purandeswari doesnt know even the borders of Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha constituency and she would not bring extra funds for the development of the constituency. He suggested Purandeswari should observe the development in the city and also the seven assembly segments and then she should criticise the ruling YSRC. He said that during his term, Rajamahendravaram has been vastly developed and a flyover bridge is being constructed at Morampudi. He said that the central government has not released extra funds to Andhra Pradesh. He said that the central government is releasing the AP share of funds. He said that he fought with the central government and brought the funds for the development of the constituency.

Alliance will Win Rajahmundry LS and its Assembly Segments

Kakinada : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Daggubati Purandeswari said their tripartite alliance including Telugu Desam and Jana Sena will win the Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha seat as well as the seven assembly constituencies that it comprises. She was speaking after unfurling the BJP flag at Rajamahendravaram on Saturday on the eve of BJP Foundation Day celebrations. She also inaugurated her partys Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha office. Purandeswari maintained that people of Rajamahendravaram want to change the YSRC government, as the present ruling party MLAs and MP have failed to develop the Lok Sabha constituency. She said YSRC leaders have swindled 300400 crore from the housing schemes implemented in the district. The BJP leader underlined that there is immense scope to develop Rajamahendravaram as a tourism hub, but the ruling party representatives have been unable to do it. BJP Rajamahendravaram Urban president Bommala Dathu, Rajamahendravaram and Narsapuram LS constituencies observer Siddardha Nath Singh were present on the occasion.

TD-JS-BJP Alliance Seeks Role of Top BJP Leaders to Boost Poll Campaign

Vijayawada : The three-party alliance expects top BJP leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda to come and boost its poll campaign in Andhra Pradesh. Their presence is favoured a few days before May 13, the polling day. The leaders from the TD-JS-BJP are working out strategies to woo the voters by explaining to them the need for the three-party alliance to oust the YSRC from power and also listing the benefits that the people could get if the alliance wins power. We are trying to persuade the BJP brass from Delhi to come and announce their support to develop Amaravati as the capital city, sanction of funds for completion of the Polavaram project, sanction of Visakha railway zone and grant of special category status, also a guarantee against privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The BJP top leaders are likely to attend public meetings in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram and Tirupati. BJP leaders say that though the Prime Minister was urged to attend the public meeting at Boppudi on March 17, we failed to get any public announcements from him on any major issues pertaining to AP. Had the PM made any major announcement on that day as regards central help to AP, it could have helped the alliance parties to forge ahead with the poll campaign. At present, Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan are taking up the poll campaign independently in the name of Prajagalam phase-2 and Varahi Vijayabheri respectively. Naidu had covered parts of Rayalaseema and is visiting erstwhile Godavari districts while Pawan Kalyan recently kicked off his campaign from Pithapuram, from where he is contesting the Assembly polls. The state BJP will be launching its poll campaign, led by party chief Daggubati Purandeswari, from the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment, from where she is contesting, on Friday. The leaders of the three parties are assuring the dissidents that they would get better positions either in the party or in the government once their alliance wins power. Yet, several disappointed leaders are quitting these parties and switching loyalty to other parties. Analysts feel this exercise will go on until the day of withdrawal of nominations. As of now, there is every chance the sidelined aspirants can end up as the party candidates if they can prove their chances of a win. Analysts attribute credit to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for announcing the party nominees for Assembly and Parliament polls much ahead of other parties and starting the poll campaign at the very outset.

YS Sharmila from Kadapa in Congress list of 17 nominees

NEW DELHI : The Congress on Tuesday announced a fresh list of 17 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The prominent names in the list include Andhra Pradesh PCC chief Y S Sharmila from Kadapa, Mohammad Jawed and Tariq Anwar from Bihars Kishanganj and Katihar respectively. So far, the party has announced 231 candidates for the seven-phase elections beginning April 19. The latest list has eight candidates for Odisha, five for Andhra Pradesh, three for Bihar and one for West Bengal. In Katihar, veteran leader Tariq is pitted against JD(U) candidate Dulalchand Goswami. Besides Anwar and Jawed, the party fielded MLA Ajeet Sharma from Bhagalpur. The Congress has until now announced three of the nine allocated seats as part of the seat-sharing agreement with the grand alliance in Bihar. As per the understanding, the RJD will contest 26 seats, the Congress nine and the Left parties five. Sharmila is pitted against her cousin and sitting YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy in Kadapa. The party also fielded former Union minister MM Pallam Raju from Andhra Pradeshs Kakinada. Besides Sharmila and Raju, the party has fielded Gidugu Rudra Raju fom Rajahmundry, JD Saleem from Bapatla (SC) and PG Ramapullaiah Yadav from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. I am contesting as a candidate from Kadapa. YSRs (YS Rajasekhar Reddy) daughter is contesting. This is not an easy decision for me as I know it will split my family, she told reporters in Idupulapaya in Kadapa district. The party named Munish Tamang as its candidate from West Bengals Darjeeling. The party has renominated its sitting MP from Koraput (ST) Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. In Odisha, besides Ulaka, the party has fielded Sanjay Bhoi from Bargarh (ST), Janardan Dehury from Sundargarh (ST), Manoj Mishra from Bolangir, Draupadi Manjhi from Kalahandi, Bhujabal Majhi from Nabarangpur (ST), Amir Chand Nayak from Kandhamal, Rashmi Ranjan Patnaik from Berhampur. However, suspense over the high-profile seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli continues.

LS polls: APCC chief Sharmila to take on cousin Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Reddy in Kadapa

LS polls: APCC chief Sharmila to take on cousin Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Reddy in Kadapa Andhra Pradesh PCC chief YS Sharmila is pitted against her cousin and sitting YSRCP MP Y S Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Lok Sabha segment while former Union Ministers MM Pallam Raju and JD Seelam have been fielded from Kakinada and Bapatla constituencies respectively in the May 13 polls. As per a list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections released by Congress, including five from the state, Gidugu Rudra Raju will be contesting from Rajahmundry. PG Rampullaiah Yadav will be the party's candidate from Kurnool, according to the list. Announcing that she is fighting the Lok Sabha elections from Kadapa, Sharmila said this was not an easy decision as she was aware it would lead to a split in her family. ''I am contesting as a candidate from Kadapa. YSR's (Y S Rajasekhar Reddy) daughter is contesting. This is not an easy decision for me as I know that it will split my family,'' she said, addressing a press conference in Idupulupaya in Kadapa district after participating in a prayer meeting at her father's grave. She observed that her decision will also throw YSR's fans into confusion but had to take this decision due to some ''unavoidable circumstances''. Asserting she had ''no hatred'' towards her brother, YSRCP chief and Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Sharmila said he was a changed man after becoming Chief Minister. The APCC president alleged Jagan Mohan Reddy ''encouraged murderous politics'' and said, ''He gave the ticket to contest from Kadapa LS seat to people who murdered Y S Vivekananda Reddy and I could not tolerate it.'' ''There is no punishment for people who committed the murder and culprits are freely roaming around evading law,'' she alleged. Vivekananda Reddy himself was a former Kadapa MP and younger brother of Rajasekhar Reddy and was killed on March 15, 2019 in the run-up to polls and the case relating to his murder continues to be unresolved. ''Despite evidence in the case, Jagan Mohan Reddy is protecting the accused persons using his political power and backing Avinash Reddy,'' she alleged. Further, she said her father had won 10 elections as a Congress leader and claimed he had dreamed of seeing Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister. And to fulfil that dream, Sharmila claimed that she has joined Congress and all are ready to work for the victory of the party. Congress party also announced the list of 114 candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. She observed that the names of candidates for the remaining Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies will be declared in a few days. The Communist Party of India (CPI), Congress and CPI(M) are INDIA alliance partners in Andhra Pradesh. Elections to the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes is slated for June 4.

Congress fields Sharmila against YS Avinash

Hyderabad: Congress has announced candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. The list includes 5 MP and 114 MLA candidates names from the state. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President YS Sharmila Reddy will contest from Kadapa parliamentary constituency against her cousin and sitting MP YS Avinash Reddy of YSRCP. Meanwhile former APCC president Gidugu Rudraraju from Rajahmundry, Ex-union minister JD Seelam would contest from Bapatla, Pallam Raju from Kakinada and PG Rampullaiah from Kurnool Lok Sabha segments.

Anakapalle Court Sentences Ganja Smugglers to 10 Years Imprisonment

Visakhapatnam : Two ganja smugglers were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment by the tenth additional district court in Anakapalle on Monday. B. Mahalakshmi Prasad, 52,, alias Prasad, and K. Hema Shankar, 42, both from Rajahmundry, were caught transporting 30 kgs of dry ganja worth Rs. 45 lakh in April 2015. This marks the fourth instance in recent times where Andhra Pradesh courts have imposed a 10-year jail term under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for ganja smuggling. Judge N. Srividya also imposed a fine of Rs. 1 lakh each on the convicts. According to the Anakapalle district police, Prasad and Shankar were apprehended on April 29, 2015, while attempting to transport the ganja from Anakapalle to Hyderabad. Investigations revealed the duo procured the cannabis from remote locations and planned its delivery to Hyderabad. The police successfully presented a strong case against them, leading to their conviction.

Sharmila to Enter LS Fray in Kadapa, Congress Finalises Several Names

Anantapur: APCC chief Y.S. Sharmila will be the Congress candidate in Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency to take a dig at her cousin and sitting MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy of the YSRC. The party high command on Monday finalised several candidates for the 17 LS constituencies in the state. Congress sources said Sharmila is likely to announce the names of the LS candidates officially after paying tributes at the YSR Ghat at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district on Tuesday. As state party president, Y.S. Sharmila was fielded from her home turf Kadapa. This is also in view of the ongoing consequences including the five-year-long murder case of former MP, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. Avinash Reddy is an accused in the sensational murder case and his father was in judicial custody following a confessional statement from the deceaseds driver Dastagiri, another accused. Vivekananda Reddys daughter Dr Sunitha is pursuing the pending case. It is learnt that former APCC chief Gidugu Rudraraju would contest the LS polls from Rajahmundry, senior leader JD Seelam from Bapatla and Pallam Raju from Kakinada. Two seats - Rajampet and Hindupur - were allotted to minority candidates. A decision on the other segments - Anantapur, Guntur, Vijawada, Amalapuram, Kurnool and Araku - were still pending due to ongoing discussions with the Communist parties that are allying with the Congress in AP. Sharmilas candidature from Kadapa gained wide publicity on Monday. Chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys Pulivendula Assembly segment also forms part of the Kadapa LS constituency. Curiously, BJP leader Adinarayana Reddy was given the Jammalamadugu Assembly segment for contest this time while his brothers son Bhupesh Reddy was announced as the TD candidate from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. Adinarayana Reddy however expressed his willingness to contest the LS poll from Kadapa by leaving the Jammalamadugu Assembly seat to Bhupesh Reddy. Adinarayana reportedly expressed this interest following the fielding of Sharmila as the Congress candidate in Kadapa.

J&K players shine at 25th Sub Junior National Fencing Cship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 29: Jammu and Kashmir Fencers showed remarkable performance in the 25th Sub-Junior National Fencing Championship held at Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) from March 25 to 28 in which fencers from across the country participated. Antalya Jamwal clinched a silver medal in the girls Sabre Individual event, showcasing her prowess and determination on the fencing strip. In addition to Antalyas achievement, the Jammu and Kashmir contingent also secured medals in team events. The boys Sabre team event [] The post J&K players shine at 25th Sub Junior National Fencing Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Vijayawada: Criminal Arrested Under PD Act, Jailed

Representational picture (Photo: DC) Representational picture (Photo: DC) Vijayawada: Krishna district police have put in Rajahmundry Central Jail habitual criminal Konduri Manikantha alias KTM Pandu, aged 26 years, after arresting him under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act. Krishna district SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi has warned other criminals they will also meet the same fate if they disturb peace or cause insecurity or harm to people. He pointed out that Manikantha, a resident of Sanathnagar at Kanuru village in Penamaluru mandal on outskirts of Vijayawada city, had been committing murders, attempting murders, beating up people, disrupting normal life and inciting gang wars. Following this, Penamaluru police in Krishna district submitted a serious crimes report against Manikantha to district collector P. Rajababu. The collector ordered that the criminal be booked under PD Act and detained in the Rajahmundry Central Jail until further orders. The SP warned that police will not only take all kinds of legal measures, but will also act tough and put criminals, whoever they are, behind bars if they do not give up their criminal tendencies.

Krishna district police invoke PD Act against habitual offender

Manikanta alias KTM Pandu, who was allegedly involved in many cases, has been sent to Rajahmundry Central Prison, says SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi

BJP Releases its First List of LS Candidates for AP

Vijayawada : The first list of BJP candidates for Andhra Pradesh, with six names for MP seats, was released on Sunday night by the BJP high command. The BJP got six LS seats and ten assembly seats for contest under the NDA alliance of BJP, Telugu Desam and Jana Sena in Andhra Pradesh. State BJP president Daggubati Purandeswari will be party candidate for Rajahmundry LS seat and former chief minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy the Rajampet LS candidate. Vara Prasad Rao, who joined BJP from YSR Congress on Sunday, would be fielded from Tirupati (SC) LS seat. Sitting MP K Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju was expecting the BJP ticket for the Narasapuram LS seat but the party selected Bhupatiraju Srinivas Varma as its candidate there. CM Ramesh got the BJP ticket for the Anakapalle MP seat and Kothapalli Geetha has been selected as a BJP candidate for the Araku (ST) LS seat. There was speculation about Sujana Chowdary getting the Vijayawada West assembly seat, Kamineni Srinivas getting the Kaikalur assembly seat and Vishnu Kumar Raju getting the Visakhapatnam North assembly seat. The list of BJPs assembly candidates is likely to be released in a day or two.

LS polls: BJP names 111 more candidates; drops 2 ministers, Varun Gandhi; fields Arun Govil, Kangana

LS polls: BJP names 111 more candidates; drops 2 ministers, Varun Gandhi; fields Arun Govil, Kangana The BJP on Sunday named 111 more Lok Sabha poll candidates, dropping Union ministers Ashwini Kumar Choubey and V K Singh, and MP Varun Gandhi, while fielding actors Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan will contest from Sambalpur and the party's spokesperson Sambit Patra will try his luck again from Puri after losing out in a close contest in 2019. The party has axed former Union minister Anantkumar Hegde, a six-term Lok Sabha member from Uttara Kannada, this time. A hardline Hindutva leader, he has often courted controversies with his remarks including the recent row when he said a big mandate for the BJP is necessary so that it could amend the Constitution. The BJP has denied tickets to nearly 37 incumbent MPs in the latest list, including nine in Uttar Pradesh, five in Gujarat, four in Odisha and three each in Bihar, Karnataka and Jharkhand. The count of dropped MPs does not include those who won recent assembly elections like Diya Kumari and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in Rajasthan, or someone like Nayab Singh Saini who has taken over as Haryana chief minister or Hisar MP Brijendra Singh, who has already quit the party. Kerala BJP president K Surendra will contest from Wayanad, the seat from where incumbent MP and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is again in the fray. The BJP has fielded Rekha Patra, who party leaders said is one of the Sadeshkhali victims, from West Bengal's Basirhat constituency in a bid to corner the state's ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP named candidates for all 17 seats it is contesting in Bihar, renominating Union minister Giriraj Singh from Begusarai and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib. Union ministers R K Singh and Nityanand Rai have also been fielded from their current seats, while in Uttar Pradesh the ruling party named 13 more candidates. While it has denied the ticket from Pilibhit to Varun Gandhi, a three-term Lok Sabha MP who has often aired views deemed critical of his party's governments at the Centre and in the state, it has renominated his mother Maneka Gandhi from Sultanpur. Jitin Prasada, a minister in the state government, is the party's choice from Pilibhit while Atul Garg replaces two-term MP V K Singh in Ghaziabad. Hours before the party released the list, Singh said in a post on X that he is opting out of the polls. Three leaders who joined the BJP on Sunday figured in the list -- Naveen Jindal from Kurukshetra, Haryana government minister Ranjit Chautala from Hisar (both in Haryana), and Varaprasad Rao from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. With this list of 111 candidates, the ruling party has named 398 nominees, excluding the four who withdrew after their names created controversy, for the elections to the 543-member Lok Sabha. Ranaut, a vocal supporter of the BJP, will contest from Mandi in her home state of Himachal Pradesh, while veteran actor Arun Govil, famed for his role of Lord Ram in the popular TV serial ''Ramayan'', has been preferred to seasoned parliamentarian Rajendra Agrawal in Meerut by the ruling party. Sita Soren, the sister-in-law of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, is the BJP's candidate from Dumka. She had quit the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha a few days ago. Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who snapped his long ties with the BJP to join the Congress last year before returning to its fold months later, will contest from Belgaum. The party has named 19 more candidates from West Bengal, including former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay from Tamluk. It has shifted Dilip Ghosh, the MP from Medinipur, to BardhamanDurgapur, dropping the incumbent S S Ahluwalia. It named seven candidates from Rajasthan, four each from Haryana, Karnataka and Kerala, 18 from Odisha, and three each from Maharashtra and Jharkhand among other states. Its Andhra Pradesh president D Purandeswari will contest from Rajahmundry and former chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy from Rajampet as the party named its picks for all the six Lok Sabha seats in the state it is contesting in alliance with the TDP and the Jana Sena. BJP vice president Baijayant Panda will contest from Kendrapara, a constituency he has represented in Lok Sabha as a BJD member twice.

Pawan Demands Probe into Vontimitta Handloom Worker's Death

Visakhapatnam: Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan on Sunday demanded a thorough investigation into the death of handloom worker Subbarao in the Vontimitta mandal of the combined Kadapa district. Speaking at the party office, the Jana Sena chief said, he handloom worker allegedly died due to tampering of land records by the local revenue officials. The Jana Sena chief assured a strict action against the land grabbers, if the NDA is voted to power in the state, and added that the NDA government would take all necessary steps to protect the peoples properties. Pawan Kalyan slammed the YSRC government for its support to land grabbers. The YSRC government has brought the Land Titling Act just to take away people's properties. Not only that, the decision to give only photostat copies instead of an original land document during registration also seems to be a part of YSRCs land grab conspiracy, he said. As Pawan Kalyan will be contesting as the alliance candidate from Pithapuram, Telugu Desam party in-charge S.V.S.N.Varma met him at the party's central office in Mangalagiri on Sunday. TD in-charge of Kakinada, Amalapuram and Rajahmundry parliament constituencies Sujaya Krishna Ranga Rao also met the Jana Sena chief and explained the political situation in the Pithapuram constituency. All the TD leaders assured Pawan Kalyan that they would stand by him and expressed the confidence of a huge victory for him at Pithapuram.

Sweet Hike for Honey Hunters

Visakhapatnam : The Girijana Cooperative Corporation (GCC), Visakhapatnam, has enhanced the procurement price of honey gathered by honey hunters from 200 to 250 per kilogramme, announced vice president and managing director of the corporation, G Suresh Kumar, on Wednesday. GCC has instructed its purchasing staff to adhere strictly to FSSAI norms during procurement and plans to issue identity cards to honey-collecting tribes. The money is directly deposited into the honey collectors accounts, and officials have been informed to spread awareness among the tribals about the price increase, Suresh said. Honey is abundantly produced in the state's divisions of Paderu, Chintapalli, Rampachodavaram, Tirupati, and Srisailam. GCC refines the collected honey at its facilities in Rajahmundry and Chittoor, preparing it for sale. The corporation distributes the honey within Andhra Pradesh and to other states through its distributor network and online.

Campaign on Pawans Move to Centre Angers JS Cadre

Hyderabad: A widespread campaign, apparently at the behest of the Telugu Desam, that Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan would contest for Lok Sabha elections, irked his party leaders and followers. Ever since the TD-JS combine sealed an electoral alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party two days ago in Delhi, the propaganda machinery was unleashed to claim that Pawan Kalyan was moving to national politics, even before the leaders had returned from the national capital. We are shocked to see the campaign. There was no talk of our party president contesting for the Lok Sabha at all and suddenly it is all there in the media, a senior Jana Sena leader and confidant of Pawan Kalyan told Deccan Chronicle . While Jana Sena leaders restrained themselves from commenting, social media groups involving the party cadre and Pawan Kalyan followers fumed at the propaganda in which they saw a sinister design to ease their supremo out of Andhra Pradesh politics. They (TD leaders) need our leader to ride to power but they dont want him once the objective is fulfilled, said Akula Srinivas, a netizen and a die-hard supporter of Pawan Kalyan. They always see a potential threat in our hero and all this bonhomie is with an eye on the polls, B. Venkateshwara Rao, another Jana Sena activist, said, adding that the cadre wanted their leader to remain in the state and help the party grow on its own. Jana Sena leaders sought to remind the electoral ally TD of Pawan Kalyan to go to the Central Prison in Rajahmundry to visit his TD counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu when its leaders were afraid of stepping out of their houses. Corroborating with Jana Sena leaders, a veteran journalist from Rajahmundry, K. Satyanarayana, said: It is a fact that PKs bold stand against Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Ippatam public meeting, where he declared his resolve to keep the anti-incumbency vote intact, and his announcement of a poll pact from the Central Prison are game-changers. Jana Sena leaders were of the view that the cadre was initially severely upset over the party getting just 24 Assembly and two Lok Sabha seats but were coming to terms with it in the larger interest of the combine. We still doubt whether the TD cadre will show the same integrity as us and transfer their vote wherever the Jana Sena or the BJP is contesting, said a senior leader. Party sources, to reiterate that their chief would stay on in the state, pointed out that Pawan Kalyan had committed himself to at least four films and had taken advances from producers. Moving to national politics at this juncture would upset the schedules and leave the producers high and dry, something that Pawan Kalyan would not do, they pointed out.

PM Modi inaugurates 15 airport project virtually from Azamgarh in UP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings of almost worth Rs 10,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, marking the event to be the single biggest infra addition that will see a mix of new airports, expanded terminals, laying of foundation stones for upcoming airports and other related facilities. The project launched by PM Modi includes 12 new terminal buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports, along with laying of the foundation stone for new terminal buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi airports on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. So far, in FY 2023-24, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has operationalized state-of-the-art new integrated terminal buildings at Chennai, Port Blair, Surat and Tiruchirappalli Airports. The new terminal buildings at Kanpur Airport, Rajkot International Airport, Tezu Airport and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham were also inaugurated. The projects are aimed at augmenting passenger amenities and giving a fillip to the local economy. Further, the foundation stone was also laid for new terminal buildings in Datia, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Rajahmundry to cater to demands in future. The 12 new terminal buildings are being developed at a total cost of Rs. 8,903 Crore, having a combined capacity to serve 615 Lakh passengers annually. According to the Prime Minister's Office, these terminal buildings are fully equipped with various passenger facilities like check-in counters, aerobridges, baggage conveyors and sufficient concessionaire area. AAI has also undertaken the development of three new terminal buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi Airports at a total cost of Rs.908 crore. Once completed, the combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to 95 lakh passengers per annum, as per the government. These new terminal buildings are also equipped with various sustainability features like a double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing unit, solar power plant etc. to meet GRIHA ratings. As per the press release issued by the PMO, the designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of that state and city, thus reflecting the local culture and highlighting the heritage of the region. The murals, paintings, and architectural style of all the above-mentioned Airports have the transformative power to enhance the travel experiences of the passengers. The inauguration and foundation stone laying of these 15 Airport projects worth Rs 9,811 Crore, places India's civil aviation industry at the forefront of the nation's economic growth and solidifies its role as a major player in the global aviation landscape, it said. With these new terminal buildings, air connectivity in the country will witness an increase which in turn will spur tourism, business, and education and generate employment which is vital to the region's economic prosperity. It will also strengthen the economy of the states over the long haul, boosting productivity through its positive impact on businesses, the statement said.

Second Vande Bharat Express to Connect Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam, PM Modi to Flag off on March 12

PM Modi flags off the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, connecting vital cities and enhancing accessibility in the region. PM Modi flags off the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, connecting vital cities and enhancing accessibility in the region. Visakhapatnam: Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam will be connected by a second Vande Bharat train from March 12, offering a morning service for passengers from the Telangana state capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service virtually on March 12. This could probably be the only route to be served by two Vande Bharat Express trains, in view of the heavy demand. The first Vande Bharat service inaugurated in January last year used to leave Visakhapatnam in the morning, and Secunderabad in the evening on all days of the week except Sunday. Modi had inaugurated the first Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express in January last year. The train has been reporting over 100 per cent occupancy. The second Vande Bharat service will cover the distance in eight hours and 45 minutes. The new train has been given the number 20707/20708. Train 20707 will leave Secunderabad on all days of the week (except Thursdays) at 5.05 am and reach Visakhapatnam by 1.50 pm. The return service (Train 20708) will leave the port city on all days (except Thursdays) at 2.35 pm and reach in Secunderabad by 11.20 pm. This service will stop at Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Samalkot. The older Vande Bharat Express (Train 20834) leaves Visakhapatnam at 5.45 am on all days except Sundays and reaches Secunderabad at 2.15 pm. In the return direction, the train leaves Secunderabad at 3 pm and reaches the port city at 11.30 pm. This service also has five halts at Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada, Rajahmunder and Samalkot.

Telangana: Private bus overturns in Khammam, 15 injured

Hyderabad: A private bus overturned in Khammam district in the early hours of Saturday, March 9, leading to fifteen passengers suffering injuries. The incident reportedly took place at the Lokya Thanda bridge on the Suryapet-Khammam national highway. The bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. A 108 ambulance arrived at the spot Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Missing Wedding Photographer Found Dead

Visakhapatnam : Potina Sai Vijay, a photographer from Bakkannapalem village within Maduravada police station limits, who had gone missing on February 26 while on his way to a wedding shoot in Ravulapalem of East Godavari district, has been found dead. Police have arrested a suspect in the case. Sai Vijay's parents Srinu, an auto driver, and Ramanamma, who runs a store, filed a complaint with police on February 29 after their son's phone had gone unanswered. Investigations revealed that the photographer had come in contact with a person named Shanmukh through social media. Shanmukh, on coming to know about Sai Vijay's high-end cameras worth around 15 lakh, convinced the photographer to come to Ravulapalem for a wedding event. Following this, on February 26, Sai Vijay boarded a bus from Car Shed Junction with his cameras and reached Visakhapatnam railway station. He took a train to Rajahmundry, where he met Shanmukh. They hired a car and drove to Alamuru near Ravulapalem. Suspecting foul play, Sai Vijay sent a photo of the car he was travelling in to his mother, along with Shanmukh's phone number, expressing his apprehension about being with unknown people. Subsequently, Sai Vijays phone had been switched off. Shanmukh's number also turned out to be unreachable. The photographers parents then filed a complaint with PM Palem police, who registered a case and started investigation. They collected evidence and traced Shanmukh as being in Ravulapalem. But when police reached there, he had absconded. PM Palem inspector told Deccan Chronicle that they lured Shanmukh on Facebook by posing as a girl from Kancharapalem with whom Shanmukh had been in contact. They then arrested him. Shanmukhs interrogation revealed that he had killed photographer Sai Vijay in a room that he had hired. He had hidden both the body and the cameras in the room when police lured him out. Police have arrested Shanmukh and are investigating the case further.