Debasis Nayak Joins Congress In Odisha After Being Denied Ticket By BJP

Bhubaneswar: Former Bari MLA and Odisha BJP leader Debasis Nayak joined the Congress party after being denied ticket from BJP. The senior political leader joined the Indian National Congress in the presence of Odisha Congress in-charge Ajoy Kumar and other leaders including former OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik at a programme in Bhubaneswar. Nayak won from [] The post Debasis Nayak Joins Congress In Odisha After Being Denied Ticket By BJP appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Denied funding, Congress' Puri LS seat candidate returns ticket, says state party chief asked to 'fend for self'

BHUBANESWAR: In a major setback to Congress ahead of polls, party's Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sucharita Mohanty has announced her withdrawal from the electoral race, returning her ticket for the parliamentary constituency, Mohanty attributed her decision to a lack of funds and what she perceives as nomination of weaker candidates in some seats across the seven Assembly segments. I have returned the ticket because the party was not able to fund me. Another reason is that in some of the seats in 7 Assembly segments, winnable candidates have not been given the ticket. Instead, some weak candidates got the ticket. I couldn't contest, she said. In a letter addressed to AICC general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, Mohanty expressed her greivance over the denial of funding from the party, stating that it severely hampered the Congress's campaign efforts in Puri. Despite launching a crowdfunding campaign and attempting to minimize campaign expenses, Mohanty failed to secure sufficient funds, leading her to seek support from the party's central leadership, which she claims was not forthcoming. #WATCH | Congress candidate from Puri parliamentary constituency Sucharita Mohanty says, I have returned the ticket because the party was not able to fund me. Another reason is that in some of the seats in 7 Assembly segments, winnable candidates have not been given the ticket. pic.twitter.com/xNpQslvDQy ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024 I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum. Since I couldn't raise funds on my own, I knocked at your's and all other doors of our Party's Central Leadership, urging them to commit the necessary Party funds for an impactful campaign in Puri Parliament Seat. The AICC Odisha in-charge Dr Ajoy Kumar Ji, however, categorically asked me to fend for myself, she wrote and added that without Party funding, it won't be possible for her to carry out the campaign in Puri. It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the INC ticket for the Puri Parliamentary Constituency herewith, Mohanty stated. Worth noting is that voting for the Puri Lok Sabha seat and its seven assembly segments is scheduled for May 25, with the nomination deadline set for May 6. BJD candidate Arup Patnaik and BJP nominee Sambit Patra have already submitted their nomination papers.

Denied party funding, Congress Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sucharita Mohanty returns ticket

Congress candidate Sucharita Mohanty withdrew from Puri contest, citing lack of party funding. Despite difficulties, she remains loyal to Rahul Gandhi. The constituency includes BJP's Sambit Patra and BJD's Arup Patnaik as opponents.

CM Naveens Marathon Campaign In Four Southern Districts From Today

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal Supremo Naveen Patnaik will go for a marathon campaign in four southern districts of the state today. As per the schedule, Naveen is set to visit Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapati districts. He will seek votes for the partys Lok Sabha and Assembly candidates from these [] The post CM Naveens Marathon Campaign In Four Southern Districts From Today appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Denied party funds, Congress denies ticket to Puri LS candidate Sucharita Mohanty

Denied party funds, Congress denies ticket to Puri LS candidate Sucharita Mohanty Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party. Mohanty, daughter of former Congress MP Brajamohan Mohanty in a mail to AICC general secretary (organization) K C Venugopal on Friday claimed that her campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency has been hit hard because the party has denied funding. She alleged that AICC Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar ''categorically'' asked her to fight from her own resources. ''I was a salaried professional journalist who entered electoral politics 10 years ago. I have given all I have into my campaign in Puri. I tried a public donation drive to support my campaign for progressive politics without much success so far. I also tried to cut down the projected campaign spending to the minimum,'' she mentioned. As she was not able to raise funds on her own, the Congress leader had approached all senior leaders including the party's central leadership for funds for an impactful campaign in the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. ''It is clear that only fund crunch is holding us back from a winning campaign in Puri. I regret that without party funding, it won't be possible to carry out the campaign in Puri. I, therefore, return the party ticket for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency herewith,'' she said in her mail to the AICC. However, Mohanty said she will remain a loyal Congress worker and her leader is Rahul Gandhi. Sucharita has been fielded for the Puri LS seat against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik, a former Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Heat waves forecast for 227 mandals in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday

Motorists cover Scarf their heads due to heat waves on Bandar Road in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director R Kurmanadh said 227 mandals in the state are expected to experience heat waves on Saturday. Of the 227 mandals, 58 of them would experience severe heat waves, while 169 are expected to witness heat waves, he said. Severe heat waves have been forecast for 12 mandals in Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram (23 mandals), Parvatipuram Manyam (14), Visakhapatnam (one) and Anakapalli (eight), he said in a press release on Friday. Heat waves are predicted in 13 mandals in Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram (three mandals) and one each in Parvatipuram Manyam, Nellore, Sri Satyasai, West Godavari and Annamayya. Similarly, Alluri Sitaramaraju and Krishna (nine each), Visakhapatnam (two), Anakapalli (10), Konaseema and Tirupati (five each), Kakinada (17), East Godavari (four), Eluru (11), NTR (six), Guntur (14) and Palnadu (22) are to witness heat waves. Heat waves have also been forecast for three mandals in Bapatla district, Prakasam (14), Kadapa (four) and Tirupati (five). On Friday, Gospadu and Bandi Atmakuru in Nandyala district logged a maximum temperature of 47.7 degrees celsius each, followed by Ardhaveedu in Prakasam (47.3 C) and Chinnacheppali in Kadapa (47.2 C). Likewise, Veepinapi Akkamambapuram in Nellore (47.1 C), Peddakannali in Tirupati (46.9 C) and Panchalingala in Kurnool (46.8 C), among others. Kurmanadh advised people to stay indoors as much as possible between 11 am and 4 pm, and take precautions.

Andhra Pradesh polls: Politics not 'five-minute noodles', needs patience, says Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan stresses trust in politics in Visakhapatnam, advocating for NDA in Andhra Pradesh. He urges support for TDP and BJP in the upcoming elections, criticizing YSR Congress and Congress's past decisions.

Politics not five-minute noodles, needs patience: Pawan Kalyan

Visakhapatnam: Politics is not a five-minute noodles and one can not expect quick results as leaders have to earn the trust of people by withstanding turbulence and setbacks, Janasena founder and actor Pawan Kalyan has said. Janasena, TDP and BJP are NDA partners in Andhra Pradesh for the May 13 polls. Comparing the vision of 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 .

Tribals seek transportation facility to exercise franchise in ASR district

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal people of Kalyan Gummi village in Gumma Panchayat of Ananthagiri mandal in Alluri Sitarama Raju district find themselves at a crossroads as the general elections are just 10 days away. Amidst the fervour of political campaign and promises, the tribal community of the remote village is grappling with a pressing concern, which is the daunting task of reaching the polling booth to cast their votes. Hindered by geographical isolation and inadequate transportation infrastructure, the tribals are voicing their demand for essential facilities to ensure their participation in the democratic process. The village, comprising 22 families with a total of 40 eligible voters, is situated in a remote location. The primary issue stems from the lack of proper transportation infrastructure connecting Kalyan Gummi to the nearby Cherukubidda polling station, located in the same Ananthagiri mandal. To cast their votes, the tribals are compelled to embark on an arduous journey spanning approximately 70 km, traversing through hilly terrain and across two districts. The route entails a series of challenges, beginning with a 15 km trek through the hills of Anakapalle district to reach the starting point at Maddigaruvu. From there, the journey involves taking an auto via Kothuru and continuing through Gangapudi in Vizianagaram district before finally arriving at Cherukubidda via Srungavarapukota to cast their votes. Faced with these obstacles, the tribals are seeking provision of transportation facility by the district authorities and the Election Commission to facilitate their participation in the electoral process. Kondababu of Kalyan Gummi emphasised the importance of voting as a fundamental right of all citizens. The journey to the polling station includes covering a distance of 70 km round trip, consuming nearly six hours of travel time. As casting vote is a fundamental right of all citizens, we urge the Election Commission and district authorities to provide transportation facility for us, which would alleviate the financial strain we face, given our modest financial circumstances, he said. He also urged the government to provide job cards and support initiatives aimed at fostering financial independence among the tribals.

Vijayawadas growth is my only agenda: Nani

VIJAYAWADA : Asserting that development of Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency is his only agenda, sitting MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) has said he is contesting the election on YSRC ticket to save the city and people from his brother Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), who is the TDP candidate. Speaking to TNIE, the two-time MP said the personal and family differences between him and his brother Sivanath have been there for the past two decades. The differences suddenly took a political turn soon after he raised objections to TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidus decision to hand over the party reins to Lokesh. Nani also opined that some TDP leaders were behind the political rise of his brother. It really surprises me the way the TDP and its supported media channels and dailies are portraying Sivanath as a man of service and integrity. While the affidavit submitted by him along with his nomination papers shows the list of his properties and debts, some dailies are portraying him as a businessman and spending crores of rupees for the development of Vijayawada, he said. Sivanath is a criminal and no less than notorious Charles Sobhraj. I urge the people of Vijayawada not to vote for Sivanath. He has committed many financial irregularities, including trademark violation and forgery during the company registration and many others, Nani alleged. Nani further revealed that the Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) had imposed fine on Kesineni Developers and Sahithi Infra for collecting money through launching offers. Explaining the development works implemented during his tenure as an MP, Nani said he played a crucial role in the greenfield express highway project from Vijayawada to Nagpur. With the contacts I have in the Central government, I presented the idea of a separate highway connecting Machilipatnam port and Nagpur. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was impressed with the idea of connecting the city, which is located in the middle of the country and to the port in Andhra Pradesh. The road project will be completed in two years. The project is my brainchild and it gives me a immense satisfaction, he claimed.

No funding from Congress, Puri Lok Sabha nominee returns ticket

Sucharita Mohanty withdrew from contesting the Puri Lok Sabha seat due to inadequate financial support from Congress. BJD's Arup Patnaik and BJP's Sambit Patra have filed nominations for the upcoming election.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan conspired to stall Parikrama project: BJD

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD came down on Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for raking up Odia Asmita just before elections accusing him of trying his best to stall the Srimandir Parikrama project. Countering Pradhans attack on BJD shortly after his media conference, senior BJD leader and candidate for Satyabadi Assembly constituency Sanjay Das Burma said the union minister has no right to talk about Odia identity and pride as he did not accept the invitation to attend the inauguration of the Srimandir heritage corridor project. It is due to the untiring efforts of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that Odia received classical language status which is a matter of pride for all Odias. The Centre has contributed significantly to the development and growth of Sanskrit, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. Will Pradhan tell how much did the Central government sanction for Odia language, he asked. Pradhan has been a central minister holding important portfolios including education. Let him tell the people of the state about his contribution to education and development of Odia language in the state, Sanjay said. Describing former chief minister and veteran leader Biju Patnaik as the symbol of Odia Asmita, Sanjay said the formers contribution to the state and the country is unparalleled. There has been a demand for granting Bharat Ratna to Biju Babu for a long time. The BJP government at Centre never thought it fit to give him the highest civilian award of the country when leaders of other states were considered. The people of the state know well who stands on the way of selecting Biju Patnaik for the highest award. The BJD leader said BJP is trying to divert the attention of people from core issues like inflation, rising prices of essential commodities, ballooning unemployment and Centres negligence to Odisha by raising non-issues.

Lok Sabha candidates rise by 42% compared to 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam News - The Times of India

Lok Sabha candidates rise by 42% compared to 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam News The Times of India

Orissa HC rejects bail pleas of three RTI activists for spreading fake news

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail pleas of the three Right to Information (RTI) activists accused of spreading fake news related to the deployment of police personnel for the protection of VK Pandian, the chairman of 5T and close aide of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The three RTI activists - Pradip Pradhan, Prakash Dash and Srikant Pakal had filed anticipatory bail applications after cases were registered against them for allegedly committing forgery by using forged documents to spread fake news at the Saheed Nagar police station in Bhubaneswar on April 2. The number of police personnel deployed around Pandian was unusually as high as 74, the trio had informed at a press conference in Bhubaneswar on March 30. The information was obtained by exercise of RTI Act, it was claimed. But the state police administration had immediately dismissed the claim stating that no such reply was supplied to any RTI applicant. While rejecting the anticipatory bail applications, the single judge bench of Justice Chittaranjan Dash acknowledged the weight of the allegations against the petitioners, which prima facie establishes the accusations of forgery and misrepresentation of information obtained through the RTI Act. In the above premises, grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners would not serve the interests of justice, as there exists substantial material suggesting their involvement in grave misconduct under the alleged offences, Justice Dash observed. Justice Dash also said that the actions alleged not only violate the sanctity of the RTI Act but also erode public trust and reliance on the work conducted by RTI activists for promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.

Odisha MLA Nayak to fight as Independent from Bari Assembly seat

JAJPUR: BJP leader and former MLA Debasis Nayak on Friday announced to fight the upcoming Assembly elections as an Independent candidate from Bari Assembly seat. The four-time legislator from Bari announced his decision on social media platforms a day after the BJP denied him ticket from the Assembly seat. On Thursday, BJP nominated Umesh Chandra Jena as its candidate from Bari. Umesh had unsuccessfully contested from the seat on a Congress ticket in 2019 election. However, he later quit the grand old party and joined BJP last year. In a post on social media, Nayak said, People of Bari are my strength. Party is not paramount for me. I will contest the election to serve the people. Once a close aide of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Nayak was successfully elected as a BJD candidate in 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2014. He also served as the minister of Sports and Youth Services.

Opposition does not want states progress: Odisha 5T chairman Pandian

BERHAMPUR: BJD leader and 5T chairman VK Pandian on Friday tore into the Opposition political parties and said they are conspiring to derail the development process of Odisha for their narrow interests. Pandian was addressing an election campaign at Bhanjanagar Assembly segment which though comes under Ganjam district but is part of Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency. Accompanied by Kandhamal MP Achyuta Samanta and Bhanjanagar MLA Bikram Keshari Arukh, the BJD star campaigner urged the voters to hand huge margins of victory to the BJD candidates in the ensuing polls. While Samanta is seeking re-election from Kandhamal Parliamentary seat, Arukh has been representing Bhanjanagar Assembly constituency (AC) since 1995. Criticising the Opposition, Pandian said the parties are hatching a conspiracy to stop Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Mission Shakti programmes and even prevented the women members of SHGs to go to Dubai. The BJD believes in work, and not in rhetoric. But Opposition is conspiring to stop all development work in Odisha. The Opposition parties are fundamentally anti-development, said Pandian adding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is keen to make Odisha prosperous. I call the Opposition to come and see the unwavering support and love people have for Naveen Babu. The huge gathering despite the scorching heat will give them a sense of the peoples affection for the chief minister, said Pandian. Recalling his attachment with Ganjam as its former collector, he said all the transformation programmes of Odisha started from the district. My daughter was also born at Chhatrapur, recalled the bureaucrat-turned-politician. He said development projects worth Rs 60 crore are under implementation in Bhanjanagar AC. A sum of Rs 1.80 crore was sanctioned for development of Jagannath Temple and Maa Byaghradevi temple, Rs 1.10 crore for Dhabaleswar temple and Rs 5.50 crore for development of 120 temples, mosques and community centres, he said listing out the works. Similarly, the Rs 50 crore worth of projects in Polasara Assembly segment and development works valued at Rs 45 crore are underway at Sorada segment, he added. Along with Bhanjanagar, Pandian addressed election meetings at Sorada, Polosara, Sanakhemundi in Ganjam and G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district. He also went to Bhawanipatna to oversee campaigning of BJD in Kalahandi, particularly in Bhawanipatna Assembly segment. Pandian participated in a massive road show in the evening from Kalahandi University chowk to Women college chowk accompanied by BJDs Bhawanipatna candidate Lalita Naik. After the rally Pandian interacted with party workers, giving them tips for success.

Poll fever grips Cuttack as bigwigs file nominations

CUTTACK: Several rallies were taken out in the city on Friday several heavyweight candidates including BJPs Bhartruhari Mahtab, BJDs Santrupt Misra and Samrudha Odishas Minati Patnaik, known for giving away her property worth Rs 1 crore to a rickshaw puller, filing their nominations for Cuttack Parliamentary constituency. Mahtab, rode pillion on a bike and arrived at the returning officer and district collector Arindam Dakuas office along with a handful of supporters. This election will certainly be a fight for Odia Asmita. The BJP has already announced and promised financial assistance to women through welfare schemes and pensions. Along with development, there is Prime Minister Narendra Modis guarantee. The problems of Cuttack district like lack of industries, cold storages and defunct sugar mills, will be addressed. The fight is for a double-engine government and to protect Odia Asmita, Mahtab told mediapersons after filing his nomination. Santrupt, however, arrived at the office in a huge workers rally from Biju Patnaik Park and filed his nomination in the presence of Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, Rajya Sabha MP Debasish Samantaray, CMC Mayor Subhas Singh, Barabati-Cuttack MLA candidate Prakash Behera. Development and transformation work undertaken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his popularity are reflected in each household of Cuttack. It will help me winning the election with a huge margin, said Misra to mediapersons after filing his nomination. Minati of Sutahat locality, who moved by love and affection shown by a rickshaw puller and his family had adopted him and gifted him all her jewellery, land and residential building worth Rs 1 crore in 2021, has also filed her nomination for contesting as a candidate of Samruddha Odisha. BJPs Bhartruhari Mahtab filing nomination on Friday | Express I have been serving the poor and distressed after the death of my daughter and husband. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who has been governing Odisha for the last 25 years does not like Odia people. I dont know why Pandian, a non-Odia stands by his side. Similarly six-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab keeps harping about receiving the best parliamentarian award. What did the people of Cuttack get from his award. I have also received several awards after media highlighted my story of donating my property to a rickshaw puller. Samruddha Odisha political party has given me ticket and I am going to contest the election. I assure to serve people and develop villages. If people express discontentment, then I shall resign within a year, said Minati. Apart from nomination of three MP candidates, Congress nominee for Barabati-Cuttack Assembly segment Sofia Firdous accompanied by her father Mohammad Moquim and a few of her supporters filed her nomination paper before returning officer-cum-sub-collector Jyoti Sankar Roy. In view of scorching heat, I did not want to trouble my workers. Hence instead of a rally, I came with my father and a few supporters to file my nomination, said Sofia. Similarly BJDs nominee for Choudwar-Cuttack Assembly segment Souvic Biswal, BJPs Nayan Kishore Mohanty and Congress candidate Meera Mallik arrived in rallies to file their nominations on Thursday. BJDs candidate for Cuttack Sadar seat Chandra Sarathi Behera and BJP candidate Prakash Chandra Sethi filed their nomination before ADM (Election) Siba Toppo on the day.

BJD announces star campaigners list for last phases of LS polls

BHUBANESWAR: BJD on Friday announced its star campaigners for the last two rounds of elections in the state. Twelve Lok Sabha constituencies and 84 Assembly segments will go to polls during the two phases. While BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will spearhead the campaign, 5T chairman VK Pandian and the partys organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das are among the top three campaigners. The 40-member campaigners list included six ministers, eight former ministers and a host of MLAs. The party had announced a list of 40 star campaigners for the first two phases of elections. Pandian has been campaigning extensively for the party candidates in the fray for the first round of elections on May 13.

Odisha MLA Soumya finally makes up his mind, to contest from Ghasipura as Independent candidate

BHUBANESWAR: Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik on Friday said he will fight the Assembly election from Ghasipura as an Independent candidate. While many wondered why Soumya did not join BJP, he announced his next move after a public meeting in Ghasipura, one of the Assembly constituencies of Keonjhar district. I took the decision to contest from Ghasipura following requests from people of the constituency, Soumya said. He had hinted on April 30 of getting an offer from the BJP to contest from the seat. Soumya had previously shared with media that several people pressured him to contest the election. However, the BJP on Thursday nominated Shambhunath Rout from the seat. Senior BJP leader and three-time MP from Balasore Kharabela Swain also announced to contest from the parliamentary constituency as an Independent after his request for nomination from the seat was turned down by the party. Asserting he will win as the official candidate of BJP is quite unpopular in the constituency, Swain said he is confident that the party will take him under its fold after the elections. Earlier, Swain had suggested the party to field him from Balasore Lok Sabha seat and nominate sitting MP Pratap Sarangi from Nilagiri. The former MP took the decision to fight as an Independent after the BJP named Santosh Khatua from Nilagiri seat. Khatua contested the 2019 election from Nilagiri on a BJD ticket and came second after losing to Sukanta Nayak of BJP. Nayak quit the BJP to join BJD and got nomination from the regional party. Similarly, four-time Bari MLA and former minister Debasis Nayak who joined BJP recently with the hope to get nomination from the saffron party also announced to contest the upcoming Assembly polls from the constituency as an Independent candidate. Nayak announced his decision on social media after the BJP fielded Umesh Jena as its candidate for Bari. Former BJD MLA from Khandapada Anubhav Patnaik filed his nomination papers as Independent on Friday after the party denied him a ticket.

Naidu, PK envious of Jagans popularity: MLC Kalyani

Visakhapatnam: YSRC MLC Varudu Kalyani criticised TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan for being envious of the growing support for Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's preparatory meetings across the state. Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam, she accused Pawan Kalyan's party of resorting to personal insults against Jagan due to their failing manifesto. She suggested that it would be more beneficial for Pawan Kalyan to discuss his contributions during his time in the government from 2014-19 and ask for votes based on those achievements. Kalyani reminded Pawan Kalyan that Jagan Mohan Reddy is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and should be respected for his achievements. Under Jagan's leadership, the YSRC has won 151 Assembly and 22 MP seats by focusing on the welfare of the people. In contrast, Pawan Kalyan's party has not even been able to contest in elections since its inception. She highlighted Jagan's accomplishments, such as making Andhra Pradesh the number one state in terms of ease of doing business and growth rate. She mentioned that Jagan is not a criminal but a history creator. Kalyani questioned when Pawan Kalyan would hold those responsible for land grabbing and mistreating women accountable. Kalyani further urged Pawan Kalyan to address the Land Titling Act issue and clarify his stance on it. She also asked why Pawan has not spoken about critical matters like railway zone and steel plant privatisation.

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The News Mill

651 Maoist-Sensitive Polling Stations in Agency 2 Choppers To Fly Poll Officials

Picture used for representation purpose. Photo: PTI Picture used for representation purpose. Photo: PTI Visakhapatnam: The police in Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram districts are focusing on Maoist-influenced polling stations for conducting the elections in a smooth manner on May 13. Cops in the two districts have identified 651 LWE sensitive and 238 law and order problem polling stations. A police official in ASR district said that they have identified 610 Left Wing Extremist sensitive and 85 law and order sensitive stations out of the total 1021 polling stations. The district election officer has arranged two helicopters to fly the polling officials to Gruttedu under Y Ramavaram mandal of Rampachodavaram assembly constituency. Funds have been sanctioned early to install cell towers and improve roads to several polling stations in the district. We have set up check posts and are frisking suspicious persons at various locations in the district, said a police officer. Araku Lok Sabha seat (ST), which consists of LWE affected assembly segments like Paderu, Araku Valley, Rampachodavaram, Parvathipuram and Saluru, will go to polls on May 13. The official said 30 polling booths in Chintoor and Munchingput mandals have been shifted due to the Maoist threat perception. The special police launched an area-domination exercise in the bordering areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh after a large number of Maoists were neutralized in Chhattisgarh, to ensure they do not cross over to AP via the Odisha border, he added. The outlawed Maoists recently released a pamphlet in Munchingput and other areas close to the Odisha border, appealing to the people to boycott the elections. Maoists had shot down Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and his predecessor Siveri Soma in Livitput village near Araku Valley on September 23, 2018, some 10 months before the 2019 elections. In Parvathipuram Manyam district, out of the total 981 polling stations, 41 have been identified as Maoist-sensitive and 153 law and order problem stations.

Chirag threatens legal action against Tejashwi

PATNA, May 3: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Friday threatened legal action against RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for making false statements about the formers stand on reservations. At rallies, especially in the Lok Sabha constituency of Hajipur which Paswan is contesting, Yadav has been claiming that the LJP (R) chief has []

Suneetha Reddy: Malkajgiri people rally behind Congress

Hyderabad: Patnam Sunitha Mahender Reddy, Congress candidate from Malkajgiri, said that the people of the Lok Sabha constituency were convinced that only the ruling party in the state ensure all-round development of Medchal-Malkajgiri district. The people wanted to elect Congress for the second consecutive term, she said. Sunitha Reddy said that she noticed people's desire to elect the Congress during her interaction with voters while campaigning in the constituency. Amidst rising temperatures, the campaign of Sunitha Reddy is drawing large crowds, demonstrating significant public support. Enthusiastic supporters continue to gather in significant numbers. She said the robust turnout at her road shows along with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy underscored the people's desire for development. The people are rallying behind me for my commitment to progress and Development, she said.

Three capitals is not an important issue for Vizagites, but development is, says TDP MP candidate M. Sribharat

Visakhapatnam city, which is called the City of Destiny, is destined to grow, and making it the capital city really does not appeal to the people or will have an impact, he says

Complaint against Naidu and Pawan for abusing Jagan

Vijayawada: The YSRC leaders, led by MLA Malladi Vishnu, lodged three complaints with the Election Commission on Friday against Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan for abusing Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy personally by using objectionable words like psycho, among others. Vishnu stated that Naidu used the objectionable words against Jagan Mohan Reddy at a public meeting in Rayachoti on Thursday. He further said that Pawan Kalyan made inappropriate comments and baseless accusations against the CM in Visakhapatnam South and Palakonda public meetings on May 2. The MLA said that they have lodged another complaint against TD-friendly vernacular dailies for publishing articles against the CM and YSRC leaders and asked the Election Commission to treat them as paid articles.

Jana Sena leader's PA beats up TD worker in Elamanchili

Visakhapatnam: There are reports of Jana Sena MLA candidate Sundavarapu Vijaya Kumars personal assistant allegedly attacking a Telugu Desam Party activist in a lodge room at Elamanchili in Anakapalli district. The incident occurred after the NDA alliance organised a meeting of Yadava community at a lodge in Atchutapuram on Friday. Apparently, while having lunch, there had been a minor altercation between TD youth leader Golagani Naidu and a Jana Sena party worker. This led to Vijaya Kumar's PA punching Naidu, dragging the latter into the PAs room and beating Naidu till he bled. Somehow, panic-stricken Naidu escaped and approached the police. He alleged that capturing, torturing and injuring people in lodge rooms is nothing new to Sundavarapu Vijay Kumar of Jana Sena Party. It is part of Vijay Kumars rowdy politics, the TD worker stated.

To convey big message, Bihar man takes donkey ride to file papers

DC Report Makes Officials Visit Hilltop Village

Visakhapatnam: Following a report published in Deccan Chronicle on May 1, revenue inspector M. Laxmikant and revenue officer T. Kondababu of Anantagiri mandal walked five kilometres and visited the remote hilltop village of Kalyan Gummi. The officials made detailed inquiries about the villagers demands and took stock of the situation. Kalyan Gummi villagers have to leave their homes two days before the voting day. They take up an arduous journey of 70 kilometres across two districts, including walking through the hills, to reach their polling centre in Cherikibidda of Anantagiri mandal, where they finally exercise their franchise. The villagers' journey to the polling centre is a testament of their determination to cast their vote. The demand of Kalyan Gummi villagers is that the government connect their village with transport facilities.

Hajipur villagers wash Ambedkar statue with milk after Chirag garlands it

Paswan community washes Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar's statue with milk after Chirag Paswan offers flowers en route to filing Hajipur Lok Sabha nomination, sparking protests. Chirag accused of defiling the statue, leading to a viral video of the incident.

We Will Ban Liquor After 15 Years: Botsa

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Botsa Satyanarayana, a key figure in the YSRC cabinet, holds significant sway in North Andhra. He spoke about the current election management, government policies and the party manifesto in an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle. The state education minister spoke about many issues and, in special, said a ban on liquor can be effected after 15 years. He expressed confidence in the YSRC winning the present polls and retaining power. Excerpts from the interview: Q. How confident are you about the YSRCs chances as the polling day is fast approaching? A. My confidence is unwavering. Jagan Mohan Reddy has created a narrative in which he urges voters to support YSRC if they have benefitted from his five-year tenure. This election is a litmus test of credibility, and the people are captivated by Jagans trajectory. I am convinced that the people will rally behind him. Q. You are confident that `2.7 lakh crore in DBTs will see you through, but your opponents say the AP government incurred huge debts. How are you going to deal with this? A. It is true that the loans were taken, but this was done by keeping in mind the states Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. Chandrababu Naidu had borrowed more than what the FRBM rules allowed. He borrowed in excess of Rs 28,000 crore; more than what we have borrowed. Q. What is your take on the propaganda that the state is in debt like Sri Lanka. A. Chandrababu is indulging in baseless propaganda against us. He alleges that we have plunged the state into debt due to the welfare schemes that we've implemented. However, his own manifesto is replete with promises of similar welfare schemes termed Super Six or Super Ten. Now, he must elucidate us as to how he intends to fulfill these promises. Where would he organize as much money from? The people are beginning to question his capacity to deliver on his commitments. Q. What are your sources to implement the YSRCs 2024 Manifesto? A. We have introduced some improvements in the new manifesto because we know that we have to fulfill everything that was promised in it. We have taken some financial steps to increase the state's revenue. We are confident that we will implement the 2024 manifesto without undue resort to loans. This time, the main point of our manifesto is action for development. Q. The main charge of the Opposition is that the YSRC government can't create wealth. How do you respond? A. Compared to Chandrababu's administration, Jagan Reddy's administration ensured a far better growth rate. It becomes apparent who is likely to generate more wealth. Based on official records, the growth rate during Jaganmohan Reddy's administration was higher. Q. You have compared the YSRC Manifesto to Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, and how can you be dishonest in implementing total prohibition of alcohol? A. Liquor prohibition will be done in a phased manner. We will ban liquor after 15 years. What is wrong with this? We have not promised to ban liquor overnight. Secondly we have been reducing liquour sales by 33 per cent annually, which has reduced its consumption. Q. Employees have turned hostile to your government. Will they vote for you? A. After Independence, which government cleared employee dues? Dues clearance is a routine process with new dues accumulating regularly. It's unnecessary to scrutinize the matter too closely. Q. The Opposition is alleging that Visakhapatnam is being made capital because there is a real estate interest behind it. A. CM Jagan wants to make Vizag the executive capital so that this region will develop. Because sea, air and land connectivity are good here, Vizag would become a world-class city. Building a gated community in Amaravati and concentrating all the wealth there would benefit a particular community involved in the real estate business. Q. What are your efforts to stop the privatization of VSP? A. During a public meeting addressed by Prime Minister Modi, Jagan raised his voice for VSP and opposed its privatization. The CM had written several letters asking the PM to stop the privatization. The assembly also passed a resolution opposing privatization. Q. The alliance has been using the Land Titling Act as its main campaign tool, explaining that the Act would impact landholders. How would you counter this? A. The Opposition is spreading lies to mislead the public. This framework has not yet come into force. The matter is in the court. We will hold meetings. Arguments will be made before the District Authority on the objections received. After this work is completed, a public hearing will be held. If there are any problems, the High Court can be approached. In this way, the opinions of all the communities will be collected and then the decisions will be made. The process of making a decision will take two years. The aim of this Act is to resolve the years-old disputes and to ensure that individuals ownership is protected. As per data, 80 per cent of the current civil disputes are related to land. We want to resolve these disputes. Q. The opposition's big campaign is that Jagan has not been able to create jobs, and if Chandrababu comes to power, more jobs will be created. How many jobs could be created by the YSRC government? A. Even in 2014, TD's campaign was that Babu would bring jobs and the unemployed would get `2,000 as stipend. What happened to this promise? Chandrababu is telling the same story again. We are building four seaports on a large scale. We are also building hospitals, developing industry which would create jobs. We have also introduced the secretariat system, announced Group-1 recruitment, and released the DSC notification. We have released the notification for about 3000 jobs in universities. Q. You were not on screen when Vijayasai Reddy was the North Andhra Regional Coordinator but you shined after he left. What is the reason for this? A. Vijayasai Reddy was the regional coordinator, but elections were not held then. If elections were held now, I would definitely be the one who appear on the screen. I am used to carrying out the responsibilities given by the party, and now I am doing the same thing. Q. You shifted to Vizag because Jhansi is facing a tough time. A. The situation is strong in Vizianagaram district because we are all on our own. We are going to win 9 seats in Vizianagaram, but given the fact that there are two TD sitting MLAs in Vizag, there is a need to take care of the affairs here. Q. Bharat is among those contesting for Vizag MP. Is he more local compared to Botsa Jhansi? Don't you think it is a tough competition? A. We are doing our best and we believe that the people will bless us. Although there will be competition in Vizag, we are confident of winning the present polls.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik to Fight from Ghasipura Seat as Independent Candidate

Bhubaneswar: Ending all speculations, Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik confirmed on Friday that he will run as an Independent candidate in the upcoming elections from the Ghasipura Assembly constituency in Odisha. Patnaik made this declaration following a public meeting in Ghasipura, Keonjhar district. The MLS stated that he took the decision respecting the wishes of [] The post Soumya Ranjan Patnaik to Fight from Ghasipura Seat as Independent Candidate appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

BJP sharpens attack against Naveen Patnaik as party leadership heads to Odisha

Odisha is ten days away from the first of its four phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha election even as the BJP tries to build momentum in its favour

Kaikalur will be upgraded into a municipality, promises JSP president Pawan Kalyan

Avanigadda, Kaikaluru, Machilipatnam and Pedana will be developed as an urban agglomeration if the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance is voted to power, he says

Schools closed, class timings revised in these states due to heatwave: Check complete list here

States are adjusting school schedules to deal with the ongoing severe heatwave. Class 10 activities in Bihar's Patna district are limited to 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chhattisgarh's summer break lasts from April 22 to June 15. Jharkhand closes schools up to Class 8, adjusting Class 9-12 hours to 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Maharashtra announces an early break, while Meghalaya and Tripura close schools temporarily. West Bengal moves summer vacation to April 22.

Nothing can stop me from contesting LS polls from Karakat: Pawan Singh

Patna: Bhojpuri singer-turned-politician Pawan Singh said on Friday, May 3, that he is the son of Bihar and no one can stop him from contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Bihars Karakat as an independent candidate. After Pawan Singh had recently said that he would be contesting the polls from Karakat as an independent, Union 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 .

5000 km road trip in my Tata Altroz iTurbo: Mumbai to Kolkata and back

BHPian Mgdoodler recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Blue Rocket had plans for 2023, which 2023 decided were not to come to fruition. On charts was to travel to Khar Dung La and Kanyakumari sometime between June and Sept 2023 but due to some personal circumstances all long-distance plans were abandoned. Or so we thought. Thanks to my cousin, who was marrying the love of his life in her city in Dec 2023. Invitations were issued and the plan initially was to make a quick visit to Kolkata for a couple of days for the event itself which then turned into a week's solo drive to Kolkata and back and in the end, turned into a 15-day holiday with Blue Rocket travelling through 6 states and the rest of my family flew to Kolkata for wedding festivities. As per my usual practise Blue Rocket was serviced and a checkup done 15 days before my travel and I drove it for a couple of short excursions around Mumbai. Plan was to take the Mumbai - Nagpur - Sambhalpur - Keonjhar - Kolkata route through central India while going and return via Konark - Vishakhapatnam - Chhattisgarh - Hyderabad - Mumbai. This was my first time driving any of these routes and my first time meeting the Bay of Bengal. As with most of my long-distance drives, this was just Blue and me all the way. FYI Blue Rocket is a petrol, manual i-turbo Altroz.Day 1- 1/12/2023 FridayThis was a day I was looking forward to the most, the opportunity to drive on the Samruddhi Mahamarg. I have already driven on the Trans Haryana and enjoyed it and was looking forward to a similar experience. Left home at 6:45 am - much later than the planned 5:30 am, but I was ok with it as there was a mild fog and starting later allowed better visibility. Travelled across Mumbai via the SCLR and eastern express highway leaving the city behind at Thane, but not the traffic, roads were jammed due to diversions and the first couple of hours were tedious. First stop was to fill fuel at Padgha. Tank filled and the drive started towards Kasara ghat which I would be driving on for the first time and it was a good drive. Stopped for a quick breakfast at 10:30 at a restaurant after Ghoti Bhudruk at 150 kms from Mumbai and 7 kms before Bharvir entry into the Mahamarg. The mahamarg is wide, well planned and mostly a comfortable drive. Speed Limit for cars is 120 Kmph and it is possible to maintain the same comfortably. Heavy vehicles are few and keep to the middle and left lane. It was a pleasure to drive on this route. I stopped at approximately halfway at around 3 pm for a fuel refill and bio break. I also stopped at about 1.5hrs of driving on the mahamarg for a quick photo session with Blue being the model. As you can see the weather was lovely with blue skies and fluffy white clouds - a perfect winter day for a drive and the road is practically empty. Road surface could be better and more functional rest stops are required. Hopefully, these requirements will be fulfilled soon. It was later in the day after 4:30 pm and as we neared Nagpur, I encountered some truck traffic in the fast/overtake lane and middle lane at the same time blocking the road. But it was not for long. Crossed Waifal toll naka at 5:30 PM, having covered 600 kms in approx. 6 hours with a 20 min break. Winter and travel towards the east meant that the sun set earlier and it was already dark as we exited the Expressway and made our way to the night stay - Hotel Pride near the airport metro. Reached and checked in at 6:30 pm. Covering 814 kms in little less than 12 hours. The day had not ended though. After a quick catch-up with work, I headed towards the nearest Haldirams at Ajni Square. Travelled by metro for 4 stops and exited just outside Haldirams. My last meal had been a protein bar along with a yoghurt smoothie at 3 pm and now I feasted on Dahi Puri and hot Rajma Chawal. Dinner done I took the metro back to my hotel and turned in for an early night. Continue reading about Mgdoodler's road trip for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

Patna High Court dismisses petition seeking striking down a provision of Bihar Medical Education Service Recruitment, Appointment and Promotion Rules

The Patna High Court dismissed a Petition filed seeking striking down of Rule-7(iii)(d) of Chapter-4 of the Senior Resident/Tutor and Bihar Medical Education Service Recruitment, Appointment and Promotion Rules, 2008. The objectionable rule prescribes the maximum age limit for appointment to the post of Assistant Professor to be 45 years for unreserved category, 50 years []

BJD being run by bureaucrats, outsiders in CMs office trying to capture Odisha: Pradhan

Sambalpur: Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal is facing public revolt for the first time and a caucus of outsiders in the chief ministers office wants to capture the state, BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has claimed. The Education Minister, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Sambalpur, also dismissed the speculation that []

Naveen Patnaik has concrete plan to take Odisha to top; BJD to sweep polls: Pandian

Bhubaneswar: Asserting that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has a concrete plan to take Odisha to the top in all fields, his close associate Kartik Pandian has said it is a matter of time for migration from the state to stop completely. In an exclusive video interview with PTI, Pandian also said the Biju Janata Dal []

Naveen files nomination for Kantabanji assembly seat

Naveen Patnaik files nomination for Kantabanji assembly seat amidst extreme heat, accompanied by BJD leaders. Focuses on prosperity and growth for Odisha, aiming for success beyond traditional bastion.

2.40 Crore Unaccounted Cash Seized In East Godavari

Police seized unaccounted cash of `2.40 crore from a private, inter-state bus in Gopalapuram, East Godavari on Thursday. Devarapalli circle inspector (CI) P. Bala Suresh said the cash was found in two bags with a bus passenger, Ayyala China Chennaiah, a resident of Kurnool. Chennaiah said that some unidentified person gave him the money to give it to another man in Rajamahendravaram. The bus was going from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam. CI Bala Suresh said the money was found during a routine check at the interstate check post near Gopalapuram. The cash was handed over to treasury department officials.

Survey Finds Majority of Indians Are New to Podcasts

Survey Finds Majority of Indians Are New to Podcasts India has emerged as the third-largest market for podcast listeners globally even as around 78 per cent of people surveyed got to know about this media recently, a report said on Thursday. According to the report, around 82 per cent of respondents were initially unaware of podcasts, highlighting a significant opportunity for awareness-building efforts. ''78 per cent of consumers discovered podcasts less than a year ago, indicating a recent surge in interest,'' the report, The Podcast Pulse: Unveiling Indias Podcast Landscape, stated. India has surged to become the third-largest market for podcast listeners globally, yet only 12 per cent of Indians are currently engaged, leaving a vast untapped audience waiting to be explored, the report prepared by UNPAC Research (OPC) in support of Ideabrew Studios said. Authenticity and vulnerability in podcast conversations are highly valued by listeners, fostering a deeper connection with hosts and content, it said. The report is based on responses from 2,170 individuals across 10 cities in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Indore, Patna, and Jaipur, the report gauged awareness and listenership statistics. Additionally, detailed interviews with 1,800 active listeners provided invaluable insights into their behaviour and preferences. Sheetal Choksi, Director, UNPAC Research said that the Podcast Pulse is a comprehensive report on podcast consumption in India. Regional podcasts are identified as a driving force in shaping the industry's future, offering audiences a more relatable and culturally resonant listening experience, he added. The Unpac Research (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. is a full service qualitative research agency. Ideabrew Studios is a podcast production and full-service content solutions company.

BJD being run by bureaucrats, outsiders in CM's office trying to capture Odisha: Pradhan

SAMBALPUR: Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal is facing public revolt for the first time and a caucus of outsiders in the chief minister's office wants to capture the state, BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has claimed. The Education Minister, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Sambalpur, also dismissed the speculation that there were any attempts from BJP to enter into an alliance with the BJD. In an interview with PTI, Pradhan, who is returning to the electoral fray after 15 years, said, he Odia identity is under threat and this election is all about that identity. BJD is being run by a group of bureaucrats...the caucus in the chief minister's office which has few non-Oriya officers, they all came together and thought let's exploit the inability of the chief minister, let's create a vacuum from back door and their intention is to capture the state. This is a very dangerous trend and this is what public is angry about besides their inaction on the ground, Pradhan said in a veiled jibe at Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian. The minister said this is the first time the so far popular CM is facing the heat from the public. BJD is facing public revolt for the first time...we have been fighting with them for long, we fought elections together too in the past. But 2024 election is a new type of election for them ..it is the most difficult election they would be facing, he said. The Assembly and general elections are being held in Odisha simultaneously. Naveen Patnaik will become the longest serving chief minister of India if his party wins the upcoming Assembly polls. He is already the longest serving CM of Odisha. Pradhan, however, said Patnaik's more than two-decade rule has brought little to the people of the state in way of solid development. Since last 24 years, Patnaik has been the in-charge of the state as chief minister but on all the fronts, be it social structure, infrastructure, economy, employment generation this government has been an utter failure. The lack of basic facilities causing large scale migration from the state. They do not have any vision or political will power they do not have any commitment to society, there is a huge anger among youth, women, tribals, different sections of society.. this is going to reflect in voting behaviour, people will teach them a lesson, there will be befitting response, he said. When he was asked about how the BJD was able to secure a mandate for five consecutive terms if there are so many issues, Pradhan said, kabhi to sabr ka bandh tutata hai (the patience crosses its limit at one point). 2024 election will be a real test of his popularity...soon BJD will not be seen in the state even by using binoculars. Pradhan, 54, also denied any talks of an alliance between BJP and BJD ahead of elections. There was no 'buzz' for alliance from our side...we had no compulsions for an alliance with them...on several national issues various parties have supported us but it is not mandatory that we will fight elections with them together, he said. Asked whether he would be the BJP's CM face if the party comes to power in Odisha, Pradhan said, here has been no decision yet and it will be decided by the party later only about who will be given the responsibility but I am confident that the Chief Minister will be from BJP. The BJP leader filed his nomination from Sambalpur on Thursday. Polling in the state is scheduled in the sixth phase of the general election on May 25. The high-profile Sambalpur constituency, which is the epicentre of western Odisha, is gearing up for a heated contest between Congress's Nagendra Pradhan, Dharmendra Pradhan, and BJD's Pranab Prakash Das. Nagendra Pradhan had won the constituency on a Biju Janata Dal ticket in 2014 polls. Dharmendra Pradhan is contesting an election after a gap of 15 years. He had last contested an election in 2009 after the end of BJP-BJD alliance. He lost the assembly poll that year. He was elected to the Odisha Assembly in 2000 and to the Lok Sabha from Deogarh seat in 2004. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar in 2012 and again in 2018 from Madhya Pradesh. Asked about the opposition's allegations that BJP will change the Constitution if voted to power, Pradhan said, Congress is scared...their leadership has been re-launched and repackaged several times and they have faced defeat only. They are making all attempts now like using deepfake videos, misutilising AI, making such statements but public knows their deeds and Congress existence is in danger.

Chirag Paswan Declares Assets Worth Rs. 2.68 Crore: Details Revealed

Chirag Paswan Declares Assets Worth Rs. 2.68 Crore: Details Revealed Chirag Paswan, president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), who is contesting election from Hajipur Lok Sabha seat as NDA nominee, owns movable and immovable assets worth Rs 2.68 crore as per the affidavit filed by him. Chirag on Thursday filed his nomination papers from the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat. The 41-year-old leader in the affidavit filed before the Returning Officer along with the nomination papers, declared that he has movable assets worth Rs 1.66 crore and immovable assets owned by him are worth Rs 1.02 crore. According to the affidavit, he has Rs 42,000 cash in hand and has three bank accounts and gold jewellery worth Rs 14.40 lakh. As per the affidavit, Chirag's immovable asset includes a house worth Rs 1.02 crore in Patna. He does not own any other immovable asset. He is a director and shareholder in six private firms. The Hajipur Lok Sabha seat was earlier represented by his father, late Ram Vilas Paswan, nine times. Hajipur Lok Sabha seats will go for polls in the fifth phase on May 20.

BJD being run by bureaucrats, outsiders in CM's office trying to capture Odisha: Dharmendra Pradhan

Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal is facing public revolt for the first time and a caucus of outsiders in the chief minister's office wants to capture the state, BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has claimed. The Education Minister, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Sambalpur, also dismissed the speculation that there were any attempts from BJP to enter into an alliance with the BJD.

Odisha: Pranab Prakash Dass mom to fight from Korei as BJD candidate

BHUBANESWAR: Putting an end to speculations, BJD on Thursday announced Sandhyarani Das, mother of party organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, as its candidate from Korei Assembly seat in Jajpur district. Sandhyarani replaces Ashok Kumar Bal, the partys sitting MLA from the constituency. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the list of candidates for the last three Assembly seats including much-awaited Korei. The party has changed the candidate for Deogarh Assembly seat by replacing Arundhati Devi, wife of Sambalpur MP Nitesh Ganga Deb of BJP, with Romancha Ranjan Biswal who had contested the 2019 elections unsuccessfully. The chief minister also announced Sabitri Pradhan as the partys candidate from Khandapada Assembly seat overlooking the claim of former MLA Anubhav Patnaik. Similarly, BJD has given ticket to Sukanta Nayak from Nilgiri Assembly seat. Nayak has consecutively won from the seat in 2014 and 2019 on BJD and BJP tickets respectively. Nayak had resigned from the BJP and rejoined BJD recently. The candidature of Sandhyarani from Korei is being seen as a back-up plan for Das who is BJDs candidate from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat where he is pitted against BJP heavyweight and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. If Das fails to win, he can always get himself elected from Korei. The seat in Jajpur district is a family stronghold of Das and represented by his father Ashok Das five times. BJDs Khandapada candidate Sabitri is the chairperson of Bhapur block. The regional party had to change its candidate from the seat as sitting MLA, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was expelled from the party. Meanwhile, announcement of candidates from Khandapada and Nilgiri has sparked resentment. Former MLA Anubhav Patnaik, a strong contender for a ticket this time from the seat, has resigned in protest. He is set to file his nomination as an Independent candidate on Friday. In his resignation letter to the chief minister, the former MLA said his father Arun Patnaik was with Biju Patnaik since 1985 and mother Bijaylaxmi Patnaik, a two-time MLA from the seat had worked to strengthen the partys organisation in the constituency. Patnaik said he had worked to strengthen organisation in the constituency. Santosh Khatua, the BJD candidate from Nilgiri in the 2019 also resigned from the party after his claim for a ticket was ignored.

Congress vows to remerge 5 villages near Bhadrachalam to Telangana from AP

Hyderabad: The Congress party in its special Lok Sabha poll manifesto for Telangana promised to remerge 5 villages near Bhadrachalam to Telangana from Andhra Pradesh if the party comes to power at the Centre. The villages are Yetapaka, Gundala, Purushottam Patnam, Kannegudam and Pichukalapadu and the residents of these five gram panchayats located on the 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 .

Odisha: Will make paddy purchase clean & transparent says Manmohan Samal

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal on Thursday alleged irregularities of over Rs 1 lakh crore in paddy procurement in the state and assured transparency will be restored if his party came to power. Describing the BJD government in the state as anti-farmer, Samal said if BJP comes to power, all paddy grown by farmers will be procured. Asserting the BJP government will be farmer-friendly, Samal said the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy will be fixed at Rs 3,100 per quintal. There will be no delay in payment to farmers and they will get their money in their bank accounts in 48 hours, he said adding, there will be no katni and chhatni (reduction in weight of paddy per bag for payment). Alleging the state government has neglected the agriculture sector, Samal said Potato Mission and Onion Mission started by BJD has failed to yield any result. Samal said though the Centre asked the state government to provide financial assistance to 75 lakh farmers, only 44 lakh were given assistance under KALIA scheme. The state BJP president said because of the neglect of the government, all food procurement units are now closed. The state government has not taken any correctives measures though these issues have been flagged by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) several times, he added. Stating Odisha witnessed a leadership crisis during BJD rule, Samal alleged while around 80 per cent people in the state depend on agriculture, the state government has failed to address the issues faced by the farmers. As a result, lakhs of youths are forced to move to other states as migrant workers, he added. Claiming the ruling BJD has done nothing to strengthen irrigation, he said farmers are facing problems as the state government failed to utilise funds provided by the Centre to boost irrigation. The Naveen Patnaik government also failed to set up cold storage and build seven barrages on Mahanadi river as it had promised. Meanwhile, dismissing the allegations as false and baseless, BJD Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra alleged the saffron party is shedding crocodile tears over farmers issues. Whenever there are elections, BJP leaders talk about such things and then forget, he added. Accusing BJP of doing nothing to mitigate the plight of farmers, he said the Odisha Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution way back in 2017 for raising the MSP for paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal. However, BJP leaders and the Centre failed to take any step in this regard in all these years as they are not worried about the problems faced by farmers, he added.

Dr PC Mahapatra is BJPs pick for Cuttack-Barabati assembly seat

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Thursday announced six candidates for Assembly seats in Odisha fielding its state unit vice president Dr Purna Chandra Mahapatra in Barabati-Cuttack segment, Shambhunath Rout in Ghasipura, Ashish Patra in Bhograi, Sudhanshu Nayak in Bhandaripokhari, Umesh Chandra Jena in Bari and Prakash Chandra Ranabijuli in Begunia. A renowned gynaecologist, Dr Mahapatra was in contention for Cuttack Lok Sabha seat. He was nominated from Barabati-Cuttack segment after the party fielded six-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who defected from BJD. The former head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the states premier SCB Medical College and Hospital left many surprised when he was chosen to one of the top posts of the party last year despite not being a primary member then. Kendrapara MP and actor-turned-politician Anubhav Mohanty, who had resigned from BJD, was also in the race for the seat. BJPs Ghasipura candidate Shambhunath is a surprise pick as speculation was rife about Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, who has been expelled from BJD, contesting from the seat after he hinted on similar lines during his visit to Maa Tarini temple at Ghatagaon on Tuesday. Known for his association with VHP and RSS, Shambhunath, had retired from state government job a few years back. The party has nominated Patra, the former block president of Congress, as the candidate from Bhograi. The three-time sarpanch and a director of Balasore-Bhadrak Central Cooperative Bank, he had resigned from Congress a week back and joined BJP on Wednesday. BJP sprang a surprise in Bhandaripokhari by nominating former BJD leader Sudhanshu, the husband of two-time chairperson of Bonth block. He had switched to saffron camp last year. However, Prakash, a close aide of sitting Bhubaneswar MP and BJP candidate Aparajita Sarangi has been named as the BJP candidate from the Begunia Assembly segment. It was being speculated that Begunia could be offered to veteran Prasanna Patasani if he switches to BJP from BJD. Similarly, Umesh, who had contested from Bari on Congress ticket in 2019, has been chosen over former minister Debasis Nayak, who had quit BJD and joined BJP in February. The party was also reportedly waiting for sitting MLA Sunanda Das to switch allegiance after she was denied a ticket by BJD this time.

Gadkari promises prioritised development of infrastructure in Araku

VISAKHAPATNAM : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has assured the people of Araku Lok Sabha constituency of prioritised infrastructure development, encompassing roads, drinking water supply, electricity, communication and irrigation facilities. Addressing an election meeting at Venkampeta in Parvathipuram Manyam district on Thursday, he reiterated the BJP-led NDA governments commitment to the uplift of tribal communities, while seeking the peoples mandate for Araku Lok Sabha BJP candidate Kothapalli Geetha. He emphasised the Modi governments focus on various development initiatives, particularly in the realm of water conservation and supply. He underscored the significance of river-linking projects and urged concerted efforts towards water conservation. Expressing concern over rural depopulation due to migration to urban areas, he highlighted the decline in the number of cultivators in villages. Referring to water scarcity, Gadkari recalled his tenure as the Water Resources Minister, mentioning the sanctioning of the Polavaram project for Andhra Pradesh. However, he expressed disappointment over the projects delay, attributing it to political factors within the State. Gadkari stressed the potential for economic growth through water availability in rural, agricultural and tribal areas, citing a possible two-fold increase in the countrys growth rate. He lamented the current state of agriculture and allied industries, which contribute only 12% to the GDP, and attributed rural-to-urban migration to flawed economic policies. Under the leadership of Modi, Gadkari outlined plans to strengthen rural, agricultural and tribal economies. He pledged support for diversifying agriculture towards the energy and power sectors, citing ongoing road infrastructure projects such as the Visakhapatnam-Raipur connectivity (595 km) costing `35,000 crore and the Rajamahendravaram-Vizianagaram greenfield express highway costing `22,000 crore. Additionally, Gadkari mentioned the completion of the Saluru bypass on NH 43. He later took part in an Elite Meet in Anakapalle along with BJP Lok Sabha candidate CM Ramesh.

Aparajita, Manmath nominations raise Odisha poll heat

BHUBANESWAR: The intense heat did not deter thousands of BJP and BJD supporters from accompanying their candidates for filing of nominations for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency. Flanked by thousands of supporters who resorted to loud sloganeering, both BJPs Aparajita Sarangi and BJDs Manmath Routray reached the collectorate in style. However, police had to be present in large numbers as the scene remained charged with both the camps fervently rallying behind their nominees. Prior to filing her nomination papers, Sarangi organised multiple rallies on the Bhubaneswar-Khurda collectorate stretch. The BJP candidate was seen taking part in bike rallies of supporters at Baramunda field at around 7.30 am. After this, she prayed at Bhuasuni temple and moved in a bike and car rally. At around 10.30 am, Sarangi took out a padayatra from Gita Bhawan ground. She reached the collectorate at around 12.30 pm with BJPs MLA candidates in the constituency as well as leaders and supporters in thousands. The electrifying atmosphere itself speaks about the love and faith people of Bhubaneswar constituency have for me. As I had said earlier, people are fighting this election for me. They were donating me funds and are now joining me in thousands of number for my nomination filing. I am confident that people will remain undefeated in this elections, said Sarangi. She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving her the opportunity to contest from the seat for the second time. Bhubaneswar BJP MP candidate Aparajita Sarangi takes out a huge rally before filing her nomination | EXPRESS Not to be outdone, BJDs candidate Routray also made a grand entrance of his own, opting for a more traditional way of procession to reach the Khurda collectorate. Surrounded by a sea of supporters, the BJD candidate reached the collectorate on a bullock cart to make a grassroots appeal. Earlier in the morning, Routray jogged to Lingaraj temple in Old Town to seek blessing of the Lord. He continued to jog for miles till Khandagiri and was later seen dressed as a farmer, heading on a bullock cart, to file his nomination papers. Mayor Sulochana Das and all the Assembly candidates of BJD in Bhubaneswar LS seat were present with him. As Paikas, we protect our land and in the free time get involved in agricultural activities. This is our real culture. I am also fighting this election as a Paika son to bring back Odia Asmita (pride), Routray told mediapersons, on his way to the collectorate, while thanking Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for imposing trust on him and giving him the opportunity to contest from the constituency and serve its people. Apart from the two Lok Sabha candidates, BJP candidate for Khurda Prasanta Jagadev also filed his nomination papers on the day. BJP candidate for Bhubaneswar-Central Jagannath Pradhan, BJDs Bhubaneswar-north candidate Susanta Kumar Rout and Jatni candidate Bibhuti Balabantray had filed their nominations recently.

YSRC, JSP diligent to bag votes in Kapu bastion

VIJAYAWADA : Part of the Diviseema region, a small deltaic island in Krishna district, Avanigadda is one of the seven Assembly constituencies under Machilipatnam parliament segment. The segment is well known as a bastion of Kapu leaders, where the electorate belonging to the community make up the largest proportion of more than 35 per cent, followed by fishermen at 13 per cent, Mala at 11 per cent, Madiga at 10 per cent, Shettibalija at 10 per cent, Kamma at 7 per cent, Yadava at 5 per cent, Vaishya at 3 per cent, Devangs at 2 per cent, and Muslims at 2 per cent. Considering these caste equations, the YSRC and JSP have fielded candidates hailing from Kapu community to contest the seat. While the YSRC has nominated sitting MLA Simhadri Ramesh Babu, Jana Sena has fielded Mandali Buddha Prasad, expecting to garner a significant share of Kapu votes. Nevertheless, the competition is poised to intensify, especially considering the substantial support among the lower and middle-class populace who have benefited from YSRCs welfare schemes, across other social groups. Enduring frequent cyclones, the constituency has been plagued with several problems for decades. Filled with potholes, the condition of the roads, especially on the Koduru-Avanigadda main road, in the Assembly segment is deplorable forcing the commuters to take lengthy detours spanning 13km. Though repairs have commenced, the overall road infrastructure remains a pressing concern for the constituency. In addition to this, most of the farmers are facing numerous challenges due to the lack of irrigation water. Although this issue affects all areas within the constituency, it is particularly acute in Nagayalanka and Koduru mandals. Moreover, the people are also facing problems due to a lack of drinking water in coastal villages such as Edurumondi, Kammalamula, Nali, Hamsala Deevi, Palakayathippa, Machavaram, and others. However, residents believe that despite the governments provision of water through tanks, it is insufficient to meet their needs. Parankusam Ravi, a resident of Avanigadda, expressed his concern over the authorities delay in desilting the main drains and agriculture drains, leading to the sinking of crop fields even with small rains. He mentioned that the outfall sluice, constructed during the British era, has been neglected over time. Even during the modernisation of the delta, necessary repairs were not carried out, resulting in the inundation of fields. Highlighting the delay in construction of Edurumondi-Etimoga bridge across Krishna river, which connects the main land with villages including Edurumondi, Etimoga, Elichetla Dibba, Nachu Gunta, and Gollamandala, D Govardhan, a resident of Yedurlanka village, said that with no other option, the residents are still risking their lives and relying on country boats to cross the river. Govardhan emphasised that this issue has persisted for a significant period, with both governments responsible for its resolution. He lamented the lack of effort to address it. Additionally, Govardhan mentioned the pressing need for the Yedurlanka Bridge, a problem raised during the YSRC tenure and not yet addressed. Avanigadda MLA and YSRC candidate Simhadri Ramesh expressed that it is encouraging to see the overwhelming support from underprivileged and middle-class people for CM Jagan Mohan Reddy and his schemes. Ramesh highlighted his efforts, including his opposition to GO 22A, which troubled farmers owning 17,840 acres of agricultural land in the constituency during Chandrababus tenure. He also mentioned his contribution for the establishment of a dialysis centre at Avanigadda Government Hospital. Regarding the construction of the Edurumondi Bridge, he acknowledged delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and alleged interference from Machilipatnam parliament member Balashowry Vallabbhaneni, resulting in a standstill despite the allocation of Rs 110 crore.

HMWSSB MD directs officials to finish ORR reservoir works by June

HYDERABAD : HMWSSB Managing Director C Sudarshan Reddy inspected the under-construction water reservoirs at Tukkuguda, Pahadishareef, Sultanpur, Kashangutta, Gurramguda, Kammaguda, Tirumala Nagar and Nandi Hills taken up under Package 1 of the ORR Project Phase-2. He directed the officials to complete the works by next month. Later, he visited the Saheb Nagar division office and reviewed the records of the tankers at the filling station. The MD said that under the current package, 33 water reservoirs are under construction. Works for 22 of them are already completed and they are now operational, he said, adding that the construction works of the remaining 11 reservoirs are 90% completed. Sudarshan directed officials to complete the works by June. Additionally, he highlighted the laying of a new pipeline covering 1522.27 km is nearing completion. The focus is given to inspecting inlet and outlet works and officials have been directed to expedite the works. ORR project phase-2 Phase-2 of the ORR project is progressing with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore. It includes the setting up of 73 new service reservoirs with a capacity of 138 million litres and the expansion of the pipeline network by 2,988 km. Upon completion, it is projected to benefit 3.6 lakh families and 25 lakh people. Seven municipal corporations, 18 municipalities and 24 gram panchayats are set to benefit from the initiative. Package-1 and 2 In this segment, 33 service reservoirs and 1,522 km of pipeline network are being constructed at a cost of `613 crore. It will cover seven mandals: Saroornagar, Maheshwaram, Shamshabad, Hayathnagar, Ibrahimpatnam, Ghatkesar and Keesara and is expected to benefit 4.36 lakh people. The second package covers the construction of 38 new service reservoirs and a pipeline network covering 1,270 km at a budget of `587 crore. This package covers five mandals Rajendranagar, Shamirpet, Medchal, Quthbullapur, Patancheru, RC Puram and Bollaram and is expected to benefit 1.96 lakh people.

13-year-old Secunderabad girl defies 45 fractures, fate to script dream TT tale

Vijaya Deepika Gangapatnam defies odds with Brittle Bone Disease to excel in para table tennis, winning medals. Home-schooled in Secunderabad, using wheelchairs due to frequent fractures, inspired by brother Vijaytej, introduced to TT after delivery fractures.

Debutants VS war horses in Bihar battle

PATNA: A keen contest between debutants and old warhorses is on the cards in Bihar as five of its seats go to the polls in the third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on May 7. Though there are 54 contestants in the fray, the fight is mainly between BJP-JD(U)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and RJD-Congress-led Grand Alliance, the latter being a part of Opposition INDIA bloc. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, all the five seatsMadhepura, Supaul, Khagaria, Araria and Jhanjharpurwere won by the NDA. The moot question for the ruling alliance both at the centre and in the state is to retain the seats that it had clinched in the previous general elections when candidates had emerged victorious driving on the Modi wave. The scene is a bit different now. It will not be a cake walk for the sitting MPs to retain their respective seats this time. For example, NDA has fielded the JD(U) sitting MP Dinesh Chandra Yadav from Madhepura. He is pitted against Kumar Chandradeep, an English teacher, who is contesting the polls for the first time. Similarly, in Supaul seat, JD(U) MP Dilkeshwar Kamait has been pitted against Chandrahas Chaupal, a debutant. While NDA candidate Kamait, a retired Railway officer, is seeking his reelection from the seat, the grand alliance has fielded Chaupal. Chaupal, an RJD MLA from Singheshwar Assembly constituency, is trying his luck for the first time to reach Parliament. In Khagaria, the NDA has nominated Rajesh Verma as its candidate while the CPM is fielding Sanjay Kumar. Both Verma and Kumar are trying their luck in in Lok Sabha polls for the first time. In Jhanjharpur also, the NDA has fielded JD(U) sitting MP Ramprit Mandal. He is pitted against Suman Mahaseth, a debutant in the general elections. A former MLC, Mahaseth is a nominee of Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) which is a part of opposition Grand Alliance. In Araria, BJP sitting MP Pradip Singh has been nominated as an NDA candidate while Mohammed Shahnawaz Alam is contesting as Grand Alliance candidate. Shahnawaz, an MLA from Jokihat, is fighting the Lok Sabha polls for the first time. Shahnawaz had won the 2020 Assembly election on the ticket of Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM but he later switched over to RJD. While JD(U) had won four seats, one had gone to BJPs kitty in 2019 Lok Sabha lections. Our top leaders are making all-out efforts to ensure victory of candidates on all the five seats in the third phase. We are convincing voters to vote in favour of NDA candidates to strengthen the hands of PM Narendra Modi, a BJP leader of Araria said. According to the state chief electoral officers office, JD(U) is contesting on three seats, BJP and LJP (Ram Vilas) on one seat each. On the other hand, the RJD is contesting three seats, CPM and VIP one seat each. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded five candidates. 19 Independent candidates are trying their luck.

13-year-old defies 45 fractures, fate to script dream TT tale

Even before she was born, scans revealed multiple bends in Vijaya Deepika Gangapatnam's bones. Her father says the 13-year-old is like fragile due to her rare Brittle Bone Disease, which resulted in 45 fractures. However, her life now appears to possess more strength than fragility as she defies fate to pursue a career as a para table tennis player.

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