On Ex Congress Leader Switching To BJP, Sachin Pilot Says...

Senior Congress leader and AICC general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh, Sachin Pilot, has refuted the allegations levelled by his former party colleague, Radhika Khera, and said that a leader needs some reason for changing their party.

Live-in Relationship an Imported Philosophy, Against Expectations of Indian Tenets: Chhattisgarh HC

The division bench of Justices Goutam Bhaduri and Sanjay S Agrawal made the observation while dismissing an appeal of a man seeking custody of a child born from his live-in relationship with a 36-year-old woman.

No bitterness, we've different ways of approaching things: Sachin Pilot on rivalry with Ashok Gehlot

No bitterness, we've different ways of approaching things: Sachin Pilot on rivalry with Ashok Gehlot Congress MLA Sachin Pilot said that the frequent run-ins between him and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot should not be construed as itterness but as differences in approach between the two leaders. There is no 'bitterness'. In politics, it is all about achieving the objective from different ways. I have a different way of approaching things. You may have a different way of approaching things. But the end objective is to form the government. We were not able to do so, Pilot said in an exclusive interview with ANI. Explaining his point, Pilot said that he felt that there should be some changes in leadership and in the state government to change people's perception of the government in Rajasthan when the Congress was in power. There is a difference between change in leadership and change in government. We had some issues where we felt that to win the election in Rajasthan we must do something different. If we do the same thing, we will get the same results. Something different must be done to change people's perception that we will not repeat ourselves. There were some important issues, which I thought were important, Pilot said. Pilot was the Deputy Chief Minister in Rajasthan in 2020 as well as the state president of the Congress. However, he was sacked from both these posts after he led a revolt against then-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Pilot who has now been promoted to the All India Congress Committee General Secretary in charge of Chhattisgarh said that the party took up the issues highlighted by him and did some course correction before the Assembly elections. Those issues were brought up to the party and I am glad that Mr Kharge, Rahul ji, Priyanka ji, Sonia Gandhi ji all decided to do some course correction just before the elections, he said. Speaking about the benefits of the changes brought in by the Congress in Rajasthan in the poll results, Pilot said, I think that helped us. We have 71 MLAs today as opposed to 20 or 50. So we did increase but we were not able to make the cut and repeat the government. But the difference in vote share was one or two per cent only between the Congress and BJP. Dismissing the claims made by Ashok Gehlot's former OSD that the former Chief Minister had asked him to tap Pilot's phone, he said, Some statement by some individuals keeps going on in politics. People keep saying and alleging things. There is no end to it. But the hard fact is that we fought and we tried hard, we came close but didn't win. Speaking about his revolt in 2020 against Ashok Gehlot, Pilot said that nothing was kept hidden and the party took cognizance of his issues and formed a committee to look into them. Whatever happened took place before everyone. There was nothing that was hidden. Ultimately the Congress party formed a committee to look into the issues that many of our colleagues raised. Once those issues were formally taken over by the committee, there was change in the Council of Ministers, people were made chairmen of boards, corporations and the party structure. We did some course correction, he said. Referring to the events of September last year when loyalists of the Gehlot camp did not allow a Congress legislature party meeting to take place, Pilot said that it would have been better if the meeting had taken place. The Congress party also sent observers to Rajasthan at one point to have a meeting of the MLAs on September 25, 2023. That meeting didn't take place, unfortunately. This had never happened before. The Congress Legislative Party meeting could not take place. Kharge and Ajay Maken had gone as observers...A lot of things happened afterwards...We don't know how the meeting would have ended up. But it would have been better if the meeting had taken place, he said. Opposing the claim that the Congress had a lackadaisical attitude in dealing with the crisis of leadership in Rajasthan, Pilot said that the party did take up the issues pointed out by him and took some concrete steps. When I took up the issues, which I thought were people's issues, there were some corruption issues, some paper leak issues, the party did take action. They formed a committee, and they looked into how to course correct, he said. Pointing out that there was no Dalit Minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, Pilot said that Congress took proactive steps on his insistence. For example, in the Rajasthan Council of Ministers, there was no Dalit Minister for a year-and-a-half, almost two years. I thought that was not correct. Because the number of SCs who had won on a Congress ticket was far higher. In the previous term, we had zero Dalit MLAs. This time a lot of MLAs got elected from the Dalit community. I wanted someone from the community to be a Minister in the cabinet. It was done later on, the former Deputy Chief Minister said. The party at the highest level did intervene. A committee was formed. There were changes in the government, Mr Maken was in charge of the state at that time. Following that, the AICC did send observers to talk to the MLAs and do whatever was instructed to them. It is a different issue that the meeting did not take place. That is unfortunate. But there is no point getting into it now, he added. Rubbishing the claim that the rivalry between him and Ashok Gehlot led to a dent in the party's electoral results in Rajasthan, Pilot said that compared to their previous tally in seats when the party lost in the state, the Congress is in a better position now with 71 out of 200 seats. In the elections before this, out of 200 seats, when we were last in government, we got 21 out of 200 seats. We formed the government and then the elections happened, we got 52 seats. This time we have 71 MLAs out of 200. I don't think it has impacted. In fact, we have made it better. When we used to fight elections and lose we stayed around 20-21 seats or 50-55. Nevertheless, we didn't form the government, Pilot said. Pilot said that the Congress wanted to change the convention of people voting every government out of power in Rajasthan, but failed to do so. We all collectively fought to win the election. For 30 years we used to win the election and then lose. This time we wanted to form a government again. I think it is most disappointing that in both Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan we were not able to form the government. People expected us to form the government. We could not do so. There may be lots of reasons for this, he said. Pilot said that after voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Assembly elections, people in Rajasthan have got a sense that they need to alance the political landscape and the Congress' tally will increase. There has been a new government for the last four months. I don't think it has left a mark with the people of Rajasthan. In these four months, people think that they have done enough and they need to now balance the political landscape. There is a certain change. Our candidates are much better in Rajasthan. We all campaigned very hard and I think Rajasthan is one of those states where we will have maximum increase in our tally, he said. (ANI)

Nine Maoists surrender in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Nine Maoists, including two women, hailing from Chhattisgarh surrendered before Odisha Police Wednesday, a statement said. The formal surrender took place at Boudh before Southern Range Inspector General of Police J N Pankaj and Boudh Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad. The Maoists are residents of Muler village in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh and were []

When I opened my eyes, three of the family were crushed under debris, says eyewitness

Hyderabad : The 30-foot-high wall collapsed on temporary structures crushing a woman who was feeding her four-year-old son and a sick man who did not attend work as he was recuperating from illness, said an eyewitness. These victims were part of the seven, who died when a rain-soaked wall caved in Renuka Yellamma Colony, Bachupally on Tuesday. According to the eyewitness, the incident occurred at around 5.45 pm, following a heavy rain a 30-foot tall rain soaked boundary wall of a five storied under construction domestic apartments caved in on the other side of the building where the victims were in their room. Around 5.45 pm, it was raining heavily. I went to see Ram Yadav,35, my cousin and co-worker who was sick. He was taking medicine, while his wife G.Geeta was feeding her four-year-old son Himanshu Yadav, when I heard a thud sound. When I opened my eyes, I was struck in the debris of cement brick that penetrated through asbestos sheets, said Udhal Yadav, a cousin of Ram Yadav, who is an eyewitness in the case. I was in a deep shock and could not realise what happened to me in front of me. I was just two feet away from the mishap. I shouted Ram bhai, but by then three of them were buried under the debris, Udhal Yadav said. Ram Yadav, a centring worker and the only bread earner in the family, came to Hyderabad along with his son Himanshu and Geeta from Nava Para Munda village in Chattisgarh on May 5 after his father Murit Yadav suffered a paralysis stroke, Udhal Yadav said. On May 6, Ram complained of sun stroke and stomach infection and was under treatment, Udhal, who got stuck in four-feet deep debris, suffered bleeding injuries. Over 50 labourers and masons from Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh were living in 12 small rooms with asbestos roof and four huts. However, only 14 people. including me, were in rooms while others were out on work when the mishap occurred, said Nandu Kumar Yadav, who is victim Geetas brother. When Udhal Yadav called me at 6.30 pm, he was crying, stating `bhaiya bohat gazab ho gaya mai phas gaya aur Ram, Himanshu, Geeta our char mazdoor margay deewar girne se`. By the time I reached the location from Kothapet, the builder was getting debris cleared with the help of two JCB machines, said Nanda Yadav. The 30-foot-high and 25-foot-long concrete wall was constructed one week back on granite stones at the ground level. They did not dig into the ground to lay the basement. The wall was eight-inch wide, with several tonnes of sand dumped on the other side, Nanda Kumar said. The entire sand load fell on the wall and caved on the temporary rooms built for workers 10 feet away from the wall. The other victims were identified as Thirupathi Maji,20, Shankar Maji,22,of Odisha, Raju Lal,25,and his wife Kushi Lal,20, who are the natives of West Bengal. While the other injured workers who are undergoing treatment in a private hospital atBachupally have been identified as Sagar, Meravi (21) Sovinder Dunmy (21), both natives of Madhya Pradesh, Yedimi (19) and Mothi, both women, from Chattisgarh, Jagapathi (19), and Desmo Soum (20) from Odisha, and Amir Hussen (28) from West Bengal. Four of the victims have already been discharged, other three injured victims suffered critical injuries and multiple fractures. Doctors suggested that they undergo surgery, said G. Sandhya, the sub inspector of Bachupally police station. The victims bodies have been shifted to Gandhi Hospital and their family members from their native places are on the way. Our village is more than 1,400 kilometres away. We cannot make an effort to take the bodies for last rites. We request the government to help us in transporting the bodies of all victims to their native place, said Somnath Maji, a victim's cousin. The police have detainedVenkannaArvind Reddy, the builder of the five-storied under-construction building with 45 apartments. A case has been booked under 304 IPC part II 337 IPC, which deals with an act that is undertaken with the intent to cause death, or a physical injury that causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life. Police are checking with GHMC, MRO, and RDO to ascertain whether Arvind had obtained all required permissions for the construction.

BJD using tribals as vote bank, alleges Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Koraput: Intensifying the BJPs electioneering in the tribal-majority Koraput and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seats, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attacked the ruling Biju Janata Dal government, accusing it of exploiting tribal communities as a mere vote bank without genuine development efforts. Speaking at a gathering in Kundra under the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituency Wednesday, []

Live-in relationship, an imported philosophy, a stigma in Indian culture, Chhattisgarh high court holds

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh high court has held that the live-in relationship is an imported philosophy and considered a stigma in Indian culture. While dismissing a petition seeking custody of a child born from a live-in relationship, a division bench of the high court comprising Justice Gautam Bhaduri and Justice Sanjay S Agrawal observed that the concept of live-in relationship is an imported philosophy contrary to the general expectations of Indian tenets and still considered a stigma in Indian culture. The court has held that such a relationship is preferred over marriage because it gives a convenient escape when things fail to work between partners. The security, social acceptance, progress, and stability which the institution of marriage provides to a person is never provided by live-in relationship, the division bench has observed. The high court in its verdict in the case delivered recently held that The close inspection of society shows that the institution of marriage no longer controls the people as it did in the past due to the cultural influence of the western countries and this significant shift and apathy towards matrimonial duties has probably given rise to the concept of live-in relationship. One Abdul Hameed Siddique of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh had filed a petition in the high court seeking custody of the child born from live-in relationship with Kavita Gupta. The Dantewada family court had earlier rejected such a petition by him, leading the petitioner to move the high court. While seeking custody of the child, the petitioner argued that he and Ms Gupta performed the marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and since he is governed by the Mahomedan law, he is permitted to go for second marriage and hence, his marriage with Ms Gupta was legal. He contended that he is entitled to the custody of the child. Ms Guptas counsel held that the petitioner is not entitled for a second marriage since his first wife was alive and that he cannot claim custody of the child born from live-in relationship. Her counsel argued that the petitioner lacks evidence to provide validity of the marriage. While dismissing the petition, the high court held that provisions relating to more than one marriage of a Muslim man under their personal law cannot be invoked before any court of law unless and until the same is pleaded and proved.

NBCC bags contracts worth Rs 450 crore in Chhattisgarh, Kerala

NBCC obtained Rs 450 crore contracts from the Supreme Court's Receiver for projects in Chhattisgarh and Kerala. ASPIRE aims to complete 38,000 flats. R Venkataramani is involved. The contracts were disclosed in a regulatory filing.

Kerala government to appeal NCLT order to hand over steel complex to Chhattisgarh company

Tribunal order on May 2 issued without hearing the States side and in violation of the lease conditions fixed by the government, says Industries Minister

Nine Naxals including two women from Chhattisgarh surrender before Odisha police

BHUBANESWAR: In a significant development ahead of elections, nine members (including two women) of the banned party outfit CPI (Maoist) surrendered before Odisha Police on Wednesday. The members hailed from Chhattisgarh. A Naxal surrendered before Kandhamal Police on Tuesday and nine did the same before Boudh Police a day later. Apart from the state government's effective rehabilitation policy, the continuous anti-Naxal operations has led to the recent surrenders, said ADG (Operations), Dev Datta Singh. Speaking to the reporters, Southern Range IG Jai Narayan Pankaj said that due to the enhanced anti-Naxal operations carried out in the both states, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the red ultras are surrendering fearing for their lives and are reluctant to cross over to Chhattisgarh because of the tight security cordon due to the elections. Sources said most of the Naxals active in Odisha are from Chhattisgarh, some are from Andhra Pradesh and a very few are from within the state. In the last three to four months, at least five camps of Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been set up in the core areas of Kandhamal and Boudh which were once the strongholds of the Naxals. Odisha Police's Special Operations Group along with BSF and CRPF are also regularly carrying out area domination exercises in Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh and this has deterred the Naxals from carrying out any activity, said Pankaj. The surrendered Naxals identified as Yoggi Madvi alias Jyoti (20), Pozze Madvi (22), Bhima Kadti (22) Bhima Banjam (25), Bandi Banjam (30) Arma Raba (30) Malla Madvi (29), Deba Kadti (25) and Ayata Madvi (26) are from Muler village in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, said Boudh SP, Raj Prasad. Yoggi Madvi who had joined CPI (Maoist) in 2019 worked as the personal security guard of divisional committee member Sila alias Nagmani who is an active leader of 8th company of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division operating in Boudh district. The other seven were also working as party members in CPI (Maoist). Apart from 10 Naxals, six to eight others have so far surrendered this year, said police sources. Sources said apart from anti-Naxal operations, the killing of red ultras in recent months has also left the middle and lower rank cadres dispirited. Two Naxals were neutralised during an exchange of fire with the security forces in Parhel Reserve Forest within Kantamal police limits in Boudh district on April 25. The killing of top Maoist cadre Dasru alias Dudu Mundari was a major set-back for the outlawed CPI (Maoist), said police sources. Dasru was the chief of KKBN division and was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces at Kamberikia forest area within Baliguda police limits on February 3. Sources said Malkangiri, also called as the cut-off Swabhiman Anchal, has not witnessed any Naxal activity in recent years but now the major challenge for the security forces is to check the movement and activities of the red ultras in Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh axis. Security has been tightened ahead of elections as Naxals are using Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh corridor to remain connected with the cadres from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Chhattisgarh Board To Announce Results For Class 10, 12 Tomorrow

Along with the results, Chhattisgarh Board will also announce the toppers from both classes.

Chhattisgarh Board to announce class 10th and 12th results tomorrow at cgbse.nic.in; here's how to check

Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (MASSIM) is set to announce the results of the class 10th and 12th examinations tomorrow at 12:30 pm. Students can access their results on the official website cgbse.nic.in. This year, both 10th and 12th results will be declared simultaneously. With over 6.10 lakh students registered for the exams, anticipation is high. CG Board has also provided counseling helpline numbers to support students. Last year's top performers achieved remarkable scores, setting expectations for this year's results.

Live-in Relationships Still Taboo in Indian Society: Chhattisgarh High Court Rules

In a recent ruling, the Chhattisgarh High Court refused custody to Abdul Hameed Siddiqui for a child born from his live-in relationship with Kavita Gupta, shedding light on the complexities of interfaith marriages and the burden of proof required. RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh High Court has declined a mans request for custody of a child born out of a live-in relationship, citing the intricate nature of personal laws and the challenges posed by interfaith unions. A bench comprising Justice Goutam Bhaduri and Justice Sanjay S Agrawal remarked that the concept of live-in relationships remains stigmatized in Indian society, conflicting with traditional beliefs. The idea is foreign to our cultural norms, the court stated, underscoring that the rules of personal law cannot be enforced in any court without being substantiated as customary practices. Abdul Hameed Siddiqui, a 43-year-old resident of Dantewada, had petitioned for custody of the child born from his live-in arrangement with 36-year-old Kavita Gupta. After his plea was rejected by a family court in Dantewada in December 2023, Siddiqui sought recourse from the High Court. High Court Rejects Challenges to Maharashtra's Renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad Historic Verdict: Girl Jailed for False Rape Accusation, Innocent Youth Acquitted Top Events Today: PM Modi's Andhra Rally, Uttarakhand Forest Fire Petitions, L&T's Q4 Results and More

Lok Sabha Phase 3 Voter Turnout: Assam Records Highest; UP Lowest

In the third phase of the Lok Sabha election, Assam registered the highest turnout at 81.61%, followed by West Bengal (75.79%), Goa (75.20%), Chhattisgarh (71.06%), Karnataka (70.41%), Maharashtra (66.05%), Madhya Pradesh (66.05%), Gujarat (58.98%), Bihar (58.18%), with the lowest in Uttar Pradesh at 57.34%. The Election Commission reported smooth polling... The post Lok Sabha Phase 3 Voter Turnout: Assam Records Highest; UP Lowest appeared first on HW News English .

Nine KKBN Maoists Including Two Women Surrender Before Police In Boudh

Boudh: Nine hardcore Maoists including two women surrendered before Southern Division IG in Boudh district on Wednesday. As per reports, all the nine Maoists belong to Dantewada of Chhattisgarh. They were associated with KKBN and were involved in various violent works. Also, the two women Maoists have alleged that they had been sexually exploited. The post Nine KKBN Maoists Including Two Women Surrender Before Police In Boudh appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Man Seriously Injured After Self-Mutilation in Alleged Religious Ritual

Man Seriously Injured After Self-Mutilation in Alleged Religious Ritual A 33-year-old man cut off his tongue to offer it to god in Durg district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, police said. The incident took place this morning at Thanaud village under the Anjora police chowki limits, a local police official said. As per the preliminary information, Rajeshwar Nishad went to a pond in the village and after reciting some mantras, chopped off his tongue with a knife and placed it on a stone on the bank of the water body. When villagers spotted him bleeding in the temple, they called an ambulance and shifted him to the district hospital here, he said. On being informed, a police team reached the spot, he said. According to villagers, Nishad's wife is mute (unable to speak) and he sacrificed his tongue to offer to lord Shiva to fulfil some wish. However, the exact reason is yet to be ascertained, the official said. Police have recovered the knife used by the Nishad, he said. Prima facie, the incident appears to be a case of superstition, he said, adding that further investigation was underway.

Seven killed in after wall collapses in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: As many as seven persons, including a four-year-old child were killed when a retaining wall at an under-construction apartment came crashing down due to heavy rains in Bachupally area in Hyderabad, police said Wednesday. According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers who belonged to Odisha and Chhattisgarh and the incident happened Tuesday []

Tuesdays unseasonal rains wreak havoc in Telangana; 10 killed

Hyderabad: The sudden downpour that lashed many parts of the State including Hyderabad on Tuesday evening wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 10 people and causing crop damage to thousands of acres. The sweltering heat conditions kept the people on the edge for the last few weeks as day temperatures crossed 42 degrees Celsius. Instead of bringing relief from the scorching heat, the sudden rainfall caused loss of human life and damage to crops in thousands of acres in erstwhile Nizamabad, Karimanagar and other districts in the State. Seven people lost their lives after a rain-soaked wall caved in Bachupally on Tuesday night, while two bodies that were swept in rain was found in Begumpet nala on Wednesday morning. The police shifted the bodies of seven persons Thirupathi Maji, Shankar, Raju, Kushi, Ram Yadav, Geetha and four-year-old Himanshu, all hailing from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, for conducting an autopsy while two bodies found in Begumpet nala were preserved at the Gandhi hospital mortuary for identification. Following information that the unseasonal downpour extensively caused damage to crops, officials of Agriculture department on Wednesday asked the District Agriculture Officer (DAOs) to conduct field inspection in their district concerned to assess the crop damage and submit a detailed report. We gave instructions to ADOs to immediately conduct field inspections for assessing the crop damage and asked them to submit district-wise reports by today evening, a senior official of the Agriculture department said. He said the sudden showers lashed the State at a time when the department started disbursing one-time relief to farmers, who suffered crop damage during heavy rainfall occurred between March 16 to 21 in 10 districts. The State government released an amount of Rs.15.81 crore as a one-time measure, a relief of Rs. 10,000 per acre to farmers who suffered the loss in 10 districts Kamareddy, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Siddipet, Medak, Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial, Karimnagar and Sangareddy. The Civil Supplies department is also seeking information about the loss suffered by farmers after their paddy got drenched due to unseasonal rains. Instructions were issued to officials to collect information from Paddy Procurement Centres across the State.

Chhattisgarh CM in Odisha Today, Heres The Itenary

Bhubaneswar: BJPs top leaders like Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Chhattisgarh CM and Assam CM will visit Odisha on May 8 and 9 to campaign for party candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State, informed State BJP leader Golak Mohapatra. Chhattisgarh CM will address meetings in Odisha after Chhattisgarh. CM [] The post Chhattisgarh CM in Odisha Today, Heres The Itenary appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Hyderabad rains: 7 workers die after wall collapses at Bachupally

Hyderabad: In a tragic incident, seven workers died when a retaining wall collapsed in Renuka Ellamma Colony at Bachupally on Tuesday night, May 7. Hyderabad witnessed heavy rainfall after days of severe heat, leading to several instances of disruption across the city. The deceased workers belong to Odisha and Chhattisgarh states who had migrated to 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 .

Maoist leader with 17 cases surrenders in Kandhamal

BERHAMPUR/PHULBANI: A Maoist commander Samaya Madkam (29) surrendered before the police in Kandhamal district on Tuesday, marking a crucial breakthrough in efforts to curb Maoist insurgency in the region. Madkam, a key figure in the first platoon of the 8th Company of KKBN (Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh) Division, had been involved in Maoist activities since October 2005. Madkams surrender was facilitated by the appeal of Odishas Surrender & Rehabilitation policy, coupled with the allure of developmental initiatives in the state, said IG of Police, Southern Range, Jai Narayan Pankaj, and Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra. Hailing from Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, Madkam faces at least 17 cases in Kandhamal, Boudh, and Nuapada districts, with more in Chhattisgarh. The increased frequency of anti-Maoist operations in the interior areas of Kandhamal, along with multiple exchanges of fire in Boudh and Kandhamal districts, contributed to Madkams decision to surrender. The establishment of new security force camps in Kandhamals rugged terrain hindered Maoist movements, prompting disillusionment among their ranks, said Pankaj adding, Madkams disapproval of extorting money from cannabis traffickers and peddlers to sustain Maoist activities further fuelled his decision to leave the party. Additionally, he was disillusioned by the disruption of polling processes and targeting of election personnel during past elections, the officer further stated.

Hyderabad: Seven workers die in wall collopse

Hyderabad: Seven labourers, including a 4-year-old-child were killed when a retaining wall at an under-construction apartment came crashing down due to heavy rains in Renuka Yellamma Colony Bachupally. The victims were contract laborers working for Horizon Ritz construction company and from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The victims are identified as Thirupathi Maji, Shanker, Raju, Kushi w/o Raju, Ram Yadav, Geetha Ram Yadav and Himanshu, a 4 -year-old child. Heavy rain lashed Hyderabad and several parts of Telangana on Tuesday throwing the life out of gear in some parts. BJP workers who visited the accident site demanded that Municipal & HMDA authorities should give compensation to the victims' families and a criminal case should be registered against the builder and contractor.

Seven killed in rain-related incidents in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: As many as seven persons, including a four-year-old child, were killed when a retaining wall at an under-construction apartment came crashing down due to heavy rains in Bachupally area here, police said Wednesday. According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers who belonged to Odisha and Chhattisgarh and the incident happened Tuesday evening. []

Rainfall Update: There will be heavy rain with strong winds in these states, know the weather condition in other states

Weather Update: According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of rain with strong winds and thunder in some parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Maharashtra on May 8. There is also a possibility of hailstorm in Jharkhand. Apart from this, heat wave may continue in some parts of Rajasthan, [] The post Rainfall Update: There will be heavy rain with strong winds in these states, know the weather condition in other states first appeared on informalnewz .

Seven Including 4-yr-old Killed After Wall Collapses In Hyderabad Due To Heavy Rain

According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers who belonged to Odisha and Chhattisgarh and the incident happened on Tuesday evening

7 Killed In Wall Collapse, Including Child, As Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc In Hyderabad | 10 Points

As many as seven people were killed, including a four-year-old child, when a retaining wall at an under-construction flat collapsed due to heavy rains in the Bachupally area here, police said on Wednesday. According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers from Odhisha and Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening.

Rain havoc: 7 killed in after wall collapses in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: As many as seven persons, including a four-year old child were killed when a retaining wall at an under construction apartment came crashing down due to heavy rains in Bachupally area here, police said on Wednesday. According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers who belonged to Odhisha and Chhattisgarh and the incident happened on Tuesday evening. Their bodies were recovered early on Wednesday from under the debris using an excavator, police said. Heavy rain lashed the city and several parts of Telangana on Tuesday throwing the life out of gear in some parts. Many places in the city witnessed waterlogging leading to traffic blocks. The DRF ( Disaster Relief Force) teams were deployed and were clearing water stagnation and fallen trees in various places in the city, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials said. Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration and Urban Development) Danakishore along with GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose visited various waterlogging points areas and gave instructions to DRF teams on ground in the city.

Tragic Downpour: 7 Succumb to Wall Collapse in Hyderabad

Tragic Downpour: 7 Succumb to Wall Collapse in Hyderabad As many as seven persons, including a four-year old child were killed when a retaining wall at an under construction apartment came crashing down due to heavy rains in Bachupally area here, police said on Wednesday. According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers who belonged to Odhisha and Chhattisgarh and the incident happened on Tuesday evening. Their bodies were recovered early on Wednesday from under the debris using an excavator, police said. Heavy rain lashed the city and several parts of Telangana on Tuesday throwing the life out of gear in some parts. Many places in the city witnessed waterlogging leading to traffic blocks. The DRF ( Disaster Relief Force) teams were deployed and were clearing water stagnation and fallen trees in various places in the city, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials said. Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration and Urban Development) Danakishore along with GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose visited various waterlogging points areas and gave instructions to DRF teams on ground in the city.

LS polls: MP, Chhattisgarh record lower turnout than 2019

Bhopal: The third phase polling in Madhya Pradesh in which nine Lok Sabha constituencies went to elections on Tuesday recorded lower voting percentage as compared to the average polling in these seats in the 2019 polls. According to the data available with the chief electoral officers office here, the third phase polling in Madhya Pradesh has recorded polling of 66.12 percent by six pm as compared to the average polling percentage of 71.16 percent recorded in these seats in the last polls. However, the polling percentage recorded in the third phase of LS elections in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a sharp rise over that of the second phase polling in the state. In the second phase polling in which six LS constituencies went to polls on April 26 has recorded a voting percentage of 58.35. The remaining eight LS seats in Madhya Pradesh will go to polls in the fourth and final phase polling on May 13. In the 2019 LS polls, BJP had won 28 out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh, leaving Congress to bag the lone LS seat of Chhindwara. The third and final phase polling in Chhattisgarh in which seven LS seats went to polls on Tuesday recorded 67.07 percent polling by six pm as compared to the average polling of 71.14 percent in these seats in the 2019 polls. In the 2019 LS polls in Chhattisgarh, BJP had won nine out of 11 seats, while Congress secured the remaining two seats.

LS polls: Average turnout again in 3rd phase

NEW DELHI: Marking another dip in voter turnout, the third phase of the Lok Sabha election on Tuesday recorded average polling of 63.53% across 93 seats in 11 states and Union territories. The same 93 seats had polled 67.33% in 2019. While Assam had the highest turnout at 77.06%, Goa came second at 75.13% and West Bengal at 73.96%. UP witnessed the lowest at 57.34%, while Bihar polled 58.16% Gujarat 57.62%, Maharashtra 61.44%, Chhattisgarh 70.05%, Karnataka 69.65% and MP 66.05%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise in Gujarat. In the third phase, stakes are high for the BJP as it had won 71 of the 93 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. While the BJP is looking to repeat its stunning 2019 performance, the states in focus will be Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. All 26 seats in Gujarat, 14 seats in Karnataka and 11 seats in Maharashtra are up for grabs in the third phase. The BJP is facing a crucial test in Karnataka, where it won 27 of 28 LS seats in 2019. However, the party lost the assembly elections in 2023. As BJP is facing heat over the alleged sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna, the Hassan candidate of BJP-JD(S) alliance, the contest in 14 seats is being keenly watched to see if the controversy will impact the BJP. While the BJP-led NDA won seven of the 11 seats in Maharashtra in the 2019 elections, analysts say that the split in NCP and Shiv Sena camp in the last two years may not augur well for the NDA alliance. In its stronghold in Gujarat too, the saffron party is facing challenges from within its ranks and file the Rajputs and Kshatriyas. At 66.14%, the first phase saw a drop of just under 4 percentage points compared to 2019, while the second phase turnout at 66.71% saw a difference of under 3 percentage points. With polling in more than half of the 543 LS seats done and dusted, how the below average turnout would translate into seats is anybodys guess. Sporadic violence in West Bengal areas Sporadic violence in the four seats in West Bengal as Trinamool, BJP and Congress-CPI(M) workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur. All parties lodged separate complaints on poll violence. High polling in 4 Assam seats despite rains High polling registered in Assam despite inclement weather. Amid rains, people used different modes of transport, including boats, to reach the polling stations across Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri and Kokrajhar constituencies. Polling peaceful in Uttar Pradesh, says CEO Rinwa UPs Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said the polling was peaceful. Some complaints were received from parties through email and were promptly resolved, he said. In all, 48 ballot units, 48 control units and 152 VVPATs were changed till 6 pm.

HC: Live-in relationships against expectations of traditional beliefs

The Chhattisgarh HC has rejected a mans appeal for custody of a child born from alive-in relationship, while emphasising the complexities of personal laws and interfaith marriages.A division bench comprising Justice Goutam Bhaduri and Justice Sanjay S Agrawal observed that the concept of a live-in relationship continues as a stigma in Indian culture as it goes against traditional Indian beliefs.

High Voter Turnout in Third Phase; Clashes and Allegations Mar West Bengal and UP Voting

High Voter Turnout in Third Phase; Clashes and Allegations Mar West Bengal and UP Voting Nearly 65 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories with stray incidents of violence in West Bengal. Assam recorded the highest turnout at 81.71 per cent followed by West Bengal at 76.52 per cent and Goa at 75.20 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh witnessed the lowest at 57.34 per cent, with Bihar at 58.18 per cent, Gujarat at 59.51 per cent and Maharashtra at 61.44 per cent doing slightly better, according to the figures from the Election Commission at 12.15 am. The overall voting percentage was 64.58 per cent. According to the EC, the figures are an ''approximate trend'' and are likely to rise as data is being collected. While the official time for the voting to conclude is 6 pm, it can go beyond to enable voters who have come in the queue before the end of fixed polling hours to exercise their franchise. Among other states and UTs, Chhattisgarh recorded 71.06 per cent polling, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 69.87 per cent, Karnataka 70.41 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 66.05 per cent, according to the EC. As many as 17.24 crore people, including 8.39 crore females, were eligible to vote in the third phase and 1.85 lakh polling stations manned by 18.5 lakh officials had been set up. With this, voting has been completed in 20 states/UTs and 282 Lok Sabha seats out of 543. The overall voting percentage in the first and second phases was 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise in Gujarat, where elections were held in 25 seats. While PM Modi cast his vote at a polling booth in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah voted at a polling booth in Ahmedabad. Shah (Gandhinagar) is among the bigwigs in the fray along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). The stakes are high for the BJP in this round as it had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Both the BJP and the INDIA bloc claimed that they had the upper hand after the third phase. ''Across all the states and UTs, voters from all walks of life have placed their faith in the NDA and our development agenda. INDI Alliance is losing even more steam, thanks to their regressive economics and outdated votebank politics,'' Modi said on X. The Congress claimed that the BJP has been wiped out in the south and reduced to half of its strength after the three phases ''Its very clear that for the BJP, it is South mein Saaf, North mein Half,'' Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X. In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are contesting, party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP workers were trying to ''loot booths'' in Mainpuri and people from opposition parties were being detained in police stations. Yadav cast his vote in Saifai (Etawah) in Mainpuri constituency where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting. Sporadic incidents of violence marred the polling in the four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress-CPI(M) workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. According to state election officials, Murshidabad registered the highest voter turnout of 80.13 per cent followed by Maldaha Dakshin (76.15 pc), Maldaha Uttar (75.92 pc), and Jangipur (73.71 pc). The TMC, BJP, and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. ''The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commission,'' Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim said in Murshidabad seat. In the Karimpur area of the seat, clashes were reported between the TMC and the CPI(M) supporters outside a few booths. Clashes were reported between the TMC and the Congress activists from the Domkol area. In some areas, TMC workers held protests alleging that central forces were assisting BJP workers in ''intimidating'' voters at booths in the Maldaha North constituency. In Uttar Pradesh, Agra witnessed 53.99 per cent polling, Aonla 57.08 per cent, Budaun 54.05 per cent, Bareilly 57.88 per cent, Etah 59.17 per cent, Fatehpur Sikri 57.09 per cent, Firozabad 58.22 per cent, Hathras 55.36 per cent, Mainpuri 58.59 per cent and Sambhal 62.81 per cent. ''In Mainpuri, BJP people are trying to loot booths. They are detaining opposition people in police stations,'' SP chief Yadav alleged without elaborating. ''There is information from some places that the government is using force. It is heard that officers have been deployed outside polling booths,'' he said. In Budaun, the villagers of Dhoranpur boycotted the polling to protest against the alleged non-fulfilment of their demand for a road. District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said the issue has come to his notice and a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been sent to the village. Not a single vote was also cast in three villages of Firozabad -- Nagla Jawahar, Neem Kheria and Nagla Umar -- as the villagers tried to draw the administration's attention to their problems. SP candidate Aditya Yadav in Budaun alleged that his party supporters were not being allowed to vote in some places. ''I have made a complaint in this regard with the EC observer and have given proof of police atrocities. We are only getting assurances,'' he said. Queues were seen at polling booths in most Lok Sabha segments in northern districts of Karnataka. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge were among those who came in early to cast their votes. Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa along with sons B Y Raghavendra, BJP candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha segment, and B Y Vijayendra, party's state president, along with other family members cast their vote at Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Two government officials on poll duty died in Karnataka after suffering a heart attack, sources in the Election Commission said. A 45-year-old woman polling officer - Kaushika Babariya- deployed at a polling booth in Amreli district of Gujarat, also died of a heart attack. In Gujarat, the Banaskantha district collector ordered an inquiry after Congress Lok Sabha candidate Geniben Thakor alleged that electors were threatened and asked to vote for the BJP by some youngsters posing as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel at a polling station. In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar, who is the NCP candidate from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were among those who cast their votes. Sharad Pawar was welcomed with a traditional 'aarti' as he arrived at a polling booth in the Malegaon area of Baramati constituency in Pune district. Ajit Pawar and Sunetra Pawar cast their votes at a polling booth in Katewadi area of Baramati. Sunetra is pitted against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and the sitting MP from there. In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and daughter Sukanya Sarma exercised his franchise at Amingaon in Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. Amid rains, people used different modes of transport, including boats, to reach the polling stations across Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri and Kokrajhar constituencies. With the BJP bagging Surat unopposed, 25 seats in Prime Minister Modi's home state of Gujarat went to polls on Tuesday, besides 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the remaining 14 of the 28 in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal, and all two in Goa. Voting was held in two seats in Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and nine seats in Madhya Pradesh, including Betul where elections were earlier deferred. Over 1,331 candidates, including around 120 women, were in the fray in the third phase. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.

Feedback from today's polling confirms NDA's excellent momentum, says Assam CM Sarma

Feedback from today's polling confirms NDA's excellent momentum, says Assam CM Sarma Assam Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has gained an excellent momentum in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The feedback from today's polling confirms the excellent momentum NDA has maintained through all the phases till now, said Assam Chief Minister. CM Sarma further stated, In the 4 seats that went to polls today in Assam, NDA will win 3. He said that there would be a contest on the 4th one and for obvious reasons. Earlier in the day, Sarma cast his vote at a polling station in Barpeta Parliamentary Constituency. After casting his vote, the Assam Chief Minister expressed confidence in the victory of his party and its allies in the elections and said BJP and its alliance partners will get a good result. He also added that people will vote for progress and East India and the northeast will play a historic role in this election. Meanwhile, polling was held for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, were in the fray. Voting did not take place for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed the polling to the sixth phase to be held on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled to be held on 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

68 pc voter turnout recorded in seven Lok Sabha seats of Chhattisgarh

A voter turnout of 68% was recorded in seven out of the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh during the third and last phase of the general elections. Polling took place between 7 am and 6 pm in seven seats - Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa (reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates), Surguja, and Raigarh (both reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates). The highest voter turnout was recorded in Raigarh at 77.02%, while Bilaspur recorded the lowest at 60.5%.

Chhatisgarh LS Polls: 2 Voters Die in Separate Incidents

Representational picture. Representational picture. RAIPUR: An old man and a young woman on Tuesday died in two separate poll related incidents in Chhattisgarh. While the old man died while standing in a queue in a polling booth under Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency, the woman died after being struck by lighting while returning home along with her mother and brother after casting vote in a polling booth under Surguja Lok Sabha seat. Reports reaching here said that Jartyus Toppo (69) suddenly fell sick and collapsed while standing in a queue at the polling booth at Jamtol under Jashpur district coming under Raigarh LS constituency. He died on the spot. He came to the polling booth along with his son on a bike to cast vote. In another tragic incident, a woman along with her daughter and son was returning home after casting their votes in the polling booth at Kote under Ambikapur Assembly constituency falling under the Surguja Lok Sabha seat when they were struck by lightning. While 21-year-old Kabturi Das died on the spot, her mother and brother suffered severe burn injuries. The chief electoral officers office here has however yet to confirm the two incidents.

Lok Sabha Polls Phase 3: 61.45% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 8 PM | TOP UPDATES

New Delhi: The third phase of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is underway, with voters from 93 Lok Sabha constituencies across 12 states and Union Territories gearing up to cast their votes. TOP UPDATES States and Constituencies Going to Polls: In this phase, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, []

Another leopard caught, wild animal-human conflicts on the rise

Hyderabad : Forest officials trapped a leopard in Maddur mandal of Narayanpet district sometime on Monday night and released it in the Amrabad tiger reserve on Tuesday evening. The area is far away from a forest. The capture comes less than a week after another leopard was captured from the Shamshabad airport premises. That leopard was also released in the tiger reserve. This is part of an increasing trend of leopard sightings and capture in the state, pointing to the potential for more wild animal human conflicts. In the days to come we could see more such conflicts, said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R.M. Dobriyal, adding that such conflicts could come out of nowhere as was in the case of the elephant that strayed from Chhattisgarh into the Komaram Bheem Asifabad district recently. The leopard released on Tuesday evening added to the list of these cats added to the tiger reserve in the last four years. According to officials, including the latest release, the tiger reserve now has some eight leopards that were captured elsewhere and released there. Since we are quick to respond in terms of paying compensation for cattle kills, and working with people in villages where leopards feed on cattle, sheep or goats, we are able to control the situation. Our appeal is if there is a wild animal in an area with people, then they should inform the authorities and we will take steps to alleviate the problem, Dobriyal said. Though as per the last census in the state in 2022 there were 297 of leopards, it is expected that their actual numbers could be much more as they are adept in surviving in non-forest areas. According to the Amrabad tiger reserve field director N. Kshitija, the leopard caught in Maddur mandal was a sub-adult and was reported to have killed some calves in the area. Though there is no forest there, mostly hillocks with very thin scrub, it is ideal for leopards which can survive feeding on stray dogs and sometimes cattle. There is no forest as such in a 70-80 km radius from where it was moving and was caught. With it beginning to prey on cattle, we trapped it and released it in the tiger reserve close to a water body as this is summer, she said. Sometimes people do not complain even when some domestic animals are killed but when calves are fed on by leopards, it becomes an emotional issue as they are young animals and their owners have an emotional bond with them. As soon as the complaint was received, action was taken and the leopard caught safely, Dobriyal said.

Former Congress Leader Radhika Khera and Actor Shekhar Suman Induct into BJP

Former Congress Leader Radhika Khera and Actor Shekhar Suman Induct into BJP Former Congress leader Radhika Khera and actor Shekhar Suman joined the BJP on Tuesday. Khera, the former national coordinator of the Congress's media department, resigned from the party's primary membership on Sunday, days after her altercation with another leader at the party's Chhattisgarh office. In her resignation letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Khera also claimed she was facing opposition in the party for her visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Suman, a popular TV actor who also worked in many Bollywood films, has returned to politics after a gap of about 15 years. He had fought the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Patna Sahib seat in Bihar on a Congress ticket but came third in the contest which was won by Shatrughan Sinha, who was then with the BJP. Both Khera and Suman joined the BJP at its headquarters here in the presence of its senior leaders, including party national general secretary Vinod Tawde and national media department in-charge Anil Baluni. Addressing a joint press conference with the BJP leaders, Khera claimed she left the Congress as she was being mistreated since she visited Ayodhya along with her family members for 'darshan' of Lord Ram. She also alleged that the Congress has become ''anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu and anti-Ram''. ''I could reach here due to a safe and secured government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (at the Centre). I could not have reached here if I had not got protection from the BJP government in Chhattisgarh,'' she claimed. ''I was punished in Congress for being a Hindu, a Sanatani girl and a devotee of Lord Ram. This is no more Mahatma Gandhis Congress,'' she charged. Suman expressed gratitude towards God for guiding him to join the BJP, saying one has to do what Lord Ram desires. ''Until yesterday, I did not know that I would be sitting here. I have come here with a very positive thought. I thank God who ordered me to come here,'' he told reporters. Suman hailed Modi and said under his leadership, India has witnessed significant development over the past decade, with its ''position, status, and fortune undergoing positive transformations''. ''It is the duty of every Hindustani to be part of this stream and energy,'' he said, adding, ''I am fortunate that I have got the opportunity''. He thanked Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda and other leaders of the party for giving him an opportunity to fulfill his social responsibility and commitment to fostering a positive change. Suman, who is well known for a number of TV series including ''Dekh Bhai Dekh'' and late night show ''Movers n Shakers'' hosted by him, is in limelight with Leela Bhansali's web series Heeramandi. He is portraying the character of Nawab Zulfikar in the web series. Welcoming Khera and Suman to the BJP fold, Tawde said he was confident that they will contribute to achieving Modi's resolve of making India a developed country. Referring to Suman's famous ''Movers n Shakers'' TV show, the BJP leader said in lighter when, ''We will see who will move and shake now''.

Lok Sabha Elections: Voting Percent Reaches 60.19% in Phase 3 till 5 PM

New Delhi: The third phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections began today, covering 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories. Over 1,300 candidates, including 120 women, are contesting in this crucial phase. As of 5 pm, a 50.2% voter turnout was recorded across the 11 states and union territories. This phase of voting includes 26 seats in Gujarat, 14 in Karnataka, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 7 in Chhattisgarh, 5 in Bihar, 4 in Assam, 4 in West Bengal, 2 in Goa, and 2 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Till 5 pm, the voter turnout was at 50.2%. Overall, in Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha polls, the turnout has been recorded at 60.19%. The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. Niranjani Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Attempts Suicide Over Fraud Allegations Congress Names Sher Singh Ghubaya as Candidate for Firozpur Lok Sabha Seat CBI and Lokayukta Complaint Filed in 800 Crore Scam Involving Mallikarjun Kharge's Son-in-law

LS elections third phase: Around 50 per cent polling recorded till 3 pm

New Delhi: A voter turnout of 50.71 per cent was recorded till 3 pm in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday with sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal. West Bengal recorded the highest turnout at 63.11 per cent followed by Assam at 63.08 per cent, while Maharashtra witnessed the lowest at 42.63 per cent. According to the Election Commission, a voting percentage of 50.71 was recorded till 3 PM. The voting which started at 7 am will continue till 6 pm. A voter turnout of 47.03 per cent was recorded in 25 Lok Sabha seats of Gujarat, an Election Commission (EC) official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise the state. While PM Modi cast his vote at a polling booth in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah voted at a polling booth in Ahmedabad. Shah (Gandhinagar) is among the bigwigs in the fray in this phase along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are contesting, close to 46.78 per cent polling was recorded in 10 seats. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP workers were trying to loot booths in Mainpuri and people from opposition parties were being detained in police stations. Yadav cast his vote in Saifai (Etawah) in Mainpuri constituency where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting. Among other states, Assam recorded 63.08 per cent polling, Bihar 46.69 per cent, Chhattisgarh 58.19 per cent, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 52.43 per cent, Goa 61.39 per cent, Karnataka 54.20 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 54.09 per cent, according to the EC. Sporadic incidents of violence marred the third phase of Lok Sabha polls in four constituencies in West Bengal as TMC, BJP and Congress-CPI(M) workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. According to officials, Murshidabad registered the highest voter turnout with 65.40 per cent followed by Maldaha Dakshin (62.90), Jangipur (62.57), and Maldaha Uttar (61.50). The TMC, the BJP, and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. In Murshidabad seat, Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed that he caught hold of a fake booth agent in the Rabinagar area of the constituency. Salim faced go back slogans as he tried to enter a booth there following allegations of CPI(M) booth agents being heckled by alleged TMC goons. The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commission, Salim said. In the Karimpur area of the seat, clashes were reported between the TMC and the CPI(M) supporters outside a few booths. Clashes were reported between the TMC and the Congress activists from the Domkol area. BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres in the Jangipur area as he tried to enter some of the booths in the constituency. In Uttar Pradesh, Agra witnessed 43.67 per cent polling, Aonla 46.75 per cent, Budaun 45.44 per cent, Bareilly 45.96 per cent, Etah 48.93 per cent, Fatehpur Sikri 46.18 per cent, Firozabad 47.80 per cent, Hathras 44.63 per cent, Mainpuri 46.80 per cent and Sambhal 52.24 per cent In Mainpuri, BJP people are trying to loot booths. They are detaining opposition people in police stations, SP chief Yadav alleged without elaborating. He also alleged rigging of votes at some places and said, Information is coming from some places that the government is using force. It is heard that officers have been deployed outside polling booths. In Budaun, the villagers of Dhoranpur boycotted the polling to protest against the alleged non-fulfilment of their demand for a road. District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said the issue has come to his notice and a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been sent to the village. Not a single vote was also cast in three villages of Firozabad -- Nagla Jawahar, Neem Kheria and Nagla Umar -- as the villagers tried to draw the administration's attention to their problems. SP candidate Aditya Yadav in Budaun alleged that SP supporters were not being allowed to vote in some places. I have made a complaint in this regard with the EC observer and have given proof of police atrocities. We are only getting assurances, he said. SP candidate Zia-ur-Rehman Barq also alleged that a circle officer snatched voter slips from SP workers and detained them. He requested the EC to remove the officer immediately. Queues were seen at polling booths in most Lok Sabha segments in northern districts of Karnataka. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge were among those who came in early to cast their votes in Karnataka. Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa along with sons B Y Raghavendra, BJP candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha segment and B Y Vijayendra, party's state President -- and daughters-in-law cast their vote at Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Two government officials on poll duty died in Karnataka after suffering a heart attack, sources in the Election Commission said. In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar, who is the NCP candidate from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were among those who cast their votes. Sharad Pawar was welcomed with a traditional 'aarti' as he arrived at a polling booth in the Malegaon area of Baramati constituency in Pune district. Ajit Pawar and Sunetra Pawar cast their votes at a polling booth in Katewadi area of Baramati. Sunetra is pitted against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and the sitting MP from there. In Assam, people lined up in large numbers across four Lok Sabha constituencies to cast their vote. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and daughter Sukanya Sarma exercised his franchise at Amingaon in Barpeta Lok Sabha seat. People used all modes of transport, including boats, to reach the polling stations across Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri and Kokrajhar constituencies to exercise their democratic franchise amid rain. Over 1,300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray in the third phase. Voting was completed in 189 seats out of 543 seats in the first two phases. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 3rd Phase Voting: BJP Forgot About 400-Paar After First 2 Phases: Bhupesh Baghel To NDTV

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel mocked the BJP today, saying the party has forgotten about its 400-plus aspiration after the first two phases of election. After Phase 3, they are in a tight corner, he added.

Phase 3 of Lok Sabha Polls Witnesses Nearly 40% Turnout: Updates and BJP's Electoral Talks

As the clock struck 1 pm, the third phase of Lok Sabha polls witnessed a turnout of approximately 39.92%. The polling, which commenced at 7 am across 93 constituencies spanning 11 states and Union Territories, saw notable figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah exercising their franchise early in the day. However, amidst the electoral process, incidents of violence marred the voting in four constituencies of West Bengal. Clashes erupted between workers of Trinamool, BJP, and Congress in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. The ballot battle features prominent personalities such as Union Ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad), and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). The polling map includes 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal, along with two seats in Goa. Additionally, the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu hold two seats, while nine seats in Madhya Pradesh are up for grabs, including Betul, where elections were postponed. BJP's Take on Lok Sabha Elections: Choosing Between Strength and Appeasement The BJP took a swipe at the Congress, suggesting that voters must decide between a leader who appeases Pakistan and one who strengthens India. Given the recent statements from figures like Farooq Abdulla, Lalu Prasad, and others, voters across the nation might ponder whether they want a leader who panders to Pakistan or one who prioritizes India's strength, remarked BJP National General Secretary, Vinod Tawde. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Kharge Raises Concerns Over Poll Data Discrepancies Actor Shekhar Suman and Radhika Khera Switch Allegiances, Join BJP Amid Lok Sabha Elections 2024 PM Modi Receives Warm Welcome in Ahmedabad: Voting Day Excitement

After Modi's Odisha victory target, BJP lines up CMs, Union ministers to campaign in state

Assam and Chhattisgarh CMs, Union minister Gadkari and Hema Malini to address poll rallies

Now They Can't Talk About Muslim League Or Mangalsutra: Bhupesh Baghel

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel mocked the BJP today, saying the party has forgotten about its 400-plus aspiration after the first two phases of election. After Phase 3, they are in a tight corner, he added.

Phase 3 records 61.45 per cent polling till 8 pm, Assam highest, Maharashtra lowest. State-wise data

With the conclusion of phase 3 voting, polling in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu has been concluded.

Sunkind Energy gets 10 MW rooftop solar projects in four states

The five projects will be set up on EPC mode in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The company aims to complete the projects by July 2024, Hanish Gupta, Founder and CEO of Sunkind Energy, said.

Shekhar Suman, Radhika Khera Join BJP

Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election, ex-Congress member Radhika Khera and actor Shekhar Suman shifted allegiance to BJP. Khera, former Congress media department coordinator, resigned from the party after a dispute at its Chhattisgarh office and due to opposition to visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Both joined the BJP... The post Shekhar Suman, Radhika Khera Join BJP appeared first on HW News English .

Ex-Cong leader Radhika Khera, actor Shekhar Suman join BJP

New Delhi: Former Congress leader Radhika Khera and actor Shekhar Suman joined the BJP here Tuesday amid the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Khera, the former national coordinator of the Congresss media department, resigned from the partys primary membership Sunday, days after her altercation with another leader at the partys Chhattisgarh office. In her resignation letter []

PM Modi Receives Warm Welcome in Ahmedabad: Voting Day Excitement

Today, on May 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with enthusiasm as he arrived to cast his vote in Ahmedabad. A large crowd, including many young people and children, gathered at Nishan Higher Secondary School to cheer for him. Some even brought handmade drawings of the Prime Minister. This event marks the polling for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election. After casting his vote, Prime Minister Modi delighted the crowd by interacting with them, signing autographs, and even allowing an elderly woman to tie a rakhi on his wrist. Videos captured a heartwarming moment when he lifted a child into his arms, played with him, and received applause from the crowd. One young admirer shared her excitement about meeting Prime Minister Modi in person, expressing her joy at receiving his autograph. Another youngster, Devarsh Pandya, who gifted the Prime Minister a handmade sketch, described Modi's appreciation for his artwork. Before heading to vote, Modi encouraged people to participate actively in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, urging them to vote in record numbers. The voting is currently taking place in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. PM Modi's Transit Visit: Meeting Booth Workers, Public Meeting in Dhar-Khargone PM Modi Comments June 4 as Deadline for BJD Government in Odisha Amit Shah Slams Rahul Gandhi's Shifting Constituencies, Predicts Defeat in Rae Bareli

Radhika Khera likely to join BJP

Hyderabad: Former Congress National Media Coordinator Radhika Khera, who quit the party for facing harassment from a few leaders, is likely to join BJP shortly. She earlier said she was locked inside a room for visiting Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. When I complained that I was locked in a room in the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress party office and faced problems, none came to my rescue. I brought the matter to the notice of all the senior leaders but I did not get justice, she said. Even after lodging a complaint six days ago, no action was taken against those who harassed her. Unable to bear the harassment, she quit Congress, launching a scathing attack against the Congress and a few of the party leaders. Former Congress leader Gourav Vallab, former Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Arvind Singh Lovely and former Congress spokesperson Rohan Gupta joined BJP a few days ago.

Video of Andhra Pradesh Minister Shared With False Claims Linked to Chhattisgarh - The Quint

Video of Andhra Pradesh Minister Shared With False Claims Linked to Chhattisgarh The Quint

Video of Andhra Pradesh Minister Shared With False Claims Linked to Chhattisgarh

Vidadala Rajini, YSRCP minister from Andhra Pradesh has been misidentified in the video.

People upset with government, BJP will face a very bad defeat: Akhilesh Yadav after casting his vote

People upset with government, BJP will face a very bad defeat: Akhilesh Yadav after casting his vote Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, his wife and SP candidate from Mainpuri Lok Sabha Seat, Dimple Yadav cast their vote at a polling station in Uttar Pradesh's Saifai. After casting his vote, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the ruling BJP party would face a very bad defeat as people of every section were upset with the government. Speaking with the reporters, Akhilesh Yadav said, ... BJP is going to have a very bad defeat because farmers, youth, businessmen, people of every section are upset with them. Yadav also alleged that the leaders of the BJP should be punished for deliberately conducting the elections in the summer season. He said, We are voting in summer and BJP people should also be punished for this, although they will say that this is the decision of the Election Commission, BJP people deliberately make you vote in the summer to hurt you. This voting could have taken place a month earlier. The SP chief also appealed to the people to vote and said, I appeal to all my colleagues and voters to vote in large numbers. This voting can change the lives of people. The SP chief also alleged that the BJP leaders and workers tried to capture the booth and said, We hope that the Election Commission will take action on the complaints that are coming. It is being heard at many places that BJP workers and leaders want to capture the booth. I saw an official here who was abusing people... I will appeal to the voters to vote in large numbers and remove this government... The polling is going on for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In Uttar Pradesh, voting is underway in 10 seats: Sambhal, Hathras, Mainpuri, Agra (SC), Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Etah, Budaun, Aonla, and Bareilly. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Prominent leaders to contest in today's poll battle include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav, and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, among others. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

Bihar: Presiding officer on election duty dies of heart attack in Supaul

Bihar: Presiding officer on election duty dies of heart attack in Supaul A presiding officer on election duty at a polling booth in Supaul passed away, allegedly due to a heart attack, on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as Shailendra Kumar. He passed away in the morning...This happened where he was posted. He was rushed to PHC, where he was declared dead. The body has been brought here to Sadar Hospital for a postmortem. His relatives were informed and they too have reached here. A postmortem has been done. It was found that he was diabetic, the doctor told ANI. The Supaul Lok Sabha constituency, which had long been considered a stronghold of socialist leaders, is set for a keen contest this time as the RJD has put up a candidate here for the first time since the 1998 Lok Sabha elections against sitting MP and JDU leader Dileshwar Kamait. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has reposed faith in the sitting MP to win a fresh term, while the RJD has fielded Chandrahas Chaupal, its MLA from the Singheshwar (SC) constituency. Supaul is among the five Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar where voting is underway in Phase 3 of the general elections. The remaining four seats that are polling in the ongoing polls are Araria, Madhepura, Khagaria and Jhanjharpur. Polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election today at 7:00 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will see the poll process, the poll panel said. Voting will not take place for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed the polling to the sixth phase to be held on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled to be held on 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. However, elections were rescheduled from the second to the third phase in the Betul Lok Sabha seat of Madhya Pradesh due to the death of the BSP candidate. The BJP candidate in Surat has been declared the winner unopposed and due to the revised polling schedule in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, the total seats now going to poll are 93. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

Bengal Leads Voter Turnout at 14.6% by 9 AM; Maharashtra Lags Behind at 6.64%

New Delhi: West Bengal takes the lead in voter turnout during the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, hitting 14.60% by 9:00 AM on Tuesday, according to data from the Election Commission of India. Madhya Pradesh also sees a significant turnout at 14.22%, while Maharashtra records the lowest at 6.64% by 9 AM. As of 9 AM, voting percentages for other states participating in the third phase are as follows: Assam at 10.12%, Bihar at 10.03%, Chhattisgarh at 13.24%, Goa at 12.35%, Gujarat at 9.87%, Karnataka at 9.45%, and Uttar Pradesh at 12.13%. Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu register a 10.13% voter turnout by 9 AM. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the overall voter turnout surpassed 67%. Today, polling commenced for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election at 7:00 AM. This phase witnesses over 1300 candidates, including approximately 120 women, competing. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will observe the polling process, stated the poll panel. Key contenders in today's election include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav, and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, among others. In the 2019 general election, the BJP secured victory in 72 of the 93 seats up for grabs today. Voting will not occur for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed polling to the sixth phase on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled for 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. However, elections were rescheduled from the second to the third phase in the Betul Lok Sabha seat of Madhya Pradesh due to the death of the BSP candidate. The BJP candidate in Surat has been declared the winner unopposed, and due to the revised polling schedule in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, the total seats now up for polling are 93. The Lok Sabha elections are taking place across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, with counting scheduled for June 4. The Narendra Modi-led BJP seeks a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc aims to halt their momentum. Arrival of Delegates from 23 Countries to Observe Lok Sabha Elections in India Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Big Names Face Critical Tests PM Modi Vows Justice for Victims of the West Bengal Teacher Recruitment Scam

Phase 3 Voting Begins in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Key Candidates and States

Today marks the commencement of the third phase of voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with polls opening at 7 am across 93 constituencies spanning 11 states and Union Territories in India. Notable contenders in this phase include Amit Shah, the Union home minister, seeking re-election from Gandhinagar in Gujarat, along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Pralhad Joshi contesting from various regions. Of significant interest is the electoral battle in Baramati, Maharashtra, a stronghold of the influential 'Pawar family', where Supriya Sule, daughter of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, faces competition from Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. The late Mulayam Singh Yadav's family also features prominently in this phase, with three members entering the electoral fray. This includes Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav, contesting for a seat, Akshay Yadav vying to regain the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat, and Aditya Yadav making his electoral debut from Budaun, previously held by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav. In total, 1351 candidates are contesting across these constituencies, with 17.24 crore eligible voters, including 8.39 crore females. The states and union territories participating in this phase are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The BJP has secured the Surat seat uncontested. Following today's voting, the next phases are scheduled as follows: Phase 4: May 13 Phase 5: May 20 Phase 6: May 25 Phase 7: June 1 Vote counting for all 543 seats is slated for June 4, marking the culmination of the electoral process. PM Modi's Transit Visit: Meeting Booth Workers, Public Meeting in Dhar-Khargone Bengal Leads Voter Turnout at 14.6% by 9 AM; Maharashtra Lags Behind at 6.64%

Phase 3 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voter Turnout and Key Contestants Update

The third phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is underway across 93 constituencies in 11 states and Union Territories. The Election Commission of India reports that 1,331 candidates are contesting in this phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi kickstarted the day by casting his vote at a school in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He encouraged citizens to participate actively, emphasizing that their involvement would enhance the vibrancy of the electoral process. After today's voting, the fate of over 283 Lok Sabha seats will be decided, marking the conclusion of elections for more than half of the 543 seats. Voting commenced at 7 AM and will continue till 6 PM. Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu will complete their voting today. Additionally, all 28 seats of Karnataka and 11 seats of Chhattisgarh will finish voting. Other states participating in this phase include Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Key contestants in this phase include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Dimple Yadav. A notable contest to watch is between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar for the Baramati seat in Maharashtra. Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya, Parshottam Rupala, and Pralhad Joshi are also contesting in this phase. In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP and its allies secured 75 out of the 93 seats being contested today. Approximately 17.24 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, with over 18.5 lakh polling officials deployed across 1.85 lakh polling stations. Voting for the first two phases occurred on April 19 and 26, with the remaining phases scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Vote counting will take place on June 4. The BJP-led NDA aims to secure a third consecutive term, targeting 400 seats. They face opposition from parties led by the Congress under the INDIA bloc. Khagaria Witnesses Active Participation in Phase 3 Voting The Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar sees significant involvement from women voters during the ongoing third phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Bihar is voting for five seats in this phase. Voter Turnout Reaches 10.57% by 9 AM As of 9 AM, the voter turnout in the third phase of polling stands at 10.57%. Assam recorded 10.12%, Bihar 10.03%, Chhattisgarh 13.24%, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu 10.13%, while Goa saw 12.35% turnout, according to the Election Commission of India. Phase 3 Voting Begins in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Key Candidates and States PM Modi's Transit Visit: Meeting Booth Workers, Public Meeting in Dhar-Khargone

India Lok Sabha Elections 2024: What's at Stake in Phase 3?

As India's Lok Sabha elections continue, millions head to the polls on May 7 for the third phase of the seven-phase election. Notable figures like Amit Shah, India's Minister of Home Affairs, and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, are in the fray alongside personalities like Badruddin Ajmal, owner of the perfume brand Ajmal. The third phase covers 93 seats in the Lok Sabha across 11 states and union territories. Gujarat, Modi's home state, is a focal point with 25 seats, although one seat in Surat won't be contested as the ruling BJP candidate already secured victory due to withdrawals by opponents. The previous phases saw lower-than-average voter turnout and concerns over hate speeches and Election Commission impartiality. Despite this, the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintains popularity, with inflation and job shortages cited as growing concerns. Key constituencies include Gandhinagar, Gujarat, a BJP stronghold since 1989, contested by Amit Shah. Jyotiraditya Scindia, having switched from the Congress to the BJP, contests from Guna, Madhya Pradesh. Badruddin Ajmal vies for reelection from Dhubri, Assam, advocating for Muslim rights in a region with a significant Muslim population. Phase 3 voters hail from states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and union territories. Voting starts at 7 am and ends at 6 pm, with results expected on June 4. The BJP governs several states in this phase, while West Bengal is under the All India Trinamool Congress Party. In 2019, the BJP secured 80 seats out of the 93 being contested in Phase 3, with Congress and allies claiming 11. One independent candidate also won in Assam. With 190 MPs already decided in the first two phases, the nation progresses through this democratic exercise, shaping the future leadership and direction of India. Phase 3 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voter Turnout and Key Contestants Update Phase 3 Voting Begins in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Key Candidates and States PM Modi's Transit Visit: Meeting Booth Workers, Public Meeting in Dhar-Khargone

One vote, 10 guarantee schemes: Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala urges voters to support the party

One vote, 10 guarantee schemes: Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala urges voters to support the party While the third phase of Lok Sabha elections is going on, Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala took to his official X handle and appealed to the voters to vote for the party for a 'peaceful tomorrow.' He also tweeted about the party's five guarantees that have reached the public. In a post on X, Surjewala said, One vote, 10 guaranteed (schemes)... By fulfilling the promises made in the last assembly election, the guarantee schemes have reached the houses and the common people are leading their lives comfortably. He added further, Now, for the further improvement of your standard of living and for the future of your children, the National Congress has also announced five guarantees and our party has already proved this. Vote for Congress party for your peaceful tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Congress on its official X handle also posted about how one vote to the Congress will guarantee 10 schemes to people. In a post, the Karnataka Congress tweeted, One vote, ten guaranteed (schemes). Five guarantee schemes of the state government have already been successfully implemented and are helping people's lives. After the coming of the Congress government at the centre, five more justice guarantees will be implemented and will change people's lives. The post further said, Support Congress's promise of comprehensive development including students, farmers, women, workers, backward classes. Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha seats and elections in the state are being held in two phases. Voting for 14 seats concluded on April 26 and the voting for the remaining 14 seats is underway. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. In 2019, BJP almost swept the state by winning 25 out of 28 seats, while Congress and JD-S-- who were running a coalition government in the state--could only win one seat each. This time BJP and JD-S are in coalition with the former fighting on 25 seats, while the latter is contesting three seats. The polling is going on for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut. (ANI)

Despite scorching heat, voting trends are very encouraging says Amit Shah, urges people to elect 'stable govt'

Despite scorching heat, voting trends are very encouraging says Amit Shah, urges people to elect 'stable govt' Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that despite the scorching heat, the voting trends are very encouraging and appealed to the voters to come out in large numbers and vote for a stable government. Speaking to reporters, Amit Shah appealed to all the voters across the country and also to the voters of Gujarat to come forward and participate in this festival of democracy Today is the voting for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. I would like to make a heartfelt appeal to all the voters across the country and also to the voters of Gujarat to come forward and participate in this festival of democracy and elect a stable government that provides a safe, prosperous country. Elect a government which is against corruption, wants to eradicate poverty, wants to make a self-reliant India, wants to make a developed India and wants to take India number one in every field in the whole world, Amit Shah said. Shah further said that the voting trends in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections are very encouraging. Despite the scorching heat, the voting trends are very encouraging. As far as Gujarat is concerned, about 20 per cent of voting has been completed by the voters of Gujarat in just 2.5 hours. I have full confidence that the voters will elect a government that will provide stability, security, and prosperity and will make India free from poverty. Today, on the occasion of this festival of democracy, I convey my best wishes to all the countrymen and appeal to them to participate in this festival of democracy, he added. Earlier, Amit Shah, along with his wife Sonal Shah, also offered prayers at the Kameshwar Mahadev temple in Ahmedabad. Shah also showed the victory sign after casting his vote. Amit Shah cast his vote in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. He was accompanied by his wife, his son and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah at the polling booth at the Sub-Zonal office near Kameshwar Mahadev Temple, Naranpura area. Earlier this morning, Amit Shah urged voters to step out and vote for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections and asked voters to elect a government that has experience in public welfare and a lueprint for a developed India. In the third phase of the Lok Sabha Election, I appeal to all the voters who are going to cast their votes today to accept voting as a duty towards contributing to nation-building. Once again, vote for a corruption-free, caste-free, and dynasticism-free system. Elect a government that has experience in public welfare and a blueprint for a developed India, Amit Shah posted on X. Your vote will lay the foundation of good fortune for not only you but also for the entire nation for decades to come, he said. Shah is the party's candidate for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. Congress has fielded its party secretary, Sonal Patel, from Gandhinagar. Shah is seeking his second term from the seat of Gandhinagar. The seat is considered one of the prestigious bastions of the party, it has been represented by veterans like LK Advani. Polling is on for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election today at 7:00 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 : Polling under way in 93 constituencies; PM Modi casts vote in Ahmedabad

New Delhi, May 7: The polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the General Election on Tuesday at 7 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar [] The post Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 : Polling under way in 93 constituencies; PM Modi casts vote in Ahmedabad appeared first on Northlines .

Not an ordinary election...: Rahul Gandhi urges voters to come out in large numbers

Not an ordinary election...: Rahul Gandhi urges voters to come out in large numbers Terming the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as ot an ordinary election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged the voters to come out in large numbers. In a post on X, Rahul said, Today is the third phase of voting! I request all of you to come out in large numbers and vote to protect your rights. Remember, this is not an ordinary election, it is an election to protect the democracy and constitution of the country. Earlier, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge urged countrymen to come in large numbers and vote in the third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election and asked the people when they press the button on the EVM, to keep in mind that they are deciding not just their future but the collective future of 140 crore fellow Indians. In a post on X, Kharge said that a correct decision now can create an India where Justice is supreme. The Republican Party of India (Athawale) national president and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Monday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, urging action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making false allegation that RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi want to abolish the Constitution to end the basic rights of Dalits and deprived sections of society. Meanwhile, voting is underway for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. (ANI)

Home Minister Amit Shah casts his vote for third phase of Lok Sabha elections in Ahmedabad

Home Minister Amit Shah casts his vote for third phase of Lok Sabha elections in Ahmedabad Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday cast his vote in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Amit Shah was accompanied by his wife, son Jay Shah, at the polling booth at the Sub-Zonal office near Kameshwar Mahadev Temple, Naranpura area. He, along with his family members, stand in a queue as they await their turn to cast their votes. Earlier, Amit Shah urged voters to step out and vote for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections and asked voters to elect a government that has experience in public welfare and a lueprint for a developed India. In the third phase of the Lok Sabha Election, I appeal to all the voters who are going to cast their votes today to accept voting as a duty towards contributing to nation-building. Once again, vote for a corruption-free, caste-free, and dynasticism-free system. Elect a government that has experience in public welfare and a blueprint for a developed India, Amit Shah posted on X. Your vote will lay the foundation of good fortune for not only you but also for the entire nation for decades to come, he said. This morning, the Union Home Minister met people at a residential society in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Amit Shah is the party's candidate for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. Congress has fielded its party secretary, Sonal Patel, from Gandhinagar. Shah is seeking his second term from the seat of Gandhinagar. The seat is considered one of the prestigious bastions of the party, it has been represented by veterans like LK Advani. Earlier this morning Prime Minister cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election today at 7:00 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will see the poll process, the poll panel said.Voting will not take place for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed the polling to the sixth phase to be held on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled to be held on 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. However, elections were rescheduled from the second to the third phase in the Betul Lok Sabha seat of Madhya Pradesh due to the death of the BSP candidate. The BJP candidate in Surat has been declared the winner unopposed and due to the revised polling schedule in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, the total seats now going to poll are 93. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

UP Governor urges voters to vote and contribute in making India a Vishwaguru

UP Governor urges voters to vote and contribute in making India a Vishwaguru Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Tuesday casts her vote at Shilaj Primary School in Ahmedabad and urged the voters to utilise their right to vote and contribute to making the country a 'Vishwaguru.' While speaking with the reporters, the Governor of Uttar Pradesh emphasized on the casting of votes and said, It is everyone's responsibility to cast their vote. The voters should use their right to vote and give their contribution to making India a 'Vishwaguru'... Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday also cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The Prime Minister was welcomed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he arrived at Nishan Higher Secondary School. The polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday at 7:00 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed. In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will see the poll process, the poll panel said. Voting will not take place for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed the polling to the sixth phase to be held on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled to be held on 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. Prominent leaders to contest in today's poll battle include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav, and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, among others. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut. (ANI)

Vote for corruption-free, caste-free, dynasticism-free system, says Amit Shah

Vote for corruption-free, caste-free, dynasticism-free system, says Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to step out and vote for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections and asked voters to elect a government that has experience in public welfare and a lueprint for a developed India. In the third phase of the Lok Sabha Election, I appeal to all the voters who are going to cast their votes today to accept voting as a duty towards contributing to nation-building. Once again, vote for a corruption-free, caste-free, and dynasticism-free system. Elect a government that has experience in public welfare and a blueprint for a developed India, Amit Shah posted on X. Your vote will lay the foundation of good fortune for not only you but also for the entire nation for decades to come, he said This morning, the Union Home Minister met people at a residential society in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Amit Shah is the party's candidate from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. Congress has fielded its party secretary Sonal Patel from Gandhinagar. Shah is seeking his second term from the seat of Gandhinagar. The seat is considered one of the prestigious bastions for the party, that has been represented by veterans like LK Advani. Earlier this morning Prime Minister cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election today at 7:00 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed.' In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray.A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will see the poll process, the poll panel said. Voting is not taking place for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on today as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed the polling to the sixth phase to be held on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled to be held on 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. However, elections were rescheduled from the second to the third phase in the Betul Lok Sabha seat of Madhya Pradesh due to the death of the BSP candidate. The BJP candidate in Surat has been declared the winner unopposed and due to the revised polling schedule in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, the total seats now going to poll are 93. In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today.The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 3: PM Modi casts vote in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: After casting his vote in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasised the importance of 'Daan' in our country and said that India's election process and election management are examples for the world's democracies to learn from. Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister urged the voters to cast their votes in large numbers. Today is voting for 3rd phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024. I appeal to countrymen that they should vote in large numbers. In a democracy, 'MatDaan' is not a routine exercise. There is great importance of 'Daan' in our country and in the same spirit, the countrymen should vote as much as possible. 4 rounds of voting are still ahead. As a voter in Gujarat, this is the only place where I vote regularly and Amit Bhai is contesting from here as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. Last night, I arrived here from Andhra. I am here in Gujarat, and then I have to go to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana too. I won't be able to speak much but I want to thank the Gujarat voters and countrymen who cast their votes with great enthusiasm, PM Modi said. He further said that the elections are held in 64 countries and there should be a comparison of all of them. India's election process and election management are examples for the world's democracies to learn from. The world's biggest universities should do a case study. There are elections in around 64 countries and there should be a comparison of all of them. This year is like a celebration of democracy. All the media friends in India have more than 900 TV channels. There are more than 5,000 daily newspapers and they are completely coloured in the colours of elections. I again tell the countrymen to vote in large numbers and celebrate the festival of democracy, he said. He also urged the mediapersons to take care of their health and intake as much water as they can. You (media persons) are working day and night, so please take care of your health. During the election period, the media person has to run here and there. I want to appeal to all of you to take care of your health and drink a lot of water as much as you can, he said. The Prime Minister cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Modi also shared a light-hearted moment with a child as he greeted people after casting his vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He also stopped on the way and waved to people and even signed a sketch of himself. PM Modi, draped in his customary Kurta Payjama and saffron-coloured half jacket, also showed the indelible ink mark on his finger after casting his vote. The polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday at 7:00 am. The states and union territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed.' In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will see the poll process, the poll panel said. Voting will not take place for Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed the polling to the sixth phase to be held on May 25. Originally, voting was scheduled to be held on 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase. However, elections were rescheduled from the second to the third phase in the Betul Lok Sabha seat of Madhya Pradesh due to the death of the BSP candidate. The BJP candidate in Surat has been declared the winner unopposed and due to the revised polling schedule in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, the total seats now going to poll are 93. In 2019 general election the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4.

LS polls 2024: Stakes high for Kharge, BSY, NCP in Phase 3

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: The electoral fate of half-a-dozen Union ministers and two former chief ministers will be sealed on Wednesday in the third phase of the general elections is 93 constituencies in 11 states and Union territories. The BJP sees the third phase as one of consolidation as compared to the first two phases. Prominent among the heavyweight candidates in this phase are Union home minister Amit Shah in Gandhinagar, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia (Guna), former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar)s Supriya Sule (Baramati), and Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (Berhampur). In Uttar Pradesh, representatives of the Mulayam Singh Yadav clan are contesting in this phase Dimple Yadav from Mainpuri, Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, from Firozabad and Aditya Yadav, son of Shivpal Yadav, from Budaun. In Karnataka, the last of the 14 seats will go to polls in what is being seen as a high-stakes battle for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. For, most of the seats are in North Karnataka, which is regarded as his home turf. The elections are equally important for former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, whose son Vijayendra is the state BJP president. Prominent among those in the fray in Karnataka are former CMs Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and Jagadish Shettar (Belgaum), Union ministers Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and Bhagwant Khuba (Bidar), Yediyurappas son Raghavendra (Shivamogga), and Kharges son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (Gulbarga SC). According to sources, around 30-40 constituencies in the third phase will witness triangular contests, giving sitting Lok Sabha members a really tough time. Most of the sitting MPs are from the ruling BJP. Phase 3 factoids 93 seats for which polling will be held in 11 states/UTs 1,300 candidates including around 120 women, in the fray 11 crore people eligible to vote Entire Gujarat and Goa, 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 in UP, 14 in Karnataka, 7 in Chhattisgarh, 5 in Bihar, 4 each in Assam and West Bengal to go to polls

Chhattisgarh tribal woman with zero bank balance is Korba candidate

RAIPUR: Shanti Bai Marawi(33), a resident of Bhedrapani village in Gaurella under the Korba Lok Sabha seat, fighting as an independent candidate, has gained fame as zero balance as she has no money in her bank account. Her story also shows the beauty of Indian democracy that any eligible citizen, from the wealthiest to those possessing the fewest assets, can contest the Lok Sabha or state Assembly polls. Belonging to the Baiga community, Shanti decided to contest the parliamentary polls with a grievance that no political parties listened to them. Her husband, Ram Kumar, encouraged Shanti to fight the elections. They were unhappy as neither their issues were heard nor developments seen in the region. They somehow arranged ~12,500 required as a security deposit, which is half the amount earmarked for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe) to contest the elections. Besides our savings earned as farm labourers, we got some financial support from our community members and collected ~12,500, her husband revealed. A fifth class pass, Shanti said, I am contesting keeping in mind the interest of my community. The inhabitants of my village, besides the adjoining 10-12 habitats having Baiga tribal population in the Gaurella Pendra Marwahi district, have pledged to drum up support for me. My fight is with political heavyweights like BJPs Saroj Pandey and Congress Jyotsana Mahant. A housewife and a mother of one, she helps her husband in his agriculture field and works as a farm labourer. Her village is distantly located in a terrain over 30 km from the district headquarters and inaccessible. Broken roads lead to her dwelling, with hardly any public transport bus or local transport facility. Shantis immediate aim is to change the face of her area, where the Baiga community has lived for decades. She is not a novice to what the elections are, as a few years ago, she contested for the post of sarpanch but lost. She was informed by the local administration that ~ 2,000 had been deposited in her other bank account by the state government under the state BJP regimes Mahtari Vandan Yojana. The instalments of Rs 1000 each for two months (February-March) under the scheme were transferred to her other account. A review of an affidavit showed the family had assets worth Rs 97,000.

Polling underway for 7 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh

Polling underway for 7 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh Polling began Tuesday morning for seven of the 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, in the third and last phase of general elections in the state. Voting began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm, an official said. Polling is being held in Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa (Scheduled Caste reserved), Surguja (Scheduled Tribe reserved) and Raigarh (ST) seats in the third phase. There is heightened security in place with the deployment of 202 companies of Central forces and more than 60,000 personnel of police force and District Reserve Guard, the official said. Altogether 168 candidates are in the fray in the third phase, the official said. The main contest lies between the BJP, which won 10 seats in the three general elections after 2004. In the 2019 polls, the BJP bagged nine constituencies and Congress got two seats. A total of 1,39,01,285 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the third phase. In the high-profile Raipur seat, state minister and BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal is facing off against former MLA Vikas Upadhyay of Congress. In Korba seat, the BJP has fielded its influential woman leader and former MP Saroj Pandey against Congress' sitting MP Jyotsana Mahant, wife of the incumbent leader of the opposition Charandas Mahant. A total of 168 candidates, including 26 women, are in the fray. The eligible voters include 69,33,121 men, 69,67,544 women and 620 members of the third gender. At 38, Raipur has the maximum number of contestants, followed by 37 in Bilaspur, 27 in Korba, 25 in Durg, 18 in Janjgir-Champa, 13 in Raigarh, and 10 in Surguja. Of the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, Naxal-affected Bastar (ST) seat voted on April 19, and Rajanandgaon, Kanker (ST) and Mahasamund voted in the second phase on April 26. Bastar seat recorded a turnout of 68,29 per cent, Rajnandgaon 77.42 per cent, Mahasamund 75.02 per cent and Mahasamund 76,23 per cent. The Congress has fielded a fresh face in Rajendra Sahu from Durg against sitting BJP MP Vijay Baghel. Bilaspur constituency is seeing a battle between incumbent MLA Devendra Yadav of Congress and former MLA Tokhan Sahu of BJP. In Janjgir-Champa, the lone seat reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates, former state minister Shivkumar Dahariya of Congress is pitted against BJP nominee Kamlesh Jangde. Surguja seat is seeing a contest between BJP's Chintamani Maharaj, who defected from the Congress before the last assembly polls, and Congress' Shashi Singh, a fresh face. BJP's Radheshyam Rathiya and Congress' Dr Menka Devi Singh, who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Sarangarh, will square off against each other in the tribal-dominated Raigarh seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J P Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed rallies for the party candidates, while for the Congress, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the campaigning.

LIVE: LS Polls 2024 PHASE 3 | Lot at stake for BJP in India's Super Tuesday

Lok Sabha elections 2024 is heating up with all indications being now that the contest is turning out to be closer than was initially expected. In the backdrop of this comes the third phase of voting on Tuesday covering 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories. The Surat Lok Sabha seat has already seen Mukesh Dalal of the BJP being elected unopposed in controversial circumstances. The constituencies that will be voting in the third phase include-- 25 seats in Gujarat, 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 14 in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal and all two in Goa. The BJP particularly has a lot at stake since it had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in the last elections. In all, over 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. The fight for the 14 seats in Karnakata happens at a time when the flames of the Prajwal Revanna sex scandal are engulfing the JD(S) that had allied with the BJP. Among the star candidates whose fates will be sealed in the ballot boxes are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). Follow live updates here. Campaigning ends for Gujarat LS polls: BJP aims to repeat sweep despite Cong-AAP alliance Election Commission officers check EVMs and VVPATs before their distribution to polling officials on the eve of the third phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections, in Sangli. In Karnataka, the fate of former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and the AIUDF's Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri) will be decided on Tuesday. In Uttar Pradesh, the current phase is important for the Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav aiming to retain the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat. Dimple Yadav had won the seat in bypolls following the demise of her father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav. Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, the national principal general secretary of SP, will try to reclaim the Firozabad seat, which he had won in 2014. Aditya Yadav, the son of SP national general secretary Shivpal Yadav, is making his electoral debut from the Budaun Lok Sabha seat, which was represented by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav in 2014. Polling and security officials with EVMs and VVPATs cross the Brahmaputra river enroute to their polling station on the eve of the third phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections, at Goroimari in Kamrup dstrict. After the third phase, voting will be completed in 283 out of 543 seats in Lok Saba. PM Modi and Shah will cast their vote at booths in Ahmedabad city under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. Counting of votes is on June 4. BJP won't cross 150 seats; INDIA bloc will foil its attempt to scrap Constitution: Rahul Gandhi Two former CMs and that fight in Baramati Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Vidisha) and Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh) have returned to the Lok Sabha electoral fray this time. Another riveting contest will be in Maharashtra's Baramati between Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, wife of the veteran leader's estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Baramati LS constituency will witness what they have not seen in last several years. Blatant misuse of power, threat & use of money for vote was hardly seen in Baramati but in this Lok Sabha election, all unheard things are being used in large scale that no one can even imagine. Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) May 6, 2024 Election officials carry EVMs and other materials on a tractor to their respective polling booths on the eve of 3rd phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections, in Kamrup district. Phase III of Lok Sabha polls in UP puts Samajwadi Party to test in 'Yadav land'

Third Phase Polling for 280 out of 543 Seats To Be Completed 17.24 Cr Voters To Pick 93 LS MPs Today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah will lead the voting for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections for 93 seats in 11 states and Union territories on Tuesday. Shah, civil aviation minister Jyotiradtiya Scindia, former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijay Singh are among the prominent candidates whose fate will be sealed by over 17.24 crore voters. After Tuesday, polling for 280 out of the 543 seats would be completed, which is past the half way mark. The third phase will be handled by 18.5 lakh polling officials in across 1.85 lakh polling stations. Gujarat, Goa, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu will complete polling in a single phase on Tuesday. Among the other constituencies voting in the third phase are four in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, eight in Madhya Pradesh, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 14 in Karnataka and four in West Bengal. Some other prominent names in the fray include Samajwadi Partys Dimple Yadav, and NCP-Sharad Pawar group leader Supriya Sule who is locked in a family contest with her relative Sunetra Pawar. In Maharashtra 258 candidates are in fray in the third phase though all eyes are on Baramati seat where in a family contest Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule is pitted against Sunetra Pawar, wife of the veteran leader's estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The third phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will see four Muslim-majority constituencies going to the polls. It will also witness I.N.D.I.A. bloc partners at the national level the TMC and the Left-Congress combine fighting separately. Amid heightened security with the deployment of 202 companies of Central forces and more than 60,000 personnel of police force and District Reserve Guard, the remaining seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh will vote in the third phase with 168 candidates in the fray. The main contest lies between the BJP, which had won 10 out of 11 seats in the state in the 2004, 2009 and 2014 general elections. In 2019, the BJP bagged nine constituencies and Congress 2. In Karnataka, voting will take place for the 14 remaining seats. Here it is going to be a straight fight between the Congress and BJP in Parliamentary segments in the northern districts. The JD (S) is not contesting in these seats and is supporting the BJP. The main contestants are former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and Jagadish Shettar (Balgaum), Union ministers Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and Bhagwanth Khuba (Bidar) and Karnataka BJP chief B.S. Raghavendra (all BJP); Congress' Geetha Shivrajkumar (Shimoga), wife of actor Shivrajkumar and daughter of former CM S. Bangarappa, and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (Gulbarga). Ten parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh will go to polls with all eyes on Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family members. Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, the national principal general secretary of SP, will try to reclaim the Firozabad seat, which he had won in 2014.

NDTV Election Carnival: Four-Cornered Contest In Hyderabad

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting for two phases of Lok Sabha elections has been done. The third phase of elections is on May 7. NDTV reached Telangana's capital Hyderabad on Monday after passing through many states with its special program 'NDTV Election Carnival'. Amid the elections, this 'carnival' has traveled 6,100 kilometers to Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka to gauge the mood of the people and understand the atmosphere. Hyderabad is considered the stronghold of AIMIM, but this time the competition is tough.

Polling in 93 Lok Sabha seats on Tuesday; PM Modi, Amit Shah to cast vote in Gandhinagar

With the BJP bagging Surat unopposed, 25 seats in Prime Minister Modi's home state of Gujarat will go to polls on May 7, besides 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the remaining 14 of the 28 in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal, and all two in Goa.

Chhattisgarh: Former AICC Spokesperson Alleges Abuse By Congress Leader

Raipur : Former AICC spokesman Radhika Khare on Monday alleged that she was abused by a Congress leader here on April 30 and all her pleadings to the senior party leaders for action in the matter went unheeded. Talking to reporters here, Ms Khare, who resigned from Congress on Sunday over the issue, alleged that she was abused by Chhattisgarh Congress media chairman Sushil Anand Shukla in the party office here on April 30 when she went to him to talk about the pending visit of national spokesman of the party Pawan Khera to Raipur the next day. I screamed and shouted at Mr Shukla and others in the room to go down and called for help. But, no one responded. The room was locked and I was abused, she alleged. Ms Khera also alleged that Mr Shukla had offered her alcohol. She alleged that she had taken up the matter with senior party leaders such as Sachin Pilot and Pawan Khera, but she did not get any response. Mr Pilots PA told her to keep silent and not tell anyone about the incident since it was election time, she claimed.Ms Khera said that she had even informed former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on the incident and said that she wanted to quit politics. But, Mr Baghel asked her to leave Chhattisgarh, she alleged.Ms Khera was AICCs communication and media coordinator for Chhattisgarh.

'Locked, Offered Alcohol': Ex leader Radhika Khera exposes Congress amid party office assault in Amethi

Chhattisgarh Congress leader Radhika Khera resigns, citing alleged harassment of state leaders. Khera reveals shocking incidents during Rahul's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', alleging harassment by Sushil Anand Shukla. In her resignation letter to Congress President, Khera also criticizes leaders for their 'male chauvinistic mentality'.

Congress deems Radhika Khera's statements aligned with BJP's rhetoric

Congress deems Radhika Khera's statements aligned with BJP's rhetoric Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij on Monday hit out at his former party colleague Radhika Khera a day after her resignation and accused her of speaking the language of the Bharatiya Janata Party and claimed she deliberately created a controversy before exit. Khera, the AICC's communication and media coordinator for Chhattisgarh for the Lok Sabha polls, resigned from the Congress's primary membership on Sunday, days after her altercation with another leader at the party's state unit office in Raipur. Khera also claimed she was facing opposition in the party for her visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In her resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, she claimed criticism over her visit to Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya led to the denial of justice to her in the incident that happened at the party's Chhattisgarh office last month. Talking to reporters in Raipur, state Congress president Baij alleged the entire resignation episode was a ''pre-planned political plot'' of the BJP and claimed Khera was speaking the saffron party's language. ''It was an in-house matter and linking it with temple (visit) and religion is not appropriate. The issue would have been resolved within the party. But if someone's mentality is to switch (to another party) and deliberately commit such acts, then such acts have no place in democracy,'' he said. Asked about her allegations related to the April 30 altercation with a party colleague, Ram temple visit and denial of justice, Baij noted, ''It was a fabricated story and deliberate attempt to create a new controversy. It was pre-planned and done at the BJP's behest. This planning was going on for long.'' The Congress leader said quitting the party was Khera's personal decision, but she could have waited for the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the matter (of altercation). Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Khera alleged the Congress party started hating her since she visited Ram Mandir in Ayodhya along with her mother. She alleged Sushil Anand Shukla, the Chhattisgarh Congress communication wing chairman with whom she had an altercation, offered her alcohol during party MP Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the state in February and he used to knock on the door of her room in an inebriated condition. Khera further claimed Shukla abused her on April 30 in the party office in Raipur, but no action was taken against him. Strongly refuting her charges, Shukla maintained the script of Khera's story was written soon after Arvinder Singh Lovely (former Delhi Congress chief) quit the party in April-end. ''She (Khera) tried to assassinate my character. She claimed I offered her alcohol. Media persons know me. Neither I nor any of my family members have ever consumed liquor. I reject such allegations. If she wants to join the BJP, she can do so, my best wishes are with her. She was like my younger sister, but she crossed limits of levelling allegations,'' Shukla told reporters on Monday. Denying allegations that he abused her, Shukla said, ''Khera arrived in my room in the party office on April 30 when four other party leaders were present there. I enquired from her about the scheduled visit of (Chairman, Media & Publicity department, AICC) Pawan Khera on May 1. ''She informed Pawan Khera is scheduled to visit six media houses and she has spoken to editors and heads of those media houses. I objected to her directly contacting those media houses and bypassing the party's communication unit in the state in the process.'' Shukla informed this led to an argument between them. ''She asked why would she seek my permission? I told her to accept my resignation if she wants to do everything on her own. This led to an argument. She started shouting, claiming I am blackmailing the party with the threat of resignation. I denied her claim and said she should not bypass the state communication wing. She threatened to complain against me to the high command. This was the issue,'' he said. Shukla noted the party is investigating the matter. ''When heated arguments took place between us, she recorded the episode on her mobile phone. I challenge her to put that video in the public domain. Everything will become crystal clear. As part of investigation, statements of eyewitnesses and both of us were recorded by Deepak Baij ji. She knew the investigation would expose her therefore she escaped (resigned),'' he said.

Landmark Polling in 93 Lok Sabha Seats; Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah Set to Vote in Gandhinagar

Landmark Polling in 93 Lok Sabha Seats; Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah Set to Vote in Gandhinagar Voting will be held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, with stakes being high for the BJP which had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Over 1,300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. Among the bigwigs are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). With the BJP bagging Surat unopposed, 25 seats in Prime Minister Modi's home state of Gujarat will go to polls on May 7, besides 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the remaining 14 of the 28 in Karnataka, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four each in Assam and West Bengal, and all two in Goa. The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2 seats) and nine seats in Madhya Pradesh, including Betul where elections were deferred, will also go to polls on Tuesday. Over 11 crore people will be eligible to vote in this phase. PM Modi and Shah will cast their vote at booths in Ahmedabad city under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. Former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Vidisha) and Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh) have also returned to the Lok Sabha electoral fray this time. A riveting contest is on in Maharashtra's Baramati between Sharad Pawars daughter Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, wife of the veteran leaders estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In Uttar Pradesh, the current phase is important for the Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav aiming to retain the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat. Dimple Yadav had won the seat in bypolls following the demise of her father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav. Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, the national principal general secretary of SP, will try to reclaim the Firozabad seat, which he had won in 2014. Aditya Yadav, the son of SP national general secretary Shivpal Yadav, is making his electoral debut from the Budaun Lok Sabha seat, which was represented by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav in 2014. The fate of former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and AIUDF Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri) will also be decided on May 7. After the third phase, voting will be completed in 283 out of 543 seats in Lok Sabha. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4. In West Bengal, the four seats going to polls are Muslim-majority. The division of minority votes among the Left-Congress combine and the TMC and the narrative on the Citizenship Amendment Act could shape the outcome in the intense electoral battle in Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad. The Murshidabad and Jangipur Lok Sabha seats are held by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which has renominated its sitting MPs Abu Taher and Bidi baron Khalilur Rehman respectively. The Bharatiya Janata Party has again fielded Khagen Murmu for the Malda Uttar seat against TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee and former Congress MLA Mostaque Alam. In the Malda Dakshin seat, the Congress has fielded Isha Khan Choudhury from the family of ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. The third phase saw the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc fiercely attacking each other on issues like reservations and sexual harassment charges against JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP charge, asking the Congress to give in writing that it will not hand over the quota for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes to Muslims. The Congress and its allies accused the BJP of trying to tamper with the Constitution and do away with reservations. The principal opposition party, which has promised to remove the 50 per cent cap on reservations, also asked the BJP to clear its stance on the issue. The BJP leaders targeted the Congress over wealth redistribution and inheritance tax issues and accused it of pursuing appeasement politics, while the Congress reiterated its commitment to conduct a caste census and economic survey if voted to power. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had swept all these 14 seats in Karnataka, defeating Congress and JD(S), which were in alliance and ruling the state then. Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have attacked the BJP over allegations of sexual abuse against Prajwal Revanna, Hassan MP and leader of the JD(S) - an ally of the BJP. Hitting back, BJP leader Amit Shah and others questioned why the Congress government in Karnataka delayed the action against Revanna. The JD(S) joined the BJP-led NDA in September last year. Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and was the JD(S)-BJP alliance candidate from the Hassan seat which went to polls on April 26. Prajwal's father H D Revanna was arrested by Special Investigation Team on Saturday in a kidnapping case linked to sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal, soon after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea. In Gujarat, BJP's Mukesh Dalal has already won from Surat unopposed after the nomination of Congress' Nilesh Kumbhani was rejected over irregularities in the signature of proposers and other candidates withdrew. The party had swept all 26 seats in 2019. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP had bagged nine seats and Congress two seats out of the total 11 in 2019. In Assam, the BJP has put up only one candidate in this phase for the Guwahati seat, while its alliance partners AGP are contesting in two - Dhubri and Barpeta - and the UPPL in Kokrajhar. The Congress is fighting in all four seats. The constituencies going to the polls in the third phase in Bihar are Araria, Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Madhepura and Khagaria, all currently held by the NDA.

BJP, Not BJD, is Odisha's Only Hope, Says PM Modi in Berhampur

BJP, Not BJD, is Odisha's Only Hope, Says PM Modi in Berhampur Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called himself ''son of Lord Jagannath'' and asserted that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced. Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi said, Odisha mein BJD ast hain, Congress past hai aur log BJP per ashwasth hai. Sirf BJP ummido ka naya suraj ban kar ubhri hain (In Odisha, the BJD is setting sun, the Congress is battered and people are sure of BJP. And the BJP has emerged as the only ray of hope for the people).'' He also urged people to give a chance to the BJP to make Odisha the number one state in the country. In an apparent dig at BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the prime minister said, ''Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture.'' ''The BJP will form a double-engine government here after the ongoing elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024,'' Modi said at the Berhampur rally. Addressing another rally in Nabarangpur, the tribal heartland of Odisha, the prime minister claimed that his government has been working for the welfare of indigenous people. ''You have seen the track record of ten years of Modi's leadership. Modi increased the budget for tribal welfare by five times than the earlier allocation, the PM said at the Nabarangpur rally. Taking a reference to the cash seizure in Jharkhand, the prime minister also claimed, ''Modi is being criticised for stopping corruption and loot''. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate on Monday claimed to have recovered a huge amount of ''unaccounted'' cash during searches at the premises of a domestic help allegedly linked to the secretary of Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam. Modi said that his government at the Centre has set up 'Eklavya Model Residential' schools in tribal areas and the number of such schools has crossed 400, he said. ''People belonging to ST, SC and OBC categories comprise seven per cent of his ministry,'' he said. PM Modi also claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the BJD government did not implement it in the state. The Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme to Odisha but the ''BJD dispensation could not spend the money properly'', he said, adding that Paddy farmers in Chhattisgarh get MSP of Rs 3,100 per quintal, but those in Odisha receive Rs 2,100. He also accused the BJD government of ''not allowing schemes made by Modi to be implemented in Odisha''. The prime minister claimed that the people of Odisha have strength and passion, but the BJD government did not give them the right opportunities. ''You have given 50 years to Congress and 25 years to BJD. Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country,'' Modi said at the rally. He also said, ''We released a visionary manifesto for Odisha promising jobs for youths and women and health facilities for senior citizens. BJP fulfils what it says.'' The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously. ''I have come here to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM on June 10. On that day, we will implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which the Naveen Patnaik government has been resisting. This son of Lord Jagannath will take care of all senior citizens under this scheme,'' Modi said. Responding to Modi's claim, senior BJD leader and Naveen Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian said, ''Patnaik would take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9.'' PM Modi, however, said Odisha would get ''new energy and new leadership after the assembly elections''. ''A person, who lives, understands and takes pride in Odia culture and tradition, can help resolve the problems of Odisha at a faster pace...,'' the PM said. It is alleged that BJD chief Naveen Patnaik does not have command over the Odia language. Odisha has fertile land, mineral resources, and sea coasts, but people are still poor, Modi claimed. The prime minister also said Odisha lags behind in every development parameter despite having huge resources like mineral wealth, and a vast coastline. ''Who is responsible for Odishas backwardness? Why are the people of resource-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for the next 25 years,'' he said. The prime minister also said that the BJP has given the country's highest post to a daughter of Odisha. ''It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji always tells me about the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance,'' he added.

Ramdroh, Rashtradhroh part of Congress, INDIA bloc: Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow: Launching a scathing attack on the opposition parties on Monday, May 6, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Ramdroh and Rashtradhroh (anti-national) are part of Congress and the INDIA bloc. Referring to the humiliation of Congress leader from Chhattisgarh, Radhika Khera, by the party members for visiting Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, 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 .

SECR cancels several trains from Nagpurs Itwari

Nagpur: With the Nagpur Division of South East Central Railway (SECR) taking up Limited Height Subway (LHS) pushing work at Itwari Railway Station, several trains have been cancelled from May 7 to 30, 2024. With ongoing summer vacation, the cancellation of these trains will affect thousands of passengers travelling to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and eastern [] The post SECR cancels several trains from Nagpurs Itwari appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .

Naxalite Surrenders, Ends Violent Past

Naxalite Surrenders, Ends Violent Past A Naxalite carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head surrendered before the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, an official said. Muchaki Joga (30) turned himself in before personnel of the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), citing disappointment with the ''hollow'' and ''inhuman'' Maoist ideology, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said. He was impressed by the district police's rehabilitation drive 'Puna Narkom' (a term coined in the local Gondi dialect, which means new dawn, new beginning), he added. Joga carried a bounty of Rs 2 lakh on his head and was a member of platoon number 21 under the Mad division of the outlawed Naxalite organisation, the official said. He will be provided facilities as per the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, he added.

Coal India's Exchequer Contributions Surge 6.4% to Rs 60,140 Crore in FY24

Coal India's Exchequer Contributions Surge 6.4% to Rs 60,140 Crore in FY24 State-owned Coal India Ltd's contribution to the government exchequer increased by 6.4 per cent to Rs 60,140.31 crore in FY24, over the financial year 2022-23. Coal India Ltd (CIL), which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output, paid Rs 56,524.11 crore to the government exchequer in FY23, according to provisional figures of the coal ministry. Total levies paid to the government in March 2024 also went up by 14.8 per cent to Rs 6,069.18 crore from Rs 5,282.59 crore paid in the corresponding month of FY23. Of the total Rs 60,140.42 crore paid to the government exchequer in FY24, maximum amount of Rs 13,268.55 crore was made to the state government of Jharkhand, followed by Rs 12,836.20 crore to the Odisha government, Rs 11,890.79 crore to Chhattisgarh, Rs 10,865.96 crore to Madhya Pradesh, and Rs 6,188.89 crore to Maharashtra among others. The coal-producing states earned the revenue from royalty, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) among others. The government had earlier said that the coal-producing states earned a revenue of Rs 1.52 lakh crore in the last nine years from royalty, DMF and NMET. Coal mining sector has proved to be a big booster for the economic growth of the states that produce fossil fuel. State governments are entitled to receive 14 per cent of royalty on the sale price of coal and 30 per cent of the royalty as contribution towards the proposed district mineral foundations (DMFs)-- which is meant to support project-affected people---and two per cent of NMET from dry-fuel produced by the coal companies and also the private sector. In case of captive, commercial mines states are also entitled to receive the revenue share offered by the auction holder in a transparent bidding process. Apart from this, state governments also benefit from increased employment, land compensation, increased investment in allied infrastructure like railways, road and several other economic benefits. Coal India's production and off-take are pegged at 838 MT for FY'25.

Radhika Khera Claims Congress Leaders Ignored Her Requests, Refused To Meet Her

Narrating her ordeal, Radhika Khera claimed that she met media chairman of Chhattisgarh Congress- Sushil Anand Shukha, but he started misbehaving with her and abusing her.

Gold and electronic goods worth Rs 8.37 crore seized at Mumbai airport; 10 people arrested

Mumbai: The Customs department has made a significant seizure at Mumbai's international airport, confiscating 12.47 kg of gold and electronic items valued at Rs 8.37 crore over a four-day operation. Ten individuals have been apprehended in connection with this operation, an official announced on Monday. The operation, conducted from April 29 to May 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, uncovered various methods of concealing gold. Passengers attempted to hide gold in forms such as dust mixed with wax, layers within clothing, crude jewelry, and even within their bodies. Five passengers were detained in relation to this discovery, as stated in an official release. Among those arrested was an Indian national, employed as contractual staff at the airport, who was intercepted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and subsequently handed over to Customs officials. Upon examination, 2.58 kg of gold dust in wax form was found hidden in his water bottle, leading to his arrest. In a separate incident, four Indian nationals traveling from Dubai were intercepted, revealing 3.335 kg of gold concealed in their undergarments, clothing, and bodies. The four individuals were also arrested. Additionally, six gold bars weighing 1.5 kg were discovered hidden beneath the seat of an aircraft, the release detailed. Customs officials further intercepted 15 Indian nationals, including ten from Dubai, two from Muscat, and one each from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Jeddah. These individuals were found carrying 5.32 kg of gold concealed in various ways, including within their undergarments, jean pockets, airport baggage trolleys, and their bodies. Another Indian national traveling from Dubai was intercepted for smuggling high-value goods. Nine iPhones and other electronic items worth Rs 14.21 lakh were seized from the passenger's handbags and checked-in luggage. Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police nab two with weapons in Shopian Chhattisgarh CM Confident of BJP Victory, Says People Have Lost Faith in Congress

Huge difference between what they say and what they do Chhattisgarh CM criticises Congress after Radhika Khera's resignation

Huge difference between what they say and what they do Chhattisgarh CM criticises Congress after Radhika Khera's resignation Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a sharp critique on Monday against the Congress party following the resignation of party leader Radhika Khera. Khera resigned from the primary membership of Congress on Sunday, citing mistreatment by party members during a visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. She was insulted by her own people in the Congress Bhawan. They talk about 'Naari Nyay', but there is a huge difference between what they say and what they do. This is the reason why Congress is in such a situation, Sai said. In her letter to the AICC Khera, the Congress leader alleged that justice was denied to her after the mistreatment by party members as she visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is an established truth since ancient times that those who support religion have been opposed. Examples of this range from Hiranyakashipu to Ravana and Kansa. At present, some people are opposing those who take the name of Lord Shri Ram in the same way. For every Hindu, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram holds great significance with its sacredness and while every Hindu considers his life successful just by seeing Ram Lalla, some people are opposing it, the letter read The opposition to this noble work of mine reached such a level that justice was denied to me in the incident that happened to me in the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress office. I have always fought for the justice of others from every platform, but when it came to my justice, I found myself defeated in the party. Being a devotee of Lord Shri Ram and a woman, I am deeply hurt, the Congress leader added. She further said that she has taken this step after justice was denied to her even after informing all the top leaders. I have taken this step today as I am hurt by the fact that I did not get justice even after informing all the top leaders, Khera said. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai further showed confidence in the party prospects in the state. Wherever we are going, we see a huge enthusiasm in the people in the favour of BJP and BJP is going to win 11 out of 11 seats in the state, Sai said. Polling for 2 of the 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh was conducted in the first two phases of the ongoing general elections. While voters in Bastar, which was considered a Naxal stronghold until recently, exercised their franchise on April 19; polling for Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, and Kanker was held in Phase 2 on April 26. The third phase of polling in the state will cover Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Surguja, Raigarh, Jangir-Champa and Korba. In 2019, the BJP nearly mopped up all the poll sweepstakes in the state, winning 9 of the 11 seats; while the Congress' tally dropped to just 2. (ANI)

Huge difference between what they say and what they do Chhattisgarh CM criticises Congress after Radhika Kheras resignation

The News Mill

'No one helped me': Radhika Khera on disrespect by Chhattisgarh Congress leader

No one helped me Radhika Khera on disrespect by Chhattisgarh Congress leader

Locked, Abused, Manhandled: Radhika Kheras Shocking Allegations Against Congress Leaders After Leaving Party

Khera on Sunday resigned from the party claiming that criticism over her visit to Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya led to the denial of justice to her in the incident that happened at the Chhattisgarh Congress office

Guthikoya tribe people from Chhattisgarh prevented from clearing forest region in Mulugu

Warangal: As many as 64 adivasis of Guthikoya tribe, who came from Chhattisgarh, were prevented from felling trees in the deep forests region of Mylara and Kannaigudem. Officials of the forest and police departments traced them and prevented them from clearing the forest area in Mulugu district. Their aim was human settlement in Ethurnagaram sanctuary, the district forest officer Rahul Jadhav, said. After giving counseling to the Guthikoya people and also a warning of severe action if they made such attempts in future, these Adivasis were sent back to their state. The tools they brought along with them to cut the trees were seized, he added.

Congress seeks criminal case after court ruling on land bought in name of Chhattisgarh Minister's wife

State Congress president Deepak Baij on Sunday claimed Brijmohan Agrawal fraudulently acquired the property, belonging to the State water resources department, in the name of his wife and built a resort there.