Assam: Distressed elephant denied medical attention; Forest dept inaction raises concerns

Dibrugarh: A female domesticated elephant named Manki in Kakopathar in upper Assams Tinsukia district, is reportedly in deep distress after sustaining a serious leg injury. Alarmingly, she has not received any medical attention from the authorities concerned. Sources alleged that the Assam Forest department has failed to take any steps to rescue Manki and provide [] The post Assam: Distressed elephant denied medical attention; Forest dept inaction raises concerns appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

NFR GM inspects North Lakhimpur Dibrugarh section in Upper Assam

HT Bureau GUWAHATI, May 3: Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, general manager of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Froday conducted a thorough inspection of the North Lakhimpur Dibrugarh (via Kamakhya) section under Tinsukia division. S Uttam Prakash, divisional railway manager of Tinsukia with senior officials of the headquarter and division accompanied the general manager during []

Here's What 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Schedule: Seven Phases from April 19 to June 1

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are set to unfold in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with results expected on June 4. The Election Commission has revealed the schedule, highlighting that April 19 will witness the highest number of constituencies, totaling 102, while the fifth phase, on May 20, will see the lowest number at just 49. Here's a breakdown of the election phases across different states: Single Poll Date (22 states): Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. Two-phase Voting (4 states): Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tripura, Manipur Three-phase Voting (2 states): Chhattisgarh, Assam Four-phase Voting (3 states): Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand Five-phase Voting (2 states): Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir Seven-phase Voting (3 states): Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal The Lok Sabha Election 2024 schedule is as follows: Phase 1 (April 19): 101 Seats Phase 2 (April 26): 89 Seats Phase 3 (May 7): 94 Seats Phase 4 (May 13): 96 Seats Phase 5 (May 20): 49 Seats Phase 6 (May 25): 57 Seats Phase 7 (June 1): 57 Seats Each phase covers various states and Union Territories, ensuring a comprehensive electoral process across the nation. In the first phase on April 19, a total of 102 seats will be contested across several states and Union Territories: Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal West, Arunachal East Assam: Sonitpur, Kaziranga, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur Bihar: Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui Jammu & Kashmir: Udhampur Madhya Pradesh: Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Chhindwara Maharashtra: Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur Manipur: Inner Manipur Meghalaya: Shillong, Tura Mizoram: Mizoram Nagaland: Nagaland Rajasthan: Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, Nagaur Sikkim: Sikkim Tamil Nadu: Thiruvallur, Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram, Arakkonam, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari Tripura: Tripura West Uttar Pradesh: Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, Pilibhit West Bengal: Cooch Behar, Alipurduars, Jalpaiguri Chhattisgarh: Bastar Uttarakhand: Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Hardwar Andaman & Nicobar: Andaman Nicobar Islands Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep Puducherry: Puducherry These elections aim to engage citizens in the democratic process, allowing them to exercise their right to vote and shape the future of their nation. Congress Announces Candidates for Lok Sabha 2024, Rahul Gandhi to Contest from Rae Bareli Congress KL Sharma to Contest against BJP's Smriti Irani in Amethi Trinamool Congress Accuses Congress Leader of Promoting BJP Agenda

Assam: AMCH launches study on COVID vaccines side effects and sudden deaths

DIBRUGARH:A team of doctors from the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh is embarking on a scientific research endeavour to investigate the potential correlation between sudden deaths and adverse effects of the COVID vaccine. Comprising Dr Mriganka Shekhar Chaliha, Dr Srimanta Madhav Barua, Dr Pranami Bora, Dr Anis Hazra, and Dr Shyamjit Laxman, [] The post Assam: AMCH launches study on COVID vaccines side effects and sudden deaths appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

AMCH to conduct research on potential link between sudden deaths & Covid vaccine

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, May 2: A team of doctors from the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh are set to undertake a scientific research study to determine whether there is a rise in sudden deaths due to side effects of the Covid vaccine. The team comprising of Mriganka Shekhar Chaliha, Srimanta Madhav Barua, []

Assams Sanjoy Das Sets World Record, Achieves 45 Certificates On AI In 24 Hours

Sanjoy Das, a working professional hailing from Dibrugarh, Assam, has made headlines by setting a new world record. Das, currently employed at Infosys in Bengaluru, has secured a position in the International Book of Records for accomplishing the most number of certificates in artificial intelligence (45) within a mere 24-hour period. His record-setting endeavor took... The post Assams Sanjoy Das Sets World Record, Achieves 45 Certificates On AI In 24 Hours appeared first on Northeast Today .

Tezpur University inks MoU with ICMR for biomedical research

HT Correspondent TEZPUR, May 1: The Tezpur University (TU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Region, Dibrugarh on Sunday to carry out biomedical research in priority areas. Through the agreement both the institutions would work on a broad spectrum of research areas []

Jagat Chandra Gogois death mourned

HT Correspondent SIVASAGAR, May 1: Former deputy superintendent of police, former Mr Assam, poet and social worker, Jagat Chandra Gogoi breathed his last on the April 29 at a private hospital in Dibrugarh. He died of cardiac arrest in the hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for the past few days. The 68-year-old Gogoi []

Brahmakumaris organises seminar in Dibrugarh

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, May 1: The Prajapita Brahmakumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya organised a seminar for media professionals in Dibrugarh on Wednesday. The topic of the seminar was Spritual Empowerment of Media Persons for Solution Centric Mass Communication. Speaking at the programme, BK Sushant, national spokesperson and national media coordinator of Brahmakumaris, Delhi said, The media []

Diarrhoea outbreak claims 2 lives at Dibrugarh tea estate

Deadly diarrhoea outbreak at Mokalbari Kanoi Tea Estate, Dibrugarh. Deaths: Makhoni Bawri, Rahul Bawri. Critical: Monisha, Dipak, Nibash, Kundan. Outbreak started Tuesday. ICMR-RMRC team investigates. Ensure clean water, health team, containment measures.

'Grave Error': Amritpal's Father on SAD's Khadoor Sahib LS Seat Candidacy

'Grave Error': Amritpal's Father on SAD's Khadoor Sahib LS Seat Candidacy The father of Amritpal Singh on Monday expressed resentment over the Shiromani Akali Dal's move of fielding its candidate from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat from where the jailed radical preacher is also contesting. The statement of Tarsem Singh, the father of radical preacher Amritpal, came hours after SAD nominee Virsa Singh Valtoha met him and his wife on Monday morning to seek their support for the Lok Sabha elections. Amritpal, chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit who is lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act, is fighting the elections from the seat as an Independent. The SAD had announced Valtoha as its candidate from the Khadoor Sahib seat on Sunday. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Tarsem Singh said the name of his son for the seat was announced four days back. ''They (SAD) are making a historical mistake by fielding its candidate,'' said Tarsem Singh. Referring to his meeting with Valtoha earlier in the day, he said the SAD candidate stated that people were questioning him for contesting the polls against Amritpal. ''We said (to Valtoha) that it was the people's decision (fielding Amritpal from Khadoor Sahib),'' Tarsem Singh said. When asked Valtoha claimed that the family of Amritpal assured him to support in the elections, Tarsem Singh said no such assurance was given to him. Rather Valtoha should support Amritpal in the elections, he said. Earlier in the day, Valtoha in a Facebook post said that he met Amritpal's father Tarsem Singh and mother Balwinder Kaur near the Golden Temple in Amritsar where they have been sitting in protest, seeking the shifting of NSA detainees from Assam to Punjab. Valtoha discussed the Lok Sabha polls with the family. He also urged the family of Amritpal to support in the parliamentary elections, according to the post. On Sunday, the Simranjit Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) said that it will support Amritpal. Mann had said his party would withdraw its candidate from the Khadoor Sahib seat after Amritpal files his nomination papers for the elections. Valtoha, who is also the SAD spokesperson, became MLA in 2007 and 2012. He had unsuccessfully contested from the Khem Karan assembly seat in the 2022 assembly elections. Besides Amritpal, Valtoha will be pitted against AAP's Laljit Singh Bhullar and BJP candidate Manjit Singh Manna Mianwind from the Khadoor Sahib seat, which is currently represented by Congress MP Jasbir Singh Dimpa. The Congress on Monday fielded former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira from the seat. The Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat, which is called as a 'Panthic' seat, came into existence in 2008. The Lok Sabha constituency comprises nine assembly segments -- Jandiala, Tarn Taran, Khem Karan, Patti, Khadoor Sahib, Baba Bakala, Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi and Zira. SAD's Rattan Singh Ajnala became an MP in 2009 and Akali nominee Ranjit Singh Brahmpura won this seat in 2014.

NHPC signs MoU with Norwegian company to promote solar power

DIBRUGARH: The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with M/s Ocean Sun, a Norwegian company renowned for its expertise in floating solar technology. The MoU is aimed at fulfil the shared objectives of NHPC and Ocean Sun to explore collaboration in demonstrating Ocean Suns floating solar energy technology. This [] The post NHPC signs MoU with Norwegian company to promote solar power appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

LS polls: SAD (A) to support radical preacher Amritpal Singh from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib seat

Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who is behind the bars in Assam's Dibrugarh under the National Security Act (NSA), will fight the polls from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency as an Independent candidate, his counsel had said on Wednesday.

Assam: Dibrugarh University signs MoU with ICMR-RMRC

DIBRUGARH: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dibrugarh University in Assam and ICMR- Regional Medical Research Centre(RMRC), Lahowal on Sunday. A target has been set to advance collaborative research between Dibrugarh University and the Regional Medical Research Centre. The MoU was signed by Dibrugarh University Registrar Dr Paramananda Sonowal on behalf of Dibrugarh [] The post Assam: Dibrugarh University signs MoU with ICMR-RMRC appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Impressive 77.35% Voter Turnout Marks Second Phase Polling in 5 Assam Lok Sabha Seats

Impressive 77.35% Voter Turnout Marks Second Phase Polling in 5 Assam Lok Sabha Seats An estimated 77.35 per cent of 77.26 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of polling in five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam, election officials said on Saturday. The final polling percentage could be further revised as the compilation of figures is yet to be completed, an official said. Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency recorded the highest voter turnout of 80.56 per cent, followed by 78.41 per cent in Darrang-Udalguri, 75.97 per cent in Silchar (SC), 75.63 per cent in Karimganj and 73.11 per cent in Diphu, they said. Sixty-one candidates are in the fray in this phase. Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya is pitted against Surya Kanta Sarkar of the Congress in Silchar, while BJP's Amarsing Tisso is contesting against Congress's Joyram Engleng in Diphu. Nagaon's sitting Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi is contesting against BJP's Suresh Bora, while Karimganj's BJP MP Kripanath Malla is pitted against Congress's Hafiz Ahmed Rashid Choudhury. In Darrang-Udalguri, the main contest is between BJP MP Dilip Saikia and former Congress MP Madhab Rajbongshi. Altogether 77,26,668 voters, including 38,61,559 women and 179 persons of third gender, were eligible to exercise their franchise at 9,133 polling stations, of which 1,220 were identified as 'critical'. There were 906 urban and 8,227 rural booths, while 473 were managed by women, 12 by persons with disabilities (PwD) and there were also 90 model polling stations. More than 36,000 polling officials and around 40,000 security personnel were deployed during the second phase of polling on Friday. In the first phase polls held on April 19, 78.25 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Kaziranga, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur constituencies.

Assam: Dibrugarh admin bans sand mining after erosion in Mohanaghat

Dibrugarh: After massive erosion has been witnessed in the Mohanaghat area in Dibrugarh, the Dibrugarh district administration issued 144 CrPc and banned sand mining in the area of the Mohanaghat area. The District administration strictly prohibited sand mining activities in the area of Mohanaghat riverbed, DTP dyke and Aithan dyke and across the bank of [] The post Assam: Dibrugarh admin bans sand mining after erosion in Mohanaghat appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Khalistani Amritpal Singh to Contest Polls, Claims His Lawyer

Guwahati: Khalistani terrorist Amritpal Singh would contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab, said Rajdev Singh Khalsa, the lawyer of the radical preacher. Khalsa met Singh on Wednesday in the Dibrugarh jail. Upon request, Singh gave his approval and intended to fight election as an independent candidate, said Khalsa. As [] The post Khalistani Amritpal Singh to Contest Polls, Claims His Lawyer appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Assam: No decision taken on Lok Sabha bid by Amritpal Singh, says his father

Dibrugarh: Amidst reports that Amritpal Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab De currently lodged in Dibrugarh Central jail under the National Security Act will be contesting as an Independent candidate for the Lok Sabha election from Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab, his father, Tarsem Singh on Thursday said that no decision has been made yet [] The post Assam: No decision taken on Lok Sabha bid by Amritpal Singh, says his father appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Family meets Amritpal Singh in Assam jail after his lawyer claims hell contest Lok Sabha poll from Punjabs Khadoor Sahib

Dibrugarh, Apr 25: Family members of Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh on Thursday visited him at the Dibrugarh jail in Assam, a day after his counsel claimed that he would contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Khadoor Sahib seat in Punjab. Amritpal Singh's father Tarsem Singh, uncle Sukhchain Singh, wife Kirandeep Kaur and [] The post Family meets Amritpal Singh in Assam jail after his lawyer claims hell contest Lok Sabha poll from Punjabs Khadoor Sahib appeared first on Northlines .

Jailed Amritpal to fight polls from Khadoor Sahib

Self-proclaimed Sikh preacher and Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh, detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and National Security Act in Assam's Dibrugarh jail, will vie for the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Punjab as an Independent candidate. Former MP Rajdev Singh Khalsa, his counsel, disclosed this after a meeting on Wednesday.

Amritpal Singh to contest Lok Sabha elections in Punjab from Assam jail

Guwahati:Amritpal Singh, jailed pro-Khalistani leader, has announced to contest Lok Sabha elections from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab from the Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. Accordingto reports, Rajdev Singh Khalsa, Singhsadvocateconfirmed that the leader of Waris Punjab Dewillcontest as an independent candidate. Khalsawhovisited Dibrugarh recently to meet Amritpal Singh, stated, I met Amritpal Singh. He [] The post Amritpal Singh to contest Lok Sabha elections in Punjab from Assam jail appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Jailed pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh to contest Lok Sabha polls, claims his lawyer

CHANDIGARH: Waris Punjab De Head and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh who is presently lodged at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act may contest the Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib, claimed his lawyer on Wednesday. Rajdev Singh Khalsa, the lawyer of Amritpal Singh, who is presently in Dibrugarh where he met the pro-Khalistani leader in the central jail there, told The New Indian Express over phone that he requested him to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib as it will be a referendum on his arrest by the AAP-led Mann government. He told me that he will fight these upcoming polls, claimed Khalsa and added that his nomination papers will be filed once the process begins. Tarseem Singh, the father of Amritpal Singh, said, We have not met him for long and will be meeting him tomorrow at Dibrugarh jail. This issue of him (Amritpal) fighting the Lok Sabha polls has not been discussed with us at all and we have no knowledge of it. We are not in favour of him fighting these elections but only after we meet him and discuss it can we say anything. 3 turncoats, an outsider battle it out at NRI heartland of Jalandhar Meanwhile, Balkaur Singh, the father of slain singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moosewala, is likely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Bathinda constituency as an independent candidate, said sources. But Balkaur or his family have not come out with an official statement on the issue. If he decides to fight these polls, he will be contesting against the sitting Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal besides Jeet Mohinder Sidhu of the Congress, Gurmeet Singh Khudian of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Parampal Kaur of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Earlier, the Congress had reportedly told Balkaur to fight on a Congress ticket but he said that he was not keen to get into the political arena. Moosewala had contested the 2022 assembly election from Mansa on a Congress ticket but was defeated by Vijay Singla of the AAP.

Second Phase of Assam Lok Sabha Polls Concludes

Second Phase of Assam Lok Sabha Polls Concludes A high-pitched campaign for five parliamentary constituencies in Assam for the second phase of polls scheduled on April 26 ended on Wednesday. A total of 61 candidates are in the fray. Polling will be held for the two constituencies in Barak Valley - Silchar (SC) and Karimganj, one in the hill district - Diphu (ST) and two in the Brahmaputra Valley - Nagaon and Darrang-Udalguri. Among the national leaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned during the second phase by holding a roadshow in Silchar (SC) for the BJP candidate and Assam Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, while Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also campaigned in the second phase for the partys Silchar (SC) candidate Radheshyam Biswas. BJP's election campaign was spearheaded by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who daily held at least four rallies in all the constituencies going to the polls while Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who contested from the Dibrugarh constituency in the first phase, campaigned for the BJP candidates in Silchar (SC) and Karimganj in Barak Valley. The opposition parties, on the other hand, mostly relied on the state leaders in their campaigns. Lok Sabha Deputy leader of the opposition Gaurav Gogoi, Raijor Dal President Akhil Gogoi, and Assam Jatiya Parishad President Lurinjyoti Gogoi campaigned for the Congress candidates in Barak Valley. The BJP campaign was focused on highlighting the various development schemes of both the central and state governments and the achievements made by the saffron party during its ten-year and eight-year rule at the centre and state, respectively. The opposition parties focussed on the citizenship issue, doubtful voters, connectivity issues, poor infrastructural development, unemployment, price rise, benefits of schemes not reaching, and lack of industrial development, among others. Karimganj constituency has the highest number of 24 candidates, with 19 independents, and Diphu (ST), with only five candidates in the fray. A triangular contest is on the cards among sitting BJP MP Kripanath Malla, Hafez Rashid Choudhury of Congress and AIUDF's Sahibul Alam Choudhury in Karimganj. In Silchar, eight candidates are in the fray, and the contest is likely to be triangular between Assam minister Parimal Suklabaidya of BJP, Surya Kanta Sarkar of Congress and Radheyshyam Biswa of Trinamool Congress. Five contestants are in the fray in Diphu (ST), and the contest is likely to be between BJP's Amarsing Tisso and Joyram Engleng of the Congress. A total of 13 candidates are in the fray in Nagaon, and the contest is set to be triangular between sitting Congress MP Prodyut Bordoloi, BJP's Suresh Bora and AIUDF's Aminul Islam. In Darrang-Udalguri, 11 candidates are contesting, with the contest likely to be directly between sitting BJP MP Dilip Saikia and Congress candidate Madhab Rajbongshi. In the first phase of LS polls held on April 19, 78.25 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise to decide the fate of 35 candidates for the Kaziranga, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur constituencies. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, BJP held nine seats, Congress three, while the AIUDF and an independent have one each from the state.

Mother, 3-yr-old girl killed in Dibrugarh road accident

Proposed relocation of Chakmas-Hajongs to Assam evidence of CAAs adverse impact

GUWAHATI: Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader and Dibrugarh Lok Sabha candidate, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, emphasised that union minister Kiren Rijijus recent statement is an evidence that the Chakma community is considering Assam for citizenship under the citizenship amendment act (CAA), following Arunachal governments denial of the same to the community. Gogoi highlighted the detrimental impact of [] The post Proposed relocation of Chakmas-Hajongs to Assam evidence of CAAs adverse impact appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Aaranyak celebrates World Earth Day by engaging school children

HT Bureau GUWAHATI, April 22: Aaranyak, has organised outreach programmes for school children to mark the World Earth Day, 2024 in the Dibrugarh and Kokrajhar districts as well as in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on Monday. The theme for this years World Earth Day is Planet versus plastic. Schoo kids from the []

DDSA suspends Debojit Dutta from presidents post

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 22: Dibrugarh District Sports Association (DDSA) has suspended DDSA president, Debojit Dutta from the post of president after his wife was arrested for allegedly physically torturing their minor housemaid. On April 20 in a meeting held at DDSA office, the office bearers of the association decided to Dutta from the post []

Assam: DDSA suspends absconding doctor over child abuse case

Dibrugarh: Dibrugarh District Sports Association (DDSA) on Saturday suspended DDSA president Dr. Debajit Dutta from the post of president after his wife was arrested for allegedly physically torturing their minor housemaid for quite some time. On April 20, in a meeting held at the DDSA office, the office bearers of DDSA have decided to suspend [] The post Assam: DDSA suspends absconding doctor over child abuse case appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Assam Cong chief Bhupen Borah asks Himanta to resign if Gaurav Gogoi wins

Assam Cong chief Bhupen Borah asks Himanta to resign if Gaurav Gogoi wins Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah on Sunday asked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been claiming that BJP will win all five seats of first phase polling, to resign if Gaurav Gogoi wins from Jorhat constituency. Addressing a press conference here, Borah also criticised Sarma over his dance moves in campaign meetings and said he should join films if he wants to entertain people. In almost all his campaign meetings, Sarma ends his speeches by dancing to BJP's theme song, being used since the last Parliamentary election -- 'Akou ebar Modi sarkar' (Modi's government, once more). ''The CM is saying that BJP will win all the five seats of Upper Assam. I am directly challenging him: will he resign if Gaurav Gogoi wins from Jorhat?'' asked the Congress leader. During the first phase on April 19, voting took place in Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, Sonitpur and Jorhat, from where Gogoi contested against sitting BJP MP Topon Kumar Gogoi. No BJP national figure came to campaign in Jorhat, and the entire campaign was led by the chief minister, who addressed multiple meetings and held several roadshows covering all the 10 assembly segments in the constituency. Several BJP state ministers like Pijush Hazarika and Jayanta Malla Baruah camped in Jorhat. Many MLAs also stayed there for a long period. ''Sarma is telling a lie to the people of Assam. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal will lose badly from Dibrugarh only because of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. People have voted against him for his silent support of the CAA,'' Borah claimed. Sonowal is pitted against Assam Jatiya Parishad's Lurinjyoti Gogoi, who is a candidate of the United Opposition Forum Assam (UOFA), formed in the state with 16 parties in line with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Aam Aadmi Party's Manoj Dhanowar, who could make inroads in the tea garden areas, may play a spoilsport in Dibrugarh. Borah claimed that the Congress will lead in 40 out of 48 assembly seats belonging to five Lok Sabha constituencies where voting took place in the first phase. On Sarma's election campaign, the Congress leader said: ''Why does the CM dance in every meeting? He throws the mic and only dances. He does not speak about issues like price rise, unemployment, CAA, Assam Accord and labour wages.'' Borah claimed Sarma dances only to deviate people from real issues. He said, ''Those dance moves are also not anything related to the dances of Assam. If he really wants to entertain, he should join films. Why is he in politics?'' Borah wondered if any other BJP CM anywhere in the country dances during the election campaign instead of talking about issues affecting the public. ''He (Sarma) has lost his mental balance,'' he claimed. Asked about his dance moves, videos of which have gone viral, the chief minister in an interview with PTI had explained that Assam is culturally very rich and music has an important role in everyone's life. ''One of the communications with the people in Assam is music. People feel that whenever there is a song, there is some festivity. We want to convert the election into a festival. ''If you see my election speech, I don't talk about Rahul Gandhi, I don't talk about Congress. I talk only about Modi and development of Assam. Add a little bit of festivity, a little bit of music there -- it becomes lively. So, it is a mode of communication,'' he had added.

Over 78 per cent voter turnout in first phase LS polls in Assam

Over 78 per cent voter turnout in first phase LS polls in Assam Over 78 per cent of the total 86.48 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the first phase of elections to five Lok Sabha constituencies of Assam, the Election Commission (EC) said on Saturday. According to EC data, the total voter turnout on Friday was 78.25 per cent. A poll official said no further change in voter turnout figure is expected, even though details from six polling stations are still awaited. Additionally, she confirmed that no re-polling has been ordered for the first phase of elections. Highest turnout was reported from Jorhat constituency with 79.89 per cent, followed by Kaziranga (79.33 per cent), Sonitpur (78.46 per cent), Dibrugarh (76.75 per cent) and Lakhimpur (76.42 per cent). This is the first election since delimitation of constituencies in the state last year. Boundaries of all the constituencies were re-drawn in the exercise, with Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur seats retaining the old names, while Tezpur and Kaliabor were re-christened as Sonitpur and Kaziranga respectively. The total polling percentage in the 2019 general elections in these constituencies was 78.33, with 82.10 per cent turnout in Kaliabor, 79.36 per cent in Tezpur, 77.50 per cent in Jorhat, 77.25 per cent in Dibrugarh and 75.10 per cent in Lakhimpur, according to official data. Polling was conducted in 10,001 polling stations from 7am to 5 pm sealing the fate of 35 candidates. Kaziranga had the highest number of 11 candidates, followed by nine in Lakhimpur, eight in Sonitpur, four in Jorhat and three in Dibrugarh. Prominent candidates in the fray included Union minister and BJP nominee Sarbananda Sonowal pitted against opposition candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Dibrugarh, and Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi contesting against BJP's sitting MP Topon Kumar Gogoi in Jorhat.

75.95 pc of voters in Assam cast their votes in first phase of LS polls

75.95 pc of voters in Assam cast their votes in first phase of LS polls Assam recorded 75.95 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of polls, which was held in five parliamentary constituencies in the state on Friday. According to the Election Commission, 75.95 per cent of voters in five parliamentary constituencies - Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh and Jorhat, came out to exercise their franchise in the first phase of the polls. 79.48 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Jorhat parliamentary constituency, while 76.74 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Dibrugarh, 75.79 per cent in Kaziranga, 74.81 per cent in Sonitpur, and 72.65 per cent in Lakhimpur. The second phase of polls for five Lok Sabha seats in Assam - Silchar, Karimganj, Diphu, Nagaon, and Darrang-Udalguri will be held on April 26. Altogether 60 candidates filed their nomination papers for four parliamentary constituencies in the state that are going to polls in the third phase on May 7. In the third phase, voting will be held in Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Barpeta and Guwahati parliamentary constituencies. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, 30 candidates had filed their nomination papers on the last day of submission for the third phase of the polls. On the last day of submission of nomination papers for the third phase of polls, 7 candidates filed their nomination papers in Kokrajhar, 10 in Dhubri, 9 in Barpeta and 4 in Guwahati, said the DIPR, Assam, in a press statement. BJP is contesting 11 out of 14 seats in Assam, while its ally parties, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), are contesting in two seats (Barpeta and Dhubri) and UPPL in one seat (Kokrajhar), respectively. (ANI)

Assam: AIUDF extends support to opposition candidates in key Lok Sabha seats to counter BJP

Assam: AIUDF extends support to opposition candidates in key Lok Sabha seats to counter BJP All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) General Secretary Aminul Islam on Friday said that his party will contest in 3 constituencies and support other candidates in three more, to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. We want to defeat the BJP, so we are directly contesting in 3 constituencies and indirectly participating in three other constituencies by supporting someone else, he told ANI. He said that the AIUDF will support the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) candidate in the Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha seat, the TMC candidate in the Silchar seat and the CPI (M) candidate in the Barpeta seat. Aminul Islam, AIUDF General Secretary and MLA, added that his party is contesting two seats in the second and third phase polls. Our party candidates Badruddin Ajmal, Haji Aminul Islam will win from Dhubri and Nagaon Lok Sabha seats and the party candidate will also win in Karimganj seat, which will be held in the last two phases in Assam. The second phase of polls will be held in five parliamentary constituencies - Silchar, Karimganj, Nagaon, Darrang-Udalguri and Diphu seats. Our party has decided to extend our support to the BPF candidate in the Darrang-Udalguri seat, and TMC candidate Radheshyam Biswas in the Silchar seat in the second phase of the polls. Our party will also extend support to CPI (M) candidate Manoranjan Talukdar in the Barpeta seat, said Aminul Islam. He further said that Badruddin Ajmal will win with a record margin of votes from Dhubri's seat. We are monitoring in Guwahati and Kokrajhar seats and the party will later take decision to whom the party will support, Aminul Islam said. The Lok Sabha elections in Assam are being conducted in three phases. The first phase of the election concluded on April 19. In the first phase, 75.95 per cent of voters in the five parliamentary constituencies of Assam - Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh and Jorhat, came out to exercise their franchise. The second phase of polls in five Lok Sabha seats in Assam for Silchar, Karimganj, Diphu, Nagaon and Darrang-Udalguri will be held on April 26. Voting for Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Barpeta and Guwahati will be held on May 7 in the third phase of voting. (ANI)

First day, First show and the polling begins

The first round of 7-phase parliamentary polls was held across 21 states, with sporadic incidents of violence being reported from Manipur and West Bengal. In the biggest round of the elections, all 39 seats of Tamil Nadu, 12 of Rajasthan and 8 of Uttar Pradesh went to polls. With PM Modi eyeing a third term in office, the BJP hopes to win 22 of the 25 seats in Northeast, hold on to its 2019 tally in the Hindi heartland and Maharashtra and better its show in West Bengal as well as in the South. The Opposition INDIA bloc insists that it will do well across the country, especially in the saffron bastion of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar this time. The counting of votes will take place on June 4 Rajasthan: Total seats - 25 1st phase - 12 It was subdued enthusiasm among voters in 12 seats. Voting was largely peaceful in most constituencies, though some witnessed sporadic clashes. In Kuchera, Nagaur, one of the hot seats, supporters of BJP candidate Jyoti Mirdha and INDIA Alliance candidate Hanuman Beniwal of RLP clashed with each others, injuring Tejpal Mirdha, the chairman of Kuchera municipality. Nagour is a Jat-dominated seat. In another hot seat of Jhunjhunu in the Shekhawati region, BJP candidate Shubhakaran Chaudhary fought with security personnel and in Churu, an MLA was involved in altercation with a policeman Uttar pradesh: Total seats - 80 1st phase - 8 The overall turnout seemed to be lower than the 2019 elections. The eight constituencies which went to the polls included Saharanpur (63.29%),Pilibhit (60.2%), Kairana (58.68%), Nagina (SC) (58.05%), Moradabad (57.65%), Muzaffarnagar (54.91), Bijnor (54.68%), Rampur (52.42%). No major incident was reported during the polling. Last time, a turnout of 66.47% was recorded in the eight constituencies. Overall turnout in Uttar Pradesh during 2019 was 59.21%. In the Neuria area of the district, villagers said they would not vote as they are peeved at man-animal conflict Bihar: Total seats - 40 4 A low turnout of 48.23% was recorded in four constituencies where 38 candidates were in the fray. In 2019, 53.47% voters had exercised their franchise. Gaya has the highest 14 candidates in the fray. There is a decrease of around 5.24% of turnout in 2024. According to chief electoral officer H R Srinivasa, Gaya (SC) recorded the highest 52% turnout, Jamui (SC) and Aurangabad 50% each. In Nawada, only 41.50% voters exercised their franchise. In 2019, Aurangabad had recorded 53.63% turnout, Gaya 56.16 %, Nawada 49.33% and Jamui 55.21%. Voters called for poll boycott in six stations, there was no report of clashes or violence though, according to Srinivasa. WEST BENGAL: Total seats - 42 1st phase - 3 Sporadic incidents of violence marred the first phase, with TMC and BJP workers clashing in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. Three reserved seatsJalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Beharin North Bengal went to polls. The TMC and the BJP lodged 80 and 39 complaints, respectively, related to violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. Union MoS Nisith Pramanik is contesting from Cooch Behar. TMC leader Udayan Guha said that the BJP, along with central forces, unleashed a reign of terror to rig the elections. The BJP, however, denied the allegations. chhattisgarh: Total seats - 11 1st phase - 1 The voters defied the Maoist threat, as the encouraging turnout eclipsed the terror that haunted Bastar zone ahead of the polling. A CRPF personnel, Devendra kumar, was killed in an IED blast at Usoor in an edgy district of Bijapur during an area domination operation. He died of his injuries while on the way to Raipur in a chopper. In the same district, an assistant commandant of CRPF was injured during a poll-related duty at Bhairamgarh. Barring the two incidents, the polling across Bastar remained peaceful. For the first time, 102 new polling stations were set up for the convenience of voters. Madhya Pradesh: Total seats - 29 1st phase - 6 Six constituencies recorded around 67% turnout till 6.30 pm and the figure is likely to go up. The six seats had registered 75.23% polling in. The high-profile Chhindwara seat (where ex-CM Kamal Naths MP son Nakul Nath took on BJPs Vivek Sahu) stood on top in terms of poll percentage with 78.67% as shared by chief electoral officer Anupam Rajan. Another key constituency Mandla-ST (where sixth-time BJP MP and Union minister Faggan Singh Kulaste was pitted against ex-minister and fourth-time Congress MLA Omkar Markam) reported 72.92% polling. The Maoist-hit Balaghat seat reported 72.60% polling Jammu & Kashmir: Total seats - 5 1st phase - 1 For the first-time in over three decades, residents at the International Border in Hira Nagar sector of Kathua district exercised their right to vote for the Udhampur seat without any fear or threat of cross-border firing. It was the first major electoral exercise in J&K since the abrogration of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories. People men, women, including young and old thronged at the polling station in Kadyala village close to International Border. India and Pakistan on February 24, 2021, announced to strictly uphold the November 2003 border ceasefire pact between the troops of two countries. Residents said due to the ceasefire, more people have come to vote in this election UTTARAKHAND 5 5 Despite clear weather and relatively low temperature, the turnout was below expectation. Villagers of Jalal in Nainital and Tehri parliamentary constituency boycotted the election for lack of infrastructure, posing risks to their travel and safety. Newlywed couples, dressed in their wedding attire, arrived at several polling stations to cast their votes. However, around 350 were not able to vote on polling day due to wedding ceremonies. Bhagwan Singh, father of the groom from village Chhedi in Srinagar, expressed regret for not being able to vote on polling day due to clash over marriage date Maharashtra: Total seats - 48 1st phase - 5 Voting for the five seats took place without untoward events in Maharashtra. The voting began on a slow pace due to the scorching heat in the Vidarbha region. The tribal and Naxalite district of Gadchiroli witnessed the highest turnout at 64.95%, while Nagpur reported lowest at 47.91% till 5pm. In Ramtek-SC seat, 53.38% turnout was reported, 56.87% in BhandaraGondia and 55.11% in Chandrapur seat. To avoid technical snags cropping up in EVMs in the remote polling booths in Gadchiroli, three spare EVMs were dispatched by a helicopter to the Sironcha area of the district, said an official. Manipur: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 2 Sporadic incidents of gunfire and intimidation of voters as well as Congress workers by armed miscreants marred Lok Sabha elections in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on Friday. The turnout was 72.32% in the Inner Manipur seat and 61.98% in Outer Manipur. The violence occurred in places falling under the Inner Manipur seat which straddles the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley. The armed men fired several rounds outside a polling station at Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district. Three persons were reportedly injured.The voters and the Congress polling agents were intimidated by the armed miscreants Tamil Nadu: Total seats - 39 1st phase - 39 The polling began at 7am amid tight security in most of the 39 constituencies. Argument broke out between voters and officials in some polling stations as authorities did not allow people to carry their smartphones/mobiles inside the booths. People belonging to Parandhur village with over 1,000 voters near Sriperumbudur did not turn up to vote till 9.30 am. Around 1,000 voters of Ennore who had called for boycott of the election over the ammonia gas leak incident at Ennore Creek withdrew their decision and decided to vote Puducherry: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 The Union Territory gets to elect their lone representative to the Lok Sabha. A visit to some of the polling stations in rural areas brought to the fore a mixed picture. Pink booths were the centre of attraction. The green environment at a booth housed on the premises of the more-than-century-old VOC Government Boys school in the town added to the lustre of the arrangements. Gruel, nutritious cereals, millets and buttermilk were given to the voters Lakshadweep: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Nearly 60% voter turnout was recorded until 5pm in the Lakshadweep constituency spanning across 10 inhabited islands of the Lakshadweep Archipelago, with an electorate of 57,784, as per data shared by the Election Commission. Out of this total, 28,506 are women. The polling began at 7.30am across the 10 inhabited islands and concluded at 6.30 pm. An official said that the figures provided are preliminary, as voters who were in line by this deadline were given the opportunity to cast their votes Andaman & Nicobar islands: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Around 3,15,148 voters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have exercised their franchise till 3pm for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union Territory. Seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) of the Great Nicobar Islands, on Friday exercised their voting rights for the first time, an election official said. Other two primitive tribes, too, exercised their voting rights like in 2019, the CEO said Arunachal Pradesh: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 2 The unique Malogam polling station in Anjaw district of the state recorded cent per cent polling with the lone female voter, exercising her constitutional right on Friday, officials said. Supporters of two candidates clashed at the Bameng Assembly constituency in East Kameng. Irate mobs damaged EVMs in polling stations elsewhere in the state. Miscreants tried to snatch EVMs in three polling stations in the Nacho constituency in Upper Subansiri and in one in Kurung Kumey district, where polling was also suspended Assam: Total seats - 14 1st phase - 5 Long queues were seen outside booths since morning as polling was underway for five constituencies. Poling began at 7 am in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur and Kaziranga seats, and 86.5 lakh voters are eligible to vote. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of BJP and Congresss deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi were among those who cast their votes in the first hour Meghalaya: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 2 Voters at numerous polling stations were seen queuing up as early as 6 am, underscoring their enthusiasm to participate in the electoral process. The first five voters were rewarded with mementoes and first-time voters were also felicitated. Voters in a model polling station planted trees after casting their votes. Polling was being held at 3,512 polling stations in which 10 candidates are in the fray Mizoram: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 At least 6,500 polling personnel, over 3,500 policemen and 12 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed for the polls in the state. All international borders and inter-state borders have been sealed to ensure peaceful elections, a senior police officer said. Although there are six contenders, it is believed that the fight will be mainly among ZPM, MNF and Congress Nagaland: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Polling personnel in six eastern districts of Nagaland waited for nine hours in booths, but not one of the four lakh voters of the region turned up following a shutdown call given by an organisation to press for its demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT). Of the 13.25 lakh voters in Nagaland, 50.41 per cent have exercised their franchise, the officials said. Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan exercised his franchise at Model Polling Station Sikkim: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Over 50% of the 4.64 lakh voters in Sikkim exercised their franchise in the 32 Assembly seats and in the lone Lok Sabha constituency till 3 pm on Friday, an official said. Thirteen companies of CAPF have been deployed in Sikkim, of which five companies are from ITBP and eight from SSB, he added. Former Indian Football captain and SDF vice president Bhaichung Bhutia who is contesting from Barfung (BL) assembly seat voted Tripura: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 1 The opposition Congress and CPM alleged that largescale rigging in several places across the constituency, with the Election Commission saying that it received some complaints and was looking into those. In the bypolls to the Ramnagar assembly seat, which was being held simultaneously, a turnout of 56.68% was recorded. Altogether 14.61 lakh people are eligible to vote in this phase of Lok Sabha polls in Tripura

Margherita records 73.08 % voters turnout in LS polls

HT Correspondent MARGHERITA, April 19: The Margherita Legislative Assembly constituency recorded 73.08 per cent of voters turnout during the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday. The polling commenced from 7 am and concluded at 5 pm at polling stations in Margherita under the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency. The total number of voters in []

Excitement and enthusiasm mark first phase of voting in Dibrugarh LS seat

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 19: Despite inclement weather, there was a wave of excitement among voters in Dibrugarh as they came out in large numbers to cast their votes for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat in the first phase of election on Friday. Long queues were observed at different polling stations as early as 5 []

Locals' lament in Dibrugarh: Infra push but no jobs

'It feels like Assam is good just as a tourist spot and not a place to earn and live.'

Sarbananda Sonowal casts his vote in Dibrugarh, hails PM Modis development work

Guwahati, April 19: Union Minister and BJP candidate in Assams Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat, Sarbananda Sonowal cast his vote on Friday at the Sahitya Sabha Polling Booth. Sarbananda Sonowal is locked in a contest with former AASU leader and United Opposition Forum candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi. The BJP leader said, Democracy will be made stronger by [] The post Sarbananda Sonowal casts his vote in Dibrugarh, hails PM Modis development work appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Lok Sabha election: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal casts vote in Dibrugarh

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LS polls: BJP aims to continue its north-east dominance against challenge of INDIA bloc, regional issues

LS polls: BJP aims to continue its north-east dominance against challenge of INDIA bloc, regional issues As the Bharatiya Janata Party has continued to expand its footprint in the north-east, it will be looking forward to continuing with its dominance, while the INDIA bloc which is aiming to stop the BJP juggernaut from seeking a third consecutive term, will try to inflict as much damage as possible to the ruling party in the region. The eight north-eastern states -- Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh -- will all go to polls in the first phase tomorrow, either fully or in phase. Assam The north-eastern state that sends the maximum number of MPs to the Lok Sabha -- 14, will undergo polls in three phases starting on April 19. Out of 14, five seats will go to polls tomorrow namely: Dibrugrah, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga and Sonitpur. BJP is contesting on 11 out of 14 seats in Assam, while its ally parties, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), are contesting in two seats (Barpeta and Dhubri) and UPPL in one seat (Kokrajhar), respectively. Among the seats going to poll in the first phase Jorhat and Dibrugarh are of most significance because of high-profile contests on the seats. While in Jorhat, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has decided to challenge BJP MP Topon Kumar Gogoi, the Dibrugarh presents another big clash with former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal taking on INDIA candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi. Notably, the BJP has expanded its footprint in the state. From winning 5 seats in Assam in 2009, it has risen to 7 in 2014 and 9 in 2019. The party is also in power in the state since 2016. Mizoram Voting to elect the only MP Mizoram sends to the Parliament will take place in the first phase on April 19. Mizo National Front (MNF), which currently holds the seat, has fielded Vanlalvena this time from the only seat the state sends to the Parliament. In 2019, MNF's C Lalrosanga won the seat against the INC's Lalnghinglova Hmar by a margin of 8140 votes. Candidates of several major parties in the poll fray in the state, eyeing the sole LS seat; including Zoram People's Movement (ZPM)'s Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, Bharatiya Janata Party's Lalbiakzama, Mizo National Front's K Vanlalvena and Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), which has fielded Rita Malsawmi. The election comes in wake of issues of border fencing with Myanmar and suspension of Free Movement Regime between New Delhi and Naypyidaw. These issues are expected to play big role as in February, the Mizoram Assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Centre's decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with the neighbouring country. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced for immediate suspension of Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India's north-eastern states bordering Myanmar. In this regard, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also announced that the government has decided to construct a fence along the entire 1643-kilometre-long Indo-Myanmar border to facilitate better surveillance and ensure a patrol track along the border. The assembly polls were also conducted recently in the state, in which ZPM-led by Lalduhawma overthrew the MNF rule by registering a massive victory winning 27 out of 40 seats. Tripura The state of Tripura is another crucial front in the north-east, where the BJP will be looking forward to continue its recent momentum. There are two parliamentary seats in Tripura. The West Tripura parliamentary constituency will go to the polls on April 19 and polling for East Tripura is slated on April 26. Notably, BJP won both seats in the 2019 elections. The party is also in power in the state since 2018, when it formed the government under the leadership of Biplab Deb. The party decided to change the Chief Minister in 2022, and Manik Saha took over the post. BJP also won the 2023 assembly elections in the state winning 32 out of 60 seats. This time, BJP has fielded a strong face in former Chief Minister Biplab Deb from West Tripura. He is up against Congress' Asish Kumar Saha, who left BJP in 2022 and was made party's state chief. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said this week that 2024 Lok Sabha elections holds high significance in re-electing Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister for a third term and in making a corruption-free and developed nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently emphasised the importance of north-east region and said that it is an issue of 'priority' for him and not just 'poltiics'. North East plays a major role in making India 'Viksit'. After years of Independence and during the rule of Congress justice was not done with the capabilities of the states in North East. Communists ruled in Tripura and they just destroyed the people of Tripura. But, today in Delhi there is a government that continuously thinks about North East and Tripura. North East 'mere liye politics ka nahi, prem aur prathmikta ka vishay hai, he said during a rally in Agartala.Arunachal Pradesh The state of Arunachal Pradesh also presents a high-profile contest with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in the poll fray. The state has two parliamentary constituencies, Arunachal East and Arunachal West. The Assembly elections will be held concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections for these two seats in Arunachal on April 19. The votes will be counted on June 4. The Minister of Earth Sciences is up against Nabam Tuki from the Indian National Congress (INC). Rijiju, a prominent figure in Arunachal Pradesh politics, has held this seat since 2014. Meanwhile, Nabam Tuki, a veteran leader and former state chief minister, is the candidate representing the Congress. BJP won one seat in 2014 while upped its tally and came out victorious on both seats in 2019. The state is going to polls at a time when neighbouring China has came up with its co-called renaming of 30 places in the state. Beijing's action has received strong condemnation from New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have repeatedly asserted that irrespective of what China does, Arunchal Pradesh is and will remain an 'integral' part of India. Sikkim Sikkim is another state which will undergo Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls simultaneously on April 19. In 2019, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)'s Indra Hhang Subba won the lone Lok Sabha seat from the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The SKM also won 17 out of 32 seats in the Assembly polls while the Sikkim Democratic Front won 15 seats. This time, SKM has repeated Subba from the seat. BJP has fielded Dinesh Chandra Nepal while the Congress candidate from the seat is Gopal Chhetri. SDF, on the other hand, has fielded Prem Das Rai. Meghalaya Meghalaya has two Lok Sabha constituencies: Shillong and Tura, both of which will go for polling tomorrow. Key political parties and alliances in Meghalaya include the INDIA bloc represented by the Indian National Congress, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the Regional Democratic Alliance. The state will witness a multi-cornered contest for its two Lok Sabha seats, with 10 candidates vying for victory. The BJP is not contesting and NDA will be represented by National People's Party (NPP). In 2019, Congress' Vincent Pala and National People's Party candidate Agatha Sangma won the two seats in the state. This time Congress has repeated Pala from Shillong and fielded Saleng Sangma from Tura. NPP has repeated Agatha Sangma from Tura and fielded Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh from Shillong. TMC has also fielded its candidate Zenith M Sangma from the Tura constituency. Nagaland. The state of Nagaland sends only one MP to the Lok Sabha, which will go to polls tomorrow. In 2019, the NDPP-BJP coalition secured a significant victory over the Indian National Congress, emerging as the winner. The seat is currently being held by Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party candidate Tokheho Yepthomi. However, he has not been repeated from the seat. NDPP has fielded Chumben Murry as the NDA candidate from the seat. The Congress party has fielded Supongmeren Jamir from the seat. Earlier, BJP exuded confidence that their alliance would register a huge victory from the lone seat. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had visited Kohima as part of his Bharat Jodo Naya Yatra in January this year. Manipur The north-eastern state, which has been grappling with ethnic violence for close to a year, will also participate in the country's festival of democracy, but in a special manner. Manipur will poll in two phases, with Inner Manipur voting on April 19 and Outer Manipur in both phases, on April 19 and 26. While there is no official word on the rationale behind holding the polls in Outer Manipur in both the phases, it is believed that the decision was taken after assessing security concerns in the violence-hit state. A total of 15 assembly segments will see polling for the Lok Sabha on April 19, while another 13 assembly segments will poll on April 26. Significantly, the district of Churachandpur, which was epicentre of the ethnic violence that erupted last year, leaving many dead while displacing still more in the face of rampant violence and arsoning, will also go to polls in the opening phase on April 19. Currently, the two constituencies are held by Minister of State Rajkumar Ranjan Singh (Inner Manipur) and Naga People Front's Lorho Phoze (Outer Manipur). This time, however, the NPF is going into the polls as a partner in the BJP-led NDA. The BJP, earlier, announced its support for NPF candidate for Outer Manipur, Kachui Timothy Zimik. Zimik is up against Congress MLA Alfred K Arthur, who is the joint Opposition candidate of the INDIA bloc. BJP has fielded Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh from Inner Manipur and decided against repeating its MoS Rajkumar Ranjan Singh. He is up against Congress' Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. The Bharatiya Janata party will aim to hold and expand its dominance in the north-east while seeking a third consecutive term at the Centre. In its election manifesto, the party has said that it will continue its effective efforts to establish peace in the North-East and phase out the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. We will continue our efforts to address the issues in the disturbed areas and remove AFSPA in a phased manner. We will further work towards the resolution of inter-state border disputes amongst Northeastern states through sustained efforts, the party said in its manifesto. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, mainly led by Congress, will be looking to inflict some damage to NDA in these states riding on regional issues especially the situation in Manipur. (ANI)

Worlds Biggest Election Begins on Friday as Lok Sabha Ballot Train Arrives in 21 Indian States, UTs

A total of 102 Lok Sabha constituencies will see voting in the first of seven phases with union ministers Nitin Gadkari (Nagpur), Kiren Rijiju (Arunachal West), and Sarbananda Sonowal (Dibrugarh) among the notable candidates on Friday

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 First Phase: 5 Talking Points

Hyderabad: Voting for the seven-phased 18th Lok Sabha election begins on Friday. Campaigning ended on Wednesday (April 17) evening for the 102 LS seats in the first phase. Nominations for this phase were completed on March 27. Vote counting will be done on June 4 after voting in all phases are over. Here are the top five talking points on the first phase of voting: 1. VITAL STATISTICS The first phase is the largest of the seven phases of voting. Over 1,600 candidates are in the fray in this phase, which will cover 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and Union territories. This phase will cover 16.63 crore voters, including 8.23 crore women, 8.4 crore men, and 11,371 from the third gender. There are 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore voters in the age group of 20 to 29 years. 2. BIG NAMES The first phase will see eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and an ex-governor test their electoral fortunes. The Union ministers include Nitin Gadkari (Nagpur, Maharashtra), Kiren Rijiju (Arunachal Pradesh-West), Arjun Ram Meghwal (Bikaner, Rajasthan), Sarbanada Sonowal (Dibrugarh, Assam), Sanjeev Baliyan (Muzaffarnagar, western UP), Jitendra Singh (Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir) and Bhupendra Yadav (Alwar, Rajasthan). Former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb will slug it out against state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha in the West Tripura seat. Tamilisai Soundararajan, the former Governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry is contesting from the Chennai South constituency. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's son, Nakul is seeking reelection from the Chhindwara seat (Madhya Pradesh). Another key figure in the first phase is Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai, vying for the Coimbatore seat in Tamil Nadu. 3. ARRANGEMENTS Over 18 lakh polling personnel have been deployed across 1.87 lakh polling booths. They were sent to their respective polling stations via 41 helicopters, 84 special trains and nearly one lakh vehicles. 4. FAIRNESS Arrangements have been made for webcasting (live video broadcasting over the internet) in over 50 per cent of the polling stations. On top of that micro observers have been deployed in all polling stations. As many as 361 observers (127 generals, 67 police officials and 167 expenditure observers) had already reached their constituencies several days before the polls. 5. POLLING TIME Voting will start at 7 am and end at 6 pm. However, the closure of poll timing differs in some seats. Following is the list of states voting in the first phase: Tamil Nadu (All 39 seats) Rajasthan (12 of 25 seats) Uttar Pradesh (8 out of 80 seats) Madhya Pradesh (6 out of 29 seats) Maharashtra (5 out of 48 seats) Uttarakhand (All 5 seats) Assam (5 of 14 seats) Bihar (4 of 40 seats) West Bengal (3 of 42 seats) Arunachal Pradesh (Both of the 2 seats in the state) Manipur (Both of the 2 seats in the state) Meghalaya (Both of the 2 seats in the state) Chhattisgarh (1 out of 11 seats) Mizoram (sole seat) Nagaland (sole seat) Sikkim (sole seat) Tripura (1 out of 2 seats) Jammu and Kashmir (1 out of 5 seats) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (sole seat) Lakshadweep (sole seat) Puducherry (sole seat) On the day, voting will also be carried out for the 92 Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Elections 2024: 21 states, UTs set for polling in phase one; 102 LS seats in fray

The first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will see 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories go to polls on Friday. The first phase of polling will take place across all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, all five seats in Uttarakhand, both seats in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya, and the sole seat in Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, respectively. Polling will also take place for 12 out of 25 seats in Rajasthan, eight out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, six out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh, five out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, five out of 14 seats in Assam, and four out of 40 seats in Bihar. Additionally, three out of 42 seats in West Bengal, one out of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, and one out of two seats in Tripura will be contested. In the union territories, one out of five seats in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the sole seats in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry, will be up for grabs. Voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats will take place across seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the counting of votes slated for June 4. Separately, voting will also be held for 92 assembly seats in the state elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on Friday. Of the 102 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP had won 39 in 2019, with the ruling alliance NDA bagging 12, five and three of them in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, respectively. The BJP's existing allies hold seven of them. And in Tamil Nadu, the DMK-led alliance had swept 38 of the 39 seats in 2019 general elections. Amongst the prominent leaders trying their electoral luck in phase one are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur, Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh (West), Arjun Ram Meghwal from Bikaner, Sarbanada Sonowal from Dibrugarh in Assam, Sanjeev Baliyan from Muzaffarnagar in western UP, Jitendra Singh from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir and Bhupendra Yadav from Alwar in Rajasthan. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry to return to active politics, is contesting from Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency. Nakul Nath, son of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, is seeking reelection from Chhindwara. Will the BJP's lotus bloom in Tamil Nadu? Tamil Nadu is gearing up for polls a mid fierce campaigning and an intense three-way political battle between the alliances led by state heavyweightsthe DMK and the AIADMKand the BJP, respectively. With elections for 39 Lok Sabha seats looming, approximately 6.23 crore voters are poised to cast their ballots across nearly 68,000 polling stations. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made unprecedented efforts to gain ground in the Dravidian stronghold. Modi's exhaustive campaign across Tamil Nadu, including rallies in Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, and Tirunelveli, underscores the BJP's determination to break its electoral jinx in the state. From raking up alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics of the DMK-Congress alliance to the Katchatheevu issue, Modi left no stone unturned in his nine visit to the state Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu, is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and the BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious, battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. Meanwhile, the DMK, led by Chief Minister Stalin, has campaigned on platforms of social justice and welfare measures, portraying the elections as a battle against the BJP's divisive politics. Throughout the campaign, Stalin has repeatedly emphasised the importance of these elections, likening them to a second independence movement aimed at freeing the nation from the BJP's influence. In contrast, the AIADMK, under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami, has staunchly defended its record in governance and taken a strong stance against the DMK's campaign. Palaniswami has vigorously addressed various issues, including law and order, and has accused the BJP of discrimination based on caste and religion. Despite facing challenges from both the DMK and BJP, the AIADMK remains confident in its ability to weather the storm, with Palaniswami asserting that the party will emerge victorious with the support of the electorate. UP: Eight seats up for grabs in India's largest state The first phase of the seven-phase parliamentary election in western Uttar Pradesh sees voters in eight Lok Sabha constituencies exercising their constitutional right. These constituencies, falling in the Jat and sugarcane belt, include Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit, spread across nine districts. The contest is three-cornered, primarily between the ruling BJP-led NDA, the Samajwadi Party (SP), and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BJP has allied with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), while the SP has partnered with INDIA bloc ally Congress. The BSP, however, decided to go solo. Key issues for voters include employment, education, and development. A total of 80 candidates, including seven women, are in the fray. The eligible voter count stands at 1.43 crore, with a significant Muslim voter presence ranging from 35 to 50 percent. Notable candidates include Jitin Prasada from Pilibhit, who got the ticket over sitting BJP MP Varun Gandhi , Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan from Muzaffarnagar, and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad from Nagina. In the previous 2019 polls, the BJP secured victories in Muzaffarnagar, Kairana, and Pilibhit, the BSP won in Saharanpur, Nagina and Bijnor, while the SP won in Moradabad and Rampur, the stronghold of its jailed leader Azam Khan. However, the party later lost Rampur to BJP in a bypoll. Cracking the Jat code: BJP's strategic courting of RLD and what it means in western Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra: Polls in 5 LS seats; Gadkari among 97 nominees in fray More than 95 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise on Friday in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra , covering five of the 48 constituencies, where 97 candidates, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of the BJP, are in fray. Polling will be held in the constituencies of Nagpur, Ramtek (SC), Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Naxal-hit Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), all located in the easternmost parts of the state. There are 95,54,667 voters in the five Lok Sabha constituencies in the Vidarbha region where voting will take place on Friday. Of these, 48,28,142 are male, 47,26,178 are female and 347 are transgender voters, according to a statement from the state electoral office. In Nagpur, which houses the RSS headquarters, a direct fight is on cards between Gadkari, who is seeking a third term, and Congress candidate Vikas Thakre. First phase of LS polls in Maharashtra: It's Congress party's 'caste calculations' vs BJP's 'Modi charisma' In Chandrapur, BJP candidate and Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is facing Congress nominee Pratibha Dhanorkar, wife of late parliamentarian Suresh Dhanorkar, who was the lone MP from the grand old party to be elected from Maharashtra in 2019 from the seat. In Bhandara-Gondia, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Sunil Mendhe, who is pitted against Congress candidate Dr Prashant Patole. Two-time Lok Sabha MP of BJP, Ashok Nete, is contesting against Congress nominee Dr Namdev Kirsan in Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), where some areas are affected Naxal insurgency. In the 2019 elections, Nete had defeated Congress candidate Dr Namdev Usendi. In Ramtek (SC), the fight is between Shyamkumar Barwe of the Congress and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's candidate Raju Parwe. Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh, will vote in five phases between April 19 and May 20. Rajasthan: 12 seats in fray; will BJP's dominance continue? In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, 12 out of 25 seats will be contested. Polling will be held in Churu, Nagaurm, Ganganagar, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur and Dausa. According to chief electoral officer Praveen Gupta, a total of 2.54 crore voters are set to vote in the first phase on Friday. Notably, a Union minister is among the 114 candidates in the fray. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is contesting from Bikaner against Congress candidate Govind Ram Meghwal. The Bharatiya Janata Party won all 25 seats in Rajasthan on its own in 2014, and in 2019, the NDA won 25 seats, the saffron party won 24 seats and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) won one seat. Key constituencies include Nagaur, witnessing a contest between the RLP, now in alliance with Congress, and the BJP, and Churu, with former BJP MP Rahul Kaswan contesting as a Congress candidate. In Sikar, the CPI(M) is challenging the BJP's incumbent MP. The ruling BJP focused its campaign on PM Modi's popularity and its infrastructure work, while the Congress raised issues of central agency misuse and unemployment. Notable campaigners include PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. The second phase of the elections in Rajasthan will be held on April 26. In the second phase, polls will be held in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies: Tonk, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar. MP: Six LS seats in action, including Kamal Nath's bastion Six constituents will be in action during the first phase of the four phases for the Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. The constituencies include Shahdol, Mandla, Jabalpur, Balaghat, Chhindwara, and Sidhi, covering 13 districts and 27 assembly segments. A total of 88 candidates are in the fray, with Jabalpur having the highest number at 19 and Shahdol the lowest at 10. The total number of registered voters across the six constituencies is 1,13,09,636, with arrangements made for shelter, water, and medical assistance at polling booths due to the hot weather. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 28 out of 29 Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress won only one seat in Chhindwara, held by Nakul Nath, the son of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath. The second, third and fourth phases of the elections will take place on April 26, May 7 and May 13. Kamal Nath fighting lone battle to help son win Chhindwara and protect home turf Over 75 lakh voters to decide four seats in Bihar In Bihar, the stage is set for the first phase more than 75 lakh voters will decide the fate of 38 candidates standing in four constituencies: Nawada, Aurangabad, Gaya and Jamui. Tight security arrangements are in place at Nawada and Aurangabad, besides reserved seats in Gaya and Jamui, where a majority of nearly 5,000 polling booths have been marked as sensitive, given these districts' long history of naxal violence. Nawada, with 20.06 lakh voters, sees a tough battle primarily between the BJP's Vivek Thakur and the RJD's Shravan Kushwaha, with Independent candidate Binod Yadav adding complexity. Gaya, with 18.18 lakh voters, witnesses 14 candidates, including former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, an NDA ally, and RJD's Kumar Sarvajeet. Jamui, with 19.07 lakh voters, features a showdown between Arun Bharti from Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) and RJD's Archana Ravidas. The party's president Chirag Paswan, whose sister is married to Bharti, has shifted base to Hajipur after having represented the seat for two consecutive terms. Aurangabad, with over 18 lakh voters, sees BJP's Sushil Kumar Singh facing RJD's Abhay Kushwaha. 76.01 lakh voters, including 36.38 lakh females and 255 belonging to the third gender, are expected to cast their votes. Uttarakhand: Can BJP 'three-peat' clean sweep? Uttarakhand's all five Lok Sabha seats go into polling in phase one, with the BJP aiming to retain the seats for the third time and the Congress looking to regain lost ground in the state. The five seats going to polls on Friday are Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and the lone reserved seat of Almora. The BJP won all five seats in Uttarakhand in the 2014 and 2019 general elections. More than 83 lakh voters will decide the fate of 55 candidates in the fray. Sitting BJP MPs Ajay Bhatt, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah and Ajay Tamta have been fielded by the party from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri Garhwal and Almora, respectively. The BJP has replaced its candidates in Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal. Former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is contesting in place of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from Haridwar and Anil Baluni in place of Tirath Singh Rawat from Pauri Garhwal. The Congress has fielded former PCC president Ganesh Godiyal from Pauri Garhwal, former chief minister Harish Rawat's son Virendra Rawat from Haridwar, Jot Singh Gunsola from Tehri Garhwal, Prakash Joshi from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and Pradeep Tamta from Almora. Candidates from the Bahujan Samaj Party, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and relatively smaller outfits and independents are also in the fray, but straight contests are likely between traditional rivalsthe BJP and Congressin all the seats. Experts say that Haridwar's demography, which has substantial minority and Dalit votes, may also not be a cakewalk for the BJP's Trivendra Rawat, despite his advantage over his rival in terms of experience, as Congress veteran Harish Rawat, who had won the seat in 2009, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure his son's victory from the seat. If the Modi factor works again as it did in 2014 and 2019, overriding all other factors, the BJP will obviously reap the benefits but if unemployment, inflation, continued migration from the hills and performance of BJP MPs over the past 10 years outweigh the national issues, the Congress will gain, political analyst Jaisingh Rawat said. Bengal: Triangular tussle between TMC, BJP and Cong-Left In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, all attention is on Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduars constituencies in north Bengal. A total of 56,26,108 voters are eligible to vote in 5,814 booths in this phase. Coochbehar, where Union Minister Nisith Pramanik faces TMC's Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, remains significant due to past violence and political rivalries. The deployment of central forces is higher in Coochbehar compared to the other two constituencies. Both BJP and TMC have intensified their campaigns, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee addressing rallies. Key issues include corruption allegations against ruling party leaders, denial of central funds, and the 2021 Sitalkuchi firing incident. The BJP won all three constituencies in the 2019 general elections and maintained its grip in Coochbehar and Alipurduars in the 2021 assembly polls. But, the TMC had the upper hand in Jalpaiguri in the 2021 assembly polls, winning five and the saffron party managed to win two. The Left Front and Congress are contesting together, having secured only single-digit vote shares in 2019. The BJP has renominated Jayanta Roy in Jalpaiguri and Pramanik in Cooch Behar, but replaced last time's winner John Barla with the party's Madarihat MLA Manoj Tigga in Alipurduars. The TMC has, however, changed candidates in all three seats, fielding Prakash Chik Baraik in Alipurduars, Nirmal Chandra Roy in Jalpaiguri and Sitai MLA Basunia in Coochbehar. Direct, triangular contests in Assam's five LS seats Assam gears up for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in five constituencies, with 35 candidates vying for victory, including Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal . The electorate of 86,47,869, comprising 43,64,859 women and 42,82,887 male voters, will cast their votes in 10,001 polling booths under tight security with 60 companies of security forces deployed. The BJP is contesting in all five seats, the Congress in four and supporting the Assam Jatiya Parishad contestant in one, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in two and the All India Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) in one seat each. A direct contest is on the cards between the BJP and Congress in Jorhat, Kaziranga and Lakhimpur, while in Dibrugarh and Sonitpur, there is likely to be a triangular fight among the ruling party, Congress, AJP and AAP. The prestigious Dibrugarh constituency has three candidates in fray: BJP's Sonowal, a Rajya Sabha MP, pitted against the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi of the AJP and AAP's Manoj Dhanowar. In Jorhat, four candidates are in contention, with Lok Sabha's Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi locked in a direct contest with sitting BJP MP Topon Gogoi. Gogoi had to shift his constituency to Jorhat from Kaliabor, which has been renamed Kaziranga following a delimitation exercise in the state last year. In Kaziranga, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is locked in a direct contest with former Congress MLA Roselina Tirkey, with both candidates belonging to the tea workers' community. Kaziranga has the highest number of 11 candidates in the fray. In Sonitpur, also renamed from the earlier Tezpur after delimitation, there are eight nominees, with a triangular contest likely between BJP MLA Ranjit Dutta, Congress candidate Prem Lal Ganju and AAP's Rishiraj Kaundinya. Lakhimpur has nine contestants, prominent among them being sitting BJP MP Pradan Baruah and Uday Shankar Hazarika of the Congress. Two LS seats in strife-torn Manipur go to polls Manipur gears up for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections amid tight security measures, particularly in the wake of recent ethnic violence. The Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, which comprises 32 of the 60 assembly segments in the state, and 15 assembly segments of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat will go to polls in the first phase on Friday. Six candidates, including state Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of the BJP and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress, are in the fray for the Inner Manipur seat. Outer Manipur, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, will witness a four-cornered contest between Naga People's Front's K Timothy Zimik, Congress' Alfred Kanngam Arthur and independent candidates Kho John and Alyson Abonmai, with all the candidates being Nagas. A total of 9.91 lakh voters are eligible in Inner Manipur and over 10.22 lakh voters in Outer Manipur. Special arrangements have been made for people displaced due to ethnic strife, with special polling stations set up. The campaigning has been subdued due to the prevailing tensions, and security has been heightened with the deployment of central armed police forces, especially in vulnerable and critical polling stations. Polling personnel have been dispatched to their respective stations, with special provisions for internally displaced people. The election authorities have ensured gender diversity in the management of polling stations, with some stations being exclusively manned by women. Despite the challenges posed by the recent unrest, efforts are underway to conduct the elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Tripura and Nagaland In Tripura, the first phase of Lok Sabha polls will see voting for the Tripura West Parliamentary constituency and a by-poll in the Ramnagar Assembly. The main contest in Tripura West is between the BJP's Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha. With 14.61 lakh eligible voters, including 7.33 lakh males and 7.28 lakh females, the constituency has 1682 polling booths. Central paramilitary forces will secure all booths, with webcasting from each. In the Ramnagar Assembly by-election, BJP's Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumer faces former CPI(M) MLA Ratan Das, with 54,669 electors deciding their fate. In Nagaland, over 13.25 lakh voters will decide the fate of three candidates. Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Chumben Murry and Independent Hayithung Tungoe Lotha are contesting the elections. BJP President J P Nadda, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and Deputy Chief Ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton addressed several rallies in support of their candidate. Polling will run from 7 am to 4 pm, with 13,25,383 eligible voters, including 19,999 first-time voters and 6,707 people with disabilities. Female voters slightly outnumber male voters. In 2019, NDPP's Tokheho Yepthomi won against Congress's K L Chishi. J-K: Udhampur LC seat in action amid ceasefire The Udhampur seat in Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls on Friday in the first phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. In view of the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the heavy deployment of paramilitary forces, the voting process is expected to be peaceful in 2,637 polling stations in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, a senior election official said. Union Minister Jitendra Singh is eyeing a third consecutive term in the constituency after winning the seat for BJP in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, facing a major challenge from Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh, who had also won the seat twice in 2004 and 2009. Democratic Progressive Azad Party's (DPAP) candidate G M Saroori, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Amit Kumar and six independents will also be contesting the elections from the Udhampur constituency. According to officials, there are 16,23,195 eligible voters. Among them, 845,283 are men, 777,899 are women and 13 are third-gender voters. There are a total of 84,468 potential first-time voters, aged 1819, of whom 45,825 are men, 38,641 are women and two are third genders, the officials said. Lone Puducherry segment all set for three-way fight The fate of the 26 candidates in fray for the Lok Sabha polls will be sealed on Friday when voters spread across four regions will pick the lone MP from this union territory, where the fight is largely confined between the ruling BJP and Congress. BJP leader and Home Minister A Namassivayam, fielded on behalf of the AINRC-BJP combine, will face off Congress MP and PCC president V Vaithilingam, while AIADMK's G Tamizhvendhan is also testing his luck as a debutant. The Union Territory has a total of 10,23,699 voters spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions. Andaman's lone seat in action The lone seat in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will see 3.15 lakh voters get an opportunity to exercise their franchise. A total of 12 candidates, including two women and five independents, are in the fray for the polls. Of the 3.15 lakh voters, 1.64 lakh are men and 1.51 lakh are women, while there are four third-gender voters. The electorate also includes 39 voters from the Great Nicobarese tribe of the Strait Islands, 68 members of the Onge tribe at Hut Bay and 98 members of the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar Island. Special polling stations have been established for them. This time, the saffron party has nominated Bishnu Pada Ray as its candidate, while the Congress has fielded its sitting MP, Kuldeep Rai Sharma. Ray was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1999, when he defeated Congress candidate Sharma by 2,990 votes. He was re-elected in 2009 and again in 2014. In the 2019 elections, however, Sharma secured a victory against BJP's Vishal Jolly (Ray was denied a ticket) by a narrow margin of 1,407 votes.

It's advantage NDA as 15 of Northeasts 25 seats go to polls in first phase

GUWAHATI: It will be advantage BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) when the Northeast goes to Lok Sabha elections on Friday. The region has 25 seats and 15 of them are going to polls in the first phase five in Assam, all two in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya, one of two seats in Tripura and the lone seats in Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim. The BJP rules Assam, Arunachal, Tripura and Manipur and is a component of the ruling coalitions in Nagaland and Meghalaya. Assam has 14 seats and the five going to polls are Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur and Kaziranga. A straight contest is expected between the BJP and the Congress in Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga and Sonitpur. The Dibrugarh seat is poised to witness a battle between the BJP and the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), which is a Congress ally. All eyes will be particularly on the Jorhat and Dibrugarh seats. The Congress Gaurav Gogoi is up against sitting MP Topon Kumar Gogoi of the BJP in the Jorhat seat. Nehru said bye bye to Assam during China war, people can never forget: Amit Shah Sensing undercurrents of a wavering electorate and Gauravs popularity as a youth icon, the BJP had considerably reinforced its campaign. Not only Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed a series of rallies, the BJP stationed a minister and some MLAs here as it had stepped up its campaign. It will be a battle between experience and exuberance in the Dibrugarh seat where Union minister and BJP stalwart Sarbananda Sonowal is facing a challenge from the AJPs Lurinjyoti Gogoi. Gogoi is among the leaders who had spearheaded the movement against Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The polls in Manipur will be held in the backdrop of the bloody ethnic violence between the Meiteis and the Kukis. The Inner Manipur seat will go to polls in one phase and the Outer Manipur seat in two phases. It will be the BJP versus the Congress in the Inner Manipur seat. The BJP fielded Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh, a minister and former IPS officer; while the Congress set up Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who is a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. The Outer Manipur seat braces for a triangular contest among the Naga Peoples Fronts (NPF) Kachui Timothy Zimik, the Congress Alfred KS Arthur and an independent, S Kho John. No Kuki is contesting the polls in the state. The contest in the two seats in Arunachal will also be a Congress-BJP affair. Union minister Kiren Rijiju of the BJP is up against former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of the Congress in the Arunachal West seat. Sitting MP and BJP leader Tapir Gao will vie against former minister Bosiram Siram of the Congress in the Arunachal East seat. A deadly trek for sake of democracy in Arunachal The National Peoples Party (NPP), which heads the coalition government in Meghalaya, has an edge over others in both Shillong and Tura seats. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangmas sister and sitting MP Agatha is contesting from the Sangma familys pet Tura seat. A multi-cornered contest in expected in the Shillong seat, which is currently held by the Congress Vincent H Pala. The BJP is facing a contest from the Congress in the Tripura West seat where it fielded former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. He is up against state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha. Nagaland will witness a straight contest between the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Congress. The contest in Mizoram will be between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the ruling Zoram Peoples Movement. The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and the Sikkim Democratic Front will lock horns with each other in Sikkim. The BJP is contesting the polls as NDA. The NPP, NPF, NDPP, MNF and SKM are its allies. The allies across the region are known to fight each other. This election, the BJP struck an understanding with allies in all states barring Sikkim and Mizoram. Meanwhile, Arunachal and Sikkim are also having Assembly elections. The BJP is expected to retain power in Arunachal. The SKM has an edge over other parties in Sikkim.

PM Modi integrated northeast with mainstream: JP Nadda

Guwahati: Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi integrated Bodoland with the mainstream of India by signing the Bodo peace accord. Addressing an election rally in Western Assams Kokrajhar Mr Nadda said, 70 percent of north-east is now outside the ambit of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act. Pointing out that it was the leadership of PM Narendra Modi that brought peace and harmony to Bodoland he said that the BJP government also facilitated sustainable development of the region by extending huge financial support to Bodoland. Accusing that Congress had isolated the northeast from the mainstream of the country, he said, When you used to visit Delhi earlier people used to ask you a question about which country you are from. But today Delhi is not far, you are in Delhi's heart. He noted the significant improvement in connectivity to Delhi, once a distant dream for many in Assam, now made accessible through improved infrastructure and connectivity measures. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone has taken more visits to northeastern states than previous Prime Ministers combined. All PMs together have not taken 70 visits as much as PM Modi...In the last 10 years, Union Ministers made visits to the northeast 680 times. PM Modi called northeast 'Ashta Lakshmi', what are those 'Ashta Aadhar? first, peace....second...hydropower generation, third, tourism; fourth, 5G connectivity, fifth, culture; sixth, natural farming...seventh, sports and eighth was to nourish the potential he said. Meanwhile the election commission has completed the preparation for the first phase of polling on five Lok Sabha seats on Friday. The Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel said that all the vehicles carrying EVMs will be equipped with GPS tracking devices and satellite phones will be made available in far-flung areas. We have arranged GPS tracking of all the vehicles that will be carrying EVMs and this will be monitored by the District Election Officer, CEO, and Election Commission. We have also provided satellite phones in very hard-to-reach areas, said Mr Goel. The Chief Electoral Officer, Assam also reiterated that they are confident to hold a free and fair election as observers have been put in all the constituencies. Five constituencies Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga and Sonitpur will go to polls on April 19.

Assam: Direct, triangular contests to decide fate of 35 candidates in 5 LS constituencies

Assam: Direct, triangular contests to decide fate of 35 candidates in 5 LS constituencies Assam is all set to witness direct and triangular contests for the first of the three-phased Lok Sabha polls in five constituencies to decide the fate of 35 candidates, including that of Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Polling will begin at 7 am and conclude at 5 pm in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. A total electorate of 86,47,869, comprising 43,64,859 women who outnumber the 42,82,887 male voters, and 123 third genders, are eligible to exercise their franchise in 10,001 polling booths. Voting will be held amid tight security with 60 companies of security forces deployed across the five constituencies. The BJP is contesting in all the five seats, the Congress in four and supporting the Assam Jatiya Parishad contestant in one, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in two and the All India Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) in one seat each. A direct contest is on the cards between the BJP and Congress in Jorhat, Kaziranga and Lakhimpur while in Dibrugarh and Sonitpur, there is likely to be a triangular fight among the ruling party, Congress, AJP and AAP. The prestigious Dibrugarh constituency has three candidates in fray with Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, a Rajya Sabha MP, pitted against the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi of the AJP and Aam Aadmi Party's Manoj Dhanowar. In Jorhat, four candidates are in contention, with Lok Sabha's Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi locked in a direct contest with sitting BJP MP Topon Gogoi. Gogoi had to shift his constituency to Jorhat from Kaliabor, which has been renamed as Kaziranga following a delimitation exercise in the state last year. In Kaziranga, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is locked in a direct contest with former Congress MLA Roselina Tirkey, with both candidates belonging to the tea workers' community. Kaziranga has the highest number of 11 candidates in the fray. In Sonitpur, also renamed from the earlier Tezpur after delimitation, there are eight nominees with a triangular contest likely between BJP MLA Ranjit Dutta, Congress candidate Prem Lal Ganju and AAP's Rishiraj Kaundinya. Lakhimpur has nine contestants, prominent among them being sitting BJP MP Pradan Baruah and Uday Shankar Hazarika of the Congress. Assam Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel said all arrangements have been made for conducting the polls in a free, fair, safe and peaceful manner. Live monitoring and webcasting will be available in all the 5,509 polling stations, as per the ECs direction, he said. Out of the 10,001 polling booths in the first phase, 92 are model polling stations, 11 are People with Disability (PwD)-managed ones and 752 are female-managed booths. A total of 40,004 polling and presiding officers will be engaged, and Ballot Units (BUs), Control Unit (CUs) and VVPATs will be put to use. Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) like provision for drinking water, adequate furniture, waiting shed, toilet, lighting, creche for children, signage and ramps will be available at all the polling stations, officials said. Besides, arrangements like transport facility for the elderly, assistance from volunteers and provision for wheelchairs have made at the booths.

Over 1800 polling stations ready for Lok Sabha elections in Assam's Sonitpur

The first phase of polls in five parliamentary constituencies--Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Kaziranga--will be held on April 19.

Election campaigning in Dibrugarh LS ends after high-voltage campaigning for several weeks

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 17: The high- voltage election campaigning of all the three candidates in Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency ended at around 5 pm on Wednesday. AAP candidate Manoj Dhanowar took out a bike rally in the town with huge supporters, while INDIA bloc candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi also participated in a rally in the []

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Campaigning ends for first phase in 102 seats

NEW DELHI: Campaigning for 102 parliamentary constituencies distributed across 21 states and Union territories, where voting will be held in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19, concluded on Wednesday. In the first phase, polling will be held in Arunachal Pradesh (2 seats), Assam (5), Bihar (4), Chhattisgarh (1), Madhya Pradesh (6), Maharashtra (5), Manipur (2), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Rajasthan (12), Sikkim (1), Tamil Nadu (39), Tripura (1), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (5), West Bengal (3), Andaman and Nicobar (1), Jammu and Kashmir (1), Lakshadweep (1) and Puducherry (1). Campaigning for the first phase of polling on April 19 in Uttar Pradesh concluded Wednesday evening, with candidates closing up their campaigns for eight parliamentary seats. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, both members of the opposition's INDIA bloc, held rallies in Saharanpur and Moradabad on the final day of the campaign. On what basis is BJP claiming 400 seats: Priyanka Gandhi smells a rat in NDA slogan The seats going to the polls in the first phase on Friday are Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit. Likewise, campaigning drew to a close in Uttarakhand at 5 pm this evening, Chief Electoral Officer B VRC Purushottam said. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a roadshow in Haldwani on the last day of the election campaign, earlier on Wednesday. After winning all five seats in Uttarakhand in the 2014 and 2019 general elections, the BJP is attempting to retain them for a third term. Six personnel for four voters -- a unique polling booth in Uttarakhand Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP's campaign, built around the development plank, in Madhya Pradesh for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections that ended on Wednesday. With the first phase scheduled for April 19, the fate of 88 candidates contesting six seats in the MP will be sealed by voters. As TN gears up to vote, poll boycott decisions in the Vengaivayals of the state fail to draw attention In Maharashtra, campaigning for Lok Sabha elections came to an end in five constituencies of the Vidarbha region on Wednesday evening. Polling will be held in the constituencies of Nagpur, Ramtek, Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli in the first phase on April 19. The campaigning in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur parliamentary constituency ended on Wednesday evening. It is witnessing its first major electoral battle since the abrogation of Article 370. The polling is slated for the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat in the first phase on April 19 and will decide the fate of 12 contestants. Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai said, On April 17 at 6 pm, we suspended all election-related campaigning, and political parties have been directed to not hold campaigning, roadshows, or canvassing other than door-to-door campaigning. Section 144 is also imposed. Flying squad and static surveillance teams have been deployed. Our main objective is a free and fair and inducement-free election, said Rai. Asaduddin Owaisi's Uttar Pradesh gambit and why it has left the BJP chuckling in delight Meanwhile, campaigning for three Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal - Cooch Behar (SC), Jalpaiguri (SC) and Alipurduars (ST) -- going to polls in the first phase on April 19 came to an end at 6 PM on Wednesday. Altogether 14 candidates, including sitting MP and Union minister Nisith Pramanik, are contesting the parliamentary elections from Cooch Behar. Verbal exchanges between main rivals Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress over issues such as corruption, poverty, and pre-poll promises dominated the campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh, which concluded on Wednesday evening. Naxal-affected Bastar is the only seat among the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state that will vote in the first phase on April 19, an exercise that will take place in the shadow of the major counter-insurgency operation in Kanker district on April 16. In Mizoram, the campaigning for the lone Lok Sabha seat ended on Wednesday with political parties making last ditch efforts to sweep the voters. Campaigning for the April 19 simultaneous polls in Arunachal Pradesh came to an end on Wednesday evening, setting the stage to elect two Lok Sabha MPs and 50 lawmakers for the state assembly. The BJP has already opened its account by securing 10 seats in the assembly in Arunachal. Campaigning for five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam, which are due to go for polling on April 19, including the high-profile constituency of Dibrugarh, ended on Wednesday. Congress gave problems to Northeast, BJP made it a source of possibilities: PM Modi in Assam The Lok Sabha poll campaigning for 2024, for the first phase of elections, ended at 5 pm on the five Lok Sabha seats in Assam, including the high-profile seat of Dibrugarh, where Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Assam are contesting. The voting for the Lok Sabha election in the first phase is to be held across 21 states in 102 seats, including five seats in Upper Assam. The campaign for the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and the Ramnagar Assembly constituency by-poll also ended at 5 pm on Wednesday. Modi says Congress 'loot' policy would have led to Rs 5,000 mobile bills in northeast All preparations, including security arrangements, have been made for the polling to be held on April 19, an election department official said. Rallies, public meetings and roadshows marked the two-week-long high-decibel campaign. In the meantime, speaking on the preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, South Andaman SP Niharika Bhatt says, The election campaign will be banned from 6 PM today and no political gathering or street processions will be allowed, that's called the 'Silent' period. Only door-to-door campaigning will be allowed and that too without speakers. DC has also given orders regarding Section 144 to maintain law and order. Voting will start at 7 in the morning on April 19 and go until 6 p.m. A few pink polling booths have been established where all the officials will be women, said the official. The 2024 general elections will be held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4. From backroom boys to consultants: Poll strategists turn campaign makers in India's political war rooms

Eight union ministers, two former CMs, one ex-governor in fray in first phase of LS polls

NEW DELHI: Eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and one ex-governor are among those who are set to test their electoral fate in the first phase of elections on April 19 when 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls. Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is seeking a hat-trick of win from the Nagpur seat. In 2014, he had defeated seven-time MP Vilas Muttemwar by a margin of 2.84 lakh votes and retained the seat in 2019 by defeating current Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole by 2.16 lakh votes. Union minister Kiren Rijiju is contesting from the Arunachal West seat. The 52-year-old has represented the constituency thrice since 2004. Rijiju's main rival is former chief minister and present president of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Nabam Tuki. Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur, Nitin Gadkari in BJP's second list of 72 candidates for Lok Sabha polls Sarbanada Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is seeking a return to Lok Sabha from Dibrugarh in Assam. Sonowal, a Rajya Sabha member, was fielded from Dibrugarh after Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli, was not given a ticket. Muzaffarnagar, known for its intricate caste dynamics, is witnessing a three-cornered electoral battle, with Union minister Sanjeev Baliyan locked in competition against Samajwadi Party's Harindra Malik and BSP candidate Dara Singh Prajapati. INTERVIEW| CAA won't impact Assam's indigenous people; IMDT was discriminatory: Union Minister Sonowal Jitendra Singh, a two-time parliamentarian and a junior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, is aiming for a hat-trick in Udhampur. Bhupendra Yadav, Union minister and Rajya Sabha member who replaced sitting MP Balak Nath, is in a contest with sitting Congress MLA Lalit Yadav, who belongs to Matsya region of Alwar district in Rajasthan and enjoys the support of the Yadav community. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is pitted against former Congress minister Govind Ram Meghwl from Bikaner parliamentary seat in Rajasthan. The Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu is witnessing one of the keenly watched battles between A Raja, the incumbent DMK MP, and former telecom minister, and L Murugan of the BJP, who is the Union Minister of State for Fisheries. This will be the first time that Murugan, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, is contesting from here. Fight in Nilgiris between Modiji and 2G, says BJPs Murugan, targets Raja Sivaganga MP Karti Chidmabaram is aiming for a re-election from a seat his father won seven times, competing against BJP's T Devanathan Yadav and AIADMK's Xavier Dass. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai is set to take the ballot test in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore where she is pitted against DMK leader Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMK's Singai Ramachandran. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry to return to active politics, is contesting from Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency. Daughter of veteran Congress leader Kumari Anantha, Soundararajan had contested 2019 Lok Sabha elections against DMK's Kanimozhi, but lost by a huge margin in Thoothukudi. This time, Kanimozhi is seeking a re-election from the seat. Firebrand Annamalais duel in Coimbatore is TN head-turner NDA ally Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) has fielded SDR Vijayaseelan and AIADMK has fielded R Sivasami Velumani from the constituency. Nakul Nath, son of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, is seeking a re-election Chhindwara. The seat has remained firmly with Kamal Nath, who has won the seat nine times since 1980. In the 2019 polls, the BJP bagged 28 seats out of the state's 29, but missed out on picking Chhindwara, where Nakul beat the BJP's candidate by 37,536 votes to emerge as the lone Congress MP in the state. Of the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Tripura, the seat of West Tripura that votes in the first phase on April 19 will see a high-voltage clash between former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha. Having won Lok Sabha elections twice since 2014 from Kaliabor constituency in Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha and son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, finds himself as the new candidate in neighbouring Jorhat, where BJP's Topon Kumar Gogoi won in 2019. Gaurav Gogoi's shift to Jorhat came after the impact of delimitation exercise in his 2019 constituency, Kaliabor. Manipur Law and Education Minister Basanta Kumar Singh is BJP's nominee for the Inner Manipur constituency and is pitted against JNU professor and Congress candidate Bimal Akoijam. Singh, who belongs to the Meiti community, is the son of Thounaojam Chaoba Singh who served as the Union Minister of State for sports, youth affairs, culture and food processing in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP stronghold of Churu, in northern Rajasthan, is readying for an interesting match between BJP candidate Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist javelin thrower, and Rahul Kaswan from the Congress. Kaswan is a turncoat who has made the fight for Churu interesting. The two-time left the BJP only in March after he was denied a ticket by the party. Polling for the 543 seats for electing the 18th Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases.The votes will be counted on June 4.

First phase of LS polls sees prominent figures vying for seats

First phase of LS polls sees prominent figures vying for seats Eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and one ex-governor are among those who are set to test their electoral fate in the first phase of elections on April 19 when 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls. Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is seeking a hat-trick of win from the Nagpur seat. In 2014, he had defeated seven-time MP Vilas Muttemwar by a margin of 2.84 lakh votes and retained the seat in 2019 by defeating current Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole by 2.16 lakh votes. Union minister Kiren Rijiju is contesting from the Arunachal West seat. The 52-year-old has represented the constituency thrice since 2004. Rijiju's main rival is former chief minister and present president of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Nabam Tuki. Sarbanada Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is seeking a return to Lok Sabha from Dibrugarh in Assam. Sonowal, a Rajya Sabha member, was fielded from Dibrugarh after Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli, was not given a ticket. Muzaffarnagar, known for its intricate caste dynamics, is witnessing a three-cornered electoral battle, with Union minister Sanjeev Baliyan locked in competition against Samajwadi Party's Harindra Malik and BSP candidate Dara Singh Prajapati. Jitendra Singh, a two-time parliamentarian and a junior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, is aiming for a hat-trick in Udhampur. Bhupendra Yadav, Union minister and Rajya Sabha member who replaced sitting MP Balak Nath, is in a contest with sitting Congress MLA Lalit Yadav, who belongs to Matsya region of Alwar district in Rajasthan and enjoys the support of the Yadav community. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is pitted against former Congress minister Govind Ram Meghwl from Bikaner parliamentary seat in Rajasthan. The Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu is witnessing one of the keenly watched battles between A Raja, the incumbent DMK MP, and former telecom minister, and L Murugan of the BJP, who is the Union Minister of State for Fisheries. This will be the first time that Murugan, who was elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, is contesting from here. Sivaganga MP Karti Chidmabaram is aiming for a re-election from a seat his father won seven times, competing against BJP's T Devanathan Yadav and AIADMK's Xavier Dass. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai is set to take the ballot test in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore where she is pitted against DMK leader Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMK's Singai Ramachandran. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry to return to active politics, is contesting from Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency. Daughter of veteran Congress leader Kumari Anantha, Soundararajan had contested 2019 Lok Sabha elections against DMK's Kanimozhi, but lost by a huge margin in Thoothukudi. This time, Kanimozhi is seeking a re-election from the seat. NDA ally Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) has fielded SDR Vijayaseelan and AIADMK has fielded R Sivasami Velumani from the constituency. Nakul Nath, son of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, is seeking a re-election Chhindwara. The seat has remained firmly with Kamal Nath, who has won the seat nine times since 1980. In the 2019 polls, the BJP bagged 28 seats out of the state's 29, but missed out on picking Chhindwara, where Nakul beat the BJP's candidate by 37,536 votes to emerge as the lone Congress MP in the state. Of the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Tripura, the seat of West Tripura that votes in the first phase on April 19 will see a high-voltage clash between former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha. Having won Lok Sabha elections twice since 2014 from Kaliabor constituency in Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha and son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, finds himself as the new candidate in neighbouring Jorhat, where BJP's Topon Kumar Gogoi won in 2019. Gaurav Gogoi's shift to Jorhat came after the impact of delimitation exercise in his 2019 constituency, Kaliabor. Manipur Law and Education Minister Basanta Kumar Singh is BJP's nominee for the Inner Manipur constituency and is pitted against JNU professor and Congress candidate Bimal Akoijam. Singh, who belongs to the Meiti community, is the son of Thounaojam Chaoba Singh who served as the Union Minister of State for sports, youth affairs, culture and food processing in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP stronghold of Churu, in northern Rajasthan, is readying for an interesting match between BJP candidate Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist javelin thrower, and Rahul Kaswan from the Congress. Kaswan is a turncoat who has made the fight for Churu interesting. The two-time left the BJP only in March after he was denied a ticket by the party. Polling for the 543 seats for electing the 18th Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases. The votes will be counted on June 4.

Fifteen 'crorepati' candidates in fray for 5 Lok Sabha seats in Assam

Among the 35 candidates contesting for the five Lok Sabha seats in Assam scheduled for polling on April 19, fifteen are millionaires, with the wealthiest being independent female candidate Diluwara Begum Chowdhury from the Kaziranga constituency. The five constituencies going to the polls on April 19 include Jorhat, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, and Lakhimpur.

Sarbananda Sonowal campaigns in Naharkatia, partakes in pada yatra

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 16: Union minister and BJP candidate contesting from Dibrugarh Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC), Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday campaigned across the Naharkatia legislative assembly constituency (LAC) at Tarani Pathar, Nigam and Namrup. Sonowal also took part in a pada yatra, where thousands joined in to rally support for BJP on Tuesday. Later []

Congress leader Pawan Khera slams BJP for using ED, CBI against opposition leaders

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 16: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday criticised the BJP government for misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against opposition leaders, who raised their voices against them. Addressing a press conference here, Khera, senior Congress spokesperson, said, This election is very important in the countrys []

Doors closed for Congress leaders who went to BJP: Pawan Khera

Dibrugarh: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday, April 16, said leaders of his party who went to the BJP will try to return once the government at the Centre changes, but doors are closed for them. Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was having sleepless nights as he 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 .

Army jawan injured in militant attack on convoy near Assam-Arunachal border

Guwahati: An Army jawan was critically wounded when heavily armed militants on Tuesday morning launched an attack on a convoy of Assam Rifle and Indian Army in Assams Tinsukia district near Assam- Arunachal Pradesh border. Informing that troops had about 25 jawans, security sources said that militants used rocket launchers and AK series rifles to attack them. The jawan, identified as Hawladar Om Prakash, co-driver of a truck, sustained multiple bullet injuries and he has been airlifted to Dinjan Military Station in Dibrugarh for treatment, security sources said. Security sources said that the incident took place at about 8 am at Namdang area under Margherita Police Station. The troop had around 25 jawans and they were attacked with rocket launchers first. Later the militants opened fire with AK rifles on troops, security sources said, adding that a convoy of three army vehicles was heading towards Margherita from Arunachal Pradeshs Changlang when the firing incident took place. One vehicle managed to escape but two of them came under attack. They were later rescued by other troops, security sources said. Meanwhile, Superintendent of police (SP), Tinsukia district, Gaurav Avijit Dilip in an official statement said, Today around 8 am, unknown miscreants fired upon 3 Assam Rifle vehicles (31 Btln) at location around 700 m from Assam-Arunachal Border, while they were travelling from Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh to Margherita side in Assam. As per information from CO 31 AR, one Army Jawan is seriously injured and being taken to Hospital. Location falls under Margherita Police station. The Assam Rifles said they are suspecting that banned militant groups United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (Ulfa-I) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muiviah) were behind the attack. Ulfa-I on Tuesday afternoon claimed responsibility for their involvement in the encounter, however, no official confirmation was available. Ulfa-I in a press statement to local newspapers claimed that it was part of the operation pratishodh against the Indian Army and the Government of India. They killed two of our members and were trying to forcibly occupy land on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. We have given them a proper answer by this attack, it said. It claimed that several army jawans were injured in this attack but the authorities are trying to hide it. We have managed to injure multiple army jawans but the authorities are claiming that only one person was injured. They are airlifting the injured jawans, which is proof that many jawans were injured, Ulfa-I claimed.

Plight of tea garden workers becomes poll issues in Dibrugarh again

Wages, health, education and land documents (pattas) are the major issues of tea garden workers of the Dibrugarhconstituency

Tea garden workers' struggles gain political attention in Dibrugarh once more

Tea garden workers' struggles gain political attention in Dibrugarh once more The two leaves and a bud, plucked by tea garden workers, may have made Assams tea industry globally renowned but the lack of their facilities comes to the fore only during elections with cacophony of promises by politicians to address their plight. Nestled amidst verdant greenery, the Dibrugarh constituency stands out with the highest concentration of tea gardens in the region with estate workers accounting for 30 per cent of the total 16.50 lakh voters. The Congress enjoyed the unstinted support of this major vote bloc since Independence till 2014 when the BJP wrested the seat for the first time and retained it five years later. Serving as a microcosm, it vividly portrays the challenges faced by tea garden workers. The constituency, comprising two districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, has a total of 301 big estates and 51,063 small tea gardens. Wages, health, education and land documents (pattas) are the major issues of tea garden workers of the constituency. Union Minister and BJP candidate Sarbananda Sonowals campaign has mandatory stops at tea gardens where he shakes a leg with jhumur dancers of the tea tribe and plays their traditional drum before he starts highlighting the partys contribution to improve the life of estate workers. ''During the tenures of Himanta Biswa Sarma and mine as chief ministers, we have made all-out efforts to solve the long-standing problems of garden workers who were neglected by the Congress during their 60 years of misrule,'' Sonowal told PTI. Tea garden workers speak favourably of the BJP because the party has significantly contributed to their economic betterment, advocated social justice, and facilitated a path to a more dignified life, he claimed. Conversely, the Congress has historically treated them merely as a vote bank without adequately addressing their needs,'' Sonowal alleged. Opposition candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi told PTI that Assam is globally known for its tea industry, but the condition of its workers is pathetic. ''BJP had made many promises for tea garden workers, including Rs 350 as wage, land pattas of their houses, health and education facilities but all remain unfulfilled,'' the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president said. There is a strong resentment against the BJP among the tea garden community in the entire Dibrugarh constituency, he claimed. The third candidate in the fray, Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) Manoj Dhanowar, belongs to the tea tribe community. He claimed that the condition of garden workers here is the worst in the country and so-called facilities provided by the BJP government have not reached all sections. ''In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the workers are paid Rs 450 per day, but in Assam, BJP is not even paying the promised Rs 350 and workers are getting a mere Rs 250,'' he claimed. Gogoi said the BJPs neglect of the community is evident from the fact that the sitting MP and Union Minister Rameswar Teli, who also belongs to the tea tribe community, was denied a ticket from the seat this election. Countering his allegation, Assam minister and Tinsukia MLA Sanjay Kishan, who also belongs to the community, told PTI that the opposition has no issue and are trying to divert people from the development work that the BJP has initiated in the state, particularly for tea garden workers. ''In Assam, there are 35 assembly constituencies where tea garden voters play a pivotal role, but it is not possible that in each, people from the community will be given tickets to contest,'' he added. Health is also a major concern in tea gardens with at least one or two tuberculosis patients in most families and the outbreak of gastro-enteritis is common in these estates, CPI-ML leader Subhas Sen, who works with workers, told PTI. ''There are no well-equipped hospitals in tea gardens. There are no permanent doctors and even if there is, they cater to at least 5 to 10 tea gardens, working on a part-time basis,'' he said. The dropout rate among the children of workers is also very high with almost 95 per cent of them not sitting for the matriculation exams, Sen added. Tea garden worker Durgamani Keot said her daughters have dropped out of school but they ''dont want to pluck leaves like me''. Keot said she has received most of the government schemes, like free rice and gas connections, but has yet to get land pattas. Another worker Kuli Tanti said though she had applied for all government schemes entitled to, she is yet to get the benefits but hopes to get it once the elections are over. The Dibrugarh constituency will go to polls on April 19.

Peace prevailed in state to celebrate Bohag Bihu without inhibition: Sarbananda Sonowal

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 15: Union minister of ports, shipping and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal addressed multiple public meetings at New Rangagarha regional playground in Gatang, Lakhipathar as well as at Barekuri in Makum LAC area. At the start of the day, Sonowal paid his respects when he prayed at the Panitola Bornaamghar before []

Dibrugarh doctors wife arrested for torturing minor housemaid

HT Correspondent DIBRUGARH, April 15: In a sensational case of crime against children, the Dibrugarh Police has arrested Boby Kalita, wife of a doctor Debojit Dutta for allegedly physically torturing their minor housemaid for quite sometime. Meanwhile, the Dibrugarh police has registered a case at the Dibrugarh Police Station under section 352/342/326/374/506/34 of the Indian []

Assam: Sarbananda Sonowal to contests from Dibrugarh; Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi faces tough fight in Jorhat

Sonowal is pitted against Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi, a party formed after anti CAA movement. Gogoi has shifted his constituency from Kaliabor to Jorhat following the delimitation exercise of last year.

Indian Rail Transport Day 2024: Know These Lesser-known facts about Indian Railways

Indian Rail Transport Day 2024:As the sun rises on April 16, 2024, India marks yet another milestone in its rich railway history - Indian Rail Transport Day. This auspicious occasion commemorates the inauguration of the first-ever passenger train journey on April 16, 1853, from Bori Bunder to Thane, covering a distance of 34 km. Over the years, Indian Railways has evolved into one of the world's busiest and most intricate networks, connecting the nation's vast expanse and facilitating the movement of billions of passengers and goods annually. While many are familiar with the extensive reach and operational prowess of Indian Railways, there are several lesser-known facts that add layers of fascination to this colossal transportation system. India's Fastest Train: Tearing through the tracks at a breathtaking speed of 180 kmph, the Vande Bharat Express stands as a testament to India's engineering prowess. In stark contrast, the Mettupalayam-Ooty Nilgiri passenger train chugs along at a leisurely pace of 10 kmph, offering passengers a scenic journey through the picturesque landscapes of southern India. Train with the Longest Route: Embarking on an epic journey spanning 4286 km, the Vivek Express traverses the length of the Indian subcontinent, connecting the northeastern town of Dibrugarh to the southern tip of Kanyakumari. Clocking in around 82 hours and 30 minutes, this transcontinental voyage is not just the longest in India but also holds its place as one of the most remarkable train journeys in the world. Longest Railway Platform in India: Stretching over a staggering 1366 meters, the platform at Gorakhpur Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh stands as a colossal testament to Indian Railways' engineering marvels. Surpassing the previous record held by Kharagpur station, this mammoth platform offers a glimpse into the grandeur and scale of India's railway infrastructure. First Electric Train in India: Rewinding to the annals of history, the first sparks of electrification in Indian Railways ignited on February 3, 1925. The inaugural run of the electric train between Bombay Victoria Terminal and Kurla Harbour heralded a new era of modernization in India's transportation sector, paving the way for future advancements and expansions. First Bullet Train in India: Anticipation mounts as India gears up to embrace the future of high-speed rail travel with the impending launch of its first bullet train. Set to debut in 2027, the Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train promises to revolutionize intercity connectivity, reducing travel times and ushering in a new era of efficiency and comfort. As we celebrate Indian Rail Transport Day 2024, let us not only reflect on the rich tapestry of achievements woven by Indian Railways but also look forward to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. From the thundering locomotives traversing the length and breadth of the nation to the silent whispers of progress echoed through electrification and high-speed rail, Indian Railways continues to remain the lifeline of a nation in motion. World Voice Day: What Is the Quest for Vocal Wellness?

Assam: People offer prayers at temples on Bohag Bihu in Dibrugarh

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People ready to give AAP a chance in Assam as they are fed up with Congress, BJP: Kaundinya

People ready to give AAP a chance in Assam as they are fed up with Congress, BJP: Kaundinya Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sonitpur Lok Sabha candidate Rishiraj Kaundinya claimed that the people are fed up with the brand of politics of Congress and BJP, and are ready to give his party a chance in Assam. Kaundinya also claimed that the opposition's attempt to unite against the BJP in all the Lok Sabha seats in Assam failed due to Congress and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). The AAP candidate exuded confidence in winning the Sonitpur constituency, maintaining that people want a change after having ''lost their faith in both Congress and BJP''. ''People have seen only three things since independence here increase in prices of commodities, increase in minister's assets and increase of people's misery,'' he told PTI in an interview. The AAP candidate said, ''Building roads is not real development. Improvement in the condition of people is real development.'' Kaundinya claimed that no Lok Sabha MP from this constituency after Purna Narayan Sinha, who was elected from here in 1977 as a Janata Party candidate, has been able to present the issues of the area convincingly in Parliament or undertake any major initiative. Taking a covert hit at BJP candidate Ranjit Dutta from Sonitpur, Kaundinya said, ''The youth want change. The people in the BJP are senior people, they have been in politics for long and have been minister also. But they have not done anything noteworthy for the people.'' He maintained that the people of the constituency who have visited Delhi, Punjab and other parts of the country have seen the development taking place there, and wants it replicated in their state too. ''Unemployment is a problem here. So, people are working in Delhi, Punjab. They have seen development there, there is no electricity bill, medical care is free, buses for women are free, etc. They want a government which can give them these things here also,'' he said. Referring to Congress members and leaders joining the BJP here, including the chief minister who is a former member of the grand old party, Kaundinya said, ''BJP was an independent party which is filled with Congress people now. The same people who were ruining the country as Congressmen earlier are now putting up a facade of saving the country.'' The AAP Sonitpur candidate said, ''People don't have faith in them and want a new party which will work for them.'' He claimed that the opposition's attempt to unite against the BJP in all the Lok Sabha seats in Assam failed due to Congress and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). Kaundinya said the AAP was committed for a united opposition as evident from it conceding seats to Congress in Delhi and Punjab, where his party is in power, and taking back candidate in Goa. ''In Assam also, AAP took back its candidate from the prestigious Guwahati seat, from where our state president was nominated. It was for the sake of United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA),'' he said. The UOFA, a multi-party platform, was formed in the state last year to field common candidates against the BJP in the Lok Sabha election, but the alliance has pitched its nominees against each other in several constituencies. The AAP, a member of the UOFA, is contesting from Sonitpur and Dibrugarh, which also have Congress' Premlal Gunju and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi as candidates respectively. Highlighting that the state Congress chief and AJP chief are the UOFA president and secretary respectively, Kaundinya said, ''The Congress gave candidates in 13 seats, and the secretary is himself the candidate from the 14th seat. The president and secretary of UOFA divided the seats among themselves and left nothing for the partners. We feel they want to directly help the BJP. The forum fell apart due to them, not us.'' There are a total of eight candidates in the fray in Sonitpur, which goes to the polls on April 19.

Punjab CM Mann Woos Assam, Promises to Raise Daily Wages to Rs 450

Guwahati: Punjab chief minister Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a 'huge rally' in favour of the AAP candidate ahead of Lok Sabha polls, in Digboi, Assam, April 12, 2024. (PTI Photo), who on Saturday took out a large roadshow at Biswanath in support of AAP candidate for the Lok Sabha elections, has promised to increase daily wages in the state from Rs. 250 to Rs. 450 per day. AAP is contesting Lok Sabha elections from two constituencies in Assam - Dibrugarh and Sonitpur. Recalling many similarities between the people of Assam and Punjab, Mr Mann launched a scathing attack on Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating since Mr Sarmas wife owns private schools in the state, the BJP govt is not interested in improving government schools. Punjab CM said, In 2015, BJP leader Amit Shah had declared Mr Sarma as the most corrupt person. But after joining the BJP, today the same person has become innocent for the BJP. He went on saying, The BJP just lies about everything. Their every statement is just a jumla. Mr Mann while addressing a series of public meetings for AAP candidates said that electricity is absolutely free in Punjab and 90 percent of the households in Punjab get zero electricity bills. Besides this, Aam Aadmi Clinics are functioning in Punjab where all kinds of treatment is free. If given a chance, we will do the same things for Assam as well, he promised. Mr Mann said that the BJP thinks that by putting AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in jail, they can finish the AAP but they are mistaken. You can arrest Arvind Kejriwal, but how will you arrest his thinking ? Arvind Kejriwal is not just a person, he is an idea, he added. He appealed to the people to vote for the AAP candidates and elect them as their representatives in the parliament. The Punjab CM also said that there is a very old relationship between Assam and Punjab. Our first Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, and ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, visited Assam. There are gurdwara sahibs here, he added. It is significant that AAP is leaving no stone unturned to make their presence felt in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Assam. Earlier, AAP leader Atishi, during her visit to Assam, exuded confidence about her party opening an account in the state in the Lok Sabha elections. Given the positivity that exists for AAP, given the kind of love and support that AAP has always gotten from the people of Assam...One would never have expected that AAP would win municipal seats in Tinsukia...People across the state of Assam know about AAP, know about Arvind Kejriwal and know about the work we have done. The two seats that we are contesting are Dibrugarh & Sonitpur. We are strongly in the fight and I feel AAP will open its account in Assam, said Ms Atishi.

5 Facts About Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP Candidate From Assam's Dibrugarh

Former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is the BJP candidate from Dibrugarh seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Sonowal, who's also a Union Minister, represented the constituency in 2004. The BJP dropped Rameshwar Teli to pick Mr Sonowal.

Lok Sabha battle: BJP's Sarbananda Sonowal eyes victory in Dibrugarh as Assam heads to polls in first phase

The bustling streets of Dibrugarh, Assam, are not just alive with the vibrant Bihu festival but also with the fervor of electoral politics. The upcoming polls on April 19, as part of the state's first phase, are particularly significant with BJP's Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, entering the fray. Sonowal expresses gratitude for the opportunity and confidence in PM Modi's leadership. The contest in Dibrugarh is set to be a triangular one, with AAP's Manoj Dhanowar also in the race, but the main battle is expected between Sonowal and Lurinjyoti Gogoi of AJP.

Lok Sabha battle: BJPs Sarbananda Sonowal eyes victory in Dibrugarh as Assam heads to polls in first phase

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Travel tips: Want to enjoy elephant safari, these sanctuaries are waiting for you

People are looking for a place to travel where they can go with their family and everyone can feel happy. In such a situation, people are very fond of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, where everyone, be it children or old people, becomes happy. Nowadays jungle safari is enjoyed in these sanctuaries. Now just imagine what a wonderful feeling it would be if you enjoyed it while sitting on an elephant. This is an experience that every person should have once in a lifetime. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about some such sanctuaries of the country where wildlife lovers can take the help of Elephant Safari to see the forest and wild animals closely. Let us know about these places... Corbett National Park Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India. This national park located in Uttarakhand is especially known for tigers but elephants can also be seen here in large numbers. Tourists come here from every corner of the world. If you want to see elephants then you should go on this jungle safari in the evening. Some experienced guides also live here who can give you accurate information about the habits of the animals and their daily routine. Kaziranga National Park We all have heard about Kaziranga National Park. This place is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros. Two-thirds of these species are found in this sanctuary. But Kaziranga is also famous for elephants and elephant safari. The safari starts early in the morning and you can enjoy this safari for half an hour. A wide range of wildlife and bio-diversity can be seen in Kaziranga. Here you can see Indian elephants, and unicorns and also enjoy elephant safari. Kanha National Park Kanha National Park located in Madhya Pradesh is also known for elephants where you can enjoy elephant safari. Apart from tigers, the number of elephants in this park is quite high. Many such rare species of animals will be found in Kanha. Rare animal species like the wolf, chinkara, Indian pangolin, plains Indian otter, and Indian miniature cat can be seen in the eastern corner of the park. Bandhavgarh National Park To enjoy jungle safari riding on elephants, you can plan to visit Bandhavgarh National Park of Madhya Pradesh. By riding in a jeep in Bandhavgarh, you can also see animals strolling in the forest, whereas here the fun of elephant safari doubles. Bandipur National Park Bandipur National Park was created in 1974 and is one of the most beautiful national parks in Karnataka. Tiger, leopard, Indian elephant gray langur, etc. can be seen here. Along with these animals, red-headed vultures, kingfishers, hoopoes, etc. will be seen on the elephant safari. Bandipur is 240 km away from Bangalore. Periyar National Park Periyar National Park of Kerala is special for the conservation of both tigers and elephants. You will see these two animals at this place. This sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats. Many beautiful birds like Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, Blue Winged Parakeets, Nilgiri Flycatchers, etc. can be seen on Elephant Safari. Pench National Park Pench National Park, located in the southern part of Satpura Hills, attracts tourists due to the presence of many rare creatures. This park is located on the southern border of Madhya Pradesh, near Maharashtra. Coming here and sitting on an elephant, the experience of jungle safari is very special. Dibru Saikhowa National Park Saikhowa National Park, located in Dibrugarh, Assam, was created primarily for the conservation of the white-winged swan. Later the national park became famous for its wild horses and dazzling white-winged ducks. More than 350 species of birds are found here. Riding on an elephant and seeing the beautiful views of the forest is an interesting experience in itself. Manas National Park The rarest wild animals are found in Manas National Park located in Guwahati, Assam. This national park is included in the World Heritage. Tourists come from far and wide to see these rare creatures and you can also enjoy a jungle safari by riding on an elephant here. (PC: Lifeberrys)

AJP, AAP masquerading as Congress, alleges Sonowal

Guwahati, April 12: Senior BJP leader Sarbananda Sonowal, who is contesting from Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming general elections, on Thursday campaigned in areas under Upper Assams Digboi LAC, mincing no words to lambast the Congress for turning a deaf ear to the pleas of the people of Assam for more than six [] The post AJP, AAP masquerading as Congress, alleges Sonowal appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Paresh Baruah should be welcomed back with respect: Brother Bikul Baruah

Paresh Baruah should be welcomed back with respect: Brother Bikul Baruah ULFA (Independent) leader Paresh Baruah should return home with ''due respect and not without realising his goals and aspirations for the people of Assam'', his brother Bikul Baruah said. ''He has a goal, we do not agree with it but he has spent nearly 45 years pursuing it. We want him to come home but he should not return empty-handed without achieving what he aspired for the people'', Bikul Baruah told PTI in an interview at the family home here under Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency. Asked about the pro-talk ULFA faction's accord with the government, the ULFA(I) chief's youngest sibling said, ''We do not want him to come back with just a rehabilitation package like his earlier comrades have done''. ''The accord signed is not in the interest of the people of the state and even the common people are aware that it has been for their personal interest. The leaders of the pro-talk faction are facing so much criticism and they have not been able to keep their stand before the people and the Assamese society'', he claimed. Thousands of people have lost their lives during the decades-long ULFA issue but ''these leaders accepted just a package. If they had to accept only this, it could have been done much earlier and many lives would have been saved. Was the package the aim of their so-called movement'', Baruah asked. Paresh Baruah is ''answerable to the people of the state as so many people have died and there must be some return for their blood'', Bikul Baruah said. A tripartite agreement was signed between the pro-talk ULFA, central and state government in December last year and subsequently, this faction was disbanded in January. Paresh Baruah's aspirations for the people of Assam is ''different from ours but the ULFA leaders had given the government certain demands. It is the people's right to make a demand and the government's to consider it'', he said, sitting below a framed picture of his elder brother. ''A give and take policy should be followed by both sides to arrive at a solution which is in the interest of the people of Assam and just not a package for personal interest'', he added. ''We want dialogue, negotiations must take place and a solution must be arrived at which will be long-standing and in the best interest of the people and the state'', the teacher at the primary school, where the senior Baruah had studied, said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken the initiative for dialogue since assuming office and has said several times in the media that the channel for communication with Paresh Barua is open, he said. ''Our brother has also responded positively, there is peace in the state now and we are also hopeful of a solution'', he added. ''The peace process, however, should not be hurried and all aspects must be taken into account in the interest of the state and its people'', Baruah said The ULFA(I) chief's primary demand is Assam's 'sovereignty' which Sarma had said he cannot discuss as a chief minister, having taken the oath of office on the country's constitution Baruah had left home in 1979 when the younger sibling was a student of Class 8 and the latter has fond memories of his football-playing elder brother taking him to several matches played at different parts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts as a railway employee. ''It has been a long time since he left home and since then my parents have died and my elder brother Dinesh Baruah was killed in 1994. We have no contact with him and this is painful'', he said. Baruah's mother Miliki Baruah during her lifetime had issued media statements calling for peace and dialogue but ''she died with the unfulfilled wish of seeing her son (Paresh Baruah) again''. ''We have suffered a lot of pain and harassment over the years but we have accepted it as a part of our lives'', he added. The school teacher of Jerai Chokoli Bhoria Primary School, established in 1940, also gave a tour of the school where the ULFA(I) chief had initially studied and his name is still there in the admission register with his date of birth as April 15, 1957, and the date of admission as February 2, 1962.

Sonowal's campaign trail: Paying obeisance at 'namghar', highlighting BJP's initiatives

Union Minister Sonowal campaigns in Dibrugarh, connecting with diverse Assam electorate, emphasizing infrastructural facilities, spiritual practices, and public meetings to highlight BJP's initiatives and development agenda.

Demise of ATASU leader

HT Correspondent DEMOW, April 10: Hemanga Barua (28), son of Bichitra Barua, a resident of Demow Kushal Path and an ATASU leader, passed away at a hospital in Dibrugarh on Tuesday early morning. Hemanga Barua was suffering from jaundice. The ATASU, Demow Regional Committee deeply condoled his demise and extended their deepest condolences to the []

NFR announces summer special trains to ease passenger rush

HT Bureau GUWAHATI, April 10: In a bid to clear the extra rush of passengers, it has been decided to run two fortnightly summer special trains between Nagercoil Jn Dibrugarh Nagercoil Jn. The summer special trains bearing no 06103/06104 (Nagercoil Jn. Dibrugarh Nagercoil Jn) & 06105/06106 (Nagercoil Jn Dibrugarh []

BJP 'openly' violating poll code but EC not acting: Atishi

Senior AAP leader Atishi on Wednesday alleged that the BJP was openly violating the model code of conduct and the Election Commission was not acting against it, affecting the level-playing field in the Lok Sabha polls. In an interview to PTI, she said the AAP was hopeful of opening its account in Assam where the party has fielded candidates in two seats -- Dibrugarh and Sonitpur, which are going to the polls in the first phase on April 19.

AJP chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi criticizes CAA as unacceptable to Assam's indigenous community

AJP chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi criticizes CAA as unacceptable to Assam's indigenous community The indigenous people of Assam can never accept the CAA, which will be a critical issue in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, asserted Dibrugarh parliamentary constituency's opposition candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi. The illegal influx of foreigners has been a long-standing cause for concern in Assam, and the BJP has now legalised it with this act, which is unacceptable to the people, Gogoi told PTI in an interview, amid campaigning here. ''Assam has borne the burden of illegal foreigners till 1971, and now, another 43 years till 2014 has been added to it, he said. ''How can the people accept this? There was a long-drawn agitation in the state against illegal influx and with the CAA, the identity of the Assamese is at stake, Gogoi claimed. The United Opposition Forum Assam (UOFA) had announced Gogoi, the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president, as the candidate for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat, from where Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal is contesting as a BJP nominee. The Centre had in March implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. The CAA is completely motivated, communal and unconstitutional, and a ploy of the BJP to burden Assam and its resources further, Gogoi alleged. ''Our constitution has the principle of secularism enshrined in it, but the act is based on religious division, he claimed. The opposition parties have been protesting against the CAA, and this is a very serious and dangerous issue, which will also have an economic, social, cultural and linguistic impact on the people of the state, the AJP chief said. The people of Assam are very concerned about it, and that will reflect in the ensuing polls, he said. Gogoi, as the general secretary of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), was at the forefront of the anti-CAA agitation in the state when it was enacted in December 2019. The CAA stir subsequently led to the formation of two political parties in 2020 the AJP, with Gogoi as its president, and the Raijor Dal, led by Akhil Gogoi. Lurinjyoti Gogoi is locked in a triangular contest in Dibrugarh against BJP's Sonowal and Aam Aadmi Party's Manoj Dhanowar. On both him and Sonowal having their roots in the AASU, he said, ''Yes, we are from the students organisation, but Sonowal compromised on its ideology of asserting the rights of the indigenous population''. ''I am following AASU's original principles and fighting for the betterment of people by trying to resolve many unresolved issues like the National Register of Citizens (NRC), implementation of the Assam Accord and the states linguistic and cultural identity, he said. Sonowal has ''diverted from this path and compromised with the communal forces for his political benefit'', Gogoi alleged. People will give Sonowal a befitting reply in the elections, he said. Asked about Dibrugarh once being the hub of insurgency activities, the opposition leader said that without ULFA (Independent) leader Paresh Barua, the recently signed peace accord with the pro-talk faction of the outfit has no meaning. For any peace talks with the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the presence of Paresh Barua is a must, Gogoi asserted. Talking about the tea garden workers, which constitute over 30 per cent of Dibrugarhs electorate, the AJP president said the BJP made many promises to them, but failed to fulfil those. ''They have not even paid the promised daily wage of Rs 351 to the workers, and there is a strong resentment among them due to this, he said. Tea is a major industry in Assam and ''we are committed to resolve the issues of the stakeholders so that the quality, production and the condition of the workers improve, Gogoi said. Gogoi had earlier unsuccessfully contested in two constituencies under the Dibrugarh parliamentary seat in the last assembly elections.

After promising to resolve foreigners' issue, BJP implemented CAA: Atishi

MARGHERITA (Assam): The BJP had promised to resolve the foreigners issue in Assam but instead they have implemented the CAA to provide Indian citizenship to those who came to the country from outside illegally, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi said here on Tuesday. Assam witnessed a six-year-long agitation since 1979 demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants. Infiltration has been a major poll issue in the state for several decades. We oppose the implementation of CAA and the BJP's policy of misleading people, Atishi said at a rally here. The CAA was implemented recently to grant citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. The Delhi minister has been on a three-day visit to Assam since Monday to campaign for the two AAP candidates contesting in the two constituencies of Dibrugarh and Sonitpur. She was campaigning for the party's Dibrugarh candidate Manoj Dhanowar here. On one hand, the BJP says that it will drive out the illegal foreigners and, on the other, it implemented the CAA to give citizenship and land to foreigners, Atishi said. She appealed to the people of Dibrugarh to vote for the AAP candidate for the sake of development and against the BJP's anti-people policies. In Assam, more than 8,000 schools have been closed on the plea that children are mostly admitted to private schools. These schools, however, have been closed as the state government has failed to provide the required infrastructural facilities, Atishi alleged. She assured the people of Dibrugarh that if the AAP candidate is elected, the constituency will have quality schools and mohalla clinics like Delhi. The AAP leader later also held a roadshow in Tinsukia town.

Dibrugarh Lok Sabha Seat AAP Candidate Manoj Dhanowar

Manoj Dhanowar News: Lok , , AAP ,

Amit Shah set to address rally and participate in roadshow in Assam tomorrow

Amit Shah set to address rally and participate in roadshow in Assam tomorrow Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Assam on Tuesday to campaign for BJP Lok Sabha candidates in the state. Shah is the first prominent national leader to participate in campaigning in this North Eastern state since the announcement of the poll schedule. ''Tomorrow will be in Assam to attend a mega rally in Lakhimpur Lok Sabha and a roadshow in Tinsukia (Dibrugarh Lok Sabha). Assam is set to secure Modi Ji's goal of '400 paar'. Eager to meet the state's vibrant people,'' Shah had posted on X on Monday evening. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be accompanying Shah during the two campaign programmes. Shah is scheduled to address a public meeting at Chukuli Bhoria in Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency in the afternoon, BJP party sources said here. Lakhimpur is held by the BJP, with incumbent MP Pradan Baruah seeking a third successive term as he is pitted against Congress candidate Uday Shankar Hazarika. The Union Home minister will also take part in a road show from Chaliha Nagar to Thana Chariali in Tinsukia town in the evening, they said. Tinsukia town comes under the Dibrugarh seat, from where Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is contesting as the BJP candidate. Sonowal is locked in a triangular fight with United Opposition Forum, Assam, nominee Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Manoj Dhanowar. BJP holds the Dibrugarh constituency in the outgoing Lok Sabha. Sitting MP and Union minister Rameswar Teli was not nominated by the party this time. Elections in Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh, along with three other constituencies of the state, are slated in the first phase on April 19.

If Kejriwal joins BJP, he will be released in a day: Atishi

Dibrugarh: If jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joins BJP, he will be released within a single day, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi said here on Monday. The AAP national convenor is currently in judicial custody in a money laundering case linked with an alleged excise scam. Also ReadExcise policy: ED questions Kejriwals PA, 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 .

If Arvind Kejriwal joins BJP, he will be released in a day: Atishi

Atishi of AAP expressed confidence in Kejriwal's integrity and urged Dibrugarh to vote for AAP's candidate, emphasizing the party's commitment to honesty in politics and improving local infrastructure and wages. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency.

Crusaders against two contrasting laws face off in Assams Dibrugarh

BJP heavyweight Sarbananda Sonowal fought a legal battle to scrap the allegedly pro-migrant IM(DT) Act while his united Opposition rival Lurinjyoti Gogoi wants the CAA to go

Himanta says NDA facing no contest in first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Assam

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is not facing any contest in the five seats in the state going to Lok Sabha elections in the first phase on April 19. He said the NDA is facing a contest only in two of the states 14 seats. The BJP is contesting 11 seats while its allies, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United Peoples Party Liberal, are contesting in two seats and one seat respectively. There is no competition in the five seats going to polls in the first phase. We have a competition in one seat in the second phase and one seat in the third phase, Sarma told journalists on Monday. But we are in the lead if you calculate the votes of 2021 Assembly elections based on (last years) delimitation of constituencies, he added. An NDA election in Northeast this time The five seats going to polls in the first phase are Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga and Sonitpur. The BJP is contesting all of these seats. Sarma did not name the two constituencies where the NDA is facing a contest but the opposition parties are expected to give the ruling coalition a run for its money in Jorhat, Nagaon and Dhubri seats. Toughest battle The NDA is facing the toughest battle in Jorhat where the BJPs Topon Kumar Gogoi, who is the sitting MP, will vie against Congress biggie Gaurav Gogoi. Some ministers are frequently visiting the constituency for campaigning. Sarma is leading the poll campaign here. It's Gogoi vs Gogoi in 'silent' election in Jorhat The BJPs Suresh Bora is pitted against the Congress Pradyut Bordoloi and the All India United Democratic Fronts (AIUDF) Aminul Islam in a triangular contest in Nagaon. Bordoloi is the sitting MP while Islam is an MLA, representing the Dhing constituency falling under the Nagaon parliamentary seat. In Dhubri, the contest is expected between AIUDF chief Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, who is the sitting MP, and Rokibul Hussain of the Congress. The BJP allowed the AGP to contest from the seat as per their seat-sharing arrangement. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the state on Tuesday for campaigning. He will address a rally in Lakhimpur. The BJPs Pradan Baruah is the sitting MP and he is seeking re-election for the third straight term. Later in the day, Shah will take part in a road show in Tinsukia town falling under the Dibrugarh parliamentary seat. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal is up against the Assam Jatiya Parishads Lurinjyoti Gogoi and the Aam Aadmi Partys Manoj Dhanowar here. INTERVIEW| CAA won't impact Assam's indigenous people; IMDT was discriminatory: Union Minister Sonowal Assam BJP aims for Muslim votes, highlights development in Muslim areas

Tea garden workers: The deciding factor in Lok Sabha polls in Assam

Tea garden workers: The deciding factor in Lok Sabha polls in Assam As Assam gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unfolding in three phases, the focus intensifies on the tea garden workers, a significant voter base poised to influence the outcomes in at least three of the five constituencies contesting in the first phase. There are more than 70 lakh tea tribe community people across the state, including around 10 lakh workers in the organized sector working in 856 tea estates. Assam produces around 55 per cent of India's tea. This demographic, integral to the state's identity and economy, could be pivotal in shaping the electoral battle in Dibrugarh, Kaziranga, and Sonitpur, with Jorhat also seeing a substantial number of tea tribe voters. Amid this electoral fervour, political parties, notably the BJP and Congress, are actively courting the support of the tea tribe community, a move that underscores the community's potential to sway the electoral results in these regions. The people of the tea tribe community have been facing lots of problems since independence. Bhaskar Kalindi, a former leader of the Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA), said that there are around 55 lakh tea tribe community voters across the state, and most of the tea tribe community voters are in Dibrugarh, Kaziranga, Jorhat, Sonitpur Lok Sabha seats. The current BJP government in Assam has increased the daily wage of tea garden labourers to Rs 251, and we request the government to increase it more. I am a tea tribe community youth. Earlier, the road connectivity in the tea garden areas was very poor. Now the road connectivity has improved, and the state's current government has established schools and Anganwadi centres in the tea garden areas. During the Congress regime, there was nothing. This government has also declared a holiday on our festival Karam Puja Day, Kalindi told ANI. He further said that tea garden voters will become a major factor in this election in at least three parliamentary constituencies in the state. Earlier, the tea garden labourers had received their wage in cash, but the current government has opened bank accounts against each worker. Earlier, the workers did not have any bank accounts. The people of the tea garden areas are now very happy with the work done by the current government, Kalindi said further. He also said that the Assam government has also made reservations for tea garden people in government jobs. If the government will give ST status to the tea tribe community, then we will be more happy, Bhaskar Kalindi said. Ashar Orang, a tea tribe community voter, said that Congress had ruled for 70 years, and there was no development of the tea tribe community people. But the BJP-led government is gradually working for the development of this community people. People are now getting benefits. The current government is also focusing on development in the education sector in the tea garden areas, Orang said while speaking to ANI. Talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ashar Orang said that not only the tea tribe community but the Prime Minister is also working for the development of all sections of people. On the other hand, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA of Bokakhat assembly constituency under the Kaziranga Lok Sabha seat, told ANI that the tea garden community people were the vote bank of Congress, and they didn't do anything for the development of these people. There are still many issues, but our government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has resolved many problems of the tea garden people. Now the tea garden people are very happy with the work done by this government, Atul Bora said. My constituency is a tea garden workers-dominated constituency. In today's meeting, thousands of tea garden people arrived to see the Chief Minister. The NDA candidate for the Kaziranga parliamentary constituency is also a tea garden community person, he added. Assam Congress leader, Rituparna Konwar, claimed that a lot of work had been done during the Congress government's tenure in the state and that the current BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, had failed to increase tea garden workers' daily wages. During our regime, we did a lot of development works for tea tribe community people. Our government did socio-economic upliftment of the tea tribe community. Congress never used the tea tribe community as a vote bank. We increased their political representation, Rituparna Konwar told ANI. In this election, Congress has given the party tickets to two candidates who belong to the tea tribe community, but BJP has fielded only one, he said. The BJP-led government sold state-owned tea gardens in Assam to private companies and the government has failed to increase the daily wage of the tea garden workers, he alleged. In this Lok Sabha election in Assam, the BJP is contesting in 11 out of 14 seats, while its ally parties, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), are contesting in two seats (Barpeta and Dhubri), and UPPL in one seat (Kokrajhar), respectively. Elections for the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam will take place in three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 7 of the 14 seats in Assam. Both the Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) claimed three seats each. During the 2019 elections, the BJP increased its seat count to 9, while the Congress maintained its three seats, and the AIUDF won a single seat. (ANI)

Unfortunate that alliance did not happen, says Atishi on AAP going solo in Assam

Guwahati, April 8: AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said on Monday that it was unfortunate that an opposition alliance could not be formed in Assam and the party was contesting two Lok Sabha seats alone in the state. Atishi was in Dibrugarh to campaign for AAP candidate Manoj Dhanwar here. She is scheduled to [] The post Unfortunate that alliance did not happen, says Atishi on AAP going solo in Assam appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Dibrugarh Lok Sabha Seat: Why Sarbananda Sonowal's Victory Is A Forgone Conclusion

Mother of Khalistani Amritpal Singh arrested ahead of protest march demanding that the separatist be shifted from Assam jail to Punjab

Balwinder Kaur and relatives of nine of the associates lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail with Amritpal Singh have been on hunger strike since 22nd February near Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.

Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh's mother Balwinder Kaur arrested day before proposed march in his support

Amritpal, chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit, was arrested in April last year and the stringent National Security Act was invoked against him. He and nine of his associates are currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam.

Amritpal Singhs mother held day before proposed march in his support

Amritpal Singhs mother held day before proposed march in his support The mother of Amritpal Singh was arrested here on Sunday, a day before a march is to be taken out to demand that the radical Sikh preacher be shifted from Dibrugarh jail in Assam to a prison in Punjab. Amritpal, chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit, was arrested in April last year and the stringent National Security Act was invoked against him. He and nine of his associates are currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam. Balwinder Kaur, the mother of Amritpal has been sent to judicial custody, Deputy Commissioner of Police Alam Vijay Singh said on Sunday. He said it was a preventive arrest but refused to divulge more details. Amritpal's uncle Sukhchain Singh and three others have also been held, police said. The development comes a day before the 'Chetna March' is scheduled to be taken out. The march was to be taken out from Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda on April 8 to demand that Amritpal and nine others be shifted from the jail in Assam to Punjab. Kaur and the kin of other detainees had been on a hunger strike since February 22 near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Earlier, she had said that they would continue the hunger strike till Amritpal and other detainees were brought to a jail in Punjab. Apart from Amritpal, nine of his associates -- Daljeet Singh Kalsi, Papalpreet Singh, Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, Varinder Singh Johal, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Harjit Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Basant Singh and Gurinderpal Singh Aujla -- have been booked under the NSA. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for the police action. Various organisers of the march have been held, including the mother of Amritpal Singh, which is condemnable, SAD spokesman Parambans Singh Romana said.

Assam: Thousands of supporters gather for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas road show in Dibrugarh

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Political outfit of Sonowal-Kacharis joins oppn forum in Assam

Political outfit of Sonowal-Kacharis joins oppn forum in Assam A regional political outfit of the Sonowal-Kachari community on Sunday joined the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA), a coalition of various parties in the state. The Sonowal Kachari Gana Mancha formally joined the UOFA in the presence of the forum's president and Congress' state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and MLA Akhil Gogoi at Dibrugarh. Borah, in a post on X, said leaders of the Sonowal Kachari Gana Mancha, a regional political party, that has fought the election to the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council earlier, held a meeting with him and Gogoi, who heads the Raijor Dal. ''A team led by Mancha General Secretary Shri Gopal Sonowal discussed the political situation in five Lok Sabha constituencies--Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Kaziranga--and promised their support. This marks their formal entry into the United Opposition Forum - Assam,'' the state Congress chief wrote on the micro-blogging site. The UOFA was formed as a 16-party forum last year to fight the Lok Sabha elections unitedly against the BJP-led coalition in the state. However, the member parties have now pitted candidates against each other in several constituencies.