'Prajwal Revanna is completely trapped'

'Pura phas gaya woh... barbad, satyanash ho gaya woh.' 'Usko ticket bhi diya, election bhi ladha woh; ganda video bhi bahar aa gaya; hamara izzat bhi nikal diya woh; abhi letter ke baare main pooch ke kya hota hai?'

Can BJP woo Lingayats back? Partys chances in North Karnataka hinge on that - The Times of India

Can BJP woo Lingayats back? Partys chances in North Karnataka hinge on that The Times of India

Cong fields Namgayal; NC-Cong from Kargil announce Jan as combined candidate

Cracks in INDIA bloc, KDA leader too takes exception Tashi files papers, JTN may join fray as Independent Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, May 1: Cracks appeared in INDIA bloc allies-the National Conference and Congress when NC leaders from Kargil along with few junior leaders of Congress announced the candidature of Haji Hanifa Jan, district president NC as joint candidate of the two parties from Ladakh Parliamentary constituency while the Congress high command tonight declared T Namgayal, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in [] The post Cong fields Namgayal; NC-Cong from Kargil announce Jan as combined candidate appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Maharashtra voters puzzled with 'two' much confusion

Who's the real Shiv Sena - Uddhav or Eknath Shinde's? Can Ajit Pawar be the original NCP? And will voters be able to make up their minds in the midst of changing parties, names and loyalties? For a state that sends the 2nd highest number of MPs to Parliament, is this the most confusing election? In this episode of Dance of Democracy, we take that question to the voter. Also find out how the phrase 'aaya ram gaya ram' originated and why only 4 voters turned up at a booth EC officials took 4 days to reach.

Fardeen Khan on 14-Year Hiatus, 'Heeramandi,' and Navigating the Evolving Entertainment Industry

Fardeen Khan on 14-Year Hiatus, 'Heeramandi,' and Navigating the Evolving Entertainment Industry Actor Fardeen Khan is happy to be back at work after a gap of 14 years as it gave him an opportunity to silence his ''inherent fears'' and start afresh like a newcomer. After ''Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'', Sanjay Leela Bhansali's sprawling period drama series on Netflix, which reintroduces the actor to the audiences, Khan has two more films -- ''Khel Khel Mein'' and ''Visfot'' lined up for release. ''It was very daunting, making that decision to come back. So much had changed in itself that I had inherent fears and apprehensions. But what kept me going and gave me encouragement is the warmth and love that I received. People who like my work, my audiences, my fans, they've been consistent with that over the years,'' Khan told PTI in an interview. Looking back, the 50-year-old actor said he needed to focus on his personal life after the death of his actor-producer father Feroz Khan in 2009. Khan's last release was ''Dulha Mil Gaya'' which came out in 2010. ''I needed some time to myself after I lost my father. I had a bit of a health scare back then. Also, we were looking to have children. I just needed to take some time off but believe me it wasn't planned to be this long. When my daughter was born in 2013, my heart just melted, and I said, I would like to spend some time with her, and enjoy being a father full time. Then, my son was born,'' he added. Khan, who was launched by his father in Hindi film ''Prem Aggan'' in 1998, was a star in the 2000s and worked in movies such as ''Jungle,'' ''Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya,'' ''Bhoot,'' ''Dev,'' ''No Entry,'' and ''Heyy Babyy''. The actor, who was welcomed with cheers and applause at the trailer launch of ''Heeramandi'' in Delhi last month, is curious about how the audiences receive him as Nawab Wali Mohammed in the show, set in the world of courtesans in the pre-independence India. ''Fourteen years is not a small amount of time. I'm coming back to a whole new landscape, the way films are written, the way the protagonists are thought of, the kind of stories that are being told, the platforms on how films are distributed and broadcast and brought to the audience, everything has changed. I feel like this newcomer, who's got this most amazing opportunity, and I'm happy to be back at work,'' Khan said. If he had to do it all over again, Khan said probably the gap would be shorter as he missed being at work but nothing can match the experience of seeing one's children grow in front of their eyes. ''...That's also a very different joy and probably the most profound thing that gives you life meaning and purpose, at least for me,'' he said, adding that it was ''daunting'' to return. ''People who like my work, my audiences, my fans, they've been consistent with that over the years.'' Recalling his early years of stardom, Khan said movies at that time were ''designed to entertain and most of the films were exactly that'' but somehow they have stayed with people, making him realise what cinema means to people. ''I still find it difficult to explain it to myself, I still pinch myself but I'm just extremely grateful. It's not often that you see this happen (love from fans) and I'm very cognizant of that and you want to do good quality work. ''You are at a certain age and stage and it's at a time in filmmaking, in the industry where there's such amazing work happening, the kind of stories being told, the kind of films being made, it's such an exciting time.'' Khan said having an attitude of a newcomer helped him navigate the uncertainty of the business and also helped him go ask for work from former collaborators. ''I didn't know whether I would get work or whether people wanted to even see me. These are things that are there in your psyche. I went and met a lot of people I had worked with in the past. I said, If youve something, please keep me in mind. They were happy to see me back. They were like, You're looking good, youve changed, youve transformed.'' Khan credited filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, with whom he worked in 2009's ''Acid Factory'', for being the first person to sign him up for ''Visfot'', which gave him a lot of confidence. ''I'm very grateful to Sanjay Gupta. The second project that came along was Heeramandi but it so happened that Heeramandi was the first project that was released. For any actor to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Bhansali is a dream. ''There are not many directors that present their actors and write the kind of characters that he does. And your first release to be on a platform like Netflix, which is out there in 192 countries, this is going to be India's biggest international launch in the web series space.'' Khan, who was trolled on social media for weight gain in 2016, said he decided to take charge of his health in 2019 as he ''wasn't in a great space''. ''At the time, I was overweight. There were certain lifestyle choices I made that definitely were working in my favour. So, I made some serious changes and that started off my journey. I started training in June of 2020, I have a picture from the first day of training. In those six to eight months, I lost about 18 or 19 kg.'' Asked about the moment when he realised he was ready for a comeback, Khan said it was in 2020 during the pandemic when he was stuck in London, UK. ''After I came back to Bombay, I knew this is where I belong, and this is where I wanted to be, which is being part of the storytelling process. It's a very unique profession and even though it's all consuming, and it demands that you risk everything, it's a beautiful profession.'' On Khan's wishlist is films in the action and comedy genres. ''Im very curious to see how writers, directors and producers respond and what kind of material is going to come to me,'' he said.

Potential Showdown: Wickremesinghe and Rajapakshe Eye Presidential Bid in Sri Lanka

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current President of Sri Lanka, might face off against his own colleague, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, in the upcoming presidential elections later this year. Rajapakshe, who serves as the Minister of Justice, could be the candidate from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), as announced by former President Maithripala Sirisena, who heads the SLFP. Rajapakshe, 65, is seen as a strong contender for the SLFP candidacy. He hails from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a party that split from the United People's Freedom Alliance led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. While some factions of the SLPP support Wickremesinghe, others back the main opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Sajith Premadasa. The SLPP loyalists to Rajapaksa are unlikely to nominate a candidate due to internal struggles following mass protests in 2022, which blamed the Rajapaksa family for Sri Lanka's economic crisis. Wickremesinghe, yet to declare his candidacy, is relying on cross-party support to implement economic reforms aimed at addressing the country's financial woes. Meanwhile, Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have already announced their candidacy. However, the SLFP, under Sirisena's leadership, is facing internal conflicts. Legal battles between factions led by Sirisena and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga are ongoing for control of the party, with both leaders restrained by court orders. India Sends Sacred Sarayu River Water to Sri Lanka for Seetha Amma Temple Award of 30-Year Management Contract for Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to Indian-Russian Joint Venture

IPL 2024: Rinku Singh Explains 'Bhul Gaya Jo Mahi Bhai Ne Bola Tha' Viral Statement

IPL 2024: Rinku Singh's hilarious video went viral in which he told he forget what MS Dhoni tipped him after his meet with the legend.

Discover The New Gujarati Music Video For Rupiyo Bole Se Sung By Dev Pagli

Enjoy the latest Gujarati song Rupiyo Bole Se sung by Dev Pagli. The music for this captivating track has been composed by Lavkesh Navlakha, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Dev Pagli and Chandu Raval. The music video for Rupiyo Bole Se has been skillfully directed by Faruk Gayakwad. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the latest Gujarati video song Rupiyo Bole Se, by Dev Pagli and immerse yourself in its mesmerizing melodies. For more Gujarati songs, be sure to visit the music videos section of Gujarati ETimes. Experience the musical prowess of Dev Pagli, New Video Songs of 2024, Lavkesh Navlakha songs, Gujarati Gana Video Song, Faruk Gayakwad music videos and Dev Pagli and Chandu Raval songs.

Dingaleshwara seer to launch rallies after cancelling nominations for LS polls

BENGALURU: Dingaleshwara Swamiji, who had filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Dharwad in protest against BJP candidate and Union minister Pralhad Joshi, withdrew his papers a few days ago. But now he plans to continue his Dharma Yudha by holding public meetings across the eight Assembly constituencies of the Dharwad Lok Sabha segment from Wednesday. He said, We will revive holding public meetings--Bahiranga Sabhas -- from May 1. The polling for 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in North Karnataka is on May 7. Asked why he is upset, the seer said said he had contacted Joshi over some work, but the latter had shot back, saying Dont you have any Lingayat contact? The swamiji also said he is the voice of the voiceless people from poor and downtrodden sections. His public meetings will be held in Hubballi-Dharwad central, west and east which are largely urban constituencies and at Shiggaon, Kundgol, Kalghatgi, Navalgund and Dharwad which are semi-urban and rural constituencies. His close associates had said the Swamiji withdrew after he learnt that his opponents were planning a defamatory campaign against him. The seer had said three Brahmins representing the state -- Joshi, Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajiv Chandrashekar -- have been included in the Union cabinet, though the community makes up just 2.5 per cent of the population. At the same time, MPs from other communities did not get ministerial positions despite their seniority. The downtrodden sections were left out in this lust for power by one small section, he had said. The swamiji said he will meet Lingayats at public meetings and tell them that they should remember their Lingayat dignity and honour and elect a genuine representative and not the one who behaves in an entitled manner. Veerashaiva Mahasabha Secretary Renuka Prasanna said, The Swamiji is fighting to salvage Lingayat honour and dignity and we back him in his endeavour. He has raised the battle cry against Joshi, not for himself but for the community. There is nothing wrong with that. Swamiji, who had opposed the BJP ticket to Joshi, said, Let the best person who is truly a representative of all segments be given the ticket. I dont care if it is a Lingayat, Dalit or a backward class member.

Minister eyes 5th win, but Lingayat seer stands in way

Pralhad Joshi faces a challenge in Dharwad from Congress's Asooti, supported by Lingayat seer Swami. Asooti unites Ahinda votes against Joshi, while BJP's Tenginakai and Bellad work to secure Joshi's victory.

Modi Slams Revanth, Says Congress Imposed RR on Telangana People

HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the people of Telangana were feeling ashamed to find RR Tax under the Congress government in the state, when a super-hit movie, RRR, from the Telugu film industry had brought great praise for them. The RR Tax is the subject of discussion at every corner. Contractors and industrialists have been forced to cough up the RR Tax by back-door means. This black money is routing to Delhi and the Telangana people are worried and aware of such black deeds, he said. In an all-out attack on the Congress at a huge public meeting in Chilver under Zaheerabad Lok Sabha limits, Modi said the Congress hand symbol symbolised five evils false slogans and false promises, vote bank politics, promotion of criminals and mafia, parivarwaad (family) politics, and corruption. When the world was marching ahead, the Congress landed the country in corruption with policy paralysis. The NDA government, with a lot of difficulty, pulled out the country from the mess. The Congress once again wants to take the country in the same old way, Modi said, adding that the NDA government had taken many decisions to put the country back on track. Modi said that people had seen how a decisive and strong government scripted history by fulfilling 500-year-old dreams of Hindus by constructing the Prabhu Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. When he asked people who did it, people responded by shouting Modi Modi. Modi responded saying: The vote from each one of you enabled the construction of the Ram Temple. The vote from each one of you empowers our commitment. The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Congress government in Telangana state had put a number of restrictions and tried hard to prevent the Shobha Yatra on Rama Navami festival for its vote bank politics for the sake of votes from a section of people. When the Congress was elected with a record number of MLAs and MPs in the united Andhra Pradesh in 2009, the party instead of strengthening BCs, SCs and STs, took away their constitutional rights and extended the same to Muslims and made the state their laboratory, he said. When 26 castes, from the Marathas to the Lingayats, were seeking inclusion in the OBC list, the Congress was not interested in their demand, but included Muslims in the OBC list. Stating that he would continue reservations for Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs till he was alive, Modi repeated thrice that Modi will not allow giving reservations to Muslims. Charging that the Congress was spreading lies about reservations, Modi asked its leaders why they did not support the demand for social justice of the Madiga community. Why have they not supported the categorisation of SC reservations, he asked and reiterated his commitment for the genuine rights of the Madiga community. Stating that was is making an important announcement from the land of Telangana, Modi said that his government in its third term would celebrate in a grand manner the diamond jubilee of the Constitution (in 2025) by exposing at every street corner the sins of the Congress and its leaders by listing out how they played fraud with the Constitution. Giving a case-by-case reference of how the Congress leaders violated the Constitution, Modi said that Jawaharlal Nehru had removed the images from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata from the Constitution. Nehru intentionally disconnected all the links which connected the rich heritage of the country with the Constitution and insulted Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He said Indira Gandhi had imposed the Emergency and curbed press freedom and jailed nationalists. Rajiv Gandhi did a big sin against the Constitution by bringing a law to curb media rights. The Yuvraj (referring to Rahul Gandhi) committed the fourth sin by tearing up the papers of Cabinet decisions, thereby insulting the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, Modi said, referring to the Congress leaders tearing up an ordinance to save convicted legislators from disqualification. The Constituent Assembly discussed the issue threadbare for three long years and decided not to extend reservations on the basis of religion. But Yuvraj and his team, for vote bank politics, have eaten away the rights of Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs and extended the same to Muslims by back-door method, Modi explained. Asking the Congress to hear him, Modi announced that the Constitution was a holy book for him to run the government. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, I celebrated 60 years of the Constitution (in 2010) when no other Chief Minister in the country did so. The Constitution was placed on the top of an elephant. I walked along with it, he recalled. After being elected Prime Minister in 2014, I bowed before Parliament and then entered Parliament Hall. In the second term in 2019, the Constitution was placed in the Central Hall of Parliament with all respect and I bowed before it, he recalled. On the other hand, the Congress is not ready to respect their own party constitution. Then AICC president Sitaram Kesri was humiliated and Sonia Gandhi took over the chair. Is it not against your party ethics and principles, Modi said that Yuvraj was not ready to accept the fact. Giving examples of how Congress leaders violate parliamentary principles when they are not in power, Modi asked them not to fool the people by shedding crocodile tears. He said that Congress MPs had not allowed Parliament to run and also often spoke against EVMs and the decisions of the Election Commission of India. Stating that conducting elections was a major festival in democracy, Modi referred to a fake video of home minister Amit Shah's speech at an election meeting at Siddipet recently. He charged that the Congress leaders were not ready to allow proper functioning of the system. They have made fake videos of a person holding a constitutional post to mislead people and create unrest in society. Modi said that not a single political party in the INDI alliance was contesting 270 Lok Sabha seats; the Congress had fielded the fewest number of candidates in any general election since 1951-52. Modi said that the only answer for the countrys problems was the BJP and appealed to voters to elect party candidates B.B. Patil from Zaheerabad and M. Raghunandan Rao from Medak.

Empowering Women in Engineering: Dr. Gayashika Fernandos PhD Journey at SLIITs Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Gayashika Fernando serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department in the Faculty of Engineering in SLIIT. As the first-ever PhD to be produced by SLIITs Faculty of Engineering, she exemplifies determination, resilience, and a fervent commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through her remarkable journey. Dr. Fernando obtained her B.Sc. (Hons), in Production Engineering from the University of Peradeniya, and MEng in Manufacturing System Engineering from the University of Moratuwa. Prior Joining to SLIIT she served in the Industry for about 8 years. Through her research on Climate Policy Analysis for Climate Mitigation and Carbon Neutrality: A Case Study of Sri Lanka, Dr. Fernando developed a model for analyzing the impact of different energy policies. These models will be useful for the country in analyzing national-level policies such as renewable energy targets, nationally determined contributions and net zero emissions. It will also provide different implications on the costs involved in implementing such policies. Her work, was published in a prestigious Q1 journal and has accomplished international recognition and strengthened SLIITs reputation as a hub of academic excellence. Dr. Fernando shares insights into her research, the challenges she faced as a woman in engineering, her motivations for pursuing this path, and the invaluable advice she offers to those considering a career in this dynamic field. Q: Can you elaborate on the research and academic accomplishments? A: I pursued my PhD in Mechanical Engineering at SLIIT, focusing on Climate Policy Analysis for Climate Mitigation and Carbon Neutrality using energy-economic-environmental modeling. The research aimed at developing a model to analyze different climate and energy policies.It addressed the countrys need to have a systematic method for developing policy and analyzing them before implementation. These studies will be very useful for the country in developing future national policies of the country. It could provide valuable insights in meeting various obligations under agreements like the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). My Primary Supervisor was Prof Migara Liyanage. Other Co-Supervisors were Prof R A Attalage, & Prof S. Karunarathne. Their inputs were invaluable and a great source of support and motivation towards the success of my PhD. Conducting high-quality research in a developing country like Sri Lanka with limited resources and data availability was particularly difficult. However, with the support of experienced supervisors, collaborations with international experts, and SLIITs research facilities, I was able to successfully overcome these obstacles and achieve my goals. I was also fortunate to receive support from the National Institute of Environmental Studies, Japan. Such collaborations immensely help to produce quality research. The research resulted in publications in top-ranked Q1 journals, including the prestigious Sustainable Production and Consumption journal, which is in the top 10% globally. I am extremely proud to be the first PhD holder from the Faculty of Engineering at SLIIT and my contribution in fostering an engineering postgraduate culture at SLIIT engineering has the potential to ignite a broader research culture, both within the institution and across our country. Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in engineering, and what motivated you to complete the PhD at SLIIT? A: After about eight years of service in the corporate sector, I felt a strong desire to shape future generations and make a more impactful contribution by adding my corporate sector experiences to engineering education. Thats why I decided to transition to academia and join SLIIT. Recognizing the importance of continuously upgrading my knowledge, I decided to pursue a PhD. I chose to pursue my PhD at SLIIT due to personal reasons that prevented me from leaving the country. The institutions supportive research environment, including expert guidance, research grants, exceptional library resources, and study leave provisions was extremely helpful and supportive towards completing my PhD. Q: What challenges did you face as a woman pursuing a career in engineering? A: Even though engineering is a male-dominated field, there are ample opportunities and diverse disciplines for females to fit in. Through resilience and dedication, I faced challenges and seized every chance to improve. I took gradual but lasting steps to reach my targets. With proper time management practices and work-life balance through good physical and mental health practices, women can confront challenges in this field as in every other field. Q: Why do you believe participation of women in Engineering is crucial? A : Engineering is using science and mathematics to design products and services that improve peoples lives. The participation of women in Engineering is crucial as they bring diverse perspectives and experiences that shape innovative solutions. Their unique feminine traits, such as endurance, multitasking prowess, outstanding team coordination abilities, effective communication skills, and interpersonal skills, bolster teams and bring considerable value to the field of engineering. With their unique viewpoints, women in this field contribute directly to economic growth while also addressing social and environmental well-being. Moreover, their involvement in Engineering drives societal progress, as evident in countries with high female representation in engineering and science-related areas. By fostering an inclusive environment, Engineering disciplines can harness the immense potential of womens contributions. Q: What advice would you give to women considering a career in engineering, and why would SLIIT be an ideal choice? A: I truly believe that Women can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences to engineering solutions, which is crucial for economic growth and societal well-being. First and foremost, believe in yourself and the unique perspectives you bring to engineering. Seek out supportive mentors to guide you in your career journey. Continuously look for opportunities to enhance your lifelong learning experiences and personal growth. I wholly recommend SLIIT as an ideal choice for pursuing engineering studies due to several reasons. Especially its flexible approach, self-funded research grants, fee waivers for employees, excellent facilities, and a motivated staff that encourages research. SLIITs collaborations with foreign universities and other international organizations provide valuable support and exposure. I am grateful to the support received from my supervisors and peers in achieving this milestone. Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Fernandos accomplishments serve as an inspiration for women aspiring to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Overcoming challenges posed by limited resources and data availability, she persevered with the support of experienced supervisors and collaborations with international experts.

Gwalior Man Clashes with Traffic Police, Chokes Officer

Gwalior : a man took an extreme approach when clashing with traffic authorities, creating a chaotic scene. The man, who was stopped by traffic police for a routine check, responded aggressively by attacking the officers, including choking one of them. In a video shared on social media, the other two policemen could be seen trying to free their colleague from the man's grip. The date of the incident could not be verified, but the video quickly went viral, receiving mixed reactions from viewers. While some condemned the man's response as unwarranted, others criticized the traffic system in general. A few even found the incident humorous. The video was initially shared on social media platform X by a user known as 'Arhant Shelby' and One user questioned the man's aggressive behavior, expressing their own preference for a calm approach with traffic police. Kalesh b/w A guy and traffic police ????Gwalior MP,police walo ne iss bande ki checking karne ko roka but ye banda traffic police walo se he bhid gaya pic.twitter.com/qiuv7YGSlZ Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) April 29, 2024 Another user found the man's defiance of the traffic police surprising and admired his boldness. A third user commented on the unpredictable nature of situations in India. Other responses ranged from speculating that the man was either wealthy or related to a local leader, to suggesting that people were frustrated with corrupt traffic officers who often target bikers for money rather than ensuring smooth traffic flow. The Boy's Revenge on His Ex-Girlfriend Leaves Everyone Stunned Woman Makes Shocking Claim: Aliens Took Me Along and... PM Modi Commends Civil Services Achievers, Encourages Resilience in Unsuccessful Candidates

Suneel Rao joins the cast of Dhanveerrahs 'Hayagrriva'

Dhanveerrah is currently working on his upcoming film 'Hayagrriva', which marks the directorial debut of Raghukumar. The film, which is now in production, stars Sanjanaa Anand as the female lead. Apart from the main actors, the rest of the cast has been kept secret by the makers. However, CE has learned that versatile actor Suneel Rao has joined the cast and will play a significant role. He has already filmed a few of his portions in the film. 'Hayagrriva', according to the makers, is a blend of ancient tales and contemporary elements. The film is described as a family entertainer with romantic elements. The director had shared in a previous interview that the film takes the audience 40 years into the future and explores the consequences of a crime involving Lords. The character Suneel Rao will portray in the film is currently kept under wraps. More details are expected to be announced officially by the makers. 'Hayagrriva' is produced by Samruddhi Manjunath, a distributor who previously worked on 'Life Jothe Ondu Selfie', under the KVC Productions banner. Apart from Dhanveerrah and Sanjanaa Anand, the film also features Ravishankar in a mythological character, along with Rangayana Raghu, Sadhu Kokila, and Shruthi. 'Hayagrriva' has Judah Sandy as the music director and Karthik S as the cinematographer.

Lingayat scandal: Seer surrenders before court, sent back to jail

Chitradurga: Prominent Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who faces charges of sexual exploitation of minor girls, surrendered before a sessions court in Karnatakas Chitradurga on Monday and has been sent back to jail. The Supreme Court had cancelled his bail recently and directed him to surrender before the court to be taken to judicial custody. 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 .

Karnataka Lingayat mutt sex scandal: Seer surrenders before court, sent back to jail

Karnataka Lingayat mutt sex scandal: Seer surrenders before court, sent back to jail Chitradurga: Prominent Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who faces charges of sexual exploitation of minor girls, surrendered before a sessions court in Karnatakas Chitradurga on Monday and has been sent back to jail. The Supreme Court had cancelled his bail recently [] The post Karnataka Lingayat mutt sex scandal: Seer surrenders before court, sent back to jail appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Experience The New Gujarati Music Video For Afsos Thayo Ek Vat No By Rakesh Barot

Enjoy the latest Gujarati song Afsos Thayo Ek Vat No sung by Rakesh Barot. The music for this captivating track has been composed by Rahul Nadiya and Ravi Nagar, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Rk Thakor (Kismat). The music video for Afsos Thayo Ek Vat No has been skillfully directed by Faruk Gayakwad. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the latest Gujarati video song Afsos Thayo Ek Vat No, by Rakesh Barot and immerse yourself in its mesmerizing melodies. For more Gujarati songs, be sure to visit the music videos section of Gujarati ETimes. Experience the musical prowess of Rakesh Barot, New Video Songs of 2024, Rahul Nadiya and Ravi Nagar songs, Gujarati Gana Video Song, Faruk Gayakwad music videos and Rk Thakor (Kismat) songs.

Bihar's people will ensure grand alliance's victory: Tejashwi Yadav

Bihar's people will ensure grand alliance's victory: Tejashwi Yadav Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday expressed confidence in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) winning the Lok Sabha election in the state, stating that the people of Bihar will ensure the Grand Alliance's victory. The Mahagathbandhan is an opposition coalition in Bihar, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties. Tejashwi Yadav also took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of not delivering on the promises he made to the people of Bihar. The environment is favourable. The process of nomination has begun in many places... This election is very important. It is to save the Constitution and the democracy. The people of Bihar are going to make the grand alliance win... The Prime Minister made promises to the people of Bihar but did not deliver anything, he said. The 40 seats in Bihar are undergoing polls in all seven phases. In 2019, BJP-led NDA swept the state by winning 39 out of 40 seats, while Congress won just one seat. RJD, a formidable force in the state failed to open its account. The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), recently announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26 out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats. As part of the NDA, BJP and JD(U) will contest on 17 and 16 seats, respectively. Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats, and Jitan Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha will contest one seat each. Five Lok Sabha constituencies Bhagalpur, Banka, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Katihar went through polls in the second phase of voting on Friday. Out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, four seats Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, and Aurangabad went to polls during the first phase of voting on April 19. (ANI)

Congresss challenge lies in winning Lingayats over in Karnataka - The Times of India

Congresss challenge lies in winning Lingayats over in Karnataka The Times of India

Old rivals burying the hatchet lends twist to BJP-Congress fight in Karnataka's Koppal

In Koppal, BJP's Dr. Kyavater contests against Congress's Hitnal. Lingayat dominance challenged. BJP lacks slogans, relies on Modi. Congress focuses on organized campaign and guarantee schemes. MLAs crucial in the constituency.

Night patrol to be increased, assures Bengaluru Police Commissioner

BENGALURU: Plans are afoot to increase the number of CCTV cameras across the city and step up night patrols to curb crime, said City Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Sunday. Addressing the monthly Janasamparka Sabha at Gayatri Vihara at Palace Ground, he said the initiative aims to tackle rising crimes in the city. During the interaction, a woman asked about female paying guest accommodations in Vasanth Nagar, highlighting the challenges faced by working women who arrive at PGs late and facing harassment from eve-teasers. She requested the commissioner to install CCTV cameras and enhance night patrolling, specifically in these areas. Another issue discussed was the parking of vehicles on both sides of Palace Guttahalli in Vinayaka Circle. This leads to traffic congestion and delays commuters. Residents appealed to the commissioner for measures to ensure a smoother traffic flow. Dayananda instructed traffic police officials to address this problem promptly. Residents also expressed concerns over inadequate street lighting, making it challenging to walk safely at night. Responding, the commissioner said they will talk to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials.

Four-fold rise in immunodeficiency cases in seven years

BENGALURU: Doctors have noticed a significant rise in the number of children being affected by rare genetic immunodeficiency cases in Bengaluru. A decade ago such cases were limited to 1-2 per month. But now, at least 10-12 cases are being reported every month. In the previous year alone, more than 200 diagnoses were confirmed and experts anticipate the trend to continue in the coming years as well. Dr Sagar Bhattad, Consultant, Paediatric Immunology and Rheumatology at Aster CMI Hospital explained that a child falling sick repeatedly and depending on frequent use of antibiotics might indicate a significant genetic immune issue, and such conditions could potentially impact more than one child in the same family. Over 450 cases have been identified in the last seven years, with 30 cases being reported annually, which has currently reached to 127 cases being reported every year. The number of cases detected in this time period, has increased approximately four times, and this pattern illustrates a nationwide concern, with an estimation of 1 lakh Indians experiencing undiagnosed immune deficiencies, told Dr Bhattad. Early diagnosis of these conditions in children, will ensure tailored treatment and reduces the likelihood of recurrent infections and unnecessary antibiotic usage. Genetic testing during pregnancy can detect potential issues and mitigate the risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, he added. A comprehensive strategy ensuring accessibility to trained pediatric immunologists and specialized immunology centres is necessary to tackle this situation. Making genetic testing more affordable, and accessible will facilitate earlier diagnoses and improve treatment effectiveness, Dr Bhattad said. Dr Gayathri Kamath, Additional Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital explained that rare genetic deficiencies can significantly influence decisions regarding family planning and reproductive choices for affected individuals and their families. Treatment choices might be fewer, and results may differ, she added.

Uber Cup : India women beat Singapore,4-1 to assure themselves a place in quarter-finals

Harpal Singh Bedi New Delhi,28 April: Putting up yet another awesome display Indian womens badminton team routed Singapore 4-1 to virtually assure themselves a place in the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup in Chengdu, China on Sunday. The young and new look Indian team, without big names like PV Sindhu, Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto and Gayatri Continue reading Uber Cup : India women beat Singapore,4-1 to assure themselves a place in quarter-finals

PM Modi In Belgavi Rally Admonished Congress For Taking PFI Support In Wayanad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress for seeking the support of organizations like PFI in elections and admonished the party's 'Shehzada' for focusing on criticizing the Rajas and Maharajas while ignoring the atrocities perpetrated by Badshahs and Nawabs. During his rally in Belagavi and Sirsi on Sunday Modi warned the people against the Congress's proposed inheritance tax. Throughout his speech, Modi addressed Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzada.' To win one seat in Wayanad, you (Congress and Rahul) are surrendering to them (PFI) and protecting their actions. The BJP government has banned PFI for its support to Anti National elements. Their senior leaders are behind bars now, Modi told the rally in Belagavi. At Sirsi too, Modi raked up the issue. The Congress's dependence on outfits like the PFI for vote in Wayanad is concerning. It only emboldens them, he said during the speech in Sirsi. Before 2014 the headlines of newspapers were about bomb attacks in the cities in India which stopped after 2014 (after BJP came to power in the country). But in Bengaluru as soon as they (Congress) came to power the terrorists undertook a blast. Bengaluru is a hi-tech city with a global identity. And they (Congress) said it was a gas cylinder blast. Was it a Gas cylinder blast or your brain? The accused were arrested from Bengal after the case was taken up by the NIA, he said. Modi pointed out that the names of organizations like PFI were behind the incident. The track record of the Congress is shedding tears for the terrorists. Congress leaders say that a Congress leader had shed tears when a terrorist was killed in Delhi. Whereas the track record of the BJP is taking strict measures like banning PFI and putting their leaders behind bars, he added. Turning his attention to Rahul Gandhi's recent comments on historical figures, Modi criticized the Congress leader for allegedly disparaging India's heritage. The 'Shahzada' has recently begun asserting that for centuries Rajas and Maharajas have been engaged in looting and perpetrating atrocities. Do you agree with this assessment? Is it justifiable to vilify Rajas and Maharajas to conceal their (Congress) own misdeeds? The Congress's track record undermines Indian culture, he added. He further accused the Congress of distorting Indian history to suit their agenda, asserting their neglect of figures like Shivaji and Maharana Pratap. Have you ever heard the Shahzada reprimanding any Nawab, Sultan, or Badshah? It is purely for the sake of vote bank politics. People are now questioning to what extent will Congress continue to pander for appeasement, he remarked. Modi cited examples of the contributions made by the Kadamba rulers of Sirsi in Karnataka, the Maharajas of Mysuru and also the Gayakwad family to underscore his point. The villages I hail from were under the rule of the Gayakwad family of Baroda. The Gayakwad King recognized the talent of Babasaheb Ambedkar and facilitated his education abroad. India got Ambedkar. However, the Shehzada believes that Rajas and Maharajas were solely involved in atrocities, he remarked. Karnataka and the nation have witnessed atrocities committed by Nawabs, Sultans, and Badshahs against the common people. These rulers even plundered our temples and sacred sites. Yet, Shehzada absolves them of guilt while labeling Rajas and Maharajas as oppressors. The Congress party's divisive tactics pose a dangerous threat to national unity, and we must remain vigilant, he cautioned. Furthermore, the Shehzada claims that if they assume power, they will conduct an 'X-ray' in the country, scrutinizing lockers, homes, and lands to redistribute wealth to their vote bank, he said. Modi proceeded to criticize Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for their proposed inheritance tax, warning the public to be wary of such policies. Congress has made yet another perilous decision, which the people must tread around carefully. Even the most impoverished aspire to leave something for their children. Now, his (Rahul's) mentor from the US has advocated for an inheritance tax. This means that upon your demise, your hard-earned savings will not pass on to your offspring. The Congress plans to seize 55 percent of your assets. If you own a four-room house, two rooms will be confiscated. If you possess ten acres of land, five will be taken away. The nation is incensed, declaring, 'Congress's plunder shall persist both in life and after death,' (Congress ki loot zindagi ke saat bhi aur zindagi ke baad bhi), he derided. Modi also attacked the Karnataka government, accusing it of failing to curb rising crime rates and allowing anti-social and anti-national sentiments to proliferate in the region. He expressed concerns over the safety of daughters, particularly in light of the recent Neha murder case in Hubballi. Every parent is apprehensive about the safety of their daughters, especially after the appalling incident in Hubballi. How could the perpetrator muster the audacity to commit such a heinous act in broad daylight on a college campus? They are emboldened by the knowledge that vote-bank politics will shield them, he alleged. He alleged that while the family of Neha was demanding action, the state government was giving importance to its appeasement politics. Emphasizing the necessity of a strong government with a clear majority in the country, Modi asserted that such governance instills confidence not only among citizens but also on a global scale. We have witnessed the international community's admiration for India, he added. Modi criticized the Congress and its allies for declining the invitation from the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust for the Pran Pratista event. Conversely, he praised the Ansari family for their dignified acceptance of the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ram Mandir issue, highlighting their attendance at the event. Modi pledged his unwavering commitment to serving the people and securing a brighter future for the upcoming generations.

Events today - APRIL 28: Rangayana, Mysuru - Star of Mysore

Events today - APRIL 28: Rangayana, Mysuru Star of Mysore

'Mil Gaya': After Rinku, Shahbaz also gets a bat from Kohli

Batting superstar Virat Kohli's act of generosity showcased the unity and mutual respect among players in the IPL fraternity. Such moments of camaraderie serve as reminders of the larger values at play in the world of cricket, where gestures of support and encouragement hold significance beyond the boundaries of the pitch, fostering a sense of community and belonging among players and fans alike.

Modi effect, govt guarantees could queer pitch for families in turf war

Chikkodi LS contest features Priyanka Jarkiholi vs Annasaheb Jolle. Congress holds 5 seats. Lingayat votes vital. Modi's popularity impacts. Kallolikar's influence significant. Jolle relies on Hindutva. Caste diversity plays a role in the election.

BJP, Congress now turn to face crucial Lingayat challenge in Karnataka

After the high-decibel contest in the Vokkaliga heartland, the electoral battle has now shifted to the Lingayat-dominated North Karnataka region. Up north, as the scorching sun pushes temperatures to exhausting highs, the BJP and Congress are engaged in a direct fight for 14 seats that will go to the polls on May 7. Unlike in the Old Mysuru region, Janata Dal (Secular) is not a major force in these seats, though it has a presence in some pockets. The BJP-JDS alliance is largely limited to the constituencies that went to polls on April 26. While the regional party contested from three seats, it has a significant presence in the other 11 segments. So, the transfer of votes between the two was crucial for alliance candidates success. Anyway, the action has now shifted to the North and Central Karnataka regions and also parts of the Malnad as well as coastal Karnataka. Here, the real challenge for the BJP is to score a perfect 100 out of 100, if it is aiming to do an encore of its 2019 performance in the state. The party had swept all 14 seats, while the Congress drew a blank. Even Congress stalwart Mallikarjun Kharge lost in his home district. He is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. But, in the last five years, much water has flown down the Krishna River, which traverses through North Karnataka districts. Political equations have changed considerably. Kharge is now the AICC president. Congress outpaced the BJP in the 2023 assembly polls. Here, the Grand Old Party is at its fighting best, unlike most parts of the country where it is at the mercy of its alliance partners or is struggling to match the BJPs firepower in direct contests. As the determined Congress is going all guns blazing, its a test for BJP to prove its sway over the Lingayat community, especially after chinks surfaced during the last years assembly polls. In the 2023 election, Congress managed to woo a section of the Lingayat community that had solidly backed the BJP in the earlier elections. That was probably one of the reasons why BJPs tally went way below its conservative estimate. However, compared to the assembly polls, the situation now looks much better for BJP. The voting pattern in Lok Sabha elections would be different from that of state elections, while the party would also be hoping to make the most of the Narendra Modi-BS Yediyurappa factor. In the previous elections, Yeddyurappas political acumen had helped the BJP to translate Modis popularity into votes and seats. Even this time the BJP will be banking on that factor heavily. The party faces its share of challenges too. Former Deputy CM KS Eshwarappa is proving to be an irritant for Yediyurappa in his home district. Angered by the partys decision to deny a ticket to his son to contest from the Haveri-Gadag seat, Eshwarappa has jumped into the electoral fray as an independent from Shivamogga, to cause some trouble for Yediyurappas son Raghavendra, who is seeking reelection. Eshwarappa may not be able to dent the BJPs prospects, but in terms of optics, it has done the damage. In Dharwad LS seat, Lingayat seer Dingaleshwara Swami is up in arms against BJPs Pralhad Joshi. Here again, the seer may not be able to sweep away BJPs votes, but the development did help Congress to take a swipe at BJP on the Lingayat issue. Many senior BJP leaders in the fray are former chief ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Bhagawant Khuba and Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri the last replaced firebrand leader Ananth Kumar Hegde, who often kicked up controversies with his extreme rightist views. On its part, Congress has fielded the kin of sitting ministers and top leaders from many seats, including Kharges son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani from Kalaburgi. Winning Kalaburagi and the majority of seats in Kalyan Karnataka would be crucial for asserting Kharges leadership within the party. By and large, the election-related issues in South and North Karnataka are the same. The BJP is slamming Congress over its handling of severe drought, law-and-order situation, minority appeasement, diverting funds meant for SC/STs welfare for guarantee schemes, and development works coming to a standstill. The Congresss main poll planks remain the Centres failure to adequately provide drought relief to the state, the alleged disparity in tax devolution, unemployment, price rise, implementation of guarantees as well as the failure to fulfill other promises made in its 2024 election manifesto. As both sides pull all the stops to win a maximum number of seats, support from the dominant Lingayat community will play a crucial role. More so for the BJP, which will be keen to consolidate its support base. But, if the Congress manages to breach its Lingayat fortress again, it could ring alarm bells for the BJP in the long run. The developments in the next few days will not just impact the May 7 polls but have far-reaching implications on the political narrative in the state. Ramu Patil Assistant Resident Editor

Amid veteran vs fresher fight, all eyes on seer swing bowling

HUBBALI : Though a prominent pontiff bowed out of the contest after promising a scintillating match, the Lok Sabha election scene in Dharwad continues to be as intense and exciting. Influential Lingayat pontiff Dingaleshwar Swamiji had spiced up the polls by announcing his candidature but later opted out. While making his pitch, the Swamiji had sharply attacked sitting MP and Union minister Pralhad Joshi (61), accusing him of dishonouring the Lingayats and victimising its leaders. With the BJP repeating Joshi from Dharwad, the Congress hopes the Swamiji could be a force multiplier against him. At stake in Dharwad is the BJPs prestige as it has held this Lingayat majority constituency for seven consecutive terms. The Congress is trying its best to knock out Joshi. Their straight fight is being closely watched because of Joshis perceived proximity to the BJP brass. Instead of fielding a Lingayat against Joshi, the Congress gave the ticket to an AHINDA (a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits coined by Karnatakas first backward class leader Devraj Urs), which has stood firmly behind Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The partys nominee, Vinod Asuti (34), who belongs to the Kuruba community and is a debutant in the LS poll. The Congress is playing the youth card against veteran Joshi. Also, district minister Santosh Lad has been campaigning vigorously for Asuti. For his part, Joshi is emphasising on the track record of the NDA government in ushering in development and his performance as a parliamentarian in the last two decades. As the constituency has eluded the Congress since 1996, its campaign is focused on the wider reach of the five guarantees implemented by the Siddaramaiah government and the other guarantees in the partys manifesto. That apart, the party has been stitching alliances with various social and caste groups to further strengthen its AHINDA plank. The Congress is missing the services of its strong Lingayat leader Vinay Kulkarni, who was pitted against Joshi in the last two polls. But the Supreme Court barred his entry into the district while granting him bail, since he is an accused in the murder of BJP member Yogishgouda Goudar. Performance wise, Joshi has done well. But the Congress is aggressively playing the Lingayat card to change the narrative. The BJP enjoys enough support among the Lingayats, but its victory would depend on how things pan out on the polling day. The shocking murder of Neha Hiremath, the daughter of a Congress corporator is a red hot poll issue. By politicising it as love jihad, the BJP is trying to consolidate the Hindu votes. Dharwad goes to polls on May 7 when voters will have to choose between a veteran and a fresher.

PM Modi in Davanagere today, as BJP eyes a 2019 repeat

DAVANAGERE: With a clear focus to grab as many seats as possible in the third phase of polling to the Lok Sabha on May 7, the BJP is making an all-out effort to attract more voters and ensure that its candidates win with big numbers. As a part of BJPs programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the region across Sunday and Monday. On April 28, PM Modi will address four rallies, starting with Belagavi at 10 am, Sirsi in Uttara Kannada at 12 pm, Davanagere at 3 pm, and Ballari at 4 pm. On April 29, he will address a rally in Bagalkot at 11 am, stated former political secretary to the chief minister MP Renukacharya. The BJP is in alliance with the JDS. The saffron party had swept the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. In fact, it had bagged all 14 seats in the North Karnataka region that are going to polls on May 7. The party wants to retain all these seats this time as well, riding on the Modi factor. With the Congress gearing up for a tough fight with the BJP, the saffron party wants to consolidate votes in North Karnataka and ensure that all its candidates win the elections handsomely, hence, Modis visit is crucial. Renukacharya said the party is expecting a crowd around 3 lakh people and there will be voters from Davanagere and Haveri-Gadag Parliamentary constituencies, who will be present at the venue. Besides, former CM BS Yediyurappa, Haveri-Gadag candidate Basavaraj Bommai, Davanagere candidate Gayathri Siddeshwara, and state BJP president BY Vijayendra will be present. Meanwhile, the Special Protection Group (SPG) conducted a mock drill, from the GMIT helipad to the government high school grounds in the city on Saturday. The entire convoy of the Prime Minister was reframed and the drill was conducted. Though the PM will not be holding any road show, citizens are expected to stand on both sides of the road on which Narendra Modis convoy will be passing, from the Helipad to the venue. Accordingly, sufficient security is already in place.

Japanese Woman, Her Indian Husband Robbed On Way To Bihar Airport

A Japanese national was robbed by four robbers in Bihar's Gaya district on Saturday, the police said. The woman, Ucrow Momoz was on the way to Gaya International airport to board a flight for Japan. She was accompanied by her husband Anup Kumar.

Seer accuses Joshi of using death of Lingayat for election

Dalits fear eviction after land owner damages their houses in TN's Kangeyam

TIRUPPUR: Dalit residents in Nizhali Post in Kangeyam say they feel threatened about getting evicted after a private individual allegedly started encroaching government land which lies close to his plot close to their settlement and damaged a few houses while cleaning the land. There are 40 houses in the settlement. Speaking to TNIE, S Sayathal (50), a SC resident, said,I am a daily wage earner and we all belong to the Scheduled Caste community. We built small houses at Sakthi Vinayagapuram in Nizhali Post in Kangeyam 20 years ago. A private individual from the dominant community bought vast tracts of land near our locality. A few days ago, he arrived with a group of men along with earthmovers. When we questioned, they claimed they were levelling the land. Within a few days, they started to level the land near our plot. When they began to remove the boundary stones, we objected to their action. The private individual claimed ownership of the land and threatened us. Using earthmovers, they damaged the wall of dalit colonies. My sisters house developed cracks on the wall. We feel threatened by his action K Malliga (42), another resident, said,Every year, the individual used to clean and level his land, since they get covered with bushes and thorny plants. So, we didnt bother when workers along with earth mover arrived on the spot. But, this time, they went further and started to level the areas very close to our locality. When we objected, they issued threats. Since, they belong to dominant community and have political connection, we were forced to remain silent Adi Tamilar Jananayaga Peravai president K Bowthan said, The private individual owns several plots in Sakthi Vinayagapuram. He is planning to develop a real estate plot and he owns 4-5 acres of land on the eastern side of Sakthi Vinayagapuram in Ellapalayam Pudur. He was upset as a dalit colony was nearby. So, in order to threaten them, he encroached on the land measuring 1 acres near the dalit colony. Besides, he levelled government land and crossed over the land, even damaging the wall of seven houses, by removing the soil using earthmover. The land belongs to the government and it is classified as Odai Poromboke (water body). Speaking to TNIE, an official from Tiruppur District Administration said, We have received the petition and will forward it to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) of Ellapalayam Pudur. The VAO and surveyor will inspect the spot in Sakthi Vinagayapuram and check the records. Based on the outcome, action will be taken.

Adhyayan Suman Says He Became 'Overconfident' After Signing 12 Films: 'Phir Saara Kaam Bandh Hogaya'

Adhyayan Suman, who is making a comeback with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi, said that when his third film 'Jashnn' didnt perform well, 'all 12 films were put on hold'.

Gayatri Sugars Q4 Results Live : profit falls by 50.04% YOY

Gayatri Sugars Q4 Results Live : Revenue decreased by 0.89% YoY & profit decreased by 50.04% YoY

With votes in EVMs for 14 out of 18 constituencies, focus now shifts to North Karnataka for May 7 polls

The way the dominant Lingayat-Veerashaiva community will vote is being watched keenly

No Modi wave, only guarantees count, says CM Siddaramaiah

SHIGGOAN/HAVERI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday hit out at the BJP government and leaders of the state. He said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi should be ashamed as he had done nothing for his constituency or the state. All BJP MPs in the state are afraid to speak to PM Narendra Modi, and demand our share, he taunted. Siddaramaiah was addressing the Prajadhwani-2 in Shiggoan taluk of Haveri district. He alleged that the BJP-JDS alliance is an illicit one, and leaders of both parties have spoken against each other, but the fear of being defeated by Congress has driven them to join hands. The Modi government is doing injustice to the state, which is haunted by drought. The Central team also submitted its report but relief funds have not yet reached the state, he said. I met PM Modi and asked for relief, he promised me but did nothing. Voters have learnt their lessons and now it is payback time. There is no loan waiver for the poor and farmers, the Modi government is only helping industrialists, he added. The Congress has announced Rs 1 lakh for each woman every year, and will continue its existing schemes too, Siddaramaiah said. There is no Modi wave in the nation, he declared. Claiming that Union minister Pralhad Joshi had ruined his life and kept him away from his constituency, Dharwad MLA Vinay Kulkarni it was time to teach him a lesson. He called on Lingayats and other communities to unite and defeat Joshi, as he has done nothing other than use investigation agencies for his own development. District minister Santosh Lad alleged that the BJP believes in divide and rule. The BJP will now chant Pakistan, Muslim, Ram to divide people...

Issues galore in Machilipatnam, development of port vital

VIJAYAWADA: Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency has a plethora of issues that need the attention of policy makers for years, but have been totally ignored. Bandar or Machilipatnam port has been a long-burning issue. Finally, the works of the port project had commenced in May, 2023. The port is expected to be a pivot of change for the entire Krishna district, and emerge as an important sea port on the East Coast. After several agitations, the port was sanctioned by the YSRC government, but it hit a roadblock with the contracting agency backing away due to some issues. After the State bifurcation, the project was given to Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, but the project got embroiled in land issues. After the YSRC came to power, the project tender was cancelled, and a new DPR was prepared. Later, the project was handed over to MEIL, which is expected to complete it in two years. Speaking to TNIE, Vinay of Machilipatnam town said, The development of the port would bring the much-needed growth to the region, and could create more employment. For several years, the people of Nagayalanka and Edurumondi have been using punts to travel between the two islands risking their lives. The demand for a bridge for years remains a dream. In Gudivada, the long pending demand for Road Over Bridge (ROB) is yet to be met, though several assurances were given in this regard. In Gannavaram Assembly segment, the issue of compensation to farmers for the land acquired for airport expansion is yet to be resolved. Machilipatnam also known as Bandar parliamentary constituency consists of seven Assembly segments, including Bandar, Pedana, Avanigadda, Gudivada, Gannavaram, Pamarru (SC reserved) and Penamaluru. The constituency has a total population of 17,35,079. The total electorate in Machilipatnam is 15,18,826. The parliamentary constituency, which retained the name Krishna District after the district reorganisation, has rural and semi-urban character, and compared to NTR District, it has more agriculture and aquaculture fields. Irrigation and drinking water is an issue in the constituency though the perennial Krishna River flows through it. The proposed barrages downstream of Prakasam Barrage have remained a distant dream. Bandar town gets drinking water once in two or three days now. Tail-end lands under Bandar Canal do not get water for irrigation, pointed out a senior CPM leader of the region. The demand for rail connectivity between Repalle and Machilipatnam remains unfulfilled. The region will witness a sea change if the rail connectivity is provided, he opined. The constituency was represented by Communists after it was formed in 1952. Sanaka Buchikotaiah was the first MP. He was succeeded by Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao of Congress, followed by Mandala Venkataswamy Naidu, Y Ankineedu Prasad, Nageswara Rao Meduri, Maganti Ankineedu, K Sambasiva Rao, Kolusu Pedda Reddaiah Yadav, K Satyanarayana, K Sambasiva Rao, Ambati Brahmanaiah and Badiga Ramakrishna. Konakalla Narayana of TDP represented the Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, Vallabhaneni Balasouri of YSRC was elected. The sitting MP has shifted his loyalties to the Jana Sena Party, and is contesting the Lok Sabha seat as an NDA candidate. Facing him is Dr Simhadri Chandrasekhar, a noted oncologist, contesting the election for the first time.

Religious Quotas in Education: A Divisive Issue in India

Religious Quotas in Education: A Divisive Issue in India Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath on Thursday alleged that the Congress' attempt to give reservations to Muslims from the OBC quota in Karnataka was part of its agenda to push the country towards ''Islamisation and division''. The firebrand BJP leader claimed that the Congress wanted to deprive the people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes of their constitutional rights. According to the data submitted by the Karnataka Backward Classes Welfare Department, all castes and communities within the Muslim religion have been enlisted as socially and educationally backward classes under Category 2B in the State List of Backward Classes Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have targeted the Congress over the issue, alleging it wanted to transfer the reservation share of OBC to the Muslim community, but the Congress has rejected their claim and accused them of spreading ''lies''. Asked about the quota to Muslims issue, Adityanath said, ''This is very unfortunate and is part of its (Congress) agenda to push the country towards Islamisation and division''. He said that after the UPA government came to power, Congress made such vile attempts at that time too. Previously, during the UPA government, a committee headed by Justice Ranganath Mishra was formed. The Ranganath Committee in its report recommended that 6 per cent out of the 27 per cent reservation meant for the OBC category should be given to Muslims. ''Additionally, the committee's report proposed that a specific segment of Muslims, those who have converted, should be included in the Dalit category and provided with the same benefits as Dalits,'' he said. He highlighted that the BJP had launched a massive movement against the move at that time. ''The reports of the Justice Ranganath Mishra Committee or Sachar Committee smack of Congress's evil intention to encroach upon the rights of OBCs, SCs, and STs,'' he alleged. He urged the people to be vigilant against such moves. ''Judicious use of democratic rights is needed to foil the conspiracies of the Congress and INDI alliance,'' he said. Adityanath also claimed that the Congress was contemplating imposing an 'Inheritance Tax' to ''forcibly seize the properties of common people and then give it to infiltrators from across borders, who have no connection with India''. ''The party, which has looted the countrys resources for 60-65 years, wants to rob the SC/ST, the OBC and the poor of their rights,'' he alleged. The mentality of Congress towards the country and the general public during the UPA government was once again exposed yesterday. ''There were indications of all this in the Congress manifesto as well. What Sam Pitroda said yesterday had been repeatedly advocated by the then minister P Chidambaram in 2011, 2012, and 2013, Adityanath said. A political row erupted after Pitroda, the president of the Indian Overseas Congress, talked about the inheritance tax law in the United States while referring to the redistribution of wealth issue. The Congress distanced itself from Pitroda's remark, saying its sensationalisation was an attempt at diverting attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ''malicious'' poll campaign. Adityanath claimed Congress ''vote bank politics'' was responsible for the large-scale infiltrations into the North East, Assam, and other parts of the country. ''They (Congress) have always politicised issues at the expense of the nation. Inheritance tax is also part of the same agenda,'' he added. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that it was good that people bid farewell to the Congress in 2014, ''otherwise it would have implemented the Inheritance Tax long back, robbing people of their properties''. On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended his government on the Muslim reservation issue. Where has the Congress stated that it would take away reservations from backward classes and SC/STs to give them to Muslims? Which state government under the Congress has implemented such a policy?'' he said. The senior Congress leader also justified the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims under the backward classes category in Karnataka. Its true that in Karnataka, Muslims have been included in the 2B category for backward classes, Siddaramaiah said, pointing out that this is not something done now. It has been based on the reports of the Backward Classes Commissions starting from the one headed by L G Havanur in 1974, he said, this reservation has been in place for the past three decades. At the fag end of its term, the previous BJP government in Karnataka ordered in April 2023 the scrapping of four per cent reservation for Muslims under the 2B category. The four per cent was to be distributed among Vokkaligas in the 2C category and Lingayats in the 2D category. However, the order was challenged in the Supreme Court.

Narendra Modi Kaanpne Lag Gaya: Rahul Gandhi Claims PM Lying Out Of Fear, Says No 'Shakti' Can Change Constitution

What did you give to Bihar in 10 years: Tejashwi Yadav asks PM Modi

What did you give to Bihar in 10 years: Tejashwi Yadav asks PM Modi A day before 2nd phase of voting, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday levelled a series of allegations against the prime minister and asked, What PM Modi has given to Bihar in last 10 years? Five Lok Sabha constituencies Bhagalpur, Banka, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Katihar will go to polls in the second phase of voting on Friday. I want to ask Prime Minister Modi, why do you want to end the Constitution and democracy? Why do you want to snatch away the reservation and jobs of Dalits, backwards, deprived and poor? Yadav said in Hindi in a post on 'X.' Why do you (PM Modi) want to make the poor poorer and the rich richer? Bihar gave you 39 out of 40 MPs but what did you give to Bihar in 10 years? Why don't you come to Bihar and talk about work? he further asked. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the NDA won 39 out of 40 seats in Bihar. Earlier, Yadav has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda brought five bags of cash to distribute among the voters during his recent visit to Bihar ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 26. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Wednesday, Tejashwi Yadav said, I have received news that he (BJP chief JP Nadda) has brought several bags with him. He is distributing them at places where elections are taking place. Get this checked, the allegations are true. I am not lying. Agencies are helping him openly. He is coming from Delhi and bringing five bags with him. Out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, four seats Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, and Aurangabad went to polls during the first phase of voting on April 19. The rest of the seats will go to polls in the remaining six phases of the general elections, with 2nd phase on April 26. Overall, the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will witness voting in 89 constituencies spread across 13 states and union territories. (ANI)

Vote we expect

Bindu Rao, comic Earlier, I never took the time to learn about the candidates or their manifestos. For a long time, I avoided political discussions to dodge conflict, as I was not well-informed and people often have differing opinions. However, Ive decided to educate myself starting with the basics getting to know the candidates a small but crucial step towards a better understanding of the political scene. In Bengaluru, water access is a major issue, and nationally, the focus should be on employment and training programmes to enhance employability. Yashaswini J, IT professional I want the next government to prioritise issues like poverty, education, inflation, and infrastructure. Although the current government has been in power for 10 years and claims to have made some progress, I have yet to see significant benefits. For example, there may be a focus on small to medium-scale initiatives in entrepreneurship and health, but the outcomes are minimal, benefitting only a few. Despite claims of creating opportunities and reducing unemployment, the reality includes widespread layoffs. There seems to be no substantial improvement, only a maintenance of the status quo. Perhaps the government should introduce new projects or systems that genuinely boost employment. Sumaa Tekur, author Elected MPs should effectively represent Bengalurus local needs on a national level. They must secure development funds and plan for Bengalurus future, envisioning growth and expansion needs for the next 10 to 15 years. A significant concern with the current government is the lack of transparency. Despite claims of controlling inflation and reducing unemployment, reality contradicts these assertions. The governments focus often seems politically driven rather than development-oriented. If re-elected, they must refocus on development and address essential issues. Their excessive attention to international diplomacy has overshadowed urgent domestic needs. Abhishek Iyengar, thespian I want the government to introduce a National Art Policy, similar to the National Education Policy (NEP), to encompass artistes of all kinds within a government-structured framework, which will enhance our rich heritage and culture globally. The implemention the NEP across all levels of the educational curriculum, moving away from the outdated colonial educational policies, is also imperative. Looking ahead, future governments should focus on infrastructure, simplified and accessible taxation, and full implementation of the NEP, as these factors profoundly impact our daily lives and community. Alvin Joseph Sajeevan, student The first priority for the next government should be ensuring the independent functioning of democratic institutions like the Election Commission of India (ECI). Additionally, the government needs to tackle the communal climate by enacting strict laws against hate speech and removing draconian laws such as the sedition act, allowing for free criticism without fear of being labelled anti-national. The current government has made strides in infrastructure and some aspects of the economy, if one overlooks blunders like demonetisation and rising economic inequality. Future administrations should reduce unsustainable freebies and implement long-term sustainable policies, make laws more investor-friendly to rival manufacturing hubs like China and Vietnam. Ultimately, whether the future is grim and communal or progressive and secular will depend on whether the government listens to the common people or caters to the elites. Gayathri Sriya, student Theres a lack of awareness about certain critical issues like climate change among the public, which shows the need for greater awareness. A comprehensive climate policy could provide a framework for making informed decisions that align with environmental goals. Investing in renewable energy and clean transportation should also be a priority. On another note, India is significantly behind in cutting-edge technology and science, mainly due to inadequate investment in research. Investing more in local resources and creating industries that can employ people domestically would prevent this brain drain. We need to develop industries that utilise research meaningfully, ensuring its not just theoretical but has practical applications, thus supporting a sustainable career path in India.

GST emerge as major poll issues for lock industry traders

Aligarh: High GST rates, pandemic effect and Chinese locks the triple whammy undercutting the livelihoods of thousands of workers and traders in Uttar Pradesh's famed 'Tala Nagri' has emerged as a major concern this election and voters are looking for a candidate who will pull the lock industry out of the slump. The Rs 4,000 crore industry of Aligarh, where lock making is likened to an art dating back to the Mughals, is not so robust anymore with shifting global market dynamics taking their toll. With Lok Sabha elections just two days away, the clamour for decisive action that will save the livelihood of the estimated one lakh people dependent on the lock industry is growing. And at the centre of the problems, say industry insiders, are high GST rates, which in turn have led to a surge in Chinese lock imports. The steep GST rates have made it increasingly challenging for us to compete with Chinese locks flooding the market at significantly lower prices, said Omvir Singh, owner of a cottage lock factory. Traditionally a BJP supporter, Singh said he would however like to give another chance to the ruling government in the upcoming elections. I was hopeful that the incumbent MP would be replaced because he did nothing for us in the past 10 years despite relying on our votes as we are his core-voter base but for Modi and Hindutva, I will give this government a last chance, he said. Several smaller manufacturers indicated that they have been compelled to cease operations due to their inability to withstand the competition, coupled with the burden of high taxes and the adverse effects of pandemic-induced lockdowns on their businesses. What they need, said several stakeholders, is a candidate capable of addressing their grievances and rejuvenating the industry's prospects. Aligarh votes on April 26 in the second phase of the elections. In the fray are incumbent BJP MP Satish Kumar Gautam, Samajwadi Party's Birendra Singh and Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Bunty Upadhyay. Many in this western Uttar Pradesh town, once synonymous with the craft of lock making, were wary of being identified. The workforce, estimated a lock unit owner, has dwindled to nearly half. He highlighted the disparity in tax rates and production costs, which leads to a stark difference in prices that renders locally produced locks less competitive compared to the Chinese ones. He also stressed the necessity for policies that bolster 'Make in India' initiatives, reduce GST rates, and address import challenges from China. He pushed for a government that could lower GST rates and invest in automation technology to enhance competitiveness. We would want someone who could drive change in our dying industry and bring more innovations because the competition is fierce, he said. The transition to GST at 18 per cent, replacing the former 5 per cent VAT, has triggered a cascade of issues, affecting even the workers whose wages have been cut. Anita, a worker in 'Tala Nagri', said she and her colleagues work longer hours for less money. Machines remain idle, demand is low, and wages have not kept pace with rising living costs, she said. Anita earns Rs 200 a day for nine hours of work in a windowless, cramped room. Her daily wage has increased by just Rs 50 since 2019, while inflation continues to soar. With a family of seven to support, most of my salary goes towards purchasing food, but even affording vegetables is a challenge now, she said. Despite her hardships, Anita expressed her intent to vote for the 'kamal' (BJP's party symbol) due to a perceived lack of alternative options. Her story finds resonance across the lock industry. While some like Anita continue to throw their support behind the BJP, there are also those seeking change. Anita's colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, is one of them. Bahut ho gaya ab (Enough is enough), she said, feeding steel sheets into a roller, preparing them for the intricate lock production process. She wants an alternative that prioritises wage increases. Against the backdrop of the elections, she reflected on the challenges confronting artisans like herself. The steadily rising costs of raw materials and overheads have impacted our trade, she said, emphasising the need for governmental support to safeguard traditional industries like lock manufacturing.

Vokkaliga candidates woo smaller caste groups in Bangalore Rural

BENGALURU: With the majority Vokkaliga vote in Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency expected to split be down the middle, the Congress and BJP candidates are not leaving any stone unturned to woo smaller castes and communities. Vokkaligas constitute 36-45% of the population in almost all of the eight assembly constituencies that make up Bangalore Rural. After them, small communities like Thigalas, Gollas, Kumbaras, Kurubas, Besthas, Ganigas, Devanga, Vishwakarma, Bhovis and Lambanis among others will come into play. It is this block that has caught the eye of the campaign teams of DK Suresh (Congress) and Dr CN Manjunath (BJP-JDS) who are wooing them to turn the tide in their favour. Both the candidates are working on attracting these small castes and communities in the five rural constituencies -- Kanakapura (2.3 lakh voters), Ramanagara (2.15 lakh), Magadi (2.35 lakh), Kunigal (2 lakh) and Chennapatna (2.27 lakh) -- and in the three urban constituencies. There are also about 15-20% SC Right and Left communities in these constituencies, including Bhovis and Lambanis, who also form part of the SC vote. Muslims form the third largest chunk in the rural and urban constituencies. While the community population is a mere 6.4% in Magadi, it swells up to 16.24% in Ramanagara. Veerashaiva-Lingayats, a formidable force in North Karnataka, do not account for much in the south of the sate, especially in Bangalore Rural where they account for 6.1% in Magadi and a mere 2.86% in Ramanagara, 2.43% in Kanakapura and 1% in Channapatna. The Thigalas account for 4-5% uniformly in all the five rural constituencies and are in negligible numbers in other constituencies. The three urban segments of Bangalore South assembly constituency has 6.3 lakh voters where Brahmins account for about 12% of the vote share, while RR Nagar has 4.6 lakh voters with Brahmins accounting for 7.9%. Anekal, which has 3.75 lakh voters, there are 8.75% Reddys and in Bangalore South, its 3.3%. The voter composition in these constituencies are Kurubas, Devangas, Vishwakarmas, Madivalas, Arya Vaishyas and others who are spread out across all the eight constituencies. There are many microscopic groups like Christians too. With the fight expected to be neck-and-neck every small caste counts and Sureshs and Manjunaths poll managers are making every effort to woo the caste leaders.

Assam: Court acquits five in Priya Basumatary murder case

Guwahati:Five individuals accused of the brutal murder of teenager Priya Basumatary in Assams Chirang havebeen acquittedby the District Judicial Court in Chirang. The acquitted individuals are Nembrat Borgayari, Anan Brahma, Lebou Basumatary, Dhananjay Daimary, and Soumkhour Basumatary. Also Read: Assam: 25-year-old stabbed to death in Baksa Priya Basumatary, a 16-year-old girl, was allegedly murdered in [] The post Assam: Court acquits five in Priya Basumatary murder case appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Entertainment: Preity Zinta Lahore 1947 Movie!

Preity Zinta Lahore 1947 Movie: Popular actress Preity Zinta is in the limelight these days for her comeback on the silver screen. Preity Zinta is returning to the silver screen with the upcoming film 'Lahore 1947'. Preity Zinta and Sunny Deol are going to be seen in lead roles in this film. Preity Zinta has also started shooting for 'Lahore 1947'. Recently, the actress has updated her fans by sharing BTS photos from the sets of Sunny Deol starrer on Instagram. Preity Zinta starts shooting for Lahore 1947 Preity Zinta Instagram has recently shared BTS photos of the sets of 'Lahore 1947' on her official Instagram account. The first photo is of a clapboard, on which the name of Director of Photography Santosh Sivan is written along with the names of Aamir Khan Production and Director Rajkumar Santoshi. The second photo is a selfie of Preity Zinta Photos and director Rajkumar Santoshi. So the third photo has been taken by the actress with Santosh Sivan. So the fourth photo is of the sign boards installed on the set, one of which is of HMU base and the other of 'No Phone' on set. Along with the photos, Preeti wrote in the caption - 'On the sets of Lahore 1947...' preity zinta movies Bollywood actress Preity Zinta started her acting career in the year 1998 with the film 'Dil Se'. After Dil Se, Preity Zinta did 'Soldier', 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Kya Kehna', 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', 'Koi Mil Gaya', 'Kal Ho Na Ho', 'Veera Zara', 'Kabhi Alvida'. Has worked in many films like 'Na Kehna', 'Salaam Namaste', 'Lakshya'. Now, after a long gap, the actress is making a comeback on the big screen with Sunny Deol in the film 'Lahore 1947'.

Freyr Energy Helps 200+ MSMEs Adopt Solar Energy in Q1 2024

Hyderabad: Freyr Energy, one of India's fastest-growing solar companies, is leading the charge in transforming India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector with its innovative sustainable energy solutions. In the first quarter of 2024, Freyr Energy undertook over 200 projects in commercial and industrial sector, with a total capacity of 4.5 MW or 4,500 kW. In a life cycle of 25 years, these rooftop solar panels will reduce carbon emissions equivalent to planting more than 17.8 lakh trees. Operating across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala, Freyr Energy is championing sustainable energy practices across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, and hospitality. Championing this transition are esteemed organizations such as Reitz India Ltd, Kay Jay Forging, Sai Shakti Kraft Papers Pvt Ltd, Bhavika Plastek Pvt. Ltd., Sri Gayatri Educational Institutions and Naandi Community Water Services. Their choice signifies a commitment to sustainability and marks a significant contribution towards fostering a cleaner and greener environment. Furthermore, Freyr Energy is enhancing solar adoption among businesses by facilitating accessible financing options through partnerships with NBFCs like Credit Fair, Ugro, Choice and Ecofy. These partnerships highlight Freyr Energy's dedication to helping companies adopt sustainable energy easily and affordably. MSMEs and Industries account for over 50% of India's total energy consumption, with a staggering annual growth rate of 7 %. Given the increasing demand for energy and the urgent need to manage operational expenditure sustainably, choosing renewable solutions is absolutely crucial. At Freyr, we are dedicated to equipping businesses with solar energy solutions. Our goal is to help smaller businesses completely switch to solar energy, making them stronger and bringing more success to India's industries and communities. says Saurabh Marda , the Co-Founder & Managing Director, Freyr Energy. With Freyr Energy at the forefront and aligned with government initiatives, the stage is set for India to seize the potential of solar energy. This presents a timely opportunity to empower the MSME sector, foster sustainability, and advance towards economic and environmental goals.

AP elections: Pawan Kalyan files nomination papers in Pithapuram

Hyderabad: Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan filed nomination for contesting from Pithapuram Assembly constituency at Kakinada in East Godavari district on Tuesday. Pawan Kalyan, who is the president of Jana Sena, took out a massive rally from his residence in Chebrolu to proceed to Pithapuram to file nomination papers at the office of returning officer (RO) in Pithapuram. A large number of party supporters took part in the rally. Holding party flags, the supporters welcomed Pawan Kalyan all along the rally route on motorcycles and cars. Slogans like Jai Pawan Kalyan. Jai Jana Sena reverberated the rally. After passing through the main thoroughfares of Pithapuram and its surroundings, the rally concluded at Paadagaya Keshtram enable Pawan Kalyan file nomination papers.

Dingaleshwar Swami exits poll race

DHARWAD: Dingaleshwar Swamiji of Balehosur Mutt in Gadag district, who was contesting as an independent from the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency, on Monday withdrew from the contest. The decision came as a surprise as the seer had refused to heed calls by leaders of BJP and Congress not to contest the elections. The decision has now downed the curtains on confusion and curiosity among Lingayat comm-unity voters in the constituency. After the elections were announced, the seer had strongly opposed the candidature of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from BJP and demanded a change in the candidate, citing injustice to the Lingayat community. He had given a call to Lingayat leaders to unite against Joshi, and he himself got into the fray to defeat the BJP candidate. But his sudden move has given several talking points to the public. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the seer said he is abiding by his core concept of opposing Joshi and called it a Dharma Yudha which will continue. He has taken back his nomination papers going by the advice of the senior pontiff, he added. I will not back any party, though leaders from both parties have sought my support. Earlier too I have not got into such politics and I will continue to remain that way. I have received calls from both party leaders, including the present and former chief minister, he added. However, people pointed out that the seer had not withdrawn from the contest, when leaders from both Congress and BJP had requested him. We feel that there might be some pressure which forced the seer to take back his nomination. Otherwise, he would have contested, immaterial of the outcome, they added. National party leaders said such developments are expected during elections.

Neha was stabbed 14 times, lost life in 58 seconds

BENGALURU: The postmortem report of Neha Hiremath, who was brutally stabbed to death on her college campus on April 18, has revealed some chilling details. There were 14 stab injuries on her body and she died just 58 seconds after the attack as she lost copious amounts of blood. Sources at the KIMS Hospital in Hubballi, where Neha was taken after the attack, said the victim had no pulse when she was brought to the hospital. The stab marks were found in the neck and heart regions. There were also wounds on the back. In total, 14 wounds were found, of which the deepest was in the neck at 2 inch. The girl lost her life just 58 seconds after the attack as the stab wounds ruptured her neck region cutting off the air pipes and blood circulation, the sources said. On April 18, murder accused Fayaz, who is a former classmate of Neha, entered BVB College with a knife. He waited for Neha and when she came out of the exam hall, he stabbed her repeatedly and brutally. It's said that Fayaz told the police that he wanted to talk to her, and when she refused he stabbed her. On Monday, Nehals family organised the third-day ritual at their house and grave, assisted by Lingayat seers. Dharwad district in-charge minister Santosh Lad alleged in Hubballi that whenever there is an involvement of Muslims in a crime case, it is a festival time for BJP. He said the BJP is politicising the Neha murder case. BJP members staged protests in many places in Hubballi and Dharwad. Muslim organisations and college students too held separate protests and marches in Hubballi condemning Neha's murder. Hindu blood in Congress chombu, says Ashoka Tumakuru: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka on Monday said the chombu the Congress has been referring to, has been filled with the blood of Hindus, as there was no value for the blood of the majority community in the Congress government. While taking part in a protest against the murder of Hubballi student Neha Hiremath, Ashoka alleged that whenever Congress came to power in the state, the crime rate spiked. We have also been telling the people that the Congress is a danger to the state, he said.

Karnataka: Dingaleshwara Swami exists poll race against Prahlad Joshi, but not from Dharma Yuddha

BENGALURU: Dingaleshwara Swami of Balehosur mutt, who had earlier filed his nomination papers to contest against Union minister Pralhad Joshi, has withdrawn his candidature. But the Damocles sword of Lingayat honour continues to hang over Joshis head, with the seer declaring that Dharma Yuddha will continue. The seers supporters have come to interpret this statement as the Dharma Yuddha against Joshis candidature. The swamiji had said he is fighting for Lingayat honour and alleged that Joshi had dishonoured Lingayats, who were his main support base. I am withdrawing my candidature because of my Gurujis word and other reasons, he said, but did not shed light on the other reasons. Sources, meanwhile, said material was being prepared to slander and defame the swami. A complaint was filed with the Lokayukta, claiming that the Balehosur mutt had encroached a portion of a road, and also taken control of a public borewell. One source said the swamis inner circle was under great pressure from certain vested interests, who wanted him to withdraw. Some had urged the seer to relinquish his position as head of the mutt, saying he would not be able to continue in his post if he did not. BJP Dharwad district president Thippanna Majagi said, We will not respond to these developments. Our focus is our election, we are confident we will win. If he (swami) contests or doesnt, it will not affect the BJP. Joshi and PM Modi have carried out many development works here. Asked about Dharma Yuddha, he had said the purpose for which he had filed his candidature was salvaging Lingayat honour. Repeated attempts to contact the seer went in vain.

Lingayat seer exits contest against Union minister Pralhad

Lingayat Seer Withdraws from Parliamentary Election

DHARWAD: The prominent Lingayat seer Sri Dingaleshwar Swamiji opted out of the upcoming Parliament election by withdrawing his nomination on Monday. Hailing from the Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Mutt, Sri Dingaleshwar Swamiji had initially entered the electoral fray as an independent candidate on April 18, voicing unhappiness over the BJP's decision to field Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for Dharwad again. Sources revealed that leaders from both the Congress and BJP spoke to the seer, urging him to reconsider his candidacy. With Monday marking the deadline for nomination withdrawal, all eyes were on Sri Dingaleshwar Swamiji's decision. Ultimately, in the afternoon, his representative officially withdrew the nomination. Speaking to reporters, Sri Dingaleshwar Swamiji cited guidance from his senior pontiff, Fakir Shivayogi Siddharama Swamiji, as the reason behind his withdrawal. I resolved not to pursue electoral ambitions, respecting the counsel of my senior pontiff, he said. While reiterating his reservations regarding Pralhad Joshi, the seer refrained from pledging allegiance to any specific party, indicating his intention to convene a meeting with his followers shortly. Sources suggest that Sri Dingaleshwar Swamiji's initial foray into politics posed a considerable challenge to both the Congress and BJP, given his stature as an influential Lingayat leader. However, with his withdrawal, the stage is now set for a contentious electoral battle between the two major parties in the constituency.

Pawan Kalyan to File His Papers in Pitapuram Today

Vijayawada : Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan will file his nomination papers for the Pitapuram Assembly constituency at the mandal parishad development office on Tuesday. According to a JS release on Monday, the Jana Sena chief would take out a huge rally at Gollaprolu town around 9.30 am and proceed along with party leaders and supporters to Surredu Cheruvu, Pitapuram Church Centre and Bus Stand, Uppada Centre and culminate it at Padagaya Kshetram. From there, Pawan Kalyan will proceed to the MPDO office and fie his nomination papers. Though the JS chief was expected to address two public meetings at Tadepalligudem atop his campaign vehicle Varahi at 5 pm and at Ungutur at 7 pm on Monday, both were cancelled following a technical snag to the chopper. Pawan Kalyan was expected to fly to the venues of the two meetings in the chopper from Pithapuram. As the chopper could not take off, he cancelled the two public meetings and said these would be rescheduled.

Watch The Latest Gujarati Music Video For Panetar By Gopal Bharwad

Enjoy the latest Gujarati song Panetar sung by Gopal Bharwad. The music for this captivating track has been composed by Shashi Kapadiya, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Ganu Bharwad. The music video for Panetar has been skillfully directed by Faruk Gayakwad. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the latest Gujarati video song Panetar, by Gopal Bharwad and immerse yourself in its mesmerizing melodies. For more Gujarati songs, be sure to visit the music videos section of Gujarati ETimes. Experience the musical prowess of Gopal Bharwad, New Video Songs of 2024, Shashi Kapadiya songs, Gujarati Gana Video Song, Faruk Gayakwad music videos and Ganu Bharwad songs.

Dive Into The Latest Gujarati Music Video Of Chiye Gom Betho Valamiya Sung By Kajal Maheriya

Enjoy the latest Gujarati song Chiye Gom Betho Valamiya sung by Kajal Maheriya. The music for this captivating track has been composed by Dhaval Kapadiya, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Bharat Rami. The music video for Chiye Gom Betho Valamiya has been skillfully directed by Faruk Gayakwad. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the latest Gujarati video song Chiye Gom Betho Valamiya, by Kajal Maheriya and immerse yourself in its mesmerizing melodies. For more Gujarati songs, be sure to visit the music videos section of Gujarati ETimes. Experience the musical prowess of Kajal Maheriya, New Video Songs of 2024, Dhaval Kapadiya songs, Gujarati Gana Video Song, Faruk Gayakwad music videos and Bharat Rami songs.

Srikanth | Song - Tu Mil Gaya (Audio)

Listen to the song Tu Mil Gaya from Hindi movie Srikanth starring Rajkummar Rao and Alaya. Tu Mil Gaya is sung by Jubin Nautiyal and Tulsi Kunar, and music of the song is composed by Tanishk Bagchi. Lyrics of Srikanth song Tu Mil Gaya are written by Shloke Lal. To know more about Tu Mil Gaya song from Rajkummar Rao and Alaya starrer Srikanth watch the video.

Dharwad: Relief for Pralhad Joshi as Seer withdraws from fray

Lingayat mutt head Fakir Dingaleshwara Swami withdrew his nomination in Dharwad, impacting the political landscape. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi continues seeking election for a fifth term with strong Lingayat support.

JIPMAT 2024 application deadline to IIMs Bodh Gaya, Jammu extended till April 28

JIPMAT application deadline to IIMs Bodh Gaya Jammu extended till April

Lingayat seer withdraws nomination from Hubballi-Dharwad Lok Sabha seat

Lingayat seer withdraws nomination from HubballiDharwad Lok Sabha seat

Je Jatt Vigarh Gaya | Song - Daler

Watch the song Daler from Punjabi movie Je Jatt Vigarh Gaya starring Jai Randhawa, Deep Sehgal, Pawan Malhotra, Gurdeep Grewal, Abhey Attri and Aman Sutdhar. Daler is sung by Varinder Brar and music of the song is composed by Gill Saab. Lyrics of Je Jatt Vigarh Gaya song Daler are also written by Varinder Brar. To know more about Daler song from Jai Randhawa, Deep Sehgal, Pawan Malhotra, Gurdeep Grewal, Abhey Attri and Aman Sutdhar starrer Je Jatt Vigarh Gaya watch the video.

Andhra Pradesh: Young brigade

A cohort of contenders under the age of 40 emerges as potential candidates of YSRC and tripartite alliance. If elected, it remains to be seen whether these candidates will champion the cause of the younger generation. Potential approaches to address issues such as unemployment and education could involve creating more job opportunities, improving access to education, and implementing skill development programmes tailored to the needs of youth. Vidadala Rajini (33) The Minister for Health is contesting from Guntur West Assembly seat. Initially with the TDP, she later joined the YSRC after failing to secure a ticket. She won her first election in 2019, defeating the TDPs Prathipati Pulla Rao with a margin of 8,301 votes from Chilakaluripet. As part of YSRCs Mission 175, she has been shifted to Guntur West segment to overcome anti-incumbency. Mathukumilli Sribharat (34) A Stanford University alumnus and the president of GITAM (Deemed to be University) entered politics in 2019 contesting from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency on TDP ticket. Grandson of former MP and educationist MVVS Murthy, founder of GITAM educational institutions, he narrowly lost the election against YSRCs MVV Satyanarayana in the last parliamentary elections. Annamreddy Adeep Raj (39) Born in 1985, he is the sitting YSRC MLA of Pendurthi. He won the 2019 Assembly election by defeating the TDPs Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy. He completed his education at Gayatri Vidya Parishad College, and is engaged in business. His political journey began with the YSRC. He is contesting again from Pendurthi against Panchakarla Ramesh Babu of Jana Sena Party. YS Avinash Reddy (39) A two-time YSRC MP from Kadapa, he is cousin of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Kadapa has been a bastion of the YS family for over three decades. In the last election, he won against C Adinarayana Reddy of TDP with a margin of 3,80,726 votes. In the 2014 elections, he won from the Lok Sabha seat with a majority of 1,90,323 votes. He aims to achieve a hat-trick of victories from Kadapa in the elections. Annamreddy Adeep Raj (39), YS Avinash Reddy (39). Gudivada Amarnath (39) The IT and Industries Minister transitioned from the Congress to the TDP, before joining the YSRC in 2014. Elected from Anakapalle in the 2019 elections, he carries on the political legacy of his father Gudivada Gurunadha Rao, with his mother Nagamani also playing a role in their political journey. Amarnath, who won with a majority of 8,169 votes in 2019, is in the fray from Gajuwaka Nagulapalli Dhanalakshmi (37) Transitioned into politics from a teaching career, she contested as a YSRC candidate from Rampachodavaram in the 2019 elections and won, defeating TDPs Vantala Rajeswari with a majority of 39,206 votes. Now, she embarks on re-election, facing TDPs Miriyala Sirisha Devi in the ST reserved constituency. Her journey from academia to politics reflects her commitment to serve her constituents Devineni Avinash (36) He initiated his political journey as president of the USO, founded by his father Devineni Nehru, a five-time MLA, who served as a minister in NT Rama Raos cabinet. Initially with the Indian National Congress, he later joined the TDP, holding positions such as Telugu Yuvatha State president. In 2019, he unsuccessfully contested from Gudivada, but later joined the YSRC. Currently, he is in the fray from Vijayawada East segment Gudivada Amarnath (39), Mathukumilli Sribharat (34) Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (40) The sitting Narasaraopet MP, who is also the vice-chairman of Vignan University, seeks re-election from the same segment on TDP ticket. He was elected on YSRC ticket against Rayapati Sambasiva Rao of TDP with a majority of 1,53, 978 votes. Following denial of ticket to contest from the same segment in the elections, he quit YSRC and joined TDP, which fielded him from the same seat JC Ashmit Reddy (39) Son of JC Prabhakar Reddy, he holds a postgraduate degree in MLit (Marketing) from University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK, and BE in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai. In the 2019 elections, he unsuccessfully contested against Kethireddy Pedda Reddy of YSRC from Tadipatri. Now, he is the fray again from the same Assembly constituency on TDP ticket Nagulapalli Dhanalakshmi (37), Devineni Avinash (36)

Lok Sabha election phase 2: Congress, BJP jostle for ST votes in Karnataka

In Karnataka's upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Lingayats and Scheduled Tribes play pivotal roles. The parties intensify efforts to secure ST votes, rectify past losses, and ensure broad voter outreach beyond caste distinctions.

70-year-old woman found murdered at her Vasco bungalow

Vasco: A 70-year-old woman, Gayatri Marathe was found murdered at her bungalow at Khariawada, Vasco, on Sunday evening. The senior citizen was living alone after the demise of her husband two years ago. According to sources, the deceaseds maid knocked on her door in the afternoon. As Marathe failed to open the door, the maid []

I am here to stay in politics, remain connected to people: Yusuf Pathan

I am here to stay in politics, remain connected to people: Yusuf Pathan Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan, the TMCs face against Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Baharampur, says he is here to stay in politics and remain connected to people of the city, who have already accepted him as one of their own. Pathan, who retired from all forms of the sport in February 2021, feels with each passing day in Baharampur, he is gaining strength and confidence. I am blessed to have come to a place where people are telling me aap ko hum yahan se jaane nahi denge (we wont let you leave us), the right-hand batsman, known for his towering sixes, told PTI in an interview. People here have already accepted me as their son, brother or friend. I will stick to them no matter what the outcome of the polls is. I will be with them for a better future they deserve. These people are my strength and, inshallah, I will win. With the kind of positive mindset I am currently in, I am not even thinking of the possibility of a loss, Pathan said. He is contesting from the prestigious Baharampur Lok Sabha seat in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on a Trinamool Congress ticket, and has emerged as the prime challenger to Congress veteran and incumbent Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on his home turf. I have the utmost respect for Adhir Chowdhury, who is a senior leader, he said. But when I listen to people, I hear discontentment over his absence from grassroots during the Covid years. People here allege that Chowdhury failed to bring in the required central grants to create infrastructure and employment opportunities. Theres not enough work for people and the MP of 25 years should answer people why he failed, said the hard-hitting former cricketer, who moved from Gujarat to fight for a seat on the Lok Sabha floor from Bengal. Pathan listed creating job opportunities to hold migrant workers back, building a world-class sports complex, infrastructure for local silk, thermocol and jute industry workers, and creating a support system for farmers as priority areas of work, should Baharampur voters choose him as their representative in Parliament. I have a lot of work to do here. I have figured that out in my short presence in the region, during my poll campaigns and interactions with people, he said. Joining the Lok Sabha poll fray, however, was possibly the last thing on Pathans mind barely a month and a half ago till Mamata Banerjee (CM and TMC supremo) and her nephew Abhishek approached him. It happened less than a week ahead of the day the party declared its candidate list on March 10, Pathan said. My first response was negative. I was swinging on the horns of a dilemma on whether or not to accept the offer. After all, I had never given a serious thought to politics before, nor was I a particular fan of the craft, he stated. Asked what eventually made him choose politics and the TMC, Pathan said with a hearty laugh: Cricket toh khatam ho gaya, kuch toh karna tha (my cricketing days were over and I had to do something). On a serious note, I consulted my family, including my brother Irfan and wife Afreen. I also spoke to my seniors and friends. I soon realised that this could actually be a gift, an opportunity from the Almighty to serve the people and give back to society what I earned all these years in terms of love and respect, he said. Pathan, though, maintained he was familiar with Mamata Banerjees politics for over a decade, particularly since 2011 when he began playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. I used to come and stay in Bengal for months and could see the civic infrastructure developments she brought to Kolkata. People kept telling me about her work in areas of womens education and for the poor. I even met her in 2014 after KKR won the IPL that season, he recounted. Hence, saying yes to her offer wasnt much of an issue, said Pathan. Asked if his religious identity, that of a devout Muslim, gave him an edge over opponents in a Muslim-majority seat like Baharampur, Pathan firmly dissociated religion from politics. I have respect for every religion in this county, but people should not be treated as vote banks based on their religious identities. Elections should be fought for both majority and minority communities, not for one or the other. The priority should be the growth of economy and development of people so that we can build a future for our next generation, he asserted. Pathan, who was also an effective off spinner, continues to maintain a deep attachment to cricket despite bidding adieu to the games professional formats. Pathan said his identity as a cricketer would continue to dominate his newfound love for politics. Both my identities are important, none of which I can hide. But, people will always consider me a cricketer first. They have seen me play and loved me for my performances in the middle. Now, they can expect me to serve them as one of their own, he said. As someone who sweated it out on the field under rigorous training schedules, Pathan feels the heat and dust of Baharampur have only added a leaf to his experience in life. To the dust, we shall all return. Dhool se kya darna (why fear it), he added.

Change in caste equation may favour NDA candidates in Tumakuru, Chitradurga

BENGALURU : Caste equations seem to have undergone a major change in this Lok Sabha elections as communities like Lambani, Bhovi, SC (left) and Kadu Golla may back BJP for their own reasons. The turning point was former prime minister HD Deve Gowdas speech on the floor of the Rajya Sabha promising the Scheduled Tribe tag for Kadu Gollas, which is considered a masterstroke as the video of his speech went viral on social media circuits. Taking advantage, Gowda is now reiterating it during his campaign speeches and associations representing these communities too have responded by openly throwing their weight behind the NDA candidates. This shift could have its effect especially in Tumakuru and Chitradurga Lok Sabha constituencies. Lambanis are upset with the Siddaramaiah cabinet not giving representation to their community in the cabinet. We might have voted for Congress in the Assembly polls, but we will choose BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, said a community leader. They were averse to the previous BJP government led by then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, which allegedly favoured the division of SC quota. Star campaigner Though Congress has given tickets to BN Chandrappa from Chitradurga and KV Gowtham from Kolar, both from SC (left), there is an undercurrent of anger as Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, who represented Kolar seven times, has not been made the star campaigner. As for the Vokkaliga votes, Congress had managed an increase of 4-5 per cent in the Assembly polls and it is to be seen whether the Lok Sabha elections will reflect the same trend. But during the Assembly polls, Vokkaligas backed Congress as DK Shivakumar was being projected as a chief ministerial candidate, said a Congress leader from the community. Whether Veerashaiva Lingayats rally behind BJP for the sake of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra is to be seen. While Kurubas are likely to back Congress for Siddaramaiahs sake, Muslims have no option but to support the Grand Old Party as they have no option with JDS forging an alliance with BJP, pointed out a political analyst.

Ex-CM Basavaraj Bommai takes on political novice in Haveri

HUBBALI : It is the battle between a former chief minister from BJP and a political novice from Congress in the Haveri parliamentary constituency. Though the saffron party has been winning the seat for the last four hustings, the Grand Old Party is trying hard to wrest back the constituency, which was once its pocket borough. What is common between the candidates of both the national parties is that their candidates are facing the national election for the first time. As the incumbent MP Shivakumar Udasi kept himself away from electoral politics, BJP zeroed in on experienced Basavaraj Bommai, a two-time MLC and four-time MLA. Congress, which wanted to field senior minister HK Patil, later expressed confidence in Anandayya Gaddadevarmath, son of former MLA GS Gaddadevarmath. On paper, Congress looks strong as seven out of the eight Assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency are in its control. Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Haveri, Byadgi, Hangal, Gadag and Ron assembly segments are held by GOP, while Shirahatti is the only segment controlled by BJP. Such a strength certainly should help Congress, but Bommai has enough influence as his Assembly segment, Shiggaon, falls in Haveri district. The caste equation in the constituency heavily tilts towards Lingayat community voters, who are around 6.5 lakh, and candidates of both the national parties are from this community, but of different sub-castes. Kuruba (OBC) and Muslim voters are equally distributed across the segment. While the saffron party relies on the Lingayat, OBC and other caste votes, the GOP depends on votes of Lingayats, Kurubas and minorities. Apart from Modi guarantees, Bommai is counting on a series of development works taken up by him in the past as water resources minister and chief minister. He claims thousands of acres of arable land were irrigated with the implementation of irrigation projects and lift irrigation schemes. The former CM also says he continues to develop Haveri into an industrial hub as it falls on the Mumbai-Chennai Industrial Corridor. Since Gaddadevarmath has no personal achievement to project, he is heavily dependent on the five guarantees of the state government. Minister Patil claims that over 99 per cent of voters in both Haveri and Gadag districts have benefited from the guarantees. The major issues in the constituency are linking Bedti Halla with Varada river to address the drinking water problem and increase irrigation areas, building railway infrastructure for connectivity between Gadag and Haveri, building better industrial infrastructure to attract investments and improving basic amenities in rural parts. Udasi is blamed for not initiating any steps to improve infrastructure in the constituency and Congress is using this to counter BJP. Voters, however, are divided. Some feel Bommai, being a former chief minister and MLA from Haveri, understands the problems well and could find solutions for them, especially related to the Union government. But others believe that as the state is being ruled by Congress, a representativefrom the same party could help them. However, the real opinion of the voters can be understood only on June 4.

Lingayat seers hold protest in Hubballi over brutal killing of Neha Hiremath

HUBBALI, Apr 20 : A group of Lingayat Swamijis from Haveri, Gadag, and Dharwad districts, along with leaders of Hindu organisations, held a protest here on Saturday to condemn the brutal killing of student Neha Hiremath at BVB College. The protest comes in the wake of a massive demonstration held on Friday by several Hindu organisations, ABVP members, and fellow students over the incident. Neha, the daughter of a Congress Corporator of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, Niranjan Hiremath, was [] The post Lingayat seers hold protest in Hubballi over brutal killing of Neha Hiremath appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Lingayat seers demand capital punishment in Nehas murder case, BJP leader Jagadish Shettar visits victims family after Congress leaders rejected Love Jihad angle

The accuseds mother Mamtaz alleged that there is no Love Jihad angle in this murder case. She added, Fayaz was under depression. He was sitting at home for one and a half years.

INDIA Bloc Leaders Slam BJP's 400 Paar Film as a Flop Show

NEW DELHI: INDIA bloc partners, Congress' Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav claimed on Saturday that the winds of change are blowing as the first day show of the BJP film 400 paar has turned out to be a flop show. During his campaigns for the INDIA bloc candidates in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Mr Gandhi asserted that the BJP will not win more than 150 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Mr Yadav, at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha, said winds of change emerging from western UP will sweep the ruling BJP out of power, while Tejashwi Yadav said, The BJP's 400 paar film is a flop on Day 1. From new ad campaigns to verbal attacks in the election rallies, the Congress, along with the other partners of the INDIA bloc, have upped the ante against the BJP, particularly against its top leadership, as the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha enter the second phase. Keeping up the attack on the BJP's top leadership, Mr Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a school of corruption in the country and teaching all chapters in the subject of entire corruption science. Addressing an INDIA bloc rally in Bhagalpur, where Congress candidate Ajit Sharma is in a direct contest against sitting Janata Dal-(United) MP Ajay Kumar Mandal, Mr Gandhi said that this general election is important as the Constitution and democracy are under threat. He said that all the privileges and opportunities people got through the Constitution will be gone if the Constitution is changed, which the BJP is keen to do. He accused the BJP-led NDA government of favouring a few industrialists. Speaking at a joint rally in Amroha with the SP chief, Mr Gandhi said on one side stands the INDIA bloc, committed to defending democracy and the Constitution, while on the other side, the BJP-RSS is engaged in dismantling these foundational principles. There is no force on earth that can alter the Constitution, asserted Mr Gandhi. The Congress leader added that the contest between the INDIA bloc and the BJP is one of ideologies. He claimed that Mr Modi has turned India into the epicentre of unemployment and promised every graduate to have a guaranteed first job, scrap the Agnipath scheme and amend GST with lesser taxes. Promising radical reforms, Mr Gandhi outlined the INDIA bloc's agenda, which includes farm loan waivers, direct financial assistance to the poor through schemes like the Mahalaxmi Yojna and the creation of 30-lakh government jobs to address youth unemployment. Coming together with Mr Gandhi for the Amroha rally, Mr Yadav said the first phase of voting was the trailer for the picture that is to come. Yesterday's first-day first-show of the BJP turned out to be a flop show. Their film of lies failedThe winds of change emerging from western UP will sweep across the nation, ushering in a transformation that will not only reshape Uttar Pradesh but will also sweep the BJP out of power, said Mr Yadav. He was responding to Mr Modis statement against the INDIA bloc made a day earlier in Amroha. The shooting of the film do shehzade ki jodi ' (pair of two princes) is going on. But their film has already been rejected. Every time these people go out to seek votes from the people of UP, they carry a basket of dynasties, corruption and appeasement, Mr Modi had said in a veiled attack. Responding to Mr Modi's jibe, Mr Yadav said the BJPs flop show is visible to all, as no one is buying their falsehoods. Yesterday's first-day first-show of the BJP turned out to be a flop show. Their film of lies failed. Their worn-out dialogues are no longer acceptable to the people. People in UP welcome guests very warmly, but at the same time they send them off with dhol nagara , said Mr Yadav, hinting at Mr Modis visuals with a dhol at the Amroha rally. He further said: We do not want the BJP's guarantee; we want the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution by B.R. Ambedkar. And we want to safeguard that Constitution. Speaking with the media in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav mocked the BJP, saying the saffron party's 400-plus movie turned out to be a flop on the first day of voting. Their (the BJP's) '400-plus film' has turned out to be a super flop on the first day (phase) of polling. We (Mahagathbandhan) will win all four seats in Bihar -- Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, and Aurangabad -- that went to polls on April 19. We will also perform well in the coming phases, he said.

Events tomorrow - April 21: Rangayana, Mysuru - Star of Mysore

Events tomorrow - April 21: Rangayana, Mysuru Star of Mysore

Low Voter Turnout Worries NDA Leaders in Bihar

Patna: NDA leaders in Bihar are concerned about the low voter turnout in the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Both the BJP and JDU have become active and have alerted their workers to this issue. They have instructed their workers to intensify campaigning at the grassroots level. JDU has asked booth committees and Panchayat Samitis to reach out to the people and urge them to cast their votes. Similarly, BJP has assigned the task of door-to-door canvassing to their workers, starting from booth chiefs. The opposition party RJD has also brainstormed ways to increase the voting percentage. In the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, held on Friday, voting took place in four seats of Bihar: Nawada, Jamui, Aurangabad, and Gaya. The voter turnout in this phase was only 48.23 percent, which is five percent lower than the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2019. This low voter turnout has posed challenges for political parties and may impact the election results. Consequently, all parties have started emphasizing the importance of maximum voter turnout in the upcoming phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Following the low voter turnout, JDU reviewed the situation and emphasized the need to intensify their public awareness campaign. They have tasked their workers at the booth and Panchayat levels with increasing awareness about voting. Similarly, Bihar BJP has instructed its lower units to be more proactive. Booth chiefs and Panna chiefs have been asked to increase their public outreach efforts. Party leaders have been instructed to appeal to the people to cast their votes during the election campaign. In a meeting at the state office of the opposition party RJD, it was decided to increase the participation of the poor, laborers, and people belonging to extremely backward and backward classes. After the meeting, the state RJD chief spokesperson, Shakti Singh Yadav, stated that efforts will be intensified to increase voter turnout at the party level. Female YouTuber Dies After Jumping from Second Floor of PG Accommodation in Delhi School Principal Faces Investigation After Being Caught Getting Facial Instead of Teaching Teenage Grandmaster D Gukesh Takes the Lead in Candidates Chess Tournament

Travel tips: These Buddhist places of India are known all over the world, are special for history lovers.

It would not be wrong to say that Buddhism is one of the most loved religions in the world. Buddhism, which has spread all over the world, has its roots in India. It was founded by Lord Gautam Buddha. Gautam Buddha followed the path of truth till the end of his life and always inspired people to follow the truth and choose the right path. Today, there are many monasteries, stupas, monuments, and other Buddhist sites associated with Gautam Buddha across the country which are known throughout the world. If you are also curious to know about the precious words, secrets, and philosophical and spiritual teachings of Gautam Buddha, then visit these places. These places hold great importance for history lovers. Let us know about these places... Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar Mahabodhi Temple is located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. People who follow Buddhism consider it very sacred. This is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment sitting under the ancient Bodhi tree. The structure of the temple is very beautiful. The most special thing about this temple is that images of different religions can be seen through artifacts. Bodh Gaya is considered by Buddhists to be one of the holiest cities in the world, as it was the site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi Temple located in Bodh Gaya was given the status of World Heritage by UNESCO in the year 2002. Sarnath Temple, Varanasi Sarnath Temple needs no introduction. One of the Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Sarnath is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon to his disciples. This temple located in Varanasi was built by King Ashoka. Sarnath is a city of historical wonders with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, ancient sites, and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of great wonder and awe for tourists. During your trip to Sarnath, you can visit Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Dhamekh Stupa, Archaeological Museum, Moolgandh Kuti Vihar, Chinese, and Thai temples, and monasteries. Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh Located near Gorakhpur in the northeastern region of Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. Lord Buddha is believed to have died in Kushinagar after which Emperor Ashoka built a stupa here to mark the site of Parinirvana. The stupa contains the resurrected Nirvana statue of the Buddha, with a reclining statue of the dying Buddha placed on the right side. Kushinagar is a religious city that attracts a large number of tourists, especially followers of Buddhism. Other major sites of Kushinagar include Chaitya, Rambhar Stupa, Monastery, and some popular small temples. Kesariya Stupa, Bihar Kesariya Stupa is an ancient heritage, which is famous as the world's largest ancient Buddhist stupa. According to the information, this stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka the Great. This is an important place for those interested in history and art, many important aspects of Indian history can be understood here. According to the dates recorded in the records, this huge stupa belongs to the third century. This ancient site was discovered in 1958 by the Archaeological Survey Department. The entire survey work was done by archaeologist K. Happened under the supervision of Muhammad. Before the survey, this site was considered to be an ancient Shiva temple but during the excavation, many other things of ancient times were found here. These include statues of Buddha, copper objects, Islamic coins, etc. after which it has been considered a Buddhist stupa. Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh Tawang is one of the most famous Buddhist places in India as well as a major tourist destination of Arunachal Pradesh which attracts tourists with its beauty. Situated at an altitude of about 3048 meters, Tawang is famous for many important and beautiful monasteries and is the birthplace of the Dalai Lama. Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world, popular as a rich, center of spirituality and knowledge. Tawang Monastery is also known as the Golden Namgyal Lhasa by the local people. The monastery library also houses a vast collection of some of the most sacred and important scriptures. Also, the Buddhist India Cultural Study Center is established here for Buddhist monks. Which is known as a shelter for more than 300 monks. Red Maitreya Temple, Leh This temple is situated in one of the most spectacular Indian locations. Right in the middle of the sky touching mountains and soothing landscapes. This religious site is a part of Thiksey Monastery and is famous for the 49-foot tall statue of Lord Buddha. Pilgrims and travelers from all over the world come here for the beauty and spiritual importance of this place. Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh Sanchi Stupa is located on the banks of Betba River, 46 km northeast of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh state. Sanchi Stupa is one of the most prominent Buddhist sites in India. Sanchi Stupa was established in the 3rd century BC on the orders of Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty. Where the remains of Lord Buddha are kept. A good glimpse of Buddhist art and architecture can be seen in the sculptures and monuments present at this place. For your information, let us tell you that Sanchi Stupa, world-famous for its attractive artworks, was included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 15 October 1982. (PC: Lifeberrys)

Embark on a Spiritual Journey Through India with Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train : PURI, GANGASAGAR AYODHYA DHAM YATRA

Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is offering a unique opportunity to explore some of Indias most sacred pilgrimage sites in comfort and style. The PURI, GANGASAGAR AYODHYA DHAM YATRA package takes you on a 11-night/12-day journey that includes visits to Puri, Kolkata, Gangasagar, Jasidih, Gaya, Varanasi, and Ayodhya. Itinerary Highlights: Puri:Explore the renowned Jagannath Temple ... Read more

BJP's '400-paar' film has flopped on day 1 of the polls: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

BJP's '400-paar' film has flopped on day 1 of the polls: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav After the completion of the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that the BJP's 400 paar film has become a super flop on the first day itself. Tejashwi Yadav told ANI that there is no competition in the first phase as Bihar will give shocking results this time. The Mahagathbandhan is winning all four seats in the first phase. We have held block wise meetings and the feedback that has come is very good the BJP's 400 paar film has become a super flop on the first day itself. The people of Bihar are aware and will teach them a lesson, he said. There is no competition in the first phase. We have said many times before that Bihar will give shocking results this time. They have not done anything for the people of Bihar. The promises made by Modi ji in 2014 and 2019 were not fulfilled. Now the public is tired of their statements and false promises. We have promised that we will give special package to Bihar along with special status, Tejashwi added. Further, former Bihar Chief Minister pointed out that the local issues hold dominance in this election. Today our rally is with Rahul Gandhi ji in Bhagalpur. The entire Mahagathbandhan and INDIA bloc are working together. Unemployment is the biggest issue in Bihar. Inflation, poverty, investment in the state is an issue. Migration and floods are also issues. This time the people of BJP are very worried. They say that they will abolish the Constitution. Those who destroy the Constitution will themselves be destroyed, Tejashwi said. Meanwhile, according to the Election Commission, voter turnout in Bihar was recorded at 48.88 per cent in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election. In Phase 1, voting on four seats- Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, and Aurangabad concluded on Friday. The state will witness polling on five seats from Phase 2 to Phase 5. In Phases 6 and 7, elections will be held for eight seats each. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, composed of the BJP, JD(U) (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by winning 39 out of 40 seats. While the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Radhtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to win one seat. (ANI)

Rs 47.10 crore misappropriated in DDUTTL: CID

BENGALURU: The CID, which is probing the alleged misappropriation of funds in D Devraj Urs Truck Terminals Limited (DDUTTL), a state government undertaking, has informed a local court that DDUTTL has suffered a loss of Rs 47.10 crore and 782 files related to illegal work orders have been seized. A public prosecutor made this submission before Judge Yashawanth Kumar, 51st Additional City Civil and Sessions Court, during the hearing of anticipatory bail petitions filed by Naveen Kumar B, MS Nandish and Gayathridevi, the accused in the case. The public prosecutor submitted that the petitioners, prima facie, had submitted fake bills to DDUTTL and received money for works that have not been completed, causing a loss of more than Rs 47 crore. The public prosecutor told the court that the petitioners have stated that they are doing business in the names of Venisha Enterprises, SS Enterprises and Mayur Advertising, respectively. They also stated that they have supplied equipment and executed the work entrusted to them to the satisfaction of DDUTTL. However, it is alleged that Rs 47.10 crore has been misappropriated. Despite issuing notices, they have not appeared before the investigating officer, the public prosecutor said. He informed the court that Naveen Kumar is not cooperating with investigation officers, Nandish has sold his firm, SS Enterprises, and Gayathridevi is absconding. The petitioners should be available for investigation as there are prima facie materials against them, he said.

Its battle of political veteran vs greenhorn in Dharwad constituency in Karnataka

HUBBALLI: The contest in the Dharwad parliamentary constituency this time is between an experienced politician and a political greenhorn. While BJP has held this seat since 1996, winning seven times in a row and wants to retain it, Congress is employing every possible tactic to wrest it from the saffron party. The battle has turned three-cornered with a noted Lingayat seer joining the fray. BJP has reposed its confidence in Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, asking him to contest for the fifth time. On the other hand, the grand old party is betting on Youth Congress leader Vinod Asuti, despite his debacle in the 2018 Assembly election. The two candidates from the national parties are being challenged by Dingaleshwar Swami of Shirahatti Bhavaikya Peetha. Of the eight Assembly segments in the constituency, the GOP holds Hubballi-Dharwad East, Dharwad, Navalgund and Kalaghatagi, while BJP has won Hubballi-Dharwad West, Central, Kundgol and Shiggaon of Haveri district. But Congress is deprived of using the services of Dharwad MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who is barred from entering the district for his alleged involvement in the murder of BJP worker Yogishgouda Goudar. The caste/religion composition of the constituency is quite in contrast to the candidates fielded by the national parties. Though Lingayats and Muslims have a major share of votes, Joshi is a Brahmin, while Asuti is from the Kuruba (OBC) community. The caste equation could work only in favour of independent candidate Dingaleshwar Swami, who heads the Lingayat mutt. Joshi, who has represented the constituency since 2004, claims to have implemented a slew of development works across the constituency. All along the campaign, Joshi has been emphasising on the track record of the NDA government in fulfilling promises. Because of his performance, unblemished image and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he is confident of sailing through. Congress candidate Asuti, however, is relying heavily on the five guarantees implemented by the state government and the support of AHINDA group, which has unequivocally backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Shirahatti pontiff, meanwhile, has made Joshis betrayal of Lingayat leaders and community as his main poll plank. The major issues in Dharwad are lack of basic amenities, particularly in rural parts, poor urban infrastructure, unemployment due to poor industrialisation and many more. But important among them is the non-implementation of the project linking Kalasa-Banduri streams with the Malaprabha river. Both the national parties are blamed for not executing the project, but Joshi is being targeted for not getting the Central government clearance despite being in the Modi cabinet. Every summer, villages and towns here face the drinking water problem. Of course, the Jal Jeevan Mission is being implemented to address the issue, but the problem cannot be resolved unless the river-linking project is executed to increase storage at Malaprabha Dam. It is now left to the voters to decide on May 7.

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

Going gets tough for Tejasvi in Bengaluru South

BENGALURU: Tejasvi Surya is a powerful orator and the national president of the BJP Yuva Morcha. Yet, the sitting Bengaluru South MP hasnt campaigned elsewhere yet, as he is facing a really tough fight. His challenger is Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy, daughter of state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, a party heavyweight. Speculation is rife that hawala cash is flowing like water in this prestigious constituency. When Election Commission officials recently seized Rs 1.4 crore from a car, Sowmya blamed the BJP. Tejaswi Surya (33) promptly lobbed the ball back demanding an impartial probe. This political potboiler will reach its climax on April 26, when voters will give their verdict. Ramalinga Reddy represents BTM Layout in the assembly. Sowmya was elected Jayanagara MLA in 2018 by failed to retain it by a whisker in 2023. Of the eight assembly segments in this Lok Sabha constituency, five are with the BJP and three with the Congress. But that isnt giving Surya much comfort. Since Karnataka is the home turf of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the party is pulling out all the stops to wrest as many seats as possible, hence the candidature of the Reddy scion. Reddys bonhomie with leaders cutting across party lines, including the BJP, and the respect he commands from the common folk is visible. The Congress feels he could go past the partys traditional vote bank and catch the floating votes to tilt the scales. Reddy is tapping all channels, including former BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) corporators to get them on his side. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already campaigned extensively in the seat to consolidate the AHINDA votes acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, too, asked the Vokkaligas to treat Sowmya as his daughter and bless her. Situation is fluid in Bengaluru South A major chunk of the Telugu-speaking populace, including the Reddys and Naidus, would favour Sowmya, but the Kannada-speaking Vokkaligas in Bengaluru South are uneasy, observes a resident, Swami Gowda. A major section of Vokkaligas who migrated from Mandya district to Bengaluru South are with the JDS. They are likely to support Surya, a Brahmin, who is the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate, he opines. But Suryanarayana, a shopkeeper at Mavalli area, has a different take. Many voters who claimed to be with the BJP in the past may change their position as the situation is fluid this time around, he says. This constituency was a BJP citadel for over three decades. It was represented by former Union minister Ananth Kumar in the LS for five terms before his untimely demise in 2018. Ananth Kumar had defeated Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani in 2014. In 2019, Surya defeated former Rajya Sabha member B K Hariprasad of the Congress by a huge margin of 3.31 lakh votes. The situation, however, has changed. Recently, a Hindu shopkeeper playing Hanuman Chalisa was attacked by some goons. Surya and the BJP tried to draw political mileage out of it but failed. Clearly, he is facing some anti-incumbency. Recently, at the meeting of a failed Sri Guru Raghavendra Cooperative bank, Surya and his uncle (Basavanagudi MLA L A Ravi Subramanya) were heckled as they were accused of failing to safeguard the interests of depositors. But they turned the tables on the Congress, blaming it for the run on the bank. Surya is banking mainly on Prime Minister Narendra Modis charisma as the opposition INDIA bloc does not have a prime ministerial face. On the other hand, Sowmya chants the five Congress guarantees and depends on her fathers political acumen. The working class, especially a major chunk of women, are inclined towards the Congress because of the five guarantees. Most of them reside in about 60 slums across the constituency. But the conventional BJP voters and those with JD(S), mostly the Vokkaligas, support Surya. No wonder then, he visited Vokkaliga religious head Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and Lingayats Sri Siddalinga Swamiji at Siddaganga Mutt. This election is mainly about securing a third term for PM Modi ji - its not a local or a state election, Surya emphasises.

No Red shadow over polls in Gaya, Abad

Cong seeks Lingayats support in Mandya

Karnataka: Congress corporator objects to CM's reaction to his daughter's death

Hubballi: Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, the father of the deceased Neha expressed dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's characterization of his daughter's murder as stemming from personal reasons. Neha who was stabbed several times on the college campus lost her life on Thursday. The police arrested Fayaz in connection to the case. Today, Neha's last rites were performed which was attended by thousands of people. Speaking to reporters, Niranjan Hiremath voiced his dismay at the Chief Minister's remarks, questioning the attribution of the crime to personal reasons. I have lost my daughter and am dejected. In such circumstances, such statements are deeply distressing. What does he mean by 'personal reasons'? Are we relatives? Do we have business dealings with them? How can he make such statements? This is disagreeable, Hiremath said. I am a Congress Corporator and a grieving father. My family members are sad and scared in light of the tragedy, he said urging for greater sensitivity in public statements. He stated that Shamanur Shivashankarappa, the Veerashaiva Lingayat community leader had reached out to offer support. Shamanur Shivashankarappa called me and reassured me not to be fearful but to speak the truth. He assured me of support, he added. Hiremath was also hurt by the messages making rounds putting the blame on his daughter. He (the accused) should either be encountered or hanged, Hiremath said. According to sources, Fayaz, originally from Belagavi district, had made overtures seeking her attention persistently. Neha had informed her family about this. It is said that Neha's family had started searching for marriage proposals for her, which allegedly angered Fayaz.

Over 48% turnout recorded in four seats of Bihar in first phase of Lok Sabha election

Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is in the fray in Gaya, which records a turnout of 52%.

Peaceful polling in Bihar, 48 pc voter turnout in four LS seats

Bihar's phase one Lok Sabha polls had a 48.23% turnout, lower than 2019 due to heatwave. Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jamui had 38 candidates including Jitan Ram Manjhi. Several key entities and details were highlighted.

'We will vote, but not for BJP': These 1200 families in Guwahati are in no mood to forgive

Bonti Konwar, 70, cannot help being political while showing her broken home in a suburb of Guwahati. She says the BJP is doing the bidding of the rich and powerful in the name of civic governance. Two years ago, the state government started the demolition of 1,203 houses in Barbari area on the fringes of Guwahati to revive the Silsako beel (lake). On the eve of the Lok Sabha elections, angry residents have exhumed the issue of their razed homes. When the eviction drive started, the family of Bonti moved a local court. She alleges that her house was demolished even after she had shown a stay order issued by the court to the officials who oversaw the eviction drive. This is my home, and I am not going to quit until the government listens to us, an emotional Bonti told The New Indian Express . She and her husband, Nareswar Konwar, 80, have built a makeshift hut where a concrete home stood till a few months ago. The hut stands amid a landscape of rubble of totally razed houses, only punctuated by excavators and dumping trucks in the distance. As they wait it out, an old steel cupboard stands outside the broken house. A breeze blows across a well-kept bed of pink flowers blissfully unaware of the fate of those who tended to them. Life was once beautiful here, as beautiful as the pink flowerbed on the left. 'Only the buildings of the rich are standing' The couple originally hail from northern Assams Lakhimpur district and have three sons who are supporting them financially. Our second son, who is a contractor, had bought a half-constructed RCC building. We moved here after he had completed it. He spent a lot of money, Nareswar says. It is not just Nareswar and Bonti. Priyakumar Sinha, a young software engineer with his own start-up, was quick to accuse the BJP government of breaking its promise of protecting indigenous interests. We are people from here while those from Bangladesh are being brought through CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), he says. Brajabasi Singh, a retired employee of BSNL, is also in no mood to forgive the authorities. Only those buildings belonging to the rich, including a couple of politicians, and the hotel are standing, he says pointing to the structures. When I learnt about some ex-servicemen buying land here, I bought a plot of land. I invested everything I had in buying the land and building my house, Singh, who now lives in a rented accommodation, says. Rs 700 per vote: Inside India's record-breaking election! 'We paid our annual taxes' The residents allege that the authorities arbitrarily increased the area of demolition and included homes that were not within a pre-decided no-go area. The area, Barbari, falls under the Dispur Assembly constituency and the Guwahati parliamentary seat. These affected people say they will go against the BJP in the polls on May 7. Indrani Devi, a Meitei woman who is a third-generation Assamese citizen, looks worried. My sister underwent untold hardship to build our house while she worked at a college (in Guwahati), Indrani says in fluent Assamese. Gayatri Bori says the residents had access to basic amenities provided by the government and they could never imagine such a fate. We had access to electricity and drinking water. We paid the annual taxes too to the civic body. A road was also built in our area by the government, she says. She adds that they had parted with a portion of their land when the authorities told them about widening the road but soon, the eviction followed. INTERVIEW| CAA won't impact Assam's indigenous people; IMDT was discriminatory: Union Minister Sonowal 'We will vote, but not for the BJP' We are neither illegal immigrants nor are we encroachers. We had bought the land. Assamese, tribals, Meiteis, indigenous Muslims lived here. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had told the media that we will be rehabilitated in flats. We are waiting, the woman in her thirties says. The residents are pursuing the issue of rehabilitation with the authorities. Some 300 affected families have received money for rehabilitation, Gayatri says. There is no question of supporting a government that demolished our houses. Nobody from the government came to enquire about our well-being. We will vote, for this is our democratic right but we will not vote for the BJP. We had voted for the party for change but it evicted its own people, she says. The residents claimed that the government said it would give Rs 10 lakh to those whose RCC houses were demolished, Rs 5 lakh for the 'Assam-type' houses and Rs 1.5 lakh for the thatched houses. We demand Rs 25 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively along with 1 katha and 5 lessa land for each family, demands Gayatri. Some of the affected families. Leaders of the Congress and regional party Raijor Dal have been in touch with the troubled residents. For the state government, civic governance of Guwahati has been difficult as it tries to create space for preventing waterlogging and water treatment. In February this year, the state's housing and urban affairs minister Ashok Singhal had told the Assembly that 166 acres of the land had been cleared from encroachment. Silsako is an important natural stormwater reservoir. Congress brings communities together, BJP's '400' slogan is another jumla: Gaurav Gogoi Lush greenery, stark misery: Election vignettes from Kerala's Achankovil forest 'No one wants to stay here anymore': The unflattering Kerala story Bonacaud Junction has to tell

Priyanka confident of victory with big margin in Karnataka's Chikkodi LS constituency

BELAGAVI: Without much pomp and pageantry, Congress candidate for Chikkodi Lok Sabha constituency, Priyanka Jarkiholi, submitted her nomination papers at the Returning Office in Chikkodi on Thursday. Her father and Belagavi district minister Satish Jarkiholi, Athani MLA Laxman Savadi, minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, and others accompanied the candidate. I am very happy as I am the first granddaughter in our big family to contest the election. I am confident that the people of the constituency will support and elect me with a huge margin, Priyanka said, We have introduced a new and young face in this election. We hope to garner good support from the people and will achieve victory. There is no point in showing off strength in the rally as all Congress leaders in the district are united and will achieve victory, Satish added. Congress has given chance to young leaders in Chikkodi and Belagavi seats. Tickets have been given to categories of scheduled tribes, Lingayats, and Marathas in districts in view of social justice. This factor will be useful for us. There are no rebels in Congress. Our candidates will achieve victory with a good lead, Hebbalkar said. Savadi said, We have started conducting meetings at district, taluk and village levels and will meet every voter. Citizens are not going to vote based on caste. They will analyse the 10 years of governance and will also contemplate on the five guarantee schemes before choosing the right candidate.

Karnataka: With sitting BJP MP Karadi in Congress, GOP looks to win Koppal

HUBBALLI: It is a battle of issues in Koppal, one of the backward districts of Karnataka, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. For the last three consecutive general elections, the BJP has been winning the seat, and this time the Congress is hoping to change the game. While the BJP has fielded a new face, Dr Basavaraj Kyavater, the Congress has fielded Rajashekar Hitnal for the second time. A medical doctor, Kyavater is the son of the former ML of Kushtagi, Sharanappa. On the other hand, the Congress is depending on the Hitnal family and has fielded Rajashekar whose brother Raghavendra is the current MLA of Koppal. The eight Assembly segments in Koppal Lok Sabha constituencies include two segments -- Maski and Sindhanur-- from Raichur district and Shiraguppa from Ballari district. The other segments include Kanakagiri, Gangavati, Kusthagi, Yelburga, and Koppal. While Congress won six segments in the 2023 Assembly polls, the BJP has two MLAs, including Gali Janardhana Reddy, who merged his KRPP with the saffron party recently. Two-time BJP MP Sanganna Karadi, who was denied a ticket, has now joined hands with the Congress. While this was being considered an advantage to the Congress, the BJP is expected to gain support after Reddy joined them. The Congress is making all-out efforts to get back its seat in Koppal while the BJP is confident of winning under Modi wave. But both candidates are expected to showcase the achievements of their respective governments. While the BJP candidate is expected to put forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek votes, the Congress candidate is riding on the five guarantees announced by the Siddaramiah government. The voting share is mainly divided into two large communities-- Lingayats and Kurubas--who are in equal numbers. The major issues facing the constituency include water problems for drinking and irrigation, atrocities against Dalits, a lack of tourism infrastructure, and incomplete railway projects. The voters here have complaints about both parties as the Anjanadri shrine, which is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, remains neglected. While Anjanadri becomes a poll issue, the parties forget its development after the elections, say voters. The BJP workers are now demanding the Congress show where the Rs 100 crore sanctioned for Anjanadri during the state budget has gone. Similarly, the Congress is demanding what happened to Rs 135 crore announced for the development of the Anjanadri shrine in the budget presented by former CM Basavaraj Bommai. For many years, the politicians from this region have been promising several railway projects, but none of them have seen the light of the day. Despite having a BJP MP in 2024 and 2019, hardly any Central projects were implemented here. Sanganna Karadi had openly criticised the Centre for indulging in corruption through the Jal Jeevan Mission programme. His statements had gone viral and had brought embarrassment to the party. The people of Koppal have been demanding dedicated trains connecting different destinations, but their demands have not been met. Several parts of the constituency reel under water shortage during every summer. It is now in the hands of voters who will decide the fate of candidates on May 7.

Rise above caste, religion and vote... Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary

Rise above caste, religion and vote... Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary As the first phase of polling commenced on Friday, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary appealed to the voters to cast their votes based on the developments done in the state. He requested the people eligible to vote to rise above caste and religion and vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Polling is taking place on the four Lok Sabha seats in Bihar regarding that I want to make a special request from the voters to cast their votes on 'development, development and development.' With the progressive work done by PM Modi in the last 10 years and the fight that he (PM) picked up against corruption, therefore common people have to rise above caste and religion and vote for PM Modi, he said. People of Bihar are quite smart, they know very well whom to give the mandate and this time 40/40 seats will be accorded to BJP by them (people), the BJP leader added. Voting for four parliamentary seats in Bihar- Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, and Nawada- is underway. Bihar will see polling in all the seven phases. The second phase of polling in the state will be held on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. Mahagathbandhan, the opposition coalition in Bihar, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26 out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats in the elections. The NDA is also in a seat-sharing agreement in Bihar with the Janata Dal-United (JDU) and the LJP for the Lok Sabha polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD (U), and LJP, dominated by winning 39 out of 40 seats. In the last general elections, all four seats went to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) -- the BJP in Aurangabad, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) in Gaya, and the then-united Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) from both Jamui and Nawada. With 40 Lok Sabha seats, Bihar is seen as among the most significant states in Indian politics. (ANI)

Today's Birthday: 19th April 2024

Happy Birthday & welcome to special section of Webdunia . Here, We render the Astro update & sheds light on the personality of the Birthday Boy/ Girl. If your birthday falls on the 19 th of the month, then your birth number is (1+9= 10,1+0) =1. You are born with a penchant for a lavish lifestyle and hate to take directives from anyone. Bravery and curiosity are your main traits. The birth number is influenced by the sun. People influenced by the sun are headstrong and ambitious. However, it is very difficult for others to understand your personality. You have a great aesthetic sense and optimism builds up you as a troubleshooter. Due to immense self belief you are often the centre of attention of any function or social gathering. Lucky Day : 1,10,19,28 Lucky Number : : 1, 10, 19, 28, 37, 46, 55, 64, 73, 82 Lucky Year : 2017, 2026, 2044, 2053, 2062 Ishtdev: Sun, Goddess Gayatri Lucky color : Red, Saffron,Cream The year ahead:- The year is set to bring a lot of happiness in your life. The work pending for a long time will be completed. You live a healthy and disease free life this year. Nubile boys and girls will be getting hitched this year. Recruitment for unemployed and promotion for already employed is on the cards. Celebs with birth number 1 Chhatrapati Shivaji Indira Gandhi Jackie Shroff Veer Savarkar Mirza Ghalib Sikander

Uproar over abusive language used against Chirag Paswans mother at RJD's Bihar poll rally

PATNA: A day ahead of Bihars four Lok Sabha constituencies going to polls, a video purportedly showing RJD workers using abusive language against LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswans mother Reena Paswan in RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadavs election rally has gone viral. RJD workers allegedly made adverse comments against Chirags mother during the rally in Jamui constituency from where Chirags brother-in-law Arun Bharti is contesting. RJD candidate Archana Ravidas was also present on the dais when party workers used the alleged offensive language. Reacting sharply, Chirag said, Tejashwi was present on the dais when RJD workers used abusive language against my family. Instead of stopping his party workers from making comments, Tejashwi was standing quite to make sure that his party workers finished making unsavoury comments against my mother and my sister. It is very unfortunate. When mediapersons approached Tejashwi, he asked, Have I used abusive language? I have also seen that video. Nobody present on the dais was involved in it but somebody from the gathering did it. He added, I would not have tolerated had I heard such a language being used against Chirags mother. Former CM and Hindustani Awam Morcha patron Jitan Ram Manjhi wrote on X, Till now, RJD goons used to attack Dalits behind the camera and played with our honour, but in Jamui, a Dalit leader like Chirag was abused along with his mother and sister on the instructions of Tejashwi. It is shameful. People of Bihar will take revenge for every insult of yours on the day of elections. Bihar all set for first phase of Lok Sabha polls The stage is set for the first of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in Bihar on Friday. Four Lok Sabha constituencies Aurangabad, Gaya (SC), Nawada and Jamui (SC) are going to polls in the initial stage for which foolproof security arrangements have been made. Over 7.6 million voters are eligible to vote for 38 candidates in the fray in the first phase. A total of 7903 polling stations have been set up in all the four Lok Sabha constituencies. A total of 92602 first time voters will exercise their franchise in the first phase. Of the 7.6 million voters, 39,63,223 were male and 36,38,151 were female voters.