Experts discuss causes, symptoms and prevention of Indias growing head and neck cancer epidemic
Cancer of the Head and Neck on the Rise in India: Experts Shed Light on Risk Factors, Warning Signs and Prevention Methods With cancer cases rising sharply across our nation, doctors say one form of the disease that demands particular focus is head and neck cancer. According to specialists from Apollo Cancer Centres and Kokilaben [] The post Experts discuss causes, symptoms and prevention of Indias growing head and neck cancer epidemic appeared first on Northlines .
Tips for Finding High-Quality Sunglasses That Safely Protect Your Vision
Does Quality Really Matter? Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses With warmer weather approaching, many will be searching for a new pair of sunglasses. However, with low-cost options available virtually everywhere, it's easy to question if more affordable glasses truly safeguard our vision. As an experienced optics reporter, I sought to determine whether [] The post Tips for Finding High-Quality Sunglasses That Safely Protect Your Vision appeared first on Northlines .
Meghan Markle Honors Princess Diana Through Meaningful Jewelry Choices in Nigeria
Meghan Markle Honors Princess Diana During Africa Visit Meghan Markle paid tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana during her recent trip to Nigeria with Prince Harry. According to royal experts, the Duchess of Sussex chose meaningful jewelry pieces that held special connections to Diana for her outings. James Harris, a jewelry specialist, noted that [] The post Meghan Markle Honors Princess Diana Through Meaningful Jewelry Choices in Nigeria appeared first on Northlines .
Viral Videos Capture Stunning Blue Meteor Lighting Up Night Skies Over Spain and Portugal
Social media has been flooded with videos of an extraordinary sight seen in the night skies over Spain and Portugal a giant glowing blue object that lit up the horizon. Filmed by several eyewitnesses, the footage shows an intensely bright light streaking across the darkness, drawing awe from those lucky enough to witness its [] The post Viral Videos Capture Stunning Blue Meteor Lighting Up Night Skies Over Spain and Portugal appeared first on Northlines .
Female student shot dead in campus shooting at Georgias Kennesaw State University
On Saturday afternoon, Kennesaw State University's idyllic suburban campus was rocked by a senseless act of violence. According to officials, an unidentified female student lost her life in a shooting that took place around 4pm near the university's South Campus Housing area. Details remain scarce, but it's believed an armed individual entered the campus grounds [] The post Female student shot dead in campus shooting at Georgias Kennesaw State University appeared first on Northlines .
Godrej addresses economic challenges through insightful poems at major summit
As leaders from India Inc gathered to brainstorm revival strategies at a major economic summit, it was poetry that sparked thoughtful discussion around India's pressing jobs and manufacturing dilemmas. Godrej Group's Chairman Nadir Godrej creatively captured the audience with poems highlighting real unemployment levels and the need to boost labor-intensive exports. In lyrical words, Godrej [] The post Godrej addresses economic challenges through insightful poems at major summit appeared first on Northlines .
Kangana Ranaut slams Bollywood: 'To function in a Khan-dominated industry...'
Aishwarya Rai wraps Cannes duties, returns to Mumbai with daughter Aaradhya
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Wraps Up Cannes Duties, Returns Home to Mumbai Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has concluded her responsibilities at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival after proudly representing India on the global stage. The renowned actress touched down in Mumbai on Sunday along with her young daughter Aaradhya Bachchan. Aishwarya had attended the event [] The post Aishwarya Rai wraps Cannes duties, returns to Mumbai with daughter Aaradhya appeared first on Northlines .
Kamal Haasan draws inspiration from MS Dhonis journey of composure under pressure
Celebrated actor draws inspiration from cricketing legend's journey Veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan recently opened up about the inspiration he draws from former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's journey. In a conversation with a leading sports network, Haasan spoke at length about Dhoni's humble beginnings and rise to stardom through sheer hard work [] The post Kamal Haasan draws inspiration from MS Dhonis journey of composure under pressure appeared first on Northlines .
Notably, as per the Police, CCTV footage from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals official residence during the period of assault on May 13 has turned out to be blank.
Indian celebrities shine in style at Cannes Film Festival 2024
The prestigious Cannes Film Festival is underway and Indian celebrities have been dazzling on the red carpet with their exquisite style statements. This year several notable names from Bollywood made their presence felt at the iconic event, representing Indian fashion on the global stage. Actress Kiara Advani made her Cannes debut in an eye-catching black [] The post Indian celebrities shine in style at Cannes Film Festival 2024 appeared first on Northlines .
Weddings are increasingly becoming grand festivals of ostentatiousness but rising costs are forcing many couples to reconsider their priorities. According to wedding industry reports, the average cost of a wedding in the USA touches $35,000 which is a sizeable sum for any young couple to spare, especially considering outstanding student loans or other financial commitments. [] The post Couples choosing affordable honeymoons over expensive weddings to kickstart married life on a memorable note appeared first on Northlines .
Arvind Kejriwal: Modi Wants To Finish Aam Aadmi Party
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said PM Narendra Modi wants to crush the Aam Aadmi Party. Ahead of a march to the BJP headquarters, Kejriwal claimed the saffron party plans to arrest prominent AAP leaders, seize the partys bank accounts, and shut down their offices as part of... The post Arvind Kejriwal: Modi Wants To Finish Aam Aadmi Party appeared first on HW News English .
The Surprising Strategic Thinking Behind Hotels Preference for White Towels and Sheets
While the pristine white towels and bedsheets in hotels seem like an obvious choice, there is more to this ubiquitous color than meets the eye. Hotel industry experts reveal the strategic thinking behind this visual standard and how it subtly shapes the guest experience. Manish Kumar, executive housekeeper at a top Delhi hotel, explains the [] The post The Surprising Strategic Thinking Behind Hotels Preference for White Towels and Sheets appeared first on Northlines .
AWS Committed to Enabling Indian Startups Embrace Generative AI Through Support and Resources
Indian startups have established themselves as pioneers in experimenting with emerging technologies like generative AI. At the forefront of innovation, many firms are currently exploring applications of this advanced field across various industry verticals. During a recent interaction on the sidelines of the AWS Bengaluru Summit, Pandurang Nayak, who heads the startup solutions architects team [] The post AWS Committed to Enabling Indian Startups Embrace Generative AI Through Support and Resources appeared first on Northlines .
A top AI safety researcher at OpenAI departs citing disagreement over company's priorities Jan Leike, who was heading important research on machine alignment and superalignment at AI safety giant OpenAI, announced his resignation last week. In a series of insightful posts on social media, Leike shed light on some of the key differences he had [] The post OpenAIs ex-Head of Alignment resigns citing company prioritized new AI products over crucial safety work appeared first on Northlines .
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are on the brink of achieving a feat never accomplished before in the long history of English football. Should City win their remaining match against West Ham this Sunday, they would clinch an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title under Guardiolas leadership. No manager has ever won four league titles [] The post Can Pep Guardiola and Manchester City achieve the unprecedented feat of four straight Premier League titles? appeared first on Northlines .
SRH and PBKS gear up for exciting season finale in Hyderabad
A pulsating face-off is on the cards as Sunrisers Hyderabad prepare to take on Punjab Kings in their final league match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season on Sunday. While SRH, placed third on the points table, will be aiming to strengthen their playoff position, PBKS will look to sign off their campaign on [] The post SRH and PBKS gear up for exciting season finale in Hyderabad appeared first on Northlines .
Delhi Police seeks 5-day custody for Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar after alleged assault on Swati Maliwal. Serious case involving brutality and potential fatality
Will MS Dhonis experience be needed for another season to mentor young CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad?
Dhoni asked to stay for another season to mentor young CSK captain Gaikwad While Chennai Super Kings' campaign in IPL 2024 ended with a loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore, questions have been raised over the future of the franchise's iconic skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Speculations are rife about whether the 2024 edition was the last [] The post Will MS Dhonis experience be needed for another season to mentor young CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad? appeared first on Northlines .
On The Streets To Save The Accused: Swati Maliwal On AAPs Protest March
AAP MP Swati Maliwal tweeted on Sunday that the party was out on the streets to save the accused. This comes as the Arvind Kejriwal-led party will march to the Bharatiya Janata Partys headquarters in New Delhi to protest against the arrest of Delhi CMs aide Bibhav Kumar in an... The post On The Streets To Save The Accused: Swati Maliwal On AAPs Protest March appeared first on HW News English .
'Bhrasht Janata Party' sought to dilute Adivasi rights, says Congress
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday claimed that the Modi government's Forest Conservation Amendment Act had undid the progress of the historic Forest Rights Act of 2006 and accused the BJP of diluting tribal rights. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his rally in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur. Why do the people of Jamshedpur still suffer from poor connectivity? Why is it that the 2As and their tempo-loads of black money roam free, while Jharkhand's Adivasi CM was put in jail? Why is the Adityapur Industrial Area still waiting for environmental clearance? Why has the PM denied Adivasis their religious identity and refused to recognize the Sarna code? Ramesh said. Todays questions for the PMs Jamshedpur visit: 1. Why do the people of Jamshedpur still suffer from poor connectivity? 2. Why is it that the 2As and their tempo-loads of black money roam free, while Jharkhands Adivasi CM was put in jail? 3. Why is the Adityapur Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 19, 2024 Elaborating on what he said were jumla details, he said Jamshedpur, despite being an industrial hub, has poor transport connectivity. The number of trains running to key cities such as Bhagalpur, Bengaluru, and Delhi are inadequate, he said. The city had a functional airport until 2016 but despite being inducted into the UDAN scheme in 2018, plans for a new airport have failed to materialise, Ramesh said. In January 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Jharkhand Government and the Airports Authority of India for the construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport by December 2022, he said. This would have been a massive boost to the industrial sector, from major players like Tata to the MSME sector in Adityapur. When the December 2022 deadline came and went, BJP's own MPs were compelled to raise the issue in Parliament. On February 27, 2023, the Union Civil Aviation Minister responded and confirmed that the project had been abandoned, Ramesh said. Now, after much hassle, environmental permission seems to have been granted, he said. Why has the Modi government neglected such essential infrastructure in Jharkhand, Ramesh asked. What happened to 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'? he said. The outgoing PM's two best friends have been safe from the ED and CBI despite their tempos full of black money but Jharkhand's Adivasi Chief Minister was shamelessly thrown into jail. This is hardly surprising given how the Bhrasht Janata Party has sought to undermine Adivasi identity and dilute Adivasi rights, Ramesh said. Last year, the Modi government passed the Forest Conservation Amendment Act which undid the progress of the historic Forest Rights Act of 2006 and scrapped provisions for the consent of local communities and other statutory requirements for forest clearance in vast areas, he said. The intention, of course, is to hand over access to the Prime Minister's best friends. Will the PM ever stop paying lip service to the slogan of Jal-Jangal-Zameen and meaningfully commit himself to Adivasi welfare? the Congress leader said. Can he shed some light on why the ED and CBI are yet to investigate his best friends' tempos? Ramesh said. He said for years, Jharkhand's tribal communities, followers of the Sarna faith, have sought official recognition of their distinct religious identity in India. However, the recent decision to remove the 'Others' option from the religion column in the census poses a dilemma for Sarna adherents, who must now choose between leaving the column blank or aligning themselves with specified religions, Ramesh said. In November 2020, the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly passed a resolution endorsing this demand, he pointed out. Despite former BJP Chief Minister Raghubar Das's assurance of enacting the Sarna Code by 2021, and Home Minister Amit Shah promising the same in 2019, no progress has been made by the Modi Sarkar. As Prime Minister Modi visits Jharkhand, will he address this issue and clarify where he stands on enacting the Sarna Code? Were the promises made by Raghubar Das and Amit Shah mere jumlas? Ramesh said and asked the prime minister to break his silence on these issues.
AAP protest march: Security tightened at BJP HQ, Delhi Police makes traffic diversions
Visiting Vaishno Devi Temple? You May Not Get Prasad Anymore; Know Why
The Vaishno Devi Shrine is regarded as one of the most sacred shrines in India. However, the board has done away with a year-old practice of distributing 'Prasad'.
As part of smart policing and skill upgrades, the police in Kashmir have installed this AI-based facial recognition system at Navyug Tunnel Qazigund in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, which is the main route to and from the valley.
The victim released a video and stated that the accused are responsible if anything untoward happens to him.
Weather Update: IMD Issues Heatwave Red Alert Across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) hasissued a 'red alert' for Sunday, May 19for Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and West Rajasthan. While an 'orange' alert is effective for Uttar Pradesh and East Rajasthan.
Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory Before AAP Protest at BJP Headquarters
Delhi Traffic Alert for AAP Protest The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) planned protest at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi. The advisory warns of potential heavy traffic in key areas due to the demonstration. Affected Areas Commuters are advised to expect significant traffic on DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road, and Vikas Marg. The police specifically mentioned that DDU Marg might be closed from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Travelers are encouraged to avoid these roads and plan their routes accordingly. Police Statement on Social Media The Delhi Traffic Police shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter: In view of the proposed protest by a political party at DDU Marg Delhi, traffic will remain heavy at DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road, and Vikas Marg. DDU Marg may be closed for traffic movement between 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Kindly avoid these roads and plan your journey accordingly. Protest Details Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has organized a protest at noon today at the BJP headquarters. He, along with senior AAP leaders, plans to march in response to what they allege is a series of targeted actions by the BJP-led central government against their party members. Permission Denied The Delhi Police announced on Sunday that AAP had not sought permission for the protest outside the BJP headquarters scheduled for May 19. Consequently, AAP leaders and supporters will not be allowed to proceed with the march towards the BJP office. Context of the Protest The protest follows the recent arrest of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Kejriwal, in connection with the Swati Maliwal 'assault' case. Kejriwal and his party members are set to march from DDU Marg to the BJP headquarters in response to this arrest. AAP Accused in Delhi Excise Policy Case; ED Files Chargesheet Against Arvind Kejriwal Swati Maliwal Case: FM Sitharaman Urges Kejriwal to Speak Out and Apologize Swati Maliwal Appears in Court Following Assault Allegations
Kabir had responded to a show-cause notice that was issued by the ECI on 10th May this year. He alleged that his comments were taken in isolation and presented as a threat.
AAP's Swati Maliwal criticizes party over protest plans following the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, amidst assault case
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's AAP to march BJP HQ today: Top developments
Arvind Kejriwal to lead AAP's protest march towards BJP headquarters amid Bibhav Kumar's arrest
Terrorists kill former sarpanch, injure 2 tourists in Kashmir
Srinagar: In a deadly attack in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists killed a former sarpanch and injured two tourists yesterday. According to Police sources, the former sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad, who was associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was shot dead by terrorists in the Shopian district of south Kashmir. Mr. [] The post Terrorists kill former sarpanch, injure 2 tourists in Kashmir appeared first on Northlines .
Campaign reaches crescendo 48 hrs before polls in Bargarh
BARGARH: With the Bargarh Parliamentary constituency going to polls in next 48 hours, candidates from various political parties left no stone unturned to woo voters before campaigning came to a close on Saturday. A charged yet chaotic atmosphere prevailed in the district as parties were seen making last ditch efforts to win the election scheduled on May 20. To avoid last-minute confusion, Congress had organised a well-coordinated rally on Friday evening aimed at leaving a lasting impression on the voters. The event saw a significant turnout, with party workers and supporters thronging the streets in a show of support for the MLA candidate Nipon Dash. BJP, too, held a massive roadshow with participation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan whose presence attracted a large number of supporters to the event. Addressing the crowd, Pradhan urged them to exercise their franchise in favour of MP and MLA candidates Pradeep Purohit and Ashwini Sarangi respectively. The rally was a blend of fervent speeches, music and a display of party strength, all aimed at galvanising voter support. The BJD, meanwhile, kick-started its campaigning spree on Saturday morning with a massive rally in Bargarh town. BJD MLA candidate Debesh Acharya and MP candidate, Parineeta Mishra were seen engaging with voters and seeking their support and blessings. The rallys scale and energy underscored the partys determination to retain its influence in the region. Later in the day, the party workers moved across the town campaigning door-to-door in different localities. The district administration too, on its part, geared up to ensure the polling process is conducted in a fair and peaceful manner. There are 1,297 polling booths in the district including 140 model booths, 82 Sakhi booths, 5 PwD managed booths, 25 youth managed booths and 14 eco-friendly booths.
Over 701 votes collected via home voting
SAMBALPUR: Home voting process for elections in Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency is underway in full swing with over 701 votes collected so far from PwD and senior citizens aged 85 years and above. The district is set to go for polls on May 25. Sub-collector-cum-returning officer of Sambalpur, Puspanjali Panda said the first phase of home voting was held from May 13 to 16 and the second phase from May 17 to 18. Until now, home voting is over in Sambalpur and Rengali Assembly constituencies. The remaining areas are being covered gradually, she said. Reportedly, booth level officers (BLO) played a vital role in identifying and registering the home voters. The voters were intimated about their voting time. The polling team accompanied by security personnel, reached the addresses of home voters and collected their votes with the entire process being videographed. The polling team faced a major challenge in collecting votes of mentally-challenged and hospitalised voters.
Vaishnaw returns to Bonai, reconnects with locals
ROURKELA: Union Minister for Railways, IT, and Telecommunications, Ashwini Vaishnaw, returned to Bonai in Sundargarh district on Saturday, nearly three decades after serving as the sub-collector.He struck a personal chord with the local population while campaigning for the BJP. Speaking at a well-attended Vijay Sankalp Samavesh at the Babu Nuagaon playground, Vaishnaw expressed his nostalgia and deep emotional connection with the people of Bonai. He recalled his time as Bonai sub-collector in 1995, sharing that the local residents helped him navigate his early career in the Indian Administrative Service. Vaishnaw, who arrived by helicopter, was accompanied by Sundargarh Lok Sabha candidate and former union minister Jual Oram, as well as BJPs Bonai Assembly constituency candidate Sebati Naik. The trio offered prayers at the Baneswar and Hanuman temples before meeting Bira Keshari Indradeb Deo, the erstwhile king of the Bonaigarh princely estate. Addressing the gathering Ashwini declared that the people of Odisha, Sundargarh district and Bonai have decided to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as PM for the third time and also install first BJP government in Odisha. Speaking about the PMs firm, bold and able leadership he highlighted the achievements of the Modi government. Bonai AC is an agriculture dependent region. After BJP comes to power in Odisha, the government would provide Rs 3,100 MSP for paddy to bolster income of farmers and fulfil other promises of Modi guarantee, he said urging voters to vote for Jual and Sebati. Speaking on the occasion, Jual reassured the gathering to serve the region with dedication till his last breath. Also present at the samavesh were the erstwhile Bonai king, BJP state vice-president and general secretary Sukeshi Oram and Purnima Kerketta respectively, Bonai unit president Manoj Pradhan and general secretary Abhiram Mahakul. Speaking to the media, Vaishnaw emphasised land acquisition hurdles from the state government was delaying the completion of the Talcher-Bimlagarh new rail line project, adding the Modi government provided above `10,000 crore in annual budget to Odisha for the railway sector alone. The minister also briefly interacted with the prominent people of Bonai and together with Jual flew to the Rajgangpur AC to campaign for BJP candidate Narsingh Minz. They participated in a three-km roadshow from Ranibandh to the Vijay Sankalp Samavesh venue in Rajgangpur town.
BJP leaders criticise BJD government, promise development
BALASORE: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan lambasted the BJD government for its alleged neglect and demolition of religious sites in Odisha during a BJP workers meet here on Saturday. Pradhan, also the BJPs Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, claimed that monks in the state have lost faith in the BJD due to its monopolistic practices over the past 25 years, which have purportedly led to the destruction of mathas and temples in Puri and other areas. He accused the BJD of distributing benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to party workers instead of the intended beneficiaries. He urged BJP workers to inform the public about the central governments schemes, which he said have been misrepresented by the BJD. The BJD looted the state for 25 years. When the Modi Government is giving rice free of cost and house under PMAY, the BJD government distributes the house to its party workers ignoring the real beneficiaries, Pradhan asserted. Highlighting instances of mismanagement, Pradhan cited the loss of the Ratna Bhandar keys in Jagannath Temple, misuse of government funds for propaganda, and excessive travel expenses of BJD leader VK Pandian. He assured that the BJP would address these issues and enhance Odishas development if elected. Aparajita Sarangi, the incumbent MP from Bhubaneswar criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the states underdevelopment. She pointed out the lack of proper road connectivity, healthcare and water supply. She also claimed Naveen has lost popularity as few attend his public meetings compared to BJP events, indicating a shift in public support towards the BJP. After 25 years of ruling the state, patients are being carried on cots to hospitals due to failure of ambulance, absence of motorable roads and lack of drinking water in most places have become commonplace. These are serious issues that should have been addressed by the state government, she alleged. National vice president of the BJP and Lok Sabha candidate of the party from Kendrapara Baijayant Panda, attacked the BJD for generating unemployment and urged voters to support the BJP for industrial growth and better infrastructure. The Odisha government is the only one generating lakhs of unemployed youths in the state. People who want to see the augmentation of industries, road connectivity to inaccessible areas, job opportunities along with other development in the state, will vote for lotus symbol and pave way for a BJP government in the state and the Centre, he appealed. Balasore candidate Pratap Chandra Sarangi also emphasised the BJPs commitment to their manifesto promises. Pradhan participated in a massive roadshow along with top party leaders earlier in the day.
The north-western region of the country has been plagued by terror attacks since mid-2021, with several girls' schools in KP districts being targeted.
BJD launches intensive campaign in Puri
PURI: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) intensified its campaign for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday, with star campaigner VK Pandian addressing multiple public meetings to garner support for its Lok Sabha candidate, Arup Patnaik and Assembly nominee Umakant Samantaray. Pandian spoke at Krushna Prasad and Kerandia in the Brahmagiri Assembly segment, as well as Pipili, Chilika, and Ranpur. At Kerandia, Pandian criticised the Opposition parties for their alleged false promises and highlighted the BJPs intent to halt popular state schemes such as the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) health insurance and Biju pension schemes. He questioned BJP star campaigners promises to make every state number one, pointing out the inconsistency in Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas claims during campaign in Odisha. Pandian assured voters of continued and expanded welfare programmes, including free electricity for farmers and consumers up to 100 units, increased remuneration for anganwadi and Ashas, and various initiatives to support women and youth. He urged the electorate to support Arup Patnaik and Umakanta Samantaray, promising that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would secure a historic sixth consecutive term on June 9. Patnaik and Samantaray also addressed the crowds, appealing for votes. Earlier, they held a meeting at Krushna Prasad. Meanwhile, Biswa Sarma also campaigned on the day for BJPs Nimapara nominee Pravati Parida at a rally in Gop under the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a roadshow in Puri from Simhadwar area of Badadanda to Gundicha Temple on May 20, to strengthen the BJPs campaign efforts. Security measures are being put in place for the event.
Karnataka Police arrests man from Goa over social media post against Congress manifesto, sparking controversy
`Rahul Gandhi Can Become Prime Minister But Of Pakistan`: Himanta Biswa Sarma
The Assam CM also added that there won't be any reservations based on religion and the NDA government would end Muslim reservations.
Arrest warrant issued against JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna
A special court issued an arrest warrant against JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in a sexual assault case involving his father, H D Revanna. Prajwal, son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, faces multiple sexual assault cases and a blue corner notice as the NDA's Hassan Lok Sabha candidate.
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KOLKATA: The ruling Trinamool Congress is contesting all seats except one on a stronger wicket since it won the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 with a comfortable margin. Barrackpore is an exception because BJPs Arjun Singh won the seat in 2019, but he switched to the TMC in 2022, but was back in the saffron fold before the 2024 polls. Seven parliamentary seats are up for grabs in the May 20 elections. They are Bangaon, Barrackpur, Howrah, Uluberia, Sreerampur, Hooghly, Arambagh. In Bangaon, the battleground is set for a fierce contest between Biswajit Das Shantanu Thakur of the BJP, and Pradip Biswas of INC-CPM. Intensifying her attack on BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state will avenge the injustice of the BJP and the anti-Bengalis will be washed away for sure. Banerjee in a post on her X handle said, It is a sin to block the funds earmarked for development of the poor but continue splurging money on spreading propaganda. The TMC supremo had been vocal about alleged non-payment of Central dues to the state under various schemes like MNREGA (100 days work) and PM Awas Yojana (housing) for the last three years totalling more than Rs 1.65 lakh crore. Bengal will avenge this injustice by the BJP, she said, adding The people of Jhargram, Ghatal and Medinipur have given a clear message -- the Bishorjon of Bangla-Birodhis is certain! Barrackpur Trinamool sources claim the party has an edge in Barrackpur though Arjun Singh left TMC to join BJP as the people are satisfied with the schemes that Banerjee has introduced in every district. Five years ago, Singh switched to the BJP from TMC to win the 2019 polls, only to return three years later. Singh defeated the then TMC candidate Dinesh Trivedi (now in BJP) in 2019 by less than 15,000 votes. This time, Singh is facing TMCs Partha Bhowmick and CPMs Debdut Ghosh, supported by the Congress. Hooghly The constituency will witness the clash of two cine stars: BJPs Locket Chatterjee will be defending the seat against a newcomer, Rachna Banerjee of TMC. The latter hosts a popular TV show. Banerjee was seen visiting villages in Hooghly, meeting people and making hilarious comments. Her comment did not go down well with a section of TMC leaders. The Hooghly seat had its tryst with saffron as early as the first general election that the country saw. Nirmal Chandra Chatterjee won the general election of 1952 as a nominee of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, the earlier version of todays BJP. Since then, much water has flown down the Hooghly. The BJP nominee has vowed that the party will bring back the Tatas to Singur if elected to power in the state. Howrah The constituency comprises seven assembly segments -- Bally, Howrah Uttar, Howrah Madhya, Shibpur, Howrah Dakshin and Sankrail (SC). TMCs MP Prasun Banerjee is pitted against Dr Rathin Chakraborty of the BJP. The CPM has fielded Sabyasachi Chatterjee. The constituency is all set to witness a tough contest between Prasun Banerjee and Rathin Chakraborty, with the TMC having an edge even as the BJP is putting up a tough fight. In the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, the BJP increased its vote share to 38.9% and the TMC bagged 47.4% of the votes. Uluberia Uluberia is another constituency in Howrah district which had a major jute processing centre. However, the industry declined. Around 70 establishments have come up in the industrial park in the region, which is spread across 128.69 acre. These units are into engineering, manufacturing, and also food products. In the 2024 election, Sajda Ahmed of TMC is pitted against Arun Uday Pal Chaudhary of BJP and Azahar Mollick of the Congress. Sreerampur Also written as Srirampore, Serampore, among other spellings, and is in Hooghly district. It was a Danish settlement founded in the 18th century, and acquired by the British in 1845. Today, it is highly urbanized. Since 2009, TMCs Kalyan Banerjee has represented the seat. He is pitted against BJPs Kabir Shankar Bose and CPMs Dipsita Dhar. Arambag Among the seven assembly segments in the seat, the BJP won four and TMC three in the 2021 state polls. Though Aparupa Poddar of TMC wrested the seat from CPMs Sakti Mohan Malik in 2014 and retained it in 2019, her vote share fell drastically. The TMC has nominated Mitali Bag who is pitted against BJPs Arup Kanti Digar and CPMs Biplab Kumar Moitra.
Swati Maliwal Assault Case LIVE: From `Fatal` Attack To Bibhav`s Custody - Top Developments
In her complaint, Maliwal alleged that on May 13, during her visit to the Chief Minister's residence, Kejriwal's Personal Secretary, Bibhav Kumar assaulted her.
BJP hardsells Gujarat model to UP migrants
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat BJP has launched a campaign to attract voters from Uttar Pradesh. Thousands of migrant workers living in Surat are calling up their relatives in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, urging them to vote for the BJP. During these conversations, they highlight the Gujarat model of development. As an incentive, participants will have the opportunity to meet state BJP chief CR Patil for lunch or dinner. The innovative campaign strategy is credited to Patil. During the campaign in Gujarat, he informed north Indian workers and supporters that their task was not only to secure victory for the party in Gujarat but also to campaign for the BJP in their native places. Workers who had the time were encouraged to visit their hometowns and campaign locally. Those unable to take leave due to job constraints were asked to stay in areas like Surat, Bharuch, and Ahmedabad and motivate their relatives to vote for BJP through phone calls. North Indian BJP leader and former Surat BJP corporator Yajuvendra Dubey said small centers were set up near companies, factories, markets and tea shops. After their shifts, workers are provided with facilities to call up their close contacts. Additionally, the name, mobile number, and locality information of the people they contact is recorded, said Dubey. The party has asked these worker-supporters to call at least 20 people, with no maximum limit. Those who perform exceptionally well will be allowed to dine with Patil after the election results, said Dubey. Avadesh Mishra runs a pan shop in Surat and is one of the callers reaching out to Purvanchal for BJP support. In many areas, people are unaware of the significant development projects in their own region. Many voters dont know about the development work done by the BJP, said Mishra. We are sharing this information with our acquaintances and relatives, which has changed their perspective, he added. Thousands of people from UP and Bihar earn their living in various cities across Gujarat. The Bhasha Bhashi cell of the Gujarat BJP has decided a task at hand ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections to persuade migrant workers working in the state who hail from various districts in Uttar Pradesh to go and cast their votes for BJP candidates.
Congress chief Kharge seeks EC action on BJPs bulldozer remarks
MUMBAI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other INDIA bloc leaders on Saturday called upon the Election Commission to take action after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders repeated claims that the opposition would run bulldozer over Ram temple if voted to power. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Kharge, NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar and former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray responded to questions on Modis charge that the INDIA bloc will bulldoze the Ram temple, dilute quota for SC, ST and OBC categories and also restore Article 370 if voted to power. Kharge accused Modi of inciting people over issues that the Congress will never do. Thackeray said the INDIA blocs government will complete construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, while Pawar said it will be the duty of their government to protect not just temples, but the places of worship of all religions. Kharge also said reservation as enshrined in the Constitution will stay. We have never used a bulldozer on anyone. Modi has the habit of lying and inciting people about things which Congress will never do or which are impossible to be implemented, he said, claiming that the INDIA bloc will win 46 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. Kharge said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be part of the alliance. Earlier Mamata Banerjee expressed outside support for the alliance, but now she has said that she will be part of the government, he said. Kharge said Modi speaks of providing free ration of 5 kg to 80 crore people. Our government enacted the Food Security Act and it is bound to implement it. The Congress has now said that we will give 10 kg free ration, he said. Pawar said the previous government had taken the decision of the Food Security Act, but Modi is taking credit for it. Thackeray said the INDIA bloc has several prime ministerial faces, while the BJP has only one and even that is not working. Now they cannot replace the face at the fag end of poll campaign. We have decided what we should do when we get the majority, he said. Attacking the BJP and Modi for calling his party nakli (fake) Shiv Sena, Thackeray said BJP will call RSS as nakli Sangh. Citing BJP chief JP Nadda, he said that BJP is capable and runs its own affairs, while the RSS is an ideological front and does its own work, Thackeray said, BJP wants to disassociate itself with an organisation that gave birth to it. The jumla era will end on June 4 and achhe din will come when INDIA bloc comes to power, Thackeray said. Will protect places of worship of all religions: Pawar Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused Modi of inciting people over issues that the Congress will never do, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the INDIA blocs government will complete construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar said their government will protect not just temples, but the places of worship of all religions.
Strong government removed Article 370: PM Modi
CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped up his attack on the Congress, saying it was his dhakad (strong) government that brought down the wall of Article 370 in Kashmir which is now moving ahead on the path of development. He emphasized the the progress made by his government and praised Haryanas spirit: Haryana means himmat (courage) and hausla (high morale). Like Haryana, Modi has run the government for 10 years in a dhaakad manner, he said. Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi said the history of Congress was one of betraying Indias forces. He referred to the Jeep scandal, the first scam during the grand old partys rule. Could a weak government have changed the situation in J&K? Modi asked the gathering. Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers in the armed forces, he said when the Congress was in power, mothers in Haryana were a worried lot thinking about their childrens safety. Have such things stopped now or not? he asked the audience. Today, when you see Rafale aircraft in the skies of Ambala, dont you feel proud? he said. I have come to seek your blessings for the next five years, he said. He slammed the Congress and INDIA bloc partners and said when there is a strong government in power, the enemies think hundred times before doing anything. He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, now has a bheekh ka katora (begging bowl) in its hands. When there is a dhakad sarkar, the enemy is terrified, Modi said. Patriotism runs in the veins of Haryana. Therefore, each house in Haryana is saying phir ek baar Modi sarkar. He remarked, Just 17 days are left for June 4. After four phases of elections, the Congress and INDIA bloc and all their friends and parties have been completely destroyed. These people took several steps against the country; however, the people have given them a befitting reply in the battlefield of elections, he said. The Congress and its partners have drawn a blank in the first four phases of polling, he said. We decided to make India self-reliant and we will work 24x7 for 2047, he asserted. The PM said the welfare of farmers was his priority. Congress did nothing for farmers. They purchased crop of Rs 7.5 lakh crore on MSP in 10 years, but Modi in ten years bought Rs 20 lakh crore crop on MSP that is nearly three times, he said. Among those present at the rally were former Haryana chief minister and the BJPs Lok Sabha poll candidate from Karnal, Manohar Lal Khattar, the partys Ambala and Kurukshetra candidates, Banto Kataria and Naveen Jindal. Today, the sugarcane FRP (fair and remunerative price) is around Rs 350 per quintal, whereas it was Rs 210 during the Congress-led government, he said. More than Rs 650 crore, as part of the Kisan Samman Nidhi, were transferred to the bank accounts of farmers hailing from Ambala, Karnal and Kurukshetra, he added. Referring to the AAP-Congress poll alliance in certain states, he said Congress leaders are holding the jhadoo (broomstick, AAPs poll symbol) in Delhi and Haryana, but claiming that jhadoowala chor hai in Punjab, where the two parties are contesting the election against each other. The PM reiterated his claim that the Congress will redistribute the reservation meant for SCs, STs and OBCs on the basis of religion, and alleged that the opposition party wants to snatch the quota for Dalits in jobs and education.
Punjab CM Mann slams BJP, says their leaders are blinded by power
NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday claimed that India is currently at a dangerous crossroads and the fight in this Lok Sabha election is to save the nations democracy and constitution. The senior AAP leader alleged that the BJP leaders are blinded by power. They dont realize this country is not anyones personal property. It belongs to 140 crore people. Our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for the sake of this country, he said. Campaigning for AAP candidate in Haryanas Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat Sushil Gupta, the Punjab chief minister said the BJP should not be under the illusion that they can break his party by imprisoning Arvind Kejriwal or silence it by freezing its bank accounts. Mann addressed a public meeting in Pundri, an assembly segment under the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, and also participated in roadshows at Guhla, Pehowa and Radaur. Democracy and constitution are in danger and we have to save it, he asserted. Claiming that the ongoing Lok Sabha poll is about saving the country which stands at a dangerous crossroads, Mann said, The country is at a point where it will either head towards dictatorship or have democratically elected leaders who work according to the peoples wishes. The country will either fall into the hands of a party that wants to abolish the Constitution or into the hands of parties that want the country to progress, Mann said. He claimed that after the first four phases of the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP leaders have realised that neither they are going to achieve its poll slogan of winning more than 400 seats, nor are they even retaining power at the Centre. When PM Modi realised that he was losing, he started giving threatening speeches, Mann said. Meanwhile, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the Congress aims to turn 32 lakh unemployed people into government employees within a year. Hooda, who campaigned for the Congress Faridabad candidate Mahendra Pratap Singh, also said the people of Haryana have made up their mind to shatter the BJPs arrogance.
Encroachment, parking mess and civic woes major issues in East Delhi
NEW DELHI: East Delhi is among the countrys larger and more populated Lok Sabha constituencies, comprising parts of the national capital on either side of the Yamuna. The constituency is home to people from different walks of life, students, aspirants, employed, displaced, migrated, slum dwellers and those in unauthorised settlements. There is a large concentrations of residents in areas like Seelampur, Shahdara, Gandhi Nagar, Preet Vihar, among others. Okhla, with pockets of residential complexes, is an industrial area as well. Despite the huge mix of population residing here, almost all of them face a few common issue, civic mismanagement, encroachment and parking mess. Jamuna paar mess While the parking woes is a common in most city neighborhoods, the unplanned township of the East Delhi constituency exacerbates the issue. In fact, it has started impacting the harmony among residents. In East Delhis Laxminagar, the lack of parking spaces is turning neighbours into bitter rivals. Brawls over parking becoming more and more frequent in a locality with a triad of locals, markets and coaching institutes co-habitating, is a major issue this election. Residents says, fearing violence, they have stopped keeping their cars outside. We cannot even take our vehicles outside as there is no place left due to the heavy traffic and poor parking, said 48-year-old Dinesh Gupta 30-year-old Atul Kumar recounted the horror of parking violence he experienced recently. I used to park my bike at a spot for a long time. One day, I saw that someone removed my vehicle and parked his own at the same spot. When I objected to it, he started a fight in public. This is the situation, he said. Similar is the story of 24-year-old Sanjay, who was violently thrashed by a person due to the parking conundrum. The battle AAP MLA from Kondli, Kuldeep Kumar, has been fielded from East Delhi, where he will contest against Harsh Malhotra of the BJP. A drop out of Delhi University, Kumar led the Ambedkar Andolan in East Delhi at the age of 18. In 2020, he was again given an AAP ticket from the Kondli (East) reserved seat in the Delhi assembly election in 2020. He defeated BJPs Raj Kumar by nearly 18,000 votes. Meanwhile, the fresh face of BJP is Harsh Malhotra, one of the three general secretaries of the BJPs Delhi unit. The 58-year-old hails from the Punjabi community, which has a large presence in the East Delhi constituency.
Kejriwal tells voters: If you want me to go to jail choose BJP, else AAP
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed the entire country is seething in anger against the BJP and will end its dictatorial rule on June 4, the counting day of the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a street meeting in West Delhis Najafgarh area, he claimed the BJP would soon arrest AAP leaders such as Raghav Chaddha, Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj to crush the opposition. The AAP national convener made the comments on the day his aide Bibhav Kumar was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on party MP Swati Maliwal. He appealed to the people to vote for his party to stop him from going to jail again. Its in your hands. If you want me to go to jail choose the BJP, otherwise choose the AAP. Kejriwal said the Lok Sabha poll results will prove to the BJP that the entire country is angry with its dictatorial rule. He exuded confidence that people will oust the BJP from power. Kejriwal, who was arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, has been granted interim bail till June 1 by the Supreme Court to campaign in the Lok Sabha polls. He will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2, a day after the last phase of polling in the general elections.
Former V-P, ex-PM, Lutyens seniors cast votes from home
NEW DELHI: The latest exercise of home voting by the Delhi poll body for the Lok Sabha elections has generated an interest, with many political stalwarts opting to cast their votes from the comfort of home. Former Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Union Ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Lal Krishna Advani have availed this facility and casted their votes from their residences in the New Delhi constituency. The exercise, which started from Thursday, has seen participation of nearly 3,000 voters. The facility is extended to all those who are over 85 years of age and those with more than 40% disability. So far, 2,956 voters have opted to been excercise their franchhise under the initiative with the highest participation witnessed in the West Delhi constituency with 871 votes polled. On the first day, when 1,482 voters exercised their franchise from home, the second day of home voting saw 1,409 voters cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes. However, according to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, only 3.1% of the electorate above the age of 85 years and those categorized under Persons with Disabilities (PwD) eligible for home voting have registered themselves for the facility dispensed by the Election Commission. The number of such voters in the seven seats of Delhi is 1,75,303, out of which only 5,472 voters have registered themselves for voting from home, according to the official data. The total number of elderly voters in the seven constituencies in the national capital is 97,823 while there are 77,480 PwD voters in the city. Home voting facility has been made available for the first time in this edition of the Lok Sabha polls and will remain available till May 24. The exercise was undertaken previously in the 2020 Delhi assembly elections. Poll officials said the drastically low registration may indicate less voter turnout on the main voting day as well. Though conclusions can not be drawn since its happening for the first time in a parliamentary elections, but it remains a point of worry, the official added.
Delhi police on Saturday sought 7-day custody for Kumar while his lawyer has accused the police of twisting the facts in the case. The Delhi court reserved the order on his remand
Seamless alliance with AAP, says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit the campaign trail in the national capital, saying he would press the button for the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal would vote for the Congress in the forthcoming elections. All seven seats of Delhi will go to polls on May 25. In a show of solidarity within the INDIA bloc, Rahul, in his maiden poll rally in Chandni Chowk, sought to remind voters that the AAP is contesting four seats and Congress three as part of the seat-sharing deal. As Kanhaiya said earlier, Rahul ji will vote for AAP and Kejriwal ji will vote for Congress, he said while welcoming party candidate Kanhaiya Kumar on the stage. We have to come together because BJP leaders have openly said that they will tear the Constitution, Rahul alleged, urging people to vote for the candidates of the INDIA bloc. Rahuls vote is in the New Delhi constituency where AAPs Somnath Bharti is contesting while Kejriwals vote is in Chandni Chowk where Congress candidate J P Agarwal is in the fray. Criticising PM Modi, Rahul said the former would not hold a debate with him, though he is available for it anytime, anywhere. He claimed that the PM would not be able to answer his line of questioning. The first question would be on his relationship with Adani; the second on electoral bonds; the third on farm laws. I dont think he can answer them.
High-octane year for Karnataka government, Parties now pin hopes on LS poll outcome
Around the same time last year, after a hard-fought election, Congress won a clear majority in the Karnataka assembly. After hectic parleys in the national capital, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively, on May 20. Now, as the government completes its first year in office, peoples verdict on its performance will be out on June 4, when the results to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be announced. It was indeed a politically charged year for the state government and the ruling as well as the opposition parties. For the people in general, it was a bittersweet year, but it was the worst for farmers hit by severe drought. It is not fair to judge the state governments performance based only on the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls in the 28 seats, especially in the state, where the voting patterns for the assembly and Lok Sabha polls are different. But that is how it is viewed now. The Congress campaign in Karnataka was mainly mounted on its governments performance, especially the implementation of five guarantees which included free travel for women in state transport corporation buses, free electricity, financial assistance to women heads of households, Rs 170 in lieu of an additional five kilograms of rice to BPL families, and financial assistance to unemployed youth. From day one, it appeared that the entire focus of the state government was on implementing the guarantee schemes and burnishing its report card to maximise its gains in the Lok Sabha polls. Congress leaders are showcasing the Karnataka model to give credence to its national manifesto. Politically speaking, it did reasonably well on that strategy. However, questions were raised over the effective implementation of those schemes on the ground, its impact on development works and the diversion of funds meant for taking up development works exclusively for people from scheduled castes and tribes. The long-term benefits of such schemes and their impact on the economy are yet to be studied. Last year, it looked like a period between the assembly and Lok Sabha polls. While Congress kept its state unit fighting fit to do an encore of assembly poll performance in the Lok Sabha elections, the government took on the Centre on various issues, including alleged disparity in the devolution of taxes and drought relief. In an unprecedented move, the CM led a protest against the Centre and the state approached the Supreme Court for drought relief funds. The Center-state relations were strained. Farmers, who were in distress due to drought, were hit by delays in disbursement of compensation. Bomb explosion in popular Bengaluru cafe leaves 10 injured The law and order issues caused discomfiture to the government. From a blast at Rameshwaram Caf in Bengaluru, the raising of alleged pro-Pakistan slogans on the corridors of Vidhana Soudha by Congress supporters, assault on a shopkeeper playing devotional songs to gruesome murders in Hubballi, Karnataka was in the news for the wrong reasons. It may not be prudent to say the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated, but they do reflect the situation on the ground. Even in a sex scandal allegedly involving JD(S) MP from Hassan, Prajwal Revanna, the government should have taken proactive measures to prevent the circulation of videos to protect the identity of victims while initiating stern action against the accused. All along, the big question the party kept dodging was whether Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister for five years or hand over the baton to DK Shivakumar. There is no clarity on it yet, but not giving a clear picture to the people of the state exposes the delicate power equations within the party. On its part, after its drubbing in the assembly polls, the BJP managed to regroup itself to some extent under the new state president BY Vijayendra. But to what extent it has made a turnaround will be known only after the Lok Sabha poll results. Although it is a Modi-centric poll for the BJP, local leaders do play an important role in taking the top leaderships message to the cadre and voters. For JD(S), it was a year of challenges and existential crisis. After the poor show in the assembly polls, it was rocked by the sex scandal allegedly involving its MP. As the Siddaramaiah government enters its second year in office, Lok Sabha results could further strengthen its position, or it may trigger intense political churning in the state.
Police, through their counsel, had sought seven-day custody of Kumar to question him in connection with the assault case
BJP eyeing temple run, but road to Ayodhya bumpy
BJP pushes for a third term driven by the Ayodhya Ram temple, with candidate Lallu Singh expected to win. Local businesses thrive, but rural voters fear land issues. Elections and development concerns loom over the community.
Modi must beat whispers with his old Mystique
There are two simultaneous election campaigns underway: Modi Mystique and Whisper Wave. Number One is happening everywhere with pomp and promises. Number Two is a stealthy tinnitus spread by a vast web of organisations, individuals, political parties, social media activists and alternate media. The Whisper Wave, or WV, is an insidious net of labrish which cannot be attributed to a person, party or movement. Hence it could make any conspicuous figure of authority a sitting duck. In 2014, Modis formula was novelty, innovation and Hindu symbolism. If BJP then benefited from its aggressive social media blitz by lampooning Pappu and glorifying Modi, currently a well-planned counter social media fightback and contrarian YouTube channels are aggressively creating an alternate narrative and gaining traction. 2024 looks like samizdat time: in Communist Russia, where officially unsanctioned news and publications were banned, people got their news from underground publications, often handwritten, which they passed from reader to reader. Here is an example of todays Indian samizdata Facebook post, which has now mysteriously vanished: the staggering rise in viewership and subscription of independent news channels in the last few months (perhaps even weeks), curiously all Hindi, is a historic moment that would not have happened quite like this in 2019 even if the Opposition had come together then. Have atonal news channelsespecially Hindionce Modis biggest asset, become his worst weakness? WV is directed solely at bringing down Modi, not BJP. Because there is no BJP without Modi. The Whisperers insinuate that Modi is scared of losing and having ridiculous public meltdowns alleging Congress will steal mangalsutras to give to Muslims. Another WV tactic is disinformation: BJP will remove reservation for the weaker sections if they win. Hitlers master propagandist Joseph Goebbels explained his pet strategy as If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth. The Whisperers keep repeating that Modi will lose, the RSS is not stumping for BJP in the heartland, Yogi will sabotage Modi to prevent being beamed up to Delhi from Lucknow and that the Supreme Court has exposed electoral bonds as corruption. Gossip, even false, has a tendency to stick. In the halcyon days of 2014, Modi stood for technology and development with a spicy soupcon of Hindutva: long before AI, Indian voters were treated to Modi holograms, crowdsourcing, Facebook dialogues and NaMo cellphones. A fawning medias adoration and a political combo of futurism and nationalism created Brand Modi. Its mystique won him two elections and innumerable state polls. However, mystique must be only invisibly omnipresent: why God is God. This time Modi Overkill is rampant. Slavering zombies are broadcasting Modi stories, Modi interviews and Modi statements, largely ignoring his adversaries. A raucous democracy like India admires an independent media; the honeymoon with high-decibel anchors seems to be getting over. It would be a pity if Indias most nationalist prime ministers mystique is diluted by media sycophancy. Narendra Modi is the only Indian PM who holds an independent foreign policy stand, has struck back against terrorism in its own nest, cancelled Article 370; and is also ironically the countrys most successful liberal (he would be horrified to hear it) for banning triple talaq and promising UCC if he wins. He must enhance his mystique by being heard more and seen less. Modi has enough to speak for 10 years of New India to hear its applause in the voting booths. Ravi Shankar ravi@newindianexpress.com
Five of family axed to death in Chhattisgarh village
In Thargaon village, Chhattisgarh's Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, a tragic incident occurred where five family members were hacked to death. The victims were Hemlal Sahu, Jagmoti Sahu, Meera Sahu, Mamta Sahu, and Ayush. Another villager, Manoj Sahu, was found hanging in the same house. Police, with local support and TNN assistance, are investigating the crime scene and collecting evidence.
One corrupt party covering for another: PM Modi in Delhi
PM Modi criticizes Congress-AAP alliance as opportunistic in Delhi rally, highlighting corruption, appeasement politics, and scams. He discusses the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and achievements like Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi in his speech.
Delhi CM's aide held in Maliwal case; AAP cites new video in defence
Arvind Kejriwal's PA, Bibhav Kumar, arrested for assaulting AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the CM's residence. Kumar charged under IPC sections for assault, criminal intimidation. AAP alleges BJP conspiracy and ongoing police investigation. Maliwal provided security cover after threat assessment due to illegal recruitment case by Anti-Corruption Branch. Legal actions anticipated based on FIR and political implications.
Founder of Naturals Ice Cream passes away at 70
Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath, founder of Naturals Ice Cream, passed away in Mumbai at 70. Born in Mulki, he started the ice cream business in 1984, growing it to a Rs 400 crore company with 140 outlets nationwide.
Gunmen kidnap Manipur fashion designer, shoot him in leg
Kumarjit Laishram, a popular fashion designer in Imphal, was shot in the leg by the UNLF group for his involvement in supplying women to high-profile individuals in the state.
Footballer, 22, dies of cardiac arrest in Assam during practice
22-year-old footballer Rishiraj Borah died from cardiac arrest at Assam Agricultural University ground in Jorhat. He collapsed during a practice match, was rushed to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, but could not be revived. Rishiraj had represented Jorhat in under-13 and under-15 interdistrict football tournaments.
IIT-IIM grad held guilty of killing fashion designer
Rahul Verma, an alumnus of IIT-Kanpur and IIM-Lucknow, found guilty of murdering Adesh Bajpai in 2008. DNA extracted from human remains at IIT-Kanpur campus, confirmed at a lab in Hyderabad under the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.
In jail since 2019, J&K candidates' assets up, liabilities dip
Principal held for dumping bleeding boy in septic tank
Principal Veena Jha and her son arrested in Patna over the death of a four-year-old boy found in a septic tank below a classroom in Digha area after he fell off a playground slide. They dumped the child in the tank instead of sending him to the hospital.
Sunsets and son-rises in Bihar
The emergence of Bihars new political leadership signifies the swan song of stalwarts from the Jayaprakash Narayan movement. No corner of the states polity seems untouched by such a change of guard. Lets see how this handover might affect the states political calculus. Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal launched himself when his father Lalu Prasad was imprisoned on corruption charges. Lalu Prasad has mass appeal among the Yadavs and Muslims, who constitute 14.7 percent and 17.7 percent of the states population; he also has substantial support from the Other Backward Classes and Dalits. Therefore, Tejashwi has inherited a strong legacy. He established his leadership at the last assembly election, winning 75 seats out of the total 243 and emerging as the largest party. He impressed the masses by bringing back the issue-based politics of employment, education, health and inflation. Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party endeavours to continue the legacy of his father Ram Vilas. His support is among SCs, Dusadh and Dhari who have a 5.31 percent presence, followed by Chamar, Mochi, Rabidas, Rohidas and Charmakar at 5.26 percent, and Musahars at 3.09 percent. He is contesting for the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat against Shiv Chandra Ram, a popular Dalit leader from the RJD. LS polls: As his fathers shadow looms, Chirag Paswan faces a daunting task in Hajipur The BJP has recently lost Sushil Modi, a senior leader and popular face in Bihar. The party has negligible youth representation in the state at present. It has been experimenting on weakening RJDs base by earlier fielding Ram Kripal Yadav, Nityanand Rai, Upendra Kushwaha and now Samrat Choudhary; but it has not succeeded in snatching the vote base of Lalu Prasad. Its a similar situation for the Janata Dal (United), which is yet to launch a young person who can take charge after Nitish Kumar. All these prominent faces of Bihar, who emerged from the JP movement to restore democracy in 1974, are now near the end of their politics. Bihar has been a laboratory of politics for the people down the ages. The Champaran Satyagraha, radical peasant movements and JP movement are a few landmarks in that legacy. Although Bihar was one of the first states to implement a law abolishing zamindari, land reforms remained on the back seat. The socialist regime of Karpoori Thakur tried to address several issues of social justice, but left the land issues largely untouched. As a result, the state was engulfed in fierce land struggles and witnessed massacres by private armies in alliance with the state. JP held the ruling classes responsible for delaying land redistribution, which resulted in counter-retaliation too. Nobody from the private armies was found guilty. The courts neither passed a stricture against the investigating officers, nor instructed the reopening of cases. JPs mobilisation was the next landmark. Chhatra Sangharsh Vahini, Tarun Shanti Sena and other groups came together against the issues of unemployment, inflation and corruption. This mobilisation turned out to be the breeding ground for the mass leaders of todayLalu Prasad, Ram Vilas, Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi. They have continued ruling the state with a few exceptions. INTERVIEW | Employment is main issue. Results will be surprising and shocking for BJP Lalu Prasad weakened the feudal clutches and empowered the voiceless. Backward classes and Dalits had never before felt so empowered to deal with the feudal forces, the bureaucracy and the police. He strongly dealt with communal forces too and stopped L K Advanis Rathyatra. This act made him a champion of minorities, particularly of Muslims. When V P Singh implemented the Mandal Commission report, Lalu Prasad made it an occasion to win the confidence of the backwards and Dalits in Bihar. Hence the MY support along with the OBCs. Lalus idea of Charvaha Vidyalay an experiment in holding classes in field settingsgot appreciated globally. However, it did not take off because of elitism among the bureaucrats, who were generally not happy with Lalus regime because of two reasons. One, the RJD cadres started interacting with the bureaucracy as alert citizens. Two, there was a curious pattern of public expenditure shooting up in the last quarter every financial year; Lalu stopped this March loot. However, Lalu was later implicated in the fodder scam and installed his wife Rabri Devi in the top seat. Ram Vilas tried to compete with Lalu, but could not excel in state politics although he won parliamentary election with a record margin from Hajipur. Though he was a seasoned leader and acceptable to everyone, he lost Hajipur later and got back to parliament through the Rajya Sabha. Nitish Kumar, despite belonging to the Kurmi caste that has a meagre 2.87 percent share of the population, has made himself indispensable in the states politics. The upper castes and the bureaucracy supported him as a substitute to Lalu. Reservation, stipend to students and prohibition made him more popular than others to the states women. Creating the Dalit Vikas Mission to weaken the Paswans and further segregating the OBCs were masterstrokes in social engineering. This is why Nitish has been important to all comers. Division of the secular vote makes the BJP comfortable and opponents weaker. However, changing his position time and again has dented his credentials. A recent mysterious display of BJPs election symbol has kept people guessing. That JD(U) leaders are showing indifference and Tejashwi is showing an extra-normal behaviour towards his Chacha Nitish are indications that a new political script is probably being written for post-election Bihar.
Those who allied with the Congress betrayed voters: Mahayuti's Naresh Mhaske
Naresh Mhaske, a close confidante of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former mayor, discusses his challenges and plans as the Mahayuti candidate for parliament. He addresses opposition, coalition decisions, Covid work, projects, 'percentage' issues, Raj Thackeray rally impact, and winning expectations, including the focus on Bangladeshi migrants and winning margins.
Jaipur couple wounded, ex-sarpanch killed in J&K terrorist attacks
Two terrorist attacks in J&K target Tabrez and Farha in Yannar near Pahalgam, Anantnag district. The couple is hospitalized; details undisclosed. Third attack on non-natives this election season. Former BJP sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh gunned down in Shopian; suspected TRF involvement. Mehbooba Mufti condemns attacks ahead of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency polls on May 25, with a three-cornered contest.
Third Eye: Family vacation after voting, not on stage, not in party, time to resume work at party
It has been an eventful year for former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Now that the busy campaign for assembly and parliamentary elections and voting has come to a conclusion, Naidu is getting ready to embark on a trip to Europe with his entire family.
Don't use our family matters for political mileage: Somnath Bharti's wife to Nirmala Sitharaman
AAP's Somnath Bharti's wife, Lipika Bharti, refutes Sitharaman's anti-women party claim, asks not to exploit family issues for political gain. Bharti challenges Sitharaman's accusations, emphasizes happy family life, and demands apologies for false allegations.
ED officers waited at AIIMS for nearly four hours for an accused individual, Hari Om Rai, to arrive for a medical check-up. To their surprise this happened...
J&K Terror Attacks: Former Sarpanch Killed In Shopian, Tourist Couple Shot In Anantnag
Terrorists wounded a tourist visitor couple in Anantnag and killed a former sarpanch in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.
Continuing his attack on the INDIA alliance for alleged pro-Muslim politics, PM Modi said that the Congress worked with proponents of vote jihad in the 2014 elections in order to increase its vote bank
Sitamarhi Bihar Lok Sabha election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates, main parties, schedule
Sitamarhi, one of Bihar's 40 parliamentary constituencies, will go to polls on May 20, 2024. The Lok Sabha elections in Sitamarhi have key candidates from RJD and JD(U). The Election Commission of India announced the date of Lok Sabha elections on March 16. In the 2019 elections, Sunil Kumar Pintu of JD(U) emerged victorious, defeating Arjun Ray of RJD.
Madhubani Bihar Lok Sabha election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates, main parties, schedule
Madhubani, one of Bihar's 40 parliamentary constituencies, is set for Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission of India announced voting dates for Bihar. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Ashok Kumar Yadav of BJP emerged victorious with 61.83% of the votes. Main parties include NDA alliance with BJP and JD(U) and Mahagathbandhan alliance with RJD and Congress.
From sports to social media and South Korea, new icons are redefining hairstyles
CM Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar was arrested by the Delhi Police on Saturday, and his anticipatory bail application was later deemed infructuous by a Delhi court.
ABVP accused of recruiting school students in Bageshwar
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has been accused of recruiting students in several government schools in this area. After the Congress raised the issue, the chief education officer (CEO) GS Saun issued a directive to all schools prohibiting political activities and warned that any institution found engaging in such activities would face consequences.
'Maharaj ji' Satpal Brahmchari confident in electoral debut against RSS rival
MTP risk for child, woman tells HC she'll continue full-term pregnancy
Maharashtra CM on Sharad Pawars Savarkar not an election issue remark 'Aurangeb unko chalta hai'
Man Injured In Firing Near Congress Poll Rally In Amritsar, Punjab CEO Seeks Report
According to police, five people fired gunshots. The incident has no connection with the election rally as it occurred away from the poll rally, they said
PM Modi won't debate with me as he can't answer questions on Adani links: Rahul Gandhi
Hindu woman raped in Bahrain by Saifuddin, tricked into aborting 5-month fetus, and forced to convert to Islam
Amethi Encounter: Not Smriti Irani vs KL Sharma But 10 Years of Hard Work vs 40 Years of Loyalty
News18 visited Amethi, one of the erstwhile strongholds of the Congress, to feel the pulse of the people. Many of them lauded Iranis hard work and how she has stayed in touch with locals in the last 10 years, while others feel that Sharmas loyalty will pay off
'Coming To BJP HQ Tomorrow With My Leaders':Kejriwal's 'Jail Bharo' Dare After Bibhav Kumar's Arrest
'Coming To BJP HQ Tomorrow With My Leaders':Kejriwal's 'Jail Bharo' Dare After Bibhav Kumar's ArrestDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing jail khel, a few hours after his personal secretary Bibhav Kumar was arrested in the Swati Maliwal assault case. The Delhi CM, while addressing a media briefing announced that he, along with AAP leaders, MPs and MLAs will march towards BJP headquarters on Sunday at noon and you can put in jail whoever you want.You can see how they are after AAPI would like to tell the Prime Minister you are playing this jail ka khelTomorrow, I am coming to the BJP HQ with all my top leaders, MLAs, MPs at 12 noon. You can put in jail whoever you want Kejriwal said.
