Minister meets Sathyamoorthy Nagar residents protesting for ST certificate

MADURAI: Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P Moorthy on Wednesday met the residents of Sathyamoorthy Nagar near Paravai, who have been staging a protest seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates for them. They claim to belong to the Kattunaicker community. The document was earlier denied to them based on a report from an anthropologist. Following a discussion with the minister, the residents decided to call off their protest till Saturday. Moorthy suggested that a new committee be constituted to inquire into the authenticity of their community claim. Speaking to TNIE, one of the protesters, P Perumal, said that they were not inclined to form a new inquiry committee. We urged the minister to provide us with ST certificates based on the G.O. that stated that if the parent has an ST certificate, the children are eligible for it. Our community people residing in Thoothukudi and Dindigul districts are able to secure this certificate easily. Only in our place, the official is creating a hurdle, he said. TNIE spoke with Amuthavalluvan, the anthropologist who had earlier submitted a report to the district administration about Kattunaicker communities residing in the Madurai district. The people who are seeking ST certificate (Kattunayakan) in Madurai District belong to the castes of Tottiyan/Kambalathar/Kudukuduppai Nayakkar which are classified under the Most Backward Class (MBC). This could be confirmed by the documented literature that has exemplified their 'intiperu', which is still in practice among the community people. Therefore, their claim of belonging to Kattunaicker community should not be encouraged, he said. In a recent letter sent by Nilgiri Kattunaicker Samuthya Sangam to District Collector MS Sangeetha, which has been accessed by TNIE, the association secretary K Chandran said, A few people in Madurai district who are claiming themselves as Kattunaickers, have no connection with us. Previously, their claims were entertained and ST certificates were provided. The authorities must recover these certificates. Speaking to TNIE, Chandran said that his group belongs to the 'Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)' Kattunaickers, still residing in the dense forests of Gudalur and Pandalur areas in Nilgiris district. He also added that they don't have any relatives in any other district in the state. For the past five years, our children have not been able to receive PVTG Kattunaicker ST certificates. We are thus denied welfare measures and reservation in all aspects. However, some groups with no connection to us are falsely claiming that they belong to our community. Many of them were also issued ST certificates. I had sent letters to the Collectors of districts concerned, including Kanniyakumari and Thiruvannamalai, urging them not to issue ST certificates (Kattunaicker) to those falsely claiming it. I had also written a letter to Chief Minister MK Stalin, and the Minister and Secretary for the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department seeking action in this regard, Chandran further said.

Panel set up to examine whether holding kambala near Pilikula biological park disturbs animals, State tells Karnataka High Court

Kashmir Rail Link to Connect Delhi and Srinagar by January 2025

The eagerly anticipated Kashmir Rail Link, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, is expected to become operational by January 2025, facilitating seamless train travel between New Delhi and Srinagar. The service will debut with the high-speed Vande Bharat Sleeper train, promising to revolutionize connectivity to the region. The overnight journey, covering over 800 kilometers, will take less than 13 hours. Passengers will board in Delhi at 7:00 PM and arrive in Srinagar by 8:00 AM, making it an efficient alternative to air travel. The train will feature three classesAC First Class, AC 2 Tier, and AC 3 Tierwith fares ranging from 2,000 to 3,000. Enhanced sleeper facilities and modern amenities are designed to provide maximum comfort during the journey. Key stops along the route include Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jammu Tawi, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The project is expected to greatly boost tourism, enhance trade, and improve overall connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. The USBRL project, a challenging feat of engineering, includes state-of-the-art bridges and tunnels traversing difficult terrain. It underscores the governments commitment to improving infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. This milestone is anticipated to open up new opportunities for the regions socio-economic growth while enhancing ease of travel for tourists, pilgrims, and residents alike.

Kuttaiyur villagers urge government to build bridge over Palar river for better connectivity

ERODE: With no bridge on the Palar river connecting the main land, the villagers of Kuttaiyur are a worried lot. They said their trouble reaches its peak when the river floods during the monsoon. Home to 900 people, the hill village is located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Speaking to TNIE, P Veerapathran, president of Hill Dweller Pedakampada Lingayat Welfare Association, said, To reach Kuttaiyur village, we have to walk for nearly four kilometres from Jallipalayam near Karkegandi, in Karnataka, on Anthiyur-Mysore road, crossing Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. To buy essentials, we have to go to Karnataka by crossing the Palar river. He said when the river floods during the monsoon, the villagers have to wait indefinitely even to reach the hospital. Claiming that students are also affected due to the lack of bridge, Veerapathran urged the government to take immediate steps to construct a bridge on the river. Not just the villagers of Kuttaiyur, the bridge will also help people of adjacent Velampatti and Metalwadi villages. If there is no plan to build a bridge, a proper road should be laid so that the villagers can go to Bargur and Kadambur through the state forest area. Anthiyur MLA AG Venkatachalam said the authorities have requested necessary land from the forest department to build a bridge on the river. For this, double the required land will be handed over to the forest by the revenue department. It is under process. We are also taking steps to construct a road from Makkambalayam, in Kadambur hills, to the village. After the road is laid, the villagers of Kuttaiyur will not have to cross the Karnataka border. Erode DFO KVA Naidu said an application seeking NOC to construct a road from Makkambalayam to Kuttaiyur is under scrutiny. Application for construction of the bridge on the Palar is yet to come, he added.

Womans killer saw Drishyam five times for ideas to mislead cops

ALAPPUZHA: Jayachandran, whose confession led to the recovery of the body of a missing woman on Tuesday, had watched Malayalam megahit Drishyam directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal and Meena five times to get ideas for destroying evidence and misleading the police. The police recovered the body of Vijayalakshmi, 49, a native of Kulasekharapuram in Karunagappally who had been missing since November 6, from a vacant land near a newly-constructed house at Karoor near Ambalappuzha, after Jayachandran, 50, her paramour, confessed to killing her and burying the body there. An officer said Jayachandran, a fisherman from Karoor, killed Vijayalakshmi on the suspicion that she was in a relationship with another person. The Karunagappally police had launched a probe after Vijayalakshmis relatives lodged a complaint saying she had been missing since November 6, the same day when Jayachandran allegedly murdered her. On the day, Jayachandran invited Vijayalakshmi to his house, saying he will be visiting the Ambalappuzha temple. His wife and son were not at home at the time, said an officer. It is learnt he killed Vijayalakshmi by hitting her on the head with an iron rod, dragged the body to the vacant house near his home, and buried her in the land adjacent to it. After the murder, Jayachandran took Vijayalakshmis phone and went to Ernakulam in a KSRTC bus. Upon reaching there, he discarded the phone in a Kannur-bound bus, said an officer. During interrogation, he told us that he saw Drishyam five times and that it was an inspiration to destroy evidence. He had left the phone in the bus to mislead the police, the officer said. Body of 40-year-old missing woman found buried at Karoor in Alappuzha Vijayalakshmi However, passengers of the bus found the phone before it left the station and handed it to the conductor, who in turn gave it to the station master. Looking to return the device to its owner, the station master and other employees turned the phone on. As soon as they did, the Karunagapally police probing Vijayalakshmis disappearance got an alert. They traced its tower location and contacted the Kochi police, which retrieved the phone. Recovery of the device proved crucial in the investigation. For it contained WhatsApp texts between Vijayalakshmi, who had been living separately from her husband for the past few years, and Jayachandran, who is married. They also regularly contacted each other over the phone, the police found. They traced Jayachandran and reached Karoor, only to find that he had gone fishing in the sea and would return after a week or two. In the meantime, the police collected the statement of Jayachandrans wife, who said she knew Vijayalakshmi. Suspecting that Jayachandran was trying to escape, the police contacted the fishing boat owner and ensured he was on board. When the boat reached Azheekkal on Sunday as per the polices instructions, Jayachandran was taken into custody. He readily confessed to the crime. He said he burnt Vijayalakshmis dress inside the empty house; investigators have found ashes there. CCTV visuals from the Ambalappuzha temple premises and the statement of a witness helped the police conclude that Vijayalakshmi was with Jayachandran on the day of the crime, said an officer. Jayachandran regularly came to the Azheekkal harbour, while Vijayalakshmi was a worker there. They were in a relationship for the past two years. The police suspect they also had financial dealings. An officer said the exact cause of death will be revealed only after an autopsy. The gold ornaments worn by Vijayalakshmi and the murder weapon were confiscated from Jayachandrans house.

Not Leo Or Vikram, This Is Highest Grossing Tamil Movie In Japan

The film stars Rajinikanth and Meena as the main leads, along with Sarath Babu, Radha Ravi, Senthil, Vadivelu, Jayabharathi, Subhashri and Ponnambalam in supporting roles.

Punjab reports season's highest stubble burning cases as Haryana AQI touches 'severe' levels

CHANDIGARH: The highest number of stubble burning cases in this season, at 1,251 incidents, were reported in Punjab on Monday increasing the total number of reported cases this year to 9.655, according to data by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PCCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) level in the state was in the 'Poor category, while in Haryana five towns were in the 'Severe category and six places in the 'Very Poor category. Of the total 1,251 incidents reported on Monday, 247 cases were in Muktsar district followed by 149 in Moga, 130 incidents of stubble-burning were in Ferozepur, 129 in Bathinda, 94 in Fazilka, 88 in Faridkot, 77 in Tarn Taran and 73 in Sangrur. Ludhiana had 52 cases, Barnala 42 incidents, 40 in Mansa and Amritsar had 36 reported cases and Marelkotla had 34. Meanwhile on Sunday, 404 stubble burning cases were reported across the state, of which 74 new cases were from Ferozepur and 70 in Bathinda. An environmental compensation of Rs 1.35 crore had been imposed for 3,943 cases till November 15. As per the central pollution control board, the AQI levels of both Amritsar and Jalandhar around 7.30 pm were 241 in the 'Poor' category. Khanna was 143 in the 'Moderate' category and Ludhiana, Patiala and Rupnagar all three were at 262 and Mandi Gobindgarh was 213 - all in the 'Poor' category. While the AQI level of Chandigarh was 270 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Sector 22, the AQI at around 7.30 pm on Monday was at 250 and that at CAAQMS Sector 53 was recorded at 240 and at the Sector 25 station it was 270. Ambala residents report breathing issues due to fog, pollution. In Haryana the Air Quality Index at Gurugram was 494, Dharuhera was 447, Bahadurgarh was 443, Faridabad was 432 and Bhiwani 405, all in the 'Severe category. While Jind was 387, Fatehabad was 383, Kaithal was 354, Karnal was 348, Palwal was 327, Narnaul was 320 - in the 'Very Poor category. Kurukshetra's AQI was 298, Mandikhera was at 293, Hisar at 281, Charkhi Dadri at 226 - all in the 'Poor' category. Only two places - Ambala and Panchkula - were in the 'Moderate category. In response to worsening air pollution, the Nuh Administration has declared holidays for schools up to class 5 from November 18 to November 22, according to an official order. As per the order from the office of the District Elementary Education Officer of Nuh, the holiday has been declared in all government, semi-government, and private schools in the Nuh district of Haryana. Sources pointed out that the PPCB is under scrutiny and facing allegations of under-reporting of farm fire incidents. The scientists monitoring the farm fires claimed that many farmers were setting paddy residue on fire post afternoon, dodging the satellite. While the pollution control board claimed have brought down farm fires by 70 per cent than previous years, farmers could be seen evading the satellite by setting the paddy residue on fire post 3 pm.

Vizags Tourist Spots Overflow on Karthika Sunday

Visakhapatnam: The tourist spots in Visakhapatnam experienced an unprecedented influx of visitors on Sunday, coinciding with the ongoing Karthika Month. Families and tourists flocked to popular destinations such as beaches, parks, and scenic Agency areas, leading to record footfall at several hotspots. R.K Beach, Tenneti Park, Kailasagiri, VMRDA Park, Rushikonda, Bheemunipatnam, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), and Kambalakonda were bustling with activity from early morning. Visitors of all ages participated in various fun events, including tambola, anthakshari, kabaddi, and organized games. Many picnickers were seen capturing memories with selfies against the backdrop of the picturesque locations. The IGZP (Indira Gandhi Zoological Park) alone reported an impressive footfall of 10,006 visitors, generating revenue of Rs 7,64,640 in just one day. This surge in visitors highlights the zoo's popularity as a family-friendly destination. Traffic congestion was noted along the Beach Road stretch between Rushikonda and Naval Coastal Battery due to the high volume of tourists. Additionally, other attractions like Borra Caves welcomed 6,975 tourists, while Lambasingi saw around 3,000 visitors enjoying the cooler climate. The recent dip in temperatures in the Agency area has contributed significantly to this tourist influx. Areas such as Chintapalli, Paderu, Minumuluru, and Vanjangi have recorded minimum temperatures ranging from 12C to 18C, making them ideal for visitors seeking a respite from the heat.

Shambala, Snowfall and Divine Star show out

Devotional hub with international standard to come up at Erumeli

Kottayam: A devotional hub with international standard, including a convention centre, will be developed at Erumeli after the conclusion of Sabarimala pilgrimage season this year, Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan has said. The minister made this announcement on Wednesday while inaugurating a new vehicle parking facility under the Housing Board at Cheriyambalam, Erumeli, for the Sabarimala season. According to the minister, an additional Rs 20 lakh from the flood relief fund will be allocated to improve the road on both sides of the parking area. A press release from the state government stated that the Housing Board plans to develop an international-standard devotional hub at its site in Erumeli. The project will proceed in three phases, with the first phase focused on providing affordable parking facilities. The second phase will add eateries, a refreshment centre, a cafeteria, and restrooms, while the third phase will include guest houses, cottages, dormitories, and supporting facilities, added the release. Currently, the parking facility has been set up at the half of the six-and-a-half-acre site owned by the Kerala State Housing Board near Cheriyambalam, the release said. The Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilaku festival will commence on November 16.

As Sri Lanka goes to parliamentary polls, parties representing Tamils wait with bated breath

NUWARA ELIYA: As Sri Lanka went to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new parliament, political parties representing Tamils, most of whom reside in the north, east and hill country regions, are awaiting the outcome with bated breath as the island nation witnesses a multi-cornered contest on a scale never seen before. This is compounded by the difficulty in assessing the magnitude of a popular wave the newly-elected president, Anura Kumar Dissanayake, seems to be riding even in areas dominated by ethnic minorities. Leaders of almost all Tamil political parties that TNIE spoke to said this is the first election in which they have no idea what the results will be like. Even the public seems to be in a state of confusion, as an elderly person in Jaffna put it. To put things in context, for the six seats in the Vanni electoral district, 423 candidates from 22 political parties or alliances and 25 independent groups are in the fray. Similarly, in Nuwara Eliya and Jaffna, 308 candidates each from 17 parties and 11 independent groups are in the fray for eight and six seats, respectively. In Batticaloa, 392 candidates from 22 parties and 27 independent groups are contesting for five seats. In Ampara (also called Digamadulla), which has a mix of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, a whopping 640 candidates are contesting for eight seats from 21 parties and 43 independent groups. While Indians may not find the number of candidates surprising, leaders of political parties say, in Sri Lankas context, these are unusually high numbers. Sri Lanka set for parliamentary election, all arrangements in place MA Sumanthiran, one of the prominent Tamil leaders of the Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), who is contesting from Jaffna, said that while the Dissanayake-led National People's Power (NPP) was playing the tactic of persuading the people to vote for the winning side, it will not work since the Sri Lankan president has failed to even utter a word about political solution for the Tamil question during his Jaffna rally and his government has already gone back on many of its promises. When asked about the breaking up of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and a few people leaving his party, for which some blame him personally, Sumanthiran said only those who prioritised their own interests over those of the Tamil people or the ITAK had left. He said it has, in a way, turned out to be a weeding process through which the Tamil people are able to see who truly represents their issues. However, Sumanthiran acknowledged that he would not be surprised if NPP bags one seat in Jaffna. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, who is contesting as part of the Tamil National Peoples Front (TNPF), said the fragmentation of TNA due to various vested interests of the politicians within the alliance was a disadvantage to his TNPF. If they were all together, he claimed, the people would have easily chosen TNPF since his alliance was the only truly demanding a federal solution with a national identity for the Tamils. Now, people are confused. However, we are hoping to bag at least 10 seats in the north and eastern region, he said. Jeevan Thondaman, general secretary of the Ceylon Workers' Congress and former minister of Water Supply, who is contesting in Nuwara Eliya district in alliance with the United National Party, said it was chaotic and said the popular perception is true that many independent groups have been deployed by certain forces to deliberately split the votes, especially in favour of the NPP. V Radhakrishnan, former state minister of education, who is contesting as part of the Tamil Progressive Alliance in Nuwara Eliya, said although the fragmentation was challenging, people of the hill country will not back the NPP since the president has neither implemented his promise of wage increase for the estate workers nor has he promised anything concrete regarding ensuring their land rights. Daniel Noel Janastar, the NPP candidate from Nuwara Eliya, said legacy parties in the Tamil regions, especially in the hill country, who have miserably failed over the past several decades to improve the lives of the people, were deliberately creating fears about the NPP. They are concerned about what they are seeing on the ground, which is the peoples yearning for a change. It will certainly reflect in the results, he said. Sri Lanka's President vows to stop Tamil Nadu fishermen, assures steps to return Tamil land taken by govt

Shambala and Kimiko impress

Narrow Escape for Motorbike Rider in Horrific Accident

Narrow Escape for Motorbike Rider in Horrific Accident Puttur: A horrific accident occurred between a motorbike and a car in Kambalabettu of Puttur taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, but Fortunately, the riders escaped fatal injuries. The motorbike rider was coming from a side road to the main road when the driver of the speeding car [] The post Narrow Escape for Motorbike Rider in Horrific Accident appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Salt flats, epic battles, ash gourds

KOCHI: Kumbalam is a serene village that, in recent times, has been dwarfed by its more popular and perhaps more lively neighbour, Kumbalangi. But beneath its seemingly quaint settings, the region boasts a rich, and often tumultuous, history. Sitting on the palisades of the erstwhile kingdoms of Cochin and Travancore, Kumbalam is the site of a historic battle. In 1504, Duarte Pacheco Pereira, the famous Portuguese captain, fighting on Cochins side, crushed the Calicut zamorins invasion. Pereira observed the enemy infantrys movements from the Vemabanad backwaters and at Cambalao ford near Palluruthy, intervened and halted the crossing of 40,000 of zamorins soldiers. It is believed that the Portuguese referred to Kumbalam as Cambalao. Now, how did the place get this name? Well, according to the villagers here, it has something to do with the islands shape, which resembles a kumbalam, the Malayalam word for ash gourd. Backing this theory is the regions long association with the cultivation of this fruit, also known as winter melon. Traditionally, it was done by Brahmins in the area. The fruit became so associated with the community that the place itself began to bear its name, says Krishnakumar T K, a local resident whose family has been living in Kumbalam for generations. However, V K Muralidharan, the retired headmaster of the local school, begs to differ. According to him, it is the regions link to trade and maritime networks that led to the name Kumbalam. The island might have acquired its name from the Kumbala Idanazhi, a narrow waterway or strait that separated Cochin and Travancore. It was a bustling corridor, facilitating trade and commerce between the two kingdoms. Eventually, the place surrounding the Kumbala strait came to be known as Kumbalam, says the 86-year-old. P Prakash, the president of Changapuzha Samskarika Kendram, has yet another theory, a more plausible one. According to him, the place got its name because the region was covered with salt flats. There are few places in Kochi with names ending in alam, namely Perumbalam and Pachalam. Historically, these areas were located near the seashore and they were believed to have formed from the sea. The term alam, also called uppalam, refers to salt pans a flat expanse of ground covered with salt and other minerals. Kumbalam used to be one such area, says Prakash. Perumbalam may have derived its name from the words perum and alam, meaning a large salt pan. The smaller area adjacent to it might have been called kunju alam (tiny salt pan). Eventually, this may have evolved as Kumbalam. The Portuguese connection pops up yet again. Prakash says kumbanji was a term used to denote a Portuguese army company. This could have also played a role in the region getting its name, he explains. Interestingly, cumbuca in Portuguese means pot. So does kumbam in Malayalam. If one looks at Kumbalams map, it does have a pot-belly-like protrusion. Village with a pot belly thats another theory! Whats in a name Weekly column on the history of place names. Got any suggestions? Write to xpresskochi@gmail.com

Photo exhibition in Hyderabad to be hosted from Nov 21-Dec 2

Hyderabad: The Goethe-Zentrum is hosting a unique photo exhibition in Hyderabad titled Photography Strictly Prohibited: An Exhibition of Photographs of Navroze Contractor. Curated by Sanjiv Shah, Anuj Ambalal, and Himanshu Panchal, this celebrates the work of acclaimed cinematographer and photographer Navroze Contractor. Art lovers can visit the exhibition located at 20 Journalist Colony, Road No. 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 .

Wayanad: Down-to-earth issues plague high-profile constituency

KALPETTA: Crossing the Thamarassery Ghat road, which connects Kozhikode and Wayanad, is an exercise that calls for much patience and pluck. The stretch is prone to traffic blocks that can take hours to clear. The situation gets worse on weekends or holidays when travel plans can get totally disrupted. Delays can even be a matter of life and death for patients being moved for critical care to Kozhikode, for want of medical facilities in Wayanad. Alternative routes are the only possible solution and the Centre announced development of the 109km-long Purakkattiri-Kuttiadi-Mananthavady-Mysuru stretch at a cost of `7,134 crore last January. The project will reduce the impact of the night travel ban at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. An effective member of Parliament (MP) in Wayanad can help realise the project without much sweat. We have been agitating for various development projects in the district, including the Poozhithode-Padinjarathara road and an alternative Wayanad-Kozhikode route, says Babu Philip, a social activist from Mananthavady. For the past 25 years, we have been raising the issue of inadequate medical facilities in Wayanad, says C D Saraswathi, head of the Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients Association. There are 1,050 patients, including over 600 tribal people, in Wayanad district suffering from the genetic disorder. We still depend on the Ghat road to reach Kozhikode MCH during emergencies, she points out.Mananthavady has a government medical college hospital. But why are we still being referred to Kozhikode for treatment? We need a special unit in Wayanad, Saraswathi adds. Workers at a coffee plantation in Wayanad VIP constituency Lok Sabha elections in Wayanad used to be a tame affair until Congress leader Rahul Gandhi decided to run from the constituency in 2019. This placed Wayanad in the national spotlight. Priyanka Gandhi Vadras decision to contest the seat vacated by her brother, following his second win in the general election earlier this year, has accorded the constituency wider recognition, given that this marks her foray into electoral politics. And Priyanka has signalled that she is up to the challenge, surprising even her campaign managers with unscheduled house visits and interactions with people from all walks of life. Although such actions have generated a wave of goodwill and hope, the glitter and glamour of a high-profile campaign threatens to submerge the real issues of the constituency. Disaster sidelined Chief among them is the rehabilitation of the victims of the July 30 landslides in Chooralmala and Mundakkai, which left a trail of destruction in three wards in Meppadi panchayat. People who lost everything in the tragedy are still living in rented houses or government quarters. With owners of the estates identified to relocate them approaching courts, official rehabilitation plans have been put on hold. Everyone is focused on the by-elections, and this includes the government and the media. The search for the bodies of missing persons has been halted and problems related to issuing of death certificates for the missing victims havent been resolved. There are a lot of issues that require the urgent attention of officials, including speeding up procedures to debt write-off and comprehensive rehabilitation projects, said Shajimon, a Chooralmala native who now resides in Ambalavayal and is the convenor of the Chooralmala Jana Shabdham Action Council. Wild threats Tourists to Wayanad are left awe-struck by the scenic beauty that greets them. But for residents who live in the constant shadow of wild-animal attacks, life has not been enchanting. This year alone, such attacks have claimed five lives in the district. There are protests every time a human life is lost and authorities come up with assurances, but these have not translated into significant measures. Wild animals are also a source of frustration and anger for farmers in Wayanad, an agrarian district. Wayanad coffee is gradually becoming the global face of Kerala. Wayanad robusta coffee offers a wide range of opportunities. However, coffee growers are having to deal with regular wild animal attacks. We have also been demanding further relaxations for plantations under the Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, said Anoop Palukunnu, president, Wayanad Coffee Growers Association.

Tourist spots abuzz with picknickers in undivided Visakhapatnam

R.K Beach, Tenneti Park, Kailasagiri, VMRDA Park, Rushikonda, Bheemunipatnam, IGZP, Kambalakonda and other places witness huge rush since morning

Death toll in Nileshwar fire accident rises to five

KASARGOD: One more person injured in the Nileshwar firecracker accident died on Saturday, bringing the death toll to five. The deceased is Rajith K V, 35, of Kinanoor. He was undergoing treatment for more than 50% burns at a private hospital in Mangaluru. Rajith was working as a temporary driver in KSEB. Biju K, Ratheesh K, Sandeep C and Shibin Raj are the other deceased people. Rajith, Biju, Ratheesh, and Sandeep were close friends. They all went to see the Anjooambalam Veerekavu festival together, which resulted in the tragic loss of all of their lives, said Kairali K, Kinanoor - Karinthalam grama panchayat member. Meanwhile, the state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the victims families. The cabinet has also pledged to cover the entire medical expenses of the injured victims. The fire accident took place on October 28, injuring 154 people. The situation remains critical as 61 more people are still in hospitals.

Suresh Gopis remark on Waqf kicks up a row

KALPETTA: As part of the nation-wide campaign on Waqf, BJP leaders in Kerala too have raised the issue in a big way in election campaigns. Addressing an election meeting at Mananthavady on Saturday, Union Minister Suresh Gopi said that Amit Shah has sent him a video on the topic. I have forwarded the video that was sent from the office of Amit Shah to the state leaders and district presidents of the party. It should be propagated from today onwards, he said. I will not utter the word of the Board. It is barbarism in four English letters, he said ostensibly referring to the Waqf Board. KPCC media panelist V R Anup has filed a petition against Suresh Gopi with the Kambalakkad police against the speech. In the complaint Anup said the speech has hurt religious sentiments. BJP spokesperson B Gopalakrishnan also raised the issue at the election campaign at Kambalakkad. There is a chance for the claim that Sabarimala is Waqf property. There is a guy named Vavar sitting below the 18 steps at Sabarimala. If Vavar says I have given the area to Waqf, Sabarimala will become Waqf land from tomorrow. Lord Ayyappa will have to leave the place. Should we allow it, he asked. Asked about Amit Shahs video, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said the BJP should release the video as soon as possible. We will get more votes if they do it. The margin of Priyanka Gandhi will increase, he told reporters. Suresh Gopi should put pressure on the Centre to release the financial aid to the landslide victims rather than making such divisive statements, Kunhalikutty said. Sabarimala is the epitome of religious amity and the visit of Vavar is a practice from hundreds of years ago. For them (BJP) beliefs and practices are not an issue. It is politics for them, he said. These comments show that BJP has no respect for religious customs, he said.

'Don't Kill Snakes' campaign in Vizag promotes snake conservation

Visakhapatnam :Kiran Rokkam, a dedicated snake conservationist, led an awareness campaign in Visakhapatnam on Saturday to advocate for the protection of snakes. With the message Don't Kill Snakes, the campaign aimed to educate the public on the vital role snakes play in the ecosystem and encourage a more compassionate approach toward these often-misunderstood creatures. Held near the GVMC Gandhi statue, the awareness program attracted attention to the common issue of human-snake encounters in urban areas. Kiran shared his experiences rescuing snakesaveraging five to six rescues each month in Visakhapatnam. He emphasized the dangers faced by snakes when they enter human settlements. Fearing for their safety, many residents respond by attacking snakes with sticks, often causing severe injuries. Kirans intervention helps save these animals, providing them with medical care and rehabilitation. Once healed, he returns them to their natural habitats. During a recent rescue operation, Kiran saved several pythons, which had been injured during human interactions. Following treatment by a GVMC veterinary doctor, the pythons made a full recovery. Kiran then released them back into the wild, specifically at the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, after ensuring they were fit for release. As part of the awareness initiative, Kiran also conducted an educational session for local students near the Gandhi statue. The session focused on the ecological importance of snakes, explaining how they help maintain balance in the environment by controlling pest populations. Students were informed about the potential dangers of harming snakes and the long-term benefits of coexisting with wildlife. Kirans tireless work in rescuing and rehabilitating snakes has made a significant impact on changing public attitudes toward these reptiles. By educating the community and highlighting the importance of snakes in environmental conservation, Kiran is helping foster a more harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife in Visakhapatnam. His efforts not only save lives but also contribute to broader conservation goals, encouraging a sustainable coexistence with nature.

Anil Vij says development works in his area approved before elections were halted by evil souls

Haryana minister Anil Vij inaugurated the construction of community centers and Dharamshalas in Ambala, criticizing opponents for allegedly halting similar projects initiated before the elections. Vij emphasized his commitment to public welfare, highlighting the allocation of funds for road repairs and the commencement of construction for 20 roads.

Air quality 'poor' in large parts of Punjab, Haryana; Chandigarh 'very poor'

CHANDIGARH: The air quality in several parts of Punjab and Haryana was recorded in the 'poor' category on Saturday, while it was worst in the joint capital city of Chandigarh with an AQI of 322 which falls in the 'very poor' band. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Sameer App, which provides hourly updates, Haryana's Bahadugarh recorded an Air Quality Index of 314 -- also in the 'very poor' category at 9 am. Among other places in Haryana, the AQI at Sonipat was 290, Hisar (285), Bhiwani (277), Jind (275), Charkhi Dadri (258), Gurugram (259), Faridabad (220), Yamunanagar (213), Rohtak (238), Kurukshetra (202), Kaithal (205), Fatehabad (198), Ambala (160), Sirsa (181), and Karnal (144). In Punjab, the AQI was registered at 264 in Mandi Gobindgarh, 258 in Amritsar, 257 in Rupnagar, 248 in Jalandhar, 197 in Ludhiana, 183 in Bathinda, 176 in Khanna, and 133 in Patiala. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. The rise in air pollution levels in the two states and Delhi during this time of year is often blamed on farm fires. Punjab reported 730 farm fire incidents on Friday, taking the total count to 6,029 in the state this season. As the window for the Rabi crop -- wheat -- is very short after paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue for sowing of the next crop.

80-year-old belongs to fast-vanishing tribe of umbrella repairers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kuda nannaakkaan undo, kuda? (any umbrellas to be repaired? in English) Kuda nannaakkaan undo, Kuda? This dialogue from the 1988 flick Pattanapravesham is an evergreen dialogue that leaves Malayalis of all age groups in splits even now. Mohanlal and Sreenivasan essaying the roles of CIDs Dasan and Vijayan masquerade as umbrella repairers going from house to house to find the lead to a case. Now, the once-ubiquitous umbrella repairers who visit homes have almost become extinct in the state. Basheer, 80, a Karakkamandapam native, is the last of this vanishing lot. He has been engaged in umbrella repair for the last 65 years. With branded three-fold and five-fold umbrellas hitting the market, Basheer had to quit his role as a repairer at a leading umbrella shop in Chalai market. This led him to procure a used moped and travel around the city, bellowing, Kuda nannaakkaan undo, Kuda? The frail-looking Basheer learned the nuances of umbrella making and repairing from his late uncle, Kasim Kunju, who resided at Balaramapuram, when he was 15 years old. Neck-deep in poverty, Basheer could not pursue a school education beyond Class I. He remained attached to his uncles shop for several decades and later joined a leading umbrella mart at Chalai market. But when business became a little dull there, Basheer decided to venture out to repair umbrellas in residential areas of the city. Clad in a white overflowing shirt and a white dhoti with an iron trunk on his dilapidated TVS XL 100 moped bearing the number KL01 BY 9518, Basheer earns between Rs 500 and Rs 800 a day. Over the last several years, Ive not been getting much umbrella repairing work orders. Even though the quality of umbrellas has come down now compared to the old ones, people prefer to get a new one when its strings get faulty. Hence, Ive also ventured into collecting scrap and selling it at Chalai market. There are only a handful of people engaged in umbrella repair in Thiruvananthapuram. Without enough business, many have joined other trades, said Basheer. He says with a grin that during the rainy season, people come in search of his tribe. Deepthi Dinesh, an engineering student residing at Vellayambalam, accidentally heard Basheer calling out, Kuda nannaakkaan undo, Kuda... when she came out with half a dozen umbrellas to repair. I had actually decided to throw away these umbrellas as I could find none to repair it. Amid my busy schedule, I was unable to go to Chalai market to have these repaired. I had to cough up only Rs 420 towards repairing six umbrellas, but I decided to round it off to Rs 450. I have been extremely happy with Basheer appooppans work, said a beaming Deepthi. Hearing about Basheers visit, all the neighbours ventured out with their faulty umbrellas. When Anitha Lal came out with Made in UK umbrellas, Basheer did not waver and he found a simple solution to the faulty automatic handle. He replaced it with a locally-made handle much to her happiness. His trunk reminds the women folk of Noahs Ark as it has all the paraphernalia to repair umbrellas of all sorts. Following the death of his wife Suhara Beevi, Basheer has been living with his daughter, Sharmila, who has three college-going children. My wish is to earn my livelihood as long as I can and give a share of my earnings to my daughter and her children. I do have lifestyle diseases. But due to gods grace, Im still healthy and work from 7 am to 3 pm every day, said a contented Basheer after getting a good business.

Metro plan for Ambala, Ynagar

Mangaluru kambala 8.0 to be held on Dec 28

Temple firecrackers blast: Kerala cabinet sanctions Rs 4 lakh compensation

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet, that met here on Wednesday with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the chair, sanctioned Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the four people who died in the major blast at the Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Nileshwaram last week after firecrackers kept for a function caught fire. Last 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 .

Haryana: Ambala residents report breathing issues due to fog, pollution

Ambala city experienced its first fog of the season, causing reduced visibility and traffic congestion. The fog, arriving later than usual, has been compounded by air pollution, leading to respiratory problems such as coughs and sore throats among residents.

T.N. expert finds similarities in Ambalamukku, Aralvaimozhi murders

Dr. Murugan says the accused had stabbed his victims in their necks from behind to damage their vocal cords, presumably to render them speechless

India, Vietnam hold first bilateral military exercise involving armies and air forces

NEW DELHI: Adding to the growing trajectory of the India-Vietnam defence relationship, the militaries of both countries began their bilateral exercise Vinbax 2024 at an enhanced level for the first time. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition marks a significant increase in scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries. The fifth edition of the Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise Vinbax 2024 commenced on Monday at Ambala. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from November 4-23 at Ambala and Chandimandir. This is a sequel to the bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2023. The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services. The Vietnamese contingent comprising similar strength will be represented by troops of the Vietnam People's Army. The aim of Vinbax 2024 is to enhance joint military capability of both sides in employment and deployment of Engineer Company and Medical Teams to undertake engineering tasks as part of United Nations Contingent in Peace Keeping Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Terming the exercise as an enabler, the Army said, The conduct of Vinbax - 2024 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam Peoples Army. Additional activities will also be conducted. A 48-hour validation exercise with humanitarian assistance & disaster relief demonstration and equipment display is also part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents while executing technical military operations under similar scenarios in UN missions. The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritage of each other. India and Vietnam established a Strategic Partnership in 2007 which was raised to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in September 2016. The interactions and dialogues towards strengthening the relationship included the 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue that took place in New Delhi in August. It was co-chaired by the then Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the range of bilateral defence cooperation issues and noted the transformative progress in the ties after the signing of Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 in June 2022 during the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Vietnam. Defence cooperation is one of the strong pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. Vietnam is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and in the Indo-Pacific Region.

India-Vietnam joint military exercise gets underway in Ambala

Indian and Vietnamese militaries have commenced 'VINBAX 2024', a joint exercise aimed at bolstering their capabilities in deploying engineering and medical teams for UN peacekeeping missions. This year's exercise, held in Haryana, India, marks the first time both countries' armies and air forces are participating, signifying a deepening of bilateral military cooperation.

Air quality remains 'poor' in several parts of Haryana, Punjab

While the AQI improved slightly at a few places in Haryana, including Gurugram, Jind, Ambala and Kurukshetra, it remained in the 'poor' category

Pilikula kambala to resume on November 17

Playing with fireworks

What was supposed to mark the beginning of the annual Theyyam season at the Anjoottambalam Veerarkavu temple in Kasaragod turned tragic with an allegedly unauthorised fireworks display leading to a massive explosion causing serious injury to over a 100 people. C.P. Sajit reports how the tragedy unfolded

99 cities recorded poor air quality a day after Deepavali

Ambala inHaryana andAmritsar inPunjab recorded the highest values of 367 and 350, respectively, while Delhis averageAQI was 339;PM2.5 levels in many parts of the country reached values seen only in the mid-winter months

Spike in stubble burning on Diwali worsens Punjabs air quality

CHANDIGARH: The biggest spike in stubble burning cases this season in Punjab occurred on Diwali, with 484 farm fire incidents reported. So far, a total of 2,950 crop residue burning cases have been reported across the state, and the number is expected to rise in the coming days. The Air Quality Index (AQI) level this morning in Punjab and Haryana fell into the 'Very Poor' and 'Poor' categories, while the Union Territory of Chandigarh recorded 'Very Poor' air quality. Meanwhile, Pakistan Punjabs Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has described smog as a common enemy and called for joint efforts between the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. She stressed that the issue is not political but a humanitarian one. According to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Sangrur topped the state with 89 stubble burning incidents, followed by Ferozepur with 65, Mansa with 40, Fatehgarh Sahib with 36, and 35 each reported in Tarn Taran and Kapurthala. In Patiala, 33 incidents occurred, followed by 29 in Amritsar, 28 in Bathinda, 20 in Gurdaspur, and 14 each in Moga and Barnala. Additionally, Ludhiana recorded 11 cases, Faridkot had 10, and seven cases were reported from Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. Muktsar saw four cases, SAS Nagar three, and one case each was recorded in Fazilka and Malerkotla. Since October, there has been a noticeable uptick in stubble-burning incidents. On October 12, 177 cases were reported, followed by 163 on October 13, 173 on October 15, and 219 on October 29. Sources pointed out that the number of crop residue burning cases is expected to increase further in the coming days, as farmers prepare to clear their fields for wheat sowing during the November 1-15 window. Cracker ban goes up in smoke as Delhi records its most polluted Diwali in three years The deteriorating air quality in major cities across Punjab remains a concern. This morning, Amritsar recorded an AQI of 335 ('Very Poor'), Mandi Gobindgarh 326 ('Very Poor'), and Khanna 306 ('Very Poor'). In other cities, the AQI fell into the 'Poor' category: Patiala registered 255, Ludhiana 206, and Jalandhar 266. Bathinda was the only city with 'Moderate' air quality at 110. In Chandigarh, the AQI was marked as 'Very Poor' at 320. Haryanas air quality was also grim, with four cities recording 'Very Poor' AQI levels this morning: Gurugram at 376, Ambala at 336, Jind at 326, and Kurukshetra at 310. Twelve cities had AQI levels in the 'Poor' range, including Bahadurgarh at 284, Faridabad at 278, Bhiwani at 275, Kaithal at 260, and Daruhera at 257. Panchkula registered 249, Manesar 247, Hisar 246, Karnal 243, Ballabgarh 228, Fatehabad 233, and Charkhi Dadri 210. Only Palwal (129) and Mandikhera (136) recorded 'Moderate' air quality. Addressing a Diwali event in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasised the need for cooperation between the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. She stated, Winds do not recognise boundaries; we must engage in diplomacy with the government of Indian Punjab, as smog has become a significant concern in Punjab, especially Lahore. I am thinking of writing to the CM of Indian Punjab for a joint war against smog and ask for a coordinated response to measures being implemented to prevent smog and environmental degradation. Until both Punjabs come together, we will not be able to tackle the smog issue.

what-led-to-kerala-fireworks-accident-heres-what-happened-at-kasaragod-veererkavu-temple

Kerala police have registered case against eight people after fireworks accident at Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple near Neeleshwaram in Kasaragod district. At least 154 people were injured in the accident and 10 of them are in critical condition. ALSO READ: Kerala fireworks accident: No precautions taken, 2 temple committee officials arrested All the accused are temple committee members. The committee president and secretary were already arrested. They are being interrogated. What led to the fireworks accident? A preliminary investigation revealed that the fireline was within two metres of the storehouse where the fireworks were kept. As per law, at least 200 metres is required between the two. People who attended the festival was also close to the fireline and the storhouse though a minimum of 100 metres is required. Police said one of the chinese firecrackers that was burst fell into the storehouse, causing the massive explosion. The building roof sheet and walls were damaged and partially collapsed. As per the FIR, the accused carried out the fireworks without following the safety guidelines and precautions. They did not seek permission or license for the magazines or fireworks. The case was registered under BNS Sections 288, 125(a), 125(b), 3(5) and Explosive Substance Act Sections 3(a) and 6.

Rahul, Priyanka express anguish over tragic Kerala temple fireworks

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday, October 29 expressed deep anguish over the tragic incident in Kasargod, Kerala where more than 150 people were injured in a fireworks explosion during a festival at Anjootambalam Veerakayu temple near Neeleswaram. Deeply anguished by the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Kerala: About 154 injured as firecracker explodes during Theyyam festival at Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple (VIDEO)

About 154 people sustained burn injuries in a massive explosion at a fireworks storage area during the annual Theyyam festival at the Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Nileshwar in the early hours of Tuesday.

Fireworks accident at Kerala temple leaves at least 154 people injured

Kasargod: At least 154 people have been injured in a fireworks accident at a temple in Keralas Kasaragod district. Of them, eight are seriously hurt. The tragic incident took place at Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Nileshwaram just after Monday midnight when more than 1500 people were assembled at the temple for the traditional Theyyam festival. 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 .

Firework mishap at Theru Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple injures over 100 people

Victims were initially treated at the Kasaragod District Hospital, with severe cases transferred to private hospitals in Mangaluru, Kannur, and Kannur Government Medical College

Court orders Tamil Nadu police officers to appear in Ambalamukku murder case trial

A private nursery employee was murdered at Ambalamukku and her necklace stolen allegedly by a Kanyakumari native

BJP's Harvinder Kalyan unanimously elected Speaker of Haryana Assembly

CHANDIGARH: BJP MLA Harvinder Kalyan was unanimously elected Speaker of Haryana Assembly here on Friday. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini moved a resolution in the House proposing Kalyan's name, while BJP MLA Ranbir Gangwa seconded the proposal. Kalyan is a three-time MLA from Gharaunda in Karnal district. Kalyan, who assumed the Chair, was congratulated by Saini and his party MLAs, Congress MLAs, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda, INLD MLAs Aditya Devi Lal and Arjun Chautala, and several other legislators. Earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other newly-elected MLAs were administered oath as member of the House of the 15th state Assembly. Pro-tem Speaker and senior Congress leader Raghuvir Singh Kadian administered oath to the newly elected MLAs. Saini, who was sworn in as the Haryana chief minister on October 17 in Panchkula, was the first one to be administered oath by the Protem Speaker. After Saini, his council of ministersseven-time MLA from Ambala Cantt Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh, Panipat Rural MLA Mahipal Dhanda, Faridabad legislator Vipul Goel, Gohana MLA Arvind Sharma and Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Ranawere administered oaths by the Protem Speaker. Among ministers, Barwala MLA Ranbir Gangwa, Narwana MLA Krishan Kumar Bedi, Tosham legislator Shruti Choudhry, Ateli MLA Arti Singh Rao, Tigaon MLA Rajesh Nagar and Palwal legislator Gaurav Gautam were administered oath. Bedi took oath in Sanskrit, while Choudhry took oath in English. After the council of ministers, women MLAs were administered oath. Among them were BJP MLA Bimla Chaudhary, Congress MLA and former minister Geeta Bhukkal, BJP MLA Krishna Gahlawat, Congress MLA Manju Choudhary, Congress MLA Pooja, Independent MLA Savitri Jindal, BJP MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, Congress MLA Shakuntla Khatak and Congress MLA and Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Phogat, who was wearing a sports jersey, said 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Khiladi, Jai Naujawan and Jai Haryana' after taking oath. Taking oath by MLAs was still in progress. MLAs, including Nirmal Singh, Ghanshyam Saraf, Kapoor Singh, Satpal Sangwan, were also administered oaths. In the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls, the BJP returned to power for a third consecutive term by winning 48 seats, while the Congress won 37 seats. The INLD won two seats and three Independents were also elected.

'It's The State's Culture': Karnataka Govt Defends Kambala Bull Race In High Court

The Karnataka High Court was hearing a PIL filed by PeTA India, challenging the conduct of Kambala races beyond their traditional regions, labelling it a violation of animal welfare laws.

Bengaluru: Kamabala might not be held in city this year after PETA's petition

The Karnataka High Court has halted the first Kambala race scheduled for October 26 following a petition by PETA, which cited animal cruelty and called for adhering to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. PETA also urged limiting the event to traditional rural areas. The court will consider objections and arguments on November 5.

Udhay Unveils 40 TrekkingTrailsinTamil Nadu

Chennai: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched Trek Tamil Nadu, a trekking project that unfolds 40 pristine trails in the State, to create awareness on nature conservation, provide sustainable income to the local communities and support Forest and Wildlife conservation. As part of the initiative, which is a leap towards strengthening ecotourism and showcasing the States commitment toward sustainable and responsible tourism with low carbon footprint, Udhayanidhi Stalin unfurled the logo (# Trek Tamil Nadu) and launched the website www.trektamilnadu.com to enable online booking. Trek Tamil Nadu project, which is a joint venture of Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD) and Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation (TNWEC), a government undertaking formed to organize trekking activities in Forest and Wildlife areas in a responsible and sustainable manner, would involve the local community in and around the forest areas for the trekking activities. The 40 prioritized curated trekking trails are spread over 14 districts / 18 Forest divisions across Tamil Nadu and include popular tourist destinations such as Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Kanyakumari. The treks are operated in earmarked nature trails approved by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and in compliance with the Tamil Nadu Forest and Wildlife (Regulation of Trekking) Rules, 2018, an official press release said. The trails are divided into three categories, tough, moderate and easy based on the distance, duration and terrain. In Nilgiris district they are Cairn Hill (Easy), Longwood shola (Easy), Karikayur to Porivarai Rock Painting (Moderate), Karikayur to Rangasamy Peak (Tough), Parsonvalley to Mukurthihut (Tough), Avalanche Kolaribetta (Tough), Avalanche (Cauliflower shola) Kolaribetta (Moderate), Avalanche Devarbetta (Tough), Gene pool (Easy), Needle rock (Tough). Among the others are: Manam bolly (Easy), Topslip Pandaravarai (Tough), Aliyar (Canal bank) (Moderate), Sadivayal Siruvani (Moderate), Sembukarai Perumalmudi (Moderate), Vellingiri Hill (Tough), Baraliyar (Easy) in Coimbatore district, Chinnar Check post Kottar (Easy) in Tiruppur district, Kalikesam Balamore (Moderate) and Injikadavu (Moderate) in Kanyakumari district. Some of the rest are Karaiyar Moolakasam (Moderate), Kallar Korakka Nathar Koil (Tough) in Tirunelveli district, Courtallam - Shenbagadevi falls (Easy), Theerthakarai (Easy) in Tenkasi district, Chinna Suruli Thenpalani (Moderate), Karaparai (Moderate), Kurangani Sambalaru (Moderate) in Theni district, Shenbagathoppu - W.Pudupatti (Moderate) in Virudhunagar district, Kutladampatti Falls Thadagai Trail (Moderate) in Madurai district, Vattakanal Vellagavi (Tough), Solar Observatory Gundar Zero Point (Moderate), Zero Point Karunkajam Falls (Easy) in Dindigul district. Guthirayan Peak (Tough) and Aiyur Sami Lake (Easy) in Krishnagiri district), Kurumbapatti Zoo Gundur (Moderate), Kondappanaikanpatti Gundur (Tough), Nagalur - Sannasimalai Peak (Easy) in Salem district, Yelagiri Swamimalai (Easy), Jalagamparai (Moderate) in Tirupattur district) and Gudiyam Caves (Easy) in Thiruvallur district form the rest of the trails. Tamil Nadu, a leading player in the tourism industry of the country, has already gained the reputation as a sought-after destination for nature lovers with its wide network of protected areas comprising five tiger reserves, five national parks, eighteen wildlife sanctuaries, seventeen bird sanctuaries and three conservation reserves.

Karnataka High Court adjourns hearing on plea against holding kambala in Bengaluru

Infopark Kochi likely to sign land pooling pact with GCDA for Phase-III expansion

Land near the eastern side of the existing Infopark campus spread over Kizhakkambalam, Kunnathunadu, and Thrikkakara to be considered for scheme

Haryana CM conducts surprise inspection of Panchkula Civil

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini conducted a surprise inspection at the Civil Hospital in Panchkula Sector six , reviewing hospital services and interacting with patients, officials said.During the inspection, conducted on Monday evening, Saini visited the patient wards and issued necessary instruction to the doctors and staff, they said. Made a surprise inspection of Sector 6 Panchkula Civil Hospital. Went to the wards and enquired about the health of the patients and the services being provided by the hospital, Saini wrote in a post on X in Hindi. In his post he said that during his visit, he gave necessary instructions to the concerned officers and doctors to provide better medical services to the patients while improving basic facilities at the hospital. Earlier on Monday afternoon, Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij had conducted a surprise inspection at the Ambala Cantt bus stand and reprimanded officials for several shortcomings in passenger facilities. In the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls, results of which were declared on October 8, BJP returned to power for a third consecutive term winning 48 seats in the 90-member State Assembly. Nayab Singh Saini took oath as the chief minister of Haryana on October 17 at a grand ceremony here attended by several NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition to Saini, 13 MLAs including two women were sworn-in as Ministers.

'Lootera' all-time favourite, would love to collaborate with Vikramaditya Motwane: Nithya Menen

Nithya Menen Nithya Menen Mumbai: Actor Nithya Menon says what she has explored in Hindi is just the tip of the iceberg and she would love to work with directors like Vikramaditya Motwane if given a chance as Lootera is her all-time favourite film. The actor, a polyglot, knows Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English and has done films in all these languages. She hopes to work with people of different regions on stories that cross regional and language boundaries. I would love to collaborate with directors and writers who really see the potential in me and who are able to give me something that brings out my potential as an actor. I know there are so many amazing directors in Hindi... I feel like it's just the tip of the iceberg that I've done now. There's still so much that I can do, and I really hope it happens, Menen told PTI in an interview. Asked if she had a wishlist of people she wants to work with, the actor said she likes everything that Motwane, known for films such as Udaan, Lootera and TV shows Sacred Games and Jubilee, has made so far. At the top of my mind is Vikramaditya Motwane. And it comes to my mind because Lootera' is like my all-time favourite film. I always consistently loved everything he made. I remember always looking for, 'Who's the director and then seeing his name'. He tells real stories. He tells them effectively, cinematically and brilliantly. I think that would be exciting for me if I could do it, she said. Menen recently won the National film award for best actress for her role in Thiruchitrambalam alongside Manasi Parekh ('Kutch Express'). The actor, known for hits such as Ala Modalaindi, O Kadhal Kanmani, Ustad Hotel, Bangalore Days and Mersal, made her debut in Hindi cinema with Mission Mangal. Though she has featured in Hindi series Breathe: Into the Shadows, she is yet to feature in another film in the language. National Awards, she said, are the true validation for an artist. It actually changed something internally for me. I felt like there is a tick mark for every path that I've taken, every difficult choice that I've made throughout my career. Sometimes it's like bushes and thorns and there is no road there, but I kind of created my own path. It's beautiful to get validated for that. The secret to her varied career across languages, according to Menen, is her fearless attitude towards her craft. She sometimes faced criticism for declining roles that she felt didn't fit into the kind of stories she wanted to do. It shocked people and I got a lot of criticism. I got tagged as being arrogant and egoistic. Although I'm not at all (that). And I started to question, 'Am I doing something wrong?' but That No' was more from integrity. It was not from arrogance. Something that makes sense, I'll say Yes' and I'll do it for free... So, there was a very strong sort of integrity in how I wanted to do this, she said. Menen will next be seen opposite Jayam Ravi in romantic comedy Kadhalikka Neramillai, directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi.

Punjab registers 874 FIRs, 471 DDRs for stubble burning

CHANDIGARH: Days after the Supreme Court had pulled up both Punjab and Haryana for tolerating the farm fires by collecting nominal fines and without initiating criminal prosecution against a single farmer under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) the Punjab Police has registered 874 FIRs and 471 daily diary report (DDRs). Pertinently, complying with the directions of the Supreme Court and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to bring down stubble burning cases to zero, DGP Gaurav Yadav had appointed Special DGP Arpit Shukla as the police nodal officer to monitor action against stubble burning. Yadav has also been holding meetings with all the senior officers, range officers, CPs and SSPs besides station house officers (SHOs) to personally review the cases of stubble burning in the state on a day-to-day basis. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said that the Punjab Police jointly with the Civil Administration has initiated a massive campaign to educate farmers about the harmful effects of burning stubble and also taking legal action against those found putting matchstick to paddy straw. Shukla said that police teams along with civil administration have been making untiring efforts at the ground level to curb the menace of stubble burning in the state. He said that DCs, SSPs, SDMs and DSPs have been conducting joint tours at villages, which have been identified as stubble burning hotspots and holding public awareness meetings with various farmer unions at district and sub-divisional levels. As many as 522 joint tours were made by DCs and SSPs and 981 joint tours were made by SDMs and DSPs in the last few days, during which they held 2504 public awareness meetings, while, 2457 meetings were organised with the farmer unions. He said that legal action is being initiated against those found burning stubble. Till now, 1393 farm fires have been detected by satellites in the state, and joint teams were sent for inspection on the spot, he said, while adding that police teams have registered FIRs in 874 cases, while, no case of stubble burning was found at 471 spots. However, daily diary report (DDR) entries of 471 cases were made at the concerned police stations. 14 farmers arrested in Haryana's Kaithal for stubble burning Apart from registering FIRs, he said that penalties worth Rs 10.55 lakh were imposed in 397 cases and red entries have also been made in revenue records of 394 farmers. Meanwhile, depending on the area and size of the police station, a sufficient number of additional patrolling parties are already activated, while, flying squads have also been keeping vigil on stubble burning. Meanwhile in neighbouring Haryana from now onwards if farmers restore to stubble burning the Haryana Government will make a Red Entry in their records thus restricting them from selling their crops in the grain markets for the subsequent two seasons and also said that cases be registered against them. The crop residue burning contributes to smog crises of Delhi. As per the orders issued on last Thursday by the Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department of Haryana to all the deputy commissioners and deputy directors of agriculture read, Red entry should be made in MFMB record of farmers who are found involved in paddy crop residue burning, provisions for the same has already been given in Deputy Director of Agriculture login. It will restrict the farmers from selling their crops in mandis through the e-kharif portal during the next two seasons. This entry is mandatory and mst be completed promptly for all agriculture fires. All farmers having agriculture fires must be tagged in the login provided. This is for strict compliance. The order also stated that register cases on farmers who are indulged in stubble burning. As per the directions of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), FIR should be registered against all the farmers who burn or have burnt paddy crop residue during the current season from September 15 and prosecution be made in the relevant act. Some 627 instances of farm fires were recorded in the state between September 15 and October 18 this year, which is the highest for the period since 2020. Meanwhile 80 per cent of these fires were reported from Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Karnal, Fatehabad Yamunagar and Jind.

Punjab farmers urge government for permanent solution to stubble burning amid strict penalties

Earlier on Sunday, farmer leader Suresh Koth in Ambala criticised the Haryana government's stringent measures against stubble burning, warning that these policies could incite further unrest among farmers.

Haryana CM Nayab Saini Pledges Good Governance and Welfare Initiatives

Chandigarh: Hours after being sworn in, Haryana's newly elected Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, expressed his gratitude to the people of the state and promised to work with energy and enthusiasm for good governance, equality, and the welfare of the poor. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CM Saini thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Chief Servant of Haryana. He said, First of all, my heartfelt gratitude to my 2.80 crore family members for the mandate that has continued the development and reconstruction of Haryana. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving me, a worker from a common family, the opportunity to serve as the Chief Servant of Haryana. He further added, Prime Minister, your special affection for Haryana gives us limitless energy to work continuously. Under your inspirational leadership, Haryana is reaching new heights of development every day. This uninterrupted journey of progress will continue in the state. CM Saini reiterated the BJP governments commitment, stating, For the third time, with a full majority, the BJP government will work with full energy and enthusiasm for good governance, equality, and the welfare of the poor. Nayab Singh Saini was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Haryana for the second time under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. The oath of office was administered by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya at a ceremony held at Dussehra Ground in Sector 5, Panchkula. Several prominent leaders attended the event, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, such as Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat), and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), were also present. Former Deputy Chief Minister Anil Vij, along with MLAs like Shruti Choudhary, were inducted as ministers in CM Saini's Cabinet. Other BJP MLAs, including Arti Singh Rao (Ateli), Rajesh Nagar (Tigaon), Gaurav Gautam (Palwal), Arvind Kumar Sharma (Gohana), Shyam Singh Rana (Radaur), Ranbir Singh Gangwa (Barwala), and Krishan Bedi (Narwana), also took their oaths as ministers in the Haryana government. Additional cabinet ministers sworn in included MLAs Krishan Lal Panwar (Israna), Rao Narbir Singh (Badshahpur), Mahipal Dhanda (Panipat), Vipul Goel (Faridabad), Shruti Choudhry (Toshan), and former Deputy CM Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt).The BJP is forming its third consecutive government in Haryana after winning 48 out of 90 seats in the assembly elections, while the Congress secured 37 seats. Woman Shot During Family Dispute in Delhi's Seelampur; Four Arrested Bihar's DGP Confirms 25 Deaths Due to Spurious Liquor; 12 Arrested in Siwan and Saran 'Salaar: Part-1' Starring Prabhas Breaks Records with 30-Million TV Viewers After 700-Cr Box-Office Success

Supreme Court refuses to stay Nayab Singh govts oath taking ceremony in Haryana, warns the petitioner

Nayab Singh Saini, a BJP leader, took oath as Haryana's chief minister on Thursday, 17th September along withAmbala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh, and others takingoaths as ministers.

Nayab Singh Saini takes oath as Haryana CM for second consecutive term

Nayab Singh Saini took oath as the Chief Minister of Haryana on Thursday, days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured an unprecedented third term in the state, winning 48 seats in the 90-member assembly. PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other top BJP leaders in attendance at the ceremony. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Saini, who has become the Chief Minister for the second time. Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar and Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh were among those administered the oath of office by the Governor. VIDEO | Nayab Singh Saini ( @NayabSainiBJP ) takes oath as Haryana CM for his second straight term in Panchkula. PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other top BJP leaders in attendance at the ceremony. (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/JTKMoTM7sE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 17, 2024

16-year-old boy held on charge of abduction dies in police custody in UP; probe ordered

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A 16-year-old boy held for allegedly abducting a girl died in police custody, police on Monday said. Four policemen were suspended in the wake of the death, they said. The boy had reportedly fled with a girl from Bijnor after which her family lodged a complaint of abduction at Suohara Police Station in Bijnor on Sunday, a local said. Bijnor Superintendent of Police Abhishek said that a police team traced the couple in Ambala Sunday night. On the way to Bijnor, Sub-inspector Sunil Kumar kept them illegally at his house in Shamli, where the boy died, he said. Police were investigating the death and the boy's body had been sent for postmortem in Shamli, Circle Office Shyam Singh told PTI. Though nothing is conclusive yet, police suspect the boy killed himself. Local SHO Avnish Kumar, Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar, woman constable Anu and head constable Rajiv have been suspended, the SP said.

UP: Boy, 16, held on charge of abduction dies in police custody; probe ordered

Muzaffarnagar (UP): A 16-year-old boy held for allegedly abducting a girl died in police custody, police on Monday said. The boy had reportedly fled with a girl from Bijnor after which her family lodged a complaint of abduction at Suohara Police Station on Sunday, a local said. Bijnor Superintendent of Police Abhishek said that a police team traced the couple in Ambala Sunday night. On the way to Bijnor, Sub-inspector Sunil Kumar kept them illegally at his house in Shamli, where the boy died, he said. Police were investigating the death and boy's body had been sent for postmortem in Shamli, Circle Officer Shyam Singh told PTI. Though nothing is conclusive yet, police suspect the boy killed himself.

Malayalam actor Baiju arrested for drunk driving

Thiruvananthapuram : Malayalam film actor Baiju Santhosh was arrested by the police early Monday for allegedly driving his car rashly under the influence of alcohol and hitting a two-wheeler. The incident occurred at 11.45 pm on the Kowdiar-Vellayambalam road, under the Museum police station limits in the capital city. Upon learning of the incident, the police arrived at the scene, took Baiju into custody, and recorded his arrest at 12.30 am on Monday. He was charged under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) (Rash driving on a public way) and Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Driving under the influence of alcohol). Baiju was later released on station bail. The car has been taken into police custody. The scooter passenger, who did not suffer serious injuries, has not lodged a complaint with the police.

Baiju Santhosh arrested for rash and drunken driving

The incident occurred at Vellayambalam junction when the actor was driving towards Manaveeyam Veedhi from Kowdiar

haryana-nayab-saini-to-take-oath-as-cm-on-october-15-talks-on-cabinet-formation-pick-up-pace

BJP leader Nayab Singh Saini will take oath as the chief minister of Haryana on October 15, according to local media. The ceremony will likely be held at Panchkula and will have Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending it. Earlier there were reports that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place after Dussehra. Nayab Singh Saini had met Modi and other senior BJP leaders in Delhi on Wednesday as part of Cabinet formation talks. Saini also met Union minister and the BJP's election in-charge for Haryana, Dharmendra Pradhan. So far, Saini is the only contender for the top post. However, other factors like caste and region equations may be considered while deciding the cabinet. Along with Saini, 10 to 11 ministers are also likely to take oath. Haryana can have a maximum of 14 ministers, including the chief minister. In line with the BJP's past choices, new faces may be given a chance in the new government. The fact that eight out of 10 ministers and the assembly speaker of the previous Saini government lost the elections may prompt the party to opt for fresh faces. The probable names include Shruti Chaudhary, granddaughter of late Bansi Lal, and Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh's daughter Arti Singh Rao. Other women in the fray include senior leader Kiran Choudhry's daughter Shruti, a former MP, who won from Tosham assembly seat and Shakti Rani Sharma, who won from Kalka. Senior leaders Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma are also in the list. Dhanda, who won from Panipat Rural, belongs to the Jat community while Sharma, elected from Ballabhgarh seats, is the Brahmin face of the party. It could also give the Dalit community adequate representation in the Cabinet as the BJP won eight out of the 17 Scheduled Caste (SC) seats in Haryana. Dalit leaders in reckoning for the ministerial berths include senior leader Krishan Lal Panwar, who won from Israna seat, and Krishan Kumar, who won from Narwana. Om Prakash Yadav, who won from Narnaul, and senior leader Rao Narbir Singh, who won from Badshahpur, are also in the race. Independent candidate and Hisar MLA Savitri Jindal's name is also doing rounds besides BJP leaders Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt), Shyam Singh Rana (Radaur), Jagmohan Anand (Karnal), Harvinder Kalyan (Gharaunda), Krishan Lal Middha (Jind), Arvind Kumar Sharma (Gohana), Vipul Goel (Faridabad), Nikhil Madaan (Sonipat) and Ghanshyam Dass (Yamunanagar). Devender Attri, who won from Uchana Kalan, is also a probable.

Congress Infighting Blamed for Poll Loss

New Delhi: As the Haryana Assembly results come into focus, Congress insiders have pointed to internal infighting as a major reason for the party's losses in 17 constituencies. Congress rebels are said to have ensured the defeat of official candidates, with tensions between the Hooda and Selja factions, as well as reliance on poll strategist Sunil Kanugolus internal surveys for ticket distribution, exacerbating the problem. In Bahadurgarh, a Congress rebel candidate even secured a win. Seats where the official Congress candidate could have won if not for party rebels include Dabwali, where the margin was just 610 votes while the rebel candidate garnered 2,000 votes. Other constituencies affected include Kalka, Rai, Safidon, Gohana, Ambala Cantt, Dadri, Tigaaon, and Sohna. In Ambala Cantt, the official Congress candidate finished third, while the rebel candidate received 53,000 votes. The Congress relied heavily on Jat voters, who represent 27 per cent of the states electorate. While the party led in Jat-dominated areas like Kaithal, Baroda, Julana, Tohana, and others, key seats like Panipat Rural, Sonipat, Gohana, and Badhra swung in favor of the BJP, highlighting a missed opportunity to address non-Jat consolidation. Insiders revealed that 72 tickets were distributed by the Hooda camp, with many ratified by poll strategist Kanugolu and state unit leaders. The party's campaign, largely outsourced to Kanugolus team, failed to address critical grievances within the ranks, including those of MP Kumari Selja, who publicly aired her concerns and did not campaign in the early stages. The partys leadership has also not appointed district or block presidents for over 12 years, further hampering organizational strength. The campaign focused on farmers' protests, the Agnipath scheme, and wrestlers protests, along with a 15 per cent rise in vote share during the Lok Sabha polls. Despite these efforts, the strategy failed to convert into electoral wins. Swaraj leader Yogendra Yadav was reportedly involved in advising the high command on seat distribution and strategy, although Yadav has denied this. Following the defeat, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to review the results. In a post on X, Gandhi said the party was analyzing the unexpected results and would inform the Election Commission of complaints from various constituencies. He also thanked the people of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, calling INDIA's victory in J&K a victory of the Constitution and democratic values.

Infighting, rebels and over-reliance on sitting MLAs upset Congress' applecart in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Infighting, over-reliance on sitting MLAs and rebel trouble appeared to be some of the contributing factors for the Congress failing to make a comeback in Haryana after a decade. The party appeared confident of dislodging the BJP dispensation, which was in power for 10 years and facing anti-incumbency. However, the BJP with 48 seats halted the Congress's comeback attempt and also proved several exit polls wrong , which had predicted a comfortable win for the grand old party in Haryana. The Congress managed to muster 37 seats in the 90-member assembly. Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda Tuesday said the poll outcome was opposite to what the atmosphere in the state was. The results have left us 'achambhit' (stunned) and the BJP must also be 'achambhit' . These results are opposite to what the atmosphere was in the state, he said after the polls results. After wresting five seats from the ruling BJP in this year's Lok Sabha polls, the Congress was in an upbeat mood and built its poll campaign around various issues including unemployment, farmers' plight and the Agnipath scheme. But it failed to put up a united fight and its factionalism was exploited by the ruling BJP in their entire campaign which included taking potshots at the grand old party over not-so-good equations between Hooda and prominent Dalit face Kumari Selja. Also, unlike the BJP, which has a well-organised and strong organisational structure till the grass-roots level, the Congress failed to set up one in Haryana for past many years now. The party over relied on 28 of its sitting MLAs, renominating them all, but 15 of them lost. This was in contrast to BJP, which had denied tickets to several sitting legislators bringing in many fresh faces. INDIA bloc parties flex muscles after Congress' Haryana defeat, blame party for contesting solo Among the Congress MLAs who lost included Shamsher Singh Gogi, Pradeep Chaudhary, Mewa Singh, Surender Panwar, Dharam Singh Chhoker, Amit Sihag and Chiranjeev Rao. Losing more than half of its sitting legislators dealt a blow to Congress' comeback chances. Besides, the rebel factor also played out which also damaged the Congress' prospects. The rebels split the vote against the BJP going to saffron outfit's advantage, but causing damage to Congress on a few seats. Chitra Sarwara, a Congress rebel, jumped into contest from Ambala Cantt to take on BJP stalwart Anil Vij. She was denied ticket by the Congress. Vij defeated Sarwara by a margin of over 7,000 votes. While Vij secured 59,858 votes, Sarwara got 52,581 while Congress candidate Parvinder Pal Pari got 14,469 votes. There were a few more seats like Bahadurgarh, Kalka, Gohana and Ballabhgarh where the rebels upset the Congress applecart. From Ballabhgarh in Faridabad district, BJP's sitting MLA Mool Chand Sharma defeated her nearest rival Shardha Rathore. Rathore, who was an aspirant of Congress ticket, fought as an Independent after failing to get a ticket. Mool Chand secured 61,806 votes, Rathore got 44,076 votes while Congress' Parag Sharma ended up at fourth spot. In the Lok Sabha polls too, senior leader Hooda's choice prevailed in eight of the nine seats the Congress fought barring the Sirsa seat contested and won by Selja. It won five seats while its INDIA bloc ally AAP unsuccessfully fought the Kurukshetra seat. In the Assembly polls too, Hooda's choice prevailed in over 70 seats and somewhere it left leaders like Selja sulking. Selja had on Tuesday said the party high command should assess all reasons that led to the disappointing result and identify the people responsible. The Haryana poll results are disappointing and I am pained at the disappointment of the Congress workers in the state who have worked very hard and were looking forward to forming their government after 10 years, she had told reporters. It will not be business as usual in Haryana and I am sure the Congress high command would identify those who negated the efforts to bring the party to power after 10 years, Selja added. BJPs caste calculus strikes a chord in Haryana hurricane Analysing 'unexpected' results in Haryana, thanks to people of J&K: Rahul Gandhi in first reaction after poll defeat

BJP retains maximum seats from GT Road belt, Ahirwal region, Faridabad, Pawal districts in Haryana election

CHANDIGARH: The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 of the 90 assembly seats to form the government in Haryana for the third consecutive time and performed well across the state. It not only won 18 out of the 29 seats in the Grand Trunk (GT) belt its stronghold, it also secured 7 out of 9 seats in Faridabad and Pawal districts, swept the Ahirwal region in southern Haryana winning 10 out of 11 assembly seats. This time saffron party won 18 out of 29 seats in the GT Road belt, which spans seven districts: Panchkula, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, and Sonepat as this is a traditionally non-Jat dominated area. Last time it had won 14 seats and Congress won 13 seats. In 2014 BJP won 22 seats from this belt and Congress only six seats. The party candidates won all nine assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency of Karnal which is on the GT road belt and spans in two districts: Karnal and Panipat and is represented by Union Minister of Urban Development and Power and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, thus his dominance continues. While in the 2019 elections, the BJP won in only five segments ( Karnal, Indri, Gharaunda, Panipat Urban and Panipat Rural) from this Lok Sabha seat. Also, BJP candidates won from Ladwa (CM Saini won), Sonepat, Gohana, Ambala Cantonment, Yamunanagar and Nilokheri. On the other hand the Congress could win from Panchkula, Naraingarh, Ambala City, Mullana, Sadhaura, Jagadhri, Shahabad, Thanesar, Pehowa, and Baroda. On this GT road belt Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Lal Khattar, party election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other leaders held rallies. The saffron party even won in a few Jat-dominated seats as the votes were divided it owns 18 out of the 35 seats where the Jat vote was more than 50,000. In Hoodas strongholds of Rohtak, Sonepat and Jhajjar, the BJP won six seats and Congress managed to win only eight of the 14 seats. In the Ahirwal belt in southern Haryana BJP won ten out of 11 seats despite a 10-year anti-incumbency, this region largely remained loyal to the party. It formed the government in 2014 and 2019 after it won seats from here. BJP leader Arti Rao daughter of Ahir stalwart union minister Rao Inderjit Singh has pulled off a close victory in Ateli with a margin of 3085 votes. In addition to these all nine candidates recommended for a ticket by Rao and supported by him have emerged victorious in the Ahirwal belt comprising of Gurugram, Rewari and Mahendargarh distrcts. The BJP also won 7 out of 9 seats in Faridabad and Pawal districts. On the other hand, Congress failed to gauge the anti-incumbency sentiment against its sitting MLAs as 17 of them lost and party won seven out of the 37 seats with margins below 5,000 votes and lost ten seats by margin below 5,000 votes. Former Hisar Member of Parliament Brijendra Singh who left BJP and joined back the grand old party lost from Uchana Kalan by 32 votes and Amit Sihag lost in Dabwali by 610 votes. The SC vote bank failed to consolidate behind the Congress.

Softspoken Saini makes a mark of his own in Jatland

CHANDIGARH: Nayab Singh Saini is perceived to be a low-profile politician who belongs to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The 54-year-old softspoken Saini rose through the ranks in the party to become the chief minister for the first time in March this year, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar. And he is expected to secure another term as the saffron partys gamble has paid off with Saini leading the party to a historic third consecutive victory in the assembly elections. Sainis win has come against the backdrop of the partys dismal showing in the Lok Sabha elections in the state a few months ago. The victory also defies exit poll predictions of a clean sweep for the Congress. Saini, considered an aide of Khattar, was born on January 25, 1970, at Mirzapur Majra village in Ambala. He did his graduation from BR Ambedkar University in July 1996 and then LLB from Choudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut (UP) in 2010. Saini started his career in the saffron partys organisational framework in 1996. In 2002, he became the general secretary of the Amabla district youth wing. He also held the position of district president and general secretary of the state BJP Kisan Morcha. Saini was elected MLA from the Naraingarh assembly segment in 2014 when BJP came to power in the state for the first time. Saini was also a minister in the Khattar cabinet. He won from Kurukshetra in the 2019 LS polls. The Saini community comprises around 8% of the state population. It wields influence in many northern districts of the state.

BJP storms to power in Haryana for 3rd straight term; PM says voters put 'no entry' boards for Congress

CHANDIGARH: Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling BJP pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana to retain power and halt Congress' comeback attempt in the assembly elections, results of which were announced Tuesday. While the BJP ended up with its best-ever haul of 48 seats, 11 more than the Congress, parties like the JJP and the AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win just two seats. AAP had contested on its own. Proving wrong exit polls which predicted a comfortable Congress win, the BJP will be forming government in Haryana for the third consecutive term. The party had contested 89 of the 90 seats. It did not contest Sirsa seat, from where its ally Gopal Kanda was a sitting MLA, though Kanda lost his seat. The Congress also contested 89 seats leaving Bhiwani constituency for the CPI (M). While BJP won 48 seats, bettering its tally of 47 in 2014, Congress won 37, INLD 2 while three Independents also tasted win. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the win saying it was due to good-governance that all communities voted for the BJP. Our guarantee of 'vikas' prevailed over the pack of lies spread by the Congress and people wrote new history electing us for a third term, he told party cadres in Delhi. Once the people throw out Congress, they do not let it come back. They put 'no entry' boards for Congress...it is a party that always thought power was its birthright, the prime minister said. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge termed the Haryana results unexpected and said his party will assess the people's mandate. Among prominent candidates who won included Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini (Ladwa), Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi), BJP's Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt), Shruti Choudhry (Tosham), INLD's Arjun Chautala (Rania) and Aditya Devi Lal (Dabwali), Congress' Vinesh Phogat (Julana), Aditya Surjewala (Kaithal), Geeta Bhukkal (Jhajjar), BJP's Arti Singh Rao (Ateli) and Independent candidate Savitri Jindal (Hisar). Those who lost included INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala (Ellenabad), JJP's Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala (Dabwali), Speaker in outgoing Assembly and BJP's Gian Chand Gupta, Congress's Brijendra Singh, Aam Aadmi Party's Anurag Dhanda (Kalayat), BJP's O P Dhankar (Badli), Capt Abhimanyu (Narnaund), Haryana Lokhit Party's Gopal Kanda (Sirsa) and Ranjit Chautala, an Independent (Rania). Can't accept Haryana verdict; democracy lost, establishment won: Congress Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan and BJP's Bhavya Bishnoi, son of Kuldeep Bishnoi and grandson of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, also lost. Bhavya lost from Adampur in Hisar district, which had been Bhajan Lal's family citadel for more than five decades. Haryana went to polls on October 5 in a single phase. The BJP secured a vote share of 39.94 per cent, which was close to Congress' 39.09, but winning and nearest rival were separated by number of seats won. In the 2019 assembly polls, when BJP had won 40 of the 90 seats, it had got a vote share of 36.49 while Congress, which had then won 31 seats with a vote share of 28.08 per cent. The JJP, which contested the polls in alliance with Azad Samaj Party, suffered heavy loss of vote share as after having won 10 seats in 2019 the party had secured nearly 15 per cent which now fell to 0.90 per cent. In the outgoing assembly, the BJP had 41 MLAs (including the Adampur seat won in 2022 bypoll), the Congress 28 MLAs, the JJP (6), while the Haryana Lokhit Party and Indian National Lok Dal one member each. There were four Independents, while nine seats were vacant. A total of 1,031 candidates, including 464 Independents and 101 women, were in the fray this time. Thirteen woman candidates also made it to the assembly which included many new faces like Congress' Vinesh Phogat (Julana), Pooja Chaudhary (Mulana) and BJP's Shakti Rani Sharma (Kalka). Independent candidate Savitri Jindal, mother of BJP MP Naveen Jindal, won from Hisar. Thanking the voters while speaking to reporters, Haryana Chief Minister Saini said people have put a stamp on the government's policies under the leadership of Modi. Senior Congress leader Hooda said the poll outcome was opposite to what the atmosphere in the state was. The results have left us 'achambhit' (stunned) and the BJP must also be 'achambhit'. These results are opposite to what the atmosphere was in the state, he said. Bringing Saini, a OBC face, to replace Manohar Lal Khattar as chief minister in March appeared to have worked to the advantage of the BJP. Notably, OBCs constitute nearly 35 per cent of state population while Jats constitute nearly 25 per cent while Dalits constitute nearly 20 per cent. During campaigning, the BJP had targeted the Congress with the 'kharchi-parchi' (bribery and favouritism) in government jobs during Hooda's 10-year dispensation. It also promised 2 lakh government jobs for youths without 'kharchi-parchi'. The ruling party highlighted providing MSP on 24 crops in Haryana, claiming that it was the first state in the country to do so. In its poll promises, the BJP promised Rs 2,100 per month to women under the Lado Lakshmi Yojna and also announced to give a cooking gas cylinder at Rs 500 under the Har Ghar Grihni Yojna, appeared to have worked. When Saini took over as chief minister, the ruling BJP in Haryana was facing anti-incumbency as it had been in power for nine-and-a-half years. The BJP created history in 2014 when it came to power for the first time in Haryana, winning 47 seats. Announcing Saini as the chief ministerial face for the state assembly polls, the BJP was looking to consolidate non-Jat votes in Haryana where caste equations play a key role in the electoral success of a political party. While the BJP was looking to consolidate non-Jat votes and on the other hand the Congress was relying on consolidation of Jat votes. The BJP's consistent attack on the Congress over the Dalit issue also appeared to have found resonance among voters. Modi in his poll speeches went acerbic and called the Congress the biggest anti-Dalit party and also reminded voters about the 2005 Gohana and 2010 Mirchpur incidents. The BJP also targeted the Congress over its alleged infighting with Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the grand old party of insulting Dalit leaders like Kumari Selja. Congress failed to put up a united fight and its factionalism was exploited by the ruling BJP in their entire campaign which included taking potshots at the grand old party over not-so-good equations between Bhupinder Hooda and prominent Dalit face Kumari Selja. Unlike the BJP, which has a well-organised and has a strong organisational structure till the grass-roots level, the Congress failed to set up its complete organisational structure in Haryana for past many years now. The BJP not only took the bold decision of bringing in Saini months before the polls as chief minister, unlike Congress which nominated all its sitting MLAs, the BJP denied re-nomination to several of its sitting MLAs by bringing in new faces which paid off. However, like in last assembly polls, this time too eight out of 10 ministers under the Saini government faced defeat. Prominent among those included Kamal Gupta, who lost from Hisar, Aseem Goel from Ambala City, Kanwar Pal from Jagadhri and Abhe Singh Yadav from Nangal Chaudhary. Haryana Assembly Speaker Gupta was also defeated from his Panchkula seat from where Congress party's Chander Mohan was declared winner. The counting of votes began at 8 am amid tight security. Several exit polls had predicted a comfortable victory for the Congress in Haryana but the BJP consolidated as the counting progressed. As the BJP won for a third consecutive term, party workers and leaders were in a jubilant lot, distributing 'ladoos' and sweets with many dancing to the beats of 'dhols'. In sharp contrast, the mood in the Congress camp, which had witnessed brief celebrations by workers in the morning after some TV channels put the grand old party ahead in early trends, changed as the day progressed as it became clear the trends were not holding and several exit polls had also been proved wrong. Haryana elections: How BJP overcame anti-incumbency to romp home for third consecutive term

National Awards Date, Channel and Time of Telecast

Vigyan Bhavan will host the 70th National Film Awards on October 8, which will showcase the best features in Indian cinema. Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, will give away the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to pop star Mithun Chakraborty and other awards. This year also has notable films such as Brahmastra and Ponniyin Selvan. National Film Awards 2024: Important Winners The award winners' list, released in August, is quite a wide spectrum of the very gifted. KGF Chapter 2 won the awards for Best Kannada Film and Best Action Direction. Rishab Shetty won the award for Best Actor for his role in Kantara. On the other hand, Brahmastra: Part OneShiva was nominated and won many categories including Best Male Play Back Singer Arijit Singh and Best Film AVGC. A Malayalam feature film, Aattam, won the Best Feature Film award. Fouja film Haryanvi was declared the Best Debut Film. Ayena Mirror Remote Documentaries won the Best Non-Feature Film category and Murmurs of the Jungle won the Best Documentary. Honoring the Best of Filmmaking Sooraj Barjatya bested everyone else at the Best Director Award for Uunchai (Hindi). As for the acting category, Nithya Menen bagged the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil), then Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express (Gujarati), then Rishab Shetty for Kantara (Kannada). Naena Gupta won the Best Supporting Actor for Uunchai, with Pavan Raj Malhotra for Fouja. Lyrics by naushad sadar khan were also recognized as the best in Fouja. Where We Can Watch There is a news that the live telecast of the National Film Awards ceremony will be seen on, DD National with the red carpet being revealed at 3 PM and the main event starting at 4 PM. In case this event is not accessible via a TV, the same can be witnessed broadcast via the youtube channel of DD National. The National Film Awards Jury This years awards were announced by rahul rawail who was chairman of the Feature Films Jury, other members include Louis Abela who was Pain and Nila Madhab Panda Non-feature films in other categories. Vrunda Desai, Joint Secretary (Films) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was also one of the committee members of the organizing body.

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Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Haryana minister Anil Vij is trailing in his stronghold seat Amabala Cantonment by less than 600 votes as per early trends. As counting has completed six rounds, independent candidate Chitra Sarwara is leading against Vij. As per election commission results, at the end of six rounds of counting, Congress rebel and independent candidate Sarwara is leading against Vij by a margin of 545 votes. Sarwara has polled 20,443 votes while Vij is trailing and has polled 19,898 votes. Congress candidate Parviner Pal Pari is distant third and has polled only 7,227 votes. As per trends in first six rounds of counting, Sarwara has been maintaining slight lead over Vij. Also read | Haryana Election Results 2024 LIVE: Is BJP headed for hat-trick? Congress halts celebrations after losing early leads Chitra Sarwara, daughter of former Congress Minister Nirmal Singh, decide to contest the election as an independent candidate after the Congress denied her ticket in the Haryana Assembly polls. Anil Vij, the BJP veteran, has won consecutively from Ambala Cantonment for six times since 2009. He is hoping for a consecutive seventh win this election. The BJP has crossed the halfway mark in the election to the 90-seat Haryana assembly and it is leading in 49 seats. The Congress is leading in 35 seats and independents are leading in four seats. The exit polls predicted a victory for Congress. If this happens, Bhupinder Singh Hooda is likely to become the next chief minister of Haryana. But the BJP government led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has claimed it will form the government with full majority.

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Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda, who was pinning his hopes on being the Haryana Chief Minister again, appeared downcast on Tuesday morning after the stunning turnaround saw BJP gaining a lead in the state. Exit polls had predicted that Congress would sweep the elections and early trends showed the party clearing the absolute majority within a hours. But, the tables soon turned with BJP racing ahead with over 50 seats. This came as a rude shocker to Hooda, who was watching the results from the Congress election office in Rohtak. Also read: Haryana Election Results 2024 LIVE: Is BJP headed for hat-trick? Congress halts celebrations after losing early leads However, he expressed confidence in forming a government, at least in words. The Congress is going to form a government in the state. Only two or three rounds of counting have been completed. We see reports about how the Congress is getting a majority, he told reporters. Hooda, the Congress candidate in Rohtak's Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency, has established a steady lead of over 16,000 votes. Asked whether his party would require any support for forming the government, Hooda expressed Congress will form the government on its own. The credit will go to Rahul Gandhi ji, Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Priyanka Gandhi ji, and other leaders, he said. The initial excitement visible at the AICC office in Delhi too seemed to have waned. Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh too told reporters that the game was not over yet. There is no need to be disheartened. Mind games are being played. We will not deter, there is no need to be disheartened. We are going to get the mandate. Congress is going to form the government, Ramesh added. The mood in Haryana too shifted as BJP workers began celebrating at the party office in Ambala, as they monitored the counting trends.

Haryana elections: Six-time BJP MLA Anil Vij trails; Savitri Jindal leads

Haryana Assembly elections: After four hours of counting, trends showed that six-time BJP MLA Anil Vij was trailing slightly in Ambala Cantt, while Savitri Jindal was leading in Hisar.

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Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, the Congress candidate from Julana in Haryana, is heading for a stunning victory in her debut elections. If Phogat wins against BJP candidate Yogesh Bairagi, this would enable Congress to grab the Julana Constituency after a long 19 years. In the last election, Congress could only come third place in Julana after Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) candidate Amarjeet Dhanda won the seat. The Congress managed to win only 12 per cent of the total votes in the seat. Meanwhile, former minister and BJP leader Anil Vijj is leading from the Ambala Cantt assembly seat, which he has been holding for the last five terms. Vijj faces Independent candidate Chitra Sarwara, who he defeated with a margin of 20,165 votes in 2019 elections. Meanwhile, Congress leader and probable Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is leading from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat in Rohtak district which is his stronghold. Hooda had won the seat in the 2009, 2014 and 2019 Haryana assembly elections. Hooda belongs to the Jat community, which is a strong force in the state with a say in over 40 seats. The former chief minister is reportedly in Delhi now to push his case as the chief minister, as dalit leader Kumari Selja is also vying for the top post. Meanwhile, things aren't looking good for the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) JJP leader Dushyant Chautala in Uchana Kalan Assembly constituency. Chautala, who is seeking a second term, is currently trailing behind Congress' Brijendra Singh. Exit polls have already predicted that the JJP was staring at a washout. Abhay Singh Chautala, a veteran politician of the Indian National Lokdal (INLD), is leading from the Ellenabad seat against Congress' Bharat Singh Beniwal in the Haryana assembly polls, as per early trends.

I will be Haryanas CM if..., says BJP's Anil Vij

In a tight race for the Haryana assembly elections, BJP candidate Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt stated that he would accept the role of Chief Minister if the party high command desires it. As of 10 AM, the BJP was leading with 43 seats, while Congress had 34, marking the first time BJP took the lead after initial counts showed Congress ahead.

Election results 2024: Counting of votes in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir today

Political parties and leaders are anxiously awaiting the results of the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections today. Officials have confirmed that all preparations, including extensive security measures, are in place for the vote counting, which begins at 8 am. In Haryana, 93 counting centers have been set up across 90 assembly constituencies in 22 districts, while heavy security has been deployed at all 20 counting centers and district headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir. The results come just days after exit polls predicted a Congress resurgence in Haryana and a likely hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir . A three-tier security arrangement has been made at counting venues, Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pankaj Agarwal told PTI on Monday. HARYANA The elections in Haryana are the first major direct contest between the BJP and the Congress following the Lok Sabha polls, and the result here would be used by the winner to build a narrative in their favour in other states where polls due over the next few months. The key parties in the fray are the BJP, the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party. However, most seats are likely to see a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress. In an official statement later, CEO Agarwal said 93 counting centres have been set up across 90 assembly constituencies in 22 districts of the state. Two counting centres each have been set up for the Badshahpur, Gurugram, and Pataudi assembly seats, while one counting centre each has been established for the remaining 87 constituencies To monitor the counting process, 90 counting observers also have been appointed by Election Commission of India, the release said. Postal ballots will be counted first, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after 30 minutes. Accurate information on each round of counting will be uploaded in a timely manner, the CEO said. A total of 1,031 candidates, including 464 Independents and 101 women, are in the fray on Haryana's 90 constituencies which voted in single phase on October 5. Agarwal said that on the counting day, the strongrooms will be opened in the presence of candidates, their authorised representatives, Returning Officers (ROs)/Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), and ECI observers, with recording of videos. Mobile phones will not be allowed inside the counting centres, he said. Shatrujeet Kapur, Director General of Haryana Police, said comprehensive security arrangements have been made for the counting with adequate police personnel deployed at every centre. A traffic diversion plan has been prepared to manage traffic flow around these centres, Kapur said. Male and female police officers have been deployed for frisking individuals entering the premises. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) are also on standby to maintain law and order, DGP Kapur said. Several exit polls have predicted a Congress victory in Haryana which recorded a voter turnout of 67.90 per cent. Rejecting the exit poll results, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has claimed his party BJP will form the government for a third time with full majority on October 8. He said when results are announced on October 8, the Congress will blame EVMs. On the other hand, Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a frontrunner for the chief minister's post if his party wins, exuded confidence of a comfortable majority. On BJP leaders claiming that their party will return to power, Hooda had earlier stated, What else will BJP say? They will come to know once results are out. The INLD-BSP alliance has also claimed that it will form the next government once results are declared, while JJP leader Dushyant Chautala said he his hopeful that his alliance will get good numbers. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, whose party contested Haryana polls on its own, has been claiming that no government in Haryana can be formed without his party's support. Jammu and Kashmir also voted alongside Haryana, but most seats there have witnessed multi-corner contests rather than a direct Congress-BJP fight. Elections are due in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi in a few months. Meanwhile, CEO Agarwal said a total of 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at 93 counting centres. Around 12,000 police personnel are on duty at the counting centres across the state, he said. Agarwal stated that adequate checkpoints have been set up within a 100-metre perimeter of each counting centre. CCTV cameras have been installed in all 90 strongrooms where the EVMs are stored to closely monitor all activities. A meeting was held on Monday to review the counting preparedness with deputy commissioners and district election officers. Agarwal said officials have been asked to closely monitor social media to prevent the spread of any rumours related to the counting process. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has been saying that its return to office will be powered by its record on good governance, transparent administration, equitable development, jobs on merit, welfare initiatives for all sections including farmers, poor and the weak. However, Congress and other opposition parties have dubbed the BJP government a failure, and targeted it on issues related to farmers, unemployment, Agniveer, inflation, law and order, and others. Prominent among those in the fray are Chief Minister Saini (Ladwa), Leader of Opposition Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi), INLD's Abhay Chautala (Ellenabad), JJP's Dushyant Chautala (Uchana Kalan), BJP's Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt), Capt Abhimanyu (Narnaund), O P Dhankar (Badli), AAP's Anurag Dhanda (Kalayat) and Congress' Vinesh Phogat (Julana). A few rebels from both Congress and BJP have also entered the fray. In 2019, the BJP formed the government with the support of JJP while most Independents had also extended support. However, JJP's post-poll tie-up with the BJP ended after the saffron party replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister in March this year. Farooq Abdullah extends olive branch to PDP ahead of Jammu & Kashmir vote counting JAMMU AND KASHMIR Counting of votes for 90 Assembly constituencies will begin in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning, the final lap of an electoral journey that will give the union territory its first elected government since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated. The Congress-National Conference alliance, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the main stakeholders in the keenly watched assembly election that comes five years after the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. As political parties assessed their chances, the administration was busy on Monday finalising arrangements, including security, at designated centres across all 20 district headquarters. According to Election Commission officials, a three-tier security set up has been put in place at all the counting centres to ensure that all goes well in the restive border UT, long a stress point and witness to repeated instances of terrorism, insurgency and infiltration from across the border. Across centres in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region, security personnel had taken up position and were standing guard. The first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014 were held over three phases. Of the 90 seats in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region, 24 voted in the first phase, 26 in the second and 40 in the third. The fate of 873 candidates, vying for a seat in the 90-member house, has been sealed and known by Tuesday evening. The turnout was 63.45 per cent, less than the 65.52 percent recorded in the 2014 assembly elections. Prominent among those in the fray are NC leader Omar Abdullah (contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal assembly segments), Sajad Gani Lone of People's Conference (from Handwara and Kupwara seats), Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra (Batamaloo) and BJP state president Ravindra Raina (Nowshera seat). The other notable contestants are AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir (Dooru), PDP leaders Waheed Para (Pulwama), Iltija Mufti (Bijbehara), Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari (Chanapora), CPI(M) veteran Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (Kulgam) and former deputy chief ministers Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Tara Chand. The exit polls on Saturday have put the NC-Congress alliance in pole position with the regional party getting the lion's share of the seats. The BJP is expected to slightly improve on its tally of 25 seats which it had won in the 2014 assembly polls while the PDP, which had won 28 seats in the polls held 10 years ago, is predicted to win less than 10 seats this time. If the exit polls are to be believed, new and emerging parties, including the People's Conference, Apni Party, Democratic Azad Party of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Awami Ittehad Party of Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid, don't stand much of a chance. These parties along with independents are expected to win around 10 seats. A day ahead of the results, the politics was already hotting up. Giving his views on the much discussed question of whether the Congress-NC would take the help of the PDP if needed, NC president Farooq Abdullah said on Monday that his party was open to the idea of taking support of Mehbooba Mufti's party to form government in the union territory. He also flayed the move to give powers to the Lieutenant Governor for nominating members to the five reserved seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, and said his party would approach the Supreme Court if the BJP-led Centre went ahead with it. Abdullah, who ruled himself out of the race for chief minister's post, said statehood should be restored to Jammu and Kashmir so that the new government has powers to address the people's problems. Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina asserted that his party will emerge as the single largest party in the region by securing 35 seats and will form government with the help of like-minded and independent candidates. He also said that the nomination of five MLAs by the LG is being carried out in accordance with the Reorganisation Act. All of the five MLAs nominated by LG are BJP members or associated with the party. Brazen pre result rigging & shameful manipulation, added PDP leader Iltija Mufti on X. Irrespective of who gets the majority tomorrow, my humble request to the INDIA bloc, PDP and other regional parties is that they should unite for statehood. They should not form a government till statehood is restored, Lok Sabha member Baramulla Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer told reporters. Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, who visited the counting centre at Degree College Ganderbal on Sunday, has assured seamless counting with due accuracy, transparency and adherence to protocols. He has emphasised on transparency, ensuring that both the media and the public stay informed of the election results as they unfold. All concerned officials have been directed to ensure that all necessary measures are implemented in strict accordance with the guidelines of the EC. Only authorised counting agents of contesting candidates and staff posted on counting duty will be allowed inside the counting halls. The tally of votes for each candidate will be announced after every round of counting on the public address system outside the counting halls, an official said.

Narsingi police seek cancellation of Jani Masters interim bail

Hyderabad: The Narsingi police have petitioned the court to cancel Choreographer Jani Masters interim bail. Jani Master was initially announced as Best Choreographer for his work in the 2022 film Tiruchitrambalam. However, due to the seriousness of the allegations against him under the POCSO Act, the National Awards Committee decided to temporarily withhold the honour. 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 .

Haryana CM Saini rejects exit polls, says BJP will form government alone

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday rejected exit poll predictions claiming the BJP will form the government in the state with full majority for a third time after the results are announced on October 8. Congress will blame the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for its defeat, he said. Overall, Haryana witnessed 67.90% voting in the assembly elections, with a lower voter turnout in the urban areas. The polling was lower compared to 68.2% in previous assembly polls. To a question about the exit polls predicting a Congress win, Saini said on October 8, the BJP was going to form the government. They forecast a Congress victory in Chhattisgarh and showed the party ahead in Uttarakhand as well. The exit polls have their own theory and system, but we work on the ground. The people of Haryana want BJP to come to power for a third time. Exit polls back Congress to return to power in Haryana, give edge to NC-INC in Jammu and Kashmir Asked how many seats the BJP will win in the 90-strong assembly, Saini said, I have said we will form the government with full majority. The BJP will form the government on the basis of works done in the state, he added. The Haryana assembly elections on Saturday saw a turnout of 67.90% , with several exit polls predicting a clear majority for the Congress, which is eyeing a comeback after a decade. The turnout was less compared to 68.2% recorded in the 2019 Assembly election. Besides, there was a lower voter turnout in the urban areas than in rural counterparts. Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal said 67.90% voting took place for the assembly polls. The highest 75.36% voting was recorded in Sirsa district and the lowest 56.49% was recorded in Faridabad district. The polling percentage in Gurugram district was 57.96%, 67.62% in Ambala while 65.23% voting was recorded in Panchkula, 65.67%in Karnal, 68.80% in Panipat and 66.08% in Sonipat. On the other hand, 74.77% voting took place in Fatehabad, Palwal saw 73.89%, Mewat 72.81%, and Hisar recorded 70.58%.

Bhupinder Hooda Confident of Congress Victory in Haryana as Exit Polls Favor Party

Chandigarh: F ormer Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed confidence on Sunday that the people of Haryana had long made up their minds to bring the Congress party back to power. His statements came after exit polls projected a significant victory for Congress in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. Speaking to the media, Hooda thanked the people of Haryana for their peaceful participation in the elections and reiterated his belief in the party's success. I want to thank all the voters of Haryana for conducting a peaceful election. Exit polls came yesterday, but I have been saying this for a long time: people have made up their minds to bring the Congress party to power with a huge majority, he said. Hooda highlighted Congress's previous tenure from 2005 to 2014, contrasting it with what he described as the failures of the BJP-JJP government from 2014 to 2024. The voting for Haryana's 2024 Assembly elections concluded on Saturday, with exit polls indicating a decisive win for the Congress. Some polls predict the party may secure more than 50 of the 90 seats in the state assembly. Haryana recorded a voter turnout of 65.65 percent as of 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, across all 90 assembly constituencies in the single-phase polls. Despite the exit poll predictions, BJP's Ambala candidate Aseem Goel remained confident in his party's chances for a third consecutive term. He acknowledged the uncertain nature of politics, stating that the final results would be clear within the next 48 hours. Delhi Police Seizes 10 Crore Cocaine in Connection with Major Drug Bust PM Modi Advocates for Global Peace and Unity at International Conference Heavy Rainfall Expected Across Southern and Northeastern India; Meghalaya Faces Flash Floods

Jani Masters national award suspended by Information ministry

Hyderabad: The Union Information and Broadcasting ministry on Friday, October 4, suspended choreographer Jani Masters national award over allegations of sexual assault. The choreographer, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, had won the National Award for Best Choreography for the song Megham Karukkat from Thiruchitrambalam. The award was shared with the songs other choreographer 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 .

I&B ministry suspends Jani Master's award amid sexual assault allegations

The National Film Awards Cell of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has suspended the National Film Award to be presented to choreographer Jani Master citing allegations of sexual assault. The authorities also withdrew the invitation to the choreographer to attend the 70th National Film Awards in New Delhi on Tuesday. Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, would have been felicitated at the ceremony for his work on the song Megham Karukkatha from 2022's Tamil movie Thiruchitrambalam. In the note, dated October 4 (Friday), the National Film Awards Cell said the letter to attend the National Film Awards was extended to the choreographer efore the allegations of crime under POCSO Act came to light. In view of the seriousness of the allegation and the matter being subjudice, the Competent Authority has decided to suspend the National Film Award of the Best Choreography for the Year 2022 to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the film Thiruchitrambalam until further .

Congress believes in plundering the state through lying: Haryana CM Nayab Saini

Chandigarh: Even as Haryana went to vote, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday accused the Congress of following the policy of plundering the state by deceiving the electorate.Congress does the politics of 'jhooth and loot' and the people of Haryana have understood this. They have made up their minds to bring back the BJP in Haryana for a third time, Saini told reporters on the day of the voting. Saini, among the earlycomers, came to the booth with his wife Suman and cast his vote in his native village, Mirza, in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Voting for all 90 Assembly seats in Haryana, which began at 7 am, will conclude at 6 pm, while the counting of votes will be taken up on October 8. Saini is contesting the polls from Ladwa in the Kurukshetra district. Before he cast his vote, Saini prayed at Guru Ravidas temple and a gurdwara in his village. The mood of the people of Haryana is clear, the BJP is going to form a government for the third time with a big mandate, Saini told reporters. He claimed that the BJP's double-engine government did excellent work in 10 years and the farmers who have been agitating on and off over minimum wage have been happy with his government's policies. Meanwhile, former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who cast his vote in Karnal, claimed Congress is racked with infighting. There is a pall of gloom in the Congress' camp. It's chaotic there. Asked about BJP leader Ashok Tanwar returning to the Congress fold just two days before polls, Khattar said Tanwar has revived the aaya ram gaya ram politics.

I am the senior-most: BJP's Anil Vij throws hat in ring for CM post in Haryana

Amid the underway polling for Haryana's 90 assembly constituencies, Anil Vij, BJP candidate from Ambala Cantt, expressed confidence in BJP forming the government and hinted at his potential chief ministership due to his seniority. Voting, which began at 7 am, recorded notable early turnout percentages across various regions.

Polling begins for 90 Assembly seats in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Polling for all the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana began on Saturday morning amid tight security arrangements, officials said. The fate of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat, besides the JJP's Dushyant Chautala and 1,027 other candidates, will be decided in the polls in which more than two crore people are eligible to vote. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing a hat-trick of Assembly election wins in the state, while the Congress is hoping to return to power after 10 years. The counting of votes will be taken up on October 8. The voting is being held from 7 am 6 pm. Post-campaigning, temple hopping with a slice of reality check in Jatland Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pankaj Agarwal had earlier said 2,03,54,350 voters, including 8,821 centurions, are eligible to exercise their franchise. A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting the election, including 101 women and 464 Independent nominees. A total of 20,632 polling booths have been set up, Agarwal had said. Besides the BJP and the Congress, the key contesting parties are the Aam Aadmi PArty (AAP) and the INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party alliances. In the last Assembly polls in 2019, the BJP had won 40 seats, the Congress 31 and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) 10. The Congress has left the Bhiwani seat for its INDIA bloc partner CPI(M), while the BJP is not contesting the Sirsa seat, from where Haryana Lokhit Party chief Gopal Kanda is seeking re-election. Haryana: All eyes on 29 seats in 7 districts along GT Road Most seats are likely to see a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress. Prominent among those in the fray are Chief Minister Saini (from Ladwa), Leader of Opposition B S Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi), Indian National Lok Dal's (INLD) Abhay Singh Chautala (Ellenabad), JJP's Dushyant Chautala (Uchana Kalan), BJP's Anil Vij (Ambala Cantonment), Captain Abhimanyu (Narnaund) and O P Dhankar (Badli), AAP's Anurag Dhanda (Kalayat) and Congress's Phogat, a former wrestler, from Julana. From Tosham, former MP Shruti Choudhry of the BJP and Anirudh Chaudhary, both cousins, are contesting. From Dabwali, Devi Lal's grandson Aditya Devi Lal, an INLD candidate, is taking on the JJP's Digvijay Singh Chautala, the great grandson of the former deputy prime minister. The importance of Dalit votes in Haryana The BJP has fielded former chief minister late Bhajan Lal's grandson Bhavya Bishnoi from Adampur in Hisar while its nominee from Ateli in Mahendragarh is Arti Rao, whose father Rao Inderjit Singh is a Union minister. Among the independent candidates are Savitri Jindal (Hisar), Ranjit Chautala (Rania) and Chitra Sarwara (Ambala Cantonment). Taking on Dushyant Chautala from Uchana is the Congress's Brijendra Singh, son of former Union minister Birender Singh. A few rebels from both the Congress and the BJP are also in the fray. Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on Friday said the Haryana Police is fully prepared to ensure a free, fair and peaceful conduct of the election. Nearly 30,000 police personnel and 225 paramilitary companies have been deployed. An adequate number of home guard personnel have also been deployed. Adequate police presence will be maintained at the polling booths and other locations. More than 3,616 polling booths have been classified as sensitive and 145 deemed vulnerable, necessitating additional security measures. To maintain law and order and ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct, the state has also formed 516 flying squads, 469 static-surveillance teams and 32 quick-response teams. Additionally, 1,156 patrolling parties are actively monitoring the situation, the DGP said. Agarwal said of the total voters, 1,07,75,957 are men, 95,77,926 are women and 467 belong to the third gender. There are 5,24,514 voters aged between 18 and 19 years and 1,49,142 differently-abled voters, of whom 93,545 are male, 55,591 are female and six belong to the third gender. A total of 2,31,093 voters are aged above 85 years, comprising 89,940 males and 1,41,153 females. There are 8,821 voters aged over 100 years, including 3,283 males and 5,538 females. The total number of service voters is 1,09,217 -- 1,04,426 males and 4,791 females. The voter turnout recorded in the 2019 Assembly polls was around 68 per cent. A total of 144 polling stations have been designated as model ones. Besides, 115 polling stations will be entirely managed by women staff, 114 by young government employees and 87 by differently-abled employees. Webcasting will be conducted at all the polling stations on election day, Agarwal had said earlier. The CEO had said including reserved units, a total of 27,866 electronic voting machines (ballot units) will be used in this election. In 2019, the BJP formed the government with the support of the JJP while most of the Independent MLAs had also extended support to the saffron party. However, the JJP's post-poll tie-up with the BJP ended after the latter replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Saini as the chief minister in March.

Post-campaigning, temple hopping with a slice of reality check in Jatland

CHANDIGARH: The election campaigning in Haryana may have come to an end. But it isnt time to relax just yet for the contesting candidates. Many of them on Friday met party and booth workers and also prayed at religious places seeking divine blessings for their victory. CM Nayab Singh Saini along with his wife paid obeisance at the Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula and performed havan-yagya. The contestant from the Ladwa Assembly segment said that BJP would form the government in the state for a third time with a big mandate. Saini also appealed to voters to come out of their homes on October 5 to ensure full voting. He said party workers have taken the partys vision and Sankalp patra to each home. Former CM and Leader of Opposition in the assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda met party workers in Rohtak. After a hectic campaigning across the state, Hooda relaxed at his residence where he met party and booth workers. He is contesting from Garhi Sampla Kiloi Assembly seat in Rohtak. Former home minister and BJP leader Anil Vij was in party office in Ambala. Indian National Lok Dals Abhay Singh Chautala held a meeting with party workers. He is contesting from Ellenabad assembly seat in Sirsa. Parties may run bitter campaigns against each other during polls, but the mention of the sweet jalebis in the speeches of their leaders helps bring down the political temperature. This was in evidence on Friday. Gohanas jumbo-sized jalebis and polls have a connection, a sweet one. Politicians hot on the campaign trail stop by for a bite, parties across the spectrum place bulk orders and both Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi mentioned its legendary creator, the late Matu Ram, in their speeches. Matu Rams grandson Raman Gupta said the jumbo-sized sweet was introduced in 1958 in Gohana by his late grandfather.

Haryana all decked up for battle

CHANDIGARH: The fate of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat of the Congress besides JJPs Dushyant Chautala and 1,027 other candidates will be decided on Saturday as elections to the 90-member Haryana assembly will be held with over 2 crore people eligible to vote. The ruling BJP is eyeing a hat-trick of wins in the state while the Congress is hoping to make a comeback after a decade. The counting of votes will be held on October 8. State chief electoral officer Pankaj Agarwal said 2,03,54,350 voters, including 8,821 centurions, are eligible to vote which will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. Post-campaigning, temple hopping with a slice of reality check in Jatland DGP Shatrujeet Kapur said Haryana Police is fully prepared to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of elections. Over 30,000 police personnel and 225 paramilitary companies have been deployed. Adequate police presence will be maintained at the booths and locations, among which 3,460 polling booths have been classified as critical, and 138 have been deemed vulnerable, necessitating additional security measures. As many as 186 interstate and 215 intra-state checkpoints have been established, where police teams will monitor movements closely. A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting in all 90 assembly constituencies, including 101 women. Among these candidates, 464 are contesting as independent. A total of 20,632 polling booths have been set up for voting, Agarwal said on Friday. Haryana: All eyes on 29 seats in 7 districts along GT Road The grand old party is contesting 89 seats as it left the Bhiwani assembly seat for its INDIA bloc partner CPM. The saffron party, too, is contesting an equal number of seats as Haryana Lokhit Party chief Gopal Kanda is seeking re-election from the Sirsa seat. Besides the BJP and Congress other political parties in the fray are AAP, INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party alliance. Most seats are likely to see a direct fight between BJP and the Congress. There are 20 assembly segments in the Jat heartland where there might be a multi-cornered contest as the rebel leaders of BJP and Congress who were denied the party ticket are in the fray as Independent candidates. Besides these seats there is a direct contest between the saffron and grand old party in about 70 of the total of 90 assembly seats. Sources said assembly constituencies where these rebels can upset the apple cart of both parties are Ellenabad, Ambala Cantt, Kalayat, Gurugram, Dabwali, Pundri, Baroda, Hisar, Gohana, Panipat City, Panipat Rural, Ganaur, Punhana, Rewari and Rania. The importance of Dalit votes in Haryana The INLD-BSP, AAP and the JJP-ASP alliance candidates may also spring a surprise. Both BJP and Congress changed their strategy for these seats at the eleventh hour. In the assembly polls in 2019, BJP won 40 seats, Congress 31 and JJP 10. In race for CM post if Congress wins, says Selja Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja asserted that she is in the race for the CM post if the party comes to power in the state. See, that only high command will have to answer, they will only decide. There are a few people who would be in the consideration zone, and I think Selja would be there. The high command would look at the seniority, work done, and everything else. These political decisions would be taken by high command, she said. Selja dismissed reports of her joining BJP. Selja is Congressi, she said, adding she is not upset with the party.

Haryana: All eyes on 29 seats in 7 districts along GT Road

CHANDIGARH: With campaigning coming to an end on Thursday for the 90-member Haryana Assembly elections due October 5, key contenders, the BJP and Congress, have focused on both sides of the historic Grand Trunk Road, comprising 29 seats in seven districts. The region may determine the electoral outcome in the Jat heartland . In the previous two assembly elections, the saffron party won the maximum seats from the region. The key districts are Panchkula, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, and Sonepat a BJP stronghold. In the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP won 14 seats of 29 and Congress 13. The JJP and an independent won one seat each. In 2014, the BJP won 22 seats while Congress managed to win only six seats. The INLD an independent won one seat each. The BJP is in direct contest with the Congress on all seats in the region in the current fight. Unlike Jat-dominated central Haryana, the GT Road belt has substantial combined caste population and OBCs, a voter base inclined towards the BJP. During the election campaign, the BJP deployed its top stars PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Central ministers Nitin Gadkari, ex-CM ML Khattar, party election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and his Rajasthan counterpart Bhajan Lal. The importance of Dalit votes in Haryana Political analysts believe that as the stretch is a non-Jat-dominated area, the saffron party is again trying hard to maintain its supremacy gained since 2014. Many development works have taken place in the area. Cities like Ambala, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Sonipat are now major commercial hubs, said a BJP leader. Thats precisely the reason why CM Nayab Singh Saini won the Karnal by-election earlier this year, he said. LoP and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi started his Haryana yatra from Naraingarh, the hometown of Saini, moved to Kurukshetra and then to Sonepat for a rally. Tanwar back in Congress BJP leader and former Sirsa MP Ashok Tanwar joined the Congress at Rahul Gandhi's rally in Mahendragarh of Haryana on Thursday, a setback for the ruling party just two days before the state goes to polls.

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The Jat factor in battle for 90 Haryana seats

CHANDIGARH: For many, Haryana has come to be known as the Jat land, underlining the predominance of the Jat community in the small state that broke its umbilical cord with Punjab in a three-way separation (1966), mostly on linguistic grounds. With Punjab at the core of the new entities, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana became its cousins. Since then the Jat factor has been the quintessence of Haryanas identity. But the community is not in the majority; it is second to OBCs. That explains why Devi Lal (late former deputy prime minister of Janata regime) remains a revered figure and why Chautalas are still a force to reckon with. The Jats remain the pivot of poll outcomes. Unless, they are split or are overwhelmed in caste calculations by OBCs and SC votes. Thats what the bipolar Haryana political fight involving the ruling BJP and opposition Congress is about. The Jat versus non-Jat divide is again visible. Cutting across caste lines and regions, issues like the Agnipath scheme, restoration of old pension scheme, unemployment, government jobs, old-age pension and monthly financial assistance to women, besides law and order are likely to play a key role. Persistent rage Then, the lingering anger among farmers. It started during the nationwide protests against the now withdrawn farm laws. The anger turned into frustration when the BJP government stopped the farmers at the Singhu border between Haryana and Delhi. Farmers from Punjab, too, are stopped at Shambu border between Punjab and Haryana border. The protests by the farmers continue to haunt BJP candidates in these elections also. Former Home Minister and Ambala Cantt candidate Anil Vij, Naraingarh candidate Pawan Saini, Mullana candidate Santosh Sarwan, Narwana candidate Krishan Bedi, Tohana candidate Devender Babli and Uklana candidate Anoop Dhanak have faced farmers wrath during campaigning. Equally significant is the wrestlers protest. Top grapplers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia protested against the then the all-powerful Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh for the alleged sexual harassment. The small state sends a large number of youths to the Army. The Agniveer scheme has now become contentious despite the BJP government announcing that Agniveer youths would be given paramilitary and government jobs. Caste factor The Bharamin-SC-OBC combination and non-Jat vote bank could be a deciding factor, says a former sarpanch of a village in Jind. The BJP is focusing on the GT Road belt and southern Haryana, though it did not do that well during the Lok Sabha polls in these areas. The party hopes JJP-ASP and INLD-BSP alliances would make some dent in Congress vote bank. The party leaders believe the Jat vote will be split between Congress, INLD and Jannayak Janata Party. Southern Haryana holds immense political heft: it has 27 assembly segments in three Lok Sabha seats (Gurugram, Faridabad, and Bhiwani-Mahendragarh). The BJP won all three parliamentary seats in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The party is also focusing on consolidating OBC votes. The change in leadership in the BJP has further added intrigue. M L Khattar was replaced with an OBC face Nayab Singh Saini, a relatively unknown face but important for garnering support from the OBC community. On the other hand, the Congress aims to capitalise on the 10 years of anti-incumbency against BJP and hopes to consolidate Jat-SC-Muslim votes. Rebel trouble Both parties are facing troubles from rebel candidates in more than 20 assembly constituencies. The JJP-ASP and INLD-BSP alliances are hoping to change this bipolar contest into multi- cornered fight.

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Agniveer Scheme Stealing Pension of Jawans: Rahul

New Delhi: The battle for Haryana heated up with Congress heavyweights Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hitting the poll-bound state on Monday. Addressing separate rallies, the Congress siblings kept the main focus of the attack on the rising unemployment across the country, particularly in Haryana. Both the Gandhis held the ruling BJP responsible for unemployment in the country. Mr Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of working for industrialists as he targeted the BJP-led government at the Centre over issues like the Agnipath scheme, farmers welfare and unemployment. Addressing a rally in Naraingarh in Ambala district ahead of the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls, he said the fight was between the ideologies of the Congress and the BJP. He asserted that the Congress would form a government in Haryana and bring about change. On the one hand there is justice (Congress) and on the other (BJP) there is injustice, he said. Mr Gandhi claimed that money keeps flowing into the account of industrialist Gautam Adami like a tsunami while the common man struggles. He also touched upon the party's poll promises, which include a legal guarantee for MSP, caste survey, monthly Rs.2,000 to every woman and gas cylinders for Rs.500, if voted to power. Lashing out at the BJP on the Agniveer issue, Mr Gandhi said, It is not the Agniveer scheme, it is a way to steal the pension of jawans, it is just that. A jawan gets a pension for life. An Agniveer will not get a pension. This means money has been snatched from their pockets. Where does this money go? It goes into Adani's pocket. Companies from Israel and the US make weapons and Adani puts his company label on them and then the Indian Army buys from Adani Defence. Adani makes money half of which is given to a political party and money is spent on Mr Modi's marketing. Mr Gandhi was joined by his sister and party leader Priyanka and senior leader K.C. Venugopal at the rally. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his bete noire and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja were also present at the rally as the Congress sought to present a united face amid sharp attack from rival parties, including the BJP, over reports of infighting in its Haryana unit. As the rally concluded, Mr Gandhi ensured that all leaders on the stage, including Ms Selja and Mr Hooda, raised their hands together in a show of unity. Ms Vadra, the Congress general secretary, targeted the BJP government in Haryana, saying those who talk about changing the Constitution and insult the people of the state must be ousted from power. In her first poll rally for the October 5 polls, Ms Vadra tore into the BJP over the lack of jobs in the state and the wrestlers' protest, among other issues. The time has come that you carefully use your votes, a right given by the Constitution. If today you get divided and if any party tries to divide you and if you fall for their tricks then you will not get your honour back, she said. Striking an emotional chord by mentioning the wrestlers protests and the now repealed farm laws, Ms Vadra alleged that the BJP has insulted people at every level. Farmers, jawans and sportspersons kept the honour of the country... Haryana's children, sisters and elderly people protect the country's honour every time, she said. Attacking the saffron party over the now-repealed three farm laws, Ms Vadra said, You held a protest against them and you got teargas shells and lathis. You were not heard. On the wrestlers' issue, the Congress general secretary said, They play in the Olympics and they do so much hard work. What was done to them? They were forced to sit on roads. The prime minister did even spare even five minutes to meet them, she said.

Haryana polls: Rahul flays BJP's 'pro-industrialist' policies, says Adani profits while common man struggles

CHANDIGARH: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of working for industrialists, as he targeted the BJP-led government at the Centre over issues like farmers' welfare, the Agnipath scheme and unemployment. He alleged that Narendra Modi has laid a 'chakravyuh', similar to the one in Mahabharata, but the aim of this trap was to ensure that the money of the poor goes into the hands of a few billionaires. Gandhi addressed rallies in Naraingarh and Thanesar in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts ahead of the October 5 Assembly polls in Haryana and said the fight was between the ideologies of the Congress and the BJP. He asserted that the Congress would form a government in Haryana and bring about change. On the one hand, there is justice (Congress) and on the other (BJP), there is injustice (BJP), he said. He claimed that money keeps flowing into the account of industrialist Gautam Adami like a tsunami while the common man struggles. pic.twitter.com/9p5jL78mpg Congress (@INCIndia) September 30, 2024 Without naming regional parties like the INLD and the JJP, who are also contesting the polls, Gandhi claimed the emote control of small parties was in the hands of the BJP. Rahul Gandhi was joined by his sister and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and senior leader KC Venugopal at the rally. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his bete noire and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja were also present at the rallies as the Congress sought to present a united face amid sharp attack from rival parties, including the BJP, over reports of infighting in its Haryana unit. As the Naraingarh rally concluded, Rahul ensured that all leaders on the stage, including Selja and Hooda, raised their hands together in a show of unity. As part of his 'Haryana Vijay Sankalp Yatra', Gandhi campaigned in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts and was welcomed by party workers and supporters at multiple points en route. In her speech, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra targeted the BJP government in Haryana, saying those who talk about changing the Constitution and insult the people of the state must be ousted from power. Rahul Gandhi also touched upon the party's poll promises, which include the promises of a legal guarantee for MSP, a caste survey, monthly Rs 2,000 to every woman, and gas cylinders for Rs 500 if voted to power. Hitting out the BJP government, Gandhi said it was pro-industrialists. In Haryana, we don't need such a government, but one of farmers, labourers and poor, he said, adding that India comprises 95 percent of poor people, labourers, farmers, Dalits, and backward classes. At another rally in Thanesar in Kurukshetra, also known as the land of the Mahabharata, Rahul said the BJP has laid 'chakravyuh' to take money from the pockets of 95 percent of the people and put it in the pockets of a few billionaires. Like the 'chakravyuh' (trap) in Mahabharata, a similar 'chakravyuh' has been laid by Modi ji...Six people are behind this chakravyuh'Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Adani, Ambani, Doval and Mohan Bhagwat, he alleged. The aim is that money of the poor people of this country should go into the hands of 2025 billionaires, the Congress leader added. INTERVIEW | Oct 8 assembly poll results will mark 'countdown' to PM Modi's 'exit': Jairam Ramesh It is important to see how much money is coming into the pockets of the poor and the common people and how much is going out, he said. You have to ask this. whether more money is going out of your pockets than what is coming in...Think about Adani Ji; he wakes up in the morning, he does not work on a farm, he does not use a plough, does not work in a small business, but eats good food, lives in a palatial house and money keeps coming in his bank account 24 hours, non-stop, like a tsunami, Rahul claimed. However, money is going out from the bank accounts of the common people like a storm, he said. While the Congress protects the interests of farmers, poor and labourers, the BJP gives benefits to big industrialists, he claimed. : - pic.twitter.com/Scypt6I7Kt Congress (@INCIndia) September 30, 2024 Lashing out at the BJP over the three farm laws, Rahul Gandhi said the government says that laws were framed for the benefit of farmers, but if that was the case, then why were farmers of the country protesting on the roads. Because a farmer knows that money will be taken out from their pockets in one more way, he claimed. In the name of development, the land of farmers, and the poor is taken, Gandhi said, asking if anyone has ever heard about the land of industrialists being acquired. Have you ever heard that even one acre of land from Adani and Ambani was taken away for development? he asked. Rahul said the right price is not given to the farmers for their produce, and when they think of joining the Army, they are made to face the Agnipath scheme. It is not Agniveer scheme, it is a way to steal the pension of the jawans, it is just that. Normal jawan gets a pension for life. An Agniveer will not get a pension, no canteen facilities...only an Agniveer tag. This means money has been snatched from their pockets, he said. Where does this money go? It goes into Adani's pocket. Companies from Israel and the US make weapons and Adani puts his company label on them and then the Indian army buys from Adani Defence. Adani makes money, half of which is given to a political party and money is spent on Modi's marketing, he alleged. The money that the BJP gives to Ambani and Adani, I will give the same amount to the farmers, the poor, labourers and Dalits, he said. He accused the Modi government of waiving the Rs 16 lakh debt of big industrialists like Adani but failing to waive the loan of farmers. He again raised the issue of several Haryana youths going to the US through illegal routes due to a lack of employment opportunities in their home state. Exuding confidence that the Congress will form the government in Haryana, he said, This government will be of '36 biradari' (all sections), and participation of all will be ensured. Haryana goes to polls on October 5, while results will be declared on October 8. (With inputs from PTI and ANI) Storm coming, Congress will form government in Haryana: Rahul

No infighting in BJP; confident of forming govt for third time: Haryana CM Saini

Narnaul (Haryana): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has asserted that there is no infighting in the BJP and his party will form government for a third consecutive time as there are no takers for the Congress' jhooth ki dukan. He also attacked Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi ahead of the second leg of the Congress leader's Haryana Sankalp Yatra, terming it as political tourism. No senior leader from the Congress was campaigning in Haryana and now Gandhi is venturing on political tourism. He is welcome to see the development we have done in the state in the last 10 years. However, he will be faced with questions from voters about the 'kharchi' and 'parchi' that was rampant during the tenure of Bhupinder Hooda, Saini told PTI in an interview here. The former Congress president will launch the second leg of his Haryana poll campaign from Naraingarh in Ambala district on Monday by addressing a public meeting. On reports of infighting in the BJP with two senior leaders -- Rao Inderjit Singh and Anil Vij -- staking claim for the top post, Saini, who has been fielded as the CM face by the BJP, said the party is united. There is no infighting, no factionalism, we are all united. They (Singh and Vij) are our senior leaders and are at the forefront of our election campaign. The BJP is a democratic party, anybody can raise their claim. The Parliamentary board will decide and the decision will be acceptable to all of us...there is no fight, there won't be any fight, Saini said. There is no confusion among the voters, they are going to vote for the 'double engine' government of the BJP and we will secure a hat-trick in the state. I am confident about it, he added. Saini took over as chief minister in March and is contesting the assembly polls from the Ladwa constituency. There is no division in the BJP but the Congress is definitely a divided house. They are not even able to value their own senior leaders, how will they value their promises to their public. The voters in Haryana are now smart enough to not let the Congress' jhooth ki dukan (shop of lies) be set up again in the state. Rejecting reports of anti-incumbency, Saini said, Whenever a party remains in power for two terms, the opposition just assumes that forming government will be difficult for a third time. But that is not the case... There is no anti-incumbency. Asked about the BJP losing five seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as compared to the 2019 general elections, Saini said, Three of the five seats were lost by a very thin margin. The Opposition set a false narrative about the Constitution being changed by the BJP government, which did hurt us in Haryana. However, we are ensuring that we take the right message to the voters to counter any disinformation being spread by Congress. As I said, their shop of lies will not have takers, he said. In the run-up to the assembly polls, the BJP has promised two lakh government jobs, 10 industrial towns, a guarantee of government jobs for Agniveers, and a full scholarship for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class students at government medical and engineering colleges. Targeting the Congress, he said the governments led by it from 2004 to 2014 saw 'parchi-kharchi'. The BJP government abolished this system of kharchi-parchi and gave 1.5 lakh government jobs with transparency. The BJP has been attacking the Congress over the kharchi-parchi system (corruption-favouritism) allegedly prevalent in earlier regimes of the grand old party. The BJP, the chief minister said, is also doing more for farmers as it is giving MSP for 24 crops. The Congress has governments in so many states, but not even one state gives MSP on 24 crops like we are giving. They have been trying to mislead the public about the Agniveer scheme too but gradually people have begun to see through their false narrative, Saini said. Asked about BJP rebels who are contesting as independents after being denied tickets, Saini said, We tried to convince all of them, some agreed, while some are still in the fray. It is an individual call. I do not feel it is going to impact our tally. Saini was here in support of incumbent MLA and former minister Om Prakash Yadav. The 90-member Haryana Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on October 5 in a single phase and the counting of votes will be taken up on October 8. While the BJP has set its sights on a hat-trick of wins, the Congress is aiming to come back to power in Haryana after a 10-year hiatus. The BJP had secured a majority in 2014, the first time in the state. However, it had fallen short of the majority mark in the 2019 polls and had formed the government in alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) by offering the deputy chief minister post to Dushyant Chautala.

Rahul Flays BJPs Pro-Industrialist Policies At Haryana Rally, Says Cong Will Bring About Change

CHANDIGARH, Sept 30: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the Modi Government of working for industrialists, and claimed that money keeps flowing into the account of Gautam Adani like a tsunami while the common man struggles. Click Here To Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp And Get Latest News He also asserted that the Congress will form a Government in Haryana and bring about a change. Addressing a rally in Naraingarh in Ambala district, he said the fight is between [] The post Rahul Flays BJPs Pro-Industrialist Policies At Haryana Rally, Says Cong Will Bring About Change appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Change those who speak about 'changing' Constitution: Priyanka Gandhi in Haryana

AMBALA:Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday targeted the BJP government in Haryana, and said the people of the state should change those who speak about changing the Constitution and Insult them at every level. In her first poll rally for the October 5 assembly polls, she said the people of Haryana have always protected the country. Farmers, jawans and sportspersons kept the honour of the country, she said. The BJP has been in government for the past 10 years in Haryana. What did they give you in return of protecting this honour? They (BJP government) insulted you at every level, she charged. There is a lot of unemployment here . How many of you got employment, she asked the gathering. Attacking the BJP government over the issues faced by farmers, she said, You held a protest against them and you got tear gas shells and you got 'lathis. You were not heard. Farmer groups warn impact of protests will be seen in Haryana Assembly polls Taking a dig at the BJP government's claim of giving MSP on 24 crops, she said out of those 24, 10 crops are not grown here. You were betrayed, she alleged. The senior Congress leader said people were fighting inflation and struggling. And the government is doing nothing for you. Wherever you see scam after scam. What is your future today, she said. If you need justice, then throw out this government. Remove this government. You got nothing from this government, she said. The Constitution gave you respect. The Constitution has given you rights. You change those who speak about changing the Constitution, she said. BJP ja rahi hai, Cong aa rahi hai (BJP is on its way out and Congress is coming, she said. Haryana goes to polls on October 5 while results will be declared on October 8. Storm coming, Congress will form government in Haryana: Rahul