Pradeep Majhi also praised Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) V. K. Pandian for the developmental works in Odisha.
Vizag Petrol Bunks Licence Suspended for Code Violation
Rush witnessed at the Supplyco petrol pump in Kozhikode due to the unavailability of petrol at various petrol bunks in the city on Monday. (Photo: DC) Rush witnessed at the Supplyco petrol pump in Kozhikode due to the unavailability of petrol at various petrol bunks in the city on Monday. (Photo: DC) Visakhapatnam: The licence of Burfani Petroleum Products, owned by Reliance and located near NAD Kotha Road Junction in Visakhapatnam, has been temporarily suspended by election officials on charges of violating the election code. According to a statement issued by joint collector K. Mayur Ashok on Friday, the district flying squad raided the petrol station on April 19 after receiving complaints that the management is supplying fuel to motor vehicles using coupons issued by political parties. Upon inquiry, the staff at the petrol station revealed that they have provided petrol to 860 motorists after collecting coupons given by supporters of the contesting candidate from Visakhapatnam West assembly constituency. The joint collector called on all political parties and petrol station managements to refrain from such practices, as it amounts to violation of the model code of conduct.
Andhra Pradesh: Six Lok Sabha Seats Never Saw Female Contestant
Visakhapatnam: Since independence, no major political party in Andhra Pradesh has fielded women candidates for the Lok Sabha seats of Anantapur, Guntur, Hindupur, Machilipatnam, Nandyala and Ongole. No woman candidate ever won the polls from these constituencies. From Narasapur and Ongole, two women from lesser-known parties tried for the seats, but failed. Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats. Four of these are reserved for SC (Scheduled Caste) and one for ST (Scheduled Tribe) candidates. The remaining 20 seats are unreserved. The Election Commissions data shows AP has an electorate of 3,99,84,868, with female voters outnumbering males at 2,02,21,455 and 1,97,59,489 respectively. Women voters have a significant presence in each constituency. However, this presence is not reflected in the Lok Sabha. No woman from Anantapur, Guntur, Hindupur, Machilipatnam, Nandyala and Ongole has ever been elected. Parliament represents the aspirations and concerns of its citizens. However, there have been instances of women candidates entering the fray in other constituencies. In Rajampet and Tirupati, the BJP and TD fielded women candidates, albeit only once. In 2014, Rajampet YSRC contestant PV Midhun Reddy was challenged by Daggupati Purandeswari, representing BJP. She secured 426990 votes but lost the battle. In 1996, TD gave Tirupatis Lok Sabha ticket to Gali Rajasree, who secured 292406 votes but was defeated by Nelavala Subrahmanyam of the Congress. In Narasapur, no major political party has given ticket to women since independence. However, Ganji Purnima, representing the Republican Party Of India (A), contested the polls there, got 865 votes and stood as the 14th runner-up. Similarly, for the Ongole Lok Sabha seat, Gogineni Bharati Devi, representing the SWA party, contested and secured 104703 votes but was defeated by P Ankineedu Prasada Rao of the Congress, who secured 284597 votes. Andhra Pradesh still faces challenges in ensuring adequate representation of women candidates in Lok Sabha elections. Efforts to promote gender equality and encourage womens participation remain crucial for a more balanced political landscape.
The News Mill
Kalahandi affected by mass migration
Bhawanipatna: The malady of migration has hit Kalahandi district hard. Every year, thousands from the district are migrating to other states in search of jobs for their livelihoods. Most people migrate to the states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Goa. Two of the favourite cities for migration are Mumbai and Pune, sources []
Karnataka: Test is between person and personality
BENGALURU: Braving the scorching heat, people in the high-voltage Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency briskly cast their votes. Likening the election to a festival, local leaders of both the Congress and BJP-JDS alliance have invited voters of villages and towns settled in faraway places to come and vote, besides making all other efforts on the ground. This constituency is a test for voters to elect a person or personality, with candidates DK Suresh of the Congress and Dr CN Manjunath of the BJP in the fray. Voters joined serpentine queues even in villages to exercise their franchise. The influential DK Suresh, brother of DCM DK Shivakumar, a professional politician who has grown from the grassroots, is trying his luck to enter Parliament for the fourth time. On the other hand, Dr CN Manjunath, a renowned cardiologist and son-in-law of former PM and JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda, is new to politics. But he is seen as a rare person who has carved a niche in the hearts of countless people through his service in society. Being fielded as the NDA candidate, Manjunath has put up a tough counter to incumbent MP DK Suresh. We support JDS in the assembly and other local elections, but vote for DK Suresh in parliamentary elections, since he is a powerful person who is locally available, said Mujahid, a voter in Channapatna of Ramanagara district, which falls under Bengaluru Rural parliamentary constituency.
Odisha Minister Tukuni Sahu puts BJD in a spot with Padampur district formation
BHUBANESWAR/BALANGIR: Water Resources Minister and BJD candidate from Titlagarh Assembly seat Tukuni Sahu has put her party in a spot by stating she would have resigned had Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gone ahead with the decision to create Padampur district. The minister was speaking at a function for felicitation of senior citizens at Titlagarh. A video of her speech has become viral in the social media in which Sahu says the demand for separate district status to Titlagarh is a long-pending one. While the demand has not been fulfilled till date, formation of Padampur district would have been injustice for residents of Titlagarh, she said. Those who accuse me of failing in my efforts for formation of Titlagarh district, I want to say I had mentally decided to submit my resignation to the chief minister the day Padampur district would have been announced. But the chief minister did not let me do that. If districts are formed in the state, Titlagarh will be on top of the list, she said. Political observers said Sahu may have made the statement to placate the voters of Titlagarh from where she is contesting, but it will have its repercussions in other seats of western Odisha region. Formation of a separate district is a major issue in this election at least in Balangir, Sambalpur and Bargarh. The chief minister had promised to make Padampur a separate district while campaigning during bypoll to the Assembly segment following the demise of former minister Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha. Barsha Singh Bariha, daughter of Bijay Ranjan, had won in the bypoll by defeating Pradip Purohit of BJP. However, Padampur is yet to get district status. The state government had started the preliminary exercise for conferment of district status to Padampur. However, it was stopped following Orissa High Courts order. The state government has made no further attempts to pursue the matter and only posted an additional district magistrate at Padampur.
BJDs woman card will not work in Jeypore: Congress LS candidate Bahinipati
JEYPORE: Two-time MLA and Congress candidate for Jeypore Assembly constituency Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Friday accused the BJD-led state government of allegedly cheating women of the region on the pretext of empowering them through self-help groups (SHGs). Speaking to mediapersons here, Bahinipati said the state government has been luring innocent tribal women of giving loans through SHGs eyeing the poll prospects. But in reality, no money or scheme is being provided to them. Unfortunately, the poor tribal women are seen running from pillar to post to avail loans for development of the tribal areas but in vain. These are nothing but hollow assurances by the BJD to get votes, he said. The Congress candidate further stated that the woman card played by the ruling party will not work in Jeypore Assembly constituency as women voters have already realised the truth and this will reflect in the coming elections. The BJD candidate here is asking women SHG members to join her in rallies and meetings by giving false promises, he said. BJD leader and candidate from Jeypore Assembly segment Indira Nanda has been asserting that party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has prioritised women in the segment by giving ticket to a female candidate and that the woman card will swing votes in favour of the ruling party this elections. Nanda began her poll campaign on Thursday in different panchayats of Jeypore block where she held meetings in Dangarchinchi and Patraput villages and sought peoples support in winning the polls. The BJD has for the first time fielded a woman candidate from Jeypore Assembly constituency. I appeal to all of you to support me in the upcoming election, she added.
Odisha 5T chairman Pandian takes a veiled dig at Dharmendra Pradhan
UMERKOTE: Launching a veiled attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, 5T chairman VK Pandian on Friday claimed the BJP leader is conspiring to stop the state governments flagship scheme Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). Addressing the public during his visit to Nabarangpur district, the senior BJD leader alleged the union minister is also opposing the Mission Shakti scheme. The women members of self-help groups (SHGs) were scheduled to visit Dubai. However, the central minister cancelled it. The SHG members will give him a befitting reply in the coming days, he said. He (Pradhan) only talks big. He could have established two-three central schools in Nabarangpur during his tenure as the union education minister. But he didnt. When he comes to Nabarangpur, people should ask him this question, Pandian said. On the other hand, Pandian said, the Odisha government has transformed more than 8,000 high schools and 8,500 primary schools under the 5T initiative in the state. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has constructed hostels for tribal children in Odisha. He has also approved four degree colleges for Nabarangpur district. The chief minister loves and respects the tribal people. He has formed a special development council (SDC) to protect the tribal art and culture. Besides, the CM has ordered withdrawal of 50,000 minor cases against the tribals, he informed. Highlighting the contribution of the state government, the 5T chairman said crores of rupees have been sanctioned for Nabarangpur. Drinking water is being supplied to households in Jharigam through pipes. The state government has sanctioned Rs 45 crore for Jharigaon-Medena road, Rs 61 crore for Umerkote-Chandahandi-Malgaon road besides Rs 3.25 crore for development of Bhairaghumar waterfall and Rs 3.70 crore for Chandandhara falls. A dialysis centre has also been opened in Umerkote. Projects worth Rs 500 crore are being implemented in Nabarangpur district. The 5T chairman appealed to the public to ensure victory of BJDs Nabarangpur Lok Sabha candidate and nominees from all Assembly seats with huge margins. On the day, Pandian addressed public meetings at Umerkote, Dhodra in Jharigam, Maidalpur in Dabugam and Pujariguda in Nabarangpur Assembly seat. Among others, BJDs Nabarangpur LS candidate Pradeep Majhi and MLA nominees from Jharigam, Umerkote, Dabugam and Nabarangpur Assembly constituencies were present. 5T chairmans chopper inspected Poll officials on Friday checked the helicopter of Pandian after he landed at Umerkote to campaign for BJD candidates in Nabarangpur. The district magistrate along with a team of local police inspected the senior BJD leaders helicopter for around 20-25 minutes. However, as no objectional material was found in the chopper, Pandian was allowed to leave. The 5T chairman is one of the 40 star campaigners of BJD for the first two phases of the General Elections.
Modi factor very much in play in mini-India Malkajgiri
HYDERABAD: The three-cornered contest in Telanganas Malkajgiri constituency, which elected the states current Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as a Congress MP in 2019, may be a foregone conclusion. The Congress has fielded a recent entrant from BRS, Patnam Suneetha Mahender Reddy, while the BRS candidate is a turncoat from the Congress, Ragidi Laxma Reddy. The BJP candidate Eatala Rajender was a minister in the KCR government and switched over from the BRS in 2021. Who is the front-runner? A 45-year-old businessman from Kukatpally, Mahesh, who identified himself as a member of the Congress, did not hesitate for a moment when asked who he would support this time. Its Modi at the Centre. I believe in Modi and would vote for the BJP, he said. Mahesh is not alone in rooting for the saffron party. Several voters from Malkajgiri constituency said they would vote for the BJP. Dhanalakota Shravan Kumar, a traditional artiste from Quthbullapur one of the seven suburban Assembly segments making up the Malkajgiri LS seat reasoned: If I vote for Congress, my vote would be wasted as the party might not come to power at the Centre. As for the BRS, they have lost power in Telangana. Most of Shravans neighbours shared similar views. Though all seven segments of the Malkajgiri constituency voted for the BRS in the November 2023 Assembly elections, it appears that the saffron party has an edge in the LS polls.Eatala Rajender claims people are with PM Narendra Modi, whose 1.3-km roadshow in Malkajgiri on March 15 saw a massive response. Rajendar, who quit BRS after an acrimonious fallout with former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, told this paper recently during Hyderabad Dialogues that the party can win 12 out of the 17 seats in the state, including Malkajgiri. The constituency, established in 2009 following delimitation, has 37.47 lakh voters, with over 90% belonging to urban and suburban areas. With a sizable population of migrant settlers from other states including Tamil Nadu due to the presence of Central government institutions, Malkajgiri is deemed Mini India. Since the seat came into being in 2009, the Congress has won twice and the TDP once in 2014, when it was in alliance with the BJP. Marwaris in Malkajgiri inclined to BJP: Sources Revanth Reddy was elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, months after losing in the 2018 Assembly polls. While Revanth won with 38.63% of votes, Marri Rajashekhar Reddy of the BRS stood a close second with 37.93% while the BJP candidate was a distant third with 19.47%. This time, the Congress candidate is Suneetha Reddy. She is Ranga Reddy Zilla Parishad chairperson and wife of former minister P Mahender Reddy. The BRS candidate, Ragidi Laxma Reddy, who quit the Congress last year after he was denied an Assembly ticket, was a close aide of Revanth and worked for him when he contested from Malkajgiri in 2019. When asked about their preference, voters who favoured the BJP mostly had only two responses: I want to vote for Modi or I know Eatala but Im not very familiar with the other two candidates. Political analysts also point out that while Suneetha Reddy is known in political circles, she is relatively new to the voters. As for Laxma Reddy, Rasoolpura resident Rahim said: I heard he was the assembly in-charge in Uppal. But I saw him only during an iftar party recently, when KTR introduced him to us. He did not hold a rally or a meeting with us after that. Laxma Reddy, a native of Hyderabad, has repeatedly stressed in his election campaigns that the BJP and Congress candidates are non-locals and that the people would support a local leader like him. (Eatala is from erstwhile Karimnagar district and Suneetha is from Tandur of Vikarabad district.) However, political analysts say this is not a major issue. In the 2019 elections, though the BRS and BJP fielded local candidates, people voted for Revanth, who hails from erstwhile Mahbubnagar district. There is a significant presence of migrant settlers from Tamil Nadu and other states in Malkajgiri. In the previous elections, the BRS made a lot of promises in favour of the Tamil community but they did not follow through. So, most of our community members are looking to vote for the Congress or the BJP, said Rajkumar, a settler from Tamil Nadu. Some of the Tamils in the constituency say they would vote for the BJP as Modi recently extended his support to the Tamil language, he added. Political sources say the Marwaris in the constituency are inclined towards the BJP. There are also a lot of people who migrated from districts within the state, mostly from north Telangana. So, all parties are crafting strategies to get the votes of settlers.
4 of marriage party die in W Champaran accident
Lalu, Rabri inaugurateMisas election office
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Tejashwi poses 7 questions to PM
Hotel and restaurant owners booked a day after devastating fire
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City college awarded A grade by NAAC
Zoo installs coolers and water sprinklers for inmates comfort
58.5% voter turnout in 5 LS seats in state
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Cong cant rob OBCs of their quota right if Modis there: PM
Many Pocso cases false and vindictive ones, says Odisha HC
Disconcerted by the rising number of cases registered under Pocso Act as a fallout of romantic relationships with or between minors, Orissa HC Friday noted with concern that many of these were false and vindictive litigations, reports Lalmohan Patnaik. ...It was never the legislation's (Pocso Act) intention to prosecute romantic relationships between young adults, Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra said, quashing criminal prosecution in five cases.
YSRCs Vijaya faces seasoned Ashok in Ichchapuram
Visakhapatnam: Novice, Piria Vijaya, will be facing TDs sitting MLA Bendala Ashok, who is trying for a hattrick win in Ichapuram assembly constituency in Srikakulam. Ashok defeated Vijayas husband Piria Sairaj in the 2019 elections. This border town assembly segment has been one of the bastions of TD all along. It won this segment eight of the nine times. The ruling YSRC, facing dissidence in the region, has nominated Piriya Vijaya, wife of Piriya Sairaj, who won the seat in 2009 on a TD ticket, but who joined YSRC in 2013. The constituency, which comprises Ichchapuram, Kaviti, Kanchili and Sompeta mandals, has a diverse demographic composition. The Reddika, Yadava and fishermen communities are dominant in the region. Kalinga, Bentho Oriya and Sri Shayana communities also play a crucial role in polls. Ichchapuram, one of the most backward segments, is a part of the Uddanam region affected by chronic kidney disease. The segment also shot into fame when three farmers were killed in police firing during an agitation against the thermal power plant in Sompeta. Reports said around 4,500 people have died of kidney diseases during the last two decades and as many as 35,000 people have been affected by the ailment. The WHO has identified Uddanam region as one of the three areas in the world with high prevalence of chronic kidney disease. Vijaya is banking on a government step to increase social security pension to the kidney patients from `2,500 to `10,000, a kidney research hospital and a drinking water project that was commissioned by the government, spending `700 crore. Ashok claims that it was Chandrababu Naidu who had, in his previous tenure as CM, sanctioned the Vamsadhara-Bahuda river link coconut orchards in Uddanam region. The project was not carried forward by the YSRC government, he notes. The YSRC government also failed to establish a coconut research centre in the region even as coconuts are cultivated in more than 40,000 acres, providing livelihood to 1.5 lakh farmers, daily wage labourers and traders, Ashok said. He said, as a result, farmers in this region were being forced to migrate to other states in search of livelihood. Sources said the YSRC leadership also solved dissidence in the constituency where three top leaders sought ticket this time. They include former MLA Piriya Sairaj, Narthu Rama Rao and Syam Prasad Reddy. Jagan Reddy nominated Narthu Rama Rao as MLC, Syam Prasad Reddy as chairman of the Society for Employment Generation and Enterprises Development Corporation and Piriya Vijaya as the MLA candidate.
Cases Registered against Govt Employees for Skipping Poll Duties
Patna: Security personnel and polling officers carry Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to deposit at a strong room after the second phase of Bihar Assembly polls, in Patna, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (PTI Photo) Patna: Security personnel and polling officers carry Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to deposit at a strong room after the second phase of Bihar Assembly polls, in Patna, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (PTI Photo) Hyderabad: Police registered cases under the Representation of People's Act against government officials for missing the training session for Lok Sabha elections duties. The orders were issued on the allocation of poll duties such as presiding and assistant presiding officers to the staff. The nodal officers of the department sent SMS messages mandating the individuals to attend the training sessions. However, despite several reminders, it was observed that officers and employees had skipped the training sessions thereby violating the provisions of the RP Act, of 1951. They were served show cause notices asking them why criminal action should not be initiated against them. Based on the complaint, Hyderabad police have registered cases against senior officials like Syed Ilyas Ahamed, junior assistant, CRCS commissioner for cooperation and registrar of Nampally; G. Ravi Prasad, senior assistant, OU main campus; Dr. J. Krishnaiah; Majid Khan, Mirza Naseer Baig, K. MadhuSudhan Kumar and Syed Abdulla Zuber, a teacher; B. Sanjeeva Rao, Md. Jahangir, Linga Murthy, Mohd Mahamood, T. Satyanarayana, K. Manikyam, Mohammed Anwarulla Shareef, G. Suresh, S. Chandrasekhar, K. Kumar, B. Rama Krishna, K. Kiran, E. Upender Rao, G. Shyam Sunderand C. Sanath Kumar.
AP: Minister Appalaraju in Fight to retain Palasa
Visakhapatnam: Dr Seediri Appala Raju, who won the Palasa constituency with a good margin over TD candidate Gouthu Sirisha, granddaughter of freedom fighter Gouth Latchanna in 2019, hopes to retain the seat in this election. Appalaraju hails from the fisher folk community and has been a brilliant student finding a seat in the open category in Rangaraya Medical College. He taught general medicine at Andhra Medical College and practised medicine at his home constituency for over 10 years. He joined YSRC in 2017 and was part of Jagan Mohan Reddys padaya yatra. Jagan Reddy handpicked Appalaraju and made him contest the elections. He won the election by a margin of over 16,000 and brought a swing of 11.9 per cent. He was made minister for animal husbandry and fisheries. Jagan Reddy focused on development of backward Srikakulam and that would pay off, Appala Raju. Displaying his pamphlet to the electorate, Appala Raju said the Mulapeta Sea port would receive the first ship in February next year. The port would be a game- changer improving infrastructure and bringing investment to the region, he said. He said Jagan Reddy also got major relief to chronic kidney patients by starting a super speciality hospital and research centre that would bring down incidents of kidney diseases in Uddanam and Palasa. The government also spent `700 crore to bring drinking water from Hiramandalam to Uddanam that would help the patients and the general public from the contagious diseases. Social welfare schemes worth `1,494 crore were implemented in the constituency during the last five years, the minister said. A doctor-turned minister hailing from the fisher folk community is a boon to the region, said his close follower Korrai Srikanth. However, the minister is not free from the allegations of aiding land grabbers and ignoring his own party leaders. Recently Duvvada Srikanth, Palasa municipal chairman and younger brother of Tekkali candidate Duvvada Srinivas, resigned from YSRC and joined TD. Gouth Sirisha, granddaughter of freedom fighter Sardar Gouthu Lachanna and daughter for former MLA Gouth Sivaji is also confident of dislodging Appala Raju. Combined with JS leadership, Sirisha hopes to encash on dissidence in the YSRC and anti-Appalaraju groups within YSRC. Observers say Sirisha failed to take advantage of the minister's land grabbing allegations by not raising it as a major issue. There is also a concern that her husband Venkayya choudhary, a Kamma, might wield power if Sirisha won the elections, the observers said.
Rise of Social Media Influencers in AP Politics
VISHAKHAPATNAM: Politicians in Andhra Pradesh are increasingly turning to social media influencers to reach out to and sway their voters. There are lesser numbers of traditional campaign rallies and press conferences as the new battleground for political influence has moved online. Recognising the immense reach and impact of social media personalities, politicians are actively courting these digital campaigners to promote their agendas. Offering lucrative sums ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per post, and up to Rs 10,000 for interviews, they are tapping into the massive followings of these influential figures and agencies. A prime example is in Visakhapatnam parliament seats. The interviews of several candidates have been shared across various Vizag-based social media pages, even as the youtubers claimed they were not being paid, and they were only reaching information to their viewers. A growing symbiotic relationship between politicians and social media stars is all too clear. The trend extends to the highest levels of government as well. Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's recent social media event saw over 500 of the state's most active social media users in attendance, underscoring the importance he places on this digital outreach. Another evidence of this shift was seen in the YSRC party's recent video challenge, where the public was encouraged to record videos supporting the CM, which were then shared across the party's social media handles -- and also a photo, with CM, of the one that wins the competition. This innovative approach has generated significant buzz. An anonymous Vizag-based Instagram influencer with over 2,16,000 followers said political leaders have approached them, offering substantial sums to promote their campaigns through his platform. The role of social media influencers in AP politics is only set to grow. The ability to reach and sway large, engaged audiences has made them a crucial asset for politicians seeking to connect with voters in the digital age.
Poll panel searches Naveen Patnaik's aide VK Pandian's helicopter in Odisha
Poll panel searches Naveen Patnaiks aide VK Pandians helicopter in Odisha
The BJP MP candidate from Anakapalli says that if elected to power, the NDA will soon develop Anakapalli on the lines of Visakhapatnam and it will be called Anakapatnam
Odisha BJP suspects BJD planning Pandians backdoor entry to Assembly
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha BJP Friday alleged that Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who is contesting from two seats, will vacate one of them to facilitate his close aide Kartik Pandians entry into the Assembly. The allegation was levelled by former BJP president Samir Mohanty at a press conference here, a day after Union []
Odisha BJP Speculates BJD's Move to Induct Pandian into Assembly through Bypoll
Odisha BJP Speculates BJD's Move to Induct Pandian into Assembly through Bypoll The Odisha BJP on Friday alleged that Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who is contesting from two seats, will vacate one of them to facilitate his close aide V K Pandian's entry into the assembly. The allegation was levelled by former BJP president Samir Mohanty at a press conference here, a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to the state. Pandian is not a candidate either for Lok Sabha or assembly even though he formally joined the BJD last year. He declared his intention not to contest but rather to ensure Patnaik's sixth consecutive term as Odisha's chief minister, Mohanty said. Mohanty alleged that Patnaik's dual constituency - Hinjli in Ganjam district and Kantabanji in Bolangir district- bid aims to set the stage for Pandian's eventual induction through a by-election maneuvere, a move he believes Odisha residents will resist. ''The CM will vacate one of the two seats and put up Pandian from there in the bypoll. People of Odisha will thwart this ploy of the BJD to parachute him to Vidhan Sabha,'' Mohanty told reporters. Mohanty further accused the BJD government of widespread corruption under the guise of its 5T (transformation) initiative, alleging a calculated strategy to facilitate Pandian's ascension to governance. ''This is well-calibrated strategy of the BJD to ensure backdoor entry of 5T chairman Pandian to help him take over the reins of governance in Odisha,'' he alleged. In response, the BJD dismissed Mohanty's claims, attributing them to the BJP's apprehension of electoral defeat in the upcoming polls. Party spokesperson Sulata Deo dismissed Mohanty's assertions as products of the BJP's ''fake news factory,'' labeling them as false, baseless, and politically motivated. ''The BJP people are unable to think logically as they fear that 2019 election performance will be repeated in 2024. Mohanty is yet to get over the drubbing that the BJP suffered during his stint as the part president in the panchayat elections, he said.
Y.S. Sharmila to conduct election campaigns in united Visakhapatnam district from April 27
Visakhapatnam - Kuala Lumpur flight to begin maiden journey at 10 p.m. on April 26
The VISA on Arrival facility provides an advantage to tourists visiting Kuala Lumpur, says Airport Advisory Committee
High Turnout As Nominations Close In Visakhapatnam, ASR
The 2024 AP elections nomination phase concluded on Thursday, marking a flurry of political activity across Visakhapatnam and the ASR districts. In Visakhapatnam, a total of 12 nominations were filed, while the ASR districts saw significant participation, with 11 nominations from Araku, and 12 each from Paderu and Rampachodavaram on the final day. According to the Election Commission of India website, a total of 69 nominations were received, including both independent and party candidates from Visakhapatnam, 39 from the Araku constituency, and 31 from the Anakapalli constituency.
Bhubaneswar: Apart aiming to add to its 2019 tally of 8 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which in the past squandered many opportunities to form government in Odisha on its own strength, seems to be quite keen this time to capture power in the state, bringing an end to the 24 years of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) rule. The party has lined up a battery of top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda, defence minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief MinisterYogi Adityanath to campaign in the state. Amit Shah, who addressed a massive public rally in Sonepur in Western Odisha on Thursday, is likely to visit the state again early next month. Senior BJP leader Samir Mohanty on Friday said party national president JP Nadda will visit Odisha on Sunday and address a public rally at Berhampur in Ganjam district to add more firepower to the campaign. After the event in Berhampur, Nadda will attend a meeting of party leaders in Nabarangpur, said Mohanty. Both Berhampur and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seats are poised for an interesting fight in the upcoming polls. BJP has nominated Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, an ex-BJD leader, for Berhampur constituency while the BJD has fielded former BJP leader Bhrugu Baxipatra. In Nabarangpur, the BJD has nominated Pradeep Majhi, who had won the 2009 polls from the constituency on a Congress ticket. Similarly, the BJP had fielded Balabhadra Majhi, who had defeated Pradeep Majhi in the constituency in 2014 elections as BJD nominee. BJP state headquarters sources said the party is in the process of negotiation with the Prime Minister Narendra Modis office for suitable dates for his campaigning in Odisha. The PM, just before the election schedule was announced, had addressed two public rallies in Odisha one at Sambalpur and the other at Chandikhole in Jajpur district. Though the saffron party has been trying to grab power in the state since 2009 when it was ejected by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik from an 11-year-old alliance with the BJD, it has not succeeded as yet, largely because it failed to make a dent into the regional partys women vote bank. Nearly, 70 lakh women who are the state governments Mission Shakti programmes members, are standing rock solid behind the BJD in every electoral hustings. Besides, old-age, widow and physically-challenged pensions as well as ration-card holders also form a sizable chunk of the BJDs vote bank. Naveen Patnaik, who became the CM of Odisha for the first time in 2000, has won five successive assembly polls. In the 2019 general elections, the BJP won 8 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats and succeeded in pocketing 23 of the 147 assembly seats. Amit Shah, who was then the BJP national president, had set a target of 120-plus assembly seats. However, as political analysts put it, Shahs target fell flat as the party state unit lacked cadre strength at the grassroots.
PM Modi Hails Supreme Court's Verdict on EVMs, Calls it a Tight Slap to Opposition
Patna: Pr ime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Bihar's Araria, where he praised the Supreme Court's rejection of pleas seeking cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with a VVPAT. He called it a tight slap on the face of the Opposition and demanded that they apologize to the nation. The Supreme Court has given a tight slap on the face of the Opposition who used to cry for EVMs, the Prime Minister said. Today is an auspicious day for our democracy. Earlier today, the Supreme Court dismissed all pleas seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with a VVPAT. PM Modi emphasized that while the world praises India's democracy and electoral process, the Opposition defames it for personal benefits. At the rally, he alleged that the Congress party conspired to take away the rights of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar has said in very clear words that India cannot have religion-based reservations, but Congress is trying its best to implement religion-based reservations, PM Modi said. He also slammed the RJD-Congress alliance, saying they do not care about India's Constitution. They did not let people exercise their right to vote for decades. Now, when the poor and honest voters have the strength of EVM, they are trying all they can to get rid of EVM, the Prime Minister said. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also praised the Supreme Court's decision, saying it has exposed the Opposition parties, including the Congress, which had left no opportunity to defame the Election Commission. Manmohan Singh Reaffirms Muslims' First Claim on Country's Resources NATO Chief Warns China Against Supporting Russia's War in Ukraine Clash Among Prisoners in Tihar Jail Leads to Injuries
Jagan Gives Final Touches to Much-Awaited Manifesto
Andhra Pradesh : Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is giving final touches to release the much-awaited manifesto likely to be released on Saturday or Sunday. Taking a break after culmination of Memantha Siddham bus yatra at Tekkali in Srikakulam on Thursday, he is holding a series of meetings with party senior leaders at Tadepalle camp office in Guntur to finalize the manifesto, which he treats it as a sacred document. Sources said the manifesto might contain some surprise elements with a special focus on welfare of the people. Jagan is expected to give top priority to the welfare of women and youth this time in the manifesto in addition to laying more focus on improving infrastructure facilities in the State. The infrastructure development works might gain more momentum once the administrative capital is shifted to Visakhapatnam after completion of Assembly elections. During public meetings organized as part of Siddham bus yatra, he highlighted how the YSRCP government created a history, delivering various welfare schemes to the tune of Rs.2.50 lakh crore at the doorstep of the people. After releasing the manifesto, Jagan Mohan Reddy will intensify the election campaign and accordingly address road shows covering at least three Assembly constituencies.
Patna High Court dismisses PIL seeking directions to provide pedestrian underpass
The Patna High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking a direction to the respondent authorities to provide pedestrian under pass near link road connecting N.H.-331 and 31 in Mohalla Shyamchak (Naya Tola) on under-construction flyover on NH 331 so that basic education of Children of Shyamchak along with other amenities of large []
Odisha: Elect BJD candidates, VK Pandian urges people
JEYPORE/BHUBANESWAR: 5T chairman and senior BJD leader VK Pandian on Wednesday launched the partys election campaign from Bissam Cuttack and Gunupur and urged people to ensure the victory of BJD candidates in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls by a huge margin. Addressing an election meeting at Banguruguda village near Semiliguda in Pottangi Assembly seat, Pandian said people will again extend their support to BJD candidates because of the welfare programmes launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the state government. Pandian targeted the opposition leaders and said when election comes, they make promises. But after the polls, these opposition leaders are not seen. He said he will meet the people after elections to thank them for reposing their faith in BJD candidates. The chief minister has directed him to give an account of the work done during the last five years. Stating that welfare work amounting to Rs 160 crore has been started in Bissam Cuttack, the 5T chairman said Bissam Cuttack and Muniguda towns have been declared as NACs while a community health centre (CHC) has been opened at Kalyansinghpur. Houses for Dongria Kondhs, hostels for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students have also been sanctioned. The 5T chairman said projects worth Rs 1,370 crore have been started in Gunupur sub-division. Around 80,500 families of Gunupur sub-division have Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) cards. In a veiled attack on BJPs Sambalpur Lok Sabha candidate Dharmendra Pradhan, Pandian alleged that the union minister has been misleading people over the BSKY scheme in the state. You all know this central minister who is talking too much did nothing for Odisha, he claimed. Later, the 5T chairman addressed another meeting at Dasmantpur block in Laxmipur Assembly constituency offering prayers at the local Jagannath temple. Seeking votes for BJDs LS candidate from Koraput Kausalya Hikaka and MLA nominees, he highlighted the development works carried out in Dasmantpur block by the state government. Among others, Hikaka, BJDs candidate from Pottangi Assembly seat Prafulla Pangi and Laxmipur nominee Prabhu Jani were present at the meetings.
Odisha lost 25 yrs under Naveen Patnaik government: Amit Shah
BHUBANESWAR: Setting the tone for the BJPs election campaign pitch, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday tore into the BJD government for keeping Odisha underdeveloped when several backward states have made rapid progress with accelerated growth of four to five times. Addressing an impressive Vijay Sankalp Samabesh at Sonepur, the first election rally by any of the top guns of the BJP, Shah launched a scathing attack on the Naveen Patnaik government accusing it of failing to resolve basic problems of the people in 25 years while Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed many critical issues of the country like Article 370, Triple Talaq and Ram Mandir in the last 10 years. It was lost years for Odisha under Naveen Patnaik government. Time has come for the people to uproot the inefficient and corrupt BJD government and install a double-engine government to take the state into the pinnacle of progress, Shah thundered. Invoking Lord Jagannath and revered deities of western Odisha, Shah said it is a matter of shame that people from the state are still migrating to places like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Surat and even Punjab despite abundant natural resources in Odisha. Dubbing the BJD government as nikamma (useless), the BJP stalwart said massive corruption is its hallmark and the public suffering has compounded as the government is run by a few bureaucrats. Without mentioning the proposed Choudwar textile park, Shah targeted the misplaced priority of state government as it has no plan for revival of the closed textile industries in the western region including the one at Sonepur. Instead of setting up textile industries where cotton cultivation is taken up in a massive way, the state government is planning it elsewhere. There is no logic as western Odisha disticts are major producers of cotton, Shah said adding, his party will set up a textile industry, a fisheries college, agro industry and an ayurvedic medicinal plant in the region. You gave 25 years to BJD. Give five years to BJP and see how a double-engine government solves all problems, he exhorted the people of the state. Recounting the liberal financial assistance given to the state government in the last 10 years, Shah said the Centre released more than Rs 10,000 crore under Jal Jeevan Mission for supply of tap water to all the households. The state has not been able to utilise even Rs 5,000 crore and a large number of households are going without tap water. Clearing the doubt among party workers that he may go soft on BJD after the failed talk of alliance, Shah called the Chief Minister as a liar for claiming credit for the free rice given to families covered under National Food Security Act and houses under PMAY. Scared of Modi popularity, the Naveen Patnaik government is not implementing Ayushman Bharat scheme depriving the poor people from availing free health services, he said. While assailing the regional party for ruining the Sri Jagannath Temple heritage, Shah said the inauguration of the temple corridor project at Puri was deliberately done during the Ram Mandir consecration at Ayodhya to divert the attention of the people of Odisha. Let the BJP come to power in the state, we will improve the temple town like Kashi Viswanath in Varanasi, he said. The meeting was attended by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Balangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singhdeo, state BJP president Manmohan Samal and senior leader KV Singhdeo.
Odisha: Nominations for 1st phase polls end
BHUBANESWAR: The nomination filing process for four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments that go to polls in the state in first phase on May 13, came to an end on Thursday. As per the latest report, a total of 55 nominations have been received for the four Lok Sabha seats - Koraput (ST), Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Berhampur. Similarly, 336 candidates have filed their nominations for the 28 Assembly seats that will go to elections in the first phase. For the LS seats, as many as 17 nominations were filed for Kalahandi, 16 for Koraput, 15 for Berhampur and seven for Nabarangpur (ST) till the afternoon. Similarly, a total of 24 candidates filed their nomination papers for Berhampur Assembly seat, while 22 filed their papers for Digapahandi. Nuapada received 15 nominations, while Gunupur received 16. Besides, 15 nominations each have been filed from Malkangiri and Junagarh, 14 each from Koraput and Mohana, 12 from Paralakhemundi, 16 from Rayagada, 13 from Bissamcuttack, 11 each from Chikiti and Bhawanipatna, 12 from Pottangi, eight each in Laxmipur and Kotpad and nine from Jeypore and Chitrakonda. The nomination process had commenced on April 18. Several candidates from BJD, BJP, Congress and other parties filed nominations on the last day. Gopalpur MLA and BJP candidate Pradeep Panigrahi filed his nomination for Berhampur Lok Sabha seat, Berhampur MLA and BJD candidate Bikram Panda filed his papers for Gopalpur assembly seat. BJP candidate Goutam Samantray also filed his nomination from Jeypore Assembly constituency. AAP party candidates also filed their nominations for Jeypore and a few other constituencies, sources said. However, the updated nomination details will be known on Friday after the final tally, an official said. As per ECI notification, scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on Friday, while candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations by Monday, April 29. In the 2019 general elections, BJD had won the Lok Sabha seats of Nabarangpur and Berhampur, while BJP won Kalahandi and Congress took Koraput. Similarly, 21 out of the 28 Assembly seats in the four Lok Sabha constituencies had been won by BJD last time. BJP had won in four seats, while Congress had managed to register win in three.
Centre told to maintain status quo on VSP land
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has asked the Centre to maintain status quo on the sale of lands and assets of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). When a batch of petitions, challenging the privatisation of VSP came up for hearing on Thursday, the Centre made it clear that it has taken a decision, in principle, to disinvest its stake in the plant and clarified there was no proposal to sell its assets. A batch of PILs challenging the proposal to disinvest the Centres stake were filed by former IPS officer VV Lakshminarayana, Praja Shanti Party president KA Paul and others. Some others filed petitions seeking directions to the VSP management to provide jobs to the land oustees as assured earlier. During the last hearing, the bench asked the Centre to place before it details regarding the Act by which it is privatising the plant and asked if it took any decision on the letter written by the chief minister regarding alternative measures for strengthening the plant instead of privatising it. It also wanted to know if the Centre consulted the employees, workers and other stakeholders before taking a decision on privatising the plant. Centre selling PSUs in name of disinvestment When the PILs came up for hearing on Thursday, CVR Rudraprasad, representing the Centre, informed the court that they have filed a counter as per its directions. Responding to it, Advocate General S Sriram said the counter filed by the Centre had nothing new. The AG said some English words were added and a fresh counter was filed. Sriram said the counter does not contain the details sought by the courtincluding no reference to the contents of the letter written by the CM. Additional Solicitor General B Narasimha Sharma, on behalf of the Centre, said that the finance ministry has responded to the Chief Ministers letter in 2021 itself. Narasimha Sharma informed the court that it has taken a decision, in principle, to privatise the plant, but there was no progress in the process. The ASG also informed the court that they have no proposal to sell the lands of the plant. He asserted that the Centre would not sell even an acre of VSP lands. Responding to this, the bench asked him if the Centre will maintain status quo on the sale of VSP lands, to which counsel Narasimha Sharma agreed. One of the petitioners counsel Y Balaji urged the court to record the same, to which the court responded positively and issued interim orders to maintain status quo. Intervening, Praja Shanti Party chief KA Paul, who is one of the petitioners, said the Centre is selling away PSUs in the name of disinvestment. He said several major industries have gone into the hands of private people and hoped that the VSP does not meet the same fate.
Unfortunate that VSP on verge of closure: Andhra Pradesh HC
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday commented that it was unfortunate that the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is on the verge of closure due to scarcity of coal following the strike of Gangavaram Port workers. Hearing the petition of Steel Executives Association general secretary K Venkata Durga Prasad seeking the courts directions to the government to ensure that coal supply to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is not hampered due to the strike of Gangavaram Port workers, Justice N Jayasurya said it is paramount to safeguard the interests of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and asked the senior officials to address the workers stir and directed the Visakhapatnam Port management to divert the coal stocks at Gangavaram port to Visakhapatnam port. The government pleader was directed to submit details regarding these from the State government to the court. The High Court registry was directed to make the Chief Secretary and Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner respondents in the case and clarified that till then no orders can be issued. Further hearing in the case was adjourned to Friday. Petitioners counsel Ambati Srikanth Reddy submitted to the court that due to the workers strike at Gangavaram port, coal supply to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has been affected, and as a result, out of three furnaces in the steel plant, only one is working and other two furnaces were damaged. He further submitted that it would take several crores of rupees to repair those furnaces and said once the existing coal stock is finished, the steel plant will be closed. Stating that it will affect the livelihood of thousands of workers and employees, Srikanth Reddy said that a letter was written to the Chief Secretary explaining the problem and seeking a solution. Responding to this, the government pleader said talks between Gangavaram port management and workers have taken place and said it is the responsibility of the management to ensure the needs and incentives of the workers as per the previous agreement. It was said that the district Collector informed the same to the port management and at present the Collector is busy with election duties. Explaining to the court, counsel for Gangavaram Port YV Ravi Prasad said the workers were making untenable demands. He said to compensate for the land acquisition for the port construction, locals were provided jobs in the port and each of them was being paid Rs 22,000, though they were unskilled. He submitted to the court that the workers are now demanding Rs 36,000 per month as salary and Rs 50 lakh for the worker who takes VRS. Further, he informed that no strike notice was served in advance and the workers with their families resorted to flash strike. As all those on strike are locals, they are not allowing workers from other regions to enter the port, he added and said that the port is incurring a loss of Rs 5 crore per day with port activity stalled. According to him, around 2.7 lakh metric tonnes of coal belonging to the Visakhapatnam Steel plant is stocked at Gangavaram port and already 80,000 metric tonnes have been shipped to Visakhapatnam port. In addition to this, the law and order situation has been compromised due to the flash strikes of workers, and the police are not acting on the complaint from the port management, Ravi Prasad added.
Bihar YouTuber, who was held by TN cops, joins BJP
Arrested for sharing fake videos, YouTuber Manish Kashyap joined BJP in New Delhi but withdrew from contesting. Alleged connivers influenced his decision. Released on bail Dec 23, he advocates for community service.
Lok Sabha 2024: Naveen Patnaiks 20-year tenure in Odisha are lost years, says Amit Shah
The Home Minister called for a double engine government in order to accelerate Odishas development
Issues galore in Machilipatnam, development of port vital
VIJAYAWADA: Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency has a plethora of issues that need the attention of policy makers for years, but have been totally ignored. Bandar or Machilipatnam port has been a long-burning issue. Finally, the works of the port project had commenced in May, 2023. The port is expected to be a pivot of change for the entire Krishna district, and emerge as an important sea port on the East Coast. After several agitations, the port was sanctioned by the YSRC government, but it hit a roadblock with the contracting agency backing away due to some issues. After the State bifurcation, the project was given to Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, but the project got embroiled in land issues. After the YSRC came to power, the project tender was cancelled, and a new DPR was prepared. Later, the project was handed over to MEIL, which is expected to complete it in two years. Speaking to TNIE, Vinay of Machilipatnam town said, The development of the port would bring the much-needed growth to the region, and could create more employment. For several years, the people of Nagayalanka and Edurumondi have been using punts to travel between the two islands risking their lives. The demand for a bridge for years remains a dream. In Gudivada, the long pending demand for Road Over Bridge (ROB) is yet to be met, though several assurances were given in this regard. In Gannavaram Assembly segment, the issue of compensation to farmers for the land acquired for airport expansion is yet to be resolved. Machilipatnam also known as Bandar parliamentary constituency consists of seven Assembly segments, including Bandar, Pedana, Avanigadda, Gudivada, Gannavaram, Pamarru (SC reserved) and Penamaluru. The constituency has a total population of 17,35,079. The total electorate in Machilipatnam is 15,18,826. The parliamentary constituency, which retained the name Krishna District after the district reorganisation, has rural and semi-urban character, and compared to NTR District, it has more agriculture and aquaculture fields. Irrigation and drinking water is an issue in the constituency though the perennial Krishna River flows through it. The proposed barrages downstream of Prakasam Barrage have remained a distant dream. Bandar town gets drinking water once in two or three days now. Tail-end lands under Bandar Canal do not get water for irrigation, pointed out a senior CPM leader of the region. The demand for rail connectivity between Repalle and Machilipatnam remains unfulfilled. The region will witness a sea change if the rail connectivity is provided, he opined. The constituency was represented by Communists after it was formed in 1952. Sanaka Buchikotaiah was the first MP. He was succeeded by Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao of Congress, followed by Mandala Venkataswamy Naidu, Y Ankineedu Prasad, Nageswara Rao Meduri, Maganti Ankineedu, K Sambasiva Rao, Kolusu Pedda Reddaiah Yadav, K Satyanarayana, K Sambasiva Rao, Ambati Brahmanaiah and Badiga Ramakrishna. Konakalla Narayana of TDP represented the Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, Vallabhaneni Balasouri of YSRC was elected. The sitting MP has shifted his loyalties to the Jana Sena Party, and is contesting the Lok Sabha seat as an NDA candidate. Facing him is Dr Simhadri Chandrasekhar, a noted oncologist, contesting the election for the first time.
Naveen Patnaik's tenure since 2000 has been Odisha's lost years: Amit Shah
Shah criticizes Naveen's governance, advocates for BJP in Odisha, highlights electoral aims, distractions in a crucial Sonepur rally for change, while BJD responds to boost BJP morale.
TDP irons out dissidence in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram
SRIKAKULAM/VIZIANAGARAM : Uttarandhra is set to witness a tough fight between the YSRC and the TDP-JSP-BJP combine as TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu seems to have pacified the disgruntled aspirants, who failed to get tickets due to the tripartite alliance, during his three-day visit to Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts as part of Praja Galam. The TDP chief is said to have succeeded in bringing a truce between the alliance nominees and dissidents to ensure that there is no rebel threat to the official candidates. With the assurance given by the TDP chief that those who failed to get tickets will be given party or nominated posts, several dissidents have started taking part in the election campaign with the official candidates, giving up their non-cooperation attitude. The three-day visit of Naidu has rejuvenated TDP cadres to strive for the victory of the tripartite alliance candidates in the elections. Especially, the uncertainty among the second-rung cadre has been cleared in Srungavarapukota, Gajapathinagaram, Cheepurupalli, Vizianagaram, Pathapatnam and Srikakulam Assembly segments. Gompa Krishna of Srungavarapukota, Kondapalli Appalanaidu of Gajapathinagaram, Kimidi Nagarjuna of Cheepurupalli and Kalamata Venkata Ramana of Pathapatnam and other disgruntled leaders have agreed to coordinate with the TDP official candidates, and strive for the victory of the party in the elections. If the tripartite alliance cadres work in a coordinated manner, the ruling YSRC may face a tough fight in the elections as Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts have been bastions of the TDP since its inception, observed a political analyst.
From Patna to Paris, IndiGos wide body planes are a boost to Indias plan of building transit hubs
IndiGo's entry into the long-haul international market is a significant development supporting India's aim to transform its airports into key hubs. The airline's order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft signals its expansion into long-haul travel, with plans to connect Indian metros to global destinations, enhancing connectivity and making India an aviation powerhouse. This move aligns with the government's vision to establish Indian airports as major hubs in the region, capturing a larger share of international passenger traffic.
CBI ex-Joint Director V.V. Lakshminarayana files nomination from Visakhapatnam North constituency
State sets global benchmark in malaria eradication: CM
Bhubaneswar: The state has set a global benchmark in malaria eradication by significantly curbing cases of the vector-borne disease through multi-pronged interventions like Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN), said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on World Malaria Day Thursday. The CM called upon the people to take firm action saying, Lets reaffirm pledge to further intensify []
Summer camp at Visakhapatnams Port Stadium offers 25 sports under one roof
The summer camp by Vishwanadh Sports Club will begin from April 29 in Visakhapatnam
Polling begins for five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar
Bihar's Lok Sabha voting for five seats witnesses intense competition among candidates from various parties. The Election Commission's extended polling hours accommodate a diverse electorate, including women and the third gender, reflecting a significant democratic exercise.
Reviving tradition: Karrasamu returns to Andhra Pradeshs martial arts scene
Karrasamu, a traditional martial art form of Andhra Pradesh, is seeing a revival in Visakhapatnam
Naveen Patnaiks second seat is for his political heir: Amit Shah to workers
BHUBANESWAR: In a confidence building measure for the BJP leaders and workers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the saffron party is going to form its first government in Odisha and a young dynamic Odia will be the chief minister. Interacting with Assembly and Lok Sabha candidates of 13 parliamentary constituencies, election in charges, state and district functionaries at a convention centre near Cuttack-Puri by-pass road, Shah said he could clearly see that this is a golden time for the BJP to come to power in the state. The BJP had only three per cent vote share in Assam and 1.5 per cent in Tripura. If it could form government in both the states with absolute majority, why not in Odisha where the vote share of the party is in the range of 32 to 38 per cent in Assembly and Lok Sabha respectively, he wondered. In 1990, the BJP was in the same footing as far as the vote percentage in Odisha and Gujarat was concerned. The party is in power in Gujarat for the last 23 years. It was possible due to the sheer determination of party workers, he said. Nothing is impossible if we have a target and determination to win elections. Do not listen what your opponents are saying because their main job is to confuse and deviate you from achieving your goal, he said. Exuding confidence that the party will do exceedingly well both in Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Shah said, Just wait for June 4. I will come to Odisha the day BJP government takes oath. A young, healthy and dynamic Odia leader will be the first chief minister of BJP in the state, he reportedly said. Acknowledging that there is still confusion in the minds of some leaders and workers of the party about the friendly relationship of the BJP with BJD, Shah said nothing is above party interests. That was the exact reason f the leadership bowed before the demands of the party workers who were against the proposed alliance with the regional party. On Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks decision to contest from two Assembly seats, the Chanakya of Indian politics said if BJP workers thought the BJD supremo opted for a second seat with the fear of losing the election, then they are wrong. My reading is that he is going to elect his political heir through back door policy. He will leave one seat for the man of his choice and get him elected to the Assembly to stem any rebellion with the party, he said. Supposed to make a night halt in Bhubaneswar, Shah left for Bhopal after the meeting was over.
For Nitish Kumar, a lot at stake as 5 seats vote
JD(U) faces electoral challenges in Seemanchal region with significant support. Nitish Kumar's emotional appeal resonates. Congress leaders join campaign efforts. New entrants add complexity. The outcome will be crucial for the political landscape in Bihar.
Voting begins for five LS seats in Bihar
PATNA: Voting for the five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar to decide the fate of 50 candidates began, amid tight security on Friday morning.Polling started at 7 am in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Banka and will continue till 6 pm, a senior official said.Over 93 lakh voters, including 45.15 lakh women and 306 belonging []
Lalu namesake, former MLA to challenge Rudy & Rohini as Independents
41 People Rescued With Hydraulic Cranes Help
Pay compensation for illegal trial: HC
Political parties silent on issues facing ex-servicemen
Bihar best performing state in soil health and fertility scheme
Filing of papersfor Saran seatto begin today
JD(U) worker shot dead near Punpun
Frantic search for loved ones at hospital
Man killed in celebratory firing at Punpun village
Ensure free, fair polling today: Bhagalpur admin
Over 93L voters to seal fate of 50 netas in 5 Bihar seats today
BJP: Congresswants to impose inheritance tax
Tejas slams PM for ignoring Bihar
51 fire tenders take 2 hrs to douse flames
Amit Shah targets Naveen government, calls his tenure Odishas lost years
Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Odisha CM Naveen Patnaiks governance, describing his uninterrupted tenure since 2000 as the lost years. Addressing an election rally in Sonepur, Shah urged people to oust Naveens BJD govt and help form the states first BJP govt for accelerated development.
Speaker Sitaram Objects to Naidus Remarks
Visakhapatnam : Speaker Tammineni Sitaram strongly objected to remarks of Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu during the latters election meeting in Amadalavalasa on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference at his home in Amadalavalasa in Srikakulam district on Thursday, Sitaram said Chandrababu Naidu has, without considering his status as speaker, called him corrupt and linked him to the sand mafia amassing illegal wealth. He (Naidu) made several allegations against me and my community, my birth place and my home constituency; reading a script given by somebody else. I will put him in the peoples court on June 4, Sitaram remarked, underlining that the former CM will have to pay a price. The Speaker said despite being in politics for 40 years, 14 years of it as chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu is now stooping low to pass adverse remarks against the speaker of the legislative assembly. Naidu destroyed N.T. Rama Raos family. Unable to digest the success of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of late he is creating trouble within Rajasekhara Reddys family too, Sitaram charged.
Kiran to foil BJP entry into SKL
Visakhapatnam: A divided Telugu Desam and nomination of a political novice carrying the BJP ticket might make it easy for YSRC candidate Gorle Kiran Kumar to win the polls in Etcherla Assembly constituency in Srikakulam district. Kiran Kumar defeated TD veteran and politburo member Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao in the 2019 elections, though he lost the polls there in 2014. The Etcherla assembly segment has been one of the bastions of the Telugu Desam ever since its inception. Kavali Prathibha Bharathi won the seat five times and served as a minister, and later as Speaker of the assembly from 1983 to 2004. Around 98 per cent of the voters are BCs with the Turpu Kapu community having a majority followed by Velama, Kalinga, Telaga, SCs and other BC communities. Turpu Kapus have around 50,000 votes in the constituency out of the 2.42 lakh votes. In this background, the NDA fielding BJP candidate N Eswara Rao there came as a surprise to political observers. Esawara Rao belongs to the Kamma community and obtained the ticket by convincing the BJP high command that the partys ground support there had improved during the last five years and he would be able to edge out the YSRC in this election. Local reports said some members of the community migrated to Etcherla in 70 and 80s and purchased huge chunks of land for throw away price, which have now became valuable commercial land. Around 2,000 families own lands close to the National Highway and they wield high influence in the constituency. Reports said it was infighting within Telugu Desam that fetched the ticket to BJPs Eswara Rao. It was like two cats fighting over a cake and a monkey taking it away, joked a local leader. Sources said TD became weak after Kala Venkata Rao lost the polls there in 2019 to YSRCs Kiran Kumar. Taking advantage of the situation, Kalisetti Appala Naidu staked his claim for the seat and informed the TD high command that he would be the right choice. Both began to show their strength as the elections approached. TD chief Chandrababu Naidu felt the infighting would lead to the loss of the segment to YSRC. Around the same time, the BJP mooted the idea of fielding Eswara Rao. Naidu fell for the idea and agreed to field a BJP candidate. I am surprised at the guts the NDA has shown in fielding a BJP candidate in a BC dominated constituency, said a senior YSRC leader. The YSRC welfare schemes will see me through, Kiran Kumar said, while Eswara Rao said his social service and charity work for the last 15 years would help him win this seat with a good majority.
APCPDL to Ensure Power Supply in Krishna District
Vijayawada: Executive engineer and nodal officer of Machilipatnam in Krishna district M. Bhaskara Rao said Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) has formulated a comprehensive action plan to ensure reliable power supply to consumers in Krishna district during the summer of 2024. New 33kV and 11kV feeders, along with distribution transformers, have been strategically installed for the purpose, he said. Pre-monsoon inspections have been held at all 33kV and 11kV feeders. Defects, such as damaged poles, conductors, and insulators have been resolved. Bhaskara Rao maintained that additionally, 8 MVA power transformers have been added at Nandamuru and Bhaskarapuram substations. 5 MVA transformers have been placed at Attamuru, Pamulanka, N.R. Nagar, Mopidevi, and Maddur substations. Upgrades have taken place at Vuyyur, Bantumilli and Lakshmipuram substations, increasing their capacity from 5 MVA to 8 MVA. These measures will ensure a strong power distribution system capable of meeting the increasing demand during the summer months, the power official added.
Nitish expresses shock over six deaths in Patna Hotel fire
Patna, April 25 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his deep shock over the death of six people in a fire which broke out at a hotel near Patna junction on Thursday. Kumar said he was deeply shocked to learn the fact that six people died in the fire. Those injured were being treated... The post Nitish expresses shock over six deaths in Patna Hotel fire first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .
BJP Stands for British Janata Party, Says Revanth
Hyderabad: Dubbing BJP as the British Janata Party, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that BJP was adopting the policy of 'divide and rule' and dividing people in the name of religion to win elections. He cautioned voters that if the BJP comes to power again, it will change the Constitution and abolish reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs. He was speaking at a roadshow in Rajendranagar in support of the partys Chevella Lok Sabha candidate Gaddam Ranjith Reddy and Secunderabad Cantonment in support of Malkajgiri candidate Patnam Sunitha Mahender Reddy and Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly by-election candidate Narayanan Sri Ganesh. Addressing the gatherings, Reddy said that he BJP agenda is the same as that of the British. They wish to change the Constitution and abolish reservations. But Congress' agenda is to safeguard the Constitution and protect reservations. If you want social justice and reservations, ensure the Congress victory. Appealing to voters to elect Ranjith Reddy as Chevella MP with a big majority, he said, Ranjith Reddy is a good leader who works for the welfare and development of all sections. I need an MP like him for the speedy development of the constituency. Our Congress government will be in power in the state for the next 10 years. If Ranjith Reddy is elected as MP, we both will work in coordination and ensure speedy implementation of development works such as an extension of MMTS to Chevella and Vikarabad and Musi riverfront development to reduce pollution. Revanth Reddy said that if people elect an MP from opposition parties, they will only create hurdles for the Congress government in the state. He lashed out at BJP leaders for seeking votes in the name of Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman, and Ayodhya temple. We are also devotees of all gods. Gods should be in temples and bhakti (devotion) should be in our hearts. But BJP leaders are bringing gods onto the streets and begging for votes, Revanth said.
Pandian targets Pradhan, seeks peoples support to keep development work going
Jeypore: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks close aide and senior leader Kartik Pandian Thursday launched a scathing attack on the opposition BJP and Congress leaders accusing them of opposing Odisha governments welfare schemes and politicising development work. Addressing two election rallies held at Pottani and Laxmipur assembly segments under Koraput parliamentary constituency, Pandian highlighted Chief Minister []
Cash, Items of Rs 165.91 Crore Seized in AP After Release of Election Schedule
Vijayawada: Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Meena has said cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, free bees and other items worth more than Rs 165.91 crore have been seized since the announcement of the election schedule in AP. He said that as the general elections are slated for May 13 in the state, a strong vigil has been kept on the illegal transportation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals etc that might be distributed by candidates or parties to attract voters. Through inter-state as well as other check posts in the state, more than 20 enforcement agencies such as police, excise, income tax, forest, ED, NCB, RPF, customs etc are on constant vigil against illegal transportation of cash and goods for election-related canvassing. Illegally transported assets worth Rs 8.65 crore have been seized in the last 24 hours alone. The highest amount of Rs 30.66 crore was seized in Anantapur LS constituency and the lowest amount of Rs 1.15 crore in Narsapuram LS. The total amount seized till date was Rs 36.89 crore in cash, 6,62,402.65 litres of liquor worth Rs 20.32 crore, 52,28,218.94 grams of drugs worth Rs 2.78 crore, 14,73,734.46 grams of precious metals worth Rs 91.26 crore, 4,88,557 items worth Rs 2.90 crore, Freebies (freebies) and other items worth Rs 11.74 crore were seized, he said. In Tirupati (SC), Rs 19.37 crore was seized; Kakinada Rs 18.18 crore, Elur Rs 13.77 crore, Visakhapatnam Rs 12.50 crore, Rajampet Rs 6.96 crore, Vijayawada Rs 6.75 crore, Nandyala Rs 5.63 crore, Kadapa Rs 5.62 crore, Narasaraopet Rs 4.61 crore, Vizianagaram Rs 4.18 crore, Bapatla (SC) Rs 3.99 crore, Anakapalli Rs 3.72 crore, Rajahmundry Rs 3.62 crore, Srikakulam Rs 3.61 crore, Araku (ST) Rs 3.37 crore, Nellore Rs 3 crore, Machilipatnam Rs 2.87 crore, Guntur Rs 2.75 crore, Kurnool Rs 2.45 crore, Chittoor (SC) Rs 1.94 crore, Ongole Rs 1.93 crore, Hindupur Rs 1.63 crore and in Amalapuram (SC) Rs 1.52 crore.
Maximum poor people live in Odisha, BJD govt needs ouster for states development: Shah
Sonepur: Alleging that the maximum number of poor people live in Odisha despite the state being mineral-rich, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday urged the people to oust the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in the election. Shah said this while launching the BJPs election campaign in Odisha here at Sonepur under Bolangir Parliamentary Constituency in []
Sonepur: During an election rally in Sonepur in Western Odisha today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the ruling BJD partyfor running a corrupt government. Shah today kicked off BJPs electioneering in Odisha with a scathing attack on the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asking the people to root out the BJD government from the state. [] The post Amit Shah Slams BJD Govt appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Watch the Official Trailer from Oriya movie Nirnaya starring Suryamoyee Mohapatra, Nainaa Dash, Sradhanjali Panigrahi, Bijainee Mishra, Bhaswati Basu, Purnima Barala, Priya Bisoi, Purnima Dasgupta (Muskan), Sukant Rath, Choudhary Jayprakash, Swastik Choudhury, Abhijit Das, Tiki Patnaik, Jagabandhu Panda and Saiveer Panda. Nirnaya movie is directed by Rajendra Mohanta and produced by Laxmikant Patnaik (Tiki Patnaik). To know more about Nirnaya trailer watch the video. Check out the latest Oriya trailers, new movie trailers, trending Oriya movie trailers, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
Lok Sabha election: Katihar set to witness direct fight between Congress, JDU; people to vote for all-round development The Katihar Lok Sabha seat is all set to go to polls on Friday along with four other seats -- Kishanganj, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Banka -- in Bihar with the Congress and the JDU locking horns in the constituency. Under the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) seat sharing arrangement in the State, of a total 40 parliamentary seats, Congress will contest on nine while alliance partner Rashtriya Janata Dal on 26 and three Left parties on five seats. Congress has fielded senior party leader Tariq Anwar from the seat while the JD (U), a party that is part of NDA has re-nominated Dulal Chand Goswami. Under the Mahagathbandhan coalition, the Congress in Bihar is contesting on nine seats: Kishanganj, Katihar, Bhagalpur, West Champaran, Samastipur (reserved), Muzaffarpur, Sasaram (reserved), Maharajganj, and Patna Sahib. There are six assembly segments in Katihar in which the Congress and BJP won two each and the JDU and CPI (ML) won one seat each. The CPI (ML) is part of the opposition INDIA bloc and the Congress is banking on its support to reclaim Katihar. In 2019, JDU leader Dulal Chandra Goswami won the Katihar seat for the first time, defeating the Congress veteran Tariq Anwar, who had won the seat five times in the past. The Congress has not won this seat since 1999. In 2014, Anwar won this seat on an NCP ticket. The BJP has won the seat thrice from 1999 to 2009. Meanwhile, as the political parties in the fray have centred their canvassing around issues that directly impact the lives of the poor and issues of basic needs, all round development of the region has emerged as a major concern for the people of Katihar and they are looking for a candidate who will work for their welfare. In Katihar, there is anger against the sitting MP, Dulal Chandra Goswami, even as a group of voters said they would be voting for PM Modi. A local resident said that the people of Katihar are struggling to fulfil their basic needs. There are several schemes including Pradhanmantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana which have not been implemented at the ground level and we want an MP who will implement these initiatives of the Centre. Today's youths are addicted to narcotic drugs. The government should take strict action against narcotic drugs. There are several rehab centres which indicate that there is rampant drug addiction in the whole Seemanchal area of Bihar, he said. He said there is no facility of pay the electricity bill in Katihar as its counter has been shifted to Barnasia. There are over 50,000 customers and most of them do not use online-payment method. People do faces challenges to pay their bills. There is lack of basic facilities, such as road, electricity and education. We are struggling with all these. For health, they have built a 100-bedded hospital but there is lack of doctors. Why the doctors in the government are not turning up? he added. Ravi Kumar, another resident of Katihar said that the region needs an MP with a vision for next 25 years. We need an MP with a vision for next 25 years. We need a young representative and no party has fielded any such candidate, he said. Kumar, while listing the issues being faced by the people there said that Katihar, since independence has been failing to elect an MP who can think about all round development of the constituency. We do not face only one problem but the whole Katihar is trapped with the problems. We could not get a single MP from Katihar since the independence who thought about the all road development of Katihar. People do not get food by building TV towers. They boast of works done in the railway sector. There is nothing to boast about this as footfall at the Katihar station is so high that the development at the railway stations are needed, he said. Anil Kumar Gupta also expressed similar sentiments and said that the MPs go missing after elections. He, however, expressed his hope for a change of representative. No development has been done in whole Bihar. Our sugar mill is closed for years; nobody gives any attention to that. Electricity is also huge problem for people. The MP is on road now a day, but goes missing after elections. Most of the people even do not know the name of our MP. I need change for development like other states, he added. Meanwhile, another local, Abhishek Kumar said that after all the odds against the JD(U) candidate, he will vote for him as he wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assume the office for the third time. Development has been done but not to the extent which is needed for the constituency. The road and over-bridges have been built, but it was all because of the Centre. I am BJP supporter and will vote for it, but I am not happy with the JD(U) candidate due to his works done in the last five years. I will vote in the name of Modi, Kumar added. (ANI)
Malaria cases have witnessed a decline in Visakhapatnam district, says DM&HO
Awareness rally marks World Malaria Day in city; the officials urge denizens to use mosquito nets and observe every Friday as the dry day
Bihar: Six killed, several injured in fire at hotel in Patna
Six persons, including three women, died in a major fire that broke out on Thursday inside a hotel in Patna
Sonepur: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday gave a call to the party leaders and workers in Odisha to oust the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in the state for achieving faster prosperity and addressing some critical challenges like poverty, economic empowerment of farmers and weaker sections of the society. Addressing a massive public rally here at Sonepur in Western Odisha, Shah said Odisha is now being ruled by a group of corrupt officers who have launched a reign of terror in the state. Odisha is now being ruled by a person who does have regard for the language of the land, its culture and rich history. The state is now being ruled by a bunch of Bhayankar Bhrastachari (highly corrupt) bureaucrats, Shah said. His observation was seen as a clear criticism of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks inability to speak Odia and his over-reliance on a group of top officials who are allegedly managing BJDs party affairs, violating code of conduct for civil servants. He called upon voters to elect more than 20 Lok Sabha members from the state and give an absolute majority to the BJP in the 147-member Odisha Legislative Assembly. In 2019, the BJP had won 8 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats. The home ministers broadsides against the Odisha CM and the BJD were seen as clear departures from the BJPs cool approach towards the BJD. Though the BJD is the principal political opponent of the BJP, the latter had bought peace with the regional party, ostensibly to get its support for crucial passing bills in Rajya Sabha. Shah blamed Odishas lack of prosperity to the inefficiency of the 24 years of Naveen Patnaik government. Odisha is rich in mineral resources. It also has a huge water resource. However, the state continues to languish in abject poverty and lakhs of people are migrating to Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad in search of job. Farmers are also not getting due remuneration for their crops, he said. The BJP leader observed that the 24 years of the BJD rule in Odisha were just lost years. When I started reviewing the progress of various states under the Narendra Modi government, I found provinces having BJP governments have made significant strides in development. However, I found Odisha stands at the same place when Naveen Babu started his reign here, he said. He criticized the rebranding of the rice given under the public distribution system (PDS) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by the Naveen Patnaik government. He also censured the BJD government for non-implementation of the Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Odisha government fears that once the Ayushman Bharat Yojana is implemented here, the Modi governments popularity in the state will rise further, he said. The home minister criticised the Congress and its president Mallikarjuna Kharge for their critical comments on abrogation of Article 370 and Ram Temple issue. Claiming that construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya and lifting 80 crore people from poverty line reflected the BJPs resolve to walk its talk. After the public rally, Shah huddled up with the party's senior leaders in Bhubaneswar in the evening where he discussed the partys strategies for the forthcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls. Photograph:Union home minister Amit Shah addressing a party meeting at Odisha's Sonepur on Thursday afternoon
Odisha: BJD readies specially-designed buses for Naveen Patnaiks campaign
Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD in Odisha has readied two specially-designed buses for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to tour the state during the campaign trail, party leaders said Thursday. Patnaik, who kicked off the partys campaign from his home turf Hinjili in Ganjam district Wednesday, is slated to address 36 rallies across the 21 Lok Sabha []
