IMD confirms heatwave condition in Kerala's Palakkad district

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first in the state, IMD confirmed a heatwave condition in Palakkad on Friday. The district recorded a maximum temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius, which is 5.1 degrees Celsius than the normal. The maximum temperature was 41.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Earlier IMD issued a heatwave alert in Palakkad, Thrissur and Kollam due to the persistent high maximum temperature till April 28. Palakkad has remained the hottest place in the state for most of the days this month.

Kerala LS polls: 98 cases registered for spreading canards

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state cyber police wing has registered 98 cases during the Lok Sabha poll campaign in connection with generation and circulation of fake and libelous content via social media and cyber platforms. The cases were registered on various charges, including spreading canards against EVMs, Election Commission, candidates and the whole election procedure, sources told TNIE. The most number of cases were registered under Kozhikode rural police limit. As many as 17 cases were registered in the rural district against LDF and UDF workers based on complaints filed by UDFs Shafi Parambil and LDFs K K Shailaja, who are pitted in a neck-to-neck contest in Vadakara. Both the candidates had alleged that they were subjected to cyber harassment by their opponents. The allegation and counter-allegation on cyber harassment had augmented the intensity of the contest in the politically-sensitive constituency. The social media monitoring related to the polls was launched by the cyber wing after the Election Commission issued a notification for the elections on March 16.

Kerala: CPI criticises BJP candidate Rajeev for not exercising franchise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP candidate in Thiruvananthapuram Rajeev Chandrasekhars failure to cast his vote is snowballing into a controversy with the CPI questioning the Union ministers faith in the democratic process. It was when the media asked the minister about his vote that Rajeev revealed that he had missed the voting this time as he could not transfer his vote from Bengaluru where he is residing with family. I regret that I could not travel to Bengaluru to cast my vote. I have been voting there for years. However, this time my priority is to be here. I think this election will create history, he said. Rajeev is locked in a three-cornered fight in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, questioning the Union ministers faith in the democratic process, CPI leader and minister in the LDF government G R Anil termed Rajeev Chandrasekhars action an insult to the democratic process. Rajeev not exercising his franchise is proof of his lack of faith in democracy. It is a very serious issue. The ministers action reflects corporate interests. They have only business interests, he said.

Kerala LS polls: Cash found abandoned near polling booth

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A bundle of cash to the tune of Rs 51,000 was found abandoned near a polling booth at Machel near Malayinkeezhu on Friday. The cash was found near Machel LP School, which is a polling station. The currency bundle mostly comprised notes of Rs 500 denomination and a few notes of Rs 100 and 200 denominations, respectively. The notes were found abandoned there by a voter, who came to cast his vote by 8.15 am. The police said the currency was seized by the Election Commission squad, and since it was claimed by none, the amount was deposited in Malayinkeezhu treasury.

Kerala LS polls: Tharoor alleges tie-up between NDA and LDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Alleging a tie-up between the LDF and the NDA, Shashi Tharoor said he was amazed by how his fellow candidates had refrained from criticising each other during campaigning. The UDFs Thiruvananthapuram candidate sought to know whether a friendly match was on between the candidates of the two rival fronts and added that they have both trained guns on me. They campaigned solely against me. I am perfectly willing to take up the fight. But it has raised certain legitimate questions, Tharoor said on Friday. According to Tharoor, the intention of his fight was to change the government at the Centre and restore democracy. I have repeatedly raised the point that this election is far greater than my own future. This is about Indias future. We are here to restore democracy and pluralism, he added. Tharoor, who is eying a fourth term, said the onus of defeating BJP, was on the Congress.

LDF convenor met Javadekar with Kerala CMs knowledge: Congress

ALAPPUZHA/KOCHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leaders K C Venugopal and V D Satheesan have alleged that CPM leader E P Jayarajan held discussions with BJPs Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar with the knowledge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Jayarajan admitted he met Javadekar. The CMs response revealed a clear-cut deal between CPM and BJP. Pinarayi is justifying Jayarajan. It shows he knew about the meeting. As per the deal, CPM will help BJP in 2-3 seats. In return, the Union government will drop the Lavalin case and the Karuvannur scam case. The CPM and the BJP have joined hands to destroy the Congress, said Congress general secretary and Alappuzha UDF candidate K C Venugopal. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said in Kochi that Pinarayi was disowning Jayarajan as the linksbetween CPM and BJP have been exposed. Congress state in-charge M M Hassan demanded Jayarajans resignation from the post of LDF convener. He was the mastermind behind the CPM-BJP deal, he said.

Kerala LS polls: Coastal votes help raise poll percentage in Attingal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A high voter turnout in the coastal areas at the fag end of the polling time pushed the voting percentage in the Attingal constituency closer to the state average. The booths along the coastal road have seen the rush after 1pm when the overall voting percentage in the constituency was around 40%. Women and elderly chose to cast their votes in the evening in several booths in the coastal regions of Thumpa, Maryanad, Puthukurichi, Perumathura, Perunguzhi, Poothura and Anchuthengu. The women are busy with their household and other livelihood matters in the morning. But they did come to booths by afternoon, said Gerald Franklin a booth-level agent at Puthikurichy. The voter turnout in the coastal area was also closely linked to the mass or Juma being held at religious centres in the locality. At Perumathura and Perunghuzhi the rush began after the Juma at the Central Juma Masjid and Valiya Palli at 1.30pm. The boat workers in the region decided not to operate boats on Election Day to attend the Juma and cast their votes. At the booth at Government LPS Perumathura, which is a designated sensitive booth, a heavy rush witnessed since the afternoon to the last hours, forcing the officials to close the gate at the scheduled time. The seven assembly constituencies in Attingal reported brisk polling from 7am itself. However, the voting percentage dipped from the 74 % recorded in 2019. Attingal 2024: 68.84% 2019: 74.4%

Kerala LS polls: Congress pins hope on Thiruvananthapuram coastal belt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Brisk voting witnessed in the coastal belt of Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours only gained momentum as the day wore on. Muslim women voters came out in large numbers when the booths opened as the men trooped to nearby mosques for Friday prayers. Christian voters, however, pulled their weight right from morning. This is expected to be crucial for both the LDF and the UDF. District Congress committee chief Palode Ravi and the lone Congress MLA in the district, M Vincent, exuded confidence in their candidate Shashi Tharoor improving on his 99,000-plus victory margin in 2019. At 12:30pm, Vallakadavu LP School wore a desolate look with just a handful of people lining up to vote. Polling booths at this venue were categorised as vulnerable and five policemen from Theni, Tamil Nadu, were posted here from Tuesday. Two of the officers, K Chelladurai and Thaya Ayyarsamy, told TNIE that no untoward incidents were reported. The humidity, which is worse than back home, took a toll. We think its the humid conditions that forced voters to stay away, the two echoed. Thiruvananthapuram City commissioner C Nagaraju visited almost every polling booth in the coastal areas. Everything has been hunky-dory. Polling was brisk till noon. Voters returned in large numbers later in the evening, Nagaraju told TNIE. In the majority of polling booths, women were seen waiting for long hours after voting for the men of their families to arrive. Sameen Abdul Rahim was forced to wait for her son for two hours at St Antonys Higher Secondary School. For Natasha Justin, a second-year BTech student, and her elder brother, Nevil Justin, who has been job-hunting after completing his graduation, the opportunity to cast their first vote was memorable. We are extremely happy to be part of the democratic process. Both of us voted for the candidate who our parents endorsed. We know very well that their choice will not be wrong, both Nevil and Natasha said. The constituencys coastal belt stretches from Pozhiyoor to Pallipuram, and comprises the assembly segments of Parassala, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, and Thiruvananthapuram Central, besides portions of Kazhakoottam. Even if one of the communities votes en masse in favour of the CPM, the votes from the coastal belt will stand Tharoor in good stead, Palode Ravi said. There has been a minority consolidation in favour of the Congress, on the back of the support of the backward communities, he added. MLA Vincent said that as per preliminary reports, close to 65-70% votes have been polled in the coastal belt alone. 65-70% votes polled UDF exuded confidence in their candidate Shashi Tharoor improving on his 99,000-plus victory margin in 2019 As per preliminary reports, close to 65-70% votes have been polled in the coastal belt alone In the majority of polling booths, women were seen waiting for long hours after voting for the men of their families to arrive The constituencys coastal belt stretches from Pozhiyoor to Pallipuram

Brisk voting at urban, suburban polling stations in Kerala's capital

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the scorching heat, citizens turned out in large numbers at urban polling centres in the state capital to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections on Friday. Almost every polling centres witnessed brisk voting during the morning hours in the urban and suburban polling stations in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. Despite the intense heat, the flow of voters remained steady during the afternoon hours and dipped later during the evening hours. The Government LP School at Kanjirampara in Vattiyoorkavu, which had five polling booths, witnessed heavy turnout of voters during the morning hours. 74-year-old Arifa Beevi, who was seen leaving the polling station, was dissatisfied with the arrangements. I had to wait in the line for more than one hour to get my turn to vote. They set up three polling booths in the same building and the entire corridor was cramped with voters. I am old and have ailments, I felt suffocated, said Arifa, who was one among the many elderly citizens who had to go through harrowing experience to exercise their right to vote. The police and the volunteers had a hard time managing the queue and providing assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities who came to vote at Kanjirampara polling station. Thiruvananthapuram constituency accounts for 14,30,531 voters comprising 7,41317 women voters and 6,89,155 male voters and 59 transgender voters. When the voting concluded, which extended even after the 6pm deadline, Thiruvananthapuram recorded around 66.43 per cent voting. People irrespective of age came to the polling stations along with their families and children to cast their votes. 75-year-old K Vilasini came all the way from Neyyattinkara to cast her vote at Government Model Higher Secondary School for Girls at Pattom. I live with my son in Neyyattinkara and I didnt want to miss my opportunity to vote this time. We are struggling because we are not getting pensions on time. A lot of people depend on pension for survival and the government and the elected representatives often forget this. I dont care who wins or loses in this election. It doesnt make any difference for people like us, lamented Vilasini. A senior citizen, Kamala, 92, after casting her vote at Govt Cotton Hill HSS. Many voters expressed their grievances and aired their concern about the ruling governments in Kerala and at the Centre. 82-year-old Prabhakaran P, who was seen resting at Government LPS Chackai after voting, expressed dissatisfaction with the claims of the ruling political parties at the Centre and the state. They are fooling us. Even now, on my way to the booth, I was intimidated by the LDF party workers. They demanded that I vote for LDF candidate Pannyan Raveendran or else they wont give me my welfare pension. This is the attitude of our government which is deeply disappointing, said Prabhakaran. Unemployment is a major issue faced by todays youth and we vote hoping that things will change for the better, said 29-year-old Vishnu S, who came to vote at a polling station at Anchamada in Vattiyoorkavu.

Lok Sabha elections: 65% turnout in 2nd phase

NEW DELHI: In a relatively improved showing, the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections recorded over 65% voter turnout covering 88 seats across 13 states. The highest voting percentage was recorded in Tripura at 78.53% while the lowest was in Uttar Pradesh at 54.85%. Kerala, Karnataka and Rajasthan accounted for more than half the seats. Elections to 14 seats were held in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, 6 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and 1 seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. All eyes are on the high stakes battle in Kerala, where the BJP has been aggressively working to open its account. The contests in Wayanad, where former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is contesting, and Thiruvananthapuram where Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is pitted against sitting MP Shashi Tharoor, are keenly watched. Other top guns in the fray include actor-turned-politician Arun Govil in Meerut, Karnataka deputy CM D K Shivakumars brother D K Suresh in Bangalore Rural, and former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy (JDS) in Mandya. BJPs Hema Malini, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat are seeking a hat-trick of wins from Uttar Pradeshs Mathura, Rajasthans Kota and Jodhpur, respectively. With the conclusion of the second phase, voting has been completed in 14 states/UTs.

Thiruvananthapuram Gears Up For High-Stakes Poll Battle

Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram was dressed up for its Big Day yesterday. Overnight posters of the three main candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha seat appeared all over the city, especially in roads and walls leading up to the polling booths.

Kerala LS polls: Idinjar tribals never miss a vote

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Girls, eat what you want, the elder brother told his sisters, pointing at the display case at a thattukada. They were out together after a long time, thanks to the Lok Sabha elections. Lakshmanan Kani, 90, and his sisters Parukutti, 83, and Subhadramma, 77, had come to the Government Tribal High School in Idinjar to vote. Though they hail from Kallana tribal settlement in Idinjar forest, some 40km away from Thiruvananthapuram, the siblings rarely travel together. Even on Friday, they met by accident. Party workers had arranged vehicles to take us to the polling booth. We happened to be in the same jeep, said Parukutti. Subhadramma said her children, who usually take her to the booth, were busy and hence, she opted for the partys vehicle. The Idinjar forest has over half a dozen settlements all connected by concrete roads. However, the settlements are turning uninhabitable due to increasing wildlife attacks and drinking water shortage, said Suma, a voter in her thirties who lives in Kidarakkuzhi settlement. Still, people here vote in every election, she said. About 4km from Kidarakkuzhi is Muttippara settlement on a hilltop. Having cast their votes as soon as polling began, couple Pradeep and Sobhana are feeding their cattle at home, situated in the valley facing Varayadumotta, known for the presence of endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Pradeep, 49, said they previously farmed on leased land and turned to cattle rearing just six months ago, after wild animal attacks made farming unsustainable. Drinking water shortage is another problem. We depend on a neighbours well, but the water level is depleting, said Sobhana, adding, Voting is my right and every time, Im excited to do it. We wish peoples representatives showed the same enthusiasm to solve our problems.

Pinarayi admonishes LDF convenor for meeting BJPs Javadekar

KOZHIKODE : The CPM, which has been branding the Congress as the recruiting ground for the BJP throughout the election campaign, received a rude jolt on polling day with all the discussions zeroing in on LDF convenor E P Jayarajans meeting with BJPs Kerala prabhari Prakash Javadekar. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not hide his displeasure over the embarrassing turn of events. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Pinarayi on Friday, he said there was lack of vigil on the part of Jayarajan. Everyone knows the nature of Jayarajan who does not exercise discretion while establishing friendship. If Lord Shiva joins hands with a sinner, Shiva himself will become a sinner, he said, quoting an adage. Indirectly referring to controversial power broker Nandakumar, Pinarayi said, there are certain persons who start pondering from the moment they get up from the bed every morning as to whom they should victimise that day. We should keep a distance from such people. Our experience is that Jayarajan usually does not show vigil in these things, he said. Pinarayi said a person, who is in the shadow of suspicion in Kerala, got a chance to be a witness (to the meeting between Jayarajan and Javadekar). There are people who will stoop to any level to make money. Such persons will not hesitate to present arguments according to their needs. There should not have been close ties with such people, he said. CPM state secretary M V Govindan dubbed the entire episode as conspiracy against the Communist government. He said there were many attempts against the CPM, the government and the chief minister. Such controversies will last only till the elections are over, he said. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the party leaders in Kerala have responded to the issue and he has nothing more to add. Meanwhile, Jayarajan said Javadekar had visited him at his sons flat at Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram. Javadekar came to the flat unexpectedly. When asked he said it was only a casual visit. I left the scene saying I have a meeting when he started speaking politics, he said, adding he did not know whether the BJP leader had any other intentions. Jayarajan admitted that Nandakumar came along with him.

Kerala LS polls: Congress moves election panel with a slew of complaints

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Within hours of the general election coming to an end, the state Congress leadership approached the chief electoral officer (CEO) with complaints of delays in voting, issues with electoral voting machines (EVMs) and conniving polling officials. Speaking to reporters at Indira Bhavan, Congress state president in-charge M M Hassan said there have been reports of the electorate being inconvenienced by voting stoppages in several districts. In some places, voters had to wait for more than four hours, which forced several people to leave without casting their ballot. Several glitches involving EVMs, including delayed response times, were reported, said Hassan, expressing apprehension over attempts to tamper with devices. The chief electoral officer should look into our complaints. In certain booths in Kasaragod and Kannur, there were widespread attacks and reports of bogus voting. Two polling officials were suspended in Vadakara for fudging data. But the UDF does not fear defeat anywhere, said Hassan. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan echoed the remarks. He rued the lack of an independent and fair election process. Voting was brisk in several districts. We fear that there have been attempts on the part of polling officials to delay the voting process. There have also been instances of polling time not being extended despite faulty machines delaying the process. An investigation should be initiated into the matter, said Satheesan. Middleman EP Taking a jibe at LDF convenor E P Jayarajan, Hassan said that he is the middleman of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Hassan said Jayarajan would not have met senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar without Pinarayis express permission. Glitches in EVMs Several glitches involving EVMs, including delayed response times, were reported. Voting was brisk in several districts.

Kerala sees delayed polls, low voter turnout amid scorching heat, 8 people die

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a Lok Sabha election marred by an uncharacteristic delay of more than five hours, with polling extending well beyond the scheduled time, Kerala on Friday recorded a turnout of 70.35% over 7 percentage points lower than the 2019 polls. The delay led to many voters returning without exercising their franchise. The comparatively low turnout has ignited hopes for the Left while the UDF has approached the Election Commission alleging the absence of free and fair elections. Meanwhile, eight persons collapsed and died due to extreme heat and exhaustion in Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Lok Sabha polls 2024 | Phase 2: Brisk voter turnout in Kerala Braving the blistering heat, voters turned out in large numbers in the initial hours, thus recording brisk polling in almost all places, except in constituencies like Ponnani and Malappuram. The initial enthusiasm wore off by afternoon as voting slowly declined in southern and central districts. However, the northern districts witnessed huge voter turnout in the evening hours with serpentine queues in many polling booths. Widespread incidents of malfunctioning EVMs reported in several places in Pathanamthitta, where authorities had to replace 40 machines. Polling was held peacefully across the state, with no major incidents of violence. As the polling continued in about 200 booths in northern Kerala even after 10pm, the final poll percentage is likely to go up. Polling was delayed in many booths in Kannur, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Alathur. At 10pm, 2,091 out of 2,248 booths in Kannur had completed the voting process while polling was still on at 157 booths. In Vadakara polling was completed in 1,191 of the 1,206 booths by 10pm. Vadakara, which is witnessing one of the biggest political fights, began with slow polling in the initial hours and picked up by afternoon. Turnout 70.35% - (2024) 77.84% - 2019 73.94% - 2014 Polling remained mostly peaceful despite fierce contests in several constituencies Malfunctioning of EVMs reported in several booths, causing delay in the voting process 75.74% - Highest voter turnout in Kannur 63.35% - Lowest turnout in Pathanamthitta Northern districts witnessed huge voter turnout in the evening hours with serpentine queues at many polling booths As polling continued in about 200 booths in northern Kerala even after 10 pm, the final poll percentage is likely to go up Counting on June 4 At 8pm the Vadakara constituency recorded 73.36% polling. The delay in voting in many booths in Vadakara has led to apprehensions in UDF camps as they suspect an attempt to sabotage. Meanwhile, in Attingal poll percentage remained high right from the beginning. The constituency recorded 69.40% turnout by 8pm. Pathanamthitta recorded the lowest voter turnout of 63.35% in the state. While Ponnani recorded 67.93% polling, another Muslim League stronghold Malappuram recorded 71.68% by 8pm. The state capital of Thiruvananthapuram, which usually marks low voter turnout, recorded 66.43% polling. The Congress strongholds of Idukki (66.39%) and Ernakulam (68.10%) too recorded low turnout. Amid concerns of sweltering heat bringing down the turnout, eight persons collapsed and died on the day. An elderly voter died after exercising his franchise at Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha, while three men died in similar circumstances in Palakkad. As the district recorded a temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, the district administration arranged basic amenities, including drinking water and waiting shelters, for the voters at the polling stations. In Kozhikode, a polling agent and two voters collapsed and died in the intense heat. In Malappuram, a voter died after reaching home. Elections 2024: 21 states, UTs set for polling in phase one; 102 LS seats in fray

Wrong message in L-Gs Kerala church parleys

Delhi Lieutenant-Governor V K Saxenas sudden visit to Kerala, just ahead of polling in the state, was odd enough to raise suspicions. He sought meetings with the heads of various churches and met a couple of them, triggering speculation that the visit was linked to the elections. Considering how the BJP has been aggressively wooing Christians in a desperate bid to achieve an electoral breakthrough in the state, the suspicion was only natural. The Congress took objection, choosing to call the meetings intimidation tactics ahead of the polls. The party then approached the Election Commission, accusing Saxena of violating the model code and seeking action against him for trying to garner votes for the BJP. Saxenas office sought to dismiss the speculation with the explanation that it was a personal visitto participate in a hospital function on an invitationand that he has been frequently visiting Kerala. Its hardly convincing, mainly for two reasons. One, the timinghe arrived Wednesday, just when the Lok Sabha campaign in Kerala was winding up and the last-minute luring of voters was on. Two, he wanted to meet only the heads of Christian churches and, more significantly, all of them. Whatever the nature of his visit, there is no denying that the L-G is an appointee of the Union government, and his actions can be linked, loosely or otherwise, to the intentions of the party in power at the Center. However, what is admirable is that, though Saxena was able to meet some church heads, most refused to give him an audience. The office of the Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram, Thomas J Netto, clearly said such a meeting on election eve would send confusing signals. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, also sent out a similar message. The Syro-Malabar Church, whose head, Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, and former head, Major Archbishop Emeritus George Alencherry, met Saxena, clarified that the visit was not political and that the church does not follow the wishes of any political party. It is undeniable that elections should be devoid of interventions that hamper the exercise of the voters free will. Developments such as this send out the wrong message. The meetings should have been avoided in the interest of preserving the credibility of the ongoing electoral process.

LS polls: Kerala records 70.22 per cent turnout

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 26: Despite heightened political fervour and anticipation about the general elections for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the process concluded on Friday with a notable decrease in voter turnout, as the figure stands at 70.22 per cent. This figure, while significant, is quite a drop from the polling percentage of the [] The post LS polls: Kerala records 70.22 per cent turnout appeared first on Northlines .

BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar counters LDF allegations on not casting vote

BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar counters LDF allegations on not casting vote The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Friday came out against union minister and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar for not casting his vote during the Lok Sabha polls, saying that his action was an insult to democracy. Earlier in the day, Chandrasekhar, who seeks his electoral luck from Thiruvananthapuram constituency, said he did not go to Karnataka to exercise his franchise as the seat he is contesting from was his top priority. ''I didn't go to cast vote. This is my top priority. It is my duty to be present here on the election day,'' he told reporters here. The BJP leader further said he didn't get time to transfer his vote to Thiruvananthapuram and would surely take necessary steps to exercise the franchise in the constituency in future elections. Both the CPI(M) and CPI, the major coalition partners in the LDF, slammed Chandrasekhar and said exercising franchise is not only a person's fundamental right but also a responsibility of every citizen. Senior CPI(M) leader and General Education Minister V Sivankutty said Chandrasekhar was a person who was capable of going to his respective place, where he has the vote, by a helicopter and return here. ''Chandrasekhar's decision to abstain from voting is an insult to the democratic process,'' he said. The minister further said the BJP candidate's action raises questions about his commitment to the democratic principles and his accountability to the electorates. Sharing similar views, Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil said Chandrasekhar's abstinence from voting was a ''grave'' issue and amounts to cheating the people of Thiruvananthapuram constituency. ''This reflected the BJP candidate's lack of trust in democracy,'' he added. The elections for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala concluded on Friday with a notable decrease in voter turnout, as the figure stands at 70.22 per cent. The polling percentage during the 2019 general elections was 77.84 per cent.

Thiruvananthapuram too witnesses drop in voting percentage

The Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency recorded 66.46% polling, while the Attingal constituency recorded 69.40% voting percentage, compared to 73.45% and 74.23% recorded, respectively, in the constituencies in the 2019 general elections

Thiruvananthapurams coast witnesses heavy polling in phases; no major untoward incidents reported from the region

At St. Josephs Lower Primary School in Kochuveli, which has 5,350 registered voters, Kudumbashree workers ran a stall to supply water and snacks to the public, police, and election officials

Phase 2 of Lok Sabha elections sees active participation across 13 states and UT; Here's a recap of the day

The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections has begun, with voters in 13 states and union territories casting their votes for 88 seats. Over 1200 candidates are contesting, including prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor. Kerala is witnessing intense contests in constituencies like Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram. Amid the polls, a 91-year-old woman in Karnataka passed away shortly after voting. Leaders like Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi have called for high voter turnout. Meanwhile, Bengaluru hotels are offering freebies to encourage voting.

Kerala records healthy voter turnout amid scorching heat

Thiruvananthapuram, April 26: Voters in Kerala on Friday braved the scorching heat with 50 per cent of them casting their vote, according to official figures. In the fray are 194 candidates. Voters in the state number 2,77,49,159, including 1,43,33,499 women, 1,34,15,293 men and 367 transgenders. They are eligible to elect 20 Lok Sabha members. For [] The post Kerala records healthy voter turnout amid scorching heat appeared first on The Shillong Times .

International Dance Day: Many late bloomers in Thiruvananthapuram are discovering the joy of dance

These women are rediscovering their inner dancer after a break. April 29 is International Dance Day

Steady polling in LS polls in Kerala; 33.4 per cent turnout at 12.20pm

Thiruvananthapuram: Polling in the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala continued steadily in the first half of Friday with the state registering a turnout of 33.4 per cent till 12.20 pm. The election process, held amidst tight security arrangements, was primarily incident free except for instances of bogus voting and breakdowns of electronic voting machines 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 .

Is This A Friendly Match? Shashi Tharoor's Jab At Left Over Poll Tactic

Shashi Tharoor - looking to win the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat for a fourth consecutive term - has once again questioned the campaign strategy of the Left front.

DNA Exclusive: Check LSS score of Shashi Tharoor, Congress candidate from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuramconstituency

Tharoor has held the seat since 2009, and this time he is facing a tough challenge as the BJP has named a strong face against him.

Here to restore democracy, faith in diversity and Indias pluralism: Tharoor after casting vote

Thiruvananthapuram: After casting his vote on Friday, Congress MP and candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor said that the 2024 elections are all about Indias future, and added that it would not only restore faith in diversity but also in the countrys pluralism. Tharoor went on to say that the elections are far greater than his []

When flamenco meets Kalari

KOCHI: Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram was witness to a one-of-a-kind performance on Saturday. Under a canopy of soft lights and soothing music, Spanish dancer Bettina Castano moved elegantly to the fiery rhythm of flamenco. It was poetry in motion. With each step, new stanzas unfolded, inviting the audience to lean back and soak in the splendour of the occasion. However, this changed when a new figure emerged on the stage. With a flourish of lights in various hues of the rainbow, audiences were pulled back on the edge of their seat as Bengaluru-based kalari artist Raam Kumar Rs almost fluid-like and dynamic movements presented a stark contrast to the earlier dance. This fusion of flamenco and kalari, made profound by the rich, resonant tones of mizhavu music playing in the backdrop, made up the Bhoomiputri performance. Directed by Latha Kurien Rajeev, it is based on poems by Meera Nair and portrays the evolving journey of women. I wrote the poems nearly a decade ago. It was Latha who suggested adapting the work for the stage some years ago. Now, it has come to fruition. Im very happy with the outline. As the quote says, Poetry does not belong to those who write it, but to those who need it. I believe this art form allows it to reach a broader audience than the written form alone, Meera says. Rajarajeshwari E of Nireeksha Womens Theatre crafted the script using lines from the poetry collection that touched her the most. Latha then interpreted the script in her unique style and transformed it into a one-hour performance. Everything happened serendipitously. I never expected to fuse these two art forms. But it turned out to be a beautiful performance. Almost all of my directors explore the theme of a woman her strength and sacrifice. Its present in this performance too, says Latha, the director. Bhoomiputri explores a womans journey from the innocence of her youth to her finding inner strength after the experiences she faces in life. I believe these experiences are almost the same with every woman. Only a few manage to break free from the bondage. In the play, theres a moment where the woman takes back her power and breaks all that tries to shackle her and change her soul. Its quite poignant, says Latha. Latha explains that she is not a feminist, nonetheless, she stands against violence against women. I firmly believe that love is the ultimate cure for everything. And the first step towards it is the love and understanding of oneself. The narrative points out that every man must awaken the Goddess in him. Within each person, there exists a balance of opposing natures, symbolised by Yin and Yang. This concept is also like the Shiva Shakti concept, represented in Indian culture as Ardhnarishwar. How you perceive, receive, and accept these forces have the power to transform you, Latha says. What melds the two performances together is, no doubt, the music. Kalamandalam artist Rahul Aravind was exceptional on the mizhavu. The lighting and sound design teams too needed to be commended for bringing the space alive. The stage setting was intentionally made minimalistic. And Latha wanted Raam and Battina to have the stage entirely to themselves, allowing their performance to speak volumes without distractions. The sound and light nudge the audience towards the performers, enhancing each emotion and each flutter made by the duo. Speaking about the future of Bhoomiputri, Latha elaborates, I would like to present Bhoomiputri at various cultural and artistic institutions and art centres across the country and around the world. Theres much to be learned from the daughter of the earth. Did you know The roots of Flamenco is said to lie in the Roma migration from Rajasthan to Spain between 9th and 14th centuries. The essence of the dance form lies in its songs. Between 1780 and 1845, singing was the main aspect of Flamenco, dance and musical accompaniment were secondary. The songs sdeal with themes like anguish, despair, love, humour, etc.

Congress leaders from Kerala meet Assam CM, plan to join BJP

Thiruvananthapuram, April 26 (UNI) A few Congress leaders from Kerala have approached BJP leaders and held discussions to form a regional party to align with the BJP, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. Discussions were held in Delhi and further decisions in this regard will be taken after the Lok Sabha elections, the... The post Congress leaders from Kerala meet Assam CM, plan to join BJP first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

LS polls: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor casts his vote in Thiruvananthapuram

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In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Antony

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Antony Anil Antony, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanamthitta on Friday expressed confidence of a historic mandate for the BJP and its coalition in the ongoing Lok Sabha Election 2024. Antony, after casting his vote in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, highlighted that this is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting Prime Minister is seeking re-election for a third term with zero anti-incumbency. We are very sure of a historic mandate in Kerala. This is a national election that will decide who will be the PM for the next 5 years, and which party and coalition will be governing this country. This is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting PM is going for a third election with zero anti-incumbency, said Antony, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a third consecutive term. Antony expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects, stating that the party would win more than 370 seats, and its coalition over 400 seats. 13 states are going to polls today. Every single state is seeing huge voting numbers so there is a lot of excitement for the PM vision for India. And Kerala is no exception so we are very sure that we will win more than 370 seats for our party and more than 400 seats for our coalition, Antony said. This time we will create history from Kerala last time we had a double-digit vote share this time we are strongly in contention in double-digit seats and we will win multiple of them and one of them will be definitely the seats I am contesting from is Pathanamthitta, he added. Meanwhile, Antony was seen showing his inked finger after casting his vote, symbolizing his participation in the electoral process. His competitors in the Pathanamthitta constituency include Thomas Isaac from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the incumbent MP Anto Antony from the Congress party. Earlier, BJP-led NDA candidate from Thrissur Suresh Gopi casts his vote in Thrissur, Kerala in the second phase of Lok Sabha election 2024 on Friday. After casting his vote, Gopi spoke about the significance of this election and the participation of the people in Kerala. You will see the people's hearts. The nation will see the participation of Kerala in the national development movement, says Suresh Gopi, NDA candidate from Thrissur, after casting his vote. So the heart will bloom and Thrissur and such other constituencies in the states, Gopi said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, and the remaining 1 seat went to LDF. All 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala will go to the polls today. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Anthony

In a first, a two-time PM bidding for third term with zero anti-incumbency: BJP's Anil Anthony Anil Antony, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanamthitta on Friday expressed confidence of a historic mandate for the BJP and its coalition in the ongoing Lok Sabha Election 2024. Antony, after casting his vote in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, highlighted that this is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting Prime Minister is seeking re-election for a third term with zero anti-incumbency. We are very sure of a historic mandate in Kerala. This is a national election that will decide who will be the PM for the next 5 years, and which party and coalition will be governing this country. This is the first time in India's history that a two-time sitting PM is going for a third election with zero anti-incumbency, said Antony, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a third consecutive term. Antony expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects, stating that the party would win more than 370 seats, and its coalition over 400 seats. 13 states are going to polls today. Every single state is seeing huge voting numbers so there is a lot of excitement for the PM vision for India. And Kerala is no exception so we are very sure that we will win more than 370 seats for our party and more than 400 seats for our coalition, Antony said. This time we will create history from Kerala last time we had a double-digit vote share this time we are strongly in contention in double-digit seats and we will win multiple of them and one of them will be definitely the seats I am contesting from is Pathanamthitta, he added. Meanwhile, Antony was seen showing his inked finger after casting his vote, symbolizing his participation in the electoral process. His competitors in the Pathanamthitta constituency include Thomas Isaac from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the incumbent MP Anto Antony from the Congress party. Earlier, BJP-led NDA candidate from Thrissur Suresh Gopi casts his vote in Thrissur, Kerala in the second phase of Lok Sabha election 2024 on Friday. After casting his vote, Gopi spoke about the significance of this election and the participation of the people in Kerala. You will see the people's hearts. The nation will see the participation of Kerala in the national development movement, says Suresh Gopi, NDA candidate from Thrissur, after casting his vote. So the heart will bloom and Thrissur and such other constituencies in the states, Gopi said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, and the remaining 1 seat went to LDF. All 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala will go to the polls today. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

Will block unholy alliance between BJP & CPM: Congress' K Muraleedharan

Will block unholy alliance between BJP & CPM: Congress' K Muraleedharan Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Muraleedharan on Friday cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar LP School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and said that the Congress will block unholy alliance between BJP & CPM in the state. While speaking to the reporters, K Muraleedharan said that the party will win all the seats in the state. We are going to win all 20 seats in Kerala. Unfortunately, there is a deal between CPM and BJP in Kerala. The news has come out that EP Jayarajan (LDF convener) met BJP leader Prakash Javadekar. Their link is clear. We will win but we will block an unholy alliance between BJP & CPM in Kerala. Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, where high-profile candidates are in the fray this time, is going to witness a fierce triangular contest between BJP, Congress, and the CPI. Congress has fielded K Muraleedharan, son of late Congress doyen K Karunakaran whose pocket borough was once Thrissur, the ruling Left Democratic Front nominated former Agriculture Minister in the previous LDF government in the state, VS Sunilkumar. The constituency, where both Congress-led UDF and CPM-led LDF interchangeably won multiple times in the past seven decades, is currently held by Congress. All 20 seats will vote in the second phase in Kerala. These include Kasaragod, Kannur, Vatakara, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ponnani, Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Mavelikkara, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Attingal, and Thiruvananthapuram. The second phase has 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 States/Union Territory including 13 in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu & Kashmir According to the ECI, over 15.88 crore voters will be voting in the second phase which includes 8.08 crore male electors, 7.8 crore female electors, and 5929 third-gender electors. A total of 4553 flying squads, 5731 static surveillance teams, 1462 video surveillance teams and 844 video viewing teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters across the 1.67 lakh polling stations, as per the ECI press note. (ANI)

Kerala: Portal to help voters make informed choice

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Kerala goes to polls, a group of youngsters have set up an online platform to help voters make an informed choice when they exercise their franchise on Friday. Poli Performance, a web portal, gives voters a detailed overview of the performance of Lok Sabha MPs from Kerala during their tenure (17th Lok Sabha), as well as information about the candidates in fray. The platform offers transparent and comprehensive data for evaluating the MPs performance. It is important that voters have access to accurate and unbiased information about their current MPs and candidates. Our platform addresses this need by providing reliable data and in-depth analyses, said Akshay S, a techie working in Bangalore. We conceived the idea long back. We started developing the platform just three months ago, he said. The platform contains profiles of all the candidates contesting in the elections and aims to enhance voter awareness. After the elections, we plan to add more features to the website. The platform will act as a bridge between citizens and elected representatives, he said. Adwaith S, another techie, and law researchers Reshma Sekhar and Gautam Aredath developed the portal. The data it contains is sourced from the official websites of the Union government.

Polling for all 20 LS constituencies underway in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Friday morning dawned in Kerala with people having an important task for the day as the state goes to the polls to elect 20 new Lok Sabha members. At several polling booths, voters were seen queuing up before the official start of polling at 7 a.m. and all those who stand in the queue []

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Rajeev Chandrashekhar Exclusive After Casting Vote | English News

Battle For Bharat: BJP's candidate for Thiruvananthapuram & Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar in conversation with News18 said 'we will be showcasing PM's work of last 10 years'

'Important day for future of Thiruvananthapuram': Rajeev Chandrasekhar urges voters to vote in Lok Sabha polls

Chandrasekhar rallies for high voter turnout in Thiruvananthapuram's Lok Sabha polls phase 2, emphasizing the constituency's stagnant growth. He underlines the necessity of democratic participation and visits Padmanabhasamy temple.

Important day for future of Thiruvananthapuram: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

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LDF, NDA will fight for 2nd place in Thiruvananthapuram: Shashi Tharoor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the silent day of the campaign, Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha candidate Shashi Tharoor had to reiterate that the fight between the LDF and NDA was to get the second place. Meanwhile, CPI leader and LDF candidate Pannian Raveendran stepped up his attack against Tharoor claiming that unlike him, he had been living in Thiruvananthapuram for the past 40 years. On Thursday morning, Tharoor visited the Thiruvananthapuram DCC office and took stock of the situation. Speaking to reporters there, Tharoor reiterated that the fight between LDF and NDA is about who will clinch the second position. Tharoor also visited the war room at Indira Bhavan. Later, he was busy giving television interviews and was also huddled with his team and party workers. A day after the high-voltage public campaigning came to an end on Wednesday, Pannian unleashed his attack on Tharoor claiming that he was not air-dropped. Pannian maintained that he has always been there (Thiruvananthapuram) unlike Tharoor who drops in as a visitor. I have been living amid the people. Tharoor has been asking how come I have the guts to put a claim on winning. Do I lack guts? I will win the poll. My hopes are sky-high. The fight is between the UDF and NDA for the second place. I am telling the ground reality which has been reiterated by CPM secretary M V Govindan. In Kerala, the fight is between the LDF and UDF, said Pannian.

Kerala: Adoor Prakash accuses collector for failing to tackle issue of voter-duplication

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UDFs Attingal candidate Adoor Prakash on Thursday reiterated his allegation of rampant duplication in the voters list, saying the district collector had failed to address the issue. Addressing a press conference on the eve of the vote in the state, Prakash said the High Court had directed electoral officials and the district collector to hand over all the details about duplication in the voters list to candidates. But officials have only provided partial details, he claimed. Prakash said numerous people were found to be having multiple votes and government officials were responsible for providing them with different voter ID cards. Action should be taken against such government officials, he said. He said the UDF has prepared the list of duplicate voters in each booth and it will be passed on to party workers and polling officials. Engaged in a tough triangular contest, Prakash on Thursday devoted time to attend marriages and took stock of preparations visiting election committee offices in the assembly segments. He also inaugurated a dental clinic in Kallambalam. Continuing with his one-on-one interactions, the UDF candidate visited the houses of some newlyweds, whose ceremonies he could not attend owing to the campaign. He also visited the houses of some people who had died recently and offered his condolences. UDF workers, meanwhile, engaged in door-to-door campaigning. Social media activity also picked up over the day. Prakash will cast his vote in Adoor in the morning before returning to his constituency.

Kerala: Satheesan moves EC against Delhi Lieutenant Governor, terms visit blot on democracy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena visited various Church heads in the state, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan approached the Election Commission of India seeking action against the former for trying to garner votes for the BJP. Satheesan accused Saxena of violation of model code by attempting to lure them to take a stance in favour of the BJP. Kerala Oppn cries foul as Delhi Lt-Governor meets church heads ahead of polls The Delhi Lieutenant Governor, who is on a two-day visit, met the heads of various Christian Churches on Wednesday. Though there were indications that he would meet Church heads in the state capital on Thursday, it didnt materialise, said a source. Office of Archbishop of Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram Thomas J Netto on Thursday said they havent got any official communication on the visit. Moreover, any such meeting on election eve will send confusing signals to the people, a source in the Latin Church. The archbishop hasnt met him yet. He has told his secretary to give any such appointments only after April 26, the day of the Lok Sabha polls, the source. Similarly, Saxena did not pay a visit to Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Thiruvananthapuram. No one has approached us seeking permission to meet the Cardinal. Even if any such requests are made, we are not interested in meeting now, said officials with the Cardinals office. Meanwhile, in his letter to the ECI, Satheesan alleged blatant violation of the model code of conduct by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, by visiting various Church heads to lure them to take a stance in favour of the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. It is learnt that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala, requested an audience with the heads of the Syro-Malabar Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and others. As per reports, leaders of some of the Churches have declined to meet him. As you are aware, the governor is the constitutional head of the state and is restricted from involving in any political activity. However, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor visiting various Church heads in Kerala just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to garner votes for the BJP is a blot on democracy and its founding values, said Satheesan. The Congress leader urged the EC to initiate urgent action on violation of the model code of conduct by the Lieutenant Governor.

From Rahul Gandhi to Arun Govil: List of key candidates in Phase 2 LS polls

New Delhi: From Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram to Hema Malini in Mathura and Arun Govil in Meerut, the fates of several prominent personalities will be locked by the voters in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday. The second phase has 88 Lok Sabha constituencies including all 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: Peroorkada couple to vote after tying knot

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Peroorkada natives Ananthu Girish and Gopika B Das are going to have a busy Friday. Both of them have planned to rush to booth number 106 at Oolampara to cast their votes, but only after their wedding at Subramaniam Hall in Trivandrum Club on the day the state goes to polls. With the date for their big day fixed months in advance, Ananthu and Gopika chose not to alter their plans when the election date was announced. Instead, they embraced the opportunity to blend two significant dates into one unforgettable day. Ananthu, a zonal officer of Star Hills, and Gopika, a recent BTech graduate, will get married between 12 and 12.45 pm on Friday. For us, there couldnt be a better day to start this new journey together. The whole of Kerala is making decisions for a new beginning, and what better day than this for us to embark on our new journey, shares Ananthu. Straight from the wedding hall, adorned in traditional attire and in great joy, Ananthu and Gopika will head to the polling booth, with their voter IDs in hand. We have decided to go to the polling booth first, before heading home for the customs there, said a smiling Gopika. Our families and friends have also decided to vote in the morning and then join us for the wedding, Gopika added.

LS elections & heatwave delay Thiruvananthapuram corporations pre-monsoon sanitation drive

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Owing to the Lok Sabha elections and prevailing extreme heat conditions, the city corporation is yet to begin the pre-monsoon sanitation drive in the state capital, which is vulnerable to urban flooding and flash floods. As per the predictions by the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD), monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala by mid-May and the state will receive above-normal rainfall this season. Despite strict orders from the High Court and the Local Self Government Department, the civic authorities are yet to launch the pre-monsoon sanitation drive, which is essential to combat communicable diseases and flash floods. The state capital faced one of the worst urban flooding incidents last October, submerging residential areas. As per the direction from the LSGD, the government has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh each for all hundred wards for carrying out the drives. We have scheduled around 985 works as part of the sanitation drive and without the clearance from the corporation council, we cannot begin the work, said an official with the health wing under the corporation. The city corporation and the district administration had convened multiple meetings with various departments concerned to ensure timely completion of the pre-monsoon sanitation drive. We carried out a lot of cleaning drives in vulnerable areas where flooding occurred and we are on high alert. Erratic weather and rain patterns are a major challenge and we are closely watching. There is no point in preparing just for the monsoon, said a top official of the city corporation. Due to the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaigns, the councillors in charge of the ward-level sanitation committees, have become busy delaying the sanitation activities. We are waiting for them to be back and a council session will be convened to expedite the sanitation drive and we are hoping to complete all the work by May end, said the official.

Kerala: No vote of confidence for home with 40 voters

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forty people with links to this home in East Fort are eligible voters. But none of the candidates of Thiruvananthapuram, a high-profile constituency witnessing a triangular fight, visited the place for campaigning. The candidates would have given the government-run Sree Chitra Home a miss because it is a care home for children and youngsters, says Superintendent Bindu V. Although there are 40 names from the home on the voters list only two are current residents. Ramya, 26, one of them, says she has participated in all elections since she became eligible. Thirty-eight are former inmates. They have been married off to different places, mostly in and around Thiruvananthapuram. We have asked them to cast their votes without fail, Bindu told TNIE . The polling booth for 11 persons, including current inmates Ramya and Prasanna, is at the Fort Girls Mission High School. The booth for others is at the SMC Government Model Higher Secondary School. Bindu said her staff telephoned former inmates and asked them to come and vote at the designated booths. Unfortunately, four inmates will not be able to cast their maiden votes. They had registered online but no information was received on booths. Athira G S, 20, said she and three others had registered online. We received reference ID numbers. But no further communication. We are confused whether the booth would be near the care home or in our native place, she says.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: It will be battleground Thiruvananthapuram!

Political observer M G Radhakrishnan says BJP still has a long way to go, as it has not established credibility as an alternative to the LDF or the UDF in Kerala

Confidence soars, hope floats in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a high-voltage campaign, the Lok Sabha elections are finally here. As Kerala goes to the polls in a single phase on Friday, all three fronts are optimistic about improving on their performances in the last election. With three different kinds of anti-incumbency factors in play against the Union government, state government and against sitting MPs in a majority of the constituencies the fronts have enough reasons to hope for a favourable verdict. In an election where the Left is primarily banking on the sentiments against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the sway of Muslim votes and the consolidation of community votes would prove the most crucial factor. However, the biggest takeaway from this Lok Sabha polls would be a major shift in the character of Kerala politics. This could well be the first election where the bi-polar politics of Kerala has transformed into a real tri-polar fight, with BJP candidates vying for top slots, that too for all the right reasons, in at least five constituencies where the party hopes to either win or finish second or even sabotage the probable winner. This election being crucial for all three fronts, the Congress-led UDF hopes to repeat its 19/20 performance of 2019 while LDF, going by internal assessments, is confident of substantially improving its tally, whereas the BJP hopes to make it big in at least two constituencies. Having claimed a Left wave across the state right from the beginning, the LDF has gradually settled into a more realistic expectation. Both CPM and CPI leaderships claim a pro-Left trend in all 20 constituencies and is confident of overcoming the anti-incumbency factor. The CPM is looking forward to victories in a minimum of four to five seats. The party calculates Attingal, where V Joy takes on Congresss Adoor Prakash and BJPs V Muraleedharan, as one of the most probable seats. We have a clear edge in Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Mavelikkara and Attingal. In Vadakara, there were certain issues, but now theres good support from women voters. In the final round, we hope to come up trumps in Kannur, Chalakudy, Kollam and Pathanamthitta too, said a senior CPM leader. Compared to 2019, when the Left faced negative votes from the Hindu community over Sabarimala and a Muslim consolidation over the Rahul Gandhi factor, this time around, theres only the anti-incumbency factor against the state government. The LDF however claims that it has overcome anti-incumbency and is banking heavily on an anti-BJP sentiment to gain ground. Noticeably, many feel the Lefts allegation of a Congress-League-BJP nexus is more on the lines of an anticipatory bail, in case things dont turn out as planned. Meanwhile, UDF has managed to make a mark in the final phase of campaigning. The front claims to have a favourable situation in all 20 seats. Secretly, though, they admit certain regional factors could throw a spanner in the works. In Attingal and Palakkad, there are certain issues with both the candidates and with campaigning. Similarly, the Twenty20 factor, in addition to the Jacobite and Orthodox support to the Left, could prove costly for the candidate in Chalakudy, pointed out a Congress leader. The Congress is sure that, unless there are last-minute undercurrents, the Muslim votes will remain with UDF. In Thiruvananthapuram, where BJP finished second in 2014 and 2019, Rajeev Chandrasekhar is clearly a strong challenger. Both UDFs Shashi Tharoor and LDFs Pannian Raveendran have stated that the BJP would be the main opponent, thus acknowledging its crucial role. Similarly in Thrissur, where Suresh Gopi takes on CPIs ex-minister V S Sunil Kumar and Congresss K Muraleedharan, there are reasons to believe that BJP could occupy at least the second slot, if not the first. Similarly, in Attingal, Palakkad and Pathanamthitta, besides Kottayam where BDJS leader Thushar Vellapally is contesting, the votes polled by NDA candidates will be a decisive factor. With the three fronts having left no stone unturned to prevent a leakage of votes, the polling day is when the undercurrents, vote-trading, and final strategies would find manifestation. Poll planks Citizenship Amendment Act was a major poll plank for the Left Two anti-incumbency factors anti-Modi and anti-Pinarayi would prove crucial In some constituencies, theres anti-incumbency against sitting MPs too Both the LDF and the UDF hope to woo Muslim minorities, as sway of Muslim votes will be the deciding factor The BJP hopes to make it big in at least two constituencies Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur while also nurturing hopes in at least five seats PM Narendra Modi addressed voters in close to 10 constituencies in a high-profile campaign The LS campaign began as a fight between LDF and UDF over CAA. Towards the fag end, there was a verbal duel between Rahul Gandhi and Pinarayi Vijayan The fake video allegation in Vadakara led to a legal fight between CPMs K K Shailaja and Congresss Shafi Parambil In Thiruvanamthapuram, UDFs Shashi Tharoor and NDAs Rajeev Chandrasekhar were locked in a legal fight over alleged remarks This could well be the first election where the bi-polar politics of Kerala has transformed into a real tri-polar fight, with BJP candidates vying for top slots

Voter alert: IMD issues heatwave warning in Kerala, advises caution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sweltering heat will be a cause for concern for voters across Kerala who will exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts and heatwave warnings in 12 districts on polling day. The IMD has said the temperatures are expected to be 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal in the state. As of last week, around 437 heat-related ailments have been reported in the state since the advent of summer. There have been one confirmed and two suspected heat-related deaths. IMD has predicted the likelihood of a heatwave in one or two places in Palakkad on Friday, making the democratic exercise challenging for party workers, voters and officials alike. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements at booths in view of the hot and humid weather. Voting will be held in 25,231 booths across Kerala. Drinking water, areas having shade and separate queues for the elderly and the differently-abled are among the ECs arrangements made at booths to ensure voters comfort. All arrangements are in place. There will be separate queues for the elderly to reduce their waiting time. We have sensitised district collectors, and first aid, including ORS packets, will be made available at polling stations vulnerable to extreme heat, Sanjay Kaul, Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, told TNIE . Mothers coming to the booths with children will be able to use creche facilities at the polling stations, he said. Maximum temperature in Palakkad is likely to hover around 41 degrees Celsius on Friday, making it the hottest district in the state. Maximum temperatures will be 39 degrees Celsius, the second highest, in Kollam and Thrissur districts. Maximum temperatures will be 38 degrees Celsius in Kannur and Kozhikode districts and 36 degrees Celsius in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts. Southern districts are expected to receive thunderstorms in the evening. We have advised authorities to keep community health centres and primary health centres on alert to deal with heat-related incidents, said an official with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Be smart, be safe Avoid prolonged heat exposure Wear light-weight, light-coloured, loose, cotton clothes Cover your head with a cloth or hat or use an umbrella outdoors Drink sufficient water even if not thirsty to prevent dehydration Avoid direct sunlight from 11am to 3pm

Kerala: A peek into war rooms on D-Day eve

INDIRA BHAVAN On the eve of the state going to polls, Indira Bhavan, the Congress state headquarters, was abuzz with activities. Quite a contrast when compared with the 2021 assembly election days, when the party office wore a desolate look. Congress state in-charge M M Hassan was at his office right from Thursday morning, often going into a huddle with senior party leaders. There was a steady stream of leaders entering and exiting the building. Also, the war room set up at the first floor of Indira Bhavan saw executives busy on calls with leaders from all the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The youngsters were monitored by senior Congress leader Manacaud Suresh. Congress state in-charge M M Hassan with other leaders at Indira Bhavan Hassan told TNIE that the UDF had taken stringent steps to prevent undercurrents and bogus voting. In three to four Lok Sabha seats, we are expecting tough contests, he said. Congress leader Pandalam Sudhakaran told TNIE that majority of the local leaders calling him from other constituencies were eager to know the trend in Thiruvananthapuram. The trend is very much visible; there is heavy anti-incumbency sentiment against the chief minister and LDF government, he added. A floor above the war room, members of the media committee, social media cell and administration were immersed in hectic work. AKG Centre The state headquarters of the CPM appeared deserted on Thursday. The reading room, usually a vibrant space, was vacant. The TV set was switched off. All the leaders are out campaigning, said an AKG Centre staff member. Several senior district leaders, who usually frequent the centre, have been absent since the election was announced. All have been busy with the tasks assigned to them. The accommodation rooms for state-level leaders, too, are vacant. You will get to see the usual faces here only from Saturday, the staffer said. On Thursday, many district leaders were in Attingal constituency. Education Minister V Sivankutty, who is in charge of the district, also did not turn up at the centre. He was busy with the silent campaigning for Thiruvananthapuram LDF candidate Pannian Raveendran. Mararji Bhavan The atmosphere at the BJP state office in Thiruvananthapuram was tranquil on the eve of election day, a departure from the bustling campaign days when the building buzzed with activity. Only a handful of workers lingered around in the grand lobby of the new building. Many had after a morning ceremony marking the 29th death anniversary of K G Marar, a foundational figure in the state unit. Former BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan at Mararji Bhavan The basement, which had been transformed into a war room, also looked deserted. There were more pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national president JP Nadda and candidates than the number of party workers. Today, you will not see any crowd here. We have deployed all our local leaders and workers to bolster the silent campaig, said BJP state secretary J R Padmakumar, who was overseeing final preparations. We want to ensure maximum participation of workers to increase the voting percentage above 80. The weather can play spoilsport. We, however, are in a winning mode. Padmakumar added that field workers were also tasked with monitoring instances of double voting. We will be vigilant and lodge complaints when necessary, he said. National executive member P K Krishnadas and former state president Kummanam Rajasekharan were also present in the basement, engaging in discussions with party members. Prakash Javadekar, BJPs Kerala prabhari (in-charge), had left earlier in compliance with the model code of conduct. Padmakumar revealed that 37 internal departments operated in the basement. This included call centres, cells for manifesto drafting, statistical analysis units. The party also had a legal team on standby to lodge complaints on model code violations. Two complaints were filed on Thursday, one in Thiruvananthapuram and another in Thrissur.

88 Seats Across 13 States, UTs to Vote Today in Second Phase

New Delhi : As election campaigns by political parties start notching up their decibel levels, the country will witness the second phase of polling for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Friday amid predictions by the meteorological department that temperatures will soar above 40C in several parts of the country. On Friday, 13 states and Union territories will be going to the polls, including 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, six in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh and one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Tripura. In all, 88 parliamentary constituencies will be going to the polls. Prominent seats going to the polls include Keralas Wayanad, represented by incumbent MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Thiruvananthapuram by former Union minister Shashi Tharoor, Rajasthans Jalore, being contested by former chief minister Ashok Gehlots son Vaibhav Gehlot and Chittorgarh contested by BJP state president C.P. Joshi. The BJP-led NDAs star campaigner and poll mascot Narendra Modi has been leading the campaign against the Opposition camp, which is trying hard to unseat Mr Modi this time. In 2019, the BJP had won 53 of the 89 seats and its existing allies 12 of these seats, including seven of eight in Uttar Pradesh, all 13, eight and seven in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively, and four of the five seats each in Assam and Bihar. The constituents of the now INDIA bloc had won 23 seats in the last general election. Seeking to better its tally, the BJP must not only retain its bastions but also make fresh inroads as it takes on the Opposition INDIA bloc in a battle of narratives, with Mr Modi leading its charge. Following the first phase in 102 seats on April 19, the Prime Minister has stepped up his attack on the Congress, accusing it of seeking to provide nationwide reservation to Muslims in the quotas meant for Other Backward Classes. He has also warned voters in his poll rallies that a Congress government at the Centre will snatch their assets, including womens mangalsutra, to benefit those who are intruders and have more children as he cited a speech of his predecessor Manmohan Singh to back his claim. The Congress, in turn, has accused him of lying and spreading communal divide, claiming that he has been rattled by the BJPs poor show and complaining to the Election Commission against him. The BJP also has filed complaints against Congress leaders, including Mr Gandhi, prompting the poll watchdog to issue notices to the presidents of the two parties seeking their replies. Whether the soaring political temperature prevails over the heatwave-like conditions, blamed in some quarters for the fall in poll percentage last week, and pushes more voters to booths is something political watchers will be keeping an eye on. Kerala, like Tamil Nadu in the first phase, will be a test of the BJPs all-out expansion drive, states like Maharashtra and, to a lesser extent, Karnataka are being watched keenly as many new factors have come into play there since 2019. A BJP ally in the last national elections, Uddhav Thackeray is now the face of the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra while the official version of the Shiv Sena he once headed is a BJP ally under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Another major regional party Nationalist Congress Party has since split as well and its faction under deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, recognised as the real party, is now with the BJP while Sharad Pawar, its founder leader, is part of the opposition bloc. The BJP-led alliance had won 41 of 48 seats in the western state, which has the most Lok Sabha constituencies after Uttar Pradesh. The Congress is now in power in Karnataka and its former ally JD(S) is in the BJP camp. The BJP-led NDA has incumbent MPs in 27 of the states 28 seats, and the INDIA bloc is banking on its welfare schemes to dent its stronghold. The BJP is relying on actor Suresh Gopi, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Anil Antony, the son of veteran Congress leader A K Antony, to open its account in Kerala which has never elected an MP from the party. Mr Chandrasekhar is pitted against three-time Congress MP Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr Gandhi is in the fray from Wayanad, the constituency he currently represents in Lok Sabha. The turn-out in the first phase was recorded at 62.37 per cent which may still be revised upwards as votes are tallied. The voting percentage in the first phase in 2019 was 69.43 per cent when 91 seats went to the polls.

Sun, style and strategy: Sartorial choices of Lok Sabha candidates in Kerala on fleek

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the mercury climbs, so does the style quotient on the campaign trail. From seasoned veterans to fresh faces, candidates are shaking up their wardrobe and hair care routines to beat the blazing sun and win over voters. Some candidates stick to their signature style no matter the weather. Take the Vadakara LDF candidate K K Shailaja, whose crisp cotton sarees and infectious smile can cool down the hottest of days. When you imagine a politician in Kerala, the first image that comes to mind would be someone wearing a stiff white cotton shirt and the evergreen mundu. Though times have changed, some remain the same when it comes to the campaign trail. The majority of them are UDF candidates. They include UDF Kasaragod candidate Rajmohan Unnithan, Kannur candidate K Sudhakaran, Kozhikode candidate M K Raghavan, Thrissur candidate K Muraleedharan, Alappuzha candidate K C Venugopal and Mavelikkara candidate Kodikkunnil Suresh. LDF's Panniyan Raveendran is not to be ignored in his all time simple attire and long hair. To an extent, this saves them the trouble of choosing what to wear. Whether it is an election or not, white cotton shirts are what I choose any day, said K C Venugopal. 'No one wants to stay here anymore': The unflattering Kerala story Bonacaud Junction has to tell Another group of candidates are the kurtawalas. Elections have made them choose cotton kurtas over anything else. Thiruvananthapuram UDF candidate Shashi Tharoor, NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Pathanamthitta LDF candidate Thomas Isaac come under this category. Kollam NDA candidate K Krishnakumar wears cotton kurtas all day for campaigns. I wear cotton kurtas from Fabindia and try to have a change twice a day but it doesn't usually happen. Also in politics, changing more times can sometimes do more bad than good. However, if I get to change also, I immediately sweat. It's the heat of the campaign, that's fine, he said. Shafi Parambil, the Vadakara UDF candidate, can be seen in all kinds of clothes. One day he pulls off the chic young candidate in shirts and jeans, the next day he will be in white cotton shirts and mundu. Never does he miss wearing snazzy printed shirts and jeans and spreading his vibrancy into youth groups. From plain to printed, Alappuzha LDF candidate A M Arif is spiffy in linen shirts for campaigns. To escape the heat, the best is wearing linen shirts and mundu. I wear only linen for campaigns, said Arif. This candidate in the high-profile Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat has no house and lives in the party office NDA candidates Niveditha Subramaniam of Ponnani and Sobha Surendran of Alappuzha are saree folks. Cotton saree is a saviour in this weather, I avoid all other materials and try to change twice a day usually it doesn't happen but when I do, it's truly a refreshment and gives energy for the second half of the day, said Niveditha Subramaniam. Ernakulam LDF candidate K J Shine is usually seen in cotton sarees or set mundu but prefers salwar kameez for campaigns. During the first phase, I used to try and wear saree or set mundu but gradually I prefer salwar kameez to other clothing, said Shine. Battling hair loss amid the grueling campaign schedule, candidates like Krishnakumar and Niveditha Subramaniam prioritize haircare, finding time for weekly oiling sessions. Heavy hair loss is a factor while campaigning in this weather, you look haggard after campaigning but I try to oil my hair weekly, said Niveditha Subramaniam. Anna Linda keeps it real, admitting that election season leaves little time for hair and skincare routines. There is no time to take care of the hair and skin during election time, so he leaves it that way, she said about Hibi Eden's routine. The sartorial choices of candidates in this weather have been on fleek. From cotton classics to chic prints, they have made every effort to shine bright under the scorching sun.

This candidate in the high-profile Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat has no house and lives in the party office

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: S Mini, the candidate fielded by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, is a politician from top to toe. In fact, she does not own a home and has been living in the party office for nearly three decades. Like most of her colleagues in the party, Mini, the lone woman in the fray in the high-profile segment, believes that the value of life comes from within and is not determined by material possessions or social status. She lives at the party's state committee office in the Kerala capital, along with her husband and party leader Shajar Khan. The couple's only son Alan M.S. is a degree student at Tirur in Malappuram. Mini joined the party at the age of 22, when she was doing a pharmacy course at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram. The firebrand leader of SUCI(C) says she joined the party against the wishes of her parents and siblings. There was stiff opposition from them and I was forced to quit home during my college days. Initially, I lived at a hostel and later moved to the party office. It was a wise decision for someone who wanted to become a full-time party worker, she says. Wayanad Election Notes: The solitude of Kerala's most famous tribal activist Vilappilsala protest During her political career spanning three decades, Mini was involved in numerous people's movements, small and big, in different parts of the state. The longest and toughest one perhaps was the people's protest against a polluting waste plant at Vilappilsala in the Kerala capital, says the 49-year-old. The strike which began as a relay satyagraha ended in a full-blown protest two years later. Somehow, we managed to overcome the numerous sabotage attempts by the government, city corporation and the police. I dedicate the victory to the mighty women in Vilappilsala, she says. What began as occasional outbursts took the form of an organised protest with the intervention of the SUCI(C). As the party's designated leader to Vilappilsala, Mini's initial assignment was to organise the local women. We formed committees for every fifty households and important decisions were taken by an apex committee. Party did not impose its decisions but equipped people to claim their rights, she said. The people's protest met with success when the government decided to shut the plant. At the peak of the strike, Mini was detained by the police for one full day. Years later, she was jailed by the police for accompanying Mahija, the mother of engineering student Jishnu Pranoy, to the DGP's office. Jishnu was found dead at the hostel of Nehru Engineering College in Thrissur and Mahija was proceeding to the DGP's office to protest against the delay in arresting those who allegedly pushed Jishnu into suicide. Mini was arrested by the police on conspiracy charges. She was jailed and released after eight days of judicial remand. The police are yet to file a charge-sheet in the court. Lush greenery, stark misery: Election vignettes from Kerala's Achankovil forest Nurses' rights The Indian Nurses Parents Association which works for nurses' rights was established under Mini's leadership. The idea of an organisation of parents was to help nurses who couldn't come out in the open against their employers. Mini travelled extensively in the country to resolve the issues faced by nurses and nursing students. One incident she vividly recalls is the visit to a private medical college at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. The college had not returned the certificates of about 50 students, mostly Keralites, who refused to execute an illegal bond for a no-pay job after studies. The management did not change their stand in the deliberations with the INPA. Finally, Mini, with the help of a local SUCI leader, approached the district collector. She convinced him about the Supreme Court order banning the bond system at educational institutions. The collector then issued an order asking the management to return the certificates. Though the mission was successful, Mini says the collector was transferred within a few days, allegedly owing to the pressure from the college management which had considerable political clout. The manager later became the education minister in that state, she says. SUCI(C) contesting eight seats The party has fielded candidates in eight seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Mini is the candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram seat. The other constituencies are Kollam, Mavelikkara, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Chalakudy and Kozhikode. Campaigning is in full swing and the party has good visibility in all the places. The party's first unit in Kerala was formed by a group of students of the TKM College of Engineering, Kollam. It stepped into electoral politics by fielding Kochucherukkan in the Eravipuram seat for the 1970 Assembly election. The party's first Lok Sabha candidate James Joseph who contested from the Kollam seat garnered over 8000 votes. Founded in 1948, the SUCI(C) had a presence in the assemblies of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha at different times. Its lone MP was in the 15th Lok Sabha -- Tharun Mandal who was elected from West Bengal. Today, the Kerala unit of SUCI(C) has about 1200 full-time cadres and a few thousands of members.The party intervened in numerous public issues and equipped people to fight for their rights. It took the lead to unite people and organisations to fight for people's rights on issues ranging from the mineral sand mining at Thrikkunnapuzha to the anti-K-Rail protest. The party played a significant role in the people's movements at Chengara, Vilappilsala and Moolampilly.

Shashi Tharoor's Thiruvananthapuram Winning Streak In BJP's Crosshair

The Congress' Shashi Tharoor is bidding for a four-peat of wins from Thiruvananthapuram, but arguably faces his toughest test yet in Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, with the CPI's Pannyan Raveendran also in the mix.

Lok Sabha polls: 2,730 polling stations set up in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram

Lok Sabha polls: 2,730 polling stations set up in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram As Kerala goes to polls on Friday, 2730 polling stations have been set up in Trivandrum district. Webcasting facilities will be provided in all polling stations, the district collector said. District collector Geromoc George said, 2,730 polling stations have been set up in Trivandrum district. Out of this 1,423 are in Attingal House of People Constituency (HPC) and 1,307 are in Trivandrum HPC. In total, there are 14 dispatch and reception centres one for each assembly segment. There are 14 Legislative Assembly (LA) segments accordingly. In all polling stations, there will be webcasting. Webcasting will be provided in all polling stations during the polling time. There is a webcasting control room for the same, so if there are any complaints we can address them immediately. Earlier Chief electoral officer of Kerala Sanjay Kaul said they have made elaborate arrangements for the April 26 Lok Sabha election. The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will start at 7 AM on April 26 across 20 constituencies in Kerala with polling continuing until 6 PM. Speaking with ANI, he said, We have 25,231 polling booths which are ready to welcome all the voters tomorrow morning at 7 am. 70 per cent of the polling parties have reached the booths today. We have made elaborate arrangements for the comfort of the voters who come there.There will be an orderly queue management system. We will have volunteers managing the queues. There will be separate queues for elderly people. There is drinking water and toilet facilities. For our friends who are physically challenged, we have ramps on all the booths. We have wheelchairs, the Kerala CEO added. We expect it to be a little warm tomorrow, we have shaded areas wherever the booths do not have permanent shaded structures..., he added. Airborne on adjacent cranes on the final day of poll campaigning for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, Congress candidate Shashi Tharoor and BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar who are in the fray from Thiruvananthapuram parliamentary constituency wrapped up their poll campaigning on Wednesday. Both candidates were seen waving to the crowds at Peroorkada atop cranes adorned with their respective party flags. Thousands of workers of the UDF, LDF, and NDA started gathering in the tiny town in the afternoon. 'Kottikalasam', is a high-spirited final outdoor campaign where all contesting candidates and their supporters gather at a junction adorned with party flags, with an aim to show strength before the curtain falls on the public campaign ahead of the polling day. Shashi Tharoor, accompanied by Achu Oommen, daughter of former CM Oomen Chandy, climbed atop a crane first. On the other hand, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Chandrasekhar along with BJP district president VV Rajesh, too was seen on an adjacent crane. With two popular faces taking on each other, the Thiruvananthapuram seat in Kerala has hogged the spotlight again ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. BJP has fielded Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against incumbent Congress' Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram. (ANI)

Silent campaign in Thiruvananthapuram

There was no end to the political bickering among candidates during the silence period of the second phase of the polls on Thursday, even as they revisited various segments to shore up their vote bases.

All arrangements completed for Lok Sabha polls in Kerala on Friday

Thiruvananthapuram : All preparations have been made for the smooth conduct of the polls in Kerala on Friday.Voting for all the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will begin today at 7 am. Polling will continue till 6 pm. There are 2,77,49,159 voters in the state this time. Of these, 1,43,33,499 are women.Of the total voters, 5,34,394 are first-time voters in the age group of 18-19 years. There are also 2,64,232 differently-abled voters and 367 transgender voters in the state. The Chief Electoral Officer appealed to all voters, irrespective of age and gender, to exercise their right to vote and participate in the festival of democracy.A total of 194 candidates are in the fray in 20 constituencies in the state. All arrangements have been made to ensure smooth polling at the polling booths and to ensure that the voting machines are safely transported to strong rooms after the polling. A total of 1,01,176 polling personnel have been deployed for the polling process at 25,231 booths set up at 13,272 centres in the state. The polling process will be controlled by four officials, including the presiding officer, at a booth. There are 437 booths controlled only by women, 31 booths controlled by youth below 30 years of age and six booths controlled by differently-abled employees in the state. There are also 316 ethnic polling booths and 131 theme-based booths. Ramps and wheelchairs have been set up at the booths for differently-abled voters. Voting machines in Braille script have also been provided for the visually impaired.There will be a special queue facility at the booths for differently-abled voters and senior citizens. In addition, a sign language facility and travel facility for differently-abled voters have also been arranged. A total of 30,238 electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being used in the state in the Lok Sabha elections this year. In case of operational failure of any machines, the reserve machines will be delivered through the respective sector officers instead. The voting machines have been brought to the polling booths after completing the preliminary testing, three phases of randomization and mock polling. The polling will begin at 6 am on Friday after a mock poll is conducted again in the presence of representatives of political parties at the polling booths to ensure the safety of the machines. As many as 66,303 security personnel have been deployed at polling booths, distribution centres and strong rooms to ensure a smooth voting process. The Rapid Action Force has also been deployed at all police stations for security. Special security measures have also been taken in Maoist-affected areas involving central forces to ensure that voters cast their votes fearlessly. To ensure free and transparent polling, the Chief Electoral Officer said that a webcasting system has been put in place for real-time monitoring in all booths in eight districts of the state and 75 percent of booths in the remaining six districts. The real-time monitoring system has been implemented in all booths in Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Cameras have also been installed outside the booths to control crowding at polling stations with multiple booths. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the webcasting facility has been introduced to ensure a transparent election by preventing booth capturing, money distribution and bogus voting. Webcasting has also been arranged in the affected booths. In the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and the control rooms set up under the ROs of 20 Lok Sabha constituencies, A similar monitoring system has been set up in strong rooms and counting centres.

Lok Sabha polls: Thiruvananthapuram district all set for Lok Sabha polls

Educools summer camp for children in Thiruvananthapuram imparts training in vocational skills

Educool aims at empowering children with skills such as cookery, carpentry, plumbing, painting furniture-making and so on

Crucial electoral battle for Kerala Opposition leader VD Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For Opposition Leader VD Satheesan it's the first crucial Lok Sabha election ever since he became the Congress Legislative Party Leader in 2021. After Oommen Chandy - Ramesh Chennithalas tenure, now the onus is on Satheesan to prove his mettle in the Lok Sabha election where his aim is for a clean sweep in all the 20 seats. If so, it will keep Satheesan in good stead over others in the rat race towards the Chief Minister's seat during the 2026 Assembly election. When Congress state president K Sudhakaran was forced to defend his Lok Sabha seat in Kannur, it gave added responsibility to Satheesan. UDF convener M M Hassan who holds charge of the Congress state president has been currently holding dual roles. But unfortunately the organizational weakness has always been a bane for the party where even now the situation has been the same. The delay in appointing the mandalam presidents has been a detrimental factor for the Congress. But a former Congress state president on condition of anonymity told TNIE that Satheesan should be thankful to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the anti-incumbency has only sidelined the organizational lapses. Satheesan led the party during the two by-elections in Thrikkakara and in Puthupally. The entire party machinery could be brought in there which clinched the victories. But now the onus is on Satheesan to ensure that he betters the 19 seats won by the UDF in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. I would say that Satheesan is lucky as the anti-incumbency has become a crucial factor in favour of him, said a former Congress state president. But there are certain leaders who do not wish to give Satheesan due credit where they claim that its All-India Congress Committee general secretary (organization) K C Venugopal who is the mastermind behind the 2024 Lok Sabha election. It only shows that the road ahead is not going to be smooth for Satheesan in pursuit of the 2026 Assembly election. A veteran Congress leader told TNIE that its Venugopal who is a formidable force right from deciding the candidature, releasing funds and setting the agenda towards campaigning. Its Venus dream to achieve 20/20 seats in this general election. Also, its a matter of pride for him to stand tall among those former senior Congress leaders who had quit the party over the last few years as they had been blaming him for the rout. If theres a clean sweep, the credit would go in favour of Venu and if not, the barometer will turn against Satheesan, said a veteran Congress leader. There are chances of organizational revamping at the top level post the Lok Sabha election. But again that depends on the poll outcome.

194 contestants vie for votes as Kerala gears up for polls with over 2.75 cr voters

Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 194 contestants in 20 Lok Sabha seats are seeking the blessings of the people as Kerala goes to the polls on Friday, after over a month-long fierce campaign by the CPI(M)-led LDF, Congress-headed UDF, and the BJP-led NDA. The Election Commission said there are over 2.75 crore voters in Kerala where polling will commence at 7 am on Friday. Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said 63,100 bottles of ink are used to prevent fraudulent voting and ensure flawless and transparent elections. This time there are 2,77,49,159 voters in the state out of which more than five lakh are first-time voters. Kottayam constituency boasts the highest number of candidates at 14, while Alathur has the fewest at five. Other notable figures are: 13 candidates in Kozhikode and 12 each in Kollam and Kannur. Of the total 194 candidates, 169 are men and 25 are women. The Vadakara constituency stands out with the highest number of female candidates, at four. The Election Commission said steps have been taken to ensure safe and peaceful polling by deploying 66,303 security personnel. Kerala Police and Central forces are providing tight security for the polling in a total of 25,231 booths arranged at 13,272 places. Police deployment has been made throughout the state as per the instructions of the Central Election Commission. When the polling for 20 constituencies in the state begins at 7 am on Friday, more than five lakh first-time voters will go to the polling booth. As the curtains fell on Wednesday evening, marking the conclusion of the over-month-long, high-octane public campaigning for the April 26 polls, Kerala on Thursday witnessed a silent campaign before the state votes. Two union ministers, a state minister, three actors and a few MLAs are among the total candidates who try their political luck this time. BJP-led NDA is fielding the most number of women candidates - five. Unlike the previous general elections, Kerala has seen a highly active and aggressive campaign. Diverse issues ranging from the implementation of the CAA, the alleged existence of 'love jihad', controversies surrounding 'The Kerala Story' movie, the Manipur violence, Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad, as well as alleged appeasement of minorities by various political parties, dominated the high-decibel public campaigns. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, while the LDF had to settle for just a single seat.

LS polls Phase 2: Rahul, Tharoor in fray; Hema Malini, Om Birla seek hat-trick of wins

New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, and actor-turned-politician Arun Govil are among the key candidates in the fray for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls with BJP's Hema Malini, Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking a hat-trick of wins from their respective constituencies.Staggered over seven stages, the first phase of the elections held last Friday for 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories saw a voter turnout of around 65.5 per cent. In the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday, polling is scheduled in all 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, eight seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. Gandhi is the sitting MP from Wayanad in Kerala and is seeking re-election. He is pitted against CPI's Annie Raja and BJP's K Surendran. In the 2019 election, Gandhi secured victory by a substantial margin of more than 7 lakh votes against his closest rival, CPI's P P Suneer. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor is hoping to retain the Thiruvananthapuram seat for the fourth time. He is pitted against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the BJP and CPI's Pannyan Raveendran. Malini, who has represented the Mathura constituency since 2014, is contesting against Congress' Mukesh Dhangar while Om Birla, a two-time MP from Kota, is facing Prahlad Gunjal from the Congress party. Union minister Shekhawat is eyeing a third win from the Jodhpur seat while Congress candidate Karan Singh Uchiyarda would look to put a spanner in the works of the BJP candidate. Tejasvi Surya, the sitting MP for Bangalore South and the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), will face Congress' Sowmya Reddy. Former chief minister of Chhattisgarh and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel is contesting from Rajnandgaon, a stronghold of the BJP for over 30 years. Baghel is pitted against BJP's Santosh Pandey, who won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections succeeding Abhishek Singh, the son of former Chief Minister Raman Singh, also from the BJP. Replacing three-time MP Rajendra Agarwal, who has been holding the Meerut seat since 2004, Arun Govil, famous for portraying Lord Ram's character in Ramayan TV series, is making his electoral debut against BSP's Devvrat Kumar Tyagi and SP's Sunita Verma. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP leader Virendra Kumar Khatik is eyeing a fourth win from Tikamgarh. The Congress has fielded a new face, Pankaj Ahirwar, from the constituency. In 2019, Khatik defeated Congress' Kiran Ahirwar by a margin of over 3.48 lakh votes. The contest for the Alappuzha seat in Kerala has turned into a prestige battle for the Congress with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal's return to the Lok Sabha poll fray after 2014 as the party looks to wrest the only seat it lost to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in its landslide 19-1 victory in Kerala in the 2019 polls. Venugopal has not lost any major election in his career. He won the Alappuzha Assembly seat thrice in a row in 1996, 2001, and 2006 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Alappuzha in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, he did not contest after the party elevated him to the post of the AICC general secretary. Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is also in the fray from Thrissur against K Muraleedharan of Congress and VS Sunil Kumar of CPI(M). Sukanta Majumdar, incumbent BJP MP from Balurghat in West Bengal is seeking re-election. He is pitted against Biplab Mitra of the Trinamool Congress and Joydeb Siddhanta of the Revolutionary Socialist Party.

LS polls Phase 2: Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor in fray; Hema Malini, Om Birla seek hat-trick of wins

NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, and actor-turned-politician Arun Govil are among the key candidates in the fray for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls with BJP's Hema Malini, Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking a hat-trick of wins from their respective constituencies. Staggered over seven stages, the first phase of the elections held last Friday for 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories saw a voter turnout of around 65.5 per cent. In the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday, polling is scheduled in all 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, eight seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. Gandhi is the sitting MP from Wayanad in Kerala and is seeking re-election. He is pitted against CPI's Annie Raja and BJP's K Surendran. Wayanad: Left, BJP hopes to prick Rahuls balloon In the 2019 election, Gandhi secured victory by a substantial margin of more than 7 lakh votes against his closest rival, CPI's P P Suneer. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor is hoping to retain the Thiruvananthapuram seat for the fourth time. He is pitted against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the BJP and CPI's Pannyan Raveendran. Malini, who has represented the Mathura constituency since 2014, is contesting against Congress' Mukesh Dhangar while Om Birla, a two-time MP from Kota, is facing Prahlad Gunjal from the Congress party. Union minister Shekhawat is eyeing a third win from the Jodhpur seat while Congress candidate Karan Singh Uchiyarda would look to put a spanner in the works of the BJP candidate. Tejasvi Surya, the sitting MP for Bangalore South and the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), will face Congress' Sowmya Reddy. Former chief minister of Chhattisgarh and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel is contesting from Rajnandgaon, a stronghold of the BJP for over 30 years. Baghel is pitted against BJP's Santosh Pandey, who won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections succeeding Abhishek Singh, the son of former Chief Minister Raman Singh, also from the BJP. Replacing three-time MP Rajendra Agarwal, who has been holding the Meerut seat since 2004, Arun Govil, famous for portraying Lord Ram's character in Ramayan TV series, is making his electoral debut against BSP's Devvrat Kumar Tyagi and SP's Sunita Verma. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP leader Virendra Kumar Khatik is eyeing a fourth win from Tikamgarh. The Congress has fielded a new face, Pankaj Ahirwar, from the constituency. In 2019, Khatik defeated Congress' Kiran Ahirwar by a margin of over 3.48 lakh votes. The contest for the Alappuzha seat in Kerala has turned into a prestige battle for the Congress with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal's return to the Lok Sabha poll fray after 2014 as the party looks to wrest the only seat it lost to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in its landslide 19-1 victory in Kerala in the 2019 polls. Venugopal has not lost any major election in his career. He won the Alappuzha Assembly seat thrice in a row in 1996, 2001, and 2006 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Alappuzha in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, he did not contest after the party elevated him to the post of the AICC general secretary. Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is also in the fray from Thrissur against K Muraleedharan of Congress and VS Sunil Kumar of CPI(M). Sukanta Majumdar, incumbent BJP MP from Balurghat in West Bengal is seeking re-election. He is pitted against Biplab Mitra of the Trinamool Congress and Joydeb Siddhanta of the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Uttar Pradesh: RLD onboard, BJP looks for dominance

PM acting like a petty politician, says Mallikarjun Kharge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is acting like a petty politician, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Modi is targeting the Congress after becoming apprehensive of invisible voters following the first round of voting, he told reporters at Indira Bhavan. The Congress president demanded to know why Modi should be bothered about the grand old party of India if it is not a force to reckon with. Modi is so frustrated. I have travelled across 10-12 states for campaigning and have been getting very good reports from the public and voters alike. I want Modi to read our countrys history and learn how to keep the country united, Kharge said. Referring to Modis hate speech in Rajasthan, Kharge recalled that B R Ambedkar was the youngest among fourteen siblings and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has nine children. So, is it a particular community which has got maximum children? How can Modi say so? This is highly deplorable. He is also trying to garner votes by talking about mangalsutra, Kharge said. UDFs Thiruvananthapuram and Attingal candidates -- Shashi Tharoor and Adoor Prakash -- also attended the press conference. It may be recalled that Kharge and Tharoor had fought each other in the Congress presidential election. Eulogising Tharoor, Kharge did not spare his fellow politician from Karnataka, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the NDA candidate in Thiruvananthapuram. Tell me about one contribution Rajeev had made to Karnataka when he was an MP from there for 18 years. Kerala is supposed to be an ideal state. The people of Karnataka told Rajeev that enough is enough and asked him to prove his mettle in his home state, which saw him coming to Thiruvananthapuram. Tharoor has not only been a national figure but an international personality, an excellent speaker in Parliament where we used to request him to speak about international affairs, Kharge added. Though Kharge did not campaign for Tharoor and Adoor Prakash, they were closeted in his hotel room ahead of the press conference.

High Drama As Campaign Ends!

As the curtain falls on the campaign for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday, April 24, a ringside view of the closing ceremonies.

Last chance to safeguard constitutional values, says Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : This Lok Sabha election is the last opportunity for the people to protect basic constitutional values like democracy and secularism, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. This should be viewed as the last opportunity to resist the attempts to rewrite the Constitution, convert secular India into a religious country and to destroy constitutional institutions, Pinarayi said in a statement issued here on Wednesday. The CM said the Sangh parivar government at the Centre sabotaged democracy. Under them, the annual sitting days of Parliament came down. Investigation agencies were misused to prevent the free functioning of political parties and to sabotage the functioning of state governments ruled by opposition parties. If we lose this opportunity, secularism will be in danger, minorities will be in danger, democracy, freedom and national integration would be in danger, he said. The CM said the Left front had put up a brave fight against the BJP government. He said it was a Left leader who blocked the bulldozers sent to destroy Muslim houses during the Delhi riots. It was a Left leader who challenged the Gujarat governments decision to release the accused in the Bilkis Bano case. It was CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury who challenged the electoral bond in the Supreme Court, he pointed out. The CM hoped the Left front will rise as an influential force in the Parliament this time.

Kerala: Kottikalasam ends on a high note in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minor tension erupted at Neyyattinkara town when the police tried to disperse the Congress workers, who were engaged in Kottikalasam after 6pm, which is the cut-off time for public campaigning. The tension erupted towards the end of the kalashakottu when the workers of the Congress and its feeder outfits refused to disperse. Some of the workers climbed on top of the KSRTC buses that were stuck in the traffic block.The police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. The party workers tried to lock horns with the cops, which further raised tension. However, the issue was resolved after the senior cops and party leaders intervened. Earlier, the CPM and BJP workers got into a mild tiff, but before it evolved into a clash, the cops intervened and diffused the tension. The Kottikalasham largely passed off peacefully in other parts of the district. In Peroorkada, which hosted exuberant last-minute public campaigns by all the three fronts, there was a slight altercation between the CPM and BJP workers. The presence of the three leading candidates raised the tempo of celebrations there. UDFs Shashi Tharoor, flanked by Oommen Chandys daughter Achu Oommen, waved at the party workers from an elevated crane, taking the high decibel celebration to a crescendo. NDAs Rajeev Chandrasekhar also climbed atop a crane to pep up the enthusiastic BJP workers. LDF candidate Pannyan Raveendran attended the Kalashakottu in an open vehicle.

Kerala: Close triangular contest makes poll upshot in Attingal unpredictable

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the state is going to polls on Friday, Attingal Lok Sabha seat is witnessing an intense triangular contest. If UDFs sitting MP Adoor Prakash anticipated an easy walkover, the entry of CPMs V Joy, sitting Varkala MLA and the BJPs union minister of state for external affairs, V Muraleedharan has changed the ball game altogether in Attingal seat. 68-year-old Adoor Prakash snatched the seat away from CPMs A Sampath in the last Lok Sabha election in 2019 after a long run of the LDF since 1989. He had nursed the constituency well over the last five years. The victory margin of 39,000 votes during the 2019 Lok Sabha election is going to be crucial as it can go to both the CPM and BJP camps. The Congress partys organisational lapses in Attingal have also been a complex issue. Rooted in nativity, LDFs V Joy challenges incumbency in Kerala's Attingal The Congress state leadership has pinned its hopes on the LDF governments anti-incumbency and is also expecting a polarisation of minority votes in favour of Adoor Prakash. But the grapevine is that a former Congress legislator who has set his eyes on the Varkala Assembly by-election in case Joy wins the Lok Sabha seat has also given enough disappointment for Adoor Prakash. He has also been highlighting discrepancies in voters list over a large number of duplications of names. But Joy being a local leader has widespread acceptance among the people cutting across political leanings. His dual role as CPM district secretary has kept him in good stead over his two rival candidates. During his stint as Varkala MLA, Joy had come out with several tourism-related projects as it is a renowned destination among national and international travellers. BJP leader Muraleedharan cannot be sidelined as he is expected to give a scare to his two rivals as he has been camping there for the last one year elevating his position as a household name in the Attingal constituency. Muraleedharans connections with the echelons of power at the centre saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi and two senior Union ministers, Nirmala Sitaraman and S Jaisankar campaigning for him. While it is almost certain that the Nair and upper caste Hindu votes will go the saffron way, most of the SC and ST votes are also likely to swing this way. Muraleedharans stint in the external affairs ministry has kept him in good stead where those students who were expatriated from Ukraine have been working for him in Attingal. His goodwill also saw recently about how three fishermen belonging to Anchuthengu were repatriated from Russia. A section of the Latin Catholic votes as well as the local fishermen votes are expected to come in favour of Muraleedharan. But its the Muslim votes which hold the key in Attingal as it has got a population of around 14% as per the 2011 Census. A huge stride in minority population in assembly segments like Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad and Varkala has happened over the last decade.

Kerala: Ex-candidate calls for attention in tribal areas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Tribal activist and former candidate from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, Biju Kakkathode, has urged the Election Commission to ensure a fair election process in tribal areas. In his letter to the EC, Biju has asked the panel to deploy adequate forces to prevent political parties from bribing voters. According to Biju, tribal people are largely unaware of the importance of elections. Political parties create a festival-like atmosphere and supply liquor and cash to tribal people. On polling day morning, they come on vehicles to take the voters to booths. A sumptuous meal, liquor and cash would be given, he told TNIE . Thirty-three-year-old Biju belongs to the Paniya community, the largest tribal community in Wayanad. He is also the general secretary of the Akhilenthya Paniya Maha Sabha. I have seen many elections. The approach of political parties towards the tribal population remains the same except that the bribe money went up from Rs 50 to Rs 500 for a voter. Also, the complementary snack has been replaced by chicken biryani and country liquor with Indian Made Foreign Liquor, he says. Biju blamed successive governments for doing little to create political and electoral awareness. Every year, leaflets urging people to vote are supplied in the tribal hamlets a few days ahead of the election. Most of our people, especially elders, cannot read or write, he says, adding that the tribal department should implement long-term programmes to create electoral awareness. Not a contestant this time Biju secured 2,090 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha election when Rahul Gandhi contested from the Wayanad seat for the first time. Initially, my candidature had the support of eight tribal organisations. But all of them retracted when Rahul Gandhis entry was announced. The organisations pressured me to withdraw my candidature. But I didnt, he says. Those who pressured him said Rahul would bring development to the backward district. But Biju says he didnt believe it and that time has proved that he was right. Biju did not file nomination this time because he realised Lok Sabha poll was a big game. There is no level-playing field for people like me, he says.

Kerala: 15,000 youngsters to oversee poll booth webcasting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Around 15,000 youngsters in the state will be officially part of the election process in the Lok Sabha polls. They will be in charge of monitoring webcasting in the polling booths. The booth-level volunteers consist of college students and youths drawn locally. This time, the recruitment is done by I-Net Secure Labs Pvt, a Chennai-based digital company which won the bid for webcasting the polls in the state. In previous elections, it was usually the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-Dit) or Akshaya which used to webcast the proceedings. Youths with an understanding of the working of cameras have been recruited as volunteers. We have carried out their background checks to ensure transparency, said Maneesh K V of I-Net Secure Labs. We have received excellent responses from volunteers in the age group of 18-26 years. We gave them a brief training, he said. But he refused to divulge the stipend details as the talks are still underway. The company provides the cameras and the manpower to operate them at the booth, assembly and district levels. The firm started the open recruiting process at the beginning of this month. Apart from booth-level volunteers, they have also recruited 800 camera installation technicians, and 170 coordinators at the district and assembly levels. Laptop cameras are passe, EC goes for AI-based webcasting to monitor polls The Election Commission has gone high-tech by using Artificial Intelligence-based webcasting to monitor the poll process and spot malpractices. The Election Commission of India, Chief Electoral Officer, District Electoral Officer and Returning Officer can view the video based on the logins facilitated by the Video Management Software (VMS). Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala), Sanjay Kaul, said that the facilities for webcasting and data storage are done based on the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.

Man-animal conflict: Forest staff to be deployed near polling booths

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Aimed at instilling a sense of safety among voters and polling personnel deployed in human-wildlife conflict -prone areas, forest department personnel will be stationed from the eve of polling day on Friday till the close of polling to ward off wild animals. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjay Kaul told TNIE that the deployment of forest department personnel in and around sensitive booths is a first-of-its-kind measure in the state taking into account the recent spurt in wild animal attacks. A total of 1,216 polling stations across the state have been identified to be under areas prone to wild animal attacks. Of these, majority of the polling stations (576) are in Wayanad, followed by Pathanamthitta (256), and Malappuram (104), the CEO said. The forest department had earlier identified 281 panchayats as areas prone to human-wildlife conflicts. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Ganga Singh told TNIE that all field officers were instructed to assign the charge of a cluster of polling booths to Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) who will attend to emergency issues. Circle-level control rooms have been instructed to compile and report any human-wildlife conflict to the state-level control room at the forest headquarters on an hourly basis on the election day and the previous day till all the procedures are completed, Singh said. According to Singh, field officers of the department will be constantly patrolling in and around the booths. He added that RRTs have begun conducting mock drills around the booths identified from Wednesday. In the case of highly inaccessible terrain, forest department personnel will clear the route taken by polling parties and also escort them on their way back. Special patrolling will be conducted during early morning and late evening hours when wild animals generally venture into human habitations, Singh added. Key hours focused Special patrolling will be conducted during early morning and late evening hours when wild animals generally venture into human habitations

Thiruvananthapuram: Atop cranes, Shashi Tharoor, Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrap up poll campaigns

The News Mill

Prohibitory Orders Clamped in four Districts

Thiruvananthapuram : More than five lakh first-time voters are expected to turn up at the polling booths in the 20 constituencies in the state for the Lok Sabha elections as polling begins at 7 am on Friday. Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said 66,303 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safe and peaceful polling in the state. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by Kerala police and central paramilitary forces for the polls. There are 25,231 booths in the state this time. The police have put in place elaborate security arrangements at these booths which have been set up at 13,272 locations. ADGP M R Ajith Kumar is the nodal officer for police deployment. IG (Headquarters) Harshitha Attalluri will be the additional nodal officer. The police districts have been divided into 144 election subdivision zones under 20 district police chiefs. SPs/DySPs are in charge of each sub-division zone. As many as 183 DySPs, 100 inspectors, 4540 SIs and ASIs, 23932 senior civil police officers, 2874 home guards, 4383-armed police battalion members and 24327 SPOs will provide the entire security across the state. Besides, 62 companies of CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces) have also been deployed in the state. Of these, 15 companies arrived in the state on March 3 and 21. The remaining 47 companies of forces arrived on April 20 after the completion of polling in Tamil Nadu. Additional police forces, including central forces, have been deployed at problematic polling stations. As many as 4464 personnel from CAPFs and 1500 police personnel from Tamil Nadu have been deployed. Two patrol teams have been set up under each police station to maintain law and order. A Rapid Action Force has also been deployed at all police stations to ensure that the elections are not disrupted due to law-and-order problems that may arise on election day. Special security for Maoist affected areas Special security measures have been taken in Maoist-affected areas involving central forces so that voters can cast their votes fearlessly. The polling stations have been divided into clusters and a group patrol system has been put in place. For attention of first-time voters; Here's how to vote More than five lakh first-time voters will turn up at the polling booths this time as polling for 20 constituencies in the state begins at 7 am on Friday. Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said that all the youth who have the right to vote should exercise their franchise and participate in nation-building. Voting Process 1. The voter arrives at the polling booth and stands in a queue 2. When the voter's turn arrives, the polling officer checks the name in the voter's list and the identity proof shown by the voter. 3. The First Polling Officer applies ink on the index finger of your left hand, gives the slip and signs it. 4. The polling officer accepts the slip and checks the ink mark on the voter's finger. 5. The voter arrives in the compartment for voting. The third polling officer then sets up the ballot unit for voting. Then the ready light in the ballot unit glows. The voter then presses the blue button on the EVM towards the candidate of interest. Then the red light against the candidate's name glows. Immediately, the ballot slip containing the serial number, name and symbol of the selected candidate is printed by the VVPAT machine and displayed for seven seconds. The beeping sound from the control unit ensures that the vote is cast. Contact the presiding officer if you do not see the ballot slip on the VVPAT or do not hear the beep. The slip printed after casting the vote will then be safe in the VVPAT machine.

Over 10,000 Kerala people arrive from Gulf nations to vote in LS polls

Thiruvananthapuram: Over 10,000 Kerala people working in the Gulf nations have arrived in state over the last two weeks, some of them by chartered flights, to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections that will be held on April 26. According to Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Abdurhiman Randathani, the partys expatriate charity 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 .

Thiruvananthapuram district administration all geared up for polls

District has 2,730 polling booths; 3,831 presiding officers, 3,831 first polling officers, and 7,662 polling officers have been deployed for duty

Thiruvananthapuram district administration all geared up for polls

District has 2,730 polling booths; 3,831 presiding officers, 3,831 first polling officers, and 7,662 polling officers have been deployed for duty

Kottikalasam turns out to be a virtual celebration

While Peroorkada witnessed the campaign culmination event for the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, for Attingal the event was held at Attingal Junction

Campaigning ends for 89 seats in second phase of Lok Sabha polls

Campaigning ends for 89 seats in second phase of Lok Sabha polls The high-octane campaigning for the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections came to an end on Wednesday evening with top leaders of the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc making a last-gasp effort to woo voters. The second phase which is scheduled for April 26, will witness polling in 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories, including the remaining part of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. The end of the campaigning marks the commencement of a 48-hour silence period. The last date for filing nominations for phase 2 for all 13 States and UTs was April 4. In phase 2, Kerala has a maximum of 500 nominations from 20 parliamentary constituencies, followed by 491 nominations from 14 PCs in Karnataka. A minimum of 14 nominations were received from the parliamentary constituency in Tripura. 16-Nanded Parliamentary Constituency in Maharashtra received a maximum of 92 nominations. The first phase of the polling covered 102 constituencies of 21 states and union territories (UTs). Ten states and UTs were fully covered, while 11 states and UTs were partially covered. As the high-decibel campaigns for the Lok Sabha polls kick off, promises and guarantees by various political parties took place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Modi Ki Guarantee as the central theme of his campaign, focusing on the development of youth, empowerment of women, and welfare of farmers and marginalized communities. Meanwhile, the Congress is banking on its 'Nyay' guarantees, aiming at justice for various sections of society. The BJP has come out all guns blazing at the INDIA bloc over corruption, dynasty politics, and insulting the Constitution and Hinduism. The Opposition leaders, in turn, have attacked the government over electoral bonds, alleged misuse of agencies, inflation, and unemployment among other issues. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several of their cabinet colleagues, leaders of the Congress such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, and other parties also canvassed for their candidates. Key constituencies like Wayanad, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is contesting, and Thiruvananthapuram, where Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will face BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, will go to polls in the second phase. (ANI)

On election eve, Delhi L-G Saxena meets Syro-Malabar Church head; requests audience with other church heads

KOCHI: As Kerala heads to the polls on Friday, Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena arrived on a two-day visit to meet the heads of various Christian churches. The Lt Governor had requested an audience with the heads of the Syro Malabar Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and others. Fr Antony Vadakekkara, public relations officer (PRO) of the Syro Malabar Church, said the Delhi Lt Governor met with Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil at Mount St Thomas at Kakkanad in Kochi. The meeting was not a political one. It was a courtesy call during which both of them discussed non-political topics, said Fr Vadakekkara. He pointed out that the church had already affirmed its stand. Syro Malabar Church does not go as per the wishes of any political party. We have our own choices and decisions. Just because Saxena came and met with us doesn't mean that we will support BJP, he added. Though Saxena sought a meeting with the Latin Catholic Church, sources said the church refused to grant an audience. Early this week, the Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) questioned the delay in lifting the freeze on the bank account of the Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese of the Latin Catholic Church. The Latin Archdiocese alleged that the central government freezed its bank account as a punitive step against their participation in the Vizhinjam protest. Similarly, the Devalokam, Kottayam-based Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church head Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III did not meet Saxena as he was away in Kunnamkulam in Thrissur. Fr Mohan Joseph, PRO of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, said, No meeting happened between the Delhi Lt Governor and the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III. The Catholicos is presently in Kunnamkulam and won't be back soon. The meeting with Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, the head of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church at Puthencruz in Ernakulam, also did not materialise since he was hospitalized. Kuriakose Mar Theophilose, chairman Media Commission of the church, said there has also been no meeting with the Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorious, the second in-charge of the Church. Recently, Mar Gregorious made the church's stand by clearly hinting at support for LDF. Prof K V Thomas, Kerala's special representative in Delhi, said the meeting of Delhi Lt Governor Saxena with the Church on the eve of the election is intimidation tactics. This is a threat to democracy, it's also a threat to the minority community, Prof Thomas said.

National leaders campaign aggressively in Kerala on last day of electioneering

Thiruvananthapuram: With just hours left for the culmination of public campaigning, top leaders of political parties including union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi addressed a series of public meetings across Kerala on Thursday seeking support for their respective candidates. Amit Shah unleashed a frontal attack on the ruling LDF claiming that the communists were finished across the world and India. Congress is also facing a similar fate here. Modi will become the prime minister for the third time and free Kerala from the politics of violence, he said. BJP candidate Shobha Surendran is contesting from Alappuzha constituency against AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and sitting MP A M Arif of the CPM. Congress president Malikarjun Kharge campaigned for Shashi Tharoor, the UDF candidate in Thiruvananthapuram. Tharoor is caught in a triangular contest against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar of the BJP and former MP Pannyan Raveendran of the LDF. Kharge lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for spreading falsehoods about the party manifesto. We have spoken about caste census and economic survey to find out the socio-economic status of various communities. There is no mention of redistribution of wealth yet the BJP is spreading fake stories, he said. The Congress president accused Modi of inducting all corrupt leaders into the BJP fold. On the one hand, Modi talks about fighting corruption but takes in all the corrupt people. They have a washing machine which cleans all the corrupt once they join the BJP, he said. Priyanka campaigns in Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi led a massive roadshow in Wayanad in support of Congress candidate Rahul Gandhi. She addressed public meetings in Kambalakkad and Wandoor. The Congress leader assured the people that her party and the India Alliance would implement the promises made in their manifesto. Priyanka The state goes to polls in a single phase on April 26. Voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm on Friday in all 20 constituencies in the state. The Congress-led UDF received a massive mandate in 2019 winning 19 of the 20 seats. Later one of the MPs of the Kerala Congress became part of the LDF after his party Kerala Congress Mani decided to join the ruling front.

Where are the two crore jobs that were promised, asks Congress chief Kharge as Kerala prepares to vote

Thiruvananthapuram, April 24: AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday slammed the BJP and the Prime Minister during an interaction with the media at the Congress headquarters in Kerala. Kharge has been in Kerala for the last two days and is travelling across the state addressing election rallies in the run up to polling on April [] The post Where are the two crore jobs that were promised, asks Congress chief Kharge as Kerala prepares to vote appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates, main parties, schedule

PM Modi is afraid of invisible voters, says Mallikarjun Kharge

PM Modi is afraid of invisible voters, says Mallikarjun Kharge Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing a press conference in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of invisible voters and that's why he is always criticizing the Congress party. I came here to participate in the election program...We are getting very good responses from the voters here but PM Modi is afraid of these 'invisible' voters who will come out in the elections. That's why PM Modi is always criticizing Congress, he told reporters. If the Congress is nothing, why is PM Modi bothered about the Congress, Kharge asked. Raising questions about BJP's 'Abki Baar, 400 Paar' slogan, Kharge asked, If you (PM Modi) are confident about the party's goal of reaching 400 plus seats in the election then why are you taking corrupt people into your party?... When these people are in Congress or any other political parties they are very corrupt... Hitting out at PM Modi over corruption, Kharge claimed that the party purchased 444 MLAs. On one side, you say that Modi never tolerates corruption, and then you purchase nearly 444 MLAs from across the country, irrespective of parties to which they belong. Several politicians and contractors get clean chit after joining the BJP but when they were with Congress, they were the most corrupt leaders, Mallikarjun Kharge said. I am unable to understand that the man who ruled the country for 10 years as Prime Minister and nearly 13.5 years as Chief Minister, he is not able to distinguish what is corruption, who is good, who is bad... Then I can say that it is unfortunate for the country that such a man is ruling, he further said. Criticizing PM Modi over his job promises, the Congress President said, PM Modi is acting like a petty politician. He has forgotten everything whatever he had promised in the 2019 elections. He had promised to provide two crore jobs every year to youths. Where are two crores jobs... He further said, Kerala is the most literate state in the country... People here are more politically aware and politically intelligent than in Gujarat or other states but still, he comes here and speaks lies. He said to give Rs 15 lakhs to every family and will bring back the black money that Congress has kept outside. Where is that money? ...In the next election, he said that I would double the income of farmers. Where is the double income of farmers?... Now he is again saying Modi's guarantee...What is Modi's guarantee? Modi's guarantee has failed. Modi's guarantees mean he will not fulfil the promises he is making...This is Modi's guarantee... The main thing we are fighting is unemployment... Inflation is so high. He said 'Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas', but he did 'Sab Ka Satyanash'. Look at petrol and diesel prices, Kharge said at the press conference. Expressing confidence in winning the Lok Sabha elections, Kharge said, We will win 20 seats here. Our party leader has not divided the people on religion...they talked about the work they have done whereas PM Modi always talked about religion... All 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 26. The counting will be held on June 4. Notably, the campaigning for phase 2 of the Lok Sabha polls will end on April 26. (ANI)

'PM Modi is afraid of invisible voters,' says AICC chief Kharge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said as the first round of voting of the Lok Sabha polls was over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of invisible voters and that's why he is always criticising the Congress party. If the Congress is nothing, why is the Prime Minister bothered about the grand old party, Kharge asked at a press conference here. He said he had travelled to nearly 10-12 states and that the party was getting a very good response from voters there. I hope the undercurrent, that I can say, is not visible but Modiji is afraid of these invisible voters, and that's why he is always criticising the Congress, Kharge said at the press conference. Accusing the Prime Minister of acting like a petty politician, the AICC president also wanted him to read more about this country's history and learn how to keep the nation united.

NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar braves scorching heat in final campaign push

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The temperature is hovering around 36 degrees Celsius on a sunny summer day. When everyone wants to seek refuge from the sun, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the NDA candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, was busy meeting voters in the coastal areas of the constituency as the election campaign entered the last lap. At Pettah Aksharaveedhi Nagar everything was ready to welcome the candidate. The lane was decorated with festoons and BJP flags. Party workers were busy distributing shawls to supporters. A moderate crowd comprising elderly persons, women and children are waiting for the arrival of their candidate from 11.30am. In the wards Chakai and Pettah, usually known as strongholds of the Left, the BJP is slowly trying to gain foothold. We are now trying to get stronger than the CPM. They have the upper hand now, said Prem Kumar, West mandalam secretary of BJP. When the pilot vehicle of the campaign cavalcade approaches from a distance the workers are elated. However, to everyones surprise it was rival candidate Shashi Tharoor who came that way. Sensing the surprise on the face of the BJP workers, Tharoor waved at the people gathered there. Plea in HC against NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar An elderly person, Pratapan who was also in the crowd watching Tharoors convoy, said this time he would vote for BJP. I had been voting for Tharoor for the last three parliamentary elections. But what did he do for the constituency in the past 15 years? We need a change. Even the Christian community members are going to vote for Rajeev Chandrasekhar this time. When I went to the treasury to get my pension, one of my acquaintances who happened to be a member of Christian community, told me that he would vote for the BJP, he said. After the long wait, around 12.10pm,the candidate arrives in a fleet of vehicles. Amid the bursting of crackers and receiving garlands and ponnada, Rajeev reminds each of them the necessity of a BJP win to ensure Modis Guarantee. BJP is offering the future generation the guarantee for education and the constituencys development. My victory is important, said Rajeev. Requesting everyone to vote for him he thanks for the reception. As the candidate jump onto the jeep, the fleet started rolling again. With the band players moving in the front row followed by bike-borne workers, the crowd of BJP workers carrying party flags move ahead as the pilot vehicle announces the arrival of the candidate. The campaign vehicles are on their way to Pettah junction and from there to Chakai. At the Madhavapuram junction, seeing Rajeev, the street vendors welcome the candidate with folded hands. Battle of legal notices plays out in Thiruvananthapuram constituency The campaign fleet then moved to Vettukad, one of the wards where a considerable number of Christian members reside. As the atmosphere became hotter, the streets look deserted. This was also a sign of the low influence the BJP has in the Christian majority area where a lot of Left and Congress election committee offices were seen. The campaign vehicles turned to the bylanes and at one point there was a small group of people waiting for him. A girl presented Rajeev the idol of Holy Trinity. Kannanthura also gave him a warm welcome.

Rooted in nativity, LDFs V Joy challenges incumbency in Kerala's Attingal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: LDF candidate V Joy steps into Vadakke Arayathuruthi near the coastal village of Poothura in the Attingal Lok Sabha constituency on a Tuesday evening, greeted by an overcast sky and a cool breeze. Despite a packed schedule, his open vehicle, emblazoned with his name Joy, manages to maintain punctuality for the reception awaiting him at the bund. The lengthy roadshows covering many kilometres fail to dampen his enthusiasm as he exudes energy and a sense of belonging, warmly engaging with the diverse crowd of women, children, and the elderly. This marks Joys second visit to the Chirayinkeezhu assembly segment, where he is a familiar name, in a week. Joy is leaving no stone unturned to wrest the constituency from UDFs Adoor Prakash. He is leveraging his status as a resident deeply rooted in the constituency to appeal to the voters to choose him as their MP this time. I seek your vote as a son of this locality, born and raised here. While my opponents hail from distant districts, I stand firmly rooted in Attingal, Joy said, drawing attention to BJPs V Muraleedharan who hails from Thalassery and Adoor Prakash from Adoor in Pathanamthitta. Before departing for his next destination, he makes a special appeal. Consider me as your son or friend and give me a chance. I will be part of your joy and grief, and the development of the area, he said as the crowd cheered and raised slogans. As the cavalcade, adorned with CPM flags and led by enthusiastic youngsters on motorcycles, heads towards Thekke Arayathuruthi, Joy continues to emphasise his residential status and highlight the shortcomings of the incumbent MP. Some of the residents, including the fishermens families, have recently relocated from Poothura, a traditional stronghold of the UDF. There, he focuses on his residential status and also tries to point out the shortcomings of his UDF rival. People should unite beyond politics to send a local to the parliament, said Joy. He also expresses confidence that the people have decided to make the LDF win. It is evident from the enthusiasm of people attending the reception. They know that the MP they chose last time did not do anything good for the region, he said. He makes it a point to stress the importance of voting for the LDF in minority strongholds. Recently, a school in the name of Mother Teresa was attacked in the name of religion in Telangana. The chief minister of the Congress-ruled state did not take any swift action on the issue. The Congress is siding with the BJP everywhere. Will the schools of Christians or Muslims get attacked in this manner in Kerala? There will be immediate arrest if somebody does so, he said during the reception at Kattumurakkal. Vibrant receptions, spearheaded by spirited youth, define his campaign, with roadshows taking precedence in the final phase to ensure extensive coverage of the constituency. He is greeted with red shawls, agricultural produce, red roses, and crowns made of fabric and flowers. Traditionally, the fight in the constituency has been between the LDF and the UDF, though the NDA has made steady gains in recent times.

Buses, trains full, its rush hour for Keralites in Bengaluru

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Be it bus, car or train, Keralites in Bengaluru are all set to use any mode of transport to reach their home on the voting day on April 26. Sensing the demand Kerala Road Transport Corporation and Karnataka Road Transport Corporation have started 10 additional bus services to major towns including Kannur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram. They are offering flexi rates with discounts for booking the return trip. According to the officers of state-run RTCs, most of the seats have already been booked. The fare for a seat in a private bus from Mysuru/Bengaluru to Ernakulam reached `3,250 on Monday. The private bus operators also plan to increase the number of services on April 25, which is when they see the demand peak. The fares are going to be dynamic, said a representative of Interstate Bus Operators Association of Karnataka, Rijas A J. There are informal car pooling arrangements for people who find it comfortable to travel to Kerala during peak season. It is impossible to get a train ticket at this time and the bus fares are very costly. Car pooling suits us because it is comfortable and we could return on time after voting on Friday, said Shine Mathew and Arun Kumar, executives staying in Whitefield. S Prasanthan, the general secretary of the Contract Carriage Operators Association, said the practice of providing chartered bus services by political parties has stopped. There used to be chartered bus services from Chennai during elections. Now there may be car services arranged by the political parties, he said. However, there are people who think that the rush is more to do with the long weekend. There are people who take leave in advance because it is a public holiday in here on April 26. But Malayalis leaving Bengaluru in large numbers now gives a bad impression. Many of them are permanent residents here. It reinforces the local politicians understanding that we are of no concern for them because our votes are in another state, said Vishnu S of Thiruvananthapuram, who is now a voter in the Bengaluru South LS constituency.

Kerala HC junks plea against Rajeev, tells Congress leader to file election petition

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Avani Bansal and another person from Bengaluru seeking a directive to the district electoral officer to pass a reasoned order on their complaint alleging that Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the NDA candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, has filed a false affidavit about his assets and income along with his nomination papers. A division bench comprising Justices V G Arun and Justice S Manu observed, The question as to whether the returning officer should have passed a reasoned order cannot be decided at this point of time and no direction can be issued to the returning officer to communicate reasons for the decision on the complaint. The remedy of the petitioners if aggrieved by the acceptance of the affidavit filed by one of the candidates, is to challenge the same in an election petition, the court added. Avani Bansal argued that the deliberate delay on the part of the returning officer and the district election officer has caused substantial prejudice to her. Therefore, the officers should be called upon to state the reason as to why no decision was taken on the complaint. The court responded that its hands were tied as the election process has already commenced. The counsel for the Election Commission informed that the district election officer has forwarded the complaint of the petitioners to the Deputy Director of Income-tax (Investigation), Thiruvananthapuram for necessary action.

3,500 Kerala cops on poll duty in other states to miss voting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 3,500 cops, deployed in other states to ensure smooth conduct of Lok Sabha polls there, are all likely to be deprived of the right to exercise their franchise. The predicament arose as the senior state police officers nor the officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) did not factor in the Kerala poll date while preparing the election duty roster of the cops. The cops are now deployed in Karnataka and Maharashtra, where the polls will be held in various phases and end by May 7 and May 20, respectively. Office-bearers of the Kerala Police Association, which delayed in taking up the matter, met the Election Commission officials and requested them to allow the cops on outstation duty to do postal voting upon their return. A police source said the office-bearers moved their request on Tuesday seeking orders from the commission for the same. However, there are slim chances for the request to be accepted, the source added. The cops on election duty within the state were allowed to cast their votes in facilitation centres that were set up from April 21- 23. However, shockingly no provision was made for those working in other states. Earlier, the cops on election duty in other states were sent back just in time to cast their votes. But this time, no such arrangements were made, said an association office-bearer. The police department also did not ask for postal voting for the cops, who were to go to other states. Earlier, postal voting provisions were there for cops, but they were later withdrawn due to complaints of misuse.

Kerala MLAs DNA jibe at Rahul irks Congress, CMs backing fuels ire

KOZHIKODE/MALAPPURAM/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM MLA P V Anvars remarks that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should undergo a DNA test to verify whether he really belongs to the Nehru-Gandhi family snowballed into a controversy on Tuesday, three days before Kerala goes to the polls. With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan backing the Nilambur legislator, a livid Congress reacted sharply to the remark and approached the Election Commission (EC) demanding action. During an LDF poll campaign in Palakkad on Monday, Anvar had called Rahul a fourth-rate citizen who does not deserve to keep the Gandhi surname. This is not just my opinion. People in India are saying it. Will a person in the Nehru family talk like this? I doubt it. I am of the opinion that the DNA of Rahul Gandhi should be tested, Anvar had said, in the backdrop of Rahuls question as to why Pinarayi had not been arrested by central agencies. Rahul Gandhi has become a fourth-rate citizen who doesnt deserve to keep the surname Gandhi, he had said. The video of the MLAs remarks went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism from Congress leaders and workers. However, Anvar refused to withdraw his remarks on Tuesday. Rahul Gandhi said what a member from the Nehru family would not say. He doesnt deserve to be considered a member of the Nehru family, he said. When sought his response, the CM defended Anvar and said Rahul should have spoken carefully. He (Rahul) should be aware that if he says something, he will receive it back in kind, the CM said during a press conference in Kannur. He also said Rahul was not someone above criticism. Anvar latest incarnation of Godse, says Hassan The CMs reaction drew sharp rebuke from Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, who alleged that Pinarayi made Anvar speak against Rahul throughout the LDFs LS campaign as part of a deal with the BJP. It is Pinarayi who started the war of words against the Congress and its former president. Hence, the protests should also be against him, Satheesan told reporters in Kollam, adding that Anvar had insulted Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi with his remark. Meanwhile, within hours of the controversy, KPCC acting president M M Hassan approached the EC and demanded urgent intervention by the police. Anvar is the latest incarnation of Godse who killed Gandhiji. In fact, Anvars words are deadlier than Godses thoughts. He said things that should not have come out of a politicians mouth, Hassan said. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal termed Anvars statement as shocking. It is a matter of great concern that such statements are coming from a legislator of the Kerala assembly. Such abusive remarks will not be tolerated. Action will be taken against Anvar. He has not just insulted Rahul Gandhi, but also Rajiv Gandhi. Pinarayi Vijayan gave Anvar the licence to criticise Rahul Gandhi and the Nehru family, alleged Venugopal, the UDF candidate in Alappuzha.

Kerala poll panel comes up with innovations to make elections inclusive

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When you arrive at your polling booth to cast your vote on April 26, dont be surprised if all the election officials deployed are youngsters below the age of 30 years. As part of its plans to make the elections youth-friendly, the poll panel has earmarked 31 booths across the state that will be manned exclusively by young officials below the age of 30. This first-of-its-kind initiative in the state is among the many innovations the poll panel has devised for the upcoming Lok Sabha poll. As part of measures to make the elections inclusive, we have earmarked booths across the state managed by polling officials representing various categories, Chief Electoral Officer-Kerala Sanjay Kaul told TNIE. In an effort to send out a message of inclusiveness to differently-abled persons, polling personnel in the Persons with Disability (PWD) category will be managing six booths across the state. This is also a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, the CEO said. LS elections: Over 1.2 lakh officials, 30,000 policemen ready for deployment on polling day in Kerala The state has 2.64 lakh voters in the PwD category. Even though the vote at home facility has been provided to such categories of voters, a considerable section of them prefer to come directly to the polling booth to vote. Another innovation the poll panel has brought out this time is the setting up of ethnic booths in tribal, hilly and coastal areas. These polling booths will be decked up with designs unique to the place to give a homely feeling to the voters and to celebrate elections as a festival of democracy. Also planned are theme-based polling stations representing various themes such as coastal economy, coir industry and sports to name a few. A total of 131 polling stations across the state have been earmarked to be theme-based, election officials said. The poll panel has also increased the number of polling booths managed exclusively by women officials to 437 this year, ensuring that a minimum number of such booths are set up in each district. A polling booth has a presiding officer and three polling officers in addition to a policeman. Sector officers, who are in charge of 10-12 booths, will be on the move providing them assistance whenever required. ENSURING INCLUSIVE ELECTION Booths managed by women polling personnel - 437 Booths managed by personnel below 30 yrs - 31 Booths managed by PwD polling personnel - 6 Ethnic polling stations - 316 Theme-based polling stations - 131 LS polls: Kerala to have 62 companies of central armed police personnel for additional security