Varaha Roopam dance dramatises sneak peek of Kantara Chapter 1 OTT release
Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) A spectacular dance performance accompanying the song Varaha Roopam from Rishab Shettys superhit film Kantara was the highlight of the anouncement that its sequel would stream on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run. Varaha Roopam, although it was caught up in a legal battle with the Kerala-based band Thaikkudam Bridge, []
Monson Mavunkal case: Petitioners to approach Kerala High Court seeking CBI probe
M.T. Shameer and Shanumon, who were among the six petitioners who had lodged a complaint against Monson of cheating them of 10 crore, sought to counter the accusations levelled against them by Crime Branch DySP and investigation
Absconding Popular Front member arrested in Kerala RSS leader murder case
Absconding Popular Front member arrested in Kerala RSS leader murder case
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Conferred Doctorate Degree by Central University of Punjab
Chandigarh: The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, conferred a Doctorate degree in Literature (D.Litt) upon National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, with the honour being presented by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Ajit Doval, a retired Indian Police Services (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre, and former Indian intelligence and law enforcement officer, received this recognition. Additionally, Ajit Doval emphasized the significance of strategic partnerships in regional security during the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN STEP). This program, designed as a two-week strategic engagement at the National Defence College (NDC) in New Delhi, was organized under the auspices of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During his keynote address to 29 international delegates from 21 countries and 8 Indian officers, Doval highlighted the necessity of strategic partnerships in regional security and advocated for a collaborative approach towards nation-building processes. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, and evolving threats, collaboration and knowledge-sharing among decision-makers are increasingly crucial. By fostering mutual respect and dialogue, shared options can be explored to enhance international security cooperation and foster resilient communities, stated Doval. Shashi Tharoor Accuses CPI of Dividing Anti-BJP Vote Former IPS Officer RS Praveen Kumar Joins Bharat Rashtra Samithi BJP MLA Ketan Inamdar Resigns, Cites Inner Voice
Kerala: Dental student dies after boulder falls from lorry on his two-wheeler
Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 (IANS) A final year BDS student at a private dental college died after a boulder fell from a lorry and hit his two-wheeler, here on Tuesday. Anthu B. Ajikumar was en route his college when a big boulder fell on his two-wheeler from a lorry near his home in the city suburbs. []
Shashi Tharoor Accuses CPI of Dividing Anti-BJP Vote
Kochi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has accused the CPI of attempting to divide the anti-BJP vote in Thiruvananthapuram through their campaign against him. Tharoor criticized the CPI's strategy, pointing out the contradiction in their stance regarding Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad. In response, CPI General Secretary D Raja defended the Left's role in combating communal and fascist forces, labeling Tharoor's statement as absurd. Raja questioned Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad, arguing that it undermines the fight against the BJP. Tharoor expressed confidence in his track record of 15 years of service to the people of Thiruvananthapuram, asserting that his work speaks for itself. He emphasized the significance of the three-cornered fight in the constituency, acknowledging the serious challenge posed by both the LDF and BJP candidates. The BJP has nominated Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar as their candidate against Tharoor in the upcoming elections. Pannyan Raveendran, the LDF's candidate, highlighted that the primary contest in Thiruvananthapuram is between the LDF and UDF, dismissing the BJP's relevance in the constituency. Kerala is scheduled to hold elections in a single phase on April 26, with 20 Lok Sabha constituencies at stake. Despite the BJP's historical lack of success in the state, the upcoming elections remain crucial in shaping Kerala's political landscape. Former IPS Officer RS Praveen Kumar Joins Bharat Rashtra Samithi BJP MLA Ketan Inamdar Resigns, Cites Inner Voice Navjot Singh Sidhu Makes Commentary Comeback for IPL 2024 Season
MUMBAI: The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is facing a fresh crisis over claims on the Sangli Parliamentary seat. The Shiv Sena (UBT)'s sudden decision to stake claim on the Sangli Lok Sabha seat by announcing their candidate even before a seat-sharing deal could be finalised among the members of the opposition alliance has left the Maharashtra Congress miffed. During a campaign trail last week, Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had named Chandrahar Patil a prominent wrestler and two-time Maharashtra Kesri awardee as its Lok Sabha candidate for Sangli. We need to send a strongman from Sangli with a blunt mace in one hand and a flaming torch (Thackeray's party symbol) in the other to Parliament. I appoint Chandrahar Patil as Shiv Sena Lok Sabha coordinator for Sangli district, Thackeray had said. Incidentally, Patil's candidature for the Lok Sabha polls was announced earlier by the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which is in talks with the Maha Vikas Aghadi for an alliance. Patil had earlier won the Sangli Zilla Parishad elections on an NCP (undivided) ticket. Thackeray's announcement goes against the agreement reached within the MVA last week that none of the constituents would unilaterally declare candidates. Moreover, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier said thatin lieu of Sangli, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has given up its claim to the Kolhapur constituency from where Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj (the 12th direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) is likely to be fielded on a Congress ticket. Kolhapur had elected a Shiv Sena (undivided) candidate, Sanjay S Mahadik, in 2019. Raut said that Kolhapur and Ramtek Lok Sabha seats will be contested by the Congress while staking Shiv Sena (UBT)'s claim on the Sangli Lok Sabha seat. Congress: 'Won't give up Sangli at any cost' On the other hand, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole announced that their candidate Vishal Patil who is the grandson of former chief minister Vasantdada Patil would contest from Sangli. Vishal had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but was defeated. Patil has already started campaigning. Patole added that the Congress party will not leave the seat at any cost because it has potential to win the seat. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has reportedly voiced its displeasure over the Congress declaring their candidate from Sangli after the former had already announced they would be contesting from the seat. Raut claimed that the matter had already been decided during MVA seat-sharing talks and that they would now speak to the Congress leadership in Delhi, as per media reports. On Monday, a delegation comprising Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, Congress legislative party leader Balasaheb Thorat, and Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar, Congress MLA and leader of Opposition, State assembly, left for Delhi to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi to report their disagreement over Shiva Sena (UBT) staking claim on Sangli. The Congress' opposition could further delay the official announcement of the seat-sharing formula among the MVA constituents - the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). BJP's Sanjaykaka Patil is the incumbent two-time MP from Sangli, which went out of Congress control after the latter held sway there for over 52 years. TheBJP has won the Sangli seat for two consecutive terms. Maha dissent as banner of revolt strikes all players Congress leader opposes Chandrahar Patil's candidacy Meanwhile, a senior Congress leader requesting anonymity told this newspaper that Raut should follow the decorum of alliance and not declare candidates' names before they are finalised. He asserted, It was pre-decided that the winnability factor would be the criteria while allocating seats to candidates. In Sangli, the Congress has a strong presence and chance to win while Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Chandrahar Patil has no connection among the people. Patil joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena only few days back. Besides, he is not either an MLA or a big leader. He is only known as a wrestler. Therefore, any cost, we will not leave this seat to Shiv Sena (UBT) and throw it away to the BJP. The leader further added that even if the Sangli seat went to the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress would still field Vishal Patil and have a friendly fight with them, just like in Kerala. Raj Thackeray meets Amit Shah as BJP woos MNS Chief for LS poll battle against estranged cousin Uddhav The leader claimed that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are struggling to get candidates and want to fight many seats. He questioned, For what? To give away seats to the BJP? The NCP (SP) has no strong candidate in Bhiwandi and Wardha but they still they want to contest from both those Lok Sabha seats. He also claimed that the NCP (SP) not only wants the Wardha seat from the Congress party but they are also asking for their candidate. Our Congress leader and former MLA Amar Kale has been called by Sharad Pawar and is being asked to contest on NCP (SP) symbol from the Wardha Lok Sabha seat. The Congress has major chances to win many seats but things are not being worked out as per the winnability criteria, he added. Maha dilemma: MVA, MahaYuti scramble to clinch seat deal Electoral bonds scheme has exposed BJP's loot, claims Uddhav Thackeray Meanwhile, Congress leader Vishwajeet P Kadam, an ex-minister and a two-time sitting MLA from Palus-Kadegaon, told media that there are around 600 villages in Sangli district and that the Congress has its leaders and elected representatives in many of them. Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat, while admitting the partys stronghold in Sangli, diplomatically said that the senior leaders of both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) will sit together and hammer out an amicable solution to the fresh challenge. (With additional inputs from IANS, and Online Desk)
Lok Sabha elections 2024 in pictures | Vignettes of PM Modi south India tour
As part of BJP-led NDAs attempt in mustering support for its candidates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed poll rallies in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana
Kerala SET July 2024 Registration Window Opens At lbsedp.lbscentre.in; Check Eligibility Criteria
Embark on your journey towards becoming a qualified educator with the Kerala State Eligibility Test (Kerala SET) 2024! The LBS Centre for Science and Technology has initiated the online registration process for the July session, providing aspiring candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate their teaching aptitude. Read on to learn about the eligibility criteria, registration steps, and important dates for Kerala SET 2024.
Photos: PM Modi roadshow in Kerala
**EDS: IMAGE VIA @narendramodi** Palakkad: BJP supporters gather for Prime Minister Narendra Modis roadshow ahead of Lok Sabha elections, in Palakkad, Kerala, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (PTI Photo) Palakkad: BJP supporters gather for Prime Minister Narendra Modis roadshow ahead of Lok Sabha elections, in Palakkad, Kerala, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (PTI Photo) Palakkad: Prime Minister 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 .
Premayugam Boys: How Mollywood made a Barbenheimer
In the realm of cinema, unexpected phenomena often emerge from the collective creativity of audiences and the cultural landscape. Such is the case with the term Barbenheimer, a fusion of the titles Barbie and Oppenheimer, coined by netizens on social media. This term has now found resonance in the Malayalam film industry, particularly with the recent blockbuster hits Premalu and Bramayugam, which are currently dominating the box office. The Barbenheimer trend revolves around these two sensational films, sparking a flurry of memes and discussions across social media platforms, all under the hashtag #Premayugam. Each film represents a distinct genre and narrative style, contributing to the intriguing dynamic of the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Premalu, a romantic comedy, captivates audiences with its vibrant songs and humorous situations, offering a light-hearted cinematic experience. On the other hand, Bramayugam delves into the realm of horror and suspense, set against the backdrop of the 17th century. Renowned actor Mammootty's portrayal of a negative character in Bramayugam has garnered particular acclaim, adding depth to the film's eerie atmosphere. The stark contrast between these two films has fueled discussions and debates among cinephiles, further amplifying the Barbenheimer trend on social media platforms. In terms of box office performance, both Premalu and Bramayugam have seen remarkable success. Premalu, released a week ahead of Bramayugam, has already grossed over 42 crore and is poised to cross the 50 crore mark soon. Meanwhile, Bramayugam, despite its later release date on February 15, has earned a commendable gross of 30 crore, with its unique storyline and captivating visuals captivating audiences across Kerala. The release of Manjummal Boys on February 22 adds further excitement to the Malayalam film landscape, promising another intriguing addition to the ongoing Barbenheimer phenomenon. As these films continue to captivate audiences and dominate the box office, the Barbenheimer trend showcases the vibrant and dynamic nature of Mollywood, highlighting the diverse range of stories and genres that captivate audiences' imaginations.
SC asks Centre to respond within three weeks to pleas seeking stay of CAA rules
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to respond within three weeks to applications seeking a stay on the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud posted the matter for resumed hearing on April 9. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that he needed four weeks to file a reply to the 20 applications. These applications have sought a stay on the Rules till the apex court disposes of the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. Stay CAA rules: Kerala government to Supreme Court It (CAA) does not take away citizenship of any person, Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The Centre had on March 11 paved the way for the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, with the notification of the relevant rules, four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament to fast-track Indian citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. US Senator expresses concern over notification of CAA rules
There will be change in Kerala: BJP candidate for Palakkad after PM Modis roadshow
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Kerala: PM Modi holds road show in Palakkad
Palakkad, Mar 19 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a road show on Tuesday morning riding on a decorated open-roof vehicle as part of the Bharatiya Janata Partys Lok Sabha election campaign in Kerala to support C Krishnakumar, the NDA candidate in Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency, for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Narendra Modi landed... The post Kerala: PM Modi holds road show in Palakkad first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .
Kerala Lottery Result Sthree Sakthi SS 407: Prize Money List for 19 March 2024
Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS 407 result for Tuesday, 19 March 2024 has been declared. Check prize money.
Kerala: Shashi Tharoor accuses CPM of dividing vote, alleges Left of breaking opposition unity
South Indian film actress Arundhathi Nair was involved in a bike accident in Kerala on March 14. While traveling on the Kovalam bypass road with her brother, the 'Saithan' star was struck by a vehicle. Both the actor and her brother were left unattended on the road for nearly an hour. They were taken to the hospital, and Arundhathi is reportedly in critical condition. According to several reports, Arundhathi has sustained severe head injuries. Confirmation of the accident came from Arundhathi's sister, Arathy Nair, who disclosed that the actress is currently on ventilator support. Arathy took to Instagram to share the news and requested followers to keep Arundhathi in their prayers. She wrote, 'We felt the need to clarify the news reported in Tamil Nadus newspapers and television channels. It is true that my sister Arundhathi Nair had an accident three days ago. She is critically injured and fighting for her life while being kept on a ventilator at the Ananthapuri Hospital in Trivandrum.' Additionally, a fellow actress and friend of Arundhathi, Gopika Anil, also shared a social media post seeking financial help from fans and followers. 'My friend Arundhathi met with an accident the previous day and is in very critical condition. As she fights for her life on a ventilator, the daily hospital expenses are becoming too huge to afford. We are doing our part, but that seems insufficient to meet the current hospital requirements. I request you all to kindly contribute the way you can so that it would be very helpful for her family. Thank you so much.' She included bank details in her post for those willing to contribute.
PM Modi's Dynamic Roadshow Ignites Palakkad
Palakkad, Kerala - Prime Minister Modi led a spirited roadshow in Palakkad, Kerala, signaling the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) burgeoning influence in a region where it has historically struggled to make significant electoral gains. The event attracted throngs of supporters, bolstering momentum for the party's candidates ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Emphasizing the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) focus on Kerala in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi orchestrated a massive roadshow on Tuesday to galvanize support for NDA candidates from the state. Historically, the saffron party has faced challenges in clinching electoral victories here. The roadshow, which commenced around 10:45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town, featured the PM standing on an open-roof vehicle adorned with flowers. Arriving via helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, PM Modi was accompanied on the open-roof vehicle by BJP state president K Surendran and NDA candidates C Krishnakumar, contesting from the Palakkad constituency, and Niveditha Subramanian, fielded in the Ponnani seat. Despite the scorching sun, thousands of people, including BJP supporters waving flowers, garlands, party flags, and placards of Modi, lined both sides of the approximately one-kilometer roadshow route. Cheers of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam', and 'Modi ki jai' resonated from the crowd as the procession moved along. Modi, sporting a saffron-colored Nehru cap, reciprocated the warm reception by showering flowers on the gathered crowd multiple times. Enduring the heat and crowds, people of all ages gathered hours before the Prime Minister's arrival, creating a festive atmosphere along the roadshow route. Many families expressed their determination to catch a glimpse of Modi, indicating the enthusiasm among the populace. Covering the approximately one-kilometer route in about half an hour, the roadshow concluded, and PM Modi swiftly returned to the helipad. This event follows Modi's recent participation in a public meeting in Pathanamthitta town on March 15, where he rallied support for NDA candidates in southern Kerala constituencies. During his address in Pathanamthitta, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in BJP's prospects, stating that The Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He also criticized the ruling Left and the opposition Congress-led UDF, alleging corruption and incompetence in their governance. Notably, the BJP's vote share has seen an uptick from the Palakkad constituency in the Lok Sabha polls, with candidate Krishnakumar C securing 21.24 percent of the total votes polled in the 2019 general elections. This marks Modi's fifth visit to the state within three months, encompassing both official engagements and party functions. Top Events of the Day: PM Modi Launches Lok Sabha Campaign, SC to Hear CAA Case, and More LS Elections 2024: PM Modi Addresses Rally in Jagtial, Telangana
Actor Arundhathi Nair on Ventilator After Road Accident in Kerela
Tamil and Malayalam actor Arundhathi Nair is on a ventilator after a road accident in Kerala. Her sister confirms.
Thousands line streets as PM Modi holds roadshow in Keralas Palakkad
Palakkad, March 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modis first roadshow in Kerala after the Lok Sabha election announcement drew thousands of people on Tuesday. PM Modi arrived in Palakkad after a gap of four years, and this time his only engagement was a one km roadshow, after which he left for Salem in Tamil Nadu. Arriving [] The post Thousands line streets as PM Modi holds roadshow in Keralas Palakkad appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Annamalai Busts Congress Leader Jairam Rameshs Claims On Cyclone Michaung & Textile Crisis In TN
Against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modis road show in Palakkad, Kerala, and Salem, Tamil Nadu, on 19 March 2024, the Congress, aiming to propagate a negative narrative suggesting The post Annamalai Busts Congress Leader Jairam Rameshs Claims On Cyclone Michaung & Textile Crisis In TN appeared first on The Commune .
Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi holds massive roadshow in Palakkad
Prime Minister Modi conducted a vibrant roadshow in Palakkad, Kerala, showcasing BJP's growing influence in a region with historic no significant wins. The event drew massive crowds, reinforcing support for the party's candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Wayanad souring relationship between CPI and Congress?
NEW DELHI: Unease seems to have been brewing between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Congress over its former president Rahul Gandhis re-nomination from Wayanad parliamentary constituency in Kerala. Hitting out at the Left party, the senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said the CPI is complaining about Gandhis candidature in Wayanad and ironically playing the BJPs game in Thiruvananthapuram. Former union minister and the Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, in a post on the micro-blogging site, said that the only effect of the CPIs campaign against him in the constituency is to divide the anti-BJP vote. Its ironic that the same @cpofindia that complains about @RahulGandhis candidature in Wayanad is playing the BJPs game in Thiruvananthapuram. The only effect of the CPIs campaign against me in Thiruvananthapuram is to divide the anti-BJP vote. And they preach alliance dharma in Wayanad!, Tharoor posted on X. Retorting to Congress leaders scathing remark, the CPI general secretary D Raja condemned Tharoor stating that he should understand politics and the history of Kerala properly as it is the communist movement, which has been fighting the communal fascist forces and the communal forces consistently in the country and state. Its ironic that the same @cpofindia that complains about @RahulGandhi s candidature in Wayanad is playing the BJPs game in Thiruvananthapuram. The only effect of the CPIs campaign against me in Thiruvananthapuram is to divide the anti-BJP vote. And they preach alliance dharma Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 19, 2024 I considered the statement (of Tharoor) as an absurd statement. Mr Shashi Tharoor is considered to be a well-read educated man; he should understand politics and the history of Kerala properly. It is the communist movement; the Left which is fighting the communal fascist forces; right wing forces consistently. Mr Shashi Tharoor should look at his face in the mirror, who are the people leaving the Congress party and joining the BJP. Does he try to teach a lesson to communists? We are the consistent force in the country continuing to fight the fascist communal forces and critics of RSS-BJP combine, said Raja. The Congress and the CPI are part of the opposition coalition group-- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)-- but in Kerala they are contesting against each other as part of the rival state blocs - United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF). Tharoor, a three-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram is seeking re-election from the same seat. He is facing BJPs Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Electronics and Information Technology while the CPI has fielded Pannian Raveendran from the seat. Criticizing Tharoor, the CPI veteran further said that the Congress should explain Gandhis candidature from Wayanad against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) if the party is fighting against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Tharoor should understand that if somebody divides the vote, I cant accuse him why he contests Thiruvananthapuram, go and contest somewhere else. I can tell this in the case of Rahul Gandhi also. He claims that he has been spearheading the campaign against the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). But when it comes to electoral battles, why go to Wayanad and fight against the LDF and Left. The Congress party should explain what the message they want to convey to the people across the country. Who are their primary and political enemies?, said Raja. His wife Annie Raja is CPIs candidate from Wayanad. D Raja further said that it is Congress style of functioning which is causing the partys downfall. Why are they making such statement? Do they want to create some kind of anti-left mood in the country? The Congress party is facing such a decline; Mr Shashi Tharoor should try to explain instead of blaming the Left. It is their own politics; it is their style of work, which has brought the Congress party to this level. They should understand, Raja said. Last week, D Raja had said that fielding Gandhi Wayanad is the Congress prerogative but the public opinion is that a leader of his stature should have contested a seat where he could directly challenge the BJP. Lok Sabha Polls 2024: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad
Kerala: APSEZ Fast-Tracks Vizhinjam Port Expansion To Settle Dispute With State Government
Lok Sabha polls | PM Modi leads roadshow in Palakkad in scorching summer heat
This is Narendra Modis second visit to Kerala within a week as part of BJPs Lok Sabha election campaign. He addressed a BJP rally in Pathanamthitta on March 15
Kerala: PM Modi holds massive roadshow in Palakkad
Palakkad: Asserting the importance that the BJP-led NDA has given to Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a massive roadshow here on Tuesday to boost support for its candidates from the state, where the saffron party has historically had no significant electoral victories. The PM's cavalcade with Modi standing on an open roof vehicle heavily decorated with flowers commenced the roadshow at around 10.45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town. The PM arrived here in a helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. On the open-roof vehicle, Modi was flanked by BJP state president K Surendran and NDA candidates C Krishnakumar, who is contesting from the Palakkad constituency and Niveditha Subramanian, who has been fielded in the Ponnani seat. Braving the scorching sun, thousands of people, including BJP supporters with flowers, garlands, party flags, placards of Modi and wearing party hats, lined both sides of the around one km roadshow route. As the roadshow proceeded along the route, shouts of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam' and 'Modi ki jai' were heard from the people gathered on both sides of the road. They also showered flowers on Modi, who was wearing a Nehru cap in the saffron colour of his party. Reciprocating the welcome received from the crowd, the PM also showered flowers on the people on both sides of the road several times. Enduring the rising temperatures, crowds, of all ages, had gathered hours ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival and created a festive atmosphere along the route of the roadshow. Several persons, many of whom arrived here with their families, told TV channels that they will not leave without seeing Modi. The roadshow covered the around one km route in about half-an-hour after which the PM quickly returned to the helipad. Modi's Palakkad roadshow follows his recent participation at a public meeting in Pathanamthitta town on March 15, where he rallied support for NDA candidates contesting in the southern Kerala constituencies. Addressing the gathering in Pathanamthitta, the Prime Minister had said that The Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and attacked the ruling Left and the opposition Congress-led UDF, alleging that the people of the state have endured hardship under governments plagued by corruption and incompetence. The BJP has seen an increase in its vote share from the Palakkad constituency in the Lok Sabha polls with its candidate Krishnakumar C securing 21.24 per cent of the total votes polled from here in the 2019 general elections. This is Modi's fifth visit to the state within three months. He has already visited the state twice in January, once in February and then on March 15. These visits included both official and party functions.
Top Events of the Day: PM Modi Launches Lok Sabha Campaign, SC to Hear CAA Case, and More
Today, on Tuesday, March 19, significant events are set to unfold across the globe, spanning politics, judiciary, sports, finance, and education. Here's a rundown of the top happenings: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commence his Lok Sabha 2024 election campaign in North Karnataka, starting from the Dharwad constituency. He plans to hold a public rally and engage with party supporters in the area. Additionally, PM Modi will address a public gathering in Salem, Tamil Nadu, marking another leg of his campaign trail for the upcoming elections. In a separate development, the Supreme Court of India is scheduled to convene to deliberate on a series of petitions concerning the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Furthermore, the court will also examine a bail plea from AAP leader Sanjay Singh in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. As part of the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) election strategy, PM Modi will lead a roadshow in Palakkad, Kerala, aiming to drum up support for NDA candidates in the forthcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections. These elections are slated to unfold over seven phases, commencing on April 19. Meanwhile, Tata Steel's board is slated to convene today to mull over fundraising options through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) via private placement, according to an official statement from the company. On the sports front, cricketing icon Virat Kohli is anticipated to grace the RCB Unbox event in Karnataka today after his arrival in Bengaluru yesterday. Turning to legal matters, the Supreme Court will weigh the petitions challenging the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Additionally, the court will hear a plea from BRS leader K Kavitha regarding Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons related to the Delhi excise policy case. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) is scheduled to meet today to deliberate on the Congress manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Key leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are expected to participate in the discussions. AAP leader Sanjay Singh's plea seeking bail in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam will also be heard by the Supreme Court today. Lastly, in international news, US President Joe Biden will embark on a visit to Las Vegas and Reno before heading to Phoenix on March 19 and 20. HOLI 2024: Top 10 Enchanting Destinations to Experience Holi in India Diplomatic Significance of PM Modi's Trip to Bhutan
When grandparents turned fashionistas
CHENNAI: Dressed in the traditional outfits of each state of the country, the residents of Anandam Old Age Home and the students of the Special School celebrated their 21st Annual Day, Ananda Bharatham, at Sri Kuchalambal Kalyana Mahal, Chetpet, on Sunday. The chief guest of the programme was Mahesh Kumar Bajaj, executive director of Indian Bank, and the guests of honour were Dr P Balaji, dean of Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sridhar Vaitheswaran, assistant director and consultant psychiatrist at Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) India, and Sheeba Lourdhes, chairman of United Samaritans India. After practising for 20 days, all the thathas, paatis and the kids from the foundation dressed up in regional outfits not only to walk on the stage but also perform the traditional dance. To be standing there and knowing so many people watching me, made me nervous. But I managed somehow, shares Prabhakar representing Andhra Pradesh. Seetha, another resident, representing Kerala says, I was tensed too, but when everybody started encouraging, it built my confidence and everything seemed easy. The enthusiastic audience did not fail to participate in the event. As the models of Tamil Nadu walked back, they erupted in a chorus of once again. The residents walked the stage twice with smiles from ear to ear, spreading their contagious energy. As the song Gummi adi penne played on the speakers, people formed small circles and perform along with them. To show their excitement, some clapped, some whistled and some even sang the song. Every person walking the ramp had a story to tell. A story of their struggles to make ends meet. Narrating one of the incidents, Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, managing trustee shares, When we were rehearsing, one of the ammas held my hand and said we were left to rust as dust, but you took us in and gave us a reason to smile during our last days and looking at them enjoying and dancing today on stage gave me immense happiness. The hard work of the residents paid off today as we see people smiling and crying. In their last days, they were given the opportunity to spread joy and happiness, said Mahesh Kumar Bajaj, while Sheeba Lourdhes extended her support to the organisation. I did not know much about the home before coming here. Coming here and watching them walk with full enthusiasm and energy changed my mind and I want to associate with them in every way possible, she said. To sum up the happenings of the evening in the words of Nandhini, a makeup artist, Maja! It was a one-of-a-kind experience and it made me happy.
Adani Vizhinjam Port In Kerala Wins International Safety Award For 2023
Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL) has won an International Safety Award for calendar year 2023 from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping workers and workplaces healthy and safe.
Kerala: Prime Minister Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad
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Lok Sabha Polls 2024: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad
PALAKKAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a roadshow here as part of the BJP-led NDA's attempt to boost support for its candidates from Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls set to be held in the state on April 26. The PM's cavalcade with Modi standing on an open roof vehicle heavily decorated with flowers commenced the roadshow at around 10.45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town. The PM arrived here in a helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of people, including BJP supporters with flowers, garlands, party flags, placards of Modi and wearing party hats, lined both sides of the around one kilometer roadshow route. As the roadshow proceeded along the route, shouts of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam' and 'Modi ki jai' were heard from the people gathered on both sides of the road. They also showered flowers on Modi, who was wearing a Nehru cap in the saffron colour of his party. Braving the rising temperatures, crowds, of all ages, had gathered hours ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival and created a festive atmosphere along the route of the roadshow. Several persons, many of whom arrived here with their families, told TV channels that they will not leave without seeing Modi. Modi's Palakkad roadshow follows his recent participation at a public meeting in Pathanamthitta town on March 15, where he rallied support for NDA candidates contesting in the southern Kerala constituencies. Addressing the gathering in Pathanamthitta, the Prime Minister had said that The Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and attacked the ruling Left and the opposition Congress-led UDF, alleging that the people of the state have endured hardship under governments plagued by corruption and incompetence. The BJP has seen an increase in its vote share from the Palakkad constituency in the Lok Sabha polls with its candidate Krishnakumar C securing 21.24 per cent of the total votes polled from here in the 2019 general elections. This is Modi's fifth visit to the state within three months. He has already visited the state twice in January, once in February and then on March 15.
PM Modi Holds Roadshow In Kerala's Palakkad Ahead Of Lok Sabha Elections 2024
PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala
PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala
Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad
Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a roadshow here as part of the BJP-led NDA's attempt to boost support for its candidates from Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls set to be held in the state on April 26. The PM's cavalcade with Modi standing on an open roof vehicle heavily decorated with flowers commenced the roadshow at around 10.45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town. The PM arrived here in a helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of people, including BJP supporters with flowers, garlands, party flags, placards of Modi and wearing party hats, lined both sides of the around one kilometer roadshow route. As the roadshow proceeded along the route, shouts of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam' and 'Modi ki jai' were heard from the people gathered on both sides of the road. They also showered flowers on Modi, who was wearing a Nehru cap in the saffron colour of his party. Braving the rising temperatures, crowds, of all ages, had gathered hours ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival and created a festive atmosphere along the route of the roadshow. Several persons, many of whom arrived here with their families, told TV channels that they will not leave without seeing Modi. Modi's Palakkad roadshow follows his recent participation at a public meeting in Pathanamthitta town on March 15, where he rallied support for NDA candidates contesting in the southern Kerala constituencies. Addressing the gathering in Pathanamthitta, the Prime Minister had said that ''The Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala'' in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and attacked the ruling Left and the opposition Congress-led UDF, alleging that the people of the state have endured hardship under governments plagued by corruption and incompetence. The BJP has seen an increase in its vote share from the Palakkad constituency in the Lok Sabha polls with its candidate Krishnakumar C securing 21.24 per cent of the total votes polled from here in the 2019 general elections. This is Modi's fifth visit to the state within three months. He has already visited the state twice in January, once in February and then on March 15.
Congress ally IUML pleads case against implementation of CAA
Congress ally IUML pleads case against implementation of CAA By Congress Ally Iuml Pleads Case Against Implementation Of Caa In Supreme Court Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader PK Kunhalikutty on Tuesday questioned the 'need' to implement Citizenship Amendment Rules and said that citizenship should be given to everybody, not to certain sections. See, ours is the lead petition in the Supreme Court...Why should the government, days before or hours before the notification, issue such rules, Indian Union Muslim League leader Kunhalikutty told ANI. He further questioned why the government is going ahead with the citizenship order when the case is pending in the court. The case is pending in the court but the government is going ahead with the citizenship order. Why should the government do that? We are raising that in the court. We hope that we will get some relief. We are not opposing CAA, citizenship should be given to everybody, not to certain sections only, he added. The Supreme Court is set to review several pleas on Tuesday requesting the government to suspend the enforcement of the 2024 Citizenship Amendment Rules. The Kerala-based political party IUML, which is an ally of the Congress, filed a petition in the Supreme Court, a day after the government released the regulations under the CAA. Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the implementation of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In his petition, Owaisi sought directions to the central government not to entertain or process the applications seeking grant of citizenship status under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (as it stands amended by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019) during the pendency of the proceedings. Apart from Kerala, Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have also announced that the CAA will not be implemented in their respective states. The Union Home Ministry notified the rules for implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on March 11. The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants--including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians--who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)
Video: Thalapathy Vijay's car damaged after massive fan turnout in Kerala
Video Thalapathy Vijays car damaged after massive fan turnout in Kerala
Bastar: The Naxal Story crashes on Monday
'Bastar: The Naxal Story' starring Adah Sharma and Raima Sen faced a steep decline at the box office, collecting just Rs 24 lakhs on Monday after a modest opening weekend. The film's total collection stands at Rs 2.24 crore, far from the success of the team's previous film, 'The Kerala Story'.
Prime Minister Modi to hold roadshow in Keralas Palakkad
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Box office collection: 'Bastar: The Naxal Story' keeps lagging behind
Adah Sharma tasted helluva success with The Kerala Story in 2023 and to replicate the same success she joined hands with the same team for Bastar: The Naxal Story. However, as of now, the movie has failed to capture the box office with its mediocre content.
PM Modi has paid little attention to Tamil Nadu: Congress
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that while he has been visiting Tamil Nadu frequently in the last few weeks, he has historically paid little attention to the state. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed questions for the prime minister ahead of his visit to Tamil Nadu's Salem and Kerala's Palakkad on Tuesday. The prime minister is visiting Salem, Tamil Nadu and Palakkad, Kerala today. Some important questions that he must address: While the prime minister has been visiting Tamil Nadu frequently in the last few weeks, he has historically paid little attention to the state, Ramesh said. For instance, he did not set foot there during the Cyclone Michaung crisis in December 2023, he claimed. The chief minister of Tamil Nadu has repeatedly urged for the release of Rs 37,907 crore from the Modi government for rehabilitation and reconstruction after the cyclone, he noted. Does the prime minister plan to fulfil this critical need of the people of Tamil Nadu, Ramesh asked. During Prime Minister Modi's visit to Salem, he will hopefully notice the numerous textile factories that have either shut down and disposed of machinery or reduced working hours for labourers, he said. After having single-handedly destroyed India's MSME manufacturing capacities with demonetisation, GST, and the unplanned COVID-19 lockdown, what is the prime minister's vision to rescue these textile factories, Ramesh asked. Prime Minister Modi will address a rally in Salem on Tuesday. Alliance party leaders, including PMK founder S Ramadoss, are likely to attend the public meeting. The BJP has been focusing on the southern state, hoping to win as many of the 39 constituencies as part of its 'mission 400' seats in the coming polls. On the PM's visit to Kerala, Ramesh said, Kerala is the state that the prime minister had infamously compared to Somalia. Kerala's performance on development indicators has been consistently better than all Indian states. Will the prime minister finally apologise to the people of Kerala for his misleading commentary on the state, he asked. Kerala is home to the Western Ghats, an extremely fragile but important ecosystem. In the last 10 years, under Modi's tutelage, there have been continuous assaults on its ecosystem, he alleged. The Modi government has diluted all environment and forest laws to help a few favoured corporates, and perhaps to repay the debts incurred for their purchase of the BJP's electoral bonds. Will the prime minister come clean on what his motivations were when he was diluting our environmental protection regime to favour his corporate friends? Ramesh said and asked the PM to break his silence on these issues.
Kerala SET July 2024 registration opens: Check eligibility and application details
The LBS Centre, in conjunction with the Kerala government, has opened registrations for the Kerala State Eligibility Test (KSET) July 2024. Eligible candidates can apply until April 15, 2024, with an application fee of Rs 1000 for General/OBC and Rs 500 for SC/ST/Differently-abled candidates. The exam schedule will be announced soon. Applicants must possess a master's degree with 50% marks and a B.Ed. degree. Detailed instructions for application are available on the official website.
Popular Vehicles and Services disappoints, lists at 2% discount to issue price
The Kerala-based company, which faces competition from Landmark Cars, raised Rs 601.55 crore through the public issue at the upper price band
Bastar Box Office Collection Day 4: Adah Sharma Starrer Sees HUGE Drop
BastarBoxOffice: Directed by The Kerala Story filmmaker Sudipto Sen Bastar: The Naxal Story starring Adah Sharma was released in the theatres on 15 March. After opening up to poor reviews from the public and critics the film registered a super low opening at the box office. The crime drama dropped even further on Monday struggling [] Read on Lehren - Bastar Box Office Collection Day 4: Adah Sharma Starrer Sees HUGE Drop
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Jagathy has been renowned as home to some of Keralas most illustrious figures, including Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer, one of the modern triumvirate poets; Jagathy N K Achary, a distinguished Indian dramatist and writer who also left his mark in Malayalam cinema; and his son Jagathy Sreekumar, a beloved comedic actor of immense popularity. These luminaries have significantly elevated the citys reputation across the state. Furthermore, Jagathy has gained attention as the second home of the former chief minister Oommen Chandy. Throughout his political career, Puthuppally House in Jagathy has held profound significance. Jagathy, situated within the cityscape of Thiruvananthapuram, also has notable landmarks and establishments such as the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology. Additionally, the southern border of Jagathy is famous for Keralas biggest central prison and correctional home, known as Poojappura Central Jail. Also, the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) is an important organisation dedicated to shaping the educational landscape of Kerala. These institutions note its significance as a hub of academic, judicial, and administrative excellence within the city. According to historian Vellanad Ramachandran, the name Jagathy dates back to the 18th century, as mentioned in historical documents from that era. While the exact origin of the name remains uncertain, it is believed to be derived from Sanskrit. Jagathy likely stems from the Sanskrit words Jagath, meaning world, and Jagatheeswaran, signifying god or an emperor ruling over the entire world, he says. Geographically, Jagathy is situated along the shores of Karamana River, amidst an agricultural landscape. The presence of numerous temples along the banks lends credence to the possibility that the name Jagathy may have been influenced by its proximity to these temples. However, aside from speculation, he explains, there is no evidence to support any language-based or landscape-based origin for the name. Ramachandran says it might be like Thiruvananthapuram, which translates to city of Lord Anantha. According to Malayinkeezhu Gopalakrishnan, Jagathy was once covered in dense forest before it transformed under the supervision of Dewan Maurice Emygdius Watts in the time of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. This makeover involved clearing the forested areas, marking a transition from its rural, undeveloped place to a more habitable environment. Jagathy was home to Bhakthivilasam, the palace of the Dewan (Chief of Ministers) of Travancore, where notable figures such as C P Ramaswami Iyer, the former member of Viceroys executive council, resided. The establishment of All India Radio further increased development. Now, Jagathy has evolved into a community with notable landmarks and iconic people, he says. Whats in a name Weekly column on the history of place names. Got any suggestions? Write to cityexpresskoc@newindianexpress.com
Tharoor slams CPI, says it is playing BJP's game in Thiruvananthapuram
Tharoor slams CPI, says it is playing BJP's game in Thiruvananthapuram Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor hit out at the CPI on Tuesday, saying that it is ironic that the Left party which complains about Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad is ''playing the BJP's game'' in Thiruvananthapuram. The Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram said the only effect of the CPI's campaign against him in the constituency is to divide the anti-BJP vote, ''and they preach alliance dharma in Wayanad''. Tharoor, who has been representing Thiruvananthapuram for the past 15 years in the Lok Sabha, is eyeing a record fourth term. He is facing BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Electronics and Information Technology. The CPI has fielded Pannian Raveendran in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat. In a post on X, Tharoor said, ''It's ironic that the same @cpofindia that complains about @RahulGandhi's candidature in Wayanad is playing the BJP's game in Thiruvananthapuram.'' ''The only effect of the CPI's campaign against me in Thiruvananthapuram is to divide the anti-BJP vote. And they preach alliance dharma in Wayanad!'' the former Union minister said. Last week, CPI general secretary D Raja had said that fielding Gandhi from Kerala's Wayanad is the Congress's prerogative but the public opinion is that a leader of his stature should have contested a seat where he could directly challenge the BJP whose ideology he is fighting. On Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, from where the CPI has fielded D Raja's wife Annie Raja, the Left leader had told PTI, ''The public opinion is that a leader of his stature should have contested against the BJP because we are fighting the BJP ideologically, politically, at national level and in the states. So, as a leader of this fight, he should have contested BJP directly. That is one opinion.'' He had asked what was the message the Congress was trying to send by fielding Gandhi from Kerala, a state ruled by the Left Democratic Front at present. ''...If he wanted to contest any seat from the southern part of India, he could have chosen a seat in Karnataka or in Telangana, wherever to fight BJP directly,'' Raja had said, adding that it is public opinion, and not that of his party. The Congress and the CPI are in alliance at the national level as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) but in Kerala they are contesting against each other as part of the rival state blocs - United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Kerala Lottery Result Today Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and FULL LIST of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-407 draw for Monday, March 19 here from 3 pm.
Kerala: Satheesan reiterates allegations against EP, Rajeev Chandrasekhar
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has reiterated his allegations against LDF convener E P Jayarajan on his connection with BJP leader and Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar. He also challenged Jayarajan to file a case against him if what he had said was fabricated. Satheesan intensified his attacks against Jayarajan a day after the latter maintained that he had only seen Rajeev through the news. However, CPM secretary M V Govindan put Jayarajan into further trouble by challenging Satheesan to prove his statement with solid evidence. Though Rajeev on Sunday clarified that he has never met Jayarajan, Satheesan seems to differ. Is Govindan unaware of who the owner of Niramaya resort is? Rajeev and his family had attended the inaugural function of Niramaya 11 years ago. Vaidekam resort belongs to Jayarajans family, and he himself has claimed that he is its advisor, said Satheesan.
Kanakakunnu revamp: Green activists allege Kerala High Court directive violation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Green activists in the state capital have come out against a beautification project undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) at the Kanakakunnu palace premises. The activists allege that the project is in contempt of court as it violates an existing High Court order. At present, the PWD has dug open the areas surrounding the palace using a JCB for laying water pipelines. According to green activists, there is an existing High Court order which restricts any kind of construction activities hard landscaping, excavation, tree removal and demolition of structures within the compound and inside the historically significant Kanakakunnu Palace. According to the palace authorities, the beautification project cost around Rs1.5 crore, and is one of the key projects taken up by the tourism department this financial year. Kanakakunnu is a sought-after heritage spot in the capital frequented by hundreds of visitors daily and the project is crucial for giving more amenities to the public. The plan is to landscape the palaces surrounding area and give proper pavements for people to walk, said an official in charge of the palace. The Kerala High Court issued the order in May last year following a complaint against the work undertaken by the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd (ULCCS) as part of the Nightlife Project of the tourism department. We gave a letter to the tourism director on Monday pointing out the Court order and by undertaking such a work the department is blatantly violating it. If they continue with the work, we will move to High Court, said Sanjeev S J of Environment Protection and Research Council, an agency working for environmental causes. He alleged that the renovation and beautification projects were taken up by the tourism department multiple times in recent years. Major beautification works were implemented at Kanakakunnu in recent years. Similar projects are being again taken up which results in the wastage of public money, he added. Earlier, the tourism department implemented a slew of construction activities in connection with the nightlife project in the heritage grounds of Kanakakunnu Palace and the green activists moved the HC to stall the launch of nightlife at Kanakakunnu which was one of the first locations identified by the department for launching nightlife in the state. Later, the project was implemented at Manaveeyam Veedhi. contempt of court An existing High Court order restricts any kind of construction activities within the compound and inside the historically significant Kanakakunnu Palace The HC issued the order in May last year following a complaint against the work undertaken by the ULCCS Environmentalists hand over letter to tourism director against PWD work
Kerala: Poll declaration exacerbates HSS teachers transfer problem
KOTTAYAM: With the Election Commission announcing the Lok Sabha polls, the legal entanglement surrounding the transfer of Higher Secondary teachers has further worsened. Many higher secondary teachers who have been removed from their original schools through a transfer order are in a dilemma as they are unable to start their job at their new schools because the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) has stayed the transfer order. The General Education Department issued a general transfer order for higher secondary teachers on February 16. A group of teachers challenged the order in the KAT and the Tribunal stayed the transfer process on February 21. This has affected many teachers as those who were attending HSS teachers transformation programme (HSSTTP) or had taken joining time in accordance with KSR Rule are unable to join new schools. It is estimated that approximately 400 teachers across the state are impacted by this situation. Though the government filed an appeal with the High Court to lift the stay, the Court referred the matter back to the KAT for a decision. The KAT conducted hearings on March 13 and 15, but the case has been postponed for further hearings on April 8. However, with the Election Code of Conduct now in effect, the process of transferring teachers has become even more complicated. Teachers who are unable to sign the attendance book are under significant mental stress. Despite this, they are still being assigned exam duties as scheduled before the transfer. They will also have to undertake paper valuation and election duty in April. However, once the exams conclude on March 26, these teachers will not have a work station to join. This is a challenging situation as we currently do not have a work station. Without a designated place to mark our attendance, we fear that there may be a disruption in our service, expressed a teacher who wished to remain anonymous. Meanwhile, following directives from higher authorities, teachers in transit mode have reported to the offices of regional deputy directors or the Higher Secondary directorate. As temporary arrangement, teachers were given letters to be submitted to their original and new schools to document their current status. Subsequently, the directorate issued a circular regarding their exam duties and salary for the month of February. However, the issue we are facing is that we are unable to sign the register at any of the schools. The schools will be closed on March 26 after the exams. According to regulations, we are required to sign on the last working day at our respective schools, which will not be feasible given the current circumstances, explained the teacher. To address these concerns, teachers have established a WhatsApp group named Teachers on Transit to coordinate and strategise further actions. They are also exploring avenues to escalate the matter to the chief minister or the education minister. The government, in consultation with the Election Commission, should consider rescinding the transfer orders and initiating a new transfer application process to resolve this crisis, a teacher proposed.
Summer rain records 5-yr low in Kerala, experts say El Nino impact
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: March rains are rare, but the situation this year has so far been even more exceptional with the month registering a five-year low. Summer rain has been distressingly scant, with some districts experiencing no rainfall or significant deficits. The state has only received 1.4mm of rain so far, far below the normal 18.8 mm. Just five years ago, the average rainfall had reached 20mm, largely because of widespread rain in southern districts. Weather experts attribute the scanty rainfall to the impact of El Nio, a climate phenomenon that warms the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean. The rainfall this season has been consistently low, with even traditionally wetter southern districts experiencing significant deficits, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Kollam typically receive the most rainfall in March, but this time, they have seen dramatic decreases. For example, Pathanamthitta, which usually receives 63 mm of rain, has only received 8.9 mm so far while Ernakulam received just 6.4 mm compared to the five-year high of 40 mm. The activation of rain has been delayed since mid-March, likely because of the impact of El Nio, said Rajeevan. However, he predicts the northern districts may see more rain by April. The prolonged dry spell has also led to an increase in maximum temperatures (2-4 degrees Celsius above normal). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts for several districts Palakkad, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, and Ernakulam until March 20. Residents in these areas should expect hot and uncomfortable weather because of high temperatures and humid air during the period. Rainfall in March (Five-year low this time) 2020 19.9mm 2021 19.7mm 2022 10.6mm 2023 9.8mm 2024 1.4mm Summer Rain Status (March 1- 18) Malappuram No rain Kasaragod No rain Kannur No rain Kozhikode No rain Wayanad No rain Idukki Large deficient Kottayam Large deficient Palakkad Large deficient Thrissur Large deficient TPuram Large deficient Ernakulam Large deficient Alappuzha Large deficient Kollam Large deficient Pathanamthitta Large deficient Kerala Large deficient (Source: KSDMA)
Actress Arundhathi Nair on Ventilator After Horrifying Road Accident: 'She's Fighting for Her Life'
Tamil and Malayalam film actress Arundhati Nair is on ventilator after she met with an accident in Kerala.
Keralas digital land resurvey sets model
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralas digital land resurvey is drawing nationwide attention for its accuracy and low complaint rate. Officers teams from some south Indian states visited Kerala to study the innovative technologies used in the process. During their visit, teams from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had interactions with top officers of the Survey department. They also visited survey sites to get first hand experience. Andhra Pradesh government has requested the state to provide software solutions for digital survey and data management. Some other states are in talks for consultation and field visits. High accuracy is a highlight of our digital resurvey. Modern technologies help us to maintain accuracy within 0 to 5 cm. We have built an end-to-end digital land survey solution without any physical touch points. This is the first such solution in the country. Not surprisingly, the complaint rate is low. The rate of appeal land complaints (ALC) is just 0.39 pc, says Survey Director Seeram Sambasiva Rao. Initially, the ALC was about 13 pc and we brought it down through various strategies for community participation. People can view the draft survey map and records during the survey, he added. The digital resurvey will cover the states 1,550 villages in phases. 400 villages were selected in the first two phases. So far, 2.75 lakh hectares (21,72,804 land parcels) have been surveyed. Draft maps were notified for 90 villages and over 90 pc of works are complete in another 25 villages. The notification gives one-month time for the land owners to raise complaints. Next step is to notify the final map under Section 13 of the Kerala Survey and Boundaries Act. Through the digital resurvey, the government aims to create an Integrated Land Information and Management System (ILIMS). Its public interface would be the Ente Bhoomi single-window portal providing all land-related services from the government, a pioneering initiative in the country. They include services from the Revenue, Registration and Survey departments. Under this, a common deed format, including pre-mutation sketch, will be introduced for property registrations. Revenue and survey departments will get real-time information on ownership change from the Registration department. The online services include mutation, tax payment and various certificates. The trial run of the ILIMS developed by the National Informatics Centre is progressing. A three-tier monitoring system at the state, district and village levels is in place for the digital survey. The state-level monitoring team gets information from a daily progress dashboard where live details of the survey, including number of personnel at work, their exact location and even battery level of the equipment are available Personnel 773 government surveyors 1,378 contract surveyors 2,012 contract helpers Progress Draft maps ready for 90 villages 2.75 lakh hectares (21,72,804 land parcels) covered Purely ground-based survey Kerala has adopted a purely ground-based survey. Drones are not used for actual surveys since their accuracy level is 10-15 cm as against the goal of 0-5 cm. Still, wherever a drone is flown, the images are used to create a base imagery
Kochi: Cops say Aluva abductors and victims may be acquaintances; seven identified
KOCHI: The police probing the suspected abduction of a youth from the vicinity of the Aluva railway station have identified seven persons, including three who have been reported missing since Sunday. Ernakulam Rural police chief Vaibhav Saxena said while everyone has been identified, whether it was a case of kidnapping or not will only become clear after interrogating the suspects. An autorickshaw driver had on Sunday alerted the police about the alleged abduction of the youth by a group who was travelling in a Toyota Innova car. The police registered a case suo motu based on the drivers statement and launched a probe. The police found the car at Kaniyapuram in Thiruvananthapuram later in the day. Eyewitnesses reported seven people fleeing from the spot after abandoning the vehicle. The police found bloodstains inside the car. As per sources, two people from Thrissur who had rented the car to an ASI at Pathanamthitta AR camp have also been questioned. The ASI told the officers that the vehicle was rented for his NRI friend who recently returned from abroad. We have identified all the persons involved in the case. We know their whereabouts and police teams from other districts are after them too. Three of the seven are likely victims and four are abductors. However, we are yet to confirm whether it is a case of kidnapping. This is the most vital aspect in the case. We are yet to get any complaint, Vaibhav said. The abductors and alleged victims may be known to each other and financial deals may be the reason behind the entire incident, he said. That may be why all seven fled when the police chased the vehicle in Thiruvananthapuram, Vaibhav said. Duo who arranged vehicle arrested Two Kollam natives who arranged the SUV used by the abductors and were part of the conspiracy were arrested on Monday. The arrested are Riyas Khan, 48, of Anchal and Anvar Abdul Sathar, 31, of Kollam. The Aluva police said an ASI with the Pathanamthitta Armed Reserve Camp had taken the vehicle on rent for his friend and the vehicle reached the duos hand through the officers friend. The police also suspect the abducted persons are migrant workers who had taken D5 lakh to supply goods, but were kidnapped after they failed to deliver the same. Meanwhile, though eyewitnesses statements indicate three people were abducted, Riyas and Anvar, who were privy to the conspiracy, have maintained only two were kidnapped. Curiously, no missing complaint has been received from the family of the allegedly abducted persons.
Kochi gears up for LS elections; 3,094 electronic voting machines ready
KOCHI: Preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the Lok Sabha elections in Ernakulam district are going on in full swing, District Collector N S K Umesh said on Monday. Kerala will go to the polls on April 26. Umesh said 3,094 electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been inspected and are ready for casting votes. Bharat Electronics Ltds M3 model machine has also been set up. As many as 2,980 control units and 3,209 VVPAT machines are ready. Three flying squads, static surveillance teams, and video surveillance teams each besides a video viewing team and an accounting team are working to analyse the income and expenditure of the candidates. Around 2,545 persons have been appointed to work with different squads, Umesh said. He said banks have been instructed to report suspicious transactions above Rs 10 lakh during the elections. Transactions above Rs 1 lakh done via the accounts of the candidates and their close relatives will also be monitored, said Umesh, while urging banks to maintain a record of the functioning of ATM counters. The district requires 12,864 polling officers to conduct the elections. Umesh said all booths will be of high quality and are being set up on the ground floor. Ramps are available in 2,080 booths as of now and will be installed in others, he said. The district recorded a 78.68% turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. As many as 80.43% of votes were cast in the Chalakudy constituency, while 77.56% of votes were cast in Ernakulam.
Kovai comes to standstill as PM Modi holds roadshow amid 5-tier security
COIMBATORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Coimbatore city on Monday amid heavy security after an intelligence alert about a security threat and reports of a hoax bomb threat that surfaced just hours before he visited the city. At the end of the rally, he paid homage to the victims of the 1998 serial bomb blast, at RS Puram. A five-tier security cover was given across his travel route in the city, with personnel from the Special Protection Group (SPG), Central IndustriaI Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Coimbatore City Police, and various other units actively involved in conducting thorough investigations. It was the PMs first political engagement in the state after the announcement of the seven-phase schedule of the Lok Sabha election on Saturday. The roadshow started from Saibaba Kovil junction and ended at DB Road-TV Samy Road junction at RS Puram after passing through North Coimbatore, Sindhamani junction, Crosscut junction and East TV Samy Road between 5.45 pm and 6.45 pm. The roadshow organiser, Coimbatore district unit of the BJP, claimed that the event was held so that the PM can meet the people and sensitise them regarding the various welfare measures and schemes provided by the office of the Prime Minister. Also police claimed that it was the first roadshow programme in Coimbatore in which the PM participated. No such program has been allowed so far here. Initially, the Coimbatore city police denied permission for the event citing security threats. But the Madras High Court on Friday ordered the police to allow the roadshow after the party approached it. Following the courts order, the distance of the event was reduced from 4 km to 2.6 km after a joint security assessment by the SPG officials and the city police. The areas adjacent to the roadshow were brought under complete security surveillance and vehicle checks in other parts of the city were also intensified. The shops on the route were shut down after 1 pm. At the venue, RS Puram police asked people to keep their mobile phone in their pant pockets or in handbags, and asked them to avoid holding phones and water bottles in hand. On February 27, during the public meeting held at Palladam in Tirupur district, a cadre mistakenly threw his mobile phone at PMs vehicle while showering flowers on him. A few hours before the event, a private matriculation school at Ramanathapuram in the city received a bomb threat email from an unknown person on Monday morning. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad checked thoroughly and declared that it was a hoax threat. Around 5,000 police personnel from Coimbatore and other districts and 100 SPG officials designated for the prime ministers security took the entire route under their control. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Coimbatore Airport by 5.30 pm on a special flight and reached the venue at Saibaba Kovil by 5.50 pm. The roadshow started at 6.10 pm and he reached RS Puram at 7.15 pm where he spent around five minutes and paid homage to the victims of the 1998 bomb blast. He left the venue at 7.20 pm and moved to Circuit House at Red Fields at night. On Tuesday morning, the PM is scheduled to fly to Kerala by chopper and after attending a program at Palakkad, Modi will reach Salem by helicopter, where he will be addressing a public meeting. 5,000 cops, 100 SPG officials put on duty Around 5,000 police personnel from Coimbatore and other districts and 100 SPG officials designated for the prime ministers security took the entire route under their control.
Unkept promises: Moolampilly evictees give clarion call
KOCHI: Tired of the trail of broken promises by consecutive governments, families displaced due to the Vallarpadam Container Terminal project have decided to strengthen their campaign seeking justice. The campaign is a clarion call for the political parties who have been ignoring our voices, said Francis Kalathunkal, general convenor of the Moolampilly Coordination Committee. The residents of Moolampilly were evicted 16 years ago to pave the way for the very ambitious Container Terminal project. As many as 326 families from Mulavukad, Kothadu, Cheranalloor, Vaduthala, Kalamassery, Eloor, Manjummel and Edappally were evicted in 2008 to build road and rail connectivity to ICTT. The then-LDF government brought out a Moolampilly rehabilitation package. Though the families were granted plots at seven places in and around Kochi, six of them were landfills. Over 250 families are yet to get houses and are living in rented houses, said Francis. When the land was allotted, 52 families decided to construct houses. However, seven of them found the structures sinking and developing cracks. So, others refrained from investing their hard-earned money in building houses. They continue to live in houses taken on lease or on rent, he says. A PWD study also pointed out that the lands were not suitable for constructing buildings and needed proper foundation work to support any structures, he adds. The tragic thing is that around 36 people who had been waiting for the implementation of the rehabilitation package have passed away, four of whom died by suicide, he says. We were promised that one person from each family holding a degree would be given a job at the terminal once the project comes to fruition. However, we were given nothing, he says. The creation of a post of rehabilitation officer has also been our long-pending demand. We need such an official to oversee the implementation of the rehabilitation packages, said Francis. The Moolampilly evictees also want the monitoring panel that was set up for their rehabilitation to be revamped. COMPENSATION Evictees were to be allotted 4.5 cents of land if the extent taken over was below 5 cents and 5.5 cents if the area exceeded 5 cents. HC directed government to ensure land allotted is made fit for A-Class construction, up to the standards of consolidation necessary for a double-storeyed building The government sanctioned Rs 75,000 per family for piling work A member of each family was guaranteed employment Rs 5,000 for each family as rent till their rehabilitation and a lump-sum of Rs 10,000 for shifting
Kerala HC directs railways and Kochi corporation to act on plastic waste accumulated on tracks
KOCHI: Observing that a significant amount of plastic waste has got accumulated on the sides of railway tracks in the district, the Kerala High Court asked the Kochi corporation secretary to direct railway authorities to remove the same if it is on the railways property. If the area comes under the corporations jurisdiction, the secretary has to take action, the HC said, adding that it will implead Southern Railway in the case that the court had registered suo motu following the fire outbreak at Brahmapuram dumpyard last year. The court also pointed out the issue regarding the vehicles used by the corporation for transporting waste. Is it feasible to spend crores of rupees on the lease amount of the vehicles? The corporation could only bring seven vehicles back on the road despite having 34 vehicles of its own. Did the corporation invite competitive tender for providing these vehicles? asked the court. Appearing online, additional chief secretary Sarada Muraleedharan reported on a video circulating on social media that shows huge amounts of plastic waste accumulated on the sides of a railway track. She said the government checked and confirmed that the property belonged to the railway. As this area is essentially unclaimed, the government is working with the railway to find a solution to the problem, she said. Judges satisfied with progress at Brahmapuram Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P who recently visited the solid waste treatment plant in Brahmapuram expressed satisfaction over the work done by the government and the Kochi corporation. However, the court directed the authorities to consider paving the internal roads within the plant. The judges also said the Black Soldier Fly project and Legacy Waste Project were working effectively
Abhimanyu murder case: Kerala Court appoints inquiry officer to probe missing documents
KOCHI: The Ernakulam District Principal Session Court on Monday appointed an inquiry officer to conduct an administrative-level probe into the missing of 11 crucial documents in the Abhimanyu murder case. Observing that the documents have been missing from the court since January 2019, District Principal Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese, however, said such incidents were not unusual. The missing documents include the chargesheet, postmortem report, case particulars with a covering letter, an attested copy of the register of property found in prison search, police intimation to an accused person named Arjun, casualty register and hospital card of another accused Vineeth, the wound certificate of Rahul K, 15 customer application forms submitted to procure SIM cards, a site plan, a certificate issued from Maharajas College and a 161 CrPC statement by the accused persons during the interrogation. The court, while considering the case on Monday, observed, Missing documents are regular at courts. There have been instances where the lost documents were found later. There is nothing unusual about the missing of documents in this case. Regarding the inquiry officer, the judge did not disclose any details saying that it is an administrative procedure, not a judicial one. However, it is learned that a judge is conducting the inquiry into the incident. Judge Honey was apprised of the missing document issue on September 2023. As per procedure, she reported it to the Kerala High Court which directed her to reconstruct the files. The case was considered Monday to hear the defence counsels objections, if any, regarding the authenticity of the reconstructed documents. However, the counsel representing the eight accused persons, who are members of the student political organisation Campus Front, filed an objection over the reconstruction of missing documents. The counsel for the third accused sought more time for filing an objection.
Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to hold wild animal census
KOCHI: Spurred by the spike in human-wildlife conflicts in Kerala, the state forest and wildlife department, along with the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments, will undertake a simultaneous survey of wild animals to find out the increase in their numbers. While announcing on Monday, Forest Minister A K Saseendran said the current number of wild animals in Kerala are estimated based on the census done in 2018. The last time the survey was done was five years ago. To find out the rise in the number of wild animals and their current status, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have jointly decided to undertake a new census at the same time, Saseendran told reporters in Ernakulam. He said the government has also come up with initiatives to ensure availability of water in forests to prevent wild animals from straying into human habitats. The move aims to avoid human-wildlife conflicts, which have claimed several human lives this year alone. Blaming climate change for the incursion of wild animals into human settlements, Saseendran said, Availability of water will be ensured in forests to prevent wild animals from entering human settlements. A pilot project in Thiruvananthapuram proved the issue could be resolved by spending Rs 5 lakh, and we have decided to go ahead with its implementation. I have directed the officials to identify and submit a report on natural springs and swamps inside the forest within a week and find places where water can be easily supplied, Saseendran said. Around 240 such water bodies have been identified in Wayanad forest division alone. The project will be implemented with the cooperation of local bodies and hotel owners, and using corporate social responsibility funds.
Lok Sabha election 2024: By the end of Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have visited Tamil Nadu seven times this year, Kerala and Telangana four times apiece, would have been to Karnataka three times and to Andhra Pradesh twice. The choice of venues for the rallies since March 15 indicates the seats and regions the BJP is focussing on to win
K-Rice flies off shelves, Kerala govt orders 8k MT more
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The positive response to K-Rice, its initiative to provide rice to people at subsidised rates, has prompted the government to place orders for more quantities of cereal grain from suppliers in other states. Sources said, Supplyco, which is the procurement agency, has placed an order for another 8,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice. As per the data, 1.6 lakh families have purchased K-Rice so far. Of the 2,000 MT of rice bought in the first phase, nearly 1,800 MT have been distributed so far. Three varieties Jaya, Kuruva and Matta are available for purchase. Jaya rice is being distributed in the Thiruvananthapuram region, Matta in Kottayam and Ernakulam regions and Kuruva in the Kozhikode region. The procurement is done through the governments electronic tender system and suppliers are mostly from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The local Matta variety, however, is purchased from suppliers across Kerala. Meanwhile, the government is making efforts to make Supplyco outlets more lucrative ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. It has begun the process to procure essential commodities that are then sold at subsidised rates via Supplyco outlets. Priority cards The Food and Civil Supplies Department has decided to supply priority ration cards to 19,384 families which had been on its waiting list. They will be included in the Priority Household (PHH) Category funded by the state government. Mustering Mustering for priority ration card holders has been temporarily stopped due to technical issues. The National Informatics Centre and Kerala State IT Mission are working on the issue and the process will be resumed at the earliest. K-Rice rates Jaya: I29 per kg Kuruva, Matta: I30 per kg 5kg will be distributed per card
Sakhas grow, RSS bifurcates Kerala into north & south prant committees
KOZHIKODE: The growth in the number of sakhas in Kerala has prompted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to bifurcate its existing prant committees into two in the state. The decision was taken at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagpur from March 15 to 17. Ernakulam will be the headquarters of the south committee, which will include districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. Districts from Kasaragod to Thrissur will come under the north committee, to be headquartered in Kozhikode. RSS sources told TNIE that discussions on the bifurcation had been on in the organisation for a long time. Usually, a prant committee has around 2,000 sakhas under it. In Kerala, we have over 4,000 sakhas now, said a top RSS leader in Kerala. The RSS leadership said a new prant committee has been formed in Kerala for organisational convenience. We have four prant committees in Uttar Pradesh and three in West Bengal. The need for bifurcation was felt in Kerala too, said a source. The decision has also come as a relief for workers, said the source. There was an issue of workers and leaders from Kasaragod travelling to Thiruvananthapuram for meetings. Organisational works will be easier with the setting up of a new committee, said the source. The RSS has 37 sangh districts in Kerala. Under the new arrangement, 17 of them will come under the north committee while the remaining 20 will come under the south. S Ramesan and K K Balram will be prant sanghchalaks of the south and north committees, respectively.
Kerala: NDA ally names candidate for Wayanad constituency, BJP not amused
KALPETTA: Who is the candidate of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat? Depends on who you ask. If the Republic Party of India (Athawale), or RPI(A), is to be believed, it is the partys national vice-president Nuzarath Jahan who will take on Congress leader and sitting MP Rahul Gandhi and LDF candidate Annie Raja in the constituency. However, the BJP Kerala leadership refutes this. The RPI(A) is the NDAs ally at the national level. RPI(A) president and Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale had announced Nuzaraths candidature from Wayanad on March 12 in a video uploaded on social media. In it he called Nuzarath a very active politician in Kerala and that the party was giving her the ticket for the Wayanad LS seat. Like Smriti Irani defeated Rahul in Amethi, Nuzarath will defeat him in Wayanad, Athawale is heard saying in the video. The BJP leadership in Kerala has refuted this. BJP has no alliance with RPI(A) in Kerala. Our candidates are decided by the national leadership. We cannot approve any self-proclaimed candidates in Wayanad, BJP Wayanad district president Prasanth Malavayal told TNIE . Prasanth confirmed that a BJP candidate will be fielded in Wayanad. We negotiated back the Wayanad seat from BDJS. It is certain a BJP candidate will contest against Rahul Gandhi. I saw RPI(A)s announcement on some online media platforms. However, the BJP in Kerala is yet to get any confirmation from the party leadership, Prasanth said. RPI(A) state secretary Sunil Mannath, however, said there was no confusion over the NDA candidate in Wayanad. We are expecting an official announcement from the BJP leadership within a few days, Sunil told TNIE .
Kerala: Four students from Pookode Veterinary College face action in old ragging case
KOCHI: The management of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, which came under scrutiny after the death of the second-year student J S Sidharthan following an alleged mob trial, has initiated disciplinary action against four students implicated in a ragging incident that took place in 2023. The four students said the anti-ragging committees surprising action against them came despite the victim stating, in writing, that he had no allegation of physical or mental assault. It is believed that the disciplinary action is a retaliatory move for disclosing the events that led to Sidharthans death. The committee decided to rusticate students Ajith Aravindakshan and Amresh Bali with immediate effect for one year. They have been charged under several sections of the UGC Regulation on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009 after their involvement in ragging came to light. The committee has withheld the scholarships/ fellowships and other benefits of two other students, Nihas N and Jonath Antony, as per the 2009 regulations. An order issued on March 15 said during the probe by the anti-ragging squad into the suspected suicide of Sidharthan, an old incident of alleged ragging was reported to the squad on February 27, 2024. The squad conducted a detailed inquiry by collecting statements from all the students linked to the incident and submitted a report before the anti-ragging committee chairman. In it, the squad concluded that the victim had been subjected to physical assault and that the incident comes under the purview of ragging as per UGC 2009 regulations. During the inquiry, the squad observed that the male victim wants to conceal his identity. In this regard, the standing counsel of the university has advised to maintain anonymity of the victim to the extent possible, said the order. The anti-ragging committee held a meeting later, on March 13, and initiated action against the students. The four students have approached a lawyer in Kochi to file a petition against the order.
Central govt directs states to maintain separate records for pet and stray dog bites
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid a rise in dog bites across the country, the Union government has directed the states to maintain separate records for pet dog bites and stray dog bites. The move is aimed at strengthening the rabies surveillance system and to achieve the goal of making India a rabies-free country by 2030, according to the order issued on March 7 by the Directorate General of Health Services under the ministry of health and Family Welfare. The Centre has asked the state health authorities to provide quality data on the number of animal bites from all primary health centres, community health centres, district-level hospitals and tertiary care facilities with specific details on bites by pet dogs and stray dogs. Separate records have to be maintained for new and follow-up patients in the animal bite exposure register. Welcoming the decision, Minister for Animal Husbandry J Chinchu Rani said that keeping distinctive data on pet dog bites and stray dog bites is a good thing. Animal bite incidents recorded inaccurately We have data on the population of stray dogs and domestic dogs in the state. The state has already taken several measures for animal welfare, especially dogs. We are devising measures to enforce responsible pet parenting by mandating pet licensing, Chinchu Rani said. The direction comes in the wake of a letter written by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to the National Centre for Disease Control, urging a direction to all hospitals and medical institutions to record dog bite cases distinctively. The AWBI highlighted that clear reporting would help create a comprehensive understanding of dog bite incidents. Animal rights activist M N Jayachandran, a former member of the state animal welfare board, said animal bite incidents are being recorded inaccurately. There are no specific details as all bite and even scratch incidents involving cats are recorded as dog bite incidents, which is wrong. Distinctively recording the bite incidents will help identify potential areas where street dog populations may be more concentrated, said Jayachandran. Advantages of separate records on dog bites Will help formulate targeted interventions such as vaccination campaigns, public awareness programmes Understanding the source of dog bites will help identify potential areas where street dog populations are high. This can aid in implementing targeted sterilisation and vaccination Will help avoid misinformation surrounding incidents of dog bites
Kerala: Perambra murder accused has chilling criminal history
KOZHIKODE: Kondotty Mujeeb aka Mujeeb Rahman, who was arrested for the murder of Anu Prajil of Valoor near Perambra recently, is a notorious criminal with 56 cases registered against him in various police stations across the Malabar region. Mujeeb allegedly drowned Anu in a stream and stole her ornaments on March 11, after offering her a lift on a stolen motorbike. Booked for the first time at the age of 20 for the murder of a Tirur jewellery shop owner, the 48-year-old has been involved in various crimes including sexual assault, robbery, and plunder, and the list goes on. Though booked, Mujeeb had walked out of jail in most cases after securing bail. What is baffling people is how a person with such a chilling criminal history could be let roaming free. An elderly woman, who was sexually assaulted by Mujeeb at Mutheri near Mukkom in 2020, told TNIE that he should be hanged for all the crimes he committed. Had he been punished earlier, Anu of Perambra would not have been killed, she said. Operating with a calculated precision, Mujeebs criminal activities revolved around exploiting the vulnerability of unsuspecting women. His modus operandi: Offer lifts to people on his motorbike or other stolen vehicles, including autorickshaw, only to swiftly transform into a predator, snatching the victims valuables before disappearing into the abyss of anonymity. Born in Kondotty, Rahmans early life remains a mystery, with scant details emerging about his upbringing. Yet, what unfolds is a narrative of deviance and deceit that has left a trail of trauma in many lives. As many as 13 cases have been registered against Mujeeb in Kondotty. For local residents, Mujeeb has always been a fierce person and has maintained little relations with the people of his native place. According to the 2020 Mutheri rape case survivor, a hotel worker, she faced brutal sexual assault at the hands of Mujeeb, who gave her a lift in a stolen autorickshaw in July. He reportedly tied her up and raped her, before stealing her money. Mujeeb, who was arrested for the case, escaped after tricking the police but was caught from Koothuparamba in Kannur district. In that case, the accused was remanded for one and a half years, said Perambra DySP K M Biju. 56 cases registered against Mujeeb in six districts He is a habitual offender. From sociopathic tendencies to a predatory instinct honed by years of criminal behaviour, Rahmans profile paints a portrait of a man driven by urges towards money and sex, Biju said. In the Mutheri case, though the police filed the chargesheet on time, the trial got delayed and he later secured a bail from the court. In the latest incident, Mujeeb, who reached Iringannur near Perambra on March 11 on a bike stolen from Mattannur, saw Anu, who was walking from her own house to go to the hospital with her husband. He approached the 26-year-old woman saying he would drop her off at a nearby place, if necessary. He was wearing a helmet and a coat. According to the police, the woman, who initially hesitated to get on the vehicle, later took the lift thinking that he might be someone from the neighbourhood. On the way, Mujeeb pushed her into a nearby stream and killed her by stomping her head in the water. He then snatched away her ornaments.
Kerala LS polls: Candidates celebrity endorsement bid misfires
KOCHI/THRISSUR: Its election season, and celebrity endorsements are the norm rather than the exception. However, their attempts at such an endorsement and celebrity photo opportunity have backfired on the Left and NDA candidates in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, much to their embarrassment. CPI candidate V S Sunil Kumar and BJPs Suresh Gopi were at the receiving end of their own over-enthusiasm, following a snub by the celebrities. Sunil Kumar was forced to delete a photograph he posted on his social media pages with Tovino Thomas after the actor cautioned candidates against using his image as he is the ambassador of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Kerala. Meanwhile, a prominent doctor who tried to arrange a meeting of Suresh Gopi with Kalamandalam Gopi was reportedly rebuffed by the Kathakali maestro himself. The photo posted by Sunil Kumar showed him standing with Tovino, with the caption extolling them as the shining stars of Thrissur, along with CPIs symbol and the request urging voters to help the candidate win. Tovino took to social media to issue a statement after Sunil Kumar posted the photo. Did not know that Tovino is SVEEPs brand ambassador, says Sunil Kumar I wish to hereby convey that Im the ambassador for Kerala for the ECIs Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme and so it is against the law to use my photo, or a photo including me for any kind of election campaigning. In case somebody is using it, I wish to clarify that it is without my knowledge or consent. Wishing everyone a fair election experience, Tovino wrote on his FB page after Sunil Kumar posted the photo. After deleting the post, the former agriculture minister explained that he was unaware that Tovino was SVEEPs brand ambassador. He said the photograph was taken during his visit to Pulikunnam where the actor was shooting for a film. Earlier, the Congress and BJP had ridiculed and opposed CPIs action of using Tovinos pictures on the election posters. The NDA took a step further and complained to the ECI against Sunil Kumar. Meanwhile, Raghu Gurukripa, son of Kalamandalam Gopi, alleged that a prominent doctor in Thrissur called him and tried to influence his father on behalf of Suresh Gopi. The doctor had said Gopi Asan should bless Suresh Gopi and the actor would visit Asan at his residence. When Raghu denied them permission saying no BJP or Congress workers should approach his father as part of their election campaign, the doctor asked him whether his father doesnt want to be honoured with Padma Bhushan. Raghu being a follower of the LDF, has been campaigning for Sunil Kumar. Hence, he denied the doctor permission to bring Suresh Gopi to visit his father at his residence. According to Raghu, his father himself had denied permission for the meeting. Raghu, however, deleted the post on Monday and wrote on Facebook that he did not want people to exploit his father for their own profit. Raghu also urged people not to discuss the matter further. Responding to the row, Suresh Gopi said he didnt appoint anyone to ask permission to meet Gopi Asan. It is the BJP district president who takes care of the list of prominent people who I should meet as a candidate. When we have the campaign visits in each assembly constituency, we meet people there and seek blessings, he said. Suresh Gopi added that he had not read Raghus post on Facebook. He also said that if the party asked, he would meet Gopi Asan. I have met him several times, and even had the opportunity to release a documentary on him, Suresh Gopi said.
Kerala HC allows mom to buy drug for SMA-affected child without paying tax
KOCHI: In a display of judicial compassion and intervention, the Kerala High Court has stepped in to address the plight of a mother grappling with the dire medical needs of her three-year-old child affected by the life-threatening rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The court recently issued an order permitting her to purchase the drug Risdiplam, sold under the brand name Evrysdi, from the dealer without paying IGST. The court issued the order on the petition filed by the mother seeking a directive to the Union government not to collect IGST from the distributor for the purchase of the drug which is imported from F-Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Switzerland. The petitioner is sourcing the medicine from a distributor in Ernakulam. She submitted that a circular issued by the Centre said that the import of medicines for treating individuals suffering from life-threatening diseases can be considered for exemption on a case-to-case basis. The present price of Risdiplam is Rs 6.07 lakh per bottle, including 12% GST. The court pointed out that it was clear from the terms of the circular, minutes of the GST council, and the provisions of Article 279A(4) of the Constitution that the Union finance minister is competent to consider the grant of exemption from IGST for the import of medicines for individuals who are suffering from life-threatening diseases. The case of the petitioner appears to be eminently qualified for the grant of such exemption, it said. Advocate T Sanjay, counsel for the petitioner, said that the child needs several bottles of Risdiplam and the price of the same is unbearable to an ordinary citizen. According to the petitioner, she is incurring huge medical expenditures for his treatment by way of hospital and medical equipment expenses. Such huge expenses are beyond the means of the petitioner, who is jobless and survives on the remittances of her husband, who is working in Dubai. The total amount incurred by her for the purchase during the period from March 16, 2022, to February 10, 2023, alone comes to Rs 24,26,668, the plea stated.
Be ready for a surprise result coming from Bengal: Prashant Kishor
The BJPs target of 400 seats is psychological warfare and the party on its own is highly unlikely to win 370 seats, said ace political strategist Prashant Kishor. Speaking at the Hyderabad Dialogues organised by this newspaper, he nevertheless said that the BJP is currently in pole position and predicted that it will outperdo better than the Trinamool in West Bengal. Kishor highlighted PM Modis frequent visits to Tamil Nadu and noted the party will increase its vote share in the southern state. Excerpts: PM Modi is on campaign mode. Does the BJP look more set for the race than anyone else in the fray? Do you therefore see 2024 as a foregone conclusion? I dont think they have done anything that they have not been doing in the last five years. He (PM Narendra Modi) is in campaign mode forever. So to that extent, I dont see this as an aberration. I dont have a crystal ball to make a prediction about who is going to win, but one can make an informed guess. The BJP-led NDA, for sure have a massive advantage over their opponents. Not necessarily because they are early with their campaign, not necessarily because he (Modi) is hugely popular, not only because they have huge electoral muscle. It is because the Opposition has not been able to put their act together, certainly not well in time to raise a challenge. In a democracy, especially in a country like India, one should never underestimate the size or the opportunity for the Opposition. A majority of Indians are always in opposition. No party gets more than 40% of the vote. It is not a subjective assessment. Just look at data from the last 75 years. Nobody has been able to get 50% or more votes in India. Meaning, whoever went to vote, more than half were not convinced with who you are, your policies, your promises, your ideology. So, the Opposition is never weak in India. When you have close to 700 million people still not making `100 a day, you must not take the Opposition lightly. What we are seeing is Opposition parties, or the formation of Opposition parties, could be weak. The Opposition, per se, is not weak in this country. And that is why a leader like Modi perpetually appears to be in campaign mode. If elections were to happen tomorrow, there is no prize for guessing that the BJP-led NDA would have a huge advantage. Sitting in the Deccan plateau, how realistic does BJPs Mission South look like? Theres a tendency to say the South is terra incognita for the BJP. But in reality, it is emerging as a force in Telangana with a 14% vote share, making deft moves in Andhra Pradesh, and has run governments in Karnataka. Firstly, in a pan-South sense, what do you think of the typology of the whole region having a reflexive anti-BJP politics of seeing them as a northern party? I think it is an oversimplification. I have never subscribed to this idea of North-South from the BJPs politics point of view, because in Karnataka for almost 20 years now, they have been either the ruling party or principal opposition. So this North-South thing does not hold. What does hold is the whole country, you can make a division East and South, and West and North. When I say East and South, I start from Bihar. Then I go to Bengal, Odisha and come down to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. This East and South roughly accounts for 210 seats. For the BJP, even with their great performance in last election in Bengal, Odisha, and in Bihar with 100% strike rate, total count is less than 50 including 17 in Bihar, and 18 in Bengal. A lot of people think that the BJP has swept Bihar. But the BJP fought only 17 out of 40 seats, and they won 17. In Bengal, they won only 18 seats. Out of these around 210 seats, the BJPs total count is less than 50. If you are a BJP supporter, youd like to see whether your graph is increasing in East and South or not. One can safely say that their graph is increasing. It may not immediately translate into a dramatically higher number of seats, but definitely this tally is going to go up. From Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, Andhra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, the total tally of BJP vis-a-vis what they got in 2019 is going to go up. How much I dont want to make a guess, but it would be up by a few seats at least. What would be important to understand is their vote share will go up dramatically. I have already said, and I repeat myself, that in Tamil Nadu, I see BJP breaking into double-digit vote share. That would be a massive development politically, like what we have seen in Telangana, 14%. So in a state like Tamil Nadu, if the BJP breaks into double-digit vote share, even if they get no seats, that would be a moment of significance. In Odisha, they are already number one. In Bengal, again, I dont want to make a prediction, but unlike most people, Im predicting that the BJP will do better than the TMC in all likelihood. Be ready for a surprise result coming from Bengal in favour of the BJP. Theyre increasing seats in all other states, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra. I dont know if they would be able to add seats in Tamil Nadu or Kerala, but certainly there will be an increase in vote share. So from that point of view, they are the rising political force. It may take five years, it may take 10 years, but they will gain in this area. They are cognisant of this fact that this is the area where they need to build. Theyre investing time, energy. Look at the number of visits the PM has made to Tamil Nadu alone in the last five years. Tamil Nadu now ranks third, I believe, only after Gujarat and because of the recent visit to Maharashtra, now Tamil Nadu has gone to number three. From the opposition point of view, the problem lies in North and West: The remaining 310, 320 seats, where opposition has a strike rate against the BJP in single digits. When I say the opposition, its not only the Congress, but four parties. The Congress is taking the BJP head on between 220 and 250 seats. In Uttar Pradesh, the SP is taking on the BJP head on in almost 6570 seats. Then the RJD in Bihar, they are supposed to take on the BJP in 40 seats. And then finally, the NCP in Maharashtra. Until and unless these four parties, the Congress, SP, RJD, NCP, and now Shiv Sena Unless they get their strike rate against the BJP to at least 25-30%, there is no way you can defeat it at the India level. But in the same statement is hidden the secret of how you can defeat the BJP. If you get 50% seats in West and North, then 150 MPs would have won either from a platform opposed to the BJP or neutral to any formation, they come into play. Another 150 non-BJP MPs from East and South, club it with [at least] 100 coming from West and North, and you have a game. The PM is making very frequent trips to Tamil Nadu. It could be that he is so confident of the BJPs performance in the North and Gujarat that he can focus on TN, just to increase vote share, which seems to be a certainty. Do you think he sees a collapse of the AIADMK-DMK binary? First, the two Dravidian parties which have been in ruling formations in the last 3040 years, their combined vote share is going down below 70% now. And this has been the case for the last 1015 years. For the first time, I see its going below 65% or 60%. That means more than one-third of Tamil voters are looking for some options. Why would the BJP like to invest so much in Tamil Nadu? Its not because there is a collapse of the DMK or AIADMK, which is not happening by the way. Its simply because, like you cannot dominate the politics of North unless you win UP and Bihar, you cannot dominate the politics of South until and unless you start being a major force in Andhra and Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is the UP of south. So Karnataka, they have been winning for 15, 20 years. Still, you are calling them a North party. Karnataka is very much South. Its because in the minds of people, the nerve centre of the South is Tamil Nadu. So from that point of view, theres a strategic, psychological and political game that a long-term player would like to invest in. And I see the BJP, like any other national party, they are long-term players, so they would invest, even if it means 2% or 4% of incremental vote share. Forget about the seats and all. They have enough seats, but they want to expand. And it also gives them cover in 10 years time. Sooner or later, someday, somebody will defeat them in Bihar or UP. They want a cover. That cover will come only from United Andhra or Tamil Nadu. You cant cover for a possible defeat in UP or Bihar by winning Mizoram or Goa. You have to win a large state somewhere else. Thats why they are investing this much. How do you see the re-emergence of Congress in Telangana? I dont subscribe to this thought process that the Congress was finished in Telangana and all of a sudden they have emerged. Again, when you are looking at data, tell me when the Congress went down below 35% vote share in Telangana ever. Its just that after the victories, most of their MLAs deserted the party and went to the BRS, what used to be the TRS. Even in the last Assembly elections, the Congress did reasonably well. They were the principal opposition. The Congress was a party with a constant 35% vote share, which refused to go down no matter how hard the BRS tried. So the Congress was not a dead political force, as it is in Tamil Nadu or West Bengal or Bihar or UP, where their vote share has gone down to single digits, 5%, 6%, 7%, over 20-30 years and has not moved to double digits. Can BJP emerge as a force in Kerala if either the LDF or the UDF collapses? Again, the question is based on the existing political parties or formations. I would look at Kerala as a society. Why the BJP has found it tough to break into Kerala is because of the huge population of Muslims and Christians. Now if the BJP were to break into Kerala whether its the LDF or UDF, forget about that you have to have substantial support coming from Hindus, OBCs and they have tried that strategy when they played this temple issue in a big way last time. But thats not enough. Unless they break into the Christian vote and a substantial segment of Christian society starts accepting the BJP as an acceptable political ally or a platform, they would find it difficult to win Kerala. So their strategy would be to consolidate or be the dominant player among Hindus and isolate Muslims. Till now it has not happened but they are in that direction. Language is also a major barrier. If you look at this East and South corridor I talked about, what is distinct is the language. So if you are in Bihar, how do you introduce yourself? Okay Im Indian and I belong to so-and-so caste. Im UPite or I am from Madhya Pradesh, but there is no sub-regional identity. But if you are a person from Odisha, youll say Im Indian, Im Odia and then the caste or the class becomes the third layer. So Odisha, Kerala, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, in all these states, the language is one additional barrier which the BJP, or for that matter, any Hindi-speaking party has to overcome in order to become a dominant political force. PM Modi is claiming that his party will win 370 to 400 seats. Your take. Well, this is part of psychological warfare. Just see how the public narrative has been shifted from whether BJP/NDA is winning or losing versus whether they are going to get 370 or not. So the prime minister making that statement on the floor of Parliament has made people, even those who are skeptics, take notice. The BJP appears to be in pole position, they have a massive lead over the opposition formation. But the BJP on its own, going to 370, meaning additional 70 odd seats for them is highly unlikely.
Lok Sabha polls 2024: Left, Congress talks on in West Bengal to keep BJP, TMC at bay
NEW DELHI: A day after Left leaders skipped the Opposition alliance INDIA blocs rally in Mumbai, leaders of Congress and CPM asserted that the alliance hiccups in Kerala wouldnt cast a shadow on the ongoing seat-sharing talks in West Bengal. The absence of CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D Raja sparked buzz about their cooling of relations with the Congress. CPM and CPI were upset that the Congress fielded top guns Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal in Wayanad and Alappuzha, respectively, against their candidates. On Sunday, in a massive show of strength, the opposition came together in Mumbai at the concluding rally of Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. Prominent leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, DMK leader MK Stalin, NC chief Farooq Abdullah, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and others attended the rally. However, CPM sources told this newspaper that the differences between the Kerala units of Congress and the CPI will not play a spoilsport in the seat-sharing talks in West Bengal. Last week, the Left Front announced its list of candidates for 16 out of 42 seats. The leader said the 16 seats were decided strategically, and the talks between leaders of parties are on. The CPM is allied with Congress in Tamil Nadu and Bihar. Wherever Congress is in a dominant position, they try to play the big brother, said a CPM leader.
WPL 2024: Asha Sobhana's remarkable cricket journey
Asha Sobhana's remarkable journey from Kerala to Puducherry, guided by Shweta Mishra, led to success with RCB in the WPL tournament. Training under L Sivaramakrishnan proved pivotal in her improved performance, showcasing her talent and determination. The five-wicket haul in RCBs opening match against UP Warriorz and defending 12 runs of the final over against MI in the Eliminator were the defining moments of her performance.
Lyme disease in Kerala: What causes the infection and how to stay safe?
Lyme disease in Kerala What causes the infection and how to stay safe
DC Edit | Does I.N.D.I.A. bloc have a narrative for voters?
The I.N.D.I.A. bloc has gained some traction with its back-to-back rallies the Jan Vishwas rally in Patna earlier this month and one in Mumbai on Sunday to mark the finale of the Bharat Nyay Jodo Yatra of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but it remains a question whether it is sufficient to sustain the Opposition campaign against a formidable electoral opponent till the end of an epic battle. The voting for the 18th Lok Sabha will start on April 19, leaving exactly one month for the parties and their formations to convince the voters why they should vote for them. A minimum of cohesive and comprehensive action plan and a modicum of unity of purpose are the essential ingredients for them to approach the people. After losing precious time fighting the Assembly elections in the Hindi heartland, the Congress, by far the leading contingent in the Opposition bandwagon, got back on the track in December. By then, two of the leading partners, Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamul Congress, chief ministers of two states that together send 82 members to the Lok Sabha, had started showing signs of disenchantment with the INDIA bloc. Mr Kumar has left the grouping while Ms Banerjee has for all practical purposes ended the bonhomie with the alliance partners. The late realisation about the losing ground and diminishing time gap had the Congress swing into action and seat sharing talks gained momentum in January. Despite Mr Gandhis Yatra, the party stitched together alliances with major partners Samajwadi Party, the DMK, the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the AAP. The alliance is still way off the mark with its professed aim to field a single candidate against the National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remind the people about the disarray in the Opposition camp. While the Congress and the Left will fight each other in Kerala, the AAP will take on the Congress in Punjab, he pointed out. Some kind of a friendly match is inevitable in such a grand exercise but what the INDIA bloc appears to be lacking seriously is a narrative to present before the people. The NDA has it all ready the central welfare schemes for the large mass of people, Indias rise as the fifth largest economy, the consecration of the Ram temple, the CAA and the uniform civil code the NDA platter is full, whatever its worth. And then it has Mr Modi, one of the pre-eminent communicators of our times, at the lead. The Opposition has been talking of the injuries the BJP alliance has dealt to the Constitution and the values it espouses: federalism, secularism and the institutions of democracy. Every opposition leader in the country talks elaborately on how the BJP uses central agencies to hunt down their folks. The latest information on electoral bonds has triggered the criticism that the ruling party had been using it as a tool for extortion. It is for the Opposition to decide if they want to pick the threads and weave them into a design that the people can read and appreciate. There is very little time left for the exercise.
Kerala: NDA files poll code violation complaint against CPI candidate in Thrissur
Kerala: NDA files poll code violation complaint against CPI candidate in Thrissur The BJP-led NDA on Monday filed a complaint with the district collector against VS Sunil Kumar, the CPI candidate from Kerala's Thrissur, for allegedly violating the poll code. According to the complaint, Kumar violated the poll code by posting a picture with actor Tovino Thomas, who is an ambassador for the Election Commission's Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation programme (SVEEP). Ravikumar Uppath, the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) Thrissur district coordinator, filed the complaint with the district collector, who is also the returning officer for the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, alleging that the Left leader misused the actor's photograph to seek votes and, hence, violated the Model Code of Conduct. The complaint said the Left candidate and workers used the photograph for poll campaigning and asked the returning officer not to allow Kumar to contest the elections. Kumar recently met Thomas at a film set. Thomas later posted on social media, saying he is an ambassador for SVEEP and it is against the law to use his photograph for election campaigning. ''In case somebody is using it, I wish to clarify that it is without my knowledge or consent. Wishing everyone a fair election experience,'' Thomas said in the post. Kumar deleted the photograph and told reporters that he was unaware of Thomas' role as an ambassador for the Election Commission. The Thrissur constituency is witnessing a triangular contest among actor-politician Suresh Gopi, who is contesting on a BJP ticket, senior Congress leader and Vatakara MP K Muraleedharan, and former minister and CPI leader Kumar.
Shikha Mukerjee | Its a matter of choice: Modi magic versus Modi baggage
The 2024 Lok Sabha schedule has set up the finish line, June 4, when the votes will be counted and the results will be known. Till that final conclusive vote is checked, this election is really a matter of choice. Will the voter succumb to the familiarity of the buzz around the magic touch of Narendra Modi or will the voter take the risk of making a choice by scrutinising the baggage that Mr Modi and his party and government have accumulated in the past 10 years? It could be argued that the choice between scrutiny and unconditional endorsement is what voters routinely do, so there is nothing special about the act in 2024. Not true. There is something, or rather there is more than one thing, that makes the issue of choice or preference a tough call for voters. And, the BJP and its Sangh Parivar apparatus is just as conscious of this dilemma as is the voter. The Opposition and potential alternative to the BJP and its invincible star power is not a challenger of substance; the Congress is as shambolic as it has always been; the parties in alliance in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive bloc have separate strategies that they believe will ensure their future by securing their regional bases. The voter has to decide for or against the BJP amidst this scenario. In 2024, Mr Modi as the unparalleled helmsman and vote catcher, the BJP as a vast and micro-managed organisation and the Sangh Parivar as the nerve centre of the right-wing Hindu Rashtra-Akhand Bharat ideology will all have to work much harder to take on challenges of their own creation. This is an entirely new test for the ruling side and its power base. Having robbed itself of its best mobilisation gambit, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and its baggage of dubious historical veracity by meeting Mr Modis deadline of consecrating the temple before the election, the overarching narrative of Hindutva currently lacks a focus, a purpose and a unifying appeal. The best thing about the Ram Temple story since the 1990s was its value as a switch that could be used to turn on or turn off the emotional mobilisation of the BJPs core constituency and voters swayed by the Hindutva appeal. In 2024, the temple is up and running and its future and fate will be the same as all the other temples that are taken for granted across India. The big test for the voter will be to buy the story the Modi government is marketing that the electoral bonds through which the BJP raised Rs 6,060 crores since 2019 was a noble act aimed at cleaning up money paid to political parties by bringing in transparency. Was the money used as part of a barter or was the money given without strings is the choice that voters will have to make. Till the voters actually decide, there is no way of knowing whether the issue is important in deciding the future of Mr Modi. Money power is something that voters understand very well. If the Election Commission is to be believed, the influence of money is more in some states than in others. A key campaign issue for Mr Modi is the role of money in politics, which he deploys as much against the Congress as he does against the regional and smaller parties by painting them all guilty of securing power and amassing money for the perpetuation of a particular dynasty. Therefore, EBs and why money was handed over by various companies to political beneficiaries will certainly be part of the public discourse. The other issue that Mr Modi, inexplicably, chose to revive may not be as electrifying as he and the BJP had perhaps hoped. Notifying the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act were not welcomed as the answer to the prayers of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Jain non-citizens whose families originally came from Akhand Bharat, or Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. After the mandatory but muted celebrations, there is no rush to submit applications and get certified as citizens; in fact, there is an obvious wariness about doing so. The CAA issue was a last-minute job by the Modi government to keep the controversy contestation on religious identity alive as a key element. It did not take with voters regardless of how the Opposition predictably responded, from Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal to Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala to M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu, who for different reasons emphatically rej-ected its implementation. As the campaign kicks off, Mr Modi will have to generate the mania that musters the masses and propels them to the polling booths. Expectations are low from the united Opposition as a national alternative to the BJP, which effectively deprives Mr Modi of a credible target for his sharpest attacks. Instead, he has the hard task of taking on the far better organised and certainly battle-hardened regional and smaller parties by calibrating his campaign to fit the priorities of each state, separately. Having to be accountable for acts of omission and commission, state by state, is a complex matter. What is common to the states from the perspective of regional and smaller parties is the Centres discrimination against the people or outright deprivation of benefits or wasting public money on projects that do not solve peoples problems of joblessness, price rise, unaffordable costs of education, impoverishment due to a health shock, negative savings and the general lack of opportunities that makes taking risks even less attractive than ever before. What is common to the states is also the promise that a double-engine sarkar is the panacea for all ills. What is also common is that the double-engine is backed by Modis guarantees. This particular narrative has been successful in keeping the BJP in power across North India and out of power across the South. The reason is that India looks very different from the South; it is richer for starters, and the BJPs labharthi schemes are mostly inconsequential as the states had delivered these benefits before Mr Modi thought it electorally expedient. All Lok Sabha elections are historic. The 2024 one will also be historic; Indian democracy, or rather the voter, will get to make a choice of chugging along like a blinkered beast of burden or seizing the initiative by calling the political class to account. Opinion polls indicate voters will choose preserving the status quo. In politics, that is a dangerous place to be for those who want to stay in power and those who want to win power.
Congress's Satheesan accuses Kerala Chief Minister of 'creating space' for BJP
Congresss Satheesan accuses Kerala Chief Minister of creating space for BJP
Business Wire India Startup Mahakumbh, nations biggest celebration of the startup ecosystem, commenced today, at Bharat Mandapam, setting the stage for three days of collaboration, inspiration, and transformative discussions. The sessions at the nasscom deeptech pavilion started with an interesting panel discussion highlighting the commercialization of Deep Tech innovation. The event is spearheaded by the collaborative efforts of ASSOCHAM, nasscom, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) and supported by Invest India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY). Startup Mahakumbh promises a showcase of unparalleled innovation, highlighting transformative products and revolutionary business models by its key presenter Government e Marketplace, pavilion leads including Zerodha and National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) and support from states including Bihar, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala. Powered by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Zomato and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), Startup Mahakumbh also has the state of Uttar Pradesh as state partner for the event. Post-inauguration, day one witnessed a diverse range of activities and sessions across 10 pavilions including AI + SaaS, D2C/Consumer brands, Agritech, Fintech, Deep Tech, Biotech & Pharma, Incubators, Climate Tech, E-sports, and B2B Manufacturing. The session witnessed interesting panel discussions about IP framework, the future path for deeptech startups, IP protection and rethinking research funding models for deeptech advancements. Dr. Vibha Sawhney (Scientist H & Head Tech Management Directorate, CSIR, govt of India) and Abhi Deshmukh (CEO & CTO, iHub Anubhuti-IITD Foundation) shed light on how Indias IP framework can contribute to achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The session was moderated by Jeet Vijay (CEO, MeitY startup hub) who spoke about different government programs to support deeptech startups and how raising awareness about them will lead to more patent filing. The session also saw engaging panel discussions on research funding models for deep science advancements and IP protection strategies. Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt (Director General, Indian Space Association) talked about deeptech-based private space companies are undertaking exemplary work with the help of initial funds from ISRO coupled with funds from VCs and support from retired ISRO mentors. Raghav Aggarwal (Director general, Indian Space Co-founder, Fluid AI) spoke about the need for core infrastructure development, apart from funding, to help Indian deeptech startups. Talking about the sessions held at the nasscom deeptech pavilion, Kritika Murugesan, Senior Director, Deep Tech & Startups, nasscom, said, The Indian deeptech startup ecosystem is brimming with great ideas, and this is the right time to support them and see them to fruition. Todays insightful discussions about IP framework, patient capital, and protection underscored the strategies and path Indian deeptech startups can take to keep up the momentum and see success in the future. Startup Mahakumbh onboards top unicorns in the sponsors list, with Games 24X7, Oyo and Info Edge as Unicorn Gold sponsors, Dream11, Flipkart, Infra Market, Moglix, Nykaa as Unicorn Silver sponsors, BharatPe and Razorpay as Unicorn Bronze sponsors. The list of AIF sponsors includes Accel, Rukam Capital and Peak XV in the gold category, Aavishkar Group, Elevation Capital, Iron Pillar in the silver sponsorship category and Avendus Capital, Chiratae Ventures, Fireside Ventures, IvyCap Ventures and Sorin Investments in the bronze category of AIF sponsors. The event will also connect Indian startups with event partners including Dalmia Bharat & Google (silver partners), Acko, Captain Fresh, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Jetsynthesis, Tally (bronze partners), IAN & Blume Ventures (session partners), IDFC First Bank (Bank partner), MM Active & India Mobile Congress (IMC) (Event partners) and Indian School of Business (ISB) (Academic partner). About Startup Mahakumbh Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India including startups, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. Spearheaded by the collaborative efforts of ASSOCHAM, nasscom, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE, and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), the event will have sector-focused pavilions, which will showcase India's most innovative startups. With the central theme, Bharat Innovates, the event will also feature mentorship clinics, pitch competitions, and a multi-track conference featuring leadership talks, panel discussions, workshops, and a host of exciting activities for startups as well as future entrepreneurs. The event will also host Future Entrepreneurs Day on March 20, with a focus on cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit among students. The Future Entrepreneurs Day is expected to gather close to 3,000 individuals handpicked by colleges and incubators nationwide for their inclination towards entrepreneurship. With the purpose of enabling handshakes and connecting startups with a spectrum of inventors such as VCs, angel investors, family offices, and HNIs- as well as potential corporate partners, the event is expected to host 2,000+ startups, 100+ unicorns, 10+ thematic pavilions, 1,000+ investors, 300+ incubators & accelerators, 3,000+ conference delegates, 10+ country delegations, and 50,000+ business visitors over the span of three days. For more details, please visit : https://startupmahakumbh.org/ Social Media Handles: X - https://www.twitter.com/startupmhakumbh LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-mahakumbh/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4pAOC7tInsq6xLjZQKoVg Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/startupmahakumbh/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556445474740
Election 2024 | With multiple visits to Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Modi deploys charm offensive to woo the south Frontline
Business Wire India Startup Mahak umbh, the nations biggest celebration of the startup ecosystem, commenced today, at Bharat Mandapam, setting the stage for three days of collaboration, inspiration, and transformative discussions. The event saw an inaugural address highlighting the significance of startups in the overall pie of the Indian economy. The event is spearheaded by the collaborative efforts of ASSOCHAM, nasscom, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE, and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) and supported by Invest India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY). Startup Mahakumbh promises a showcase of unparalleled innovation, highlighting transformative products and revolutionary business models by its key presenter Government e Marketplace, pavilion leads including Zerodha and National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD), and support from states including Bihar, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala. Powered by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Zomato and Export Credit Guaran tee Corporation of India (ECGC), Startup Mahakumbh also has the state of Uttar Pra desh as a state par tner for the event. Post the inauguration, day one witnessed a diverse range of activities and sessions across 10 pavilions including AI + SaaS, D2C/Consumer brands, Agritech, Fintech, Deep Tech, Biotech & Pharma, Incubators, Climate Tech, E-sports, and B2B Manufacturing. The Incubator Pavilion hosted an in-depth roundtable session on leveraging Government and Public sectors for Innovations and Entrepreneurs chaired by Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director AIM, and co-chaired by Poyni Bhatt, Former CEO of SINE-IITB witnessing remarkable participation from 17 departments that host 100s of incubators with over 1000s of startups, emphasizing the importance of initiatives aimed at supporting incubators. During the session, Poyni Bhatt, Former CEO of SINE-IITB, and Lead Incubator/Acc elerator track stated, The idea behind this mega Startup Mahakumbh is to have a space where ecosystem pioneers can come together to actively discuss the growth of startups and incubators as there is a need to unite government figures to address the challenges faced by them and support in seamle ss procurement. This is a first-of-its-kind roundtable witnessing over a dozen departments in the Government around innovation with the vision of integrating with Startups for their departments & angel investors all over the country highlighting the future of accelerating the tier II & III cities, said Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner Accel Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT stated,Ma nufacturing is going to be the next push sector by the government as there are currently 50 active incubators in the making. India unlike the US does not actively promote incubators however, we aim to change that. DPIIT has already started to include incubators in their premiere institutions and similar steps will be undertaken for other sectors as well. Startup Mahakumbh is a big example of one such step and its success will be a collaboration of government and private sectors equal p articipation. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, AIM also highlighted the need for streamlined procurement processes, especially as startups engage with different government departments. He further emphasized the need to create a bridge between the startups and incubators to accelerate the growth further. The Pavilion also conducted a detailed session on Angel Networks in Tier II and III towns- Access to capital for early-stage startups Incubators/startups chaired by Suresh Narasimha, Managing Partner Co-Create Ventures, and Co-lead, Incubator/Accelerator Track and Karthik Kittu, Chief of Staff to Chairman, Startup Karnataka, and Co-lead, Incubator/Accelerator Track highlighting the role of incubators in creating infrastructure and facilitating connections between startups, venture capitalists and angel investors. During the session, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Info Edge highlighted the untapped potential of tier II and III cities for entrepreneurship and called for innovative solutions and collaboration between the stakeholders. Additionally, a masterclass was organized on Setting up an incubator or accelerator pavilion witnessed dynamic insights from Supriya Sharma, Partner, Insights at IIMA Ventures . The masterclass indexed the core ideas surrounding the purpose of an incubator, emphasizing its role in enhancing the success rates of startups. Startup Mahakumbh onboards top unicorns in the sponsors list, with Games 24X7, Oyo, and Infoedge as Unicorn Gold sponsors, Dream11, Flipkart, Infra Market, Moglix, Nykaa as Unicorn Silver sponsors, BharatPe and Razorpay as Unicorn Bronze sponsors. The list of AIF sponsors includes Accel, Rukam Capital and Peak XV in the gold category, Aavishkar Group, Elevation Capital, Iron Pillar in the silver sponsorship category and Avendus Capital, Chiratae Ventures, Fireside Ventures, IvyCap Ventures and Sorin Investments in the bronze category of AIF sponsors. The event will also connect Indian startups with event partners including Dalmia Bharat & Google ( silver partners), Acko, Captain Fresh, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Jetsynthesis, Tally (bronze partners), IAN & Blume Ventures (session partners), IDFC First Bank (Bank partner), MM Active & India Mobile Congress (IMC) (Event partners) and Indian School of Business (ISB) (Academic partner). About Startup Mahakumbh Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India including startups, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. Spearheaded by the collaborative efforts of ASSOCHAM, nasscom, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundatio n, TiE, and In dian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), the event will have sector-focused pavilions, which will showcase India's most innovative startups. With the central theme, Bharat Innovates, the event will also feature mentorship clinics, pitch competitions, and a multi-track conference featuring leadership talks, panel discussions, workshops, and a host of exciting activities for startups as well as future entrepreneurs. The event will also host Future Entrepreneurs Day on March 20, with a focus on cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit among students. The Future Entrepreneurs Day is expected to gather close to 3,000 individuals handpicked by colleges and incubators nationwide for their inclination towards entrepreneurship. With the purpose of enabling handshakes and connecting startups with a spectrum of inventors such as VCs, angel investors, family offices, and HNIs- as well as potential corporate partners, the event is expected to host 2,000+ startups, 100+ unicorns, 10+ thematic pavilions, 1,000+ investors, 300+ incubators & accelerators, 3,000+ conference delegates, 10+ country delegations, and 50,000+ business visitors over the span of three days. For more details, please visit : https://startupmahakumbh.org/ Social Media Handles: X - https://www.twitter.com/startupmhakumbh LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-mahakumbh/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4pAOC7tInsq6xLjZQKoVg Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/startupmahakumbh/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556445474740
Tharoor no longer a sure bet for fourth term as BJP, CPI queer pitch in Kerala capital
Pannianji, are you contesting? was one of the first questions posed by a debutant Shashi Tharoor to the then sitting MP Pannian Raveendran, before his first ever electoral outing from the Kerala capital of Thiruvananthapuram in 2009. With the latter not keen, the former contested, won hands down, and is now seeking a record fourth term. Thiruvananthapuram, one of the few constituencies in the state to witness a genuine three-cornered contest, has three heavyweights fighting it out. The prestigious seat was once represented by stalwarts in national politics like Annie Mascarene, ex-defence minister VK Krishna Menon and Congress patriarch K Karunakaran. Congress heavyweight Shashi Tharoor, UN diplomat-turned politician, shares the record of three consecutive terms with another Congressman A Charles, who won from here in 1984, 1989 and 1991. In the constituency, however, the poll fever and fervour are yet to make their ripples felt on the ground. Though the candidates have initiated campaign moves, the political heat is yet to reach its crescendo, as the final picture was etched out just last week. Decoding Rahul Gandhi's face-off against Annie Raja in Wayanad and what it says about the India bloc Keenly-watched triangular contest The ruling Left has chosen a veteran Communist, the CPI's ex-state secretary and one-time MP Pannian Raveendran, to win back not just the seat but also its lost honour, as the party was pushed to a pitiable third slot the last two times, finishing far behind the BJP. With the saffron party nurturing an earnest desire to open its account in Kerala, it has deputed Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. A Malayali brought up outside the state, the Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka was till now a not-so-familiar face among the capital's voters. As expected, the Congress has chosen to rely on its sitting MP Shashi Tharoor, as they have done elsewhere in the state, except for Thrissur and Vadakara. Though his candidature was the last to be announced among the three, his was the most certain among the Congress electoral probables. Will the big Congress bet on Muraleedharan winning Thrissur after Padmaja's switch pay off? Enthusiasm vs Professionalism Pannian can claim the early bird advantage, as he kickstarted his campaign well before the other two. Rajeev is slowly catching up with a meticulously organised and structured campaign. Tharoor has begun with a slow yet planned campaign, albeit a bit delayed. While the last two are evidently professional in their approach - with in-house tech teams managing each move to the T, leaving no margins for error, with meticulous planning and follow-up steps - Pannian seems to be drawing enthusiastic crowds with his characteristic bonhomie. Undoubtedly, his zealous passion is unmistakable in its sincerity. The veteran leader always seems to have a horde of fans hovering around him all the time. Simplicity being his hallmark, the veteran enjoys the aura of a bard, attracting the masses, cutting across age, gender and political affiliations. As far as Rajeev is concerned, what began as an unfamiliar candidate saga has evolved into a well-chalked out campaign. Taking a cue from the rival Congress camp, a well-oiled machinery has been meticulously replicating Tharoor's campaign style in a bid to carve out his own niche among the voters. What was expected to be a cakewalk for Tharoor in his fourth outing seems to be slowly turning into a neck-to-neck fight. Why Pulwama terror strike is talking point in Kerala's Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency What voting patterns say Going by the voting patterns in the last few elections, Tharoor can claim to have a sizable vote share that stood with him, even during his most perilous electoral fight in 2014, which was marred by a slew of controversies and allegations surrounding the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. In his first electoral fight in 2009, Tharoor emerged victorious securing 44.2% votes in a four-cornered battle with CPI's P Ramachandran Nair in the runner-up slot and BSP's A Neelalohithadasan Nadar coming third, pushing BJP's PK Krishna Das to fourth position. However, things were entirely different in 2014, when Tharoor, facing a formidable fight from BJP veteran O Rajagopal who finished a close second with 32.3% votes, clocked just around 34.1% votes. This could well be termed as the biggest fight that Tharoor faced due to the slew of controversies around him. The payment seat row, wherein the CPI had put up a candidate after allegedly taking money, turned out in Tharoor's favour. The disgrunted Left allies, mostly worried that the BJP might open its account, voted en masse for the Congress, pushing the CPI to the third slot, for the first time in the state's electoral history. With this, the BJP ensured a close second position in the constituency which continued in 2019 too. However, this time around, Tharoor bettered his own margin with 41.2%, while runner-up Kummanam Rajasekharan could muster only 31.3%. Noticeably, the CPI remained in the third slot, finishing far behind the BJP with just 25.6% votes. Having said that, the fact remains that Pannian had recorded the biggest vote share ever from the constituency in 2005 - 51.41%. The CPI won twice from here, prior to Tharoor. In 2004 when the Lok Sabha polls in the state witnessed an unprecedented Left wave with the LDF winning 18 of the 20 seats and NDA getting its maiden and lone seat ever through PC Thomas, CPI's PK Vasudevan Nair won with 37.6% votes against sitting MP VS Sivakumar of the Congress who polled 30.4%. One year later, in the byelection necessitated by PKV's death, Pannian registered a thumping victory. In his first contest, Pannian won a record 51.41% of the vote while runner-up VS Sivakumar got 41.63%. The BJP was nowhere in the picture, finishing with just 4.83%. Straight one for the CPI (M): Famous writer Mukandan on why he said only they can be trusted Campaign on developmental plank Going by the general pattern, development has been the prime campaign topic of debate in the constituency. While the Left Democratic Front (LDF) wants to highlight lack of development in the constituency during the last 15 years, the United Democratic Front (UDF) lists out the initiatives undertaken by Tharoor. On the other hand, the NDA is keen to juxtapose the country's overall development against that of Thiruvananthapuram. While the CPI is synonymous with Pannian's campaign, in the case of Tharoor and Rajeev, more than their parties per se, it's their individual poll machinery that's at work. Lack of development in the constituency remains the prime argument by both the Left and the BJP. 'Pazhaayippoya 15 varshangal' (The lost 15 years) is one of the key highlights in Pannian's campaigns while Rajeev reminds voters that time has been running out with his slogan 'Namukk Ini Pazhaakkan Samayamilla' (We now don't have time to waste). A content Tharoor, however, goes by the motto 'Thudaratte Nammude Swantham Tharoor' (Let our own Tharoor continue.) Caste interplay, community equations, vote swings and undercurrents Hardly a week after campaigning began, the poll picture in the constituency has undergone a drastic change. If Thiruvananthapuram was one of the sure bets for the Congress among the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, it's no longer the case. If first impressions were that the LDF and BJP hardly posed a threat to Tharoor, it took no time for the Congress and the LDF to realise that Rajeev Chandrasekhar is no small fry. Contrary to the initial impression that the Congress would retain its seat and that the LDF would push back BJP to the third slot, the perspective has changed. A professional Rajeev Chandrasekhar is surging close behind Tharoor, with Pannian far behind. The seemingly walkover win scenario has changed. The urbanised voter community is sure to see a vote swing, pointed out a CPM source. While the BJP is keen to harp on politics as a means to reinforce 'Modi's guarantee', the Left camp's politicking is to attack Tharoor over his controversial Hamas remark and statement on the Ayodhya Ram temple issue. Winning the Muslim minority votes would be crucial for both the Congress and the Left. Contrary to the BJP and the LDF, the Congress has been talking about development as well as socio-communal and political issues. The Vizhinjam Seaport project and the ensuing fishermen agitation is also bound to play a key role in the election. A section of the coastal population harbours resentment towards both the Left government and Shashi Tharoor. The BJP camp has naturally slid in to fish in these troubled waters. Both the LDF and BJP are also doing their best to reap electoral gains from a mild anti-incumbency wave against Tharoor. A well-organised campaign to woo residents associations in the city too is gradually gaining momentum in the state capital. Tharoor has always enjoyed major support from the urban, IT and youth groups, in addition to sufficient support from the coastal population, especially the Latin Catholic votes. However, both the BJP and the LDF hope to poach the same. Tharoor has been an appealing face for both the urban and coastal population. But this time around, Rajeev is likely eat into the urban, IT votes, while Pannian is sure to make substantial gains from the coastal votes. Pannian will also gain a sizeable vote share from the city and rural areas too. The present incumbent's win would be decided, depending on whether the gains made by the other two would be over and above Tharoor's eroding vote base or not. The next-door politician image, a clean track record and the people's leader is what makes Pannian stand out among the trio. This is exactly what the CPI has been trying to cash in on. The genuinely simple leader enjoys clear backing of the common man. Juxtaposed to him, stands Rajeev, eager to woo the IT and urban crowd, with his elaborate social media campaign that seeks to highlight the constituency's lag, despite PM Narendra Modi's developmental agenda for the country. Such professional moves are definitely attracting crowds. However the party support for him is yet to reach an optimum level. Of course Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur are two seats with the most winning possibility for the party. Rajeev is suitable for the IT and youth crowd. But he's not mingling much with the party workers. A highly sophisticated MNC model team has been taking the campaign forward. But the ground level enthusiasm is missing. On the other hand, in the case of Suresh Gopi, there's enthusiasm at the ground level, but management tactics are lacking, pointed out a BJP leader. Meanwhile none of the predictions and assessments seem to deter the Tharoor camp. Riding on the popularity wave, the Congress politician plans to cash in on the developmental and welfare activities that he has implemented here in the last decade and a half. A full list of activities in the constituency will be out in a day. It's true that the fight is slowly narrowing down to Congress vs BJP. The BJP candidate will have to say why he has not made any intervention in the state so far. They are silent on politics, as it could hurt minorities. Otherwise how will they justify the highly irresponsible statement by the BJP candidate after the Kalamassery blast? On the other hand, the Left wants to get minority votes and that's why they highlight Hamas and Ayodhya. We have enough weapons in our arsenal to counter such campaigns. We speak about development, socio-communal and political issues that will resonate with the voters, avers a source in the Tharoor camp, exuding confidence. Even as temperatures soar, the constituency is set for a big fight, the result of which could drastically alter Kerala's existing political climate.
CPI hopes to get at least 15 seats in 8 states as part of INDIA
NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has identified at least 15 constituencies in eight states including Bihar, Assam, Manipur and Jharkhand, where it wants to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections under electoral pact of opposition parties as part of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The general secretary of the CPI, D Raja said that the party might soon announce its nomination for the identified seats subject to its negotiation with INDIA bloc members mainly with the Congress. The Left party has zeroed in one seat each in Manipur, Telangana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Assam and Jharkhand under the electoral alliance from the Congress. The CPI has already announced its candidate for one of the two seats in Manipur. It has fielded partys senior member and state unit general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Laishram Sotinkumar Singh in the Inner Manipur constituency. Miffed over Wayanad, CPI says Congress must keep coalition dharma In Telangana, it is seeking Warangal Lok Sabha seat. In Maharashtra, it is expecting Shirdi constituency, Bathinda in Punjab and Jharkhands Hazaribagh. Notably, its state leadership in Jharkhand last week announced to go alone and to contest in eight seats in the state. We have decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls on our own, CPI state secretary Mahendra Pathak told PTI. In west Bengal, the CPI is staking claim to three seats including Ghatal and Medinipur from which it has been winning in the past. Raja further stated that talks are underway for three constituencies in Bihar too. The probable seats are Banka, Begusarai and Madhubani. Raja said that our state leaders are holding talks with their counterparts of political parties including Congress, which are part of the alliance and he is optimistic about a positive outcome. He added that hopefully the Congress would demonstrate maturity like what Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin showed in the state while sparing seats for coalition partners. Discussions pertaining to the identified seats are being held at state level. In case, something is to be conveyed to the national leadership or my intervention is required, I will talk. Seat sharing in Tamil Nadu has already been finalised and the CPI will be contesting on two seats in the state. Stalins seat-sharing arrangement illustrates maturity and understanding of prevailing political situations. The Congress should also be accommodative to each member of the alliance because the target is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said Raja. As part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the CPI got four seats to contest in KeralaWayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Mavelikkara.
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Social media posts stir controversy for BJP and Left candidates in Thrissur LS seat
Social media posts stir controversy for BJP and Left candidates in Thrissur LS seat Two social media posts, one by the son of renowned Kathakali artist Kalamandalam Gopi and another by film star Tovino Thomas left the candidates of BJP and LDF in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in some kind of spot, on Monday. In a purported Facebook post, Kalamandalam Gopi's son, Raghu Gurukripa, alleged BJP candidate Suresh Gopi tried to influence his father to garner support for him in the Lok Sabha polls, a charge denied by the saffron party leader. In the other episode involving Thomas, Left candidate Sunil Kumar deleted a Facebook post on his meeting with the former, after the actor said he was an ambassador for Kerala for the Election Commission's Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation programme (SVEEP). He gave a disclaimer against anyone using his photograph. Gurukripa, in the post which was deleted after it went viral on social media, alleged that a famous doctor called his father and said that Suresh Gopi would come to his house seeking his blessings. ''When the doctor was informed that he could not do so, the doctor asked (Kalamandalam Gopi) if he wanted the Padma Bhushan,'' Gurukripa alleged in the post, screenshots of which were also circulated widely on social media. He also alleged that many VIPs are trying to woo his father for Suresh Gopi. Responding to the allegations, Suresh Gopi said Kalamandalam Gopi is like his guru, and he had not assigned anyone else to contact the Kathakali acharya. He said it is the BJP which decides whom he should meet as part of the campaign. ''If the party says to meet Kalamandalam Gopi, I will meet him. I have no strategy. I come directly to the people,'' Gopi told reporters here. Meanwhile, CPI(M) Politburo member M A Baby said an 'avatar' like Kalamandalam Gopi should not be underestimated. In a Facebook post, he described the Kathakali maestro as unique among the greatest artists alive in the country today. Referring to the BJP candidate, Baby said everything he does becomes 'antics' to make people laugh because he stands for communal politics. Eighty seven-year-old Kalamandalam Gopi is renowned for his captivating and emotive portrayal of virtuous pachcha roles in Kathakali, with notable performances including Nalan and Karnan. LDF candidate Sunil Kumar also faced some embarrassment over Thomas' social media post. ''My best wishes to all the Loksabha candidates. I wish to hereby convey that Im the ambassador for Kerala for the Election Commissions SVEEP (Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation) program, and so it is against the law to use my photo or a photo including me for any kind of election campaigning. ''In case somebody is using it, I wish to clarify that it is without my knowledge or consent. Wishing everyone a fair election experience'', Thomas said in the post. The Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency is witnessing a triangular contest between actor-politician Suresh Gopi, senior Congress leader and sitting MP from Vatakara, K Muraleedharan, representing the UDF, and former minister and CPI leader V S Sunil Kumar.
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