THE HEADLINES::
- Top leaders of political parties hold rallies in various states as campaigning for first phase of Lok Sabha polls reaches its peak.
- Atleast 29 Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh.
- India fastest growing economy for the last three financial years, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- IMF raises India’s GDP growth projection to 6.8 percent for current financial year.
- In IPL Cricket, match underway between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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Star campaigners of various political parties are holding back to back rallies for the first and second phase of Lok Sabha polls. The polling for the first phase is on the 19th of this month.
In West Bengal, Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressed a public meeting at Raiganj parliamentary constituency in support of the party candidate today. He accused TMC leader Mamata Banerjee for spreading rumour about CAA.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee also addressed a public meeting in support of the party’ s Loksabha candidate from Coochbehar. He said, the BJP does not know the culture of West Bengal.
In Tripura, campaigning reached its crescendo for the Tripura West Parliamentary constituency. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow in Agartala today. Speaking on the ocassion, the Congress leader accused the BJP of not providing employment to youth. Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally at Agartala tomorrow.
In Manipur, the polling personnels deployed for interior and far flung areas have started their journey to the designated polling stations from today. In the first phase, polls will be conducted at one thousand four hundred and four polling stations.
Arunachal Pradesh is going to simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the first phase on April the 19 in a single phase. All poll preparation are in place for a free and fair elections in the frontier state.
With only day left for the campaigning for the elections, all the parties are trying hard to woo the voters through various medium. Ruling BJP and Indian National Congress organized road shows in the Itanagar capital region today as a display of their power. In the 60 seat Legislative Assembly, BJP has already won 10 seats uncontested. Amidst tight security, election authorities have started dispatching polling teams to the interior areas of the state. Air dropping of polling personal to 4 polling stations of Kra Daadi districts were done yesterday. In Arunachal Pradesh, in total there are 228 polling stations where the polling officials have to make foot march. Rakesh Doley, Akashwani News, Jaipur.
In Tamilnadu, electioneering has reached a feverish pitch as prominent leaders of all the parties are campaigning. BJP leaders, J.P.Nadda, Rajnath Singh and leaders of other political parties are canvassing for their party candidates. Senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a road show at Tiruvannamalai today. Speaking on the ocassion, he said that there should be a unified culture in the Country. However, electioneering at Modakurichi, DMK youth wing leader and State Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin blamed the Centre for the inequal share of revenue in GST to the States especially for Tamilnadu.
In Rajasthan, Leaders of BJP, Congress, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, CPI(M) and other parties campaigned at various places today.
BJP leader and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma today held a road show in support of the BJP candidate in Kuchaman of Nagaur Lok Sabha seat. Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari addressed a public meeting in Parbatsar of Nagaur constituency. Senior BJP leader Dr. Kirori Lal Meena today addressed public meetings at various places in Bundi, Karauli and Dausa Lok Sabha constituencies. On the other hand, the former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today addressed a public meeting in support of the Congress candidate at Azad Park in Ajmer. State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara led a road show in support of Indi Alliance candidate in Sikar. Jitendra Dwivedi, Akashwani News, Jaipur.
In Uttar Pradesh, the process of filing nominations for the third phase of parliamentary elections is going on. Samajwadi Party candidate and sitting MP Dimple Yadav filed her nomination papers today from Mainpuri seat which falls in this phase. BJP candidate Jaiveer Singh filed his nomination from this seat yesterday.
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In Assam, Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi took part in a road show at Guwahati this evening. On the other hand, senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also held a road show from Titabor to Jorhat.
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The Election Commission has said that around two hundred complaints have been filed by various political parties and candidates since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. Out of the total complaints received, action has been taken in 169 cases. The Model Code came into effect on the 16th of March, with the announcement of the general elections to the Lok Sabha.
In a related development, the Commission today barred Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over his remarks against BJP leader Hema Malini. Mr Surjewala has been banned from holding any public meetings, rallies, road shows and interviews as well as public appearances in media for 48 hours starting from 6 PM this evening.
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Nagaland will go to polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April the 19th. The state Nagaland has only one Parliamentary seat. Three candidates will be vying for Nagaland Lone Lok Sabha Seat. Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party is fielding Dr Chumben Murry, while Congress is fielding Nagaland Congress President S Supongmeren Jamir and Hayithung Tungoe Lotha is an Independent candidate.
A total of 13 lakh, 17 thousand, 536 general electors in Nagaland will decide the fate of the three candidates as the state goes to polls in the first phase on April 19. However, Six district from Eastern part of Nagaland have decided to abstain from participation in the election over their demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory. About 3 lakh 99 thousand general electors represent the Eastern Nagaland. This time, there is a triangular contest in this one Lok Sabha seat with the NDPP having alliance with BJP and 7 other parties, congress and independent fiercely facing each other. Following the 2023 state general elections, Dr Chumben Murry, aged 61 the PDA consensus candidate, was the Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland till his resignation from the post in March 2024. Dr. Murry held the post of Cabinet Minister in Government of Nagaland in 2008 and also appointed as the advisor Department of Law & Justice in 2013. 61 year old, S Supongmeren Jamir political’s journey started way back in 1982 when he joined Congress party as an active member. He got elected in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 2003. Independent candidate Hayithung Tungoe Lotha, 43 years old, contested the Lok Sabha election 2019 with National People’s Party ticket securing 14 thousand 997 votes. During the last Lok Sabha election 2019, the overall voter turnout in Nagaland was 83 percent with Tokheho Yepthomi of NDPP winning the seat by securing 5 lakh 510 votes. Asonuo, Akashvani News, Kohima.
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In Chhattisgarh, 29 Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district of Bastar division today. Three jawans of Border Security Force-BSF, including an inspector, have been injured in this gun battle.
This is the biggest encounter so far against Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The joint team of Border Security Force and District Reserve Guard was on a search operation on the basis of intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists in this area. The encounter between security forces and Maoists took place this afternoon in the forest of Hapatola under Chhotabethia police station area of Kanker district in Bastar division. The firing lasted for about two and a half hours. A large number of Maoists have been killed in this encounter. So far, bodies of 29 Maoists have been recovered from the spot. In the exchange of fire, three jawans of BSF, including an inspector, were also injured. The injured are being airlifted to capital Raipur for better treatment. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.
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Union Finance Minister and Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman has said that India has been the fastest growing economy in the last three consecutive financial years and this growth can continue in the coming years as well. Interacting with industrialists and businessmen in Jaipur today, Ms. Sitharaman said the next 25 years will be critical for India. She said that in the financial year 2023-24, India witnessed a growth rate of eight per cent in three quarters and is expecting a similar level of growth in the fourth quarter.
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The International Monetary Fund, IMF, today raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection to 6.8 percent for the financial year 2024-25. In its update to the World Economic Outlook, the IMF has raised 30 basis points from its January forecast of 6.5 percent. In its report the IMF said, Growth in India is projected to remain strong at 6.5 percent in FY 2025-26 with the robustness reflecting continuing strength in domestic demand and a rising working-age population. With this, India continues to be the fastest growing economy of the world, ahead of China’s growth projection of 4.6 percent during the same period.
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Akashvani Ahmedabad is celebrating its 75th foundation day today. Akashvani Ahmedabad radio station came into existence on 16 April 1949. The radio broadcast of Ahmedabad station started with the message by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Home and Broadcasting Minister.
Prasar Bharti CEO, Gaurav Dwivedi, in a message, said the journey of Akashvani has become unforgettable with the cooperation of listeners.
Akashvani Principal Director General Dr. Vasudha Gupta hailed Akashvani’s contribution to post-independence developmental efforts.
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President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar have extended greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of Ram Navami. In a message, the President said that Ram Navami, celebrated on the auspicious occasion of the birth of Lord Shri Ram, guides us on the path of truth and righteousness. In a message, the Vice President said that Lord Rama’s life serves as a timeless example of righteousness, integrity, and tolerance.
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In IPL Cricket, Match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals is underway at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Kolkata Knight Riders were 195 for 5 in 17.3 overs, a shortwhile ago.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to field. Currently, Rajasthan Royals leads the points table with 10 points while Kolkata Knight Riders is just behind them with eight points in hand.
Tomorrow, Gujarat Titans will take on Delhi Capitals at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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In Table Tennis, India’s Manav Vikash Thakkar has advanced to the Quarter Finals of the WTT Feeder Havirov, in Czech Republic this evening. He defeated Andreas Levenko of Austria, 3-2, in the Men’s singles category. Thakkar, ranked 60 in the world rankings, came back from two games behind to win the round of 16. He will now lock horns with the 17 year old Polish player Milosz Redzimski in the next round.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Top leaders of political parties hold rallies in various states as campaigning for first phase of Lok Sabha polls reaches its peak.
- Atleast 29 Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh.
- India fastest growing economy for the last three financial years, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.IMF raises India’s GDP growth projection to 6.8 percent for current financial year.
- In IPL Cricket, match underway between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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