THE HEADLINES :
- Campaigning for third phase of Lok Sabha Polls goes full throttle with top leaders of major political parties leaving no stone unturned to garner support for their candidates.
- Re-polling at six polling stations of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency concludes peacefully.
- Sri Lankan cabinet approves renovation of Kankesanthurai Port with Indian financial grant.
- IMD issues red alert for severe heat wave in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand.
- In Cricket, BCCI announces 15-member squad for upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
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Political parties have intensified their campaigns for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections with top leaders holding multiple ralllies and roadshows.
In Telangana, Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Zaheerabad constituency. Addressing the gathering, he said, the Constitution of India is his religious book and he had shown his respect towards it, on all occasions. Mr Modi campaigned for BJP candidates from Zaheerabad and Medak Lok Sabha Constituencies.
In Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies at Latur, Madha and Osmanabad today. He said, during the past ten years, the NDA Government brought 25 crore people out of poverty.
In West Bengal, senior BJP leader Amit Shah addressed a public meeting in Bardhaman Purba Lok Sabha constituency. He said that strict action will be taken against those involved in the Sandeshkhali incident. Another BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also addressed a public meeting in support of the party’s Asansol candidate. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee addressed a public meeting in Malda Uttar Lok Sabha constituency. She said, her government has worked for the welfare of all people including minorities and tribals
In Chhattisgarh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held a public meeting at Champa town under Janjgir-Champa Lok Sabha constituency. He said that various Congress governments have worked to provide justice to youth, women, farmers and people of backward classes through different welfare schemes.
In Madhya Pradesh, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also held a rally at Bhind. He assured of financial assistance schemes for women and youth if his party is voted to power. Rahul Gandhi said that farmers’ loans will be waived and guaranteed MSP will be given to the farmers. On the other hand, senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh also addressed public meetings in Barwani and Khandwa.
In Uttar Pradesh, an FIR was filed today against former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his niece Maria Alam for violation of model code of conduct in Farrukhabad district. The action came after the district administration took suo motu cognisance of Maria’s speech at the rally in Farrukhabad earlier in the day in which Salman Khurshid was also present.
In Bihar, JDU President and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Addressed a public meeting in Nauhatta in Madhepura Lok Sabha constituency. Mr Kumar attacked the RJD for alleging that the party is propagating dynastic politics. On the other hand, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav held several public meetings in Sitamarhi, Madhubani and Muzaffarpur. Addressing a public meeting in Rahika in Madhubani, Mr. Yadav alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making false promises to the country.
Meanwhile, Several prominent candidates of different political parties filed their nominations for today the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
“Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal filed his nomination from Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. Congress is yet to announce its candidate from this seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vaishali Darekar Rane filed her nomination from Kalyan Parliamentary constituency against Shiv Sena (Shinde Group) leader and sitting MP Shrikant Shinde. Congress candidate from Mumbai North Central Varsha Gaikwad also submitted her nomination papers. Senior Lawyer Ujjwal Nikam is going to contest as BJP candidate from this seat. BJP candidate from Hooghly Parliamentary constituency in West Bengal, Locket Chatterjee filed her nomination papers against TMC candidate Rachana Banerjee. In Delhi, BJP candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Bansuri Swaraj filed her nomination papers. In this constituency, Aam Aadmi Party has fielded party MLA Somnath Bharti. For the Odisha assembly polls, BJD President and State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik filed his nomination from his traditional Hinjili assembly seat. Diwaker, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
In Manipur, the re-polling at six polling stations of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency was concluded peacefully today and registered 81.16 percent voter turnout at the close of polls. The re-polling was held from 7 AM to 4 PM at five polling stations of Ukhrul district and one polling station in Senapati district.
Aam Admi Party approached the Election Commission today over the Delhi Chief Election Commissioner office’s direction to make modifications in its campaign song. A party delegation comprising AAP leaders Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Dilip Pandey and Pankaj Gupta met the commission in New Delhi today.
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The Election Commission of India today published the total voter turnout data for phase one and phase two of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The commission said that 66.14 per cent voter turnout was recorded in phase one and 66.71 per cent in phase two. The EC highlighted that in the first phase 66.22 per cent male voters, 66.07 per cent female voters and 31.32 per cent third gender voters cast their vote, while in the second phase, 66.99 per cent male voters, 66.42 per cent female voters and 23.86 per cent third gender voters cast their vote.
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Latur, a significant Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, has been gaining attention for its unique educational system. It’s renowned as the home turf of seasoned politicians, having produced three Chief Ministers for Maharashtra. Notably, Latur’s politicians have wielded influence both within the state and nationally, holding key positions.
”Latur Lok Sabha is a significant area in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region. Since 2009, Latur has been a reserved constituency for Scheduled Castes. In the last 15 Lok Sabha elections, Congress candidates have won 11 times. Former Lok Sabha Speaker and Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil Chakurkar from Congress, represented this area in Parliament for a record seven times. BJP won thrice and the Shetkari Kamgar Party won once. This time, there are 28 candidates contesting in Latur Lok Sabha constituency. Dr. Shivaji Kalge from Indian National Congress, Sudhakar Shringare from BJP, and Vishwanath Mahadev Alte from Rashtriya Bahujan Samaj Party are the main contenders. Water scarcity is a major issue in the district, which is known for its frequent droughts. Other important issues include stalled industrial development and water supply from Ujani Dam. Voting for Latur Constituency will take place in the third phase on May 7. Samarjit Thakur, Akashvani News, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.”
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In Karnataka, the sitting JD(S) MP from Hassan constituency, Prajwal Revanna was suspended from the party over today explicit videos allegedly showing him sexually assaulting multiple women that went viral. Prajwal Revanna is also contesting in the upcoming elections from Hassan. Mr. Prajwal is the grandson of JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and son of Holenarasipur MLA H.D. Revanna. More from our Correspondent.
“The alleged sexual abuse case against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna has taken political colour due to the ensuing election in the state on May 7th. The Youth Congress members continued to hold protests across the state on the issue. When they tried to enter the BJP office today, the police took them into preventive custody. Deputy Chief Minister in the state D K Shivakumar has alleged that the issue was known to JD(S) and BJP leaders and still Prajwal Revanna was given the ticket from Hassan. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has alleged that D K Shivakumar is behind the sexual assault videos. Sudhindra, Akashvani News, Bengaluru.”
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In Chhattisgarh, at least ten Maoists, including three female militant, were killed in an encounter in Bastar division. According to police officials, the encounter took place in the forests of Abujhmad in Narayanpur district. Security forces recovered bodies of ten Maoists from the spot along with one AK 47 rifle, one Insas rifle and huge quantity of arms and ammunition. In another development, 16 Maoists have surrendered before Bijapur SP and senior CRPF officials in Bijapur district.
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The Uttarakhand Board has declared the results of the High School and Intermediate examinations. This year, the high school result was 89.14 percent, while the intermediate result was 82.63 percent. Jharkhand Academic Council also announced the Intermediate board results for all three streams of Science, Arts and Commerce. The passing percentage of Science stream students stood at 72.70 percent, while 90.60 percent passed in the Commerce stream and 93.16 percent students succeeded in the Arts stream.
The Haryana School Education Board Bhiwani has also announced the result of the Senior Secondary Examination today.
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Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a plan to renovate the Kankesanthurai port in the Northern part of the island. The project will be executed under an Indian financial grant. Last year, ferry services between India and Sri Lanka commenced with a direct passenger ship service connecting Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai port in Sri Lanka.
“With Sri Lankan Cabinet approving the plan to renovate the Kankesanthurai port in northern part of the island, connectivity between the two countries is likely to improve further. Indian government had recently decided to fully fund the Kankesanthurai Port development project as it had faced considerable delays already. Initially approved as a credit line based project in 2017, India’s pledge to cover the entire estimated cost of 61.5 million dollars under a grant given the significance of the project has been welcomed in Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka have been actively implementing the joint vision document under which connectivity is an important facet. Dr. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi, Akashvani News, Colombo”
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The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for severe heat wave conditions in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar and Jharkhand till 2nd May. In South India, heat wave conditions along with hot and humid weather will prevail over parts of Rayalaseema, Saurashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Konkan and Tamil Nadu for the next 5 days.
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The BCCI today announced India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be hosted in the West Indies and the
USA starting in June. Rohit Sharma will be leading the team while Hardik Pandya has been named the vice-captain. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant makes a return to the national team after recovering from a car accident in 2022. India will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.
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In IPL Cricket, match between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants is underway at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Mumbai were 123 for 7 in 18.1 overs, when reports last came in. Earlier, LSG won the toss and opted to bowl.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Campaigning for third phase of Lok Sabha Polls goes full throttle with top leaders of major political parties leaving no stone unturned to garner support for their candidates.
- Re-polling at six polling stations of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency concludes peacefully.
- Sri Lankan cabinet approves renovation of Kankesanthurai Port with Indian financial grant.
- IMD issues red alert for severe heat wave in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand.
- In Cricket, BCCI announces 15-member squad for upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
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