THE HEADLINES::

 

• Political heavyweights make final push in Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry before last day of campaigning tomorrow.
• Nomination filing ends for first phase of West Bengal and single phase Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
• Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan rejects impeachment notice of motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
• Government assures, sufficient stock of food grains available in country amid West Asia conflict.
• Railways approve projects of over 1,300 crore rupees to strengthen Safety and Infrastructure.
• West Asia conflict escalates as Israel hits Iranian petrochemical plant amid Trump’s Hormuz Deadline.
• And at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Preeti Pawar, Priya and Arundhati reach the finals raising gold medal hopes for India.

 

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Political heavyweights are making a final push in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry as tomorrow is the last day of campaigning for Assembly Elections in the two states and the  Union territory. Single phase polling will be held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam and 30 seats in Puducherry on Thursday.

 

 

Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held three public meetings in Assam today, at Barpeta, Hojai and Dibrugarh. Addressing a rally at Hojai this afternoon he reiterated that the development of every district and region of Assam remains a top priority for his party and the National Democratic Alliance. Mr. Modi alleged that Assam was deprived of development during the Congress tenure and that the party worked primarily for its own interests.

 

 

Earlier, addressing a public rally at Barpeta, Prime Minister Modi said the BJP’s resolve is to make the country developed and self-reliant. He said that the past ten years have been marked by peace and prosperity in Assam.

 

 

The Congress also stepped up its campaign in the state. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, senior Congress leader Kumari Selja targeted the BJP over the issue of the Uniform Civil Code. She alleged that such issues are raised during elections to create division among people. She said her party stands for justice and equal rights for all.

 

 

Other political parties, including the Asom Gana Parishad, Assam Jatiya Parishad and Raijor Dal also intensified their campaign efforts in Assam.

 

 

Puducherry witnessed a flurry of campaign activity today with prominent leaders addressing meetings and rallies across the Union Territory. Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin led an intense day of campaigning across the Union Territory.

 

 

“With just one day left for campaigning, Puducherry witnessed an intense exchange of poll promises and governance claims by various political parties. While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated the promise of full statehood in an election meeting at Lawspet, BJP leader Amit Shah in Thirukkanur put forward the promise of developing the union territory into a Blue Economy Hub. Both leaders reaffirmed promises from their party’s election manifesto in a bid to sway the voter opinion in their favour. DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin also added momentum to the campaign trail, addressing a key election meeting in the Union Territory. Criticising both BJP and Congress, Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman raised concerns over the dominance of money in electoral politics, alleged neglect of agriculture, and questioned why key issues such as statehood remain unresolved despite repeated promises.All India NR Congress released its election manifesto today, outlining its key promises and development agenda for the Union Territory ahead of the Assembly elections. Bibin S. Nath, Akashvani News, Puducherry.”

 

 

The Congress party today unveiled its manifesto for the Puducherry Assembly elections. The party has pledged to work towards full statehood for Puducherry and the waiver of government loans from the Centre. On employment, the manifesto promises 30,000 jobs across government and private sectors, a monthly allowance of 2,000 rupees for unemployed youth, and the establishment of a Puducherry Staff Selection Commission with priority for local candidates.

 

 

In Keralam, the day was abuzz with meetings and roadshows by senior leaders from various political parties. Senior BJP leader Amit Shah attended a roadshow at Haripad. Senior CPM leader and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan released the progress card of his government today. Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Wadra addressed a corner meeting at Karassery and Thiruvambady.

 

 

Meanwhile, for single phase polling in Tamil Nadu and first phase of voting in West Bengal, filing of nomination ended today. Scrutiny of nominations will be taken up tomorrow. Candidates can withdraw their names by Thursday. Polling for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in the first phase in West Bengal will be held on the 23rd of this month.

 

 

Our Chennai correspondent reports, a total of 5562 nominations have been received for now.

 

 

“In Tamilnadu, the  NDA alliance has AIADMK in  169 constituencies, BJP contesting in 27, PMK in 18, AMMK in 11, Tamil Maanila Congress in 5, IJK in 2, the TMMK in 1 and Puratchi Bharatham in 1.  The DMK led Secular Democratic Alliance has DMK  contesting in 164,  Congress in 28 seats, VCK in 8, CPI & CPM in five each  will be in the fray. Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam and Actor Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi will field 234 candidates for this election. Usually the State registers around 75 percent votes. Chennai, the capital normally registers around 65 percent votes. The total number of electorate during 2021 was 6 Crore 26 lakh 74 thousand 446. After SIR, the electorate is five Crore 43 lakh 76 thousand 756. Joy, Akashvani News, Chennai.”

 

 

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In our series of constituency profile today, we cover an unreserved seat in of Kaliabor Nagaon district of Assam.

 

 

“Kaliabor Legislative Assembly Constituency is one of the 126 constituencies of Assam, with polling scheduled to be held on 9th April. Kaliabor is a key constituency in Nagaon district and it is predominantly a rural area. In the current Assembly election, four candidates are in the fray. Cabinet Minister , Kesab Mahanta of the Asom Gana Parishad is pitted against the Raijor Dal nominee, Pradip Kumar Baruah. Raijor Dal is a Congress led opposition alliance partner. There are two other independent candidates. Following the 2023 delimitation exercise, the Kaliabor Legislative Assembly Constituency has witnessed changes in its geographical boundaries and voter composition.  According to the Election Commission of India, the constituency has over one lakh 88 thousand voters. Of these, more than 93 thousand are male voters, over 95 thousand are female voters. Polling will take place across 245 polling stations. In the 2021 Assembly election, a total of 4 candidates contested from the seat. Key contenders included AGP’s Kesab Mahanta, Prasanta Kumar Saikia of Congress and two others. The seat was won by AGP  candidate Kesab Mahanta. Aminul Haque Jwadder, Akashvani News , GUWAHATI.”

 

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Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla have rejected the notice of motion brought by opposition Members to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

 

 

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat and the Lok Sabha Secretariete in separate communications informed that after due consideration of the notice of Motion and a careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved, the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker have refused to admit the notice of Motion.

 

 

In a first, the opposition had submitted notices in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha seeking to move a motion to remove Gyanesh Kumar from the post, alleging a partisan attitude.

 

 

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The Supreme Court has directed that the final supplementary voter list in West Bengal must be published today, following the completion of adjudication. Judges will be allowed to digitally sign documents until tomorrow if needed.

 

 

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The Supreme Court came down heavily on the West Bengal administration after seven judicial officers working on voter list revisions in Mothabari, Kaliachak, were surrounded and harassed. Chief Justice Surya Kant warned that if the state fails to control such situations, the Court itself will decide the next steps.

 

 

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Government today assured that there is sufficient stock of food grains in the country amid the West Asia conflict. Addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia in New Delhi, Additional Secretary for Department of consumer affairs Anupam Mishra said that there is no usual volatility in the prices of essential commodities.

 

 

Joint Secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution, C Shikha said that the country has adequate buffer stock of both wheat and rice.

 

 

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal said that two Indian-flag vessels, Green sanvi and Green Asha, carrying LPG, have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz in the last two days.

 

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The West Asia conflict continues to escalate, with Iran rejecting proposals for a temporary ceasefire and Israel launching fresh strikes on key Iranian energy infrastructure, while diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of a looming deadline over the Strait of Hormuz.

 

 

The media reported that a senior Iranian official said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, arguing that Washington is not prepared to negotiate a permanent and comprehensive end to the conflict that began in February. The official said Iran remains skeptical of US intentions and would not negotiate under pressure, even as diplomatic channels continue to circulate proposals for a 45-day ceasefire and reopening of the vital shipping route. The proposal, sent to both Washington and Tehran late Sunday, is being viewed as a last-ditch effort to prevent large-scale US strikes on Iranian infrastructure if the waterway remains closed.

 

 

Israel, carried out strikes on Iran’s South Pars petrochemical complex in the southern energy hub of Asaluyeh. Iranian state media also confirmed the strikes.

 

 

“In the past few hours, tensions across West Asia have intensified as diplomatic efforts struggle to prevent further escalation. Israel says it has struck major Iranian petrochemical infrastructure in Asaluyeh, targeting facilities linked to a significant portion of Iran’s export capacity. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been ordered to continue attacks on Iranian infrastructure with full force, signalling the possibility of further strikes. At the same time, Iran has rejected proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. The developments come as US President Donald Trump continues to press for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning of major strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure if shipping routes are not restored. Diplomatic proposals for a 45-day ceasefire are now being discussed, but with both sides maintaining hard positions, the risk of further escalation across West Asia remains high. Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”

 

 

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Indian Railways has approved multiple projects worth one thousand 364 crore rupees to strengthen safety, signalling and communication infrastructure across its network. The Ministry of Railways said that the sanctioned works include provision of Kavach on locomotives, expansion of optical fibre cable network and replacement of panel interlocking with electronic interlocking systems across various railway zones.

 

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Indian boxer Preeti Pawar downed Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aeji Im of Korea to storm into the final while the seasoned Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain bowed out of the Asian Boxing Championships at Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia today. Priya and Arundhati Choudhary also notched wins in their respective semifinals.

 

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

 

• Political heavyweights make final push in Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry before last day of campaigning tomorrow.
• Nomination filing ends for first phase of West Bengal and single phase Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
• Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Bilra rejects impeachment notice of motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
• Government assures, sufficient stock of food grains available in country amid West Asia conflict.
• Railways approve projects of over 1,300 crore rupees to strengthen Safety and Infrastructure.
• West Asia conflict escalates as Israel hits Iranian petrochemical plant amid Trump’s Hormuz Deadline.
• And at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Preeti Pawar, Priya and Arundhati reach the finals raising gold medal hopes for India.

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