THE HEADLINES::
- Star campaigners of many political parties canvass in favour of their candidates for Lok Sabha elections.
- Enforcement agencies make record seizure of over four thousand 650 crore rupees before Lok Sabha poll commences.
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar highlights role of Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics in improvement of tax governance.
- Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande embarks on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
- And in IPL cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru to clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru this evening.
<><><>
Star campaigners of many political parties are canvassing in favour of their candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. As Kerala is gearing for Lok Sabha election in the second phase on 26th April, top leaders of major political parties are visiting the State for campaigning.
Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed public meeting in Alathur constituency. During his speech, he accused the Left government of hindering the Centre’s development programmes in the southern state. He also spoke about various promises and development programmes mentioned in the party’s manifesto.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address a mega rally of the UDF at Kozhikode this evening. He will also participate in various programmes today and tomorrow in Wayanad constituency where he is seeking re-election for a second term. LDF leaders Sitaram Yechury, Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat , Subhashini Ali and Tapan Sen are also scheduled to hit the campaign trail this week.
<><><>
In Sikkim, election campaign for a simultaneous elections for the lone Lok Sabha seat and 32 seats of the State Legislative Assembly is underway in full swing. The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), opposition parties – Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), BJP, Congress and newly floated Citizen Action Party are making all out efforts to garner support of the electorates across the State which will go to the polls on the 19th of this month.
In the South-West District of Gyalsing, the ruling party of the State and the opposition parties are blaming each other for fomenting violent activities in the area to threaten the supporters of rival candidates.
The ruling SKM organized an election rally yesterday from Pechrek Danda to Bermek Bazar in Gyalsing. Speaking at the rally, the party leaders highlighted the development activities taken up by the state Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in the last past five years.
SDF President and former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling also campaigned at Gangtok and addressed rallies yesterday. He assured to provide employment to the youths of Sikkim if the party is voted to power.
<><><>
BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur attended a meeting with the business community in Siliguri today. He also met with representatives of sports organisations after reaching the city in West Bengal this morning. Later in the day, he will address a public meeting at Garubathan in Kalimpong and after that he will participate in another public meeting at Milan More of Siliguri.
<><><>
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah today said that the Narendra Modi led NDA government is committed to make Tripura a developed state.
Addressing an election rally at Kumarghat in Unakoti district of Tripura, Mr Shah said that for the honour, safety and all inclusive development of the tribals, Mr. Modi has implemented various developmental projects. He said that after 75 years of Independence, a tribal lady was made the President of the country.
The senior BJP leader said, earlier budgetary provision of 24,000 crore rupees was earmarked for Tribal Welfare department, but now it has been hiked to One lakh 25 thousand crore rupees.
Meanwhile, the Congress-CPI (M) leaders also campaigned for their party candidates in various parts of the state.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has said that national progress can be achieved only by an experienced leader who can take bold measures, thinks big, has global understanding and respect and a record to deliver guarantees and meet the aspirations of the poor and youth. Addressing media persons in Bengaluru today, Dr. Jaishankar said that a strong majority government and a forward looking leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi can achieve national progress. Pointing out at the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza strip, tensions in Red Sea and Arabian sea and challenges in the Indo Pacific region, the Union Minister said that a leader who can take strong position like Mr. Modi will help India. He noted that India is today Vishwa Bandhu which accomplished the responsibility of G20 summit to the satisfaction of its members.
<><><>
The Congress today claimed that the party’s wave is visible in the north-eastern states. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, protecting the diversity in the north eastern states is the biggest issue there. He alleged that diversity in the north-eastern states on the basis of religion, caste, language and province is under threat today.
<><><>
In our series, covering profiles of key constituencies across States and Union Territories during the Lok Sabha elections today, we bring a report on Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency of Tamil Nadu. Details from our correspondent:
“Thoothukudi constituency was established in 2009. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi was elected from the constituency in 2019 with over 56 percent votes against Tamilisai Sounderarajan of the BJP who secured more than 21 percent votes. Kanimozhi is seeking re-election for the second time here. The total electorate is 14 lakh 48 thousand 159 voters. Sivasami Velumani from AIADMK and Vijayaseelan from Tamil Maanila Congress, an ally of the BJP is contesting for the first time. The VOC Chidambaram or the KappalOttiya Thamizhan Port is a state of the art satellite port in the southern part of the State. Freedom fighters like V.O.Chidambaranar, Veerapandia Kattabomman, the king of Panchalankurichi, Ettayapuram the birth place of Poet Subramania Bharathi belong to Thoothukudi. The Pearl city is known for pearl collection known as Muthu Kuliyal in a traditional way. The salt fields, value added fishing are all sources of revenue here. It is said that Korkai near Tuticorin is mentioned in Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy’s geography as a centre for pearl fishing. JOY AKASHVANI, CHENNAI.”
<><><>
The enforcement agencies have made a record seizure of over four thousand 650 crore rupees before the first phase of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections commences on Friday. The Election Commission has said that this marks a sharp increase over three thousand 475 crore rupees seized during the entire 17th Lok Sabha election in 2019.
The Commission said, 45 per cent of the seizures are of drugs and narcotics. It said, the seizures have been possible by comprehensive planning, scaled up collaboration and unified deterrence action from agencies and proactive citizen participation. The poll body stated that one hundred crore rupees seizure was made each day since 1st March of this year.
<><><>
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today said the new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics are improving tax governance and helping curb tax evasion. This enhances the trust of the taxpayer in the system, which in turn encourages greater tax compliance. Mr. Dhankar was addressing the valedictory session of Induction Training for 76 batch of Indian revenue service-IRS at National Academy of Direct Taxes – NADT in Nagpur today. The Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais and Chairman of Central Board of Taxes-CBDT Nitin Gupta were present on this occasion.
<><><>
The Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande has left on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan from today. The Defence Ministry said, the visit aims at strengthening mutual understanding and bilateral defence cooperation between the two Nations. He will engage in dialogues with the top defence leadership of Uzbekistan, which are pivotal in fostering stronger military cooperation. The Ministry said, the visit by General Manoj Pande aims at strengthening military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.
<><><>
The Ministry of Home Affairs has termed a social media post related to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s report on Chinese transgression at the Line of Actual Control as misleading and malicious. The Ministry said, social media post is misleading, malicious, and ill motivated on the sensitive issue of national security. In a social media post, the Ministry has clarified that the ITBP has not submitted any such internal report to it.
<><><>
Twenty-one retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts have expressed concern regarding the escalating attempts by certain factions to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement. They have written a letter to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud in this regard. They said that these elements, motivated by narrow political interests and personal gains, are striving to erode the public’s confidence in the judicial system.
<><><>
The registration process for the 52-day long Amaranth yatra is beginning from today. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has made this announcement. The pilgrimage for high holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji in south Kashmir Himalayas will commence from 29 the of June and conclude on August 19.
<><><>
In Delhi, the Rouse Avenue court today sent BRS leader K Kavitha to judicial custody till 23rd of this month in connection with the excise policy case. The BRS leader was produced before the court by CBI on the expiry of her three-day police custody today. She was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 15th of March.
<><><>
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the ongoing rainfall, along with moderate thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and hail will continue to persist over Northwest India for the next 24 hours and abate thereafter. Meanwhile, MeT Department has said that Delhi will witness a generally cloudy sky with light rain today.
<><><>
In Arunachal Pradesh, the Nyishi tribe is celebrating its Longte festival today. It is one of the oldest and agriculturally significant festivals of the Nyishi tribe and is a harbinger of new season after which sowing of seeds begins on cultivated fields. This festival also commemorates the separation of human being from evil forces by a barricade that took place from time immemorial.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd) has conveyed warm greetings to the people of the State on the occasion.
<><><>
In IPL cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru today. The match will begin at 7:30 this evening.
Yesterday, Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 20 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Put in to bat first, Chennai amassed a total of 206 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs. In another match, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN::
- Star campaigners of many political parties canvass in favour of their candidates for Lok Sabha elections.
- Enforcement agencies make record seizure of over four thousand 650 crore rupees before Lok Sabha poll commences.
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar highlights role of Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics in improvement of tax governance.
- Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande embarks on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
- In IPL cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru to clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru this evening.
<><><>
