THE HEADLINES :
- Campaigning continues in full swing for Lok Sabha elections as top leaders seek support for party nominees through public meetings and road shows in poll-bound areas.
- Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi to hold rallies in Jharkhand and Bihar today; BSP Chief Mayawati to address public meeting in Uttar Pradesh.
- Scrutiny of nomination papers for fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections to be held today.
- 37 people killed in deadly rains and mudslides in southern region of Brazil.
- In IPL Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians by 24 runs in Mumbai.
<><><>
Campaigning continues in full swing for the Lok Sabha elections as top leaders seek support for the party nominees through public meetings, rallies and road shows in poll-bound areas. After the completion of two phases, high-voltage campaigning is underway for the remaining phases. Voting in the third phase will be held for 93 seats in 10 states and a Union Territory on Tuesday.
Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will hold election rallies in Jharkhand and Bihar today. In Jharkhand, Mr Modi will address two public rallies at Palamu district and Sisai in Gumla district this afternoon.
In Bihar, Mr Modi will address a public meeting at Darbhanga later in the day.
Polling in Darbhanga parliamentary constituency will be held on 13th of this month in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls.
Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayawati will hold a public meeting at Agra in Uttar Pradesh today. The polling at Agra Loksabha Constituency will take place in the third phase.
Gujarat is also witnessing a high-decibel campaign as the election is coming closer.
Senior BJP leader Amit Shah will address three rallies in Chhota Udepur, Valsad and Diu and Daman. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi will address public meetings in Banaskantha. AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan will address two rallies in Bharuch. The State is going to polls in a single phase on Tuesday.
<><><>
In our series, covering profiles of key constituencies across States and Union Territories during the Lok Sabha elections, today we bring you a report on the Kolhapur seat in Maharashtra. The Kolhapur Lok Sabha constituency famous for Kolhapuri Chappals and handloom comprises six Assembly segments including Chandgad, Radhanagari, Kagal, Kolhapur South, Karvir and Kolhapur North. Pollution of Panchganga River, pilgrimage development, development of air transport and flooding during monsoon are major issues in Kolhapur.
“While there are 23 candidates contesting for the Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat, there is a straight fight between Congress and the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance has thrown its weight behind Shahu Maharaj Chhatrapati, descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is contesting as a Congress candidate. The Shiv Sena has fielded sitting MP Sanjay Mandalik, son of Sadashivrao Mandlik who represented the seat in the Lok Sabha several times. The poll battle here is worth-watching. On one hand there is Shahu Maharaj Chhatrapati who is a revered figure in the constituency, on the other there is Sanjay Mandalik whose family has dominated the seat for decades. Prarthna, Akashvani News, Mumbai.”
<><><>
Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam joined Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) in Maharashtra yesterday in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Sanjay Nirupam’s ties with the Congress turned sour when the party, as part of the seat-sharing agreement, gave up Mumbai North West to Amol Kirtikar, a candidate from Shiv Sena (UBT).
<><><>
In Chhattisgarh, polling in the third phase will be held in seven parliamentary constituencies on Tuesday. Several steps are being taken to increase the voting percentage and motivate people to exercise their franchise in the state.
“In the four Lok Sabha constituencies, where voting took place in the first two phases in Chhattisgarh, the voting percentage has increased compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Now, in the third phase, it is a challenge to increase the voting percentage in the remaining seven parliamentary constituencies amid heat wave conditions prevailing in the State. Efforts are being made by organising various sports competitions, including cricket matches, cycle rallies, torch rallies, and umbrella rallies in various districts so that people, regardless of the heat, reach the polling booths and cast their votes. Commercial establishments, including hotels and various shops, have also announced special discounts on that day for people who cast their votes. People in rural areas of Balrampur district have been invited to vote by writing invitations on the leaves of Sal trees. In Raipur district too, the Collector and District Returning Officer have visited the homes of Padma Shri awardees along with many other people, delivering invitation letters and urging them to cast their votes. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.”
<><><>
In Madhya Pradesh, various measures are being taken by the Election Commission in collaboration with local organisations to increase the voting percentage in the third and fourth phases in the State.
“Indian Medical Association has announced exemption in doctor consultation fees to the citizens voting in Gwalior. At the same time, the Nursing Home and Gynecologist Association has announced relaxation in treatment. This relaxation will be given for one week from the voting day. The Chemists Association has also announced attractive discounts on medicines to the voters. Similarly, the Bus Operators Union has decided to give a 50 per cent discount in fare from the 7th of May to the 10th of May to the travelers who came after casting their votes. Chamber of Commerce members will provide their workers paid leave to vote. The members of the executive have also taken an oath for compulsorily voting. Apart from these, other organisations have also assured to encourage the voters at their respective levels. Sanjeev Sharma, Akashvani News, Bhopal.”
<><><>
Scrutiny of nomination papers for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held today. The filing of nominations for this phase ended yesterday. Monday is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Polling in the fifth phase will be held for 49 Lok Sabha seats in six States and two Union Territories on the 20th of this month. Scrutiny of nomination papers will also be held today for the second phase of Assembly polls in Odisha.
<><><>
The Delhi police have arrested Arun Reddy, handler of ‘Spirit of Congress’ account on social media platform X, in Home Minister Amit Shah’s doctored video case. The arrest has been made from Delhi. Earlier, Delhi Police had lodged an FIR over the circulation of doctored videos of Home Minister Amit Shah.
<><><>
The Centre today lifted the ban on onion exports. In a notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has said that the order effective immediately, is subject to a Minimum Export Price of 550 dollars per Metric Ton.
Last month, the Centre allowed the export of over 99 thousand Metric tonnes of onion to six countries Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
<><><>
President Draupadi Murmu will be on a visit to Himachal Pradesh from today. During her tour, the President will stay at the President’s Retreat Chharabra, near Shimla.
“The President’s schedule includes arriving in Shimla on the afternoon of May 4th and visiting the Catchment Area in Chharabra on May 5th. The next day on 6th May the President will participate as the chief guest in the convocation ceremony of the Central University Dharamshala in Kangra District. On May 7th, she will also participate in a cultural program at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. Stringent security arrangements have been made in Shimla in view of President Draupadi Murmu’s visit, with more than a thousand police personnel deployed for security. Today, a rehearsal for the passage of the President’s convoy on Mall Road in Shimla was also conducted. Ritesh Kapoor Akashvani News Shimla.”
<><><>
Telangana Police has submitted a closure report in the High Court that Rohit Vemula, who died by suicide at the University of Hyderabad did not belong to the Scheduled Caste. The police in the report mentioned that they are closing the case as there is no substantial evidence to prove that Rohit Vemula belonged to the SC community. The closure report absolves former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Appa Rao, Union Minister Smriti Irani and other BJP and ABVP leaders.
Director General of Police, Ravi Gupta has said that it has been decided to conduct further probe into the case. Rohit Vemula died by suicide in January 2016.
<><><>
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for securing admission to undergraduate medical programs in India’s most prestigious government and private medical colleges will be held at three centres across the United Arab Emirates tomorrow. Over two thousand two hundred students from the UAE have registered to appear for the pen-and-paper-based NEET 2024 exam.
<><><>
In Brazil, heavy rains and mudslides in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul have killed 37 people while another 74 are missing. Over 23 thousand people were forced to leave their homes due to the worst floods in 80 years. It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November that killed 75 people in total.
<><><>
Heat wave conditions are very likely in some pockets over Gangetic West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu during the next two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that similar conditions are likely to continue in Madhya Maharashtra, Marathawada, Saurashtra, Kutch and West Rajasthan till the next two to three days.
Meanwhile light to moderate rainfall accompanied with isolated thunderstorms is very likely over North East India during the next five days.
<><><>
Telangana is experiencing severe heatwave conditions, with at least 18 districts recording temperatures exceeding 46 Degrees Celsius yesterday. Hyderabad Meteorological Centre has issued heatwave alerts across various districts.
<><><>
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has forecast that the sea in Kerala and Tamilnadu coast,is likely to be “dominated” by high-energy swell waves in the nearshore region starting early morning today and is likely to last till tomorrow night. Kerala is put on red alert as the low-lying areas along the coast could experience intermittent surges of seawater due to the swell waves.
“The phenomenon, locally known as ‘Kallakadal’ is likely to last till 11.30 PM tomorrow. Coastal communities have been advised to remain vigilant. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has issued directions suspending recreational activities along the beaches. The public has been advised against travelling to the coast. Directions have also been issued to shift people from the beaches from last night. Coastal residents have also been advised to temporarily evacuate as per the situation. Mayusha for Akashavani News from Thiruvananthapuram. MAYUSHA A.M. AKASHMANI, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.”
<><><>
In IPL Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated the host Mumbai Indians by 24 runs in Mumbai last night.
Currently, Kolkata Knight Riders are at the second spot in the points table, while Mumbai Indians are at the ninth position.
Today, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Gujarat Titans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
<><><>
The World Athletics Relays, which serves as a qualifying event for relay teams looking to secure quotas in the Paris Olympics 2024 will take place from today at Nassau in the Bahamas. India will field teams in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed 4x400m events.
The World Athletics Relays 2024 event will be held over two days, today and tomorrow.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:-
- In its top story, The Economic Times has quoted the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, as saying that India is not xenophobic, but one of the most welcoming nations.
- The Election Commission is unhappy with voter apathy in metropolitan cities, and plans to entice more people to vote, reports The Pioneer.
- India is becoming the new hub for auto exports, writes The Economic Times, with Honda even shipping cars from here to it home market, Japan. This phenomenon is driven by India’s growing base of quality suppliers.
- ‘Southeast Asia sizzles under record heat’ headlines Hindustan Times. Reasons cited by experts are the lingering heat from El Nino and global warming.
- All Indian sailors on-board Portuguese flagged vessel MSC Aries have been released by Iran, reports The Hindu.
- And finally, in the first known such observation of a wild animal, Indonesian scientists noticed a male orangutan using a plant to treat his own wound, proving that this behaviour is not limited to humans alone, reports The Times of India.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Campaigning continues in full swing for Lok Sabha elections as top leaders seek support for party nominees through public meetings and road shows in poll-bound areas.
- Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi to hold rallies in Jharkhand and Bihar today; BSP Chief Mayawati to address public meeting in Uttar Pradesh.
- Scrutiny of nomination papers for fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections to be held today.
- 37 people killed in deadly rains and mudslides in southern region of Brazil.
- In IPL Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians by 24 runs in Mumbai.
<><><>
