THE HEADLINES:-
- Campaigning for fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections to end this evening; Also to conclude for single-phase Assembly Elections in Andhra Pradesh and first phase of Assembly polls in Odisha.
- Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan says integration of Armed Forces needs to be expedited to create multi-domain response mechanism.
- India votes in favour of draft resolution supporting Palestine’s bid to become full member of United Nations.
- Dust storm and rain sweep parts of Delhi and National Capital Region.
- In Sports, Nisha Dahiya secures fifth Olympic quota in Women’s Wrestling for India.
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Campaigning for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections will end this evening.
Canvassing will also conclude for the first phase of assembly elections in Odisha and single-phase assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh.
Voting in the fourth phase will take place on Monday in 96 Lok Sabha seats spread across 9 states and a Union Territory. Simultaneously, legisltaive assembly elections for all 175 seats of Andhra Pradesh and 28 out of 147 seats of Odisha will take place.
Top leaders of several political parties will be making last ditch effort to gather support for their party candidates.
Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will address public meetings at Kandhamal, Balangir and in Bargarh parliamentary constituencies in Odisha today. He will also hold election rally at Chatra in Jharkhand.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address public meeting at Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will address an election rally in the tribal-dominated Nandurbar district of Maharashtra this morning.
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In Madhya Pradesh, in the fourth phase, voting will be held in 8 Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies on Monday.
“In the 4th phase in Madhya Pradesh, voting will take place in parliamentary constituencies, namely Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa on May 13. In the fourth phase, campaigning is in full swing in the Malwa Nimar region of state. From the BJP, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will campaign in Ratlam and Indore, State BJP President VD Sharma in Dewas and Dhar and former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Ujjain. While, senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, State Congress President Jitu Patwari and other party leaders are leading the campaign for the Congress candidates.
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In Telangana, as the deadline of campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections is coming to a close this evening, the State election officials have intensified their efforts to put in place all arrangements for ensuring smooth and peaceful election. Following a request from political parties, the Election Commission has extended polling time by one hour in most of the 119 Assembly segments falling under the 17 Lok Sabha seats. Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj who reviewed the arrangements with senior officials and directed them to maintain close track of all forms of inducements to voters during the last 72 hours left for polling. Observers accompanied by officials concerned should conduct surprise night vigil and inspections in vulnerable areas in the expenditure-sensitive areas where there was scope for distribution of freebies like liquor.
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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 Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh. In the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, voting will be held on the 20th of May in 14 seats of the State. Raebareli is one of the significant seats going to polls in the fifth phase. Considered to be the stronghold of the Nehru Gandhi family, this seat has been won by the Congress 17 times. This time, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is contesting from this seat. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party has once again announced the name of Dinesh Pratap Singh as its candidate who is a Minister in the State government. Thakur Prasad Yadav is contesting from the Bahujan Samaj Party. Apart from them, five other candidates are also in the fray.
“Five assembly constituencies come under the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency. These include Bachhrawan, Harchandpur, Rae Bareli, Sareni and Unchahar. On this Lok Sabha seat, 17 lakh 83 thousand 8 hundred 85 voters will decide the fate of 8 candidates on 20 May. These include 9 lakh 31 thousand 1 hundred 71 male voters, 8 lakh 52 thousand 6 hundred 78 female voters, and 36 third gender voters. Congress leaders like Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi reached Parliament from this seat. Congress has lost the election only three times on this seat, in which BJP has won twice and the Janata Party once. In the 2019 general election, Sonia Gandhi won by defeating the BJP candidate by 1 lakh 67 thousand 178 votes. After Sonia Gandhi goes to Rajya Sabha, Rahul Gandhi will face the challenge of saving the last fort of the Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh. To challenge Rahul Gandhi on this high profile seat, BJP has fielded Dinesh Pratap Singh for the second time. Dinesh Pratap Singh left Congress and joined BJP in 2018. Thakur Prasad Yadav is in the fray from BSP. All the parties have intensified campaigning to ensure victory on this seat.
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In Gujarat, repolling is taking place at Prathampur polling station under the Dahod Lok Sabha seat today. The voting which began at 7 in the morning, will conclude at 6 in the evening. The Election Commission ordered fresh polling at the polling station in Santrampur taluka of Mahisagar district after irregularities were reported in the voting held on the 7th of this month during second phase of Lok Sabha polls. The Election Commission took the decision on the basis of a report filed by the Returning Officer after receiving a complaint over a viral video. Six persons were suspended including four from the polling staff who were on duty on the polling day at Prathampur Polling booth.
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Two-day Parivartan Chintan-2 for jointness and integration of Armed Forces concluded in New Delhi yesterday. Chairing the conference, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasised the need for expediting the progress of the initiatives as these were to pave the way to Theaterisation and hence creation of a Multi Domain Response capable Indian Armed Forces. He initiated the ’Chintan’ on both days by addressing various committees. CDS Chauhan expressed confidence that such brainstorming would help the Armed Forces evolve into a theaterized force capable of Multi-Domain Operations and strengthen the resolve and capability to safeguard our territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
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India has voted in favour of a draft UN General Assembly resolution supporting Palestine’s bid to become full time UN member. The 193-member General Assembly yesterday met for an emergency special session where the Arab Group resolution in support of the State of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations was presented by the United Arab Emirates. The resolution said Palestine is qualified and should be admitted as full member of the UN and recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter favourably. The resolution got 143 votes in favour, nine against and 25 abstentions. Currently, Palestine is a non-member observer state at the UN. The status was granted to Palestine by the General Assembly in 2012.
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Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah has announced the dissolution of Parliament and the suspension of parts of the constitution for up to four years citing political turmoil. In a televised address yesterday, the Emir stated that recent upheavals had compelled him to take these actions to safeguard the nation’s interests. The Emir declared that all facets of the democratic process will be thoroughly examined during the period of constitutional suspension. Last month, the Gulf country conducted its fourth elections, with 39 of the 46 members from the previous parliament retaining their seats.
According to Kuwait’s constitution, a new government must be formed within two weeks of an election. However, tensions between the elected Parliament and the appointed Prime Minister have hindered such a formation since the 4th of April.
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In Afghanistan, at least 50 people were killed and more than 100 injured after heavy rainfall in northern part of the country. According to Taliban officials, heavy rainfall has affected five districts in Baghlan province. Natural Disaster Management in Baghlan said that the death toll might rise as many people are still missing. Taliban official said more than 150 people were trapped under debris and in need of urgent help. The country has been hit by unprecedented heavy rainfall over the last few weeks, with floods killing at least 100 people since mid-April.
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After days of intense heat, a massive dust storm and rain hit Delhi and the National Capital Region late last evening. The city witnessed strong winds which brought down many trees and big branches affecting traffic. Two flights were diverted to Jaipur due to the bad weather. This week Delhi recorded the highest temperature of the season 42 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Scientist R.K. Jenamani said a wet spell accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over Central, East and South Peninsular parts of the country are likely to occur till Monday.
The weather agency also predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Gangetic West Bengal today; and over the region of Odisha till tomorrow. IMD said that Hailstorm activity is also very likely over Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha till Monday; and over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada till tomorrow.
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In Women’s Wrestling, Nisha Dahiya has become the fifth Indian woman grappler to qualify for the Paris Olympics. She defeated Romania’s Alexandra Anghel in the 68kg category semifinals at the World Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul yesterday.
Nisha, last year’s Asian Championships silver-medal winner beat Anghel 8-4.
However, India’s Greco-Roman grapplers bowed out in the preliminary rounds in all six weight categories.
This will be the first time that five Indian woman wrestlers will be competing in the Olympics.
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India’s star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra sealed a second-place finish in the Doha Diamond League 2024. With an unusual slow start, Chopra’s spear landed at 88.36 metre, just 2 cenitmetres short of 88.38 metre of event topper, Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic. The windy conditions in Doha were hostile in Chopra’s attempt to win the second Doha season in a row.
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In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans defeated Chennai Super Kings by 35 runs in Ahmedabad last night.
Put in to bat, Gujarat Titans posted 231 for the loss of 3 wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, defending champions Chennai Super Kings failed to achieve the target of 232 runs, scoring 196 for 8 in 20 overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens in Kolkata this evening.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPER HEADLINES:-
⦁ The top story across all dailies is Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal’s release after he gets interim bail with conditions. The Asian Age writes, “Kejriwal walks out of Tihar Jail as Supreme Court grants interim bail till June 1.” The Pioneer says, “Delhi ready for Game of Throne.”
⦁ Papers have also widely noticed the trial outcome of Dabbholkar murder case.
The Hindu writes, “Court convicts 2, acquits 3 in Dabholkar murder case.”
⦁ With memories of protesting wrestlers still not faded, “Delhi court orders framing of charges against ex-WFI chief, BJP MP Brij Bhushan,” writes The Statesman.
⦁ “12 Maoists killed in Bijapur encounter,” reports Hindustan Times.
⦁ And finally, On World Migratory Bird Day today, The Hindu carries a beautiful picture of three flamingos in flight over a pond spotted with hundreds of beaked companions, at the end of the migratory season.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Campaigning for fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections to end this evening; Also to conclude for single-phase Assembly Elections in Andhra Pradesh and first phase of Assembly polls in Odisha.
- Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan says integration of Armed Forces needs to be expedited to create multi-domain response mechanism.
- India votes in favour of draft resolution supporting Palestine’s bid to become full member of United Nations.
- Dust storm and rain sweep parts of Delhi and National Capital Region.
- In Sports, Nisha Dahiya secures fifth Olympic quota in Women’s Wrestling for India.
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