THE HEADLINES:
- Voting in progress for sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 58 Parliamentary Constituencies across six States and two Union Territories.
- Polling also taking place for third phase of Assembly Elections in Odisha in 42 seats simultaneously.
- High-pitch Campaigning continues for seventh and final phase; Top Political leaders holding marathon rallies to garner support in their favour.
- Cyclone Remal likely to cause heavy rain in West Bengal and coastal parts of Odisha.
- In Archery, India bags gold in Compound Women’s Team event at World Cup Stage 2 at Yecheon in South Korea.
- And, in Badminton, PV Sindhu to take on Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand in Women’s Singles semifinals of Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur today.
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Voting is in progress for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections. 58 Parliamentary Constituencies spread over six States and two Union Territories are being covered in this phase. These include, 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 in Haryana, 8 each in Bihar and West Bengal, all 7 seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, four in Jharkhand and one Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
Voting started at 7 this morning and will conclude at 6 in the evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to vote in large numbers. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that every vote counts and democracy thrives when its people are engaged and active in the electoral process. The Prime Minister especially urged women and youth voters to vote in large numbers.
A total of 889 candidates are in the fray in this phase. The prominent candidates whose fate will be decided in sixth phase include senior BJP leaders Dharmendra Pradhan, Maneka Gandhi, Manohar Lal Khattar, Sambit Patra, Bansuri Swaraj and Manoj Tiwari and Congress leaders Deepender Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja, Raj Babbar and Kanhaiya Kumar as well as Samajwadi Party leader Dharmendra Yadav and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
Polling is also underway for the third phase of Assembly Elections in Odisha for 42 Constituencies simultaneously. Assembly by-elections are also being held for the Karnal seat in Haryana and Gainsari constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
Over 11.13 crore voters are eligible to vote in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls across 1.14 lakh polling stations. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Election Commission to ensure smooth and hassle-free voting. Our correspondent reports that the poll body has specially reminded voters in urban centres like Delhi, Gurgaon, and Faridabad to exercise their right to vote and break the trend of urban apathy.
“Basic facilities ranging from shade, drinking water, ramps, toilets, wheelchairs to electricity are in place to ensure that every voter, including elderly and persons with disabilities, can cast their vote with ease. State Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and State machineries have taken adequate measures to manage hot weather conditions. Security has also been beefed up in the polling areas to avoid any untoward incident and ensure free, and fair polls. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Now, we speak to our correspondents for the latest updates on the voting from various parts of the country.
First we go over to our Delhi correspondent, Anand Kumar who is present at North East Delhi constituency.
Question: Anand, how is the polling progressing so far ?
LIVE
Thank you Anand.
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For updates on neighbouring Haryana, our correspondent Durgesh Bhadauria now joins us from Gurugram.
Question: Durgesh, share with us some interesting aspects of the contest taking place in Haryana
LIVE
Thank you Durgesh
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Moving on to Uttar Pradesh, where polling is being held in 14 constituencies in this phase. Our correspondent Sushil Chandra Tiwari now joins us.
Question: Sushil, tell us about the high-profile constituencies where polling is being held today?
LIVE
Thank you Sushil.
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We, now go over to our correspondent in Odisha where simultaneous polling is being held for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Our Bhubaneswar Correspondent, Prakash Dash joins us.
Question: Prakash, who are the prominent candidates in the fray in the state for the Lok Sabha polls in this phase?
LIVE
Question: Prakash, coming to the assembly polls, which constituencies are likely to face tough fight in the state this time.
LIVE
Thank you Prakash.
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High-pitch Campaigning continues for seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections. Top Political leaders are holding marathon rallies in different parts of the country to garner support in their party’s favour.
Polling in this phase will be held for 57 Parliamentary Constituencies across seven states and a Union Territory on 1st of June.
Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will be on a day-long visit to Bihar today. Mr. Modi will address three public meetings in Patna, Rohtas and Buxar districts.
Mr Modi will also hold rally in Ghazipur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath will campaign in Salempur, Ballia, Chandauli and Varanasi constituencies in the state today.
On the other hand, wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a road show in Varanasi.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds is likely to lash West Bengal and coastal areas of North Odisha under the influence of Cyclone ‘Remal’. IMD said, a depression developed in the Bay of Bengal will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm tomorrow. It said, by tomorrow midnight, it will hit coastal areas of West Bengal. Coastal areas of North Odisha can witness isolated heavy rainfall. Extreme rainfall warning has been issued in some areas of northeastern states as well.
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In Archery, India bagged the gold medal in Compound Women’s Team event at World Cup stage two in Yecheon, South Korea. The trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Parneet Kaur and Aditi Swami won gold against Turkey in final.
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In Badminton, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will take on World number 20 Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand in the Women’s Singles semifinals of Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur today. The ace shuttler defeated top seed Han Yue of China in the quarter-final yesterday.
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In IPL Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad stormed into the final defeating Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in the second Qualifier match in Chennai last night.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will now face Kolkata Knight Riders in the summit clash in Chennai tomorrow.
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Today’s Newspapers Headlines
- “Penutimate phase of Lok Sabha polls today” leads The Statesman.
- “Delhi, Haryana to go to polls today; 58 seats in 6th phase” reports The Asian age.
- “Khattar; Maneka, Mehbooba’s fate to be sealed today” states The Tribune.
- “Bengal braces up for phase VI polls today amid tense air” reports The Pioneer.
- Referring to severe cyclone Remal, Hindustan Times quotes the India Meteorological Department as saying” Severe cyclone to impact Bengal, make landfall Sunday night.”
- “No sign of foul play in Iran President’s helicopter crash” reports The Hindu Business Line.
- And finally, “Connaught Place in Delhi offers discount extravaganza on polling day” reports Delhi Tribune. The paper writes “Around 43 Outlets offering rebates” for conscientious voters.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Voting in progress for sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 58 Parliamentary Constituencies across six States and two Union Territories.
- Polling also taking place for third phase of Assembly Elections in Odisha in 42 seats simultaneously.
- High-pitch Campaigning continues for seventh and final phase; Top Political leaders holding marathon rallies to garner support in their favour.
- Cyclone Remal likely to cause heavy rain in West Bengal and coastal parts of Odisha.
- In Archery, India bags gold in Compound Women’s Team event at World Cup Stage 2 at Yecheon in South Korea.
- And, in Badminton, PV Sindhu to take on Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand in Women’s Singles semifinals of Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur today.
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