Page 40 - Kerala

Huge public participation in INDIA bloc rally, a warning to BJP: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the huge participation of people in the INDIA bloc rally held in New Delhi a day ago was a strong warning for the BJP. Addressing the media here, Vijayan also attacked the Congress party and said it was the steps taken by the grand old party which led the Enforcement Directorate to probe the Delhi liquor excise policy case. AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested recently by the ED in the liquor policy case. Aam Aadmi Party is part of the INDI Alliance. "The huge participation of people in the INDIA bloc rally held in Delhi on Sunday gives a strong warning for the BJP," Vijayan said. A day after 18 anti-BJP parties came together in New Delhi to protest against the arrest of Kejriwal, he said that the Congress should also learn a lesson from the rally. The grand old party should introspect on their stand when it comes to attacking non-Congress parties across the country, he said. "Steps taken by Congres

PM interacts with BJP workers in Kerala; claims LDF, UDF acting as enemies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with the BJP's booth level 'karyakartas' or workers in Kerala through the Namo App and asked them to inform voters that both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF in the state were the two sides of the same coin. The prime minister claimed that both fronts, who are part of the INDIA bloc, were only acting as enemies in Kerala and outside it, they were working together to defeat the BJP and Modi and asked the party workers to inform voters in their respective booths about this political scenario in the state. "They both are working to hide each other's faults and wrongdoings. This is the game they are playing in Kerala. People of Kerala are educated, they should be informed about this," he said. A booth-level president from Palakkad constituency, where NDA has fielded C Krishnakumar, told the PM that it was an ongoing joke that both the LDF and UDF were fighting each other there, but just over the Walayar border, in neighbouring Tam

Violence against Christians raised in 'Good Friday' prayers in Kerala

Violence against Christians in Manipur and other parts of India was raised during the special prayers on the occasion of 'Good Friday' at the St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral here by Latin Catholic metropolitan Archbishop Thomas J Netto. Netto said that Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Manipur and north India, were being subjected to "cruelty and violence by dark forces" and alleged that there was no effective intervention against it by the authorities. "So, there is a need to take steps against such evil powers," he said. Auxiliary Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry under the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, as part of his prayers on the occasion, said fear weakens man and it is easier to subjugate a person who is scared. He said that if even one person in a country lives in fear, it should be seen as a failure of the nation. The Christian community in Kerala observed 'Good Friday' in accordance with traditional customs and bel

Will take action on those involved in bank irregularities: PM to Sarasu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the BJP candidate in Kerala's Alathur Lok Sabha constituency, Prof T N Sarasu, on Tuesday and assured her that strict action would be taken against those involved in the alleged irregularities in the cooperative banks in the southern state. Party leaders said Modi, who called Professor Sarasu, inquired about her campaign progress in the Alathur seat. The seat is reserved for the Scheduled Castes, and the candidature of Sarasu, a retired college principal, was announced on Sunday. During her conversation with the prime minister over the phone, Sarasu raised the issue of irregularities reported from certain cooperative banks in Kerala and sought his intervention to punish the guilty. Responding to this, Modi said, "I am happy that, as the candidate, you are taking the issue of the people and common man's problems. It is a good thing for any public servant. I am happy to hear that you are raising the issue." He said he had heard about it and had

Best of BS Opinion: Equity markets not enough, political crossovers, more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

17% more flights in Thiruvananthapuram airport summer roster than in winter

The International Airport here has announced its summer schedule with 17 per cent more weekly flight operations than the winter schedule. The summer schedule is effective from March 31 to October 24, 2024. A total of 716 weekly ATMs (Air Traffic Movements) is the highlight of this schedule against 612 in the winter schedule, an airport statement said here Monday. New destinations like Hanimaadhoo in the Maldives will be added, the statement said adding that additional services to Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad in the domestic sector and Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur in international destinations are also listed in the new schedule. In the international sector, air traffic movements will increase by 21 per cent from the current level of 268 weekly ATMs to 324 for summer, it said. In the domestic sector, the ATMs will increase by 14 per cent from the current level of 344 weekly ATMs to 392 for summer, the statement said, adding that the number of daily services to Bengalur

Kerala Oppn urges action to bring back youth forced into Russia-Ukraine war

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan sent a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday seeking immediate intervention of the central government to ensure the safe return of youths recruited by private agencies to the Russian army. In the letter, the Congress leader demanded measures for the safe return of the three youths from Kerala trapped in the war zone and an investigation against the recruitment agencies that are a part of the human trafficking network. "I urge your good self to make every effort to bring back all of those who are stuck in the combat zone and to initiate a comprehensive investigation against these recruitment agencies that form part of a large illegal trafficking network," he said in the letter. Satheesan termed as shocking the "revelation" that some private recruitment companies in Kerala have been recruiting young people to go to war-battered Ukraine after tempting them with the prospect of lucrative employment in ...

'Govt trying to bring back Kerala men stranded in Ukraine-Russia conflict'

Three young men from Kerala are stranded in war-torn Ukraine after being lured with promise of a lucrative job in the Russian army and then being allegedly forced to fight in the ongoing conflict there, with Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan saying all efforts are being made to bring them back. According to the families of the three men, they were taken to Russia by a recruitment agency with the promise of a huge salary of Rs 2.5 lakh and on reaching there, their passports and mobile phones were taken away. Thereafter, they were made to fight for the Russian forces in Ukraine, they alleged. The mothers of the men told a TV channel that they came to know what had happened when one of their sons got injured in the war there and managed to call back home. "We just want our sons to be brought back home safe as soon as possible," they said. Reacting to the reports about the three men being stranded in Ukraine, Muraleedharan said the Indian government had been aware

Lok Sabha elections 2024: All you need to know about Phase 2 of polls

Lok Sabha polls: The second phase of elections will be held on April 26 across 13 states and UTs. As many as 89 parliamentary seats will be up for polls in phase two, including all 20 seats of Kerala

Sea water recedes more than usual in Alappuzha leaving seabed exposed

A stretch of the coast near Alappuzha witnessed an unusual phenomenon on Tuesday, where the sea receded from its usual shoreline, leaving a portion of the seabed exposed. The sea receded approximately 50 metres along a half-kilometre stretch from Purakkad to Ayyankovil near Ambalappuzha, raising concerns among the fishing community. The affected area, now filled with sludge, has hindered their ability to embark on fishing ventures. Local MLA H Salam, along with other public representatives, visited the site to assess the situation. Official sources said district revenue officials visited the area and attributed this occurrence to the "chakara," a distinctive marine phenomenon characterised by the congregation of numerous fish and prawns during specific seasons, often coinciding with mud bank formations.

Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi holds roadshow in Palakkad in bid to boost support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a roadshow here as part of the BJP-led NDA's attempt to boost support for its candidates from Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls set to be held in the state on April 26. The PM's cavalcade with Modi standing on an open roof vehicle heavily decorated with flowers commenced the roadshow at around 10.45 am from Kottamaidan Anchuvilakku and proceeded towards the Head Post Office in the town. The PM arrived here in a helicopter from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of people, including BJP supporters with flowers, garlands, party flags, placards of Modi and wearing party hats, lined both sides of the around one kilometer roadshow route. As the roadshow proceeded along the route, shouts of 'Modi', 'Bharat mata ki jai', 'Modiji swagatam' and 'Modi ki jai' were heard from the people gathered on both sides of the road. They also showered flowers on Modi, who was wearing a Nehru cap in the saffron colour of his party. Braving the rising temperatur

Cong's Satheesan accuses CM Vijayan of 'creating space' for BJP in state

As the campaign for the Lok Sabha polls intensified, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Monday accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of attempting to create "a space" for the BJP in the southern state. Speaking to reporters in Attingal near here, Satheesan also asserted that the saffron party would not secure a foothold in the state during the Lok Sabha polls. Referring to LDF convener E P Jayarajan's earlier statement that the BJP would come second in many constituencies in Kerala and that many candidates of the saffron party were good, Satheesan said what the CPI(M) leader stated was not echoed by BJP state chief K Surendran or his party. He alleged that Vijayan was influencing Jayarajan, "a poor man," to make such statements to "appease the BJP" at the Centre. Vijayan, who is apprehensive about investigations in various cases, "is trying to create space for the BJP," he alleged. Neither the CPI(M) nor the chief minister have

Muslim organisations to move ECI seeking change in poll date in 2 states

A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll dates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on Sunday said it will move the poll panel seeking to change the polling dates in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as they fall on Friday. For Tamil Nadu, the polls will be held on April 19 and in Kerala on April 26. Both dates fall on a Friday. The IUML, a major ally of the Opposition Congress party in the UDF, said it will approach the ECI to change the dates of elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as it causes inconvenience to voters, officials, and candidates as Friday is important day for Muslims. Talking to PTI, P M A Salam, state general secretary of IUML, said Fridays are an important day for the Muslims who gather in mosques for prayer. "The announcement of polling on Friday will cause inconvenience to voters, candidates, polling agents, and officials assigned to election duty. We will move the ECI," he said. Other Muslim organisations ar

Kerala LS polls: Debates on national issues will impact voter sentiments

Ahead of the April 26 Lok Sabha election in Kerala, the political scene in the southern state is buzzing with debates on various key national issues that have the potential to sway voter sentiments significantly. The upcoming elections are poised for a heated contest as critical issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), electoral bond controversies, Manipur's unrest, and human-animal conflicts in the state dominate the electoral landscape, setting the stage for a showdown between the CPI(M)-led LDF, the Congress-led UDF, and the BJP-led NDA. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has a considerable sway in Kerala's politics, is facing heavy scrutiny over many issues including the central agencies' probe into Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter's IT firm to the recent allegations of violence against the Left student organsiation, SFI. However, with its staunch opposition to the CAA, the stern secular stance opposing the BJP and the long list of development projects a

Why is Kerala holding polls for the Russian Presidential Elections

Russians in Kerala cast votes for Russian Presidential elections at designated booths as Presidential elections in Russia are underway. Watch the video to know more.

Lok Sabha polls: Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the BJP will win seats from Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and said the people of the state were suffering from the corrupt and incompetent government. Addressing the public campaign here for candidates of the BJP-led NDA, he said, "Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time." Attacking the Left and the Congress in Kerala, Modi said the people of the state have endured hardship under governments plagued by corruption and incompetence. Modi said due to the corrupt and incompetent government in Kerala, people are suffering, and they will benefit only if the cycle of consecutive LDF and UDF governments is broken. "In the last elections, the people of Kerala made us the double-digit vote percentage party. And now, our destiny of double-digit seats here is not so far," Modi said. He said both the LDF and UDF governments have turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber farmers. "Additionally, the state's law and order situation has

Kerala CM to inaugurate four new terminals of Kochi Water Metro Limited

Kerala Chief Minister to launch four new terminals of Kochi Water Metro Limited on March 14, 2024. The project cost is Rs 1,136.83 crore

LS elections 2024: Human-animal conflict a major talking point in Kerala

Amidst the serene landscapes and lush greenery of Kerala's hilly and forested districts, a troubling saga has unfolded in recent months, with communities facing a surge in human-animal conflicts that have left a trail of death, injury, and mounting economic losses in their wake. At least nine lives have been lost in Idukki and Wayanad Districts in the last three months, and numerous others have been injured in wildlife attacks, particularly by elephants, tigers and wild boars, among others. Livestock and cherished pets have tragically become prey to maulings, as elephants and wild boars stray from forests into agricultural areas, leaving farmers disheartened and distressed. As the state grapples with these tragic events, the issue has become a major talking point in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress are pushing for amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which .

Will allow Kerala to borrow Rs 5,000 cr as exceptional measure: Govt to SC

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday it is ready to allow the Kerala government to borrow Rs 5,000 crore, subject to certain conditions, to deal with the financial issues facing the state as a "very special and exceptional measure". However, the Kerala government said Rs 5,000 crore "does not take us anywhere" and the absolute minimum requirement stood at Rs 10,000 crore. The Centre's statement came a day after a bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan asked it to consider providing a one-time bailout package to Kerala by March 31 to deal with the resource crunch. The apex court was hearing a suit filed by the Kerala government accusing the Union of India of interfering in the exercise of its "exclusive, autonomous and plenary powers" to regulate the state's finances by imposing a ceiling on borrowing. "However, giving utmost consideration to the suggestion of the court, as a very special and exceptional measure, not to be used or cited as a precedent by any othe

CAA in line with promise given by founding fathers: Kerala Governor

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that his government will not implement CAA in the state