Page 41 - Kerala

Kerala will defeat disconnected elements: Nadda takes a swipe at Tharoor

BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday attacked Congress leader and its Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat candidate Shashi Tharoor for his "disdain, elitism and arrogance", claiming that people of Kerala will defeat him. Nadda tagged media reports showing the diplomat-turned-politician having a dig at the BJP, saying the only account the party can open in the state is bank accounts. Tharoor was apparently referring to the central government's signature programme to open bank accounts of the poor across the country to have a go at the BJP's drive to open its Lok Sabha account in Kerala where it has never won a seat. The BJP president said on X, "We are proud that our Government opens Bank Accounts for the poor! Congress never bothered about it as they only cared about vote banks and bank accounts of one dynasty. Kerala will defeat such disconnected elements!" The BJP has fielded Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against him from the high profile seat which has sent Tharoor to Lok Sabh

Vijayan accuses PM Modi, Rahul of covering up Kerala's progress with lies

With the crucial Lok Sabha polls just five days away in the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday intensified his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing them of attempting to cover up the progresses achieved by the state with "lies". Modi and Gandhi have a similar voice while speaking against the southern state, he told a press conference in Kanhangadu here. "A strange phenomenon is happening now in which the Prime Minister and the all India leader of the main opposition party are trying in unison to cover up the state (Kerala) and the progress it achieved with lies," the Chief Minister alleged. Targeting Modi for his recent remarks against the state government, Vijayan said the Prime Minister had mentioned the other day that corruption thrives in Kerala like in Bihar. Through the statement, the PM is insulting two states at one go, he said. Rejecting Modi's charge, the Left leader said it is well known that Kerala i

LS polls: Over 200,000 complaints of election violation received in Kerala

: With Lok Sabha polls just six days away, a total of 2,09,661 complaints regarding violation of model code of conduct have been received in Kerala, of which action was taken in 2,06,152, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said here on Saturday. The complaints were received through the cVIGIL mobile app set up by the Election Commission. The complaints were received from March 16 to April 20 and 426 are currently being processed, Kaul said in a statement. Majority of the complaints received through the cVIGIL were related to unauthorised posters, banners, boards, wall writings, posters without mandatory information, property vandalism, unauthorized monetary transactions, use of vehicles without permission, distribution of alcohol, gifting, weapon display, and hate speeches. Of the total complaints received, 3,083 were dismissed as baseless, the statement said. The Chief Election Officer said that the public can send complaints about violations through the cVIGIL (Citizens Vigil)

Congress fumes after Kerala CM Vijayan recalls 'old name of Rahul Gandhi'

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Friday, recalled "an old name of Rahul Gandhi" to attack the Congress leader, who a day earlier had wondered why the Marxist veteran was not jailed by the BJP government at the state, unlike two other Chief Ministers opposition-ruled states. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala fumed at the Chief Minister's targeted attack against Gandhi at the election rally in Kozhikode. He came down strongly on Vijayan and accused him of "stooping too low to please" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress leader's statement came hours after Vijayan apparently said that the Congress leader's remarks against him suggested that Gandhi had not improved his public image over time. "Rahul Gandhi...you have an old name. There should not be a situation wherein you have still not moved from that situation," Vijayan said. He was apparently referring to Marxist veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's remarks a decade ago against Gandhi calling

Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi, Kerala CM Vijayan one and the same, says Congress

The political ripples created by the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are yet to die down in Kerala, with the Congress on Wednesday alleging that the BJP leader and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were trying to convince people that they were not similar. But the people of the state are well aware that they are one and the same, the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, V D Satheesan, told reporters here in Panur near Kannur. Hitting hard at CM Vijayan, the leader said that for the past one month, he had been constantly criticising the Congress and senior leader Rahul Gandhi without uttering a word against Modi. Satheesan alleged that the CM was humble and careful even while replying to Modi's allegations against the state government during his recent election rallies in Kerala. "Both the PM and the CM are now speaking to convince the people that they are not the same. But the people of the state know very well that they are one and the same," he said. Vijayan is

Kerala CM seeks govt's help for return of 3 from cargo ship seized by Iran

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday sought the intervention of the external affairs ministry seeking the safe return of Indian nationals including three from the state who are onboard a seized Israel-linked cargo ship in the gulf region. Vijayan wrote a letter to Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today sharing the concerns of the Kerala government over the welfare and safety of the crew members of the ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards near the Strait of Hormuz. As per reports, three among the crew, namely Sumesh, P V Dhanesh and Syamnath have been confirmed to be natives of Kerala. "As you are aware, the ship's seizure has caused great concern, especially for the families and loved ones of the crew members. Our collective objective at this point of time is the safe repatriation of all our nationals including those from Kerala, back to India without any delay. "Given the geopolitical situation surrounding this incident, I urge

Lok Sabha polls: Rahul to attend election rallies, meetings in Kerala

The Congress leader kicked off the poll campaign in his constituency Wayanad early this month by filing his nomination papers and holding a massive roadshow

Kerala Govt initiates legal action over fake narrative against state

The Kerala government on Thursday initiated legal action against an allegedly fake communal narrative on social media against the state. The General Education Department in Kerala on Thursday said that it has filed a complaint against a social media handle on X identified as 'Mr. Sinha'. The department contended that a page of a book was posted on that handle falsely claiming that its communal contents were taught in Kerala schools and that was "how commies (communists) brainwash the little kids". General Education Minister V Sivankutty said a complaint has been filed with the state police chief regarding the "dissemination of false propaganda" aimed at the Kerala Government. "This book is not published by the Kerala Govt's Education Department. Merely another endeavor to incite animosity towards the state. Those acquainted with us understand the camaraderie & unity among the people of the state. No room for hatred - precisely why communal agenda fails to take root here," ...

Lok Sabha elections: Party over family? AK Antony wants son Anil to lose

Anil Antony is contesting as a BJP candidate from the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, after switching sides earlier this week

Final list of LS candidates in Kerala ready; 194 contestants for 20 seats

The final list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala has been prepared, with 194 contestants competing to win the 20 constituencies in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said here on Monday. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations expired on Monday, with 10 candidates withdrawing their papers statewide. Kottayam constituency boasts the highest number of candidates at 14, while Alathur has the fewest at five. Other notable figures are 13 candidates in Kozhikode, and 12 each in Kollam and Kannur, according to an official release. Of the total 194 candidates, 169 are men and 25 are women. Vadakara constituency stands out with the highest number of female candidates, at four. Nominations were withdrawn in Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikara, Idukki, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Vadakara constituencies. Following the finalisation of the candidate list, the Election Commission began allotting symbols to the candidates. Constituency-w

Media freedom has disappeared under BJP regime, says Kerala CM Vijayan

Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting those outlets that do not sing praises for the regime, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged on Monday. He was reacting to news reports that the BBC's Indian newsroom has ceased operations. The UK-based BBC had recently restructured its operations in India to comply with the country's foreign investment rules. Addressing the media here , Vijayan said reports claimed that BBC was compelled to make this decision due to persistent vindictive actions by the Income Tax Department. "Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting media outlets that do not sing praises for the regime. The BBC's ordeal serves as a stark reminder that this election is an opportunity to address and resolve such issues," Vijayan said. He further said authoritarian regimes always try to control the media and the reminiscent symptoms of India's Emergency era a

LS polls: cVIGIL receives over 100,000 MCC violation complaints in Kerala

The Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said that action was taken on 1,05,356 complaints which was found to be valid, while action is in progress for 183 complaints

Rahul Gandhi's wealth rises more than 28% in past five years on market bets

Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad in the southern Indian state of Kerala, didn't hold any stocks directly in 2019, according to an affidavit filed at that time

Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi declares Rs 1 crore income, Rs 20 cr assets

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Elections in the Kerala's Wayanad seat will take place on April 26, will see three-cornered contest

WATCH: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday filed his nomination papers from Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. Rahul, accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi and other senior party leaders

No relief to Kerala; SC refers plea on borrowing to Constitution bench

Supreme court referred the plea filed by the State against the Centre over interference with the State's power to borrow and regulate its own finance to a Constitution bench

Lok Sabha polls: SDPI extends support to Congress-led UDF in Kerala

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), on Monday extended its support to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan told the media that the UDF has not reached any understanding with the SDPI. SDPI state President Muvattupuzha Ashraf Moulavi, who met the media here, said after considering all factors, the party has decided to support a secular front -- the UDF. "In Kerala, we have decided to support the Congress-led UDF which is spearheading the anti-BJP bloc," Moulavi told the media The SDPI leader said the party has not fielded any candidates in Kerala but has 18 candidates in various parts of the country. "Our Constitution is being challenged. The BJP is bringing in laws to provide citizenship on the basis of religion. Uniform Civil Code is planned, which will affect the diversity of the country

Ceiling on net borrowing: SC refers Kerala govt's suit to five-judge bench

The Supreme Court on Monday referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the suit filed by the Kerala government raising the issue of ceiling on net borrowing. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan passed the order on the state's suit, accusing the Centre of interfering in the exercise of its "exclusive, autonomous and plenary powers" to regulate the state's finances by imposing a cap on borrowing. The bench referred to Article 293 of the Constitution, which deals with borrowing by states, and said this provision has not been so far subject to any authoritative interpretation by the apex court. In an original suit filed under Article 131 of the Constitution, the Kerala government has said the Constitution bestows fiscal autonomy upon states to regulate their finances under various articles, and the borrowing limits or the extent of such borrowings are regulated by state legislation. Article 131 of the Constitution deals with the original jurisdiction of the apex court i

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