Page 575 - Politics
72.32 per cent turnout in repoll in 168 polling stations
An estimated 72.32 per cent of the 1,41,251 voters exercised their franchise in the repolling held in 168 polling stations of West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday, an official said. Fifteen companies of Central Armed Police Forces were deployed during the repoll, the official said. "Repolling passed off peacefully with 72.32 per cent voter turnout. The percentage can increase slightly after final computations," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Sriram Taranikanti told reporters. The Returning Officer, Vikash Singh said "Cameras were installed for videography both inside and outside polling stations. We also engaged additional videographers to record all events during the elections. Section 144 was clamped outside polling stations and there were patrolling by the security forces." Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Arindam Nath said there were stray incidents of intimidation. "We had reports of intimidation from Kasba and Chelikhola areas in Sipahijala district and from
PM Modi's campaign is self-centred: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by alleging that his campaign is entirely self-centred."Modi keeps talking about himself. First, it was BJP. Then it was Modi and now he himself speaks about 'once more Modi'. Wherever he goes, Modi keeps saying the Congress will not win 40 seats. Do you believe that? If the Congress gets more than 40 seats, will Modi hang himself at Vijay Chowk in Delhi," asked Kharge.Talking about the UPA regime, Kharge said: "From 2004 to 2014, the UPA government brought in many schemes. Sonia Gandhi in spite of being forced to be Prime Minister declined. She instead wanted India to get a PM who was an economist.""The future and destiny of the Congress candidate Subash and mine are in the hands of the people," he said.The election to 28 constituencies in Karnataka has already been conducted in the second and third phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Delhi records 59.8% voter turnout
A turnout of 59.8 per cent was recorded in elections for Delhi's seven parliamentary constituencies on Sunday, the Election Commission said.
Foreign electoral representatives, MPs witness Indian election process, use of EVMs
Electoral representatives and lawmakers from over 18 countries witnessed the complex Indian election process in action and the use of the Electronic Voting Machines in the national capital on Sunday, officials said. E A Shevchenko, a member of the central Election Commission of Russia, said he visited 12 polling stations in Delhi and spoke to election observers. He said it was interesting to know about EVMs. "We saw the new machines and we liked what we saw. We visited north and south Delhi constituencies and it was interesting to know about EVMs and learn that one gets to know that their vote has been registered," he said. He said Russia has machines which take passport as the ID document and is based on biometrics. He said those machines are similar to EVMs. "In Russia, only the passport serves as the ID. Voters can vote from any part of the country and do not have to be in the city where they live. During the last presidential polls, over six million people voted from cities other .
UN monitoring rebel withdrawal from Yemen's Hodeida
The U.N. said Sunday it is monitoring the redeployment of rebel forces from three key ports in Yemen after the government dismissed the withdrawal as a "farce." The rebels, known as Houthis, said Saturday they began the long-delayed redeployment of their forces from the key port of Hodeida, as well as the two smaller ports of Salif and Ras Issa, as part of a cease-fire reached in December. The long-delayed redeployment is seen as a key first step toward ending the civil war, which erupted in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition joined the war the following year on the side of the government. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and the war has generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Lt. Gen. Michael Lollesgaard, the head of a U.N. mission overseeing the cease-fire, said U.N. teams watched as "the military forces left the ports and the Coast Guard took over responsibility for security." He said the first day of the redeployment of ...
BJP will win Delhi's all seven seats with huge margins, AAP will trail in third place: Manoj Tiwari
Claiming that the BJP would emerge victorious in all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, the party's city unit chief Manoj Tiwari Sunday evening claimed that Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) will trail at the third place in the contest. The Congress will do "only slightly better" than the ruling party in Delhi, said Tiwari who is contesting the polls from North East Delhi parliamentary seat. "The feedback of party leaders and workers as well as people shows the results of polls will be encouraging for the BJP. We will win all the seven seats in Delhi with huge margins while the AAP will trail at third place and the Congress doing slightly better than it," Tiwari claimed. Citing allegations of "bogus" voting by the AAP's South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, the Delhi BJP chief said, "He is levelling the bogus voting charge as he is scared of defeat." He said people had expectations from Narendra Modi in 2014 which now has changed into their "strong faith" in him. Tiwari, who cast his vote in ...
Over 300 PCR calls on polling day in Delhi
More than 300 calls to report poll-related complaints were received by the Delhi Police Control Room on Sunday. The nature of calls primarily ranged from putting more tables, canvassing inside restricted area, quarrel among party workers and EVM glitches, etc. However, no serious complaint was reported throughout the day, police said. "In total, 337 PCR calls were received till 6 pm regarding election-related complaints and they were promptly attended to," police said in a statement. Around 63,000 personnel of the Delhi Police and 47 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces were deployed for election duty, the statement said. The Delhi Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the smooth conduct of general elections held in the national capital. "Special attention was given to the area dominance, sensitive polling booths and border areas. All senior officers remained present in their respective areas to closely monitor the security arrangements on ground," the statement .
TRS announcescandidates for MLC by-polls
: Telangana Rashtra Samithi Sunday announced the names of the party candidates for the coming bye-elections to fill three vacancies in the State Legislative Council. According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, polling will be held on May 31 for three seats from Rangareddy, Nalgonda and Warangal local authorities constituencies. The TRS will field Pochampalli Srinivas Reddy from Warangal, former minister P Mahender Reddy from Rangareddy and Tera Chinnapa Reddy from Nalgonda, a party communication said. The last date for filing nominations is May 14 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is May 17. Counting of votes will be taken up on June 3. However, Congress had earlier requested the EC to either cancel the notification issued or as or extend time to have new voters' list. Polls for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies and zilla parishad territorial constituencies is currently underway in Telangana.
Dalai Lama congratulates South African President Ramaphosa on his victory
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Sunday congratulated President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa for his victory in the elections.In a letter to President Ramaphosa, he said: "South Africa has great potential for development and prosperity. The people of South Africa have worked hard to promote peace, democracy, and equality, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. I'm hopeful that under your leadership the country will continue to progress, particularly in improving the lives of the less privileged."Dalai Lama also wished Ramaphosa success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.On May 11, South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) won the general election securing 57.51 per cent votes.The party retained its majority in the parliament, albeit with diminished support. President Ramaphosa, who replaced Zuma last year, now faces the challenge of regaining public confidence in a party beset with internal divisions.The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance ...
Sheila Dikshit hopeful of winning all seven LS seats in Delhi
Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit Sunday evening exuded confidence that the "love and affection" of the people will translate into votes for her party's candidates and claimed that the grand old party will win all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital. Dikshit, who is contesting the polls from North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, cast her vote in the morning at DAV school in East Nizamuddin which falls under East Delhi constituency. Later, she toured her own constituency and met party workers in Ghonda, Seemapuri, Gokalpur, Timarpur, Babarpur, Seelampur and Karwal Nagar. "We are hopeful that Delhiites' love and affection will turn into votes for the Congress candidates," Dikshit said. She claimed that the Congress will sweep all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and her party will form government at the centre. The former three-time Delhi chief minister also thanked the Election Commission, voters and the police for "peaceful" polling in the city.
WB: Bharati Ghosh locked inside compound by security to ensure her safety
The BJP candidate from Ghatal, Bharati Ghosh was locked inside a compound at a polling station by security forces here to ensure her safety. Later, Ghosh was escorted out of the booth by the security.Earlier today, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab sought a report from District Magistrate of Ghatal in West Bengal regarding the attack on Ghosh's convoy.The BJP accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of attacking Ghosh's convoy and obstructing her entry into a polling booth in Keshpur.Ghosh, a former IPS officer, is contesting from Ghatal. She had arrived at the booth alleging that BJP polling agents were not being allowed to sit at the booth in Keshpur.She also alleged that she was surrounded and heckled by female workers of TMC who tried to prevent her from entering the booth. The attack on her convoy resulted in severe injuries to one of her security personnel.Ghosh is taking on sitting MP and Bengali actor-turned-lawmaker Deepak Adhikari from TMC.
Pro-incumbency wave in 2019, BJP getting 300 seats till sixth phase: Prakash Javadekar
There is a pro-incumbency wave in India in 2019 with people voting in large numbers in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi unlike what happened with former PM Indira Gandhi in 1977, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday."There are only two elections which people fought on their own, in 1977 the people voted to remove Indiraji and in 2019 people are voting to bring back Modiji to power. This is a pro-incumbency vote, a first in India," Javadekar said at a press conference here.He also said: "BJP alone is getting 300 plus seats while NDA 350 plus seats till the sixth phase. With Modiji's leadership, far-sightedness and BJP's booth power, our victory is ensured.""Till 3 pm today, till the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, there have been 460 plus incidents of violence in Bengal. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sensed defeat which forced her cadres to cause violence and attack BJP leaders," he said.Voting took place for 7 seats in Delhi, 14 seats in Uttar
Goa: Solve problems surrounding Zuari bridge in 3 days, else face agitations, says Congress to CM Pramod Sawant
Goa unit Congress accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of being busy in saving his government and gave a three-day ultimatum to the incumbent BJP government, on Sunday, to solve the problems surrounding Zuari bridge, which is creating troubles for commuters."Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is busy in Panaji by-election to save his government, which has resulted in the collapse of administration and chaotic situation on Zuari bridge on a regular basis. Congress party gives three days' deadline for the government to solve this crucial issue, which is affecting the commuters on Zuari bridge, especially office-goers, students and also fliers who leave for Dabolim Airport to catch their flight," the press note by Congress read.The note went on to add that if the issue was not resolved by Wednesday, Congress would begin agitations against the failure of state administration.People using the bridge were being forced to face jams lasting 2-3 hours on a daily basis according to Congress which ...
63% polling in Haryana
Around 63 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the 10 Lok Sabha seats of Haryana at the close of polling at 6 pm on Sunday. In the 2014 general election, the overall poll percentage stood at 71.86. State Joint Chief Electoral Officer Inderjeet Singh said the exact percentage would be known later and those voters who had entered the polling booths before 6 pm will be allowed to cast their votes. No untoward incident was reported in the state and the polling remained peaceful. Nearly 63 per cent voters have cast their vote, Singh said. The turnout in seven constituencies crossed 60 per cent, while the poll percentage in Gurgaon, Karnal and Faridabad was less than 60 per cent, the officer said. There were reports of minor skirmishes from some parts, including Fatehabad, Nuh in Mewat, Sirsa and Gurgaon between supporters of political parties. While poll officials said voting went on smoothly during the day, Congress' Rohtak candidate, Deepender Singh Hooda, who is seeking ...
NC leader bats for regional autonomy in J-K
National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana Sunday said the regional autonomy to the three regions under the overall superintendence of the state government is the only way forward in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the move is necessary to assuage the political aspirations of the people and address to the political dimensions of the state. "Such a mechanism will provide a sense of political empowerment and end the apprehensions of discrimination among the people," Rana said at a function in Samba district. He said regional autonomy together with well-structured district councils would end the sense of deprivation and ensure complete involvement of the people in decision making. "The doctrine of regional autonomy provides a mechanism for empowerment of sub-regions and administrative mechanism at district level to take governance at the grass roots level, on the analogy of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils," he said. The NC leader said the concept of regional ...
PM Modi attacks Congress over Pitroda's remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday raked up several issues like Bhopal gas tragedy, 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and banning the songs of legendary singer Kishore Kumar during Emergency to corner the country's grand old party.Addressing an election rally here, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of allegedly hatching 'Hindu terror' conspiracy to defame the religious heritage.The Prime Minister said that when the people ask the Congress party questions relating to the incidents which took place during their regime at the Centre, the party readily dissociates itself from these issues.Lashing out at the Congress for Sam Pitroda's remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots where he said - 'Hua Toh Hua' (Happened, So What), Modi said: "Kishore Kumar was from this soil. He was from Khandwa.""During the Emergency, Kishore Kumar's song was banned because he refused to follow the Congress' instructions. He used to work on his own terms. The Congress party put a ban on playing his songs on the radio. ...
Have asked EC to take action against TMC induced violence in WB: Prakash Javadekar
Goons of Trinamool Congress are spreading violence and engaging in poll rigging at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata's behest, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar after visiting the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday."Mamata Banerjee is shaken up and that is why the goons of TMC are rigging the elections and spreading terror, engaging violence in every phase of the elections. We demanded the Election Commission to investigate the incidents which happened today," Javadekar told reporters here.He met the EC along with MP Anil Baluni, Om Pathak and Sanjay Mayukh."We requested the EC to round up the history-sheeters before the seventh and the last phase to ensure smooth conduct of polls. We also asked them to install CCTVs only then can the mess in Bengal stop. They agreed to our demands and said that necessary action will be taken," Javadekar said.Earlier, Javadekar had said at a press conference that BJP was winning 300 seats till the sixth phase while NDA would easily manage 350 ...
Congress banned Kishore Kumar songs on AIR: Modi
Accusing the Congress of indulging in the politics of oppression, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reminded the people of the days of the Emergency when the songs of Kishore Kumar were banned on All India Radio (AIR) because he did not toe the government line.
First-time voters click selfies with inked finger, say feel empowered
Enthused to take part in the festival of democracy, first-time voters queued up at polling booths in the national capital and came out showing their inked fingers with joy. Gleamed in their new responsibility in the electoral process, many were seen clicking selfies with their inked index fingers. Issues like national security, development, women's security, employment opportunities, better health and education policies were the top factors which concerned the youth especially the first-time voters. "I feel responsible and empowered by becoming a part of the government-making process. Everybody should vote. I voted keeping in mind issues like terrorism, national security and India's economy," Prerna Kapoor (20), a resident of Kalkaji, said with a smile. Urvashi, a first-time voter who flew to Delhi all the way from the USA to cast her vote at Nirman Bhawan, said, "Nowadays, social media plays a vital role and people will judge you if you do not vote. Your one vote can make a ...
Modi, Mayawati spar over Alwar gang rape
A full-scale war of words broke out Sunday between Narendra Modi and Mayawati over the Alwar gang rape incident with the prime minister accusing the BSP supremo of "shedding crocodile tears", a charge trashed by her as his "dirty politics". Addressing election rallies in Kushinagar and Deoria in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Modi mounted a scathing attack on the BSP supremo and dared her to withdraw support to the Congress government in Rajasthan if she was really serious about the incident. Hours after his remark, Mayawati charged the prime minister with doing "dirty politics" over the gang rape of a Dalit girl in Alwar and demanded his resignation for incidents of Dalit atrocities in the past. "In the wake of this (Alwar) incident, Modi is doing dirty politics. The BSP will for sure take an appropriate political decision in the absence of stringent and proper legal action in the case," Mayawati said in a press note responding to the prime minister's challenge to her to withdraw support to .