LIVE! Two inmates killed in clash in Punjab jail

LIVE

Fri, 19 April 2024

Two inmates killed in clash in Punjab jail

Timeline Refresh

File image/ANI Photo

23:42 Two inmates killed in clash in Punjab jail

Two inmates were killed and as many seriously injured in a clash among prisoners in a jail in Sangrur on Friday, said officials.

The police said they are investigating the matter and trying to ascertain what led to the clashes which injured the four, two of whom succumbed.

A doctor at the government hospital in Sangrur told reporters, "Four patients (inmates) from the district jail were brought to the hospital, out of which two were brought dead. Two seriously injured have been referred to Patiala."

Harsh and Dharmender were brought dead while Gagandeep Singh and Mohd Sehwaz are injured, the doctor said.

Singh and Sehwaz have injuries on their backs, heads, arms and ears caused by a sharp object, he said. -- PTI

es Bank founder Rana Kapoor (second from right)/PTI file image

23:04 Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor gets bail, walks out of jail after four years

Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor was released from a prison here on Friday evening, hours after being granted bail by a court in an alleged loan fraud case.

Kapoor was first arrested in March 2020 in a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate.

The ED and Central Bureau of Investigation have registered a total of eight cases against him related to alleged frauds at Yes Bank.

He was lodged at the Taloja jail in neighboring Navi Mumbai while the trials in these cases are yet to start.

He had got bail in seven cases earlier.

MG Deshpande, special judge for CBI cases, granted Kapoor bail earlier in the day while noting that the trial in the present case was pending, and his incarnation was no longer required. The detailed order was not available yet.

The CBI had alleged that Kapoor, then managing director and chief executive officer of Yes Bank Limited, obtained "illegal gratification" (bribe) in the form of a property located at a prime location in Delhi at a price much less than its market value for sanctioning a loan.

The property belonging to Avantha Realty Ltd was already mortgaged for a loan taken by the company from Yes Bank.

It was purchased for Rs 378 crore -- against the market value of Rs 685 crore -- by Bliss Abode Private Limited, run by Rana Kapoor's wife Bindu Kapoor, in 2017. -- PTI

File image/ANI Photo

22:33 BJP to hold mega gathering of Hindu seers in Delhi

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital, the Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party will host a mega conclave of Hindu priests, saints and seers to celebrate the Hindu new year and construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, at the IGI stadium on Sunday, party leaders said.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the event will also celebrate construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya as the consecration ceremony of Ramlalla idol at the temple is going to complete 100 days in the next few weeks.

The grand consecration ceremony in Ayodhya was held in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 this year.

The saints and seers gathered for the event will also speak about the importance of "Santana Dharma", party leaders said.

More than 31,000 devout Hindus, including over 5,000 saints, seers and temple priests, will gather at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi to chant the Hanuman Chalisa, said Karnail Singh, coordinator of Temple cell of Delhi BJP.

Singh said several Union ministers and senior BJP leaders will also be present in the programme.

Sources said that Union Minister Piyush Goel was one of the invited guests for the event.

The BJP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls on all seven seats in Delhi that it has won back to back with huge margins in 2014 and 2019.

The party is pitted in a direct contest on all seats on which the INDIA bloc partners -- AAP and Congress -- have fielded their candidates. - PTI

NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar/ANI Photo

22:23 Scribe throws lapel microphone towards Sharad Pawar; cops give clean chit

A Bluetooth lapel microphone was flung in the direction of Nationalist Congress Party-SP chief Sharad Pawar while he was addressing a gathering in a rural area of Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in Pune on Friday, though a security personnel managed to intercept it.

A video of the incident that went viral on social media showed a security personnel standing close to the opposition stalwart, who was speaking at the time, giving an angry stare at the man who had flung the lapel microphone.

Speaking on the incident, a police official said, "An object was thrown at Sharad Pawar while he was addressing a gathering. However, we found it was done by a local reporter who wanted to enhance the audibility level of the speech. We spoke to the reporter."

There was no security breach or malicious intent, though the reporter ideally should have handed the lapel microphone to someone on the dais instead of throwing it, the official added. -- PTI

Pic: PTI Photo/Rediff archives

22:01 At 72, Arvind Panagariya will be casting his vote for first time

Sixteenth Finance Commission Chairman Arvind Panagariya on Friday said that he would be casting his vote for the first time when Delhi goes for poll on May 25.

"The young are not the only first-time voters. 50 years after becoming eligible, I am excited to be voting for the first time this election season. Can't wait for the day Delhi votes!!," he said in a post on X.

Panagariya, a Professor of Economics and the Jagdish Bhagwati Professor of Indian Political Economy at Columbia University (USA), served as the first vice chairman of the NITI Aayog between January 2015 and August 2017.

Born in September 1952 Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Panagariya was appointed chairman of 16th Finance Commission in December last year.

File image/Ajay Verma/Reuters

21:39 More than 1K EVM parts replaced in Assam: Official

A total of 1,025 electronic voting machine components -- control units, VVPATs and ballot units -- were replaced due to malfunctioning in the first phase of polling across the five Lok Sabha seats in Assam on Friday, officials said.

In several cases, complete EVM sets were replaced, while it was changed in parts in most of the cases after snags were detected, a senior official of the Election Department told PTI.

Several of these glitches were noticed during the mock polling, which started 90 minutes before the commencement of the actual voting, and those machines were replaced accordingly, he added.

An EVM has three components -- control unit, voter verifiable paper audit trail and ballot unit.

"In the five constituencies, 330 CUs, 540 VVPATs and 155 BUs were replaced in total from different machines," the official said.

During the mock poll, 150 complete sets of EVMs were replaced after they malfunctioned, the official said. -- PTI

Polling officials check names of voters in the voter list at a polling station in Chennai/ANI Photo

21:27 LS polls: Tamil Nadu records 72.09% voter turnout

Tamil Nadu recorded a voter turnout of 72.09 percent in the Lok Sabha polls held in a single phase on Friday with no major untoward incidents.

About 1.3 lakh police personnel and 190 companies of Central Armed Police forces were deployed for free and fair polls in 68,321 polling stations, that were manned by 3,32,233 election personnel in 39 Lok Sabha constituencies across the state.

In 2019 LS polls, Tamil Nadu registered 72.44 percent polling.

The lone Puducherry Lok Sabha seat recorded 77.86 percent polling, according to the Union Territory election authorities.

The fight is between BJP's A Namassivayam and Congress MP V Vaithilingam, seeking a successive term.

In 2019, Puducherry recorded 81.25 percent voting.

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said the polling process was held peacefully across the state barring some very minor incidents, that were argumentative in nature.

Authorities indicated there could be some marginal change in the voter turunout as voters who had arrived before the 6 PM deadline in polling stations were allowed to vote. -- PTI

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu/ANI Photo

21:04 Chandrababu Naidu's assets grow at 41% to Rs 810 cr in 5 years

Assets of former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his family grew by over 41 percent in the past five years to Rs 810.42 crore, according to an affidavit filed with the Election Commission on Friday.

Naidu's wife N Bhuvaneswari on Friday filed the nomination on behalf of her husband at Kuppam for the Andhra Pradesh assembly election, which is to take place on May 13.

Bhuvaneswari owns the lion's share of the assets, as she holds 2.26 crore shares of Heritage Foods Ltd worth Rs 337.85 apiece (market value).

The total value of the shareholding stands at nearly Rs 764 crore as against Rs 545.76 crore in 2019.

In 2019, Naidu's family owned assets, both movable and immovable worth Rs 574.3 crore, as per the affidavit filed by the TDP chief for the last assembly polls.

Bhuvaneswari also possesses 3.4 kg of gold and nearly 41.5 kg silver. -- PTI

File image/Fayaz Aziz/Reuters

20:42 Pak suicide bomber targets Japanese workers

Five Japanese nationals working for Suzuki Motors had a lucky escape but their private security guard was killed when their van was targeted by a suicide bomber and a gunman in Karachi in Pakistan's port city on Friday, in the latest terrorist attack on foreign nationals in the country.

Deputy inspector general East Azfar Mahesar said the two terrorists, who were already waiting for the van on the road near Murtaza Chorangi in Landhi, attempted to hit the vehicle carrying Japanese nationals.

"All five Japanese remained safe," he said of the attack which took place at an upscale community in Karachi early morning.

The suicide bomber was killed in the attack while an accomplice was gunned down by the police.

A private security guard accompanying the Japanese national died after succumbing to his injuries while two bystanders were also injured, Dawn News quoted officials as saying.

The Japanese nationals were on the way to the Export Processing Zone from their residence in Zamzama, Clifton, he said.

The Japanese nationals were working with Pakistan Suzuki Motors, media reports said.

Jinnah Hospital officials said three people were brought to the facility in critical condition.

One of the injured, a 45-year-old security guard, succumbed to his injuries while another injured was shifted to the ventilator, Geo News quoted the hospital administration as saying. -- PTI

India's domestic airlines carried about 1.33 crore passengers in March 2024, a rise of 3.7 percent as compared to the previous month.

Meanwhile, IndiGo retained its domestic market leadership with 60.49 percent market share by transporting about 80.86 lakh passengers during the period.

File image/ANI Photo

20:20 4 EVMs damaged by unidentified people at different booths in Manipur

At least four electronic voting machines were damaged at different polling booths in conflict-hit Manipur on Friday where polling was held in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, according to sources.

"EVMs have been damaged at four places in Imphal East and West. At one of the polling booths, an EVM was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants," a source said.

Under the shadow of a long-drawn ethnic conflict, Manipur was set to go to polls on Friday for the two constituencies--Inner and Outer Manipur. Polling is also scheduled in some areas of the Outer Manipur constituency in phase 2 on April 26.

According to the sources, incidents of intimidation and firing were reported from several places in the Inner Manipur constituency where voting for the Lok Sabha polls took place on Friday.

Manipur has witnessed sporadic, sometimes intense, ethnic clashes since May 3 last year between the majority Meitei community and the Kukis, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives.

While the Meiteis are now concentrated in Imphal city, the Kukis have moved to the hills.

More than 24,000 displaced people living in the relief camps were identified by the Election Commission as eligible to vote and 94 special polling stations were set up for them. -- PTI

File image/Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

19:50 Air India cancels Dubai flights due to operational disruptions

Air India cancelled its flights to and from Dubai on Friday due to continued operational disruptions at the airport in the Emirates.

Passengers of Air India who have booked the flights for travel till April 21 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling and full refunds for cancellation.

An Air India spokesperson said the airline has cancelled the flights to and from Dubai on Friday due to continued operational disruptions at the Dubai airport.

"We are doing our best to get affected customers on their way by re-accommodating them on flights as soon as operations resume," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Currently, Air India operates 72 flights a week to Dubai from five Indian cities, of which 32 flights are from Delhi.

Operations at the Dubai Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, have been hit by unprecedented rains and floods.

The Indian embassy in the UAE on Friday advised the inbound Indian passengers travelling to or transiting through Dubai International Airport to reschedule non-essential travel till operations normalise. -- PTI

Actor Ranveer Singh/Courtesy Ranveer Singh/Instagram

19:32 Ranveer Singh latest victim of deepfake video

After superstar Aamir Khan flagged a deepfake video of himself, a purported election pitch for a certain political party; actor Ranveer Singh has become the latest victim of the menace sweeping the industry.

A video of the actor of 'Padmaavat' fame recently surfaced online in which he is purportedly heard voicing his political views.

However, it now turns out that the video was made using an artificial intelligence voice clone of the actor.

While the video, from the actor's recent visit to Varanasi, appears genuine, the audio is of a AI-enabled voice clone of Ranveer.

The actor, married to Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone, recently turned showstopper along with another prominent industry face, Kriti Sanon, at an open-air fashion show by the Ganges in Varanasi.

The show was organised by top couturier Manish Malhotra.

During his visit to the ancient city, which happens to be one of the world's oldest pilgrimage sites, Ranveer spoke highly of the changes that have come about in terms of the public infrastructure overhaul while also sharing his 'divine' experience of the city.

Taking to his Instagram Story on Friday, Ranveer dropped a post in which he wrote, "Deepfake se bacho doston (Friends, beware of deepfakes)." -- ANI

The Congress on Friday alleged the BJP's "400 paar" rallying cry suggests a desire to change the Constitution and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi truly honours Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and the values he stood for.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh attacked Modi just ahead of his rally in Maharashtra's Wardha and posed questions to him.

"Today's questions for PM Modi as he heads to Wardha: What is the PM doing to prevent farmer suicides? Why has the BJP let down Adivasis in Forest Rights Act implementation? Where does the PM stand between Gandhi and Godse?" Ramesh said in a post on X.

Elaborating on what he said were "jumla details", the Congress leader said, "On an average day in Maharashtra, seven farmers take their own lives."

"This heartbreaking statistic comes from the state's Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, who reported that 2,366 farmers died by suicide between January and October last year. The reasons are evident: 60 per cent of districts faced drought conditions last year but no help arrived from the government," he alleged.

When crops were damaged by unseasonal rains in more than half of the state, farmers were extended loan waivers, but 6.56 lakh farmers were deprived of this relief due to software glitches, he said.

"In the face of this state-sponsored callousness, the Congress Nyay Patra has guaranteed farmers MSP as per the Swaminathan Committee's recommendation, a farm loan waiver with a permanent commission set up to implement it smoothly, and settlement of all crop insurance claims within 30 days. What is the BJP's vision to support Maharashtra's and India's farmers?" Ramesh said.

In 2006, the Congress passed the revolutionary Forest Rights Act (FRA) which granted Adivasis and forest-dwelling communities legal rights to manage their own forests, and economically benefit from the forest produce they collect, he said.

The BJP government, however, has obstructed the implementation of the FRA, depriving millions of Adivasis of its benefits, the Congress leaders alleged.

"Only 52 per cent (2,06,620 claims) of the 4,01,046 individual claims filed have been granted, and land titles distributed cover only 23.5 per cent (11,769 sq. km) of the 50,045 sq km eligible for community rights. Why has the BJP government in Maharashtra failed to provide Adivasi communities their rights?" Ramesh asked. -- PTI

Nearly 60 per cent polling was reported till 5 pm in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, the Election Commission said.

Polling is underway in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories.

While voting began at 7 am simultaneously in all constituencies it will end at 6 pm in most of the seats.

Earlier, the commission had said that 49.78 per cent polling was recorded till 3 pm. -- PTI

Calcutta high court

18:03 Heatwave: Lawyers exempted from wearing gowns in Calcutta HC

As the summer heat refuses to abate with day temperatures in Kolkata hovering around 40 degrees Celsius, lawyers have been exempted from wearing "advocates' gown" at the Calcutta high court by a direction of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam.

The Met department has forecast that heatwave or hot and discomforting weather conditions in Kolkata and its surrounding districts will continue for at least the next five days.

A high court notification said that upon consideration of the ongoing inclement weather combined with heatwave, the Chief Justice has directed that lawyers are exempted from wearing advocates' gown till the end of the summer vacation to give relief to the lawyers.

"Taking note of the weather, wearing of Advocates' gown is exempted till the court reopens after Summer Vacation on June 10," the notification said.

Summer vacation at the Calcutta high court will commence from May 19.

Such exemption was allowed by the Chief Justice during the peak summer weeks last year also, Uday Shankar Chatterjee, a lawyer practising at the high court, said. -- PTI

Salman Khan with Eknath Shinde earlier this week

17:53 Salman reaches Mumbai airport with tight security

Days after a firing incident outside his residence, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Friday morning. Salman was flanked by guards on all sides as he entered the airport.

Also present with him was his trusted personal bodyguard Shera.

This is the first time Salman is flying out of Mumbai after last week's shooting incident outside his home in Bandra's Galaxy Apartment. Donning a casual look, Salman greeted the paparazzi stationed outside the airport with a nod from afar.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident.The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination.

17:32 LS polls: 50%+ turnout recorded till 3 pm

An estimated 50 per cent turnout was recorded till 3 pm on Friday in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories amid sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal while an accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell in Chhattisgarh left a CRPF jawan dead.

An Election Commission spokesperson said the turnout figure of 49.78 per cent was only approximate and polling was progressing "smoothly and peacefully".

Assembly elections are also being held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Among the voters were first-timers, many newly-wed couples who came in their traditional attires, physically-challenged people and some elderly persons carried on stretchers and wheelchairs.

Minor EVM glitches were reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam.

Polling began at 7 am and will end at 6 PM. Election officials said the turnout in West Bengal was 66.34 per cent till 3 pm and Meghalaya 62 per cent while six districts of eastern Nagaland wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors following an indefinite shutdown call by an apex body of tribal organisations to press for its demand for a separate state.

In West Bengal, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other and lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents, sources from both parties said. In strife-torn Manipur, around 45.68 per cent polling was recorded. -- PTI

Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday said he has decided not to seek ticket from the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency so as to end the deadlock over the seat also coveted by the ally Shiv Sena.

The sitting MP from the north Maharashtra constituency, Hemant Godse, belongs to the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Bhujbal said during the seat-sharing talks with the ruling allies Shiv Sena and BJP, NCP chief and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar staked claim to the Nashik seat, saying that his party had more MLAs in the region.

"When we were asked about the candidate, the name of former MP (Chhagan Bhujbal's nephew) Sameer Bhujbal was proposed. But (BJP leader) Amit Shah said I should contest even though I had not asked for a ticket," he said.

CM Shinde, however, demanded the seat as the incumbent MP is from his party, Bhujbal added. No decision was taken for three weeks while the opposition MVA's candidate had already started campaigning, he said.

"I asked deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule about the announcement of Sameer Bhujbal's candidature, and both said the BJP leadership wanted me to contest," the senior minister said, claiming that "all sections of society expressed support for my candidature for the development of Nashik" but his name was not announced.

"To end the deadlock, I have decided to withdraw from the race. The Mahayuti alliance should declare the candidate soon, otherwise we may face difficulty winning the seat," Bhujbal added. PTI

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Air India announced to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until April 30, assuring the safety of their customers and crew members.

Sharing on their social media platform X, Air India stated, "Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East."

They further emphasised that the airline is extending support to their passengers who have confirmed bookings, adding that a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges will be provided.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges," they stated.

"We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority. For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 or visit our website http://airindia.com," Air India added in their post.

Tripura is leading the voter turnout charts after it recorded a 68.35 voting percentage in the state till 3 pm as per the data released by the Election Commission of India.

Other states like West Bengal (66.34 per cent), Assam (60.70 per cent), Meghalaya (61.95 per cent), Manipur (63.04 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (53.40 per cent) are also witnessing high voter turnout percentages.

Bihar has recorded the lowest voter turnout till 3 pm which is 39.73 per cent.

Voting percentages for the States and Union Territories undergoing voting in phase 1 elections are -- Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded 45.48 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh - 55.58 per cent, Assam - 60.70 per cent, Bihar - 39.73 per cent, Chhattisgarh - 58.14 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir - 57.09 per cent, Maharashtra - 44.12 per cent and Lakshadweep (43.98 per cent).While Mizoram recorded 49.97 per cent, Nagaland - 53.38 per cent, Puducherry - 58.86 per cent, Rajasthan - 41.51 per cent, Sikkim - 52.72 per cent, Tamil Nadu - 51.18 per cent, Tripura - 68.35 per cent, Uttar Pradesh - 47.44 per cent, Uttarakhand 45.62 per cent.

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 States and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7:00 am.

Taking a dig at Pakistan without naming it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said a country which was a supplier of 'aatank' (terror) is struggling for 'aata' (flour) these days.

Addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh, he said India, which once bought most of its arms from overseas, was now exporting high-tech weapons to other countries, and referred to providing BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

Citing the prevailing situation in the world, he pitched for a strong and stable government at the Centre, on a day when the the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, being held in seven phases, kicked off with voting in more than 100 seats.

"There are many countries in the world whose condition has worsened. Many are getting bankrupt. Even one of our neighbours, which was a supplier of 'aatank' (terrorism), is now struggling for supply of 'aata' (flour)," Modi said, targeting Pakistan.

The PM asserted his government works with the principle of "Rashtra Pratham" (nation first) and never succumbs to pressure from any quarter or bows before anyone.

Defending India's move to purchase oil from Russia in face of international pressure after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he said "To ensure that the people of the country get cheap oil and farmers get adequate fertilisers, we have taken this decision in the national interest."

"We have seen in the last 10 years how a stable government works in the interest of the people. During the COVID-19 crisis, there was chaos world over, but a strong BJP government brought back its citizens from all over the globe," he said.

Accusing the Enforcement Directorate of being "petty" and "politicising" what he ate in jail, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday asserted before a court that the food he consumed was in conformity with the diet chart prepared by his doctor.

The ED had on Thursday claimed before the court that Kejriwal was eating food high in sugar like mangoes and sweets every day, despite having type 2 diabetes, to create grounds for medical bail.

Kejriwal's counsel launched a spirited assault on the federal anti-money agency over its claim that the AAP national convenor was eating food laden with sugar so he can fall ill and seek bail on medical grounds.

"ED claimed that I want to increase my blood sugar levels to get bail. Am I going to risk paralysis to get bail? Whatever food I have is as per the diet chart prepared by my doctor prior to arrest," Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi told the court.

Referring to the ED's claim about the politician eating mangoes, sweets, aalo-poori etc regularly, he said these were provided to him only a few times.

"The allegation is that I have been consuming mangoes... Out of 48 meals sent from home, only three times mangoes were there. No mangoes have been sent after April 8. Mangoes have been made to look like sugar bullets. Their sugar level (glycemic index) is much less than brown rice or white rice," Singhvi told the court.

Kejriwal has been allowed to have food cooked at home in jail. "I only use sugar free (an artificial sugar brand) in my tea. How petty, political and ridiculous ED can be? Their statements are completely false and malicious. Just because you have a lot of influence in the media you are able to publish that I am having aaloo puri even though this meal was sent only once during pooja," he told the court.

Kejriwal, who had on Thursday withdrawn a petition for consulting his doctor thrice a week about his fluctuating sugar levels, moved a fresh plea on Friday seeking consultations with his physician for 15 minutes every day. "

Just because I am a prisoner do I have no right to a dignified life and good health? Am I a gangster that I cannot even be allowed to have 15 minutes VC (video conference) consultation with my doctor? We have had democracy for 75 years but I am seeing such an approach for the first time. Never seen such kind of pettiness," Singhvi said, reproachfully.

The ED opposed Singhvi's submissions, claiming the food Kejriwal was eating did not match the diet chart prescribed by his doctor. It said Tihar jail had sufficient medical facilities to take care of Kejriwal's diabetes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is about making India a big global power in the next five years and asserted a strong and stable government was needed in view of prevailing situation in the world.

Addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh, he accused the Congress of weakening the defence sector for decades when in power and alleged the opposition party did not want French made Rafale fighter jets to come to India.

On the other hand, his government is strengthening the defence sector, said Modi.

"The BJP government is making our defence forces self-reliant; India is exporting weapons to many countries. India is exporting BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines," he said.

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Modi said a neighbouring country which is supplying 'aatank' (terror) is now struggling for 'aata' (flour). The PM asserted his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and pointed out that the Centre has extended the free ration scheme for five more years for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries.

Modi praised Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, for accepting the invitation to attend the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and slammed the opposition for boycotting the event. PTI

A woman votes in Meghalaya

15:11 EVMs 100% safe, go and vote, urges CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday dismissed apprehensions about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and assured people that their vote was safe and secure.

Kumar asserted that the EVMs were 100 per cent safe as a large number of safeguards technological, administrative and process-oriented were in place.

"It is a settled issue. It is 100 per cent safe. It has been raised in the honourable court also. We are awaiting judgment, nothing can happen to the machines. Every stage political parties and their candidates are involved. Mock polls are done," he said to questions on doubts raised on the EVMs.

"There are a large number of safeguards, technological, administrative, and process-oriented. Just enjoy the voting. This is a time to enjoy the voting, not doubt anything," the CEC said.

"Enjoy your voting, your vote is safe, secure and will be recorded as you vote," Kumar said. The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections got underway across 102 constituencies in 21 states and union territories on Friday.

"We are getting reports from the field that even if rains are happening, people are really coming out in large numbers. Women, youth, old age people everyone is rushing towards the polling stations. It is really a delightful situation to see that people are dancing to the tune of democracy," Kumar said.

He said the Election Commission has used technology to a great extent to ensure better voter turnout by reaching out to the youth and women voters by mapping parliamentary constituencies where voting has been traditionally less.

"A turn out plan was made depending on the local context. Lots of celebrities were roped in, a number of organisations have worked with us petrol pumps, banks, post offices in the outreach program," Kumar said.

"We are very hopeful that people will come out to vote. It is our appeal, please join in this festival of democracy.. youth, women, transgender, PwD, all geographies...It is your right, your duty, your responsibility, your pride," the CEC said. Kumar, along with fellow Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu, was monitoring the progress of the election process from the control room set up at the Election Commission headquarters. PTI

14:50 Maharashtra records lowest turnout till 1 pm

Nagaland: Around 43.53 per cent of the 13.25 lakh voters in Nagaland have exercised their franchise for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the seat till 1 pm on Friday, officials said. The voting began at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm, they said. The polling was underway amid a call given by the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) to people in six districts of the region to abstain from voting over the demand for a separate state.

Chhattishgarh: A voter turnout of more than 42 per cent was recorded till 1 pm on Friday in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh, which saw a CRPF officer getting injured in an explosion of a pressure IED planted by Naxalites, officials said.

"Amid tight security, polling in the Bastar seat started at 7 am and is underway smoothly. At least 42.57 per cent polling was registered till 1 pm," an election official said.

Tripura: The Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency registered a voter turnout of 52.67 per cent till 1 pm on Friday amid allegations of irregularities. The opposition Congress and CPI(M) alleged that large-scale "rigging" happened in several places across the constituency, with the Election Commission saying that it received some complaints and was looking into those.

Udhampur, J-K: Braving incessant rains, an estimated 43 per cent of voters registered their choice by 1 pm on Friday in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur parliamentary constituency, officials said. Polling began at 7 am in 2,637 polling stations across the constituency and was going on peacefully with no untoward incident reported, they said, adding that there are 12 candidates in the fray.

Tamil Nadu: Polling picked up gradually in all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies across Tamil Nadu after commencing on a dull note early in the morning. The state registered a poll percentage of 40.05 at 1pm, according to official data.

Maharashtra: Nearly 30.6 per cent of the 95 lakh eligible voters cast their ballots till 1 pm on Friday in the five Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra where polling is underway in the first phase of the general elections, an official said. Altogether 97 candidates, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari, are in the fray in Nagpur, Ramtek (SC), Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Naxal-hit Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) constituency, all located in eastern-most parts of the state.

West Bengal: An estimated voter turnout of 40 per cent was recorded in the first six hours of polling on Friday in phase one of the Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories amidst sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal and an IED blast in Chhattisgarh that left a CRPF commandant injured.

14:33 Congress has become outdated: Rajnath

Criticising the Congress for becoming 'outdated' and losing its relevance in the country's political spectrum, Defence Minister Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said BJP does politics for the sake of the nation building and not merely for coming to power.

Addressing a party gathering before Union Minister Kishan Reddy filed his nomination for Lok Sabha polls, Singh also attacked the Congress party alleging that former Reserve Bank Governor D Subbarao in his book wrote that there was pressure to present a rosy picture with regards to the economy during UPA rule.

He claimed that due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention the war between Russia and Ukraine was stopped for over four hours to facilitate India to evacuate its citizens.

"I want to say that the Congress has become completely outdated. Congress is continuously losing its relevance from Indian politics. Congress indulged in appeasement politics. When it comes to politics, BJP doesn't do politics on caste, creed, and religion, but it is based on justice and humanity," the defence minister said.

"When it comes to BJP, we don't do politics just to form the government. We are the party who does politics for the sake of national building," he asserted.

Taking on the Congress and BRS, Rajnath Singh said the ruling party in Telangana has no moral right to seek quotes without fulfilling the poll promises while the credit of the formation of Telangana should not go to BRS, but to the sacrifices made by several people.

Referring to the 'corruption charges' during the previous Congress regimes, he said there was not even a single allegation of graft against BJP governments headed by either Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Narendra Modi.

The minister said within seven years after Modi took over as Prime Minister, India, which is being regarded as the fastest growing economy in the world zoomed to fifth position in terms of economy and poised to become the third largest by 2027.

He said the BJP fulfilled all the promises such as construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 37 and abolition of triple talaq it made earlier. Dismissing false information being spread about the CAA, Singh asserted that minorities in the country will not lose citizenship under that.

Image only for representation

14:14 Officials suspended over interference in voting at elderly woman's home

Four polling officials were suspended from service for allegedly failing to prevent outside interference in the voting process at the home of a 92-year-old woman during the Lok Sabha polls in this northern Kerala district, officials said on Friday.

District Collector Arun K Vijayan, also the District Election Officer, suspended the special polling officer, polling assistant micro observer, special police officer, and videographer in connection with the incident reported from Kalliasseri Grama Panchayat.

The district collector also recommended an investigation against a person named Ganesan for allegedly interfering in the voting of 92-year-old Devi at a polling booth set up at her residence on April 18 to facilitate her democratic right.

Kalliasseri Assembly segment in Kannur district falls under the Kasaragod Lok Sabha seat.

The Congress alleged that Ganesan was a worker of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, while the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that it was an attempt to sabotage the elections.

The Left party has not reacted to the allegations.

'When voting was conducted at Devi's house, it was observed that there was external interference leading to a loss of the secret nature of the vote,' stated an official release.

It added that the Kalliasseri sub-polling officer had officially reported to the Kannapuram Police Station, through the City Police Commissioner, to take criminal action against the individual who acted illegally and the polling officials.

CCTV footage aired by news channels showed the man allegedly interfering in the voting process.

In the report submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, the district collector stated that Ganesan had interfered in the voting process, violating Section 128(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Maintenance of secrecy of voting).

The district collector's report recommended departmental action and police investigation against them.

According to the report, the incident also involved a violation of Section 171(c) of the Indian Penal Code (Undue influence at elections).

Elections for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala will be held on April 26. -- PTI

Nakul Nath

13:44 Mayor who joined BJP says, 'vote for Nakul Nath'

On the day of polling in the high-profile Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh on Friday, the city's mayor Vikram Ahake, who recently joined the BJP, urged people to vote for Congress' Nakul Nath.

"Soon after joining a political party, I was feeling suffocated. I felt that I was not doing the right thing with a person who has developed Chhindwara," Ahake said in a video message shared on social media.

"Nath always devoted himself to the constituency's betterment, be it the education sector, providing treatment to people or carrying out development works," said Ahake. "In the future, I will get a lot of opportunities to do politics. I don't know what will happen to me, but if I don't stand with my leader Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath today as they have done a lot for me I appeal to the voters to ensure the victory of Nakul Nath (and his father Kamal Nath) with a huge margin," Ahake said in the video message.

The BJP has fielded Vivek Bunty Sahu against Nakul Nath and many senior party leaders visited the constituency to campaign for him. Chhindwara is among the six Lok Sabha seats where polling is underway in the first phase of the parliamentary elections.

The Chhindwara mayor had joined the BJP on April 1 in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma in the state capital.

Of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, Chhindwara is the only constituency that the BJP had lost in 2019. Former MP chief minster Kamal Nath had won from this seat nine times. PTI

A volunteer at a rescue operation in Dubai. Reuters/Abdel Hadi Ramahi

13:30 Going to Dubai? Indian embassy says, DON'T

The United Arab Emirates is trying to recover from the record-setting rains this week which has caused massive flooding in Dubai and surrounding areas. The embassy in the advisory said while the UAE authorities were working round the clock to ensure normalisation of operations, the airport authorities have advised that passengers may travel to the airport "only after" final confirmation from the respective airlines regarding the departure date and time of flights.

Due to disruption caused by unprecedented weather conditions in the UAE earlier this week, Dubai International Airport has temporarily limited the number of inbound flights, the advisory said. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, hoped to be back on a normal schedule within 24 hours.

"Inbound Indian passengers travelling to or transiting through Dubai International Airport are advised to reschedule non-essential travel till operations normalise," the statement said.

"To assist Indian nationals at the Dubai International Airport, the Consulate General of India in Dubai has operationalised emergency helpline numbers which have been functional since April 17," the statement said. PTI

Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Today I have filed my nomination from the Gandhinagar seat. It is a matter of pride for me that this seat was represented by LK Advani, Atalji and the seat where Narendra Modi himself is a voter. I have been an MLA, MP from this seat for 30 years. The people of this region have given me immense love..."

Shah was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel when he submitted the nomination papers to Gandhinagar collector and district election officer in the state capital exactly at 12.39 pm, considered as 'Vijay Muhurat'. The former BJP president had won from the Gandhinagar constituency in the 2019 general elections by a margin of more than 5 lakh votes.

12:34 Why Modi is the BJPs ultimate trump card

"India's Lok Sabha elections mark the initiation of world's largest democratic process. But while the Modi factor is an important one in a possible third term for the BJP, bread and butter issues are beginning to tell and could make this election a tougher fight," writes Nidhi Razdan. Read the column here.

Nagaland minister Temjen Imna Along

12:31 Voter turnout so far: Tripura highest, lowest is...

Tripura is leading the voter turnout charts after 34.54 per cent voting percentage was recorded in the state till 11 am as per the data released by the Election Commission of India.

Other states like West Bengal (33.56) Meghalaya (33.12) and Madhya Pradesh (30.56) are also witnessing high voter turnout percentages.

The lowest turnout till 11 am has been recorded in Lakshadweep (16.33 per cent).Voting percentages for the states participating in phase 1 elections are -- Andaman and Nicobar Islands - 21.82 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh - 18.74 per cent, Assam - 27.22 per cent, Bihar - 20.42 per cent, Chhattisgarh - 28.12 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir - 22.60 per cent, Maharashtra - 19.17 per centManipur - 28.19 per cent, Meghalaya - 33.12 per cent, Mizoram - 26.56 per cent, Nagaland - 22.82 per cent, Puducherry - 28.10 per cent, Rajasthan - 22.51 per cent, Sikkim - 21.20 per cent, Tamil Nadu - 23.72 per cent, Tripura - 34.54 per cent, Uttar Pradesh - 25.20 per cent, Uttarakhand 24.83 per cent.

The voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was over 67 per cent.

Meanwhile, BJP had filed a complaint with the Election Commission after a polling agent was not allowed to enter Booth in Coochbehar constituency earlier today.

Voters will exercise their franchise until 6:00 pm. According to the data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1.87 lakh polling stations have been set up, while 18 lakh personnel have been deployed across the 102 constituencies going to the polls. -- ANI

12:20 Anything can happen to Kejriwal in jail: AAP

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh Friday reiterated his party's allegation that a deep conspiracy is being hatched against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and anything can happen with him in prison.

At a press conference in New Delhi, Singh charged that the BJP's "modus operandi" can stoop to the level of even killing someone. No immediate reaction was available from the BJP over Singh's accusations. The MP also slammed BJP leaders for "making fun" of an ailment suffered by Kejriwal and added that "misleading" news about the Delhi chief minister was being spread through the media.

"If the rules of jail do not allow health-related information of an inmate to be shared with anyone, then why did the ED publicise a fake diet chart of Kejriwal in the media on Thursday," he asked.

There was no reaction from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the AAP Rajya Sabha MP's allegation. Singh, however, asserted that Kejriwal will not break or bow down. Delhi Cabinet minister Atishi Thursday alleged that there was a plot to kill Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by the ED in the excise policy case, by denying him home-cooked food and insulin in jail, a charge rejected by the prison authorities.

Her allegations came hours after the ED claimed before a court that Kejriwal is eating high-sugar foods like mangoes, bananas and sweets every day despite having type 2 diabetes to create grounds for medical bail or shift to a hospital. PTI

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio

12:05 Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio votes

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio casts his vote at a polling booth in Kohima.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi

11:57 Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi votes

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and his wife Lakshmi cast their vote at a polling booth in Chennai.

11:54 Every vote counts

Maharashtra: World's smallest living woman, Jyoti Amge cast her vote at a polling booth in Nagpur today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the Wayanad MP had mocked the Prime Minister's visit to Dwarka where he dived into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat to perform a puja. Prime Minister said that "Congress' Shehzada mocked his pooja at the holy site for vote bank politics".

Addressing an election rally in Amroha, Prime Minister Modi said, "Lord Krishna went to Gujarat from UP. I was born there and now I am in Uttar Pradesh. Kashi made me their MP. When I went to Dwarka, with full devotion I offered prayers but Congress' Shehzada said there is nothing as such to offer prayers. He is insulting the thousands-year-old tradition and our faith just for his vote bank politics. He said nothing lies under the seas. And I want to ask those who called themselves Yaduvanshi in Bihar, if you are a true Yaduvanshi then how are you sitting with a party that is insulting it."

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for performing an underwater puja in the remains of the ancient submerged city of Lord Krishna's Dwarka earlier in February, alleging that issues like inflation and unemployment are "not being discussed".

"The issues of farmers, inflation, unemployment, and agniveers are the most prominent in the country today, but on TV channels, you will never see discussion on these issues. Instead, TV channels show Modi ji all 24 hours; at times he goes under the sea to do a puja and a TV camera goes with him, then he takes a flight on a seaplane," he said.

Slamming the previous state governments in Uttar Pradesh for "ignoring problems of farmers", the Prime Minister said that the BJP government is working day and night to ease the lives of farmers. "This area of Amroha and Western Uttar Pradesh is also known for its hardworking farmers. During Congress, SP, and BSP governments, here the problems of the farmers were neither heard nor seen nor cared for. But the BJP government is working day and night to reduce the problems of the farmers," he said.

"The sugarcane farmers of Amroha can never forget how much they were harassed earlier for payments. But today, along with record purchases of sugarcane, record payments are also being made in the state," he added. PM Modi further took a jibe at Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi saying that "film starring two princes is going on in UP which has already been rejected".

"Every time these people set out to ask for votes from the people of UP carrying the basket of nepotism, corruption and appeasement. In their campaign, these people leave no opportunity to attack our faith," he said. He also said that previous state governments kept cheating people who belonged to reserved classes. -- ANI

11:30 Your every vote against 'parivarvaad': Nadda

As the country votes in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda said on Friday that every vote is going to be against corruption, against 'parivarvad' and appeasement. Nadda told ANI that the people must vote and ensure participation in this election.

"Today is the first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. My humble request to all of you is that you all participate in this great festival. Your every vote is going to be against corruption, against 'parivarvad' and appeasement. I believe that everyone will strengthen the Sabka sath, Sabka vikas, Sabka vishwas, and Sabka prayas," he said.

The BJP President said that every vote will fulfil the resolve of a safe and prosperous country. "We know that your every vote will strengthen the villages, empower women, give wings to the aspirations of the youth, and contribute to the farmers moving forward with dignity. Therefore, your vote is very important. I also want to say that your vote will fulfil the resolve of a safe India, a prosperous India, and a developed India, and for this, it is necessary for all of you to vote and ensure your participation in this election," JP Nadda said.

Meanwhile, As of 9:30 am voter turnout percentages varied across states participating in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections with states like West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh leading the voter turnout charts. According to the data released by the Election Commission of India, West Bengal saw a 15.09 per cent voter turnout while Madhya Pradesh recorded a 15 per cent till 9 am.

The voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was over 67 per cent. Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7:00 am.

Udhayanidhi Stalin

11:26 TN will vote for DMK, Indian bloc: Udhayanidhi Stalin

Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin along with his wife casts his vote at a polling booth in Chennai. Udhayanidhi Stalin says, "The mood of the voters of Tamil Nadu is that the DMK and INDIA alliance will sweep the elections."

11:21 Festival of democracy begins: Fadnavis

Nagpur: After casting his vote, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Festival of democracy has started. I appeal to all the people to vote and strengthen democracy and register their participation in this festival of democracy."

Radhika and Sahil at Udhampur

11:17 Newlyweds turn out in full strength for voting

Accompanied by his friends dressed in traditional attires, a groom decked up in sherwani and colourful headgear was among the first to cast his vote at a polling booth in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur as the first phase of the Lok Sabha election began Friday.

Polling started at 7 am amid inclement weather conditions in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency spread over the five districts of Udhampur, Kathua, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar. Kapil Gupta got married Thursday and exercised his franchise at a polling booth set up on the premises of the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes & Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited in Udhampur town soon after returning home Friday morning.

"Voting is our right and must be done on priority," he said, requesting voters to vote in large numbers. Another newly married couple, Sahil and Radhika, turned up in wedding costumes at a polling station set up in a school in Udhampur.

"We got married only yesterday (Thursday) and I told my husband that we should vote. My vote is not here but I accompanied him," the bride said.

"I will be visiting my parents later in the day in a nearby village to fulfil my democratic responsibility as well," she added.

Voting is scheduled to end at 6 pm and will decide the fate of 12 candidates, including Union minister Jitendra Singh who is seeking re-election for his third consecutive term. Singh faces a major challenge from Congress candidate and two-time former MP Choudhary Lal Singh, while the presence of DPAP candidate G M Saroori makes the contest a triangular one.

According to election officials, voting was going on peacefully across the constituency with heavy rainfall being reported in Kathua district since this morning. The rains failed to dampen spirits and voters were seen thronging polling stations, braving the inclement weather.

"It is my first vote on attaining the age of 18 and I was waiting for this moment," Vanshika Sharma, a resident of Bhaderwah in Doda district, said. Meenakshi was the first to vote at the 'pink' polling station in the town and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements.

Mool Raj, another voter, was happy to be presented a bouquet for being the first to vote at a polling station in Bhaderwah. "I have voted for a candidate I think can work for the development of the district and the country," Ashish Kumar said after casting his vote in Udhampur. Meenakshi Devi (40) said her vote is for the country's development. PTI

Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari

11:11 Diya Kumari votes

Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari casts her vote at a polling booth in Jaipur

Rajinikanth votes

10:50 Make way for Rajinikanth

Actor Rajinikanth casts his vote at a polling booth in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Mohan Bhagwat

10:46 What RSS chief said after voting today...

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Nagpur, Maharashtra, during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat showed his inked finger after casting his vote. Urging people to exercise their franchise, he said, "Voting is our duty, our right. There should be 100 per cent polling. I have cast my vote."

10:44 Vote and save democracy: Gaurav Gogoi

Congress MP and candidate from Lok Sabha seat of Jorhat in Assam, Gaurav Gogoi on Friday urged voters to vote in large numbers to save democracy and the culture of the country.

"It is an important day today and I appeal to everyone to come out of their houses and cast their votes to save the democracy and the culture of the country," Gaurav Gogoi told ANI.

Gaurav Gogoi is facing BJP's Topon Kumar Gogoi, the incumbent MP from Jorhat. His decision to contest the elections from Jorhat, instead of his family's stronghold Kaziranga (erstwhile Kaliabor) -- from where he is sitting MP -- has made the contest interesting.

10:41 Stalin shows the finger

Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief MK Stalin shows his inked finger after casting his vote in the first phase of polls in Chennai. CM Stalin said, "I am proud to cast my vote. All voters should vote."

10:37 DMK, AIADMK spent Rs 1000 cr: Annamalai votes

Tamil Nadu BJP president and Coimbatore candidate K Annamalai cast his vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections and alleged that the DMK and AIADMK have spent more than 1000 crores in Coimbatore to influence the voters. Annamalai cast his vote at a polling booth in Uthupatti, Karur.

Voting is underway in all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu today. DMK leader Ganapathy P Rajkumar and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK's Singai Ramachandran are contesting against the BJP state President in Coimbatore.

The BJP Coimbatore candidate emphasized that if the opposition can bring any one person who can say that a BJP person is trying to influence them, he will leave the politics that day.`

"What DMK, AIADMK is doing in Coimbatore, everybody is watching it. More than 1000 crores have been spent in Coimbatore. If they can bring one voter in front of the media to say that some BJP person is trying to influence them, I will leave politics the same day because I am running in this election as a matter of principle," Annamalai said.

"DMK thinks that it can buy people with money and AIADMK is also on the same boat. Officials in Coimbatore have gone blind for the last 2-3 days. Our people repeatedly have complained to the collector. The action has not been taken, it is not neutral," he further alleged.

He also asserted that the BJP will cross 25 per cent on its own and numbers will be in double digits.

"Today I have done my democratic duty and it is an important duty for every citizen of our country because India has a functioning democracy where citizens make democracy to function. We are extremely confident that people will repost their trust in good people and governance. I am extremely confident that Tamil Nadu will witness a historic change. People will honour our all candidates for their hard work," Annamalai said. -- ANI

Maharashtra: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari says, "We are celebrating the country's biggest festival with great enthusiasm... In Nagpur, I would especially appeal to the voters that the temperature is high here so they should come early and vote. Last time there was 54 per cent voting, this time our resolve is to take the voting percentage to 75 per cent. I will definitely win this election by a very big margin..."

Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has fielded Congress leader Vikas Thakre as the candidate against him.

10:28 Tripura CM Manik Saha: Feels great to vote

Tripura CM Manik Saha says, "Feels great after voting. Everyone should vote and a government which thinks about development should come to power. People are coming to vote and elections should be conducted peacefully..."

10:24 Praful Patel votes

NCP leader Praful Patel along with his family members casts his vote for the first phase of polls at a polling booth in Gondia, Maharashtra.

10:22 Kamal Haasan casts his vote

Tamil Nadu: Actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan casts his vote at a polling booth in Koyambedu, Chennai. The video clip seems to suggest he faced some issue as he asked a polling officer to come into the booth.

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is not contesting the polls and the party supported and campaigned for DMK.

10:18 Kanimozhi casts her vote

Tamil Nadu: DMK's sitting MP and candidate from Thoothukudi seat, Kanimozhi casts her vote at a polling booth in Chennai. AIADMK has fielded R Sivasami Velumani and Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), which is a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has fielded SDR Vijayaseelan from Thoothukudi seat.

10:17 CM Dhami among first to vote in Uttarakhand

Polling was underway on Friday for the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami among the first to cast his vote.

Dhami along with his mother and wife Geeta arrived at the Nagra Terai polling station in Khatima and stood in a queue to cast his vote. Talking to reporters, the chief minister noted that there is great enthusiasm among people.

"Over the last ten years Uttarakhand has seen unprecedented development. People of all sections have benefited from it. They will vote to give a third term to Narendra Modi," Dhami said.

He also spoke of BJP's Sankalp Patra which talks about the need of a UCC on the lines of the one passed by the Uttarakhand Asssembly for the entire country.

"The Ganga of UCC which has originated from Uttarakhand will flow throughout the country," he said.

Former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who is the BJP candidate from Haridwar, also cast his vote along with his wife and two daughters and said he was confident of winning the seat by more than five lakh votes.

BJP national spokesman and Pauri Garhwal candidate Anil Baluni also cast his vote. Voting across 11,729 polling stations began at 7 am and will go on till 5 pm, election officials said.

Apart from 40,000 police, home guard and Prantiya Raksha Dal personnel, 65 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair polling in the state.

A total of 1,365 polling stations have been categorised as critical and 809 as vulnerable, Additional Chief Election Officer Vijay Kumar Jogdande said. The five seats going to polls in Uttarakhand are Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and the lone reserved seat of Almora. -- PTI

10:13 Jaggi Vasudev votes

Tamil Nadu: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev casts his vote for the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections in Coimbatore.

10:10 Ramdev, Balkrishna vote

Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved's Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna cast their votes at a polling booth in Haridwar.

Sarbananda Sonowal votes

10:06 Voter turnout till 9 am: WB: 15%+, Assam: 11.5%

West Bengal: Over 15 per cent of 56.26 lakh voters of three Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal exercised their franchise till 9 am on Friday, an Election Commission official said. In the first phase of elections, voting is underway in Cooch Behar, Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri seats.

"Till 9 am, voter turnout in Coochbehar is 15.26 per cent while that in Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri is 15.91 per cent and 14.13 per cent respectively," the official said. All three seats are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs and Alipurduars for STs. A total of 37 candidates, including Union minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik (Cooch Behar), are in the fray in the three constituencies.

Assam: A voter turnout of 11.15 per cent was recorded during the first two hours in the five Lok Sabha seats in Assam where elections were underway in the first phase on Friday, officials said. Sonitpur recorded a turnout of 12.69 per cent, followed by 12.27 per cent in Jorhat, 10.97 per cent in Lakhimpur, 10.34 per cent in Kaziranga, and 9.62 per cent in Dibrugarh.

Lakshadweep records the lowest - 5.59%

Tripura records the highest - 15.21%

Arunachal Pradesh records 6.44% voter turnout till 9 am, Sikkim 7.90%

Samajwadi Party leader S T Hasan on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally on the voting day of the first phase of the 2024 general election.

"The election commission should take cognisance of the matter. I believe that this is not justified for free and fair elections," Hasan told ANI.

Modi will hold public rallies in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha, Damoh in Madhya Pradesh and Wardha in Maharashtra on Friday.

Hasan appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise to save democracy. -- ANI

With the voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 underway in 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union Territories on Friday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to cast their votes 'carefully', stating that the 'fight to protect our Constitution and democracy begins today'.

The voting began at 7 am.

'The fight to protect our Constitution and Democracy begins today. My dear citizens, from 21 States and UTs who are voting in the First Phase of the Lok Sabha elections, I request you to carefully cast your vote,' he said in a post on X.

He emphasised that voters hold the power to decide India's destiny.

'When you push that button on the EVM, pause and reflect for a second -- Do you want our Institutions to be subverted through dictatorship, or do you want to protect DEMOCRACY? YOU are now the decider of India's destiny,' he added in the post.

He also extended warm welcome to the new voters, saying, 'I extend a warm welcome to all the first-time voters. Please come out and vote in large numbers.' -- ANI

As polling began in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged voters to strengthen democracy and open 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred.

'Today is the first phase of voting! Remember, each and every vote of yours is going to decide the future of India's democracy and its generations,' Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on 'X'.

'Go out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of your vote on the wounds inflicted on the soul of the country in the last 10 years,' he said.

Open 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred, the Congress leader added.

Gandhi also shared a graphic of the key Congress guarantees to the people, including the right to apprenticeship, a legal guarantee of MSP and a nationwide caste census.

The 2024 Lok Sabha polls kicked off Friday with polling being held for the first phase scheduled in 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union territories. -- PTI

08:26 Modi urges people to vote in record numbers

As the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections commenced on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged everyone eligible to vote in record numbers.

The PM has specifically called upon the young and first-time voters to come out in large numbers, emphasising that every vote counts and every voice matters.

'The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 states and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters!' the PM said in a post on X.

The world's largest democratic exercise kicked off in the country today, with the first phase of a marathon exercise stretching out over seven phases to elect 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. -- ANI

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7 am.

Voters will exercise their franchise until 6.

Polling for assembly elections in the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim also started along with voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday morning.

Arunachal will be polling for two Lok Sabha seats and the 60-member Assembly. Apart from Arunachal, Sikkim will vote for 32 assembly seats and a lone Lok Sabha seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking his third consecutive term, while the opposition bloc -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance -- a coalition of opposing parties formed to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the general elections, is eyeing ousting him from power.

A total of 16.63 crore voters are going to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, deciding the fate of 1625 candidates, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju, Bhupendra Yadav, and Arjun Ram Meghwal among several Union ministers in the fray.

According to the data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1.87 lakh polling stations have been set up, while 18 lakh personnel have been deployed across the 102 constituencies going to the polls.

The first phase, with the highest number of parliamentary constituencies among all seven phases, will witness polling in 21 states and Union Territories.

An estimated 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors are eligible to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, according to the ECI data. Key issues ranging from unemployment, violence against women, long-pending grievances of farmers, paper leaks, land rights issues of tribal people, and a rise in prices are among the most debated across the country. -- ANI

IMAGE: Actor Rajnikanth casts his vote at a polling booth in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Photograph: ANI on X

Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar (right)/Courtesy Supriya Sule on Instagram

01:02 Pawar versus Pawar in Baramati: Sule owes opponent Sunetra Rs 35 lakh

Three-time Baramati MP Supriya Sule owes Rs 35 lakh to her sister-in-law and ruling alliance opponent Sunetra Pawar, according to the affidavit submitted by the former on Thursday as part of her nomination form.

Sule, daughter of NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, is contesting against Sunetra Pawar, the wife of deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party.

As per Sule's affidavit, she also owes Rs 20 lakh to Parth Pawar, the son of Ajit and Sunetra Pawar.

Both Sule and Sunetra Pawar filed their nominations for the Baramati Lok Sabha earlier in the day before the returning officer at the Council Hall here. Sule's movable assets are worth Rs 38 crore, which includes cash in hand, fixed deposits with financial institutions, investments in shares, while immovable assets total Rs 5.45 crore.

Her husband Sadanand Sule has movable assets of more than Rs 114 crore, as per the affidavit. -- PTI

File image/PTI Photo

00:44 Two groups clash over rumours during Ram Navami in Maha; 24 held, 150 booked

Members of two communities clashed and targeted one another with stones over rumours of tearing of a flag and banner during a Ram Navami procession in Nagpur on Wednesday night, the police said.

The police have booked nearly 150 persons from both groups and arrested 24 of them in connection with the clash in the city's Mahadula area, an official said on Thursday.

Tension erupted after two groups got into a confrontation when a Ram Navami procession was passing through the locality.

Though the police intervened, the two groups clashed and resorted to stone pelting.

The police had to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, he said.

Police personnel have deployed in the area to maintain law and order, the officials added. -- PTI

Narendra Dabholkar/Courtesy Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti/Facebook

00:09 Dabholkar murder case verdict on May 10

A special court in Pune will pronounce its final judgement in the rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar murder case on May 10, special public prosecutor Prakash Suryawanshi said on Thursday.

Dr Dabholkar was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants during his morning walk on Omkareshwar bridge here on August 20, 2013.

"During the hearing today, Additional Sessions Judge (special judge) A A Jadhav set May 10 as the date for judgement in the case," said special public prosecutor Prakash Suryawanshi.

The probe was initially carried out by Pune police before the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2014. -- PTI

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES