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Fri, 03 May 2024
Hyd police book Amit Shah over poll code breach
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23:57 SC to examine if allopathic doctors, AYUSH practitioners can have different retirement age
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a vexatious question whether there can be different age of superannuation for the allopathic doctors in comparison with the practitioners of Ayurveda and others working in the government hospitals and clinics.
Taking note of the shortage of allopathic doctors, the Rajasthan government enhanced their age of retirement from 60 to 62 years with effect from March 31, 2016, leading to litigations by similarly placed government AYUSH (Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy) doctors.
The Rajasthan high court, on February 28, rendered a judgment accepting the grievances of the Ayurvedic doctors and held they will be deemed to be in service up to the age of 62 years if their date of retirement fell after March 31, 2016.
"Those who have been superannuated on attaining the age of 60 years, but have not completed the age of 62 years, be reinstated in service forthwith," the high court further held.
The state government came in appeal in the top court and urged a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra that the order be stayed.
"Why should we be interfering with this," the CJI observed initially.
However, the bench agreed to consider the appeal of the state government after taking note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. -- PTI
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23:45 Efforts to overcome dip in voter turnout 'doubled up': EC on LS polls
The Election Commission on Friday said it has "doubled up" its voter participation interventions to overcome the "small" dip in turnout in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls.
The turnout stood at 66.14 per cent in the first phase and at 66.71 per cent in the second phase. Compared to the voter participation in the past, this is "among the best" but "somewhat lags" behind the high benchmarks of the 2019 general elections, it said.
In 2019, a voter turnout of 69.43 per cent was recorded in the first phase and 69.64 per cent was recorded in the second phase.
The weather conditions are predicted to be normal in the 11 states and union territories that will go to polls in the third phase of elections on May 7, the poll panel noted. -- PTI
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23:21 Terrorist hideout busted in J-K's Bandipora
Security forces busted a militant hideout in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district and recovered arms and ammunition, the police said on Friday.
"In a joint operation, Indian Army-13 RR, Bandipora police and 3rd BN CRPF busted a terrorist hideout in Changali forest Aragam (in the north Kashmir district)," Bandipora police said in a post on X.
The police said arms and ammunition, including two AK series rifles and four magazines, and other material was recovered from the hideout.
A case has been registered under relevant section of law, they added. -- PTI
22:45 Hyd police book Amit Shah over poll code breach
The city police have registered a case against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharatiya Janata Party Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Madhavi Latha and other BJP leaders for allegedly using minors in a poll campaign in Hyderabad recently.
In a complaint to the Telangana chief electoral officer, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Niranjan Reddy alleged that on May 1 during a BJP rally from Laldawaza to Sudha Talkies, a few minor children were on the dais with Shah.
Niranjan Reddy alleged that a child was seen with a BJP symbol, highlighting that it was a clear violation of the guidelines of the Election Commission, according to information available on the FIR copy.
Following his complaint to the poll panel, the CEO forwarded it to the city police for a factual report, resulting in the registration of an FIR against Shah by the Moghalpura police station at 7 pm on Thursday. -- PTI
22:22 Sulking Maha Cong leader Naseem Khan back in the fold
Senior Congress leader Naseem Khan, who quit as a member of the party's campaign committee to protest against the Maha Vikas Aghadi not fielding any minority community candidate in Mumbai, on Friday said Rahul Gandhi was fighting a battle of justice to all.
After the grand old party named Dharavi MLA Varsha Gaikwad as the party's candidate for the Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha seat last week, Khan said he would not campaign in the remaining phases as the Congress had not named a single Muslim candidate. He was keen to contest that seat.
Khan was on Friday called to Pune by All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of the state Ramesh Chennithala for talks. Khan said he had a two-hour discussion with the party leaders highlighting the concerns of the minority community on not being given representation in the elections. He said the leadership agreed to look into his issue raised by him.
The Congress leader then spoke during a rally in Pune that was addressed by Rahul Gandhi.
Khan said the Wayanad MP was fighting the battle of justice for all and it needs to be strengthened.
You can read Naseem Khan's interview to Rediff.com, here.
21:56 Inmate stabbed to death inside Delhi's Tihar jail
An inmate was stabbed to death by another prisoner in Delhi's Tihar jail on Friday, the police said.
The incident took place in jail number 3 at around noon when the lunch was being served to the inmates, they said.
According to deputy commissioner of police (west) Vichitra Veer, an argument broke out between two inmates -- Deepak Soni (29) and Afghan national Abdul Bashir Akhondzada (44) -- over food.
Abdul stabbed Deepak with an improvised sharp edged weapon. Deepak received a stab injury on his chest and died on the spot, Veer said.
"The prison staff and quick response team immediately rushed to the site to control the situation and apprehended the attacker. Deepak was provided immediate medical assistance and was referred to DDU Hospital where he was declared brought dead," a Tihar jail official said.
Deepak, a resident of Delhi's Shakarpur, was lodged in the jail in connection with a case of robbery and murder in Paschim Vihar.
Abdul is lodged in a case of attempt to murder in Lajpat Nagar, the police said.
A case of murder has been registered against Abdul and he was arrested.
He will be sent back to Tihar after his production before the court, police said. -- PTI
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari (left)/ANI Photo
21:45 MP Cong chief booked for remarks on BJP leader
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari was booked on Friday for his alleged derogatory remarks about state Bharatiya Janata Party leader Imarti Devi, which sparked a controversy and prompted criticism from the ruling party.
The FIR against Patwari, who has since apologised for the remark, was registered in Dabra town in Gwalior on the complaint of Imarti Devi, a senior police official said.
It started after an audio clip went viral on social media in which a woman can be heard supporting the Congress candidates from the Bhind and Gwalior Lok Sabha seats, with the claim that the voice was of Imarti Devi, a former MLA from Dabra in Gwalior district.
Imarti Devi, a former minister, however, denied that it was her voice in the audio clip and termed it a conspiracy.
Asked about the audio clip and the ex-MLA's denial, Patwari allegedly made some offensive remarks using wordplay with the term 'imarti', a popular sweet.
Hitting out at Patwari, Madhya Pradesh Chief Mohan Yadav said, "Where is (Congress general secretary) Priyanka Gandhi who used to say that ladki hoon lad sakti hoon? Now she should fight with her own state president who used derogatory language about Imarti Devi. One feels ashamed of even repeating it."
"Insulting women is the Congress' character. He (Patwari) should resign from his post immediately. Congress should take strict action on this issue," the CM added. -- PTI
21:17 Man assaulted inside local train near Mumbai dies, 7 booked
Seven persons were booked in connection with the death of a man after he was assaulted inside a suburban train last month, a railway police official said on Friday.
Datta Dunda Bhoir (55) was attacked inside a train on April 27 between Titwala and Vasind stations during an argument between a group of passengers, he said.
"Two persons, Amol Pardeshi (40) and Tanuj Jammuwal (21), have been arrested in this connection and efforts are on to nab the remaining five," senior police inspector Pandhari Khande of Kalyan railway police said.
"The fight erupted when one of the accused tried to take pictures of a female passenger. This was objected to by another person. This led to an argument and Bhoir died after he intervened and was beaten up. He died in a hospital on Thursday," Khande said.
The seven have been charged under Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 149 (common objective), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), the official added. -- PTI
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20:40 Vemula not a Dalit, ended his life because....: Police
The police have filed a closure report before a local court following a probe into the death of Rohith Vemula, a student of University of Hyderabad, claiming he was not a Dalit and died by suicide as he feared that his "real identity" would be discovered.
The Cyberabad police, who investigated the case informed the court that Rohith Vemula did not belong to Scheduled Caste and that he was aware of it.
Vemula died by suicide in 2016.
"In addition to this, the deceased himself was aware that he did not belong to Scheduled Caste and that his mother got him a SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears as the exposure of the same would result in a loss of his academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution," the report said.
"The deceased had multiple issues worrying him which could have driven him to commit suicide," it said. -- PTI
TMC MP Deepak Adhikari/Courtesy X
20:33 Close shave for TMC MP Dev as his copter catches fire
Actor and TMC's Ghatal MP Deepak Adhikari had a close shave on Friday when his helicopter caught fire soon after taking off from Malda helipad forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing, the police said.
Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, was unharmed and later travelled by road to reach his subsequent destination in Raninagar for another election rally, officials said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee telephoned Dev and enquired about the situation.
"It's natural that there will be a little trauma. This turbulence, smoke, and smell have a psychological effect on me. I called the CM and told her that I did not want to take the helicopter and instead would prefer the road to reach my next meeting at Raninagar in Murshidabad district," Dev said.
Dev was here to attend an election campaign for party candidate for Maldah (Uttar) Lok Sabha constituency Prasun Banerjee.
The TMC MP said, "I survived with people's love and blessings. I saw death so closely... I am fine now." A senior officer of Malda police told PTI that the fire could have been triggered because of a technical glitch. -- PTI
20:15 Sanjay Nirupam returns to Shiv Sena led by Shinde
Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday.
The former Mumbai MP had left the undivided Shiv Sena nearly two decades ago.
Having been expelled from Congress last month for "anti-party activities", Nirupam joined the Shiv Sena here in CM Shinde's presence.
Nirupam had served as editor of Dophar Ka Saamana, the Hindi mouthpiece of undivided Shiv Sena, earlier. -- PTI
Arun Reddy handles the 'Spirit of Congress' account on 'X'/Courtesy X
19:43 Congress member held for Amit Shah fake video
The Delhi police on Friday arrested a Congress member for allegedly uploading and circulating a fake video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, an official said in New Delhi.
Arun Reddy handles the 'Spirit of Congress' account on 'X', the official said.
The Delhi police special cell earlier registered an FIR after the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which comes under the ministry of home affairs, filed a complaint about the doctored video of Shah where his statements indicating a commitment to abolish quota for Muslims on religious grounds in Telangana were changed to make it seem that he was advocating scrapping of all reservations. -- PTI
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19:23 CBSE class 10, 12 board exam results likely to be announced after May 20
The Central Board of Secondary Education Class 10 and 12 results are likely to be announced after May 20, officials said on Friday.
The clarification came amid speculation about announcement of the exam results.
"CBSE class 10 and 12 results are likely to be announced after May 20," the board said in a note on its website.
The board exams for the two classes were conducted between February-April. -- PTI
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19:10 Four injured in fire due to gas pipeline leak in Mumbai
Four persons were injured in a fire that broke out and spread to a few shops following a leak in a gas pipeline in the western suburb of Juhu in Mumbai on Friday, a civic official said.
A leak in the gas pipeline of the Mahanagar Gas Limited triggered a blaze around 11.55 am, the official said.
The fire spread to three shops and was extinguished by the fire brigade around 12.20 pm.
The MGL staffers plugged the gas leak, he said.
Four persons suffered superficial burns and were rushed to Cooper Hospital, and their condition is said to be stable, the official said.
A spokesperson from MGL said the gas pipeline was damaged when a contractor was carrying out excavation work for a nullah on A B Nair Road.
"As a safety precaution, the gas supply has been temporarily stopped in the vicinity and will be restored by 8 pm," he said. -- PTI
18:52 This is how much Rahul Gandhi is worth
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who filed his nomination from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat on Friday, declared assets of over Rs 20 crore in his papers.
Gandhi has declared movable assets to the tune of Rs 9,24,59,264, including shares worth Rs 3,81,33,572, a bank balance of Rs 26,25,157 and gold bonds of Rs 15,21,740.
The former Congress president has declared immovable assets with a current market price of Rs 11,15,02,598.
These include self-acquired immovable assets currently worth Rs 9,04,89,000 and Rs 2,10,13,598 worth of inherited assets.
Gandhi has claimed that he has Rs 55,000 cash in hand and a liability of Rs 49,79,184.
His annual income in the last financial year (2022-23) was Rs 1,02,78,680, as per the nomination papers. -- PTI
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18:30 Pak journalist killed, 7 others injured in bomb blast in restive Balochistan
A senior journalist was killed and seven other people were injured in a bomb attack in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Friday, the police said.
"Muhammad Siddiq Mengal, a senior journalist and also the president of the Khuzdar Press Club, was killed when a remote-controlled bomb hit his vehicle on the Sultan Ibrahim highway on the outskirts of Khuzdar town," a police official said.
"Seven other people were also injured in the blast," he said.
Balochistan has been witnessing a series of terrorist activities for several years.
Most recently, on Thursday at least one died and 20 others were injured in twin landmine blasts that occurred near Thaikedar Naddi in the Duki district of Balochistan.
The first explosion occurred when a truck hit a landmine, followed by a second blast as people gathered at the scene.
On Friday last, unknown assailants opened fire in the Kali Tarata area of Pishin district and injured two senior police officers, including a DSP and SHO.
In a similar incident in the Tump area of the district, two labourers were killed by armed men. -- PTI
18:11 Sex between consenting married adults is okay: HC
Societal norms dictate that sexual relations should ideally be within the confines of marriage but there is no wrongdoing if these happen between two consenting adults regardless of their marital status, the Delhi high court has said, while granting bail to a married man accused of raping a woman on false pretext of marriage.
The court stated that the prosecutrix's decision to continue with the relationship even after she came to know about the accused's marital status, prima facie pointed towards her consent and no evidence was shown to corroborate that he had made any forceful relation.
"It is apparent that the prosecutrix was meeting the applicant for quite some time before the filing of the complaint and wanted to continue their relationship even after knowing the fact that the applicant is a married man.
"While societal norms dictate that sexual relations should ideally occur within the confines of marriage, no wrongdoing can be attributed if consensual sexual activity occurs between two consenting adults, regardless of their marital status," said Justice Amit Mahajan in an order passed on April 29.
In the order, the court noted that the FIR was registered almost after fifteen months from the first alleged incident and the prosecutrix's actions did not suggest any duress. -- PTI
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17:52 NIA chargesheets 4 Maoists over firing at Kerala police commandos
The National Investigation Agency on Friday chargesheeted four cadres of CPI-Maoist in a case related to firing at the commandos of the Special Operations Group in Thalapuzha area of Wayanad district in Kerala last year, according to an official statement.
The incident occurred on November 7, 2023, when the SOG team of the Kerala police was on a combing operation in Perya, Wayanad, to track and nab armed cadres of the banned Maoist outfit.
The team came under attack as it zoomed in on the cadres present in a house, it said. In the ensuing operation, two CPI-Maoist members, identified as Thiruvenkidam alias Chandru alias Chandu and Shreemathi alias Unnimaya alias Unni, were apprehended, said the statement issued by the probe agency.
Three others, including Latha alias Meera and Sundari alias Jenny, however, fled the scene of the encounter. -- PTI
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17:33 Red alert sounded for 'kallakkadal' in coastal parts of Kerala, south TN
Central agencies have issued a red alert for kallakkadal, warning of sudden sea swells causing rough waves in coastal areas of Kerala and the south Tamil Nadu coast on Saturday and Sunday.
This marks the first time a red alert has been issued for the phenomenon of kallakkadal -- the sudden swell of the seas causing rough waves -- by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the National Disaster Management Authority in this part of the country, officials said in Thiruvananthapuram.
The officials have urged fishermen and coastal residents to take necessary precautions in response to the alert.
"Red alert for swell surge warning has been received from NDMA-INCOIS," a Kerala Disaster Management Authority official said.
The coastal areas of Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu are likely to experience the kallakkadal phenomenon from 2.30 am on Saturday to 11.30 pm on Sunday, weather agencies said, while issuing the red alert.
There is possibility of extremely strong waves, rough seas and sea incursion during this period, they said.
The officials, however, said it was not a tsunami-like phenomenon. -- ANI
17:08 I should have rebelled in 2004: Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said he should have parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar in 2004 itself when the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) gave up its claim on the chief minister's post while forming a government in the state in alliance with Congress.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Indapur in Pune district for his wife Sunetra Pawar who is pitted against sitting MP and his cousin Supriya Sule of NCP (Sharad Pawar) in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, Pawar said when his uncle made any unexpected political moves, it was called strategy, while his own political decisions are described as betrayal.
"I did not question him (Sharad Pawar) when he toppled the Vasantdada Patil government (in 1978) by not heeding the advice of Yashwantrao Chavan who had given him his first opportunity in politics....or when he questioned Sonia Gandhi's foreign origins in 1999 and split the Congress, and then aligned with the Sonia Gandhi-led party later in that year to form a government in the state," Ajit said.
He always ensured that Sharad Pawar controlled all the co-operative institutions, he said, adding, "I always listened to him...so much so that my hair turned grey."
In 2004, when the NCP had won more seats in the Maharashtra assembly elections, its ally Congress was ready to give the chief minister's post to the Sharad Pawar-led party, Ajit claimed.
"Late Vilasrao Deshmukh told me that Madam (Sonia Gandhi) has said Congress has no right to claim the CM post. He asked who will be the CM; me, late R R Patil or Chhagan Bhujbal. Let NCP announce its CM and Congress will take the deputy chief minister's post.
"But we took four additional ministerial berths and gave up the chief minister's post. Yet, I kept quiet. Now I feel I should have done in 2004 itself what I did now (rebelled against his uncle)," said Ajit, who joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra in July 2023 after splitting the NCP.
In 2014, after the Congress and NCP had fought the elections separately, Sharad Pawar decided to extend outside support to the minority government of the BJP in the name of "strategy," he said.
"Your political moves are strategy, and my political moves are termed as betrayal?" Ajit asked.
The NCP had briefly extended outside support to the BJP after the 2014 assembly elections as the Shiv Sena and BJP had yet to agree on power-sharing formula. The Sena later joined the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. Even in 2017, and then in 2019 when talks were on to form a NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena government, there were parallel moves from the NCP to join hands with the BJP, Ajit claimed.
He also pointed out that there was a time when his eldest uncle Vasantrao Pawar was with the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and the young Sharad Pawar, who was with the Congress, worked against him in an election.
Dr CV Ananda Bose with Mamata Banerjee
16:42 I expect more allegations, drama: Bengal guv
A day after a contractual employee of the Raj Bhavan accused him of molesting her, West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Friday said that he expects more such allegations are "in the offing".
Describing the allegations as "absurd drama", Bose, in an apparent reference to the ruling Trinamool Congress, said that none would be able to deter him from his "determined efforts to expose corruption and curb violence".
The ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday said that the party has no role in this and demanded an impartial inquiry into the allegation to ascertain the truth.
In a recorded statement released by Raj Bhavan, Bose said, "I welcome all the generous allegations and the frequent innuendoes passed on me by some political forces. I understand, my friends, there is more in the offing. But one thing is clear, none of the absurd dramas is going to deter me from my determined efforts to expose corruption and curb violence."
Claiming that character assassination is the last resort of a failing malevolence, Bose said, "A more sinister plot has been hatched in the Raj Bhavan".
Bose mocked the allegations saying that one day he would also be blamed for the Bengal Feminine of 1943 as well as the '1946 Calcutta Killings'. That is the nature of the political forces working in the state," he said.
The Governor said he was briefed about what he can expect in Bengal from certain political parties. "I have braved many storms. I tell the political party that is plotting against me, this is no storm. This is only a storm in a teacup. Do not be surprised if you realise I am the storm. Bring out all the weapons from your armoury. Use it against me. I am willing. I am prepared. I shall continue my fight for the dignity and respect of my brothers and sisters of Bengal," he stated.
Bose had on Thursday said he would not be cowed down by "engineered narratives" and the "truth shall triumph" after TMC leaders claimed that a woman working at Raj Bhavan levelled allegations of molestation against him.
16:32 Sensex tumbles 700 points
Equity benchmark Sensex plummeted over 700 points to sink below the 74,000 level and Nifty retreated from a record high on Friday as investors pared exposure to telecom, capital goods and tech stocks.
Heavy selling pressure in Reliance Industries, L&T and HDFC bank counters also pulled indices down, traders said. The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 732.96 points or 0.98 per cent to settle at 73,878.15 after soaring 484.07 points earlier in the day.
From its intra-day high of 75,095.18, the benchmark tanked 1,627.45 points to the day's low of 73,467.73. The NSE Nifty also declined 172.35 points or 0.76 per cent to 22,475.85. The benchmark hit a record 22,794.70 in the early trade, up 146.5 points or 0.64 per cent.
From the Sensex basket, Larsen & Toubro, Maruti, Reliance Industries, Nestle, Bharti Airtel, UltraTech Cement, Kotak Mahindra Bank and JSW Steel were among the major laggards. Bajaj Finance climbed nearly 1 per cent higher.
The Reserve Bank of India has lifted restrictions on Bajaj Finance on sanctioning and disbursal of loans through eCOM and Insta EMI Card, the company said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
Mamata Banerjee with a TMC candidate
16:01 Mamata slams guv for 'misconduct' with woman staff
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday lashed out at Governor C V Ananda Bose for his alleged misconduct with a woman employee of Raj Bhavan.
Speaking at a public rally in Purba Bardhaman district, Banerjee said my heart bleeds for the woman molested at Raj Bhavan and termed it a shame. "Yesterday, a young woman who worked at Raj Bhavan came out and spoke against the Governor's harassment...Yesterday, the tears of the woman broke my heart. I have seen her video testimony. Before talking about Sandeshkhali, BJP must answer why the Governor did this to a woman working at Raj Bhavan," she said.
Banerjee also wondered why "Prime Minister Narendra Modi who came to Raj Bhawan last night didn't speak a word on the issue."
"The woman cried and walked out saying she was too scared to work at Raj Bhavan anymore. She said that she was called at odd hours and was subjected to harassment. And these are the people who talk about the dignity of our mothers and sisters?" she said.
The TMC supremo alleged that the BJP was responsible for so many people losing their jobs in the School Service Commission case. West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Thursday said he will not be cowed down by "engineered narratives" and the "truth shall triumph" after TMC leaders claimed that a woman working at Raj Bhavan levelled allegations of molestation against him. PTI
15:26 'Priyanka victim of family, party conspiracy'
Claiming that Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was deliberately denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections after the party announced Rahul Gandhi and KL Sharma as its candidates from Raebareli and Amethi, expelled leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Friday said she was a "victim of family and party conspiracy".
"I said this earlier that Rahul Gandhi will not contest Amethi. I said this, too, that Rahul Gandhi will not let Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fight these elections. There is a big conspiracy afoot against Priyanka. She is the victim of a conspiracy hatched by her family and the party," Acharya Krishnam told ANI on Friday.
"We know how Rahul Gandhi ran away from Amethi. Any other leader in his place, who takes decisions after carefully weighing his credibility and acceptability, would have considered contesting directly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi if he did not wish from Amethi," Acharya Krishnam said.
Rahul Gandhi, who was expected to make an all-out bid to win back Amethi, was announced earlier in the day as the Congress' nominee from Rae Bareli, the seat vacated recently by his mother Sonia Gandhi, who took membership of the Rajya Sabha from Jaipur.
Rahul is pitted against Congress defector and three-time MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli. A sitting MP from Kerala's Wayanad, Rahul is also seeking a fresh term in the Lower House from the seat that polled in Phase 2 of the general elections on April 26. -- PTI
14:58 Those who run away from battle... Rajnath on Rahul
Mocking Rahul Gandhi as someone who runs away from the battlefield, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday targeted him for shifting his Lok Sabha constituency to Rae Bareli and said he could not gather the courage to contest from Amethi.
"People like him want to lead the country," the senior BJP leader said in a swipe at the former Congress president at a public meeting here, claiming that many Congress leaders wanted him to contest from Amethi but he chose to run away.
"I am concerned that he may be given a different name after running away from this battle," Singh said wryly.
Gandhi had lost to Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani in 2019 after representing the constituency in Lok Sabha for three terms. He had, however, won from Wayanad in Kerala. Singh also slammed the Congress over Pakistani leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain's praise for Gandhi, noting Hussain had earlier supported terror attacks in India.
14:54 Fresh kidnapping case registered against H D Revanna and Prajwal
Former Karnataka minister H D Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna face fresh troubles as a case has been lodged based on a youth's complaint alleging that his mother was abducted after a video of her being allegedly tied and raped by Prajwal emerged.
The case was registered on Thursday night, police in Mysuru said. Revanna, who is a JD(S) MLA from Holenarasipura constituency in Hassan district, is the son of former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and elder brother of former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Prajwal, the sitting JD(S) MP from Hassan, is facing allegations of sexually abusing women.
The state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case after scores of explicit video clips allegedly involving the 33-year-old MP started making the rounds in recent days.
He was the NDA candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency where polling was held on April 26. JD(S) joined the NDA in September last year.
A case of molestation was already registered against the father-son duo at Holenarasipura police station.
According to the state Home Minister G Parameshwara, one more complaint was registered on Wednesday night. However, in this latest case lodged on Thursday night, the 20-year-old complainant from Krishnaraja Nagar town in Mysuru district said his mother was kidnapped by Revanna.
He said six years ago his mother worked at Revanna's residence in Holenarasipura. Three years ago, she quit the job and returned to her hometown. About five days ago, Revanna's confidant Sathish Babanna came to his house and said police may come to them for an inquiry and they should not reveal anything.
14:43 Rahul, Priyanka past expiry date: Assam CM
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are "irrelevant" in this North Eastern state and they are "past expiry date".
He dismissed Vadra's allegations that there is a 'mafia raj' in Assam and claimed that there was peace across the state and all welfare measures were reaching the people.
He also hit back at the opposition party's 'washing machine' jibe at the BJP and alleged that the Congress has a "big, high voltage washing machine" which was used to cleanse Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
"They (Congress) have a big washing machine. In which washing machine did they wash Arvind Kejriwal? I ask Priyanka Gandhi, four months ago she was saying Kejriwal has looted money through the liquor scam and now he is a good person, which high voltage washing machine she has?" Sarma said on Thursday, responding to the opposition leader's swipe at him.
"Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are irrelevant in Assam. They are past expiry date," the CM said. Vadra, in a rally in support of Congress nominee for Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency Rakibul Hussian on Wednesday, had said there were big allegations against Sarma when he was with Congress, but he got himself "cleaned" in the "BJP washing machine" after switching sides.
She had also lashed out at the state government on the law and order situation and alleged that there is a 'mafia raj' in Assam.
Dismissing the charge, the CM said, "Priyanka Gandhi has not seen Congress ruled days. What mafia is here today? There are no blasts, no firing incidents, no ULFA or NDFB.
"Only Rakibul Hussain's 'mafiagiri' was here she didn't say anything about rhino poaching," Sarma said, in an apparent reference to Hussain's term as Forest minister in the state and killing of the pachyderms during his tenure.
He asserted that if getting jobs without paying bribes or providing 'Orunuodi' scheme to 30 lakh people define 'mafia raj', then the public will want such 'mafia raj'.
Asked on Congress' poll promise of providing Rs 8,000 to all poor households, Sarma said, "How can a 'dhoti-lungi' government give Rs 8,000? They couldn't even give the 'dhoti-lungi'. Congress government is a 'dhoti-lungi' government."
14:33 Launching Rahul from Rae Bareli will fail: HM
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh after running away from Amethi and predicted that he will lose the polls there against the BJP candidate by a huge margin.
He also said former AICC President Sonia Gandhi's multiple attempts to "launch" Rahul Gandhi had failed and claimed that this was the twenty-first attempt.
The top BJP leader addressed a public meeting in Hukkeri in Belagavi district for party candidate from Chikkodi Lok Sabha segment Annasaheb Jolle.
"Modi ji tried and at once Chandrayaan (mission to Moon) got launched. Sonia Gandhi has launched this 'yaan' named Rahul Baba (Rahul Gandhi) twenty times, but her launching has not been successful. Today for the twenty-first time, running away from Amethi, he has filed nomination from Rae Bareli," Shah said.
He said, "Rahul Baba, I'm telling the result of Raebareli from here. Against BJP's candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, you will lose by a huge margin. Write down my words."
Rahul Gandhi is contesting the elections from the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi for the last two decades. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the party said in a statement on Friday.
The two seats will go to polls on May 20 in the fifth of the seven-phase general election. Ending days of suspense, the party announced the candidates from the two seats on Friday.
Rae Bareli is a constituency which had earlier elected Rahul Gandhi's mother Sonia Gandhi, his grandmother Indira Gandhi and his grandfather Feroze Gandhi. The constituency has also been represented by family members and friends of the Gandhi-Nehru family. Rahul Gandhi has also contested the ongoing Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad in Kerala which went to polls on April 26. PTI
14:22 Done and dusted
And another image of Rahul Gandhi filing his nomination papers from the Rae Bareli constituency. Accompanying him today are Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Robert Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
14:17 Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Rae Bareli
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat. The Rae Bareli seat was held by Rahul Gandhi's mother Sonia Gandhi for the last two decades. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the Congress said in a statement on Friday.
14:06 Fielding Rahul from Rae Bareli is duty: Congress
The Congress on Friday said it has taken a decision to field Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli after a lot of deliberation and strategy, and that the constituency is not just a legacy but also a responsibility.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it is a long election process and there are a few chess moves still left to play. He also justified Priyanka Gandhi Vadra not contesting any election, saying she can reach Parliament by contesting any bypoll, but is currently taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter him on his alleged "lies" during campaigning.
"Many people have given different opinions on the news of Rahul Gandhi contesting elections from Rae Bareli. But he is a seasoned player of politics and chess. He makes his moves after careful consideration. The party leadership has taken this decision after a lot of deliberation and strategy," he said. Ramesh claimed the decision to filed Rahul has devastated the BJP, its supporters and sycophants.
"The poor self-proclaimed Chanakya who used to talk about 'traditional seats' is not able to understand what to do now," he said.
The Congress leader said Rae Bareli has not only been Sonia Gandhi's seat but also Indira Gandhi's seat.
"This is not a legacy but a responsibility, a duty," he asserted.
He said as far as the Gandhi family's stronghold is concerned, not just Amethi-Rae Bareli, the entire country from north to south is the stronghold of the Gandhi family. Rahul Gandhi, he said, has become an MP three times from Uttar Pradesh and once from Kerala, "but why couldn't Modiji muster the courage to contest elections below Vindhyachal".
"One more thing is clear that the Congress family is the family of expectations and aspirations of lakhs of workers. An ordinary worker of Congress is superior to the big ones. Yesterday, a prominent journalist was sarcastically saying to a worker of Amethi that 'when will your turn come to get a ticket'? Look, it has come! An ordinary worker of Congress will break both the illusion and arrogance of the BJP in Amethi," Ramesh said justifying fielding of Congress workers Kishori Lal Sharma.
"Priyanka ji is campaigning vigorously and is alone shutting up Narendra Modi by answering his every lie with the truth. That is why it was necessary that she should not be limited to her constituency only. Priyanka ji will reach Parliament by contesting any by-election," he said.
Ramesh said today Smriti Irani's only identity is that she contests elections from Amethi against Rahul Gandhi. "Now Smriti Irani has lost that fame too. Now instead of making useless statements, she should answer about local development, the closed hospitals, steel plant and IIIT - that needs to be answered," he said. PTI
13:48 Kishori Lal Sharma files nomination from Amethi
Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma today filed nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, a few hours after the party announced his candidature from the key seat.
Kishori Lal Sharma, a long-time associate of the Gandhi family, will be contesting from Amethi against BJP's Smriti Irani, while Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from Raebareli.
After filing his nomination papers, Sharma said, "Who will win or lose from here, it's in people's hands, we will work hard. he election is just a formality. People make their mood for those who work for them. People have this perception that whom they elected earlier was good or bad"
"The people of Amethi are in my heart. I have been here for 40 years. I am following what has been directed to me by the top leadership. I just want people to give me a chance in their service," he added.
13:12 Today is the victory of people of Amethi: Smriti
Amethi MP and Union Minister Smriti Irani reacts to the Gandhis not contesting from her constituency.
"No member of the Gandhi family contesting from Amethi in itself is an indication that Congress has accepted its defeat from Amethi even before the elections, says Irani.
"If development was possible in Amethi in the last five years under a BJP MP, then why did the Congress do such harm to Amethi over the last many decades? Today is the victory of the people of Amethi... In the last three years, Congress' top leadership was not present there for the public. Jinhe Amethi ne aswikaar kar diya, Amethi chhor ke Wayanad chalegaye, woh Raebareli ke purnatah kabhi nahi ho paayenge."
12:59 Why Rahul Gandhi cancelled rally in Odisha today?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Rayagada in Odisha on Friday stands cancelled as he has rushed to Rae Bareli to file nomination papers from there, party sources said. Congress Koraput Lok Sabha constituency candidate and sitting MP Saptagiri Ulaka said preparations are on to make alternative arrangements.
"Rahul Ji may address the people through virtual mode. However, it is not yet finalised," Ulaka said, adding that thousands of people have already arrived at the meeting venue.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) had earlier announced that Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Rayagada around noon and address the 'Nyaya Rally' near GIACR College.
"Our leader Rahul Gandhi will not be able to attend the rally in Rayagada at noon as he is in Rae Bareli to file nomination papers. AICC general secretary Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar has arrived at the meeting venue. We are discussing what can be done now," OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak told reporters.
OPCC campaign committee chief Bhakta Charan Das, Saptagiri Ulaka and other senior leaders will address the meeting, Pattnayak said. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is likely to address the public meeting.
Rahul Gandhi with KL Sharma
12:44 I still want a Gandhi to contest Amethi: KL Sharma
Congress's Amethi candidate Kishori Lal Sharma on Friday said he would rather a Gandhi fight from the seat, but he cannot refuse the party's order which asked him to fight the election.
Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded by the Congress from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat a longstanding bastion of the Gandhi family, breached in 2019.
"Even today, I want the Gandhi family to contest the election from Amethi. But I consider it my duty to accept the order given by the family," Sharma told PTI at the Gauriganj Congress office here. "I have always been a 'sevak' of the Gandhi family and whatever responsibility the Gandhi family has entrusted to its sevak, I will fulfil it," he said.
After days of suspense, Congress on Friday fielded Sharma, a representative of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and before them, Rajiv Gandhi, in Amethi, as its candidate for the seat.
Sharma is scheduled to visit the Collectorate later in the day and file his nomination papers before District Election Officer Nisha Anant.
The BJP has fielded the sitting MP from the seat, Union Minister Smriti Irani, who had ended the three-term streak of Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, defeating him by more than 55,000 votes. PTI
12:12 Shehzada too afraid to contest from Amethi: PM
"Congress 'shehzada' is so afraid that he is now contesting from Rae Bareli," PM Modi says on the party fielding Rahul Gandhi from the seat.
Uttar Pradesh's Amethi has long been synonymous with the Gandhis but it would be the first time in 25 years that a Gandhi family member will not be contesting election from the Lok Sabha seat. Considered a citadel of the Gandhi family since its creation as a constituency in 1967, Amethi has been represented by a Gandhi family member for about 31 years since then.
The Congress fortress was breached in the last general election in 2019 when BJP's Smriti Irani beat Rahul Gandhi by more than 55,000 votes.
This time, Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli seat, while Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Sharma was the key person who looked after the two prestigious constituencies on behalf of the Gandhis.
Priyanka, Rahul and Sonia at the Fursatganj airport this morning
11:42 For 1st time in 25 years no Gandhi from Amethi
Uttar Pradesh's Amethi has long been synonymous with the Gandhis and it would be the first time in 25 years that a Gandhi family member will not be contesting election from the Lok Sabha seat.
Considered a citadel of the Gandhi family since its creation as a constituency in 1967, Amethi has been represented by a Gandhi family member for about 31 years since then.
The Congress fortress was breached in the last general election in 2019 when BJP's Smriti Irani beat Rahul Gandhi by more than 55,000 votes. This time, Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli seat, while Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Sharma was the key person who looked after the two prestigious constituencies on behalf of the Gandhis.
The last time a non-Gandhi was in the fray from the constituency was in 1998, when Satish Sharma, a close aide of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, contested the polls but lost to the BJP's Sanjaya Sinh. Sonia Gandhi reclaimed the seat in 1999 routing Singh by over 3 lakh votes. In 2004, Sonia shifted to the adjacent Rae Bareli constituency to make way for her son Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul won the constituency for three consecutive terms in 2004, 2009 and 2014. Contesting for the fourth time in 2019, he lost to Smriti Irani, who hit the headlines as a 'giant killer'.
Amethi is one of the 80 parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh and comprises five assembly segments Tiloi, Salon, Jagdishpur, Gauriganj, and Amethi.
Over the past few years, the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Bahujan Samaj Party have emerged as the three main players in the constituency. Its first Member of Parliament was Vidya Dhar Bajpai of the Congress who was elected in 1967 and held the seat in the next election in 1971.
In the 1977 election, Ravindra Pratap Singh of the Janata Party became an MP from the seat defeating former prime minister Indira Gandhi's younger son Sanjay Gandhi.
Sanjay Gandhi had his electoral revenge three years later when he defeated Singh in the 1980 general election. Later that year, Sanjay Gandhi died in a plane crash and the seat fell vacant.
In the consequent by-election held in 1981, Sanjay's brother Rajiv Gandhi scored a landslide victory from the seat, defeating his closest rival by more than 2 lakh votes. Rajiv Gandhi went on to represent this constituency until 1991 when he was assassinated by the militant group LTTE.
The subsequent by-election held the same year was won by Satish Sharma, a close aide of Rajiv Gandhi and later Sonia Gandhi. Sharma was re-elected in 1996 but lost to BJP's Sanjaya Sinh in 1998.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Irani won the Amethi seat with a margin of over 55,000 votes, polling 4,68,514 votes. Rahul Gandhi got 4,13,394 votes. In 2014, Rahul Gandhi won the Amethi seat for the third time in a row, polling 4,08,651 votes to Irani's 3,00,748 votes.
The Gandhis arrive at Fursatganj airport to file Rahul's nomination
11:10 Priyanka hails KL Sharma's candidature for Amethi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday hailed the candidature of Kishori Lal Sharma from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, saying the Gandhi family has had a longstanding association with him. Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the seat to take on the BJP's Smriti Irani.
Sharma was the key person who looked after the two prestigious constituencies on behalf of the Gandhis. "Our family has a long-standing relationship with Kishori Lal Sharma ji. He has always been engaged wholeheartedly in serving the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli. His passion for public service is an example in itself," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi.
"Today, it is a matter of happiness that Shri Kishori Lal ji has been made the candidate from Amethi by the Congress Party. Kishori Lal ji's loyalty and dedication towards his duty will definitely bring him success in this election," the Congress general secretary said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been an MP from Amethi thrice, will contest the Lok Sabha election from the Rae Bareli, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi earlier.
The two seats will go to polls on May 20 in the fifth of the seven-phase general election. In the run up to the polls, speculations were rife that Priyanka Gandhi may contest from either Amethi or Rae Bareli.
10:47 Miss you, maa, says Sanjay Dutt
Actor Sanjay Dutt shares this loved-up post on his mother Nargis Dutt's death anniversary. "Miss you, Maa! Even though you're not here, your presence is felt in every moment. We hold you close in our hearts and memories Maa. Love you (heart emoji)."
The actor shared this image among other images with his mother.
10:41 Losers do that: BJP on Rahul opting out of Amethi
After the Congress decided to field Rahul Gandhi from the Rae Bareli seat, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malviya on Friday said that it is not surprising that Wayanad MP has abandoned the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, adding that it is an admission by Rahul Gandhi that he cannot win Amethi.
In a post on X, Amit Malviya said, "Finally, Rahul Gandhi has abandoned Amethi. Losers often do that. So, no surprises there. It is also an admission that Rahul Gandhi can't win. In which case, why should anyone waste their vote on I.N.D.I Alliance? Phase 3 onwards, the voting will be even more in favour of the NDA."
The Congress move to field Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli ended all speculations about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from this seat.
Malviya said that this move is an attempt by the Congress party to keep "Priyanka Gandhi Vadra out of power".
"It is clear as daylight that the Rahul Gandhi camp doesn't want the sister to rise, lest she outshines him. How this sibling struggle for power within Congress plays out, remains to be seen. But for now, Priyanka Vadra has lost out, again," Malviya added.
In this regard, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak exuded confidence in the outcome of elections from Raebareli and Amethi. Pathak said that Rahul Gandhi will not be accepted by the people of Raebareli.
"BJP is going to win in Raebareli and Amethi by a huge margin. Rahul Gandhi had first left Amethi and gone to Wayanad, now he has come to Raebareli. The people of Raebareli will never accept him. The BJP is going to win all 80 seats in the state with a huge majority," Brajesh Pathak said.
Rahul Gandhi is pitted against the BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh.Rahul currently represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha while Smriti Irani is bidding for a fresh term from Amethi. Raebareli was held by Sonia Gandhi who became a member of Rajya Sabha.
The Congress party has also named Kishori Lal Sharma, a party loyalist from Amethi, the seat Rahul Gandhi lost in the 2019 general elections to BJP leader Smriti Irani.
10:17 BJP on Rae Bareli, Amethi: No matter who stands...
Shortly before the Congress announced its candidates for Amethi -- KL Sharma and Rae Bareli -- Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya exuded confidence in his party winning the seats irrespective of the stature of any candidate from the other side.
Speaking to ANI, Maurya said, "No matter who contests -- be it from Congress, Yadav family or BSP, BJP will only win (From Raibareli and Amethi)."
He also said that the problem of candidates on both seats lies with Congress only as his party has already announced its candidates.
"Anyone can come as their candidate. We will relish his/her defeat," he added.
The Congress has not yet put out any official statement on its choice of nominees from Amethi and Raebareli, which were considered the party's strongholds until the 2019 elections.
The Congress, which is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the seat-sharing deal with the Samajwadi Party (SP), has announced candidates for all the seats barring Amethi and Raebareli.
Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the party said in a statement on Friday.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, its current chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be in Rae Bareli during the nomination filing, the party said.
Rahul and Sharma will file their nomination papers on Friday, the last date for the filing of nominations for the seats.
Sakshi Mallik posted this image of Brij Bhushan and his son
09:45 Daughters lost: Sakshi on ticket for Brij's son
Ace Indian wrestler and Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik on Thursday criticised the BJP for giving a ticket for the Lok Sabha elections to former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Shahran Singh's son, Karan from the Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh. In a post on X, Malik said that the decision of the ruling party to field Brij Bhushan's son has defeated the daughters of the country.
"We all put our careers at stake, and slept on the streets for many days in sun and rain. Till date, Brij Bhushan has not been arrested. We were not demanding anything, we were only demanding justice," she said in a Hindi post.
"Leave the arrest, today by giving a ticket to his son you have broken the morale of crores of daughters of the country. If the ticket goes to only one family, is the country's government so weak in front of one man? Only votes are needed in the name of Lord Shri Ram, what about the path shown by him?" she questioned.
Putting an end to all the speculations around Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj seat, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday declared former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's son Karan Bhushan Singh as its candidate from the seat for the Lok Sabha elections.
The Kaiserganj constituency is currently held by BJP's Brij Bhushan Singh, who is a three-time MP from the seat. He, however, has not been given a ticket this time.
09:34 Supriya's win will reduce 1 Modi MP in Parl: Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar has said that victory for his daughter Supriya Sule, his party's Lok Sabha candidate from Baramati, would reduce support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi by one MP in Parliament.
Campaigning on Thursday for Sule in Pune district's Purandar tehsil, which comes under the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, he also flayed the BJP over farmers' issues.
Three-term MP Sule is pitted against NCP candidate Sunetra Pawar, her sister-in-law and wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. "We have given candidature to Supriya Sule so press the button next to her name on EVM in the election (on May 7). Your vote will not only determine her victory, but ensure that there is one more MP who is not supporting Modi," the senior Pawar said.
The former Union agriculture minister said under the BJP government at the Centre, the condition of farmers has become miserable. "If we want to change the scenario and have a farmers-centric approach in policymaking, then change needs to be brought," he said.
The veteran political claimed the BJP-led dispensation is not in favour of giving remunerative prices to farmers for their agricultural products. PTI
09:20 Prez respects allies: White House on Biden's remark
The United States is a country of immigrants, the White House has said, defending President Joe Biden's remarks calling two of his QUAD partners -- India and Japan -- as well as Russia and China "xenophobic" nations, asserting that none of these countries, unlike the US, welcome immigrants.
Responding to a question about the remarks made by Biden at an election fundraiser on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the president was making a "broader point".
He was making a broader point. Our allies and partners know very well that -- how much this president respects them," Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Thursday.
"As you know, in regard to Japan, they were just here for the state visit. The US-Japan relationship is an important relationship. It's a deep, enduring alliance," she said.
"He (Biden) was making a more broad comment, speaking about this country and speaking about how important it is to be a country of immigrants and how it makes our country stronger. And so, that's what he was talking about," she said.
"It relates to our relationship with our allies, that continues. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with India (and) with Japan. And the President, if you just look at the last three years, has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships," Jean-Pierre said.
"He was talking about who we are as a country. He was talking about the importance of being in a country of immigrants, especially as you see the attacks that we have seen very recently, in the last couple of years, those attacks on immigrants, in particular," the White House Press Secretary said, defending the president.
"The President is always going to be really clear on speaking to issues that matter to the American people. We are a country of immigrants. That matters. And we've seen these attacks. And so, the President is never going to shy away from that," Jean-Pierre said.
It is important for us to remember that we are a country of immigrants. I'm explaining what he was talking about and what he was focusing on in those comments: a country of immigrants makes us stronger. It is important to be very clear about that," she said. -- PTI
08:58 Teen held for sending bomb threat to Delhi Police HQ
A teenage boy was caught for allegedly sending an email to the Delhi Police headquarters saying that a bomb was planted in the outer Delhi's Nangloi area, police said on Friday.
After a thorough checking in the area, the sender, who turned out to be a teenage boy, was caught. He was counselled by the police before being handed over to his parents.
The Delhi Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Road in central Delhi is about 18 kilometers away from Nangloi.
The PHQ in a statement said, "the sender is an immature child and therefore, in his interest and in compliance of the mandate of JJ Act, details of his identity cannot be shared."
"The mail was sent as an act of mischief. The juvenile, after proper counseling, has been handed over to his parents," it added. -- PTI
08:33 Rahul ditches Amethi, to contest LS polls from Rae Bareli
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Rae Bareli seat, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi earlier.
Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the party said in a statement.
Sharma was the key man who looked after the two key constituencies in the absence of the Gandhis.
The two will file their nomination papers on Friday, the last date for the filing of nominations for the seats that will go to polls on May 20 in the fifth round of the seven-phase general elections. -- PTI
File image
00:55 RBI lifts curbs, Bajaj Fin to resume lending via eCOM, Insta EMI Card
The Reserve Bank of India has lifted restrictions on Bajaj Finance on sanctioning and disbursal of loans through eCOM and Insta EMI Card, the company said in a regulatory on Thursday.
In November last year, the central bank had directed Bajaj Finance to stop sanction and disbursal of loans under its two lending products -- eCOM and Insta EMI Card -- due to non-adherence of the company to the extant provisions of digital lending guidelines.
"Now, we wish to inform that the RBI, vide its letter dated 2 May 2024, based on the remedial actions taken by the company, has conveyed its decision of lifting the said restrictions on eCOM and online digital 'Insta EMI Card', with immediate effect," the company said in a filing to the stock exchanges.
The company further said it would now resume sanction and disbursal of loans in the two business segments including issuance of EMI cards. -- PTI
Representational image
00:34 Birla Estates sells 72 luxury flats for Rs 2,500 cr in central Mumbai project
Birla Estates, the real estate venture of the Aditya Birla Group, on Thursday said it has sold 72 apartments for Rs 2,500 crore in a residential tower of its luxury project in the city.
The residential tower, Silas, is part of the luxury residential project Birla Niyaara and the company has booked total sales of Rs 5,400 crore from the project in central Mumbai, according to a statement.
Birla Estates is a fully owned subsidiary of Century Textiles and Industries and the real estate venture of the conglomerate.
Silas at Birla Niyaara has 148 four- and five-bed hall kitchen residences. According to sources, of these 148 units, the company sold 72 apartments at its launch in the price range of Rs 30-45 crore per unit. -- PTI
00:11 Noida bizman held in Chhattisgarh liquor scam
The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday arrested a Noida-based businessman in connection with a probe into the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, officials said.
An FIR was lodged at the Kasna police station in Greater Noida in July last year on the complaint of a deputy director of the Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the alleged scam.
Those named as accused were Niranjan Das, IAS officer and former excise commissioner of Chhattisgarh, Arunpati Tripathi, managing director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited and special secretary (excise), Chhattisgarh, Anil Tuteja, IAS officer and former industries secretary, Chhattisgarh, Anwar Dhewar, a politician, and Noida-based businessman Vidhu Gupta.
"Vidhu Gupta, director of M/s Prizm Holography Security Films, was detained for questioning at the STF office in Noida and later arrested at around 1.15 pm in connection with the case," an agency officer said.
The ED is investigating the alleged liquor scam under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the STF said. -- PTI
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