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Mon, 20 May 2024
Phase 5: Below 50% voting in Mumbai and Maha
Timeline Refresh
23:57 Teenager drowns after slipping into swimming pool in Kota
An 18-year-old boy slipped into the deep side of a swimming pool and drowned in Kota on Monday, the police said.
The incident occurred at noon when the deceased teenager, Abdul Muneed, and a few others went into the railway officers' club swimming pool.
Muneed who did not know swimming slipped into the deep side of the pool and drowned, Bhimganj Mandi SHO Ramkishan Godara said.
The teenagers who were with Muneed called for help, following which people in the area rushed to the spot and took him out of the pool, Godara said.
He was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead, he added.
Muneed and the other teens who were at the pool worked at a mechanic shop nearby in the area.
They came to the pool when they found that the entry gate of the club was open due to construction work underway at the premises, the SHO said.
The police handed over the body to family members after post-mortem later in the afternoon and lodged a case under Section 174 of CrPC for investigation, he added. -- PTI
23:57 Teenager drowns after slipping into swimming pool in Kota
An 18-year-old boy slipped into the deep side of a swimming pool and drowned in Kota on Monday, the police said.
The incident occurred at noon when the deceased teenager, Abdul Muneed, and a few others went into the railway officers' club swimming pool.
Muneed who did not know swimming slipped into the deep side of the pool and drowned, Bhimganj Mandi SHO Ramkishan Godara said.
The teenagers who were with Muneed called for help, following which people in the area rushed to the spot and took him out of the pool, Godara said.
He was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead, he added.
Muneed and the other teens who were at the pool worked at a mechanic shop nearby in the area.
They came to the pool when they found that the entry gate of the club was open due to construction work underway at the premises, the SHO said.
The police handed over the body to family members after post-mortem later in the afternoon and lodged a case under Section 174 of CrPC for investigation, he added. -- PTI
23:24 CBI books MP man for sexual abuse of minor Aus girl via Instagram
The CBI has booked an Indore-based man for alleged sexual abuse and intimidation of a Australian minor through Instagram, officials said Monday.
The agency had received the information from Interpol that Ankur Shukla, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly befriended a girl from Australia through social media platform Instagram, they said.
In his conversation with the minor girl, Shukla allegedly "groomed her" into sending him, her objectionable images and videos, the CBI has said in a statement.
"It was further alleged that over a period of time when the said minor girl was reluctant to share images and videos, the accused started threatening her that he would release her images and videos to her friends and family members, as a result, she continued to share the videos and images under duress," CBI spokesperson said. -- PTI
Industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata casts his vote in Mumbai/ANI Photo
22:56 Phase 5: Below 50% voting in Mumbai and Maharashtra
A voter turnout of 49.15 percent was recorded in Maharashtra, where polling was held in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including half a dozen in Mumbai, in the fifth and final phase of elections in the state amid tight security on Monday, officials said, as actors, corporate leaders and prominent politicians came out to exercise their franchise.
The state chief electoral officer's office put the approximate voter turnout at 49.15 percent at 9 pm.
Of the 13 constituencies spread across the Mumbai region and North Maharashtra, the highest turnout was in Dindori in Nashik district at 57.06 percent, while the lowest was in Kalyan in Thane district, the political turf of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, at 43.04 percent.
Among the other seats, Palghar saw 54.32 percent polling, Nashik 51.16 percent, Bhiwandi 49.43 percent polling, Dhule 48.81 percent, Mumbai North 46.91 percent, Mumbai North Central 47.46 percent, Mumbai North East 48.67 percent, Mumbai North West 49.79 percent, Mumbai South 44.63 percent, Mumbai South Central 48.80 percent and Thane 48.04 percent, according to data provided by the CEO office. -- PTI
PM Narendra Modi meets the family members of late Sushil Kumar Modi, in Patna/ANI Photo
22:46 In Patna, Modi visits Sushil Modi's residence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Patna, on his second visit to the city within a week, in the thick of the Lok Sabha elections.
Modi, who had last weekend held the city in thrall with a spectacular roadshow, was received at the airport by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha.
Upon arriving in the city, the PM drove straight to the residence of Sushil Kumar Modi, a senior BJP leader who died last week battling cancer.
After condoling the bereaved family members, the PM reached the BJP's state headquarters to hold deliberations with party workers ahead of the last couple of phases of polls.
Modi is scheduled to retire at the Raj Bhavan for the night and leave Tuesday morning for election rallies in Siwan and East Champaran districts.
Tight security arrangements, including traffic restrictions, were in place across the city. -- PTI
22:13 BJP charges MP Jayant Sinha with maligning party
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday slapped a show cause notice on former Union Minister Jayant Sinha for not taking part in campaigning after Manish Jaiswal was declared candidate from the Hazaribag Lok Sabha seat and thereby "maligning" the party's image.
Sinha, son of former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, is the sitting MP of Hazaribagh.
"You are not taking any interest in organisational work and election campaigning ever since the party declared Manish Sinha as the candidate from Hazaribag LS seat. You did not even feel proper to exercise your right of franchise. The party's image has been maligned due to your conduct," BJP state general secretary Aditya Sahu said in the notice.
The party has sought an explanation from Jayant Sinha within two days.
Asked about future course of action, Sahu told PTI that it will depend on Jayant Sinha's response.
Hours before the announcement that Jaiswal would be the candidate for Hazaribagh, Sinha had requested the party leadership to relieve him from electoral politics.
Representational image
22:08 18 women tendu leaf collectors killed in mishap
Nineteen tribals, including 18 women, were killed and three others injured when a mini goods vehicle ferrying a group of tendu leaves collectors plunged into a valley in Chhattisgarh's Kabirdham district on Monday afternoon, the police said.
As per preliminary information, a brake failure led to the major accident, they said.
The accident occurred at around 1.45 pm on Banjari Ghat near Bahpani village under Kukdur police station limits, Kabirdham Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava said.
The victims were returning home after plucking tendu leaves from a forest in the vehicle meant for transporting goods, he said.
As per preliminary information, when the vehicle, with 36 people onboard, was descending in Banjari Ghat (valley), the driver shouted that the brakes have failed following which many male occupants and he himself jumped off, the IPS officer said.
The vehicle veered off the road, tumbled down 40 feet and crashed onto a road below the valley, the official said. On the other side of the road where the vehicle crashed there is a 200 feet deep gorge, he said.
After being alerted about the accident, teams of health personnel from nearby Kukdur and Pandariya and a police team rushed to the spot and launched a rescue exercise, Pallava said.
"Twelve women and a man were killed on the spot, while nine others sustained injuries. Five women of the nine injured succumbed while being shifted to a hospital," he said. The remaining four injured persons, including three women, were shifted to Kabirdham district hospital where a woman succumbed, the SP said.
Senior district administration and police officials visited the accident spot.
A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder will be lodged against the vehicle's owner and the driver, the SP said.
21:51 Charas worth Rs 3.48 cr seized in MP's Shivpuri, 3 arrested
Three persons have been arrested for alleged possession of 17.48 kg of charas worth Rs 3.48 crore in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, police said on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team seized the contraband and arrested the accused, including a woman, in the limits of Kolaras police station, superintendent of police Aman Singh Rathore said.
The accused, Sunil Kumar (25), Avdhesh Das (40) and Babita Devi (45), were residents of Bihar, he said.
A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has been registered, and further investigation is underway, the official said. -- PTI
21:36 5 youngsters drown in Ganga in Bihar's Begusarai
Five persons, all men aged between 17 and 20, drowned in Ganga in Bihar's Begusarai district on Monday, the police said.
The incident happened at Simaria Ghat where residents of a nearby village had come for a holy dip, said Neeraj Kumar Chaudhary, the SHO of Chakia police station.
"They had come for a holy dip after a 'mundan' (tonsure) ceremony. After they were swept by a strong current, divers were pressed into service. Five bodies have been recovered," he said.
Barauni circle officer Suraj Kant said assistance would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased in accordance with the state government's policy.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also issued a statement expressing grief over the incident. -- PTI
21:15 Kamal Hassan announces release date for 'Indian 2: Zero Tolerance'
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan's Indian 2: Zero Tolerance will release in theatres on July 12.
Haasan shared the news in a post on X where he shared the first look from the movie that shows a silhouette of a man riding a horse.
"#Indian2 Releasing worldwide in cinemas 12th July 2024! #1stSingleFromIndian," he captioned the photo.
"Indian 2: Zero Tolerance" is a sequel to the 1996 hit film Indian, which featured him in a dual role and also starred Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar and Kasthuri Shankar.
AR Rahman was the composer of this hit film, the movie was directed by S. Shankar. Shankar is returning to direct Indian 2, which has been in production since 2019 and was put on hold due to the pandemic and an accident that occurred on the set in 2020.
Besides Haasan, the sequel stars Kajal Aggarwal, Siddharth, and Rakul Preet Singh in key roles.
It is produced by Subaskaran Allirajah's Lyca Productions and Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant Movies. -- PTI
Voters standing in queue in Baramulla/Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
21:03 5th phase: Baramulla sees record 59% voting
Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which was once militancy-infested, recorded its highest-ever voter turnout on Monday at 59 per cent on a violence-free polling day, the Union territory's Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said in Srinagar.
He also said that the Sopore assembly segment of the parliamentary constituency witnessed a healthy turnout of 44 percent after recording single-digit polling percentages in the past couple of decades.
"The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a record voter turnout since parliamentary polls were first held here in 1967," Pole told reporters at the end of polling.
The previous highest voter turnout in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency was witnessed in 1984 at 58.90 per cent.
This year, it was 59 percent, Pole said.
The official said that the figures were likely to undergo an upward revision as there were voters still waiting for their turn at some polling stations after the stipulated 6 pm deadline. -- PTI
20:15 Biggest allegation I have faced is owning 250 pairs of clothes: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the biggest allegation he faced in his political career was that he owned 250 pairs of clothes.
In an interview to PTI, Modi said the allegation was levelled by Congress leader and former Gujarat chief minister Amarsinh Chaudhary and which was countered by him at a public meeting.
"I asked the people whether they wanted a chief minister who stole Rs 250 crore or one who had 250 pairs of clothes. The people of Gujarat responded in one voice that a chief minister with 250 pairs of clothes will be fine," Modi said, adding that the Opposition never garnered any courage to level accusations.
Recollecting the incident during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister, Modi said he accepted Chaudhary's accusations at a public meeting but asserted that the former chief minister had got his numbers wrong.
"That day I had a public meeting, where I said that I accept this accusation, but either the zero (in 250) is wrong, or the number two is wrong. Still I accept the accusation," Modi said. -- PTI
19:48 Mamata's brother fails to cast vote
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee's youngest brother Swapan Banerjee, also known as 'Babun', on Monday could not cast his vote after his name was not found in the voters' list, an election official said.
Babun, who is a voter of Howrah town, went to cast his vote at a polling booth when it was discovered that his name was not on the list.
"The Election Commission of India is looking into the whole matter. Only it can explain why this happened," Trinamool Congress spokesperson Shantanu Sen said.
When contacted by PTI, Babun said he was disappointed.
"I went to cast my vote today and found that my name was deleted. I have been voting for so many years. I am disappointed that I could not vote this year. As a citizen of a democratic country, I have the right to vote," he said.
Babun had expressed his displeasure after TMC renominated sitting MP Prasun Banerjee for the Howrah Lok Sabha seat in March.
Mamata Banerjee had then said she decided to disown him and cut off her relationship with him.
There was a buzz earlier that Babun would contest as an independent candidate from that constituency after the TMC did not nominate him from there.
He had claimed that the party promised him a ticket.
There was a rumour that Babun was contemplating joining the BJP. Babun is the president of the Bengal Olympic Association and Bengal Hockey Association, besides the secretary of the Bengal Boxing Association, and also in charge of the sports wing of the Trinamool Congress. -- PTI
19:12 WikiLeaks founder Assange gets to challenge extradition to US
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on Monday won a major reprieve as a London court permitted him to appeal against his extradition to the US on espionage charges, a legal saga which has been going on for over a decade.
The 52-year-old Australian national has been held at Belmarsh high-security prison in London since 2019 when he was taken into custody from the Ecuadorian Embassy here where he had sought asylum.
While the US authorities want Assange to face trial for allegedly endangering lives by publishing thousands of classified documents on Wikileaks, his lawyers have argued that the case against him is politically motivated.
On Monday, two high court judges at the Royal Courts of Justice granted the Australian-born Assange permission to appeal against his extradition order.
They agreed with his legal team on the issue of assurances from the US administration that Assange would be protected by and allowed to rely on the First Amendment of the country's Constitution, which protects freedom of speech in the US, and the death penalty would not be imposed.
"Based on the principle of the separation of powers, the US court can and will apply US law, whatever the executive may say or do," barrister Edward Fitzgerald told the court on behalf of Assange.
The barrister representing the US government countered that the judicial branch of the country would take due notice of the executive's "solemn assurance".
"The assurance does make it clear that he will not be discriminated against because of his nationality. He can and will be able to raise all those arguments and his nationality will not prejudice a fair trial," said James Lewis in written submissions.
The high court ruling in favour of Assange means he will be able to challenge US assurances at a full hearing over how his prospective trial in America would be conducted and whether his right to free speech would be infringed on being extradited.
His appeal is expected to be heard sometime next year as he continues his fight against being extradited after the UK government had signed off on the order in June 2022.
Assange has denied any wrongdoing all along and argued that his disclosures in 2010 revealed war crimes by the US.
Supporters of Assange, led by his wife Stella Assange, gathered at the high court and continued their calls for his release on medical grounds.
Had the court ruled in the US's favour, Assange would have exhausted all legal avenues in the UK.
He has resisted extradition from the UK for more than a decade after his Wikileaks website published thousands of confidential US documents in 2010 and 2011.
The US department of justice described the leaks as "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States
The files suggested the US military had killed civilians in unreported incidents during the war in Afghanistan.
According to US authorities, Assange endangered lives by failing to redact the names of intelligence operatives in the documents. However, his lawyers have argued that the case is a politically motivated form of "State retaliation".
18:42 Phase 5: Mumbai voter turnout below 50% at 5 pm
The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections for 49 parliamentary constituencies saw a cumulative voter turnout of 56.68 per cent till 5 pm, as per the data shared by the Election Commission.
According to the poll body, West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout (73 per cent), followed by Ladakh (67.15 per cent), Jharkhand (61.90 per cent), Odisha (60.55 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (55.80 per cent), Jammu and Kashmir (54.21 per cent), Bihar (52.35 per cent) and Maharashtra (48.66 per cent).
Mumbai continued to disappoint with voter turnout failing to cross 50 per cent till 5 pm. Mumbai North recorded a turnout of 46.91 per cent; Mumbai North Central saw a turnout of 47.32 per cent, Mumbai North East saw a turnout of 48.67 per cent per cent, Mumbai North West recorded a turnout of 49.79 per cent.
Mumbai South had the lowest turnout in the city with 44.22 per cent recorded till 5 pm.
Mumbai South Central saw a turnout of 48.26 per cent.
As per the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5,409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting.
The fifth phase is witnessing key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, Lok Janshakti Party-Ramvilas chief Chirag Paswan, Jammu Kashmir National Conference chief Omar Abdullah, and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success.
The eight states/UTs polling in phase 5 are Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Lucknow are polling in this phase, which has in the past suffered from urban apathy in voting.
Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In a bid to create a peaceful atmosphere for the electors, a total of 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are keeping surveillance round the clock across the 94,732 polling stations.
A total of 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts are keeping a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies.
Strict surveillance has been kept on sea and air routes, the ECI said. -- ANI
18:31 Ratan Tata casts his vote
Industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata on Monday exercised his voting right at a polling booth in Colaba locality under Mumbai South constituency.
"Monday is voting day in Mumbai. I urge all Mumbaikars to go out and vote responsibly," Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons, wrote on his X timeline two days before Mumbai was set to go for polls.
18:08 'Congress Dhundo Yatra' after June 4: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said after June 4, Rahul Gandhi will have to take out a "Congress Dhundo Yatra" as the grand old party will not even get 40 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
After addressing a rally in Haryana's Karnal, Shah kept up his attack on the Congress on various fronts at another public meeting in Hisar, where he campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Lok Sabha poll candidate, Ranjit Singh Chautala. Asking the gathering if it wants to know the results after four phases of polling in the general election, Shah said the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already secured majority with more than 270 seats.
He asserted that after the three remaining phases of polling, the saffron party's tally of seats will go past 400. "Shehzadon, damadon-wali Congress will not even get 40 seats," Shah claimed.
Pointing out that the "shehzada" (prince) of the Congress, "Rahul baba" (Rahul Gandhi), had taken out the "Bharat Jodo Yatra", he said, "After June 4, Rahul baba will have to take out the 'Congress Dhundo Yatra'. The Congress will not be seen even with binoculars," he said.
The Lok Sabha poll results are scheduled to be declared on June 4. Shah said Modi's "Vikas ka Kamal" is blooming everywhere in Haryana.
He said for the voters, on one hand there is Congress, during the rule of which scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore took place, and on the other hand there is Modi, who also served as the Gujarat chief minister for years and no one could level an allegation of corruption involving an amount of even "25 paise" on him.
17:56 Salman Khan votes
Salman Khan casts his vote. His father Salim Khan and mother Salma voted earlier in the day.
17:48 PM slams Mamata for 'threatening' monks
Condemning the attack on Ramakrishna Mission ashram in Jalpaiguri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the TMC regime of letting loose a reign of terror on monks just to appease vote bank politics.
Addressing an election rally in West Bengal's Jhargram, Modi said as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself is issuing threats against the monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, "TMC goons dare to attack the ashram of Ramakrishna Mission."
"It is shameful that the TMC has taken up the onus of hurting the religious faith of Hindus in Bengal. The CM is threatening the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Ashram monks. On Sunday night, the Ramakrishna Mission ashram in Jalpaiguri was attacked. People of Bengal will not tolerate this," he said.
Modi slammed Banerjee's recent remark against Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha monks, asserting that these socio-religious organisations are being threatened to "appease" TMC's vote bank.
"ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are known for service and morality, but today the Chief Minister of Bengal is openly threatening them. This is being done to appease the vote bank. As the CM herself is threatening the monks, TMC goons dare to attack Ramkrishna Mission," he said. PTI
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
17:44 Iran president death: Govt announces one-day state mourning
A one-day state mourning will be observed across India on Tuesday as a mark of respect for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash, the Union Home Ministry has announced.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is regularly flown across India and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning.
The Iranian president, the country's foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country's northwest, Iran state media reported.
17:23 June 4 will bring message of Satyamev Jayate: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed a public rally in Haryana's Kurukshetra in support of BJP candidate Naveen Jindal and asserted that the June 4 result will come with the message of Satyamev Jayate.
Speaking at the rally, the UP CM described Kurukshetra as a 'karmbhoomi' and said, "Kurukshetra is a karmbhoomi and apparently, it is the only land where the armies referred this land as 'Dharmabhoomi.' This can happen only in India and that too in Kurukshetra. The war that was fought was fought for dharma, justice, truth, and the result that will come out on June 4 will give a message of Satyamev Jayate."
Yogi Adityanath in his rally also talked about the transformation that the country has witnessed in the last 10 years and said, "In the 10 years, we have seen a transforming India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India's elevation on the global stage is not only a matter of respect for PM Modi but respect for all the 140 crore Indians."
Speaking about the end of Naxalism and terrorism, the UP CM claimed, "Borders have been secured. Now, no enemy can intrude our borders. Today, the problem of terrorism and Naxalism has been solved... Earlier, there used to be bomb blasts in which several innocent people used to lose their lives. The morning used to start with a scam and by evening, we used to receive information about some terrorist activity... Today, so much transformation has been done. If today, even if there is a firecracker blast, Pakistan says that it is not involved in it. It knows that this is a new India. 'Bharat chhedta nahi hai legin agar koi chhedta hai to chhodta bhi nahi hai.' Through air strikes and surgical strike, India has shown the world its strength." -- ANI
17:20 Aishwarya votes
Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan casts her vote at a polling centre in Mumbai. Check out Aishwarya's Cannes looks here.
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu
16:59 ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Hamas leaders
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Karim Khan said that he believes Netayahu, his defence minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.
16:53 Ambanis vote
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani vote. Anil Ambani voted earlier this morning.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti with SII chief Adar Poonawala
16:50 SII commences shipments of malaria vaccine to Africa
Vaccines manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII) on Monday said it has started exports of 'R21/Matrix-M' malaria vaccine to Africa as part of the global fight against the disease.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine is the second malaria vaccine to be authorised for use in children in malaria-endemic regions, SII said in a statement.
The initial shipment is being sent to the Central African Republic (CAR), followed by other African countries such as South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days, it added.
In total, 1,63,800 doses of the 'R21/Matrix-M' malaria vaccine have been specifically allocated for the CAR region, of which only 43,200 doses have been dispatched on Monday from SII's facility in Pune.
16:46 Priya Dutt votes
Priya Dutt and her family at a polling station in Mumbai. Dutt is a former Congress MP and is now a restauranteur.
Narendra Modi at a rally in Bengal
16:45 BJP washing machine at full spin in Bengal: Cong
The Congress on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should "shed light" on why CBI and ED action against Suvendu Adhikari and Tapas Roy stalled after they joined the BJP and asked how the ruling party can make pretensions about eradicating corruption when its "washing machine" is at full spin in West Bengal.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posed several questions to the prime minister ahead of his rallies in West Bengal. "Does the prime minister have any solutions to the Kurmi community's demands? Can the prime minister clarify his stance on his Tamluk candidate Abhijit Ganguly's anti-national statements? Did Suvendu Adhikari's CBI case get washed away in BJP's washing machine?" Ramesh said in a post on X.
Elaborating on what he called "jumla details", the Congress general secretary alleged that the Modi government "shamelessly" used the Kurmi community to play votebank politics without addressing any of their demands.
"The community has long demanded ST (Scheduled Tribe) status but the Modi sarkar continues to drag its heels on the matter, despite the state government submitting the Cultural Research Institute report to the Centre in 2017. Their upper caste leaders have been especially dismissive of the Kurmis' demand," Ramesh said.
"The BJP has also repeatedly refused to recognise the Kurmis' cultural identity, ignoring their demands to recognise their unique religious practices known as sari and sarana. Why has the BJP deceived the Kurmis and strung them along for so many years?" he said.
The Congress' Nyay Patra guarantees a nationwide caste survey to ensure that every backward community in India has access to the opportunities they deserve, Ramesh said.
"Will the outgoing prime minister ever stop paying lip service to the Kurmi community's cause and meaningfully commit himself to a caste census? Will he recognise the Kurmi community's religious practices?" he asked. Ramesh further said that Justice (Retd) Ganguly's resignation to contest elections for the BJP raised serious questions about the independence of India's judiciary.
"Now, Mr Ganguly's commitment to Indian nationalism has also come into question. When asked to choose between Gandhi and Godse, Mr Ganguly said he would need 'time to think' about this choice. This is especially worrying at a time when BJP's MPs and MP candidates are talking about amending the constitution all over the country," the Congress leader said.
16:34 The test of time: A jail mulaqat with Umar Khalid
Four years behind bars have changed his perception of time, but my friend's restlessness that drove his crusade for justice endures. Read the column here.
Smriti Irani voted in Amethi
16:07 Phase 5: Voter turnout till 3 pm is just 47%
The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections for 49 parliamentary constituencies saw a cumulative voter turnout of 47.53 per cent till 3 pm, as per the data shared by the Election Commission.
According to the poll body, Ladakh recorded the highest voter turnout (61.26 per cent) followed by West Bengal (62.72 per cent), Jharkhand (53.90 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (47.55 per cent), Odisha (48.95 per cent), Jammu and Kashmir (44.90 per cent), Bihar (45.33 per cent) and Maharashtra (38.77 per cent).
Mumbai continued to disappoint with voter turnout failing to cross 40 per cent till 3 pm.
The fifth phase is witnessing key contests in various constituencies.
Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success.
The eight states/UTs polling in phase 5 are Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
BJP candidate Ujjwal Nikam and his family vote
16:03 Just 38% voter turnout in Maha till 3pm
A 38.77 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 3 pm in 13 constituencies in the fifth phase of elections in Maharashtra.
Dindori- 45.95%
Palghar- 42.48%
Mumbai North West- 39.91%
Thane- 36.07%
16:00 Be like Shubha Khote, go vote!
Veteran Actress Shubha Khote casts her vote at a polling station in Mumbai. She says, "I have voted for the right candidate. I did not opt for home-voting and voted here so that people get inspired and come out and vote..."
PM at a rally in Medinipur, WB
15:57 Even INDI bloc cadre not voting: PM on low turnout
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said poor campaigning by the Congress and its allies could be a reason for low voter turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls with even their party workers not turning out to vote for them and this could politically benefit the BJP.
The prime minister told PTI in an interview that the opposition alliance does not believe it has any chance and its leaders as well as cadre are not on the ground.
"In the face of a track record of progress of 10 years, they have no case to make in front of the people and they have already given up," he asserted. "Even non-partisan observers are saying the Congress and INDI alliance are not making any significant effort to campaign on the ground," he said.
"There is no leader or cadre on the ground for them. So, it seems like even the party workers of the Congress and INDI alliance are not turning out to vote for them, let alone their traditional vote base. This could be one reason," the prime minister said.
"If this is the thing that has happened, then it may politically benefit the BJP, but I do think that our democracy would be served even better if all parties put in the hard work to build a pro-development agenda and motivated voters to vote in greater numbers," he felt.
Modi said the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are leaving no stone unturned in reaching out to the people and asking for a vote for development and progress.
According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout in the fourth phase stood at 69.16 per cent, 3.65 percentage points higher than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary elections. The updated voter turnout figures for the third phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections was 65.68 per cent. In the third phase of the 2019 elections, the turnout was 68.4 per cent.
15:47 Prem naam hai mera...
Yesteryear 'villain' Prem Chopra arrives at a polling station in Mumbai.
15:43 SRK and family arrive at polling booth
The king has arrived. Shah Rukh Khan arrives at a polling station in Mumbai along with Gauri, Suhana and Abram.
15:32 Mahindra votes
Anand Mahindra, chairperson Mahindra group shows the finger. "The privilege of deciding who will govern us' It's a blessing. Never turn your back on a blessing," he writes.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik were also among the early voters.
15:25 Dia Mirza votes
Actor Dia Mirza shares this image with her mother after voting. "Mother and daughter duty fulfilled Jai Hind. The queue to cast our vote is an equaliser like no other. The process that brings us all together as one. Remember to carry your #TravellingBottle, it's hot. Exercise your right to #VoteMumbai. Every vote counts."
15:20 Tiger arrives at polling booth
Actor Tiger Shroff cast his vote for the 5th phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He said, "Voting is very important, so everyone is requested to go and vote."
15:19 Rajiv Pratap Rudy votes
Bihar: After casting his vote for the Lok Sabha Polls, BJP candidate from Saran Lok Sabha seat Rajiv Pratap Rudy says, "In the case of defeat, RJD workers are threatening the voters... I hope people will give a befitting reply to the violence of Lalu Yadav..."
Rekha and her secretary Farzana leave a polling centre
15:14 Fadnavis flags EC over 'slow voting' in Mumbai
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said he has requested the Election Commission of India to look into complaints of slow pace of voting in Mumbai.
Polling was underway from 7 am in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, including six in Mumbai, and will continue till 6 pm. Till 1 pm, Mumbai North seat witnessed 26.78 per cent polling, Mumbai North Central 28.05 per cent, Mumbai North East 28.82 per cent, Mumbai North West 28.41 per cent, Mumbai South 24.46 per cent and Mumbai South Central 27.21 per cent, as per official data.
Fadnavis in a statement said, "I have requested the EC to look into the complaints of slow pace of voting in Mumbai. There have been several complaints of the overall polling pace being very slow."
The BJP leader also asked the EC officials to discuss the matter with the collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban District and ensure voters do not face any problem due to the slow pace of voting at the booths. A number of politicians, industrialists and film personalities stepped out to cast their vote in Mumbai since the early hours of polling. PTI
14:41 Don't waste your votes: Aamir Khan
Actor Aamir Khan and ex wife Kiran Rao show their inked finger after casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai. Aamir Khan says "I just want to appeal to the people to come out and cast their votes. Do not waste your votes. It is our responsibility to cast our votes..."
14:38 Emraan Hashmi votes
Emraan Hashmi shows his inked finger and writes, "Cast your Vote ! Be the change you want to see."
14:38 Konkona votes
Actor Konkona Sensharma shared this selfie after voting and wrote, "Voted (tick), You?"
14:36 Not against: Mamata praises RKM, Bharat Sevashram amid row
Praising the Ramakrishna Mission or Bharat Sevashram Sangha for their philanthropic works, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she was not against any institution but criticised one or two persons for indulging in politics.
Banerjee had on Saturday alleged that some monks of the two monastic orders were working "under instructions of the BJP".
The statement drew sharp criticism from PM Narendra Modi who alleged that she was "under pressure from Muslim extremists" and was threatening these socio-religious organisations to "appease" the TMC's vote bank.
Addressing an election rally in Bankura's Onda, Banerjee said, "I am not against Ramakrishna Mission, why should I be against an institution or insult it." "I have spoken about one or two persons," she added. The chief minister also praised Bharat Sevashram Sangha, saying that it works for the people.
"I had spoken about Kartik Maharaj, he did not allow Trinamool Congress agent to sit (at a polling booth) in Rejinagar," Banerjee said. Claiming that the Bharat Sevashram Sangha monk from Murshidabad district was working for the BJP, she accused him of instigating people when clashes between two groups happened at Rejinagar.
"If he wants to do BJP, he can, but should do it wearing its badge," she said. PTI
The family Roshan
14:29 The family that votes together...
Hrithik Roshan shared this picture with his parents and his sister after voting.
14:27 Candidate garlands polling booth, FIR slapped
Nashik, Maharashtra: FIR registered at Trimbakeshwar Police station against Lok Sabha independent candidate Shantigiri Maharaj after he garlanded the voting machine at a polling booth in the constituency.
14:25 Shabana, Javed vote
Lyricist Javed Akhtar and actor Shabana Azmi show their inked fingers after casting votes at a polling station in Mumbai, for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Shabana Azmi says "Voting is a huge responsibility and the right of every citizen. Everyone must come out and cast their votes..."
14:21 Ranjeet votes
After casting his vote actor Ranjeet says, "Voting is our right. The country needs a good government."
Mumbai continued to disappoint with voter turnout failing to cross 30 per cent till 1 pm. Mumbai North recorded a turnout of 26.78 per cent; Mumbai North Central saw a turnout of 28.05 per cent, Mumbai North East saw a turnout of 28.82 per cent, Mumbai North West recorded a turnout of 28.41 per cent. Mumbai South had the lowest turnout in the city with 28.41 per cent recorded till 1 pm. Mumbai South Central saw a turnout of 27.21 per cent.
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal votes in Nashik
14:16 Phase 5 polls: 37% turnout till 1 pm, highest in...
Phase 5 turnout: A 36.73% voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm, in the fifth phase of elections.
Bihar 34.62%
Jammu & Kashmir 34.79%
Jharkhand 41.89%
Ladakh 52.02%
Maharashtra 27.78%
Odisha 35.31%
Uttar Pradesh 39.55%
West Bengal 48.41%
14:12 Modi links Pakistan with Rahul Gandhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hit out at the Congress for "orchestrating endorsements" from Pakistani leaders for electoral gains and said the opposition party often let national interest suffer when it came to dealing with Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, the prime minister also slammed the Congress for statements by its leaders questioning the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force in Balakot in response to the 2019 terror attack in Pulwama. "Well, politicians from Pakistan are entering the electoral discourse of India by endorsing the Congress party's 'shehzada'," Modi said in response to a question on Pakistani leaders commenting on elections in India.
Former Pakistani minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain had shared a video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on social media and praised him. "Perhaps the Congress party thinks orchestrating such endorsements will serve it well. That is how disconnected they are from ground realities. Further, it is also clear why such people in Pakistan think Congress is good for them. The Congress has often let our national interest suffer vis-a-vis Pakistan," the prime minister said.
Modi also listed statements by a Congress leader claiming that Pakistani terrorists were not responsible for killing Indian troopers and another asking India to show respect to nuclear-armed Pakistan.
"A Congress leader says that Pakistani terrorists were not responsible for killing of our brave policemen. Their chief minister asks for proof of surgical strikes even after five years. Their senior leader says that India should be careful as Pakistan has nuclear bombs. Can anyone accept what Congress leaders are saying in the campaign," the prime minister said.
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, in an old interview, had said India should show respect to Pakistan as it has nuclear weapons which could be used against India. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has raised doubts over the Balakot surgical strikes by Indian Air Force after the Pulwama attack in February 2019, saying nobody knows if something like this has taken place. PTI
14:02 'Raja Bhaiya' votes
Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh: After casting his vote, Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) leader Raghuraj Pratap Singh 'Raja Bhaiya' says, "The voting is going on very well. It is happening peacefully. I feel that there is an anti-incumbency wave against the present MP...We have made an appeal and it is also having an impact as people are coming out to vote..."
14:02 Malaika votes
After casting her vote, actress-model Malaika Arora says, "I would appeal that it's your right to vote, so go out and exercise your right to vote."
13:25 Know what you are voting for: Hrithik
Hrithik Roshan votes and says, "Study the candidates before you vote, know what your are voting for."
13:25 Boney, Khushi vote
Director Boney Kapoor and actor Khushi Kapoor arrive at a polling station in Mumbai, to cast their votes.
13:23 Rahul's temple visit as Rae Bareli votes
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today visited Rae Bareli the constituency from which he is contesting and offered prayers at Peepaleshwar Hanuman Temple.
Gandhi is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala where he is the sitting MP.
Earlier in the day, the former Congress Chief reached at the Lucknow airport from National Capital. He reached Rae Bareli by road.
Rae Bareli is voting today to select its representative. Rahul Gandhi also inspected some of the polling booths and met with the people who had cast their votes.
Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Rae Bareli where his mother Sonia Gandhi was a five-time MP, before taking the Rajya Sabha route to the Parliament this year.
As polling began in 49 constituencies for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said it has become clear that people have stood up to protect the Constitution and democracy and the country is witnessing a storm of change.
13:11 Ranveer, Deepika vote
Actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone arrive at a polling station in Mumbai to cast their vote.
13:10 Tendulkars vote
Sachin Tendulkar and his son cricketer Arjun Tendulkar cast their votes at a polling station in Mumbai.
Lyricist Gulzar and his daughter and filmmaker Meghna vote in Mumbai
13:06 TMC, BJP clashes, crude bombs mar polls in WB
Scattered incidents of violence marred the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls in seven parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal on Monday, as TMC and BJP workers clashed in various parts of Barrackpore, Bongaon, and Arambagh seats.
Although the poll panel has claimed that the polling has been peaceful so far, it said it has received 1,036 complaints until 11 am from different political parties alleging EVM malfunctioning and agents being stopped from entering booths.
Clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Khanakul area of Arambagh constituency as both parties clashed over stopping polling agents from entering the booths. Two live crude bombs were also recovered from the area by security personnel.
"BJP goons have unleashed a reign of terror in the area and are intimidating voters," TMC candidate Mitali Bag said. BJP candidate Arup Kanti Digar rubbished the allegations and blamed the TMC for letting loose violence on the day of the polls.
In neighbouring Hooghly constituency, BJP sitting MP and party candidate Locket Chatterjee faced protests from TMC activists led by TMC MLA Ashima Patra.
As Chatterjee was on her way to a booth, TMC activists staged protests and shouted "Chor Chor (thief thief) slogans". Following which, the BJP MP got down from her car and shouted counter slogans.
A huge police and central forces contingent rushed to the spot and stopped the two groups. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from various parts of Howrah constituency.
In the Liluah area of Howrah, the BJP accused TMC workers of booth jamming leading to clashes between both groups. The central police forces rushed to the area and dispersed the mob.
In Bongaon constituency's Gayeshpur area, local BJP leader Subir Biswas was allegedly beaten by TMC goons outside a booth. He was later shifted to hospital. In the Kalyani area of the same constituency, Union Minister and BJP candidate Shantanu Thakur caught a person using the identity card of his rival TMC candidate Biswajit Das inside a polling booth. The person was later removed from the booth by central forces.
In some areas, TMC workers staged protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in intimidating voters at some booths of Hooghly.
A voter turnout of 32.70 per cent was registered in seven Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal until 11 am on Monday, an Election Commission official said.
Voting is underway in Arambagh, Uluberia, Hooghly, Howrah, Bongaon, Srerampore, and Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituencies. Out of these, five were won by the TMC and two were won by the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. -- PTI
12:50 What Subhash Ghai wants from next govt...
After casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai, film producer-director Subhash Ghai says, "I would ask every voter to cast their vote. I have done this for my country, for the development of the country. I hope that the government of the next five years will ensure respect for all religions, love, development and progress at the global level in the country."
12:49 1st time in 45 years... Milind Deora
Mumbai: After casting his vote, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora says, "This is the first time in 45 years that our family is not contesting the elections from the South Mumbai seat. In a way, it's a bit of a strange feeling. I appeal to the voters that India is the largest democracy in the world, everyone is proud of it. To make this democracy stronger, there is only one process which comes before us once in 5 years, this opportunity is voting..."
12:43 Please vote: Suresh Oberoi
After casting his vote, actor Suresh Oberoi (seen here with his wife) says "...I don't think Mumbaikars will not come out to cast their votes because of the heatwave conditions. People will surely come out and exercise their right to vote. I am requesting everyone to come out..."
Pic: ANI via video shared by Iran's Press TV
12:33 Iran prez, FM's mortal remains retrieved
Mortal remains of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and Iran Foreign Minister being retrieved from the helicopter crash site.
Voters at Baramulla
12:30 How a Muslim voter fought to cast her vote
Amid reports and allegations of voter suppression from the parliamentary constituency of Sambhal in western Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim educator shares her struggle to cast her vote in the 2024 general election.
Read the column here.
12:26 Manoj Bajpayee votes
Mumbai: After casting his vote, actor Manoj Bajpayee says, "This is the biggest festival and everyone should vote as you will get this opportunity after 5 years. If you haven't voted then you have no right to complain..."
BJP supporters at a rally by the PM in Puri
12:24 Odisha's BJD govt on its way out: Modi
Asserting that the BJD government in Odisha is on its way out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was hurt over the "destruction" of the state. Modi said this while addressing a public meeting here under Dhenkanal Lok Sabha seat.
Though the state is rich in mineral resources, its people are distressed, he added. "Who is responsible for the sorry state of affairs in Odisha? It is the BJD government which is under the control of some corrupt people. A handful of corrupt persons have grabbed the chief minister's office and residence. Small workers of the BJD have now become crorepatis," the Prime Minister said.
Coming down heavily on the ruling BJD, Modi said the state government has prevented people from availing benefits of the mineral resources.
"In 2014, Modi has prepared a new mineral exploration policy, under which Odisha is getting high royalty," he said.
Stating that Odisha received Rs 26,000 crore from the newly formed district mineral fund (DMF), Modi said the money should have been spent on roads, schools and drinking water, but the BJD has misued it.
He said neither the mineral resources nor the cultural heritage of Odisha is safe in the hands of the BJD government.
"Even, the temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is not safe in the hands of this government," Modi said, expressing concern over the missing of Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) keys for last six years.
"A coterie roaming around the chief minister is responsible for this," the Prime Minister said.
He said Odisha wants to know why the BJD has suppressed the judicial commission inquiry report on Ratna Bhandar keys. "The role of BJD in the case is a suspect. The BJP government after it comes to power on June 10 will make the report public," Modi said. PTI
12:19 'Mr Modi Is Rattled'
Will Narendra D Modi return to power with an unprecedented majority?How free and fair is the 2024 election?
"If there is a free and fair election, Modi will not come back. But we all know that this is not a free and fair election," Jayati Ghosh, the well known economist and professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier in the first of a two-part interview.
Read it here.
Actor Anil Kapoor votes
12:12 Phase 5 LS polls: 23.66% voter turnout till 11 am
The fifth phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls on May 20 across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) saw a voter turnout of 23.66 per cent till 11 am, the Election Commission (ECI) said on Monday.
While Bihar recorded a 21.11 per cent voter turnout, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 21.37 per cent, Jharkhand 26.18 per cent, Ladakh 27.87 per cent, Maharashtra 15.93 per cent Odisha 21.07 per cent and West Bengal 32.70 per cent, the poll body said.
As per the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting.
The fifth phase is witnessing key contests in various constituencies.
Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success. -- ANI
12:09 Anupam Kher votes
Mumbai: After casting his vote, actor Anupam Kher says, "Today is the festival of democracy and we should come out and vote to elect our government for the next 5 years..."
12:01 I want Modi to be PM again: Ram temple priest
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: After casting his vote, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das says, "Voting is everyone's right and no one should give up on this... I wish PM Modi to be the PM again and the BJP government would come to power, I have voted with this feeling. 'Jo Ram ko laaye hain hum unko laayenge' is a people's emotion now as PM Modi has done what others couldn't..."
The Thackerays pose after voting outside their home
11:54 Aaditya tags EC: No fans for voters in queue
Amid voting underway in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday claimed there were lot of complaints from electors about facilities outside the polling booths.
Voters were trying to beat the heat and exercise their franchise in large numbers, the former state minister said, adding that electors should at least be made to queue up in shade and provided fans.
Polling was underway since 7 am in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra, including six in Mumbai, and will continue till 6 pm.
"A lot of complaints from voters about the facilities outside the booths @ECISVEEP At least having the voter lines in shade/ fans could help. They don't want much, just basics to stay cool. Please look into it," Thackeray said in a post on X.
Some of the electors in Mumbai said they went to the polling booths early in the morning to beat the heat. Altogether 2.46 crore persons are eligible to cast vote to decide the fate of 264 candidates in the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
11:47 Singer Kailash Kher votes
Singer Kailash Kher says, "...I want to say that India is changing and you (people) are responsible for this. I want you to keep working in the national interest."
11:45 400 paar will be successful: Hema
After casting her vote, actress and BJP MP Hema Malini says, "A large number of people are coming to vote. Yes, (400 paar) will be successful."
11:42 Esha Deol says PM taking country forward
After casting her vote, actress Esha Deol says, "I appeal to people to come out and vote. It is our right. Every vote counts. He (PM Modi) is doing a lot of things for the country. Not only in India but also at the international level, he is taking our country forward."
11:40 PM: Even if I act out of self-interest, I...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has credited the Constitution for the trajectory of his own life, asserting that even if one assumes he acts out of self-interest, his own welfare lies in the welfare of the Constitution.
In an interview with PTI, Modi rejected the opposition's claim that he intended to change the Constitution and end reservation if the BJP-led NDA wins over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. It is the BJP, he stressed, which has given the maximum number of ministers from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC backgrounds. On the issue of Muslim reservation, he said it is wrong to combine the topic of quota on the basis of religion with the overall issue of reservation. "The Constitution and its makers never wanted reservations on the basis of religion," he said.
The prime minister added, "It is the Congress that has diluted reservations in many states, given it on the basis of religion, and insulted the Constitution. They also want to do it nationally. I have made it very clear that I will never let it happen."
Assailing the Congress, he said it is behind the only instance in the history of independent India when a government sidelined the Constitution and suspended democracy "at the whims of a particular dynasty", a reference to the Gandhi family.
"Now, when the latest generation of this dynasty wants to use the legacy of their ancestors, they see that there are many such black marks in history. They think the best way to undo these black marks is to accuse everyone else of being undemocratic," Modi told PTI.
Modi then launched into a spirited praise of the Constitution, saying a person of his socio-economic background could have never made it this far without it.
He said, "Modi has been made by Babasaheb's Constitution and derives power from it. So, even if you assume I act out of self interest, my own welfare lies in the welfare of the Constitution."
Rebutting the opposition's charge on the issue of reservation for SC, ST and OBC, he said it is the BJP which has the maximum number of MPs from such social backgrounds. -- PTI
11:15 Randeep Hooda votes
Actor Randeep Hooda shows the indelible ink mark on his finger after casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.
11:03 Uddhav, Aaditya arrive at polling booth
Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray along with his son Aaditya Thackeray arrives at a polling booth in Mumbai to vote.
11:01 Raj Thackeray votes
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, his family members, cast their votes at a polling booth in Mumbai.
10:59 Mrs Thackeray votes
Rashmi Thackeray, wife of former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, shows the indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.
10:57 Modi: Single largest party in S India will be...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that the BJP will emerge as the single largest party in the south, as he remained unwaveringly confident that his NDA alliance will cross 400 seats in Lok Sabha when election results come out on June 4.
"Our strategy for the entire nation is the same. Phir ek baar modi sarkar. Aur chaar June 400 paar," Modi said in an interview to PTI Videos on Sunday night.
Modi said his opponents have created a myth that the BJP has no strength or presence in the southern states. "Look at 2019 elections. The largest party even then in the south was BJP. Again, I say this: the largest party in the south this time will be BJP, and its allies will add more (seats) to it, he said. In a separate written reply to questions submitted by PTI," Modi said we will be the single largest party in Southern India and by an even bigger margin than the last time.
"We have seen a jump in mind-share already. We will see a big jump in seat share and vote share for us across the region," he wrote.
Southern India accounts for 131 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats at stake. In the outgoing House, BJP has 29 members besides one independent backed by it, from Karnataka. -- PTI
10:44 Hema Malini votes
Actress and MP Hema Malini, her daughter and actress Esha Deol (not in picture) cast their votes at a polling booth in Mumbai.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
10:42 Iran prez, foreign minister dead in chopper crash
Update: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has died in the helicopter crash, Mehr News Agency, a semi-official news agency of the Iranian government said on Monday. However, there has been no official confirmation of this.
Mehr news agency today reported that the Iranian president, foreign minister and other occupants of the helicopter, including East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, have been "martyred". There is still no official confirmation that Raisi is dead, but medics have said that they found "no signs" of life at the crash site.
The crash site of the helicopter carrying President Raisi was found in the forested mountains earlier today. Drone footage shared by Iranian state news agency IRNA showed wreckage of President Raisi's helicopter.
The footage was shot by the Red Crescent The wreckage was found on the route from Khoylar village to Kelem. Tasnim News Agency reported from Varzeqan that after the probable coordinates of the crash site were announced, rescue teams immediately went to the designated location, but there was no sign of the helicopter.
10:39 Modi: Never spoke against minorities but...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he has never uttered a word against minorities, and the BJP has not just today but never acted against them. He, however, made it clear that he is not ready to accept anyone as "special citizens".
The comments in an interview to PTI Videos late Sunday is Modi's most unequivocal on minorities amid an outcry from the opposition that his election speeches are communally divisive and polarising. He also said the Congress has constantly violated the secular spirit of the Constitution, and that his campaign speeches are aimed at exposing the opposition parties' bid to appease minorities with vote bank politics.
In the interview, he was asked what he has to say about the apprehension among minorities because of his statements. I have not spoken a word against minorities. I am only talking against the vote bank politics of Congress. Congress is working against the Constitution, that's what I have been saying," he replied. Modi said the makers of India's Constitution, including B R Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru, had decided there will be no reservations on the basis of religion.
"Now you are turning away from that. It is my responsibility to expose them. At that time there were no members of my party in the Constituent Assembly. It was an assembly of eminent people from across the country." He was again asked if he has never meant to target the minorities in his election speeches, to which he said, BJP has never been against minorities. Not just today but never. He then added that the Congress follows the path of appeasement. I follow the path of satisfaction. (Woh log tushtikaran ke raastey pe chaltey hain, main santushtikaran ke raastey pe chalta hoon). Their politics is that of appeasement.
"My politics is that of sabka saath sabka vikas'. We believe in sarva dharma sambhav'. We want to take everyone along with us. We are not ready to accept anyone as special citizens but consider everyone equal," the prime minister said. -- PTI
10:30 Shaina NC votes
BJP leader Shaina NC votes and says, "The message to Mumbaikars is think, vote. Because only if you vote can you criticize the system. Only if you vote can you question and for Mumbai as the financial capital I think it's extremely imperative that we have the right representatives in parliament. You have seen the kind of work that Prime Minister Modi has done and his vision for a Viksit Bharat is a reality. This is probably the first time that in Mumbai we see no anti-incumbency, we only see a pro-incumbency and that's because of the Modi magic."
10:28 Aamir's family votes
Maharashtra: Ira Khan and Junaid Khan -- children of actor Aamir Khan --cast their votes at a polling booth in Mumbai.
Suniel Shetty (left) at a polling station
10:26 Suneil Shetty votes
Actor Suniel Shetty arrives at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote.
10:23 Maha CM Eknath Shinde votes
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde casts his vote at a polling booth in Thane. Shinde says "All the important decisions have been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 10 years. So I am confident that the people of Maharashtra are going to vote for Mahayuti."
10:19 Rajnath arrives at polling booth
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at a polling booth in Lucknow to cast his vote. He is a sitting MP and BJP candidate from Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency. Samajwadi Party has fielded Ravidas Mehrotra from this seat.
10:16 Bhatts vote
Actor Pooja Bhatt shares this image with her father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. She writes, "Please go out and cast your vote. Your voice matters! #MumbaiNorthCentral #Bandra #Mumbai."
Anil Ambani (left) queues up to vote
10:13 Will stay alert till voting ends: Mumbai police
In view of the fifth phase of voting in the six of Mumbai's Lok Sabha constituencies, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar said that police personnel were deployed at polling booths yesterday itself.
"This is a very big day. Polling is being held in 6 parliamentary constituencies in Mumbai. Voters are arriving peacefully and casting their vote. I urge all the voters in Mumbai to vote," said the Police Commissioner. Assuring the voters, he said, "Mumbai police will stay alert till the entire voting procedure gets done."
Notably, elections in 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai are underway for Phase 5. The seats are Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South and Mumbai South Central. The other constituencies of Maharashtra that are a part of the ongoing election in the fifth phase include Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi and Thane.
Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second largest after Uttar Pradesh. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases, running from April 19 to June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.
The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote. As per the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting.
The fifth phase witnesses key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success. -- ANI
Shahid Kapoor votes
10:05 Phase 5 LS polls: 10.28% turnout till 9 am
LokSabhaElections2024: Phase 5: 10.28% voter turnout recorded till 9 am, in the fifth phase of elections.
Bihar 8.86%
Jammu & Kashmir 7.63%
Jharkhand 11.68%
Ladakh 10.51%
Maharashtra 6.33%
Odisha 6.87%
West Bengal 15.35%
09:30 Vote for love, not for hatred: Kharge
As polling began in 49 constituencies for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday urged people to vote for love and not hatred and cast their ballot against unemployment and inflation.
Voting is being held in 49 constituencies in six states and two union territories in the fifth phase, which will decide the electoral fate of several prominent leaders like former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "If we want to protect democracy and the Constitution, we must vote. Before pressing the button on EVM, remember that we should vote for love and brotherhood, not for hatred."
"We have to vote against unemployment and inflation, not to make a few capitalists richer. We have to vote for the protection of our fundamental rights, not for those who snatch our rights," the Congress president said.
He urged the people to vote for justice, not for injustice and oppression.
"Vote for democracy, not for dictatorship. The voters of the eight states and union territories who will exercise their right to vote today on 49 Lok Sabha seats will vote on the agenda of Yuva Nyay, Naari Nyay, Kisaan Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay. -- PTI
09:24 RBI Guv Shaktikanta Das casts vote
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das cast vote with his family in Mumbai early in the morning and urged all electors to exercise their franchise.
"I urge all the voters to vote,. This is a right in our parliamentary democracy and everyone should exercise it," Das told PTI after casting his vote at a polling centre near his official residence his south Mumbai.
"Voters should exercise their franchise in large numbers even during the remaining phases of the general elections," he said.
09:14 Farhan, Zoya vote with mother in Mumbai
Actor-Director Farhan Akhtar with his sister-director Zoya Akhtar and their mother and actor-screenwriter Honey Irani show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai.
Akshay Kumar
09:09 Akshay Kumar, Anil Ambani among early voters in Mumbai
Polling booths in many parts of Mumbai witnessed brisk voting as soon as the polling began at 7 am on Monday in the six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai.
Among the early voters were Union minister Piyush Goyal, the BJP nominee from Mumbai North seat, and city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, who is contesting from Mumbai North Central seat.
The early voters also included industrialist Anil Ambani, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who exercised his franchise for the first time after his return to Indian citizenship, actor Janhvi Kapoor, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and Marathi theatre actor Prashant Damle.
Voters queued up in large numbers at the polling booths before 7 am.
"I decided to vote early to avoid the heat," a voter said in Vile Parle.
Another elector said, "I wanted to vote and then leave for work."
A voter in Bhandup claimed the enthusiasm among voters shows they want a change. -- PTI
Representational image. Pic: Reuters
08:44 No sign of life at crash site, says Iran TV
Just In: Iran state TV has no reported that "no sign of life" has been detected at the crash site of helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, various media outlets have reported.
Details soon.
08:36 Vote for love, not hatred, says Kharge
As polling began in 49 constituencies for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday urged people to vote for love and not hatred and cast their ballot against unemployment and inflation.
Voting is being held in 49 constituencies in six states and two Union territories in the fifth phase, which will decide the electoral fate of several prominent leaders like former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "If we want to protect democracy and the Constitution, we must vote. Before pressing the button on EVM, remember that we should vote for love and brotherhood, not for hatred."
"We have to vote against unemployment and inflation, not to make a few capitalists richer. We have to vote for the protection of our fundamental rights, not for those who snatch our rights," the Congress president said.
He urged the people to vote for justice, not for injustice and oppression.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'
08:34 Nepal prime minister to face trust vote today
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is set to seek support in the lower House of Representatives on Monday, marking his fourth vote of confidence in parliament within 18 months of him assuming power.
The federal parliament secretariat has included tabling and put in motion, the proposal of vote of confidence by the prime minister in its probable schedule for today.
This development comes in the wake of withdrawal of support by the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal.
As of now, PM Dahal has lawmakers from CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist), Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), CPN-Unified Socialist and Janata Samajbadi Party on board the cabinet.
The CPN-UML has 77 lawmakers, the Maoist has 32, the RSP has 21, the CPN-US has 10, the Janata Samajbadi Party has seven, and the Nagarik Unmukti Party has four lawmakers in the parliament who will be voting in favour of PM Dahal.
Additionally, three more independent lawmakers are also supporting the prime minister.
Dahal, alias Prachanda, will require the support of 138 lawmakers to win the vote of confidence.
According to the statistics, he has a comfortable majority of 154 lawmakers on his side.
08:20 Stock markets closed today for polling
Indian stock markets, including the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), are closed today in observance of the fifth phase of parliamentary election voting in Mumbai.
The decision to close the markets was taken to ensure that citizens, including those working in the financial sector, can participate in the electoral process.
Trading will resume on Tuesday.
The next holiday is scheduled for June 17 for Bakri Eid.
The six seats in Mumbai where polling is underway are Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South, and Mumbai South Central.
The other constituencies of Maharashtra that are part of the ongoing election in the fifth phase include Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi, and Thane.
-- ANI
08:11 Rescuers locate crash site of Raisi's helicopter
Just In: Rescuers have located the crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, state media says, CNN has posted on X.
08:06
Directors Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar cast their vote in Bandra west, Mumbai, on Monday morning.
08:03 Actor Akshay Kumar casts his vote
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was among the first to line up to cast his vote in Mumbai.
07:59 Vote in record numbers, appeals Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters on Monday to cast their franchise in record numbers for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, making a special plea to women and young voters to actively participate in the festival of democracy.
"As 49 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls today in the 5th phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, I urge all those whose constituencies are polling today to vote in record numbers. I especially appeal to women and young voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy," read the post by the Prime Minister on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to the microblogging site X and appealed to voters to elect a visionary leadership that will continue to enhance the pride of the nation.
"I appeal to all the people who are going to cast their votes in the fifth phase of the polling today to elect a visionary leadership that will continue to enhance the pride of the nation. Ensure that every vote is directed towards forming a government that will continue to build robust mechanisms for welfare, border, and internal security and develop every sector and every segment of society, leaving no one behind," read the post by Amit Shah.
"Vote for a government that has created a track record of adopting every dream of yours as its resolve and working towards it with the utmost care and perseverance," read the post by the home minister.
Industrlialist Anil Ambani queues up to vote
07:57 Fifth phase of LS elections gets underway
Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements.
The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly will also take place simultaneously on Monday.
As per the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting.
The fifth phase will witness key contests in various constituencies.
Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success.
The eight states/UTs going for polls in phase 5 are: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Lucknow are going to the polls in this phase, which has in the past suffered from urban apathy in voting.
The commission especially called upon these city dwellers to erase the stigma by turning out in higher numbers.
Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In a bid to create a peaceful atmosphere for the electors, a total of 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are keeping surveillance round the clock across the 94,732 polling stations.
A total of 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts are keeping a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept on sea and air routes, the ECI said.
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