"996 New Villages, Poppy...": Manipur Chief Minister On Illegal Immigrants

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has doubled down on the state government's claim that a major factor behind the ethnic crisis in the border state was the "massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar".

Mr Singh said at least 996 villages have mushroomed across Manipur since 2006, and attributed what he called the "unnatural growth" to illegal immigrants settling down after scattering all over the unsurveyed hill areas of the state.

"Will anyone accept the unnatural growth of new villages and population, causing massive changes to the demography in their own state or country due to the influx of illegal immigrants?" Mr Singh said in a post on the microblogging website X.

"We're confronting a serious issue within our nation, especially in Manipur, where several new villages have emerged due to a massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar since 2006 till date. During this period, massive forest cover have been destroyed to establish settlements as well as carry out poppy plantations," said the Chief Minister from the BJP who won his second consecutive term in March 2022.

On why the government chose to look at the influx of illegal immigrants from 2006, an official who has direct knowledge of the matter and access to the relevant departmental records told NDTV: "The stronger Nagas led by the NSCN had driven away the Kukis from border areas to Myanmar in the long ethnic conflict between them from the early 1990s till around the end of that decade. A large number of Kukis regrouped in Myanmar's border region with the help of Myanmar-based insurgent groups -- they share ethnic ties -- from the year 2000 onwards, and along with them came a huge influx of illegal immigrants.

"It is no surprise that the 2001 Census for Manipur was never finalised because there was abnormal decadal population growth as high as 169 per cent. It had become impossible to do a proper survey. From 2001 onwards, the illegal immigrants gradually dissolved into new settlements and villages in pockets across Manipur. You don't make a village overnight. It takes time, men, and material. So till 2006 they were busy with this aspect. The government eventually saw the problem and decided to start the count of such new settlements from 2006."

The hill-dominant Kuki-Zo tribes hold the Chief Minister, who belongs to the valley-dominant Meitei community, responsible for the outbreak of the ethnic clashes in May 2023 that left 210 dead and thousands internally displaced.

Mr Singh has refuted the allegations, and pointed at the destruction of opium poppy cultivation and clearing of illegal immigrants from forest areas as the chief reasons behind the crisis. The total area of opium poppy cultivation declined 60 per cent since 2021, data from the autonomous government institution Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre shows.

"Not to mention, these illegal immigrants have started encroaching on the resources, job opportunities, land, and the rights of indigenous people. We have started collecting biometric data of the illegal immigrants as well as geotagging of their settlements. I appeal to everyone in the country to support the government in keeping our nation safe and secure from illegal immigrants," Mr Singh said.

"When the British Prime Minister recently asserted their unyielding commitment to deporting illegal immigrants and even claimed that no foreign court can stop them, nobody dared to question the British government," the Chief Minister said, referring to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill 2023, the UK government's latest attempt to deport asylum seekers to the east African country as part of efforts to cut irregular immigration, after previous attempts were ruled illegal.

"Now, when the Ministry of Home Affairs and the government of Manipur adopt a similar stance and initiate the deportation of illegal immigrants from Manipur, certain sections of people are losing their sleep. They have been persistently spreading false propaganda to portray the government of Manipur as a communal government," Mr Singh said.

Unnatural growth of 996 New Villages Due to Illegal Immigration: Threat to Indigenous People and National Security

Will anyone accept the unnatural growth of new villages and population, causing massive changes to the demography in their own state or country due to the influx... pic.twitter.com/k1lU4Pba7l

— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) April 29, 2024

The ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo tribes began over cataclysmic disagreements on sharing land, resources, affirmative action policies, and political representation, mainly with the 'general' category Meiteis seeking to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category. A top factor the state government says led to the crisis was its 'war on drugs' campaign.

"The slow but steady decline in opium cultivation due to the 'war on drugs' campaign would have been a kick in the gut of powerful drug cartels. The Kuki insurgents, too, have been demanding a separate land for a long time. It was a dangerous combination," a senior officer in the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) said, requesting anonymity. "The idea of a separate administration did not just fall from a tree after May 2023. The idea was always there," the officer added.

The Chief Minister in the post on X also included an over two-minute-long video presentation explaining in brief what Mr Singh claimed was the root cause of the Manipur crisis.

"Illegal immigrants have been entering Manipur since 1967," the presentation reads as it starts playing.

It shows a letter written by Henkhosei Haokip and Shochung Haokip, two senior members of the Burma Kuki Refugees Association Manipur, to the then Relief and Rehabilitation Minister in February 1973 seeking a loan to rehabilitate 1,500 Kuki families who came from Myanmar (formerly Burma). The two asked the Centre to give a "special sanction as a relief grant and loan to the Kuki refugees during the current financial year."

The video also shows satellite imagery of how since 2006 forest cover has declined due to new settlements in Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Pherzwal and Chandel districts.

"Due to the Myanmar coup and civil war, a significant number of immigrants from Myanmar are entering Indian border villages. To address national security concerns, a cabinet sub-committee led by minister Letpao Haokip with committee members minister Awangbow Newmai and minister Thounaojam Basanta (was set up)," the Manipur government said in the video presentation.

The initial findings of the first phase of the identification exercise as of April 24, 2023 - violence broke out the next month - found the data below. The government says the total would be significantly high as this was only the first phase of the exercise.

• 1,147 Myanmar immigrants in Tengnoupal (13 villages)
• 881 Myanmar immigrants in Chandel (3 villages)
• 154 Myanmar immigrants in Churachandpur (1 village)
• 5 Myanmar immigrants in Kamjong (24 villages)

"It was observed that the illegal Myanmari immigrants established their own villages in the first phase of the exercise," the government said in the presentation.

"There was a major objection by the immigrant establishment here to such an identification exercise. The new villages were strongly opposed to the advised proposal of shelter homes to be built by the government for them... The total immigrant population in Manipur must be significantly higher considering the number of immigrants revealed in just the first phase of the identification exercise," the government said in the presentation.

The infiltration and influx pose challenges to social cohesion and harmony, potentially fuelling resentment and conflict among different communities, the government said. It said strengthening border security, enhancing surveillance, and capacity-building measures essential to prevent unauthorised entry and curb illicit activities have already started.

"As the issue continues to garner attention and concern, it is imperative to examine the root causes, consequences, and potential solutions," the government said in the presentation.

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Kolkata Airport Receives Second Bomb Threat In 3 Days

Authorities at the Kolkata airport on Monday received a bomb threat by email, three days after a similar communication, triggering a frantic search across the facility, officials said. However, the mail, which threatened to blow up the airport, turned out to be a hoax, they said. 

The threat mail was sent to all airports in the country on Monday, said Aishwariya Sagar, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Airport Division of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.

Security agencies at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBIA) conducted a thorough search operation after receiving the email, she said.

The CISF conducted the search in the airport's terminal building and operational area, while police personnel carried out checks in the city-side area. Sniffer dogs were also deployed during the operation, airport sources said.

"The security personnel concluded that the threat was a hoax," Ms Sagar said. Efforts were underway to track the sender of the email. A cybercrime case will be started, the sources added.

On April 26, the Kolkata airport authorities had received an email, claiming bombs were planted at various places on its premises. However, the mail turned out to be a hoax, too. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Biggest Lie Of Decade": Union Minister Jabs Congress Over Reservation Row

Dubbing the Congress' campaign claim that BJP would abolish reservations if voted to power at the Centre again as "the biggest lie of the decade", Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy on Sunday mocked Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy saying they are "daydreaming".

Addressing a press conference here, Reddy alleged that the Congress during Telangana assembly polls had unleashed a similarly "malicious" campaign that BJP and BRS were one and the same, though people did not believe it.

"I don't know whether Rahul Gandhi has been daydreaming or Revanth Reddy was dreaming in the night. Congress has resorted to Goebbels' campaign against BJP that we will remove reservations, abolish reservations. Congress has been harping on that campaign in order to make people believe it," Reddy said.

"The lie that the Congress is spreading is the biggest lie of the decade. It is the Congress which has diluted BC reservations in Telangana against the spirit of Dr BR Ambedkar's ambition," he said.

Alleging that Congress has no moral right to criticise BJP, the union minister said it was his party which made Ramnath Kovind, an SC, and Advivasi lady Draupathi Murmu as Presidents.

According to him, there are as many as 27 BC, 12 SC and eight ST ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government at the Centre.

Reddy claimed that Congress has no claims to seek votes in Telangana and its graph is declining while that of the BJP has been going up.

He opined that BJP will win "double digit" Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Elections for Telangana's 17 Lok Sabha seats will be held on May 13.

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BJP Complains Against Congress For Sharing Amit Shah's "Tampered Speech"

The BJP on Saturday filed a complaint with the chief electoral office of Andhra Pradesh, accusing a social media handle of the Congress of posting a "tampered speech" of Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue of quota for traditionally disadvantaged communities.

The complained filed by the Andhra Pradesh unit of the BJP urged the Election Commission official in the state to take action and also block the said 'X' account of the Congress.

The BJP said Mr Shah's original speech made in a public meeting was tampered with to give an impression that he spoke against the reservation for the SCs, STs and OBCs.

Its complaint said, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ji did not deliver any such word against the reservation for SC, ST and OBC and tampering of the original speech was done by the social media activists of the Congress party for their political gains and to cause immeasurable damage to the BJP in the forthcoming elections in Andhra Pradesh and as well as throughout India."

The party submitted a similar complaint to the cyber crime investigation department of police.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Lookout Notice For Gangster's Brother Over Firing Outside Salman Khan Home

A lookout circular (LOC) was issued on Friday against Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in connection with the firing outside actor Salman Khan's house in Mumbai's Bandra on April 14, a police official said.

The official also said police is likely to take custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in a jail in Sabarmati in Gujarat, and was also contemplating invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case.

Anmol Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for the firing and a probe too showed his involvement, following which the LOC was issued by Mumbai police, the official added.

"Anmol and Lawrence Bishnoi have been named as wanted accused in the case. Anmol Bishnoi stays in Canada and travels to the USA. However, the IP address of the Facebook post, through which he claimed responsibility of the firing, was traced to Portugal," the official said.

The alleged shooters Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), both residents of Bihar, have been arrested along with Sonu Kumar Subhash Chander Bishnoi (37) and Anuj Thapan (32), who had provided them two country-made pistols and cartridges on March 15, as per police.

As per police, Sonu Bishnoi and Thapan hail from Fazilka, close to Lawrence Bishnoi's native place in Punjab.

"Both were also accused along with Lawrence and Anmol Bishoi in a firing case registered in Gangapur in Punjab," he said.

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Mumbai Court Rejects Petition Seeking DNA Test Of BJP Candidate Ravi Kishan

A civil court in Mumbai on Friday rejected the interim plea of a 25-year-old woman seeking a DNA test on BJP's Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan to prove her claim that the actor-politician is her biological father.

Shinova had filed a suit before a civil court here urging it to declare that she is the biological daughter of Kishan born out of his relationship with Aparna Soni.

The suit, filed through advocate Ashok Sarogi and Jay Yadav, as an interim measure had also sought DNA test to prove the woman's claim that Kishan is her father.

However, the court on Friday refused to grant any interim relief. It then issued summons to the respondents, seeking their response on the main suit of the woman.

The matter will be next heard on July 23.

The woman, in her suit, said Soni came across various people belonging to the film fraternity, including Ravi Kishan, in her capacity as a journalist.

As per the plea, Soni and Kishan entered into a relationship and got married in 1991, though they could not reside together for long due to some personal problems.

Shinova, in the plea, said she was born on October 19, 1998, by which time it had come to light that Kishan was already married.

Considering these facts, it seems Kishan and Soni decided among themselves that their child would call the actor 'uncle', the plea said, adding that the duo took necessary care of her.

However, recently when Shinova and Soni visited the BJP leader to offer best wishes for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he misbehaved and refused to meet them, the plea alleged.

Following this, they held a press conference to tell the public about the rights of Shinova in her capacity as the biological daughter of Kishan, the plea said.

Nothing incriminating was mentioned in the press conference, despite which Kishan's wife Shukla filed an FIR against them, Shinova said in the plea.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Hockey Ex Captain Prabodh Tirkey Joins BJP Days After He Quit Congress

Former Indian hockey captain Prabodh Tirkey on Thursday joined the BJP, days after resigning from the Congress which withdrew his election nomination.

Mr Tirkey was fielded by the Congress in the Talsara assembly seat in Sundergarh district, but the party later withdrew his nomination and named Devendra Bhitaria in his place.

He was welcomed to the BJP by its state president Manmohan Samal. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, senior BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra and Bolangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo were also present on the occasion.

Mr Tirkey joined the BJP on a day Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state to kick-start the party's campaign for the twin polls.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary Ajoy Kumar said the party withdrew his candidature because he was not active in the constituency despite being named as a candidate.

"Tirkey is a gentleman, but he was not active in his constituency," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India Had Its Own Inheritance Tax Till 1985. Why It Was Abolished

Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda's remarks on the US's inheritance tax have sparked a political whirlpool here in India amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Pitroda stirred up a massive controversy while countering the Prime Minister over his allegations that Congress plans to redistribute the nation's wealth, citing a US example of inheritance tax law.

"If a person has property worth US dollars 10 million, then after his death, 45 per cent of the property goes to his children and 55 per cent of the property goes to the government," Mr Pitroda told ANI and added that there is no such law in India.

"Such issues should be discussed. We are talking about policies that are in the interest of the people, not just the rich," he added.

What is the Inheritance Tax law in US?

Firstly, the tax is not common in the US and is only in force in six states out of the 50. The tax is imposed on the recipients who inherit assets of a person who has died. The taxation depends on the state in which the person lived or owned property. 

There's a stark difference between Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax in the US. The former is levied on the estate itself before it is distributed, while the latter is only against the beneficiaries. 

Inheritance taxes are collected by six US states: Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Key factors involved and how is it calculated

It is not a Federal tax. It is levied based on the inheritor's relationship with the person and the value of the property. It is applied only to the portion of the inheritance which exceeds the exemption limit. Above the threshold limit, the tax is usually assessed on a sliding basis and the rates vary from single digits and can go up to 18%.

For example in Pennsylvania, The tax rate is 4.5% for transfers to direct descendants (lineal heirs), 12% for transfers to siblings, and 15% for transfers to other heirs.

In Iowa, if the property is valued at less than $25,000 (Rs 20.83 lakh) then no tax is due. In Maryland, inheritances from estates smaller than $50,000 (Rs 41.66 lakh) are also exempt.

To summarize, the closer an inheritor is to the asset owner, the lower the tax rate would be levied. In all six states, spouses of the owner are exempted. 

In the United Kingdom, a 40% inheritance tax is levied on assets worth over 325,000 pounds (Rs 3.37 crore). 

Japan has a high inheritance tax rate with the current highest rate standing at 55%. The rate is determined based on how much money is received by each statutory heir. Meanwhile, South Korea boasts a 50% inheritance tax rate. In 2021, The family of deceased Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee said it would pay more than 12 trillion won ($10.78 billion) in inheritance taxes for the estate of the late patriarch.

Did India Ever Have An Inheritance Tax?

An inheritance tax law existed in India until former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi scrapped it in 1985. An Estate Duty was a form of tax that was calculated at the time of a person's death, it was introduced through the Estate Duty Act, 1953. It was payable only if the total value of the inherited portion of the property exceeded the exclusion limit. In India, it was set as high as 85% on properties. Properties worth at least Rs 1.5 lakh, were taxed at a rate of 7.5%. The objective was to narrow the income disparity but was scrapped in 1985. 

"As both wealth-tax and estate duty laws apply to the property of a person, the former applying to his property before death and the latter after his death, the existence of two separate laws with reference to the same property amounts to procedural harassment to the taxpayers and the heirs of the deceased who have to comply with the provisions of two different laws. Having considered the relative merits of the two taxes, I am of the view that estate duty has not achieved the twin objectives with which it was introduced, namely, to reduce the unequal distribution of wealth and assist the States in financing their development schemes,"  former Prime Minister VP Singh, who was the Finance Minister in Rajiv Gandhi's Cabinet, said in his budget speech.

"While the yield from estate duty is only about Rs. 20 crore, its cost of administration is relatively high. I, therefore, propose to abolish the levy of estate duty in respect of estates passing on deaths occurring on or after 16 March 1985. I come forward in due course with suitable legislation for this purpose," he added.

A report by the Economic Times states that India's inheritance tax was repealed in 1985 because it neither helped bring down economic inequality in society nor did it contribute significantly, In 1984-85, the total tax collected under the Estate Duty Act was Rs 20 crore, but the cost of collection was very high because the complex calculation structure spawned a lot of litigation.

For example, according to the 1980-81 regular budget, the gross tax revenue in the 1979-80 period was Rs 11,447 crore, out of which the Estate Duty contributed only Rs 12 crore which was later revised to Rs 13 crore, i.e 0.1% of the total gross tax revenue. In the budget, the Estate Duty collection was projected to be the same, Rs 13 crore.

In the 1978-79 budget, the Tax revenue in the previous budget was Rs 10.75 crore of the total revenue of Rs 9,005.46 crore. The projection for the 1978-79 budget was Rs 11 crore out of Rs 9,636 crore, i.e. 0.1% of the total tax revenue.

Poor implementation and loopholes in tax collection helped people avoid paying Estate Duty. 

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Senior Andhra Cops Transferred Days After Stones Thrown At Jagan Reddy

The Election Commission on Tuesday transferred Andhra Pradesh intelligence chief P Sitaramanjaneyulu and Vijayawada police Commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata with immediate effect.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena confirmed to news agency PTI that the poll panel has transferred the two senior police officers.

"The Commission has ordered transfer of the following officer with immediate effect - P Sitaramanjaneyulu, DGP, Intelligence," said the EC in an order.

Issuing similar orders for Rana, the Commission directed both the transferred officers to hand over charge to the officer immediately below them in rank.

Further, the Commission ordered that the transferred officers should not be assigned any election duty until the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls end in the southern state.

The transfers of the intelligence chief and Vijayawada police Commissioner come in the wake of a stone pelting attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vijayawada recently.

It directed the chief secretary to send a panel of three IPS officers for either posts by 3 pm on Wednesday.

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"Shocking": Court On 3,000 Tonnes Of Municipal Waste Unprocessed In Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday termed as "shocking" that 3,000 tonnes of 11,000 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in Delhi every day is not processed.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, which perused a report of the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) on pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas said it is a serious issue.

"It's been eight years since the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 have come into existence but in the capital city, there is no compliance. It's shocking," the bench said, adding that the CAQM report says on average 11,000 tonnes of MSW is generated in Delhi every day but only 8,000 tonnes are processed.

"So, it means every day 3,000 tonnes of MSW is generated that cannot be processed in the capital city," the bench said, as it issued notice to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Delhi Cantonment Board.

The bench sought their response by May 10 and said before the next hearing, the three civic bodies shall call a meeting of officials on compliance of the 2016 rules and the Centre's Urban Development department shall formulate and place on record a plan to tackle the problem.

The top court was hearing pleas seeking directions to authorities to check worsening air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas.

The bench also flagged non-compliance of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules of 2016 and said deterrent action has been taken against very few.

"Stricter action is required to be taken against sites which generate uncontrolled Construction and Demolition (C&D) wastes," the bench said, adding it will examine the issue in detail.

On stubble burning, the bench said it would like to see the standard operating procedure and the framework issued by the CAQM and the manner in which the task forces in different states are functioning.

"We would like to see the power and duties of different task force working to check the stubble burning," the bench added.

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"People Of PoK Will Demand To Be With India": Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that considering the development taking place in India, the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will themselves demand to be with this country.

Mr Singh also said India was taking giant strides in the defence sector, maintaining that the country is fast turning into a defence-equipment exporting nation from that of an importer.

"PoK was, is and will remain ours," Mr Singh said, addressing a rally at Siliguri in Darjeeling constituency, where the BJP has renominated sitting MP Raju Bista.

"The way the country is developing and its economy growing, the people of PoK will themselves demand to be with India," he claimed.

The senior BJP leader said India has attained a stature where no one can browbeat the country.

Mr Singh also asserted that India does not interfere in the matters of others, "but if we are interfered with... you understand what will happen".

India will be among the top three economies in the world in a few years, he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Congress Allies Opposing Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad Nomination: N Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday claimed major differences on critical issues have cropped up in the INDIA bloc which no longer stands united, and said allies of Congress are against Rahul Gandhi's candidature from Wayanad seat in Kerala.

Ms Sitharaman recalled Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remarks on Mr Gandhi's candidature and spoke about the nomination of CPI leader D Raja's wife in Wayanad.

"In the last 10-15 days and before the announcement of his (Gandhi's) nomination, his alliance partners have been talking against him. Communist Party of India leader D Raja's wife is contesting from Wayanad even though the party is a partner of the INDI alliance," the Union minister told a press conference.

The Congress' alliance partners are against Rahul Gandhi's nomination from Wayanad, she said while responding to a query on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that "Congress' sahabzade" will lose from Wayanad and will have to look for a safer seat after that.

Addressing a campaign rally at Nanded in Maharashtra earlier in the day, PM Modi also said the Congress has accepted its defeat even before the Lok Sabha poll results are out.

"Kerala Chief Minister P Vijayan has raised questions over Gandhi's nomination from Wayanad. The chief minister has also said that Gandhi never raised the issue of Wayanad and Kerala in Parliament in the last five years," Ms Sitharaman said.

Targeting Mr Gandhi, she said the Congress candidate in Wayanad is refusing to carry his party flag.

"We have to notice one thing after understanding that there are differences in the INDI alliance and Rahul Gandhi does not have much support. The Congress candidate does not want to take the party flag in his rallies because the Muslim League is opposing him, saying you may contest but the flag will be ours," Ms Sitharaman added.

She claimed the Congress has given up the party flag to contest elections.

"When he (Rahul) can't even save the (party) flag, can these people who swear on the Constitution be able to save the country?" Ms Sitharaman asked.

The INDI alliance, of which Congress is a member, is not united which was seen in different states and also in the current elections, she said.

"That the Opposition is united as an INDI alliance is no longer a fact," Ms Sitharaman said when asked about Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy criticising DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on his Sanatan Dharma remark.

She said major differences are cropped up in the INDI alliance, and that too on critical issues.

"Therefore, the alliance has not taken shape, they only show it. The only thing they talk about on a common platform is how to remove Modiji. They do not pay attention to how to take the country forward, what is their proposal for the country's progress, and what they plan for a developed India in 2047," Ms Sitharaman said.

She claimed that INDI alliance leaders in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and elsewhere have cases against them.

Ms Sitharaman also targeted All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, saying his political statements are always indecent.

On the Opposition questioning the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Ms Sitharaman said it is no longer a topic worthy of discussion.

"Even the Election Commission has repeatedly proved that the EVM cannot be hacked. The Chief Election Commissioner has said it is a settled case...it has been repeatedly proven," she said.

Questioning the "hypocrisy" of Congress on EVMs, Ms Sitharaman said, "When it (the poll result) favours Congress, (they say) I will accept EVMs, but when it (the poll outcome) goes in favour of the BJP, I say it is hacked....People are not going to take them seriously when they behave like this".

The Opposition is "mortally scared" over the BJP coming back to power with a huge majority, she said when asked about the Opposition's claim that the saffron party will not win more than 150 seats.

"So they have already started a two-fold campaign -- creating this narrative that the BJP is not getting more than 150 seats so that people get confused, (but the fact is that) they (Opposition) will not probably cross the 100 mark.

"But look at their audacity. Anyway, people are not going to get confused because of this narrative," Ms Sitharaman added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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UP Man Books Cab From Salman Khan's Home Under Gangster's Name, Arrested

A 20-year-old man has been arrested for booking a cab from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's home in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, said police on Friday.

According to Mumbai police, the accused has been identified as Rohit Tyagi, a 20-year-old man from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Sharing details, police said that the accused had booked a cab in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi from Galaxy Apartment, the house of actor Salman Khan, to the Bandra Police Station.

"When the cab driver reached Galaxy Apartment at Salman Khan's house and asked the watchman there about the booking, the watchman who was stunned at first, immediately informed about the booking to the nearby Bandra Police Station," said police.

Acting on the same, Bandra Police of Mumbai interrogated the cab driver and tracked the information about the person who booked the cab online.

"The person who booked the cab turned out to be a 20-year-old student from Ghaziabad, identified as Rohit Tyagi," said the police.

The police further said that during the investigation it was revealed that the accused had booked the cab in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as a prank.

The police registered a case against the accused and arrested him from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

He was thereafter brought Mumbai and presented before the court after which he was sent to the custody of Bandra Police for two days.

Further details into the matter are awaited.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident.

The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination.

The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled.CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks.

The clip also showed them firing in the direction of the actor's home.

After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Notably, since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.

The actor was also authorised to carry a personal firearm and has also acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection.

On Monday, Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan issued a statement on the family's behalf, saying they all have been affected due to the 'disturbing' firing incident.

He also shared that the family was fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in the ongoing probe into the incident.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Excited To Vote For 1st Time": Finance Commission Chief Arvind Panagariya

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

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

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

— Arvind Panagariya (@APanagariya) April 19, 2024

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

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

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Himachal Pradesh Village Gets Mobile Network, PM Modi Speaks To Residents

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to residents of Giu village in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti after the area was connected to the mobile network for the first time.

In a more than 13-minute telephonic conversation with them, PM Modi spoke about his visit to the border region during Diwali and asserted that connecting the village with the mobile network will quicken the 'Digital India' campaign.

The government is now prioritising linking all places with communication technology after meeting success with the electrification exercise, the prime minister said, noting that when he came to power more than 18,000 villages lacked electricity.

A villager told him that they could not believe it for a moment when they were told that the area would be connected to the mobile network and their happiness knew know no bounds when it finally happened.

They had to earlier travel for around eight kilometres to use their mobile-phones, he said.

PM Modi highlighted his government's efforts to boost development in border areas under the 'Vibrant Village Programme (VVP)', saying the earlier dispensations left these regions to their fate.

In his third term, he will focus on people's quality of life after prioritising their ease of living so far and this will immensely benefit remote regions, the poor and the middle class, PM Modi said.

The region will also benefit a lot from the 'One District One Product' programme, he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Terrorists Kill Migrant Worker From Bihar In Targeted Attack In J&K

A migrant worker from Bihar has been shot dead by terrorists in a targeted attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials said on Wednesday. 

The Kashmir Zone Police posted on X that the worker, identified as Raju Shah, was rushed to a hospital but died during treatment. 

"The injured person, who was shot at by #terrorists, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Search #operation underway in the area. Further details to follow. @JmuKmrPolice," the post read. 

The injured person, who was shot at by #terrorists, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Search #operation underway in the area. Further details to follow.@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/uWSJI2cgeO

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) April 17, 2024

An earlier post from the handle had said Shah was shot in Zablipora in Anantnag's Bijbehara. 

The attack comes barely a week after a resident of Dehradun was shot at by terrorists in south Kashmir's Herpora last Monday. Dilranjeet Singh survived the attack. Two workers from Punjab had also been shot dead in Srinagar in February and a Pakistan link had emerged later, following the arrest of a terrorist. 

While such attacks have decreased in frequency this year because of the crackdown on militancy, the latest killing comes at a time when campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections is approaching its peak in Anantnag, which will vote on May 7. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Mian Altaf Ahmed of the National Conference are expected to file their nomination for the constituency on Thursday. 

Condemning the attack, Ms Mufti posted on X, "Condemn this senseless act of violence. My deepest condolences to his family."

Earlier on Wednesday, two suspected terrorists were arrested from Bijbehara and arms and ammunition were recovered from them. 

"On specific Intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on 17 Apr at Naina, Bijbehara in Anantnag. Two suspected individuals have been apprehended along with the recovery of one Weapon, one Hand Grenade and other war-like stores," the Indian Army's Chinar Corps posted on X.

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Rough Terrain, Hot Weather: Challenges In Chhattisgarh's Anti-Maoist Op

Sweltering conditions, a rough terrain and unavailability of drinkable water were some of the challenges faced by the security personnel during their encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, a police officer said on Wednesday.

But their toil and struggle did not go to waste as 29 Maoists were killed in the operation that took place near Binagunda village under Chhotebethiya police station limits, he said.

Around 200 personnel of the state police's District Reserve Guard and the Border Security Force were involved in the operation that took place on Tuesday.

Besides the weather, the terrain made the operation difficult, said Pakhanjur police Station House Officer (SHO) Laxman Kewat, one of the officers who led the forces during the encounter.

Talking to news agency PTI, Mr Kewat said, "Hot weather conditions and dehydration posed a huge challenge. Climbing a hill carrying weapons and rucksacks in such weather was a tough task, but the security personnel were very motivated. They cordoned off the whole area, following which the operation was successful.

"Another risk was getting exposed, as a dry forest in summer provides good visibility. This is the reason Maoists observe their Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign between March and June and step up their activities....it is due to the good visibility in the otherwise dense forests during this period," he said.

When they crossed the Kotri river in Abhujmaad, a Maoist stronghold, they were aware that the operation could not be called a success until they returned safely.

Therefore, after the guns fell silent, the security personnel wasted no time and returned with the bodies of dead Maoists, not giving their colleagues time to retaliate in large numbers or set up ambushes, the official said.

A total of 22 weapons including two Insas rifles, one AK-47 rifle and a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) were recovered from the encounter site, he said.

According to Mr Kewat, who has been involved in multiple encounters, the death count of Maoists could be higher.

The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Shankar Rao, Lalita and Rupi of the North Bastar Division Committee of the Maoists who were apparently planning to create disruptions during the Lok Sabha elections, he said.

Polling in the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency will take place on April 19 in the first phase. The Kanker constituency, part of the larger Bastar region, will vote in the second phase on April 26.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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2 Terror Suspects Arrested In J&K, Arms And Ammunition Recovered

Two terror suspects were arrested from Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday following the recovery of arms and ammunition from their possession, the Army said.

"On specific Intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on 17 Apr at Naina, Bijbehara in Anantnag. Two suspected individuals have been apprehended along with the recovery of one Weapon, one Hand Grenade and other war-like stores," Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army posted on X.

OP NAINA, #Anantnag

On specific Intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on 17 Apr at Naina, Bijbehara in Anantnag. Two suspected individuals have been apprehended along with the recovery of one Weapon, one Hand Grenade and other war-like… pic.twitter.com/zLUg9C4qnN

— Chinar Corps? - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) April 17, 2024

The Army said further investigation is in progress.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: Sparks Fly As Speeding Truck Rams Bike, Drags It Along

A lorry driver was arrested in Hyderabd for allegedly hitting a car and driving away without stopping and then hitting a bike and dragging it along as sparks flew on the road, the police said today.

A video of the incident is now viral on social media.

The lorry, headed for Vanasthalipuram from Chandrayangutta in the city on April 14, hit a car first, There was no major damages to the car or injuries to anyone, they said.

Locals began chasing the lorry which made the driver speed away out of fear. One of the locals chasing the lorry climbed on to its foot board as it slowed down a bit as he asked the driver to stop.

But he continued to drive. On the way, the truck hit a bike, which got stuck to the tires and got dragged along. The man on the bike did not sustain any injuries.

The lorry dragged the bike for a while until the two-wheeler got detached from the lorry.

The driver later surrendered before a traffic police station.

The viral video gave an impression that the bike rider boarded the lorry's footboard but that is not the case, the police said.

Following a complaint made by the bike's rider, a case was registered and the lorry driver was arrested and jailed, the police said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"In Favour Of Expansion Of UN Security Council Membership...": India

India has underscored the need for a reformed UN Security Council that better reflects the geographical and developmental diversity of the United Nations today, emphasising that the majority of the world body's membership supports calls for expanding permanent seats in the powerful organ.

India has been at the forefront, especially leading the Global South, demanding reforms in the United Nations and seeking a place as a permanent member of the 15-member UN Security Council.

"India is in favour of expansion of UN Security Council membership in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, as this is the only way to achieve genuine reform of the Security Council and make it legitimate, representative, responsive and effective," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said Monday.

Addressing the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting on Security Council Reform on Co-Chairs Elements Paper, Ruchira Kamboj underlined the need for "a reformed Security Council that better reflects the geographical and developmental diversity of the United Nations today.

"A Security Council where voices of developing countries and unrepresented regions, including Africa, Latin America and the vast majority of Asia and Pacific, also find their due place at the horseshoe table. And for this, an expansion of the Council in both categories of membership is absolutely essential." The current UNSC comprises five permanent members (the US, the UK, China, France and Russia) and 10 non-permanent members. She noted that some member states keep pushing the argument that expansion in the permanent categories of the UNSC would be 'undemocratic'.

"We fail to understand how something that is clearly being called for by the majority of the membership would be 'undemocratic'. We cannot continue to be hostage to a minority in the IGN," she said, in an apparent reference to countries like Pakistan, which has been opposing the expansion in permanent categories of the UNSC.

Ruchira Kamboj noted that expansion in the permanent categories is a position supported by the majority of Member States. "This fact is on record," she said as she cited the 2015 Framework Document, on the issue of "Categories of Membership". A total of 113 Member States, out of 122 who submitted their positions in the Framework Document, supported expansion in both of the existing categories specified in the Charter.

"This means that more than 90 percent of the written submissions in the document were in favour of expansion in both categories of membership specified in the Charter. On the contrary, longer-term non-permanent seats which was an idea mooted during the inception of the UN, to only be discarded due to its ineffectiveness cannot be treated as a convergence, as it is only backed by a handful of member states," she said.

The Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group that includes Pakistan and China is opposed to the creation of new permanent members in the Security Council. The UfC model entails a Security Council with 26 seats, with an increase only in the non-permanent, elected members.

It proposes creating nine new long-term seats with immediate re-election possibilities. Last month, India presented a detailed model on behalf of the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, Japan and itself for Security Council reform. The G4 model proposes that the Security Council's membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.

She emphasised that at this stage in the reform process, Member States are not discussing which specific country would occupy the new permanent seats in an expanded and reformed Council. "We are simply discussing a possible framework for the creation of new permanent seats. The subsequent election of these new permanent members would obviously be by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the General Assembly, through a secret ballot, per the rules of procedure of the General Assembly," she said.

Ruchira Kamboj said that the international community acknowledges the fact that the present structure of the Security Council is not reflective of contemporary realities and that there is an urgent need to reform it.

"Expanding only in the non-permanent category will not solve the problem - in fact it will widen the difference between permanent and non-permanent members even more, further entrenching a dispensation that is no longer relevant in the current geo-political context," she said at the sixth round of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform.

Ruchira Kamboj stressed that it is important to capture the models' discussion to initiate text-based negotiations within a fixed time frame. India called on the co-chairs of the IGN process to produce a 'zero draft' of a negotiating text based on the inputs received from Member States.

"We encourage the Co-Chairs not to get distracted by the arguments that call for consensus on all clusters before moving to text-based negotiations. This is a complete inversion of the process followed for all other UN negotiations," Ruchira Kamboj said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Fearless Aviator": IAF Veteran Who Served In World War 2 Dies At 103

Veteran air warrior Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Majithia (retd), who joined the Indian Air Force during the tumultuous years of World War II and distinguished himself as a "fearless aviator" during his career, has died. He was 103.

The centenarian, who had "over 1,100 flying hours to his name", including missions in aircraft such as Hurricanes and Spitfires, passed away at Uttarakhand's Rudrapur in the early hours of Tuesday, IAF sources said.

He was affectionately called 'Maji' by his fellow air warriors.

Sqn Ldr Majithia's leadership skills were forged and tested in the crucible of war, they said.

From patrolling of skies to reconnaissance and bombing missions, he took on each challenge with grit, skill and unparalleled courage.

His tenure as the flight commander of the legendary Number 4 Squadron -- 'The Fighting Oorials' -- from 1942 to 1943 at Burma, remains etched in the annals of history, the IAF sources added.

Under his guidance, this squadron became synonymous with bravery and camaraderie, and earned accolades and admiration from all quarters, they said.

The IAF on Tuesday bade final farewell to its icon as the centenarian air warrior left an impressive legacy behind.

He was born in Shimla on July 27, 1920 and his passion for aviation propelled him to join the IAF volunteer reserve in 1940 during the tumultuous years of World War II, the IAF sources said.

His exceptional talent earned him the prestigious 'Best Pilot Trophy' during his training at the Initial Training School in Walton in Lahore, they added. 

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Assets Of Bengal BJP Chief Rose 114% Since 2019, Says Report

Assets of Darjeeling's sitting BJP MP Raju Bista, who is seeking re-election, registered a 215 per cent rise since the last Lok Sabha elections, an analysis of his self-sworn affidavit revealed.

Assets of BJP's state president Sukanta Majumdar, who is also seeking re-election from the Balurghat seat, recorded a 114 per cent rise since 2019, the report stated.

West Bengal Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysed self-sworn affidavits of all 47 candidates who are contesting from three constituencies of West Bengal -- Darjeeling, Balurghat and Raiganj -- that are going to polls in the second phase on April 26.

Mr Bista, according to his affidavit filed during the 2019 elections, had assets worth over Rs 15 crore.

In this election's affidavit, he declared assets worth Rs 47 crore, an increase of over Rs 32 crore.

In 2019, Mr Majumdar declared assets worth Rs 58.25 lakh, which grew to Rs 1.24 crore in 2024, the report stated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Who Wants To Look At Amul Babies?" Himanta Sarma's Jibe At Gandhis

Hours after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led a roadshow in Assam's Jorhat, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that an "insignificant" number of people attended it and that watching rhinos at the Kaziranga National Park would be "more beneficial".

"I heard around 2,000-3,000 people gathered (at Priyanka Vadra's roadshow). It was not significant. Who will come to see Priyanka Gandhi? People will rather visit Kaziranga and watch tigers, rhinos, and the time spent there will be more useful," he said.

The senior BJP leader was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an election campaign in Majuli.

Members of the Gandhi family are only fit for advertising campaigns, he claimed.

"What's the benefit of seeing the Gandhi family? They look fit for the Amul campaign, so they are Amul babies. It's more beneficial to watch rhinos at Kaziranga than catching a glimpse of Amul babies," he said.

Leading a massive 2-km long roadshow in support of Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi earlier in the day, Ms Vadra said the daily wages of tea garden workers will be hiked if the INDIA bloc wins the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Asked about Gaurav Gogoi's poll prospects, Mr Sarma said, "Some people want to say that Gaurav Gogoi was an active parliamentarian. I challenge anyone who can show me a single word spoken by him for the Kaliabor constituency. Has he spoken a single word for Jorhat, Majuli?"

Mr Gogoi is a sitting Congress MP from Kaliabor, which was rechristened Kaziranga after delimitation last year. This time he is contesting from Jorhat and looking for a third consecutive term in Lok Sabha.

"We don't need an active parliamentarian to shout 'Rahul Gandhi zindabad'. We need a parliamentarian who can speak for Assam's problems. Gaurav is a spokesperson of the Gandhi family. He has not spoken a single word for the people of Assam," Mr Sarma said.

The Chief Minister said that he is inspired if someone speaks for Assam inside Parliament since that helps expediting any pending work.

"He (Gaurav Gogoi) only speaks about Manipur in Parliament. Is he a son-in-law or grandchild of Manipur? Why does he speak about Manipur day and night? And some people here are enthused that he spoke a lot in Parliament. Assam remained backward for such statements," the Chief Minister asserted.

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5 Dead, Many Injured After Kolkata-Bound Bus Falls From Bridge In Odisha

Five people, including a woman, died and several others are reported injured after a Kolkata-bound bus fell from a bridge in Odisha's Jajpur district on Monday evening, police said. 

The accident took place around 9 pm on Barabati bridge on National Highway-16, when the bus with 40 passengers was en route to Kolkata from Puri.

Rescue operation is underway at the accident spot.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each for the families who lost a loved one. 

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Arvind Kejriwal To Meet Ministers, Government Will Run From Jail: AAP

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak on Monday said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested in the Delhi liquor policy scam case, will call two ministers to jail each week and review the progress of the work in their departments.

Mr Pathak and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Mr Kejriwal in Tihar on Monday.

Arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, Mr Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody and is lodged in Tihar jail. A person in judicial custody cannot sign documents which are political in nature.

DG (Prisons) Sanjay Baniwal, in an interaction with PTI editors here, said, "Only two things the person is allowed to sign -- one is his legal papers or a complaint but those should be non-political in nature or about his situation, or letters to family members or property papers."

Mr Pathak, who is the Aam Aadmi Party's National General Secretary (Organization), at a press conference conveyed the chief minister's plan of action for reviewing the functioning of various departments in the coming days.

"From next week, the chief minister will call two ministers to jail every week and there he will review the work of their departments and give them guidelines and directions," he said.

"We will undertake whatever legal process are needed (to make this happen). From next week, when the ministers meet, the government will start functioning from jail in a proper format," Mr Pathak said.

The AAP National General Secretary (Organization) said Mr Kejriwal asked him to convey to the party MLAs to go door to door in their areas and meet people to understand their concerns.

"The MLAs should try and solve any issue that the people are facing. Mr Kejriwal said the MLAs will have to cover up his absence by working twice as hard as before,” he said.

At the press conference when Mr Pathak was asked about Mr Kejriwal's absence from the election campaign, he said, "Poll campaigns are going on in all states. All people in the party have become even more motivated. People who used to work for 10 hours are now working for 15 hours. Those who worked for 15 hours are now working for 18 hours. Most of the people of our party are emotionally attached to Kejriwal and this feeling is encouraging them to work more."

Mr Kejriwal on Monday did not get any interim relief from the Supreme Court which sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate by April 24 on his plea challenging his arrest in a money-laundering case stemming from the alleged liquor policy scam.

Responding to a question on it, Mr Pathak said, "We have full faith in the judiciary and hope that Arvind Kejriwal will get bail soon. Because in the end, truth prevails. There is a complete process of law, and everyone has to go through it. In such a situation, whatever decision will be taken by the judiciary, we will accept unanimously." 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Police Probing Stone Attack On Andhra Chief Minister As Attempt To Murder

The Vijayawada police have rounded up at least four suspects for allegedly throwing stones at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and will treat it as an "attempt to murder", an official said today.

Unidentified people threw stones at the Chief Minister last night near Vivekananda School Centre in Vijayawada's Singh Nagar. He suffered injuries to his left temple as he canvassed for polls.

Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kanthi Ratan Tata said an attempt to murder charge has been filed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"We have identified some suspects. We are interrogating them and that process is going on now. A case has been registered under IPC Section 307," Mr Tata said.

Further, he highlighted that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed with six officers and four policemen, who are scrutinising the video footage and technical data to identify the accused.

According to Mr Tata, a stone first hit the Chief Minister and then former minister and YSRCP leader V Srinivas, who stood next to him.

The police commissioner said all the suspects were locals and exuded confidence that the real culprits could be identified in a few days.

On Sunday, the YSRCP and TDP leaders engaged in a war of words over this incident.

YSRCP General Secretary S Ramakrishna Reddy claimed that the attack was a premeditated cold-blooded one.

"Who would have planned such an attempt? It stems from the insecurity that the TDP is experiencing as they are witnessing the response our leader is getting through the poll campaign, through the roadshows and 'siddham sabhas' (meetings)," he said, addressing a press conference.

Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu recently instigated a crowd in his 'prajagalam' (canvassing) meetings to attack Jagan Reddy and claimed that Mr Naidu and his party would benefit if the YSRCP chief could not meet the masses.

"This leads us to presume that the TDP and their leader (Naidu) are responsible for the attack," he said, adding that the injury is a fact and location sensitive.

Further, he claimed that the opposition party is trying to downplay the incident due to the "fear of exposure" and also resorting to making inhumane comments.

Meanwhile, YSRCP Nellore Lok Sabha candidate V Vijayasai Reddy alleged that Naidu "never engaged in politics believing in development".

"It has been proven again that he (Naidu) engages in cowardly politics, believing in violence and conspiracies," said Vijayasai Reddy in a post on social media platform X.

Ruling party leaders, ministers, and others castigated Mr Naidu and the TDP, claiming that the opposition party was involved in the attack on the CM.

Chandrababu Naidu condemned the attack on Reddy.

"I strongly condemn the attack on Jagan. I request the Election Commission of India (ECI) to initiate an impartial and unbiased inquiry into the incident and punish the responsible officials," he said in a post on X.

However, the TDP alleged that the attack on Jagan Mohan Reddy was stage-managed.

Backing Chandrababu Naidu's appeal to the Election Commission to undertake an impartial and unbiased probe into the attack, TDP spokesperson Pattabhiram Kommareddy questioned the timing and circumstances of the attack.

"It only tends to raise a question about the validity of an act like this when it is so coincidental, yet in sync. It wouldn't be the first time that the YSRCP has staged such an act, much like the infamous 'kodi kathi' drama, not only for sympathy but to also create confusion and unrest, right when the elections are around the corner," Mr Kommareddy alleged.

Condemning the attack, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President YS Sharmila said she believes it was an accident. However, if it was not so, she said, everybody should condemn it.

Ms Sharmila said she is praying to God for the quick recovery of her elder brother.

Meanwhile, a delegation of YSRCP leaders lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over the incident, alleging that the attack was executed to "murder" the Chief Minister.

Jagan Reddy is unperturbed by the attack, said Ramakrishna Reddy. He paused his bus tour on Sunday to rest and is expected to resume it tomorrow from Kesarapalle in the NTR District.

Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes will be held on June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Congress' Kanhaiya Kumar vs BJP's Manoj Tiwari In North East Delhi Contest

The Congress on Sunday issued another list of 10 candidates for the Lok Sabha election in Delhi and Punjab, tapping former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the Jalandhar-SC Lok Sabha seat.

According to the list, the party has fielded veteran politician JP Agarwal from the Chandni Chowk seat and youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar from the North East Delhi seat.

Mr Kumar will be pitted against BJP's Manoj Tiwari, the sole BJP candidate not replaced in the national capital.

For the North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat, the party announced the name of former MP Udit Raj.

In Punjab, the party renominated its sitting MPs Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Amritsar and Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib (SC) Lok Sabha seat.

Former MP Dharvir Gandhi will be contesting from the Patiala Lok Sabha seat. His candidature comes mere days after he joined the Congress leaving the Aam Aadmi Party.

The party has nominated its All India Kisan wing chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira from the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat and Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu from the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, which is currently represented by SAD chief's wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

The Congress announced the name of Ujjwal Revti Raman Singh from Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad Lok Sabha seat.

The opposition party also announced a list of 75 candidates for the Odisha assembly elections.

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Hindu Group Leader Shot Dead Inside Shop In Punjab's Nangal

A local Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader was shot dead by two unidentified bike-borne men at his shop in Punjab's Nangal, the police said.

The victim, Vikas Bagga, was the president of the VHP's Nangal unit, they said.

The incident took place last evening when the two assailants entered Mr Bagga's shop near the Rupnagar railway station and opened fire at him before immediately escaping, the police said.

Anandpur Sahib's Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh said the cops are examining the CCTV footage of nearby areas to find the accused.

Meanwhile, VHP supporters and BJP workers held a protest today on the Una-Chandigarh highway and demanded the arrest of the murderers.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar expressed grief and slammed the AAP-led Punjab government over the law and order situation and alleged that the murder was a "targeted killing".

"The government is sleeping," he said and demanded the assailants and conspirators be arrested at the earliest.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains - a local MLA - called the murder an unfortunate incident and said those behind it won't be spared.

"Whoever is guilty and the mastermind of this incident will not be spared. They will face consequences," Mr Bains said, adding that nobody will be allowed to disturb peace.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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3 Robbers Inspired By Bollywood Movie 'Dhoom' Arrested, 26 Cases Solved

Three men, who used high-speed bikes inspired by the Bollywood movie 'Dhoom' for robberies, have been arrested by the police, an official said today.

Ashraf (23), Taufiq (24), and Istekar (22) used to rob people and then flee on their bikes, he added.

"On April 10, a tip-off was received that a notorious robber Ashraf was in Delhi's Johripur area. Multiple raids were conducted in the area and Uttar Pradesh's Loni. Three robbers - Ashraf, Taufiq, and Ishtikar - were caught. Two motorcycles, including a Yamaha R15, used in the crimes were also recovered," Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Amit Goel said.

The accused disclosed during interrogation that Nazakat Ali, alias KTM, is their gang leader, he added.

"They all are deeply inspired by the movie 'Dhoom' and would steal high-speed bikes to rob people," Mr Goel said.

The accused would ride in on their motorcycles, snatch valuables from people on the road, and then speed away, he said.

The arrest helped resolve 26 cases of robbery and snatching registered in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad over the last fortnight, the police said.

The three would change clothes on their bikes to confuse the police and eyewitnesses, Mr Goel said, adding that efforts are underway to identify and arrest the gang leader.

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Jagan Reddy Injured In Stone-Throwing While Campaigning In Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has been injured after being hit by a stone thrown by an unidentified person while campaigning in Vijayawada.

The YSR Congress Party chief was campaigning on a bus as part of his Memantha Siddham (which loosely translates as "We Are Ready") Bus Yatra on Saturday. The stone hit the chief minister above his left eyebrow, narrowly missing his eye, and reports said that he needed two stitches. 

Sources from the party said the stone was thrown from a nearby school. "The attack is a conspiracy by the TDP alliance. (TDP chief and former chief minister) Chandrababu Naidu's nervousness is showing," said a YSRCP member. 

A video showed the chief minister standing atop the vehicle and greeting crowds that had gathered by the sides of the road. The video then cuts to him holding his hand up to his left eye. One of the people who were with him dabs his left eyebrow with a cloth and the chief minister greets the crowd with folded hands before climbing into the bus. 

He was treated inside the bus by doctors and then continued his campaign. 

Elections will be held for the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly and the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state on May 13. The YSRCP had won 151 of the Assembly seats and 22 Lok Sabha constituencies in 2019. This time, the ruling party faces a challenge from an alliance of the TDP, BJP and the Jana Sena. 
 

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Budget For Infra On China Border Rose Significantly After 2014: Minister

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said India's budget for infrastructure on the border with China was increased significantly after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister.

India should have learnt lessons from the 1962 war but no headway was made in the development of border infrastructure till 2014, he claimed, adding that the Modi government increased the budget for the same from Rs 3,500 crore to Rs 14,500 crore.

With China, India must have "realistic, grounded and practical policy," Mr Jaishankar said, interacting with youth at an event titled 'Why Bharat Matters: Opportunity for youth and participation in global scenario' here.

"China is our neighbour, and be it China or any other neighbour, the border settlement is one kind of challenge. I would like to dwell upon history here as if we do not learn lessons from history, we will continue to make mistakes again and again," the minister said.

China occupied Tibet in 1950, and then home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel wrote to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, stating that he was very disturbed with India's policy towards China, Mr Jaishankar said.

Patel cautioned that India should not take assurances by China at face value, but Nehru dismissed his concerns and said the Chinese were Asian people and did not harbour any ill-will towards India, he claimed.

"He (Nehru) said the Chinese in fact want friendship with India, and went on to claim that it is impossible that China will cross the Himalayas to attack India," Mr Jaishankar added.

While Patel was a practical, grounded and realistic man, Nehru was idealistic and leftist, the minister remarked.

"I am talking about history because with China, we have to have realistic, grounded and practical policy every time. I am taking the clock of history a little ahead as after seven to eight years, China found itself building a road through Aksai Chin and when India realised that they are making a road though our territory, India registered a protest. First they did not respond but later claimed that it was their land," Mr Jaishankar said.

From 1957 to 1962, when Chinese were building road, preparing for war, the Indian government was busy thinking that India is non-aligned and China is non-western, and both countries have ideological relations, he said.

"We should have taken lessons from the 1962 war. We should have made headway in border infrastructure but from 1962 to 2014, the thinking of the government was not to make any improvements on the border front with China. A then defence minister even said that the best defence is to leave the border without development," said Mr Jaishankar.

When Modi became PM, the budget for infrastructure on the China border was Rs 3,500 crore and today it is Rs 14,500 crore, he stated.

"Just recall that in the last few years, new tunnels, roads, bridges along the China border are made. Sela tunnel was made where the Chinese had reached in 1962. Till the time, we do not make any headways into the border infrastructure, how can we make the border pose a challenge," he said.

Mr Jaishankar said the other serious challenge in connection with China was economic as the Indian market was receiving goods from that nation for the last 20-25 years.

"Because of this, our businesses and labour force were suffering. Till we started manufacturing in India. In the name of environment, manufacturing was being stopped. Even now a renowned economist claimed India does not have the capability to manufacture," the EAM said.

If there is no manufacturing in the country, where will technology come from and how would the nation compete, he asked.

"For me, making vaccines, Chandrayaan, making bridges, making tunnels, creating 5G stack is Bharat. We will have to compete (with China). We will have to make preparations. There is a possibility that country might support some anti-India ideology among some nations," he said.

"But, I can say that today we have clarity in our mind as far as China is concerned unlike in 1950. We want the borders to become stable without any conflict," he said.

He said agreements between the two nations will have to be adhered to, adding that China, during the Covid pandemic, broke an understanding that both sides will not bring more than 5,000 troops or big weapons to the Line of Actual Control without permission.

"But we responded quickly. Indian forces are deployed there and will continue to be deployed. They will stay there till peace and tranquillity is restored at the border. If there is an attempt to put pressure on us, we will stand up to that pressure and that is what we are doing today," Mr Jaishankar asserted.

Earlier this week, in an interview to Newsweek, prime minister Modi had said that for India, the relationship with China is important and significant, and "we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us." 

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Case Against Delhi Top Officer On Complaint Of Stealing 'Scam' Evidence

An FIR has been registered against Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and his subordinate YVVJ Rajasekhar following the orders of a court in Uttarakhand's Almora town.

On March 2, the court admitted a complaint by an NGO, Pleasant Valley Foundation, against the officials and asked the revenue police to register a case against them and investigate the charges.

Pleasant Valley Foundation alleged that the officials sent four people to a school run by the NGO in Dadakada village on February 14. The four men vandalised the office chamber of the NGO's joint secretary and took away files, records, documents and pen drives which contained evidence of their involvement in scams.

They allegedly threatened to frame the NGO's officials if complaints of corruption filed by it against them with the Vigilance department and other forums were not immediately withdrawn, the complainant said.

They even tried to force the complainant to sign typewritten documents, which they had brought with them, he said.

When he resisted, the assailants even took away Rs 63,000 in cash kept in a drawer, the complainant said.

The case against the officials was registered by the revenue police sub-inspector of Govindpur on the orders of Almora's Chief Judicial Magistrate, Almora's District Magistrate Vinit Tomar said.

The FIR has been registered against them under sections 392 (robbery), 447 (criminal trespass), 120b (criminal conspiracy), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 criminal intimidation) of the IPC and the SC/ST Act.

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BJP Picks SS Ahluwalia To Take On Shatrughan Sinha In Bengal's Asansol

The BJP on Wednesday announced the nomination of former Union minister SS Ahluwalia from the Asansol Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal.

Mr Ahluwalia would take on TMC's heavyweight candidate and the party's star face, Shatrughan Sinha, in Asansol, an industrial hub encapsulating the state's coal belt.

The BJP had previously replaced Ahluwalia, the party's sitting MP from the Burdwan-Durgapur seat, with former state president Dilip Ghosh as candidate for the constituency.

Mr Ghosh was, in turn, moved from his erstwhile winning seat Medinipur to fight for his prospects on Ahluwalia's turf.

Although the BJP had initially announced the name of Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh as its candidate from Asansol, the seat remained unrepresented by the party till now following Singh's refusal to contest from the constituency.

Although Mr Ahluwalia could not be contacted for his remarks, the state BJP welcomed his candidature.

"We are confident of regaining the seat from the TMC with an experienced leader like SS Ahluwalia leading the charge from the seat," BJP Samik Bhattacharya said.

Former two-term BJP MP from the seat, Babul Supriyo, who switched over to the TMC in 2021, remarked that Mr Ahluwalia has been made a "sacrificial lamb".

"Mr Ahluwalia is a nice person and a friend of mine. But, I think the BJP is making him a sacrificial lamb by sending him to Asansol, which is a lost cause for the BJP," Supriyo, the state tourism minister, alleged.

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Lok Sabha 2024: Rise Of Independents Amidst Declining Victories And Vote Share

Over the decades, Lok Sabha elections have witnessed a significant shift in the landscape of candidate representation. The data reveals a striking trend: while the number of candidates contesting elections has surged, the success rate of independent candidates has plummeted, reflecting a diminishing trust in non-party affiliated contenders.

Rise in Contestants in Lok Sabha Elections

Since the inception of the Lok Sabha polls in 1952, there has been a notable increase in the number of candidates fighting for parliamentary seats. In 1952, 1,874 candidates contested for 489 seats, marking an average of 3.83 candidates per constituency. This figure has steadily risen over the years, with 8,039 candidates competing for 542 seats in the 2019 elections, translating to an average of 14.8 candidates per constituency.

An important turning point in this narrative was the Election Commission's decision to hike the election deposit from a meagre Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 in 1996. This move, aimed at curbing the ballooning number of contestants, indeed had its intended effect. It resulted in a noticeable decline in contenders, particularly in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, where the total number of contestants dipped below 5,000 after a prolonged surge.

Average Contestants per Seat

The increase in the total number of candidates has also been reflected in the average number of contestants per constituency. Initially ranging from around three to five contestants per Lok Sabha seat until the sixth Lok Sabha elections in 1977, the average has surged over the years. In the last elections held in 2019, there were, on average, 14.8 candidates contesting per constituency across the country.

Rise And Fall of Independent Candidates

However, amidst this surge in participation, there has been a contrasting trend in the success rate of independent candidates. Despite their significant presence in elections, data compiled by the Election Commission of India reveals a consistent decline in the number of independent candidates securing victories since 1952. In the inaugural elections, 37 independent candidates emerged triumphant, constituting around 6.90% of the total votes.

Decline of Independent Lok Sabha MPs

As India's political landscape evolved with the emergence of major national parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress continue to dominate the electoral landscape, smaller regional parties have also gained prominence, contributing to the proliferation of candidates. By the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, their success rate plummeted to a mere 0.11%, with only four independents emerging victorious out of more than 8,000 contenders which include Sumalatha Ambareesh from Mandya in Karnataka, Navneet Rana from Amravati in Maharashtra, Naba Kumar Sarania from Kokrajhar in Assam, and Mohanbhai Sanjibhai Delkar from Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Delkar died in 2021 and was succeeded by his wife Kalaben Delkar.

Rise Of Independent Contestants in Lok Sabha

In contrast to the decline of independent candidates, the overall number of contenders in Lok Sabha elections has surged over the years. From 1,874 candidates in 1952 to 8,039 in 2019, the electoral arena has witnessed a fourfold increase in participation.

Decline of Vote Per Cent Of Independents

Despite the increasing presence of independent candidates in Lok Sabha elections over the years, their vote percentage has been steadily declining. From a high of 15.9% in 1952, it dwindled to a mere 2.6% in 2019. This downward trend highlights a growing reluctance among voters towards non-party-affiliated contenders, underscoring the challenges faced by independent aspirants in garnering electoral support amidst a competitive political landscape

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Only 1 Application Received So Far In Assam Under CAA: Himanta Sarma

Only one application has so far been received for citizenship under the CAA in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

The lone application was made in Barak Valley, he said, without elaborating further.

"The anti-CAA movement was based on lies and they (who were at the forefront) will have to answer now. So many days have passed, and only one application has been made in the state till date," Sarma said.

The Chief Minister was talking to reporters after an election rally at Sonari in Sivasagar district, which comes under the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat.

The Centre had last month implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

Mr Sarma also said “there will be no contest” in the five constituencies going to polls in the first phase on April 19.

Among the remaining nine seats where polling will be held in two more phases, he said there will be a contest in one constituency each, though he did not name those.

"If we consider BJP's performance in the 2021 assembly polls, even after delimitation, we are in the lead," the chief minister said.

Mr Sarma also claimed that there will be “no one left” in the Congress by 2026.

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"Paid Holiday Or Recess To Staff On Voting Day": Mumbai Official's Appeal

The Mumbai suburban district collector has said that offices and factories in the district will face action if their staff complain that they have not been given a paid holiday or two-hour recess on the voting day for Lok Sabha polls.

The Mumbai suburban district will vote in the fifth phase on May 20.

In a notice, Mumbai Suburban District Collector Rajesh Kshirsagar, who is also the returning officer, said that establishments that cannot give their employees a holiday for the entire day should provide a two-hour break with the permission of the collector's office.

The entities will face action in case of complaints about non-compliance, it added. 

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"Uddhav Thackeray Thinks Of Us As House Helps": Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said he rebelled because Uddhav Thackeray abandoned the ideology of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Addressing a meeting of his party workers in Ramtek in Nagpur, Mr Shinde said he did not want to become chief minister but had to rebel after seeing Bal Thackeray's ideology being compromised. Mr Shinde broke away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit in June 2022 and formed government with the backing of the BJP.

"Balasaheb Thackeray used to consider us (party functionaries) as friends but he thinks of us as house-helps," the Chief Minister said in another jibe at the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief.

He also said a party grows when leaders reach out to the grassroot worker rather than sitting at home.

Asking people to vote for the ruling alliance in order to make Narendra Modi prime minister for the third time, Mr Shinde said the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi does not have any agenda or intention for development.

"The seat sharing details between parties in the ruling alliance will be completed in two to three days. The Mahayuti will win all seats in Vidarbha," he later told reporters at the airport.

Responding to a statement by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray that the CM gave away four to five seats to allies to ensure his son gets renominated from Kalyan, Mr Shinde said those coming up with such criticism must look at the tussles in the MVA.

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49-Year-Old Policeman Dies After Weapon 'Misfires' In Hyderabad

A 49-year-old policeman died here after his firearm allegedly misfired early on Sunday, police said.

The dead, an Armed Reserve Sub-Inspector of the Telangana State Special Police (TSSP), belonging to Nagarkurnool district of the state, was posted on duty at an outpost under Hussainialam Police Station here, they said.

When he was sleeping with SLR service weapons beside him, one of the weapons is suspected to have "misfired" and two bullets pierced through his neck, they added.

He was shifted to a hospital but was declared brought dead.

A senior police official said a probe is underway to ascertain if the man died by suicide or if it was a case of weapon misfire.

A suspicious death case has been registered.

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Rajnath Singh Draws From Bollywood To Take A Swipe At Congress

Taking dig at Congress over its "relationship with corruption", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recalled a bollywood song "Aaja Sham Hone Aayee...tu chal mai aayee" and said whenever the Congress forms government, corruption follows itself in a similar manner.

The Union Minister mocked the Congress by recalling the songs from bollywood movies Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981) and Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), he said that the name of the movie Ek Dujhe Ke Liye is similar to Congress relationship with corruption.

Further, he mentioned a song from Maine Pyar Kiya movie "Aaja Sham Hone Aayee...tu chal mai aayee", is like when Congress forms government corruption follows.

Mr Singh pushed for 'One Nation One Election' at the election rally in Bikaner and Jhunjunu in Rajasthan.

Mr Singh stressed on Sunday that there must be 'one nation and one election' to save time and resources for the nation, adding he said that the Congress party will only oppose it.

"There must be One Nation, One Election. Centre had formed a committee under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee has submitted its reports to the President. I believe the people of the nation will support us," the senior BJP leader said.

He was addressing a public rally for senior minister and BJP candidate Arjun Ram Meghwal from Bikaner and Jhunjunu candidate ShubhKaran Choudhary.

"Four months ago, I came to Rajasthan for an election campaign, and again, I am here for the election campaign. One Nation One Election will save time, money, and resources," he said.

He added that the committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind has submitted their report. One Nation One Election will ensure election from Gram Sabha to General election to be held simultaneously.

In his speech, he praised Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's government crackdown on criminals and improved law and order situation in the state.

"Ever since Bhajan Lal Sharma's government came to power in Rajasthan, the law and order situation has improved a lot. A large number of criminals have been sent to jail. I congratulate Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma for improving the law and order situation in Rajasthan," he said.

He said that PM Modi always thinks of the country's progress and BJP never does religion based politics.

"We consider the public as Janardan, whereas the Congress people consider their own family as Janardan. This is the difference in thinking. That is why the country is moving ahead under the leadership of Modiji," he said.

"Whenever the Congress government has been in power, some scam or the other has definitely taken place. Even their ministers had to go to jail. Whereas there is not a single stain of corruption on his government," he added.

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Video: Himanta Sarma's Dance Moves Major Draw At Poll Rallies In Assam

If his fiery speeches draw crowds to meetings, it's the 'dancing' skills of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that literally get the public on their feet.

With electioneering heating up in this Northeastern state where polling for the 14 Lok Sabha seats is scheduled in the first three phases on April 19, 26 and May 7, the BJP's star campaigner is out with his dancing moves to attract voters.

As Mr Sarma campaigned across the Jorhat constituency on Saturday, he ended his meetings by dancing to the BJP's theme song 'Akou ebar Modi sorkar' (Modi's government, once more), inviting enthusiastic participation from the audience.

असम के माताओं, बहनो और बुज़ुर्गो में उमंग से साफ़ झलकता है कि उनकी पसंद सिर्फ आदरणीय श्री @narendramodi जी ही हैं।

?जोरहाट लोक सभा#AbkiBaar400Par pic.twitter.com/8FkcU12XoV

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) April 6, 2024

Be it at the end of the rally in Sivsagar or in Mariani, the CM sang and danced, while urging the public to join, who readily obliged and joined their leader from the stands.

Accompanied by clapping and occasional jumps with fists in the air, Mr Sarma's trademark moves added energy to his campaign.

In his speeches, Mr Sarma outlined the various welfare measures of the BJP-led governments both at the Centre and the state, and exhorted the public to vote for PM Modi for a third successive term.

Sharing a video of his lively campaign dance on X on Friday with the public joining him from the stands, he wrote: "We are #ModiKaParivaar. Of course, we sing and dance in our rallies." Mr Sarma's dance moves had garnered much attention during the 2019 parliamentary elections when he had swung along the tunes of 'Akou ebar Modi Sorkar' and other BJP campaign songs on the dais and during roadshows.

The BJP has nine MPs in the outgoing Lok Sabha from Assam, which has been its best show in the state so far, with Mr Sarma exuding confidence of winning at least 13 seats this time.

The BJP is contesting in 11 seats, leaving two for its ally Asom Gana Parishad and one for United People's Party Liberal. 

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Gang Rape Victim Dies By Suicide In Rajasthan: Cops

A gang rape victim allegedly died by suicide at her home in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar, police said on Friday.

The woman's family and some locals staged a protest outside the mortuary of the hospital where the victim's body was kept and demanded action against policemen for laxity and compensation.

SP Sri Ganganagar Gaurav Yadav said the woman had attempted suicide a few days ago as well and was saved by her family. Only after this, she revealed about the gang-rape and an FIR was lodged on March 25.

The next day, two accused were arrested and subsequently the third was also arrested.

According to the police, the woman hanged herself in her house and her body was recovered on Thursday morning.

SP Yadav said the family ended their protest and agreed to a post-mortem after they were pacified by the police.

"They have now agreed for a post-mortem," he said.

A detailed investigation of the family's allegations will be done and action against the guilty policeman will be taken, SP Yadav said.

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