गर्मी में दंडवत प्रणाम कर नापे 665 किमी, बूढ़े दंपति की श्रद्धा से लोग हैरान

Ujjain News : राजस्‍थान के बाड़मेर से दंडवत प्रणाम करते हुए महाकाल की नगरी उज्‍जैन पहुंचे बूढ़े दंपति ने करीब 665 किमी की यात्रा पूरी कर ली है. वे अपनी आस्‍था की शक्ति से श्रद्धालुओं को हैरान कर गए. उन्‍होंने बताया कि वे ओंकारेश्‍वर जा रहे हैं; वहां नर्मदा स्‍नान के बाद उनका संकल्‍प पूरा होगा.

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Case Against Gujarat BJP MLA's Son For Assaulting Student Leader: Cops

A case of attempt to murder was registered against Gujarat BJP MLA Geetaba Jadeja's son Ganesh Jadeja and others here on Friday for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a local NSUI leader, police said.

As complainant Sanjay Solanki, city unit chief of the National Students' Union of India, a Congress-affiliated organisation, is a Dalit, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act too was invoked.

"The incident took place in the early hours of Friday. We have registered an FIR against Ganesh Jadeja and his men. No one has been arrested yet," said inspector V J Savaj of Junagadh A Division police station.

As per the First Information Report, 26-year-old Solanki asked Jadeja to drive carefully on Thursday night when the latter's car passed too close to Solanki's two-wheeler in Kalva Chowk area.

Angered, Jadeja and his associates followed Solanki to his residence on Datar Road but left after Solanki's father, who knew Jadeja, intervened.

When Solanki went out on his two-wheeler early in the morning, a car with Ganesh Jadeja's men in it allegedly rammed it from behind around 3:00 am. As Solanki fell to the ground, five men stepped out, allegedly beat him with sticks, and put him in the car.

He was taken to Jadeja's residence in Gondal where Ganesh and others mercilessly thrashed him and asked him to quit the NSUI, the complainant said.

In the morning, the accused dropped Solanki at Bhesan crossroads, the FIR said.

Geetaba Jadeja represents Gondal constituency in Rajkot district.

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

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Air India Flight 8 Hours Late, People Fainted With No AC, Say Passengers

A passenger of an Air India flight alleged some people fainted inside the aircraft, which had no air-conditioning, after a delay of over eight hours.

Shweta Punj, a journalist, in a post on X, said flight No. AI 183 was later by over eight hours, and "people were made to board the plane and sit without air-conditioning" at Delhi airport.

She said the passengers were then told to exit the aircraft after some of them fainted.

Delhi is experiencing a severe heatwave, with the temperature reaching a record 52.9 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

"If there is a privatisation story that has failed it is Air India. DGCA [aviation regulator] AI 183 flight has been delayed for over eight hours, passengers were made to board the plane without air-conditioning, and then deplaned after some people fainted in the flight. This is inhuman," Ms Punj said in the post on X, tagging Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

If there is a privatisation story that has failed it is @airindia @DGCAIndia AI 183 flight has been delayed for over 8 hours , passengers were made to board the plane without air conditioning, and then deplaned after some people fainted in the flight.This is inhuman! @JM_Scindia pic.twitter.com/86KpaOAbgb

— Shweta Punj (@shwwetapunj) May 30, 2024

The Air India X handle responded to her: "Dear Ms. Punj, we truly regret to note the disruptions. Please be rest assured that our team is actively working to address the delay and appreciate your ongoing support and understanding. We are also alerting our team to provide necessary assistance to the passengers."

Another passenger, Abhishek Sharma, appealed to the airline for swift action and drew its attention to let his parents and "numerous other parents stranded at the boarding area [to] go home".

@airindia please let mine and the numerous other parents stranded at the boarding area go home!

AI 183 is over 8 hrs late. People were made to board the plane and sit without ac. Then deplaned and not allowed to enter the terminal because immigration was done#inhuman pic.twitter.com/0XdDBAovBK

— Abhishek Sharma (@39Abhishek) May 30, 2024

"AI 183 is over eight hours late. People were made to board the plane and sit without AC. Then deplaned and not allowed to enter the terminal because immigration was done," Mr Sharma said in a post on X.

The Air India X bot handle replied to Mr Sharma with the same message that it responded to Ms Punj.

Visuals posted by many other passengers show people including children sitting on the floor, and some have taken off their shoes. They appear exhausted.

In January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued guidelines to handle chaotic situations after a huge rush was seen due to fog at Delhi airport. The DGCA in the standard operating procedure (SOP) for "facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights", said that airlines may cancel flights that are likely to be delayed or "consequentially delayed" beyond three hours. The DGCA had said all airlines must follow the SOP immediately.

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Mercedes That Killed 2 Returned To Owner, Victim's Family Slams Cops

A speeding Mercedes C200 that killed two men on a two-wheeler in Nagpur on February 25 has been returned to the owner even as the investigation into the case is still open.

The car, being driven by a woman - identified as Ritika Maloo, collided with the side wall of the Ram Jhula bridge in the city before crashing into the two-wheeler and killing the rider and the pillion - Mohd Hussain Mustafa and Mohd Ateef Ziya.

Now, NDTV Marathi has traced the black Mercedes C200 parked on the road under a tow sign while the police are yet to arrest the woman accused of drunk driving, three months after the accident.

Mohammad Atiq, Mohd Ateef Ziya's brother, accompanied the NDTV team to where the car was parked and identified it as the one that killed his brother and another man. "The police were more concerned about returning the car that killed my brother instead of arresting the driver Ritika Maloo and her friend Madhuri Sarda. It is not okay, sir," he said.

"My family is still reeling under the shock of my brother's death three months ago. They are still grieving and with this, their wounds have once again been laid bare," he said.

According to media reports, Ms Maloo and her friend Ms Sarda were returning home from a club in the night when the accident happened. The two women fled the spot and the two men were rushed to the Mayo Hospital for treatment where they died.

The police scanned CCTV footage from the club and recovered the liquor bills as evidence.

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Sharad Pawar Leader Tears BR Ambedkar's Poster, Later Apologises

NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad apologised today for tearing posters denouncing the Manusmriti that also had a picture of Dr BR Ambedkar.

The rival Nationalist Congress Party headed by Ajit Pawar targeted him over the incident and demanded that he be arrested, while the BJPsaid it would stage protests in Maharashtra over the issue.

Mr Awhad, a former state minister, was taking part in a protest at Mahad in Raigad district against the state government's alleged plans to introduce some verses from the Manusmriti in the school curriculum.

The ancient text supported the caste system and denigrated women, he said earlier, asking people to oppose the decision.

But a new controversy erupted when videos of the protest showed him tearing up a stack of posters that also had Dr Ambedkar's picture on them.

NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil demanded that Mr Awhad be arrested for insulting Dr Ambedkar.

Mr Awhad was responsible for "spoiling the social environment in the country and state by performing the stunt of burning the Manusmriti in Mahad," Mr Patil alleged, seeking to know what action NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar would take against his party's leader.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said his party would stage protests against the former minister on Thursday.

In a video statement later, Mr Awhad said party workers brought posters denouncing the Manusmriti which had Dr Ambedkar's photograph. "I tore them without realizing this. I apologise publicly," he said.

Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said two days ago that verses from the Manusmriti were not part of the curriculum in the state.

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

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Anti-Terror Agency Arrests Accused In Trafficking Of Rohingyas Into India

 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested a wanted accused involved in the trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas into India through the northeastern borders.

Jalil Miah, a resident of Tripura, has been arrested by the NIA team, an official statement said.

The NIA had in February declared a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Jalil, who was absconding in the case, in addition to nine others.

As per the NIA investigations, a large number of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas are being trafficked to India every month through the porous stretches of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

They are further transported to different parts of the country provided fake documents and forced into labour, according to the statement issued by the probe agency.

"In yet another success in its fight against human traffickers operating across the country, the NIA on Tuesday arrested a key conspirator in a case relating to trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas through the north-eastern borders," it said.

Thirty-three persons were arrested earlier in the case, which the NIA had taken over from the Assam Special Task Force (STF) that had originally registered an FIR on March 22, 2023, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Passport Act 1967.

The NIA has so far chargesheeted 24 accused.

Investigations have revealed that Jalil was one of the main conspirators in the human trafficking racket and a close associate of chargesheeted accused Jiban Rudra Pal alias Jibon alias Suman.

He was also closely associated with two other absconders, Juj Miah and Shanto, all hailing from Tripura, the NIA said.

Though Jalil had managed to escape during the initial operation on November 8, 2023, in which 29 accused were arrested, the NIA said, adding electronic devices and other incriminating documents seized from his residence had pointed to his complicity.

Pan India searches conducted by the NIA in November 2023 had led to the seizure of a whole lot of incriminating data, including digital devices, along with foreign currency (Bangladeshi Taka and US Dollar), Aadhaar cards, PAN cards etc.

A subsequent crackdown on December 29 last year had led to the arrest of another four accused in the case, exposing a massive network of human traffickers, the NIA said.

"The manhunt for tracking the other absconders is continuing and investigations are in progress to connect the missing links in the elaborate racket," it said.

In a related development, the NIA had on Monday carried out a coordinated operation with the state police forces and central intelligence agencies across all the locations in connection with its probe in an international human trafficking and cyber fraud racket.

Five accused were arrested by the state police forces during these searches.

The youths were being forced to work in fake call centres at Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Laos and Cambodia, among other places, as part of the racket, controlled and operated mainly by foreign nationals.

They were also coerced into undertaking illegal activities online such as credit card fraud, investments in cryptocurrency using fake applications, honey trapping, etc. by the accused persons and their other members of the human trafficking syndicate.

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

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Two Dead As Car Overturns En Route To Kota Coaching Center

A car carrying seven members of an extended family from Madhya Pradesh overturned after crashing killing two persons and injuring five, police said.

The family were heading to Kota for the admission of two persons -- also in the car -- in a coaching institute when around 11.30 am, the accident happened near Anta town on the national highway, Circle Inspector at Baran Sadar Police Station Chuttan Lal said.

One person has sustained critical injuries is under treatment at Baran district hospital while others in the car suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary medical care, Anta circle DSP Sheoram said.

Kesrilal Dhakad (55) and Jagdish Dhakad (43), both cousins and residents of Fatehgarh in MP, died in the accident, police said.

The car reportedly went out of control in an attempt to save a motorbike rider on the wrong side on the highway and rammed into divider and overturned, the CO said.

Police said the two bodies were handed over to family members after post-mortem. 

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

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उच्च शिक्षा विभाग का एकेडमिक कैलेंडर जारी, बदला फीस स्ट्रक्चर

कॉलेजों में यूजी और पीजी के डिमांड कोर्स की फीस करीब 16 हजार रुपए तक बढ़ा दी है. जिसमे बीबीए कोर्स की फीस 3 हजार से लेकर 16 हजार रुपए तक बढ़ाई गई है. इसके साथ ही उच्च शिक्षा विभाग ने जारी किया एकेडमिक कैलेंडर.

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Yogi Adityanath's "Yamraaj" Warning For Those Who Harass Women, Businessmen

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said if anybody dares harass women and businessmen in the state, "yamraaj" would be waiting for them at the next crossroads.

At an election rally in Ghazipur, he said gangsters who once flouted the law openly, are being trampled by the bulldozer of Uttar Pradesh. Security and the rule of law are the first conditions of good governance, the BJP leader asserted.

The UP government courted controversy in recent years over the demolition of properties belonging to alleged criminals and the opposition has charged the Adityanath dispensation of targeting Muslims.

"No one can play with the safety of daughters and businessmen. If anyone tries to do so, 'yamraaj' (Hindu god of death) will be found waiting for that person at the next crossroads," the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said at the rally in Ghazipur.

"We are devotees of Lord Ram and we will not breathe easy till we eliminate sinners," he said without elaborating on the issue.

In an apparent reference to gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari who died in March, the Chief Minister said, "A mafia here calls himself hailing from Brigadier Usman's family to hide his dark deeds. This is a blatant lie."

Brigadier Mohammad Usman was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for bravery in the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war.

Addressing the gathering, Yogi Adityanath said, "Your votes have built the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, increased India's respect (worldwide), provided security on the borders, and got development works done. Development is being seen everywhere in the form of highways, airports, railways, waterways, and taps in every house."

"But, when the same votes went to the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP), they sold the honour of the country, promoted terrorism, endangered the safety of daughters and businessmen while the mafia, sitting in open jeeps (apparently referring to Mukhtar Ansari), kept Hindus in an atmosphere of fear and terror."

Besides Ghazipur, Yogi Adityanath addressed poll rallies in Mirzapur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur.

In Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath said Mahant Digvijaynath and Mahant Avedyanath started the Ram Mandir movement and hence "the entire country, including Gorakhpur, says that we will bring those (to power) who have brought Lord Ram. Because of Modi ji, Ram Lalla has been seated in Ayodhya after 500 years."

He claimed that earlier money used to be spent on cemeteries, now it is spent on renovating monasteries and temples.

"The SP and Congress say if their government is formed, they will implement personal laws. That is, they want to implement Taliban rule. Women will stay at home wearing burqa. But they should know that BJP will run the country only according to the Constitution of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar," Yogi Adityanath said.

At a rally in favour of Mirzapur Lok Sabha candidate Anupriya Patel and Robertsganj parliamentary seat nominee Rinki Kol, he said India has secured its borders and achieved new milestones of development in the past 10 years.

"Previous governments had a narrow mindset and that is why they did not think about development. Modi has provided houses to over one lakh poor people in Mirzapur under the PM Awas Yojana. Members of the Kol, Gaud, Chero, Tharu, and Musahar communities in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra also got houses," Yogi Adityanath said.

Claiming that people here struggled for every drop of water before 2014, he said in the last 10 years every house has been provided clean drinking water under the 'Har Ghar Nal Yojana'.

The Chief Minister alleged the region came under the grip of the Naxals due to the policies of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.

"They (Opposition) deprived you of development works and allowed gangsters to take control over mining and other resources here. Now, it is time for you to make them yearn for every single vote," he added.

Referring to the redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor in Varanasi, the Chief Minister said the place is now attracting global attention in a new way.

"After 500 years, Lord Ram has been enshrined in his temple in Ayodhya and the Vindhyavasini Dham corridor project is nearing completion. Now, no Shravan Kumar will have to carry elderly parents on his shoulders for 'darshan' as the ropeway is ready," he said.

Shravan Kumar, a character in the Ramayana, carried his blind and elderly parents on his shoulders and took them on pilgrimage.

At a poll rally in Varanasi for Union minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, who is contesting from the Chandauli Lok Sabha seat, Yogi Adityanath said, "Upon examining the manifestoes of the Congress and SP, one might infer a pro-Pakistan stance."

"They propose extending reservation benefits meant for backward classes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes to Muslims. Nonetheless, Modi ji has emphatically stated that no force on Earth can undermine the existing structure of reservations," he said.

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress and the SP are "incapable of ensuring security, fostering development, and promoting the welfare of the underprivileged. With PM Modi at the helm, development, welfare, security, and preserving India's cultural heritage are assured."

The seventh phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on June 1, covering the Lok Sabha seats of Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).

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

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North-South Divide Has Ended In These Elections: Rajnath Singh To NDTV

Exuding confidence about the BJP doing well in the south, where it had managed to secure only 29 of 130 seats in the 2019 polls, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said there won't be any state in the region where the party would not win at least a few seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP has never won a Lok Sabha seat in Kerala and had failed to open its account in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in 2019 despite winning 303 of the country's 543 constituencies and sweeping several states.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, the senior BJP leader also said the perceived north-south divide in terms of how people in the regions vote has ended in these elections because the belief in Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened across the country.

To a question on how the party would meet its target of winning 370 seats on its own and 400 for the NDA alliance given that it won 100% of the constituencies in places like Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi last time, Mr Singh said other states, especially those in the south would help them get to the figure.

"I don't think there will be any state in the south where the BJP will not win at least a few seats... In Uttar Pradesh, we had won 62 seats last time and we are confident of getting at least 75 seats... These numbers can vary by one or two," the minister said in Hindi.

Mr Singh asserted that the party not only has a presence in Tamil Nadu now but is also in a position to win a few seats there. 

"I have been campaigning during elections for a long time but the response I have seen in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh this time has been unprecedented. In Andhra Pradesh, I believe we should win nearly 20 out of 25 seats as part of the alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)," he claimed. 

The YSR Congress had won 22 out of the 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh in the last Lok Sabha elections and the remaining seats had gone to the TDP. The BJP is contesting the polls in an alliance with the party and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party this time around. 

Figure Dipping In Karnataka?

In 2019, the BJP's seats in the south had come from only two states - Karnataka, the only state in the region where it has consistently done well, and Telangana. It had bagged 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka - while the Congress just won one - and four out of 17 in Telangana. 

Both Karnataka and Telangana have Congress governments now, and when Mr Singh was asked about surveys indicating that the party would win more seats in Karnataka than the BJP this time, he scoffed and said there is no question of that happening. 

"That can't even be imagined. Maybe there will be a difference of two or three seats but we cannot even imagine that our seats will be reduced so much and the Congress will overtake us. Our figure will increase in Telangana as well. It is after considering all of these things that I said the BJP is heading towards fulfilling its resolve of winning 400 seats," he asserted.

The defence minister also said the north-south divide will end after these elections.

"The opposition has been talking about this for a long time, but no one thinks that way anymore. This is because the belief in PM Modi has strengthened substantially among the general public. He has established a reputation, a credibility for himself in Indian politics. People believe he is a Prime Minister who says what he does, that there will be no difference between his words and deeds," Mr Singh said.

"And the way he has enhanced India's stature on the world stage has also made people feel a sense of pride," he added. 

The seventh and final phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections will be held on Saturday. Counting will take place on June 4. 

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Fact Check: Painting Behind Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Not Of Jesus Christ

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a selfie of him and Sonia Gandhi having voted during the sixth phase of polling for the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the photo was widely shared on social media.

The claim

Those sharing the photograph took a dig at Gandhi calling himself a 'janeudhari brahmin', (thread-wearing Brahmin), while claiming that he had a photo of Jesus Christ in his room, but none of Hindu Gods.

• Among those sharing this is X (formerly Twitter) user 'MrSinha_'.

But...?: The photo does not show Jesus.

• It is a painting titled 'Madonna Oriflamma' by Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, where the lady in the painting is holding a banner of peace.

How did the Quint find out the truth?: We noticed that the photo in the background showed a person holding a banner with three red dots, surrounded by a red circle.

• Using this description ('person holding red circle with three dots painting') as a search term led us to a 2017 blog post with the same image.
• It identified the image as a 1932 painting titled 'Madonna Oriflamma' by one Nikolai Roerich.
• It also mentioned that the geometrical art was Roerich's creation, which he called the 'Banner of peace', elaborating on the symbolism of the banner.
• We looked up the name of the painting and found it on several websites across the internet.
• One of the results included the painting's WikiArt page, last updated in 2013, which mentioned that the art was on display at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York.

• The museum's Facebook page also shared the painting's photograph in 2021, discussing its meaning and symbolism.
• Moreover, Roerich's website also carries a visual of the painting with details about its medium and dimensions, stating that it has been on loan to the museum since 1960.

Reproduced and printed versions of the painting are also easily available for purchase on the internet, as seen here, here, and here.

Conclusion: The painting seen in Rahul and Sonia Gandhi's photo is not one of Jesus Christ.

(This story was originally published by The Quint and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.)

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J&K's Anantnag-Rajouri Seat "Shatters" Turnout Record With 53% Polling

The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat "shattered" the voter turnout record with 53% of voters exercising their franchise, the highest in 40 years, the Election Commission (EC) said today, adding that a record polling percentage was also logged in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar and Baramulla.

With this, the three seats in the Kashmir valley - Srinagar (38.49%), Baramulla (59.1%), and Anantnag-Rajouri (53%) - recorded the highest voter turnouts "in many decades", the poll panel said.

This was the first major election in the Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution by the Centre in August 2019.

The high voter turnout in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat was in sharp contrast to the poll percentage of nine registered in the 2019 election.

Even the militancy-infested Zainapora Assembly segment, which saw a 2% turnout in 2019, recorded a poll percentage of 41.

Addressing reporters in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang Kundbarao Pole said the voter turnout in Anantnag-Rajouri was 53%. The voter turnout for the five Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir stood at 58%, he said.

"It is the highest turnout for these five seats in the last 40 years. The previous high was 49% recorded in 2014, while the turnout in 1996 was 47.99%," Mr Pole added.

The Surankote, Rajouri, and Budhal Assembly segments recorded the highest turnout of 68%, he said.

The Kulgam Assembly segment recorded the lowest poll percentage of 32.

Mr Pole said the polling was mostly peaceful, with no violence reported from anywhere.

Officials said barring an isolated incident in Bijbehara, polling was smooth across the Lok Sabha constituency comprising 18 Assembly segments spread over the five districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Poonch, and Rajouri.

In a delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir in 2022, Pulwama district and the Shopian Assembly segment were removed from the south Kashmir Lok Sabha seat, while seven Assembly segments from Poonch and Rajouri were added to it.

Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said the EC, encouraged by the voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir, will "very soon" initiate the process of Assembly polls in the Union Territory. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve their own government, he said.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir, in the Anantnag-Rajouri polling too, have reposed faith in democracy and proved naysayers wrong," the EC said in a statement.

According to the poll panel, the erstwhile Anantnag seat recorded the lowest turnout of 5.07% in 1989 and 50.2% in 1996.

Due to the delimitation exercise, the voter turnout data from previous elections for the current Anantnag-Rajouri seat may not be directly comparable, the EC noted.

Twenty candidates, including two women, were in the fray from Anantnag-Rajouri.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti contested the polls from Anantnag-Rajouri. She was up against the National Conference's (NC) Mian Altaf Ahmad. Apni Party's Zafar Iqbal Manhas was also among the 20 candidates in the fray.

In the 11 Assembly segments falling in the Kashmir valley, the poll percentage was around 42.

The EC also enabled the Kashmiri migrant voters residing at various relief camps in Delhi, Jammu, and Udhampur to have the option of voting in person at the special polling stations or through postal ballots. Twenty-one special polling stations were set up in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in Delhi.

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

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"Wholesale Traders Of Drugs": PM Modi Attacks AAP In Punjab Rally

Hitting out at the Aam Aadmi Party over the Delhi excise policy scam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Aam Aadmi Party is the "wholesale traders of drugs" adding that they failed to fulfil its promises related to the eradication of drugs in Punjab.

Addressing an election rally in Punjab, Prime Minister Modi said," They (AAP) promised that within two months they will put an end to the trade of drugs in the state. Today drug dealers are getting licences without paying any cost. Families are being ruined here. In Delhi, they are involved in an excise policy scam. The people of Punjab have understood that the people of 'Jhaadu' party are wholesale traders of drugs. How can they avoid getting black money from the trades of drugs?"

Launching an attack on Congress over its stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Prime Minister said that the opposition party does not want to give citizenship to those who suffered the horrors of partition.

"The Hindu-Sikh brothers who were left on the other side during the partition, they are our own. BJP-NDA government brought CAA to give them citizenship. But Congress had a problem with it. They are saying that they will withdraw the CAA if they come to power," he said.

He further asserted that the whole nation has decided to follow the party's slogan "Fir ek baar, Modi sarkar".

"5 phases of elections have been completed in the country, and tomorrow is the sixth phase of elections. Those who were blowing balloons against BJP till yesterday, their balloons have also burst. Now no one wants to vote for the Congress and INDI alliance. Ask 100 people in Jalandhar and 90 of them will say that Modi's government will be formed. From Kashmir to Kanniyakumari it has been decided 'Fir ek baar, Modi sarkar," he said.

Earlier, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar wrote to the state's Chief Electoral Officer for taking precautions and measures in rural areas of Punjab which is scheduled for June 1.

He urged the CEO to deploy Central forces, ensure 100 per cent videography of the polling process; conduct a flag march and issue directions that no disruption is caused on the day of polling. Jakhar also demanded that no voter be stopped from exercising his right and safety should be ensured of poor and vulnerable voters. He also urged the Punjab CEO to appoint Observers at the Village level & micro observers in the rural areas to ensure free & fair elections.

In the letter to CEO, Sunil Jakhar wrote, "There have been numerous reports and complaints from candidates, party workers and residents of the State across rural constituencies, highlighting instances of harassment, threats, and physical attacks. Even various complaints were moved to your good self regarding the attacks on Candidates & leaders of the BJP Party. These actions are not only compromising the safety and security of individuals but are also creating an atmosphere of intimidation that could severely impact the democratic process."

In Punjab, voting for its 13 seats will take place in a single phase, with the seventh and final phase on June 1 seeing voting in Gurudaspur, Amritsar, Khadoor Sahib, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nandpur Sahib, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Firozpur, Bathinda, Sangrur, and Patiala constituencies.

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

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Madhya Pradesh Woman Slips At Toll Booth, Run Over By Truck

A 28-year-old woman employee of a toll booth lost her life after she slipped near a counter and was run over by a truck in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on Thursday, an official said.

The incident occurred at the toll plaza on Maxi Road near Kaytha village.

CCTV footage of the toll booth shows the woman walking on an elevated platform towards a toll collection counter.

Just when a truck passes next to the counter, victim Pooja Rathore loses her balance and falls on the lane. The rear wheels of the truck run over her head.

Kaytha police station in-charge Jyoti Dixit said that the truck driver was detained after the woman's death in the accident.

The victim's body has been handed over to her relatives after post-mortem, she 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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"If Pak Can't Dismantle Terror Factories On Its Soil...": Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday shed light on the Modi government's emphasis and focus on attaining 'atmanirbharta' in the defence sector and revealed how a marked shift in focus, as compared to previous regimes, resulted in big achievements.

Rajnath Singh in an exclusive interview with IANS said, "In 2014, the country's defence exports stood at around Rs 600-800 crore, today it has gone beyond Rs 31,000 crore. And, in the next five years, we hope to take it beyond Rs 50,000 crore."

He further said that the Defence sector forms an important constituent of the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission and making India, one of the biggest defence suppliers in the world ranks is high on the government's priority.

He also blamed the previous dispensations for 'laggardness' in the defence sector and said that prior to 2014, the country remained dependent only on foreign countries for its pool of arsenals and never made an effort to develop indigenous weapons.

"It was on the back of firm resolve of Modi government that India is fast achieving self-reliance in the defence sector and also emerging as a global superpower," he pointed out.

The Defence Minister, further laying out the Modi government's vision, said that India should position itself as a leading defence exporter in next few years and should also look forward to occupy the 'numero uno' spot.

He also underscored the need for India's emergence as 'Vishwashakti' in a world marred by military face-offs and armed conflicts.

"India should be a Vishwashakti, not just for global hegemony, not for annexing any country's territory but for protecting the interest of all," Rajnath Singh told IANS.

The Defence Minister further asserted that India's enemies will be punished, not just within its borders but also on the other side of the frontiers.

"If Pakistan can't dismantle terror factories on its soil, it should take our help. Our forces will raze it for once and all," he said, sending out a strong message.

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

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BYJU'S Starts New Batches At 240 Out Of 262 BYJU'S Tuition Centres

Edtech firm Think & Learn, owner of BYJU'S brand, on Tuesday said it has started new batches for the 2024-25 academic session at 240 out of 262 BYJU'S Tuition Centres with reduced fees.

The company spokesperson said that batches at remaining 22 centres will start in another two weeks.

"BYJU'S Tuition Centres (BTCs), India's largest and strongest network of learning centres, have started batches for the 2024-25 academic session in full swing across their 240 locations. For the current academic year, BYJU'S has dropped the annual fee for BTCs to just Rs 36,000," the company said in a statement.

BYJU's earlier had 292 BTCs but had shutdown 30 of them by March.

BTCs provide classroom-based programmes for K-12 students along with access to BYJU'S entire digital learning universe.

BYJU'S said that with 240 operational hybrid learning centres and 300-plus centres of Aakash, it has one of the largest networks of learning centres across India.

The centres are located in cities like Bilaspur, Kharar, Dibrugarh, Vapi, Latur, Asansol, Dhule, and Tirupati The company has also changed operating model for its employees.

On May 19th, Byju Raveendran, Founder and CEO of BYJU'S, addressed all BTC centre heads and shared an innovative new business model, based on intrapreneurship.

"I want you to see yourselves as part-owners of these centres, not just managers," he said.

Under the new model, BTC centre heads will receive a share of profits from their centre's operations, provided they meet minimum thresholds for admissions and quality over a one-year period.

"We have invested crores of rupees in each centre. And you get to part-own it, free of cost. There is a floor we have prepared for you. But there is no ceiling. How much you want to grow is up to you," Raveendran told the centre heads.

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

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Rave Party Involving 100 Busted In Bengaluru, 5 Arrested

The Anti-Narcotics division of Karnataka Police arrested five people, including three drug peddlers, after raiding a rave party organised at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Bengaluru, said officials on Monday.

The rave party, titled 'Sunset to Sunrise Victory', had 100 high profile attendees reportedly from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, including more than 25 young women.

The party - held at GM Farmhouse in the Singena Agrahara area near Electronics City - being referred to as a birthday celebration continued till the early hours of morning.

There's a strong buzz that some actors and actresses were present as well. However, the cops have been tight lipped so far.

The police have recovered 15.56 grams of MDMA drugs, 6.2 grams of cocaine, 6 grams of hydro ganja, five mobiles and two vehicles from the accused persons.

The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and various sections under the IPC were slapped against the five accused.

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"ISRO Aims To Explore Human Space Flight Activities, Moon": Chief

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath attended a programme at a school on Sunday and said that the space agency aims to explore human space flight activities and build space stations.

While speaking with the reporters, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath lauded the Chandrayaan Mission and said, "I would like to say today, after the successful Chandrayan Mission, the world is looking at us. We have announced Space Act Reforms in 2020 and there is a new Indian Space Policy 2023 by the government which has enabled private companies and institutions to come and work together."

He further added, "We are looking at a substantial growth in the space activity in private but more than that, there are institutional works which are happening. There is a new vision that has been put forward by the government in terms of what we want to do in the space sector in future."

The ISRO Chairman called the vision exciting and said, "And all of that is very exciting. We can explore human space flight activities, moon and other planets, and build space stations.

He added, "We also want to do a lot of economic activities in the space sector to create job, industries, and startups in the country."

On being asked about the Prime Minister's vision to send an astronaut to the moon by 2040, Somanath said, "It's already there in the announcement."

As per ISRO, the Government of India unleashed reforms in the space domain in 2020, opening the doors for enhanced participation of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in carrying out end-to-end activities in the space domain and providing them a level playing field.

Subsequent to these reforms, the Government sought to provide regulatory certainty for space activities by various stakeholders, to create a thriving space ecosystem.

The Indian Space Policy - 2023 was thus formulated as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision approved by Cabinet.

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

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Singapore, Nepal Envoys Among 20 Diplomats Attend PM's Public Meeting

A delegation comprising several foreign diplomats, including Singapore High Commissioner to India Simon Wong and Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar P Sharma, attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in North East Delhi today.

Voting in Delhi for all seven Lok Sabha seats will be held in a single phase on May 25. BJP's Manoj Tiwari is in the electoral fray against Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar P Sharma, said that about 20 dignitaries, including six ambassadors, will witness the rally and stressed that it is similar to Nepal.

Mr Sharma said, "Now we are here about 20 dignitaries from the embassies, including six ambassadors, to watch what the rally like in Delhi, especially, and also see what kind of programs you will have in the rally. So it's similar to Nepal, no doubt about that. But, we would like to have first-hand experience of the rally, especially that of the Prime Minister. We are proud of it."

Front row seats w fellow diplomatic colleagues to watch the world's largest democracy in action. Electrifying! Thank you @BJP4India, @vijai63 for the opportunity. - HC Wong@narendramodi pic.twitter.com/iEQKZKdtVV

— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) May 18, 2024

Calling India the "largest democracy" in the world, he said that part of the election has already been completed.

Nepal envoy said, "I think India is the mother of democracy, largest democracy in the world. So, I think we are very proud of that one. And then the general election is coming. The part of it has been already completed."

Lok Sabha elections 2024 are being held in 7 phases from April 19 to June 1. The fourth phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections was conducted on May 7. The remaining three phases of voting will be held on May 20, May 25, and June 1. The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.

Voting was held in 96 Lok Sabha seats in the fourth phase, out of which 25 were from Andhra Pradesh, 17 from Telangana, 13 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, eight each from Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, five from Bihar, four each from Jharkhand and Odisha, and one from Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 1,717 candidates were in the electoral fray in this phase.

The fourth phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls on May 7 in 96 constituencies saw a voter turnout of 69.16 per cent, the Election Commission said on Friday. It said 69.58 per cent of men voters, 68.73 per cent of women voters, and 34.23 per cent of third-gender individuals exercised their franchise.

"Actual data of Form 17 C shall prevail which is already shared with candidates. Final turnout will only be available post-counting with counting of postal ballots and its addition to total vote count," an Election Commission release said.

It said postal ballots include those given to service voters, absentee voters (85 , PwD, Essential Services etc) and voters on election duty. Daily account of such postal ballots received, as per statutory provisions, are given to all candidates.

The poll panel also gave parliamentary constituency-wise details of registered electors for 49 PCs going for polls in phase 5 on May 20.

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

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आजादी के पहले इंदौर में स्थापित हो गया था ये संग्रहालय, देखिए सदियों का इतिहास

पुरातत्व विभाग के प्रकाश परांजपे बताते हैं कि असल में संग्रहालय की शुरुआत होलकर शासकों ने अपने अतीत की यादों को सहेजने से की थी, जिसे नवरत्न मंदिर नाम दिया गया था. वस्तुओं की संख्या के साथ संग्रहालय का आकार बढ़ता गया और...

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Bus Carrying Uttarakhand Pilgrims Catches Fire In Madhya Pradesh, None Hurt

Pilgrims travelling to Uttarakhand for 'Char Dham Yatra' in a private bus from Maharashtra's Buldhana town had a providential escape when their vehicle suddenly caught fire on Friday here in Madhya Pradesh and was completely gutted, officials said.

No one was injured in the incident which took place in the afternoon as passengers quickly came out of the bus, which was totally gutted, a police official said.

A total of 30 passengers, including eight children, were on-board the ill-fated bus when it caught fire near Kolaras town in Shivpuri district, Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Vijay Yadav said.

As soon as the travellers noticed smoke emanating in the bus, they immediately came out, a woman passenger said.

Later, the bus was engulfed in flames which were doused by a fire tender, Yadav said, adding it appears the blaze was caused by an electrical short-circuit.

The luggage of the passengers bound for Uttarakhand was damaged in the fire, the official added.

A total of 60 passengers in two private buses had left from Buldhana town on May 15 for the popular pilgrimage to four sacred Hindu sites located in the Himalayas, 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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Indore Civic Body Withdraws 'Military' Uniform Of Anti Encroachment Team

The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) on Thursday said it would withdraw the new uniform of its anti-encroachment squad after opposition Congress alleged that it resembled military fatigues and amounted to insulting the Army.

The uniform has a camouflage pattern, generally associated with the armed forces.

Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said in a statement that the civic body decided to give a uniform to its anti-encroachment squad staff for promoting discipline besides bringing uniformity in their attire.

"If this uniform is hurting the sentiments of any person, necessary changes will be made," he said.

Earlier, Congress' Chintu Choukse, leader of opposition in the IMC, had claimed that the civic body insulted the Army by selecting "the uniform of soldiers" for the anti-encroachment squad personnel.

"These employees are infamous for extortion from carts and street vendors," he had 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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31 डंपर 8 पोक्लैंड... खनन माफिया के खिलाफ स्ट्राइक, 20 करोड़ की रेत जब्त

MP News: खनिज अधिकारी पालेवार द्वारा बताया गया कि कलेक्टर नरेन्द्र कुमार सूर्यवंशी के निर्देशानुसार ग्राम पासईमाल में अवैध उत्खनन की शिकायत प्राप्त होने पर खनिज विभाग और अमला की राजस्व टीम द्वारा संयुक्त निरीक्षण किया गया.

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Southwest Monsoon Likely To Reach Kerala Around May 31: Weather Office

Southwest Monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala around May 31, setting the stage for the four-month rainfall season crucial for India's farm-based economy.

"This year, the Southwest Monsoon is likely to set over Kerala on May 31 with a model error of four days," the India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

"This is not early; it's close to the normal date," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

The date of monsoon onset over Kerala has varied widely over the last 150 years, the earliest being May 11, 1918, and the most delayed being June 18, 1972, according to IMD data.

The rain-bearing system arrived in the southern state on June 8 last year, May 29 in 2022, June 3 in 2021 and June 1 in 2020.

Last month, the IMD had forecast above-normal rain in the monsoon season in India with favourable La Nina conditions expected to set in by August-September.

Parts of the country battled brutal heat in April, with maximum temperatures shattering records in several states and severely impacting health and livelihoods.

The crippling heat is straining power grids and drying up water bodies triggering drought-like conditions in parts of the country. A prediction of above-normal monsoonal rainfall, therefore, comes as a huge relief to the fast-developing South Asian nation.

The monsoon is critical for India's agricultural landscape, with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. It is also crucial for replenishing reservoirs critical for drinking water, apart from power generation across the country.

June and July are considered the most important monsoon months for agriculture because most of the sowing for the Kharif crop takes place during this period.

El Nino conditions are prevailing at present, and La Nina may set in by August-September, scientists say.

El Nino - the periodic warming of surface waters in the central Pacific Ocean - is associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India. La Nina - the antithesis of El Nino- leads to plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season.

The IMD is also anticipating the development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) or cooler-than-normal Indian Ocean in the east compared to the west, which helps bring rain to several states in southern India. The IOD is currently 'neutral' and is expected to turn positive by August.

Another factor is below-normal snow cover in the northern hemisphere and Eurasia. Historically, there has been an "inverse relationship" between the levels of snow here and the monsoon.

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

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"Raebareli, Amethi Not Constituencies, But Our Karmabhoomi": Rahul Gandhi

As he seeks to retain the Rae Bareli seat represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi for two decades, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he has an emotional family relationship with the people and will stand by both Amethi and Rae Bareli whenever required.

He shared an emotional video with his mother on social media, where he is seen watching family pictures in Amethi and Rae Bareli and remembered their connect with the people of both Amethi and Rae Bareli.

Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat and is pitted against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh, who had unsuccessfully contested the last Lok Sabha election against Sonia Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi was earlier an MP from Amethi but had lost to Smriti Irani in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"Rae Bareli and Amethi are not just constituencies for us, they are our 'karmabhoomi', every corner of which is holding the memories of generations.

रायबरेली और अमेठी हमारे लिए सिर्फ चुनाव क्षेत्र नहीं, हमारी कर्मभूमि है, जिसका कोना कोना पीढ़ियों की यादें संजोए हुए है।

मां के साथ पुरानी तस्वीरें देखकर पापा और दादी की याद भी आ गयी, जिनकी शुरू की गयी सेवा की परंपरा मैंने और मां ने आगे बढ़ाई।

प्रेम और विश्वास की बुनियाद पर… pic.twitter.com/9RKgGG8qjb

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 14, 2024

"Looking at old photographs with my mother, I also remembered my father and grandmother, whose started this tradition of service and was carried forward by me and my mother," he said in a post in Hindi on X.

"This relationship of more than 100 years old, built on the foundation of love and trust, has given us everything. Whenever Amethi and Rae Bareli calls us, we will be there," he also said while sharing the video.

In the over 6-minute video, Sonia Gandhi said she started visiting Amethi in 1982 when they used to go there for holding medical camps and several good doctors from Delhi used to always work there and offer help.

"Panditji started this political life with the area in 1921 and a farmer leader Baba Ram Chandra shared his grief with Panditji. Rahul's grandfather Feroze Gandhi was the MP from Rae Bareli in 1952," she also said, adding that after his demise, his grandmother Indira Gandhi started representing Rae Bareli.

"We used to visit village to village during weddings or deaths and even visited during floods or drought and visited people during to attend villages. They accepted me immediately and I shared a relationship like a daughter and daughter-in-law," Sonia Gandhi also said.

Mr said, "Our family has a relationship of over 100 years with Amethi and Rae Bareli".

He added that his great grandfather started his politics against the British from Rae Bareli.

He also said that during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, people of the area had come to them when an ITI was being shut in Rae Bareli and said, "we worked hard to save it as we wanted to save that technological spirit in the area." "In 1982 when my father went there, he worked hard and initiated a lot of development work and transformed Amethi completely.

"In Rae Bareli, my grandmother had initiated a lot of development and it was ahead of Amethi. But, whn my father went to Amethi, he ushered in a lot of developmental works and then it looked as if Amethi is ahead of Rae Bareli," he also said.

Then, he said, our government was formed and my mother and I initiated a lot of works and ensured road connectivity and constructed national highways and other roads. "We also started self help groups and helped lakhs of women and opened their bank accounts that transformed their lives." Mr Gandhi said they also opened institutions there like the Petroleum institute and CRPF training camp.

"The biggest work that could have transformed Amethi and Rae areli, and was stopped by the BJP, was the food park, where 40 separate storage would have been created. I felt that that food park would have changed the face of Amethi and Rae Bareli.

"That is my plan for Rae Bareli, to connect Rae Bareli with the entire country and open up manufacturing units there. I would also want to set up a food processing unit there," Mr Gandhi said.

"I also want to hear out the hearts of people of Rae Bareli and act on it. The works done by my grandmother and mother in Rae Bareli, I want to take that forward," he noted.

"That relationship is different, it is like a family, friendship and affection. Like I have my relationship with my mother and sister, I have the same relationship with Rae Bareli. I also like the food there and the 'Arhar ki Dal' made there, you can't find anywhere else. For me, Amethi and Rae Bareli are the same and whenever Amethi and Rae Bareli require us, we will be available," Rahul Gandhi also 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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Cellphones Of Indians On Ship That Hit US Bridge Seized By FBI: Report

The FBI has seized the cellphones of the mostly Indian crew on board a crippled cargo ship in Baltimore as part of the investigation into the deadly bridge accident in the US city, a non-profit organisation in touch with the personnel said.

The 2.6-km-long, four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River came crashing down on March 26 after the 984-foot ship ‘Dali' collided against it. The crew on board Dali included 20 Indians and one Sri Lankan. The crew has been on the ship since the accident and has been cooperating with the investigation.

Executive Director of the Baltimore International Seafarers' Centre The Rev. Joshua Messick told PTI that he is working with all of the relevant organisations to make sure the crew has what they need and that their rights are being upheld.

“They are well cared for with the sole exception that their cellphones were seized as part of the FBI's investigation and have not been returned,” he said.

Mr Messick said he is in “contact with the crew to purchase some SIM cards for them and to plan trips ashore when they are able to have shore leave”.

The Baltimore International Seafarers' Centre is a non-profit organisation serving seafarers that call on the Port of Baltimore from all over the world. The mission of the organisation is to “facilitate the well-being of crew members by offering transportation ashore,” according to information on its website.

Last month, US authorities opened a criminal investigation into the Baltimore bridge collapse incident that killed six construction crew workers, who were repairing potholes on the bridge when the collision occurred.

The Washington Post had said that the FBI opened the criminal investigation "focusing on the massive container ship that brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last month — a probe that will look at least in part at whether the crew left the port knowing the vessel had serious systems problems”.

The Key Bridge Response Unified Command is scheduled to use precision cuts made with small charges to remove a large section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge wreckage from on top of the Dali.

For safety reasons, the controlled demolition to remove the bridge section resting on the deck of the Dali has tentatively been scheduled for Monday. Due to weather conditions producing lightning within 10 miles of the M/V Dali, remaining daylight, and rising tide, Unified Command has moved the demolition to Monday.

The Key Bridge Response Unified Command said in a statement that the safest and swiftest method to remove the bridge piece from on top of the Dali is by “precision cuts made with small charges. This is an industry-standard tool in controlled demolition that will break the span into smaller pieces, which will allow the work of refloating the vessel and removing it from the federal channel”.

Authorities said the small charges, a standard controlled demolition tool, will split the large section of truss at specific locations to create multiple, smaller sections, which allows salvors to use cranes and barges already on scene to remove these sections of the bridge and ultimately remove the Dali from the channel.

“We remain focused on restoring the Marine Transportation System, while ensuring the protection of the public and the environment,” said Capt David O'Connell, Key Bridge Response Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “By using precision cuts, we reduce risks to our personnel and can safely and efficiently continue clearing the channel for the Port of Baltimore,” he said.

The Singapore-flagged Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and managed by Synergy Marine Group. In the days following the accident, US authorities had begun interviewing personnel, including the Indian crew members, on board Dali.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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'400 Paar' Push, BJP's Governance Model: PM Modi Exclusive On NDTV. Full Transcript

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke exclusively to NDTV during a roadshow on Sunday and predicted a clean sweep for the alliance in Bihar. He said the BJP will expand its footprint hugely in eastern India this time, which would take the NDA easily over the 400-seat mark.

Here is the full transcript of the exclusive interview:

NDTV: The tallest mass leader that India has seen in many decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is today in Patliputra and in this epic battle and has decided to give us time from his busy schedule.

Thank you very much for speaking to the viewers of NDTV. The viewers of our six channels are watching you right now. You have done programmes across the country. Is Patna's vibe a bit different?

PM Modi: I have visited almost all the states of India. And I can say that Bihar has added many colours to the BJP and NDA's resolution of '400 paar'. The atmosphere in Bihar is the same as that of the entire country.

NDTV: Many people are speculating that there is a BJP upswing in east India, whether you talk about Bengal or Odisha, even in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. What is your assessment?

PM Modi: If I talk beyond politics, there is a 2013 speech by me. I was not even the PM candidate then. So, if we want to develop India, we will have to develop east India. Eastern India should be made a growth engine. In the last ten years, I have laid emphasis on infrastructure, education, health and many such projects in eastern India. As far as this election is concerned, there is a huge storm that will sweep north, south, east and west. In the east, this time the results will be better than before and I believe that these will be surprising for the people of the country. One example for that would be Telangana. In Telangana, you won't be able to imagine the results. You will get the same results in Andhra, you will get the same results in Odisha, Bengal. You will get the same results in eastern India, be it Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam. So, in a way, I can see that the the Bharatiya Janata Party will be adding more areas to its tally.

NDTV: You are talking about these catchment areas. Please assess Bihar. What do you think will happen in Bihar?

PM Modi: In Bihar, I spoke to our colleagues that we had lost one seat earlier, perhaps this time we will not lose any.

NDTV: We are near Charkha samiti right now. Tell me what comes to your mind when you come to Bihar.

PM Modi: Well, I have come here a lot for organisational work and I have been to many areas. I am connected with many old things here.

NDTV: Do you see this election as a referendum or as a governance model fight?

PM Modi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has given a model of governance to the country. The country has seen the model of Congress, the country has seen the model of the Left, the country has seen the model of coalition governments and the country has seen the model of BJP and NDA full majority and it has seen a dynamic government and a decisive government, a risk-taking government. And on the basis of that we have been moving ahead.

NDTV: The number of women is very high here. You have created a constituency for yourself because whatever you have done, Ujjwala scheme, many states also have women-centric schemes, so do you think that women voters are with you?

PM Modi: Empowerment of women is my commitment and I have taken lead in G-20 summit on women-led development and for this we should give opportunities to women. Women should rise above the traditional things that we have. Like we initiated drone didi (scheme) in the villages, like we opened the doors of the Army, when we made them pilots in the Air Force, we sent our daughters to the border, our daughters are going to Siachen and protecting the country. So I have succeeded in bringing in a psychological change. And the power of women will become an additional force in the country's development journey and will accelerate the results.

NDTV: Thank you very much for talking to us.

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3 Men Kidnapped, Tortured With Electric Shock To Private Parts In Karnataka

The Karnataka police have arrested seven persons for the brutal torture of three kidnapped second-hand car dealers in Kalaburagi district of the state on Saturday.

Horrifying videos, which went viral on social media, show the kidnappers administering electric shocks to the victims' private parts. The victims, were in a nude state.

The arrested abductors have been identified as Imran Patel, Mohammad Matheen a.k.a Steel Matheen, Mohammad Zia Ul Hussain, Mohammad Afzal Sheik, Hussain Sheik, Ramesh, and Sagar. The gang reportedly includes others, and the police have launched a hunt for them.

The victims lodged a complaint with the Vishwavidyalaya police station in Kalaburagi on May 5 at 9:30 p.m., complaining that they were kidnapped while showing a second-hand car to the accused on May 4.

The victims were held captive at an isolated location, assaulted with sticks, and extorted for money. The accused tortured the victims, demanding more money. The police have initiated a further investigation into the matter.

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

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"Why Is BJP Obsessed With Congress' Manifesto": Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Questioning BJP's "obsession" with the Congress party's manifesto, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said that BJP must start talking about their own poll document adding that ruling party should also list out on what it has done for the people in last 10 years.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "BJP is attributing their imagination to our manifesto. It is speaking of buffaloes. It lists things that are nowhere in our manifesto. Why is it not listing things from their own manifesto?. They should list what they did. Why are they obsessed with our manifesto? They have their own. All their leaders know that if the election comes to concrete issues - unemployment, inflation, farmers' issues, they will not be able to win."

Earlier today, Priyanka Gandhi also slammed Centre over Agnipath scheme.

"What kind of scheme does Modi govt bring for you? They brought schemes like Agniveer. At one time, when you used to go in the military, you would have thought that it's fine I am ready to sacrifice myself for the country but, my family will be secured. What is today now, join the military, get retired in five years, and you are unemployed again," she said at a public meeting in Amethi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have repeatedly said that the Congress manifesto has an "imprint of the ideology of the Muslim League."

Hitting back at the Bharatiya Janata Party over their leaders calling Congress' manifesto having "imprints of Muslim League", Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asked how promising employment to youth, MSP to farmers and money to women related to Muslim League.

"Is giving Rs 1 lakh annually to every woman a program of the Muslim League? Giving jobs to the youth, giving them training and giving them Rs 1 lakh for training, is it a program of the Muslim League? We have promised MSP for farmers. Is it for Muslim League? We have promised to fill the backlog and vacancies. Is it for Muslim League?" Kharge asked.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress over its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, alleging that it smacks of appeasement and reads like a poll document of the erstwhile 'Muslim League'.

Addressing a rally in Bihar's Nawada, PM Modi accused the Opposition bloc--INDIA of trying to divide the country."The leaders of the INDI alliance talk about another partition of India. The leaders of the Congress party are openly advocating separate nationhood for South India. The Congress manifesto that was released earlier smacks of appeasement and reads like a poll document of the Muslim League," PM Modi said.

Congress has made a slew of promises in its manifesto including a legal guarantee for MSP, Rs 1 lakh to women annually, apprenticeship program for youth, 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, removing 50 per cent reservation cap, repealing Agnipath scheme, doubling GDP in next ten years, strengthening anti-defection law, restoring status quo ante with China, mobile phones for students from class IX to XII and amending the GST regime.

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

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After Rottweiler Attack, Tamil Nadu Bans 23 "Dangerous" Dog Breeds

In the wake of a Rottweiler dog attacking a five-year-old girl in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department on Thursday banned any import, breeding, or sale of 33 breeds of dogs that have been termed "dangerous" for people.

According to the Animal Husbandry Department statement, the dog breeds that are banned are Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro, American Bulldog, Caucasian Shephard, Kangal Shepherd Dog, Terriers, Mastiffs, Tornjak, Cane Corso, Wolf Dogs, Akbash, Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Rottweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Canaria, Moscow Guard, and Bandog.

It stated that the dogs in the above list should undergo sterilisation surgery immediately to prevent reproduction.

The Union Animal Husbandry Department has already recommended bans on various dog breeds, including Rottweilers, Pitbulls, American Bulldogs and others considered dangerous. It has directed the state governments and Union Territories to ensure that licenses are not given for the sale, breeding, and keeping as pets of such dogs that are dangerous to human lives.

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

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सीढ़ियों के नीचे बना था बाथरूम, पुलिस ने हटाई नई ईंटें, मंजर देख हिल गए अधिकारी

MP News : मध्य प्रदेश के श्योपुर शहर में दिल्ली से पहुंचा युवक आराम से घर में अकेले रह रहा था. पड़ोसियों को उसकी गतिविधि पर शक हुआ तो पुलिस को खबर दी. पुलिस ने जब छापा मारा तो घर के अंदर सीढ़ियों के नीचे बने बाथरूम में कुच अजीब लगा. बाथरूम में नई ईंटों को जैसे ही हटाया तो साने का मंजर देखकर आंखें फटी की फटी रह गईं. आइये जानते हैं पूरा मामला...

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Rain Causes Havoc In Parts Of Uttarakhand, But Also Douses Forest Fires

This year's first major spell of rain has led to a few roads being blocked and water entering houses in some parts of Uttarakhand. A silver lining to the tragedy, however, is that fires raging in forests were doused in some of the places where the rainfall occurred.

A cloudburst in Someshwar in Almora district on Wednesday caused the destruction of crops and farmers with both small and large landholdings suffered losses. Water also entered several houses. Farmers in Pithoragarh have also demanded compensation from the government for crop losses caused by a hailstorm.  

In some parts of the Kumaon region, under which the Almora district falls, the rainfall led to forest fires being extinguished. 

In the Bageshwar district of the region, the heavy caused traffic jams in many places on the Kapkot Bageshwar road. Many people were also stuck while trying to cross a small stream that had a lot of water flowing in it because of the rain. 

Vehicular movement was also stopped in a market near the Purola Hudoli ravine in Uttarkashi district.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Supreme Court rapped the Uttarakhand government while hearing a petition on forest fires in the state and said the administration cannot depend only on rain and cloud seeding to control the blazes.

The government said only 0.1 per cent of the forest cover in the hill state was on fire. It also told the court that 398 incidents of forest fires were recorded and 350 cases have been registered. 

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Odisha Won't Like Chief Minister Remote Controlled By Delhi: VK Pandian

Bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader VK Pandian on Tuesday said the people of Odisha would not like a chief minister who will be remote-controlled by Delhi.

The comment of Mr Pandian, a close aide of Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the BJP will select its CM on June 6 and the saffron party's government will take oath in Odisha on June 10.

Mr Patnaik takes his decisions in Bhubaneswar and not sitting in Delhi, he said.

"The people have been electing Naveen Patnaik as their chief minister since 2000 and they will not like Delhi leaders to select any other chief minister," Mr Pandian said at a roadshow in Khalikote town in Ganjam district.

He claimed that Mr Patnaik will take oath as the CM for the sixth consecutive term on June 9.

"The BJD has declared Naveen Babu as its chief minister. If you (BJP) have courage, declare the name of your chief ministerial candidate. I am sure, if you name who will be the CM, the party will not get 10 per cent votes in the state," he said.

Without naming Dharmendra Pradhan, he said a union minister was trying to become the chief minister of the state.

If the Delhi leaders are given the opportunity to select Odisha's chief minister, the state would be pushed to 25 years back, he claimed.

"Let me tell you that Delhi leaders will hold the remote of the state government and all decisions will be taken by someone else in Delhi and not the chief minister," he said.

Be it flood or drought, a BJP CM will have to depend on the direction of leaders in New Delhi, as had been done during the Congress government 25 years ago, Mr Pandian claimed.

"The people of Odisha are the remote controller of Naveen Patnaik. This is the difference between a double-engine government and the Naveen engine government," Mr Pandian said.

Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha.

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

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Man Kills Wife, Had Told Cops She Was Strangled By Robbers: Cops

A man was arrested in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly killing his wife and then telling police she was strangled by motorcycle-borne robbers, an official said on Monday.

Accused Shubham Chaudhary (26) was having an affair with a woman, which was opposed by his wife Reshma (25), said Jabalpur Superintendent of Police Aditya Pratap Singh.

Shubham had told police he and his wife were attacked by motorcycle borne robbers while the couple was driving in Madhotal area here on Saturday night.

He had told police the robbers strangled her with a saree while resisting their bid to snatch her purse and jewellery.

"When we checked CCTV footage of the area, we could not find the four wheeler they were supposedly travelling. Local residents too denied knowledge of any such incident," the SP said.

During questioning, Shubham confessed to choking his wife to death, he said.

"Based on his interrogation, we also arrested his friends Prahlad Singh Thakur (27), Anurag Kushwah (21), Shibbu (24)," the official 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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15 दिन पहले ही बहन की शादी में शामिल हुए थे IAF के कॉर्पोरल विक्की पहाड़े

IAF Corporal Vikky Pahade: भारतीय वायु सेना के कॉर्पोरल विक्की पहाड़े के परिवार के सदस्यों के अनुसार, पहाड़े 2011 में भारतीय वायुसेना में शामिल हुए थे. उनके परिवार में पत्नी रीना और बेटा हार्दिक है. उन्होंने बताया कि पहाड़े अपनी छोटी बहन की शादी में शामिल होने के बाद 18 अप्रैल को अपनी यूनिट में लौटे थे.

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6 Of Family Killed In Accident On Mumbai-Delhi Expressway In Rajasthan

Six people of a family were killed and two children injured when their car collided with a tractor on the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur on Sunday, police said.

According to the police, the family was going from Khandela in Sikar to the Trinetra Ganesh Temple in Ranthambore when the accident occurred. Assistant Superintendent of Police Dinesh Yadav said that the car was badly damaged and bodies could only be taken out with a hard effort. The two children injured in the accident were first admitted to the Community Health Centre in Baunli village and later were referred to Jaipur.

As per the police, the family was originally from Mukundgarh in Jhunjhunu but currently living in Sikar.
 

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

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RLD Leader Quits Party After Ally BJP Gives Ticket To Brij Bhushan's Son

National spokesperson of BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Dal Rohit Jakhar has resigned from the party in protest against the BJP giving a ticket to the son of incumbent MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing criminal charges of sexually harassing women wrestlers.

"Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is an accused in the sexual harassment case of women wrestlers. Giving tickets to his son is an insult to the women wrestlers. For me the honour of the country comes first," Rohit Jakhar told PTI on Saturday.

"I sent my resignation from the post of the national spokesperson and the primary membership of the Rashtriya Lok Dal to party president Jayant Choudhary on Friday," the Jat leader added.

Rohit Jakhar also said that he was not joining any political party but his struggle for social issues would continue as before.

Rohit Jakhar is among the top leaders of the RLD and is also the state president of the National Jat Federation. He has been associated with the RLD and the farmers' movement for over a decade.

The BJP on Thursday named Karan Bhushan Singh as its Lok Sabha candidate from the Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh, replacing his father and former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh.

Brij Bhushan Singh stepped down from his post as the wrestling federation president amid a raging protest against him over the allegations but has denied the charges. The Delhi Police has filed a charge sheet against him in court. 

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

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'To Stop Congress From Looting Farmers': J Scindia Explains 2020 Coup

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Guna parliamentary seat, Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday took a jibe at former CMs Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh saying that if he had not changed the government in 2020, the money of Kisan Samman Nidhi would have gone in the pockets of ex-CMs.

Mr Scindia made the remark while addressing a public gathering at Gormi in Bhind district in support of BJP nominee from Bhind constituency, Sandhya Ray for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

"Money under Kisan Nidhi Samman is being given to 11 crore farmers in the country. Rs 6000 is being provided from PM Modi (central government) and Rs 6000 from CM Mohan Yadav (state government) annually. If I had not changed the government in 2020, you (farmers) would not have got this money. That money would have gone to the pockets of Kamal Nath ji and Digvijaya Singh ji. I cut their pockets and put that money in your pockets," Mr Scindia said.

Mr Scindia further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying under his leadership the country was developing rapidly and construction works were going on at a fast pace.

"Today the country is developing rapidly, construction of bridges and dams are going on at a fast pace in the country. A good network of roads is being formed across the country. All this has been possible due to the resolution of developed India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the BJP leader said.

Today free treatment for poor people has become possible in any private hospital in the country under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. The country is constantly moving forward in the field of education. New trains have been started in India and railway stations have been developed, he added.

He further said, "The Scindia family has a 250 years old relationship with Bhind district. It is our family. Many development works have been done in Bhind district by the Scindia family, right from the constructing railway line to college, various things have been constructed here by the Scindia family."

Meanwhile, wooing the voters, the BJP leader said that a double engine government is needed for the rapid development of Bhind.

"A double engine government is needed for the development of Bhind. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be at the centre and there is a BJP government in the state. When there will be a double engine government, your city, your town, your village will run fast on the axis of development," Scindia added.

Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh are being conducted in four phases. The first phase of polling was held on April 19 and the second phase was concluded on April 26.

The next two phases will be conducted on May 7 and May 13. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

A total of nine parliamentary constituencies- Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh and Betul- will go to the polls in the third phase on May 7.

On the other hand, eight constituencies - Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa- will go to the polls in the fourth and the last phase in the state on May 13.

With 29 Lok Sabha constituencies, Madhya Pradesh ranks sixth among all states in terms of its representation in the Lower House. Of these, 10 seats are reserved for SC and ST candidates, while the remaining 19 are unreserved.

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

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Man Arrested For Threatening Rajasthan MLA In Name Of Gangster: Police

The Rajasthan police have arrested a man for threatening an Independent MLA from Sheo (Barmer), Ravindra Singh Bhati, in the name of gangster Rohit Godara.

Mr Bhati recently contested the Lok Sabha elections from Barmer as an Independent candidate.

Barmer SP Narendra Singh Meena said on Thursday that the accused, Mangaram, had given the threat on social media a few days back. After investigation, the accused was arrested.

He said during interrogation, the accused revealed that when he saw comments about Bhati and the Congress candidate in Lok Sabha election, Umedaram Beniwal, on Facebook and Instagram, he posted threatening comments on Bhati's Facebook account from a fake profile made in the name of Rohit Godara.

Later, he deleted the post, 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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"Has There Been A Deal In Wayanad That Muslims...?" PM Modi Attacks Congress

Attacking the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked if there has been a 'deal' in Wayanad to extend the benefit of reservation to the Muslim community.

Asserting that giving religion-based reservations is "unconstitutional", he accused Congress of snatching reservations from the SC, ST and OBC communities.

In an interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh, PM Modi said, "There is a question in my mind. Has there been a deal in Wayanad, that Muslims will be given a share in the reservation, and in return make us win the seat of Wayanad? The country wants to know this."

"Today, what is happening, is they (Congress) are finding ways to snatch the reservation for SC, ST and OBC, given to them by the Constitution. They want to give religion-based reservation," he added.

PM Modi further said that it was decided by the makers of the Constitution that reservation can't be given on the basis of religion.

"When the Constitution was formed, months of discussion took place. It was discussed between many knowledgeable people whether reservations should be given on a religious basis. It was agreed upon that it can't be given...now they are trying to give reservation on a religious basis, because of vote bank," he said.

He also attacked the Congress party over not going to the Pran Pratishtha of Ayodhya Ram Mandir and accused the BJP of asserting their right to the temple.

"Can anyone have a right on the almighty? An ordinary party like the BJP is nothing in front of Lord Ram. Lord Ram should be of everyone. And why do they talk about this? To hide their hidden agenda, which is to maintain their vote bank," PM Modi said.

"They (Congress) thought, if they went to Ram Mandir, they would lose their vote bank...if you remember Rajiv Gandhi had started his election campaign from Ram Mandir. But then their vote bank asked, 'If you do this, what is the difference between you and the BJP'. So they ran away. Earlier they used to visit temples, but not now. Because their vote bank had scolded them last time.

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

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VK Pandian's Wife Transferred On Alleged Misuse Of Public Office: Report

The Election Commission on Thursday ordered the immediate transfer of senior Odisha bureaucrat Sujata R Kartikeyan to a non-public dealing department following complaints of alleged misuse of public office, sources said.

She is the wife of BJD leader V K Pandian, a close associate of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Ms Kartikeyan was holding the post of commissioner cum secretary in the Department of Mission Shakti, Odisha.

The sources said Ms Kartikeyan was shunted out with immediate effect following complaints of alleged misuse of public office.

The BJP had petitioned the Election Commission to remove Ms Karthikeyan from her post contending that she was "actively" operating as an agent of the ruling BJD in the state.

"It is unfortunate that the serving IAS officer has given a go-bye to professionalism and is actively indulging as an agent of the BJD because of the influence of her husband on her. She is actively participating in the elections as a front person of the BJD in a manner which has been unheard of earlier," it said.

"With a view to preserve the unbiased and unblemished reputation of the ECI, it would be in the fitness of things to relieve Sujata R Kartikeyan, IAS from the post of commissioner-cum secretary, department of of Mission Shakti, government of Odisha and not assigned any public dealing duty till the conclusion of the impending parliamentary and assembly elections in the state of Odisha," the BJP demanded.

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

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BJP Will Take Action If Pawan Singh Contests Against NDA Nominee: Minister

Union Minister R K Singh on Thursday sought action against Bhojpuri singer-turned-politician Pawan Singh who has announced that he will contest the Lok Sabha elections against NDA despite being a BJP member.

R K Singh was responding to queries about the singer's decision to enter the fray as an independent from the Karakat Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, where former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, chief of Rashtriya Lok Morcha, is contesting as the NDA candidate.

"Either he should announce that he would not contest polls against the NDA nominee from Karakat or he should be suspended from the primary membership of the BJP. If he fights elections from Karakat, his suspension from the party will be the appropriate decision. Upendra Kushwa is the NDA candidate, who is Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's nominee," said R K Singh, seeking re-election from the Arrah Lok Sabha seat.

Anybody contesting against the NDA nominee means he or she is against the alliance headed by Modi Ji, the minister said.

"Kushwaha's win will strengthen the hands of the prime minister. It's as simple as that," the union minister told reporters in Arrah.

Despite several attempts, Pawan Singh could not be reached for comment.

Asked about the Bhojpuri singer's decision, Bihar BJP president Samrat Chaudhary evaded a direct reply.

"Upendra Kushwaha is the NDA nominee from Karakat. He has the approval from PM Modi. The entire BJP is with Kushwaha. All BJP workers and leaders of NDA parties are working for him," Chaudhary told PTI.

Pawan Singh, who had earlier turned down a BJP ticket for Asansol in West Bengal, had recently said he would contest polls from the Karakat seat.

He has started campaigning there and announced that he would soon file his nomination papers as an independent candidate.

If Pawan Singh throws his hat into the ring as an independent candidate, the Karakat Lok Sabha seat is all set to witness a triangular contest.

Mr Kushwaha will soon file his nomination papers from the seat as the NDA nominee, while the CPI(M-L) Liberation's former MLA Rajaram Singh is also in the fray as a 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate.

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

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Rajasthan Government School Teacher Suspended For Beating Class 3 Student

The Rajasthan government on Wednesday suspended a government school teacher in Barmer district for allegedly beating a class 3 student.

Ganpat Patalia, a teacher of Government Higher Primary School in Chhota Hathala village, was suspended after the authorities took suo moto cognizance of a video in which he was seen slapping a student.

The teacher had slapped an eight-year-old student named Praveen on Monday, Bakhasar Police Station SHO Vishan Singh said.

An FIR was booked in the matter on Tuesday evening after a video of it surfaced on the internet.

Singh said the medical examination of the boy has been done and further action will be taken against the teacher after the boy's and his family members' statements have been recorded.

Rajasthan School Education Minister Madan Dilawar had earlier in the day ordered officials to take strict action in the matter.

"Taking this whole incident seriously, necessary guidelines have been given to them after talking to the concerned officers for taking strict action against each culprit involved in this act," Mr Dilawar wrote on X.

इस पूरी घटना को गंभीरता से लेते हुए इस कृत्य में शामिल प्रत्येक दोषी के खिलाफ कठोर कार्रवाई हेतु संबंधित अधिकारियों से वार्तालाप कर उन्हें आवश्यक दिशा निर्देश दिए गए हैं।

हमारी सरकार के कार्यकाल में राजस्थान के स्वर्णिम भविष्य के आधार स्तंभ बच्चों के साथ किसी भी प्रकार के… https://t.co/smyVykchmu

— Madan Dilawar (मोदी का परिवार) (@madandilawar) May 1, 2024

He added, "During the tenure of our government, any kind of misbehavior with children, who are the pillars of the golden future of Rajasthan, will not be tolerated at all."

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