More than 4,100 police personnel, along with four companies of Central Armed Forces, and 1,837 home guards, will be deployed at 2,765 polling booths across Nagpur city on April 19 when votes will be cast for the Lok Sabha constituency, a top officer said on Tuesday. Union minister and sitting BJP MP Nitin Gadkari is in the fray from this constituency against Congress MLA Vikas Thakre. The RSS headquarters is situated in Nagpur city, the second capital of Maharashtra. "4,161 policemen, four companies of Central Armed Forces, and 1,837 home guards will be assigned to guard 2,765 polling booths across Nagpur city," city police commissioner Ravinder Singal told reporters. He said city police have seized various drugs, 3,000 litres of liquor, and cash collectively amounting to Rs 85 lakh since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect on March 16. Police have also seized eight firearms, while preventive action has been taken against 1,625 individuals, he added. A total of five seats, including Nagpur, Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), Bhandara-Gondiya, Chandrapur, and Ramtek (SC) in the east Vidarbha region will vote in the first phase of general elections in Maharashtra. Separately, Nagpur (Rural) Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar said 151 officers, 2,676 police personnel, and 1,574 home guards will be deployed in the district which has 1,745 polling booths, including 52 critical ones. Additionally, three companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be stationed at sensitive polling stations. Congress' Shyam Kumar Barve and Shiv Sena leader Raju Parwe are the main candidates in Ramtek. He said police seized liquor valued at Rs 37 lakh and filed 569 cases against 994 individuals under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act since the poll code came into effect. Additionally, 14 cases were filed under the Arms Act, resulting in the seizure of 17 weapons. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 April,2024 11:07 PM IST | Nagpur | PTIRama Navami is a prominent Hindu holiday held throughout India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, one of Hinduism's most adored deities. The event takes place on the ninth day (Navami) of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra, which often occurs in March or April. This auspicious day is deeply religious and culturally significant for millions of Hindus around the world. However, Rama Navami 2024 celebrations have invoked unmatched fervour since Ram Mandir's opening in Ayodhya earlier this year. Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu's seventh incarnation, is adored as the embodiment of righteousness, virtue, and dharma (obligation). His life and teachings, as described in the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana, serve as a moral compass for believers, directing them towards virtue and devotion. Hindus of all ages commemorate Rama Navami with great excitement and devotion. Devotees often begin the day by taking a holy bath, visiting temples, and offering prayers and devotional songs to Lord Ram. Many believers fast and read passages from the Ramayana to honour Lord Rama's glorious birth. One of the highlights of Rama Navami celebrations is the magnificent procession known as the "Rama Navami Rath Yatra." In several regions of India, lavishly decorated chariots carrying idols of Lord Rama, his spouse Sita, and his faithful devotee Hanuman are paraded through the streets while hymns and devotional songs are chanted. The atmosphere is filled with excitement, spirituality, and reverence as devotees gather to commemorate the important occasion. The consecration of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh has heightened the excitement surrounding Rama Navami 2024 celebrations. The construction of the huge temple dedicated to Lord Rama is extremely significant for millions of Hindus around the world. For decades, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has been a source of historical and political debate, with a long-running disagreement about the temple's location. After a protracted legal struggle, the Supreme Court of India declared in November 2019 that a Ram Mandir could be built on the disputed site in Ayodhya, putting an end to years of controversy and division. The temple's completion is a historic event, fulfilling the dreams of millions of Hindus who have long desired to see a majestic temple dedicated to their favourite deity.
16 April,2024 10:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Election Commission on Tuesday banned Congress leader Randeep Surjewala from campaigning for 48-hours over his alleged "derogatory remarks" against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini. ECI bars Randeep Surjewala from holding any rally, public appearances and interview. The poll body issued a show-cause notice to Surjewala for allegedly making "vulgar" remarks about Hema Malini."Now, therefore, the Commission without prejudice to any Order/Notice issued or to be issued subsequently to him in the matter relating to MCC violations, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statement made by him during election campaign held in Haryana and reprimands Randeep Singh Surjewala for the above said misconduct," the Election Commission stated."The Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) etc. in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from 06:00 pm on 16th April, 2024 (Tuesday)," it added."Whereas, the Commission had issued a show cause Notice No. 437/6/COMP/ECI/LET/FUNCT/MCC/2024, dated 9th March, 2024 to Randeep Singh Surjewala for violation of the aforesaid provisions of Model Code of Conduct for making the above-quoted statement," it stated."Whereas, a reply dated 11th April, 2024 has been received from Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala in response to the Commission's above said notice wherein he has inter alia, claimed that the video cited by the complainant allegedly containing aforesaid utterances was a doctored video," it said.The Election Commission further said that the Commission received a complaint dated April 5 wherein it was alleged that Randeep Singh Surjewala had made the following "sexist, vulgar and unethical" public utterances against the dignity of BJP Member of Parliament, Hema Malini while campaigning in Haryana. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 April,2024 10:26 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIOn April 17, one of the prominent Hindu festivals, Ram Navami will be celebrated. The festival falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra Navaratri, which is also celebrated as birthday of Lord Ram. In the view of grand inauguration of the historic Ayodhya Ram Temple, this will be the first Ram Navami since the Pran Pratishthan of Lord Ram's idol in Ayodhya Temple. On the eve of Ram Navami, union minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that it will be after 500 years, Ram Lalla will celebrate his birthday within the temple premises rather than in a temporary tent. As per ANI report, on Tuesday, Shah said, "Today is Ashtami, tomorrow is Ram Navami and after 500 years, Ramlalla is going to celebrate his birthday in a grand temple instead of a tent. It is a matter of great fortune that we have witnessed the Pran Pratishtha of Ramlalla in our lifetime. During the 5-year rule of Modi ji, the decision regarding Ram Mandir came, the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir was performed, and the Pran Pratishtha was also done," Amit Shah said. Ayodhya has geared up for the magnificent celebrations at the Ram Janambhoomi Temple. 56 types of Bhog Prasad will also be offered to Ram Lalla. Speaking to ANI, the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Acharya Satyendra Das informed that all the arrangements for the festival are being managed by the trust and the occasion of Ram Navami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm. At noon on Ram Navami Wednesday, the Sun's rays will fall on the forehead of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, a 'Surya tilak' of the deity made possible by an elaborate mechanism involving mirrors and lenses. The system was tested by the scientists on Tuesday, reported PTI. A member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Anil Mishra, told PTI, "During the Surya tilak, devotees will be allowed inside the Ram temple. Around 100 LEDs are being put up by the temple trust, and 50 by the government, which will show the Ram Navami celebrations. People will be able to see the celebrations from where they are present." (With PTI and ANI inputs)
16 April,2024 09:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAt least 29 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Tuesday, police officials said. Three security personnel suffered injuries in the fierce gun-battle and a large quantity of weapons was also recovered from the spot, they said. The gunfight took place at around 2 pm in Hapatola forest between Binagunda and Koronar villages under Chhotebethiya police station limits, when a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the state police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said. The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of senior cadres of north Bastar division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) Shankar, Lalita, Raju and others, he said. During patrolling in the area, a fierce gun-battle broke out between the two sides, the senior IPS officer said. "Bodies of 29 Maoists along with a huge cache of weapons, including AK-47, SLR, Insas and .303 rifles, were recovered from the spot," the IG said. Polling in the Naxalite-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat will take place on April 19 in the first phase, while the Kanker constituency, part of the Bastar region, will vote in the second round of general elections on April 26. The search operation was still underway in the area amid intermittent firing between security personnel and Naxalites, said Sundarraj. "Three security personnel sustained injuries in the gunfight and their condition was stated to be out of danger," he said, adding they were referred to hospital for treatment. After the latest encounter, 79 Naxalites have been killed in separate gun-battles with security forces in the Bastar region, comprising seven districts, including Kanker, so far this year. On April 2, as many as 13 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 April,2024 08:51 PM IST | Kanker | PTICongress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday said leaders of his party who went to the BJP will try to return once the government at the Centre changes, but doors are closed for them. Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was having sleepless nights as he was aware of what was going to happen in the elections. "PM Narendra Modi is afraid that when he loses and the INDIA bloc forms the government, we will institute inquiry against him and take action against him," Khera claimed. "We will also take action against the officials who acted in connivance with him. Those who became chief ministers in the BJP after leaving us are also afraid. Our doors are closed for them. When we win, they will want to return but we won't take them back," he added. He alleged that the BJP was trying to "silence" all opposition voices. "Those who are intimidated by their threats join them and are made CMs. Those who refuse to give in, ED and CBI are put after them, or they are sent to jail," Khera alleged. "There are 25 such examples, starting from Himanta Biswa Sarma and Praful Patel to Suvendu Adhikari, who went through their washing machine," he said.Khera claimed the opposition alliance would win the elections. "Sarma cannot sleep nowadays as he knows what is going to happen. Let him sing and dance for a month, after that he will be busy visiting the ED office," he said. Khera alleged the BJP has failed to keep its promises not just in Assam but across the country. He asserted that the Congress will keep every promise made in its manifesto 'Nyay Patra'. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 April,2024 08:47 PM IST | Dibrugarh | PTIThe AAP has named Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is behind bars in a money laundering case, and his wife Sunita Kejriwal as star campaigners for the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat. The names of senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, both of whom are also in jail, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak are also on the list of 40 star campaigners that has been submitted by the party to the Election Commission. Names of Rajya Sabha MPs Harbhajan Singh and Swati Maliwal are missing from the list. Sunita Kejriwal stepped into the limelight after her husband was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. She has addressed three digital briefings so far in which she read out Kejriwal's messages from ED custody and Tihar jail, where he is currently lodged. She also attended the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally on March 31 and read out her husband's letter. "Sunita Kejriwal is likely to visit Jharkhand to campaign for INDIA bloc ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha," an AAP source said. JMM chief and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED in January in a money laundering case. His wife Kalpana Soren had met Sunita Kejriwal when she had come to Delhi to attend the March 31 INDIA bloc rally. Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP targeted the AAP over the inclusion of Sunita Kejriwal's name in the list of its star campaigners. "Along with corruption, nepotism is also welcome in the AAP," said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. Asked about the BJP's criticism, AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai said the saffron party has nothing else left to say. "They put an elected chief minister behind bars. His wife is not allowed to meet him in person. Aren't they ashamed? Such atrocities are being committed. Such atrocities have never been committed on a chief minister. But people are watching and they will respond to this with their votes," he asserted. In an interaction with PTI editors here earlier this month, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj had said Sunita Kejriwal was the best person to keep the party together in the prevailing circumstances and asserted that her presence has had a "positive effect" on the cadre. Of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, the AAP is contesting two -- Bharuch and Bhavnagar -- as part of the INDIA bloc, while its ally Congress is contesting the remaining 24. The AAP has fielded Chaitar Vasava from Bharuch and Umesh Makwana from Bhavnagar. The Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. The counting of votes for all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections will be taken up on June 4. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 April,2024 08:40 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAn under-construction bridge collapsed at Mallippady in Bantwal near here on Tuesday, leaving seven persons injured, police said. The injured people were swiftly transported to hospitals in Puttur and Mangaluru for urgent medical attention, they said. According to police, three persons - one each from Nanjangud, Gadag and Puttur were undergoing treatment at a hospital in Puttur. Meanwhile, three people from Kolkata, employed at a concrete mixing plant in Mani, are receiving advanced medical care at a hospital in Mangaluru. One person has been discharged from a Puttur hospital after receiving initial first aid. Preliminary investigations suggested the collapse occurred during the construction phase over a significant trench passing through Mallippady, a senior police officer said. Reports indicate that the collapse occurred while the labourers were engaged in slab work using double centering method, police said. The displacement of the bottom centering rod, caused by pouring concrete mix from above, led to the collapse of the upper section, the police official said. The absence of supervisors at the construction site has been cited as a significant factor contributing to the mishap, he added. However, experts have highlighted negligence in the planning and execution of the work as the primary cause of the incident. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 April,2024 08:30 PM IST | Mangaluru | PTIUdayanraje Bhosale, the current Rajya Sabha member of BJP, earlier in the day was finally declared as the Lok Sabha candidate for Maharashtra's prestigious Satara constituency. Reacting after announcement of his candidature, Bhosale expressed confidence that he would win by a margin of more than two lakh votes, and said the constituency was no longer a Congress-NCP bastion. Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also said that the atmosphere in the country is favourable for the saffron party. Speaking with the PTI, Bhosale said, "This is a national election and candidates were announced as per the phases. Satara votes in the third phase on May 7 and the candidature has been announced at the right time. I am confident of winning the seat by over two lakh votes," he said. Notably, Udayanraje Bhosale is the three time Lok Sabha MP from Satara from undivided NCP. In 2019 too, he won the Satara seat as a candidate of the undivided NCP, but resigned within a few months and joined the BJP. But in the by-election he lost as a BJP candidate to NCP's Shrinivas Patil. He was later nominated to Rajya Sabha by BJP. "Now, four assembly segments (in Satara) are with the Mahayuti alliance. In Karad North and Karad South, the BJP had secured the second place," he said speaking with PTI, adding that he has already completed first round of campaigning. Bhosale will contest against Sharad Pawar-led NCP has fielded Shashikant Shinde from Satara. Satara, in western Maharashtra is a crucial and historical constituency for Maharashtra. It is where the descendants of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's reside. The constituency has been traditionally dominated by Bhosale, but as NCP undivided candidate. The belt in Maharashtra is one, where the NCP has been a powerhouse. Udayanraje will have a tough fight against the Sharad Pawar led-NCP. The constituency will go for polling on May 7. (With PTI inputs)
16 April,2024 07:07 PM IST | Satara | mid-day online correspondentUnion minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday released his own manifesto, underlining his vision for Nagpur for next five years. Nagpur, which falls in the Vidharbha region of Maharashtra, will vote for Lok Sabha elections in the first phase on Friday, April 19. Gadkari in his 'Nagpur Sankalp Patra'- the election manifesto he promised to create one lakh jobs in the next five years if re-elected and put the urban constituency in Maharashtra among top five cities in terms of development and cleanliness, reported news wire PTI. Gadkari is the sitting MP from Nagpur, a very popular national leader and has been nominated the third time this Lok Sabha polls. As per PTI report, Gadkari also said that with the help of state and central governments he will help towards giving ownership rights to residents of unauthorised slums on regularisation and help them in construction of new houses. He added that 100 gardens will come up in various parts of the Nagpur, including the existing ones which will be renovated. Addressing a press conference after releasing the document three days ahead of polling, the 66-year-old senior BJP leader also gave account of the work done by him as an MP in the last ten years. Gadkari emphasised that in his third term he will work towards making Nagpur 'sundar and swachh' (beautiful and clean) and putting it among top five cities in the country in terms of development, sanitation and hygiene, reported PTI. The union minister for transport, Gadkari said creating truck terminals, metro gauge lanes, new four-lane railway tracks and logistics parks in Nagpur, among other initiatives, will be among his priorities. Nagpur is considered as the second capital of Maharashtra, and also popularly known as the 'orange city' as it produces oranges majorly. The city will not face water shortage till 2070 and 25 lakh orange saplings will be also planted, Gadkari said. Gadkari fought the Lok Sabha polls from Nagpur for the first time in 2014 and and defeated seven-times Congress MP with high vote margin. He retained the seat defeating present Congress state president, Nana Patole in 2019. This election, the Congress has fielded Vikas Thakre against Gadkari. (With PTI Inputs)
16 April,2024 06:40 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its 12th list of candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, which includes seats in Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. In a calculated move, the BJP has nominated Abhijit Das (Bobby) to face Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in the Diamond Harbour constituency. This seat is considered a stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress Party, reported ANI. Notably, in the preceding Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Abhishek Banerjee defeated the BJP's Nilanjan Roy by a margin of 3,20,594 votes, the report stated. Additionally, the BJP has named Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle as its candidate from Maharashtra's Satara constituency. BJP releases its 12th list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. #LokSabaElection2024 pic.twitter.com/DihIkG6caV — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024 In Punjab, the party's candidates include Manjeet Singh Miawind from Khadoor Sahib, Anita Som Parkash from Hoshiarpur, and Parampal Kaur Sidhu from Bathinda, the report added. For Uttar Pradesh, Vishwadeep Singh and Shashank Mani Tripathi will contest from Firozabad and Deoria respectively on BJP tickets in Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The BJP has also named candidates for Assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. In Uttar Pradesh, the party's nominees for various constituencies include Arvind Singh, OP Shrivastava, Shailendra Singh Sahu, and Shravan Gond. Meanwhile, TN Vamsha Tilak will run from Secunderabad Cantt in Telangana. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in West Bengal will be held in numerous phases, from April 19 to June 1. The elections in Maharashtra will take place in five phases from April 19 to May 20, while Punjab will vote for 13 seats on June 1. Vote counting for the general elections is scheduled for June 4. Udayanraje Bhosale on his nomination for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 BJP's candidate for the Satara seat, Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, speaking about his nomination said, "This is a national election and candidates were announced as per the phases. Satara votes in the third phase on May 7 and the candidature has been announced at the right time. I am confident of winning the seat by over two lakh votes."
16 April,2024 05:26 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
