Quizzed about reported statements by PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on crossing borders to kill terrorists, the Biden administration said the US would not involve itself on the matter but encouraged India and Pakistan to avoid any escalation and find a resolution through dialogue. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was responding to questions at a news conference on alleged operations by India in other countries to eliminate terrorists. When asked if Modi and Singh’s comments can be seen as ‘confessions’ on the alleged ‘assassination of Nijjar in Canada, Pannu’s murder-for-hire plot in New York, and killings in Pakistan’, Miller said the US will not get involved in the matter. “The US is not going to get into the middle of this, but we do encourage both India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue,” the State Department spokesperson said. 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
18 April,2024 07:48 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesFarmers do not trust the BJP’s 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said as he alleged that the party’s government at the Centre is working at the behest of capitalists. India is being seen as a source of cheap labour and the control of corporates over the government has grown, he said, while asking farmer organisations to be strong to deal with issues and achieve their goals. “It is a gang of capitalists that has captured the political party,” the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader said when asked about the manifesto of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an interview with PTI. “We do not trust the manifesto. In 2014 as well, the manifesto said they would implement the Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations. It has been 10 years now and the recommendations have not been implemented,” he said. 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
18 April,2024 07:45 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesManipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday asserted that any form of peace talks between the warring communities should not compromise the territorial integrity of the state and must ensure the protection of the indigenous population. Speaking at the launch of the ‘Sankalp Patra’ at the BJP party office here, Singh said, “The peace talks should not compromise the territorial integrity of the state and the well-being of our indigenous people. We will not accept peace negotiations that dilute these fundamental issues.” He added, “During his recent visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had unequivocally said the BJP is committed to preserving the unity of Manipur.” Singh highlighted Shah’s acknowledgment of attempts by illegal immigrants to disrupt the demographic balance in the state, stating, “This fact is unknown to the opposition.” 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
18 April,2024 07:43 AM IST | Imphal | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that he went to people with hope in 2014, trust in 2019 and guarantee in 2024. Addressing an election rally here, PM said there is ‘Modi’s guarantee across the country and I am giving the guarantee of fulfilling all these guarantees’. “The North East is a witness to Modi’s guarantee as the Congress had only given problems to the region but the BJP has made it a source of possibilities,” the Prime Minister said. BJP supporters during a public meeting of PM Modi “Congress fuelled insurgency but Modi embraced people and brought peace in the region. What could not be achieved in 60 years of Congress rule, Modi achieved it in ten years,” he added. He said that birth celebrations of Lord Ram are being held in Ayodhya after 500 years with a ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony. “We cannot join the celebrations in Ayodhya, but let us participate in the event by switching on our mobile flashlights and sending light and prayers to Lord Ram,” he said. “A new atmosphere is prevailing in the entire country as we celebrate the birth celebrations of Lord Ram in his own temple after 500 years and this is a culmination of centuries of devotion and generations of sacrifice,” he added. Naveen to contest from two assembly BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will also contest from Kantabanji assembly constituency in Bolangir district of Western Odisha along with his traditional Hinjili seat in Ganjam district. This was announced by Patnaik himself while releasing the 5th list of nine candidates for the Assembly elections in the state. Patnaik in 2019 assembly elections had also contested from two seats. He won from both Hinjili and Bijepur assembly segment of western Odisha. BJP supporter during a public meeting of PM Narendra Modi. Pic/PTI Will repeal NRC, CAA: Mamata Banerjee Alleging that the BJP has made the entire country a “detention camp”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the CAA and NRC will be scrapped if opposition bloc INDIA forms government at the Centre. Addressing an election rally here in support of four TMC candidates in Assam, she alleged that there will be “no democracy and elections if Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to power” for the third consecutive term. AAP launches ‘AAP Ka RamRajya’ site AAP launched its “AAP Ka RamRajya” website for the Lok Sabha (LS) polls campaign to showcase the party’s concept of “Ram Rajya”, saying Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tried to realise the ideals of Lord Ram in the national capital. Launch of website, came ahead of the LS elections, the first phase of which will be held on Friday, and coincided with the Ram Navami festival being celebrated in several parts of the country. 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
18 April,2024 07:40 AM IST | Assam | AgenciesCongress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have begun campaigning for Dolly Sharma, the grand old party’s Ghaziabad candidate. According to party workers, their joint presence could boost Sharma’s visibility, potentially increasing her chances of defeating the BJP, which is seeing internal squabbles over candidature. mid-day spoke with Sharma, 39, on Wednesday. Excerpts: Do you think Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav’s joint campaign will help you get votes?Yes, because the BJP makes tall claims but is doing nothing. Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav talk about matters on the ground such as the basic needs of people—education, jobs, women’s rights and empowerment, light, water and farmers’ issues. People are happy to see them in Ghaziabad. Dolly Sharma, Congress’s Ghaziabad candidateWhy did the two leaders choose Ghaziabad as the place to start the Uttar Pradesh campaign?It is the biggest constituency in the state, with around 30 lakh voters. They wanted to start campaigning and decided to begin here. Why were you given the ticket to contest this particular seat?I have been working on the ground for the Congress for more than six years and I know most of the problems faced by citizens. People here lack basic amenities such as hospitals, colleges and water. I will try to bring change. The Samajwadi Party didn’t oppose my candidature as they believed that I was the right person for the job. Akhilesh Yadav visiting my constituency proves that the party is supporting the alliance and me. What is the first thing you would change if you came to power?The BJP makes claims about the Har Ghar Jal Yojana, but when we go around the Ghaziabad constituency, people are crying for water. They have to purchase water for their daily needs. The first thing I will do is to set up a proper water facility. Do you think women are safe in Ghaziabad?Women are not at all safe in Uttar Pradesh. The crime rate proves this. In Ghaziabad, women’s mobile phones are snatched on the streets and chain-snatching takes place every other day. Ghaziabad has seen good development over the past few years with high-rise towers popping up. How will you ensure this continues?Do high-rise buildings indicate development? The builder mafia is acquiring open land illegally and developing such structures. Development is when you have schools, colleges, hospitals and playgrounds in the city. But they are disappearing here. I aim to provide these facilities to citizens. Were you planning to contest the Lok Sabha election?There were no plans to do so from my side. I was working hard for the people and the party. The INDIA bloc believed in me and trusted me to be its candidate. I am thankful for receiving the opportunity to represent the people of Ghaziabad. I will try my best and see that most of my time and knowledge is used to serve them. What is the response you have been seeing so far?The general public has responded well to our road shows. Muslims, Dalits, Thakurs and a few other communities are with us. Dalits and Muslims were already against the BJP government, but now Thakurs are also opposed to it, which will impact its vote share. BJP had denied a ticket to the sitting Ghaziabad MP, General Vijay Kumar Singh and picked MLA Atul Garg instead. Your comments.Denying a ticket to General Vijay Kumar Singh was a mistake. We have respect for him as he is a veteran. Giving a ticket to an MLA who doesn’t know his job is just an out-of-the-box decision. Why do you think Garg is not a good candidate?He was the health minister of Uttar Pradesh and people have seen the work he did during the lockdown period. He had switched off his mobile phone when people needed the most help. He was sitting behind locked doors at home to avoid responding to people. The citizens know his work. The dead body eaten by dogs is the biggest example of the work done by the health minister. Do you think the BJP’s internal split over seat sharing will benefit you?Of course. V K Singh is a Thakur/Rajput. But no leaders from this community have been given tickets in western Uttar Pradesh. The community will not support the BJP at all, and this will definitely benefit us. INDIA bloc leaders speakAddressing the media in Ghaziabad, Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, “The present election is an election for ideology. On the one hand, the BJP and RSS are trying to destroy the constitution and the democratic system and on the other INDIA and the Congress party are trying to defend and protect the constitution and democracy. The biggest issues are inflation and unemployment, but the BJP is engaged in creating distractions. Neither the prime minister nor the BJP here talks about issues.” Akhilesh Yadav said INDIA would wipe out the BJP from Ghaziabad to Ghazipur. “Farmers are upset as all the promises of the BJP turned out to be fake. They are not only taking in the corrupt but also keeping the money earned by them,” Yadav said. Facts and figuresSharma will be contesting for the Lok Sabha election from Ghaziabad for the second time. In the 2019 election, she secured around 1,11,944 votes, losing to General Vijay Kumar Singh of the BJP, who secured 9, 44,593 votes. SP’s Suresh Bansal bagged 4,43,003. In the 2014 general election, Singh defeated Congress candidate Raj Babbar by 5,67,260 votes. 30,00,000Approximate number of voters in Ghaziabad seat
18 April,2024 07:35 AM IST | Ghaziabad | Faisal TandelIn a bid to bolster support for NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar, his family members have taken to the streets of Thiruvananthapuram, canvassing for votes alongside friends and party workers. For the past week, Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s wife, Anju, and son, Ved, have been actively engaged in door-to-door campaigning and attending family gatherings, urging residents to cast their vote in favour of their candidate. Expressing her newfound involvement in electoral activities, Anju noted that while she had participated in voting in previous elections, campaigning for her husband marked her inaugural experience in the political arena. Anju underscored concerns about the state’s current trajectory, citing a dependence on foreign countries for both education and employment opportunities. She also voiced distress over the prevalence of violence, including incidents within college campuses, disrupting the peace of families. Accompanied by their son Ved, who works in the fintech sector in Bengaluru, the Chandrasekhar family is actively engaging with voters, despite concerns about their daughter Devika, a lawyer, being unable to join the campaign. Their recent campaign activities in the Nemom constituency saw them exchanging ideas with locals on matters concerning literature and culture. With a determination to further intensify their efforts in the days ahead, both Anju and Ved Chandrasekhar, alongside party workers, are gearing up for an active role in the ongoing campaign.
18 April,2024 07:30 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | A CorrespondentFor most of the ordinary and common working-class Keralites in Thiruvananthapuram, and across the rest of the state, elections do not make much of a difference in their personal lives, as they believe that only by working will they be able to feed their families, and political talks do not pay. However, there are a few others who are irked with the present ruling state government, which has failed to bring any form of positive change or development to infrastructures and healthcare setups. Munna Mohammed, balloon vendor The worst part is that some of the state government-run medical colleges do not even provide free medicines, and the social security schemes run in the form of giving monthly pensions have also not been disbursed for the last few months due to non-availability of funds. A travel agency owner, who did not wish to be identified, said, “The roads connecting the intersections of the smart city were dug up for the last few months, and the entire traffic flow was adversely impacted, as there was no coordination between the agencies, leading to common men and motorists suffering. Four days ago, it started raining in Thiruvananthapuram, and once again, rains led to chaos as the area was flooded within no time. These issues are a matter of concern for us.” Time to vote for change Shivkumar V, a vendor near the museum at Thiruvananthapuram, said, “It is high time that we voted for a change. The present state government has been in power for the last two consecutive terms, but the situation is turning from bad to worse.” When asked, nuns waiting at a bus stop, to express their views on the present contestants contesting the Lok Sabha party, they said, “The political party members visit our convent before the elections and inform us of all that they have done in the past and what they intend to do in the future, and before leaving, remind us that we need to vote on the voting day.” Shivkumar V, a vendor Munna Mohammed, a balloon vendor, added, “I am originally from Bihar, which is my janma bhoomi (birthplace). I am in Thiruvananthapuram, though I do not have a voting card here. I have learned Malayalam, and this is my karma bhoomi. I earn around Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 in a week selling balloons. Vendors do not discuss politics.” Driver Suresh V said, “I cannot afford to discuss politics or politicians with any of my clients, as it doesn’t help me make a living for my family. Also, people have their own interests and choices, but for the working class, these choices, at times, become a luxury to speak on politics and their candidates.” Political posters and murals displayed for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 election in Thiruvananthapuram. Pics/Atul Kamble Unique group of senior citizens A unique group of senior citizens who worked at senior positions during their working days in government, semi-government, and private organisations were spotted inside the museum garden. The group, some of whom had stayed in South and South-Central Mumbai before shifting to Thiruvananthapuram post-retirement, has a uniqueness of not discussing politics or politicians whenever they meet in the evening hours. “We have mutually agreed to respect everyone’s political ideology and political interest, and hence, with an intent to maintain decorum, we unanimously agreed to not discuss politics or politicians,” said one of the members. Increase in young voters The number of young voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections has surged dramatically. Since the draft electoral roll was released on October 23, 2023, 3,11,805 new voters have registered. The final list, published on January 22, increased from 77,176 to 2,88,533 voters. As of March 25, there are 3,88,951 young voters, marking a notable increase. Additionally, the number of transgender voters rose from 268 to 309. The Election Commission’s SVEEP activities, including social media campaigns, have contributed to this success, receiving positive public feedback.
18 April,2024 07:28 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | Vinod Kumar MenonAmidst the fervent Lok Sabha election campaigns sweeping across India, the vibrant food street near Delhi’s Jama Masjid presents a stark contrast. Here, amidst the enticing aroma of spices and the bustling activity of street vendors, visitors seem unaffected by the political fervour. Instead of discussing potential election outcomes, they are wholly immersed in relishing the diverse street delicacies, each flavourful bite a source of delight. Local shopkeepers confirm the enduring vibrancy of Matiya Mahal, a century-old, one-kilometre-long street, asserting its constant buzz. Residents note that Matiya Mahal typically mirrors the political climate of the country, yet this election cycle, there’s a notable absence of political campaigning. “Maybe it’s too early for political parties to campaign, as Delhi is scheduled to vote on May 25,” said Mohammed Asim, a local resident. From food stalls offering non-vegetarian delights to dairy counters and refreshing drinks, the street remains bustling with customers round the clock. “This is Delhi 6 - a tourism point and Matiya Mahal lane is a century-old market where people never sleep. Not only Delhiites, but many NRIs as well as foreigners visit this market,” said Asim, who helps his grandfather to run an eatery. Footfall peaks in the late evening, with gastronomes from various parts of the city flocking to indulge in the sumptuous offerings. “Let me enjoy the chicken…I have no time to discuss dirty politics,” quips a middle-aged customer. While some visitors express disinterest in political discussions, others prioritise enjoying the culinary offerings amidst the lively atmosphere. Shopkeepers, like Mohammed Asim, emphasise their commitment to serving customers rather than getting embroiled in politics. “We are businessmen, and we have to live up to the expectations of our customers. My grandfather has devoted decades to establish this business, and we will strive to take this business to another level instead of indulging in any politically messy soup,” he said. The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and the charged political atmosphere have had minimal impact on the bustling food street, as footfalls continue unabated. Haji Mohammed Hussain, an octogenarian running a restaurant for five decades, recalls visits from political parties seeking votes but emphasises the market’s focus on business. “The lane is very narrow but the political parties did visit this market to seek votes. Like politicians, the visitors from across India have eaten chicken and fish fry from my restaurant,” he said. When asked if the arrest of Kejriwal is going to affect the result in national politics in this election, Hussain’s neighbour Ayub Khan said, “People in this market will not be affected by anything… we are least bothered about what is happening in politics… everybody in this market is busy running their business, as it is not an easy task to run a shop 24/7.” Nawab Qureshi of Lajawab Sharbat praised Kejriwal’s efforts, stating, “Kejriwal has given us free electricity and water. Which politician has the guts to appease his/her voters in India? I will say that Kejriwal is the No. 1 politician in the country.” However, Shizauddin had a different perspective, questioning Kejriwal’s significance. “Who is Kejriwal? I have no issue if he has been arrested or not… his arrest has not affected the business of this market. The market will not be affected if the Delhi CM is jailed, but it will be affected if there is inflation in the market,” he remarked. Mohammad Rizwan expressed uncertainty regarding Kejriwal’s innocence. “The common man of this country does not know if he is innocent or pretends to be innocent. But, if he has been falsely implicated, he will be acquitted by the court…and he is yet to get a clean chit, as the matter is still under investigation,” Rizwan concluded. Local perspectives vary on the significance of Kejriwal’s arrest, with some emphasising its negligible impact on business and others praising Kejriwal’s governance. May 25Day Delhi is scheduled to vote
18 April,2024 07:25 AM IST | New Delhi | Diwakar SharmaOften ignored by mainstream media and derided on social media, a Tamil nationalist party established in 2010 following the annihilation of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, to fight for the Tamil race, has been growing from strength to strength in the electoral field, as well as in popularity among the Tamil youth and women. The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK—We are the Tamil People) was established by firebrand moviemaker Seeman. In its first wide electoral debut in the 2016 assembly election, the party won a meagre 1 per cent vote share. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it made people sit up and take notice, winning 4 per cent votes (a bigger share than the national BJP). In the 2021 assembly elections, it blew everyone’s expectations out of the water, winning 7 per cent votes, and finishing third in many constituencies. Seeman, prone to outlandish claims and often shooting his mouth off, has nonetheless become popular among the youth for his pro-Tamil stand. (He has in the past blamed the minorities for voting DMK, said while everyone is welcome in TN, only a Tamil is fit to rule, and most amusingly, promised that if his party comes to power, the entire CSK squad will be filled with only Tamil players.) But people do take him seriously, for whatever reason. Electorally, he has done stellar work, always fielding 50 per cent women in any election that the party has contested, even as the national parties wring their hands over the 33 per cent reservation legislation. In this election, one of the 20 women who will contest for NTK is forest brigand Veerappan’s lawyer daughter Vidhya Rani. He also fields highly qualified professionals. This ensures that while Seeman remains the main draw, his army of highly educated candidates take up micro issues affecting the local population. Nobody outside the mainstream press will be surprised if NTK wins more than 10 per cent vote shares, and consequently spoiling the party for some of the major players. Either way, the party will be a force to reckon with in the years to come, starting with the 2026 Assembly elections. 20No of women to contest for NTK in this election
18 April,2024 07:20 AM IST | Tamil Nadu | Krishna Kumar PadmanabhanLike a good Test match, all three results are possible as Tamil Nadu votes for the Lok Sabha on Friday. The DMK alliance, which is in the impossible position of defending a near-100 per cent record from 2019 of winning 38 of the 39 seats, will grudgingly accept anything above 30 seats this time. The ADMK, which is at a crossroads in terms of leadership, will be happy if it can win double-digit seats. And the BJP, which has managed not more than 5 per cent vote share in the state will be happy if it crosses 10 per cent, even if it does not yield any wins. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters. Pic/X As campaigning draws to a close, here is where the biggies in the southern state stand. By far the biggest achievement of K Annamalai—appointed in July 2021 as the youngest state president—is that the BJP is no more a bad word in Tamil Nadu, with the #GoBackModi trend seeing a downturn, at least among some. Probably for the first time in 10 years, there seems to be no anti-Modi wave. This seems to have been acknowledged by the party’s super bosses, who have campaigned in regions where they are convinced the party is not seen as a pariah anymore. Of the 23 seats, BJP will contest in its rag-tag alliance, bosses are hopeful of winning four. The biggest ally is the Pattli Makkal Katchi (PMK)—a party of Vanniars—which is strong in certain pockets. But the allocation arithmetic has not been properly nailed, with both parties contesting from some weak areas. A big hope is TTV Dinakaran, a splinter ADMK leader and nephew of the disgraced Sasikala. His breakaway party contests two seats and he is assured of a strong showing in Theni, a stronghold of O Panneerselvam, who ceded his home turf to contest in Ramanathapuram, where BJP is strong and the Thevar bloc stronger. Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a roadshow. Pic/AP “Annamalai, as a young leader is dynamic and energetic, making him appealing to the youth,” South Chennai BJP candidate and his predecessor Tamilisai Soundararajan told mid-day. “While I respect previous leaders, and I myself did a lot, he has taken the PM’s message to every home.” Old-timer Pon Radhakrishnan is also full of praise. “Someone with his education background (Engineering-MBA from prestigious institutes) is a big draw with the aspirational youth of the state,” the Kanyakumari candidate said. “And the fact that he took VRS from IPS adds to the aura. His no-holds barred attacks on the DMK has won people over. And his recent anti-drugs crusade that caught ruling party members in international drug rings has worked well for us.” StrengthK Annamalai has attracted the youth and fence sitters. WeaknessParty still lacks ground level organisation that can match the Dravidian parties. OpportunitiesIf voters decide NDA is returning to power, they may be more inclined to vote BJP in the hope that their MP will get some work done, which opposition can’t, in terms of national projects. ThreatsIf voters agree with the opposition’s nuanced arguments that the BJP has institutionalized corruption, eaten away at constitutional bodies, and is hell bent on homegenising society. In numbers2014: 5.5: 3.6% What will be a good resultDouble digit vote share, with more than one seat. A leader has to prove that he is worthy This is the first big electoral test for former chief minister and current ADMK boss Edappadi Palanisamy after he took solo control of the party by outmaneuvering Jayalalithaa’s aide V K Sasikala and her nephew in 2017, with the help of another former chief minister, O Panneerselvam. In 2021, he got the better of OPS also, and took firm control of the party. Edappadi Palanisamy was chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 2017 to 2021. Pic/PTI Anti-incumbency should help him to a certain degree, as will his own growth as a mass leader. He has been attracting good crowds in his campaign this time. However, the biggest challenge for him is to show real numbers in the Lok Sabha polls, which will tighten his grip for the upcoming 2026 assembly election, which will then provide him with a real chance to take power in Tamil Nadu. Another question facing the party is what it will do after the final numbers are out. It had an acrimonious break-up with the BJP in the run up to the Lok Sabha election. Will it be in a position to work its way back into a central government if the numbers favour it? DMDK party founder Vijayakanth StrengthEver since he took sole control of the party EPS has grown as a leader. From road shows, he has graduated to pulling crowds in public meetings; understands governance thanks to stints in various key ministries. WeaknessNo solid alliance partners; in fact, he could have given a lifeline to a future adversary by roping in the late Vijayakanth’s DMDK. OpportunitiesThere is serious discontent with the DMK in many pockets of Tamil Nadu; given the state’s yo-yo voting nature, might reap the windfall. ThreatsThe BJP is looking to capture the prime anti-DMK space, and is expected to eat into the ADMK vote share. In numbers2014: 45: 19% What will be a good resultEPS has to show his party men and the people of Tamil Nadu he is capable of securing a 30 per cent vote share if he is to have a chance in the coming Assembly election. If the party secures 10 more seats, it can consider it a major win. When even a win can turn into a loss The last five years have seen two stellar wins for the DMK under M K Stalin’s leadership. In 2019, it blanked the ADMK-BJP alliance in the national polls, and in 2021, it ended a decade in the wilderness, securing a comprehensive mandate in the Assembly polls after overthrowing the post-Jayalalithaa ADMK government. MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi represents Thoothukkudi constituency. Pic/X Now, it is back at the hustings, battling anti-incumbency of its own, and a renewed two-front attack from a growing BJP and an assertive ADMK. People in Chennai and certain southern districts are clearly unhappy with the government’s flood relief efforts after two deluges last year. But will they punish the DMK for that in the national election, or be more nuanced? StrengthA strong multi-pronged alliance with Congress, Dalits, Communists, and minorities. Ongoing welfare programmes in the state, coupled with what is, in Stalin’s own words, the alliance’s star campaigner – the Congress manifesto, with national welfare promises, including 30 lakh central government jobs. Each party in the alliance has a strong grassroots presence in its respective stronghold. Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin WeaknessCurrents of anti-incumbency and unhappiness in certain pockets. Anti-Modi sentiment is no more prevalent like 5 years ago. Voter fatigue is a real possibility after national, state and local bodies sweep in five years. OpportunitiesIf people decide to throw in their lot with the national INDIA alliance, DMK could reap the windfall in TN. ThreatsA belligerent BJP, which has managed to sling corruption mud on DMK and managed to make it stick, via central agencies’ action. A recent setback has been the arrest of a party office-bearer in an international drug ring. DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin during an election campaign rally. Pic/PTI In numbers2014: 24: 33% What will be a good resultNeeds above 40 per cent vote share and 30+ seats to show it is still preeminent party in the state. April 19Day polling begins
18 April,2024 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Krishna Kumar PadmanabhanA worker from Bihar was shot dead by terrorists in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said. They said the terrorists fired upon Raja Shah from point blank range at Jablipora in Bijbehara area, resulting in critical injuries. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries, they said. The incident has taken place in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency which is going to polls in the third phase on May 7. Powerful IEDs seized in Poonch Three ready-to-use improvised explosive devices (IED), each weighing between three to 20 kgs, were recovered from a terrorist hideout in the border district of Poonch on Wednesday, officials said. They termed it a "major breakthrough" ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The IEDs, planted inside steel containers of five-kg, 10-kg and 20-kg capacity, were found hidden inside a cave hideout during a joint search operation by the police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles in the forest area of Sanai-Gursai in the Mendhar sub-division, the officials said. They said the bomb disposal squad later destroyed all the three IEDs in a controlled explosion, scuttling terrorists' plan to carry out blasts in the Union Territory. "We received an input about the likely hideout and suspicious movement in the upper Sanai at 4 am and subsequently launched a joint 'search and destroy' operation with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Rashtriya Rifles. "Three IEDs, one weighing 15 to 20 kgs, second eight to 10 kgs and third three to five kgs, having two mechanisms for initiating charge were recovered and destroyed," CRPF officer Rajnesh Yadav said. Yadav, who is second-in-command of the 246th battalion, said the seizure of the IEDs foiled terrorists' plan to carry out an attack. "This is an election time and terrorists are always on the lookout to disrupt elections by carrying out any sensational act," he told reporters at the scene. The officials said no one was arrested during the operation which concluded with the safe disposal of the seized IEDs. 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
17 April,2024 10:39 PM IST | Srinagar | PTIADVERTISEMENT
