The Election Commission on Wednesday asked the BJP and Congress to desist from campaigning along caste, community, language, and religious lines, asserting that India’ socio-cultural milieu cannot be made a casualty to elections. Nearly a month after it issued notice to BJP president J P Nadda on opposition charge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a divisive speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara, the poll watchdog rejected his defence and asked him and his party’s star campaigners to desist from campaigning on religious and communal lines. It also asked the BJP to stop campaign speeches that may divide society. Headquarters of ECI. File pics Along with Nadda, the EC had issued a similar notice to Mallikarjun Kharge asking him to respond to complaints filed by the BJP against him and the main opposition party’s senior leader Rahul Gandhi. The EC also rejected his defence and asked the Congress not to politicise defence forces and make potentially divisive statements regarding socio-economic composition of the armed forces. It also asked the Congress to ensure that its star campaigners and candidates do not make statements which give false impression that the Constitution may be abolished or sold. The EC asked the presidents of the two national parties to issue formal notes to their star campaigners to correct their discourse, exercise care and maintain decorum. Cong questions delay in release of data Congress raised questions over the big difference between the real time voter turnout data and the final figures released by the EC, and said voters are worried over the “strange goings-on” in the poll body. Congress leader and head of media and publicity department of the party Pawan Khera said the difference is around 1.7 crore votes, and termed it as unprecedented. “Voters are worried about the strange goings on in the Election Commission through the four phases of voting. First, the Election Commission takes 10-11 days to bring out the final figure of voting and then the difference between real time data and final figure turns out to be 1.7 crore votes. This is truly unprecedented,” Khera said on X. 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
23 May,2024 07:30 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesWhile all the political parties are busy campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Punjab, thousands of farmers from various remote areas of Punjab have gathered at different borders to protest against the Central and state government, demanding their basic needs. To celebrate the 100 days of protest, the farmers culminated in a large assembly, or sammelan, on Wednesday at the Shambhu border. A mid-day reporter visited the protest sites near the Shambhu border and observed that the farmers have established a small town-like settlement. Barricades were installed, and the main highway towards Haryana was blocked almost five kilometres ahead of the Shambhu border. Farmers are steadfast in their demands, which primarily include better prices for their crops, cancellation of debts and improved access to essential services like water, electricity and healthcare. They are determined to stay put until their grievances are addressed, highlighting pressing agricultural issues with both the Central and state governments. The tents are set up on the road at the protest site When mid-day reached the spot, we found the protesters staying in trolleys they brought from their villages and tents they had installed. On Wednesday, more than 30,000 farmers gathered at the protest site to mark 100 days of the protest. Leaders of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha spoke against the government, discussing the ongoing protest and future steps. Tejveer Singh, spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), who has been at the spot for the past 100 days, said, “This is the third-largest protest in India which has gone on continuously for 100 days. We farmers are celebrating it collectively and paying tribute to the martyrs of the movement. Despite government pressure, such as deploying paramilitary forces and banning social media accounts of leaders, we are still on the ground protesting for citizens’ rights.” Tejveer Singh, spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Raids to stop the protest Tejveer also highlighted the government’s response: “After the tractor march on January 26, the Central and state governments started raiding the houses of protest leaders. More than 150 leaders faced raids, and their relatives holding government jobs were pressured to make us withdraw the protest. Officers like Narendra Bhargav and Jaskaran are using force to lower our morale.” Regarding the duration of the stir, Tejveer stated, “The protest will continue even after the election, whether the NDA or the INDIA bloc comes into power. Until our demands are met, the agitation will go on. We are against the BJP, which is ignoring the feelings of the common man. We are protesting not just for farmers but to save nature and the environment. The large crowd at the protest site. Pics/Faisal Tandel If corporate culture takes over, our soil and water will be destroyed, and we will become dependent. Farming is the only saviour for the environment. We are fighting to save our generation.” He emphasised the inclusive nature of the protest, “Protests involving women and children have succeeded in the past, and this protest also includes women and children from different parts of Punjab and Haryana, totalling more than 25,000 to 30,000 participants.” Farm leaders Ashok Balhara and Dilbag Singh Gill How the protest started As the election approached, many farmers expected protests, but some leaders joined political parties instead. On December 27, 2024, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha was formed, initiating local protests. On January 2, 2024, Sarvan Singh Pandher announced a farmer march to Delhi on February 13, in collaboration with SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha). “As planned, thousands of farmers started walking towards Delhi on February 13, but we were stopped at the Shambhu border by Haryana and Punjab police. They put up barricades and built concrete walls on highways to stop us. The government deployed around 70,000 paramilitary forces at the Haryana borders. Are we terrorists that such force is used against us? We are fighting for farmers’ rights,” said Ashok Balhara, president of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan. Balhara added, “On February 13 and 14, authorities used rubber bullets and tear gas. On February 21, they fired live rounds. At the Kanori border, a young man named Subh Karan was killed by a bullet. Four people were injured by gunfire, and 400 others were hurt. Tractors and medical stalls were destroyed. Three youngsters are in jail—two in Ambala and one in Jind. We protested on railway tracks for 34 days so that they were released but withdrew to complete 100 days at Shambhu and prepare for the poll.” Balhara noted that the farmers’ protest was ongoing at four Punjab and Haryana borders: Shambhu, Khanauri, Dabwali and Ratanpura. Nearly 70 organisations from remote areas support the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Purpose of the protest The farmers’ protest is driven by several key issues: Minimum Support PriceFarmers are demanding a minimum support price (MSP) for 23 crops, not just wheat, rice, and sugarcane. “Our demand is that MSP should be implemented on 23 crops,” said Ashok Balhara. “Only Haryana and Punjab have had MSP as per the scheme since 1943. But this is not there in other states.” Loan waiversFarmers are seeking loan waivers similar to those granted to the corporate sector. "Farmers have around R16 lakh crore in loans, and around R7.9 lakh crore is through the Kisan credit card limit, which should be waived off,” Balhara added. Land acquisitionThey also demand fair compensation for land acquired for railways and roads. “Since 2015, the rate has declined to 2.5 times the collector land rate. Our demand is to maintain the old rate of four times the collector land rate,” explained Balhara. Justice for farmersThere is also a call for justice for the farmers killed in incidents involving government forces. “The son of Ajay Mishra Teni killed four farmers and one reporter in a road mishap. Still, their deaths are yet to receive justice," Balhara stated. Historical context and ongoing struggleDilbag Singh Gill, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, highlighted the historical struggle of farmers, mentioning past protests and the government’s unfulfilled promises. “The issues of farmers are not a new one. We have heard it since our childhood. The first protest started in 1907 and for 9 months the protest went on the farmer issue. After that many small protests were held in the past. The last one was from November 2020 to December 2021 which was held in Delhi. Then we requested to take three laws back. But they just gave assurance but nothing was on paper or implemented,” said Gill. Police actionsGill also criticised the government’s use of force against protesters. “Police come wearing helmets and damage our tractors, trolleys, and cars. Four boys were put in gunny bags and assaulted badly,” he said. Gill, in a tent with his supporters, pointed to a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2013 speech. “Modi promised MSP changes, loan waivers, and crop schemes. None of these happened. We demand daily wages to increase from R350 to R700 and implementation of the Swaminathan Ayog report but these are just dreams for farmers. We have completed 100 days but won't stop until our demands are met. Police act like goons, damaging our tractors and trolleys. Four boys were assaulted in gunny bags,” said Gill. He added, “The government built concrete walls on the highway to stop us from reaching Delhi. Since 2004, farmer issues have been in every manifesto, be it BJP or Congress, but nothing has been implemented. BJP is anti-farmer and a killer of farmers. Agriculture is a state subject, but central rules prevail. Crops without MSP are sold in black markets, hurting common people. We don’t need R6,000 from Modi; we need MSP.” Gill noted that more farmers would join once they finish peak season cultivation. 150No. of leaders who faced raids 30KNo. of farmers at site on Wed. Electoral stance Jasvinder Singh Longowal, president, Bharti Kisan Union Ekta Azad, emphasised that the protest is non-political. “We will not support any party. Our aim is to fight for the farmers. If farmland and farmers are saved, we will get many more jobs in the future,” Longowal stated. Asked about injuries and illnesses among protesters, the response was sobering. “Injuries are fewer than suicides, which are increasing. People selling land and seeking jobs abroad is a significant loss. Protecting farmland means future employment opportunities.” Support from different sectorsManish Siddharth, a teacher from Rajasthan, was at the spot to support the protesters. “I came for the environment, the needy farmers and to save cultivation culture in India,” Siddharth said. Alleged injustice and personal strugglesJaisingh Jalbeda, whose son was jailed during the protests, expressed his frustration. “My son was put in jail because, in 2021, he stopped the water cannon’s nozzle in Delhi. He was arrested two months ago, and charges like attempted murder were put on him,” Jalbeda said. Monika Nain from the Mazdoor Kisan Union Political pressure Monika Nain from the Mazdoor Kisan Union criticised political actions against farmers. “When we are not allowed to go to Delhi, we will not allow BJP in our village. No party is good for farmers; all of them think for themselves,” she declared.
23 May,2024 06:48 AM IST | Chandigarh | Faisal Tandel
The Punjab Police have deployed additional forces in anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Patiala on Thursday. The heightened security is in response to potential protests by farmers who may attempt to disrupt the visit or raise concerns about ongoing agricultural issues directly with Modi. The Punjab Police are taking extensive precautionary measures to ensure that law and order are maintained throughout the event. Security agencies have decided to frisk every individual entering the venue on Thursday. Agitating farmers Patiala’s Shambhu village, which borders Haryana, on Wednesday. Pics/Faisal Tandel According to sources, more than 6,000 police officers and personnel have been at the spot since Tuesday. Naka bandis have been set up at various locations and vehicles are being checked. The police are also visiting hotels and lodges to check for unwanted activities or suspicious individuals. This will be Modi’s first visit to Punjab during election season. “In light of the farmer protest, we are taking every precautionary measure. All checkpoints will be blocked to ensure no farmer who could be planning anything unseemly is allowed in the direction of the venue. This arrangement will be in place till the PM leaves the city,” said an officer. ‘We have questions for PM’ A farmer said, “We are not boycotting the PM. We just want to ask him questions and he should reply to them. We have the right to question him.” He added, “While implementing demonetisation, the PM said if it went wrong, people could make him stand in the chowk and ask questions. But we have a PM who is not also ready to speak or meet the people. No one can go near him because of his security. Even if the police are deploying forces to stop us, we will go to the venue as we are not terrorists. We are farmers and Indian citizens.” He added he would ask the PM why the police were resorting to lathi-charges and building a concentre wall to “stop farmers”. “Why were bullets fired? He should reply to these questions,” the farmer said. Another farmer said, “When we were planning the protest, raids were conducted at our houses and our entire families were disturbed. Rather than holding a rally to show off, Modi should address public concerns.” Sources indicate that the police are attempting to defuse the situation by reaching out to farmer unions, though no officials were ready to comment on the same.“We are meeting union leaders and trying to sort out the issue to ensure no slogans are raised during the rally. The PM’s security team and Punjab Police had a meeting where security arrangements during the rally were discussed. All precautionary measures are being taken to keep the farmers away from the venue,” said an officer. The PM is visiting Patiala to campaign for the Lok Sabha constituency’s BJP candidate Preneet Kaur, the wife of former CM Captain Amarinder Singh. The former Congress politician is believed to be a pro-farmer leader as he had opposed the three farm laws enacted by the Centre. Singh and Kaur will share the dais with Modi at Polo Ground. 6,000No. of police officers stationed at spot May 23Day PM’s rally is being held
23 May,2024 06:45 AM IST | Patiala | Faisal TandelDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, it will free the judiciary from "tremendous pressure" it is facing at present, reported news agency PTI. He further added that this will lead to his release from jail on June 5 as all cases against him are bogus. After being freed from Tihar jail on interim bail, Kejriwal had said in his election rallies that he will be free the day after the results of the Lok Sabha elections are announced on June 4 if the opposition INDIA bloc wins. In an interview to PTI Videos, Kejriwal was asked how he could make such a statement, which implies that the INDIA bloc will twist the court's arm to get him freed despite serious corruption charges against him. "Judiciary is under tremendous pressure currently. Everyone knows how much pressure they are working under now," Kejriwal said in his first interview to a media house after being freed on bail. Asked in the PTI interiew if he meant that a possible future government of the INDIA bloc will also put pressure on the courts to have him freed, Kejriwal replied, "We will not put any pressure but if the pressure is lifted over the judiciary then justice will start to be served fairly." "All the cases against me are bogus. There is no money trail anywhere. Not a single paisa has been traced. If there was corruption, where has the money gone?" he asked. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with a money laundering case related to his government's liquor excise policy. Also in Tihar jail in connection with the case is his former Education Minister Manish Sisodia. Besides them, another minister Satyendar Jain is in Tihar. On May 10, Kejriwal received interim bail from the Supreme Court to join his party's campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections until June 1, the last phase of the polls. BJP leaders have said the bail he received was tantamount to "special treatment" by the Supreme Court. However, the judges who granted Kejriwal bail have said they have "not made any exception for anybody." (With PTI inputs)
22 May,2024 10:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the bail granted by the Madras High Court to eight men booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), reported news agency ANI. The eight were booked under UAPA for being members of banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and having conspired to commit terrorist acts across the country. A two bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal cancelled their bail stating that the allegations of collecting funds to commit terrorist acts against them appeared to be 'prima facie true'. As per a PTI report, the bench said it was satisfied with the charge sheet filed in the case and material and documents relied upon by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that there were reasonable grounds for believing that the accusations against them were "prima facie true". The top court said that it could interfere considering the gravity of the offence and the fact that said that only 1.5 years had been spent in incarceration. The apex court while setting aside a Madras High Court order by which eight men were granted bail said, "Having regard to the gravity of the offence and the only 1.5 years spent in incarceration given the maximum punishment, we are inclined to interfere with High Court order granting bail. Courts can interfere with orders granting personal liberty if the same is perverse." The court while cancelling the bail also directed that the trial be expedited and asked the accused to surrender. It said these eight accused shall forthwith surrender themselves before the NIA, as reported by PTI. Taking a note of the charge sheet that been already file before the trial court, the bench directed that the special court shall proceed with the trial as expeditiously as possible and in accordance with law, without being influenced by any of the observations made by the apex court in this order. The order of the top court came on an appeal filed by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) challenging the High Court's October 19, 2023 order. The High Court had refused to link the accused to any terrorist activities such as the offence of collecting funds for 'committing terrorist acts'. The case against the accused was that several documents, including some "pictures with markings" of RSS leaders and other Hindu organisations, had been found in possession of the accused, suggesting that these leaders were on a "hit list." (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
22 May,2024 08:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid the assault case row, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday claimed that she received a call from a senior leader of the party and he revealed there is "a lot of pressure to speak dirty things."Maliwal had earlier this month lodged a complaint against Delhi Chief Minister's aide Bibhav Kumar accusing him of assaulting her at the CM's residence.In a post on X, Maliwal further claimed that the party is pressuring its members to leak her photos."Yesterday, I got a call from a senior leader of the party. He told me how there is a lot of pressure on everyone, they have to speak dirty things against Swati, and they have to break her by leaking her personal photos. It is being said that whoever supports her will be expelled from the party. Someone has been given the duty of doing PC and someone else has been given the duty of tweeting. Someone's duty is to call volunteers sitting in America and get something out against me. Some beat reporters close to the accused have the duty of preparing some fake sting operations," Maliwal said in a post on Wednesday.Maliwal also criticised Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi without naming her and called it "sad" that the latter is "smilingly maligning the character" of an "old female colleague.""You may raise an army of thousands, I will face it alone because the truth is with me. I am not angry with them, the accused is a very powerful man. Even the biggest leaders are afraid of him. No one has the courage to take a stand against him. I don't even expect anything from anyone. I feel sad that the woman minister of Delhi is smilingly maligning the character of an old female colleague of the party," the former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief said.She further reiterated her will to continue her "fight for self-respect." "I have started a fight for my self-respect, I will continue to fight until I get justice. I am completely alone in this fight but I will not give up!" Maliwal stated.A case was filed against Bibhav Kumar and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the case based on Maliwal's complaint. Bibhav was arrested by the Delhi Police on Sunday, May 19 and is currently in police custody till May 23.Bibhav lodged a counter-complaint against Maliwal accusing her of forced and illegal entry into the CM's entrance.Earlier in the day, Delhi Police brought Bibhav Kumar back to Delhi from Mumbai. In Mumbai, Bibhav Kumar was taken to three locations by Delhi Police, his phone location was tracked in all three spots. Statements of a few people have been recorded by the Police.Delhi Police had earlier mentioned in the Tis Hazari Court that they would take Kumar to Mumbai to the place where he had allegedly formatted his phone.The assault case row surfaced days ahead of polling in the national capital which is scheduled to take place on May 25 in the sixth phase. 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
22 May,2024 08:23 PM IST | Delhi | ANICongress general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed in an interview with ANI that "the candidate of the biggest party will be the PM" as happened in 2004 and the name would be announced soon after the results. He also talked of the party's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the "Modani scam", adding that a INDIA bloc government will form the committee within a month. Expressing confidence of the INDIA bloc winning the Lok Sabha polls, he said INDIA Alliance will get "a clear and decisive" mandate in the Lok Sabha polls. Asked if party leader Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Ministerial face, Jairam Ramesh, who is party general secretary incharge of communications, said, "It is not a beauty contest between persons. We are a party-based democracy. The question is which party or alliance will get the mandate..individuals are not that important. Parties get the majority. Party choose their leader and that leader becomes the PM. In 2004, Manmohan Singh's name was declared within four days of Congress and its allies getting majority. This time it won't even take 4 days. The PM's name will be announced within two days...," he said. Jairam further said that the MPs will choose no shortcuts in deciding the PM of the country, it will be through a decisive mandate and the name will be announced within hours rather than even two days. He made a parallel to the Lok Sabha Elections of 2004, stating that the candidate of the biggest party will be the PM. Rahul Gandhi is contesting Lok Sabha polls from two constituencies - Wayanad and Raebareli. Jairam Ramesh said polling has been completed on 428 seats in five phases of Lok Sabha polls and 115 seats are remaining. He took a jibe at the BJP and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "nervous" about BJP's prospects. "But it was clear in the first two phases, 'South mein BJP Saaf, Uttar, Pashchim aur Uttar Bharat mein BJP half'... The INDIA Alliance will get a clear majority on June 4... It is clear from the speeches and body language of the PM that he is nervous... Today also, the 'Modani' scam has been exposed. We will form a JPC within a month... The Prime Minister of the INDIA Alliance will be appointed within a day or two (after the results). After that, we will form a JPC. The PM has said himself that Ambani and Adani send money in tempos. From where did the black money come even after you did demonetisation in 2016?... One industrialist who has benefitted in the last 10 years, is Gautam Adani," he said. Jairam Ramesh said that the results will be a repeat of 2004 Lok Sabha polls when ruling BJP-led NDA's 'India Shinning' campaign flopped. He also attacked the Modi government over the Agniveer scheme. "The mandate of 2004 will be repeated in 2024. The BJP cannot even campaign in the remaining 115 seats. They cannot go to Haryana and Punjab because the farmers are angry. The PM did not fulfil the promises made to farmers' organisations. Seven hundred farmers died during the farmers' agitation and the PM did not even pay any tribute... The farmers have not forgotten this," he said. "Former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij accepted that tear gas was released with the help of drones. Aginiveer is an issue in Himachal Pradesh... We will get a clear and decisive mandate. The people have understood that our Constitution is in danger. The government's policies are against reservation," Jairam Ramesh added. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting and results will be declared on June 4. (With inputs from ANI)
22 May,2024 08:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Ramdas Athawale criticised Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole on Wednesday for referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as "Ravana." Athawale claimed that Yogi Adityanath has effectively ended "gunda raj" (lawlessness) in Uttar Pradesh, making Patole's remark inappropriate. Athawale's statements followed Patole's contentious declaration connecting Yogi Adityanath to the demon king Ravana, reported ANI. "It is not right to call Yogi Adityanath 'Ravan'...Maybe he wanted to give it a context. Yogi Adityanath has ended 'gunda raj' in Uttar Pradesh. But it is not right for Nana Patole to call him that. Yogi Adityanath has spoken a lot on PoK, on China's transgression. It is not necessary for him to speak on that in every public rally," Athawale told ANI on Wednesday. According to the report, in a video aired by TV reports, Patole added, "When Ravana came to abduct Sitaji, he came wearing saffron clothes." BJP MP Sangam Lal Gupta answered by saying that Yogi Adityanath, as a saint, should not be likened to Ravana. "A saint always talks about the welfare of the country and society. For him, there is no opposition. For him every person in the society is equal. Be it Hindu, Muslim or Christian, everyone is equal for them," Sangam Lal Gupta said, per ANI report. Regarding the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse event probe, Athawale emphasised that a thorough investigation should be conducted. "The location of the petrol pump is also disputed. They installed hoarding double-triple the size that they were permitted...The government has decided to have an SIT investigation...It should be properly investigated," he added. The Mumbai Crime Branch has created a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, which caused 17 deaths and 75 injuries earlier this month owing to heavy winds. Bhavesh Bhide, the proprietor of a hoarding company, was arrested in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and taken to Mumbai, the report added. The billboard in the Ghatkopar area on May 13 came crashing down amid strong winds, leaving 16 dead and several more trapped underneath. On Wednesday, the toll rose to 17 after a person under treatment succumbed to their injuries in a hospital in the city.
22 May,2024 07:54 PM IST | Varanasi | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve questioned Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' visit to Pune following Pune car crash on Wednesday, claiming it was aimed to protect the investigative agencies involved. Danve claimed that Fadnavis visited the city only after a huge social media outcry over the Pune car crash, in which a 17-year-old allegedly drove a Porsche under the influence and killed two motorcycle-borne software engineers in Pune's Kalyani Nagar, reported PTI. "Was Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis' visit to Pune meant to hide the blunders of the investigative agencies? Only after there was an uproar on social media platforms that Fadnavis went to Pune or else he would been spotted doing election campaign in Odisha or Delhi," Danve wrote on X. According to the report, he also chastised Fadnavis for his absence from a prior incident in Thane, in which a relative of a prominent official allegedly injured a woman with his car, forcing her to attend court. "Where was Fadnavis when a relative of a senior official deliberately hit a woman with his car in Thane. She had to a court in the case. So the question arises for whose benefit Fadnavis came to Pune?" the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council said. उपमुख्यमंत्री @Dev_Fadnavis यांचा पुण्याचा दौरा तपास यंत्रणेच्या चुकांवर पांघरूण घालण्यासाठी होता का? समाज माध्यमांवर या विषयी ओरड झाल्यानेच फडणवीसांनी पुणे गाठले. नाही तर आज हे ओडिशा किंवा दिल्लीत भाजपचा प्रचार करताना दिसले असते. किती अपघात प्रकरणात यापूर्वी गृहमंत्री… https://t.co/qekbiOwdGG — Ambadas Danve (@iambadasdanve) May 21, 2024 Danve further accused Sunil Tingre, a local NCP MLA, of seeking to exert pressure on Pune police, querying why Tingre went to the police station at night when details could be gotten by phone. He urged Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to address these concerns about the Pune car crash, the report added. आमदार @suniltingre सांगतात की मी दबाव टाकला नाही. हा शेंगा खाऊन टरफल लपविण्याचा प्रकार आहे! याचे उत्तर द्या मग..१. गेले का होतात तुम्ही पोलिस ठाण्यात मध्यरात्री? २. एका माणसाच्या फोनवर तुम्ही यापूर्वी कितीवेळा असे मध्यरात्री पोलिस ठाण्यात पोचला आहात?३. प्रकरणाची माहिती फोनवर… — Ambadas Danve (@iambadasdanve) May 22, 2024 The horrific Pune car crash claimed the lives of IT workers Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24. Following the crash, authorities prosecuted the teenager's father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, as well as relevant parts of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 75 deals with "wilful neglect of a child," whereas section 77 deals with providing a kid with intoxicated substances, the report added.
22 May,2024 07:12 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentA 60-year-old woman lost her life after being hit by a tractor in Maharashtra's Gondia district, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and the tractor driver who was drunk at the time was arrested, reported PTI They added that the woman was washing clothes in front of her house at Kidangipaar village in Amgaon tehsil when the incident happened. The driver lost control over the wheels and that's how the vehicle hit the woman. She suffered critical injuries and passed away while undergoing treatment in the hospital. Her two granddaughters who were playing nearby escaped unhurt, the news agency report stated. The incident shook everyone and the family of the victim has suffered great loss. They will keep fighting until justice has been served. Soon after the incident the locals caught the driver and the case was registered against him under relevant provisions, he added. In another incident from Gondia district, a 23-year-old man was killed and five others were injured, including a police inspector. The incident happened when a truck driver was fleeing from an accident site and hit an MSRTC bus near Rani Avantibai Chowk at around 12.30 pm. Fearing he would be assaulted, the accused driver identified as Styamshiv Rekhlal Narwade, was fleeing from the first accident spot and later hit others. A complaint was filed against the driver under relevant provisions. In Pune, another horrific accident took place last week in Pune's Kalayani Nagar area and two people were killed after they were hit by a Porche. The person who was driving the car is the son of a well-known Pune realtor. Maharashtra Transport Commissioner told PTI that the car was imported in March by a dealer in Bengaluru. The teen who was driving the car was arrested. He was later released within 15 hours of his arrest which led to massive anger in the public.
22 May,2024 06:26 PM IST | MaharashtraThe Election Commission of India (ECI) has sent notifications to BJP President JP Nadda and Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting that they direct their star campaigners to alter their language, show caution, and maintain decorum during their campaigns. This extraordinary measure is in response to the declining quality of campaigning by major figures from both parties. The Election Commission has harshly reprimanded both the BJP and the Congress for their divisive campaigns for India General Elections 2024 based on caste, community, language, and religion, reported ANI. According to the ANI report, the EC advised prominent campaigners from both parties to avoid religious and communal discourse. It also directed the BJP to discontinue campaign speeches that could provoke societal discord. Similarly, the Congress was ordered to ensure that its campaigners did not make deceptive remarks concerning the abolition or sale of India's Constitution. The EC also warned Congress campaigners from politicising the military forces or making divisive remarks regarding their socioeconomic mix, the report added. The Commission emphasised the necessity of conserving India's sociocultural fabric and cautioned against allowing elections to jeopardise its history. The EC emphasised that all parties bear the duty to ensure the quality of the electoral experience for Indian voters. The Election Commission's directions follow the first five stages of polling, which took place on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. The following two rounds of voting are set for May 25 and June 1, with the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections being declared on June 4. According to another report in PTI, the Election Commission's notice to BJP stated the poll body expected the party's campaign to align with "sensitive fabric of India. "The Commission expects BJP, as the ruling party at the Centre to fully align the campaign methods to the practical aspects of the composite and sensitive fabric of India," the noted read per PTI. While issuing the notifications, the EC used provisions (Section 77) of the Representation of the People Act to hold party presidents accountable as the first step in reining in star campaigners, the PTI report further stated.
22 May,2024 06:00 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
