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       Surguja 2153 polling centres. Over 67,796 polling per- hhattisgarh is all set for the sonnel have been deployed Cfinal phase of polling on while 617 polling centres have Tuesday in which over 1.27 been declared as sensitive. In crore voters will seal fate of 123 seven PCs a total of 288 candidates in seven parlia- ‘Sanghwari’ (all women) polling mentary seats though the main booths have been established. A contest is between the BJP and total of 333 model polling cen- the Congress candidates. tres and 60 centres for differ- Voting will be held from ently-abled voters have been 7am to 5pm in Raipur, Bilaspur, made. Webcasting will be done Durg, Korba, Raigarh, Surguja from 3,200 polling centres. and Janjgir Lok Sabha The total electors in seats amid tight security Raigarh PC is 21,11,104, arrangements. Bilaspur has 18,75,904 elec- "#     %" P            !  !     The first phase of polling tors, Raigarh has 17,31,655 !    (   " was held for Bastar seat on April electors, Korba has 15,07,779 11 while in the second phase on electors, Janjgir-Champa has April 18 Rajnandgoan, 18,95,232 electors, Durg has Mahasamund and Kanker 19,38,319 electors and Surguja Parliamentary constituencies has 16,53,283 electors. went to polls. The smallest polling centre Chhattisgarh’s chief elec- 143 of hamlet Sheradand under toral officer Subrat Sahoo Chandha village Panchayat of at Kanto and Revla polling                      informed that a total of Koriya district has four electors centre, the number of electors       !  !  1,27,12,816 electors will cast while in Bharatpur-Sonhat area are less than 20. their votes in the seven parlia- mentary seats on Tuesday for outfit called the National the NTJ carried out a series of which Election Commission Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) of devastating blasts, authorities has allowed 12 documents as P            having carried out the Easter said on Monday. As many as 87 identity proof. Sunday attacks, and said an bomb detonators were found In Raigarh and Bilaspur 25    One will not be allowed to Card (EPIC), Aadhar card, pass- India. Non-Resident Indians international terror group on Monday at a bus station in candidates each are in the fray. vote if their name is missing in port, driving license, centre and can produce their passport as might have been behind the Colombo, police said. In Raigarh 14, Korba 13, lection Commission of India the voting list. Voters can check state government, government their identity card. atrocities, the worst in the Police have so far arrested Janjgir-Champa 15, Durg 21 Ehas listed 12 documents, their names in electoral roll in institutions issued photo-iden- Election Commission has country’s history. 24 people — mostly members and Surguja 10 candidates are out of which the voter will the website of Chief Electoral tity card, bank or post office made it clear that earlier voter’s However, neither the NTJ, of NTJ — in connection with vying for the seat. have to carry at least one to exer- Officer Chhattisgarh, through issued passbook with photo- slip was being allowed as an nor any other group, has admit- the blasts that also killed eight A total of 15,408 polling cise their franchise. toll free call centre (1950) or graph, PAN card, MGNREGA identity paper which was being ted carrying out the wave of Indian nationals. centers have been set up for the The voters slip alone is no SMS service and also via voter job card, health insurance card, published after the final publi-        bombings which tore through Police said that 9 out of the final phase of voting. Raipur has longer a valid identification helpline application. photo-based pension docu- cation of electoral roll. But there the island nation, killing 290 24 arrested for involvement in 2343, Bilaspur 2221, Raigarh document that can be used to The document that can be ment, MP, MLAs issued photo- was no guarantee of identifica- he Sri Lankan Government people and injuring nearly 500 the blasts were ordered to be 2327, Korba 2008, Janjgir- vote, officials informed here used at the time of voting identity card and Smart card tion as there is no photo of the Ton Monday accused a pre- others. remanded by the Colombo champa 2173, Durg 2183 and on Monday. include Electoral Photo-Identity issued by Registrar General of bearer attached to a voting slip. viously little-known Islamist Seven suicide bombers of magistrate’s court till May 6.    !"  # $%& $'()    +   which claimed nearly 290 lives. may try to engineer terror Sri Lanka President attacks in India, sources said. n the backdrop of the serial Maithripala Srisena declared a Keeping this in view, secu- Iblasts in Sri Lanka on nationwide emergency on rity was ramped up around all Sunday, the Indian Coast Monday. defence and other vital instal- Guard has intensified patrolling The preventive measure in lations including naval bases in to prevent terrorists responsi- India was also taken to avoid a coastal region, they said. ble for the dastardly act from repeat of 26/11 Mumbai terror Moreover, all the stake holders escaping from there and sneak- attacks in 2008 when Pakistani in coastal security including the ing into India through the sea terrorists managed to reach the local police increased patrolling +1+  1 +   ((=?=6*(< Sri Lanka of ISIS. route. The precautionary step metropolis through sea and at all landing points in the :6==?99(99@ Estimates here suggest was taken on Sunday itself launch a series of attacks in coastal region especially in ver two weeks before the !=@=6(8 Hashim has a follower base of after the enormity of the situ- which 166 people were killed. Tamil Nadu and deployed Odeadly suicide bombings (*=9( nearly 400 radicals and the ation became clear and more There were concerns that ter- security pickets to prevent infil- in Sri Lanka, India had alert- <<8*8(*=( attack on the churches could fast patrol boats besides sur- rorists escaping from Sri Lanka tration. ed Colombo of possible terror :?=*(< be a tactical ploy to deflect veillance planes and helicopters hits at churches and prelimi- 69(:= attention of the aggrieved were deployed. nary findings suggest the slain :@=? Buddhists against the Muslims Maintaining high alert, the suicide bomber and chief of who are lesser in number in Coast Guard has mounted )    !   *   !  the National Tauheed Jamath has put in place a tight secu- the island nation than the for- round the clock vigil all along Whavan Hashim alias Zahran rity cordon and sophisticated mer, sources said. the Indian maritime boundary +-1!!  Jamath is a name which caus- Of the scenes were not services) is coming in the way Hashim had attempted to access control paraphernalia. Pakistan’s covert agency with Sri Lanka to thwart any  es fear and terror in the minds deleted, the organisations, led of tracking the real activities of carry out blast at the Indian Following the inputs of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) attempt by the terrorists to of the people was made known by Thowheed Jamath had Thowheed Jama’ath which are embassy and at the US impending terror strike, the Sri in Colombo might have pro- avoid the security dragnet in Sri he repercussions of by the then Chief Minister of threatened to stage demon- shrouded in mysteries, accord- embassy earlier this month. Lankan police had also issued vided facilitation for logistics Lanka and infiltrate into India TSunday’s serial blasts in Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa her- strations in front of the 524 the- ing to insiders in these depart- However, given the tight an alert to the effect but could supplies to Hashim through its through sea, officials said here Colombo that claimed more self while speaking to reporters atres where the movie was to be ments. security at these two installa- not assess the magnitude of the terror proxies like the Lashkar- on Monday. than 200 lives could have a in January 2013. released. “We need 56, 440 Since then the strength of tions, the bomber decided to problem that was in the mak- e-Tayyaba and its humanitar- They also said all ships major effect in Tamil Nadu, “There are more than 7.5 policemen to ensure security Thowheed Jama’ath has hit three luxury hotels and two ing. Initial assessments here ian assistance arm Jamat-ud- from Coast Guard stations at according to intelligence and lakh active Thowheed Jamath and law and order in these the- increased manifold in Tamil major churches taking a toll of suggest the serial suicide Dawah that has been presence Tuticorin, Mandapam and security experts in the State. activists in Tamil Nadu,” atres on a round-the–clock Nadu. Though the organisation over 200 and injuring about bombings in and around in Sri Lanka since the 2005 Karaikal were pressed into ser- Thowheed Jamath, an Islamic Jayalalithaa had told a Press basis and hence we decided to is not visibly active in the 500 others. Colombo were essentially an tsunami. The JuD had pur- vice for heightened patrolling terrorist organisation, the name meet specially convened by effect the ban in the movie State, it is very much present in The National Tauheed outcome of Islamist versus chased a number of orphans along the sensitive sea lanes. of which is linked to the serial her to explain the reasons under Section 144 of the IPC,” areas of conflict between caste Jamat is a breakaway faction of Buddhist conflict. for the purpose of radicaliza- Medium range maritime sur- blasts in Sri Lanka, has a strong behind banning Viswaroopam, Jayalalithaa had told during the Hindus and Dalits. The Sri Lanka Tauheed Jamat, Hashim is said to have tion from Sri Lanka and other veillance aircraft were provid- presence in Tamil Nadu. The a Tamil movie produced by press briefing. Thowheed Jama’ath is actively branch of Tamil Nadu Tauheed undergone treatment earlier countries hit by tsunami. ing aerial support to the ships open sea between Tamil Nadu Kamal Haasan. About 24 She said she was very much propagating Islam among the Jamat under the scanner of the for mental illness and wanted The terror targets which in an effort to detect any hos- and Sri Lanka offers immense Islamic organisations had worried about the law and Dalits by distributing the Holy Intelligence agencies at least to become a social worker in include three luxury hotels- tile movement and alert the scope to the volunteers of this expressed their opposition to order situation at that time as books and religions literature. since 2016. 2011. However, Hashim joined Shangri La, Kingsbury and patrol boats for interception. organisation to shift from one the release of the movie there were many instances of A status report prepared by Sources in the security religious groups like the Sri Cinnamon Grand-and St Vigil was increased soon place to another. It is an open because they alleged that the throwing of petrol bombs and a Chennai based intelligence agencies said the Indian Lanka Tauheed Jamat and sub- Anthony Church Zion Church after Sri Lanka said a local secret in Tamil Nadu that all film contained anti-Islam ref- vandalising film theatres. But think tank for the union home embassy in Sri Lanka is heav- sequently got in touch with the and St Sebastian church were extremist group National anti-national and extremist erences and they wanted such the frequent shuffling and ministry has this to tell about ily fortified and armed with ISIS especially those based in identified after the failed bids Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) may organisations work in unison. scenes to be deleted from the transfer of intelligence offi- the state of affairs in Tamil anti-aircraft batteries of a the UAE and went on to at the Indian and American be responsible for the blasts The fact that Thowheed film. cials (both in State and Central Nadu. Central paramilitary force and become the chief of Khorasan missions in Colombo.  ! + ! , + - ./!0 1 !  3 !$ / 2O- &- /4'"(5 !$ "26 / '/2 /0) .-0"25 (( /4 &/0 !$ &$6-" (   !/$(5 !$ -!/45  +     +   top court that the poll panel has had said that the entire movie 2 $(!9 !$ /4'"( !"'$-/2 taken the decision after watch- was not available and a decision New Delhi: Prime Minister  *!/-$5 "(( /& - $#! s the BJP demanded an he Election Commission ing the promo, and not the to ban the release Narendra Modi will file his 0$0)$- "2. - ''/ -"&& "$ Aapology from Rahul Ton Monday submitted its entire movie. was taken after watching the nomination from Varanasi on )$2# "((/ "$. -'" $ 2 !$ Gandhi and called him “liar of detailed report to the Supreme EC’s counsel Amit Sharma trailer. April 26 and will be accompa- !/$( '$0-$- the first order” in public opin- Court on the biopic of Prime nied by the party’s top brass, ion after the Congress president Minister Narendra Modi. including BJP national presi-    expressed regret in the A bench headed by Chief dent Amit Shah. ! 4 4    !! Supreme Court on Monday Justice Ranjan Gogoi took the Chief Ministers of NDA-  3 !$ '$0$ /  over his remarks in connection EC’s report on Modi’s biopic New Delhi: The EC on Monday issued the notification for the ruled states and BJP allies are /2 /2." $& -$. / $2$"2 " with the Rafale judgment, the and asked the poll panel to sup- seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections in which 59 expected to attend the event, '($" ! ! "(($#$. !" '$/'($ main opposition party ply a copy of the report to the constituencies spread across eight states and union territories will party sources said. $$ )$2# ))$. /2 " 0"--$ described the saffron inter- producer of the movie. go for polls. While the first phase of election was held on April Modi will file the nomina- - "($ &/ !$ /4 ")!" '/((- 2 pretation as “blasphemous” The bench, which also 11, the last phase will be held on May 19. So far, two phases have tion papers from Varanasi in "0( ". 9  $2 ! !$".$. ) amounting to criminal con- comprised justices Deepak taken place, while the third phase of polling is on Tuesday. All Uttar Pradesh on April 26, !$& , - $ "2:"2 */#/ -". tempt of court proceedings guilty in the “court of public The Congress, however, Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, has the 13 seats of Punjab, four in Himachal Pradesh and one in they said, adding a road show  "- 2/ 2 (2$. / !$" !$ even as it insisted “ek hi chowki- opinion”, Rao added that all said it did not agree with BJP’s now fixed the plea of produc- Chandigarh will go for polls in a single phase on May 19. PNS will be held there on April 25. 0"$ -2 $ !$ $($ /2- 2 !$ dar chor hain”. Congress cadres across the interpretation of Rahul’s regret ers challenging the EC’s Various leaders of the -"$ $$ "($". /$9 Addressing a press confer- country hang their heads in as submitted with the apex ban on the movie for hearing National Democratic Alliance ence here, BJP spokesperson shame that there leader has court. on Friday 26. (NDA), including Bihar Chief   1!4 GVL Narsimha Rao said, been blatantly lying on the “Issue is sub-judice, stop The apex court had on &+!,!  + Minister Nitish Kumar, are , ! 1  “Today, by filing an affidavit in Rafale jet dea. passing verdict today! We reit- April 15 directed the Election slated to attend the road show,  3 *  the honourable SC, Rahul While senior BJP leader erate -- ek hi chowkidar chor Commission to re-examine its - ! -! ! the sources said. / 2."/2 $($)"$. +/(. Gandhi accepted that he had and union defence minister hai (only one watchman is a earlier order and take an “Honourable Prime "! " ) /#"2-2# lied on his allegations against Nirmala Sitaraman said the thief)!” , said Congress’ chief informed decision on banning  +   polling in the Tripura (East) Minister Narendra Modi will '("2"/2 .$-5 ""$2$-- PM Modi on the Rafale deal.” Congress leader’s lie has given spokesperson Randeep pan-India the release of the Lok Sabha seat to the third be filing his nomination later "(($- "2. /0'$/2- 2 “This was an attempt by a big hit to his credibility in the Surjewala. biopic on Prime Minister ormer deputy election com- phase on April 23 (Tuesday) this week and given his track - !//(- "2. (("#$- 2 .&&$$2 Rahul Gandhi to manufacture public eye, BJP MP Meenakshi Surjewala hit out at the BJP Narendra Modi after watching Fmissioner Vinod Zutshi was from April 18, saying the pre- record as a Member of "$-9 $$("0 * '"5 '$-.$2 a lie and create a controversy in Lekhi said Rahul expressing saying, “Fakery has no bound- the full movie. on Monday appointed as spe- vailing law and order situation Parliament and Prime Minister,  / 2."/2 -".5 L+/(. the Rafale deal... He should “regret” over his remarks on aries. Lies no limitations, dis- Senior advocate Mukul cial observer for Tripura where there is not conducive for hold- Varanasi will be looking for- "! " - " ." /2 ! ! apologise to the people of this Rafale verdict was an “admis- information no confines! BJP’s Rohatgi, appearing for film the Lok Sabha polls to one of ing free and fair polls. EC ward to welcoming him,” BJP 0((/2- /& '$/'($ " /-- !$ country,” he said adding “In sion of his guilt” and “wrong- blasphemous misrepresenta- producers who have challenged the seats was postponed in view sources said, the Commission spokesperson Nalin Kohli said. #(/)$ '" '"$ / " $($"$ public opinion, Rahul Gandhi doing” by him. It was Lekhi tion of Rahul ji’s reply to the SC the EC’s ban on the biopic’s of the law and order situation. has issued orders appointing Modi represents Varanasi /4 /".- /2-$"/2 "2. is a liar of the first order”. who had filed the criminal is itself a criminal contempt of release till the current general On Tuesday last, the Election Zutshi as special observer for in the Parliament. The city of - -"2")(9 Stating that Rahul stands contempt petition against him. court proceedings.” elections are over, had told the Commission had postponed Tripura. temples votes on May 19.PTI -P  ,3   4+ ++ ! + 4*68(*9  3 !$ ($ /2 /00--/2 #$2$"( /)-$$5 ---! +! +   P ( !! :6(,<9 /!"00$. /!-2 <==>6)" !  /&& $?5 !/ "- - -'$2.$. + !$ ! (8(=8(: &/ !$ 42# 0$ 2-$ (,P      "$2." /.O- !$( /'$ 2 Q-!  (*=> P*66(9 .-!"O- "0)"('  2 /("/2 /& 2/0- &/ .$"(2# ! * New Delhi: The Congress on   +     +   “The Supreme Court '/$ $$-5 !"- )$$2 -$2 )" 4 Monday attacked the Prime Employees Welfare Association / "2""4"9 Minister Narendra Modi over he Supreme Court on wo lawyers’ bodies of the on behalf of all the employees his remarks on nuclear arsenal, TMonday issued notice to   +   TSupreme Court on Monday strongly condemns the false, + !  ' saying his “boastful claims” of Union Minister Smriti Irani disapproved of the manner in fabricated and baseless allega-      being “ready for an atomic that pertains to two cross he Supreme Court on which Chief Justice Ranjan tions against Chief Justice of  3!$ '$0$ /  missile attack” on Pakistan are defamation complaints filed TMonday directed the Gogoi dealt with the sexual India Ranjan Gogoi,” it said. /2 /2." -/ #! $-'/2-$- uncalled for and not in the by Congress leader Sanjay Madras High Court to decide harassment allegations against The SCAORA, which is a &/0 !$ $2$ "2. ,"00 @ interest of national security. Nirupam and the BJP leader on April 24 a plea of TikTok him, calling it “procedural body of lawyers comprising "-!0 /2 " '($" -$$42# Slamming Modi for his against each other. app seeking vacating of its ban impropriety” and “violation” of advocates empowered by the A "-!2# /& "2 /.$ ! ! remarks, the party said PM’s In one case, the Delhi High order. procedures. apex court to file pleadings on $- - ("2 "&& / ."- election speeches and irrespon- Court had quashed the sum- A Bench headed by Chief As the apex court reassem- behalf of parties in the top " $$4 /2 !$ 2"/2"( !#!" sible statements point to the mons issued to Irani in a Justice Ranjan Gogoi said if the bled after the weekend recess in court, sought immediate <? -$ ! &/0 .!"0'  / growing desperation in the BJP. defamation complaint filed Madras High Court fails to the backdrop of the stunning appointment of a committee ""0 ((" &/ 0/$0$2 /& Modi, at an election rally in against her by Nirupam. decide on the plea of TikTok allegations by a former court headed by full court of the apex -$  &/ $-9 Rajasthan’s Barmer on Sunday The High Court had how- app then its ban order will staffer, the Supreme Court Bar court to impartially investigate said India is no more afraid of ever dismissed a similar plea of stand vacated. Association (SCBA) and the and inquire into the allegations nuclear threats of Pakistan. Nirupam seeking to set aside The apex court had earli- Supreme Court Advocates on and give an independent find- “Otherwise, Pakistan used to the summons issued against er refused to stay the Madras Record Association (SCAO- ing. give nuclear threats. What do him in a cross defamation High Court order that direct- RA) urged the Full Court to “Supreme Court Advocates we have? Have we kept it for complaint filed by Irani. ed the Centre to ban the take all such necessary steps as On Record Association ‘Diwali’,” the PM had said. The High Court, on “Tiktok” app over concerns may be required in law to deal expresses its deep reservation Anand Sharma said the December 19 last year, had said about access to pornographic with the charges. against procedural impropriety New Delhi: After Arun Jaitley Congress would like to remind the case against Nirupam will content through it. The allegations cropped shown by Justice Ranjan Gogoi criticised him for his recent Modi that these elections are continue. Senior advocate Abhishek up against Justice Gogoi on in the suo motu proceedings remarks on Pakistan, senior about unemployment, farm On Monday, a Bench head- Manu Singhvi, appearing for Saturday prompting him to held on April 20 in the issue Congress leader P distress and the betrayal of the ed by Chief Justice Ranjan the Chinese company convene an urgent extraordi- regard to the allegations from body, said in a resolution that relating to allegations of sexu- Chidambaram Monday hit voters on electoral promises. Gogoi issued the notice to ByteDance, had told the top nary hearing by a three-mem- electronic, print, social media the allegations against the CJI al harassment against Justice back saying that the Union Every Indian is proud of the Irani on two appeals filed by court earlier that there were ber bench headed by him dur- and other available sources for have to be dealt with as per the Ranjan Gogoi, by an ex- minister must explain why valour of our forces and our Nirupam. over billion downloads of the ing which he asserted that the consideration at its next meet- established procedure of law Supreme Court employee,” the infiltration, the number of nuclear capabilities, but the The Congress leader had mobile app and ex-parte orders charges against him were ing. and law must be applied in each SCAORA resolution said. infiltrators and casualties last government cannot hide challenged a magisterial court’s were passed by the Madurai “unbelievable”. “The executive committee and every case uniformly. “It is therefore resolved year were highest under the behind this, he said. March 11, 2013 order sum- Bench of the Madras High The allegations by the has resolved that procedure The Supreme Court that the SCAORA strongly dis- BJP government. Sharma targeting the PM moning him in Irani’s defama- Court. woman, who had worked at adopted for conducting the Employees Welfare Association approves the manner in which Slamming former Union for his “boastful remarks” was tion complaint against him. He He had said the court did Justice Gogoi’s home office in court proceedings on April 20 on its part came out in support the complaint was dealt with minister P Chidambaram’s also in reference to Modi’s had also sought quashing of the not even issue notice in the Delhi, dates back to October in the matter of allegations of Justice Gogoi, claiming that and seeks enquiry and action in statement that comments in Gujarat’s Patan in January 1, 2013 complaint filed matter and an order was passed last year, days after he was made by ex-employee of the the allegations were “false and the above matter...” it added. India must “change its which he stated that after by Irani. without hearing them. appointed the CJI. Supreme Court against the fabricated”. Justice Gogoi said during behaviour” towards Pakistan, Indian Air Force pilot In her plea, Irani had The High Court had on After an emergent meeting Chief Justice of India is in vio- The association, in a reso- the Saturday hearing that the Jaitley said, “Why Mr P Abhinandan Varthaman was sought quashing of the sum- April 3 directed the Centre to of its executive committee, the lation of procedure established lution, said it strongly con- allegations were part of a con- Chidambaram is siding with held by Pakistan, a senior mons issued to her by a trial ban mobile application SCBA said in a statement that by law as well as principles of demned the “false, fabricated spiracy by some “bigger force” Pakistan by asking India to American official on the sec- court on June 6, 2014. “TikTok” as it voiced concern without prejudice to any natural justice,” SCBA Secretary and baseless allegations” to “deactivate” the CJI’s office. change its behaviour? Should ond day said that “Modi has She had also sought quash- over “pornographic and inap- enquiry which may be initiat- Vikrant Yadav said. against the CJI which is aimed The CJI also said he would we remain victim of terrorism kept 12 missiles ready and ing of the complaint filed by propriate content” being made ed the full court should collate In a resolution, the SCAO- at maligning the institution of not stoop too low even to deny & not do anything?” PTI might attack . PNS Nirupam. available through such apps. all the materials and facts with RA, the top court lawyers’ judiciary. them. RAIPUR | TUESDAY | APRIL 23, 2019 chhattisgarh 03 Electors can check their Baghel returns Raman’s barb, name in electoral roll Polling officer killed RAIPUR: Election Commission of India has urged the electors to s check themselves their names in the electoral roll before going to reg- in road accident dubs former CM, family corrupt ister their vote in respective polling booths. To facilitate the electors, Commission has made n STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR and cook are also named in STAFF REPORTER Ganesh Ram who was posted as different arrangements for it. The elector can primary school teacher in hief Minister Bhupesh serious allegations of corrup- use the Election Commission website BALRAMPUR tion and the people of state government primary school Tower CBaghel on Monday https://electoralsearch.in/ through the nation- polling party on its way to Pani in the district, the SP informed. are now going to teach them a al electoral roll site. It would provide all the launched a personal attack on Apolling booth met with an “The accident occurred near lesson once again in the basic necessary details of the elector. The elec- his predecessor Raman Singh accident in which a polling officer Kamardiha village about 10 km from and his family in respond to ongoing general elections,” tor if goes to the map, then can find the place lost his life on Monday, police Basantpur police station. an offensive remark the latter the CM said. of polling centre. The elector can also print said. made on him. Baghel also criticised the slip. Similarly, elector can also browse the “The incident happened in the Of the six persons travelling in Singh on Sunday had said Raman Singh for his remark Chief Electoral Officer, Chhattisgarh website noon hours when the Mahindra the SUV four were polling officers, that Baghel was also a convict on Congress candidate from http://election.cg.nic.in/elesrch/ and search Scorpio in which six people were one security personnel and a and so he should not make Raigarh Laljeet Singh Rathia. the name in the electoral roll. The elector can on their way to Raghunath Nagar driver,” Station House Officer (SHO) comments on Sadhvi Pragya The former CM had said search their name after which they can go in after taking polling materials from Basantpur Anuranjan Lakra Singh Thakur. “He was also Rathia’s stature was too low to ceochhattisgarh.nic.in and tally their name in Balrampur hit a roadside tree at a informed. jailed and is currently on a comment on Prime Minister. the electoral roll. In addition to these, place under Basantpur police sta- The injured were rushed to bail from a CBI court”, civil supplies scam worth Rs present absconding and his It was not only an insult nationwide helpline numbers 1950 and state tion limits,” Superintendent of Ambikapur medical college for Raman said about Baghel. 36000 crore. He also said the son Abhishek had been to a tribal leader but to the helpline number 180023311950 are made Police (SP) Balrampur TR Kosima better treatment, he said, while Ina counter attack, Baghel former chief minister’s son- named in Panama Papers. entire tribal populace, Baghel available, where elector can make a call to seek said. adding a case has been registered in said Raman was an accused in in-law Dr Punit Gupta was at “Even his (Raman) wife said. information. The deceased was identified as this regard. BJP misleading on gram Raipur to have 34 Rahul Gandhi’s apology proved & salt scheme: Congress ‘Sangwari’ polling centres how childish he was: Raman n STAFF REPORTER n with the Janpad Panchayat STAFF REPORTER STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR such a derogatory and base- RAIPUR Chief Executive Officers, RAIPUR Urban body officers and JP national vice president less remark on flawless Congress delegation aipur District Electoral Zone commissioners on Band former Chief Minister nationalist person was widely led by its legal cell ROfficer and Collector status of preparation. Raman Singh had said that the opposed across the country, A Dr Basavaraju S reviewed chairman Kiranmayi The collector directed apology tendered by the he said. the preparations for the On the other hand, state Nayak on Monday that keeping in view Congress President Rahul evening called on Chief third phase of polling on extreme heat conditions, BJP president Vikram Usendi April 23. Gandhi for attributing his Electoral Officer Subrat cold drinking water in a statement commenting DEO said that in political slogan ‘chowkidar on the apology said the Sahoo to complaint that arrangement should be Raipur district there are 41 chor hai’ to the Supreme Court Congress president was BJP leaders are mislead- ensured, if necessary, pots proved how childish he was in ing the voters by claiming model polling centres, repeatedly telling lie and was Congress lodges complaint with ECI eight centres for different- can be utilised. making such an insulting com- trying to mislead the people that Congress govern- All the polling centres ment on Prime Minister ment in the state has President Vikram Usendi delegation said demand- ly-abled voters and 34 on Rafale issue. Not only the ‘Sangwari’ polling centres will have ramps and wheel- Narendra Modi. Congress president but the scrapped the free distri- have violated the model ing stern action against chair and wheelchair code of conduct by giving them. specifically for women Talking to media persons Chhattisgarh Chief Minister bution of gram and salt to bound electors will be here at party’s state headquar- tribal people. baseless and misleading The delegation said where all the polling par- too were a liar and were assisted by assistants. All ters Ekatma Parisar Raman The delegation hand- speeches in their public that there was delay in ties will also be females. attempting to misguide the rallies. distribution of salt and Raipur DEO reviewed the officials should physi- said after being admonished by people, he said. ed over a memorandum cally visit the polling cen- and charged that the BJP A similar effort was gram by the government the availability of drinking the Supreme Court the “It was like playing with tres and remove shortcom- leaders including former done by it during the because it wanted to pro- water, power, toilet, shade Congress President ultimately the dignity of Prime Minister Chief Minister Raman assembly elections by try- vide them “good quality” and other basic require- ings. Even the polling apologised before the court for and all the Congress leaders Singh, Leader of ing to mislead people on stuff and taking benefit of ments of electors in the teams should be provided his comment on PM. from state to the national Opposition Dharamlal farm loan waiver of it the BJP leaders were polling booths. all the facilities, he Entire life of Prime level should now apologise Kaushik and State BJP defaulting farmers, the misleading the people. He then interacted directed. Minister was unblemished and unconditionally”, he added. Smallest polling centre with Visually impaired electors just 4 electors ready for voting can use PwD app to cast vote RAIPUR: To facilitate electors with disabilities, the STAFF REPORTER n different polling stations had visit- Election Commission of India is offering cus- BAIKUNTHPUR ed the Sheradand polling centre tomised services through mobile application. and interacted with the Cherva The move aims at making the polling process oriya district electoral officer family. He made enquiry of differ- easy and accessible for people with disabilities and collector Bhoskar Vilas K ent issues and problems in their (PwD). Sandeepan ensured all prepara- The mobile application provides details of the tions were completed for voting at day to day life. He sought details of power supply, water, ration, PwD electors, their registration and status of their the state’s smallest polling centre application, polling centre and its location and other 143 of Sheradand under Chandha old-age pension and source of livelihood. He briefed them about information which are useful for them. Now, new village Panchayat of the district. facility has also been added, through which they can The village has only four elec- different government schemes. Being a remote area, government also know about the candidates in their constituency. tors. Of them three are from the The PwDs can through mobile application know about has installed solar panel to provide same family. The three are Devraj details of ballot paper with names of candidates in the power supply, toilet under cleanliness Cherva, Ram Prasad Cherva and series as fixed in the EVM. They can hear it before the Singora Bai Cherva. The other mission and a hand pump for polling or reaching before the polling station. This will elector is a forest department fire drinking water. The village is situated facilitate them to cast their vote as per their choice of watcher, Mahipal Ram Rautia. at around 95 kilometres from district candidate. Along with the PwD app, voter helpline app The DEO during this tour to headquarters Baikuntpur. has been added as additional feature. Naxalism, terrorism promoted by BJP: Cong STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR general secretary and chairman com- Uri, Gurdaspur and Pulwama were the he Congress on Monday accused the munication wing PCC Shailesh Nitin hallmark of the BJP regime. BJP of promoting Naxalism and ter- Trivedi said that red menace had Trivedi also accused BJP of having T increased by many-fold under the BJP double standard. He said it allied with rorism in the country. rule in the state whereas terrorist attacks pro-separatist People’s Democratic Party Naxals spread their tentacles during in Jammu and Kashmir as well as cross (PDP) with a secret pact that Article 370 the BJP’s 15-year regime in the state and border terrorism had doubled during of the Constitution would not be now the party also roped in a terror the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra scrapped, which spiked terrorism in J&K. accused, Sadhvi Pragya to contest Lok Modi. “Just ahead of elections by snapping Sabha elections only testified how the The death toll of Jawans as well as ties with the PDP, the BJP is now BJP nurtured such elements. civilians also increased threefold, he attempting to polarize the votes in the In a statement, Congress’s state said, adding terror attacks in Pathankot, country,” he alleged. Polling officer with disability gets rose from DEO, joins duty BEMETARA: A differently abled teacher on Monday approached Bemetara District Electoral Officer Mahadev Kaware urging him to relieve him of election duty. But after meeting the DEO, the teacher left to join the duty with a smile on his face. As per information received, Thakur Ram Nishad, a person with disability, has been deputed as polling officer under Saja assembly constituency. He had approached the DEO with a request to cancel his duty. Instead DEO Mahadev Kaware inter- acted with him and reminded him of election rules. He then presented him a rose and asked him to join the duty. Feeling relaxed, Nishad then left for his duty in the polling booth. In all the assembly constituencies under Bemetara district, one polling booth has been made for the PwDs.    !"  # $%& $'()   ./ - /      had caused damage to the standing crop and also affect- ed the quality of the wheat  1-1> included the outgoing MP and et and will take on Dushyant mer Chief Minister Om Ajay Chautala, grandsons of Deepender has made a hat-   !   grains because of water logging, * JJP nominee Dushyant Chautala. Prakash Chautala. Chaudhary Devi Lal. The JJP, trick of victory in Rohtak, leading to loss of lustre or Chautala and political green- Bhavya, a young third- Brijendra’s father Birender a splinter group of INLD was known as Hooda’s bastion. !  blackened grains. lood is thicker than water”- horns-BJP nominee, IAS generation politician in Singh is the grandson of Sir formed by Ajay Chautala and In this election, Deepender He mentioned that the fre- Bthe influential political fam- Brijendra Singh and Congress Haryana and grandson of Chhotu Ram, one of the tallest his two sons- Dushyant and is facing ruling BJP’s Arvind  * quent rains and slightly lower ilies in Jatland-Haryana are candidate Bhavya Bishnoi. three-time former Chief Jat and farmer leaders of pre- Digvijay. Sharma, a Brahmin candidate temperatures in the State in the swearing by this dictum in the Dushyant Chautala, a Jat, Minister Bhajan Lal, holds a Partition era. His mother, Prem The bitter feud in the in Jat dominated Rohtak Lok n view of the crop losses suf- month of March had already ongoing Lok Sabha polls. comes from Haryana’s politi- bachelor’s degree in ‘Economics Lata is a sitting MLA from INLD was the biggest political Sabha seat. Ifered by the state farmers due delayed the process of har- Cutting across political cally influential Chautala clan and Government’ from Uchana Kalan, which falls in spectacle of Haryana in 2018. In Bhiwani-Mahendragarh to unseasonal rains, Punjab vesting, because of which the spectrum, the family lines and represents the fourth gen- London School of Economics Hisar Lok Sabha constituency. Both, OP Chautala and his constituency, Congress has Chief Minister Capt Amarinder arrival of wheat in mandis was remain a dominant factor in eration of former Deputy and Political Science and The IAS officer has volun- elder son Ajay are serving a 10- fielded another dynast—former Singh on Monday written to delayed and commenced only Haryana this election. The Prime Minister Chaudhary Master of Science from tarily retired from the Haryana year jail term in connection MP Shruti Choudhry, grand- the Prime Minister Narendra from April 11. young generation of three Devi Lal. He is the grandson of University of Oxford. Government to carry on the with the teachers’ recruitment daughter of former Chief Modi seeking relaxation in the Approximately three lakh famed Lals of Haryana—Devi former Chief Minister and His father, Kuldeep Bishnoi political legacy of his great scam. Minister Bansi Lal, who is also specifications for wheat for MT of arrival of wheat has been Lal, Bhajan Lal and Bansi Lal— INLD’s supremo Om Prakash is MLA from Adampur assem- grandfather and peasant leader Amid the Chautala clan known as the ‘architect of procurement in the current reported in the mandis so far, who served as Chief Minister Chautala. bly segment while mother, Sir Chhotu Ram. feud, another member of the Haryana.’ season. which is significantly lower of Haryana, are slugging it out His father Ajay Chautala is Renuka is MLA from Hansi Interesting, the general family has also thrown his hat A third-generation politi- The Chief Minister has than arrivals in the past. in the general elections to pre- a former MP and mother constituency, both assembly elections are witnessing three into the poll ring. JJP has field- cian, Shruti Choudhry has the also asked the Prime Minister Although the arrival of serve their political legacy. Naina Chautala is a sitting segments falls in Hisar Lok youth candidates from ed Dushyant’s younger broth- responsibility of carrying for- to direct the Union Ministry of wheat is likely to increase in the In Haryana, five of the 10 MLA in Haryana Assembly. Sabha seat. Chautala clan, divided in two er Digvijay from Sonipat Lok ward a legacy passed down Consumer Affairs, Food and coming days, it has been Lok Sabha constituencies have Dushyant’s uncle, Abhay Bhavya’s grandfather, for- parties—JJP and INLD. Sabha constituency. from her grandfather Bansi Public Distribution to depute a reported by the field officers at least one member of a polit- Chautala is also a sitting MLA mer Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, After the split in Chautala Digvijay, 27, who had ear- Lal to her father late Surender team of experts to visit Punjab that the quality of wheat arriv- ical family contesting in the and is spearheading the INLD. was a prominent non-Jat family last year, the election has lier this year made his political Singh and down to her. Her to assess the loss in quality of ing in the mandis of the State polls. And, be it BJP, Congress, Dushyant, while repre- leader, who had managed to paved way for the launch of debut in Jind bypoll and fin- mother Kiran Choudhry is wheat due to the rains so that does not fall into FAQ (Fair Indian National Lok Dal or senting the Indian National become a potential non-Jat Arjun Chautala, younger son of ished at second spot, will now CLP leader and an MLA from suitable revised specifications Average Quality) specifica- Jannayak Janta Party, all major Lok Dal in 2014 polls had option for the voters and led INLD secretary-general Abhay face a tough poll battle against Tosham assembly segment. can be laid down. tions. Therefore, prescribed political players have given defeated the BJP-HJC candi- the Congress for years, bring- Chautala, in the electoral politics. former Chief Minister and Shruti made a successful He has urged the Prime uniform specifications of wheat ticket to a slew of dynasts to date Kuldeep Bishnoi to ing together non-Jats like Arjun, 26, is a national Congress nominee Bhupinder debut in politics in 2009 gen- Minister to order appropriate with regard to damaged, slight- take on their rivals in the elec- become the youngest ever Dalits, Yadavs and other Hindu chief of party’s students’ wing Singh Hooda and BJP’s Ramesh eral election but had lost the relaxation in specifications ly damaged, shrivelled and tion. elected MP to the Lok Sabha. castes in Haryana. ISO (INLD students’ organi- Chander Kaushik (outgoing 2014 Lok Sabha polls. She will without any value cut, which broken grains, lustre and mois- In fact, political dynasties Dushyant, who is now Another ‘son’ who has zation) and will contest from MP) in Sonipat constituency. face the outgoing MP and BJP’s would compound the problems ture content would require in Haryana are not a new phe- leading the JJP, a splinter group bagged a ticket is IAS Brijendra Kurukshetra Lok Sabha con- Congress veteran and a nominee Dharambir in the of the farmers who had already relaxation by the Government nomenon and this time also, of INLD, vows to take forward Singh, son of Union Minister stituency. He is pitted against prominent Jat leader, poll battle. suffered significant crop loss- of India, he said. sons of three political heavy- the legacy of Chaudhary Devi and Rajya Sabha MP Birender BJP’s nominee Nayab Saini, Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s son Haryana goes to polling in es due to the rains and winds The Chief Minister urged weights have been handed out Lal and is seeking his re-elec- Singh. Minister of State for Labour Deepender is also in the fray a single phase on May 12 and that lashed the state from April Modi to immediately resolve tickets to make poll debut. tion from Hisar. A Haryana cadre IAS offi- and Congress candidate former from the Rohtak constituency it remains to be seen how 16 to 18. the issue to ensure hassle-free Hisar is one unique Lok To take revenge of his cer of 1998 batch, Brijendra, 46, Minister Nirmal Singh. for the fourth time. Chaudhary these young generation politi- Capt Amarinder pointed procurement of wheat in the Sabha constituency, which is father’s defeat in 2014 polls in will contest his maiden election Notably, the INLD had Ranbir Singh, father of cians influence the psyche of out that such rains, at the time larger interest of the farming witnessing the “mother of all Hisar, Kuldeep Bishnoi’s son on a BJP ticket from Hisar con- split last November following a Bhupinder Hooda, had won the voters using their last name and of maturation of wheat crop, community. poll battles” with three politi- Bhavya, 26, will make his elec- stituency, which his father had power struggle between two Rohtak seat twice, Hooda had whether they will emerge vic- cal dynasts in the fray. These toral debut on a Congress tick- won in 1984 by defeating for- brothers Abhay Chautala and won it four times while torious or not. B= / )$ ( !  P   O !  P /2#5 "2. "'O- ("- $($ /2 2 ployment rate was at an all- in the line of duty, and yet the he pointed out, was continu- . time high, Capt Amarinder Prime Minister has the audac- ously working for the better-   The Chief Minister urged ridiculed Modi’s promise of ity to take credit for their ment of the people and work- the electorate to press the but-  2:")C 4!) ‘achche din’, saying that “acche actions, he added. ing for upliftment of all sec- aryana Chief Minister ton of Lotus on May 12 to  * din us din aayenge jis din The Chief Minister came tions of the society. HManohar Lal on Monday ensure the return of Narendra enna da bhog payega” (good down heavily on the BJP for He cited the examples of said that the BJP is in favor of Modi as the Prime Minister for AD president Sukhbir  ,  Administrative Complex, the days will come only when giving a ticket to Sadhvi farm loan waiver for 10.25 removal of Article 370 and pro- the second term so that the BJP SBadal on Monday said that Chief Minister told media their rule is brought to an Pragya, who has been open- lakh marginal and small tection of rights of the defence government could further the 2019 Lok Sabha elections ambasting Prime Minister persons that the Prime end). ly going around making divi- farmers, as well as landless forces personnel besides taking accelerate the pace of develop- would be the “last election not LNarendra Modi for his Minister’s threat to trigger a People are sick and tired sive and hate speeches, and labourers, and the facilitation steps to safeguard the security ment for the welfare of all sec- only for the present Chief “highly irresponsible state- nuclear war, clearly as a tool of their ‘jumlas’ and lies, said insulting the men in uni- of youth to get employ- and integrity of the country. tions of the society, including Minister Capt Amarinder ment” on India’s nuclear arse- to be re-elected, was highly the Chief Minister, adding form. “Such people are delib- ment/self-employment as part On the other hand, the poor and downtrodden, Singh, but also for his party”. nal, Punjab Chief Minister responsible. that people want jobs, indus- erately being given tickets by of his government’s flagship opposition Congress wanted to women, farmers and unem- “Like SS Ray in West Capt Amarinder Singh on “This is a jung (war) for try etc. The people of India BJP in order to divide the ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar aur retain Article 370 and repeal ployed youth. Bengal, Capt Amarinder’s Monday appealed to the peo- the future of the nation. We will overthrow the Modi gov- people of India,” he said, Karobar’ scheme. sedition laws, he said while He said that nobody sees ineptitude for and total dis- ple to support the Congress are fighting a party that made ernment, which has spent the asserting that the people Unfortunately, the gov- addressing a gathering at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi interest in working for the party’s ‘jung’ for protecting tall promises but failed to last five years misleading and would not allow the ruling ernment cannot give jobs to Rohtak. as a serious contender for the people and his arrogance and the future of the nation, deliver on even a single one of lying to them, he said. party to destroy the nation’s everyone and was trying, Manohar Lal cautioned the Prime Ministership. He is not penchant for leisure and plea- which the BJP-led govern- them,” the Chief Minister Flaying the Prime peaceful fabric to therefore, to get more and people against the policies of aware of the ground realities in sure culture have already dri- ment at the Centre had said while addressing a pub- Minister for his blatant and promote their petty political more industry and private the Congress which would any sector, Manohar Lal said. ven the last nail in the plunged into a state of ruin lic meeting in Chaudhary’s shameful politicization of the interests. enterprise into the state for only weaken the country. The Chief Minister said Congress coffin here. SAD and devastation. favour at the PUDA grounds armed forces, the Chief The government’s job is to the creation of employment During its long rule, the that the BJP has one regret that and the people of Punjab are Kick-starting the process after filing the nominations. Minister said that the Army ensure the welfare of the peo- opportunities, the Chief Congress has been repeatedly the saffron party could not win merely going to perform the of filing of nominations by the Capt Amarinder lashed and the forces are not Modi’s ple, not divide them, said Minister said. given the slogan of Garibi the Rohtak seat, which is polit- last rites for the dead body Congress candidates in the out at the BJP for ruining the personal property and any Capt Amarinder, adding that He indicated the estab- Hatao in every election since ical capital of the state, during called INC,” said Sukhbir State from Jalandhar, where nation with its anti-people government of the day would the government must under- lishment of an industrial cir- the regime of Prime Minister the 2014 elections. But this time adding that the SAD-BJP he accompanied Punjab policies, such as demonetiza- have done what he did in the stand and work towards mit- cle in Jalandhar to bring in Jawaharlal Nehru without all party men have to ensure alliance is poised to sweep all Congress candidate Santokh tion, Goods and Services Tax wake of the Pulwama attack. igating the problem of the new industries and promote doing anything concrete for the that the BJP wins Rohtak and 14 seats in Punjab and Singh Chaudhary to file nom- (GST) etc. Every day, army and para- people. further industrial eradication of the poverty in other 9 seats in the state, he Chandigarh. ination papers at the District Pointing out that unem- military personnel are dying The Congress in Punjab, development. the country, he said. added. Sukhbir, while addressing the party workers in ward- wise meetings in Sangrur from where former Finance  -!  0! + !$ $! -! ( ! .)      !   Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa is the alliance can- didate, said that the Congress   !  +/01*  in Punjab was haunted by - +0 0!- 0! 1! divine wrath because of the false oath taken by the Chief  * ing with each other to stay relevant Minister Capt Amarinder in   the Press’ programme organized by are getting the officers removed nothing to his credit that he could in power, Mann said that under the the name of the sacred charan the Ropar Press Club, said that the from the investigations and getting claim he had done during the last AP’s Punjab unit president and well-planned design, the of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. ongress candidate from Sri Akalis were misinforming the these derailed,” he asked. five years as an MP, he is trying to ASangrur MP Bhagwant Mann on Badals had pitched weak candidate “This and the total and CAnandpur Sahib Manish Election Commission of India by Questioning the locus standi of divert the issue,” he said. Monday said that the candidates from Patiala constituency to seal the humiliating neglect of devel- Tewari on Monday alleged that the complaining against the officers the Akali candidate Prem Singh At the same time, Tewari chal- fielded by both the Congress and deal with Captain. opment and welfare priorities Akali Dal leaders were playing involved in investigation. Chandumajra in describing him as lenged Chandumajra to debate as SAD in Bathinda and Ferozepur “These were not allegations lev- of the State as well as the into the hands of Pakistan and its “The Bargadi sacrilege was the an “outsider”, Tewari said: “Let Mr whose contribution towards Punjab Lok Sabha constituencies “after elled by AAP but one could find it Chief Minister’s complete notorious intelligence agency, ISI,, handiwork of those who wanted to Chandumajra explain whether he was greater. “I am a third genera- much hair-splitting has brought written on the wall. These allegations indifference to the tion Punjabi who has been involved forth the bonhomie between both of were ratified by the candidates of problems and suf- with politics starting from my them”. SAD and Congress, including SAD ferings of the peo- grandfather Sardar Tirath Singh Mann alleged that Badals and nominee for the Lok Sabha elections, ple has left the Guram, who was a Minister, my Capt Amarinder fielded their can- Sher Singh Ghubaiya and other Congress cadre father Prof Vishwanath Tewari who didates in Patiala, Lambi and leaders,” he said. completely frus- was an eminent Punjabi scholar and Jalalabad constituencies to ensure Mann said that the Congress, trated, disheart- writer and an MP and now myself,” each others’ win by defeating AAP under dubious arrangement, fielded ened and disillu- he said, while asking Chandumajra candidates there. “This time, both a young, non-serious and motor- sioned with their to tell Punjabis what was his role in have repeated the same formula to mouthed candidate from Bathinda own party and its Punjab when his father (Prof stay in power,” said Mann while constituency, Raja Warring, and government,” he Tewari) was fighting to save alleging that had Captain not con- Sher Singh Ghubaiya, who recently said, adding that Punjabiyat and in the process,, tested election from Lambi and joined the party fold from Ferozepur the average laid down his life. fielded Ravneet Singh Bittu from amid raging opposition from the Congress worker has now by trying to sabotage the ongoing hurt the religious feelings of the himself belongs to Sri Anandpur On the occasion, the Aam Jalalabad, both the Badals would not local party leaders, thereby clearing sensed that the poll in the probe into the incidents of sacrilege Punjabis and sabotage the hard- Sahib parliamentary constituen- Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson have been able to make it to the the deck for the Badal family to reg- state is a ‘no contest’. that took place during their tenure. earned peace...I wonder what the cy”. Satbir Singh Ahluwalia also joined Assembly. ister a comfortable win in the elec- Sukhbir also addressed Tewari, speaking at the ‘Meet Akali leaders are scared of that they “Since Akali candidate has the Congress. Accusing them both of conniv- tion, he said. members of the Sangrur Bar Council where he appealed to the intellectual fraternity in the state to see through the       !" # $   $ Congress government’s tactics of distracting people's atten- tion from the real issues being  1-1> announced three more candi- Ramesh Chander Kaushik in candidates of Congress and With two Jats including islator from Garhi Sampla Kiloi Development, from Gurugram, faced by the common man in * dates for the general elections. Sonipat. INLD, he is seen as JJP’s safe bet Bhupinder Singh Hooda and in Rohtak district. Sonipat par- and former Zila Parishad mem- the state. The candidates included Digvijay’s elder brother, for Sonipat parliamentary seat. Digvijay Chautala and a liamentary constituency lies ber Jai Bhagwan Sharma alias “The Congress govt is day after Congress sprang Digvijay Chautala from Dushyant is seeking re-election The polling arithmetic in Jind Brahmin candidate in the fray, adjacent to the Rohtak Lok DD Sharma from Kurukshetra. deliberately prolonging Aa surprise announcing can- Sonipat, Jai Bhagwan Sharma from Hisar constituency in the bypolls had suggested that Jat Sonipat will be witnessing a Sabha seat, where Bhupinder The lone Muslim candidate inquiries into emotional didature of former Chief from Kurukshetra and polls. Both are the great grand- voters favoured Digvijay more fierce three-cornered electoral Singh Hooda’s son Deepender from Gurugram, Mehmood issues because they don’t want Minister Bhupinder Singh Mehmood Khan from son of former Deputy Prime over Congress’ heavyweight battle this time. is seeking the mandate for the Khan is pitted against the BJP’s people to question them on Hooda from Sonipat parlia- Gurugram. Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal. Jat candidate Randeep The Jat community has fourth time. nominee and Union Minister their government’s non-per- mentary constituency, Founded by Ajay Chautala, Sonipat parliamentary con- Surjewala and INLD’s Umed more than 5 lakh voters in Notably, Hooda who was Rao Inderjit Singh and formance and absolute Jannayak Janta Party has field- father of Digvijay Chautala, the stituency is a Jat dominated seat Singh Redhu. Sonipat and there are more hopeful of retaining Jat domi- Congress’ Captain Ajay Yadav. absence of good gover- ed Digvijay Chautala, a fourth JJP is contesting on seven seats and had seen Devi Lal making Jind assembly segment falls than 1.5 lakh Brahmins as nated Sonipat and Rohtak seats A day before, the AAP-JJP nance...The Congress gov- generation politician from the while the AAP is contesting on his Lok Sabha debut in the year under the Sonipat parliamen- well. The main Khaps includ- in 2014 had lost Sonipat due to had announced the candida- ernment has gone back on Chautala clan from the con- three seats in the state. 1980. tary seat. ing Malik, Dahiyas, Rathis etc anti-incumbency factor cou- ture of AAP state chief Naveen each and every promise which stituency. Digvijay, 27, will be taking After JJP’s good perfor- In 2014 polls, BJP’s Ramesh in the area also play a key role pled with the Modi wave. Jaihind from Faridabad. Jaihind Amarinder had made to the The fledgling JJP, which is on Congress veteran Bhupinder mance in Jind assembly bypoll Chander Kaushik, a Brahmin in deciding the fate of candi- Meanwhile, the JJP has is considered a confidant of people under a sacred oath. contesting the Lok Sabha polls Singh Hooda, who is more than earlier this year, when party candidate, had defeated Jagbir dates in the fray. fielded Mehmood Khan, who AAP national chief and Delhi Now, they are using alibis like in an alliance with Aam Aadmi double his age and the outgo- candidate Digvijay had secured Singh Malik, another Jat can- Two-time former Chief retired as global leader of Chief Minister Arvind lack of funds,” he said. Party in Haryana, on Monday, ing MP and BJP’s nominee second spot leaving behind didate of Congress in Sonipat. Minister Hooda is a sitting leg- Unilever Innovation Process Kejriwal.    !"  # $%& $'() !* 3-+! -!-+! ! N+ O 1 here on Monday and said they Anthony’s Shrine said he was “I pray that peace prevails Tigers, who had fought for 26 dont have any anger or ill will “extremely saddened and griev- - not only in this country, but years for an independent home-  *O towards anyone of any other ed” by the incidnet. in the whole world,” he said. land for the minority ethnic *   religion in the Buddhist-major- “Since the (civil) war, peo- Sri Lanka is a country of Tamils. The war is thought to ity nation. The Buddhist monks ple belonging to all religions great religious diversity that have killed between 70,000 and  * C visited the historic Catholic and faiths had been co-existing crosses ethnic lines, and the 80,000 people.        church located at Kochchikade, and living together in unity and monks’ presence at the church The nation has seen some a day after a suicide bomber harmony. This is not some- was a sign of this, CNN com- sporadic violence since. In embers of Sri Lanka’s reportedly triggered a huge thing that anyone could have mented. March 2018, a state of emer- MChristian minority have      blast, killing many worshippers anticipated,” he told the BBC. Sunday’s attacks are the gency was declared after hard- been left afraid to go to church who had gathered for the He said he condemned the deadliest seen in Sri Lanka since line members of the majority after deadly attacks that hit small group of monks in Easter Sunday morning mass. attacks, but “we don’t have any the end of the country’s civil war Buddhist Sinhala community Easter services, killing nearly Asaffron robes visited the Venerable Prof Pitigala anger or ill will towards anyone in 2009. The civil war ended attacked mosques and Muslim- 300 and stoking fears of com- bombed St Anthony’s Church Vijitha Thero was outside St of any other religion”. with the defeat of the Tamil owned properties. munal violence. “Some people might be afraid to go to church now. At this moment I have no idea $("$- $2. $ #0 what to say,” Father Lour Fernando told AFP by St - $$22# / .$2& .$". Sebastian’s in Negombo, one of three churches targeted Sunday. #     %" 2       !  “We have to remain strong !             ! #  " " /(/0)/ 0/# $ and keep going to church and keep praying. We can’t stop.” the country’s violence, includ- named, said police had told Ranjan Christopher Fernard, a ing recent tensions between churches last week that they      three luxury hotels have been 55-year-old taxi driver from right-wing Buddhists and should brace for possible “inci- taken to the government Negombo, said he was nervous Muslims. dents” and stay vigilant. ome hid their eyes, some col- morgue and people queued in about attending church after the “We never thought we “We increased security at Slapsed in tears as gruesome the heat to get into the heart- attacks, which killed his friend’s would ever be targeted. We our church last week. We have images of victims from Sri wrenching identification 11-year-old son. never thought we would ever also been checking vehicles Lanka’s Easter massacre were slideshow. Eighteen bodies were “Tonight we (my family) need protection,” said a priest in coming into the church premis- projected on to a screen in released on Monday morning will all go to church to pray for the grounds of St Sebastian. es,” he said. front of distraught relatives at a after relatives recognised a vic- the victims,” he said. But others said there had “Although there was a Colombo morgue on Monday. tim from the gruesome images “Of course I feel afraid... but been warnings, and documents generic warning to stay vigilant, The pictures of some of the shown in a corner of the morgue we have to go to church, we have seen by AFP showed the coun- some churches adopted a lax 290 dead are disturbing, with courtyard. to pray for the injured to get well try’s police chief had issued an attitude because there were no faces battered and bodies miss- Identification is painstaking, soon.” The suicide bomb attacks alert on April 11 that warned a details offered, like a possible ing limbs. A Roman Catholic physically and emotionally. were the worst atrocity in Sri radical Muslim group planned timeline,” he added. priest and a Buddhist counter- Many badly mutilated bodies Lanka since the country’s 37- to hit “prominent churches.” “I feel more deaths could part waited in the corner of the will only be identified with the year conflict with Tamil rebels The government said have been prevented if we were courtyard to intervene when one DNA of relatives, officials said. ended a decade ago. Monday it believed the National more alert.” For some in the of scores of people in the audi- Janaka Shaktivel, 28, father Sri Lanka’s Christians, who Thowheeth Jama’ath was behind shaken Christian community, ence recognised a mother, broth- of an 18-month-old son, sat in make up just seven percent of the attacks. the attacks also raise the spec- er or child. shock outside the building wait- the 21-million population, had A pastor at People’s Church tre of more widespread com- Many of the dead from ing for the body of his wife to be          "  5        P    been largely spared the worst of in Colombo, who declined to be munal violence. attacks on three churches and handed over.   6!   )      #      "  !   %&'( 3(            % 0 O      % 41+ !!  P          #  !A 4 ! '  ! C4(E3 /("2 '/( $   *  country’s small Catholic com- died. Groups of people visited, #         clubs, restaurants, places of “The decision to travel is -" " ) - !"- "-!$. !$".6/2 munity. paying their respects. worship, parks, major sporting your choice and you are ! "2/!$ $! ($ "2. '( 2#$. he seaside Sri Lankan On Monday, it was a town On Easter Sunday, a he US and Canada have and cultural events, educa- responsible for your personal ./2 " .$$' "2$5 4((2# D Tfishing town of Negombo in mourning. bomb blast ripped through   + * Tissued travel advisories to tional institutions, airports and safety abroad,” the advisory '$/'($5 ($"2# E /!$- has long been called Small white flags flew in St. Sebastian’s, one of a their citizens seeking to visit Sri other public areas. said. 2: $.9 “Little Rome,” a reference to house after house near St. half-dozen coordinated attacks ecretary of State Lanka, citing threats of terror- The US citizens travelling “We take the safety and its abundance of churches and Sebastian’s Church, a sign that on churches and high-end SMike Pompeo vowed on ism, a day after the calm of to or residing in Sri Lanka were security of Canadians abroad - 3   its place at the center of the someone who lived there had hotels that killed nearly 300 Monday that the United States Easter Sunday was shattered by advised to enrol in the very seriously and provide OP - 1P1 - people. will keep fighting “radical gruesome bombings targeting Department of State’s Smart credible and timely informa- ,=?(=3$-.$2 /2"(. At least 110 were killed at Islamic terror” after devastat- the country’s churches and Traveler Enrollment Program tion in our Travel Advice to  0' -". /2." !" St. Sebastian’s, said Cardinal ing attacks in Sri Lanka that hotels that killed at least 290 (STEP) in order to receive the enable you to make well- /2#$-- L "2O 0'$" !M !0 Malcolm Ranjith, making it targeted churches and hotels on people. latest security updates, the informed decisions regarding /$ !$ &2.2#- /& !$ $(($ the day’s most deadly bomb- Easter . According to advisories, Sunday Times reported. your travel abroad,” it said. $'/ 2/  --"2 $($ /2 ing. “Radical Islamic travellers should exercise a The situation remains The death toll Monday 0$..(2# "2. !- "$0'- / Charles Fernando, 32, who terror remains a threat. We high degree of caution in Sri volatile in Sri Lanka after eight sharply rose to 290, including !"0'$ !$ 2$-#"/29 was among the neighbour- are continuing to do real Lanka due the current securi- explosions rocked churches six Indians, from the blasts - the hood residents walking work against these evil ty situation. and luxury hotels, killing up to worst terror attack in the coun- 4 !   !!   between houses, pointed to a human beings,” Pompeo told The US Embassy said ter- 290 people, including six try’s history. 1 ! G+.  home where he said nearly reporters. rorists may attack with little or Indians, and with over 500 sus- There was no immediate -=3 $ '$/'($ $$ everyone had been killed or “This is America’s fight, no warning targeting tourist taining injures. claim of responsibility, but 4(($. !$2 " ($"- / injured. too,” added Pompeo, who said locations, transportation hubs, The Canadian government police on Monday arrested 24 ) (.2#- /(("'-$. "- " -/2# “We had war for 30 years he had spoken by telephone markets/shopping malls, local also issued a travel advisory to people and declined to give fur- $"!A "4$ / 4$. !$ 2/!$2 but there were no bomb blasts with Prime Minister Ranil government facilities, hotels, its nationals. ther details. !(''2$-5 " (/ "( /&& "( -".9 in Negombo,” he said. Wickremesinghe. !$$ )/.$- !"$ )$$2 ' (($. /  /& " /(("'-$. ) (.2# 2 !$ /2 /& /" 5 !($ "2  !    /(. /0"2 "2. !$ #"2. !(. $$  -!$. / .$"! ) "2/!$ ) (.2# 2 !$ /2 /& )"/5 '/2 "( #/$2/    ! (" 2$." /(.  6  $($-/29

  + * take information,” Giuliani said of Romney on CNN’s “State of onald Trump’s top lawyer the Union.” Don Sunday attacked He was referring to “calumny, lies and distortions” Democratic emails that were in the Mueller investigation hacked by Russian operatives report, and said there is “noth- and disseminated by ing wrong” with taking hacked WikiLeaks in 2016 to hurt information from Russia. Trump presidential rival Rudy Giuliani mounted a Hillary Clinton. combative defense of the pres- “Who says it’s even illegal?” ident in Sunday talk show Giuliani added. “Does the appearances that took aim at information turn out to be Special Counsel Robert false, by the way? The infor- Mueller’s investigators, the evi- mation that was gleaned and dence they amassed and the disseminated, every newspaper witnesses they cited. printed it.” The former New York Trump publicly encour- mayor heaped special scorn on aged Russia and WikiLeaks Senator Mitt Romney, a while top campaign officials, former Republican presidential including his son and son-in- candidate who said Friday law, met in Trump Tower with he was “sickened” by the a Russian promising dirt on report’s findings and “appalled” Clinton. that Trump’s election cam- “There is nothing wrong paign “welcomed help from with taking information from Russia.” the Russians. It depends on “What a hypocrite. What a where it came from,” Giuliani hypocrite. Any candidate in the said, adding that as a lawyer he whole world in America would would have advised against it. “This didn’t become an international scandal because of immorality. It became an international scandal because the president was accused of violating the law falsely,” he said. His comments echoed Trump, who mocked Romney on Twitter Sunday, after lash- ing out Friday at the “bullshit” Mueller report. The president was in Palm Beach, Florida where he attended Easter ser- vices. The special counsel’s 22- month-long investigation con- cluded that Trump and his team did not collude with the Russian effort to sway the elec- tions in his favour. But it detailed 10 episodes of potential obstruction by Trump, including his firing of FBI director James Comey and demands that Mueller himself be removed.    !"  # $%& $'() #  +     &" $)//49 /0H."('/2$$  J!$"(/2$$  2-"#"09 /0H."('/2$$H

. / 1     $ *  (!/ #! 0 - ($ '/$ !"- )$$2 )/ #! 2.$ /2/(5 $($ /"( -'$2.2# !"- $" !$. )  $   S $#     #      *#  0/2-/ - '/'//2-9 !$ ($ /2 /00--/2 0 - /0$ &" $6/6&" $ ! !- $"( #  "%   #      #    %2    * 7 $       $ #%'  #          $              $  8$9::  # 8;<=8;;:   !  ,-,   4>)4>) $      lthough the use of muscle    $*#   S 7  % power to capture booths and # # ?*     '  intimidate voters belonging       $      to vulnerable social groups has drastically come down in    $*          S recentA years, the percentage of candidates  %3    $   !  with criminal records still remains a mat-               % ter of concern. But the bigger worry is money power. During a recent tour of 1  $   #   ?*$*   some constituencies in Karnataka, this  $     %'      writer heard from political leaders and                    those in the know that in most constituen- cies, candidates have to spend upwards of          @  %2  20 crore to be in the reckoning. There was  *             $       also near unanimity that some candidates *        $   '    in the old Mysore area had spent over 100 crore! With top contenders in every Lok   !  6     %3 ?*S Sabha seat spending phenomenal sums of  0      #    ##  money, the democratic process is now out- '   %' #    #   of-bounds for an average citizen. The National Election Watch (NEW) 3 0       %'3     and the Association for Democratic         04 $     $ Rights (ADR) have been providing *   '0 $*       detailed analysis of the information pro- vided by candidates in their sworn affi-  !      %2  '  $ davits while filing their nominations.               %' Their analysis of the 521 members of the          2*    $  outgoing Lok Sabha, based on their affi-       $      %  davits, should be a matter of deep concern. The NEW-ADR analysis found that      ?*        174 of the 521 MPs had declared that candidates will be much, much of these cases on a priority and drugs and narcotics worth  %'    *  * #     # criminal cases were pending against higher when you look at the basis as recommended by the 1,152 crore. They have also              #% them, constituting one-third of the Lok amount of money being spent National Commission to seized gold and precious met- Sabha. Further, among them, 106 MPs (20 in each constituency. Review the Working of the als worth over 500 crore.   *         $  per cent) were facing serious criminal A comparison of criminal Constitution, which was head- Although this is unprecedent-    #         cases like murder, attempt to murder, kid- records of outgoing MPs and +  +  ed by former Chief Justice of ed, it is still the tip of the ice-        S #  %0 napping and communal disharmony candidates in this election +    India, MN Venkatachaliah. berg. among others. Thirty-five per cent of the shows that the new House Five decades ago, there Having travelled in some    $       ?*S #   # MPs belonging to the Bharatiya Janata will have its share of such indi- 6   would be large scale violence States and heard reports of %'        !    Party (BJP) and 16 per cent of the viduals. Although statistically  1   during elections in the coun- voter bribing, one can safely     #       S #  Congress and AIADMK MPs in the out- speaking, criminal record of try. States like Bihar and Uttar say that although the Election going Lok Sabha have criminal back- candidates in the present elec-   B Pradesh were notorious for Commission has raised the      %'    *  %'  % grounds. However, the Shiv Sena topped tion is lower than that of suc- booth capturing. Prominent permissible expenditure in a the list with 83 per cent of this party’s MPs cessful candidates in 2014,     candidates in the fray would Lok Sabha constituency in having criminal records. one must remember that the  *  have their own armed gangs to larger States to 70 lakh, the As regards the financial muscle of can- winnability of candidates with disrupt polling in booths spending is upwards of 20 didates, the survey showed that of the 521 criminal records is higher than     L which were not favourable to crore per candidate. Thus, if sitting MPs, 430 (83 per cent) were those who come with a clean     them. The gangs would open we have two main contenders 25 crorepatis in 2014 and they had average slate. Therefore, we must await fire, chase away election offi- for each of the 543 elected assets of 14.72 crore. Eighty-seven per the results and see what per- 1    cials and electors, capture the seats in the Lok Sabha, the 67 cent of the BJP MPs are crorepatis, as centage of the members of the   +    booths and burn the paper bal- candidates and their parties against 82 per cent in the Congress and new Lok Sabha have criminal lots. This is now a thing of past would have splurged over           78 per cent in the AIADMK. The average cases pending against them.     But the other big issue — 20,000 crores, mostly to          asset base of BJP MPs was 12 crore, while What do we do with the  5 *  money power — has reached bribe voters in this election.  that of Congress MPs was 15.47 crore. fact that one-third of our monstrous proportions. With feudal, caste-based        A recent report by NEW-ADR, after MPs have criminal records +  Although muscle power has political families loaded with   !"   examining the affidavits of candidates in and 20 per cent of them are   * been brought under control, such huge, ill-gotten resources     #   !$ the fray in the first two phases of the cur- facing serious criminal cases spending in elections has gone playing the game, democracy   $ %P' rent Lok Sabha election, is also revealing. like murder, attempt to mur- 1   5 completely out of control and is becoming a no-entry zone Out of the 2,923 candidates, the NEW- der and kidnapping? This   * the Election Commission for an average citizen. The   $          ADR analysis of 2,856 affidavits shows needs to be reversed and the appears to be totally helpless Election Commission must    #      that 464 have criminal records, constitut- best way to do it is to bar all    despite huge deployment of come face-to-face with this        !  ing 16 per cent of the total. Of them, 313 those, against whom serious observers and seizure of cash, reality and find ways to stop candidates have serious criminal cases. As criminal charges have been   M gold, liquor and drugs meant the bribing of voters. Failing      $Q %) regards the net worth of candidates, 824 framed in a court of law, for bribing voters. In the first which, democracy will be         !  of them — 29 per cent — are crorepatis from contesting elections until two phases of this election, the reduced to an absolute farce.   $   and they have, on an average, assets of over they are acquitted. In order to Election Commission already (The writer is an author spe- 5 crore. But this is the average of 2,856 prevent vindictive prosecu- seized close to 700 crore in cialising in democracy studies. #  %     *   $  # candidates. The net worth of successful tion, the courts must dispose cash, liquor worth 218 crore Views expressed are personal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songs in this movie were written         as well as composed by Satyajit   $  ##*$ %   $  Ray himself. Ray got many awards  #   S  $ #        Sir — Priyanka Chaturvedi’s exit is !- $&$- / !$ $./"(5 L "2-/2M for the best music direction for ##   !        % definitely a loss to the Congress. <'( BB?9 2"((5 !$2 !$ "0":". " < ? this film. One of these songs, However, she could have given "2. !$ "! :"2 "0": " < ? "22/ 2 $. " ‘Kotoi Rongo Dekhi Duniyay’ (the " # #!   those she had grievances against '/(( '"  / &#! /4 ")!" $($ /2-5 -'$ ("/2 "- world is full of wonders), was    +      #  another chance to express their &$ !" (""0 2#! "." 0#! 2/ !"$ sung by Amar Pal. Amar means        %1 *  standpoint. The party leadership "#$$. / !- &/0 (" . $ / !$ /(. "20/- )$$$2 immortal in Bengali. Indeed, his could have ensured this. Further, !0 "2. """9  """ "2. (""0 voice has immortalised the pow-  # *#    *   $    she should have waited to see fur- 2#! "."  2$. !$ ")($- ) 2/ /2( -!"2# !$ erful words of Ray in this song.  #      # %2 ther developments without quitting -"#$ " " !-/ "(( 2 "2'  )  "(-/ !$"'2# Sujit De    #!     the party in a huff. The fact that she '"-$- /2 $" ! /!$9  -$$0- )/! !"$ /0$ $ Kolkata &" &/0 !$ # $- !/ -$ $'-/.$ ."-9    %           rushed to join the Shiv Sena soon after leaving the Congress is shock- 2.$$.5 !$ 2$$. /& !$ !/  - &/ !$ "(("2 $ / !$       / (. )$ " '"262."2 "&&"9      !       %   ing. People have lost faith in her '  &/! " 2$. &" $ "2. "#$ " //.2"$. &#! /2( 6  !"$ "(4$. !$ "(49 2 !$ /!$ !"2.5  $*!*    +  # % #  and will consider the entire episode "#"2- !$  (2# '" / -"2. " !"2 $ /& $"'2# !$ /2#$-- !"- 2/ -!/2 "2 '"#0" "''/" !9 0"0 0 -$"- &/0 !$ ("#$- "$ /& !$ 2"/29 &$ & (""0 "2. """ "2 :/2 !"2.-5 - 2/ 0'/-6 #  $    #      a pre-planned farce. Sir — It is regretful that the sanc- Shalini Gerald !$ "2""4" "$ $($ /2- K !$$ "2 2'$ $.$26 -)($ &/ /!$ $#/2"( ($".$- / &/#$ '"- .&&$$2 $-9 tity of the highest court of the      +      Chennai $. "(("2 $ )$$$2 !$ /2#$-- "2. !$ ,"2"" "( !$ -!/ (. 0/$ /2 ! !"2#$. #/ 2. $"($-9 land has been under threat since ! %3  $   S P1 4Q      < $ ("? "- &/#$. K !$ " $#/2"( '" ($".6 4 (= the last five years. Earlier, it was        $  +        $- "0$ /#$!$ / :/2 !"2.-5  "- "-- 0$. !"  an unprecedented January 2018 revolt by four sitting judges of the *          Supreme Court and now, the CJI                %1  $ Sir — This refers to the editori- impending disaster, no preventive fully the terrorists missed the tar-     has been accused of sexual harass-     %5  S     al, “On Easter, violence resurrects measures were taken by the get. The modus operandi of the ment by a former woman staffer. in Lanka” (April 22). A series of authorities to thwart the nefari- perpetrators is very clear. The The incident highlights the fact   $  *   #  % explosions in churches and hotels ous designs of religious funda- Islamist terrorists want to bleed Sir — Amar Pal, the renowned that even the office of the CJI can               !  in Sri Lanka during an Easter mentalists. Further, it is distress- not only India but the rest of the folk singer, passed away at the age easily be tarnished. A thorough *      # % $      Sunday by suicide bombers linked ing that more such attacks will be world. India must take the lead in of 98. He was the first folk musi- investigation is the need of the to a Muslim organisation, Jamaat, planned in the near future at dif- fighting terrorism and urge world cian, whose song was broadcast hour.  S   #   $      has shaken the conscience of the ferent places across countries. leaders to take decisive action to over the All India Radio in 1951. Ravi     6S  %   *$  !  world. Since it was a well-planned Along with the churches and prevent catastrophes instead of I will always remember him Via email            % $   attack, it is disappointing that the hotels, the Indian High just condemning incidents. for the songs he sang in one of despite the intelligence having Commission in Sri Lanka, too, KR Srinivasan Satyajit Ray’s legendary films,     *     #       # % alerted the Government about the was on the attack list but thank- Secunderabad Hirak Rajar Deshe. All the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very election in Kerala, whether it is to the             %   Lok Sabha or the State Legislature, brings  $      #-   $ Eto mind the famous play Ezhu Rathrikal        1 3*% (Seven Nights), directed by Kaladi Gopi in     ' S       1963. Ezhu Raathrikal must have been the first  3    R- S    # ('# play in Malayalam that was based on the lives   S   $ $   #     of the marginalised and oppressed sections of society. The play is set in a street-side bus shel-  P    %Q4  $  $%' ter that is home to a group of beggars, road- P## Q3       # side vendors and anti-social elements. The cen-     %       tral character of the play is Pazhanam Varkey,       %'     a professional beggar. “Pazhanam” is the     $#    % Malayalam word for “poison.” One, therefore, +   '     $    $ need not elaborate about his character. B=        # %2    # Varkey’s style of begging is unique and that’s          $3      the reason behind the success of the character. Even 50 years after its first show, the play and   M           # %'      3 $  3$  !   Varkey remain engraved in the minds of theatre buffs in the State. Varkey wears a scapular that      #           has two pendants. One is a crucifix and the other  ,6     O # % is that of Lord Krishna. When Varkey goes to *        !    ('#$  Christian houses, he wears the scapular in such 9     3$   %2  a way that the crucifix is visible to the people.                $ Whenever he goes to the house of Hindus, he dis- *  3   #    % plays the locket with Lord Krishna.  < ?O '          The Communist Party of India (Marxist)  5  %' $       (CPI-M) is the new Varkey of Kerala because of the twin roles played by it in and outside the State. ** thus, they could mobilise the Ezhava Whenever there is a remote possi- Congress candidate from Chalakudy. #   #%E 3$7 ˆrv Uv€r†$            #3$   While in Kerala, the CPI (M) considers the community under the communist flag. bility of the BJP winning a seat in the The comrades want to ensure that the +   State, the CPI(M) transfers its share of Congress’ candidate is elected with a big         #    Congress to be its main enemy, outside the State, Over the years, however, the it mingles freely with the latter. The CPI(M) is,   *  CPI(M) has lost its proletarian image votes en masse to the Congress. This has majority though the CPI(M) has field- %  #       perhaps, the best defender of the Congress, espe-  5 1 and become a party promoting crony been happening with active connivance ed cine actor, Innocent Vareed  "   %2      cially the Nehru-Gandhi clan, when reports of   capitalists. It also ensures that the State of the local media. P Narayanan, octo- Thekkethala, in the constituency.   $              % scams featuring the family members surface in   does not progress an inch, economi- genarian journalist, reminiscences how TP Senkumar, former Chief of      $ "      the public domain.      cally or socially. The much-hyped Mathrubhumi, a leading Malayalam Kerala police, articulated the Hindu     %'      But why is that both parties pretend as if they     Kerala model of development has daily, violated all media ethics during angst: “It is time the majority commu-   #      #    are at loggerheads and that, too, for the consump-   9 ended in a disaster. The last six the Assembly election held in 1960. nity, too, gets the same rights and free-       % tion of the public? Since the formation of     months have seen more than 40 farm- “There was a big speculation that TN dom that is enjoyed by the minorities. 0* P- Q  -$3S    Kerala in 1956, by merging the old princely States ers committing suicide because of the Bharathan, the Jana Sangh candidate Sabarimala is the beginning. The next of Travancore, Kochi and parts of the Madras     debt trap they have fallen into follow- from Guruvayur, would romp home in line is Sree Padmanabhaswamy      %2  P    , +       $#      province, the political centrestage has been ing crop failure. And the Marxist because of the excellent work he had Temple in the State’s capital.” Kerala is monopolised by two fronts led by the Congress   + Government has done nothing to done to save the Manathala Temple the only State that issues monthly !                 %Q and the communists. Supporting characters  revive the fortunes of either the farm- from miscreants. But on the day of pension to widows belonging to minor- '           differ, depending on the political wind blowing ers or the marginal entrepreneurs. polling, Mathrubhumi came out with a ity communities. Social benefits should  S             #  across the State. But the two fronts, known in Three small entrepreneurs based in banner headline proclaiming that Jan be all inclusive.         S%    modern parlance by the names of the United Kollam, too, committed suicide Sangh supporters would vote for the More than 4,000 people, who took         *       Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress because they could not withstand the Congress. This upset the party work- part in the Sabarimala agitation, are    $* *          and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the harassment of their party bosses. ers. This has been the style of Kerala still in jail under various charges that S    % CPI(M), are the central characters. Though there is a change of guard media since then,” said Narayanan. are non-bailable offences. KP Sasikala, '     3S    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its pre- in Thiruvananthapuram every five What makes the 2019 Lok Sabha the frail looking leader of the Hindu      # R- S  %'"      vious avatar, the Jan Sangh, were never a force years, what generally happens is that election in Kerala unique is a series of United Forum, has 475 criminal cases     #     P  Q to reckon with in this State that has a split reli- the CPI(M) and Congress-led fronts reports about the BJP-led NDA open- slapped against her, including that of gious demography. The State consists of nearly alternate between themselves. The ing its account in this State. The murder, attempt to murder, stone-pelt- S %     *   *  51 per cent Hindus, 26 per cent Muslims and 23 two parties do not provide space for Sabarimala agitation and the CPI(M)’s ing and other such criminal offences.    #%  8A  per cent Christians. Without active support from a third alternative because they know actions, targetting Hindu places of These things have happened even as   %5     3     the minority communities, no front can win any it well that their relevance will be lost worship and insulting the acharyas, those, who chopped off the right  #      %  1   election in Kerala. the moment a third party finds space have hurt Hindus and has resulted in hand of Prof Joseph, are out. This  9:8< # B"   $    Interestingly, the CPI(M)’s vote bank is the here. Hence, all elections in the State the polarisation of the community. So Friday saw the Marxists publicly    +  *  "   % powerful Ezhava community, the society which have followed a match-fixing arrange- it is advantage BJP in two or three con- silencing the chanting of God’s name    -   $ ## $1 3* gave birth to Sree Narayana Guru, the most rev- ment between the Congress and the stituencies of the State. Congress chief at a temple in the capital city because        3 8;F8% olutionary social reformer of the 20th Century. Marxists. Though the two may act as Rahul Gandhi will definitely win from the Chief Minister does not like it. B  $    %1 ##   It was his teachings and uncompromising stance if they are arch rivals, both have an Wayanad because the LDF has fielded Varkey would beg in Kerala display-         $6 that led to the eradication of social evils like unseen umbilical chord between them. a “decoy” candidate against him as part ing one-half of the scapular featuring untouchability and marginalisation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a game of match-fixing between the the crucifix. He can show the other half   %)  * 3$ oppressed classes in the State. He could inspire exposed the same while he addressed CPI(M) and the Congress. The with Lord Krishna’s pendant while in     #*    S the people to agitate for the right to walk along a public rally at the State capital Marxists want the Congress to win the New Delhi and the rest of India.   #*   S    % the roads leading to the temples which ultimate- recently. He said, “It is kusti in Kerala 2019 Lok Sabha election and that’s Kerala goes to the polls today to elect Q h†uh‡ Tvtu v† r†rh pu sryy‚ hq Hrtuh Tuh €h v† ly culminated in the Temple Entry Proclamation and dosti in New Delhi. The CPI(M) about it. Card-holding members of the 20 members to the Lok Sabha. r†rh pu v‡r  h‡ ‡ur 8r‡ r s‚ Cˆ€h Svtu‡† T‡ˆqvr† PQ Evqhy of 1936. At one stage, the communists had and the Congress are the two faces of CPI(M) had the audacity to ask this (The writer is Special Correspondent, By‚ihy Vv‰r †v‡’ hijacked the agitation launched by the Guru and, the same coin.” writer to vote for Benny Behanan, the The Pioneer)                            E          "                   # 

State’s desperate response to climate rock formations, farmers are competing in tressed the discoms. Distribution compa- Look for alternatives: While the pol- which reduces risk of borewell failures, is change? Or will it really help the farmers a game they cannot win. According to fig- nies were already heavily in debt when the icy has been around too short to draw any another alternative that can be explored. in the long run? Similar policies have been ures from the Central Ground Water 24-hour free electricity scheme was intro- definite conclusions, on their own account, In an attempt to discourage over- launched in many other States, including Board, farmers are not likely to hit major duced from December 31, 2017. With farmers must shift their cropping patterns exploitation of groundwater and ensure a Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra water-bearing fractures below 100-110 feet. groundwater table declining, electricity use to sowing water-intensive crops such as more robust regulatory mechanism in the since the late 1970s. Groundwater levels had already sunk is bound to increase because of the extra paddy. This is not to say that it is a sus- country, the Government has proposed to Never mind the answer, more power beyond that level in many places due to power needed to pump water from deep- tainable policy or that the farmers’ slap for the first time a Water Conservation does not equal more water in the long extensive well drillings when the 24x7 free er levels. response is viable. High informal debts due Fee (WCF) on extraction by all users of 8$!76$ ! run. Water being a limited resource, free electricity policy was implemented. Discoms all around the country are to investments in digging borewells was groundwater in the country, barring the 0& (2 electricity for agriculture can lead to over- Besides poor and erratic rains, over- adversely affected by subsidies such as free one of the causes for farm distress. armed forces, farmers and individual extraction, failed investments and worse exploitation of water without sustainable electricity. This is one of the factors that Although free electricity contributes to households. attaiah, a farmer in Shivampet village still, borewell failures rather than making recharge options has led to a decline in contributes to the widening gap between reduced input costs, it does little to There are questions that are hard to of Medak district in Andhra Pradesh, this scarce resource cheaper. Depletion of groundwater levels in villages. The unfor- income and cost of supply, according to the address the risks and losses faced by farm- address for State politicians but should be Sdug another borewell to save his groundwater levels to 1,000 feet and more tunate outcome is the diminishing of the Central Electricity Authority. One can even ers. There is a need to strengthen institu- addressed at the national level. Faced with standing crop from drought as his existing has been reported in some drought-prone common resource base, losses on invest- say that falling groundwater levels lead to tions where farmers can acquire low-risk the consequences of climate change and borewell had dried up in January. Like his areas due to excessive digging of ments, crop failures and possibly, drink- higher levels of debt for electricity com- formal loans and facilitate viable payment disintegration of the rural resource base, previous one, the new alternative, too, failed borewells. The Telangana Government’s ing water shortage. As of today, about 31 panies or levels of expenditure that are hard conditions. how can farmers and the landless rural and he incurred huge losses. Studies con- move to provide 24x7 free electricity to per cent of blocks in India are at a semi- to recover. Farmers need information and educa- population make a living in a sector depen- ducted by the Indian Council of farmers is lopsided and neglects other critical, critical or over-exploited stage in Electricity consumption for agriculture tion on which crops they should opt for dent on monsoon rains, frequent failures Agricultural Research and the World Bank water sources such as farm ponds and vil- terms of groundwater exploitation. in Telangana amounted to 29 per cent of in water-scarce conditions. They should be of rains, prolonged dry spells, lack of water prove that groundwater-irrigated farms lage tanks. Complementary water sources Fiscal costs to the Government: The the total consumption in 2016. The same given incentives to grow suitable variants. and decreasing hopes of livelihood? have twice the crop productivity as com- and recharging systems are left to dry up, central electricity authority, which sector contributed only three per cent to Instead of blindly digging borewells on Should these forces be left to live their own pared to rain-fed farms. However, ground- rather than being maintained. In the cur- announced the details of the progress of revenues for the electricity board. Still, farmers’ fields, they must be given assis- lives? Without any concerted effort, the water must not be over-exploited as it is a rent situation, every farmer must fend for various States in the power sector for the there has been no policy shift to bridge the tance by hydrologists or technical experts. common rural inhabitant will drift like a natural resource with limited availability. himself, in contrast to the traditional sys- year 2017-18, observed that Telangana gap between electricity consumption and Many farmers also hold the opinion that splint in the open seas tossed by the forces In this context, is the Telangana tems which usually required cooperation, secured the first place in the country in revenue generation. There are many other instead of a 24-hour electricity, about five of climate change, market fluctuations and Government’s scheme to provide round- whether voluntary or forced through reg- power consumption and per capita power options that are more viable, environmen- hours of uninterrupted electricity are shifting policy regimes. the-clock power supply to 2.3 million ulation. consumption. The free electricity scheme tally and economically, such as construc- enough to pump water for crops. (A Amarender Reddy is Principal Scientist, farmers for free just another populist pol- Due to the geology of our States such was introduced with an aim to reduce farm tion of farm ponds, reviving village tanks Promoting groundwater recharging struc- Agricultural Economics, ICAR and Jin icy? Or is it a predominantly agricultural as Telangana, which have underlying hard distress but has in turn financially dis- and promoting micro-irrigation systems. tures like farm ponds and village tanks, Kathrine Fosli is with the University of Oslo)    !"  # $%& $'() 3

   < -  ++ +!   1 ,4 ! 14  1  +!4 ,  -   >  " ("2" ". ..2 !'". $--/ "45 "((4": 2 !"#$5 "! ( *"2.!5 (""0 2#! "."5   "& :" !" 25 ,  Vadodara: A small hamlet :0"(5   ,  *-! /2#$--  0$-! /2#$--  -11 $0 2#! !"4"5 , )!: 4!$:$$5 bound by Narmada river and ) "!$ $'"5 /2#$-- !/."24"5 /2#$-- ,".!"5 , ! -!" 1$(("'"((5 /2#$--  !"((  4- Arabian Sea in Gujarat’s , "(( !""! !"0" ,"2" '" ($5   -  $!0"25   Bharuch, where villagers previ- 4 1 >  +  $2"  2$$5  "2 !"2 "! (  (5 , ,"" "."5 ,  ously used boats to reach their - 1   1   2"2!  0" "0 !"25  -! 1  polling booth to cast votes, will !"". "."5 , 0 !"!5 , $#.$5 ,  1 '1 - !"#$2 0 5 ,   this time be provided buses, a <, "(("2 $?  , !"."5 2"2. -2/4"5 !"-! !"//5 2"2 *$$$5 ! 41  -!" !"2 senior poll official said. Aliabet, "'' "."5 ,"2 /2#$-- ,< ? /2#$--  ! $2"  1" 2 *"2.!5 ,  $0": !/.! 5 /2#$-- part of Bharuch Lok Sabha seat, .!4" "   00"2"0 2( "4"$5 1$0"5   " -"0 //5 has 206 voters whose polling 2$-! !"2." >M+ 1 -  ":"-$4!""25 ,    booth is almost 65 kilometres "."5 ,<?   "#!"$2."5  "4""25    L4 away in Vagra tehsil in the dis- $!)//)" &5 ,  !'"( 2#! "."5 -1 4 trict, around 80 kilometres from 11  1  *! ("0 ".! 1 "0":". "  0" 2 ")5 ,   here. This year, the water level in  !0". 5 "2#""''"5 /!"  !"2."-$2 ) $2"5 /2#$--  the Narmada river is low and /2#$-- "0) ""5 ,  "" "4"-! ""45 ,". 25 ,  ,"2") ) "!$ !"25 1:" "#!$(5 ,  "0" /2#$--  using a boat would not have been !"2."4"5 /2#$-- /2#$--  2"4 -"5 , 4-!" "."5    "-2"2 "-//.5  possible, the official said. PTI

 !+ !!+! !   2   !" -! ! Q-!  Lucknow: The third members who are won by his another family 055 phase of polling for ten seeking re-elec- member Tej Pratap Singh in the Ahmedabad: With unemployment and Lok Sabha seats in Uttar tion respective- subsequent bye-election. memories of the 2017 adverse impacts of Pradesh will decide the ly from The electoral fortunes of Assembly polls fresh in twin blows of electoral fate of four Mainpuri, senior SP leader Azam Khan mind, the Saurashtra demonetisation +'+  Narendra Modi being the members of the SP Badaun and will also be decided in this region, which has seven Lok and Goods and *  mascot of the party has patron Mulayam Singh Firozabad in phase from Rampur which Sabha seats, will be the real test Services Tax (GST) Rampur: “Am I a nachne wali, campaigned many times Yadav’s clan besides those of this phase are witnessed a new low in cam- for the ruling BJP when ballot- on the small scale and medium am I an amrapali,” BJP candi- he second phase of in the name of senior party leader Azam Samajwadi Party paigning this time. ing is held in Gujarat tomorrow. scale industry as well as the date Jaya Prada asked at a rally, Telections is a crucial Rashtravad. He also Khan and film actor and BJP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav Known for his controver- The region, which used to trading class. her question referencing SP test for the BJP in raked up the dynasty pol- candidate Jaya Prada. and his two nephews, sial statements, Azam Khan be a BJP bastion since 1995, The Congress kept harping leader’s Azam Khan’s derogato- Karnataka. Mumbai itics and politics of “gath- The polling for the third Dharmendra Yadav and made an “indecent” remark, gave jitters to the ruling party on these issues which are still ry remark about her as a danc- Karnataka, Central Karnataka bandhan” Amit Shah, SM phase is to be held on April 23 Akshay Yadav. targeting his BJP opponent in the Assembly polls held just very much alive. ing girl and testimony to how and Hyderabad Karnataka will Krishna, Devegowda, Kumara- for ten Lok Sabha seats in the Pitted against Akshay Jaya Prada in Rampur by over 17 months back, as it lost Besides this, firebrand the electoral contest here has go to the polls in the second swamy, Siddaramaiah DK Rohilkhand region of the state Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh allegedly speculating on the 14 of the 35 seats it had won youth leader Hardik Patel’s become more about personal phase on April 23. Riding on a Shivakumar and host of other along with 105 other seats Yadav’s cousin Ram Gopal colour of her underwear and from among the total 54 seats massive agitation for reserva- insults than anything else. Modi wave the BJP bets big on leaders are camping there as last across 13 other States. Yadav, is another brother of the attracting the saffron party in the region in the 2012 tions to his Patidar (or Patel) The crowd at the public 14 seats in these areas, a space leg of elections which are crucial The BJP, which had won party patriarch, Shivpal Yadav, wrath, besides that of the Assembly elections. community made a huge meeting in Mat Khera village the saffron party thinks it can for both BJP and Congress. seven out of the ten seats in this who has fallen out with SP National Commission for In those polls, the Congress impact in Saurashtra which has responded to her posers with a do well. They are in a process The back to back campaign region in 2014, has a huge stake president Aklhilesh Yadav, and Women. had doubled its tally to 32 seats sizeable population of the loud “no” and the actor-turned- of consolidating votes against by Modi and Rahul shows the in this phase in Uttar Pradesh fighting from Fiorozabad after The other political heavy- from 16 it had won in the pre- Patidar community. And now politician went on to narrate the united might of the importance of these constituen- as the area is considered a SP floating a new political outfit, weights, whose fate are in the vious elections. Because of the Hardik Patel is in the Congress. the harassment she faced from Congress and the JDs. cies. The parties also think that stronghold as three of the total Pragateesheel Samajwadi Party poll balance in the third phase reverses in this region in the Clearly cognizant of this, the Samajwadi Party candidate. For the first time the BJP is the add-up number will play a five members of the Yadav (Lohia). of elections here, include Union December 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP pulled out all stops in The contest between the facing the challenge of two crucial role in national politics family had won from this In 2014, Mulayam Singh minister Santosh Kumar the ruling BJP had come close Saurashtra this time, with Prime one time buddies and now forces, one is a vokkaliga and government formation. region despite a Modi wave in had won both the Mainpuri Gangwar, who is fighting from to losing power in the state for Minister Narendra Modi him- arch rivals was always expect- (Gowda) party and second one While BJP hopes for “agali baar the last elections. and Azamgarh seats, but had Bareilly and BJP’s Varun the first time in three decades. self holding as many as seven ed to be fierce but the saga of is the ‘secular Congress’. It means Modi sarkar “ and Congress with The three Yadav family vacated the first one, which was Gandhi from Pilibhit. PTI In the 182-member rallies in this region only. acrimony took an ugly turn Congress leader Siddaramaiah “mahagathbandhan” pitching Assembly, the party won 99 Electoral performance of with the SP veteran’s ‘khaki and Kumaraswamy are betting for “Make Rahul the next prime seats, just 7 more than the sim- the BJP in Gujarat is a person- underwear” jibe. big to lure minorities (politics of minister”. With Devegowda’s ple majority and 16 less than al prestige issue for Modi who Rampur, which goes to the AHINDA) and other commu- acumen in politics Karnataka the previous time. was the CM of the State for polls on Tuesday, was pro- nities in the name of secularism became a platform for opposition The key reasons for this three consecutive terms before pelled into the national to take on and break the BJP’s unity. With political permuta- reversal were farm distress, he became the PM. IANS spotlight with the furore that vote bank, the Lingayats. tions and combinations Gowda followed and the political dis- Congress hopes to with the hopes to play a major role in the course has since centred united force and Rahul Gandhi next Government formation. on just that. and Devegowda, break the The BJP is contesting all 14 While Jaya Prada has been supremacy of the “communal seats, while the Congress in 11 reminding the public about it party BJP”, in the northern dis- and JD(S) in 3. In 2014 general in every meeting, Khan has tricts of the State. elections, BJP had won 11 seats played the victim card after the The 14 parliamentary con- and Congress remaining 3, with Election Commission’s 72-hour stituencies which are going to none going to JD(S). Congress campaign ban was imposed on polls are Chikkodi, Belgaum, is contesting in Chikkodi, him. Bagalkot, Bijapur (SC), Gulbarga Belgaum, Bagalkot, Gulbarga As Jaya Prada turned this (SC), Raichur (ST), Bidar, (SC), Raichur (ST), Bidar, election into a fight for women’s Koppal, Bellary (ST), Haveri, Koppal, Bellary (ST), Haveri, dignity, Khan gave it a religious Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Davanagere. The          colour with speeches seeming- Davanagere and Shivamogga JD-S is contesting from Bijapur !             ly intended to appeal to where BJP is hopeful of main- (SC), Shivamogga and Uttara !  5 67 ! "           "      Muslims. PTI taining the lead. The PM Kannada.   "    25 ("89+:  Wayanad: All eyes are on the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena Two Assembly segments in Wayanad, a bastion of Gandhi as people feel that they policies of both the Congress Wayanad parliamentary con- (BDJS) from the constituency the constituency — Sulthan Congress-led UDF, is a safe seat suffer due to the anti-farmer and the BJP governments at the ; )   stituency on the slopes of the comprising seven assembly seg- Bathery and Mananthavady — for Gandhi. According to them, Centre. “There is no Congress Western Ghats in Kerala, cho- ments in Wayanad, Malappuram are reserved for tribals who the one thing that matters is the wave in Wayanad. The sen by Congress chief Rahul and Kozhikode districts. constitute around 18 per cent winning margin. Congress or its leader Rahul       ple of years with both the Gandhi to seek people’s man- The Wayanad seat, which of the Wayanad’s population. Senior Congress leader and Gandhi have no specific plans TMC and the BJP having come date, besides his family bastion was created in 2009, shares its Vandoor in Malappuram dis- INTUC state president R for addressing their problems. s an uneasy lull prevailed a up in a big way replacing the Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. borders with the Nilgiris of trict is reserved for Scheduled Chandrasekharan, who cam- Farmers are on the verge of sui- Aday ahead of the third two traditional outfits. He is facing CPI’s PP Suneer Tamil Nadu and the Mysuru Caste. Female voters are more paigned for his party chief in cide due to the wrong policies phase of polling for five Lok About 80,23,000 electorate fielded by Kerala’s ruling LDF in region of Karnataka. It is pre- in number compared to male Wayanad, said Gandhi’s candi- of the Governments led by the Sabha constituencies in Bengal will decide the fate of the 61 the April 23 election on the soil dominantly rural and of its voters in the Lok Sabha seat dature has given a new dimen- Congress and the BJP,” Prasad, the Election Commission made candidates. About 324 of legendary king Pazhassi Raja seven assembly segments, three which has a total of 13,57,819 sion to the constituency. His a former MLA, told PTI. a massive bandobast covering companies of CAPF will be who fought a guerilla war against are in Wayanad district, three electors. There are 6,84,807 vision is upliftment of people What Rahul is seeking is a more than 92 per cent of booths deployed for the five con- British colonialists. The NDA has in Malappuram and one in females, there are 6,73,011 dependent on farm, labour lifelong relationship with the by Central Armed Police Forces stituencies, Additional CEO fielded Thushar Vellappally of Kozhikode district. male voters. While the differ- and rural sectors. people of Wayanad, leaving the remaining about 8 Sanjay Basu said. ence is 11,796, there is only one “People have faith in Chandrasekharan said, refer- percent to be manned by State As of now Balurghat has third gender elector in the Gandhi. Many of them are ring to the Congress president’s armed police. the sitting TMC MP in Arpita constituency. small and marginal farmers, speech at an election rally at The lathi-wielding police- Ghosh while former Congress Out of the 13,57,819 vot- who grow mostly hill produce Sulthan Bathery Assembly men have been asked to remain MP and now a TMC candidate ers, 2,951 are overseas electors. and coffee, in Wayanad. segment on April 17. at least 200 metre away from Mausam Benazir Noor is con- Senior Congress leader MI Gandhi understands their “I just don’t want to have a the booths, sources said. testing from North Malda. Shanavas, who died last year, problems due to the fall in relationship of just few months. The fate of 61 candidates Her uncle and outgoing had been winning the seat prices of agriculture produce I want a lifelong relationship would be decided on Monday MP AH Khan Chowdhury is ever since the constituency and crop loss caused by natur- with you. I want the sisters of as five constituencies of contesting against TMC’s was carved out in 2009. al disasters and extreme weath- Wayanad to say that I am like Balurghat, North Malda, South Muazzam Hussein and BJP’s He had trounced CPI’s M er events,” Chandrasekharan their brother, the fathers and Malda, Jangipur, Murshidabad Srirupa Chowdhury. Rahmatullah by over 1.5 lakh told PTI. mothers to say that I am their go for polls. Noor is pitted against her votes in 2009 and defeated CPI(M) leader P Krishna son,” Rahul had said. Traditionally a Congress own cousin and Congress can- CPI leader Sathyan Mokeri by Prasad, who is campaigning for Wayanad has significant belt with the Left place in the didate Isha Khan Chowdhury a margin of 20,000 votes in Left’s candidate Suneer, said it Muslim and Christian second slot things tended to and BJP’s Khagen Murmu, a 2014. Political analysts say is not going to be easy for populations. have changed in the past cou- vocal former CPI(M) MLA.    !"  # $%& $'() 4

=0/ 0  + ,P - ! !$ /2#$--O 0)" / ! /4 ")!" "2.."$ (2. $/" /2 /2." $&$$. / 02"( !"#$- "#"2- !- /''/2$2 "2.     one...What ex-French President nment jobs. He promised that -2# ! $2"  2. ""2 "2. "-4$. /$- & !$ "2$.    “Congress and its (soldiers) or those who Francois Hollande said and recruitment will be initiated for / )$ $'$-$2$. ) " '$-/2 ! - ! " $ /.9 /22# / ‘mahamilavati’ (wordplay on demand ‘saboot’,” he asked. ongress president Rahul what is in the French defence 22 lakh vacant posts and 10 ""2O- "&&."5 $/" -". !$$ "$ O 02"( !"#$- "#"2- rime Minister Narendra mahagathbandhan) say Modi The Prime Minister tar- CGandhi on Monday exhort- files will come out...Only two lakh youths will get jobs in !$ ! $2" ($".$ "2. .$0"2.$. !" !$ -2#  $'("2 & !$ PModi on Monday said his should not talk about national geted the previous UPA ed the people to ask Prime persons’ names will come out, Panchayats. $. / L") -$ "2. 0- -$M !- 2&( $2 $ 2 !$ "!""-!" Government had taken strong security and terrorism in elec- Government, saying that it Minister Narendra Modi what first Anil Ambani and second Rahul said after coming to */$20$2 / #$ !$ "-$- !."29  /.2# / $/"O- action against terrorism and tions. Someone else may get pressured the banks to give he received in return for “giv- Narendra Modi.” power, the Congress will see to "&&."5 !$$ - 2/ 02"( "-$ '$2.2# "#"2- !09 that the Congress does not deceived but not Modi,” he said. loans to “its millionaire friends, ing” Anil Ambani Rs 30,000 Asking if anyone has seen it that all the people who have understand the importance It is okay if issues like nation- but our Government gave loans crore under the Rafale deal. chowkidar in front of a farmer been harassed in the past five - '  '    1- 4 of the issue because of its “nar- al security are not highlighted to the poor, tribals and youths Addressing or labourer’s house, he said for years are compensated. 0$ 2-$ "$2." /.5 2/2 2-$  2 ,"($ "2. , row mindset”. in local elections, but in under the MUDRA scheme”. a poll meeting the past some time, every Addressing an election '"" !  ."2 "$ "0/2# /' ($".$- !/ (( /$  $-." 2 “Modi is taking action Lok Sabha polls it is very “Now, if someone has fled in his par- farmer has been forced to do meeting in Barabanki earlier, he * :""5 ! ! (( !"$ " -2#($ '!"-$ '/((2# &/ - B> /4 ")!" against terrorism. Modi is hit- much an important abroad, either he will have to liamentary con- ‘chowkidari’ of his agriculture said the Congress will take his- -$"-9 !$ ,5 2 " $($"-$ !$$ -".5 "(( - 4$ ($".$-5 2 ( .2# ting them in their issue, Modi said. return or he will be extradited stituency here, field. “Modiji had stated that he toric decisions for farmers and /. "2. ."2 K !/ "$ $#-$$. /$- 2 * :"" K (( homes,” the prime “They (opposi- just like Michel ‘mama’ of Rahul said, does not want to be made a bring a separate budget for $$ -$ !$ &"2 !-$ 2 0/22# !/ -9 !$  5 !/ - $'$ $. minister said, in an elec- tion) have narrow Naamdaars. If any rich does not “When the Prime prime minister but a chowki- them. Campaigning for party / ("2. 2 !0$.")". /2 /2." 2#!5 (( "- !- /$ " " )//! tion rally here. He said mindset. Even after 60 return money taken as loans Minister comes dar... When his theft has candidate Tanuj Punia, he -$ ' 2-.$ " - !//( 2 !$ "2' "$" /& !$ 5 ! ! &"((- 2.$ national security is “very years, they do not from bank, then he will not be and makes false been caught in the Rafale alleged that Modi ran a !$ *"2.!2"#" /4 ")!" /2- $2 5  -".9 much” the issue of Lok understand what the able to sleep comfortably,” he claims, ask him one deal, he says ‘hum sab Government which helped just Sabha elections, issues of the coun- said, referring to British- question. Why has chowkidar hain,” he 15 people in the last five years. 1!P -   -1   '! but the try are. They are national Christian Michel, he has given Rs claimed. It also took a sudden deci- !$ 0$! $ 22# /&& $ <? /2 /2." -$ "-.$ /):$ /2- Congress, due roaming around alleged middleman in the 30,000 crore to Rahul also hit out the sion on demonetisation and /2 /2#$-- '$-.$2 "! ( *"2.!O- 2/02"/2 '"'$- &/ !$ to its “narrow the country AgustaWestland VVIP chopper Ambani and what PM over the Goods and made the entire country stand -$" "2. !$(. !$ ./ 0$2 "(.5 "&$ -  2-2# "(($#"/2- /& mindset”, with five-six case who was arrested after his has Ambani done Services Tax, saying when in queues, the Congress presi- .- $'"2 $- /$ $2-!' "2. /!$ -- $-9 &$ !$"2# does not abusive extradition from Dubai. in return for him.” the ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ dent alleged. *"2.!O- / 2-$(5 $ 22# && $ "0 "2/!" -" .$ ("$. understand words,” Modi He said the NDA Speaking in was imposed, the money “The BJP conducted sur- !- 2/02"/2 '"'$- &/ !$ 0$! /4 ")!" -$" "- "(.9 this. said. Government has showed that Tiloi area, he said, was taken from people gical strikes on poor people of Targeting running an honest “Soon after the and it went to thieves the country, while we will con-   4 1   !! -11 Congress lead- Government in the country is Congress comes to and overseas. “The duct surgical strikes on pover- $  !"- )$$2 )$$&$. ' 2 "!""-!" &/ !$ !. '!"-$ /& ers for asking possible. Modi said the foun- power after the Lok moment money went ty. If the Congress is voted to /4 ")!" $($ /2- &/ P /2- $2 $-5 - !$. ($. / )$ !$(. /2 for evidences of dation which will be laid in the Sabha polls, a probe out of your pockets, power, it will give 22 lakh jobs  $-."9 $-.$- (/ "( '/( $5 /0'"2$- /& $2"( $-$$ /( $ surgical strikes, next five years will decide the will be held in the you stopped purchas- to youngsters,” he said address- / $ <?5 '$-/22$( &/0 !$ "(" /$ /2 / $ <? Modi said the future of the 21st century. Rafale deal and ing and the factories ing an election meeting in "2. !/-$ &/0 2.!" $".$-! "2. $("2#"2" "$ "(-/ /'$. 2 / ‘saboot gang’ has “The upcoming polls are the truth will be closed down, leading Prashedpur in Rae Bareli. $2- $ !" 2/ 2/". 2 .$2 "4$- '(" $5 " '/( $ /&& "( -". put the country very important for those who before every- to unemployment... Rahul also claimed that /2."9 down, but peo- are going to vote for the first In every 24 hours, ‘chowkidaar’ has meted out ple have now time. Those who are born in 27,000 youths lost injustice to the people of  !  !  -  ! 34> given the the 21st century will nurture their jobs... This is Amethi and Rae Bareli. , ($".$ "2.$ * '" /2 /2." " -$. !$ "/2"( Opposition dreams and realise them in this the work of Later, the Congress presi- /2&$$2 $ "2. !$ $/'($- $0/ " " /& '("2# $0//2"( ‘saboot’ (evi- century. A strong foundation chowkidar,” he dent told reporters, “If Prime ". / -$$4 /$- 2-$". /& &/ --2# /2 .$$(/'0$2 "2. dence) in the will be laid in the next five claimed. Minister Narendra Modi sits 0"2"22# '$" $ 2 ,"00 @ "-!09 !$ &/0$ $'  !$& initial phases years,” Modi said. Thefor a face-to-face conversation 2-$ "(-/ "(($#$. !$ / $#/2"( '"$- "$ L"#$2#M -$  of polling The PM said the Congress Congress presi- for 15 minutes, everything will &/ $- / '($"-$  " "2. "4-"29 in the knows very well how to spread dent said after be clear.” country. lies and do manipulations. In 2019, 33 per !14, ' !! 3  !  “Will the rally, Modi highlighted the cent women /-- - $$ (/.#$. /2 /2." 2 /22$ /2 ! "2 2 .$2 you be achievements of his govern- will be seen /& ("-! )$$$2 - ''/$- /&  "2.."$ &/0 !"O- $# -"" trusting ment and sought vote for the BJP. in legislature -$" "2!""  0" "2. " #/ ' /& (/ "(-5 '/( $ -".9 / ‘sapoot’ and Gover- /0'("2- !"$ )$$2 (/.#$. ) )/! -.$- " *".!' " '/( $ -"/2 ")/  2."O- ("-!5 ! ! $ '$. "&$ !$ &/0$ , - .$2-O 2/2 '$-.$2 "- -!/2 )(" 4 &("#- " /" (("#$ Bengal, it is about establishing !$$ . 2# " /".-!/9 democracy,” Shah said adding “It’s high time people stood - , 1 , -   - 14 against TMC’s misrule. This Amethi: Dubbing the BJP’s /0$ 2/2 2-$ /!. ( -!"& "05 !/ !". A  , election is not only the election Amethi candidate Smriti Irani "2. !". $2$$. !$ &" &/0 ".! )"2 /4 ")!" -$" /2 "  for a Government in Delhi but 5 as an “outsider”, Congress  4$5 /2 /2." !.$ !- 2/02"/2 2# !$ $& -"( /& $)$( this election is also an election leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra /2#$-- 2/02$$ !"4$$( !0$. / ./ -/ "2. "''$!$2.2# " for the people of Bengal.” =0 on Monday accused her of -'( 2 /$- )$2$&2# !$ , "2.."$9 L //4 !$ .$ -/2 </ !."? )"-$. /2 !$ &$$.)" 4 ) 0 (/-$ - ''/$- /2 !/-$ On the Citizenship distributing shoes in order to Amendment Bill Shah said if Lucknow: Samajwadi Party insult Rahul Gandhi and said 2--$2 $  !". &($. 2/02"/2 '"'$-9  "- /)-$$. !" !$        his party came to power for the chief Akhilesh Yadav on the people in the Congress $( "2 $ /& !0$. / !." / (. !"$ ($". / /$- #$2# second time it would invoke Monday said regional parties chief’s Lok Sabha constituency -'( )$$$2 -9 !- / (. !"$ !$('$. !$ ,5M "0 /(.  amata Banerjee and Amit the National Register of will get more seats than the are not beggars.   /$ '!/2$9 MShah engaged in a ruth- Citizens throughout India. “I Congress and the BJP in the Interacting with the voters ! G   ,  -  > less war of words former accus- can assure you that the NRC ongoing Lok Sabha polls. “I in this key parliamentary con- "2.2# 2 !- - #" "2$ &"0 2 "-"O- ".(" (("#$ ! !- ing the latter of manipulating will be implemented not only think regional parties will get stituency, the Congress gener- "0- -$ !$. .$ "'"5 2"42)!" "$( $'("2- !" 2 O9E the elections by communally in Bengal, but all over the more seats than the Congress al secretary in-charge of east- 4(/0$$- /& !- L&$($ ("2.M5 !$$ 0":/ 2&"-  $ '/:$ - dividing the electorate and the country if we come to power and the BJP. The next PM will ern Uttar Pradesh said the !"$ )$$2 '("22$.9 L#! !/ #! !- ("2.5 !$ !""0"(" /". latter hitting out saying she was again,” adding however the be from the regional parties,” he people of Amethi and Rae '/:$  (( '"--9 2$ 4(/0$$ / !$ ($& !$ <1"./.""6 0)"? running a Government of the “refugees will be safe because said at a Press conference here. Bareli have self-respect and $'$--" (( )$ /2- $. "2. B9E 4(/0$$- / !$ #!5 !$ mafias in Bengal devouring they will be given citizenship.” When asked whether he they do not beg from anyone. ) (($ "2 (( '"--5M !$ -".9 L  /& !$ > " $- /& 0 ("2.5 whatever democracy that was Coming back hard on the was in the race for the top post, “...If anyone has to beg, it is */$20$2 "2- -$$2 " $- &/ !$ !""0"(" '/:$ 5 )   - left by the Left regime. BJP president Banerjee said “in Yadav said, “I am not in the them (BJP), who will beg for /&&$2# /2( &/  0$- !$ N:"2 "$O5 ! ! - " (/$ !"2 !$ Addressing rallies at Bengal the BJP has joined race for prime ministership, but your votes,” a visibly agitated 0"4$ "$5M !$ "..$.9 N,"2 "$O - !$ 020 0 ' $ /& !$ ("2. Uluberia in Howrah and ),!   "          !   < ! hands with the Congress and will be happy if next PM is Priyanka told the voters in the )    2/&$. ) !$ * :"" */$20$2 &/ " '" (" "$"9 /2!- Burdwan Shah said, “Mamata the Left but the people have from UP. I will support those presence of reporters at a "!$". /& !$ '/((-5 !$ ,6($. * :"" #/$20$2 - -'$2.$. !$ Didi’s TMC stands for Tolabaji understood their intentions who want to become PM.” “nukkad sabha”. ("2. - $ &/ !$ !""0"(" '/:$  K " $2"((6-'/2-/$. (extortioin) Mafia raj and Chit Banerjee had said “the BJP and they will defeat all of On being asked if the SP- She also slammed “out- - !$0$ / /2-  O5>DD 40 /& !#!"- " /-- 2."5 2 fund scam,” adding if BJP is running a parallel them. The TMC will win all the BSP alliance will support sider” Irani for distributing ,"2 "9 returned to power it would Government in Bengal without 42 out of 42 seats,” Banerjee Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose shoes in Amethi. “She (Irani) “send all the perpetrators of the taking the State Government said daring Shah to invoke name is doing rounds as a pos- thinks she can insult Rahul chit fund to jail in 90 days’ time.” into confidence which is an NRC in the State.” sible Congress candidate Gandhi by doing this,” Reminding Banerjee of the attack on the federal structure. They implemented NRC in against Prime Minister Priyanka said, adding that the strong actions taken by the They have some retired IAS offi- Assam, “then they were telling Narendra Modi, Yadav ruled Union minister was in fact Election Commission in 2009 cers to kill democracy here. Let that they will invoke it in out any support to the insulting the people of Amethi. and 2011 that eventually cata- them bring 5 crore personnel Bengal and now they are telling Congress saying, “Our alliance “The people of Amethi are pulted TMC to power Shah said from Delhi. Still we will win.” that they will do it in all over is with the BSP and the RLD. very sensible. You all know who “when the ECI acts against your However, Shah on Monday the country. I will never let that We will declare candidate from was going to open a food park goons you feel hurt but when it retorted saying, “Didi is crying happen because all Indians are the Varanasi seat soon.” in Amethi and the fact that it has took against the goons of the ear- because her goons are not able TMC from power.” Attacking equals and have democratic The SP is contesting the not been opened till now. The lier regime that helped you ride to rig the elections,” adding the TMC for winning the pan- rights protected by the Lok Sabha polls in an alliance food park would have benefit- to power you were happy.” “Bengal is going to see a big chayat elections by rigging Constitution. I will not let with the BSP and the RLD, ted five lakh farmers in Amethi The Chief Minister has change after May 23 the TMC’s which was why “37 per cent of them destroy the constitution. keeping the Congress out of the and Rae Bareli,” she said. strongly reacted to ECI Special citadels will fall one after the the seats during the panchay- “This is why I am telling “gathbandhan”. PTI Union Textiles Minister Observer Ajay Nayak’s state- other.” The BJP had converted at elections were won uncon- that BJP is a dangerous party Irani had lost against Rahul ments that Bengal resembled a Bengal into a lawless State tested,” he said “CRPF has and if they come back to power Gandhi from Amethi in the situation in which Bihar was 15 where only the writ of TMC’s plugged that hole.” they will take away all your 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Five years ago adding the law and goons run, he said adding “this For the rest of India this rights, make the citizens of this years later, she is again hoping )   , 7         )   6! order machinery had com- situation will change soon as election is about taking the country foreigners like they to breach the Gandhi family            ! !    #  pletely collapsed in the State. only the BJP can remove the country to new heights but “for have done in Assam.” bastion. PTI        

      !  = #   Q  * surface link. scrutiny on Saturday. behind Hussain. Of the 1,56,888 voters But the contest is largely Hussain also has the back- he electoral battle in the (85,763 in Kargil and 71,125 in among the BJP, the Congress ing of Kargil’s powerful reli- Lucknow: BSP president TLadakh Lok Sabha seat of Leh districts), 79,432 are men and the independent Sajjad gious organisation, Islamia Mayawati on Monday asked Jammu & Kashmir has become and 77,456 are women. They Hussain. The regional National School. However, what’s why the Election Commission interesting for poll watchers, will vote on May 6 in the last Conference (NC) and the thrown a spanner into the NC- was not cancelling the nomi- but tough for contestants. phase of the five-phase parlia- Peoples Democratic Party PDP plan is the presence of nation of Pragya Singh Thakur, The constituency, spread mentary elections. (PDP) have not fielded candi- Karbalai, former Congress the Bharatiya Janata Party over Leh and Kargil districts, is The nomination papers of dates in Hussain’s support. MLA from Kargil, as candidate from Bhopal, despite geographically one of the Jamyang Tsering Namgyal Traditionally, Buddhists and Independent. the “BJP ratna” issuing con- largest and population-wise (BJP), Rigzin Spalbar Muslims vote on different lines. Karbalai deserted the troversial statements. one of the smallest in the coun- (Congress) and four With the Buddhist votes likely Congress after he was denied “Malegoan blast case try. Being one of the remotest Independents — Haji Asgar Ali to be divided between Namgyal ticket. He is being backed by accused and BJP candidate areas of the country, the Karbalai, Sajjad Hussain, Kacho and Spalbar, both Buddhists influential Imam Khomeini from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya is Ladakh division has its own Muhammad Feroz and Asgar from Leh, the NC and the PDP Memorial Trust. Hectic efforts claiming that she is contesting issues, dissimilar to the Valley Ali — were found valid in plan to consolidate Kargil votes are on to persuade him to a ‘dharm yuddh’. This is the real or the Jammu division. withdraw from the contest on face of BJP/RSS which is being Politically, Ladakh has Monday, the last date for with- exposed continuously. But why always been closer to New Delhi drawal of nomination papers in is the Commission only issuing than to Srinagar or Jammu, the the constituency. notices and not cancelling the two administrative capitals of Ladakh’s long-standing nomination of BJP ratna (gem) J&K. It has faced no separatist demand for grant of division- Pragya?” Mayawati tweeted. movement, even as the Valley al status was fulfilled during the “If the Election continues to remain in the current Presidential rule in the Commission is not able to throes of an unabated violence. state. Because of this Prime work in an impartial manner to For over four months, from Minister Narendra Modi is the satisfaction of people the middle of December to the quite popular among Buddhists despite severe criticism in the end of April, each year, Ladakh and this will weigh in favour of media, it is an issue of grave remains emotionally and eco- Namgyal, also the chief concern for democracy and no nomically cut off from the rest executive of the powerful one else but BJP and PM Modi, of the state as snow in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill who are surrounded by serious Zojilla Pass area snaps it’s only Development Council. electoral allegations.” PTI    !"  # $%& $'() " 5

<       , !    +   ber of supplier which we can buyers snap back next month exercise to make up for any that will block the US financial ndia, the second biggest shortfall from Iran,” the source system for importers.    and trials almost always result Ibuyer of Iranian oil, has said. “We can also go to the India, the world’s third- in a conviction — sparking out- lined up alternate sources to spot (or current) market to biggest oil consumer, meets apanese authorities on rage from outside the country. make up for the likely short- source crude.” more than 80 per cent of its oil JMonday hit former Nissan When Ghosn last won bail, fall in supplies after the US “As far as Indian Oil is needs through imports. Iran in boss Carlos Ghosn with a fresh he walked out of the detention decided not to give waiver concerned, supplies will not be 2017-18 was its third-largest charge of aggravated breach of centre in front of the world’s from its sanctions for buying a problem. We have already supplier after Iraq and Saudi trust, the fourth formal indict- media dressed like a Japanese oil from the Persian Gulf lined up alternate sources,” he Arabia and meets about 10 per ment against the auto sector labourer with a cap and a face nation. said adding the impact of the cent of total needs.  + * global demand is met as tycoon. mask in an apparent attempt to The Trump administra- US decision may reflect on US President Trump in all Iranian oil is removed Public broadcaster NHK give reporters the slip. tion Monday decided not to global oil prices which may May withdrew from the 2015 n a move that could have from the market,” and local news agency Jiji Press Japan’s Supreme Court has renew waiver that let countries temporarily go up. nuclear accord with Iran, re- Iimplications on India’s ener- she said. reported that prosecutors filed already rejected appeals by like India buy Iranian oil with- The six-month waiver imposing economic sanctions gy security, US President In a statement, the new indictment that paves Ghosn’s lawyers against his out facing US sanctions. granted by the US to 8 coun- against the Persian Gulf Donald Trump on Monday Sanders said the Trump the way for his legal team to prolonged detention. “Our crude sources are tries was to expire on May 2. nation. Some sanctions took decided not to grant sanctions Administration and its apply for bail. His wife Carole has also wide. We have alternate IOC has the option to effect from August 6, while exemptions to any oil cus- allies are determined to The 65-year-old strenu- been questioned by prosecutors sources lined up to make up take 0.7 million tonne of crude those affecting the oil and tomers of Iran, further squeez- sustain and expand the ously denies all allegations in Tokyo. for any shortfall,” a top source oil from Mexico on top of its banking sectors were to start ing Tehran’s top export com- maximum economic against him and insists they She has also denied any said. committed purchase of 0.7 from November 5, 2018. A six- modity. pressure campaign have been cooked up in a wrongdoing and been active in US President Donald million tonne during the year. month waiver was granted “President Donald J. against Iran to end the “plot” by Nissan executives the media in recent days, writ- Trump last year withdrew From Saudi Arabia, it has an that was to expire on May 2. Trump has decided not to reis- regime’s destabilising wary of his plans to bring the ing an opinion piece in the from the 2015 nuclear deal optional volume of 2 million Iran was India’s second sue Significant Reduction activity threatening the Japanese car giant closer to its Washington Post calling on between Iran and world pow- tonne on top of a term con- biggest supplier of crude oil Exceptions (SREs) when they United States, its part- French partner Renault. US President Donald Trump to ers and revived a range of tract of 5.6 million tonne. after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 expire in early May. This deci- ners and allies, and secu- Prosecutors are looking lean on Japanese counterpart sanctions against the Persian Similarly, it has optional but Western sanctions over its sion is intended to bring Iran’s rity in the Middle East. into allegations that Ghosn Shinzo Abe to allow her hus- Gulf nation. It, however, grant- volumes of 1.5 million tonne suspected nuclear programme oil exports to zero, denying the “The President’s funnelled funds from Nissan to band to obtain bail. ed a six-month waiver from from Kuwait and another 1 relegated it to the seventh regime its principal source of 2. Greece, Italy, Japan, South decision to eliminate all SREs a dealership in the Middle Ghosn’s lawyers have sanctions to eight countries - million tonne from the UAE. spot in the subsequent years. revenue,” White House Press Korea and Taiwan have already follows the designation of the East and siphoned off around expression reservations that China, India, Japan, South “We have all the supplies In 2013-14 and 2014-15, India Secretary Sarah Sanders said. heavily reduced their oil Islamic Revolutionary Guard five million dollars for his per- he will receive a fair trial as 99 Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy tied up and I think globally bought 11 million tonne and The US re-imposed sanc- imports from Iran. Corps as a Foreign Terrorist sonal use. per cent of all cases that come and Greece, but with a condi- crude will be readily available 10.95 million tonne, respec- tions on Iran last November, Iran is India’s third-largest Organisation, demonstrating Ghosn has already won to trial end in a conviction. tion that they would reduce but it is difficult to say what tively from it. after President Trump pulled oil supplier behind Iraq and the US’ commitment to dis- bail once before — but under The executive has gone their purchases of Iranian oil. the impact will be on price,” Sourcing from Iran out of the landmark 2015 Iran Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied rupting Iran’s terror network strict conditions such as agree- from a life of luxury and private India, which is the second the source added. increased to 12.7 million nuclear deal. 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil and changing the regime’s ing not to leave the country and jets as he ran three huge car biggest purchaser of Iranian oil The price of Brent crude, tonnes in 2015-16, giving it the The US’ move which is during April 2017 and January malign behaviour. We wel- living under surveillance. companies to a small cell. after China, had agreed to the global oil benchmark, rose sixth spot. In the following seen as an escalation of 2018 (first 10 months of 2017- come the support of our friends The rollercoaster case of Nissan says an internal restrict its monthly purchase as much as 3.3 per cent to USD year, the Iranian supplies President Trump administra- 18 fiscal). and allies for this effort,” the executive, once revered in investigation has uncovered to 1.25 million tonne or 15 74.31 a barrel on Monday, the jumped to 27.2 million tonne tion’s “maximum pressure” on The US, Saudi Arabia, and Sanders said. Japan for saving Nissan from “substantial evidence of bla- million tonne in a year highest intra-day level in to catapult it to the third spot. Iran comes after it last year gave the United Arab Emirates, China and India are cur- the brink of bankruptcy, has tantly unethical conduct” by (300,000 barrels per day), almost six months. Iranian oil is a lucrative temporary 180-days waiver to three of the world’s great ener- rently the largest importers of gripped the business world the former boss. down from 22.6 million tonne When Trump first pulled buy for refiners as the Persian eight countries, including gy producers, along with its Iranian oil. If they don’t go and shone a spotlight on the He has already been (452,000 barrels per day) out of the nuclear deal, oil shot Gulf nation provides 60 days India, China, Turkey and Japan friends and allies, are commit- along with Trump’s demands, Japanese legal system that has stripped of his position on the bought in 2017-18 financial up to over USD 85 a barrel and of credit for purchases, terms among others. ted to ensuring that global oil that could cause tensions in come in for some criticism board at Nissan and resigned year. it fell to near USD 50 after the not available from suppliers of As a result of this decision markets remain adequately both bilateral relationships and especially from abroad. from the head of Renault and “We have optional vol- US administration unexpect- substitute crudes — Saudi all countries including India supplied, Sanders said. spill over into other issues, like Japan’s justice allows the three-way alliance the two umes (over and above the edly granted the waivers. Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Nigeria would have to bring down its “We have agreed to take trade, the Washington Post authorities to keep suspects in companies share with term contracts) from a num- US sanctions on Iran’s oil and the US. import of oil from Iran by May timely action to assure that reported. custody for prolonged periods Mitsubishi Motors.   !   ,$ $0'(/$$- "''$"( / */ / )"( /  "(2$ >5   010   , "  * 

//1586 round       8@09!0A%+;: A100 staff     sation of their bills/receivables,” members of  >

said Talwar. the ailing Jet delegation led by PHD It has also requested that at     released this January, has Airways  ?:  AChamber President Rajeev least one year period should be pegged the traffic volume to 1.1 Monday Talwar met RBI Governor considered for eligibility of omestic air passenger vol- billion by 2040. staged a Shaktikanta Das here on Monday MSMEs’ stressed and NPA Dume grew 14.25 RPT 14.25 Jet Airways, once the sec- demonstra-   +   and discussed concerns related to accounts under the restructur- percent to 171.25 million RPT ond largest airline after no-frills tion here, the growth of MSMEs, NBFCs, ing scheme. 171.25 million in fiscal 2019 IndiGo, lost as much as near- urging the hares of Jet Airways, which affordable housing and the real All such Accounts which over the previous year, even as ly half of the market share at Government Shas shut down operations estate sector. turned into defaulters or March posted the lowest 5.37 percent during March as to intervene temporarily, continued to fall The chamber in its sub- became NPAs after January 1, growth rate in many years with against 10 percent in the same and bail out for the third day in a row mission has also sought further 2018 should be covered under a paltry 0.14 percent, accord- period of last fiscal, according the airline. Monday, closing over 6 per cent cut in the repo rate in the com- the policy of RBI for being eli- ing to the data from the to the data. Jet lower. ing quarters. gible for restructuring, said DGCA. Together with subsidiary Airways had The scrip nosedived 19.34 “PHD Chamber in its sub- Sanjay Agarwal, Vice President, In FY18, the passenger JetLite, consolidated traffic of on April 17 per cent to 132.20 — its 52- mission has urged RBI to PHD Chamber. volume had clipped at a high- the now non-functional carri- announced week low — during the day on increase the limit for classify- The industry body said er 18.3 percent to 146.84 mil- er was 6.71 lakh passengers in temporary BSE. However, at close of trade ing over dues of MSMEs to 180 that infrastructure financing lion RPT 146.84 million. the month, whereas in the suspension it recovered most of its sharp days from the current level of should ideally be carried out by However, the March num- same period last year it had of operations early losses. It closed the day at 90 days as working capital specialist players like bers came as a shocker to the flown 15 lakh passengers. after it failed 154.60, 5.67 per cent lower. cycle of MSMEs keeps pro- Infrastructure Finance airline industry as the traffic Significantly, national car- to receive emergency funds messages in some of the plac- employees are not being At the NSE, shares plunged longing due to delays in reali- Companies (IFCs). though continued to grow in rier Air India, which has a from lenders, leaving about ards. informed. They are in the 6.15 per cent to close at green but almost flat at 0.14 number of aircraft on ground 23,000 employees to face a Milind Paradkar, an engi- dark,” Paradkar said. 154.70. percent to 11.59 million pas- for quite some time now, had bleak future. neer with Jet Airways, urged Other demonstrators said In terms of traded volume, sengers up from 11.58 million the dubious distinction of This evening, the employ- the government to infuse some they had not received salaries 56.19 lakh shares were traded a year ago, largely due to the cancelling the most number ees, dressed in their uniforms, funds to keep Jet Airways for the past three months and on the BSE and over five crore huge capacity reduction fol- of flights at 8.94 percent of its staged the demonstration at afloat. had somehow been managing shares on the NSE during the lowing the troubles at Jet scheduled departures fol- Town Hall in the heart of the “We want the government their family needs. day. Airways in the month, show lowed by JetLite and new city. to infuse some funds instead of Some among them said In three days, the scrip has data released by the DGCA entrant Star Air, as per the Holding aloft placards, our aeroplanes being taken they had previously worked plummeted 40.94 per cent. Monday. data. they raised slogans like ‘Save over by other airlines and being with the now defunct Running into debt of more The cumulative traffic of The national carrier, how- our families, save Jet Airways’, flown over by them,” Paradkar Kingfisher Airlines. than 8,500 crore, Jet Airways domestic carriers stood at ever, managed to get the third ‘Don’t make us cry, give a told PTI. On April 20, the employees has shut down operations tem- 171.25 million for the full year spot after IndiGo and SpiceJet chance to fly’ and ‘Humko He said there were had written to President Ram porarily after lenders decided to March 2019, registering a in passenger volume, carrying Tum Na Dhoka Do, Udne ka ek rumours that somebody has Nath Kovind and Prime against extending emergency growth of 14.25 percent. 15.19 lakh passengers with a Mauka Do’ (Don’t ditch us, give shown willingness to take over Minister Narendra Modi, seek- funds for its survival. Budget carrier IndiGo con- market share of 13.1 percent in a chance to fly). Jet Airways, but the employees ing their intervention to recov- Cash-starved Jet Airways, tinued to be the largest player March. ‘We pay loads of tax, Don’t have no information who that er outstanding dues as well as which has around 23,000 with a market share of 46.9 per- The passenger load factor get us under the Axe’ and ‘We is. to expedite the process of employees, has delayed pay- cent ferrying 54 lakh passen- in the month has shown falling have dependents to feed, please “The Government has to emergency funds for the ment of salaries to the employ- gers during the month, while its trend compared to February don’t let our 9W bleed’ read the be transparent. Presently airline. ees, including pilots. closest rival SpiceJet was a dis- due to the end of the vacation tant second with 13.6 percent period. traffic pie as its ferried 15.81 SpiceJet continues to clock 2." 1Q : 0'- lakh passengers in the report- the highest average seat occu- 8     !        ing month. pancy at 93 percent while The flat growth in traffic is smaller rival GoAir topped the / O6$" !#! /2 a setback for the industry on-time performance chart for <         "!B/ which had been clipping at over the sixth consecutive month in $($ /2 /2 $25 20 percent for more than four March at 95.2 percent.   +   of the loan agreement and April 10. years in a row. Air India, on the other covenants and conditions met, Guarantees are contingent !#!  .$ Significantly, betting on hand, was forced to pay the he Finance Ministry has the Finance Ministry said in an liabilities have the potential to the double-digits growth in higest amount of 119.37 lakh Tasked all departments to office memorandum. impact the financial perfor- the past four years, the gov- to 2,508 passengers for denied undertake a review of Besides, the details of mance of the Government.     ernment in its vision document boarding. Government guarantees given CPSEs or entities due guaran- In another circular, the by respective ministries to their tee fee paid on time to the gov- ministry said FRBM Rules stip- he India Volatility Index CPSEs or entities. ernment should also be sub- ulates that Government cannot Tshot up to a three-year The review should under- mitted. guarantee more than 0.5 per high of 24.05 on Monday, amid take aspects like the discharge The Finance Ministry has cent of the GDP of the respec- rising uncertainty over the new of repayment obligations or extended date for submission of tive financial year to government formation and interest obligations as per terms these details to April 30 from CPSE/entities. soaring crude oil prices. The India VIX, the fear gauge for domestic equities, <"#        ' rose 5.76 per cent to settle at 24.05, after an intra-day high of !!   24.56. #C8! !  “Crude and election uncer- M  tainties is pushing the India     mately 4,800 crore for 100 VIX up,” IIFL co-promoter and percent enterprise value con- , !1 C Members of MD R Venkataraman told PTI. ebt-laden Infrastructure templates no hair-cut to the Dignity Foundation, an NGO Besides the ongoing Lok DLeasing & Financial debt of the SPVs, aggregating helping senior citizens live a Sabha elections, market senti- Services (IL&FS) Monday said to nearly 3,700 crore,’ the life of dignity, took a pledge to ment was hit as macroeco- GAIL (India) has emerged as company said in a release. spread the message of Road & nomic worries resurfaced, fol- the highest bidder for its seven These wind power assets Tyre Safety. Senior citizens lowing reports that the US operating wind power plants. have a total generation capac- from Delhi NCR region will end sanctions waiver on The bidding process to ity of 874 MW. assembled at Bipin Chandra Iranian oil imports, analysts these assets having 12 sites The proposal was approved Pal Auditorium holding plac- said. spread across seven states was by the committee of creditors ards on tyre/ road safety and Global benchmark Brent launched in November last of IL&FS Wind Energy enlisting themselves as ambas- crude climbed to a multi- year. (IWEL), majority owner of the sadors of road and tyre safety. month high of $73.81 per bar- “Gail’s offer of approxi- SPVs, it said. PNS rel, a 2.56 per cent rise.    !"  # $%& $'() #! 55

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ndia's newly-appointed men's hock- "  "   (2 ! Iey chief coach Graham Reid on Monday took charge of the national camp and asked his players to put the team first in his maiden address to them.      !  P D//    >!   ,   Reid, who arrived in Bengaluru on April 20, got down to business on Monday, meeting players for the first    time at the SAI Centre. "The turf here is world class. I nheralded Gomathi addressed the players when I arrived Marimuthu gave and expressed my expectations as one UIndia its first Gold unit, one team and that we always need medal in the women's 800m to put the team first," the 54-year-old race as the country added Australian said. four medals on the second "We also spoke about the impor- day of the Asian Athletics tance of trust and communication and Championships here on to make sure it is both ways," he said. Monday. Reid said the available talent in The 30-year-old India makes him optimistic about the Gomathi clocked a person- future. al best time of 2 minute 02.70 "I am really glad that I also got to play a four-match series against the seconds in the half mile Qatar won Gold with a world watch the 33 players from the Junior Australian national team as part of their event to win a surprise Gold leading time of 47.51 sec- Core Group and being part of the preparations for the FIH Men's Series for India. onds. National Trials this morning gives me Finals in Bhubaneswar. Shivpal Singh then In the women's 100m a good sense of the talent that is avail- "We extend a warm welcome to added a Silver in men's dash, Dutee bettered her able at the moment and it makes me feel Graham Reid on his arrival to India. javelin throw by sending the own national record of 11.28 very positive about the future," said Many players in the senior team are spear to a distance of seconds set on Sunday dur- Reid, a former player of the Australian already familiar with him due to his stint 86.23m, his personal best. In ing the heats by clocking national team. as coach during Hockey India League," the process, the 23-year-old 11.26 seconds while winning Reid's first big assignment as chief Hockey India President Mohd Shivpal also booked a berth her semifinal race on coach will be the upcoming FIH Men's Mushtaque Ahmad. for the World Monday. She is, however, Series Finals in Bhubaneswar, starting "The Australia tour will be an ideal Championships to be held at yet to touch the World June 6 where India will vie for top hon- ground for him to understand further the same venue in Championships qualifica- ours against Asian Games champions about the team and their temperament September-October as he tion mark of 11.24. Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South and short comings ahead of the crucial crossed the qualifying mark However in the men's Africa, USA and . FIH Men's Series Finals in Bhubaneswar. of 83m.  2 <       !    2 D//.     >,                 400m, India suffered set- The Indian team will go for on an We wish him the very best in his new Jabir Madari Palliyalil       2 A//.   >   #   <          2 A//.      backs as defending champi- exposure tour to Perth, Australia role with the Indian Men's Hockey and Saritaben Gayakwad on Muhammed Anas and between May 6 and May 18 where it will Team," he added. bagged a Bronze each in Sprinter Dutee Chand finish third in women's sonal best of 49.13 seconds. World Championships qual- last edition silver winner men's and women's 400m also shared some of the lime- 400m hurdles, behind In the process, the 22- ifying mark is 49.30 seconds. Arokia Rajiv failed to win a hurdles respectively to swell light as she smashed her Vietnam's Quach The Lan year-old Jabir joined nation- Dharun, who set a new medal. the Indian medal tally. own national record in 100m (56.10) and Bahrain's al record holder Dharun national record of 48.80 dur- Rajiv finished fourth With the four medals on dash for the second time in Aminat Yusuf Jamal (56.39). Ayyasamy as the second ing the Federation Cup last with a personal best time of < Monday, India's medal tally two days. His male counterpart Indian to qualify for the month, missed this Asian 45.37 seconds while Anas, stood at 1 Gold, 3 Silver and The first Indian medal of Jabir then added a Bronze by World Championships 400m Championships due to who has been struggling 5 Bronze. India had won 2 the second day came from running the third fastest hurdles event to be held at injury. after a leg injury in an acci- Silver and 3 Bronze on the 24-year-old Gayakwad who men's 400m hurdles by an the same venue in Pre-race favourite dent last year, ended at eighth > first day on Sunday. clocked 57.22 seconds to Indian as he clocked a per- September-October. The Abderrehman Samba of with a time of 46.10 seconds.   Q In the same competi- National champion tion, Bajrang, who was Amit Dhankar will partic- lympic Bronze competing in men's 65kg ipate in men's 74kg in the 7     !     Omedallist Sakshi category, clinched a Gold. absence of two-time Malik and World No 1 Sakshi, the Bronze Olympic medallist Sushil Bajrang Punia will spear- winner at the Rio Kumar, who decided to head India's campaign at Olympics, also settled for give the Championship a  +   maiden Asian championship after Afghanistan's Ramish the Asian Wrestling a Silver, in women's 65kg, miss. medal. Rahmani gave him a walkover Championships starting while Pooja Dhanda won Dhankar is a former avinder Singh Bisht (56kg) Panghal, who claimed a Bronze owing to injury. on Tuesday. the yellow metal in Asian Wrestling Kupstaged reigning world cham- in the 2015 edition of the event, However, world championship Besides Sakshi and women's 59kg category. Championship Gold pion Kairat Yeraliyev, while Amit also secured a hard-fought 3-2 tri- Bronze-medallist Lovlina Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat is At the Asian medallist at the 2013 New Panghal (52kg) edged past famil- umph over Dusmatov, the former Borgohain (69kg) bowed out of another big names who Championships, Sakshi Delhi edition. iar foe and Olympic champion world champion Uzbek he defeat- contention after a quarterfinal loss would be vying for top will go back to her 62kg Rahul Aware, the Hasanboy Dusmatov, assuring ed to claim the Asian Games Gold to reigning world champion Chen honours during the mega- category, while Navjot wrestler from themselves of medals at the Asian just a few months ago. Nien-Chin of Taiwan. event. Kaur will represent India Maharashtra, is making a Championships in Before that, the two boxers had In another women's bout, Vinesh will hope to in women's 65kg. comeback to the Indian Bangkok on Monday. also clashed in the world champi- Seema Poonia (+81kg) lost to give a good account of Pooja Dhanda will team and will compete in In the women's draw, world onship quarters where Dusmatov China's Yang Xiaoli 5-0, ending herself in the women's fight in 57kg in this tour- men's 61kg weight divi- Silver-medallist Sonia Chahal had emerged triumphant. another disappointing internation- 53kg — a relatively new nament. sion. (57kg) advanced to the last-four Sonia too fetched a similarly al outing for her. Poonia had got a weight category for her. Asian Games Bronze In men's freestyle, stage at the continental show- close victory over Korea's Jo Son bye into the quarters. She had competed for medallist Divya Kakran Praveen Rana (79kg) and piece. Hwa. In the last Indian bout of the the first time in that cate- will return to competitive Satyavrat Kadian (97kg) Bisht clinched a split verdict Also making the semis was day, Rohit Tokas (64kg) fought hard gory at the UWW Dan wrestling having recov- are other key wrestlers over Yeraliyev, who hails from national champion Deepak Singh but could not avert a 2-3 loss to Kolov-Nikola Petrov tour- ered from an ankle injury from India who are , in a high-intensity (49kg), who did not have to step Mongolia's Chinzorig Baatarsukh nament in Bulgaria and and is all set to compete in expected to finish on the contest to assure himself of a inside the ring to fight for the spot in the quarterfinals. had bagged a Silver medal. women's 68kg category. podium. //

   offside, meaning that PSG's famed knock to his left ankle. front three are back together follow- PSG took the field wearing a shirt eymar joined the Paris Saint- ing months apart. with a large image of Notre Dame NGermain title party on Sunday Mbappe has thrived in the replacing the usual sponsor's when he made his first appearance absence of his strike partners, and gave logo."Notre-Dame" replaced the play- since January as Kylian Mbappe swept his side a 2-0 first-half lead with two er names on the back of the shirts. The aside Monaco with a hat-trick in a 3- neat finishes, the first coming in the iconic Paris cathedral was damaged in 1 win for the newly-crowned Ligue 1 15th minute and the second seven a spectacular blaze last Monday. --/4/ (4$( / champions. minutes before the break after a The club said that they would put Mbappe took his league tally for beautiful pass from Dani Alves. a limited edition of the shirts on sale 0-- :" /'$2$ the season to 30 following his treble, The World Cup winner then put on line during the match for 100 euros which came just hours after PSG were the three points beyond doubt when each. The club said the money "will    crowned champions for the sixth he tapped in Alves' low cross nine be donated to associations related to time in seven years when closest chal- minutes after the break. firefighters". ottenham Hotspur suffered a /0$ &/$- 2$ / ($". lengers Lille dropped points. Aleksandr Golovin rolled home a The club also posted a "Hommage Tfresh blow to their Champions Neymar's return at the start of the consolation for the away side, who to Notre Dame" video on their web League hopes on Monday when second half replacing Layvin Kurzawa remain in trouble in 16th place and site in which players praised the Moussa Sissoko appeared to be ruled "2 $ 2/ $.  ' &2"( is the cherry on the cake for Thomas are only four points away from the rel- team-work of the Paris fire brigade out of the first leg of their semi-final Tuchel's side, who had been without egation play-off spot. brate the title after missing chances to and made a gesture that imitates the against Ajax.    semi-final. the Brazilian superstar since January On Sunday afternoon Lille ended seal it in their previous matches. two famous towers that form part of The midfielder, one of Veteran Pauline Parmentier 23 with a right foot injury. their challenge with a goalless draw at The Parisians have struggled with the cathedral's facade. Tottenham's outstanding players this rance set up a Fed Cup final then beat a hobbling Irina- Edinson Cavani also returned to Toulouse that left them 16 points key injuries in recent weeks and they The club said it was also using season, suffered a groin injury in the Fagainst Australia on Sunday Camelia Begu 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to action as a second half substitute, hav- behind PSG with only five games to lost Italian international midfielder Sunday's game to thank the firefight- return leg of the quarter-final tie at when Caroline Garcia and pull France level. ing a late strike correctly ruled out for play and allowed capital club to cele- Marco Verratti with what looks like a ers. Manchester City and Spurs manag- Kristina Mladenovic, who once In a tense deciding rubber, er Mauricio Pochettino believes he were barely on speaking terms, Halep, whose doubles ranking will not be fit for another two weeks. teamed-up to crown a 3-2 vic- is in the 400s, committed a dou- That would rule Sissoko out of tory over Romania. ble fault to concede the break in the north London club's home leg Former Roland Garros the ninth game of the final set against Dutch giants Ajax on April 30, doubles champions Garcia and before Garcia held her nerve to with Tottenham already missing Mladenovic beat Simona Halep serve out the victory. star Son Heung-min and Monica Niculescu 5-7, 6-3, "We prepared ourselves as    Sunday, Tottenham remain Demanding Tottenham won all three of their match- through suspension. 6-4 to secure the winning point best as we could, we had a good third, but they will drop to display a more predatory es at the $1 billion arena, scor- Son has been a key man for Spurs and a final date against Australia training session at the beginning en Davies has challenged fourth if Chelsea defeat instinct in front of goal after ing seven goals and conced- while England captain Harry Kane in November. of the week, and we were ready, BTottenham to win their Burnley on Monday. missing a host of chances in ing none. has been sidelined with an ankle Victory was a diplomatic maybe at the beginning we last four Premier League With the race to qualify the City defeat, Davies said: "It will be tough, they are injury. coup for France coach Julien made some mistakes," said games as they aim to get for next season's Champions "It's always hard to see any fighting for every- "Moussa Sissoko is not going to Benneteau who teamed up Garcia. their top four push back on League heating up, positives straight after a thing and they be fit, maybe for the next two weeks, Garcia and Mladenovic for the "We really made the effort track against Brighton on Tottenham defender Davies defeat. will go the full 90 we hope he can recover before but I first time in Fed Cup since 2016 from start to finish together, it Tuesday. knows his team have no mar- "We certainly created minutes to try to am not so optimistic," Pochettino said after which the pair had a bit- was intense on the court from Mauricio Pochettino's gin for error in their remain- the chances but unfortu- get something out ahead of Tuesday's Premier League ter falling out which led to a self- the first point of the weekend to side suffered a setback in ing fixtures. nately we didn't take them of the game. We match at home to Brighton. imposed Fed Cup exile for the last. But it was a great their bid to repeat their league Davies believes only four this time. have to be ready," "Harry Winks we don't know Garcia, her country's top play- weekend and we can really be finish for a fifth straight sea- successive victories will be "That's the difference Davies said. because it is a problem that is one day er. proud." son when they were beaten 1- enough to secure Tottenham's between this game and "We've played well at the very good, next day not very good, "Every match was incredi- France, who won the last of 0 at Manchester City at the place in Europe's elite club Wednesday night, we were a new stadium so far and we it is about assessing each day. ble," said Benneteau. "I am so their two titles in 2003, will trav- weekend. competition. bit more clinical." need to keep that momentum "We hope he will be available for proud of them. It was always my el to Australia for the final. It was a frustrating end to "It's never easy to reflect Brighton are desperate going for the rest of the sea- Tuesday but we are not sure." intention to put them together Six-time champions a memorable week that saw but look, it's about kicking on for points as they battle to son." Brighton are just one There are also doubts over the fit- — and it was not hard to do." Australia, whose most recent Tottenham reach the and trying to win every game avoid relegation, but Davies place and three points above ness of France goalkeeper Hugo Earlier on Sunday, French title was in 1974, reached a first Champions League semi- between now and the end of hopes the feelgood factor the relegation zone after Lloris, with Pochettino saying: "Lloris Open champion Halep won final in 26 years by seeing off finals with a dramatic away the season," Davies said. from Tottenham's new stadi- Saturday's 0-0 draw at Wolves. I hope yes, we are going to assess, we her second singles of the week- Belarus 3-2 in Brisbane in a tie goals success at City. "That's the target and it um will continue to provide Chris Hughton's side haven't have a training session and we hope end, seeing off Garcia 6-7 (6/8), also settled by a three-set decid- Aided by Arsenal's sur- starts against Brighton on a welcome lift. won in their last six matches it is not a big issue, we hope he is 6-3, 6-4 for a 2-1 lead in the ing doubles rubber. prise loss to Crystal Palace on Tuesday." Pochettino's men have in all competitions. going to be available."

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lending panache with power, Ajinkya Rahane Broared back to form with a scintillating century and pro- - pelled Rajasthan Royals to 191 for six against Delhi Daredevils   +   he added. in the Indian Premier League The three stands make up here on Monday. he Indian Premier League for more than 12,000 tickets Rahane remained not out Tfinal scheduled on May 12 and BCCI would have lost out on 105 off 63 balls, decorating was on Monday shifted from on a few crores of gate money. his knock with three sixes and Chennai to Hyderabad after the The stands have remained 11 fours, while Steve Smith Tamil Nadu Cricket closed since 2012 save one contributed 50 off 32 deliveries. Association (TNCA) failed to international match between Asked to bat after Shreyas get requisite permission from India and Pakistan when an Iyer called correctly at the toss, the government to open the exception was made. Rahane spearheaded Rajasthan three closed stands. Asked if all the knock-out Royals' innings after getting a While the Chennai Super matches' ticket sales are BCCI's life on 16, the culprit being Kings still have a chance to play prerogative, why was Qualifier Ishant Sharma, who dropped a Qualifier 1 at home if they fin- 1 allotted to Chennai, Rai rea- sitter at sort fine-leg. The drop ish among the top two teams in soned: "CSK, by virtue of being hurt the visitors, but Delhi did the league but the Eliminator defending champions, were well to prevent RR from going (May 8) and Qualifier 2 (May allotted the Qualifier 1 and past 200. 10) has been shifted to final. Now if they finish in top Entering the game with into attack mode and smashed He reached his fifty by dis- hours before the start of their Visakhapatnam. two, you cannot take away all over 650 runs against Delhi in Axar Patel for a six and a four patching Chris Morris over last match against Mumbai "We had to shift the match- the games. They deserve to get the league, Rahane chose his at the Sawai Man Singh the mid-wicket for a four and Indians, struck medium pacer es from Chennai to Hyderabad at least one of the knock-out favourite opponents to find Stadium, which had a dash of celebrated it with fist pumps. A Sherfane Rutherford for three after TNCA intimated us that games." form, and when he walked pink. flurry of boundaries followed as consecutive boundaries to they have not procured the req- Hyderabad only got the back to the dressing room, he Seeing the flight early, Rahane galloped along to bring score his second successive uisite permission to open the final and not the Eliminator or had over 750 to his name. Rahane danced down the up his second IPL hundred, the half century of the season. three stands I, J and K," Qualifier because of the gener- To start with, Rahane drove crowd to hoist's Axar ball over first coming seven years ago. And even as Smith and Committee of Administrators al elections in the Cyber city on Ishant through a crowded off- him and into the sightscreen. He raised his bat to Ben Stokes gout out in quick (CoA) chief Vinod Rai said on May 6, 8 and 10. side field for a boundary, a shot Unfazed by the sight of acknowledge the applause from succession, Rahane was going Monday. The first three-team mini that had his characteristic ele- pacer Kagiso Rabada steaming the crowd and his dugout that strong, swiftly hitting Morris "Since the gate sales of the women's IPL will be held from gance written all over it. in, he smoked the South was as relieved as the batsman for a boundary over mid-off. knock-out matches is BCCI's May 6-10 in Jaipur with a new Stripped of captaincy last African's short of a length himself. At the other end, Ashton prerogative, we had to take a team Velocity being added to week following a string of poor delivery down the ground for Meanwhile, Smith, who Turner fell for a third golden call. We would be having two the existing Trailblazers and results, the 30-year-old went another maximum. replaced Rahane as captain duck. knock-out matches in Vizag," Supernovas.

   If CSK's problem is the last game for the last year's run- tracks, where it is little bit dif- non-performance of the top- ners-up as he heads back to ficult to find form. We are being he wretched form of order, Sunrisers Hyderabad's (7 5"EE E3)"<FE England for World Cup prepa- little bit reckless and that comes TChennai Super Kings' top issues are that there are no per- rations. about from guys who want to three will be primary worry for formers in the middle-order champions, who lost back-to- ing point, it is difficult not to Rayudu (192) and Suresh Raina ish more matches," Dhoni said The Chepauk pitch has find form and do the job, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni as with bulk of the runs being back away matches against shed light on the poor show of (207) haven't lived up to expec- after CSK's one-run loss to been sluggish in the games what is happening is we are Chennai Super Kings aims to scored by openers David Sunrisers Hyderabad and RCB CSK's top three which is putting tations. The pressure has been RCB on Sunday. played so far and coach Stephen relying heavily on Dhoni and arrest the mini-slide when they Warner (517 runs) and Jonny respectively. the skipper under unimaginable entirely on Dhoni, who leads Back at its den after a Fleming attributed it to being Rayudu to patch things up and take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bairstow (445 runs). While Dhoni's Herculean pressure. the charts with 314 runs and the schedule of away games, one of the reasons for top- we won't win the competition an Indian Premier League A win will almost ensure a effort to pull off another mirac- Last season's hero Shane batting unit needs to step up. Dhoni's men will be slight order's poor show. if this continues," Fleming encounter here on Tuesday. play-off berth for the defending ulous chase has been the talk- Watson (147 runs), Ambati "The top three needs to fin- favourites as it will be Bairstow's "We played on Chennai sounded a warning.