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BJP cadres thrashed an NCP worker at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office here after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow.

Visuals show the BJP workers raising slogans and slapping the NCP worker, following which he was taken away by the police from the SDM office.

Earlier today, Thakur, who is contesting against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, held a roadshow in Bhopal. She had filed her nomination papers from the seat yesterday.

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Madhya Pradesh: BJP workers thrashed an NCP worker at SDM office in Bhopal after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP LS candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. <a href="https://t.co/WsbgIiThWD">pic.twitter.com/WsbgIiThWD</a>
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Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

On April 17, Thakur had formally joined the BJP. The move invited criticism from several opposition leaders who have slammed the BJP for fielding a terror accused in the Lok Sabha elections.

Thakur courted controversy when she made remarks in reference to Babri Masjid demolition and late Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare.

Subsequently, the Election Commission (EC) took cognisance and issued notices to Thakur for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Polling in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 12 and counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP cadres thrashed an NCP worker at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office here after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow.

BJP cadres thrashed an NCP worker at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office here after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. Visuals show the BJP workers raising slogans and slapping the NCP worker, following which he was taken away by the police from the SDM office. Earlier today, Thakur, who is contesting against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, held a roadshow in Bhopal. She had filed her nomination papers from the seat yesterday. Madhya Pradesh: BJP workers thrashed an NCP worker at SDM office in Bhopal after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP LS candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. pic.twitter.com/WsbgIiThWD — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. On April 17, Thakur had formally joined the BJP. The move invited criticism from several opposition leaders who have slammed the BJP for fielding a terror accused in the Lok Sabha elections. Thakur courted controversy when she made remarks in reference to Babri Masjid demolition and late Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare. Subsequently, the Election Commission (EC) took cognisance and issued notices to Thakur for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Polling in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 12 and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

BJP cadres thrash NCP worker for showing black flags to Pragya Thakur

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023.

Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.

Naxals have been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state will end soon, he told a poll rally here.

Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, said that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress have joined hands in the state due to their lust for power but they will not be successful in achieving their aim.

There is no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other leaders are "dwarfs" compared to him.

Detailing developmental schemes like Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, Singh said BJP is committed to ushering in the development of the country by 2022 and its manifesto reflected it.

Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps and not count the bodies and the objective was completed.

After Pulwama attack, all the countries stood with India, whose "policy is not to fire the first bullet but respond strongly to any bullet fired at it".

Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga(ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023. Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023. Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here. Naxals have been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state will end soon, he told a poll rally here. Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, said that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress have joined hands in the state due to their lust for power but they will not be successful in achieving their aim. There is no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other leaders are "dwarfs" compared to him. Detailing developmental schemes like Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, Singh said BJP is committed to ushering in the development of the country by 2022 and its manifesto reflected it. Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps and not count the bodies and the objective was completed. After Pulwama attack, all the countries stood with India, whose "policy is not to fire the first bullet but respond strongly to any bullet fired at it". Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga(ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.

Naxalites will be rooted out by 2023: Rajnath Singh

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that there have been several instances of faulty electronic voting machines in Goa during polling for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal tagged reports of alleged faulty electronic voting machines.

Tagging a news report which claimed that "faulty EVM in a booth at Kizhakke Nalpathu near Cherthala was replaced after it was found that all votes were getting registered to BJP", Kejriwal said, "Absolutely shocking. All faulty EVMs deliver votes to BJP".

In another instance, he shared the party's Goa convenor Elvis Gomes' tweet, "Election of shame? Mock poll with 9 votes for each of 6 candidates in booth no 31 in 34 AC in Goa. Total count BJP gets 17, Cong 9, Aap 8. Ind 1. Robbery."

Replying to Gomes' tweet, he said, "Faulty EVM in Goa also transfers other votes to BJP. Are these really faulty or programmed in this fashion?"

He shared another tweet of a citizen who alleged that "in Kerala if you press 'Hand' symbol, light shows as 'Lotus'. How is that all 'faulty EVMs' select only BJP?" to which Kejriwal said "another faulty EVM voting for BJP".

In the third phase of elections, about 18.56 crore voters are eligible for voting, for which 2.10 lakh polling booths/stations have been set up.

Besides all seats in Gujarat (26) and Kerala (20), voting will be held in four seats in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, 14 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, two in Goa, and one each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.&nbsp;

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that there have been several instances of faulty electronic voting machines in Goa during polling for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that there have been several instances of faulty electronic voting machines in Goa during polling for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. In a series of tweets, Kejriwal tagged reports of alleged faulty electronic voting machines. Tagging a news report which claimed that "faulty EVM in a booth at Kizhakke Nalpathu near Cherthala was replaced after it was found that all votes were getting registered to BJP", Kejriwal said, "Absolutely shocking. All faulty EVMs deliver votes to BJP". In another instance, he shared the party's Goa convenor Elvis Gomes' tweet, "Election of shame? Mock poll with 9 votes for each of 6 candidates in booth no 31 in 34 AC in Goa. Total count BJP gets 17, Cong 9, Aap 8. Ind 1. Robbery." Replying to Gomes' tweet, he said, "Faulty EVM in Goa also transfers other votes to BJP. Are these really faulty or programmed in this fashion?" He shared another tweet of a citizen who alleged that "in Kerala if you press 'Hand' symbol, light shows as 'Lotus'. How is that all 'faulty EVMs' select only BJP?" to which Kejriwal said "another faulty EVM voting for BJP". In the third phase of elections, about 18.56 crore voters are eligible for voting, for which 2.10 lakh polling booths/stations have been set up. Besides all seats in Gujarat (26) and Kerala (20), voting will be held in four seats in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, 14 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, two in Goa, and one each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.

Kejriwal alleges several instances of faulty EVMs in polls in Goa

Prominent political leaders like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday cast votes at their respective polling booths for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-3-voting-on-april-23-212719">third phase of Lok Sabha elections</a>.

Manmohan Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Assam's Dispur. Union Finance Minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley cast his vote at Gujarat's Ahmedabad while Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan cast his vote in Odisha's Talcher.

The third phase of Lok Sabha elections is underway at 116 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territories.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha election started on April 11.

The first phase witnessed 69.45 voter turnout across the country while the election for the second phase was held on April 18 and witnessed 69.43 per cent voter turnout.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Prominent political leaders like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday cast votes at their respective polling booths for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Prominent political leaders like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday cast votes at their respective polling booths for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. Manmohan Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Assam's Dispur. Union Finance Minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley cast his vote at Gujarat's Ahmedabad while Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan cast his vote in Odisha's Talcher. The third phase of Lok Sabha elections is underway at 116 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territories. The seven-phase Lok Sabha election started on April 11. The first phase witnessed 69.45 voter turnout across the country while the election for the second phase was held on April 18 and witnessed 69.43 per cent voter turnout. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley, Dharmendra Pradhan cast votes

Security in this island, including at the famous Lord Ramanathaswamy Temple, has been beefed up and coastal vigil heightened following the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka which left 310 people dead and injured 500 others, police said Tuesday.

The Coast Guard, Coastal Marine Police and the local police have been asked to be vigilant round-the-clock as there was a possibility of some terrorists involved in Sri Lanka's worst terror attack entering India through the sea route.

Police said Coast Guard personnel were patrolling the sea around Rameswaram in hovercraft besides helicopter was also monitoring the situation.

Additional police personnel have been deployed on security duty at the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, thronged by pilgrims from across the country throughout the year, and devotees were thoroughly screened, they said.

Police presence had been increased at the railway station and bus stand also.

Thalaimannar in northern Sri Lanka is 18 nautical miles from Rameswaram and the travel time by a motorised boat is just under an hour.

Rameswaram was a hotbed of Sri Lankan Tamil refugee arrivals during the peak of ethnic strife in the neighbouring nation since the 1980s.

Seven suicide bombers believed to be members of an Islamist extremist group - the National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) - carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, inflicting huge casualty.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but police have so far arrested 24 people - mostly members of the NIJ - in connection with the blasts.&nbsp;

Security in this island, including at the famous Lord Ramanathaswamy Temple, has been beefed up and coastal vigil heightened following the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka which left 310 people dead and injured 500 others, police said Tuesday.

Security in this island, including at the famous Lord Ramanathaswamy Temple, has been beefed up and coastal vigil heightened following the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka which left 310 people dead and injured 500 others, police said Tuesday. The Coast Guard, Coastal Marine Police and the local police have been asked to be vigilant round-the-clock as there was a possibility of some terrorists involved in Sri Lanka's worst terror attack entering India through the sea route. Police said Coast Guard personnel were patrolling the sea around Rameswaram in hovercraft besides helicopter was also monitoring the situation. Additional police personnel have been deployed on security duty at the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, thronged by pilgrims from across the country throughout the year, and devotees were thoroughly screened, they said. Police presence had been increased at the railway station and bus stand also. Thalaimannar in northern Sri Lanka is 18 nautical miles from Rameswaram and the travel time by a motorised boat is just under an hour. Rameswaram was a hotbed of Sri Lankan Tamil refugee arrivals during the peak of ethnic strife in the neighbouring nation since the 1980s. Seven suicide bombers believed to be members of an Islamist extremist group - the National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) - carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, inflicting huge casualty. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but police have so far arrested 24 people - mostly members of the NIJ - in connection with the blasts.

Tamil Nadu: Tight vigil mounted in Rameswaram following Lanka blasts

A man standing in a queue to cast his vote was killed in clashes that broke out between Congress and Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal's Baligram in Murshidabad.&nbsp;

The state has had witnessed spurts of violence amid polling in the previous phases.

Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few places in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal during the second phase polls last week.

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West Bengal: Man standing in a queue to vote killed in clashes between Congress and TMC workers in Baligram, Murshidabad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/hkTc56cT7i">pic.twitter.com/hkTc56cT7i</a>
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Despite tensions, the state recorded one of the highest voter turnouts during the last phase.&nbsp;

Five Lok Sabha seats from the state are up for polls today in the third and the largest phase of Lok Sabha polls.

Balurghat, Jangipur, Maldaha Dakshin, Maldaha Uttar and Murshidabad have gone to polls today. Till 3pm, the state topped the voter turnout with 52 per cent polling.&nbsp;

A man standing in a queue to cast his vote was killed in clashes that broke out between Congress and Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal's Baligram in Murshidabad.

A man standing in a queue to cast his vote was killed in clashes that broke out between Congress and Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal's Baligram in Murshidabad. The state has had witnessed spurts of violence amid polling in the previous phases. Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few places in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal during the second phase polls last week. West Bengal: Man standing in a queue to vote killed in clashes between Congress and TMC workers in Baligram, Murshidabad. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/hkTc56cT7i — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × Despite tensions, the state recorded one of the highest voter turnouts during the last phase. Five Lok Sabha seats from the state are up for polls today in the third and the largest phase of Lok Sabha polls. Balurghat, Jangipur, Maldaha Dakshin, Maldaha Uttar and Murshidabad have gone to polls today. Till 3pm, the state topped the voter turnout with 52 per cent polling.

Lok Sabha polls: Man gets killed in clashes between Congress, TMC workers in West Bengal's Murshidabad

It is a three-cornered contest in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ls-polls-north-malda-to-witness-tough-fight-between-first-cousins-212079&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwif8MLJ--XhAhUB3Y8KHWssCDUQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3rmpqaLc_D9xwIrmHEw0Eu">Malda</a>, one of the last Congress bastions in West Bengal, which goes to polls on Tuesday in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-3-voting-on-april-23-212719&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwif8MLJ--XhAhUB3Y8KHWssCDUQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3-4PH-ZrdqOxgXwH_bzoRj">the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections</a>, and Muslim votes are likely to settle the fight for the seat.

 
Muslims form a major chunk of the electorate in both the Maldaha North and the Maldaha South seats, which have stayed with the Congress for almost 40 years, and there is a distinct buzz about the need for a change this time.

 
And that buzz has created a space, which the BJP and the TMC are vying for.

 
While the Congress has pitted Isha Khan Choudhury against sitting Congress MP and now TMC nominee Mausam Noor, Ghani Khan's nephew and niece respectively&nbsp;from Maldaha North, the BJP has fielded former CPI(M) leader Khagen Murmu in the seat.

 
In Maldaha South, sitting Congress MP Abu Hasem Khan, Ghani Khan's brother, is contesting against Moazzem Hossain of the TMC and Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury of the BJP.

 
"How long can we vote for these people who are still using the name of their dead dada (brother), mama (maternal uncle) for votes," Bhaskar Ghosh (22) asked, referring to the family of Ghani Khan Choudhury, the late eight-time MP who won consecutively between 1980 and 2004, followed by his family members in both the constituencies separated by the delimitation in 2009.

 
For Ghosh, a student who works at a computer repair shop in Kaliachak, the TMC might benefit from the "waning magic of Ghani Khan" in the Maldaha South Lok Sabha seat, where riots had broken out in January 2016 over purported derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

 
However, he agrees with other locals that the riots opened the doors for the BJP to emerge as a key player in the area, leading to the saffron party's surprising win in the assembly seat of Baishnabnagar, which has a Muslim population of around 52 per cent.

"Dalubabu (Abu Hasem Khan, the sitting MP from Maldaha Dakshin) is a spent force here. He comes here only when there is election and forgets about us. All he does when he comes here is talk of Ghani Khan. We don't want to know what they have done for us in the past. We want to know what they can do now," Ghosh added.

 
"No Hindu vote is going to Dalubabu this time. However, we are the minority here, so he could still win," Ranjan Haldar (29), who runs a business in the area, said.

 
BJP national secretary and Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvarghi, who was in Malda to campaign for Murmu, indicated that the party had made major inroads and was a serious threat to the Congress this time.

 
"There is now a fervour for the BJP. Our workers have worked tirelessly. The buzz around the party is more than it was in 2014. This politics of appeasement (by ruling TMC in the state) had to end," Vijayvarghi told PTI.

 
"The Congress had tried to isolate Muslims from Narendra Modi. But we truly believe in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. We are addressing the people's basic issues, be it Hindus or Muslims. It is a myth that Muslims are anti-Modi," he added.

 
Murmu, once a grassroots CPI(M) leader, said that he is confident of retaining his votes from 2014 when he ended second to Noor in Maldaha North. However, as a BJP candidate this time, he is unlikely to bag the Muslim votes.

 
"What the BJP has done is to ensure that there is polarisation. While some Hindus may vote for the BJP, it is difficult to say if Ghani Khan loyalists will move en masse.

What we are sure of is that we are not voting for them. The problem is that the votes in our community also might split between the Congress and the TMC, and herein lies the problem," Md Emazuddin (45), a businessman from Ratua, which falls under Maldaha North, said.

 
Days after the Pulwama terror attack and the resultant air strikes, Malda saw a flurry of activities from BJP workers, recalled locals.

 
"They organised bike rallies, displayed photos of the dead soldiers and the Muslim community organised marches to condemn the attack. It was tense, the city was tethering between jubilance and anxiety," Ajwarul, a small business owner in Ratua, said.

 
However, just 40 km away in Gazole, people feel Mamata Banerjee is the answer to the city's communally tense atmosphere.

The TMC will clinch the Malda North seat, with both the Muslims and Hindus voting in its favour, they opined.

"Most of the roads that you see here are because of her. She has ensured our children go to school and free uniform and books are provided to them. No one else has done such much for us," Abdul Qayum, a labourer in Gazole, said.

 
Both communities in the constituency praised Mamata Banerjee for her Kanyashree scheme and the pension scheme for the aged.

The TMC-led government's scheme promoting education is also a big hit with both communities, most of whom survive on small businesses or work as labourers.

Most people here said they were hit hard by demonetisation and the GST, and are open to change.

 
Meanwhile, Congress' Isha Khan Choudhury, blamed the chief minister for creating space for the saffron party in the area. 
"Mamata has played into the hands of the BJP. Her politics has created a vacuum in which the BJP sees hope. However, we are not worried. If there are free and fair elections, we will win," Choudhury said.

The Congress has virtually been given a walkover by the Left in both these seats, with CPI(M) voters openly pledging support to Congress candidates. 
But for TMC's Noor, the fight in Malda is Didi vs Modi.

"The TMC has emerged as the only secular force which can fight the polarisation of the BJP," Noor, through whom the TMC is trying to woo Congress voters, said. 
However, her tag as a "betrayer", by both her party and her family, is a sore issue with many TMC supporters.

 
As voting was underway Tuesday, the two seats in Malda could be anyone's game.

It is a three-cornered contest in Malda, one of the last Congress bastions in West Bengal, which goes to polls on Tuesday in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, and Muslim votes are likely to settle the fight for the seat.

It is a three-cornered contest in Malda, one of the last Congress bastions in West Bengal, which goes to polls on Tuesday in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, and Muslim votes are likely to settle the fight for the seat. Muslims form a major chunk of the electorate in both the Maldaha North and the Maldaha South seats, which have stayed with the Congress for almost 40 years, and there is a distinct buzz about the need for a change this time. And that buzz has created a space, which the BJP and the TMC are vying for. While the Congress has pitted Isha Khan Choudhury against sitting Congress MP and now TMC nominee Mausam Noor, Ghani Khan's nephew and niece respectively from Maldaha North, the BJP has fielded former CPI(M) leader Khagen Murmu in the seat. In Maldaha South, sitting Congress MP Abu Hasem Khan, Ghani Khan's brother, is contesting against Moazzem Hossain of the TMC and Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury of the BJP. "How long can we vote for these people who are still using the name of their dead dada (brother), mama (maternal uncle) for votes," Bhaskar Ghosh (22) asked, referring to the family of Ghani Khan Choudhury, the late eight-time MP who won consecutively between 1980 and 2004, followed by his family members in both the constituencies separated by the delimitation in 2009. For Ghosh, a student who works at a computer repair shop in Kaliachak, the TMC might benefit from the "waning magic of Ghani Khan" in the Maldaha South Lok Sabha seat, where riots had broken out in January 2016 over purported derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. However, he agrees with other locals that the riots opened the doors for the BJP to emerge as a key player in the area, leading to the saffron party's surprising win in the assembly seat of Baishnabnagar, which has a Muslim population of around 52 per cent. "Dalubabu (Abu Hasem Khan, the sitting MP from Maldaha Dakshin) is a spent force here. He comes here only when there is election and forgets about us. All he does when he comes here is talk of Ghani Khan. We don't want to know what they have done for us in the past. We want to know what they can do now," Ghosh added. "No Hindu vote is going to Dalubabu this time. However, we are the minority here, so he could still win," Ranjan Haldar (29), who runs a business in the area, said. BJP national secretary and Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvarghi, who was in Malda to campaign for Murmu, indicated that the party had made major inroads and was a serious threat to the Congress this time. "There is now a fervour for the BJP. Our workers have worked tirelessly. The buzz around the party is more than it was in 2014. This politics of appeasement (by ruling TMC in the state) had to end," Vijayvarghi told PTI. "The Congress had tried to isolate Muslims from Narendra Modi. But we truly believe in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. We are addressing the people's basic issues, be it Hindus or Muslims. It is a myth that Muslims are anti-Modi," he added. Murmu, once a grassroots CPI(M) leader, said that he is confident of retaining his votes from 2014 when he ended second to Noor in Maldaha North. However, as a BJP candidate this time, he is unlikely to bag the Muslim votes. "What the BJP has done is to ensure that there is polarisation. While some Hindus may vote for the BJP, it is difficult to say if Ghani Khan loyalists will move en masse. What we are sure of is that we are not voting for them. The problem is that the votes in our community also might split between the Congress and the TMC, and herein lies the problem," Md Emazuddin (45), a businessman from Ratua, which falls under Maldaha North, said. Days after the Pulwama terror attack and the resultant air strikes, Malda saw a flurry of activities from BJP workers, recalled locals. "They organised bike rallies, displayed photos of the dead soldiers and the Muslim community organised marches to condemn the attack. It was tense, the city was tethering between jubilance and anxiety," Ajwarul, a small business owner in Ratua, said. However, just 40 km away in Gazole, people feel Mamata Banerjee is the answer to the city's communally tense atmosphere. The TMC will clinch the Malda North seat, with both the Muslims and Hindus voting in its favour, they opined. "Most of the roads that you see here are because of her. She has ensured our children go to school and free uniform and books are provided to them. No one else has done such much for us," Abdul Qayum, a labourer in Gazole, said. Both communities in the constituency praised Mamata Banerjee for her Kanyashree scheme and the pension scheme for the aged. The TMC-led government's scheme promoting education is also a big hit with both communities, most of whom survive on small businesses or work as labourers. Most people here said they were hit hard by demonetisation and the GST, and are open to change. Meanwhile, Congress' Isha Khan Choudhury, blamed the chief minister for creating space for the saffron party in the area. "Mamata has played into the hands of the BJP. Her politics has created a vacuum in which the BJP sees hope. However, we are not worried. If there are free and fair elections, we will win," Choudhury said. The Congress has virtually been given a walkover by the Left in both these seats, with CPI(M) voters openly pledging support to Congress candidates. But for TMC's Noor, the fight in Malda is Didi vs Modi. "The TMC has emerged as the only secular force which can fight the polarisation of the BJP," Noor, through whom the TMC is trying to woo Congress voters, said. However, her tag as a "betrayer", by both her party and her family, is a sore issue with many TMC supporters. As voting was underway Tuesday, the two seats in Malda could be anyone's game.

As BJP, TMC dive deep, Congress bastion Malda sees battle for Muslim votes

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani cast his vote at a polling booth in Shahpur Hindi School here on Tuesday.

Advani, who is sitting MP from Gandhinagar, has been replaced by BJP president Amit Shah. The veteran BJP leader has won from the seat six times.

Advani and senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi are among those who have not been fielded by the party for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Advani on April 4 wrote a blog in which he said, "Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries. Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as 'anti-national'."

"The party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level," the BJP stalwart had said in his recent blog titled 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last'.

The statements were seen as a veiled dig at the current leadership of the BJP.

The third phase of Lok Sabha elections is underway at 116 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territories.

In Gujarat, 371 candidates are in the fray for 26 Lok Sabha seats, while 45 candidates are in the fray for by-poll in four Assembly seats.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani cast his vote at a polling booth in Shahpur Hindi School here on Tuesday. Advani, who is sitting MP from Gandhinagar, has been replaced by BJP president Amit Shah.

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani cast his vote at a polling booth in Shahpur Hindi School here on Tuesday. Advani, who is sitting MP from Gandhinagar, has been replaced by BJP president Amit Shah. The veteran BJP leader has won from the seat six times. Advani and senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi are among those who have not been fielded by the party for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Advani on April 4 wrote a blog in which he said, "Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries. Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as 'anti-national'." "The party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level," the BJP stalwart had said in his recent blog titled 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last'. The statements were seen as a veiled dig at the current leadership of the BJP. The third phase of Lok Sabha elections is underway at 116 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territories. In Gujarat, 371 candidates are in the fray for 26 Lok Sabha seats, while 45 candidates are in the fray for by-poll in four Assembly seats. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: LK Advani casts vote in Ahmedabad

Response in the first two phases of polling is giving sleepless nights to&nbsp;Opposition parties, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Addressing an election rally at Kendrapara in Odisha, Modi further said that 'Lahar' (wave) for BJP has become 'Lalkar' (challenge) for the Opposition after two phases of polls.&nbsp;

Prime minister accused the Naveen Patnaik government of resorting to violence and added in Odisha, BJD will go and BJP will come to power after polls.&nbsp;

How will Odisha's car move forward if it has three tyres of BJP and one of some other party? he asked the crowd.&nbsp;

Modi also spoke about his clean image as prime minister and said ''You have seen many governments in the past, ours is the only One which hasn't been mired in any scams: Modi in Odisha.''

Those levelling false allegations against BJP are found Standing in the dock, he said.&nbsp;

Response in the first two phases of polling is giving sleepless nights to Opposition parties, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Addressing an election rally at Kendrapara in Odisha, Modi further said that 'Lahar' (wave) for BJP has become 'Lalkar' (challenge) for the Opposition after two phases of polls.

Response in the first two phases of polling is giving sleepless nights to Opposition parties, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Addressing an election rally at Kendrapara in Odisha, Modi further said that 'Lahar' (wave) for BJP has become 'Lalkar' (challenge) for the Opposition after two phases of polls. Prime minister accused the Naveen Patnaik government of resorting to violence and added in Odisha, BJD will go and BJP will come to power after polls. How will Odisha's car move forward if it has three tyres of BJP and one of some other party? he asked the crowd. Modi also spoke about his clean image as prime minister and said ''You have seen many governments in the past, ours is the only One which hasn't been mired in any scams: Modi in Odisha.'' Those levelling false allegations against BJP are found Standing in the dock, he said.

Response in first 2 phases giving sleepless nights to Opposition parties: PM Modi  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asserted that the Congress and opposition parties are spending sleepless nights as the 'lahar' (wave) for the BJP has become a 'lalkar' (challenge) for them after the first two phases of elections.

Addressing a rally here, Modi urged the people of Odisha to press the lotus symbol button with both hands, one for the Lok Sabha elections and the other for Assembly polls.

"Lahar nehin ye lalkar hai, Phir ek bar Modi sarkar hai'' (this is not a wave but a challenge, once again Modi government will be formed).

I haven't received so much adulation and love even in 2014," he said, claiming that the response in the first two phases of polls indicate that people are favouring BJP over other parties.

Emphasising that not a single charge of corruption has surfaced against the BJP-led government in the past five years, Modi said those who have been levelling false allegations have found themselves in the dock.

"Voters are now teaching those liars a lesson. The Congress and other opposition parties are now in a state of shock. They are trying to find new excuses to target and abuse me," the prime minister said.

He appealed to the people to vote for a BJP government in the state, which can work in tandem with the Centre.

"The Patnaik-led BJD is only bothered about grabbing power, development has never figured its list of priorities. "The people of Odisha will bid the BJD government farewell, they are wiser than the politicians who have been ruling the state. Naveen babu, it's time for you to go," Modi added.

Voting is underway in six parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly seats in Odisha.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asserted that the Congress and opposition parties are spending sleepless nights as the 'lahar' (wave) for the BJP has become a 'lalkar' (challenge) for them after the first two phases of elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asserted that the Congress and opposition parties are spending sleepless nights as the 'lahar' (wave) for the BJP has become a 'lalkar' (challenge) for them after the first two phases of elections. Addressing a rally here, Modi urged the people of Odisha to press the lotus symbol button with both hands, one for the Lok Sabha elections and the other for Assembly polls. "Lahar nehin ye lalkar hai, Phir ek bar Modi sarkar hai'' (this is not a wave but a challenge, once again Modi government will be formed). I haven't received so much adulation and love even in 2014," he said, claiming that the response in the first two phases of polls indicate that people are favouring BJP over other parties. Emphasising that not a single charge of corruption has surfaced against the BJP-led government in the past five years, Modi said those who have been levelling false allegations have found themselves in the dock. "Voters are now teaching those liars a lesson. The Congress and other opposition parties are now in a state of shock. They are trying to find new excuses to target and abuse me," the prime minister said. He appealed to the people to vote for a BJP government in the state, which can work in tandem with the Centre. "The Patnaik-led BJD is only bothered about grabbing power, development has never figured its list of priorities. "The people of Odisha will bid the BJD government farewell, they are wiser than the politicians who have been ruling the state. Naveen babu, it's time for you to go," Modi added. Voting is underway in six parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly seats in Odisha.

Wave in favour of BJP giving sleepless nights to opposition: PM Modi

Defence Minister<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/elections&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwij04er6uXhAhWl7XMBHTQpCTYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hKaCpQ_PWhnNMpuYsbxxD"> Nirmala Sitharaman</a> on Tuesday, interacted with the officers of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ins-shakti-ins-kolkata-arrive-in-chinas-qingdao-port-for-multinational-naval-exercise-212649&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjhyNPR6uXhAhVWiHAKHQ1NAKMQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3I1XEwkx-DT8INjKM6Pxxs">Indian Navy</a> at Naval Commanders` Conference here to discuss the security challenges faced by the country, she also stated that a strong navy was essential to India`s ability to secure itself.

"A strong navy remains a necessary guarantor of India`s security and prosperity," said the Defense Minister.

She also applauded the Navy for the swift action it took after the Pulwama terror attacks, switching from exercise mode in Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2019 to rapid deployment in the North Arabian Sea.

"Indian Navy`s rapid transition from exercise mode (TROPEX 2019) to Battle mode was impressive," she said.

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Navy Chief-designate Vice Admiral Karambir Singh and Director General Coast Guard Rajendra Singh, were present at the conference.

The meeting took place a couple of days after eight coordinated bomb blasts shook Sri Lanka leaving 310 people dead and more than 500 injured during Easter celebrations on Sunday.

Indian Coast Guard has been put on high alert along the maritime border with Sri Lanka to ensure the security of the nation from any fleeing terrorists from the group which carried out the ghastly attacks. &nbsp;

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, interacted with the officers of the Indian Navy at Naval Commanders` Conference here to discuss the security challenges faced by the country, she also stated that a strong navy was essential to India`s ability to secure itself.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, interacted with the officers of the Indian Navy at Naval Commanders` Conference here to discuss the security challenges faced by the country, she also stated that a strong navy was essential to India`s ability to secure itself. "A strong navy remains a necessary guarantor of India`s security and prosperity," said the Defense Minister. She also applauded the Navy for the swift action it took after the Pulwama terror attacks, switching from exercise mode in Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2019 to rapid deployment in the North Arabian Sea. "Indian Navy`s rapid transition from exercise mode (TROPEX 2019) to Battle mode was impressive," she said. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Navy Chief-designate Vice Admiral Karambir Singh and Director General Coast Guard Rajendra Singh, were present at the conference. The meeting took place a couple of days after eight coordinated bomb blasts shook Sri Lanka leaving 310 people dead and more than 500 injured during Easter celebrations on Sunday. Indian Coast Guard has been put on high alert along the maritime border with Sri Lanka to ensure the security of the nation from any fleeing terrorists from the group which carried out the ghastly attacks.

Nirmala Sitharaman addresses top Navy officials on country's security challenges

Cricketer-turned-politician<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/gautam-gambhir-to-contest-in-ls-polls-2019-from-east-delhi-against-arvinder-singh-lovely-212789&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjU_7rT5eXhAhWHMY8KHXaDAH4QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3sN6jWrA9w-PjCEsvME3BZ"> Gautam Gambhir</a> on Tuesday held a roadshow here ahead of filling his nomination papers as the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from East Delhi.

Amid loud cheers, Gambhir waved to hundreds of people during the roadshow.

"I really want to contribute something to the country and whatever our Prime Minister has done in the last five years.

I want to take that legacy forward. I will try to work as much as I can with an honest heart and clear intentions," Gambhir told ANI.

On Monday, the BJP had announced that Gambhir would contest the ongoing Lok Sabha polls from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.

Gambhir is pitted against Congress` Arvinder Singh Lovely and Atishi of AAP from the seat.

A Padma Shri awardee, Gambhir joined the BJP on March 22 in the presence of Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Arun Jaitley.Delhi, which has seven Lok Sabha constituencies, will go to polls on May 12.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday held a roadshow here ahead of filling his nomination papers as the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from East Delhi.

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday held a roadshow here ahead of filling his nomination papers as the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from East Delhi. Amid loud cheers, Gambhir waved to hundreds of people during the roadshow. "I really want to contribute something to the country and whatever our Prime Minister has done in the last five years. I want to take that legacy forward. I will try to work as much as I can with an honest heart and clear intentions," Gambhir told ANI. On Monday, the BJP had announced that Gambhir would contest the ongoing Lok Sabha polls from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. Gambhir is pitted against Congress` Arvinder Singh Lovely and Atishi of AAP from the seat. A Padma Shri awardee, Gambhir joined the BJP on March 22 in the presence of Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Arun Jaitley.Delhi, which has seven Lok Sabha constituencies, will go to polls on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Gautam Gambhir, the new BJP Lok Sabha candidate holds roadshow in Delhi

The Supreme Court Monday issued a notice to Union minister Smriti Irani in a case pertaining to two cross defamation complaints filed by Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam and the BJP leader against each other.

In one case, the Delhi High Court had quashed the summons issued against Irani in a defamation complaint filed against her by Nirupam.

The high court, however, had dismissed a similar plea of Nirupam seeking to set aside the summons issued against him in a cross defamation complaint filed by Irani.

The high court, on December 19 last year, had said the case against Nirupam will continue.

On Monday, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued the notice to Irani on two appeals filed by the Congress leader.

The Supreme Court Monday issued a notice to Union minister Smriti Irani in a case pertaining to two cross defamation complaints filed by Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam and the BJP leader against each other.

The Supreme Court Monday issued a notice to Union minister Smriti Irani in a case pertaining to two cross defamation complaints filed by Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam and the BJP leader against each other. In one case, the Delhi High Court had quashed the summons issued against Irani in a defamation complaint filed against her by Nirupam. The high court, however, had dismissed a similar plea of Nirupam seeking to set aside the summons issued against him in a cross defamation complaint filed by Irani. The high court, on December 19 last year, had said the case against Nirupam will continue. On Monday, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued the notice to Irani on two appeals filed by the Congress leader.

Supreme Court issues notice to Smriti Irani on Nirupam's plea seeking quashing of defamation complaint against him

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to be held in West Bengal, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday assured the people of the state that his party will help in restoring Saraswati puja and Durga puja again with respect.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata Shah said, "If someone can restore Saraswati pooja and Durga pooja again with respect, it is only the BJP".

On being asked if Prime Minister Modi will also contest from West Bengal, Shah said, "No, there is no such plan at the moment".

He also reiterated the party's stance on the Citizenship Amendment Bill and said, "The refugees who have come from Bangladesh, be it Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, or Christians, BJP has clearly signalled in its 'Sankalp Patra' that we will give them citizenship".

Adding that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assams-national-register-of-citizens-an-explainer-155549">National Register of Citizens</a> will not be just for Bengal but also for the whole country, Shah said, "Citizenship Amendment Bill will come first, all refugees will be given citizenship after that NRC will be made. Refugees shouldn't worry, only infiltrators should. First, the Citizenship Amendment Bill&nbsp;will come then NRC, NRC will not be for just Bengal but for the whole country".

"I request the&nbsp;people of Bengal to vote without fear; BJP workers are guarding them as protectors of democracy in the Lok Sabha Polls," he said.

Hitting out at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-mamata-banerjee-takes-a-u-turn-on-national-register-of-citizens-156891">West Bengal chief minister</a>, Shah said, "Mamata Banerjee is under pressure after the end of second phase polls. There is politics of appeasement in Bengal."

"Mamata Banerjee did not allow my rallies in Bengal, now the people here are not coming out in to attend her rallies," he added.

Commenting on BJP candidate from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, he said, "As far as Sadhvi Pragya is considered, I want to say that a false case was registered as to allege that there is Hindu terror. The court proceedings found the case to be false."

Praising the Prime Minister led-NDA government Shah said, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at Centre, we have provided 10,000 poor with household in this district. Also, 3,000 urban poor got households. BJP gave gas connections to 7 crore houses, 8 crore houses got toilets and 50 crore poor will get Rs 5 lakh Insurance under Ayushman Bharat scheme."&nbsp;

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Amit Shah in Kolkata, West Bengal: Batla House ka jab encounter hua, Sonia Ji ko rona aa gaya Batla House ke aatankwadiyon ke marne par, jabki apna ek bahadur Police Inspector waha shaheed ho gaya, uske mrityu par rona nahi aaya, is par Congress ko jawab dena chahiye <a href="https://t.co/fFMtLXeJqS">pic.twitter.com/fFMtLXeJqS</a>
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To a question on alleged discrepancies over citizenship and educational qualifications in Congress president Rahul Gandhi's poll affidavit filed at Amethi, Shah said the returning officer concerned should look into it.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to be held in West Bengal, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday assured the people of the state that his party will help in restoring Saraswati puja and Durga puja again with respect.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to be held in West Bengal, BJP president Amit Shah on Monday assured the people of the state that his party will help in restoring Saraswati puja and Durga puja again with respect. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata Shah said, "If someone can restore Saraswati pooja and Durga pooja again with respect, it is only the BJP". On being asked if Prime Minister Modi will also contest from West Bengal, Shah said, "No, there is no such plan at the moment". He also reiterated the party's stance on the Citizenship Amendment Bill and said, "The refugees who have come from Bangladesh, be it Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, or Christians, BJP has clearly signalled in its 'Sankalp Patra' that we will give them citizenship". Adding that the National Register of Citizens will not be just for Bengal but also for the whole country, Shah said, "Citizenship Amendment Bill will come first, all refugees will be given citizenship after that NRC will be made. Refugees shouldn't worry, only infiltrators should. First, the Citizenship Amendment Bill will come then NRC, NRC will not be for just Bengal but for the whole country". "I request the people of Bengal to vote without fear; BJP workers are guarding them as protectors of democracy in the Lok Sabha Polls," he said. Hitting out at West Bengal chief minister, Shah said, "Mamata Banerjee is under pressure after the end of second phase polls. There is politics of appeasement in Bengal." "Mamata Banerjee did not allow my rallies in Bengal, now the people here are not coming out in to attend her rallies," he added. Commenting on BJP candidate from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, he said, "As far as Sadhvi Pragya is considered, I want to say that a false case was registered as to allege that there is Hindu terror. The court proceedings found the case to be false." Praising the Prime Minister led-NDA government Shah said, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at Centre, we have provided 10,000 poor with household in this district. Also, 3,000 urban poor got households. BJP gave gas connections to 7 crore houses, 8 crore houses got toilets and 50 crore poor will get Rs 5 lakh Insurance under Ayushman Bharat scheme." Amit Shah in Kolkata, West Bengal: Batla House ka jab encounter hua, Sonia Ji ko rona aa gaya Batla House ke aatankwadiyon ke marne par, jabki apna ek bahadur Police Inspector waha shaheed ho gaya, uske mrityu par rona nahi aaya, is par Congress ko jawab dena chahiye pic.twitter.com/fFMtLXeJqS — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019 × To a question on alleged discrepancies over citizenship and educational qualifications in Congress president Rahul Gandhi's poll affidavit filed at Amethi, Shah said the returning officer concerned should look into it. (With inputs from agencies)

NRC will not be just for Bengal but for the whole country: Amit Shah in Kolkata

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed the progress in bilateral ties since the Wuhan summit last year and said both sides were implementing the decisions in a manner in which "we are sensitive to each other's concerns".

His meeting with Wang, who is also the State Councillor, a high-level post in the hierarchy of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), took place as both the countries grappled with a host of issues, including Beijing's continued attempts block efforts list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN.

In his opening remarks, Gokhale said it has been a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Chinese city of Wuhan where the two leaders reached many understandings.

He said both sides were making efforts to implement the understandings reached the Wuhan meeting.

"As your Excellency said we will work together with the Chinese side to deepen understanding to strengthen trust to implement the decisions that are taken by leaders and to do it in a manner in which we are sensitive to each other's concerns," he said.

He also referred to the "brisk" political exchanges since the Wuhan summit, including Wang's visit to New Delhi to launch people to people mechanism and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is "looking forward to coming to China this year".

Gokhale, who arrived here on Sunday is also scheduled to hold detailed talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou on Monday. 
In his opening remarks, Wang said China and India are two emerging market countries besides neighbours and "each other's strategic partners."

"In that sense, it is important for the two countries to work together to increase strategic communication, deepen mutual political trust and strengthen strategic cooperation on international and regional issues.

"Given that it is timely and important for you to have regular consultations with the Chinese side," he said.

One of the issues that were expected to figure during this round talk was China's continued attempts block efforts list JeM chief Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

China blocked Azhar's designation for the fourth-time recently stalling efforts by the US, the UK, France move at the 1267 UN counter-terrorism committee following the February Pulwama terrorist attack. It was the first technical hold put up by China post-Wuhan summit.

Also, India continues to have strong reservations to join China's mega Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) due to its objections over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Both the issues have become major irritants in the bilateral ties.

In order to counter China's technical hold in the 1267 committee, the US, the UK and France have taken the Azhar issue to the UN Security Council (UNSC), which Beijing firmly opposed, saying that it should be resolved by the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee.

China also said the issue moved towards settlement and accused the US of attempting to scuttling its resolution.

Gokhale's visit also coincides with China holding its biggest international event, the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) next week to showcase its BRI projects.

India, like the first BRF held in 2017, is reportedly not attending its second edition being held here from April 25-27.

Foreign Minister Wang said on Friday that differences over the BRI would not come in the way of the development of India-China relations and China is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year.

He also said the CPEC is an economic project and has nothing to do with the sovereignty issues.

"One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has its concerns. We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI including the CPEC is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country and has nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries," he said.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed the progress in bilateral ties since the Wuhan summit last year and said both sides were implementing the decisions in a manner in which "we are sensitive to each other's concerns".

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed the progress in bilateral ties since the Wuhan summit last year and said both sides were implementing the decisions in a manner in which "we are sensitive to each other's concerns". His meeting with Wang, who is also the State Councillor, a high-level post in the hierarchy of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), took place as both the countries grappled with a host of issues, including Beijing's continued attempts block efforts list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN. In his opening remarks, Gokhale said it has been a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Chinese city of Wuhan where the two leaders reached many understandings. He said both sides were making efforts to implement the understandings reached the Wuhan meeting. "As your Excellency said we will work together with the Chinese side to deepen understanding to strengthen trust to implement the decisions that are taken by leaders and to do it in a manner in which we are sensitive to each other's concerns," he said. He also referred to the "brisk" political exchanges since the Wuhan summit, including Wang's visit to New Delhi to launch people to people mechanism and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is "looking forward to coming to China this year". Gokhale, who arrived here on Sunday is also scheduled to hold detailed talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou on Monday. In his opening remarks, Wang said China and India are two emerging market countries besides neighbours and "each other's strategic partners." "In that sense, it is important for the two countries to work together to increase strategic communication, deepen mutual political trust and strengthen strategic cooperation on international and regional issues. "Given that it is timely and important for you to have regular consultations with the Chinese side," he said. One of the issues that were expected to figure during this round talk was China's continued attempts block efforts list JeM chief Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. China blocked Azhar's designation for the fourth-time recently stalling efforts by the US, the UK, France move at the 1267 UN counter-terrorism committee following the February Pulwama terrorist attack. It was the first technical hold put up by China post-Wuhan summit. Also, India continues to have strong reservations to join China's mega Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) due to its objections over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Both the issues have become major irritants in the bilateral ties. In order to counter China's technical hold in the 1267 committee, the US, the UK and France have taken the Azhar issue to the UN Security Council (UNSC), which Beijing firmly opposed, saying that it should be resolved by the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee. China also said the issue moved towards settlement and accused the US of attempting to scuttling its resolution. Gokhale's visit also coincides with China holding its biggest international event, the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) next week to showcase its BRI projects. India, like the first BRF held in 2017, is reportedly not attending its second edition being held here from April 25-27. Foreign Minister Wang said on Friday that differences over the BRI would not come in the way of the development of India-China relations and China is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year. He also said the CPEC is an economic project and has nothing to do with the sovereignty issues. "One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has its concerns. We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI including the CPEC is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country and has nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries," he said.

Gokhale holds talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang; tells China to be sensitive to India's concerns

A massive fire broke out at Crawford Market in Mumbai on Monday.

Around four fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

Earlier today&nbsp;a building in Kalher area of Maharashtra also caught fire.
<img alt="Mumbai fire" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c744c35-2703-4ba4-9dc0-7d5ec098b712" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/fire%202.JPG" />
No casualties have been reported so far.

&nbsp;

A massive fire broke out at Crawford Market in Mumbai on Monday. Around four fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Earlier today a building in Kalher area of Maharashtra also caught fire.

A massive fire broke out at Crawford Market in Mumbai on Monday. Around four fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Earlier today a building in Kalher area of Maharashtra also caught fire. No casualties have been reported so far.

Fire breaks out in Mumbai's Crawford Market

Days after his mother Maneka Gandhi was embroiled in a controversy for allegedly making communal remarks against a particular community, Varun Gandhi on Sunday said that it won't be a problem if Muslims will not vote for him.

"I want to say just one thing to my Muslim brothers. I will be very happy if you vote for me. But even if you don't, no problem at all. You can still come to me for your work (Aap fir bhi mujhse kam le lena)," he said while addressing an election rally here. "But if your sugar gets mixed with my tea, then my tea will become sweeter," he added.

His comments are in complete contrast to what her mother Maneka Gandhi had said. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on April 12 had said in a public address in Sultanpur that her win from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency was certain "with or without" the support of the Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once BJP is in power. "You have to recognise that this victory is sure without you and even with you, and you will have to spread the word," she said while addressing a rally in Sultanpur.

Emphasising that she had distributed Rs 1000 crore for Muslim institutions to flourish, she said: "You came to seek our help at the time of your need. But, if you say during election time that we will not vote for the BJP and instead vote for any other party which can defeat BJP, then it breaks our heart".

"I have already passed this election. But now if you have to lay the foundation for getting help then this is the right time to do so," Maneka Gandhi added while indirectly calling upon the Muslim community to vote for her. Varun Gandhi has been fielded by BJP from Pilibhit- a seat which he had won in 2009 and 2014.

Days after his mother Maneka Gandhi was embroiled in a controversy for allegedly making communal remarks against a particular community, Varun Gandhi on Sunday said that it won't be a problem if Muslims will not vote for him.

Days after his mother Maneka Gandhi was embroiled in a controversy for allegedly making communal remarks against a particular community, Varun Gandhi on Sunday said that it won't be a problem if Muslims will not vote for him. "I want to say just one thing to my Muslim brothers. I will be very happy if you vote for me. But even if you don't, no problem at all. You can still come to me for your work (Aap fir bhi mujhse kam le lena)," he said while addressing an election rally here. "But if your sugar gets mixed with my tea, then my tea will become sweeter," he added. His comments are in complete contrast to what her mother Maneka Gandhi had said. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on April 12 had said in a public address in Sultanpur that her win from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency was certain "with or without" the support of the Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once BJP is in power. "You have to recognise that this victory is sure without you and even with you, and you will have to spread the word," she said while addressing a rally in Sultanpur. Emphasising that she had distributed Rs 1000 crore for Muslim institutions to flourish, she said: "You came to seek our help at the time of your need. But, if you say during election time that we will not vote for the BJP and instead vote for any other party which can defeat BJP, then it breaks our heart". "I have already passed this election. But now if you have to lay the foundation for getting help then this is the right time to do so," Maneka Gandhi added while indirectly calling upon the Muslim community to vote for her. Varun Gandhi has been fielded by BJP from Pilibhit- a seat which he had won in 2009 and 2014.

No problem if you don't vote for me, can still come to me for your work: Varun Gandhi tells Muslims

The Supreme Court of India on Monday told Chinese company Bytedance Technology, maker of hugely popular video sharing app TikTok, that if Madras the High Court fails to decide by April 24 its plea for relief then its ban order will stand vacated.

The company had told the court that the Madras High Court gave the order banning the app in India without hearing its side of the story. It also said that the ban has led to a los of crores of rupees.

The Supreme Court bench then said the next date of hearing is April 24, and if the high court doesn't decide on the plea against ban, the order will stand vacated.

Google had last week <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-play-store-blocks-chinese-app-tiktok-in-india-after-court-order-211003">blocked access to TikTok</a> on its Play Store in India. The decision was taken hours after the Madras High Court refused a request by Bytedance Technology to suspend a ban on TikTok, putting its future in one of its key markets in doubt.

The Madras High Court had on April 3 asked the central government to ban TikTok, saying it encouraged pornography and made child users vulnerable to sexual predators. It's ruling came after an individual launched a public interest litigation calling for a ban.

The Centre had sent a letter to Apple and Google to abide by the state court's order.

TikTok, which allows users to create and share short videos with special effects, has become hugely popular in India but has been criticised by some politicians who say its content is inappropriate.

It had been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, app analytics firm Sensor Tower said in February. More than 30 million users in India installed it in January 2019, 12 times more than in the same month last year.

Jokes, clips and footage related to India's thriving movie industry dominate the app's platform, along with memes and videos in which youngsters, some scantily clad, lip-sync and dance to popular music.

Bytedance challenged the Madras High Court's ban order in the Supreme Court earlier this month, saying it went against freedom of speech rights in India.

The top court had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-madras-hc-order-on-tiktok-app-210536">referred the case back</a> to the Madras High Court, where a judge rejected Bytedance's request to put the ban order on hold.

TikTok had earlier said in a statement that it had faith in the Indian judicial system and was "optimistic about an outcome that would be well received by millions" of its users.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of India on Monday told Chinese company Bytedance Technology, maker of hugely popular video sharing app TikTok, that if Madras the High Court fails to decide by April 24 its plea for relief then its ban order will stand vacated.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday told Chinese company Bytedance Technology, maker of hugely popular video sharing app TikTok, that if Madras the High Court fails to decide by April 24 its plea for relief then its ban order will stand vacated. The company had told the court that the Madras High Court gave the order banning the app in India without hearing its side of the story. It also said that the ban has led to a los of crores of rupees. The Supreme Court bench then said the next date of hearing is April 24, and if the high court doesn't decide on the plea against ban, the order will stand vacated. Google had last week blocked access to TikTok on its Play Store in India. The decision was taken hours after the Madras High Court refused a request by Bytedance Technology to suspend a ban on TikTok, putting its future in one of its key markets in doubt. The Madras High Court had on April 3 asked the central government to ban TikTok, saying it encouraged pornography and made child users vulnerable to sexual predators. It's ruling came after an individual launched a public interest litigation calling for a ban. The Centre had sent a letter to Apple and Google to abide by the state court's order. TikTok, which allows users to create and share short videos with special effects, has become hugely popular in India but has been criticised by some politicians who say its content is inappropriate. It had been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, app analytics firm Sensor Tower said in February. More than 30 million users in India installed it in January 2019, 12 times more than in the same month last year. Jokes, clips and footage related to India's thriving movie industry dominate the app's platform, along with memes and videos in which youngsters, some scantily clad, lip-sync and dance to popular music. Bytedance challenged the Madras High Court's ban order in the Supreme Court earlier this month, saying it went against freedom of speech rights in India. The top court had referred the case back to the Madras High Court, where a judge rejected Bytedance's request to put the ban order on hold. TikTok had earlier said in a statement that it had faith in the Indian judicial system and was "optimistic about an outcome that would be well received by millions" of its users. (With inputs from agencies)

If Madras High Court doesn't decide by April 24, ban on TikTok will be lifted: Supreme Court

The Congress on Monday declared candidates on six of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital.&nbsp;

JP Agarwal to contest from Chandni Chowk, Sheila Dixit from North East Delhi, Arvinder Singh Lovely from East Delhi, Ajay Maken from New Delhi, Rajesh Lilothia from North West Delhi (SC) and Mahabal Mishra from West Delhi.

From North East Delhi seat where Sheila Dikshit will contest, AAP has fielded Dilip Pandey.

At present, this seat is represented by Manoj Tiwari, who is also the president of BJP’s Delhi unit. In the last Lok Sabha poll, Tiwari had defeated Professor Anand Kumar of AAP by 1,44,084 votes.

Delhi' s seven parliamentary constituencies, which go to the polls on May 12 in the sixth phase, voted for the BJP in 2014, leaving the AAP in the second spot. However, the vote share of AAP and Congress in that election, together, was more than that of the BJP in six of the seven seats -- despite the Modi wave.

On Sunday, BJP released a list of five candidates, renominating four of its sitting MPs, including Union minister Harsh Vardhan.

Names for the three remaining seats are expected to be announced today.

With little time left to woo voters, parties have increased their activities, with prominent leaders holding several rallies every day. From public rallies to workers' meetings, big leaders of the national, as well as state parties, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in the polls.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Congress on Monday declared candidates on six of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital. JP Agarwal to contest from Chandni Chowk, Sheila Dixit from North East Delhi, Arvinder Singh Lovely from East Delhi, Ajay Maken from New Delhi, Rajesh Lilothia from North West Delhi (SC) and Mahabal Mishra from West Delhi.

The Congress on Monday declared candidates on six of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital. JP Agarwal to contest from Chandni Chowk, Sheila Dixit from North East Delhi, Arvinder Singh Lovely from East Delhi, Ajay Maken from New Delhi, Rajesh Lilothia from North West Delhi (SC) and Mahabal Mishra from West Delhi. From North East Delhi seat where Sheila Dikshit will contest, AAP has fielded Dilip Pandey. At present, this seat is represented by Manoj Tiwari, who is also the president of BJP’s Delhi unit. In the last Lok Sabha poll, Tiwari had defeated Professor Anand Kumar of AAP by 1,44,084 votes. Delhi' s seven parliamentary constituencies, which go to the polls on May 12 in the sixth phase, voted for the BJP in 2014, leaving the AAP in the second spot. However, the vote share of AAP and Congress in that election, together, was more than that of the BJP in six of the seven seats -- despite the Modi wave. On Sunday, BJP released a list of five candidates, renominating four of its sitting MPs, including Union minister Harsh Vardhan. Names for the three remaining seats are expected to be announced today. With little time left to woo voters, parties have increased their activities, with prominent leaders holding several rallies every day. From public rallies to workers' meetings, big leaders of the national, as well as state parties, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in the polls. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress releases list of Delhi candidates, Sheila Dixit to contest from North East Delhi

US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-returns-after-taliban-afghan-talks-scuttled-212670">Zalmay Khalilzad will be in Delhi </a>in the next few weeks. This will be his second&nbsp;visit to India this year. He was in India in early January when he met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

The State Department in a release said,"Zalmay Khalilzad will travel to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and the United Kingdom from April 21st to May 11th, as part of the overall effort to facilitate a political settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan."

Adding further, the release said, in London, Moscow, Islamabad, and New Delhi, he will work to build international support for the Afghan peace process to help ensure that any peace settlement reached will be sustainable."&nbsp;

Foriegn secretary Vijay Gokhale had met the US envoy in March in Washington and&nbsp;had appraised India's view on the Afghan peace process.

India which backs&nbsp;"Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled"&nbsp;was clearly conveyed to US officials. Gokhale had also conveyed&nbsp;that New Delhi would like continuation of current political structure which has been&nbsp;arrived at after 18 years.

India has been engaging with regional countries - Iran,Russia, China, central Asian countries -&nbsp;regarding the Afghan peace process.&nbsp;

India last year had participated at an "unofficial level" at Moscow format talks by sending its former ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan.

US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will be in Delhi in the next few weeks. This will be his second visit to India this year.

US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will be in Delhi in the next few weeks. This will be his second visit to India this year. He was in India in early January when he met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. The State Department in a release said,"Zalmay Khalilzad will travel to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and the United Kingdom from April 21st to May 11th, as part of the overall effort to facilitate a political settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan." Adding further, the release said, in London, Moscow, Islamabad, and New Delhi, he will work to build international support for the Afghan peace process to help ensure that any peace settlement reached will be sustainable." Foriegn secretary Vijay Gokhale had met the US envoy in March in Washington and had appraised India's view on the Afghan peace process. India which backs "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled" was clearly conveyed to US officials. Gokhale had also conveyed that New Delhi would like continuation of current political structure which has been arrived at after 18 years. India has been engaging with regional countries - Iran,Russia, China, central Asian countries - regarding the Afghan peace process. India last year had participated at an "unofficial level" at Moscow format talks by sending its former ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan.

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad to visit India

Election Commission of India barred Congress leaders <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fir-against-navjot-singh-sidhu-over-communal-remarks-210997">Navjot Singh Sidhu</a> from holding any public meeting, road show, public rally in connection with ongoing Lok Sabha elections for 72 hours over his communal remark he made earlier.

On April 16, Sidhu had warned Muslims not to split their votes and instead defeat the BJP by voting against it unitedly. Following his speech, Elections Commission registered a case against him for violating the model code of conduct for elections.

"I am here to warn my Muslim brothers. They (BJP) are dividing you. By bringing people like (Asadudding) Owaisi here, they want to divide your vote for winning. If you people unite and vote unitedly, then everything will overturn and Modi will be finished," cricketer-turned-politician said in a rally in Bihar.

He is also barred from giving an interview in media &nbsp;&nbsp;

The temporary ban will come into effect from 10 am on 23 April and will stay till 72 hours.

Lok Sabha elections in Bihar are being held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from news agencies)

Election Commission of India barred Congress leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu from holding any public meeting, road show, public rally in connection with ongoing Lok Sabha elections for 72 hours over his communal remark he made earlier.

Election Commission of India barred Congress leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu from holding any public meeting, road show, public rally in connection with ongoing Lok Sabha elections for 72 hours over his communal remark he made earlier. On April 16, Sidhu had warned Muslims not to split their votes and instead defeat the BJP by voting against it unitedly. Following his speech, Elections Commission registered a case against him for violating the model code of conduct for elections. "I am here to warn my Muslim brothers. They (BJP) are dividing you. By bringing people like (Asadudding) Owaisi here, they want to divide your vote for winning. If you people unite and vote unitedly, then everything will overturn and Modi will be finished," cricketer-turned-politician said in a rally in Bihar. He is also barred from giving an interview in media The temporary ban will come into effect from 10 am on 23 April and will stay till 72 hours. Lok Sabha elections in Bihar are being held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (With inputs from news agencies)

Election Commission bars Navjot Singh Sidhu from campaigning for 3 days

The BJP Monday fielded former cricketer Gautam Gambhir from the East Delhi constituency and renominated Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi.

The party has so far announced its candidates for six of the seven seats in the national capital.

Gambhir has replaced Maheish Girri as the party's candidate and will take on Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress and Atishi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Lekhi is pitted against AAP's Brajesh Goel and Ajay Maken of the Congress.

The BJP had on Sunday fielded its four sitting MPs from Delhi -- Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, Manoj Tiwari from North-east Delhi, Pravesh Verma from West Delhi and Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi.

The party is yet to name its candidate for the North-west Delhi constituency.

The BJP had won all seven seats in the national capital in the last election.&nbsp;

The BJP Monday fielded former cricketer Gautam Gambhir from the East Delhi constituency and renominated Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi. The party has so far announced its candidates for six of the seven seats in the national capital.

The BJP Monday fielded former cricketer Gautam Gambhir from the East Delhi constituency and renominated Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi. The party has so far announced its candidates for six of the seven seats in the national capital. Gambhir has replaced Maheish Girri as the party's candidate and will take on Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress and Atishi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Lekhi is pitted against AAP's Brajesh Goel and Ajay Maken of the Congress. The BJP had on Sunday fielded its four sitting MPs from Delhi -- Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, Manoj Tiwari from North-east Delhi, Pravesh Verma from West Delhi and Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi. The party is yet to name its candidate for the North-west Delhi constituency. The BJP had won all seven seats in the national capital in the last election.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP fields Gautam Gambhir from East Delhi, Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi

Polling will be held on Tuesday for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lok-sabha-polls-2019-quick-guide-to-third-phase-elections-due-on-april-23-212095">third and largest phase of Lok Sabha election</a> in 116 seats, including all constituencies in Gujarat and Kerala, with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several Union ministers among prominent candidates in the fray.

The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as they bagged 66 seats out of these 116 spread across 14 states and Union Territories in 2014 general election, while the Congress and its alliance partners won 27, and the rest went to other opposition parties and Independents.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Besides all seats in Gujarat (26) and Kerala (20), voting will be held in four seats in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, 14 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, two in Goa, and one each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.

The polling in Tripura East constituency, which was earlier scheduled for April 18, will be held in this phase, as also in a part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir, where the election is being held in three phases.&nbsp;

About 18.56 crore voters are eligible for voting in this phase and the Election Commission has set up 2.10 lakh polling booths/stations and has made elaborate security arrangements.&nbsp;

<img alt="Lok Sabha polls phase 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8ec2cf2-ff2a-4e14-85ad-980f5df290d7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Phase%203.jpg" />

In the first two phases, the election was held to 91 and 96 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Elections are being held in seven phases and with the completion of third phase, the election process will be completed in southern states.&nbsp;

BJP chief Amit Shah, who replaced LK Advani as the party nominee from Gandhinagar, and 370 other candidates are in the fray in the 26 Lok Sabha seats all of which were won by the party in the last election. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jaswantsinh Bhabhor is the BJP nominee from Dahod seat.

In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad besides his traditional Amethi seat has added new interest to the fight between rivals UDF and LDF for the 20 seats.

The BJP has also aggressively campaigned in the hope of opening its account in the southern state by capitalising on the Sabarimala shrine women entry issue.

Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam is seeking to make his Lok Sabha debut from Ernakulam. Sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is facing a triangular contest in Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP has fielded former Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and the CPI C Divakaran.

It is a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP-led NDA is posing a formidable challenge to the two traditional fronts in at least three constituencies -- Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur.

In Karnakata, the battle lines clearly delineated for a bipolar contest between the ruling Congress-JD(S) combine and the BJP.&nbsp;

The BJP that has considerable presence in these constituencies aims to improve its tally banking on what it calls the "Modi wave" and the support of dominant Lingayat community, considered as its vote base.

It is also a test for Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy in the state.

The third phase of polling for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will decide the electoral fate of four members of the SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav's clan, besides those of senior party leader Azam Khan and film actor and BJP candidate Jaya Prada.

The BJP had won seven out of the 10 seats in 2014, while the SP bagged three. Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his two nephews Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav are seeking re-election from Mainpuri, Badaun and Firozabad seats respectively. Mulayam has said this will be his last contest.

Voting will be held in seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, of which the BJP had won six in 2014. The Congress, buoyed by its victory in the Assembly elections last year, is hoping to improve its tally in the state.

In Goa, there are 12 candidates in the fray for the two Lok Sabha constituencies, including Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik from North Goa where he is pitted against state Congress chief Girish Chodankar.&nbsp;

In Bihar, close to nine million voters will be deciding the fates of 82 candidates in five Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. Four sitting MPs Ranjeet Ranjan (Supaul), her husband Pappu Yadav (Madhepura), Sarfaraz Alam (Araria) and Mehboob Ali Kaiser (Khagaria) would seek to retain their respective seats.

In the six seats in Odisha, the main contest in between the state's ruling BJD and the BJP. The BJD had won all the six seats in 2014.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats -- Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad.

Four seats will see four-cornered contests between the three parties and the Left Front. It will be a three-cornered contest in Maldaha South as no Left party is in the fray in the seat.

In Assam, prominent candidates in the fray are two sitting MPs AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal in Dhubri and Independent Naba Sarania in Kokrajhar, state social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma of BPF from Kokrajhar and Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque.

In the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the BJP had bagged both seats in the last election.

The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats and the counting of votes will be on May 23.

Polling will be held on Tuesday for the third and largest phase of Lok Sabha election in 116 seats, including all constituencies in Gujarat and Kerala, with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several Union ministers among prominent candidates in the fray.

Polling will be held on Tuesday for the third and largest phase of Lok Sabha election in 116 seats, including all constituencies in Gujarat and Kerala, with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several Union ministers among prominent candidates in the fray. The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as they bagged 66 seats out of these 116 spread across 14 states and Union Territories in 2014 general election, while the Congress and its alliance partners won 27, and the rest went to other opposition parties and Independents. Besides all seats in Gujarat (26) and Kerala (20), voting will be held in four seats in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, 14 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, two in Goa, and one each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura. The polling in Tripura East constituency, which was earlier scheduled for April 18, will be held in this phase, as also in a part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir, where the election is being held in three phases. About 18.56 crore voters are eligible for voting in this phase and the Election Commission has set up 2.10 lakh polling booths/stations and has made elaborate security arrangements. In the first two phases, the election was held to 91 and 96 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Elections are being held in seven phases and with the completion of third phase, the election process will be completed in southern states. BJP chief Amit Shah, who replaced LK Advani as the party nominee from Gandhinagar, and 370 other candidates are in the fray in the 26 Lok Sabha seats all of which were won by the party in the last election. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jaswantsinh Bhabhor is the BJP nominee from Dahod seat. In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad besides his traditional Amethi seat has added new interest to the fight between rivals UDF and LDF for the 20 seats. The BJP has also aggressively campaigned in the hope of opening its account in the southern state by capitalising on the Sabarimala shrine women entry issue. Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam is seeking to make his Lok Sabha debut from Ernakulam. Sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is facing a triangular contest in Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP has fielded former Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and the CPI C Divakaran. It is a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP-led NDA is posing a formidable challenge to the two traditional fronts in at least three constituencies -- Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur. In Karnakata, the battle lines clearly delineated for a bipolar contest between the ruling Congress-JD(S) combine and the BJP. The BJP that has considerable presence in these constituencies aims to improve its tally banking on what it calls the "Modi wave" and the support of dominant Lingayat community, considered as its vote base. It is also a test for Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy in the state. The third phase of polling for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will decide the electoral fate of four members of the SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav's clan, besides those of senior party leader Azam Khan and film actor and BJP candidate Jaya Prada. The BJP had won seven out of the 10 seats in 2014, while the SP bagged three. Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his two nephews Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav are seeking re-election from Mainpuri, Badaun and Firozabad seats respectively. Mulayam has said this will be his last contest. Voting will be held in seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, of which the BJP had won six in 2014. The Congress, buoyed by its victory in the Assembly elections last year, is hoping to improve its tally in the state. In Goa, there are 12 candidates in the fray for the two Lok Sabha constituencies, including Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik from North Goa where he is pitted against state Congress chief Girish Chodankar. In Bihar, close to nine million voters will be deciding the fates of 82 candidates in five Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. Four sitting MPs Ranjeet Ranjan (Supaul), her husband Pappu Yadav (Madhepura), Sarfaraz Alam (Araria) and Mehboob Ali Kaiser (Khagaria) would seek to retain their respective seats. In the six seats in Odisha, the main contest in between the state's ruling BJD and the BJP. The BJD had won all the six seats in 2014. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats -- Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad. Four seats will see four-cornered contests between the three parties and the Left Front. It will be a three-cornered contest in Maldaha South as no Left party is in the fray in the seat. In Assam, prominent candidates in the fray are two sitting MPs AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal in Dhubri and Independent Naba Sarania in Kokrajhar, state social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma of BPF from Kokrajhar and Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque. In the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the BJP had bagged both seats in the last election. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats and the counting of votes will be on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Crucial third phase to test Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that that all evidence of terrorist activities of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar have been shared with China.&nbsp;

The MEA stated that the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other UN-authorised bodies will now take a decision on Azhar's listing, adding that "India will continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice."&nbsp;

The MEA's response was to a media query on discussions with China on the 1267 listing of JeM leader Masood Azhar during foreign secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-secretary-vijay-gokhale-visits-china-talks-on-masood-azhar-possible-212484">Vijay Gokhale's recent visit to Beijing</a>.&nbsp;

Gokhale's visit comes even as India and China mark one year since the Wuhan informal summit that took place in April 2018.

Foreign secretary Gokhale also called on the Chinese foreign minister and state councillor Wang Yi.

Meanwhile when asked about if Masood Azhar was raised by India during the talks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "The common interests of China and India are far greater than the differences between the two sides."

"We hope that the two sides will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation and maintain the positive momentum of the sound development of bilateral relations. In this regard, China is ready to work with India," he added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firmly-oppose-forcing-new-resolution-through-unsc-on-masood-azhar-china-211140">China on Wednesday dismissed reports</a> that it had been served an ultimatum until April 23 by the US, UK and France to lift its "technical hold" on designating Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist but claimed that the vexed issue is moving towards settlement.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, "I don't know where you get such information."

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MEA: It's now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee&amp;other authorized bodies of UN to take a decision on listing of Masood Azhar. India will continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice. (2/2) <a href="https://t.co/HsQzEMGgiA">https://t.co/HsQzEMGgiA</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1120277138412855298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/will-not-be-pressured-by-anyone-on-masood-azhar-pakistan-foreign-office-211606">Pakistan will not be "pressured"</a> by anyone on the issue of banning Masood Azhar, a top official here said on Thursday, a day after China dismissed reports that the US, the UK and France have served an ultimatum to Beijing to lift its "technical hold" on designating the JeM chief as a global terrorist by the UN.

Pak's foreign office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan has a clear stance on Azhar.

After the Pulwama attack, a fresh proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US.

However, China blocked the bid by putting a "technical hold" on the proposal. Following this, the US backed by the UK and France moved directly to UN Security Council (UNSC) to blacklist Azhar.

China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC, had opposed the move, saying the issue should be resolved at the 1267 Committee itself which also functioned under the top UN body.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that that all evidence of terrorist activities of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar have been shared with China.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that that all evidence of terrorist activities of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar have been shared with China. The MEA stated that the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other UN-authorised bodies will now take a decision on Azhar's listing, adding that "India will continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice." The MEA's response was to a media query on discussions with China on the 1267 listing of JeM leader Masood Azhar during foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale's recent visit to Beijing. Gokhale's visit comes even as India and China mark one year since the Wuhan informal summit that took place in April 2018. Foreign secretary Gokhale also called on the Chinese foreign minister and state councillor Wang Yi. Meanwhile when asked about if Masood Azhar was raised by India during the talks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "The common interests of China and India are far greater than the differences between the two sides." "We hope that the two sides will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation and maintain the positive momentum of the sound development of bilateral relations. In this regard, China is ready to work with India," he added. China on Wednesday dismissed reports that it had been served an ultimatum until April 23 by the US, UK and France to lift its "technical hold" on designating Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist but claimed that the vexed issue is moving towards settlement. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, "I don't know where you get such information." MEA: It's now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee&other authorized bodies of UN to take a decision on listing of Masood Azhar. India will continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice. (2/2) https://t.co/HsQzEMGgiA — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019 × Meanwhile, Pakistan will not be "pressured" by anyone on the issue of banning Masood Azhar, a top official here said on Thursday, a day after China dismissed reports that the US, the UK and France have served an ultimatum to Beijing to lift its "technical hold" on designating the JeM chief as a global terrorist by the UN. Pak's foreign office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan has a clear stance on Azhar. After the Pulwama attack, a fresh proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US. However, China blocked the bid by putting a "technical hold" on the proposal. Following this, the US backed by the UK and France moved directly to UN Security Council (UNSC) to blacklist Azhar. China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC, had opposed the move, saying the issue should be resolved at the 1267 Committee itself which also functioned under the top UN body. (With inputs from agencies)

All evidence on Masood Azhar, Jaish shared with China, will continue to pursue all avenues: India 

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lost her usually collected demeanour and lashed out at "outsider" Smriti Irani stating that the Union Minister had insulted the people of Amethi by distributing shoes there.

"Elections are here and many outsiders have also come here to spread lies that Rahul Gandhi does not visit here. You people know the truth," Priyanka said during an election rally here. "The objectionable thing is that Smriti Irani ji came here and distributed shoes. She thought that she is insulting Rahul ji but she has insulted the people of Amethi. You should teach them that people of Amethi and Rae Bareli respect themselves and will not beg in front&nbsp;of anyone. They should come to you and beg for votes," Priyanka said.

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Union Minister Smriti Irani: Actor main reh chuki hoon toh natak Priyanka ji na hi karein to behtar hai, jahan tak baat un gharib nagrikon ki hai jinke paas pehne ko joota nahi tha,toh kripya karke agar unme thodi bhi sharm ho to khud ja ke dekh lein ki sach kya hai <a href="https://t.co/vwQraaqaVn">pic.twitter.com/vwQraaqaVn</a>
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The Congress leader addressing people at a Nukkad Sabha here said "You should understand what is happening in this election, lying, attempting to divert the attention of people and a campaign that is removed from reality. I have been going around Uttar Pradesh East and seeing the suffering of people, small industries have been shut, youth are unemployed, they have stopped development works in Amethi."&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Union Min Smriti Irani: Call all the relatives you have,be it from India,from Italy or from any part of the world.People of India will do justice&amp;they have already decided to choose Pradhansevak again,but this time whole Gandhi family will also be given a strong message." <a href="https://t.co/ocp1H1CSHQ">pic.twitter.com/ocp1H1CSHQ</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1120311060924370944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Speaking in the same vein, Priyanka said, "People of Amethi and Rae Bareli have never begged in front of anyone. Whosoever has come in front of them, have come with respect. My family have realised that people made us. You have given power and love as well. You are the one who make us leaders."

Meanwhile, the actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani hit back at Priyanka Gandhi and said, "I have been an actor and it would be better if Priyanka ji stopped her acting. As far as the plight of those poor people who did not have shoes to wear, if she has even a bit of shame she should go and see for herself what the truth is."

BJP has fielded Smriti Irani against Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. In 2014, Rahul had defeated Irani by a margin of over one lakh votes.

Priyanka also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that he has not visited a single village of his constituency.

"Rajiv Gandhi used to visit areas of his constituency. Rahul Gandhi also visits villages. I went to Varanasi, I asked people if the Prime Minister has come there. I learnt that he has not visited a single village in the last five years," she said.

Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh are scheduled to go to polls in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 6, while Varanasi will witness polling in the last phase on May 19.&nbsp;

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lost her usually collected demeanour and lashed out at "outsider" Smriti Irani stating that the Union Minister had insulted the people of Amethi by distributing shoes there.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lost her usually collected demeanour and lashed out at "outsider" Smriti Irani stating that the Union Minister had insulted the people of Amethi by distributing shoes there. "Elections are here and many outsiders have also come here to spread lies that Rahul Gandhi does not visit here. You people know the truth," Priyanka said during an election rally here. "The objectionable thing is that Smriti Irani ji came here and distributed shoes. She thought that she is insulting Rahul ji but she has insulted the people of Amethi. You should teach them that people of Amethi and Rae Bareli respect themselves and will not beg in front of anyone. They should come to you and beg for votes," Priyanka said. Union Minister Smriti Irani: Actor main reh chuki hoon toh natak Priyanka ji na hi karein to behtar hai, jahan tak baat un gharib nagrikon ki hai jinke paas pehne ko joota nahi tha,toh kripya karke agar unme thodi bhi sharm ho to khud ja ke dekh lein ki sach kya hai pic.twitter.com/vwQraaqaVn — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019 × The Congress leader addressing people at a Nukkad Sabha here said "You should understand what is happening in this election, lying, attempting to divert the attention of people and a campaign that is removed from reality. I have been going around Uttar Pradesh East and seeing the suffering of people, small industries have been shut, youth are unemployed, they have stopped development works in Amethi." #WATCH Union Min Smriti Irani: Call all the relatives you have,be it from India,from Italy or from any part of the world.People of India will do justice&they have already decided to choose Pradhansevak again,but this time whole Gandhi family will also be given a strong message." pic.twitter.com/ocp1H1CSHQ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019 × Speaking in the same vein, Priyanka said, "People of Amethi and Rae Bareli have never begged in front of anyone. Whosoever has come in front of them, have come with respect. My family have realised that people made us. You have given power and love as well. You are the one who make us leaders." Meanwhile, the actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani hit back at Priyanka Gandhi and said, "I have been an actor and it would be better if Priyanka ji stopped her acting. As far as the plight of those poor people who did not have shoes to wear, if she has even a bit of shame she should go and see for herself what the truth is." BJP has fielded Smriti Irani against Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. In 2014, Rahul had defeated Irani by a margin of over one lakh votes. Priyanka also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that he has not visited a single village of his constituency. "Rajiv Gandhi used to visit areas of his constituency. Rahul Gandhi also visits villages. I went to Varanasi, I asked people if the Prime Minister has come there. I learnt that he has not visited a single village in the last five years," she said. Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh are scheduled to go to polls in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 6, while Varanasi will witness polling in the last phase on May 19.

Smriti Irani insulted people of Amethi by distributing shoes: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-serial-blasts-13-under-arrest-ninth-bomb-defused-near-colombo-airport-212476">Sri Lanka blasts: 13 under arrest, ninth bomb defused near Colombo airport</a>

Thirteen people were arrested by Sri Lankan police in connection with a series of eight devastating bomb blasts in the country on churches and hotels that killed more than 207 people and injured 500, officials said Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/25-foreigners-among-207-killed-in-sri-lanka-mayhem-report-212463">5 Indians among 25 foreigners killed in Sri Lanka mayhem: Report</a>

At least five Indians were killed in the serial bomb blasts that ravaged Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in the island country's bloodiest day since the civil war ended a decade ago.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-memo-circulated-a-day-before-had-warned-of-attack-212458">Sri Lanka: Memo circulated a day before had warned of attack</a>

A memo that warned of a potential attack was circulated a day before the deadly explosions in Sri Lanka, reports CNN.The memo dated April 11 was signed by Sri Lanka`s deputy inspector general of police.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-protest-leaders-halt-talks-with-military-212459">Sudan protest leaders halt talks with military</a>

Sudanese protest leaders Sunday suspended talks with military rulers, after the army failed to meet their demand for an immediate transfer to civilian rule.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones-s8-episode-2-leaks-online-hours-before-hbo-airing-212461">'Game of Thrones' S8 episode 2 leaks online hours before HBO airing</a>

According to The Wrap, fans of the epic fantasy series alerted on social media about the leak, claiming that the to-be-aired episode was released early via Amazon Prime Video in Germany.

Sri Lanka blasts: 13 under arrest, ninth bomb defused near Colombo airport Thirteen people were arrested by Sri Lankan police in connection with a series of eight devastating bomb blasts in the country on churches and hotels that killed more than 207 people and injured 500, officials said Monday.

Sri Lanka blasts: 13 under arrest, ninth bomb defused near Colombo airport Thirteen people were arrested by Sri Lankan police in connection with a series of eight devastating bomb blasts in the country on churches and hotels that killed more than 207 people and injured 500, officials said Monday. 5 Indians among 25 foreigners killed in Sri Lanka mayhem: Report At least five Indians were killed in the serial bomb blasts that ravaged Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in the island country's bloodiest day since the civil war ended a decade ago. Sri Lanka: Memo circulated a day before had warned of attack A memo that warned of a potential attack was circulated a day before the deadly explosions in Sri Lanka, reports CNN.The memo dated April 11 was signed by Sri Lanka`s deputy inspector general of police. Sudan protest leaders halt talks with military Sudanese protest leaders Sunday suspended talks with military rulers, after the army failed to meet their demand for an immediate transfer to civilian rule. 'Game of Thrones' S8 episode 2 leaks online hours before HBO airing According to The Wrap, fans of the epic fantasy series alerted on social media about the leak, claiming that the to-be-aired episode was released early via Amazon Prime Video in Germany.

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