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With Jet Airways suspending operations, as many as 440 slots are vacant at Delhi and Mumbai airports which will be allocated to other airlines in a transparent manner, a senior official said.

The grounding of planes by Jet Airways has resulted in a capacity reduction in the domestic sector, which has also led to a spurt in airfares in many sectors.

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola Thursday said the 440 slots vacated by Jet Airways at Delhi and Mumbai airports would be allocated to other airlines on an interim basis through a "rational, fair and equitable" manner.

There are 280 vacant slots at Mumbai and over 160 at the Delhi airport. These two aerodromes are among the busiest in the country.

The slots would be allocated for three months by a committee, comprising officials from the DGCA, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and respective airports.

Kharola also said around 30 more planes would be inducted by various airlines in the next three months.&nbsp;

With Jet Airways suspending operations, as many as 440 slots are vacant at Delhi and Mumbai airports which will be allocated to other airlines in a transparent manner, a senior official said.

With Jet Airways suspending operations, as many as 440 slots are vacant at Delhi and Mumbai airports which will be allocated to other airlines in a transparent manner, a senior official said. The grounding of planes by Jet Airways has resulted in a capacity reduction in the domestic sector, which has also led to a spurt in airfares in many sectors. Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola Thursday said the 440 slots vacated by Jet Airways at Delhi and Mumbai airports would be allocated to other airlines on an interim basis through a "rational, fair and equitable" manner. There are 280 vacant slots at Mumbai and over 160 at the Delhi airport. These two aerodromes are among the busiest in the country. The slots would be allocated for three months by a committee, comprising officials from the DGCA, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and respective airports. Kharola also said around 30 more planes would be inducted by various airlines in the next three months.

Government to allocate 440 vacant Jet slots to other airlines

Three hours after the second phase of polling commenced on Thursday, West Bengal is leading in terms of voter turnout with 16.77&nbsp;per cent electorates having already exercised their franchise.&nbsp;

The turnout in Manipur is 16.60 per cent while&nbsp;Chhattisgarh&nbsp;has recorded at 13.09&nbsp;per cent at 10&nbsp;am, according to data provided by the Election Commission.&nbsp;

In Chhattisgarh, voters have braved the threats of Naxals and have come out in large numbers to cast votes in three constituencies which are voting.&nbsp;

In Bihar, voter turnout has touched 10.10&nbsp;per cent in the first three hours, while Uttar Pradesh, which has eight constituencies going to polls, has clocked 9.35&nbsp;per cent voting till 9 am.

Among other states going to polls, voter turnout in the first two hours in Odisha is 6.75 per cent, Karnataka 7.60&nbsp;per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 5.86&nbsp;per cent, Tamil Nadu 6.85&nbsp;per cent, Maharashtra 6.60&nbsp;per cent and Puducherry 7.48&nbsp;per cent.

The second the phase of polling is being held in Assam (five seats), Bihar (five seats), Chhattisgarh (three seats), Jammu and Kashmir (two seats), Karnataka (14 seats), Maharashtra (10 seats), Manipur (one seat), Odisha (five seats), Tamil Nadu (38 seats), Uttar Pradesh (eight seats), West Bengal (three seats), and Union Territory Puducherry (one seat).&nbsp;

Assam - 11.80% 
Bihar&nbsp;- 10.10% 
J&amp;K - 5.86% 
Karnataka - 7.60% 
Maharashtra - 6.60% 
Manipur - 16.60% 
Odisha - 6.75% 
Tamil Nadu - 6.85% 
Uttar Pradesh - 9.35% 
West Bengal - 16.77% 
Chhattisharh - 13.09% 
Puducherry - 7.48%

Three hours after the second phase of polling commenced on Thursday, West Bengal is leading in terms of voter turnout with 16.77 per cent electorates having already exercised their franchise.

Three hours after the second phase of polling commenced on Thursday, West Bengal is leading in terms of voter turnout with 16.77 per cent electorates having already exercised their franchise. The turnout in Manipur is 16.60 per cent while Chhattisgarh has recorded at 13.09 per cent at 10 am, according to data provided by the Election Commission. In Chhattisgarh, voters have braved the threats of Naxals and have come out in large numbers to cast votes in three constituencies which are voting. In Bihar, voter turnout has touched 10.10 per cent in the first three hours, while Uttar Pradesh, which has eight constituencies going to polls, has clocked 9.35 per cent voting till 9 am. Among other states going to polls, voter turnout in the first two hours in Odisha is 6.75 per cent, Karnataka 7.60 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 5.86 per cent, Tamil Nadu 6.85 per cent, Maharashtra 6.60 per cent and Puducherry 7.48 per cent. The second the phase of polling is being held in Assam (five seats), Bihar (five seats), Chhattisgarh (three seats), Jammu and Kashmir (two seats), Karnataka (14 seats), Maharashtra (10 seats), Manipur (one seat), Odisha (five seats), Tamil Nadu (38 seats), Uttar Pradesh (eight seats), West Bengal (three seats), and Union Territory Puducherry (one seat). Assam - 11.80% Bihar - 10.10% J&K - 5.86% Karnataka - 7.60% Maharashtra - 6.60% Manipur - 16.60% Odisha - 6.75% Tamil Nadu - 6.85% Uttar Pradesh - 9.35% West Bengal - 16.77% Chhattisharh - 13.09% Puducherry - 7.48%

Lok Sabha polls 2019: West Bengal leads in voter turnout 3 hours after polling began

Puducherry registered 80.5 per cent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/voter-turnout-in-second-phase-of-lok-sabha-polls-recorded-at-66-election-commission-211597">polling in the election</a> to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday.

Chief Electoral officer V Candavelou told reporters it was only a tentative figure and percentage of polling might go up as polling was going in some booths.

He said of the 9.73 lakh voters spread over all the four regions of Puducherry Karaikal Mahe and Yanam, 7.84 lakh voters exercised their franchise.

The official also said polling went off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

On the by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment, Candavelou said 76 per cent of the 29,957 voters in the constituency exercised their franchise.

While Puducherry polled 81.3 per cent, Karaikal recorded 78.5 per cent, Mahe 67 per cent and Yanam region 84.8 per cent.

Eighteen contestants including former Speaker V Vaithilingam (Congress) and doctor turned politician K Narayanasamy (AINRC) were in the fray for the Lok Sabha poll.

The by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment involved a fight among eight contestants, including the AINRC candidate P Nedunchezian and DMK candidate K Venkatesan. 
&nbsp;

Puducherry registered 80.5 per cent polling in the election to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday. Chief Electoral officer V Candavelou told reporters it was only a tentative figure and percentage of polling might go up as polling was going in some booths.

Puducherry registered 80.5 per cent polling in the election to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday. Chief Electoral officer V Candavelou told reporters it was only a tentative figure and percentage of polling might go up as polling was going in some booths. He said of the 9.73 lakh voters spread over all the four regions of Puducherry Karaikal Mahe and Yanam, 7.84 lakh voters exercised their franchise. The official also said polling went off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. On the by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment, Candavelou said 76 per cent of the 29,957 voters in the constituency exercised their franchise. While Puducherry polled 81.3 per cent, Karaikal recorded 78.5 per cent, Mahe 67 per cent and Yanam region 84.8 per cent. Eighteen contestants including former Speaker V Vaithilingam (Congress) and doctor turned politician K Narayanasamy (AINRC) were in the fray for the Lok Sabha poll. The by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment involved a fight among eight contestants, including the AINRC candidate P Nedunchezian and DMK candidate K Venkatesan.

Lok Sabha polls: 80.5% polling registered in Puducherry; poll chief says figure tentative, may go up

Congress candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday campaigned for his wife Poonam Sinha in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Poonam Sinha, earlier in the day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-poonam-sinha-files-nomination-from-lucknow-in-presence-of-shatrughan-dimple-yadav-211500">filed her nomination from the constituency</a> in the presence of her husband and Samajwadi Party MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav.&nbsp;

Accompanied by his wife and SP leader Dimple Yadav during a road show, Shatrughan Sinha praised the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in the state.

"I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP's Mayawati and hard work of RLD's Ajit Singh," he said.

While praising SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sinha said, "Grand alliance has the power of youth with it and the example is Akhilesh Yadav, who is a youth icon not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country."

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Shatrughan Sinha, Congress on reported comments of Congress candidate from Lucknow, Pramod Krishnam that Sinha should not campaign for a candidate from an opposing party: It is my duty as the head of the family and a husband to support my family. <a href="https://t.co/3pW1nsCfrS">pic.twitter.com/3pW1nsCfrS</a>
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The Congress leader said, "I am here not only for SP and BSP but also for my wife, Poonam Sinha... The elections this time are being held to bring a change, it will be fought for a cause of development... the development of the city, state and country."&nbsp;

Shatrughan Sinha faced a backlash from Congress'&nbsp;Lucknow candidate for campaigning for Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family."&nbsp;

Krishnam had said that by campaigning for SP candidate and his wife Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha kept his virtue as a husband, he should now campaign for his party's candidate.&nbsp;

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Congress MP candidate for Lucknow,Pramod Krishnam: Shatrughan Sinha Ji ne yahan aa karke apna pati-dharm nibhaya hai, lekin mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/ivWJXcodW9">pic.twitter.com/ivWJXcodW9</a>
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"Mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein," Krishnam said.&nbsp;

Poonam Sinha is set to take on Congress' Krishnam and BJP leader and union minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.&nbsp;

Rebel BJP leader and Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on BJP leader and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar's Patna Sahib seat.&nbsp;

Congress candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday campaigned for his wife Poonam Sinha in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow.

Congress candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday campaigned for his wife Poonam Sinha in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Poonam Sinha, earlier in the day, filed her nomination from the constituency in the presence of her husband and Samajwadi Party MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav. Accompanied by his wife and SP leader Dimple Yadav during a road show, Shatrughan Sinha praised the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in the state. "I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP's Mayawati and hard work of RLD's Ajit Singh," he said. While praising SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sinha said, "Grand alliance has the power of youth with it and the example is Akhilesh Yadav, who is a youth icon not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country." Shatrughan Sinha, Congress on reported comments of Congress candidate from Lucknow, Pramod Krishnam that Sinha should not campaign for a candidate from an opposing party: It is my duty as the head of the family and a husband to support my family. pic.twitter.com/3pW1nsCfrS — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × The Congress leader said, "I am here not only for SP and BSP but also for my wife, Poonam Sinha... The elections this time are being held to bring a change, it will be fought for a cause of development... the development of the city, state and country." Shatrughan Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family." Krishnam had said that by campaigning for SP candidate and his wife Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha kept his virtue as a husband, he should now campaign for his party's candidate. Congress MP candidate for Lucknow,Pramod Krishnam: Shatrughan Sinha Ji ne yahan aa karke apna pati-dharm nibhaya hai, lekin mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein.#LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/ivWJXcodW9 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2019 × "Mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein," Krishnam said. Poonam Sinha is set to take on Congress' Krishnam and BJP leader and union minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. Rebel BJP leader and Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on BJP leader and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar's Patna Sahib seat.

It's my duty as head of family and a husband: Shatrughan Sinha on campaigning for wife Poonam Sinha in Lucknow 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this Lok Sabha polls will determine if "India will make rules or just follow them".

While addressing a rally in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, the prime minister added that "there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially the first-time voters".

PM Modi slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on his decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad constituency. He said, if Rahul Gandhi wanted to send out a strong message in the South, then why didn't he think of contesting from the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram?&nbsp;

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PM Narendra Modi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: These elections will determine if India will make rules or just follow them. So there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially first-time voters <a href="https://t.co/cgmHNKH3BK">pic.twitter.com/cgmHNKH3BK</a>
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"Congress' 'Naamdaar' says he his contesting from Wayanad because he wanted to send a message to South. Couldn't you contest from Trivandrum to give the message? It's the capital. It's not a message to South but a message of appeasement politics," the prime minister said.&nbsp;

"Congress president had to come to Wayanad here to secure his place in the Parliament. He says he won't speak a word against CPI(Marxist). Kerala mein kushti, aur Delhi mein dosti, yahi inka khel hai," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

Stepping up his attack on the Congress, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/division-of-communities-the-only-vision-of-congress-pm-modi-211236">Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday</a> said "division" of communities was its only "vision" and accused party chief Rahul Gandhi of labelling OBCs as "thieves".

Addressing a poll rally, PM Modi also accused the Congress of insulting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and said the situation in India would have been different had the latter been the country's first prime minister.

The Prime Minister also attacked the Congress for labelling the middle class as "selfish" and alleged it brought price rise whenever it was in power.

"Division of communities is the only vision of the Congress," Modi told the public meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this Lok Sabha polls will determine if "India will make rules or just follow them". While addressing a rally in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, the prime minister added that "there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially the first-time voters".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this Lok Sabha polls will determine if "India will make rules or just follow them". While addressing a rally in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, the prime minister added that "there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially the first-time voters". PM Modi slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on his decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad constituency. He said, if Rahul Gandhi wanted to send out a strong message in the South, then why didn't he think of contesting from the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram? PM Narendra Modi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: These elections will determine if India will make rules or just follow them. So there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially first-time voters pic.twitter.com/cgmHNKH3BK — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × "Congress' 'Naamdaar' says he his contesting from Wayanad because he wanted to send a message to South. Couldn't you contest from Trivandrum to give the message? It's the capital. It's not a message to South but a message of appeasement politics," the prime minister said. "Congress president had to come to Wayanad here to secure his place in the Parliament. He says he won't speak a word against CPI(Marxist). Kerala mein kushti, aur Delhi mein dosti, yahi inka khel hai," PM Modi said. Stepping up his attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said "division" of communities was its only "vision" and accused party chief Rahul Gandhi of labelling OBCs as "thieves". Addressing a poll rally, PM Modi also accused the Congress of insulting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and said the situation in India would have been different had the latter been the country's first prime minister. The Prime Minister also attacked the Congress for labelling the middle class as "selfish" and alleged it brought price rise whenever it was in power. "Division of communities is the only vision of the Congress," Modi told the public meeting.

This Lok Sabha election will determine if India will make rules or just follow them: PM Modi in Thiruvananthapuram

MNS chief Raj Thackeray Wednesday continued his diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, and appealed to people to ensure that they did not remain in power after the Lok Sabha election.

He was addressing a public rally in Satara.

"I had earlier said that last time, Maharashtra was incautious. However, I appeal to the people of the state to remain alert now as this election is very important since it will decide whether the country will move towards democracy or dictatorship," he said.

"If these people (Modi and Shah) come to power again, the lives of the people will be destroyed," he added.

"You will not be able to ask questions...Journalists will not be able to report the incidents that would take place before their eyes and if you feel that this situation should not arise, make sure that these people should remain out of the political horizon," Thackeray said.

Thackeray said that if these Modi and Shah remain at the helm of affairs, the country will collapse.

"Adolf Hitler is on their mind. Hitler used to work in a similar way...He also used to speak on the radio. Modiji, too, started speaking on the radio once a month...To push his ideology. Hitler made feature films, these people are also making feature films," he said.

He added that ahead of the election, they wanted to screen the biopic on Modi.

"It was said that the Election Commission took objection and stopped the screening. But the reality is that they themselves halted the screening fearing that no one will come and watch the movie," the MNS chief said.

Playing on the big screen Modi's statement - 'If farmers die, then it is an election issue, but when soldiers die then it is not an election issue?' - Thackeray said that looking at his recent statements regarding soldiers, there was a room for doubt whether the Pulwama attack was planned. 
He also accused Modi of taking political advantage of the soldiers' martyrdom.

Playing another video of the comments made by BJP-backed MLC, Prashant Paricharak, against the wives of soldiers, Thackeray said the legislator shared the dais with Modi during his rally in Akluj earlier in the day.&nbsp;

MNS chief Raj Thackeray Wednesday continued his diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, and appealed to people to ensure that they did not remain in power after the Lok Sabha election.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray Wednesday continued his diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, and appealed to people to ensure that they did not remain in power after the Lok Sabha election. He was addressing a public rally in Satara. "I had earlier said that last time, Maharashtra was incautious. However, I appeal to the people of the state to remain alert now as this election is very important since it will decide whether the country will move towards democracy or dictatorship," he said. "If these people (Modi and Shah) come to power again, the lives of the people will be destroyed," he added. "You will not be able to ask questions...Journalists will not be able to report the incidents that would take place before their eyes and if you feel that this situation should not arise, make sure that these people should remain out of the political horizon," Thackeray said. Thackeray said that if these Modi and Shah remain at the helm of affairs, the country will collapse. "Adolf Hitler is on their mind. Hitler used to work in a similar way...He also used to speak on the radio. Modiji, too, started speaking on the radio once a month...To push his ideology. Hitler made feature films, these people are also making feature films," he said. He added that ahead of the election, they wanted to screen the biopic on Modi. "It was said that the Election Commission took objection and stopped the screening. But the reality is that they themselves halted the screening fearing that no one will come and watch the movie," the MNS chief said. Playing on the big screen Modi's statement - 'If farmers die, then it is an election issue, but when soldiers die then it is not an election issue?' - Thackeray said that looking at his recent statements regarding soldiers, there was a room for doubt whether the Pulwama attack was planned. He also accused Modi of taking political advantage of the soldiers' martyrdom. Playing another video of the comments made by BJP-backed MLC, Prashant Paricharak, against the wives of soldiers, Thackeray said the legislator shared the dais with Modi during his rally in Akluj earlier in the day.

Raj Thackeray continues to slam Modi and Shah, asks voters to remove them

The Election Commission on Thursday stated that the total voter turnout in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-2-voting-on-april-18-211287">second phase of Lok Sabha polls</a> has been recorded at 66 per cent. Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told media about the total polling percentage today evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Moderate to high voter turnout was recorded in the 95 constituencies in 11 states and Puducherry that went to polls in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/general-elections-2019-voters-politicians-celebrities-queue-up-to-vote-in-second-phase-211518">second phase</a> of Lok Sabha elections which were marred by sporadic incidents of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tension-prevails-in-bengals-chopra-amidst-voting-raf-deployed-211424">violence in West Bengal</a> and Manipur and EVM glitches.

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.&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>States</td>
			<td>Final polling% figure released by EC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Assam</td>
			<td>76.22%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bihar</td>
			<td>62.38%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Jammu and Kashmir</td>
			<td>45.5%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Karnataka</td>
			<td>67.67%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Maharashtra</td>
			<td>61.22%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Manipur</td>
			<td>67.15%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Odisha</td>
			<td>57.97%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tamil Nadu</td>
			<td>66.36%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Uttar Pradesh</td>
			<td>66.06%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>West Bengal</td>
			<td>76.42%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chhattisgarh</td>
			<td>71.40%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Puducherry</td>
			<td>76.19%</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Till 7 pm on Thursday, as per the official EC data, the total voter turnout stood at around 64 per cent with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-violence-mars-polling-at-raiganj-chopra-211421">West Bengal</a> registering the highest turnout at 76 per cent despite incidents of violence in many areas.&nbsp;

Technical glitches relating to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines held up polling in the morning in several <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/political-heavyweights-in-tamil-nadu-cast-their-vote-as-polling-begins-211319">constituencies across Tamil Nadu</a> till the machines were changed.

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told reporters that 384 faulty EVMs and 692 faulty VVPAT machines were replaced across the state and after that, polling went on smoothly. Voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 63.90 per cent.&nbsp;

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Voter turnout in 2nd phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a>: 
Assam-76.22% 
Bihar-62.38% 
Jammu and Kashmir-45.5% 
Karnataka-67.67% 
Maharashtra-61.22% 
Manipur-67.15% 
Odisha-57.97% 
Tamil Nadu-66.36% 
Uttar Pradesh-66.06% 
West Bengal-76.42% 
Chhattisgarh-71.40% 
Puducherry-76.19% <a href="https://t.co/CfhR6VJuF0">pic.twitter.com/CfhR6VJuF0</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118894801984872448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In Odisha, the chief electoral officer recommended re-polling in booth 213 in Sundergarh, booth 129 in Bonai, and booths 210 &amp; 222 in Daspalla assembly constituency due to technical problems in EVM machines and VVPATs. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 57.81.&nbsp;

Puducherry saw a high voter turnout of 78 per cent while in Manipur, the polling percentage was nearly 75, sources in the election office said. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, which in 2014 witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the country at 25.86 per cent, saw 12.43 per cent polling, with highest 17.1 per cent recorded in Shia-dominated Budgam district till 3 pm. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 44.60 per cent.&nbsp;

No untoward incident was reported during polling which was being held amid tight security due to militant threats and a boycott call by separatists in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Besides Tamil Nadu, the polling was conducted in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-107-year-old-padma-shri-awardee-defies-odds-and-sets-example-casts-vote-from-bangalore-rural-211541">14 seats in Karnataka</a>, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry besides 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha.&nbsp;

Till 7 pm the total voter turnout for Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh stood at 75.85 per cent, 63.01 per cent, 66.69 per cent, 59.64 per cent, 76.15 per cent, 61.94 per cent and 70.94 per cent respectively. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madras-high-court-upholds-election-commissions-decision-to-cancel-vellore-lok-sabha-polls-211196">Polling in Tamil Nadu's Vellore seat was cancelled</a> on Tuesday by the Election Commission following the recovery of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Thursday stated that the total voter turnout in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls has been recorded at 66 per cent. Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told media about the total polling percentage today evening.

The Election Commission on Thursday stated that the total voter turnout in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls has been recorded at 66 per cent. Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told media about the total polling percentage today evening. Moderate to high voter turnout was recorded in the 95 constituencies in 11 states and Puducherry that went to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections which were marred by sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal and Manipur and EVM glitches. 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. States Final polling% figure released by EC Assam 76.22% Bihar 62.38% Jammu and Kashmir 45.5% Karnataka 67.67% Maharashtra 61.22% Manipur 67.15% Odisha 57.97% Tamil Nadu 66.36% Uttar Pradesh 66.06% West Bengal 76.42% Chhattisgarh 71.40% Puducherry 76.19% Till 7 pm on Thursday, as per the official EC data, the total voter turnout stood at around 64 per cent with West Bengal registering the highest turnout at 76 per cent despite incidents of violence in many areas. Technical glitches relating to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines held up polling in the morning in several constituencies across Tamil Nadu till the machines were changed. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told reporters that 384 faulty EVMs and 692 faulty VVPAT machines were replaced across the state and after that, polling went on smoothly. Voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 63.90 per cent. Voter turnout in 2nd phase of #LokSabhaElections2019: Assam-76.22% Bihar-62.38% Jammu and Kashmir-45.5% Karnataka-67.67% Maharashtra-61.22% Manipur-67.15% Odisha-57.97% Tamil Nadu-66.36% Uttar Pradesh-66.06% West Bengal-76.42% Chhattisgarh-71.40% Puducherry-76.19% pic.twitter.com/CfhR6VJuF0 — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × In Odisha, the chief electoral officer recommended re-polling in booth 213 in Sundergarh, booth 129 in Bonai, and booths 210 & 222 in Daspalla assembly constituency due to technical problems in EVM machines and VVPATs. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 57.81. Puducherry saw a high voter turnout of 78 per cent while in Manipur, the polling percentage was nearly 75, sources in the election office said. Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, which in 2014 witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the country at 25.86 per cent, saw 12.43 per cent polling, with highest 17.1 per cent recorded in Shia-dominated Budgam district till 3 pm. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 44.60 per cent. No untoward incident was reported during polling which was being held amid tight security due to militant threats and a boycott call by separatists in Kashmir. Besides Tamil Nadu, the polling was conducted in 14 seats in Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry besides 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha. Till 7 pm the total voter turnout for Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh stood at 75.85 per cent, 63.01 per cent, 66.69 per cent, 59.64 per cent, 76.15 per cent, 61.94 per cent and 70.94 per cent respectively. Polling in Tamil Nadu's Vellore seat was cancelled on Tuesday by the Election Commission following the recovery of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (With inputs from agencies)

Voter turnout in second phase of Lok Sabha polls recorded at 66%: Election Commission 

Known as a soft and suave kind of politician, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday came down heavily on the BJP dubbing it "anti-poor" and cautioning the saffron party that its "jumla" will not work in Odisha.

Patnaik said this at election meetings in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts where polling to be held in third and fourth phase on April 23 and April 19 respectively.

"BJP government is anti-poor. It suddenly realised that poor people need to be given cheap rations only three days ago. The realisation came after the BJP understood that it is facing defeat in the first phase of polls in Odisha," Patnaik claimed.

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the party if voted to power in the state, will provide 5 kg of rice, half a kg of pulse and half a kg of salt at Re 1 to the poor people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Sambalpur in Odisha Tuesday also referred to this promise.

Seeking a reply from the BJP as to why it did not announce such provisions during the last five years, Patnaik said, "This Jumlawaji (propaganda) will not work in Odisha. The BJP's announcement of sops for the poor during polls clearly exposed its intentions."

Patnaik also lambasted the BJP for putting the common people in trouble by implementing demonetisation and GST, raising the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

"The poor people become poorer due to demonetisation while small traders suffered a lot due to GST," he said.

Patnaik said the BJD government is committed to the poor farmers and is providing financial support to them under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.

Accusing the BJP of conspiring to stop KALIA scheme, the chief minister said as soon as a new government is formed in the state, farmers will be given Rs 10,000 each at one go.

He also alleged that the BJP led central government has stopped scholarships of Scheduled Caste students and allowances of nearly 20 lakh BPL people in Odisha.&nbsp;

Known as a soft and suave kind of politician, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday came down heavily on the BJP dubbing it "anti-poor" and cautioning the saffron party that its "jumla" will not work in Odisha.

Known as a soft and suave kind of politician, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday came down heavily on the BJP dubbing it "anti-poor" and cautioning the saffron party that its "jumla" will not work in Odisha. Patnaik said this at election meetings in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts where polling to be held in third and fourth phase on April 23 and April 19 respectively. "BJP government is anti-poor. It suddenly realised that poor people need to be given cheap rations only three days ago. The realisation came after the BJP understood that it is facing defeat in the first phase of polls in Odisha," Patnaik claimed. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the party if voted to power in the state, will provide 5 kg of rice, half a kg of pulse and half a kg of salt at Re 1 to the poor people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Sambalpur in Odisha Tuesday also referred to this promise. Seeking a reply from the BJP as to why it did not announce such provisions during the last five years, Patnaik said, "This Jumlawaji (propaganda) will not work in Odisha. The BJP's announcement of sops for the poor during polls clearly exposed its intentions." Patnaik also lambasted the BJP for putting the common people in trouble by implementing demonetisation and GST, raising the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas. "The poor people become poorer due to demonetisation while small traders suffered a lot due to GST," he said. Patnaik said the BJD government is committed to the poor farmers and is providing financial support to them under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme. Accusing the BJP of conspiring to stop KALIA scheme, the chief minister said as soon as a new government is formed in the state, farmers will be given Rs 10,000 each at one go. He also alleged that the BJP led central government has stopped scholarships of Scheduled Caste students and allowances of nearly 20 lakh BPL people in Odisha.

BJP announces sops for poor after realising defeat: Patnaik

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-2-voting-on-april-18-211287">Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: Voting underway in 95 constituencies in the second phase</a>

Voting on ninety-five Lok Sabha seats across 11 states is underway in the second phase of the 2019 general elections.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-oversees-new-guided-weapon-test-state-media-211283">North Korea's Kim oversees new 'guided weapon' test: State media</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised the test-firing of a new type of "tactical guided weapon," the country's state media reported on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-ruling-coalition-leads-in-unofficial-count-of-parliamentary-vote-pollster-211284">President Joko Widodo's ruling coalition on course to victory in Indonesia</a>

Indonesia's ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/29-german-tourists-killed-in-madeira-bus-crash-211300">29 German tourists killed in Portuguese island bus crash</a>

Twenty-nine German tourists were killed when their bus spun off the road and tumbled down a slope before crashing into a house on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/redacted-mueller-report-to-be-issued-by-us-attorney-general-today-211317">Redacted Mueller report to be issued by US attorney general today</a>

Attorney General William Barr plans on Thursday morning to release a redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election and contacts between Moscow and President Donald Trump's campaign, the Justice Department said on Monday.

Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: Voting underway in 95 constituencies in the second phase Voting on ninety-five Lok Sabha seats across 11 states is underway in the second phase of the 2019 general elections.

Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: Voting underway in 95 constituencies in the second phase Voting on ninety-five Lok Sabha seats across 11 states is underway in the second phase of the 2019 general elections. North Korea's Kim oversees new 'guided weapon' test: State media North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised the test-firing of a new type of "tactical guided weapon," the country's state media reported on Thursday. President Joko Widodo's ruling coalition on course to victory in Indonesia Indonesia's ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said. 29 German tourists killed in Portuguese island bus crash Twenty-nine German tourists were killed when their bus spun off the road and tumbled down a slope before crashing into a house on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Redacted Mueller report to be issued by US attorney general today Attorney General William Barr plans on Thursday morning to release a redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election and contacts between Moscow and President Donald Trump's campaign, the Justice Department said on Monday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Political heavyweights including actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram,&nbsp;Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan,&nbsp;Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and&nbsp;Kiran Bedi&nbsp;among others cast their votes minutes after polling began in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Thursday.

Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan and his daughter Shruti Haasan cast their votes at Alwarpet Corporation School in Chennai to cast their votes while Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy cast his vote at a polling station in Edappadi, Selam.

Kiran Bedi, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, exercised her franchise at a polling station in Puducherry.&nbsp;

Rajinikanth cast his vote at the polling station in Stella Maris College, in Chennai Central parliamentary constituency while P Chidambaram exercised his franchise a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.&nbsp;

Nalini Chidambaram, Karti Chidambaram and his wife Srinidi Rangarajan also cast their vote at the same polling station in Karaikudi.&nbsp;

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Tamil Nadu: Actor turned politician Rajinikanth casts his vote at the polling station in Stella Maris College, in Chennai Central parliamentary constituency. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/NfD3llN4J1">pic.twitter.com/NfD3llN4J1</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118692991978352646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Polling began Thursday morning for 95 Lok Sabha seats spread across 11 states and the union territory of Puducherry with Tamil Nadu witnessing contest in 38 constituencies.

Voting was also underway in 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha and in 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu.

Prominent faces in the fray in the Lok Sabha contest are Union ministers Jitendra Singh, Jual Oram, Sadananda Gowda and Pon Radhakrishnan; former prime minister H D Deve Gowda; DMK's Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and Kanimozhi; Congress leaders Verappa Moily and Raj Babbar; National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and BJP's Hema Malini.

Over 15.80 crore voters will decide the fate of the 1,600-odd contestants. 
In Tamil Nadu, polling is being held in 38 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats. Polling in Vellore Lok Sabha seat was cancelled Tuesday by the Election Commission following the recovery of a huge amount of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently.

The EC also announced postponement of polling in Tripura (East) Lok Sabha seat to the third phase on April 23, saying the prevailing law-and-order situation there is not conducive for holding free and fair polls.

Besides Tamil Nadu, polling is being held in 14 seats in Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Political heavyweights including actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram, Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and Kiran Bedi among others cast their votes minutes after polling began in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Thursday.

Political heavyweights including actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram, Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and Kiran Bedi among others cast their votes minutes after polling began in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Thursday. Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan and his daughter Shruti Haasan cast their votes at Alwarpet Corporation School in Chennai to cast their votes while Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy cast his vote at a polling station in Edappadi, Selam. Kiran Bedi, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, exercised her franchise at a polling station in Puducherry. Rajinikanth cast his vote at the polling station in Stella Maris College, in Chennai Central parliamentary constituency while P Chidambaram exercised his franchise a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga. Nalini Chidambaram, Karti Chidambaram and his wife Srinidi Rangarajan also cast their vote at the same polling station in Karaikudi. Tamil Nadu: Actor turned politician Rajinikanth casts his vote at the polling station in Stella Maris College, in Chennai Central parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/NfD3llN4J1 — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × Polling began Thursday morning for 95 Lok Sabha seats spread across 11 states and the union territory of Puducherry with Tamil Nadu witnessing contest in 38 constituencies. Voting was also underway in 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha and in 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. Prominent faces in the fray in the Lok Sabha contest are Union ministers Jitendra Singh, Jual Oram, Sadananda Gowda and Pon Radhakrishnan; former prime minister H D Deve Gowda; DMK's Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja and Kanimozhi; Congress leaders Verappa Moily and Raj Babbar; National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and BJP's Hema Malini. Over 15.80 crore voters will decide the fate of the 1,600-odd contestants. In Tamil Nadu, polling is being held in 38 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats. Polling in Vellore Lok Sabha seat was cancelled Tuesday by the Election Commission following the recovery of a huge amount of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently. The EC also announced postponement of polling in Tripura (East) Lok Sabha seat to the third phase on April 23, saying the prevailing law-and-order situation there is not conducive for holding free and fair polls. Besides Tamil Nadu, polling is being held in 14 seats in Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry. (With inputs from PTI)

Political heavyweights in Tamil Nadu cast their votes as polling begins 

As Karnataka goes to polls some interesting battles are being witnessed in some of the 14 parliamentary constituencies.&nbsp;

Mandya

One constituency that has been making a lot of noise is Mandya which is witnessing a battle between two political greenhorns - Chief Minister's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh's wife Sumalatha.&nbsp;

While Nikhil is attempting to sail on the strength of his JD(S) cadres and MLAs from the region, Sumalatha, an actor herself, is using star power to gather crowds. Not to mention the disgruntled Congress workers who have vocally supported Sumalatha over Nikhil. A loss here will be a huge loss for Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy

Bangalore South

Bangalore South is seeing BJP's 28-yr-old Tejasvi Surya take on veteran Congress leader BK Hariprasad. The constituency was previously held by late Union Minister Ananth Kumar.&nbsp;

Bangalore North&nbsp;

Foreign-educated state minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-phase-polls-it-is-gowda-vs-gowda-in-bangalore-north-210690">Krishna Byre Gowda is using anti-incumbency to target Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda</a> in Bangalore North.&nbsp;

While Byre Gowda is a sitting MLA from the area, Sadananda Gowda is seeking a second term. The contest is believed to be a close one between the two leaders.&nbsp;

Tumkur

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Devegowda is probably facing his toughest elections yet in Tumkur as he takes on BJP's Basavaraj, a Lingayat.&nbsp;

While Deve Gowda is banking on caste equations, the leader moving to Tumkur only to let his grandson have Hassan has been a thorny issue. Gowda has also been accused of deliberately denying water from the Hemavati river to Tumkur while he was the Hassan MP.&nbsp;

Chikkaballapur

Chikkaballapur sees veteran Congress leader M Veerappa Moily take on Vokkaliga leader Bachche Gowda of the BJP. In 2014 the constituency had witnessed a three-cornered contest between Moily, Kumaraswamy and Bachce Gowda that saw the Vokkaliga votes split between the JD(S) and BJP, but that is not the case this time. Can Moily sail through after having a sliver of a margin of 10,000 votes in 2014?&nbsp;

As Karnataka goes to polls some interesting battles are being witnessed in some of the 14 parliamentary constituencies. Mandya One constituency that has been making a lot of noise is Mandya which is witnessing a battle between two political greenhorns - Chief Minister's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh's wife Sumalatha.

As Karnataka goes to polls some interesting battles are being witnessed in some of the 14 parliamentary constituencies. Mandya One constituency that has been making a lot of noise is Mandya which is witnessing a battle between two political greenhorns - Chief Minister's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh's wife Sumalatha. While Nikhil is attempting to sail on the strength of his JD(S) cadres and MLAs from the region, Sumalatha, an actor herself, is using star power to gather crowds. Not to mention the disgruntled Congress workers who have vocally supported Sumalatha over Nikhil. A loss here will be a huge loss for Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Bangalore South Bangalore South is seeing BJP's 28-yr-old Tejasvi Surya take on veteran Congress leader BK Hariprasad. The constituency was previously held by late Union Minister Ananth Kumar. Bangalore North Foreign-educated state minister Krishna Byre Gowda is using anti-incumbency to target Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda in Bangalore North. While Byre Gowda is a sitting MLA from the area, Sadananda Gowda is seeking a second term. The contest is believed to be a close one between the two leaders. Tumkur Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Devegowda is probably facing his toughest elections yet in Tumkur as he takes on BJP's Basavaraj, a Lingayat. While Deve Gowda is banking on caste equations, the leader moving to Tumkur only to let his grandson have Hassan has been a thorny issue. Gowda has also been accused of deliberately denying water from the Hemavati river to Tumkur while he was the Hassan MP. Chikkaballapur Chikkaballapur sees veteran Congress leader M Veerappa Moily take on Vokkaliga leader Bachche Gowda of the BJP. In 2014 the constituency had witnessed a three-cornered contest between Moily, Kumaraswamy and Bachce Gowda that saw the Vokkaliga votes split between the JD(S) and BJP, but that is not the case this time. Can Moily sail through after having a sliver of a margin of 10,000 votes in 2014?

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Karnataka to witness neck and neck contests

In a blow to Pakistan, India on Thursday called off&nbsp;trade between J&amp;K and POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) along the line of control(LoC).

The ministry of home affairs letter, procured by WION and dated April 18, 2019, said the trade is being misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency and called for a "stricter regulatory regime".

"The LoC mechanism is, therefore, being suspended pending the putting into place a stricter regulatory regime," the letter read.&nbsp;

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India suspends LoCs trade; Says its being misused by the Pakistan based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics &amp; fake currency <a href="https://t.co/7DDguQ7tKT">pic.twitter.com/7DDguQ7tKT</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1118860181847379968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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This is to ensure that only bonafide trade takes place, for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through this mechanism," the letter added.

Further, MHA sources said "the main objective of allowing trade between J&amp;K and POK, was to encourage local trade and exchange of locally made and grown products."&nbsp;

Sources added that the&nbsp;facility was being misused by some influential local businessmen in nexus with unscrupulous elements to trade in products from third countries. Hence, the government has suspended the trade at Salamabad and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir.

The trade is allowed through two Trade Facilitation Centres located at Salamabad, Uri, District Baramulla and Chakkan-da-Bagh, District Poonch. The trade which takes place four days a week is based on the barter system and zero duty basis.

In an ongoing investigation by the National investigation agency (NIA), MHA said, "persons closely associated with banned terrorist organizations involved in fuelling terrorism/separatism" have been involved in the trade.

MHA said, some individuals, who have crossed over to Pakistan, and joined militant organizations have opened trading firms in Pakistan and these trading firms are engaged in the LoC trade.

Meanwhile, sources also said that a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism was&nbsp;being worked out. The issue of reopening of cross-border&nbsp;trade would be&nbsp;revisited thereafter.

The cross LoC trade was started in 2008 as part of Confidence Building Measures by India and Pakistan for trade between Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for 21 agreed items on the barter system, on zero duty basis, through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch- Rawalakote routes.

Initially, the trade was allowed for 2 days per week but later, upon an increase in the volume of trade, trading days was increased to 4 days per week. 
&nbsp;

In a blow to Pakistan, India on Thursday called off trade between J&K and POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) along the line of control(LoC). The ministry of home affairs letter, procured by WION and dated April 18, 2019, said the trade is being misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency and called for a "stricter regulatory regime".

In a blow to Pakistan, India on Thursday called off trade between J&K and POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) along the line of control(LoC). The ministry of home affairs letter, procured by WION and dated April 18, 2019, said the trade is being misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency and called for a "stricter regulatory regime". "The LoC mechanism is, therefore, being suspended pending the putting into place a stricter regulatory regime," the letter read. India suspends LoCs trade; Says its being misused by the Pakistan based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics & fake currency pic.twitter.com/7DDguQ7tKT — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 18, 2019 × This is to ensure that only bonafide trade takes place, for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through this mechanism," the letter added. Further, MHA sources said "the main objective of allowing trade between J&K and POK, was to encourage local trade and exchange of locally made and grown products." Sources added that the facility was being misused by some influential local businessmen in nexus with unscrupulous elements to trade in products from third countries. Hence, the government has suspended the trade at Salamabad and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir. The trade is allowed through two Trade Facilitation Centres located at Salamabad, Uri, District Baramulla and Chakkan-da-Bagh, District Poonch. The trade which takes place four days a week is based on the barter system and zero duty basis. In an ongoing investigation by the National investigation agency (NIA), MHA said, "persons closely associated with banned terrorist organizations involved in fuelling terrorism/separatism" have been involved in the trade. MHA said, some individuals, who have crossed over to Pakistan, and joined militant organizations have opened trading firms in Pakistan and these trading firms are engaged in the LoC trade. Meanwhile, sources also said that a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism was being worked out. The issue of reopening of cross-border trade would be revisited thereafter. The cross LoC trade was started in 2008 as part of Confidence Building Measures by India and Pakistan for trade between Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for 21 agreed items on the barter system, on zero duty basis, through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch- Rawalakote routes. Initially, the trade was allowed for 2 days per week but later, upon an increase in the volume of trade, trading days was increased to 4 days per week.

Government of India suspends LoC trade with Pakistan, says route being misused

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-2-voting-on-april-18-211287">Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: EVM glitches delay voting in Tamil Nadu, 61% turnout recorded till 6 pm</a>

West Bengal went to polls braving violence.

Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few place in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal with 76 per cent of voter turnout till 6pm on Thursday, officials said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-of-india-suspends-loc-trade-with-pakistan-says-route-being-misused-211563">Government of India suspends LoC trade with Pakistan, says route being misused</a>

In a blow to Pakistan, India on Thursday called off trade between J&amp;K and POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) along the line of control(LoC).

The ministry of home affairs letter, procured by WION and dated April 18, 2019, said the trade is being misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency and called for a "stricter regulatory regime".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/another-bangladeshi-actor-asked-to-leave-india-for-participating-in-political-rally-in-west-bengal-mha-211516">Another Bangladeshi actor asked to leave India for participating in political rally in West Bengal: MHA</a>

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday.&nbsp;

As per reports, Noor attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal. His visa had also expired.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/local-insurgent-group-claims-responsibility-for-balochistan-bus-attack-211475">Local insurgent group claims responsibility for Balochistan bus attack</a>

A Baluch insurgent group on Thursday claimed responsibility for killing 14 people in southwest Pakistan, it said in a statement emailed to reporters and newspaper offices.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-to-meet-putin-in-russia-in-late-april-211539">North Korea's Kim to meet Putin in Russia in late April</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in late April for his first meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Moscow said Thursday.

"Following an invitation from Vladimir Putin... Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in the second half of April," the Kremlin said in a statement on its website.

Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: EVM glitches delay voting in Tamil Nadu, 61% turnout recorded till 6 pm West Bengal went to polls braving violence. Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few place in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal with 76 per cent of voter turnout till 6pm on Thursday, officials said.

Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: EVM glitches delay voting in Tamil Nadu, 61% turnout recorded till 6 pm West Bengal went to polls braving violence. Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few place in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal with 76 per cent of voter turnout till 6pm on Thursday, officials said. Government of India suspends LoC trade with Pakistan, says route being misused In a blow to Pakistan, India on Thursday called off trade between J&K and POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) along the line of control(LoC). The ministry of home affairs letter, procured by WION and dated April 18, 2019, said the trade is being misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency and called for a "stricter regulatory regime". Another Bangladeshi actor asked to leave India for participating in political rally in West Bengal: MHA The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday. As per reports, Noor attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal. His visa had also expired. Local insurgent group claims responsibility for Balochistan bus attack A Baluch insurgent group on Thursday claimed responsibility for killing 14 people in southwest Pakistan, it said in a statement emailed to reporters and newspaper offices. North Korea's Kim to meet Putin in Russia in late April North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in late April for his first meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Moscow said Thursday. "Following an invitation from Vladimir Putin... Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in the second half of April," the Kremlin said in a statement on its website.

BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav on Thursday said that there can be no better BJP candidate to fight Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal other than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pragya-singh-joins-bjp-says-would-like-to-contest-from-bhopal-211153">Pragya Thakur</a>.&nbsp;

"The decision is taken by Madhya Pradesh unit. She is probably right challenger for a person like Digvijay Singh who is largely responsible for propagating the dubious and mischievous idea of Hindu terror in this country. He needed a proper challenger," Madhav told media.&nbsp;

The BJP leader added that the party cannot be questioned "on the constitutional validity of putting up a candidate who has just allegations against her," ANI reported.&nbsp;

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Ram Madhav, BJP on Pragya Thakur: The decision is taken by Madhya Pradesh unit. She is probably right challenger for a person like Digvijay Singh who is largely responsible for propagating dubious &amp; mischievous idea of Hindu terror in this country. He needed a proper challenger <a href="https://t.co/zwdGAj2EqO">https://t.co/zwdGAj2EqO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118855251413671936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is facing trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, joined the BJP on Wednesday. Later in the day her name emerged in the party's list of candidates - Thakur has been fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat.

"I will contest the election from Bhopal and win. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is with me," Thakur said, speaking after emerging out of the BJP office.

Thakur had recently said she was ready for a "Dharm Yudh".

"I am ready to take on Digvijay Singh if the sanghatan (organisation, apparently referring to the BJP) asks me to do so," Thakur had told PTI last month.

Born in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, Thakur has had a long association with the Sangh parivar.

Arrested in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, she was given a clean chit by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), but the trial court refused to discharge her from the case.

BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav on Thursday said that there can be no better BJP candidate to fight Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal other than Pragya Thakur.

BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav on Thursday said that there can be no better BJP candidate to fight Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal other than Pragya Thakur. "The decision is taken by Madhya Pradesh unit. She is probably right challenger for a person like Digvijay Singh who is largely responsible for propagating the dubious and mischievous idea of Hindu terror in this country. He needed a proper challenger," Madhav told media. The BJP leader added that the party cannot be questioned "on the constitutional validity of putting up a candidate who has just allegations against her," ANI reported. Ram Madhav, BJP on Pragya Thakur: The decision is taken by Madhya Pradesh unit. She is probably right challenger for a person like Digvijay Singh who is largely responsible for propagating dubious & mischievous idea of Hindu terror in this country. He needed a proper challenger https://t.co/zwdGAj2EqO — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is facing trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, joined the BJP on Wednesday. Later in the day her name emerged in the party's list of candidates - Thakur has been fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. "I will contest the election from Bhopal and win. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is with me," Thakur said, speaking after emerging out of the BJP office. Thakur had recently said she was ready for a "Dharm Yudh". "I am ready to take on Digvijay Singh if the sanghatan (organisation, apparently referring to the BJP) asks me to do so," Thakur had told PTI last month. Born in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, Thakur has had a long association with the Sangh parivar. Arrested in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, she was given a clean chit by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), but the trial court refused to discharge her from the case.

Digvijaya Singh needed proper challenger: BJP's Ram Madhav on Pragya Thakur

107-year-old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka set&nbsp;examples for crores of Indians today as she walked out of the polling booth at the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency after casting her vote.&nbsp;

Thimmakka is one of the oldest citizens in the country today to have exercised her voting rights in the fight to elect the next leader of the world's largest democracy.&nbsp;

Fondly known as Aalada Marada, Thmimakka is an Indian environmentalist who hails from Karnataka and is known to have initiated a plantation drive wherein a whopping 385 banyan trees were planted along a four-kilometre highway stretch between Hulikal and Kudur.

Thimmakka is known to have taken to planting trees almost 60 decades ago when she nearly lost heart for not being able to bear a child.&nbsp;She, along with her husband, took to serving mother earth by planting trees.&nbsp;

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Karnataka: 107-year-old Padma awardee, Saalumarada Thimmakka casts her vote for the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/e7dJJgI2bO">pic.twitter.com/e7dJJgI2bO</a>
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She has also planted nearly 8000 other trees. The Government of India honoured her selfless work with Padma Shri this year. A video of her blessing President Ram Nath Kovind while accepting her Padma award went viral earlier this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As many as 14 parliamentary constituencies, out of Karnataka's total 28 seats, have gone to polls today in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-karnataka-to-witness-neck-to-neck-contests-211263">second phase of the Lok Sabha polls</a>. These include Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkaballapur and Kolar.&nbsp;

By 5pm, Karnataka recorded 58% voter turnout.&nbsp;

107-year-old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka set examples for crores of Indians today as she walked out of the polling booth at the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency after casting her vote.

107-year-old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka set examples for crores of Indians today as she walked out of the polling booth at the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency after casting her vote. Thimmakka is one of the oldest citizens in the country today to have exercised her voting rights in the fight to elect the next leader of the world's largest democracy. Fondly known as Aalada Marada, Thmimakka is an Indian environmentalist who hails from Karnataka and is known to have initiated a plantation drive wherein a whopping 385 banyan trees were planted along a four-kilometre highway stretch between Hulikal and Kudur. Thimmakka is known to have taken to planting trees almost 60 decades ago when she nearly lost heart for not being able to bear a child. She, along with her husband, took to serving mother earth by planting trees. Karnataka: 107-year-old Padma awardee, Saalumarada Thimmakka casts her vote for the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/e7dJJgI2bO — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × She has also planted nearly 8000 other trees. The Government of India honoured her selfless work with Padma Shri this year. A video of her blessing President Ram Nath Kovind while accepting her Padma award went viral earlier this year. As many as 14 parliamentary constituencies, out of Karnataka's total 28 seats, have gone to polls today in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls. These include Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkaballapur and Kolar. By 5pm, Karnataka recorded 58% voter turnout.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 107-year-old Padma Shri awardee sets example, casts vote from Bangalore Rural 

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed plea of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, who had sought seven-day interim bail to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vvip-chopper-case-christian-michel-seeks-bail-to-celebrate-easter-210947">celebrate Easter with his family</a>.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar refused to grant the relief to Michel.

Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, appearing for the CBI and the ED, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-asks-tihar-authorities-for-christian-michels-prison-footage-203710">opposed Michel's plea</a> saying that India is a country of many festivals and thousands of prisoners have faith in various religions.

The accused, therefore, can't be allowed to go out of jail to celebrate festivals.

Singh said Michel can participate in Easter in custody.

He further argued that if Michel comes out on interim bail and makes some statement relating to the case, it would derail investigation.

Michel's lawyer argued that since the chargesheet has been filed, there is no point of tampering evidence. He said the accused is cooperating in the case.

"Being a Christian, he was not even allowed to offer a holy mass even during Christmas...," said the application moved by the accused.

"It is submitted that the week commencing form 14th April to 21st April is a holy week for Christians and 21st April is Easter which will be celebrated universally. The petitioner wishes to attend the holy mass on Easter day and would like to make offerings during the Easter day," Michel has said in his plea.

The Enforcement Directorate filed a supplementary chargesheet against Michel and others on April 4. He was arrested by ED on December 22 after his extradition from Dubai.

He is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the chopper scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa are the two others.

The agency had told the court that Michel made 24.25 million euros and 1,60,96,245 pounds from the AgustaWestland deal.

ED has told the court that it identified Michel's properties purchased with proceeds of the crime.

CBI has alleged that the deal signed in February 2010 to supply VVIP choppers, worth 556.262 million euros, caused an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore).

On January 1, 2014, India scrapped the contract with Italy-based Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of paying kickbacks.

The CBI on September 1, 2017, had filed a charge sheet in the case in which Michel was named as one of the accused. 
&nbsp;

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed plea of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, who had sought seven-day interim bail to celebrate Easter with his family.

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed plea of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, who had sought seven-day interim bail to celebrate Easter with his family. Special Judge Arvind Kumar refused to grant the relief to Michel. Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, appearing for the CBI and the ED, opposed Michel's plea saying that India is a country of many festivals and thousands of prisoners have faith in various religions. The accused, therefore, can't be allowed to go out of jail to celebrate festivals. Singh said Michel can participate in Easter in custody. He further argued that if Michel comes out on interim bail and makes some statement relating to the case, it would derail investigation. Michel's lawyer argued that since the chargesheet has been filed, there is no point of tampering evidence. He said the accused is cooperating in the case. "Being a Christian, he was not even allowed to offer a holy mass even during Christmas...," said the application moved by the accused. "It is submitted that the week commencing form 14th April to 21st April is a holy week for Christians and 21st April is Easter which will be celebrated universally. The petitioner wishes to attend the holy mass on Easter day and would like to make offerings during the Easter day," Michel has said in his plea. The Enforcement Directorate filed a supplementary chargesheet against Michel and others on April 4. He was arrested by ED on December 22 after his extradition from Dubai. He is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the chopper scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa are the two others. The agency had told the court that Michel made 24.25 million euros and 1,60,96,245 pounds from the AgustaWestland deal. ED has told the court that it identified Michel's properties purchased with proceeds of the crime. CBI has alleged that the deal signed in February 2010 to supply VVIP choppers, worth 556.262 million euros, caused an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore). On January 1, 2014, India scrapped the contract with Italy-based Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of paying kickbacks. The CBI on September 1, 2017, had filed a charge sheet in the case in which Michel was named as one of the accused.

AgustaWestland chopper scam: Court dismisses Christian Michel's plea for bail to celebrate Easter

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai on Thursday reacted over the collapse of an alliance with Congress in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Rai stated that AAP had made one last effort but can't understand why Congress stepped back.

"We had made one last effort, Sanjay Singh ji held talks, but can't understand that after almost finalizing the matter and seat sharing why the Congress stepped back last evening," Rai told media today.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha alliance between Aam Aadmi Party and Congress party in Delhi <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alliance-with-congress-in-delhi-has-been-called-off-aap-leader-sanjay-singh-211214">was called off on Wednesday</a>, AAP leader Sanjay Singh told media.&nbsp;

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Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai on alliance with Congress: We had made one last effort, Sanjay Singh ji held talks, but can't understand that after almost finalizing the matter and seat sharing why the Congress stepped back last evening <a href="https://t.co/Q2crRUW0Wo">pic.twitter.com/Q2crRUW0Wo</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118826114246422529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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As per reports, the alliance was called-off following a disagreement over tie-up in Haryana and Delhi, news agency PTI reported quoting Singh.&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have lately been in a flip-flop over the much-anticipated alliance in Delhi for Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

The Congress Tuesday asserted that it has shown a "big heart" by agreeing to form an alliance with the AAP in Delhi and said the ball is now in the court of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to take a decision.

A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal indulged in a public spat over the issue, the grand old party said it has already offered AAP four seats in the national capital and now the decision has to be taken by it.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday reacted over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's remark wherein he accuses Kejriwal of taking a U-turns on an alliance in Delhi.

"What U-turn?" tweets Kejriwal adding that talks are still going on.&nbsp;

"Your tweet exhibits that you are not interested in an alliance, I am sad that you are indulging in just giving out statements," Kejriwal's tweet read.&nbsp;

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai on Thursday reacted over the collapse of an alliance with Congress in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls. Rai stated that AAP had made one last effort but can't understand why Congress stepped back.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai on Thursday reacted over the collapse of an alliance with Congress in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls. Rai stated that AAP had made one last effort but can't understand why Congress stepped back. "We had made one last effort, Sanjay Singh ji held talks, but can't understand that after almost finalizing the matter and seat sharing why the Congress stepped back last evening," Rai told media today. The Lok Sabha alliance between Aam Aadmi Party and Congress party in Delhi was called off on Wednesday, AAP leader Sanjay Singh told media. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai on alliance with Congress: We had made one last effort, Sanjay Singh ji held talks, but can't understand that after almost finalizing the matter and seat sharing why the Congress stepped back last evening pic.twitter.com/Q2crRUW0Wo — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × As per reports, the alliance was called-off following a disagreement over tie-up in Haryana and Delhi, news agency PTI reported quoting Singh. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have lately been in a flip-flop over the much-anticipated alliance in Delhi for Lok Sabha polls. The Congress Tuesday asserted that it has shown a "big heart" by agreeing to form an alliance with the AAP in Delhi and said the ball is now in the court of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to take a decision. A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal indulged in a public spat over the issue, the grand old party said it has already offered AAP four seats in the national capital and now the decision has to be taken by it. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday reacted over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's remark wherein he accuses Kejriwal of taking a U-turns on an alliance in Delhi. "What U-turn?" tweets Kejriwal adding that talks are still going on. "Your tweet exhibits that you are not interested in an alliance, I am sad that you are indulging in just giving out statements," Kejriwal's tweet read.

Don't understand why did Congress step back: AAP on alliance in Delhi

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday.&nbsp;

As per reports, Noor attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal. His visa had also expired.&nbsp;

"Appropriate action is also being taken regarding his overstay in contravention of visa validity".&nbsp;

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After ferdous Ahmed, another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor who campaigned for TMC asked to leave; Action being taken regarding his overstay in "contravention of visa validity"
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1118819370136944645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The development comes just a couple of days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ministry-of-home-affairs-blacklists-bangladeshi-actor-ferdous-ahmed-for-his-tmc-campaign-in-west-bengal-cancels-his-business-visa-210963">Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed</a>'s business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted.

"After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed," the MHA statement noted.&nbsp;

The ministry had asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.&nbsp;

The 45-year-old Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor to leave India immediately for taking part in a political rally in West Bengal, news agencies reported on Thursday. As per reports, Noor attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal. His visa had also expired. "Appropriate action is also being taken regarding his overstay in contravention of visa validity". After ferdous Ahmed, another Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor who campaigned for TMC asked to leave; Action being taken regarding his overstay in "contravention of visa validity" — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 18, 2019 × The development comes just a couple of days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday cancelled Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's business visa and issued him a 'leave India' notice. Ahmed has also been blacklisted. "After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National Mr Ferdous Ahmed," the MHA statement noted. The ministry had asked for a report from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's campaign for Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The 45-year-old Bangladeshi film star was reportedly seen seeking votes for Agarwal at campaign rallies across Hemtabad and Karandighi near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Another Bangladeshi actor asked to leave India for participating in political rally in West Bengal: MHA  

Voters, politicians & celebrities queue up to vote in second phase

Poonam Sinha, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-fight-with-full-dignity-rajnath-singh-welcomes-samajwadi-partys-poonam-sinha-as-opponent-from-lucknow-210968">the SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow</a> parliamentary constituency, filed her nomination on Thursday. Congress leader and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, SP MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav were also present on the occasion.&nbsp;

Poonam Sinha is set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Congress was urged by the Samajwadi Party not to field a candidate from the seat but the party went ahead and named Acharya Pramod as its candidate from Lucknow.&nbsp;

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SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow parliamentary constituency, Poonam Sinha, files nomination. Shatrughan Sinha &amp; Dimple Yadav also present. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/vp0i2GO0nn">pic.twitter.com/vp0i2GO0nn</a>
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Union Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reacted over Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.

Singh said that someone must contest. Calling Lucknow the land of "tehzeeb (etiquette)" he said the battle will be fought with full dignity.

"Yes somebody must contest, that is the beauty of democracy. We will fight elections with full dignity, tehzeeb jo Lucknow ki bohot badi dharohar hai usko bhi hum kayam rakhenge," Singh told media.&nbsp;

Poonam Sinha, the SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow parliamentary constituency, filed her nomination on Thursday. Congress leader and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, SP MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav were also present on the occasion.

Poonam Sinha, the SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow parliamentary constituency, filed her nomination on Thursday. Congress leader and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, SP MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav were also present on the occasion. Poonam Sinha is set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Congress was urged by the Samajwadi Party not to field a candidate from the seat but the party went ahead and named Acharya Pramod as its candidate from Lucknow. SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow parliamentary constituency, Poonam Sinha, files nomination. Shatrughan Sinha & Dimple Yadav also present. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/vp0i2GO0nn — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2019 × Union Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reacted over Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha contesting from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. Singh said that someone must contest. Calling Lucknow the land of "tehzeeb (etiquette)" he said the battle will be fought with full dignity. "Yes somebody must contest, that is the beauty of democracy. We will fight elections with full dignity, tehzeeb jo Lucknow ki bohot badi dharohar hai usko bhi hum kayam rakhenge," Singh told media.

Lok Sabha polls: Poonam Sinha files nomination from Lucknow in presence of Shatrughan, Dimple Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday in the presence of BSP general secretary Satish Chand Mishra.

"SP and BSP both have worked together in Azamgarh and 'gathbandhan'&nbsp;will take the state on the path of development," said Yadav, before filing his nomination papers.

"BJP has to give an account of its work in the last 5 years at centre and 2 years in the state," he added.

SP, BSP and RLD are contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Uttar Pradesh in which the SP is contesting on 37 seats, BSP on 38 and RLD on three.

Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is contesting from Mainpuri constituency, is the sitting MP from Azamgarh.

Uttar Pradesh is undergoing polling today in the second phase for 8 parliamentary constituencies. It went to polls on April 11 for 8 Lok Sabha constituencies. The remaining seats will witness polling in the next five phases, and counting of votes will take place on May 18.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday in the presence of BSP general secretary Satish Chand Mishra.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav filed his nomination from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday in the presence of BSP general secretary Satish Chand Mishra. "SP and BSP both have worked together in Azamgarh and 'gathbandhan' will take the state on the path of development," said Yadav, before filing his nomination papers. "BJP has to give an account of its work in the last 5 years at centre and 2 years in the state," he added. SP, BSP and RLD are contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Uttar Pradesh in which the SP is contesting on 37 seats, BSP on 38 and RLD on three. Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is contesting from Mainpuri constituency, is the sitting MP from Azamgarh. Uttar Pradesh is undergoing polling today in the second phase for 8 parliamentary constituencies. It went to polls on April 11 for 8 Lok Sabha constituencies. The remaining seats will witness polling in the next five phases, and counting of votes will take place on May 18.

Akhilesh Yadav files nomination from Azamgarh

A criminal complaint&nbsp;was filed against Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;Modi.

The complaint&nbsp;has been registered&nbsp;in Delhi's Patiala House Court by one Joginder Tuli.

In the case filed, the complainant has sought the direction from the police to charge Rahul Gandhi under sedition case.

Rahul Gandhi has frequently accused PM Modi of addressing to the needs of big businessmen. He has also called&nbsp;the prime minister as&nbsp;"Chowkidaar Chor hai" on several occasions.

While addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Nanded, Rahul, on Monday, had asked how come all "thieves" have Modi as the common surname.

"But tell me one thing...Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi...how come they all have Modi as a common name. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?" Gandhi had said.&nbsp;

Responding&nbsp;to Rahul's remark, PM Modi on Wednesday said that the jibe made by the Congress president has maligned the entire "backward community" which he belongs to.

(With inputs from ANI)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A criminal complaint was filed against Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi. The complaint has been registered in Delhi's Patiala House Court by one Joginder Tuli.

A criminal complaint was filed against Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi. The complaint has been registered in Delhi's Patiala House Court by one Joginder Tuli. In the case filed, the complainant has sought the direction from the police to charge Rahul Gandhi under sedition case. Rahul Gandhi has frequently accused PM Modi of addressing to the needs of big businessmen. He has also called the prime minister as "Chowkidaar Chor hai" on several occasions. While addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Nanded, Rahul, on Monday, had asked how come all "thieves" have Modi as the common surname. "But tell me one thing...Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi...how come they all have Modi as a common name. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?" Gandhi had said. Responding to Rahul's remark, PM Modi on Wednesday said that the jibe made by the Congress president has maligned the entire "backward community" which he belongs to. (With inputs from ANI)

Criminal complaint filed against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly making derogatory remarks on PM Modi

Faced with criticism for turning the JD(S) into a family enterprise, party supremo and former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/political-heavyweights-in-tamil-nadu-cast-votes-as-polling-begins-211392">Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda</a> said on Thursday that people and party workers wanted his grandsons Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna to contest from Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-2-voting-on-april-18-211287">Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: Violence mars polling in West Bengal, CPM leader Mohammad Salim's car attacked</a>

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Hassan, Gowda said his opponents accused him of indulging in family politics but his rise in politics was possible because of God and voters, whom his family served to the best of its ability.

"People describe this as family politics. We are the children of farmers. We believe in God. My father was an ordinary farmer. By the grace of God, we grew in stages in politics," the former prime minister said.

"It (growth) is not in anyone's hand. Voters have strengthened us. We, whether it is Revanna (PWD minister), myself or (chief minister) Kumaraswamy have served them to the best of our ability," he said.

Justifying the decision to field his grandsons from Mandya and Hassan,Gowda said people were adamant that the two be fielded, which they respected.

"In Mandya Nikhil Kumaraswamy is contesting. All the eight MLAs and three ministers of Mandya were adamant that Nikhil Kumaraswamy should contest from there. This is the truth," he added.

Regarding Prajwal, the JD(S) supremo said, "Prajwal Revanna is anengineering graduate. He is into social work for many years.People and the party workers have recognised his work."

Faced with criticism for turning the JD(S) into a family enterprise, party supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said on Thursday that people and party workers wanted his grandsons Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna to contest from Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies.

Faced with criticism for turning the JD(S) into a family enterprise, party supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said on Thursday that people and party workers wanted his grandsons Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna to contest from Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies. Lok Sabha polls 2019 live: Violence mars polling in West Bengal, CPM leader Mohammad Salim's car attacked Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Hassan, Gowda said his opponents accused him of indulging in family politics but his rise in politics was possible because of God and voters, whom his family served to the best of its ability. "People describe this as family politics. We are the children of farmers. We believe in God. My father was an ordinary farmer. By the grace of God, we grew in stages in politics," the former prime minister said. "It (growth) is not in anyone's hand. Voters have strengthened us. We, whether it is Revanna (PWD minister), myself or (chief minister) Kumaraswamy have served them to the best of our ability," he said. Justifying the decision to field his grandsons from Mandya and Hassan,Gowda said people were adamant that the two be fielded, which they respected. "In Mandya Nikhil Kumaraswamy is contesting. All the eight MLAs and three ministers of Mandya were adamant that Nikhil Kumaraswamy should contest from there. This is the truth," he added. Regarding Prajwal, the JD(S) supremo said, "Prajwal Revanna is anengineering graduate. He is into social work for many years.People and the party workers have recognised his work."

We are children of farmers, says Deve Gowda after casting vote in Hassan

Union Minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination from the Sultanpur parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Before filing her nomination from the constituency,&nbsp;Maneka&nbsp;undertook a five-km-long roadshow.

Gandhi had earlier been a member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit constituency, while her son Varun Gandhi had fought the elections from Sultanpur.

The BJP has swapped their seats this time.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Maneka had said, "The development works in Sultanpur, if I am elected, will continue in the same way they did in my previous constituency."

She also asserted that the work initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will "trump" the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

"I am sure that BJP will win the election and form government," she added.

Gandhi had earlier been issued a show-cause notice by the Election Commission for her remark during a poll speech in Sultanpur.

While addressing a rally in Sultanpur, Maneka had said that her win from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency is certain "with or without" the support of Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once the BJP is in power.

Following this, the EC had also banned Gandhi for campaigning for 48 hours.

The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held in all seven phases which started on April 11.&nbsp;

Sultanpur will vote on May 12.

The counting of votes will be held on May 23.

(With inputs from agencies)

Union Minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination from the Sultanpur parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Before filing her nomination from the constituency, Maneka undertook a five-km-long roadshow.

Union Minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination from the Sultanpur parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Before filing her nomination from the constituency, Maneka undertook a five-km-long roadshow. Gandhi had earlier been a member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit constituency, while her son Varun Gandhi had fought the elections from Sultanpur. The BJP has swapped their seats this time. Speaking to news agency ANI, Maneka had said, "The development works in Sultanpur, if I am elected, will continue in the same way they did in my previous constituency." She also asserted that the work initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will "trump" the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh. "I am sure that BJP will win the election and form government," she added. Gandhi had earlier been issued a show-cause notice by the Election Commission for her remark during a poll speech in Sultanpur. While addressing a rally in Sultanpur, Maneka had said that her win from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency is certain "with or without" the support of Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once the BJP is in power. Following this, the EC had also banned Gandhi for campaigning for 48 hours. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held in all seven phases which started on April 11. Sultanpur will vote on May 12. The counting of votes will be held on May 23. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi files nomination from Sultanpur

The Election Commission of India`s (ECI) flying squad seized Rs 11.85 lakh worth of cash from Sion area of Mumbai on Thursday.

The seizure comes as voting for 10 Lok Sabha seats which fall under Maharashtra`s Vidarbha and Marathwada regions is underway in the second phase of polling.

A huge amount of unaccounted money is being recovered in raids and searches by authorities across the country since Model Code of Conduct came into effect with the announcement of the poll dates on March 10.

The central agencies and the EC have been conducting raids and searches across the states to ensure illegal money is not used to influence voters in the ensuing general elections.

Over Rs 135 crore unaccounted cash was recovered from raids conducted by the Income Tax (IT) department and the EC across Tamil Nadu, the commission said Tuesday.

In a related development, the EC cancelled elections in Vellore parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu after over Rs 11.48 crore worth unaccounted cash was unearthed during an IT raid at a DMK leader`s house. The Lok Sabha seat was to go to vote today.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Election Commission of India`s (ECI) flying squad seized Rs 11.85 lakh worth of cash from Sion area of Mumbai on Thursday. The seizure comes as voting for 10 Lok Sabha seats which fall under Maharashtra`s Vidarbha and Marathwada regions is underway in the second phase of polling.

The Election Commission of India`s (ECI) flying squad seized Rs 11.85 lakh worth of cash from Sion area of Mumbai on Thursday. The seizure comes as voting for 10 Lok Sabha seats which fall under Maharashtra`s Vidarbha and Marathwada regions is underway in the second phase of polling. A huge amount of unaccounted money is being recovered in raids and searches by authorities across the country since Model Code of Conduct came into effect with the announcement of the poll dates on March 10. The central agencies and the EC have been conducting raids and searches across the states to ensure illegal money is not used to influence voters in the ensuing general elections. Over Rs 135 crore unaccounted cash was recovered from raids conducted by the Income Tax (IT) department and the EC across Tamil Nadu, the commission said Tuesday. In a related development, the EC cancelled elections in Vellore parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu after over Rs 11.48 crore worth unaccounted cash was unearthed during an IT raid at a DMK leader`s house. The Lok Sabha seat was to go to vote today.

Election Commission flying squad recovers cash worth over Rs 11 lakh in Mumbai

CPI(M) candidate from Raiganj constituency Md. Salim’s convoy was attacked on Thursday amidst polling.

Salim was visiting Patagora, Islampur in Raiganj constituency to observe the polling when stones were pelted and his vehicle was attacked. He claimed it was Trinamool Congress’ handiwork.

“I came here after hearing reports that Trinamool Congress’ men were preventing people from casting their votes. When I confronted them, they attacked my vehicle. &nbsp;My driver and assistant were still inside the vehicle when it was attacked with stones and bricks. They had to flee along with the vehicle to save their life,” said Salim.

“Massive rigging was on when I arrived here. Trinamool Congress men also tried to attack me with rods,” added Salim.

Immediately after, the sector officer arrived at the polling booth and asked Salim to wait till Central force jawans arrived at the booth.

Meanwhile, Salim has registered a complaint with the CEO’s office.

Sources in the CEO office says that they are looking into the matter.&nbsp;

CPI(M) candidate from Raiganj constituency Md. Salim’s convoy was attacked on Thursday amidst polling. Salim was visiting Patagora, Islampur in Raiganj constituency to observe the polling when stones were pelted and his vehicle was attacked.

CPI(M) candidate from Raiganj constituency Md. Salim’s convoy was attacked on Thursday amidst polling. Salim was visiting Patagora, Islampur in Raiganj constituency to observe the polling when stones were pelted and his vehicle was attacked. He claimed it was Trinamool Congress’ handiwork. “I came here after hearing reports that Trinamool Congress’ men were preventing people from casting their votes. When I confronted them, they attacked my vehicle. My driver and assistant were still inside the vehicle when it was attacked with stones and bricks. They had to flee along with the vehicle to save their life,” said Salim. “Massive rigging was on when I arrived here. Trinamool Congress men also tried to attack me with rods,” added Salim. Immediately after, the sector officer arrived at the polling booth and asked Salim to wait till Central force jawans arrived at the booth. Meanwhile, Salim has registered a complaint with the CEO’s office. Sources in the CEO office says that they are looking into the matter.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: CPI(M) candidate Md. Salim’s convoy attacked in West Bengal

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