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Slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his poll promises, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday claimed only the Gandhi family's poverty had been eradicated since the slogan 'garibi hatao' was first coined.

Addressing a poll rally here, Thackeray said the 'garibi hatao' (banish poverty) slogan was coined by the Congress chief's grandmother (then Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi and thereafter, only the poverty of his family had been eradicated and not of people.

"You have fooled people once. Don't do it again... Rahul Gandhi says Article 370 will not be touched...Will you give the reigns of the nation to such people?" he asked.

Thackeray said the Congress chief called Veer Savarkar a "coward", adding that had former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru "endured" what Savarkar had to, he would have called Nehru "courageous".

Slamming the NCP for criticising him for accompanying BJP chief Amit Shah at a gathering when the latter filed his nomination papers, Thackeray said it was the same party that had tried to sneak into the (BJP-led) government fearing Sena's entry after 2014 Maharashtra Assembly polls.

The Sena chief further said late party patriarch Bal Thackeray made Congress nominee Milind Deora's father (Murli Deora) Mumbai mayor, otherwise, people would not even have known the family.

Deora is contesting from the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat where he is pitted against Sena's sitting MP Arvind Sawant.&nbsp;

Slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his poll promises, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday claimed only the Gandhi family's poverty had been eradicated since the slogan 'garibi hatao' was first coined.

Slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his poll promises, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday claimed only the Gandhi family's poverty had been eradicated since the slogan 'garibi hatao' was first coined. Addressing a poll rally here, Thackeray said the 'garibi hatao' (banish poverty) slogan was coined by the Congress chief's grandmother (then Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi and thereafter, only the poverty of his family had been eradicated and not of people. "You have fooled people once. Don't do it again... Rahul Gandhi says Article 370 will not be touched...Will you give the reigns of the nation to such people?" he asked. Thackeray said the Congress chief called Veer Savarkar a "coward", adding that had former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru "endured" what Savarkar had to, he would have called Nehru "courageous". Slamming the NCP for criticising him for accompanying BJP chief Amit Shah at a gathering when the latter filed his nomination papers, Thackeray said it was the same party that had tried to sneak into the (BJP-led) government fearing Sena's entry after 2014 Maharashtra Assembly polls. The Sena chief further said late party patriarch Bal Thackeray made Congress nominee Milind Deora's father (Murli Deora) Mumbai mayor, otherwise, people would not even have known the family. Deora is contesting from the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat where he is pitted against Sena's sitting MP Arvind Sawant.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Uddhav Thackeray slams Rahul over poll promises

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was a shameful scar on British Indian history.

Theresa May said that the United Kingdom deeply regret&nbsp;what happened and the suffering caused in Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, as the British Prime Minister marked the 100th anniversary of the tragic incident but she stopped short of a formal apology.&nbsp;

On April 13, 1919, in Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters which remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule in India.

Colonial-era records show about 400 people died in the northern city of Amritsar when soldiers opened fire on men, women and children in an enclosed area, but Indian figures put the toll at closer to 1,000.

At the start of May's weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons she fell short of a formal apology sought by a cross-section of Parliament in previous debates and reiterated the "regret" already expressed by the British Government.

"The tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh of 1919 is a shameful scar on British Indian history. As Her Majesty the Queen (Elizabeth II) said before visiting Jallianwala Bagh in 1997, it is a distressing example of our past history with India," she said in her statement.

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Former British prime minister David Cameron described it as "deeply shameful" during a visit in 2013 but stopped short of an apology.

In a debate on the subject in London on Tuesday, foreign office Minister Mark Field said the massacre was a "shameful episode in our history and one that we deeply regret to this day."

He said: "It would not be appropriate for me, in the context of this particular debate, to apologise today, but I have found many of the speeches very very compelling and I will take up with the foreign secretary and number 10 Downing Street a sense that we perhaps need to do a little more than the very deep regrets that I have set out today."

He said representatives from the British High Commission would visit the site to lay a wreath and that the government would also publicly acknowledge the centenary in Britain.

A ceremony was due to take place at the site of the massacre on Saturday.

(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was a shameful scar on British Indian history. Theresa May said that the United Kingdom deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused in Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, as the British Prime Minister marked the 100th anniversary of the tragic incident but she stopped short of a formal apology.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was a shameful scar on British Indian history. Theresa May said that the United Kingdom deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused in Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, as the British Prime Minister marked the 100th anniversary of the tragic incident but she stopped short of a formal apology. On April 13, 1919, in Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters which remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule in India. Colonial-era records show about 400 people died in the northern city of Amritsar when soldiers opened fire on men, women and children in an enclosed area, but Indian figures put the toll at closer to 1,000. At the start of May's weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons she fell short of a formal apology sought by a cross-section of Parliament in previous debates and reiterated the "regret" already expressed by the British Government. "The tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh of 1919 is a shameful scar on British Indian history. As Her Majesty the Queen (Elizabeth II) said before visiting Jallianwala Bagh in 1997, it is a distressing example of our past history with India," she said in her statement. × Former British prime minister David Cameron described it as "deeply shameful" during a visit in 2013 but stopped short of an apology. In a debate on the subject in London on Tuesday, foreign office Minister Mark Field said the massacre was a "shameful episode in our history and one that we deeply regret to this day." He said: "It would not be appropriate for me, in the context of this particular debate, to apologise today, but I have found many of the speeches very very compelling and I will take up with the foreign secretary and number 10 Downing Street a sense that we perhaps need to do a little more than the very deep regrets that I have set out today." He said representatives from the British High Commission would visit the site to lay a wreath and that the government would also publicly acknowledge the centenary in Britain. A ceremony was due to take place at the site of the massacre on Saturday. (With inputs from agencies)

Jallianwala Bagh massacre: UK PM Theresa May expresses regret, but stops short of an apology

Indian National Congress: The oldest party of India

Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency in north-eastern Assam assumes significance due to its strategic location and economic benefits it now promises&nbsp;to the people in the area.

It is well known for its valuable food resources including rice, tea and sugarcane, however, it was the inauguration of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fighter-jets-can-land-on-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-bogibeel-other-top-facts-186294">Bogibeel bridge with a </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fighter-jets-can-land-on-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-bogibeel-other-top-facts-186294">rail-road</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fighter-jets-can-land-on-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-bogibeel-other-top-facts-186294"> service</a> stretching from Lakhimpur to Dhemaji along the Brahmaputra which has not only changed the atmosphere around the area but it has assumed new political significance.

The importance of the constituency can be gauged from the fact that Rahul Gandhi has already toured the area and addressed a rally well ahead of the first phase polls on April 11th. The Congress president held an election rally on April 3rd in the Congress headquarters meant to boost the morale of the Congress workers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250">PM Modi who had&nbsp;inaugurated</a> the country's longest bridge back in December during his high profile visit to Guwahati sent out political vibes in the area, a factor which the BJP hopes to leverage on polling day. &nbsp;

Earlier, Lakhimpur district contained several areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, however, it was separated from it gradually.

The flourishing district has been an Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) and Congress bastion since the constituency first went to the polls in 1967, however, in a significant shift the BJP under Sarbananda Sonowal had won from here during the Modi wave in 2014 upsetting the AGP-Congress applecart.

AGP this time has aligned with the BJP and decided not to field any&nbsp;candidate in the constituency due to its&nbsp;seat-sharing agreement.

BJP's Sonowal in 2014 had won the seat bagging over 6 lakh votes while beating his nearest Congress rival Ranee Narah quite easily who won just over 3 lakh votes.

This time the BJP has given the ticket to Pradan Baruah, while the Congress has decided to give Dr. Hema Hari Prasanna Pegu a chance to win back the seat.

CPM has decided to fight the seat under Amiya Kumar Handique's leadership and Socialist Unity Centre Of India(Communist) have given Hem Kanta Miri a ticket.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is an important factor in this polls, with the Opposition parties counting on the anti-incumbency factor working against the BJP.

There are over nine lakh electorates in this constituency which hosts several small-scale and handloom factories. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project(SLHEP) is also being constructed in the area which will allow it to keep its development model chugging away.

The constituency has several new voters, at least 11,000 over the age of 18 who could prove to be the crucial gamechanger in this elections. The results to be declared on May 23rd would be keenly followed due to the economic boost the constituency could provide to the area and to its people.

Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency in north-eastern Assam assumes significance due to its strategic location and economic benefits it now promises to the people in the area.

Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency in north-eastern Assam assumes significance due to its strategic location and economic benefits it now promises to the people in the area. It is well known for its valuable food resources including rice, tea and sugarcane, however, it was the inauguration of the Bogibeel bridge with a rail-road service stretching from Lakhimpur to Dhemaji along the Brahmaputra which has not only changed the atmosphere around the area but it has assumed new political significance. The importance of the constituency can be gauged from the fact that Rahul Gandhi has already toured the area and addressed a rally well ahead of the first phase polls on April 11th. The Congress president held an election rally on April 3rd in the Congress headquarters meant to boost the morale of the Congress workers. PM Modi who had inaugurated the country's longest bridge back in December during his high profile visit to Guwahati sent out political vibes in the area, a factor which the BJP hopes to leverage on polling day. Earlier, Lakhimpur district contained several areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, however, it was separated from it gradually. The flourishing district has been an Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) and Congress bastion since the constituency first went to the polls in 1967, however, in a significant shift the BJP under Sarbananda Sonowal had won from here during the Modi wave in 2014 upsetting the AGP-Congress applecart. AGP this time has aligned with the BJP and decided not to field any candidate in the constituency due to its seat-sharing agreement. BJP's Sonowal in 2014 had won the seat bagging over 6 lakh votes while beating his nearest Congress rival Ranee Narah quite easily who won just over 3 lakh votes. This time the BJP has given the ticket to Pradan Baruah, while the Congress has decided to give Dr. Hema Hari Prasanna Pegu a chance to win back the seat. CPM has decided to fight the seat under Amiya Kumar Handique's leadership and Socialist Unity Centre Of India(Communist) have given Hem Kanta Miri a ticket. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is an important factor in this polls, with the Opposition parties counting on the anti-incumbency factor working against the BJP. There are over nine lakh electorates in this constituency which hosts several small-scale and handloom factories. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project(SLHEP) is also being constructed in the area which will allow it to keep its development model chugging away. The constituency has several new voters, at least 11,000 over the age of 18 who could prove to be the crucial gamechanger in this elections. The results to be declared on May 23rd would be keenly followed due to the economic boost the constituency could provide to the area and to its people.

First phase polls: BJP counts on Bogibeel bridge to reassert control in Assam's Lakhimpur

Indore MP and outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Wednesday said politics cannot have a fixed retirement age as is the case with government jobs, days after she opted out of the poll fray amidst speculations that the BJP was not keen to field leaders above 75 years of age.&nbsp;

Mahajan, who has been winning from Indore constituency since 1989, also said she did not have any authentic information about her party’s policy about not giving tickets to those leaders who 75 plus.

As the BJP dithered on announcing the candidate for the Indore seat, Mahajan announced on April 5 that she would not contest the Lok Sabha elections. Mahajan had written to BJP chief Amit Shah stating that she has freed the party to make its choice for Indore seat. Mahajan turns 76 Friday.

“Politics cannot be compared with government jobs. Retirement age in government service is pre-determined. However, this cannot be done in politics because politicians are directly involved with happiness and sorrows of the common people and work for them beyond deadlines,” Mahajan said. The MP recalled that Morarji Desai had become prime minister of the country when he was 81.

In an interview to The Week magazine recently, Shah had stated that it was his party’s decision not to give Lok Sabha poll tickets to those above 75 years of age, leading to veteran leaders like L K Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi missing out. Though he had not named Mahajan, the outgoing Lok Sabha speaker too falls in the same age bracket.

When asked about Shah’s statement, Mahajan said as she was occupied with the responsibilities of the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, she could not attend the meetings held by BJP’s central organisation in the last five years and thus is not aware of any such age bar policy.

“I don’t have any authentic information about the party meeting in which the policy regarding not giving tickets to party leaders who crossed 75 was decided. I am not aware of this. Only Amit Shah can say anything in this regard,” she said.

Mahajan, however, said, “If there is a policy decided by BJP organisation for the leaders above 75 years of age, then the party workers have to abide by it”.

In reply to a question, Mahajan said, “I am not so old that I have to retire from politics. I have been working for the BJP and will continue to do so”. Mahajan also took potshots at proposed “Maha gathbandhan” or grand-alliance of Opposition parties over the claims of winnability in the Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held in seven phases from April 11. “Any political party must have at least 272 Lok Sabha seats to form a government at the Centre. But, the Congress and other Opposition parties involved in the so-called ‘maha gathbandhan’ are not even contesting those many seats,” she said.

Mahajan also said various factions of the proposed bloc are divided across states and there is no consensus on their prime ministerial candidate. “I feel that the ‘Maha gathbandhan’s main objective is to claim the post of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and not to form the next government,” Mahajan quipped.

She also questioned financial feasibility of the proposed “Nyay” scheme of the Congress for the poor. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced the scheme which he promised to implement if his party is voted to power. The scheme envisages depositing Rs 72,000 per year to the poorest people. “The poor have suffered and faced injustice during the rule of the Congress which had talked about ‘Gareebi Hatao’ (eradication of poverty). Rahul should calculate whether the government would be able to arrange so much money that it can deposit Rs 72,000 in the bank account of each poor?” she asked.

Indore MP and outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Wednesday said politics cannot have a fixed retirement age as is the case with government jobs, days after she opted out of the poll fray amidst speculations that the BJP was not keen to field leaders above 75 years of age.

Indore MP and outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Wednesday said politics cannot have a fixed retirement age as is the case with government jobs, days after she opted out of the poll fray amidst speculations that the BJP was not keen to field leaders above 75 years of age. Mahajan, who has been winning from Indore constituency since 1989, also said she did not have any authentic information about her party’s policy about not giving tickets to those leaders who 75 plus. As the BJP dithered on announcing the candidate for the Indore seat, Mahajan announced on April 5 that she would not contest the Lok Sabha elections. Mahajan had written to BJP chief Amit Shah stating that she has freed the party to make its choice for Indore seat. Mahajan turns 76 Friday. “Politics cannot be compared with government jobs. Retirement age in government service is pre-determined. However, this cannot be done in politics because politicians are directly involved with happiness and sorrows of the common people and work for them beyond deadlines,” Mahajan said. The MP recalled that Morarji Desai had become prime minister of the country when he was 81. In an interview to The Week magazine recently, Shah had stated that it was his party’s decision not to give Lok Sabha poll tickets to those above 75 years of age, leading to veteran leaders like L K Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi missing out. Though he had not named Mahajan, the outgoing Lok Sabha speaker too falls in the same age bracket. When asked about Shah’s statement, Mahajan said as she was occupied with the responsibilities of the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, she could not attend the meetings held by BJP’s central organisation in the last five years and thus is not aware of any such age bar policy. “I don’t have any authentic information about the party meeting in which the policy regarding not giving tickets to party leaders who crossed 75 was decided. I am not aware of this. Only Amit Shah can say anything in this regard,” she said. Mahajan, however, said, “If there is a policy decided by BJP organisation for the leaders above 75 years of age, then the party workers have to abide by it”. In reply to a question, Mahajan said, “I am not so old that I have to retire from politics. I have been working for the BJP and will continue to do so”. Mahajan also took potshots at proposed “Maha gathbandhan” or grand-alliance of Opposition parties over the claims of winnability in the Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held in seven phases from April 11. “Any political party must have at least 272 Lok Sabha seats to form a government at the Centre. But, the Congress and other Opposition parties involved in the so-called ‘maha gathbandhan’ are not even contesting those many seats,” she said. Mahajan also said various factions of the proposed bloc are divided across states and there is no consensus on their prime ministerial candidate. “I feel that the ‘Maha gathbandhan’s main objective is to claim the post of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and not to form the next government,” Mahajan quipped. She also questioned financial feasibility of the proposed “Nyay” scheme of the Congress for the poor. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced the scheme which he promised to implement if his party is voted to power. The scheme envisages depositing Rs 72,000 per year to the poorest people. “The poor have suffered and faced injustice during the rule of the Congress which had talked about ‘Gareebi Hatao’ (eradication of poverty). Rahul should calculate whether the government would be able to arrange so much money that it can deposit Rs 72,000 in the bank account of each poor?” she asked.

Politics cannot have a fixed retirement age: Sumitra Mahajan after deciding not to contest Lok Sabha elections

Ninety-one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-led-alliance-to-win-thin-majority-in-lok-sabha-elections-2019-poll-shows-ahead-of-vote-209027">Lok Sabha</a> constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union Territories, including all in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will go to polls on Thursday in the first phase, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh among several Union ministers in the fray.

There are 900 million Indians, including 15.9 million first-time voters, who will choose 543 MPs in the seven-phase polls, which start on April 11 and lasts nearly six weeks. The results will be announced on May 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term but faces opposition from Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, who is urging voters to look at the prime minister's economic record and turf him out.

But Congress faces a formidable opponent in Modi, with polling showing support for Modi is higher now than in 2014 when his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won an outright majority. Congress ruled India for much of its modern history but was reduced to a rump in 2014.

While Modi is contesting elections from Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi has filed nominations from two places - Wayanad in Kerala and his home constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

Voting will take place in seven phases, beginning on Thursday. Nearly 1 million polling booths will be set up across the country.

In Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha, assembly polls to 175, 32 and 28 seats, respectively, will be held simultaneously in the first phase. This is the first general election in Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation in 2014.

All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will also go to polls in phase one.

In Uttar Pradesh, the ruling BJP will clash with the newly-formed SP-BSP-RLD alliance on eight seats in the first phase. These seats mostly lie in the western part of the state.

Seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will go to polls, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari locked in a battle with Congress's Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. Union minister and BJP leader, Hansaraj Ahir is seeking a fourth term from Chandrapur.

In Bihar, four Lok Sabha seats will see polling on Thursday. LJP leader Chirag Paswan is contesting from Jamui reserved seat. He is the sitting MP and is locked in a virtual straight contest with Bhudeo Chaudhary of RLSP.

In the North East, of the two seats in Arunachal Pradesh Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is seeking re-election from Arunachal West. Four seats in Assam will go to polls, with former chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav testing poll waters from Kaliabor.

In Chhattisgarh where one Lok Sabha seat, Bastar, is going to polls, security has been tightened following a Naxal attack in the constituency's Dantewada area on Tuesday. A BJP leader and four security personnel were killed. Nearly 80,000 troops, police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in the state to ensure violence-free election.

Six million voters in Odisha will exercise their franchise in the first phase of polls for four Lok Sabha and 28 assembly seats on Thursday. The first phase of polls will decide the fate of 217 candidates. There are 26 hopefuls in fray for Lok Sabha seats and 191 for assembly seats.

Two seats each in West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya will also see polling in the first phase.

Lone Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 11 include Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.

Ninety-one Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union Territories, including all in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will go to polls on Thursday in the first phase, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh among several Union ministers in the fray.

Ninety-one Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union Territories, including all in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, will go to polls on Thursday in the first phase, with Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh among several Union ministers in the fray. There are 900 million Indians, including 15.9 million first-time voters, who will choose 543 MPs in the seven-phase polls, which start on April 11 and lasts nearly six weeks. The results will be announced on May 23. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term but faces opposition from Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, who is urging voters to look at the prime minister's economic record and turf him out. But Congress faces a formidable opponent in Modi, with polling showing support for Modi is higher now than in 2014 when his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won an outright majority. Congress ruled India for much of its modern history but was reduced to a rump in 2014. While Modi is contesting elections from Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi has filed nominations from two places - Wayanad in Kerala and his home constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Voting will take place in seven phases, beginning on Thursday. Nearly 1 million polling booths will be set up across the country. In Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha, assembly polls to 175, 32 and 28 seats, respectively, will be held simultaneously in the first phase. This is the first general election in Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation in 2014. All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will also go to polls in phase one. In Uttar Pradesh, the ruling BJP will clash with the newly-formed SP-BSP-RLD alliance on eight seats in the first phase. These seats mostly lie in the western part of the state. Seven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will go to polls, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari locked in a battle with Congress's Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. Union minister and BJP leader, Hansaraj Ahir is seeking a fourth term from Chandrapur. In Bihar, four Lok Sabha seats will see polling on Thursday. LJP leader Chirag Paswan is contesting from Jamui reserved seat. He is the sitting MP and is locked in a virtual straight contest with Bhudeo Chaudhary of RLSP. In the North East, of the two seats in Arunachal Pradesh Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is seeking re-election from Arunachal West. Four seats in Assam will go to polls, with former chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav testing poll waters from Kaliabor. In Chhattisgarh where one Lok Sabha seat, Bastar, is going to polls, security has been tightened following a Naxal attack in the constituency's Dantewada area on Tuesday. A BJP leader and four security personnel were killed. Nearly 80,000 troops, police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in the state to ensure violence-free election. Six million voters in Odisha will exercise their franchise in the first phase of polls for four Lok Sabha and 28 assembly seats on Thursday. The first phase of polls will decide the fate of 217 candidates. There are 26 hopefuls in fray for Lok Sabha seats and 191 for assembly seats. Two seats each in West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya will also see polling in the first phase. Lone Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 11 include Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.

Lok Sabha elections begin on Thursday with polling in 91 seats

Iconic pictures of Indian General Elections

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahus-likud-party-gaining-slender-lead-against-gantz-israel-exit-polls-209161">Netanyahu's Likud party gaining </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahus-likud-party-gaining-slender-lead-against-gantz-israel-exit-polls-209161">slender</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahus-likud-party-gaining-slender-lead-against-gantz-israel-exit-polls-209161"> lead against Gantz: Israel exit polls</a>

Two updated exit polls by Israeli television channels put his rightwing Likud ahead of rival Benny Gantz's Blue and White by one seat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/need-to-do-little-more-than-very-deep-regrets-on-jallianwala-bagh-british-minister-mark-fields-209164">Need to do little more than very 'deep regrets' on Jallianwala Bagh: British minister Mark Fields</a>

On April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters which remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule in India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baisakhi-celebrations-pakistan-issues-2200-visas-to-indian-sikh-pilgrims-209166">Baisakhi celebrations: Pakistan issues 2,200 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims&nbsp;</a>

The protocol between India and Pakistan enables a large number of pilgrims to visit the other country to observe various religious festivals/occasions every year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tibetan-spiritual-leader-dalai-lama-undergoes-check-up-at-delhi-hospital-209177">Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama undergoes </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tibetan-spiritual-leader-dalai-lama-undergoes-check-up-at-delhi-hospital-209177">check-up</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tibetan-spiritual-leader-dalai-lama-undergoes-check-up-at-delhi-hospital-209177"> at Delhi hospital&nbsp;</a>

The 83-year-old leader came down here from Dharamshala for the check-up at the Max hospital in Saket, they said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-son-heung-mins-late-winner-gives-tottenham-edge-over-manchester-city-209155">Champions League: Son Heung-min's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Manchester City</a>

Quadruple-chasing City were not at their best as Spurs chased and harried Pep Guardiola's side for 90 minutes and they will rue Sergio Aguero's first-half penalty miss.

Netanyahu's Likud party gaining slender lead against Gantz: Israel exit polls Two updated exit polls by Israeli television channels put his rightwing Likud ahead of rival Benny Gantz's Blue and White by one seat.

Netanyahu's Likud party gaining slender lead against Gantz: Israel exit polls Two updated exit polls by Israeli television channels put his rightwing Likud ahead of rival Benny Gantz's Blue and White by one seat. Need to do little more than very 'deep regrets' on Jallianwala Bagh: British minister Mark Fields On April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters which remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule in India. Baisakhi celebrations: Pakistan issues 2,200 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims The protocol between India and Pakistan enables a large number of pilgrims to visit the other country to observe various religious festivals/occasions every year. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama undergoes check-up at Delhi hospital The 83-year-old leader came down here from Dharamshala for the check-up at the Max hospital in Saket, they said. Champions League: Son Heung-min's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Manchester City Quadruple-chasing City were not at their best as Spurs chased and harried Pep Guardiola's side for 90 minutes and they will rue Sergio Aguero's first-half penalty miss.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Days after raids at the various premises of Madya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides, Income Tax (IT) officials conducted a raid at the residence of TDP MP Galla Jayadev late Tuesday.&nbsp;

Following the raids, Jayadev,&nbsp;Guntur TDP MP, along with TDP leaders staged a protest in Guntur's Pattabhipuram.

"Why I am being targeted? Why are raids being conducted only on TDP leaders? If Election Commission (EC) and agencies are working impartially it should be happening to all parties. One person has been detained and we don't know his whereabouts, I'm demanding an explanation,'' Jayadev was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

IT Dept shouldn't conduct such raids without proper intimation to EC, we don't know whether these raids are happening with EC's approval or just on instructions of Modi led Union government as per list given by Jaganmohan Reddy of YSRCP, said L Dinakaran, TDP leader on IT raid at the residence of Galla Jayadev.

Days after raids at the various premises of Madya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides, Income Tax (IT) officials conducted a raid at the residence of TDP MP Galla Jayadev late Tuesday.

Days after raids at the various premises of Madya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides, Income Tax (IT) officials conducted a raid at the residence of TDP MP Galla Jayadev late Tuesday. Following the raids, Jayadev, Guntur TDP MP, along with TDP leaders staged a protest in Guntur's Pattabhipuram. "Why I am being targeted? Why are raids being conducted only on TDP leaders? If Election Commission (EC) and agencies are working impartially it should be happening to all parties. One person has been detained and we don't know his whereabouts, I'm demanding an explanation,'' Jayadev was quoted as saying. IT Dept shouldn't conduct such raids without proper intimation to EC, we don't know whether these raids are happening with EC's approval or just on instructions of Modi led Union government as per list given by Jaganmohan Reddy of YSRCP, said L Dinakaran, TDP leader on IT raid at the residence of Galla Jayadev.

Andhra Pradesh: I-T department carries out raids at TDP MP Galla Jayadev's residence

As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated the BJP charge that by picking a second seat to contest the Lok Sabha polls the Congress president had “fled” from the constituency regarded as his family’s home turf. “Rahul Gandhi is very frightened. For the past four generations, the Lok Sabha seat of Amethi has been represented by his family members. He too has been the MP from Amethi.

“Since he has not done anything as per the wishes of Amethi, he is forced to flee from Amethi,” Adityanath told PTI.

“Despite losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani has visited the place more frequently than Rahul Gandhi. The feelings of the people of the Amethi are with her,” he added. On Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest also from the Wayanad Lok sabha seat in Kerala, Adityanath said he has the right to contest from any Lok Sabha seat. But the “green flags of the Muslim League” fluttering all around in the procession in which Rahul Gandhi went to file his nomination papers in Wayanad exposes the real face of the Congress, said Adityanath. The Congress embracing the Muslim League, which is guilty of dividing the country, sends a loud message, the UP chief minister said. The UP chief minister was equating the Indian United Muslim League (IUML), a Congress partner in Kerala, with the pre-Partition Muslim League. Asked to comment on temple visits by Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Adityanath said, “I consider this as an ideological victory of the BJP.”

“Their great-grandfather (Jawaharlal Nehru) used to call himself an accidental Hindu, and today such a situation has arisen in the fourth generation that they are telling their gotra (sub-castes) and showing their ‘janeu’ (sacred thread worn by Hindus),” he added. He said those who earlier considered Hindutva communal, have at least started going to temples today due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The path of pseudo Hinduism, being taken by the brother-sister duo or the ‘bua-babua’ (Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav)” will lead them nowhere as “the people of the country know the truth”, said the chief minister. Reacting to the Samajwadi Party allegation in its “vision document” that the BJP is practising “pseudo-nationalism”, Adityanath said, “It is unfortunate that the election manifesto of the SP or the Congress is a document revealing their failures.”

“The documents also directly envisage strengthening the ‘deshdrohis’ (traitors),” he added. “The SP supporting the Congress manifesto means Congress kaa haath, deshdrohiyon ke saath (the party is with traitors). And the same is being done by the SP. Their style of working is known to everyone. They have been doing the politics of negativity, the politics of appeasement, due to which there have been serious security concerns before the country,” he said. Asked to comment on the BJP’s defeat in bypolls last year and lessons learnt, Adityanath said, “This is a general election in which national issues are discussed and debated, while in bypolls, local issues dominate. Under the leadership of Modiji, the BJP will register an overwhelming win in the elections and form the government.”

Attacking the anti-BJP alliance of the SP, BSP and RLD, he said, “An alliance is based on issues and values.” But the SP-BSP alliance is the alliance of two poles, he said, adding it is an alliance of such people who did not like to see each other’s face. “Such was the animosity and there was a race to prove each other wrong,” the chief minister said.

“Today, only for the sake of power and to hide their misdeeds, they are trying to stop Modiji from coming to power,” he added. The chief minister also said, “Today there is tsunami of Modiji, and in this tsunami, all these alliances of vested interests, politics of negativity, corruption and separatism will be blown away.” On being reminded that he had once likened the SP and BSP to ‘saanp’ (snake) and ‘chhachhoonder’ (mole), Adityanath said, “Those who indulge in politics of negativity, can be compared with such creatures.” He defended his recent remarks calling the armed forces “Modiji ki sena”.

“If I say hamaari sena (our Army) it does not mean my personal army, it refers to the nation’s Army,” he pointed out. He said the President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and works on the advise of the the Council of ministers headed the prime minister. “Naturally, under the leadership of Modiji, the country has moved forward in every sector, and hence I made such a statement,” he added.

As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated the BJP charge that by picking a second seat to contest the Lok Sabha polls the Congress president had “fled” from the constituency regarded as his family’s home turf.

As Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated the BJP charge that by picking a second seat to contest the Lok Sabha polls the Congress president had “fled” from the constituency regarded as his family’s home turf. “Rahul Gandhi is very frightened. For the past four generations, the Lok Sabha seat of Amethi has been represented by his family members. He too has been the MP from Amethi. “Since he has not done anything as per the wishes of Amethi, he is forced to flee from Amethi,” Adityanath told PTI. “Despite losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani has visited the place more frequently than Rahul Gandhi. The feelings of the people of the Amethi are with her,” he added. On Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest also from the Wayanad Lok sabha seat in Kerala, Adityanath said he has the right to contest from any Lok Sabha seat. But the “green flags of the Muslim League” fluttering all around in the procession in which Rahul Gandhi went to file his nomination papers in Wayanad exposes the real face of the Congress, said Adityanath. The Congress embracing the Muslim League, which is guilty of dividing the country, sends a loud message, the UP chief minister said. The UP chief minister was equating the Indian United Muslim League (IUML), a Congress partner in Kerala, with the pre-Partition Muslim League. Asked to comment on temple visits by Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Adityanath said, “I consider this as an ideological victory of the BJP.” “Their great-grandfather (Jawaharlal Nehru) used to call himself an accidental Hindu, and today such a situation has arisen in the fourth generation that they are telling their gotra (sub-castes) and showing their ‘janeu’ (sacred thread worn by Hindus),” he added. He said those who earlier considered Hindutva communal, have at least started going to temples today due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The path of pseudo Hinduism, being taken by the brother-sister duo or the ‘bua-babua’ (Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav)” will lead them nowhere as “the people of the country know the truth”, said the chief minister. Reacting to the Samajwadi Party allegation in its “vision document” that the BJP is practising “pseudo-nationalism”, Adityanath said, “It is unfortunate that the election manifesto of the SP or the Congress is a document revealing their failures.” “The documents also directly envisage strengthening the ‘deshdrohis’ (traitors),” he added. “The SP supporting the Congress manifesto means Congress kaa haath, deshdrohiyon ke saath (the party is with traitors). And the same is being done by the SP. Their style of working is known to everyone. They have been doing the politics of negativity, the politics of appeasement, due to which there have been serious security concerns before the country,” he said. Asked to comment on the BJP’s defeat in bypolls last year and lessons learnt, Adityanath said, “This is a general election in which national issues are discussed and debated, while in bypolls, local issues dominate. Under the leadership of Modiji, the BJP will register an overwhelming win in the elections and form the government.” Attacking the anti-BJP alliance of the SP, BSP and RLD, he said, “An alliance is based on issues and values.” But the SP-BSP alliance is the alliance of two poles, he said, adding it is an alliance of such people who did not like to see each other’s face. “Such was the animosity and there was a race to prove each other wrong,” the chief minister said. “Today, only for the sake of power and to hide their misdeeds, they are trying to stop Modiji from coming to power,” he added. The chief minister also said, “Today there is tsunami of Modiji, and in this tsunami, all these alliances of vested interests, politics of negativity, corruption and separatism will be blown away.” On being reminded that he had once likened the SP and BSP to ‘saanp’ (snake) and ‘chhachhoonder’ (mole), Adityanath said, “Those who indulge in politics of negativity, can be compared with such creatures.” He defended his recent remarks calling the armed forces “Modiji ki sena”. “If I say hamaari sena (our Army) it does not mean my personal army, it refers to the nation’s Army,” he pointed out. He said the President is the supreme commander of the armed forces and works on the advise of the the Council of ministers headed the prime minister. “Naturally, under the leadership of Modiji, the country has moved forward in every sector, and hence I made such a statement,” he added.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: ‘Frightened’ Rahul Gandhi has fled Amethi seat, says Yogi Adityanath

On a day her brother Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the constituency was her father’s “karmabhoomi” and its land was sacred for her family. Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from this constituency with his entire family looking on.&nbsp;

His mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra were with him in the Collectorate when he filed his papers.

“Some relationships are from the heart. Today, the whole family was present for my brother’s nomination. This was my father’s ‘karmabhoomi’, it is sacred land for us,” said Priyanka Gandhi, who is Congress’ general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh East.

Rahul Gandhi, a three-term MP, will take on Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani in what is seen as a direct contest with the SP-BSP-RLD alliance taking the decision to not field any candidate from the constituency, seen as a Congress bastion.

On a day her brother Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the constituency was her father’s “karmabhoomi” and its land was sacred for her family.

On a day her brother Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said the constituency was her father’s “karmabhoomi” and its land was sacred for her family. Gandhi filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections from this constituency with his entire family looking on. His mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra were with him in the Collectorate when he filed his papers. “Some relationships are from the heart. Today, the whole family was present for my brother’s nomination. This was my father’s ‘karmabhoomi’, it is sacred land for us,” said Priyanka Gandhi, who is Congress’ general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh East. Rahul Gandhi, a three-term MP, will take on Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani in what is seen as a direct contest with the SP-BSP-RLD alliance taking the decision to not field any candidate from the constituency, seen as a Congress bastion.

Priyanka Gandhi hails Amethi as her father’s ‘karmabhoomi’, sacred land for family after Rahul files nomination

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jallianwala-bagh-tragedy-shameful-scar-on-british-indian-history-uk-pm-theresa-may-209295">Jallianwala Bagh massacre: UK PM Theresa May expresses regret, but stops short of an apology</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was a shameful scar on British Indian history. Theresa May said that the United Kingdom deeply regret&nbsp;what happened and the suffering caused in Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, as the British Prime Minister marked the 100th anniversary of the tragic incident but she stopped short of a formal apology.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-wins-reelection-with-parliamentary-majority-tally-209271">Israel election: PM Netanyahu wins record fifth term with a parliamentary majority</a>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&nbsp;secured a clear path to reelection on Wednesday, with religious-rightist parties set to hand him a&nbsp;parliamentary majority&nbsp;despite a close contest against his main centrist challenger, a vote tally showed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-work-with-you-pm-modi-congratulates-netanyahu-for-poll-win-209276">Look forward to </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-work-with-you-pm-modi-congratulates-netanyahu-for-poll-win-209276">work</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-work-with-you-pm-modi-congratulates-netanyahu-for-poll-win-209276"> with you: PM Modi congratulates Netanyahu for poll win</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for&nbsp;winning the elections&nbsp;in his country. "My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu," PM Modi said on Twitter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-documents-admissible-says-supreme-court-dismissing-centres-objection-209211">Rafale documents admissible, says Supreme Court dismissing Centre's objection</a>

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the government's objection over documents used by petitioners to seek review of Rafale judgement. The bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that the documents are admissible.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pm-narendra-modi-election-commission-stalls-release-of-modi-biopic-209258">PM Narendra Modi: Election Commission stalls release of Modi biopic</a>

A day after the Supreme Court dismissed the stay order on the release of 'PM Narendra Modi', the Election Commission has now stalled Modi's biopic that stars Vivek Oberoi in the lead.

&nbsp;

Jallianwala Bagh massacre: UK PM Theresa May expresses regret, but stops short of an apology British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was a shameful scar on British Indian history.

Jallianwala Bagh massacre: UK PM Theresa May expresses regret, but stops short of an apology British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was a shameful scar on British Indian history. Theresa May said that the United Kingdom deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused in Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, as the British Prime Minister marked the 100th anniversary of the tragic incident but she stopped short of a formal apology. Israel election: PM Netanyahu wins record fifth term with a parliamentary majority Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a clear path to reelection on Wednesday, with religious-rightist parties set to hand him a parliamentary majority despite a close contest against his main centrist challenger, a vote tally showed. Look forward to work with you: PM Modi congratulates Netanyahu for poll win Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for winning the elections in his country. "My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu," PM Modi said on Twitter. Rafale documents admissible, says Supreme Court dismissing Centre's objection The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the government's objection over documents used by petitioners to seek review of Rafale judgement. The bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that the documents are admissible. PM Narendra Modi: Election Commission stalls release of Modi biopic A day after the Supreme Court dismissed the stay order on the release of 'PM Narendra Modi', the Election Commission has now stalled Modi's biopic that stars Vivek Oberoi in the lead.

More than 900 artists, including Pandit Jasraj, Vivek Oberoi and Rita Ganguli, Wednesday issued a statement asking people to vote for the BJP and said the country needs a "Majboot Sarkar" not a "Majboor Sarkar".

The artists appealed to the people to cast their vote without any pressure and prejudice.

"It is our firm conviction that the continuance of government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the need of the hour. Besides, when challenges like terrorism are before all of us, we need a 'Majboot Sarkar' not a 'Majboor Sarkar' and hence we need the present government to continue," it said.

Among those who have issued the joint statement are Shankar Mahadevan, Triloki Nath Mishra, Koena Mitra, Anuradha Paudwal and Hans Raj Hans.

The joint statement said that during the last five years, India has seen a government which delivered "corruption-free good governance and development-oriented administration".

The joint statement comes a week after more than 600 theatre personalities, including Amol Palekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad and Usha Ganguli, had signed a letter asking people to "vote BJP and its allies" out of power, arguing that the idea of India and its constitution are under threat.&nbsp;

The letter, which was issued Thursday evening in 12 languages on the Artist Unite India website, said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are the "most critical in the history" of the country.

More than 900 artists, including Pandit Jasraj, Vivek Oberoi and Rita Ganguli, Wednesday issued a statement asking people to vote for the BJP and said the country needs a "Majboot Sarkar" not a "Majboor Sarkar".

More than 900 artists, including Pandit Jasraj, Vivek Oberoi and Rita Ganguli, Wednesday issued a statement asking people to vote for the BJP and said the country needs a "Majboot Sarkar" not a "Majboor Sarkar". The artists appealed to the people to cast their vote without any pressure and prejudice. "It is our firm conviction that the continuance of government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the need of the hour. Besides, when challenges like terrorism are before all of us, we need a 'Majboot Sarkar' not a 'Majboor Sarkar' and hence we need the present government to continue," it said. Among those who have issued the joint statement are Shankar Mahadevan, Triloki Nath Mishra, Koena Mitra, Anuradha Paudwal and Hans Raj Hans. The joint statement said that during the last five years, India has seen a government which delivered "corruption-free good governance and development-oriented administration". The joint statement comes a week after more than 600 theatre personalities, including Amol Palekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad and Usha Ganguli, had signed a letter asking people to "vote BJP and its allies" out of power, arguing that the idea of India and its constitution are under threat. The letter, which was issued Thursday evening in 12 languages on the Artist Unite India website, said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are the "most critical in the history" of the country.

After 600 artists issued statements to vote BJP out of power, over 900 urge people to vote for them

The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in multi-crore fodder scam cases.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Rajan Gogoi said it is not inclined to enlarge Yadav on bail in the cases.

The bench rejected Yadav's arguments that he has been in jail for 24 months, saying in comparison to the 14-year sentence awarded to him 24 months was nothing.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Yadav, said there were no recoveries and no demand and the only major offence under which he was convicted was a conspiracy.

The bench said merits of the case will be decided by the high court. "At present, we are only hearing the bail appeal," it said.

The CBI had yesterday vehemently opposed in the apex court the bail plea of Yadav, saying the ailing leader suddenly claimed to be "fully fit" to undertake political activities in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Yadav, who has been in the hospital instead of jail for last over eight months, had sought bail on medical grounds and for leading his party simultaneously, the CBI had said while arguing that granting of bail to him would set "very wrong precedent" in cases involving "serious corruption in high offices".

Accusing Yadav of undertaking political activities from a hospital in Ranchi, the probe agency had said: "Simultaneous raising of pleas for bail on medical grounds and bail to guide the party and to carry out all essential responsibilities as a party president in ensuing Lok Sabha election are mutually contradictory and manifests that in the garb of bail on medical ground the petitioner, in essence, wants to pursue his political activities which are impermissible in law."

The agency, in its response filed to Yadav's bail plea, had referred to the high-profile political leaders who have visited him in hospital in last few months including Ahmed Patel, D Raja, Derek O' Brien, Sharad Yadav and Hemant Soren.

The convicted person occupied the constitutional office of the Chief Minister of one of the largest states in the country and has been held guilty of "misappropriation of Rs 75.48 crores in four fodder scam cases" and is still undergoing trial in two cases for misappropriation of Rs 139.45 crore, it had said, adding Yadav may influence the trial in the two pending cases.

The RJD chief, lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, had challenged the January 10 verdict of the Jharkhand High Court dismissing his bail plea.

The three cases in which Prasad has been convicted are related to the over-Rs 900-crore fodder scam, which pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the treasuries in the Animal Husbandry department in the early 1990s when Jharkhand was part of Bihar.

The RJD was in power in Bihar with Prasad as the chief minister when the scam had allegedly taken place.

In the high court, the RJD supremo cited old age and poor health for grant of bail. Yadav (71) said he was suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and other ailments and that he had already obtained bail in one of the fodder scam cases.

He has been convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of money from the Deoghar, Dumka and two Chaibasa treasuries situated in Jharkhand.

He is currently facing trial in another fodder scam case pertaining to the Doranda treasury and has been undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at Ranchi for the last few months.

The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in multi-crore fodder scam cases. A bench headed by Chief Justice Rajan Gogoi said it is not inclined to enlarge Yadav on bail in the cases.

The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in multi-crore fodder scam cases. A bench headed by Chief Justice Rajan Gogoi said it is not inclined to enlarge Yadav on bail in the cases. The bench rejected Yadav's arguments that he has been in jail for 24 months, saying in comparison to the 14-year sentence awarded to him 24 months was nothing. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Yadav, said there were no recoveries and no demand and the only major offence under which he was convicted was a conspiracy. The bench said merits of the case will be decided by the high court. "At present, we are only hearing the bail appeal," it said. The CBI had yesterday vehemently opposed in the apex court the bail plea of Yadav, saying the ailing leader suddenly claimed to be "fully fit" to undertake political activities in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Yadav, who has been in the hospital instead of jail for last over eight months, had sought bail on medical grounds and for leading his party simultaneously, the CBI had said while arguing that granting of bail to him would set "very wrong precedent" in cases involving "serious corruption in high offices". Accusing Yadav of undertaking political activities from a hospital in Ranchi, the probe agency had said: "Simultaneous raising of pleas for bail on medical grounds and bail to guide the party and to carry out all essential responsibilities as a party president in ensuing Lok Sabha election are mutually contradictory and manifests that in the garb of bail on medical ground the petitioner, in essence, wants to pursue his political activities which are impermissible in law." The agency, in its response filed to Yadav's bail plea, had referred to the high-profile political leaders who have visited him in hospital in last few months including Ahmed Patel, D Raja, Derek O' Brien, Sharad Yadav and Hemant Soren. The convicted person occupied the constitutional office of the Chief Minister of one of the largest states in the country and has been held guilty of "misappropriation of Rs 75.48 crores in four fodder scam cases" and is still undergoing trial in two cases for misappropriation of Rs 139.45 crore, it had said, adding Yadav may influence the trial in the two pending cases. The RJD chief, lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, had challenged the January 10 verdict of the Jharkhand High Court dismissing his bail plea. The three cases in which Prasad has been convicted are related to the over-Rs 900-crore fodder scam, which pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the treasuries in the Animal Husbandry department in the early 1990s when Jharkhand was part of Bihar. The RJD was in power in Bihar with Prasad as the chief minister when the scam had allegedly taken place. In the high court, the RJD supremo cited old age and poor health for grant of bail. Yadav (71) said he was suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and other ailments and that he had already obtained bail in one of the fodder scam cases. He has been convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of money from the Deoghar, Dumka and two Chaibasa treasuries situated in Jharkhand. He is currently facing trial in another fodder scam case pertaining to the Doranda treasury and has been undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at Ranchi for the last few months.

Bail plea on medical grounds but fit for politics: SC dismisses appeal of Lalu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-wins-reelection-with-parliamentary-majority-tally-209271">winning the elections</a> in his country.

"My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu," PM Modi said on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@netanyahu</a>
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1115916217431277568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Netanyahu secured a clear path to re-election on Wednesday, with religious-rightist parties set to hand him a parliamentary majority despite a close contest against his main centrist challenger, a vote tally showed.

With more than 97 per cent of votes counted, Netanyahu's conservative Likud party looked likely to muster enough support to control 65 of the Knesset's 120 seats and be named to head the next coalition government - a record fifth term as premier.

Modi and Netanyahu developed cordial connect after the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Israel in July, 2017 - first ever by an Indian Prime Minister. He was received at the airport by Netanyahu - an honour afforded to only a few select leaders.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says, 'Aapka swagat hai mere dost' welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel <a href="https://t.co/QjtsoCek2R">pic.twitter.com/QjtsoCek2R</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/882227611501346816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Modi was welcomed by Netanyahu with a hug. "Aapka swagat hai mere dost (Welcome my friend)," said Netanyahu in his welcome address.

Six months later, Modi hosted Netanyahu and wife Sara in his home state Gujarat. He also presented a special gift - a water desalination and purification jeep - to PM Modi.

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PM Netanyahu and <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> attend a demonstration of a mobile seawater desalination unit. <a href="https://t.co/FLhZsScgXM">pic.twitter.com/FLhZsScgXM</a>
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/882894955362103296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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This was the second visit of any Israeli Prime Minister to India. Prior to this, Ariel Sharon came to India in 2003 during PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee tenure.

Watch: A brief profile of Israel's longest-serving prime minister

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R974E5K10kw" width="560"></iframe>

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for winning the elections in his country. "My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for winning the elections in his country. "My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu," PM Modi said on Twitter. My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2019 × Netanyahu secured a clear path to re-election on Wednesday, with religious-rightist parties set to hand him a parliamentary majority despite a close contest against his main centrist challenger, a vote tally showed. With more than 97 per cent of votes counted, Netanyahu's conservative Likud party looked likely to muster enough support to control 65 of the Knesset's 120 seats and be named to head the next coalition government - a record fifth term as premier. Modi and Netanyahu developed cordial connect after the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Israel in July, 2017 - first ever by an Indian Prime Minister. He was received at the airport by Netanyahu - an honour afforded to only a few select leaders. #WATCH Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says, 'Aapka swagat hai mere dost' welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel pic.twitter.com/QjtsoCek2R — ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2017 × Modi was welcomed by Netanyahu with a hug. "Aapka swagat hai mere dost (Welcome my friend)," said Netanyahu in his welcome address. Six months later, Modi hosted Netanyahu and wife Sara in his home state Gujarat. He also presented a special gift - a water desalination and purification jeep - to PM Modi. PM Netanyahu and @PMOIndia @narendramodi attend a demonstration of a mobile seawater desalination unit. pic.twitter.com/FLhZsScgXM — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 6, 2017 × This was the second visit of any Israeli Prime Minister to India. Prior to this, Ariel Sharon came to India in 2003 during PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee tenure. Watch: A brief profile of Israel's longest-serving prime minister

Look forward to work with you: PM Modi congratulates Netanyahu for poll win

Adding to the woes of the crippled Jet Airways, a European cargo services provider has seized one of its Boeing planes at the Amsterdam airport for non-payment of dues.

The aircraft was to operate a flight (9W 321) to Mumbai from Amsterdam on Thursday, an airline source said.

"The cargo agent seized Boeing 777-300 ER (VT-JEW) of Jet Airways at the Amsterdam airport as the airline could not clear his dues," the airline source said on Wednesday.

The airline has grounded more than three-fourths of its fleet due to non-payment of lessors' rentals and is operating just about 25 planes out of its 123 earlier.

Due to cash crunch, the airline has been paying only part salaries to its over 16,000 employees which forced a section of its pilots on Tuesday sending a legal notice to the management which is currently being headed by the lenders led by State Bank of India.

The airline has confirmed the cancellation of the said flight attributing to "operational reasons".

In a statement, Jet Airways said flight 9W 231 from Amsterdam to Mumbai scheduled for April 10, has been delayed due to operational reasons.

The aircraft had flown to Amsterdam from Mumbai Tuesday and was scheduled to return Thursday, the source added.

Adding to the woes of the crippled Jet Airways, a European cargo services provider has seized one of its Boeing planes at the Amsterdam airport for non-payment of dues.

Adding to the woes of the crippled Jet Airways, a European cargo services provider has seized one of its Boeing planes at the Amsterdam airport for non-payment of dues. The aircraft was to operate a flight (9W 321) to Mumbai from Amsterdam on Thursday, an airline source said. "The cargo agent seized Boeing 777-300 ER (VT-JEW) of Jet Airways at the Amsterdam airport as the airline could not clear his dues," the airline source said on Wednesday. The airline has grounded more than three-fourths of its fleet due to non-payment of lessors' rentals and is operating just about 25 planes out of its 123 earlier. Due to cash crunch, the airline has been paying only part salaries to its over 16,000 employees which forced a section of its pilots on Tuesday sending a legal notice to the management which is currently being headed by the lenders led by State Bank of India. The airline has confirmed the cancellation of the said flight attributing to "operational reasons". In a statement, Jet Airways said flight 9W 231 from Amsterdam to Mumbai scheduled for April 10, has been delayed due to operational reasons. The aircraft had flown to Amsterdam from Mumbai Tuesday and was scheduled to return Thursday, the source added.

Cargo agent seizes Jet Airways plane in Amsterdam for dues

The Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, finding him prima facie guilty of allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Hindus while addressing an election rally in Karimnagar last month.

Now, he has been asked to furnish his reply by April 12 evening, failing which the Commission will take a decision "without any further reference to you".

The Commission said VHP state president M Rama Raju had filed a compliant which claimed that the Telangana Rashtra Samathi chief "tried to secure votes by passing derogatory remarks against Hindus while addressing an election rally at Karimnagar on March 17."

The Commission has produced his remarks in Telugu but did not give English translation of the same.

"... The Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement which has the potential of disturbing harmony and aggravating existing differences between social and religious communities, and appealing to communal feelings, you have violated the ... The Model Code of Conduct," the notice served Tuesday said.

The poll panel reminded Rao of the provision of the poll code which states that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic; and prohibits appeal to communal feelings for securing votes.

The model code came into force on March 10 when the schedule for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections was announced.&nbsp;

The Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, finding him prima facie guilty of allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Hindus while addressing an election rally in Karimnagar last month.

The Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, finding him prima facie guilty of allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Hindus while addressing an election rally in Karimnagar last month. Now, he has been asked to furnish his reply by April 12 evening, failing which the Commission will take a decision "without any further reference to you". The Commission said VHP state president M Rama Raju had filed a compliant which claimed that the Telangana Rashtra Samathi chief "tried to secure votes by passing derogatory remarks against Hindus while addressing an election rally at Karimnagar on March 17." The Commission has produced his remarks in Telugu but did not give English translation of the same. "... The Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement which has the potential of disturbing harmony and aggravating existing differences between social and religious communities, and appealing to communal feelings, you have violated the ... The Model Code of Conduct," the notice served Tuesday said. The poll panel reminded Rao of the provision of the poll code which states that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic; and prohibits appeal to communal feelings for securing votes. The model code came into force on March 10 when the schedule for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections was announced.

EC says Telangana CM prima facie violated model code by making communal remark

A Delhi court Wednesday sent JKLF chief Yasin Malik to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmiri-separatist-leader-yasin-malik-brought-to-delhi-to-be-quizzed-in-terror-funding-case-209191"> NIA custody </a>till April 22 after the agency sought his custodial interrogation in connection with a case related to funding of separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

Malik was produced before special judge Rakesh Syal where the National Investigation Agency arrested him inside the courtroom and sought 15-day custodial interrogation.

The proceedings in the case were heard in-camera.

He was shifted to Delhi's Tihar Jail on Tuesday after the NIA secured his production remand in connection with the terror funding case.

Malik will be facing questions from the NIA related to funding of his organisation.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has reserved its judgment on a plea of the CBI for reopening three-decade-old cases in which Malik was an accused.

The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief is facing charges of kidnapping and murder for being allegedly involved in abducting Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 1989, and killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in the early part of 1990. 
NIA had approached a special court in Jammu, seeking Malik's remand for custodial interrogation in the terror-funding case.

The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, pelting of stones on security forces, burning down of schools and damaging of government establishments.

The case also names Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the front for the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, as an accused.&nbsp;

Besides, it names organisations such as Hurriyat Conference factions led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Dukhtaran-e-Millat.

The JKLF was recently banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.&nbsp;

A Delhi court Wednesday sent JKLF chief Yasin Malik to NIA custody till April 22 after the agency sought his custodial interrogation in connection with a case related to funding of separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

A Delhi court Wednesday sent JKLF chief Yasin Malik to NIA custody till April 22 after the agency sought his custodial interrogation in connection with a case related to funding of separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Malik was produced before special judge Rakesh Syal where the National Investigation Agency arrested him inside the courtroom and sought 15-day custodial interrogation. The proceedings in the case were heard in-camera. He was shifted to Delhi's Tihar Jail on Tuesday after the NIA secured his production remand in connection with the terror funding case. Malik will be facing questions from the NIA related to funding of his organisation. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has reserved its judgment on a plea of the CBI for reopening three-decade-old cases in which Malik was an accused. The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief is facing charges of kidnapping and murder for being allegedly involved in abducting Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 1989, and killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in the early part of 1990. NIA had approached a special court in Jammu, seeking Malik's remand for custodial interrogation in the terror-funding case. The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, pelting of stones on security forces, burning down of schools and damaging of government establishments. The case also names Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the front for the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, as an accused. Besides, it names organisations such as Hurriyat Conference factions led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Dukhtaran-e-Millat. The JKLF was recently banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Delhi court sends Yasin Malik to NIA custody till April 22 in terror funding case

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi with a chest infection and his condition is stable, hospital sources said Wednesday.

The 83-year-old, a globally revered figure and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, had come down here from Dharamshala for a check-up at the Max Hospital in Saket on Tuesday.

"He was brought to Max Hospital yesterday with a case of chest infection. The Dalai Lama was later admitted and will be under treatment for a couple of days. He is in a stable condition," a source said.

The 14th Dalai Lama was here for the past few days for attending a global learning conference that ended on April 6. He returned to Dharamshala from New Delhi on Monday.

The Dalai Lama had fled to India in early 1959 to escape from Chinese occupation, and lives in exile in the hill town of Dharamshala.

At the event, he had also spoken about ageing and reincarnation, and reiterated that he was the "son of the Nalanda tradition" referring to the rich Buddhist heritage of the Nalanda University in Bihar.

China has said the successor to the Dalai Lama must be chosen according to religious rituals and historical conventions as well as the backing from the ruling Communist Party.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi with a chest infection and his condition is stable, hospital sources said Wednesday.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi with a chest infection and his condition is stable, hospital sources said Wednesday. The 83-year-old, a globally revered figure and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, had come down here from Dharamshala for a check-up at the Max Hospital in Saket on Tuesday. "He was brought to Max Hospital yesterday with a case of chest infection. The Dalai Lama was later admitted and will be under treatment for a couple of days. He is in a stable condition," a source said. The 14th Dalai Lama was here for the past few days for attending a global learning conference that ended on April 6. He returned to Dharamshala from New Delhi on Monday. The Dalai Lama had fled to India in early 1959 to escape from Chinese occupation, and lives in exile in the hill town of Dharamshala. At the event, he had also spoken about ageing and reincarnation, and reiterated that he was the "son of the Nalanda tradition" referring to the rich Buddhist heritage of the Nalanda University in Bihar. China has said the successor to the Dalai Lama must be chosen according to religious rituals and historical conventions as well as the backing from the ruling Communist Party.

Dalai Lama admitted to Delhi hospital with chest infection, condition stable

PM Modi campaigned in his home state of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-blowing-pakistans-trumpet-more-than-indias-modi-in-manipur-208624">Gujarat for the first time today </a>as he took a dig at the Congress over I-T raids on Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides.

"First, Karnataka was ATM for Congress, now Madhya Pradesh has also become an ATM, PM Modi said while taking a jibe at I-T raids on CM Kamal Nath's aides.&nbsp;

Speaking at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/middle-class-has-always-suffered-under-congress-pm-modi-in-tripura-208537">rally in Junagarh in western Gujarat</a>, the Indian prime minister accused the Congress of looting money meant for the poor.

Junagadh will be going to the polls in the third phase on April 23rd. It is sixth largest city in Gujarat and an important industrial town. The BJP has won the parliamentary polls on the last two occasions from the city in 2014 and 2009.

"Congress used all abusive words in the dictionary against 'your son, your chowkidar', he said, adding," air strikes was against Pakistan, but affected Congress in India."

PM Modi accused the Congress of supporting those who want to separate J&amp;K from India and have a separate PM there.

"Sardar Patel resolved issues of princely states but one (Kashmir) was kept for Nehru and due to his bungling soldiers lost lives," he said.

In the last five years, I have brought them to doors of jail, if given the next five years, they will be inside, PM Modi said while targeting the Opposition.

PM Modi had addressed a poll rally in Latur, Maharashtra on Tuesday along with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as both leaders lashed out at Pakistan. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

PM Modi campaigned in his home state of Gujarat for the first time today as he took a dig at the Congress over I-T raids on Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides.

PM Modi campaigned in his home state of Gujarat for the first time today as he took a dig at the Congress over I-T raids on Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath's aides. "First, Karnataka was ATM for Congress, now Madhya Pradesh has also become an ATM, PM Modi said while taking a jibe at I-T raids on CM Kamal Nath's aides. Speaking at the rally in Junagarh in western Gujarat, the Indian prime minister accused the Congress of looting money meant for the poor. Junagadh will be going to the polls in the third phase on April 23rd. It is sixth largest city in Gujarat and an important industrial town. The BJP has won the parliamentary polls on the last two occasions from the city in 2014 and 2009. "Congress used all abusive words in the dictionary against 'your son, your chowkidar', he said, adding," air strikes was against Pakistan, but affected Congress in India." PM Modi accused the Congress of supporting those who want to separate J&K from India and have a separate PM there. "Sardar Patel resolved issues of princely states but one (Kashmir) was kept for Nehru and due to his bungling soldiers lost lives," he said. In the last five years, I have brought them to doors of jail, if given the next five years, they will be inside, PM Modi said while targeting the Opposition. PM Modi had addressed a poll rally in Latur, Maharashtra on Tuesday along with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as both leaders lashed out at Pakistan.

First, Karnataka, now Madhya Pradesh has become an ATM for Congress: PM Modi in Gujarat

PM Modi and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray addressed a poll rally in Latur in Maharashtra on Tuesday as both leaders lashed out at Pakistan.

"Had pre-Independence Congress leaders acted wisely, 'this Pakistan' would not have been created, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-our-inspiration-good-governance-our-mantra-says-pm-modi-as-bjp-unveils-election-manifesto-208728">PM Modi said at the rally</a>, adding, "Congress is responsible for the creation of Pakistan."

"Congress manifesto and Pakistan speak same language on Kashmir-related issues,"&nbsp;the PM said.

Latur will be voting in the second phase of elections on April 18th.

The prime minister told the people present at the venue that one of the key aims of his government was to rid India of Naxals.

"Those who talk of a separate prime minister and secession of J&amp;K are the ones on whom the nation had trusted once. The country can now understand who governed J&amp;K for decades, and who they actually served. The thoughts in their hearts are now in the open."

"Congress and NCP are now standing with those who advocate for a separate PM in J&amp;K. Sharad Pawarji, you are standing with such people! The country has no expectations with the Congress party but Sharadji&nbsp;you? Does it suit you?&nbsp;he asked.

"How much evidence do Congress leaders want to prove India downed Pak aircraft,"&nbsp;the prime minister asked. 
&nbsp; 
"We didn't talk of air strike in the&nbsp;manifesto, but carried it out when warranted,"&nbsp;he said.

"Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out air strike,"&nbsp;PM Modi asked the first-time voters.

Speaking at the event, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said: "Deal Pak such a blow that nothing of it remains."

PM Modi and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray addressed a poll rally in Latur in Maharashtra on Tuesday as both leaders lashed out at Pakistan. "Had pre-Independence Congress leaders acted wisely, 'this Pakistan' would not have been created, PM Modi said at the rally, adding, "Congress is responsible for the creation of Pakistan.

PM Modi and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray addressed a poll rally in Latur in Maharashtra on Tuesday as both leaders lashed out at Pakistan. "Had pre-Independence Congress leaders acted wisely, 'this Pakistan' would not have been created, PM Modi said at the rally, adding, "Congress is responsible for the creation of Pakistan." "Congress manifesto and Pakistan speak same language on Kashmir-related issues," the PM said. Latur will be voting in the second phase of elections on April 18th. The prime minister told the people present at the venue that one of the key aims of his government was to rid India of Naxals. "Those who talk of a separate prime minister and secession of J&K are the ones on whom the nation had trusted once. The country can now understand who governed J&K for decades, and who they actually served. The thoughts in their hearts are now in the open." "Congress and NCP are now standing with those who advocate for a separate PM in J&K. Sharad Pawarji, you are standing with such people! The country has no expectations with the Congress party but Sharadji you? Does it suit you? he asked. "How much evidence do Congress leaders want to prove India downed Pak aircraft," the prime minister asked. "We didn't talk of air strike in the manifesto, but carried it out when warranted," he said. "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out air strike," PM Modi asked the first-time voters. Speaking at the event, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said: "Deal Pak such a blow that nothing of it remains."

Congress manifesto, Pak speak same language on Kashmir-related issues, says PM Modi in Latur

The CBI Tuesday opposed in the Supreme Court the bail plea of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is serving jail term in connection with fodder scam cases, saying he is likely to indulge in political activities ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

The CBI, which sought nod from a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi to file its response to the bail plea of Yadav, said the RJD leader is likely to get involved in political activities and misuse the grant of bail ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The probe agency said, in any case, Yadav has been in a hospital ward for over eight months and indulging in political activities.

"During the period in which the petitioner (Lalu Yadav) remained in hospital, he is not only granted a special paying ward with all facilities but he is virtually conducting his political activities from there which would be clear form the list of visitors," the CBI in its reply said.

The agency further said Yadav who claimed to be so unwell that he cannot even remain in jail has now suddenly become physically fit and is seeking bail.

"It is submitted that simultaneous raising of pleas for bails on medical grounds and bail to guide the party and to carry out all essential responsibilities as a party president in ensuing Lok Sabha elections are mutually contradictory and manifest that in the garb of bail on medical ground the petitioner, in essence, wants to pursue his political activities which is impermissible in law," the CBI said.

The RJD chief, currently lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, has challenged the January 10 verdict of the Jharkhand High Court dismissing his bail plea.

The three cases in which Prasad has been convicted are related to the over Rs 900-crore fodder scam, which pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the treasuries in the Animal Husbandry department in the early 1990s when Jharkhand was part of Bihar.&nbsp;

The CBI Tuesday opposed in the Supreme Court the bail plea of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is serving jail term in connection with fodder scam cases, saying he is likely to indulge in political activities ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

The CBI Tuesday opposed in the Supreme Court the bail plea of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is serving jail term in connection with fodder scam cases, saying he is likely to indulge in political activities ahead of Lok Sabha polls. The CBI, which sought nod from a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi to file its response to the bail plea of Yadav, said the RJD leader is likely to get involved in political activities and misuse the grant of bail ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The probe agency said, in any case, Yadav has been in a hospital ward for over eight months and indulging in political activities. "During the period in which the petitioner (Lalu Yadav) remained in hospital, he is not only granted a special paying ward with all facilities but he is virtually conducting his political activities from there which would be clear form the list of visitors," the CBI in its reply said. The agency further said Yadav who claimed to be so unwell that he cannot even remain in jail has now suddenly become physically fit and is seeking bail. "It is submitted that simultaneous raising of pleas for bails on medical grounds and bail to guide the party and to carry out all essential responsibilities as a party president in ensuing Lok Sabha elections are mutually contradictory and manifest that in the garb of bail on medical ground the petitioner, in essence, wants to pursue his political activities which is impermissible in law," the CBI said. The RJD chief, currently lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, has challenged the January 10 verdict of the Jharkhand High Court dismissing his bail plea. The three cases in which Prasad has been convicted are related to the over Rs 900-crore fodder scam, which pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the treasuries in the Animal Husbandry department in the early 1990s when Jharkhand was part of Bihar.

CBI opposes Lalu Yadav's bail plea in Supreme Court, says he is likely to get involved in political activities

The connectivity between India and Israel will influence the bilateral relationship and help in increasing the tourist flow on both the sides, India's Ambassador to Israel has said.

Pavan Kapoor's remarks came as Indian national carrier Air India celebrated its one year of operations on the Tel Aviv-Delhi sector.

The sector is considered a major diplomatic breakthrough given that the flights use Saudi and Omani airspace, registering an impressive growth with average seat occupancy around eighty per cent making it one of the most lucrative sector.

Air India's staff and the crew celebrated the completion of one year of operations on the route with passengers travelling to Delhi on Monday night at an event organised here at the airport just before the flight took off at 10:35 PM.

"It was a long journey with lots of ups and downs. Lots of interesting history which shall be written at some point but it was a sort of fascinating effort when we had the first flight arrive here on March 22nd last year," Kapoor said.

"It was really a special event and we were glad to be a part of civil aviation history for Israel, I think the first civilian aircraft to arrive at Tel Aviv airport flying over Saudi airspace", he said at the ceremony.

Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and Oman. The permission given to Air India by the two Gulf countries to use their airspace to fly into Tel Aviv has often been presented by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a big success story of his leadership.&nbsp;

"The connectivity between India and Israel will influence the relationship, something that I strongly believe in. We have seen more tourists on both sides, we have seen more business persons and we are pushing for more and more Israelis to travel to India. If Indians come here we are happy about it too. The Israeli tourist's Indian experience starts here when they enter Air India", Kapoor said.&nbsp;

Officials in Israel also reminisced the long and difficult path to this success story which also included objections from Israel's national carrier El Al that filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court against the permission given to Air India on grounds of "unfair competition". El Al later withdrew the petition.

The access to Saudi and Omani airspace shortens the flight path by almost two hours lowering significantly the fuel cost which can be transferred on to the passengers.

"The launch of Air India flights between Tel Aviv and Delhi was an outcome of mutual efforts. It has contributed to a significant increase in tourist inflows from India to Israel. We have seen a 13 per cent increase in tourists coming from India during the first quarter of this year and almost 30 per cent compared to two years ago", Israeli Tourism Ministry's Director general, Amir Halevi, told PTI.

The connectivity between India and Israel will influence the bilateral relationship and help in increasing the tourist flow on both the sides, India's Ambassador to Israel has said.

The connectivity between India and Israel will influence the bilateral relationship and help in increasing the tourist flow on both the sides, India's Ambassador to Israel has said. Pavan Kapoor's remarks came as Indian national carrier Air India celebrated its one year of operations on the Tel Aviv-Delhi sector. The sector is considered a major diplomatic breakthrough given that the flights use Saudi and Omani airspace, registering an impressive growth with average seat occupancy around eighty per cent making it one of the most lucrative sector. Air India's staff and the crew celebrated the completion of one year of operations on the route with passengers travelling to Delhi on Monday night at an event organised here at the airport just before the flight took off at 10:35 PM. "It was a long journey with lots of ups and downs. Lots of interesting history which shall be written at some point but it was a sort of fascinating effort when we had the first flight arrive here on March 22nd last year," Kapoor said. "It was really a special event and we were glad to be a part of civil aviation history for Israel, I think the first civilian aircraft to arrive at Tel Aviv airport flying over Saudi airspace", he said at the ceremony. Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and Oman. The permission given to Air India by the two Gulf countries to use their airspace to fly into Tel Aviv has often been presented by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a big success story of his leadership. "The connectivity between India and Israel will influence the relationship, something that I strongly believe in. We have seen more tourists on both sides, we have seen more business persons and we are pushing for more and more Israelis to travel to India. If Indians come here we are happy about it too. The Israeli tourist's Indian experience starts here when they enter Air India", Kapoor said. Officials in Israel also reminisced the long and difficult path to this success story which also included objections from Israel's national carrier El Al that filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court against the permission given to Air India on grounds of "unfair competition". El Al later withdrew the petition. The access to Saudi and Omani airspace shortens the flight path by almost two hours lowering significantly the fuel cost which can be transferred on to the passengers. "The launch of Air India flights between Tel Aviv and Delhi was an outcome of mutual efforts. It has contributed to a significant increase in tourist inflows from India to Israel. We have seen a 13 per cent increase in tourists coming from India during the first quarter of this year and almost 30 per cent compared to two years ago", Israeli Tourism Ministry's Director general, Amir Halevi, told PTI.

Connectivity important for boosting India-Israel relationship, says Envoy as Air India celebrates one year of operations

The Election Commission has called the revenue secretary and chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes on Tuesday to discuss ongoing income tax raids.

Revenue Secretary A B Pandey and CBDT Chairman P C Mody have been called to explain the raids amid allegations by the Congress that the ruling BJP was using enforcement agencies to target it during the poll season.

The EC had on Sunday "strongly advised" the Finance Ministry that any action by its enforcement agencies during election time should be "neutral" and "non-discriminatory" and officials of the poll panel should be kept in loop about such actions.

The EC's advice had come against the backdrop of Income Tax Department's raids in Madhya Pradesh Sunday and in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the recent past on politicians and people connected to them.&nbsp;

Since the Model Code Conduct came into force on March 10, the I-T Department has carried out several raids on political leaders and their associates which the opposition has dubbed a misuse of central agencies during poll season.

The Income-Tax Department Monday said it has detected a "widespread and well-organised" racket of a collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore during raids against close aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and others.

It said sleuths have recovered Rs 14.6 crore of "unaccounted" cash and seized diaries and computer files of suspect payments made between Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.?

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the department has also detected a trail of Rs 20 crore suspect cash allegedly being moved to the "headquarters of a major political party in Delhi" from the house of an important person who lives on Tughlaq Road, home to many VIPs.

The Election Commission has called the revenue secretary and chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes on Tuesday to discuss ongoing income tax raids. Revenue Secretary A B Pandey and CBDT Chairman P C Mody have been called to explain the raids amid allegations by the Congress that the ruling BJP was using enforcement agencies to target it during the poll season.

The Election Commission has called the revenue secretary and chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes on Tuesday to discuss ongoing income tax raids. Revenue Secretary A B Pandey and CBDT Chairman P C Mody have been called to explain the raids amid allegations by the Congress that the ruling BJP was using enforcement agencies to target it during the poll season. The EC had on Sunday "strongly advised" the Finance Ministry that any action by its enforcement agencies during election time should be "neutral" and "non-discriminatory" and officials of the poll panel should be kept in loop about such actions. The EC's advice had come against the backdrop of Income Tax Department's raids in Madhya Pradesh Sunday and in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the recent past on politicians and people connected to them. Since the Model Code Conduct came into force on March 10, the I-T Department has carried out several raids on political leaders and their associates which the opposition has dubbed a misuse of central agencies during poll season. The Income-Tax Department Monday said it has detected a "widespread and well-organised" racket of a collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore during raids against close aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and others. It said sleuths have recovered Rs 14.6 crore of "unaccounted" cash and seized diaries and computer files of suspect payments made between Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.? The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the department has also detected a trail of Rs 20 crore suspect cash allegedly being moved to the "headquarters of a major political party in Delhi" from the house of an important person who lives on Tughlaq Road, home to many VIPs.

IT raids: Election Commission calls CBDT chairman, Revenue Secretary

President Ram Nath Kovind Tuesday paid tributes to the police and paramilitary personnel killed in the line of duty, including the 40 CRPF men killed in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, at the National Police Memorial here.

Kovind paid his respects to the slain security personnel and laid a wreath at the memorial during a remembrance service that marks the annual "Valour Day" event of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The National Police Memorial, a 30-foot-tall and 238-tonne black granite structure, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 21 last year on the occasion of the police commemoration day.

It was for the first time that the President visited the memorial located in Chanakyapuri area of the national capital.

Kovind, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was accorded a "national salute" and presented a guard of honour by a joint column of troops from all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain, Director of CRPF Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, other officials of paramilitary, police forces and the Union home ministry attended the event.

The day is celebrated to remember a gallant fight back by the CRPF men at the Sardar post in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch in 1965.

The troops were posted on border-guarding duties that time and the event is mentioned as one of the glorious chapters in the country's military history when only two companies (about 150 personnel) of the force stood their ground and repulsed a Pakistani brigade attack.

The force was tasked to secure the post seeing the aggressive posturing of the other side and the location was at a flat area, which was tactically disadvantageous.

On the intervening night of 8-9 April (1965), 3,500 men of the 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan, comprising the 18 Punjab Battalion, the 8 Frontier Rifles and the 6 Baluch Battalion, had stealthily launched a simultaneous assault on the Sardar and Tak posts under an operation code-named "Desert Hawk".

The combat lasted 12 hours, during which the Pakistanis made three attempts to overrun the Sardar post, but was repulsed with heavy casualties by some dare-devil action of the CRPF men.

The retaliation by the CRPF personnel saw the numerically superior and better-armed Pakistani side retreating the areas and leaving behind 34 bodies of their soldiers, including two officers. Four Pakistani soldiers were taken as hostages while six CRPF men made the supreme sacrifice and the post was saved.

The over three lakh personnel-strong force remembers all its slain men by observing "Valour Day" on April 9 every year.

President Ram Nath Kovind Tuesday paid tributes to the police and paramilitary personnel killed in the line of duty, including the 40 CRPF men killed in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, at the National Police Memorial here.

President Ram Nath Kovind Tuesday paid tributes to the police and paramilitary personnel killed in the line of duty, including the 40 CRPF men killed in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, at the National Police Memorial here. Kovind paid his respects to the slain security personnel and laid a wreath at the memorial during a remembrance service that marks the annual "Valour Day" event of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The National Police Memorial, a 30-foot-tall and 238-tonne black granite structure, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 21 last year on the occasion of the police commemoration day. It was for the first time that the President visited the memorial located in Chanakyapuri area of the national capital. Kovind, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was accorded a "national salute" and presented a guard of honour by a joint column of troops from all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain, Director of CRPF Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, other officials of paramilitary, police forces and the Union home ministry attended the event. The day is celebrated to remember a gallant fight back by the CRPF men at the Sardar post in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch in 1965. The troops were posted on border-guarding duties that time and the event is mentioned as one of the glorious chapters in the country's military history when only two companies (about 150 personnel) of the force stood their ground and repulsed a Pakistani brigade attack. The force was tasked to secure the post seeing the aggressive posturing of the other side and the location was at a flat area, which was tactically disadvantageous. On the intervening night of 8-9 April (1965), 3,500 men of the 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan, comprising the 18 Punjab Battalion, the 8 Frontier Rifles and the 6 Baluch Battalion, had stealthily launched a simultaneous assault on the Sardar and Tak posts under an operation code-named "Desert Hawk". The combat lasted 12 hours, during which the Pakistanis made three attempts to overrun the Sardar post, but was repulsed with heavy casualties by some dare-devil action of the CRPF men. The retaliation by the CRPF personnel saw the numerically superior and better-armed Pakistani side retreating the areas and leaving behind 34 bodies of their soldiers, including two officers. Four Pakistani soldiers were taken as hostages while six CRPF men made the supreme sacrifice and the post was saved. The over three lakh personnel-strong force remembers all its slain men by observing "Valour Day" on April 9 every year.

Valour day: President pays tributes to slain CAPF men at National Police Memorial

Nirmohi Akhara has filed an application in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-serious-responsibility-will-do-my-best-sriram-panchu-on-ayodhya-mediation-202016"> Supreme Court opposing Centre’s </a>request to release excess land acquired in Ayodhya to original owners.&nbsp;

The Akhara said the acquisition of land by the government had led to the destruction of many temples managed by the Akhara, therefore it wants the court to decide the title dispute.

Last month, the Akhara which is one of the original litigants in the&nbsp;Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, had requested the Supreme Court to consider moving the mediation panel proceedings from Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Delhi or some other “neutral place”.

The Supreme Court had appointed three members comprising of ex-Supreme Court judge FM Khaliifulah, spiritual guru Shri Shri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu to mediate to help resolve the contentious Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute issue

The Akahara had earlier requested to the Supreme Court that an amicable resolution would be possible only through “direct dialogue” between the UP Sunni Wakf Board and the Nirmohi Akhara.

The Akhara had also requested two more retired judges of the apex court be appointed to the mediation panel.&nbsp;

In its application dated March 25, 2019, Nirmohi Akhara has said that the original parties claiming the title — The Panch Ramanandi Nirmohi Akhara Ayodhya and The UP Sunni Central Waqf Board — can be encouraged to have a dialogue under the aegis of the panel of mediators without requiring them to give proposals in writing.

Nirmohi Akhara has filed an application in the Supreme Court opposing Centre’s request to release excess land acquired in Ayodhya to original owners. The Akhara said the acquisition of land by the government had led to the destruction of many temples managed by the Akhara, therefore it wants the court to decide the title dispute.

Nirmohi Akhara has filed an application in the Supreme Court opposing Centre’s request to release excess land acquired in Ayodhya to original owners. The Akhara said the acquisition of land by the government had led to the destruction of many temples managed by the Akhara, therefore it wants the court to decide the title dispute. Last month, the Akhara which is one of the original litigants in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, had requested the Supreme Court to consider moving the mediation panel proceedings from Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Delhi or some other “neutral place”. The Supreme Court had appointed three members comprising of ex-Supreme Court judge FM Khaliifulah, spiritual guru Shri Shri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu to mediate to help resolve the contentious Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute issue The Akahara had earlier requested to the Supreme Court that an amicable resolution would be possible only through “direct dialogue” between the UP Sunni Wakf Board and the Nirmohi Akhara. The Akhara had also requested two more retired judges of the apex court be appointed to the mediation panel. In its application dated March 25, 2019, Nirmohi Akhara has said that the original parties claiming the title — The Panch Ramanandi Nirmohi Akhara Ayodhya and The UP Sunni Central Waqf Board — can be encouraged to have a dialogue under the aegis of the panel of mediators without requiring them to give proposals in writing.

Nirmohi Akhara moves Supreme Court against Centre’s request to release excess land acquired in Ayodhya to original owners

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Nirmohi Akhara moves Supreme Court against Centre’s request to release excess land acquired in Ayodhya to original owners