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<p>Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday exuded confidence over the work done by her government, while adding, that she is sure, the people of Rajasthan will take cognizance of the initiatives taken by the state government and help strengthen the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).</p>

<p>Speaking to media after casting her vote at polling booth no. 31A in Jhalrapatan constituency of Jhalawar, she said, "This is a vote for development.</p>

<p>This hasn`t been done singlehandedly. Unlike other parties, the complete organisation, every party worker and leader has worked hard to take our message to people of Rajasthan.</p>

<p>I am very confident that because excellent development that has taken place in the state, people would vote to strengthen the party that has done this development work.</p>

<p>"Urging people to vote for development, she said, "I think they have seen the kind of work in Rajasthan all this time. They must go out and vote for development."Later speaking to ANI, she added, "I am very sure that things will work out."</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday exuded confidence over the work done by her government, while adding, that she is sure, the people of Rajasthan will take cognizance of the initiatives taken by the state government and help strengthen the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday exuded confidence over the work done by her government, while adding, that she is sure, the people of Rajasthan will take cognizance of the initiatives taken by the state government and help strengthen the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). Speaking to media after casting her vote at polling booth no. 31A in Jhalrapatan constituency of Jhalawar, she said, "This is a vote for development. This hasn`t been done singlehandedly. Unlike other parties, the complete organisation, every party worker and leader has worked hard to take our message to people of Rajasthan. I am very confident that because excellent development that has taken place in the state, people would vote to strengthen the party that has done this development work. "Urging people to vote for development, she said, "I think they have seen the kind of work in Rajasthan all this time. They must go out and vote for development."Later speaking to ANI, she added, "I am very sure that things will work out."

Rajasthan assembly elections: Things will work out for BJP, says CM Raje

<p>At a time when the country is facing a serious dearth of doctors with escalating prices of healthcare services, Doctor Tejas Patel from Gujarat created history by performing the world's first telerobotic surgery.</p>

<p>Doctor Patel performed a first telerobotic coronary intervention at a middle-aged woman patient who was 32 kilometres away in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>Gujarat chief minister hailed the historic achievement and said that it was a path-breaking day for humanity.</p>

<p>The Telerobotic surgery requires fool-proof internet infrastructure.</p>

<p>While it might be a milestone worth celebrating there are several challenges to the new development.</p>

<p>The surgery is quite expensive at present but the doctors hope the procedure will become affordable in the next few years.</p>

<p>The procedure is not cost effective and the patient still needs a competent doctor around when the one performing the surgery is miles away.</p>

<p>Thirdly India needs to ensure reliable internet connectivity for making further developments in the telerobotic surgery.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


At a time when the country is facing a serious dearth of doctors with escalating prices of healthcare services, Doctor Tejas Patel from Gujarat created history by performing the world's first telerobotic surgery.

At a time when the country is facing a serious dearth of doctors with escalating prices of healthcare services, Doctor Tejas Patel from Gujarat created history by performing the world's first telerobotic surgery. Doctor Patel performed a first telerobotic coronary intervention at a middle-aged woman patient who was 32 kilometres away in Ahmedabad. Gujarat chief minister hailed the historic achievement and said that it was a path-breaking day for humanity. The Telerobotic surgery requires fool-proof internet infrastructure. While it might be a milestone worth celebrating there are several challenges to the new development. The surgery is quite expensive at present but the doctors hope the procedure will become affordable in the next few years. The procedure is not cost effective and the patient still needs a competent doctor around when the one performing the surgery is miles away. Thirdly India needs to ensure reliable internet connectivity for making further developments in the telerobotic surgery.

India becomes first country to perform telerobotic coronary surgery

<p>The Congress party is in a tight spot after Zee News brought to light a video that shows 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans were raised at an election rally addressed by senior party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu. However, party leaders remained defiant and instead accused Zee News of playing a 'fake video'. DNA spoke to Zee News Editor-in-Chief <strong>Sudhir Chaudhary</strong>.</p>

<p><strong>Congress says Zee News has shown a fake video and no 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan was raised. Is it a correct allegation?</strong><br />
I outright deny the allegation that the video is fake. It is 100 per cent authentic. To prove this, we have at least seven other feeds that were being recorded live and every feed has the same slogan at the same time. It has become fashionable now that when a leader of Congress is caught red-handed, the party comes to his defence by terming the video to be a fake. This is nothing but yet another Congress tactic to get out of the situation. Zee News completely stands by its video.</p>

<p><strong>Sidhu has also threatened and claimed "nani yaad dila denge". How do you respond?</strong><br />
I strongly object to the language used by Navjot Singh Sidhu. The Congress always claims that the party believes in freedom of expression and in democratic values. They are the oldest party of the country, but when one of its prominent leaders uses such foul language, it is clearly an attempt to muzzle the voice of the media for not toeing their party line. It shows that the Congress and its leaders' arrogance is at its zenith.</p>

<p><strong>Even the Editors Guild of India has not spoken on the issue. What is the next course of action?</strong><br />
Zee News always believes in the democratic system of the country. We believe in the legal system so will take all the steps within the legal framework to seek justice. We have sent our written complaint to News Broadcasters Associations and another to the Editors Guild of India. We have also sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India. If need be, we will move the court. So, we are registering our protest against the stance taken by the Congress, but in a democratic way. It is disheartening that the Editors Guild has not taken cognizance, but I hope that a large part of the media will support our campaign. I also believe that this is not just our fight, it must be seen as the fight of the entire media fraternity.</p>

<p><strong>Is Sidhu doing this on his own or does he have his party's backing?</strong><br />
In such a large set-up like Congress, a leader like Sidhu can't do it alone. You must have seen that when he went to Pakistan, his own Chief Minister Amarinder Singh didn't want him to go. But after returning from Pakistan, Sidhu stated clearly that his captain is not Amrinder, but Rahul Gandhi. Rahul disagreed then, but this has the full top brass' approval for his actions.</p>

<p><em>(This article was originally published on DNA. <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/india/interview-congress-is-attempting-to-muzzle-voice-of-media-says-sudhir-chaudhary-2692988">Read the original article</a>)</em></p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


The Congress party is in a tight spot after Zee News brought to light a video that shows 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans were raised at an election rally addressed by senior party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The Congress party is in a tight spot after Zee News brought to light a video that shows 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans were raised at an election rally addressed by senior party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu. However, party leaders remained defiant and instead accused Zee News of playing a 'fake video'. DNA spoke to Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary. Congress says Zee News has shown a fake video and no 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan was raised. Is it a correct allegation? I outright deny the allegation that the video is fake. It is 100 per cent authentic. To prove this, we have at least seven other feeds that were being recorded live and every feed has the same slogan at the same time. It has become fashionable now that when a leader of Congress is caught red-handed, the party comes to his defence by terming the video to be a fake. This is nothing but yet another Congress tactic to get out of the situation. Zee News completely stands by its video. Sidhu has also threatened and claimed "nani yaad dila denge". How do you respond? I strongly object to the language used by Navjot Singh Sidhu. The Congress always claims that the party believes in freedom of expression and in democratic values. They are the oldest party of the country, but when one of its prominent leaders uses such foul language, it is clearly an attempt to muzzle the voice of the media for not toeing their party line. It shows that the Congress and its leaders' arrogance is at its zenith. Even the Editors Guild of India has not spoken on the issue. What is the next course of action? Zee News always believes in the democratic system of the country. We believe in the legal system so will take all the steps within the legal framework to seek justice. We have sent our written complaint to News Broadcasters Associations and another to the Editors Guild of India. We have also sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India. If need be, we will move the court. So, we are registering our protest against the stance taken by the Congress, but in a democratic way. It is disheartening that the Editors Guild has not taken cognizance, but I hope that a large part of the media will support our campaign. I also believe that this is not just our fight, it must be seen as the fight of the entire media fraternity. Is Sidhu doing this on his own or does he have his party's backing? In such a large set-up like Congress, a leader like Sidhu can't do it alone. You must have seen that when he went to Pakistan, his own Chief Minister Amarinder Singh didn't want him to go. But after returning from Pakistan, Sidhu stated clearly that his captain is not Amrinder, but Rahul Gandhi. Rahul disagreed then, but this has the full top brass' approval for his actions. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

'Congress is attempting to muzzle voice of media', says Sudhir Chaudhary

<p>BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said Friday that the party would move the Supreme Court "if needed" to hold the much-touted 'rath yatras' across West Bengal.</p>

<p>"If needed, we will move the Supreme Court to get justice," he told the media here after the Calcutta High Court modified the single bench order of Thursday and directed the state chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police to sit with three BJP leaders by December 12 and take a decision on the matter by December 14.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rath-yatra-calcutta-high-court-directs-bjp-reps-to-meet-state-chief-secy-dgp-final-move-to-be-taken-by-dec-14-182248">Calcutta High Court</a> also came down heavily on the West Bengal government for not responding to letters of the BJP seeking permission for its processions in the state.</p>

<p>Vijayvargiya stood by the BJP state leadership saying, "There was no lapse on their part and the entire party stands united and we are with the state (party) president" as he blamed the state government and its policy to "throttle the opposition" for putting on hold the 'rath yatras', which was scheduled to be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah.</p>

<p>Reacting to the HC division bench ruling, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said, "We thank the court for its verdict. The state government for so many days didn't have time to discuss the matter with us. Now they will sit for discussion".</p>

<p>In Delhi, Shah told a press conference that BJP's growth in West Bengal has "scared" Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>He also accused her of "throttling" democracy in the state by denying permission to the three 'rath yatras' of his party.</p>

<p>"We will definitely carry out all yatras, nobody can stop us. The BJP is committed to change in West Bengal. The yatras have not been cancelled, just postponed," he said.</p>

<p>A party source, however, said on condition of anonymity that the BJP central leadership is unhappy with the party's state leaders as the rath yatra programme had to be put on hold.</p>

<p>A section of the leadership felt that the party had to go back on the programme at "the last moment due to lack of proper strategy and planning" when all preparation for the three 'rath yatras' slated for December 7, 9 and 14 was ready.</p>

<p>The division bench of Justices Biswanath Somadder and A Mukherjee during the day criticised the state government for not responding to BJP's letters for permission to hold three rath yatras in the state.</p>

<p>It modified the single bench order and directed the state chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police to sit with three BJP leaders by December 12 and take a decision on the matter by December 14.</p>

<p>Shah was to kickstart the campaign titled 'Save Democracy Rally' from Coochbehar district in the northern part of the state Friday, from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district on December 9, and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum district on December 14.</p>

<p>The 'rath yatra' was scheduled to cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said Friday that the party would move the Supreme Court "if needed" to hold the much-touted 'rath yatras' across West Bengal.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said Friday that the party would move the Supreme Court "if needed" to hold the much-touted 'rath yatras' across West Bengal. "If needed, we will move the Supreme Court to get justice," he told the media here after the Calcutta High Court modified the single bench order of Thursday and directed the state chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police to sit with three BJP leaders by December 12 and take a decision on the matter by December 14. The Calcutta High Court also came down heavily on the West Bengal government for not responding to letters of the BJP seeking permission for its processions in the state. Vijayvargiya stood by the BJP state leadership saying, "There was no lapse on their part and the entire party stands united and we are with the state (party) president" as he blamed the state government and its policy to "throttle the opposition" for putting on hold the 'rath yatras', which was scheduled to be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah. Reacting to the HC division bench ruling, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said, "We thank the court for its verdict. The state government for so many days didn't have time to discuss the matter with us. Now they will sit for discussion". In Delhi, Shah told a press conference that BJP's growth in West Bengal has "scared" Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He also accused her of "throttling" democracy in the state by denying permission to the three 'rath yatras' of his party. "We will definitely carry out all yatras, nobody can stop us. The BJP is committed to change in West Bengal. The yatras have not been cancelled, just postponed," he said. A party source, however, said on condition of anonymity that the BJP central leadership is unhappy with the party's state leaders as the rath yatra programme had to be put on hold. A section of the leadership felt that the party had to go back on the programme at "the last moment due to lack of proper strategy and planning" when all preparation for the three 'rath yatras' slated for December 7, 9 and 14 was ready. The division bench of Justices Biswanath Somadder and A Mukherjee during the day criticised the state government for not responding to BJP's letters for permission to hold three rath yatras in the state. It modified the single bench order and directed the state chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police to sit with three BJP leaders by December 12 and take a decision on the matter by December 14. Shah was to kickstart the campaign titled 'Save Democracy Rally' from Coochbehar district in the northern part of the state Friday, from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district on December 9, and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum district on December 14. The 'rath yatra' was scheduled to cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.

Will move SC if needed: Vijayvargiya on WB 'rath yatra' issue

<p>Ahead of the assembly election results on December 11th, the exit poll results for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh predict a tight finish between the Congress and the BJP. In Telangana, poll agencies predict a clear victory for KCR-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Madhya Pradesh exit poll result" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12a203f7-aeb0-4693-bfe3-4f7d38449be8" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Poll.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong></p>

<p>According to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-rajasthan-registers-around-74-voter-turnout-lower-than-2013-182306">CNX, BJP chief minister Shivraj Singh</a> Chouhan's party will win 126 seats and the Congress 89 with the BSP trailing far behind with 6 seats in the 240-member Assembly. Axis has put BJP in front with 111 seats with the Congress just a shade behind with 113 seats.</p>

<p>Jan ki Baat has pitched BJP with 118 seats with Congress close behind at 105. However, the CSDS exit poll has put Congress in front with 126 seats with the BJP trailing with 94 seats.</p>

<p>In the last assembly polls in 2013, BJP had trounced the Congress by winning 165 seats with Rahul's party managing just 58 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Rajasthan</strong></p>

<p>In chief minister Vasundhara Raje's state, CNX and Axis agree that the ruling BJP will lose the state. The CNX exit poll has put Congress in front with 105 seats with the BJP behind at 85.</p>

<p>Axis exit poll result has put Congress ahead with a clear 130 seats with the BJP far behind at just 63 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Jan ki Baat has predicted a neck-and-neck tussle in the state with BJP set to win 93 seats and the Congress taking 91 seats as Others grab the rest of the 15 seats in the 199- member assembly.</p>

<p><strong>Chhattisgarh</strong></p>

<p>In BJP chief Raman Singh's state, poll agencies are split between the Congress and the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>CNX and CSDS have put BJP ahead with 46 and 52 seats respectively with Axis and My Pace declaring that the Congress will surpass the BJP winning 60 and 48 seats in the 90-member assembly.</p>

<p>CNX has predicted that the ruling BJP will be just 11 seats ahead with the Congress winning 35 seats while CSDS has put Congress far behind at 35 seats. Axis has predicted a much wider margin of victory for the Congress in the state with the BJP predicted to get just 26 seats.</p>

<p><strong>Telangana</strong></p>

<p>Poll agencies <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-records-67-polling-voting-largely-peaceful-182301">CNX and Jan ki Baat predict a</a> clear victory for TRS chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. CNX has predicted TRS winning 66 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 37 seats and the BJP just 7 seats.</p>

<p>Jan ki Baat has predicted TRS winning 58 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 45 and BJP grabbing six seats.</p>

<p>My Pace has predicted a close battle with the BJP just 10 behind the Congress with 38 seats.</p>

<p><strong>Mizoram</strong></p>

<p>In the north-eastern state of Mizoram, the Congress and Mizo National Front(MNF) along with BJP, National People’s Party(NPP) and Zoram People’s Movement(ZPM) have been doing battle.</p>

<p>The hill state has been dominated by the Congress for the last 10 years with the party winning 34 seats in the 2013 elections in the 40 member assembly.</p>

<p>The C-Voter poll agency has predicted a close finish in the state with the Congress set to win between 14-18 seat with the MNF taking 16-20, ZPM winning 3-7 seats and Others getting 3 seats.</p>

<p>CNX has predicted MNF will pip Congress to the post by winning 18 seats and Rahul's party getting 16 and Others grabbing 6 seats.</p>

<p>My Axis exit poll predicts ZPM winning 8-12 seats similar to the Congress which will also win between 8-12 seats with the MNF coming out on top with 16-22 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Ahead of the assembly election results on December 11th, the exit poll results for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh predict a tight finish between the Congress and the BJP.

Ahead of the assembly election results on December 11th, the exit poll results for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh predict a tight finish between the Congress and the BJP. In Telangana, poll agencies predict a clear victory for KCR-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Madhya Pradesh According to CNX, BJP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's party will win 126 seats and the Congress 89 with the BSP trailing far behind with 6 seats in the 240-member Assembly. Axis has put BJP in front with 111 seats with the Congress just a shade behind with 113 seats. Jan ki Baat has pitched BJP with 118 seats with Congress close behind at 105. However, the CSDS exit poll has put Congress in front with 126 seats with the BJP trailing with 94 seats. In the last assembly polls in 2013, BJP had trounced the Congress by winning 165 seats with Rahul's party managing just 58 seats. Rajasthan In chief minister Vasundhara Raje's state, CNX and Axis agree that the ruling BJP will lose the state. The CNX exit poll has put Congress in front with 105 seats with the BJP behind at 85. Axis exit poll result has put Congress ahead with a clear 130 seats with the BJP far behind at just 63 seats. However, Jan ki Baat has predicted a neck-and-neck tussle in the state with BJP set to win 93 seats and the Congress taking 91 seats as Others grab the rest of the 15 seats in the 199- member assembly. Chhattisgarh In BJP chief Raman Singh's state, poll agencies are split between the Congress and the BJP. CNX and CSDS have put BJP ahead with 46 and 52 seats respectively with Axis and My Pace declaring that the Congress will surpass the BJP winning 60 and 48 seats in the 90-member assembly. CNX has predicted that the ruling BJP will be just 11 seats ahead with the Congress winning 35 seats while CSDS has put Congress far behind at 35 seats. Axis has predicted a much wider margin of victory for the Congress in the state with the BJP predicted to get just 26 seats. Telangana Poll agencies CNX and Jan ki Baat predict a clear victory for TRS chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. CNX has predicted TRS winning 66 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 37 seats and the BJP just 7 seats. Jan ki Baat has predicted TRS winning 58 seats with the Congress and TDP winning 45 and BJP grabbing six seats. My Pace has predicted a close battle with the BJP just 10 behind the Congress with 38 seats. Mizoram In the north-eastern state of Mizoram, the Congress and Mizo National Front(MNF) along with BJP, National People’s Party(NPP) and Zoram People’s Movement(ZPM) have been doing battle. The hill state has been dominated by the Congress for the last 10 years with the party winning 34 seats in the 2013 elections in the 40 member assembly. The C-Voter poll agency has predicted a close finish in the state with the Congress set to win between 14-18 seat with the MNF taking 16-20, ZPM winning 3-7 seats and Others getting 3 seats. CNX has predicted MNF will pip Congress to the post by winning 18 seats and Rahul's party getting 16 and Others grabbing 6 seats. My Axis exit poll predicts ZPM winning 8-12 seats similar to the Congress which will also win between 8-12 seats with the MNF coming out on top with 16-22 seats.

What exit polls say in 5 state elections

<p>Over 250 polling booths will be fully operated by women while three by differently abled persons in Rajasthan where polling will take place on Friday.</p>

<p>Votes will be cast at 51,687 polling booths, 259 of them managed exclusively by women officials and security personnel, Chief electoral officer Anand Kumar said.</p>

<p>He said that differently abled had requested for engaging them in election duty, therefore, three polling booths, two in Udaipur and one in Nagaur, have been selected for being operated fully by them.</p>

<p>"This will give a message that they are no less than anyone," he said while briefing about election related arrangements here on Thursday.</p>

<p>There are 4.36 lakh differently-abled voters in the state, out of total 4.74 electors, and arrangements for their convenience have been made at the polling booths in the state, he said.</p>

<p>"Facilities like ramp, wheel chairs will be available while over 1.03 lakh volunteers of NCC, NSS, scouts and guides have been engaged. Arrangements for pick and drop have also been made for differently abled voters, he said.</p>

<p>As many as 51,687 polling booths have been set up in 199 out of 200 constituencies going to poll tomorrow.</p>


Over 250 polling booths will be fully operated by women while three by differently abled persons in Rajasthan where polling will take place on Friday. Votes will be cast at 51,687 polling booths, 259 of them managed exclusively by women officials and security personnel, Chief electoral officer Anand Kumar said.

Over 250 polling booths will be fully operated by women while three by differently abled persons in Rajasthan where polling will take place on Friday. Votes will be cast at 51,687 polling booths, 259 of them managed exclusively by women officials and security personnel, Chief electoral officer Anand Kumar said. He said that differently abled had requested for engaging them in election duty, therefore, three polling booths, two in Udaipur and one in Nagaur, have been selected for being operated fully by them. "This will give a message that they are no less than anyone," he said while briefing about election related arrangements here on Thursday. There are 4.36 lakh differently-abled voters in the state, out of total 4.74 electors, and arrangements for their convenience have been made at the polling booths in the state, he said. "Facilities like ramp, wheel chairs will be available while over 1.03 lakh volunteers of NCC, NSS, scouts and guides have been engaged. Arrangements for pick and drop have also been made for differently abled voters, he said. As many as 51,687 polling booths have been set up in 199 out of 200 constituencies going to poll tomorrow.

259 all-women, 3 differently-abled polling booths in Rajasthan polls

WATCH: Exclusive conversation with Priyanka Chopra

<p>Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday reacted to Senior politician Sharad Yadav's remarks body shaming her and said she felt ''insulted''. The Rajasthan chief minister asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take cognisance of ''this kind of language''.</p>

<p>''To set an example for future it's important that EC takes cognisance of this kind of language. I actually feel insulted and I think even women are insulted,'' she added.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> CM Vasundhara Raje on Sharad Yadav's remark 'Vasundhara (Raje) ko aaram do, thak gayi hain, bahut moti ho gayi hain': To set an example for future it's important that EC takes cognisance of this kind of language. I actually feel insulted&amp;I think even women are insulted <a href="https://t.co/dNCO0QLTDX">pic.twitter.com/dNCO0QLTDX</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1070886018897784837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Yadav sparked a controversy yesterday when he said that Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should take rest as she has gained weight.</p>

<p>"Give rest to Vasundhara. She looks too tired and has gained too much weight. Earlier she was slim. She is our Madhya Pradesh`s daughter (Vasundhara ko aaram do, bahut thak gayi hain, bahut moti ho gayi hain, pehle patli thi. Humare Madhya Pradesh ki beti hai)," Yadav said on Thursday while addressing a rally.</p>

<p>However, Yadav later clarified that his comment was meant to be a joke."It was a joke. I have known her for a long time. It was in no manner a derogatory remark. I didn't say it to hurt her. When I met her then also I told her that she is gaining weight," he said.</p>


Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday reacted to Senior politician Sharad Yadav's remarks body shaming her and said she felt ''insulted''. The Rajasthan chief minister asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take cognisance of ''this kind of language''.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday reacted to Senior politician Sharad Yadav's remarks body shaming her and said she felt ''insulted''. The Rajasthan chief minister asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take cognisance of ''this kind of language''. ''To set an example for future it's important that EC takes cognisance of this kind of language. I actually feel insulted and I think even women are insulted,'' she added. #Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje on Sharad Yadav's remark 'Vasundhara (Raje) ko aaram do, thak gayi hain, bahut moti ho gayi hain': To set an example for future it's important that EC takes cognisance of this kind of language. I actually feel insulted&I think even women are insulted pic.twitter.com/dNCO0QLTDX — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Yadav sparked a controversy yesterday when he said that Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should take rest as she has gained weight. "Give rest to Vasundhara. She looks too tired and has gained too much weight. Earlier she was slim. She is our Madhya Pradesh`s daughter (Vasundhara ko aaram do, bahut thak gayi hain, bahut moti ho gayi hain, pehle patli thi. Humare Madhya Pradesh ki beti hai)," Yadav said on Thursday while addressing a rally. However, Yadav later clarified that his comment was meant to be a joke."It was a joke. I have known her for a long time. It was in no manner a derogatory remark. I didn't say it to hurt her. When I met her then also I told her that she is gaining weight," he said.

'I feel insulted': Vasundhara Raje on Sharad Yadav's body shaming remarks 

<p>Telangana's Chief Electoral Officer, Rajat Kumar, on Friday stated that a final report has been called for from the Electoral Registration Officer over the incident of Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name being missing from the state voter list.</p>

<p>Indian badminton star <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/my-name-missing-in-list-could-not-vote-in-telangana-polls-jwala-gutta-182232">Jwala Gutta</a> on Friday expressed sadness on not being able to cast her vote in Telangana assembly polls as her name was missing from&nbsp;the voter list.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana, Rajat Kumar on Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name missing from voter list: We are asking for a final report from the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/ef20Sn7vhI">pic.twitter.com/ef20Sn7vhI</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071042417590263809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"I had checked (name) and then only went today (to vote) and my name was missing. My point is, my father and sister's names have been missing since the time we checked online," the badminton star said in a video message on Twitter on Friday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana, Rajat Kumar on Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name missing from voter list: I do empathise with her.Actually,her name has been missing from electoral roll since 2016. So, in 2016,2017,2018, the inclusion was not there. We will rectify that situation. <a href="https://t.co/HMx67QUgzv">pic.twitter.com/HMx67QUgzv</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071085538126442496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>She sought to know why her name was deleted as she has been residing in the same residence for the past 12 years.</p>

<p>If the names are deleted, the concerned persons should definitely be informed, she said.</p>

<p>Gutta's mother, however, was able to vote.</p>

<p>Gutta has brought laurels to the country in the sport of badminton, she has won several medals, including in the Commonwealth Games.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)&nbsp;</p>


Telangana's Chief Electoral Officer, Rajat Kumar, on Friday stated that a final report has been called for from the Electoral Registration Officer over the incident of Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name being missing from the state voter list.

Telangana's Chief Electoral Officer, Rajat Kumar, on Friday stated that a final report has been called for from the Electoral Registration Officer over the incident of Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name being missing from the state voter list. Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta on Friday expressed sadness on not being able to cast her vote in Telangana assembly polls as her name was missing from the voter list. Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana, Rajat Kumar on Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name missing from voter list: We are asking for a final report from the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/ef20Sn7vhI — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × "I had checked (name) and then only went today (to vote) and my name was missing. My point is, my father and sister's names have been missing since the time we checked online," the badminton star said in a video message on Twitter on Friday. Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana, Rajat Kumar on Shuttler Jwala Gutta's name missing from voter list: I do empathise with her.Actually,her name has been missing from electoral roll since 2016. So, in 2016,2017,2018, the inclusion was not there. We will rectify that situation. pic.twitter.com/HMx67QUgzv — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × She sought to know why her name was deleted as she has been residing in the same residence for the past 12 years. If the names are deleted, the concerned persons should definitely be informed, she said. Gutta's mother, however, was able to vote. Gutta has brought laurels to the country in the sport of badminton, she has won several medals, including in the Commonwealth Games. (With inputs from PTI)

Telangana election chief calls for report over Jwala Gutta's name missing in voter list 

<p>The Congress on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP candidate from Tonk Yunus Khan for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by holding a press conference.</p>

<p>PCC general secretary Sushil Sharma said the party has written a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner of India and the state's Chief Electoral Officer against Khan who held a press conference on Thursday in violation of the code of conduct as the poll campaign ended at 5 pm on Wednesday.</p>

<p>He alleged that slogans were also shouted at the conference.</p>

<p>PCC president Sachin Pilot is the Congress candidate from Tonk.</p>

<p>Khan was not available for comments.</p>

<p>The opposition party has also filed a complaint after an official engaged in election duty in Pali allegedly took five EVM machines to his house instead of the polling booth.&nbsp;</p>


The Congress on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP candidate from Tonk Yunus Khan for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by holding a press conference.

The Congress on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP candidate from Tonk Yunus Khan for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by holding a press conference. PCC general secretary Sushil Sharma said the party has written a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner of India and the state's Chief Electoral Officer against Khan who held a press conference on Thursday in violation of the code of conduct as the poll campaign ended at 5 pm on Wednesday. He alleged that slogans were also shouted at the conference. PCC president Sachin Pilot is the Congress candidate from Tonk. Khan was not available for comments. The opposition party has also filed a complaint after an official engaged in election duty in Pali allegedly took five EVM machines to his house instead of the polling booth.

Rajasthan Congress files complaint against BJP's Tonk candidate

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged party workers in Rajasthan and Telangana to put all their efforts at their respective polling booths to ensure the party's win in both the states.</p>

<p>In his audio message to the workers of Rajasthan, Gandhi told them that they have to defeat the BJP by taking people to the polling booths and make the Congress win.</p>

<p>"Put all your effort into your booths to defeat the BJP. The people are standing with you...The government that will be formed will be of poor people and of the weaker sections. It will be a government of farmers, small traders, Dalits, adivasis, backwards, and also your government," he said in the message posted on the Congress' official Twitter handle.</p>

<p>In his audio message to the party workers in Telangana, Gandhi said the Congress party realised the "dream of Telangana" for the state's people.</p>

<p>"That dream of Telangana has been betrayed for the last five years. KCR (Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) ji did not do what he had to. Now your time is coming. Stand at the polling booth and put all your effort to make the Congress win," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Voting for the assembly polls in Rajasthan and Telangana will take place on Friday. The results will be declared on December 11.</p>


Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged party workers in Rajasthan and Telangana to put all their efforts at their respective polling booths to ensure the party's win in both the states.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged party workers in Rajasthan and Telangana to put all their efforts at their respective polling booths to ensure the party's win in both the states. In his audio message to the workers of Rajasthan, Gandhi told them that they have to defeat the BJP by taking people to the polling booths and make the Congress win. "Put all your effort into your booths to defeat the BJP. The people are standing with you...The government that will be formed will be of poor people and of the weaker sections. It will be a government of farmers, small traders, Dalits, adivasis, backwards, and also your government," he said in the message posted on the Congress' official Twitter handle. In his audio message to the party workers in Telangana, Gandhi said the Congress party realised the "dream of Telangana" for the state's people. "That dream of Telangana has been betrayed for the last five years. KCR (Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) ji did not do what he had to. Now your time is coming. Stand at the polling booth and put all your effort to make the Congress win," he said. Voting for the assembly polls in Rajasthan and Telangana will take place on Friday. The results will be declared on December 11.

Rahul asks party workers to ensure win in Rajasthan, Telangana

<p>The armies of India and China will participate in a joint military 'Exercise Hand-in-Hand' at Chengdu in China from December 10 to 23, the Indian Army said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both the countries had given the joint military drill a miss last year following the Doklam stand-off between the armies of India and China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between the armies of both the countries and enhance the ability of joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command, the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will also involve tactical-level operations in an international counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist environment under the United Nations mandate.</p>

<p>Troops from the Indian side have been selected from 11 SIKHLI of Indian Army, while those from a unit of Tibetan military district will also take part in the exercise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2018 will go a long way to further cement relationship between both the nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing bonhomie at grassroots levels between the armies of both countries," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The exercise will be conducted from December 11 in which both the contingents will establish a Joint Command Headquarter and conduct joint exercise on anti-terrorist operations, it added.&nbsp;</p>


The armies of India and China will participate in a joint military 'Exercise Hand-in-Hand' at Chengdu in China from December 10 to 23, the Indian Army said in a statement.

The armies of India and China will participate in a joint military 'Exercise Hand-in-Hand' at Chengdu in China from December 10 to 23, the Indian Army said in a statement. Both the countries had given the joint military drill a miss last year following the Doklam stand-off between the armies of India and China. The aim of the exercise is to build and promote close relations between the armies of both the countries and enhance the ability of joint exercise commander to take military contingents of both nations under command, the statement said. It will also involve tactical-level operations in an international counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist environment under the United Nations mandate. Troops from the Indian side have been selected from 11 SIKHLI of Indian Army, while those from a unit of Tibetan military district will also take part in the exercise. "Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2018 will go a long way to further cement relationship between both the nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing bonhomie at grassroots levels between the armies of both countries," the statement said. The exercise will be conducted from December 11 in which both the contingents will establish a Joint Command Headquarter and conduct joint exercise on anti-terrorist operations, it added.

After Doklam stand-off, armies of India & China to partake in joint military drill

<p>Voting concluded on Friday evening in poll-bound Rajasthan. According to reports, around 74 per cent of the total 4.74 crore registered voters in the state exercised their voting rights. Around 72.7 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5pm.</p>

<p>At the end of the polling day, the Election Commission said the turnout was recorded at 73.85 per cent.&nbsp;However, the officials said the final figure could be higher.</p>

<p>The voter turnout during this legislative assembly election was recorded less than that of the year 2013 wherein 75.23 per cent of the registered voters in the state cast their vote.</p>

<p>Around 51,687 booths were set up across the state wherein the polling started as early as 8 am. Besides few clashes among supporters, the police reported that the polling went largely peaceful.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot and other leaders were among those who exercised their franchise.<br />
Raje (Jhalrapatan), Pilot (Tonk), former chief minister Ashok Gehlot (Sardarpura) are among the 2,274 candidates in the fray.</p>

<p>Raje, who is the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, is fighting against veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh in Jhalrapatan, the constituency she has represented since 2003.</p>

<p>This is the maiden assembly election for Sachin Pilot, a two-time MP who is seen as a chief ministerial possibility if the Congress wins. He has represented Dausa and Ajmer Lok Sabha constituencies in the past.</p>

<p>In about 130 constituencies, the contest appears to be mainly between the BJP and the Congress. In the current House, the BJP has 160 seats and the Congress 25.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The final results will be made public after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)&nbsp;</p>


Voting concluded on Friday evening in poll-bound Rajasthan. According to reports, around 74 per cent of the total 4.74 crore registered voters in the state exercised their voting rights.

Voting concluded on Friday evening in poll-bound Rajasthan. According to reports, around 74 per cent of the total 4.74 crore registered voters in the state exercised their voting rights. Around 72.7 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5pm. At the end of the polling day, the Election Commission said the turnout was recorded at 73.85 per cent. However, the officials said the final figure could be higher. The voter turnout during this legislative assembly election was recorded less than that of the year 2013 wherein 75.23 per cent of the registered voters in the state cast their vote. Around 51,687 booths were set up across the state wherein the polling started as early as 8 am. Besides few clashes among supporters, the police reported that the polling went largely peaceful. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot and other leaders were among those who exercised their franchise. Raje (Jhalrapatan), Pilot (Tonk), former chief minister Ashok Gehlot (Sardarpura) are among the 2,274 candidates in the fray. Raje, who is the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, is fighting against veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh in Jhalrapatan, the constituency she has represented since 2003. This is the maiden assembly election for Sachin Pilot, a two-time MP who is seen as a chief ministerial possibility if the Congress wins. He has represented Dausa and Ajmer Lok Sabha constituencies in the past. In about 130 constituencies, the contest appears to be mainly between the BJP and the Congress. In the current House, the BJP has 160 seats and the Congress 25. The final results will be made public after the counting of votes concludes on December 11. (With inputs from PTI)

Assembly elections: Rajasthan registers around 74% voter turnout, lower than 2013

<p>The extradition of Christian Michel has rattled the Congress, the BJP claimed on Thursday, alleging that the opposition party's "extended hand" is defending the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal to protect "the family" from the fallout of the investigation.</p>

<p>BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said all three lawyers, including Youth Congress functionary Aijo K Joseph, who appeared for Michel in a court had links with the Congress.</p>

<p>He also dismissed the party's decision to expel Joseph as a charade and drama.</p>

<p>Joseph appeared as Michel's lawyer on Wednesday, prompting the BJP to attack the opposition party which sacked him within hours.</p>

<p>Patra said the Congress may have expelled him but he remains a lawyer for the accused as "10 Janpath", the residence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, wants its own people to be in touch with Michel.</p>

<p>Besides Joseph, one of the lawyers defending Michel is a member of the Congress' youth wing while the father of another is a party member, Patra claimed at a press conference.</p>

<p>"Isn't this too much of a coincidence? Isn't the extended hand of the Congress was working to protect the family?" he asked, adding that it is a clever move by the party to ensure that Michel is protected.</p>

<p>He said the Congress had earlier also acted against its leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar and Sandeep Dikshit but "promoted" them later.</p>

<p>The Congress suspended Aiyar in December last year for his "neech" jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The suspension was revoked in August this year.</p>

<p>It has, however, never taken any disciplinary action against Dikshit and Patra did not specify what he was referring to.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has used the extradition of Michel to India to hit out at the Congress as it has often alleged that some leaders of the opposition party were involved in corruption in the VVIP chopper deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Gandhi family is having sleepless nights following the extradition, Patra said.</p>

<p>"Entire Congress party is out to defend him (Michel)," Patra told reporters, claiming that the opposition party has sent out the message that it was standing like a rock with the accused.</p>

<p>Patra said Joseph had claimed that he had taken up Michel's case after "somebody" told him so. The BJP leader asked who the "somebody" was and claimed that in the Congress, only two persons are "somebody" and others are nobodies.</p>

<p>To a question about lawyer kin of some top BJP leaders appearing for those accused of corruption, Patra said they did not only recuse themselves but also returned the fee paid to them.</p>

<p>It showed the clean conscience of BJP leaders while the Congress is "married to corruption", he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Michel, the alleged middleman in the politically-sensitive Rs 3,600 crore UPA era deal, was brought to India from Dubai Tuesday night following his extradition.&nbsp;</p>


The extradition of Christian Michel has rattled the Congress, the BJP claimed on Thursday, alleging that the opposition party's "extended hand" is defending the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal to protect "the family" from the fallout of the investigation.

The extradition of Christian Michel has rattled the Congress, the BJP claimed on Thursday, alleging that the opposition party's "extended hand" is defending the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal to protect "the family" from the fallout of the investigation. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said all three lawyers, including Youth Congress functionary Aijo K Joseph, who appeared for Michel in a court had links with the Congress. He also dismissed the party's decision to expel Joseph as a charade and drama. Joseph appeared as Michel's lawyer on Wednesday, prompting the BJP to attack the opposition party which sacked him within hours. Patra said the Congress may have expelled him but he remains a lawyer for the accused as "10 Janpath", the residence of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, wants its own people to be in touch with Michel. Besides Joseph, one of the lawyers defending Michel is a member of the Congress' youth wing while the father of another is a party member, Patra claimed at a press conference. "Isn't this too much of a coincidence? Isn't the extended hand of the Congress was working to protect the family?" he asked, adding that it is a clever move by the party to ensure that Michel is protected. He said the Congress had earlier also acted against its leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar and Sandeep Dikshit but "promoted" them later. The Congress suspended Aiyar in December last year for his "neech" jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The suspension was revoked in August this year. It has, however, never taken any disciplinary action against Dikshit and Patra did not specify what he was referring to. The BJP has used the extradition of Michel to India to hit out at the Congress as it has often alleged that some leaders of the opposition party were involved in corruption in the VVIP chopper deal. The Gandhi family is having sleepless nights following the extradition, Patra said. "Entire Congress party is out to defend him (Michel)," Patra told reporters, claiming that the opposition party has sent out the message that it was standing like a rock with the accused. Patra said Joseph had claimed that he had taken up Michel's case after "somebody" told him so. The BJP leader asked who the "somebody" was and claimed that in the Congress, only two persons are "somebody" and others are nobodies. To a question about lawyer kin of some top BJP leaders appearing for those accused of corruption, Patra said they did not only recuse themselves but also returned the fee paid to them. It showed the clean conscience of BJP leaders while the Congress is "married to corruption", he said. Michel, the alleged middleman in the politically-sensitive Rs 3,600 crore UPA era deal, was brought to India from Dubai Tuesday night following his extradition.

Gandhi family is having sleepless nights following Michel's extradition: BJP

<p>The BJP said on Thursday it expected<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/seat-sharing-issue-may-pose-threat-for-nda-in-future-rlsp-leader-upendra-kushwaha-177906"> Union minister Upendra Kushwaha</a> to maintain decorum and sanctity of the alliance and cautioned the RLSP chief against joining hands with "corrupt, casteist and family-based" parties like the Congress and the RJD.</p>

<p>The BJP's Bihar unit made the remarks in the light of the barrage of attacks launched by Kushwaha at a rally in East Champaran district earlier in the day on the issues of his party not getting its due in seat-sharing among NDA constituents for the Lok Sabha polls and the saffron party raking up the Ayodhya tangle as a poll plank.</p>

<p>"Upendra Kushwaha is a respected minister in the Union government and an NDA ally. So, on moral and ideological grounds, he is expected to maintain decorum and sanctity of the alliance. The BJP has given due space to all its allies, with due respect to their leaders," Bihar BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement.</p>

<p>"As for terming Ram Mandir as an unnecessary issue, the BJP has been very clear about its ideological stand. Ram Mandir is an emotional issue for 125 crore Indians and the BJP is committed to building the same at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya," he said.</p>

<p>Anand added that when Kushwaha entered into an alliance with the BJP, the issue of Ram Mandir was still there.</p>

<p>After breaking away from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U) in 2013, Kushwaha went on to float his own outfit and joined the NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha polls the following year.</p>

<p>The BJP spokesman also said for the last four-and-a-half years, Kushwaha has always been supporting programmes and policies of the Narendra Modi government.</p>

<p>"We cannot say in what context he is making all these statements, he said.</p>

<p>Anand said he hopes Kushwaha will continue in the NDA where he is presently the minister of state for HRD, and not join the "corrupt, casteist and family-based parties" of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav.</p>

<p>The RJD and the Congress, which together form the opposition Grand Alliance in the state, have been trying to woo the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief, who has been sulking over the diminution of his standing within the NDA ever since Nitish Kumar returned to the BJP-led coalition last year after walking out of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar.</p>

<p>The RLSP chief has often made public his unhappiness over the seat-sharing issue for the Lok Sabha polls by criticising the leadership of the BJP and the JD(U)<br />
The BJP and the JD(U) offered the RLSP just two seats of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Kushwaha had said that the number of seats the party was offered was not respectable and asked the BJP to do a rethink by November 30.</p>

<p>RLSP sources had hinted on Wednesday that the party was likely to sever ties with the NDA government and a formal announcement would be made on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP said on Thursday it expected Union minister Upendra Kushwaha to maintain decorum and sanctity of the alliance and cautioned the RLSP chief against joining hands with "corrupt, casteist and family-based" parties like the Congress and the RJD.

The BJP said on Thursday it expected Union minister Upendra Kushwaha to maintain decorum and sanctity of the alliance and cautioned the RLSP chief against joining hands with "corrupt, casteist and family-based" parties like the Congress and the RJD. The BJP's Bihar unit made the remarks in the light of the barrage of attacks launched by Kushwaha at a rally in East Champaran district earlier in the day on the issues of his party not getting its due in seat-sharing among NDA constituents for the Lok Sabha polls and the saffron party raking up the Ayodhya tangle as a poll plank. "Upendra Kushwaha is a respected minister in the Union government and an NDA ally. So, on moral and ideological grounds, he is expected to maintain decorum and sanctity of the alliance. The BJP has given due space to all its allies, with due respect to their leaders," Bihar BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement. "As for terming Ram Mandir as an unnecessary issue, the BJP has been very clear about its ideological stand. Ram Mandir is an emotional issue for 125 crore Indians and the BJP is committed to building the same at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya," he said. Anand added that when Kushwaha entered into an alliance with the BJP, the issue of Ram Mandir was still there. After breaking away from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U) in 2013, Kushwaha went on to float his own outfit and joined the NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha polls the following year. The BJP spokesman also said for the last four-and-a-half years, Kushwaha has always been supporting programmes and policies of the Narendra Modi government. "We cannot say in what context he is making all these statements, he said. Anand said he hopes Kushwaha will continue in the NDA where he is presently the minister of state for HRD, and not join the "corrupt, casteist and family-based parties" of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. The RJD and the Congress, which together form the opposition Grand Alliance in the state, have been trying to woo the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief, who has been sulking over the diminution of his standing within the NDA ever since Nitish Kumar returned to the BJP-led coalition last year after walking out of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. The RLSP chief has often made public his unhappiness over the seat-sharing issue for the Lok Sabha polls by criticising the leadership of the BJP and the JD(U) The BJP and the JD(U) offered the RLSP just two seats of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Kushwaha had said that the number of seats the party was offered was not respectable and asked the BJP to do a rethink by November 30. RLSP sources had hinted on Wednesday that the party was likely to sever ties with the NDA government and a formal announcement would be made on Thursday.

Expect Kushwaha to maintain sanctity of alliance: BJP

<p>The Congress Thursday filed a writ petition in the Chhattisgarh High Court, seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) for maintaining strict security at strongrooms housing electronic voting machines (EVMs) which contain the votes cast in the last month's assembly polls.</p>

<p>In the petition, the main opposition party in the state has also demanded counting of VVPAT paper slips used in EVMs in 50 per cent of booths in all the constituencies.</p>

<p>Voter Verifiable Paper Trail (VVPT) is an independent printer system attached with EVMs that allows the voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended.</p>

<p>The HC posted the matter for hearing on December 10, a day before the counting of votes polled in the 90-assembly seats on November 12 and November 20.</p>

<p>General Secretary of Chhattisgarh Congress Girish Dewangan filed the writ petition in the high court following complaints pertaining to tampering of EVMs reported in the state, his lawyer Satish Chandra Verma said.</p>

<p>The petition demanded more steps to strengthen the security of election strongrooms, he said.</p>

<p>The petitioner has sought counting of VVPAT slips in 50 per cent of the booths in all the constituencies contending there has been serious breach of EVM security and numerous complaints of likewise nature, he said.</p>

<p>Besides, Dewangan has sought segregation of used and unused EVMs by placing only the used machines in strongrooms, the lawyer said.</p>

<p>According to the plea, round-wise counting of votes and immediate reporting should be made mandatory for all counting stations.</p>

<p>The court posted the matter for hearing on December 10, Verma said.</p>

<p>The electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the last month's polls have been locked away in strongrooms in various district headquarters.&nbsp;</p>


The Congress Thursday filed a writ petition in the Chhattisgarh High Court, seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) for maintaining strict security at strongrooms housing electronic voting machines (EVMs) which contain the votes cast in the last month's assembly polls.

The Congress Thursday filed a writ petition in the Chhattisgarh High Court, seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) for maintaining strict security at strongrooms housing electronic voting machines (EVMs) which contain the votes cast in the last month's assembly polls. In the petition, the main opposition party in the state has also demanded counting of VVPAT paper slips used in EVMs in 50 per cent of booths in all the constituencies. Voter Verifiable Paper Trail (VVPT) is an independent printer system attached with EVMs that allows the voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended. The HC posted the matter for hearing on December 10, a day before the counting of votes polled in the 90-assembly seats on November 12 and November 20. General Secretary of Chhattisgarh Congress Girish Dewangan filed the writ petition in the high court following complaints pertaining to tampering of EVMs reported in the state, his lawyer Satish Chandra Verma said. The petition demanded more steps to strengthen the security of election strongrooms, he said. The petitioner has sought counting of VVPAT slips in 50 per cent of the booths in all the constituencies contending there has been serious breach of EVM security and numerous complaints of likewise nature, he said. Besides, Dewangan has sought segregation of used and unused EVMs by placing only the used machines in strongrooms, the lawyer said. According to the plea, round-wise counting of votes and immediate reporting should be made mandatory for all counting stations. The court posted the matter for hearing on December 10, Verma said. The electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the last month's polls have been locked away in strongrooms in various district headquarters.

Congress files petition in Chhattisgarh High Court over EVM security

<p>Telangana and&nbsp;Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their&nbsp;legislative assembly members.</p>

<p>While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am.</p>

<p>The polling in Telangana will end at 5 pm&nbsp;while in 13 constituencies classified as Left Wing Extremist-affected, polling ends an hour before at 4 pm.</p>

<p>Election Commission is using Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in Telangana for the first time.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Telangana: Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyan Srihari cast his vote in Warangal. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/MLrZdGI4Dc">pic.twitter.com/MLrZdGI4Dc</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telangana: BJP's G Kishan Reddy casts his vote at polling booth no.7 in Kachiguda, Hyderabad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/HRuneW8maY">pic.twitter.com/HRuneW8maY</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun stands in a queue to cast his vote at booth no. 152 in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/5kuui5v5Wy">pic.twitter.com/5kuui5v5Wy</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telangana: Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna and his wife &amp; actor Amala Akkineni stand in a queue to cast their votes at booth no. 151 in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/IZpOhBmyTU">pic.twitter.com/IZpOhBmyTU</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telangana: State Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao casts his vote in polling booth no. 102 in Siddipet constituency. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/2q2tqbgoXl">pic.twitter.com/2q2tqbgoXl</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nizamabad: People cast their votes at a polling station in Pothangal. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/yFq8I8ZBtg">pic.twitter.com/yFq8I8ZBtg</a></p>
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<p>199 out of 200 assembly seats will go to polls in Rajasthan today. Polling has been cancelled in&nbsp;Alwar district’s Ramgarh constituency following the death of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Laxman Singh.</p>

<p>A total of 2, 274 candidates in the fray in Rajasthan. As many as 4,74,79,402 people are eligible to&nbsp;cast their vote at 51,667 polling stations across the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With 32,815 polling stations across Telangana, around 1,821 candidates including a transgender are in the fray in the election.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje casts her vote at polling booth no. 31A in Jhalrapatan constituency of Jhalawar. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/DRJVYFkBb4">pic.twitter.com/DRJVYFkBb4</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sachin Pilot, Congress on CM face from Congress: We will sit and discuss this after our party gets a majority in the election. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/fy6PCtY9D9">pic.twitter.com/fy6PCtY9D9</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanAssemblyelection2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanAssemblyelection2018</a>: Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore casts his votes at polling booth 252 in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur. <a href="https://t.co/R0KqDbn95I">pic.twitter.com/R0KqDbn95I</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan: An 80-year-old woman cast her vote at booth no. 103 in Sardarpura constituency of Jodhpur district. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/wmTiniu07u">pic.twitter.com/wmTiniu07u</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress-led alliance is challenging the ruling TRS in Telangana with the BJP seeking to make it a triangular contest. In Rajasthan, BJP will try to retain its&nbsp;power in the state assembly.</p>

<p>Counting of votes will take place on&nbsp;December 11.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members. While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am.

Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members. While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am. The polling in Telangana will end at 5 pm while in 13 constituencies classified as Left Wing Extremist-affected, polling ends an hour before at 4 pm. Election Commission is using Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in Telangana for the first time. Telangana: Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyan Srihari cast his vote in Warangal. #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/MLrZdGI4Dc — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Telangana: BJP's G Kishan Reddy casts his vote at polling booth no.7 in Kachiguda, Hyderabad. #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/HRuneW8maY — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Telangana: Actor Allu Arjun stands in a queue to cast his vote at booth no. 152 in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/5kuui5v5Wy — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Telangana: Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna and his wife & actor Amala Akkineni stand in a queue to cast their votes at booth no. 151 in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/IZpOhBmyTU — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Telangana: State Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao casts his vote in polling booth no. 102 in Siddipet constituency. #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/2q2tqbgoXl — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Nizamabad: People cast their votes at a polling station in Pothangal. #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/yFq8I8ZBtg — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × 199 out of 200 assembly seats will go to polls in Rajasthan today. Polling has been cancelled in Alwar district’s Ramgarh constituency following the death of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Laxman Singh. A total of 2, 274 candidates in the fray in Rajasthan. As many as 4,74,79,402 people are eligible to cast their vote at 51,667 polling stations across the state. With 32,815 polling stations across Telangana, around 1,821 candidates including a transgender are in the fray in the election. Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje casts her vote at polling booth no. 31A in Jhalrapatan constituency of Jhalawar. #RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/DRJVYFkBb4 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Sachin Pilot, Congress on CM face from Congress: We will sit and discuss this after our party gets a majority in the election. #RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/fy6PCtY9D9 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × #RajasthanAssemblyelection2018: Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore casts his votes at polling booth 252 in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/R0KqDbn95I — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Rajasthan: An 80-year-old woman cast her vote at booth no. 103 in Sardarpura constituency of Jodhpur district. #RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/wmTiniu07u — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × The Congress-led alliance is challenging the ruling TRS in Telangana with the BJP seeking to make it a triangular contest. In Rajasthan, BJP will try to retain its power in the state assembly. Counting of votes will take place on December 11. (With inputs from agencies)

Assembly elections 2018: Rajasthan, Telangana go to polls today

<p>An estimated 67 per cent of over 2.80 crore voters cast their ballots in Telangana on Friday in an election that will test the popularity of the ruling TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao and the wisdom of the great gamble he made in going for early elections.</p>

<p>Barring stray incidents of clashes and malfunctioning of voting machines at a few places, the polling was largely peaceful, including in areas affected by Maoist insurgency.</p>

<p>"As of 5 pm, we have reports that the polling was at 67 per cent. Webcasting shows that some people are still in queues. So, we expect the polling to go up by another two per cent," the state's chief electoral officer Rajat Kumar told reporters.</p>

<p>Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jitender told PTI that the entire polling process was "incident free".</p>

<p>However, independent reports said TRS and Congress workers clashed at a place in Nagar Kurnool district.</p>

<p>Kumar said there was a delay in start of polling at some booths on accounts of malfunctioning of EVMs and voter verifiable paper audit trail machines.<br />
Thirty odd complaints of model code violation were also received.</p>

<p>Vote was taken for all the 119 seats of Telangana assembly for the first time after the division of Andhra Pradesh and creation of India's youngest state in 2014.</p>

<p>Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, ministers K T Rama Rao and T Harish Rao, BJP's Telangana president K Laxman, state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi were among leaders who cast their ballots.</p>

<p>Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that his party candidate in Kalwakurthy Assembly segment Vamsichand Reddy was attacked by BJP cadre in Amangal where he had gone to observe the poll pattern.</p>

<p>However, BJP's chief spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao denied the allegation claiming the Congress was "playing victim games sensing disastrous defeat."</p>

<p>TRS supremo and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, widely credited for the creation of Telangana, exuded confidence that his party would come back to power with a "huge majority."</p>

<p>Adding a dash of glamour to the poll process, celebrities turned up in good numbers to cast their votes.</p>

<p>Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, veteran actor Krishna, popular heroes Nagarjuna, "junior" NTR and Mahesh Babu, and 'Baahubali'-fame director S S Rajamouli exercised their franchise.</p>

<p>Tennis ace Sania Mirza and star badminton player P V Sindhu also cast their vote.</p>

<p>Chiranjeevi, Krishna, Nagarjuna, "junior" NTR and Sania Mirza turned up at the polling stations along with their family members to vote.</p>

<p>At some places, people were seen taking selfies with celebrity voters.</p>

<p>However, disappointment was in store for shuttler Jwala Gutta, who said she could not vote as her name was missing from the voters list.</p>

<p>Additional DG (Law and order) Jitender said about one lakh security personnel, including 20,000 drawn from other states and 25,000 central paramilitary forces, were deployed to ensure peaceful polls.</p>

<p>The Congress has stitched together "Praja Kutami" (People's Front) with the TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and CPI in a bid to wrest power from the TRS, which is seeking a second term in office.</p>

<p>The TRS has gone it alone in the polls and so has the BJP.</p>

<p>As many as 1,821 candidates including a transgender are in the electoral fray.</p>

<p>Counting of votes would be taken up on December 11.&nbsp;</p>


An estimated 67 per cent of over 2.80 crore voters cast their ballots in Telangana on Friday in an election that will test the popularity of the ruling TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao and the wisdom of the great gamble he made in going for early elections.

An estimated 67 per cent of over 2.80 crore voters cast their ballots in Telangana on Friday in an election that will test the popularity of the ruling TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao and the wisdom of the great gamble he made in going for early elections. Barring stray incidents of clashes and malfunctioning of voting machines at a few places, the polling was largely peaceful, including in areas affected by Maoist insurgency. "As of 5 pm, we have reports that the polling was at 67 per cent. Webcasting shows that some people are still in queues. So, we expect the polling to go up by another two per cent," the state's chief electoral officer Rajat Kumar told reporters. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jitender told PTI that the entire polling process was "incident free". However, independent reports said TRS and Congress workers clashed at a place in Nagar Kurnool district. Kumar said there was a delay in start of polling at some booths on accounts of malfunctioning of EVMs and voter verifiable paper audit trail machines. Thirty odd complaints of model code violation were also received. Vote was taken for all the 119 seats of Telangana assembly for the first time after the division of Andhra Pradesh and creation of India's youngest state in 2014. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, ministers K T Rama Rao and T Harish Rao, BJP's Telangana president K Laxman, state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi were among leaders who cast their ballots. Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that his party candidate in Kalwakurthy Assembly segment Vamsichand Reddy was attacked by BJP cadre in Amangal where he had gone to observe the poll pattern. However, BJP's chief spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao denied the allegation claiming the Congress was "playing victim games sensing disastrous defeat." TRS supremo and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, widely credited for the creation of Telangana, exuded confidence that his party would come back to power with a "huge majority." Adding a dash of glamour to the poll process, celebrities turned up in good numbers to cast their votes. Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, veteran actor Krishna, popular heroes Nagarjuna, "junior" NTR and Mahesh Babu, and 'Baahubali'-fame director S S Rajamouli exercised their franchise. Tennis ace Sania Mirza and star badminton player P V Sindhu also cast their vote. Chiranjeevi, Krishna, Nagarjuna, "junior" NTR and Sania Mirza turned up at the polling stations along with their family members to vote. At some places, people were seen taking selfies with celebrity voters. However, disappointment was in store for shuttler Jwala Gutta, who said she could not vote as her name was missing from the voters list. Additional DG (Law and order) Jitender said about one lakh security personnel, including 20,000 drawn from other states and 25,000 central paramilitary forces, were deployed to ensure peaceful polls. The Congress has stitched together "Praja Kutami" (People's Front) with the TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and CPI in a bid to wrest power from the TRS, which is seeking a second term in office. The TRS has gone it alone in the polls and so has the BJP. As many as 1,821 candidates including a transgender are in the electoral fray. Counting of votes would be taken up on December 11.

Telangana records 67% polling, voting largely peaceful

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<p>Canada on Thursday defended its&nbsp;arrest of an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei&nbsp;on a US extradition request as markets wobbled on fears of fresh friction between Washington and Beijing.</p>

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<p>The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum and scores of shops on the Champs-Elysees are set to close as&nbsp;authorities warned Thursday of fresh violence&nbsp;this weekend during protests which have ballooned into the biggest crisis of Emmanuel Macron's presidency.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-2018-rajasthan-telangana-go-to-polls-today-182046">Assembly elections 2018: Rajasthan, Telangana go to polls today</a></p>

<p>Telangana and&nbsp;Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their&nbsp;legislative assembly members. While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am.</p>

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<p>Japan plans to ban government purchases of equipment from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing&nbsp;a person with direct knowledge on the matter.</p>

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<p>President Donald Trump will nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as US ambassador to the United Nations, a source familiar with his decision said on Thursday, tapping someone with no prior policy or political experience to deal with some of the world's thorniest issues.</p>


Huawei arrest: Canada PM Justin Trudeau defends detaining Meng Wanzhou Canada on Thursday defended its arrest of an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei on a US extradition request as markets wobbled on fears of fresh friction between Washington and Beijing.

Huawei arrest: Canada PM Justin Trudeau defends detaining Meng Wanzhou Canada on Thursday defended its arrest of an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei on a US extradition request as markets wobbled on fears of fresh friction between Washington and Beijing. Eiffel Tower, other monuments to close as fears of riot mount The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum and scores of shops on the Champs-Elysees are set to close as authorities warned Thursday of fresh violence this weekend during protests which have ballooned into the biggest crisis of Emmanuel Macron's presidency. Assembly elections 2018: Rajasthan, Telangana go to polls today Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members. While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am. Japan to bar Huawei, ZTE from government procurement contracts: Report Japan plans to ban government purchases of equipment from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing a person with direct knowledge on the matter. Trump to pick State Department spokeswoman for UN ambassador: Source President Donald Trump will nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as US ambassador to the United Nations, a source familiar with his decision said on Thursday, tapping someone with no prior policy or political experience to deal with some of the world's thorniest issues.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Polling concluded in poll-bound Rajasthan on Friday evening. According to reports, Rajasthan recorded around 72.7 per cent voter turnout till 5pm.</p>

<p>Official figures for Telangana are still awaited, which saw over 55 per cent turnout by 3pm. Polling is still underway in some parts of the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The interim voter turnout recorded so far in Telangana comes to around 67 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Umesh Sinha, Election Commission: Voting is still underway at some polling stations. Final figures are still to come. Interim voter turnout recorded till now in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaAssemblyElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaAssemblyElections2018</a> is 67%. Last year, voter turnout recorded was 69.5%. <a href="https://t.co/g5rH6AMiG0">pic.twitter.com/g5rH6AMiG0</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071031269847261184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports, while Rajasthan witnessed 59.43 per cent voter turnout by 3 pm, 56.17 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Telangana by 3 pm.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Voter turnout recorded till 5 PM in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections2018</a> is 72.7% <a href="https://t.co/FOJ7frlNuT">https://t.co/FOJ7frlNuT</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071005454292213760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The turnout till 11 am was 23.4 per cent in Telangana and 21.89 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>Nearly 9 per cent voters had cast their votes in Telangana by 9 am and 6.11 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Visuals from Jhalawar as polling concludes at polling booth no. 31(A). Voter turnout recorded at this particular booth is 73.83%. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanAssemblyElection2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanAssemblyElection2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/cKtUw3xdNL">pic.twitter.com/cKtUw3xdNL</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071017069896916992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members.</p>

<p>While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am.</p>


Polling concluded in poll-bound Rajasthan on Friday evening. According to reports, Rajasthan recorded around 72.7 per cent voter turnout till 5pm. Official figures for Telangana are still awaited, which saw over 55 per cent turnout by 3pm.

Polling concluded in poll-bound Rajasthan on Friday evening. According to reports, Rajasthan recorded around 72.7 per cent voter turnout till 5pm. Official figures for Telangana are still awaited, which saw over 55 per cent turnout by 3pm. Polling is still underway in some parts of the state. The interim voter turnout recorded so far in Telangana comes to around 67 per cent. Umesh Sinha, Election Commission: Voting is still underway at some polling stations. Final figures are still to come. Interim voter turnout recorded till now in #TelanganaAssemblyElections2018 is 67%. Last year, voter turnout recorded was 69.5%. pic.twitter.com/g5rH6AMiG0 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × According to reports, while Rajasthan witnessed 59.43 per cent voter turnout by 3 pm, 56.17 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Telangana by 3 pm. Voter turnout recorded till 5 PM in #RajasthanElections2018 is 72.7% https://t.co/FOJ7frlNuT — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × The turnout till 11 am was 23.4 per cent in Telangana and 21.89 per cent in Rajasthan. Nearly 9 per cent voters had cast their votes in Telangana by 9 am and 6.11 per cent in Rajasthan. Visuals from Jhalawar as polling concludes at polling booth no. 31(A). Voter turnout recorded at this particular booth is 73.83%. #RajasthanAssemblyElection2018 pic.twitter.com/cKtUw3xdNL — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members. While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am.

Assembly elections: Polling concludes in Rajasthan, 72.7% turnout till 5pm

<p>A US official has said that Washington is preparing to buy South Korean artillery shells to send to Ukraine. Amid ongoing talks, the officer said that the US wants to send South Korean 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Seoul insisted that its policy against lethal aid for Ukraine remains and that the United States must be the ammunition's end user.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official further informed that Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds will probably be used to purchase the ammunition. However, it was unclear if they would be shipped though the US territory.</p>

<p>South Korea's defence ministry agreed that negotiations are underway, but only under the premise that US would be using the artillery since the country does not provide lethal aid to Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-calls-south-korea-us-military-drills-open-provocation-threatens-with-retaliation-531722">North Korea calls South Korea-US military drills 'open provocation', threatens retaliation</a></p>

<p>"In order to make up for the shortage of 155mm ammunition inventories in the US, negotiations are ongoing between the US and Korean companies to export ammunition," the ministry said in a statement.</p>

<p>Even though South Korea is a US ally, it avoids antagonizing Russia, both for economic reasons and because of the influence that Moscow can exert with North Korea. It stations some 27,000 US troops in the&nbsp;South&nbsp;to help protect it from the nuclear-armed North.</p>

<p>The Wall Street Journal also reported on the matter and said the agreement would involve 100,000 rounds of 155mm artillery rounds that would be delivered to Ukraine.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said last month that Seoul has not provided any lethal weapons to Ukraine following a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin that such a decision would destroy bilateral relations. However, Seoul has given non-lethal aid and assistance to Ukraine.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, US National Security spokesperson John Kirby had said last week that North Korea was supplying Russia with a "significant" number of artillery shells of its own for use in Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any arms shipments.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A US official has said that Washington is preparing to buy South Korean artillery shells to send to Ukraine. Amid ongoing talks, the officer said that the US wants to send South Korean 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine.

A US official has said that Washington is preparing to buy South Korean artillery shells to send to Ukraine. Amid ongoing talks, the officer said that the US wants to send South Korean 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Seoul insisted that its policy against lethal aid for Ukraine remains and that the United States must be the ammunition's end user. The official further informed that Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds will probably be used to purchase the ammunition. However, it was unclear if they would be shipped though the US territory. South Korea's defence ministry agreed that negotiations are underway, but only under the premise that US would be using the artillery since the country does not provide lethal aid to Ukraine. Also Read | North Korea calls South Korea-US military drills 'open provocation', threatens retaliation "In order to make up for the shortage of 155mm ammunition inventories in the US, negotiations are ongoing between the US and Korean companies to export ammunition," the ministry said in a statement. Even though South Korea is a US ally, it avoids antagonizing Russia, both for economic reasons and because of the influence that Moscow can exert with North Korea. It stations some 27,000 US troops in the South to help protect it from the nuclear-armed North. The Wall Street Journal also reported on the matter and said the agreement would involve 100,000 rounds of 155mm artillery rounds that would be delivered to Ukraine. × South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said last month that Seoul has not provided any lethal weapons to Ukraine following a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin that such a decision would destroy bilateral relations. However, Seoul has given non-lethal aid and assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, US National Security spokesperson John Kirby had said last week that North Korea was supplying Russia with a "significant" number of artillery shells of its own for use in Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any arms shipments. (With inputs from agencies)

<p>The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted raids at the premises of some close associates of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, according to his lawyer Suman Jyoti Khaitan.</p>

<p>Vadra, a businessman, is being investigated by the ED in connection with a land deal in Bikaner in Rajasthan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ED Sources: ED has evidence that the persons being raided had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers. <a href="https://t.co/zbAZv59uqt">https://t.co/zbAZv59uqt</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071021824492929024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Khaitan claimed that the ED officials raided "close associates" and business partners of Vadra in Delhi without even showing any search warrants.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lawyer of Robert Vadra on ED team at three locations connected to close aides of Vadra: They have locked our people of Skylight hospitality inside, they are not allowing anyone to go inside. Is this nazism? Is this a jail? <a href="https://t.co/uRQvO8nRvY">pic.twitter.com/uRQvO8nRvY</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071010172909146113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>They locked up the premises from inside and are not allowing any access to those inside, even to the lawyers, he alleged.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ED Sources: Raids were also held at locations in Bengaluru( on locations connected to close aides of Robert Vadra) <a href="https://t.co/A9uEIsg0rB">https://t.co/A9uEIsg0rB</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071014021980143616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Is this rule of law?... Evidence has been fabricated," he alleged while speaking to reporters.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lawyer of Robert Vadra on ED team at three locations connected to close aides of Vadra: It has been 4.5 years and they found nothing, so now they are locking us outside and planting and fabricating evidence <a href="https://t.co/mYsoJUzMts">pic.twitter.com/mYsoJUzMts</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071011148084867072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He said a newspaper had reported that that three summons had been served on Vadra by the ED but "we have received none."</p>


The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted raids at the premises of some close associates of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, according to his lawyer Suman Jyoti Khaitan.

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted raids at the premises of some close associates of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, according to his lawyer Suman Jyoti Khaitan. Vadra, a businessman, is being investigated by the ED in connection with a land deal in Bikaner in Rajasthan. ED Sources: ED has evidence that the persons being raided had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers. https://t.co/zbAZv59uqt — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × Khaitan claimed that the ED officials raided "close associates" and business partners of Vadra in Delhi without even showing any search warrants. Lawyer of Robert Vadra on ED team at three locations connected to close aides of Vadra: They have locked our people of Skylight hospitality inside, they are not allowing anyone to go inside. Is this nazism? Is this a jail? pic.twitter.com/uRQvO8nRvY — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × They locked up the premises from inside and are not allowing any access to those inside, even to the lawyers, he alleged. ED Sources: Raids were also held at locations in Bengaluru( on locations connected to close aides of Robert Vadra) https://t.co/A9uEIsg0rB — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × "Is this rule of law?... Evidence has been fabricated," he alleged while speaking to reporters. Lawyer of Robert Vadra on ED team at three locations connected to close aides of Vadra: It has been 4.5 years and they found nothing, so now they are locking us outside and planting and fabricating evidence pic.twitter.com/mYsoJUzMts — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × He said a newspaper had reported that that three summons had been served on Vadra by the ED but "we have received none."

Enforcement Directorate raids Robert Vadra's close associates: Lawyer

<p>Social media platforms like <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/whatsapp-builds-system-to-comply-with-indias-payments-data-storage-norms-170379">Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp</a> and Twitter will soon deploy 'proactive, artificial intelligence (AI) based tools' to check spread of hate messages and rumours inciting violence and crimes against women, Home Ministry officials said Friday.</p>

<p>Anyone found involved in disseminating <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/whatsapp-has-to-follow-indian-laws-says-ravi-shankar-prasad-after-meeting-ceo-160592">fake news creating social tension</a> or pornographic contents inciting sex crimes will be identified, name disclosed and prosecuted.</p>

<p>This was agreed upon after a series of meetings between representatives of the social media platforms and central government officials led by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, a Home Ministry official said.</p>

<p>The social media sites have agreed to deploy 'proactive, AI-based tools' to check spread of hate messages and rumours inciting violence and crimes against women. Such content will be automatically removed from their platforms, the official said.</p>

<p>There were problems in implementation or enforcement of directives given by law enforcement agencies under the IT Act and the Telegraph Act but the level of compliance has now gone up to 80 per cent from 60 per cent, while the time taken to take such action has gone down, the official said.</p>

<p>The compliance period has come down from 72 hours to 24 hours and it was agreed that if a case is made out in any incident, the person will be identified, name disclosed and he/she will be prosecuted, the official said.</p>

<p>The social media platforms have engaged NGOs working in the field and appointed grievance redressal cell for prompt action.</p>

<p>Earlier, the government had said social media sites were "slow" in removing objectionable or unlawful content which allegedly aided the spread of hate messages, rumours inciting violence and crimes against women and they were warned of strict legal action if they failed to comply with the directives of law enforcement agencies.</p>

<p>In the recent past, some objectionable content which could potentially disrupt public peace or law and order and incite criminal offences, including communal violence, have been posted on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube.</p>

<p>Some of these cases were brought to the notice of the Home Ministry. Action was taken for removal of such content after the intervention of the ministry and the Delhi Police.</p>

<p>During the meetings, specific instances of legal requisitions were shown where the Delhi Police had sought removal of content openly inciting violence but the social platforms' response had been neither "full nor timely", another official said.</p>

<p>Specific legal notices issued by the Delhi Police seeking investigation-related information were also shared with them.</p>

<p>During the series of meetings with all social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Twitter, the government had sensitised them about preventive and other actions to remove unlawful content immediately, another official said.</p>

<p>Gauba had held the meetings in June and October. A series of meetings were conducted by senior officers of the Home Ministry, Delhi Police and police officers of other states to sensitise the country representatives of social media platforms about the gravity of unlawful or objectionable content posted on their platforms, and their possible consequences.</p>

<p>A number of cases have come to the fore in the recent past where social media platforms were used to spread hate messages and rumours inciting violence, including against women, but Internet giants - most of them headquartered outside India - have been allegedly resisting sharing of customer details and message trails citing privacy issues.</p>

<p>However, some social media firms have said they are taking necessary steps to stop misuse of their platforms for the spread of fake news, and rumours and hate messages. &nbsp;</p>


Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Twitter will soon deploy 'proactive, artificial intelligence (AI) based tools' to check spread of hate messages and rumours inciting violence and crimes against women, Home Ministry officials said Friday.

Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Twitter will soon deploy 'proactive, artificial intelligence (AI) based tools' to check spread of hate messages and rumours inciting violence and crimes against women, Home Ministry officials said Friday. Anyone found involved in disseminating fake news creating social tension or pornographic contents inciting sex crimes will be identified, name disclosed and prosecuted. This was agreed upon after a series of meetings between representatives of the social media platforms and central government officials led by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, a Home Ministry official said. The social media sites have agreed to deploy 'proactive, AI-based tools' to check spread of hate messages and rumours inciting violence and crimes against women. Such content will be automatically removed from their platforms, the official said. There were problems in implementation or enforcement of directives given by law enforcement agencies under the IT Act and the Telegraph Act but the level of compliance has now gone up to 80 per cent from 60 per cent, while the time taken to take such action has gone down, the official said. The compliance period has come down from 72 hours to 24 hours and it was agreed that if a case is made out in any incident, the person will be identified, name disclosed and he/she will be prosecuted, the official said. The social media platforms have engaged NGOs working in the field and appointed grievance redressal cell for prompt action. Earlier, the government had said social media sites were "slow" in removing objectionable or unlawful content which allegedly aided the spread of hate messages, rumours inciting violence and crimes against women and they were warned of strict legal action if they failed to comply with the directives of law enforcement agencies. In the recent past, some objectionable content which could potentially disrupt public peace or law and order and incite criminal offences, including communal violence, have been posted on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube. Some of these cases were brought to the notice of the Home Ministry. Action was taken for removal of such content after the intervention of the ministry and the Delhi Police. During the meetings, specific instances of legal requisitions were shown where the Delhi Police had sought removal of content openly inciting violence but the social platforms' response had been neither "full nor timely", another official said. Specific legal notices issued by the Delhi Police seeking investigation-related information were also shared with them. During the series of meetings with all social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Twitter, the government had sensitised them about preventive and other actions to remove unlawful content immediately, another official said. Gauba had held the meetings in June and October. A series of meetings were conducted by senior officers of the Home Ministry, Delhi Police and police officers of other states to sensitise the country representatives of social media platforms about the gravity of unlawful or objectionable content posted on their platforms, and their possible consequences. A number of cases have come to the fore in the recent past where social media platforms were used to spread hate messages and rumours inciting violence, including against women, but Internet giants - most of them headquartered outside India - have been allegedly resisting sharing of customer details and message trails citing privacy issues. However, some social media firms have said they are taking necessary steps to stop misuse of their platforms for the spread of fake news, and rumours and hate messages.

Social media platforms to deploy AI to combat fake news: Home ministry official

<p>Over fifty-five per cent voters exercised their electoral rights in state assembly elections in poll-bound Telangana and Rajasthan till 3pm on Friday.</p>

<p>According to reports, while Rajasthan witnessed 59.43 per cent voter turnout by 3 pm, 56.17 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Telangana by 3 pm.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Voter turnout recorded till 3 PM in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> is 56.17%</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1070985734289571841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The voter turnout for the assembly elections till 1 pm was recorded as 49.15 per cent in Telangana and 41.53 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Voter turnout recorded till 3 PM in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections2018</a> is 59.43%</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1070986162217586688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The turnout till 11 am was 23.4 per cent in Telangana and 21.89 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>Nearly 9 per cent voters had cast their votes in Telangana by 9 am and 6.11 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members.</p>

<p>While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am.</p>

<p>The polling in Telangana will end at 5 pm while in 13 constituencies classified as Left Wing Extremist-affected, polling ends an hour before at 4 pm.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>


Over fifty-five per cent voters exercised their electoral rights in state assembly elections in poll-bound Telangana and Rajasthan till 3pm on Friday. According to reports, while Rajasthan witnessed 59.

Over fifty-five per cent voters exercised their electoral rights in state assembly elections in poll-bound Telangana and Rajasthan till 3pm on Friday. According to reports, while Rajasthan witnessed 59.43 per cent voter turnout by 3 pm, 56.17 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Telangana by 3 pm. Voter turnout recorded till 3 PM in #TelanganaElections2018 is 56.17% — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × The voter turnout for the assembly elections till 1 pm was recorded as 49.15 per cent in Telangana and 41.53 per cent in Rajasthan. Voter turnout recorded till 3 PM in #RajasthanElections2018 is 59.43% — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × The turnout till 11 am was 23.4 per cent in Telangana and 21.89 per cent in Rajasthan. Nearly 9 per cent voters had cast their votes in Telangana by 9 am and 6.11 per cent in Rajasthan. Telangana and Rajasthan are undergoing elections today to elect their legislative assembly members. While the polling in Telangana started at 7 am, voting in Rajasthan began at 8 am. The polling in Telangana will end at 5 pm while in 13 constituencies classified as Left Wing Extremist-affected, polling ends an hour before at 4 pm.

Assembly polls: Over 55% voter turnout recorded in Rajasthan, Telangana till 3pm

<p>The division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which began hearing BJP's plea against refusal of permission for its Rath Yatra earlier today, has directed three BJP representatives to meet state Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP by December 12.</p>

<p>According to reports, the final decision in the matter will be taken by December 14.</p>

<p>The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused Bharatiya Janata Party the permission to hold a 'rath yatra' in Coochbehar, following the state government expressing apprehensions of violence.</p>

<p>BJP chief Amit Shah today lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-conduct-rath-yatra-nobody-can-stop-us-amit-shah-182194">Banerjee is stopping the BJP from conducting the Yatra as she is "scared."</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP's rath yatra in West Bengal matter: The division bench of Calcutta High Court directs three BJP representatives to meet state's Chief Secy,Home Secy and DGP by December 12 and decision to be taken by December 14.</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071011611735941121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He added that the party will "definitely" hold the Yatra, adding that "no one can stop us."</p>

<p>"Mamata Banerjee is scared of BJP and this is why she has stopped the Rath Yatra. In every sector starting from cattle to coal, mafias are working and TMC ministers are supporting them," Shah added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We will do everything legally and we will conduct three rallies. The rallies have not been cancelled but postponed. Yatra, as scheduled, will go to every part of West Bengal. I will go to West Bengal tomorrow," the BJP chief said.&nbsp;</p>


The division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which began hearing BJP's plea against refusal of permission for its Rath Yatra earlier today, has directed three BJP representatives to meet state Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP by December 12.

The division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which began hearing BJP's plea against refusal of permission for its Rath Yatra earlier today, has directed three BJP representatives to meet state Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP by December 12. According to reports, the final decision in the matter will be taken by December 14. The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused Bharatiya Janata Party the permission to hold a 'rath yatra' in Coochbehar, following the state government expressing apprehensions of violence. BJP chief Amit Shah today lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that Banerjee is stopping the BJP from conducting the Yatra as she is "scared." BJP's rath yatra in West Bengal matter: The division bench of Calcutta High Court directs three BJP representatives to meet state's Chief Secy,Home Secy and DGP by December 12 and decision to be taken by December 14. — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2018 × He added that the party will "definitely" hold the Yatra, adding that "no one can stop us." "Mamata Banerjee is scared of BJP and this is why she has stopped the Rath Yatra. In every sector starting from cattle to coal, mafias are working and TMC ministers are supporting them," Shah added. "We will do everything legally and we will conduct three rallies. The rallies have not been cancelled but postponed. Yatra, as scheduled, will go to every part of West Bengal. I will go to West Bengal tomorrow," the BJP chief said.

Rath Yatra: Calcutta High Court directs BJP reps to meet state Chief Secy, DGP

<p>India's environmental court said it will resume hearing Vedanta Ltd's case on Monday to decide whether to re-open the company's copper&nbsp;smelter, which was closed earlier this year after 13 people died when police fired on protesters.</p>

<p>Last week, a panel of experts set up by India's National Green Tribunal, informally known as the environmental court, said authorities in Tamil Nadu state had failed to comply with procedures before shutting down the&nbsp;smelter.</p>

<p>On Friday, CS&nbsp;Vaidyanathan, the lawyer for the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, questioned the power of the expert panel to decide on whether the ban on the&nbsp;smelter&nbsp;in the southern town of Thoothukudi be lifted.</p>

<p>State authorities permanently shut down the Tamil Nadu plant after police fired on protesters calling for the closure of the plant in May over concerns it was polluting their air and water.</p>

<p>Vedanta's lawyer Aryama Sundaram told the court the company planned to invest 1 billion rupees ($14.15 million) to build hospitals and schools for people living close to the&nbsp;smelter.</p>

<p>The Vedanta plant, however, is unlikely to resume production anytime soon because the Tamil Nadu state government will likely appeal to the Supreme Court if it loses the case in the environmental court, sources said.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;smelter&nbsp;is one of the two largest in India. Resuming production is crucial to Vedanta as it faces rising costs and the impact of a slowing economy on demand for metals and energy.</p>


India's environmental court said it will resume hearing Vedanta Ltd's case on Monday to decide whether to re-open the company's copper smelter, which was closed earlier this year after 13 people died when police fired on protesters.

India's environmental court said it will resume hearing Vedanta Ltd's case on Monday to decide whether to re-open the company's copper smelter, which was closed earlier this year after 13 people died when police fired on protesters. Last week, a panel of experts set up by India's National Green Tribunal, informally known as the environmental court, said authorities in Tamil Nadu state had failed to comply with procedures before shutting down the smelter. On Friday, CS Vaidyanathan, the lawyer for the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, questioned the power of the expert panel to decide on whether the ban on the smelter in the southern town of Thoothukudi be lifted. State authorities permanently shut down the Tamil Nadu plant after police fired on protesters calling for the closure of the plant in May over concerns it was polluting their air and water. Vedanta's lawyer Aryama Sundaram told the court the company planned to invest 1 billion rupees ($14.15 million) to build hospitals and schools for people living close to the smelter. The Vedanta plant, however, is unlikely to resume production anytime soon because the Tamil Nadu state government will likely appeal to the Supreme Court if it loses the case in the environmental court, sources said. The smelter is one of the two largest in India. Resuming production is crucial to Vedanta as it faces rising costs and the impact of a slowing economy on demand for metals and energy.

National Green Tribunal panel extends hearing on Vedanta smelter case

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