<p>Market benchmark Sensex buckled under heavy selling pressure Monday, plummeting 714 points as investors panicked over exit polls suggesting the Congress giving a tough fight to the ruling BJP in state elections as also the bruised rupee and weak global cues further dampened sentiment.</p>

<p>The BSE Sensex cracked below the 35,000 mark, plunging 713.53 points, or 2 per cent, to close at 34,959.72.</p>

<p>Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty fell 205.25 points, or 1.92 per cent, to 10,488.45.</p>

<p>Exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan, impacting trading pattern on the domestic bourses in a big way.</p>

<p>Besides,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rupee-falls-59-paise-to-7140-against-us-dollar-182799">a weakening rupee,</a> which hit 71.44 per dollar intra-day, and fresh foreign fund outflows further pulled the key indices.</p>

<p>All sectoral indices on the BSE and NSE ended in the red, led by realty, banking, metal, pharma, pharma and financial stocks.</p>

<p>Kotak Bank shares cracked over 6 per cent after the bank said it had moved the Bombay High Court against RBI's decision with respect to the bank reducing promoter holding using preference shares.</p>

<p>In August, Uday Kotak, the founder and promoter of Kotak Mahindra Bank, has pared down his stake in the bank to 19.70 per cent from about 30 per cent following the issuance of preference shares.</p>

<p>Within a few days, the Reserve Bank said the stake dilution by Kotak does not meet its regulatory norms on the same, something the private sector lender contested.</p>

<p>Other top losers include&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/six-of-top-10-companies-lose-rs-54916-crore-in-m-cap-182615">Reliance Industries</a>, Asian Paints, Tata Motors, Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma, L&amp;T, PowerGrid, HDFC, Axis Bank and Bajaj Auto, falling up to 4 per cent.</p>

<p>Coal India and Maruti were the only two gainers on the 30-share index, rising up to 0.79 per cent.</p>

<p>Multiple factors impacted the market sentiment as the bears held complete control of the market from opening till the closing bell, said Joseph Thomas, Head Research, Emkay Wealth Management.</p>

<p>This was the biggest one-day fall in the last two months for both indices, falling up to 2 per cent, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On a net basis, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 817.40 crore Friday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 242.56 crore, provisional data available with BSE showed.</p>

<p>Brent crude oil futures was trading at 0.31 per cent down at USD 61.48 per barrel.</p>

<p>Elsewhere in Asia, Korea's Kospi fell 1.06 per cent, Japan's Nikkei dropped 2.12 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 1.19 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 0.82 per cent.</p>

<p>In Europe, Frankfurt's DAX shed 0.67 per cent and Paris' CAC 40 fell 0.47 per cent in early deals. London's FTSE too slipped 0.41 per cent.</p>


Market benchmark Sensex buckled under heavy selling pressure Monday, plummeting 714 points as investors panicked over exit polls suggesting the Congress giving a tough fight to the ruling BJP in state elections as also the bruised rupee and weak global cues further dampened sentiment.

Market benchmark Sensex buckled under heavy selling pressure Monday, plummeting 714 points as investors panicked over exit polls suggesting the Congress giving a tough fight to the ruling BJP in state elections as also the bruised rupee and weak global cues further dampened sentiment. The BSE Sensex cracked below the 35,000 mark, plunging 713.53 points, or 2 per cent, to close at 34,959.72. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty fell 205.25 points, or 1.92 per cent, to 10,488.45. Exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan, impacting trading pattern on the domestic bourses in a big way. Besides, a weakening rupee, which hit 71.44 per dollar intra-day, and fresh foreign fund outflows further pulled the key indices. All sectoral indices on the BSE and NSE ended in the red, led by realty, banking, metal, pharma, pharma and financial stocks. Kotak Bank shares cracked over 6 per cent after the bank said it had moved the Bombay High Court against RBI's decision with respect to the bank reducing promoter holding using preference shares. In August, Uday Kotak, the founder and promoter of Kotak Mahindra Bank, has pared down his stake in the bank to 19.70 per cent from about 30 per cent following the issuance of preference shares. Within a few days, the Reserve Bank said the stake dilution by Kotak does not meet its regulatory norms on the same, something the private sector lender contested. Other top losers include Reliance Industries, Asian Paints, Tata Motors, Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma, L&T, PowerGrid, HDFC, Axis Bank and Bajaj Auto, falling up to 4 per cent. Coal India and Maruti were the only two gainers on the 30-share index, rising up to 0.79 per cent. Multiple factors impacted the market sentiment as the bears held complete control of the market from opening till the closing bell, said Joseph Thomas, Head Research, Emkay Wealth Management. This was the biggest one-day fall in the last two months for both indices, falling up to 2 per cent, he said. On a net basis, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 817.40 crore Friday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 242.56 crore, provisional data available with BSE showed. Brent crude oil futures was trading at 0.31 per cent down at USD 61.48 per barrel. Elsewhere in Asia, Korea's Kospi fell 1.06 per cent, Japan's Nikkei dropped 2.12 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 1.19 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 0.82 per cent. In Europe, Frankfurt's DAX shed 0.67 per cent and Paris' CAC 40 fell 0.47 per cent in early deals. London's FTSE too slipped 0.41 per cent.

Sensex falls 714 points ahead of assembly election results

<p>The benchmark BSE Sensex cracked over 650 points Monday as investors turned jittery over exit poll results ahead of the outcome of assembly election results of five states, weakening rupee and crude oil price rise amid an escalation in US-China trade tensions.</p>

<p>The results will be announced when ballots are counted on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sensex plunged 657 points to hit the day’s low at 35,016.08, while the Nifty is trading near the 10,500-level.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The exit polls Friday predicted a tight finish between the BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>Global crude oil prices rose after Opec members and 10 other oil producing nations agreed Friday to cut output by 1.2 million barrels a day in a bid to boost prices.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the rupee fell sharply today to 71.23 a dollar as compared to Friday’s close of 70.82.</p>

<p>Equity markets in Asia plummeted in early morning trade following weak trends in the US equity futures market. Investors are said to be worried about US-China trade tensions coming at the forefront again. The arrest of Huawei CFO as well as fresh import tariff rhetoric by the White House is dragging the markets in Asia.</p>

<p>Reuters reported that White House trade adviser Peter Navarro’s has hinted at raising tariff rates on Chinese imports if the two countries could not come to an agreement during the 90-day negotiating period.</p>


The benchmark BSE Sensex cracked over 650 points Monday as investors turned jittery over exit poll results ahead of the outcome of assembly election results of five states, weakening rupee and crude oil price rise amid an escalation in US-China trade tensions.

The benchmark BSE Sensex cracked over 650 points Monday as investors turned jittery over exit poll results ahead of the outcome of assembly election results of five states, weakening rupee and crude oil price rise amid an escalation in US-China trade tensions. The results will be announced when ballots are counted on Tuesday. The Sensex plunged 657 points to hit the day’s low at 35,016.08, while the Nifty is trading near the 10,500-level. The exit polls Friday predicted a tight finish between the BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan. Global crude oil prices rose after Opec members and 10 other oil producing nations agreed Friday to cut output by 1.2 million barrels a day in a bid to boost prices. Meanwhile, the rupee fell sharply today to 71.23 a dollar as compared to Friday’s close of 70.82. Equity markets in Asia plummeted in early morning trade following weak trends in the US equity futures market. Investors are said to be worried about US-China trade tensions coming at the forefront again. The arrest of Huawei CFO as well as fresh import tariff rhetoric by the White House is dragging the markets in Asia. Reuters reported that White House trade adviser Peter Navarro’s has hinted at raising tariff rates on Chinese imports if the two countries could not come to an agreement during the 90-day negotiating period.

Sensex slides 650 points on weak global cues, exit poll results; Nifty at 10,500

<p>Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly will begin from 8 am on Tuesday amid elaborate security arrangements, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashish Kundra said.</p>

<p>The election was held on November 28 and its result will decide whether Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress will be able to return for a third consecutive term in office. Mizoram is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast.</p>

<p>Counting will begin at 13 counting centres in the eight district headquarters, Kundra said Monday.</p>

<p>DIG (Northern Range) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte had earlier said there would be a three-layer security cordon manned by eight companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the state armed police and unarmed police personnel during the counting.</p>

<p>In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while its main opposition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), got five and the Mizoram People's Conference bagged one seat.</p>

<p>The Congress and the MNF have ruled Mizoram since 1987. The BJP also has set its eyes on the state this time as all other northeastern states are now ruled either by the saffron party or others supported by it. Sikkim's ruling SDF is also friendly with the BJP.</p>

<p>No party in the state has so far been able to form governments thrice in a row since 1987 when Mizoram became a full-fledged state.</p>

<p>The Congress and the MNF fielded 40 candidates each while the BJP contested in 39 seats. The Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), an alliance formed by two political parties and four groups, also contested in 35 seats.&nbsp;</p>


Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly will begin from 8 am on Tuesday amid elaborate security arrangements, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashish Kundra said.

Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly will begin from 8 am on Tuesday amid elaborate security arrangements, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashish Kundra said. The election was held on November 28 and its result will decide whether Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress will be able to return for a third consecutive term in office. Mizoram is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast. Counting will begin at 13 counting centres in the eight district headquarters, Kundra said Monday. DIG (Northern Range) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte had earlier said there would be a three-layer security cordon manned by eight companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the state armed police and unarmed police personnel during the counting. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while its main opposition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), got five and the Mizoram People's Conference bagged one seat. The Congress and the MNF have ruled Mizoram since 1987. The BJP also has set its eyes on the state this time as all other northeastern states are now ruled either by the saffron party or others supported by it. Sikkim's ruling SDF is also friendly with the BJP. No party in the state has so far been able to form governments thrice in a row since 1987 when Mizoram became a full-fledged state. The Congress and the MNF fielded 40 candidates each while the BJP contested in 39 seats. The Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), an alliance formed by two political parties and four groups, also contested in 35 seats.

Mizoram Assembly polls: Counting to begin amid elaborate security arrangements on Tuesday

<p>All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday claimed that K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is going to form the government in Telangana with a clear majority.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said: "The TRS is going to form the government in Telangana on their own strength; all the speculations which are being raised are baseless. We should wait for the result. I don't want to comment on the Congress welcoming the AIMIM to Praja Kutami."Nearly all the exit polls have predicted incumbent caretaker Chief Minister Rao-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Telangana's 119 seats, Times Now-CNX projected a clean sweep for the ruling the TRS with 66 seats. It gave 37 to Congress and 7 to BJP while others were given 9.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat gave TRS 50-65 seats and 38-52 to Congress, 4-7 to BJP and 8-14 to others. The majority mark is 60. Telangana Legislative Assembly election was held on December 7. The results will be announced on December 11.</p>


All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday claimed that K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is going to form the government in Telangana with a clear majority.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday claimed that K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is going to form the government in Telangana with a clear majority. Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said: "The TRS is going to form the government in Telangana on their own strength; all the speculations which are being raised are baseless. We should wait for the result. I don't want to comment on the Congress welcoming the AIMIM to Praja Kutami."Nearly all the exit polls have predicted incumbent caretaker Chief Minister Rao-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority. For Telangana's 119 seats, Times Now-CNX projected a clean sweep for the ruling the TRS with 66 seats. It gave 37 to Congress and 7 to BJP while others were given 9. Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat gave TRS 50-65 seats and 38-52 to Congress, 4-7 to BJP and 8-14 to others. The majority mark is 60. Telangana Legislative Assembly election was held on December 7. The results will be announced on December 11.

TRS will form govt in Telangana on its own: Asaduddin Owaisi

<p>As always, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslameen president or "sadr" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">Asaduddin Owaisi</a> is in the news and much in demand with only a few hours to go before the counting of votes in Telangana. Though Owaisi has been extending unflinching support to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, he's also being courted by the Indian National Congress just in case the "Mahakutami" (Grand Alliance) falls short of the numbers.</p>

<p>Since Monday morning, the buzz on the grapevine had been that caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao had invited Owaisi or "Sadr Saab" as he is called for lunch.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At around noon, Owaisi tweeted, "I'll be meeting Telangana's caretaker &amp; next CM of Telangana, KCR Sahab @ Telangana CMO at 1.30 pm today. Inshallah he'll form government on his own strength, and Majlis will stand by him. This is our first step towards a larger goal of nation building.....''</p>

<p>Known for his punctuality, the local and national media lay in wait for Owaisi near Pragathi Bhavan, KCR's home-cum-office. All cameras were up and ready, on the lookout for Owaisi's SUV.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, at around 1.40 pm, a two-wheeler zoomed past Pragathi Bhavan's gates and for a few seconds, none of the journalists gathered there were able to tell that it was Owaisi himself on his two-wheeler — a Triumph 925 cc.&nbsp;</p>

<p>No one had imagined that Owaisi would turn up on his motorcycle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After three hours, at around 4.45 pm, Asaduddin rode out of Pragathi Bhavan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This time he could not escape the assembled media. He got down from his motorcycle and spoke to them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was of course asked about his entry and exit on his Triumph, to which Asad answered in inimitable Hyderabad style... "Hyderabad ka mausam achcha hai... hamari gaadi (his motorcycle ) aur car (the TRS' symbol is a car) aage bhi speed se saath jaayenge."</p>

<p>After which he zoomed off on his motorcycle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The results of the Telangana elections, along with those of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram, will be declared tomorrow.&nbsp;</p>


As always, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslameen president or "sadr" Asaduddin Owaisi is in the news and much in demand with only a few hours to go before the counting of votes in Telangana.

As always, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslameen president or "sadr" Asaduddin Owaisi is in the news and much in demand with only a few hours to go before the counting of votes in Telangana. Though Owaisi has been extending unflinching support to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, he's also being courted by the Indian National Congress just in case the "Mahakutami" (Grand Alliance) falls short of the numbers. Since Monday morning, the buzz on the grapevine had been that caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao had invited Owaisi or "Sadr Saab" as he is called for lunch. At around noon, Owaisi tweeted, "I'll be meeting Telangana's caretaker & next CM of Telangana, KCR Sahab @ Telangana CMO at 1.30 pm today. Inshallah he'll form government on his own strength, and Majlis will stand by him. This is our first step towards a larger goal of nation building.....'' Known for his punctuality, the local and national media lay in wait for Owaisi near Pragathi Bhavan, KCR's home-cum-office. All cameras were up and ready, on the lookout for Owaisi's SUV. However, at around 1.40 pm, a two-wheeler zoomed past Pragathi Bhavan's gates and for a few seconds, none of the journalists gathered there were able to tell that it was Owaisi himself on his two-wheeler — a Triumph 925 cc. No one had imagined that Owaisi would turn up on his motorcycle. After three hours, at around 4.45 pm, Asaduddin rode out of Pragathi Bhavan. This time he could not escape the assembled media. He got down from his motorcycle and spoke to them. He was of course asked about his entry and exit on his Triumph, to which Asad answered in inimitable Hyderabad style... "Hyderabad ka mausam achcha hai... hamari gaadi (his motorcycle ) aur car (the TRS' symbol is a car) aage bhi speed se saath jaayenge." After which he zoomed off on his motorcycle. The results of the Telangana elections, along with those of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram, will be declared tomorrow.

Asaduddin Owaisi comes to lunch at KCR's home on his Triumph motorcycle

<p>Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-conduct-rath-yatra-nobody-can-stop-us-amit-shah-182194"> Amit Shah</a> has called a meeting on December 13 of national office bearers to discuss the outcome of assembly poll results of five states and strategy for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>The meeting will take place at 2 pm in the national capital.</p>

<p>On Saturday, a meeting took place between Shah and BJP`s general secretaries, which discussed among other things the exit-polls of just concluded <a href="http://www.wionews.com/assembly-elections">assembly elections</a>, which the saffron party losing many key states.</p>

<p>The results of five states-Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram legislative assembly elections will be announced on December 11.</p>

<p>"The meeting on December 13 will deliberate upon the assembly polls results in view of which the party leaders will also discuss possible strategies for the coming Lok Sabha polls," said the BJP sources.&nbsp;</p>


Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah has called a meeting on December 13 of national office bearers to discuss the outcome of assembly poll results of five states and strategy for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah has called a meeting on December 13 of national office bearers to discuss the outcome of assembly poll results of five states and strategy for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting will take place at 2 pm in the national capital. On Saturday, a meeting took place between Shah and BJP`s general secretaries, which discussed among other things the exit-polls of just concluded assembly elections, which the saffron party losing many key states. The results of five states-Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram legislative assembly elections will be announced on December 11. "The meeting on December 13 will deliberate upon the assembly polls results in view of which the party leaders will also discuss possible strategies for the coming Lok Sabha polls," said the BJP sources.

Amit Shah calls national 'office bearers' meet on December 13

<p>Terming any grand alliance between various opposition parties as a 'sham,'<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-conduct-rath-yatra-nobody-can-stop-us-amit-shah-182194"> BJP chief Amit Shah </a>Saturday said in the next parliamentary elections people will have to decide whether they want 'strong' or the 'helpless' government.</p>

<p>Shah said the proposed grand alliance may not have any impact in various states barring Uttar Pradesh where it could pose some challenge for the party, but he is hopeful for further improving its performance and is aiming for more than 51 per cent vote in the state.</p>

<p>Most of the regional parties are unlikely to have any impact on the electoral outcomes outside their respective states, Shah said while asserting that politics is also about chemistry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Politics is not physics where two plus two becomes four, it is chemistry. The grand alliance is nothing but a sham''.</p>

<p>Perhaps only in Uttar Pradesh, the grand alliance between SP and BSP could pose some challenge for the party. The BJP had got more than 40 per cent vote share in the state and will fight for more than 51 per cent vote share in the next general elections," he said.</p>

<p>Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a strong and decisive leader, Shah said the next elections will be about either strong government led by Modi or helpless government of grand alliance.</p>

<p>"Now people have to decide in 2019, that whether they want mazboot sarkar aur mazboor sarkar (strong government or helpless government)," he said.</p>

<p>Confident of party's better performance in Lok Sabha elections next year, Shah said BJP got more than 17 crore votes in 2014 general elections and in the last four years of its government, it has provided benefits to more than 22 crore people through its various welfare schemes.</p>

<p>Replying a question on the issue of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-topple-govt-if-ram-temple-construction-is-opposed-subramanian-swamy-182345"> Ram temple</a>, Shah said the party has always maintained that the grand Lord Ram temple should be built at the earliest in Ayodhya.</p>


Terming any grand alliance between various opposition parties as a 'sham,' BJP chief Amit Shah Saturday said in the next parliamentary elections people will have to decide whether they want 'strong' or the 'helpless' government.

Terming any grand alliance between various opposition parties as a 'sham,' BJP chief Amit Shah Saturday said in the next parliamentary elections people will have to decide whether they want 'strong' or the 'helpless' government. Shah said the proposed grand alliance may not have any impact in various states barring Uttar Pradesh where it could pose some challenge for the party, but he is hopeful for further improving its performance and is aiming for more than 51 per cent vote in the state. Most of the regional parties are unlikely to have any impact on the electoral outcomes outside their respective states, Shah said while asserting that politics is also about chemistry. "Politics is not physics where two plus two becomes four, it is chemistry. The grand alliance is nothing but a sham''. Perhaps only in Uttar Pradesh, the grand alliance between SP and BSP could pose some challenge for the party. The BJP had got more than 40 per cent vote share in the state and will fight for more than 51 per cent vote share in the next general elections," he said. Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a strong and decisive leader, Shah said the next elections will be about either strong government led by Modi or helpless government of grand alliance. "Now people have to decide in 2019, that whether they want mazboot sarkar aur mazboor sarkar (strong government or helpless government)," he said. Confident of party's better performance in Lok Sabha elections next year, Shah said BJP got more than 17 crore votes in 2014 general elections and in the last four years of its government, it has provided benefits to more than 22 crore people through its various welfare schemes. Replying a question on the issue of Ram temple, Shah said the party has always maintained that the grand Lord Ram temple should be built at the earliest in Ayodhya.

2019 elections will be about 'strong' or 'helpless' government: Amit Shah

<p>Madhya Pradesh’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday held a meeting at the party headquarter in Bhopal, which saw incumbent chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state President Rakesh Singh, state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh and BJP MP Manohar Untwal in attendance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to the media after the meeting, a leader of the party claimed that they were confident of winning the elections and forming the government in the state for the fourth consecutive time.</p>

<p>“We reviewed the situation in the state and discussed the future course of events. We are going to form the government on December 11, so we discussed how the event of oath taking ceremony is going to be like. The finalisation of the date has not been done as yet, we have left that decision on the chief minister so that he finds a suitable auspicious time for the same. But I am certain that we are forming the government,” he told media here.</p>

<p>Echoing a similar stance, Rakesh Singh added: “It is sure that we are making the government under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the fourth time."</p>

<p>Chouhan, too, on Saturday said that he is confident of his party’s win in the recently-held Assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone, who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore, I am saying this confidently that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government. This is important for everyone – poor, farmers, children and women,” Chouhan told media here.</p>

<p>The state went for voting on November 28, and the results will be announced on December 11. As many as 2,899 candidates were in the fray including 250 women and five third gender candidates.</p>


Madhya Pradesh’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday held a meeting at the party headquarter in Bhopal, which saw incumbent chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state President Rakesh Singh, state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh and BJP MP Manohar Untwal in attendance.

Madhya Pradesh’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday held a meeting at the party headquarter in Bhopal, which saw incumbent chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state President Rakesh Singh, state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh and BJP MP Manohar Untwal in attendance. Speaking to the media after the meeting, a leader of the party claimed that they were confident of winning the elections and forming the government in the state for the fourth consecutive time. “We reviewed the situation in the state and discussed the future course of events. We are going to form the government on December 11, so we discussed how the event of oath taking ceremony is going to be like. The finalisation of the date has not been done as yet, we have left that decision on the chief minister so that he finds a suitable auspicious time for the same. But I am certain that we are forming the government,” he told media here. Echoing a similar stance, Rakesh Singh added: “It is sure that we are making the government under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the fourth time." Chouhan, too, on Saturday said that he is confident of his party’s win in the recently-held Assembly elections. “There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone, who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore, I am saying this confidently that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government. This is important for everyone – poor, farmers, children and women,” Chouhan told media here. The state went for voting on November 28, and the results will be announced on December 11. As many as 2,899 candidates were in the fray including 250 women and five third gender candidates.

Madhya Pradesh: BJP confident of party’s fourth term in power

<p>Incumbent Chhattisgarh&nbsp;Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday expressed confidence of forming the government for the fourth time in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters, Singh ruled out the possibility of a hung assembly, adding that the BJP will form a government with a majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Situation of a hung assembly will not come. BJP will form govt with majority. I am confident that BJP will form govt for the 4th time without anyone's support," he noted.</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh: Situation of hung assembly will not come. BJP will form govt with majority. I am confident that BJP will form govt for the 4th time without anyone's support. <a href="https://t.co/6E5sFn125J">pic.twitter.com/6E5sFn125J</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071729303937642500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Raman's counterpart in Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-am-saying-this-confidently-that-bjp-will-form-government-in-madhya-pradesh-shivraj-singh-chouhan-182437">resounded similar sentiments</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chouhan on Saturday said that he is confident of his party’s win in the recently-held Assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone, who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore, I am saying this confidently that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government. This is important for everyone – poor, farmers, children and women,” Chouhan told media.</p>


Incumbent Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday expressed confidence of forming the government for the fourth time in the state. Speaking to reporters, Singh ruled out the possibility of a hung assembly, adding that the BJP will form a government with a majority.

Incumbent Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday expressed confidence of forming the government for the fourth time in the state. Speaking to reporters, Singh ruled out the possibility of a hung assembly, adding that the BJP will form a government with a majority. "Situation of a hung assembly will not come. BJP will form govt with majority. I am confident that BJP will form govt for the 4th time without anyone's support," he noted. Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh: Situation of hung assembly will not come. BJP will form govt with majority. I am confident that BJP will form govt for the 4th time without anyone's support. pic.twitter.com/6E5sFn125J — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2018 × Meanwhile, Raman's counterpart in Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, resounded similar sentiments. Chouhan on Saturday said that he is confident of his party’s win in the recently-held Assembly elections. “There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone, who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore, I am saying this confidently that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government. This is important for everyone – poor, farmers, children and women,” Chouhan told media.

Situation of hung assembly won't come, will form government with majority: Raman Singh 

<p>Rajasthan witnessed over one per cent lower voter turnout in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-polling-concludes-in-rajasthan-telangana-727-turnout-till-5pm-in-rajasthan-182256"> Friday's assembly poll </a>as compared to the previous assembly election despite marathon election rallies by star campaigners of both the BJP and the Congress.</p>

<p>As per the Chief Election Office, voter turnout in 2018 assembly election was recorded at 74.12 per cent compared to 75.23 per cent in 2013 despite its efforts to create awareness among voters through various means.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The department was expecting a surge in voter turnout this election considering a rise of 20 lakh new youth voters in state electoral rolls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan Chief Election Officer (CEO) had said he had expected a better poll percentage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Top campaigners including Prime Minister Narendra and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had addressed 12 and 9 public meetings respectively in Rajasthan where assembly elections to 199 of the 200 seats were held on December 7.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Contrary to the sea of the crowd in the rallies, voting percentage in the respective areas were less.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After Prime Minister's rallies, the voting percentage increased only in Dausa (78.41 per cent in 2018 compared to 75.68 per cent in 2013) and Nagaur (73.53 per cent in 2018 compared to 72.03 per cent in 2013).</p>

<p>Voting percentage in other areas, including Bhilwara, Bharatpur, Sikar or Hanumangarh where the prime minister held rallies remained less than the previous assembly election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Election rallies of Congress Rahul Gandhi too could not create a big impact among the people of the state. Voting percentage was recorded 1 to 2 per cent less than the previous assembly election where his public meetings were held.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP dissident and crowd puller Hanuman Beniwal who fought the election from Khinvsar assembly seats in 2013 and 2018 election could not woo the voters in his favour.</p>

<p>The voting percentage which was 77.10 per cent in 2013 was recorded at 75.26 per cent in the 2018 elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress general secretary Sushil Sharma attributes lesser voting percentage to circumstances in both the elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that 'Modi wave' had influenced the voters in the state in 2013, which was not seen in 2018 elections. In such circumstances, Congress will get the benefit in these polls, he claimed.</p>

<p>Senior BJP leader Onkar Singh Lakhawat said that over 74 per cent voter turnout figure cannot be termed poor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said it would be unfair to blame star campaigners for less voting percentage compared to last elections as image, caste equation of candidate and other factors also affect the voting process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Counting will be undertaken on December 11.</p>


Rajasthan witnessed over one per cent lower voter turnout in Friday's assembly poll as compared to the previous assembly election despite marathon election rallies by star campaigners of both the BJP and the Congress.

Rajasthan witnessed over one per cent lower voter turnout in Friday's assembly poll as compared to the previous assembly election despite marathon election rallies by star campaigners of both the BJP and the Congress. As per the Chief Election Office, voter turnout in 2018 assembly election was recorded at 74.12 per cent compared to 75.23 per cent in 2013 despite its efforts to create awareness among voters through various means. The department was expecting a surge in voter turnout this election considering a rise of 20 lakh new youth voters in state electoral rolls. Rajasthan Chief Election Officer (CEO) had said he had expected a better poll percentage. Top campaigners including Prime Minister Narendra and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had addressed 12 and 9 public meetings respectively in Rajasthan where assembly elections to 199 of the 200 seats were held on December 7. Contrary to the sea of the crowd in the rallies, voting percentage in the respective areas were less. After Prime Minister's rallies, the voting percentage increased only in Dausa (78.41 per cent in 2018 compared to 75.68 per cent in 2013) and Nagaur (73.53 per cent in 2018 compared to 72.03 per cent in 2013). Voting percentage in other areas, including Bhilwara, Bharatpur, Sikar or Hanumangarh where the prime minister held rallies remained less than the previous assembly election. Election rallies of Congress Rahul Gandhi too could not create a big impact among the people of the state. Voting percentage was recorded 1 to 2 per cent less than the previous assembly election where his public meetings were held. BJP dissident and crowd puller Hanuman Beniwal who fought the election from Khinvsar assembly seats in 2013 and 2018 election could not woo the voters in his favour. The voting percentage which was 77.10 per cent in 2013 was recorded at 75.26 per cent in the 2018 elections. Congress general secretary Sushil Sharma attributes lesser voting percentage to circumstances in both the elections. He said that 'Modi wave' had influenced the voters in the state in 2013, which was not seen in 2018 elections. In such circumstances, Congress will get the benefit in these polls, he claimed. Senior BJP leader Onkar Singh Lakhawat said that over 74 per cent voter turnout figure cannot be termed poor. He said it would be unfair to blame star campaigners for less voting percentage compared to last elections as image, caste equation of candidate and other factors also affect the voting process. Counting will be undertaken on December 11.

Rajasthan Assembly polls: Less voting percentage despite star campaigners

<p>The Election Commission has ordered repolling at a booth in Karanpur Assembly constituency of Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district on Monday.</p>

<p>The decision was taken after it came to notice that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were not cleared of the mock poll when the actual polling began, election department sources said.</p>

<p>Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar said repolling would take place at polling centre number 163 from 8am-5pm.</p>

<p>Kumar said there was a decline in the cases of repolling in the state this time. In 2013, repolling was conducted at eight polling centres spread across six constituencies.</p>

<p>Voting in 199 out of 200 constituencies was held last Friday and the counting will take place on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Ramgarh constituency in Alwar district will go to poll later due to the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh.</p>


The Election Commission has ordered repolling at a booth in Karanpur Assembly constituency of Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district on Monday. The decision was taken after it came to notice that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were not cleared of the mock poll when the actual polling began, election department sources said.

The Election Commission has ordered repolling at a booth in Karanpur Assembly constituency of Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district on Monday. The decision was taken after it came to notice that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were not cleared of the mock poll when the actual polling began, election department sources said. Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar said repolling would take place at polling centre number 163 from 8am-5pm. Kumar said there was a decline in the cases of repolling in the state this time. In 2013, repolling was conducted at eight polling centres spread across six constituencies. Voting in 199 out of 200 constituencies was held last Friday and the counting will take place on Tuesday. Ramgarh constituency in Alwar district will go to poll later due to the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh.

EC orders repolling at booth in Rajasthan's Karanpur constituency

<p>Telangana BJP Chief, K Laxman, on Sunday hinted at the possibility of an alliance in the state noting that in the absence of a clear mandate the party will be a part of the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We’ll not support Congress or AIMIM, but other options are open. The decision will be taken in consultation with our high command," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Telangana Rashtra Samiti spokesperson Bhanu Prasad said that the party doesn't need an alliance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">K Laxman, Telangana BJP Chief: There can't be a govt without BJP in Telangana. In case people have not given a clear mandate we’ll be a part of govt. We’ll not support Congress or AIMIM, but other options are open. The decision will be taken in consultation with our high command. <a href="https://t.co/LdwpwmmaEB">pic.twitter.com/LdwpwmmaEB</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071671559775936512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We don’t need any alliance, we will form the Government on our own. We are confident that we will win enough seats," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The final voter turnout in Friday's Assembly polls in Telangana was recorded at 73.20 per cent.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We don’t need any alliance, we will form the Government on our own. We are confident that we will win enough seats: Bhanu Prasad,TRS Spokesperson <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/jYL2jdQTwO">https://t.co/jYL2jdQTwO</a></p>
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<p>Polling concluded in the poll-bound state on Friday evening. According to reports, the interim voter turnout recorded in Telangana on Friday was reported at around 67 per cent.&nbsp;</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>Final results for both the states will be out after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Telangana BJP Chief, K Laxman, on Sunday hinted at the possibility of an alliance in the state noting that in the absence of a clear mandate the party will be a part of the government.

Telangana BJP Chief, K Laxman, on Sunday hinted at the possibility of an alliance in the state noting that in the absence of a clear mandate the party will be a part of the government. "We’ll not support Congress or AIMIM, but other options are open. The decision will be taken in consultation with our high command," he added. Meanwhile, Telangana Rashtra Samiti spokesperson Bhanu Prasad said that the party doesn't need an alliance. K Laxman, Telangana BJP Chief: There can't be a govt without BJP in Telangana. In case people have not given a clear mandate we’ll be a part of govt. We’ll not support Congress or AIMIM, but other options are open. The decision will be taken in consultation with our high command. pic.twitter.com/LdwpwmmaEB — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2018 × "We don’t need any alliance, we will form the Government on our own. We are confident that we will win enough seats," he added. The final voter turnout in Friday's Assembly polls in Telangana was recorded at 73.20 per cent. We don’t need any alliance, we will form the Government on our own. We are confident that we will win enough seats: Bhanu Prasad,TRS Spokesperson #TelanganaElections2018 https://t.co/jYL2jdQTwO — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2018 × Polling concluded in the poll-bound state on Friday evening. According to reports, the interim voter turnout recorded in Telangana on Friday was reported at around 67 per cent. 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. Final results for both the states will be out after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.

Won't support Congress or AIMIM, other options are open: Telangana BJP chief

<p>The final voter turnout in Friday's Assembly polls in Rajasthan and Telangana was recorded at 74.21 and 73.20 respectively.</p>

<p>Polling concluded in poll-bound states on Friday evening. According to reports, Rajasthan recorded around 72.7 per cent voter turnout till 5pm. The interim voter turnout recorded in Telangana on Friday was reported at around 67 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The turnout till 11 am was 23.4 per cent in Telangana and 21.89 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Total voters turnout in yesterday's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanAssemblyElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanAssemblyElections</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TelanganaAssemblyElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TelanganaAssemblyElections</a> are at 74.21 and 73.20 respectively.</p>
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<p>Nearly 9 per cent voters had cast their votes in Telangana by 9 am and 6.11 per cent in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>The voter turnout during this legislative assembly election in Rajasthan 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>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>Final results for both the states will be out after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The final voter turnout in Friday's Assembly polls in Rajasthan and Telangana was recorded at 74.21 and 73.20 respectively. Polling concluded in poll-bound states on Friday evening.

The final voter turnout in Friday's Assembly polls in Rajasthan and Telangana was recorded at 74.21 and 73.20 respectively. Polling concluded in poll-bound states on Friday evening. According to reports, Rajasthan recorded around 72.7 per cent voter turnout till 5pm. The interim voter turnout recorded in Telangana on Friday was reported at around 67 per cent. The turnout till 11 am was 23.4 per cent in Telangana and 21.89 per cent in Rajasthan. Total voters turnout in yesterday's #RajasthanAssemblyElections and #TelanganaAssemblyElections are at 74.21 and 73.20 respectively. — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018 × Nearly 9 per cent voters had cast their votes in Telangana by 9 am and 6.11 per cent in Rajasthan. The voter turnout during this legislative assembly election in Rajasthan was recorded less than that of the year 2013 wherein 75.23 per cent of the registered voters in the state cast their vote. 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. Final results for both the states will be out after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.

Assembly polls: Over 73% voter turnout recorded in Rajasthan, Telangana

<p>The Election Commission Friday ordered the removal of returning officer of Pali in the Rajasthan Assembly seat after an EVM was reportedly found at the residence of a BJP candidate.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, the poll panel had said that a sector officer carrying a reserve machine had gone to the BJP candidate's house following which the sector officer was removed and the EVM taken out of election system.</p>

<p>The EC also ordered removal of Pali returning officer Mahaveer, who has been transferred, and Rakesh from Jodhpur has been asked to take the charge, the commission said.</p>

<p>A video purportedly showing the electronic voting machine laying unattended in the house has gone viral.</p>


The Election Commission Friday ordered the removal of returning officer of Pali in the Rajasthan Assembly seat after an EVM was reportedly found at the residence of a BJP candidate.

The Election Commission Friday ordered the removal of returning officer of Pali in the Rajasthan Assembly seat after an EVM was reportedly found at the residence of a BJP candidate. Earlier in the day, the poll panel had said that a sector officer carrying a reserve machine had gone to the BJP candidate's house following which the sector officer was removed and the EVM taken out of election system. The EC also ordered removal of Pali returning officer Mahaveer, who has been transferred, and Rakesh from Jodhpur has been asked to take the charge, the commission said. A video purportedly showing the electronic voting machine laying unattended in the house has gone viral.

Rajasthan: EC orders removal of Pali returning officer after EVM reportedly found at BJP candidate's house

<p>Loktantrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav on Saturday apologised for his comments on incumbent Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yadav stated that he has "very old family relations" with Raje and that he expresses regret if his words have hurt her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The senior politician added that he will also write a letter to Raje.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I saw her statement. I have very old family relations with her. If my words hurt her, I express my regret. I will also write a letter to her," Yadav stated.</p>

<p>Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday reacted to Senior politician Sharad Yadav's body shaming remarks on 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>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sharad Yadav on his remark 'Vasundhara (Raje) ko aaram do, thak gayi hain, bahut moti ho gayi hain': I saw her statement. I have very old family relations with her. If my words hurt her, I express my regret. I will also write a letter to her. <a href="https://t.co/oHGB1jPKzU">pic.twitter.com/oHGB1jPKzU</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071329431917080577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<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>

<p>Yadav <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-feel-insulted-vasundhara-raje-on-sharad-yadav-body-shaming-remarks-182095">sparked a controversy yesterday</a> 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 <em>aaram</em><em> do, </em><em>bahut</em><em> </em><em>thak</em><em> </em><em>gayi</em><em> </em><em>hain</em><em>, </em><em>bahut</em><em> </em><em>moti</em><em> ho </em><em>gayi</em><em> </em><em>hain</em><em>, </em><em>pehle</em><em> </em><em>patli</em><em> </em><em>thi</em><em>. Humare Madhya Pradesh ki </em><em>beti</em><em> hai</em>)," Yadav said on Thursday while addressing a rally.</p>

<p>Yadav later on clarified that he meant it as 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>


Loktantrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav on Saturday apologised for his comments on incumbent Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Yadav stated that he has "very old family relations" with Raje and that he expresses regret if his words have hurt her.

Loktantrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav on Saturday apologised for his comments on incumbent Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Yadav stated that he has "very old family relations" with Raje and that he expresses regret if his words have hurt her. The senior politician added that he will also write a letter to Raje. "I saw her statement. I have very old family relations with her. If my words hurt her, I express my regret. I will also write a letter to her," Yadav stated. Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday reacted to Senior politician Sharad Yadav's body shaming remarks on 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''. Sharad Yadav on his remark 'Vasundhara (Raje) ko aaram do, thak gayi hain, bahut moti ho gayi hain': I saw her statement. I have very old family relations with her. If my words hurt her, I express my regret. I will also write a letter to her. pic.twitter.com/oHGB1jPKzU — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018 × ''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. 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. Yadav later on clarified that he meant it as 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.

Sharad Yadav apologises for fat shaming Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje

<p>Incumbent Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expressed confidence of Bharatiya Janata Party winning the state assembly elections.</p>

<p>Speaking at Madhya Pradesh's Umaria, Chouhan stated that there could not be a biggest surveyor than him and therefore he is certain of the saffron party winning the elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore I am saying this confidently that BJP will form the govt. This is important for people, poor, farmers, children and women," Chouhan noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-will-get-comfortable-majority-in-madhya-pradesh-chouhan-181476">Chouhan, earlier this week</a> exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would get a comfortable majority in the recently-concluded Assembly elections in the state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Umaria, MP: There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore I am saying this confidently that BJP will form the govt. This is important for people, poor, farmers, children &amp; women. <a href="https://t.co/0RdCPXriQl">pic.twitter.com/0RdCPXriQl</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1071339026030960640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We will get a good majority. It's not correct to say a number. I don't lie. You will see on (December) 11th (counting day). The BJP will get a comfortable majority," Chouhan noted.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh went to polls on November 28. The final result of the electoral battle will be made public after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.&nbsp;</p>


Incumbent Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expressed confidence of Bharatiya Janata Party winning the state assembly elections. Speaking at Madhya Pradesh's Umaria, Chouhan stated that there could not be a biggest surveyor than him and therefore he is certain of the saffron party winning the elections.

Incumbent Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expressed confidence of Bharatiya Janata Party winning the state assembly elections. Speaking at Madhya Pradesh's Umaria, Chouhan stated that there could not be a biggest surveyor than him and therefore he is certain of the saffron party winning the elections. "There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore I am saying this confidently that BJP will form the govt. This is important for people, poor, farmers, children and women," Chouhan noted. Chouhan, earlier this week exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would get a comfortable majority in the recently-concluded Assembly elections in the state. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Umaria, MP: There cannot be a surveyor bigger than me, someone who is among the people day in and day out. Therefore I am saying this confidently that BJP will form the govt. This is important for people, poor, farmers, children & women. pic.twitter.com/0RdCPXriQl — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018 × "We will get a good majority. It's not correct to say a number. I don't lie. You will see on (December) 11th (counting day). The BJP will get a comfortable majority," Chouhan noted. Madhya Pradesh went to polls on November 28. The final result of the electoral battle will be made public after the counting of votes concludes on December 11.

Saying this confidently that BJP will form government in MP: Shivraj Singh Chouhan 

<p>A day after the assembly election in Rajasthan, two officials, Abdul Rafeeq and Patwari Naval Singh, were suspended from the state on grounds of negligence with the EVM machine.</p>

<p>A ballot unit was found lying on road in Shahabad area of Kishanganj Assembly Constituency in Baran district of Rajasthan on Friday.</p>

<p>The ballot unit which was later recovered and has now been kept in a strong room in Kishanganj.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: A ballot unit was found lying on road in Shahabad area of Kishanganj Assembly Constituency in Baran district of Rajasthan yesterday. Two officials have been suspended on grounds of negligence. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/yq7F1mbCFV">pic.twitter.com/yq7F1mbCFV</a></p>
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<p>The suspension order was issued by District Election Officer and Collector S P Singh after a fact-finding report was filed by the returning officer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kishanganj in connection with the incident.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Two officials have been suspended in connection with the incident where a ballot unit was found lying on road in Shahabad area of Kishanganj Assembly Constituency in Baran district of Rajasthan. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/FvCOgdkgof">pic.twitter.com/FvCOgdkgof</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;The polling in Rajasthan was held in 51,687 polling booths out of which 259 were managed exclusively by women officials and security personnel.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A day after the assembly election in Rajasthan, two officials, Abdul Rafeeq and Patwari Naval Singh, were suspended from the state on grounds of negligence with the EVM machine.

A day after the assembly election in Rajasthan, two officials, Abdul Rafeeq and Patwari Naval Singh, were suspended from the state on grounds of negligence with the EVM machine. A ballot unit was found lying on road in Shahabad area of Kishanganj Assembly Constituency in Baran district of Rajasthan on Friday. The ballot unit which was later recovered and has now been kept in a strong room in Kishanganj. #WATCH: A ballot unit was found lying on road in Shahabad area of Kishanganj Assembly Constituency in Baran district of Rajasthan yesterday. Two officials have been suspended on grounds of negligence. #RajasthanElections pic.twitter.com/yq7F1mbCFV — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018 × The suspension order was issued by District Election Officer and Collector S P Singh after a fact-finding report was filed by the returning officer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kishanganj in connection with the incident. Two officials have been suspended in connection with the incident where a ballot unit was found lying on road in Shahabad area of Kishanganj Assembly Constituency in Baran district of Rajasthan. #RajasthanElections pic.twitter.com/FvCOgdkgof — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018 × The polling in Rajasthan was held in 51,687 polling booths out of which 259 were managed exclusively by women officials and security personnel. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajasthan: 2 officials suspended after ballot units found on road

<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>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

<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>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 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>&nbsp;</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

<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>
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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>
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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>
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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>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>

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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>Ace shuttler Jwala Gutta said she was disappointed as she could not vote in the Telangana Assembly polls after her name was allegedly missing in the voters' list.</p>

<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">Surprised to see my name disappear from the voting list after checking online!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whereismyvote?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#whereismyvote</a></p>
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) <a href="https://twitter.com/Guttajwala/status/1070868428913868800?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 at 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 said her mother was, however, able to vote.</p>

<p>Her father Kranti Gutta said that Jwala's name was found in the voters' list around one month ago.</p>

<p>He claimed his attempt to enrol online as a voter was not successful.</p>

<p>The concerned polling station is in Banjara Hills in the city, he said.</p>

<p>Jwala Gutta has won several medals, including in the Commonweath Games.</p>


Ace shuttler Jwala Gutta said she was disappointed as she could not vote in the Telangana Assembly polls after her name was allegedly missing in the voters' list.

Ace shuttler Jwala Gutta said she was disappointed as she could not vote in the Telangana Assembly polls after her name was allegedly missing in the voters' list. "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. Surprised to see my name disappear from the voting list after checking online!! #whereismyvote — Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) December 7, 2018 × She sought to know why her name was deleted as she has been residing at the same residence for the past 12 years. If the names are deleted, the concerned persons should definitely be informed, she said. Gutta said her mother was, however, able to vote. Her father Kranti Gutta said that Jwala's name was found in the voters' list around one month ago. He claimed his attempt to enrol online as a voter was not successful. The concerned polling station is in Banjara Hills in the city, he said. Jwala Gutta has won several medals, including in the Commonweath Games.

My name missing in list, could not vote in Telangana polls: Jwala Gutta

<p>The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday exuded confidence that his party would be successful in Telangana Assembly polls.</p>

<p>"I am hopeful. I am fully confident that we will be successful in every seat. I hope people of Hyderabad, people of Telangana take this little difficulty, go out of homes and use their vote," he told reporters in Hyderabad.</p>

<p>The AIMIM has fielded candidates in eight assembly segments in Hyderabad out of the total 119 seats in the state. It is supporting TRS in other segments.</p>

<p>Owaisi cast his vote in Rajendranagar Assembly segment in the city on Friday.</p>

<p>The counting of votes would be taken up on December 11.</p>

<p>Assembly polls in Telangana were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year.</p>

<p>However, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved prematurely on September six following a recommendation made by the TRS government.</p>

<p>The ruling TRS is going alone in the polls and so does the BJP.</p>

<p>The Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) have formed the 'People's Front' for the election.</p>


The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday exuded confidence that his party would be successful in Telangana Assembly polls.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday exuded confidence that his party would be successful in Telangana Assembly polls. "I am hopeful. I am fully confident that we will be successful in every seat. I hope people of Hyderabad, people of Telangana take this little difficulty, go out of homes and use their vote," he told reporters in Hyderabad. The AIMIM has fielded candidates in eight assembly segments in Hyderabad out of the total 119 seats in the state. It is supporting TRS in other segments. Owaisi cast his vote in Rajendranagar Assembly segment in the city on Friday. The counting of votes would be taken up on December 11. Assembly polls in Telangana were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year. However, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved prematurely on September six following a recommendation made by the TRS government. The ruling TRS is going alone in the polls and so does the BJP. The Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) have formed the 'People's Front' for the election.

AIMIM confident of winning all contested seats: Owaisi