Greater Hyderabad MC polls on Dec 1; woman to be Mayor

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Greater Hyderabad MC polls on Dec 1; woman to be Mayor

Elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will be held on December 1, the Telangana State Election Commission said on Tuesday.

State Election Commissioner C Parthasarathi said that polling for the 150-member body will be held through ballot papers in view of complaints about the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines.

He told a news conference here that the counting of votes will be taken up on December 4.

He also announced that the post of Mayor has been reserved for a woman candidate from the general category. The elections are being held as per the reservation quota of the 2016 elections.

The SEC issued a poll notification on Monday while nominations will be received from Tuesday onwards. The process of filing nominations will continue till November 20.

Scrutiny will be done on November 21 while November 22 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations. The list of contesting candidates will be published on November 22.

The polling will be held on December 1 from 7 am to 6 pm. The SEC said polling hours have been extended by one hour in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Repolling, wherever necessary, will be held on December 3.

The SEC said that the poll process will be conducted as per COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India. Wearing masks and maintaining social distance will be compulsory.

As per the draft voters’ lists, the te GHMC has over 74 lakh voters. The final lists of voters at the polling station level will be declared on November 21.

There are over 9,000 polling stations but the exact number will be announced later. In view of the COVID situation, the SEC has reduced the number of polling personnel at each police polling station to four from five earlier.

He said 50,000 to 55,000 polling personnel will be on duty. Employees from various departments and from other districts will be drafted for the poll duties. Parthasarathi said 25,000 to 30, 000 police personnel will also be deployed.

The term of the present GHMC body will end in February 2021. In the last MC elections in 2016, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) had scored a landslide victory by winning 99 seats.

It had swept away the main opposition Congress and the Telugu Desam Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP-TDP) alliance.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) however withstood the TRS wave in its stronghold of the old city to emerge as the second-largest party in the MC with 44 seats. However, the massive mandate for TRS deprived the AIMIM a kingmaker’s role, which it historically enjoyed in the municipal body.

Andhra govt cancels lease of Vizag restaurant, owner close to TDP

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Andhra govt cancels lease of Vizag restaurant, owner close to TDP

Officials of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) have canceled the lease of a food and beverage outlet, Fusion Foods, for violating lease rules.

“The drive was carried out by VMRDA against Fusion Foods,” an official confirmed with IANS. Incidentally, the outlet is promoted by T. Harshavardhan Prasad, who is touted to be close to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Prasad is also the owner of the restaurant in the city’s airport where his employee, Srinivas, had attacked the opposition leader and current Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy with a knife. Prasad got a lease in 2004 for 10 years, on whose expiry he applied for an extension but the erstwhile authority, VUDA, declined. However, he went to court and managed to get an extension till 2024.

The VMRDA identified that the lease rules were violative in nature as they could only be given for three years. According to officials, Prasad is also paying quite a low rent, depriving revenues of VMRDA. On these grounds, VMRDA officials acted against Fusion Foods.

Visakhapatnam continues to see a lot of encroachments being busted by the government. Recently, alleged encroachments in the possession of senior TDP leader Ganta Srinivasa Rao were taken back.

Compelled to speak out: Sibal again questions Cong leadership

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Compelled to speak out: Sibal again questions Cong leadership

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who was one of the 23 leaders who wrote a letter seeking sweeping reforms in the party, has again questioned the functioning of the party leadership.

Contending that he was “compelled to speak publicly” as there is “no forum in the party to discuss party issues”, he said that the Congress needs efficient and senior leaders to manage elections.

His statements coming in wake of the party’s dismal performance in the Bihar Assembly polls, as well as the string of polls in various states, are viewed as an apparent attack on team Rahul Gandhi whose handpicked team was involved in the election process.

He also expressed unhappiness that no senior party leader had spoken on the Bihar results.

Several Congress leaders have spoken out after the Bihar results in which the Congress was found to be the weakest link in the opposition combine, winning only 19 seats of the 70 it contested. It also lost the by-polls where it was in direct contest with the BJP.

Sibal said the party has to acknowledge that it is “on a decline” and needs multiple ways to strengthen itself, ranging from organizational restructuring and media management.

He also stressed that his party needs thoughtful leadership which can be more articulate and takes things forward. “The party has more experienced people for discussion, (those) who can understand the political situation and have to reach out to the people.”

He also contended that the party is no longer a force and it has to be more conversant with the situation.

The group of 23 leaders had written a letter to interim party chief Sonia Gandhi in August, seeking a complete overhaul of the party and elections from block to the Congress Working Committee level, but came under major attack.

DMK calls meeting of its working committee on November 23

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DMK calls meeting of its working committee on November 23

Tamil Nadu’s opposition DMK has called a meeting of its high-level working committee here on November 23, a party statement said on Monday.

In the statement issued here, DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan said that the meeting, to be chaired by party President M.K. Stalin at the party headquarters here, will discuss party matters. With the Assembly polls scheduled next year, the DMK is in poll mode.

Yogi announces compensation for Kanpur girl’s family

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Yogi announces compensation for Kanpur girl’s family

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the six-year-old girl whose body was found in Kanpur with some organs missing. The girl was reported missing on Saturday and her body was found on Sunday morning.

“The government will provide financial assistance of Rs five lakh to the family. The guilty will be punished by getting the matter heard in a fast track court,” said the Chief Minister’s office.

The Chief Minister further ordered that the accused persons should be booked under the National Security Act (NSA). Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Kanpur Preetinder Singh said that two youths, Ankle, and Virendra, had been arrested in connection with the crime.

Both are neighbors of the minor girl and had lured her away with a promise of a packet of chips. “They have confessed to the crime and we will ensure strict punishment for them,” the DIG said. The child was allegedly murdered in the Bhadras village of Ghatampur in Kanpur on Saturday night.

Internal body parts of the minor were missing after the body was recovered by the police on Sunday. A complaint was registered by the family members of the six-year-old girl after her sudden disappearance on Diwali night.

Naidu greets nation on Deepawali, urges to follow Covid protocols

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Naidu greets nation on Deepawali, urges to follow Covid protocols

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday greeted the nation on the eve of Deepawali, which signifies the victory of good over evil, and urged people to celebrate the festival of lights adhering to the health and hygiene protocols in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his greetings to the nation, Naidu said, “I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali/Diwali – the festival of lights.”

The Vice President said that Deepawali is celebrated with traditional fervor and zeal, it signifies the victory of good over evil and reaffirms our belief in the noble ideals and morals of Lord Rama’s life.

He said it is the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Laxmana from exile of 14 years after defeating the demon king Ravana.

“It is also a celebration of the pious and principled path exemplified in the life and deeds of Lord Rama. The festival reminds us that we need to constantly quell the demonic forces and foster goodness and harmony in our society,” Naidu said. He also pointed out that Deepawali’s celebrations transcend the boundaries of India.

“One can say it is one of the biggest celebrated festivals in the world. Indians living abroad celebrate Deepawali with much fanfare and love. Worshiping of Lakshmi Devi, the Goddess of prosperity in the night of Deepawali is also one of the main rituals of this festival,” he said.

Highlighting the Covid-19 pandemic situation across the country, Naidu said, Deepawali is always an occasion for family and friends to come together and celebrate.

“But this year, given the unprecedented health emergency due to Covid-19, I urge my fellow citizens to celebrate Deepawali by adhering to health and hygiene protocols,” he said.

“May this festival dispel the darkness of ignorance and kindle the light of knowledge and enlightenment. May it bring peace, harmony, prosperity, and happiness in our lives,” he added.

It’s better if Pinarayi Vijayan too quits: Congress

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It’s better if Pinarayi Vijayan too quits: Congress

Welcoming the decision of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to quit as CPI-M state secretary, the Congress on Friday said it would be even better if Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to steps down at the earliest.

Earlier in the day Balakrishnan’s leave was extended for further medical treatment after he expressed his desire for it and in his place, the Left Democratic Front convenor A.Vijayaraghavan was given charge of the CPI-M state secretary.

Speaking to the media, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said never in the history of the CPI-M have they been in such a position where Vijayan’s office is caught in various cases, including gold smuggling and other scams and Balakrishnan’s son in jail in an alleged drug case.

“How long have we been demanding that both Balakrishnan and Vijayan quit. Balakrishnan saying he needs leave for medical treatment is a bluff as he never sought leave when he went for treatment to the US. “Vijayan’s turn has now come and it’s better he also quits immediately, if not he will have to bow out in shame,” said Chennithala.

The Customs Department had arrested P.S. Sarith, a former employee of the UAE Consulate here, on July 5 for allegedly smuggling gold in diplomatic baggage destined for the Consulate. Another former Consulate staff Swapna Suresh and her associate Sandip Nair were arrested by the National Investigation Agency from Bengaluru.

Vijayan first removed M. Sivasankar as his Principal Secretary and then as IT Secretary after it allegedly surfaced that Swapna and Sivasankar were close friends.

Trouble doubled for Vijayan after his man-Friday C.M. Ravindran, his assistant private secretary was asked to appear before the ED, but since he turned Covid positive, he is yet to appear before the ED. ED might summon more people attached to the CM office, reports say.

Two times former Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that Balakrishnan could have quit much before and had he done that, the image would not have been this sullied.

“People by now have realized that all that has come up is not mere allegations, but a reality,” said Chandy.

Though Balakrishnan and Vijayan both hail from Kannur and have had the best of relations, things soured after Bineesh ran into trouble and Balakrishnan was peeved with Vijayan for failing to come to his aid. Popular media critic Jayashankar said the choice of Vijayaraghavan does not augur well as there are more seasoned veterans who were more apt for the post.

But with Balakrishnan bowing out, all eyes are on Vijayan, as he too has medical problems and was in the US for treatment and many see Balakrishnan has played a fast one and did it to put pressure on Vijayan whose former secretary is in jail and Ravindran expected to appear before ED, once he turns Covid negative.

Naidu likens YSRCP govt to ‘jungle raj’ for Salaam family suicide

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Naidu likens YSRCP govt to ‘jungle raj’ for Salaam family suicide

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu likened the Yuvajana Rythu Sramika Party (YSRCP) government to a ‘jungle raj’ which along with the Andhra Pradesh police department was responsible for Abdul Salaam’s family suicide recently.

“The Minority family’s suicide was just a culmination of a series of non-stop atrocities being committed against the BCs, SCs, STs, and Muslim minorities under the Jagan Reddy’s ‘Police Raj’,” alleged Naidu.

He said Salaam’s family lost all hope of leading a peaceful life after Nandyala police terrorized it and mentally tortured them, which led to all of them throwing themselves under a goods train. He likened their deaths to an ‘animal sacrifice’ in alleged diabolical rule in the southern state.

“Ruthless harassment in the form of false cases and oral threats drove the Muslim family to end their lives. Prior to his death, Salaam told his mother-in-law how the police threatened to send him to jail,” Naidu alleged.

According to the former Chief Minister, Salaam’s mother-in-law stated that he was first implicated in a false robbery case and sent to jail.

“He came out of jail after 42 days and tried to earn his livelihood by driving an autorickshaw. Again, another false case was filed and Salaam was called to the police station where he was terrorized,” said the TDP supremo.

In addition to demanding a CBI probe, Naidu also demanded the dismissal of circle inspector Somasekhar Reddy and head constable Gangadhar and the suspension of local DSP.

On Sunday, circle inspector Somasekhar Reddy and head constable Gangadhar were arrested for abetment to suicide of Salaam (45), his wife Noorjahan (43), son Dada Khalandar (9), and daughter Salma (14). The four committed suicide last Wednesday due to alleged police harassment.

The policemen immediately got bail but the state government has filed a bail cancellation petition. The Salaam family suicide has taken a political color in the southern state with the incumbent YSRCP and TDP trading barbs against each other.

Rahul Gandhi to visit Kannur for a day on Nov 12

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Rahul Gandhi to visit Kannur for a day on Nov 12

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will make a flying visit to Kannur in Kerala on Thursday, party sources said.

The MP from Wayanad will land at the Kannur airport and drive to the residence of AICC General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member KC Venugopal to offer condolences over the demise of the latter’s mother on Wednesday.

After paying his respects to the departed soul, Rahul will return to Delhi later in the day.

Venugopal’s meteoric rise at the national level in the party is attributed to his closeness with Gandhi.

A two-time-Lok Sabha member from Alappuzha, the 57-year-old Venugopal did not contest the 2019 general elections but was recently elected to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

Bihar results: Close fight on 38 seats with less than 1K vote difference

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Bihar results: Close fight on 38 seats with less than 1K vote difference

After four rounds of counting for the 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections on Tuesday, 38 constituencies are witnessing a very close fight between the NDA and the Grand Alliance.

There is a gap of fewer than 1,000 votes between the leading and the first trailing candidate in these seats. In some seats, the difference is less than 50 votes. In such a situation, everyone is keenly watching the results of these seats.

In the Bihariganj Assembly seat, the Congress candidate is leading over the JD(U) candidate by just eight votes. Similarly, BJP’s Mithilesh Tiwari was ahead by just 22 votes at the Baikunthpur Assembly seat. RJD candidate Ajay Yadav leads in the Atri Assembly seat by just 848 votes. While the JD(U) candidate from the Bajpatti Assembly seat is trailing by 380 votes from the RJD candidate.

As per the Election Commission website, four rounds of counting have been done for the 243 seats. According to trends so far, BJP was leading in 74 seats, the JD(U) on 48, the RJD on 66, and the Congress has made gains on 21 seats.

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