HYDERABAD: According to a Times of India report, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Friday released the first list of candidates for 36 Lok Sabha constituencies in the states of Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad, a seat won by him in 2019. Of the total 36 candidates announced, 15 are from Kerala, six each from Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, four from Telangana. two from Meghalaya and one each from Nagaland and Sikkim, TOI said.

Of the four names announced from Telangana, one is a woman. Patnam Sunitha Mahender Reddy will contest from Chevella Lok Sabha seat. She is the wife of former minister Patnam Mahender Reddy of the BRS. She will take on ex-MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy of the BJP in this constituency.

K Raghuveer Reddy, son of Congress veteran K Jana Reddy has been announced from Nalgonda Lok Sabha constituency. This is the second ticket to the family, with K Jaiveer Reddy, another son of Jana Reddy contesting and winning the Nagarjuna Sagar assembly seat in the 2023-election.

Former union minister Porika Balram Naik will contest from Mahbubabad (ST reserved) constituency and Suresh Kumar Shetkar from Zahirabad. Interestingly, CWC member and AICC secretary Ch Vamshi Chand Reddy’s name for Mahbubnagar constituency has been kept on hold, the TOI report stated.

KOCHI, (ANI): The life of human beings should be given preference over stray dogs, opined the Kerala High Court recently. The Kerala High Court also directed the State government to frame guidelines, schemes or rules to give licences to individuals interested in maintaining stray dogs so that dog lovers can protect the animals.

Students are afraid to go to school alone for fear of being attacked by stray dogs. The court also said that if the action is taken then the dog lovers will protest. The nuisance of stray dogs is increasing day by day. Dog lovers should also be aware of this, the court observed. Justice PV Kunhikrishnan stated that bonafide dog lovers, instead of writing in print and visual media should come forward to help the local government institutions to protect them.

Justice PV Kunjikrishnan also instructed the government to discuss with the central government and prepare a guideline or scheme if necessary. The court issued the order on a petition filed by residents of Muzhathadam in Kannur seeking action against Rajeev Krishnan, a resident, who had been keeping stray dogs on his property.

The court further directed that Rajeev Krishnan should apply for the license within a month and Kannur Corporation should issue the lines under the law with strict conditions. “It is also suggested that the corporation should take steps to remove stray dogs from the house premises if the license application is not submitted,” the court said.

Earlier in July last year, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights moved an application seeking to intervene as a party in the case and apprised the top court that the Commission has received many complaints about the nuisance of stray dogs and the plight of children who have been fatally bitten by them and the Commission has also take suo-motu case on several such incidents. Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in its application, told the court that there are large numbers of dog bite incidents reported across the state, especially against children.

The commission mentioned that 5,794 stray dog attacks were reported in 2019, 3951 cases in 2020, 7927 cases in 2021, 11776 cases were reported in 2022 and 6276 cases were reported up to June 19, 2023. (ANI)

NEW DELHI: Member of Parliament and Union Minister for State, Shripad Naik’s name has been finalized for the North Goa Lok Sabha seat, by the BJP high command and an official announcement to this effect is likely to be made either today or tomorrow, sources in Delhi said.

Deliberations and discussions regarding the South Goa seat are still going on and the decision on the matter was differed for a second round of meetings. An official announcement regarding the South Goa seat will be made in the next 4-5 days, a senior BJP leader in Delhi who was part of the marathon meeting yesterday said. As we had reported earlier, the BJP was toying with the idea of a Catholic face and a section within the top echelons of the party wants to further explore the idea.

Meanwhile an elated Shripad Naik who also attended the earlier series of meetings in Delhi said, if the BJP gives him another chance, he will break the winning record in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to Goan media persons on Friday, Naik claimed that the BJP will win both the Lok Sabha seats in Goa.

“The party is strengthened with the Congress MLAs joining the BJP and we will win with huge margins. I will try to double my winning margin if the party gives me one more chance,” he added.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a late-night meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee which was attended by several top BJP leaders. Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant was also part of the meeting that included Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda, besides Rajnath Singh and other senior members.

Union Minister of State for Tourism, Ports, and Waterways, Shripad Naik was finalized for North Goa and media reports claimed former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar was neck to neck with NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar for the South Goa seat.

The meeting began at around 10 pm at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi and PM Modi joined the group around 11 pm after which he addressed the Chief Ministers of various states, followed by one-to-one meetings with various State groups that went on well past 4 am. Sources claimed the meeting went on till the early morning and another round will be held over the weekend to finalize the second list of candidates.

BENGALURU, (PTI): The ruling Congress in Karnataka won three seats and the BJP one in the Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka on Tuesday.

Those who were elected to the Upper House are Ajay Maken, G C Chandrasekhar and Syed Naseer Hussain, all belonging to the Congress, and Narayansa K Bhandage of the BJP.

Five candidates were in the fray for the four seats in the elections, including JD(S) contestant D Kupendra Reddy.

The elections were marred by cross-voting. While one of the BJP MLAs, S T Somashekar, voted for the Congress’s Maken, the other, A Shivaram Hebbar, abstained. (PTI)

BHOPAL, (ANI): In what could be a big blow to the Congress party ahead of Lok Sabha elections, several congress leaders, including a former MLA Dinesh Ahirwar and Congress’ District President from Vidisha, Rakesh Katare joined the saffron party on Monday.

The Congress leaders took the membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of BJP state chief VD Sharma, and other senior leaders of BJP at party headquarters in the state capital Bhopal. Besides, several Congress workers joined the saffron party as well on the occasion.

BJP posted on X, “Congress District President from Vidisha Rakesh Katare, former Congress MLA from Jatara Constituency, Tikamgarh Dinesh Ahirwar and other Congress leaders and workers took the membership of the BJP in the presence of senior leaders at State BJP Office in Bhopal. They joined the party after being impressed by the public welfare schemes of the BJP government and the policies of the organisation.” Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, BJP state chief V D Sharma and others formally inaugurated the “Lok Sabha Election Management Office” in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state BJP office in the state capital on Monday.

State ministers, BJP officials and workers were also present on the occasion. CM Yadav posted on X, “Today, the state level Lok Sabha election office was inaugurated by performing puja according to the rituals at the state BJP office. The people of Madhya Pradesh have made up their mind to bless Prime Minister Narendra Modi with victory in all the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Ab ki baar 400 paar, phir ek baar BJP Sarkar.”

Earlier , Mayor of Jabalpur Municipal Corporation Jagat Bahadur Singh joined the saffron party on February 7. Singh had taken the membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of BJP state chief VD Sharma, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and cabinet ministers Prahlad Patel, and Kailash Vijayvargiya at BJP headquarters in Bhopal.

Dindori district panchayat president Rudesh Paraste, Vice President Anju Beauhar, Congress’ ex-district president of Dindori Virendra Bihari Shukla and several other leaders had also joined the saffron party on that occasion. Addressing the occasion, BJP Chief Sharma said, “I congratulate all the leaders who joined the party today. Earlier, we had said before the assembly elections 2023 that ‘Modi is in the heart of Madhya Pradesh’ and now Modi has become popular even within the Congress. The Congress people who want to do something for the country and society are joining the BJP family.”

“I assure everyone who joined the party today that BJP is a family. All of you will feel that you have become a member of a family, it is not just a political party. Together we will create a golden Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav,” Sharma added. CM Yadav had also extended congratulations to the leaders who joined the party and said that the BJP family was growing. (ANI)

KOLKATA, (ANI): Veteran actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday morning. Now the hospital has issued an official statement regarding the health of ‘The Kashmir Files’ actor.

Mithun has been diagnosed with an Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) of the brain. The statement mentioned that the actor was brought to the hospital with complaints of weakness in his right upper and lower limbs. He is currently receiving the necessary treatment and remains under the observation of a team of doctors.

The official statement reads, “Shri Mithun Chakraborty (73), National Award-winning actor, was brought to the Emergency Department of Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, around 9.40 am with complaints of weakness in the right upper and lower limbs. Necessary laboratory and radiology investigations were carried out including an MRI of the brain. He has been diagnosed with an Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) of the brain. Presently, he is fully conscious, well-oriented and has consumed soft diet. Shri Chakraborty is being further evaluated by a team of doctors including a neuro-physician, cardiologist and a gastroenterologist.” Chakraborty was recently named as a recipient of the Padma Bhushan Awardees 2024.

Fondly called Mithun Da by his fans, the actor began his career with the Mrinal Sen-directed film ‘Mrigayaa’, which fetched him the National Film Award for Best Actor. ‘Disco Dancer’, ‘Agneepath’, ‘Ghar Ek Mandir’, ‘Jallad’ and ‘Pyaar Jhukta Nahin’ are some of his other popular films. Chakraborty joined the BJP party in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kolkata’s historic Brigade Parade Ground, commonly known as the “Maidan”, on March 7, 2021. (ANI)

NEW DELHI, (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the outgoing Lok Sabha saying many decisions, including the repeal of Article 370 and the passage of women’s reservation bill, were taken during its tenure for which many generations had long waited while game-changing reforms in the period laid the foundation of a strong India.

Touching on the discussion on the Ram temple construction in Lok Sabha and the House’s adoption of a laudatory resolution on the development, Modi said it will give constitutional strength to the future generations to feel proud of the country’s values. Speaking on the last day of Parliament’s Budget session, he said the last five years were a period of reform, perform and transform with the country moving towards ”big changes” at a fast pace.

In a swipe at the opposition which has constantly targeted the BJP over the temple issue, he said, ”This is true that not everyone has the capacity for these things. Some people are brave to face it while others run away from the battlefield. But for the future record, the speeches that were made today have sensitivity, resolve and sympathy… It also takes forward the mantra of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’.” He added, ”The country has moved towards big changes at a fast pace and all members of the House made an important contribution. Such works were completed for which people had waited for centuries,” he said.

For generations, people dreamt of one Constitution but this House made that possible by removing Article 370, which had given the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir special rights, he said and noted that several other important decisions like the criminalisation of instant triple talaq were taken as well.

”Several challenges were met and the country was given an appropriate direction. We can say with satisfaction that the work for which many generations waited for centuries was accomplished in the 17th Lok Sabha,” Modi said.

”These five years have been of reform, perform and transform. It is rare that we reform, perform and also see transformation. The country will keep blessing the 17th Lok Sabha,” he said.

The government has been a source of reassurance for people living on the margins of society, he said, highlighting the measures taken to empower the transgender community. A transgender person was also given Padma award, he added.

India got the presidency of G20 during this period and every state presented the country’s strength and its identity in front of the world, he said.

”We can proudly say that this country might have lived under ‘penal code’ for 75 years but now we live under ‘Nyay Samhita’,” the prime minister said in reference to the new criminal laws which replaced British era acts.

Noting that the next Lok Sabha polls, expected in April-May, are not far away, he said it might make some people apprehensive but it is an essential feature of democracy. He expressed confidence that the upcoming elections will enhance the glory of Indian democracy. The prime minister thanked MPs and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

”You (Birla) always had a smile on your face no matter what happens. You led this House in a balanced and impartial manner and I laud you for it. There were times of anger and accusations but you handled these situations with patience and ran the house wisely,” Modi said, praising Birla.

Referring to the Covid pandemic, Modi said that during the last five years, the ”biggest crisis of the century” was seen, and Birla made arrangements so that parliamentary work is not hampered while ensuring the dignity of the House. The country’s work was not allowed to stop, Modi said, praising parliamentarians for relinquishing their annual constituency development fund and 30 per cent of their salary during the pandemic. He also praised the Speaker for removing subsidized canteen facilities for the MPs as it often drew criticism in different parts of the country. There used to be talk of the need for having a new building in earlier times but the decision of the speaker made this a reality during the 17th Lok Sabha. He said the 17th Lok Sabha saw 97 per cent productivity. ”We are moving towards the end of the 17th Lok Sabha and we resolve that the productivity should ensure 100 per cent in the 18th Lok Sabha,” Modi said.

He also hailed the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill and the criminalisation of instant triple talaq. He hailed the Speaker’s decision to make the Sengol, a sceptre symbolising ancient traditions, a part of the annual ceremony and said that it will connect future generations with the moment when India achieved independence while being a source of inspiration. Throwing light on the significance of the next 25 years for the nation, he said the country has resolved to accomplish its dreams and he can sense it.

He said the passage of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act has safeguarded the data of the present generation and given it a tool to make its future. He said thousands of cumbersome compliances were removed in the last five years to make the lives of common citizens easier. Reiterating his belief in ”minimum government and maximum governance”, he said the capabilities of any democracy can be maximized by ensuring minimum government intervention in citizen’s lives. (PTI)

MUMBAI: “Divya Pahuja was very helpful in Byculla jail,” revealed actor Gehana Vasisth who spent 5 months in the same complex at the Byculla Women’s jail in Mumbai, from February till June 2021 in the porn racket case.

Speaking exclusively to this website, Gehana Vasisth who was incarcerated at the Byculla jail after she was arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch in a porn case (in which celebrity businessman Raj Kundra was also behind bars) said she was in the same barrack as Divya Pahuja and found her very helpful.

“I first interacted with her when we wanted some writing paper and a pen to write to our advocates. Normally, one can purchase stationery items from the jail canteen, but at that time due to the Covid pandemic, we were not able to access the jail canteen facilities. As Divya was in the jail since a long time, she was “set” with all her requirements and myself and another accused went to her for the first time. She was very beautiful and helpful at the same time,” Gehana said, adding that she is shocked and shattered on hearing about her murder.

“Her mother was granted bail much earlier due to Covid, but Divya had to spend nearly 7 years before the High Court granted her bail. I am really shocked. She was a nice girl. She was very helpful. This extortion story is very shocking  and I cannot believe it. Whatever be the case, I do not want to comment on the allegations surrounding her murder and death. All I know is that she was very helpful to me at Byculla jail,” Gehana quipped,  adding that she never expected Divya to go away so soon.

“I thought she would turn a new leaf and start her life anew after getting released. In fact, after my release from Byculla jail after spending 5 months there, I thought about her several times and sincerely hoped that she would be released soon. It is so shocking that she is no more,” Gehana told this reporter.

Divya Pahuja was fatally shot at by by Abhijeet Singh, the owner of City Point Hotel in Gurugram on January 2, after she allegedly attempted to extort money from him.

The ex-model was also incarcerated for seven years at the Byculla prison in connection with a case related to the alleged fake encounter of Gurugram gangster Sandeep Gadoli who was shot dead in a Mumbai hotel by Haryana police at the behest of a rival gang.