‘Come out to vote in large numbers’
New Delhi: In an appeal ahead of the last phase of polling, Narendra Modi has urged voters to come out in record numbers to cast their ballot, saying NDA is the only alliance that can bring about a change in the country. "People are tired of false promises, corruption and the same old tape-recorded messages ridden with dynastic references only to hide one's own failure. They want a better tomorrow and NDA is the only alliance that can provide this change," he said.
Muslim clerics back Kejriwal
Varanasi: A Muslim clerics' body on Sunday extended support to AAP candidate Arvind Kejriwal, who is pitted against BJP's Narendra Modi and Ajay Rai of Congress. After a meeting here the Mufti Board of Varanasi said in a statement that it has decided to support Kejriwal for this lok Sabha election in Varanasi, where Muslims account for about 18 per cent of total electorate of close to 16 lakh. “In today's meeting it was decided that votes should be cast on broom election symbol to ensure victory of Arvind Kejriwal in this election," the Mufti Board Benaras said in a statement. Mufti Board Benaras Secretary Maulana Haseem Ahmad Habibi, also Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Badshahbagh, said that Kejriwal was an "honest man and therefore we have decided to support him". Another local strongman Mukhtar Ansari has backed Congress candidate Ajay Rai in this election. Separately, Shahar-e-Mufti Maulana Abdul Batin told media that the Muslims should ensure that there was no division of votes and the communal forces are defeated.
Panel to look for Seemandhra capital
Hyderabad: With the conclusion of polling in Seemandhra, the focus has now shifted to finding a capital city for residuary Andhra Pradesh. A Centre-appointed expert committee has already begun field visits to study the pros and cons of different locations for the Capital city in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions (collectively known as Seemandhra). The panel has already visited Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry cities and is expected to visit other places like Vijayawada, Guntur, Kurnool and Tirupati among others. Different groups have been voicing demands for making their own city as the capital of the residuary AP. Seemandhra borders Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and finding a capital city which is equidistant to all parts of the state and with necessary infrastructure could prove to be a tough task, political observers say.
‘TMC candidate violated child rights’
Kolkata: A section of family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has complained against Trinamool Congress lok Sabha candidate Sugata Bose, also a Netaji kin, to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights accusing him of violating child rights by using a kid in his poll campaign. “He has been seen campaigning accompanied by a child (about 10-12 years old) dressed in a military uniform. Photographic evidence is available with us,” a letter written by members of the Bose family to NCPCR chairperson Kushal Singh claimed. Under the banner of ‘The Open Platform for Netaji’, they alleged that Sugata Bose was subjecting a child to potential risks by parading him in military uniform in an election environment. They complained that it is a violation of the principle of child protection and militates against key provisions of NPCR's citizen's charter concerning child protection and safety. Sugata, a Harvard University professor and Netaji's grandnephew, is contesting on a TMC ticket from Jadavpur lok Sabha constituency.
13 of 18 UP seats declared ‘red alert’
lucknow: The Election Commission is facing a big challenge in the sixth and last phase of election in Uttar Pradesh on Monday where 13 out of 18 constituencies, that are going to polls, have been already declared as sensitive and ‘red alert'. These 13 constituencies have criminals turned politicians contesting elections this time, though UP Government has taken special security measures to ensure peaceful elections in this phase. Who's who of the dark allay of crime are in fray in this phase. The list includes Mukhtar Ansari, DP Yadav, Ajay Rai, Ramakant Yadav, Dhananjay Singh and Parasnath Yadav. The Red alert constituencies includes Varanasi where BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi is the candidate. There are highest 6 criminals contesting the elections with the Congress nominee Ajay Rai and SP's Kailash Chaurasia are named in several serious crimes.
PB writes to I&B on Modi interview
New Delhi: Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has again sought an assurance from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that its recommendations would not be ignored if an inquiry is held into the controversial editing of Doordarshan's Narendra Modi interview. Sources said that Prasar Bharati's principal adviser VAM Hussain has written a letter to I&B secretary Bimal Julka in which he has cited several instances where Prasar Bharati's requests were turned down or kept pending by the government. Referring to these instances, the senior Prasar Bharati official said that it is because of these ‘historical reasons’ that an assurance is needed “so that well-meaning action would not result in public humiliation”. This is the second time that the public broadcaster has written to I&B Ministry seeking an assurance. Doordarshan had on April 26 interviewed Modi at Gandhinagar and then telecast it the next day.