Over Rs313 crore seized during polls
New Delhi: Over Rs313 crore cash has been seized by Election Commission (EC) in the more than two months since the announcement of the 16th general elections with Andhra Pradesh topping the list in cash and liquor interceptions during this period. EC-appointed surveillance and flying squads intercepted cash, liquor and narcotics as part of the central poll body's directive to check black money use and illegal inducements to the electorate. In the cash seizures list, Andhra Pradesh leads the tally with over Rs153 crore intercepted followed by Karnataka with over Rs28 crore, Maharashtra (over Rs25.67 crore), Tamil Nadu (over Rs25.05 crore) and Uttar Pradesh (Rs24.07 crore). The total cash seizure stood at Rs3,13,31,76,868. As to liquor interceptions, EC teams seized a maximum of 1.44 crore litres in Andhra Pradesh followed by over 11.50 lakh litres in Punjab, 11.32 lakh litres in Gujarat, 8.46 lakh litres in West Bengal and 7.25 lakh litres in Uttar Pradesh. The total liquor seized between March 5, when the polls were announced, and today's last phase of voting stands at 2,25,67,476 litres.
EC gives 3 more days to Rahul
New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday gave Congress leader Rahul Gandhi three more days to respond to its notice on his comments made during a campaign rally in Himachal Pradesh. Gandhi had alleged in his speech that if BJP came to power “22,000 people will be killed.” Following a complaint filed by BJP, citing Model Code of Conduct violation, EC had issued notice to Rahul Gandhi. He was supposed to respond by Monday.
Two UP villages boycott polling
lucknow: Phooralpur village of Maharajganj constituency, where 13 people were killed at an unmanned crossing two days ago, was among the two villages which did not take part in the ongoing polling. The villagers were demanding a railway crossing. On May 9, 13 people were killed while crossing the railway track near here when a jeep carrying marriage party was smashed by a train at an unmanned railway crossing.Three persons were also injured in the mishap. Demanding roads, Baghapar village of the constituency stayed away from polling booth, sources said, adding that there are 974 voters in the area. The administration had to deploy PAC to ensure polling as villagers surrounded the polling station and prevented anyone from casting ballot.
‘Rich parties taking control of media’
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee on Monday questioned the role of a section of media and accused "cash loaded" political parties of have taking control of media houses to serve their narrow political interests. Alleging that the run up to the lok Sabha elections has manifested an alarming role of a major section of the media, Banerjee, in a Facebook post, said she was "shocked" with their "partial and biased" conduct."There is hardly any room for doubt that a few major cash loaded political parties have taken up control of media houses and engaged them to serve their narrow political interests, trampling down the ethics of democracy and voice of people," she said. "The partial and biased conduct of a section of the media, both electronic and print, has shocked me," Banerjee said in her post."The brazen personal attacks, distortion of facts, character assassination and vilification in never before manner has stunned the nation."
Repoll in 52 booths in 3 States today
New Delhi: Repoll will be held on Tuesday in 52 polling booths spread across three States, including those in riot-hit Muzaffarnagar of Uttar Pradesh. The EC said Andhra Pradesh accounts for repolling in 30 booths and Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal 11 each. In Uttar Pradesh, repoll has been ordered in 3 booths of riot-hit Muzaffarnagar, seven in Ferozabad and one in Badaun. Repoll was ordered following scrutiny by respective returning officers after complaints of rigging, booth capturing, violence and demands by locals, the EC said. Polling in the constituencies, where these booths figure, were held on different dates during he nine-phased electoral exercise.