PTI, New Delhi, Jun 2, 2024 : A court here on Sunday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till June 5 in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam.
Duty judge Sanjeev Aggarwal passed the order after the chief minister was produced before the court through video conference after surrendering at Tihar jail upon the expiry of his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls.
The judge passed the order on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate, seeking extension of judicial custody by 14 days.
The application was moved by the ED on May 20 while Kejriwal was out on interim bail.
The court sent Kejriwal to judicial custody till June 5, noting that the judge concerned was scheduled to pass an order on his interim bail plea on health grounds on that day.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 2, 2024 : The Election Commission on Sunday ordered repolling at one booth each in the Barasat and Mathurapur Lok Sabha constituencies, an official said.
The decision of repolling, which will be held from 7 am to 6 pm on Monday, was based on reports of the returning officers, the district election officers and observers concerned, he said.
The booth in the Barasat constituency is located at the Kadambagachi Saradar Para FP School in the Deganga assembly segment, while the one in Mathurapur is located at the Aaddir Mahal Srichaitanya Bidyapith in the Kakdwip assembly seat, he added.
Meanwhile, the BJP wrote to the EC, seeking repoll at several booths in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat.
All these seats went to the polls in the last phase on June 1.
PTI, New Delhi, Jun 2, 2024 : The Congress and its INDIA bloc allies are trying to undermine the integrity of India’s electoral process, the BJP alleged on Sunday and urged the Election Commission to prevent any attempts of “violence and unrest” during the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on June 4.
A BJP delegation comprising Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal also urged the poll panel to take cognisance of the “systematic attempts” being made to undermine the electoral process and initiate stringent action against those responsible.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC) in this regard.
“We had to call upon the Election Commission today in light of the repeated attempts by a section of political parties, like the Congress and their INDI alliance partners, and also by certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India’s electoral process,” Goyal told reporters after meeting EC officials.
Their efforts against India’s “very robust” electoral process are a direct attack on the country’s democratic institutions and pose a risk to public order and trust in the electoral system, he said.
The BJP delegation urged the EC to ensure enhanced monitoring and security measures are put in place during the counting of votes to prevent “any attempts at violence or unrest”.
Earlier in the day, a delegation of opposition INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress’ Abhishek Singhvi, met the EC and urged it to ensure that all the guidelines, including declaring the postal-ballot results before the outcome of the EVMs is announced, are followed on June 4.
Union minister Goyal said, “I think the mandate given by the people of India both in 2014 and 2019 and the likely mandate of the 2024 general elections expected on June 4 has unnerved the opposition parties and certain non-governmental organisations, so-called civil society groups, who cannot accept a popular leader of the masses who has delivered for the well-being of 1.4 billion Indians.”
Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls.
Terming the exit polls “bogus”, the Congress on Sunday said they were a “deliberate attempt to justify rigging” of the elections and part of “psychological games” being played by Prime Minister Modi to lower the morale of the INDIA bloc workers. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi dubbed the exit polls as “Modi media poll”.
Goyal said the BJP delegation urged the EC to ensure that every official engaged in the counting process is fully conversant with the “minutest details” of the exercise and engages diligently with all protocols of counting so that there can be no deviation whatsoever.
The delegation also urged the poll panel “to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results, including enhanced monitoring and security measures to prevent any attempts at violence or unrest”, he said.
Goyal said the BJP delegation asked the EC to take cognisance of the “systematic attempts” being made to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible.
“We also urged the EC to issue a public statement affirming the integrity of the electoral process and warning against any attempts to disrupt the democratic process,” he added.
Goyal lashed out at Gandhi for terming the exit polls “Modi media poll” and said the Congress leader has passed “very uncharitable comments about the media”.
“I strongly condemn the effort to put pressure on the media, the effort to try and paint the media black and to undermine the work that the media is doing,” he told reporters.
Those who are not able to accept Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and his government’s work in the last 10 years are continuously coming out with a toolkit to undermine India’s institutions, be it the Supreme Court, various regulatory bodies or the EC, he said.
“The toolkit has now come out with a Delhi resolution of May 28, we don’t know who are the parties and the people behind this Delhi resolution, there are no signatories, no names but certain political parties tend to now support such an effort to undermine India’s democracy,” he charged.
“This is a regular sinister attempt carried out by certain bodies in the guise of civil societies who are very often fronting for the opposition,” Goyal said adding, “The BJP and the NDA strongly condemn such efforts by the opposition parties and certain civil society groups.”
The senior BJP leader said Indians are “extremely proud” that for 30 years now the country has had an unblemished track record in which elections are held in a free and fair manner.
The world today looks up to India’s electoral system as one of the most robust, transparent and high-integrity election systems, he said.
“We strongly condemn the Congress and the toolkit and their associates who are working against India’s interest and are damaging India’s credibility and India’s rich tradition of democracy across the world. We are proud of our electoral process,” Goyal said.
KalimNews, Kalimpong, 2 June 2024: In a tragic incident today, an Innova vehicle veered off NH 10 near Likhubhir and plummeted into the Teesta River. The vehicle, registered under WB 76 7218, met with the accident around 5 pm while traveling from Siliguri to Gangtok, carrying three individuals, including the driver.
The victims have been identified as Yogesh Gurung (28 years old) from Rangbul, Darjeeling, who was driving at the time, and passengers Tamenana Satyanarayana (47 years old) and Badarla Veera Venkata Raman (57 years old), both from Secunderabad, Hyderabad.
Preliminary reports suggest that drowsiness may have overcome the driver, causing the vehicle to veer off course and plunge off the road into the riverbank below. The impact of the crash left all three occupants injured, necessitating emergency responders to transport them to Rambhi Rural Hospital for immediate medical attention.
The local community is deeply saddened by this tragic incident, underscoring the critical importance of adhering to road safety measures, especially during long-distance journeys.
Votes were counted for 50 assembly segments for which elections were held in the northeastern state along with Lok Sabha polls on April 19, the rest 10 seats were won by the saffron party uncontested
PTI, Itanagar (Arunachal), 02.06.24 : The BJP on Sunday returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh for the third time in a row, as the party won 46 seats in the 60-member assembly and secured a majority, Election Commission officials said.
Votes were counted for 50 assembly segments for which elections were held in the northeastern state along with Lok Sabha polls on April 19. The rest 10 seats were won by the saffron party uncontested.
Of the 50 seats, the BJP secured 36 seats and Chief Minister Pema Khandu is one of the 10 candidates who won unopposed.
Taking to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the state’s growth.” The PM also said, “I would like to appreciate the hardwork of the exceptional @BJP4Arunachal Karyakartas through the election campaign. It is commendable how they went across the state and connected with the people.” The saffron party had won 41 seats in 2019.
The National People’s Party (NPP) bagged five seats, while the People’s Party of Arunachal won two seats and the NCP secured three.
The Congress won one seat, and Independent candidates emerged victorious in three constituencies.
Prem Singh Tamang wins from both Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies, SKM set for a second term
Sikkim Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) chief Prem Singh Tamang speaks with the media after party’s victory in the State Assembly elections, in Gangtok: PTI
PTI, Gangtok, 02.06.24 : Sikkim Krantikari Morcha supremo Prem Singh Tamang on Sunday gave credit for the party’s landslide victory in the assembly election in the state to the hard work of the SKM cadre and the trust of the people in his government.
The SKM returned to power in the Himalayan state for the second time in a row by securing 31 seats in the 32-member assembly.
The lone winner Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) from 23-Shyari (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6633 votes.
After the landslide win, Tamang who is also the chief minister, congratulated the party supporters and the voters of Sikkim.
“It is because of the love and trust of the people which we have managed to secure in the past five years in government. Besides, party cadres worked very hard. Now we have the next five years to give our 100 per cent for the people of Sikkim,” he said at a gathering in Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.
Tamang won from both Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies that he contested.
In 2019, the SKM had won 17 seats and unseated the Sikkim Democratic Front party (SDF) which ruled the state for 25 years in a row.
SDF president and former CM Pawan Chamling lost from both the seats he contested elections.
“I also want to thank the opposition as it is because of them that our party became stronger and more organised,” he said.
Tamang asked the party workers to maintain calm in the aftermath of the landslide victory. PTI
IPR, Gangtok, June 2, 2024 : Counting of votes for Sikkim’s 32 assembly constituencies completed today. Mr Prem Singh Tamang led Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party remained undefeated as SKM bagged 31/32 seats in the state legislative assembly.
Here is the full list of winning candidates:
Gyalshing district:
1. Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia (SKM) from 01-Yoksam-Tashiding (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 8271 votes
2. Mr Bhim Hang Limboo (SKM) from 02-Yangthang Assembly Constituency won with 6621 votes
3. Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba (SKM) from 03-Maneybung-Dentam Assembly Constituency won with 8553 votes
4. Mr Lok Nath Sharma, (SKM) from 04-Gyalshing-Barnyak Assembly Constituency won with 5612 votes
Soreng district:
5. Mr Erung Tenzing Lepcha (SKM) from 05-Rinchenpong (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 9624 votes
6. Mr Mingma Norbu Sherpa (SKM) from 06-Daramdin (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 9404 votes
7. Mr Prem Singh Tamang (SKM) from 07-Soreng-Chakung Assembly Constituency won with 10480 votes
8. Mr Madan Cintury (SKM) from 08-Salghari-Zoom (SC) Assembly Constituency won with 5678 votes
Namchi district:
9. Mr Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia (SKM) from 09-Barfung (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 8358 votes
10. Mr Bhoj Raj Rai (SKM) from 10-Poklok-Kamrang Assembly Constituency won with 8037 votes
11. Mrs Krishna Kumari Rai (SKM) from 11-Namchi-Singhithang Assembly Constituency won with 7907 votes
12. Mr Nar Bahadur Pradhan (SKM) from 12-Melli Assembly Constituency won with 7904 votes
13. Mr Sanjeet Kharel (SKM) from 13-Namthang-Rateypani Assembly Constituency won with 8949 votes
14. Mr Bedu Singh Panth (SKM) from 14-Temi-Namphing Assembly Constituency won with 6759 votes
15. Ms Raj Kumari Thapa (SKM) from 15-Rangang-Yangang Assembly Constituency won with 6514 votes
Gangtok district:
16. Mr Samdup Tshering Bhutia (SKM) from 16-Tumen Lingi (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 8265 votes
17. Mr Nar Bahadur Dahal (SKM) from 17-Khamdong-Singtam Assembly Constituency won with 5882 votes
18. Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) from 23-Shyari (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6633 votes
19. Mr Sonam Tsh. Venchungpa (SKM) from 24-Martam-Rumtek Assembly Constituency (BL) won with 8070 votes
20. Mr G.T. Dhungel (SKM) from 25- Upper Tadong Assembly Constituency won with 6209 votes
21. Mr Arun Kumar Upreti (SKM) from 26-Arithang Assembly Constituency won with 5356 votes
22. Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa (SKM) from 27-Gangtok (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 4440 votes
23. Ms Kala Rai (SKM) from 28-Upper Burtuk Assembly Constituency won with 6323 votes
Pakyong district:
24. Mr Lall Bahadur Das (SKM) from 18-West Pendam (SC) Assembly Constituency won with 6237 votes
25. Mr Prem Singh Tamang (SKM) from 19-Rhenock Assembly Constituency won with 10094 votes
26. Mr Puran Kumar Gurung (SKM) from 20-Chujachen Assembly Constituency won with 8199 votes
27. Mrs Pamin Lepcha (SKM) from 21-Gnathang-Machong (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6676 votes
28. Mr Raju Basnet (SKM) from 22-Namcheybung Assembly Constituency won with 7195 votes
Mangan district:
29. Mr Thenlay Tshering Bhutia (SKM) from 29-Kabi-Lungchuk (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 5882 votes
30. Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha (SKM) from 30 Djongu (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6402 votes
31. Mr Samdup Lepcha (SKM) from 31-Lachen-Mangan (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 3929 votes
Sangha:
32. Mr Sonam Lama (SKM) from Sangha Assembly Constituency won with 1919 votes
Counting started in the early hours of the morning in the centers spread across different venues in all six districts of the state.
The counting of votes began at 6 am amid tight security arrangements at the counting centers. Officials including Observers, Micro-observers, Returning Officers (RO)/ARO, Counting Supervisors, Counting Assistants and polling agents representing various political parties were involved in the counting process.
The votes were counted from polled EVMs, randomly selected VVPAT slips, Postal Ballot papers (including Home Voting), and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).
The counting centers were located at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Kyongsa in Gyalshing district, Government B.Ed College in Soreng district, Government College, Kamrang in Namchi, DIET College Burtuk, DIET College Auditorium, SCERT Old Building and SCERT New Building in Gangtok district, Dikling Senior Secondary School in Pakyong district and District Administrative Centre, Pentok & District Election Office, Pentok in Mangan district.
Upon declaration of results, the Certificate of Election was presented to all the winning candidates by the respective Returning Officers. The entire counting process in the state was conducted peacefully with strict adherence to the election protocols.
It may be noted, Sikkim recorded 79.90% voter turn-out this time, excluding Postal Ballots, as it went to polls on April 19, in Phase 1 of Assembly Elections as well Lok Sabha Elections. Out of the total registered electors, 3,70,857 individuals exercised their voting right including 1,85,813 males an 1,85,042 females and 02 third gender voters.
Counting of votes for Sikkim’s lone Parliamentary Constituency (Lok Sabha) will take place on June 4.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 1, 2024 : Widespread violence between supporters of the TMC and the BJP over alleged electoral malpractices in strife-torn Sandeshkhali marred the final phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal on Saturday, resulting in injuries to a number of people.
A 69.89 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm across the nine contested seats that went to polls, several of which witnessed sporadic violence.
The Election Commission received 2,667 complaints until 4 pm, alleging EVM malfunction and obstruction of agents entering booths.
The TMC, Congress, ISF, and BJP each filed hundreds of complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on agents. Despite these issues, the Election Commission stated that “barring a few incidents, the polling was peaceful”.
“Highest polling of 76.56 per cent was registered in Basirhat, followed by Mathurapur (74.13), Jaynagar (73.44), Diamond Harbour (72.87), Barasat (71.80), Jadavpur (70.41), Dum Dum (67.60), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88), and Kolkata Uttar (59.23),” he said.
Voter turnout in Baranagar bypoll until 5 pm was 66.70 per cent, the official added. Voting commenced at 7 am and was scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.
Sources suggest the turnout may increase further as long queues were observed outside polling booths.
All nine seats are presently with the TMC. In the last parliamentary polls, Basirhat, Mathurapur, Jaynagar, Diamond Harbour, and Barasat recorded 85, 84, 82, 81, and 81 per cent voter turnout, respectively.
The voter turnout in Jadavpur, Dum Dum, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar was 79, 76, 69.82, and 65 per cent, respectively, in 2019.
In Sandeshkhali which comes under the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices.
The police used batons and tear gas to control the situation. BJP candidate Rekha Patra alleged that TMC goons stopped voters from casting their votes.
Women voters of Sandeshkhali accused the TMC of not allowing them to cast their votes freely, an allegation dubbed baseless by the state’s ruling party.
The TMC made counter-allegations and accused Patra and BJP goons of trying to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
As both groups came to blows on the Basanti Express Highway, the police resorted to baton charges and tear gas shell firing to disperse the mob.
The BJP also claimed that shots were also fired by the TMC goons.
Clashes among the police, BJP, and the TMC activists were reported from three pockets of Sandeshkhali as in several areas TMC and BJP workers were seen hurling bricks at the police.
Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said three persons were injured during the clash between TMC and BJP supporters at Bayramari in Sandeshkhali, adding that one person was arrested in this connection.
Sandeshkhali’s Bermajur area has been on the boil since last night as the BJP made allegations that TMC workers, accompanied by policemen, intimidated its polling agents by visiting their homes on Friday night.
Sporadic violence was also reported in the other eight constituencies voting in West Bengal.
Clashes broke out among the TMC, ISF, and the BJP in different pockets as the parties clashed over stopping polling agents from entering booths.
A confrontation erupted in Bhangar within the Jadavpur constituency between backers of Trinamool Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF), with allegations of crude bombs being hurled from both sides. Police intervention ensued, triggering protests as both factions accused each other.
Angry voters of Kultuli within the Joynagar constituency threw EVMs and VVPAT machines into nearby water bodies alleging electoral misconduct.
TMC supporters have accused the ISF of orchestrating the violence to intimidate voters. Prompt action from local law enforcement led to lathi charges and the arrest of suspects in the Polerhat area of Bhangar.
In the Canning area, clashes were reported between the TMC and the BJP.
BJP candidate Abhijit Das accused the ruling party of malpractices, which the TMC denied. As Das approached a polling booth, TMC activists staged protests and shouted “Go back” slogans. In response, Das got out of his car and shouted counter slogans.
Similarly, CPI(M) candidate Patikur Rehman faced “go back” slogans from TMC workers when he attempted to visit a booth in the Canning area.
In Jadavpur, CPI(M) workers were allegedly beaten by the TMC activists and their camp offices were ransacked.
In Baranagar assembly seat, where a by-poll is on, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya was allegedly assaulted when he was standing outside a booth as TMC workers accused him of trying to influence the voters.
In some areas, media persons were also injured while covering the clashes.
The TMC exuded confidence about retaining all nine seats.
“The BJP tried to vitiate the poll atmosphere. But overall the people could cast their votes and we are confident of a win,” Education Minister Bratya Basu said.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded re-polling in several booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency alleging malpractices.
“The TMC in a pre-planned way stopped the Hindus from casting their votes in various seats. We want re-polling in various booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency as the violence and irregularities have been rampant,” he said.
CPI (M) state secretary Mohammad Salim claimed that the election process in the Diamond Harbour constituency, where TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee is seeking a third consecutive term, was “fraudulent”.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 1, 2024 : Widespread violence between supporters of the TMC and the BJP over alleged electoral malpractices in strife-torn Sandeshkhali marred the final phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal on Saturday, resulting in injuries to a number of people.
A 69.89 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm across the nine contested seats that went to polls, several of which witnessed sporadic violence.
The Election Commission received 2,667 complaints until 4 pm, alleging EVM malfunction and obstruction of agents entering booths.
The TMC, Congress, ISF, and BJP each filed hundreds of complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on agents. Despite these issues, the Election Commission stated that “barring a few incidents, the polling was peaceful”.
“Highest polling of 76.56 per cent was registered in Basirhat, followed by Mathurapur (74.13), Jaynagar (73.44), Diamond Harbour (72.87), Barasat (71.80), Jadavpur (70.41), Dum Dum (67.60), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88), and Kolkata Uttar (59.23),” he said.
Voter turnout in Baranagar bypoll until 5 pm was 66.70 per cent, the official added. Voting commenced at 7 am and was scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.
Sources suggest the turnout may increase further as long queues were observed outside polling booths.
All nine seats are presently with the TMC. In the last parliamentary polls, Basirhat, Mathurapur, Jaynagar, Diamond Harbour, and Barasat recorded 85, 84, 82, 81, and 81 per cent voter turnout, respectively.
The voter turnout in Jadavpur, Dum Dum, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar was 79, 76, 69.82, and 65 per cent, respectively, in 2019.
In Sandeshkhali which comes under the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices.
The police used batons and tear gas to control the situation. BJP candidate Rekha Patra alleged that TMC goons stopped voters from casting their votes.
Women voters of Sandeshkhali accused the TMC of not allowing them to cast their votes freely, an allegation dubbed baseless by the state’s ruling party.
The TMC made counter-allegations and accused Patra and BJP goons of trying to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
As both groups came to blows on the Basanti Express Highway, the police resorted to baton charges and tear gas shell firing to disperse the mob.
The BJP also claimed that shots were also fired by the TMC goons.
Clashes among the police, BJP, and the TMC activists were reported from three pockets of Sandeshkhali as in several areas TMC and BJP workers were seen hurling bricks at the police.
Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said three persons were injured during the clash between TMC and BJP supporters at Bayramari in Sandeshkhali, adding that one person was arrested in this connection.
Sandeshkhali’s Bermajur area has been on the boil since last night as the BJP made allegations that TMC workers, accompanied by policemen, intimidated its polling agents by visiting their homes on Friday night.
Sporadic violence was also reported in the other eight constituencies voting in West Bengal.
Clashes broke out among the TMC, ISF, and the BJP in different pockets as the parties clashed over stopping polling agents from entering booths.
A confrontation erupted in Bhangar within the Jadavpur constituency between backers of Trinamool Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF), with allegations of crude bombs being hurled from both sides. Police intervention ensued, triggering protests as both factions accused each other.
Angry voters of Kultuli within the Joynagar constituency threw EVMs and VVPAT machines into nearby water bodies alleging electoral misconduct.
TMC supporters have accused the ISF of orchestrating the violence to intimidate voters. Prompt action from local law enforcement led to lathi charges and the arrest of suspects in the Polerhat area of Bhangar.
In the Canning area, clashes were reported between the TMC and the BJP.
BJP candidate Abhijit Das accused the ruling party of malpractices, which the TMC denied. As Das approached a polling booth, TMC activists staged protests and shouted “Go back” slogans. In response, Das got out of his car and shouted counter slogans.
Similarly, CPI(M) candidate Patikur Rehman faced “go back” slogans from TMC workers when he attempted to visit a booth in the Canning area.
In Jadavpur, CPI(M) workers were allegedly beaten by the TMC activists and their camp offices were ransacked.
In Baranagar assembly seat, where a by-poll is on, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya was allegedly assaulted when he was standing outside a booth as TMC workers accused him of trying to influence the voters.
In some areas, media persons were also injured while covering the clashes.
The TMC exuded confidence about retaining all nine seats.
“The BJP tried to vitiate the poll atmosphere. But overall the people could cast their votes and we are confident of a win,” Education Minister Bratya Basu said.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded re-polling in several booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency alleging malpractices.
“The TMC in a pre-planned way stopped the Hindus from casting their votes in various seats. We want re-polling in various booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency as the violence and irregularities have been rampant,” he said.
CPI (M) state secretary Mohammad Salim claimed that the election process in the Diamond Harbour constituency, where TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee is seeking a third consecutive term, was “fraudulent”.
PTI, New Delhi, Jun 1, 2024 : Leaders of several INDIA bloc parties met on Saturday to take stock of the opposition’s preparations leading up to the June 4 counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections, and claimed they will get more than 295 seats, enough for them to form the next government.
Addressing the media after a two-and-a-half-hour confabulations here, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted the INDIA bloc has arrived at the figure after feedback from people.
Kharge said the leaders of the alliance met at his residence and dwelled upon a host of issues, including the precautions to be taken on the counting day on June 4. He said they have instructed their party workers to not leave the counting halls till all formalities are completed.
He said the opposition parties have sought time from the Election Commission on Sunday to raise their concerns and urge the poll body to address them.
The meeting began at Kharge’s residence this afternoon as voting in the last phase of the seven-phase general elections were underway for 57 seats. The counting for all the phases will be held on June 4.
“The INDIA bloc will get more than 295 seats. We have arrived at this figure after speaking with all our leaders,” Kharge told reporters. “This is a survey of people. People have given this information to our leaders. The government surveys are there and their media friends also inflate figures and put it out. Therefore, we want to tell you about the reality,” the Congress president said.
Targeting the BJP, he said, “They are trying to give a narrative through government exit polls and we want to tell the people the truth.”
Senior leaders of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M), CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar) were present at the meeting.
TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already said they would not attend the meeting as polling was to take place in some Lok Sabha seats in the state. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti did not attend the meeting due to personal reasons.
Opposition leaders who attended the meeting included Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Anil Desai, Sitaram Yechury, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, T R Baalu, Farooq Abdullah, D Raja, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Jitendra Awhad and Mukesh Sahani.
Congress leaders Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present at the meeting.
Kharge said the leaders of INDIA parties met informally to take stock of the preparations leading up to the counting day. He said they discussed and analysed the feedback received from different sources.
The INDIA bloc parties have also given instructions to their workers about Form 17 C — which contains the break-up of number of votes polled — and not to get out of the counting hall until he or she gets the certificate of election, he said.
“The fight is still not over, and the leaders and workers of all the parties are extremely alert. I thank each one of them for their esteemed presence.,” he said.
“We have fought the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 with all our might and are confident of a positive outcome, as the people of India have supported us,” he said in a post on X.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that after taking feedback from everywhere “we believe that the INDIA bloc will win more than 295 seats, while the BJP will get around 220 seats. The NDA, meanwhile, will get around 235 seats. The INDIA bloc is moving forward to form a strong government.”
Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav said, “The INDIA bloc is going to form the government. He (PM) has gone to see the sea and he has his back towards the people, who are now against him”.
“The results are in favour of the INDIA alliance and the big thing is that the BJP is losing,” he said.
Jharkhand CM Champai Soren said, “We (INDIA bloc) will do very well in Jharkhand and win more than 10 seats. The INDIA bloc is winning 295 seats.”
“The people are winning, and INDIA will win. We have been saying that we will get 295-plus seats,” said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Asked about who would be their PM candidate, he said, “We will decide about the rest together after June 4”.
CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury said a common minimum programme will be chalked out once the numbers come and that will be the basis of the new government.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc parties also announced they will participate in the exit poll debates on TV this evening after the grouping’s top leaders met and deliberated on the issue.
The development came a day after the Congress said it has decided not to participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on television channels. The party does not want to indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP, it had said.
“After considering factors for and against participating in the exit polls, it has been decided by consensus that all the INDIA (bloc) parties will participate in the exit poll debates on television this evening,” Congress’s media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said in a post on X.
In another development, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah has been calling up district magistrates and collectors and indulging in “blatant and brazen” intimidation.
“The outgoing home minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is,” he said in a post on X.
Anushka in Bijoygarh, Ipshita in Regent Estate, Indrasish in Bhowanipore and Vatsala in Bangur.
They don’t know one another but share a predicament that binds a great number of young people in Calcutta — the compulsion to move out of the city because there aren’t enough jobs here.
The cry for jobs rang out loud among young voters across Calcutta on poll day.
Many of them who got their fingers inked on Saturday had come from Chennai, Bangalore and other places that have offered them what their hometown could not — a job commensurate with their qualification.
They voted because they wanted to send the message that creating jobs should top the “to-do” list of whoever comes to power.
“I am always worried about my family. But I am hundreds of miles away. I was forced to move out because I did not get enough opportunities here,” said Anushka Guha, 22, an engineer working in Chennai with a multinational information technology services company.
Anushka’s mother and grandmother live in Bijoygarh. The latter suffered deep cuts on her head when she fell at her home a couple of months ago.
“I felt so helpless. I am not alone. There are so many like me who have been forced to leave Bengal for want of jobs,” Anushka said outside a polling booth inside a school in Bijoygarh, part of the Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency.
Vatsala Poddar, 25, voted at Bangur Town Hall, which is part of the Barasat constituency. She shifted to the Karnataka capital six months ago to work in the marketing team of an e-commerce company. Before that, she spent two years working for a different company in Calcutta. Vatsala said there were “limited growth opportunities” here.
“There is a big difference in pay in Calcutta and other big cities. The cost of living is going up. But a well-paying job can offset inflation,” said Vatsala.
Sourish De, 21, is pursuing an MBA course from a private university in New Town. The course fee is around ₹8 lakh. “It is a lot of money. My father arranged for it. I have to land a well-paying job so I can live up to his expectations. But going by the job scene in Bengal and the feedback from seniors, the prospects in Calcutta seem bleak,” he said.
Most of the people this newspaper spoke to said they were surprised to see how the mainstream poll campaign did not give due importance to the need to create more jobs.
The election campaign has witnessed toxic polarisation. The BJP’s campaign pitch has kept swinging — from a Viksit Bharat by 2047 to fear-mongering about the Congress manifesto and the alleged appeasement of Muslims. Trinamool, on the other hand, has flaunted welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar.
“From what I have seen, most leaders have not talked about jobs as much as they should have,” said Tiyasha Goswami, 22, a voter in Chinar Park, part of the Barasat constituency.
Tiyasha, who is pursuing a postgraduate multimedia course from St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Calcutta, said she was “very scared” of the employment prospects, “not only in Bengal but across the country”.
“Not everyone can manage to go abroad,” Tiyasha said outside a polling station.
The Indian economy, despite its GDP numbers, has failed to generate enough jobs for the country’s large and expanding young population.
Ipshita Moitra, a techie with a pharma company in Bengaluru, voted at a school in Regent Estate. “I am aware of the freebies and doles that the Mamata Banerjee government is known for. I don’t have a problem with them. But the focus should be on the creation of jobs,” said Moitra.
Indrasish Majumdar, 29, who lives near Jadubabur Bazar in Bhowanipore (Kolkata South), works with a tech services company in Pune. His father suffers from acute renal problems and needs dialysis regularly.
“It is a pity that I cannot stay with my parents. They have spent a lot on my education. Now, I have to take care of them financially as well. Staying in Calcutta, I cannot earn as much as in other Metro cities,” he said after casting his vote on Saturday.
Koustav Ghosh, 24, who voted in New Town (Barasat), was worried about the rising cost of education. Koustav is pursuing an MBA course.
“The cost of these courses are rising across the country. But the job prospects are
becoming grimmer. The future is uncertain for us,” he said.
Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 4,012, votes in the Barfung Assembly seat
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) members celebrate their lead in the Assembly polls, outside a counting centre: PTI
PTI, Gangtok, 02.06.24 : The ruling SKM won seven Assembly seats and was leading in 24 other constituencies, the Election Commission of India said on Sunday.
Counting of votes for 32 assembly seats in Sikkim began at 6 am on Sunday, amid tight security arrangements, officials said.
Samdup Lepcha of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won the Lachen Mangan Assembly seat defeating his nearest SDF rival Hishey Lachungpa by 851 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.
SKM candidate Puran Kumar Gurung won the Chujachen seat defeating his nearest rival Mani Kumar Gurung by 3,334 votes.
Pintso Namgyal Lepcha of SKM won the Djongu Assembly seat defeating his nearest rival Sonam Gyatso Lepcha of SDF by 5007 votes..
Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Prem Singh Tamang was leading by around 7,044 votes over his nearest SDF rival Som Nath Poudyal from the Rhenock assembly constituency, while in the Soreng Chakung Assembly constituency Tamang is leading by 2,052 votes over his nearest SDF rival A D Subba.
Former CM and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling was trailing behind SKM candidate Raju Basnet by 1,852 votes in Namcheybung seat. In the Poklok Kamrang Assembly constituency Chamling was trailing behind Bhoj Raj Rai of SKM by 3,063 votes.
Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 4,012, votes in the Barfung Assembly seat.
Sikkim BJP unit president Dilli Ram Thapa was trailing behind his SKM rival Kala Rai by 2,568 votes in the Upper Burtuk Assembly constituency.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was leading in three seats, while the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) was ahead in two
PTI, Itanagar, 02.06.24 : The ruling BJP won 13 Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh while the National People’s Party (NPP) got one, officials said on Sunday.
The counting of votes for the 50 Assembly seats began at 6 am on Sunday.
The saffron party had already won 10 seats in the 60-member assembly unopposed. Elections to the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly were held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls in the first phase on April 19.
Tesam Pongte of BJP won from Changlang North defeating his nearest rival Dihom Kitnya of NPP by a margin of 2,002 votes, while the party’s candidate Wangki Lowang won from Namsang seat defeating his nearest rival Ngonglin Boi of NCP by 56 votes.
Balo Raja of BJP won from Palin constituency defeating his nearest rival Mayu Taring of NPP by 5,040 votes.
Hayeng Mangfi of BJP won from Chayang-Tajo seat defeating his nearest rival Kompu Dolo of Congress by a margin of 6,685 votes. Mangfi retained the seat.
Chakat Aboh of BJP won from Khonsa West by defeating her nearest rival Yang Sen Matey of NCP by 804 votes. She retained the seat.
BJP’s Tsering Lhamu won from Lumla constituency defeating her nearest rival Jampa Thirnly Kunkhap of Congress by a margin of 1,531 votes. Lhamu retained the seat.
Puinnyo Apum of BJP won from Dambuk constituency defeating his nearest rival Raju Tayeng of People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) by a margin of 222 votes.
BJP candidate Rode Bui won Dumporijo seat defeating his opponent Tabe Doni of NPP by 1,591 votes. Bui retained the seat.
Ealing Tallang of BJP won from Seppa East seat defeating Tame Gyadi of Congress by 5,600 votes.
BJP’s Mahesh Chai won the Tezu-Sunpura seat defeating NPP candidate Karikho Kri by a margin of 2,805 votes.
Rotom Tebin of BJP won from Raga constituency defeating Ajay Murtem of NPP by 2,934 votes.
NPP candidate Pesi Jilen won from Liromoba defeating his opponent Nyamar Karbak of BJP by a margin of 1,698 votes.
‘Opportunistic INDI Alliance’ failed to strike chord with voters, says PM
PTI, New Delhi, Jun 1, 2024 : Several exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls.
The ruling alliance in all likelihood will open its account in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and sweep Karnataka but may see a fall in its tally in states like Bihar, Rajasthan and Haryana, according to these pollsters.
The Republic TV-P Marq poll claimed that the ruling alliance will win up to 359 seats and the opposition INDIA bloc will bag 154 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.
The Republic TV- Matrize poll gave 353-368 seats to the NDA and 118-133 seats to the Opposition.
The Jan Ki Baat poll gave 362-392 seats to the ruling NDA and 141-161 to the Opposition alliance.
The India TV-CNX gave them 371-401 and 109-139 seats respectively, while the corresponding tally predicted by News Nation was 342-378 and 153-169. In the 2019 polls, the BJP won 303 seats, while the NDA tally was 353.
The Congress had bagged 53 seats and its allies 38. The ‘INDIA’ bloc was formed by Opposition parties to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.
After the seventh and last phase of voting ended on Saturday, Modi exuded confidence that people have voted in record numbers to re-elect the NDA government and said the “opportunistic INDI Alliance” failed to strike a chord with the voters who rejected their “regressive politics”.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after a meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc that the alliance will win more than 295 seats.
“We have arrived at this figure after speaking with all our leaders. This is a survey of people. People have given this information to our leaders. The government surveys are there and their media friends also inflate figures and put it out.
Therefore, we want to tell you about the reality,” he said. BJP president J P Nadda, however, asserted that people have voted for a capable, powerful, developed and self-reliant India and to put aside appeasement, nepotism and corruption, exuding confidence that his party will win more than 370 Lok Sabha seats and the NDA over 400.
The counting of votes will take place on June 4.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday exuded confidence that people have voted in record numbers to re-elect the NDA government and said the “opportunistic INDI Alliance” failed to strike a chord with the voters who rejected their “regressive politics”.
Modi said the people have seen his government’s track record and the manner in which its work has brought about a qualitative change in the lives of the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. “India has voted!
A heartfelt thank you to all those who exercised their franchise. Their active participation is the cornerstone of our democracy. Their commitment and dedication ensures that the democratic spirit thrives in our nation.
I would also like to specially appreciate India’s Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti. Their strong presence at the polls is a very encouraging sign,” Modi said in a series of posts on X.
The Prime Minister said he can say with confidence that the people of India have voted in record numbers to re-elect the NDA government
A few other exit polls, including those from Axis My India and Today’s Chanakya, were yet to forecast the full results by 8.40 pm.
The weather office forecast widespread rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, with the possibility of heavy downpours in one or two places, over the next five days
PTI, Calcutta, 31.05.24 : Calcutta recorded 65 mm rainfall, bringing night temperature down to 23.7 degree Celsius from nearly 30 degrees a day earlier.:File picture.
The southwest monsoon reached sub-Himalayan West Bengal on Friday, covering most parts of the region, nearly a week ahead of schedule, the Met Department said.
The southwest monsoon normally reaches northern West Bengal on June 5 and the southern part of the state around June 9.
The faster movement of the southwest monsoon into the region could have been caused by the combined effect of cyclone Remal, bringing the southwesterly wind to the coasts from the Bay of Bengal, and thereafter the monsoon’s movement was attracted by a trough existing over northern West Bengal, weather officials said.
The weather office forecast widespread rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, with the possibility of heavy downpours in one or two places, over the next five days.
The places that recorded significant rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday in northern Bengal are Alipurduar (45 mm), Jalpaiguri (43 mm) and Coochbehar (28 mm), it said.
The Met Department also forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind in the southern Bengal districts, including Calcutta, during the next three days.
Calcutta recorded 65 mm rainfall, bringing night temperature down to 23.7 degree Celsius from nearly 30 degrees a day earlier, the Met said.
Amitava Banerjee, MP, 31 May 2024, Darjeeling: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chief Anit Thapa, on a round of Teesta on Friday, remarked that relief and rehabilitation work was going on in full swing and the process for compensation from the NHPC to the Teesta flash flood victims was near completion.
He also said 65 per cent work on the construction of embankment dams was completed. Regarding frequent inundation, Thapa said: “Unless the Union government gives permission for desiltation, nothing much can be done.”
Incidentally a Glacial Lake outburst had triggered flash floods in River Teesta on October 4, 2023 causing widespread damage downstream in Sikkim along with Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri district in Bengal. An NHPC dam at Chungthang in North Sikkim, was also washed away by the Teesta. More than 300 houses were damaged along the river in the Kalimpong district.
Answering questions from mediapersons, Thapa stated: “Rehabilitation work is on. Every disaster victim received the stipulated amount of Rs 75,000 as per state government rules. However, GTA has started an initiative to build houses for the homeless. The government will hand over the land and house construction will begin.”
He further stated that some families had requested compensation from NHPC. “Accordingly, a committee was constituted to look into the compensation. A survey was conducted under the supervision of the committee. Documents have been prepared after assessment. The process had reached the final stage.
Soon the victims will receive compensation from the NHPC,” assured Thapa.
When questioned about the surge in the water level of the Teesta with rains causing inundation of the roads, Thapa stated: “The permanent solution is desiltation. The flash floods have brought in huge amounts of silt and raised the river bed.
Unless sand and silt is taken out, the matter cannot be resolved. This needs special permission from the Union government,” stated Thapa. The Union government has enforced a ban on quarrying on the Teesta and other mountain rivers.
“I’m not talking of quarrying but sand and silt have to be removed. It is the demand of the local residents also. It cannot be done now. After monsoons we will ask the district administration and state government to take up the matter with the Union government,” added Thapa. Courtesy & source- MilleniumPost
MP, 1 June 2024, Kolkata: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Bangladesh Member of Parliament (MP), Anwarul Azim Anar murder case.
The SIT will be led by the Inspector General (IG) I of CID, Vishal Garg. The SIT will comprise three Deputy Inspector Generals (DIG) and about 10 other officers.
Meanwhile, the CID has decided to go for a DNA test of the pieces of flesh and hair found from the septic tank of the housing complex in New Town where Anar was murdered and his body was mutilated.
The CID is waiting for the forensic report of the flesh and hair to ascertain that it is a human. Anar’s daughter will soon come to Kolkata for the DNA test and proceedings for her VISA to come to India have reportedly begun in Bangladesh. However, the other body parts of the Bangladesh MP have still not been found.
Apart from the investigation by the CID, Bangladesh Police on Friday again produced the three arrested accused identified as Amanullah alias Shimul Bhuiyan, Shilasti Rahman and Tanvir Bhuiyan before the Dhaka Metropolitan Court after their eight days police remand was over.
On Friday, the Bangladesh Police reportedly appealed for their police remand again. After the hearing, five days police remand was allowed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Court.
In another development, the state CID has reportedly tracked another accused identified as Siyam in Nepal. A police team might go to Nepal soon in connection with the probe. However, before that both CID and Bangladesh Police might contact Nepal Police with a request to intercept Siyam.
MP, 1 June 2024, Kolkata: Overnight rainfall occurred in several parts of South Bengal. Moderate to heavy rainfall may occur in several North Bengal districts in the next 5 days. Orange alert has been issued for some of the North Bengal districts, including Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar.
Several districts in South Bengal received pre-monsoon rainfall late on Thursday night, dropping the temperature by 6 degree Celsius. The lowest temperature on Friday was registered at 23.7 degree Celsius while a day before it stood at 30 degrees. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore said that monsoon may enter North Bengal on Sunday, five days ahead of its usual time of arrival.
As per prediction, the monsoon will bring rainfall in the region. Incidentally, southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on Thursday. Generally, the monsoon enters Kerala on June 5. The MeT office said that South Bengal districts will also receive rainfall over the weekend.
A strong breeze may be sweeping through in the region on Sunday. The MeT office already predicted heavy rainfall in several North Bengal districts in the next 24 hours. Orange alert has been issued for the districts like Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar as they are expected to receive heavy rainfall.
It will rain in North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur as well. Monsoon generally enters Jalpaiguri on June 7, Siliguri on June 8, South Bengal on June 10 and Kolkata on June 11. It is not however clear as to when the monsoon will hit the city.
There may be some scattered rainfall in some of the South Bengal districts during the weekend, the MeT office said.
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