Lok Sabha Polls Phase 3: 117 Constituencies including 5 of Bihar to Vote on 23 April
In the third phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a total of 117 constituencies across 13 states and two Union territories will go to polls. The voting for 3rd phase of General Elections 2019 will be held on Tuesday, 23 April 2019. The voting process will start at 7.00 am and conclude at 5.00 pm.
5 Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) of Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura and Khagaria will go to polls today. 82 candidates are contesting for these 5 Lok Sabha seats.
Former BJP MP From Hamirpur Joins Congress
Former BJP MP from Hamirpur, Suresh Chandel has joined the Congress party in presence of party President Rahul Gandhi.
“Congress President @RahulGandhi welcomes Shri Suresh Chandel into the Congress Party,” Congress party tweeted.
Congress President @RahulGandhi welcomes Shri Suresh Chandel into the Congress Party. pic.twitter.com/EZFMOgrbPM
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 22, 2019
Chandel was a member of the BJP and a three-time MP from the Hamirpur constituency of Himachal Pradesh.
He was state president of Himachal BJP from 1998-2000 and was also Organisation General Secretary of Himachal BJP from 1988-1998.
Sri Lanka Imposes Emergency, Says International Network Involved in Attacks
Sri Lanka said on Monday it was invoking emergency powers in the aftermath of devastating bomb attacks on hotels and churches, blamed on militants with foreign links, in which 290 people were killed and nearly 500 wounded.
The emergency law, which gives police and the military extensive powers to detain and interrogate suspects without court orders, will go into effect at midnight on Monday, the president’s office said.
Investigators said seven suicide bombers took part in the attacks while a government spokesman said an international network was involved.
Police had received a tip-off of a possible attack on churches by a little-known domestic Islamist group some 10 days ago, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Nonetheless, it is not clear as no organisation has taken its responsibility. It is usual that if any Islamist group does any terror attack it owes it immediately, in this case none has done so far.
Oppn Charges Baseless, Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi Nomination Cleared
The returning officer of Amethi has declared Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s nomination valid.
A day earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had pointed to alleged discrepancies in Rahul’s election affidavit over his citizenship and educational qualifications. “The whole nation is stunned that Rahul Gandhi and his lawyer Rahul Kaushik were unable to explain some details of Gandhi`s nomination papers sought by Amethi`s returning officer,” BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao had said.
BJP’s North East Delhi Candidate Manoj Tiwari Holds Roadshow with Sapna Chaudhary Delhi
BJP Lok Sabha candidate from North East Delhi and the Delhi BJP President, Manoj Tiwari is holding a roadshow in Delhi, accompanied by Union Minister Vijay Goel and actor-dancer Sapna Chaudhary.
Sapna Chaudhary had allegedly joined the Congress party. However, after having trolled by the BJP trolls and allegedly a more lucrative offer by the BJP, she denied joining the Congress.
SC Refuses to Hear Plea Seeking Prosecution of Voters
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India for prosecution of voters who indulge in electoral malpractices during the Lok Sabha polls.
A bench headed by CJI says, ‘the petitioner may approach high court with his plea’.
Rahul Gandhi Files Response to Contempt Petition Filed by Meenakshi Lekhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has filed his response to a contempt petition filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi in the Supreme Court. Gandhi said that the SC has agreed that PM Modi has indulged in corruption in Rafale deal.
Regretting his remark, the Congress President said that the remark was made in the ‘heat of political campaign’.
Election Commission Submits Report on Modi Biopic in SC
The Election Commission has submitted its report in a sealed cover before the Supreme Court on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s biopic. The apex court has posted the matter for further hearing on Friday, 26 April and directs that report be served to petitioner.
Congress Releases List of Candidates, Sheila Dikshit to Contest from NE Delhi
Congress on Monday released a list of candidates for six out of seven Parliamentary constituencies in Delhi.
According to the list, former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit will be contesting the polls from North East Delhi, while Ajay Maken will contest from New Delhi constituency.
BJP President Amit Shah Defends Pragya’s Nomination as BJP Candidate
BJP President Amit Shah, while addressing a press conference in Kolkata, defended Pragya Singh Thakur’s nomination as a candidate from Bhopal, saying that a fake case has been registered against her in the name of Hindu terrorism. Shah also said that Pragya has been acquitted in two cases.
Further, giving the example of Assemanand’s Acquittal from the Samjhauta Express blast case, he said, “where are the real perpetrators of the blast?
“A fake case was made against Sadhvi Pragya in the name of Hindu terrorism. She has been acquitted in two cases. After Aseemanand was acquitted from the Samjhauta blast case, the question is where are the real perpetrators of the blast?” Amit Shah said.
AP Chief Secy Orders Enquiry Into Lapses in Transfer of Seized Gold
Andhra Pradesh govt Chief Secy L V Subrahmanyam has ordered an enquiry under Special Chief Secretary, Revenue, Manmohan Singh into the alleged lapses in transportation of gold from Chennai to Tirupati.
The gold belonged to Tirupati temple and was seized by Election Commission in Tamil Nadu.
West Bengal: Amit Shah Says BJP Will Give Citizenship to Bangladesh Refugees including Muslim Bangladeshi
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah while addressing a press conference in Kolkata, said that the refugees who have come from Bangladesh, be it Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, or Christians, the BJP has clearly signaled in its Manifesto that it will give them citizenship.
Case Filed Against Jaya Prada for Remarks on Mayawati, Azam Khan
A Non-Cognizable Offence Information Report registered against BJP Lok Sabha MP from Rampur, Jaya Prada for her remarks on Mayawati and SP leader Azam Khan.
Prada had reportedly said, “Considering the comments Azam Khan makes against me, Mayawati Ji you must think unki x-ray jaisi aankhein aapke upar bhi kaha-kaha daal kar dekhengi (Ms Mayawati, his X-ray like eyes would see you too at so many places)”
Bomb Hurled at Vehicle of BJP’s LS Candidate From Bhubaneswar-Central
A bomb was hurled at the vehicle of BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Bhubaneswar-Central, Jagannath Pradhan, near the party office in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Sunday night. BJP leaders have met Election Commission officials, demanding an investigation into the incident.
US Ends Waiver but India May Continue to Buy Iran Oil
The United States on Monday said it will stop in May all waivers that allow eight nations, including India, to buy Iranian oil without facing sanctions, triggering a rise in global crude prices and a slump in Indian markets.
The decision, taken by US President Donald Trump to pressure Tehran to give up its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, sent oil prices to their highest in 2019, though the White House said it was working with top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to ensure the market is “adequately supplied”.
