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PM Modi’s Prediction Comes True! Sensex Surges Over 5,000 Points Post Lok Sabha Elections

June 19, 2024, 12:43 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forecast regarding the stock market post Lok Sabha elections has materialized, with the Sensex surging over 5,000 points since June 4. In just 9 trading sessions, both the Sensex and Nifty achieved all-time highs, propelling investor wealth by Rs. 42.4 lakh crore to Rs. 437.24 lakh crore.

During his election campaign, PM Modi had expressed confidence that the market would reach record highs after the elections. In an interview with NDTV, he hinted at this by stating, “You will see that within one week after June 4, the day election results are to be declared, market participants will get tired.”

Echoing this sentiment, Home Minister Amit Shah advised investors to buy before June 4, anticipating a surge in the market.

After the elections, the statements made by PM Modi and Amit Shah became a matter of political debate, especially when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the market crash on June 4, resulting in investors losing ₹31 lakh crore in notional wealth, was due to market manipulation. The Congress demanded a probe by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC), pointing out that the Sensex hit a record high on June 3 after exit polls but plummeted the next day.

In a separate development, Morgan Stanley predicted that the Sensex would reach 82,000 in the next 12 months. The firm emphasized the NDA government’s re-election and its impact on policy predictability, suggesting that the government’s focus on macro stability, such as inflation control, would influence growth and equity returns over the next five years.

Sangh’s unambiguous message to the BJP

June 15, 2024, 4:07 am

The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh has evidently sent an unambiguous message to the political class in general and the BJP in particular following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The RSS Sarsangchalak Mohan Bhagwat in a significant address to the cadres at Nagpur a few days ago, made some very important observations which were aimed at a much larger audience as to include the political parties. The speech of the RSS chief has to be viewed in the context of the neutrality of the RSS cadres during the polls where they did not support the BJP like the previous two times. This resulted in the BJP not being able to secure a majority of its own and landed with 63 seats lesser than in 2019.

The RSS has been the backbone of the Saffron Brigade and it is widely known that it is one of the principal factors in the growth of the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and before him Atal Behari Vajpayee, Lal Krishan Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi and virtually all prominent BJP leaders had RSS roots. The Sangh has played a major role in their political journey so to dismiss Bhagwat’s candid views would be a folly. In fact, the RSS chief’s comments are a wake-up call for the BJP and an opportunity for it to shape up for the future. Bhagwat had advised the karyakartas to be modest and humble and not arrogant. He said that no one can ever be a sewak unless he possesses all these virtues. Political circles have interpreted the RSS Chief’s speech as a note of caution for the BJP and its leaders.

He has also condemned the kind of language used during the campaigning by all sides and has noted that the discourse should never have been so low. Public life needs to have a certain code, and it should always be kept in mind that political rivalry was not the same as enmity. Differences of opinion were a part of our diversity and should be accepted. Bhagwat also made it clear that it has never been the objective of the Sangh to have a “Congress Mukt’’ Bharat, a remark that sought to distance the RSS from the common belief that it was against the grand old party and its ideology. It was also admission of the fact that the Congress doctrine was deep-rooted and in virtually every nook and corner of the country, and to wish it away would be a folly.

The RSS has in the past supported the Congress in the larger interest of the then prevailing political situation which required the country to remain strong and stable. It had happened in 1980 when the Janata Party experiment had failed and the erstwhile Jana Sangh members were accused of holding dual membership by leaders such as Madhu Limaye and Raj Narain. Indira Gandhi was on the comeback trail and the RSS leadership took the decision to assist the Congress in the larger interests of the country at that time and in order to provide a stable government. Similar decision was taken in 1984 where following Indira Gandhi’s brutal assassination at the hand of her security guards, the Sangh decided to back Rajiv Gandhi.

The Congress in that election secured more than 400 seats, a historic and record-breaking feat. The RSS contribution was there but the Nation had paid its homage to the greatest mass leader of the last century by standing behind her son in that hour of grief. An interesting and strong bond between Rajiv Gandhi and Bhaurau Deoras, the younger brother of the then RSS Chief Balasaheb Deoras was the outcome of this support.

The RSS is in its centenary year, and knows that unless it asserts itself and reiterates its basic beliefs, its relevance would be diminished. It has always upheld the theory of One Nation One People while acknowledging the diversity. It has also kept the country above its own organization and the individual is placed at the very last. The Sangh has realized that many of its principles have been diluted in the past few years and the Sangh activists needed to be reminded of their basic responsibility of being disciplined, in order to motivate them. Bhagwat has been also critical of the overall political discourse, and underlined the need to maintain dignity, decorum and maryada. He has emphasized on the importance of being civil at all times while not endorsing politics of vendetta.

The expected debate which has resulted from this speech in Nagpur has raised many crucial questions. These include whether it was fair to bring in leaders from other political parties where the ideological inclinations were different, and foist them on top of the BJP and Sangh karyakartas who had served the people for many years. In Maharashtra, an article appearing in the “Organiser’’, considered to be the official mouth piece of the RSS, which is critical of the BJP’s alliance with the NCP headed by Ajit Pawar, has evoked strong reactions from the partners of the ruling dispensation there.

Elsewhere also there is intense resentment amongst BJP workers, who were overlooked by their party which preferred to give tickets to those who had come from outside. Overall, Bhagwat’s speech is important and cautions the BJP leadership. Simultaneously, it has to be understood that politics has its own compulsions and is guided by the events that take place, rather than by any ideological compass. This has been so in the past and shall remain so in the future.
Pankaj Vohra

Old Video Of K Annamalai Crying Resurfaces Online, Falsely Shared As His Post-Election Emotions

June 11, 2024, 4:02 pm

A video of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President K Annamalai crying during a speech is circulating online, with claims that it was recorded after he lost the Coimbatore constituency in the Lok Sabha elections. However, the truth is that the video is not recent and actually dates back to April 2024, when Annamalai became emotional during a speech in Kasturi Naickenpalayam, Coimbatore.

Users sharing the video are claiming that this video was recorded after he lost the Coimbatore constituency in the Lok Sabha elections.

The claim states, “He worked 24×7 for 3 years. He reached to every part of Tamil Nadu. BJP vote share is now 19% in Tamil Nadu & when he took charge it was just 8%. Tears in his eyes means a lot. But he will come back. Annamalai is the future of Tamil Nadu. I love him & will always support him.” (sic)

This video is not recent and predates the elections results on 4 June.

We performed a reverse image search on Google along with some relevant keywords related to Annamalai and this led us to a YouTube video.

This was shared by News18 Tamil Nadu on 17 April which predates the election results.

Watch Here:

Taking a cue, we performed a keyword search in Tamil language using ‘Annamalai crying on stage April’ on Google and this led us to a report by Tamil outlet Dinamalar.

This was also published on 17 April and stated that Annamalai broke into tears on stage in Kasturi Naickenpalayam, Coimbatore.

It also stated that he became emotional while speaking to the elderly from the village and expressed his desire to visit this place.

An old video of K Annamalai crying on stage is being shared to falsely claim that he cried after his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

BJP MP Suresh Gopi clarifies about his ‘didn’t want cabinet berth’ statement

June 11, 2024, 3:26 am

Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi is the first and the only BJP MP from Kerala. He won the Thrissur seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024 after he became the face of the ‘Modiyude Guarantee’ (Modi’s Guarantee) promise to Kerala. On Monday, he became embroiled in a controversy after he said he didn’t want a cabinet berth.

Posting a video clip on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the Kerala unit of Congress party took a dig at the BJP and PM Narendra Modi, alleging that Suresh Gopi, who took oath as a minister on Sunday, “wants to quit because he wants to do films!” The Congress party post added, “@BJP4India @narendramodi why this mockery of voters? Why don’t you tell your MP to first decide what he wants to do in life, and most importantly, stop this show in front of the media after taking oath in the name of God and the constitution.”

Over the course of the day, Suresh Gopi issued a clarification on social media regarding his statement. Gopi wrote on X (formerly twitter), “A few media platforms are spreading the incorrect news that I am going to resign from the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government. This is grossly incorrect. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji we are committed to the development and prosperity of Kerala.” He further wrote on Facebook, “It is a matter of pride for me to be in the Council of Ministers of the Modi Government and to represent the people of Kerala.” After winning the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, Suresh Gopi had earlier told PTI, “As an MP, I can do the work of various ministries. I do not want to be a minister. There can be new revolutionary working platforms. All I want is that when I go with a project for the people of Kerala with determination, the ministries concerned should implement it.”

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu Push For ‘Special Category Status’ For Bihar And Andhra Pradesh–All You Need To Know

June 6, 2024, 12:05 pm

Following the 2024 General Elections, which resulted in a split mandate, the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar and the Telugu Desam Party led by Chandrababu Naidu are set to be key players in forming the central government. This has brought renewed attention to their earlier demands for special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, respectively. Both parties are part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with the TDP securing 16 seats and the JD(U) winning 12.

After the election results were declared on June 4, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh affirmed that his party would honor the commitment to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh, a promise made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, if they come to power.

Reports also indicate that the JD(U) is advocating for special status for Bihar.

Notably, the JD(U) has reaffirmed its alliance with the NDA.

What is Special Category Status?

Special Category Status is a designation given by the Central government to aid the development of states facing geographical and socio-economic challenges.

States with Special Category Status:

Eleven states, including Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, and Telangana, have been granted special category status. Telangana received this status upon its creation, following its separation from Andhra Pradesh.

Benefits of Special Category Status States

Special category status provides several benefits to the designated states. Firstly, these states receive higher funding, with 90% of the funds for centrally-sponsored schemes provided by the Centre, compared to 60% or 75% for other states. The remaining funds are contributed by the respective state governments. Additionally, special category states can carry forward unused funds from one fiscal year to the next, ensuring effective resource utilization. These states also benefit from tax concessions, including exemptions in excise and customs duties, as well as income tax and corporate tax. Furthermore, special category states receive a higher allocation from the Centre’s Gross Budget, amounting to 30%, which offers significant financial support for their development efforts.

‘Special Status’ vs ‘Special Package’ for Andhra Pradesh

The debate over ‘special status’ versus ‘special package’ for Andhra Pradesh has resurfaced, with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) playing a crucial role in the formation of the next NDA government. For Chandrababu Naidu, this is a vital issue as he faced heavy criticism for not securing the state’s “rights” from the Centre, leading to the TDP’s exit from the BJP-led NDA in 2018 and its subsequent loss in the state assembly elections.

The TDP’s demand for ‘special category status’ (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh cannot be easily addressed with a special ‘assistance package’ like the one proposed in 2016-17.

The demand for SCS for Andhra Pradesh dates back to the state’s contentious bifurcation and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 2014 assurance during the passage of the AP Reorganisation Act that the parent state would receive SCS for five years as compensation for losing its revenue-rich capital, Hyderabad.

Despite being part of the NDA, Naidu was unable to secure SCS due to tightened finances under Modi’s central government. Instead, the Centre offered ‘special assistance’ for five years, including the repayment of loans and interest for certain projects.

However, the release of ‘special assistance’ funds faced obstacles, with increased red tape restricting the flow of funds. This led to dissatisfaction in Andhra Pradesh, as the state argued that the compensation promised under SCS would have been much greater than what was offered under the ‘special assistance’ package.

Facing criticism and opposition pressure, Naidu withdrew from the NDA in 2018, citing “injustice” to the state due to the denial of SCS.

Two Jailed Candidates Have Won Lok Sabha Elections 2024 : What Happens Next?

June 5, 2024, 5:03 pm

The results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 have seen two atypical victors: Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib, and separatist leader Engineer Rashid from Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla. Both leaders are currently incarcerated under serious charges being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Serious Charges And Current Imprisonment

Amritpal Singh has been detained in Dibrugarh, Assam under the National Security Act (NSA) since March 2023. The NSA is a preventive detention law that allows the government to hold individuals for up to 12 months without formal charges. Rashid, a former MLA, is held in Delhi’s Tihar jail under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in a terror-funding case. He contested the election on an Awami Ittehad Party ticket.

Taking Oath As MPs

Despite their imprisonment, their electoral victories mean they now hold constitutional mandates as parliamentarians. The process of taking oath is essential for them to fulfill their roles as MPs. While the Constitution does not explicitly detail the procedure for jailed lawmakers, there are precedents where such individuals were granted temporary parole to take their oaths. For instance, in March, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, imprisoned on money laundering charges, was permitted by a court to take his oath as a Rajya Sabha MP. Similarly, in 2021, Akhil Gogoi, after winning a seat in the Assam Legislative Assembly, was allowed by an NIA court to temporarily leave prison to take his oath.

The most notable instance occurred in 1977 when trade unionist George Fernandes was elected from the Muzaffarnagar seat while imprisoned during the Emergency. He was released before the oath ceremony.

Duties And Responsibilities As Lawmakers

Taking the oath does not equate to being released on bail but rather a special one-day parole. After taking the oath, the imprisoned lawmakers must notify the Speaker of their inability to attend proceedings. According to Article 101(4) of the Constitution, an MP’s seat can be declared vacant if they are absent from all meetings for over 60 days without permission.

For attending parliamentary sessions or casting votes, these lawmakers would need to seek court permission each time.

The election of Amritpal Singh and Engineer Rashid presents a unique challenge in Indian parliamentary proceedings, setting a precedent for handling the mandates of elected representatives who are under detention.

What Happens If They Receive A Sentence?

If Engineer Rashid or Amritpal Singh are convicted and receive a sentence of at least two years in prison, they will immediately lose their seats in the Lok Sabha. This follows the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling that struck down Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, which had previously granted convicted MPs and MLAs a three-month grace period to appeal their convictions.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Comeback: Samajwadi Party Chief Wins Kannauj, Defeats BJP’s Subrata Pathak

June 5, 2024, 1:38 pm

Akhilesh Yadav is an Indian politician and a prominent leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP). He was born on July 1, 1973, in Saifai, Uttar Pradesh, into a political family, with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav being a prominent leader of the SP and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

He won from Kannauj with 1.7 lakh votes in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Political Beginnings

Akhilesh Yadav’s political career began when he was elected as a member of the Lok Sabha from Kannauj in 2000. He has since been elected to the Lok Sabha three times and has also served as a Member of the Legislative Council in Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Ministership

Akhilesh Yadav took office as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2012 after the Samajwadi Party won a majority in the state assembly elections. His tenure was marked by several development initiatives, including the “Laptop Yojana” and the “Samajwadi Pension Scheme.” He focused on infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas, and emphasized youth empowerment and employment generation.

Relevant Details with Reference to Lok Sabha Elections 2024

As the Samajwadi Party gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh Yadav’s role in the party remains crucial. He has been at the forefront of the party’s efforts to consolidate its position in Uttar Pradesh, which sends the largest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha. Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister and his focus on development and welfare schemes are expected to be key factors in the party’s campaign for the upcoming elections.

Current Role and Future Prospects

Akhilesh Yadav continues to play a significant role in the Samajwadi Party as one of its top leaders. His popularity among the youth and his ability to connect with the masses make him a formidable force in Uttar Pradesh politics. As the party prepares for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership and strategic planning will be critical in determining the party’s success.

Swearing-In Ceremony: PM Modi To Take Oath On June 8

June 5, 2024, 1:04 pm

The formation of the NDA government and the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to take place on June 8.

Despite the Lok Sabha election outcome, which did not give the BJP a clear majority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained undeterred in his speech on Tuesday evening at the party headquarters. He proclaimed that after sixty years, the current government has secured a third consecutive term and promised that the coalition will work with increased determination over the next five years to elevate the nation to greater heights.

Expressing his gratitude to BJP and NDA workers as well as the “140 crore people” of the country, the PM said the result is a vindication of the ‘sabka vikas’ mantra of his government. “I would like the influencers and opinion makers to note that since 1962 this is the first time that a government has come to power for a third consecutive term.” He also highlighted that BJP is set to form government in Odisha for the first time and the party has opened its account in Kerala.

After 1962 this is the first time that a govt is coming back for third term.

Govind Parashar Smashes and Burns TV After BJP Fails To Cross 400 Votes

June 5, 2024, 12:34 pm

Govind Parashar, president of the Rashtriya Hindu Parishad, demonstrated his frustration with the unfavorable election results for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by smashing a television and setting it ablaze.

Parashar, a right-wing activist renowned for his media-attracting actions, expressed his displeasure with the Lok Sabha election outcomes announced on June 4. He emphasized that BJP leaders should show respect to their party workers and prioritize them.

Parashar in a statement said, “The country has once again fallen into the hands of those who used to say ‘Bharat tere tukde honge inshallah inshallah’.”

He added, “The Bharatiya Janata Party should also respect its workers and give them priority within the party.”

Earlier, before the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 started many members of the BJP party started predicting that the party’s vote count would cross 400 votes. But unfortunately, BJP’s vote count did not even cross 300 votes disappointing the party and its members.

Member of Parliament and CWC member Shashi Tharoor, during a press conference, had termed the “Abki bar 400 Paar” campaign a mere fantasy of the incumbent Bhartiya Janta Party-led Central government.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ridiculed the BJP’s goal of securing over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, instead challenging the party to aim for at least 200 constituencies

Priyanka Gandhi Praises Brother Rahul For ‘Fighting for Truth’ Amid Electoral Triumph

June 5, 2024, 12:14 pm

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared an emotional note for her brother Rahul Gandhi following his victories in both constituencies he contested and the overall improvement in the party’s tally in the Lok Sabha elections. Praising Rahul, Priyanka highlighted that despite doubts about his conviction and the “overwhelming propaganda of lies” against him, Rahul never wavered and continued “fighting for truth.”

She described him as the “bravest of all,” noting that Rahul Gandhi fought with “love, truth, and kindness” and expressed her pride in him. She stated, “You kept standing, no matter what they said and did to you…you never backed down whatever the odds, never stopped believing however much they doubted your conviction, you never stopped fighting for the truth despite the overwhelming propaganda of lies they spread, and you never allowed anger and hatred to overcome you, even when they gifted it to you every day.”

Priyanka continued, “You fought with love, truth and kindness in your heart. Those who could not see you, see you now, but some of us have always seen and known you to be the bravest of all. Bhai @RahulGandhi, I am proud to be your sister.”

Rahul Gandhi contested from Rae Bareli and Wayanad, winning both by substantial margins. He won the Rae Bareli seat by defeating BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh with a margin of 3,90,030 votes, aiming to preserve the party’s stronghold in the state after his 2019 loss in Amethi. In Wayanad, which facilitated his entry into the Lok Sabha in 2019, he defeated Communist Party of India-Marxist candidate Annie Raja by 3,64,422 votes.

The 2024 Lok Sabha election counting took place on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP secured 240 seats, significantly fewer than its 2019 count of 303. Meanwhile, Congress made notable gains, winning 99 seats. The INDIA bloc surpassed the 230-seat mark, presenting significant competition and defying predictions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third term, but the BJP will need to form a coalition with other parties, including JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: PM Modi’s First Reaction to Elections Result

June 4, 2024, 7:43 pm

PM Modi said on ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, “People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time. This is a historical feat in India’s history. I bow to the Janata Janardan for this affection and assure them that we will continue the good work done in the last decade to keep fulfilling the aspirations of people. I also salute all our Karyakartas for their hard work. Words will never do justice to their exceptional efforts”

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: People Humbled PM Modi, Says Beniwal

June 4, 2024, 5:37 pm

As the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) experienced a substantial decrease in the number of seats in Rajasthan compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) President Hanuman Beniwal criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the public had “shattered” the arrogance of both Modi and his party, the BJP.

Beniwal said “The people of Rajasthan have shattered the arrogance of PM Modi and the BJP. The people have shown him the strength of farmers and the Jawans. The INDIA bloc fought unitedly and dented the BJP’s slogan of ‘ 400 paar ‘.”

He added, “The people of the state gave a clear message to the entire country that they are ready to teach a lesson to the arrogant government.”

The RLP leader asserted that the state’s farmers had cast their votes in opposition to the government’s ‘anti-farmer’ policies, while the Jawans voted against the ‘Agniveer’ scheme. He further stated, “We will focus on completing the unfinished projects, including those related to railways and roads.” Beniwal, running from the Nagaur constituency, was leading with 41,156 votes, while his opponent, BJP’s Jyoti Mirdha, was trailing at the time of this report.

The RLP and the Congress party are partners in the INDIA bloc. The BJP has experienced a significant setback in the Hindi heartland regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won all 25 seats in Rajasthan, but according to the latest trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI), it is now leading in only 14 seats in the state.

As per the latest data from the Election Commission, the NDA is leading on 292 seats while the INDIA bloc is ahead on 233 seats with the others leading on 17 seats.
The BJP-led NDA appears far from its target of “400 paar” with the BJP falling behind a simple majority in Lok Sabha, according to the latest trends.

INDIA Bloc Emerges Strong In Lok Sabha Elections 2024

June 4, 2024, 3:45 pm

The INDIA bloc has made a strong showing in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, leading in several key states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, the BJP has maintained its stronghold in Gujarat, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. The trends have come as a surprise to many, with the INDIA alliance performing better than expected in states traditionally dominated by the BJP-led NDA. In Uttar Pradesh, the INDIA bloc is leading on 42 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats, while the BJP is ahead on 37 seats. The BJP had previously won 71 seats in 2014 and 76 seats in 2019.

BJP Leads in Odisha, Faces Challenges in Maharashtra

In Odisha, the BJP is leading on 19 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats, indicating a strong performance. However, the party’s performance in Maharashtra has been less impressive, with the INDIA bloc comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and the Congress leading on 29 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats.

Congress Improves Performance from 2019

The Congress party has also seen an improvement in its performance compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when it won 52 seats. As of now, the party is leading on around 90 seats.

NDA Relies on Allies for Boost

The BJP’s individual performance has not met expectations this time, with the party relying heavily on its allies in several states. In 2019, the NDA won 303 seats, with the BJP alone winning 224.

Exit Polls Prove Inaccurate

Most exit polls had predicted a thumping win for the BJP-led NDA, forecasting 370-401 seats in the Lok Sabha polls 2024. However, the NDA is currently hovering near 295 seats, while the INDIA alliance is leading on 230 seats.The counting of votes is still ongoing, and the final results are expected to be announced later today. The outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and the formation of the next government.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Samajwadi Party’s Ravidas Predicts INDIA Alliance Government At Center

June 4, 2024, 9:27 am

As the counting of votes commenced, Ravidas Mehrotra, the Samajwadi Party’s candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, expressed strong confidence on Tuesday in the victory of the INDIA alliance in the Lok Sabha election. He stated that the public’s overwhelming support has been in their favor, emphasizing that the INDIA alliance government is poised to take shape at the center.

Mehrotra said “The public has voted in our favor. Today, the results will be in our favor, and the INDIA (alliance) government will be formed at the center. The exit polls that were shown were false and only served the interests of the two wealthy individuals, Adani and Ambani, to manipulate the stock market.”

He added “Why was there a need to increase the toll by 5 per cent? To benefit Adani and Ambani, the government hastily increased the toll tax by 5 percent yesterday. The BJP realized that their government is on its way out, if they were going to remain in power, they wouldn’t have raised the toll tax by 5 percent.”

Strict security measures have been implemented to ensure the orderly tallying of votes for more than 8,000 contenders in this national election.

Exit surveys indicate that the incumbent BJP-led NDA is likely to surpass its 2019 achievements, securing 352 seats. Many exit polls suggest a return to power for PM Modi. Should these forecasts materialize, Narendra Modi would become the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to clinch three consecutive terms in Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that a “very robust system” has been put in place. “There are around 10.5 lakh booths. Each booth will have 14 tables. There are observers and micro-observers. Nearly, 70-80 lakh people are involved in the process,” he said.

The outcomes of the Assembly elections in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh were conducted concurrently with the voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha. Additionally, today’s announcements will cover the results from 175 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, 147 Assembly constituencies in Odisha, and the by-poll results from 25 Assembly constituencies.

Election ‘Looted’: Congress Worker Jagdish Sharma Raises Alarm Ahead of Vote Counting

June 4, 2024, 8:31 am

Congress worker Jagdish Sharma voiced concerns over alleged electoral malpractices, claiming that the elections had been “looted” even before the vote counting commenced. Sharma emphasized the people’s trust in the constitutional system, stating that the counting of votes is merely a formality.

Asserting the party’s confidence, Jagdish Sharma remarked on Congress’ anticipated success, suggesting that they might secure up to 300 seats based on public trust. However, he expressed skepticism regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing a decade of electoral losses despite continuous efforts.

As India gears up for the mammoth task of counting votes, which commences at 8 am today, stringent security measures have been implemented to ensure a smooth process. Over 8,000 candidates await the outcome of this general election, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks a historic third term in government.

Exit polls have largely predicted a return of PM Modi to power, potentially marking him as the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to secure three consecutive terms.

In a separate development, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc leaders met with the Election Commission of India, urging the prioritization of postal ballot counting before EVM results.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar assured the public of a robust electoral process, detailing the extensive arrangements in place across the nation’s 10.5 lakh booths.

Delhi, the national capital, braces for the election outcome with tight security measures. Having witnessed the culmination of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections conducted over seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, the nation awaits the verdict that will shape its political landscape for the coming years.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Delhi Police Rolls Out Traffic Guidelines

June 4, 2024, 7:33 am

The traffic police have declared several restrictions and route diversions for the counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections at seven locations across the Capital. They mentioned that sufficient traffic personnel will be stationed on-site to guide drivers.

Vote counting in the South constituency will take place at Jijabai ITI for Women in Siri Fort, leading to traffic diversions in August Kranti Marg and Siri Fort Road. Commuters are advised to use alternate roads like Ring Road, Aurobindo Marg, and Josip Broz Tito Marg from 6 am to 6 pm, as per the traffic advisory.

In the New Delhi constituency, the vote tallying will occur at Atal Adarsh Balika School in Gole Market. As a result, motorists are advised against stopping or parking on Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Kali Bari Marg, and the roundabouts of Gole Market and General Post Office (GPO). According to a senior traffic police officer, vehicles found in violation will be towed away.

In East Delhi’s constituency, vote tallying will be at Commonwealth Games Village, Akshardham. Drivers heading towards NH-24 from Sarai Kale Khan and ITO should use the Akshardham flyover and turn left for Pusta Road and Vikas Marg. Those from Pusta Road can use the Akshardham flyover near the temple, take the U-turn after passing it, and head towards NH-24.

In Northeast Delhi, votes will be counted at ITI Nand Nagri, leading to traffic restrictions from Gagan Cinema T-Point to Nand Nagri flyover on Wazirabad Road starting at 5 am. Traffic will be diverted at the Bhopura border, Tahirpur T-point, and Gagan Cinema T-point. Avoid Wazirabad Road, Road Nos. 68, and 69 in Nand Nagri during this time.

Road restrictions and diversions near the SKV Bharat Nagar counting center in Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency: Avoid Swami Narayan Marg, Chaudhary Gulab Singh Marg from Satyawati College to Prerna Chowk, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Marg, and Ashok Vihar Phase-1 Marg. Diversion points: LBS College traffic signal, Shankar Chowk near the water tank, and Bharat Nagar Ganda Nala.

Traffic diversions and restrictions are scheduled from 6 am to 8 pm around Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT) in Dwarka Sector 3 for the West Delhi constituency vote counting. Diversions will take place at Dwarka Mor on Najafgarh Road, Sector 3/13 Dwarka crossing, NSUT T-point on Azad Hind Fauj Marg, Om Apartment Chowk in Dwarka Sector 14, and ISKCON Chowk in Dwarka Sector 13.

Accept the election results gracefully

June 4, 2024, 4:08 am

Now that the exit poll results for the Lok Sabha elections have been published, a clear trend is decipherable from the plethora of data available in the public domain. While the exact numbers on results day may differ from those predicted, but the general direction is pointing towards a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the third time. All exit polls are giving a clear majority to the National Democratic Alliance, with many of them putting the BJP and the NDA way ahead of the majority mark of 272. It may not be 400-paar (over 400) for the NDA, but the BJP is expected to cross 300 on its own and go up to 320-330, or more, or hover between 280 and 300 at the very least. It may seem like a wide range, but that a leader can draw these numbers nationally for his third consecutive election, is remarkable, to say the least.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s third election victory in 1962 took place in much calmer—even simpler—times, 15 years after Independence, when India had not seen any Prime Minister but Nehru. No one at the time would have imagined that Indian politics would turn out to be so fiercely competitive and polarized. Additionally, in 2024, high anti-incumbency was expected because of the fallout of Covid and the war in Ukraine. To overcome all such hurdles and return to power with a thumping majority can be expected only from an iconic figure like Narendra Modi. In fact these elections are all about Narendra Modi—people have either voted for him, or against him. If the NDA returns with a thumping majority, it will be in spite of the anti-incumbency against several sitting MPs. The BJP dropped 43% of its 303 MPs ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this year. In spite of that there was some unhappiness with ticket distribution in certain constituencies, because of which the fight may have become tight in these places, although whether or not a loss for the BJP, will be known only on Wednesday. It has to be seen if the Modi factor makes even these candidates win their respective seats. If the exit poll results hold, it will be a case of a third Modi wave sweeping the nation, much bigger than the earlier two waves of 2014 and 2019. It will also prove that the caste factor, which was the main campaign plank for the Opposition may not have worked in its favour.

Meanwhile, the Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc says that it will win 295+ seats and form government, although the maths is not adding up. To form government, one party has to outperform the BJP, by winning a minimum of 150+ seats. That party can only be the Congress, which, however, is contesting only on 328 seats, out of 543, while the BJP is eyeing 320-odd seats or more on its own. So effectively, Congress needs a minimum strike rate of 46%, and its alliance partners around 100% for the I.N.D.I.A bloc to be anywhere near 295+. In 2019, BJP won 92% of the 192 seats where it was in a direct fight with the Congress—seats where the Congress came second. Has anything happened in the run-up to the elections for the Congress to win 150 of these 200-odd seats, where it will need a near 75% strike rate? No sweeping anti-incumbency is visible against the Prime Minister’s government. So from where is the I.N.D.I Alliance getting 295+? Can elections be won just on the basis of outlandish promises of freebies and by trying to make the voting all about caste divide and caste anger? If the Opposition parties think like this, they are underestimating the Indian voter. Do they realise that old paradigms may no longer work in 2024, that PM Modi has changed the rules of the game—that they need a convincing vision and an equally convincing figure to take on the Prime Minister?

It is in this context that the “election denialism” that many in the Opposition are displaying has to be seen. As if casting aspersions on EVMs was not enough, the Opposition ecosystem has started targeting the Election Commission as well. And now, many Opposition parties are claiming that massive rigging will happen during counting and are asking their workers to save democracy by converging at the counting centres. To claim that all the exit polls were “rigged” and that they gave a unanimous verdict in favour of the BJP to prepare the ground for rigging on counting day, is both bizarre and dangerous, for it amounts to inflaming passions by telling followers that the election is being stolen. Reports are coming of activists and Opposition parties planning to launch street protests if the BJP wins the elections. This is irresponsible because it can lead to disruption and violence. It seems that the prospect of being out of power for another five years is making Opposition parties and their ecosystem desperate. It will be a shame if attempts are made to subvert the results through street power. This is not the India we know. Every political party—either ruling or in the Opposition—must uphold the sanctity of Indian elections, by accepting the verdict gracefully. That’s the way things are done in India, one of the greatest democracies in the world.

Buoyed by exit polls, BJP plans grand victory celebrations today

June 4, 2024, 3:36 am

After two months of extensive polling in world’s largest democracy, the D-Day has arrived. The eyes of the entire world will be on the result. Discussions have begun about the timing of the new government’s oath-taking ceremony. Speculation also surrounds the venue for the ceremony, with considerations ranging from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Kartavyapath or Vijay Chowk near North and South Block. Newly-built Bharat Mandapam is also under consideration.

According to sources, preparations have commenced at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including the issuance of tenders for various arrangements such as food and decoration. While the first two ceremonies were held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan courtyard, concerns about the scorching heat have prompted doubts about an open-air event this time.

During his previous ceremonies, approximately 4,000 guests attended PM Modi’s first swearing-in. The number that doubled in 2019. Should the ceremony be held outdoors again, the guest list may exceed that of 2019.

BJP in the hope of win has made extensive preparations for the victory celebration on June 4. There is also news of a meeting at the residence of party president JP Nadda today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Manoharlal Khattar, Tarun Chugh, BL Santosh and Shiv Prakash etc. are reported to be attending it.

It is understood that the meeting was held regarding the celebration of victory and further preparations. The way PM Narendra Modi started working on the agenda of his new government even before the exit polls, it indicated that whatever will happen will happen soon.

It means that before the elections, he had told his ministers and officers to start preparing the agenda for the future instead of focusing on the election results. He started working within 24 hours of the elections ending.

The exit polls indicate that BJP is going to form the government on its own. Although the opposition is calling everything sponsored. The seats may be more or less, but nothing is going to happen for the opposition. The kind of boom that is being seen in the stock market also indicates that a stable government is going to be formed in the country again under the leadership of PM Modi.

Now the discussion is going on as to on which day PM Modi will take oath this time in he wins. According to the indications, Modi can surprise everyone by taking oath as soon as possible. PM can send a message by taking oath soon and appointing his new team that his government believes in work and preparations have been started for the big decisions that were said during elections.

In 2014, PM Modi took oath on May 26, ten days after the election results were announced. In 2019, the results were declared on May 23, and the swearing-in ceremony took place on May 30, within a week. Speculations suggest that this time, it may happen even sooner, possibly on May 7 or 8. Prime Minister Modi has a fondness for the number 8, leading to speculation about the significance of these dates.

Bengal Police helping TCM rig counting, alleges BJP

June 4, 2024, 3:33 am

A day before the votes for the Lok Sabha elections are counted, the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party today alleged that the State police was trying its best to undermine the vote counting process in order to give an unfair advantage to the Trinamool Congress.

Senior BJP leader Shishir Bajoria, who coordinates with the Election Commission on behalf of the party, submitted a document allegedly containing lists of police officers who would infiltrate the counting centres in plain clothes in order to “intimidate counting agents of rival parties”. He claimed that the list had been given to his party by “honest police officers.”

Bajoria said that during the meeting with the Election Commission, he highlighted the “post-election violence and the non-adherence to rules” in engaging the workforce for counting by the Trinamool Congress Government. He claimed that there was evidence that the State administration was engaging “casual staff” in the vote counting duties, which is against norms.

“We are getting news from some constituencies that in complete disregard of the guidelines, there has been large-scale empanelment of such non-permanent/ casual employees,” the BJP said in a representation to the CEO.

In Sandeshkhali where Section 144 was imposed immediately after the polls on June 1, the State Police, along with platoons of Rapid Action Force and Central forces, raided the houses of local BJP leaders. Women in the Sarberia area protested vehemently and alleged that the police had been torturing the menfolk of the villages, due to which the men had run away.

“The police action is forcing the men to go underground. The aim is to ensure that the BJP is not able to put up its counting agents,” BJP’s Basirhat candidate Rekha Patra told The Daily Guardian.

The police action on the women of Sandeshkhali prompted the National Commission for Women to write to the Election Commission, seeking its permission to go to Sandeshkhali for a spot inquiry.

Lawyer and BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal approached the Calcutta High Court and the Election Commission to seek protection for the Sandeshkhali women from the State police.
“The State police have acted as agents of the ruling party and at Bermajur in the said area of Sandeshkhali, the police entered the houses of some of the victims late midnight and conducted “search” led by local goons.

“On account of the aforesaid incidents and partisan approach adopted by the state police, locals of the said area have lost confidence in the local police to protect their life and property. There is grave apprehension that there will be further violence post elections in the said area and the local police will remain mute spectators.

“There is grave urgency in the matter since the aforesaid egregious acts of violence and intimidation by the goons of the ruling party aided by the state police are continuing till date.

Hence, I request you to deploy Central Armed Police Forces in the said area to prevent any untoward incident and any further incident of violence post elections,” Tibrewal said.
The BJP and the Left Front both approached the Calcutta High Court today highlighting apprehensions of irregularities in the counting process.

BJP candidates Pranat Tudu from Jhargram and Rekha Patra from Basirhat approached the Calcutta High Court to seek protection from any coercive action since the State Police had filed cases alleging that the candidates had attacked on the polling day. On polling day, Pranat Tudu was attacked by Trinamool Congress supporters. His security personnel sustained injuries.

“The police have filed a false case against me. I was not even present at the spot,” said Rekha Patra.

After the Calcutta High Court granted protection to both the candidates, the BJP’s Leader of the Opposition wrote on social media site X: “The West Bengal Government under the TMC regime is becoming quite a champion in getting slaps from the Hon’ble Courts. Today they made a hat-trick of getting slapped from the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta when their evil attempts to harass and implicate Dr. Pranat Tudu (BJP candidate; Jhargram), Smt. Rekha Patra (BJP candidate; Basirhat) and the BJP counting agents of Tamluk Lok Sabha Constituency in false criminal cases for influencing the counting were foiled by Judicial intervention. As rightly argued for the petitioners’ Advocate that there is no more Police inaction in this State but Police excess. I heartily welcome the orders passed by the Court for salvaging Democracy from the clutches of the errant State and its Police machinery.”

Election Commission officials said counting for the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal would be conducted in 55 centres under a tight security cover of 92 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces. Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said that these 55 centres would have 418 counting rooms. The total number of counting tables would be 4,944.

The average counting rounds in these 55 counting centres will be 17, with the maximum and minimum number of rounds to range between 9 and 23. A three-tier security layer in and around the counting centres in West Bengal has been put in place.

The innermost tier of security within the counting centres would be managed only by the Central Armed Police Forces personnel and one company of CAPF would be deployed at each such centre. The second and third tier of the security layer will be managed by the State police forces, poll panel officials said.

They said that prohibitory orders under Section 144 would be imposed in an area of 200 metres of radius. CCTV cameras have been installed at each counting centre, including the counting halls.

The footage of these CCTV cameras would be preserved for possible counting-related irregularities in future.

The CPIM leadership also urged the Election Commission to ensure that under no circumstance anyone could enter the counting centres by producing fake identity cards. The party has also requested the Commission to ensure the security of the counting agents within the polling station.

CPIM State secretary Md Salim also met the CEO along with party candidates and asked him to ensure that the counting of votes was fair and there was no rigging, “as what happened during the panchayat elections” in the State.

“The election officers should ensure that no outsider is allowed in the counting halls and all IDs of counting staff are checked thoroughly,” Salim said.

To manage post-election violence, nearly 400 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies, consisting of more than 40,000 personnel, would remain in West Bengal until June 19, sources said.

“Rahul Gandhi Should Start a Gym, Tharoor an English Institute”: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Trains Guns at Congress

June 3, 2024, 10:27 pm

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar reacted sharply to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s remarks on exit polls, suggesting Tharoor start an English training institute and Rahul Gandhi pursue a gym career. Speaking to ANI, Chandrasekhar stated that the Congress party has individuals proficient in language but unfit for serving people’s interests.

Chandrasekhar, the NDA candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, faces tough competition from Tharoor. Despite BJP’s historical struggle in Kerala, Chandrasekhar remains optimistic about the party’s prospects, especially with exit polls favouring the BJP’s third consecutive win.

Commenting on exit polls, Chandrasekhar expressed satisfaction with the predicted mandate for Prime Minister Modi’s third term, emphasizing its historical significance and reflecting public endorsement of his governance.

In contrast, Shashi Tharoor dismissed exit polls, asserting confidence in the INDIA bloc’s projected seat count of 295. He criticized certain exit polls for their inaccuracies, particularly regarding Kerala’s electoral dynamics, expressing certainty in disproving the exit poll projections.

Tharoor remained steadfast in his belief that the exit poll numbers would not reflect the actual outcome, both nationally and in Thiruvananthapuram constituency. Exit polls suggested a substantial lead for the BJP-led NDA, even speculating the possibility of surpassing the “400 paar” goal set by BJP leaders.

The BJP-led NDA’s projected improved performance, as indicated by exit polls, anticipates gains in various states currently under other party rule. Notably, exit polls suggested an enhanced vote share for the NDA in Tamil Nadu, potentially securing several seats in the state.

However, the final outcome remains to be seen, with both the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc vying for electoral victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

Dynamic Duo: Modi-Yogi Chemistry Electrifies 21 Lok Sabha Rallies

June 3, 2024, 8:42 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly participated in 15 public meetings, five roadshows, Modi’s nomination event in Varanasi, and visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple during the extensive 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign.

From Meerut to Mirzapur, the Modi-Yogi pair attended 21 events together, where their chemistry was prominently displayed.

In various joint meetings, the Prime Minister expressed great pride in having Adityanath as a companion, particularly praising the significant improvements in the state’s law and order situation during each rally, according to a government press note.

Slogans such as “Modi hai toh mumkin hai (everything is possible with Modi)” and “Yogi hai to yaqeen hai (Yogi inspires trust)” were coined by the public to emphasize the strong bond between the two leaders. Adityanath campaigned in all constituencies, holding multiple public meetings in several of them to strengthen the party’s position.

Adityanath also conducted public meetings in 12 states and two Union Territories, seeking votes for the BJP.

Adityanath joined Modi at public meetings in several locations, including Meerut (March 31), Saharanpur (April 6), Pilibhit (April 9), Amroha (April 19), Aligarh (April 22), Agra (April 25), Etawah (May 5), Lalganj (May 16), Barabanki (May 17), a women’s empowerment dialogue in Varanasi (May 21), Basti (May 22), Ghazipur (May 25), and Mirzapur/Robertsganj (May 26), as noted in the press release.

Modi also conducted five major roadshows with Adityanath, including those in Ghaziabad (April 6), Bareilly (April 26), Kanpur (May 4), Ayodhya (May 5), and Varanasi (May 13).

Adityanath accompanied Modi during his visit to the Kaal Bhairav Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Dham for worship (May 13) and during Modi’s nomination in Varanasi (May 14).

Several videos from these events went viral on social media. One notable video from a public meeting in Pilibhit showed Modi taking Adityanath’s hand and encouraging him to move forward. Another widely shared video depicted Modi receiving a “trishul” at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Congress Alleges Counting Irregularities: Candidate’s Agents Denied Access to ARO Table

June 2, 2024, 12:35 pm

Just before the counting of votes in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Congress party claimed that their candidate’s counting agents were not being allowed at the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) table. Congress leader Ajay Maken expressed this concern on social media platform X, stating that this was the “first time” such an issue had arisen.

Maken, a seasoned politician, highlighted this unprecedented situation, stating, “‘Candidate’s Counting Agents’ at the ARO table are NOT being allowed for the first time!!! I have contested 9 Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha elections in the past- And this is happening for the first time.” He emphasized that this issue was significant, potentially surpassing concerns about alleged “EVM rigging.”

In response to Maken’s post, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Delhi clarified that counting agents of candidates are indeed allowed at the tables of RO/AROs. Maken later thanked the polling body for the clarification, noting, “Your Returning Officers in Delhi were in denial mode till this morning.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: INDIA Alliance Leaders Show Victory Sign At The End Of INDIA bloc Meeting

June 1, 2024, 5:34 pm

The INDIA bloc conducted a significant strategy meeting as the Lok Sabha elections near their conclusion. The gathering took place at the Delhi residence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Senior leaders including Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh from the Aam Aadmi Party, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, and others have already arrived.

INDIA alliance leaders show victory sign as their meeting concludes at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Watch Here:

#WATCH | Delhi | INDIA alliance leaders show victory sign as their meeting concludes at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge pic.twitter.com/kERiK778sE

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

The counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections will take place on June 4.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Two Die In Odisha’s Last Polling Phase

June 1, 2024, 5:20 pm

Amid Lok Sabha Elections 2024, a polling officer and an elderly citizen passed away as voting commenced for Odisha’s last phase involving 42 Assembly seats and six Lok Sabha seats. By 11 am, approximately 22.64% of the 9.96 million (99.6 lakh) eligible voters had cast their votes.

Officials have reported that Manoranjan Sahu, a booth-level officer stationed in Fatehpur within the Binjharpur Assembly constituency, tragically passed away. This unfortunate incident occurred just moments after he experienced chest pain. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

In a similar incident, an elderly voter known as Surendra Mohanty tragically passed away at booth number 159 of the Ishwarpur gram panchayat in the Nilagiri Assembly constituency of Balasore district, as confirmed by officials.

Authorities reported that the coastal districts were facing challenges due to the combination of intense heat and high humidity. This weather condition led to discomfort among numerous voters who experienced uneasiness while waiting in queues to cast their votes.

In the last 24 hours, 41 people, including 12 in Rourkela, died due to a severe heatwave in Odisha on Thursday. Over 60 others in western Odisha were hospitalized for heat-related issues. Out of 9.61 million voters, the highest in any phase, approximately 5.88 million are male, 4.87 million are female, and there are 687 third-gender electors. They are voting across 10,882 polling booths, deciding the fate of 460 candidates in Odisha’s final round of elections.

Voting commenced at 7 am today in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jaipur, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituencies, including the 42 assembly segments that make up these parliamentary seats.

Approximately 70,000 polling personnel are overseeing 10,882 booths for election smoothness. To ensure order, about 126 Central Armed Police Force companies are on duty. In parallel, Odisha faces ongoing pre-poll violence and cash distribution issues. Recently, a clash between BJD and BJP workers occurred in Bhutamundai village, Paradip assembly constituency.

In the Lok Sabha elections, prominent candidates like BJP’s Pratap Sarangi, Baijayant Panda, BJD’s Sudam Marandi, Lekhasri Samantsinghar, Congress’ Srikant Jena, and JMM’s Anjani Soren are among the 66 contestants. In the Assembly polls, BJD’s Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Preeti Ranjan Ghadei, BJP’s Manmohan Samal, and Congress’ Niranjan Patnaik are top contenders among the 394 candidates.

OpenAI Disrupts Covert Influence Campaigns Targeting India’s Lok Sabha Elections

June 1, 2024, 2:27 pm

OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, has disrupted covert influence campaigns that were generating content related to the Gaza conflict and the Indian elections. According to OpenAI, in the last three months, they have disrupted covert influence operations that aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) models to promote the actions of dishonest and abusive individuals online. These operations were linked to operators in China, Iran, Russia (two networks), and a commercial company in Israel.

The Israeli commercial company initially targeted audiences in Canada, the US, and Israel with content in Hebrew and English. However, in early May, they shifted their focus to India, producing English-language online articles and social media posts critical of the ruling BJP party, as highlighted in OpenAI’s report “AI and Covert Influence Operations: Latest Trends.”

The report stated, “This operation was divided into a number of topical campaigns, most of which were loosely associated with the Gaza conflict and the broader question of relations between individuals of Jewish and Muslim faith. In May, we disrupted some activity focused on the Indian elections less than 24 hours after it began.”

“Finally, in May, the network began generating comments that focused on India, criticized the ruling BJP party and praised the opposition Congress party. Sometimes, the network appears to have flipped its accounts from one topic to another – for example, accounts that had earlier posted about Canada switched focus to the USA, India or the Histadrut (or more than one of these),” it added.

The report also noted that some of the content posted on social media was in reply to prominent Western figures. “Some of the content created by this network was posted on social media in reply to prominent Western figures on both sides of the political spectrum. These replies generally bore no relation to the original post. For example, one comment about Qatar ‘buying up’ America was posted in reply to a post about former President Trump’s musical preferences,” the report read.

The Lok Sabha elections in India are being held in seven phases, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Opposition INDIA bloc aims to wrest back power from the incumbent BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking his third term from Varanasi, where he won with significant margins in 2014 and 2019.

Jakhar’s clarion call: Vote for BJP for a drug-free, progressive Punjab

June 1, 2024, 5:35 am

Issuing a clarion call to vote for the BJP for a progressive Punjab, BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar today said the answer to a drug-free Punjab lies in strengthening the saffron party both at the Center and the state. He stated that Home Minister Amit Shah has already demonstrated the resolve by asserting, “the BJP will not only end narcotic abuse in Punjab, but the party will also completely uproot the menace that Punjab is grappling with.”

“Punjab requires political will to root out drugs. If needed, the BJP will open new offices of the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) and implement other stringent measures to eradicate the menace from Punjab soil. Every vote for BJP Punjab will save the generation,” Sunil Jakhar said.

He called upon the constituents to deliver a decisive mandate in favor of the BJP to liberate Punjab from the clutches of fear and threat rampant under the AAP dispensation led by Bhagwant Mann. Citing the example of UP, Sunil Jakhar said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Yogi Adityanath government has turned the state into a law-and-order-driven progressive state by uprooting the rule of the mafia and gangsters. “Today, Punjab industry is relocating to UP. Punjab needs strong leadership if its future is to be secure,” Jakhar said.

He criticized the AAP government for its failure to curb rampant drug abuse and unemployment. “Today, nobody wants to approach a minister’s doorstep fearing loss of dignity or outraging modesty. The sad part is that the Punjab Congress has timidly surrendered before Mann, fearing police action,” he said, adding that the Congress and the AAP are in cahoots: two sides of the same coin, seeking votes not for Punjab’s betterment but to avoid going to jail.

Jakhar questioned: “Why do Congress leaders not speak against the AAP for its failure on drugs? Why don’t they speak against Mann for forfeiting the interests of farmers by blocking the grant of Rs 6000 under the Kisan Nidhi scheme? It’s because Congress leaders in Punjab fear Mann. They fear going to jail for their corrupt ways and wrongdoings if they speak against Mann.”

He emphasized that a strong support base for the BJP is essential in Punjab to mitigate the sufferings that have plagued the state. “PM Modi walks the talk. He does what he says. He talked of opening the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor link, which he did. Be it the Guru RaviDass temple in Tughlakabad or the Guru RaviDass airport in Punjab’s Adampur, there’s a firm commitment from PM Modi,” Jakhar said.

The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured Punjab of trade and industry-friendly policies that will be implemented in PM Modi’s third term. PM Modi talked about doubling farmers’ income, and every grain of wheat and paddy produced has been lifted in the last 10 years.

“The payout to farmers grew from Rs 32,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 72,000 crore in 2024. Be it houses in Punjab, toilets, gas connections, or tap water, Punjab has benefited enormously from central schemes,” Jakhar said, imploring voters to vote for the BJP in Punjab on June 1.

Punjab fully prepared for Lok Sabha elections : CEO Sibin C

June 1, 2024, 5:28 am

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab, Sibin C, announced that the CEO office is fully prepared to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in the state. He emphasized that comprehensive arrangements have been made to provide all necessary facilities to voters and maintain a secure and peaceful voting environment in the state.

Addressing a Press Conference ahead of the elections, Sibin C informed that there are a total of 2,14,61,741 voters in the state. These include 1,12,86,727 males, 1,01,74,241 females, 773 transgenders, 1,58,718 PwD (Persons with Disabilities) voters, and 1614 NRI (Non-Resident Indian) voters. The number of first-time voters in the state is 5,38,715, while the number of voters aged 85 and above is 1,89,855. He added that 24,451 polling stations (PS) have been established in the state, out of which 5694 PS have been declared critical.

There are 1076 Model PS, 165 Pink Booths managed exclusively by women, 115 Green PS, 99 Youth Managed PS, and 101 PS managed by Divyangs. All polling stations will be monitored by CCTV cameras, and there will be 100% live webcasting to allow real-time monitoring by election officials and observers. The counting of votes would take place at 117 Counting centres, at 24 Locations, he added.

Regarding Home Voting, Sibin C stated that the consent for home voting was received from 9239 85+ age voters, and 4530 PwD voters, both totalling 13,769. Out of these 12,843 voters casted their vote till 30 May, including 8640 85+ voters and 4203 PwD voters.

Divulging the details about personnel involved, Sibin C stated that the total number of staff engaged in the elections in the state is 2,60,000. This includes 1,20,114 polling staff, 70,724 security personnel (state police and central armed paramilitary forces), 50,000 supporting staff, and 25,150 persons working in the CEO (Chief Electoral Officer) and DEO (District Election Officer) offices.

The CEO emphasized that polling staff have been trained to manage emergencies effectively. ASHA workers will be deputed at polling stations to handle emergency medical situations. Polling stations will be equipped with first aid kits, oral rehydration solution (ORS), sugar candies, medicines, ointments, and bandages. Additionally, to combat the heat wave, ‘Chabeel’ facility is also being provided at the polling stations. He added that, the 85+ and Pwd Voters, who did not opt for Home Voting can get the ‹Pick and Drop Facility› along with wheelchairs, by registering on the Saksham application.

CEO Sibin C detailed that 24 Central and State enforcement agencies along with Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams are actively conducting checks to seize cash, liquor, and other items intended for voter inducement. Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct until May 30, seizures worth 801.47 crore have made in the state including Rs 26.89 crore in cash, liquor worth Rs 26.75 crore, narcotics valued at Rs 716.78 crore, freebies worth Rs 7.17 crore, and precious metals worth Rs 23.86 crore.

The CEO reported that a total of 14643 Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation complaints have been received since enforcement of MCC, out of which most have been resolved. The average time to handle complaints in the state is 32.50 minutes, well within the mandated 100-minute timeframe. Regarding EVM security, Sibin C stated that all strong rooms in the state are equipped with the necessary security forces, including state and paramilitary personnel, and have a double lock system. Additionally, LED screens displaying footage of the strong room surroundings are placed outside each strong room. Daily inspections by officials ensure all protocols are being followed.

Regarding security measures in the state, Police Nodal Officer M F Farooqui elaborated that 55039 Personnel of the Punjab Police have been deployed across the state. Quick Response Teams would be positioned for rapid intervention in case of disturbances. He apprised that the whole state has been divided into 2098 Sectors, each headed by a Sector incharge assisted by a Patrolling Party consisting of 1 Head Constable and 3 Constables. To enhance the communication between security personnel, 3496 additional wireless sets of 20 Watts and 8385 wireless walkie-talkie sets have been provided to the districts, he added.

CEO Sibin C appealed to the esteemed voters of Punjab to actively participate in this biggest festival of democracy exercising their right to vote, so that the goal of “Is Vaar 70 Paar” can be achieved.

Punjab Police Ensures Secure Lok Sabha Elections 2024

June 1, 2024, 5:22 am

ADGP MF Farooqui reports 398,350 licensed weapons deposited in State.

With the State of Punjab going for polls on Saturday for all 13 parliamentary constituencies in the 7th and final phase of the General Parliamentary Elections 2024, Punjab Police has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure smooth polling and huge participation of voters.

“All the necessary security arrangements have been made and a total of 81,079 Personnel including Central Armed Police Forces, Punjab Police and Home Guard Jawans from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have been deployed effectively in all the districts of Punjab to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha Elections 2024,” said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

As per the information, as many as 24,451 polling stations have been established at 14,551 polling station locations across the state of which 5000 have been identified as Critical/Vulnerable Polling Stations. There are 328 candidates are in fray for 13 Parliamentary Constituencies in Punjab.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that over 50 per cent of the total force i.e. 47,284 Personnel including CAPF/SAP have been deployed at 24,451 polling stations to ensure that electors would exercise their franchise in a smooth and hassle-free manner. All the candidates contesting for 13 Parliamentary constituencies in Punjab have been provided with adequate security as per the prescribed norms, he added.

The DGP said that as many as 351 Flying Squad Teams, 351 Static Surveillance Teams and 348 Quick Reaction Teams are also on their toes to respond to any report regarding cash/liquor/drugs or untoward incident in the state.

Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that the Punjab Police has already laid 205 well-coordinated strong Inter-state Nakas across the state to check the movement of bootleggers, drug smugglers and anti-social elements. The adjoining states including Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh will also be putting mirror Nakas on all the entry and exit points leading towards Punjab State, he added.

Sharing more details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-cum-State Police Nodal Officer, Elections, Punjab MF Farooqui said that the Punjab Police has made unprecedented recoveries since the inception of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on March 16, 2024 and has recovered/seized huge amount of unaccounted cash, licit/illicit liquor, drugs, precious metals, etc worth Rs 642.24 crores including Rs 13.14 crores cash.

He said that a total of 398350 licenced weapons have been deposited in the state, which is more than 95% of the total licensed weapons in the state.

He that they have received 405 complaints from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, which have been replied within the stipulated time and 32 cases related to electoral offences have been registered during the MCC. Besides this, all districts are being provided with 193 Reserves along with the DGP Punjab’s reserves for striking in case of any emergency, he added.

To ensure prompt response by the patrolling party in case of any incident, the ADGP said that the entire state has been divided into 2098 Route Zones or Sectors, which are duly covered by strong Police Patrolling parties and at least 11881 wireless sets have been provided to all the districts for better co-ordination, which also covers 102 shadow areas, identified in eight districts of the State of Punjab.

These patrolling parties have been provided with internet-enabled tablets, which help authorities to identify the nearest patrolling party to any place of incident for the quickest response, he added.

Meanwhile, there are 117 storage/counting centres established in the state of Punjab and has been duly covered with three-tier security comprising CAPF, SAP and District Police respectively till the counting is over.

Kota administration gears up for the election counting day

June 1, 2024, 4:39 am

On June 4, nationwide voting is scheduled to take place, and the administration is ensuring transparency and fairness by making all necessary arrangements. Guidelines regarding the media’s role at the counting venue have also been issued. District Collector Dr. Ravindra Goswami engaged with the media on Friday to discuss the counting process and security measures. Dr. Goswami urged the public to avoid crowding around the counting location and emphasized that no processions will be permitted without prior approval, as Section 144 will be enforced after vote counting. To minimize disruption to students’ studies at JDB, EVM and VVPAT machines will be securely stored in a warehouse near Darbar Petrol Pump, with JDB expected to be vacated by June 5th or 6th.

The vote counting for the Kota parliamentary constituency will be conducted at Janaki Devi Bajaj Kanya Mahavidyalaya Nayapura, with a three-tier security arrangement in place. The counting process will take place in eight rooms, with 14 EVMs counted simultaneously in each room. Additionally, 27 tablets have been set up for post blue paper processing, while service voters’ ballots will be tallied on four tables. Each of the eight assembly constituencies will have separate rooms for counting, conducted round by round. In Bundi district, a maximum of 24 rounds of vote counting is expected. Access to the counting venue will be restricted to pass holders, and mobile phones will not be permitted. Updates on counting trends will be promptly provided, with adequate provisions for electricity, shade, cold water, and heat protection. A medical team with medical kits will also be present, along with over 5000 deployed personnel including employees, officers, and police personnel for the vote counting process.