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Karnataka Assembly Elections: ECI announces single-phase polling, result on May 13

The polling will be done 224 Assembly constituencies and over 5.21 crore people will be eligible to vote in the election due on May 10. As per the reports, out of 5.21 crore voters, 9.17 Lakh will be the first-time voters. The polling across the 224 seats will be done in a single phased manner.

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Karnataka Assemble Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Wednesday, announced the schedule for assembly elections in Karnataka. According to the schedule of the assembly elections, the polling will be done on May 10, whereas the vote counting will be done on May 13.

Karnataka Assembly elections is anticipated to be a big showdown between the two national parties in the country: BJP and Congress. BJP are hopeful to retain incumbency, whereas the Congress have shown confidence to unseat the BJP.

The polling will be done 224 Assembly constituencies and over 5.21 crore people will be eligible to vote in the election due on May 10. As per the reports, out of 5.21 crore voters, 9.17 Lakh will be the first-time voters. The polling across the 224 seats will be done in a single phased manner.

BJP emerged as the leading party Karnataka in 2018 by being the single-largest party. The BJP claimed majority by sweeping 104 seats out of the 224, whereas, its counterpart Congress trailed behind by winning 80. Janata Dal (Secular) bagged 37. However, Congress and JD(S) alliance led to the Congress-JD(S) alliance to form a government.

Subsequently, in 2019, rebellion leaders jumped ships to the BJP which led to BJP coming in power. BS Yediyurappa was entrusted with the Chief Ministorial role who was later in 2021 replaced by Basavaraj Bommai.

Read Also: India records over 2,151 new Covid-19 cases in single day, highest since October 2022

Congress on Karnataka Assembly elections

Congress’s state chief DK Shivakumar spoke to the media and asserted confidence in unseating the BJP. Shivakumar, in his statement to the media, said that this election will be development-oriented and for a corruption-free state.

The Congress recently also released the first list of 124 candidates ahead of the polls which also had former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Pradesh Congress Committee chief DK Shivakumar.

BJP on Karnataka Assembly elections

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also spoke to the media on the Karnataka Assembly elections and said that the BJP are prepared for the elections. He also claimed that the BJP will return to power with a huge majority.

JD(S) role in Karnataka Assembly elections

The role of Janata Dal (Secular) can be crucial one if the result become a hung election. The JD(s) can prove to be the kingmaker in the state if the situation arises.

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AAP leader Satyendar Jain faces fresh Rs 7 crore CCTV fraud allegations

Delhi ACB has filed a fresh corruption case against Satyendar Jain, alleging he took a Rs 7 crore bribe to waive penalties in a Rs 571 crore CCTV project. AAP denies all charges.

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AAP Minister Satyendar Jain

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) finds itself mired in yet another controversy as former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain faces fresh corruption allegations in connection with a Rs 571 crore CCTV installation project. The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a case against Jain, accusing him of taking a Rs 7 crore bribe to waive a Rs 16 crore penalty imposed due to project delays.

According to the ACB’s statement released on Wednesday, the case has been registered under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The allegations stem from the installation of over one lakh CCTV cameras across Delhi’s 70 Assembly segments, with a second order of an additional 1.4 lakh cameras allegedly placed after the initial delay.

The case is reportedly based on the testimony of an official from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), who detailed alleged irregularities and “shoddy” installations. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi has criticized AAP, accusing the party of suppressing the investigation when it was in power.

BJP Attacks AAP Over Corruption Allegations

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva has slammed AAP over the fresh charges against Jain. He alleged that the tender for the Rs 571 crore project was awarded to BEL, and Jain took a Rs 7 crore bribe to waive off financial penalties. “BJP had complained then also… but AAP tried to suppress the investigation. No matter how much you tried to hide corruption, you have to answer now,” Sachdeva stated.

Neither AAP nor Satyendar Jain has responded to the allegations yet.

More Legal Trouble for AAP Leaders

This fresh case adds to the mounting legal troubles for top AAP leaders. Satyendar Jain, who was granted bail in October last year after spending two years in custody in a money laundering case, is also facing prosecution in a disproportionate assets case.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia are also battling corruption charges. Kejriwal has been accused of misusing public funds for promotional posters, while Sisodia is embroiled in an alleged Rs 2,000 crore scam linked to classroom construction in Delhi government schools. Jain is also named in this case.

The controversial Delhi liquor excise policy scam also remains under investigation. Last month, a Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) report stated that the state suffered a Rs 2,002 crore loss due to policy irregularities.

AAP Denies Charges, Calls It a Political Vendetta

AAP has dismissed all allegations, claiming they are politically motivated and orchestrated by the BJP to tarnish its image. The party has also denied accusations that Kejriwal misused Rs 45 crore of taxpayers’ money for renovating his official residence.

Despite its denials, AAP suffered a massive defeat in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP secured 48 of the 70 seats, marking a significant power shift in the capital after nearly three decades.

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CM Hemant Soren assures Sarhul celebrations amid tribal protests over flyover

Tribal groups in Jharkhand protest against a flyover near a sacred site, demanding its removal. CM Hemant Soren assures that Sarhul will be celebrated with traditional fervor.

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Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured that the state’s biggest tribal festival, ‘Sarhul’, will be celebrated with traditional fervor despite ongoing protests by tribal outfits against an under-construction flyover near a Sarna Sthal, a sacred religious site.

Responding to concerns raised in the Jharkhand Assembly, BJP legislator CP Singh questioned the government over the construction of the flyover in Siram Toli, Ranchi, which tribal communities claim is obstructing access to their religious site. Singh urged the government to resolve the issue before the festival to avoid tensions.

In response, CM Soren acknowledged the issue and assured the people that Sarhul celebrations would not be affected.

Tribal protest intensifies in Ranchi

The tribal outfits staged a 5-km-long “funeral procession” of tribal legislators in Ranchi on Monday as a mark of protest against the flyover’s construction near the Sarna Sthal. The agitators torched effigies of 28 tribal legislators and demanded the removal of the flyover ramp, arguing that frequent traffic movement could disturb the sanctity of the religious site.

In a warning to the state government, the protestors have also called for a Ranchi bandh on March 22 if their demands are not met.

The 2.34-km-long elevated road, which includes a 132-meter section over a railway line, aims to ease traffic congestion by connecting Siram Toli to Mecon. However, its construction has triggered resistance from local tribal groups.

Ruckus in Jharkhand assembly over Giridih violence

Apart from the Sarna Sthal protest, the Jharkhand Assembly also witnessed an uproar over a clash during a Holi procession in Giridih district on March 14. BJP legislators stormed into the well of the House, demanding a special discussion on the state’s law and order situation.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi accused the government of appeasement politics, alleging that the administration remained a mute spectator during the violence. Several people were injured, and shops and vehicles were torched in the incident.

Marandi claimed that police action unfairly targeted one community, stating that while 80 people were booked and 22 arrested, the real culprits were not held accountable. He demanded that FIRs be registered against those responsible for inciting the violence.

The political tension continues to escalate as protests over tribal rights and law enforcement dominate the state’s discourse.

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Shashi Tharoor admits misjudging on India’s stance in Russia-Ukraine war

Shashi Tharoor concedes he was mistaken in opposing India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, acknowledging its diplomatic advantages.

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Shashi Tharoor on India's Russia-Ukraine stance

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has acknowledged that he was mistaken in opposing India’s neutral stance at the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor admitted he was left with “egg on his face” after realizing that India’s approach has positioned it as a key player in potential peace negotiations.

Tharoor, who had initially criticized India’s position during the February 2022 parliamentary debate, argued at the time that Russia had violated the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, he now concedes that India’s diplomatic strategy has enhanced its global standing.

India’s Diplomatic Leverage

“The policy has meant that India actually has a Prime Minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places,” Tharoor stated during the session titled ‘Waging Peace: Looking Back to Look Ahead’.

He highlighted that India’s geographical distance from Europe and its independent foreign policy have enabled it to be a potential mediator for lasting peace.

India’s Peacekeeping Role?

Although Tharoor emphasized that he cannot speak for the government, he suggested that if an agreed peace between Russia and Ukraine is reached, there might be willingness from India to consider sending peacekeepers.

“Russians have made it explicit that they will not accept European peacekeepers who belong to NATO countries. One would have to look beyond Europe for peacekeepers,” he noted.

Citing India’s history of over 49 peacekeeping missions, Tharoor stated that Indian peacekeepers could play a role if needed. He also recalled India’s strong opposition in 2003 when Parliament unanimously refused to send troops to Iraq after the US-led invasion.

However, he clarified that such resistance may not exist for Ukraine if an official peace agreement emerges.

India’s Global Standing in Conflict Mediation

Tharoor’s remarks reflect a broader acknowledgment of India’s diplomatic positioning, which has allowed the country to maintain strong bilateral relations with both Russia and Ukraine. With ongoing geopolitical tensions, India’s neutral approach continues to gain global recognition as a balancing force in international politics.

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