The senior Congress leader also said that since EVMs are not tamper-proof and VVPATs are not without their flaws either, his party will bring back ballot paper if voted to power.

MYSORE: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that the Election Commission(EC) is under “pressure” from the Modi government to not take action on complaints of political parties over alleged EVM tampering and their demand for re-introduction of ballot paper.

He said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are not tamper-proof and Voter Verified Paper Trail (VVPATs) machines are not without their flaws either, he said adding that the Congress will bring back ballot paper if voted to power.

Alleging that EVMs were rigged during the 2014 general elections, Siddaramaiah said it could happen this time but “not all EVMs can be tampered with” and therefore, it would be impossible for the BJP to get a majority at the national level in the current elections.

His remarks came after the opposition launched a united attack on the EC over the use of EVMs and demanded 50 per cent of the machines be verified against VVPAT slips.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu complained about EVM malfunction during April 11 polling and demanded re-election on 150 assembly seats.

“All political parties met the Election Commission several times and raised a concern about EVMs but it did not act on the complaints. I think the EC is under pressure from the Modi government,” Siddaramaiah told PTI in an exclusive interview.

The Supreme Court’s order to verify five EVMs with VVPAT slips is nothing but “patchwork” and even the demand to match 50 per cent EVMs with VVPATs will not help, he said, and endorsed that the only solution was to go back to the ballot paper system like other countries, he said.

Many countries have gone back to ballot papers as they find it to be a more reliable and secure way of conducting elections.

Netherlands, Ireland, Germany and Italy have stopped use of EVMs due to security concerns, he added.

Asked if the time has come to re-assess the way EC officials are selected for conducting fair elections, Siddaramaiah said, “For this, the Constitution has to be amended. The Constitution emphasises on conducting ‘free and fair’ elections and the EC should fair and unbiased.”

The Congress leader said that he was not “scared” of the rigging of EVMs in the state as he doubted the possibility of hacking all machines.

“They cannot tamper all EVMs, it is done selectively. I don’t think BJP will get the majority,” he said, and added, “People will definitely teach them a lesson.”

Asked if the Congress will re-introduce ballot papers if it comes to power, he said, “Of course, we will do it 100 per cent. EVMs will go, ballot paper will be introduced.”

Ballot papers need to be re-introduced as there are continuous challenges to the fairness of the election process that would undermine the trust of the general public as well as the candidates in the EC’s impartiality.

“I feel we should go back to ballot paper system. All this patch-up work will not work. If it is not happening this time, it should happen at least in future,” he said.

The ruling party should abide by the provisions of the Constitution and Representation of People’s Act.

“If it is not abiding with the rule of the law, then it does not have a business to continue in the power,” he added.

Karnataka will vote in the 2nd and 3rd phases of polling on April 18 and April 23 respectively

PTI

Bangkok, Apr 16 : Nearly 300 people have been killed and more than 2,800 others injured in road accidents during the Songkran festival throughout Thailand, an official said on Tuesday.

Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, a director of the Road Safety Directing Center, said 297 people have been reportedly killed and 2,807 others injured in varied road accidents during the five-day peak of Songkran season from last Thursday to Monday.

The fatalities and injuries, compiled from the provinces by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, involved a total of 2,702 road accidents, most of which have reportedly occurred in Chiang Mai.

Udon Thani has become the province with the highest fatality rate with 14 people reportedly killed during the Songkran festival so far while Chiang Mai has become the province with the highest injury rate with 104 people reportedly injured, according to the director of the Road Safety Directing Center.

Most road accidents have been reportedly caused by motorists driving under the influence of alcohol, accounting for 40.68 percent of all road accidents during the festive season, followed by speeding which accounted for 27.54 percent, he said.

Motorcycles have been reported the type of vehicle involved in most of the road accidents, accounting for 78.85 percent.

A total of 235,838 motorists have been faced with varied charges of breaking the traffic rules, including 64,926 motorcyclists who had failed to wear crash helmets and 57,452 others who had failed to carry a driver’s license.

A total of 2,040 major road checkpoints have been set up and a 65,308-strong personnel have been deployed nationwide under the seven-day Songkran road safety campaign launched from last Thursday until Wednesday.

Shimla, Apr 16 : Protesting against abusive remarks made against All India Congress
Committee President Rahul Gandhi and his family members, all the district units of Congress
party organised protest and burnt the effigy of BJP state President Satpal Singh Sati at the state
wide protest on Tuesday.

The call of protest was given by the state unit of Congress in which number of party activists and
workers took part and burnt the effigy of BJP state president and lauding slogans
against him all over the state headquarter.

The Protesters assembled outside deputy Commissioner office here this morning carrying paper-
-cut-outs and effigy to show their resentment over remark.

It is worthwhile to mentioned that alleged remarks was made by Mr Sati during a public meeting
at a village near Ramshair of Nalagarh assembly segment on Sunday agitated the Congress party
during the state Lok Sabha election campaign.

State woman congress president Ms .Jandab Chandel, political secretary to HPCC president
Mr. Harikarishan Himral, State President of Sewa Dal Anurag Sharma and
state Youth Cong. President Mr. Manish Thakur and district President of Rural Shimla Yaswant
Chhajta attend the protest at Deputy Commission Office at Shimla.

Party also hold similar protest at other district headquarter and also burnt the effigy on the
same matter. There are report of a minor scuffl between Youth Congress activists and Police while burning
the effigy outside DC office at Una.

Ms. Janeb Chandel said that party Mahila Congress would cordon Mr Sati during his public function
in the state today and demand him to seek public apology for his remarks on AICC top leaders.

Jaipur, Apr 16 : Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday said not only India but the whole world needs a strong leader like Narendra Modi.
The Yoga guru, who was here to inaugurate Patanjali Paridhan store, said that before voting for any candidate or a political party, people should take their track record into account.

Mr Modi has had an impeccable track record in the last five years, he added.
Asked why he is not campaigning for the saffron party, Ramdev said he may not be campaigning, but is extending his full support to Mr Modi.

India’s future is very bright, the yoga guru said but for 40-to 45 years, the country needs a strong government which will take her ahead in all realms, he opined.

Besides corruption, inflation, bringing back black money stashed in Swiss banks, nationalism should also be an issue in the polls.

Asked about SP leader Azam Khan’s comments on actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada, he said that the remarks were indecent and a leader should refrain from making such comments.

Patna, Apr 16 : Senior BJP leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today said that he would soon file a defamation suit against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for calling all people with their surname ‘ Modi’ thief.

Mr Modi in his official Twitter account said, ?Congress president Mr Gandhi has called all people with their surname ‘Modi’ thief. I will soon file a defamation suit against Mr Gandhi for his statement?.

Mr Modi said that the wave sweeping (entire country) in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 Lok Sabha election is stronger than what had swept in 2014 election.

Leaders of ‘Mahamilawati Gathbandhan’ (grand alliance) are searching for alibis apprehending defeat (in the election)?, he remarked.

As it is, Mr Gandhi while addressing an election meeting recently had asked, ?why all Modis are thieves??

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on a campaign trip to Kerala, dropped in to see the MP who was injured during a religious ceremony on Monday.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday visited Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram candidate Shashi Tharoor, who is recovering at a hospital after a freak accident.

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram candidate Shashi Tharoor, who is recovering at a hospital after a freak accident, had an unexpected visitor early Tuesday.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on a campaign trip to Kerala, dropped in to see the MP who was injured during a religious ceremony on Monday.

“Touched by the gesture of @nsitharaman, who dropped by today morning to visit me in the hospital, amid her hectic electioneering in Kerala. Civility is a rare virtue in Indian politics – great to see her practice it by example!”, Tharoor tweeted from his hospital bed.

The Congress leader also received a call from Left Democratic Front (LDF) leader C Divakaran who had a piece of advice for him.

“Very gracious of my LDF rival C.Divakaran to call this morning to express concern about my well-being. Said he had spoken to the Hospital Superintendent to assure himself I would be ok. “Don’t be demoralised”, he added. I’m not: I’m more determined than ever to see this through!,” Tharoor tweeted

As part of Thulabharam — a religious ritual where offering equivalent to one’s weight is made to the deity — the Congress candidate was sitting on weighing scales, to be weighed against sugar, when it collapsed injuring his head.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP was rushed to a general hospital where he received six stitches on his head. Tharoor is seeking a third term from Thiruvananthapuram, which goes to polls on April 23. He is locked in a keen contest with BJP candidate and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Agencies

All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged the leader to just ask a person, if he wants to identify one.

HYDERABAD: Taking a sarcastic dig at reports of a BJP leader who said that a Muslim could be identified by removing their clothes, All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged the leader to just ask a person, if he wants to identify one.

“It seems Sanghi leaders are only experts in human anatomy. After all, their experience is rich: Gujarat 2002, Bilqis Bano, Ehsan Jafri, Akhlaq, Pehli Khan, Junaid, Shaukat Ali & innumerable others,” the AIMIM chief tweeted on Monday. “Also, if you want to identify a Muslim, ask. No need to lift clothing. What is this Sanghi obsession with Muslim men & what’s under their clothing?”

Earlier in the Kerala BJP State President PS Sreedharan Pillai reportedly, while referring to questions being raised about the number of terrorists killed in Balakot strike, said, “If it is Islam, there are some signs, no? If you remove their clothes you will be able to know. We have to do all that and return is what they are saying.” Kerala BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai’.

Meanwhile, Owaisi during a rally at Bihar, while campaigning for Kishanganj MP candidate Akhtar-ul Imam, slammed BJP for the lynching of Akhlaq. He said, “Akhalq’s son works for the Indian Air Force, and protects our country. He is suffering a lot since he had to leave his home and has to stay in Delhi. If we have to stop BJP, then you have to support Akhtar-ul Imam.”

By : Manohar Yadavatti.

The ensuing general elections to the Parliament has given rise to a piquant situation like never before in the state since the ruling Janata Dal Secular(JDS)is literally facing agrave threat of being decimated while the Indian National Congress(INC), another coalitionpartner is equally at distress facing a vexed problem of identity crisis!

Both the JDS and INC have been traditional rivals from several decades before they clinched a deal after 2004 general elections to form a Congress led JDS supported government in the state.Interestingly the grand alliance of sharing power was toppled by none other than HD Kumaraswamy,present Chief Minister to form a JDS-BJP government in order to become the chief minister.
Although the new power sharing arrangement came into being with an understanding of enjoying the helms of affairs on a 20:20 months formula, HD Devegowda,national JDS president reportedly threatened his son of consuming poison if at all he handed over the regime to BJP!
The senior gowda,as he is popularly revered in party circles had then contended that his secular credentials would be thrown into the wind if such a thing takes place.But during all the 20 months when his son ruled the state with the help of the same ‘Communal Party’ his commitment for secularism had remained intact!
Interestingly HD Devegowda is dubiously known for befriending and ditching people in public life.The list of close followers turned associates emerging into adversaries and bete noire is endless and there looks to be no indication of it coming to an end in near future.
The hitherto sworn enemies emerged into strange bed partners on the eve of the outcome of May 2018 Assembly elections thus leading to a JDS-INC coalition government with the sole intention of keeping the saffron party at a safe distance from the corridors of power.
Soon after assuming the office HD Kumaraswamy had publicly declared:The Congress party has extended unconditional support for my party to retain power for the entire five years tenure.However it’s longevity cannot be predicted but one thing is for sure that this government will continue at least till the Lok Sabha elections are over.The ongoing political developments in the state are also hinting about the same situation sooner or later if the writing on the wall is an indication in this regard.
Volunteers of both these alliance parties are terrifically upset over the seat sharing arrangements for Lok Sabha elections as has been evinced in all the eight constituencies allotted to the JDS.
JDS was left with no option but for returning Bengaluru North and Udupi-Chikmagalur constituencies to the Congress for lacking suitable party candidates to contest!Muralidhar Halappa,Man Friday of Dr G Parameshwar,Deputy Chief Minister opined the new development as a challenge to both the parties:SP Muddahanumegowda,sitting Congress MP and KN Rajanna,former Madhugiri Congress MLA have withdrawn from the fray and are working for HD Devegowda.
He also stressed at the gravity of the situation in Tumakuru:If the coalition government has to continue Devegowda’s victory is crucial and there’s no way the Congress party can let the opportunity be lost for whatsoever reasons.HD Devegowda is camping in the Tumakuru guest house of Dr G Parameshwar,who also runs a group of educational institutions including medical and engineering colleges.
It’s true that the followers of Siddaramaiah belonging to the shepherd community were aghast for ensuring the defeat of their mass leader by the JDS candidate in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency of Mysuru district.Thanks to Siddaramaiah’s persuasion,they have all agreed to support the JDS candidate,claims Muralidhar Halappa.
But local sources at Tumakuru have altogether a different inside story to reveal:GS Basavaraj,BJP candidate and KN Rajanna,former Madhugiri Congress MLA have business interests in common while his proximity with Shafi Ahmed,former legislator and prominent Muslim JDS leader is well known in political circles.For being a former Congressman he also has enough supporters and admirers within the Congress as well.
While a senior local journalist confided:In a way GS Basavaraj can be attributed as Devegowda of Tumakuru as irrespective of either being in Congress or BJP,for him family interests are of utmost priority.GB Jyothi Ganesh,Tumakuru BJP MLA is his son.He had been a Tumakuru MP multiple times both on INC and BJP tickets.
In all the three,Mandya,Tumakuru and Hassan constituencies wherein Devegowda and two grandchildren are in the electoral fray, top leaders of JDS and INC give an public impression of being together and there’s no requirement to mention that such a gesture is more of compulsion and much of reluctance.B Shivaram,former Congress minister and ex Gandasi MLA had been fighting the Devegowda family highhandedness in Hassan district politics way back from 1983.Thanks to his money and muscle power,over a period of time he has evolved himself into a tough opponent to take on the DG family head on politically.
But now he with great difficulty is trying to keep self imposed silence on whatever queries you may have to him on his past struggle which is also a major part of Hassan district’s political history.A grim looking B Shivaram appeals with folded hands:No questions on what has transpired so far…Pl wait for elections to be over and I will be free to reply to all your queries.As of now I am a committed party worker adhering to the alliance formula.But the situation for JDS is the worst possible in Mandya as the Congress cadre is openly campaigning for Ms Sumalatha Ambareesh,BJP supported Independent candidate.But for a couple of them most of the leaders abstained away from the JDS-INC coordination meetings.
In fact the Congress workers have openly challenged the high command to expel them from the party if it deems it fit do do so.Cheluvarayswamy,former JDS leader and one time confidant of HD Kumaraswamy turned foe has been sharpening the knife since long to scuttle scores with his erstwhile political mentor.
PM Narendraswamy,former minister and Malavalli MLA also has remained far away from the electioneering campaign of Nikhil Kumaraswamy,JDS candidate from Mandya.Both these Congress leaders have refused to budge and have openly violated the directions of the party.Dinesh Gundurao,president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee(KPCC) has hinted of recommending expulsion of both these leaders from the party.Mandya Congress committee is a classic case of a divided house.Not just the Congress even the JDS cadre is upset over the selection of the candidate and are colluding with Congressmen to campaign for the Independent candidate.

(EMBARGO : FOR PUBLICATION/BROADCAST AFTER 1700 HRS)

Chennai, Apr 16 (UNI) The campaigning for the byelections to 18 Assembly seats, which also goes to the polls along with 39 Lok Sabha seats on April 18, ended on Tuesday evening.

This would be the first time, a sort of ‘mini’ election was being held along with the Parliamentary seats, when polling would be simultaneously to fill 18 of the 22 Assembly seats.

This is the first time, bypolls are being held to fill such a large number of vacancies in the electoral history of the State, proving an acid test for the leadership qualities of the ruling AIADMK and the principal Opposition DMK, who were without the presence of two personalities late Chief Ministers
J Jayalalitha and DMK Chief M Karunanidhi.

More than the Lok sabha polls, the bypoll to 18 Assembly seats is more crucial for the stability of
the government, and the party has to win a good number of seats to ensure a simple majority in
the 234-member House.

The AIADMK has also got the support of all its allies for the bypolls to all 22 seats to be contested
by it. though by-poll is being held only for 18. For the remaining four seats it will be held on May 19.

The strength of AIADMK in the Assembly has come down to 114 from 136 (when it won in 2016)–three short of a simple majority–after the disqualification of 18 rebel MLAs owing allegiance to TTV Dhinakaran, who later founded the AMMK.

Three Independents, who won on AIADMK ‘Two Leaves’ symbol in 2016 Assemblky polls, have also turned against the Government and were supporting Dhinakaran, who was elected as Independent from RK Nagar Assembly seat in the by-election, which was held by Ms Jayalalithaa.

Three other MLAs too were said to be moving closer to AMMK.

While 18 fell vacant following the disqualification of rebel MLAs, two fell vacant following the death of sitting members (Tiruvarur held by Mr M Karunanidhi and Tiruparankundram held by AIADMK MLA
A K Bose) and Hosur fell vacant following the conviction of former Minister P Balakrishna Reddy by
a court.

Recently, the Sulur seat also fell vacant due to the death of AIADMK MLA Kanagaraj on March 21, taking the number of vacancies to 22.

Byelections would be held for Perambur, Tiruporur, Poonamallee, Ambur, Gudiyatham, Sholinghur, Tiruvaur, Thanjavur, Hosur, Harur, Pappireddipatti, Andipatti, Manamadurai, Nilakottai, Paramakudi,
Periyakulam, Sattur, Vilathikulam.

For the ruling AIADMK it will be a test of the popularity of the post-Jayalaitha regime headed by Edappadi K Palanisami and Deputy Chief Minister O Pannerselvam.

The party split after the revolt by Panneerselvam against Jaya’s close aide V K Sasikala and her nephew Dhinakaran, who were since been expelled after the warring EPS-OPS factions merged
and disqualified rebel legislators, a decision by the Assembly Speaker upheld by the Madras High Court.

The reunited factions have recognition as official AIADMK, plus the hugely popular ‘Two Leaves’ symbol and the flag from the Election Commission.

The Opposition DMK, which has a combined strength of 97 members in the House (DMK-88, Congress-8 and IUML-1), has been targetting the government, charging it with sacrificing
Tamil Nadu’s interests and was being ‘remote-controlled’ by the BJP government at the Centre.