Raipur 11 Apr : With about 34 per cent voting recorded till 1300 hrs in afternoon, polling in Chhattisgarh’s remote Naxal-infested Bastar parliamentary seat was underway on a peaceful note.

According to information from the Office of Chief Electoral Officer, till 1300 hrs, minimum 20.81 per cent voting was recorded at Konta while maximum 43.84 per cent at Bastar assembly constituency.

The Bastar parliamentary constituency is spread across eight assembly constituencies

Jagdalpur recorded 40.58 per cent, Chitrakot 42.32 per cent, Bijapur 26.17 per cent, Dantewada 32.31 per cent, Kondagaon 37.72 per cent and Narayanpur 28.93 per cent voting.

Shedding fear after death of Dantewada MLA Bhima Mandavi and four security jawans in Naxal attack in Dantewata on Tuesday, people are coming to polling booths to cast their votes. Voters were seen standing in beeline at Shyamgiri, the interior part of Dantewada since morning.

However, none of 32 Naxal-infested polling centres of three assembly constituencies could get even a
single vote.

In wee hours of Thursday, Naxalites triggered IED blast at two kilometres away from Dandvan polling centre in their attempt to intimidate voters in Narayanpur district, though no information is available about any injury in this explosion.

Polling in Dantewada, Bijapur, Konta and Narayanpur assembly constituencies coming under this parliamentary seat will conclude at 1500 hrs. Polling would last till 1700 hrs at remaining four assembly constituencies-Kondagaon, Bastar, Jagdalpur and Chitrakot.

Jalgaon Apr 11 (UNI) Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan and former MLA B S Patil was manhandled by BJP Jalgaon president Uday Wagh and his supporters at an election rally in Amalner in Maharashtra.

The incident took place on Wednesday at a rally for party candidate Unmesh Patil, contesting from Jalgaon constituency.
Mr Wagh was upset as his wife MLC Smita Wagh was dropped as the Lok Sabha nominee from Jalgaon constituency and nomination was given to the MLA, Unmesh Patil.
During the rally on Wednesday, Mr Wagh and his supporters lost cool and manhandled Mr Patil and when Mr Mahjan intervened, he was also manhandled

New Delhi, Apr 11: After performing a pooja with her husband Zubin Irani, Smriti Irani fileD nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency. She is pitted against Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

She was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Earlier, she held a four-kilometre roadshow, cheered by supporters.

Irani earlier left the guest house at Gauriganj, the district headquarters of Amethi, along with her husband Zubin Irani.

Irani was to file her nomination on April 17, but due to a holiday on that day (Mahaveer Jayanti), she changed the date.

Amethi figures in the fifth phase of the seven-phased general elections, and voting there will be held on May 6.

Irani faces a poll battle with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who had filed his nomination papers on Wednesday.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Smriti Irani by a margin of 1.07 lakh votes.

The IT raids that have been conducted at my campaign office and on some of my associates are harrasment tactics that the BJP is using to try to cripple my campaign.I see these raids as vendetta of the ruling party at the Centre. They have consistently been engaging in orchestrating IT raids on several Congress leaders and opposition leaders, not only in Karnataka but also across the country. It shows that they are nervous and foresee defeat, which is why they are stooping to such low levels. It is a reflection of extreme insecurity of the BJP leadership. The Congress party will not be intimidated by such actions of the opposition. The people will give them a fitting reply as they are smart enough to see through their game plan.
Congress-JDS candidate for Bangalore Central Lok Sabha Constituency, Rizwan Arshad believes that the time for change has come and the people will vote the BJP out of power in the Centre. Addressing a media meeting at the at his office in Bengaluru, Rizwan Arshad said, “Over the last two weeks or so, I have covered the length and breadth of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha Constituency, meeting various kinds of people and interacting with them on a one-to-one basis. The general consensus that comes out is that the people want change. There are several complaints of very little and often no work being done by the incumbent MP of Bangalore Central. Traffic congestion, water problems, infrastructure issues plague Bangalore Central. There is the issue of the IT Corridor. We have a big IT belt. Despite them paying huge amount of taxes, there is no development there. People say that their elected MP has been missing from the constituency. The mood of the people is for change.  People know that I am a youngster and I am active. I am confident that I have the blessings of the people.”
Twitter War
 Rizwan Arshad has waged a ‘Twitter War’ against the incumbent MP of Bangalore Central, PC Mohan. “I have challenged Shri. P C Mohan to an Open Debate through Twitter, where I have been asking him several questions regarding the development works taken up over the last ten years. I have openly asked him whether he really has a vision for Bengaluru. I have challenged him to give an account on the 10,000 crore central government aid for infrastructure development. I have questioned him on his silence on HAL being sidelined by the Central Government. I have questioned him on why Bengaluru has not made it to the first list of smart cities. I have questioned him on why he has been conspicuously absent from media debates. I am still waiting for his reply.”
False Agenda of BJP
Commenting on BJPs promise to make Bengaluru the ‘Pride of India’ and a city that can boast of international standards, he says, “If you go through the BJP manifesto, which was released  last week, you will see that it is exactly the same as the last time. It lacks vision. There is no mention of how they will address the issue of job creation especially for the youth; there is neither accountability nor anything concrete to suggest how they will go about making Bengaluru as a city of international standards.”
“Some of the tall claims made by the BJP for Bengaluru in the Education Sector include the setting up of an IIT and the promise to set up a National Aeronautical University in Bengaluru as the city is an aviation hub of the country. Neither promise has been fulfilled.  In the healthcare sector, a branch of AIIMS was to be set up in Bengaluru. The promise of insurance for the poor too was made. These have not been fulfilled either. In the Railway Sector, a bullet train connecting Bangalore to Delhi among other metros was promised to the people. Extension of train connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport was also promised. But that too has hit a roadblock. The other issue is the suburban rail connectivity. Suburban Rail as a mass urban transport has a big role to play in controlling Bengaluru’s traffic. Suburban rail connectivity will also help decongest the road traffic towards the airport. This project has been crawling for more than a decade. The proposals for this came well before 2010. But no definite steps have been taken to make it a reality” he says.
Elaborating further, he said that under safety and security BJP promised to set up a three digit number service for all emergency situations. There was also the promise to set up a special fund for rehabilitation of rape victims. Both were not fulfilled. He stated that the manifesto also pledged to seek a grant of Rs. 1000 crores from the Central Government to upgrade the existing sporting infrastructure in the city to International Standards with the aim to enable the city to host national and international sporting events. He adds that there was also the promise by BJP to set up a dedicated power plant at Bidadi to cater to the increasing energy needs of the city along with a special project to make Bengaluru a solar powered city to be undertaken by the Central Government. Nothing has happened on that front either. There are several unanswered questions. “What happed to that? Whatever little development that has taken place in the city has been done only after a series of protests by the people demanding that particular issue be resolved” he states.
Refering to the issue of Bellandur Lake, Rizwan said that Bengaluru has been known to make International Headlines as the Innovation Capital of the World. But unfortunately, over the last few years, Bengaluru has also made headlines for the wrong reasons – the issue of Bellandur Lake.
“We need to face the fact that Bangalore Central is one of the most neglected constituencies. There is an urgent need for an MP who is active and is willing to raise his voice in Parliament to address the issues that are being faced by the people. Bangalore Central needs an active MP who will be the voice of the people in the corridors of power in New Delhi. I think it is the duty of the MP to take up these pressing issues using the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds. In the next few days, the Hon. Prime Minister of India . Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bengaluru and address voters. I am quite sure that he will have nothing new to say as the current manifesto is almost a photocopy of the earlier one. I urge the people of Bengaluru to go out and vote and make an educated choice.” he said.

Arshad said BJP lose all his seats in bangalore and he reminded that BJP leaders promises made during 2014 Election such has AIIMS.IIT, Bullet Train has not be fulfilled even HAL has not got any offset order.They have not filled any promises of the people.

IT department has become puppet under the BJP rule and people whos houses and offices which they have raided.He said P C Mohan behind the IT raid.
“I think it is truly ‘Time for Change’ but at the Centre” Rizwan Arshad concludes.

A group of voters in Shamli tried to cast votes without showing their voter ID cards, which promoted the BSF to fire in the air.

BSF personnel engage in a brawl with the voters in Shamli on Thursday.

BSF personnel guarding a polling booth in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli resorted to firing several rounds in the air on Thursday when a group of voters allegedly tried to forcefully cast their votes without Voter ID cards.

According to media, the district magistrate said, BSF personnel fired in air for security reasons after some people without voter ID tried to cast vote. Voting has resumed now.”

Security personnel fired shots in air after some ppl tried to cast vote without voter ID at a polling station in Shamli. District Magistrate says,“BSF personnel, fired in air for security reasons after some ppl without voter ID tried to cast vote. Voting has resumed now.”y
According to reports, the voters engaged in a brawl with the BSF personnel in Shamli’s Kandhla area on Thursday during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Guwahati, Apr 11 : Around 43 per cent was registered so far for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram where voting is underway for the first phase of polling today.

Voting began at 0700 hrs and will continue till 1600 hrs.

ECI sources said that till 1400 hrs 43 per cent polling has been recorded across the state.

In few areas problem with EVM malfunctioning were encountered which was rectified.

An electorate of 7,87,777 would seal the fate of six candidates for the Lok Sabha seat.

Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded C Lalrosanga, a former Indian Broadcasting Programme Service (IBPS) officer and retired Director General of Doordarshan.
Sports journalist Lalnghinglova Hmar, also known as Tetea Hmar, is contesting as an Independent candidate backed by key opposition parties Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and Congress.

BJP has fielded Nirupam Chakma, a veteran Chakma leader as well as the state vice-president of the party.

TBC Lalvenchhunga of the newly-floated People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) is also in the fray.

Lastly, independent candidates Lalhriatrenga Chhangte and Lalthlamuani are also taking part in the contest.

Lalthlamuani, who runs an NGO for the Jewish community, is the only woman candidate contesting from the Mizoram seat.

Mandya, Apr 11 : Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), taking strong objection to party leaders indulging in anti-party activities and not campaigning for Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the Lok Sabha election has suspended its seven Block Presidents.
The suspension was based on complaints received from JDS-Congress leaders against them.
A section of Congress workers are supporting Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh and even some of them participated in the campaign by holding Congress flags.
The suspended Block Presidents included H Appaji, Mandya Rural, A S Rajeev, Bharati Nagar, Putraramu, Malavalli Rural, K J Devaraju, Malavalli City, M Prasanna, Nagamangala, K R Ravindra Babu, K R Pet and S B Prakash, Melkote. .
The suspension came after repeated warnings from the Congress leadership. The party is particularly irked with the dissidence because Sumalatha has found support from the BJP, Congress is worried that if its party workers do not cooperate with the JD(S) in Mandya, the regional party’s cadre could return the favour in the Mysore Lok Sabha constituency, which the Congress is desperate to wrest from the BJP.
The suspension comes ahead of AICC President Rahul Gandhi’s campaign scheduled to be held at Krishnarajanagara of the Mandya Lok Sabha segment on April 13. JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah are slated to hold a joint campaign there on April 12.

Hyderabad, Apr 11 : About 38 percent of more than 2.96 crore voters have exercised their franchise till 1300 hours to elect 17 lok Sabha members from Telangana on Thursday.

People queued up at polling booths in all the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s daughter K Kavitha, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary, Former Minister DK Aruna and AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi are among the prominent candidates who are in the fray.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states Joint Governer ESL Narasimhan, Mr Chandrashekar Rao, Ms Kavitha and State Chief Electoral officer Dr Rajat Kumar are among the prominent people who casted their votes.

According to police sources, voting is going on peacefully and no untoward incidents were reported from anywhere in the state.

In Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates including more then 170 farmers are in the fray, it registered 38.10 per cent voting till 1300 hours while 54 per cent polling was recordede in Medak Lok Sabha constituency, the highest in the State.

The lowest voting of 20.59 per cent was registered in Hyderabad LS constituency where Mr Owaisi is recontesting.

As many as 145 companies of Central paramilitary force and over 55,000 state police have been deployed for security arrangements.

Polling in 16 Lok Sabha Constituencies began at 0700 hours while in sensitive Nizamabad constituency it started at 0800 hours.

Mysuru, Apr 11 : Karnataka Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) H D Revanna said that he will retire from politics if Narendra Modi was re-elected as Prime Minister.
Speaking to newsmen here on Thursday, he said that BJP will not come to power and JDS-Congress aim is to keep communal party away from power and to protect the interest of the farmers.
He also predicated that UPA will form the government at the Centre after the General Election.
Questioning the contributions of Modi to farmers, he said that the State government has sent the list of 15 lakh farming families to Union government to include under PM Kisan scheme but BJP leaders are alleging that the State has not sent the list.
Revanna claimed that Congress-JDS in the State will win 22 LS seats.

Jammu, Apr 11 : The Samba district has topped the polling percentage with 52.1 per cent of voting till 1300 hours while overall poll percentage has been recorded in this period was 35.52 per cent in two Parliamentary Constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir.

The polling process is going on peacefully while no untoward like incident has been reported so far from any part of the polling areas.

In four districts of Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency, Samba recorded highest 52.1 per cent followed by Jammu with 45.9 per cent, Rajouri with 44.8 per cent and Poonch with 35.8 per cent.

Earlier till 1100 hours, polling percentage in Samba was the highest 35.91 per cent followed by Rajouri with 30.80 percent, Jammu with 30.57 per cent and Poonch with 32.83 per cent.

National Conference leader and former MLA Devendra Singh Rana also tweeted alleging that the Congress symbol button is not working in Shahpur area and other parts of Poonch.

In the first two hours of polling, overall polling percentage in the state was 11.43 percent.
Over 20 lakh voters will be exercising their right to franchise in Jammu-Poonch Constituency in which total 24 candidates are in fray.

Meanwhile, security personnel are deployed in all the polling stations and special deployment is made in the sensitive, hypersensitive and vulnerable polling stations across the region.

Polling stations for women have also been set up at many centres having women polling staff and the security personnel.

The Government has declared the polling day as public holiday to boost the percentage of polling.