Rahul Gandhi on Sunday rejected the exit poll predictions for the Lok Sabha elections, saying, “It is a fantasy poll and Modi poll”. “It is not exit poll, it is Modi media poll. It is his fantasy poll,” he said while speaking to reporters a day after exit polls projected a historic win for the BJP-led NDA.
Category: Politics
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Exit Polls predictions 2024: BJP will lose significantly in south, says Shashi Tharoor – The Economic Times Video
After the last phase of voting, Congress MP & candidate from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram said that the exit polls were deeply unscientific, he added last year the majority of exit polls got the results wrong in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, BJP will lose significantly in Karnataka and they certainly won’t gain in Kerela and Tamil Nadu. Shashi Tharoor said, “…We have been travelling throughout the country campaigning and have a sense of what is the reality on the ground. Exit polls are deeply unscientific. Last year, the majority of exit polls got the results wrong in Chhattisgarh & Rajasthan. What we are interested in is the real poll- the votes of the public…BJP will lose significantly in Karnataka and they certainly won’t gain in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.”
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi writes to Prez Droupadi Murmu on Agnipath scheme, urges her to intervene
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu against the Agnipath scheme, alleging there is “discrimination” in the nature and extent of benefits given to the families of slain soldiers. Urging the president to intervene, Gandhi said an “exception is warranted in this case” as she is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of India and the issue affects national security. In his two-page letter to the President of India, Gandhi said he is writing to her with an appeal to provide ‘nyya’ (justice) to Agniveers, who lay down their lives in service to the nation. “There can be no clearer illustration of the fundamental flaw in the Agnipath scheme – the creation of a ‘lesser’ cadre of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks with lower pay, benefits and prospects,” he said while sharing his letter to President Murmu on the scheme. “The discrimination in the nature and extent of benefits accorded to the families of our slain Agniveers, compared to regular soldiers warrants your urgent attention,” Gandhi said in his letter. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States “This anyaay – injustice – is why the Congress Party and our INDIA allies have strongly opposed the Agnipath scheme, and have promised to repeal it if we form the government,” the former Congress chief said. In the letter, Gandhi said, “I request you to intervene. I recognise that a President does not generally interfere in matters of policy, which are the domain of the elected government. “However, I believe an exception is warranted in this case, given both the seriousness of this issue, and your unique position. You are the Supreme Commander of India’s Armed Forces. You have taken an oath to devote yourself to the well-being of the people of India.” “Is this discrimination against our Agniveer martyrs not a risk to our national security? Is it not a grave injustice to our youth who bravely risk their lives to serve?” Gandhi asked in his letter.
“These pressing questions can only be answered in the affirmative.
“Therefore, I appeal to you to use your distinguished office to do nyaay – justice to Agniveer soldiers who lay down their lives, by ensuring that they receive the same benefits as any soldier who makes the highest sacrifice for our motherland,” he said.
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The man who wanted to challenge Modi but lost the battle even before it began
For many years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not just a leader but a hero for Shyam Rangeela, mirroring the admiration held by millions of Indians. Shyam was so inspired that he began to mimic Modi, even mastering the PM’s iconic “Bhaiyon, Behno” greetings.Over time, however, things changed. Shyam experienced a shift in perspective, particularly after facing what he called restrictions on his work from a group of Modi supporters. This marked the beginning of his transformation from a devoted fan into a critic.Recently, the comedian made headlines with his announcement to contest against Modi from Varanasi as an Independent candidate.“Halfway into the show in which I was mimicking the PM, I was asked to walk out, and mend my ways. That day, I felt that my freedom was clipped. Later, I realised that such intimidation was common. Politicians are not so generous in taking humour and criticism,” a ToI report (by Shailvee Sharda) quoted Rangeela as saying.AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesJourneying all the way from Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar to file his nomination, Shyam’s efforts were thwarted by a technical error. The reason for the cancellation of his papers was due to the omission of “not taking oath” during submission, leading to what he calls the “shattering of a dream”. Though disappointing, Rangeela sees the rejection as a form of victory. “The cause of freedom for which I stood up got some attention,” he adds, reflecting on his “chhoti si poll story”.Embracing the rejection, Shyam is relishing the moment, giving interviews, and meeting journalists and influencers from around the globe.Sharing his experience with TOI, the comedian says, “Wo kehte they ki challenge ke bina maza nahi aata hai. Why couldn’t Modi ji keep his words?” he wonders, questioning his rejection.
Does he regret his political venture? The narrative doesn’t explicitly answer, leaving room for interpretation.
“Haan, main toh kahin ka nahi raha. BJP wale kehte hain ki maine Modi ji ka mazak banyaya. Congress wale kehte hain main Rahul ki mimicry ki hai. Mujhe dono taraf se kaam nahi milta hai. Chunav mein bahut paisa bhi kharch ho gaya hai to ab naya kaam dhoondh ke hisab theek karna hoga,” Rangeela told the newspaper.
He claimed to the newspaper that he said no to offers to join opposition candidates and target Narendra Modi from a stronger political platform.
“I didn’t want to get tagged. In this way, I will prove my trollers right,” Rangeela adds.
“Jibes such as ‘mazak mazak mein serious ho gaya’ and ‘ghode pe aaya tha nomination bharne’ are very decent compared to allegations like my nomination was rejected because of a pending rape case against me,” he says.
Rangeela says he will miss the love that people showered on him when he announced to contest poll from Kashi.
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Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 7: CM Yogi, JP Nadda and AAP’s Raghav Chadha cast vote – The Economic Times Video
Polling began on Saturday for 57 seats in eight states/UT in the seventh and final phase of India’s mammoth electoral exercise. The 57 seats, including 13 reserved for SCs and three for STs, are in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab (13 each), West Bengal (9), Bihar (8), Odisha (6), Himachal Pradesh (4), Jharkhand (3), and Chandigarh (1). Over 10.06 crore voters – 5.24 crore males, 4.82 crore females, and 3,574 belonging to the third gender – are eligible to head to 1.09 lakh polling stations to choose their preferred candidates from the 908 nominees in the fray. The BJP National President JP Nadda cast his vote at a polling booth in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur. AAP MP Raghav Chadha cast his vote at a polling station in Punjab’s Lakhnaur, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath cast his vote at a polling booth in Gorakhnath, Gorakhpur.
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Congress to boycott Exit poll TV debates: 'Won't partake in TRP slugfest…'
Congress to boycott Exit poll TV debates: 'Won't partake in TRP slugfest…'
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Prajwal Revanna taken to hospital for medical examination
Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was taken to hospital for medical examination under tight security on Friday, police said. Escorted by female police officials, he was taken to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital here.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations against Prajwal arrested him as soon as he landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru in the wee hours of Friday.
The 33 year-old MP, who arrived from Germany’s Munich, was taken to the CID office for interrogation, sources in the SIT said. The SIT is also contemplating a potency test on Prajwal. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesA potency test is done to ascertain that a rape accused is capable of committing sexual assault on victims.
Prajwal, grandson of Deve Gowda and the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of sexually abusing many women. He has been so far booked in three cases of sexual assault.
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'Obscene videos' case: Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna brought to CID office in Bengaluru
'Obscene videos' case: Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna brought to CID office in Bengaluru
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PM Modi visits Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu – The Economic Times Video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his 45-hour long meditation at the famed Vivekananda Rock Memorial here on Thursday evening. After arriving from nearby Thiruvananthapuram by a helicopter, Modi worshipped at the Bhagavathi Amman temple and reached the rock memorial by a ferry service and started meditation that is scheduled to go on till June 1.
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Telangana emblem: BRS opposes Congress govt’s ‘attempt to remove’ Charminar from Telangana emblem
Hyderabad: The opposition BRS in Telangana on Thursday said it would hold protests against the Congress government’s alleged move to remove Charminar and the ‘Kakatiya arch’ from the state emblem. BRS working president K T Rama Rao, who visited Charminar here along with other party leaders, said Charminar is the identity of Hyderabad.
Speaking to reporters, Rama Rao alleged that the Congress government does not want former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to get a good name for the BRS government’s performance during the last 10 years.
He also accused the Congress government of trying to belittle the progress achieved during the tenure of BRS. “We oppose the Congress government’s attempt to remove Charminar and the Kakatiya arch from the official logo of Telangana,” he said, adding that the BRS would also take up protests on the issue. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesHe demanded that the Congress government withdraw its alleged attempt to remove the Charminar and also the arch of the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal from the state emblem. The proposed agitation by the BRS came in the wake of the state government’s move to make a new state emblem reflecting the “struggles and sacrifices of Telangana” and also a new state song. BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar opposed popular music director M M Keeravani of Oscar-winning ‘Natu Natu’ fame composing music for the state song ‘Jaya Jaya He Telangana’ penned by poet Ande Sri. Kumar took exception to the “authority” of Keeravani, who is a native of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, over the state song of Ande Sri.
“Tollywood and Telangana movement are different. Tollywood is for entertainment and on the other hand, Telangana anthem is a common thread of emotion that brought all hearts of Telangana together during movement. It’s not Hollywood that gave tune to Jana Gana Mana and Vandemataram,” Kumar said on ‘X’ on May 27.