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In line with the BJP's attempts to maximise its electoral gains in seats dominated by the SC community in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan said the party's outreach to women voters will put social inclusion at the centre of its programmes. Earlier this month, it asked over 8,000 of its workers to invite women from SC households to their houses and partake a meal together. Under the Samrastha Ann (harmonious eating) programme, which was began as part of the BJP's celebration of social justice week from its foundation day on April 6 till BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14, the party's women's wing organised 8,444 such "sharing a meal" events across the country. Under the programme, 73,597 women from SC communities were invited by BJP Mahila Morcha workers to their homes for a meal. The highest participation was seen in Uttar Pradesh where nearly 18,000 women from different SC communities were made ...

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said if her party is voted to power in the Karnataka Assembly election, the honorarium of workers at major Anganwadis will be increased to Rs 15,000 per month, and for those in mini Anganwadis, it will be hiked to Rs 10,000. The party will also increase the honorarium of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers to Rs 8,000 per month, and Rs 5,000 per month for women working for the mid-day meal programme, she said. In a public meeting in Belagavi district bordering Maharashtra, the Congress leader said, "Our party has decided to increase the honorarium up to Rs 15,000 for my sisters in major Anganwadis and Rs 10,000 for women in mini Anganwadis. The honorarium of the ASHA workers will be hiked to Rs 8,000 and those working for the mid-day meals will get Rs 5,000." Ms Gandhi also promised to give Rs three lakh to the workers of main Anganwadis on their retirement or to their nominee in the event of death...

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao inaugurated a new Secretariat building, 265 feet tall and built over 10.5 lakh square feet in a sprawling 28 acres, in Hyderabad today. "Today is a red letter day in the history of Telangana," he said after inaugurating the structure. "The marvel structure of the new Secretariat is the epicentre of the state administration. I feel blessed and fortunate to have inaugurated the wonderful new secretariat," he added. The building has been named after BR Ambedkar with the intention that people's representatives and the entire government machinery should work to realise the ideals of the Architect of the Indian Constitution, the Chief Minister, popularly known as KCR, said. Slamming his detractors, KCR said, "Some Political Lilliputs enemies created hurdles to the construction of the new Secretariat by demolishing the old building in the same place". "Reconstruction of Telangana means reviving all the lak...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at the infighting in the Congress today during the election campaign in Karnataka, where the party is the main opposition. At a poll rally in Karnataka's Belur, PM Modi also targetted HD Kumaraswamy's Janata Dal Secular, which is a prominent player in the state. The Congress and the JDS, he said, are both "symbols of instability". "Wherever there are Congress governments in the country, their signature is infighting between the leaders. You know what's happening in Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh. The people there now know all the promises made by the Congress ahead of the election are a bundle of lies," he added.. Then, targetting the JDS, he said, "The Congress leaders fight among themselves. The Congress's B Team JDS is also dreaming. They want to participate in the loot by somehow securing 15 or 20 seats". There is speculation that in case of a hung assembly, the Congress and Mr Kumaraswamy will opt ...

In a tragic incident, a college student died allegedly by suicide in a college hostel in Andhra Pradesh's Vijaywada district, the police said. "A girl student of Sri Chaitanya College died by suicide in the college hostel building. The incident happened at Tadigadapa Chaitanya College Saraswati Sowdam hostel campus. The parents and relatives of the deceased reached college", the police said on Saturday. The student was found hanging in the hostel room after being allegedly insulted by teachers, family members said. The college administrators sent the body for post-mortem, as informed by the college authorities. The relatives alleged that the deceased who was a native of the Guntur region in Andhra Pradesh, was reprimanded by teachers in front of other students for failing in Zoology Inter first year. Srinivas, father of the deceased expressed suspicion over the torn-out pages of the diary used by the deceased. The relatives alleged that they were not informed about t...

The Kerala government has sought a national level consensus on bringing a legislation to deal with human-animal conflicts, which have been reported across the country. This comes in the wake of increase in cases of man-animal conflict in the state over the past few months. One such case involved a rogue elephant, notorious for breaking into ration shops to steal rice, which earned him the moniker 'Arikomban', and causing damage to human settlements in some areas of Idukki district in Kerala. The tusker was tranquilised on Saturday after months of uncertainty and confusion and was translocated to deep forest inside Periyar Tiger Reserve. Speaking to PTI about the operation, state Forest Minister A K Saseendran said the man-animal conflict is not new to the country and we need a national consensus to deal with the issue. "The man-animal conflict is a rising issue in the country and we need to develop a consensus at national level to formulate a law to deal with such con...

A rogue elephant, notorious for breaking into ration shops to steal rice and causing damage to human settlements in Chinnakanal and Santhanpara areas of this hill district, was tranquilised on Saturday after months of uncertainty and confusion. Mission Arikomban, named after the tusker, started at 4 am on Saturday and went on till 6 pm. The elephant was being to the Periyar tiger reserve and will be let loose 20 km deep inside the forest. State Forest Minister A K Saseendran said the radio collar attached to the elephant will alert officials of its movement and allow them to take necessary precautions in case it ventures into human habitat again. He, however, did not disclose the exact location where the elephant would be released. The High Court had earlier directed the Kerala Forest Department not to reveal the location. "Forest officials have made all necessary arrangements (for translocation of the elephant)," the minister told PTI. Saseendran said the government had...

The people of Karnataka should choose a double engine government in the state by voting for BJP in the May 10 Assembly elections instead of a "reverse gear" government of the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday. Addressing a massive gathering in Udupi, he said the central government led by Narendra Modi had brought various schemes worth Rs 2,26,418 crore during the last four years in Karnataka, whereas the previous UPA government provided only Rs 99,000 crore to the State during their rule. "A reverse gear government by Congress will only turn Karnataka into their ATM state. The BJP has to come to power to ensure prosperity, development and peace," he said. Shah asked the people not to trust the Congress who had backed the Popular Front of India (PFI) while they were in power for political advantage. The BJP government banned the organisation and threw its leaders behind bars, he said. The BJP's declared policy is zero tolerance towards ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that Congress owns corruption and BJP owns 'Amrit Kaal' adding that during the tenure of Congress, there were only scams and corruption. While addressing a public meeting in Belagavi, PM Narendra Modi said, "Congress owns corruption and BJP owns 'Amrit Kaal'. Congress party is all about nepotism and corruption, and BJP is all about development". "When the very foundations and ideas of a party are 'Parivarvaad' when the dependency of a Party lies in the corrupt Ecosystem, it cannot deliver results on the ground. It cannot work for the welfare of the people," he added. He further stated that marginalised sections of society had to bear losses during the period of Congress. "During the corruption period of Congress, there were only scams. Our Dalits, tribals and people of backward society had to bear a huge loss due to this. BJP is sincerely working for the poor, Dalits, backward and Banjara...

An 11-year-old girl died after she accidentally fell into a pit on the road near her home following a heavy spell of rain on Saturday morning in Hyderabad, police said. Two civic body officials were suspended from duty in the aftermath of the incident. Police said the girl died after being washed away in the drain at Secunderabad. The girl's body was taken out after police, rescue personnel and local residents joined hands to take her out of the drain. The girl had stepped out of her home along with her 15-year-old brother to buy a milk packet from a nearby store, they said. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor Vijaya Lakshmi R Gadwal visited the site of the incident and expressed her anger with officials over the death of the girl. Vijaya Lakshmi, who met the family members of the girl, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin, a GHMC release said. The mayor said regular meetings are held with GHMC officials on the condition of roads and other c...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took out his first road show in Karnataka ahead of the assembly election. PM Modi's mega road show of strength comes as the ruling BJP in Karnataka - the gateway to the south for the party - looks to retain power. PM Modi held the road show in Bengaluru North constituency. He will address at least 19 rallies across Karnataka till three days before people of the state vote on May 10. The Prime Minister kept a considerable part of his speech in cornering the opposition Congress, led by DK Shivakumar in Karnataka. "The Congress is abusing Modi in the same way that they had abused Babasaheb and Veer Savarkar. I feel honoured for being treated at par with such great personalities. I consider it a reward," PM Modi said. The 3-km-long road show in Bengaluru has boosted the campaign for the BJP candidate, ST Somashekar, from Yeshwantpur constituency. With 5.6 lakh voters, this seat in northwest Bengaluru is the second-largest in the city. Yeshwan...

Training guns on the Congress over its party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's 'venomous snake' barb at him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said till now that party and its leaders have hurled at him different types of abuses 91 times. Accusing the Congress of also abusing the dominant Lingayat community in poll-bound Karnataka, the Prime Minister further said the grand old party had even abused Babasaheb Ambedkar and were engaged in abusing Veer Savarkar. Hitting out at the Congress, PM Modi, on his first visit to the state for campaigning after elections were declared on March 29, said, people will respond to its abuses with votes, and as much mud they sling at BJP, the lotus will bloom. "The Congress hates everyone who speaks about the common man, who brings out their corruption, who attacks their politics of selfishness. Congress's hate against such people will become permanent. In this election too, the Congress once again has started abusing me," PM Modi...

Nine students have died by suicide in Andhra Pradesh after results of class 11 and 12 exams were declared on Wednesday by the Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Examination. Two other students are said to have attempted suicide. As many as 10 lakh students appeared for the exam. The pass percentage in class 11 was 61, and it was 72 per cent in class 12. Reports say B Tarun (17) killed himself in Srikakulam district by jumping in front of a train. The student of the intermediate first year, hailing from Dandu Gopalapuram village of the district, was said to be disheartened after failing in most of the papers. A 16-year-old girl died by suicide at her residence at Trinadhapuram under Malkapuram police station limits. She hails from the Visakhapatnam district. A Akhilasree was reportedly upset after failing in some subjects of the intermediate first year. Another 18-year-old ended his life by hanging at his residence in the Kancharapalem locality of Visakhapatnam. He had failed in ...

The High Court of Karnataka has recommended that three more Special Courts for National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases be established in three revenue divisions of Karnataka, within the next six months. "We hereby recommend the State Government to constitute/establish three Special Courts for trial of NIA cases in Mysore Division, Belagavi Division and Kalburgi Division within a period of six months from the date of receipt of copy of the order," the Division Bench of B Veerappa and Justice Venkatesh Naik T said in their judgment dismissing the appeals filed by 41 accused in the Hubballi riots case. It would "ensure speedy trial and disposal of the NIA cases" in order to make justice accessible to the needy and "to fulfil the scope and object of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act", the bench said. A Special Court had rejected the bail pleas of the accused after which they approached the HC in two separate petitions. In its common order on the t...

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday promised allocation of Rs one crore for each village panchayat, and Rs 5,000 crore for the Kalyana Karnataka region if his party is voted to power in the May 10 State Assembly polls. Amid rains, the former Congress chief addressed an election rally, where he also promised to fill 50,000 government job vacancies. "We will allocate Rs 5,000 crore for this region. Each village panchayat will get Rs one crore," a drenched Gandhi said here in Kalaburagi district. The Kalyana Karnataka region comprises the districts of Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Kalaburagi, Ballari and Vijayanagara. He also made a 'prophecy' that the ruling BJP would get only 40 seats "since it loves this number". Gandhi alleged that the BJP ministers in Karnataka collected 40 per cent commission for public works from contractors and hence, the party would not get more than 40 seats, while the Congress would win 150 seats and form the next government...

Training guns on the Congress over its President M Mallikarjun Kharge's 'venomous snake' barb at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the party and its leaders "have lost their minds". Noting that PM Modi is welcomed across the world with a lot of respect, he said the Congress cannot instigate people with such statements, because the support for the PM will increase, as much as they abuse him. "Congress is lacking on issues. In the last nine years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased India's pride in the world, he has worked to make India prosperous, he has made India's infrastructure strong, and he has made India's borders safe. Wherever Modi ji goes across the world, people there welcome him with 'Modi-Modi' slogans," Mr Shah said. Addressing a public meeting at Navalgund in Dharwad district, he said, "Congress President Kharge (Mallikarjun Kharge) says our leader (PM) Modi, whom ...

DMK MP Kanimozhi has demanded an apology from Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai for "disrespecting" the state anthem 'Tamil Thai Vazthu' during his party's election campaign in Karnataka's Shivamogga district. "How can someone, who could not stop his party members from degrading 'Tamil Thai Vazthu', care about people of Tamil Nadu?" Kanimozhi wrote on Twitter. Countering the DMK leader, Mr Annamalai tweeted an old news clip of Chief Minister MK Stalin, then the Opposition Leader, in which it was reported that after hoisting the national flag at an event, the national anthem was not played. In his tweet, Mr Annamalai said, "Do you need all this with a leader who doesn't know to play the national anthem after hoisting our national flag? Isn't yours the history of removing the line "Kannadamung Kalitelungum Kavinmalayalamum Tuluvum" from the Tamil Thai state anthem and sowing the division of the state?" "Our o...

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Thursday said he will campaign for his party at 42 places in the next 11 days in the run-up to the Assembly elections in Karnataka. The 89-year old leader said he will take a break once in a week keeping in view his health condition. "Starting from tomorrow I will campaign till May 8 at 42 places. This is a tentative programme. I will take rest once in a week keeping health conditions in mind because I have to take an injection once in a week," Gowda, who will turn 90 on May 18, said in a press conference. Mr Gowda said Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have promised to come to Karnataka to campaign for JD(S) candidates, adding that some other national leaders are in touch with former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in this regard. "In the coming days, there will be many developments in national politics. I feel that some developments (at ...

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Thursday said his party's alliance with the BJP continued and insisted there were no issues with the saffron organisation's Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai. The AIADMK chief's remarks came in the backdrop of reported differences between the two parties, who had fought the 2019 Parliamentary polls and the 2021 Assembly elections as allies. The AIADMK leader was addressing reporters in Chennai a day after he met BJP veteran and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with that party chief JP Nadda in the national capital. "We had aligned with the BJP for 2019 Lok Sabha polls and it continued during the 2021 (TN) Assembly polls, as well in the Erode by-poll (earlier this year). It (alliance) does continue," he asserted. Asked if his "differences" with Annamalai figured in his meeting with Shah on Wednesday night, EPS dubbed the question as "wrong." "We have no issue with Annamalai. If...

The Congress on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that the grand old party cannot give true guarantees, saying the people of Karnataka will guarantee the end of the "BJP's 40 per cent Commission Sarkara" on May 10 and all the promises of the Congress will be implemented. In a virtual address to BJP workers in Karnataka in the run up to the May 10 Assembly polls, PM Modi said what is the meaning of the Congress' guarantees when that party's warranty itself has expired. Hitting out at the prime minister for the remark, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter, "After Amit Shah and Yogi, now it's Modi's turn to make outrageous comments due to despair and desperation." After Amit Shah & Yogi, now it's Modi's turn to make outrageous comments due to despair & desperation. On May 10th, people of Karnataka will guarantee the end of the BJP 40% Commission Sarkara...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed through virtual mode tens of lakhs of BJP workers exhorting them to strengthen booth-level campaigning for the coming Karnataka Assembly elections, to win with majority, and made a strong pitch for ending "revdi culture" (culture of distributing freebies). PM Modi also hit out at the Congress on the issue, saying when the party's warranty itself has expired, its guarantees have no meaning. For Karnataka polls, Congress has announced 'guarantees' that include 200 units of free power to all households, 10 kg of rice free to every member of BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), and Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years, on coming to power. The Prime Minister said states are getting immersed in debt because of freebies, and emphasised that the country and the governments can...

Belagavi district with the second highest number of assembly seats after Bengaluru Urban -- is expected to face a tough contest between the BJP and Congress as Lingayat politics surmounts the local issues, but the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) could play spoilsport in a few seats as it wants to keep the border issue alive. There are 18 assembly constituencies in the border district which is a Lingayat stronghold and has been a BJP stronghold in the last two decades. As in the last three elections, it is likely to be a straight contest between the BJP and Congress in most of the assembly seats barring five where the Shiv Sena-NCP supported MES -- a vocal proponent of the inclusion of Belagavi and other Marathi-speaking areas in Maharashtra -- has fielded local candidates. The leadership vacuum in the Lingayat community after sidelining of stalwart leader B S Yediyurappa, deaths of some prominent local Lingayat BJP leaders like Suresh Angadi and Umesh Katti and the rising clou...

Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Tuesday alleged that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was no less dangerous than gangster Atiq Ahmed, who was killed in a recent shootout. "KCR is more dangerous than Atiq Ahmed. He is the leader of gangsters. But there is nothing to be afraid of. We shall continue to fight with him till we achieve our goal," Bandi Sanjay said, while addressing the massive rally, Nirudyoga March (Rally of the unemployed) at Mahbubnagar. While Atiq Ahmed had looted the people at gunpoint, KCR was looting the people and their lands taking the help of the police, he said. Accusing the chief minister and his family of being responsible for jeopardising the careers of 30 lakh unemployed youth due to the leakage of question papers of the Telangana State Public Service Commission examinations, Mr Sanjay said the fight would go on till unemployed youth would get justice. "We shall not rest till KCR sacks his s...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would hold an interactive meeting with 50 lakh BJP workers virtually in poll-bound Karnataka on Thursday. Party workers from 58,112 booths would join the meeting, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje told reporters on Tuesday. She said the Prime Minister will join the millions of party workers to ensure that the 'double-engine' government returns to power in Karnataka. "As part of the effort, he will speak to the workers to encourage them to work (more) for the party," the minister added. The elections to the 224-member assembly will be held on May 10 and results will be declared on May 13. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) source https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-hold-virtual-meet-with-50-lakh-bjp-workers-in-karnataka-3978438

Taking a jibe at the Congress, Union Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that while the BJP government is a "double-engine" government, Congress is a "reverse-gear" government. He asked the people not to give the charge of the state to such a government which in itself is a "hindrance" to development. While addressing a public rally in Devara Hippargi, Vijayapura, Amit Shah said, "On one hand there is PM Modi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's 'double-engine' government and on the other hand, there's Congress' 'reverse gear' government. They (Congress) drive in reverse gear". "Whatever development the BJP government does, Congress with its 'reverse gear' brings the situation back to square one, wherever BJP government works," he added. He further hit out at Congress regarding the promise of restoring 4 per cent Muslim reservation in the state. "We did a major change in reservation. They (C...

A local court on Tuesday granted bail to YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila, a day after she was arrested by police in Hyderabad for allegedly assaulting police personnel following an altercation with them outside her residence in the city. Ms Sharmila, sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was produced before the court after her arrest on Monday which remanded her to judicial custody till May 8 and she was lodged in a jail. Ms Sharmila had also moved a bail petition which the court had posted for Tuesday after issuing notice to the police. After hearing the arguments and counter-arguments, the court today granted her conditional bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 30,000 and two sureties. She was directed not to leave the country without court's permission and also to cooperate with the investigation. She was further directed by the court to see that such offences do not repeat in the future. Ms Sharmila was subsequently released from the jail. ...

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today expressed the state's gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocating a Vande Bharat train for the state and dedicating several development projects to the nation. This is for the first time that the Chief Minister, who has been aggressively campaigning for the proposed Silver Line semi-high speed rail corridor project, is making any remark regarding the southern state's reception of the Vande Bharat. Mr Vijayan, during his brief speech, said he was placing Kerala's "gratitude to you for allocating a Vande Bharat train" and expressed hope that more would follow. "Developing our railway stations, laying new railway lines, doubling and electrifying existing railway lines, improving our signal systems, increasing the speed of our trains and introducing new trains are all initiatives that need special focus," he said. Stating that if the union and state governments work together with dedication, wonde...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated to the nation various developmental projects, including the Kochi Water Metro, and said as states develop, the country will develop faster. He said the central government lays emphasis on cooperative federalism and believes that if the states develop, it will help in the development of the country. "As Kerala develops, India will develop faster," PM Modi said at an event held at the Central Stadium here. Earlier in the day, the PM flagged off the state's first Vande Bharat Express train from the Central Railway Station in Thiruvananthapuram. The service will connect the state capital with Kasaragod. Addressing a massive crowd at the stadium, PM Modi, dressed in a traditional Kerala attire of 'kasavu' mundu, shawl and kurta, said many are aware of the economic situations of the countries across the world. Despite those global headwinds, India has been globally seen as the 'Vibrant Spot of Development', PM Mod...

An eight-year-old girl died when the mobile phone she was using allegedly exploded, police said on Tuesday. The mobile phone used by Thiruvilvamala resident, Adithyasree, allegedly exploded at around 10.30 PM on Monday, police told PTI. Adithyasree was a third standard student of a school nearby. Police have registered a case and investigations are on. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) source https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kerala-girl-8-dies-after-mobile-phone-explodes-probe-on-3976857

Congress veteran and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said "false propaganda" that he was anti-Hindu took centre stage during the 2018 state elections, denying he was against the majority faith as projected by BJP. In an interview with PTI Video, the excerpts of which were released on Monday, he further said there was nothing wrong in state Congress president DK Shivakumar aspiring for the Chief Minister's post in the event of the party winning the May 10 Assembly polls, as "healthy competition" was fine. "See, if there is healthy competition, there is nothing wrong. If DK Shivakumar wants to become Chief Minister and he is an aspirant, there is nothing wrong. If I am an aspirant for the Chief Minister's post there is nothing wrong. Ultimately the newly elected MLAs and the high command will take a decision," he said. Asserting that the people of Karnataka want to show the door to the ruling BJP, Siddaramaiah said the BJP cannot ...

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the Telangana High Court order directing the CBI, probing the murder of former Andhra Pradesh Minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, to provide a written questionnaire in advance to YSR Congress Party Lok Sabha member YS Avinash Reddy who is under the central agency's scanner. Terming the high court order "unwarranted", a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandarchud and Justice PS Narasimha quashed the direction the HC had issued to the CBI. The top court, however, said the high court can proceed with the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea of Avinash Reddy on merits. Mr Reddy is a nephew of YS Vivekananda Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy's cousin. It also rejected the vehement submissions of senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Avinash Reddy, that he be protected from arrest for at least 24 hours as the anticipatory bail plea is listed for hearing on April 25 before the Telangana High Court. "Few mi...