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Patna, Nov 8 (IANS) The results of the Mokama and Gopalganj by-elections have sounded an alarm bell for both the RJD and the BJP in Bihar, showing nothing can be taken for granted as the victory margins reduced in a big way.

However, both the BJP and the RJD are claiming that the margin of defeat in Mokama and Gopalganj, respectively, was smaller compared to the 2020 Assembly elections.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh said: "The victory of (RJD's) Neelam Singh in Mokama was just over by 16,000 votes against BJP candidate Sonam Devi. In the last Assembly election, Neelam's husband and 'Bahubali' leader Anant Singh won the election with a margin of more than 36,000 votes. It is a clear indication that the BJP has gained political ground in the turf of Mokama. It is a victory for Anant Singh and not RJD."

On the other hand, deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said: "The margin of defeat in Gopalganj was just 1,794 votes. In the last assembly election, the BJP candidate and late Subhash Singh defeated the RJD candidate by the margin of over 40,000 votes. RJD has emerged in a big way in Gopalganj and if others (AIMIM and Sadhu Yadav) wouldn't have played the role of 'vote-cutter', RJD would have won that seat as well."

RJD MP Ahmed Asfaq Karim blamed Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM for the defeat in Gopalganj.

"Owaisi came here in Bihar and other states to defeat Mahagathbandhan. His party AIMIM is a national 'vote-katwa' (vote-cutter) party in the country. It is a B-team of the BJP to split the votes of minority. It was a job of Owaisi to come to Bihar from Hyderabad and defeat Mahagathbandhan. It is up to minority people to realise this fact and not give votes to parties like AIMIM in Bihar and other states."

Following the result in Gopalganj, there is a ray of hope for BJP to intrude into the 'MY' (Muslim Yadav) equation in 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Vidhan Sabha elections.

In Gopalganj, Sadhu Yadav's wife Indira Yadav contested the election on the ticket of BSP and obtained 8,853 votes while Abdul Salam of AIMIM got 12,212 votes.

The win of BJP is a huge setback for RJD and the grand alliance comprising seven parties in Bihar. Kusum Devi of BJP managed to achieve 70,053 votes, while RJD candidate Mohan Prasad Gupta has achieved 68,259 votes.

The two candidates fought neck to neck till the last round and finally the BJP candidate succeeded in the battle. The role of BSP candidate Indira Yadav who is wife of Sadhu Yadav and AIMIM candidate Abdul Salam cannot be ruled out in the victory of BJP. These two have turned as 'vote-cutters' for the RJD candidate in this close contest. RJD has the vote bank of Muslim and Yadav (MY) and these two candidates combined have bagged over 21,000.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) Supreme Court judge Dinesh Maheshwari -- while upholding the constitutional validity of the 103rd Constitution amendment providing 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections (EWS) persons in admissions and government jobs -- said EWS reservation does not cause any damage to the basic structure of the Constitution on account of breach of the ceiling limit of 50 per cent for reservation.

Justice Maheshwari said reservation for economically weaker sections of citizens up to 10 per cent in addition to the existing reservations does not result in violation of any essential feature of the Constitution and does not cause any damage to the basic structure of the Constitution on account of breach of the ceiling limit of 50 per cent. "Because, that ceiling limit itself is not inflexible and in any case, applies only to the reservations envisaged by Articles 15(4), 15(5) and 16(4) of the Constitution," he added.

Justice Maheshwari said this ceiling limit, though held attached to the constitutional requirements, has not been held to be inflexible and inviolable for all times to come.

"Reasons for this are not far... to seek reservation by affirmative action is not having trappings of any such essential feature of the Constitution, collectively enumerated by Kesavananda (case) and successive decisions, that its modulation with reference to any particular compelling reason or requirement could damage the basic structure of the Constitution," he said.

Justice Maheshwari said the prescription of ceiling limit of 50 per cent, being apparently for the benefit of general merit candidates, does not provide any justified cause to the candidates standing in the bracket of already available reservation to raise any grievance about extra 10 per cent reservation for the benefit of another section of society in need of affirmative action.

"In any case, there is no question of violation of any such basic feature of the Constitution that the entire structure of equality of opportunity in Article 16 would collapse by this EWS reservation," he added.

He further added that if at all the cap of 50 per cent is the final and inviolable rule, the classes already standing in the enabled bracket of 50 per cent cannot justifiably claim their share in the extra 10 per cent, which is meant for a separate class and section, i.e., economically weaker section.

He noted that in Indra Sawhney (case), Justice Jeevan Reddy, speaking for the majority, though made it clear that reservation contemplated by Article 16(4) should not exceed 50 per cent, yet left that small window open where some relaxation to the strict rule may become imperative in view of the extraordinary situations inherent in the great diversity of our country.

"As an example, it was pointed out that the population inhabiting farflung and remote areas might, on account of their being out of the mainstream of national life and in view of the conditions peculiar to them, need to be treated in a different way," Justice Maheshwari said.

He added that the argument regarding the cap of 50 per cent is based on all those decisions by this court which were rendered with reference to the reservations existing before the advent of the amendment in question. "The 50 per cent ceiling proposition would obviously be applied only to those reservations which were in place before the amendment in question. No decision of this court could be read to mean that even if the Parliament finds the necessity of another affirmative action by the State in the form of reservation for a section or class in need, it could never be provided," he said.

He added against the above backdrop, the relevant decisions of this court in regard to this 50 per cent ceiling limit could be referred but, while reiterating that these decisions are applicable essentially to the class/classes who are to avail the benefits envisaged by Articles 15(4), 15(5) and 16(4) of the Constitution.

--IANS
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Kochi, Nov 7 (IANS) Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday barred journalists of Kairali TV and Media One TV channels from covering a press briefing in Kochin after inviting them.

Sidelining of a section of the media has come under fire from both the CPI-M and the Congress-led UDF.

Khan has been upset with Media One and said that they are settling scores with him over the Shah bano case by giving false news, while Kairali is a party channel.

He said the vice chancellor, whom he had appointed to take charge at the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University of Kerala, had to face law and order issues. There are threats against him also, but he is ready to face it, he added.

Taking on the Left parties for their proposed massive protest march before his official residence by the CPI-M on the 15th of this month, the Governor asked them not to wait till then.

Khan said he is willing to take part in a public debate over what's happening in the state and asked Vijayan also to take part.

He is prepared to quit, he said if the state government comes out with evidence to prove that he is interfering in the governance. It's the other way, he said, adding that the state government is interfering in the functioning of the Raj Bhavan.

"Anyone is free to raise a complaint against him or seek legal redress, if he has violated rules," he asserted.

Turning his ire towards Vijayan, Khan said, he knows who Vijayan is as long ago, when a young IPS officer wielded a pistol, Vijayan had ran away.

Responding to the allegations, CPI-M state secretary M.V.Govindan accused the Governor of taking a position which in no way is "acceptable" and termed it "totally undemocratic".

"A governor has to function in a fair manner with no discrimination and according to the Constitution. Here, the governor is violating everything and is creating tension. But the CPI-M is not going to budge as the people of Kerala are the final deciding authority and that's what we will be doing," said Govindan.

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said that a person occupying a Constitutional post should never resort to partisan ways of conduct.

"Avoiding a section of the media is a fascist style of functioning and undemocratic and in no way it's acceptable as freedom of the press is of paramount importance," said Satheesan.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists too have strongly condemned Khan's act announced to stage a protest before the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.

--IANS
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By Kumar Vikram
New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS) Political parties fielding candidates facing criminal cases in the upcoming state poll battles will have to publish full details on their official social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter ,apart from vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper.


As per the rules, both the candidates as well as the political parties have to publish complete details about the criminal antecedents. These details should be published on three occasions during the campaign period in such a way so that electors have sufficient time to know about the background of such candidates.

While candidates with criminal antecedents in polls are not unusual, it is mandatory for political parties to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases. The details include the nature of the offences, and relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned court, the case number etc.

Moreover, political parties also have to furnish the reasons for such selection, as also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. The reasons as to selection shall be with reference to the qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned, and not mere "winnability" at the polls, said a senior EC official.

As per the guidelines, these details shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate and not prior to two weeks before the first date of filing of nominations. The political party concerned shall then submit a report of compliance with these directions with the Election Commission within 72 hours of the selection of the said candidate. If a political party fails to submit such a compliance report with the Election Commission, the poll panel shall bring such non-compliance by the political party concerned to the notice of the Supreme Court as being in contempt of the court's orders/directions.

The Supreme Court issued some additional directions through a judgment dated August 10, 2021, which has been further circulated by the Election Commission. As per the directions, "Political parties are to publish information regarding criminal antecedents of candidates on the homepage of their websites, thus making it easier for the voter to get to the information that has to be supplied. It will also become necessary now to have on the homepage a caption which says 'candidates with criminal antecedents'."

The directions also said: "We clarify that the direction in paragraph 4.4 of our Order dated 13.02.2020 be modified and it is clarified that the details which are required to be published, shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate and not prior to two weeks before the first date of filing of nominations."

"We reiterate that if such a political party fails to submit such compliance report with the EC, the EC shall bring such noncompliance by the political party to the notice of this Court as being in contempt of this court's orders/directions, which shall in future be viewed very seriously," it added.

According to a recent report by poll rights body ADR, out of 412 candidates analysed in this year's Himachal Pradesh polls, 94 (23 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 50 (12 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves this year.

--IANS
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Lucknow, Nov 6 (IANS) Seven cities in Uttar Pradesh recorded 'poor' while four recorded 'very poor' air quality on Saturday night, according to a bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board.

With air quality index (AQI) of 357, Noida topped the chart in the state followed by Muzaffarnagar (332), Ghaziabad (322) and Greater Noida (312).

The seven cities with poor air quality included Jhansi (277), Prayagraj (275), Baghpat (270), Kanpur (236), Meerut (225), Lucknow (216) and Bulandshahr (219).

However, no city in the state crossed the 'severe' mark as was the case on Saturday. Only Kukrail air was 'moderate' in Lucknow. The state capital recorded AQI of 216 on Saturday which was slightly better as compared to AQI of 290 recorded on Friday.

However, as per the five monitoring stations installed by the pollution control board at five locations of Lucknow Talkatora industrial area, average AQI was recorded at 334. It reached maximum 379 at 12 a.m. on Saturday.

At Lalbagh the AQI was 261, in Central School area it was recorded 220 and at BR Ambedkar University the AQI was 165. Only Kukrail picnic spot and Gomti Nagar record moderate AQI with 147 and 159 respectively.

An AQI level between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51-100 is "satisfactory", 101-200 is "moderate", 201-300 is "poor", 301-400 is "very poor", and 401-500 is "severe".

The toxicity of air is measured by the presence of pollutants including PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), PM10 (particulate matter), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) and SO2 (sulphur dioxide).

--IANS
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Shimla, Nov 5 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Nitesh Kumar Vyas and members of the Election Commission of India on Saturday visited the residence of Shyam Saran Negi at Kalpa in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh to condole the demise of the first voter of Independent India.

Negi, who was 106 years old, passed away in the early hours of Saturday.

The CEC met bereaved family members and expressed his grief. He also offered floral tributes and said Negi had deep belief in democracy and always insisted the generations to exercise their voting rights for a strong governance.

He said the true tribute to the departed soul would be to follow his appeals and the people of Himachal Pradesh should come out to vote in large numbers on November 12 for the assembly elections.

The CEC said Negi will always be remembered for his contribution as an election icon and a motivator.

His commitment for voting could be seen that even before his demise, he opted to vote through postal ballot as he was not feeling well for quite some time.

Chief Secretary R.D. Dhiman and Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg also paid homage to him.

--IANS
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Chennai, Nov 3 (IANS) Members of three mosques of Coimbatore visited the Sangameswarar temple in Ukkadam street, where a car blast on October 23 killed a 25-year-old youth, to promote communal harmony.

Jameesha Mubin, the 25-year-old engineering graduate, died after the car in which he was travelling burst into flames near the temple. Police and Central agencies probing the investigation stated that the deceased was planning for a lone wolf act to cause maximum damage.

A delegation from the Coimbatore District Federation of All Jamaat Ulemas from three mosques in Kottaimedu visited the Sangameswarar temple on Thursday. The group included clergy from Idhayathul Islam Shafia Jamaat, Thareekathul Islam Shafia Jamaat and Kerala Muslim Jamaat to hold a discussion with the executive officer of the temple, V. Prabhakaran.

The general secretary of the federation, Haji M.A. Inayatuallah, after the visit told media persons that the visit was aimed at improving communal harmony following the car blast and death of Jameesha Mubin.

He said that Muslims have been living in the area for more than seven generations and that people were having excellent personal rapport and relationships cutting across community or religious lines.

Inayatullah also said that they had recollected their childhood days with temple priests when all of them had played football and cricket together. He said that on behalf of the federation, he condemned the car blast and said that they have directed all Muslims who are seeking houses on rent to get the clearance of the Jamaat for prior approval.

The Coimbatore District Federation of All Jamaat and Ulemas called upon the people to maintain communal harmony and not to have any communal enmity against people of other religions.

Coimbatore has been a communally sensitive town. On February 14, 1998, bomb blast occurred at 12 places in 11 locations of the town. The serial explosion led to the death of 56 people and injured more than 200 people. The blasts were aimed at the then Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, who escaped unhurt as his flight arrived late in the city.

The main architect of the blasts was S.A. Basha, founder, and leader of Al- Umma, an Islamist organisation, In the Coimbatore car blast, one of the six accused who is in jail, Mohammed Talha, is the son of Nawab Khan who is the brother of S.A. Basha.

While speaking to IANS, the priest of the Sangameshwar temple at Kottaimedu where the Muslim ulema paid a visit on Thursday, said, "This was a good gesture on the part of the Coimbatore district federation of all Jamaat and Ulema and let us hope that communal harmony prevails in our place. We had all been seeing each other for several years and are having a good personal rapport."

--IANS
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New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) Nearly 53 per cent Delhi-NCR residents identified stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as the primary cause for toxic air in Delhi and surrounding areas.

To understand what the perception of citizens is on the primary cause of high levels of pollution in Delhi-NCR, online community platform LocalCircles reached out to residents of Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Gurugram.

Over 20,000 responses were received in the survey in which 61 per cent respondents were men while 39 per cent respondents were women.

To gauge the perception of Delhi-NCR residents on the primary cause of toxic air, the survey asked: "What according to you is the primary reason for bad air quality during October to December in Delhi NCR?"

In response, the majority of the 10,037 respondents to the query identified stubble burning by farmers in adjoining states as the root cause.

The data break-up shows 53 per cent of respondents identify "stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and UP" while a much smaller percentage or 13 per cent believe the primary cause is "motor vehicle emissions"; seven per cent blame it on "garbage burning in the city"; seven per cent on "industrial emissions"; 7 per cent on "construction activity"; while 13 per cent have no opinion.

When asked about supporting the introduction of an odd-even vehicle scheme in Delhi-NCR as a solution to reduce the air pollution level, nearly 56 per cent of respondents do not support it while 38 per cent are willing to support this step to reduce pollution and 6 per cent have no clear opinion.

Pollution level in Delhi has been in severe category since the last couple of days and GRAP III has kicked in banning construction activities.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Nov 3 (IANS) The time-frame for the competition of the much-debated India's first bullet train project between Ahmedabad-Mumbai is not yet fixed, as per an RTI reply.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL) Deputy General Manager Umesh Kumar Gupta has conveyed this to Mumbai activist Anil Galgali in the RTI query response.

Although the Railway Ministry had recently announced that the first bullet train project will link Mumbai-Gujarat in 2026, the NHSRCL's reply has created doubts, said Galgali.

"The NHSRCL has stated that the timeline for completing the project can be fixed only after completion of land acquisition in Maharashtra and awarding of all tenders/contracts pertaining to the project," Galgali said.

Gupta further informed Galgali that the civil works for the entire stretch of the bullet train project running 352 kms in Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli was started in different phases from December 2020 onwards.

"As on September 1, 2022, the civil work is progressing at full pace in Gujarat. All civil and track tenders in the entire length of Gujarat have already been awarded. Land acquisition is in progress in Maharashtra," said Gupta.

In view of the NHSRCL's stand, Galgali said that when such ambitious mega-projects are announced without thorough planning, the project is not completed on time and this results in cost escalation at all levels.

Estimated to cost over Rs one-lakh crore, the bullet train project was expected to be completed by December 2023, but got bogged down due to various political hurdles and other issues.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, Nov 3 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Thursday gave directions to the schools and pre university colleges in the state to ensure 10 minutes meditation session for students.

State Education Minister B.C. Nagesh said that necessary directions have been given with regard to conducting meditation session in schools and colleges for 10 minutes every day.

The step is taken to increase concentration, health, and good thoughts. It will also help students to beat stress and acquire knowledge freely in schools and pre-university colleges, the Minister said.

The meditation 'dhyan' session is being conducted at schools in many districts of the state. The requests have been made to allow meditation classes for 10 minutes in all schools and colleges, he stated.

It is appropriate to conduct meditation session for students regularly.

The school and college managements should fix a time and conduct meditation session for students, Minister Nagesh stated.

The move is likely to draw flak as progressive thinkers and minority organisations have been criticising the ruling BJP for "saffronisation of education".

--IANS
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