LS elections: Assam records 77.35 pc voter turnout in second phase of polls

by Manisha Das

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Assam recorded 77.35 per cent voter turnout in the second phase of polls, which was held in five parliamentary constituencies in the state on April 26.

Guwahati, April 27: Assam recorded 77.35 per cent voter turnout in the second phase of polls, which was held in five parliamentary constituencies in the state on April 26.

According to the Election Commission, 77.35 per cent of voters in five parliamentary constituencies - Silchar, Karimganj, Diphu, Nagaon and Darrang-Udalguri, came out to exercise their franchise in the second phase of polls.

80.56 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Nagaon parliamentary constituency, while 78.41 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Darrang-Udalguri, 75.97 per cent in Silchar, 75.63 per cent in Karimganj and 73.11 per cent in Diphu seat.

Assam recorded a 78.25 per cent polling percentage in the first phase of polls in five parliamentary constituencies - Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga and Sonitpur on April 19.
The third phase of polls in four Lok Sabha seats in Assam - Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Dhubri will be held on May 7.

Forty-seven candidates are in the fray in the third phase of polls and more than 81 lakh voters will exercise their franchise.

Voting for the second phase took place on Friday across 88 Lok Sabha constituencies, including all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.

The first phase of voting for the seven-phased Lok Sabha election was held on April 19 in 102 constituencies across 21 states and UTs, with over 62 per cent voter turnout.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election in Assam, the BJP secured 7 of the 14 seats. The Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) were only able to win three seats each. However during the 2019 elections, the BJP increased its seat count to 9, while the Congress maintained its three seats, but the AIUDF was only able to win a single seat.

(ANI)

Air India Express Cabin Crew Goes On Mass Sick Leave, 78 Flights Cancelled

by Utkalika Mohanty

New Delhi, May 8: Air India Express faced major disruption in services as 78 flights were cancelled and many were delayed after cabin crew called in mass ‘sick leave’ to mark their protest against the ongoing transition in the airline.

In 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave its go-ahead to the Tata Group's initiative to merge the budget airline AIX Connect (previously known as AirAsia India) with Air India Express.

Sources said the senior employees, including the cabin crew, are unhappy with the changes.

"A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night (Tuesday), resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result,” said the airline spokesperson.

"We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport,” said the spokesperson.

(IANS)

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Hardcore Maoist Surrenders Before Police In Odisha

by Utkalika Mohanty

Phulbani, May 8: A Hardcore Maoist and Commander of the KKBN Division on Tuesday surrendered before IGP (Southern Range) Jai Narayan Pankaj in Phulbani.

The surrendered Maoist has been identified as Samay Madkam, alias Amit.

"A senior cadre of CPI Maoists, Samay Madkam alias Punit alias Amit has surrendered today. He belonged to Sukma in Chhattisgarh and here he was leading the 8th Company of the KKBN Division... He was active in Sukma, Bijapur, Noapara and other places. He has decided to surrender and join the mainstream and we welcome his decision. He was involved in more than 15-16 cases," IGP (Southern Range) Jai Narayan Pankaj said.

While speaking to the media, Madkam said that he had been brainwashed as a child and had spent half of his life in the outlawed outfit. Now, he wants to leave that life behind and join the mainstream to live a normal life with his family.

He added that the recent increase in encounters had made him fear for his life, and that's why he decided to surrender.

"I was 10 when I relocated from Chhattisgarh to Odisha... I joined the party in 2008... I was brainwashed as a child and spent half of my life that way. Now I want to join the mainstream and live a normal life with my family... I have surrendered due to fear.

Encounters have increased nowadays," Madkam said.

According to IGP (Southern Range) Jai Narayan Pankaj said, "The increasing number of surrenders being seen in the region is believed to be because they are taught about a certain revolution and when they join the party, the reality turns out to be entirely different. They turn to extortion, promote drug cultivation, and women cadre are sexually exploited... The regular operation of the BSF and CRPF has demoralised them... He had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head."

(ANI)

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PM Modi To File Nomination From Varanasi On May 14, Hold Mega Roadshow On May 13

by Utkalika Mohanty

Varanasi, May 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh on May 14.

He will hold a roadshow in his parliamentary constituency on May 13.

According to district officials, before starting the roadshow, the Prime Minister will first pay tribute to the Madan Mohan Malviya statue at the main gate of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Lanka. The roadshow will end at Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

Lakhs of people are expected to participate in the roadshow.

BJP leader Dilip Patel said that PM Modi's five km long roadshow will go to the Vishwanath Corridor via Assi, Sonarpura, Jangam Bari, Godaulia, and Bansphatak.

PM Modi will be given a grand welcome during this. Responsibilities are being assigned to the workers to make the roadshow historic.

Meetings of all the Assembly constituencies in the Varanasi parliamentary constituency have been organised for Wednesday.

After this, meetings will be held with workers in all 21 divisions and the party organisation is busy preparing with the target of participation of lakhs of workers in this roadshow.