BJD Using Police, Govt Machinery To Influence Voters In 2024 Polls: Pradeep Panigrahi

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BJD Using Police, Govt Machinery To Influence Voters In 2024 Polls: Pradeep P...

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

BJP leader Pradeep Panigrahi on Friday alleged that the ruling BJD is using the Police and government machinery to influence the voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha and and Assembly elections in Odisha.

Berhampur, Mar 29: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi on Friday alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is using the Police and government machinery to influence the voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha.

Panigrahi, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Berhampur constituency, alleged that the former IG of Police (Southern Range) is threatening several leaders, workers and contractors not to quit the BJD.

#WATCH: BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Berhampur constituency #PradeepPanigrahi says, "The then IG (Southern Range) is threatening leaders, workers & contractors not to quit BJD. I urge the Election Commission to look into the matter."#OdishaElections2024 #LokSabhaElections… pic.twitter.com/H9u3IqyHEA — Argus News (@ArgusNews_in) March 29, 2024

"Just before elections, several administrative officers are roped in Ganjam. They have been asked to work like BJD workers and influence people to vote in favour of BJD candidates. This is nothing new. The BJD has been doing such trick in the last 24 years to garner the votes in every election," Panigrahi said.

The BJP leader also urged the Election Commission to look into the matter and take action against the accused officials.

"I urge the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha and the Election Commission of India to investigate into the alleged matter and take appropriate action for the free, fair and transparent general elections in Odisha," Panigrahi said.

Odisha will vote in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls, which are being held simultaneously, in four phases. The polling will be held on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.

The votes will be counted with the rest of the country on June 4.

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TN Fireworks Manufacturers Sell Rs 6,000 Crore Worth Of Fireworks For Diwali

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Chennai, Oct 31: The Tamil Nadu Fireworks Manufacturers Association has reported that firecracker factories in Sivakasi, located in the state's Virudhunagar district, have sold firecrackers worth Rs 6,000 crore across the country for the Diwali festival.

However, association leaders noted that the century-old fireworks industry in Sivakasi faced a significant decline in production this year. This decrease is primarily due to the Supreme Court’s reiteration of its ban on barium nitrate, a key ingredient in firecracker manufacturing, and additional restrictions on joined crackers - sets of individual firecrackers connected by a fuse, allowing them to ignite in succession when one cracker is lit.

Business owners in Sivakasi told IANS that production has dropped by at least 30 per cent due to the restrictions on joined crackers. According to fireworks manufacturers, over 300 factories in Sivakasi and neighbouring villages produce joined crackers.

A.P. Selvarajan from Kaliswari Fireworks said: "Sound crackers account for 40 per cent of the total production in Sivakasi. Of those sound products, around 20 per cent were joined crackers."

He added that many manufacturers of joined crackers have kept their factories closed for months, resulting in workers migrating to other factories.

Additionally, heavy rains in parts of Sivakasi further impacted production, reducing the output to about 75 per cent of the usual volume.

Approximately 4 lakh workers from 1,150 fireworks factories in Sivakasi were involved in producing Rs 6,000 crore worth of firecrackers this year.

Sivakasi is considered the hub of India’s firecracker industry, producing around 70 per cent of the country’s firecrackers.

However, it is also worth noting that several accidents have occurred during the manufacturing process, leading to loss of life. In 2024 alone, Sivakasi saw 17 accidents that resulted in 54 fatalities.

--IANS

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IPL 2025 Retentions: Netizens Welcome Dhoni After CSK Retain 'Thala'

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi, Oct 31: Cricket fans on social media expressed their delight after MS Dhoni -- the 43-year-old legendary wicketkeeper-batter -- was retained for INR 4 crore by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday.

For the records, barring 2016 and 2017 when he played for Rising Pune Supergiant when the Super Kings were going through a suspension period, Dhoni hasn’t moved from CSK.

“What a super Diwali for Dhoni fans. He will be there in IPL 2025. Great dedication to play,” one fan wrote. Another fan said, “Hero is back. Legend Dhoni will rule again."

Dhoni holds the record for playing most matches in the history of the IPL. In 264 matches since his debut back in 2008, Dhoni has scored 5243 runs at an average of 39.12 with a top score of 84 not out. Apart from the IPL, the veteran also led CSK to glory in the Champions League T20.

Earlier on Thursday, CSK decided to exercise the infamous 'uncapped player' rule to retain Dhoni as they also decided to keep hold of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja for 18 crores, Matheesha Pathirana for 13 and Shivam Dube for 12.

All the ten Indian Premier League franchises have announced their list of retained players ahead of the 2025 auction. Notably, three major captains Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be entering the auction.

--IANS

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One Dead, Two Critical In Firecracker Explosion In Puri

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Puri, Oct 31: In what came as first fatal cracker mishap, a person was killed and two others sustained critical injuries in firecracker explosion in Puri district this evening.

The deceased has been identified as Bula Rout..

According to the information, firecrackers caught fire and exploded while three people were making crackers in ha house at Rout Sahi under the Puri Sadar police station. The three were rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital soon. However, they were later shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital because of their critical condition.