No Respite From Scorching Heat; Bhubaneswar Records 41.6°C By 11:30 AM 

The polling percentage has been comparatively higher than the national average of 62.30 per cent till 5 p.m. (as per provisional figures).

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said the final figures will be announced on Tuesday after the final calculations, adding that polling in some booths continued even after 5 p.m. as some voters were still in the queue.

Till 5 p.m. the maximum voter turnout was reported from the Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency at 77.77 per cent, followed by Ranaghat (77.46 per cent), Burdwan East (77.36 per cent), Krishnanagar (77.29 per cent), Birbhum (75.45 per cent), Baharampur (75.36 per cent), and Burdwan-Durgapur (75.02 per cent).

The lowest polling percentage till 5 p.m. was reported from Asansol at 69.43 per cent.

The sources said that keeping in mind the reports of tension and violence coming in from different parts of the state throughout Tuesday, the security and monitoring arrangements will be scaled up for the next phase of elections on May 20.

Meanwhile, the leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said that if the Election Commission can maintain the quality of security arrangements, the Trinamool Congress will be in tears from the next phase.

Earlier on Monday, Humayun Kabir, the Trinamool legislator from Bharatpur, one of the seven Assembly segments under the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat, alleged that Hindu voters in certain areas have united in favour of the BJP since the Trinamool candidate and former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan was a Muslim.

“In a couple of booths, we could not even field our agents. My question to them is if a Hindu candidate can get elected from a Muslim-dominated constituency year after year, why can’t a Muslim candidate get elected for a change,” Kabir said.

Meanwhile, poll-related violence continued in the state with an attack on the convoy of the BJP candidate from Bardhaman-Durgapur, Dilip Ghosh, at Kalna in East Burdwan district.

The glass window of one of the vehicles in the convoy was smashed in the attack allegedly perpetrated by the Trinamool Congress workers, which left two persons in Ghosh’s security team injured.

At Salar in Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency, the presiding officer of a polling booth was replaced following complaints filed against him by the Congress for allowing Trinamool workers to influence the voters.

In another incident, a CAPF jawan on poll duty at a booth in Birbhum died after falling unconscious. He was shifted to the Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

The doctors suspect cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

Earlier, there was tension in front of a booth at Nanur in Birbhum district with the BJP alleging forceful eviction of its polling agent from the booth by Trinamool workers.

The BJP also alleged that armed ruling party workers were threatening the voters since Monday morning.

At Suri, a temporary camp office of the BJP was allegedly demolished by Trinamool supporters.

(IANS)

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After Punjab Kings all-rounder Liam Livingstone flew back to England on Monday evening to get his “knee sorted out”, England T20 World Cup skipper Jos Buttler and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players Reece Topley and Will Jacks also travelled back to England for the preparation for World Cup.

Buttler’s Rajasthan Royals are in the second position on the IPL points table and will play their last two league matches against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 15 and 19 respectively. Buttler has scored 359 runs from 11 games at an average of 39.88 and a strike-rate of 140.78 with 2 hundreds.

The Royals dropped a post on ‘X’ where Buttler was seen leaving the team, RR wrote, “We’ll miss you, Jos bhai!” Bengaluru too will miss the services of Will Jacks and Reece Topley in the virtual quarterfinal against Chennai Super Kings, scheduled on May 18.

KKR might also miss the services of Phil Salt for the Play-offs who is also expected to leave in the coming days. Salt has amassed 435 runs at a strike rate of 182 in just 12 matches.

Moeen Ali of Chennai Super Kings will also be unavailable for the playoffs while his participation in the crucial clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 18 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

(IANS)

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The significance of this visit goes beyond mere symbolism; it reflects a deeper connection between PM Modi and the Sikh ethos.

At the heart of PM Modi's visit was his participation in various religious activities within the Gurdwara premises. By donning an orange turban, a colour closely associated with Sikhism symbolising sacrifice and courage, PM Modi not only paid homage to Sikh tradition but also signified his solidarity with the community.

Engaging himself in the preparation and serving of langar -- the community meal open to all regardless of caste, creed, or social status -- underscored PM Modi's commitment to the core Sikh values of equality and 'seva' (selfless service).

His active involvement in these activities reflected a hands-on approach towards understanding and embracing Sikh customs, fostering a sense of inclusivity and mutual respect.

Furthermore, PM Modi's participation in religious rituals such as the seva of Chaur Sahib and sitting in 'Paath' for the 'Sarbat Da Bhala' further demonstrated his reverence for Sikh spirituality and his willingness to immerse himself in the spiritual ambiance of the Gurdwara.

In addition to his participation in religious practices, PM Modi's choice to pay for the "karah prasad" through the digital payment mode not only modernises the traditional offering process, but also emphasises transparency and inclusivity in financial transactions, aligning with the principles of Sikhism that advocate honesty and integrity in all aspects of life.

Moreover, the gesture of presenting PM Modi with the 'Sanmaan Patra' and a portrait of Mata Gujri Ji by the Gurdwara Committee reflected the mutual respect and appreciation between PM Modi and the Sikh community.

It acknowledged PM Modi's efforts in fostering harmonious relations and understanding among different religious groups in the country.

PM Modi's consistent visits to Gurdwaras across the country, coupled with his active participation in various Sikh rituals and traditions, highlight his genuine interest in embracing the diverse cultural tapestry of India.

These visits serve not only as a means of political outreach, but also as a platform for building bridges of understanding and harmony among the different religious communities.

In a country as diverse as India, where pluralism is celebrated as a strength, PM Modi's outreach to the Sikh community through visits to Gurdwaras embodies his broader vision of unity in diversity.

It exemplifies his commitment to upholding the secular fabric of the nation and fostering an environment of mutual respect, coexistence, and unity among all its citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations.

The Prime Minister also took to X and shared snippets from his visit to Patna Sahib.

He wrote, “Sikhism is rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and compassion. Central to Sikhism is Seva. This morning in Patna, I had the honour of taking part in Seva as well. It was a very humbling and special experience.”

PM Modi's statement reflects a deep appreciation and understanding of Sikh values and traditions, particularly emphasising the central tenet of Seva in Sikhism. By acknowledging the principles of equality, justice, and compassion that underpin the Sikh philosophy, PM Modi not only demonstrated his respect for the Sikh faith but also underscored the universal importance of these values in fostering a harmonious society.

The use of the term 'honour' to describe his participation in Seva highlights PM Modi's recognition of the significance of this act within Sikhism. It suggests that he views engaging in Seva not merely as a routine activity, but as a privilege and a profound experience.

Furthermore, PM Modi's characterisation of his participation in Seva as "humble" and "special" conveys a sense of humility and gratitude. It indicates that he approached the experience with reverence and appreciation, recognising the opportunity to connect with the Sikh community and contribute to a noble cause.

It goes without saying that PM Modi's statement reflects his efforts to foster inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect among different religious communities in India.

By actively engaging in Seva and expressing his admiration for Sikh values, he not only strengthens his bond with the Sikh community but also exemplifies the spirit of unity and cooperation that transcends religious boundaries.

(IANS)

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