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A resident of Pakistani-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been apprehended by the Indian Army in Poonch for operating as the Lashkar-e-Taiba's terror group guide, the police told ANI on Friday. The accused has been identified as Zaher Hussein Shah. A day earlier, as part of efforts to thwart the Pakistan Army's designs to revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the security agencies had redeployed troops in the higher reaches of areas south of Pir Panjal to carry out search and destroy operations. As a part of this deployment, more than 10 battalions and 500 special forces operatives have been stationed to tackle the terrorist activities prompted by the Pakistan Army, sources in security agencies told ANI.Following a surge in the terror attacks in the Union Territory, the Indian Army has moved the troops to carry out searches in the forested areas with a proactive approach to take out terrorists who have been hiding in natural caves and man-made underground hideouts, the sources added.They said the idea behind the move is to search and locate terrorists at higher reaches and to prevent them from coming down and targeting civilians.The human intelligence grid has also been strengthened in the area with the induction of new local police officers. The central police forces have also strengthened their presence and activities, the sources said.The Indian Army and other security agencies have suffered multiple casualties in recent months after terrorists took advantage of the relatively low presence of troops in view of redeployments done for the standoff at the northern borders.The new inductions in the area, including the armoured vehicles and mine-protected vehicles, have also strengthened the forces, sources said. The security deployment and standard operating procedures in the entire Jammu division, including Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Doda districts have been revised, and all troops in the area are on high alert to thwart any terror attack. The recent terror attacks have taken place in the Jammu region. The local over-ground workers and terrorist sympathisers have also been identified and are being taken care of by the security agencies, said sources.The security agencies have discovered that some locals in these areas have been aiding terrorists. They have been, accordingly, taking measures to curb such incidents with area domination and other measures, the sources informed.The top Army brass have also discussed the terror situation in the area recently and have briefed the top leadership on the action being taken by them. (With ANI inputs)
07 May,2025 11:26 AM IST | Poonch | mid-day online correspondentTwo heavily armed terrorists were killed in a gunfight as alert Army troops thwarted an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday. The gunfight broke out late Sunday night in the Laam sector of Nowshera after the troops picked up the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate from across the border, they said. In a post on X, the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said that based on inputs from intelligence agencies and police regarding a likely infiltration bid, an anti-infiltration operation was launched on the intervening night of September 8 and 9 in the general area of Laam. "Two terrorists have been neutralised and a large quantity of war-like stores including two AK-47s and one pistol (have) thus far (been) recovered. Search operation is in progress," it said. The officials said the Army troops illuminated the area and kept it under strict surveillance throughout the night following the encounter and the search operation was launched at first light. The search operation was still on when the last reports were received, they said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 May,2025 11:26 AM IST | Rajouri/Jammu | PTIOn Monday, a soldier was gravely injured during a suspected terrorist attack on the Sunjuwan Military Station on the outskirts of Jammu. The attack began about 10:50 am when gunmen shot several bullets at a sentry post, officials said. According to a defence spokesperson, the injured soldier is in serious condition, and a large search operation has been begun to locate and neutralise the attackers. However, no further information about the attackers has been released at this time, reported PTI. According to the report, the incident sparked panic in the neighbourhood, causing the local police's Special Operations Group (SOG) to assist the army in its search operations. Despite the continuous operation, the alleged terrorists have yet to be contacted. The Sunjuwan Military Station saw a similar attack in February 2018, when terrorists attacked the camp, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers, a civilian, and three terrorists. Indian Army neutralises terrorists trying to cross LoC in Jammu and Kashmir Meanwhile, an ANI report stated that on August 29, the Indian Army had eliminated three terrorists who were attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control in the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors of the union territory. The news agency quoted an official release which stated, "Credible inputs were received from intelligence agencies, which was further corroborated by J-K Police regarding likely infiltration attempts from these areas. Based on the inputs, troops of the Indian Army, JKP and BSF laid ambushes on likely infiltration routes in both Machhal and Tangdhar sectors." On August 28 evening, suspicious movement was detected following which firing commenced which lasted until early August 29 morning, reported ANI. Security forces recover arms in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district In a related event, security personnel discovered a cache of rifles and ammunition in the Ramgarh sector of Jammu & Kashmir's Samba district earlier Monday. Officials said that the weapons were dropped by a drone, and a search operation was begun in response to intelligence reports about the occurrence. Three pistols and other ammunition were recovered. The Border Security Force (BSF) and police have been placed on high alert, with search activities stepped up in the area, stated another PTI report.
07 May,2025 11:26 AM IST | Jammu | mid-day online correspondentThe election results in Karnataka will not have any impact on the outcome of the next year's Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said here on Saturday. Speaking to reporters about the Congress's victory in the southern state, Shinde said the BJP had earlier won elections in Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland, and the issues in each of these three states were different. "Thus, the results in Karnataka will affect neither Lok Sabha elections nor the (Assembly) elections in Maharashtra," he said. One cannot forecast anything from election results of a single state, he added. Also Read: Victory of politics that unites country: Priyanka Gandhi on Karnataka results Shinde, who split the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in June 2022 and went on to become chief minister by joining hands with the BJP, also said that one must accept that the BJP had won the 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra (subsequently) witnessed a government in a coma," he said, in a veiled reference to the Thackeray-led government of the Sena, NCP and Congress. "People in Maharashtra want a government that will work for them. They are intelligent enough to understand the situation," Shinde added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 December,2024 04:07 PM IST | Satara | PTIThe BJP led NDA and INDIA led by the Congress are currently in a neck-to-neck battle over seats across all constituencies as counting progresses. Check the list of winning candidates party-wise and constituency-wise. Candidate Name and Party Constituency PM Narendra Modi (BJP) Varanasi Rahul Gandhi (Congress) Rae Bareli, Wayanad Kishori Lal Sharma (Congress) Amethi Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) Hyderabad Piyush Goyal (BJP) Mumbai North Ravindra Waikar (Shiv Sena) Mumbai North West Varsha Gaikwad (INC) Mumbai North Central Manoj Tiwari (BJP) North East Delhi Yogendra Chandoliya (BJP) North West Delhi Ramvir Vidori South Delhi Kamaljeet Sehrawat (AAP) West Delhi Harsh Malhotra (BJP) East Delhi Bansuri Swaraj (BJP) New Delhi Praveen Khandelwal (BJP) Chandni Chowk Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena UBT) Mumbai South Sanjay Dina Patil (Shiv Sena UBT) Mumbai North East Anil Desai (Shiv Sena UBT) Mumbai South Central Nitin Gadkari (BJP) Nagpur Adv. Gowal Kagada Padavi (INC) Nandurbar Dr. Hemant Sawara (BJP) Palghar Naresh Mhaske (Shiv Sena) Thane Murlidhar Mohol (BJP) Pune Bhagirath Choudhary (BJP) Ajmer Amit Shah (BJP) Gandhinagar Supriya Sule (NCP Sharad Pawar) Baramati Bajrang Manohar Sonawane (NCP Sharad Pawar)Bhiwandi Beed Balya Mama-Suresh (NCP Sharad Pawar) Bhiwandi Kangana Ranaut (BJP) Mandi Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) Kalyan Chhatrapati Shahu Shahaji (INC) Kolhapur Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne (Shiv Sena) Maval Narayan Tatu Rane (BJP) Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Sanjay Deshmukh (Shiv Sena UBT) Yavatmal-Washim Mukesh Kumar Dalal (BJP) Surat (Uncontested) Manju Sharma (BJP) Jaipur Yusuf Patha (AITC Berhampore Govind Karjol (BJP) Chitradurga Charanjeet Channi (INC) Jalandhar Amar Singh (INC) Fatehgarh Sahib Gurmeet Hayer (AAP) Sangrur H.D Kumarswamy (JD-S) Mandya N. Mallesh Babu (JD-S) Kolar Saleng Sangma (INC) Tura Akhilesh Yadav (SP) Kannauj Hema Malini (BJP) Mathura Arun Govil (BJP) Meerut Dimple Yadav (SP) Manpuri Dr. Virendra Kumar (BJP) Tikamgarh Omprakash Bhupalsinh (Shiv Sena UBT) Osmanabad Jyotiraditya Scindia (BJP) Guna Eatala Rajendra (BJP) Malkagiri Shatrughan Sinha (AITC) Asansol Radhakrishna (INC) Gulbarga Basavaraj Bommai (BJP) Haveri Captain Brijesh Chowta (BJP) Dakshina Kannada Shankar Lalwani (BJP) Indore Kunduru Raghuveer (INC) Nalgonda Jitan Manjhi (Hindusani Awan Morcha - Secular) Gaya K.C. Venugopal (INC) Alappuzha Shashi Tharoor (INC) Thiruvananthapuram K. Sudhakaran (INC) Kannur Hibi Eden (INC) Ernakulam B.Y. Raghavendra (BJP) Shimoga Kirti Debarman (BJP) Tripura East V. Somanna (BJP) Tumkur Mahima Mewar (BJP) Rajsamand Delkar Mohanbhai (BJP) Dadar and Nagar Haveli Haribhai Patel (BJP) Mahesana Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri (BJP) Uttara Kannada Dineshbhai Makwana (BJP Ahemdabad West Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy (INC) Khammam Balram Naik Porika (INC) Mahabubabad Chudsama Rajeshbhai Naranbhai (BJP) Junagadh Pralhad Joshi (BJP) Dharwad Hasmukhbhai Patel (BJP) Ahemdabad East Lumbaram (BJP) Jalore Sunil Tatkare (NCP) Raigad Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (BJP) Chevella Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy (INC) Bhangir G. Kishan Reddy (BJP) Secunderabad Kadiyam Kavya (INC) Warangal Vamsi Krishna Gaddam (INC) Peddapalle Bhupathi Varma (BJP) Narsapuram P.C. Mohan (BJP) Bangalore Central Faggan Singh Kulaste (BJP) Mandla Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP) Bikaner Damodar Agarwal (BJP) Bhilwara Karan Bhushan Singh (BJP) Kaiserganj Dushyant Singh (BJP) Jhalawar-Baran Dr. K. Sudhakar (BJP) Chikkballapur Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar (BJP) Mysore Kota Srinivas Poojary (BJP) Udupi Chikmagalur Anurag Singh Thakur (BJP) Hamirpur Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava (BJP) Bharuch Daggubati Purandheshwari (BJP) Rajahmundry Kiren Rijiju (BJP) Arunachal West Gopal Jee Thakur (BJP) Darbhanga Tapir Gao (BJP) Arunachal East Rahul Singh Lodhi (BJP) Damoh C.R. Patil (BJP) Navsari Murari Lala Meena (INC) Dausa Rakesh Tharor (INC) Sitapur Bhajan Lal Jatav (INC) Karauli-Dholpur Sunil Bose (INC) Chamarajanagar Manna Lal Rawat (BJP) Udaipur Arvind Dharampuri (BJP) Nizamabad Malvinder Singh Kang (AAp) Ananpur Sahb Pradeep Kumar Singh (BJP) Araria Parshottambhai Rupala Rajkot Ashish Dubey (BJP) Jabalpur Bharti Pardhi (BJP) Balaghat Anajy Bhatt (BJP) Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar( Biplab kumar Deb (BJP) Tripura West Bunty Vivek Sahu (BJP) Chhindwara Mahendra Singh Solanky (BJP) Dewas Savitri Thakur (BJP) Dhar Om Birla (BJP) Kota Dr. Mahesh Sharma (BJP) Gautam Buddha Nagar Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed (INC) Lakshadweep Azad Kirti Jha (AITC) Bardhaman-Durgapur Harsimat Kaur Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal) Bathinda Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne (Shiv Sena) Maval Abhishek Banerjee (AITC) Diamond Harbour K.Radhakrishnan (Communist Party Of India - Marxist) Alathur Richard Vanlalhmangaiha (Zoram People’s Movement) Mizoram Amraram (Communist Party Of India - Marxist) Sikar Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP) Paschim Champaran Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam (BJP) Jamnagar Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva (BJP) Chhota Udaipur Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor (BJP) Dahod Rajpalsinh Mahendrasinh Jadav (BJP) Panchmahal Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj (BJP) Kangra Janardan Mishra (BJP) Rewa Ganesh Singh (BJP) Satna Vishnu Datt Sharma (BJP) Khajuraho Suresh Gopi (BJP) Thrissur Dr. Lata Wankhede (BJP) Sagar Shashank Mani (BJP) Deoria Mohmad Haneefa (IND) Ladakh Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai (IND) Daman & Diu Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa (IND) Faridkot Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (BJP) Jodhpur Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao (Shiv Sena) Buldhana Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure (Shiv Sena-UBT) Shirdi Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbelwal (AAP) Hoshiarpur Shrimant Chh Udayanraje Pratapsinhamaharaj Bhonsle (BJP) Satara Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare (NCP-Sharad Pawar) Dindori
11 November,2024 11:30 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Welcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Maharashtra assembly elections likely only after Diwali The Maharashtra Assembly polls are expected to be held after Diwali in November this year, instead of October, giving the Mahayuti government at least a month more in office before it takes on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). On Friday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) parted with the practice of holding Maharashtra elections together with Haryana’s. Read more. Uttar Pradesh: 20 coaches of Sabarmati Express derail near Kanpur, no injuries reported As many as 20 coaches of the 19168 Sabarmati Express passenger train derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur during the wee hours of Saturday, rail officials said. There is no report of any loss of life or injury in the accident. While speaking about Sabarmati Express derail, North Central Railway (NCR) senior public relations officer Shashikant Tripathi told PTI that the accident occurred at 2.30 am. He said there is no report of loss of life or property. The train was going from Varanasi to Ahmedabad. Rescue and relief operations are underway. The train derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen railway station. Read more. Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections in 3 phases, Haryana on Oct 1 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases from September 18 while Haryana will go to polls in a single phase on October 1, the Election Commission announced on Friday. Voting will take place for 90 seats in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, September 25 and October 1, the EC said. Read more. Bachchan Jr at his best Relationships often form the crux of Shoojit Sircar’s movies. For his yet-untitled next, the director has delved into the tender bond between a father and his daughter as the two try to rekindle their relationship. What makes the project special for Sircar is that it marks his first collaboration with Abhishek Bachchan. The director, who shot the drama in the US last September, is deeply impressed by his leading man. Read more. Manu wants to horse around! Her shooting hand bruised by repeated pistol recoils during unrelenting training, Manu Bhaker will take a well deserved three-month break. But it won’t be a vacation. The double Olympic medallist will continue her other routines including yoga and waking up at 6 am — which she hates. And she also plans to catch up on her hobbies — horse riding, skating, Bharatnatyam and violin practice to name a few. Bhaker, 22, who won bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team (partnering Sarabjot Singh) was at PTI headquarters on Friday along with her coach and shooting great Jaspal Rana for an interaction. Read more.
28 October,2024 04:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
With the Election Commission declaring the dates for the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress on Friday welcomed the announcement but said it is unfortunate that the BJP-led Centre has been "insensitive" to the demand of restoration of full statehood which would be an election issue. The opposition party also alleged that the recent moves by the Union government have only added to the powers of the lieutenant governor in Jammu and Kashmir, "making a mockery of the powers of a duly elected state government". The three-phase elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be held on September 18, September 25 and October 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told a press conference in the presence of Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The Election Commission also announced that elections to the 90-member Haryana assembly will be held on October 1 and the results for both the polls will be declared on October 4. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are looking towards his party and its allies to usher in justice, while wait of the people of Haryana is now going to end because the BJP’s departure from the state is now certain. "The Indian National Congress welcomes the announcement of elections in Jammu & Kashmir. The Supreme Court had set a deadline for the conduct of the elections, and we had demanded that elections must be held at the earliest to secure Constitutional rights and put a full stop to this mechanism of being 'ruled by bureaucracy'," Kharge said in a post on X. The Modi government wants to control the revived state administration of Jammu and Kashmir, therefore, in July they gave more powers to the LG by amending the Rules under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, he alleged. Now, the bureaucrats have also been suddenly shuffled, hours before the announcement of the polls, Kharge said. "In the past decade, the Modi government has performed many electoral experiments in Jammu & Kashmir, but the people have time and again, rejected BJP's undemocratic tactics trampling upon their Constitutional rights," he said. The recent spike in terrorist incidents, particularly in the Jammu region, where 18 Army/security personnel have sacrificed their lives in 27 terror attacks since June 9 is highly disconcerting, the Congress chief said. The Kashmiri pandits and migrant workers have also suffered targeted attacks over the years, he said. Ladakh, which had four assembly seats in the original Jammu and Kashmir legislature, will now be without any directly elected MLA, he pointed out. "People of Jammu & Kashmir are yearning for change. They are looking towards the Congress and its allies to usher in justice. Congress workers must reach out to the people and work hard to ensure our victory in the state," Kharge said. In a post in Hindi on X about the Haryana poll dates announcement, Kharge said, "In the last 10 years, the double-engine BJP government in Haryana has given nothing but deceit to the people. Our farmers and youth - both are suffering. Unemployment in the state is at a record high. There have been many recruitment scams. Law and order is at a standstill." The BJP has hatched a conspiracy to divide the social fabric of the state, he alleged. "The Congress is the only party that can give Haryana a credible option. Congress is a party that takes along 36 communities. We have done development in the past and we are determined to bring Haryana back on the path of development. Congress workers should reach out to the people and leave no stone unturned to ensure our victory," Kharge said. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "For the past five years, the Indian National Congress has been consistently demanding that full statehood should be restored to J&K and that assembly elections should be conducted. J&K still awaits full statehood." "Recent moves by the Union Govt have only added to the powers of the LG there, making a mockery of the powers of a duly elected state government," Ramesh said in a post on X. The votes will be counted on October 4 for both the assemblies, the chief election commissioner told a press conference here. The last assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir in November-December 2014 and these will be the first assembly elections in the erstwhile state since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Asked about the announcement of polls in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "We were expecting that dates for all four assemblies will be announced because only yesterday we heard the Prime Minister loudly shouting that there should be 'One Nation, One Election'. Now if they can’t do four assemblies together, then why do they give these hollow slogans?" "The expectation of the Congress is that we will win all four, two we will win in October and the other two, we’ll win in December," Khera told PTI. The elections are also slated to take place this year in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. The Congress and the INDIA bloc has been repeatedly raising the issue of restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir but the government has been "insensitive" about it. "This election will definitely be fought on this issue also," Khera said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 October,2024 04:18 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIUnion minister Ramdas Athawale-led Republican Party of India (Athawale) have planned to contest the Haryana Assembly Elections on 8-10 seats and will support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the remaining seats, RPI (A)'s Haryana unit President Ravi Sonu Kundli said, reported news agency ANI. While addressing a press conference on Monday, Kundli said that they are demanding two seats in Haryana from the BJP, and if no agreement is reached then they will field their candidates on 8-10 seats. "We are planning to contest on 8-10 seats. If we form an alliance with the BJP at the state level, then we are demanding 2 seats in it. If no agreement is reached with the BJP, then we will field candidates on 8 to 10 seats and will support BJP candidates on the remaining 80 seats," Kundli said, reported ANI. Party leader Manju Chibbar said that the two seats that they are demanding from the BJP are reserved seats, including Mullana in Ambala and Nilokheri in Karnal. "If BJP gives us to two seats in the alliance then on the rest 8 seats we will support the BJP. The Two seats that we are demanding include Mullana in Ambala and Nilokheri in Karnal. Republic Party request the BJP for these two seats. We've been with the BJP and will always be. But if it doesn't suit the BJP to give us the seat then we will have to contest independently in Haryana to keep the morale of the party," she said, reported ANI. Highlighting the issues on which RPI (A) is contesting the Haryana Assembly elections, Chibbar said, "We are demanding proper living place for slum dwellers. We are working against women exploitation in the country. The party also aims to address and reduce drug abuse in the region," reported ANI. Voting is to be held in Haryana on October 5 and the last date for nomination to contest elections in the state is September 12. Earlier, a meeting was called in the national capital under the chairmanship of BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda to discuss the list of candidates in depth for the Haryana Assembly elections. During the meeting held at the BJP HQ Extension office on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with several veteran leaders of Haryana were present. However, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini was not present at the meeting, reported ANI. Contemplation has been going on in the BJP regarding the names of candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections. The first list of the candidates will be released soon by BJP. Earlier, in a meeting held on August 29 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the chairmanship of BJP National President JP Nadda, names of more than 50 candidates from Haryana were approved, reported ANI. However, it is being said that due to the rapidly changing political conditions in Haryana and the continuous joining of members in the party, the party has to reconsider many of these seats. Along with Haryana, the counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on October 8. (With inputs from ANI)
28 October,2024 04:01 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe National Conference will prioritise the lifting of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir and put an end to the "unjust harassment faced by Kashmiri youth" if it is voted to power, party vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Saturday. Abdullah had pitched for the revocation of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in 2012 when he was chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. He had even announced that AFSPA would be revoked during his tenure but the proposal faced strong opposition from the Army. "The party (National Conference) reiterates its unwavering dedication to fulfilling the promises outlined in our manifesto. Once in power, the National Conference-led government will prioritise the lifting of AFSPA, putting an end to the unjust harassment faced by our youth," Abdullah said as he welcomed prominent political activists into the party. The National Conference leader said his party was committed to streamlining the passport verification process, creating job opportunities for the unemployed, and ensuring that every household had access to essential resources, increased ration and reliable utility services without putting a burden on their finances. Highlighting the significance of the party's manifesto, Abdullah said it truly reflected the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "This is precisely why it was rejected by the BJP," he said and warned that "every vote cast in favour of parties other than the National Conference and its allies will only serve to strengthen the BJP, regardless of the party chosen". Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly polls from the Ganderbal seat, said the National Conference is not interested in winning the elections through fear tactics against the BJP. "Instead, the party has developed a comprehensive manifesto that addresses the concerns of artisans, unemployed youngsters, agriculturalists, transporters, hoteliers, traders, and more. The manifesto not only identifies the issues but also presents a clear roadmap to tackle them effectively," he added. Elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1 and the results declared on October 8. The National Conference and the Congress have finalised a seat-share formula, with the parties contesting 51 and 32 seats, respectively. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 October,2024 04:00 PM IST | Srinagar | PTINational Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday alleged that the BJP has "struck a deal" with some regional parties and some independent candidates to be part of the government in Jammu and Kashmir, reported PTI. Referring to remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Jammu, Abdullah said he was "silent" about Apni Party and People's Conference during his speech at the BJP's manifesto launch on Friday, reported PTI. "...those who have struck a deal with Delhi will not fulfill your demands. If you need evidence for this, just look at the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah in Jammu yesterday," the NC vice president said, reported PTI. "The home minister listed the parties with which the BJP will not form the government. He was, however, silent about the independents because they are hand in glove (with them). He was silent about Apni Party and People's Conference," he said, reported PTI. Addressing an Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections rally in Ganderbal assembly segment, Abdullah added, "I thought he would at least name the party of Engineer Rashid (Awami Ittehad Party) but he did not." While releasing the party manifesto in Jammu on Friday, Shah expressed confidence of forming the government in J-K. "There will be no government by the PDP, NC, and Congress ruled by dynasties. Rest possibilities, BJP will explore," Shah said. Abdullah is contesting polls from Ganderbal and Budgam assembly segments which will go to polls in the second phase of voting on September 25. Abdullah reiterated his claim that people who are in jails are specifically contesting against him and cited the names of Awami Ittehad Party's Sheikh Abdul Rashid -- who defeated him in the Lok Sabha polls -- and separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati who is pitted against the NC leader in the upcoming assembly polls, reported PTI. "I wonder why people in jail are after me and want to contest elections against me. What is the reason?" he asked. He had earlier suggested that Barkati, who was from Zainapora, Shopian, was contesting against him as part of "a conspiracy from Delhi", hinting again at the central government, reported PTI. Abdullah said it was not a coincidence that these jailed people are contesting polls against him. "They want to target only one person -- the National Conference candidate from Ganderbal," he said. In the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, Barkati is also seeking election from the Beerwah seat, which was represented by Abdullah from 2014 to 2018. Barkati was a prominent face at the protest rallies in the south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Kulgam after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016. Barkati was first arrested in 2016 and booked under the Public Safety Act. He was again arrested last year and is facing charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), reported PTI. The former chief minister said if the only criticism against him is that he does not live in Ganderbal, then it would be injustice against the people of the constituency. Candidates who have nothing to talk about raise issues like "local versus outsider", he said, reported PTI. "Wherever I may come from, I have worked in Ganderbal. I was MLA for six years from here and the MP three times. Leave aside that my grandfather was MLA from here, my grandmother was MP and my father was both MLA and MP for this segment, reported PTI. "My request to my detractors is to put forth what they have done for Ganderbal and I'll list my works here... Do you have anything to compare with the district hospital, the central university, the roads, physical education college and new administrative units? If you have done something to match these works of mine, I bear witness before God that I will leave the contest," he added. (With inputs from PTI)
28 October,2024 04:00 PM IST | Jammu and Kashmir | mid-day online correspondentAs the deadline for filing of nominations for the Haryana Assembly polls nears the prospective alliance between the Congress and the AAP is yet to reach a conclusion. On Monday AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta said that the party would release the list of 90 candidates if no deal is struck by the end of the day. The statement was reiterated by Party RS MP Sanjay Singh who further said that the party has completed all the processes of selecting candidates for all legislative assembly seats in Haryana. On the speculations of the AAP-Congress alliance, Sanjay Singh said, “Sandeep Pathak has already given a statement on this issue and Sushil Gupta has also clarified the stand that we are fully prepared and we have completed the process of selecting candidates for all seats. As soon as they receive permission from the party or national president Arvind Kejriwal, they will announce the list and move forward with the elections. AAP is a national party and we have a strong organisation in Haryana. Our leaders Sandeep Pathak and Sushil Gupta have already given statements, as soon as they will receive directions from the party and Kejriwal Ji, we will move forward with whatever they have said (Sandeep Pathak and Sushil Gupta). Speaking to reporters, Singh said, “If you are talking about Sushil Gupta’s statements, then his statement is valid as well as right as the last date for nominations is September 12. The people who are working on the ground for the party will discuss it with the party’s president Arvind Kejriwal and take decisions to move forward unitedly, as we have less time.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 October,2024 03:59 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
