SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR BJP EXPECTING ITS BEST SHOW IN SOUTH: AMIT SHAH ‘CONGRESS IS QUITE STRONG IN MP’ P7 SENSEX 73,088.33599.34 WEATHER Mainly Clear sky. Heat wave conditions very likely to prevail. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 41 °C and 29 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY P4 NIFTY 22,147.00151.15 P5 ` vs $ 83.586 PAISE GOLD 74,340540 Min. 22 % Max: 40.8°C (+5) SUN RISES 05:13 hrs MOON RISES 14:14 hrs Over 62 pc voting in 1st phase of LS polls Min: 28.3°C (+2) SUN SETS 17:58 hrs MOON SETS 02:36 hrs TEMPERATURE Full Moon on 24 April THUMBNAILS Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections at Durganagar village, Cooch Bihar, Bengal on Friday.  SNS (R) Voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes in Meghalaya.  ANI Human chain formation by students under SVEEP at Palzor stadium. at Gangtok on Friday. ANI Senior IPS officer Nalin Prabhat to head NSG: Nalin Prabhat, a 1992 batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG). “Nalin Prabhat, presently working as an Additional Director General in the CRPF, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) in Level-16 of the pay matrix from the date of joining the post and up to August 31, 2028, i.e., date of his superannuation or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” read the official order. Paring early losses, Indian stocks close week on a high: Making a strong comeback from the early losses, Indian stock indices closed the day and the week's trading on a high. During the morning trade, the Indian stock market nosedived into negative territory with continued selling for the fifth session, succumbing to the escalating geopolitical (Pg 8) tensions between Iran and Israel. WA tensions: AI suspends Israel flights NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL ore than 62 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Friday in the first phase of voting in the 18th Lok Sabha elections in 102 constituencies spread over 21 states and Union territories. The voting was by and large peaceful, save stray incidents in some places, including in the Inner Parliamentary Constituency in violence-hit Manipur. The Election Commission of India said the voting percentage is likely to go upwards when report from all polling stations are obtained. Final figures will be known tomorrow after the scrutiny of the available data, an ECI official said. The voting, which M AGENCIES (See also Page 9) NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL The Supreme Court on Friday directed competent authorities in states/Union territories to decide within three days on applications seeking permission to conduct ‘yatras’ or public meetings aimed at educating people on elections. The direction by a bench of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehra came on a plea seeking the quashing of prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) solely on the grounds of ongoing general election to Lok Sabha. Posting the matter for fur- ther hearing after two weeks, the bench expressed surprise over blanket orders being issued to prohibit any assembly during the polls and asked, “How can such orders be passed?” In the course of the hearing advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner – social activist Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey - told the bench that in the last six months, blanket orders under Section 144 of CrPC are being issued for the entire duration of elections from the time of announcement of the election by the Election Commis- Boosting defence ties, India delivers Brahmos missile system to Philippines Tripura registered 80.70 per cent turnout, Bengal 77.57 per cent, Puducherry 73.25 per cent, Assam 72.10 per cent, Sikkim 69.47 per cent and Arunachal Pradesh 67.15 per cent. Jammu and Kashmir registered 65.08 voter turnout, Madhya Pradesh 64.77 per cent, Tamil Nadu 65.19 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 58.49 per cent turnout, Maharashtra 55.35 per cent, Uttarakhand 54.06 per cent, Rajasthan 56.58 per cent, and Bihar 48.50 per cent as per the ECI data. (More reports inside) STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 19 APRIL Calling the BJP the most corrupt political party, Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that while they shield their own people, they call every other person a thief. She was addressing a political rally at Jangipur in Murshidabad this morning. Miss Banerjee said: “ When a pickpocket is caught, he shouts ‘thieves, thieves’ with a view to divert the attention of the people and save himself. BJP is like that. They are at the helm of corruption and to shield their own people they are calling every other person a thief.” Miss Banerjee reiterated that there will be no CAA, NRC or Uniform Civil Code in Bengal. “They had suspended 147 MPs to pass the laws. If Uniform Civil Code is introduced it will destroy the identity of the minorities, tribals and others. Modi will decide how marriages will be organised, he will decide our dress, food habit. This cannot be allowed,” she said. Coming down heavily on the Election Commission of India and calling it“ BJP-controlled Commission”, she said: “The rule stipulates that Central forces will be deployed by the state government. But in Cooch Behar where the minister sion till the end of elections. The bench was told that such orders prohibit all kinds of assemblies, meetings and demonstrations during the duration of elections. Mr Bhushan said that both Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey had applied for permission to conduct a 'yatra' to educate voters about their democratic rights during last year's Assembly election, but permission was not granted. He further said that the authorities must decide on such applications within a stipulated time. Social activists Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey have approached the top court seeking direction to check the indiscriminate practice of the Magistrates and State governments passing "blanket orders" under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure prohibiting meetings, gatherings, processions or 'dharnas' ahead of every Lok Sabha or State Assembly election, until the declaration of results. The petition by Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey states: “These blanket prohibitory orders directly affect the civil society and general public from freely discussing, participating, organising, or mobilising on issues affecting them ahead of elections.” NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL for the Indian defence sector. India has delivered this missile system to the Philippines amidst the ongoing tension between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. The ground system exports for this missile system commenced last month. It is believed that the BrahMos missile system will be deployed in the coastal areas of the Philippines by the country's marine corps. Considered one of the most accurate and successful missile programmes globally, the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile is a joint venture between India and Russia. The DRDO in India and the NPOM Mashinostroyeniya in Russia are its main partners. Defence experts say that as the world's leading and fastest precision-guided weapon, Brahmos played a key role in increasing India's defence capabilities, with the Indian Army integrating several BrahMos regiments into its arsenal since 2007. of state is contesting, Central agency personnel are manning the line of voters and are deployed inside the booths to scare the voters. Is this fair?” she asked. She urged the voters not to waste their votes casting them in favour of BJP CPI, M or Congress. “BJP has deprived the state deliberately. They have stopped the money for the job card holders under MGNREGA and we have cleared their dues. They have not given money meant for the people under Awas plus scheme. We will clear the dues of 11 lakh people under Awas Plus Yojna and they will get their first instalment by the end of this year.” She said: “We have supported women through Lakshmir Bhandar. The BJP has such audacity that they announced that it will be stopped. It will continue along with other schemes.” Referring to migrant workers from Bengal who go Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi to take over as next Naval chief STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, will be the next Chief of the Naval Staff, it was officially announced on Friday. Vice Admiral Tripathi will take over charge from incumbent Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar when the latter demits office on 30 April. Born on 15 May 1964, Vice Admiral Tripathi was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy on 1 July1985. A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, he has had a long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years. Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, he had served as the Flag Officer Commandingin-Chief, Western Naval Command. He has commanded Indian Naval ShipsVinash, Kirch and Trishul. He has also held various important operational and staff appointments which include Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet; Director of Naval Operations; Principal Director, Network Centric Operations and Principal Director, Naval Plans at New Delhi. As a Rear Admiral, he has served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) and the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. Can’t risk paralysis to get bail, says Kejriwal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL AGENCIES India on Friday delivered the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines, as part of a $374.9 million contract signed between the two countries in 2022. A video that has now gone viral on social media shows sweets being shared after an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft landed at the Clark Air Base, a Philippine Air Force base on Luzon Island. Defence experts maintain that this deal for a shorebased version of an anti-ship cruise missile with a range of 290 km was the first major international export order son Nakul Nath (Chhindwara, MP). Another key candidate was former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) from Bihar’s Gaya. The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases between 19 April and 1 June. Voting in the second phase will take place on 26 April. Results of the elections will be declared on 4 June. According to the data issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) at 9 pm, the poll turnout was recorded at 62.37 per cent. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 86.410.70 BJP shields its own people & calls others thieves: CM SC asks states/UTs to decide within 3 days on pleas to conduct yatras on poll awareness PARMOD KUMAR Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Air India announced it is suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv until 30 April. Sharing on their social media platform X, Air India stated: "Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East." Explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan on Friday in what was described as an Israeli attack, but there were no reports of casualties. Teheran also played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation. began amidst tight security at 7 a.m. across 1.87 lakh polling stations, concluded at 6 p.m. Voters reaching the polling stations till the end of the polling hour were allowed to exercise their franchise. Prominent BJP candidates whose fate was sealed in the ballot boxes today included Union ministers Nitin Gadkari (Nagpur), Sarbananda Sonowal (Dibrugarh), Kiren Rijiju (Arunachal Pradesh West) and Jitendra Singh (Udhampur); Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai (Coimbatore); and Uttar Pradesh minister Jitin Prasada (Pilibhit). Heavyweights from the Congress in the first phase include the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi (Jorhat, Assam) and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's P12 SILVER 86,500 Voting began amidst tight security at 7 a.m. across 1.87 l polling stations Max. 86 % DC HOPES TO RETAIN WINNING MOMENTUM KHARGE: FIGHT TO PROTECT CONSTITUTION, DEMOCRACY BEGINS TODAY Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal represented by his counsel Friday accused the ED of misrepresenting the diet chart and opposed the agency’s allegations of increasing his sugar levels by eating mangoes and sweets, further saying that he cannot risk “paralysis" for getting bail. Mr Kejriwal's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi submitted in a Delhi court that, “The allegation is that I have been consuming mangoes... Out of 48 meals sent from home, only three times mangoes were there… mangoes No have been sent after April 8,” Mr Singhvi told the court. Mr Kejriwal's counsel also told the court that aloo puri was served once as part of prasad to him. A Delhi court on Friday made an oral observation and reserved its order on an application moved by Mr Kejriwal requesting for administering insulin in jail and also allow the AAP chief to consult his doctor via video conferencing on a daily basis for 15 minutes due to his acute CMYK diabetes and fluctuating sugar levels. The Delhi CM has also requested the court to allow his wife to join the video consultation with the doctor. The court reportedly said it will examine if the Delhi CM followed the approved diet chart while accepting homecooked food in judicial custody. Mr Kejriwal's counsel made the submission while objecting to the allegations made by the ED on Thursday that Delhi CM is intentionally eating mangoes and sweets in jail to increase his sugar levels. The court after hearing arguments has reserved its order on Delhi CM's plea and has also asked the jail authorities and ED to file their replies. On Thursday, the federal probe agency had alleged that Mr Kejriwal was consuming mangoes and sweets in Tihar Jail to increase his sugar levels to build grounds for a medical. Mr Kejriwal is presently under judicial custody till 23 April in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy case . elsewhere to work, Miss Banerjee said: “We have opened a portal for them. Whenever they have faced any trouble we have always stood beside them and supported them.” Criticising Narendra Modi she said: “He uses teleprompter in meetings to deliver his speeches. If he has the guts he should walk on the dais to give speeches. He speaks garbage of lies. He had announced that everyone will get Rs 15 lakh in the account. Foirget about Rs 15 lakhs, no one has got even Rs 50,000. He comes to Bengal, speaks volumes of lies and confuses people.”Explaining why she is against the implementation of the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme, she said: “There are lots of restrictions on availing the benefits of this Central scheme. Even the owner of a two-wheeler cannot avail of its benefits. We want the scheme to be for all.” ‘Cong, INDI alliance insult Hindu faith for vote bank’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 APRIL Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said INDI alliance and Congress leaders are busy insulting Hindu faith, and not just opposed the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, but even described prayers on the day of Ram Lalla’s Surya Tilak on Ram Navami day as pakhand (hypocrisy). Addressing a large BJP election rally in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, he said Lord Ram is still considered the reigning king in Orchha in the state. But the INDI alliance and Congress leaders, for the sake of their vote bank politics, did not attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram temple, rejecting an invitation extended to them by the temple administration. The Prime Minister said, in contrast to the Congress leaders, an ordinary family of Ansaris in Ayodhya, which fought for the Babari Masjid for generations, opposing the Hindus in courts, happily attended the foundation-laying and Pran Pratishtha ceremonies of the Ram temple, once the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Hindus. He said the “dynastic and corrupt” leaders are not happy with Modi’s guarantees and say if Modi comes to power for the third time, the country will burn. The INDI alliance leaders are giving threats to Modi every day, but Modi has never worried about such threats, he said. The Prime Minister said the current Lok Sabha election is not just to elect members of Parliament; it will decide the future of the country, and play a major role in making India a big power of the world in the next five years.