'Divisive politics' of Modi biggest anti-national activity: Rahul

AICC president Rahul Gandhi has said that the 'divisive politics' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the biggest anti-national activity that can destroy the nation.

Addressing the media in Kannur on Wednesday after attending a meeting of UDF leaders in Kannur, Kasaragod and Vadakara Lok Sabha constituencies, he said that dividing the country is the most anti-national activity. He was responding to a query on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation during election rallies in Odisha and Chattisgarh on Tuesday that the Congress is supporting forces that are trying to break the country. He said that thousands of Congress workers had given their lives in Punjab and other places.

Mr. Gandhi said that Mr. Modi's policies had crippled the agricultural system. The Rafael scam involved stealing of Rs. 30,000 crore and giving it to Anil Ambani, he said.

 CSDS researchers detained in Sikkim for conducting post poll survey

Researchers from the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) have been detained over night in Sikkim for conducting a post poll survey in the State.

Mukund Giri, one of members of the research  team involved in the exercise along another researcher have remained under custody at Gangtok Sadar police station since Tuesday evening.  An officer of the police station said on Wednesday that the researchers  have been detained after a complaint was received by Sub Divisional Magistrate. "There was some protests by locals about the survey and two people have been taken under preventive detentikn," the officer said. Laterin the day they are likely to be questioned by senior administrative officials. 

Mr Giri said that they have been conducting the survey in the state since Sunday but the problem started early on Tuesday.

I-T seizes Rs 1.48 cr cash suspected to bribe voters in Theni

The Income Tax Department on Wednesday said it has seized Rs 1.48 crore cash allegedly stashed to bribe voters in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, where an assembly bypoll is scheduled on Thursday.

Unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.48 crore was seized. It was neatly packed in 94 packets and envelops on which the ward number, number of voters and the amount of Rs 300 per voter was written, I-T Director General (investigations) B Murali Kumar said, after the overnight raids concluded at 5:30 AM.

“All these wards are within the Andipatti assembly segment which is going to bypoll tomorrow,” the officer added.

Mr. Kumar added that the premises belongs to a functionary of the AMMK party.

Infact, the AMMK party office functions from the ground floor of the premises, he said.

Vellore parliamentary constituency polls rescinded

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday rescinded the election to the Vellore Lok Sabha seat based on a recommendation of the Election Commission, following a detailed report on the use of money power to influence voters. The I-T Department had seized ₹11.48 crore from the house of an alleged associate of DMK treasurer Duraimurugan, whose son Kathir Anand is the party candidate for Vellore.

Women voters now matter much more than before: Prannoy Roy

Veteran journalist and psephologist Prannoy Roy recently co-authored a book, ‘The Verdict: Decoding India’s Elections’, with Dorab R. Sopariwala. In this interview, Mr. Roy talks about opinion polls, landslide victories and the problem of missing women voters in India.

Campaigning ends for second phase of Lok Sabha election

Campaigning ended on Tuesday evening for the second phase of the 17th Lok Sabha election in 97 constituencies, spread over 12 States and a Union Territory that will vote on Thursday. Counting of votes will take place on May 23, after all seven phases of voting are completed.

In the second phase, all 39 constituencies of Tamil Nadu, 14 in Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, 3 each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one each in Manipur, Tripura and Puducherry will be voting.

‘There is a pro-Modi wave in Odisha,’ says Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaks about the BJP’s electoral prospects in Odisha, where the party hopes to gain ground, and the induction of leaders from other parties, including the Biju Janata Dal.