India

New Delhi, May 12; GANASHAKTI:  CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has written to the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the poll code by sharing operational details of a "sensitive" defence mission in a television interview to influence voters.

Aravakurichi(TN), May 13 (PTI) Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan has stoked a possible controversy, saying free India's first "terrorist was a Hindu," referring to Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing an election campaign here last night, the actor-politician said he was one of those "proud Indians" who desires an India with equality and where the "three colours" in the tricolour, an obvious reference to different faiths, "remained intact."

Ahmedabad, May 12 (PTI) The wedding procession of a Dalit bridegroom at a village in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat had to be provided police cover Sunday after members of the Thakor community objected to him offering prayers at a local temple.

The procession, however, passed off peacefully, police said.

Bhubaneswar, May 12 (PTI) The toll in Odisha due to cyclone 'Fani' sharply rose to 64, with 21 fresh casualties confirmed by the state government on Sunday.

The 'extremely severe' cyclonic storm, which made landfall in Puri with wind speed of up to 240 kmph on May 3, has left at least 241 people injured, an official said.

The toll, which was 43 till Saturday, rose to 64, as 18 more casualties were reported from the worst-hit Puri district and four more from Khurda district.

Lucknow, May 12 (PTI) Over 54 per cent polling was reported till 6 pm in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, an official said...

"In Azamgarh, a presiding officer was removed following complaints by SP workers, and a report has been sought from the district magistrate," state Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwarlu said.

The officer said there were complaints about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT devices, and the machines were replaced.

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) The Election Commission Sunday "censured" Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh for his communal remarks.

The commission also condemned his statement and asked him to be careful with his utterances during the enforcement of the model code period.

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) The Election Commission on Sunday appointed 2008 batch IAS officer Mukta Arya as the new District Magistrate and District Election Officer for Bankura in West Bengal, removing Uma Shankar from the post.

The transfer followed complaints against DM-cum-DEO Shankar after a clash between TMC and BJP workers on Sunday.

Arya has been asked to join her new assignment immediately, as per an order of the Election Commission.

"The new officer should join before commencement of scrutiny tomorrow," the EC order said.

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) As Delhi voted on Sunday, more than 1200 VVPAT machines facing glitches were changed across the city delaying the polling process, officials from Delhi Election Commission said.

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) comprises of three parts - the Control Unit (CU), the Ballot Unit (BU) and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine.

Kanpur: Head-on collision between truck and Bolero caused death of two and six seriously injured near Afsaria village under Sikandra Police station here on Monday morning. Speeding truck collided with the Bolero stuffed with the people returning from a marriage party. The collision was so fierce as the jeep's body flew into the air. 

This accident halted the traffic on the road. On reaching the spot the police anyhow managed to clear the jam after a little later. 

Mumbai, May 12 (PTI) Two men were Sunday arrested for allegedly molesting a woman cyclist at Worli here, police said.

The incident had occurred in the wee hours of Saturday, when the woman was on her way to Haji Ali, an official said.

"The accused, who were going on a motorcycle, had touched the cyclist inappropriately and even went ahead smiling at her," he said.