Indian Sub-continent

Mysore, Apr 16 (PTI) Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that the Election Commission(EC) is under "pressure" from the Modi government to not take action on complaints of political parties over alleged EVM tampering and their demand for re-introduction of ballot paper.

He said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are not tamper-proof and Voter Verified Paper Trail (VVPATs) machines are not without their flaws either, he said adding that the Congress will bring back ballot paper if voted to power.

Nagapattinam, Apr 15 (PTI) A 40-year old BJP functionary was found dead with multiple cut injuries in a canal near Velankanni in the district Monday, police said.

Passersby saw the body and informed the police who identified the deceased as Senthil Kumar, district president of the party's unorganised workers wing.

Meanwhile, BJP cadre, alleging that Kumar was murdered, blocked the Nagapattinam-Velankanni Road demanding the immediate arrest of those behind the killing.

Nashik, Apr 15 (PTI) Two farmers allegedly committed suicide due to indebtedness in Nashik district in Maharashtra over the last two days, police said Monday.

Santosh Shelke, 42, killed himself by jumping into the well near his farm in Mharal Budruk village in Sinnar taluka Sunday, a local police official said.

He said Shelke had a loan outstanding of Rs 75000 against a local society.

New Delhi, Apr 15 (PTI) The Congress Monday welcomed the Election Commission's decision to bar Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati from campaigning for 72 and 48 hours, respectively, and said the poll panel has put a pause on those trying to spread hatred through their provocative remarks.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said he hopes that the Election Commission will continue its "even handed application unabated" howsoever high be the position the person concerned, who violates the law, occupies.

Mumbai, Apr 15 (PTI) MNS chief Raj Thackeray Monday appealed to people to ensure "disappearance" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah from the political scene of the country for spreading "lies" and "causing" communal disharmony.

Addressing a poll rally in Solapur district of Maharashtra, he called the prime minister "shameless" for seeking votes in the name of jawans without acknowledging their sacrifice.

Attari (Amritsar), Apr 15 (PTI) A group of 100 Indian fishermen Monday crossed over to the Indian side through Attari-Wagah border after the Pakistan government released them from jail as a goodwill gesture.

The fishermen crossed over to India this evening on the basis of 'emergency travel certificates' issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, officials said.

Lucknow Apr 15 (PTI) Slapped with a 48-hour ban on campaigning by the EC for her "provocative" communal remarks, BSP supremo Mayawati Monday alleged the decision appears to have been "taken under pressure" and it will be remembered as a "black day".

Terming the ban a "sudden unprecedented order based on wrong facts", she asserted that the poor and deprived sections of the society will not forget it as she was being deprived of her right to appeal to uproot the BJP from power.

Tura, Apr 15 (PTI) Around 93 per cent voters cast their ballots during repolling at the Konarchar booth in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills on Monday, for both the Lok Sabha and the Selsella bye-elections, officials said.

The repoll was necessitated due to a mix up of the EVMs for the Lok Sabha and Selsella by-election held on April 11, they said.

Out of a total of 674 eligible voters under Konachar polling station, 665 cast their ballot for the Lok Sabha elections and 663 for the assembly by-poll, election officials said.

New Delhi, Apr 15 (PTI) The Lok Sabha polls in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu is likely to be cancelled over excess use of money power, sources aware of the development said Monday.

The Election Commission is learnt to have prepared a recommendation in this regard to be sent to the president.

"It would be sent today itself," an official said on Monday.

New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The Supreme Court Tuesday refused to consider BSP supremo Mayawati's plea challenging the EC's 48-hr campaign ban on her and expressed satisfaction over the poll body's action against leaders making hate speeches.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked Mayawati's counsel to file a separate appeal against the poll panel's order.