Nobel laureate Amartya Sen criticized the Indian government upon his arrival in Kolkata, highlighting issues such as wrongful imprisonments, economic disparities, and the need for political open-mindedness and secularism. He emphasized the importance of addressing these issues and promoting a more inclusive and democratic society. This statement comes amid the Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's loss to TMC candidate Yusuf Pathan in the Baharampur constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
According to the Election Commission of India data, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury lost to TMC candidate Yusuf Pathan in Baharampur constituency by around 85,022 votes. The result highlights a shift in political power in West Bengal, with the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance securing 43 out of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats compared to the NDA's 36. Prime Minister Modi's visit to the ancient Nalanda University ruins also signifies the growing importance of Bihar, which holds significant political weight in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Adish Aggarwala, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, has warned current president Kapil Sibal of a potential 'no confidence motion' against him. This comes after Sibal circulated a resolution under the SCBA's name that downplayed the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. Aggarwala has accused Sibal of exhibiting a conflict of interest by representing the West Bengal government in related cases while making these statements.
In a significant development, at least 15 Muslim candidates have won Lok Sabha seats across India in the 2019 general elections. Among them are former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, who won from Baharampur against Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who retained the Hyderabad seat. This comes as a contrast to previous elections where only a handful of Muslim candidates were elected to Parliament.
The fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections has begun, with 96 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs in 10 states. Along with this, voting is also being held for Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Some of the major candidates to watch out for are Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, central minister Giriraj Singh, Nityanand Rai and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary. Stay tuned for updates on the results.
Yusuf Pathan, a former Team India cricketer who represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, has been chosen as a Trinamool Congress candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Baharampur seat in West Bengal. He is expected to face tough competition from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a five-time MP from the constituency representing the Congress party. Stay updated on the latest news and developments from India and around the world by following NDTV.com and watching live updates on our website.
The Congress has released its first list of candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, naming five candidates including Adv Sudha from Tamil Nadu. Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made a statement expressing the party's interest in having Varun Gandhi join as a strong leader with a clean image and connection to the Gandhi family. Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to release their first candidate list tomorrow, with BJP and JD(S) also holding a coordination meeting in Bengaluru for the upcoming elections.
The high-level committee headed by PM Narendra Modi has appointed retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as Election Commissioners. However, there has been opposition from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who has expressed concerns about the selection process and lack of access to the shortlisted names. This decision comes after recent speculation about the health of Ajith Kumar, who was reported to have undergone a medical procedure for a swollen nerve.
In a recent development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a three-member selection committee have chosen bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as new election commissioners. This decision comes after the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. However, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury expressed concerns over the absence of the Chief Justice of India on the selection committee, stating that the recent law has reduced the panel's role to a mere formality. This decision has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who point to the government's majority on the panel.
JNU's Rashtriya Kala Manch unit held a pre-release screening of the movie "Bastar: The Naxal Story" on campus without permission from the Election Committee, causing uproar among left students' groups. The event, organized by students in their individual capacities, featured a panel discussion with the film's director, producer, and lead actor. Despite objections, the Election Committee has clarified that no permission was granted for the event and reminded the university community to adhere to the code of conduct during election season. Meanwhile, the high-level committee has chosen two retired IAS officers as Election Commissioners, but opposition leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has expressed dissent over the lack of access to the shortlisted names.