Month: May 2024

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeting him by saying that one cannot trust him and there is no weightage left in his words.

Speaking with ANI while on the campaign trail in Raebareli, Priyanka Gandhi on the PM’s statement that the INDIA bloc is indulging in appeasement politics while NDA is doing satisfaction politics, Congress general secretary said, “Yesterday or the day before, he was saying that if he says such words, he is not fit to be the Prime Minister. What happened today? Mann badal gaya ki bheed badal gayi? What happened?”

She added, “He (PM Narendra Modi) says something one day and something else the next day. He will say something entirely different the day after tomorrow. So, how can we trust the words of the Prime Minister? There is no weightage in his words.”

Slamming the BJP for its slogan of ‘Abki baar, 400 paar,’ Priyanka Gandhi said, “He used to say ‘400 paar’. Why does he not say that anymore? What has happened? Four phases of the election have been held and now ‘400 paar’ has ended? Why do they not say it now?”

The Congress leader also criticised the Prime Minister and BJP leaders for remaining silent on the matters of inflation and unemployment and said, “… We have been saying from the beginning that the citizens will make these elections be contested on the public’s issues… Their issues are inflation, unemployment, farming-based issues, issues of labourers, issues of the middle class and the PM and other BJP leaders should talk about these issues…”

The Congress leader also expressed confidence in winning both Raebaerli and Amethi.

“We will win both Raebaerli and Amethi,” asserts Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi is a sitting MP in Kerala’s Wayanad, where he is seeking a fresh term alongside Raebareli. Rahul represented Amethi from 2004 until 2019. He will face Congress defector and three-time MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP in Raebareli.

Raebareli constituency goes to the polls on May 20 in the fifth phase. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the constituency, bagging 5,34,918 votes. Her closest rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh, put up a formidable challenge, gathering 3,67,740 votes.

Priyanka Gandhi weighed in on the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal saying that her party stood with women against any atrocity.

Speaking to ANI while on the campaign trail in Raebareli, Priyanka Gandhi said ” If any atrocity happens to any woman anywhere, we stand with the woman. I always stand with women – irrespective of which party they belong to. Secondly, AAP will discuss amid themselves and make a decision. It is up to them.”

Earlier, All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba had said that Swati Maliwal was a strong woman who would come forward and take the legal route on the issue.

“In the case of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, after the press conference of AAP leader Sanjay Singh ji, it has been confirmed that some unpleasant incident has happened with Swati Maliwal ji in the CM residence, and her party stands strongly with her. Swati Maliwal is a strong and aware woman, I am confident that she will come forward and take the legal route and fight for justice,” Alka Lamba said.

On Thursday morning, as Kejriwal entered the venue for his press conference with Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav reporters attempted to question him on the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. The AAP supremo however refused to answer any questions.

During the press conference when the issue was raised, Akhilesh Yadav brushed aside the question saying “There are other issues that are more important than this.

“It was then left to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh to defend his party. The AAP MP accused the BJP of playing political games on the issue and alleged that the BJP had been behind Swati Maliwal being dragged and manhandled by Delhi police during the wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar.”

“Aam Aadmi Party is our family. The party has taken a clear stand on this issue…Can they answer on the case of Swati Maliwal, when she went to fight for justice for women wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, they made the police drag and beat her up. Don’t play political games on this,” Singh said speaking to reporters. (ANI)

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In a significant development, the first LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft is expected to be delivered to the Indian Air Force by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited by July this year.

The aircraft was earlier expected to be delivered to the IAF in the February-March timeframe but a short delay happened due to technical reasons.

“The Indian Air Force and the public sector HAL have recently reviewed the LCA fighter project and it is now expected to be delivered to the force by July this year,” defence officials told ANI.

The HAL carried out the first flight of the fighter last month and a number of other integration trials would be completed in the next few weeks before it is delivered to the IAF, they said.

The indigenous fighter aircraft induction into the force will be a major step in realising self reliance in the military sector and the Prime Minister may also be invited on the occasion, the officials said.

The LCA Mark 1A project was conceptualised after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge. One order worth Rs 48,000 crore for 83 planes has already been placed and another one expected to be worth Rs 65,000 crore is going to be placed for 97 planes by the end of this financial year.

The Defence Ministry has already issued a tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for the purchase of 97 made-in-India LCA Mark 1A fighter jets.

This tender is the largest order for indigenous military hardware ever to be placed by the Indian government. Recently issued by the Defence Ministry to HAL, the company has been given a three-month timeframe to respond.

Government officials had informed ANI that this program aims to replace the Indian Air Force’s fleet of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-27s, which have either been phased out or are scheduled for phase out soon.

Backed by both the Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters, the indigenous fighter aircraft program is expected to significantly boost indigenization efforts and provide substantial business opportunities for small and medium enterprises engaged in the defence sector across the country.

The indigenous fighter aircraft programme, fully backed by Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters is set to be a big boost for promoting indigenisation as well as give major business to the small and medium enterprises engaged in defence business across the country, they said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pushing for the revival of the HAL which has bagged orders for building all types of indigenous fighter aircraft, and helicopters along with the engines for them under his government.

The Prime Minister also undertook a sortie in the trainer variant of the indigenous fighter which was the first ever sortie by the Prime Minister of India in any combat aircraft.

The plan to acquire 97 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets was also announced first by the Indian Air Force chief VR Chaudhari on foreign soil in Spain when he told ANI about the mega plans to boost the indigenous fighter aircraft orders. (ANI)

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The much-awaited arrival of ‘Bridgerton season 3’ has sent fans into a frenzy of excitement worldwide.

Premiering today, May 16, the latest instalment promises a fresh wave of romantic entanglements, particularly the long-anticipated love story between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

As viewers immerse themselves in the drama of Regency-era romance, a surprise addition to the cast has captured attention, especially among Indian audiences.

Banita Sandhu, renowned for her role in Varun Dhawan’s ‘October,’ has made her debut in the beloved series as Miss Malhotra.

Pictures and videos of her portrayal in the latest season have surfaced online, sparking a wave of excitement among fans.

While some were initially disappointed as Sandhu was speculated to play Sophie Beckett, her appearance as Miss Malhotra has left viewers impressed.

Sandhu herself confirmed the news on her Instagram handle, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to delve into the world of Julia Quinn’s characters.

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Born in Wales with an Indian heritage, Banita Sandhu embarked on her acting journey at a young age, showcasing her talent in local stage and film productions.

In 2018, she gained widespread recognition for her role in ‘October,’ followed by her role in 2021 ‘Sardar Udham’ opposite Vicky Kaushal. (ANI)

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra in Dehradun on Thursday. State Chief Secretary Radha Raturi said that according to the direction of Uttarakhand CM Dhami, taking into account the religious sentiments of devotees, shooting videos or making reels within the 50-metre radius of the temple premises has been prohibited.

Radha Raturi said, “Chief Minister held a detailed review of the arrangements of Char Dham, in Dehradun today. He has given directions that nobody will shoot videos or make reels in the 50-metre radius of the temple premises. This is hurting the religious sentiments of devotees. So, to maintain the sanctity of the temple and respect the devotees, those going there won’t be allowed to shoot videos or make reels in the 50-metre radius of the temple premises. There is no prohibition on carrying mobile phones. You can use it but nobody will be allowed to shoot videos or make reels.”

She further said that a lot of cases are coming to light where people are dancing and playing music which is hurting the religious sentiments of devotees.

Over 26 lakh devotees from all across the country and abroad have registered for the ongoing Char Dham Yatra.

“Char Dham Yatra is going on in the state. So far, 26.73 lakh devotees have registered for the Char Dham Yatra… More than 1.42 lakh offline registrations have been done in Haridwar and Rishikesh counters. This time double the number of devotees are coming as compared to last year,” Commissioner Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey said.

More than one lakh devotees reached Kedarnath since the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham opened on May 10. So far, 2, 76,416 devotees have visited Char Dham.

In four days, 1,26,306 devotees have set a new record by reaching Kedarnath. All three dhams, including Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, have been bustling.

The Char Dham Yatra commenced in Uttarakhand on May 10.

The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November.

It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available).

Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website.

The Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In Hindi, ‘char’ means four and ‘dham’ refers to religious destinations, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. (ANI)

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Entrepreneur and ‘Shark Tank India’ judge Namita Thapar made her debut at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.

On day 2 of Cannes 2024, she attended the premiere of Chris Hemsworth-starrer Furiosa A Mad Max Saga.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7ACwRnIRS7/?hl=en&img_index=5

Taking to Instagram, Namita shared pictures from the French Riviera. She looked stunning in a ruffled, off-the-shoulder gown by Lebanese fashion designer Elio Abou Fayssal.

“Cannes 2024 :),” she captioned the post, leaving her fans elated.

“So proud of you,” a social media user commented.

“Woww… you look just fabbb and you are truly breaking stereotypes about entrepreneurs,” another one wrote.

Like every year, this time also many Indian stars are expected to slay at Cannes Film Festival 2024. Celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sobhita Dhulipala will also mark their presence at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

The Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday night with the world premiere of Quentin Dupieux’s ‘Le Deuxieme Acte (The Second Act),’ starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard. During the opening ceremony, Oscar winner Meryl Streep received the honorary Palme d’Or.

On Wednesday, Bharat Pavilion was inaugurated at Cannes.

Representing the country, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju along with H.E. Jawed Ashraf, Ambassador of India to France attended the event.

Hosted each year at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India, Bharat’s participation is spearheaded by the National Film Development Corporation as the nodal agency and FICCI as the industry partner.

The pavilion marks India’s continued commitment to showcasing its rich cinematic heritage and fostering international collaborations with the global film fraternity. Many states/UTs like Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra among others are present representing India at Cannes Film Market this year.

Tholoana Rose Ncheke, Chairperson, National Film and Video Foundation, South Africa, Christian Jeune, Director of Films Department, Deputy General Delegate, Cannes Film Festival, and Filmmaker Richie Mehta also marked their presence during the inauguration of Bharat Pavilion.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sanjay Jaju said, “Heartening to have more Indian projects in the Cannes official selection this year, one each in the competition in uncertain regard and let me also confess that both these projects have been the beneficiaries of the support from the government in terms of the incentive as well as the official core productions.”

“The Bharat Pavilion here would serve as a hub for networking, collaboration, promotion of Indian Cinema on the global stage. We would like to foster a greater collaboration between the Indian audio visual industry and international counterparts, thereby enhancing the visibility and accessibility of Indian Cinema worldwide and serve the national goal of using the power of Cinema to enhance the country’s soft touch,” added the Secretary.

Richie Mehta also shared his thoughts on the festival.”It’s such a momentous occasion of Indian cinema here. Personally for me, I wouldn’t have a career if not for the film festival community. The festivals have helped me basically unlocking a career. It’s a real honour to be a part of this inaugural,” said Richie Mehta.

“India is gaining attention worldwide, both geopolitically and economically, due to its philosophical contributions, thoughts, and ideas. Its role in a multipolar world of great uncertainty is significant as we transition from the existing international order into a new one. All these aspects are interconnected, making it increasingly important for us to have a greater presence abroad, particularly in cinema”, said Jawed Ashraf.

It is for the first time that the country will host a Bharat Parv at the Cannes Film Festival to engage with film celebrities, filmmakers, directors, producers, buyers and sales agents from across the world and showcase the creative opportunities and a rich bank of creative talent. The official poster and trailer of the 55th India International Film Festival (IFFI), to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, will also be unveiled at the Bharat Parv. (ANI)

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared invalid the arrest and subsequent remand of NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha by the Delhi police in connection with a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta ordered the release of NewsClick founders in the case.

The apex court ordered that Purkayastha be released, subject to him furnishing surety and bail bond.

The bench, in its verdict, took into note that a copy of the remand application and grounds of arrest were not provided to Purkayastha, which violated principles of natural justice.

Pronouncing the verdict, the top court said, “A copy of the remand application was not provided to the appellant. This vitiates the arrest of the appellant… Though we would have released him without surety, since the chargesheet has been filed, we release him with surety and a bail bond.”

Purkayastha has been in custody since October 2, 2023.

He has been lodged in Tihar jail under anti-terror law and has applied in a pending case seeking release on medical grounds.

Purkayastha had approached the apex court, challenging his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over alleged Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda.

He challenged the Delhi High Court’s October 13, 2023, order upholding the trial court order remanding him to police custody. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

Earlier, NewsClick’s human resources department head, Amit Chakravarty, had withdrawn from the Supreme Court his petition against his arrest.

A Delhi court had allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver in the case lodged against the news portal.

Purkayastha and Chakraborty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3 after it searched 30 locations connected with the online news portal and its journalists in a case filed under the UAPA following allegations that it received money for pro-China propaganda.

They subsequently moved the High Court to challenge the arrest as well as the seven-day police custody and sought immediate release as interim relief.

The High Court had rejected their pleas and said it was of the view that “the fact that serious offences affecting stability, integrity, sovereignty and national security have been alleged against the petitioner, this Court is not inclined to pass any favourable orders.”

According to the FIR, a large amount of funding to the news portal allegedly came from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.

The probe agency also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group, – People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) – to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking on the Supreme Court order, Advocate Arshdeep Khurana told ANI, “The Supreme Court has held the arrest and the remand proceedings to be illegal and has directed the release of Purkayastha. We have been directed to furnish the bail bond before the trial court. This is a major and big relief because we have been maintaining from the beginning that the entire proceedings against him were illegal and the manner of arrest was illegal which has now been upheld by the Supreme Court.” (ANI)

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The Central Government on Wednesday handed over the first set of citizenship certificates today over two months after notifying the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over citizenship certificates to some applicants in New Delhi today.

Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, as per an official statement by the Ministry of Home affairs.

The certificates were physically handed over to 14 applicants seeking citizenship and digital signed certificates have been issued to many other applicants through email.

The rules envisage manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by District Level Committee (DLC) and scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (EC), stated an official release.

In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to 31.12.2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution.

The District Level Committees (DLCs) chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post, on successful verification of documents, have administered oath of allegiance to the applicants.

After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to State Level Empowered Committee headed by Director (Census operation). Processing of application is completely done through the online portal.

The Empowered Committee, Delhi headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants.

Bhavna, one of the applicants who received citizenship certificate expressed her happiness on receiving the certificate.

“I have got the citizenship today and I am feeling very happy, I can study further. I came here in 2014, and I was very happy when this (CAA) was passed. In Pakistan, we girls couldn’t study and it was difficult to go out, if we had to go out, we used to wear Burqa. In India, we get to study, I am currently in 11th standard and I got to tuition as well,” said Bhavna.

Bharat, formerly a Pakistani national, currently residing in Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tila, expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for finally receiving Indian citizenship after a 10 to 12-year wait.

“I feel like I got a new life, I want to thank PM Modi for this. Since 10-12 years we wanted the citizenship. I came from Pakistan. I never went to school there. I studied a little bit after coming here”.

Yashoda, one of the applicants who received citizenship certificate expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after getting the citizenship.

“I am staying in India since 2013, I have come from Pakistan…now that I have received citizenship, situation will be better…I have been waiting for this like when I will get citizenship and when my children will be able to study…grateful to PM Modi and India.”

On March 11, the Union Home Ministry notified the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants–including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians–who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken a dig at Congress over its guarantees for people for the Lok Sabha polls, saying he had termed these as ‘Chinese guarantee’ in the context of their durability and that such election promises are forgotten by the party.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Shah also said that the Indian Constitution provides a beautiful balance of power and autocracy can never come to the country.

He targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the context of Congress guarantees. Amit Shah said he had recently visited Congress-ruled Telangana and women were still awaiting their Rs 12,000, farmers were waiting for waiving of Rs 2 Lakh loan and young girls for their scooties.

“I called it ‘Chinese guarantee’ on the basis of their durability…I was in Telangana recently. Women there are still awaiting their Rs 12,000. Farmers there are waiting for the waiving off Rs 2 Lakh loan. The young girls are waiting for their scooties…This was promised by Rahul Gandhi, it was his guarantee. Look for Rahul Gandhi…That is why I say that those guarantees hold no meaning. They say that during elections and then forget about it,” Amit Shah said.

At a rally in Telangana last week, Amit Shah had said that this Lok Sabha election is between “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Indian guarantee and Rahul Gandhi’s Chinese guarantee” and that Congress leader’s guarantee doesn’t even last till sunset.

On NDA’s ‘400 paar’ slogan for the Lok Sabha polls, Amit Shah criticised the Congress for trying to mislead people. He said the BJP will not remove reservation but is against giving it on the basis of religion.

He said the slogan of our ‘400 par’ has been politicised by the Opposition owing to its “short-sightedness”.

He said the BJP will not remove reservation for weaker sections such as SCs, STs and OBCs.

“When the opposition does such low politics…we are at the receiving end. But we have clearly stated in front of the people of the country that if our intention was to remove reservations, we would have had done so in the last 10 years when he had a majority. The people of this country had given us a majority. We did not do that,” the Union Minister said.

He said the Constitution does not allow reservation on the basis of religion.

“As far as reservation for Muslims is concerned, I reiterate that there should not be reservation on the basis of religion. This is not mentioned in the Constitution. The Constitution does not agree with it,” he said, adding that Bharatiya Janata Party will not allow it.

Amit Shah also laid thrust on the stability of the government coming to power at the Centre.

“I firmly believe that stable governments give strength to the country, (it) helps to take decisive steps, helps in the welfare of the poor, helps to crush the threats of internal security such as terrorism and Naxalism…,” he said.

Shah said a political party goes to people with its manifesto and gets confidence if it gets support.

“I believe that from the point of view of the election, it is very important that the government that comes to power gets support from every part of the country. And that the government is stable and has a complete majority,” the Union Home Minister said.

He dismissed apprehension in sections of Western media about India heading towards autocracy if BJP gets a large number of seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

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Hitting out at Home Minister Amit Shah over his remark on Congress’s electoral guarantee, party leader Priyanka Gandhi questioned him about the BJP’s guarantee of providing Rs 15 lakhs and 2 crores of employment opportunities.

Priyanka’s statement comes after Amit Shah termed Congress’s electoral guarantee as a ‘Chinese guarantee’ on the basis of their durability.

“I called it a ‘Chinese guarantee’ based on their durability. Those guarantees hold no meaning. They say that during elections and then forget about it. I was in Telangana recently. Women there are still awaiting their Rs 12,000. Farmers there are waiting for the waiver of Rs 2 Lakh loan. The young girls are waiting for their scooties. This was promised by Rahul Gandhi, it was his guarantee. Look for Rahul Gandhi. That is why I say that those guarantees hold no meaning. They say that during elections and then forget about it,” Shah said in an interview with ANI on Wednesday.

Referring to this, Priyanka said, “Ask Amit Shah where is that Rs 15 lakhs and where is that 2 crore employment opportunities. What kind of guarantee was that? Chinese.”

When asked about Shah’s statement claiming that BJP leader Dinesh Pratap Singh will defeat Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli, Priyanka said, “We will see that on 20th (May).”

“Stature is built by the people of the country. It is not built by birth. What does democracy mean? Dinesh Pratap Singh will defeat Rahul Gandhi,” the Home Minister had said.

The Congress, on May 3, announced Rahul Gandhi as a candidate from Raebareli and loyalist KL Sharma from Amethi, keeping Priyanka as well as Vadra out of the electoral contest.

Rahul Gandhi is a sitting MP in Kerala’s Wayanad, where he is seeking a fresh term alongside Rae Bareli. Rahul represented Amethi from 2004 until 2019.

Raebareli constituency goes to the polls on May 20 in the fifth phase. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the constituency, bagging 5,34,918 votes. Her closest rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh, put up a formidable challenge, gathering 3,67,740 votes. (ANI)

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