Why is EC helpless?

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April 25, 2019

On April 9, 2019, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressed an election rally at Latur in Maharashtra. In his speech, he mentioned Indian Air force’s strikes on a terror camp in Pakistan’s Balakot. He also referred to Indian Army. This was a violation of the advisories of the Election Commission of India.

Prior to this, PM Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct in Wardha on April 1. Addressing an election rally, he accused the Congress party of hurting the sentiments of the Hindus. He alleged that the Congress coined the term Saffron Terror. He also hit back at Congress President Rahul Gandhi and said that the leaders of the opposition parties were now seeking election from constituencies where majority community of the country was a minority. His indication was towards Rahul Gandhi fighting from Wayanad in Kerala in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. After these incidents, 15 to 25 days have passed so far but the Election Commission has not yet decided if Prime Minister has violated the Model Code of Conduct and its advisories. The institution had on March 9 and 19 issued two advisories asking the politicians not to display pictures of defence personnel or mention their activities to seek votes, doing such would be seen as a violation of the poll code. It is notable that the Election Commission of India announced poll schedules of the general election 2019 and four state assemblies on March 10 and the Model Code of Conduct came in force with immediate effect.

When asked about the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the PM, NCP Maharashtra President Jayant Patil said, “The Election Commission should take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The institution is not paying attention to the Model Code of Conduct violated by PM Modi. The official who had conducted checking of the helicopter travelled by Modi is dismissed. People are saying that the Election Commission is working for BJP. EC should have taken strict action against PM Modi. When PM had gone for voting in Ahmedabad, he went in an open jeep to attract voters. The EC should have brought this incident to the notice of the PM.”

Delay in the decision on violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Prime Minister shows that the Election Commission appears to be helpless, while Modi goes on violating seamlessly. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioner, said that the Election Commission had received the full transcript of Prime Minister’s April 1 speech in Wardha on April 14. Similarly, the full transcript of his speech in Latur reached the EC’s headquarters on April 16. He said that the Election Commission has decided to study the speeches of leaders before taking any decision. So, they asked election officials of Latur and Wardha to send full transcripts of PM. Local election officials are busy in conducting polls or preparing for the poll. That is the reason behind a little delay, as informed by the department.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA Imtiaz Jaleel said, “I am not at all surprised. PM Modi is controlling all the constitutional institutions. The Election Commission should be vigilant. If the institution views Modi as the PM of India then it will be difficult to take action against him. The EC must take action against everyone irrespective of the post held by them.”

Recently an interview of Prime Minister Modi to ANI with renowned actor Akshay Kumar hit the headlines. Akshay Kumar termed it as candid and completely non-political. However, the Congress party called it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Congress leader Rashid Alvi asked the Election Commission of India to take strict action in this case. He said that PM Modi intentionally raised many topics and tried to improve his image. Other political parties also criticised PM Modi’s interview. The Prime Minister said, I have many friends in opposition and the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee still gifts me Kurtas every year.

Congress spokesperson Hemlata Patil said, “PM Modi is acting in the manner like Election Commission is under his control. The EC team is working at the behest of PM Modi. Modi’s photo was attached on Air India’s boarding pass, tea cups, and a TV channel is there under his name, a biopic is also being made. He had held a road show in Ahmedabad after casting his vote and it is a violation of MCC. If you view Election Commission’s website then 90 per cent of the complaints related to violation of Model Code of Conduct is against BJP. By controlling the government institutions the Modi government is trying to retain power.”

Last month on March 29, the Aam Aadmi Party in a letter to the Election Commission alleged that the Prime Minister talked about Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan, during an interview to obtain political gains. On the other hand, a BJP leader said, “The party thinks national security should be an issue in the elections and no violation of the Model Code of Conduct is involved in lauding the bravery of our soldiers.” PM Modi had spoken on a wide range of topics with a mainstream news channel.

BJP MP Kapil Patil said, “I am not aware of these things, hence, I will not be able to comment on it.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s televised address to the nation on Mission Shakti also attracted ire of the opposition leaders. However, the Election Commission said that it did not violate the Model Code of Conduct. A complaint was filed in this regard by CPM’s Sitaram Yechury.

Another portal of the Election Commission of India – National Grievance Service Portal – has been showing the status of the complaint about Prime Minister’s speech in Latur as “resolved”. The Commission has sought explanation from concerned officer.

Toothless EC watches and ignores MCC violations

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Vaidehi Taman

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April 25, 2019

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are ongoing and the Indian political leaders especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi is moving freely despite facing numerous serious allegations of the Model Code of Conduct violation. This is where the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), a set of guidelines formulated by the Election Commission, steps in. The purpose of the code is to ensure free and fair elections. We, the common people, come to know about the Model Code of Conduct with the help of the Election commission site but we do not come to know how to make a complaint against the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Just because common people do not know much about how to make grievance against the violation of Model Code of Conduct, they just watch and ignore. PM Narendra Modi and his leaders are blatantly disrupting the Model Code of Conduct.

From NaMo TV to a biopic on Modi, maybe the interview with cine stars and TV-Radio speeches, all are in controversy over its legality and ownership. The opposition parties have alleged that these are “brazen violation” of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The code basically runs on the goodwill of the contesting parties and candidates, to follow the guidelines and is fundamentally enrolled on principles and ethics, to uphold the faith and dignity of democracy. However, a lot of contemplation has been going on over the Election Commission of India (ECI) actually penalising the violators. What we need to know here is that these codes of conduct are not necessarily bound by legal framework and hence, penalising the parties or candidates does not sustain much of an imposition. The MCC is not admissible in the court of law as a wholesome rulebook with penalties accorded. Warnings from CEC or the EC are mostly the first and the last step in curbing these violations and in most cases, these complaints are suspended. However, certain provisions of the MCC can be administered legally by soliciting corresponding provisions in other ordinances. The violations need to conjure with statutes under the Indian Penal Code 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 and Representation of the People Act, 1951. In case of violation, the ECI commonly sends a “show cause notice” to the alleged party asking for valid reasoning as to why action is not to be taken against them, within the given time log. Failing this, the concerned party shall have to comply with proceedings of the ECI based on the previous merits of the complaint. The ECI further appoints a committee to evaluate the conduct of the alleged party. With that being said, the ECI still does not have a judicial hand to penalise the violators.

Recently, the EC had issued a notice seeking a report from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on NaMo TV. In its reply, the ministry has reportedly said that it is an advertisement platform, launched by DTH service providers, which does not require government nod. Moreover, not only NaMo TV but the comic books to scripted interviews, everything needs the EC’s attention but the EC is toothless right now. No party or candidate shall include in any activity, which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided. There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples, or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.

All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station. The right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home-life shall be respected; however, much the political parties or candidates may resent his political opinions or activities. No political party or candidate shall permit its or his followers to make use of any individual’s land, building, compound wall, etc., without his permission for erecting flag-staffs, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans, etc.

Political parties and candidates shall ensure that their supporters do not create obstructions in or break up meetings and processions organised by other parties. Workers or sympathisers of one political party shall not create disturbances at public meetings organised by another political party by putting questions orally or in writing or by distributing leaflets of their own party. One party along with places at which another party holds meetings shall not take out processions. Workers of another party shall not remove posters issued by one party. If coaxing and cajoling voters are barred, it stands to reason that using henchmen to threaten the populace, and capturing booths can get them arrested. The Election Commission’s officials should lodge complaints against these individuals or entities. While the MCC lacks statutory backing, the EC can use police machinery to enforce the code. Even if you aren’t very fond of any party, spare a thought for the Election Commission which is working so hard to make sure that you get the right to exercise your franchise in a free and fair manner.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil resigns as Leader of Opposition

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Web Team

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April 25, 2019

Veteran Congress leader Ashok Chavan on Thursday said that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accepted the resignation of veteran Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly. This development comes a day before Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar on Friday.

Vikhe Patil has sent his resignation to the party leadership after his son Sujay Vikhe Patil left Congress last month and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“Congress CLP leader Mr Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had offered to resign from his post and he had also sent a letter to the Congress President. This letter of resignation has been accepted by the Congress president,” Congress leader Ashok Chavan told reporters.

6 Best Hindi Films of 2018 that should not be missed in any case!

By

Afternoon Voice

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April 25, 2019

Hindi films are known for their songs and entertaining elements with very little attention paid to the story, script and screenplay. Most producers prefer to sign big starts, shoot the film on foreign locations, remix few old hit songs, add item number and they are done with the film. Most of the time – this formula-films collect crores of rupees at the box office and become hits. But there is also a kind of cinema which is less commercial and focuses on cinematic aesthetic as a whole. This kind of cinema is known or called by many names among which the popular are Independent Film, Low Budget Film, Art Film and Art House Film.

2018 proved to be that watershed moment of Bollywood for which cinephiles waiting for long. This year would be remembered for the rise of independent, experimental, realistic, and new age cinema on the big screen. All varieties and genres of films released in this year. Here, in this list we will be discussing the films which broke the chain, carved a path, established itself, earnt at the box office, set trend and changed the face of Hindi cinema as well as the perspective of audience towards Bollywood.

Tumbbad

After a long time, Bollywood has added to its list another fresh fright-tale #tumbbad, a real treat to all the horror hungry fellas as it has everything u need to get your bones shivered. Rahi Anil Barve’s directorial debut is poetic, lilting, agonizing, horrifying, fresh and new of its kind in India. It is not just a regular horror movie as most of us want to slot every movie into a genre. The movie has world-class cinematic feel its story that is steeped in Hindu mythology. The movie is divided into three chapters which trace the story of the protagonist from childhood to his ultimate fate. From the very opening scene, a gloomy atmosphere as it rains throughout the movie remains which heighten the tension.

The movie has been shot totally in natural light which makes most of the scenes dark, making viewing in a theatre mandatory. Pankaj Kumar, (who earlier shot Ship of Theseus) has done an outstanding job in capturing the locations giving beautiful pictures. It will stick to your consciousness enough for it to be a pop-up dream, rousing you suddenly in thoughts and ruminations to see it. It’s a story of horrors of some of the man’s sins. No horror films have been made in Indian cinema till date as this. This film has changed the definition of Horror film in the Indian context. It has created a name for itself in the history of Indian cinema. Whenever, in the future, the Horror films will be discussed in India then it will be divided into before Tumbbad and after Tumbbad. This film needs to be screened, discussed, applauded and encouraged.

Mulk

A young man from a respected Muslim family of Banaras indulges in a ghastly act of terrorism which casts an evil spell on the entire family. All of them are accused of aiding and abetting the crime and being terrorists. Cases are brought to court wherein Hindu daughter-in-law of the same family fights for justice against prevalent prejudice in society. Court’s verdict doesn’t matter because the judgement closes one case but leaves the viewers with many questions which are thought-provoking.

This film stands out for its subject and objective portrayal of the same. This hard-hitting and sensitive topic is discussed in detail with cinematic excellence. While our heart bleeds for the family of people affected by terror attacks, nobody thinks about the ordeal which innocent members of terrorist’s family go through which eventually gets extrapolated to the entire community, mostly for financial and/or political gains. Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu and Ashutosh Rana bring in the right amount of emotion, expression and aggression to their respective roles. Courtroom sequences are noteworthy for its engaging, isolating, disturbing and contemplating dialogues.

Raazi

A daughter marries a Pakistani man to keep up her father’s mission of saving the nation. She goes ahead with a motive to spy them and to know their intentions and plans. In this verge, events take place, secrets unfold and a lot of things come her way. This film is dedicated to the unsung heroes who sacrifice everything for the betterment of the nation. The film drives strong content and is gripping from the very beginning till the end. Both Aliya Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal are skin deep into their characters which add fire to the intensity of the film. A film worth a watch and Bollywood definitely needs more movies like this. Meghna Gulzar has done a wonderful job as a director. She has proved herself to be a versatile director after making Talvar and Raazi.

Stree

This movie stands out for its unique narration and presentation of a horror story with humour, suspense and finally delivering a message beautifully without being preachy or over dramatic. The way this film is written and narrated keeps you at the edge of your seat with a smile, laughter as well as curiosity to keep guessing what happens next. Rajkumar Rao with his comic time and performance wins your heart, even after having less screen time Shraddha Kapoor played her role with ease and precision. Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khuranna, Abishek Banerjee are a delight to watch on screen. It’s a mood swinger film.

Andhadhun

Andhadhun is a perfectly stitched thriller which keeps you at the edge of your seat with thrill chill and fun throughout the film. From start to end, it’s totally unpredictable and unexpected. The main characters of the film add extra value to film with their tight performances. It’s unique and something really fresh with a new concept, screenplay, characterization, narration and overall execution. Ayushmann excels as Akash and Tabu immersed into her negative role so beautifully that you forget for a moment that she is Tabu. The Background Score of the film and editing are done brilliantly. However, eventually, it’s the director who brings this film in such a way that marks its mark in Bollywood as well on the audience.

Badhaai Ho

Extremely entertaining ‘Badhaai Ho’ is exactly how a film should be. Amit Ravindernath Sharma’s film grips, engages, wakes conscience up, entertains and hits hard on your face. You celebrate pregnancy and motherhood in your family, but what if a middle-aged couple gets pregnant? Does it remain the same? To add to it, if this happens with your own parents, would it remain as happy as it was before? This film breaks the norms that ‘Log Kya Kahenge?’ and makes you see the taboos with normalcy. With a colourful approach towards togetherness, it redefines love and affection even in the middle age of life. It’s a powerful addition in the list of bold films, aiming to change the way we live.

Ayushmann proves that he has carved a niche for himself in the Hindi film industry. In every shade of his character, he gives his best. You don’t see Ayushmann but only Nakul behaving and reacting to situations in his own life. Sanya Malhotra is wonderful too. In her restrained act, she shines like the bright sun as her character has depth and realism. No word is enough for scintillating acting of Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta. Both these actors have done justice their characters. Overall, it’s a wonderful film that should not be missed.

The list and its sequencing are based on cinematic sensibilities of the writer. However, you are welcome to give your suggestion.

Economy will be stronger by increasing foreign currency reserves

By

Web Team

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April 25, 2019

The country’s foreign currency reserves rose by $1.10 billion to $414.88 billion on April 19, 2019, which is equivalent to Rs 28,758 billion. According to the Reserve Bank, foreign currency reserve is expressed in the dollar, but there is also the effect of fluctuation in the prices of international currencies like Pound Sterling, Yen, Euro, etc. In the same period, the country’s gold reserves stood at $ 23.30 billion, which is equivalent to Rs 1,611.9 billion. In the meantime, the country’s special drawing right (SDR) increased by $3.3 million to $1.45 billion, which is equal to Rs 101.1 billion.

Almost every country in the world has to keep foreign currency reserves to meet the needs of import because imports from other countries need to have stock of currencies such as dollar, yen, and euro. The Reserve Bank does manage the stock of foreign currencies. Typically, the exporters who bring foreign currency, their currency arrive in foreign currency stocks through banks’ channels.

Investments in the stock market and the investments of foreign companies in India are also done in foreign currencies, because dollar, euro, yen are changed from the rupees, thereby increase the foreign exchange reserve. A major part of India’s foreign currency reserve is in US Dollar, however, it is also a significant part of other currencies such as euro, yen, etc.

Due to the decrease in the exchange rate of currencies, the foreign currency reserves either increases or decreases. In addition, every country has the right to take foreign currency from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the time of the crisis, which is known as the special drawing right (SDR).

If the dollar comes in the country through investment, export, etc., there is an increase in foreign currency reserve, but if the dollar goes out of the country, it falls. Demand or supply of currency by the exporters or importers either reduce foreign currency reserves or increases. It also effects the movement of investment in the stock market.

If the foreign currency reserve decreases up to a certain limit, the domestic currency weakens in comparison to foreign currency. Foreign currency reserves are an important part of the country’s international investment position. Reserve Bank’s balance sheet includes foreign currency reserves as well as domestic debt. Increasing foreign currency reserves means that the export or investment is accelerating. With this increase, the domestic currency remains strong.

On the basis of the above development, it can be said that the increase in foreign currency is a positive sign for the development of the economy. If there is a similar increase in foreign currency reserves, then surely the growth rate of the country will increase in the coming days.

By Satish Singh

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

My Election Day Wishlist

By

C K Subramaniam

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April 25, 2019

As I see it, the political playing field needs an overhaul to keep promises and actions in check. This brings me to my wish list, my dreams of radical change to improve the way government runs. I wish to exercise my franchise according to my conscience. Anyway, it is a secret ballot but my wish list is an open page.

It is economy at the top. Becoming a front runner with export competitiveness, increase in productivity, my INR being valued in the club of ruling currency basket, being harder by the day, tops my chart.

My polity must throw up conscious citizens, my men and women must strike their own deals, not be a lackey to any internal/external pressure. My country must move many notches in the transparency index to be in the top bracket.

My society is liberal and tolerant; throw up thought leaders to command respect, bend the world the way Swami Vivekananda did in Chicago in 1893.

My institutions must be independent, not surrender to the might of power or money. My regulators speak the way they want, to defend the larger public interest.

My men and women think out of the box to battle with ideas. My Science and Technology will blaze the trail for everyone to look agape.

My Country will be one “Where the mind is without fear”.

Young and restless, anxious and ambitious, first-time voters in urban India are going into this election with a clear vision for the country’s future and say they expect political leaders to focus on real issues such as jobs, women’s safety, and farmer distress. Spending on statues should stop forthwith. We would like to have a peaceful living as we are enjoying at present. They may be disparate in their life goals and choices of career but are one in reflecting the angst of the young and their hopes for a better tomorrow, many of them saying the country’s resources and energies must not be spent force and we should prevent brain drain by providing best opportunities for getting the best jobs within India.

As the youngsters feel that the Statue of Unity was not needed at all, given the poverty in the country and the joblessness. That same Rs 3,000 crore could have been used for other projects that would have benefited the youth and the country. Of course, there are confused minds as well. But seniors and pensioners should be given free medical benefit and tax benefit. Sportsmen and sportswomen should be given priority.

We don’t feel inspired by any particular party. All parties have their own issues but it is our right to elect a party to power. A good job, political stability and peaceful environment are on the wish-list. If the wish list if taken together will build a great nation and we wish the newly elected government achieve all our ambitions with the right spirit. Give tax credits to all parents and subsidise parents who stay home to raise their babies to school-age if one must also subsidize daycare. However, give a parent an opportunity to stay home with a child. You can’t deny that parents are best suited to raise their own children and a parent, who quits a job to stay home, has just created a new job for someone else.

These are just some of the things I wish for. I’ll stop whining if I could at least get a balanced budget. I could be waiting for a long time.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Letters to the Editor: April 25, 2019

By

Web Team

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April 25, 2019

Pay attention to self- defence

Incidents of oppression of women are on the rise in this country. Infant girl-child to elderly women, all are facing this problem. There are several women’s organisations in this country. If they take steps against such oppression, it would certainly have effect and women would feel secure; but is it so in the present scenario? A lot of vulgarity has spread in society. Social media, films-advertisements exhibiting uninhibited sexuality are the root cause of the same. Nobody has been able to impose restraint on them. Such indecency can be curbed if women fight against it, with unity. We often read about women from rural areas coming together and closing down unauthorized liquor bars and haunts. It is the power of women’s unity. It shows what can be achieved if united. We have a history of brave warrior women like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi; Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, etc. We should take inspiration from them and learn to fight against injustice with determination. Women will have to take firm steps to awaken valour in them in the prevailing difficult period. Women should at least take help of those, who are striving to create awareness amongst women by teaching them self-defence and should get ready to protect self.

Shakuntala Baddi

All that glitters is not Gold (vote)!

All that glitters is not Gold (vote) and one is really surprised that BJP has fielded Sunny Deol and Gautam Gambhir to contest the Parliamentary elections. These are celebrities who don’t have time even for themselves from their busy schedule of stardom and even if they were to win, they would disappear from public life till the time of the next elections which would be a pity. Politics is a serious business where a leader has to make a lot of sacrifices but sadly it has been turned into a money minting business where people want to get elected to make a fortune.

The BJP is not alone in the race to cash on celebrities popularity and other party’s including Congress fall in the same category as well. It also deprives the aspirations of an honest politician as he gets substituted by these celebrities which are a mockery of our democratic system. Public service, education and other parameters like a clean image without court cases should be prerequisite qualifications for people being allowed to contest. Voters too should elect candidates on the basis of their work rather than get lured by the popularity status of candidates!

S.N.Kabra

Living in fear

There is too much of hatred for Christians and Christianity in India ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country in May 2014. Christians are forcibly being converted to Hinduism, religious symbols desecrated, priests and pastors being beaten and churches burnt. The police do not register complaints of Christians nor do they take action against the miscreants because they belong to saffron parties like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS), BJP (Bharatiya Janta Party) and the Bajrang Dal. Not just Christians, but even Muslims are living in total fear ever since the day Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country.

Jubel D’Cruz

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Parrikar’s son among 2 shortlisted by BJP for Panaji bypoll

By

Web Team

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April 25, 2019

Panaji by-poll has become an emotional affair for BJP due to late Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Therefore, the party is considering to field his elder son Utpal Parrikar from Panaji assembly seat. He is one of the two persons shortlisted by the BJP to contest the upcoming by-poll in the Panaji Assembly seat.

A party leader said on Thursday that Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar on Wednesday held discussions with various party units, including the Panaji block committee, to discuss the names of probable’s. The senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity, “Two names have been shortlisted, one is Utpal Parrikar and the other is Siddharth Kunkolienkar.” Both the names would be sent to the party’s parliamentary board in New Delhi for a final decision, he added.

The Panaji Assembly by-poll, scheduled on May 19, was necessitated following the death of sitting BJP MLA and the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar last month. Utpal Parrikar, 38, who has done a Masters degree course from the US and is presently into business, earlier said that he would be ready to take any responsibility given to him by the BJP. On the other hand, Kunkolienkar first won the Panaji seat during the 2015 by-election. He again bagged the seat in the 2017 state Assembly polls but vacated it later that year to make way for Manohar Parrikar to be inducted into the House.

The opposition Congress has already announced former state minister Atanasio Monserratte as its candidate for the Panaji Assembly seat, which comprises around 22,000 voters.

Rohit Shekhar Murder: Cops suspect extra-marital affair!

By

Rajesh Choudhary

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April 24, 2019

Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, who fought a seven-year-long battle in court to prove that he was former Uttar Pradesh chief minister ND Tiwari’s son, was murdered by none other than his wife Apoorva Shukla Tiwari, as claimed by the police. The police have arrested Apoorva with the help of scientific evidence and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report. Police suspected that the extra-marital affair was the main reason behind Rohit’s murder.

Additional CP (crime) Rajiv Ranjan has confirmed the arrest of Apoorva. He said that Apoorva, a lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court, has confessed to the crime. Rajiv Ranjan said, “She has confessed. As of now, it seems the killing was not planned. They had a turbulent marriage and Rohit Shekhar and his family members were thinking of separation. All her hopes with the marriage were belied,”

According to the police, Apoorva was questioned for three days in this connection. Police said the needle of suspicion pointed at Apoorva as she kept changing her statements and the CCTV near Rohit’s room was also not working. Rohit was suffocated with a pillow early on April 16.

It is remarkable that Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, 40, was earlier said to have died of a cardiac arrest. He had gone to Uttarakhand to vote on April 11 and had returned to Delhi at the night of April 15. He could be seen on one of the CCTVs in his Defence Colony home in a drunken state.

Rohit had fought a six-year-long battle in court to prove that he was the son of ND Tiwari. ND Tiwari had refused to give his blood sample for a DNA test in 2012 but relented later. In 2014, the Delhi High Court declared that ND Tiwari was Rohit Shekhar’s biological father. The same year, ND Tiwari, aged 88, married Rohit Shekhar Tiwari’s mother. ND Tiwari passed away last year on his 93rd birthday.

A case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code was registered on Thursday after the post mortem examination report revealed that Rohit died an unnatural death due to “strangulation and smothering.” After the revelations of the post-mortem report, the case was transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for the investigation. Rohit’s wife Apoorva, and two domestic help, Bhola, Pappu were interrogated by the Crime Branch as they were in the house when Rohit died.

A team of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) had also reached the Defence Colony residence of Rohit and recreated the crime scene and collected evidence in an attempt to unravel the mystery behind the death of Rohit.

Veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari died on October 18, 2018. Just six months on, his son Rohit Shekhar Tiwari was murdered and his daughter-in-law is arrested on the charge of murder. The police have claimed to solve the murder mystery successfully. Unhappy marriage emerged as the reason behind the murder. Rohit’s mother Ujjwala also said that Rohit and his wife Apoorva did not share a cordial relationship ever since they had got married. She alleged that Apoorva and her family want to grab the property of her sons. On the other hand, Apoorva’s father said that she could not kill Rohit. Everything was normal between his daughter and Rohit. Rohit and Apoorva tied the knot in a high profile wedding in the national capital last year. ND Tiwari, a former Congress leader, and his son had both joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in January 2017 ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly elections.

Apart from Apoorva Tiwari, servants Martha, Golu, and driver Akhilesh were the main suspects in the case. Earlier, Rohit Tiwari’s mother Ujjwala Sharma had denied any foul play and said that his death was natural. Later, she retracted and reportedly told the police that her daughter-in-law and her family wanted to seize his property, reported PTI.

In a shocking twist in the killing of Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, his mother Ujjwala Sharma on Sunday levelled serious allegations against wife Apoorva.

Rohit’s mother said that his son met Apoorva on a matrimonial site and was even alerted about her nature by their relative Rajiv Shekhar and his wife Kumkum. Apoorva didn’t share a cordial relationship with Rohit and Siddhartha as they wanted to give a chunk of his property to Rajiv’s son Karthik.

Apoorva Shukla also accepted the fact that Rohit was having an extra-marital affair and she saw them together. Apoorva also discloses the reason for their fight and the reason behind their differences.

Rohit reportedly had an extra-marital relationship with a close relative Kumkum. On April 15, Rohit and Kumkum drank together and after that Rohit came home. An argument between Apoorva and Rohit broke out over him on that eventual night.

She said that she will reveal more about the circumstances surrounding Rohit’s death when the right time will come.

However, the autopsy report of Rohit Shekhar revealed that he died an ‘unnatural death’ due to “asphyxia” as he was strangulated and smothered possibly by using a pillow.

“The medical board unanimously concluded that the cause of death, in this case, is asphyxia as a result of strangulation and smothering. It is a sudden unnatural death, placed in the category of homicide,” the head of the AIIMS’ forensic department, Dr. Sudhir Gupta, said.

According to the report, the post-mortem report states Rohit’s time of death at 1:30 am on April 16. However, he was taken to the hospital around 5 in the evening. This means that he was lying dead inside the house for almost 15 hours.

The family returned from Dehradun on April 15 after casting their vote. Rohit and Apoorva were in one car, while Ujjwala travelled in another car. The family went to their rooms around 11.30 pm. However, Rohit’s phone call details showed that he had made calls to his journalist friend and his sister-in-law Kumkum between 2 am to 4:14 am on the morning of April 16. But none received his call.

Rohit Shekhar — One troubled life finally ended with pain

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

April 24, 2019

In 1954, his father ND Tiwari married Sushila, who died in 1991; on May 14, 2014, his father got married again to Ujjwala Tiwari, his long time lover, and mother of his biological son Rohit Shekhar, at the age 88. Tiwari died on his 93rd birthday in New Delhi from multiple organ failure. Tiwari and his wives lived their life to the fullest but Rohit Shekhar Tiwari had to go through a lot of turbulence — he had to file a paternity suit claiming Tiwari to be his biological father. The court ordered that DNA mapping of Tiwari be done, which the court successfully compelled compliance with on May 29, 2012. On July 27, 2012, the Delhi High Court, citing a need to end the controversy, rejected a request from Tiwari’s lawyers to keep his paternity test result a secret. The DNA test results released by the court on July 27, 2012, established that Tiwari was the biological father of Rohit Shekhar Tiwari and Ujjwala Tiwari is the biological mother. When there was no chance to escape, On May 14, 2014, Tiwari married Ujjwala Tiwari, Shekhar’s mother, in a ceremony that took place in Lucknow. After a long fight, he got his table family but till then his ‘bizarre’ childhood and his long legal battle was not easy for him.

Rohit Shekhar’s growing up days was peculiar. He faced a lot of humiliation where many questions went unanswered regarding his father. Then a battle began in 2007. Shekhar, then 28, filed a paternity suit to claim that veteran Congress leader (later joined BJP) ND Tiwari was his biological father. Since then, Shekhar has been running from pillar to post, from one court to another, as his ‘father’ for long evaded court orders.

Shekhar used to be confused and puzzled; he often wondered about the man who met him and his mother secretly, in Delhi and in Lucknow. At times, his mother used to dress him in strange outfits, something one would put on for a fancy dress or in the attire of Lord Krishna to secretly sneak in and meet the man.

As a child, he used to get curious, who is this man. When he turned 11, his mother revealed to him that this man was his biological father. Shekhar claims that his dad showered him all his affection, but only within the confines of his bedroom. Tiwari met Shekhar’s mother Ujjwala Sharma during the late 1960s. As an upcoming leader then, he sought refuge and guidance from her father and seasoned politician Professor Sher Singh. Sharma holds a doctorate in Sanskrit and back then she headed the Women’s Youth Congress wing. Their affair continued for a long time and then they had a son out of their love story.

Tiwari had assured Shekhar’s mother that he would adopt Shekhar when the time was right. However, as the years passed, it became clear to her that Tiwari was not going to adopt him. Furthermore, he broke all ties with her when Shekhar turned 16 in 1995. Years later, Shekhar decided to confront Tiwari and question him about the promises he had made to his mother. He met Tiwari in 2002 and even then, though all party workers knew that he was Tiwari’s son, the leader never let that show in the public. It was the same every time. Behind closed doors, he spoke affectionately but refused to acknowledge him in public. He suffered a massive heart attack when he was just 28. His stress levels shot up, even that time his father never bothered looking into the matter. He was merciless. This is when he thought of knocking the legal doors and the justice was delivered. He got his father and mother back under one roof and this time it was not a secret.

With all the happiness back to life, he met his life partner in Lucknow through a matrimonial website in 2017. They were seeing each other for a year and later took a break in between. Rohit Shekhar maintained distance from her due to some differences. Apoorva Tiwari, the wife of Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, was not happy with him. Soon after marriage, they got in minor disputes but still was staying together.

One fine day, Rohit Shekhar Tiwari was found dead in his residence in New Delhi and his wife got arrested for her alleged role in his murder case. She was taken into the police custody for questioning, making contradicting statements during the interrogation. The Crime Branch officials questioned Apoorva for hours. Besides Apoorva, the Delhi Police Crime Branch took Rohit’s two househelps — Martha and Golu — into its custody. The police suspect that the reason behind the murder could be related to their troubled relationship. She was questioned about her entry in their Defence Colony residence, her schedule — what she did during the day and why she did not find it odd when Shekhar was sleeping throughout the day. Shekhar’s brother Siddharth was also questioned since they were also present at his residence at the time of his death. His autopsy report stated that he died of asphyxia due to strangulation. Shekhar’s cousin Rajeev and his wife Kumkum are also being questioned in connection with the case. The police sources said at least five-six calls were made from Rohit’s phone to Kumkum from 2 am to 4 am on an intervening night. Police are trying to ascertain the reason why did Shekhar contact her at the odd hours. Neighbours claimed that the couple often had fights and just last month, a PCR call was made by one of them. They had a fight last month. Ujjwala hit out at Apoorva and her parents alleging they had their eyes on his property. They also discussed mutual divorce several times and later decided to end their marriage in June, she added. Ujjwala said that Apoorva was also against giving a share of the property to the son of Rajiv Kumar, a relative and aide of Tiwari. Apoorva always had issues with Rajiv and his wife, because she suspected Rohit having an affair with Rajiv’s wife. Meanwhile, a forensic team collected two pillows and a bloodstained bed sheet and also seized mobile phones. Among the seven CCTV cameras installed on the premises, two were not functioning. However, still there can be enough evidence; the cops are waiting for the forensic report to solve the mystery behind Rohit Shekhar Tiwari’s unnatural death. Let’s wait and see what has ended the journey of Rohit.

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