National
Seat-sharing disputes arise before INDIA bloc meeting in Patna
Key topics will include election strategies and coordination among the allies down to the booth level. However, the increasing demands for a larger share of seats could pose a threat to the alliance’s stability.
On Tuesday, CPI (ML) Liberation claimed 45 seats, aiming to solidify its role within the alliance. VIP leader Mukesh Sahni has asserted a demand for 60 seats, arguing that his party can significantly influence elections in over 150 constituencies. Meanwhile, the Congress party, which contested 90 seats in the 2020 elections, is now pushing for 100 seats.
Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of CPI (ML) Liberation, mentioned they are preparing to contest between 40 to 45 assembly seats, noting that discussions about the Mahagathbandhan and seat adjustments are forthcoming. Given their success in winning 12 out of 19 contested seats in 2020, their request for a substantial increase in seats can’t be easily dismissed.
Sahni’s assertion that his party will secure at least 40 seats also puts pressure on the alliance. His controversial remarks, suggesting that PM Narendra Modi could grant reservations to the Nishad community, have added to tensions within the INDIA bloc, given Sahni’s history of changing political allegiances.
After leaving the Grand Alliance in 2020 due to disagreements with Tejashwi, Sahni returned to the INDIA Alliance in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, raising further questions about his loyalty after demanding 60 seats.
Additionally, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru has made ambiguous statements regarding Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership, hinting that the Congress might consider going solo if the RJD does not provide a fair number of seats.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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