2100 HRS.

01-12-2013

 THE HEADLINES

• Over 74 per cent polling in Rajasthan Assembly elections; Campaigning for Delhi Assembly ends tomorrow.
• Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal sent to six day police custody in the sexual assault case.
• Enforcement Directorate attaches 75 crore rupees assets of two companies in connection with NSEL scam case.
• In Bangladesh, large scale violence reported on the second day today of 72-hour blockade called by opposition parties .
• In Sports,P. V. Sindhu clinches Macau Open Badminton Singles title.
• Ethiopian runners wins both men's and women's title at the Pune International Marathon.

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Rajasthan today registered a whooping 74.38 per cent polling which is an all time record in the history of the state. Polling has completed in 199 out of 200 Assembly seats today.  In Churu constituency polling was postponed due to death of a BSP candidate.

Addressing media in New Delhi Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathy said earlier the state witnessed highest 67.18 per cent in 2003, but it came down to 66.49 per cent in 2008. Mr Tripathy said Polling process was peaceful barring some stray incidents.

According to the information available so far, in the 199 assembly constituencies which went to polls in Rajasthan today, th percentage of polling is 74.38. Its a historical figure, as in the earlier Rajasthan assembly elections held in 2003 the maximum voting percentage was recorded at 67.18.

With the completion of voting, the fate of 2,087 candidates has been registered in Electronic Voting Machines. Counting of votes will take place on 8th December. Ruling Congress and main opposition party BJP are contesting on all seats while BSP is contesting on 195 and CPM on 38 seats. 666 candidates of other parties and 758 independent candidates are also in the fray.

Record number of voters used their voting right in the state . In Jaisalmer and Hanumangarh districts more than 85 % polling has reported. Due to successful implementation of SVEEP and participation of youth polling percentage has increased in the state.Except minor scuffles between supporters of candidates at few places no untoward incident was reported in the state.In Jodhpur districts Luni ,Dausa and Alwar districts Jamdoli police stopped attempts of booth capturing .At some places EVMs were also replaced due to technical problems. Chief Election Officer of the state Ashok Jain said that decision about repolling  will be taken after scrutiny of complaints tomorrow.Anurag Vajpeyi AIR News Jaipur

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With only a day left for campaigning for Delhi Assembly elections, star campaigners of various political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters. Various Leaders today devoted most of their times in addressing election rallies in various parts of the national capital. Our correspondent reports that the polling for the 70 member Assembly will be held on 4th of this month and counting will take place on 8th.

Price rise, corruption, development and women safety  emerged as most critical issues in Delhi elections. Where senior Congress leaders Raj Babbar, Shakil Ahmed and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit  addressed  rallies highlighting the developmental work done by the Congress led Delhi government during last 15 years, the BJP leaders Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari and Party Chief Ministerial candidates Dr Harsh Vadhan in their rallies raised the issues of price rise, corruption and water scarcity in Delhi. BSP supremo Mayawati also held election rally in the city and sought mandate. On the other hand candidates belonging to   Aam Aadmi Party, NCP, SP and left besides independents are conducting door to door campaign to reach out to the voters.  Delhi Chief Electoral Office also conducted a Voice of Vote Concert at India Gate as part of its voters awareness campaign to ensure maximum electoral participation.  This is Pratyush Ghosh for  AIR News Delhi.

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BJP leader L K Advani today dismissed the prospects of Aam Admi Party in the Delhi assembly election. Addressing Media in New Delhi Mr Advani said that there is no place for a third party in the elections. He said BJP ended the single party dominance and changed it into a bi polar party and there is no place for a third party. Mr Advani also criticized UPA Government for policy paralysis and economic mismanagement in the country.

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BJP today downplayed its own stand on Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it should be debated whether the constitutional provision has been beneficial for the state. Addressing a rally in Jammu, Narendra Modi said his party wanted a discussion on various aspects of the issue.

Meanwhile Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hit back at Narendra Modi. He wondered if Modi was actually aware of the provisions of Article 370 of Constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

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Former Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal has been sent to 6-day Police custody in connection with sexual assault case. Judicial Magistrate Shama Joshi passed the order for Tejpal 's remand on police's plea.

Tejpal was arrested by Goa police last night after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the District and Sessions Judge Anuja Prabhudesai in the sexual assault case of a woman journalist colleague during an event in Panaji. The arrest was made nearly 90 minutes after the rejection of Tejpal's anticipatory bail plea.

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Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today said the Centre cannot interfere in the sexual assault case against Tehelka Editor Tarun Tejpal.

Replying to a question on whether Tejpal's arrest came after much delay, Shinde, said, his government does not protect culprits in any way.

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The Enforcement Directorate has attached an estimated 75 crore rupees assets of a borrower company and its associates in connection with money laundering probe in the National Spot Exchange Limited scam case.

This is the first attachment order issued by the agency, under Prevention of Money Laundering laws. Sources said the assets belong to Mohan India and its group of companies--Tavishi Enterprises Private Limited and Brinda Commodity Private Limited. Both the companies owe about 922 crore rupees of the investors. They are one of the largest borrowers in the businesses of this exchange.

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Aviation Tubine Fuel or Jet Fuel prices were hiked today by a marginal 0.8 per cent. According to Indian Oil corporation the hike came due to rise in import cost following rupee depreciation.

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The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has said that the North East region can play a major role in building a strong and powerful India. He said, it must be given the utmost importance and attention by our political leaders, policy makers and administrators.

Considering the quality of its human resources and the natural resources, the North East of India has tremendous potential to achieve rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth. This region can become a magnet for major investments from the rest of the country as well as abroad.

Mr. Mukherjee was speaking after inaugurating the Nagaland State’s Golden Jubilee Year Celebrations and Hornbill Festival 2013 at Kisama, Nagaland. The President urged all concerned to work towards establishing and maintaining a peaceful environment in the state.

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Large scale violence including crude bomb explosions and sabotage on railway tracks marked the second day today of the opposition enforced 72-hour blockade in Bangladesh capital Dhaka and other parts of the country. A Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader was beaten to death in Chittagong by miscreants taking the death toll to 7 since yesterday. The Opposition is demanding postponing of elections scheduled for January 5th till an agreement is reached on election-time government. EU has also called leaders of both the parties to agree on a mutually acceptable formula so as to facilitate a fair and free elections. 

Protestors torched at least 3 buses in Dhaka in which several people were injured.  Police fought pitched battles with  opposition activists in Mirpur Tejgaon, and Hathirjeel in the capital.amidst crude bomb explosions. Police also  fought opposition activists   in Ghazipur in which at least 30 were injured.  Local BNP has called a 24-hour shutdown tomorrow to protest against police action.  Opposition activists clashed with police in Jessore which left over 15 injured.   In Chittagong an opposition activist was beaten to death by miscreants.  Train services were badly affected.  Dhaka-Rajshahi and Rajshahi-Khulna routes were suspended after protestors vandalised railtracks. MELINDA DIAS, AIR NEWS,DHAKA

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In Thailand, four people were shot dead as thousands of protesters tried to storm the government offices, television stations and the police headquarters in an attempt to topple the Government in the  capital, Bangkok. Unarmed army units were sent to reinforce riot police who used teargas and water cannons to hold off demonstrators around Government House. One group of protesters is reported to have taken control of the State Broadcasting Station.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, was accused by the protesters of serving the interest of her brother. 

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In Egypt, the committee drafting Egypt's new constitution started its second voting session this evening. Committee spokesperson Mohamed Salmawi said 49 members are attending the session. Forty-eight members of the 50-member committee passed 138 articles including country's preamble in last session on Saturday. The committee completed voting on several chapters which included articles on rights and freedoms and the principle foundations of the state and society.

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Paul Walker, who shot to fame with street racing franchise 'Fast & Furious', has died in a fiery car crash in Southern California. The incident occurred while he was coming back from his organization's charity event last night.

The actor, who is best known for playing Brian O'Conner in the 'Fast & Furious' film series, has also done films like 'Into the Blue', 'She's All That' 'Eight Below' and 'Takers' among others.

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India's badminton star PV Sindhu has won the Women's Singles title at the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold Tournament. Sindhu, the top seed for the event, defeated world No. 30 and seventh seed Li Michelle of Canada 21-15, 21-12 in the title clash today. With the victory Sindhu has bagged yet another Tier-III title this season, after her triumph at the Malaysia Open Grand Prix in May.

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India has retained its top position in the latest ICC ODI rankings and second position in the Test cricket rankings. Virat Kohli is the top batsman in ODI list while R. Ashwin is the top All rounder in the Test rankings. Both the lists were released by the International Cricket Council in Dubai today.

India tops the table once again in the ODI rankings with 122  points followed by England with 111 points. Among the batsmen, Virat Kohli is at number one number position.South Africa’s A.B.Devilliers is at number two, Dhoni is at number five while Shikhar Dhawan has moved up to ninth position. Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal leads the pack of bowlers. Caribbean Sunil Narine is second while India’s Ravindra Jadeja is in third place. In the test cricket format,  South Africa tops the table with 131 points followed by India with 119 points. Ashwin tops the All-rounders' table. As the Men in Blue move to South Africa; another battle royale is on the cards for supremacy in the world of cricket. Atul K Tiwary,AIR News,Dubai.

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Runners from Ethiopia regained their supremacy by outwitting their arch rivals Kenya as they captured top honours in both the men's and women's events in the 28th edition of the Pune International Marathon today.

Belachew Endale Abayneh won the men's 42.195 km race in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 52 seconds, while Aberu Zewude Tesema claimed the top spot in the women's half distance race clocking 1 hour, 16 minutes and 54 seconds.

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The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly Live Phone-in programme “PUBLIC SPEAK” tomorrow will bring you a discussion on “Protection of women in live-in relationship." This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 9.30 to 10.05 p.m.  Listeners can ask questions to the experts sitting in our Studio on telephone number: 011: 2331-4444.

This programme  is also available on Doordarshan DTH.