On Friday (27th October), former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh went on a tirade against the DRS (Decision Review System) after the Pakistan cricket team lost out to a dominant South African side.
In a tweet, Singh claimed, “Bad umpiring and bad rules cost Pakistan this game…ICC should change this rule…If the ball is hitting the stump that’s out whether umpire gave out or not out doesn’t matter…otherwise what is the use of technology???”
The controversy began after the South African cricket team lost wickets in quick succession and was reduced to 260/9 from 206/4. They needed 11 runs to secure victory with 27 balls remaining. Tail-enders Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj were on the crease at that time.
Screengrab of the tweet by Harbhajan Singh
During the 45.5 over mark, Pakistani bowler Haris Rauf delivered a ball which hit Shamsi on the pads. The original decision of the Umpire was ‘not out.’ Pakistan team opted for an appeal under the DRS, which has been in place since 2011 in the One Day International circuit.
The DRS returned ‘Umpire’s call’ and the appeal was turned down. The South African side went on to win the match with 1 wicket remaining. After the match was concluded, Pakistani fans and some ‘Indians’ blamed the Decision Review System for the loss of Pakistan.
While completely ignoring the mechanics behind the system, they claimed that Pakistan would have won had it not been for the ‘flawed’ DRS in existence. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was one of them. Social media users thus had to ‘educate’ him about the workings of the appeal system.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith wrote, “Bhajji, @harbhajan_singh I feel the same as you on umpires call, but Rassie van der Dussen and South Africa can have the same feeling?”
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle informed, “I suspect it is time to explain “Umpire’s Call” again. After the ball strikes the pad, what you see is a projection of where the ball might have been, it isn’t the actual ball because that has met an obstruction.”
He added “If more than 50% of the ball is projected to hit the stumps, you can be 100% sure it will. But if less than 50% of the ball is projected to hit the stumps, the current accuracy levels cannot state with 100% certainty that the ball would have hit the stumps. Hence, you go back to the Umpire’s original decision because you cannot be certain enough to overturn his call.”
“It is a very good and fair method. As cameras get better and the projected path more certain, we could reach a day when you can be certain that even if the projected path shows a ball merely clipping the stumps, it would in reality have hit them,” Bhogle concluded.
I suspect it is time to explain "Umpire's Call" again. After the ball strikes the pad, what you see is a projection of where the ball might have been, it isn't the actual ball because that has met an obstruction. If more than 50% of the ball is projected to hit the stumps, you…
“Harbhajan Singh spent his entire life playing cricket at the highest levels but is still unable to understand the simple logic behind DRS & ‘Umpire’s call’. Ironically, he’s a Rajya Sabha MP from the same party which mocks others based on their educational qualifications,” tweeted another user.
Harbhajan Singh spent his entire life playing cricket at the highest levels but is still unable to understand the simple logic behind DRS & 'Umpire's call'.
Ironically, he's a Rajya Sabha MP from the same party which mocks others based on their educational qualifications.
‘Since the match last night Harbhajan Singh has been given about 25 different responses – all accurate on how the DRS works. His response to every single one is 200 words that scream: I don’t get it,” wrote Aadit Kapadia.
Since the match last night Harbhajan Singh has been given about 25 different responses – all accurate on how the DRS works. His response to every single one is 200 words that scream: pic.twitter.com/RnDfJDp3sU
Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the Semi-Finals are slim. With yesterday’s loss against South Africa, they are now placed 6th in the points table out of a total of 10 teams.
On 20th October, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal said that Muslims are “number 1” when comes to crimes like robbery, rape, murder, eve teasing and also on top in going to jail. The businessman-politician-cleric blamed the lack of education among Muslims for the high rate of crimes among them.
Speaking at an event in the Dalgoma Anchalik College, a private college in Assam’s Goalpara district, the AIUDF chief said, “Crimes like robbery, dacoity, rape, loot we are No.1 in all. We are also No.1 in going to jail. Our children find no time to go to schools and colleges, but find enough time to gamble, to cheat others. For all such wrong things ask who’s involved? It’s Muslims…and that’s sad.”
Pleased to address the ex-students of Dolgoma Anchalik College, Goalpara at the convention of former students of the college. pic.twitter.com/zpNeBfdWsF
Badruddin Ajmal further lamented over the fact that Muslims form the majority in jails saying that while others are reaching the moon, Muslims are doing PhD on how to go to jail.
Muslims are the number 1 offender. Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal's frank confession. He said the Muslim youth go to jail for various crimes including theft and robbery. pic.twitter.com/NwM58Hvks6
— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi (@NANDANPRATIM) October 22, 2023
“People are going to the moon and the sun, and we are doing a PhD on how to go to jail. Walk into a police station and you would know who’s in absolute majority — Abdur Rahman, Abdur Rahim, Abdul Majid, Badruddin, Sirajuddin, Fakruddin. Isn’t it a sad thing?” the AIUDF chief said highlighting the high criminal tendency among Muslims.
Notably, according to an NCRB report published last year, around 60 percent of convicts and 49 percent of undertrails in Assam were Muslims.
Maulana Badruddin Ajmal further slammed the Muslim youths for keeping a “bad eye” on girls and women saying that Muslims have deviated towards a wrong path. He claimed that only education can fix this.
“Why do you gaze at women in public? Do you not have a ‘Ma-Boin’ (mother-sister) in your own family? Girls are not safe on the streets because of our youths. This is not taught by Islam. There is only one path to our development and that is education, and only education. Once upon a time, we were No. 1 in the world when it came to education, it’s not anymore the same,” the AIUDF chief asserted at the gathering of Dalgoma Anchalik College alumna.
“Love doesn’t seem nice when your stomach and pockets are empty.” “How long can a starving man love?” Ajmal continued, adding that the blood of Muslim youths boils after seeing girls from other families.
He also accused Muslim politicians of deceiving the Muslim community and not doing anything to promote education in the community.
“Many Muslims have become leaders in the past by deceiving the people of their community. They did nothing to impart education to Muslims. On the contrary, they made #Muslims slaves and did politics,” Ajmal said.
Meanwhile, the AIUDF supremo’s remarks have sparked a controversy with many Muslim leaders raising objections to Badruddin Ajmal’s assertions pertaining to the Muslim community.
In response to Badruddin Ajmal’s comments, Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly said that “if any AIUDF MLA brought about such issues in the Assembly, his party will reply appropriately.”
Ajmal, according to Saikia, has a history of making controversial statements as he said, “AIUDF Chief is known for saying controversial things. It’s nothing new.”
On the other hand, BJP leader and minister Pijush Hazarika agreed with Ajmal, saying that the BJP has been saying that the crime rate is increasing among Muslims in the state and it is a matter of concern. ‘I am happy that some Muslim leaders started introspection on the matter, crime rate should go down among Muslims’, the minister said.
Despite criticism from several sections, Badruddin Ajmal, the Chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), is firm on his stand that the crime rates among #Muslims are quite high and in any jail, majority of criminals are found to be from #Muslim community.
Amidst criticism from various quarters, Badruddin Ajmal maintains that crime rates among #Muslims are quite high and that the majority of convicts in any jail are from the Muslim community. Ajmal stated on Thursday that he said “nothing wrong.”
Talking to the media, he said, ‘Go to jails, you will see that most inmates are from our community’. He also added that when vehicles run on roads in Muslim areas, girls whistle at them. Ajmal said that this is due to the fact that their parents are uneducated and they are not getting proper education. He said that when he visits Muslims areas, girls whistle at his vehicles, but this does not happen in Hindu areas.
On Friday (27th October), ‘cash for query‘-accused TMC MP Mahua Moitra said in an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai for TV news channel India Today that sharing her parliament login ID and password with businessman Darshan Hiranandani is in no way against the rules. Taking a jibe at the BJP MP Dr Nishikant Dubey, she also said ‘some little Jharkhandi pitbull can’t end me’.
Notably, Dr Nishikant Dubey has filed a complaint against Mahua Moitra and the Ethics Committee of the parliament is inquiring the ‘cash for query’ issue. The TMC MP is accused of getting favours in cash and kind from Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions targeting his business rival Gautam Adani in the parliament.
Mahua Moitra said that the allegation of taking cash has no proof
Mahua Moitra said, “Anyone can make any allegation. Darshan Hiranandani has mentioned about cash. The onus is on the complainant to prove it. The entire list of items that he seems to have given, and he says that there has also been a cash exchange. Where is the proof that he has given? Is any documentary proof provided to show that he has given? If cash is given to me, please give the date on which it was given, the denomination, the details, and the documentary proof. Darshan has made no mention of cash in his affidavit. So, here is advocate Jai Dehadrai who had an acrimonious relationship with me in the past and he is alleging that I received cash.”
The TMC MP added, “Yesterday, he was called to the committee. He was asked 14 times within the committee, ‘Do you have any documentary proof to show that any cash was given’. He was unable to provide anything. This whole thing is a farce. If he has any proof, he should bring it to the table. If Darshan Hiranandani has given cash and they are calling him a so-called approver, he should immediately say where he has given me the cash. This is completely bogus and false from beginning to end.”
Detailing about the benefits received in kind, Mahua Moitra said, “Jai Dehadrai has given a list of items with no documentary proof whatsoever. I was a banker. He mentioned about the Ferragamo shoes. I was using Ferragamo before he knew how to spell it. I gave it up to come to this country and I wear Bata chappals also. This is a badly made hit job as I said before. All they have done is pick a person from a failed relationship to make allegations and then simply put a gun to Darshan Hiranandani’s head to make him turn into an approver. If Darshan Hiranandani has given certain items to me, he should give an itemised list with documentary proofs.”
Renovation of Mahua Moitra bungalow
When asked about Darshan Hiranandani’s claim that he has paid for the renovation of Mahua Moitra’s bungalow, Moitra said, “The bungalow that I am currently sitting in now – 9B Telegraph Lane – is my government-allotted bungalow. Darshan is my close personal friend. He continues to be so and he has been one from before I was an MP. Darshan Hiranandani and his father have a very large real estate company. They are one of India’s largest builders. When I was allotted my personal bungalow, it was in a dilapidated state. It had five false ceilings and the light didn’t come in. I asked Darshan, please can you get one of your architects to let me know how we can redesign the windows, the light, and the doors to make sure light comes in and how CPWD (Central Public Works Division) can do this?”
Mahua Moitra also showed the so-called design drawings allegedly sent to her by Darshan Hiranandani’s architect. She said, “These designs were handed over to the engineers and contractors of the CPWD who did my house. This government bungalow has been renovated completely by the CPWD under the government of India. No private contractor entered this house. All that Darshan Hiranandani gave me was these architect’s drawings, as a friend. Every penny of the redesign was paid for by CPWD. No private contractor has entered it.”
Mahua Moitra confessed that Darshan Hiranandani bought lipsticks and eye-shadow for her
Mahua Moitra said, “What are the super luxury items? Why Darshan Hiranandani is not giving an itemised list with all the details? The only thing I have received from Darshan Hiranandani as a close personal friend – one scarf for my birthday present three or four years ago. When he came from Dubai, he called me and asked if I wanted anything. He is a close personal friend. There is a brand called Bobby Brown that I used. He has bought me lipstick in Bitten Peach and an eye-shadow in the colour of bark from the Dubai duty-free make-up store not once but maybe two three four five times.”
Mahua further said, “I would urge Darshan Hiranandani to come immediately and put on record anything else he has given me. The third thing he has given me is whenever I go to Bombay, which is maybe four or five times in the last five years, his car picks me up and drops me back to the airport. I have never stayed with him. I stay with my friends. His car picked me up and dropped me back to the airport. He is my friend. Tomorrow if I go to Bombay, I will expect his car to pick me up and drop me back at the airport. When India Today invites me to their studio, you send me a car to pick me up. It is the same as that. It does not mean that I speak in a certain way.”
The TMC MP gave herself a clean chit
Mahua Moitra told Rajdeep Sardesai, “Firstly, it has been proved that there was no cash transaction, so put it out of the window. It has also proved that there is not much in kind which I have mentioned. There is no cash and there is nothing in kind. Now, coming to the questions part, what is the average number of questions, how does a parliamentarian put in questions? There are two ways to put in questions. I can put in a question by hand. I can write it, sign it, and I can give it in. Since 2019, one can give them online. If at all I want to ask questions on someone else’s behalf, I can simply write it down, sign it and give it in. Nobody would be the wiser. Giving the login credentials for having someone putting questions in for you doesn’t make any sense.”
‘There are no rules for NIC login’, says Mahua Moitra
Mahua Moitra then gave a detailed account of how she works on the NIC login. She said, “From 2019 onwards, I have a remote constituency. Not only now, but from 2019, I asked Darshan. Because I need someone when the NIC login is given to you and I have shown this to you, all MPs do this. No MP puts their questions themselves. The NIC login is being made out to be some great sort of secret that can be used to access RBI’s vault or can be used to access the budget before it is placed. The NIC only helps you to get in to put in the questions. You are then sent an OTP on the mobile phone.”
Accusing other MPs of following the same practices, she said, “No MP puts in their own questions. Their PAs, their interns, their PRS fellows type in the questions and source the questions and put in the questions. Most MPs do not even know what the questions are. No MP has their login and password. all the login and passwords are with their teams. For NIC login, there are no rules.”
Mahua Moitra said, “From 2019, after I became an MP, I have given 61 questions. The national average for an MP is 191. The average for my state West Bengal is 129. I told Darshan, ‘When a question comes, please give me an assistant in your office just before every session we get’. They ask you to put in your questions. I could have typed them and put them in myself. I told him to please get me someone in your office who can type in my questions. I have the mobile number to which an OTP number comes. The charge that somebody can put in question for you is ludicrous because my mobile number is given. I am one of those people who do their homework. I read every question of mine and this is why there are only 61 questions.”
She added, “I had given my login ID and password to Darshan Hiranandani and said, whenever I get a question please get an assistant from your office to type it in and put it in. He had someone in his office to type the questions that I gave. They would call me and I would always do the questions in one go because I did not have the time, I was in the constituency. The OTP comes to my mobile phone. I would give that OTP (to them). Till today my mobile phone is the only mobile phone registered. It is not Darshan’s mobile phone. The person in his office who was typing the questions would call me and say please give me the OTP. Then I would give him the OTP. Only then would the question get submitted. So the idea that Darshan could log in using my password and ask questions is ludicrous. Every question is mine.”
Mahua Moitra’s NIC ID was accessed from Switzerland and Cambridge
Mahua Moitra said, “There are no rules on NIC logins. PD Achari, who yesterday even put in a column in The Indian Express, said because this NIC was formed in 2019, there are no rules as to who can have your login ID and password. Every single MP’s login and questions are given to large teams. You are saying that I gave it to a foreign entity. Darshan Hiranandani is my friend and he is an Indian citizen. For three years he has been logging in from Dubai.”
The ‘cash-for-query’ accused MP said, “I myself have logged in from Switzerland. My sister’s child was at Cambridge when I was on holiday I was like ‘Can you just put it in, I have this deadline for putting in the questions, so can you please type in the questions’. She has done it. If NIc’s question and answer portal is so very protected why don’t you block IP addresses from entering it? Where is the national security in putting a question in the parliament when every single question is under the RTI? Darshan Hiranandani did not meet me to ask a question in the parliament. Every question is under RTI. Where is the quid and where is the quo?”
Mahua Moitra attacks Adani again
Confirming her stance against Gautam Adani, Mahua Moitra said, “I was gunning for Mr Adani. I am still gunning for him and this is not going to put me down. I am gunning for him today and I am going to gun for him tomorrow. I am gunning for him because he is pulling a fraud, he is pulling the largest corporate scam with the help of the BJP government on the people of this country due to which you are paying higher prices for electricity, for air tickets, for ports and for everything.”
TMC is behind me: Mahua Moitra
Backing her repeated rants over this issue through media and social media, Mahua Moitra said, “My party is behind me and I am fully capable of sorting this in the Ethics Committee. So far I was keeping quiet because I was abiding by the rules of the Ethics Committee. But the other thing is the court of public opinion. There are millions of people in this country who look to me as a voice to stand up against these fascist bullies and to speak out against Adani and his corruption. So, these people are thinking that they shut Mahua’s mouth. That is why it is incumbent upon me to come to the media and present my case to assure people that nothing is going to get me down.”
Personal jibes at Dr Nishikant Dubey and Jai Dehadrai
In the end, Mahua Moitra said, “Yesterday, I was laughing when one of the complainants said that it was a Dharma Yuddh. It is not a Dharma Yuddh, buddy. This is Draupadi’s Cheer Haran and now you will see the Mahabharata war. I want an FIR to be filed in the Rs 13000 Crores coal scam. This is a very badly constructed hit job.”
She added, “Jai Dehadrai does not deserve this kind of national importance to make this issue look like me versus him. He has written a fictitious complaint. There is not an iota of proof. The most important thing the BJP is trying to do is that they have got this fake complaint and they now have to get Darshan to back it up. So Darshan has to come before the committee and give an inventory and list of items that he has given me. That is what will hang me if I am guilty.”
Challenging her opponents, she said, “They have picked the wrong person to bully. Nothing will bow us down. I have entered this and I have given up everything in my life to sit here, some little Jharkhandi pitbull and some acrimonious ex personal relationship is not going to be the end of me.”
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai’s response to Rajdeep Sardesai
Hours after this interview was aired, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai took to social media platfor X to respond to journalist Rajdeep Sardesai who hosted this interview. Jai Anant Dehadrai wrote, “Vindicated. Thank you Rajdeep Sardesai for making it crystal-clear why my kidnapped dog Henry was being offered to me in exchange for taking back my CBI Complaint. This is what happens when ‘quid pro quo’ becomes a way of life.”
Vindicated.
Thank you @sardesairajdeep for making it crystal-clear why my kidnapped dog Henry was being offered to me in exchange for taking back my CBI Complaint.
This is what happens when ‘quid pro quo’ becomes a way of life.
Dr Nishikant Dubey accused Mahua Moitra of influencing the approver Darshan Hiranandani
Dr Nishikant Dubey posted from his X handle, “According to the information, Darshan Hiranandani and Dubai Didi (MP) are in touch. An attempt is being made to influence the witness. Lok Sabha speaker should take action.”
सूचना के अनुसार दर्शन हीरानंदानी व दुबई दीदी( सांसद) सम्पर्क में हैं । गवाह को प्रभावित करने की कोशिश चल रही है @loksabhaspeaker को कारवाई करनी चाहिए
On Friday, October 27, after leading South Africa to a thrilling one-wicket win against Pakistan which helped Proteas to propel to the top of the points tables, the Indian-origin South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj took to social media to thank Lord Hanuman for the historic win.
Keshav Maharaj posted on Instagram, “In God I Trust, what a special result by the boys, awesome to see the performance of @shamsi90 & @aidenmarkram. Jai Shree Hanuman.” He included Om and folding hands emojis in his post.
The left-arm spinner hit a winning boundary helping the South Africans to not only chase its target of 271 runs but also hand Pakistan its 4th consecutive loss in the 2023 World Cup tournament. Keshav Maharaj had hit the winning four off Paksitani all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.
On Friday, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Pakistan made 270 on the back of half-centuries from Saud Shakeel (52) and captain Babar Azam (50) before getting bowled out in 47.2 overs.
South Africa were comfortably chasing the target set by Pakistan. South African Captain Aiden Markram scored 91 runs but was dismissed in the 41st over with South Africa still needing 21 runs to win and three wickets remaining. His dismissal opened the door for Pakistan to mount a comeback.
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. put more pressure on South Africa’s tail-enders throughout the next six overs, with the first two claiming a wicket each. With Wasim Jr. bowling his final over in the 47th over and Shaheen and Haris already ending their spells, the task to bowl the 48th over went to Pakistani bowler Mohammad Nawaz. Keshav Maharaj got an opportunity to go for big strokes and ended the match with a four against Mohammad Nawaz in the 48th over.
In the exciting one-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup match on Friday in Chennai, South Africa’s left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi referred to Keshav Maharaj’s winning boundary as the “most precious four runs” of his life.
Keshav Maharaj: A devout Ram and Hanuman Bhakt
Keshav Maharaj is an Indian-origin South African left-arm spinner and a right-handed lower-order batsman. In 2006–07, Maharaj, at 16 years of age, made his KwaZulu–Natal first-class debut. In 2009–10, he was elevated to the Dolphins roster. In two four-day matches against Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy in April and May of 2010, he took 13 wickets while touring Bangladesh with the South Africa Academy. Additionally, he opened the bowling in one of the T20 matches, taking 4 for 12 off four overs.
After a strong domestic season, Maharaj, a consistent performer, stormed into the national team and was selected as the starting spinner for the tour of Australia in late 2016.
Maharaj’s biggest accomplishment came in 2021 when he became the second South African player to score a hat-trick in a Test match. To cement his legacy, Maharaj removed Keiron Powell, Jason Holder, and Joshua da Silva off consecutive deliveries in the second Test of South Africa’s tour to the West Indies.
Maharaj, who had not yet received a cap in the T20 format, was unexpectedly selected as South Africa’s captain for a series in Sri Lanka. In his maiden T20I cricket match, Maharaj led his side to victory and took a wicket on his very first throw. In 2021 and 2022, he was selected as part of South Africa’s T20 World Cup squads. In 2023, he was included in the country’s 15-man roster for the Cricket World Cup.
SS of Keshav Maharaj’s Instagram account
The Indian-origin South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj is deeply connected to his roots. He is, in fact, a devout Ram and Hanuman bhakt as evidenced by his social media profile. The South African player’s Instagram bio reads, “Driven By Passion, Fueled by Determination Married to my Beautiful @lerisha_m Jai Shree Raam, Jai Shree Hanuman”.
Meet South Africa cricketer keshav maharaj.
The bat that Keshav uses has the sacred word Om ?️ written on it.
Even though Keshav settled in South Africa, his deep faith in Sanatan tradition and Hindu religion.
Notably, when South Africa played the Netherlands at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, fans and cricket enthusiasts noticed Keshav Maharaj’s bat bore the ‘Om’ sign, a sacred symbol in Hinduism.
The image of his bat displaying the ‘Om’ symbol quickly went viral among fans, creating a buzz on social media and among spectators, with almost everyone hailing the South African player for being closely connected to his roots despite being born and brought up in South Africa.
Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries received a death threat earlier this week. Mumbai Police informed that the threat was sent by a person named Shadab Khan on 27th October in an email and asked the industrialist to pay Rs 20 crore or he will get killed.
The email read, “If you don’t give us 20 crore rupees, we will kill you. We have the best shooters in India.” Authorities filed a case under sections 387 (death threat for extortion) and 506 (2) (imprisonment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code in Gamdevi Police Station of Mumbai following a complaint after security officials at Antilia, the billionaire’s house, brought the death threat to their notice.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani received death threat on email on 27th October, threatening to shoot him if he failed to pay Rs 20 crores. Case registered under sections 387 and 506 (2) IPC in Gamdevi PS of Mumbai: Police
This is not the first incident of a death threat being sent to Mukesh Ambani. A man was apprehended by Mumbai Police last year after he made threats to target Mukesh Ambani and his family including Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani and Anant Ambani over the phone in an anonymous voicemail. The caller had threatened to blow up their South Mumbai home and the HN (Sir Harkishandas Narottamdas) Reliance Foundation Hospital.
An explosive-laden green colour Scorpio was left near the Ambani residence on Peddar Road in February 2021 after which local police were informed. The bomb squad was also summoned to the spot and after examining the vehicle, around 20 gelatin sticks along with a letter with the words “trailer” were found inside the car.
The probe later disclosed that suspended API (Assistant Police Inspector) Sachin Waze had himself placed the threat letter in the automobile. He oversaw every aspect of the exercise which consisted of parking the car next to Antilia and placing the letter inside the four-wheeler.
On Saturday (27th October), the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas said that it would use “full force” against Israel’s attacks. This comes after Israel announced the expansion of its military operations against the terror group in Gaza.
“The Al-Qassam brigades and all the Palestinian resistance forces are completely ready to confront (Israel’s) aggression with full force and frustrate its incursions,” Hamas said adding that “Netanyahu and his defeated army will not be able to achieve any military victory.”
During a news briefing on Friday (26th October), Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, “In addition to the attacks carried out in the last few days, ground forces are expanding their operations tonight.”
Speaking to CNN, Mark Regev, senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s expansion of ground operations has increased the pressure on Hamas. “That pressure will continue to increase until we achieve our goal,” Regev said.
Meanwhile, Hamas has vowed to strike back if Israeli ground soldiers enter Gaza. Izzat al-Rishq, a Hamas terrorist, has warned Israeli soldiers against conducting ground operations.
According to Ghazi Hamad, a top Hamas terrorist, Hezbollah and other terror outfits are anticipated to play a larger role as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies.
“Hezbollah is now working against the occupation,” he stated, before making an unusual public appeal: “We appreciate this.” But… we need more to put an end to the violence in Gaza…We expect more.”
India abstains from voting UNGA resolution calling for a truce
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday on a resolution drafted by Arab governments calling for an urgent humanitarian cease-fire and demanding assistance access to Gaza as well as civilian safety.
The non-binding resolution was passed with 120 votes in favour, 45 abstentions, including India, and 14 votes against including Israel and the United States.
Jordan proposed the resolution, titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations,” which was co-sponsored by more than 40 countries, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa.
Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK. The Jordanian-drafted resolution did not make any mention of the militant group Hamas, with the US expressing outrage at the omission.
Even as India was among the countries that abstained from voting for a non-binding Jordanian resolution, it voted in favour of a Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis which failed to pass at the UNGA as it did not achieve a two-thirds majority.
Canada proposed an amendment to the resolution drafted by Jordan, which originally called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip but did not condemn terror organisation Hamas. Canada’s proposed amendment sought to insert a paragraph condemning the ‘terrorist attacks by Hamas.’
India abstained from voting on the Jordanian resolution which called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. However, it is pertinent to note that India was in favour of the Canadian resolution which condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The Jordanian-led draft resolution was adopted by the General Assembly, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions. The 45 nations that abstained from voting on the resolution included Iceland, India, Panama, Lithuania and Greece.
The resolution was adopted during the UN General Assembly’s emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine crisis. The UNGA also demanded “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave.
The Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis did not pass at the UNGA. It failed to achieve a two-thirds majority. An amendment proposed by Canada “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas” in Israel which started on October 7 and the taking of hostages.
During the voting on the Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution, 88 voted in favour of the amendment, 55 voted against the amendment and 23 abstained from voting. The nations that voted in favour of the amendment included India, Australia, US, UK, Austria and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, expressing deep concerns over the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, India at the UN urged both parties to “de-escalate, eschew violence.”
India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel on Friday (local time) in her remarks at the United Nations General Assembly Emergency Special Session on the Israel-Hamas war said, “India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility.”
She noted that India has always supported a “negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine.” Patel said that India urges the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.
“India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side in peace with Israel. For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations,” Yojna Patel said.
“We hope that the deliberations of this assembly will send a clear message against terror and violence and expand prospects for diplomacy and dialogue while addressing the humanitarian crisis that confronts us,” she added.
Patel also called the Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7 “shocking” and stressed that they deserve condemnation. She said that India calls for immediate and unconditional release of hostages.
“The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostages. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,” Yojna Patel said.
Calling the casualties in Gaza a “telling, serious and continuing concern,” Yojna Patel said that the humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. She stated that India welcomes the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
Patel said, “Casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza are a telling, serious and continuing concern. Civilians, especially women and children, are paying with their lives. This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. India, too, has contributed to this effort.”
Emphasising that differences and disputes should be resolved through dialogue, Patel said, “In a world where differences and disputes should be resolved by dialogue, this august body should be deeply concerned at recourse to violence. That too, when it happens on a scale and intensity that is an affront to basic human values. Violence as a means to achieve political objectives damages indiscriminately and does not pave the way for any durable solutions.”
The adoption of the Jordanian resolution is the first formal response of the United Nations to the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine since the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October.
The voting at UNGA comes at a time when Israel has announced expanding ground operations in Gaza.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
In the year 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved historic milestones in the arena of space exploration. Since its inception in 1969, ISRO has so far accomplished 125 spacecraft missions, 94 launch missions, 15 student satellites and 431 foreign satellites among its numerous successful endeavours. This year alone, ISRO has successfully carried out eight successful missions including the “universal history maker” Chandrayaan-3. Whether reaching the moon’s south pole or studying the sun, ISRO is achieving its diverse space ambitions that too in budgets less than Hollywood sci-fi movies.
SSLV-D2/EOS-07 Mission
On 10th February 2023, ISRO successfully launched its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-SSLV-D2 and placed the Earth Observation Satellite-07 (EOS-07) and two co-passenger satellites — Janus-1 and AzaadiSat2 — in a 450-km circular orbit around the Earth. Designed and developed by ISRO, SSLVs offer a “launch-on-demand” facility for smaller satellites weighing up to 500 kg into low Earth orbit. SSLVs have proven to be a game-changer for ISRO in the small satellite launch market.
Designed and developed by ISRO, the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-07) weighing 153.6 kg is used in various applications such as Agriculture, Forestry & Plantation, Soil Moisture and hydrology and Flood mapping. In this mission, ISRO added two new experiments mm-Wave Humidity Sounder and Spectrum Monitoring Payload. A detailed analysis of this mission can be read here.
Payloads accommodation in SSLV-D2 (Image via ISRO)
OneWeb India-2 Mission
Consolidating its position in the market of commercial satellite launch, ISRO in March this year successfully placed 36 OneWeb satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) through its Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) M3. Notably, this was the second time ISRO launched OneWeb’s satellites as in October 2022, ISRO successfully launched the LVM-3 M2 and placed 36 OneWeb satellites in the LEO under the OneWeb India-1 mission. Interestingly, this was LVM-3’s sixth consecutive successful flight.
OneWeb India Satelllite (Image via ISRO)
It is worth noting that OneWeb Ltd (now merged with Eutelsat) is a UK-based customer of NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm and a worldwide communication network powered by space that enables governments and businesses to connect to the internet. Bharti Enterprises is a significant investor in OneWeb.
Notably, with the successful placement of 36 OneWeb India 2 satellites in low earth orbit, NSIL executed its contract with the UK-based company to launch 72 satellites. ISRO accomplished the target by launching 36 OneWeb satellites in December last year and another 36 in March 2023.
An interesting aspect of the Indian space agency launching OneWeb satellites was that initially not ISRO but Russia’s Roscosmos was supposed to launch the 72 satellites, however, as Russia entered into a war with Ukraine, the Russian authorities demanded that it would launch OneWeb satellites only after getting an assurance that it would not be used for military purposes against them and that the UK government would sell its stake. The UK, however, refused to fulfil Russia’s demands and thus OneWeb turned to India.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises and founder of Bharti Airtel while speaking at the recently held 7th edition of the India Mobile Congress said that satellite communication is now available in India and will serve the country and the world.
With this crucial technological leap in satellite communication India will usher into the era of increased interconnectivity with satellite communication linking even the most remote places, boosting development, and revolutionising the way the country communicates.
Mittal credited “ISRO’s intervention” for this momentous achievement as he said, “With your intervention, we were able to get two rockets GSLV Mk 3 from ISRO to launch 72 satellites last year.”
It is notable that Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) was formerly identified as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III).
In April this year, ISRO stepped closer to its ambition of having its own reusable space vehicle as the space agency conducted a successful test of RLV LEX, an autonomous winged spaceplane. The mission was carried out by ISRO in Karnataka’s Chitradurga on 2nd April 2023.
According to ISRO, the autonomous landing was performed under the identical conditions as a Space Re-entry vehicle landing – high speed, unmanned, accurate landing from the same return path — as if the vehicle arrived from space. Landing characteristics such as ground relative velocity, Landing Gear sink rate, and precise body rates, as experienced by an orbital re-entry spaceship on its return course, were obtained.
ISRO’s RLV
The RLV LEX made use of various cutting-edge technology, including precise navigation hardware and software, a pseudolite system, a Ka-band Radar Altimeter, a NavIC receiver, indigenous landing gear, aerofoil honeycomb fins, and a brake parachute system. Moreover, for the first time ever, a winged body was carried to an altitude of 4.5 km by a helicopter and released to carry out an autonomous landing on a runway.
PSLV-C55 TeLEOS-2 Mission
In another successfully undertaken commercial mission by NSIL, the Indian space agency launched two Singaporean satellites TeLEOS-2 and Lumelite-4 through its reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on April 22 this year. The satellites weighing 741 kg and 16 kg respectively were placed in orbit. In addition to the primary and co-passenger satellites, the PSLV-C55 TeLEOS-2 Mission also included the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) carrying out experiments with seven payloads attached to its PS4 upper stage. Notably, this was the 57th flight of PSLV and the 16th mission using the PSLV Core Alone configuration (PSLV-CA).
Payload Accommodation and satellites carried by PSLV-C55 (Image via ISRO)
The core alone (CA) model of PSLV was first launched in April 2007 when ISRO successfully launched its first commercial flight placing the Italian satellite Agile into orbit. In the CA model, six strap-on boosters are not used as is the case in the standard configuration of PSLVs. Moreover, PSLV-CA is less propellant.
GSLV-F12 NVS-01 Mission
On May 29, ISRO successfully placed the NVS-01 navigation satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The NVS-01 satellite is the first in a series of second-generation satellites planned for Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services. This series of satellites is aimed at assisting and enhancing the NavIC with improved capabilities. Notably, the NVS-01 carried an indigenous atomic clock for the first time. Along with the Ranging payload, it carried Navigation payloads.
#WATCH | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), launches its advanced navigation satellite GSLV-F12 and NVS-01 from Sriharikota.
According to ISRO, NavIC’s key applications included terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, precision agriculture, geodetic surveying, emergency services, fleet management, location-based services in mobile devices, satellite orbit determination, marine fisheries, power grids, strategic and government agencies, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications.
Chandrayaan-3: India’s journey to the south of the moon
On 23rd August 2023, India scripted history by demonstrating its unparalleled capability of soft-landing on the south pole of the moon. With Vikram lander touching the lunar south pole at around 6:04 PM IST, India became the first nation to achieve this spectacular feat. ISRO’s accomplishment garnered global appreciation as the Indian space agency’s achievement holds the capability to bring about significant positive changes in the lives of people across the world.
Chandrayaan-3 was the follow-up mission Chandrayaan-2. It comprised of Lander and Rover configuration. Chandrayaan-3 was launched by LVM3 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission’s goals included demonstrating a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, as well as roving on the moon and conducting in-situ scientific experiments. A detailed report on what is so “special” about the lunar south pole can be read here.
A picture of Vikram Lander clicked by the Pragyan rover (Image via ISRO)
Making a significant discovery, the presence of sulphur in the region was “unambiguously” confirmed by the Rover’s Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument. Other elements detected in the study included aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
In-situ scientific experiments continue …..
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument onboard the Rover unambiguously confirms the presence of Sulphur (S) in the lunar surface near the south pole, through first-ever in-situ measurements.… pic.twitter.com/vDQmByWcSL
Upholding the Hindu beliefs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 26 announced that the touchdown point of the Chandrayaan-3 moon lander will be renamed as ‘Shiv Shakti Point’. When the Chandrayaan-2 mission failed, India did not lose hope although it was a moment when the whole nation cried but stood rock solid with ISRO. This support and strength was demonstrated by Prime Minister Modi who embraced K Sivan, the former ISRO chief as he broke into tears following the crash landing of Chandrayaan 2 in 2019. With the success of Chandrayaan 3, India showed the world, that there is no bigger motivation than failure.
PSLV-C56/DS-SAR Mission
In July this year, ISRO successfully launched the PSLV-C56 carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite including six other satellites from SDSC SHAR in Sriharikota. Notably, the core-alone model PSLV-C56 launched a DS-SAR satellite weighing 360 kg satellite into a Near-equatorial Orbit (NEO). The Singaporean satellite was launched with the objective to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. DS-SAR included an Israel Aerospace Industries manufactured Space Aperture Radar (SAR).
DS-SAR satellite (Image via ISRO)
Aditya L-1 Mission
After Chandrayaan-3 created history by landing near the moon’s south pole, ISRO launched India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on September 2. It has seven payloads that will undertake extensive research on the sun. Four of these seven payloads will research solar light, while the remaining three will examine plasma and magnetic field parameters in real-time.
PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission:
The launch of Aditya-L1 by PSLV-C57 is accomplished successfully.
The vehicle has placed the satellite precisely into its intended orbit.
India’s first solar observatory has begun its journey to the destination of Sun-Earth L1 point.
After reaching its destination 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, Aditya-L1 would be placed in a halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1). The journey is projected to take four months to complete. Aditya-L1 would orbit the Earth facing the Sun at a distance of around 1.5 million kilometres, or 1% of the distance between the Earth and the Sun. Aditya L-1 has completed four earth-bound manoeuvres. According to ISRO, the spacecraft has escaped the sphere of Earth’s influence, on its way to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1.
The satellite was sent into space with the purpose of conducting a comprehensive study of the sun. (Image via ISRO)
The objectives of the mission included the study of the upper atmospheric dynamics (chromospheres and corona) of the Sun, the study of the chromospheric and coronal heating, the physics of the partially ionised plasma and the initiation of coronal mass ejections and flares. Moreover, the mission also aimed to observe the in-situ particle and plasma environment, providing data for studying particle dynamics from the Sun. OpIndia report on Aditya L-1 mission, its objectives, significance and other specifics can be read here.
Moving forward relentlessly to accomplish its diverse space ambitions, ISRO is preparing for unmanned flight tests of the mission’s ‘crew escape system’. The Indian space agency recently announced that it will soon commence the unmanned flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission as the first development flight Test Vehicle (TV-D1) is in the final stages of preparation.
Mission Gaganyaan: ISRO to commence unmanned flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission.
ISRO will launch a crew of two to three members into a circular orbit 400 kilometres above Earth as part of the Gaganyaan project. The mission will take one to three days and will focus on assuring their safe return to Earth.
ISRO is making India a prominent global force and making India proud with their persistent endeavours to propel India to the top of the space exploration and commercial satellite launch markets.
As Israel continues its military action against Hamas in Gaza in retaliation to the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas, today the Israel Defense Forces said that Hamas is using hospitals in Gaza as its operational bases. IDF further said that Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, is being used as the main command centre by the Palestinian terror group. IDF also said that Hamas is stealing electricity and fuel from Gaza hospitals.
In a tweet, IDF said, “Hamas operates within and hides beneath the largest hospital in Gaza. Their priorities are clear—and the people of Gaza are not among them.”
Hamas operates within and hides beneath the largest hospital in Gaza. Their priorities are clear—and the people of Gaza are not among them. pic.twitter.com/7M4ZqjFyYs
IDF released a satellite image of the hospital, marking various Hamas facilities inside the hospital premises. It shows that there are four underground complexes of Hamas in the premises, apart from a Hamas Command and Control centre. IDF said, “The Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, should be a humanitarian facility. Instead of protecting the people of Gaza, Hamas hides a dark secret below: it’s the center for Hamas terrorism in Gaza.”
They also said that Hamas is stealing electricity meant for the Shifa hospital for their terrorism headquarters. In a tweet, the IDF added, “Hidden under the guise of a hospital, Hamas uses the 1,500 beds and approx. 4,000 staff as cover to plan terrorist attacks.”
They added that Hamas hides convicted murderers and stores weapons for terrorism in the hospital, endangering thousands of patients and staff of the hospital.
An IDF spokesperson also briefed about hospitals being used as operational bases by Hamas, saying that they have obtained this information from intelligence sources. He said that Hamas is cynically using hospitals as shields for its underground terror complex. It is notable that Hamas has built over 300 miles of tunnels under Gaza, making a whole underground city. Hamas uses the tunnels to hide its weapons and shelter the terror leaders.
IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that the tunnels are usually strategically located next to sensitive sites like hospitals, schools, mosques etc. ‘This is the philosophy of Hamas, and Shifa Hospital is one of them,’ he said. Hagari added that various departments in the Shifa Hospital are used as command-and-control centres of Hamas, from which launching of rockets, commanding Hamas forces and other terror activities are controlled.
Hagari said that Hamas has several underground complexes under Shifa — the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip — which are used by the terror group’s leaders to direct attacks against Israel. IDF also released animated videos illustrating tunnel networks connected to Gaza Hospitals.
He said Israel has intelligence that there are several tunnels leading to the underground base from outside the hospital, so that Hamas officials do not need to enter the hospital to reach it. But Hagari added that there are entrances to the tunnels from various wards of the hospital, which allow easy and quick access to the tunnels from the hospital.
Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, “Terrorists move freely in Shifa Hospital and other hospitals in Gaza. We have concrete evidence that hundreds of terrorists flooded the hospitals to hide there after the massacre of October 7th.
He added, “Hamas uses Shifa Hospital as a shield for Hamas terror infrastructure. Hamas wages wars from hospitals.” The spokesperson added that by using hospitals as operating centres, Hamas is not only endangering Israeli civilians, but is also exploiting innocent Gazan civilians as human shields.
He added that Hamas uses several hospitals for this purpose, and they operate from hospitals because they know that IDF distinguishes between terrorists and civilians. “Israel targets terrorists, Hamas targets Israeli and Gazan civilians”.
Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that they have already exposed how Hamas is stealing fuels from hospitals, and using that fuel for its terror activities. He also played call recordings of Hamas leaders talking about using hospitals as its bases and using civilians as shields. He said that IDF has more evidence, and will share more material including classified material with the members of intelligence community.
Hinting that Israel may target the hospitals, he also said that when medical facilities are used for terror purposes, they are liable to lose their protection from attack in accordance with international laws. The spokesperson added that IDF will continue its effort to minimise harm to civilians while acting as per international laws.
The IDF spokesperson further reiterated calls to the civilians of north Gaza and Gaza City to south Gaza. Israel has asked the Palestinian civilians in north Gaza to evacuate to the south of Wadi Gaza, ahead of a planned ground invasion. 2 days ago, IDF troops and tanks launched a limited ground operation inside Gaza, but a full-scale ground invasion has been delayed on the requestion of the US government, who wants to install missile defence systems in the region to protect its personnel before that. There is also request from international organisations and several nations to halt military operations to allow hamartian aides for Gaza residents.
In a swipe at the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that while Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao wants his son, KT Rama Rao to be the next Chief Minister, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi wants her son Rahul Gandhi to be the next Prime Minister.
“The two parties opposing Bharatiya Janata Party in Telangana are KCR’s TRS and Sonia ji’s Congress. Both of them do not want the welfare of Telangana. While KCR wants KTR to be the Chief Minister, Soniaji wants Rahul Gandhi to be the Prime Minister. These are dynastic parties,” Shah said while addressing a public rally in Telangana’s Suryapet ahead of the November 30 assembly polls.
“While the goal of the Bharatiya Janata Party is Gareeb Kalyan (welfare for poor), that of KCR’s party and Congress party is ‘parivar kalyan’ (welfare of the family),” the Union Minister added.
In a step to woo the backward caste voters in Telangana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that if the party is voted to power it will appoint a Chief Minister from the backward caste.
“PM Modi has given constitutional safeguards to the backward classes. Vote for us. We have decided that the next CM of BJP in Telangana will be from the backward class,” Amit Shah said while addressing a public rally in Telangana’s Suryapet ahead of the November 30 assembly polls.
Shah expressed confidence that only the BJP can develop Telangana under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Neither the TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi, now known as Bharat Rashtra Samithi) nor the Congress can develop Telangana. Only the Bharatiya Janata Party can develop Telangana under the leadership of PM Modi,” he said. The TRS and the Congress are the top contenders in the state.
Continuing his attack against the Telangana Chief Minister, Amit Shah reminded him about the promises made to the backward classes before coming to power in the newly formed state.
“TRS is a party against the poor, the Dalits and the backward classes. They had promised to make the son of a Dalit the Chief Minister if they came to power. I want to ask Chandrashekhar Rao about his promise. In 2014, KCR promised to give Dalits 3 acre of land for the Dalits. What about your promise?” he said.
With Assembly elections in Telangana on sight, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to unseat the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
The party has released its first list of 52 candidates, fielding three sitting MPs Soyam Bapu Rao, Arvind Dharmapuri, and Bandi Sanjay from Boath, Koratla, and Karimnagar respectively.
Assembly elections in Telangana will be held on November 30 and counting of votes will take place on December 3.
Telangana is set to witness an intriguing triangular contest between the BRS, Congress, and BJP.In the previous Assembly elections in 2018, the BRS won 88 of the 119 seats, hogging 47.4 per cent of the total vote share. The Congress finished a distant second with 19 seats and a vote share of 28.7 per cent.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
