QBullet: 20 States Go to Polls; EC Bars Modi Biopic Release

Catch the top headlines of the day.

Image used for representational purpose. 

(Photo: AP)

1. ‘Mother of All Elections’ Kicks off Today: Polling in 91 Lok Sabha Seats Across 20 States

After intense campaigning by political parties, which witnessed no-holds-barred attacks against leaders and accusations, 91 Lok Sabha constituencies across 20 states and Union Territories on Thursday will go to polls in the first of the mega seven-phase electoral exercise. Voting for Assembly polls will also be held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and some seats in Odisha simultaneously.

(Source: The Indian Express)

2. Supreme Court Rejects Centre’s Objections to Rafale Deal Papers

In a setback for the Centre, the Supreme Court Wednesday allowed three documents relied upon by petitioners seeking a review of its 14 December, 2018 judgment in the Rafale aircraft deal matter, and dismissed the government’s preliminary objection on the maintainability of the review petitions and claim of privilege over these documents.

(Source: The Indian Express)

3. ‘Don’t Screen Modi Biopic’: EC Orders Producer Under Poll Code of Conduct

The Election Commission on Wednesday, 10 April, told the producers of ‘PM Narendra Modi’, a biopic on the prime minister, not to release the film in view of the Lok Sabha elections. “You are directed not to exhibit the film till further orders,” the EC said. The biopic on PM Modi was scheduled to release on Thursday.

The poll panel’s order came hours after it banned screening of biopics on political leaders that could alter the level-playing field during elections. The commission also decided to set up a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to look into complaints on this topic.

(Source: Hindustan Times)

4. ‘Deeply Regret’ Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Theresa May Tells British Parliament

(Photo: AP)

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, 10 April, expressed “regret” in Parliament for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the killings on 13 April.

Opening the Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday with a reference to the massacre, May quoted Queen Elizabeth’s remarks, calling the incident a “distressing example” of Britain’s past history with India. “We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused,” May said.

(Source: The Hindu)

5. First Ever Image of a Black Hole Revealed

Astronomers on 10 April unveiled the first photo of a black hole, one of the star-devouring monsters scattered throughout the Universe and obscured by impenetrable shields of gravity. The image of a dark core encircled by a flame-orange halo of white-hot gas and plasma looks like any number of artists’ renderings over the last 30 years.

But this time, it’s the real deal.

(Source: The Hindu)

6. Imran Khan Says Better Chance of Talks If BJP Wins, Opposition Targets Govt

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and “some kind of settlement in Kashmir” if the BJP wins the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to a group of  foreign journalists in Pakistan, Khan, according to a Reuters report, said that if the Congress leads the next government, it may be too scared to seek a settlement with Pakistan over Kashmir, fearing a backlash from the right. “Perhaps if the BJP – a right-wing party – wins, some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached,” he said.

(Source: The Indian Express)

7. Alpesh Thakor Resigns From Congress, Says Party ‘Betrayed My Community’

Three Congress legislators, including prominent backward community leader Alpesh Thakor, on Wednesday, 10 April, resigned from the party in a move that could dent its prospects in the coming Lok Sabha elections in the state.

However, denying rumours that they were joining the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the three said they would ask the speaker to consider them independent lawmakers.

(Source: Hindustan Times)

8. At Bengal Rally, Rahul Gandhi’s Sharp Comeback to Mamata on Fighting BJP

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 10 April, said after coming to power his party would get the Rafale deal investigated and those found guilty would be punished.

Speaking at a public rally in Karandighi under Bengal’s Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress chief lashed out at both Prime Minister Modi and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and asked if any of them had created employment opportunities for the youth.

(Source: Hindustan Times)

9. PM Modi’s Balakot Remark Prima Facie Violation: Poll Officer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal this week in Latur to all first-time voters to “dedicate” their votes to the “brave soldiers” who carried out the Balakotair strike and to the “braves martyred” in the Pulwama terror attack is a violation of the Election Commission’s instructions prohibiting the use of armed forces for political gains, the Osmanabad District Election Officer (DEO) is learnt to have said in his report submitted to the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

(Source: The Indian Express)

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