1. Gujarat Elections: Voting Ends, PM’s ‘Roadshow’ Raises Eyebrows
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his vote for the Gujarat Assembly elections amid pomp and show in Sabarmati's Ranip locality on Thursday, 14 December.
Upon arriving in Ahmedabad, the PM was welcomed by a large crowd that cheered him on, waving BJP flags.
After casting his vote, he held up his inked finger for the photographers before embarking on a “roadshow” in the streets of Ahmedabad, even as voters in the state queued up for the second and final phase of polling.
Voting in the second phase came to an end at 5 pm on Thursday, 14 December. Seats in the north, west and central parts of Gujarat were up for grabs. Voter turnout till 2 pm was recorded at 47.40 percent.
The results for the elections will be declared on 18 December.
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2. EC Working As PM’s Puppet: Congress on Modi’s ‘Roadshow’
The BJP and Congress have accused each other of violating the Model Code of Conduct. The Congress has also accused the Election Commission of “working under pressure from PM and Prime Minister’s Office”. On 13 December, the EC issued a notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi, over his interviews to television networks one day before the final phase of voting in Gujarat.
On its part, the Congress has alleged that a “subservient” Election Commission allowed PM Modi to hold a ‘roadshow’ after casting his vote in Ahmedabad on 14 December.
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3. Sole Convict Ameerul Sentenced to Death For Rape & Murder of Jisha
The Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate on Thursday pronounced the death sentence for sole convict Ameerul Islam in the rape and murder of Jisha, reports PTI.
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court had earlier found Ameerul Islam – the sole accused – guilty of murder, rape, wrongful confinement and house trespassing of 30-year-old Jisha on 12 December.
It was a crime that shook the conscience of Kerala and the nation. The horrifying brutality with which 30-year-old Jisha was attacked, raped and murdered, sparked a massive debate in the state on whether women can feel safe even in their own homes.
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4. Yo! Richa Chadha aka Bholi’s Take On the Condom Ad Ban
So Fukrey Returns has become a huge money-spinner. While the entire team of the film was busy celebrating, we were busy trying to track down the film’s outspoken Bholi Punjaban to find out her view on the recent restriction of running condom ads only from 10 pm to 6 am on television.
So what does Bholi have to say about the I&B ministry’s decision? Watch the video and find out.
5. Indian ‘Fixers’ Allegedly Rigged Ashes Test, Claim Fixing IPL Too
Spot-fixing allegations have taken the spotlight in the run-up to the imperative third Ashes Test at the WACA.
The Sun, claimed in a report that two of the newspaper’s undercover reporters were asked for sums as high as $187,000, for details of rigged play during the match. The details weren’t confined to the Perth Test alone, and could even involve Indian cricket.
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Video Producer: Hera Khan
Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
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