Headlines from today’s papers.
BJP’s election manifesto promises ‘good governance and development’
The Bharatiya Janata Party released their much-delayed manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections on Monday, coinciding with the first phase of polling. The 42-page manifesto largely stays true to its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's vision of "good governance and development". The Indian Express reported that the manifesto seemed like an expanded version of a document titled Vision for Modi that was circulated at a BJP strategy meeting in January. It also touched upon the uniform civil code, the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and the annulment of Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, among other things.
First phase of Lok Sabha polls in Assam, Tripura ends
The first of nine phases of polling for the Lok Sabha elections took place on Monday in five constituencies in Assam and one in Tripura. According to reports, the process was peaceful and the turn-out promising. The Assam constituencies recorded a combined turnout of about 72% of registered voters, while the Tripura constituency saw an estimated 80% of the voters casting their vote.
West Bengal chief minister takes on EC
In a move that might lead to serious consequences, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee ignored orders issued by the Election Commission to transfer five superintendents of police and three district magistrates, after receiving complaints from opposition parties questioning the impartiality of the officers in question. In response, Banerjee claimed that removing the officers could endanger security and that the state government should have been consulted before ordering such a move.
EC gives Amit Shah three days to clarify remarks
The Election Commission has issued Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Amit Shah a notice in reaction to his inflammatory remarks about seeking revenge in the “elections”. The EC wants Shah to explain why the remarks were made. The notice arrived a day after the Uttar Pradesh police registered an FIR against Shah for his alleged hate speeches in riot-affected areas in Shamli and Muzaffarnagar. Shah has until April 9 to provide the commission with an explanation, failing which the EC will "take a decision" without further reference to Shah.
Sun Pharma to buy Ranbaxy in $3.2 billion deal
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has agreed to buy struggling Gurgaon-based drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, which was recently barred from the United States, for $3.2 billion. This would create India’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest drugmaker. Sun Pharma announced that Ranbaxy shareholders would receive 0.8 shares of Sun Pharma for each share of Ranbaxy, adding that the revenue of the combined entity is expected to be $4.2 billion.
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BJP’s election manifesto promises ‘good governance and development’
The Bharatiya Janata Party released their much-delayed manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections on Monday, coinciding with the first phase of polling. The 42-page manifesto largely stays true to its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's vision of "good governance and development". The Indian Express reported that the manifesto seemed like an expanded version of a document titled Vision for Modi that was circulated at a BJP strategy meeting in January. It also touched upon the uniform civil code, the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and the annulment of Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, among other things.
First phase of Lok Sabha polls in Assam, Tripura ends
The first of nine phases of polling for the Lok Sabha elections took place on Monday in five constituencies in Assam and one in Tripura. According to reports, the process was peaceful and the turn-out promising. The Assam constituencies recorded a combined turnout of about 72% of registered voters, while the Tripura constituency saw an estimated 80% of the voters casting their vote.
West Bengal chief minister takes on EC
In a move that might lead to serious consequences, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee ignored orders issued by the Election Commission to transfer five superintendents of police and three district magistrates, after receiving complaints from opposition parties questioning the impartiality of the officers in question. In response, Banerjee claimed that removing the officers could endanger security and that the state government should have been consulted before ordering such a move.
EC gives Amit Shah three days to clarify remarks
The Election Commission has issued Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Amit Shah a notice in reaction to his inflammatory remarks about seeking revenge in the “elections”. The EC wants Shah to explain why the remarks were made. The notice arrived a day after the Uttar Pradesh police registered an FIR against Shah for his alleged hate speeches in riot-affected areas in Shamli and Muzaffarnagar. Shah has until April 9 to provide the commission with an explanation, failing which the EC will "take a decision" without further reference to Shah.
Sun Pharma to buy Ranbaxy in $3.2 billion deal
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has agreed to buy struggling Gurgaon-based drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, which was recently barred from the United States, for $3.2 billion. This would create India’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest drugmaker. Sun Pharma announced that Ranbaxy shareholders would receive 0.8 shares of Sun Pharma for each share of Ranbaxy, adding that the revenue of the combined entity is expected to be $4.2 billion.
