vijayawada l monday l october 26, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Resumption of war will not change Iran’s stance: Araghchi Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that a resumption of war with the US and Israel would not change his country’s position Comes after Don Hints at renewed attacks Iran seeks removal of foreign forces His statement came after President Donald Trump indicated that he could resume attacks on Iran after the midterm elections in the US. Speaking at a televised event in Tehran, Araghchi said, “They have already done so twice and have seen the results. If they want to try again, they know they will achieve no different outcome” ■ ■ Araghchi said to achieve peace and stability, “our region must move towards the complete absence of foreign forces” Trump said on Friday the US “may do another little Epic Fury,” referring to the military campaign that began in February. The US has moved thousands of additional troops to the region in recent weeks Nov 3 when the u.s. will hold midterm elections CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI EC hiding software info to Busted: Int’l drug bury manipulation: Cong cartel and `100 cr inter-state op Kharge demands annulment of assembly polls held in the past 2 yrs Mukesh Ranjan & Ramashankar @ New Delhi / Patna express read NMC may extend MBBS deadline Vijayawada: The National Medical Commission has agreed to examine AP’s request for an extension of the MBBS admission deadline, and a reduction in the NEET-UG qualifying percentile for 2026-27, following a representation from NTRUHS | P5 Blast: Villagers seek govt aid Visakhapatnam: A day after an explosion at a road construction site at Bisimamidi in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, residents of a nearby village have sought government assistance, alleging that the blast damaged their houses | P5 Cyclone: Naidu orders high alert Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to be on high alert, ensure maximum preparedness at every level to minimise the impact in view of the fast approaching Cyclone Arnab | P4 THE Congress on Sunday escalated its campaign against the Election Commission, accusing the poll body of suppressing crucial information about the ECINET software, while party chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) be halted immediately , assembly polls held in the past two years annulled, and future elections be held through ballot papers. The opposition party cited media reports about the poll body refusing to disclose the technical details of the ECINET software sought through RTI and alleged it was done to hide the alleged manipulation of electoral rolls. “The ECI is repeatedly refusing to provide this information because it will reveal the reality of the massive, centralised manipulation that has taken place,” said Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, adding the poll panel must clarify whether it is using artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Patna on Sunday Kharge called for return to ballot papers , to preserve the sanctity of election process and demanded the assembly polls held in the past two years should be annulled. Interestingly he named only the BJP-ruled West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Maharashtra; Congress won in Kerala and is sharing power with the TVK in Tamil Nadu, where elections were held in 2026. Launching a fierce attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Congress chief alleged there were large-scale irregularities during the SIR process that influenced election results, accusing the CEC of enabling ‘vote theft’ under the garb of SIR. Kharge described the anti-SIR stir as a “second war of independence” and urged people to participate in INDIA bloc’s November 1 protest rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. “The protest by Opposition INDIA bloc in New Delhi is aimed at ousting of CEC Gyanesh Kumar,” the Congress president added, while speaking at an event to mark the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar’s first chief minister Shri Krishna Singh. Elections should be held using ballots to ensure transparency and restore public confidence. Democracy must be protected, and every vote must count Mallikarjun Kharge Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in Patna on Sunday| PTI Row over remark Kharge’s impromptu remarks during the Patna event triggered a political row. When a person in the audience said, “Modi won’t go anywhere or lose power”, Kharge retorted, “Even Modi’s father will go,” prompting a commotion at the venue | P7 BJP meets to mull how to ‘expose’ Oppn protests, rally RAJE S H K U M AR THAK U R @New Delhi Strategies to counter the Opposition’s protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and its November 1 rally were discussed at a top-level BJP meeting on Sunday as the , party strategised on “exposing” the Congress-backed efforts in its national ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ campaign. The meeting, chaired by party chief Nitin Nabin and attended by senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, discussed how the party could push back on the Opposition’s charges against the Special Intensive Revision of poll rolls, sources said. Plans for the BJP’s poll campaign in 2027 Assembly elections in UP, Punjab and three other states were also on the agenda. Sources said the leaders discussed a series of nationwide activities aimed at questioning the Opposition’s role in upholding democracy and highlighting achievements of the Modi government. “The meeting may have discussed spreading how the Congress and its allies want the inclusion of dead and fake voters in the voters’ lists under the pretext of protesting and demoralising a constitutional body like the Election Commission,” claimed a source. hawala trail mu k e s h r a n j a n @ New Delhi COORDINATED raids by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and state police forces helped dismantle a trans-national narcotics cartel operating across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday He said raids were carried out at 38 locations in Assam, . Mizoram and Manipur leading to 18 arrests, freezing of 1,424 bank accounts and uncovering of hawala transactions worth `100 crore. The operation, conducted on October 23 and codenamed ‘Operation Trident’, resulted in attachment of properties worth `17.82 crore, seizure of 500 detonators and the recovery of `12 lakh in cash. The synchronised action Announcing the operation on X, was designed to disrupt Shah said, “Central agencies and po- the network’s ability to lice forces in three northeastern move narcotics and states carried out simultaneous op- money across state and erations to dismantle the interna- international borders tional drug trafficking network and Amit Shah, home minister expose its financial links.” The cartel allegedly used the corridor connecting India, Myanmar Strategic shift and Bangladesh to move narcotics The operation marks a across borders, which Shah described strategic shift in as ‘Death Triangle Corridor’. India’s anti-narcotics The crackdown aligns with the campaign from a government’s zero-tolerance policy seizure-centric on drugs and the Vision Document approach to a on Narcotics Control for 2026-2029, network-centric which prioritises a systematic dis- model focussing on m a n t l i n g o f o r g a n i s e d d r u g dismantling the narco networks. infrastructure Investigations by NCB, Mizoram Police and ED uncovered a wider network of facilitators, shell entities and money mules supporting the cartel. The probe identified the kingpin as Myanmar-based Thangcintuang, alias Chintuang or Tluanga, who was wanted in more than 10 cases under NDPS Act. He was arrested in Delhi. Other key operatives arrested earlier included Vungkhanthawna, a facilitator responsible for coordinating the movement and delivery of Myanmar-origin consignments, and Lalrampari, a principal hawala operator, officials said. Lalrampari’s arrest by NCB on August 8, 2024, helped investigators uncover nearly `100 crore in illicit transactions and prompted joint financial action with the ED, he added. Hydroponic weed worth `4 cr seized at ASR Airport E x p r e ss N e w s S e r v i c e @ Vizianagaram Air Intelligence Unit of Customs at the Alluri Sitaramaraju International Airport at Bhogapuram seized 4 kg of high-grade hydroponic cannabis (hydro weed) valued at approximately `4 crore from a passenger from Bangkok on Sunday . According to official sources, Imran Khan (31) of Kolkata had come under surveillance as he travelled Bangkok four times over the past month. His frequent visits to Bangkok from Kolkata in recent times has given scope for suspicion that he might have been involved in an illegal activity . A team, led by Customs Deputy Commissioner Ravishankar, apprehended Imran Khan when he attempted to route the narcotics through Bhogapuram Airport for the first time. A trained Customs sniffer dog named ‘High Tide’ detected the contraband at the airport. During a secondary examination of Imran Khan’s luggage, officials found the narcotics carefully wrapped in layers of carbon paper, and concealed across four rows in his briefcase to evade airport X-ray scanners. Imran Khan was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Customs officials produced Imran Khan in Vizianagaram Sessions Court for trial. Further investigation is underway . 46,045 papers for 9,829 MPTC seats valid, 4,770 in fray for 659 ZPTCs S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Silver lining for sindhu P V Sindhu (L) put up a spirited fight against her nemesis and world no. 1 An Se Young before going down 21-16, 11-21, 12-21 in the women’s singles final of the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament on Sunday | badminton photo A total of 46,045 nominations for 9,829 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats have been found valid after the completion of scrutiny for the local body elections. Of the total nominations for MPTC seats, 19,760 are filed by TDP candidates and 17,726 by YSRCP nominees. As many as 4,330 nominations filed by JSP candidates, and 1,049 by BJP nominees have also been found valid. When it comes to Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections, a total of 4,770 nominations have been found valid for 659 seats. Of the Vizag smallest ZP After the reorganisation of districts in the State, Visakhapatnam has become the smallest Zilla Parishad with just four mandals. Interestingly, despite its small size, it has substantial assets and a camp office total, 1,693 nominations are filed by TDP candidates, and 1,445 by YSRCP nominees. As many as 587 nominations filed by JSP candidates and 227 by BJP nominees have also been found valid after the scrutiny . Srikakulam district stood top with 2,806 valid nomina- tions for MPTC seats, while Visakhapatnam figured at the bottom of the list with 353 nominations. With 280 valid nominations for ZPTC seats, Tirupati district topped the list, while Visakhapatnam with 46 nominations came at the bottom. The reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh’s 13 erstwhile districts into 28 districts has reshaped the structure of MPTCs and ZPTCs. The elections are being held for the first time after the reorganisation of ZPs. YSR Kadapa Zilla Parishad has emerged as the largest in the State with 39 mandals, while Visakhapatnam ZP has become the smallest, comprisP4 ing just four mandals.  Sustainable farming Ladakh becomes India’s first fully organic UT F aya z W a n i @ Srinagar Ladakh was declared India’s first fully organic Union Territory on Sunday, in a nod to its sustained efforts to promote chemical-free farming. “This is a moment of immense pride for Ladakh and the entire nation. Our farmers have demonstrated that environmentally responsible agriculture can flourish even in the most challenging geographical conditions,” Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena said. It follows a phased, multiyear initiative aimed at eliminating synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides and toxic soil additives from agricultural practices across the Union Territory . The big push came in July, when the LG ordered a complete prohibition on the procurement, distribution, sale, marketing, and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers for agricultural practices across Ladakh. In March, the administration had flagged off distri- bution of organic fertiliser among farmers across villages to ensure timely availability before the sowing season. The move to organic farming is expected to improve soil fertility protect water resourc, es, preserve biodiversity and promote healthier food production. Besides, it is expected to create new opportunities for Ladakh’s farmers by improving the value of lo- This is a moment of immense pride for Ladakh and the entire nation. Our farmers have demonstrated that environmentally responsible agriculture can flourish even in the most challenging geographical conditions — LG V K Saxena cally grown organic produce, including apricots, sea buckthorn, buckwheat, barley and vegetables. “Organic certification, better post-harvest management, value addition, branding and stronger market linkages can help farmers access consumers who increasingly seek authentic, traceable and organically produced food,” an official said. Saxena said the goal is to ensure that the organic status brings real value to Ladakh’s farmers through better market access, improved price realisation and sustainable livelihoods. Modi SAYS CONG RULE FAVOURED RICH Inaugurating the RBI’S `169crore data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, the PM alleged the masses were denied banking services during Cong rule | P7 Fishing boats anchored along the Visakhapatnam coast on Sunday in view of Cyclone Arnab, which is likely to cross the AP coast on October 28 | G Satyanarayana Arnab to cross AP coast between Bapatla and Vizag on October 28 U s h a P e r i @ Visakhapatnam With wind speeds of up to 140 kmph forecast during landfall, the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday . The system, to be named Cyclone Arnab, is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by early Monday, and strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27 before intensifying further. The IMD has issued a cyclone alert with an orange message for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts. According to the cyclone warning bulletin issued by the IMD’s Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, at 4 pm on Sunday the system was centred , over the eastcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, near latitude 15.1°N and longitude 91.0°E, at 11.30 am. It was located about 870 km eastsoutheast of Visakhapatnam, and 960 km east-southeast of Kakinada. The deep depression is likely to move southwestwards initially before turning westnorthwestwards, and then northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Gale winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, are expected along and off the coast by the morning of October 28. Wind speeds are likely to decrease after landfall. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places along the coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with extremely heavy rainfall P4 likely at isolated places.