kottayam l Monday l november 23, 2020 l `7.00 l PAGES 28 l city EDITION judge throws out trump suit on Pennsylvania loss A Pennsylvania judge on Saturday dismissed Trump campaign’s lawsuit seeking to invalidate millions of mail-in votes state can now certify biden as winner Judge Matthew Brann ruled that the Trump campaign “presented strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations unsupported by evidence”. Donald Trump had claimed some Pennsylvania counties contacted and let voters to fix mistakes in their mail ballot declarations. The path is now clear for the state to certify Joe Biden as the winner 81,000 Helpful verdict, claims Trump team ■ ■ Trump’s legal team cast the ruling in a positive light, saying it helps their strategy to get the case expeditiously to the US Supreme Court, where a majority of judges are conservative The case will now go to the 3rd circuit of the US Court of Appeals, which, the Trump campaign hopes, will pass a quick verdict | P9 votes is biden’s lead over trump in Pennsylvania CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Experts see building of a second Covid wave in India s u m i s u k a n ya dutta @ New Delhi After recording just 28,609 fresh Covid-19 cases on November 16—the lowest in four months—India has recorded between 38,000 and 46,000 fresh Covid cases daily in the last four days, raising concerns that the country is facing a second wave of the deadly infection. After recording 96,860 new infections in a day on September 16, there had been a steady decline in the number of new cases reported daily . But, in recent days, states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Delhi have seen a sharp rise in daily new cases, pushing the national tally up. “We are definitely seeing early signs of a second wave at the national level,” health economist Rijo M John said. The mortality rate, too, is rising in several states including Kerala, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, John pointed out. Experts warned that the states that did well in containing the first wave may see a higher caseload this time Barring a few exceptions, the fact that fewer Muslim MLAs were elected in the recent Bihar Assembly elections falls into a pattern witnessed in recent years. Wherever and whenever the Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliance partners have performed strongly, coming to power in most cases, the number of elected Muslim representatives has gone down, like in Bihar where it dropped from 24 to 19. Conversely, where non-BJP parties have done well, Muslim representation in the elected houses has generally increased, an analysis by this newspaper found. Take, for instance, the Karnataka elections in 2018 and Uttar Pradesh in 2017. In both states, the BJP did well and the number of Muslim MLAs dived. The steepest fall was in UP where the BJP stormed to power with a crushing threefourths mandate. In the outgoing Assembly where the Samajwadi Party was in power, the state had 68 Muslim MLAs; that figure dropped to 24. Percentage wise, it dipped from 17% of the total strength of the Assem- bly to 6%. In Karnataka, the number of Muslim MLAs fell from 11 to seven. Contrast them with the elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in late 2018, Odisha in mid-2019, Maharashtra and Jharkhand in late 2019, and Delhi in February this year. In all these states, the Congress and regional parties upended the BJP and the Muslim MLA count grew, even if marginally in some cases. The biggest increase was in Rajasthan — from two to eight — where the Congress wrested power from the BJP. In Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress ended 15 years of continuous BJP rule, Muslim MLA numbers went up from nil to one and one to two, respectively . Maharashtra and Jharkhand are also interesting, as the BJP lost power, and the number of Muslim MLAs increased. Exceptions to the trend were Gujarat, Assam and Tripura, where Muslim representation went up though they are ruled by the BJP On the flip side, the . Muslim MLA count dropped in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Punjab, where the BJP has negligible electoral presence.  Continued on: P7 rive and a second wave by end November or early December is highly likely,” he added. Understandably, the sudden rise in new cases has forced worried state governments to re-impose some of the restrictions that were dialed back. Haryana and Manipur, for instance, have shut schools again while many districts in Rajasthan and Gujarat are under full or partial lockdowns. India on Sunday reported 45,209 fresh cases, taking total P7 tally to 90.95 lakh.  PM likely to hold virtual meet with Cms Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold virtual meetings with chief ministers and other representatives of states and union territories on Tuesday to review the Covid-19 situation BJP show tied to muslim MLas S a n a S h a k i l @ New Delhi around if they let the guard down. “In those states, since seroprevalence and infection-induced immunity are low, people venturing out would mean high daily cases,” said public health researcher Oommen C Kurian. “India will have multiple peaks before vaccines ar- Figure it out How they stack up  Percentage in population  % of Muslim MLAs at present  Number of Muslim MLAs  Number of MLAs in the last Assembly Jammu & Kashmir 68.31% 68.9% 60 60 Himachal Pradesh 2.18% 00 0 Punjab 1.93% 0.85% 1 2 Haryana 7.03% 3.33% 3 3 Delhi 12.78% 7.14% 5 4 Uttarakhand 13.95% 2.85% 2 2 Uttar Pradesh 19.3% 5.9% 24 68 Arunachal Pradesh 1.9% 0 0 0 Assam Bihar 34.22% 23% 16.9% 7.81% 29 28 19 24 Meghalaya 4.39% Sikkim 1.6% 0 1.66% 1 1 0 0 Nagaland 2.4% 0 0 0 Manipur Rajasthan 9.1% 4% 8 2 Gujarat 9.6% 1.64% 3 2 Madhya Pradesh 6.57% 0.86% 2 1 Maharashtra 11.54% 3.47% 10 9 Goa 8.33% 0 0 0 8.40% 5% 3 3 West Bengal 27.01% 18% 59 59 Tripura 8.60% 3.33% 2 1 Jharkhand 14.5% 4.87% 4 2 Mizoram 1.3% 0 0 0 Odisha 7.08% 0.68% 1 0 Chhattisgarh 2.02% 1.1% 1 0 Telangana 12.7% 6.72% 8 8 Andhra Pradesh 9% 1.71% 3 4 Karnataka 12.9% 3.12% 7 11 Puducherry 4.97% 3% 1 1 Kerala 26.56% 22.85% 32 36 Tamil Nadu 5.86% 2.13% 5 5 Ten states where the number of Muslim legislators went up as compared to the last Assembly elections are Delhi, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam and Tripura Nine states where the number of Muslim legislators has remained the same as compared to the last Assembly elections are Haryana, Telangana, Meghala ya, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Puducherry and J&K Six states where the Muslim MLA count dropped as compared to the last Assembly elections are Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Punjab Six states that do not have a single Muslim MLA are Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Goa and Himachal Pradesh Facing flak, CM says new police law Cow cabinet mulls cess to raise funds won’t be used to gag free speech E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ T’Puram In the wake of widespread criticism against the Kerala Police (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 passed by the state government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday clarified that the new law will not be used against freedom of speech or impartial media activity in any way. There is no room for any apprehension, Pinarayi said in an official statement. The new law — which stipulates imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to `10,000 for those who produce, publish or disseminate content with an intention to intimidate, insult or defame a person, through any means of communication — was published in the g az ette on Saturday . The state government came under intense criticism from various personalities, not just from the state but also at the national level, with many terming the newly included Section 118A a ‘draconian’ one. The Opposition alleged that the state gov- ernment is planning to gag the media through this black law under the guise of controlling cyber attacks. Justifying the government move, Pinarayi said: “The state government has been repeatedly receiving complaints against the wide misuse of social media, especially by certain online channels. Even prominent public and cultural figures had made such complaints. They have brought to the notice of the government instances in which inhuman and vile cyber attacks were carried out by some in the guise of journalism and how it even harmed the family lives of many It . has often turned into targeted attacks using untruths and even sleazy content. Many families are bearing the consequences of such attacks.” He also pointed out that the use of personal likes or dislikes, political or non-political interests and so on to unsettle the peaceful atmosphere of families to settle scores arising out of revenge cannot be al● More on P4 lowed.  SOP will be prepared, says DGP State Police Chief Loknath Behera said the police will prepare a standard operating procedure before taking any action as per the new amendment. The SOP will be prepared after discussing it with legal experts to ensure that the ordinance is not misused by anyone, he said. ‘Section 118A will not stand court scrutiny’ R a j e s h A b r a h a m @ Kochi The controversial section included in the Kerala Police Act, which gives sweeping powers to the police to clamp down on ‘defamatory’ or ‘offensive’ posts, will not stand the scrutiny of court, said legal experts. In March 2015, the Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict, had struck down Section 66A of the IT Act and Section 118 (d) of the Kerala Police Act after it found the sections violative of the right to free speech, and a similar fate would befall on the Section 118A of the Kerala Police (Amendment) Ordinance too if challenged in the court, they said. “The SC said Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, as well as the 118(d) of the Police Act, go overboard, which means you can extend or expand it like an elastic by including anything in the purview of the definition. That’s why the provision was struck down by the SC,” said eminent lawyer Kaleeswaram ● More on P4 Raj.  E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhopal The first of its kind gau (cow) cabinet meeting on Sunday convened by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan explored the possibility of levying a cess to raise funds for the welfare of cows in Madhya Pradesh. “There was a time when every individual offered the first roti of the meal to a cow and the last roti to dogs, but now it doesn’t happen. Maybe we’ll make the people contribute financially, but it will be ensured that they aren’t pained by it,” Chauhan said. The gau cabinet, which met virtually also decided to set up over 2,000 cowsheds in the state for the protection of the cows. “We won’t let any cow remain shelterless. We’ve targeted 2,000 gaushalas to be managed by government along with self-help groups.” BJP chief’s ABC Plan for 120-day tour from Dec 5 Party-ruled states have been categorised as A, while those by the Oppn are on the B list workers in the course of his state visits, which will commence from Uttarakhand. BeTo get a head start for the 2024 sides the ABC states, Nadda Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will also travel to the states has put in place an ‘ABC Plan’ where Assembly elections will that will see party be held next year. chief J P Nadda emThe BJP has said bark on a 120-day tour Nadda’s travel plans of states from Decemwill follow all Covid-19 ber 5 to gear up the orguidelines, with arganisation for the big rangements being electoral challenge. made for checking Nadda will head out temperatures, masks to the A, B and C cateand santisation. gories of states, with “The plan of action Strategy in the first two compris- Oppn-ruled for the travel of the ing party and opposiBJP chief across the states tion ruled states, recountry includes In Oppositionspectively The smaller . building a positive imruled states, states have been placed age in the party-ruled Nadda will in the C basket. states, team spirit, strategise to BJP national generstrategy for the 2024 build campaigns al secretary Arun Lok Sabha elections, against the Singh on Sunday told besides stress on clarreporters that the 120- ruling parties by ity of the party ideoltaking up day long tour would be ogy said Singh. ,” various issues utilised for building Given the imporforcefully dialogue, strategies tance of social media, and team spirit in the Nadda will hold meetcadre. “The BJP chief will be ings with digital volunteers spending three days each in during his state visits. Another large states and two days each important feature will be meetin the smaller states,” he said. ings allies in the states. “The BJP national general secretary BJP will endeavour during the Tarun Chug will coordinate meetings to strategise on winNadda’s travel plans. ning those Lok Sabha seats the Singh said the BJP chief will party could not in 2019,” said connect with booth level party Singh. E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi Shah discusses strategy with BJP & RSS leaders Chennai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah left from Chennai on Sunday, after holding a series of meetings with the core committee of the state BJP unit and senior RSS functionaries. The meetings that happened after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam announced that the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP would continue for the Assembly elections next year, much to the surprise of even the saffron party’s state unit leaders, were held to chalk out strategies at multiple levels in the state, said sources. express read CB likely to record Covid vaccine: State Swapna’s statement constitutes panel T’Puram: The Crime Branch on Monday will formally start the probe into the leak of a voice clip purportedly from Swapna Suresh, the key accused in the gold smuggling case. A special investigation team will be constituted and are expected to record Swapna’s statement this week itself. A request letter will be dispatched to DGP(prisons) Rishi Raj Singh for sanction to record Swapna’s statement. WITH THIS ISSUE THE ESSENTIAL CAMPUS DIGEST T’Puram: The state government has constituted a five-member committee to explore the possibility of setting up a vaccine manufacturing unit(s). The units will operate with the drug manufacturing licence of pharmaceutical companies. Meanwhile, government had held talks with Bharat Biotech and on the basis of its letter, the CM himself had chaired a meeting on conducting vaccine trial. YOUR LIFE COACH 28 PAGES, INCLUDING 16 OF edex (TABLOID) ‘ED probing KIIFB’s bonds based on CAG report’ E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @T’Puram Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac on Sunday lashed out at the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging that the central agency has written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking details of the permission granted to Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to issue the masala bonds. He said the ED is colluding with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to topple the state government. According to Isaac, ED has started a preliminary probe based on the findings about KI- The ED has taken steps on the basis of the observations in the CAG report, which has not been tabled in the assembly. This is a breach of privilege of the House. — Thomas Isaac, Finance Minister IFB in the CAG report on the state’s finances for 2018-19, which is yet to be tabled in the assembly He also accused the . agency of leaking out this information to the media. It is learnt that the ED has asked the RBI whether it had given sanction to issue masala bonds and whether the nod was given with the knowledge of the Central government. “The ED has taken steps on the basis of the observations in the CAG report, which has not been tabled in the assembly. This is a breach of privilege of the House. If the ED wanted to intervene, it should have waited for the report of the Public Accounts Committee which will examine the CAG report,” he told reporters “Only the Public Accounts Committees in Parliament or assembly are entitled to take further action on the CAG report.” Isaac said the ED will not be allowed to have a free run in the state challenging the rules or powers of the assembly “An . ED officer sent WhatsApp messages to media persons on the agency’s letter to the central bank.” Isaac said various central agencies like the CAG, ED, CBI and NIA are conspiring against the state government and its various development projects. “The letter to the RBI and leaking out the news to the media are proof for this,” he said. Isaac also sought to know the opinion of Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on the breach of privilege of the assembly by the ED.  ● More on P5