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 ■ ■ HYDERABAD TUEDAY APRIL 30, 2024 `9.00 PAGES 18 LATE CITY EDITION U.P. DIARIES KASHI: A DATE WITH THE PRESENT Antiquity aside, various modern ages seem to coexist SANTWANA here. Baba Vishwanath’s BHATTACHARYA temple has an expansive, spanking new, 21st century EDITOR corridor. Its high walls, with stone cut in rectangular patterns, also strangely remind VARANASI: In the mind of you of Soviet architecture. India, Varanasi or Kashi is The Banaras Hindu Univeran ancient space suspended sity exudes a century old in an unbroken continuum, Indo-Gothic charm. The Gynot a project under construc- anvapi mosque’s 17th cention. Its life is in the cultural tury architecture, of course, imagination, entwined with is often the subject of frontcenturies-old personal socio- page headlines. Negotiating religious histories—cycles its place under the scorchof birth and death—embed- ing sun, caught between ded far more deep than Ayo- Hindutva and high-rises, dhya. The locals breathe this Varanasi balances itself beair too. Real antiquity is a tween an old-world raison historical detour d’être and a newwhen you keep enfound VIP-ism, like countering the rea trapeze artist. frain: Paanch hazIt’s an uneasy aar saal purana cohabitation. The sheher. Navigating new tourism boom between those ‘five has steadily enthousand years’ and croached upon the FIRST OF A the five-year cycles old spiritual amof modern democ- FOUR-PART SERIES bience, which is racy is, then, the peslowly fading culiar fortune of Kashi. away Just like a lot of old In. It’s 2024, and elections to dia. In a 15-minute walk up the 18th Lok Sabha are ap- from Dashaswamedh ghat proaching. A different kind alone, about 300 new guestof continuity unfolds here houses have come up to catoo, of course—a prime min- ter to the new rush of reliister is going for his third gious tourists—a good win. A sense of assuredness number of young among spreads up from the ghats, them—from Pune, Rajkot, as it were, which stand like Meerut, Coimbatore, even watchful sentinels of a lived Seoul. Evening time, they experience. Lifted up into settle on plastic chairs to the city proper, you are witness a Gang a aarti thrown headlong into a bus- through bulb-lit bamboo tling desi lifescape in all its arches. This new spiritualicontemporary variety Here, ty is not quiet: mantras, . what you find is continuity bhajans and then the Maha in conversation with change Tandav Aarti ring out from a t m a n y t a l k a t i v e modern music systems. CONTINUED ON: P9 streetcorners. Centre to permanently deploy CISF in ED offices in select cities DELHI COPS SUMMON CM OVER DOCTORED VIDEO OF SHAH Police team from national capital serves notice at Gandhi Bhavan; Cong threatens tit-for-tat in party-ruled states E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad THE Delhi police on Monday summoned six Congress leaders, including Chief Minister and PCC president A Revanth Reddy to appear before them at , 10.30 am on May 1, for allegedly morphing the video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on reservations and circulating the same on social media platforms such as ‘X’. A Delhi police team reached the Gandhi Bhavan here on Monday and served the notices. The notices were served under Section 91 CrPC and sought explanation from them by May 1. The doctored video, which was also tweeted and later deleted by the Telangana Congress X account, portrayed the Union home minister as saying that the BJP would scrap reservations to SCs, STs and OBCs. Opponents are using AI to distort quotes of leaders like me, Amit Shah and J P Nadda to create social discord. There is a plan to create a big incident in next one month. If you see any fake video, inform the police — Narendra Modi A Delhi police team at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday to serve notices to Congress social media in-charge and others “The BJP and the RSS declared a final war against the Constitution to scrap the reservations to SCs, STs and OBCs,” Revanth Reddy said in an election meeting recently . However, addressing an election meeting in Zaheerabad last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that they would scrap Muslim reservations in the state and provide them to SCs, STs and OBCs. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that one person has been arrested in connection with the doctored Amit Shah video. The Congress has warned of similar action against BJP leaders in party-ruled states such as Telangana and Karnataka and accused the BJP of spreading fake news and morphed videos during the election campaign. CONTINUED ON P3 Not afraid of notices, will defeat Modi, says Revanth EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Hyderabad REACTING to the notices served by the Delhi police, Chief Minister and PCC president A Revanth Reddy alleged that after the ED, I-T and CBI, now the BJP was using Delhi police to win in the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing an election meeting in Karnataka, the chief minister said: “Just now I have received information that the Delhi police reached Gandhi Bhavan and served notices. The ED, I-T and CBI is over. Now, the BJP is using Delhi police to WaPost names former RAW official in Pannun assassination plot in US Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi THE Washington Post on Monday disclosed the identity of ‘CC-1’, the New Delhi-based Indian official who allegedly forwarded the details of Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, including his New York address, to Nikhil Gupta, an alleged middleman who was enlisted to hire a contract killer. The Post named Indian intelligence official Vikram Yadav in the ongoing investigation in the US against the plot to kill Pannun. This is the first time the name is made public. “Yadav’s identity and affiliation, which have not previously been reported, provide the most explicit evidence to date that the assassination plan — ultimately thwarted by US authorities — was directed from within the Indian spy service,” the report claimed. The US indictment unsealed in November 2023 had withheld the name of the Indian official who allegedly conspired to kill Pannun, referring to him as CC-1. “The assassination is a priority now,” the Post report quoted Yadav as saying to Nikhil. The US newspaper report also EX-RAW BOSS NAMED The report claims that ex-RAW chief Samant Goel was under “extreme pressure to eliminate... Sikh extremists overseas”. It says US agencies also assessed the role of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval but there was no proof claimed that Yadav’s mission was approved by the then RAW chief Samant Goel. The report says Yadav was a CRPF officer who was deputed to RAW He was sent back to the . CRPF after the case unravelled. When asked for comment, CRPF officials said there is nothing to comment on “an unconfirmed news report”, adding that deputation of security personnel in intelligence agencies is classified. The Post claimed the report is part of its investigation series about “a global surge in campaigns of cross-border repression.” It added that for the India story its reporters spoke , to various sources in New Delhi, Washington, Ottawa, London, Prague, and Berlin. The Washington Post report also says that the Joe Biden administration has so far refrained from pressing charges against Yadav. Voters split down the middle in Rahul may contest from Rae Bareli Baramati’s Pawar vs Pawar contest P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai THE contest in Maharashtra’s Baramati Lok Sabha constituency is one of the most highprofile fights that is going to be keenly watched. This time, three-time MP Supriya Sule, daughter of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, is facing tough challenge from her cousin Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra, who is contesting for the first time. Baramati is a traditional NCP stronghold and Sharad Pawar used to end his election campaign with a rally in this city How. ever, this time the contest is so close that senior Pawar is not taking any chance and is spending every second day in Baramati to ensure victory for his daughter. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar is also leaving no stone unturned to get his spouse elected to the Lok Sabha. The stakes are also high because this is the first election after the NCP split last year. According to sources, Sharad Pawar is using his experience and connections to win over the voters, while Ajit Pawar is putting his power and influence to use to turn the tide. However, things are complicated on the ground. “Ajit Pawar now works with his past political rivals. But on the ground, party workers are not ready to bury past animosity. Ajit Pawar may face vote transfer during polling,” said an NCP(SP) leader. As for Ajit Pawar, he doesn’t mince words so that the message is clear. “If any one goes against me, development will be stopped. Funds will not be released. If you want development, then choose my side,” he said bluntly in one of his speeches while campaigning. A local journalist said businessmen are under pressure. “Small businessmen, whose livelihood is at stake, and big businessmen, whose business can be easily destroyed by the government machinery, are rallying behind Ajit Pawar,” he added. A political observer said voters are split down the middle. “Those who got some tender work with the blessings of Ajit Pawar are standing with him. These are mostly middle-aged men. But the young crowd who are yet to taste power are with Sharad Pawar. So are those above 50 years, who grew with Sharad Pawar’s politics and development in Baramati,” he said. The Baramati Lok Sabha segment has six assembly seats, where Ajit Pawar has the support of four BJP, NCP MLAs. Supriya Sule has the support of two Congress MLAs. In the past three elections, Ajit Pawar was handling all election machinery on the behalf of Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule. This time, Sule and her father don’t have that structural advantage. Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew and young NCP MLA Rohit Pawar donning that role this time. Sharad Pawar was not much active in past poll campaigns as his nephew Ajit Pawar was doing it on his behalf, though the latter’s brazen nature was often a topic of discussion. ILLUSTRATION: MANDAR PARDIKAR THE Congress is likely to field Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may not contest in this year’s Lok Sabha elections, sources in the party said, amid continuing suspense over who would get the Rae Bareli and Amethi nominations. It was widely speculated that Rahul would contest from Amethi. However, sources said the party may field late Congress leader Sheila Kaul’s grandson in that seat. Kaul, a sister-inlaw of Jawaharlal Nehru, was a five-time member of Parliament and Union minister. Sources said who contests from Rae Bareli is important for the Congress as it has been a party bastion since 1951. After serving four consecutive terms as the Rae Bareli MP, Sonia Gandhi vacated the seat to become a Rajya Sabha MP. However, Priyanka’s unwillingness to fight the elections and the BJP’s constant attack on the Gandhis for turning away from the “family bastions” has put the party in a spot. “As Priyanka is unwilling to contest, the party has no other option than fielding Rahul Gandhi. The seat was held by former PM Indira Gandhi three times and Indira’s husband Feroze Gandhi also represented the seat in 1952 and 1957,” said a party leader. An announcement on Rahul’s candidature from Rae Bareli is likely on Tuesday, a party leader said. The Congress has very little time left to make the announcement as the last date to file the nomination papers for both seats is May 3. Voting for Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies will be held on May 20. Meanwhile, the Congress said its Central Election Committee has authorised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the candidates. win in the Lok Sabha polls.” He said that no one was scared of the notices and they would reply to them. Revanth Reddy said that they would defeat Narendra Modi and Amit Shah in the elections. He said that the Congress formed governments in Karnataka and Telangana and it would form the next gover nment in Maharashtra. Amit Shah was sending notices to the leaders who are fighting against the BJP in the country. “Amit Shah sent notices to me and Gandhi Bhavan for questioning BJP on social media,” Revanth Reddy said. EXPRESS READ Modi to address meeting in Medak dist today Hyderabad: PM Narendra Modi will address an election campaign at Alladurg in Medak district on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah will campaign for Hyderabad candidate Madhavi Latha on May 1. On May 5, he will visit Nizamabad, Secunderabad and Malkajgiri. Blow to BRS as Gutha’s son joins Congress Hyderabad: In a blow to the BRS, Gutha Amith Reddy, son of State Legislative Council chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, joined the Congress in the presence of CM Revanth Reddy on Monday. Sukhender Reddy on Saturday criticised the functioning of BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao. SSC public exam results to be declared today Hyderabad: The SSC exam results will be announced on Tuesday at 11 am. The results will be released by Burra Venkatesham, principal secretary, education department at the SCERT complex. Students can view results on results.bse. telangana.gov.in and results. bsetelangana.org websites. JDS to axe grandson of ex-PM over sex scandal Bengaluru: The JD(S) has decided to suspend Hassan MP and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda’s grandson, Prajwal Revanna over sexual abuse allegations, party chief H D Kumaraswamy said on Monday as the Congress and others tore into the BJP over the issue and its alliance with JDS | P6 Political slugfest over OU water, power ‘shortage’ A A R T I K A S H YA P @ Hyderabad OSMANIA University found itself caught in a political slugfest after students’ protest over the water and power supply issue in the campus went viral on social media. The issue erupted late Saturday night. On Monday, the OU chief warden clarified that the university had issued a notification on March 18 declaring summer vacation and closure of hostels and messes from May 1 to May 31. The notification also said that the campus was facing water and electricity shortage, and requested cooperation from boarders. BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday took to X and lashed out at the government for misleading the people and said the OU chief warden’s statement confirmed power and water crisis in the state. Reacting to this, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka issued a statement denying shortage of water and power supply in the university and describing the claims made by the hostel warden as false. Bhatti said that he had ordered an inquiry after some people had given notices about shortage of electricity and drinking water in Osmania University and the officials who investigated the venue immediately made it clear in the preliminary report that there was no interruption in power supply . The deputy CM further clarified that the officials said in their report that it was clear from the meter readings that electricity was continuously supplied to the entire university through two separate 11kv feeders from the 33/11 KV sub- station in the OU campus. He said that a show cause notice had been issued by the university registrar to the chief warden for making a false statement without verifying the facts. He further assured the students that they would not face any difficulties to stay on the campus and study freely. Since the education portfolio is with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and he was away campaigning in Karnataka on Monday, the deputy CM stepped in to douse the fire. The BRS lashed out at the government for its alleged failure to provide facilities to the CONTINUED ON P3 students.
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