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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat: Over 56% voting in Kadi, Visavadar bypolls; counting of votes on June 23
The by-elections to the Assembly constituencies of Kadi in Mehsana district and Visavadar in Junagadh recorded approximately 57.90% and 56.89% polling, respectively, on Thursday, said a release from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The voting got completed in a 'peaceful atmosphere', the official release added. Counting of votes will be done on June 23. The release stated that the approximate voter turnout is as per data uploaded till 7 pm. The state government had declared a holiday on Thursday for the two constituencies for voting. The polling started at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm. The bypoll of Kadi assembly constituency was necessitated after it fell vacant following the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Karshan Solanki in February this year. The seat is reserved for the Scheduled Caste communities and a total of eight candidates were in the fray in the electoral battle. The BJP has fielded Rajendra Chavda on the seat whereas the Congress has nominated a former MLA from the same seat, Ramesh Chavda, as its candidate for Kadi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has nominated Jagdish Chavda for the seat. At Visavadar constituency, the by-election was necessitated after sitting MLA from AAP, Bhupendra Bhayani, resigned from the seat in December 2023 and later joined the BJP. All eyes were on the BJP to see if it would field Bhayani on the seat or not. Eventually, the party nominated its former Junagadh district president and local cooperative leader, Kirit Patel, from the seat. The BJP is facing a challenge from AAP's senior leader Gopal Italia and Congress's Nitin Ranpariya on the seat. The AAP has apparently thrown its weight behind the candidate in the Visavadar constituency with its top national leadership, including former Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi, and current Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, joining Italia as he filed his nomination papers. In the past, Visavadar was represented by former CM Keshubhai Patel. This time, the Praja Shakti Democratic Party (PSDP), launched by former CM Shankersinh Vaghela, has also nominated candidates for both the seats. At present, the 182-member Gujarat Assembly has 161 MLAs of the BJP, followed by 12 of the Congress, and four of the AAP. While the Samajwadi Party (SP) has one legislator, two other MLAs are independents.
Elle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
'We Were Liars': The 6 Key Differences Between The Book And TV Show
On June 18, E. Lockhart's bestselling YA novel We Were Liars premiered on Prime Video as a TV adaptation. While the new series stays true to the haunting emotional core of the book, it also reshapes it in many unexpected and shocking ways. At first glance, the private Sinclair island is introduced as the perfect backdrop for a dreamy summer coming-of-age romance, however, all isn't at it seems. Hailed as the next White Lotus given its haven-like scenery paired with a whodunnit plot line, the show follows lead character Cadence aiming to figure out who or what is behind the injury that left her with amnesia following a devastating incident at her grandfather's summer home. The TV show and book share a number of similarities in portraying disturbing family secrets, trauma and painful truths amongst the Sinclairs'. However, in many other ways, the series diverges from the original novel, which we unpack below. Firstly, the timeline of the TV adaptation of We Were Liars is streamlined. Lockhart's book spans multiple summers, while the series narrows the drama down to just two—summers 16 and 17— this creates a much more distinct contrast between Cadence's initial carefree past and then the stark difference post head injury. Key events like Tipper's death, Cady and Gat's romance, and the tragic accident now all unfold in a single, harrowing summer. Another significant shift can be seen in the character depth afforded to certain roles. For example, Johnny Sinclair, Cady's charming and trouble causing cousin, is openly gay in the TV series, with his storyline touching on school violence (homophobic bullying), secrecy, and the consequences of his mother Carrie's toxic devotion. These additions bring a darker energy to the family's seemingly golden facade, and intensifies the internal conflict over inheritance money. The show also leans further into the Sinclairs' legacy of privilege and racism. Cady's grandfather Harris, an already problematic man in the book, is called out more directly in the series, by Cady specifically. She pushes back throughout the series, not just in heated arguments with Harris but also by educating herself (a quiet scene shows her reading Caste by Isabel Wilkerson), adding more depth to her journey of self-awareness, primarily due to her relationship with Gat. In Lockhart's novel, the Sinclair sisters' romantic lives are largely undiscussed, however, the series lets viewers into all of their relationships. Bess, Mirren's mum, isn't divorced but emotionally detached, and her affair with an employee on the harbour becomes a point of conflict within the family. Mirren also has a more fleshed-out romantic arc, that teaches her about emotional growth. In an interview with Swooon, author Lockhart says they worked hard to bring more life to the characters of Gat and Ed. 'We had four writers of Indian descent bringing not only their lived experience, but also their comedy chops and thriller expertise and all of their TV writing experience to the show,' she says. 'But what that means is that the characters of Gat and Ed are fleshed-out and given complexity and more nuance and bigger storylines than I could ever have done well myself because we had such a wealth of of writers working on the show.' One of the strengths of the new series is the part the more adult characters in the show play - something Lockhart told Swooon was inspired by mega-hit The White Lotus. 'I feel like everybody who got obsessed with those three ladies in The White Lotus [Season 3] are going to be all the more obsessed with the three [Sinclair] sisters,' she said. 'They're complicated, messy, beautifully acted. Candice King [Bess Sinclair], who was in The Vampire Diaries, which Julie Plec showran — she came in and auditioned for us, despite having worked for Julie for eight years. When she came in, she did a scene that is in the pilot where she's upset about her husband not showing up and she smokes a cigarette and she did it so exquisitely, I still have it in my head. She was just undeniably perfect for Bess. 'And then we have two other powerhouse actresses: Caitlin Fitzgerald [as Penny Sinclair] and Mamie Gummer [Carrie Sinclair]. They run around in the most amazing clothes, and they are funny with each other, and they fight with each other, and they are up to all kinds of entitled sisterly shenanigans. I think it's a really good time.' ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"RJD does not respect anyone other than Lalu Yadav": BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain
New Delhi [India], June 15 (ANI): Amid the political controversy surrounding Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav allegedly insulting BR Ambedkar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Sunday launched a scathing attack at the party, accusing them of showing disrespect to anyone other than its chief. Hussain criticised the RJD over the recent controversy surrounding Lalu Yadav's birthday celebrations, alleging an insult to Dr BR Ambedkar. He alleged that the RJD chief had placed Ambedkar's picture near his feet during his birthday celebration, noting that it was 'not acceptable' to insult Baba Saheb in the guise of his birthday celebration. 'On one side, Lalu Yadav talks about social justice, and on the other, they insult Babasaheb. Celebrate your birthday, but what message do you want to convey by keeping Babasaheb's picture near your feet? It is not acceptable to insult Babasaheb under the guise of celebrating his birthday,' Hussain said. 'RJD does not respect anyone other than Lalu Yadav. They are just insulting Babasaheb, and it has become a habit of his; he has become addicted (to insulting Ambedkar). The people of Bihar will answer to this,' he further charged. Earlier today, BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla accused the RJD of repeatedly insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar and said that the party has a 'non-constitutional ideology'. On RJD chief Lalu Yadav, Poonawala said, 'The insult to Scheduled Castes and Dalits represents the real identity of the RJD and its allies, Congress and the INDI Alliance. The way BR Ambedkar's picture was placed under the feet of Lalu Prasad Yadav and the indecency shown with the image of Ambedkar, this is the original character of RJD.' The BJP spokesperson further alleged that the rules of the Constitution are 'not important' for the party. 'RJD has a non-constitutional ideology. For them, the son is very important, not Baba Saheb. 'Jungle raj' and 'Pariwar raj' are important for RJD, but not the rules of the constitution. Again and again, the RJD insults Babasaheb Ambedkar and the people of Scheduled Caste communities,' he added. Meanwhile, on Saturday, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at the BJP, accusing its leaders of having no connection with BR Ambedkar, the Constitution, or reservation policies, while defending his father Lalu Prasad Yadav. 'These (BJP) people have nothing to do with Baba Saheb, the Constitution, and Reservation. Lalu Yadav has installed many statues of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Bihar. We are the people who believe in Ambedkar's ideology. The BJP only spread lies,' Tejashwi asserted. 'Lalu Yadav works for 10 hours at the age of 78 and meets people. He is ill, but still they accuse him of such things,' he further highlighted. These political developments come while the Assembly Elections are expected in Bihar later this year. (ANI)
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Centre's fund delay hits Samagra Shiksha uniform scheme: V Sivankutty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The free uniform scheme for government school students covering boys from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, and all girls from Classes 1 to 8 has been disrupted due to the non-disbursal of Central funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme since the 2023–24 financial year, the state government has said. General Education Minister V Sivankutty said that the state is actively working to resolve the issue. Under the Samagra Shiksha project, funds for two sets of uniforms per student are released to schools through the Block Resource Centres. However, the Union government has not released any funds to the Kerala unit of Samagra Shiksha since 2023–24, said the minister.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Indian Express
Scholarship scam: Former registrar of private university granted bail
A Kaithal court has granted bail to a former registrar of a private varsity situated in the town in an alleged scholarship scam observing that 'being an office-bearer in the administration of university, he might have played an active role to give undue benefit to owner of the university but he may not be the actual beneficiary of the alleged fraudulent amount'. The Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had arrested former registrar of NIILM university Sumesh Kumar Sharma on May 26 this year. The present case pertains to alleged embezzlement and mis-utilisation of funds of scholarship, which were meant for the upliftment of students belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. The said misutilisation was allegedly done by the administration of NIILM University, Kaithal, during the academic year 2013-14 and 2014-15 by making fake admissions of students. After preliminary enquiry, an FIR was registered in 2018. Sharma remained an employee of the university during 2012-14. He has been an associate professor of a Delhi-based institute since 2015. After his arrest in the last week of May, Sharma through his counsel Sartaj Singh and Mahadev Maharaj Singh approached the court for his bail. However, the prosecution opposed his bail plea. The prosecution informed the court that there are 25 accused in the present case, including officials of the university and 17 brokers or agents who allegedly facilitated the admission process. In its order of June 11, the court observed that many co-accused were either already granted anticipatory bail or regular bail. The court noted that the then in-charge of admissions in the university and its vice-chancellor were granted anticipatory bail in 2024 while the then chancellor of the university and wife of its owner was granted anticipatory bail in 2018. Now she is stated to have expired. However, the court observed that the anticipatory bail application of the founder and de-facto owner of the university Vinay Rai was first dismissed by the district court and later by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He is still at large and stated to be abroad, said the court. The court also observed that accused Sumesh Sharma, in his alleged disclosure statement, stated that he was acting as per the directions of university owner Vinay Rai, who is allegedly the main beneficiary. In his order, Kaithal Additional Sessions Judge Dr Amit Kumar Garg held: 'It is a well-known fact that the private employee has varying level of job security and stability; and one has to work as per the directions of his employer for his faster career growth because private sector is more vulnerable due to economic fluctuations, leading to higher job insecurity and lay-offs. In the private sector, career progression is based upon performance and so, one has to obey the command of his boss/employer.' The court noted during the probe, no recovery of any cash has been made from the accused.
