Latest news with #LDF
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Poll claims fly as UDF, LDF battle it out
Kozhikode: A day after the closely-watched and politically-significant Nilambur bypoll, UDF and LDF camps pored over internal booth-level estimates collected from the field and concluded that the outcome would be a favourable one. While UDF reviewed its estimates and claimed that the front would secure a huge majority, LDF came out with a cautious estimate expecting a narrow victory margin. UDF claimed it would win by a big margin of around 10,000 votes. It expects a lead of over 4,000 votes in Vazhikkadavu, nearly the same margin in Moothedam, 1,500 votes in Edakkara and 1,000 votes each in Nilambur municipality and Pothukallu. UDF also expects small leads in Chungathara and Karulayi. On the other hand, LDF's internal feedback showed a tighter contest, projecting a narrow win margin of around 1,600 votes. Left is counting on leads in Amarambalam, Pothukallu, Nilambur municipality and Karulayi to offset UDF's expected lead of 1,500 votes in Vazhikkadavu and other narrow leads in Moothedam and Edakkara, where UDF has historically held a strong political base. LDF is also relying on internal differences and factionalism within the Congress to strengthen its position. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo What makes the race even more complex is independent candidate PV Anvar, whose resignation triggered the bypoll. Early projections from both camps estimated his vote share at 10,000 votes, but LDF sources now believe Anvar could secure well beyond that number, mainly by drawing support from UDF voters. The BJP is expected to get around 7,000 votes, while SDPI is likely to garner around 2,500 votes. For LDF and UDF, the stakes are high. Winning this bypoll will boost morale and set the tone for the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 assembly polls. Echoing UDF's estimates, candidate Aryadan Shoukath said he would win the polls with an 'A Plus grade' and secure leads in all panchayats as well as Nilambur municipality. He added that the front had gained support even from non-UDF voters and predicted a historic majority for UDF on Monday. LDF candidate M Swaraj said LDF expects a strong win in the constituency, noting that there was no anti-incumbency sentiment against the state govt there. IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty said the UDF camp is confident of a comfortable win. He added that IUML has consistently worked with full commitment to secure victory for the UDF candidate. Kunhalikutty dismissed concerns that IUML votes might have shifted to Anvar, saying that even in tougher situations, IUML cadres have never taken such a stand.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Stray dog menace: three shelter homes to be set up in Kannur
In the wake of the growing stray dog menace in Kannur, Minister for Registration, Museums, and Archaeology Ramachandran Kadannappally has announced the setting up of three shelter homes—two within the Kannur Corporation limits and one in the Cantonment area. The Minister was addressing the media after a high-level meeting at the collectorate attended by officials of the district panchayat, Corporation and Cantonment Board and police, animal welfare and health departments. The decision follows mounting public concern after a spate of dog bite incidents reported across the district. The move was prompted by a report of the Animal Husbandry department indicating that a few stray dogs involved in recent attacks could show symptoms of rabies within two weeks, the Minister said. To prevent a potential rabies outbreak, all stray dogs within the city limits will be captured, vaccinated, and relocated to the shelter homes. A child bitten by a stray dog at Payyambalam and subsequently vaccinated is reportedly in a critical condition due to rabies. The Minister said those who wished to continue feeding stray dogs could do so at the shelter but not on streets or roadsides. The Animal Husbandry department has been tasked with capturing, vaccinating, and sterilising stray dogs, with trained dog catchers deployed exclusively within the municipal limits for a week. Veterinary support will be provided by doctors from the Padiyur Animak Birth Control centre. The Cantonment Board chief executive officer (CEO) has been directed to take steps to capture aggressive dogs in the area and shift them to the shelter. District Collector Arun K. Vijayan will oversee the operation under the Disaster Management Act. K.V. Sumesh, MLA, district panchayat president K.K. Rathnakumari, District Police Chief (Kannur City) P. Nidhinraj, and Cantonment Board CEO Madhavi Bhargav attended the meeting. LDF walks out Meanwhile, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) representatives walked out of an all-party meeting convened by the Corporation to discuss stray dog menace. The walkout followed heated exchanges after United Democratic Front (UDF) representatives C. Sameer and Eramulla came down on the State government and the district panchayat for alleged inaction. The LDF accused the Corporation of shifting blame to the district panchayat without offering any concrete measures to address stray dog menace. Mayor Musliah Madathil chaired the meeting. 'People are suffering, but the Opposition is playing politics,' he said, adding that the government and the district panchayat were trying to avoid responsibility. He said the Corporation had decided to establish shelter homes for stray dogs and submit a proposal to the District Planning Committee for approval. Independent vaccination drives would also be undertaken by the Corporation, he added. To enhance response capabilities, the Mayor said, contingent workers would be trained to catch stray dogs. In addition, a new initiative is being considered to collect biodegradable waste directly from sources and convert it into fertiliser, in a bid to prevent illegal dumping of organic waste, a major factor attracting stray animals, the Mayor added.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Upputhara panchayat to initiate revenue recovery proceedings against 27
Upputhara grama panchayat in Idukki will initiate revenue recovery proceedings against 27 individuals to recover funds for fraudulently obtaining houses under the LIFE Mission scheme. An emergency panchayat meeting on Thursday decided to take the revenue recovery proceedings. Sources said ineligible people in Upputhara obtained LIFE Mission homes during the tenure of the last Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Communist Party of India (Marxist)) leader and Kattappana block panchayat president V.P. John and Congress Upputhara mandalam president V.S. Shal were among those who obtained houses illegally. 'Mr. John owned 1.5 acres while Mr. Shal sold the house obtained under the LIFE Mission scheme,' said an official. The Vigilance wing of the Local Self-Government department had found large-scale irregularities in the LIFE Mission housing scheme in the panchayat in 2022. It had also recommended recovery of ₹1.14 crore from individuals who illegally obtained homes. However, panchayat authorities had only issued a notice to those involved. Last week, the Vigilance wing sought an explanation from the panchayat on the recovery process, prompting the latter to hold an emergency meeting and initiate revenue recovery proceedings. Sources said the panchayat had prepared a list of 1,200 beneficiaries in 2018, of which 150 were later found ineligible. The Vigilance wing had found that ward members and officials supported the malpractice. Meanwhile, Upputhara panchayat president James Jacob said the panchayat committee had directed the secretary to initiate revenue recovery proceedings against 27 people. He said 722 homes had already been completed in the panchayat under the LIFE Mission scheme. Sources said the panchayat would request the Vigilance wing to investigate the eligibility of the 722 beneficiaries who had been handed over houses constructed under the scheme.
GMA Network
8 hours ago
- GMA Network
Robbers punch senior citizen, take P100K cash, jewelry
A 77-year-old senior citizen lost around P100,000 in cash and jewelry to robbers, who also punched her in the face and the leg, in a crime committed in broad daylight in Tondo, Manila. The victim, "Lola Minerva," was on her way home from the market when a man and a woman approached her and talked to her, eventually persuading her to board a car with her assailants. Inside the car, the suspects took away her cash and jewelry, and hurt her. She was dropped in the area of Baseco Compound and left her with P200 for transportation. The victim immediately reported the incident to the barangay for assistance. The barangay official said a portion of the road where the senior citizen passes by was closed that day, which prevented the pedicabs from entering and transporting residents to their homes. The official added that they have heard of the same modus victimizing the elderly who often go to the market. He said the barangay will assist the police in pursuing the case. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Marcos, FL Liza visit PH Pavilion in World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan
President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos visited the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan on June 20, 2025. (Screenshot from RTVM) President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise ''Liza'' Araneta-Marcos on Friday visited the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The First Couple was given a guided walk-through inside the Philippine Pavilion, which features the largest collaboration of Filipino weavers, with more than 200 handwoven panels created by master artisans from across the country. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Deputy Speaker and Cebu Representative Duke Frasco joined the First Couple during the walk-through. The woven panels formed part of a dynamic façade that opens throughout the day to showcase live performances, the Presidential Communications Office said. Meanwhile, Marcos also visited the circular structure of the Japan Pavilion that carries the theme ''Between Lives.'' Embodying the cycle of life, this features a biogas power generation using food waste from the Expo site and other cutting-edge Japanese carbon recycling technologies in order to create a cyclical loop. This aims to inspire visitors to adopt sustainable behaviors for a sustainable society.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
