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India: Millions vote in state elections amid pandemic challenges

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4 years ago

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India: Millions vote in state elections amid pandemic challenges

India’s first key elections during the coronavirus pandemic has begun in the eastern state of Bihar, with physical distancing regulations and temperature checks outside election booths.

Voters will elect the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly in three phases, starting Wednesday, with results to be declared on November 10.

Holding safe elections has been a challenge for India’s Election Commission as the virus continues to spread. The country has recorded nearly eight million COVID-19 cases and more than 120,000 deaths.

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Most voters were wearing masks and officials provided gloves as they cast their ballot in one of India’s poorest states, home to 125 million people, as it holds the world’s biggest election since the pandemic erupted.

Bihar has an electoral roll of more than 72 million voters, which is more than the population of France or Britain. The last elections in 2015 saw a turnout of about 58 percent.

More than 60 countries around the world have been postponing local and national elections, according to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

The Election Commission has limited door-to-door campaigning groups to three people and asked district administrations to enforce physical distancing and limit crowds at campaign rallies.

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But days into the staggered elections, most rules were flouted as candidates competed to pull the biggest crowds, raising fears of a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Three-time chief minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) is seeking re-election at the head of an alliance that includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Its main rival is another alliance of the regional Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Indian National Congress and two left parties.

The poll is the first in India since Modi imposed a strict coronavirus lockdown in late March that led to millions of poor migrant workers, many from Bihar, losing their jobs. Some had to walk for days or weeks to get back home.

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Opinion polls indicate disquiet with the incumbent regime, particularly Nitish Kumar, who has been in power for most of the past 15 years, over perceptions he has not done enough to lift the state out of poverty.

Kumar’s unpopularity has been further exacerbated by the lockdown, with hundreds of thousands of workers who returned home from other states still unable to find work in Bihar.

“There’s been a lack of any development over the last 15 years under this [state] chief minister,” Mohan Guruswamy from the Centre for Policy Alternatives think-tank told AFP news agency.

Unemployment and the cost of living have been significant election issues, and the national government is also striving to keep the prices of onions – a key ingredient in Indian cuisine – in check amid a shortage after heavy rains damaged crops.

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New Delhi wants to be seen as doing everything within its power to control the price of the staple, a sensitive subject across South Asia, where shortages can trigger widespread discontent with political ramifications.

The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has promised to support unemployed youth and create thousands of new state government jobs.

Bihar’s ruling alliance has banked heavily on Modi, who remains popular in the state. He has held several rallies and promised to expedite development projects if the alliance is returned to power.

Releasing the BJP’s poll manifesto last week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also vowed that “everyone in Bihar will get a vaccine for free” if voters back the coalition.

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Also Read : BECA DONE, FIGHTERS AND ARMED DRONES NEXT AS INDIA TURNS THE US POSITIVE

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Akshay Kumar wishes director Priyadarshan on birthday with Bhooth Bangla BTS pic: ‘Surrounded by ghosts…

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3 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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Akshay Kumar wishes director Priyadarshan on birthday with Bhooth Bangla BTS pic: ‘Surrounded by ghosts…

Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, the acclaimed Indian director, celebrated their 68th birthday on Instagram. Kumar, who has worked with Priyadarshan on several cult comedies of the early 2000s, wished him a happy birthday and called him a mentor. The duo is now back together for their upcoming horror-comedy, Bhooth Bangla.

The first poster of the movie has been released, and it is expected to hit theaters in 2025. Akshay Kumar wore a black fedora and a green jacket, layered over a black tee, and fans have expressed their excitement for their new movie.

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The duo’s dynamic and deep bonding have been praised by fans, who have expressed high anticipation for their new movie. The first poster of Bhooth Bangla has already been released, and the movie is expected to hit theaters in 2025.

Akshay Kumar, the versatile Bollywood actor, recently celebrated director Priyadarshan’s birthday by sharing a behind-the-scenes (BTS) photograph from their upcoming film, “Bhooth Bangla.” In the image, Akshay humorously captioned, “Surrounded by ghosts…” The photo features Akshay alongside Priyadarshan and co-actor Paresh Rawal, all dressed in traditional attire, with a black cat perched on Akshay’s shoulder, adding a whimsical touch to the scene.

Reunion After 14 Years

This collaboration marks a significant reunion between Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, who last worked together on the film “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” in 2007. Their partnership has been celebrated in the past for delivering successful comedies like “Hera Pheri” and “Garam Masala.” Fans have eagerly anticipated their return to the big screen together, and “Bhooth Bangla” promises to be a delightful addition to their repertoire.

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About ‘Bhooth Bangla’

“Bhooth Bangla” is a horror-comedy that blends elements of suspense with humor, a genre in which both Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan have excelled. The film is produced by Balaji Telefilms Ltd in association with Cape of Good Films. The motion poster released earlier this year features Akshay Kumar in a suit, with a cat on his shoulder, licking milk slyly, setting the tone for the film’s intriguing and humorous premise.

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Anticipation and Fan Reactions

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The BTS photo shared by Akshay Kumar has generated excitement among fans, who are eager to see the trio back together on screen. The playful caption and the presence of the black cat suggest that “Bhooth Bangla” will offer a mix of thrills and laughs, staying true to the successful formula of their previous collaborations.

As the release date for “Bhooth Bangla be a significant highlight in the upcoming entertainment lineup. The reunion of Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, and Paresh Rawal, combined with the intriguing premise and the playful BTS moments, has set high expectations among audiences. Fans can look forward to a cinematic experience that promises both chills and chuckles.

For a visual glimpse into the making of “Bhooth Bangla,” you can watch the following video Akshay Kumar expressed his gratitude as they once again united for their upcoming movie Bhooth Bangla. This marks a new chapter in their long-standing collaboration since the 2000s. He shared a picture from behind the scenes of their new movie, where it seems like they are laughing about something.

Akshay wrote,”Happy Birthday, Priyan Sir! What better way to celebrate than by spending the day on a haunted set, surrounded by ghosts…both real and unpaid extras? Thank you for being a mentor, and the only person who can make chaos look like a masterpiece. May your day be filled with fewer retakes. Wishing you a fantastic year ahead!”

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