Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Swing Seats In Phase 1. See Details

1. The Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat will see a high-stakes battle, with Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai facing DMK leader Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMK's Singai Ramachandran. The candidature of its Tamil Nadu state president shows the BJP is pressing hard to increase its presence in south India.
2. Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari is eyeing a third straight victory from Maharashtra's Nagpur seat. The seat will see a contest between Mr Gadkari and Congress candidate Vikas Thakre, who is at present the Nagpur West MLA.
3. Jitin Prasada, who quit Congress in 2021, is among the key candidates of the BJP in the first phase. He replaced two-time MP from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi. The BJP got a solid majority in UP in the previous two Lok Sabha elections. The Samajwadi Party fielded Bhagwant Saran Gangwar, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded Anees Ahmes Khan against Mr Prasada.
4. Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is contesting from Gaya. This election holds important political significance for the 79-year-old Manjhi. Gaya has the highest number of candidates - 14 in total - contesting the elections. The BJP has left the Gaya (reserved) seat for its ally, the Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S).
5. The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to snatch the only seat won by the Congress in the 2019 elections, Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. Nakul Nath, son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, is fighting again from the Chhindwara seat against BJP candidate Vivek Bunty Sahu, who had lost to Kamal Nath in the last two assembly polls.
6. The Jorhat seat in Assam will decide if the Congress's deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, can make it to the elected house this time too. The Constituency has been seen as a stronghold of the BJP. Mr Gogoi's decision to contest the elections from Jorhat, instead of his family's stronghold Kaziranga (erstwhile Kaliabor) -- from where he is the MP -- has made the contest interesting.
7. The assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats) will also be held today. Voting will begin at 7 am and end at 6 pm. The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations; over 16.63 crore people are eligible to vote.
8. Polling will be held in all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).
9. Besides, there will be voting in 12 seats in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, 4 in Bihar, 3 in West Bengal, 2 seats in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh.
10. In 2019, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won 45 of these 102 seats and the NDA 41. Six of these seats have been redrawn as part of the delimitation exercise.

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Advances Rejected, Ex Classmate Stabs Woman 7 Times In Karnataka College

The daughter of a Congress corporator has died after being stabbed seven times with a knife by a former student of the college she was attending in Karnataka's Hubbali. Her attacker has been arrested and police said it appears that he carried out the killing because she had rejected his advances.

Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, was a first-year Master of Computer Applications student at the BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubballi. Officials said she had known her attacker, Fayaz - who also studied with her at the college, but later dropped out - for some time.

Around 5 pm on Thursday, Neha was walking inside the campus when Fayaz confronted her. CCTV footage shows a couple of sentences being exchanged between them before Fayaz attacks her. Neha falls to the ground after being stabbed the first time and Fayaz goes on to knife her at least six more times.

Fayaz then makes a run for it while some students chase after him.

Fighting back her tears, Neha's mother said, "I came to pick her up and spoke to her over the phone. Within five minutes of our conversation, chaos erupted and someone mentioned she had been stabbed. I haven't seen her face yet and I still believe our daughter is alive. I can't accept that she's gone. I'm not ready to see her in that state. We sent her to college with the hope that we would see her smiling."

Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar said Neha was rushed to a hospital, but declared brought dead.

"The accused had fled, but we arrested him in under 90 minutes. Other students have told us that Neha and the accused knew each other and had studied together. We will know more once the accused's interrogation is done," she said.

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India Showed Will To Counter China's Activities In 2023: US Official

India in 2023 showcased itself as a global leader as it demonstrated a greater willingness to counter China's activity throughout the Indo-Pacific region and took steps to modernise its military and reduce its dependency on Russian origin-equipment, the top US intelligence official has told Congress.

The remarks by Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency came during a Congressional hearing on defence intelligence countering China. "During the past year, India has showcased itself as a global leader by hosting the Group of 20 economic summit and demonstrated a greater willingness to counter PRC's (People's Republic of China) activity throughout the Indo-Pacific region," Kruse told members of the House Armed Services Committee - the subcommittee on intelligence and special operations.

India, he said, has advanced partnerships in the Indo-Pacific with regional South China Sea claimants, such as the Philippines, through training and defence sales and deepening cooperation with the US, Australia, France and Japan.

China claims most of the South China Sea as its own, while The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over the maritime area.

"In 2023, India took steps to modernise its military to compete with China and reduce its dependency on Russian-origin equipment. India conducted sea trials for its first domestically produced aircraft carrier and also has negotiated with several Western countries on the transfer of key defence technologies," Mr Kruse said.

India has maintained its neutral stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia remains India's most substantial defence partner and New Delhi continues to acquire weapons from Moscow, such as the S-400 surface-to-air missile system, despite New Delhi's desire to diversify its defence acquisition partnerships, Mr Kruse said.

"In 2024, New Delhi probably will focus on securing its national parliamentary elections, maintaining economic growth, and building on its 'Make in India' initiative as part of its military modernisation effort -- which is aimed at countering Beijing," he told the lawmakers.

Bilateral relations between India and China remain tense following the 2020 Galwan clash that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least five PLA (People's Liberation Army) soldiers.

In October 2023, senior Indian and PLA officers failed to resolve disputes about the two remaining standoff locations in eastern Ladakh during their twentieth round of talks. Both sides maintain approximately 50,000-60,000 troops in the area and continue to improve their military infrastructure near the border, Kruse told the lawmakers.

On Pakistan, Kruse told lawmakers that it has sought international support, including from the UN Security Council, to resolve its dispute with India about Kashmir. Separately, Islamabad and New Delhi have maintained an uneasy ceasefire along the shared Line of Control since February 2021.

"Pakistan has sustained its nuclear modernisation efforts despite its economic turmoil. Terrorist violence against Pakistani security forces and civilians also rose last year," Mr Kruse said.

In 2023, militants killed approximately 400 security forces, a nine-year high, and Pakistani security forces have conducted almost daily counterterrorism operations during the past year.

Pakistan's contentious relationship with India continues to drive its defence policy, Mr Kruse said. However, cross-border violence between the countries has decreased since their February 2021 recommitment to a ceasefire, he said.

"Islamabad is modernising its nuclear arsenal and improving the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear C2. In October, Pakistan successfully tested its Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Every Vote BJP Gets...": PM Modi's Personalised Notes To NDA Candidates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a personalised letter to all BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates contesting in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. This letter is part of a massive exercise by the BJP to reach everyone in a constituency with the PM's message.

In a letter to Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, K Annamalai, who is contesting from the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat, the Prime Minister wrote, "I congratulate you on your decision to leave a prestigious job and commit to serving the people directly. You have been truly instrumental in fortifying the BJP's grassroots presence across Tamil Nadu, championing critical issues including law enforcement, governance, and youth empowerment. Coimbatore stands to gain immensely from your committed leadership."

"With the blessings of the people, I am confident that you will reach the Parliament. Team members like you are a great asset for me. As a team, we will leave no stone unturned for the welfare of the people of constituency and the country," the Prime Minister further wrote.

"Through this letter, I would like to tell the people of your constituency that this is not an ordinary election. Families across India, especially the senior members, would remember the difficulties they have gone through in the 5-6 decades of Congress' rule. In the last 10 years, the quality of life of every section of society has improved, with many of these troubles removed. Yet, a lot more is still to be done and this election will be decisive in our mission to ensure a better life for everyone," he added.

The Prime Minister wrote letters to the candidates in regional languages as well. The candidates were pleasantly surprised to get this letter. They said they have resolved to make this letter reach each voter in their constituency.

The 2024 Lok Sabha election will begin on Friday and run till June 1. Voting will take place over seven phases. The final result will be declared on June 4. This year's elections will be India's second longest after the first exercise following independence in 1947 from colonial ruler Britain, which ran for four months from Oct 25, 1951 to Feb 21, 1952.

There are seven voting days this year, with Friday's first phase seeing people cast ballots for 102 constituencies nationwide. The last polling date is June 1, covering 57 seats.

All votes will be counted together on June 4.

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India Opened Up Its Market That Benefited American Farmers: US

After resolving half a dozen WTO disputes last year, India opened up its market for several US products which have benefited American farmers, a top Biden administration official told lawmakers on Tuesday.

The steps taken by India have given more market access for turkey, duck, blueberries, and cranberries benefiting farmers from several American states, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai told members of the House Committee on Ways and Means on President Biden's 2024 Trade Policy Agenda.

"Last June, India and the United States terminated six WTO disputes, and India agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on several US products," Tai said.

"This means improved access for chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, and apples benefiting farmers across the country, including in Michigan, Oregon, and Washington," she said.

"Additionally, in September, India and the United States resolved our final outstanding WTO dispute, and India agreed to reduce tariffs on several US products. This means more market access for turkey, duck, blueberries, and cranberries benefiting farmers in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin," Tai told lawmakers. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Bahut Hi...": Dhoni's Reaction On IPL Bhojpuri Commentary Is Intriguing

IPL is not just the celebration of the greatest cricketers on the planet but it is a melting pot of cultures too. Not just players from different countries, but a varied group of commentators can be seen and heard during the IPL. Nowadays, IPL is being broadcast is several languages including Gujarati, Bengali, Bhojpuri. The Bhojpuri commentary has popular actor Ravi Kishan donning a new hat. His commentary has gone viral on several occasions especially when MS Dhoni is playing. 

Recently, MS Dhoni's long-time teammate Suresh Raina revealed the CSK star's reaction upon hearing Bhojpuri commentary. Dhoni hails from Jharkhand.

"MS Dhoni was discussing Bhojpuri commentary. He said, 'Bahut hi gajabe commentary kar rahe Bhojpuriya me.' (they are doing a great jop in Bhojpuri) I told him Haryanvi is also nice," Raina revealed while speaking on Jio Cinema.

You know you're doing some good work when appreciates you #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema | @ImRaina | @rpsingh | @anantyagi_ pic.twitter.com/mXGLBY60gz

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 16, 2024

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the "batting template" for Chennai Super Kings' death bowling, their bowling consultant Eric Simmons has revealed, saying that strategies that succeed against him in training sessions tend to work out fine in match situations as well.

Recently, MS Dhoni slammed a four-ball 20 in IPL's El Clasico against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. MI captain Hardik Pandy was at the receiving end of his fury. Ultimately, the 20 runs scored by CSK was crucial as the side won by 20 runs

Dhoni is the "batting template" for Chennai Super Kings' death bowling, their bowling consultant Eric Simmons has revealed.

"They're looking at restricting us to under 200 and then they're suddenly facing 206 with an over like that. Every time — we live close to him — he continues to amaze us. To go out there and hit the first ball like that for six and then continue the way he does," he said.

"But he has been batting exceptionally well in the nets...just another unbelievable MS Dhoni moment," added the South African.

Simmons, a former India bowling coach, said Dhoni's calmness is worth following.

"His calmness at the wicket… we use him as a batting template when we're bowling at the death, the pre-season because he's so good at it. If we can test out our theories against him, then we know we're going to do well," he said.

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"Voters Intelligent, Look What Happened To Indira Gandhi": Sam Pitroda

Indian Overseas Congress Chairman of  Sam Pitroda has expressed confidence that the Congress and INDIA bloc will do well in the Lok Sabha elections and said that Indian voters have a tendency to surprise.

"Let's wait for two months and we will know (results of Lok Sabha polls). There is no need to predict right now what will happen. Indian voters have a tendency to surprise people. Look what happened to Mrs (Indira) Gandhi when she declared an Emergency. She was thrown out and then she was put back in. So don't underestimate the intelligence of Indian voters," Mr Pitroda told ANI.

"If Indian voters feel they want to live in a democratic country, they want to live in a non-dictatorial environment, they want institutions to work, they want freedom, flexibility, they want to practice religion they like, they want to marry the one they want to, they want jobs to be created, they want inflation to be controlled, they will vote accordingly. So have some faith in Indian voters and not in pollsters," he added.

He was responding to a question about the challenges faced by Congress, especially in north India.

Mr Pitroda, a former advisor to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who is considered close to the Nehru-Gandhi family, said Congress leaders are working hard to put up a good fight in the Lok Sabha polls.

"I would say INDIA alliance is doing a reasonably good job. Mr Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and many others in the Congress party are working hard," he said.

Mr Pitroda said the Congress manifesto released earlier this month is "a perfect manifesto" for the people of the country.

"Look at the quality of the manifesto. Under the leadership of P Chidambaram, the manifesto was prepared. It is a good manifesto according to me but some people say it is not a good manifesto, it is a Communist manifesto. It depends on their perception. I don't think it is a Communist manifesto, it is humanistic. It is the right kind of values that Congress stands for. It is a perfect manifesto for the people of India," he said.

Mr Pitroda, a technocrat, served as Chairman of Telecom Commission and headed India's National Knowledge Commission (2005-2009.)

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases, starting April 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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IPL Points Table: What Loss vs SRH Means For Virat's RCB In Playoff Race

IPL 2024 Points Table: Royal Challengers Bengaluru slumped to their sixth loss in seven matches and as a result, the road to IPL 2024 playoffs got much tougher for the Faf Du Plessis-led side. RCB were outplayed completely by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who registered the highest team total in the history of the competition on Monday. Travis Head slammed a brilliant century to take SRH to a record 287/3 in 20 overs before Pat Cummins took three wickets to guide his team to victory. Following the loss, RCB remained last in the points table with just 2 points and a horrible NRR (Net Run Rate) of -1.185. That means RCB have no other choice but win all of their remaining matches in IPL 2024 and hope for other results to go their way if they want to qualify for the playoffs.

On the other hand, SRH strengthened their spot in the Top 4 with 8 points.

Rajasthan Royals remain at the top of the table with 10 points followed by Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings - two teams who also have 8 points but better NRR than SRH.

Travis Head's destructive hundred fused splendidly with skipper Pat Cummins' resolve as Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a well-crafted 25-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Head's maiden T20 hundred (102, 41b, 9x4, 8x6) and Heinrich Klaasen's pillaging 67 (31b, 2x4, 7x6) drove Sunrisers to a record-breaking 287 for three, also going past their own 277/3 against Mumbai Indians at Hyderabad this March 27.

The visiting bowlers led by Cummins (3/43) showed superb skill level on a barren pitch, something their counterparts lacked, to restrict RCB to 262 for seven. This IPL match also witnessed the highest cumulative runs scored --549 in any single T20 match.

Skipper Faf du Plessis (62, 28b, 7x4, 4x6) and the super-improvising Dinesh Karthik (83, 35b, 5x4, 7x6) played fine hands but on the night they ended as mere footnotes.

(With PTI inputs)

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Randeep Hooda's "Karma" Remark After Sarabjit Singh's Killer Gunned Down

Actor Randeep Hooda, on learning about the death of Sarabjit Singh's killer, said that karma does catch up even if through unknown men. Mr Hooda essayed the role of Singh in the 2016 biographical drama 'Sarbjit'.

Unidentified gunmen on Sunday killed Amir Tanba who was behind the killing of Sarabjit Singh in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail in 2013.

Amir Tanba was outside his residence at Islampura in Lahore when two unidentified motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire, injuring him critically.

The killing of Amir Tanba is seen as a "revenge killing" done by hired killers.

Talking to IANS, an emotional Mr Hooda said it's all about Karma.

"While doing the Sarabjit biopic it was always a very tragic feeling that when things were on the verge of working out to extradite him to India and get him back home to his family he was murdered in the jail," said the actor.

Mr Hooda had also attended the last rites of Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur who died in 2022.

"Hearing about his attacker being killed, I wonder what Dalbir ji would have felt. I'm sure it would have been a feeling of some justice served after she fought to get him for years on end," the actor said.

He said that they would soon call Sarabjit's daughters and have a chat with them.

"Karma does catch up even if through unknown men," said the actor.

'Sarbjit' is directed by Omung Kumar in which Randeep Hooda, portrays the role of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1991 and spent 22 years in prison for alleged terrorism and spying.

The film also stars Aishwarya Rai, Richa Chadha and Darshan Kumar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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How US Played Its Role To Counter Iran's Attack On Israel

Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles marked the culmination of a tense two weeks in which Washington engaged in whirlwind efforts to prepare for the expected violence.

American aircraft and planes downed dozens of drones and missiles when Iran launched the attack on Saturday, after Tehran repeatedly threatened to hit back in response to an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus that killed two top officers at the beginning of the month.

Senior US officials detailed the role Washington played -- both militarily and diplomatically -- in countering the attack:

- Iranian attack -

Iran launched a barrage of more than 100 medium-range ballistic missiles, more than 30 land-attack cruise missiles and more than 150 attack drones at Israel, a senior US military official said.

Two American warships -- the USS Arleigh Burke and the USS Carney -- destroyed between four and six ballistic missiles, while US aircraft shot down more than 70 Iranian drones, the military official said.

A Patriot missile battery also shot down a ballistic missile that was headed toward Israel in the area of the northern Iraq city of Arbil.

President Joe Biden spent Saturday evening receiving real-time updates in the Situation Room at the White House as the attack unfolded.

"At one point, we knew there were over 100 ballistic missiles in the sky" and "the results of the defenses of course were unclear until all was said and done," a senior administration official said, describing the tense atmosphere.

- The catalyst -

Israel carried out a strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus on April 1, killing seven Revolutionary Guards including two generals and prompting warnings from Tehran that it would respond.

Top US officials were pulled aside and informed of details about the strike during a visit by the Israeli ambassador and defense attache at the White House, the senior administration official said.

"We were not a part of that strike" but "we knew that that would have repercussions," the official said.

A few days later, Biden instructed the government "to defend Israel to the maximum extent possible" and to ensure that all necessary authorities and assets were in place to do so -- a directive that sent officials into action.

- US preparations -

Ahead of the attack, US officials including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were in "constant, ongoing, continuous contact" with the Israelis, as well as with other countries in the Middle East.

General Erik Kurilla, the head of the US military command responsible for the region, was dispatched to the region and provided real-time updates as well as coordinating with the Israelis and other partners.

The United States was in touch with Iran as well, sending "a series of direct communications through the Swiss channel," the senior administration official said.

Washington also deployed additional military assets to the region "to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for US forces," a US defense official said last week.

- What comes next? -

The US goal since the start of the latest round of conflict between Israel and Hamas six months ago has been to prevent it from spiraling into a broader regional conflict, and Washington is keen to lower the temperature in the region.

"We would not be a part of any response they do," the senior administration official said of possible Israeli action after the attack. "We would not envision ourselves participating in such an act."

Israel has meanwhile "made clear to us they're not looking for a significant escalation with Iran," but "a big question is not only whether, but what Israel might choose to do," the official said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Israel Says US, Allies Came Together For First Time To Counter Iran

Israel's army said Sunday Israel, the United States, Britain, France and other allies had come together as a "coalition" for the first time to counter Iran's unprecedented attack.

Iran launched a wave of missiles and attack drones against Israel overnight Saturday to Sunday in the first ever direct attack on its arch foe.

"Together we thwarted Iran's attack... This was the first time that such a coalition worked together against the threat of Iran and its proxies in the Middle East," said military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a televised statement.

"Iran launched over 350 threats, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, rockets and suicide drones towards Israel and also other countries in the region could have got that threat on the way."

Tehran's attack came in retaliation for a deadly air strike widely blamed on Israel that destroyed its consular building in Syria's capital early this month.

In a separate statement, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he had told his British and French counterparts that "Iran must pay a price".

"I told them -- it's your time to weaken the Iranian regime, to proscribe the IRGC (Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) as a terrorist organisation, and to impose crippling sanctions on the Iranian missile project."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Worst Kind Of Bowling": Gavaskar Blasts Hardik After Dhoni's Fiery Knock

Legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar was furious with Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya after he was hit for three consecutive sixes by MS Dhoni during the IPL 2024 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Hardik was the pick of the MI bowlers with two wickets but he was slammed for 20 runs by Dhoni in the final four balls of the CSK innings. Gavaskar slammed Hardik for his 'ordinary bowling and ordinary captaincy' and criticised the kind of deliveries that he produced.

"Probably the worst kind of bowling that I've seen for a long, long time. It almost looks like I've had this embrace with my hero. I've got a bowling kind of deliveries that he's gonna hit for sixes. One 6 is fine. The next one again a length ball when you know that this batter is looking for a length ball to hit. The third ball again, a full toss on the leg side and he's looking for it and hits it for a 6. Absolutely ordinary bowling, ordinary captaincy," Gavaskar said during his analysis in the mid-innings break.

Gavaskar also referred to the interaction that Hardik and Dhoni had just ahead of the match. Hardik ran to Dhoni and hugged the former India skipper in a moment that has gone viral on social media.

Coming to the match, Rohit Sharma's century went in vain as Mumbai Indians lost to Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs. Rohit played a brilliant knock but the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals and an impressive four-wicket haul from Matheesha Pathirana ensured the victory for CSK.

Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube slammed half-centuries while Dhoni provided a late flourish against Hardik's bowling to take CSK's total to 206. Thanks to the victory, CSK remain in the third position while Mumbai Indians are eighth in the competition with just four points from six matches.

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Parties From These Nations Accept BJP Invite To Witness Its Poll Campaign

Diplomats posted in the country and 25 political parties across the globe have been invited by the ruling BJP to come and witness first-hand the party's campaign for the all-important Lok Sabha polls.

India starts voting in a seven-phase general election on April 19. Votes will be counted on June 4.

Confirmations to witness BJP campaign have come from 15 countries, which includes Nepal, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and some African countries.

"For the first time in the history of electoral politics of the country, BJP has invited various political parties across the globe to come to India and have a first-hand experience of BJP's campaign. We have invited more than 25 political parties and there's confirmation from 15 of them, mostly in the neighbourhood but also in some far-east Asian countries as well as from African countries," says Vijay Chauthaiwale, who leads the BJP's foreign affairs department.

Unemployment and inflation are the main concerns of Indian voters but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong leadership and India's rising global stature will likely help his re-election bid, says The Hindu newspaper citing Lokniti-CSDS survey.

"Entire idea is to show the breadth and depth of BJP campaign that has resulted in the success of party in consecutive elections, be it assembly of Lok Sabha. We are looking forward to welcome them to India. They will be going to various parts of the country and we will show them various facets of BJP campaign," says Mr Chauthaiwale, who was part of PM Modi's 2014 election war room.

"In addition, we will also will be taking various diplomats in India from various countries and again we will show them BJP campaign. We had done this in past during assembly elections. But it will be first time for the Lok Sabha polls," he adds.

PM Modi's BJP, which is aiming to win a third term, won 303 of 543 seats in the 2019 general elections.

The BJP's push faces serious headwinds in the south. Holding repeated rallies across the south, PM Modi has sought to win new voters, offering his "topmost respect" to the south's Tamil culture and language.

In the last polls, the BJP won just over a fifth of seats -- 29 out of 129 -- across the five southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

In wooing the south, the BJP hopes to wrest the credentials of being a truly pan-India party from its already humbled rival, the opposition Congress Party.

PM Modi's image, bolstered by India's presidency of the G20 last year, has rested widely on his claims of steering the country into becoming one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

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