Uncertainty in Rahul's candidature dampens campaign spirit in Wayanad

News Network
March 28, 2019

Kozhikode, Mar 28: The delay and certainty in the official announcement by the party high command on the recently-spread news of the All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency in Kerala has dampened the spirit of the election campaigning in the constituency.

Though the Congress leader K Muraleedharan had been actively campaigning in Vatakara LS constituency, his candidature in the seat is yet to be officially announced by the party's all India leadership. 

It was the former Kerala Chief Minister and AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy, who broke the news on January 23 that the AICC chief would opt Wayanad as his second seat (first being Amethi) to contest for the LS election. 

This has followed by senior Congress leaders from Kerala and its allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF) welcoming the decision of the Congress leadership.

This big announcement had created an unprecedented euphoria among the party circles in the State, thanks to the big stature of the candidate, who is also the Prime Ministerial candidate in the 17th Lok Sabha, if Congress would get a majority to rule.

The Congress nominee for the seat, T Siddique, had jumped the guns by declaring his withdrawal from the candidature to pave way for the AICC chief's contest from Wayanad constituency. In fact, the party cadres in the constituency had started campaigning for the AICC chief with a committed goal to ensure the victory of their chief with a record margin of votes. And the Congress’s rank and file has been awaiting the official announcement on the “Saturday Surprise” – the news on Rahul’s candidature in Wayanad.

However, a delay and the uncertainty on the official announcement had gloomed the party leaders in the constituency, vis-à-vis the State. The comment by senior Congress leader P C Chacko on Sunday last that no decision in this regard has been taken either by Mr Gandhi or the AICC had further dampened the spirit of the Congress camp.

No matter what the outcome on the "Saturday surprise" would be, the UDF circles in Wayanad continue to campaign for the "Congress" candidate in the constituency. The UDF election committee of Wayanad had launched its mandalam-based meetings from Monday. 

However, the ambiguity over the “candidate” has been playing spoilsport in the campaigning, for the campaigners find it difficult to answer the queries of the voters, whether Mr Gandhi is contesting or Mr Siddique.

In fact, even the candidature of Mr Siddique and that of K Muraleedharan, the Congress nominee for the Vatakara LS seat, has not yet been officially declared by the party high command. The nominees for these two LS constituencies has not figured even in the 12 th list of the Congress. Adding further confusion in this was the “Saturday surprise” from Mr Chandy on Rahul’s entry in Wayanad.

Mr Siddique is among the campaigners to canvass votes for the UDF candidate, which could either be he himself, who is also the Kozhikode DCC President or the AICC President Mr Gandhi. Now all are eagerly awaiting a final decision on this to come from the party high command.

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News Network
July 18,2020

Golaghat, Jul 18: A total of 96 animals have died in the Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district of Assam due to floods, the state government informed on Saturday.

"So far, 96 animals have died in the park including eight rhinos, seven wild boars, two swamp deers, 74 hog deer and two porcupines," park officials said.

A report from the government of Assam stated that a total of 132 animals had been rescued from the Kaziranga National Park. The park is currently 85 per cent submerged under floodwaters.

"Water level at Pasighar and Dibrugarh are below the prescribed danger level. The floodwater in Numaligarh, Dhansirimukh and Tezpur are still above danger level," the report stated.

At least 76 people have died and nearly 54 lakh people have been affected in 30 districts of Assam due to floods caused by the monsoon rains and the rise in water levels of the Brahmaputra river, informed the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Friday.

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News Network
March 28,2020

Mumbai, Mar 28: Doctors in Mumbai have not been spared by the novel coronavirus. As Mumbai’s count for Covid-19 cases went up to 58, an octogenarian doctor from Saifee Hospital passed away on Friday. He was a suspected case of coronavirus with co-morbid conditions like diabetes and had a pacemaker implanted, said a press release from the state health department.

As per a statement from Saifee Hospital, he underwent a CT scan at Saifee Hospital and was diagnosed positive for Covid-19. The surgeon was transferred to the special isolation facility at PD Hinduja Hospital where he subsequently died. Behranwala’s close relatives had come down from England and were under quarantine.

In a statement, Saifee Hospital, where Behranwala underwent CT scan, said, "All containment and surveillance measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of our staff patients and visitors. Saifee Hospital reiterates that the Hospital is fully operational," said Dr Vernon Desa, Director (Medical governance and clinical compliance) Saifee Hospital.

In the second case, an Andheri-based doctor, aged 53, has been tested positive along with his 43-year-old wife and 20-year-old daughter. The family doesn’t have a travel history. The doctor reportedly came in contact with the virus through a patient. MCGM has taken samples of 60 patients who came in contact with the doctor. "As of now, no patient from his contact has tested positive," Assistant Commissioner, Vishwas Mote.

Another doctor who practiced at Vakola tested positive after he came in contact with a person having travel history to Italy, later tested positive. The doctor has been admitted at Raheja hospital and samples of his close contact have been taken.

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News Networkwork
May 14,2020

Bengaluru, May 14: ABB India has posted a profit after tax of Rs 66 crore during the first quarter (January to March) due to lower volumes including service revenue and unfavourable mix.

In Q1 CY19, it had reported a profit after tax of Rs 89 crore. ABB India follows calendar year as its fiscal year.

The company reported a profit including exceptional items and before tax of Rs 87 crore. The resultant under-absorption and mark-to-market impact due to forex volatility were partly offset by refund incomes and a one-time gain on sale of solar business during the quarter.

Revenues for the first quarter stood at Rs 1,522 crore, impacted by lower sales, non-receipt of delivery clearance, lower service revenue in the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This impact primarily occurred in March, the company said in a statement.

ABB India said it continues to maintain a stable cash position of Rs 1,464 crore as on March 31 in a market where cash collection continues to be a challenge.

Besides, despite many activities coming to a standstill in March, the quarter was marked by commissioning for a mining major at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh, electrical and automation systems for a cement major and port and electrics, drives and automation for a leading mill in Bangladesh.

Terminal installation and commissioning for LPG, power management electrical control system for a leading refinery and commissioning of two units of a power plant in Kerala are some of the other projects where ABB's involvement ensured continuity and safe operations, it said.

On a global scale, the impact of COVID-19, as well as the fall in oil prices, has significantly impacted the short-term outlook. The global economy is expected to contract in 2020 after a rapid deterioration in outlook driven by the pandemic.

Despite unprecedented stimuli by governments and central banks around the world and initial signs of recovering economic activity in China, macro-indicators point to a global recession of uncertain duration as many countries continue to face restrictions with anticipated long-term economic consequences, said ABB India.

While the company is taking prompt action to adapt its operations and cost base to safeguard profitability, it expects the results in the coming quarter to be impacted due to the loss of volumes.

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