This time round, even 'petrol coupons' were reportedly distributed for those attending campaign rallies, especially those addressed by top leaders, cutting across party lines. If this owed to the rising cost of petrol and diesel -- which is a poll issue this time -- there were the customary coupons for 'quarter' (liquor bottle size) and non-vegetarian biryani. Some media reports claimed that some of these 'crowds' attended more than one political rally on the same day in the last week, and at times for rival political parties in adjoining constituencies or districts, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
'Here is a woman who has got widespread appreciation for her work.' 'Social media was full of posts wanting her as the chief ministerial candidate.' 'This kind of popularity did not go well within the party.' 'See, today the party is Pinarayi Vijayan!'
In yet another accident involving the Navy, one civilian worker was killed and two were injured in an accident at the under-construction nuclear submarine at the shipbuilding centre of Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on Saturday night.
The incident in Streatham was part of an active counter-terror operation during which the male suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. A device strapped on his body was later established as fake at the end of the attack, which counter-terror officers believe to be "Islamist-related".
Two officers, who went missing on Wednesday on the accident-hit INS Sindhuratna submarine, are confirmed dead.
An army jawan, identified as Happy Singh of 19 Rashtriya Rifles was killed in the encounter,
Three army troopers and a militant were killed and a trooper wounded when security forces foiled an infiltration bid on the Line of Control in the Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir Kupwara district.
Director General of Police S P Vaid said that Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Ahmad Bhat is among the two terrorists killed in the encounter in Soimoh area of Tral on Saturday morning.
At least 10 people, including women and children, were killed on Wednesday when armed terrorists attacked houses of pro-government peace militia members in northwest Pakistan.
Rediff reader Rajiv Aggarwal shared this list of books he wants everyone to read
Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours.
Body of Reyaz Ahmad, with a big perforation in the abdomen, was found outside Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital.
'He has been made CM of Uttarakhand because everybody thinks he is not a challenge to anyone.'
A resident doctor, working at a government hospital, upset by the poor response from the state government, offers his side of the story.
One pilot is injured and has been shifted to a hospital, while another one is unhurt, the spokesman said.
The official said five civilians received bullet injuries in the cross-firing near the gunfight site.
Important for India was Xi's meeting with representatives of PLA officers and soldiers stationed in Tibet. The video of the encounter was interesting to watch, especially the large number of lieutenant generals and major generals, observes Claude Arpi.
'If it is airborne -- and we don't know till what distance it can be airborne -- then the mask becomes a definite.' 'Just social distance is not enough.' 'You need a mask in addition to social distance.'
'The TMC has become a private limited company.'
The number of local youth joining militancy has shown a declining trend during the current year. Check out information revealed by ministers in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
"My appeal is for calm. We have to sit down, put our heads together and see if we can find a way out of this situation. So everybody, who is in anyway involved in Jammu-Kashmir, needs to introspect and see what we can do to stop it. It is not person or one organisation which can do it (alone)," the top army commander said.
Hoteliers are tweaking their pricing strategies to adjust to the new stickiness in the market.
Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across the Valley for strict implementation of the prohibitory orders.
A defence spokesman this evening confirmed five soldiers were injured in the gunfight so far.
Co-pilot Squadron Leader Priye Sharma (32) died when the Dhruv advanced light helicopter crashed near a runway.
With Lone's death, the number of people killed in the unrest in the Valley, which entered the second month on Monday, reached 55, including two police personnel.
'It stands to reason that if a CM is hospitalised for long durations, and is perceived to be not fully functional, that it is the governor's Constitutional duty to ascertain by diligent efforts and arrive at a dispassionate conclusion about the CM being physically fit and mentally alert to discharge his/her Constitutional obligations,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.
Puneet Issar tells the story of Mahabharata from the eyes of its greatest villain.
Hundreds others were wounded many of whom received bullet and pellet injuries and are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
Scotland Yard said the incident is being treated as possible terror offence.
Every home across India makes khichdi and it still isn't as celebrated as it should be.
Sourav Ganguly voiced his support for Shoaib Akhtar, saying the Pakistan pacer deserves praise for trying his best despite being indisposed.
Salve was the lead counsel for India in the Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice which had last year ruled that Pakistan must review the death sentence awarded to the retired naval officer after a closed trial.
Curfew remained in force in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure for maintaining law and order.
Life in most parts of Kashmir started limping back to normalcy after remaining paralysed for five days due to strikes and protests.
Gill was suffering from end-stage kidney failure and significant ischemic heart disease. He was recovering from peritonitis.
The Indian captain was unwell and opted out of the net session on the eve of the second Test
It will be interesting to see what the Hyderabad police will now do to secure Shahid aka Bilal, who is allegedly in Bangladesh.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Frida
