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Releasing the final voter turnout on April 30, 2024 by the Election Commission of India after a delay of 11 days from the first phase of election held on April 19, and after 4 days delay from the second phase of election held on April 26 has given rise to a suspicion of voter turnout manipulation. Lack of transparency at several stages in the election machinery has been alleged, which can’t be ignored, especially when a research paper of August 2023 had found evidence of voter turnout manipulation in the Lok Sabha election 2019.

Narendra Modi, who for years boasted of the sobriquet “Hindu Hridaya Samrat”, could not have imagined even in his dreams that the RSS would one day distance itself from him and denounce him as its prime ministerial candidate. From the day the Lok Sabha elections were announced, the manner in which Modi has undertaken the poll campaigning had made it obvious that Modi was still the public face of the saffron ecosystem for the third consecutive term.

The Congress’ alleged Muslim quota plan has the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a blue funk. Or so it seems. Even Sam Pitroda’s “inheritance tax if the Congress comes to power” has the Prime Minister fuming. Modi has been warning Hindu women of the threat to the “mangalsutra” if Rahul Gandhi replaces him. Question is, how worried is Prime Minister Modi about losing his prime ministerial shirt and is all the talk of “abki baar 400 paar” hot air and balloon?

The third phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 7 will witness an acid test of the solidness of the alliance between Congress and CPI(M) in West Bengal, both being allies in INDIA coalition. The four seats, Murshidabad, Jangipur, Malda (North), Malda (South) which go to the polls on May 7 were once part of an apparently impregnable stronghold of Congress in the state.

After official comments made by the US and Canada officials, reports have come from Australian sources about activities of Indian spies in that country. According to a report by ABC News Australia, Australian authorities expelled Indian operatives who were caught trying to obtain classified information on critical defense projects, airport security, and Australia's trade relationships.

During 2021 to 2023, Brent crude oil prices increased by over 60 percent. Surprises to many, prices of petrol and diesel in India did not rise proportionately. Global sanction on Russia, which led crude oil price spurred and dashed EU economy, became boon to India. Not only it shielded India from oil shock, but also rejigged its economy and exports.

The decision of the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to remain in his position in the midst of allegations of corruption against his wife and the rightwing pressure to resign, is a relief to the Left coalition in Spain as also the Left in Europe. Spain is the only country among the European Union members which leads a proper coalition of pro-left forces including the Communist Party. PM Sanchez has been fighting the rightwing onslaught against the coalition since he took over in 2020 as the Prime Minister of the newly formed left coalition.

Elon Musk's surprise visit to China, following his cancelled trip to India, has sparked controversy in Indian business circles. Many view it as a snub to India, prioritizing the massive Chinese market for Tesla. However, there might be more to the story. Recently, the US Secretary of State received a cool reception in China. He was received by some polit bureau members on his arrival in Shanghai. There was no red carpet for him to walk the tarmac.

Israel’s latest Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal puts the ball in Hamas’ court. The proposal, drafted in recent days by Israeli negotiators and Egyptian interlocutors, goes some way to address Hamas’ long-standing demands. The proposal makes concessions Israel has rejected in the past but raises as many questions as it opens doors to possible breakthroughs in the long-stalled negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

Karnataka has ultimately come under a political storm in the midst of the third phase of Lok Sabha election in the country on account of rape of the “Nari Shakti”, a slogan that BJP leadership has been using to attract the women voters of the country. The hypocrisy of the BJP exposed is the latest example of knowingly allying with the rape accused for a perceived political benefit during election. Barring a few BJP leaders, the party’s entire political machinery campaigned for the rapist, and when the entire scandal came into light Union Home Minister said that Congress government in Karnataka was answerable to delay in action. However, pertinent question is who is responsible, if he supported such a candidate despite being informed and warned?