 "FirstUp: EC notification for LS polls’ 1st phase, Ladakh protest… Headlines today")
It’s Wednesday, and a lot is expected to happen today.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will issue the notification for the first phase of the much-awaited Lok Sabha elections.
The Allahabad High Court will hear a plea challenging the maintainability of the suit seeking “removal” of Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance will hold a half-day strike in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk’s climate fest. It’s also the second day of Bharat Rising, the fourth edition of the CNN-News18 marquee leadership conclave.
On the international front, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will meet his Australian counterpart Penny Wong
First notification to be issued for the first phase of polls on April 19 on 102 seats.
The ECI will issue the notification for the first phase of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections today.
Voting for 102 Lok Sabha constituencies across 17 states and four Union territories will take place on 19 April.
The last date for filing nominations is 27 March.
The general elections will be conducted in seven phases across the country, with the final phase scheduled for 1 June.
First phase of polls will be held on 19 April.
The counting of votes will be held on 4 June.
Ladakh protest
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) will hold a half-day strike today to stand in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk’s climate fest.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWangchuk announced a hunger strike unto death to “remind the Indian government of the promises made to Ladakh.”
He aims to remind the Centre of the effects of climate change and the promises made to “safeguard its environment and tribal indigenous culture” under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.
For those unversed, the fast started on 6 March after the talks between the KDA, Leh Apex Body, and the Central government failed.
Allahabad HC hearing in Shahi Idgah case
The Allahabad High Court will hear a plea challenging the maintainability of the suit seeking “removal” of Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura which it claims has been built on 13.37-acre land of Katra Keshav Deo temple.
The Muslim side told the HC that the suit seeking “removal” of the mosque adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is barred by the law of limitation.
Earlier, the court had also asked the Muslim side to file objections by Wednesday on an application seeking directions to the Muslim side not to prevent Hindu devotees from performing worship at the Krishna Koop (well) situated at the Shahi Idgah of Mathura and to maintain adequate security and safety during the worship.
Chinese FM Wang Yi’s “strategic dialogue” Australian FM Penny Wong
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will meet his Australian counterpart Penny Wong and hold a roundtable with business leaders in Canberra on Wednesday, on the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister since 2017.
According to Swiss Info, Wong is expected to raise consular matters, trade impediments, human rights, conflict prevention and regional security during her talks with Wang Yi.
US Congressional committee hearing on Pakistan election
A US Congressional committee has announced that it will hold a hearing on 20 March on the recently held elections in Pakistan after over two dozen lawmakers expressed concern over the fairness of the polls.
The title of the hearing is “Pakistan After the Elections: Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship.” The announcement on the hearing on Pakistan scheduled for March 20 comes after more than two dozen lawmakers expressed concerns over the fairness of the 8 February polls.
The elections were marred by the allegations of vote rigging. Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party says the new government was formed by stealing its mandate.
Bharat Rising summit Day 2
It’s the second day of Bharat Rising, the fourth edition of the CNN-News18 marquee leadership conclave.
Rising Bharat, with the tagline of “Leading for Global Good,” seeks to delve deeper into the many facets of India’s global influence and its role in forming a more equitable and sustainable future for all through thought-provoking panels, incisive debates, and a visionary keynote address.
PM Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address of the event. Other speakers at the event will be Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur, lawyer J Sai Deepak, G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, Poet and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi, and founder of OYO, Ritesh Agarwal among others.
Spring Equinox
The spring season is officially here.
20 March will mark the vernal equinox, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
The spring will officially begin at 8.36 am IST on Wednesday.
With the start of this season, daylight hours will continue to increase and will peak with the summer solstice in June.
A day to remember
International Day of Happiness
Birth anniversary of singer Alka Yagnik
Birth anniversary of actress Kangana Ranaut
Birth anniversary of footballer Fernando Torres
Birth anniversary of politician PC Alexander
Guru Teg Bahadur became the ninth guru of the Sikhs in 1665
Namibia gained independence ending 75 years of South African rule in 1990
American missiles hit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, signalling the start of the US-led campaign to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003
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