Morning briefing: Kovind panel to submit simultaneous polls report; JD(S) on seat-sharing deal, and more

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Updated on: Mar 14, 2024, 09:29:47 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Ram Nath Kovind-led high-level committee studying simultaneous national and assembly elections is poised to submit its report to President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, after five months of deliberation. The committee, likely to propose simultaneous polls in 2029, will address procedural and logistical concerns. It emphasizes extensive stakeholder consultations, incorporating recommendations from 15th finance commission chair NK Singh and IMF’s Prachi Mishra on economic viability. Utilizing data from past elections, the report argues for the feasibility of simultaneous polls, emphasizing potential benefits such as reduced expenses and enhanced governance. While the BJP and allied parties endorse the idea, opposition parties like Congress, RJD, TMC, and others remain skeptical, citing constitutional and logistical challenges. Dig deeper

Former president Ramnath Kovind (File Photo)

More on ‘one nation, one election’: Kovind-led panel holds talks with economists over research on electoral cycle

JD(U) submits memorandum to Kovind panel supporting ‘one nation, one election’

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy disclosed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has agreed to allocate three seats to the regional party for the upcoming elections. The decision, reached in discussions with BJP leaders, assigns JD(S) to contest in Hassan, Kolar, and Mandya constituencies. Kumaraswamy cited resource limitations for not pursuing additional seats, emphasizing his party's endurance under his leadership for 17 years. While JD(S) has nominated Prajwal Revanna for Hassan, discussions are ongoing for candidates in Mandya and Kolar. Despite their alliance in Karnataka and formal inclusion in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), official confirmation of seat allocation is pending from both parties. JD(S) asserts its resilience despite setbacks, referencing past electoral defeats and expressing optimism for the upcoming polls. Dig deeper

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Sports Goings

Sunil Gavaskar praised Rahul Dravid and his support staff for India's success against England, but Dravid acknowledged the crucial role of the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar's team advocated for young talents like Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal, despite initial skepticism from the management. Jurel's solid debut performance and Padikkal's crucial innings validated Agarkar's selections. Agarkar's tenure has seen bold decisions and a focus on talent identification, reshaping India's squad alongside Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Agarkar's influence in final squad selection is paramount, with emphasis on performance beyond the IPL. Dig deeper

Entertainment Focus

During English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's visit to India, he caught up with Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, delighting fans with a video shared on Instagram. Set to the song "Deewangi Deewangi" from the film "Om Shanti Om," the video showed Ed and Shah Rukh recreating the actor's signature pose, ending with a hug and a kiss. Farah Khan, director of "Om Shanti Om," expressed her joy, while fans celebrated the duo's camaraderie. Ed also met singer Armaan Malik, learning dance moves to "Butta Bomma" from the film "Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo." Ayushmann Khurrana gifted Ed homemade sweets and expressed admiration for the artist. Ed's visit coincides with his performance in Mumbai as part of his tour, where he'll be joined by singer Prateek Kuhad. Dig deeper

That’s all we have at this hour in our Morning briefing. Catch you in the afternoon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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