DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA JOURNALISM OF COURAGE Looking forward to de-escalation, focus on cooperation: Rajnath to China counterpart SHUBHAJIT ROY NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20 IN ANOTHER indication of India and China moving swiftly to repair ties following troop disengagement at two friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun met in Laos capital Vientiane Wednesday where Singh said “we need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict”. Meeting Dong on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, Singh “emphasisedandlookedforward to greater trust and confidence Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with China’s Dong Jun in Vientiane, Laos. PTI building between the two sides through de-escalation” — an estimated50,000to60,000troops havebeendeployedoneachside of the LAC in eastern Ladakh. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Maharashtra sees highest turnout in 30 yrs: victory sign, say both alliances ALOK DESHPANDE & VIKAS PATHAK BUSINESS AS USUAL MUMBAI, NEW DELHI, NOV 20 VOTERSCAMEoutinhugenumbersinMaharashtra’sbattleofthe alliances Wednesday where the turnout, according to data availableat11.45pm,crossed65.1per cent — the first time since 1995 when the state witnessed a turnout of 71.69 per cent. The turnout was way above the 61.39 per cent recorded in Maharashtra during the Lok Sabhaelectionsthisyear,andthe 61.4 per cent in the 2019 Assembly elections. In Jharkhand, where the JMM-led alliance is battling the BJP-led NDA bloc, the turnout was 68.45 per cent. The rise in voter turnout in Maharashtra is being attributed to the fierce campaign undertakenbytherulingMahayutiand Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), and could become a key factor in a close contest. During theLokSabhaelections,thethree BY UNNY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 FOUR OF the legislators who skipped Monday’s meeting of NDA MLAs called in Imphal by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singhhavequestionedtheintent behindit,dismissingitasan“image-building exercise” at a time thatthestategovernmentisbattling a crisis of confidence. Pointing out that the stated agendaofthemeetingwas“toreview the developing law and ordersituationinthestate”,asenior MLA of the ruling BJP said: “The At a poll booth in Ghatkopar West Wednesday. The 10 seats in Mumbai city saw 52% turnout while Mumbai suburban’s 26 seats recorded 56% until 11.30 pm. Sankhadeep Banerjee WHAT THE POLLSTERS PREDICT Maharashtra (288) Pollster Mahayuti JVC 150-167 MVA CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Others - - Matrize 150-170 110-130 BJP+ JMM-INC Others 2024 65.1% 8-10 Jharkhand(Phase2) 17-27 - 1 49-59 0-2 42-47 25-30 1-4 66.9% 2019 2024 68.4% Turnout until 11.45 pm; Source: EC Gahlot counters AAP: Did I-Day flag hoisting after Madam Kejriwal’s nod FIVE UTTAR Pradesh policemen were placed under suspension Wednesday by the Election Commission following complaints that they were preventing voters from casting votes in Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar, DAYS AFTER leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joining theBJP,Delhi’sformerHomeand Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on Wednesday that he agreed to hoist the national flag on Independence Day — in CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 2019 61.4% 30-40 GAYATHRI MANI NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20 A video grab of a policeman pointing a revolver during the bypoll in Meerapur, UP 2024 VOTER TURNOUT 40-44 MAULSHREE SETH LUCKNOW, NOVEMBER 20 DECISION Maharashtra Jharkhand (81) 107-125 13-14 Axis MyIndia Meeting was CM exercise to build own image: Four NDA MLAs CMshouldhavecalledameeting with the Unified Command, includingtheDGP,SecurityAdvisor, the CRPF and Assam Rifles IGs, and the Chief Secretary. What is a meeting of MLAs supposed to achieve in this?” The resolution passed at the meetinghad“nothingtodowith AQI REMAINS SEVERE Delhimovesto 50%workfrom home,askspvt sectortofollow GRAP revised, makes it mandatory for schools to shut offline classes Biren intent not good, that’s why crisis: MLAs who skipped NDA meet 5 cops suspended over SUKRITA BARUAH complaints of stopping voters in western UP GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 20 `7.00 (`8 BIHAR & RAIPUR, `12 SRINAGAR) WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM SINCE 1932 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 P3 THE EXPRESS INTERVIEW KAILASH GAHLOT FORMER AAP MINISTER, NOW WITH BJP EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20 WITH THE Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining “severe” on Wednesday, the Delhi government announced work from home for 50 per cent of its staff, and also asked the private sector to take similar measures. The Delhi government announced that all its departments and MCD offices will work at 50 per cent capacity while the remaining staff will work from homeuntilcurbsunderthefourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are lifted. Addressingapressconference after a meeting with industry stakeholders,DelhiEnvironment Minister Gopal Rai said: “Private officesinDelhimustswitchto50 percentoftheiremployeesworking from home.” The Delhi government also advised private E E X P L A I NE D THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024, NEW DELHI, LATE CITY, 22 PAGES Will also reduce ● traffic VEHICULAR EMISSION, as per several studies, is among the biggest contributors to Delhi’s toxic air. The aim behind the 50 per cent work from home move is to control vehicular emission by reducing vehicular movement and traffic congestion. companiestoarrangeshuttlebus servicesandfollowstaggeredoffice timings. On Tuesday, the Gurgaon administration had issued an advisory urging private firms to follow50percentwork-from-home CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 EXPRESS NETWORK DELHI HIGH COURT RELIEF FOR CHIDAMBARAM IN AIRCEL-MAXIS CASE INDIA, AUSTRALIA SEAL CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP, PUSH TRADE PACT PAGE 8