DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA JOURNALISM OF COURAGE `6.00 (`12 IN NORTH EAST STATES, `17 IN ANDAMAN) WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM SINCE 1932 Looking forward to de-escalation, focus on cooperation: Rajnath to China counterpart ASSEMBLY POLLS IN JHARKHAND, MAHARASHTRA SHUBHAJIT ROY ALOK DESHPANDE & VIKAS PATHAK 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 GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 20 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 BUSINESS AS USUAL MUMBAI, NEW DELHI, NOV 20 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 Biren intent not good, that’s why crisis: MLAs who skipped NDA meet SUKRITA BARUAH Highest Maharashtra turnout in 30 yrs: victory, say both groups 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 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 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 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 THE WORLD GRAP revised, makes it mandatory for schools to shut offline classes BY UNNY EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20 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 107-125 13-14 Axis MyIndia - - Matrize 150-170 110-130 BJP+ 40-44 2019 JMM-INC Others 30-40 2024 VOTER TURNOUT Maharashtra Jharkhand (81) Others DECISION 61.4% 1 2024 65.1% Jharkhand(Phase2) 2019 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 E 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. officesinDelhimustswitchto50 percentoftheiremployeesworking from home.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 2024 Gahlot counters AAP: Did I-Day flag hoisting after UP bypoll: 5 cops suspended over Madam Kejriwal’s nod - 17-27 8-10 49-59 0-2 42-47 25-30 1-4 66.9% 68.4% Turnout until 11.45 pm; Source: EC complaints of stopping voters MAULSHREE SETH LUCKNOW, NOVEMBER 20 PUTIN’S SPY CHIEF WARNS WEST AGAINST DIRECT CONFLICT WITH RUSSIA PAGE 12 AQI remains severe, Delhi moves to 50% work from home, asks pvt firms to follow EXPLAINED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024, KOLKATA, LATE CITY, 16 PAGES FIVE UTTAR Pradesh policemen were placed under suspension Wednesday by the Election Commission following complaintsthattheywerepreventing Avideograbof acoppointing arevolverinMeerapur,UP voters from casting votes in Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar, Sisamau in Kanpur and Moradabadduringthebypollsfor nine Assembly seats in the state. The Opposition SP accused the ruling BJP of misusing government machinery to prevent CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GAYATHRI MANI NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20 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 THE EXPRESS INTERVIEW KAILASH GAHLOT FORMER AAP MINISTER, NOW WITH BJP Unsure where to start your investment journey? Building wealth with Mutual Funds is Fu SIPlified. Advantages of SIP Freedom from timing the market ! Flexibility to choose investment amount Contact your MFD/RIA to know more. An Investor Education and Awareness Initiative SIP - Systematic Investment Plan. Visit https://www.hdfcfund.com/information/key-know-how to know more about the process to complete a one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) requirement to invest in Mutual Funds. 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