Delhi election: Shivakumar says he doesn't believe in exit polls, waiting for voters' verdict
Bengaluru (PTI): With several exit polls predicting a victory for the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that he doesn't believe in them and would wait for the voters' verdict.
Many exit poll results that were out on Wednesday predicted a victory for the BJP over the ruling AAP in the Delhi assembly polls, while the Congress was projected to make no significant gains from last elections.
Two exit polls, however, predicted a victory for the Aam Admi Party (AAP), and as many showed a close contest between them, with an edge for the BJP.
"I don't believe in exit polls, let's wait for the voters' verdict," Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question.The Election Commission will announce the official results after the counting of votes on February 8.
Shivakumar was among the Congress party's star campaigners in Delhi.
Ahead of polls, Shivakumar on behalf of Congress party had announced a 'Pyari Didi Yojana', promising a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to women if voted to power in Delhi.
Responding to a question on the second airport being planned for Bengaluru, Shivakumar, who is also in-charge for Bengaluru development said, location for it will be finalised based on technical requirements.
"Where the airport should come up, whether it should come up in Bidadi or Nelamangala or Tumakuru or some other place, cannot be decided by us. There is an agreement between the Airport Authority of India and Bengaluru International Airport that for certain years no airport should come nearby.
They will discuss and decide," he said.
Karnataka government's concerned departments under the leadership of Infrastructure Minister M B Patil are looking at the feasibility, he said. "They will discuss with me and the Chief Minister, and after that it will be taken before the cabinet. Then by taking approval from Delhi (centre) we will decide on the location for the second airport," the Deputy CM said.
"I might have a desire that the airport should come near my native, but it cannot be done like that. There are certain requirements like there should be no hills nearby, there should be a flying zone....there are certain technical requirements, based on which it will be decided," he added.
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3 killed, 15 injured in fire after blast at firecracker unit in MP's Dewas; CM orders probe
Dewas/Indore (PTI): At least three workers were killed and 15 persons injured after a fire broke out following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Thursday, an official said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment, he said in a post on X.
Three persons were killed in the fire at the firecracker unit located in Tonk Kalan area, and around 15 injured persons were sent to hospitals in Indore and Dewas, Collector Rituraj Singh told reporters after inspecting the site.
Videos of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing thick white smoke billowing from the factory along the Agra–Mumbai national highway. The clips also showed people rushing the injured for treatment amid cries for help, with body parts seen scattered at the site.
The collector said the fire has been brought under control. The administration has taken possession of explosives stored at another location within the unit, he said.
The work to manufacture small firecrackers at the factory of a person named Anil Malviya had begun only 15 days ago, and a licence has been issued for the unit, the collector said.
A detailed investigation is underway into the incident, he added.
CM Yadav said, "I have directed Deputy Chief Minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident."
Local residents said there was a massive explosion at the factory, and the victims' body parts were found scattered far away from the site.
They said construction work was underway at the site and different sheds were being built there.
