Punjab Election Live Updates
Voting for the assembly polls in five states began early on Thursday morning. The voting in all the five states that include Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Goa, and Uttarakhand are currently underway. Track all the live updates from the crucial vote counting.
LIVE UPDATES:
2:00 pm: Punjab CM Charanjit Channi loses from both the seats he contested from.
12:25 pm: Former Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh loses from his constituency.
11:30 am: "This is a victory of the 'Aam Aadmi' (common man)," Manish Sisodia on AAP's sweep in Punjab
10:50 am: "This shows AAP is the natural and national replacement of the Congress," said Raghav Chadha, who ran the Punjab campaign for his party
10:35 am: Early Celebrations Start Outside AAP's Chief Ministerial Candidate Bhagwat Mann's Residence.
10:25 am: Bhagwant Mann leading in Dhuri, Amarinder, Channi still trailing in their respective constituencies.
10:23 am: AAP looks clear to win Punjab. Leading on 88 of 117 seats. Congress leads on 12, BJP on 5.
9:50 am: Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Siddhu trails in his constituency.
9:45 am: AAP CM Candidate Bhagwant Mann leading as his party gains lead on 81 seats. Congress leading on 16, BJP on 4.
9:35 am: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi trailing on both of his constituencies - Bhadaur, Chamkaur Sahib.
9:35 am: Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh trails in his Patiala constituency.
9:10 am: In the early trends the AAP party was leading on the majority of the seats in Punja. It was leading on 24 seats with Congress leading on 11. Akali Dal and BJP were leading on 6 and 4 seats respectively.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
