Uncertainty in Rahul's candidature dampens campaign spirit in Wayanad

News Network

March 28, 2019

Kozhikode, Mar 28: The delay and certainty in the official announcement by the party high command on the recently-spread news of the All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency in Kerala has dampened the spirit of the election campaigning in the constituency.

Though the Congress leader K Muraleedharan had been actively campaigning in Vatakara LS constituency, his candidature in the seat is yet to be officially announced by the party's all India leadership.

It was the former Kerala Chief Minister and AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy, who broke the news on January 23 that the AICC chief would opt Wayanad as his second seat (first being Amethi) to contest for the LS election.

This has followed by senior Congress leaders from Kerala and its allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF) welcoming the decision of the Congress leadership.

This big announcement had created an unprecedented euphoria among the party circles in the State, thanks to the big stature of the candidate, who is also the Prime Ministerial candidate in the 17th Lok Sabha, if Congress would get a majority to rule.

The Congress nominee for the seat, T Siddique, had jumped the guns by declaring his withdrawal from the candidature to pave way for the AICC chief's contest from Wayanad constituency. In fact, the party cadres in the constituency had started campaigning for the AICC chief with a committed goal to ensure the victory of their chief with a record margin of votes. And the Congress’s rank and file has been awaiting the official announcement on the “Saturday Surprise” – the news on Rahul’s candidature in Wayanad.

However, a delay and the uncertainty on the official announcement had gloomed the party leaders in the constituency, vis-à-vis the State. The comment by senior Congress leader P C Chacko on Sunday last that no decision in this regard has been taken either by Mr Gandhi or the AICC had further dampened the spirit of the Congress camp.

No matter what the outcome on the "Saturday surprise" would be, the UDF circles in Wayanad continue to campaign for the "Congress" candidate in the constituency. The UDF election committee of Wayanad had launched its mandalam-based meetings from Monday.

However, the ambiguity over the “candidate” has been playing spoilsport in the campaigning, for the campaigners find it difficult to answer the queries of the voters, whether Mr Gandhi is contesting or Mr Siddique.

In fact, even the candidature of Mr Siddique and that of K Muraleedharan, the Congress nominee for the Vatakara LS seat, has not yet been officially declared by the party high command. The nominees for these two LS constituencies has not figured even in the 12 th list of the Congress. Adding further confusion in this was the “Saturday surprise” from Mr Chandy on Rahul’s entry in Wayanad.

Mr Siddique is among the campaigners to canvass votes for the UDF candidate, which could either be he himself, who is also the Kozhikode DCC President or the AICC President Mr Gandhi. Now all are eagerly awaiting a final decision on this to come from the party high command.

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Over 58 lakh names dropped from draft voter list in Bengal ahead of polls

News Network

December 16,2025

The deletion of over 58 lakh names from West Bengal’s draft electoral rolls following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has sparked widespread concern and is likely to deepen political tensions in the poll-bound state.

According to the Election Commission, the revision exercise has identified 24 lakh voters as deceased, 19 lakh as relocated, 12 lakh as missing, and 1.3 lakh as duplicate entries. The draft list, published after the completion of the first phase of SIR, aims to remove errors and duplication from the electoral rolls.

However, the scale of deletions has raised fears that a large number of eligible voters may have been wrongly excluded. The Election Commission has said that individuals whose names are missing can file objections and seek corrections. The final voter list is scheduled to be published in February next year, after which the Assembly election announcement is expected. Notably, the last Special Intensive Revision in Bengal was conducted in 2002.

The development has intensified the political row over the SIR process. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress have strongly opposed the exercise, accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of attempting to disenfranchise lakhs of voters ahead of the elections.

Addressing a rally in Krishnanagar earlier this month, Banerjee urged people to protest if their names were removed from the voter list, alleging intimidation during elections and warning of serious consequences if voting rights were taken away.

The BJP, meanwhile, has defended the revision and accused the Trinamool Congress of politicising the issue to protect what it claims is an illegal voter base. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the ruling party fears losing power due to the removal of deceased, fake, and illegal voters.

The controversy comes amid earlier allegations by the Trinamool Congress that excessive work pressure during the SIR led to the deaths by suicide of some Booth Level Officers (BLOs), for which the party blamed the Election Commission. With the draft list now out, another round of political confrontation appears imminent.

As objections begin to be filed, the focus will be on whether the correction mechanism is accessible, transparent, and timely—critical factors in ensuring that no eligible voter is denied their democratic right ahead of a crucial election.

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India’s Tougher Pilot Fatigue Rules: Why IndiGo’s Operations Crashed Into Turbulence

News Network

December 6,2025

New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faced major operational turbulence this week after failing to prepare for new pilot-fatigue regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The stricter rules—designed to improve flight safety—took effect in phases through 2024, with the latest implementation on November 1. IndiGo has acknowledged that inadequate roster planning led to widespread cancellations and delays.

Below are the key DGCA rules that affected IndiGo’s operations:

1. Longer Mandatory Weekly Rest

Weekly rest for pilots has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours.

The government says the extended break is essential to curb cumulative fatigue. This rule remains in force despite the current crisis.

2. Cap on Night Landings

Pilots can now perform only two night landings per week—a steep reduction from the earlier limit of six.

Night hours, defined as midnight to early morning, are considered the least alert period for pilots.

Given the disruptions, this rule has been temporarily relaxed for IndiGo until February 10.

3. Reduced Maximum Night Flight Duty

Flight duty that stretches into the night is now capped at 10 hours.

This measure has also been kept on hold for IndiGo until February 10 to stabilize operations.

4. Weekly Rest Cannot Be Replaced With Personal Leave

Airlines can no longer count a pilot’s personal leave as part of the mandatory 48-hour rest.

Pilots say this closes a loophole that previously reduced actual rest time.

Currently, all airlines are exempt from this rule to normalise travel.

5. Mandatory Fatigue Monitoring

Airlines must submit quarterly fatigue reports along with corrective actions to DGCA.

This system aims to create a transparent fatigue-tracking framework across the industry.

The DGCA has stressed that these rules were crafted to strengthen flight safety and align India with global fatigue-management standards. The temporary relaxations are expected to remain until February 2025, giving IndiGo time to stabilise its schedules and restore normal air travel.

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