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Shefali Jariwala of ‘Kaanta Laga’ fame passes away, cause of death yet to be revealed: Report

  Pity the sudden demise of Shefali Jariwala, who is forever entrenched in public memory as the incandescent face behind the iconic Kaanta Laga remix, whose report reached us; the cause of death is still unclear. With her effectiveness in the remix of the 1972 Samadhi, she ushered in a cultural wave whose resonance reached every corner of this country. This unmistakable fame soon carried her onto celluloid, which was also under the helm of director David Dhawan, who signed her for Mujhse Shaadi Karogi just two years down the line.  Apart from her beautiful screen presence, Shefali graced the reality TV scene. She lit up the dance floors of Nach Baliye 5 and Nach Baliye 7 along with her husband, Parag Tyagi. In 2019, she added further colors to her multifaceted public image by entering the infamous Bigg Boss house in Season 13. However, her bright legacy is now being cast in shadow by a bleak update from veteran journalist Vickey Lalwani, who, with morbid seriousness, stated: “...
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Narendra Modi Poised for Third Term as Exit Polls Indicate Strong Victory

Supporters of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party during a campaign rally in Amritsar earlier this week


Introduction

Exit polls released on Saturday suggest that Narendra Modi is set to secure a third consecutive term as India's Prime Minister. The projections show a decisive majority for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Projections and Poll Data

Polls conducted by six major Indian TV stations and agencies predict that the NDA will win between 353 and 401 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament. This would surpass the 352 seats the NDA secured in the 2019 elections, with the BJP alone winning 303 seats. The official results are expected from the Election Commission of India on June 4.

Expert Opinions

Rahul Verma, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi, highlighted the consensus among pollsters about the BJP's comfortable victory. He mentioned that many polls predict the BJP will cross the 300-seat mark, possibly even improving their previous performance.

Election Context

The exit polls were released after the final round of voting concluded on Saturday, following a ban on opinion polls during the seven-phase election that started on April 19. The staggered voting process was necessary due to India's vast and diverse geography and its nearly one billion registered voters.

Implications of the Polls

If the exit poll predictions hold true, Modi's victory will reinforce his status as a powerful leader driving one of the world's fastest-growing economies. This anticipated win is seen as a referendum on Modi’s leadership over the past decade.

Accuracy of Exit Polls

Historically, exit polls have had mixed accuracy in predicting Indian elections. However, recent elections in 2014 and 2019 saw exit polls correctly forecast BJP-led NDA victories, albeit with discrepancies in the exact seat counts.

Reactions and Campaign Insights

BJP national spokesperson Shazia Ilmi confidently predicted a third term for Modi and the BJP, citing a resounding victory. Modi's campaign focused on "Modi’s guarantee," emphasizing government welfare programs, poverty reduction, and economic development. India's GDP grew by 7.8% in the first quarter of 2024, showcasing one of the world's fastest post-pandemic economic recoveries.

Opposition Stance

The opposition INDIA alliance, led by Congress figures like Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, criticized the BJP's economic record, highlighting high unemployment and alleged suppression of opposition leaders. Despite the exit poll results, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the INDIA alliance would secure at least 295 seats, dismissing the exit polls as manipulated government surveys.

Economic and Market Reactions

Madhavi Arora, lead economist at Emkay Global Financial Services, noted that the exit polls indicate a solid win for the NDA. She pointed out better traction for the BJP in states like Maharashtra and southern India. Arora suggested that while actual results might differ, political continuity under the BJP would likely benefit risk assets and maintain macroeconomic stability in the medium term.

Conclusion

As India awaits the official election results, the exit polls suggest a strong mandate for Narendra Modi and the BJP, promising continued economic growth and political stability. The outcome of this election will shape the future trajectory of India's governance and development.

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Location: India

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