May 3, 2026

File photo Bengal’s electoral outcome will now be decided on 293 seats after EC cancelled Saturday the April 29 polling in south Kolkata’s Falta constituency, citing “electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process”.A repoll has been scheduled for May 21, with counting on May 24.This is first time in Bengal where a full assembly constituency will go to the polls after the declaration of results. In India, only Bihar had the precedence. EC said an inquiry into complaints found widespread tampering of EVMs at multiple booths.EC: Button tampering voids Falta mandateButtons were defaced with black masking tape and ink, affecting 60 of 285 polling stations — 21% of the constituency. These booths accounted for 53,967 voters (22.8% of the 2.36 lakh electorate).“This compromised the integrity of recorded votes and made it impossible to ascertain the mandate,” EC said, adding gaps in video footage meant similar tampering elsewhere in Falta could not be ruled out.Tension flared Saturday in Hasimnagar, a locality within Falta along the Hooghly river corridor, where villagers alleged threats from associates of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan. Police observer Ajaypal Sharma, a DIG overseeing Diamond Harbour subdivision on the city’s southern fringe, rushed to the area as residents complained of inaction.Security was stepped up with deployment of state police and central forces. EC later ordered the arrest of two of Khan’s aides, Izrafil Chokdar and Sujauddin Sheikh. The countermanding removes Falta from Monday’s count, tightening focus on the remaining seats that will determine the next govt.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home’The Devil Wears Prada 2′: Sydney Sweeney to Anna Wintour, stars who were cut from the runway drama123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo Bengal’s electoral outcome will now be decided on 293 seats after EC cancelled Saturday the April 29 polling in south Kolkata’s Falta constituency, citing “electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process”.A repoll has been scheduled for May 21, with counting on May 24.This is first time in Bengal where a full assembly constituency will go to the polls after the declaration of results. In India, only Bihar had the precedence. EC said an inquiry into complaints found widespread tampering of EVMs at multiple booths.EC: Button tampering voids Falta mandateButtons were defaced with black masking tape and ink, affecting 60 of 285 polling stations — 21% of the constituency. These booths accounted for 53,967 voters (22.8% of the 2.36 lakh electorate).“This compromised the integrity of recorded votes and made it impossible to ascertain the mandate,” EC said, adding gaps in video footage meant similar tampering elsewhere in Falta could not be ruled out.Tension flared Saturday in Hasimnagar, a locality within Falta along the Hooghly river corridor, where villagers alleged threats from associates of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan. Police observer Ajaypal Sharma, a DIG overseeing Diamond Harbour subdivision on the city’s southern fringe, rushed to the area as residents complained of inaction.Security was stepped up with deployment of state police and central forces. EC later ordered the arrest of two of Khan’s aides, Izrafil Chokdar and Sujauddin Sheikh. The countermanding removes Falta from Monday’s count, tightening focus on the remaining seats that will determine the next govt.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home’The Devil Wears Prada 2′: Sydney Sweeney to Anna Wintour, stars who were cut from the runway drama123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap


West Bengal polls: Election Commission scraps Falta election, orders repolling on May 21

Bengal’s electoral outcome will now be decided on 293 seats after EC cancelled Saturday the April 29 polling in south Kolkata’s Falta constituency, citing “electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process”.A repoll has been scheduled for May 21, with counting on May 24.This is first time in Bengal where a full assembly constituency will go to the polls after the declaration of results. In India, only Bihar had the precedence. EC said an inquiry into complaints found widespread tampering of EVMs at multiple booths.EC: Button tampering voids Falta mandateButtons were defaced with black masking tape and ink, affecting 60 of 285 polling stations — 21% of the constituency. These booths accounted for 53,967 voters (22.8% of the 2.36 lakh electorate).“This compromised the integrity of recorded votes and made it impossible to ascertain the mandate,” EC said, adding gaps in video footage meant similar tampering elsewhere in Falta could not be ruled out.Tension flared Saturday in Hasimnagar, a locality within Falta along the Hooghly river corridor, where villagers alleged threats from associates of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan. Police observer Ajaypal Sharma, a DIG overseeing Diamond Harbour subdivision on the city’s southern fringe, rushed to the area as residents complained of inaction.Security was stepped up with deployment of state police and central forces. EC later ordered the arrest of two of Khan’s aides, Izrafil Chokdar and Sujauddin Sheikh. The countermanding removes Falta from Monday’s count, tightening focus on the remaining seats that will determine the next govt.



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File photo NEW DELHI: Indian Railways on Saturday rolled out from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli the 100th Vande Bharat train, marking a major milestone in the journey that started in 2018 with only two such trains.Prior to induction of this 16-coach chair-car trainset into regular passenger service, the train will undergo oscillation trials to validate ride quality, safety parameters and dynamic performance.The production of these trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.In an official release, the national transporter said the MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates notable engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo NEW DELHI: Indian Railways on Saturday rolled out from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli the 100th Vande Bharat train, marking a major milestone in the journey that started in 2018 with only two such trains.Prior to induction of this 16-coach chair-car trainset into regular passenger service, the train will undergo oscillation trials to validate ride quality, safety parameters and dynamic performance.The production of these trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.In an official release, the national transporter said the MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates notable engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo Sudesh Kumar, who played the protagonist of the tragic love story, ‘Saranga’ (1961), still remembered for its melancholic title track, who became a familiar face as supporting lead in money-spinning Southern productions like ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959), ‘Bharosa’ (1963) and ‘Khandan’ (1965), and who went on to produce absorbing thrillers like Uljhan (1975), passed away at his residence in Mumbai on Friday. He was 95.The actor was admitted to Breach Candy hospital following breathing issues on Monday. “At his request, we brought him back home on Thursday where we had set up a makeshift medical unit. But he breathed his last the next morning,” his wife Jaya Dhawan told TOI over phone.Born in 1931 in pre-independence India in frontier town Peshawar — also the birthplace of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor and where Shah Rukh Khan gets his ancestry from — Sudesh’s family shifted to Bombay when he was young. “He graduated in science from Elphinstone College. His father wanted him to be a doctor,” Jaya said.But Kumar joined Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatre group. “They were also distant relatives,” she recalled. Among his early films was Prithviraj-directed, ‘Paisa’ (1957).His real name was Sudesh Dhawan. But the actor’s screen name kept changing. He was Sudesh in some, Soodesh Kumar in others and Sudesh Kumar in most. The actor initially got parts in low-budget costume dramas and devotionals before catching mainstream attention in the cameo of a doctor in Prasad Production’s superhit family drama, ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959). He was paired opposite Nanda playing the protagonist.In the Sixties, Sudesh found his feet becoming a regular in southern socials working with premium directors such as K Shankar (‘Bharosa’, 1963), Vasu Menon (‘Grahasti’, 1963), A Bhimsingh (‘Khandan’, 1965 and ‘Gopi’, 1970) and CV Sridhar (‘Dharti’, 1970). Old-timers would remember him twisting and turning with a step-perfect Mumtaz for the rock and roll track, “Aa dance karein, thoda romance karein.” “Khandan was one of his favourite films,” said Jaya.A more interesting role came in producer-director Vasant Joglekar’s critical and commercial success, ‘Aaj aur Kal’ (1963), set in princely state, pre-independence India. Sudesh enacted the role of a youthful Congress leader, also a humble coachman’s son, who seeks to draw people into the national movement and to whom the king’s younger daughter (Tanuja) is attracted to.He is remembered more for producer-director Dhirubhai Desai’s ‘Saranga’ (1961), where a prince falls in love with a commoner to a tragic outcome. Two of the film’s tracks, ‘Saranga teri yaad mein’ (singer: Mukesh, lyrics: Bharat Vyas, music: Sardar Malik) and ‘Haan deewana hoon main’ (same trio) became chartbusters finishing at No 9 and No 20 in the popular countdown show, Binaca Geetmala’s annual list. The title song has a combined view of over 2.5 million on YouTube underlining its timeless appeal. A heart-broken Sudesh walking through a leafless grove while lip syncing the number is part of old Bollywood’s unforgettable images.With dwindling meaningful screen presence, Sudesh adroitly shifted to producing movies in the 1970s. But before that he assisted Raj Khosla in ‘Do Badan (1966). As producer, his first venture was Man Mandir (1970), which had the unlikely pair of Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.Sudesh formed a fruitful director-producer combo with Raghunath Jhalani delivering two smart and modestly successful off-beat thrillers, Uljhan (again with Sanjeev Kumar) and Badalte Rishtey (with Jeetendra, Reena Roy and Rishi Kapoor) and box-office turkey, Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987).In 1982, he was married to Mumbai-bred Jaya Naik nee Dhawan, who had modelled for Vicco, Complan and Farex, among other products. They were neighbours who had first met outside the residence of popular lyricist Rajendra Krishan, a close friend of Sudesh.“He was full of life and energy even a year ago,” recalled Rajesh Duggal, the lyricist’s son. Jaya said that they had visited Southern temples in February. “Despite his age, he was remarkably fit. He never used a walking stick,” she said.The funeral was held at Shivaji Park crematorium on Friday.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptoms123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo Sudesh Kumar, who played the protagonist of the tragic love story, ‘Saranga’ (1961), still remembered for its melancholic title track, who became a familiar face as supporting lead in money-spinning Southern productions like ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959), ‘Bharosa’ (1963) and ‘Khandan’ (1965), and who went on to produce absorbing thrillers like Uljhan (1975), passed away at his residence in Mumbai on Friday. He was 95.The actor was admitted to Breach Candy hospital following breathing issues on Monday. “At his request, we brought him back home on Thursday where we had set up a makeshift medical unit. But he breathed his last the next morning,” his wife Jaya Dhawan told TOI over phone.Born in 1931 in pre-independence India in frontier town Peshawar — also the birthplace of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor and where Shah Rukh Khan gets his ancestry from — Sudesh’s family shifted to Bombay when he was young. “He graduated in science from Elphinstone College. His father wanted him to be a doctor,” Jaya said.But Kumar joined Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatre group. “They were also distant relatives,” she recalled. Among his early films was Prithviraj-directed, ‘Paisa’ (1957).His real name was Sudesh Dhawan. But the actor’s screen name kept changing. He was Sudesh in some, Soodesh Kumar in others and Sudesh Kumar in most. The actor initially got parts in low-budget costume dramas and devotionals before catching mainstream attention in the cameo of a doctor in Prasad Production’s superhit family drama, ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959). He was paired opposite Nanda playing the protagonist.In the Sixties, Sudesh found his feet becoming a regular in southern socials working with premium directors such as K Shankar (‘Bharosa’, 1963), Vasu Menon (‘Grahasti’, 1963), A Bhimsingh (‘Khandan’, 1965 and ‘Gopi’, 1970) and CV Sridhar (‘Dharti’, 1970). Old-timers would remember him twisting and turning with a step-perfect Mumtaz for the rock and roll track, “Aa dance karein, thoda romance karein.” “Khandan was one of his favourite films,” said Jaya.A more interesting role came in producer-director Vasant Joglekar’s critical and commercial success, ‘Aaj aur Kal’ (1963), set in princely state, pre-independence India. Sudesh enacted the role of a youthful Congress leader, also a humble coachman’s son, who seeks to draw people into the national movement and to whom the king’s younger daughter (Tanuja) is attracted to.He is remembered more for producer-director Dhirubhai Desai’s ‘Saranga’ (1961), where a prince falls in love with a commoner to a tragic outcome. Two of the film’s tracks, ‘Saranga teri yaad mein’ (singer: Mukesh, lyrics: Bharat Vyas, music: Sardar Malik) and ‘Haan deewana hoon main’ (same trio) became chartbusters finishing at No 9 and No 20 in the popular countdown show, Binaca Geetmala’s annual list. The title song has a combined view of over 2.5 million on YouTube underlining its timeless appeal. A heart-broken Sudesh walking through a leafless grove while lip syncing the number is part of old Bollywood’s unforgettable images.With dwindling meaningful screen presence, Sudesh adroitly shifted to producing movies in the 1970s. But before that he assisted Raj Khosla in ‘Do Badan (1966). As producer, his first venture was Man Mandir (1970), which had the unlikely pair of Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.Sudesh formed a fruitful director-producer combo with Raghunath Jhalani delivering two smart and modestly successful off-beat thrillers, Uljhan (again with Sanjeev Kumar) and Badalte Rishtey (with Jeetendra, Reena Roy and Rishi Kapoor) and box-office turkey, Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987).In 1982, he was married to Mumbai-bred Jaya Naik nee Dhawan, who had modelled for Vicco, Complan and Farex, among other products. They were neighbours who had first met outside the residence of popular lyricist Rajendra Krishan, a close friend of Sudesh.“He was full of life and energy even a year ago,” recalled Rajesh Duggal, the lyricist’s son. Jaya said that they had visited Southern temples in February. “Despite his age, he was remarkably fit. He never used a walking stick,” she said.The funeral was held at Shivaji Park crematorium on Friday.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptoms123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo KOLKATA: Ahead of the May 4 counting of votes for the assembly elections, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Saturday trashed exit poll results, saying they were conducted to “manipulate the stock market,” and told party colleagues in a virtual address that Trinamool “is winning and winning by 200-plus seats.”Banerjee urged counting agents not to leave their tables even for a minute without a replacement and advised them not to be anxious if postal ballot results initially go against the party.She and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that “BJP was using the Election Commission” and that party workers and supporters were being selectively targeted. The CM said she would reward workers who had “withstood these attacks fearlessly and fought back”.Trinamool Congress also released a list of party seniors deputed to coordinate with ground workers on the counting day. Abhishek will oversee South 24 Parganas.Meanwhile, Bengal’s leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari called on all political parties to maintain peace ahead of the counting, urging them to accept the people’s mandate and avoid a repeat of the post-poll violence that followed the 2021 elections.“Let there be peace in Bengal. The election is over and every political party should take part in the counting. Whatever rivalry existed during the polls should end now,” Adhikari said on Friday evening as he emerged from an EVM strongroom after a visit.Invoking the 2021 violence, in which BJP claims 300 of its workers were killed, he said: “No neta is hurt in violence — I have CRPF security, Mamata ji has police protection and a bulletproof car. It is the common man and ordinary worker who suffers. We should now cooperate with EC, central forces and state police.”BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that “outsiders” had been brought into the city and were staying at hotels ahead of counting.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo KOLKATA: Ahead of the May 4 counting of votes for the assembly elections, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Saturday trashed exit poll results, saying they were conducted to “manipulate the stock market,” and told party colleagues in a virtual address that Trinamool “is winning and winning by 200-plus seats.”Banerjee urged counting agents not to leave their tables even for a minute without a replacement and advised them not to be anxious if postal ballot results initially go against the party.She and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that “BJP was using the Election Commission” and that party workers and supporters were being selectively targeted. The CM said she would reward workers who had “withstood these attacks fearlessly and fought back”.Trinamool Congress also released a list of party seniors deputed to coordinate with ground workers on the counting day. Abhishek will oversee South 24 Parganas.Meanwhile, Bengal’s leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari called on all political parties to maintain peace ahead of the counting, urging them to accept the people’s mandate and avoid a repeat of the post-poll violence that followed the 2021 elections.“Let there be peace in Bengal. The election is over and every political party should take part in the counting. Whatever rivalry existed during the polls should end now,” Adhikari said on Friday evening as he emerged from an EVM strongroom after a visit.Invoking the 2021 violence, in which BJP claims 300 of its workers were killed, he said: “No neta is hurt in violence — I have CRPF security, Mamata ji has police protection and a bulletproof car. It is the common man and ordinary worker who suffers. We should now cooperate with EC, central forces and state police.”BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that “outsiders” had been brought into the city and were staying at hotels ahead of counting.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo KOLKATA: Ahead of the May 4 counting of votes for the assembly elections, key rivals Trinamool and BJP in Bengal sparred and flagged incidents of ‘lax security and blacked-out CCTV footage’ at EVM strongrooms on Saturday.Tension flared at Barasat Govt College in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday after the CCTV monitoring display reportedly went dark for 17 minutes. Suspecting deliberate tampering, TMC workers and candidates staged a protest. EC officials rushed to the spot, after which the display started functioning.According to the complaint, CCTV monitors at the strongroom, where EVMs from the Barasat, Habra, Ashoknagar, and Deganga constituencies are stored, went completely blank between 8:05 am and 8:22 am. Trinamool demanded that the full footage of the period be made available and that strict action be taken against whoever turned off the monitor.TMC Ashoknagar candidate Narayan Goswami said: “The ARO showed me footage sent to the magistrate where the cameras were operational. But if someone switched off the TV, EC should have taken immediate action. We need to know what happened.”Additional returning officer Abhijit Das said: “We received information that the feed was not visible. By 8:20am, the SDO had arrived. It was found that the external monitor had been powered off. Once switched on, the feed resumed… It appears the switch was turned off from the outside. An investigation is underway.”Meanwhile, BJP flagged two such incidents: one in Salt Lake and another in Burdwan.BJP’s Bidhannagar candidate Sharadwat Mukherjee said the strongroom at Bidhannagar was supposed to be opened on Saturday. He alleged it was actually opened multiple times on Friday without official notification. He contacted the returning officer.CPM candidate Soumyajit Raha said a complaint had also been lodged with EC.BJP’s Amit Malviya alleged on X: “At UIT, an attempt was made by a TMC goon to scale the compound walls and gain access to a strongroom housing EVMs. The incident was flagged by BJP candidate Sanjay Das, raising serious concerns about the intent behind such actions. This is no ordinary facility; it contains EVMs from five crucial constituencies — Bardhaman Uttar, Bardhaman Dakshin, Galsi, Ausgram, and Bhatar.”In Kolkata, Trinamool’s Shyampukur candidate Shashi Panja visited the strongroom at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Saturday, where, she said, the guards initially stopped her, saying those already inside must exit first. She said she was only allowed to enter after clarification from the police. She also flagged the lack of CCTVs in the strongroom, claiming officials told her that cameras would be installed “shortly”.“When the postal ballot trunks of seven constituencies arrived, there was no representative of any political party here,” she said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo KOLKATA: Ahead of the May 4 counting of votes for the assembly elections, key rivals Trinamool and BJP in Bengal sparred and flagged incidents of ‘lax security and blacked-out CCTV footage’ at EVM strongrooms on Saturday.Tension flared at Barasat Govt College in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday after the CCTV monitoring display reportedly went dark for 17 minutes. Suspecting deliberate tampering, TMC workers and candidates staged a protest. EC officials rushed to the spot, after which the display started functioning.According to the complaint, CCTV monitors at the strongroom, where EVMs from the Barasat, Habra, Ashoknagar, and Deganga constituencies are stored, went completely blank between 8:05 am and 8:22 am. Trinamool demanded that the full footage of the period be made available and that strict action be taken against whoever turned off the monitor.TMC Ashoknagar candidate Narayan Goswami said: “The ARO showed me footage sent to the magistrate where the cameras were operational. But if someone switched off the TV, EC should have taken immediate action. We need to know what happened.”Additional returning officer Abhijit Das said: “We received information that the feed was not visible. By 8:20am, the SDO had arrived. It was found that the external monitor had been powered off. Once switched on, the feed resumed… It appears the switch was turned off from the outside. An investigation is underway.”Meanwhile, BJP flagged two such incidents: one in Salt Lake and another in Burdwan.BJP’s Bidhannagar candidate Sharadwat Mukherjee said the strongroom at Bidhannagar was supposed to be opened on Saturday. He alleged it was actually opened multiple times on Friday without official notification. He contacted the returning officer.CPM candidate Soumyajit Raha said a complaint had also been lodged with EC.BJP’s Amit Malviya alleged on X: “At UIT, an attempt was made by a TMC goon to scale the compound walls and gain access to a strongroom housing EVMs. The incident was flagged by BJP candidate Sanjay Das, raising serious concerns about the intent behind such actions. This is no ordinary facility; it contains EVMs from five crucial constituencies — Bardhaman Uttar, Bardhaman Dakshin, Galsi, Ausgram, and Bhatar.”In Kolkata, Trinamool’s Shyampukur candidate Shashi Panja visited the strongroom at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Saturday, where, she said, the guards initially stopped her, saying those already inside must exit first. She said she was only allowed to enter after clarification from the police. She also flagged the lack of CCTVs in the strongroom, claiming officials told her that cameras would be installed “shortly”.“When the postal ballot trunks of seven constituencies arrived, there was no representative of any political party here,” she said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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