• Filing of nominations for 92 Lok Sabha seats spread over 18 States and Union Territories ends today.

• Shiv Sena  says, beginning of Narendra Modi's era doesn't mean end of Advani's era.
• Senior Journalist MJ Akbar joins BJP.
• Malaysia seeks under sea surveillance equipments from US for searching missing plane.
• And in ICC Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup, South Africa to take on Sri Lanka, and England to meet New Zealand in Group-I today.

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Today is the last date for filing of nominations for 92 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over 18 states and union territories. These include all ten seats in Haryana, all the 20 constituencies in Kerala and all seven seats in Delhi which go to the polls on the 10th of next month. Filing of nominations will also end today for ten seats each in Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, nine in Madhya Pradesh, four in Jharkhand and one each in Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland and one each in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh and Lakshwadeep. Filing of papers will also come to close for two seats each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Today is also the last date for filing of nominations for all the 60 seats of Arunachal Pradesh assembly and 70 Assembly Constituencies in Odisha.

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Four candidates of Congress and BJP contesting Lok Sabha elections from Delhi filed their nomination papers today. The candidates are Congress' Krishna Tirath and Ramesh Kumar and BJP's Manoj Tiwari and Ramesh Bidhuri.

Tirath, who is the Minister of Child and Women Development, is fighting the election from North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat where she faces BJP's Udit Raj and Aam Aadmi Party's Rakhi Bidlan. Ramesh Kumar is pitted against Devendra Sehrawat of Aam Aadmi Party and BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri for the South Delhi seat. Manoj Tiwari faces Congress' Jaiprakash Agarwal and Aam Aadmi Party's Anand Kumar in North East Delhi constituency.

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Seven candidates have so far filed nomination papers for the April-9 Lok Sabha elections in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. They include candidates from Congress, BJP, Trinamool Congress, NCP, and JD-U.

G Tonsana of Manipur Democratic People's Front is the only candidate so far who has filed papers for the April-17th election in Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, for which the last date of filing nomination papers is the 26th of this month. The last date for withdrawal of papers for both the constituencies is the 29th of this month.

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The scrutiny of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls for five seats in Assam and one in Tripura has begun. The last date of withdrawal of nomination papers is the 24th of this month. Polling will be held on the 7th of next month in these seats.

In Assam, a total of 56 candidates have filed nominations for five seats. Our correspondent reports that 64 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase in the state.

"The prominent candidates whose political fate will be decided in the first phase include Congress candidates Pawan Singh Ghatowar and Rani Narah and State BJP President Sarbanand Sonowal, Asom Gana Parisahd’s Joseph Toppo and CPI’s Drupad Buragohain are also in the fray. All the political parties have intensified their campaigns to attract 64 lakh voters in this phase. This time, over 31 lakh women voters can play a key role in deciding the fortune of candidates. MANAS PRATIM SARMA, AIR NEWS, GUWAHATI."

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Hitting out at BJP over the Advani ticket issue, Shiv Sena today questioned why the party took so long to decide on his Lok Sabha seat. In an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' in Mumbai, party President Uddhav Thackeray said, while Narendra Modi's era has begun, it does not mean that it is the end of Advani's era. The editorial said, the BJP veteran's political character is without any blot and the relation that the veteran leader has with the masses is still intact.

Earlier the Shiv Sena decides to field its candidates in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi for the Lok Sabha elections. Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai that Shiv Sena will field 20 candidates in Uttar Pradesh, five in Bihar and will contest all seven seats in Delhi. He said the Shiv Sena is in alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra and not in Uttar Pradesh or other states. Uddhav Thakre's son and Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray however in a tweet said that Sena would not field candidates against Narender Modi and BJP chief Rajnath Singh.

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BJP President Rajnath Singh today said the party's respect for senior leader Jaswant Singh can not be measured in terms of a Lok Saba ticket. Replying to a media query that Jaswant Singh may quit the party and fight as an independent candidate, Mr. Singh said he is a senior leader and party will use his potential.

Jaswant Singh was denied ticket from Barmer parliamentary constituency where BJP has fielded former MP, Colonel Sonaram Choudhary.

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With Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal reportedly pitching Arun Jaitley as Deputy Prime Minister if NDA comes to power, the senior BJP leader today played down the suggestion, saying he was not looking for positions. He said that a lot of people who met him in Amritsar believe that Amritsar and Punjab need a good voice at the Centre and probably that is one of the expectations from him.

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Questioning the BJP's claim of a wave in favour of its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Congress leader Digvijay Singh today accused the party of engineering defections. In a tweet, he also alluded to the internal rift within the main opposition party in the backdrop of senior leaders being denied the choice of tickets.

Launching a scathing attack on Narendra Modi, Singh questioned whether the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate was bigger than the party and RSS.

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Senior journalist MJ Akbar today joined BJP. His induction in the party came at a brief function in presence of BJP president Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. Appreciating Akbar's journalistic career, Mr Singh said his presence will boost his party.

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In Uttar Pradesh, in a major reshuffle, the BJP today changed its Bijnor candidate. Local MLA Bhartendu Singh has now replaced Rajendra Singh. Bhartendu Singh is in the process of filing his nomination papers. Former army Chief and BJP candidate V K Singh filed his papers from Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency where he will be challenged by Raj Babbar of Congress and Shazia Ilmi of the Aam Aadmi Party. Our correspondent has filed this report:

"Bollywood actress and Congress candidate Naghma today filed her nomination for Meerut seat, from where local MLA and cabinet minister Shahid Manzur also filed his papers on Samajwadi Party ticket. Jaya Prada on RLD ticket from Bijnor, Hukum Singh of BJP from Kairana and Raj Babbar of Congress from Ghaziabad are some of the prominent contestants of the first phase. RLD chief Ajit Singh and ex Mumbai police commissioner, now a BJP candidate, will take on each other from Baghpat seat. Merajuddin, AIR NEWS, Lucknow."

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In Jharkhand, political activities are picking up, as today is the last day for filing of nominations for the first phase of election in four Lok Sabha seats in the State. With the coming of AJSU President Sudesh Mahto in the Lok Sabha poll from Ranchi, the fight is becoming multi-cornered. More from our correspondent:

"This time the general election in Jharkhand is going to be very intense as many prominent political faces are fightining elections from important constituencies. Many have left their earlier political party to join other party to contest elections. Also two JMM MLA Hemlal Murmum, and Vidhyut Waran Mehto have resigned from their Vidhan Sabha seats to contest Lok Sabha polls from the ticket of the BJP. Earlier one Congress MLA also tendered his resignation to contest on TMC ticket. All these are going to raise a question mark on the stability of the present coalition government of Hemant Soren in the state after the elections. RAJESH SINHA, AIR NEWS, RANCHI."

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In Madhya Pradesh, a case of violation of the model code of conduct has been registered against state’ School Education Minister Paras Jain. He had allegedly sat on a dharna in Ujjain to press for approval of a map by Municipal Corporation for construction work in Government Kalidas Girls College. The principal of the college who was with the minister during the dharna, has also been suspended.

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In Tamil Nadu, MDMK leader Vaiko today released the Party’s election manifesto in Chennai. The party manifesto promises that it would strive to cancel death penalty, and also to insist on the closure of Koodankulam nuclear plant. Later speaking to newsmen, Vaiko said that it would stress upon the Centre to settle the Cauvery water sharing problem, the fishermen issue and also urge for conducting a referendum on separate Eelam at Srilanka.

The MDMK is aligning with the BJP headed NDA for the second time. It has been allotted seven seats.

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Malaysia has sought undersea surveillance equipment from the US to search the missing Malaysian plane, that disappeared two weeks ago with 239 people, including 5 Indians, on board. Pentagon Press Secretary said, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel assured Malaysia's Defence Minister and acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, that he would assess the availability and utility of military undersea technology for such a task and inform him.

Search teams involving 26 countries are still trying to locate flight MH370, which went missing an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur.

Australian planes and ships have set off for the third day of scouring the southern Indian Ocean in search of missing Malaysian Airliner. With weather conditions reported to be much better than on previous days, six planes are now hunting for signs of wreckages after new satellite images showed objects floating in the water 2,500 kilometres south-west of Perth.

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In Australia, five people have been killed in a fiery light plane crash at Caboolture airfield, north of Brisbane today. The Cessna 206 is understood to have been taking off with skydivers when it crashed and burst into flames. Those on board are believed to include the pilot, two instructors and two customers who had been due to dive from 14,000 feet onto the beach at Bribie Island.

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In Maldives, voting is on and is reported to be peaceful throughout the country for its 18th Parliamentary elections, with no incident of violence being reported from any polling station. The polling percentage is, however, low, as bad weather is keeping the voters away from polling stations in Addu Atoll island. Eight hour long polling will come to a close at 4 pm local time and counting of votes will start immediately. Our correspondent reports that the results are expected to be announced late tonight.

"Voting peaceful in Maldives Parliamentary Election Maldivian capital Male has the largest number of parliamentary constituencies - 13. Addu Atoll has 7 and the remaining 65 are scattered around various islands. A total of 302 candidates, including 23 women, are in fray in today’s parliamentary polls. Over 1900 local monitors and two teams from European Union and Commonwealth are monitoring the polls. Political experts believe Former President Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party will bag a significant number of seats, though the four party ruling coalition is also trying to wrest control of the parliament. Polling will end at 4 and counting will start at 4.30 in the evening local time. Provisional results are likely to be declared later tonight. Abhishek Dayal, Air News, Colombo."

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In Pakistan, at least 35 people have been killed and several injured today when a truck collided with two buses in a populated area in Balochistan. The accident occurred when two speeding buses collided with a truck coming from opposite direction.

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Back Home,

President Pranab Mukherjee presented gallantry awards to defence personnel for their distinguished services at a Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. 15 personnel were conferred Param Vishist seva medals. The awardees include Lt. Gen. Ashok Singh of Infantry, Air Marshal Jaswinder Singh Chauhan of Air Force and Vice Admiral Niranjan Kumar Nadella. Three Kirti Chakra awards were also given and the recipients are Lt Commander Abhilash Tomy, Major Mahesh Kumar and Wing Commander Darryl Castelino. Castelino was awarded posthumously. Two Uttam Yudh seva medals and 10 Shaurya Chakra awards were also conferred on the defence personnel.

Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony and Congress President Sonia Gandhi were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

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In Sports,

In the ICC Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup, South Africa will take on Sri Lanka, and England will clash with New Zealand in the Group-I matches today. The South Africa-Sri Lanka game will begin at 3 PM Indian Time, while the England-New Zealand fixture will take place at 7 PM. Both matches will be played at Chittagong.

Yesterday, India got off to a thrilling start, as they defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in their opening Group match at Dhaka.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and the Netherlands yesterday advanced to the Group stage, after they topped their respective Qualifying Groups.

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