5 MARCH 2016

Ø  The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in four States and one Union Territory, which will be conducted in multiple phases from April 4 to May 16. Elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will be held in a single phase on May 16, said Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi. In West Bengal, owing to security issues, polling will be held in six phases, the first phase on April 4 and 11, and the rest on April 17, 21, 25, 30 and May 5. Assam will go to the polls in two phases on April 4 and 11. Asked whether action would be taken if any reference was made on the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to remit the life sentence of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, Mr. Zaidi said: “As and when the reference comes, the Commission will take an appropriate view to ensure that our voters are not influenced.” The votes will be counted on May 19. After delimitation in Cooch Behar of West Bengal, about 16,000 residents — recently recognised as Indian citizens after the exchange of enclaves with Bangladesh — will cast their votes in the Assembly elections for the first time. The model code of conduct immediately comes into effect.

Ø   P.A. Sangma served as a Minister of State for Coal (independent charge) in the Narasimha Rao government in the 1990s. Mr. Sangma broke away from the Congress, along with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar, in 1999, raising the banner of revolt against Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. They founded the Nationalist Congress Party. He was expelled from the party in 2012 when he refused to accept its decision to back out of the election for President of India. He took on Pranab Mukherjee, supported by the BJP and some other parties. After he lost, he filed a petition against the election of Mr. Mukherjee. In 2013, Mr. Sangma founded the National People’s Party. Known for his affable nature, Mr. Sangma was considered by many as the tallest north-eastern leader in terms of national stature. His daughter, Agatha Sangma, was the youngest Minister in the previous UPA government.

Ø  Adopting a pragmatic posture on India’s current policy of warming up to Iran, top Israeli officials told The Hindu that Israel understands that South Block’s desire to get close to Iran is “interest driven”. Every country is following interest-driven foreign policy. India is also following its own interest.