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Congress Unleashes By-Poll Winning Strategy for Kerala Corporation Elections, Aims to Capture Four City Hubs

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Congress Unleashes By-Poll Winning Strategy for Kerala Corporation Elections, Aims to Capture Four City Hubs

​Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Congress party in Kerala has begun deploying its successful Assembly by-election blueprint for the upcoming corporation polls across the state, setting an ambitious target of capturing the administration of at least four of the six corporations.

​Aiming to replicate the momentum gained in recent by-polls, the core of the new strategy is the early announcement of candidates, well ahead of or immediately following the official election notification. This move is designed to minimize infighting and streamline campaign operations from the outset.

​The strategy was first implemented in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, where the party rolled out a 48-member candidate list and, crucially, projected former MLA K.S. Sabarinadhan as the Mayor candidate. This upfront projection of a key leader for the top post signals a shift towards decisive political messaging. Similar early announcements are expected in the coming days for the remaining five corporations, including Kochi.

​Streamlined Candidate Selection and Senior Leadership

​In a significant departure from past practices often marred by ‘rebel’ candidates, the party leadership has prioritized names proposed by local committees and validated by internal survey reports assessing winnability. This streamlined process is intended to ensure unit and focus.

​To oversee the high-stakes battle, senior party leaders have been assigned direct charge of the corporations:

  • ​Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran leader K. Muraleedharan is providing overall supervision, with Minister V.S. Sivakumar handling ground-level strategy.
  • ​Kochi: Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan is directly coordinating the election efforts.
  • ​Kozhikode: Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala is in charge.
  • ​Kannur: KPCC former President K. Sudhakaran is leading the charge.
  • ​Thrissur: The campaign is being managed by T.N. Prathapan.

​Currently, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) holds power only in Kannur Corporation, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) controlling the other five. The party views a strong showing in these local body elections as absolutely vital, as the results will serve as a crucial barometer just months before the next Assembly elections.

​UDF leaders have indicated that the campaign will focus heavily on highlighting the state government’s alleged administrative failures, alongside local-level corruption and misgovernance under the incumbent LDF administrations. This two-pronged attack aims to convert public dissatisfaction with both state and civic bodies into votes for the UDF.

Kerala lottery Bhagyathara BT-27 result today 3/11/2025: Jackpot Winner Announced

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Kerala lottery Bhagyathara BT-27 result today 3/11/2025: Jackpot Winner Announced

Thiruvananthapuram, November 3, 2025 — The Directorate of State Lotteries, Government of Kerala, announced the winners of the highly anticipated Bhagyathara (BT-27) Lottery draw today, November 3, 2025, held at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.

One lucky ticket holder is now ₹1 Crore richer, claiming the grand first prize. The total prize pool distribution included three major winners across different districts, as well as thousands of consolation prizes.

The first prize of ₹1 Crore (Rs 10,000,000) was awarded to the ticket bearing the number BA 188930, sold in Idukki.

A second major prize of ₹30 Lakh (Rs 3,000,000) went to a ticket sold in Payyanur, while the third prize of ₹5 Lakh (Rs 500,000) was claimed by a winner from Thrissur.

Winners are reminded to verify their numbers with the official results published in the Kerala Government Gazette and surrender their winning tickets within 90 days of the draw date.

Winners of Bhagyathara BT-27 Draw

1st Prize (₹1,00,00,000)

BA 188930 (IDUKKI)

Consolation Prize (₹5,000)

BB 188930, BC 188930, BD 188930, BE 188930, BF 188930, BG 188930, BH 188930, BJ 188930, BK 188930, BL 188930, BM 188930

2nd Prize (₹30,00,000)

BJ 656284 (PAYYANUR)

3rd Prize (₹5,00,000)

BB 180758 (THRISSUR)

Bhagyathara BT-27 Prize Winners by Last Four Digits

4th Prize (₹5,000)

0412, 0785, 1722, 1946, 2016, 2096, 2137, 2284, 2584, 3234, 3458, 4702, 5290, 6025, 8388, 9257, 9354, 9635, 9976

5th Prize (₹2,000)

1204, 3063, 4050, 4236, 6333, 7869

6th Prize (₹1,000)

0004, 0006, 0060, 0333, 0894, 1712, 1837, 2106, 2190, 2302, 2648, 3499, 3781, 4169, 4527, 5230, 5409, 5650, 5652, 6390, 6477, 6813, 7546, 9370, 9533

7th Prize (₹500)

0047, 0258, 0273, 0288, 0490, 0552, 0839, 0856, 0957, 0993, 0994, 1186, 1309, 1357, 1891, 2407, 2474, 2508, 2666, 2818, 3194, 3277, 3295, 3366, 3418, 3567, 3570, 3726, 3858, 3872, 4024, 4324, 4445, 4945, 5296, 5386, 5671, 5891, 5982, 6002, 6015, 6050, 6341, 6375, 6488, 6516, 6522, 6540, 6594, 7062, 7064, 7491, 7557, 7730, 7803, 7807, 7978, 8005, 8241, 8315, 8463, 8506, 8563, 8660, 8777, 8788, 8799, 8818, 8893, 8992, 9171, 9231, 9246, 9278, 9756, 9854

8th Prize (₹200)

0044, 0222, 0364, 0624, 0807, 1023, 1038, 1133, 1144, 1238, 1311, 1355, 1480, 1490, 1507, 1554, 1583, 1737, 1865, 2072, 2086, 2354, 2502, 2571, 2747, 2763, 2791, 2793, 2838, 3257, 3347, 3415, 3451, 3474, 3509, 3673, 3750, 3940, 4150, 4175, 4191, 4303, 4418, 4420, 4645, 4697, 4720, 4825, 4827, 4856, 5235, 5468, 5508, 5680, 5716, 5795, 5800, 6081, 6305, 6367, 6496, 6704, 6716, 6841, 6853, 6894, 7071, 7183, 7400, 7432, 7465, 7575, 7841, 7853, 7857, 8025, 8120, 8292, 8496, 8505, 8559, 8636, 8736, 8825, 8869, 8896, 9073, 9193, 9405, 9456, 9590, 9663, 9681, 9788

9th Prize (₹100)

0229, 0287, 0313, 0328, 0387, 0408, 0409, 0502, 0601, 0633, 0644, 0892, 0965, 1120, 1139, 1153, 1208, 1293, 1366, 1368, 1565, 1643, 1676, 1930, 1942, 1951, 1983, 2002, 2034, 2043, 2082, 2390, 2739, 2770, 2794, 2841, 2876, 2974, 3061, 3073, 3104, 3223, 3317, 3363, 3429, 3510, 3606, 3631, 3720, 3749, 3767, 3855, 3909, 3990, 4009, 4033, 4040, 4093, 4184, 4196, 4273, 4288, 4306, 4480, 4508, 4525, 4562, 4588, 4648, 4661, 4726, 4829, 4892, 4899, 4993, 5077, 5119, 5171, 5229, 5270, 5332, 5358, 5548, 5559, 5667, 5685, 5771, 5896, 5913, 5954, 6011, 6022, 6087, 6174, 6238, 6294, 6299, 6517, 6596, 6648, 6683, 6690, 6773, 6804, 6870, 6883, 7193, 7264, 7295, 7456, 7530, 7596, 7806, 7820, 7847, 7898, 7909, 7922, 7945, 8000, 8051, 8197, 8348, 8385, 8435, 8461, 8499, 8671, 8835, 8887, 8888, 8908, 8976, 9076, 9166, 9167, 9317, 9490, 9526, 9599, 9600, 9622, 9717, 9921

‘Manjummel Boys’ Sweeps Kerala State Film Awards with 10 Wins; Mammootty Bags Record 8th Best Actor Award

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‘Manjummel Boys’ Sweeps Kerala State Film Awards with 10 Wins; Mammootty Bags Record 8th Best Actor Award

THRISSUR: The 55th Kerala State Film Awards for 2024 were announced today, with the phenomenal box-office hit ‘Manjummel Boys’ emerging as the dominant winner, securing a total of 10 awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Chidambaram), and Best Screenplay.

In a historic win, Malayalam superstar Mammootty was named Best Actor for his riveting performance as Kodumon Potti in the horror film ‘Bhramayugam.’ This marks the actor’s eighth time receiving the prestigious Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. Shamla Hamsa took home the Best Actress award for her unforgettable portrayal of Fathima in ‘Feminichi Fathima.’

The awards were announced by Cultural Minister Saji Cheriyan at Ramanilayam in Thrissur. The final jury, led by veteran actor Prakash Raj, considered 38 films shortlisted after evaluation by the preliminary jury.

Major Award Highlights

  • Best Film: Manjummel Boys
  • Best Director: Chidambaram (Manjummel Boys)
  • Best Actor: Mammootty (Bhramayugam) – Record 8th Win
  • Best Actress: Shamla Hamsa (Feminichi Fathima)
  • Best Popular Film: Premalu
  • Best Screenplay: Chidambaram (Manjummel Boys)
  • Best Character Actor: Soubin Shahir (Manjummel Boys) & Siddharth Bharathan (Bhramayugam)
  • Best Character Actress: Lijomol (Nadantha Sambhavam)

Key Technical and Special Awards

  • Special Jury Award (Film): Paradise (Directed by Prasanna Vithanage)
  • Special Jury Mention (Acting): Jyothirmayi (Bougainvillea), Darshana Rajendran (Paradise), Tovino Thomas (ARM), and Asif Ali (Kishkintha Kandam).
  • Best Cinematography: Shyju Khalid (Manjummel Boys)
  • Best Music Director: Sushin Shyam
  • Best Background Score: Christo Xavier (Bhramayugam)
  • Best Playback Singer (Male): Harishankar (ARM)
  • Best Playback Singer (Female): Seba Tomy (Um Um)
  • Best Lyricist: Vedan (Viyarppu Thunniyitta Kuppayam – Manjummel Boys)

Shashi Tharoor Launches Fresh Attack on Nehru-Gandhi Family, Calls Dynastic Politics a ‘Threat to Indian Democracy’

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Shashi Tharoor Launches Fresh Attack on Nehru-Gandhi Family, Calls Dynastic Politics a ‘Threat to Indian Democracy’

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again launched sharp criticism against the Nehru-Gandhi family, with his latest remarks published in an article in the Malayalam daily Mangalam. The article strongly critiques dynastic politics, indirectly targeting Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi.

In his column, Tharoor asserted that dynastic politics poses a fundamental threat to Indian democracy. He argued that prioritizing lineage over experience is detrimental and leads to a decline in the quality of administrative leadership.

Tharoor further alleged that the political influence of the Nehru-Gandhi family has permeated other parties as well. He noted that often, the only qualification for a candidate becomes their family name. According to the MP, such leaders frequently fail to effectively engage with their constituents and are not held accountable by the public for poor performance.

Tharoor advocated for meritocracy over dynastic succession, stressing the need for internal party elections to select leaders based on competence. He also called for legal reforms to end family dominance in politics.

Tharoor’s controversial article appears to validate the BJP’s long-standing accusation that the Congress party is defined by dynastic rule. This latest attack follows a brief lull after recent controversial remarks made by Tharoor against the party, which had previously put the Congress leadership in a difficult position.

Pranav Mohanlal’s ‘Dies Irae’ Storms Box Office, Races Towards ₹50 Crore Global Milestone

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Pranav Mohanlal’s ‘Dies Irae’ Storms Box Office, Races Towards ₹50 Crore Global Milestone

KOCHI: Pranav Mohanlal’s latest venture, the horror film Dies Irae, is making a colossal impact at the box office, with reports suggesting the film is rapidly approaching the ₹50 crore global collection mark. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for his unique magic in the horror genre (like Bhoothakaalam and Bhramayugam), Dies Irae is being hailed as the most significant performance and film of Pranav Mohanlal’s career.

The film’s collection figures demonstrate its massive popularity, particularly during its opening weekend:

  • Sunday Surge: Reports indicate that Dies Irae earned a staggering ₹6.35 crore on its first Sunday alone.
  • Indian Box Office: Within just three days of release, the movie has already collected ₹16 crore from the Indian box office.
  • Global Collection: With a simultaneous global release, the film’s total worldwide gross is nearing ₹40 crore, putting it on a fast track to hit the coveted ₹50 crore milestone.

Record-Breaking Opening & Box Office History

Dies Irae started strong right out of the gate, setting new benchmarks for the Malayalam film industry:

  • Opening Day: The film collected ₹4.5 crore on its first day.
  • Premiere Impact: Pre-release premiere shows on the night before the official release reportedly earned close to ₹1 crore.
  • Ticket Sales Dominance: The movie registered huge advance sales on platforms like BookMyShow, selling 2.38 lakh tickets on its opening day. This figure surpassed the first-day ticket sales of major blockbusters like Manjummel Boys, Marco, Loka, and Hridayapoorvam.
  • A-Certificate Record: Furthermore, Dies Irae has broken the record for the biggest opening for an ‘A’ certified Malayalam film, surpassing the previous record held by Marco.

Pranav Mohanlal’s performance has been highlighted as a career best, supported by strong roles from Jibin Gopinath, Arun Ajikumar, and Jaya Kurup.

‘Never Again to Kerala’: Munnar Taxi Mafia Threatens Tourists and Assaults App-Based Drivers

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‘Never Again to Kerala’: Munnar Taxi Mafia Threatens Tourists and Assaults App-Based Drivers

MUNNAR, KERALA: A recent viral video shared by a Mumbai-based tourist detailing a harrowing experience with local taxi drivers and alleged police inaction in Munnar has exposed a deep-rooted issue plaguing one of Kerala’s premier tourist destinations. The tourist’s video, stating she would “never visit Kerala again,” highlights that the harassment faced by those using low-cost, app-based taxi services is not an isolated incident.

This conflict flares up frequently as local taxi drivers reportedly target app-based (online) taxi operators, accusing them of providing cheaper fares and taking away their business. This aggressive resistance has turned violent, directly affecting tourist safety and damaging Kerala’s reputation as a welcoming destination.

Brutal Attacks on App Drivers

The report states that local taxi drivers routinely assault and vandalize vehicles belonging to online taxi drivers from outside the district.

  • Recent Incident: This past June, E. Swapnesh (45), an app-based taxi driver, was severely assaulted, and his vehicle was vandalized near Chekuthanmukku, Anachal. After dropping off tourists, he was confronted by a group of local drivers. Although a temporary truce was mediated by the police, the group later attacked Swapnesh while he was resting in a hotel parking lot in Chittirapuram, leaving him injured and requiring hospitalization.
  • Growing Pattern: This attack on Swapnesh is reportedly the fifth such incident against app-based taxi drivers in just a few months.

Resistance to Tourism Innovation

The local taxi lobby’s resistance extends beyond app-based cars to other tourist-friendly transport options. Two years ago, a fleet of 15 two-wheeler rental bikes, brought in from Tamil Nadu to offer tourists low-cost, convenient transport similar to models successfully implemented in tourist hubs like Goa, had to be withdrawn. Local taxi drivers protested, arguing that the rental bikes would significantly impact their business, leading to heated arguments and the eventual removal of the vehicles.

While the State Government promotes various schemes to boost tourism, these repeated incidents of harassment and violence against innovative and affordable transport options directly contradict the goal of providing a pleasant visitor experience.

Gold Price Jumps Back in Kerala: Sovereign Rises by ₹120 Amid Global Volatility

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Gold Price Jumps Back in Kerala: Sovereign Rises by ₹120 Amid Global Volatility

KOCHI: The price of gold in Kerala registered an upward movement today, halting recent fluctuations. The rate for a sovereign (8 grams) of 22-carat gold increased by ₹120, while the price per gram rose by ₹15.

Following the hike, the current trading price for a standard one-sovereign of gold stands at ₹90,320, and a single gram is priced at ₹11,290. The price of 18-carat gold also saw an increase, rising by ₹10 per gram to reach ₹9,280.

Market Dynamics and International Trends

The domestic gold price continues to reflect global and stock market movements. This rise follows a period of extreme volatility:

  • Recent Highs & Dips: The price had jumped by a cumulative ₹1,320 per sovereign last Friday before dipping by ₹200 on Saturday.
  • International Recovery: On the international front, the price per ounce, which had dropped as low as $3,962, has now recovered to trade around the $4,014 level, influencing the domestic market.

Silver Price Also Climbs

The price of silver also registered an increase today. One gram of 916 hallmarked silver rose by ₹3 and is currently trading at ₹160.

Mega Blow to Anil Ambani: ED Freezes Over 40 Reliance Group Assets Worth ₹3,084 Cr in Money Laundering Probe

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Mega Blow to Anil Ambani: ED Freezes Over 40 Reliance Group Assets Worth ₹3,084 Cr in Money Laundering Probe

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani’s business entities, attaching over 40 assets related to the group valued at more than ₹3,084 crore as part of a major money laundering investigation.

The provisional attachment, executed on October 31, 2025, under Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is linked to the alleged Yes Bank-Reliance loan fraud case.

The seized properties include Ambani’s residential unit in Pali Hill, Mumbai, as well as various offices, residential units, and land parcels across several cities, including Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Pune, Thane, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and East Godavari.

The Yes Bank-Reliance Loan Fraud Case

The current probe centers on the diversion of public funds by Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL). Between 2017 and 2019, Yes Bank invested approximately ₹2,965 crore in RHFL and ₹2,045 crore in RCFL. These investments subsequently turned into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) by December 2019.

The ED investigation revealed that funds raised by the Reliance Anil Ambani Group via mutual funds were routed through Yes Bank into the group’s companies to bypass SEBI regulations. Furthermore, RHFL and RCFL allegedly used these funds to grant loans to other connected entities within the Reliance Anil Ambani Group. The ED highlighted several irregularities in the loan sanctions, including the rapid approval of loans, inadequate due diligence, and failure to register collateral.

RCom Fraud Investigation Also Escalates

The ED has also ramped up its inquiry into the loan fraud involving Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM). The agency found that the company allegedly diverted over ₹13,600 crore, of which approximately ₹12,600 crore was routed to related parties. The ED stated that the assets attached in these cases would ultimately benefit the general public.

‘A Different Boost’: World Cup Star Shafali Verma Credits Sachin Tendulkar’s Presence for Final Heroics

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‘A Different Boost’: World Cup Star Shafali Verma Credits Sachin Tendulkar’s Presence for Final Heroics

NAVI MUMBAI, November 3, 2025 — After emerging as the unlikely bowling hero in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup, where India secured a historic victory over South Africa, young sensation Shafali Verma revealed the unexpected source of her motivation: batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

​Verma, who delivered a game-changing spell after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur handed her the ball, credited seeing her idol in the stands for providing an extra spark during the high-pressure clash.

​”When I saw Sachin sir, I got a different boost,” Verma told the media, reflecting on the moments before her heroics. The young opener, who is a regular recipient of guidance from the legend, highlighted the profound impact of his support on her game.

​”I keep talking to Sachin sir. He always gives me confidence. And I think they are legends. They are masters of cricket. But I got a lot of inspiration from them. I get a lot of inspiration when I talk to them. I got a lot of inspiration after seeing them,” she added.

​Verma’s revelation underscores the inspirational role of the ‘Master Blaster’ for a new generation of Indian cricketers. Her confidence, backed by advice from one of the sport’s greatest, proved pivotal as India successfully chased down the World Cup dream.

India Triumphs in Women’s World Cup 2025, Harmanpreet Kaur Declares: ‘This is Not the End’

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India Triumphs in Women’s World Cup 2025, Harmanpreet Kaur Declares: ‘This is Not the End’

NAVI MUMBAI, November 3, 2025 — The long-cherished dream of Indian women’s cricket was finally realised late Sunday night as a fearless Team India, led by the mercurial Harmanpreet Kaur, outlasted South Africa by 52 runs in a captivating final to lift their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup crown.

​While the nation celebrated the historic victory, it was the skipper’s powerful declaration that set the tone for the future. In an emotionally charged post-match ceremony, Kaur declared, “This is not the end – it’s the start of a new chapter. We wanted to break this barrier. And our next plan is to make this a habit.”

​The journey from heartbreaks to history saw India post a formidable total of 298 for 7. In response, the Proteas were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, sealing India’s monumental triumph.

​A Moment of Legacy

​Kaur, who displayed a gamut of emotions from wild celebration after an epochal catch to an emotional embrace with coach Amol Muzumdar, ensured the victory was shared with the team’s pioneers. In a tear-jerking moment, the skipper called up two legends of Indian women’s cricket, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, to hold the coveted trophy, acknowledging their unfinished journey. Deputy Smriti Mandhana joined the hug with a heartfelt, “Didi, yeh aapke liye thaa (Sister, this is for you).”

​The Gut Feeling

​The final’s turning point came when Kaur, channelling a ‘gut feeling’ reminiscent of Kapil Dev’s captaincy, tossed the ball to the relatively inexperienced Shafali Verma. Verma, who had only bowled 14 overs in her entire ODI career, proved to be the trump card, taking two crucial wickets that sparked the South African collapse.

​”When Laura and Sune were batting, they were looking really good. I just saw Shafali standing there… I thought I had to go with my gut feeling,” Kaur explained. Verma, inspired by her idol Sachin Tendulkar who was in the stands, delivered on her captain’s faith, expressing her joy: “I said at the start that God has sent me here to do something nice, and that reflected today.”

​With the barrier finally broken, Kaur’s declaration solidifies a new, aggressive vision for Indian women’s cricket: that this golden moment is merely the foundation for a dynasty.

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