Kerala News HIGHLIGHTS: Rahul Gandhi extends wishes to UDF candidate Chandy Oommen for Puthuppally bypoll

Kerala News HIGHLIGHTS: Rahul Gandhi extends wishes to UDF candidate Chandy Oommen for Puthuppally bypoll. The bypolls will be held on September 5 in Puthuppally constituency.

8.30 PM: Rahul Gandhi extends wishes to UDF candidate Chandy Oommen for Puthuppally bypoll

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wished UDF candidate Chandy Oommen success in the Puthuppally by-elections. He also assessed the UDF activities in the by-elections. Gandhi, who was on a visit to Wayanad for the first time after being reinstated as MP, had a telephone conversation with Chandy Oommen. He told Chandy Oommen that he should achieve a resounding victory in the by-elections and follow his father's path and work for the people. 

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4.15 PM: ED arrests TN Minister Senthil Balaji's brother in Kochi

In connection with a money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained RV Ashok, the brother of Senthil Balaji, a minister in Tamil Nadu in Kochi. According to reports, the Minister's brother missed multiple summonses from the central investigating agency, which led to his custody. 

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3.30 PM: Congress leader thrashed to death in Thiruvananthapuram over family dispute

A Congress leader, Sam J Vatsalam was allegedly beaten to death in Thiruvananthapuram over a family dispute on Saturday evening. The police have arrested three people in connection with the case. Vatsalam was the former Karshaka Congress Assembly Constituency president.

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2.30 PM: Decomposed body of six-month-old child found in Pathanamthitta

In a mysterious circumstance, a six-month-old baby girl's body was found in a swampy area near Pulikeezhu junction in Thiruvalla on Saturday. The body was found in a decomposed state and the police suspected a case of murder in the incident. 

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1.30 PM: Kerala: Charred body of missing man found in paddy field in Kozhikode 

The burnt remains of a human person were discovered on Sunday morning in Ulloor, close to Koyilandy. When locals saw a pair of charred legs, they called the police.

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12.30 PM: Five youths arrested in Malappuram for circulating video of hurling bombs at police station

The Melattur police detained a gang of five youths on Saturday for allegedly creating and sharing a video depicting them throwing a bomb at a police station. The police arrested Poduvannikkal natives Mohamed Riyas (25), Mohamed Hawaz (22), Salim (20), Muhammad Jasim (19) and Salmanul Fariz (19) and Salmanul Fariz (19). The video was posted by Mohammed Riyas on Instagram.

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11.30 AM: Veena Vijayan's irregular financial dealings will be investigated: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan

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10.45 AM: Monson Mavunkal fraud case: ED issues notice to KPCC chief K Sudhakaran; directs to appear for interrogation

The president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), K Sudhakaran, has received a notice from the Enforcement Directorate directing him to appear for questioning in the Monson Mavunkal fraud case. On August 18, he must appear at the ED office in Kochi.

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10.15 AM: NIA conducts raids at former PFI activists in Malappuram

On Sunday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids in a number of locations in Malappuram. It is known that the inspections took place at the homes of four former members of the Popular Front of India (PFI), a banned Islamist organization. These members are Hamsa, a native of Vengara, Tirur native Yahutty, Tanur native Haneefa and Rangattoor native Jaffar.

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9.30 AM: CM Vijayan watches 'Jailer' with family in Thiruvananthapuram

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8.50 AM: Centre rejects Kerala's request to interfere in hike in flight charges during Onam season

The Central Government has rejected Kerala's request to intervene in the hike of flight charges during the Onam season. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the final decision on ticket prices is taken by the airline companies. He noted that only a 9.77 percent hike has been observed in the ticket fares. 

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8.25 AM: CPM to convene state committee meeting today

The CPM state committee will convene meetings on Saturday and Sunday in the backdrop of the Puthuppaly bypolls. The committee is also likely to discuss Veena Vijayan's 'payment' controversy though they have backed the Chief Minister. 

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8.15 AM: Puthuppally bypoll: BJP to announce its candidate today

The BJP is expected to announce its candidate for Puthuppally by-election today. The CPM has fielded Jaick C Thomas and the UDF has fielded Chandy Oommen for the tough fight. The election will occur on September 5 and the counting of votes on September 8.