Kerala News HIGHLIGHTS: Will BJP field Padmaja Venugopal in Chalakudy for Lok Sabha polls?

4.00 PM: Limiting driving tests by 50 per day withdrawn after massive protests

It was decided to limit the number of tests by an MVI to 50 on a day, however, after massive protests the decision was withdrawn. 

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2.30 PM: Three arrested in Kasaragod youth's death

Three persons have been arrested in connection with the beating and death of 21-year-old Muhammad Arif in Manjeswaram, Kasaragod. Manjeswaram Police arrested Abdul Rasheed, Shaukat and Siddique from Kunchathur Kanyathirtha. Arif (21), a native of Miyapadav, died last Monday. During the police investigation, Arif's death was proved to be murder. The preliminary post-mortem report stated that the cause of death was internal bleeding due to beating. 

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1.30 PM: Class 12 student kills self in Wayanad

A plus two student who was undergoing treatment at the hospital died after attempting suicide. Shibila Sherin (17), daughter of Kabir-Jamshina couple died while undergoing treatment. Shibila was found hanging in her bedroom on Tuesday evening by her family.

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12.00 PM: Karunakaran Family Drama: Padmaja hits back at Muraleedharan; says brother's anguish on joining BJP laughable

Responding to Muraleedharan, Padmaja Venugopal said, "I feel like laughing when I hear my brother (Muraleedharan). How much pain he caused to our father. I never caused any pain to my father until his death. I can understand what others say about my father, but when I hear my brother mentioning 'father's soul' and such, it makes me laugh."

Read More: Karunakaran Family Drama: Padmaja hits back at Muraleedharan; says brother's anguish on joining BJP laughable

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11.45 AM: Mother, child killed after being hit by train in Kottayam

A mother and child died after being hit by a train in Kottayam. The incident took place at around 10.45 am near the railway bridge near the 101 intersection of Kottayam. It is reported that a woman from another state and a five-year-old child have died. Their name or other information could not be identified. It is believed that the Thiruvananthapuram-Hyderabad Sabari Express hit both of them. 

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11.00 AM: Will BJP field Padmaja Venugopal in Chalakudy for Lok Sabha polls?

Padmaja Venugopal may contest from Chalakudy constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is planning to take over the seat contested by its ally BDJS. Candidates for these seats have not been announced yet. Sitting MP Benny Bahnan himself will be the Congress candidate in the constituency. Meanwhile, CPM has announced CM Ravindranath as a candidate in the constituency and has started campaigning. Padmaja responded that she is joining the BJP without any conditions and is leaving the Congress to work with peace of mind.

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10.20 PM: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar to visit Kerala tomorrow

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar will be the Chief Guest at the Rajanaka Puraskar conferring event in Thiruvananthapuram.

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9.50 AM: Padmaja's entry to BJP: K Muraleedharan likely to re-think contesting from Vadakara for LS polls

After his sister Padmaja's confirmation of joining the BJP, K Muraleedharan is likely to withdraw from contesting from Vadakara for Lok Sabha polls. According to reports, discussions are on with the senior leaders.

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9.30 AM: Tribal youth injured in wild boar attack in Nilambur

On Wednesday, a tribal youth named Akhil (25), son of Vijayan, sustained injuries in a wild boar attack at Palakkayam Kattunaikka colony. Akhil and his seven friends were collecting honey in the Kanjirappuzha forest area when a wild boar appeared suddenly from behind a fallen tree. In their bid to escape, the group climbed a nearby tree, but Akhil was bitten on the leg while ascending. Despite the attack, he managed to reach safety at the top of the tree.

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9.00 AM: 3 migrant workers killed in landslide at Piravom construction site

Three migrant workers tragically lost their lives in a landslide at a construction site located in Piravom's Peppathy. The incident occurred around 4 pm on Wednesday while soil was being excavated for building construction purposes.

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8.30 AM: Sabari K Rice distribution to begin on March 12

The distribution of rice under the K Rice brand by the state government will start from the 12th said Food Minister G R Anil. He said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the state-level distribution on the 12th in Thiruvananthapuram. Sabari K-Rice (Jaya), Sabari K-Rice (Kurua) and Sabari K-Rice (Matta) are available in the market. The minister also informed that Jaya rice will be distributed at the rate of Rs.29 per kg and Matta rice and Kurua rice at the rate of Rs.30 per kg.

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8.10 AM: Former Kerala CM's daughter Padmaja Venugopal to join BJP today

 The daughter of late Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, Padmaja Venugopal is reportedly set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, after discussions with the party's national leaders in Delhi. Padmaja, the current General Secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), reportedly feels sidelined by the party leadership, leading to her decision to switch parties.

Read More: Another huge blow for Congress; Late Congress CM Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal to join BJP today