Morning Brief: Counting Today In Haryana, J&K For First Results Since LS Polls; China's Vivo Siphoned Off Rs 70,000 Crore From India Under Guise Of Imports; And More

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning. 

Counting Today In Haryana, J&K For First Results Since LS Polls

Nearly 19 million votes cast in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana over the past three weeks will be counted starting at 8 am on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of the first major assembly elections since this summer’s Lok Sabha polls. The results will influence national politics and set the tone for upcoming state elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

According to the India Today-CVoter exit poll, the Congress is expected to perform strongly in the Haryana Assembly election, with the party and its allies projected to win 50–58 seats in the 90-member Assembly, up from 31 in 2019. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP, seeking a third consecutive term, may secure 20–28 seats, down from its previous 40.

In contrast, Jammu & Kashmir is expected to see a hung Assembly. The Congress-NC alliance is likely to win 40–48 seats, while the BJP may secure 27–32 seats, and the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP is projected to get 6–12 seats.

Vivo China Siphoned Off Rs 70,000 Crore Under Garb Of Imports

Vivo China allegedly siphoned off Rs 70,000 crore from India under the pretense of import payments, according to the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet. The company is accused of controlling Vivo India's operations remotely from a Hong Kong office, all while hiding its ownership to avoid detection by Indian authorities.

Between 2014 and 2023, Vivo India reportedly remitted over Rs 70,000 crore to overseas trading companies in Hong Kong, Samoa, and the British Virgin Islands, many of which were linked to Vivo China. The ED claims the actual proceeds of the crime amount to Rs 20,241 crore, with Vivo China using a complex structure to distance itself from Vivo India on paper while still maintaining control over its distribution network.

Other Developments

India Pledges Rs 6,300 Crore Support To Maldives

India agreed to provide over Rs 6,300 crore in financial support to help the Maldives overcome a foreign exchange crisis, as the two nations discussed a potential trade deal. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to India, aiming to reset strained bilateral relations.

Tensions had risen since Muizzu's election on an anti-India platform last November. This visit marks Muizzu's first bilateral trip to India since taking office, following his attendance at PM Modi’s swearing-in four months ago. This state visit is likely to help Muizzu tone down his anti-India rhetoric as he confronts the reality that he cannot ignore India, his country's largest economic and development partner.

Spacecraft Launched To Study Asteroid After Save-The-Earth Impact Test

European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft has embarked on a two-year long journey to a small, harmless asteroid that was rammed by NASA two years ago. This mission is forming the second part of a planetary defence test that aims to help save the planet in the event of a threatening asteroid. The 2022 impact by Dart had successfully shortened Dimorphos' orbit around its larger companion, demonstrating the potential to redirect hazardous asteroids with sufficient advance notice. Scientists are eager to analyse the results of the impact to assess Dart's effectiveness and identify if any changes are needed to protect Earth from future asteroid threats.

Chinese Drones Flying Over Border Villages In Himachal, Says Minister

Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Monday that multiple drones, potentially used for espionage, have been spotted over the border district of Kinnaur. Negi, a Congress MLA from Kinnaur, stated that villagers have informed him about these drones making several rounds over their communities during the past week. The drones have also been observed by state police officials and Army personnel, he said. Negi suggested that China might be utilising these drones for espionage due to an ongoing project related to road construction up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. However, there has been no confirmation from Himachal Police or the Indian Army regarding the origin of these drones.

From The States

'Neither Tired Nor Retired' Says Hood On Next Haryana CM Question

Ahead of the Haryana assembly poll results, senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda declared on Monday that he is "neither tired nor retired." The former chief minister stated he would accept whatever decision the party high command makes regarding the chief ministerial candidate but did not shy away from highlighting his record as chief minister from 2005 to 2014. When pressed on the question, he reiterated that the outcome will be acceptable to all, with other potential candidates including his son Deepender Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Surjewala.

J&K Lt Governor's MLA Nomination Power Triggers Controversy

The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor's authority to nominate five assembly members has sparked a major controversy in the Union Territory. The Congress, National Conference, and Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples' Democratic Party argue that this power will undermine the people's mandate and will be exploited to favour the BJP. Their concerns are amplified by exit polls suggesting a fractured mandate. Non-BJP parties claim that this special power granted to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha could be used to give the BJP an opportunity to form a government in Srinagar.

NC Open To Post-Poll Alliance With Mehbooba To Keep BJP Out

National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah stated on Monday that the party is open to a strategic post-poll alliance with Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party out of power following the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election. He expressed willingness to collaborate for the betterment of the state's people, emphasizing that they can remain rivals in elections while working together. However, Abdullah clarified that he would not seek the Chief Minister's position if the alliance wins, stating, "I have done my job." Omar Abdullah is likely to serve as Chief Minister if the alliance comes to power.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.