Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Vijay unveils TVK manifesto

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: The manifesto promises Rs 2,500 per month for women below 60 years of age and six free cooking gas cylinders annually per family.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and candidate from the Tiruchirappalli East constituency, Vijay, during a roadshow ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly electionsTamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and candidate from the Tiruchirappalli East constituency, Vijay, during a roadshow ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. (PTI Photo)

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: With a week to go for Assembly polls, election campaigns have intensified in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal. During Cooch Behar’s Mathabhanga poll rally, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that linking the women’s reservation bill with the delimitation process is a conspiracy to delete names from electoral rolls and implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

“Attempts are being made to divide India by linking women’s reservation and delimitation bills. Connecting these bills is a conspiracy to delete voters’ names and implement NRC,” Banerjee said.

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MK Stalin’s defiance against delimitation bill

Marking a strong defiance against the Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin burnt a copy of the proposed delimitation bill in Namakkal and launched statewide protests by raising a black flag. Clad in black attire, the DMK leader continued his campaign in the district on Thursday.

Addressing the issue, Stalin said, “Today is a very important day. I am wearing a black shirt to oppose the delimitation bill. The union government is trying to reduce the representation of Tamil Nadu. Using the elections in the state, the union government is attempting to divert us from the election and enact the delimitation”.
He said that if the Bill is passed in its current form, Tamil Nadu, which expects 59 seats, would instead receive only 47 seats.

AIADMK candidate R Santhanakrishnan and fledgling TVK’s V S Babu are locked in a fierce triangular contest with Stalin, who is contesting for the fourth time from Chennai’s Kolathur Assembly constituency. Despite the high stakes, both Santhanakrishnan and Babu have been actively campaigning in this constituency in north Chennai.

Live Updates
Apr 16, 2026 09:13 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: No CM speculation before results, say Congress leaders

KPCC chief Sunny Joseph has asked party leaders and workers to refrain from commenting on the Congress Chief Ministerial candidate. He said the party high command will decide the CM after the Kerala Assembly election results are announced on May 4.

On the same issue, senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, Benny Behanan, and K Muraleedharan also advised party members to avoid making statements. They said it is inappropriate for leaders to comment or post on social media in support of any CM candidate at this stage, before the results are declared.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 08:11 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Abhishek Banerjee questions BJP on UCC, Kurmali recognition

At a poll rally in Gopiballavpur in West Bengal's Jhargram district, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee questioned BJP over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the pending recognition of the Kurmali language.

Banerjee claimed that the implementation of the UCC in West Bengal would adversely affect members of Scheduled Tribes.

He also pointed out the lack of progress on the demand to include Kurmali language, as a recognised language, noting it is spoken by a large population across several parts of the state.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 07:14 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: 'Stalin spreading false claims on delimitation,' claims AIADMK General Secretary

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is spreading misinformation about the delimitation bill. He linked Stalin's protests to fears of defeat in the upcoming Assembly election.

During a poll rally in Coimbatore, Palaniswami said "Stalin fears defeat in the April 9 Assembly polls and spreads misinformation about the constituency delimitation proposal".

He added that the central government has already assured that Tamil Nadu will not be affected and delimitation process will be carried out fairly across all states.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 06:02 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Rs 25 lakh health cover, jobs push in TVK manifesto

The TVK manifesto also proposes Rs 25 lakh health insurance per family, modern hospitals, annual free health check-ups, and a drug-free Tamil Nadu.

Additionally, it promises pensions of Rs 3,000 for the elderly and differently abled, 5 lakh internships with stipends, 5 lakh new government jobs, and Rs 4,000 per month for unemployed graduates.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 06:00 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Rs 25 lakh health cover, jobs push in TVK manifesto

The TVK manifesto proposes Rs 25 lakh health insurance per family, modern hospitals, annual free health check-ups, and a drug-free Tamil Nadu.

Additionally, it promises pensions of Rs 3,000 for the elderly and differently abled, 5 lakh internships with stipends, 5 lakh new government jobs, and Rs 4,000 per month for unemployed graduates.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 05:43 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Vijay unveils TVK manifesto

TVK chief Vijay released the party's manifesto, announcing a series of welfare measures ahead of the elections.

The manifesto promises Rs 2,500 per month for women below 60 years of age and six free cooking gas cylinders annually per family. It also includes silk sarees and 8 grams of gold for women from indigent sections at the time of marriage.

For government employees, Vijay assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.

Farmers owning less than 5 acres of land will receive a full waiver of agricultural crop loans. To reduce school dropouts, the party has promised Rs 15,000 per year for mothers or guardians of children studying in government or state-aided schools.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 05:01 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Yogi targets TMC, calls Bengal a ‘crime capital’

During a series of poll rallies in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged that the ruling TMC has pushed the state into an "identity crisis" over the past 15 years, with corruption, extortion, and he compared the rule to "mafia rule".

"The TMC has turned Bengal from the cultural capital of India into a crime capital. A BJP government will once again make Bengal the cultural capital of the country," Yogi said.

Yogi was campaigning in support of BJP candidates for the upcoming elections in Birbhum's Rampurhat and Bolpur, as well as Paschim Bardhaman's Barabani.

"For the last 15 years, Bengal has been facing an identity crisis. Terror, extortion, corruption and mafia raj have become the state's identity under the TMC," he added.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 03:32 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Women voters key in Samserganj, Lalgola amid roll deletions

Women voters in migrant-dominated belts of West Bengal's Samserganj and Lalgola are emerging as a decisive force in the upcoming election.

During the electoral revision, authorities deleted around 92,000 names from Samserganj area and nearly 69,000 from Lalgola area, according to PTI.

The deletions have triggered anxiety among women residents, many of whom are reportedly carrying Aadhaar cards, ration cards and voter cards to booth level offices for verifications.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 03:06 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Mamata alleges 'conspiracy' linking women's quota, delimitation

During a poll rally in Cooch Behar's Mathabhanga, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that linking the women's reservation bill with the delimitation process is a conspiracy to delete names from electoral rolls and implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"Attempts are being made to divide India by linking women's reservation and delimitation bills. Connecting these bills is a conspiracy to delete voters' names and implement NRC," Banerjee said.

(PTI)

Apr 16, 2026 02:02 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: TMC making false claims that BJP would stop fish consumption if it wins Bengal polls: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday accused the TMC of making false claims that the BJP would stop consumption of meat and fish if it wins the assembly polls in West Bengal.

Addressing a poll rally in support of BJP candidates here in north Bengal, Sarma asserted that one can eat as much non-vegetarian food as one wants in saffron party-ruled Assam. He said that the only restriction in Assam is on consumption of beef.

"You can go to Dhubri or Goalpara and eat fish and meat as much as you want; there is no restriction," Sarma said.

"(CM) Mamata Banerjee is worried that once a BJP government is formed in West Bengal, the beef trade here will stop," he alleged.

The Assam chief minister also claimed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) wants cattle smuggling to Bangladesh to "continue so that they can fill their pockets".

Central investigating agencies, including the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, have been probing alleged cattle smuggling from West Bengal to Bangladesh.

Sarma said West Bengal requires a government capable of providing proper "treatment" to Bangladeshi immigrants, who entered the state illegally.

"We have to make the BJP victorious in West Bengal in this election to ensure this," he said.

Sarma said that the BJP government in Assam has ensured that Bangladeshi Muslims do not illegally occupy land in the northeastern state.

"We evicted them from illegally occupied land," he said.

Noting that Assam government employees get 50 per cent dearness allowance, Sarma also said despite West Bengal being a much bigger state, government employees here receive "only 22 per cent DA".

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

PTI

Apr 16, 2026 11:22 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Clad in black, Stalin fiercely campaigns in Namakkal after burning copy of delimitation bill

With a week to go for Assembly polls, election campaigns have intensified in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal. Marking a strong defiance against the Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin burnt a copy of the proposed delimitation bill and raised black flag to kick off statewide protests against it. Clad in black attire, the DMK leader continued to campaign in Namakkal on Thursday.

Apr 15, 2026 01:55 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: TMC, BJP trade charges on campaign trail during Bengali New Year

The morning of 'Poila Boisakh' witnessed high-decibel campaigning in West Bengal on Wednesday, as senior leaders of the ruling TMC and the BJP traded charges over cultural identity and governance on the occasion of the Bengali New Year.

State minister and TMC leader Aroop Biswas led a vibrant procession from the Garia Bramhapur area in south Kolkata, centred on the theme of 'Maach-Bhaat-e-Bangali' (Bengalis swear by fish and rice), where he alleged that the BJP would impose curbs on fish and meat consumption if it comes to power.

The rally featured colourful tiger and owl masks, reminiscent of traditional festivities. Women participants wore white sarees with red borders, while others donned themed t-shirts. (PTI)

Apr 15, 2026 01:33 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Will prioritise resolving Gorkha issue, withdraw cases against leaders after winning Bengal, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that once the BJP assumes power in West Bengal, it will prioritise resolving the Gorkha issue in Darjeeling and withdraw all cases registered against community leaders and workers for violent agitations in the past.

Shah, who was unable to reach the upper reaches of Lebong in the Darjeeling hills on account of unfavourable weather conditions, addressed the gathering through a recorded video message.

"I am deeply regretful of not being able to reach you today. But I promise you that I will meet you in person at the scheduled public meeting at Sukna in Kurseong on April 21, where I will discuss in detail the development plans we have for the people of Darjeeling," he said.

"For now, I will say that once we form the government in Bengal, our priority would be to resolve the Gorkha issue as quickly as possible. We will withdraw all pending police cases against Gorkha leaders and workers after we come to power in the state," he added. (PTI)

Apr 15, 2026 01:27 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Punjab CM condemns ED raids against AAP MP Ashok Mittal; BJP hits back

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate's raids at business entities linked to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, alleging that the BJP has begun its "preparations" for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.

The Punjab BJP leaders hit back at Mann and alleged that the AAP is a party of "thieves and robbers".

The ED on Wednesday conducted raids at the business and residential premises of Mittal in Punjab and Haryana as part of a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), officials said.

Mittal was recently appointed the deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, replacing MP Raghav Chadha. The 61-year-old AAP leader is also the Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara. (PTI)

Apr 15, 2026 12:36 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Assam LOP flags 'serious lapses' in securing strongrooms post Apr 9 polls

Leader of Opposition in Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has written to the Election Commission, alleging "serious breach" of norms in securing strongrooms designated for several constituencies, including Nazira, from where he is contesting as a Congress candidate.

In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel, he claimed "severe and alarming breach and violations" of EC guidelines in the handling, storage and security of post-poll election materials for the constituencies.

Saikia also provided "photographic and video evidence" along with the letter. (PTI)

Apr 15, 2026 12:34 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: BJP's Niladri Shekhar Dana campaigns on E-Rickshaw for Bengal polls

In a unique way of campaigning for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, BJP candidate Niladri Shekhar Dana from the Bankura constituency is campaigning on an e-rickshaw.

Along with Dana, a few other people were also seen following the rickshaw while chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." Dana said that at least 100 volunteers are working with him in the region. He further stated that the campaign is being conducted from 8 am to 9 pm, with door-to-door outreach across the constituency. He added that the entire region is chanting "Modi-Modi," and claimed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will be defeated and the BJP will win the election. (ANI)

Apr 15, 2026 10:12 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: 'DMK alliance to win more than 200 seats in Tamil Nadu polls': A Raja Perambalur

DMK MP and Deputy General Secretary, A Raja, has claimed that the Secular Progressive Alliance will win more than 200 of 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Speaking to ANI, A Raja termed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s ideology "alien" to the state and claimed that the people will not accept the party.

The DMK MP said, "The BJP will not be accepted by the people of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu will not accept any alien ideology, much less the BJP. DMK (alliance) will win more than 200 seats."

In the 2021 polls, the DMK-led alliance had won 159 seats with the DMK emerging as the largest party with 133 seats. With Congress winning 18 seats, VCK four and other alliance partners securing four seats, the Secular Progressive Alliance was well above the majority mark of 118. (ANI)

Apr 14, 2026 07:48 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: BJP schemes have ‘Ulterior Motive’, target Minorities, says Congress MLA Hasan Moulana

Hasan Moulana, Congress's MLA from the Velachery constituency saisd that BJP’s flagship schemes are driven by “ulterior motives” aimed at gaining power, claiming people are aware of this intent.

He said laws like the Wakf Amendment Act, FCRA, and CAA-NRC disproportionately affect minorities, adding that such policies target communities seen as non-BJP voters.

Apr 14, 2026 05:57 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: TVK chief Vijay meets supporters in Coimbatore during campaign

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay interacted with supporters and fans in Coimbatore during his election campaign.

The actor-turned-politician engaged with the crowd as part of his outreach ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

Apr 14, 2026 05:12 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Amit Shah targets TMC in Malda, promises crackdown on ‘cut money’ network

Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Bengal's Malda Dakshin, said, “As soon as a BJP government is formed on May 5, we will identify and send syndicate operators to jail.”

Alleging corruption in flood relief funds, he claimed “Rs 100 crore sent by Narendra Modi was lost to corruption” and accused the TMC leadership of handing Bengal over to syndicates.

Apr 14, 2026 04:52 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Owaisi in Malda says Muslims not outsiders, targets Mamata and Modi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, addressing a campaign rally in Malda, said "Mamata-Modi can't label us as outsiders," and asserted that the community will claim its rights, targeting both Mamata Banerjee and PM Narendra Modi.

PTI SHORTS | Mamata-Modi can't label us as outsiders, Muslims will claim their rights: AIMIM chief Owaisi

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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2026
Apr 14, 2026 03:44 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Shah promises AIIMS, IIT and Darjeeling-Sundarbans highway at Gangarampur rally

Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Gangarampur, said, “Under Mamata Didi’s rule, the health infrastructure has collapsed,” while promising an AIIMS, IIT and a highway from Darjeeling to the Sundarbans.

He added that the BJP will “include the Rajbanshi language in the Eighth Schedule” and find a “constitutional solution to the Gorkha issue without dividing Bengal.”

VIDEO | West Bengal Assembly Election 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a public meeting in Gangarampur. He says, “Under Mamata Didi’s rule, the health infrastructure has collapsed. I have come to tell you that we will build a major national highway from Darjeeling to… pic.twitter.com/dZ3baCWzBu
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2026
Apr 14, 2026 03:19 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi says BJP, RSS trying to weaken Constitution

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP and RSS are “attacking the Constitution and trying to weaken it” while addressing a rally in West Bengal's Murshidabad.

Apr 14, 2026 02:35 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: BJP seeks TMC candidate’s disqualification over ‘campaign by foreign nationals’ row

The BJP has approached the Election Commission seeking disqualification of TMC candidate Aditi Munshi, alleging that foreign nationals participated in her election campaign in West Bengal.

In its complaint, the party claimed Nigerian nationals were seen at a rally carrying TMC flags and raising slogans, calling it a violation of visa norms and electoral laws, and a “corrupt practice”.

Munshi’s husband and election agent Debraj Chakraborty rejected the charge, saying those present were “onlookers” who joined the rally on their own, with no involvement from the candidate.

Read more

Apr 14, 2026 02:12 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Stalin warns Centre over delimitation, threatens ‘massive agitation’

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday warned the Centre against pushing ahead with delimitation without wider consultation, saying the state would launch a “massive agitation” if its rights are affected.

In a video message, Stalin alleged the Union government was attempting to “bulldoze” constitutional changes during an ongoing election period, and said southern states could be unfairly impacted despite following population control measures.

He said Tamil Nadu would not remain silent if its interests were harmed, as the Centre prepares to take up proposals linked to delimitation and women’s reservation in a special Parliament session.

(With ANI Inputs)

Apr 14, 2026 01:20 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: TMC demands immediate release of arrested IPAC's director

TMC MP Direk O'Brien demands the immediate release of IPAC's director Vinesh Chandel, who was arrested ahead of West Bengal polls by the central agencies on Monday.

Chandel was arrested in connection with a money laundering probe linked to a case related to alleged illegal mining and transportation of coal in West Bengal, officials said on Monday.

Apr 14, 2026 12:54 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: ‘No confusion, high command will decide CM’, says Congress leader Chennithala

While speaking to PTI, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday said there is “no confusion” within the party over leadership, asserting that the high command will take a call on the chief ministerial face after the elections.

He was speaking during the Kerala campaign, added that the party remains united as it steps up efforts ahead of the Assembly polls.

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Apr 14, 2026 12:35 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Nadda accuses DMK of ‘demeaning Hindus’, cites Udhayanidhi’s Sanatan remark

Union Minister JP Nadda accused the DMK of “demeaning” Hindus and Sanatan traditions, referring to Udhayanidhi Stalin’s past remarks on Sanatan Dharma.

Addressing a rally, he alleged that such statements had brought “shame” to Tamil Nadu, as political rhetoric sharpens ahead of the Assembly elections.

Apr 14, 2026 12:33 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Stalin meets beneficiary of housing scheme in Vellore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin visited the home of a beneficiary of the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme in Vellore, highlighting the DMK government’s welfare outreach ahead of the Assembly elections.

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Apr 14, 2026 12:16 PM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Nadda attacks DMK, calls Tamil Nadu a ‘crime capital’ under its rule

Union Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday accused the DMK government of turning Tamil Nadu into a “crime capital”, alleging failures in governance across sectors.

Addressing a rally, he also criticised the party’s leadership structure, calling it “family-run”, and accused it of betraying the trust of women, youth and farmers ahead of the Assembly elections.

#watch | Union Minister JP Nadda says, "When I talk about Tamil Nadu, I always say that it is the cradle of one of the world's oldest civilisations. Every Indian is very proud of it... Today, this cultural capital has been converted into a crime capital... It is the DMK that made… https://t.co/2CYdLGhcHE pic.twitter.com/HhguuXUfCQ
— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2026
Apr 14, 2026 11:57 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu SM Stalin boards a bus and interacts with passengers aboard

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, boarded a government bus and interacted with passengers in Kilvaithinankuppam.

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Apr 14, 2026 11:28 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: VCK election manifesto promises 50% reservation for women

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: The VCK election manifesto promises 50% reservation for women and the enactment of a special law to prevent honour killings.

Apr 14, 2026 11:18 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Telangana and Karnataka CMs to campaign in Tamil Nadu, says TNCC incharge Girish Chodankar

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: TNCC incharge Girish Chodankar said, "Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Telangana and Karnataka chief ministers will campaign in the upcoming days."

Apr 14, 2026 11:10 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: After five years, Rahul gets set to begin Bengal campaign

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is going to start his campaign for the Congress in the West Bengal Assembly elections on Tuesday – five years after he undertook a poll campaign for his party in the state.

Rahul’s sister and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi, is also set to visit Bengal to canvass for the Congress candidates in the coming days.

Read full article here

Apr 14, 2026 11:08 AM IST
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: PM Modi backs women’s quota in 2029 polls

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday (Apr 14), said that implementing women’s reservation in the 2029 Lok Sabha and assembly elections will strengthen Indian democracy and representation. “With women excelling in several fields, it is only fitting that we increase the participation of women in legislative bodies. In fact, this is a subject on which there is broad consensus, not only in the present but also for several decades in the past,” he said. “Our democracy will become stronger and more vibrant if the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and various Assembly elections that year are held with women’s reservation fully in place,” PM Modi added.

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