Mishra's death is a loss to country

NEW DELHI, Feb 15 (UNI): Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan today described Vidya Niwas Mishra a visionary and said in his death, the country has lost a great scholar and patriot.

Nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2003, Mishra was a visionary, undoubtedly a great scholar, who had great interest in literature and art, he said in a statement.

He said Mishra had also participated in the freedom struggle as a student and as a teacher.

Voters boycott poll on development issue PATNA, Feb 15 (UNI): Large number of voters in Bihar boycotted polling in the second phase of assembly elections to express their anguish over backwardness in their respective regions.

Voters did not cast their votes at booth numbers 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 120 under Madhepura constituency on issue of development, according to official sources here.

Voters also boycotted polling at 169 (A) and 169 (B) in Saharsa as they were not satisfied with development work in their region.

Voters at polling booths 185, 186, 187, 188 and 190 in Saharsa district boycotted poll as they were demanding inclusion of their areas in Madhepura district in the hope that it would bring them prosperity.

Villagers of Balia in Madhubani also boycotted polls as EVMs could not start functioning till 1000 hours.

Meanwhile, malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were reported from several places, causing consternation among voters and also political parties.

Official sources said here polling was delayed by more than three hours at polling booth 162 in Purnea as EVM developed snags.

Party supporters damaged EVMs at polling booth number 186 and also misbehaved with a presiding officer.

Polling was also delayed at booth number 12 in Begusarai, booth number 84 in Munger and booth numbers 94, 95, 116 and 117 in Saharsa as EVMs could not start functioning on time.