No 13252, Thursday 20 May 2021, Lightning

Lockdown Day 22 of 26 Stay Safe

Solution to 24D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Biased aspirant at fault (8) PARTISAN*

5   I am returning to gobble top third of snack with drink (6) MIMOSA {I'M<=}{saMOSA}

9   Mockery aside, left to go to dirty place (8) TRAVESTY {TRAVEl}{STY}

10 Road prop two engineers replaced for all to see (6) STREET STR(-u+ee)EET

12 The Spanish doctor moving ahead — very bright one (5) RIGEL {EL}<=>{RIG}

13 Move rector with his persuasive speeches (9) RHETORICS {RECTOR+HIS}*

14 Light source oddly placed on stairs with oxygen, perhaps? (6) SARGAS {StAiRs}{GAS}

16 In a separate place like below (7) ASUNDER {AS}{UNDER}

19 Wear pants again to compensate? (7) REDRESS {RE-DRESS}

21 Compel guard leaving Vatican City church (6) COERCE {COvER}{CE}

23 Let loose panther on monument in Greece (9) PARTHENON {PANTHER}*{ON}

25 One learning it could dilate (5) PUPIL [DD}

26 It illuminates honorable man joining institute in America (6) SIRIUS {SIR}{I}{US}

27 Rebellion in state growing (8) UPRISING {UP}{RISING}

28 Mislead the Spanish chap to go around (6) DELUDE {D{EL}UDE}

29 Are gents revolting to separate? (8) ESTRANGE*

DOWN

1   Apostle (saint) dwindles away (6) PETERS {PETER}{S}

2   This action could result in a draw (9) REARGUARD [CD]

3   One agreement is perfect (5) IDEAL {1}{DEAL}

4   Can’t a research showcase a star? (7) ANTARES [T]

6   Announce new reduction (9) INTRODUCE*

7   Segment of globe lifted with daggers (5) OBELI [T]

8   Music perhaps — one’s attempt with skill and imagination (8) ARTISTRY {ART}{1'S}{TRY}

11 It shines in American city for the most part (4) VEGA VEGAs

15 Ground  dry enough for racer (9) GREYHOUND*

17 Last month, on extended play, one disrupting century with guile (9) DECEPTION {DEC}{EP}{T{1}ON}

18 Suggested to poke around cause (8) PROPOSED {PRO{POSE}D}

20 Croon without fluctuation (4) SING [CD] (Addendum - {SwING} - See comments)

21 Dismiss artistic work on celestial body (7) CANOPUS {CAN}{OPUS}

22 At first patient leaves with fit of shivering — it could be deadly (6) PLAGUE {Pa...t}{Le...s}{AGUE}

24 Right — please exit more than one countryside (5) R?R?L (Addendum - RURAL {R}{plURAL} - See comments)

25 Former chief of community (5) PRIOR [DD]

Reference List

Engineer = E, For all to see = U, The in Spanish = EL, Vatican city = V, Church = CE, Institute = I, State = UP, Saint = S, Extended play = EP, With = W, Please = PL