Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Highlights: Congress announces candidates for 6 Lok Sabha, 12 Assembly seats of Andhra Pradesh

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• 09 Apr 2024, 11:21 PM

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• 09 Apr 2024, 10:17 PM

  Congress released a list of 6 and 12 candidates for the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls respectively, for the state of Andhra Pradesh. 

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 09:07 PM

  Launching a scathing attack on the Congress party, Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that the Congress has promised in its manifesto that they would establish Muslim Personal Law in the country if voted to power.

  Addressing a public meeting in Assam's Lakhimpur, the Home Minister said that the people have to choose between PM Modi-led NDA and Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc.

  "You will have to decide on April 19 as to who will be your MP, which party will form the government and who shall be the next Prime Minister. You have two options. On one side you have the INDI alliance under Rahul Gandhi's leadership and on the other side, you have the BJP under Narendra Modi's leadership. You have to vote to keep in mind that Modi ji becomes Prime Minister for the third term and BJP will form the government with over 400 seats," Shah said. (ANI)

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 08:40 PM

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a roadshow in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, as a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign to gain a foothold in the southern states.This was PM Modi's second roadshow in Tamil Nadu in a month. The road show began near Panagal Park and concluded near Teynampet signal. 

  The Prime Minister campaigned for BJP's South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundarajan, Central Chennai candidate Vinoj P Selvam and North Chennai candidate Paul Kanagaraj.

  People were gathered in large numbers to witness the roadshow on both sides of the road and also showered petals on the Prime Minister.PM Modi was seen carrying the party's logo, 'Kamal' (Lotus) in his hand.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 07:58 PM

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that he is the "bhakt" of Mahakaal, adding that he bows only in front of the people of the country or in front of Mahakaal. Addressing a rally in Balaghat, PM Modi, extended his heartfelt greetings of Navratri to the people of Balaghat and remarked, "The land of Balaghat is a witness to the might of India's women power."

  "For decades post-independence, Congress clung to outdated notions, viewing India through the lens of poverty. Their focus on infrastructure was limited to a few major cities where their leaders resided, neglecting others," PM Modi said. 

  He further said that the BJP is guided by the principle of inclusive development and always prioritises every corner of the nation. "Our government channels substantial funds into modern infrastructure projects across cities and villages, exemplifying our commitment to progress for all," he added. (ANI)

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 07:12 PM

  ECI issues notice to Randeep Surjewala over remarks on Hema Malini; seeks response by April 11

  The Election Commission of India on Tuesday issued a notice to Congress leader Randeep Surjewala for his undignified and uncivilized comments against Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Hema Malini. The ECI has sought a response from the Congress leader latest by April 11 at 5 PM.

  Also, the ECI demanded action from the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on ensuring respectful public discourse towards women by party leaders and functionaries.

  The poll body reiterated that election campaigns cannot be allowed to become a platform for any kind of dishonour to women. 

  The Congress President will have to submit the response by April 11 on steps taken by the party to ensure strict compliance of the Commission's advisories upholding the honour and dignity of women during public discourse by all party leaders. (ANI)

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 05:34 PM

  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, held the 'devious tactics' of Congress responsible for India's partition seven decades ago.In a public address at Dramond Inter College campus, the Chief Minister also lauded India's remarkable progress towards global eminence under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, hailing it as a 'golden era'.

  He emphasized, "The transformative changes are clearly evident across the country in terms of enhanced security, rapid infrastructural development and the benefits of welfare schemes reaching the underprivileged."

  Chief Minister Yogi urged support for BJP candidates Jitin Prasad in Pilibhit and Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar in Bareilly. He also extended his warmest wishes for Chaitra Navratri and the Indian New Year. (ANI)

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 04:53 PM

  Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will move the Supreme Court against a high court order dismissing the plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam, AAP sources said on Tuesday.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 04:31 PM

  The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Excise policy case and said that Kejriwal's arrest is not in contravention of Law and remand can't be termed "illegal".

  The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma said, ED had enough material which had led them to arrest Kejriwal. Non-joining of the investigation by Kejriwal, delay caused by him was also impacting those in judicial custody.

  The material collected by the Enforcement Directorate reveals that Arvind Kejriwal conspired and was actively involved in the use and concealment of proceeds of crime. The ED case also reveals that he was involved in his personal capacity as well as the convenor of Aam Aadmi Party. (ANI)

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 04:07 PM

  Delhi High Court dismisses CM Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Excise Policy money laundering case. 

  ED was in possession of enough material which had led them to arrest Kejriwal. Non-joining of investigation by Kejriwal, delay caused by him was also impacting those in judicial custody, says Delhi High Court (ANI)

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 03:35 PM

  The Delhi High Court to pronounce verdict on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against arrest and custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case at 3.15 pm.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 03:24 PM

  MVA announces seat-sharing in Maharashtra; Congress to contest 17 Lok Sabha seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 21 

  Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents on Tuesday announced their seat-sharing arrangement for Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats. Under the arrangement, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) will contest 21 seats, Congress will fight on 17 seats and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) will put up candidates in 10 seats.

  The seat-sharing arrangement was jointly announced by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole. (ANI)

  April 9, 2024

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 02:53 PM

  Amit Shah in Assam

  
  
  People will never forget how Nehru said 'bye-bye' to Assam, Arunachal during 1962 Chinese aggression: Home Minister Amit Shah

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 02:35 PM

  "Return of ideology": Ex-Union minister Birender Singh joins Congress

  Prominent BJP leader in Haryana and former Union minister Chaudhry Birendra Singh joined Congress on Tuesday, almost a month after his son and sitting MP from Hisar Brijendra Singh jumped ship with Congress.

  Birendra Singh joined the Congress at the party headquarters in the national capital in the presence of party leaders and supporters, including Randeep Surjewala and Pawan Khera.

  Premlata Singh, the wife of Chaudhry Birendra Singh also joined the party along with him.

  Singh, while speaking at the joining event, said that his coming back to the Congress party is the "return of the ideology"."We are here because we have stood stronger with the people of Haryana and they too have supported us. In the last ten years, you (BJP) did not make anybody your own. I will say that it is not only 'ghar wapasi' but 'vichardhara ki wapasi' (return of ideology)," the leader said.

  Birender Singh was the Union steel minister in the first government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also held charge as minister of rural development, Panchayati Raj, and drinking water and sanitation.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 01:09 PM

  J&K PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti says, "...We Kashmiri people want our Kashmiri Pandits to come back and live the way we used to live...BJP used them as a weapon. They used the pain and suffering of Kashmiri Pandits as a weapon and sold that weapon in the whole country to get the votes of others but did not do anything for them..."

  #WATCH | J&K PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti says, "...We Kashmiri people want our Kashmiri Pandits to come back and live the way we used to live...BJP used them as a weapon. They used the pain and suffering of Kashmiri Pandits as a weapon and sold that weapon in the whole country to… pic.twitter.com/TzRN8SG9HN

  — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2024

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 12:23 PM

  MVA seals poll pact in Maharashtra: Sena (UBT) gets 21 LS seats, Cong 17, NCP (SP) 10 

  The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Tuesday announced its seat-sharing deal under which the Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest 21 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress 17 and the NCP (SP) 10 seats in Maharashtra.
  
  NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress president Nana Patole announced the poll pact for the 48 parliamentary seats in the state at a press conference here after weeks of negotiations.
  
  The Lok Sabha polls will be held in the state in five phases from April 19 to May 20.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 12:20 PM

  BRS MLC K Kavitha says, "This is a case completely based on the statement. It is a political case. This is a case of targeting the opposition parties. CBI has already recorded my statement in jail."

  #WATCH | Delhi: BRS MLC K Kavitha says, "This is a case completely based on the statement. It is a political case. This is a case of targeting the opposition parties. CBI has already recorded my statement in jail." pic.twitter.com/IYwwdEPgeH

  — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2024

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 12:12 PM

  AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "It's a blatant tanasahi (dictatorship) in the country today. What TMC legislators and MPs are saying? MCC is in force. PM is doing campaigning across the country; opposition leaders are raided by CBI, I-T, ED, and now NIA has reached also, but only against opposition parties, why? This indicates that these institutions nowadays come under the EC and have given open freedom to derail the campaign of opposition parties. If you raid someone's residence, will that person hold a campaign or will meet a lawyer?..."

  #WATCH | Delhi: AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "It's a blatant tanasahi (dictatorship) in the country today. What TMC legislators and MPs are saying? MCC is in force. PM is doing campaigning across the country; opposition leaders are raided by CBI, I-T, ED,… pic.twitter.com/ORvVu3wCGg

  — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2024

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 12:10 PM

  PM Modi addresses election rally in UP's Pilibhit

  VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Here’s what PM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) said while addressing an election rally in Pilibhit, UP.
  
  “New Year is being celebrated in several parts of the country today. Chaitra Navratri has also begun from today. When everyone is submerged in… pic.twitter.com/7aclfz7XLB

  — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2024

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 10:59 AM

  Congress manifesto will take India backwards: Rajnath Singh

  
  
  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tore into Congress, saying that while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) wants the country to be a developed nation by 2047, its principal opposition party's manifesto seems to take India backwards.

  "The vision of the NDA government is to make India a developed nation by 2047. I believe it won't be an exaggeration to say that the Congress' manifesto will take India backwards," the Raksha Mantri said in an exclusive conversation with ANI on Tuesday in Madurai.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 10:58 AM

  Detained TMC leaders carry out night long protest at Delhi police station premises

  Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders who were earlier detained for protesting outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) sat inside the premises of Mandir Marg Police Station pressing their demands to change the chiefs of the CBI, NIA, ED and Income Tax Department. As per Delhi police, the 10-member delegation of Trinamool Congress leaders were detained on Monday following a protest outside the Election Commission of India over their demands in the national capital.

  The Opposition leaders were brought to Mandir Marg Police Station partway through their agitation and later asked to leave at night but the delegation did not leave and instead sat inside the premises all through the night. Those who staged the protest included five TMC MPs Derek O'Brien, Mohammad Nadimul Haq, Dola Sen, Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghosh.

  At the same time, three former MPs Arpita Ghosh, Shantanu Sen and Abir Ranjan Biswas were present.

  Apart from this, MLA Vivek Gupta and TMC youth leader Sudeep Raha were also protesting. A 10-member delegation went to the Election Commission's office on Monday and submitted a memorandum highlighting that "BJP and NIA have been working hand-in-glove to selectively target and harass our party workers".

  -ANI

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 09:39 AM

  PM Modi  met Dr Parshuram Komaji Khune

  
  
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets, "In Chandrapur yesterday, glad to have met Dr Parshuram Komaji Khune, who was honored with the Padma Shri last year. His remarkable work, leveraging drama and folk art to uplift tribal communities, has earned him widespread respect. His efforts have helped boost culture and encourage social awareness."

   

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets, "In Chandrapur yesterday, glad to have met Dr. Parshuram Komaji Khune, who was honored with the Padma Shri last year. His remarkable work, leveraging drama and folk art to uplift tribal communities, has earned him widespread respect. His… pic.twitter.com/7QNSSvpjea

  — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2024

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 09:38 AM

  Amit Shah to address rally, take part in roadshow in Assam on Tuesday

  
  
  Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Assam on Tuesday to campaign for BJP Lok Sabha candidates in the state.

  Shah is the first prominent national leader to participate in campaigning in this North Eastern state since the announcement of the poll schedule.

  "Tomorrow will be in Assam to attend a mega rally in Lakhimpur Lok Sabha and a roadshow in Tinsukia (Dibrugarh Lok Sabha). Assam is set to secure Modi Ji's goal of '400 paar'. Eager to meet the state's vibrant people," Shah had posted on X on Monday evening.

  
• 09 Apr 2024, 06:28 AM

  TMC leaders detained outside EC office, continue dharna at police station

  Several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders were detained by the Delhi Police on Monday while they were staging a dharna outside the Election Commission's (EC) office here, demanding that the chiefs of the CBI, NIA, ED and income-tax department be changed.

  After they were detained, the TMC leaders said they would continuing their protest at the Mandir Marg police station, where they were taken by the police.

  In Kolkata, a delegation of TMC leaders, led by MP Abhishek Banerjee, met Governor C V Ananda Bose in the evening to lodge a complaint regarding the detention of the party leaders. Talking to reporters after the meeting with the governor, Banerjee said it was a "murder of democracy" and slammed the Delhi Police for manhandling the party leaders.