Elections 2024: IT Raids At DMK Leader Avudaiappan’s Residence; Farm Leader Tikait Calls BJP’s 400-Seat Claim ‘False Narrative’

The voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will take place in seven phases from 19th April to 1st June. The counting of votes and declaration of results has been scheduled for June 4.

The Congress party has expelled Sanjay Nirupam, its former Mumbai unit chief, for a period of six years following his recent ultimatum and statements deemed as anti-party. This decision comes after Nirupam issued a "one-week ultimatum" to the party concerning the Mumbai North-West seat.

Vijender Singh, the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal, made a political transition in April 2019 when he joined the Congress party. However, on Wednesday, he announced his switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking at a press conference alongside BJP leaders at the party's headquarters in New Delhi, Singh lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his belief that the BJP's governance has led to a rise in respect for Indian athletes both within the country and internationally.

"I am the same old Vijender. Whatever I would feel wrong, I would call it wrong. I will call it right if I feel it is right," said Singh.

The Cooch Behar constituency in West Bengal is preparing for an intense Lok Sabha campaign on Thursday, as both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are set to hold consecutive rallies.

Banerjee is expected to deliver a speech at a rally in Cooch Behar around mid-day, while the PM will address a large gathering at Rasleela ground at approximately 3pm and these venues are located 30km apart.

Once a stronghold of Left Front partner Forward Bloc, which held the seat for an uninterrupted 32 years from 1977 to 2009, the Cooch Behar constituency currently remains a BJP stronghold, with the party securing five of the seven assembly segments despite TMC's significant victory in the 2021 state polls.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi submitted his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Wayanad, Kerala, where he currently holds a seat.

In the affidavit filed by Rahul Gandhi, it was revealed that he has investments worth Rs 4.3 crore in the stock market, mutual fund deposits of Rs 3.81 crore, and a bank account balance of Rs 26.25 lakh.

Additionally, he declared cash holdings of Rs 55,000 and a total income of Rs 1,02,78,680 (Rs 1.02 crore) for the financial year 2022-23.

Gourav Vallabh has shared photos of his letter of resignation Congress ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Gourav Vallabh while sharing the announcement of his resignation from all posts and primary membership of the party, wrote in a post on X that he felt uncomfortable with the "directionless way" in which the Congress party was moving forward.

He also mentioned that, "I can neither raise anti-Sanatana slogans nor abuse the wealth creators of the country."

In a post on X, Sanjay Nirupam shared a screenshot of the email he sent to Congress leadership on Wednesday right before his expulsion was announced by the party.

22 leaders of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) who is backed with NDA have tendered their resignations and have accused party chief Chirag Paswan of "selling all Lok Sabha tickets". The leaders have also pledged their support to the Opposition INDIA bloc.

PM Narendra Modi will be holding a public rally in Jamui, Bihar on Thursday and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's presence is expected.

According to PTI, Kumar left for Jamui on Thursday morning.

In a public gathering held in Ghaziabad, Rajnath Singh stated that the INDIA bloc will face a tough challenge from the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Singh during his speech aimed at the INDIA bloc and said, "Several Opposition parties came together to fight and defeat the BJP. However, you can all see that this is an alliance of convenience of some self-serving Opposition leaders. However, they can't even face up to the NDA even if they are united. Is desh ki janata iska bhi moye moye kar degi (the people will make the Opposition come a cropper in the elections)."

Union Minister Smriti Irani joined a roadshow ahead of Kerala BJP president K Surendran's filing of nomination papers from Wayanad constituency on Thursday.

She told the public, “I have come from the constituency where the Gandhi family held power for 50 years. Today we start this yatra with the blessings of more than 150 swayam sevaks who sacrificed their lives to save democracy in Kerala.”

BJP MP Hema Malini has filed her nomination from UP's Mathura constituency on Thursday.

Union Minister and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar filed his nomination from Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. EAM S Jaishankar was present during the submission procedure as well.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will be holding a press conference on April 4 at 12 pm to read out a message sent by him.

The Delhi High Court refused to entertain a PIL filed for removing Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister of Delhi as he is currently in ED custody for his alleged involvement in money laundering related to the ongoing Delhi Excise Policy case.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Bihar's Jamui where he called Chirag Paswan is 'little brother'. PM Modi said, "Glad my little brother Chirag has stepped into the shoes of my friend late Ram Vilas Paswan."

PM Modi also spoke about the achievements of BJP government in India over the last 10 years.

CM Mamata Banerjee addresses the public at an election rally in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Thursday. Banerjee accused BJP of 'using' central agencies for elections, she said, "BJP only follows one rule - one nation and one political party."

Banerjee further claimed, "TMC will not bow before ''threat'' of central agencies." "Will plead to Election Commission to ensure level playing field as central agencies are working for BJP," she added.

JKNC Vice-President Omar Abdullah was addressing a Youth Convention event in Srinagar when she stated, "The BJP is responsible for all the destruction that we see in Kashmir today but everyone's target is JKNC.”

Former Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh who announced his resignation from the party this morning, has joined BJP.

BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde was present at the event and also felicitated the new member.

BJP candidate from Bengaluru South, Tejasvi Surya holds a roadshow with Union Minister Anurag Thakur, ahead of filling his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Surya told ANI, "More than 10,000 people have joined us today in our nomination rally. PM Narendra Modi has given infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 1.3 lakh crores to Bengaluru in the last five years... Bengaluru symbolises PM Modi's vision of a new India... I am confident we will emerge victorious in all the five Lok Sabha seats of Bengaluru. Last time we had won here with a majority of 3.30 lakh votes... We will win Bengaluru South with over 5 lakh votes..."

In support of Surya, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "Modi means 'Maker of Developed India' and Congress is reduced to an RSVP party, meaning 'Rahul Sonia Vadra Priyanka'... In addition to the internal crisis in the Congress party, they have caused a water crisis in Bengaluru. Narendra Modi government fulfilled its promise of OROP, but for Congress, OROP is limited to Only Rahul Only Priyanka... Tejasvi Surya is popular candidate. He has raised the issues of the people from the Parliament to the roads... He will break all previous records this time and win with a record number of votes. He is a youth icon and will attract more youth to join the BJP."

Former RJD leader joined BJP on Thursday in presence of BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde on the same stage with former Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh who also joined the saffron party today.

The Supreme Court has instructed both the factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, along with their officials and supporters, to comply with its previous directive issued on March 19.

The Ajit Pawar group has assured the Supreme Court that they will educate their officials, candidates, and supporters to ensure that they do not disobey the court's order. They also plan to publish public notices in newspapers with more prominent space.

On March 19, SC had asked Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP to comply with the court's direction to publish disclaimers in all their advertisements that the use of 'clock' symbol by them is a sub-judice matter. SC had also asked the Sharad Pawar faction to use the ‘Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar' name for upcoming elections and "mam blowing turha" symbol.

A day after being expelled from the Congress, former MP Sanjay Nirupam, addressed a press conference here, Nirupam further claimed the Congress is now history and has no future and that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is a merger of three "sick units".

He claimed, "The Nehruvian secularism which has no place for religion in the society has expired."

"India is a religious country. But the Congress termed the 'pran pratishtha' of Lord Ram (idol of Ram Lalla at a temple) in Ayodhya as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) event, thereby denying the existence of Lord Ram," he said.

"The Congress is now history and has no future," stated Nirupam.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi took oath as Rajya Sabha MP in the Parliament in presence of Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with other members of the House.

Speaking at a rally in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, JP Nadda addressed it as 'devbhoomi', he said, "I am happy to come to the ‘devbhoomi’ and ‘veerbhoomi’. This land has always been ready to protect the country. We must remember that PM Modi gave justice to soldiers with his ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme after 40 years of betrayal by the Congress."

BJP candidate from Mandi, actor Kangana Ranaut, attended a public meeting in the Himachal Pradesh district on Thursday.

Can Trust Snake, Not BJP, Says Mamata

At her rally in Cooch Behar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the BJP of not following the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha polls and asserted that a poisonous snake can be trusted but not the saffron camp.

Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central investigating agencies, Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are working at the behest of the BJP and urged the Election Commission to look into it and ensure a level playing field for all political parties.

"The BJP is asking you to enrol names for Awas Yojna again. Why will the names be enrolled again? They want further enrolment so that they can chuck it off. You can trust a poisonous snake; you can even pet it, but you can never trust the BJP... The BJP is destroying the country," she said.

Mamata Banerjee was slammed on Thursday for using "foul language" while referring to PM Modi in her speech in Cooch Behar. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, in her speech, was hitting out at "PM Modi pictures" and "BJP's logo" being used on everything", when she uses the word 'sala' and says she would rather die of hunger.

The speech sparked reactions by BJP leaders and supporters on social media. "Listen to the language the state's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, is using about the Prime Minister. Is it acceptable for the Chief Minister, who has taken the oath of the Constitution, to use such words? She is not just disrespecting herself but also sullying the honor of all Bengalis. #ShameOnMamata,"BJP West Bengal said on X.

Addressing a public rally in Bengal's Cooch Behar, PM Modi said, "I first want to thank West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee because in 2019, I was here to address a rally on the same ground, she installed a big stage in the middle of this ground to reduce the space (for rally), so that people could not listen to Modi, Back then I had told here - 'Didi, you didn't do the right thing. People will give an answer this.' And you gave a reply (to her). But today, she didn't do any such thing."

Addressing a public rally in West Bengal's Cooch Behar, PM Modi said, "...For decades Congress kept giving the slogan of 'Garibi Hatao'. It is the BJP govt which in the last ten years alleviated 25 crore people from poverty. This happened because we are working sincerely and our 'niyat' is right."

PM Modi and his rival, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, both held parallel rallies in Cooch Behar on Thursday, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections 2024. READ MORE

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, his brother-in-law and noted cardiologist C N Manjunath, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya were among prominent candidates, who filed their papers on Thursday, the last day for filing nominations for the first of two-phase Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, on April 26.

The CPI(M) on Thursday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, promising tax on 'super rich', law on general wealth tax and inheritance tax.

PM Modi in West Bengal's Cooch Behar accused the TMC government of the state of not allowing implementation of central schemes.

, "TMC govt here doesn't allow the implementation of Central schemes in West Bengal... To establish medical colleges is the identity of the BJP. We want to establish a medical college in every district in the country. But the TMC govt doesn't allow us to do this in West Bengal. Despite giving record amounts of money to West Bengal, many projects are not completed on time due to TMC," PM Modi said.

Jailed ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren will not be contesting from Dumka Lok Sabha seat. His party JMM has fielded MLA Nalin Soren from the seat that was won by Hemant Soren in 2019.

Delhi Minister Atishi on Thursday said no action has been taken on objectionable posters of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal posted by BJP in Delhi despite their complaints filed nearly a week ago.

"BJP has posted many objectionable posters in Delhi. They even used the picture of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in a few posters. Our legal team and we have lodged complaints about such hoardings, and we met with the CO of Delhi regarding this matter. It's a cause for concern for us. It has been six days, and no action has been taken on this as of now," she said.

The BJP on Thursday held meeting regarding the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday targeted BJP-RSS saying “you people were with petitioners when Mahatma Gandhi was fighting” for the country’s freedom.

During his address at a public rally in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh, he said, "How many leaders from the BJP and people from the RSS died and hanged in the freedom struggle. Our people were hanged, died, protested, beaten. Lakhs of people who left their houses for freedom were the people from Congress. Who in your house came forward to work for the country? Did anyone from PM Modi or Amit Shah's forefathers, or any of the forefathers of the BJP or RSS have done something? You people were with petitioners when Mahatma Gandhi was fighting. You all were enjoying when our people were being beaten, be it Pandit Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi... We fought to give this country freedom, and now you are sitting on that chair.”

The veteran actor Gautami Tadimalla on Thursday campaiged for AIADMK in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai.

She said:“We are campaigning in the South Chennai constituency today and we are getting an amazing response from the people. It is an undeniable fact that there is a wave throughout Tamil Nadu that is supporting the vision and the purpose of AIADMK.”

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday held road show in Damoh.

During his address, he said: “People like schemes of PM Modi so much that they come on the streets and even in such a small area this many people have gathered. We will win 29 out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh."

BJP leader Shazia Ilmi on Thursday said Congress leader Randeep Surjewala's remark on Hema Malini reflects the “anti-women thinking of the Congress”.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday said India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is emerging as “strong nation on global stage”.

During his address at a rally in Vikasnagar, he said: “After 2014, India under PM Modi is emerging as a prosperous and strong nation on the global stage. PM Modi has given the target of 400 and above for a 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Viksit Uttarakhand'.”

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, CPM on Thursday released its manifesto. The party has promised voters that if voted to power, it will reduce fuel prices, curb inflation, repeal CAA and give 50 percent of taxes to states.

The manifesto was released by the party’s general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

NCP led by Sharad Pawar on Thursday announced the list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The list includes the name of Suresh Mhatre who has been fielded from from Bhiwandi seat and Bajrang Sonawane who will contest from Beed seat.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray on Thursday held a road show in Maharashtra’s Buldhana.

Launching an attack on Congress ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said there were many scams in the country between 2009 and 2014.

He said: "Between 2009 and 2014, there were so many scams in the country. By 2014, growth was standard, inflation was high and we were looking for a solution or a way out. At that time, BJP came up with an alternative, a leader named Narendra Damodardas Modi."

Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday addressed a public gathering at Thiruvanaikovil in Tiruchirappalli.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said the farmers have resentment against those who have charged ‘lathi’ and run vehicles on them.

He said: “Those who have worked against farmers must be opposed. Those who have charged 'lathi' and run vehicles on farmers, farmers have resentment towards them. It is not about just one party.”

He also said: "If they are going to cross 400 (seats), then what is the need for elections? They (BJP) are trying to create a narrative which is not true. They want to suppress people with power."

BJP National President JP Nadda and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday attended core committee meeting of BJP's Tehri Lok Sabha constituency in Dehradun.

The Income Tax Department on Thursday conducts searches at the residence of DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R Avudaiappan in Tirunelveli.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said the Hindu-Muslim conflict ended in Bihar after NDA came to power in 2005.

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari on Thursday said INDIA-bloc is trying to bring the “corrupts and familyists” to power.

He said: “The people of this country and Delhi have unwavering faith on PM Modi. We should not be surprised if the NDA gets 20-25 seats over and above 400, because the country has done a comparative study with passage of time. People now have this in mind that the INDI alliance is trying to bring the corrupts and familyists to power."

BJP leader Maya Naroliya on Thursday said Congress has always opposed women.

Her remarks cam in backdrop of Congress leader Randeep Surjewala's purported remarks against BJP MP Hema Malini.

The Congress on Thursday announced list of the candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Gujarat.

The list includes Rutvikbhai Makwana from Surendranagar, Hirabhai Jotva from Junagadh and Jashpalsinh Padhiyar from Vadodara.

AAP leader and party’s West Delhi candidate Mahabal Mishra on Thursday said BJP is scared of Arvind Kejriwal and has put him in jail.

He led party’s candle march in Delhi against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and supremo Kejriwal.

He said: "The central government is killing democracy by overpowering agencies like ED and CBI, and imprisoning innocent people. The people of this country have decided to remove the Modi government. BJP is scared of Arvind Kejriwal and has put him in jail.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address rally in Rajasthan’s  Churu tomorrow (April 5).