Elections 2024: PM Modi Says Congress Deprived People Of Small Things; INDIA-bloc Says 'Will Fight Dictatorship' At Ranchi Rally

The Lok Sabha elections in the largest democracy of the world is going on as it began on April 19 and will be conducted through six more phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 with the seventh phase taking place on June 1. The voter counting will be conducted on June 4.

The Prime Minister is set to rally for party nominee Lumbaram Choudhary in Bhinmal, Jalore, on April 21.

Following this, he will also conduct a rally in Banswara in support of Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, who switched from the Congress party.

BJP candidate from Moradabad Lok Sabha seat Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar, who was unwell for some time, died at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Saturday, a senior party leader said.

He was 72. Kumar is survived by his wife Sadhna Singh, a son and a daughter.

"Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar has passed away," UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary told PTI.

"He had some problem in his throat and had an operation. Yesterday, he had gone to AIIMS for a check-up," Chaudhary said.

Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar was among the 12 candidates in the poll fray from Moradabad parliamentary constituency that went to polls in the first phase on April 19.

Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao interacted with locals in Nagarkurnool on Saturday from top of a tree as part of his poll campaign in support of Congress candidate Mallu Ravi.

Posters featuring INDIA alliance leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Rahul Gandhi, a member of the party, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren along with his wife Kalpana Soren have been displayed at the Rally Ground in Ranchi in preparation for the upcoming INDIA alliance mega rally.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi arrived in Jharkhand’s Ranchi on Sunday morning to attend INDIA bloc ‘Ulgulan Nyaya Maharally’.

She told the reporters, “This (Rally) is against all those people who are trying to bring dictatorial tendencies in a democratic country. This is against those who are trying to do away with BR Ambedkar’s Constitution.”

Manipur chief electoral officer on Saturday announced repolling at 11 polling stations in Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on April 22.

The decision follows a directive from the Election Commission to declare the polls held at these stations on April 19 as null and void and schedule fresh polling.

The affected polling stations are Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in Khurai constituency, four in Kshetrigao and one in Thongju in Imphal East district and three in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in Imphal West district, the official said.

-PTI

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and bureaucrat-turned-politician Kartik Pandian were on the list of 40 star campaigners released by the BJD for the first two phases of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the eastern state.

Several ministers and senior BJD leaders are in the list, including Debi Prasad Mishra, Ranendra Pratap Swain, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Ashok Chandra Panda, Niranjan Pujari, Pratap Jena, Sasmit Patra and Pratap Keshari Deb, a party release said on Saturday.

There are also five women leaders in the list, besides actor-turned-Rajya Sabha MP Muzibulla Khan.

-PTI

The opposition INDIA bloc's 'Ulgulan Nyay rally' is aimed to protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren for their respective cases by the Enforcement Directorate.

Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will be present at the rally in Ranchi today, led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

Leaders from 14 political parties, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad, Farooq Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav have agreed to participate in the rally that will be held in Prabhat Tara ground.

Former Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) leader Choudhary Mehboob Ali Kaiser who is an MP from Katihar has joined Rashtriya Janata Dal in the presence of Tejashwi Yadav during a press conference in Patna, Bihar.

Yadav speaking to reporters said, “Kaiser ji is here today and has decided to join the party. He has a long experience in politics. I believe, his joining will strengthen the party. Considering the current situation, his decision is in the favour of the country, Bihar and to save the democracy.”

Himachal Pradesh CM and Congress leader Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu when asked about the announcement of the party’s candidate for the upcoming Assembly bypolls, said, “BJP has already given tickets to six sold outs (disqualified MLAs who joined BJP after leaving Congress). Why are they worried about our candidate announcement? Today is April 21, and we still have 40 days to go for the bypolls (scheduled to be held on June 1). Our process for the selection of candidates is underway, the names will be announced soon.”

The Congress party's Central Election Committee meeting has started in Delhi, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Sonia Gandhi leading the meeting.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government and said the saffron party is no longer a political party but has become a cult which worships Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Targeting the PM Modi government, Chidambaram said there is a "grave erosion" of freedom of speech and expression happening under the ten years of Modi rule and urged the people to "restore democracy".

He also assured that even though the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was not mentioned in the Congress manifesto, it will be repealed once the INDIA bloc comes to power.

"The BJP constituted the manifesto in 14 days which is not titled manifesto. They called it Modi's guarantee. The BJP is no longer a political party. It has become a cult and the cult worships Narendra Modi," Chidambaram added.

Congress Jharkhand president Rajesh Thakur who reached the premises where the 'Ulgulan Nyay Rally' will be held, spoke to the media saying, “The decision that the people of the country have taken in the first phase of the election is worthy of praise. This event was already planned.. the way (ex-Jharkhand CM) Hemant Soren was arrested. There is public anger in the entire state and with this event, we are trying to give them hope of justice."

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury during a rally in Kerala's Trivandrum asked, "What is happening to the people of the country?"

"The poor are becoming poorer and the rich are becoming richer. Today, India has the highest level of unemployment since the Independence. There has been no wage rise for the poor people (in last 10 years) but there is growing unemployment and inflation," Yechury added.

Yechury will not be able to attend the 'Ulgulan Nyay Rally' in Ranchi, Jharkhand that aims to protest against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren today as he was scheduled to address the Kerala rally.

Yechury speaking to reporters in Kerala regarding Kejriwal's arrest conveyed, "The criticisms are completely unfounded and we think it is very wrong for anybody to demand the arrest of a democratically elected Chief Minister. We have condemned the arrest of Delhi CM Kejriwal and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. Now the Congress is asking PM Modi to arrest the Kerala CM. Their credibility in fighting PM Modi is under under cloud...I go by policies and programs and what are they raising? If they are asking PM Modi to arrest the Kerala Chief Minister then I think that is the most undemocratic act that is being done..."

Addressing a rally in Kishanganj, Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar reminded people of the condition of Bihar before 2005 and dismissed Congress' claim that they 'favour people'.

Kumar said, "When Congress claims that they favour people, I want to remind people about the condition of Bihar before 2005. People would not go out in night. There were no roads, health facilities. Girls would not study."

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai participated in the roadshow as part of the election campaign for BJP's Kollam constituency candidate G Krishna Kumar on Sunday.

Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) general secretary PM Sudhakaran joined BJP on Sunday, soon after tendering his resignation from the Congress party.

Speaking at a public gathering in Buldhana, Maharashtra, the national president of BJP, JP Nadda, stated, "When I talk about India, PM Modi has changed the political definition of India, has changed the style of Indian politics and has changed the way of running of Indian politics. What was the politics like earlier? Good slogans were used, and promises were made and then forgotten about it....But after the arrival of PM Modi, Indian politics has become the politics of responsibility towards the voter. Instead of vote-bank politics, politics of accountability is being done...We started moving towards development."

He added, "What happened during UPA government...They did Corruption, promoted nepotism, enjoyed the cream, had fun and forgot the public..."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife- Sunita Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and his wife were welcomed with garlands as they arrived at Ranchi airport to attend the INDIA alliance's 'Ulgulan rally'.

J&K National Conference president Farooq Abdullah upon reaching Ranch for the Ulgulan Nyay Rally told the reporters, "India needs people who can save the Constitution of India. The secular culture of this nation needs to be saved. Brotherhood has to be increased and we have come here to do that"

The term 'Ulgulan', signifies revolution or uprising and was first used during Birsa Munda's resistance against the British to protect the rights of tribal communities.

Jharkhand CM Champai Soren stated that the current 'ulgulan' is a protest against inflation, unfair treatment of farmers, and the suppression of opposition.

The chief minister claimed the Centre's "dictatorial attitude" would be exposed during Sunday's rally in Ranchi.

Ten police personnel were injured after a bus ferrying them for poll duty overturned in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hit out at the Congress, claiming the grand old party is a synonym for scams, terrorism and Naxalism.

Addressing an election rally in Chhhattisgarh's Kabirdham district, he said the wait of 500 years for Ram Lalla (installation of his idol) in Ayodhya ended because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kabirdham district comes under the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency.

"Congress is a synonym for scams, terrorism and Naxalism. At the age when a tablet and a good book should be in the hands of youth and they should have the spirit to take the world ahead, the Congress handed over pistols in the hands of those youth. The Congress instigated them to fight against the country in the name of Naxalism and terrorism," Adityanath claimed.

A bulldozer rally was held in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur earlier today to mark the arrival of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in the city.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy along with BJP OBC Morcha chief K Laxman launched the party’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ in Telugu language in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Rajnath Singh while addressing the gathering on Sunday said, "Despite Bengal having a woman chief minister, incidents like Sandeshkhali happen".

Slamming the TMC government in WB, Singh said, "Lawlessness prevailing in West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee dispensation."

Mayawati addressed a public gathering in UP's amroha on Sunday where she said, "“Witnessing this huge gathering, I am quite confident that you all will make our candidate win with a good number of votes from Amroha seat, like the last time. Since independence, Congress had the government in various states. However, due to their wrong policies, they had to leave power. The same situation is of BJP and its allied parties.”

"...The present BJP government has not paid special attention to farmers, like the Congress government which was in power at the Centre earlier. The BJP's casteist, communal and capitalist thinking and policies have not been able to uplift the poor, tribals, Dalits, Muslims and other minority communities in the society," she added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday during a rally in Rajasthan’s Jalore said “Rajasthan has punished Congress in first phase of polls”.

He added: “the state knows that Congress can never make a strong India.”

“You have given your blessings to BJP every time, this time too, the people of Jalore-Sirohi are saying ‘Phir ek baar Modi sarkaar’. In the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, half of Rajasthan (12 out of 25 seats that went to poll) has taught a good lesson to the Congress party. The patriotic people of Rajasthan know that Congress couldn't provide a strong government in the Centre. Their government used to run on remote control,” he said.

He also said, “Congress is responsible for its present condition, it deprived people of small things like toilets, electricity, water, bank accounts.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday during a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna said, “Democracy will end in the country if Modi, Shah come back to power.”

He added, "They need 400 seats to change the Constitution. This is what they say. Will you vote for such people? People say we always talk about Modi but PM Modi himself never took his party’s name. He only says ‘ Modi ki guarantee’. If everything’s about Modi then we will have to talk about him.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday while addressing a public rally in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon said, “This is a very special place. You have made it successful with your hardwork. You trusted the government led by Bhupesh Baghel. You would have seen how much work was done. Farm loans were waived. Electricity bills were halved. Tribal people got their land back. You know this."

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the BJP is targeting her and her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and they do not feel safe.

Her allegation came a day after the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said that there would be a "big explosion on Monday which will shake the TMC and its top brass".

"The BJP is targeting me and Abhishek, we are not safe, but we are also not afraid of the saffron party's conspiracy. We urge everyone to be on guard against a conspiracy against TMC leaders and the people of West Bengal," she said, while addressing an election rally in Kumarganj in Balurghat Lok Sabha seat.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing a public rally in Anantnag on Sunday said, “Our 2-4 seats make no difference in the formation of any government at the Centre. The question is to strengthen the state and think about the benefit of the people. The people should vote for development and above caste and religious lines."

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said National Conference leader Chaudhary Mohammad Akram equating the Congress with the BJP should make the workers of the country's oldest political party think about their support to the oldest regional party in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Chaudhary Akram could not have said anything worse than equating the Congress with the BJP while joining the National Conference. He said that there was no difference between the Congress and the BJP," Mufti told reporters while campaigning in the Larnoo area of Anantnag district.

The former chief minister said it was unfortunate that Akram chose to describe the Congress in that way.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said he has received a notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remove the words "Jai Bhavani" and "Hindu" from his party's new anthem, but he won't abide by it.

Addressing a press conference here, Thackeray said asking for the removal of "Jai Bhavani" from the anthem was an insult to Maharashtra.

Thackeray said his party has come up with an anthem to popularise its new poll symbol, "mashal" (flaming torch), and the ECI has asked for the removal of the words "Hindu" and "Jai Bhavani" from it.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday during a 'Ulgulan Nyay Rally' Jharkhand's Ranchi said, "Two Viranganas are sitting here - Kalpana Soren and Sunita Kejriwal. When they can come out, we should also come out. The people who congregated here wants to give a message to defeat PM Modi. I was in jail for 6 months, Arvind Kejriwal is in jail, Hemant Soren is in jail. We are not scared. Adivasis threw Britishers out."

The ruckus erupted during INDIA bloc’s rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi on Sunday.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh during 'Ulgulan Nyay Rally' in Jharkhand's Ranchi said, "Narendra Modi speaks against corruption. He put Hemant Soren, Arvind Kejriwal in jail under false accusations. When he speaks on corruption, it looks as if Osama Bin Laden and Gabbar Singh are preaching non-violence. A Modi washing powder has come which cleans all your corruptions. Their slogan is 'Jo jitna bada bhrashtachari, wo utna bada padadhikari."

Sunita Kejriwal, wife of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during 'Ulgulan Nyay Rally' in Jharkhand's Ranchi on Sunday said, "They've put Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren in jail. They've put them in jail without them being proven guilty. This is a dictatorship. What is the fault of my husband? Is it providing good education, health facilities? Patriotism is in his blood. He is an IITan, he could've gone abroad, but he prioritises patriotism. As IRS, he took leaves to do public service. He has put his life at stake for people."

Union Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Sunday during a rally in West Bengal's Malda said, "The Citizenship (Amendment) Act will not take away anyone's citizenship. Instead, it will provide citizenship to people. However, you (Mamata Banerjee) say that you will repeal CAA. I would like to say that no power in this world would be able to repeal the CAA."

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during 'Ulgulan Nyay rally' in Jharkhand's Ranchi on Sunday said, "He (PM Modi) is afraid of INDIA alliance. They (BJP-led NDA) are raising the slogan of '400 paar'. However, PM Modi's '400 paar' film flopped on day 1 of the (Lok Sabha) polls."

Kalpana Soren who is JMM leader and wife of ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Sunday during her address at INDIA bloc's Ulgulan Nyay rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi said, "The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are underway. While the INDIA alliance is on one side, the capitalist NDA government is on the other. Since 2014, the BJP-led NDA government is in power at the Centre. The NDA wants its rule in all the states, and it is showing a step-motherly attitude towards states where there is a non-BJP government."

The wife of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Sunita Kejriwal during INDIA-bloc’s ‘Ulgulan Nyay rally in Jharkhand’s Ranchi on Sunday said, “BJP government wants to kill my husband Arvind Kejriwal as he is not getting insulin in jail”.

She added, “will fight against dictatorship and win. Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren will come out of jail.”

Punjab Chief Minister and BJP leader Bhagwant Mann on Sunday during his address at INDIA bloc's Ulgulan Nyay rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi said, “They (BJP-led NDA) have finished someone's party, snatch someone's symbol, freeze someone's accounts, and buy someone's MPs and MLAs. This is their only job. However, you (people) shouldn't fall for their 'jumle' and vote for INDIA alliance's candidates (in Lok Sabha polls)."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav during his address at INDIA bloc's 'Ulgulan Nyay' rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi on Sunday said, "I can vouch for this that they (BJP-led NDA) are afraid. They have lost the (Lok Sabha) elections, and that's why they are doing 'anyay' (injustice)."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday said, "Currently, India needs a strong and stable government. The nation needs a government that can protect its borders and can wipe out its enemies even in 'paatal'.”

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren while addressing INDIA bloc's Ulgulan Nyay rally in Ranchi on Sunday said, "The BJP wants to erase the history, existence and pride of Jharkhand. In these elections, you have to choose an MP who speaks about the state's issues in the Parliament. However, when BJP’s MPs go to Delhi, they do not say a single word on saving Buran Rights Act.”

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said, "This time, the BJP will be (wiped out) in Bihar and Jharkhand. People of UP have also made up their minds that they want a guarantee about the Constitution. They don't want the BJP's guarantee which is like a jumla."

Yadav made these comments after attending INDIA-bloc's Ulgulan Nyay rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has also said, "The BJP is afraid in these elections. They won't be able to cross the 200-seat mark in these polls."

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha candidate Shashi Tharoor has been booked for allegedly carrying out a false campaign against Union Minister and rival candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar, police said on Sunday. The case was registered by the Cyber Police here on April 15 but its details were revealed only today.

According to police, the case against Tharoor was registered based on a complaint lodged by BJP leader J R Padmakumar who accused the Congress leader of carrying out a false campaign against Chandrasekhar during a television programme.

The complainant alleged that Tharoor, during the programme, had made defamatory statements against Chandrasekhar with regard to influencing voters of coastal regions in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The case was registered under Sections 171-G and 500 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 65 of IT Act, a cyber police official said adding that an investigation is going on in the matter.

IPC 177-G refers to raising false statement in connection with an election, while IPC 500 relates to defamation.

Tharoor, who is contesting from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, is yet to react on the registration of the case.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday during INDIA-bloc’s ‘Ulgulan Nyay rally’ in Jharkhand’s Ranchi said, “PM insulted President Murmu by not inviting her to Ram temple consecration, Parliament Building opening.”

He added, “BJP will be wiped out if it continues to terrorise tribals.”

He also said, "Hemant Soren was sent to jail for refusing to part ways with INDIA bloc."

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused BJP of corruption over receiving highest electoral bonds.

"They (BJP) are themselves corrupt, and that's why they have received so much funds," he said in response to a query on electoral bond.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Sunday said, "This historic rally has proved that we (INDIA alliance) will win all the 14 (Lok Sabha) seats in Jharkhand."

He made these comments after attending INDIA bloc's Ulgulan Nyay rally in Ranchi.

Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Modi ki guarantee' on Sunday said, “How he has hijacked this 'guarantee'...Voters need to consider whether or not he has fulfilled the promises he made in 2014 & 2019....NDA may win around 220- 220 seats..."

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Sunday said, “BJP’s strategy is to bring its B and C team forward. When Tarun Chugh (BJP’s J&K In-charge) holds meetings in Srinagar and calls leaders of People’s Conference, it is clear that they are contesting elections from the BJP’s side.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday while addressing a public gathering in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday said, "This would be the first time since Independence that Congress' 'shahi pariwar' that lives in Delhi won't vote for them (Congress). If the 'shahi pariwar' is not going to vote for Congress, then how can they ask for your votes?"

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said, "... I want to tell the farmers, we never let any deficiency of fertilisers arise, we didn't let the price of fertilisers rise, we bought your crop, we paid the right price for your crop, we transferred money into your bank accounts, you even got remunerations, you even got Kisan Samman Nidhi, if there is a lack of efforts on our side, why the opposition?... If someone has made changes to the Constitution 62 times, it is the Congress- Pt. Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi. There is a viral video of Rajiv Gandhi where he is heard saying I will change the Constitution again and again... We celebrate Constitution Day, and we celebrate Babasaheb Ambedkar by paying homage to 'Panchtirth', the five places closely associated with his life... Democracy is not in danger, anti-Sanatan, anti-Indians, and anti-Hindu are in danger."

BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday met family members of slain Neha Hiremath in Karnataka’s Hubballi.

Neha, the daughter of Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was allegedly stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College on Thursday. The accused Fayaz Khondunaik, who fled the scene, was arrested by police subsequently.

The police on Sunday reportdely filed FIR against BJP's Hyderabad candidate Madhavi Latha for directing imaginary arrow at mosque.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday while attending Vyapari Sammelan said, "I believe, no election is complete without the businessmen. Your voice can reach thousands of people. You all are an institution as you are connected with thousands of people... PM Modi's resolution of 'Viksit Bharat' will be incomplete without businessmen of the nation. This election is not about winning and losing."

BJP National President JP Nadda on Sunday said, "Today, the Congress released an advertisement on how much (funds) they used to give (to Karnataka). Today, the Government of India has increased Karnataka's funding by 4 times. How is the Congress able to make allegations against the Central Government? They forgot that they used to give Rs. 80,000 crores to Karnataka. And today, PM Modi gives Rs. 2.93 lakh crores..."