Elections 2024: PM Modi Holds Roadshow In Chennai; What If We Rename Parts Of China, Says Rajnath In Arunachal

• The 17th Lok Sabha Elections 2024 scheduled to begin from April 19 will elect the members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the elaborate schedule of the seven-phase long Lok Sabha polls on March 16. As per the schedule, the voting phases will culminate on June 1 while the counting and announcement of final results will take place on June 4.

• As the scheduled date for the first phase is nearing, all major political parties across the nation are announcing their candidate lists and poll manifestos.

• This year, amid innumerable instances of changing camps right ahead of the elections, the electoral stage is set to witness a battle between two main rivals- the NDA-backed allies and the opposition alliance INDIA bloc.

• In Lok Sabha elections 2019, the the BJP-led NDA won 353 out of 543 seats.

As PM Modi will be holding a roadshow in Chennai today, the city has geared up ahead of the mega event.

While reviewing the preparations, BJP's South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "We're thankful PM Modi is vising South Chennai. I am visiting every booth. People will be greeting PM Modi. I resigned from the post of Governor to be among people. I am happy people are receiving me with affection and love."

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

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

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Stepping up its counter-offensive against PM Modi's 'Muslim League imprint' attack on the Congress manifesto, the opposition party on Monday moved the Election Commission.

Responding to the PM's remarks, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that "there is a stink of RSS" in Modi's speeches.

However, PM Modi again repeated the charge against the Congress at poll rallies in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, claiming that the country's oldest party has lost people's support due to its deeds and its recently released manifesto has the imprint of the pro-Partition Muslim League.

Incumbent Lakshadweep MP and NCP SCP leader Mohammed Faizal PP carries election campaign at night during Ramazan as most citizens are resting during the day time.

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided multiple locations in Tamil Nadu in a drugs money laundering case against ex-DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq and others.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Assam today 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.

In a bid to ensure free and fare elections in the state during Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy 100 more companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal.

Following the directive, the Home Ministry is deploying 55 companies of CRPF and 45 companies of Border Security forces.

As the poll preparations are in full swing across the nation right ahead of the high-octane Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has incorporated an innovative measure to engage citizens through unique campaigns like ‘Turning 18’ and ‘You are the One’ on social media platforms, employing a tailored messaging strategy within the overarching theme of ‘Chunav Ka Parv, Desh Ka Garv’. 

Here's what PIB says

Commenting on the arrest of the TMC leaders by Delhi Police for protesting in Delhi against misuse of central agencies on Monday, party leader Sagarika Ghose today said, "I am just shocked in the manner in which we've been stopped. We began peaceful protest against Centre's misuse of agencies against Opposition. Delhi Police acted on us. We were taken away. We're not allowed to get in. We've been stopped from entering into a police station, it is a public place."

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj today joined TMC's protest at the Election Commission office in Delhi demanding change of heads of agencies.

"General elections have been announced. Model code of conduct is in force. But ED, NIA, IT, and CBI action has been going on against the Opposition leaders. This is dictatorship. TMC's demand is justified. No action was taken against BJP protest but it is happening against TMC leaders", Bharadwaj said today.

While addressing a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, here’s what PM Narendra Modi said, “New Year is being celebrated in several parts of the country today. Chaitra Navratri has also begun from today. When everyone is submerged in devotion and is worshipping ‘shakti’, witnessing such a big rally is a wonder in itself. I was wondering how people will come here today but you all have come to give your blessings to us. The message is clear. Only one thing can be heard - 'Fir Ek Baar, Modi Sarkaar'.”

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress president Nana Patole on Tuesday announced the final seat sharing details for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.

As per the announcement, Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest elections on 21 seats in Maharashtra, NCP SCP will contest elections on 10 seats and Congress on 17 seats.

The Centre on Tuesday has provided Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar with a Z-category VIP security cover of armed commandos in view of potential threats ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been bestowed with the responsibility of Kumar's protection.

This development came following a threat perception report prepared by central security agencies which had recommended a strong cover for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar.

Congress veteran A K Antony said on Tuesday that his son, Anil K Antony, who is contesting as BJP candidate in Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, should not win the election.

Addressing a press conference, Antony said that his son's party should lose, and his rival, the Congress candidate in the south Kerala constituency, Anto Antony, should win.

Former Union minister Birender Singh and his ex-MLA wife Prem Lata joined the Congress on Tuesday, a decade after quitting the party. Their joining comes a month after their son Brijendra Singh joined the party after quitting the Congress.

Sing held the portfolio of steel in the first government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, he also was put in charge of the rural development, panchayati raj, and drinking water and sanitation.

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to verify the affidavit details submitted by Union minister and BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The apex poll body's order came after Congress moved the poll panel claiming a mismatch in actual and declared assets in his affidavit.

A 'shobha yatra' or religious procession with election-related tableau was taken out in Maharashtra's Pune on the occasion of Gudi Padwa.

Addressing a poll rally in Assam's Lakhimpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "...You will have to decide on April 19 as to who will be your MP, which party will form the govt and who shall be the next Prime Minister."

"You have two options. One is the INDI alliance under Rahul Gandhi's leadership and on the other side you have BJP under Narendra Modi's leadership...," Shah said.

Ensuing Lok Sabha polls a mission for building a new India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at rally in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday.

Speaking at an election rally in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, "...Congress still cannot get rid of its old mentality. When the first Adivasi woman came forward to become the President of the country, the Congress party left no stone unturned to defeat her."

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case linked to excise policy. READ MORE

Referring to the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh last year, PM Modi on Tuesday said at a poll rally in the state, "Four-five months ago, you came together to completely wipe out Congress in the [MP] Assembly polls. Now in the Lok Sabha polls, they are not fighting with the BJP, they [referring to INDIA bloc] are fighting among each other."

The Supreme Court it will hear on April 16 a batch of pleas seeking cross-verification of the votes cast with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). The VVPAT is an independent vote verification system which allows an elector to see whether their vote was cast correctly. It generates a paper slip which can be viewed by the voter. It is kept in a sealed cover and can be opened in case of a dispute.

Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh, while addressing an election rally on Tuesday in Arunachal Pradesh, criticised China for renaming several places in the state, and wondered whether a similar attempt by India will result in those areas of the neighbouring country becoming “parts of our territory”.

Addressing the election rally at Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh East Constituency, Rajnath Singh said China’s move to change names of 30 places in the northeastern state will not change the ground reality.

Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, Rajnath Singh said.

“I want to ask China if we change the names of various states of the neighbouring country, will those be parts of our territory? Because of such activities, the relation between India and China will deteriorate,” Singh said.

Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah asserted that China couldn't encroach a "single inch" of land under the Narendra Modi government, adding that people will never forget how former PM Jawaharlal Nehru said "bye-bye" to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh during the 1962 Chinese aggression.

Addressing an election rally in Assam's Lakhimpur, Amit Shah said the BJP-led government at the Centre secured the country's border with Bangladesh and stopped infiltration. "During the Chinese aggression of 1962, Nehru had said 'bye-bye' to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. People of these states can never forget that," Amit Shah said.

"But now, China could not encroach even a single inch of our land. Even in Doklam, we pushed them back," he added.

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The Election Commission on Tuesday issued Congress leader Randeep Surjewala a show-cause notice for his alleged undignified remarks against actor-turned-politician and BJP MP Hema Malini.

The poll body also sought a response from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on the steps taken to ensure strict compliance with its advisories on upholding the honour and dignity of women during public discourse by its leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in T Nagar, a locality in the city, on Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu on April 19. He was accompanied by the BJP state president K Annamalai and the party's candidates for South Chennai, Central Chennai, and North Chennai.

After PM Narendra Modi's roadshow in Chennai, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai says, "When Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes to Chennai, the people of Chennai welcome our PM like their own son. The people of Chennai welcomed Narendra PM Modi with open arms. Today's road show of PM Modi is historic. The mood of Tamil Nadu through this roadshow is very clear and people are really excited and this is going to reflect on April 19 in a very big way."

BJP candidate from South Chennai Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "PM Modi's visit will definitely help us. People want him to become the Prime Miniter for the third time. Whenever he comes, the DMK is exposed. Lotus will bloom in Tamil Nadu..."