Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: ‘People of Maharashtra going to repeat what happened in Haryana polls,’ says PM Modi in Nanded

At a rally in Nanded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Congress has been losing its support base over the years due to the unity of SCs, STs, Dalits, and Adivasis.

“Why are the Congress people so much in love with Article 370,” Modi asked, referring to the demand by the opposition party to restore Article 370 in Kashmir.

“The entire country is in shock over this foolish and unfortunate political play of Congress,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)

While conceding that the momentum the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) got after its good showing in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra may not have sustained due to various populist schemes rolled out subsequently by the Mahayuti government, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar asserted on Saturday that the people of Maharashtra were, however, looking for a change which, he said, would fuel the MVA to clinch a majority in the November 20 Assembly elections.

Pawar is a key player of the MVA which also includes the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

“After that (Lok Sabha) elections, the (Mahayuti) government has used all its machinery extensively and it has taken a number of populist decisions like Ladki Bahin by giving money (to various beneficiaries) and are trying to change the atmosphere. It may have some effect as per our colleagues,” said Pawar in an interview with The Indian Express. Read More

During his rally in Nanded on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress, alleging its members of “showing a red book labelled ‘Constitution of India’ with blank pages inside.” He added, “People of Maharashtra are going to repeat what happened in the Haryana assembly elections.”

"Congress has done many scams in the country but now, they have crossed all limits. You must have seen on TV and mobile phones that the people of Congress are distributing a red book in the name of the Constitution," he said.

PM Modi further said, "Although it is written 'Constitution of India' on the top when people opened the book, they found that it did not have even a single word of Babasaheb's (BR Ambedkar) Constitution. This is a reflection of their hate towards Babasaheb and the entire country is shocked to see this."

Exuding confidence in poll victory, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said in Nagpur, "Maha Vikas Aghadi will win Maharashtra assembly polls with full majority and our opponents will not be able to divide us."

"BJP should debate with Congress to let us know what work they carried out in last 11 years and we will tell our work done in 55 years," Kharge said

BJP leaders divert people's attention from core issues by giving provocative speeches and speaking lies, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Nagpur.

PM Modi said, "Today, the country is concerned about another sensitive issue. In the J&K Legislative Assembly, Congress and its allies have passed a proposal to restore Article 370. I ask you, should Article 370 be reinstated in Jammu and Kashmir again? No! Would you allow its implementation? Never! Notably, all separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements support Article 370, and this has become Congress' stance too!"

PM Modi appeals people of Maharashtra to vote for Mahayuti alliance and says Congress wants SC, ST, OBCs to fight amongst themselves.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the Congress has been pushing for the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir. "Do you want to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir and let terror activities continue in the area? " Modi says.

"People of Haryana foiled conspiracy of Congress by following the 'Ek hai to safe hai' mantra," says PM Modi at poll rally in Akola

"I have come to seek your blessings for Mahayuti (grand alliance) in Nov 20 Maharashtra assembly polls ," PM Modi says in Akola.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his rally in Akola said lakhs of poor people will get pucca houses. Modi lauded the welfare schemes he rolled out after taking over as the PM for the third time.

Election campaigns are heated up in Maharashtra and slamming the ruling coalition, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, "Mahayuti leaders should visit my state to see how Congress' welfare guarantees are benefiting people."

"In 10 months, our government gave 50,000 jobs to youth in the state," Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy said at media briefing in Mumbai.

A day after launching the BJP’s Maharashtra Assembly election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue his rallies in Akola and Nanded today. During his rallies in Dhule and Nashik yesterday, PM Modi appealed to Dalits, tribals and OBCs to stay united coning the slogan “Ek hai toh safe hai”. Modi alleged that the MVA would “halt the ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme if elected” and only the Mahayuti would be able to sustain Maharashtra’s development.

At the rally in Nashik, Modi also recalled his visit to the Shree Kalaram mandir in January ahead of the consecration of Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya.

“I got a chance to clean and serve at the Kalaram temple. I have come back to seek blessings of Nashik for a developed Maharashtra and a developed India,” Modi said.

25 crore people have been freed from the clutches of poverty in a decade: PM Modi at election rally in Maharashtra's Nashik. PTI

For many decades, Congress gave slogan of eradicating poverty but the poor remained dependent for food, clothes and shelter: PM Modi. PTI

We abrogated Article 370 in Kashmir and the spirit of “One Nation, One Constitution” became a reality: PM Modi at rally in Nashik. PTI

Wherever Congress and allies are there, scams are bound to happen: PM Modi at election rally in Maharashtra's Nashik.

Congress and allies leave no opportunity to push the country backwards and weaken it; they did so in defence manufacturing: PM Modi. PTI

Congress doesn't care about Constitution, courts, and people's sentiments; they carry Constitution in pocket just for show, says PM Modi

Congress has become parasitic and is surviving on crutches; it can contest polls only with support of other parties, said PM Narendra Modi.

"Congress has opened a ‘loot ki dukaan’ (shop of corruption) in states where it is in power. In these Congress-ruled states, the situation has deteriorated to the point where their treasuries are empty, and they struggle to pay salaries. To make up for this, Congress is imposing and increasing taxes, using this revenue for corrupt purposes. Wherever Congress governs, scams are inevitable.

Congress has now become dependent on other parties; it can't stand on its own. To survive, it has resorted to its oldest tactic: dividing the SC, ST, and OBC communities, sowing discord among them to weaken unity.

“Congress hates the OBCs,” he continued, noting that OBC reservation came when Congress was not in power. Congress leaders like Pandit Nehru divided OBCs into castes, never allowing them to unite. Congress fears OBC unity because when OBCs are united, Congress loses.

Today, with the blessings of the OBCs, an OBC is Prime Minister for the third time, and Congress cannot accept this. They wonder how an OBC could rise to the position of Prime Minister. But as I say: ‘Ek hain to safe hain’—together, we are strong.”

📌 Congress has turned states under its rule into a “loot ki dukaan” (shop of corruption).

📌In Congress-ruled states, treasuries are empty, and they struggle to pay salaries to employees.

📌To cover up this mismanagement, Congress is increasing taxes, leading to further exploitation of the public.

PM Modi begins his speech in Nashik:

"BJP ahe tar gati ahe, Maharashtra chi pragati ahe," (If BJP is there, then there is momentum, and if BJP is there, then there is progress).

"Today, our country is progressing, making new records because we have a government that stands with the poor. Congress gave the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’ (Eradicate Poverty), but for the longest time, the poor continued to struggle for roti, kapda, aur makaan (food, clothing, and shelter).

But now, the situation has changed. Around 25 crore people have come out of poverty. This has been possible because Modi works as a sevak (servant) of the poor. This battle against poverty has been fought by the people, alongside Modi," he said, addressing the crowd.

Here are key points:

– “When Maharashtra progresses, so does India. Maharashtra is leading in modern infrastructure with advanced technology driving the construction of roads, flyovers, and expressways. However, the Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) repeatedly attempt to stall these initiatives. They’ve obstructed major projects like the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, metro projects, Wadhavan port, and more. To secure Maharashtra’s development, it’s essential not to allow the Maha Aghadi to come to power.

– Congress continuously hampers the nation’s growth, spreading falsehoods and provoking unrest even in the defense manufacturing sector. They show no regard for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, merely carrying a Constitution with blank pages. Congress erected the barrier of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which prevented the Indian Constitution from being fully implemented there. By removing Article 370, the BJP honored Dr. Ambedkar and unified the country, a move celebrated nationwide, though Congress disapproved. Just two days ago, Congress leaders stirred up disorder by demanding the restoration of Article 370 in J&K.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at an election rally in Sangli, Maharashtra, expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance (Mahayuti) would win the upcoming November 20 assembly elections, defeating the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He criticized MVA leaders, alleging that Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar aim to make their children chief ministers, while multiple Congress leaders are also eyeing the role. Shah highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s track record of fulfilling promises, contrasting it with unfulfilled promises by Congress. Referring to Congress’s recent loss in Haryana, he predicted a similar defeat for MVA in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress in his rally in Dhule for not granting classical language status to Marathi, despite being in power both in Maharashtra and nationally. He accused Congress saying, “A dangerous game of pitting one caste against another is being played by the Congress as that party can never see Dalits, backward classes and tribals progressing.”

During his address at North Maharashtra's rally in Dhule, today, PM Modi promised that only the BJP-led government can provide the stability and good governance that Maharashtra needs to flourish.

“We consider people as another form of god, but some people are in politics to loot people,” Modi stated. "The pace at which Maharashtra's development has gained in the last two-and-a-half years will not be allowed to stop" assured Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address on Friday in Dhule emphasized that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is dedicated to Maharashtra’s rapid progress and vowed to maintain the state’s development momentum. “You all know my affinity with Maharashtra,” Modi said.

Addressing his first rally in Dhule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra is a vehicle that has neither wheels nor brakes, and there is a fight there to sit on the driver's seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his campaign for the upcoming 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections on Friday. Speaking at his rally, he remarked, “You all know my deep connection with Maharashtra.” His campaign began in Dhule, located in north Maharashtra, and he is scheduled to continue to Nashik to address the public.

On Wednesday afternoon, during his roadshow in the Grant Road area in the Mumbadevi constituency in South Mumbai, the Congress’s sitting MLA Amin Patel waves to local residents from an open vehicle.

He is flanked by women activists of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

Most of his supporters thronging the rally are also women, some leading the roadshow, some trailing it, all of them shouting slogans in his favour.

In the course of his campaign over the last several days, Patel, 61, has been asserting that he “respects women”, going on later to highlight his “accomplishments” as the MLA of this seat for three consecutive terms since 2009.

Patel has resorted to this “firefighting” in the face of a backlash over the alleged derogatory remarks made by his ally Uddhav Sena’s South Mumbai MP Arvind Sawant against his rival Shaina N C, the fashion designer and former BJP national spokesperson contesting the Mumbadevi seat on a ticket of the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Read Here

Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra as a "jhoot, loot, phoot" (lies, corruption, and division) administration, accusing it of deceptive and destructive policies. Speaking at a rally in Dahanu, Palghar district, in support of CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole, Yadav urged voters to prioritize values over financial promises. Nikole, who has been renominated by the INDIA bloc, highlighted the need to defend tribal rights and emphasized the power of ideological battles over money-driven politics. Activists at the event condemned the Shinde government’s tribal policies, claiming they exploit tribal communities for political gain.

Ahead of the upcoming 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch his campaign in the state. His first stop will be Dhule in north Maharashtra, after which he will proceed to Nashik to address the public.