Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses rally in Telangana. (Screengrab from X/@ANI)India General Election 2024 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his poll push in South India by kicking off his Lok Sabha campaign in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi, Mallikarjun Kharge’s home turf. Hitting out at Congress, he said, “Congress can never be corruption-free. Corruption is like oxygen for them. Without corruption, they cannot breathe in politics.”
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will conclude his two-month long Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai on Saturday, which began in Manipur on January 14. As part of his yatra in Mumbai, Gandhi, a day earlier, called the electoral bonds ‘the biggest extortion racket in the world’ and that the list has shell companies, which are pressurised by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
In other news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also accused the Congress and the BRS of shattering the dreams of Telangana’s development. Addressing a rally in Nagarkurnool, Telangana earlier in the day, the PM alleged, “Congress and BRS have shattered all dreams of Telangana. First, it was BRS’ ‘maha loot‘ and now it is Congress’ ‘buri nazar‘. For Congress, even 5 years are enough to destroy Telangana… That’s why this time in Telangana, BJP’s lotus would bloom in all seats,” he said. Modi is also scheduled to visit the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s home turf Kalaburagi on Saturday to address a mega public meeting.
‘Congress can never be corruption-free’, PM Modi hits out at Oppn in Kharge’s home turf
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his poll push in South India by kicking off his Lok Sabha campaign in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi, Mallikarjun Kharge’s home turf. Hitting out at Congress, he said, “Congress can never be corruption-free. Corruption is like oxygen for them. Without corruption, they cannot breathe in politics.”
PM Modi addresses public rally in Kalaburagi
PM Modi is addressing a public rally in Kalaburagi, home turf of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Tharoor releases 68-page development report about his performance as MP in last 15 years
The Congress-led UDF's candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency Shashi Tharoor on Saturday released a 68-page booklet detailing his contributions to the constituency as an MP for the last 15 years.
While addressing a gathering here, Tharoor said that he had been subjected to baseless allegations whenever he contested and this time the charge is that he has not done anything for the constituency for the last 15 years. "They are saying that I have not done anything for the past 15 years. So I am releasing a 68-page development report," Tharoor said.
He also ridiculed the phrase, 'Modiyude guarantee' (Modi's guarantee) saying that the BJP's only guarantee is that they will not deliver on their promises. "Jumla is their only guarantee," he added. Noted Malayalam movie director Adoor Gopalakrishnan received the first copy of the booklet. Tharoor said he first thought of handing over the booklet to a political leader and then decided to invite a widely respected public figure. "My works were not only for the Congress party but for the people of this state.
"So I thought it would be better if I give this development report to a public figure who is widely accepted and respected. I am thankful to Adoor Gopalakrishnan for accepting this invitation," Tharoor said. Tharoor listed out the development works he had done for the constituency and the roles he played in major works like the construction of the National Highway bypass and Vizhinjam seaport. The Congress MP also criticised the BJP-led NDA for not doing anything for Thiruvananthapuram in the last 10 years. "Not even the promises made in the Parliament were implemented," Tharoor said.
He said the present NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar is making promises after he has been announced as the candidate.
Tharoor said he is not only seeking votes based on the development but also for the political stand that he consistently takes on major issues in the country. "I have stood up against the efforts of the Modi government to destroy the very concept of India and the spirit of our Constitution. I have been consistent in my political stand against such divisive strategies of the Central government both inside the House and outside," he added. He said he seeks the votes for continuing his fight against BJP and to continue his good work for the constituency. -- PTI
No corrupt person will be spared, says PM Modi a day after BRS leader Kavitha's arrest
A day after the arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha in a money-laundering case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged that the BRS entered into "partnership with other hardcore corrupt parties" and also asserted that no corrupt person will be able to escape, news agency PTI reported.
PM Modi was addressing a rally in Nagarkurnool. "No corrupt person will be spared. Today, I am promising the people of Telangana that no corrupt person will be able to escape. I need Telangana's support in the fight against corruption," he said. Read the full story here.
'People of Maha have only one aim - to throw BJP out of power': Cong leader Nana Patole
Speaking to the reporters, Maharashtra Congress leaders Nana Patole, said that the people of Maharashtra have only one aim this election season, and that is, to throw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power.
"Maharashtra Congress is completely ready for elections. The people of Maharashtra have only one aim - to throw the BJP out of power. Modi govt ne sapne bech ke desh bechne ka kaam kiya hai," Patole said.
Bollywood singer Anuradha Paudwal joins BJP
Noted Bollywood singer Anuradha Paudwal joined the BJP on Saturday ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, news agency PTI reported.
Addressing a joint press conference with BJP leaders at the party's headquarters, Paudwal praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said she was happy to join the party led by him. (PTI)
Electoral bonds scheme an extortion racket used for toppling govts, breaking parties: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday stepped up his attack on the BJP-led Centre as he described the electoral bonds scheme as an "extortion racket" used for toppling governments and breaking political parties.
Addressing people at Jambhali Naka in Maharashtra's Thane during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi said, "The electoral bonds scheme is an international-level extortion racket and those who protest, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department go after them."
"It's an extortion racket used for toppling governments led by opposition parties, and for breaking political parties," Gandhi said.
"Do you think Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs in Maharashtra ran away for free?" he asked, referring to a split in the two parties triggered by the rebellions led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar respectively. People belonging to backward communities, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities and poor from the general category account for more than 80 per cent of the population, but have minuscule representation in the top echelons in government and private sectors, Gandhi said.
He claimed that 50 lakh people died of COVID-19 in India during the pandemic.
"When people were dying of coronavirus, vaccine-maker Serum Institute of India donated money to PM Modi in the form of electoral bonds," the former Congress president claimed.
Gandhi also alleged that only film stars and top industrialists attended the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony as guests, but there were no poor people. "Even the President of India (Droupadi Murmu) was not allowed (at the event) as she is an Adivasi," he claimed. (PTI)
Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to go through Thane, enter Mumbai: Jairam Ramesh
Congress general secretary and communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that the Bharat Jodo Nyay yatra will go through Thane and enter Mumbai on the last day of the yatra, news agency PTI reported.
“Today is the 63rd day. We will be going through Thane and entering Mumbai. This (‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’) began on January 14th from Manipur. Our PM has not gone there and has not met the CM of Manipur or MPs or MLAs in Manipur. That’s why (Congress MP) Rahul Gandhi started his yatra from there," Ramesh said on Saturday.
SP fields Bijendra Singh from Aligarh for 2024 Lok Sabha polls
Samajwadi Party on Saturday fielded Bijendra Singh from Aligarh to contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
YSRCP announces candidates for 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh
The YSR Congress Party on Saturday announced candidates for 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh, news agency PTI reported.
Cong chief Kharge announces 5 guarantees under ‘Shramik Nyay’, ‘Hissedari Nyay’ ahead of LS polls
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday announced five guarantees each for ‘Shramik Nyay’ and ‘Hissedari Nyay’ ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Congress also guarantees that it will pass a constitutional amendment bill to increase reservation limit to 50% for SC, ST and OBCs, news agency PTI quoted the Congress chief.
Within 'Hissedari Nyay,' the party, according to Kharge, guarantees a comprehensive social, economic and caste census, the report stated.
BJP MP Ajay Pratap Singh resigns from party
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ajay Pratap Singh resigned from the party on Saturday, news agency ANI reported.
'People have given decision on NDA crossing 400 seats': PM Modi in Telangana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, addressing a rally in Telangana's Nagarkurnool, said that people have given their decision on the NDA crossing 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls even before the announcement of the poll schedule.
"Today I see here that Telangana people have decided they want to bring back Modi for the third time," he said. Hitting out at the Congress, the PM said the party gave the 'Garibi Hatao' slogan and asked if any change had come in the lives of the poor," Modi said.
He continued, "twenty-five crore people were lifted out of poverty in the country. And the same change has to be brought in Telangana," news agency PTI reported.
'Modi ki guarantee means the guarantee of fulfilling the guarantee given': PM Modi in Telangana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuing his poll push in South India, affirmed that Modi's guarantee includes the guarantee to fulfill the guarantee given.
"Modi's family are the 140 crore Indians. For the last 23 years, earlier working as CM and now as PM, you gave me a chance to serve. I never used any day for myself. If I have lived and worked day and night, it has been for 140 crore family members. Modi ki guarantee means - the guarantee of fulfilling the guarantee given," Modi said in his address.
'25 crore people lifted out of poverty, same change to be brought in Telangana': PM Modi
Addressing a gathering in Telangana's Nagarkurnool on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that twenty-five crore people were lifted out of poverty in the country. And the same change has to be brought in Telangana, news agency PTI reported.
‘Congress, BRS shattered all dreams of Telangana’s development’, says PM Modi in rally
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Nagarkurnool, Telangana, alleged that Congress and the BRS have shattered all dreams of Telangana’s development.
“Congress and BRS have shattered all dreams of Telangana. First, it was BRS’ ‘maha loot‘ and now it is Congress’ ‘buri nazar‘. For Congress, even 5 years are enough to destroy Telangana… That’s why this time in Telangana, BJP’s lotus would bloom in all seats," Modi said in his address.
Modi is also scheduled to visit the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s home turf Kalaburagi on Saturday to address a mega public meeting.
Tagline has changed people's state of mind: Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi
Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi on Saturday, speaking to reporters on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, said that the tageline, "Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukan khol raha hun" has changed people's state of mind.
"This journey has an impact on people of the society. The tagline 'Nafrat ke bazar mein Mohabbat ki dukaan khol raha hun' given by Rahul Gandhi has changed people's state of mind. People are discussing it everywhere," Pratapgarhi told news agency ANI.
Welcoming Rahul gandhi's statement on electoral bonds and misuse of agency by the ruling BJP a day earlier, Pratapgarhi said, "It is a promise from our side that we will fix this system. When our government comes to power, action will be taken against those who have contributed to the misuse of the agency."
CWC meeting likely to be held on March 19, party to finalise manifesto for 2024 LS polls
The Congress Working Committee is likely to hold a meeting on March 19 to finalise manifesto and discuss strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, news agency ANI reported.
Watch Live | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resumes from Bhiwandi, Maharashtra
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resumed from Bhiwandi in Maharashtra on Saturday.
Watch Live here:
Today's schedule of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed near Anjur Petroleum in Mumbai on Saturday.
Here's today's schedule of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra:
K C Venugopal, other Cong leaders meet Sharad Pawar in Mumbai
AICC Secretary KC Venugopal, and other Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Balasaheb Thorat met NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday in Mumbai.
Rahul Gandhi to conclude Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra today
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will conclude his two-month long Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai on Saturday, which began in Manipur on January 14.
As part of his yatra in Mumbai, Gandhi, a day earlier, called the electoral bonds ‘the biggest extortion racket in the world’ and that the list has shell companies, which are pressurised by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
EC to announce 2024 poll schedule today
The Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will today announce the schedule for the elections to the 18th Lok Sabha.
The general elections is likely to be held in several phases through the months of April and May.
Four states, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir are also likely to simultaneously hold Assembly elections.
PM Modi to address rally in Telangana today
Ahead of the announcement of the schedule for Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a BJP rally at Nagarkurnool in Telangana on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.
According to the report, the BJP is trying to make significant electoral gains in the South. The party had won four out of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana in 2019 general elections. The BJP has decided to go solo in Telangana in the coming Lok Sabha elections and is hopeful of increasing its tally.
PM Modi in Kharge’s home turf Kalaburagi today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s home turf Kalaburagi on Saturday to address a mega public meeting.
A day earlier, spearheading the BJP’s poll push ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the PM held a massive road show from Mirjaguda to Malkajgiri near Hyderabad.
ED, CBI cannot be election campaign issues: Assam CM Himanta hits out at Rahul Gandhi
The issue of ED and CBI raids against opposition leaders as raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cannot be a factor for the election campaign, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.
ED and CBI are associated with criminals or probable criminals and the common people are not concerned about it, Sarma said at a press conference here.
"Gandhi is addressing an ecosystem for criminals with which the ED and CBI deal, but this cannot be an election campaign," he said.
People of the country are concerned with basic issues of getting electricity, houses, water, education and health and not with what is happening to a few criminals, the chief minister said.
Ahead of LS polls, West Bengal MPs Arjun Singh, Dibyendu Adhikari join BJP
Two MPs from West Bengal -- Arjun Singh and Dibyendu Adhikari -- joined the Bharatiya Janata Party here on Friday, saying that they were upset with the Sandeshkhali incidents.
Singh represents West Bengal's Barrackpur in the Lok Sabha and Dibyendu Adhikari the Tamluk constituency, which he had won a Trinamool Congress (TMC) ticket in 2019.
They joined the BJP at its headquarters here in the presence of party national general secretary Dushyant Gautam and West Bengal co-in-charge Amit Malviya, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
PM Modi's poll push in the South: To visit Andhra Pradesh on March 17 to address election meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Andhra Pradesh on March 17 and will attend an NDA election meeting in Palnadu district, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde said on Friday.
Tawde, who addressed a press conference at BJP's Vijayawada office here, said the meeting which will be led by Modi will be held in Chilakaluripeta in Palnadu.
We stand together and we will win: Rahul Gandhi
"Shiv Sena and NCP are being broken using the money. This (Electoral bond) is from where the money has come. Few people like Milind Deora and Ashok Chavan have left Congress, but that's not a big thing. We stand and together we will win election," declares Rahul Gandhi at a press briefing in Maharashtra
'Corruption scandal is being run by Prime Minister Modi': Rahul Gandhi on electoral bonds data
" None of the opposition parties had access to national level contracts, none opposition parties had control over agencies, none of the opposition parties had access to Pegasus. It is not about opposition. It is a criminal extortion from corporate India. They are scared. It is blatant and run by PM of India."
"The money to bring down governments in states is coming from here. The entire system is being captured. CBI and ED are not doing investigation. They are doing extortion. The parties which are being broken by BJP, Amit Shah. Entire Maharashtra knows that the money for that has come from here," Rahul Gandhi says, commenting on the data disclosed regarding the electoral bonds.
PM Modi's schedule in Telangana
Modi started the roadshow from Begumpet and is on his way to Viswesvaraiah’s statue at Khairtabad where it will end.
After spending the night at Raj Bhavan, he will proceed to Nagarkurnool Saturday morning and will address public meeting there followed by another at Jagtial.
Union Minister and Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy who is also Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency candidate, Malkajgiri Lok Sabha candidate Etala Rajender, BJP VP Dr K Laxman and many BJP leaders accompanied the PM on the roadshow.
WATCH | Modi in Malkajgiri, Telangana
Modi reaches Begumpet airport
PM Modi, scheduled to attend a road show at Malkajgiri, arrives at Begumpet airport just as ED takes BRS MLC K Kavita into custody
SP declares 6 candidates from Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha elections
Samajwadi Party has declared six candidates from Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls.
The party gives Bhadohi seat in UP to Trinamool Congress
PM Modi set to arrive in Hyderabad's Malkajgiri
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a massive road show in Malkajgiri, Hyderabad in Telangana.
'Abki Baar 400 Paar,' says MP CM Mohan Yadav
"The entire party is at work while the opposition members are distressed. One after the other, Congress members are joining BJP," says Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav.
Enthusiasm in Pathanamthitta assures me that the 'Lotus' will bloom in Kerala: PM Modi
PM Modi addresses a rally in Kerala's Pathanamthitta.
With political programmes in three states on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the BJP's determined southern push for the Lok Sabha election, a day before its announcement, as his party seeks to boost its seat tally from the region's five states.
Modi is scheduled to travel through all the southern states, focusing on places where the ruling party is hopeful of gains, for the next four days till March 19, BJP leaders said.
Electoral bonds data proves BJP is most corrupt: RJD
Senior RJD leader Manoj Jha on Friday alleged that the data on electoral bonds has proved that the ruling BJP at the Centre is "the most corrupt political party in the history" of the country
Jha, the party's national spokesperson, also claimed that the data, which has been put up on the Supreme Court's website, flies in the face of the "nationalistic pretensions" of the BJP, while lending credence to the charge that central investigating agencies were being misused for political ends.
"The data shows that shortly after the Pulwama terror attack, a Pakistani agency purchased electoral bonds. So much for the nationalistic pretensions of the BJP, which stands exposed as the most corrupt party in the history of Independent India," Jha told PTI video.
The Rajya Sabha MP also pointed out that "a private company was raided by the Enforcement Directorate and, a few days later, it ended up purchasing electoral bonds. Anybody can join the dots and make out what the so-called largest political party of the world has been up to".
Jha also mocked BJP leaders for flooding social media with "Thank You Modi ji" messages following the cut in petrol prices.
"We shall put up huge posters with 'Thank You Modi ji' tag-line. But we would also like to know from the government, which always blames the rise in oil prices on international markets, who ordered the cut?" said the RJD leader.
"Obviously, if the government can order a cut in petrol prices, it must accept the responsibility for these spiralling out of control in the first place.
"And by slashing the prices by just Rs 2 per litre ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the government seems intent on taking people for a ride," alleged Jha. --PTI
Rahul Gandhi in Maharashtra: 'Media only talks about PM Modi and Bollywood'
"Show me one adivasi, backward, Dalit, OBC in the media. I have been searching for them. Where are they? Media talks 24 hours about Bollywood, Narendra Modi," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressing a public gathering in Palghar, Maharashtra.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: ‘History of DMK, Congress is full of scams’, PM Modi targets Oppn in Kanyakumari
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari and hit out at DMK and Congress, the BJP leader said, “DMK-Congress’ INDI alliance can never make Tamil Nadu a developed state as its history is full of scams and corruption.” Modi is also expected to address a rally in the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka and hold a roadshow from Mirjaguda to Malkajgiri near Hyderabad in the evening.
PM Modi on South India campaign in Kanyakumari, says ‘BJP will shatter arrogance of Cong-DMK alliance’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, kicking off his campaign in South India. Hitting out at DMK and Congress, the BJP leader said, “Our performance in Tamil Nadu this time will shatter the arrogance of the DMK-Congress INDI alliance.”
PM Modi to address Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari
PM Modi will address a public rally in Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari, shortly.
PM Modi to hold roadshow in Hyderabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow in Hyderabad on Friday and address BJP rallies in Telangana on March 16 and March 18 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Modi's roadshow would be held from Mirjalguda to Malkajgiri Chowrasta here this evening, state BJP general secretary G Premender Reddy said in a release on Thursday.
On March 16, the prime minister will address a public meeting at Nagarkurnool. Modi could attend a rally at Jagtial in the state on March 18, the release added.
The prime minister on March 5 inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth more than Rs 7,200 crore at Sangareddy, about 60 km from Hyderabad.
The BJP has decided to go solo in Telangana in the coming Lok Sabha elections and is hopeful of increasing its tally. --PTI
Congress continues campaign, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumes from Maharashtra
Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from Palghar, Maharashtra.
Electoral bonds data exposes BJP's 'corrupt tactics': Congress
The Congress on Friday alleged that the electoral bonds data has exposed 'corrupt tactics' of the BJP such as quid pro quo, seeking donations for the company's protection, kickbacks and money laundering through shell companies.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also said the party continues to demand unique bond ID numbers, so that it can precisely match donors to recipients.
In a post on X, Ramesh put out a 'quick first analysis' of the Electoral Bonds (EB)data disclosure that the SBI put out after weeks of 'attempting to postpone it until after the election'.
'Over 1,300 companies and individuals have donated electoral bonds, including over 6,000 crore to the BJP since 2019,' he said.
So far, the electoral bonds data exposes at least four corrupt tactics of the BJP, Ramesh claimed. 'Quid Pro Quo: There are many cases of companies that have donated electoral bonds, and immediately afterwards gotten huge benefits from the government: Megha Engineering & Infra has given over Rs. 800 crores in EBs. In April 2023, they donated Rs. 140 crore, and just one month later, they were awarded the Rs. 14,400 crore Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project,' he alleged.
Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu take charge as Election Commissioners
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar welcomed the two newly-appointed Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, to the commission today. The former bureaucrats were selected as poll officials by a three-member committee headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.