Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a polls rally in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas in West Bengal on Saturday. (Source: Twitter/@BJP4India)Addressing a rally in South 24 Parganas in poll-bound West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has conceded defeat as she is already planning to contest from Varanasi in next Lok Sabha polls in 2024. He also addressed a rally in Assam earlier in the day where he expressed his confidence over NDA’s victory in the upcoming elections.
The Election Commission Saturday relaxed its 48-hour campaigning ban on BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours. Sarma can start campaigning for the Assam elections this evening.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday accused the BJP of engineering communal strife in the state to win the assembly elections and urged the minority community to not “fall in the trap of a BJP-aided party from Hyderabad and its Bengal ally that are out to polarise votes”. Her jibe was apparently aimed at Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and Abbas Siddiqui’s ISF.
In another development, DMK leader and Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi said on Saturday she had tested Covid-19 positive, and canceled all her scheduled events ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Kanimozi has isolated herself at home, and is likely to undergo treatment at a private hospital in Chennai.
Earlier today, launching an attack on the Congress party for its stance on not implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam, BJP chief JP Nadda on Saturday said that they cannot overrule a law passed by Parliament and were misleading the people. Speaking to ANI, Nadda said, “I can’t understand who are the people who make these guarantees and how limited is their knowledge. Can a state law overrule a law passed by Parliament? They’re misleading people. It’s a display of mental bankruptcy.”
BJP chief J P Nadda on Saturday targeted DMK leaders for allegedly using what he called 'foul language' against Dalits and dubbed the DMK and Congress as being 'synonymous' with corruption.
Accusing DMK leaders of using 'foul' language recently against Dalits, late AIADMK matriarch 'Amma' and women, he said it was very unfortunate.
One could understand what respect they have for Dalits and women, he said here, addressing a poll rally canvassing support for BJP's H Raja, who is contesting the April 6 Assembly polls from Karaikudi Assembly segment.
Such foul language was used while they were out of power and the way they would treat Dalits and women in the event of winning the polls is a 'million dollar question,' he said. (PTI)
Following a controversy over a polling team in Assam carrying an EVM in the vehicle belonging to the wife of a BJP candidate, the Congress on Saturday held a protest against the incident and alleged that the ruling party in the state is indulging in electoral manipulation.
Amid slogan-shouting by the party workers, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the BJP leaders who carry out illegal activities that hamper the polling process.
The protest rally was not allowed to move forward on the busy arterial G S Road and stopped at the gate of the state Congress headquarters 'Rajiv Bhawan'.
Bora submitted a memorandum to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Debaraj Upadhaya to send it to the Office of Chief Electoral Officer of the state. (PTI)
Calling upon people to oust the Mamata Banerjee government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that the BJP, if voted to power in Bengal, will ensure security for all women and create job opportunities for the youth.
Adityanath, who addressed two rallies during the day, also said that those who had tried to stop Durga puja and Saraswati puja will be put behind bars, if the saffron party forms government in Bengal.
"You had given 50 years to the Congress, 30 years to the communists and 10 years to the Trinamool Congress, I urge you to give five years to the BJP... We will change the face of West Bengal.
"The BJP will stop all tortures perpetrated on the women of West Bengal. It will ensure that youths get employment opportunities," the Uttar Pradesh CM said at a public meeting in Falta area of South-24 Parganas district. (PTI)
People of Tamil Nadu do not accept the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and the DMK-led front would emerged victorious in April 6 Assembly elections, said Dinesh Gundu Rao, AICC in-charge of the state, on Saturday.
Seeking votes for Thirumagan Evera, the Congress candidate for Erode east constituency, he said Thirumagan is the great grandson of radical EVR Periyar and son of former TNCC president E V K S Elangovan, both noted for honesty and self-respect.
The Congress leader criticised the income-tax raid on the house of DMK president M K Stalin's daughter and said the BJP has destroyed democracy by using the government agency to arrange the raid just to defame the Secular Progressive Front consisting of the DMK-Congress and other parties. (PTI)
PM Modi: TMC's "Bohirgato" (outsider) theory insult to Netaji's ideology, Indian Constitution.
A total of 14 workers of two political parties were arrested for allegedly distributing cash to voters in two areas here on Saturday, police said.
Based on information, the police went to an area in Coimbatore south constituency where they caught 12 BJP workers distributing the money to residents.
A sum of Rs 46,000 was seized from them and six two-wheelers were impounded, the police said.
In another incident, two AIADMK workers were held for distributing money in an area coming under Coimbatore north constituency, they said. (PTI)
PM Narendra Modi in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas: "Didi's party says that she will contest from Varanasi, which makes two things clear -- that she has accepted her defeat in Bengal and that Didi has started a search for her space outside Bengal."
"People of Varanasi are as kind-hearted as people of Bengal. But you (Mamata Banerjee) will meet so many people with vermillion and 'choti'. 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan irritates you, but you will have to hear 'Har Har Mahadev' every 2 minutes. What will you do then."
Spearheading his party's campaign in the ongoing polls to elect five assemblies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed 23 rallies so far, 10 of them across four states over the last three days, including Saturday.
With the BJP pulling out all the stops to oust Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from government in West Bengal and to retain power in Assam, these two states have been the focus of Modi's campaign.
He has addressed rallies in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry too.
The prime minister also travelled to Bangladesh recently for two days and attended a number of programmes, an exercise that was criticised by Banerjee alleging they were held with an eye on the polls in West Bengal, a charge rejected by the BJP. (PTI)
The Election Commission Saturday relaxed its 48-hour campaigning ban on BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours. Sarma can start campaigning for Assam elections from this evening.
Addressing a public meeting at Tarakeshwar in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "TMC's syndicate has ruined Hooghly river as well. They have no effective policies against illegal construction and industrial waste. This is because they run the syndicate themselves and several treatment plants don't function."
Addressing a public meeting at Tarakeshwar in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Didi (Mamata Banerje) has said that the crowd that attends the BJP rally, they gather for money. Can a citizen of Bengal ever be sold? These are self-respecting people, even the entire British regime could not do anything for the people of Bengal. Don't insult the people of Bengal."
"If a player raises a question on the umpire time and again, we know there's some problem in his/her game. In politics, if someone questions the EVM or the EC time and again, we must understand the game's over."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of engineering communal strife in the state to win the assembly elections.
The TMC chief, while addressing an election rally in Raidighi in South 24 Parganas district, also called upon Muslims not to "fall in the trap of a BJP-aided party from Hyderabad and its Bengal ally that are out to polarise votes." Her jibe was apparently aimed at Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and Abbas Siddiqui's ISF. Both Owaisi and Siddiqui had earlier denied the TMC's insinuations. The ISF is fighting the elections in alliance with the CPI(M) and the Congress.
The TMC supremo also urged Hindus to be on the guard against the BJP's attempts to "instigate communal clashes" and called upon them to chase away outsiders sent to foment trouble in their respective localities.
Affirming her Hindu identity, in an apparent attempt to counter the minority appeasement charge against her, Banerjee said, "I am a devout Hindu who recites Chandi mantra every day before leaving home. But I believe in our tradition of giving respect to every religion." (PTI)
After he was debarred from campaigning by the Election Commission, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma Saturday clarified that he has not challenged this order before any Court of Law. His comments come after Anurag Thakur said that BJP will take the issue to the court on legal and factual grounds. Sarma was banned from campaigning for 48 hours on Friday for his remark against Hagrama Mohilary.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Friday said that tBJP will approach the court against Election Commission's 48-hour ban of Himanta Biswa Sarma on legal and factual grounds. The EC on Friday debarred Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for ongoing Assam elections for 48 hours with immediate effect for his remark against Hagrama Mohilary, Bodoland People’s Front Chairperson.
Alleging that the TMC and the BJP are on a "joint mission to ruin" West Bengal, senior Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill on Friday accused the two parties of using religion and indulging in violence to win the state elections and divert people's attention from the real issues that are impacting their daily lives.
The political battle between the state's ruling party and the saffron outfit has derailed the development of 'sonar Bangla' (golden Bengal), he said.
Congress leaders and workers on Saturday held protests in Guwahati after an EVM machine was found in the car of a BJP leader Krishnendu Pal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a fervent appeal to militants in Assam who have not surrendered yet to return to the mainstream as they are needed to create an 'Atmanirbhar Assam'.
Addressing an election rally here in Baksa district, the prime minister said people of the state have rejected violence for development, peace, unity and stability. The NDA government, he asserted, formulated policies that are non-discriminatory and for all sections of society. (PTI)
Talking about the impact of NDA rule in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the poor of "every class, every tribe" got pucca houses, toilets, gas connections under him. It was due to the unbiased schemes, Modi says, that they were able to reach the historic Bodo Accord.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the game of “secularism-communism has done a lot of damage to the country.” Addressing a rally in Tamulpur, Assam, Modi said, “There are some such things going wrong in the country, if we give something for our vote bank by discriminating in society, cutting the society, then see the misfortune, it is called secularism in the country. But if they work for everyone, give it to everyone without discrimination, then they say that they are communal.”
Lok Sabha MP and DMK leader Kanimozi on Saturday said she had tested Covid-19 positive and was in isolation. Kanimozhi has cancelled all her upcoming events and rallies ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections on April 6. She is likely to undergo treatment at a private hospital in Chennai.
Addressing a rally in Tamulpur, Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that whenever his government makes a plan, they make it for everyone, irrespective of region, class etc. “We work hard to provide benefits of that scheme to the people of every region, to all classes of people, without discrimination, without bias.”
Addressing a rally in Tamulpur, Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence over NDA’s victory in the upcoming elections. Modi laid down the work done under him in the last 5 years, saying, “the double-engine govt of NDA has given double benefits to the people of Assam in the last five years.” The development take place, Modi adds, is improving connectivity and providing better opportunities for women and the youth.
PM Modi said, "The 'Mahajhooth' of 'Mahajot' (grand alliance) has been disclosed. On the basis of my political experience, & audience love, I can say that people have decided to form NDA govt in Assam. They can't bear those who insult Assam's identity and propagate violence."
Addressing a rally in Tamulpur, Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the people of Assam have had enough and they are no longer tolerant to the violence and instability inflicted upon them for decades. Instead of the Congress rule, Modi says, Assam is now with development, stability, peace, brotherhood, goodwill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Tamulpur in Baksa district in Assam.
Calling the DMK-Congress “dynastic and corrupt” during his visit to Tamil Nadu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the state’s development is only possible if the DMK led alliance is defeated. Only Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said, can make Tamil Nadu of MGR & Jayalalithaa's dreams.
After barring Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning in the assembly polls for 48 hours, the Election Commission has also transferred his brother and Goalpara Superintendent of Police Sushanta Biswa Sarma from the district. An order issued by the Commission on Friday said that Sarma shall be transferred to some suitable post in the state headquarters and IPS officer Veera Venakata Rakesh Reddy shall be posted with immediate effect as the new Superintendent of Police of Goalpara district, which will go to polls in the third and last phase on April 6. (PTI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a roadshow in Thousand Lights assembly constituency as he campaigned for the party's candidate Khushbu Sundar for the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu.
The final poll percentage for the second phase of assembly polls in Assam is 80.96 per cent, 1.03 per cent more than the first phase total of 79.93 per cent, election officials said on Friday. The voting percentage was mentioned as 77.21 per cent at the end of polling Thursday but as per the updated figure it has increased to 80.96 per cent. A total of 39 constiruencies had gone to vote in the second phase of polling the previous day. (PTI)
Launching an attack on the Congress party for their stance on not implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam, BJP chief JP Nadda on Saturday said that they cannot overrule a law passed by the parliament and that they were misleading people. Talking to ANI, Nadda said, “ I can’t understand who are the people who make these guarantees & how limited is their knowledge. Can a state law overrule a law passed by Parliament? They’re misleading people. It’s a display of mental bankruptcy.”
The Election Commission (EC) Friday banned Assam Minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours in Assam ahead of the third and final phase of the Assembly elections. He was penalised for his remark against Bodoland People’s Front Chairperson Hagrama Mohilary.
The EC imposed the ban with immediate effect, which means that Sarma, a star campaigner for the BJP, can no longer seek votes for his party in the state. Campaigning in Assam ends on April 4.
The decision was taken on a complaint filed by the Congress, which had alleged that Sarma had “openly threatened” to send Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary to jail by “misusing” the National Investigation Agency. BPF is part of the Congress-led alliance.
Election Commission on Friday debarred Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for ongoing Assam elections for 48 hours with immediate effect for his remark against Hagrama Mohilary, Bodoland People’s Front Chairperson.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday started his speech in Kerala by chanting ‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’ three times and slammed LDF and UDF for ‘destabilising’ sacred places. He attacked the LDF government in the state over its action on the Ayyappa devotees during the Sabarimala protests. The Ayyappa devotees, who should have been welcomed with flowers, were lathi-charged, Modi said bringing up the Sabarimala women entry issue at an election rally at Konni in Pathnamthitta district, near the famous Lord Ayyappa shrine. “UDF and LDF are twins.They are twins of misgovernance, corruption, political violence, communalism, casteism, cronyism, nepotism and more,” he added.
Election Commission bans the practice of Kottikalaasam –– cresecendo of election campaining in Kerala in its last few hourswith all parties converging at a point for a show of strength.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Modi’s jibe that she is contemplating contesting from another seat, saying that the people of Nandigram have shown that her party’s victory is certain.
“I want to tell the Prime Minister to control the Union Home Minister first and then try to control us. We are not your party’s members that we will do what you say,” Banerjee said while addressing a rally in North Bengal’s Dinhata constituency. “I have contested from Nandigram and will win from there,” she added. Read more
Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday claimed the BJP “had won” over 50 seats out of the total 60 that went to polls in the first two phases in West Bengal, and that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had lost from Nandigram.
Addressing a public meeting at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district, Shah said, “It is clear from the first two phases that the BJP will win more than 50 seats out of 60. And Didi is losing the election from Nandigram. Later, Didi’s advisor went to her and asked. ‘Didi! Where would you want to contest from now?’ But Didi replied that she would fight from anywhere but not from north Bengal, as the people here wouldn’t vote for her.” Read more
AICC Secretary BP Singh, campaigning for Congress Candidate Sunil Tirke, addresses student wings of Sanjukta Morcha Friday at Phansidewa assembly seat.
In just a little more than a month since its launch, the 'FreeTNTemples' campaign has been endorsed by over three crore people, Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has said. Not only have the citizens of this state spoken their will, so have spiritual leaders who have long sought this reform, he said in his second letter to the Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Opposition Leader M K Stalin. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections had promised to free the Hindu temples in the state from government's grip and hand the control over to Hindu scholars and saints.
Classical vocalist T M Krishna to perform for event 'Vijayam' in Kerala's Palayad tomorrow
After IT raided the residence of DMK leader MK Stalin's daughter ahead of Tamil Nadu polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "Raiding the opposition is BJP’s coping mechanism when facing electoral defeat."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday attacked the ruling LDF and opposition UDF in Kerala, remarking the people of the state are fed up with the two fronts and want the development agenda of the BJP. “Enough is enough. The people are telling UDF and LDF. The people of Kerala are seeing the development agenda of the BJP, NDA. They relate with our programmes and policies,” Modi said while speaking at a rally at Konni in Pathanamthitta district, where the famous Lord Ayyappa temple is located.
The Income Tax department is conducting searches at at least four premises of Sabareesan, who is the son-in-law of DMK president MK Stalin. Apart from his residence, several other places connected to him are also being searched. Sabareesan is a powerful face in Stalin’s camp, a man known for mobilising resources to holding talks and negotiations with friends as well as foes.
Sources said the residence of Karthik Mohan, son of DMK’s Anna Nagar candidate MK Mohan is also under the scanner. Read more
Asserting that she was winning the election from Nandigram, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that she does not need his "suggestion" on contesting from any other seat. The prime minister had on Thursday asked Banerjee to clarify whether there is truth in the "rumours" that she was going to file the nomination for another seat going to the polls in the last phase, maintaining that the TMC chief has admitted defeat in Nandigram.
"I want to tell the prime minister to control his home minister first and then try to control us. We are not your party's members that you will control us," Banerjee said at an election rally in Dinhata in the north Bengal district of Coochbehar.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Friday announced that her election campaign tours in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, supposed to be held in the 3 days, stand cancelled due to exposure of Covid-19, even though she has currently tested negative for the virus.
Addressing a rally in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on DMK and Congress leaders, claiming that they "keep insulting women", while pointing out that the NDA schemes are aimed at empowering women. Modi also said the two parties had no agenda to talk about and under their rule, the law and order situation of the state would suffer.
Addressing a rally in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that a vote for NDA would bring better investment in Tamil Nadu. “We're creating the right atmosphere for more industries to come here, especially agro industries with help from our farmers in value addition,” Modi said.
Addressing a rally in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that NDA will be the right fit for the preservation of Tamil Nadu’s culture and ethos. DMK and Congress on the other hand, Modi says, “haven’t ununderstood the ethos of Madurai” and that the “law and order situation will suffer under them.”
Addressing a rally in Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a jibe at the Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, saying that she is “running the government on a 3T model - Tolabazi(extortion), Tanashahi (dictatorship), Tushtikaran (appeasement), whereas Modi Ji runs it on a 3V model - Vikas, Vishwas, Vyapar.”
Addressing a rally in Sitalkuchi, West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that “development would be the top most priority” if BJP comes to power in Bengal. “We'll give Rs 2000 crores to the North Bengal development board for your development,” Shah said.
In his address to the people in Sitalkuchi, West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is losing the election in Nandigram. This, Shah says, was decided after the voter turnout by the end of yesterday.
After a video of an EVM getting transported in the car of a BJP leader went viral online, the Election Commission on Friday issued orders for re-polling in polling station 179 of Ratabari seat in Assam. The car belonged to Patharkandi BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul and the video was also re-tweeted by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.
The officers responsible for transportation of EVMs belonging to PS 179 have been suspended.
Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty on Friday held a roadshow in West Bengal’s Hooghly district for the party's candidate Biman Ghosh. Talking to the reporters, Mithun said that BJP will bring change and there will be no riots or violence under his party. "There was no 'parivartan' earlier, it was a lie. There will be a change now, there will be no riots or violence. This is BJP's motto."
Hours after the second phase of polling concluded in Assam on Thursday, a video surfaced on social media which allegedly showed electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the car of Patharkandi BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul.
The video was tweeted out by Assam-based journalist Atanu Bhuyan, who mentioned that the “situation is tense in Patharkandi” following the incident.
Targeting the BJP over the incident, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said the Election Commission should act decisively on such complaints and that a serious re-evaluation of the use of EVMs needs to be carried out by all national parties.
Ahead of the upcoming polls in Tamil Nadu, Income Tax raids are underway on Friday at DMK Chief M K Stalin Son-in-law's residence in Chennai. At least 4 premises of Sabareesan are being searched. Sabareesan is a powerful face in Stalin's camp and is known for mobilising resources as well as holding talks and negotiations. (With Arun Janardhanan, Janardhan Koushik)
If V K Sasikala’s family has lost out the most in Tamil Nadu politics after J Jayalalithaa’s death, spare a thought for Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Picked twice by Jayalalithaa to serve as stop-gap CM while she had to step down over charges, the 70-year-old who might have expected the chair following her death as reward for this abiding loyalty now finds it irretrievably out of reach.
And it may get worse. A deputy to Chief Minister E Palaniswami now for four years, Panneerselvam is facing a tough battle in Bodinayakanur constituency near Theni.
Up against him is Thanga Tamilselvan, who joined the DMK after having sided with the Sasikala-T T V Dhinakaran camp in the AIADMK tussle following Jayalalithaa’s death. (Read Arun Janardhanan's report here)