Assembly Elections 2023 Highlights: Kharge, Rahul attend Congress’ CEC meet to discuss strategy for MP polls

The Congress leadership on Friday discussed its probable candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections and is likely announce its first list of nominees on October 15.

The party's Central Election Committee held separate meetings on the assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana scheduled for November 17 and 30 respectively.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the meetings and Rahul Gandhi attended them.

The meeting on the Madhya Pradesh polls was also attended by AICC general secretary in-charge for the state Randeep Surjewala and former chief minister Kamal Nath.

In the Telangana meet, state party president Revanth Reddy and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal were present. (PTI)

The unholy nexus between BRS, BJP and AIMIM needs to be defeated in Telangana to usher all-around progress and unhindered welfare.

People of Telangana know that it is only and only the Congress party which can bring the much needed change in their lives.

Today, the Central… pic.twitter.com/ZUXCh8TKWk

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 13, 2023

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday accused the Congress government in Rajasthan of increasing the state's debt burden and alleged that it is misleading people with the inflation relief camps. Meghwal is heading the panel preparing the BJP's manifesto for the assembly elections in Rajasthan. 

Meghwal told reporters at the BJP office, "The Congress government is misleading the public in the name of inflation relief camps. The government has increased the burden of debt." Meghwal also alleged that the Congress misled the public with its assurances of loan waivers for farmers and unemployment allowances for youths ahead of the 2018 elections. This, he claimed, has led to bad governance and an increase in the state's debt burden.

He further alleged that Rajasthan falls short of the national average in terms of investment and export, leading to economic challenges and a rise in unemployment. (PTI)

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- ???? @arjunrammeghwal
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— BJP Rajasthan (@BJP4Rajasthan) October 13, 2023

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday promised to provide plots of land to the homeless people in the state so that houses can be built for them and they do not remain without shelter. He also said that his government's flagship 'Ladli Behna' scheme has enhanced the respect and honour of women in their house as their family members now treat them with dignity.

"Those who have been living in Madhya Pradesh for the last many years but do not possess any land, will be given it...Plots of land will be provided to the homeless people in the state so that houses can be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) as well as the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana and nobody remains without a house," Chouhan said during his address in Bhopal.

"The Ladli Behna scheme was launched with an aim to empower women financially and to enhance their respect and honour in their house as well as society. They are being treated with dignity and respect by their husbands and mothers-in-law, who now offer them rotis with a layer of ghee," he added. (PTI)

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?? ????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????????? ??????? @KrishnaGaurBJP ?? ?? ?????? ???… pic.twitter.com/HA3QRVRjmq

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) October 13, 2023

After Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government of being insensitive towards Tribals. Union Minister of State Prahlad Paten said, 'Congress is left with only spreading lies. Tribals will never tolerate such lies and Congress will face the consequences. Madhya Pradesh government has worked so much for the tribals.' 

VIDEO | 'Congress is left with only spreading lies. Tribals will never tolerate such lies and Congress will face the consequences. Madhya Pradesh government has worked so much for the tribals,' says Union MoS @prahladspatel after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the… pic.twitter.com/berfiwaXTr

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2023

BJP leader Murlidhar Rao said, "Since Congress has come into power in Karnataka, they are attempting to gain control over Telangana as well. They are claiming to spend Rs 3000 crore on the upcoming elections and considering Karnataka as a money reservoir to win in Telangana. They are trying to influence Telangana’s elections. I request the Election Commission to look into this matter."

VIDEO | "Since Congress has come into power in Karnataka, they are attempting to gain control over Telangana as well. They are claiming to spend Rs 3000 crore on the upcoming elections and considering Karnataka as a money reservoir to win in Telangana. They are trying to… pic.twitter.com/5hG7l5Mpaq

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2023

The process of filing of nominations for the first phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections began on Friday with the issuance of notification, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said here. But no nominations were filed during the day, it said.

October 20 is the last date for filing of nominations in the first phase. Scrutiny of nominations will take place the next day, while the last date of withdrawal is October 23.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has so far announced candidates for 85 seats, while the ruling Congress is yet to announce any candidate.
Of the 20 seats going to polls in the first phase, 12 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) while one is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) categories.

In the previous assembly polls in 2018, the Congress had won 17 of these 20 seats, the BJP two, and Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) one. The Congress later won two more seats in bypolls. (PTI)

Two days after the Chhattisgarh government transferred eight officials, including three superintendents of police (SPs) and two collectors following directives of the Election Commission of India, they were given their new assignments on Friday.

Three IAS officers and as many IPS officers are among the eight officials who have got fresh postings as per the orders issued by state's General Administration and home departments this evening. (PTI)

VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh CM @ChouhanShivraj holds a roadshow in Govindpura Assembly constituency, Bhopal.#MadhyaPradeshElections2023 pic.twitter.com/NR3DtTJjNP

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2023

The BJP ,on Friday, allotted the state presidency of Chandigarh to Jatinder Pal Malhotra.

The BJP National President Shri @JPNadda has appointed Shri Jatinder Pal Malhotra as the State President of @BJP4Chandigarh. pic.twitter.com/vs4bzvDq0j

— BJP (@BJP4India) October 13, 2023

Ahead of the Mizoram polls on Nov 7, BJP appointed Union minister Kiren Rijiju as party's election in-charge in the state. BJP National President JP Nadda also named Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton and National Secretary Anil K Antony as election co-incharge.

The BJP National President Shri @JPNadda has appointed Shri @KirenRijiju as the Election Incharge for the forthcoming assembly election of Mizoram.

Shri @YanthungoPatton and Shri @anilkantony have been appointed as the Election Co-Incharge for the upcoming assembly election of… pic.twitter.com/lPTncSUVTO

— BJP (@BJP4India) October 13, 2023

Anand Mohan J's take on subplots across Madhya Pradesh's 230 Assembly seats, involving VIP constituencies, grudge battles, chief minister hopefuls, Union ministers parachuted from Delhi, and rebels. (Must read)

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), whose main faces are the Owaisi brothers, is often a polarising presence on the stage of national politics — a target for both the BJP,  writes Sreenivas Janyala. (Read more)

BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Friday alleged that Congress is pumping crores of rupees into Telangana to purchase votes in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Tagging a news report suggesting that over Rs 40 crore in cash was found during Income Tax searches in Karnataka, Rama Rao in a message posted on “X” asked people to say “No to Scamgress” in Telangana.

“The intellectually bankrupt Congress and its leadership is pumping hundreds of crores of rupees from Karnataka to purchase votes in Telangana.
"Their PCC 'Cheap' was the one who was caught on camera bribing in Vote for Note scam and now since this criminal is now leading the pack of Thugs, this was very much expected Let's say No to 'Scamgress' in TS,” the Minister said in the message. (PTI)

Following the directions of the Election Commission, the Telangana government on Friday issued orders transferring and posting IAS and IPS officers in the state. The Election Commission on Wednesday ordered the Telangana government to transfer several top police and administrative officers of the state, which is going to polls on November 30.

The EC ordered the transfer of police commissioners of Hyderabad, Warangal and Nizamabad and posted 10 new superintendents of police. Following the Election Commission's orders, the Telangana government notified the transfer and posting of IPS officers. Similarly, 10 IPS officers, who were holding various posts, were transferred and posted as superintendents of police of different districts in the state. (PTI)

The Congress Central Election Committee met today to discuss poll preparations for the Telangana assembly elections.

Congress President Shri @Kharge, Shri @RahulGandhi, Gen Secy (Org.) Shri @kcvenugopalmp and senior members attended the meeting. pic.twitter.com/kA0cKXdCBG

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 13, 2023

Senior Congress leader and former minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Ponnala Lakshmaiah resigns from the party pic.twitter.com/M9dgEV1iHW

— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023

The Congress on Friday appointed 29 vice presidents and 64 general secretaries in its Andhra Pradesh unit.

It also appointed new district presidents in Andhra Pradesh to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level in the state which goes to polls next year.

'The Congress president has approved the proposal for the appointment of state office bearers and presidents of various district and city Congress committees in the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect,' an official communication from the party said.

The new vice presidents who have been appointed include Sripathi Prakasham, N Surya Nayak, B Satyawati, Meesala Subbanna, Korivi Vinay Kumar, Dhanekula Murali, V Gurunatham, K Prabhakar, K Ramadevi and Kota Sathyanarayana, among others.

The new general secretaries appointed by the Congress include Srirama Murthy Ruthula (Organisation), Buridi David, Ambati Krishna, Pydi Naga Bhushan, Dola Srinivas, Vajayapathi Srinivas Rao, Akula Venkata Ramana, Aithabathula Subhashini, Boda Venkat and Amarjaha Baig.

The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee is currently headed by Gidugu Rudra Raju. (PTI)

The Congress in Madhya Pradesh is likely to release its first list of nearly 130 candidates, including state chief Kamal Nath, on Sunday, for the November 17 assembly elections, a party leader said on Friday. Sunday marks the beginning of the auspicious Navratri festival.

The leader, who is close to Nath, said that the Congress has plans to declare the names of candidates for all 230 seats in two lists based on five surveys. Of these surveys, one was done by poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu on behalf of Rahul Gandhi, while Nath took care of another, he said.
For its first list, the Congress has cleared the names of 15 ex-legislators and nearly 90 sitting MLAs, said party insiders. Nath will contest from his pocket borough Chhindwara, they said.

“Names of 103 candidates were decided and approved two days ago but due to the ongoing ‘Shraadh' period, we did not announce their names,” said the close aide of Nath.
“Meeting of our central election committee attended by our president Mallikarjun Kharge and his predecessor Rahul Gandhi is on in New Delhi. It is primarily focussing on picking candidates for the second list,” another Congress leader said around noon.

The Congress's arch-rival BJP has already announced candidates for 136 assembly seats through four lists. The saffron party brought out its first list of 39 candidates on Aug 17, more than one and a half months before the election date was announced. (PTI)

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday targeted the Congress leadership over its promises of free education and cash incentives to students in MP. He alleged that the party's state chief Kamal Nath is cheating even the Gandhi family by forcing them to make false announcements, news agency PTI reported.

Chouhan was referring to a public address of Congress general-secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the tribal-dominated Mandla district on Thursday ahead of the November 17 assembly elections. 

During a press conference in Raipur, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad stated, "Bhupesh Baghel, you will meet the same fate as Ajit Jogi, because your 'fitting, setting and cutting' follows his footprints."

VIDEO | "Bhupesh Baghel, you will meet the same fate as Ajit Jogi, because your 'fitting, setting and cutting' follows his footprints," says BJP leader @rsprasad at a press conference in Raipur. pic.twitter.com/u9cFbsnM7N

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2023

The Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Members of Parliament Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and various other party leaders, are currently participating in the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting concerning the forthcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.

Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and other party leaders attend the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. pic.twitter.com/XN7toSHQpl

— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023

Madhya Pradesh may see a straight fight between the BJP and Congress, but there are subplots aplenty across its 230 Assembly seats, involving VIP constituencies, grudge battles, chief minister hopefuls, Union ministers parachuted from Delhi, and rebels.

Check out the list of the 18 contests to look out for in MP polls

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has arrived at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters to participate in the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting regarding the forthcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrives at AICC headquarters to attend the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. pic.twitter.com/e0H0aJ9bA7

— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023

The ruling BRS Party in Telangana has released the first list of in-charges for 54 Assembly constituencies who will work for the victory of the party candidates, news agency PTI reported.

BRS Working President KT Rama Rao who held a teleconference on Thursday with the in-charges gave directions to them on the activities to be followed for the success of the candidates, a press release issued Thursday night said.

Rajasthan BJP leader Arun Chaturvedi has accused Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of using official staff for political meetings in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, news agency PTI reported.

The code came into effect after the Election Commission announced the date for assembly elections in Rajasthan. The state will go to the polls on November 25.

Chaturvedi, a former BJP chief in Rajasthan, pointed to Gehlot's recent travel to Delhi for a meeting with Sonia Gandhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party has announced its third list of candidates for the Chhattisgarh Assembly Election on Thursday, news agency ANI reported.

Among the 11 candidates, the party has fielded Dr Akash Jashwal from the Baikunthpur Assembly, Chandrakant Diksena from Katghora Assembly, Manbhajan Tandon from Lormi, Deepak Patre from Mungeli, Durgalal Kewat (Nishad) from Jaijaipur, Lekh Ram Saahu from Kasdol, Jashwant Sinha from Gunderdehi, Sanjeet Vishwakarma from Durg Gramin, Chameli Kurrey from Pandariya, Jagmohan Baghel from Bastar, and Narendra Bhawani from Jagdalpur Assembly seat.

The Congress on Thursday alleged that some government officials in poll bound Telangana were being biased towards the ruling BRS and sought the removal of the state DGP.

Speaking at an event at the state Congress headquarters here, party's state unit chief Revanth Reddy recalled his comments that some officials were behaving like "BRS activists" and that the Congress would complain to the Election Commission seeking action against them.

The EC had on Wednesday removed some officials from their posts either keeping the complaint in view or as per its own information, but that is not enough, he said.
"I am appeal to election officials through the media. The DGP of this state is an IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh (cadre). Congress demands the immediate removal of the state DGP," he said. He also named some other police officials who he alleged were working against the Congress and keeping a watch on party leaders. (PTI)

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?????? ????? ??????????… pic.twitter.com/r869mq3n2O

— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) October 12, 2023

Unaccounted cash to the tune of over Rs 20 crore and 31.9 kg gold was seized at various places in Telangana after the model code of conduct came into force on October 9.

A total of Rs 20.43 crore in cash, 31.979 kg gold, 350 kgs silver and 42.203 carat diamond, all worth Rs 14.65 crore besides liquor worth Rs 86.9 lakh, ganja valued at Rs 89 lakh, and other items/freebies worth Rs 22.51 lakh were seized, according to a statement issued by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Since October 9 (when the schedule for the Telangana Assembly elections was announced) till date (morning), the total cumulative seizures is valued at Rs 37 crore, it said.

The statement further said 100 companies of the Central Armed Police Force were deployed to Telangana and they will report by October 20.

Police and other enforcement agencies have intensified their statewide enforcement efforts against illicit money, drugs, liquor, freebies and other inducements and have been carrying out checking of vehicles among other measures. (PTI)

OSD of Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission, Ravindra Panchbhai declared on Thursday that the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission Mains exam which was supposed to be held from Oct 30 to Nov 4 will now be held from Dec 26 to 31, in the view of Assembly elections in the state.

VIDEO | "Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) PSC Mains exam which was supposed to be held from October 30 to November 4 will now be held from December 26 to December 31 in the view of Assembly elections in the state," says Ravindra Panchbhai, OSD of Madhya Pradesh… pic.twitter.com/2mz3eMRvNs

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge shared a letter written by INDIA bloc to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, citing a media report
that Meta is 'culpable of abetting social disharmony and inciting communal hatred in India'. The Opposition parties have also written to Google's Sundar Pichai and referred to the same report, that 'Alphabet and specifically YouTube, is also doing the same.

Letter by INDIA parties to @Facebook's Mr. Mark Zuckerberg (@finkd) citing the exhaustive investigations by the @washingtonpost that Meta is culpable of abetting social disharmony and inciting communal hatred in India.

[Letter Below] pic.twitter.com/2wnUa5xHbz

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 12, 2023

Anjishnu Das provides an insight on what parties and incumbent governments have on offer, and who they’re targeting with their sops. (Read here)

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi’s all-out attack on Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao at his recent Telangana rally will go a long way towards quashing the Congress claim that the BRS and BJP are hand in glove in the election-bound state, writes Liz Matthew. (Must read)

Congress will decide its candidate list for Rajasthan Assembly elections, post its Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC)  scheduled to meet on Oct 13. The CEC met earlier today to finalise the names of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram. (PTI)

The Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) held a meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday to finalise the names of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram.

The Congress is the only party which hasn't declared its candidates yet, even though the election dates have been announced. The BJP has already announced its candidates for a number of assembly seats in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were present during the meeting. Senior Congress leaders, including general secretary K C Venugopal, and CEC members Ambika Soni, Madhusudan Mistry, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and T S Singh Deo also attended the meeting. (PTI)

Violence adversely impacts free and fair polls and the State must "ensure violence-free elections" so that citizens enjoy their fundamental democratic rights, NHRC chairperson Justice (retired) Arun Kumar Mishra said on Thursday.

In his address at an event held in New Delhi, to mark the 30th anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), he also appealed to authorities to provide Aadhaar cards to beggars, transgenders, sex workers, orphans and trafficked minors in "mission mode".

The rights panel chief said human rights include the right to vote and participate in elections to elect the government. "Violence adversely impacts free and fair elections. The State must ensure violence-free elections so that citizens enjoy fundamental democratic rights," he added. (PTI)

Candidates include a prime accused in a communal riot, the father of the victim of another, and a former minister who is the face of the party’s campaign against religious conversions, writes Chhattisgarh state correspondent Jayprakash S Naidu. (Know more)

Madhya Prades CM Shivraj Chouhan, addressed a rally in Adampur, Bhopal on Thrusday.

VIDEO | "We don't run a government, we run families," says Madhya Pradesh CM @ChouhanShivraj addressing a public rally in Bhopal.#MPElections2023 pic.twitter.com/geEAyhSCbr

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

The Congress on Thursday constituted an election coordination committee for Telangana assembly polls which includes party MP and whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore. Besides Tagore, the panel includes party leaders Deepa Das Munshi, Meenakshi Natarajan and Kunduru Jana Reddy.

"Congress president has approved the proposal for the constitution of Election Coordination Committee for the ensuing assembly election in Telangana - 2023, with immediate effect," a statement from the party said. The party said M K Vishnu Prasad, MP, was appointed as observer for the Chelvella Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana with immediate effect.

Pawan Khera was also appointed AICC observer to oversee the media preparations for the assembly elections in Rajasthan with immediate effect, another statement from the Congress said.

Rajasthan assembly elections will be held on November 25, while Telangana will go to polls on November 30. (PTI)

Telangana Elections | YS Sharmila Reddy, President of YSR Telangana Party says, "YSRTP will contest 119 constituencies. We will give tough competition. I will contest from Paleru. There is also a demand to contest from the second constituency. Anil and Vijayamma have also been… pic.twitter.com/MehHqvPRBI

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023

With battlelines being drawn for the Telangana Assembly elections scheduled for November 30, state BJP president and Union minister G Kishan Reddy has said that the saffron party would try to ensure 10 per cent reservation for tribals if the party comes to power by clinching the polls. (Read further)

Over two dozen political workers in Chhattisgarh, including former chief minister Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi, have been provided an armed VIP security cover by the central government in view of the upcoming assembly polls, official sources said on Thursday.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been asked to provide the security to these people, mostly block, panchayat and district level functionaries of the BJP and the Congress based in the Bastar region in south Chhattisgarh, they said. About 24 people have been provided the small X category cover while Amit Jogi, the president of the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh, has been given a Z-category armed cover of the CRPF.

The cover has been extended in view of the threat perception from the Naxalites to these political workers. The VIP security cover has been granted till December this year, by when the polls process will end comprehensively, the sources said. (PTI)

Sreenivas Janyala's take on why Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, A Revanth Reddy, and N Uttam Kumar Reddy are crucial if the party has to defeat BRS. (Must read)

Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge took to social media platform X and said that people of Mizoram are "vying for change". He wrote, "We are confident that Mizoram shall strengthen the Congress party and give us a chance to serve, like we have in the past. We discussed the political strategy for the ensuing Mizoram Assembly Elections in the Central Election Committee Meeting (CEC) today."

People of Mizoram are vying for change.

Congress party has a historic connection with this beautiful state, encompassing peace, development and welfare.

We are confident that Mizoram shall strengthen the Congress party and give us a chance to serve, like we have in the past.… pic.twitter.com/z7WvJKepd7

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 12, 2023

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Thursday accused the BRS government of being one of the most corrupt governements in the country. "What's happening here (Telangana) is not mere corruption but daylight dacoity. The people of the state are extremely angry over the unfulfilled promises of the BRS," he said.

VIDEO | "The BRS government in Telangana is one of the most corrupt governments in India today. What's happening here (Telangana) is not mere corruption but daylight dacoity. The people of the state are extremely angry over the unfulfilled promises of the BRS," says BJP leader… pic.twitter.com/QLNg3sXliR

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

Chhattisgarh Deputy CM TS Singh Deo said on Thursday that some party members are sensitive towards 'Pitr-Paksha' and therefore, the list of candidates for assembly elections has not been announced yet.

VIDEO | "The list of candidates for Chhattisgarh Assembly elections has not been released yet because of 'Pitr-Paksha' as some of our party members are sensitive towards it. So we would wait for Pitr-Paksha to get over," says Deputy CM @TS_SinghDeo.#ChhattisgarhElection2023 pic.twitter.com/mE7r7TGOJI

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

BJP National General Secretary and Telangana in-Charge Tarun Chugh said that the state government is panicking and hence losing power. "KCR has deceived the people, and the promises made to Telangana farmers have not been fulfilled. On November 30, Telangana will be free from KCR and his family, and the state will be liberated from corruption," he said.

VIDEO | "The Telangana government is panicking because they are losing power. KCR (BRS president) has deceived the people, and the promises made to Telangana farmers have not been fulfilled. On November 30, Telangana will be free from KCR and his family, and the state will be… pic.twitter.com/ys1MGzHr0H

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

The Congress Central Election Committee held a meeting today in New Delhi to discuss strategy for the upcoming Mizoram Assembly polls. Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting, along with other senior leaders.

The Congress Central Election Committee held a meeting today to discuss strategy for the Mizoram Assembly polls in New Delhi.

Congress President Shri @Kharge, CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, Shri @RahulGandhi and senior members attended the crucial meeting. pic.twitter.com/aYsGK55xLs

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 12, 2023

At a press conference in Raipur on Thursday, Congress leader said that there is no section of society in Chhattisgarh that has not received the benefits of the party's schemes.

VIDEO | "There is no section of society that has not received the benefits of our schemes (in Chhattisgarh). All our leaders want to come here to advertise (about Congress government) as we have a lot to show," says Congress leader @Pawankhera at a press conference in Raipur,… pic.twitter.com/8FP4Jr8914

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

BRS leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy said that the party has approached the Delhi High Court to direct the Election Commission not to include the symbols which resemble the BRS party symbol 'car', as symbols similar to it confuses the voters and leads to difficulty in party and candidate identification.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On BRS moves to Delhi High Court seeking removal of car-like symbols in elections, BRS leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy says, "We have approached the Delhi High Court for considering our request to direct the Election Commission not to include the… pic.twitter.com/Hkd2eNhVvI

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on a visit to Jaipur, said on Thursday, "Every party has a different strategy and policy for each state. All workers are working together for the win of the BJP candidates. If the PM comes and inaugurates and launches projects in Rajasthan, which are beneficial to people, they (Congress) are questioning it. The CM also questioned the visits of the Vice President..."

#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: On Rajasthan assembly polls, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal says, "... Every party has a different strategy and policy for each state... The workers of the BJP are unanimous... All workers are working together for the win of the BJP candidates... If… pic.twitter.com/mZe5Ea5we0

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh Deputy CM TS Singh Deo says, "... BJP has only one woman legislator while Congress has around 11 women legislators... We will be trying that in the 11 Lok Sabha seats we give seats to women..." pic.twitter.com/ypIxGGV9rO

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023

VIDEO | "I want to ask Shivraj Singh Chouhan - What did you give (to people of Madhya Pradesh)? You only gave them corruption, inflation and unemployment," said Madhya Pradesh Congress president @OfficeOfKNath earlier at a public rally in Mandla.#MadhyaPradeshElections2023 pic.twitter.com/qVqGPx1f4u

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

She listed out some of poll promises:

- Iimplementation of OPS,

-Gas cylinder for Rs 500,

- Monthly dole of Rs 1,500 to women,

- Loan waiver scheme,

- Free 100 units of power per connection and 200 units at half price,

- Free electricity to farmers for running up to 5 HP motors for agriculture, and

- A caste census. PTI

- Priyanka Gandhi also declared that her party, if voted to power in MP, will provide not only free education to students from Std I to Std XII, but also give Rs 500 per month to students from Std I to Std VIII, Rs 1,000 a month to those in Std IX and Std X and 1,500 for Std XI and Std XII.

- During its 18 years of rule in the state, Gandhi said, the BJP has done nothing for the people. It remembers them only during elections by announcing a slew of schemes for them, she said.

- The Congress leader alleged that “250 scams, including Vyapam, mid-day meal, and scholarship” took place in the state which has been governed by the BJP for nearly 225 months.

- Invoking former prime minister and her grandmother Indira Gandhi, the Congress leader said she somewhat resembles her and therefore, she has to be more “responsible for the people, especially the tribal population”.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday demanded a caste census to ensure “justice” with OBCs, SCs, and STs and slammed the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh, saying 250 scams have taken place during its 18 years in power.“Recently Bihar has conducted a caste census and it was revealed that 84 per cent of the people belong to OBC (Other Backward Class), SC (Scheduled Caste), and ST (Schedule Tribe) categories in the state. But their numbers in jobs are very low. To know their exact numbers and to do justice with them, a caste census should be conducted in the country,” she said.The Congress leader was addressing a public meeting in Mandla district ahead of the November 17 assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh.

Former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress State President Kamal Nath says, "... I want to ask Shivraj Singh what has he given? He has given inflation, corruption and unemployment... I want to promise that the rules of the PESA Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act will be made by you... We will fill the backlog of recruitments... The biggest challenge in Madhya Pradesh is the future of our youth... Our priority would be to fill the vacancies so that the youth gets employment. Employment is our priority."

'Indira Gandhi got you land leases with the intention that this is your land, your dignity and that you should have the power in your hands. This has been Congress' tradition and principles. We want you to strengthen,' says Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.

"Whatever rights Congress gave you and the work we did to strengthen you, the BJP snatched all those rights from you. Today, sarpanch doesn't have rights, MGNREGA has not been implemented, exodus has increased."

VIDEO | 'Indira Gandhi got you land leases with the intention that this is your land, your dignity and that you should have the power in your hands. This has been Congress' tradition and principles. We want you to strengthen,' says Congress leader @priyankagandhi at a public… pic.twitter.com/ZeMvkqJuOA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

"I am Indira Gandhi's granddaughter and it is my responsibility to speak and then remember my words. It is also your responsibility because your forefathers have llived and fought throughout their lives. It is your responsibility to bring a government that will work for you and your state's progress," she says addressing the gathering at MP's Mandla district.

'Whose power it? Whose vote is it?' Priyanka Gandhi urges people of Madhya Pradesh to utilise their power and welcome change in the state.

"BJP did not do anything for people of Madhya Pradesh in past 18 years, remembers them only during polls," she adds.