Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presents a 'jaapi' (field hat) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his rally in Tinsukia on Saturday. (PTI)Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam Election 2021 Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, while addressing a rally in Assam’s Chabua district, promised to improve the quality of life for tea garden workers once the BJP returns to power. “Ek chaiwala, aapke dard ko nahi samjhega toh kaun samjhega. (If a ‘chaiwala’ doesn’t understand your problems, who will),” the Prime Minister said. He also accused the Congress party of supporting people who make toolkits to defame Assam and its tea.
Meanwhile, the Congress released its manifesto for the Assam elections in Guwahati on Saturday. Launching the manifesto, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said it is a “people’s manifesto” reflecting the aspirations of the Assamese people. Apart from the 5 guarantees announced earlier, the manifesto focused on other reforms in the health, administration, agriculture and education sectors.
Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee runs a ‘pathshala’ (school) of brutality in Bengal the syllabus of which comprises ‘tolabaji‘ (extortion), cut money, syndicate and anarchy. He also attacked Banerjee over unemployment in the state and said the CM stands as a wall to block the central schemes. “Didi’s government is reluctant to implement the new National Education Policy. She is not worried about the future of millions of youth of West Bengal, their career,” he said while addressing a public rally in Kharagpur. He assured the youth saying the BJP will not allow her to play with their future.
With just a week left for the first phase of Assembly elections to start, campaigning in four states and one Union Territory is at its peak. The first phase of polls to West Bengal and Assam will be held on March 27; Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will vote subsequently, on April 6.
Left Front Chairman Biman Bose releases the party's manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata. (ANI)
Former AIADMK MLA Muthuramalingam joins the DMK in presence of party president MK Stalin. Muthuramalingam was denied a ticket from the AIADMK in the upcoming Assembly elections. (ANI)
The Election Commission will deploy at least 684 companies of CAPF in 10,288 booths spread in about 7,034 premises in five districts in the first phase of polling in West Bengal on March 27, a senior official said on Saturday.
Keeping in mind the Maoist activity in Jhargram district, the EC has decided to deploy 11 paramilitary personnel per booth, the highest in any election in the state so far, the official said. The other districts where election will be held on that day will have an average of six paramilitary personnel per booth. (PTI)
The Election Commission of India issues order to temporarily restrain political appointees, who are holding office of administrators in West Bengal on appointment basis after end of their elected term, from participating in or exercising functions of the board till the Model Code of Conduct is in force. (ANI)
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) released a “People's Manifesto” for the April 6 assembly polls, promising a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 to homemakers, 5 kg of free rice to all white-card holders and five lakh homes for the poor.
A special law to protect the traditions of the Sabarimala lord Ayyappa temple and a Peace and Harmony department on the model of Rajasthan, have also been promised by the UDF. Reaching out to the vast majority of women voters, the front has assured a two years age relaxation for mothers appearing in examinations for government jobs.
Housewives aged between 40-60, who do not come under the Nyay scheme, the minimum income guarantee programme launched by the Congress in 2019, would be entitled for the monthly pension.
Free food kits to those who had been affected by Covid-19 and no-bill hospitals are among the other schemes of the front, Benny Behanan MP, chairman of the manifesto committee said. (PTI)
The nominations of three NDA candidates in Kerala were rejected on Saturday. While the nomination of N Haridas, the BJP president of Kannur who is contesting from the Thalassery constituency, was rejected as the nomination paper did not have the signature of the BJP national president, that of Dhanalakshmi Marimuthu, the AIADMK candidate from Devikulam constituency, was cancelled as she didn't fill Form 26. State president of the BJP women’s wing, Niveditha, who is running from the Guruvayur constituency, had her nomination cancelled as she did not mention the state party chief's name in the nomination papers. (ANI)
West Bengal government hands over probe of the Nandigram incident, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was injured, to the CID. A six-member team, headed by ADG CID, will visit Nandigram on Monday. (ANI)
Ridiculing the major fronts in Kerala as “LUDF”, the BJP on Saturday alleged that the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition UDF headed by the Congress were “deceiving” people by engaging in “mock battles”.
“They are constantly deceiving people by engaging in mock battles whenever the other comes to power. Their agendas are common,” Lekhi told reporters here. “It is the ‘LUDF’ which the BJP is fighting. Not the LDF or UDF. It is one party and both are the two sides of the same coin. Ultimately, the same set of people come back to power," Lekhi said while addressing a rally in Thiruvananthapuram.
On the Sabarimala women entry issue, she said both the fronts are now speaking for the rights of Ayyappa devotees. “When the apex court delivered its verdict, everyone had welcomed the decision. There was no resistance from them. Not one case was filed against the other part (UDF). And today, they are all trying to hijack the people’s will," she added. (PTI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday released his party's election manifesto for Assam, making “five guarantees” that included Rs 2,000 per month for every housewife and law to nullify the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Releasing the document here, Gandhi said his party will protect the idea of Assam that is being “attacked” by the BJP and RSS.
In its manifesto, the Congress also promised five lakh government jobs and 200 units of free electricity per month for all, besides hiking the minimum wages of tea garden workers to Rs 365. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a large election rally at Chabua in Dibrugarh district on Saturday, attacked the Congress saying that all that the grand old party cares for is grabbing power and therefore is making false promises in Assam. He added that the NDA government was needed to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“The Congress can go with anyone to grab power. For that, they can even lie to the country and its people. Today, they are touring Assam with their false promises. Be careful of them. For peace and stability in Assam, BJP-led NDA government is much needed,” Modi said.
“We are committed to protecting the culture and pride of Assam,” said Modi, adding that the Congress has allied with a party that poses a major threat to Assam’s identity. (Read report by Abhishek Saha)
AIADMK's Babu Murugavel writes to Election Commission seeking its direction to DMK leaders MK Stalin and Udayanidhi Stalin not to mention former CM Jayalalithaa's death during election campaigns. He urges to file contempt of court against them if they continue to do so. (ANI)
Some media reports stated I am not contesting the elections because the Congress high command denied me a ticket. However, this is not true as Sonia Gandhi had asked me to fight the polls: Congress leader and former Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy. He added that he will be campaigning for the party to ensure their victory in the upcoming polls. (ANI)
I am Stalin, son of Karunanidhi, and will do what my father did. We will fulfil what we have promised. Our election manifesto is a hero, while theirs (AIADMK) is a villain and a comedy piece: DMK president MK Stalin during a public rally in Tirunelveli. (ANI)
Edappadi Palaniswami had said that he got the Chief Minister's seat with the support of MLAs, and not Sasikala. He betrayed Sasikala and is now betraying AIADMK. The party has fallen into the hands of BJP: DMK president MK Stalin during a public rally in Tirunelveli. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi releases party's manifesto for the Assam Assembly elections at the party's headquarters in Guwahati. (ANI)
PM Narendra Modi has stolen money meant for Covid-19 management. It is party of feudal landlords, steals funds amounting to several lakhs of crores of rupees, says Mamata Banerjee at a rally in West Bengal's Panskura area. (PTI)
During UPA govt, gas cylinders' cost was Rs 400, now under NDA, it is Rs 900. Who benefits from this? Not the poor, only India's 2-3 industrialists. Their taxes, loans are waived off while nothing is being done for you: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Jorhat. (ANI)
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Saturday expressed hope that the concept of remote voting will see "the light of day" by the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He added that a pilot project could begin in the next two-three months.
"Over the last few months, a dedicated team has been working hard for giving shape to this project," he said, adding that the system that is neither aimed at internet-based voting nor does it imply voting from home. "For the Commission, transparency and confidentiality of voting has always been a guiding consideration in ensuring free, fair and credible elections," Arora said. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in poll-bound Puducherry on March 30 to canvass votes for the NDA, a spokesperson of the Puducherry unit of the BJP said on Saturday. Puducherry goes to poll in a single phase on April 6. This is the second time that Modi would be on a visit during the run up to the Puducherry Assembly polls as he had addressed a rally on February 25 after unveiling several centrally sponsored development projects at a different venue that day. (PTI)
Congress has joined hands with parties that are a danger to Assam's culture and heritage. Development of every region of Assam is a priority for BJP govt. We are committed to ensure that culture and heritage of the state remains protected: PM Modi in Chabua. (ANI)
NDA govt has built solid foundation for Assam's development in the last 5 years. Congress and its allies want to cash in on this & loot Assam. Hence, you must be cautious & remember that Congress would put anyone at stake for their benefit: PM Modi in Chabua. (ANI)
“Ek chaiwala, aapke dard ko nahi samjhega toh kaun samjhega. I assure you that NDA govt will accelerate the efforts to further improve the quality of life for tea garden workers," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chabua. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of circulating a toolkit that defames Assam's tea. "Congress party supports these toolkit makers and then has the audacity to ask for votes in Assam. Can we forgive them," Modi asked the people of Chabua. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing an election rally in Chabua district of Assam. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister, while speaking at a rally in West Bengal, had said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee runs a ‘pathshala’ (school) of brutality in Bengal the syllabus of which comprises ‘tolabaji‘ (extortion), cut money, syndicate and anarchy. (ANI)
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has destroyed the economy of this country - from note bandi to bank bandi. They will soon say to sell Haldia port," West Bengal CM & TMC leader Mamata Banerjee said in Haldia.
"Those who said Khela Hobe, have broken their leg and left the field. ‘Khela hobena, khela shesh hoye geche’ (the game is not on, the game is finished). It's time for development," said West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh. "Today the state government is on a wheelchair. The government has lost the ability to stand on its own legs. You cannot fool the people of Bengal by showing them plaster, broken leg or a wheelchair," he added.
Reiterating the 'Bhaipo' (nephew) dig at Mamata Banerjee, "Only single window that exists in Bengal is the 'Bhaipo' window, no work gets done without passing through it."
"Didi gets angry if asked for the account of the Amphan cyclone. If you ask for answers to the theft of rice from PDS, you are put in jail. Ask for answers on the coal scam, the police gets you killed! If you ask for answers on 'Chakri' (jobs), then your house is burnt," PM Modi said.
PM Modi said, "Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee stands like wall to block central schemes."
"First the Congress, then the Left and now the TMC have blocked the development of Bengal. Didi also has a track record of appeasing Dalits, tribals and backward. Didi has taken away the precious 10 years of the youth of Bengal, the young generation here," PM Modi said.
"It's my honour that you have come to bless BJP in such huge numbers, this clearly suggests "Bengal mei iss baar BJP sarkar," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a rally in Kharagpur, West Bengal.
As the polling date draws closer, decorative jaapis (field hats), hand-woven gamosas and bell-metal xorais are making frequent appearances in Assam.
Primarily used to felicitate important people and guests, these important symbols of Assamese identity and culture are abundantly seen in political campaigns across the state. Read our explainer to know the significance of jaapi, xorai and gamosa in Assam poll battle
The ruling LDF Friday unveiled its election manifesto with a guarantee of pension for homemakers, along with a promise of 40 lakh job opportunities, 15,000 start-up units, special cover for PSUs, and a drive to channelise private investment worth Rs 10,000 crore.
The 900-page manifesto also assures raising the social security pension in various categories from the existing Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,500, in phases, and to increase farmers’ income by 50%.
The pension for homemakers, “acknowledging the value of their work”, makes the LDF the latest party after the AIADMK, DMK and Kamal Haasan’s MNM in Tamil Nadu, and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, to woo women with such a promise. On Friday, while on a tour to Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also announced a monetary guarantee for homemakers. Read more
The popularity of Hagrama Mohilary, once the unrivalled face of Bodo politics and a kingmaker since he joined mainstream politics in 2005, may be seen as on the decline. Yet, it is undeniable that one of the biggest political developments ahead of the Assam elections was the exit of Mohilary’s Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) from the BJP-led alliance to join the Congress-led Mahajot.
Popularly referred to as ‘Chief’, the 52-year-old was once one of the most feared militants in Assam as the face of the Bodo Liberation Tigers, fighting for a separate state for the Bodos.
A plains-dwelling tribe, the Bodos have long fought for ‘Bodoland’, first as a “sovereign homeland” and then as a state within India. The armed movement began in the mid-1980s. Read more
Every time Jhilik Nandi, a 19-year-old college student, leaves her home in Bankura district’s Pathra village — a part of the Sonamukhi constituency — to attend her classes, her father drops her to the main road, 6 km away, and returns to fetch her in the evening. This is a routine for almost all families in the area, unless they have sent their children away to stay with relatives.
A part of Jangalmahal’s tribal belt, the area once swept by Maoist violence now lives in fear of elephants. Jhilik lost a cousin, 28-year-old Gopimohan Nandi, to an elephant attack in 2015.
Come elections, elephants are back as a poll issue in the 12 Assembly seats of Bankura that vote in the first and second phases, but villages this time hope for a permanent solution. Read more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address rallies in West Bengal's Kharagpur and Assam's Chabua today.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to interact with employees at the IOC Refinery in Assam's Tinsukia & hold two public meetings in Jorhat and Biswanath today.
Forty-eight of the 191 candidates contesting the first phase of assembly elections in West Bengal on March 27 or a little over 25 per cent have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms.
On the education details of candidates, ADR said 96 (50 per cent) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between class 5 and 12 while 92 (48 per cent) candidates have declared to be graduates or above. Three candidates are diploma holders.
The West Bengal Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 191 candidates, who are contesting in the first phase.
According to their report, about 48 (25 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves while 42 (22 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. (PTI)
The CPI(M)-led LDF released its manifesto on Friday, promising to give pension "for all housewives" and to create 40 lakh new jobs for the youth. However, CPI (M) state secretary in charge A Vijayaraghavan, who was at the manifesto release, did not elaborate on what would be the criteria of pension given to housewives.
The alliance, which is seeking its second term, also promised a Rs 5,000 crore package for coastal area development to protect the shores from soil erosion, increasing the minimum support price for rubber to Rs 250a kg, attaining self-sufficiency in production of eggs, milk and vegetables among other promises.
Rahul Gandhi in Tinsukia: "BJP wants to run Assam from Nagpur. They want outsiders to come and take what is yours as they took your airport. We want to run Assam from Assam only. Our CM will work after listening to the people of Assam & would have nothing to do with Nagpur." (ANI)
DMK president MK Stalin holds a roadshow in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.
BJP chief Dilip Ghosh in East Midnapore, West Bengal: "They (TMC) didn’t let people file nomination for Panchayat elections or cast vote. Everybody is aware that who is rigging votes. Municipality elections are pending for 2 years. She (Mamata Banerjee) does not want democracy." (ANI)
With the opposition parties in Kerala continuing to target the ruling LDF on the Sabarimala issue, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday maintained that as of now everything was going on smoothly at the hill shrine and the matter would come up only when the Supreme Court delivers the final verdict.
Asking why the party should be worried about it now, he told reporters in Pattambi in Palakkad district if any issue crops up after the final verdict it would be discussed with all sections of society.
"Now, the matter will come up only when the final verdict is issued by the constitution bench of the apex court. Our stand is that when the final verdict comes out, and if any issue crops up at that time, we will discuss the matter with every section of the society. Why are we worried about it now?" he asked. (PTI)
All India NR Congress party announce their list of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in Puducherry. Former CM N Rangasamy to contest from Thattanchavady and Yanam constituencies.
Branding TMC turncoats as "traitors", party supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday said it was good riddance they have moved out of her camp, but the "switch over has left BJP old-timers sulking" as the saffron camp has chosen to field the defectors over its loyalists.
Accusing the BJP of practising "politics of riot, loot and murder", Banerjee, during a poll rally here in Purba Medinipur, urged everyone "to be on guard against outsiders appearing in their localities".
The TMC, which has made 'Bengali pride' its core poll plank, calls the BJP a 'party of outsiders', as its top leaders hail from outside the state.
In an obvious reference to former state ministers Suvendu Adhikari and Rajib Banerjee who have deserted her camp, the TMC supremo said, "Gaddars, mir jafars (traitors) have now become candidates of the BJP, much to the dismay of the saffron party's old-timers."
"The old-timers in the BJP are now shedding tears sitting at home," she claimed. (PTI)
Rahul Gandhi in Dibrugarh: BJP promised Rs 351, but gives Rs 167 to Assam tea workers. I'm not Narendra Modi, I don't lie. Today, we give you 5 guarantees; Rs 365 for tea workers, we'll stand against CAA, 5 lakh jobs, 200 units free electricity and Rs 2000 for housewives.
"For the tea industry, we will start a special ministry to solve all your issues. Our manifesto is in consultation with tea tribe, people, and not framed behind closed doors," he added.
"PM talks about 'Make in India', but if you check mobile phones, shirts, you'll find 'Made in China' on them, instead of Made in Assam and India. But we want to see Made in Assam and India. This can't be done by BJP as they only work for industrialists."
(ANI)
MNM chief Kamal Haasan releases party manifesto for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections, promising 50 lakh employment to youth on election to power.
Kamal Haasan has released Makkal Needhi Maiam's (MNM) election manifesto for Tamil Nadu. He has promised to hone the skills of housewives, saying they could earn as much as Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month. "That is what we call payment to housewives and not doles to them," he said. Hasaan has this will help women get fair remuneration, commensurate with their skill and work, reported PTI.
With less than three weeks to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, an election officer is going the distance to make sure people turn up at polling booths to cast their votes. Preethi Parkavi, Tiruvallur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) and the officer of the election in Poonamalle constituency, is doing her best to achieve 100 per cent voter turnout. Janardhan Koushik reports on the intiatives she's taken
In the upcoming elections in Assam, a number of regional parties are expected to play a bigger role because of their influence in certain pockets and the alliances they have formed. Some of the important regional parties in the fray this poll season are: the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal (RD) and Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM). With the state set for a triangular contest, these parties have tied up with the BJP-led alliance, the Congress-led alliance and a third alliance of the AJP-RD. Read more here
BJP manifesto for West Bengal Assembly elections likely to be released on March 21. According to news agency PTI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the document in Kolkata.
BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma is holding a roadshow before filing him nomination for the Assam Assembly elections. In case you missed his interview to The Indian Express ahead of the polls, you can read it here. "In Assam, it’s not possible to fight an election only by focusing on development, because the issue of identity is real. Issue of identity is very, very crucial for socio-economic life," Sarma, who is among the top leaders spearheading the party's campaign in the state, had said.
Addressing a rally in Assam's Dibrugarh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says one force born in Nagpur is trying to 'control the whole country'.
'You think democracy is declining. Youth is unemployed, farmers are protesting, CAA is there. We can't ask the people of Assam to forget their culture and language if they come to Delhi... Democracy means the voice of Assam should control Assam. If we don't include students, then there can be no democracy. Youth should actively participate in politics and fight for Assam when you feel the state is being robbed. You'll have to fight with love, not with stones and lathis,' he said, reported ANI.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has named its candidate for the Muthialpet seat in the April 6 Puducherry Assembly elections while announcing that it would support the Secular Democratic Alliance (SDA) in other constituencies. The party announced R Saravanan, an advocate, as its candidate from the Muthialpet seat. CPI(M) Puducherry unit secretary R Rajangam told reporters here on Thursday that the party, a constituent of the Congress-led SDA, was not earmarked any seat but had decided to contest from Muthialpet. --PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday attacked the Congress over its tie-ups with Left parties and the AIUDF for the Assam polls, saying it lacked leadership, policy and ideology. Addressing a rally in Assam’s Barak Valley, he said the BJPgovernments at the Centre and state, in contrast, have worked continuously for development.
“On the one side, there are policies of the BJP, leadership of the BJP, and good intentions of the BJP. On the other hand, Congress has no leadership, no policy and no ideology. The Congress is so weak today that they can go to any extent, they can join hands with anyone,” said the Prime Minister the rally in Karimganjdistrict, his first in the state after the announcement of poll dates. Read more
Ahead of the polls, the Congress appears to have got its act together in Assam, having managed to paper over cracks as well as stitch together a Mahajot (Grand Alliance), in its first election after veteran leader Tarun Gogoi’s death.
The four leaders emerging as faces of the Congress campaign are Gogoi’s son Gaurav, an MP from Kaliabor; Pradyut Bordoloi, the MP from Nagaon; Ripun Bora, the state Congress chief and a Rajya Sabha MP who is contesting the election from Gohpur; and Debabrata Saikia, the son of former CM Hiteswar Saikia and an incumbent MLA from Nazira. The Congress has not announced a Chief Minister candidate — like the BJP.
“Our campaign in Assam is one of the most united and synchronised campaigns that I have seen,” Gogoi told The Indian Express, adding that the party was focused on winning the elections and not on deciding a CM face. “The Mahajot will form the government. After that, our Congress president will decide ultimately who will be the CM.” Read more
Swapan Dasgupta, the BJP candidate from Tarakeshwar in West Bengal, visits Tarakeshwar Temple before filing his nomination.
Malayalam actor Krishna Kumar, who is contesting from Trivandrum Central constituency on BJP ticket, campaigns door to door "We need a lot of changes in Trivandrum, like bus stops with toilet & baby feeding facilities, also need to solve drainage & garbage issues," he says.
As campaigning for the Kerala Assembly elections picks up, the issue of women’s entry at Sabarimala temple has come back to trouble the ruling CPI (M).
In the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, the entry of women of menstruating age at the shrine following a Supreme Court verdict had contributed to the defeat of the LDF in 19 out of 20 seats. Now, with state and central leaders of CPI (M) taking contradictory stands on the issue, the Opposition has another opportunity to attack them.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday told the media in Malappuram that certain persons develop “a keen interest in Sabarimala” whenever elections approach. “The issue is before the Supreme Court. When the final verdict comes, if there is an issue connected with the faithful, it will be discussed with all. It is appropriate to wait until the final verdict,’’ he said. Read more