Addressing rallies in Bihar’s Gaya and Jamui Lok Sabha constituencies, which vote on April 11, Modi said a change of attitude in governance, and giving more political freedom, brought good results in the last five years. He said he cannot claim to have done everything in his tenure and asked if successive Congress-led governments could not achieve that feat in 70 years, how could he do it in five years.
Meanwhile, focusing on the “main themes” of minimum income guarantee (Nyay), unemployment, farmer distress, education and health while addressing issues of internal and national security to counter what now form the centrepiece of the BJP poll campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his party Tuesday rolled out an election manifesto with a welfare vision for the country if voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections.
Also Read | Congress changes own tune: No sedition law, diluted AFSPA | Tukde gang drafted national security points… agenda to break India: Jaitley
The BJP has decided to field Hasmukh S Patel, who is an MLA of Amraiwadi for Ahmedabad-East Lok Sabha seat, in place of Paresh Rawal, ANI reported.
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Congress President Rahul Gandhi and the party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi landed at Karippur airport in Kozhikode, Kerala on Wednesday evening. The Congress chief will file his nomination from Kerala’s Wayanad on Thursday.
"I have come here to thank you for blessings in last 5 years and to seek them for next 5 years," PM Modi said in Gondia. At the public rally in Maharashtra, he said people have not forgotten Balakot air strike. He said last five years have been spent in rectifying mistakes of UPA regime. Targetting Congress party, he asked those present at the rally: "Will you give chance to those who seek to scrap sedition law?" He said Congress is Cong destabilising India and creating confusion in the country. "Congress poll manifesto has insulted India's soldiers," he said.
While addressing in Gondia today, PM Modi said that if "mahamilavati" (leaders of grand-alliance) people come to power, then naxals will get a boost. "Congress has already promised in manifesto that sedition case will not be imposed on any urban naxal, they have promised to do away with sedition law," he said.
WATCH | PM Modi is addressing a public meeting at Gondia in Maharashtra. This will be his last election rally for the day.
WATCH | PM Modi is addressing a public meeting at Gondia in Maharashtra. This will be his last election rally for the day.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday reacted to "speed breaker didi" remark by PM Modi. She said the PM is an "expiry babu" and his govt has "expired". "You (PM) said in Siliguri that we (TMC Govt) did not do anything for poor, what have you done in the last 5 years? Don't speak lies everyday," she said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addresses a rally in Guntur
In a freshly released list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dropped its sitting MP from Mumbai North East, Kirit Somaiya as candidate and fielded rebel Congress MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh to take on Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli. The saffron party released the names of six candidates for seats in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
In the latest BJP list, well-known Bhojpuri actor and singer Dinesh Lal Yadav has been pitted against Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav from Azamgarh, while Prem Singh Shakya will contest from Mainpuri against Mulayam Singh Yadav. READ MORE
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that if the party comes to power then it will ensure that ex-servicemen are given the respect they deserve. "Our Ex-Servicemen are India’s pride & must be given the respect they deserve. We will allow qualified Ex-Servicemen lateral entry into the Civil Services. The Central Armed Police Forces will be opened up to Ex-Servicemen under the age of 40," he tweeted.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is addressing a public gathering in Ghaziabad
The Congress party on Wednesday released a list naming one candidate in Odisha for Lok Sabha Elections and 9 candidates for state legislative assembly elections.
BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday targeted Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda in Sunderbani, saying that the Congress chief is not able to digest Balakot airstrike. "His (Rahul's) guru Sam Pitroda says that it is wrong to attack a country because of the actions of a few people. Why so? Are they your cousin brothers?" he said.
BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday targeted Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda in Sunderbani, saying that the Congress chief is not able to digest Balakot airstrike. "His (Rahul's) guru Sam Pitroda says that it is wrong to attack a country because of the actions of a few people. Why so? Are they your cousin brothers?" he said.
Addressing a public gathering in J&K's Sunderbani, BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday said: "If you choose Narendra Modi govt, in next 5 years we'll oust every single infiltrator from the country. Infiltrators are eating our country like termites. They want to change demography of Jammu. As long as there is BJP govt, we won't let this happen."
PM Modi said: "I am indebted to Bengal. When I was detached from the world once in my life and was moving ahead with some dreams, then the land of Bengal said to me that serving the country is my destiny."
BJP has fielded Congress rebel and MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh against Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli
Continuing his tirade against the Congress and other Opposition parties, PM Modi on Wednesday said that the anti-Modi sentiment has overpowered some people so much that now they are opposing the interests of the nation. "Congress has always bowed its head before terrorism and its manifesto has promised to remove law that protects our forces in terror-affected areas. It will help Pakistan," he said.
PM Modi, while addressing a gathering in Kolkata's Brigade Ground on Wednesday, said that the Congress party's 55 years of 'dynasty rule' ruined the country. "It's about time to get rid of this one-family rule," he said.
Lashing out at Congress, PM Modi said that the party has always bowed down to terrorism for their vote bank politics.
Lashing out at the Congress party, PM Modi said the party removed anti terrorism laws like TADA and POTA. He said this 'chowkidar' has been repeatedly abused by Congress but he will not let them succceed in their vote bank politics.
PM Modi says Congress has insulted Sudip Biswas and Babloo Santra, the brave CRPF men killed in Pulwama attack, by questioning the Balakot airstrikes. He also slammed the Congress manifesto released yesterday while referring to it as 'dhakosla patra'. He said the Congress wants to take away the security cover of our forces.
"This brigade ground has never seen such a huge crowd before," says PM Modi while addressing a gathering in Kolkata. "I am here to present my report card to you today," he said while talking about surgical strikes and Mission Shakti. He said all this has happened not because of Modi but because of your blessings.
PM Modi will soon begin with his speech at a public meeting at Kolkata's brigade ground. The PM will later address a rally at Gondia in Maharashtra.
The Election Commission (EC) is learnt to have sought a response from the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry on complaints by Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party against Namo TV, a new channel dedicated to showing rallies and speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to sources, the Commission will take a call after examining the ministry’s response.
NaMo TV, which was briefly rechristened as Content TV last week, came up surreptitiously just weeks ahead of the general elections and is already available on all major national DTH operators, including Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel, Siti Network, among others.
Since the channel is not mentioned in the Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting’s list of permitted private satellite channels in the country, Congress told the EC that either the channel “Content TV” is being broadcast as a “government-sponsored channel” or it has “not got any official clearance” from the I&B Ministry and “the contents are being broadcast in complete violation of the rules and regulations of cable televisions”.
The party has asked the EC to direct the I&B Ministry to suspend the channel. READ MORE
Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah is addressing a rally in Udhampur
Rahul said Congress will restore special status of northeastern states and bring in industrial policy to make the region a manufacturing hub. He said his party is committed to ensuring minimum wages for tea garden workers that PM Modi failed to fulfil.
Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that funds for NYAY scheme will come from pockets of 'chor' businessmen favoured by 'chowkidar' Narendra Modi. Rahul was addressing a rally in Assam. He said that India is witnessing worst unemployment scenario and if Congress comes to power, it will will ensure facilities for youths to start own businesses.
Addressing a rally in Uttarkashi, BJP chief Amit Shah said that as soon as BJP government came to power in Uttarakhand, it took a decision to build all weather road in the state. "This all weather road will not only promote employment and tourism in the state but will also change the destiny of Uttarakhand. This is not just a mortar and bricks road but the feelings of a lot of BJP supporters are attacked to it," he said.
Vivek Oberoi on PM movie: "I don't understand why some people are overreacting like this. Why are such senior and famous lawyers like Abhishek Singhvi ji and Kapil Sibal ji wasting time on filing a PIL on such a modest film? Don't know if they are scared of the film or of Chowkidar's 'danda'. We are not projecting Modi ji as larger than life, he already is larger than life. We are not projecting him as a hero, he already is a hero,not only for me but for crores of people in India and abroad. Its an inspirational story which we brought to the screen." —ANI
The Congress alleged Wednesday that cash worth Rs 1.8 crore was seized in a midnight raid on the convoy of Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu and state BJP president Tapir Gao Tuesday, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in the state today morning. A press release by the party stated that a midnight raid on the convoy of Khandu, Arunachal Deputy CM Chowna Mein and BJP’s Arunachal president Tapir Gao has “found Rs 1.8 crore in stacks of hard cash that exposes the brazen corruption and poll violation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a rally in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh at 10:00 am today”. Gao is BJP candidate from West Arunachal. Read More
BSP supremo Mayawati Wednesday termed the Congress manifesto as a "showoff" and an "illusion" and said there was no credibility of the promises made by the party due to its past. Congress and BJP are no different when it comes to non-fulfilment of promises, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet. "Congress election manifesto appears to be a showoff and illusion like its pervious promises. Due to continuous working against its promises, there is no credibility left for Congress among the people. Congress and BJP are no different in non-fulfilling promises," she said in the tweet.
Slamming Congress anifesto, PM Modi says, "Congress manifesto talks of reviewing AFSPA that shields security forces from terrorists."
Prime Minister Addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri town of West Bengal's Darjeeling. "'Didi' (Mamata Banerjee) speedbreaker in the path of West Bengal's development. Speedbreaker Didi has not allowed people of Bengal to benefit from Ayushman Bharat scheme. I am waiting for this speedbreaker to go so development can gather speed," says Modi.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday hit out at the Congress alleging that the land-locked state remained underdeveloped in the last several decades due to "misrule" of the grand old party. Addressing an election rally where the Prime Minister also spoke, the chief minister claimed that the development process in Arunachal Pradesh picked up only after the NDA came to power in 2014. "Pasighat, the centurion town in East Siang district has been blessed with the visit of Prime Minister for the second time, the first being in 2014, to address an election rally and for the love of Modi to the people, the town had been selected under the Smart City Mission along with the state capital," Khandu said.
Amit Shah says, "Omar Abdullah says that Jammu and Kashmir should have a separate prime minister. A few days ago, one of his leaders raised the slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. The Congress has kept quiet on all these things. Rahul Gandhi should clarify whether he is with them on these statements?"
Amit Shah says, "The Modi government has worked to safeguard the country." Slamming Congress manifesto, Shah says, "Yesterday, the Congress ' Manifesto came which it said that they will remove the section of treason from the CRPC. Whom do they want to save? I want to tell the Congress president not to play with the country's security for Votebank politics."
A large number of people have arrived at Jalpaiguri in West Benal's Darjeeling ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally. (Express photos by Partha Paul)
Most of the gold shops are closed in West Bengal ahead of PM Modi's arrival in the state. (Express photos by Shashi Ghosh)
Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad Wednesday alleged Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav were "agents" of the BJP, adding he will not contest from Varanasi if his candidature scuttled the Dalit movement. He made the remarks during a public meeting in Jaipur days after BSP chief Mayawati termed him a "BJP agent" and alleged that he was contesting from Varanasi as part of the saffron party's conspiracy to divide Dalit votes.
A 'new India' where those who kill and lynch in the name of religion are feted and garlanded is "unacceptable", former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said Wednesday. The PDP president was reacting to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's remarks that statements of mainstream parties in Kashmir create "separatist psyche" and were "not acceptable to new India". Mehbooba, in a tweet, said if standing up for the people made her a separatist and anti-national, she would wear such a badge with honour. "Unacceptable is a new India where those who kill and lynch in the name of religion are feted and garlanded. If standing up for my people makes me a separatist and anti national, then its a badge I will wear with honour," she said. —PTI
Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Our govt has removed the AFSPA from many states when it deemed it fit. A govt just can't remove it, as stated in the Congress manifesto. The Centre and state need to coordinate for its removal. It'll severely impact security doctrine."
Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Congress wants to dilute the AFSPA and demoralize the Armed forces, limit powers of a District Magistrate. Congress wants to remove Sedition law. Congress wants to punish forces in Kashmir. Congress manifesto will be interpreted as being in favour of terrorists, they are demoralising our forces."
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slams Congress manifesto saying, "The aspects of Congress party's manifesto which concerned me is that it clearly undermine the armed forces, which will make the armed forces completely hands and legs tight that they cannot function. Congress manifesto doesn't potrayed well for the country and for the armed forces of the country."
Rresponsing to the letter seeking an explanation for his criticism of the proposed Nyunatam Aay Yojana (NYAY), NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman (VC) Rajiv Kumar told the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday that he spoke in his personal capacity as an economist and his comments should not be interpreted as Aayog’s stand on the Congress announcement. Kumar, in his defence, is learnt to have also cited the example of Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who, as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission (later recast as NITI Aayog under NDA-II government), had commented on the ‘Gujarat Model’ in April 2014 while the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force for Lok Sabha polls. Read More
Malayalam cinema’s action hero Suresh Gopi will make his electoral debut for the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Thrissur parliamentary constituency. Gopi, presently a Rajya Sabha MP nominated by the party, will begin campaigning in the central Kerala constituency from Wednesday and has limited time before the state goes to polls on April 23. Gopi will be taking on LDF’s Rajaji Mathew Thomas and UDF’s TN Prathapan. Read More
Saritha S Nair, the prime accused in the solar scandal who has also charged several high profile Congress leaders in Kerala with sexual harassment and rape, announced that she will contest against party president Rahul Gandhi in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency as an Independent. She is also fighting in Ernakulam against Hibi Eden of the Congress, whom she had accused of molestation. Read More
A day after AAP rebel leader Kumar Vishwas met Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, a senior BJP leader suggested Vishwas could be considered to contest from the East Delhi seat, where the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded Atishi. Sources privy to Monday night’s meeting said the two talked politics at length, with the discussion lasting close to an hour. According to sources, the Delhi BJP leadership will recommend his name from the seat, but the final decision will be taken by the central leadership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Congress, terming its manifesto as a "hypocrisy document" which was "full of lies". Addressing his second rally in Arunachal Pradesh within a week, the prime minister cited the Congress manifesto for the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, and said it had promised that every house would have electricity by 2009. "However, till 2014 around 18,000 houses were unelectrified... Just like them (the Congress), their manifesto is corrupt and full of lies. Therefore, it should be called hypocrisy document, not a manifesto," Modi said.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Kerala late Wednesday night to file his nomination papers from Wayanad on Thursday. He is expected to fly from Kozhikode to Wayanad in a chopper, lead a road show in Kalpetta before filing his nomination before the district collector. A huge battery of Congress and UDF leaders have descended upon Wayanad to make sure everything goes alright. Aicc general secretary Priyanka Gandhi vadra may also accompany her brother in Wayanad. Rahul is also likely to address a public rally in kalpetta before he flies out of the state.
Signalling a shift in its position on issues related to national security and individual freedom, the Congress, in its election manifesto released Tuesday, promised to repeal the colonial-era sedition law, leave out the IPC section on criminal defamation and “review” the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and Disturbed Areas Act which empower and provide immunity to security forces in areas hit by insurgency and militancy. Read More