Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live: Two newly-appointed Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, taking charge today.India General Election 2024: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar welcomed the two newly-appointed Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, to the commission today. The former bureaucrats were selected as poll officials by a three-member committee headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.
PM Modi’s campaign trail today: PM Modi will be in the town of Pathanamthitta in south Kerala at 10.30 am on Friday to address a poll event. According to some reports, the PM could also visit Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. He is also expected to address a rally in the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka and hold a roadshow from Mirjaguda to Malkajgiri near Hyderabad in the evening, PTI reported. In subsequent days, more events and rallies of the PM are scheduled in all five southern states, including in places such as Nagarkurnol, Shivamogga, Bidar, and Salem.
The Aam Aadmi Party yesterday announced the list of candidates contesting in eight seats in Punjab for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar have been named as AAP Lok Sabha candidates.
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Lok Sabha polls: Amit Shah begins campaign for Gandhinagar seat
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been renominated for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat of Gujarat by the BJP, on Friday began his poll campaign after offering prayers to Lord Hanuman in Ahmedabad city.
Shah, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, sought the blessings of the deity at a temple on Gurukul Road and then offered floral tributes to the statue of Subhash Chandra Bose.
In his address, Shah urged BJP cadres to contact each and every voter during the poll campaign and ensure that they come to the booth to vote for BJP.
In 2019, Shah won from the Gandhinagar constituency by defeating Congress candidate CJ Chavda by over 5 lakh votes. --PTI
Govt slashes petrol, diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre ahead of Lok Sabha polls
Ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule, the Centre on Thursday slashed prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre.
With the recent cuts in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) prices, speculation was rife that a reduction in petrol and diesel prices may be in the offing in view of the impending Lok Sabha polls.
In a post on X, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “By reducing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again proved that the welfare and convenience of his family of crores of Indians is always his goal.”
PM Modi to hold roadshow in Hyderabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow in Hyderabad on Friday and address BJP rallies in Telangana on March 16 and March 18 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Modi's roadshow would be held from Mirjalguda to Malkajgiri Chowrasta here this evening, state BJP general secretary G Premender Reddy said in a release on Thursday.
On March 16, the prime minister will address a public meeting at Nagarkurnool. Modi could attend a rally at Jagtial in the state on March 18, the release added.
The prime minister on March 5 inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth more than Rs 7,200 crore at Sangareddy, about 60 km from Hyderabad.
The BJP has decided to go solo in Telangana in the coming Lok Sabha elections and is hopeful of increasing its tally. --PTI
Congress continues campaign, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumes from Maharashtra
Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from Palghar, Maharashtra.
Electoral bonds data exposes BJP's 'corrupt tactics': Congress
The Congress on Friday alleged that the electoral bonds data has exposed 'corrupt tactics' of the BJP such as quid pro quo, seeking donations for the company's protection, kickbacks and money laundering through shell companies.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also said the party continues to demand unique bond ID numbers, so that it can precisely match donors to recipients.
In a post on X, Ramesh put out a 'quick first analysis' of the Electoral Bonds (EB)data disclosure that the SBI put out after weeks of 'attempting to postpone it until after the election'.
'Over 1,300 companies and individuals have donated electoral bonds, including over 6,000 crore to the BJP since 2019,' he said.
So far, the electoral bonds data exposes at least four corrupt tactics of the BJP, Ramesh claimed. 'Quid Pro Quo: There are many cases of companies that have donated electoral bonds, and immediately afterwards gotten huge benefits from the government: Megha Engineering & Infra has given over Rs. 800 crores in EBs. In April 2023, they donated Rs. 140 crore, and just one month later, they were awarded the Rs. 14,400 crore Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project,' he alleged.
A look at PM Modi’s campaign trail today
PM Modi will be in the town of Pathanamthitta in south Kerala at 10.30 am on Friday to address a poll event. According to some reports, the PM could also visit Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. He is also expected to address a rally in the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka and hold a roadshow from Mirjaguda to Malkajgiri near Hyderabad in the evening, PTI reported. In subsequent days, more events and rallies of the PM are scheduled in all five southern states, including in places such as Nagarkurnol, Shivamogga, Bidar, and Salem.
Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu take charge as Election Commissioners
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar welcomed the two newly-appointed Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, to the commission today. The former bureaucrats were selected as poll officials by a three-member committee headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.
EC moves SC on electoral bonds order; matter to be heard tomorrow
The Election Commission of India (ECI) Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to release confidential documents related to the electoral bonds data furnished by the State Bank of India (SBI).
The petition in the top court comes after the poll-regulating body published the data as received from the SBI in two parts on Thursday evening.
BJP wants to win more than 400 LS seats to 'change' Constitution: Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that BJP wants to win more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as it wants to "change the Constitution".
Addressing a rally at Guhagar in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, the former state chief minister also claimed that the "one nation one election" concept was a move towards dictatorship.
"Understand the strategy of the BJP...they want more than 400 seats (out of 543 in the Lok Sabha) because they don't want opposing voices when they go ahead with their plan of changing the Constitution," he said.
'Historic day for India: Amit Shah on Kovind panel's recommendation for simultaneous polls
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday termed the recommendation of former president Ram Nath Kovind-led committee for holding of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as "a historic day" for the country's democratic system.
The panel in its recommendation said simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days, news agency PTI reported.
"It is a historic day for the country's democratic system. Today, the High-Level Committee formed by the Modi government on One Nation One Election, chaired by Shri @ramnathkovind Ji, presented its report before the Hon'ble President," Shah wrote on X.
One Nation, One Election: Highlights of the Kovind panel’s recommendations
The High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday (March 14) morning. The comprehensive 21-volume, 18,626-page report contains 11 chapters plus Annexures.
The government has also published a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). These are some key questions and answers on the One Nation, One Election proposal, as per the government documents. (Read more)
Former IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu picked as ECs
The Prime Minister headed high-level committee today picked retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as the Election Commissioners.
However, senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Opposition member in the panel, registered his dissent questioning the process followed saying the short-listed names of officers were not made available to him in advance. Chowdhury said he had asked for a short list before the meeting which could have given him details of all the shortlisted candidates. He said the Government had sent the names of 212 officers Wednesday.
Sources said the Government had sent Chowdhury five lists containing 236 names. (Read more)
AAP announces candidate list for 8 seats in Punjab polls
The Aam Aadmi Party today announced the list of candidates contesting in eight seats in Punjab for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Denied Lok Sabha ticket, Mumbai BJP MP Gopal Shetty says ‘such shocks are not new’
The BJP’s decision to deny a ticket to veteran Gopal Shetty, its sitting MP from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency, has not gone down well with his supporters who demanded on Thursday that the party reconsider its stand and warned of an indefinite protest.
The BJP named Union minister Piyush Goyal as its candidate from the Mumbai North seat in its second list of Lok Sabha candidates released on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Shetty’s supporters thronged his house and office expressing their anger and disappointment. “The party workers were expecting to see my candidature. So when the ticket was denied, their reaction was natural. They resorted to protests and demonstrations. It will take some time for things to settle down,” a visibly upset Shetty said. (Read more)
‘Simultaneous polls to enhance transparency, spur development’: Kovind panel on one nation, one election
The high-level committee set up by the government to draw a roadmap for holding simultaneous polls submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday. The eight-volume report runs into 18,000 pages.
In one of its recommendations, the committee stated that simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies can be held in the first step, followed by local body polls within 100 days as the second phase. In case of hung House, no-confidence motion, fresh polls can be held for remainder of five-year term, the report added.
The committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is likely to recommend a concrete model for one nation-one election — as opposed to suggesting options — for synchronising the different poll cycles, it is learnt. The committee is reported to have deliberated on a number of options for ensuring continuity of simultaneous elections. (Read more)
Election Commission will disclose all details of electoral bonds in time: CEC Rajiv Kumar
The Election Commission will “in time” make public details of electoral bonds redeemed by all political parties, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said in Jammu on Wednesday.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court had directed them (State Bank of India) to submit all the details by March 12,” the chief election commissioner told reporters. “They have given it to us yesterday, in time. After I go back (to Delhi), I will look at the data and would definitely disclose it in time”.
“It has been our stand in the Supreme Court that the Election Commission is for transparency. Anything we do in the commission and anything our district magistrates do in the line of elections is based on two things—disclosure, disclosure and disclosure,” he said, adding that the “voter has every right to know as to what we are doing”. (Read more)
Election Commission will disclose all details of electoral bonds in time: CEC Rajiv Kumar
The Election Commission will “in time” make public details of electoral bonds redeemed by all political parties, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said in Jammu on Wednesday.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court had directed them (State Bank of India) to submit all the details by March 12,” the chief election commissioner told reporters. “They have given it to us yesterday, in time. After I go back (to Delhi), I will look at the data and would definitely disclose it in time”.
“It has been our stand in the Supreme Court that the Election Commission is for transparency. Anything we do in the commission and anything our district magistrates do in the line of elections is based on two things—disclosure, disclosure and disclosure,” he said, adding that the “voter has every right to know as to what we are doing”. (Read more)
Dhule MP Subhash Bhamre thanks PM Modi after BJP reconsiders him for Lok Sabha election
After being fielded again from the Dhule constituency, BJP MP Subhash Bhamre expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda after the party fielded him from the Dhule constituency again.
"I am very happy today that the Central Election Committee has announced my name. They have given me an opportunity once again. I thank the Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi. I also want to thank Party President JP Nadda, Amit Shah, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra ji Fadwanis. I want to thank the public also..." said BJP MP Subhash Bhamre. (ANI)
Today in Politics: PM Modi-led panel set to pick two ECs
The Selection Committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Thursday to finalise the names of two new Election Commissioners (ECs) to fill the vacancies created in the Election Commission after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and the surprise resignation of Arun Goel last Saturday.
Close on the heels of their appointment, the new ECs are expected to join their offices to help the poll body conduct the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The PM-headed panel’s meeting will be closely watched in view of the backdrop against which it is being held.
On Tuesday, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the only Opposition member in the three-member panel which also includes a Union Minister nominated by the PM, wrote to the government, seeking the “dossier” containing the “bio-profiles” of the shortlisted persons “well before” the meeting, as reported by Manoj C G.
In a letter to Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Legislative Department and Department of Legal Affairs, Union Ministry of Law and Justice, Chowdhury is learnt to have referred to the process followed by the government regarding the selection of the Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commissioners, Chief Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners. He asked the government to follow the same procedure. (Read more)
'We will create history': BJP MP Shankar Lalwani on his candidature from Indore in LS polls
After being picked by the Bharatiya Janata Party as its candidate from Indore for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, MP Shankar Lalwani expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I want to thank PM Modi and the central and the state leadership for giving me this opportunity again. We will create a history in Indore," he told ANI.
Shankar Lalwani was elected to the 17th Lok Sabha in the 2019 General Elections from Indore. He has been given another chance by the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
Manohar Lal Khattar, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal in BJP’s second list of 72 candidates for LS
Three former Chief Ministers, nine Union Ministers, two Rajya Sabha MPs and 15 women figured in the BJP’s second list of candidates announced Wednesday evening.
Manohar Lal Khattar, who resigned as Haryana Chief Minister Tuesday and vacated his Karnal Assembly seat Wednesday, will be contesting for Lok Sabha from the Karnal seat. Here's the full list of BJP candidates
BJP announces candidates on 20 seats, 5 sitting MPs dropped in Maharashtra
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced 20 names from Maharashtra in its second list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, replacing five existing Members of Parliament (MPs). The state has 48 Lok Sabha seats.
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nitin Gadkari will contest from Mumbai North and Nagpur LS seats respectively. The party replaced sitting MP Gopal Shetty from Mumbai North with Goyal.
Senior party leader and former minister Pankaja Munde will contest from Beed in Marathwada, replacing her sister Preetam Munde. Read more
Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Maharashtra: Youth tries to jump into Rahul's vehicle
During the ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Maharashtra's Dhule district, a youth was seen trying to jump into Rahul Gandhi's vehicle. He was immediately stopped by a security personnel. (Express photo/Manoj Dattatrye More)
Adequate security to be provided, central forces will be deployed: CEC
The commissioner also assured the J&K people that adequate security will be provided to all candidates and central forces will be deployed to tackle any law and order situation.
Social media cell in all districts to respond to fake news in real time: CEC Rajiv Kumar.
In a bid to combat misleading information, Kumar said social media cell will be established in all districts in order to respond to fake news in real time.
Commission will disclose all details on electoral bonds in time, says CEC Rajiv Kumar in J&K
While speaking at a presser in J&K, Chief Election Commsiioner Rajiv Kumar also said that the election regulating body will disclose all details on electoral bonds in time.
Committed towards holding polls in J&K peacefully with maximum participation, says CEC Rajiv Kumar
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Wednesday said the poll regulating body is committed towards holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir and across country peacefully and withe maximum participation. He said he has taken stock of the election preparedness in the Union Territory. “We met national parties including BJP, CPIM and Congress and state recognized parties like NC and PDP. The parties said that the elections should be completely fair, transparent and there should be no discrimination. Some parties were of the opinion that the administration can act unilaterally, hence a level playing field should be ensured,” he said.
Mamata disowns brother after he expressed displeasure over ticket distribution in Howrah
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee today disowned his younger brother Babun Banerjee after he expressed displeasure over the party re-nominating Prasun Banerjee from Howrah Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal.
Speaking to reporters in Jalpaiguri, she said, "Before every election, he creates a problem. I don't like greedy people. I don't believe in dynasty politics that I will give him ticket in elections. I have decided to disown him and cut off all relationship with him."
Asked about media reports that he might join the BJP, the West Bengal CM said, "He can do whatever he wants to. The party stands by its official candidate Prasun Banerjee."
Babun Banerjee, who is presently in New Delhi, however, denied speculations that he might switch over to the BJP, but said he is pondering over contesting "Lok Sabha polls from the Howrah seat as an independent." (PTI)
AIMIM to contest in 11 of 40 seat in Bihar
Bihar AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman today said that his party will contest from 11 of 40 seats in the state.
"...We will contest elections on 11 out of 40 seats in Bihar's Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Ujiarpur, Karakat, Buxar, Gaya and Bhagalpur...," he said, reported ANI.
SBI submits poll bond data yesterday; EC says information in ‘digital format’, should be able to meet deadline
Complying with the directions of the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India (SBI) on Tuesday evening handed over data pertaining to the purchase and redemption of electoral bonds to the Election Commission.
According to sources, a senior officer of the poll panel received the data in “digital” form from representatives of the bank. However, it is not known whether the information includes a unique bond number for each purchase and redemption. (Read more)
PM Modi lays foundation for 3 semiconductor plants, 2 in Gujarat, 1 in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stones for three new semiconductor plants - two in Gujarat and one in Assam. Tata Group is setting up two of these three plants.
PM Modi participated in the event 'India's Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat' virtually for the three semiconductor facilities with financial implications of about Rs 1.25 lakh crore, reported ANI.
PM Modi laya foundation stone for semiconductor facility in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is virtually laying the foundation stone for a Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and test facility in Assam's Morigaon district today.
Congress veterans play safe, stay out of second Lok Sabha candidate list, for states dominated by BJP
The Congress Tuesday came out with its second list of 43 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, fielding sitting MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Pradyut Bordoloi in Assam, and Nakul Nath from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, while denying renomination to its Barpeta, Assam, MP Abdul Khaleque.
The list covered states where the BJP won overwhelmingly in 2019, including Assam (9 out of 14 seats), Madhya Pradesh (28 out of 29), Rajasthan (all 25), Gujarat (all 26), Uttarakhand (all 5) and the Union territory of Daman & Diu (1 of 1).
Khaleque became only the second sitting Congress MP to be denied renomination, after T N Prathapan from Kerala in the first list. Khaleque was seeking a ticket from the Dhubri seat, but the party fielded Samaguri MLA Rakibul Hussain from there. (Read more)
Maharashtra tug of war between Congress, MVA allies holds up Lok Sabha seat pact
As the Congress announced its second list of candidates on Tuesday, there were no names from Maharashtra. With the Lok Sabha poll schedule expected to be announced in a few days, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is still struggling to wrap up seat-sharing allegedly because of a lack of coordination between the Congress and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
According to Congress insiders, the talks are stuck because the others in the alliance and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) of Prakash Ambedkar. which is in talks with the MVA, have staked claim on seats the party wants. According to the VBA, the differences between the Congress and the other parties extend to at least 15 constituencies.
Alliance insiders with knowledge of the status of the talks said that the Congress’s share of seats has come down to 16-18 constituencies, the lowest ever. In 2019, the Congress’s share was 26 constituencies and it contested 25, giving Palghar to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi. Despite several rounds of talks, the MVA parties have not been able to reach a consensus. (Read more)
Election Commission begins consultation with political parties in J-K to review LS poll preparedness
The Election Commission on Tuesday began consultations with political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to review preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the Union territory.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and other officials of the poll panel, who arrived here on Monday for a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, held interactions with delegations from the National Conference, PDP, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, and the Aam Admi Party, officials said here.
National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani, who led his party’s delegation, said they impressed upon the Election Commission the need for holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir together with the Lok Sabha polls. (Read more)
Lok Sabha elections: Full list of Congress candidates
The Congress on Tuesday released its second list of 43 candidates across four states for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi will contest from Assam’s Jorhat, while Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath has been fielded from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara for the second time. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav Gehlot will contest from Jalore.
Get the full list of Congress candidates for Lok Sabha elections here
Shashi Tharoor interacts with Rajeev Chandrasekhar at NHAI event
At the NHAI event, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor interacts with his BJP rival Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Congress releases 2nd list of 43 candidates; Gaurav Gogoi to contest from Assam’s Jorhat
Congress on Tuesday announced its second list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The list, announced by senior Congress leader KC Venugopal, mentioned that Gaurav Gogoi will be contesting from Assam's Jorhat.
We have build large industries, never taken credit for it: Kharge
"We have build large industries but never taken credit for it," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge says.
Kharge says Congress, if voted to power, will fill the vacancies in the employment sector
Kharge says Congress, if voted to power, will fill the vacancies in the employment sector.
Mallikarjun Kharge lists out Cong’s poll promises — MSP, youth employment and Adivasi upliftment
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday listed out some of Congress's major poll promises including Nyay, MSP and employment, which he says is also a Nyay guarantee towards the youths. He also spoke about uplift of the marginalised tribal people, providing them all means of support and security.
Mallikarjun Kharge announces three guarantees -- Nyay, MSP, and employment for youths
Mallikarjun Kharge announces three guarantees -- Nyay, MSP and employment for youths.
Tri-service firepower, manoeuvre exercise 'Bharat Shakti' begins in Pokhran
The mega 'Bharat Shakti' exercise to demonstrate the prowess of indigenously manufactured defence equipment of the three services began in Rajasthan's Pokhran firing range on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Manoj Pande in attendance.
The exercise will be held for about 50 minutes.
LCA Tejas, ALH Mk-IV, LCH Prachand, mobile anti-drone system, BMP-II and its variants, NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier), T90 tanks, Dhanush, K9 Vajra and Pinaka rockets are among the platforms that are being demonstrated at Pokhran, about 100 km from Jaisalmer city.
Watch | PM Modi witnesses Exercise 'Bharat Shakti' in Rajasthan's Pokhran
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with delegates from more than 30 countries, witnesses exercise 'Bharat Shakti' at the Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer.
PM Modi witnesses Exercise 'Bharat Shakti' in Rajasthan's Pokhran
PM Modi witnesses Exercise 'Bharat Shakti' in Rajasthan's Pokhran
Prime Minister Modi who is currently in Pokhran, Rajasthan will witness a synergised demonstration of indigenous defence capabilities in the form of a Tri-Services Live Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Pokhran
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Pokhran. Along with delegates from more than 30 countries, he will witness the exercise "Bharat Shakti" at the Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer. The exercise will display the firepower capability of indigenous weapons and the operational readiness of all three defence forces.
PM to witness tri-service firepower, manoeuvre exercise 'Bharat Shakti' in Pokhran
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with delegates from more than 30 countries will witness the exercise "Bharat Shakti" at the Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer.
The exercise will display the firepower capability of indigenous weapons and the operational readiness of all three defence forces.
PM Modi inaugurates Gandhi Ashram Memorial masterplan at Sabarmati; 'The scale of the effort will leave you spellbound,' he says
"Restoration of Sabarmati Ashram manifests our commitment to preserving and celebrating our rich history. The scale of the effort will leave you spellbound!," PM Modi wrote in a post on X, as he launched Rs 1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial masterplan at Sabarmati on Tuesday.
Express Explained | Simplicity and modernisation: What the redeveloped Sabarmati Ashram seeks to achieve
On March 12, marking the 94th anniversary of the Dandi March that began from the Sabarmati Ashram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ‘Ashram Bhoomi Vandana’, a symbolic laying of the foundation stone, and unveiled the masterplan of the Rs 1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development Project. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the redeveloped Kocharab ashram from Ahmedabad.
What’s in the proposed masterplan for the Sabarmati Ashram?
Prepared by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd (HCPDPM) led by Bimal Patel, the masterplan proposes to restore, conserve, and rebuild about half of the 63 structures that existed in the original ashram that was spread over 120 acres of land on the banks of the Sabarmati River on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. In all, 36 buildings will be restored. (Click here to read more)
Modi in Gujarat Live Updates: Top quotes by PM as he inaugurates Rs 1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial masterplan in Sabarmati
PM Narendra Modi launched Rs 1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial masterplan at Sabarmati on Tuesday. Here is what he said during the inauguration ceremony:
? Bapu's Sabarmati Ashram is a heritage not only for the country but also for entire mankind, says PM Modi.
? My government's 'vocal for local' drive stems from Mahatma Gandhi's 'swadeshi' idea, he said.
? A country which cannot cherish its heritage has a bleak future. Earlier government had no mentality or political will to maintain historical places like Sabarmati Ashram, he said.
? It is Gujarat that showed the nation the path to save its heritage. For instance, the renovation of Somnath Temple under Sardar Patel was historic, he said.
Modi in Gujarat Live Updates: 'March 12 is the day that Dandi march was registered with golden letters in story of our independence' says PM
PM Narendra Modi launched Rs 1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial masterplan at Sabarmati on Tuesday.
"Today is March 12, it is the same day when Mahatma Gandhi changed the flow of the Independence struggle and the Dandi march was registered with golden letters (in the story of our Independence)," says PM Modi he said while speaking at the event.
Modi in Gujarat Live Updates: Modi inaugrates re-developed Kochrab Ashram & Master plan of Gandhi Ashram Memorial in Sabarmati
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the re-developed Kochrab Ashram and launched the Master plan of Gandhi Ashram Memorial, at Mahatma Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today.
"This Sabarmati Ashram of Bapu has always been the centre of an amazing energy. Whenever er receive the opportunity to come here, we can clearly feel Bapu's inspiration within us. The ideals of truth and non-violence, the resolve of devotion towards the country, the sense of service to God in the service of the poor and devoid - Sabarmati Ashram keeps these values of Bapu alive even to this day,” he said.
PM to launch Master Plan of Gandhi Ashram Memorial at Sabarmati today
? PM Modi will launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial on Tuesday. Under this Masterplan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres.
? 36 existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including ‘Hriday Kunj’, which served as Gandhi 's residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will be reproduced.
? The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like orientation centre, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving and leatherwork and public utilities.
? The buildings will house interactive exhibits and activities to showcase aspects of Gandhiji’s life as well as the legacy of the Ashram.
In Pics | Redeveloped 'Kochrab Ashram' ahead of its inauguration by PM Modi
PM Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. The PM will also launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial. Here are some pictures of the Redeveloped 'Kochrab Ashram' ahead of its inauguration:
PM Modi inspects the model of master plan for Sabarmati Ashram project in Ahmedabad
The Prime Minister visited the Sabarmati Ashram where he will inaugurate Kochrab Ashram and launch the Master plan of Gandhi Ashram Memorial today. Here is a video of him inspecting the master plan of the project:
Modi in Gujarat Live Updates: 'Development of Railways is a guarantee of Viksit Bharat,' says PM
"We can take a look at anywhere in the world and we will find that the railways had played a key part in countries that became developed and economic powerhouse. Therefore, the development of the railways is the guarantee of 'Viksit Bharat'," said PM Modi in Ahmedabad today.
"After Independence, the governments used to prioritise their political selfishness, and the railways became a victim of it," he said further.
Modi in Gujarat Live Updates: ‘This 10 years of work is just a trailer, I have to go further,’ says PM as he launches projects from Ahmedabad
"This day is a living proof of willpower. Youth of the country will decide what kind of country and Railway they want. Ye 10 saal ka kaam abhi toh trailer hai, mujhe toh aur aage jaana hai (this 10 years of work is just a trailer, I have to go further) ," said PM Modi while inaugurating railway projects worth Rs 85,000 crores from Ahmedabad.
Modi in Gujarat Live Updates: Top quotes by PM as he inaugurates railway projects worth Rs 85,000 crores from Ahmedabad
? PM Modi on Tuesday said his government undertakes developmental works as part of its mission to build the nation and not to win elections as perceived by some people.
? He said that in the last 10 years, his government spent around six times more amount for the development of railways than was done earlier.
? In just over two months of 2024, we have inaugurated and laid the foundation of Rs 11 lakh crore projects," he said.
? "I started my life on railway tracks, so I know how bad our railways were earlier," he said.
? Modi said he discontinued the separate railway budget and included it in the Union budget so that government money could be used for the development of Railways.