Elections 2024 Updates: PM Modi Targets Lalu In Bihar On Godhra Incident; Ex-Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely Joins BJP

Congress after a long suspense on the candidates for its key constituencies - Raebareli and Ameℱthi, finally announced the names. They fielded Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli and Gandhi family close aiౠde Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi, both of whom submitted their nominations on Friday.

PM Modi will visit Palamu and Gumla in Jharkhand on Saturday to address election rallies in favour of BJP candidates BD Ram and Arjun Munda.

The PM held 𒀰a 1.5 km mega roadshow in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi on Friday evening and stayed at Raj Bhavan overnight.

According to reports, a visit to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is scheduled for PM Modi on Saturday, May 4. During this visit, a 1.2 mile roadshow will be conducted by him to campaign for the BJP candidates contesting for sea🔯ts in the area.

Hyderabad police have registered a case against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Madhavi Latha and other BJP leaders for allegedly using minors in a poll campaign in the city r𓂃ecently.

In a complaint to the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) vice- president Niranjan Reddy alleged that on May 1 during a BJP rally from Laldawaza to Sudha Talkies, a few minor children were꧋ on the dais with🌠 Shah.

Niranjan Reddy alleged that a child was seen with a BJP symbol, highlighting that it was a clear violation o🐓f the guidelines of the Election Commission, according to information available on the FIR copy.

-PTI

With Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal behind bars, 𒆙AAP leaders on Friday addressed public meetings in different parts of Delhi to rally support for the opposition INDIA bloc'✃s candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh a💧nd Delhi minister Atishi held a 'Sankalp Sabha' as part of the AAP's 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' campaign in Kalkaji assembly segment which falls under South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.

The INDIAꦗ bloc has fielded Sahiram Paha🤡lwan from South Delhi seat.

Singh said Kejriwal has done꧑ a lot for the people of Delhi, including reducing electricity and water bills and providing free tr𝓀avel facility for women in public buses.

"Therefore, it is an appeal to the people of Delhi that this time, give all the🤪 seven (Lok Sabha) seats in Delhi to the INDIA alliance and reduce the BJP's tally to zero," he said.

The people should elect a candidate who can stand with them at a🤪nꦕy time, Singh said.

-PTI

Union Minister and BJP candidate from𒁃 Gujarat's Porbandar, Mansukh Mandaviya held 'parbhat feri' in his constituency on Saturday morning.

Speaking to reporters about his unique election campaign, Mandaviya said, "Waking up early and doing 'bhajan' and going around the village is a traditional thing. During my election campaigns, I go to the villages early ꦍmorning and get connected to the people and also interact with them. This is also one of my ways to get connected to the public..."

Former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has removed "thorns" like Article 370 and terrorism sown by the Congress and strengthened the country during his 10𝕴 years in power.

The countr♛y made rapid progress under Modi while the Congress only gave hollow slogans, he said.

Khattar was addressing a gathering i🎉n support of Mohan Lal Badoli, the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Sonipat, after he filed his no🦩mination papers on Friday.

꧟This election is like a fight between the Kauravas and the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. The character of the Congress is like that of the Kauravas, said Khattar, who is contesting the polls from ♔Karnal parliamentary seat.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the 🌄country is moving rapidly on the path of becoming a developed nation, he said.

The Congress had sown "thorns" like Article 370, Naxalism and terrorism 🐈in the country during its rule of 55-60 years, the former chief minister alleged.

-PTI

Shiv Sen꧋a (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Frida🌼y attacked the BJP claiming its Hindutva is "gaumutradhari" (regressive), while his party's Hindutva was reformist.

Addrꩵessing a rally in Kankavali in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg district, his second this week, Thacker🔴ay accused the Centre of "looting" Maharashtra.

He said when INDI alliance comes to power, he will ensure the lost glory of the state is reclaime🌊d.

"BJP's Hindutva is gaumutradhari. Our Hindutva is reformist," Thackeray ꧙said.

-PTI

The Delhi Chief Election Officer's office has approved AAP's Lok Sabha elections campaign song afteജr the partꦦy made modifications to it, officials said on Friday.

AAP MLA Dilip Pandey, who penned and ♌voiced the song, confirmed that the song has been approved.

The party had claimed o💃n April 28 that the Election༒ Commission "banned" its campaign song "Jail ka Jawab Vote se Denge".

Delhi poll b🍬ody officials, however, had said AAP was asked to modify the contents of the song since it violated𓃲 the Election Commission's guidelines and advertising codes.

The villagers of Bangaon village in Bihar's Madhepura Lok Sa꧋bha constituency are facing monkey infestation🐠 issue.

They have decided to boycott the upcoming 🅘elections unle♔ss something is done resolve the problem.

They've even put up posters saying th🍌ey'll only support a candidate who can solve this issue.

The election in Madhepura is set for May 7.

Villagers in Maharashtra's Sangli district engage in 'No water, no vo💃te' protest as they face water scarcity issue.

Sangli is located near Karnataka border.

The Congress recently shared a video of Rahul Gandhi playing chess on his mobile phone while on the Lok Sabha election campaign trail. The MP from Wayana💃d name🦋d Kasparov as his favourite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics.

Kasparov responded to that post saying "Traditional (sic) dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top," as he referred t♔o Gandhi's recent nomination there and Congress' aim to get back to the control at Centre.

Kasparov later explained that it was just a joke and should be seen asꦯ one after others started moc🐷king Gandhi with his comment.

Aam 🍬Aadmi P🔯arty candidate from East Delhi Lok Sabha seat Kuldeep Kumar sought blessings from his parents on Saturday morning before he files nomination papers for the upcoming elections.

Kumar is facing BJP lea𓆏der Harsh M🌟alhotra in the LS fight.

BRS leader KT Rama Rao on Saturday morning met lo꧋cals at a vegetable market as he was campaigning in Sircilla, Telangana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J P Nadda are scheduled to visit Odisha over the next few days t෴o campaign for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Modi is slated to address two political rallies in Berhampur a▨nd Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday, a party leader said.

Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be he♍ld in Odisha in fo🉐ur phases from May 13.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will♛ be divided into seven phases beginning on April 19 and end on June 1.

The counting of vot🐎es an🐈d declaration of results has been scheduled for June 4.

The 13th descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji and BJP candidate from Santara, Udayanrajಞe Bhosale speaking to PTI on the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country said, "The issue has been development. There was a Congress rule for 55-60 years. Only there were announcements. They gave slogans like 'Garibi Hatao Desh Bachao', 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' but nothing happened. Now there is a stable government under the leadership of PM Modi."

He also stated, "INDIA bღloc is finding it difficult to find consensus on PM candidate. They don't have vision, development plan. They call themselves Maha Vikas Aghadi but did nothing in 55-60 years. I win elections on my own. People made me win because of my work. It is my fo🐈rtune that I was born in this family. But I have never used the family for my work."

Congress candidate from Puri constituency Suchitra Mohanty withdrew from election and she explained her decision to the media on Saturday, she said, "I was denied funds from the party. In Assembly segments, weak candidates were given tickets. BJP and BJD are sitting on mountain of money. It was difficult. Vulgar display of wealth is everywhere. I don't want to compete that way. I wanted a people-oriented campaign but that was also not possible with the lack of funds. Party is also not responsible. BJP govt has crippled the p🌳arty. There are a lot of curbs on expenditure. I was getting good response. They (people) want change."

Speaking of the im🔜portance of voting during his address in Jharkhand's Palamu, PM Modi said, "You all know the importance of your vote very well. In 2014, the entire world saluted the power of Indian democracy because of your votes. In 2014, with your one vote, the people removed the corrupt government of Congress."

He added, "Recognise value of🎉 your one vote, it resulted in scrapping of Article 370 in J&K, wiped out terrorism."

PM Modi on Saturday claimed that hi﷽s name has not been involved in any corruption cases over the last 25 years. He said, "There is no blot of corruption on me in past 25 years as chief minister and prime minister."

He further claimed, "I don't own a home or even a bicycle" as he went on to call ou🌸t ex-Jharkhand CM who is currently in custody for money laundering, PM Modi asserted, "corrupt JMM, Congress leaders amasse༺d huge wealth for their children."

PM Modi in an attack on Congress said, "Earlier, after terrorist attacks, Congress' 'coward' government used to weep on the global platform. The time when India used to ⛦weep on the global platform has gone."

Reiterating Congress' c🌜onne𒁃ction with Pakistan, PM Modi said, "Now, Pakistan is weeping and screaming for help. Pakistani leaders are praying for 'shahzada' (referring to Rahul Gandhi) to become PM. However, strong India wants a strong government."

He also added, "Till I am aliไve, will not now allow any design of Cong to succeed in changing constitution for reservation tꩲo Muslims."

UP CM Yogi Adityanath addressing an election rally in Ashoknagar in Guna constituency, said, "The land which got the support of Vija🐲yaraje Scindia, is getting the leadership of Jyotiraditya Scindia. The Ramlila Ground in front connects us to Tulsidas. When Tulsidas was asked to meet Akbar to get included in his 9 Ratnas. He said that he doesn't know Akbar and said he knows only one King and he is Raja Ram. During the PM Modi's regime, Ramlala returned to his home after 500 years. PM Modi is going to Ayodhya tomorrow."

He also said, "The area has got the proximity of Vijayaraje Scindia and Madhavrao Scindia. Now it is getting the proximity of Jyotiraditya Scindia. He has a vision for development. Only 74 airports were there till 2014. Scindia has now took the number to 150. The family has contributed in Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The country is now saying 'Fir ek ba🌺ar Modi Sarkaar'. People are saying that the ones who brought Ram will be brought at the Centre."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Banaskantha, Gujarat criticised PM Modi as she said, "People of Gujarat gave PM Modi respect a🧸nd power. He (Narendra Modi) has been a Prime Minister for 10 years now. You must have seen him on big platforms with capitalists, and Prime Ministers and Presidents of other countries. But, have you ever seen 🧸him visiting a house of a farmer or poor? In his own constituency, Varanasi, PM Modi has never visited house of any poor person."

Defending allegations made by BJP against Congress, Gandhi said, "Many BJP leaders have said that i𝕴f BJP wins the election, then the Constitution will be changed. So, it is important to understand the Constitution and how it affects your life. The Constitution gives you (people) rights including the right to cast your vote. This right has been gi🍒ven to everyone in the country, farmers, labourers, poor, ministers."

AAP East Delhi Lok Sabha seat Kuldeep Kumar held a roadshow in the city ahead of filing his n💎omin🤡ation on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters and AAP's agenda, Kumar stated, "People have come out today against those dictators who have jailed the Delhi CM (Arvind Kejriwal) and Delhi's deputy CM (Manish Sisodia). People of Delhi🅷 will respond to 'jail' by their votes and end their (BJP's) dictatorship."

PM Modi in his next rally in Gumla and Lohardaga speꦡaks of providing free ration to the poor and making internet accessible to all.

He stated, "You all must have seen how much criticism I face for working for the poor and Adivasis. However, I am here to only serve you. You must remember, that when💮 I started Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Congress asked what would happen from this. When I opened common service centres in every village, they (Congress) questioned it too and said the people of the villages are illiterate. Today, they are the heroes of social media."

He also added, "Modi ensurဣed the poor get access to internet, which was meant only for rich people during Cong rule."

In another attack on former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, PM Modi sai🃏d, "Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren behind bars for corruption, Modi committed to wipe out the ✱menace."

He added, "Modi unmasked corrupt forces, all those who indulged in corrupꦜtion will face acꦅtion under law in next five years."

"INDIA bloc leaders ta💜ke out rallies in support of those indulging in corruption,"ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ alleged PM Modi.

AAP candidate from West Delhi Mahabal Mishra on Saturday filed nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He spoke to the media later and said, "There is no challenge. There is a lot of anger among people about putting Arvind Kejriwal, who works for poor, in jail. They know that he is jailed because he made electricity, water free, there is Mohalla clinic, CT, MRI scans happening in hospitals for free, gave free transportation to women. INDIA alliance will come to power. It is looking like the election of 2009. NDA didn't give tickets to 6 MPs, the party is accepting that they didn't work. There is a sympathy for Arvind Kejriwal. It will be good if he comes out of jail."

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi held a door-to-door ca𝓀mpaign in the Charminar constituency of Hyderabad, Telangana on Saturday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for c💟ontesting from the Wayanad and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seඣats, claiming that the Congress leader will lose from Rae Bareli by a huge margin.

"R🎃ahul Baba, take my advice. The problem is with you, not with the seats. You will lose from Rae Bareli also, by a huge margin. Even𒉰 if you run away, people will find you," the senior BJP leader said.

Akhilesh Yadav's daughter Aditi participates in a political campaign in ﷽UP's Saifai.

"Our party has always worked in favour of women, youth and farmer🃏s. We will make a government that will empower women, provide good education to children and jobs to youth. I want you all to give your blessings to me", Aditi said.

While addressing a rally in Bihar's Darbhanga, PM Modi said, "I have given a roadmap of development for the next five𝓰 years. I have also tabled a vision for the next 25 years, but it is also important to keep in mind the past. Similar to a '🙈shahzada' in Delhi, there's a 'shahzada' in Patna too. One 'shahzada' considers entire India as his' jagir' since his childhood, another one considers entire Bihar as his 'jagir'."

Days after quitting the post of Delhi Congress chief, Arvinder Singh Lovely on Saturday joined BJP at party Headquarters in Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva🍬 and party’s national general secretary Vinod Tawde.

Amid the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, 🐻Congress Leader has urged PM Modi to "not be afraid" and contest fro🐲m the South, just like Rahul Gandhi.

"We are saying to PM Modi that don't be afraid, fight from the South. Just like Rahul Gandhi has the courage to fight the South and the North. Why doesn't Modi ji go and fight from the South? He is the Prime Minister of the country, why doesn't he show courage, why is he so afraid of the ඣSouth?..."

The burnt body of Tirun♏elveli Congress East Distr𓄧ict president has been found by cops. The leader had been missing since Thursday night, was found on a farm on Saturday. The police are now investigating if this was a case of murder or suicide.

For the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from the seat of Raebareli in UP. Addressing this, BJP State President for Tamil꧟ Nadu, K Annamalai has predicted the same fate for Raebareli in 2𝓡024 as Amethi in 2019

"Rahul Gandhi lost to Smriti Irani ji in 2019 and now he wants to go to a safe seat, a so-called safe seat. This clearly shows the character of a person who is aspiring for the Prime Minister's chair. So it's a moral bankruptcy of Congress that has come to the open...He lost Amethi 🌳in 2019, so Raebareli will also go on the same path in 2024," he said speaking to reporters.

HD Revanna, Karnataka MLA with JD(S), has♒ been taken into custody by the Special Investiga🐽tion Team. The MLA was brought in amid the kidnapping allegations against him and his son Prajwal Revanna.

Reacting to PM Modi's ‘shehzade’ remark against him, Tejashwi Yadav said, “I will say that he is ‘peerzada’. This is🅺 the land of Mithila, people here want to listen to useful talk. NDA has its MPs in Jhanjharpur, Darbhanga and Madhubani for the past 15 years. They have done no work here. The public is irri♍tated and fed up with the NDA. Bihar will give a shocking result this time.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged RJD president Lalu Prasad, the BJP’s principal opponent in Bihar, with having tried to "shield" those guilty ♋in two-decade-old Godhra train burning incident and “put blame on kar sevaks”.

Addressing an election rally at Darbhanga, Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat where riots had erupted after the incident, also alleg𒊎ed that the RJD supremo had acted in connivance with the🍌 Congress, which headed the UPA, in power at the Centre.

T👍his is probably the first time Modi raised the Godhra issue d♚uring the ongoing elections.

Without mentioning Prasad by name, Modi described the RJD supremo, who was the Railway minister in the first UPA 💧government, as one “serving sentences, out on bail (in fodder scam cases)".