Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi Targets Sharad Pawar on His Work as Agriculture Minister

The Election Commission of India reviewed preparedness ahead of Phase 3 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on Tuesday, to be held on May 7. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu held a meeting with 265 observers. "The Election Commission today reviewed preparedness for Phase 3 of #GeneralElections2024 with the 265 Observers deployed for monitoring the Phase. This includes Special, General, Police and Expenditure Observers," the ECI posted on X.

The Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed displeasure at the Election Commission of India's decision to postpone the Anantnag-Rajouri seat Lok Sabha Elections 2024 to May 25. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti will be contesting the elections from the constituency.

The Indian National Congress (INC) has released another list of candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The names include veterans like Raj Babbar from Gurgaon, Haryana and Anand Sharma from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

A voter turnout of 81.16 percent was recorded at six polling stations in Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, where repolling was held on Tuesday, election officials said.

PTI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has changed the date of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in J&K from May 7 to May 25, 2024.

The Election Commission of India has published voter turnout data for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, which help in refuting the Opposition's claims that voting has been low this election.

Kangana Ranaut, BJP candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, offered prayers at Maa Bhima Kali temple today. The actress-filmmaker-turned-politician also held an election campaign in Sarahan today.

After holding a rally in Mumbai, Union Minister Piyush Goyal filed his nomination at the Mumbai (Suburban) District Collector’s office on Tuesday. Goyal is the BJP candidate for the Mumbai North seat for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North, held a ‘Prachar Rath' rally in Dahisar area of Mumbai today.

"In elections, Congress has started to spread rumours through fake videos In this, Congress and BRS leaders are involved,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's deepfake video.

“Till the time Modi is alive, I will not let Dalit and OBC reservation be given to Muslims on the basis of religion," said PM Modi in a rally in Telangana today.
 

“Congress doesn't want the Parliament to run. They raise questions on EVMs," said PM Modi in a rally in Telangana today. “In my third term, the Constitution will complete 75 years. I will celebrate it in a grand way, and uncover all the sins done by Congress,” the PM added.

BJP national president JP Nadda held a road show in Byadagi in the Haveri district of Karnataka on Tuesday, in support of BJP candidate for Haveri Lok Sabha constituency Basavaraj Bommai.

"In last 10 years, the nation saw the NDA government takes big decisions. NDA can take the nation forward," said PM Modi, as he addressed a rally in Telangana today

Accusing the Congress of supporting the idea of religion-based reservation, despite the fact that it cannot be done as per the Constitution, BJP President JP Nadda on Tuesday charged the grand old party with having "vicious and divisive designs".  He said this while speaking at "professionals meet" organised here as part of the BJP's campaign for Shimoga Lok Sabha candidate BY Raghavendra.

PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, applauding him for his work in the Guna constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Scindia tweeted about the letter, writing in Hindi, “माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी द्वारा मेरे लिए लिखे गए इस पत्र के लिए उनका हार्दिक आभार। यह पत्र मेरे लिए रामबाण के समान है। आपके एक-एक शब्द मेरे लिए प्रेरणादायी है। मैं यह विश्वास दिलाता हूँ कि विकसित भारत के निर्माण के संकल्प के प्रति समर्पित रहूँगा। #गुना_दिल_से”. (I am heartily grateful to the Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for this letter. These words are inspirational for me. I assure you that I will remain dedicated to the resolution of building a developed India."  

Haryana will rope in musical bands to play election-theme songs for encouraging young voters to exercise their franchise, Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal said. These bands will encourage people to cast their vote on the day of polling and also promote awareness and education regarding the election, Agarwal told PTI.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Andhra Pradesh released its joint manifesto for the Assembly polls on Tuesday. The NDA manifesto has promised Rs 1,500 monthly pension to eligible women. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena and BJP alliance has also promised to offer Rs 3,000 monthly financial assistance to unemployed youth.

6-time MLA Ramniwas Rawat quit the Congress party and joined the BJP, in Sheopur, in the presence of CM Mohan Yadav on Tuesday. 

Devender Yadav has been appointed as the interim President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday. 

Union minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal filed his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, April 30. He has been fielded by the BJP from the Mumbai North seat. He was accompanied by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde. 

In an exclusive conversation with Republic, Union Minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal exuded confidence on BJP winning more than 400 seats this Lok Sabha elections. Goyal is NDA's candidate for Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. 

BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath slammed Congress and Trinamool Congress during a poll rally in West Bengal's Berhampore on Tuesday. 

“Today, I have come here to ask the West Bengal government, how are Sandeshkhali-like incidents happening in a State which gave the message of Durga Puja to us?. Today's Bengal is not 'Sonar Bangla' which was imagined by our freedom fighters. Attempts are being made to push West Bengal into riots. Be it Congress or Trinamool Congress- both the parties are united to loot the State and conspire against India,” said Adityanath. 

He said that the situation of Uttar Pradesh was similar to Uttar Pradesh 7 years ago, but today "our daughters and businessmen and traders in Uttar Pradesh are safe."

BJP's Hooghly candidate Locket Chatterjee on Tuesday held a rally before filing her nomination for the Lok Sabha elections. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also participated in the nomination rally. 

"There is a huge crowd in the nomination rally of Locket Chatterjee. The way people are blessing us, this time it will be a huge victory in Bengal. Locket Chatterjee will win this time with double the votes compared to the last election ..." said Dhami. 

"Public's blessings are with BJP. We will gift more than 35 seats from West Bengal to PM Modi. People have seen the corruption of TMC, and they will vote against it ..." said Chatterjee. 

Odisha CM and BJD president Naveen Patnaik filed his nomination papers from the Hinjili Assembly seat on Tuesday. 

Patnaik is contesting the Assembly elections from Kantabanji and Hinjili Assembly seats. Ahead of filing his nomination, he visited and offered prayers at the Tara Tarini Mandir in Ganjam.

Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna was suspended by JDS over the alleged sex scandal. "His (Prajwal Revanna) suspension is till the investigation is completed," said former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy during a press conference on Tuesday. 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday continued his attack on the NCP leader, saying he did not do much for farmer while being the Union agriculture minister.

“When a big Maharashtra leader was Union agriculture minister, farmers used to make rounds of sugarcane commission for their arrears,” Modi said at a rally in Malshiras of Solapur district in Maharashtra.

“There is a ‘bhatakti atma’ (wandering soul) in Maharashtra. If it does not manage success it spoils others’ good work. Maharashtra has been a victim of it,” Modi had said at a rally on Monday, hitting out at Sharad Pawar without taking his name.

Reacting to Opposition's ‘Washing Machine Jibe,’ NCP leader Praful Patel said that there was no case against him. The Opposition alleged that Praful Patel was given clean chit in the aviation scam case after he joined the NDA alliance. 

Ahead of filing nomination, Howrah BJP candidate Rathin Chakraborty held a mega rally on Tuesday, April 30. Howrah will go to polls in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. 

BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj filed her nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. She was accompanied by Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi unit chief Sachdeva. 

“The way workers are enthusiastic here, this shows that we are going to win all the 7 seats in Delhi. Bansuri Swaraj will win the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat,” said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. 

hiv Sena on Tuesday nominated Ravindra Waikar as its candidate from Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency.

 An MLA from Jogeshwari in Mumbai, Waikar was a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray before joining the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Union Home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah exuded confidence that the BJP will win more than 100 seats in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections. 

"Two phases of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections have been completed. As per the internal assessment of these two phases, the BJP and its allies are way ahead on over 100 seats," said Shah during a press conference in Guwahati. 

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat Piyush Goyal said, "I am giving an open invitation. I will welcome Rahul Gandhi if he comes to North Mumbai. I think that people's excitement is going to increase further and they will make me win by a massive margin."

Responding to the questions regarding absence of AAP MP Raghav Chadha, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that he is UK for an eye surgery. Bharadwaj said that he will soon join the campaign. 

“He is in the UK; there was a complication in his eyes and I was told that it was quite critical that he might have lost his eyesight as well. He has gone there to get treatment. I have my best wishes with him. He will be back soon in good health and will join the campaign,” said the AAP leader. 

BJP does not believe in reservations on basis of religion, said Union Home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Tuesday during a press conference in Guwahati. 

Ahead of filing his nomination papers for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, union Minister and BJP candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency, Piyush Goyal offered prayers at Shree Pushtipati Ganesh Temple on Tuesday. 

Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh on Tuesday heaped praises on Prime Minister Modi for the development in the country in the last 10 years. Pawan Singh is contesting as an independent candidate from Bihar's Karakat Lok Sabha seat. 

"Our country is developing. PM Modi is developing the country but we will have to ensure how our villages get developed. We will have to work hard for it," said Singh. 

Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar spoke on his decision to join the BJP-led NDA. He said there was no compulsion or compromise and he joined the alliance for the nation's devlopment.  

“This is not a compulsion or compromise. I always think about development. Who is developing the country today? It is PM Modi. I have worked against him in 2014 and 2019 but if you see today, PM Modi also said yesterday that we have done the same amount of work in one year as was done in the 10 years of Manmohan Singh. He also worked for the upliftment of the poor people...In the last 10 years, no one has made even a single allegation against PM Modi,” said Pawar to ANI. 

Delhi Police officials on Tuesday removed the the poster of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Yasin Malik with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which was put up near Mandi House Circle, in the national capital. 

NCP leader and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that the Opposition's INDI alliance has no PM face, adding that Rahul Gandhi cannot be compared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“More than 65% of people of the country say that they want PM Modi to be the PM. Everyone was taking the name of Nitish Kumar in 2019. But Nitish Kumar is now with PM Modi. Right now no such name is there. You cannot compare Rahul Gandhi with PM Modi,” said Pawar. 

Responding to P Chidambaram's remark on Indian economy, Goa BJP Lok Sabha election incharge Ashish Sood said that there is no need to take him seriously as he has forgotten the situation of Indian economy. 

"One of the top economists in the world Dr Manmohan Singh used to say that money does not grow on trees, somebody needs to remind this to P Chidambaram...PM Modi has pulled India's economy from the 'fragile five and put it in the top five'...Hence there is no need to take him (P Chidambaram) seriously." said the BJP leader. 

Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai arrived at Vadodara airport in Gujarat on Tuesday. He will be campaigning for party candidate from Bharuch, Chaitar Vasava.

The Congress demanded the Bharuch seat for in order to keep on the legacy of veteran leader Ahmed Patel, however, it went to AAP's kitty as part of the seat-sharing arrangement. Chaitar Vasava is the INDI alliance candidate from Bharuch. 

“This time, the Lok Sabha election is important because on one side BJP is fighting to establish dictatorship and to change the Constitution, while on the other hand, INDI alliance is fighting to save the democracy,” said Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai. 

A criminal complaint was filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP colleague Atishi before a court here on Monday, accusing them of defaming the BJP and its members.

The complaint was filed by Praveen Shankar Kapoor, the media head of BJP’s Delhi unit, before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tanya Bamniyal, who posted the matter for recording pre-summoning evidence on May 4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Telangana on Tuesday, April 30. He will hold rallies in Alladurg and Sangareddy.

This will be Modi's second visit to the Southern state after the Lok Sabha polls schedule was announced. 
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue his Maharashtra tour on April 30. In Maharashtra, the PM will be in Madha at 11 am, in Osmanabad at 1 pm, at Latur at 2:30 pm and in Zaheerabad.

On Monday, during his rally in Pune, the Prime Minister slammed NCP Sharad Chandra Pawar party chief Sharad Pawar, indirectly.

Speaking at the rally, the PM blamed "wandering souls" for political instability in Maharashtra 45 years ago, when Pawar rebelled against then Maharashtra Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil in 1978.