Election wrap: MVA clinches seat-sharing deal in Maharashtra, Birender Singh's 'ghar wapsi', and more

From seat-sharing announcement to making an ideological shift right before the Lok Sabha election, here's what made headline on April 9

As preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha election intensifies, political parties are leaving no stones unturned to reach out to the public and are going all out on campaigning. From seat-sharing announcement to making an ideological shift right before the Lok Sabha polls, here's what made headline on April 9.

Maharashtra seat-sharing deal: Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena to contest 21 seats, Congress 17, NCP 10

Ending days of speculation regarding the seat-sharing arrangement in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has finalised the pact with Shiv Sena (UBT) faction contesting on 21 seats, NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction on 10 seats and Congress on 17 seats.

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh (80). NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress president Nana Patole announced the poll pact for the 48 parliamentary seats in the state at a press conference after weeks of negotiations. The Lok Sabha polls will be held in the state in five phases from April 19 to May 20.

Former Union minister Birender Singh, wife Prem Lata join Congress

Former Union minister Birender Singh along with his ex-MLA wife Prem Lata on Tuesday joined the Congress party in Delhi. Singh, who was the Union minister for steel in the Modi government, and his wife resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 8.

Their joining comes a month after their son Brijendra Singh joined the party after quitting the BJP. Birender Singh, 78, is the maternal grandson of the farmer leader Sir Chhotu Ram and had quit the Congress in 2014 to join the BJP.

Delhi liquor policy case: HC dismisses Kejriwal plea against his arrest, says CM used 'proceeds of crime'

The Delhi High Court on April 9 dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest in the liquor policy case saying the material collected by the ED revealed he was actively involved in the use of proceeds of crime.

"The material collected by ED reveals that Kejriwal conspired and was involved in formulation of excise policy and used proceeds of crime," said the HC.

After the HC verdict, the AAP said it has decided to move the Supreme Court on April 10.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Raju Waghmare joins Shiv Sena

Raju Waghmare, a spokesperson of the Maharashtra unit of Congress, on Tuesday quit the party and joined the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

He joined the Sena at a function at `Anand Ashram', former residence-cum-office of late Sena leader Anand Dighe. Speaking on the occasion, Shinde said the party will benefit from his experience. Waghmare would be a deputy leader and spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, he announced.

My son and BJP candidate Anil should lose from Pathanamthitta, says Congress leader A K Antony

Congress leader A K Antony on April 9 said his son, Anil K Antony, who is contesting as BJP candidate in Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, should not win the election.

Addressing a press conference, Antony said that his son's party should lose. "BJP should lose there and Congress should win in Pathanamthitta. Anto Antony (Congress candidate) will win. Congress is my religion," said the veteran Congress leader.

EC issues show-cause notice to Cong's Randeep Surjewala over 'undignified' remarks against Hema Malini

The Election Commission on April 9 issued a show-cause notice to Congress leader Randeep Surjewala over his 'undignified' remarks against BJP Mathura MP Hema Malini.

The poll body termed the remarks 'undignified' and asked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to ensure compliance with its advisories on upholding women's dignity during campaigning.

Kerala CM accuses Congress of deliberately being silent about CAA in their manifesto

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday slammed the Congress for allegedly being silent about the Citizenship Amendment Act in their election manifesto and alleged that it reflects their fear to speak about the contentious act.

Addressing a press conference, he said the grand old party, in the manifesto for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, has promised to repeal many other laws which violated the Constitutional norms, including the GST, if they come back to power. But, it should be seen that even when all these laws are promised to be repealed, not a single word is uttered about the CAA, he alleged.

Robert Vadra hints at political entry, amid uncertainty over Congress's Amethi candidate

Amid widespread speculation surrounding businessman Robert Vadra's potential entry into politics from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law has once again hinted at his aspirations for a political career. Vadra told a news agency that the residents of Amethi believe that if he contests from the constituency, they will have the opportunity to "correct their mistake" of electing Smriti Irani.

In an interview with IANS, Vadra said, "I am not only receiving support from party workers across the country to actively engage in politics, but the focus on Amethi has also intensified due to my consistent involvement in campaigning there since 1999."