Election wrap: PM Modi counters Farooq Abdullah's nuclear weapons remark, Mamata Banerjee on NRC, CAA and more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

As India turns up to vote in the fourth phase of polling, public rallies were held in various parts of the country. Both BJP and the INDI alliance members addressed multiple rallies in states.

Rahul Gandhi didn't visit Ram temple for fear of losing vote bank: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya as he feared losing his vote bank. Addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Shah also said Gandhi opposed the abrogation of Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and sought to know the views of Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray on the Congress leader’s stand.

The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) are constituents of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state and the INDIA alliance at the national level. The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) are constituents of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state and the INDIA alliance at the national level.

The consecration of Lord Ram’s idol was held at the Ayodhya temple in January this year. Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only helped in the resolution of the Ram temple issue but also facilitated its construction. Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only helped in the resolution of the Ram temple issue but also facilitated its construction.

If INDIA bloc comes to power after June 4, I will be back next day: Arvind Kejriwal to AAP councillors

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he will be back from Tihar jail on June 5 if the INDIA bloc comes to power after the election results are announced.

Arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court till June 1 to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. He will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2. June 1 is the last day of the seven-phase elections and the votes will be counted on June 4.

INDIA bloc leaders scared of Pakistan's nuclear power: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lashed out at the opposition INDIA bloc, calling its leaders "cowards" who were "scared of Pakistan's nuclear power".

Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarpur Lok Sabha constituency of Bihar, Modi made an apparent reference to a recent statement of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, without mentioning him by name.

"The INDIA bloc seems to have leaders who are scared of Pakistan and have nightmares of its nuclear power," he said.

The remarks come in the backdrop of comments by Abdullah about Pakistan having atom bombs and not wearing bangles.

"If Pakistan does not wear bangles, we will make the country wear these. I knew they did not have foodgrains. Now, I come to know they do not even have adequate supply of bangles," the PM said.

Congress' 'guarantees' will help change lives of women: Sonia Gandhi

Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday assured people that the "guarantees" listed by the party in its Lok Sabha poll manifesto will change their circumstances in this "difficult time".

In a video message, which was shared by the Congress on social media, she said women of the country are facing tough times in the wake of a "severe crisis" and the party's 'Mahalakshmi scheme' for them will help change their lives.

"My dear sisters, women have made a huge contribution, from the freedom struggle to the creation of modern India. However, today our women are facing a crisis amid severe inflation. To do justice to their hard work and penance, the Congress has come up with a revolutionary guarantee," Sonia Gandhi said.

"The Congress' 'Mahalakshmi' scheme guarantees that we will give Rs 1 lakh every year to a woman from a poor family," she said in her message, an appeal to people voting in the ongoing fourth round of the seven-phase general elections to support the Congress.

'Will not accept CAA, NRC in West Bengal': Mamata Banerjee

Continuing with her public stance on National Register of Citizens, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on May 13 said she will not allow implementation of NRC and in the State.

Addressing a gathering in North 24 Parganas, the TMC supremo said: "I will not allow NRC... Names of 19 lakh Hindu Bengalis have been removed from the list in Assam...If they ask me for my parents' certificate, I don't even know their birthday, from where will I get the certificate. If they ask you to bring a certificate from 50 years ago, then you should first tell the BJP candidates to apply (for CAA). Why are you not applying, because you will become a foreigner?...If they themselves will not apply, then why will you apply?"

Reiterating her opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, she described CAA as a “trap”, which will be followed by the National Register of Citizens (NRC).“The CAA is a trap to turn legal citizens into foreigners. We would allow neither the CAA nor the NRC in West Bengal,” Ms. Banerjee said while addressing the gathering.