Election wrap: Russia accuses US of meddling in India's internal affairs, Dushyant Chautala seeks 'floor test' in Haryana, and more

The Indian general election is taking place from April 19 to June 1 in seven phases

In a major move, Russia's foreign ministry has claimed that the United States wants to destabilise India during the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Maria Zakharova, the official spokeswoman of the Russian foreign ministry, said that the US wants to unbalance the domestic political situation in India in order to complicate the ongoing general parliamentary elections in the country.

The remarks have come amid US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticising India for alleged violations of religious freedom as well as a Washington Post report saying that a RAW official identified as Vikram Yadav was involved in the assassination plot of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.

This, and more, in today's top political developments --

US trying to destabilise India during Lok Sabha election, claims Russia

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the United States (US) wants to unbalance the domestic political situation in India in order to complicate the ongoing general parliamentary elections in the country.

Her remarks came days after US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom. Zakharova, in a speech shared by RT News, said that Washington lacks the simple understanding of India's national mentality and history and continues to make "unfounded accusations" about religious freedoms. She dubbed it as disrespectful to India.

"The reason (behind the US accusations) is to unbalance the internal political situation in India in order to make it harder to have the general parliamentary election...," she said, adding that Washington's actions clearly constitute interference in India's internal affairs.

Recently, an investigative report by The Washington Post said that a RAW official identified as Vikram Yadav was involved in the assassination plot of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US and the move was approved by the then Indian spy agency chief Samant Goel.

Haryana political crisis: JJP leader Dushyant Chautala writes to Governor, demands floor test

Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader Dushyant Chautala has written to the Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, seeking a floor test in the state assembly. The move comes amid political turmoil caused in the state after three independent MLAs withdrew support to the ruling BJP.

On Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) said they will no longer support the BJP government, citing reasons such as farmer issues, inflation and unemployment.

"JJP has clearly stated that if a no confidence motion is brought against this government, we will support the motion. We have also written to the Governor about it. Now, Congress has to take this step (seeking a floor test). Congress will have to decide if they are going to take any steps to corner the current BJP government or not," Chautala told news agency ANI.

Lok Sabha poll contest between vote for development and 'vote for jihad': Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the 2024 election is Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi and that it is a contest between vote for development and "vote for jihad".

Addressing an election rally in Bhongir Lok Sabha constituency of Telangana, he said the election is between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Bharatiya guarantee" against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "Chinese guarantee".

Describing the Congress, BRS and AIMIM as a triangle of appeasement, he said the parties don't let Ram Navami procession to take place and that they also oppose CAA. "These people don't allow the celebration of 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' (September 17). These people oppose CAA. These people want to run Telangana on the basis of Sharia and Quran," he said.

'Complete nonsense, happy he retired': Robert Vadra on Sam Pitroda's racist remark

Robert Vadra, entrepreneur and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi's husband, on May 9 said that he completely disagrees with the racist remarks made by former Overseas India Congress chairman Sam Pitroda.

During an interview with The Statesman, Pitroda said, "We could hold together a country as diverse as India - where people in the east look like Chinese, people in the west look like Arab, people in the north look like maybe White and people in south look like Africans. It doesn't matter. We are all brothers and sisters".

Expressing shock at how an educated person like Pitroda could make such comments, Vadra said, "I disagree with what Sam Pitroda has said. Bakwas ki hai. How can someone so educated say something like this," he told news agency ANI. On Wednesday, Pitroda resigned as the chairman of Indian Overseas Congress.

People of Hyderabad are not cattle: Owaisi attacks PM Modi for his 'lease' remark'

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Hyderabad “on lease” remark, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi said the “people of Hyderabad are not cattle”.

Owaisi also said the people of Hyderabad are citizens, not the property of political parties. PM Modi on Wednesday alleged that Congress and BRS have given Hyderabad to AIMIM on "lease” for all these years.

“Modi came to Telangana and said that the Hyderabad seat has been given on lease to Owaisi. The people of Hyderabad are not cattle. We are citizens, not the property of political parties. For forty years, Hyderabad has defeated the evil ideology of Hindutva and entrusted AIMIM. Inshallah Hindutva will be defeated again,” Owaisi posted on X.