Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: Corrupt person, howsoever big, will face action, says PM Modi at Meerut

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The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting for Bihar is currently in progress at the party headquarters in Delhi.

On INDIA Alliance's ‘Maha Rally’ against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said today, "A form of authoritarian rule is underway, accompanied by an unspoken state of emergency. The current administration is actively suppressing opposition parties, deploying governmental agencies to clear the field of any dissent. Yet, they fail to recognize that the people are the ultimate authority, observing their actions closely. The prevailing concerns revolve around unemployment, inflation, and poverty. Prime Minister Modi previously promised to create 20 million jobs annually, but what has become of that pledge?"

PM Modi also said, launching an attack on the Congress, "Under the tenure of the Congress party, significant amounts of money belonging to the impoverished, minor investors, and financial institutions were unjustly seized. However, we've taken action by reclaiming assets from corrupt individuals, ensuring the return of over Rs 17,000 crore to those who were unfairly deprived of their funds".

The Prime Minister further said, "Today, the nation is confronted with yet another instance of Congress engaging in actions deemed detrimental to national interests. Katchatheevu, an island situated off the coast of Tamil Nadu, holds significant strategic importance for India's security. Upon gaining independence, this island was an inherent part of India. However, several decades ago, Congress declared it as inconsequential and detached it from the Indian territory, thereby separating a portion of our motherland from the nation".

The Prime Minister, taking a dig at the INDIA bloc, said, "The INDI alliance, with its disdain for farmers, failed to show proper respect to Chaudhary Charan Singh. The nation witnessed their actions during the Parliament session. When Jayant Chaudhary, our esteemed colleague, sought to address the issue of the Bharat Ratna award, there was an attempt to silence and belittle him. It is incumbent upon the Congress and SP to seek forgiveness from the local farmers for this disgraceful behavior by going door-to-door in apology".

The Prime Minister further noted, "Over the past decade, our nation has initiated the battle against corruption, ensuring that no intermediary can siphon funds meant for the disadvantaged. I am actively combating corruption, despite some individuals encountering difficulties as a result. Modi's slogan is "Bhrashtachar hatao", while others advocate for 'Bhrashtachar bachao'. This election presents a choice between the NDA, dedicated to combating corruption, and opposing factions striving to shield the corrupt".

The Prime Minister, commenting on the aborgation of the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, said, "In Jammu and Kashmir, the repeal of Article 370 appeared impossible. However, Article 370 has been revoked, leading to rapid development in the region. Consequently, it is anticipated that people will reward us with 370 seats".

Meerut
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the Uttar Pradesh election campaign at Meerut today. While addressing the public rally, he said, "...I'd like to emphasise that during India's ranking as the 11th largest economy globally, poverty rates were alarmingly high. However, as India ascended to the 5th position, over 250 million people were lifted out of poverty. I assure you, as we progress to become the third largest economy, not only will poverty be eliminated, but also a burgeoning empowered middle class will be the driving force behind India's growth..."

Addressing the Uttar Pradesh election public rally at Meerut today, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini said, "Over the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has charted a new course for our nation. It's a source of pride that under his leadership, farmers, the underprivileged, and the youth have become top priorities. Our country has progressed rapidly, and with this momentum, we aim to re-elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister with over 400 seats. In Haryana, BJP is poised to secure victory in all 10 Lok Sabha seats".

At the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today sought five demands from the Election Commission, "INDIA Alliance has five key demands. Firstly, the Election Commission ought to guarantee equitable access during the Lok Sabha elections. Secondly, the EC must halt coercive measures against the opposition conducted by the ED, CBI, and IT. Thirdly, immediate release is sought for Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal. Fourthly, endeavours to undermine the opposition's financial standing should cease. Fifthly, the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is urged to scrutinize funds raised by the BJP via electoral bonds".

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren today, while addressing the Maharally, said, "Hemant Soren's arrest lacks any mention of the land in books. The BJP opposes Soren's efforts to uplift backward classes and communities in Jharkhand, echoing a historical struggle. We stand united against BJP ideology in Jharkhand and beyond".

- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ridiculed the BJP's aspiration to secure over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections and dared the party to achieve at least 200 constituencies.
- Banerjee further affirmed her stance against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in the state, warning individuals that applying for CAA could potentially label them as foreigners, and advised against pursuing it.

During the Maha Rally held at Ramlila Maidan, D Raja, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), stated, "The Communist Party of India stands united with all of you in affirming our shared determination to safeguard India, uphold the Constitution and democratic values, and to overcome the BJP. Together, we showcase our unified power".

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar says, "....Today, AAP needs to give one guarantee that the party should stop fooling people...I didn't get to see Ajay Maken and Alka Lamba on the stage of the Maha Rally at Ramlilla Maidan...Which guarantee Sunita Kejriwal is talking about? They should accord the guarantee of stop misguiding delhi people..."

Here’s what BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

“They all have gathered at Ramlila Maidan, a place in the name of Lord Ram whom they were not ready to believe in.”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was welcomed by women party workers during his arrival in Lambgaon, Tehri Garhwal for the election campaign. The Chief Minister is going to hold an election rally here in favour of the BJP candidate.

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal at the INDIA alliance rally in Ramlila Maidan, Delhi.

At the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, former J&K CM and J&K NC leader Farooq Abdullah says, "All the arrested leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren would be free when all of you would hold onto the Constitution. At the time of elections, press the button that would remove this government... All of us have to come together and walk together... We are never going to leave this alliance..."

"On behalf of the TMC and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, I want to state that the TMC is with Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP. I also want to state that the TMC is with the INDIA alliance," says TMC MP Sagarika Ghose, addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

"Let me first state that the TMC very much was, is and will be part of the INDIA alliance. This is a fight between BJP and democracy, a fight between Modi guarantee and zero warranty," says TMC MP Derek O'Brien, addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Here's what RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said while addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

"The crowd here in Delhi is telling that Modi Ji will leave like a storm, just like he came (to power) like a storm. The first rally we held in Patna, second in Mumbai and the third is being held here in Delhi. Wherever we are going, we are getting people's support and blessings. Today, we all have gathered here to save the country's democracy, Constitution and brotherhood."

At the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal reads out his message from the jail.

Quoting Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita Kejriwal says, "I am not asking for votes today... I invite 140 crore Indians to make a new India... India is a great nation with thousands of years old civilisation... I think about Mother India from inside the jail and she is in pain... Let's make a new India... If INDIA Alliance is given an opportunity, we will build a new India... I present 6 guarantees on behalf of INDIA Alliance. First, there will be no power cuts in the whole country. Second, electricity would be free for the poor people. Third, we will make government schools in every village. Fourth, we will make Mohalla Clinics in every village. We will make a multi-speciality government hospital in every district. Everyone would get free treatment. Fifth, farmers would be given the correct price for the crops. Sixth, the people of Delhi have faced injustice for 75 years... We will give statehood to Delhi... We will complete these 6 guarantees in 5 years. I have made all the planning from where the money for these guarantees will come..."

"This historic 'sankalp sabha' is being organised today against dictatorship (in the country). I thank everyone who has come here today, this will only strengthen the INDIA alliance," says Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Mother India is in pain, this tyranny won't work. My husband getting lots of blessings: Kejriwal's wife Sunita at INDIA bloc rally

People of Delhi have faced injustice in last 75 years; we will make Delhi full state if INDIA bloc comes to power: Kejriwal in his message

Here’s what CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya said while addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. “The country is watching the ways elections are being conducted now. The central government is not fighting elections but against democracy, the Constitution, and the opposition.”

If you give opportunity to INDIA bloc, we'll build a great nation, says Sunita Kejriwal while reading out husband's message from ED custody

Here's what Sunita Kejriwal, wife of jailed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, said at the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

"The BJP says that Arvind Kejriwal is in jail and he should resign. Do you think he should resign? Arvind Kejriwal is a lion, they can't keep him behind the bars for long. He lives in the hearts of crore of people."

Here’s what Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said while addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. “Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackery has given a good slogan. He had also given a slogan in Mumbai - ‘Abki Baar - BJP Tadipaar’.”

From the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti says, "Today, the country is going through some tough times. People are being jailed without any investigation. This is 'Kalyug ka Amrit Kaal'... I am not talking about Umar Khalid or Mohammad Zubair, I am talking about your elected representatives... It is not surprising to me. Myself, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, all three former CMs are under house arrest... The one who violates the law is a traitor..."

Here's what PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti said while addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

"The country is going through difficult times. The situation is such that people are directly sent to jail without any investigation. Maybe, this is what we call the 'Kalyug' of Amrit Kaal'."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and other INDIA alliance leaders present at the rally in Ramlila Maidan, Delhi.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arrives at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for INDIA alliance's 'Save Democracy' rally.

From the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, AAP Minister Gopal Rai says, "Protests have erupted in the whole country after March 21. No one is able to understand why a sitting CM has been arrested. But it is not just Arvind Kejriwal. Before arresting the Delhi CM, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested... With the misuse of the ED and CBI, democracy is under attack..."

“BJP can say anything it wants. We don’t need to say anything,” says Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot on BJP's 'not save democracy but save family' jibe at INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan.

On PM Modi kickstarting election campaign from Meerut today, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "PM Modi travels all around the country and the world. No PM works as hard as PM Modi... It is good that he is beginning from Meerut. The brilliant artist (Arun Govil) who enacted Lord Ram is the candidate from there... Everyone is together in PM Modi's NDA..."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "There is no restriction on doing a rally. But who is gathering? Those who are drenched in corruption, those who are jailed for looting public money. The ones who wore a cloak of honesty and said that they would do a new kind of politics are now speaking of running the government from jail. I heard that following the footsteps of Lalu Yadav, Kejriwal wants to make his wife the CM... Such people are protesting against the honest government of PM Modi... The people are not going to listen to them... Everything will be clarified on 4th (June)."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate says, "The democracy is being attacked. The whole country is standing in the favour of democracy. And we have come here to give the same message..."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat says, "The message is that people from all over the country have gathered against this dictator and communal government. This Maha rally in Delhi is against Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren's arrest, UAPA's constant use and ED-CBI's misuse. It only shows that this government is not confident..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, "Slow claps for Congress! They willingly gave up Katchatheevu and had no regrets about it either. Sometimes an MP of the Congress speaks about dividing the nation and sometimes they denigrate Indian culture and traditions. This shows that they are against the unity and integrity of India. They only want to divide or break our nation."

"The INDIA alliance has gathered today in the country's capital, Delhi, to save the Constitution," says Congress leader Alka Lamba on INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

NCP SCP Chief Sharad Pawar lands in Delhi to attend the INDIA Alliance Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan today, Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely says, "The democracy is being attacked again and again. There are attempts to suppress the Opposition parties. The accounts of the biggest opposition party are seized. CMs are getting arrested after the elections are declared. All of this is a mockery of India's Constitution... The leaders of INDIA Alliance will sacrifice themselves in this struggle..."

On the INDIA bloc rally today, General Secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI) D. Raja says, "Today's rally is very important. This is happening immediately after the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Earlier, Jharkhand CM was forced to step down. He was arrested. Now the sitting CM has been arrested... all central agencies are being used against opposition parties. This rally is going to send a great message across the country that to save India, the Constitution, and democracy, the present BJP regime has to be thrown out of power..."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "From Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, thousands of people have come here... All big leaders of the INDIA Alliance will come here..." On asking that AAP will have to sit the Congress, against whom AAP used to protest at Ramlila Maidan, he said, "We have also spoken about the BJP from here when the democracy was killed..."

"They (BJP) should forget about crossing the 400 seat-mark (in Lok Sabha elections). Even if they cross the 200 seat-mark, then that would be big," says Anita Singh, wife of jailed AAP leader Sanjay Singh, as she arrives at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan for INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally.

This rally does not belong to a party, but to the people of Delhi. Common people of Delhi have gathered today in protest against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest," says Delhi Minister Atishi.

It is not a 'save democracy' rally but 'save family', 'hide corruption' rally: BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi on Oppn's public meeting

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, AAP Minister Atishi says, "It is 10 am and people have already gathered in huge numbers. People from all over the country have come against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. The people of Delhi are aware that Arvind Kejriwal has changed their lives... He is under arrest, still, he is worried about Delhi and is sending messages for them..."

Ramlila ground once hosted 'India against corruption', it will today witness scenes of 'everybody with corruption': BJP on Opposition rally

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, Rajya Sabha MP & JMM leader Mahua Maji says, "She (Kalpana Soren) is also here. She is a very strong woman... And here Sunita Kejriwal is also taking over. Huge examples of women empowerment in the INDIA Alliance..."

"The INDIA alliance had organised its first rally in Mumbai. This is our second such rally. This rally was needed because of the way they (BJP-led central government) has started attacking the opposition leaders in the country," says Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally in Delhi.

"There are no such restrictions. A traffic advisory has been issued. Otherwise, no such restrictions have been placed," says M Harsh Vardhan, DCP, Central District, Delhi Police on security arrangements in view of INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan.

Here's what AAP chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said on INDIA bloc's mega rally, scheduled to be held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan later today.

"Opposition leaders are being jailed so that no one is left to ask questions, and it's an effort to end the democracy. Arvind Kejriwal has also been arrested. Therefore, all opposition leaders will be here today. Sunita Kejriwal (wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) will also be here."

Here's what AAP MLA Dilip Pandey said on INDIA bloc's mega rally, scheduled to be held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan later today.

"Through this rally, people want to convey their message to the BJP that the country will not tolerate their dictatorship. People will also protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest (by the ED)."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, VCK party MP Thol. Thirumavalavan says, "The ruling BJP government is doing activities against the Opposition leaders like Kejriwal, Hemant Soren... We are gathering here to condemn the activities of the government against the Constitution. The BJP government is scared of the elections. The people of India are going to remove them from the regime. I have come to attend this protest as a part of the INDIA bloc..."

On INDIA alliance rally at Ramlila Maidan, AAP leader AAP national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar says, " It can be clearly seen how we are being targeted in the for last 2 years in the name of a fake investigation. Without any proof, just based on a few statements, the sitting CM was arrested. This is an attempt to silence the voices. Whoever asks questions to BJP, they are being sent to jail"

On his candidature from Jajpur, BJP leader Rabindra Narayan Behera says, " I am thankful to our leader PM Modi for believing in me...main problems of Jajpur district are corruption, lack of development and cultural and heritage improvement. Jajpur is the epicentre of corruption...I will fight for the people of Jajpur..."

- The Congress has announced that it will release its manifesto on April 5 and took a swipe at the BJP over it setting up a manifesto committee at the "last moment". The BJP on Saturday announced a 27-member committee, which included several Union ministers and chief ministers, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to prepare its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.

- Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the Congress released its 'Paanch Nyay', 'Pachees Guarantees' on March 16 and its 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' campaign to distribute eight crore guarantee cards across the country will begin on April 3. The manifesto will be released on April 5, he said on Saturday.

"We need to save the democracy and end the dictatorship in the country," says Jharkhand CM Champai Soren as he leaves from Ranchi to attend INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally in Delhi.

On security arrangements for the INDIA Alliance Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan today, DCP Central M Harshvardhan says, "To maintain the law and order and to ensure smooth traffic movement, elaborate arrangements have been made. The organisers of the rally have given an undertaking to adhere to some terms and conditions that are essential to maintain law and order... The time for the rally is permitted till 2 PM... We have made sufficient deployment. The gathering is expected to be of 20,000 as given by the organiser in the undertaking..."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak says, "The central agencies are being misused. Whoever speaks against them (government) or speaks of an alternative in the country is getting arrested in any fake case. The whole nation is gathered against this. They have gathered to tell that the country will run as per the Constitution and not by the 'Vasooli gang'..."

On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, Punjab Minister and AAP leader Balbir Singh says, "We want to abolish the dictatorship and save the democracy and the Constitution. This is a Maha Rally by the INDI Alliance. All the leaders of the alliance will come and inform about the further strategy... 140 crore Indians are opposing it (Arvind Kejriwal's arrest). The corrupt people are joining the BJP and honest people are in jail..."

INDIA alliance to hold rally against the arrest of Delhi CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, at Ramlila Maidan from 11 am today

- Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren met Sunita Kejriwal on Saturday and they expressed a mutual resolve to fight it out. The meeting lasted about 15-20 minutes.

- "I came here to share the sorrow and pain of Sunita ji. She narrated her plight. We both have pledged that this fight has to be taken very far. Entire Jharkhand stands with Arvind Kejriwal," Kalpana told reporters after the meeting.

- She said what happened in Jharkhand two months ago was replicated in Delhi and the situation was the same at both the places. "My husband Hemant ji was sent to jail and Arvind Kejriwal sir is also in custody. The situation of Jharkhand and Delhi is the same."

- Top INDIA bloc leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Bhagwant Mann, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav will participate in a rally at the Ramlila ground on Sunday in what is seen as a show of strength and Opposition unity in the backdrop of arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal just before Lok Sabha polls.

- The "Loktantra Bachao" rally -- or 'save democracy' rally -- will also be attended by National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, party vice president Omar Abdullah said. An Aam Aadmi Party leader said Delhi chief minister's wife Sunita Kejriwal is also likely to be in attendance.

- The Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao Rally' on Sunday and said that movement of vehicles in the city would be regulated for six hours on that day.

- According to the traffic advisory, traffic movement will be regulated and may be restricted on Ranjeet Singh Flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk, Vivekanand Marg from Minto Road to roundabout Kamla Market, Hamdard Chowk, JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk and Ajmeri Gate, round about Kamla Market to Guru Nanak Chowk and Chaman Lal Marg near VIP Gate, Guru Nanak Chowk to Turkman Gate from 9 am to 3 pm.

-- Govil became a household name after essaying the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s ’Ramayan’. A BJP leader said, ”After the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol at the temple in Ayodhya, PM Modi is starting his election campaign in the state from the constituency of Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram and is highly respected.”

-- A BJP leader said, ”After the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol at the temple in Ayodhya, PM Modi is starting his election campaign in the state from the constituency of Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram and is highly respected.” The party’s state General Secretary Anoop Gupta has been given the responsibility of coordinating the prime minister’s rally.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, "This election is important to save democracy. We all know that India's political institutions are under attack. Opposition chief ministers have been arrested. The opposition party's accounts have been frozen... This election will determine whether India will remain a democratic country..."

- Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Lok Sabha election campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

- In Meerut, where the saffron party has fielded "Ramayan" TV serial star Arun Govil, he will speak at a public rally.

- According to sources who spoke with PTI, RLD president Jayant Chaudhary would be present on Sunday as well. It is worth noting that the leader of the RLD has lately become a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in advance of the forthcoming seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.

- The Congress on Saturday announced that it will release its manifesto on April 5 and took a swipe at the BJP over it setting up a manifesto committee at the ”last moment”.

- The BJP on Saturday announced a 27-member committee, which included several Union ministers and chief ministers, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to prepare its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.

- Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Congress released its ’Paanch Nyay’, ’Pachees Guarantees’ on March 16 and its ’Ghar Ghar Guarantee’ campaign to distribute eight crore guarantee cards across the country will begin on April 3.

- Hitting out at the INDIA bloc over its 'Maharally' scheduled to be held tomorrow at Ram Leela Maidan, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that at the same place about 12-13 years ago, Arvind Kejriwal protested against the "corrupt" Congress government led by Manmohan Singh but now both (AAP and Congress) are in alliance now.

- Hardeep Singh told that Arvind Kejriwal was against corruption and liquor and today he is involved in a liquor scam.

- Making a satire remark on Kejriwal joining hands with Congress, the union minister said that both Delhi CM did not just shake hands with them but hugged the ones against whom they were making allegations, ANI reported.

- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released names of leaders who will campaign for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in the State of Tripura (Schedule-1A) and bye-elections to the 7-Ramnagar Legislative Assembly Constituency.

- The names of campaigners include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Raod Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.

- The list further includes Sarbananda Sonowal, Arjun Munda, Smriti Irani, Kiren Rijiju, Yogi Adityanath, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Manik Saha, Rajib Bhattacharjee, Biplab Kumar Deb, Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma, Rabindra Raju, Sambit Patra, Pratima Bhoumik, and Jishnu Dev Varma.

- Pranajit Singha Roy, Raju Bista, Hema Malini, Agnimitra Paul, Rebati Tripura, Manoj Tiwari, Suvendu Adhikari, Mithun Chakraborty, Ratan Lal Nath, and Bikash Debbarma have also been listed. (ANI)

The leaders of the INDIA alliance will be gathering in public for the first time since the coalition was established in Patna on June 23, 2017. The coalition had planned to hold a public demonstration in Bhopal in September of last year to coincide with the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, but that event was never held. The Opposition was mostly absent from the two more recent attempts, which took place in Mumbai on March 17 at the end of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra and in Patna following the RJD's Jan Vishwas Rally last month.

- The Congress will declare its candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Delhi after the 'Maharally' of its alliance partner Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday, sources said.

- The Maharally will be held here at the Ramleela Ground.

- The sources said the alliance will stay intact even if Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy for Delhi, is kept in jail. (PTI)

Leading figures from the INDIA bloc are anticipated to attend the gathering, including Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Akhilesh Yadav. It is taking place amid claims that the BJP-led federal government is abusing its agencies to target the opposition and the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

- For the India block's Maharally, which is being held by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on March 31, the Delhi Police has taken thorough preparations, including screening at every gate and deploying paramilitary forces in and around Ramlila Maidan, authorities said on Saturday.

- According to the Delhi Police, the demonstration is permitted as long as it complies with certain rules, such as no marching, no tractor trollies, and no carrying of firearms in central Delhi.