Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: Police detain TMC leaders protesting outside EC office in Delhi

According to political strategist Prashant Kishor, Bihar has a lot of room for a new party because it has "maximum anti-incumbency" after nearly 35 years of government by formations with similar ideologies led by Nitish Kumar or Lalu Prasad Yadav.

His comments came when his ongoing Jan Suraaj' yatra is supposed to end by forming a political party ahead of the assembly polls in the second half of the following year.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the country's Lok Sabha elections, claiming that the Agniveer project is causing a great deal of ire and resentment among the youth. He stated that wherever the PM Modi government's BJP ministers are heading, they must declare that they would reevaluate this and make the necessary changes.

TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee questioned the govt saying, "Why does the Election Commission not remove the NIA Director and NIA SP despite having all the evidence? ..If West Bengal DG can be changed only on the complaint of BJP leaders, then why are the NIA Director and NIA SP not removed when we are bringing out the facts?"

TMC members including General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a meeting with the West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose a Raj Bhavan.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend a grand rally in Lakhimpur and a roadshow in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, tomorrow.

On being detained by Delhi Police for protesting outside the Election Commission of India, TMC MP Derek O'Brien says "We are here to fight. We will carry on our peaceful protest...This is 100% dictatorship but we are from TMC, we will fight this..."

TMC MP Derek O'Brien said "At 4:30 PM, we met the EC and at 5:45 PM when we were sitting on a peaceful protest. After that, they took us and told us that we were being taken to Mandir Marg PS but they drove us around Delhi for 1 and a half hours. Later, when we protested, we were brought to the Mandir Marg PS..."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will stay overnight in Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh as his helicopter could not take off due to inclement weather, a party functionary said on Monday. Gandhi is in MP for his party's Lok Sabha campaign and he addressed two rallies in Mandla and Shahdol, which will go to polls on April 26. "His helicopter could not take off due to bad weather in Shahdol. Gandhi was supposed to fly to Jabalpur from where he was to leave for Delhi," MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari told PTI. "Now, he will stay overnight in a hotel in Shahdol and leave at 6am on Tuesday," Patwari informed.

"Does the INDI alliance of Congress and DMK want to say that they will destroy Nari Shakti and Matri Shakti. People of INDI alliance repeatedly and deliberately insult the Hindu religion. Udhayanidhi Stalin has also insulted the Hindu religion. Udhayanidhi had said that Sanatan Dharma is like dengue and malaria spread by mosquitoes and it has to be eradicated. Shouldn't DMK apologise for such statements?" said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot addressed a public rally in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan saying, "Congress is the first party that has announced to make a law regarding MSP if it comes into power. In 2019, after winning 300 seats (in Lok Sabha polls), they (BJP) brought demonetisation, GST and three 'black' laws for farmers."

Delhi HC stayed the conviction of former union minister Dilip Ray in the coal scam case so that he could contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

TMC leaders protesting in front of the ECI office in Delhi due to claims that the central government has misused the NIA, CBI, and ED were led by Sagarika Ghose and Derek O'Brien.

Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "The scam is so big that investigating agencies will try to reach there. Arvind Kejriwal gave Atishi & Saurabh Bhardwaj's name in the liquor scam. During a press conference, Atishi named Durgesh Pathak & Raghav Chadha...My stand is that the accused should not be spared..."

TMC MP Dola Sen said, "...We have appealed to the Election Commission to change the chiefs of NIA, CBI, ED and Income Tax and we are sitting on a 24-hour peaceful protest with this demand."

The 10-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress demands a 24-hour dharna in front of the Indian Election Commission. In the letter it sent to the poll body, the party brought up two points. It has filed a complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for "blatantly misusing" the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to plot against the political rivals of the BJP and for requesting a waiver of the current embargoes in order to release additional funds to aid storm-affected residents of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.

TMC leaders are protesting outside the Delhi EC headquarters on a 24-hour dharna.

Congress candidates will contest from Udhampur, Jammu, and Ladakh Lok Sabha seats, and National Conference candidates will contest from Anantnag, Baramulla, and Srinagar Lok Sabha seats, stated National Conference leader Omar Abdullah regarding seat sharing.

"We are deeply saddened by what the Prime Minister says in his speeches, what he has said about our manifesto is a bundle of lies, we are deeply saddened by this," states Congress leader and senior attorney Salman Khurshid. You can debate, analyse, and dispute with any other party as much as you like, but it is absurd to claim that a national party active in our national movement would include such a deceptive statement in its manifesto when one that is excellent has already been written, he said while expressing his displeasure over the matter.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "We raised many issues, we lodged a strong objection to the way the Prime Minister gave the status of Muslim League to our manifesto. We also expressed our views on the Prime Minister's hoardings in universities...Since elections have just been declared, the Election Commission should recommend whoever it wants to remove or not, the ministry is currently a caretaker government, and they do not have the right to impose restrictions on freedom of speech like this."

The Congress has filed a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Election Commission, charging him for drawing comparisons between the party's manifesto and that of the Muslim League.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Birender Singh will become a member of the Congress party on April 9 at the party headquarters.

The Govt of India has 30 lakh vacancies. The people in the BJP don't give them to you. They give you work on contract but don't give you govt jobs. We will grant you 30 lakh govt jobs as our first step after the formation of our govt, claimed Rahul Gandhi in his speech.

"Two India are being created, one belongs to billionaires and other one belongs to poor people... In Delhi, I will be your sepoy who will work on your orders," said Rahul Gandhi while addressing the public in Madhya Pradesh.

During a public rally in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "Under Narendra Modi's leadership 22 businessmen have amassed wealth equal to what 70 crore people of India have."

PM Modi also commented on tribals being insulted by the Congress. "The tribal community was always insulted by Congress, the daughter of the same tribal community is today the President of the country. BJP has given the first tribal Chief Minister to Chhattisgarh. BJP has created a separate ministry and a separate budget for tribals, the budget for tribal welfare has been increased five times in the last 10 years," the prime minister added.

During his speech at a public rally in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, PM Narendra Modi said, "After independence, Congress thought that it had the license to loot the country but after coming to government in 2014, Modi has cancelled the loot license of Congress and Modi was able to cancel the license because you gave Modi the license.

"Now their shop has been closed, will they abuse Modi or not? So who will protect me? These crores of my countrymen, my mothers and sisters, have become my raksha kavach today," he continued.

Congress never understood the problems faced by the poor. Due to my government’s efforts, 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line, said PM Modi.

During COVID, Modi provided free vaccines and free ration to poor people and this scheme has also been extended for the next five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated while speaking at a public event in Bastar.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "We are contesting elections with all our strength. Results weren't good for us last time but people have seen the report of 10 years of this govt. We will win the maximum seats in Rajasthan. BJP has always done politics of polarisation and emotional issues... Congress and INDIA alliance are fighting well and I believe on June 4, the results will be in our favour..."

DMK candidate from Thoothukudi Lok Sabha seat Kanimozhi Karunanidhi holds election campaign for Chennai South Lok Sabha seat candidate T Sumathy. She says, "Regional parties are important because they oppose the BJP. It is also important that the INDIA alliance wins. We dont need just voices to speak against the government, but we need to change the government..."

A ten-member AITC delegation arrives at Delhi airport. They will meet the the full bench of the Election Commission, in Delhi, today.

Here’s what Delhi Minister Atishi said after arriving in Assam to campaign for the upcoming elections.

“AAP has always received love from the people of Assam. This time we are contesting on two Lok Sabha seats. I am sure the people of Assam will vote for AAP for good schools, hospitals and their basic rights.”

Union Minister Smriti Irani says, "We have received this information that Rahul Gandhi took the support of terrorist organization PFI to contest his election in Wayanad... He insulted Amethi. PM Narendra Modi developed Amethi and the people of Amethi will bless PM Narendra Modi..."

On PM Modi criticizing Congress' poll manifesto, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Modi-Shah's political and ideological ancestors supported the British and Muslim League against the Indians in the Freedom Struggle...There is a stink of RSS in Modi ji's speeches, BJP's electoral graph is plunging day by day, therefore the RSS has started remembering its best friend-the Muslim League!"

AAP introduced the 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' theme on Monday in anticipation of the Lok Sabha elections. The statement was made one day after the party observed a 24-hour fast in support of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

In addition, the leaders of the AAP challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is now in power at the Centre, to impose President's rule in Delhi, threatening to eradicate the saffron party from the nation's capital.

Numerous AAP activists and supporters participated in the fast, carrying banners with an image of Kejriwal in prison and singing patriotic songs.

Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam says, "Today is April 8 and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from North-West Mumbai (Amol Kirtikar), 'Khichdi Chor' has been called by the ED. What ED does after the interrogation, I don't know, but action must be taken against him. The entire people from the North-West district should know, how dishonest their possible candidate is. When I started working on this scam, I came to know that the 'kingpin' was someone else. The kingpin in this whole scam is Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson, Sanjay Raut... in this scam, he has taken money in the name of his daughter, brother and partner...He has taken bribes through cheques in the name of her daughter Vidhita Sanjay Raut, who herself is innocent and unaware of these things..."

Here's what Madhya Pradesh BJP President and party candidate from Khajuraho VD Sharma said about party's efforts being put in for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. "We should achieve the task given by PM Modi of getting additional 370 votes from the highest votes in an election received at every booth so far. Many people have joined BJP. Out of the 64,523 booths, on 47,179 booths, 2,82,242 people have joined BJP."

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav says, "It's surprising how serious Congress party and its workers are and how they make fun of themselves when they put BJP's leader picture at the stage instead of their own candidate. It seems that they have accepted their defeat even before the elections are held. This is the world of social media, either they understand that they have already lost the election or they should see if they are serious enough."

Union Minister & BJP candidate Faggan Singh Kulaste's picture was there on the flex put up on the main stage before Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi's address today at the election rally in Mandla. Later, the photo of the BJP leader was replaced by the photo of Congress MLA Rajneesh Harvansh Singh.

Here’s what RJD candidate from Bihar’s Saran Rohini Acharya said on her candidature.

“This is my debut in political life and I have received so much love and blessings (from the people). I have not seen something like this before. I was interested in joining politics earlier but my familial responsibilities kept me busy.”

On Tripura BJP Lok Sabha Management Committee preparing for free, fair and peaceful elections, the Committee Convenor Pranajit Singha Roy says, "Given the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, a committee of 99 members has been made... All the members of our party are working very hard. We had prepared two committees for both the Lok Sabha seats, one for the West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency and another for the East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency... On April 19, our first phase and on April 26, our second phase of the election will be conducted. We all are full-fledged prepared for the election... The main message of PM Modi is to reach every person at the grassroots level and take blessings from them. Everything, including booth-level meetings and all work, has been completed, and we are all prepared for the election."

Process of casting postal votes begins in Kanchipuram Constituency. The process will end on April 11 here. 15 teams with high security are involved in Postal vote collection work.

Here's what UP Minister and BJP candidate from Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency Jitin Prasada said on upcoming general elections.

"PM Modi's track record in 10 years is in front of the people. India's stature has increased. New India has been made. There've been many beneficiaries of different schemes at the village-level. INDIA alliance leaders are opportunist. They will be finished. Congress will be finished in this election."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets, "The people of Maharashtra have taken a solemn pledge of grand victory of BJP-NDA candidates in the Lok Sabha elections. Today in Chandrapur, will get an opportunity to seek the blessings of the people here."

The President of Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and former Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), firmly believes in Vaastu and has faced several setbacks since the state assembly elections in November 2023. Despite ruling the state since its establishment in 2014, the Congress defeated the BRS party. Following this, the BRS leader sustained a severe fall, which led to hospitalisation for back surgery. In subsequent events, numerous party leaders defected to the Congress or BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. More here.

Here’s what Union Minister Anurag Thakur said after arriving at the Chennai airport.

“Tamil Nadu has been a great focus for the BJP. Investments have been made here and priority to the state has been given. Now Tamil Nadu wants to look beyond the dravidian parties. They (people of Tamil Nadu) want to see the NDA do well in these elections and I am sure they are going to vote in large numbers.”

BJP MP and party's candidate from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency Maneka Gandhi says, "We are always ready for the elections. We never stop after the election, we are connected to the people and hence we try to work all five years and not like those who have done nothing for four years."

On Varun Gandhi, she says, "What should I say, it's about what party decides. Varun has been a good MP. Whatever he will be in life, he will do good for the country."

Here's what Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said in a press conference about the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections today. "Everything is well in MVA. Instead there're problems in opposition camp. No seat-sharing has happened. PM Modi asking for votes with the government machinery is a violation of code of conduct."

Centre provided 'Y+' category security of CRPF to Madhavi Latha, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. She has been provided the security cover only for Telangana: Sources

Here's what Former DGP Vijay Kumar said after joining BJP.

"I am impressed by the policies of BJP. There's a lot of scope to work for the people. In politics, we need to be open to people whereas in policing there's a distance. I don't think I'll will have any problem. Law and order has improved."

AAP candidate from Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat Malvinder Singh Kang offers prayers in Gurudwara Sohna Sahib and starts his election campaign for Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Actor and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut tweets, "I don’t consume beef or any other kind of red meat, it is shameful that completely baseless rumours are being spread about me, I have been advocating and promoting yogic and Ayurvedic way of life for decades now such tactics won’t work to tarnish my image. My people know me and they know that I am a proud Hindu and nothing can ever mislead them, Jai Shri Ram"

Security increased on 11 interstate borders of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand regarding Lok Sabha elections. The police force and FSL team are running an intensive checking campaign by installing barriers. Surveillance is also being done through highly sensitive CCTV cameras.

Former UP DGP Vijay Kumar along with his wife joins the Bharatiya Janata party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Thakur Several leaders from Samajwadi Party and Congress have also joined the BJP today.

Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Assam Agriculture Minister and Bokakhat Assembly constituency leader Atul Bora says, "The tea garden community people were the vote bank of Congress, but the party didn't do anything for the development of these people. There are still many issues, but our government, under the leadership of CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, has resolved many problems of the tea garden people. My constituency is dominated by tea garden workers. In today's meeting, thousands of tea garden people arrived to see the CM. The NDA candidate for the Kaziranga parliamentary constituency is also from the tea garden community. The NDA candidates will win in all constituencies where the tea garden voters are a deciding factor. We will get support from the tea garden people. Our government is trying to solve all the problems of the tea garden areas. The workers' wages have also been increased... The atmosphere is in favour of NDA... People will be with development, with NDA. People want Narendra Modi to be the Prime Minister again."

On TMC delegation meeting members of the Election Commission of India, TMC MP Dola Sen says, "Last week we went two times to the EC. We demanded that there should be a level playing field, and everyone should be given equal rights. The matter was raised with the Election Commission and we had said that since the election code of conduct has been implemented, all parties should get equal rights during this time... But the way the Central agencies are being used by the Central government is not right. Already two opposition CMs are behind bars, and conspiracies are going on here also.... Here two of our workers were arrested by the NIA... Today a team of 10 representatives is going to Delhi."

- Before Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi's address today at the election rally in Dhanora village of Mandla Lok Sabha in favour of Congress candidate Omkar Singh, the flex that was being put up on the main stage had the picture of Union Minister & BJP candidate Faggan Singh Kulaste along with all the Congress leaders.

- Later, the photo of the BJP leader in the poster on the stage was hastily changed and replaced by the photo of Congress MLA Rajneesh Harvansh Singh.

- The Congress, once a powerhouse in Gujarat's tribal landscape, has renewed its focus on the tribal belt. Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra traversed through areas under these Lok Sabha seats. The Congress, once a powerhouse in Gujarat's tribal landscape, has renewed its focus on the tribal belt.

- Taking a cue from their crushing defeats in the last assembly polls when anti-BJP votes in the tribal belt got split among AAP, Congress and Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit and the grand old party have forged a partnership as part of the opposition INDIA bloc for the Lok Sabha polls.

- As per their seat-sharing arrangement, the Congress has given Bharuch and Bhavnagar seats to AAP. Despite Bharuch being a non-reserved seat, BJP as well as the INDIA bloc have nominated tribals as their candidates. Here BJP's sitting MP Mansukh Vasava will take on AAP's Dediapada (ST) MLA Chaitar Vasava.

Former Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam says, "Lok Sabha elections are going to be held in the first phase, in Tamil Nadu...I am contesting from the Ramanathapuram Parliamentary Constituency and five more people have filed their nominations in the name of O Panneerselvam to create confusion. But people support us."

- The Congress and AAP have tied up in their bid to breach Gujarat, a BJP fortress, through the state's tribal-dominated seats in the Lok Sabha polls, but the saffron party's grip over these constituencies is too strong, say political analysts. Of the state's 26 seats that will go to polls on May 7, Dahod, Chhota Udaipur, Bardoli and Valsad are reserved for ST (Scheduled Tribes) candidates, while Bharuch has a sizable population of tribals though it is a general seat.

- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has made some inroads into the tribal belt, reflected by its victory from Dediapada (ST) assembly segment under the Bharuch Lok Sabha seat in the 2022 state polls.

A ten-member AITC delegation will visit the Election Commission of India and meet the full bench of the EC, in Delhi, today.

- The Delhi government has declared dry days on account of the Lok Sabha elections and religious festivals during April-June, officials said on Sunday. An order issued by the excise department said that the liquor stores in Delhi will be closed on Id-ul-Fitr (April 11), Ram Navami (April 17), Mahavir Jayanti (April 21), Buddha Purnima (May 23), and Id-ul-Zuha (June 17).

- All the licensees will exhibit the dry day order at some conspicuous place of their licensed premises. In a notification issued recently, the department said that dry day will be observed (before 48 hours of end of poll) from 6 PM of April 24 to 6 PM of April 26 on account of Lok Sabha polls in Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts of Uttar Pradesh.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a rally in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district on Monday, a government official said.

- The BJP has nominated the state's Forest, Cultural Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency.

- Polling in the seat, located in the Vidarbha region, will be held in the first phase on April 19. (PTI)

- The northeastern state of Tripura is making comprehensive preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with a keen focus on ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful voting process.

- While talking to ANI, the Chief Electoral Officer, Puneet Agarwal, discussed tr meticulous planning that is being done to ensure smooth polls. Agarwal emphasised the goal of achieving maximum voter turnout, reflecting the democratic ethos of the state and its people.

In the capital city of Washington DC, people assembled at the reflection pond of Capitol Hill wearing 'Modi ka Parivar March' T-shirts, holding US, India and BJP flags. They marched towards the Washington Monument displaying placards with slogans of PM Narendra Modi. The slogans read 'Ab ki baar 400 paar', 'Modi 3.0', 'Sikh Americans for Modi' and 'Modi guarantee- India 3rd largest economy. Overseas Friends of BJP organized 'Modi ka Parivar' march in the USA at iconic places in over 16 cities supporting Prime Minister Modi's re-election and NDA winning over 400 seats in upcoming parliament elections in India.

In the capital city of Washington DC, people assembled at the reflection pond of Capitol Hill wearing 'Modi ka Parivar March' T-shirts, holding US, India and BJP flags. They marched towards the Washington Monument displaying placards with slogans of PM Narendra Modi. The slogans read 'Ab ki baar 400 paar', 'Modi 3.0', 'Sikh Americans for Modi' and 'Modi guarantee- India 3rd largest economy. Overseas Friends of BJP organized 'Modi ka Parivar' march in the USA at iconic places in over 16 cities supporting Prime Minister Modi's re-election and NDA winning over 400 seats in upcoming parliament elections in India.

"You Are The One! Step out, vote, and inspire others to do the same. Be our Election Ambassador and let's celebrate 'Chunav Ka Parv' together. Watch this video as part of our SVEEP activities in Jammu and Kashmir," tweets Election Commission of India.

- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday asserted that the issue of 'Doubtful' (D) voters of Bengali-Hindus of the state will be resolved in six months after the elections. He termed the Congress, as an 'old note' which is no longer accepted by anyone.

- Addressing an election rally in Hojai under the Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency, Sarma said that the issue of D-voters of Bengali-Hindus will be permanently resolved in six months after the elections. D-voters are those who could not provide evidence in favour of their Indian nationality. The issue of D-voters is one of the most contentious topics in Assam's political and social sphere.

- Congress leader Ajay Chaudhary on Sunday sought support for Samajwadi Party's Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha candidate Mahendra Singh Nagar, who is representing the INDIA bloc in the polls.

- Addressing an election programme in Greater Noida's Khairpur village, Chaudhary cautioned the audience, comprising local residents besides supporters of Congress and SP, that it was time to rise above party-level politics.

- In western UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar, Nagar is locking horns with BJP leader Mahesh Sharma, who won the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019 and has served as a union minister in the Narendra Modi-led government's first term.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Bastar in Chhattisgarh on April 8, a BJP leader said.

- He will address a rally in Aamabal village in Bhanpuri in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to polls on April 19, Anurag Agarwal, the Chhattisgarh BJP's media co-in charge said on Sunday.

- Polls for the 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh will take place in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7. Results will be declared on June 4.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweets, "Know and see why only Modi will come. The whole of Assam reverberates with the sound of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar'.

On TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's statement, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "... It is not new that the 'Bhua-Bhatija' is attacking the NIA. They have been attacking the ED and CBI for the last three years... They are stopping the central agencies because they want to protect the corrupt... NIA works to protect the country... The Parliament has given this responsibility to the NIA. Attacking NIA means attacking the Constitution... Mamata Banerjee does polarisation every year before Ram Navami... I want to request the minorities to not fall for Mamata Banerjee's trap and let there be peace..."