News Highlights: Yechury demands EC's intervention over Central agencies' actions

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Former BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab after quitting the party, said, "The situation leading up to my resignation had become such, that it was inevitable. I felt that there was no need for me in the party anymore. And I had been carrying this feeling for years.”

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on the possibility of him contesting the upcoming elections, said, “So far, my name has not featured in the list of candidates, but I have been told that I have to fight elections. So, I will follow whatever the party directs me to do.”

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CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury after meeting the Election Commission, says, "The process of election has begun. The model code of conduct is in force; despite that such actions (Arvind Kejriwal's arrest) are being taken, which is destroying the level playing field. Without a level playing field democracy is nothing. The Election Commission keeps control over the police, and the administration then why not on central agencies; they have to think about it."

AAP leader Sandeep Pathak after a delegation of INDIA bloc met Election Commission (EC) officials in New Delhi, over the ED arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by ED, said, "We reminded the EC of their duties and obligations. We requested them to use their power. In the country’s history, this is the first time when a sitting CM was arrested after the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. It is the duty of the EC to provide a level-playing field to all the political parties.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a press conference, said, "Inspired by Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ and after hearing his ideas, Raj Kumar Saini (former MP and Loktanter Suraksha Party chief) has decided to extend unconditional support to the party in the Lok Sabha elections. I thank him for his support.”

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi highlights the late-night arrest of the Delhi CM, stressing that the discussion with the Election Commission pertained to fundamental constitutional issues rather than individual or party concerns.

Singhvi stated that almost every opposition party was present during the meeting with the Election Commission.

He underscores the importance of a level playing field in elections, expressing concern over alleged misuse of agencies which could impact free and fair elections and democracy.

Singhvi calls upon the Election Commission to intervene, citing the unprecedented arrest of a sitting CM and the freezing of the grand old opposition party's account.

Complaint to ECI against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose for illegally interfering with the ensuing General Elections to the Lok Sabha 2024 and attempting to run a parallel office akin to that of the ECI: All India Trinamool Congress

Congress MP KC Venugopal and TMC MP Derek O Brien arrive at the Election Commission of India in Delhi.

West Bengal CM had said that INDIA alliance leaders will meet Election Commission today to raise objection against "deliberate targeting" and "arrests of opposition leaders"

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "Public are excited and the work done under the leadership of PM Modi in Uttrakhand was not done earlier. The people of Uttarakhand support PM Modi, he will once again become the PM of the country. This time we will get '400 paar'."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight alone in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats in Odisha, says State BJP President Manmohan Samal.

DMDK announces the names of candidates on five Lok Sabha seats in AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu.

Late Captain Vijayakant's son Vijay Prabakaran to contest from Virudhunagar seat

As BJP releases its third list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan says, "I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the national president of BJP JP Nadda for giving me this opportunity to contest Lok Sabha elections in Nilgiris constituency from Tamil Nadu. It's a great opportunity to contest against the DMK. The DMK means 'corrupt and dynasty.' The divide-and-rule policy is conducted by the DMK."

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee criticizes Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, stating INDIA Alliance leaders will meet the Election Commission to object against the 'deliberate targeting' and 'arrests of opposition leaders'.

Meghalaya Congress president Vincent H Pala asserts that his party didn't ally with TMC in the state as leader Mukul Sangma plans to join BJP after Lok Sabha polls. Pala reveals efforts to bring Sangma back to Congress, accusing him of persuading party workers to join BJP.

The TDP unveils its first list of 13 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh, featuring two YSR Congress MPs who recently defected. Simultaneously, the party announces the third list of TDP candidates for 11 Assembly segments. Elections in the state are scheduled for May 13.

The AIADMK's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections promises Rs 3,000 monthly financial aid to women heads of economically backward families across India. Other assurances include governor appointments in consultation with CMs and an alternative examination for NEET.

Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal commented on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, predicting further arrests of key players in the elections. Sibal highlighted the arrests of K Kavitha and Kejriwal, suggesting that Raghav Chadha and others may be next.

In a blow to the Congress in Gujarat, party leader Rohan Gupta resigned on Friday, citing constant humiliation and character assassination. Gupta withdrew his candidature and left the party after 15 years of service.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is unlikely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Instead, the party has fielded his son-in-law, Radhakrishna Doddamani, from his home turf of Gulbarga, where Kharge won in 2009 and 2014, but lost in 2019.

With the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, restrictions on printing election-related pamphlets and posters have been imposed under the provisions of the Representation of People Act (RPA), 1951. According to Section 127-A of the RPA of 1951, all election-related print material must include the names and addresses of the printer and publisher. Any breach in this regard would invite serious action, including imprisonment for a term of up to six months, under the relevant legislation.

"Shocked by the news of the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal," Sashi Tharoor emphasizes the need for Supreme Court intervention, citing a systematic effort to subvert Indian democracy. Tharoor questions the timing of IT and ED actions, urging for a fair playing field during elections.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the Enforcement Directorate's arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case "extremely condemnable" on Thursday night.

"This comes at a time when the process of holding general elections has begun. "Jailing all those who speak out is not acceptable," Vijayan remarked.

"The cowardice of those who are scared of democratic norms have now come out through this act, which is extremely condemnable and warrants protests," he went on to say.

Speaking on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi stated, "It is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested by the Central government. In the country's history, it is the first time that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the national convenor of a national party has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is BJP's political conspiracy."

In a statement, RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav criticized the recent arrest of Delhi's CM Arvind Kejriwal, alleging BJP's intimidation tactics. He accused the BJP of leveraging government investigation agencies and constitutional institutions for electoral gains, stating, 'The BJP is completely scared and wants to fight elections with their help.' Yadav affirmed support for the Delhi government and emphasized resilience in the face of adversity.

ISRO has achieved a major milestone in the area of Reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology, through the RLV LEX-02 landing experiment, the second of the series, conducted at Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga in Karnataka this morning at 7:10 am. Pushpak (RLV-TD), the winged vehicle, landed autonomously with precision on the runway after being released from an off-nominal position: ISRO

The Congress party has unveiled its second list of 17 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. Among the notable names are Satish Jarkiholi’s daughter Priyanka Jarkiholi (Chikkodi), Ramalinga Reddy’s daughter Sowmya Reddy (Bangalore South), and the children of five other ministers.

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