Lok Sabha Election 2024 Highlights: CPI receives I-T notice to pay 'dues' of Rs 11 crore for using old PAN card

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--Discussing ways to win the election at the ‘Enathu Booth Valimaiyana Booth’ (My booth is the strongest) programme, he encouraged the party workers to strive towards ensuring the victory of the BJP and NDA candidates.

--“I understand you are facing a paucity of time owing to the general election scheduled for April 19 in Tamil Nadu. You hardly have 15-16 days left (since election campaigning ends 48 hours before polling day). Organise yourselves well, connect with the voters, highlight our achievements and hold tiffin or lunch meetings amongst you to discuss the next step,” the prime minister said.

Kamlesh Shah, the three-term MLA for Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today, dealing a blow to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Kamal Nath, the former chief minister and leader of the Congress party, was born and raised in Chhindwara, the place where the poll will be held in the first phase of elections on April 19. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, and national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash welcomed Shah to the party.

Hafiz Khan has been announced as the Rajya Sabha candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls by YSRCP and Andhra Pradesh's chief minister for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. "I did not allocate him a ticket in the Assembly segment. After two years, Rajya Sabha elections are to be held, and I'm going to send him to the Rajya Sabha in that election," said Andhra Pradesh CM and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Saket Gokhale, a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), claimed that he had received 11 notices from the income-tax department in the previous 48 hours and that all efforts are being made to exert pressure on the opposition in advance of the Lok Sabha elections. Gokhale stated in a post on X that some of the notices date back nearly seven years.

Congress MLA Kamlesh Shah from Amarwara in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh joined the BJP party ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said "How your vote can change the face and fortune of the country is in front of you. Look at India before 2014 and that of after 2014 - in India before 2014, there was an atmosphere of mutual distrust in the country, anarchy, mismanagement, corruption and the country's borders were unsafe. In India after 2014, country's stature in the world has increased, borders are secure, terrorism and Naxalism have ended."

According to sources, the Communist Party of India was sent an income tax notice for payment of Rs 11 crore as "dues" for the use of an old PAN card.

Surendra Singh Bhoi, a former minister and three-time Congress MLA, left the party on Friday after 38 years as an active member and joined the ruling BJD. Two BJP leaders have also quit from their positions and are expected to join the BJD: Nilgiri MLA Sukant Nayak and the party's Cuttack district president, Prakash Chandra Behera.

Surendra Singh Bhoi announced his resignation from both the party and the position of president of the Bolangir district Congress committee (DCC) in a letter to Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the AICC.

Archana Patil Chakurkar, daughter-in-law of senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil met BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. She is likely to join the BJP on March 30 in Mumbai.

The Congress party is likely to release its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on April 5 in New Delhi, news agency ANI reported citing party sources.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed a gathering in Tharali on March 29. “Every poor now has a bank account. This facility has been started by our PM Modi. Over 50 crore poor people are receiving healthcare facilities with the help of an Ayushman card. PM SVANidhi scheme is helping the poor to become ‘Atma Nirbhar’. CAA has been implemented. All this has been done by PM Modi,” he said.

The Income Tax department has reportedly issued a new notice amounting to Rs 1,700 crore to the Congress party for alleged discrepancies in its tax returns from previous years. This development comes as another setback for the financially strained party, especially with the impending Lok Sabha elections.

In response to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielding 'Rani Maa' Amrita Roy from the Krishnanagar constituency, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra quipped, "People of Bengal know only Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Rani Rashmoni. Iske upar kitne raja hai, kitni rani hai, kisi ko maloom nahi hain..."

Leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties convened a joint press conference in Bihar, announcing the allocation of seats for the upcoming elections.

The RJD will field its candidates on 26 seats, including prominent constituencies like Purnea and Hajipur. The Congress party will contest on 9 seats, which include significant areas such as Kishanganj and Patna Sahib. Meanwhile, the Left parties will field candidates on 5 seats.

Kangana says development is the main issue. Kangana Ranuat, the BJP's Mandi candidate, visited the constituency and stated that "Mandi ki beti will represent Mandi" (Mandi's daughter).

Actor and BJP contestant Kangana Ranaut stated, "This is a sizable crowd. There are a lot of visitors here. They are very pleased that the Mandi daughter, who represents the constituency in this election, is a nationalist voice from Mandi.For the BJP, development is the primary concern.The Mandi people will reveal their true selves."

He stated, "Nothing positive will happen for the constituency if someone other than VN Venugopal wins... Sriperumbudur is mostly an industrial area... The central government has provided subsidies and funds to 45 lakh farmers, whereas the DMK administration is anti-farmers, taking away agricultural lands for SIPCOT... The DMK promised to reduce petrol and diesel rates, but they have not done so, while our Prime Minister has reduced costs... The DMK has yet to deliver even 20% of their election promises, yet the CM claims they have fulfilled more than 90% of them.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared himself as the 'Spider of Shivpuri' during an event on Thursday. He stated, "Twenty years ago when I resolved to walk on the path of dedication, I decided that if no one would solve your problems, Jyotiraditya Scindia would… I am the spider of Shivpuri. I have built a network of roads here, a network of substations, a network of irrigation facilities, and a network of progress and development for the people here…"

BJP MP Pabitra Margherita spoke about the first round of nominations in Assam and the party's plans for the next two phases.

Speaking to ANI, he stated, "In the first phase, we have five seats, and our leaders have already begun campaigning." So we are quite optimistic."The NDA and the people of Assam support PM Modi."

"People can sense why PM Modi sees Assam as the growth engine of modern India. He has visited Assam more than fifty times. Every segment has seen advancement, development, peace, and harmony. "People are with us," he said.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced its decision on Thursday to nominate Anjani Soren, the chief of its Odisha unit, as the party's candidate for the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat. This information was disclosed by JMM Odisha spokesperson Shivaji Moulik.

Additionally, the party revealed Bishnu Singh as its candidate for the Bangiriposi assembly segment in Mayurbhanj district.

Anjani Soren, daughter of JMM chief Shibu Soren, will be contesting against BJP's Naba Charan Majhi and BJD's Sudam Marndi in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, unveiled its initial list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Thursday. Among the eight candidates announced, seven are incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) from various constituencies in the state.

The list includes the nomination of former Congress MLA Raju Parve for the Ramtek (SC) seat, scheduled for polling on April 19. Parve, who recently joined the Shiv Sena, will be replacing the party's sitting MP Krupal Tumane for this constituency.

The remaining seven candidates in the list are all sitting MPs: Rahul Shewale (Mumbai South Central), Sanjay Mandlik (Kolhapur), Sadashiv Lokhande (Shirdi (SC)), Prataprao Jadhav (Buldhana), Hemant Patil (Hingoli), Srirang Barne (Maval), and Dhairyasheel Mane (Hatkanangale).

Six-time Lok Sabha member and former Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, along with former two-time Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP from Berhampur Sidhant Mohapatra and renowned Santali language litterateur Padma Shri Damayanti Beshra, have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The joining took place at the BJP's party headquarters in New Delhi on March 28.

Bollywood actor Govinda has made an entry into politics by joining Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, adding a touch of glamour to the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra. Govinda, known for his dynamic on-screen presence, is anticipated to be fielded as a candidate from Mumbai North West, marking his return to the political arena after a hiatus.

Govinda's political journey began in 2004 when he contested from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency on a Congress ticket.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed the pivotal role of an individual vote, asserting its ability to shape the destiny of the nation. Speaking at a conference organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Muzaffarnagar district, Adityanath highlighted the consequences of a single vote falling into the "wrong hands," leading to an "atmosphere of anarchy," particularly in western Uttar Pradesh. Conversely, when the BJP secures that solitary vote, it not only brings "respect to the faith" but also stabilizes the region.

Directing criticism towards the opposition, Adityanath underscored the transformative potential of an individual vote, noting its significant impact. He emphasized, “You will see how much your one vote is worth. How can one vote change the destiny of the country." Adityanath cited instances where a vote going to the "wrong hands" resulted in prolonged curfews in Muzaffarnagar. In contrast, when the vote is cast in the right direction, it fosters positive developments, as evident in the peaceful conduct of events like the Kavad Yatra in the region.

Adityanath's remarks highlight the BJP's campaign to mobilize voters and emphasize the importance of their participation in shaping the nation's future.

The Congress will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls here on April 6, party's Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said Thursday. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will release the party's manifesto at a public meeting in Jaipur. Randhawa was talking to reporters after the meeting regarding election strategy in the Congress' 'War Room' here.

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