Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: PM Modi's Uttarkhand rally, Amit Shah's dig at Congress, candidates list and more

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- The Congress today announced its first list of eight contenders for the Lok Sabha elections and 47 hopefuls for the assembly polls, scheduled to take place concurrently in Odisha across four phases.
- Odisha boasts 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 assembly seats.
- Among the highlights, the party decided to field its incumbent MP Saptagiri Ulaka, who will seek re-election from the Koraput constituency.
- Additionally, other notable candidates for Lok Sabha positions include Sanjay Bhoi (Bargarh), Janardan Dehury (Sundergarh), Manoj Mishsra (Bolangir), Droupadi Majhi (Kalahandi), Bhujabal Majhi (Nabarangpur), Amir Chand Nayak (Kandhamal), and Rashmi Ranjan Patnaik (Berhampur).

- The Election Commission issued directives today for the immediate transfer of three district collectors, five superintendents of police, and an inspector general of police in Andhra Pradesh.
- This action comes in preparation for the simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 13.
- Among those affected are Tirupati Collector G Lakshmisha, Ananthapuramu Collector M Gowthami, and Krishna Collector P Raja Babu, as mandated by the electoral body.
- Additionally, the EC mandated the relocation of several police officials, including Guntur Range IG G Pala Raju, Prakasam SP P Parameswar Reddy, Palnadu SP Y Ravi Sankara Reddy, Chittoor SP P Joshua, Ananthapuramu SP KKN Anburajan, and Nellore SP K Tirumaleswar Reddy.

- Indu Verma, the spouse of Rakesh Verma, a three-time BJP MLA from Himachal Pradesh, officially became a member of the BJP today, accompanied by her supporters, in the presence of BJP state leader Rajiv Bindal.
- Prior to the 2022 assembly elections, she had affiliated herself with the Congress. - Following that, she ran independently for the Theog assembly constituency after the Congress selected Kuldeep Rathore, the former president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress, for the same seat.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: AAP releases list of 2 candidates for Punjab
- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released an additional list of two candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections in Punjab.
- Raj Kumar Chabbewal will contest from the Hoshiarpur constituency, while Malvinder Singh Kang is set to contest from Anandpur Sahib.

- Following the accusations leveled against him, KTR took to the social media platform X to issue a strong statement.
- He declared his intention to serve legal notices to Congress members and senior leaders for defamation and slander.
- KTR demanded an apology for what he deemed unfounded and absurd allegations, warning of potential legal repercussions if apologies were not issued.
- Additionally, he announced plans to send legal notices to news outlets that disseminated the allegations without proper fact-checking.

- Leading up to the Lok Sabha elections, a significant controversy in Telangana dominates national attention on a daily basis – a notable case of telephone surveillance.
- The narrative unfolds with Telangana police detaining their officers purportedly implicated in the scandal, all while contending with allegations from Congress officials directed at the top brass of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), notably former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his son, the current working president K Taraka Rama Rao (KTR).

- Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad is set to contest in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.
- Azad, who recently established the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), had previously urged his party members to prepare for the 2024 elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

- For search by details, follow these steps:
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-- Name, middle name, surname, date of birth, age, gender, relatives’ first and last name
-- Enter your location details – district and assembly constituency
-- Enter the captcha code as displayed and click on search

- Access the government's electoral search portal through your smartphone, computer, or laptop at https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/.
- Upon arrival, you'll find three options to locate your name: Search by details, Search by EPIC, and Search by mobile.
- To use the Search by EPIC feature, adhere to these instructions:
-- Choose your preferred language.
-- Input your EPIC number and state.
-- Enter the displayed captcha code, then click on the search button.

- With just over two weeks remaining until the Lok Sabha elections, citizens across the nation are preparing to exercise their voting rights.
- The 18th Lok Sabha's general election will span seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count scheduled for June 4.
- With a staggering 97 crore eligible voters for the upcoming election, the Election Commission (EC) has unveiled methods for individuals to verify their inclusion in the voter list.
- This verification is crucial to prevent any inconvenience on polling day.

- BJP National President, during his public rally in Madhya Pradesh' Jabalpur today, hailed PM Modi for bringing a change in the nation's political landscape.
- "Prime Minister Modi has spearheaded a transformation in the political landscape. Previously, politics revolved around factors such as caste, dynasty, and vote bank strategies or appeasement tactics. The BJP prioritises a politics centered on development, accountability, merit-based assessment, performance, inclusivity, and constructive propositions. In contrast to their approach, their opponents often resort to divisive tactics and fostering division," said Nadda.

“We are going today to Bhagalpur. After that, we will go to Jamui from there. It's a matter of pride for me that PM Modi will start his election campaign from Bihar’s Jamui on April 4,” says Lok Janshakti Party national president Chirag Paswan.

There is drought in Karnataka; state govt delayed in sending proposal seeking central relief: Amit Shah

Cong leaders did not attend consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla because of appeasement politics: Amit Shah at BJP meeting in Bengaluru

BJP sitting MP and candidate from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan prepared tea at a shop in his constituency earlier today, as part of 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan'.

We had promised and came to power to put corrupt into jail; shouldn't corrupt be jailed or not?: Amit Shah at Bengaluru BJP meeting

Lok Sabha MP from Muzaffarpur (Bihar) Ajay Nishad resigned from BJP and joined Congress today. On not getting a ticket from the BJP and whether he will get a ticket from Congress, he says, "...I always worked as per the party. They (BJP) said that the survey was not good about me...The party leaders (of Congress Party) will decide this and I am ready (to contest elections)"

In LS polls, there is NDA led by PM Modi one one side and "corrupt and pariwarwadi" INDIA bloc on other: Amit Shah

In LS polls, there is NDA led by PM Modi one one side and "corrupt and pariwarwadi" INDIA bloc on other: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah addresses party workers in Karnataka's Bengaluru.

"I have come here to tell you that BJP-JDS alliance in Karnataka will win all 28 (Lok Sabha) seats in the State and not let Congress open its account here."

"I am getting enormous love from people. I am fortunate to have come here at my father's 'karmbhoomi'. The way they showered love on my father...I am feeling lucky that Saran is going to be my 'karmbhoomi'," says RJD chief Lalu Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya as she launches her campaign for Saran Lok Sabha seat.

We say 'Bhrashtachaar hatao'. But they say 'Bhrashtachaari ko bachao', "says PM Modi as he targets the Opposition during his public rally in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

"Only a few months are left for our third term to begin and in this third term there will be even bigger action against corruption....," PM says.

Corrupt are threatening, abusing me. Shouldn't the corrupt go to jail; action against them will continue: PM Modi at rally in Uttarakhand

Here’s what PM Modi said while addressing a public rally in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

“You all know that PM Modi has given the guarantee to make India the world’s third-largest economic power. This means that people’s income will increase, they will get employment opportunities, and facilities will improve. I earlier said that the AIIMS satellite centre would be built here, and I fulfilled this guarantee. I said that this decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand. Therefore, every vote of yours on ‘Lotus’, will strengthen this resolution.”

Here’s what PM Modi said while addressing a public rally in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

“This election campaign is happening at a place also known as ‘Mini India’. I feel good whenever I come here. BJP’s love towards Uttarakhand is obvious. We need to develop Uttarakhand and take it to the forefront and therefore, the central government is doing everything to make this possible. The development that has happened here in Uttarakhand in the last 10 years, didn’t even happen after so many years of Independence.”

PM Modi addresses a public rally in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

"After staying out of power for just 10 years, they (Congress) have started talking about igniting fire in India. Will you punish such people? This time don't let them be in the field. Congress doesn't have faith in democracy now. Congress wants to push India towards anarchy and instability. In Karnataka, a Congress leader spoke about dividing the country into two parts. Shouldn't those who talk about dividing the country be punished? Instead of punishing him, the Congress gave their leader an election ticket..."

BJP's candidate from Meerut Arun Govil arrives to file his nomination. He is accompanied by the Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya.

UP Deputy CM says, "He (Arun Govil) is here to file his nomination as BJP candidate....We are going to win 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh including Meerut and will cross 400 across India...The INDI Alliance is dubious. They could not prevent us from winning Uttar Pradesh in 2019; the 2024 is of BJP..."

More development done in the last ten years in Uttarakhand than in previous 50-60 years: PM Modi at Rudrapur rally

PM Modi during his public rally in Uttarakhand's Rudrapur says, "We have started a scheme to empower women - the 'Namo Drone Didi'. Under this scheme, drones worth lakhs of rupees are being given to our sisters and daughters helping them become drone pilots. This will also benefit our daughters and sisters in Uttarakhand."

Here’s what PM Modi said while addressing a public rally in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

“It’s my first election rally in ‘dev-bhoomi’ Uttarakhand. However, I am unable to decide if it’s a campaign rally or a victory rally. The pandal turned out to be smaller for people than we thought. I am thankful to everyone here for their love.”

"Niyat sahi toh nateeje bhi sahi," says PM Modi as he talks about the development of Uttarakhand and various government schemes which have benefitted the state, in Rudrapur.

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma says, "Congress is changing its candidates again and again. They are making alliances with smaller parties. The Congress party is a sinking ship..."

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami address a public rally in Rudrapur "India has made history by reaching the South Pole of the Moon. But Congress keeps making failed attempts to launch its 'Rajkumar'. When Modi ji says, "Bhrashtachar mitao", then Congress says, "Modi ko mitao aur Gandhi parivar ko bachao." Is this right?"

NCP-SCP issues a list of 40 star campaigners of the party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Party chief Shard Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Jitendra Awhad, Rohit Pawar among the campaigners.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami address a public rally in Rudrapur, says, "I welcome PM Modi on his arrival in Rudrapur. He has given us a target of over 400 seats in this election. I am confident we will win all five seats in Uttarakhand and contribute towards winning over 400 seats in the country. We all have witnessed how the country has progressed and developed under the leadership of the PM."

Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin does election campaigning in Kolathur, Chennai. He is campaigning for DMK North Chennai candidate Kalanidhi Veeraswamy.

- Amid imposition of the model code of conduct for Lok Sabha polls, a team of the Noida Police has seized over Rs 11.58 lakh cash from a Delhi-registered car during a checking at the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), officials said on Tuesday. "A static surveillance team of the Jewar area had set up a checking point at the Sirsa toll of the EPE along with officials of the local Kasna police station on Monday evening in view of the elections and recovered Rs 11.58 lakh from a car during the check," a police spokesperson said.

- The car is registered in the name of Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Badarpur area in Delhi, the spokesperson said. The police said further legal proceedings related to the cash seizure amid MCC are being carried out. The police said further legal proceedings related to the cash seizure amid MCC are being carried out.

- The services of conch blowers are generally required during the auspicious occasions of Hindu marriages, thread ceremonies and other events.

- But with the elections to the 147-member Odisha Assembly and 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state approaching they are in high demand as "sankha' (conch) is the symbol of the ruling Biju Janata Dal and the regional party candidates start their campaign by blowing conch across the state.

- The conch blowers are hired by BJD candidates during the elections to familiarise the voters with the party symbol 'conch' during their campaigning. The BJD candidates in all the 168 constituencies (21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly segments) require conch blowers during the campaign. (PTI)

On PM Modi's public rally in Rajasthan's Kotputli today, former CM & Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, "In the last (Assembly) election, they (BJP) made false allegations on us in the Kanhaiya Lal case. The public will believe in what they say only when they give an answer to all the false allegations they levelled against us. Else people will think that to win elections they can lie as much as possible."

On '400 paar' goal of NDA, BJP candidate from Meerut and veteran actor Arun Govil says, "I am very hopeful about it because what he (PM Modi) has done is something that nobody could do for this country. I see no problem...As far as the development of the country is concerned, there is no alternative for PM Modi. There is no leader who thinks so much for the country. He fulfils what he says...We are very sure that this goal will be met..."

South Chennai BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan begins campaigning from Ekkatuthangal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

"People are assuring me that they will vote for us. They (DMK) have not concentrated on building infrastructure, but only on words. When rains hit the city, it suffers a flood situation. After we come to power, we will build good infra to make Chennai free of waterlogging and floods."

BJP candidate from Meerut and veteran actor Arun Govil says, "With whatever 'jansampark' I have participated in so far, I feel the love I am getting now is much more than what I received then (when he portrayed the character of Lord Ram). People chant 'Jai Sri Ram' when they see me..."

Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK) founder TR Paarivendhar who is contesting the Lok Sabha election on the BJP symbol from the Perambalur Sabha constituency begins his election campaign

- India is predicted to experience extreme weather this year, starting at the end of April and coinciding with the general elections, making it crucial for all stakeholders to prepare in advance, according to Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju.

- "We are expecting extreme weather conditions in the upcoming months. This also aligns with the general elections, where around a billion people are expected to vote," the minister said at a press conference on Monday. Rijiju emphasised the importance of careful planning, especially after the second and third phases of the polls.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting in Rudrapur today, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "The sounding of the election bugle by the Prime Minister today, will be historic. We welcome him to the Devabhoomi. He resides in the minds of the people of Devabhoomi and it resides in his heart. His arrival fills people with enthusiasm, energy and zeal. People always await his arrival."

- Exuding confidence in securing her Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat with a bigger margin, senior TMC leader Mahua Moitra feels that her victory would be a fitting response to the “conspiracy” to expel her from Lok Sabha last year and tarnish her reputation through raids and summons by central agencies in a cash-for-query case.

- She asserted that despite all efforts by the BJP to "sound the death knell" for constitutional democracy, India is too great a country to be destroyed by the fascists.

- Moitra, who was re-nominated by the TMC from the same Krishnanagar seat after being expelled last year, accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of acting as "political agents of the saffron camp". (PTI)

- The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday announced public holiday on poll dates in the union territory's five parliamentary constituencies. According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the government has notified the holidays under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

- According to the order, April 19 will be a holiday in Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, April 26 in Jammu constituency, May 7 in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, May 13 in Srinagar constituency and May 20 in Baramulla constituency.

- The order said a person who is a resident of a constituency and registered as an elector employed in any business, trade, industrial undertakings or any other establishment and casual workers will be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on polling day. (PTI)

Preparations underway in Rudrapur ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting today.

Elections to the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand are scheduled to be held in the first phase on April 19.

- The agitation by the Rajput community against Union minister and BJP's Rajkot Lok Sabha seat candidate Parshottam Rupala, a Patidar, will not snowball into a conflict between the two communities like in earlier days, say political experts.

- Addressing a small gathering in Rajkot on March 22, Rupala remarked that erstwhile 'maharajas' succumbed to the persecution of foreign rulers as well as the Britishers. The Union minister further said these 'maharajas' broke bread with these rulers and also married off their daughters to them.

- Rajput community members saw the remarks as an insult to them. They have urged the BJP to withdraw Rupala's candidature or face defeat. (PTI)

Uttarakhand BJP general secretary Khilendra Chaudhary says, "...The rally will be historic. A large number of people will arrive for this rally... PM Modi had said that the coming decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand and he has given many gifts to Uttarakhand...We've 2 AIIMS in our state."

- Modi will speak at a public gathering in Kotputli today to rally support for Rao Rajendra Singh, the BJP's candidate for the Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency.

- Following the announcement of the elections, this would be the PM's first event in Rajasthan.

- Jaipur Rural is one of the 12 Rajasthani seats, along with Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur, Alwar Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, and Nagaur, that will be polled in the first phase on April 19.

“We are taking several steps to create a safe and secure environment. Considering candidates’ rallies, the authority is working 24 hours for planning and execution. We are making sure to do our duty professionally while maintaining coordination with the central government,” says Jammu and Kashmir DGP RR Swain.

- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has removed 5,20,042 political advertisements from across its 12 zones in view of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, according to an official document. The advertisements were in the form of hoardings, posters, banners, wall paintings, signages and flags, it stated.

- The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on March 16 with the Election Commission (EC) announcing the schedule for the general elections. Delhi will vote on May 25 in the sixth phase of the seven-phase polls. Counting of votes is on June 4. The civic body has taken down 2,57,280 hoardings, 1,92,601 banners or wall paintings and posters, 40,022 removable signages and 30,139 removable flags, the document issued on Monday said.

- Congress veteran Kamal Nath on Monday accused the ruling BJP of playing the "game of lies, deceit and bargaining" in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, criticism coming in the wake of the recent exit of his trusted associates from home turf Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.

- The former CM alleged that the BJP was misusing the power of money, muscle and administration in elections and threatening opposition leaders.

- Nath's outburst follows the defection of his trusted lieutenants, including MLA Kamlesh Shah and Chhindwara mayor Vikram Ahake, to the saffron party, which is keen to wrest this lone Congress seat it lost in 2019. (PTI)

Mizoram's ruling party Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) commenced its election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha MP election at Vanapa Hall in Aizawl on Monday. Party leaders, including Chief Minister Lalduhoma, participated in the event.

- The Samajwadi Party on Monday changed its Lok Sabha poll candidate for Meerut and announced the name of its nominee for the Agra (Reserved) seat in Uttar Pradesh.

- In a list shared on X on Monday night, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party said Atul Pradhan and Suresh Chand Kadam will be its candidates from the Meerut and the Agra (Reserved) parliamentary seats, respectively.

- The Samajwadi Party had earlier fielded Bhanu Pratap Singh from Meerut against BJP candidate and actor Arun Govil who became famous for his role as Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's "Ramayan". (PTI)

- The Income Tax deparment on Monday told the Supreme Court that it won't take any steps to recover Rs 1,700 crore from Congress until after the Lok Sabha elections, Bar & Bench reported.

- "There is no problem to any political party," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the tax department, told the apex court.

- The court was hearing a plea by Congress against the demand of Rs 1,700 crore from the tax department. Read more.

- The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that it will ensure that voters of Jalpaiguri, Maynaguri and other storm-hit areas are not deprived of exercising their democratic rights even if their voter cards and other documents were damaged or lost because of the devastation on Sunday.

- People would be allowed to vote with "voters' slip", an official said on Monday.

- A ‘voter's slip’ is a document to identify a voter from information in the published electoral roll of the ECI. Such slips are distributed by political parties and can also be downloaded from the website of the poll panel. (PTI)

BJP president JP Nadda will start his state trip just one day after the PM's rally. He will speak at public gatherings in Pithoragarh, which is home to the reserved Almora Lok Sabha seat, and Vikasnagar, which is home to the Tehri Garhwal constituency. Nadda is scheduled to do a roadshow in Haridwar on April 4.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Rudrapur, which is a part of the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar seat, to kick off the BJP's Lok Sabha election campaign in Uttarakhand.

- Mahendra Bhatt, the head of the state BJP, predicted that more than a lakh people would attend the gathering.

Today, Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, will be in Karnataka for a number of engagements, including a roadshow. Shah will speak at Bengaluru's Palace Ground at the Sakti Kendra Pramukh Sammelan. Prior to the Lok Sabha elections, the event aims to strengthen organisational strength and grassroots leadership.