Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: Congress to decide on party candidates at CEC meet on March 7

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"Considering the situation of the state and what's happening in West Bengal, I have left TMC. I have resigned from all organisational and official responsibilities, and joined the BJP," says former TMC leader Tapas Roy after joining BJP.

"An extensive discussion was held under the leadership of BJD President and Honble CM Shri. Naveen Patnaik with the senior leaders of the Party today regarding the strategy of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. In the discussions it was resolved that since by 2036, Odisha will complete 100 years of its statehood and BJD and Honble CM has major milestones to be achieved by this time, therefore Biju Janata Dal will do everything towards this in the greater interests of people of Odisha and the State," reads a press release by Biju Janata Dal.

Draft manifesto was presented to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge by the manifesto committee of the party.

Several leaders from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) join BJP in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, ahead of forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

Here's what Uttarakhand Congress chief Karan Mahara said on party's screening committee meeting for state in Delhi.

"We got 42 applications and we shortlisted it to 25 in the meeting on March 2. Today, we have shortened it to 16 names. Before March 10, we will shorten it even more and then the list will go to CEC. After that, CEC will send names to high command and final names (candidates) will be declared by high command."

"Not just the adivasi, they (BJP) are disrespecting the Dalits, poor and backwards wherever they can. Few days back, they had started calling the adivasis as vanvasi. What's the difference between an adivasi and vanvasi? Adivasi means the person who was the first owner of this land," says Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradesh's Badnawar.

- MVA meeting on Lok Sabha seat sharing concludes.

- After the meeting, the President of Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, Prakash Ambedkar said that the discussion was positive and that further discussions would take place in the next meeting.

- Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav on Tuesday expressed confidence that the BJP will win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan in the upcoming general election. Interacting with reporters at the state headquarters of BJP here, the BJP's Alwar Lok Sabha candidate said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is busy making India a developed nation while the Congress is nowhere seen.

- "We are working with the resolve to hold elections on Modi's guarantee for a developed India and to make the country strong in 2047. We will win all 25 seats in Rajasthan and will work on the vision for Viksit Bharat at 2047," he said. Yadav said that it is the result of Prime Minister Modi's guarantee that in the last 10 years, India moved rapidly on the path of development. (PTI)

- The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday announced G M Saroori as its candidate for Udhampur-Jammu Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general polls. The announcement was made at a public rally addressed by Azad at Chrar-e-Shareef in Budgam district of central Kashmir.

- "For Udhampur-Jammu, it is my intention and I will discuss it with others that G M Saroori will contest. He is the most senior leader and four-time MLA and vice chairperson of our party. I think I am active, but he is more active than me. He is the appropriate candidate. We have not yet taken a final decision, but we have zeroed in on the name," Azad told reporters after the rally. The DPAP also announced Saroori's name in a statement and on the party's X handle.

Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi meet to discuss seat-sharing for Lok Sabha elections, in Mumbai.

Prakash Ambedkar, President of Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, is also attending the meeting

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reaches Badnawar, Madhya Pradesh to meet Congress MLAs.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates: Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance partners meet in Mumbai to discuss seat-sharing

Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance partners - Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Balasaheb Thorat, Sanjay Raut, Jitendra Awhad and Jayant Patil - meet in Mumbai to discuss seat-sharing for forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

On the election committee meeting in Delhi, former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa says "Meetings are going to be held today, tomorrow and the day after. The day after tomorrow, the list of candidates will be finalised. We will wait and see.."

- "Seeing the NDA taking control at the Centre, the INDIA bloc is now getting jittery. They have initiated verbal attacks directed towards me, questioning my family background. Accusing me of speaking against 'Parivarvad' due to my lack of a family, these individuals are keen to learn about my personal life. I aim for these advocates of 'Parivarvad' to witness our assembly and recognise that everyone gathered here is considered my family," PM Modi further noted.

- "The TMC government is not bothered about the safety of women, it has sinned women by safeguarding the perpetrators who have been involved in outraging the modesty of women in various places in the state", Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee government as it faces the heat for Sandeshkhali violence in what can be seen as a setback weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
- While the TMC government faces the heat for the Sandeshkhali violence in what can be seen as a setback weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections, the Prime Minister termed the Sandeshkhali incident as a "shame" for West Bengal.

- In a blow to Congress stalwart Kamal Nath, seven members of his party from the Chhindwara Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh have switched allegiance to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the Lok Sabha elections.
- Chanting the slogan "Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar", these corporators, along with their supporters, officially joined the BJP at the residence of state urban development minister Kailash Vijayvargiya in the state capital of Bhopal on Tuesday evening.

- In a notable technological advancement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has employed artificial intelligence (AI) to translate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches into eight languages, ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections
- These speeches are now accessible in Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Marathi, Odia, and Malayalam.
- This development comes on the heels of the Prime Minister using AI for real-time translation during Kashi Tamil Sangamam.

- Clyde Crasto, National Spokesperson, NCP-SCP, lashing out at Home Minister Amit Shah today for questioning Sharad Pawar's accomplishments in Maharashtra, "We are not obliged to provide Amit Shah with an explanation regarding Sharad Pawar's contributions to Maharashtra and the nation. The residents of Maharashtra and India are well aware of his accomplishments. Amit Shah mentions Sharad Pawar's name merely for publicity, as the BJP and Amit Shah lack substantial achievements. Over the past five years, the BJP has caused divisions within families and political parties."

- BJP leader Dilip Ghosh lashed out at Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee today in Barasat, saying, "Mamata Banerjee allegedly gives bribes to secure votes through financial incentives. However, just two months later, she announces the discontinuation of certain schemes due to financial constraints, causing difficulties for the state's residents. Issues such as women's security and the availability of essential services like employment, education, and healthcare remain unaddressed. Consequently, there is a growing sentiment among the people to remove Mamata Banerjee from office."

- BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj, taking a dig at AAP today, said, "The AAP deceives under the guise of prioritising women's safety, despite serious allegations against their own leaders for crimes against women. A recent disturbing incident has surfaced involving an AAP leader allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old daughter of an AAP worker, resulting in the filing of a POCSO FIR. Surprisingly, there is silence from Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet ministers on such crucial matters. The BJP is urging the suspension of the accused AAP leader, emphasising the mandatory action under Section 10 of the DCW Act. However, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has yet to take any measures in response to the POCSO cases."

- Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, interacting with reporters today, said, "Madhya Pradesh holds a special place in PM Modi's heart, just as he resides in the hearts of the people of the state. The overwhelming support from the state's residents allowed us to secure a strong majority and form the government. As we look forward to forming the central government once again under PM Modi's guidance, we have initiated a yatra today that will traverse all 29 Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh."

- Union Minister Anurag Thakur reacts to DMK leader A Raja's "India has never been a nation" remarks, "A person who was involved in big corruption during UPA government has once again crossed limits. The Congress has been providing protection to such a person, and he now openly batting for the Congress. I want to ask the Congress - does it agree with what A Raja is saying, other DMK leaders are saying?"

- Highlighting a decade of consistent efforts by the Centre to propel Telangana's advancement, Prime Minister Modi, on March 4, stressed the unity of 140 crore Indians in their shared vision of a developed nation.
- The cornerstone of this progress, he asserted, lies in the establishment of contemporary infrastructure.
- Notably, he underscored the allocation of Rs 11 lakh crore in the current year's budget (Budget 2023-24) dedicated to infrastructure, with a specific aim of maximizing Telangana's benefits from these investments.
- Experts anticipate that these developmental initiatives will not only elevate the BJP's standing but also translate the Prime Minister's commitments into tangible advancements for the state, potentially strengthening the party's electoral prospects. - Additionally, the capital expenditure linked to these projects is predicted to create job opportunities for the youth and foster the growth of complementary businesses, ultimately supporting the livelihoods of the

- The National Conference (NC) stated on March 5 that it intends to participate in the upcoming elections for all three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir valley.
- Simultaneously, the party is engaged in discussions with the Congress to finalise its candidates for three seats in the Jammu and Ladakh regions. Both parties are part of the opposition INDIA bloc.
- The NC's decision was reached following an extensive meeting of its parliamentary board at the party's headquarters.
- "The National Conference is set to independently contest the three seats in the valley," remarked NC provincial president for Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, addressing reporters post the meeting, stated ANI.
- Despite this independent stance, the party led by Farooq Abdullah indicated ongoing negotiations with the Congress regarding the allocation of seats.
- Specifically, talks are underway for two seats in Jammu and one in Ladakh. - "Discussions with the Congress regarding the remaining three seats, including Ladakh, are currently in progress," added Wani.

- The frequent visits by PM Modi to Tamil Nadu are driven by the belief that the BJP, equipped with an energetic cadre base led by K Anammalai, is strategically positioned to improve its performance in the upcoming parliamentary polls.
- In the historical context, the BJP has struggled to garner significant support in Tamil Nadu, despite its emergence as a dominant party in northern India.
- In the 2014 elections, the BJP and its ally PMK secured one seat each.
- Tamil Nadu witnessed an unprecedented victory for the ruling AIADMK under J. Jayalalithaa, which marginalized the DMK on the national stage.
- However, the scenario shifted in 2019 when the DMK, led by Stalin, the son of former party chief Karunanidhi, dominated the elections by winning 37 out of the 38 Lok Sabha seats. In contrast, the BJP failed to secure any seats.
- The elections were conducted for 38 out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats, as voting in Vellore was canceled by the Election Commission due to the use of cash to influence votes. Learn more.

- Arjun Modhwadia, former president of the Gujarat Congress, resigned from the party on March 4 and has now joined the BJP in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
- On March 4, Modhwadia submitted his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing dissatisfaction with the party's position on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and its leaders declining the invitation to the consecration ceremony on January 22.
- The 67-year-old leader, who had been associated with the Congress for nearly four decades and represented the Porbandar seat in the state, expressed his discontent with Rahul Gandhi for "trying to stir unrest in Assam" during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in his letter to Kharge.

- Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, announced on March 5 that the Congress party's central election committee is scheduled to convene on March 7 in New Delhi.
- During this meeting, the initial list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Karnataka will be officially determined.
- Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress chief, mentioned that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously met with Randeep Singh Surjewala, the Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, on March 4.

- If elected, the Congress has committed to carrying out a caste census across the country.
- To bolster their election efforts, the party has designated one lakh Booth Level Agents (BLA).
- Breaking from tradition, the party plans to introduce novel approaches in its media strategy.
- In contrast to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) centralised media campaigns, Congress sources indicate a shift towards localized campaigns at micro levels.