Assembly Polls Highlights: EC issues show-cause notice to AAP for alleged disrespectful statements against PM Modi

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The Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Congress politician Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for making an 'unverified' allegation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP President J P Nadda will announce the party's electoral manifesto for Rajasthan on Thursday in Jaipur. Arjun Ram Meghwal, a senior BJP leader and Union minister, said Nadda will release the party's 'Sankalp Patra' (manifesto) on Thursday at 11 am. According to him, the manifesto is based on the proposals of over one crore people through the party's outreach programmes such as 'Akansha Peti,' e-mails, and social media platforms.

Union Minister Amit Shah claimed on Tuesday that when Kamal Nath was chief minister, he converted Madhya Pradesh into an "ATM of the Congress." He was addressing at a rally in the state's Deotalab constituency in the Mauganj district ahead of the November 17 assembly elections.

According to the BJP leader, the Congress-led UPA administration granted Rs 2 lakh crore to Madhya Pradesh in 10 years, but the Narendra Modi-led government granted the state Rs 6.35 lakh crore in the previous nine years.

Rajasthan Assembly Polls LIVE Updates: BJP leader Jitendra Meena expelled from contesting in upcoming assembly elections
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The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal after the BJP filed a complaint with the EC alleging that two tweets sent on the party's official handle disparaged, insulted, and defamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. EC said, "The posts prima facie violate MCC (Model Code of Conduct) as well as provisions of election and penal laws; asks him to explain the statement by 16th Nov, as to why appropriate action for violation of MCC as well as provisions of election and penal laws should not be taken against you."

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said women and senior citizens in Madhya Pradesh will be taken to Ayodhya for a visit to the Ram temple if the BJP retains power in the state. Speaking at a rally in Jaora constituency in Ratlam district ahead of Friday's assembly elections, Singh said when the party started its journey in 1980, it had vowed that after it got majority in both houses of Parliament no power in the world would stop it from constructing a grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. “I have come to invite you to the consecration ceremony of the temple on January 22, 2024," he said.

"BJP abuses us a lot and I can't understand why. If someone had died for Independence in your house, then you would know about its importance. If your leaders had gone to jail, then you would know about the importance of Independence. We did the hard work, our leaders went to jail (for Independence) but you still abuse us," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at an election rally in Sewda.

"After five years, every government needs to present its report card. However, (Chhattisgarh CM) Bhupesh Baghel is running away from presenting his report card because of corruption in his government. People of Chhattisgarh are asking how long will he run? They are now saying Bohat Hua Satte Ka Khel, Bye Bye Bhupesh Baghel," said Union minister Anurag Thakur at a press conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
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He says, " He (Bhupesh Baghel) did scam in the name of Mahadev, now Lord Mahadev won't leave you...Bhupesh Baghel time has come for you to repay ...Congress has failed in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh election and in the second phase also you (Congress) will lose," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at a poll rally in Rajim.

"They (Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government) cannot hear the voice of our farmers. They only know how to talk. However, they won't be able to befool the people of the state by talking. They know that they will lose, and that's why they are reluctant in making Shivraj Singh Chouhan as their face," says Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath at an election rally in Dimani.

"Did the Congress ever work for farmers like the way BJP did? Kamal Nath, Digvijay Singh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should reveal why the water from Gandhisagar Dam failed to reach the farms of Mandsaur. It is my 'sanklap' that no farm would be left without water in Mandsaur," says Madhya Pradesh CM
Shivraj Chouhan at an election rally in Suwasra, Mandsaur.

- Pradhan also took a dig at the Congress' announcement of giving Rs 15,000 annually to women as part of a scheme if the party retains power in the state.
- He said that the ruling party had already released its manifesto but then hurriedly made this promise to women.
- "The party that has not fulfilled its promise of giving Rs 1,500 old age pension, loan waiver of Self Help Groups, four cooking gas cylinders, and liquor ban, is now making a failed attempt to stop the "vijay rath" of the BJP, Pradhan claimed.
- "Chhattisgarh is among top states in crime against women. In five years, one lakh women are reported to be missing in the state. Women empowerment is not in the agenda of the Congress," he also added.
- "Corruption is the prime agenda of Congress and committing loot is its politics. It has lost its credibility in Chhattisgarh and is making promises in a hurry anticipating defeat in the polls," Pradhan further noted.

- "After BJP comes to power in Chhattisgarh, our special efforts will be to give priority to impart education in Chhattisgarhi language under NEP, which will be helpful in inclusive development of the new generation," the Union Education Minister said while addressing the media in Raipur.
- "The Narendra Modi government has given top priority to women's empowerment and women-led development," he further noted.

- "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said every language in the country is the national language. During Raman Singh-led BJP rule here, Chhattisgarhi language was given the status of state language. Modi ji has brought national education policy under which there is basic planning to impart education up to class 8th in respective matrubhasha (mother tongue)," Pradhan said in an interaction with the press in Raipur on November 13.
- "If a child learns in his or her mother tongue, it enhances critical thinking, power to research and logical capability," the minister further noted.