Election wrap: PM Modi spearheads BJP's campaign in three crucial states, AAP's show of strength at Jantar Mantar and more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded BJP's election campaign in three crucial states

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded BJP's election campaign in three crucial states, the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi called for a nationwide fast to protest against the arrest of Party supremo and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.  Party leaders gathered at Jantar Mantar to observe the fast in solidarity with the jailed leader.

Here are the top political developments of the day:

1. Congress has lost moral right to remain political party after Kharge's Article 370 remarks: BJP

The BJP intensified its attack on the Congress a day after Kharge took a swipe at it over the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. "Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in Rajasthan as to what difference does it make here with the removal of Article 370. If a party says what difference does it make in other states with the integration of Kashmir, it’s clear that you (Congress) have no respect for the oath taken by every one for the unity and integrity of the country," BJP national spokesperson Sudhansu Trivedi charged.

2. Maneka, Varun not in fray after three decades, BJP goes full steam with campaigning in Pilibhit

For the first time in more than three decades the mother-son duo of Maneka and Varun Gandhi will not be in the fray from the Pilibhit constituency for which the BJP is going full throttle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to address a mega election rally on Tuesday.

The party has denied a ticket to sitting MP Varun Gandhi from the constituency that has been represented either by him or his mother since 1996. Instead, it has fielded Uttar Pradesh Minister Jitin Prasada from the seat.
Pilibhit goes to polls on April 19 in the first of the seven-phase Parliamentary elections. Prasada, who won the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Shahjahanpur and Dharura constituencies, respectively, on Congress ticket, crossed over to the BJP in 2021. So far, he is the only Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister to be fielded in this Lok Sabha polls.

3. LS polls in Kerala: INDIA bloc allies CPI(M), Congress trade allegations on CAA, Kannur blast

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala and the opposition Congress, both part of the INDIA bloc, on Sunday traded allegations against each other on various issues, including the CAA and the recent Kannur blast, as the Lok Sabha poll campaign intensified in the state.

Polling will be held in the state on April 26. At an LDF public meeting in Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituency, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated his accusations of Congress being silent on the implementation of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and various central government policies that are against the interests of the state.

4. PM Modi wants to end corruption, INDIA bloc  wants to save corrupt people, says JP Nadda

BJP national president J P Nadda on Sunday charged that the INDI Alliance leaders, who are either on bail or in jail, were keen on protecting the corrupt people whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi was striving hard to end corruption in the country.

Those leaders such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, were in prison while Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul were on bail, Nadda said and claimed the opposition leaders presented a contrasting picture compared to the Prime Minister who is an epitome of development and determined to end corruption.
That is their working style. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK, which stands for Dynasty Money Swindling and Katta Panchayat and its ally the Congress are corrupt. All of them are trying to save their families and dynasties and themselves from their corruption, Nadda said addressing a rally here.Prime Minister Narendra Modi says I will finish corruption, but the INDI alliance leaders say save the corrupt people.

5. AAP calls for countrywide fast to protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will observe a  daylong  fast on April 7 to demonstrate their objection to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in a case related to money laundering associated with the now scrapped Delhi excise policy.

Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai stated that party members and leaders will convene at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Khatkar Kalan in Punjab, the birthplace of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, to participate in the collective fast.
All AAP MLAs, office-bearers will start gathering at Jantar Mantar for the mass fasting from 11 am.

Security has been heightened along the roads leading to the protest site as the police prepare for a huge turnout. Traffic may also be hit in parts of central Delhi due to heavy barricading.