Lok Sabha elections updates | Congress manifesto ‘bundle of lies’, prepared to create confusion, mislead voters: BJP

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended actor-turned-politician and BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut’s assertion that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was the first Prime Minister of the country.

Mr. Sarma said Netaji had established the Azad Hind government four years before Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had become the Prime Minister which was recognised by nine countries.

‘’To those mocking @KanganaTeam - On 21 October 1943, Netaji established the Azad Hind Govt, of which he was the head, nearly 4 years before Pt Nehru took oath as Prime Minister following transfer of power’‘, the Chief Minister posted on ‘X’.

‘’Nine countries recognised the Azad Hind Govt as the legitimate Government of India. This subconscious urge to interpret history on the lines of colonialists is called ‘Ghulami ki Mansikta’”, he added.

Ms. Ranaut, the BJP candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, had made the remark during a media summit recently, the clip of which went viral on social media on Friday. - PTI

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has said that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita is the best person to keep the party together in the prevailing circumstances and asserted that her presence has had a “positive effect” on the cadre. 

Noting that the politics of a party does not revolve just around its manifesto, Mr. Bharadwaj said the support base and the emotional connection between the cadre and the top leadership also plays a crucial role in keeping an organisation together. 

Sunita Kejriwal’s presence has had a positive impact, he asserted. - PTI

BJP president JP Nadda lashed out at Rahul Gandhi for using religion at the time of elections. 

“There are people who visit temples and wear ‘janeu’ (the sacred thread) at the time of elections without even knowing how to wear it properly just for utilising religion,” Mr. Nadda said in an apparent reference to Mr. Gandhi without naming him. 

He was addressing a gathering of saints and seers in Haridwar in support of BJP candidate and former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who is contesting from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat. 

Mr. Nadda highlighted the services rendered to sanatan dharma by the Modi government. - PTI

The Lok Sabha battle in Baramati is not between opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar but between PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi, said Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. 

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar is pitted against three time MP Supriya Sule, who is the daughter of Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. 

Attacking Ms. Sule, Mr. Fadnavis said, “Go through her speeches in Parliament. So people of Baramati must decide if their MP will walk on the path of development being set by Modiji or on Rahul Gandhi’s ideology, which is anti-social and is aimed at derailing progress,” he said. - PTI

The Congress said if it comes to power after the Lok Sabha polls, it will remove the Manipur government and also appoint a reconciliation commission for a political and administrative settlement that will be satisfactory to all the people of the state. 

The opposition party said it will remove the current government in the northeastern state forthwith and heal the wounds between communities. - PTI

A video featuring SP candidate from Budaun Shivpal Yadav has gone viral on social media in which he can be heard saying “we will seek everyone’s vote. If you vote for us, it is all right, otherwise, the matter will be settled later”. 

In the video, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA from Sahaswan Brajesh Yadav and Shivpal’s son are also seen on the stage along with Shivpal Yadav. - PTI

Himachal Pradesh Congress general secretary Rajneesh Kimta asked BJP candidate from the Mandi parliamentary seat actor Kangana Ranaut to name one thing she has done for the constituency. 

Mr. Kimta asked Ranaut “to name one thing that she has done for the constituency from where she is contesting”, adding that politics demands patience and Ranaut can’t win elections just because she has relatives in Mandi. - PTI

“The contribution of the central government to the pay of frontline health workers (such as ASHA, Anganwadi, Mid-Day Meal cooks, etc.) will be doubled,” it said. 

The party also promised that it would establish a government medical college-cum-hospital in each district. 

“All vacancies in medical and paramedical posts in public health institutions and all vacancies in medical colleges will be filled in three years,” the manifesto said. 

“No hospital or medical college shall be permitted to be opened or allowed to function unless 75% of the medical, paramedical and teaching posts are filled,” it said. - PTI

The Congress promised that if it comes to power, it will adopt the previous Ashok Gehlot government’s ‘Rajasthan model’ of cashless insurance of up to ₹25 lakh for universal healthcare.

In its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress promised that healthcare will be universal and free in public health centres such as hospitals, clinics, primary health centres, mobile healthcare units, dispensaries and health camps.

The party said if it comes to power, Primary Health Centres (PHC) will be upgraded according to Indian Public Health Standards, and diagnostics will be added to each PHC.

The Congress promised maternity benefits to all women and said it will double the hardship allowance of doctors serving in rural areas, and provide suitable residence facilities.

Ninety-two-year-old physically challenged Khalil Ansari will exercise his right to cast vote for the time in the Lok Sabha elections after Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) directed Sahibganj district election officials on Friday to register his name in the electoral roll with immediate effect, an official said. 

CEO K. Ravi Kumar was in Sahibganj on Friday and made surprise inspections at polling booths in Mundro block of the district, around 450-km from Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi. He also visited several villages and met senior citizens and physically challenged voters, according to an official release. 

During his visit, he asked Ansari if he was a registered voter. “I never exercised my franchise as my name is not there in voter list,” Ansari told the CEO. 

Mr. Kumar directed the officials to enroll his name in the electoral roll with immediate effect. - PTI

The CPI(M) manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls called for the defeat of the ruling BJP and strengthening of the Left, a call which was also made in its manifesto for 2019, and alleged the secular character of democracy was affected both the times.

This time, the appeal in the manifesto emphasises that India is facing an “existential crisis”.

While the Left party stuck to its stand on several issues, the manifesto for the first time promised scrapping laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In its manifesto in 2019, the Left party had called for the defeat of the BJP blaming the ruling party for “sharpening communal polarisation”, and assault on all constitutional authorities. The manifesto this time gives a call to “every patriot” to ensure the defeat of the BJP and its allies. - PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed Baghpat as the land from where the foundation of Mahabharata was laid against injustice and oppression. 

“This is the same land from where the foundation of Mahabharata was laid against injustice and oppression. Baghpat was one of the five villages that Lord Krishna had asked for the Pandavas, when he visited the court of Hastinapur 5,000 years ago,” Mr. Adityanath said. 

“But Duryodhan could not give (those villages), could not take the blessings of the society...Hence Mahabharata had to happen,” he added. 

Addressing the ‘Vijay Shankhnaad’ rally in support of Rajkumar Sangwan - the joint candidate of the BJP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) - Mr. Adityanath said that he has the privilege of visiting the pious land (‘paavan dharaa’) of the great son of Mother India and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. - PTI

The nomination of Samajwadi Party’s candidate from Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh was rejected by the district returning officer.

SP candidate Meera Yadav’s nomination form was rejected as it was incomplete, an official said. - PTI

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) president and chief minister P.S. Tamang released the party’s manifesto for the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state promising social uplift.

The manifesto is based on nine guarantees for social uplift - dignity, capability, good governance, education, health, empowerment, pride, prosperity and social equality.

The manifesto titled “9 Guarantees of P.S. Tamang” was unveiled in the presence of senior party leaders and party supporters. - PTI

Jana Sena Party (JSP) president K Pawan Kalyan will take part in his political campaign — ‘Varahi Vijayabheri’ Yatra in Anakapalli district from April 6. The Yatra which was supposed to be kickstarted from April 5, was rescheduled. 

As per the latest schedule, Mr Pawan Kalyan will be conducting his political campaign in Anakapalli on April 7 and Yelamanchali on April 8. The JSP chief will take part in road shows during the day and will address public from the ‘Varahi’ in the evening. 

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has said he is sincerely working for NDA’s better prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the continuation of alliance with BJP, after the parliamentary elections, will depend on how his party and its leaders are treated. The former Chief Minister further said that given an opportunity and if Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confidence in him, he wants to be the agriculture minister, in the event of NDA coming back to power at the Centre.

As part of the seat-sharing agreement, the BJP would contest in 25 constituencies and the JD(S) in the remaining three -- Mandya, Hassan and Kolar -- in Karnataka.

- PTI

Bihar Minister Maheshwar Hazari’s son Sunny Hazari joined the Congress here on Friday, fuelling speculations that he may be fielded in the Lok Sabha polls.

Maheshwar Hazari, a senior JD(U) leader, stepped down as the deputy speaker of the assembly recently and now holds the crucial Information and Public Relations Department portfolio.

State Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh welcomed Sunny Hazari to the party.

- PTI

In a shot in the arm for the ruling Congress in Telangana, former MLA Kuna Srisailam Goud quit the BJP and joined the grand old party.

Goud joined Congress in the presence of Chief Minister and PCC president A Revanth Reddy, AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana Deep Dasmunsi and other leaders here.

He represented Quthbullapur assembly segment in 2009 as an independent.

Goud had unsuccessfully contested as a BJP candidate in Telangana Legislative Assembly polls in November last year. He had joined the BJP in 2021.

- PTI

The TMC and CPI(M) criticised the Election Commission’s decision to publish details of central forces’ route marches on its website, asserting that it doesn’t adequately demonstrate transparency.

They emphasised the importance of the central forces acting neutrally to ensure that voters can cast their ballots without fear.

- PTI

The BJP dubbed the Congress’ manifesto a “bundle of lies” and alleged that the grand old party which ruled the country for several decades did not not fulfil any of the promises made in its earlier manifestos for the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that the Congress has come with such a poll manifesto to create confusion among the voters.

“The Congress did not fulfil any of its promises made in its earlier manifestos for the assembly and Lok Sabha elections,” he alleged.

- PTI

Actor-turned-politician and independent MP from Mandya in Karnataka Sumalatha Ambareesh joined the BJP, in a boost to the NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Terming it an “important and good day” in her political life, the 60-year-old said she is deeply inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, his dream for the country by 2047 and his dedication towards it.

“Listening to his (PM) speeches in the parliament, I have been inspired and I have understood things. Considering all these things, I felt joining BJP would be a right choice for me,” she said, as she also thanked several state leaders including former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai and D V Sadanada Gowda for their cooperation.

- PTI

Though they constitute nearly 50% of the voters but there are only 12 women candidates out of 146 nominees in the fray for the Sikkim Assembly and the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Himalayan state.

Sikkim has 32 Assembly seats and a lone Lok Sabha constituency. Voting for the Assembly and Lok Sabha seat will be held on April 19.

In the outgoing Sikkim Legislative Assembly (SLA), there were three women MLAs - Farwanti Tamang from Melli, Rajkumari Thapa from Rangang Yanggang and Sunita Gajmer from Zoom- Salghari (SC).

In the last state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, there were 15 women candidates.

- PTI

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y S Sharmila on Friday kicked off her campaign for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls from Amagampalli in Badvel constituency in Kadapa.

As part of election canvassing, Sharmila will pass through the villages of Itukulapadu, Varikuntla, Kalsapadu, Pourmamilla, Payalakuntla and others on the first day, where she will deliver a series of speeches and culminate her first day at Atloor around 10 pm.

Sharmila held YSRCP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy as the reason for her fighting the election from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, citing the allocation of the seat by YSRCP to people who allegedly murdered Y S Vivekananda Reddy.

- PTI

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami’s vehicle was checked by the flying squad of the Election Commission ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr. Palaniswami’s car was stopped while he was travelling to Nilgiris district to campaign for the Lok Sabha in support of AIAMDK candidate Lokesh Tamilchelvan.The visuals show poll officials checking the vehicle while Palaniswami was seen sitting in the front seat of the car.

Earlier, in March, the Election Commission (EC) suspended the head of the Flying Squad Team of Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu for not checking the cavalcade of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party candidate A Raja. “There have been certain media reports regarding laxity in checking of a cavalcade of Thiru A Raja, the candidate from the DMK party, at an interstate check post near Coonoor, Kerala. Based on the media reports and subsequent enquiry by Returning Officer, The Nilgiris, as also the Expenditure Observer, head of the Flying Squad Team, Geetha has been suspended as lapses were found in the performance of election duties,” said a press release issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu.

Following the incident, the poll panel replaced the entire Flying Squad Team.

- ANI

The Election Commission said it has identified 266 parliamentary constituencies, including 215 in rural areas, with low voter turnout and is planning targeted intervention to enhance voting percentage in Lok Sabha polls.

Municipal commissioners from major cities and select district election officers (DEOs) from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh discussed enhancing voter engagement and participation in identified urban and rural Lok Sabha seats.

At its conference on low voter turnout here, the EC said 266 parliamentary constituencies -- 215 rural and 51 urban -- with low voter turnout have been identified.

Eleven states and union territories, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand, had a voter turnout lower than the national average of 67.40 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

- PTI

People of ‘Ghamandiya Gathbandhan’ (arrogant alliance) are not holding poll rallies, they are holding rallies to save the corrupt, PM Modi said in Rajasthan’s Churu.

Cong and the INDIA bloc have their own interests. They have nothing to do with welfare of poor, Dalit and underprivileged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a rally in Rajasthan’s Churu.

PM Modi at a rally in Rajasthan’s Churu said that the Congress is known for insulting the Army and dividing the country.

Chikiti Assembly constituency in Odisha’s Ganjam district is all set to witness a contest between two brothers in the forthcoming elections to be held on May 13.

The brothers facing each other in the electoral battlefield are sons of former Odisha Assembly Speaker Chintamani Dyan Samantaray.

While the opposition BJP has fielded younger brother Manoranjan Dyan Samantaray, his elder brother Ravindanath Dyan Samantaray has been picked up by the Congress.

- PTI

The Election Commission has issued a notice to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu for alleged derogatory remarks against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The TDP chief was issued notice for purportedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his campaign speeches on March 31 by allegedly referring to CM Jagan as “Monster,” “Animal,” “Thief,” and various other offensive terms.

- ANI

The Election Commission has suspended a Special Police Officer (SPO) in West Tripura after he was found attending a political event despite the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force in the state.

According to a press statement issued by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, on the direction of the poll body, Superintendent of Police (West Tripura), Kiran Kumar, has suspended the SPO Suman Hossain for violating the MCC.

Mr. Hossain was attached to Mohanpir police station under West Tripura.

On March 28, he was seen attending a political party event under the jurisdiction of 2/30 polling station, the statement said.

- ANI

Rajya Sabha MP and Uddhav Thackery faction leader Sanjay Raut said that all 48 seats in Maharashtra belong to Maha Vikas Aghadi and not particularly to any one of its constituents.

His comments came after Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat expressed concern over the UBT announcing its candidates for some seats that were “still under discussion,” including the Sangli seat.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, he said, “All the 48 seats in Maharashtra belong to Maha Vikas Aghadi and not particularly to Shiv Sena (UBT) or Congress. Shiv Sena (UBT) has a clear vision of winning all the seats in the MVA.

- ANI

The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi, asking her to back with facts her statement that the BJP approached her to join the party.

The notice issued by the Election Commission read, “...you are a minister in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and leader of a national party. The electors tend to believe whatever is being said from public forum by their leaders and in that sense the statements made by them affect the campaign discourse.” 

The AAP leader has been asked to respond by April 8.

- PTI

Actor-turned-politician and independent MP from Mandya Sumalatha Ambareesh formally joined the BJP today. 

With BJP ceding Mandya seat to its alliance partner JD(S) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Sumalatha, the sitting MP, is said to have reached a compromise with the state unit. 

She had won the 2019 general elections as an independent with the support of the BJP, defeating former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda’s grandson and H.D. Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy. This time, HDK is contesting from Mandya.

Modi has saved lives not only of Muslim sisters but also of all Muslim families: PM Modi said on triple talaq law in a public rally in Rajasthan’s Churu.

- PTI

Whatever has been done in 10 years is just a trailer and is like an appetizer, main course is yet to come, PM Modi said in Churu rally.

- PTI

Right to apprenticeship, a legal guarantee for MSP, and passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50% cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs are among the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.

- PTI

Unlike other parties, BJP does not just issue Ghoshna Patra (announcemnet letter), we bring Sankalp Patra (resolution letter), PM Modi said at a rally in Rajasthan’s Churu .

Most promises made in 2019 kept, Mr. Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public rally in Rajsthan’s Churu said disappointment and frustration cannot come close to Modi.

Today, the whole country is working with the resolution of making India developed, and Rajasthan has a big role in this, Mr. Modi said.

- PTI

INDIA alliance will jointly decide the prime ministerial face after the elections, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said.

On seat prospects, Mr. Gandhi said I am not a soothsayer and this is a much closer election than propagated by the media. We will fight an excellent election and we will win the election.

- Sandeep Phukan

On challenge posed by BJP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said this cricket match is a rigged match.

If you see BJP manifesto, you will get Adani ji’s request list.

- Sandeep Phukan

Rahul Gandhi says Narendra Modi has created a monopoly of political funding through Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax department and CBI.

They are getting through finance through extortion and threats. 

The entire information or the blueprint of extortion has been given in the form of electoral bond, Mr. Gandhi added.

- Sandeep Phukan

On a question if there has been a rethink on old pension scheme, it is not missing and it is very on our mind. Please remember the government has appointed a committee. They are trying to find out a solution between OPS and NPS. OPS delivered pension but NPS made it sustainable, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said.

“It is too premature to take a position,” he said.

- Sandeep Phukan

This election is about those who are trying to destroy the Constitution and democracy versus who want to protect it, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said.

We don’t to run the government for a few conglomerates, Mr. Gandhi said, attacking the ruling NDA government.

This election is a fundamentally different election. I don’t think the Constitution has been as much at risk as it is today, Mr. Gandhi added.

- Sandeep Phukan

On a question on amending the 10th schedule, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said our position is that the moment a legislator defects, he should be immediately disqualified.

The anti-defection law is under the 10th schedule.

- Sandeep Phukan

Our leaders, be it Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, they don’t fear anyone, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said. 

PM Modi is scared and that’s why he is going around saying 400 paar (400 cross), Mr. Kharge said.

- Sandeep Phukan

PM Modi attacks Nehru but he should remember that a country that wasn’t making a needle launched a rocket under Nehru, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said. 

The government is attacking the Opposition by ​putting leaders in jail​, Mr. Kharge said.

We have enacted RTI, MGNREGA, National Food Security Act and so on. “Sonia Gandhi would be pushing us in the Dr. Manmohan Singh cabinet until we implemented them,” AICC Mallikarjun Kharge said.

- Sandeep Phukan

From Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru until now, we promise what we can deliver, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

“We will open all the doors for the poor people. This is our promise,” Mr Kharge said.

- Sandeep Phukan

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the party would ensure social and economic justice through caste census”.

Our manifesto will include Constitutional justice to free institutions from an environment of fear, Mr. Kharge added.

He also said that the party will ensure environmental justice.

- Sandeep Phukan

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the five pillars or paanch nyay

Under Yuva Nyay, we are guaranteeing Pehli Naukri Pakki under apprenticeship.

Under Nari Nyay, one lakh cash assistance every year.

Kisan Nyay would include MSP. 

Shramik Nyay would guarantee ₹400 daily wage.

- Sandeep Phukan

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, focused on five pillars of justice, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

We have included everyone of them and 25 guarantees come out of the five pillars or paanch nyay, Mr. Kharge added.

- Sandeep Phukan

“Today is the birth anniversary of Babu Jagjeevan Ram. We are dedicating our manifesto to the poor people of the country”, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said.

The manifesto is a result of extensive consultation and participation by the people, Mr. Kharge added.

- Sandeep Phukan

The third section is focused on welfare. But for welfare for whom? I have always accused the BJP for being a governmemt of the rich, by the rich and for the rich, manifesto committee head P. Chidambaram said.

We have to focus on the bottom 50% of the population.

If Congress comes to power, we will lift 23 crore people out of poverty.

We have done it before and we can do it again.

- Sandeep Phukan

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who headed the manifesto committee, said said just ice is the first theme of the manifesto. In the past 5 years, every aspect of justice has diminished or, in some cases, denied, he said.

Many thinkers of the world describe us as elected autocracy.

- Sandeep Phukan

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi release the party’s Lok Sabha manifesto.

- Sandeep Phukan

The Congress in Kerala approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the decision of Doordarshan to telecast the controversial movie ‘The Kerala Story’, saying it was a “tacit effort” to divide society on religious grounds to further the electoral prospects of the ruling BJP.

The decision of Doordarshan evoked strong protests from both the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress in Kerala.

Doordarshan has announced that the movie will be broadcast on April 5.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M) expressed strong protest against the decision to telecast the movie and said it would organise a protest march to the Doordarshan office in Thiruvananthapuram.

- PTI

The flying squad and static surveillance team deployed by the Election Commission in Arunachal Pradesh seized ₹1 crore cash from a vehicle in Longding district, a police officer said.

The vehicle which belongs to one Harshvardhan Singh, executive director of a private construction company, was following the convoy of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who went to Longding to address a party’s election rally, he said.

“The vehicle was not part of the CM’s convoy but was following the motorcade,” Longding Superintendent of Police (SP) Dekio Gumja said.

The income tax department was informed about the cash seizure and it will investigate the case and subsequently action will be taken as per the standard operating procedure, Mr. Gumja said.

- PTI

Amidst the lingering aftermath of ethnic conflicts, the women traders at Manipur’s iconic ‘Ima market’ - the only market in the world run entirely by women - have expressed a deafening lack of enthusiasm towards the Lok Sabha elections.

Questioning the relevance of the electoral process amidst the ongoing turmoil, the women traders from various market associations, are contemplating a boycott of the polls with their major grievance being - “the nation forgot Manipur”.

- PTI

The Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd has completed the supply of over 26.55 lakh vials of indelible ink worth approximately ₹55 crore to various states and union territories for the Lok Sabha elections, with the biggest share going to Uttar Pradesh.

The Karnataka government undertaking has been manufacturing the ink since 1962, solely for the Election Commission.

- PTI

A striking feature in the candidates list for the April 26 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka is the presence of members of Janata Dal (Secular)‘s first family.

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda’s son H.D. Kumaraswamy, son-in-law C.N. Manjunath and grandson Prajwal Revanna are all in the fray.

The Gowda family currently has its representation in all the four major houses of public representatives- Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

This will be for the second consecutive time in the Lok Sabha elections, when three members from Gowda’s family are in the fray from constituencies of the old-Mysore region (south Karnataka), which is considered to be the party’s stronghold, because of the dominance of the Vokkaliga community here, to which they belong to.

- PTI

C.M. Ibrahim’s son Faiz will be joining the Congress party at 10 a.m. in the presence of KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

A bike rally from Zilla Panchayat office to Town Hall was organised by Dakshina Kannada SVEEP committee to create awareness on voting. 

The bike rally was inaugurated by Deputy commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan along with CEO of Zilla Panchayat Anand K and film actor Aravind Bolar in Mangaluru

The Odisha Police are ready to counter any Maoist activity during the elections, DGP Arun Sarangi said.

Mr. Sarangi said Maoist activities have substantially reduced in the last few years.

“During the last elections in 2019, there were 20 Maoist-affected districts in Odisha. The number has come down to 10 in this election. Maoists along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border have withdrawn to Chhattisgarh, but they might create disturbances during the elections,” he said.

“Anti-Maoist operations are underway. Recently, we have neutralised a divisional committee commander and seized explosive materials,” the DGP added.

- PTI

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh praised newspapers that carried a cartoon on PM Modi and expressed sadness that a few chickened out.

The cartoon read “Friends, I will take action against the corrupt. I will include each one of them in the jumla (empty promises) party”.