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India Political Highlights | BJP submits a complaint to the Delhi CEO seeking action against 'hooliganism' by AAP This blog is now closed. With just a day left before the national capital goes to vote, all eyes are on Delhi as ruling AAP look to retain power and Opposition BJP and Congress remain focused on overthrowing the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Voting for Delhi assembly polls is scheduled to be held on February 5, with the results set to be declared on February 8. Meanwhile, with the return of the Parliament proceedings after the Union Budget presentation on February 1, tensions between the BJP-led Centre and the Congress-led Opposition are on the forefront yet again. The saffron party slammed Rahul Gandhi for making "false and objectionable" claims in the Lok Sabha on Monday and said the Leader of Opposition displayed his love for China by taking the name of the country 35 times in his speech. Thank you for tracking the latest political updates from all across the country only with DH!
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<div class="paragraphs"><p> Arvind Kejriwal.  </p></div>

Arvind Kejriwal.

Credit: PTI Photo

'Vote against AAP's neglect': Dhami urges support for BJP candidates in roadshows

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held multiple roadshows on the final day of campaigning for Delhi polls, so that the pending development work in the national capital can be completed by the BJP government.

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"In the last 10 years, AAP has severely neglected the roads here, leaving them in a terrible condition. Delhi is struggling with severe pollution, yet nothing has been done to address it. They made big promises but failed to deliver on any of them," Dhami said.

Summons to Tharoor in defamation case: Delhi court to pass order on Feb 4

In tributes to Kumbh stampede victims, LoP Kharge says 'thousands' died; treasury protests

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday paid tributes to "thousands" who died in the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede, triggering an uproar from the treasury benches even as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked him to retract the statement.

Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, was quick to add that "this is my estimate (and) if this is not right you (the government) should tell what is the truth". He said he was ready to be corrected.

Rahul Gandhi praised China more than country's spokespersons in Lok Sabha: Kiren Rijiju

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi praised Beijing in Parliament more than the neighbouring country's spokespersons and demanded an apology from him for the Indian territory grabbed by China in 1959 and 1962.

-PTI

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Rahul Gandhi made 'false' statements in Lok Sabha, lowered dignity of PM's post: BJP on LoP's speech

The BJP on Monday slammed Rahul Gandhi for making "false and objectionable" claims in the Lok Sabha and said the Leader of Opposition displayed his love for China by taking the name of the country 35 times in his speech.

-PTI

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'AAP has accepted defeat in Delhi polls, BJP out of the race': Congress MP Pramod Tiwari

'If BJP does anything dubious, record it and post it online': AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar

'Election Commission is BJP's puppet': Shiv Sena(UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey

'Constitution doesn't belong to anybody, Owaisi must not live in denial': Union Minister Giriraj Singh

Open hooliganism by BJP but EC filing case against people complaining against that: Delhi CM Atishi after being booked for MCC violation

'Shows Atishi's frustration and disappointment': BJP's Satish Upadhyay on Delhi CM's allegations of MCC violations by Ramesh Bidhuri's nephew

'Hooliganism happening openly across Delhi under the nose of EC': AAP MP Sanjay Singh

'BJP-AAP fighting among themselves because they are not getting votes': Congress' Sandeep Dikshit

Police book Atishi, Ramesh Bidhuri's nephew for MCC violation ahead of Delhi polls

With less than a day to go for the Assembly elections in the national capital, the Delhi police have registered cases against Delhi CM and AAP candidate from Kalkaji constituency Atishi, and the nephew of her BJP rival from the seat Ramesh Bidhuri for violation of the model code of conduct (MCC).

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'Name a political leader whose family doesn't help him in elections?' BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri responds to MCC violation allegations

'Kejriwal is Lalu Prasad Yadav's biggest successor when it comes to corruption': Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha

'Rahul Gandhi made false allegations in Parliament on statement of Army Chief': Rajnath Singh

'Good that Rahul Gandhi brought up Maharashtra polls 'scam' issue in Parliament': NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad

Delhi polls: More 1,000 cases of MCC violation lodged, say police

'This is a Rs 74,427 Crores budget...This Budget is 14.19% higher than the previous Budget. This is good, it is a good sign': Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on BMC budget

Delhi polls | Hooliganism is going on everywhere... It is the responsibility of the police and the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair election: Congress candidate Abhishek Dutt

'It exposes the Government of India which has off and on been claiming that everything in Jammu and Kashmir is hunky dory... On one side the government claims that the militancy is on a decline and the situation has been normalized, on the other side, there are consistent attacks on soldiers': J&K Congress President, Tariq Hameed Karra  on Kulgam terror attack

Delhi court junks criminal defamation complaint against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor filed by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar

A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed a criminal complaint filed by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor accusing him of defamation. Additional chief judicial magistrate Paras Dalal refused to summon Tharoor saying prima facie "no ingredients of defamation" was made in the complaint.

Chandrasekhar alleged Tharoor defamed him by making false and derogatory statements on national television as he claimed the BJP leader bribed voters in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency during 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Rahul's Lok Sabha speech: Rajnath accuses LoP of making false charges involving Army chief

Punjab CM Mann condemns FIR against Atishi; questions Delhi Police, EC

"Instead of filing a complaint against hooliganism by the BJP in Delhi, a police case has been registered against the Delhi chief minister on a complaint filed by the Election Commission, which is highly condemnable," Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said in a post on X.

"Is the job of the Delhi Police and the Election Commission to target only the Aam Aadmi Party?? People associated with the BJP are openly distributing liquor, money and goods, violating the model code of conduct, is it not visible to them," asked Mann in the post in Punjabi.

"CM Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and I will sit together to discuss this and make a decision.":  Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on UCC implementation in state

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey writes to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting him for initiating 'Privilege Proceedings' against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Dubey writes that Gandhi in his speech, "not only shamelessly distorted the historical and substantive facts but also made an attempt to ridicule our country and lowering the prestige of our Republic".

Rahul Gandhi has earlier said that if Congress comes to power in Telangana then we will carry out caste census and we will provide political reservations and job reservations. This is an X-ray. We have now completed the caste survey and presented the report in the house today: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy

Kumbh stampede was not very big incident, being exaggerated: Hema Malini

The Maha Kumbh stampede was not a "big incident" and is being "exaggerated", BJP MP Hema Malini said on Tuesday asserting the congregation is being managed very well.

The stampede took place on January 29, the occasion of Mauni Amavasya , one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. According to official figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government, at least 30 people lost their lives and 60 were injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area in Prayagraj.

"We had gone to Kumbh... We had a nice bath... Everything was well managed. It is right that the incident (stampede) took place ... Itna kuch bada nai hua tha (it was not a very big incident). I don't know how big it was. It is being exaggerated... It was very well-managed, and everything was done very well... So many people are coming, it is very difficult to manage but we are doing our best...," Malini told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

WATCH: Preparations underway to dispatch the polling parties at Madipur Assembly constituency

'Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's statements in Parliament reflect their anti-Sanatana face': UP CM Adityanath

Hitting back at Opposition parties who brought up the Maha Kumbh stampede and mismamagement, Adityanath said: "...New records of lies and falsehood are being made by elements taking a contract against Sanatana Dharma. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's statements in Parliament are drawing everyone's attention towards it. Both these statements reflect not only their anti-Sanatana face but also draw everyone's attention towards their hawk eye that is continuously spreading disinformation against Maha Kumbh from the first day. Their statement is not only a blow against Sanatana Dharma but also condemnable & shameful. Congress president says that thousands of people died in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya. We feel sad, it is not expected of such a senior leader and president of the oldest party to make such controversial statements in the Parliament and mislead. SP chief made a similar statement. There is competition between both parties, who can be more anti-Sanatana...It was a sad incident. Mela administration, Police, NDRF, SDRF, Civil Defence promptly rushed the injured to the hospital. That is an example in itself. Crores of people were in Prayagraj that day. Both these parties and anti-Sanatanis wanted a big accident to occur. Our first priority was to ensure an accident-free fair, this incident occurred, unfortunately...We expressed our sympathies to the victims' families and announced monetary compensation. Loss of life cannot be compensated for but we made all efforts. Injured were provided medical treatment...We also formed a judicial commission for it. But our priority was to ensure the safe return of people to their homes...In the last 22 days, 38 crore devotees have come here. In the next 22-23 days, more devotees are expected to come...The conspiracy of these parties won't succeed. We will go to the depths of the incident that occurred on 29th January, expose the conspirators, you must have seen how they have been punished in UP in the last 8 years and you will see this even in the time to come."

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha arrives at Parliament to attend J&K security review meeting. The high-level meeting will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah

WATCH: Pappu Yadav on privilege motion against him

'This is a government of three parties. So, every party has their demands and a little back and forth happens. But there is no dispute. Our Mahayuti government is functioning very well': Union Minister and RPI(A) president Ramdas Athawale

'Voting will take place on 5th February. But on 8th February, Dilli Kejriwal se free': Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

'UCC must be there in the country and I am sure everyone will agree with me. But there are many fine prints and loopholes in this': TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha on UCC implementation in Gujarat

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha on UCC implementation in Gujarat: "Implementation of UCC in Uttarakhand, is prima facie, commendable. UCC must be there in the country and I am sure everyone will agree with me. But there are many fine prints and loopholes in this... Not just beef, but non-veg food in general, must be banned in the country... But the rules which can be imposed in North India cannot be imposed in the Northeastern states... An all-party meeting must be held prior to drafting UCC provisions..."

Kerala 'survives' only with assistance from Centre, says Union Minister Kurian

Days after sparking controversy with his 'backward' remark about the state, Union Minister George Kurian said on Tuesday that Kerala "survives" only with the assistance of the Centre and that there is not a single project the state can claim as its own.

He alleged that the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF are constantly accusing the union government of neglecting the state as part of their "joint narrative" to hide their own failures.

Their attempt is to cover up what Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing, and that is why both the LDF and the UDF are jointly making such a narrative that the Centre was giving nothing to the state, the Minister of State for Fisheries and Minority Affairs alleged.

While speaking to Malayalam news channel Asianet News, Kurian said it is his duty to "destroy" the false narrative that PM Modi is giving nothing to the state.

"Kerala is surviving only because of the assistance from the Centre. If there has been any development that has happened (in the state) in the last 10 years, it was done by PM Modi...There is not even a single project in Kerala that has not been granted by Modi," he claimed.

Delhi polls: 24 candidates with criminal cases fielded without justification

Out of 118 candidates with criminal record contesting the Delhi Assembly polls, 24 candidates (20 per cent) did not have their records disclosed or justified by their respective parties, poll rights body ADR said on Tuesday.

A total of 699 candidates are contesting the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has released a detailed analysis of the Delhi Assembly elections 2025. The report, based on Format C7 data, revealed that many political parties failed to disclose reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases as directed by the Supreme Court.

Out of 699 candidates contesting the elections, 118 have declared criminal cases against themselves and among them, 71 candidates face serious criminal charges, including corruption, rioting and violent offenses.

While 94 candidates' criminal records were published as mandated, 24 candidates (20%) did not have their records disclosed or justified by their respective parties.

The Supreme Court had mandated that political parties provide valid reasons for fielding such candidates beyond just their "winnability" at the polls.

However, most parties continue to offer vague or repetitive justifications.

The analysis covered 22 political parties that fielded candidates with criminal cases.

Activist Damania alleges Rs 88 crore scam in agriculture dept under Dhananjay Munde

Activist Anjali Damania on Tuesday alleged that there was a Rs 88 crore scam in the agriculture department when NCP leader Dhananjay Munde held the portfolio in the previous Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra. Munde, currently a minister for Food and Civil Supplies, termed her allegations as "baseless" and politically motivated. Despite the Union government's 2016 directive to transfer money directly to farmers' bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the agriculture department purchased equipment and fertilisers for distribution to farmers at inflated rates, claimed Damania, a former Aam Aadmi Party leader. Dhananjay Munde is already under fire over the arrest of his aide Walmik Karad in an extortion case related to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district.

Speaking at a press conference here, Damania presented documents related to the alleged scam. "These documents are proof of how the minister siphoned off farmers' money and violated laws. As per the government resolution (GR) on DBT, all scheme-related funds were to be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts, except for certain government entities such as Mahabeej, KVK, and MAIDC, which produce their own goods. However, this rule was disregarded," Damania claimed. She referred to a GR dated September 12, 2018, which listed 62 components under DBT.

While the chief minister has the power to add new components to the DBT list, the existing components could not be removed without approval of a committee of the chief secretary, finance secretary and planning secretary, Damania said. Just before the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into effect, the state government issued a new GR on March 12, 2024, appointing agriculture commissioner as controlling officer for purchasing agricultural inputs, she said. Then agriculture commissioner Pravin Gedam raised concerns on March 15, 2024, stating that implementation of a purchase-based scheme was wrong, the activist claimed. Gedam pointed out that as the items being procured were not produced by Mahabeej or MAIDC, the funds should have been disbursed through DBT to farmers instead of purchasing these items, she said. Gedam told Munde about these irregularities, but the minister advised the Director and Deputy Secretary of the Agriculture Department to proceed with the purchases, Damania alleged. Gedam's comment was not available immediately. 

There is no government in Karnataka. They are fighting for the CM chair. It is Siddaramaiah vs DK Shivakumar... There has been no development from the last 2 years

'...Those who have photo sessions in the huts of the poor, for their own entertainment, will find the mention of the poor in Parliament boring': PM Modi's jibe at LoP Rahul Gandhi in reply to Motion of Thanks on President's Address

In Lok Sabha, PM Modi also said: "Till now the poor have been given 4 crore houses...Those who have lived difficult lives only understand that what is the value of getting a house...The women in the past suffered a lot due to the lack of a toilet system...Those who have these facilities cannot understand "the problems of those who are suffering...We have given more than 12 crore toilets..."

He added, ""We are in 2025. In a way, 25% of the 21st century has gone by. Only time will decide what happened after independence in the 20th century and the first 25 years of the 21st century. But if we minutely study the President’s Address, it is clear that she spoke about building trust among people regarding the coming 25 years and Viksit Bharat. Her Address strengthens the resolve of Viksit Bharat, builds new confidence and inspires the common people."

"When the fever is high, people utter anything. But they also utter things when they are highly dejected...Those who were not born in India - 10 crore such frauds were reaping benefits of government funds through various schemes...We removed names of such 10 crore frauds and provided facilities to the real beneficiaries after looking for them..." he commented.

Delhi polls |  'Atishi has been getting no response for the last 20 days in Kalkaji... She is tarnishing the dignity of a constitutional post... She asked her party workers to make a fake video falsely accusing the BJP and our workers of serious charges': BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri

Congress' Pawan Khera Khera calls Kejriwal a 'megalomaniac' and says AAP is a threat to democracy

WATCH: Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs security review meeting on J&K

WATCH: Delhi CM Atishi and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal arrive at the office of Election Commission of India

'AAP has always disrespected the constitutional bodies... Atishi should understand how right is it to raise a finger against the Election Commission': BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal

Not everyone can understand the difficulty of living under thatched roof and moments when dreams are crushed: PM Narendra Modi

In 2013-2014 tax exemption was only on Rs 2 Lakh income. Today there is an Income tax exemption on Rs 12 lakh income...We healed wounds and today we have applied bandages too: PM Modi

"In the history of independent India, Congress-led Telangana government have taken the initiative to go for a caste survey: Telangana Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud

Some leaders speak language of urban naxals, talk of waging war against Indian state, they cannot understand Constitution: PM Narendra Modi

'We just met with the Election Commission and are grateful for their support. We raised concerns about violence and hooliganism using the Delhi Police': Arvind Kejriwal

'Kejriwal will soon start blaming the EVMs are tampered with. He knows he is losing the power and is making such statements for his face-saving': BJP MP Harsh Malhotra on Kejriwal's allegation that the fingers of voters may be forcibly inked tonight

'Arvind Kejriwal is such a cunning criminal that he tries to blame others of what he does himself': BJP state president Virendraa Sachdeva on Kejriwal's allegation that the fingers of voters may be forcibly inked tonight

'This is not just the question of opposition, whole world has seen what happened at Kumbh, govt is hiding the numbers of missing people and death': Akhilesh Yadav

'I think he is cut off from people and their needs. This is what was felt from his speech': Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

'We were expecting a 2-minute silence to be observed on Kumbh stampede, that was our only expectation. But, this expectation of us was also not met': Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav

'If Hema Malini is active on social media, she should see and understand the pain and despair of the people, then she should speak': Dimple Yadav on Malini's remarks on Maha Kumbh stampede

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on 5th February. At around 11 AM, he will take a holy dip at the Sangam and offer prayers to Maa Ganga: PMO

BJP given applications for removal of thousands of voters in Delhi: AAP's Sanjay Singh

AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday raised questions on holding of fair elections in Delhi and alleged that the BJP has given applications for removal of thousands of votes in several assembly segments.

During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the president's address, he alleged that the number of votes have, however, gone up in the households of various central ministers and MPs.

"There has been talk about one nation, one election, but in a small state like Delhi where there are institutions like Parliament, Supreme Court, and still incidents of hooliganism are taking place blatantly," he stated.

'I think the Prime Minister's speech was wonderful, and he brought the truth in front of the country... some families, some parties only raised the slogan of 'Gareebi Hatao', they could not remove poverty': BJP MP Anurag Thakur

'The work that PM did in the past 10 years, it gave results in Haryana and Maharashtra. Our NDA Govt has worked for SC, ST, OBC, as well as the General category': Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

In last 24 hours, 25 FIRs registered in connection with violation of MCC ahead of Delhi polls

'We thought that after LoP Rahul Gandhi's visionary statement about India's future growth and making India a production centre...PM was speaking about the past...his problem is he lives in past': Congress whip in Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore

'How can we hide the bodies (of those who died in Maha Kumbh stampede) ...whatever the opposition is saying is wrong. These are false allegations (that bodies have been hidden)': BJP MP Ravi Kishan

'PM's speech was historic. This was comprehensive... We are proud of the Prime Minister...Opposition will keep making statements': BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

'Modi did not speak on a single question raised by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, Akhilesh Yadav also spoke very well, he didn't answer anything on that. This is the same repetition of the PM's speech that we have been hearing for so many years...nothing new': Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal

'...We do not do politics of appeasement, something which was done by governments so far who are now in the Opposition. We do 'santushtikaran' - we provide houses, toilets, tap water to everyone': BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on PM Modi speech in Parliament

FIR registered against former Delhi CM-AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and other unknown members of his party at Shahabad Police Station in Kurukshetra, Haryana over Yamuna water allegations

"Maharashtra will create 1.5 crore primary BJP party workers. It broke the record of Communist Party of China": Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

WATCH: A delegation of BJP leaders, led by MoS Harsh Malhotra, arrive at the office of Delhi Chief Electoral Officer

Top AAP, BJP leaders make beeline for temples on eve of Delhi polls

BJP delegation submits a complaint to the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, seeking urgent action against 'hooliganism and threatening activities by AAP and its workers'