India Politics Highlights: I am fighting against corruption, that is why the corrupt are behind bars, says PM Modi in Meerut

Preparations underway at Ramlila Maidan, for I.N.D.I.A. bloc's 'maharally' to protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.

Congress takes swipe at BJP over setting up manifesto panel at 'last moment'

The Congress on Saturday announced that it will release its manifesto on April 5 and took a swipe at the BJP over it setting up a manifesto committee at the "last moment".

The BJP on Saturday announced a 27-member committee, which included several Union ministers and chief ministers, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to prepare its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Congress released its 'Paanch Nyay', 'Pachees Guarantees' on March 16 and its 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' campaign to distribute eight crore guarantee cards across the country will begin on April 3.

BJP in panic sensing defeat in LS polls: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said the BJP is in an extreme state of panic as it can sense defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing party functionaries here, Abdullah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of dividing people on ethnic, linguistic and regional lines.

MGNREGS demand drops in Karnataka as polls pull away workers

Demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has dropped by 85 per cent in Karnataka ever since the dates for the Lok Sabha elections were announced.

With farm and construction labourers tagging with candidates and party workers for campaigning purposes, there are very few takers for the rural job scheme.

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No march, no tractor trollies, no weapons in central Delhi: Delhi Police laid down conditions to allow opposition rally at Ramlila Maidan

Top I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are expected to attend the rally. It is being held in the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and allegations of misuse of agencies against the opposition by the BJP-led central government.

The administration has allowed 20,000 people to come for the rally, but police expects it to exceed 30,000.

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AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak targets 'Vasooli gang' ahead of 'Maharally'; says whoever speaks against BJP gets arrested in 'fake case'

We have gathered (at Ramlila Maidan) to assert that the country will run as per the Constitution and not by the 'Vasooli gang'..."

AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak

We want to abolish dictatorship and save democracy, constitution: Punjab AAP Minister Balbir Singh

"This is a Maha Rally by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. All the leaders of the alliance will come and inform about further strategy," he added.

Corrupt people are joining BJP, honest people are in jail

Punjab Minister and AAP leader Balbir Singh

We need to save the democracy and end the dictatorship in this country, says Jharkhand CM Champai Soren as he leaves from Ranchi to attend the Rally

Yesterday, Enforcement Directorate filed prosecution complaint against Hemant Soren as well —the former CM of Jharkhand who is facing ED heat in Land Scam Case.

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren

Chandigarh mayor highlights irregularities in his election, says BJP government works like monarchs

We are going to sound poll bugle from Ramlila Maidan- the place where the AAP began its journey, says Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Bains

AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar flays Modi led Centre govt; says 'janta's aakrosh' on 'dictatorial' tendencies will be witnessed today

Opposition leaders are being jailed so that no one is left to ask questions.

AAP chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar

WATCH | AAP workers gather at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi ahead of I.N.D.I.A. bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally

A three time CM who improved the education and health facilities in Delhi, and provided free bus services to women has been illegally detained, says AAP leader Adil Ahmad Khan

He said that 'Jan Aakrosh' will not go unheard by Amit Shah, PM Modi

The Police has allowed 20,000 people to come for the rally, but it expects the number to exceed 30,000; AAP claims gathering may reach up to 1 lakh

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi fouls Opposition Rally, says those who made resolutions of mass destruction of Hindu religion have gathered at Ramlila Maidan

All these parties which were against the Ram Temple, who made resolutions like mass destruction of Hindu religion, made many objectionable comments on the Gods and Goddesses of Hindu religion, are using Ramlila Maidan to hide their old crimes of corruption.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi

A file photo of BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.

People of Delhi are aware that Arvind Kejriwal has changed their lives: Atishi

Kejriwal has given them free electricity, good schools, free checkup at Mohalla clinics,..people are angry, and have come here in show of strength, she added.

Electoral bonds a blueprint of BJP's corruption, says Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit at Ramlila Maidan

Electoral bonds a blueprint of BJP's corruption, clearly shows where all corporates were profited in exchange of money. Democracy is being killed...income tax does not apply to any political party, but Rs 2 crore tax has been imposed on Congress....if central agencies become PM's personal agencies, we will have to stand up against it

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit

Congress workers organised a blindfold protest at the Ramlila Maidan, placard reads 'Ye Andha Kanoon Hai'

Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will attend I.N.D.I.A. bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, to read out message from her husband who is in ED custody

Top I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are set to attend the rally being held in the backdrop of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest just before the Lok Sabha polls.

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Gopal Rai arrives at Ramlila Maidan, says BJP in fear of opposition unity

BJP is afraid of the unity within the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. BJP is speaking the language of fear.

AAP leader Gopal Rai

Delhi minister Gopal Rai.

Akhilesh Yadav arrives at Ramlila Yadav, takes a jibe at PM Modi going out of Delhi when every leader has come to the Capital

BJP is worried that it is going (out of power). While we (opposition leaders) are coming to Delhi today, the PM is going out of Delhi. This shows that who is going out (of power), and who is coming to Delhi

Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh

'The day Kejriwal was arrested, BJP's vote bank started reducing, now they can't mend their mistake,' says Saurabh Bharadwaj

Saurabh Bharadwaj

Sudhanshu Trivedi and the entire BJP freaked out because of this one rally that we have scheduled today, says Jasmine Shah

'They aren’t giving any report on what they did in the last 10 years and behaving like dictatorial powers,' he added.

Jasmine Shah

Watch | PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti arrives at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi to attend the I.N.D.I.A. Bloc 'Maha Rally'

NCP SCP Chief Sharad Pawar lands in Delhi to attend I.N.D.I.A. Bloc Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan

'All of these members involved in corruption,' says Haryana CM Saini

"This 'rally' is not for the development or growth of the nation, it is to let the corrupt people be involved in corruption. The people of the nation understand everything. All of these members have been involved in corruption. Wherever there is corruption, the development of the nation is compromised, and the poor are affected..." he said.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini

People from all over the country have gathered against this dictator and communal government, says CPI-M's Brinda Karat

This Maha rally in Delhi is against Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren's arrest, UAPA's constant use and ED-CBI's misuse.

Brinda Karat

CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat.

Some glimpses from the Rally

Mega opposition rally about to begin; here's a list of leaders attending

• Mallikarjun Kharge

• Rahul Gandhi

• Priyanka Gandhi

• Akhilesh Yadav

• Tejaswi Yadav

• Champhai and Kalpana Soren

• Derek OBrien

• Sitaram Yechury

• Brinda Karat

• Mehbooba Mufti

• Dipankar Bhattacharyya

• Khurram Umar

• Tiruchi Siva

• D Raja

'I answered all of their questions. Truth will prevail,' says Kailash Gahlot on ED summons yesterday

The Enforcement Directorate questioned Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot for about five hours on Saturday and recorded his statement in connection with a money-laundering investigation linked to the AAP government's now-scrapped excise policy, officials said.

New Delhi: Delhi minister and AAP leader Kailash Gahlot speaks with the media after appearing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, in New Delhi, Saturday, March 30, 2024.

Deependra Hooda says the battle is to safeguard future of nation, youth, farmers and women

This battle is to safeguard the nation, democracy, constitution, future of the nation, youth, farmers and women. This battle is for justice and truth.

Congress MP Deepender Hooda

Massive cut outs of Congress leaders installed near the venue of I.N.D.I.A. bloc's Loktantra Bachao rally; see pictures

Gopal Rai addresses people at Ramlila Maidan, says Central government using ED, CBI to murder democracy

From forcefully breaking democratically elected government in Maharashtra, to arresting Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal and knocking doors of Tamil Nadu, the only aim of BJP is to finish opposition

Gopal Rai

"Protests have erupted in the whole country after March 21. No one is able to understand why a sitting CM has been arrested. But it is not just Arvind Kejriwal. Before arresting the Delhi CM, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested," he added.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Priyanka and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar arrive at the Ramlila Maidan for the I.N.D.I.A. rally

KC Venugopal says ED working like 'goons'; BJP govt refusing to provide level playing field to political parties

No level playing field anymore. How can you ensure free and fair elections in this environment? They want to hijack the entire election process, which is why they are targeting only opposition parties and leaders.

K C Venugopal

Kalpana Soren, wife of jailed ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, arrives at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, says leaders words will reach people's hearts

One person and one party government has become dangerous for the nation, 'humein mili jugi sarkaar laani hi hogi,' says Uddhav Thackeray at Ramlila Maidan

Few days ago, there was an apprehension if our country is moving towards dictatorship, but now it is not an apprehension, it is reality. If the BJP government thinks that people will be afraid with the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren, then they have not recognised their countrymen. The people of India are not meant to afraid, they know how to fight

Uddhav Thackeray

Reading his letter from jail, Sunita Kejriwal has read out AAP's six guarantees for Lok Sabha polls, including free electricity, good hospitals and education for everyone across the country

1 24 hours electricity throughout the country

2 ⃣ Free electricity for the poor in the entire country.

3 ⃣ Will build excellent government schools in every village and locality.

4 ⃣ Mohalla Clinic in every village, locality

5 ⃣ Will provide fair prices to farmers for their crops under Swaminathan Commission.

6 ⃣ Will give full statehood to Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal is 'Sher'. They can't keep him imprisoned for long.

Sunita Kejriwal

'Kalyug ka Amrit Kaal': Mehbooba Mufti targets BJP over punishment without conviction; says three former CMs of J&K were locked in homes and PM said its in favour of the 'nation'

This is 'Kalyug ka Amrit Kaal'... I am not talking about Umar Khalid or Mohammad Zubair, I am talking about your elected representatives... It is not surprising to me. Myself, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, all three former CMs are under house arrest... The one who violates the law is a traitor

Mehbooba Mufti

Dipankar Bhattacharya addresses people, says BJP not contesting elections, but waging a war against democracy-constitution and opposition parties

Kalpana Soren addresses crowd, says 'Jan Sahlaab' at this historic ground a reflection of every citizen's resolution to crush dictatorial powers

Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren

Here’s what CPI leader D Raja said while addressing the I.N.D.I.A bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi

Tesjashwi Yadav speaks at I.N.D.I.A bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, slams BJP and PM Modi

Derek O’Brien speaks at 'Loktantra Bachao' rally, demands White Paper on Pulwama incident

TMC is part of the I.N.D.I.A alliance, says Sagarika Ghosh at 'Loktantra Bachao' rally

"We just have one aim and that is to save the Constitution," says National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah

CJI being pressurised, people are being divided based on religion, says Farooq Abdullah

Sonia Gandhi joins 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi

'Match Fixing': In cricket, pressuring the umpire for desired results is called match fixing, in elections similar thing is happening...Narendra Modi trying to 'fix' match, already put 2 players behind bars, says Rahul Gandhi

Right ahead of elections, all the accounts of country's biggest opposition party have been freezed, what kind of elections are these, asks Rahul Gandhi

This fight is to save constitution...As Akhilesh said, along with constitutions, rights of poor will also go away, says Rahul. Inequality highest in last 40 years, he added.

This election is a fight to safeguard constitution, and along with it the rights of poor, adivasi, farmers, says Rahul Gandhi

'Narendra Modi self-selected election commissioners, and put two chief ministers behind bars right before elections. He blocked Congress' bank accounts so that opposition is crushed. He even puts pressure on judiciary,' says Rahul Gandhi

This country will burn if their 'match fixing' works: Rahul Gandhi

Their slogan is of crossing 400, but without EVM, without match fixing, they are not going to cross 180.

Rahul Gandhi

'Desh kisi ke baap-dada ki Zagir nahi hai,' says Bhagwat Mann. Our independence has been hard earned by Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, he adds

You have jailed Kejriwal, but Kejriwal is not a person anymore, he's an idea...many new Kejriwals are here now, how will you put crores of Kejriwals in jail?

Bhagwant Mann

All the money in my party's account has been stolen; they say we didn't give account for 14 lakh, and put penalty of crores on us: Mallikarjun Kharge

There is reservation, fundamental rights, because there is Constitution, once constitution is gone, all the rights will go away

Mallikarjun Kharge

RSS is like a poison, even a pinch of it is deadly for the nation, he adds. Even during cricket match, pitch is levelled, ground is prepared to ensure level-playing field, here, PM Modi is digging trenches and telling us to play, Kharge says.

Our Yuva Samrat Hemant Soren never bowed down, nor will he ever bow: Champai Soren

BJP got stomach ache because Hemant Soren's upliftment work was focused on Adivasis.

Champai Soren

Mumbai: People's Democratic Party leader Mehbuba Mufti with Jharkhand CM Champai Soren

This is iconic Ramlila Maidan, where 'Ravan Dahan' takes place: Priyanka Gandhi

When Ram fought for truth, he had no power, no means but Ravan was living in golden palace

Priyanka Gandhi

PM Modi to address election rally in Meerut

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Meerut where he will be addressing an election rally shortly.

Bharat Ratna conferred to Charan Singh belongs to farmers: Jayant Singh

"Yesterday, I received the Bharat Ratna (conferred to Chaudhary Charan Singh) from the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It belongs to the farmers of the country, it belongs to those who are serving in the armed forces and it belongs to those who are working for the welfare of the poor," says RLD MP Jayant Singh during the public rally in UP's Meerut.

UP CM Yogi praises PM Modi

I am thankful to PM Modi for changing the face and future of the country after 2014 and showing the a new India. We are also thankful for conferring former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna and thereby respecting the farmers," says UP CM Yogi Adityanathat a public rally in Meerut.

Saini confident of BJP winning over 400 seats

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a new direction for this country in the last 10 years. Today it is a matter of pride for all of us that the farmers, poor, and youth are being given the utmost priority. This country has moved forward at the pace of development and this country will make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time by giving over 400 seats. BJP will win all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana," says Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini.

Meerut is land of revolutionaries: PM Modi

Meerut is land of revolution and revolutionaries, gave leaders like Chaudhary Charan Singh to nation, says PM Modi at Meerut rally.

Have a special relationship with Meerut, says PM Modi

I have a special relationship with Meerut. I had started my election campaign for the 2014 and 2019 (Lok Sabha) polls from Meerut only. And now, the first rally for the 2024 elections is also being organised in Meerut. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections is not an election to elect the government, but to make a 'Viksit Bharat'," says PM Modi.

Poverty will be eradicated soon: PM Modi

"When India will become third largest economy, poverty will be eradicated, middle class will provide strength to country," says PM Modi at Meerut rally.

Won't tolerate corruption

"Some people are rattled because I am taking action against corruption," says PM Modi .

'Fight against corruption to continue'

"I am fighting against corruption, that is why the corrupt are behind bars today," says PM Modi.

Progress card of NDA govt

The report card of the NDA government's 10 years is in front of everyone. In the last 10 years, several things were done that were considered impossible. People considered the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya impossible. However, the temple has been built now... Several promises were also made regarding the one rank, one pension. However, we implemented it. Besides, we also brought the Triple Talaq Act for our Muslim sisters," says PM Modi.

Modi accuses Opposition of insulting Charan Singh

"The I.N.D.I.A. alliance, which hates farmers, did not even give due respect to Chaudhary Charan Singh. The entire country saw what they did inside the Parliament during the discussion in the Parliament. When our younger brother Jayant Chaudhary stood up to speak in Parliament regarding the Bharat Ratna award, an attempt was made to stop him, an attempt was made to humiliate him. Congress and SP should go door-to-door and apologize to the farmers of this area for this," says PM Modi at the conclusion of his speech in Meerut.

Amit Shah's roadshow in Rajasthan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is holding a roadshow in Sikar along with Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Target is to win all 10 seats in Haryana: Khattar

Our target is to win 10 Lok Sabha seats (in Haryana), along with Karnal Vidhan Sabha seat (Karnal Assembly by-polls). Our new CM (Haryana CM Nayab Saini) will lead this term’s session,” says former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

Congress meet over Bihar seat allocation

Congress' CEC meeting for Bihar is currently underway at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Tiwari slams BJP

"If this political rally was the conch sound of the election, then it has flopped," says Congress MP Pramod Tiwari when quizzed on Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicking off BJP's Lok Sabha campaign from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut.

TMC writes to Election Commission

TMC has written a letter to the Election Commission of India regarding a complaint against West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar for allegedly brazenly threatening functionaries of the party with coercive action by ED.

The Prakash Ambedkar led VBA announced their second list of candidates

Surprise visit

BRS Working president KT Rama Rao visited Secunderabad constituency as part of his padyatra.

Guha's convoy attacked

Convoy of West Bengal Minister Udayan Guha was allegedly attacked by BJP workers in Cooch Behar, as per PTI reports.