LS polls highlights: EC takes note of alleged MCC violations by PM Modi, Rahul; seeks response

General Elections 2024 news updates: Catch all the news updates on the announcements related to Lok Sabha polls here

The Election Commission of India on Thursday said it has taken note  of alleged MCC violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Both BJP and INC had raised allegations of causing hatred and divide based on religion, caste, community, or language. The EC has sought a response by 11 am on April 29.

After reports of a scuffle between two groups in Tihar jail, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said today that

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's life is in danger and a conspiracy is being hatched against him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh to hold election rallies in Aonla, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur ahead of the Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections. On Wednesday, PM Modi went on the offensive against the Congress, claiming that the party wants to snatch the assets and rights of people's children.

Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday said the "manufactured" controversies on 'redistribution of wealth' and 'inheritance tax' showed that fear has gripped the BJP, which has fallen back on distortion, falsehoods and abuse" as 'Modi ki Guarantee' has vanished without a trace. "It is obvious that the BJP is rattled by the Congress' election manifesto 2024. The manifesto has left a deep impression in the minds of the people, especially the poor and the middle class," Chidambaram said. Chidambaram added that the document is religion-neutral and promises justice for all sections of the people. He was the chairman of the committee that drafted the Congress manifesto. "The latest manufactured controversy on 'redistribution of wealth' and 'inheritance tax' is a good indicator of the fear that has gripped the BJP. The manifesto does not have a word on the so-called redistribution of wealth or the long-abolished inheritance tax," Chidambaram said.
 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated Wednesday that the Grand Old Party, if it forms the government, would take up the “revolutionary” task of a “national X-ray” — his description of a caste census — along with an economic and institutional survey to determine “in which direction the country should move forward.” At a Samajik Nyay Sammelan, Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has panicked after seeing the “revolutionary manifesto” of the Congress which talks about the “X-ray” and income inequality.

4:56 PM

We will end Muslim reservation imposed by BRS and Congress: Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Medak rally

"BJP has decided to end the Muslim reservation imposed by BRS and Congress. BJP will bring the reservation for SC, ST and OBC. The holistic development of Telangana can only happen when the BJP government will be formed in the centre," Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Medak rally.

4:52 PM

'Yaduvanshi' are performing aarti of those who made fun of Shri Krishna: PM Modi

 "I went into the sea with great devotion, I went there to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Krishna but Congress 'Shehzada' made fun of it. I am surprised that in Uttar Pradesh, the contractors of SP (Samajwadi Party) who call themselves 'Yaduvanshi' are performing the aarti of those who made fun of our Shri Krishna,"  PM Narendra Modi said today.

4:51 PM

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhagel asks EC to take action against PM Modi

"There are just a few hours left for polls to begin. People in rural and urban areas are enthusiastic and the trends are favoring the Congress party. PM Modi was constantly talking about the things that are not in our (Congress) manifesto. The Election Commission should take immediate action on this", former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhagel said.

4:41 PM

Second phase of LS polls: Polling on Friday for 89 seats in 13 states

 Voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls will be conducted tomorrow for 89 seats in 13 states with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a second-straight term from Wayanad in Kerala. All 20 seats of Kerala will go to polls besides 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, 7 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and 1 seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir.

4:10 PM

Polls a chance to completely free India from mentality of 1,000 years of slavery: PM Modi

 "This election is a chance to completely free the country from the mentality of 1000 years of slavery. This election will give new heights to India's self-respect," PM Narendra Modi said at the rally.

3:56 PM

Whole nation believes in 'phir ek baar Modi sarkar': PM Modi in Bareilly

3:53 PM

Bihar YouTuber Manish Kashyap joins BJP

Bihar YouTuber Manish Kashyap, who was arrested last year for allegedly circulating fake videos of Bihar migrants being harassed in Tamil Nadu, joined the BJP today. "I have joined the BJP to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. My mother, who fought for me when I was in jail for nine months, asked me to join the BJP," Kashyap told reporters.

3:25 PM

It is your habit to seize on a few words taken out of context, create communal divide: Kharge to PM Modi

Addressing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge told him that it has become habitual for the prime minister to seize on a few words taken out of context and create communal divide. Seeking time to explain the party's election manifesto, Kharge said the prime minister is being misinformed by his advisors about things not even written in Congress manifesto.

3:06 PM

Rajiv Gandhi scrapped inheritance law to save tax, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today claimed that former Prime Minister (late) Rajiv Gandhi had scrapped the inheritance tax since he didn't want to share his inherited property with the government. At a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, PM Modi alleged that the Congress wants to impose the tax again.

3:03 PM

Congress will not play on the pitch prepared by BJP: Congress

The Congress today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading "lies" to divert attention from real issues in the Lok Sabha elections and challenged him to point out where in the party's manifesto is "redistribution of wealth" mentioned. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed that PM Modi "symbolises Asatyamev Jayate'.

3:00 PM

Kerala opposition leader complains to EC against Delhi Lt Governor for model code violation

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan today asked the Election Commission to take action against Delhi's Lt Governor for allegedly visiting heads of churches in the southern state to "lure" them to take a stand in favour of BJP in the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. In a letter to the commission, senior Congress leader Satheesan, alleged "blatant violation of the model code of conduct" by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena through his meeting of church heads in Kerala.

2:04 PM

Appeasement politics has taken away rights of the truthful and honest: PM Modi

"Our country has seen a lot of appeasement politics, it has divided the country into pieces. Appeasement politics has taken away the rights of the truthful and honest," PM Modi said at the election rally in Agra. 

2:00 PM

Congress manifesto has imprint of Muslim League: PM Modi at Agra rally

The policy of appeasement divided the country; Congress manifesto has an imprint of the Muslim League, PM Modi said today at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh.

1:55 PM

Some powers do not want India's army to become self-reliant: PM Modi at Agra rally

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India's rising global stature not liked by some powers: PM Modi at Agra rally

India's rising global stature not liked by some powers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Agra.