Highlights: 2004 poll results will repeat itself, says Jairam Ramesh

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Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday rejected the BJP's claims that the 2024 poll results are a foregone conclusion, saying "tiger mein abhi bahut jaan hai" and the opposition bloc will repeat the history of 2004 when the saffron party was unseated from power despite its 'shining India' campaign.

The Congress general secretary in-charge communications also said his party is going into the Lok Sabha polls with its "five nyays" and "25 guarantees", and has full confidence that the opposition INDIA bloc will get a clear mandate.

DMK leader K Ponmudi was sworn in as a minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet today,  a day after the Supreme Court reprimanded Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for his refusal to reinduct the party leader.

The top court today refused to grant bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy scam case. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi asked Kavitha to approach the trial court, saying it is a practice the court cannot bypass the protocol.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully carried out the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named 'Pushpak' from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka’s Challakere today. The RLV was carried to an altitude of about 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force helicopter and released after attaining the predetermined pillbox parameters. Earlier, Isro had stated that the mission is a part of the space agency's efforts at “developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space”. The Pushpak RLV has been engineered as a  fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle, which incorporates elements such as the X-33 advanced technology demonstrator, the X-34 testbed technology demonstrator, and the upgraded DC-XA flight demonstrator. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning departed on a two-day state visit to Bhutan. PM Modi was scheduled to travel to the Himalayan nation from March 21 to March 22 for what was expected to be his last foreign visit before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls but his visit to Bhutan was postponed due to inclement weather conditions. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that the trip is an opportunity for both sides to discuss bilateral and regional matters and discuss ways to expand and intensify their “exemplary partnership” for the benefit of the people.

After the case against Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje for her alleged hate remarks, BJP leader CT Ravi has been booked for his alleged hate post on X which violates the model code of conduct. A case under Sections 153(a) of the Indian Penal Code and 126 of the Representation of The People Act has been booked against Ravi by EC officials in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru.

  

11:06 PM

LS elections: BJD announces to go solo in Odisha polls after BJP breaks ties

With "people's support," Biju Janata Dal will win "more than three fourth seats" in Odisha, BJD General Secretary (Organization) Pranab Prakash Das said on the day when the BJP announced that it would go solo in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state. "BJD will contest in all 147 assembly constituencies and all 21 Lok Sabha constituencies with the support of people of Odisha and win more than three fourth seats under the leadership of Shri Naveen Patnaik," Das said in a post on 'X' on Friday.

7:41 PM

RBI offices to remain open for greater convenience of taxpayers on March 30, 31

For the convenience of taxpayers, RBI offices dealing with government business and all designated branches of agency banks will keep their counters open as per normal working hours on March 30 and 31. In a statement on special measures for the current financial year (2023-24) and in the wake of the annual closing of government accounts, the Reserve Bank said that electronic transactions can be done till the stipulated time on both days (March 30 and March 31).

6:53 PM

Congress nominates JNU professor, ex-MLA for two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Friday fielded JNU professor Akoijam Bimol Angomcha from Inner Manipur parliamentary seat and Alfred Kanngam Arthur from Outer Manipur. MPCC president Keisham Meghachandra said, "Prof Akoijam Bimol Angomcha will contest from Inner Manipur parliamentary seat, while Alfred Kanngam Arthur will be the party's candidate from Outer Manipur."

6:23 PM

BJP offering Rs 50 crore each to lure Congress MLAs, alleges Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday alleged that the BJP is offering Rs 50 crore each to ruling Congress MLAs to resign, and also promising them funds in subsequent byelections after they quit, as part of "Operation Kamala". "Operation Kamala" (Operation Lotus), coined by opposition parties, refers to alleged attempts of the BJP to engineer defection of opposition legislators to install its own government and ensure its stability. "The Income Tax department conducts raids; are rich people who have amassed wealth through illegal means, only in opposition parties? Is there no one in the BJP? They (BJP) are the 'Pitamaha' of corruption," Siddaramaiah said.

5:33 PM

TMC Complaint to ECI against West Bengal Governor for illegally interfering with ensuing General Elections

4:44 PM

BJP releases 4th list of 15 candidates for Lok Sabha polls

The list includes the parliamentary constituencies of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, which will go to polls in the first phase of general elections on April 19.

4:42 PM

Relations between India and Bhutan are as ancient as they are new: PM Modi

4:33 PM

BJP to contest LS, assembly elections alone in Odisha: State party chief

BJP to go solo in Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha, State party president Manmohan Samal said today. 

4:15 PM

This honour is not my personal achievement, it is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians, says PM Modi

3:57 PM

PM Modi in Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred Order of the Druk Gyalpo

3:48 PM

News update: DMK leader K Ponmudy sworn in as minister, Tamil Nadu governor administers oath

3:35 PM

DMRC shuts Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) today announced the closure of Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station in view of AAP's protest, officials said. Lok Kalyan Marg is theroad is where the prime minister's residence is located.

3:32 PM

News update: India bloc leaders to meet Election Commission regarding Kejriwal arrest

Opposition leaders will meet officials from the the ECI to hold talks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

3:17 PM

Himachal Assembly LIVE updates: 3 independent MLAs resign from Assembly, will join BJP

3:11 PM

News update: PM Modi calls on King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a two-day visit to Bhutan today to cement bilateral ties with Bhutan.