Elections 2019: Mamata a 'speedbreaker' in Bengal's development, says Modi

Political parties are left with only five days to campaign in constituencies that will vote on April 11

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Bengal CM Mamata launches strong attack at PM Modi

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday attacked PM Modi describing him as "Expiry Babu", and strongly contested his allegations against her as being a 'speedbreaker' in the path of state's development.

 

Claiming that her government in West Bengal has done a lot for the welfare of the people of the state, Banerjee told a public rally here in Cooch Behar district that income of farmers in Bengal has increased three times under her rule. Mocking PM Modi as "Expiry Babu" and "Expiry PM", Banerjee dared him to participate in a direct debate with her in television or at a public rally.

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Nobody can dilute AFSPA, BJP will be rock solid in support of forces: Amit Shah

BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday lambasted the Congress over its stand on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, saying nobody can dilute the AFSPA as the BJP will be standing like a rock in support of security forces.

 

Addressing a rally in Udhampur, Shah said, "The Congress and its leaders should feel ashamed of what they have announced in their manifesto -- to dilute AFSPA and withdraw sedition clause." 

 

"Nobody can dilute AFSPA as the BJP will be standing like a rock behind security forces who are protecting our borders," Shah told the rally, organised in support of BJP leader Jitendra Singh.

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Union minister and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and party candidate Jayaprada being garlanded during an election rally for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, in Rampur | Photo credit: PTI

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Rahul to file nomination from Wayanad on Thursday, Priyanka may accompany

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in addition to his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, will file his nomination by 11 am on Thursday, senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala said.

Gandhi might be accompanied by his sister and AICC in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress sources told PTI.
 

4:32 PM

PM Modi calls Mamata a 'speedbreaker' in path of West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee describing her as a "speedbreaker" in the path of development of the state and insisted she has to go to ensure speedy development of Bengal like rest of the country, said a PTI article.

2:59 PM

BJP candidate from Anand Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, Mitesh Patel accused in post-Godhra riots

The BJP candidate from Anand Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, Mitesh Patel, has declared in his poll affidavit that he was an accused in a case related to the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

 

Patel, 54, was earlier chosen by the BJP to fight against former Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki from the Anand Lok Sabha constituency of central Gujarat.

 

In his affidavit submitted to the election authorities on Tuesday, Patel mentioned that an FIR was registered against him at Vasad police station in Anand district in 2002 for engaging in arson, rioting, stone-pelting and theft, among other charges.

 

As per the affidavit, he was booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 147 (rioting) 149 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 436 (arson), 332 (causing hurt to deter public servant), 143 (unlawful assembly) and 380 (theft).

2:58 PM

Rs 1.8 cr in cash seized from Arunachal CM's convoy, EC should file case against PM: Congress

 The Congress on Wednesday alleged that a "cash for votes" scam was busted in Arunachal Pradesh with the recovery of Rs 1.8 crore in cash from Chief Minister Pema Khandu's convoy and asked the poll panel to register a case against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the chief minister and his deputy.

 

Accusing the BJP of using "money power" to woo voters in the northeast, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Rs 1.8 crore was allegedly recovered from the chief minister's convoy in Pasighat around midnight, hours before Modi was to address a rally there on Wednesday morning.

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100 per cent webcasting of all polling booths in Tripura: CEO

The Election Commission of India has taken initiative for 100 per cent webcasting of all polling booths in Tripura, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said on Wednesday.
 

"Video viewing and surveillance teams would be deployed across the state, which would monitor all poll activities inside the polling booths on the day of voting.

Sufficient CCTV cameras and mobile teams would be deployed to maintain total security. We aim to maintain 100 per cent webcasting on the polling days," he told reporters.

2:39 PM

Congress manifesto full of lies, hypocrisy, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Congress, terming its manifesto as a "hypocrisy document" which was "full of lies".

 

Addressing his second rally in Arunachal Pradesh within a week, the prime minister said the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be about the choice between "trust and corruption, and about resolution and conspiracy".

 

He charged that the Congress sympathises with those who insult India, and wondered whether its party symbol, the hand, is with the country or with those conspiring against it.

 

"Those who burn the Tricolour and insult it, raise slogans of breaking India into pieces, play in the hands of foreign forces and vandalise statues of Baba Saheb (Ambedkar), the Congress sympathises with them, too," Modi further charged.

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Tripura to get 60 all-women polling booths

The Election Commission (EC) will set up 60 all-women polling stations in Tripura, a top official said here on Wednesday.

 

"At least 60 all-women polling stations would be set up in the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Tripura. All the polling and security personnel would be women in these stations," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said.

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Mehbooba Mufti, Hasnain Masoodi file nomination from Anantnag seat

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference candidate Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi Wednesday filed nomination papers from Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

BJP candidate for the south Kashmir seat Sofi Mohammad Yousuf has already filed his nomination papers. Two independent candidates have also filed their nominations since the Election Commission issued notification for the third phase of polls on March 28.

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