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Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates: Ridiculing the major fronts in Kerala, the BJP on Saturday alleged that the ruling CPM-led LDF and the Opposition UDF headed by the Congress were “deceiving” people by engaging in “mock battles”. “They are constantly deceiving people by engaging in mock battles whenever the other comes to power. Their agendas are common,” Lekhi told reporters. “It is the ‘LUDF’ which the BJP is fighting. Not the LDF or UDF. It is one party and both are the two sides of the same coin. Ultimately, the same set of people come back to power,” Lekhi said while addressing a rally in Thiruvananthapuram. On the Sabarimala women entry issue, she said both the fronts are now speaking for the rights of Ayyappa devotees. “When the apex court delivered its verdict, everyone had welcomed the decision. There was no resistance from them. Not one case was filed against the other part (UDF). And today, they are all trying to hijack the people’s will," she added. The AIADMK’s Babu Murugavel wrote to the Election Commission on Saturday, seeking its direction to DMK leaders MK Stalin and Udayanidhi Stalin to mention former chief minister Jayalalithaa’s death during election campaigns. He also urged them to file a plea of contempt of court against them if they continue to do so Rahul Gandhi said that while the manifesto has the Congress’ logo on it, “it is the people’s manifesto”. “It contains the aspirations of the people of Assam and it has been created after many hours of meetings and consultations. The BJP and RSS is attacking Assam’s way of thinking and way of being, but the manifesto provides the Congress’ guarantee that the party will defend the the state’s traditions, its language, its history and its culture,” he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Assam, on Saturday addressed a public meeting in the Jorhat district. He said, “During the UPA government, gas cylinders cost Rs 400, now under NDA, it is Rs 900. Who benefits from this? Not the poor, only India’s 2-3 industrialists. Their taxes, loans are waived off while nothing is being done for you.” “NDA govt has built solid foundation for Assam’s development in the last five years. Congress and its allies want to cash in on this and loot Assam. Hence, you must be cautious and remember that Congress would put anyone at stake for their benefit,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a poll rally in Assam’s Chabua. Addressing a rally in Purba Medinipur’s Khejuri, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of stealing funds amounting to several lakhs of crores of rupees. “BJP, party of feudal landlords, steals funds amounting to several lakhs of crores of rupees,” said the TMC supremo. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam ahead of the Assembly polls in the state, on Saturday addressed people in the Digboi area. “The farm bills were passed without a discussion. They don’t let us speak in the Parliament. However, we stand strong, we will protect you and will not step back,” he said. On Friday, he stated that the Congress won’t allow the implementation of the CAA in Assam, if the party is elected to power. The Opposition Congress-led UDF on Saturday released a “People’s Manifesto” for the 6 April Assembly polls, promising Rs 2000 monthly pension to homemakers, five kg free rice to all white card holders and five lakh homes to the poor. Taking a dig at Narendra Modi, the TMC chief Saturday said that the BJP ruined the country’s economy by implementing ’note bandi’ (demonetization) to ‘bank bandi’ (bank closures). She also alleged that the saffron party will soon sell Haldia port. The prime minister alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has created roadblocks in the process of development in West Bengal. “Mamata Didi runs school of brutality where ’tolabaji’ (extortion), cut money, syndicate and anarchy form syllabus,” he said in Kharagpur rally. Accusing the West Bengal chief minister of ‘betraying’ the people of the state, Narendra Modi Saturday said the TMC supremo hampered development in Bengal. Give us one chance in Bengal and you will see how BJP brings in ‘asol paribartan’ in the state, said Narendra Modi in Kharagpur rally. This will be the prime minister’s second visit to the poll-bound state in a week and fifth since January. Earlier on Thursday, he addressed a rally Purulia. The Congress leader will interact with employees at the IOC Refinery in Assam’s Tinsukia and hold two public meetings in Jorhat and Biswanath on Saturday. In a tweet, the prime minister Friday said that he will elaborate on BJP’s development agenda in his speeches. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address election rallies in Kharagpur in West Bengal and Chabua in Assam on Saturday. “Will be in Assam and West Bengal tomorrow and the day after. Tomorrow, 20 March, I would be speaking at rallies in Kharagpur (WB) and Chabua (Assam). Will elaborate on BJP’s development agenda during my speeches. It is clear both states want to elect NDA in the upcoming polls,” he tweeted. Branding TMC rebels as “traitors” like Mir Jafar, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday took a swipe at the BJP for fielding the turncoats in the polls leaving saffron party old-timers shed tears. On her decision to contest from Nandigram in place of her traditional Bhowanipore seat, the TMC supremo said it was because of the fact that Nandigram and Singur movement was the trendsetter in the field of land reforms in the state. Addressing a poll rally at Egra in Purba Medinipur district, she accused the BJP of practising “politics of riot, loot and murder”, and urged everyone “to be on guard against outsiders appearing in their localities”. “Gaddars (traitors), Mir Jafars have now become BJP candidates to the dismay of old-timers of the saffron party,” she said in an obvious reference to Suvendu Adhikari and Rajib Banerjee who had shifted allegiance to the BJP along with other leaders like Mukul Roy. Mir Jafar, military general of Bengal’s last indepedent nawab Siraj-ud-daulah, is considered a hate figure for deceiving the besieged nawab during the Battle of Plassey in 1757, paving the way for British rule in India. BJP is witnessing protests from its cadres at several places for giving ticket to TMC turncoats ignoring them. The TMC, which has made ‘Bengali pride’ its core poll plank, has called the BJP a “party of outsiders” as its top leaders hail from outside the state. Venting her anger against the TMC leaders for crossing over to the BJP, she said “these turncoats” were given many responsibilities in the past but they did not do justice with the job. “I will be monitoring every project so that its benefit reaches everyone,” she said. About her decision to contest from Nandigram, she said, “Many people have asked me why I decided to contest from faraway Nandigram rather than a constituency in Kolkata. I replied, I chose it since the movement against land acquisition in Nandigram (in 2007-2008) and Singur had played a significant role in the field of land reforms in the state. Also I consider every corner of Bengal as my own place.” Mamata is pitted against her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram seat where voting will take place on 1 April. The anti-land acquisition movement at Nandigram had catapulted Mamata to power in 2011, ending 34-year rule of the Left Front in Bengal. Slamming the saffron party for chanting “Hari Hari in front and stabbing from behind”, the TMC chief claimed, “Chewing pan parag and putting tilak on forehead, the BJP carries on attack on people.” Coining the slogan “No vote to BJP”, the TMC supremo also asked the crowd not to vote for the CPM and the Congress either “as they are friends of the BJP.” The CPM, Congress and the fledgling ISF have formed an alliance in West Bengal against the TMC and the BJP in the election of 294-member state Assembly. She asked the people to maintain vigil outside the counting centres where the EVMs will be kept after polling, saying “Do not leave the place even if central security and state police ask you to do so. “Also if an EVM malfunctions, ensure that the machine replacing it is tested properly.” Alleging that women are not safe in the BJP-ruled states, she said, “In Uttar Pradesh, women are raped and murdered. The father of a rape victim was killed recently. If a poor man steals Rs 500 we pounce on him. What about the BJP stealing lakhs of rupees in jumla, what about lakhs of cash being plundered in the name of selling of PSUs? These thefts by BJP leaders are never known publicly?” The chief minister said, ‘Duare Sarkar’ (government at the doorstep) camps will be set up again in August-September and will be held twice a year from now on. Asserting that the victory of the TMC in the Assembly polls “will be the precursor to dislodging the BJP in Delhi”, she said “If you want me to be at the helm again, make every TMC candidate a winner.” The TMC leader recited ‘chandi path’ before wrapping up her speech and also wished Muslims, Christians and members of different tribes and castes. “We are all united and together. None can rupture our unity. This is Bengal”, she said. At the second meeting in Patashpur in the same district, she took a dig at the family of Suvendu Adhikari, “Purba Medinipur was controlled by a particular set of people. I had blindly trusted them but in return I got treachery and betrayal. I could never imagine that from 2014 he was in touch with BJP. I couldn’t realise, so I apologise before you,” she said without naming Suvendu Adhikari. At Tamluk, the last stop of her public meetings, the TMC supremo claimed that due to Keleghai Kapaleswari irrigation project the regular flooding of the area has stopped. She said if BJP is not defeated, the saffron party, which is “anti-farmers,anti-labourers, anti-women and anti-people”, will ultimately “sell” the country. The chief minister said the state government has provided 900 acres of land to ISKCON for a grand temple complex in Nadia, to highlight her government’s favourable approach towards religious organisations. Before ending her speech, she chanted Durga mantra “…narayani namostute” and wished all religions.
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 Updates: LDF, UDF 'deceiving' people by engaging in 'mock battles', claims BJP
Assembly Election 2021 LIVE Updates: BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi Lekhi also claimed that the LDF and the UDF ‘is one party and both are the two sides of the same coin’
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West Bengal Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
EC temporarily restrains political appointees holding administrative posts in Bengal till MCC is implemented
The Election Commission of India issued an order on Saturday to temporarily restrain political appointees, who are holding office of administrators in West Bengal on appointment basis after end of their elected term, from participating in or exercising functions of the board till the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
West Bengal Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
CID takes over probe into cause of Mamata Banerjee’s injuries in Nandigram
The West Bengal government on Saturday handed over the probe of the Nandigram incident, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was injured, to the CID. A six-member team, headed by ADG CID, will visit Nandigram on Monday, ANI reported.
Kerala Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
LDF, UDF ‘deceiving’ people with ‘mock battles’, says BJP
Ridiculing the major fronts in Kerala, the BJP on Saturday alleged that the ruling CPM-led LDF and the Opposition UDF headed by the Congress were “deceiving” people by engaging in “mock battles”.
“They are constantly deceiving people by engaging in mock battles whenever the other comes to power. Their agendas are common,” Lekhi told reporters here. “It is the ‘LUDF’ which the BJP is fighting. Not the LDF or UDF. It is one party and both are the two sides of the same coin. Ultimately, the same set of people come back to power," Lekhi said while addressing a rally in Thiruvananthapuram.
On the Sabarimala women entry issue, she said both the fronts are now speaking for the rights of Ayyappa devotees. “When the apex court delivered its verdict, everyone had welcomed the decision. There was no resistance from them. Not one case was filed against the other part (UDF). And today, they are all trying to hijack the people’s will," she added.
Puducherry Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Sonia Gandhi asked me to fight election, says ex-Puducherry CM
Former Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy, whose government fell around few months before the upcoming election, on Saturday said that media reports claiming that he had not got a Congress ticket were untrue.
“Some media reports stated I am not fighting election because high command didn’t give a ticket to me which is untrue. Sonia Gandhi asked me to fight the election. Our current Puducherry party president is contesting the election, therefore there should be coordination in campaigning. We have decided that I should also campaign in all constituencies,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
AIADMK asks EC to take action against MK Stalin for mentioning Jayalalithaa’s death in campaign
The AIADMK’s Babu Murugavel wrote to the Election Commission on Saturday, seeking its direction to DMK leaders MK Stalin and Udayanidhi Stalin to mention former chief minister Jayalalithaa’s death during election campaigns.
He also urged them to file a plea of contempt of court against them if they continue to do so
Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
AIADMK has ‘fallen into hands of BJP’, says MK Stalin
DMK’s MK Stalin, chief of the main Opposition party in Tamil Nadu, on Saturday addressed a poll rally in the poll-bound state’s Tirunelveli.
“Edappadi Palaniswami had said that he got the Chief Minister’s seat with the support of MLAs, and not Sasikala. He betrayed Sasikala and is now betraying AIADMK. The party has fallen into the hands of BJP,” he said.
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Not Congress’ but people’s manifesto, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said that while the manifesto has the Congress’ logo on it, “it is the people’s manifesto”.
“It contains the aspirations of the people of Assam and it has been created after many hours of meetings and consultations. The BJP and RSS is attacking Assam’s way of thinking and way of being, but the manifesto provides the Congress’ guarantee that the party will defend the the state’s traditions, its language, its history and its culture,” he said.
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Congress manifesto for Assam polls 2021 released
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Rahul Gandhi, Gautam Gogoi at Congress office in Guwahati
Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Gautam Gogoi, among other party leaders, have gathered at the Pradesh Congress Committee office in Guwahati. Rahul is set to unveil the party’s manifesto for the upcoming election shortly.
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Rahul Gandhi to unveil Congress’ manifesto for Assam polls soon
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Only industrialists benefit from rising fuel prices, says Rahul Gandhi in Jorhat
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Assam, on Saturday addressed a public meeting in the Jorhat district.
He said, “During the UPA government, gas cylinders cost Rs 400, now under NDA, it is Rs 900. Who benefits from this? Not the poor, only India’s 2-3 industrialists. Their taxes, loans are waived off while nothing is being done for you.”
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
‘Congress wants to loot Assam’, says Narendra Modi at poll rally
“NDA govt has built solid foundation for Assam’s development in the last 5 years. Congress and its allies want to cash in on this & loot Assam. Hence, you must be cautious & remember that Congress would put anyone at stake for their benefit,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a poll rally in Assam’s Chabua.
Puducherry Assembly election 2021 Latest Updates
Congress delays naming candidate for Yanam constituency in Puducherry
Smarting from the fall of its government in Puducherry last month, the Congress may be keen to put up a good show in the 6 April Assembly polls, but it certainly
seems to be in some dilemma over contesting from Yanam as it has not fielded anyone, with nominations drawing to a close.
A stronghold of ex-Congress leader and former minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Yanam, an enclave of Puducherry in Andhra Pradesh and 900 km away from the small city, will see former chief minister and AINRC founder N Rangasamy testing his fortunes from here this time, besides Thattanchavady.
Congress leaders are tight-lipped over skipping the segment, but it is widely believed that the party did not want to risk a candidate from the turf of Rao, who has thrown his weight behind Rangasamy.
Kerala Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Kerala CM flays BJP candidate’s act of paying floral tribute at Left’s Punnapra memorial
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday flayed a BJP candidate’s act of paying floral tributes at the famous Punnapra Vayalar Smriti memorial in Alappuzha, jointly managed by the CPM and CPI, saying it was intended to destroy peace and harmony in the region.
“This should not have happened as the memorial is associated with the sentiments of the communists. The aim of the BJP candidate was to destroy peace and harmony and provoke Left workers. The candidate should not have done that. But CPM workers kept their cool and I appreciate them for that”, he told reporters at Cheruthuruthyin Thrissur district.
The memorial, built to honour the Communists killed during their movement against the ‘misrule’ of Sir CP Ramaswami Iyer, the prime minister of erstwhile Princely state of Travancore in 1946, is maintained by the CPM and CPI.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Relieved ‘Mir Jafars’ have quit TMC: Mamata takes swipe at Suvendu
Taking a dig at TMC turncoat Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee during an election rally in Purba Medinipur on Saturday said, “Thank God ‘Mir Jafars’ (traitors) have left (TMC). I am relieved. It has saved us.”
West Bengal Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
BJP a party of feudal landlords, says Mamata
Addressing a rally in rally in Purba Medinipur’s Khejuri, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of stealing funds amounting to several lakhs of crores of rupees.
“BJP, party of feudal landlords, steals funds amounting to several lakhs of crores of rupees,” said the TMC supremo.
Assam Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
Congress will hike wages of tea garden workers within 6 hours of forming govt: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday promised to raise the tea workers’ daily wage to Rs 365 “within six hours of Congress party coming to power”.
“We will make our guarantee of Rs 365 daily wage to Assam tea workers a reality and we will implement it within six hours of formation of the Congress government,” Rahul said, while addressing an election rally at Doomdooma in Tinsukia district.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Farm bills passed in Parliament ‘without discussion’, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam ahead of the Assembly polls in the state, on Saturday addressed people in the Digboi area.
“The farm bills were passed without a discussion. They don’t let us speak in the Parliament. However, we stand strong, we will protect you and will not step back,” he said. On Friday, he stated that the Congress won’t allow the implementation of the CAA in Assam, if the party is elected to power.
West Bengal Assembly election 2021 LATEST updates
BJP is ‘biggest extortionist’, should never be allowed to rule Bengal, says Mamata
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday slammed the BJP, branding it as the “biggest extortionist”, which should never be allowed to rule the state. Banerjee, speaking at an election rally at Haldia in the East Midnapore district, also accused the saffron party of “orchestrating riots, killing people and torturing Dalit girls”.
“BJP is the biggest ‘tolabaz’ (extortionist) in the world… Just see the amount of money it collected under the PM-Cares fund. If the people of West Bengal want peace and a state free from riots, then the Trinamool Congress is the only option,” she asserted.
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Congress-led UDF releases manifesto for Kerala
The Opposition Congress-led UDF on Saturday released a"People’s Manifesto" for the 6 April Assembly polls, promising Rs 2000 monthly pension to homemakers, five kg free rice to all white card holders and five lakh homes to the poor.
A special law to protect the traditions of the Sabarimala lord Ayyappa temple and a Peace and Harmony department on the model of Rajasthan, has also been promised by the UDF.
Reaching out to the vast majority of women voters, the front has assured a two years age relaxation for mothers appearing for examinations for government jobs.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bengali actors join Trinamool Congress
Tollywood actors Neel Bhattacharya and Trina Bhattacharya joined the Trinamool Congress in presence of TMC leader and state minister Partha Chatterjee on Saturday.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Modi’s demonetisation move destroyed Indian economy: Mamata
Taking a dig at Narendra Modi, TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday said, “The prime minister has destroyed the economy of this country – from note bandi to bank bandi. They will soon say to sell Haldia port.”
The TMC supremo is addressing a rally in Haldia.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Mamata’s ‘bhaipo’ only single window in industry scarce Bengal: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday launched a frontal attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging her lawmaker nephew Abhishek was the only “single window” in the state without crossing which no work gets done.
He also accused the TMC supremo of presiding over an administration full of ’tolabaj’ (extortionists) and corrupt people.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Mamata stands like wall to block central schemes: Modi
Alleging that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has created roadblocks in the process of development in West Bengal, Narendra Modi said, “Mamata Didi runs school of brutality where ’tolabaji’ (extortion), cut money, syndicate and anarchy form syllabus.”
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP will free Bengal from 70 years of destruction, says Modi
You have seen destruction by Congress and the Left. TMC ruined your dreams. In the last 70 years, you gave opportunities to everyone but give us five years, we will free Bengal from the 70 years of destruction, we will sacrifice our lives for you, said Narendra Modi in Kharagpur on Saturday.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Mamata ‘betrayed’ people of Bengal for 10 years: PM in Kharagpur
Accusing the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of ‘betraying’ the people of the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the TMC supremo hampered development in Bengal.
Give us one chance in Bengal and you will see how BJP brings in ‘asol paribartan’ in the state, said Modi in Kharagpur rally.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Modi begins addressing rally in Kharagpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his election rally in Kharagpur ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls on Saturday. He reiterated BJP’s ‘asol parivartan’ poll promise.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
TMC MLA Jyotsna Mandi’s assets grew by 1985% in five years: ADR
The assets of Trinamool Congress candidate and sitting MLA Jyotsna Mandi have increased by 1985.68 percent, according to a report released by poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
As per the affidavit filed by Mandi to the Election Commission, her total assets grew from Rs 1,96,633 in 2016 to Rs 41,01,144 in 2021, an increase of Rs 39,04,511.
She is contesting the West Bengal assembly election from the Ranibandh (ST) constituency in Bankura district.
The West Bengal Election Watch and the ADR have conducted a joint survey of the affidavits of the 30 candidates contesting the first phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal to be held on 27 March.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Narendra Modi arrives in Kharagpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kharagpur to address an election rally ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls. This will be his second visit to the poll-bound state in a week and fifth since January. Earlier on Thursday, he addressed a rally Purulia.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP hoping to win 45-46 seats in phase 1: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the BJP is hoping to emerge victorious in 45-46 seats of the total 47 they are contesting on in phase one of Assam Assembly election.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Rahul Gandhi to release Congress’ poll manifesto
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be releasing the party’s manifesto for the poll-bound Assam on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI Congress Spokesperson AICC in-charge of Media for Assam Polls Gourav Vallabh said, “We are giving ‘five guarantees’ to the people of Assam which are the key points of our manifesto and is agreed by the alliance partners too as a part of Common Minimum Program.
Vallabh said that the manifesto will promise no implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Assam.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Rahul Gandhi to adress rallies in Jorhat and Biswanath
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to interact with employees at the IOC Refinery in Assam’s Tinsukia and hold two public meetings in Jorhat and Biswanath on Saturday, ANI reported.
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Modi to address rallies in Bengal and Assam today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address election rallies in Kharagpur in West Bengal and Chabua in Assam on Saturday. In a tweet, Modi said that he will elaborate on BJP’s development agenda in his speeches.
“Will be in Assam and West Bengal tomorrow and the day after. Tomorrow, 20 March, I would be speaking at rallies in Kharagpur (WB) and Chabua (Assam). Will elaborate on BJP’s development agenda during my speeches. It is clear both states want to elect NDA in the upcoming polls,” he tweeted.