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Assembly elections 2023 Updates: BJP to implement UCC in Telangana, promises free laptops to girl college students

Assembly elections 2023 Updates: Check all latest updates on the 5-pronged poll battle as the development happens.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah

With the conclusion of the single-phase and second leg of two-phase polling yesterday for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh assembly elections, respectively, a fraction of the high-decibel 5-state poll battle summed up to somewhat at an upbeat note. The first phase of the Chhattisgarh and Mizoram polls took place on November 7....Read More

All the political parties have redirected their focal point towards Rajasthan and Telangana as these states will go to polls on November 25 and 30. The assembly polls, coming nearly six months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, are crucial for both the BJP and Congress for various reasons.

In Rajasthan, it is a high-stake battle between two major political parties where the Congress aims to break the rotation jinx, whereas, the BJP seeks to uproot the Ashok Gehlot government. Meanwhile, Telanagana is set to witness a triangular contest among the BJP, BRS and Congress.

Follow all the updates here:
Nov 18, 2023 10:35 PM IST

Recap | UP CM Adityanath holds rallies in Rajasthan ahead of Assembly elections

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, held four rallies in support of BJP candidates ahead of the Rajasthan elections.

CM Yogi expressed his concern about the direction Rajasthan has taken in the past five years under Congress rule and brought attention to the alarming rise in youth suicides in Rajasthan, attributing this distressing trend to a severe shortage of employment opportunities in the state.

Nov 18, 2023 9:55 PM IST

Recap | ‘People are tired of BRS’: BJP's Khushbu Sundar during campaigning in Hyderabad

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar on Saturday claimed that the people of Telangana are tired of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party and want a change.

"The environment among the people is clear. People are tired of the BRS party. They want a change. They are saying that there has been enough corruption and family politics. Whether it is Congress or BRS, there is corruption everywhere," Khushbu said while speaking to ANI while campaigning in Hyderabad.

Nov 18, 2023 9:34 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Amit Shah releases BJP manifesto for poll-bound Telangana, calls promises as 'PM Modi's guarantee'

As Telangana is set to hold Assembly elections on November 30, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the BJP manifesto in Hyderabad and said that the assurances made in the manifesto are 'PM Modi guarantee' to the public.

According to the party's manifesto, BJP has decided to officially commemorate Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17th every year.

"We will observe August 27 as Razakar Horrors Remembrance Day to pay homage to the martyrs of Bairanpally and Parkal. Further, on assuming office, will establish a museum and a memorial in Hyderabad, to document the brave struggle of the people of Telangana against the Razakars and the Nizams," BJP manifesto read.

Nov 18, 2023 9:06 PM IST

Recap | T’gana polls: BJP to implement UCC in T'gana, promises free laptops to girl college students

The BJP on Saturday said the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented in Telangana if the party came to power in the state in the November 30 Assembly elections.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who released BJP's manifesto for the Legislative Assembly polls, said a committee would be constituted on UCC.

"The BJP government to be formed would constitute a committee to bring UCC in Telangana which will implement Uniform Civil Code within six months," Shah said.

Nov 18, 2023 8:05 PM IST

MP polls: Viral video shows Congress candidate seeking blessing in slipper slaps

The Madhya Pradesh assembly polls may have concluded but elements tied to it continue to amuse citizens, particularly those on social media.

A video of the Congress candidate from Ratlam, Paras Saklecha, gladly taking slipper slaps doled out by a fakir is being widely shared on the internet.

Saklecha, who lost the elections in 2013 and 2018, visited the fakir on Thursday with a pair of new slippers to seek his blessing.

Saklecha could not be reached despite multiple attempts.

The video shows the fakir, who lives at a dargah on Mhow road, hitting the former legislator on the head and then cheeks.

As the elderly ascetic, affectionately called by locals as ‘Abba’, continues hitting Saklecha, the Congress leader requests him to stop saying “bas, bas, ho gaya (that is enough)”, as per the video.

Nov 18, 2023 7:31 PM IST

Recap | 'Telangana election is about PM Modi's good governance against KCR's negligence': Amit Shah

On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the imminent Assembly election in Telangana revolves around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effective governance versus the alleged negligence demonstrated by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Shah asserted that the term "Bharat Rashtra Samithi" translates to 'corruption,' pointing out that various scams occurred during Chief Minister KCR's tenure.

Nov 18, 2023 7:00 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Rajnath Singh to address public meetings in Kotputli and Shahpura in Rajasthan tomorrow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address public meetings in Kotputli and Shahpura in Rajasthan tomorrow.

Nov 18, 2023 6:31 PM IST

Telangana polls: BJP, Congress colluding to defeat BRS, says CM KCR

Accusing both the BJP and the Congress of collaborating to restrict his political initiatives and hinder the expansion of the BRS into Maharashtra, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao asserted these claims on Saturday. During a campaign rally, Rao criticized both national parties, asserting that Telangana suffered during the Congress rule and highlighting that the BJP-led Central Government had not approved the establishment of a single medical college or Navodaya School in the state.

Nov 18, 2023 6:04 PM IST

Recap | Kharge questions PM Modi's claim of championing Dailts, slams BJP for fielding MLA accused of assaulting engineer

On Saturday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge raised doubts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion of working for Dalits. Kharge pointed out that the BJP fielded an MLA who was denied a Congress ticket due to allegations of assaulting a Dalit engineer. Harshadhipati Valmiki, the engineer in question, has reportedly been bedridden for a year after an alleged assault by Girraj Malinga, the Congress' Bari MLA, and his supporters. Kharge's comments followed Modi's criticism of the Congress government in Rajasthan for purported atrocities against women and Dalits during a poll rally in Bharatpur.

Nov 18, 2023 5:23 PM IST

BRS spreading lies for fear of defeat in assembly polls: Telangana Congress leader

Congress leader Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday hit out at the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and accused the party of "spreading lies" due to "fear of losing" the Telangana assembly polls scheduled on November 30.

"The BRS party, under fear of defeat, is spreading lies in their campaign. As promised in our manifesto, the Congress government will provide 24-hour free electricity to farmers if voted to power," said Reddy, a Congress Lok Sabha MP.

Nov 18, 2023 5:06 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: PM Modi can try as much as he wants, Congress will retain govt in Rajasthan: Kharge

No matter how hard Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempts, the Congress will maintain its government in Rajasthan, affirmed party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday. He also criticized the BJP, accusing them of striving to widen the gap between the rich and the poor by favoring the affluent. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi can try as much as he wants, the Congress will retain its government in Rajasthan," Kharge said at a public meeting in Bharatpur district's Weir.

Nov 18, 2023 4:45 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: ‘Gehlot government stopped nine lakh houses from reaching you...Now you stop him on the 25th…’: JP Nadda launches attack on Congress in Rajasthan

"The Ashok Gehlot government stopped nine lakh houses from reaching you...Now you stop him on the 25th...20 lakh houses will get ready...You make our government come to power, farmers will get 12,000 per year", said BJP President JP Nadda in a rally in Jaisalmer

Nov 18, 2023 4:32 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: 'We have to do such 'safai' that Congress does not remain even in corners…': PM Modi in Rajasthan's Nagaur

“We celebrated Diwali just now. We have seen that though women keep the house tidy all through the year, during Diwali, they clean every corner of the house...In these elections, we need to learn from the women. We too have to do such 'safai' that Congress does not remain even in corners...”, PM Modi said in an election rally in Rajasthan's Nagaur.

Nov 18, 2023 4:09 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: To Sarma's 'Babar and Aurangzeb' jibe, Gehlot says Assam CM speaking 'too much' to please his masters

Strongly criticizing his Assam counterpart and BJP leader, Himanta Biswa Sarma, for his statements during a poll rally in Rajasthan the previous day, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot stated on Saturday that Sarma was speaking excessively to appease his political leaders.

During a public meeting in the poll-bound state on Friday, the Assam CM raised the question of whether the BJP should talk about "Babar and Aurangzeb" (Mughal emperors) if not about the 'Hindus.'

Responding to this statement, Gehlot told ANI, "I don't want to comment on his (Assam CM's) statement. He is saying things to please his masters in the BJP top brass. He is raising his decibels to prove his loyalty to the BJP, as he was with us (Congress) earlier. He is speaking more than he should."

Nov 18, 2023 3:51 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: 'BRS stands for 'Bhrashtachar Rishwat Samiti': Amit Shah's swipe at KCR's Bharat Rashtra Samithi party

The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, is presently in Telangana, seeking backing for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the forthcoming assembly election. On Saturday, he strongly criticized the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party, suggesting that BRS could be interpreted as 'Bhrashtachar Rishwat Samiti,' indicating allegations of corruption and bribery.

Nov 18, 2023 3:21 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: BJP will ensure free visit to Ayodhya Ram temple for people of T'gana if voted to power, says Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Saturday that if the BJP secures victory in the upcoming assembly elections, the party will ensure free visits to the Ram temple in Ayodhya for all residents of Telangana. Speaking at an election rally in Gadwal, Shah accused the Congress of obstructing and prolonging the construction of the Ram temple for the past 70 years. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conducted the 'Bhumi Puja' for the temple, and the 'pran pratishtha' would be carried out on January 22, 2024.

Nov 18, 2023 3:07 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Gurjar community has made 'ghar wapsi' to BJP as Cong 'betrayed' Pilot: Rajasthan BJP MP

BJP Member of Parliament Kirodi Lal Meena has asserted that the Gurjar community in Rajasthan has returned to the BJP in a "ghar wapsi (homecoming)" movement because the Congress betrayed their "big leader" Sachin Pilot by not appointing him as the chief minister. Meena, who is contesting as the BJP candidate from Sawai Madhopur against incumbent Congress MLA Danish Abrar, also alleged that the Gurjar community felt "insulted" due to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's use of derogatory language towards Pilot.

Nov 18, 2023 2:56 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Under Cong, there will be corruption, loot; under BJP, there will be development: J P Nadda in Rajasthan

On Saturday, BJP President J.P. Nadda asserted that corruption and malpractice are inevitable wherever the Congress is in power, while under the governance of the saffron party, development is assured. Speaking at an election rally in Pipad, Jodhpur, Nadda criticized the Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan, claiming that it has propelled the state to the top position in the country for corruption and crimes against women. Nadda expressed confidence that justice for farmers and women would prevail once the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) takes charge in the desert state.

Nov 18, 2023 2:28 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: BJP's Tonk candidate cites Gehlot's 'post not leaving him' jibe, says Pilot doesn't have 'CM face' advantage

Presenting his Assembly election battle against Congress leader Sachin Pilot as a "local-versus-outsider" conflict, Ajit Singh Mehta, the BJP candidate from Tonk, refers to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's statement about Pilot's position, asserting that Pilot lacks the "chief ministerial face advantage" he had in 2018. Mehta, a former MLA from this constituency from 2013 to 2018, faces the challenging task assigned by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of challenging Pilot, the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister, who secured a significant victory in 2018 by defeating BJP's Yoonus Khan with a record margin of over 54,000 votes.

Nov 18, 2023 2:25 PM IST

Recap | Assembly elections 2023 Live: Congress sent Rajasthan to top in corruption, rioting: PM Modi in Bharatapur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly criticized the Congress government in Rajasthan on Saturday, accusing the party of allowing a surge in crimes and riots through its policy of appeasement, which allegedly unleashed anti-social elements in the state. Speaking at a rally in Bharatpur, Modi mocked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, suggesting that the people have decided not to support the "jadugar" (magician), and predicted that the Congress would fade away from the state after the upcoming elections. It's worth noting that before entering politics, Gehlot, the son of a professional magician, traveled across the country performing magic tricks. The Assembly polls in Rajasthan are scheduled for November 25, with the vote count set for December 3.

Nov 18, 2023 2:20 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Women's votes key factor in MP polls, says Fadnavis

According to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, women's votes will play a crucial role in the recently concluded Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. He noted their significant enthusiasm for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The elections for the 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh took place on Friday, with the counting of votes scheduled for December 3.

Nov 18, 2023 1:54 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: BRS leader K Kavitha faints while campaigning

BRS MLC and daughter of Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, K Kavitha fainted while campaigning for the party in Jagtial, Telangana earlier today. She later resumed her election campaign.

Nov 18, 2023 1:29 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Kharge alleges BJP of copying Congress' guarantees

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of copying the guarantees offered by Congress and include them in their agenda.

“The BJP has neither the intentions, nor policies. The Congress has given concrete programmes for public welfare in the form of guarantees in Rajasthan and other states,” he said.

Nov 18, 2023 1:18 PM IST

‘3 December, Congress chhoomantar’: PM Modi alleges ‘second red diary’ in Rajasthan govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched sharp attacks at the Congress for giving ticket to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's ‘favourite minister’ to contest the upcoming assembly election despite the ‘derogatory’ remarks made by him in relation to incidents of rape in the state, and questioned the kind of vernacular the Congress leader had used to justify the heinous crime. He was referring to Rajasthan minister Shanti Dhariwal's remarks in which he linked ‘masculinity’ with cases of rape in the state. Read more

Nov 18, 2023 12:35 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: PM Modi says ‘Rajasthan leader state in crime, riots under Congress’

“Voting is going to take place in Rajasthan exactly a week from now. There is only one echo everywhere, this is the call of the people for the BJP government. Some people call themselves magicians here. Now the people of Rajasthan are telling them ‘3 December, Congress Choomantar,” PM Modi said in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur

Nov 18, 2023 12:09 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Ashok Gehlot says BJP's manifesto ‘misses several points’

"In their manifesto, they (BJP) have missed several points, including the OPS (Old Pension Scheme). They have not announced what they would do about the OPS. This is why I have said that they have not done their homework," Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said.

Nov 18, 2023 12:03 PM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Amit Shah says ‘PM Modi committed to all-round development in Telangana’

Union home minister Amit Shah said he will visit Telangana to join the people in election rallies in Gadwal, Nalgonda, Warangal East today. “The BJP led by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi is committed to all-round development of Telangana. Today I am unveiling the BJP Sankalp document prepared under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi regarding Telangana state,” he wrote on X.

Nov 18, 2023 11:41 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: ‘In 2018 too…’, Rajasthan BJP chief alleges Congress of ‘cheating’

“In 2018 too, they (Congress) came to power by cheating... Though they promised three years ago that they would give mobile phones to 1.40 crore women. They made provision for 40 lakh women but gave it to only 17 lakh women, and on August 15, 2023, they promised to give guarantee cards to others... Then they gave an affidavit saying that they were not going to give any guarantee cards to these women... For Ujjwala connections, they have put up the hoardings, but it would have been good if they had mentioned that in 500, 300 is being given by the PM Modi government,” Rajasthan BJP chif CP Joshi said.

Nov 18, 2023 11:25 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: AIMIM chief takes part in door-to-door campaign

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, along with the party's Nampally candidate Majid Hussain, participates in door-to-door campaigning in the constituency, in Hyderabad. He pointed out drawbacks in Congress' recently launched manifesto for the Telangana assembly elections.

Nov 18, 2023 11:14 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: This seat in Telangana will test BRS, Cong

Polling in the high-profile Kodangal assembly seat in Telangana can be real litmus test for ruling BRS and Congress in the assembly election. Lack of irrigation water and unemployment have become a major election issue in this constituency, as farmers in this area are irked against the ruling government for not creating job opportunities that have led to migration of youth to nearby cities. Known to be a pro-farmer government.

"KCR announced several schemes in the last nine years but not all have been implemented. We were promised water from the Jurala project (on river Krishna), but nothing has been done so far. I am not sure if Congress will bring water if it wins, but there should be a change in government. I am going to vote for the change," a farmer told PTI.

Nov 18, 2023 10:33 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Probe begins on skirmish between Congress-BJP workers in MP

The Madhya Pradesh Police have started an investigation into clashes between BJP and Congress workers in the late hours of Friday after polling in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur.

"According to information, a scuffle broke out between the two candidates. The police are investigating the matter. Action will be taken based on the evidence," said Aditya Pratap Singh, Superintendent of Police Jabalpur.

Nov 18, 2023 10:08 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: ₹340 crore worth of cash, drugs, jewellery seized during model code of conduct period in MP

According to a top official, cited by PTI, Cash worth 40.18 crore and liquor, drugs, jewellery and other items cumulatively valued at nearly 300 crore were seized in Madhya Pradesh since the model code of conduct for the state assembly elections came into force on October 9.

"From October 9 to November 16, these joint teams seized 40.18 crore cash, 34.68 lakh litres of illegal liquor worth 65.56 crore, narcotic substance worth 17.25 crore, gold, silver and other precious metals worth 92.76 crore and other materials worth 124.18 crore," the official said.

Nov 18, 2023 9:36 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Telangana BJP chief says PM Modi's presence in state requested

Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy had earlier said the state unit had requested the party high command to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed four rallies in the state in the run up to the polls and is awaiting the response.

Nov 18, 2023 9:01 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: BJP's Prakash Javadekar points out 2 ‘corruption scams’ of BRS government

BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said: "Dharani Portal and Kaleshwaram are two landmark corruption scams of the BRS government. They have looted the state. Dharani scam is a land record scam. The land record is now nowhere available...This is the worst scam...We will not only inquire but restore the lands to the real owners. That is what we have said. And Kaleshwaram, I think the dam safety report is very clear that it was state design which was faulty. I am very sure BRS is losing, BJP is winning and Congress will come third. The Congress manifesto has nothing to do with reality."

Nov 18, 2023 8:59 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: After joining Congress from BJP takes charge of important position

ormer MP and actor Vijayashanti, who resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party recently, joined the Congress party in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge. She has been appointed as Chief Coordinator of the Campaign and Planning Committee for the ensuing Telangana assembly elections 2023.

Nov 18, 2023 8:54 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: BJP leader accuses Priyanka Gandhi of being ‘apathetic’

Pointing out atrocities against women in Rajasthan, BJP leader Diya Kumari alleged Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi of being apathetic towards the issue.

"Everywhere you look (in Rajasthan), around 20-30 incidents of atrocities against women are reported. Priyanka Gandhi goes for election rallies but did she visit the house of any victims?" the BJP leader asked.

Nov 18, 2023 8:14 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: How MP, Chhattisgarh fared in voters' turnout

The voters' turnout in Madhya Pradesh has surpassed the polling percentage of the 2018 assembly elections and clocked at 76.22%. The highest voting percentage, as per consituencies, is in Ratlam's Sailana assembly constituency at 90 per cent, Seoni's Barghat constituency recorded 88.20 per cent polling and Mandsaur's Malhargarh constituency saw a voting percentage of 87.08 per cent.

In Chhattisgarh, A voter turnout of 75.08% was recorded in the second phase. Of the 70 seats, the highest turnout was recorded in Sanjari-Balod seat (Balod district) at 84.07 per cent, while the lowest voting percentage was recorded in Raipur City South- an urban constituency, at 52.11 per cent, as per the Turnout app of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Nov 18, 2023 7:52 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: BJP's Rajendra Rathore says Gehlot govt will be ‘deleted’ from Rajasthan's map

Opposition leader in Rajasthan Rajendra Rathore said Ashok Gehlot's government will be ‘deleted’ from Rajasthan's map after alleging that the state goverment was ‘immersed in corruption’.

"The Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's government will be deleted from Rajasthan's map...If CM Gehlot is able to secure his seat, then it will be a big deal," he said.

Nov 18, 2023 6:57 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Karnataka CM expects Congress' victory in 4 states

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the Congress will win in four out of five states this assembly election session. "According to the information I have received, we will win in four states," he said at a press conference in Mysore.

elangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the four states he is confident Congress will win.

Nov 18, 2023 6:20 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Union minister alleges Congress of following ‘rob and share’ policy in Rajasthan

Union minister Pralhad Joshi alleged that Congress in Rajasthan believes in ‘loot ke lao, baant ke khao’ (rob and share) policy, whereas, the state government was mired in corruption.

"Rob and share (loot ke lao, baant ke khao) is the policy of the Congress. It (leaders) loots (money) and distributes it to use it among themselves," he said.

Nov 18, 2023 6:11 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Rahul Gandhi calls BJP-BRS ‘one power’ in Telangana

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a road show on Friday in Warangal East of poll-bound Telangana. There he addressed the gathering called the BJP and BRS ‘one power’ alleging that both the parties are sympathisers of each other.

"BJP and BRS are one power. One works in Delhi and the other in Telangana. They keep helping each other. I have seen with my own eyes in the Lok Sabha, how people of BRS work on one signal from the PM. Whenever the PM needed, BRS was there for him, be it- at the time of GST, farmer's rules, demonetization," he said.

Nov 18, 2023 6:03 AM IST

Assembly elections 2023 Live: Amit Shah to visit Telangana today

Union minsiter Amit Shah is expected to release the BJP's manifesto tomorrow during his visit to the state to attend election rallies in Gadwal, Nalgonda and Warnagal.

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