Lok Sabha election 2024 Highlights: Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi on electoral bonds, calls him ‘mastermind’

Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, 72, was among the three BJP MPs denied Lok Sabha ticket in Bihar this time. He represented Buxar in the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019, after being elected MLA from Bhagalpur five times. A veteran in the party and its affiliates for close to six decades, he is upset with the way he has been treated due to what, he feels, might be a result of some conspiracy against him. Read on.

During a road show in Puducherry, BJP president JP Nadda criticised the Opposition, reports ANI.

He said: "I ask you- Isn't Rahul Gandhi out on bail? Isn't Sonia Gandhi out on bail? Isn't Chidambaram out on bail? Isn't Karti Chidambaram out on bail? Ins't Sanjay Singh out on bail? Isn't Kejriwal in jail? Isn't Manish Sisodia in jail? Isn't Satyendar Jain in jail? 'Aadhe jail mein hain, aadhe bail par hain'"

On PM Modi's statement on electoral bonds in an interview with ANI, Congress MP & candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor says: "So he suggests that you will repent repealing it or repent scrapping it? It is precisely the BJP will repent because it reveals both extortion and corruption..."

Contrary to expectations and barely five years after making his electoral debut from Bihar’s Begusarai Lok Sabha seat — referred to as the Leningrad of Bihar for being a traditional Communist stronghold — Kanahiya Kumar, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as CPI candidate, has shifted his base to North East Delhi seat as a Congress candidate. Read on.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke on several issues in an interview to news agency ANI ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Modi pointed out that he has “big plans” for the country and that his decisions are not made to scare anyone or to diminish anyone. Read on.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 live updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday called the electoral bonds the ‘biggest extortion scheme’ of the world, adding that PM Modi is the mastermind behind it. The remarks of Rahul Gandhi came after Prime Minister Modi in an interview to ANI accused the opposition parties of "spreading lies" over the electoral bonds scheme, which has been struck down by the Supreme Court, and said "everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection". 

Speaking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi said, "The important thing in electoral bond is- names and dates. When you carefully see the names and dates you will know that when they (donors) gave the electoral bond, right after that contract was given to them or CBI inquiry was withdrawn against them. Prime Minister is caught here that's why he is giving interview to ANI.This is the biggest extortion scheme of the world and PM Modi is the mastermind of it."

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma praised the BJP's manifesto and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'gurantees' labeling the manifesto as a 'visionary' blueprint crafted with the welfare of the nation's citizens in mind. Addressing a Press conference in Jaipur, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said, "The BJP manifesto is crafted with the aspirations of millions of Indians in mind, serving as a visionary document shaped by and for the public, addressing their various concerns and needs".

Lok Sabha Election 2024 live updates: The Congress on Monday expelled Jatani MLA Suresh Kumar Routray from the party on charges of indiscipline and anti-party activities. In a statement, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal said, "Considering the complaints of indiscipline and anti-party activities, the Hon’ble Congress President has approved the expulsion of Shri Suresh Kumar Routray from the party for six years with immediate effect."

Narendra Modi Live Updates: PM Narendra Modi spoke about Elon Musk's entry into the Indian market and job creation, "Elon Musk is supporter of Modi is one thing, basically, he is a supporter of India...I want investment in India. Paisa kisi ka bhi laga ho, paseena mere desh ka lagna chahiye, uske andar sugandh mere desh ki mitti ki aani chahiye, taaki mere desh ke naujawan ko rozgar mile (Whoever wishes to invest can, but it must be built by Indians so that the youth of my country get employment)."

"...I did not want to wait until the last session. I wanted to get it done early which would surprise people. We got the declaration in the first session on the second day itself. Attempts were made to drag G20 on the basis of negative estimations - I wanted to surprise them by all means. That was my strategy. The strategy was successful and I am happy..." he said.

"When we were not even born, when our party was not even born… at that time, this matter could have been dealt with in the court. There could have been a solution to the problem. When India was divided, then during the time of partition, they could have decided to do so and so. That was not done. Why? Because this is like a weapon in their hands, a weapon for vote bank politics," Modi said.

"Even, when the case was going on in the court, they tried to delay the judgement of the court. Why? Because for them, it was a political weapon. They kept saying Ram Mandir will be built, they will kill you." "It was a way to appease a vote bank. Now what happened? Ram Mandir was built, no untoward incidents happened and that issue has gone out of their hands," he said.

Speaking about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said, “Unfortunately, these days we see there is no commitment and responsibility towards one word. You must have seen old videos of a leader circulating, where his every thought is contradictory. When people see this, they think that this leader was trying to hoodwink the public."

“Lately, I heard a politician say, ‘Ek jhatke mein garibi hata dunga’. Those who got a chance to be in power for 5-6 decades, when they say this, the country thinks what is this man saying," he added.

"I have big plans...kissi ko darne ki zaroorat nahin hai. My decisions are not made to scare anyone or to diminish anyone. They are made for the overall development of the country," says PM Modi.

Narendra Modi Live Updates: On DMK's recent 'anti-Sanatana' remark and public outrage over it, PM Narendra Modi said, "...Congress should be asked that what is its compulsion to sit with people who are spewing such venom against Sanatana?...What is this perversion in the Congress mindset...It is a matter of concern for the country that it is a compulsion for Congress."

Narendra Modi in Tirunelveli LIVE: “People of Tamil Nadu will give a decisive lead to the NDA because they have seen the development and governance model of the BJP. For years, the DMK said that the BJP and the NDA do not exist in Tamil Nadu. However, these elections will end their illusion,” PM Modi said.

Narendra Modi in Tirunelveli LIVE: Tamil Nadu witnessing corruption of family-run party, PM Modi alleges at rally. He slammed the DMK govt over drug menace.

Narendra Modi in Tirunelveli LIVE: "Tamil Nadu people were kept in the dark by DMK-Congress on ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka," PM said addressing poll rally in Tamil Nadu.

“Congress and DMK have hatred for Tamil culture; it's proved in 'Sengol' episode,” PM  Modi alleges at TN rally

"In the last 10 years, the NDA has worked a lot for the development of Tamil Nadu. Modi started the Vande Bharat train between Chennai and Tirunelveli. In our manifesto, we have also promised to start a bullet train in South," says PM  addressing a public meeting in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

Narendra Modi in Tirunelveli LIVE: PM is addressing a public rally at present.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the BJP-led central government’s priority is to establish peace in the ethnic strife affected Manipur. This Lok Sabha election is between forces trying to break Manipur and those keeping it united, Shah said at a public meeting in Imphal. The senior BJP leader claimed that attempts of infiltration were being made in the northeastern state to change its demography. “Establishment of peace in Manipur by taking all communities on board and without breaking the state is the priority of the Narendra Modi government," Shah said.

Lok Sabha election 2024 live: Authorities have seized cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies worth over ₹4 crore in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India said on Monday. The poll body is on track for the highest-ever seizures of inducements recorded in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections in the country, with seizures totalling ₹4650 crores, showing an increase of ₹175 crore compared to 2019, it said.

Lok Sabha election 2024 live: Establishment of peace in Manipur by taking all communities on board is the priority of Narendra Modi government, Amit Shah says in a rally in Imphal.

Lok Sabha election 2024 live: In an interview with the news agency ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed about electoral bonds.

“Due to electoral bonds you are getting the trail of the money. Which company gave it? How did they give it? Where did they give it? And that is why I say when they will think honestly, everyone will regret it (on the Supreme Court decision to scrap electoral bonds),” he said.