Lok Sabha Elections Highlights: ‘Cong doing cheap politics’, says Kangana Ranaut

In a setback to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, its three-term MLA from Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, Kamlesh Shah, on Friday joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Enforcement Directorate is working as BJP's political weapon and it wants to get details of AAP's Lok Sabha election strategy by accessing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's phone, senior AAP leader Atishi alleged on Friday.

Kejriwal, who is the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the central probe agency on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and is in its custody till April 1.

Congress is likely to announce its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections at the AICC headquarters on April 5, sources said on Friday.

According to party sources, right after the release of the manifesto, two massive rallies will take place in Jaipur and Hyderabad on April 6.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Prakash Ambedkar:"We have tried to bring Prakash Ambedkar's party within the MVA fold. We had many rounds of discussions where we asked him which seats you have the strength in as it was not about only increasing the numbers of the party but winning... We sincerely want all those who are opposing PM Modi to not divide their votes as it gives an advantage to PM Modi. I think if he (Prakash Ambedkar) doesn't join MVA then he is helping the BJP to divide Congress vote..."

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari on issues affecting Lok Sabha elections 2024: “There is no lack of issues in the country. In 2014, PM Modi sold dreams of employment and today the data tells us that we have 80 per cent unemployment. You (the NDA government) had promised MSP, doubling the farmers’ income and ending black money. PM Modi is going against all the issues on which the country had selected him in 2014.”

“BJP knows that the people of West Bengal are fully with TMC and not with them, so they are misusing agencies like CBI, ED and NIA. We have information from sources that two BJP leaders (both are Lok Sabha candidates) met SP of NIA (Kolkata) Dhan Ram Singh at his residence and had phases of meeting, wherein, they handed over a list of TMC workers to arrest, harass and detain them,” TMC leader Kunal Ghosh tells PTI

Shiv Sena invites Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam to join the Eknath Shinde-led party. “Govinda joined our party yesterday but he has declared that he won't be contesting the election. Sanjay Nirupam is very angry with Congress. If he thinks about it, he will take the decision in 2-3 days and if he wants to join us, we welcome him,” Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat told ANI.

“There’s no change for me. I consider myself as a worker. In films as well, I worked with dedication. Here (Mandi) too, I have been given the responsibility to serve. I am like this in real life. I have officially joined BJP now but people have been saying since long that she is of BJP,” says actor and BJP’s Mandi Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut.

Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh slams Kangana Ranaut, saying, "I want to ask Kangana Ranaut that when Mandi was affected by a natural calamity and there was a loss of crores of rupees, it was Mandi MP Pratibha Singh who met the people there and carried out an inspection...Did Kangana Ranaut come to meet the people (in Mandi)?..."

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday promised that his party will reserve 50 per cent of government jobs for women if voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections. Deep dive

The AAP on Friday said the entire country was ashamed over the "politicisation" of central probe agencies ED and CBI by the BJP and people will respond to this in the coming elections. The BJP has developed the "biggest political washing machine" in the last ten years that churns out "election donation and falsehood" when businessmen and politicians facing corruption charges are put inside," AAP spokesperson Jasmine Shah alleged in a press conference.

“How your vote can change the face and fortune of the country is in front of you. Look at India before 2014 and that of after 2014 - in India before 2014, there was an atmosphere of mutual distrust in the country, anarchy, mismanagement, corruption and the country's borders were unsafe. In India after 2014, country's stature in the world has increased, borders are secure, terrorism and Naxalism have ended,” says Yogi Adityanath at a rally in Amroha

Congress leader Pappu Yadav reacts on Bihar's Purnea Lok Sabha seat being given to the RJD, "No one can separate me from the Congress' flag. I welcome the decision of Congress leadership to strengthen the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. I will go amidst the people with the resolve of establishing the flag of Congress in Purnea."

BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat, actor Kangana Ranaut attacks Congress, "... Congress could not accept my nomination from Mandi. They started doing cheap politics. Their leader Rahul Gandhi talks about destroying the 'shakti' in Hindus. Their spokesperson makes derogatory remarks about the women of Mandi... Mandi has been named after Rishi Madav. Mandi is the place where Rishi Parashar sat in penance. Mandi organises the biggest 'mela' on 'Mahashivratri' every year and they make such disrespectful remarks against women of Mandi... But what else can be expected from them?"

BJP candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut says,“I am fortunate to have got an opportunity to be nominated from here (Mandi). I have to remember a lot of names (of party leaders). It will take time, however I am aware that I can make a few mistakes here. But this isn’t a film industry that I will be crucified.”

NDA ally Jitan Ram Manjhi taunted opposition after it announced seat sharing deal. “'Bahut Der Kar Di Hujur Aate Aate'. People understand that they (the opposition alliance) can't get into an alliance that goes heart to heart. It's an on-paper seat-sharing, and this will definitely have an impact on elections. They don't have any vision like PM Modi has. Their only goal is who will be the PM of India and they have 6-7 candidates. Their purpose is just about greed and personal interest but not patriotism,” the former Bihar chief minister said.

BJP's Basirhat candidate Rekha Patra, who had highlighted the plight of women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, has lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Women against TMC nominee Debangshu Bhattacharyya for alleged violation of her privacy, PTI reported.

TMC leader Shashi Panja says, "... A memorandum has been submitted to the ECI, and ECI will be giving us time on Monday again. We will have a long talk with them and express our concerns... AITC is extremely disturbed by the way Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested just before the elections. Now Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been announced, ECI is in total control of the situation, even then, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested.

“We are requesting the EC to take up all powers they have at their disposal via Article 324...Their target is West Bengal... They have reached upto Mahua Moitra and disturbing AITC candidates who are campaigning... All tiers of the West Bengal government are being disturbed on the ground... The central investigative agencies are using a discriminatory approach,” she added.

Congress manifesto set to be released in Delhi. It is likely to be followed by rallies in across the country.

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut said on Friday, “Development is the main issue for BJP. The people of Mandi will show what is in their heart.”

BJP candidate and actor Kangana Ranaut says, "You can see the large gathering here. A lot of people have come here. They are all proud that the daughter of Mandi, the nationalist voice from Mandi will represent the constituency in this election...Development is the main issue for BJP...The people of Mandi will show what is in their heart."

Asha Ranaut, the mother of BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut, commented on a post by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate criticising her daughter.

She says, "She too has daughters and daughters-in-law at home. If she speaks like that then they should think that if someone speaks like that against their own children, how would they feel...I too have that same pain in me...Why should I call out the entire party if one individual speaks derogatory language? Not everyone is bad. "

BJP candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut said while addressing people during a rally, “Don't think that Kangana is a heroine, that she is a star. Consider Kangana your sister, your daughter. Everyone is my family…”

Despite its historical victories in the past three Lok Sabha elections, the BJP in Jharkhand faces a challenging contest this time due to internal discord, dissatisfaction among party members regarding ticket allocation, and tribal resistance in certain areas, according to leaders within the party. Jharkhand, with its 14 Lok Sabha seats, is set to vote in four phases starting from May 13.

The BJP is competing in 13 constituencies under an agreement to share seats with ally AJSU Party, which will put forward its candidate for the Giridih Lok Sabha seat, PTI reported.