Maharashtra election 2024 highlights: PM Modi targets opposition over Marathi language status

The Congress on Friday took a swipe at the Mahayuti alliance over Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stating that he did not request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a campaign rally in his Baramati constituency, and claimed that conflict has started in the NDA alliance in the midst of elections.

Ajit Pawar, the sitting MLA from Baramati, is contesting against his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the candidate of the rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar. (PTI)

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday took a swipe at NCP leader Praful Patel and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik, alleging they switched parties to avoid pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

"What Praful Patel and Pratap Sarnaik are saying has no meaning. These people left to escape ED. There was pressure on me too; I had written to the Vice President then. Many people were under pressure to leave the party and join the BJP. Weak-hearted people left the party," Raut remarked. (ANI)

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Congress president Nana Patole called for overthrowing the Mahayuti government in the state to alleviate “immense hardships to common citizens”.

“Farmers are struggling as their crops are not getting a fair price. Issues of law and order persist and women are not safe in the state. Unemployment and rising inflation are major issues being faced by the people. Hence, the goal is to replace the Mahayuti alliance with the MVA,” Patole said. (PTI)

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar alleged that people of Pimpri-Chinchwad are unhappy over “corruption” by BJP MLAs and expressed confidence of winning the constituency in the upcoming elections.

“In Mahanagar Palika of Pimpri Chinchwad in the last many years, the power is with BJP. People are not very happy with the way Mahanagar Palika and the MLAs have worked. We all are very sure that Ajit Gamane from Bhosari and two more candidates from Pimpri Chinchwad will win from this city,” Pawar said.

Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil said on Friday that he would make clear his stand on contesting the Maharashtra assembly elections on November 10.

“After that (Nov 10), the community has ten days (till the election). We will get reservation, and till we get it, it will be our focus. After getting reservation, we will decide what to do about politics,” Patil said.

“People are bound to go against you if they face injustice. Because of Devendra Fadnavis, our community has faced a lot of injustice. The Maratha community faced huge insult when they gave reservation to other communities and we were left out. There is anger in the community,” he added.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: "On one side there are people like PM Modi who talk about development, on the other side the leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi talk about caste... On one side we talk about the development of the country, on the other side, they (Maha Vikas Aghadi) talk about the development of the three families... Rahul Gandhi distributed copies of the Constitution in a public meeting and upon checking it was found that only the Constitution was written on it but the books were blank...Rahul Gandhi has disrespected the constitution," said Home Minister Amit Shah during a poll rally in Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat accused the BJP of making people fight over caste and religion.

“Congress has never made anyone fight. Congress has neither made anyone fight on the basis of religion nor on the basis of caste. BJP does this. BJP is campaigning in a very wrong way,” Thorat said.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi alleged that parties of the ruling Mahayuti alliance are in a state of confusion and lack consensus.

“The comments coming from UP CM Yogi Adityanath 'Batenge to Katenge', PM Modi saying 'Ek hai toh safe hai' and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar coming out and speaking against their alliance partners shows a lot of confusion in the entire 'Maha-jhoothi' alliance...We have also seen how they have put up candidates against each other...There is no consensus between the three. They have got together just to enjoy the perks of power,” she said. (ANI)

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed credit for conferring the status of “classical” language on the Marathi.

“We gave Marathi the recognition, which this great language deserves. But on the other hand, Congress and the people of MVA never let Marathi language get the status of elite language,” said PM Modi at Nashik poll rally.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of ‘abusing’ Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar and described him as the "pride" of Maharashtra and the country.

“Congress people abuse Veer Savarkar...I have heard that the people of MVA sat with the 'Yuvraj' of Congress and told him to stop abusing Veer Savarkar if you want to win elections in Maharashtra,” said PM Modi during a poll rally in Nashik.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praises on united Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and sought to target the MVA alliance over differences in ideology.

“Balasaheb Thackeray's contribution to the politics of the country and Maharashtra is incomparable. But not a single word comes out from the mouth of Congress leaders in praise of Balasaheb Thackeray. I challenge my Congress friends in the MVA, they should get the Congress leaders to praise Bala Saheb Thackeray and his ideology...Today is 8th November, I will count the number of days and wait for a reply from MVA people,” said PM Modi during a poll rally in Nashik. (ANI)

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said, “Mahayuti is working together...A government of the ideology of Shiv Sahu Phule should be formed in Maharashtra.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress party of wanting to ‘divide’ the OBC caste groups in the state into several groups. He also alleged that the OBCs could secure reservations only when the Congress party was not in power.

“During Congress rule, OBC was not united. OBC got reservations only when Congress was not in government. As soon as OBC got united, Congress lost the majority of the country. So, Congress wants to divide OBC into Kunabi, Mali and others. Congress wants Kunbi to fight Maali, Sutar to Sonar, etc,” said PM Modi during a poll rally in Nashik.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress for opening a “jhooth ki dukaan” (shop of lies) during a poll rally in Nashik.

Taking a dig at the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, he also alleged that the state government has “no money” to pay the salaries of its employees.

PM Modi also alleged that schemes designed by the Congress governments allow the party do indulge in “maximum corruption”.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the opposition parties over a recent ruckus in the J&K assembly over a resolution seeking the restoration of J&K's special status.

"By abrogating article 370 I implemented the constitution of Dr. Ambedkar in Kashmir. This was my biggest tribute to the Babasaheb Ambedkar," said PM Modi during a poll rally in Nashik.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that developmental work in the state would come to a "stop" if the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is voted to power.

“MVA is anti-development. They opposed the Metro railway, Vadhvan Port, and Atal Setu. So keep the MVA out of power,” said PM Modi in Nashik.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Addressing a rally in Nashik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government changed the export policy to encourage onion exports as he understood the feelings of onion farmers in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: Union Home Minister Amir Shah on Friday accused the Congress of inability to implement poll promises in states ruled by the party.

“They made many promises during elections in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana. Now even Kharge ji asks the party to make promises carefully as they are not fulfilled. If the national president of a party suggests his party to make promises carefully, can this party ever fulfil promises made to the people of Karad South?,” asked Shah during a poll rally in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: PM Modi accused the Congress and INDIA bloc of plotting against Kashmir after they recently passed a resolution in the J&K Legislative Assembly calling for the restoration of Article 370. He said that as soon as they formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir, they began implementing their conspiracies against the region.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: PM Modi praised the people of Maharashtra for their wholehearted support, assuring that the state's development in the last two-and-a-half years would continue under the BJP-led Mahayuti government. He claimed that only this alliance could provide the governance Maharashtra needs and criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi for its internal struggles.

Maharashtra election 2024 live updates: PM Modi praised BJP's role in electing Droupadi Murmu as India's first Adivasi President, criticising Congress for attempting to defeat her. He claimed the Congress' tactics resemble their historical opposition to leaders like Babasaheb Ambedkar. Modi warned of a “dangerous conspiracy” by Congress to divide communities and urged the nation to be vigilant against this divisive strategy.

Narendra Modi Live updates: PM Modi accused leaders like Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi of implementing anti-reservation policies, particularly targeting OBC and tribal communities. He alleged that the current divide between OBCs and tribal groups was a “conspiracy” against India. Modi also emphasised his slogan, “Ek hain to safe hain,” which underscores unity and safety.

Narendra Modi Live updates: PM Modi, addressing his first rally in Dhule for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections, highlighted his strong connection with the state. He claimed that some politicians use politics to exploit the people, while assuring that only the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance could drive rapid development in Maharashtra.

Narendra Modi Live updates: PM Modi accused Congress of attempting to create division between castes, claiming that the party could not tolerate the progress made by Scheduled Castes, tribals and Other Backward Communities. He alleged that this was part of Congress' strategy to fuel conflict and undermine the development of these communities.

Narendra Modi Live updates: PM Modi urged women to be cautious of the MVA, which he claimed does not support women’s empowerment. He criticised the Congress-led MVA for ignoring the demand for Marathi language status while in power. PM Modi assured that the Mahayuti government would address the demand for an airport in the Palghar-Vadhvan area once in power.