Ramadoss' PMK to Ally With BJP, Announcement Likely Today

The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear pleas of BRS leader K Kavitha, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and others challenging various provisions of PMLA.

We are happy that 7 Bulgarian nationals are safe and will be returning home soon. India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region: PM Modi 

BJP convened core committee meetings at the party headquarters to deliberate on potential candidates for various states for the lok sabha polls.

The states of UP, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Haryana, Odisha, Sikkim, Maharashtra and Gujarat were discussed in the meeting.

A day after the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) announced that it has decided to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, both the parties are slated to announce seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai and the PMK president held a meeting at PMK founder Ramadoss' house Tuesday morning regarding seat-sharing agreement.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray on Monday late night reached Delhi, amid speculations of him joining hands with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 
 

Congress leader Rohan Gupta on Monday announced to withdraw his candidature from the Ahmedabad East constituency citing his father's medical condition, say sources. 

Launching a scathing attack on the RJD, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said, "Jungle Raj was given an opportunity by the Chief Minister to improve, but they (RJD) turned it into Gundaraj. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had also said in the Assembly House that these people will not improve. If there is mafia rule in Bihar then they should reveal the name of the mafia, alert the government, but he (Tejashwi Yadav) will not do this. He has come with a golden spoon."

Responding on Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's comment over Rahul Gandhi, the state Congress President Nana Patole said, "People of the country have accepted the sacrifice and hard work of Rahul Gandhi. The way he has given the 25 guarantees to the farmers, youth, workers and women, people's trust in him has increased. It's not we who say the Maharashtra government is unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court has said so. The CM of an unconstitutional government has no right to speak over someone like Rahul Gandhi."

On PM Modi visit to Karnataka, former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said, "There is a competition for tickets in BJP because it wins. See Congress's desperate condition where no one is asking for a ticket so there is no descent there. After the Lok Sabha elections, there will be distress in the Congress in the whole country. As per my political experience, after PM Modi takes the oath as PM, the Congress will split on a national level. That will also affect in Karnataka, that's why the govt in Karnataka will not stay for long, and the Congress will split at the state level also."

On PM Modi's public meeting in Shivamogga, Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra said, "PM of the country started the campaign from Shivamogga, Udupi Chickamagalur, Davangere. PM's visit gives moral support and a big boost to BJP to win seats throughout Karnataka. PM Modi's wave is such that the Congress is trying hard to find candidates and ministers are hesitating to contest the election. There is a Modi wave in Karnataka and throughout the country. Congress, which is in confidence, will get a big shock after the elections. The schemes and programs which have reached people without any corruption, have impressed the people of the state."

Former-Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur has alleged that the ruling Congress party in the state violated the Model Code of Conduct by distributing and filling out the forms for the RS 1500 honorarium announced to women in the state.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Ministers KP Maurya and Brajesh Pathak left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters after attending the core group meeting attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president JP Nadda in Delhi.

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar on Monday joined the BRS Party in the presence of former Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a political party in Tamil Nadu, on Monday decided to ally with the BJP. General Secretary (PMK) Vadivel Ravanan said, that regarding constituencies and candidates, PMK founder Ramadoss will make an announcement the day after tomorrow, March 19. 

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Lovely Mohan, wife of gangster turned politician Anand Mohan, on Monday joined the Janata Dal United (JDU) at an event in Patna.

The BJP-led NDA finalises seat sharing formula in Bihar for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It has been finallised that the BJP will contest on 17 seats, while JDU will contest on 16 seats. Hindustani Awam Morcha will contest on 1 seat, while Chirag Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party will field its candidates on 5 seats.

PM Narendra Modi hitting out at the Congress on Monday in Karnataka said, "...Congress ko is Lok Sabha chunav mein chun chun kar ke saaf kar dene chahiye. You have to come out with this resolution on April 26 and May 7..."

While addressing a rally in Shivamogga, Karnataka PM Narendra Modi said, "4 June ko 400 paar. Karnataka voters have a big responsibility in this mission. Why are we talking about 400 seats? 400 paar for Viksit Bharat, Viksit Karnataka..."

While hitting out at the Congress government PM Modi on Monday said, “An open announcement was made at Shivaji Ground in Mumbai. Now they (Congress) want to destroy Hindu Shakti. I am shocked.” 

While addressing people in Karnataka, PM Modi hit out at the Opposition Congress stating, “INDI alliance is known for corruption and appeasement and they must have lost their sleep by now.” 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a grand roadshow in Karnataka's Shivamogga ahead of his address at the public meeting in the region. 

Madras High Court restrained expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam from using party symbol, flag and letterhead. 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued orders for the removal of the Home Secretary in six states namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Additionally, the Secretary of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have also been removed. Election Commission has also taken the necessary action to remove the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, claimed sources.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also removed Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and Additional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners. ECI has also removed Secretary GAD Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh who are holding charge in respective CM’s Office. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay homage to the victims of the 1998 blast while concluding his Coimbatore roadshow in RS Puram, the site of the blast.

Under the DMK-Congress seat-sharing deal, the MK Stalin's party has agreed to give 10 seats to the Congress in Tamil Nadu.  

1. Thiruvallur
2. Kadalur
3. Mailadturai
4. Sivagangai
5. Tirunilveli
6. Krishnagiri
7. Karur
8. Virudnagar
9. Kanyakumari
10. Puducherry

BJP leader Ashok Chavan reacted to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Shakti’ remark and said, “He (Rahul Gandhi) has not taken any name, however, if he wants to make any remarks on me, it is illogical and baseless… It is also a lie that I have met Sonia Gandhi in Delhi. These remarks are factually incorrect. All of this is a political stunt.”

The party sources revealed that Congress has offered Bengaluru North Lok Sabha ticket to veteran BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda in attempt to include him in the grand-old party's camp from the BJP. 

During his public address in Jagtial, PM Modi says, "It is BRS who has misused people's faith, formed government & then betrayed their trust. For 10 years, after its formation, Telangana was ruthlessly looted by BRS. And now, Congress has made Telangana its 'personal ATM'."

During his public address in Jagtial, PM Modi says, "Can someone talk about the destruction of 'Shakti'?...We dedicated the success of the Chandrayaan mission by naming the point where Chandrayaan landed as 'Shiv Shakti'...The fight is between those who want to destroy 'Shakti' and those who worship 'Shakti'...'Muqabla 4 June ko ho jaaega'..."

In another blow to former Chief Minister Kamal Nath and the Congress, Syed Jafar, who has been Congress State General Secretary, Media Vice President and State Spokesperson, joined the BJP.  

During his public address in Jagtial, PM Modi says, "The INDI alliance in their manifesto said that their fight is against 'Shakti'. For me, every mother, daughter & sister is a form of 'Shakti'. I worship them in the form of 'Shakti'. I am the worshiper of Bharat Mata...Their manifesto is to finish 'Shakti', and I accept the challenge...'Main jaan ki baazi laga dunga'..."

During his public address in Jagtial, PM Modi says, "The biggest festival of democracy begins. On May 13 the voters of Telangana will script history"

“Shakti will emerge victorious on June 4 (result date for Lok Sabha elections). I accept INDI's challenge and will sacrifice my life for protecting Shakti," said PM Modi over Rahul Gandhi's 'We are fighting against a Shakti" remark. 

Amid echoes of ‘400 Paar,' PM Modi addressed a public rally in Telangana's Jagtial, and said, “NDA government dedicated developmental projects worth crores to Telangana. The wave of the BJP in the state is evident. It's to eliminate Congress.” 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a public meeting in Telangana's Jagtial.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Saundararajan is likely to resign from the Governor post to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, claimed sources. 

“I will be addressing rallies in Jagtial and Shivamogga today. Later in the evening, will join the roadshow in Coimbatore. Be it Telangana, Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, there is exceptional fervour in the NDA’s favour,” wrote PM Modi on X. 

Akali Dal has called for a Core Group meeting on March 22. Sukhbir Badal led core is group expected to take final call on alliance, Lok Sabha poll strategy in the meeting. After the meeting, first list of candidates likely to come up. 

JD(S) to announce candidate for Kolar Lok Sabha constituency today. The candidate will be announced this afternoon, said party sources adding that Mallesh Babu's name has been finalised. Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also informed its ally BJP about the decision. 

In a huge setback for the BJP in Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, former Deputy CM KS Eshwarappa has decided to contest the polls independently from the Shivamogga seat. The BJP leader is upset over ticket denial to his son Kantesh from the Haveri constituency.  

The Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, partners in opposition's INDI bloc, is set to hold an important meeting in Delhi today regarding seat-sharing for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Party sources have revealed that RJD has been claiming itself to be a big brother in Bihar and said that it will fight on 28-30 seats. Whereas, it is ready to give 7-9 seats to Congress and three to left parties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will lead BJP's campaign in the southern states of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Check the PM’s schedule:

• 11:30 AM: PM Modi will address public meeting at Telangana’s Jagtial.
• 3:15 PM: PM Modi will visit Karnataka’s Shivamogga, where he will also hold a public meeting.
• 4:45 PM: The prime minister will visit Tamil Nadu for the fifth time this year. He will be holding a road show in Coimbatore. Police had initially denied permission for it citing law and order situation, however, a court directed them to permit the roadshow and imposed a few conditions.
• Night Stay: The prime minister will be halting at Coimbatore’s Circuit House for the night.