News18 Daybreak | PM Modi Sounds Poll Bugle With 'SARAB' Dig and Other Stories You Need to Watch Out For
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections after the poll schedule was announced. Modi will address rallies in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, Rudrapur in Uttarakhand and Jammu — all constituencies which are going to polls in the first phase on April 11. BJP chief Amit Shah too will be holding a rally in Assam’s Jorhat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday coined an acronym ‘Sarab’ to take a dig at the united opposition in Uttar Pradesh, saying the consumption of this alliance liquor would destroy the health of the state. Speaking at an election rally in Meerut, Modi also took a dig at the Congress’s proposed income scheme, saying those who could not get people to open their bank accounts were now promising to directly transfer money to them.
"Sapa (Samajwadi Party) ka 'sa', RLD ka 'Raa' aur Baspa (BSP) ka 'ba', matlab 'sharab'. For UP's good health and for India's future, should you not stay away from sarab? Sapa, RLD, Baspa, ye 'sarab' aapko barbaad kar degi (this sarab destroy you)," the Prime Minister said.
He said she said: Following the ‘SARAB’ dig, opposition party leaders including the Congress sought an apology from the Prime Minister questioning whether such language violated the model code.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati also said that the PM’s address was symptomatic of his “casteist and distorted mindset”. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “Those who promote intoxication of hatred do not know the difference between ‘sharab’ and ‘sarab’”
The Election Commission is likely to decide on Friday whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on India successfully testing an anti-satellite missile violated the model code of conduct, which is in force for the Lok Sabha election.
The poll body set up a panel to examine Modi’s announcement made on Wednesday after opposition party leaders claimed that it had violated the Code for its portrayal of ‘Mission Shakti’ as the government’s success.
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Economist Jean Dreze released after being detained in Jharkhand for public meeting 'without police permission'
Jharkhand police on Thursday detained Jean Dreze and two other 'Right to Food' activists in Garhwa district’s Bishunpura, where the group was holding a Jan Sunwai (public grievance meeting) to resolve issues related to ration and pension pendencies. Vivek Kumar, Anuj Kumar and Jean Dreze were held over permissions for the meeting, which was being held after the March 6 event, where under the leadership of CPI (ML), a one-day blockade was organized against “looting of ration and land”. While the three had sought police consent, they were not informed if their request had been approved or denied. The trio was released after four hours of detention. The CPI(M) hit out at the ruling BJP over the incidence accusing it of being anti-people. "CPIM strongly condemns the arrest of noted Economist Jean Dreze in Jharkhand for organizing a Right to Food meeting! Faced with severe criticism the Govt was forced to release him," the party tweeted.
Kumaraswamy, Congress leaders protest outside I-T office in Bengaluru after raids on JD(S) bastions
Searches by Income Tax officials on premises linked to leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular) and their associates across six districts in south Karnataka triggered a political storm on Thursday. The searches, coming just 20 days ahead of the election, were conducted in Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga.
The ruling coalition — the JD(S) and the Congress — closed ranks and condemned the BJP government at the Centre for misusing official machinery against the Opposition. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy later led a protest in front of Income Tax Department offices in Bengaluru.
The action came within hours of Mr. Kumaraswamy predicting a “massive IT search” against JD(S) leaders on Wednesday evening, with I-T sleuths reaching the premises of politically connected businessmen around midnight in Bengaluru.
Senior cabinet Ministers of Karnataka, led by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah staged a protest in front of the offices of the Income Tax Department in Bengaluru on Thursday evening as day long raids against Janata Dal (S) leaders and their associates continued across six districts in south Karnataka.
Mr Kumaraswamy said the misuse of Central agencies to create an environment of fear by the BJP was setting the States on a collision course with Centre.
News18 Election Tracker:
ctor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who refused to quit the BJP for years despite a relationship best described as "complicated", has finally decided to join the Congress. His meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday and their photo together confirmed what had been brewing for days. Later, he tweeted that he was "painfully, on the way out of BJP".
Shatrughan Sinha, 72, is likely to contest as the opposition alliance candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib, his constituency of 10 years. "Painfully....on the way out of BJP....But hopefully in the best direction under the dynamic leadership of my dear friend Lalu Yadav and the desirable, most talked about leader from the Nehru Gandhi family... the true family of nation builders...." he tweeted.
He did not name Rahul Gandhi, who, according to him, had been "very encouraging and positive" during their meeting.
'Why Not Varanasi?' Priyanka Gandhi teases contest against Narendra Modi
AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday triggered speculation of her contesting from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi where the BJP is fielding Narendra Modi. The Congress leader during an interaction with party workers in Raebareily was urged for contesting from the constituency to which she replied saying, “Why not Varanasi.” Although, the party hasn’t declared her candidature, the Congress leader had on Wednesday said she would contest elections if her party asks her.