Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LIVE Updates: Vijayan's comment came after a BJP leader, who was denied a seat, claimed that there was a CPI(M)-BJP understanding in some seats for the Assembly polls
Representational image. PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
As per reports, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken suo motu cognizance of the "free door-step ration delivery" announcement by CM Mamata Banerjee. Commission has sought a report from Purulia district authorities regarding this. Commission has asked whether Mamata Banerjee promised any new public welfare scheme which is a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC).
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Rajya Sabha member Swapan Dasgupta resigned on Tuesday a day after the Trinamool Congress cited constitutional rules to say a nominated member of the upper house could not join a political party.
Swapan Dasgupta has reportedly sent his resignation with the request that it be accepted by Wednesday. His term was till April 2022.
"I have a particular status in the Rajya Sabha as a presidential nominee. I am contesting this election as a BJP candidate from Tarakeshwar. Naturally, between two things, there are a lot of outstanding issues. The nomination process involves resolving all these. And all these issues will be resolved by the time I file my nomination. I haven't yet filed my nomination. I hope to do so either on Thursday or on Friday," Dasgupta told NDTV.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Monday said Dasgupta should be disqualified from the Upper House under the Constitution's 10th Schedule. He has been given a BJP ticket for the upcoming elections.
"Swapan Dasgupta is BJP candidate for West Bengal polls," Moitra tweeted, adding, "10th Schedule of Constitution says nominated RS member to be disqualified if he joins any political party AFTER expiry of 6 months from oath. He was sworn in April 2016, remains unallied. Must be disqualified NOW for joining BJP."
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
In a major jolt to the United Democratic Front (UDF), Lathika Subash, former president of the Kerala Mahila Congress, on Monday announced her decision to contest as an Independent from the Ettumanur Assembly segment, reported The Hindu.
The announcement was made at a convention organised by her supporters at her residence in Ettumanur in the evening. Earlier in the day, Subash had tendered her resignations to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Although women voters outnumber men by 8.27 lakh in Kerala electoral roll, women representation among the 420 odd candidates fielded by three major fronts to the 140 seats in Kerala Assembly is only 38. This comes up to just nine percent.
The Congress, which announced its list of candidates for the Assembly election on Sunday, has fielded just 10 women in the 92 seats it is contesting whereas the CPM has 12 women in its 85 nominees. The Muslim League has just one woman candidate — the first since 1996 — among 27 while only two of the CPI's 25 nominees are women. The BJP tally is no better — 15 out of 115.
Puducherry Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) releases a list of nine candidates for the Puducherry Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/nujU8KnNp7
— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2021
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Congress releases a list of 4 candidates for #TamilNaduElections2021. pic.twitter.com/KOZ1S4sqW5
— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2021
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Discontent is brewing in the Congress in Kerala over the selection of candidates for the April 6 assembly polls with senior party leader K Sudhakaran attacking AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and veterans Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy, alleging they were responsible for all troubles, reports PTI.
AICC general secretary Kerala in-charge Tariq Anwar rejected the allegations of Sudhakaran, party's Kannur MP, saying the candidates were selected after taking him also into confidence.
Meanwhile, a convention of "A" group workers of the party in Kannur district on Tuesday decided to urge the party high command to withdraw the candidature of Sajeev Joseph from Irikkur seat and field their leader Sony Sebastian.
The protesting Congress workers warned of serious consequences in the election if it failed to heed their voices.
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
The Left will not compromise with communal parties for a few votes, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday, as he rejected the allegation of a BJP leader, who was denied a seat, that there was a CPI(M)-BJP understanding in some seats for the April 6 Assembly polls, reports PTI.
R Balashankar, currently working with the BJP''s national training department, alleged that he was denied the Chengannur seat in Alappuzha district as part of a deal between the CPI(M) and BJP for the assembly polls.
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
The AICC on Tuesday released its list of candidates in the six remaining constituencies in Kerala for the April 6 assembly polls, reports PTI.
T Siddique has been fielded from Kalpetta, V V Prakash from Nilambur, P C Vishnunath from Kundra, Firoz Kunnumparambil from Thavanur, Riyas Mukkoli from Patambi and Veena Nair from Vattiyoorkavu, an AICC release said.
The opposition Congress, which is contesting in 92 of the 140 assembly seats, had earlier released its candidates for 86 seats. Its ally Forward Bloc, which had been allocated the Dharmadam seat, from where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is contesting, has refused to field its candidate.
The UDF is yet to decide on who will take on the CPI (M) veteran in the constituency. IUML, a key partner of the UDF, will be contesting in 27 seats.
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Hours after the mother of two minor girls who were found dead in suspicious circumstances in 2017 announced that she would contest against the Kerala Chief Minister at Dharmadam in the April 6 assembly polls, Pinarayi Vijayan said his government had always stood by her and never hurt her, reports PTI.
"We have stood by that mother and done whatever was sought by her and have no conscience prick. We have not hurt her in any manner," Vijayan, who is now on the campaign trail in Kannur, told a press conference.
If she is taking some stand taken by some people accompanying her, she is free to do so, The government has already handed over the case to CBI, Vijayan said when asked about the woman's announcement that she would contest against him at Dharmadam as an independent candidate.
The two girls, hailing from Walayar in Palakkad, were found hanging inside their house after alleged sexual assault in 2017.
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
A BJP leader on Tuesday slammed the Kerala leadership of the party, alleging they were not interested in winning the election as weak candidates have been fielded in seats where the party had a good chance to win in the April 6 assembly polls, reports PTI.
Attacking the leadership of the state party, R Balashankar, currently working with the BJP's national training department, claimed he was denied ticket from his home constituency Chengannur in Alappuzha district after given an understanding that he would be fielded from there.
The BJP leader said he had been working for the past two months in Chengannur and all communities in the constituency including Christians and Muslims had offered him their support in the polls.
The 67-year-old leader claimed he had a very good chance for winning the seat currently held by the CPI(M) but the BJP fielded a person who is a political non-entity damaging its chance to win the seat.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
As per reports, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken suo motu cognizance of the "free door-step ration delivery" announcement by CM Mamata Banerjee. Commission has sought a report from Purulia district authorities regarding this. Commission has asked whether Mamata Banerjee promised any new public welfare scheme which is a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC).
Kerala Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
INC COMMUNIQUE
— INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) March 16, 2021
Important Notification regarding Second List of Party Candidates for Assembly Elections in Kerala pic.twitter.com/7Dxe2UCePz
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates: The Left will not compromise with communal parties for a few votes, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday, as he rejected the allegation of a BJP leader, who was denied a seat, that there was a CPI(M)-BJP understanding in some seats for the April 6 Assembly polls.
As per reports, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken suo motu cognizance of the "free door-step ration delivery" announcement by CM Mamata Banerjee.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday took a swipe at the DMK over poll promises, saying a party should give only those assurances that could be implemented. Recalling then DMK chief, the late M Karunanidhi's 2006 poll promise of providing two acres of land free of cost to all landless farmers in the state, Palaniswami asked if the party fulfilled its assurance.
Chacko made the comment after formally joining the NCP days after he quit Congress. He said that a united Opposition is necesarry to present an alternative to the BJP
Former Kerala Congress leader PC Chacko said he will formally join Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party today, reports news agency ANI. "NCP is part of the Left Democratic Front in Kerala. Once again, I am back in the LDF as a part of NCP," Chacko said.
Addressing an election rally in Balarampur in Purulia district of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has been forced to recite ‘Chandi Path’ publicly and visit temples due to the change in people’s mindset after the BJP came to power at the Centre. “Isn’t this a change? This is new India. Each and every person has to go to God,” PTI quoted him as saying.
Former Kerala Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday filed their nominations for the 6 April Assembly elections in the state.
Chandy, who is contesting from Puthuppally constituency in Kottayam district, filed his nomination at the Pambady block office in Pallikkathodu at around 11.30 am. Chennithala, who is seeking the people's mandate from Haripad constituency in Alappuzha district, filed his nomination from Harippad block office at 12.10 pm.
"Post-Independence, the kind of development that should have been done in West Bengal, has not been done. Ruling governments destroyed the state. Be it the CPM or TMC, poverty and unemployment are rampant in the state," said Rajnath Singh.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of hatching a conspiracy to harass TMC leaders ahead of the Assembly elections in the state and wondered whether the Election Commission is working as per his instructions.
"Will the home minister run the country or decide who will get arrested or beaten up, or will he decide which agency will chase whom," asked West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. "Who is running Election Commission ? I hope it's not you, Amit Shah. We want free and fair election. He's intervening in day to day working of EC," news agency ANI quotes her as saying.
The Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister has declared total assets valued at Rs 61.19 lakh, up from the Rs 33.20 lakh in 2016, according to his election affidavit submitted as part of the nomination for the 6 April Assembly polls in the state.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Monday said Dasgupta should be disqualified from the Upper House under the Constitution's 10th Schedule. He has been given a BJP ticket for the upcoming elections.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address public meetings in West Bengal on Tuesday. The three election meetings will be held in Daspur, Salboni and Sabang.
To protect intercaste marriages and prevent honour killings, a separate law will be passed. We will take all steps to abolish NEET exam, said Tamil Nadu Congress President KS Azhagiri.
Lathika Subash, former president of the Kerala Mahila Congress, on Monday announced her decision to contest as an Independent from the Ettumanur Assembly segment, according to media reports.
The Congress, which announced its list of candidates for the Assembly election on Sunday, has fielded just 10 women in the 92 seats it is contesting whereas the CPM has 12 women in its 85 nominees.
Wishing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee speedy recovery, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that she is in pain due to her injury and wondered whether she could feel the agony of the families of BJP workers killed during TMC's rule in the state.
Shah, who was addressing a poll rally in Ranibandh, said 130 BJP workers were killed by TMC goons.
He hit out at the TMC for not doing enough for the development of the minorities and introducing cut money culture in the state.
He promised that if BJP is voted to power in West Bengal in the upcoming Assembly poll it will implement the seventh Pay Commission for the state government employees.
"Didi (elder sister) when you were hurt in your leg you felt pain. I wish you speedy recovery. But what about the pain of the mothers of 130 BJP activists who were killed by TMC goons? Did you ever try to feel their pain?" he said at the rally.
"You never felt the pain of these people. They will give you a befitting reply while casting their votes in the Assembly poll," he added.
Mamata was injured at Nandigram on 10 March while campaigning after filing her nomination for the seat where she will take on her former protege and now BJP heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari.
Ridiculing Banerjee's allegations of an attack on her at Nandigram that left her injured in the leg, Shah said as per the EC's report there was no attack on her.
"The EC is saying that there was no attack. But she is saying there was a conspiracy. The TMC is saying there was an attack. Only God knows who is speaking the truth," he said.
Shah raked up the incident to mock the TMC supremo in his virtual address at a rally in tribal Jhargram. Hesaid, "I was going to come here for campaigning. Unfortunately my helicopter developed a snag and I couldn't come to see you. But I won't call it a conspiracy".
His comments come after BJP leaders from Bengal accused the TMC supremo of enacting a drama to seek sympathy votes in the upcoming Assembly polls.
Mamata was injured on 10 March and was admitted to SSKM hospital in Kolkata. She was discharged on 12 March.
Shah hit out at the TMC government for not doing enough for the development of minorities and said the Mamata Banerjee dispensation had indulged in corruption in tribal welfare schemes.
"TMC seeks cut money even for giving a tribal certificate. We will ensure the land rights of the tribals. The special focus will be on education, health and drinking water for the tribals in the area. We will also mention it in our manifesto," he said.
In his virtual address Shah highlighted designated central schemes for the tribal communities which the state government did not implement properly.
"Special stress will be given to the education of tribal students. We will provide 50 percent financial assistance those among them who score above 70 percent," he said.
Alleging that the TMC government has introduced "cut money culture" in West Bengal, Shah said BJP will change the situation in the state.
"This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla'. Our goal is to ensure that there is a change in West Bengal's situation, a change in the situation of the poor of the state.
Our aim is to end infiltration and also transform Bengal," he said.
The top BJP leader alleged that TMC is indulging in appeasement politics. "Whenever there is a festive occasion such as Durga Puja, you all have to go to court to take permission for the processions under Mamata Ji's rule. You all have to change this situation," Shah said at the rally.
Reaching out to West Bengal government employees and said the seventh Pay Commission will be implemented in the
state if the saffron party is voted to power.
Ranibandh is a part of the western district of Bankura which has a significant tribal population, crucial to any party's electoral success.
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