LIVE: Seeing 'huge wave' in favour of NDA in poll-bound states, says Modi

All eyes are on battleground Nandigram, where Mamata Banerjee has locked horns with her protege-turned-rival Adhikari. Stay tuned for LIVE updates as we track poll campaigns of political parties

1:52 AM

EC notice to DMK leader A Raja for derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu CM

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to DMK leader A Raja for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami during an election campaign.
 

The former Union minister and DMK's "star campaigner" has been asked to respond to the notice by 6 pm on Wednesday.
 

Based on ground reports, the Commission said, it is of the view that "the contents of the speech made by you are not only derogatory but also obscene and lower the dignity of motherhood of women, which seems to be a serious violation of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct." The Commission has given him "an opportunity to explain your position in this regard on or before 6.00 P.M. on March 31, failing which the Commission shall take a decision without any further reference to you." The notice said the EC received a complaint through the state chief electoral officer from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which alleged that Raja had made derogatory and scandalous speech against Palaniswami during an election campaign on March 26 at Thousand Lights assembly constituency.
 

The notice pointed out that the Central Crime Branch has registered a case under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 against the DMK MP.
 

The EC said that Raja had allegedly said that (DMK leader MK) "Stalin is a child of good relationship and good birth while Palaniswami is a child of bad relationship and a premature born child".
 

The EC also referred to some other remarks made by Raja against the chief minister.
 

1:51 AM

Injured Mamata back on her feet, sings national anthem as campaigning ends in Nandigram

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, who has been seeking votes for her party sitting on a wheelchair following a foot injury on March 10, got back on her feet to sing the national anthem as campaigning comes to an end for Nandigram, her constituency, on Tuesday.
 

At the end of her last meeting at Nandigram before curtains came down on the high-octane campaign for the second phase, the national anthem was sung.
 

Just before it started, Banerjee signalled to her trusted lieutenants Subrata Bakshi and Dola Sen to come to her side. Supported by them, the West Bengal chief minister was back on her feet.
 

Though she looked uncomfortable, the feisty TMC leader continued to stand being held by the two TMC leaders on the stage and joined others in singing the national anthem.
 

She sat down on the wheelchair the moment the anthem was over and was later brought down from the podium by her security personnel.
 

Banerjee, who has been alleging that her injury was the result of a conspiracy hatched by the BJP, said in her last meeting that she would not leave the ground and continue to fight.
 

All eyes are on battleground Nandigram, where Banerjee is locking horns with her protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari. Election in the seat will be held on April 1.
 

1:51 AM

ECI removes Bengal returning officer, 2 others

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday removed three officials including the returning officer of the Ballygunj assembly constituency in Kolkata, according to an order.
 

The two other officials are the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Haldia and the Circle Inspector (CI) of Mahishadal in Purba Medinipur district.
 

Arindam Mani, who has been posted in the same office for more than 10 years and is currently the returning officer of the Ballygunj seat, shall be transferred to a non-election post immediately, the ECI stated in a communication to the West Bengal CEO.
 

The ECI also sought a panel of three officers for filing the returning officer's post at the earliest.
 

It also removed Haldia SDPO Barun Baidya and replaced him with Uttam Mitra.
 

The BJP recently lodged a complaint with the CEO alleging that Baidya is close to the ruling Trinamool Congress.

He shall not be given in any election-related post till the completion of the polls, the order said.
 

The ECI also removed CI of Mahishadal, Bichitra Bikas Roy, and brought in Sirsendu Das in his place.
 

Das is currently posted as the inspector at the circuit bench in Jalpaiguri, the order stated.
 

8:20 PM

BJP's Mithun, TMC MP Dev join hands for Bengali film

Leaving behind their political identities, Bollywood superstar Mithun Chakraborty, who has recently joined the BJP, and actor-turned-TMC MP Dipak Adhikari, better known by his screen name Dev, have teamed up for a Bengali film.

 

The announcement came at a time when the two heroes are busy with campaigns for their respective parties in the West Bengal assembly elections and have been leading roadshows.

 

The Bengali film, which will be directed by Avijit Sen, is a joint venture between Bengal Talkies and a movie production company of Tollywood heartthrob Dev.

7:59 PM

New EVMs will be used in coming polls: EC informs HC

The Election Commission on Tuesday informed the Madras High Court that it would use only new Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), manufactured three to four years ago, for the April 6 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

 

Following the submission, the court disposed of a petition from the DMK on the matter.

 

The EC's submission was made in its counter-affidavit filed before the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy when the PIL from DMK Organising secretary R S Bharathy came up for further hearing today.

7:11 PM

Suvendu combats former mentor Mamata for political survival in Nandigram

Suvendu Adhikari, BJP candidate for Nandigram, is fighting not only to defend his hold over the key constituency but also for his political survival in the battle against former mentor Mamata Banerjee.

 

The agrarian constituency in Purba Medinipur district which was witness to a fight-back by peasants led by the TMC against forced land acquisition for a chemical hub in 2007, has now turned into a battleground of Titans, with Banerjee suddenly deciding to switch from her Bhowanipur seat to the constituency held by her former lieutenant Adhikari who has switched loyalty to the BJP.

 

The TMC movement supporting local farmers succeeded in thwarting the Left Front's plans to set up a special economc zone for large chemical factories and at the same time shaking the foundations of Left front's grip over Bengal's rural areas founded in the 1960s with a successful movement to ensure the rights of tenant farmers.

6:57 PM

The 2021 elections in Puducherry 'unique' for the fact that sitting CM has been denied a ticket, says Modi

The 2021 elections in Puducherry 'unique' for the fact that sitting CM has been denied a ticket, says Modi targeting Narayanasamy

6:14 PM

Seeing a "huge wave" in favour of NDA in poll-bound states, says Modi

Seeing a "huge wave" in favour of NDA in four poll-bound states and one UT, says PM Modi in Puducherry election rally

6:14 PM

Previous Congress govt headed by V Narayanasamy in Puducherry was a disaster: Modi

Previous Congress government headed by V Narayanasamy in Puducherry was a disaster, says Modi in Puducherry election rally

5:57 PM

Former cricketer and BJP candidate, Ashok Dinda attacked by unidentified people in Moyna

5:51 PM

Priyanka hits out at "frauds and scams" left govt in Kerala

On the campaign trail in Kerala, Congress leader PriyankaGandhi on Tuesday mounted a scathing attack on the CPI(M)-led LDF goverment, saying it was a dispensation of "frauds and scams", which was following a "corporate" manifesto.

 

Gandhi said the Left Democratic Front government had sworn allegiance to the communist manifesto but was actually following "corporate manifesto" like the Modi government at the Centre.

 

The LDF government failed to recognise the "real gold" of Kerala -- the people of the state, she said, addressing a public meeting in Kollam alluding to the gold smuggling case.

5:42 PM

Watch: PM Modi addresses public meeting at Puducherry

5:34 PM

Elections: LDF govt 'betrayed' people of Kerala just as Judas did to Jesus, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday targeted Kerala's ruling LDF over the gold smuggling scam, saying the CPI(M)-led government "betrayed" the people of the state just as Judas did to Jesus for a few pieces of silver.

 

He also slammed the LDF government on the manner in which it dealt with the agitation against the decision to implement a Supreme Court verdict allowing entry of women in all age groups into Sabarimala temple, saying the Left dispensation should be ashamed of showering lathis on innocent devotees.

 

"About LDF it can be said:Judas. Judas betrayed Lord Christ for a few pieces of silver. LDF has betrayed Kerala for a few pieces of gold," the PM said while attacking the Left government on the gold smuggling case allegedly involving the former principal secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

5:11 PM

Not necessary that sitting MLA will become CM when BJP wins in West Bengal: State party chief Dilip Ghosh

Not necessary that sitting MLA will become CM when BJP wins in West Bengal, says state party chief Dilip Ghosh

3:34 PM

Following outrage Left leader apologies over remarks on Rahul Gandhi

Following a huge outrage, especially from the Congress, former Lok Sabha MP Joyce George on Tuesday apologised for his remarks against Rahul Gandhi.

 

George had said that 'women in Kerala should be wary of Rahul Gandhi'.

 

He made this controversial remark while campaigning for state Power Minister M.M. Mani at Erettayar in Idukki district on Monday.

 

George was the Idukki Lok Sabha member of the Left in 2014, but lost to Congress' Dean Kuriakose in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.