Lok Sabha elections 2024 top developments: Modi slams opposition in Meerut

While addressing a public meeting in Dhamtari earlier today, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said, "Even after the elections, all the promises made in Modi's guarantee will be fulfilled... Congress is saying bye-bye, no one is ready to fight elections in their party..."
 

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Pandurang Kondbarao Pole visited Mendhar town in Poonch district, to take stock of preparations, earlier today.
 

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge leaves from party headquarters in New Delhi after attending the CEC meeting.

Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) officially split from the opposition INDIA bloc and joined forces with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM to establish a united front in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin stressed the importance of opposition unity to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the "fascist" BJP. He cited the arrests of Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal as signs of BJP's desperation.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Sunday (Mar 31) that preparations for the third term have commenced. Speaking at a large rally in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, PM Modi remarked, "Our government has initiated preparations for the third term. We are charting a course for the next five years. Efforts are underway to determine the key decisions to be made in the initial 100 days." 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The INDI alliance, which hates farmers, did not even give due respect to Chaudhary Charan Singh. The entire country saw what the INDI alliance did inside the Parliament during the discussion in the Parliament. When our younger brother Jayant Chaudhary stood up to speak in Parliament regarding the Bharat Ratna award, an attempt was made to stop him, an attempt was made to humiliate him. Congress and SP should go door-to-door and apologize to the farmers of this area for this."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "In J&K, abrogation of Article 370 seemed impossible. But, Article 370 has been abrogated and J&K is developing at a rapid pace. This is why, people are going to bless us with 370 seats."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I said this from the ramparts of Red Fort that this is the right time. India's time has come. Today, modern infrastructure is being built rapidly in India. Today, India is making unprecedented investment in building infrastructure. Today, new opportunities are being created for the youth in every sector. Today, the women power of the country is coming forward with new resolutions. Today, India's credibility is at a new height, the whole world is looking at India with confidence."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ahead of his public rally in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

"... If BJP wins these fixed elections, and changes the Constitution, the country will be on fire. Remember this," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday during the INDIA bloc's rally in New Delhi. 

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi reached Ramlila Maidan and sat beside Sunita Kejriwal. The duo interacted for a brief moment before CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri began speaking for the dias. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal is currently speaking at Ramlila Maidan rally of the opposition 'INDIA' bloc.

"Kejriwal is a Lion. You can't keep him in prison for long," Sunita Kejriwal said before beginning to read a purported letter written by Kejriwal from jail.

"Protests have erupted in the whole country after March 21. No one is able to understand why a sitting CM has been arrested. But it is not just Arvind Kejriwal," said AAP Minister Gopal Rai at Maha Rally in Ramlila Maidan. 

He added, "Before arresting the Delhi CM, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested... With the misuse of the ED and CBI, democracy is under attack..."

Speaking to news agency PTI after reaching at the New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan Delhi Minister Atishi said that this is not a rally for the party, but for the people of the Indian capital. 

"This rally does not belong to a party, but to the people of Delhi. Common people of Delhi have gathered today in protest against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest," says Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi. 

AAP national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said on Sunday that Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita, who will be taking part at the INDIA bloc rally, will be conveying a statement from her husband. 

The Congress party, which will be participating in INDIA bloc's rally against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest at the Ramlila Maidan, held a blindfold protest at the venue.

Here's a look at the video:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a mega rally in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut on Sunday. Citing sources, a report by the news agency PTI said that the rally will be attended by prominent TV actor and BJP leader Arun Govil, and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary, who recently joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). 

"After the consecration of Lord Ram's idol at the temple in Ayodhya, PM Modi is starting his election campaign in the state from the constituency of Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram and is highly respected," a BJP leader told PTI. 

The Delhi Police said on Sunday that INDIA bloc's rally against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest has been permitted till 2 pm. 

"To maintain the law and order and to ensure smooth traffic movement, elaborate arrangements have been made. The organisers of the rally have given an undertaking to adhere to some terms and conditions that are essential to maintain law and order...," DCP Central M Harshvardhan told the news agency ANI.

"We have made sufficient deployment. The gathering is expected to be of 20,000 as given by the organiser in the undertaking..." Harshvardhan added. 

Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will be attending the INDIA rally in New Delhi against her husband's arrest.

All preparations are underway for the INDIA bloc rally in New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the excise policy case.