Lok Sabha polls 2024: Top developments March 23

Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin holds roadshow in support of DMK candidate Thanga Tamil Selvan in Theni.

During the roadshow, he said, " How many times have PM Modi come to Tamil Nadu in these ten years? Whenever he comes, he talks about Tamil pride and Thirukkural but they have taken away our language rights. BJP is trying to bring the Kula Kalvi thittam through the new education program"

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), led by former UP Chief Minister Mayawati and one of the most prominent Dalit politicians in India, has announced the names of its 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. 

Congress released its fourth list of 45 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. The list includes veteran leader Digvijaya Singh who will contest from Rajgarh Lok Sabha Constituency in MP, UP Congress President Ajay Rai against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, Imran Masood from Saharanpur, Virender Rawat from Haridwar and Danish Ali from Amroha.

Six rebel MLAs and three independent MLAs of Himachal Pradesh who joined BJP, earlier today, were welcomed in Shimla.

Delhi Excise policy case | Delhi High Court denied an urgent listing of the plea filed by Delhi CM and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest and custody in the case. An urgent mention was made by his counsel for an urgent listing. The HC denied it and the matter will be listed on reopening on Wednesday.

AIADMK changes party's Tirunelveli Constituency Lok Sabha candidate. Edappadi Palaniswami declared that Muthuselvan will be the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Tirunelveli instead of Jhansirani, as declared earlier.

"We are ready for the Lok Sabha elections. We are going to people with the work done by PM Modi in the last 10 years... We have already prepared the blueprint for 100 days when we assume power again after the election for the third term of PM Modi and that blueprint will be implemented to make 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat' in 25 years to come, that is in 'Amrit Kaal'. In North-East, out of 25 seats, BJP-NDA will win the most number of seats," says Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal moves Delhi High Court challenging his arrest and the order of remand passed by the trial court on 22nd March. His legal team says the plea in Delhi HC stated that both the arrest and the remand order are illegal and he is entitled to be released from custody immediately. An immediate hearing has been sought from the Acting Chief Justice, preferably by Sunday 24th March.

On ED's remand of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, "Our party has become so big in just ten years and we are in power in 2 states and hence the govt in Delhi and the party will continue to work. Whoever joins the BJP is believed that they have been cleaned by the washing machine. Those who are in opposition don't let them contest elections, is this the biggest democracy in the world?... Whoever trying to end the power of the BJP is a 'kingpin' as per them (BJP) and yes we are the kingpin and we will end their power in 2-4 years, and they (BJP) know this. Arvind Kejriwal is a big leader and he will come out soon, maybe in a few days. We have faith in the judiciary. This will be the 'last nail in the coffin' moment for the BJP."

BRS leader K Kavitha's advocate Lalita Reddy said, "Today the matter has been taken up. The court has granted custody for three days. The matter has been posted to the 26th of this month... They (ED) want still some more time. They want to take some measures and they want to procure some evidence. So by stating that they asked for five days, but the Court has granted only three days custody."

India on Saturday summoned a top German diplomat over remarks made by the German Foreign Ministry on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Georg Enzweiler, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, was summoned by the Indian foreign ministry for an explanation on the issue. 

Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Saturday (Mar 23) read out her husband's message from prison that he would be out soon. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (March 21) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

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Six rebel MLAs from Himachal Pradesh- Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devendra Bhutto, Rajendra Rana, and Chaitanya Sharma joined the BJP. 

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday extended BRS leader K Kavitha's ED remand till March 26 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Kavitha was arrested by the ED earlier this month. On Saturday, Kavitha alleged that her arrest is illegal.