Indian politicians are amongst the wealthiest individuals in the world. Yet, fat wallets and big bankrolls do not guarantee a victory when vying for votes. This next report puts the spotlight on the world's most expensive democratic exercise but also shows why money is not enough to win.

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It's a big day on the election campaign front in India two big public rallies one on each side of the political divide will take place today.

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Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis on Friday declined Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar’s lunch invite at the latter’s Baramati residence on Saturday.

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Opposition 'INDIA bloc' holds a "mega" rally in Delhi to condemn the recent arrest of one of its leaders - Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal - on bribery allegations.

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The ruling party in India - BJP - has opened a new front against the Opposition party - the Indian National Congress - ahead of the general elections 2024 in India.

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<p><strong>Lok Sabha Elections 2024</strong>: Over a dozen opposition leaders came together at New Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kejriwal-arrest-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-arrested-last-night-703318">arrest</a> of&nbsp;Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party co-founder Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case. The leaders of Aam Aadmi Party managed to keep the mega rally's focus on Arvind Kejriwal amid the rallying calls by all opposition leaders to 'save the constitution and constitutional values'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over a decade ago, it was at Ramlila Maidan where Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi Chief Minister after organising massive protests against corruption at the same grounds. As&nbsp;Kejriwal himself is in jail now, on corruption charges, his&nbsp;Aam Aadmi Party deployed his wife Sunita Kejriwal for political messaging at the INDI Alliance rally on Sunday.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/they-wont-keep-kejriwal-in-jail-for-long-delhi-cms-wife-lists-six-guarantees-on-behalf-of-india-bloc-706201">They won't keep Kejriwal in jail for long: Delhi CM's wife lists six guarantees on behalf of INDIA bloc</a></strong></p>

<p>Quoting Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita Kejriwal said, "I am not asking for votes today... I invite 140 crore Indians to make a new India... India is a great nation with thousands of years old civilisation... I think about Mother India from inside the jail and she is in pain... Let's make a new India... If INDIA Alliance is given an opportunity, we will build a new India... I present 6 guarantees on behalf of INDIA Alliance. First, there will be no power cuts in the whole country. Second, electricity would be free for the poor people. Third, we will make government schools in every village. Fourth, we will make Mohalla Clinics in every village. We will make a multi-speciality government hospital in every district. Everyone would get free treatment. Fifth, farmers would be given the correct price for the crops. Sixth, the people of Delhi have faced injustice for 75 years... We will give statehood to Delhi... We will complete these 6 guarantees in 5 years. I have made all the planning from where the money for these guarantees will come..."</p>

<p>Sunita was seen sharing a moment of bonhomie with senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as she reached the stage&nbsp;at Ramlila Maidan about two hours after the event began.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the contradictions within the Opposition — which has banded as Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to purportedly&nbsp;de-seat Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power&nbsp;— were visible in the Indian capital at the cusp of election summer.</p>

<p>"It is time that one party and one person's government have to go," Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) said, a sentiment repeated by his alliance colleagues such as former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Indian elections 2024 | PM Modi's rally in Meerut, I.N.D.I.A bloc rally in Delhi</strong></p>

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<p>The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee was conspicuously absent from the rally, and the West Bengal chief minister's party was represented by Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien and Sagarika Ghose. Given the photographic symbolism of the event, O'Brien chose to move away from CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri, the arch rival of TMC, besides whom he was initially seated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP won't be able to win more than 180 seats if it chooses to give up what he described as 'high-handedness through ED, CBI, and Income Tax departments' against the Opposition leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi's sister and Congress General-Secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra called for the release of arrested leaders of 'INDIA' bloc including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over a dozen opposition leaders came together at New Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party co-founder Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over a dozen opposition leaders came together at New Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (March 31) over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party co-founder Arvind Kejriwal's by Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case. The leaders of Aam Aadmi Party managed to keep the mega rally's focus on Arvind Kejriwal amid the rallying calls by all opposition leaders to 'save the constitution and constitutional values'. Over a decade ago, it was at Ramlila Maidan where Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi Chief Minister after organising massive protests against corruption at the same grounds. As Kejriwal himself is in jail now, on corruption charges, his Aam Aadmi Party deployed his wife Sunita Kejriwal for political messaging at the INDI Alliance rally on Sunday. Also read | They won't keep Kejriwal in jail for long: Delhi CM's wife lists six guarantees on behalf of INDIA bloc Quoting Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita Kejriwal said, "I am not asking for votes today... I invite 140 crore Indians to make a new India... India is a great nation with thousands of years old civilisation... I think about Mother India from inside the jail and she is in pain... Let's make a new India... If INDIA Alliance is given an opportunity, we will build a new India... I present 6 guarantees on behalf of INDIA Alliance. First, there will be no power cuts in the whole country. Second, electricity would be free for the poor people. Third, we will make government schools in every village. Fourth, we will make Mohalla Clinics in every village. We will make a multi-speciality government hospital in every district. Everyone would get free treatment. Fifth, farmers would be given the correct price for the crops. Sixth, the people of Delhi have faced injustice for 75 years... We will give statehood to Delhi... We will complete these 6 guarantees in 5 years. I have made all the planning from where the money for these guarantees will come..." Sunita was seen sharing a moment of bonhomie with senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as she reached the stage at Ramlila Maidan about two hours after the event began. But the contradictions within the Opposition — which has banded as Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to purportedly de-seat Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power — were visible in the Indian capital at the cusp of election summer. "It is time that one party and one person's government have to go," Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) said, a sentiment repeated by his alliance colleagues such as former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah. Also watch | Indian elections 2024 | PM Modi's rally in Meerut, I.N.D.I.A bloc rally in Delhi × The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee was conspicuously absent from the rally, and the West Bengal chief minister's party was represented by Rajya Sabha MPs Derek O'Brien and Sagarika Ghose. Given the photographic symbolism of the event, O'Brien chose to move away from CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechuri, the arch rival of TMC, besides whom he was initially seated. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP won't be able to win more than 180 seats if it chooses to give up what he described as 'high-handedness through ED, CBI, and Income Tax departments' against the Opposition leaders. Rahul Gandhi's sister and Congress General-Secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra called for the release of arrested leaders of 'INDIA' bloc including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. (With inputs from agencies)

Opposition unites at INDIA bloc rally over Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest to take on BJP in polls

Ajit Pawar's wife vs Supriya Sule in Maharashtra's Baramati

With polls to elect the 18th Lok Sabha approaching, district poll panels are fixing the rates for expenses as part of the election expenditure monitoring process. Watch in for more details!

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The Congress will reserve 50% of government jobs for women if it is voted to power, former party chief Rahul Gandhi said on March 29, asserting that powerful women will change the destiny of India.

Ahead of I.N.D.I's mega rally, Congress gets tax notice; Kerala Congress Committee stages protest

A bunch of Indian actors including Kangana Ranaut, Arun Govil and Govinda made headlines this week for formally joining politics. This is not the first time when political parties have welcomed movie and television stars to contest elections, hoping that their star power would contribute to the popularity of the party. As India gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, let's take a look at various other performers who later decided to join politics.

Kangana Ranaut to Arun Govil: Indian stars who joined politics

WION Correspondent Johan Castell travelled to the Eastern India state Odisha to get you the pulse of the Lok Sabha elections. Watch in.

Gauging the pulse of Odisha: Significant strides in infrastructure development gets thumbs up

The Income Tax Department has served a fresh notice of over Rs 1,800 crore to the Congress party right ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

IT Department serves Congress fresh $200 mn notice, party terms it as 'tax terrorism'

Amidst the fervour of India's impending Lok Sabha elections, a noticeable trend has emerged in the country's e-commerce realm - the rise of political merchandise.

Indian Elections: Political merchandise surge in India, shines online

The Mahavikas Aghadi's (MVA) seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is to be finalised amid a possible rift between allies Congress and Shiv Sena (led by Uddhav Thackeray), over four seats, sources said.

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The Bhartiya Janata Party has submitted a list of 40 leaders who will campaign for party candidates in Bihar in the runup to the Lok Sabha Polls. Watch in for more details!

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In the Southern state of Karnataka, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi is facing Opposition as the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Dharwad. But Seers are demanding him to be replaced, why? Check out the video to know more.

Karnataka: Lingayat Seers oppose BJP candidate Prahlad Joshi, he says 'will clear out misbelief'

The ruling BJP party of Uttar Pradesh has already revealed the names of 51 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state in its first list. However, Pilibhit seat has not been given to Varun Gandhi this time. This is the first time there will be 'No Gandhi' in Piblibhit since 1989.

India Elections 2024: No Gandhi in electoral contest for Pilibhit from first time since 1989

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate has been involved in a controversy after she posted an offensive comment against Kangana Ranaut, only to claim later that someone with access to her social media accounts was behind it. Watch to know more!

India Elections 2024: Congress replaces Shrinate from Maharajganj amid row over post

Bihar is gearing up for a seven-phase election to its 40 Lok Sabha seats. The voting will commence with four seats in the first phase, followed by five seats each in phases 2 to 5. Phases 6 and 7 will witness elections for eight seats each. Watch in for more details!

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BJP, TMC announce star campaigners; PM Modi, UP CM Adityanath in BJP's star campaigners' list

Is this viral photo of star Cricketer Virat Kohli fake? What does it show? Kohli is sitting on a chair and apparently watching Rahul Gandhi's video. Claims are being made online that he likes Rahul Gandhi. But, what is the truth?

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<p>Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party released its fifth list of 111 candidates on Sunday (March 24). Members of the ruling party were declared candidates from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>While stars of the entertainment world,&nbsp;Kangana Ranaut (national award-winning actor), and&nbsp;Arun Govil headlined the BJP's fifth list, equally crucial have been the names dropped by the ruling party.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Varun Gandhi dropped</strong></h2>

<p>Rahul Gandhi's cousin has been his political opponent since the 44-year-old was first introduced to Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit constituency by his mother Maneka during the 1999 General Elections.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-bjp-releases-fifth-list-of-candidates-includes-actors-and-new-joinees-703885">Lok Sabha polls: Kangana, Arun Govil in BJP’s fifth list of 111 candidates including new joinees</a></strong></p>

<p>The grandson and great-grandson of former Indian prime ministers, Varun has been dropped by the BJP from Pilibhit. Instead, former Congress leader-turned-BJP politician Jitin Prasada has been fielded from Pilibhit.</p>

<h2><strong>Ex-Army chief General VK Singh dropped</strong></h2>

<p>The BJP has fielded Atul Garg from Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency, dropping former army chief General VK Singh from the NCR seat. Garg is a two-time MLA from Ghaziabad Sadar.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Ashwini Choubey dropped</strong></h2>

<p>The Union minister has been dropped from Bihar's Buxar in one of the most shocking snubs of the ongoing political season.</p>

<h2><strong>Anantkumar Hegde snubbed</strong></h2>

<p>The incumbent MP from Uttara Kannada and former Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde had been making remarks that had embarrassed the BJP. The party has fielded former Assembly Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri in his place.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The BJP has kept its focus on winnability with an advantage of its organisational strength and fractious opposition.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;India Election 2024: Kangana Ranaut gets BJP ticket for Lok Sabha polls, to contest from Mandi</strong></p>

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<p>The party under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in a row during the country's general elections later this summer. While the&nbsp;Congress party has allied with 28 others and have labeled themselves Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to de-seat PM Modi from power.</p>


Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party released its fifth list of 111 candidates on Sunday (March 24). Members of the ruling party were declared candidates from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party released its fifth list of 111 candidates on Sunday (March 24). Members of the ruling party were declared candidates from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. While stars of the entertainment world, Kangana Ranaut (national award-winning actor), and Arun Govil headlined the BJP's fifth list, equally crucial have been the names dropped by the ruling party. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Varun Gandhi dropped Rahul Gandhi's cousin has been his political opponent since the 44-year-old was first introduced to Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit constituency by his mother Maneka during the 1999 General Elections. Also read | Lok Sabha polls: Kangana, Arun Govil in BJP’s fifth list of 111 candidates including new joinees The grandson and great-grandson of former Indian prime ministers, Varun has been dropped by the BJP from Pilibhit. Instead, former Congress leader-turned-BJP politician Jitin Prasada has been fielded from Pilibhit. Ex-Army chief General VK Singh dropped The BJP has fielded Atul Garg from Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency, dropping former army chief General VK Singh from the NCR seat. Garg is a two-time MLA from Ghaziabad Sadar. Ashwini Choubey dropped The Union minister has been dropped from Bihar's Buxar in one of the most shocking snubs of the ongoing political season. Anantkumar Hegde snubbed The incumbent MP from Uttara Kannada and former Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde had been making remarks that had embarrassed the BJP. The party has fielded former Assembly Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri in his place. What does it mean? The BJP has kept its focus on winnability with an advantage of its organisational strength and fractious opposition. Also watch | India Election 2024: Kangana Ranaut gets BJP ticket for Lok Sabha polls, to contest from Mandi × The party under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in a row during the country's general elections later this summer. While the Congress party has allied with 28 others and have labeled themselves Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to de-seat PM Modi from power.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Varun Gandhi, Ashwini Choubey snubbed in BJP's latest list of candidates

As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for elections, the election commission recently said that women will comprise around 49% of Voters in the union territory. Watch to know more!

India: Jammu & Kashmir gears up for General Elections

The Congress on Thursday released its third list of 56 candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections. BJP also released a new list.

Lok Sabha elections: BJP & Congress third list out, 56 candidates in Congress' new list

<p>Talks for alliance were being held between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP.</p>

<p>“Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight this election alone in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats to create a developed India and a developed Odisha under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to fulfil the hopes, aspirations and aspirations of four and a half crore Odiyas,” Samal said in a post on X.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Talks for alliance were being held between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP. “Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight this election alone in all 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats to create a developed India and a developed Odisha under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to fulfil the hopes, aspirations and aspirations of four and a half crore Odiyas,” Samal said in a post on X.

India: No alliance with BJD, BJP to contest solo in Odisha

There is a new glaring revelation in the Electoral Bonds case and lottery king, Santiago Martin is in the spotlight yet again!

India Elections 2023 | The Lottery King: Santiago Martin, the top political donor in South India

Is the freebie culture hampering development in India? The matter has reached Supreme Court thanks to a PIL challenging the culture of political parties offering sops for votes.

Gravitas | Freebie Culture: Will Supreme Court of India ban it ahead of Lok Sabha Elections?

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