Maharashtra, Jharkhand Election: Kharge says 'PM Modi makes fun of us'

Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance on Wednesday released its poll manifesto for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. From free medicines to Rs 3,000 per month to women, the MVA has focused on the marginalised sections including farmers.

The Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP(SP)-Congress alliance also unveiled the Krishi Sammruddhi Yojana, which promises farmers a loan waiver of up to Rs 3 lakh.

Additionally, farmers who regularly repay crop loans will receive an incentive of Rs 50,000 under the scheme, the manifesto said.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said"...We have delivered our promises in Karnataka, Telangana and other places where our governments are there but sometimes PM Modi makes fun of us. He says Congress people always give a guarantee but they do not fulfil it. PM Modi gave so many guarantees in 10 years, did he fulfil any guarantee? He gave a guarantee to provide Rs 15 lakhs to everyone, did you give it? Then he said he would give 2 crore jobs to all the youth, did he give it? We are promising to provide Rs 4,000 every month to every youth till they get a job. This is a promise of the INDIA alliance...We made promises in Karnataka and we delivered it. Karnataka government has kept Rs 52,000 crores to fulfil the 5 guarantees. Out of that, 47% have been spent. Have you done anything like this? You call it Modi's guarantee. Which guarantee did you fulfil?..."

MVA govt will give Rs 4,000 per month to each unemployed youth in state after coming to power in Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra BJP has expelled 40 of its workers/Leaders from the party in 37 different Assembly constituencies for not following party discipline and breaking it.

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday alleged that women were not safe in Jharkhand as the law and order situation in the state has crumbled but the Hemant Soren government was "sleeping." He accused the coalition government of looting the state and destroying it in the past five years.

"The law and order situation has crumbled, with over 7,400 rape cases being reported in the state in the last five years. Our mothers and sisters are not safe in Jharkhand. But the Hemant Soren government is sleeping," Chouhan, the BJP in-charge for Jharkhand polls, said, while addressing a rally in Sarath assembly constituency.

Accusing the coalition government of looting the state, he said Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna used to sleep for six months and he would only eat for six months when awake but "JMM and Congress's Kumbhakarna" here keeps eating for 12 months.

Shiv Sena candidate from Worli assembly constituency, Milind Deora says, "... People want an accessible CM and Eknath Shinde is exactly that. I can confidently say that he is the most accessible CM in the country... My biggest aim is to serve justice to the people of Maharashtra, and especially Mumbai. We will remove every hurdle that comes our way... Aaditya Thackeray was a given a good opportunity to work constructively, but sadly he didn't stand up to the expectations."

Rahul Gandhi's convenient and calculative concern for caste census is not only dishonest but it phoney and fake like crocodile tears. He gives bogus sermons about the importance of social justice but he does not practice what he preaches for others. In fact, Rahul Gandhi's actions are in complete contradiction to the very principle of social justice," says BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan.

Why PM is scared of asking how many Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis are there in corporates, judiciary, media: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi at caste survey meet in Hyderabad asks, why PM has not said openly that he wants to challenge discrimination.

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday expressed concern over Bangladeshi infiltrators and said that they have been entering the state and are rapidly becoming a danger to the state of Jharkhand. He slammed the JMM-Congress govt in Jharkhand saying that they use infiltrators as their vote bank.

"Under the protection of JMM-Congress govt in Jharkhand, Bangladeshi infiltrators are entering the state. They are not only coming here but are also becoming a danger to the state. This JMM-Congress govt makes Aadhar cards and Ration cards and adds them to the voting list," said Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

He further added that the population of Santhal tribals has reduced to 28 per cent from 44 per cent in Jharkhand. Chouhan promised that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has resolved to root out the infiltrators.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...In the Jharkhand elections, PM Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and many ministers are campaigning here. There are 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand but ministers and chief ministers from Assam and other parts of India are campaigning in Jharkhand. In such a small election like this, leaders have gathered in large numbers. If leaders in large numbers would have campaigned in the parliamentary elections it would have made sense but in Jharkhand Assembly elections, as many ministers are roaming as the number of our candidates. Their objective is to snatch Jharkhand and come to power and remove a tribal CM...They will not be able to remove the Jharkhand government from power. Hemant Soren will become the CM of Jharkhand again..."

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "For the freedom of the country, not one but four souls from Koderma sacrificed themselves to free the nation from British rule. But what is happening today in Jharkhand?... Aurangzeb looted the country and destroyed its sacred temples, and there was also a minister from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha named Alamgir, who looted here. Bundles of money, the money of the poor people of Jharkhand were found in his homes...Such a low level of loot cannot be seen elsewhere...This election is an opportunity to respond to those who have deceived you in the name of development."

Terming the JMM-led coalition Diwali's "fused crackers", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the BJP was a mighty rocket that would take Jharkhand to newer heights. Addressing an election rally in Ranchi's Hatia, Singh said it was amply clear who would form government in the state after chief minister Hemant Soren's proposer Mandal Murmu deserted the "sinking ship" of JMM to join the BJP.

"The festival of Diwali has just concluded. The JMM, Congress and RJD are fused Diwali crackers now. BJP is a mighty rocket that alone will take Jharkhand to newer heights," he said.

Taking a dig at the state's ruling party over allegations of corruption against it, Singh said JMM meant 'Jamkar Malai Maro' (skim the cream).

He alleged that the JMM "sucks blood of tribals", and works against their interests.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "If there is one example of discrimination - Jharkhand state is that example. The central govt has intentionally done that and devoided it of the funds as there is the opposition's govt in the state. We, the INDIA alliance will win the elections...'

Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir says, "It is their policy to divide and rule, whereas we believe in uniting and winning, and work only on that policy... He is the Prime Minister and guarding the borders is his responsibility. He is openly proving his failure..."

The Bharatiya Janata Party will issue daily "chargesheets" against leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to highlight their failures in the run-up to the Maharashtra assembly elections, a party leader said. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said the party will file daily chargesheets against MVA leaders, including former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who he alleged hindered progress and harmed the interests of the state's farmers, women, and youth.

The previous MVA government's term was marked by corruption, opposition to development, neglect of farmers' issues, and disregard for vulnerable sections, he claimed.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "A few people forget that the reservation that has been given, be it to SC, ST or OBC, or the rights that have been constitutionally given - for this the credit goes to those who gave us the freedom - Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Babasaheb Ambedkar."

In Baramati, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar says, "I am not in power, I am a member of the Rajya Sabha. But now just 1.5 years of my tenure remains. After 1.5 years, I will have to deliberate whether I will go to Rajya Sabha again or not. I will not contest Lok Sabha elections. I will not contest any election now. I have contested 14 elections so far. You never let me go home in any of these elections, you made me win in all of the elections. You made me win every election but I have to stop somewhere. New generation should be brought in. But this means that I have not left social service. I don't want power, but I have not left serving people."

Claiming that the BJP has no intention to ensure the welfare of people in Jharkhand, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the saffron camp of trying to grab power to "plunder" the state's coal and other mineral resources.

He alleged that the number of BJP leaders congregating in poll-bound Jharkhand is "higher than the total number of candidates", showing that the saffron party wanted to "snatch power from a tribal chief minister".

He also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "jhootho ke sardar' (head of liars).

"The BJP is eying Jharkhand's 'black gold' (coal) and seeking to plunder its mineral resources. Their intention is not the welfare of the people. The BJP talks about infiltration, and why can't its governments at the Centre and in Assam act against illegal immigrants," Kharge alleged.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "Bring BJP and 'Ek rahiye aur Nek rahiye'. The history of the country is witness to this, whenever we have been divided in the name of caste, region or language, we have been ruthlessly cut off too. We repeat this, do not divide in the name of caste. The people who are dividing us are betraying the country. For them, the country is not a part of their agenda...They will do everything that is against India...This is not the time to divide. This is the time to work according to the mindset of PM Modi."

Following an FIR lodged against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut for an alleged derogatory statement about a female candidate, NCP leader Praful Patel called for greater respect for women, emphasizing on Maharashtra government's Ladli Behen Yojana.

Patel highlighted the Maharashtra government's initiatives, including the 'Ladli Behen' scheme which, as well as Prime Minister Modi's efforts in promoting women's empowerment over the last decade.

Responding to the FIR lodged against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut, NCP leader Praful Patel said, "Women should be respected. 'Nari Shakti' makes up half of our population. Today, we are coming to the forefront. Maharashtra Govt has issued schemes like 'Ladli Behen', this is not just for money but to increase respect for women & self-confidence"

Patel further emphasized the importance of the recent Constitutional amendment ensuring 33% women's representation in legislative bodies, set to take effect after the upcoming delimitation process in 2029.

In a no-holds-bar-attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut over his alleged comment on women candidate, Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC on Tuesday said that it is time that the women in Maharashtra wake up and raise their voice against such "regressive" comments.

Reportedly, Sunil Raut while addressing an election rally called the Shiv Sena Shinde faction's Vikhroli assembly candidate Suvarna Karanje a "goat".

Reacting to the remark made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Shaina NC said, "This is the most regressive comment coming from Sunil Raut, on one hand, they call us 'Bakri' and used word 'Maal'. Look at the mind and thought process. On one hand, we have a PM who respects women...you have a CM who has empowered us with 'Ladli Bahin' scheme and on the other hand we have 'Maha Vinas Aghadi' where you have somebody referring to us as objects"

Questioning Priyanka Gandhi's silence on the remark made by the Shiv Sena leader, Shaina NC asked why has the Congress party not reprimanded a leader from the alliance who has disrespected women.

Exuding confidence in Maha Vikas Aghadi's victory in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said that the atmosphere in the state is in favour of their alliance.

"The atmosphere is in our favour in Maharashtra. The people of Maharashtra have understood that there is a politics of manipulation. The people of Maharashtra will answer the loot and corruption done by the BJP and its allies. In Jharkhand also, the BJP is on the back foot. Jharkhand CM was forcibly put in jail. The people know that the (central) government misuses the government agencies to be in power," Congress leader Sachin Pilot said while speaking to ANI.

Commenting on the upcoming Rajasthan by-polls, Pilot said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Rajasthan has failed in every area and the public will evaluate the government's work in one year.

Pilot, who campaigned for Congress candidate from Dausa Assembly seat in Rajasthan by-polls, asserted that the party will win.

"This (BJP) government has failed in every area, be it law and order or working for the welfare of farmers...Only announcements have been made. The public will evaluate the government's work in one year and we are fighting well on all seven seats. I am confident that we will win," he said.

Sanjay Kumar Verma, a 1990-batch IPS officer, was on Tuesday named as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, an official said. Verma, serving as Director General of Legal and Technical, succeeds Rashmi Shukla, after the Election Commission ordered that she be removed as the state police chief following complaints by the opposition parties. Verma is set to retire in April 2028, the official said.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday took a jibe at Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, comparing its leader Alamgir Alam to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

While addressing a poll rally at Koderma, Yogi accused the JMM of deceiving the voters in the name of development and "patronising" mafia under its government.

"Jharkhand, especially Koderma, is rich in natural resources. It is the sacred land of Lord Birsa Munda, the land of martyrs. For the freedom of the country, not one but four souls from Koderma sacrificed themselves to free this nation from British rule. But what is happening today in Jharkhand? I was observing that there was an Alamgir Alam, and Aurangzeb looted the country, destroyed its sacred temples, and there was also a minister from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha named Alamgir, who looted here," the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday expelled five party functionaries for anti-party activities. These include former MLA Rupesh Mhatre, Vishwas Nandekar, Chandrakant Ghugul, Sanjay Awari, and Prasad Thakre. Mhatre filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Bhiwandi East. Here, the Samajwadi Party’s sitting MLA Rais Shaikh is the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) candidate. However, late on Monday, the last day for withdrawing nominations, Mhatre pulled out of the contest.

The Mumbai police have registered an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Raut, the brother of party leader Sanjay Raut, for allegedly making offensive remarks against rival Shiv Sena leader Suvarna Karanje, an official said.

Sunil Raut and Karanje are pitted against each other in Mumbai's Vikhroli assembly seat.

The Sena (UBT) candidate allegedly made the comments at an event in Tagore Nagar area of suburban Vikhroli on October 27 and a video of it later went viral on social media.

Following a complaint by Karanje, the police on Monday registered a case against Sunil Raut under relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections, including 79 (insult to modesty of woman), the official said.

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West assembly seat, Devendra Fadnavis says, "I have begun my campaigning from today. I will be able to give very little time in my constituency because the whole of Maharashtra has to be covered. But the love of people has given me the trust that people will elect me with a good number of votes..."

JMM wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and sought her intervention after CM Hemant Soren’s chopper take-off delay in view of PM Modi’s security.

JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said Hemant Soren's chopper was grounded citing the security protocol for PM Modi.

"Our star campaigner Hemant Soren was scheduled to address an election meeting at 2.25 pm at Bazar Tand in Simdega after holding a meeting at Gudri in West Singhbhum at 1.45 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to be in Chaibasa at 2.40 pm to address an election rally. The distance between Gudri and Chaibasa is 80 km and 90 km to Simdega. The EC had given its approval to Soren's visit. But the CM's helicopter was grounded for one-and-a-half hours, citing the security protocol of the prime minister," he said.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections have taken a dramatic turn as three major rebel candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance refused to withdraw their nominations ahead of the polls. Despite efforts from Congress to convince them to pull out, the rebel leaders stood firm, setting the stage for a contentious battle within the alliance.

The last date for the withdrawal of the nomination was November 4.

Kamal Vyavahare former mayor, filed her nomination from Kasba Peth, challenging sitting MLA Ravindra Dhangekar from Congress, another Congress stalwart Aba Bagul the vice-president, filed his nomination from Parvati he will be facing BJP's Madhuri Misal and NCP SP's the official candidate of MVA Ashwini Kadam while the third Congress leader Manish Anand former vice-president of the Khadki Cantonment Board, filed his nomination from Shivajinagar Assembly seat where he will challenge Congress' Datta Bahirat and BJP's sitting MLA Siddharth Shirole.

“Does the PM not know that guarding our borders is the responsibility of the central government? He should be asking Amit Shah. How is the PM pointing fingers at anybody else? If there is infiltration then you are responsible for it,” she said.

"Today PM Narendra Modi addressed two very historic rallies. In both the rallies, the excitement that we saw in people, we can come to the conclusion that BJP and our NDA ally are leading in these elections... PM Narendra Modi will come to Jharkhand again on 10 November... We have suggested one rally each in Bokaro and Ranchi, and as an alternative, we have suggested one rally each in Bokaro and Gumla, and a roadshow in Ranchi," he said.

"My tribal brothers and sisters have no access to a good education because there are not enough institutions for higher education here. You should not be begging for educational institutions...These are your rights and the least the government can do for you and yet you are facing this situation when Wayanad has so much potential...Farmers are suffering and have to take loans as they have no support...Despite all the national leaders and the PM coming here and meeting those affected by the Wayanad landslide, he has not sent funds for their compensation...The objective of the BJP and the people in power is to remain in power by any means," she said.

By-elections for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh have been postponed due to concerns from several political parties about low voter turnout during the upcoming festivals. Originally set for November 13, the voting will now take place on November 20, while the date for counting votes remains unchanged on November 23. Additional chief electoral officer Chandrashekhar stated that the decision to change the election date was made in response to requests from multiple political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Rashtriya Lok Dal, as well as various social organizations.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of sitting MLC Shaik Saabji in a road accident in last December. Saabji of CPI (M) affiliated teachers unition-UTF actually had term till 2027 as he got elected to the upper house in 2021. However, he died two years after his election.