LIVEIndia Political Highlights: As PCC chief, Kamal Nath is naturally face of party in MP, says Surjewala

AAP slams BJP, SAD for misleading people of Punjab on SYL canal issue

The AAP in Punjab slammed the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal on Saturday for allegedly misleading people on the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal issue and asserted that not a drop of water will be allowed to be shared with any other state.

Tejashwi rejects charge caste survey was manipuled to suit RJD

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday rejected the charge levelled by opposition BJP and its allies that findings of the caste survey have been manipulated to suit his RJD's prospects.

The way Sanjay Singh's residence was raided and he got arrested without any summons is nothing but a political vendetta, says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on her visit to AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s residence

The Central Government is stressed, especially by those leaders who ask harsh questions to which they have no answers, she added.

Congress meet decides caste survey will be its main poll plank in Madhya Pradesh

The Congress' central election committee on Saturday held deliberations on the names of candidates for about 140 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh and also decided that the party's main poll plank will be the conduct of a caste survey in the state.

I don’t understand what Rajasthan government wants to achieve with a caste census. All they do is baseless talking, says BJP leader Rajendra Rathore on Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's announcement on statewide caste census

We have decided that caste census in Madhya Pradesh would be our main agenda, says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala after party's CEC meeting in Delhi to finalise list of candidates for upcoming MP Assembly polls 2023

When asked about the CM face for upcoming Madhya Pradesh elections, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala says, "Kamal Nath is president of Madhya Pradesh Congress & whoever is the president of Pradesh Congress that person is naturally the face of Congress."

CEC meeting was held today. We discussed on candidates' names for 140 seats. The names will be finalised in the next 6-7 days, says Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath after party's CEC meeting in Delhi

Congress, BJP influencing electoral environment by making attractive promises: Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday accused the Congress and the BJP of "influencing the electoral environment by making various attractive promises."

Will be released soon, says Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in response to media query on party's list of candidates for Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections 2023

"There is definitely no chance of implementing reservation bill for women in this 2024 election. This is a complete eyewash," says DMK MP Kanimozhi

"Shiromani Akali Dal's stand is clear that Punjab's water belongs to Punjab, we don't have surplus water," says Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Satluj Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) issue

"This is a state-sponsored drama. The public is not involved in this and there is no reaction from them," says BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on TMC's indefinite sit-in outside Raj Bhavan

Kerala unit of JD(S) 'rejects' decision to join NDA, says it is with Left Front

"Meeting is still going on. Hopefully, the list will come by the evening," says Congress leader Pawan Khera on the release of candidates list for Madhya Pradesh elections

Maharashtra govt allotted huge funds to strengthen health institutions; there is no shortage, says Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government has allotted huge funds to strengthen health institutions in the state and there is no shortage of funds to provide medical treatment to the needy, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday.

Congress alleges corruption in cancellation of power contracts in Kerala; targets CM Vijayan

The Opposition Congress on Saturday targeted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the recent cancellation of contracts in the power sector signed during the UDF regime and urged the Left government to probe the "corruption" behind the move.

Imran Masood, ex-MLA from western Uttar Pradesh who was expelled by the BSP in August, returns to Congress fold with party describing it as 'ghar wapsi'

Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) meet under way to finalise candidates for Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections 2023

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MPs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are attending the meeting

Rahul Gandhi arrives at party headquarters to attend Central Election Committee meet to finalise candidates for MP polls

'Vindictive attitude': Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi shreds BJP over order Raghav Chadha bungalow order

Caste census data is the reality of our society. It should be embraced. Now, there are demands regarding caste census in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, says RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Congress' announcement on caste census in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh

"It is not a question of technicalities and legalities. The question is about sensitivity," says NCP leader Jitendra Awhad on NCP party name and symbol row

The man who raised you and stood behind you like a rock. You used words that he (Sharad Pawar) was running the party like a personal fiefdom; these words are contradictory to Sharad Pawar's character. Sharad Pawar has never done anything beyond democratic principles, he said.

Congress leader moves court over BJP's 'Ravan' poster on Rahul Gandhi

In his petition, general secretary of Congress’ Rajasthan unit, Jaswant Gurjar, has pleaded that a case be registered against both BJP leaders under IPC Section 499 (false imputation against another person), 500 (defamation), 504 (intentional insult).

Read more

Rahul, Priyanka to address separate public rallies in poll-bound MP next week

Elections to the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly are due in November this year. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is striving to retain power, while the opposition is trying to return to the helm.

Read more

BJP has crossed every limit as it is taking support of ED, CBI and Income Tax department for their votes and to malign other people, says Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on ED arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh

MoS Sadhvi Niranjan claimed she waited for 2 and half hours after TMC MP Mahua Moitra said she left without meeting the TMC Delegation despite appointment

"I kept waiting for them (TMC delegation) for two and a half hours but they did not want to hold a meeting and instead did a drama and misled the people of West Bengal. The Centre has the right to stop the funds. First, irregularities (in utilisation of PM Awas Yojana funds) need to be addressed, then the funds will be released," says Union MoS Sadhvi Niranjan over TMC's demands to release central scheme funds for West Bengal.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on liquor policy case

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on liquor policy case says,"...Arvind Kejriwal should answer about the liquor scam that if the scam didn't take place then why did they switch to the old policy? How he increased commission and let the blacklisted companies enter...The whole party is corrupt."

Ready for talks with TMC on MGNREGA dues, have been waiting for them: Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in Kolkata

We never deprived Bengal of MGNREGA funds, statistics of last nine years prove that: MoS Rural Devpt Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in Kolkata

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, other party leaders detained following their protest outside CM Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh over SYL-canal issue.

Punjab BJP State President Sunil Jhakar request people of India to stay aware from AAP

On SYL issue, Punjab BJP State President Sunil Jhakar says, "I request the people of India to stay aware. They (AAP) will try to mislead people with deception, they will try to divert the issue, but we will not let water from Punjab go anywhere... We will 'gherao' CM Bhagwant Mann's residence... BJP Punjab unit will not let them manipulate the objectives of Punjab for their political gains..."

BJP's Sunil Jakhar and other party leaders stage protest outside Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh over Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue.

BJP lacks democracy, says D K Shivakumar over over BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka.

"BJP does not have democracy. There is no democracy in the party and there is a lot of displeasure," says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shiva kumar over BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra says MoS Sadhvi Niranjan Jyothi left from another exit despite giving an appointment regarding TMC delegation meeting

On TMC delegation meeting with MoS Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in Delhi, TMC MP Mahua Moitra says "...40 MLAs and MPs reached there, she gave us an appointment regarding the meeting but later left from another exit. 'Bharatvarsh mein aise agar Sadhvi ho toh paapi ki zaroorat nahi hai'..."

"If they (INDIA alliance) stay united, then they will win for sure. However, if they fight among themselves, then they will lose," says BKU leader Rakesh Tikait in response to a query on opposition alliance.

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and other party workers stage sit-in outside Raj Bhavan, Kolkata over alleged withholding of West Bengal's MGNREGA dues by the Centre.

BKU's Rakesh Tikait says 'not in favour of caste census, but don't have a problem' if someone does it

"Let the caste census be conducted. I am not in favour of it but if someone has done it, then I don't have a problem," says BKU leader Rakesh Tikait on Bihar caste census.

On caste-based census, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait says, "Our objective is not caste census... Our objective is the same as those who work on the farms... Rates for crops should be provided appropriately... Does a trader pay more to a farmer from a certain caste? When the crops are packed, no one can tell whose farm it was produced in... Our concern is not with the caste, we are concerned about the rates of crops..."

Bihar Deputy CM Tejaswini Yadav says caste based census to be done in every state those opposing should appeal to PM Modi to conduct in the entire country

On the caste-based survey report, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav says, "It should be done in every state... Even in elections, parties are promising to conduct caste-based census in the states. Govt should have the data of the society so that policies can be formed accordingly. Those who are opposing this (caste-based census) should appeal to PM Modi and get it done in the entire country."

Samajwadi Party always supported caste census, BJP is not supporting caste census as it does not want the welfare of the backward, Dalits and poor, says Abbas Haider

"Samajwadi Party has always supported caste census. BJP is not supporting caste census as it does not want the welfare of the backward, Dalits and poor," says Samajwadi Party leader Abbas Haider on Congress announcement to conduct caste census in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

"West Bengal Governor is well aware of our grievances (regarding unpaid dues of central schemes). We want him to come to Kolkata and take steps to solve the situation. But he has called us to Darjeeling and we are going there to meet him," says TMC MP Mahua Moitra

"Fit case for derecognition": BJP leader Naqvi demands ban on Congress over poster

The ongoing poster battle with the Congress, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a BJP leader and former Union minister, called for the Election Commission to prohibit the grand old party from displaying a poster that compares the current administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to one from the Tughlaq era.

Should I become Chief Minister again or not: Madhya Pradesh CM Chouhan asks people at rally

In the wake of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra predicting Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh's Chouhan's exit from the top post following the year-end assembly polls, the latter asked people at a rally whether he should become the CM again or not.

Read more

I.N.D.I.A bloc a challenge, BJP doesn't take elections casually: Dharmendra Pradhan

The opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc is a challenge, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday, adding he has requested his party to allow him to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from his home state Odisha.

Read more

Be visible, accessible, neutral and ethical in functioning: EC to poll observers

Addressing over 1,100 observers, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar directed them to ensure a level-playing field by working in a coordinated manner to ensure free, fair and inducement-free polls.

TMC delegation to meet Guv Bose today as 'indefinite sit-in' continues

Trinamool National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, speaking at the dharna site, said that the governor is willing to meet the party’s representatives today.

Read more

Rajasthan to hold caste survey, says CM Ashok Gehlot

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday night announced that Rajasthan will conduct a caste survey along the lines of the one done in Bihar.

Read more