Tribal rights activist and Padma Shri recipient Kamala Pujari passed away at the age of 61. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and recognized Pujari's dedication towards promoting organic farming and protecting indigenous seeds. Pujari's contribution to empowering tribal communities was also highlighted as PM Modi paid his respects to the late activist. Pujari's death was due to a cardiac arrest, following her hospitalization for fever and age-related ailments.
JD(S) chief H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced that the party will suspend his nephew, Prajwal Revanna, over allegations of sexual harassment of multiple women. This decision comes amid attacks from the Congress party, who has questioned the response of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. In other political news, the Supreme Court will continue hearing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the ED, while the Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking a six-year ban on PM Modi from elections for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, accusing the Tihar Jail of turning into a "torture house" for CM Arvind Kejriwal. Singh claims that Kejriwal is under constant surveillance through CCTV cameras. The treatment allegedly goes against "democratic dignity" and Singh demands it to be stopped immediately. The AAP MP also questioned Kejriwal's arrest and asked if his "crime" was providing education to the poor, providing free services, and implementing schemes for women. The BJP has accused the AAP of using Kejriwal's arrest to gain sympathy in the Lok Sabha polls.
At a press conference, Atishi Marlena of the Aam Aadmi Party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of arresting party leader Arvind Kejriwal due to fear of defeat in the upcoming elections. She also called for people to change their social media profile pictures to show support for Kejriwal and the fight to save democracy. The AAP has resolved not to celebrate Holi this year and continues to protest against Kejriwal's arrest in connection to a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy.
In a new development, the Delhi High Court has upheld the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy money laundering case, much to the dismay of the AAP party. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuing his campaigning efforts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with a particular focus on the Naxal-affected Balaghat constituency. In a separate case, the Rouse Avenue Court has issued a summons to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in the money laundering case related to recruitment in Delhi Waqf Board, asking him to appear on April 20.
With just a few days left for Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is intensifying his campaign efforts by addressing multiple rallies in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He will be focusing on crucial constituencies in both states, particularly Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu where the BJP has little presence. On the same day, the Delhi High Court will also deliver its verdict on CM Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest in a money laundering case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at a BJP rally in Jagtial and openly criticised the BRS party leaders for their alleged corrupt practices during their ten-year rule in Telangana. He urged the people to vote for BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and defeat both the Congress and BRS parties. Modi also spoke about the recent arrest of BRS MLC Kalvakuntla and accused the Congress government of trying to protect the corrupt leaders. He called on the voters, particularly women, to support BJP and pledged to continue working towards the development of Telangana.
K. Kavitha, the daughter of party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, was arrested on Friday by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. The ED officials, amid tight security and protests by BRS leaders and workers, escorted her to the Hyderabad Airport from where she will be taken to Delhi. The arrest has sparked tension outside her residence, with BRS leaders and workers raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ED.
DMK MP A Raja, in a recent speech, has claimed that India is a sub-continent, not a country, and that Tamil Nadu will not accept Lord Ram. This has prompted the BJP to demand his arrest and accuse the DMK and Congress of abusing Hindu gods. Raja's comments come at a critical juncture as political parties gear up for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, causing embarrassment to the I.N.D.I.A. alliance. Raja also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying there won't be a DMK after elections and warned that Tamil Nadu would secede if the Constitution is changed.
On February 11, 2024, DMK volunteers led by party's organising secretary R.S. Bharathi staged a protest in Rameswaram against the arrest of Rameswaram fishermen by the Sri Lanka Navy and condemned the Centre for not taking any action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instead of addressing the issue, offered assistance of ₹34,000 crore to Sri Lanka, said Bharathi at a demonstration meeting. Despite Chief Minister M.K. Stalin directing DMK MPs to raise the issue in Parliament, the topic was "disallowed" and instead the session focused on discussing the Ram Temple.