Rahul Gandhi does not have courage to contest from Amethi: Rajnath Singh
Pathanamthitta (Kerala) (PTI): Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Thursday took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that after his defeat from Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2019, he does not have the courage to stand from there this time.
Singh said Gandhi, following his defeat, migrated to Kerala from Uttar Pradesh.
"However, I have heard that the people of Wayanad have decided not to make him their MP," he claimed while speaking at an election meeting in the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency to garner support for BJP candidate Anil K Antony.
Singh also said that while various space programmes and projects were being launched in the country, "the launching of Congress' young leader has not happened for the last 20 years".
"The Congress party's 'Rahulyaan' has neither been launched nor has it landed anywhere," he said, taking a dig at the Congress MP from Wayanad.
During his speech, Singh praised Congress stalwart A K Antony and called him a disciplined and principled person whose honesty and integrity cannot be questioned.
He said he was surprised on reading Antony's statement that Anil Antony should lose in the Lok Sabha polls.
"I know he (A K Antony) is a principled person and I understand his compulsions. It is difficult for him to support Anil Antony. However, I would like to tell him that Anil is your son.
"You (A K Antony) may not vote for him (Anil) or canvass votes for him, but you are his father so I would like to request that your blessings should be with him," Singh said.
During his speech, the BJP leader also accused the Congress and the LDF of being untrustworthy, alleging that they pretend to fight each other in Kerala, while outside it they are campaigning together against the BJP.
He also alleged that Kerala was in a bad shape due to the successive governments of the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF in the state and urged people to empower the BJP so that they "check" these two political fronts.
Singh also attacked the LDF on the issue of Kerala's financial problems, saying that they were caused by the Left administration's mismanagement and claimed that this was acknowledged by the Supreme Court as well.
On Wednesday, during his poll rallies at Kasaragod, Vatakara and Kannur LS seats, he pointed out above allegations.
Singh also reiterated, what he said a day ago, that the BJP has delivered on its past poll promises, like implementing the CAA and abrogating Article 370, and therefore, it was the most credible and trustworthy party in the country.
He said that both the Left and the Congress were trying to create confusion in the minds of the people about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The senior BJP leader assured that no one's citizenship would be affected by the contentious legislation.
He also referred to the country's achievements in the space sector and the various upcoming projects like Ganganyaan -- India's first human spaceflight programme.
Singh also lavished praise on Anil Antony and urged people to vote for him.
The Lok Sabha elections in Kerala will be held on April 26 and the results will be declared on June 4.
#WATCH | Kerala: Addressing a public rally in Kottayam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "BJP is going to launch Gaganyaan in 5 years but the launch of a young leader of the Congress Party has not happened in the last 20 years. Congress Party's 'Rahulyaan' is neither getting… pic.twitter.com/KPtCW0m0GN
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024
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People are voting fearlessly in West Bengal this time: PM Modi
Hardoi (UP) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said voters
are casting their vote in West Bengal this time in a "fearless atmosphere", which was unimaginable in the past six or seven decades.
He also asserted that the assembly poll results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India.
Voting is underway in 142 constituencies of West Bengal in the second and final phase of polling.
Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway here, Modi said today marks an important day in the festival of democracy.
"Voting for the second phase is underway in Bengal, and reports indicate a massive turnout, with people stepping out in large numbers just like in the first phase. Images of long queues at polling stations are flooding social media, reflecting the enthusiasm of the people to exercise their democratic right," he said.
"What we are witnessing in Bengal today is unprecedented which was difficult to imagine in the past six to seven decades, a fearless environment where people are voting without fear," he said.
The prime minister said this is a powerful symbol of the country's Constitution and the strengthening of democracy.
"I express my gratitude to the great people of Bengal for being so aware of their rights and participating in large numbers," he said.
With several hours of voting still left, the prime minister urged the people of Bengal to continue participating in this democratic festival with the same enthusiasm.
Modi said in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the BJP and NDA achieved a historic and decisive victory.
"Just yesterday, results of local body elections in Gujarat showed that the BJP secured victories in nearly 80 to 85 percent of municipalities and panchayats.
"The results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India and will infuse new energy into the pace of development of the country."
The first phase of polling for 152 seats -- out of the 294-member West Bengal assembly -- was held on April 23.
The counting of votes for assembly polls in Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, Assam and Tamil Nadu will take place on May 4.
