Congress president Rahul Gandhi arrives at Tirupati airport.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will visit the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati's Tirumala today as part of his election campaigning ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, a senior party functionary said.
AICC secretary CD Meyyappan said Mr Gandhi will land at the Renigunta airport in Tirupati in the afternoon and reach the hills by road from there. After offering worship, he is expected to address a public meeting at Taraka Rama Stadium. In the rally, Rahul Gandhi would speak on the Special Category Status for the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh and other issues facing the nation.
Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah will address party booth committee workers in Ramanathapuram. This will be his first Tamil Nadu meeting after the BJP formed an alliance with the AIADMK.
Here are the Live Updates from election campaigning:
Rahul Gandhi Treks Tirumala hills, Prays At Lord Balaji Temple
Congress president Rahul Gandhi trekked the nearly 10 km-long steep stairway leading to the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. The trek reportedly took about 2 hours.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi finishes his 9km-long walk in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam during his visit to Andhra Pradesh.
BJP chief Amit Shah in Tamil Nadu says: "In the 13th Finance Commission, the UPA gave only Rs 94,540 to Tamil Nadu whereas NDA government gave around Rs 5.42 lakh for the development of Tamil Nadu. This is 500% more than given by the Congress-led UPA government."
"I dare Stalin and Rahul Gandhi to give account of development of Tamil Nadu to its people," says Amit Shah.
BJP chief Amit Shah in Tamil Nadu:
"I am sure, we will win more than 35 seats in Tamil Nadu in the upcoming elections."
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government will avenge the killing of our soldiers (in Jammu and Kashmir)," he says. At least 40 CRPF soldiers were killed on February 14 in the Pulwama terror attack.
"We are not going to fight the elections on just five seats... we are going to fight elections on 40 seats in alliance with the AIADMK."
He says: "Congress and the DMK are synonymous with corruption while the BJP and NDA stand for development. The DMK and Congress party who indulged in Rs 12 lakh crore scam can't work for the development of Tamil Nadu."
BJP chief Amit Shah attends a review meeting with delegates from 18 Parliamentary constituencies of Tamil Nadu in Madurai.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on a padyatra (walk on foot) to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh. Devotees usually take this path to reach the temple of Lord Venkateswara, also known as Lord Balaji.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has started his walk from Alipiri in Tirupati to Tirumala Balaji Temple -- nearly 9 km. Congress leaders Oommen Chandy, T Subbarami Reddy and JD Seelam are accompanying him.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi arrives at Tirupati airport.
It is going to be Rahul Gandhi's maiden visit to the holy hills in Tirupati as president of the Congres, AICC secretary CD Meyyappan says. Rahul Gandhi is expected to speak on the Special Category Status to the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh and other issues facing the nation, during his visit to Tirupati today.