Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched Congress poll campaign in Punjab today, alleging that unemployment and poverty has increased during the rule of the Narendra Modi government. He also blamed the Centre for the attack by right-wing groups on two Kashmiri traders in Uttar Pradesh. "Hate, anger is being spread in the country," Mr Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Punjab's Moga district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting in North Goa and Party president Amit Shah will address workers from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission -- which is yet to declare dates for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled this year -- has said the allegations of deliberate delay by some political parties are unwarranted. "We don't operate as per PM's schedule, we have our own schedule," a senior official of the Election Commission told NDTV.
Opposition parties have alleged that the election dates were being delayed deliberately to help PM Modi with last-minute announcements of programmes and welfare schemes.