Hitting out at Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an election rally in Maharashtra said, those sitting in Delhi in AC rooms and keeping a tab on things which will happen after who hugs whom, after who shakes hands with whom, after who looks at whom, they don't know the ground reality.
Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi offered prayers and performed rituals for his late family members as well as victims of the Pulwama terror attack at Thirunelli temple today. Mr Gandhi, who is contesting the ensuing polls from Wayanad parliamentary constituency, was accompanied by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, among others. The Congress president is scheduled to address rallies in Kerala's Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram later in the day.
Mr Gandhi had filed his nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on April 4. He was accompanied by his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The state party unit had requested Mr Gandhi to contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which fell vacant following the death of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president M I Shanavas last year.
Polling in Kerala will be held in a single phase on April 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
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The Congress today landed in a huge controversy after its senior leader Ashok Gehlot said Ram Nath Kovind was made the President of India because of caste considerations. The BJP called the comment "anti-Dalit, anti-poor and anti-constitutional" and demanded an apology and strong action.