PM Modi is addressing a public meeting in Jalpaiguri. West Bengal.
Amid escalating tensions with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a rally in West Bengal today, giving a fresh thrust to the BJP's campaign blitzkrieg ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The rally will be PM Modi's third in the state in a week. PM Modi's visit to the state comes amid tensions between the Centre and Mamata Banerjee's government over CBI investigations on a senior police officer in the state.
Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will kick off his poll campaigning in Madhya Pradesh with a farmers' rally. Mr Gandhi is expected to announce a number of sops in the agricultural sector during the 'Kisan Abhar' rally.
Both the BJP and Congress have raised their poll pitch for the Lok Sabha elections, due in May.
Here are the LIVE updates on PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi's rallies today:
PM announces benefits for tea plantation workers
While speaking at the rally. PM Modi announced that workers employed in tea plantation fields will now be entitled to a pension. This scheme would benefit over 40 crore workers in the unorganized sector.
PM Modi hits out at West Bengal government
The law and order situation in North Bengal has worsened over the years. Industries were not developed, youth are migrating, and projects of schemes are stalled, but all this doesn't bother the West Bengal government
PM Modi in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri:
People in Jalpaiguri will no longer have to go to Kolkata for legal help. They will now get that facilities right here
You people grow tea... I make tea. And it often makes me wonder... Why does Didi (Mamata Banerjee) is not fond of the chaiwallahs''.
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi said that the state has seen a massive increase in support for the BJP.
"During my recent visits to West Bengal, I have been seeing the massive support for BJP. The people of West Bengal realise that only BJP can fulfill their dreams and aspirations, PM Modi tweeted.
PM Modi will address a public meeting in Mainaguri in the afternoon. The rally will be his third rally in West Bengal in a week.
"The first thing they (Congress government) did was to remove Chhattisgarh from 'Modicare' and second decision was to not let the CBI enter the state, Why? What are you afraid of," asks PM Modi
"When new government was formed in Chhattisgarh, we also congratulated them that maybe they will implement some new approach for the development of the state. But what they have only done is try to stop the ongoing schemes," says PM
Former French President has admitted that he was made to choose Anil Ambani: Rahul Gandhi
- Modi government can do any inquiry they want on any of the Congress leaders. We are ready to face it. But he should do an inquiry on Rafale scam too
- Yesterday, Mr. Modi gave a lengthy sermon, why doesn't he answer these questions? Why doesn't he state the reason for parallel negotiations?
- Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too lied. Former French President has admitted that he was made to choose Anil Ambani by PM Modi himself
- Defence Secretary of India says, "It is desirable that such discussions be avoided by the PMO as it undermines our negotiating position seriously." It cannot be written stronger than this
- We've been saying that there should be an inquiry through JPC. Now Ministry itself has said, "we may advise PMO that any Officers who are not part of Indian Negotiating Team may refrain from having parallel parlays"
Disclaimer: NDTV has been sued for 10,000 crores by Anil Ambani's Reliance Group for its coverage of the Rafale deal
- PM Modi should explain to the armed forces, especially the air force, why he is interfering with the negotiations?
- Look at the PM, look at me... who do you think look rattled?
- You do whatever enquiry and investigation whatever you want... investigate P Chidambaram and (Robert) Vadra, but also investigate Rafale.
- The entire Supreme Court judgment on Rafale becomes questionable now... because information was withheld by the government.
Rahul Gandhi denies talking about the jet deal with Manohar Parrikar.
"No, I did not speak about Rafale with Manohar Parrikar when we met recently. It would be inappropriate for me to discuss this at such a time (when he is unwell)," he says.
""It is desirable that such discussion is avoidable by the PMO, as such discussion affects our negotiations"... these are the quotes of the defence ministry. When an officer puts this in writing, it makes it very clear as to what is happening," says Mr Gandhi.
- I want to speak to all youngsters and all armed forces personnel. You fight for us, you die for us... you must know this, that it is clear that PM Modi gave 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani.
- The defence ministry itself has said that the PMO is interfering in negotiations.
- (Former French President) Francois Hollande too had told me that PM Modi himself told him to choose Anil Ambani's company.
- Hence proved that Chowkidaar (watchman) is the Chor (thief). It cannot be any clearer.
"Today in the Hindu newspaper, it is absolutely black and white, that the prime minister himself was carrying out a parallel negotiation with the French," says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi is addressing media on Rafale jet deal.
He will visit West Bengal later in the day. PM Modi will visit Jalpaiguri to lay the foundation stone of national highway. This 41.7 km long section of National Highways falls in the Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal, and will be constructed at a cost of about Rs 1,938 Crore.
PM Modi will address a public meeting in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh.
"I would be sharing my thoughts on a wide range of subjects during the programme," PM Modi tweeted.
Mr Gandhi is also scheduled to fly to Madhya Pradesh today to attend a farmers' rally. Mr Gandhi is expected to announce a number of sops in the agricultural sector during the 'Kisan Abhar' rally.
The Congress president has repeatedly attacking the Modi government over the purchase of the Rafale jets, alleging that the deal had caused a loss of Rs. 36,000 crore to the state exchequer.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to hold a press conference on Rafale fighter jets deal at 10:15 am.
With the Lok Sabha elections months away, PM Modi has increased the number of public meetings across the country. Apart from West Bengal, PM Modi is expected to address rallies in Chhattisgarh and north-eastern states.
PM Narendra Modi will address a public rally in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri today.