Political activities gain momentum across country

Political activities are gaining momentum following the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. Various parties have become busy in giving a final shape to their poll strategy.

The meeting of BJP's Manifesto Committee was held in New Delhi yesterday. Chairman of the panel and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the meeting which was also attended by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The party has formed various sub-committees to look into various socio political and foreign policy matters and have sought inputs from people to be incorporated in the party manifesto. Congress Working Committee meeting will be held at Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat today to discuss the forthcoming polls.

Punjab Democratic Alliance comprising of six parties has announced its seven candidates for the polls. The parties, which have joined the Alliance are Punjab Ekta Party, BSP, Lok Insaaf Party, Punjab Manch led by AAP rebel Dharamvir Gandhi, CPI and Revolutionary Marxist Party of India.

In Tamil Nadu, AIADMK has started its selection process for candidates with interview of ticket aspirants in 10 constituencies. In Kerala, the ruling LDF has started its social media and door to door campaigning. The CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front has already announced its nominees for the polls.

BJD President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the process for selection of candidates for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is on and the list will be finalised very soon.

Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) has announced common candidates for two Lok Sabha seats of the state. The ruling MDA finalised the name of United Democratic Party’s leader Jemino Mawthoh as its common candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat while National People's Party candidate will contest from the Tura seat.

In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Election officer L. Venkateshwar Loo held a meeting in state capital Lucknow yesterday with representatives of political parties. He told them about the mode code of conduct which came into effect with the announcement of polls. 

Chief Election officer also asked them to support the administration and comply with the directions of election



commission. Eviction drive to remove all banners and posters of political parties and their leaders began from Sunday evening itself and continued in many districts yesterday also. In Sahajahanpur case against 7 people was filed on order of District Magistrate after violation of model code of conduct. Many activities regarding awareness for polling has also started in different cities. In Lalitpur district a 5 kilometer human chain will be made today to create awareness among voters. Special vigil is being kept on International Indo-Nepal border and other interstate borders. State will go into polls in all seven phases starting from 11 april. 

In Tamil Nadu, election officials are also making all efforts to ensure free and fair elections with most participation of all eligible voters. A case of seizure of fifty lakh rupees unaccounted money by election officials has been reported in Tiruvarur, for carrying without valid proof of ownership. AIR correspondent also reports that The ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK are now actively involved in negotiations with their alliance partners to identify the specific Lok Sabha constituencies for them to contest, as the deals on the number of seats have already been signed. The DMK led alliance consists of Congress, the two Left parties, MDMK, VCK and a few smaller outfits. AIADMK has the BJP, PMK, Vijayakanth-led DMDK and some other smaller parties in its fold. Both the camps have drafted their manifesto and are expected to unveil them shortly. Kamal Hasan’s fledgeling Makkal Needhi Mayyam is going all alone that would help the party to test its strength. Meanwhile, election officials have made a round of all party meetings at district levels to brief them about the Model Code of Conduct and maintenance of election expenditure records. 

In West Bengal, the State Election Department has urged all parties to strictly abide by the Model Code of Conduct. State Chief Electoral Officer Aarif Aftab convened an all party meeting in Kolkata yesterday to discuss the issue.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has called a meeting in Kolkata today to finalise about the party's candidates list. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will preside over the meeting.