CAA Reactions Highlights: Purely a communal exercise to divide the nation, says Shashi Tharoor

Lok Sabha polls: Congress CEC meeting today to finalize candidates for remaining seats

Easier for people of J&K to elect government that will work for them, says Azad

BJP will win all 80 LS seats in UP, PM Modi will score hat-trick: UP min Jaiveer Singh

Jairam Ramesh on BJP's '370 seats' claim

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that PM Modi and Amit Shah are experts in 'psychological warfare' and questioned, "if they (BJP) is going to cross 370 seats in Lok Sabha polls, why are they running after BJP, Pawan Kalyan, or TDP".

PM Modi, Amit Shah are experts in psychological warfare

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

We tried our best to fight the elections together: Congress on TMC declaring its candidates in all seats

On TMC's declaration of candidates for all 43 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, Congress spokesperson, Surendra Rajput said that the party 'tried its best' to fight elections together.

“It’s pluralistic democracy. Everyone has the right to fight the elections", he said.

TMC does have trust in the people of West Bengal: BJP MP Dilip Ghosh

On TMC's decision to field June Malia from Medinipur, Ghosh said, "TMC doesn’t have trust in the people of West Bengal. Therefore, they are bringing people from outside. Who will vote for those who were rejected in their own state?"

This time TMC will be restricted from entering Parliament, says BJP leader N Ramchander Rao

The BJP leader was speaking to ANI about the upcoming elections. He took a jibe at Mamata saying that the TMC supremo branded the BJP as outsiders and said that 'now she herself has bought people from outside the state, who are not at all having any connection with the state.'

TMC restricted BJP leaders from entering Bengal many times, this time they will be restricted from Parliament, says BJP leader Rao

He further talked about the Sandeshkhali row and said:

She tried to prevent the central investigating agency, she tried to prevent the Human Rights Commission and Women Rights Commission, and also BJP leaders from entering Bengal many times, this time they will be restricted from entering Parliament.

BJP leader N Ramchander Rao

UP MLC polls: Dy CM Brijesh Pathak says 'NDA will definitely win'

Pathak told ANI that 10 NDA leaders will file their nomination today. Seeming positive about the result, the deputy CM said, " it is for sure that we will win the elections."

UP Minister JPS Rathore elaborated upon the nominee parties and told PTI, "Seven candidates are from the BJP and three others are from our alliance partners. One of them is Ashish Patel from Apna Dal, the two others are from Rashtriya Lok Dal and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party."

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As we get the latest political updates from across the country for you, check out our political page for more stories on the country's ever-changing, cataclysmic and chaotic politics here.

Political leaders, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal.

I.N.D.I.A. believes in nepotism and appeasement policy: Union Minister Nityanand Rai

Hitting out at the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Union Minister Nityanand Rai said that the alliance is full of corrupt people and scammers.

"It believes in nepotism and appeasement policy. There is so much struggle for power, which has no policy. They do not care about people and their development. Where there is selfishness, there will be conflict", he said.

I know several leaders are not comfortable on the other side: Sharad Pawar on Ajit Pawar faction leader Nilesh Lanke joining his faction

On Ajit Pawar faction leader Nilesh Lanke joining the Sharad Pawar faction, NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar told news agency ANI, "I don't react on speculations... We are not in the business of being in contact with other leaders but I know several leaders are not comfortable on the other side."

NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar.

Previous govt never prioritised women's issues, left them to their faith: PM Modi

Addressing the public at 'Sashakt Nari-Sashakt Bharat' programme in Delhi, the Prime Minister spoke about the previous governments' contribution towards women empowerment and said that the previous governments never prioritised women's troubles and 'left them to their faith'.

PM Narendra Modi.

'Mafia raj' will end in Bihar: Union Minister Nityanand Rai on ED searches at RJD leader Subhash Yadav's premises

Speaking to news agency PTI about ED searches at RJD leader Subhash Yadav's premises in alleged connection to illegal 'sand mining racket', Rai said, "Land mafia, sand mafia, and those who commit atrocities and loot poor won't be able to survive in Bihar. Mafia raj will end here and people's rule will continue."

Saare mafiao ka din ab latak gaya hai, mafia ki ab koi gunjaish nahi.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai

UP MLC polls: 10 NDA candidates file nomination

In the presence of UP CM Yogi Adityanath and other leaders, 10 NDA candidates filed for MLC nomination.

UP MLC polls: Former Bihar CM, RJD leader Rabri Devi files nomination

No plan to contest from Jabalpur, won't leave Chhindwara in any condition: Congress leader Kamal Nath

When asked about contesting for Lok Sabha elections from Jabalpur, Former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress leader Kamal Nath told ANI that he will not leave Chhindwara in 'any condition'.

Congress leader Kamal Nath.

Election Commission observers meeting underway

The meeting, aimed at streamlining strategy ensuring the implementation of the model code of conduct for upcoming Lok Sabha elections, is chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. Officers drawn from IAS, IPS, IRS, and other accounts Services across the country are deployed as General, Police, and Expenditure Observers, ANI sources.

ECI team led by Kumar will visit Jammu & Kashmir to assess the poll preparedness of the Union Territory.

Election commision observers' meeting.

I.N.D.I.A. will die a natural death, Congress' behaviour is all 'shit-show': Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

Speaking to news agency ANI, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will collapse and will 'die a natural death'

He further said, "their (I.N.D.I.A) only agenda is to stop BJP from coming to power and this negative agenda will never work."

Speaking about Congress, he said:

How the Congress is behaving, it's all a shit-show.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

AAP launches campaign in Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal addresses public

In his address, AAP convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urged the public to vote for the party. He also accused the centre of withholding Rs 8,000 crore of Punjab's funds and alleged that BJP approaches AAP MLAs every day to topple his party's government in Punjab.

Kejriwal also talked about BJP's 370 seat claim and said, "If they are saying they will get 370 seats and don't need your vote, vote for us. Vote for the party that is asking for your votes, not the one that is claiming victory already. We value you (public) and consider you our gods"

Woh toh kehrahe hain hamare paas 370 seat hain, unhe aapka vote nahi chahiye. Hame aapka vote chahiye, hum bhagwaan maante hain aapko, maalik maante hain aapko.

Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal addressing public.

More political stories from India

As we get the latest political updates from across the country for you, check out our political page for more stories on the country's ever-changing, cataclysmic and chaotic politics here.

Political leaders, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal.

TDP, BJP and JanaSena Party meeting to be held today, discussion on seat sharing on cards

The meeting's agenda is to discuss seat-sharing for upcoming Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections along with the Lok Sabha elections.

The parties will also discuss about PM Modi's upcoming rally in the state on March 17.

Party leaders.

BJP actually saying '400 haar', not '400 paar': SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

While speaking to media in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that BJP's slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' is a lie.

He also labelled BJP's '400 paar' slogan as '400 haar'. "Your are not hearing it right, they are actually saying 400 haar not 400 paar", he said.

Speaking about the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Yadav said that the purpose of this elections is to save democracy and the constitution.

Rajasthan CM along with Cabinet ministers visit Ram mandir in Ayodhya

After MP CM Mohan Yadav a week ago, now his Rajasthan counterpart has visited the Ram mandir in Ayodhya. BJP leaders have been making a beeline to visit the newly inaugurated temple ahead of the Lok Sabha polls

Congress chief slams BJP on Anantkumar Hegde's remarks, says saffron party doesn't fully accept the Constitution

PM claims Constitution will not be changed, but makes his party people say they need two-thirds majority to amend it, Kharge added

Challenge PM Modi to throw out the leader who has talked about changing the Constitution from the party, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

On one hand, PM Modi himself remains silent on such things, on the other hand he talks about protecting the Constitution.

Dare PM Modi to throw out party MP who made those remarks on amending Constitution: Kharge

Not rigid like Mamata, did not declare candidates for all seats: Omar Abdullah

BJP wouldn't rely on religion to win polls if it were confident, says Omar Abdullah

BJP lacks confidence. If it were confident, it wouldn't need to rely on religion to win elections. What harm does it do to make a claim? I can also claim that we are going to win all six seats (in Jammu and Kashmir), and even BJP claims that they will win three seats, I'll wait and see how they achieve that, says Omar Abdullah.

Will oppose anything that discriminates, Mamata on speculations over CAA notification

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Amid sources indicating CAA rules might be notified today, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has said that her party will 'oppose anything that discriminates people'. CAA, NRC sensitive to Bengal, Northeast; don’t want unrest before LS elections, Banerjee added.

Sonia Gandhi has reached the Congress HQ to attend the party's Central Election Committee meeting in Delhi

Govt wants to implement things in interest of country, Arjun Munda on CAA

Union Minister Arjun Munda says, "People who see things only with the political lens might have a different opinion, I won't go into that. But, govt want to ensure that whatever is in the interest of the country, it should be done.

Took Modi govt 4 years to implement, timing indicates intent to polarise elections: Congress

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was one of the first to tweet over the Centre notifying the implementation of CAA. He slammed the Modi govt saying that it took them 4 years to implement the rules. The timing for the same shows the BJP's intent to polarise the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections

Our legal team will look into the notifications, stay calm: Islamic Centre of India chief on CAA

The chairperson of Islamic Centre of India Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali has advised people to stay calm and not panic over the implementation of the CAA.

"Our legal team will look into this, and further decisions will be taken," he said.

Kerala won't implement 'communally divisive law' of CAA, says CM Vijayan

CAA based on Godse's thought, want to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens, says Owaisi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted to the implementation of the CAA, saying that the law is based on Godse's thought process and only aims to reduce Muslims to second-class citizens.

NCP's Clyde Crasto has called the implementation as BJP's way to divert the issue of the electoral bonds

Law totally partial by way of leaving out Muslims, says DMK MP

DMK MP Tiruchi N Siva says "Today, they have notified along with the rules. The surprise is that this bill was passed in Parliament in 2019, though it appears to be very generous in giving citizenship to those who are persecuted by other nations but it is totally partial by way of leaving Muslims from that list.

Nothing good in CAA, already had laws to grant citizenships, BJP just wants to win elections with this: Congress leader Aarif Masood

Security tightened in North East Delhi, following Centre's announcement of CAA implementation

Security has been tightened in the northeast part of Delhi after the announcement of the implementation of the CAA. These parts of the national capital had seen massive riots in 2020 ahead of the pandemic amid major protests against the CAA.

BJP's only aim is to make every issue about Hindu-Muslim, says Digvijaya Singh

Why was there such a delay? If it had to be delayed then why couldn't it be done after the elections? Their (BJP) only aim is to make every issue about Hindus and Muslims, said Congress' Digvijaya Singh

'PM Modi fulfilled another commitment...' Shah on CAA notification

The wait for the implementation was due to the rules, BJP's Rajyavardhan Rathore said

Centre announced CAA as last resort before elections as they failed to raise emotive issues: CPI(M)'s Md Salim

Feels like new Independence, says BJP's Shantanu Thakur

BJP's Shantanu Thakur has equated the announcement of CAA implementation as a 'new Independence'. "India has been independent for 75 years, but the refugees didn't get citizenship at that time. Our PM and (Union) Home Minister (Amit Shah) have proved that all are equal."

Tharoor calls CAA implementation as morally, constitutionally wrong; says will divide the country

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor slammed the Centre for the implementation of CAA, calling it 'morally and constitutionally wrong'. "Introducing religion as a criterion for citizenship goes against the principles of the Constitution. Specifying certain religions as eligible for fast-track citizenship while excluding one major religion is purely a communal exercise that will damage and divide the country," Tharoor said.

Members of Sindhu Sena celebrate Centre's announcement to implement CAA

Pakistani refugees in Jodhpur celebrate after CAA implementation

If BJP was sincere with the law, they would have passed it 4 years ago, says Venugopal

This is diversionary tactic. It had been passed in the Parliament four years and three months ago. Why this delay? If they had sincerity on this issue, they could have enacted this law four years back, says Congress leader KC Venugopal

'Biggest blow to Assamese people': Agitators burn CAA copies, issue protest call

Activists from various organisations, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), burned copies of the Act following the news. Opposition parties have called for a bandh tomorrow.

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These issues should have been discussed with country at large and then taken a decision on: Former Chhattisgarh Deputy CM TS Singh Deo

Former TS Singh Deo says "These are issues which should have been discussed with the country at large and then take decisions...You should talk, make it acceptable and then do it

CAA implementation: Opposition slams 'attempt to polarise' nation ahead of Lok Sabha polls; BJP hails it as 'historic'

Opposition parties on Monday slammed the Centre for notifying the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, alleging the BJP was trying to divide society and polarise the atmosphere ahead of general elections, even as the ruling party hailed it as a historic decision.

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Diverse reactions to the CAA implementation: See Photos