Congress, BJP Announce Candidates; Electoral Bond Controversy, AAP Office Blockade
Congress, BJP Announce Candidates for Lok Sabha Polls; Electoral Bond Controversy Rages
The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have released their fourth and third lists of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, respectively. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh will contest from Rajgarh, while Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai will run from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Varanasi seat.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) is investigating allegations that electoral bonds were used to influence project clearances in Telangana. The report submitted to the EC suggests a link between bond purchases and the award of contracts to donor companies.
The Congress has also accused the BJP of legalizing bribes through electoral bonds, claiming that they facilitate “prepaid, postpaid, and post-raid bribes.” An analysis of State Bank of India data reveals that 38 corporate groups received government contracts worth ₹3.8 lakh crore after donating electoral bonds to the BJP.
In other developments, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised concerns with the CEC over the Delhi Police blocking access to its office after the arrest of party chief Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP has sought a meeting to present their grievances.
Munnar, known for its misty mornings, has experienced an unusual lack of frost this winter, marking a departure from its usual pattern. Data from the United Planters Association of South India tea research center shows that no sub-zero temperatures were recorded in Munnar town this year.
In Bihar, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has shortlisted candidates for its 16 constituencies, with several incumbents being repeated. The party president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has opted to retain many candidates, barring a few seats.
The Karnataka government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Centre for denying financial assistance for drought management in the state. The move is expected to trigger a political debate ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president Prakash Ambedkar has maintained an ambivalent stance towards forging an alliance with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The VBA will announce its decision on March 26 on whether it will contest the elections independently or join the MVA.
In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP will deploy women members from the Muslim community as agents on minority-dominant polling booths to prevent bogus voting. The BJP Minority Morcha has planned this initiative, focusing on areas where the party claims to have received reports of bogus voting in previous elections.