Ignore CPM, Cong says Didi; PM overwhelmed by turnout at K'taka rally

Here are the latest election-related developments from various states across the country:

Tamil Nadu

DMK announced its candidates for by-elections to the four legislative Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu slated for May 19 — N Pazhanisamy for Sulur, Senthil Balaji for Aravakurichi, MC Shanmugaiya for Ottapidaram, and P Saravanan for Thiruparankundram.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minkister Edappadi Palanisamy in Theni said: “The Congress, which is a part of the DMK-led alliance, has announced Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate but its allies have not come out in support of its choice. In our alliance all parties have accepted PM Modi as the PM candidate. This shows our unity.”

Karnataka

PM Narendra Modi was in Mangaluru. He said: “When I was coming here from the airport, which was a long journey, I saw that not a human chain but a human wall is there on both the sides of the road. I thought if so many people are here, who will be there (at the rally). But same number of people are here as well.” He also paid tribute on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre centenary.

Punjab

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh, on reports of party leaders being unhappy with ticket distribution, said, “There are some leaders who’re very senior members of the Congress. The party has given them a lot. Now it’s time, they should accept what party has decided at national level.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi laid a wreath at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial on commemoration of 100 years of the massacre. Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu were present on the occasion.

Uttar Pradesh

BJP MP candidate from Mathura Hema Malini said: “I am very confident of victory because I have done good work. My government has done good work, so I am sure people will support us. The whole system is changing, people want development, caste politics doesn’t work now.”

Narendra Singh, RLD leader and SP-BSP-RLD candidate for Mathura, said: “Who seems more confident by face? Hema Malini has make-up, I’ve no make-up. I’m getting good response from public. Reason behind that is I’m a local and capable of addressing the grievances of people.”

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, after a meeting with EC officials, said: “The government of India is interfering through the Election Commission. We have complained against EVMs earlier also. EC is an autonomous body but is working at the behest of Modi. Transferring officers in AP is unjustified.”

West Bengal

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Siliguri said: “I would request all not to vote for CPI(M) and also please do not waste your vote by giving it to the Congress. I was in Congress, then quit and formed Trinamool, following which you are witnessing development.”