NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Trinamool Congress TMC on Monday (8th April 2024) approached the Election Commission over alleged misuse of Central agencies including  National Investigation Agency by the government. A party delegation met the Commission in New Delhi over the issue. Talking to media after the meeting, party MP Sagarika Ghose said they raised the issue of alleged misuse of NIA to intimidate TMC workers in West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. She urged the poll body to intervene and protect the sanctity of the poll. Later, TMC leaders Derek O’Brien, Dola Sen, Saket Gokhale and others staged a protest outside the Commission office in New Delhi over alleged misuse of ED, CBI and NIA by the central government.

In the forex market, the rupee closed at 83 rupees and 31 paise against the US dollar on Monday (8th April 2024). The dollar index, which indicates the US dollar’s strength against a basket of six other leading currencies was up at 104.38 in intra-day trade.

Former BJP President and Union Minister Rajnath Singh said that the development of the Country is the Prime objective of the NDA government. Speaking at a road show at Namakkal on Monday (8th April 2024) , he said that in the past ten years the Country’s economy has been growing as also the agriculture and infrastructure. Mr. Singh said that India will grow to become an economic power and reach the third place in the world and also asserted that the NDA would get 400 seats in this election.

Congress’ star campaigner Rahul Gandhi on Monday addressed a public meeting in Dhanaura of Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh. He said, tribals are the first owners of this country and this land and so, the Congress party calls you an Adivasi. On the other hand the BJP, Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah call you a Vanvasi Rahul Gandhi further added that there are two different ideologies behind these words. The word Adivasi means those people who were the first owners of this land of this country. He said that if you were the first owner, then you have rights over the land, water, forests and wealth of the country. Whereas Vanvasi means people who live in forests. There is an ideology behind the word Vanvasi. First of all, this word tries to erase your history, your languages, your way of life. On the other hand, when they call you Vanvasi, it means that forest dwellers or Vanvasi should not get the right to land, water or forest. Mr. Gandhi will also address an election rally in Shahdol today.

Senior leader and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur today said that the tenure of the NDA government is phenomenal as it has brought the highest amount of FDI in the past ten years. Speaking to the media in Chennai at the airport this morning, he said that schemes implemented during the NDA rule have benefited people from all sections of the society and pegged the economic growth at a higher level. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented various schemes for the benefit of the fishermen.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh accused the incumbent BJP government of corruption in the name of electoral bonds. He claimed that companies that donated to BJP were given tax exemptions. Mr Singh alleged that 33 companies, which, despite incurring losses of one lakh crore rupees in the last seven years, donated 450 crore rupees to BJP. He also alleged that there are also companies that donated more than their profits. The AAP leader has launched a spree of attacks on BJP since coming out of Tihar Jail last week. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Delhi excise policy case.

Gold and silver prices reached all-time highs in today’s opening trade, April 8. Gold contracts on MCX surged to 71,080 rupees per 10 grams, up by 440 rupees.  Meanwhile, silver hits a new peak of 82,064, rupees up by 1,076 rupees. The rise in prices was due to a decline in the dollar index (DXY), which was hovering around the 104.25 mark, down by 0.05 per cent. The DXY has decreased by 0.73 per cent over the past five trading session.

A Delhi Court today denied interim bail to BRS leader K Kavitha who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case connected with the alleged liquor policy scam. Special CBI judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the interim bail plea. Kavitha moved to the court on Thursday, urging the court to give her interim bail for her son’s examinations citing his need for her moral and emotional support. The ED opposed the submission, claiming Kavitha destroyed evidence and influenced witnesses in the case.Delhi Court Denies Interim Bail To BRS Leader K Kavitha In Connection With Liquor Policy Scam Kavitha was remanded to judicial custody till 9th April on March 26. She was arrested on March 15 by the ED from her Hyderabad residence. She is presently in judicial custody in Tihar Jail. The BRS leader is among one of the most high-profile politicians arrested by the ED in the Delhi excise policy case.

Six BJP MLAs in Delhi Assembly were marshalled out today from the house for their unruly behaviour. Earlier, when the house met this morning, it was taking up a discussion on the Delhi Jal Board issue. Leader of Opposition, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri tried to raise the issue of alleged corruption in Delhi Jal Board, which the Speaker Ram Niwas Goel didn’t allow. BJP MLAs trooped into the well, raising slogans against the AAP government. The speaker repeatedly asked for order in the house but the opposition members continued with their protest.

Congress today, April 8, hit out at BJP accusing the ruling party of trying to divide the country on religious lines. Briefing media in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Supriya Srinate alleged that the BJP is creating rift between communities in the ongoing election period instead of showing its report card of ten-year rule. She also took dig at the statement of Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein he alleged that Congress’ manifesto has the imprint of Muslim League. Meanwhile, BJP President J P Nadda also criticized the Congress manifesto saying that it is not clear whether it is the manifesto of Congress or Muslim League.

As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate Eid Al Fitr next week. Following a month of fasting and spiritual reflection, this Islamic festival marks a joyous occasion for celebration and community gatherings. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Moon Sighting Committee will convene on Monday evening to scan the skies for the crescent moon, signifying Ramadan’s conclusion. If spotted, Eid will be observed on April 9th; otherwise, it will be celebrated on April 10th. The Consulate General of India in Dubai spearheaded outreach to the blue-collar workers in the UAE, conducting a Labour Awareness Programme, medical camps, and sessions on financial literacy. It also collaborated with the All Kerala College Alumni Forum to address the workers, emphasizing their well-being and safety while abroad.

In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings will take on Kolkata Knight Riders, at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today, April 8. The match will start at 7.30 pm. Lucknow Super Giants defeated Gujarat Titans by 33 runs in Lucknow while Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 29 runs in Mumbai yesterday.