PM Modi's jibe at Naveen Patnaik, Akali Dal candidate quits party, and more

Welcome to today’s election wrap. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a rare attack against Naveen Patnaik in his two high octane rallies in Odisha today in response. But Naik also released a video and took aim at the BJP’s hopes of forming a government in Odisha. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a stinging remark against BJP’s charsopar slogan. A rally in Madhya Pradesh. This and much more in today’s election rap starting with the Prime Ministers big poll rallies in Odisha. Calling himself the son of Lord Jagannath, Prime Minister Modi asserted that the expiry date of the Biju Janata Dal government is June 4th, the day the Assembly election results will be announced without naming Naveen Patnaik. PM Modi also said that Odisha needs a Chief Minister who understands Odisha language and culture. He urged the people to vote for the BJP to form a double engine government in the state and center. Shortly after the prime ministers jibe, the Biju Janata Dal released a video featuring Naveen Patnaik and his trusted aide VK Pandya. In the video, Patnaik says that the BJP has been daydreaming for many days when asked about the parties claim to form government in Odisha, this time. Moving on to the news from Punjab, Hardeep Singh, the Shiromani Akali Dal candidate from Chandigarh, quit the party today. This comes weeks before Chandigarh votes in the Lok Sabha election. On June 1st, Hadeep Singh reasoned that he took this decision due to lack of funds and support from the party. Now some news from the Congress camp. While addressing a poll rally in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the BJP’s Charso power slogan saying that the party won’t even get 150 seats this time. Rahul Gandhi also said that these Lok Sabha elections are for saving the Constitution which the BJP and the RSS want to change and throw away staying with the news from the Congress senior leaders. Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot have been chosen by the Congress to be party observers in rivalry and M80 seats respectively. While Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Raibareli, the Congress has fielded KL Sharma from the Amethi seat. That’s all for today. Tomorrow, the voting for phase three will take place in 12 States and one Union territory. In Maharashtra, 11 seats will go to polls including the high profile seat of Baramati which will see sitting MP Supriya Sulei. Take on her sister-in-law, Suneetra Pawar. Watch this space for the latest news across the country from the grand Indian election season.