Trinamool Congress (TMC) selects Bollywood veteran Shatrughan Sinha as its candidate for the Asansol constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sinha, a seasoned actor and politician, joins TMC's lineup amidst speculations over BJP's candidate choice. Earlier slated contender, Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh, withdraws candidacy following backlash. TMC's list of 42 candidates includes surprising inclusions like former cricketer Yusuf Pathan and incumbent Mahua Moitra. Abhishek Banerjee, TMC general secretary, criticizes the Modi government and BJP leaders as "outsiders and anti-Bengal," rallying support for TMC's electoral campaign.      

Trinamool Congress (TMC) unveils its roster of 42 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. Notable inclusions are former cricketer Yusuf Pathan from Baharampur and party leader Mahua Moitra from Krishnanagar. TMC's general secretary Abhishek Banerjee announced the candidates, stressing the party's resolve to challenge BJP. The list includes Bengali film actor Dipak Adhikary, former cricketer Kirti Azad, and Bollywood veteran Shatrughan Sinha. Abhishek Banerjee criticized the Modi government, denouncing "Modi ki guarantee" and labeling BJP leaders as "outsiders." TMC gears up for a formidable electoral campaign in the state.

The unexpected resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel has raised questions about potential disagreements with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar. Speculations suggest discord over purported plans to hold elections in West Bengal in multiple phases and the perceived "excessive" deployment of forces. Goel's absence from a media briefing during the EC's West Bengal visit fueled rumors. Trinamool Congress leaders claim disagreement led to his resignation. Goel, citing "personal reasons," leaves unclear the nature of the reported disagreements. As the next in line for CEC, his resignation remains a surprising turn of events, creating uncertainty within the poll body.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, addressing a gathering in Kurukshetra, characterized the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as a struggle between 'dharma' (righteousness) and 'adharma' (wrongdoing), invoking the Mahabharata. Accusing the BJP of misusing central agencies, Kejriwal urged voters not to be swayed by the prime ministerial choice but focus on electing MPs. Criticizing BJP's track record in Haryana, he highlighted AAP's candidate, Sushil Gupta, and the party's alliance with Congress in the INDIA bloc. Kejriwal emphasized the need for voters' support, contrasting it with BJP's confidence in winning 370 seats.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee criticized BJP, calling "Modi ki guarantee" with "zero warranty" at a rally in Brigade Parade grounds. He accused BJP of being outsiders and withholding funds from Bengal. Banerjee claimed only TMC keeps promises, vowing a strong response in the Lok Sabha elections. Refuting ED and CBI raids' impact, he asserted they won't participate in elections. The remarks were made during TMC's poll campaign launch, anticipating Mamata Banerjee's address to set the election tone.

Trinamool Congress revealed its 42 Lok Sabha candidates at a historic Brigade Parade Ground rally in Kolkata. Renowned cricketer Yusuf Pathan, chosen for Baharampur, was a notable inclusion. The list also features Bollywood icon Shatrugan Sinha (Asansol), former footballer (Howrah), and Tollywood stars Rachana Banerjee (Hooghly), June Malia (Medinipur), 'Dev' (Ghatal), and Satabdi Roy (Birbhum). Mahua Moitra, previously expelled in a cash-for-query scandal, will contest from Krishnanagar. Trinamool's mega announcement, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, sets the stage for a dynamic electoral contest. The Congress is yet to name its candidate for Baharampur.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Birender Singh, along with his son Brijendra Singh, is set to join the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Brijendra Singh resigned from the BJP, citing "compelling political reasons." Birender Singh, who spent over 42 years with the Indian National Congress, joined the BJP in 2014. Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala criticized Singh for issuing ultimatums for a year. Chautala emphasized the importance of a strong coalition with the BJP and urged Singh to decide within his own party. The developments indicate potential challenges for the BJP in the upcoming polls.

The Trinamool Congress is launching its Lok Sabha campaign with the 'Jana Garjan Sabha' at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee will be the main speakers, addressing the alleged withholding of the state's financial dues by the central government. Thousands gather to hear 'Didi,' focusing on defeating BJP in West Bengal's 42 Lok Sabha seats. The rally at Brigade Parade Grounds holds significance, being TMC's first large-scale gathering since 2019. Despite previous electoral success, TMC faced setbacks in 2019, while the BJP gained ground. Ramp setups aim to foster closer leader-supporter interaction, with possible defections from other parties.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad in Kerala, as per the party's announcement of 39 candidates across various states. The Central Election Committee, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, finalized names for 60 seats from 11 states and union territories. Speculation suggests Rahul may also contest from Amethi, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might run from Rae Bareli. The list includes prominent names like former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor. State-wise, notable candidates include Rajmohan Unnithan (Kerala), Vincent H Pala (Meghalaya), and S Supongmeren Jamir (Nagaland).

The Congress party unveiled its initial list of 39 candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, featuring Rahul Gandhi running from Wayanad and Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon. Other notable names include Shashi Tharoor, DK Suresh, and K Sudhakaran. The list, with 15 candidates from the general caste and 24 from SC/ST/minorities, was finalized after deliberation by senior leadership. While Rahul Gandhi's potential second seat remains uncertain, discussions will continue in upcoming meetings. The announcement underscores Congress's strategic approach to fielding candidates in the upcoming election.