Ahead of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the Congress will provide 10 Kg free ration to the poor families if elected to power. He added that 10 Kg ration along with Rs 8500 per month will promote education and self-employment among millions in the country.

Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress has taken another big decision for the poor families of the country. He promised that his party will give 10 Kg free ration, instead of 5Kg. He also recalled that during the UPA government, the Congress has given legal status to the right to food through the Food Security Act. and that 10 Kg free ration will be the next step in the direction.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a government of Adani, and making 20-25 billionaires, the senior Congress leader said that Congress will make crores of millionaires and run the government of Indians. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also promised to provide 10Kg free ration if voted to power.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday slammed BJP’s 5Kg ration policy at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli, where Rahul Gandhi is contesting. She said that 5Kg ration will not make one self-reliant, but employment will. She explained the electorates need to understand that political parties whose ideologies make people dependent is not right. She concluded that voters will choose employment over 5Kg ration that BJP promises.

Along with 10Kg free ration, Congress has also promised to start recuitment process for 30 lakh government post by August 15. The Party also vowed to provide the youth their first job of Rs 1 lakh per year. It also guranteed better working conditions, pensions and social security for the work force of the gig economy.

Furthermore, the Congress also promised start-up funds for young entrepreneurs at district levels from the national funds of Rs 5000 crore. The party also pledged to give National minimum wage of Rs400 per day, including all MGNREGS workers, and stop contractualisation of employment in core government functions.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal today filed an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant and aide Bibhav Kumar, in which she claimed that he repeatedly kicked her in the stomach and pelvis and slapped her 7-8 times as she begged him to stop and indicated that she was menstruating.

The horrific incident  took place took place at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s house on May 13 at around 9 in the morning. The former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief said Arvind Kejriwal was at his home when the incident occurred. However, Delhi CM’s name is not mentioned in the FIR.

The AAP MP, Bibhav Kumar came into the drawing room where she was sitting and began insulting her, and shouted  at her without any provocation. While screaming a Maliwal Kumar said that How can you not listen to us? What do you think, you despicable woman? We will teach you a lesson, Maliwal quoted Kumar as saying.

Maliwal claimed, following that, Kumar slapped her 7-8 times, and the horrifying acts of torture began. According to the FIR, she said, she was screaming for help over and over again and felt absolutely numb and shocked. The AAP leader claimed that after that, Kumar pulled her by her shirt and dragged her.

She said, her head struck the center table as she fell to the ground. She screamed for help all the time, but nobody ever came, Maliwal added.

The former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief said that Bibhav continued the abusive pattern by repeatedly kicking her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area. She said her shirt was coming up, but he still continued to assault me, she continued.

Maliwal added that despite her repeated saying to him that she was in unbearable pain and on her menstruation, Kejriwal’s assistant did not give up. However, he attacked her with full force again and again, stated Maliwal.

The former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief claimed that after a while, she was able to release herself and dialed 911. She said that Bibhav had been threatening her, claiming he would bury her and that he shall see to it. After then, according to the AAP leader, Bibhav left the room and returned with guards stationed at the CM’s home’s main gate. After that, she was requested to leave the area.

Meanwhile,on Friday, Swati Maliwal underwent through medical test. According to a medicolegal case report, the AAP MP has internal facial injuries.

Punjab BJP state President Sunil Jakhar recently said that his party will contest all 13 Lok Sabha sears in the state independently. The BJP has not allied with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) since 1996.

Sunil Jakhar in an interview with a news publication, said that this decision signifies a new chapter in the party’s strategy in Punjab. The BJP had allied with the SAD in Punjab for over two decades, and is considered to be a major coalition in the state’s political landscape.

The BJP state chief noted that the decision to contest independently was taken on the account of the feedback from the public and party members, reflecting a growing sentiment within the BJP to establish a stronger, independent presence in Punjab.

Jakhar continued that the Lok Sabha election was the most appropriate time for the BJP to contest independently, as the state is looking for an option. He asserted that Punjab tried out-of-the-box experiment in form of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but are dissappointed with them.

He further highlighted the BJP’s work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in securing minimum support prices for farmers, as key accomplishments that the party will present to the electorate. This development follows as the BJP aims to consolidate its position and expand its influence in Punjab.

Notably, the SAD was one of the oldest allies of the BJP. Nonetheless, the SAD severed ties with the NDA in September 2020 over the now repealed farm laws that saw widespread protests in northern India.

Speaking about coalition with SAD, the BJP state chief said that the alliance was not political but a social one. He added that the party is facing a battle of survival, and that its leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has sins to wash of, including the drug problem and sacrilege cases.

Election in Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats is scheduled for June 1, 2024. This development is expected to significantly alter the dynamics of the electoral battle in Punjab, traditionally dominated by the SAD-BJP coalition and the Congress party.