Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP for allegedly creating a distressing atmosphere in the country and urged citizens to rally behind the Congress for a brighter future.

Gandhi posted a video message on X where she highlighted the widespread challenges the nation is facing and said, today in every corner of the country, youth are facing unemployment, women are facing atrocities, Dalits, tribals, backward classes and minorities are facing terrible discrimination.

The Congress leader added that the atmosphere is due to the intentions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused them of promoting hatred for political gain. Gandhi said that the Congress has always fought for the progress of all, justice for the deprived and to strengthen the country. She urged the voters to lend their support once again while highlighting the party’s manifesto, Nyay Patra, which pledges to uplift the impoverished, support farmers and labourers, empower youth and women and strengthen marginalised communities.

She said the Congress and INDIA alliance is dedicated to protecting the Constitution and democracy.  She appealed to the people of India to Vote for Congress for a bright future for all and so that together they can build a strong and united India. Her video message was shared on the social media handle of Congress on X at a time when voting for the 3rd phase of Lok Sabha elections is undergoing in 93 constituencies across 11 states and Uniion Territories.

The Congress party has asserted that this Lok Sabha election is for saving the Constitution and the rights of tribals, poor and backward. Earlier during the day, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he wanted to hand over Jal, Jungle, Jameen belonging to tribals to industrialists.

An overall voter turnout of around 40% was recorded as of 1 pm on Tuesday in the 3rd phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The highest overall voter turnout was recorded in West Bengal at 49.27% as of 1 pm which was followed closely by Goa with 49.04% voter turnout so far.

States such as Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh as well as Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli also saw an increase in the voting trends. While Gujarat recorded an overall voter turnout of 37.83 %, Uttar Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 38.12 %. Maharashtra continued to log the lowest voter turnout till 1 pm. The state, which has the second highest number of Lok Sabha seats after Uttar Pradesh, saw an overall voter turnout of less than 32% till 1 pm.

In Uttar Pradesh, Firozabad 40.06 %,Sambhal recorded 42.97 % voter turnout, Etah 38.87 %, Fatehpur Sikri 39.09 %, Hathras 37.73 %, Agra witnessed 36.89 % voting, Mainpuri 38.82 %, Budaun 34.97%, and Bareilly 34.93 %, Aonla recorded 36.95 % voting.

In Bihar about 36.69 % voter turnout was recorded across five Lok Sabha seats. Supaul recorded the highest voter turnout at 38.58 %, followed by Araria (37.09 %), Khagaria (36.02 %), Madhepura (36.84 %) and Jhanjharpur (34.94%) till 1 pm. Out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats that went to polls in Karnataka, Chikkodi recorded the highest voter turnout at 45.69 per cent, followed by Shimoga at 44.98 per cent. Gulbarga recorded the least voter turnout at 37.48 per cent.

In Maharashtra, Hatkanangle 36.17%, Kolhapur registered 38.42% voter turnout, Satara 32.78 %, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg 33.91%, Raigad 31.34 %, Latur 32.71 %, Sangli 29.65 %, Osmanabad 30.54 %, Baramati 27.55 % Solapur 29.32 % and Madha 26.61%.

In Assam, Dhubri recorded the highest voter turnout of 47.73%, followed by Barpeta at 46.83%. While Kokrajhar recorded a voter turnout of 46.43 %, Guwahati had a polling percentage of 42.13%.

A Delhi court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal till May 20 in the Liquor policy case. Kejriwal was produced before the court via video conferencing on the expiry of his custody which was granted earlier. Special Judge for CBI and Enforcement Directorate Kaveri Baweja also extended the judicial custody of co-accused Chanpreet Singh till May 20.

The order coincided with the hearing in the Supreme Court as Arvind Kejriwal had challenged his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy case. The two-judge bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sanjiv Khanna expressed that it will consider the question of interim bail for Arvind Kejriwal. The court said that Arvind Kejriwal is the elected chief minister of Delhi and the current circumstances are extraordinary as the Lok Sabha elections are taking place.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who was appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, objected to the Supreme Court hearing arguments on interim bail and asked what example are we setting? He asked if the other people are less important than the chief minister.  He further questioned why a chief minister is being treated differently than a common man. Mehta added there cannot be any deviation only because he is a chief minister.

During the hearing, the top court told Arvind Kejriwal’s counsel that granting interim bail to the chief minister would come under the condition that he will refrain from carrying out any official duties, as this can potentially cause conflicts. The court said that had there been no elections, it would not have given any interim relief and added that they do not want to interfere with the working of the government.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with corruption allegations linked to Delhi’s liquor policy, charges which have been denied by the Aam Aadmi Party. He is currently under judicial custody in Tihar jail.