Accusing it of attempting to push the youth towards drugs and use that money to contest and win elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at Congress, highlighting alleged links to a significant drug syndicate involving the former chairman of the RTI Cell of Delhi Pradesh Congress.

Addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Washim district, PM Modi said, “Drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees were seized in Delhi recently. A Congress leader is suspected to be the kingpin. Congress wants to contest elections from the money it gets by pushing the youth towards drugs.”

During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Washim. The museum showcases the traditions, art, and heritage of the Banjaras, preserving their unique culture for future generations.

After inaugurating it, PM Modi said the Banjara community has played a significant role in enriching India’s cultural heritage. In every sector, be it art, tradition, spirituality, trade and commerce, he added that people from the Banjara community have made immense contributions.  

Continuing his attack on the grand old party, the Prime Minister said the Congress is being ruled by a gang of urban Naxals, and asked people to unite to defeat the “dangerous agenda” of that party.

“Congress thinks that if we all unite, then their agenda to divide the country will fail,” Modi said after launching various projects here.

“Everyone can see how closely Congress stands with people who don’t harbour good intentions for India,” Modi said.

Modi said that Congress’ thinking has been foreign from the very beginning. “Like the British rule, this Congress family also does not consider Dalits, backward and tribals as their equals.”

They feel that India should be ruled by only one family. That is why they have always maintained a derogatory attitude towards the Banjara community,” he said.

The Army on Saturday morning said that two terrorists had been eliminated by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara under Operation GUGALDHAR.

Issuing a statement, the army said that two terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces in the ongoing Operation GUGALDHAR. It added that a war-like stores have been recovered, and a search of the area is underway. It further stated that the operation is in progress.

The army also said the troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged the terrorists, leading to an exchange of fire. Sources stated that during the operation, the joint team observed some movement in the area and challenged the militants, who opened indiscriminate fire.

Taking to X, the Army’s Valley based Chinar Corps stated that on October 4, 2024, based on intelligence about an infiltration attempt, a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched at Gugaldhar, Kupwara. It added that alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged, leading to an exchange of firing with terrorists. It further mentioned that vigilant troops carried out effective fire, and that the operation is in progress.

Earlier on Saturday, the army said that security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The operation is still underway and is being led by a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the army.

Two army personnel on Friday were injured in a landmine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara. The officials stated that in the wee hours, during patrolling at Googaldara near LoC in Trehgam area of north Kashmir district, two army personnel got injured in a landmine blast. The two personnel were admitted to the army hospital at Drugmulla, and their condition was stable.

Haryana registered a voter turnout of 22.7 per cent as of 11 am as the state votes to elect 90 legislators in a single-phase Assembly election on Saturday. The voting commenced at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm as the ruling BJP is aiming a hattrick of Assembly Election wins, while the Congress is hoping to return to power after 10 years.  

After four hours of voting, Palwal registered the highest turnout of 27.94%, followed by Jind at 27.20% and Ambala at 25.50%. Meanwhile, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Hisar and Jhajjar recorded lower turnout rates at 20.39%, 17.05%, 24.69% and 23.48% respectively.

Nearly 1,031 candidates in 90 constituencies are voting across 20,632 polling booths. Nearly 20.35 million voters, including more than 1.07 million males, 960,000 females, and 467 third-gender voters are eligible to cast their votes. 

Reportedly, 29,462 police personnel, 21,196 home guards and 10,403 Special Police Officers have been deployed across the state to ensure a smooth voting process. The JJP-ASP alliance is contesting all the seats, with JJP fielding candidates in 70 constituencies and ASP in 20.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the people of the state to exercise their voting rights to set a new record. Taking to social media platform, X, he asked all the voters to be a part of this holy festival of democracy and set a new record of voting. He further extended his best wishes to all the young voters of the state who are going to vote for the first time. 

Earlier in the 2019 elections, the BJP won 40 seats and formed a coalition government with JJP, which secured 10 seats. Nonetheless, JJP later left the coalition. The counting of votes for Haryana will be announced on October 8.