Breaking News HIGHLIGHTS: President Murmu Confers Bharat Ratna Upon LK Advani

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Breaking News HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.

Top Leaders Expected At Oppn Rally In Show Of Strength

Prominent leaders from the Opposition bloc, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Bhagwant Mann, Akhilesh Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav, are slated to join forces for a rally at the Ramlila ground on Sunday. This gathering is being viewed as a demonstration of strength and unity among Opposition forces, particularly in light of the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal just before the Lok Sabha polls.

The rally, dubbed the "Loktantra Bachao" rally will witness the participation of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, as confirmed by party vice president Omar Abdullah. Additionally, there are reports of Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi's Chief Minister, likely attending the event. Gopal Rai, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, disclosed that preparations for the rally were underway, and there are expectations of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's presence.

The Congress expressed confidence that the rally organised by the I.N.D.I.A bloc would send a message to Lok Kalyan Marg, the residence of the Prime Minister, signalling that the time is ripe for a change in the BJP-led government.

In a press briefing regarding the upcoming event, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party president Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to address the rally, alongside other senior leaders. Ramesh said that the rally isn't centred around any specific individual but rather focuses on the broader objective of safeguarding democracy.

PM Modi To Address Poll Rally In UP's Meerut

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch his Lok Sabha election campaign in Uttar Pradesh with a rally in Meerut, where the BJP has nominated actor Arun Govil, renowned for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the iconic TV serial 'Ramayan', as its candidate.

Alongside Govil, Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary, who recently aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, will also share the stage with PM Modi.

A BJP leader said, "Following the inauguration of Lord Ram's idol at the Ayodhya temple, PM Modi is starting his election campaign in the state, starting from the constituency of Arun Govil, who garnered immense respect for his portrayal of Lord Ram."

The party's state General Secretary, Anoop Gupta, has been tasked with coordinating the Prime Minister's rally. Additionally, a senior BJP figure stated that apart from Meerut, attendees from nearby Baghpat, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, and Kairana Lok Sabha constituencies are expected to participate in Sunday's rally.

21:10 PM (IST)  •  31 Mar 2024

Firing Incident Reported In Delhi's Moti Nagar

An incident of firing was reported in the afternoon in PS Moti Nagar. SHO/Moti Nagar and the local police team reached the spot. On the inspection of the place, some empty cartridges were found on the spot. It appears that the assailants fired shots in the air and left. It was found that one Vikas Sharma had received threats last year. Based on threat assessment, security was provided to him, which is still continuing. A case under relevant provisions of IPC and Arms Act has been registered. Multiple teams have been formed to identify and trace the assailants. Further details awaited: Delhi Police

An incident of firing was reported in the afternoon in PS Moti Nagar. SHO/Moti Nagar and the local police team reached the spot. On the inspection of the place, some empty cartridges were found on the spot. It appears that the assailants fired shots in the air and left. It was…

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024

19:26 PM (IST)  •  31 Mar 2024

4 Killed, Houses Damaged As Storm Wreaks Havoc In Bengal's Jalpaiguri

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted "Sad to know that sudden heavy rainfall and stormy winds brought disasters this afternoon in some Jalpaiguri-Mainaguri areas, with loss of human lives, injuries, house damages, uprooting of trees and electricity poles. District and block administration, police, DMG, and QRT teams swung into disaster management operations and provided relief. Affected people are being shifted to safer places. District administration will provide compensation to next of kin in the case of the deaths, and the injured as per rules and following the MCC."

14:08 PM (IST)  •  31 Mar 2024

Breaking News LIVE: Sheikh Shahjahan's Brother, 1 Other Produced Before Basirhat Court In Sandeshkhali Violence Case

Sheikh Shahjahan's brother Sheikh Alamgir and Mafujar Molla were produced by CBI in the Basirhat Court in Sandeshkhali violence case. 

12:39 PM (IST)  •  31 Mar 2024

Breaking News LIVE: BSF Recovers Drone From Punjab's Tarn Taran District

The Border Security Force recovered a drone in the border district of Tarn Taran in Punjab on Sunday. 

"The recovery occurred in a farming field adjacent to Havelian village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone has been identified as a China-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK," said BSF Punjab Frontier.

12:29 PM (IST)  •  31 Mar 2024

Breaking News LIVE: President Murmu Confers Bharat Ratna Upon LK Advani

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Krishna Advani at the latter's residence in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu were also present on the occasion.