Today in Politics: PM Modi to address 4 rallies in 3 states, SC to hear plea on VVPAT

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a rally in Palora of Jammu and will then proceed to Kotdwar in Uttarakhand, which falls under the Garhwal parliamentary constituency. While Garhwal goes to polls on April 19, Jammu votes on April 26.

Meanwhile, BJP national president J P Nadda will hold three roadshows in Tamil Nadu, where all 39 Lok Sabha seats go to polls in the first phase.

SC to hear plea on 100% EVM-VVPAT verification

The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear next week a plea by an NGO seeking cross-verification of the votes cast in EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

Last week, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), had sought an urgent hearing of the plea while senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that the elections are nearing and if the case is not heard, the plea would become infructuous.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was sitting in a special bench along with Justice MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, said the court is aware of the situation and would hear the matter next week.

On July 17 last year, the top court sought a response of the Election Commission of India on a plea filed by the ADR.

In the petition, the NGO has sought direction to the poll panel and the Centre to ensure the voters are able to verify through VVPATs that their vote has been “counted as recorded”.

Rahul to attend events in Wayanad, Priyanaka to hold rally in Tripura

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on the second day of his Wayanad tour will hold public meetings in Thiruvambadi, Eranad, Wandoor and Nilambur constituencies on Tuesday.

As a part of his campaign from the seat from where he is seeking a second term, Rahul will participate in roadshows in Kodiyathur, Keezhuparambu, Urangattiri, Mampad, Nilambur and Karuvarakundu as part of the campaign.

All 20 Lok Sabha seats of Kerala will vote in the second phase on April 26.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a roadshow in Agartala in support of CPI(M) candidate and INDIA bloc nominee Rajendra Reang.

Former Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot will address a public rally in Kathua of Jammu in support of party candidate Choudhary Lal Singh. The party has been facing flak for fielding Singh, who as a BJP leader had defended the accused of the Kathua rape case.

– With PTI inputs