Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 31, 2024, launched the BJP’s campaign in Uttar Pradesh from Meerut, saying that he is fighting against corruption. “I am fighting against corruption, that is why the corrupt are behind bars today,” he said, adding that some people were rattled by his actions.

Making a pitch for development, Mr. Modi said that poverty would be eradicated and the middle class would provide strength to the country when India becomes the world’s third largest economy.

You have only seen the trailer of development till now,” he said at the election rally. ”The 2024 Lok Sabha election is not just for making a government, but to make ‘Viksit Bharat’,” he said.

BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said that the party will add to its current strength of 288 seats in the Lok Sabha with gains from southern India in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Mr. Gadkari said there is “no doubt” in his mind that the BJP-led NDA alliance will cross 400 seats and that Mr. Modi will take over as the PM for a third term because of the solid work done by the government in the last 10 years.

He dismissed allegations that the Modi government is “weaponising” central probe agencies such as the ED and the CBI to weaken the opposition, saying BJP’s rivals should make efforts to overcome adversity by winning the confidence of the people.