HIGHLIGHTS AT 1700 HRS

Following are the top stories at 1700 hours:

ELN57 BJP-2NDLD MANIFESTO BJP releases manifesto, promises to build Ram temple; PM says nationalism 'our inspiration'

New Delhi: Eyeing to retain power, the BJP made a plethora of poll promises on Monday, including expeditious construction of Ram temple, firmly dealing with terrorism, doubling farmers' income in the next three years, making India the third-largest economy globally by 2030, and scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

ELN60 BJP-MANIFESTO-LD MODI

Nationalism BJP's inspiration, inclusion philosophy and governance mantra: Modi New Delhi: Asserting that nationalism was the BJP's inspiration, inclusion its philosophy and good governance its mantra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the party aimed to make India a developed nation by 2047, 100 years after Independence.

ELN58 CONG-BJP-MANIFESTO

BJP copy pasted its 2014 manifesto and changed all previous deadlines: Cong New Delhi: In a scathing criticism of the BJP manifesto, the Congress on Monday said the ruling party has "simply copy pasted" its 2014 poll document and changed all previous deadlines.

ELN65 WB-LD MAMATA

We will throw the "dacoit and liar " Chowkidar out power and politics: Mamata Nagrakata (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday sharpened her attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him a "dacoit and liar chowkidar" who looted public money during demonetisation.

ELN64 JK-FAROOQ Abrogating Article 370 will pave way for 'freedom' for people of J-K: Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution will pave way for "freedom" for people of Jammu and Kashmir and asked the BJP try joining the hearts and not break them.

MIRWAIZ-LD NIA Mirwaiz appears before NIA in terror funding case

New Delhi: After avoiding the first two summons, moderate separatist leader and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Monday appeared before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a case related to terror funding, officials said.

MDS2 KL-WAYANAD-MAOISTS Maoists put up posters in Wayanad calling for poll boycott

Wayanad(Ker): Maoists have put up posters and banners asking farmers and plantation workers in Mundakkai, a part of Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency from where Congress President Rahul Gandhi is contesting, to boycott the April 23 elections.

MDS4 TN-PERIYAR-LD STATUE Periyar statue found vandalised in TN, political parties condemn incident

Pudukottai: A life-size statue of rationalist leader and Dravidian movement founder E V Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, was found vandalised at Aranthangi in the district Monday, police said.

Legal:

LGD27 SC-2ND LD SAJJAN

Sajjan Kumar was "kingpin" of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, CBI tells SC New Delhi: Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was the "kingpin" of gruesome offence in which Sikhs were "massacred" in Delhi during the 1984 anti-Sikhs riots, CBI told the Supreme Court on Monday while opposing his plea seeking bail.

LGD25 SC-LD OPPOSITION

SC directs EC to increase matching of VVPAT slips to 5 booths per assembly segment New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday directed the Election Commission to increase the random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one booth per assembly segment to five in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls for better voter confidence and credibility of electoral process.

LGD22 SC-LD BIOPIC

Can't pass order at this stage on Congress leader's plea seeking stay on modi biopic: SC New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday said it cannot pass an order at this stage on a plea seeking stay on the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Censor Board is yet to certify the film.

Foreign:

FGN6 CHINA-PAK-CPEC

China denies CPEC intensified Pakistan's economic risks Beijing: China on Monday refuted criticism that the USD 60 billion CPEC has intensified Pakistan's economic risks, saying that less than 20 per cent of the current projects under the initiative are using Chinese loans. By K J M Varma

FGN3 WORLDBANK-INDIA-GDP

India's GDP expected to expand 7.5 per cent in 2019-20: World Bank Washington: India's GDP growth is expected to accelerate moderately to 7.5 per cent in Fiscal Year 19-20, driven by continued investment strengthening, particularly private-improved export performance and resilient consumption, the World Bank has said. By Lalit K Jha

FGN5 UK-MALLYA

Mallya denied permission to appeal against extradition by UK court London, Apr 8 (PTI) A UK High Court judge has denied embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya permission to appeal against his extradition order to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores. By Aditi Khanna.