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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) keeps attacking the Constitution every day as it does not want to accept that Dalits, tribals and the poor should get rights, and hit out at Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar for "working" for the British. Gandhi, whose Bharat Jodo Yatra entered its 69th day and reached Washim district in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra from Hingoli on Tuesday, said it is only the Congress that can protect the Constitution, give education to tribals and safeguard their land and rights. He was addressing a public meeting in Washim district on the occasion of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, which is also celebrated as the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas or Tribal Pride Day. The rally was attended by tribal community members. He sought to draw a parallel between Birsa Munda and Savarkar, and said the tribal icon stood steadfast for his ideals.

Amid reports of Chinese buildup across the Line of Actual Control, the Indian Army has built infrastructure for housing 450 tanks and over 22,000 troops in the Eastern Ladakh sector opposite China, defence sources said.

The sources said that to counter the Chinese aggressive movements in the Pangong Tso lake which is both in India and China, Indian Army's Corps of Engineer has inducted new Landing Crafts in both Eastern Ladakh which has given a huge impetus to the patrolling capabilities and induction in men and material. The assault craft can carry 35 troops or one keeps with 12 men.

Forty functionaries of the BJP and Congress from Latur in Maharashtra have joined the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a district office-bearer from the CM-headed party said on Tuesday.

Shinde was present at the event in Mumbai on Sunday when they joined his party.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi is in full action amid the Gujarat assembly elections. He is holding massive rallies, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi by going to Muslim-dominated areas. Last night he went to Surat East Assembly to campaign for his candidate. During this time, a shocking picture has emerged of the political battle of Gujarat. This picture is going to spoil the election plans of Owaisi. In fact, as soon as Owaisi started his speech on the stage, Muslim youths started raising slogans in protest. In the Surat rally, Muslim youths showed black flags to Owaisi and raised slogans of Owaisi 'Go Back'. At the Surat rally, as soon as Owaisi stood on the stage to give a speech, the Muslim youths present there started raising slogans of Modi-Modi. Muslim youths first raised slogans in the name of PM Modi and then started raising slogans of Owaisi 'Go Back'.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said a few people are "always attacking us and maligning us". She took a veiled jibe at the BJP and said, "When I was the railway minister, if a cockroach was seen it was news, but now they are giving dirty bedsheets and no one is raising any issue."

Without naming the BJP, she said, "They are staying in Bengal, eating in Bengal but asked Delhi not to give money to Bengal. I don't need your money." This was in reference to the attack by Bengal BJP leaders who wrote to the Centre saying the Bengal government should not be given funds for projects as CM Mamata renamed central schemes in the state and took credit. 

The West Bengal chief minister made her statement while distributing smartphones to students in Kolkata. She said she had decided to distribute smartphones to students after they were unable to attend school during the pandemic. 

"So far, we have given smartphones to 17 lakh students. Today you will also get Rs 10,000 in your bank account when you reach home" said Mamata, while addressing the students. 

Further, Mamata Banerjee said the number of students enrolled on the Bengal board has increased since she came into power. "Previously, the Bengal board did not give numbers, but when I came to power I said that there is CBSC and ICSC," she said while adding that she asked the board to increase the number of Bengal board students so they can compete with the other boards. 

(With inputs from agencies)