The Samajwadi Party today announced an alliance with the Nishad Party, Janwadi Party (Socialist) and the Rashtriya Samanta Dal for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The alliance is for the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party has also tied up with the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP.

"Nishad Party, Janwadi Party (Socialist) and Rashtriya Samanta Dal will work for ensuring the success of alliance candidates throughout the state," Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav told a joint press conference with leaders of these parties in Lucknow.

Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats.

Mr. Yadav alleged that the BJP was using a governor, government agencies and the media for its campaign.

Attacking the BJP, he said, "The main issue for BJP in these polls are only opposition and ''chowkidar'' and campaigners of the BJP are governor, government agencies and media."

He was referring to Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh's statement that Narendra Modi should become the prime minister once again.

The Congress party is likely to move the Election Commission (EC) to defer the release of the movie on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "PM Narendra Modi", till the final phase voting in the Lok Sabha polls i.e., May 19. The party has said that if PM Modi's movie, slated for screening on April 5, is released during the Lok Sabha polls, it would violate the model code of conduct and influence free and fair elections.

The code of conduct came into effect from March 10 across the state with elections to be held in seven phases beginning from April 11, while the results are to be announced on May 23.

The Congress is expected to meet the Election Commission at 5:30 pm on Monday and put in their demands.

The Congress party had earlier filed a complaint to the Election Commission against the release of PM Modi's biopic.

As per the complaint filed, Congress said that the biopic will be released on April 5, just days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections commencing on April 11. "Modi's party is seeking a second term and the timing of the release has raised questions," Congress said in the complaint.

Earlier, the National Students' Union of India - Goa, the Congress party's student wing urged Election Commission to ban the release of Narendra Modi biopic, alleging that the movie was "propaganda by the BJP to influence" voters during the Lok Sabha elections.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), too, has voiced the same demands against the new Narendra Modi biopic, starring Vivek Oberoi, saying it would impact the election promotions.

The Karnataka Congress, too, has asked the EC to preview the Modi biopic to ascertain if the movie violates the model code of conduct or not.

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the BJP today, just days before the national election and with several candidates still to be announced, ending months of speculation. "It is a significant induction," said Arun Jaitley, one of the two union ministers who addressed a press conference to make the announcement.

"I have been influenced by the PM, his vision for the country. This is a fabulous platform for me to do something for the country," Gautam Gambhir, 37, said.

The former cricketer may contest the April-May national election as a BJP candidate from Delhi. The 37-year-old may contest from the prestigious New Delhi constituency, currently held by the party's Meenakshi Lekhi, sources have said.

He is a resident of Delhi's Rajinder Nagar, which falls within the constituency.

Arun Jaitley refused to confirm anything, said: "Leave the decision to the party's election committee".

Gautam Gambhir was recently awarded the Padma Shri. He was a high-profile campaigner for Arun Jaitley's 2014 contest in Punjab's Amritsar; Arun Jaitley lost the election to Congress's Amarinder Singh, now Chief Minister of Punjab.

The former India opening batsman retired from cricket in December after a 15-year stint. He runs a community kitchen, besides appearing as a commentator.

Gautam Gambhir joins more cricketers-turned-politicians like Kirti Azad, Mohammad Azharuddin, Navjot Sidhu, and Mohammad Kaif.

In the case of use of horses and mules in the manufacture of medicines and toxic substances made for defense after the snake bite, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Central Board of Ministers of the Central Government, the Indian Animal Welfare Board and the Board of Controls on Animals, which has been asked by CPCSEA to seek an answer.

Delhi High Court Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Anup Jayaram Bhamhbani's Bench asked the government to file a reply on this. PETA has filed this petition seeking a ban on the use of animals in the production of toxic drug. The organization that works for the protection of PETA.

Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing in the court on behalf of Peta, argued that animals are used in the product of toxic and other antibodies, which are cruel to them. In modern times, such techniques should be used for the manufacture of medicines, in which animals should not be used.

PETA argues that the use of animals should be stopped gradually, as there are many alternative remedies for the use of such drugs. Generally, horses and mules have been used for hundreds of years in the production of toxicological drugs.

It was used in other countries before India. French biologist Albert Kalameet first used it in 1896. They developed the toxic drug after the outbreak of snakes caused by floods in Vietnam, Used animals on this drug.

The way biologist Albert Kalameet used it, it was also interesting. The poison of snake was given in a limited amount to horse and then by taking the blood out of his body and preparing the toxic drug.

The petitioner said that the use of animals in the drug product has a very bad effect on his physical and mental health. Apart from this, it also directly violates animal rights. At present, the Delhi High Court has stayed the hearing for this case till August 14.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will file a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Rafale Aircraft deal and the Sahara-Birla Paper case in Lokpal, which will be formed soon.

Senior leader Gopal Rai said that the appointment of Lokpal is a sign of people's struggle in India and Prime Minister Modi was afraid of bringing himself into the ambit of the Lokpal probe.

He said that Aam Aadmi Party will file a complaint in the first Lokpal of India, which will be constituted about Rafale Fighter Aircraft case and Sahara Birla Diaries.

Rai said that there are questions that why it took five years to appoint the Lokpal. It is a shame for the Prime Minister that he took so much time for his appointment.

Officials said on Sunday that for the chief of the anti-corruption country, the first Lokpal chief is being actively considered in the name of former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghosh.

Rai said that the BJP came under the pressure of the courts and made Lokpal. He said that the Congress-led government tried to suppress the movement but after finding the country's mood, in the last days of its tenure, it has decided to make a law for the appointment of Lokpal.

He said that during the Lokpal agitation, many BJP leaders were seen on the stage who promised to make a strong Lokpal but after the formation of the government in May 2014 the BJP forgot its promise.