Top Asian News 12:59 a.m. GMT

Thousands rally in India's capital as opposition bloc and Prime Minister Modi launch their campaigns

NEW DELHI (AP) — An alliance of India’s opposition parties launched its election campaign with a massive rally Sunday that criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of stifling opponents and undermining democracy ahead of a national election next month. The “Save Democracy” rally in New Delhi was the first major show of strength by the opposition bloc INDIA. Modi on Sunday also launched a formal campaign for the election to be held over six weeks starting April 19. Opposition leaders spoke to the flag-waving crowd and criticized Modi's government for arresting several of their colleagues, including New Delhi’s top elected official Arvind Kejriwal on March 21.