Congress chief Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in Kolar and Mysore, Karnataka, on Saturday. (Photo: PTI/File)
Lok Sabha Elections 2019 HIGHLIGHTS: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said a single chowkidar has maligned all those who are into the profession. Addressing a rally in Karnataka’s Mysore, Gandhi said, “The Chowkidar could not be seen outside the homes of the farmers, and the poor. He could only be seen with the ‘chors’ like Anil Ambani. A single Chowkidar has maligned the name of all others in the profession.”
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Communist government in Kerala of creating an atmosphere where people cannot take the name of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala. Addressing a rally at Mangaluru in Karnataka, Modi said people are being put behind the bars if they do so. He mentioned the case where a BJP candidate of Kerala was arrested in connection with clashes over the Sabarimala issue and asked if such behaviour is acceptable in a democracy.
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Earlier in the day, BSP Chief Mayawati also attacked Yogi Adityanath saying his party will get votes of neither Ali nor Bajrangbali. Reacting to the UP CM’s ‘Ali-Bajrangbali’ comment, she said Bajrangbali is equally important to her and her party as he, in Yogi’s own words, is associated to Dalit caste. “We have both Ali and Bajrangbali. Bajrangbali is important to us since he is associated with Dalit caste. It was the UP CM, and not I, who had in the past pointed out Bajrangbali’s caste,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Kozhikode on Friday. (Source: Twitter)
Referring to the recently announced NYAY scheme, Rahul said, "If BJP can give money to the country's rich, Congress can give it to the poor."
Congress's proposed NYAY scheme will be a surgical strike on poverty, said Rahul Gandhi in Mysore.
The Chowkidar could not be seen outside the homes of the farmers, and teh poor. He can only be seen with the 'Chors' like Anil Ambani, said Rahul Gandhi, adding that a single Chowkidar has maligned all in the profession across the country.
Addressing a rally in Mysore, Rahul Gandhi said, we intend to keep anti-democratic BJP away from power.
Congress releases list of 18 candidates from Haryana (6), Madhya Pradesh (3) & Uttar Pradesh (9). Kumari Selja to contest from Ambala (Haryana) & Deepender Singh Hooda to contest from Rohtak (Haryana).
BJP rally in Bangalore Central’s Palace Grounds shortly. Follow PM Modi in Bengaluru LIVE Updates here
Just ten days away from the general elections, across villages in Kerala's primary rice belt, the absence of a permanent infrastructure to supply safe drinking and potable water to households remains a pivotal issue for voters. Read full story here
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges people to climb down the trees at his public rally in Mangaluru, as the crowd swells.
"The communist government in Kerala has created such an atmosphere in the state that the people there cannot take the name of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala Temple," he said, adding that people are being lodged in jail if they pronounce their god's name.
"Their (Congress') unrighteousness causes corruption and injustice. Our emergence has an increasing reputation of transparency and honesty, " said PM Modi. He added that theGrand Old Party gave only slogans to the poor, while BJP governement reduced poverty, built a neo-middle class in the country.
"Dynastic politics is the base of parties like Congress, JDS, while nationalism is our motivation," said PM Modi
"The upcoming election is not a poll to just construct a government. It is a poll to decide the fate of the country in 21st century," said PM Modi
PM Modi addresses rally in Mangalore, Karnataka. Watch LIVE here.
BJP President Amit Shah took a dig at Mayawati saying when it is the time for elections, the BSP chief remembers Ambedkar. But when she comes to power, she forgets him and builds her own statues. "It is the BJP government that has built Ambedkar ji's memorial in five years," Shah claimed.
Reacting on UP CM Yogi Adityanath's 'Ali-Banjrangbali' remark, BSP chief Mayawati said, Banjrangbali is very important to her and her party since he is associated to Dalit caste. "We have both Ali and Bajrangbali. Bajrangbali is important to us since he is associated to dalit caste," Mayawati said. She added that it was the UP CM, not her, who had in the past pointed out Bajrangbali's caste.
Addressing a rally in Siliguri, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people to not vote for CPI(M) and Congress. "I was in Congress, then quit and formed Trinamool, following which you are witnessing development," she said.
"100 per cent Chowkidar (guard) is a chor (thief). The names of all the "chors" (thieves) is Modi-- Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi," Rahul Gandhi told the crowd in Karnataka.
"We brought a bill in the Parliament to abolish practice of Triple Talaq but Congress, DMK and Muslim League opposed it. These parties do not believe in dignity of women," PM Modi told the crowd.
"Our coalition government in Karnataka has waived off farmers' loan, what has Narendra Modi done for farmers in the country? If we come to power, we will get rid of Gabbar Singh Tax (GST). We will give 33% of reservation to women in central government jobs," Rahul Gandhi said.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is also addressing an election rally in Karnataka's Kolar.
"Coming to Ramanathapuram reminds one of the great Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had several dreams for our nation. Today, it is our duty to fulfill those dreams and take India to new heights of growth and glory," PM Modi told the crowd.
Union minister and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the "biggest victim of political intolerance". The remarks of the Union minister for minority affairs came amid statements issued by certain groups of people, including artistes, appealing to the voters to oust the BJP from power in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The saffron party has also rallied artistes and intellectuals in its support.
In an interview to news agency ANI, BJP MP candidate from Mathura Hema Malini said, "I am very confident of a win because I have done good work, my government has done good work, so I am sure people will support us. The whole system is changing, people want development, caste politics now doesn't work."
Accusing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath of "diverting money meant for poor" and using them for poll campaigns instead, PM Modi said, "The Madhya Pradesh govt has become their ATM. They are diverting money meant for the poor and the children, for use in the election. This has become known as the Tughlak Road scandal. The nation knows which Congress leader stays on Tughlak Road in New Delhi."
Assuring a life of dignity to the people of Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We move forward with the dream of a New India. An India, where everyone, from the soldier to the farmer, can lead a life with security, prosperity, and dignity."
Taking a fresh swipe at the Opposition in his latest blog, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "To oust a popular govt, an extremely popular Prime Minister, you need real issues not fictional ones. The Opposition wasted the past two years in the run-up to the poll “manufacturing issues” which didn’t exist. The Rafale or the EVM proved to be fake issues only." Read the entire post here:
The Congress has filed a memorandum with the Election Commission of India and sought an “urgent and necessary intervention against deliberate, corrupt and wilful falsification of fact” by Union Minister Smriti Irani on her educational qualification. The party on Friday asked the poll body to initiate “appropriate proceedings” against the BJP leader. Reacting to Congress’s attack, Irani said, according to PTI, “I have a message for them…as much as you try, I will work for Amethi against the Congress. No matter what you say, the more you harass me, the harder I’ll work.” Read full story here.
On Friday while addressing a rally in Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the BJP will not allow any attack on “our traditions and faith” even though “certain forces” were trying to destroy them. Speaking at a Vijay Sankalp rally in Kozhikode, where NDA candidates from North Kerala were present, he said, “Certain forces were trying to destroy our cultural traditions in the name of the Supreme Court order. We cannot allow any attack on our traditions and faith.” Read full story here.
BJP chief Amit Shah will hold a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun and Shahjahanpur today.
Campaigning for the remaining six phases of the Lok Sabha elections will continue today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to address four public meetings in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will also address a joint rally with JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda in KR Nagar of Mandya constituency in Karnataka. Follow our blog to get the latest updates on the Lok Sabha elections.