Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Highlights: PM Modi with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and others, during the election rally in Gaya. (Source: PTI Photo)
Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Highlights: Addressing his maiden election rally in Bihar since the announcement of Lok Sabha poll, Prime Minister Modi Tuesday alleged that whenever the Congress has come to power in the country, whether on its own or heading an alliance, governance has gone into reverse gear. The growth rate has dropped while there has been a surge in terrorist activities, violence and accumulation of black money, he said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Arun Jaitley questioned the Congress manifesto released today and said the promises made by the latter is dangerous and divisive for the country. Targetting the Congress for questioning Constitutional provisions like the sedition law, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), he said the Congress seems to be encouraging the anti-national elements in the country.
In response, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the sedition law, brought in force during the colonial period, is outdated and has become redundant in present times. He also explained the Congress’ stance on AFSPA saying the party only seeks to amend the provision and has sought the removal of immunity given to the armed forces personnel in cases of enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture. “We understand that the armed forces need to be protected but human rights also need to be upheld,” he said.
Earlier in the day, releasing the Congress manifesto titled ‘Congress will deliver’, party president Rahul Gandhi said the manifesto is truthful and reflects the voice of the people.
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2019 Lok Sabha elections LIVE UPDATES: Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday said alliance talks between AAP and Congress are all but over after Congress president Rahul Gandhi refused to join hands in Delhi. (File Photos)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis (L) and BJP candidate from Wardha constituency Ramdas Tadas. (PTI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party released the list of candidates for parliamentary constituencies of Mahesana and Surat in Gujarat and Thrissur in Kerala.
The Prime Minister alleged that whenever the Congress has come to power in the country, whether on its own or heading an alliance, governance has gone into reverse gear. Growth rate has dropped while there has been a surge in terrorist activities, violence and accumulation of black money.
In an apparent rebuttal of the RJDs repeated allegations that his government was planning to do away with reservations to forward the RSS agenda, he said let alone Modi, nobody can abolish quotas. The father of the Constitution got Bharat Ratna, in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the making of modern India, by our government, Modi asserted. Five places associated with Ambedkar, including London, are being developed as Panch teerth (five places of pilgrimage) by my government, Modi added. "Recall how Congress treated architect of our Constitution, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Congress plotted many conspiracies to defeat him. It is important that youth of today knows about these facts," PM Modi said.
Hitting out at National Conference leader Omar Abdullah for advocating restoration of the post of prime minister in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi asked how can a country have more than one PM. He asked the Congress to come clean on the issue with its allies making such statements. "They appear more like spokespersons for Pakistan than political parties representing India," the PM said launching a scathing attack at the rivals for their comments post-Pulwama terror attack.
Addressing his maiden election rally in Bihar, PM Modi attacked the opposition for seeking proof of military operations against terror camps and remarked they appear spokespersons for Pakistan more than political parties representing India. Modi said the electorate must decide whether they want the madadgars (helpers) of Pakistan to be in power..those who are out to destroy the morale of armed forces by seeking proofs.
Both the BJP and Congress have intensified their campaigns for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with major public rallies and meetings across India. Click here to see photos
Dismissing the Congress manifesto as a bundle of lies, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said the party has expressed its failure over 55 years in its 55-page manifesto. He also targeted the opposition over its handling of national security. Further, referring to the Pulwama terror attack and the retaliatory air strike by India, at a meeting of BJP's youth workers here, he said, "Opposition is making negative statements on Pulwama and Balakot and Pakistan is drawing advantage from such remarks by presenting them at the international level in its favour,” the chief minister said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley targetted the Congress over its promise to simplify the GST regime with a single moderate rate of tax saying that it would mean that luxury items and everyday commodities are taxed at same rate.
JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of wanting to make India a "Hindu Rashtra". The former prime minister also sought to know as to why article 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir should be abolished. "Why it should be abolished? The question is-why it should be abolished? I did not give article 370 there. When Kashmir joined India after an agreement with the then Maharaja there, article 370 (was agreed upon)," Gowda said. "Modi has the idea, to make this entire country a Hindu Rashtra. Am I not a Hindu? Am I a Muslim or Christian or Buddhist? We take all religions into confidence," he said. Advocating a system where all communities coexist together, Gowda reminding about Mahatma Gandhi's efforts to bring in peace in communal violence hit Noakhali in Bengal said, "...Gandhi got us freedom... Did these people (BJP) get us freedom? Ambedkar gave us the constitution." - PTI
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has written to President Ram Nath Kovind against Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh for violation of model code of conduct, ANI reported. On March 23, Singh had said, "We all are BJP workers&we want BJP to emerge victorious. We want that once again Modi ji should become the PM."
Responding to questions over Congress' promise to amend Constitutional provisions, P Chidambaram said, "Sedition is a colonial era law. The sedition law today is outdated. Many leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru have said that it should go. It has become redundant. And about AFSPA, we have said that we will amend the law. We have only asked to remove immunity in cases of enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture. We understand that the armed forces need to be protected but human rights also need to be upheld."
Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh answered media's questions over the promises made by the party in the manifesto.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Finance Minister and senior party leader Arun Jaitley, said even tokenism has not been done on farm loan waiver in the five states where the Congress is in power.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court reserved its judgment for tomorrow on the petition filed by Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM) leaders Roshan Giri and Bimal Gurung seeking a direction to grant them interim protection for three weeks to allow them to participate in the general elections.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi will file his nomination from Wayanad on April 4. Party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also accompany him. Rahul will also contest from his old bastion Amethi.
Indicating that the Congress is supporting the anti-national elements in the country, Jaitley said, that the party is questioning the sedition law and does not deserve to be voted to power. He further said, "Some of the ideas are positively dangerous in the congress manifesto. They are for an agenda for the vulcanization of India."
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley alleged that the demands being made by Congress make it look like they are trying to support insurgency and militancy in the country. By trying to amend AFSPA they want to encourage the stone pelters in Jammu and Kashmir. "Even though there was a drafting committee, but it appears that some of the important points have been drafted by the Congress President's friends in 'Tukde Tukde gang' when it deals with Jammu & Kashmir," he said.
Accusing the Congress of trying to make changes to the Constitution, Jaitley said they are trying to make amendments to the provisions like AFSPA, which even Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi never tried to touch. Congress is making dangerous promises, he further said.
Union Finance Minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley, addressing a press conference following the announcement of Congress manifesto, said, "This manifesto has ideas which would divide India."
Accusing the UPA candidates of being involved in corruption, Shah said, "All the DMK candidates are involved in corruption. UPA that indulged in the corruption of Rs 12 lakh crore has no right to rule India." He also called out DMK, which is part of UPA, for wanting to engage in dialogue with Pakistan insted of retaliating.
CPI(M) has moved the Election Commission accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to rouse communal passions in the country and using national broadcaster Doordarshan for electoral purposes. CPI(M) Politbureau member Nilotpal Basu in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has listed a slew of complaints against the BJP over what it termed were violations of the model code of conduct by the leaders of the saffron party, beginning from the PM's address to the nation last month announcing that India had shot down a live satellite using anti-satellite missile technology. "Another blatant attempt by the Prime Minster Narendra Modi himself to rouse communal passions by implicitly referring to the outcome in a NIA Court, by equating the accused to the entire Hindu community in an election meeting in Wardha," he said. - PTI
Assuring the people of Tamil Nadu of BJP's commitment to the welfare of the state, Amit Shah said that the saffron party will work as dedicatedly as the previous M G Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa governments in the next five years. "The people of the country want Modi ji to be PM of India. I want to assure the CM of Tamil Nadu that the new govt of NDA will do everything in its capacity to support the state and help it develop," he said. Talking about representation of the southern states, Amit Shah said, "We did not have any MP from Kerala, but now we have four Rajya Sabha MPs from Kerala. Thus, we have given representation to South India."
BJP Chief Amit Shah is in Thhotukudi, Tamil Nadu to address a public meeting. He began his speech by lauding IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan last month and returned to India two days later.
Around Rs 6.65 lakh cash was seized by poll flying squad from a vehicle in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram.
BSP Chief Mayawati Tuesday said the way PM Modi's government implemented GST and demonetisation in haste, it affected small businesses. It also led to increase in unemployment. Congress was involved in Bofors and now BJP govt is involved in Rafale. (ANI)
Addressing a rally in Pattan on Tuesday, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said if his party gets the people's mandate in the assembly elections, he will take Public Safety Act out of law's domain.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday said his party and the BJP are bound by Hindutva and the two decided to enter into a pre-poll alliance after overcoming differences that soured their ties in the past.
In an interview to Sena MP Sanjay Raut in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', Thackeray said, "...You ask me why did we agree to an alliance again. The whole world is a witness. BJP president Amit Shah came to me not once, but twice. And when the alliance was charted out, we put forth the problems of people. Even the chief minister was present when all this happened," Thackeray said.
Congress on Tuesday announced its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2019, putting special emphasis on agriculture and farm distress. In the manifesto titled ‘Congress will deliver’, Congress accused the NDA government of driving the agriculture sector into ‘deep crisis’ through demonetisation and its crop insurance scheme.
The Congress party manifesto promises to waive the outstanding loan of farmers and ending the non-payment of loans as a criminal offence. The Congress manifesto also introduces a separate ‘Kisan budget’ to prioritise issues affecting the agriculture sector.
Here’s what the Congress manifesto says on farm sector.
The Congress on Tuesday announced its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2019, in which they put special emphasis on security of the country. The party promised to “keep a vigilant eye on the security situation”. They said that they would reverse the trend of declining defence spending, and ensure that it is increased to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces.
Congress would put in efforts to maintain the law and order situation so that every citizen and visitor feel secured in this country, the party manifesto said.
Here is what the Congress manifesto says about security and defence spending.
The Congress has pledged to fill four lakh central government and institutional vacancies before March 2020 in its election manifesto released on Tuesday. The manifesto also says, “Unemployment is the gravest challenge to the country and job creation is the highest priority for the economy. In the last five years, there has been a dramatic rise in unemployment. Today, unemployment is touching a 45-year high of 6.1 per cent according to the government’s own figures.”
Here is what the Congress manifesto says about jobs.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has called a press conference at 3:30 Tuesday. He is likely to react to the Congress manifesto released earlier today.
On his decision to contest from Wayanad, Gandhi said, "There is a feeling of neglect in South India. I wanted to show them that Congress stands with them. As far as I can see, we have alliances with Left across the country and there is no problem on that ticket."
"Under our government, farmers who cannot pay back loans, it will no more be a criminal offence. For education, we will have 6 per cent budget. In healthcare, we will strengthen public hospitals," Rahul Gandhi said.
On National Security, Gandhi said, "Congress will strive and make the country one. We will focus on strengthening national security."
Adding that the committee has done a good job on the manifesto, Rahul Gandhi said, "This is not a manifesto made in closed rooms. NYAY, jobs and farmers are among our focal points. NYAY will help the economy. We will deliver money to the poorest people in the country."
"The manifesto is a massive step for Congress. When we started this process a year back, I told them that this manifesto should reflect the wishes of the people and whatever is present in the document should be truthful," Rahul Gandhi said after releasing the document
Congress on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2019. The manifesto is titled 'Congress will deliver'.
Dr Manmohan Singh called today a "unique day" in the history of Congress. "We are going to submit a proposal that sums up the aspirations of people who wish to live with dignity. We want to fulfil the aspirations of the people of this country."
Addressing the gathering, P Chidambaram, member of the manifesto committee said, "The contents of the manifesto in my view are the millions of the voices that we heard during consultations. We could not accommodate all the voices given the limitations, When this is released, you will find that there is enough in it to address the concerns of the farmers, youth, women, industries, minorities, healthcare, foreign policy, national security among others. BJP trying to take narrative to hyper-nationalism. Congress has to bring narrative to real issues"
Congress leader Rajeev Gowda says the party reached out to public through public consultation and closed door discussions.
PM Modi in Kalahandi: I urge Odiyas to vote for BJP, repeat history created by Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and Tripura in 2018.
Ahead of a formal statement on the manifesto, Congress released a video outlining its policies for the country. In the video, NYAY policy, health care facilities, environment schemes were mentioned. No Angel Tax also found a mention in the video.
PM Modi in Kalahandi: Parties like Congress and BJD conspired to keep the poor of the country poor, they deceived the poor. They treated them as vote-bank. And because of this don’t know how many Dana Manjhis don't even get ambulance.
PM Modi in Kalahandi: I have sincerely worked for you despite not getting support from the government here (BJD government). This chowkidar has tried to give the benefit of the schemes run by the Centre to the Aadivasi areas.
Congress party is scheduled to release its manifesto in the next few minutes. Bhalchandra Mungekar, one of the members of the manifesto committee, said the party would launch a probe into Rafale deal. "When we will come to power, on the first day we will initiate an inquiry into Rafale deal and we have included this in the manifesto," he told ANI.
PM Modi in Kalahandi: "I want to ask 8 lakh poor families in Odisha got house. Who gave them this? 24 lakh people in Odisha got free electricity connection. Who removed this darkness? Odisha's 40 lakh women got free LPG connection. Who gave them this? 1 crore 40 lakh people in Odisha got bank accounts opened. Who did this? No Modi did not do this. Your one vote did all this."
PM Modi in Kalahandi: "I would like to show my gratitude to the people of Odisha who have been standing firmly with this chowkidaar."
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is shortly going to release the party's manifesto at Congress' Akbar Road headquarters in New Delhi. (Express photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shortly going to address an election rally at Bhawanipatna in Odisha's Kalahandi district. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also present at the event.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday embarked on a road show with BJP MP from Rajkot Mohan Kundariya before Kundariya files his nomination papers for Rajkot Lok Sabha seat.
The Supreme Court Tuesday declined the urgent hearing of Patidar leader Hardik Patel's plea seeking a suspension of his conviction in a 2015 case relating to rioting, so that he can contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Patel had recently joined the Congress and had reportedly been preparing to contest from Jamnagar constituency.
A lower court at Mehsana, Gujarat had sentenced Patel to two years imprisonment in July last year, for rioting and arson in 2015 during the Patidar quota protests. He had then approached Gujarat HC seeking suspension of his conviction so he can contest elections, but his plea was rejected.
Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh’s remark that Narendra Modi should be re-elected as the Prime Minister has been found violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by the Election Commission, The Indian Express has learnt. The EC will write to President Ram Nath Kovind to bring it to his notice.
Singh courted controversy last week when he told reporters in Aligarh on March 23 that everyone wants Modi to win and that it’s necessary for the country.
BSP supremo Mayawati Tuesday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court justifying expenses in the installation of her statues and elephant statues in Uttar Pradesh. In her affidavit she has stated, 'it was the will of the people', ANI reported.
She had filed the affidavit in compliance with the last order of the Supreme Court asking her that prima facie, it seems that she needs to pay back the money as she had spent a lot of public money on installation of many statutes of herself and elephants in UP.
While campaigning is underway is major parts of the state, the Election Commission is keeping a close watch on any model code violations. The poll body has found Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh’s remark that Narendra Modi should be re-elected as the Prime Minister violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and will write to President Ram Nath Kovind to bring it to his notice, The Indian Express has learnt.
The last time a state Governor was found violating the Code, he quit the post when the Commission expressed displeasure over the misuse of official machinery for poll campaign.
On the other hand, Yogi Adityanath's “Modiji ki sena” remark is also under the Commission's radar. The UP Chief Electoral Officer sought a report to check whether there had been any violation of the Model Code of Conduct. "Congress ke log atankwadiyon ko biryani khilate thhay, aur Modiji ki sena atankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai. Yahi antar hai," the Uttar Pradesh CM had said while addressing a rally in Ghaziabad
After winning eight times on the trot from Indore, outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has been made to sweat by the BJP, which is yet to take a call on the constituency that goes to polls on May 19, the last phase of voting.
Mahajan will turn 76 next month — crossing the red line of 75 drawn by the BJP for leaders to be in active politics, but followed selectively. The delay in announcement of Mahajan’s name, coupled with broad hints dropped by state party president Rakesh Singh, has created uncertainty over her candidature. Read more
BSP MLA Maulana Jameel joined the Congress Monday, saying only the grand old party can defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. The MLA joined the Congress in the presence of AICC general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia in Delhi on Monday.
Jameel was elected on a BSP ticket from Meerapur assembly constituency in 2012.
AAP leader and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann Monday said that his rivals across Punjab are fixated on the Sangrur contest. “All political parties in Punjab are focusing on the Sangrur seat. They have some sort of phobia of Bhagwant Mann. This is the reason, I am in almost every political speech of rival parties,” the Sangrur MP said. Read more