Lok Sabha Election 2019 HIGHLIGHTS: EC bars Navjot Singh Sidhu from campaigning for 72 hours

BJP releases list of two candidates for Delhi; Gautam Gambhir to contest from East Delhi and Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi parliamentary constituencies.

Three days after the Election Commission issued orders barring Himachal Pradesh BJP president Satpal Singh Satti from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday and Sunday, the District Election Officer (DEO) in Una on Monday issued a warning to Satti for his recent speech where he passed personal remarks against Congress president Rahul Gandhi. During an election rally at Bhanjal in Una district on April 13, Satti had made derogatory remarks against Gandhi's personal life. Satti had said, “…Pradhan mantri kithe banna jis bande da vyah hee na ho paya jo apni amma nu dulhan nahi le ke aa paya, o pradhan mantri pad dega leya karke. Us Aadmi ki aesi kaaviliyat he nahi hai… (Rahul Gandhi, who couldn’t be married, couldn’t get a daughter-in-law for his mother, will he become the prime minister? That man is incapable of it…).”

Actor Shah Rukh Khan joined the league of Bollywood stars who have been encouraging Indians to vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. SRK on Monday shared a video urging the citizens of the nation to exercise their ballot and choose a responsible government. This is probably the first time he has crooned for a video issued in public interest. The song titled “Karo Matdan” has some catchy and fun lyrics like “Hum desh ki awaaz, desh ke deewane. Janta taiyaar apna faisla sunane.” In the song, he tells everyone to vote for a government that loves the country and its citizens more than themselves. Composed by Tanishk Bagchi and written by Abby Viral, the over-a-minute long song has been sung by Shah Rukh Khan himself. 

Bihar ‘mahagathbandhan’ ally Vikassheel Insaan Party’s (VIP’s) head Mukesh Sahni, who is making his electoral debut from the Khagaria Lok Sabha seat, would be looking to bank on Rashtriya Janta Dal’s (RJD’s) Yadav and Muslim votes against sitting Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP Choudhary Mehboob Ali Qaisar. Sahni, whose party is contesting on three seats in Bihar, enjoys the support of EBC Sahni/Mallah (who also write Kevat and Nishad) and Nonia votes (2.5 lakh).

Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Raghav Chadha filed nomination from South Delhi constituency and BJP candidate Parvesh Verma filed nomination from West Delhi constituency, earlier today. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/00jNb93yXf

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Mumbai: Actor Sanjay Dutt campaigns for his sister Priya Dutt, Congress MP candidate from Mumbai Northwest. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/69C5V2FDCS

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, while addressing a public rally in Bhopal, asked the crowd if they got Rs 15 lakh in their respective accounts, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To answer his question, a youth walked up to the stage and replied by saying, “Modi ji carried out surgical strikes and killed terrorists.” But before the youth could say anything more, he was taken off the stage by Singh’s supporters.

"I am happy to join the BJP as I have seen the changes brought brought in the country by Prime Minister Modi in the last five years. I think nobody should be ashamed of their background, when the prime minister is proud to state that he was a 'chaiwala' then why should I be ashamed of calling myself a 'nai' (barber)," he said.

Delhi: Prominent Hair Stylist Jawed Habib joins Bharatiya Janata Party, says 'Aaj tak main baalon ka chowkidar tha, aaj mein desh ka chowkidar ban gaya hoon' pic.twitter.com/eazgktBHL1

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Aam Aadmi Party candidate Atishi Monday filed her nomination from the East Delhi constituency.

AAP candidate Atishi files nomination from East Delhi constituency. Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia also present. pic.twitter.com/u2sDXvRwXD

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Responding to Priyanka Gandhi, Union Minister Smriti Irani asked the Congress leader to go see the reality of the poor in the constituency, saying, "I have been an actor, so it is better that Priyanka Gandhi can end the drama. As far as the poor citizens, who do not even have shoes to wear, are concerned, please oblige us if you have any shame and go and see the reality yourself."

Union Minister Smriti Irani: Actor main reh chuki hoon toh natak Priyanka ji na hi karein to behtar hai, jahan tak baat un gharib nagrikon ki hai jinke paas pehne ko joota nahi tha,toh kripya karke agar unme thodi bhi sharm ho to khud ja ke dekh lein ki sach kya hai pic.twitter.com/vwQraaqaVn

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

Priyanka Gandhi lashes out at BJP's Amethi candidate Smriti Irani for distributing shoes to people in the constituency. "Smriti Irani came here and distributed shoes so that she can say that people here do not even have footwear. She is thinking that she is insulting Rahul Gandhi like this but she is actually insulting the people of Amethi by doing so."

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: Ye Smriti Irani ji yahan aai aur unhone joote baante ye kehne ke liye ki inke pas joote bhi nahi hai pehene ke liye. Ye soch rahi hain ki Rahul ji ka apmaan kar rahi hai, ye kar rahi hain Amethi ki janta ka apmaan. pic.twitter.com/8EOofr6sey

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

BJD writes to Election Commission questioning its inaction against BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, who allegedly 'obstructed flying squad on election duty from discharging their duties and abused them.'

BJD in letter to Chief Electoral Officer, Bhubaneswar: It's unfortunate that a State Min is arrested for 'obstructing flying squad on election duty from discharging their duties', while Union Min Dharmendra Pradhan is allowed to go scot-free&no action is taken against him.#Odisha pic.twitter.com/TSJ60e4srz

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Congress Central Election Committee announces three more candidates for the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/9ZbdYQ7QmP

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 22, 2019

Accusing TMC chief Mamata Banerjee of questioning the air strikes to "appease" her minority vote bank, BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday said she can do "Ilu Ilu" (I love you) with Pakistan but if that country fire bullets on us we would respond with cannon balls. 'Apko (Mamata) Pakistan ke saath ilu ilu (I love you) karna hain toh kijiye. Lekin agar Pakistan goli marega toh hum gola marenge' (If you are interested in showing love with Pakistan, you can do that but we would respond to their bullets with canon balls), Shah said, referring to the popular Hindi song from a film in the early 1990s. Shah further demanded TMC chief Mamata Banerjee to clarify whether she too favoured a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir like her ally National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. Read More

BJP president Amit Shah, who was in West Bengal to address election rallies, Monday said his party will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and introduce National Register for Citizens across the country after returning to power. Shah accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of questioning the air strikes to "appease" her minority vote bank and wryly said she can do "Ilu Ilu" (I love you) with Pakistan but if that country fire bullets on us we would respond with cannon balls.

Bikaner: Salesmen display sarees with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi printed on them, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, in Bikaner, Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Source:  PTI Photo) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday accused the opposition parties of spreading rumours that reservations will modified if he returns to power. Addressing a poll rally here in north Maharashtra, Modi said he will ensure that the quota quantum is not disturbed. "Till Modi is here, nobody can touch the reservations, given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said. Modi also assured people in the tribal dominated constituencies in north Maharashtra that his government will ensure they would not face eviction from their land. (PTI)

Congress President Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a 15-minute debate on corruption, which he said will make things clear.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli: I would like to challenge Narendra Modi to debate with me on corruption for 15 minutes. Dudh ka dudh, pani ka pani ho jayenga. I am telling you, Narendra Modi Ji won't be able to show his face before the nation. pic.twitter.com/Ic3K317fq2

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

The electronic voting machines were distributed to the staffers at six locations in Pune. Voting for Pune constituency is on Tuesday, April 23. The material was being taken to polling stations through GPS installed PMPML buses.  (Express Photo By Pavan Khengre)

BJP candidate Manoj Tiwari filed nomination from North East Delhi.

BJP candidate Manoj Tiwari files nomination from North East Delhi. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/F52Js0PDFS

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

AAP's Raghav Chaddha comes to file nomination with mother.

Won't allow reservations to be scrapped, says  Modi in a public rally in Nandurbar, Maharashtra.

Malegaon blasts accused Pragya Thakur files her nomination as a BJP candidate from Bhopal.

BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur files nomination from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/LoNxvVejBm

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

In a press conference, Sitharaman, Minister of Defence,  said, Rahul Gandhi has learnt no lessons. "He is peddling lies and has lost credibility," she said.

After apologising to Supreme Court, Rahul repeats 'chowkidar chor' jibe in Amethi rally and gets slammed by Nirmala Sitharaman.

Mamata has banned Durga Puja, Ram Navami processions, ruined culture of Bengal, says Amit Shah

Mamata has banned Durga pooja, Saraswati pooja, Ram Navami procession. She has ruined the culture of West Bengal: Shri @AmitShah #BharatBoleNaMoNaMo

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 22, 2019

Atishi Marlena, AAP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, on road show with education minister Manish Sisodia.

Rahul Gandhi promises freedom of press after 2019 Lok Sabha elections

#WATCH Rahul Gandhi in Amethi: Press wale has rahe hain kyunki inhone agar apne 'mann ki baat' kardi to inko do dande padenge, Narendra Modi ji maarenge........ghabraiye mat 2019 ke chunaav ke baad aapko jo likhna ho likhna, humare khilaaf bhi likhna hoga likh lena. pic.twitter.com/PxQOl7jTYB

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

After two phases of election in West Bengal, it's quite clear that Mamata is bound to lose in the elections. This has led to her desperation & hence she is blaming opposition & the ECI. The voters of Bengal should freely exercise their right to vote: Amit Shah

Amit Shah speaks in Nadia, West Bengal.

LIVE: Shri @AmitShah is addressing a public meeting in Nadia, West Bengal.https://t.co/TjUfyRYgiI #BharatBoleNaMoNaMo

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 22, 2019

EVM and VVPAT dispatched to the centres before third phase of Lok Sabha elections. (Express Photos: Bhupendra Rana)

"In five years, the chowkidar (PM Modi) has taken away whatever we had given to you," says Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi: Narendra Modi ne sirf Hindustan ki janta se chori nahi ki hai, sabse zyada chori chowkidaar ne aap logon se ki hai, pichle 5 saalon mein humne jo bhi aap ke liye kiya Modi ji ne aapse chheena. pic.twitter.com/1Eq45KUeio

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

Opposition worried as BJP ahead in trends of first two phases of Lok Sabha polls, said Modi.  He also took a dig at Congress that some experience electric current the moment he talks about dynasty, national security.

Today every terrorist knows that if he causes bomb blasts in any part of the country, Modi will find him out from the grave and punish him, says PM Modi in Dindori.

PM Narendra Modi addressing a public rally in Dindori, Maharashtra: Aaj har aatanki ko pata hai ki agar desh ke kisi hisse mein bomb dhamaka kiya, toh yeh Modi hai, yeh unhe pataal mein bhi khoj kar saza dega, unhein khatam karega pic.twitter.com/MaLHlFidHB

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Amethi returning officer declares Congress President Rahul Gandhi's nomination valid.

Amethi returning officer declares Congress President Rahul Gandhi's nomination valid. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/Io0WZYQoLX

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019