Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. (PTI)Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in Andhra Pradesh for two election rallies today, hit out at the Congress leadership and said any leader from the opposition party is sacked if found visiting a temple. Earlier in Odisha, he criticised the BJD government in Odisha, highlighting that despite the state’s abundance of fertile land, mineral resources, and coastal areas, its populace continues to grapple with poverty due to the policies enacted by the state government.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, at an election rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam today, said the Congress government will ensure the 50 per cent cap on reservation is removed in the interest of the people. Claiming that the BJP and the RSS want to change the Constitution, he also said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is aimed at preventing that from happening.
Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to spearhead the Congress’s campaign in the Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, camping there from Monday. According to Congress sources, Priyanka will “campaign aggressively” to ensure the victory of her brother Rahul and Kishori Lal Sharma. Both seats are going to polls in the fifth phase on May 20.
In Phase 3 seats that vote tomorrow, BJP was miles ahead of Congress
In the third phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections, 93 seats across 11 states and UTs will go to polls on Tuesday. After Phase 3, a total of 283 seats would have completed polling. In Phase 3, five states will complete polling – Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Karnataka and Gujarat, where the BJP candidate in Surat has already won unopposed after other candidates’ nominations were rejected or withdrawn.
Of the 93 seats, 10 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 11 for Scheduled Tribes.
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Remove fake content within 3 hours of coming to notice: Election Commission to parties
ECI writes to all political parties after being informed of MCC violations on social media, tells them to use social media in a responsible and ethical way. Parties told to remove fake content within 3 hours of coming to their notice.
NC suffers jolt in Ladakh as its entire Kargil unit resigns over choice of INDIA bloc's LS candidate
The National Conference suffered a jolt in Ladakh Monday as its entire Kargil unit announced resignation in protest against the party leadership allegedly pressuring them to support Congress candidate from the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat as part of INDIA bloc's seat-sharing agreement.
NC Additional General Secretary Ladakh and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Qamar Ali Akhoon conveyed the unit's decision to party president Farooq Abdullah in a letter.
According to the seat-sharing agreement between the National Conference and Congress under the INDIA bloc, the Ladakh seat was given to Congress.
EC appoints Harish Kumar Gupta as new Andhra Pradesh DGP
The Election Commission on Monday appointed Harish Kumar Gupta as the new Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh additional chief electoral officer M N Harendhira Prasad confirmed to PTI that the EC has appointed Gupta as the DGP, to replace K V Rajendranath Reddy.
WATCH | PM Modi in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
BJP, RSS want to change Constitution, this election is aimed at saving it: Rahul Gandhi in MP
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is aimed at saving the country's Constitution, which he claimed the BJP and RSS want to change.
Addressing a public meeting at Jobat town in Alirajpur district under the Ratlam-Jhabua Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also said the Congress government will ensure the 50 per cent cap on reservation is removed in the interest of the people.
The former Congress president again batted for a caste census, claiming it will reveal everything about the status of people and change the direction of politics in the country.
"This election is being held to save the country's Constitution. The BJP, RSS want to change it, but the Congress and the (opposition) INDIA alliance are trying to save it," Gandhi said.
He said the BJP gave the slogan of "400 paar" (aiming to win more than 400 Lok Sabha seats) with an intention to change the Constitution.
'Mamata Banerjee was invited to Pran Pratishthan ceremony in Ayodhya, but she chose not to attend,' says Amit Shah in Bengal
While speaking at a public rally in West Bengal on Monday, Union Minister Amit Shah said that Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were given an invitation to the Pran Pratishthan ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, but they did not go because they were “scared of their vote bank”.
“The infiltrators are their vote bank and Mamata Didi is afraid of them...' Shah said.
Calling himself ‘son of Lord Jagannath’, Modi declares: ‘BJD govt’s expiry date is June 4’
Exuding confidence that the BJP would form the government in Odisha, where Assembly elections are being held simultaneously with Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government’s “expiry date” was June 4 – the day the results come out.
Addressing a rally at Kanisi, under the Berhampur parliamentary constituency, Modi said, “Today is May 6. By June 6, a BJP chief minister will be nominated and on June 10, an oath-taking ceremony will be held. Write it down. I have come here to welcome you to the BJP government’s oath-taking ceremony.” (Read More)
Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot appointed as senior observers to Rae Bareli and Amethi Parliamentary constituencies
The Congress President on Monday appointed Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot as the AICC senior observers to Rae Bareli and Amethi Parliamentary constituencies.
Congress leader Pawan Khera meets Delhi Police Commissioner; accuses BJP of spreading fake news
“People of BJP are spreading fake news, we want Delhi police to take immediate action against it. The BJP and its supporters are spreading content that can create hatred in society. Videos of our senior leaders are being edited and uploaded..." he said, after meeting the Delhi Police Commissioner on Monday.
Key Goa groups driving its power play: Bhandaris to Kshatriya Marathas, Saraswat Brahmins to Christians
Although elections in Goa are not fought strictly along the caste lines, there has always been an undercurrent of caste playing a silent but significant role in the coastal state’s politics marked by volatility and shifting alliances.
The caste factor has not figured largely in the campaign for the current Lok Sabha polls in Goa. However, according to a Lokniti-CSDS post-poll survey of the 2022 state Assembly elections, over one-third of the voters considered caste identity as an important issue while deciding their votes. (Read More)
Watch | Congress candidate from Northeast Delhi Kanhaiya Kumar files his nomination
Congress candidate from North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, Kanhaiya Kumar filed his nomination on Monday. AAP's Delhi Convenor Gopal Rai was also with him.
What PM Modi said during his rally in Behrampur, Odisha?
'Never allocated a deficient budget to Odisha', says PM in his Behrampur election rally
“I never allocated a deficient budget to Odisha. When there was a Sonia Gandhi's remote control government with Manmohan Singh as PM, they gave 1 lakh crore in 10 years. Modi gave more than 3.5 lakh crore. But you know that only budget will not ensure work. BJD did not implement and did corruption. The central government gave 10,000 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha. BJD government could not spend it well. Modi gives money for roads but it is in a dilapidated state here. BJD puts their sticker and takes credit. They could not do anything themselves," said PM Modi while addressing a public rally in Behrampur, Odisha.
June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government, says PM Modi in Odisha
'June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government... On June 4, BJP's CM face will be announced. On June 10, the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM will take place, in Bhubaneswar. Today, I am here to invite all of you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM,.' said PM Modi while addressing a public rally in Behrampur, Odisha.
"For 50 years and then for 25 years, the BJD government ruled Odisha... Odisha has water, agricultural land, mineral ores, a long sea coast, history and heritage, there is everything in Odisha. Then why is it so that Odisha is rich but its people are poor... The reason behind this sin is the loot of the Congress and BJD leaders. Small leaders of BJD have also become owners of big bungalows," Modi said.
'Modi did not make the Ram Temple but your votes did', says PM in Odisha
Addressing a rally in Odisha's Ganjam district PM Modi said "Yesterday I was in Ayodhya. I took Darshan of Ram Lala and the people of Ayodhya. Today I am at the land of Lord Jagannath. I seek your blessings. Modi did not make the Ram Temple but your votes did. A wait of 500 years ended. I want to congratulate the people of Odisha."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Odisha's Ganjam district
Addressing a rally in Odisha's Ganjam district, PM Modi said, "In Odisha, two 'Yagya' are happening together. One is for making a strong government in India and the other is to form a strong state government in Odisha led by BJP. Your enthusiasm shows that the double-engine government is going to form in Odisha for the first time..."
Priyanka Gandhi to spearhead Cong campaign in Rae Bareli & Amethi from today
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to spearhead the Congress’s campaign in the Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, camping there from Monday in a bid to ensure the party’s victory in these two Nehru-Gandhi family’s traditional seats.
Ending days of suspense, the Congress on Friday announced that Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi for the last two decades, and Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, will fight from Amethi.
Priyanka Gandhi would remain camped in Rae Bareli and Amethi till the end of polls there and would “campaign aggressively” to ensure the victory of her brother Rahul and Sharma, Congress insiders said. Both seats are going to polls in the fifth phase on May 20.
PM Modi to address rallies in Andhra Pradesh on Monday
With Andhra Pradesh heading for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in one phase on May 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two rallies in the state on Monday, along with the NDA alliance partners – TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan.
Their first public meeting will be held in the afternoon at Vemagiri in Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari district, followed by another meeting in the evening at Anakapalli.
PM Modi’s rallies have been dubbed “Prajagalam” (people’s voice).
WATCH | PM Modi holds roadshow in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Muslims being targeted, insulted by BJP: Omar Abdullah in first rally this election
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah attacked the BJP on Sunday, alleging Muslims are being targeted and insulted by the party which has introduced new laws to "weaken" the country's minority community.
The former chief minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are going through a very difficult time as "our lips are sealed, our voices are not heard and our government offices are filled with outsiders".
Addressing a gathering at Hawal in downtown Srinagar, Abdullah's first rally these elections, he alleged Muslims are being targeted and insulted by the BJP which has introduced new laws to "weaken" the country's minority community.
WATCH | Rahul Gandhi addresses voters in Telangana's Nagarkurnool
Amit Shah makes a statement in Telangana
"Will not allow reservations for SC, ST and OBC to end as long as there is even one BJP MP in Parliament," Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said at a rally in Telangana today.
WATCH | PM Modi in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh
EVM a theft machine, make sure you voted the right party: Farooq Abdullah to voters in Kashmir
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday asked the voters in Kashmir to remain vigilant to the possibility of manipulation of the EVMs when they cast their votes for the Lok Sabha elections.
"It is important for all the voters to know that the EVM is a theft machine. On the polling day, you will go through the process of identification and then your finger will be inked. When you go to the EVM booth, you should check the (LED) lights on it," he said.
"After you cast the vote, there should be a beep from the machine. If there is no light on the machine, you should come out and ask the (election) staff about it," Abdullah, who was addressing an election rally in Panzinara on the outskirts of Srinagar city, added.
After first two phases of LS polls, Modi is ahead: Amit Shah in Andhra Pradesh
While campaigning in Andhra Pradesh today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that after the first two phases of the general elections in the country, “Narendra Modi has hit a century and was moving forward towards getting over 400 seats.”
He further said the BJP, TDP and Jana Sena alliance was formed to bring an end to the alleged rule of goondas and criminals, rampant corruption and sand mafia in the state and to make Amravati the capital of Andhra Pradesh once again.
‘BJP trying to finish constitution..wants Dalit and Adivasis to remain marginalised’ says Rahul in Telangana
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at the BJP, saying that the party wants to “finish the constitution of the country”. Speaking at a rally in Telangana, Rahul said that the saffron party wanted that the pichde, Dalit and Adivasis to remain marginalised. “They only work for 22 rich people. He (PM Modi) has waived their 16 lakh crore. The amount is the same as money of 24 years of MNREGA,” he said.
'No communal tension here.. we worked for education & health', says Nitish Kumar in Bihar's Munger
"I have received some complaints from here. We will be investigating it. We have been doing work since the beginning. We will take action. I will not break the relationship with the BJP again. There used to be no work before 2005. Nobody used to come out in the evening. Now there is no communal tension. We worked for education and health,” said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar while addressing an election rally in Munger for NDA candidate Lalan Singh.
'Congress govt fell as soon as he was launched': Madhya Pradesh CM takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi during his election rally
While addressing a public meeting in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said: "He (Rahul Gandhi) himself does not know what he is going to do. From 2004 to 2014, the Congress government was running well but as soon as Rahul Gandhi was launched, that government fell... In 2019, he was launched again, he was also made the national president but only 52 (MPs) remained and he had to resign from the post."
"2024 Lok Sabha elections going to be the last election of my life...": Digvijaya Singh
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader, Digvijaya Singh, on Sunday said that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are going to be the "last election of his life". news agency ANI reported.
Singh is contesting the seat from his home turf Rajgarh constituency in the 2024 elections against two-time BJP MP Rodmal Nagar.
The Rajgarh constituency is all set to vote on May 7, in the third phase of the ensuing general polls.
Congress releases a list of 40-star campaigners for Lok Sabha elections for Maharashtra
The Congress party on Sunday released its list of 40-star campaigners for Lok Sabha elections for Maharashtra. The list included names of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi, Prithviraj Chavan, among others.
Bengali Muslims have realised how Mamata deprived them of development … paved way for BJP, stigmatised minorities: CPM leader Md Salim
For CPI(M) supporters in West Bengal, all eyes are on the Murshidabad Lok Sabha seat where the party’s state secretary Md Salim is up against sitting Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abu Taher Khan, with the support of the Congress. Salim is a former MP who won from Raiganj in 2014 but lost the seat five years later.
Murshidabad used to be a bastion of the CPI(M), and even of the Congress before that. As campaigning winds down, Salim speaks to The Indian Express about the challenge from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, why the alliance with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) did not materialise, and the Left’s poll agenda. (Read the full interview here)
Watch | Ayodhya decked up ahead of PM's roadshow
Ayodhya has been decorated ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ram Janmabhoomi temple and roadshow today.
PM Modi's roadshow on the 'Ram Path' will start from Sugriva Fort and continue till Lata Chowk. The route of the roadshow has been divided into 40 blocks. The event is likely to feature Sindhis, Punjabis, farmers and women clad in their traditional costumes.
Rajnath Singh interview: ‘If someone comes to us and says ‘I want to support you’, should we say no?’
Since the elections to the Lok Sabha were announced, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has travelled to 13 states covering 54 constituencies and has addressed 51 public meetings and participated in five road shows. With a day before campaign closes for Phase 3 scheduled for May 7, Singh speaks with LIZ MATHEW, AMRITA NAYAK DUTTA & P VAIDYANTHAN IYER. Excerpts:
We are mid-way into the campaign, we hear many messages…what are the issues on which Election 2024 is being fought?
I speak mostly on the performance of the government over the last 10 years. I speak about the welfare initiatives taken by the government and the new heights scaled at the international level by the Prime Minister. Our government’s social welfare schemes have a great impact. I can sense that people on the ground are also aware of these facts. People have a sense of pride about India’s position on the global stage. (Click here to read the full interview)
Congress files complaint against BJP Leaders over alleged voter intimidation video in Karnataka
The Congress has filed a complaint against BJP national president JP Nadda, BJP social media in-charge Amit Malviya, BJP state president BY Vijayendra over a video posted by BJP Karnataka on their social media for allegedly “intimidating members of Schedule caste or tribe to not vote for a particular candidate with an intention to create feelings of enmity, hatred and ill-will against members of SC/ST community.”
The party said that it violated the model code of conduct by using animated video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah by portraying Congress party as favouring a particular religion and suppressing members of SC/ST and OBC community.
Message from Rae Bareli, Amethi: Rahul Gandhi de-risks, Priyanka still in waiting
The suspense is over — it is Rahul Gandhi, not Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is contesting from Rae Bareli, the seat their mother Sonia Gandhi represented five times since 2004 until she entered Rajya Sabha a month ago. And it is party karyakarta Kishori Lal Sharma who will face BJP’s Smriti Irani in Amethi.
Clearly, Rahul Gandhi did not want to risk a defeat for the second time in what has been a Gandhi fiefdom since 1980. For, it would send a message about his leadership to the party cadre, to Uttar Pradesh, the Gandhi family’s karmabhoomi, and the country. Of course, Amethi is tougher of the two constituencies with Irani, though she faces anti-incumbency, a formidable foe. (Neerja Chowdhury writes..)
PM Modi to hold road show in Ayodhya on last day of campaigning for Phase 3 of polls
The last day of campaigning before the third round of polling for the Lok Sabha on May 7 is going to be a busy day for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will begin his schedule in Uttar Pradesh with a public rally at 12.30 pm in Kakrai Pakka Tal village near Bundelkhand Expressway Cut, Bharthana Vidhuna Marg, Etawah.
He will then address a public meeting at 2.30 pm near Avadh Sugar Mill Ltd in Hargaon, Sitapur, along with BJP state president Bhupendra Singh Choudhary. Afterwards, the PM will travel to Ayodhya, where he will offer prayers at the Ram Temple and hold a roadshow at 5 pm from Sugriva Fort to Lata Chowk.