Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attacked PM Modi on Friday saying, "What is PM doing if Congress is getting money from Adani and Ambani?" Addressing a press meet, Kharge further promised 50% reservations in govt jobs for women.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said the BJP wants to build such an India which is wealthy and can lead the whole world in the field of knowledge, science and spirituality.
Singh, who is the BJP candidate from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, also said that a crisis of confidence has arisen in independent India towards political leaders due to the difference between their actions and words.
"But I want to talk about the party I am in. We (BJP) have done what we promised. We have fulfilled each and every promise of our election manifesto, be it the promise to abolish Article 370 or building of Ram Temple," Singh said while addressing the 'Prabuddha Nagrik Sangoshthi' organised at a private school in Gomti Nagar here.
The sitting MP from Lucknow added that Ram Rajya in India will begin when a sense of responsibility arises within people.
Stay with TOI for live updates on Lok Sabha Elections 2024
Read Less
Lok Sabha Election: I am indebted to the people of Odisha, says PM Modi
"I assure you that I will repay this debt of your love and blessings by working as hard as I can and serving the country. Along with this, I will repay by working hard day and night to make Odisha a developed state in the country", he said.
Lok Sabha Election: PM Modi expresses gratitude towards the people of Odisha
"Today I am fortunate that upon coming to Kandhamal, I have received such blessings that I cannot forget throughout my life. This blessing is a living example of the kind of change that is taking place in the entire country," he said.
Lok Sabha Election: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Kandhamal, Odisha.
"26 years ago, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government did the Pokhran test", he said.
Lok Sabha Election: CM Nayab Saini starts har booth har ghar campaign
Chief minister of Haryana Nayab Saini starts the har booth har ghar campaign from booth no 132 of Rajeev Colony of Panchkula Assembly. This campaign will be run across the state on May 11 and May 12.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: BJD in Odisha detached from ground realities, oblivious to people's grievances: PM Modi
Accusing the Biju Janata Dal of being "oblivious to people's grievances" and detached from the ground realities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Odisha will support the BJP in "record numbers" in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state. "While our Government has done extensive work, BJD is totally detached from the ground realities and is oblivious to people's grievances. They have totally misunderstood the great culture and ethos of Odisha. No wonder Bhubaneswar and Odisha will support the BJP in record numbers," PM Modi said in a series of posts on X.
Lalu Prasad has intensified the Muslim reservation debate that was triggered by PM Modi’s allegation that Congress aims to slice up the OBC quota for its minority vote bank. Prasad says Muslims should get reservation but then adds a caveat. The Constitution does not endorse reservation in jobs and education along religious lines. However, some govts have interpreted its provisions to extend reservation benefits to certain Muslim communities
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: 'Eye on vote bank, Didi didn’t arrest Sandeshkhali key accused': Union minister Amit Shah
Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said tormentors of Sandeshkhali will be “straightened out by hanging them upside down” and thrown behind the bars. He, however, steered clear of any mention of the recent controversy over the videos that have gone viral.
Addressing a rally at Rampurhat in Birbhum — a stronghold of Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) Anubrata Mondal — Shah came down heavily on alleged illegal sand mining and cross-border cattle smuggling, and said the culture of cut money and syndicates in Bengal will soon come to an end.
“For years, women in Sandeshkhali were tortured. Mamata ji could have arrested him (local strongman Sheikh Shahjahan), but she didn’t... to protect her vote bank. The court ordered CBI to investigate and when the agency arrested him, she alleged that the cases against Shahjahan are fake,” Shah said, claiming that victims were chosen on the basis of their religious identity.
PM Modi leading BJP’s bid to communalise poll: Kharge to partymen
Accusing PM Narendra Modi of leading BJP’s bid to “communalise the election”, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has sent a special missive to party leaders cautioning them against getting distracted by such issues, and to keep the focus of the campaign on “nyay” promises for various social groups. He has also told the cadres that the PM and BJP are aware that the EC will not act against them for provoking people in the name of religion and caste.
Kharge has said the first three phases of voting have seen an overwhelming response for Congress, and there should be extra effort to ensure that BJP does not succeed in distracting the nation’s attention by their bid to raise communal issues in an effort to “divide the poor on religious and caste lines”.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge could create anarchic situation, claims baseless, says EC; party hits back
Coming down heavily on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Election Commission on Friday dismissed his allegations around voter turnout data as “baseless” and said it could create an “anarchic situation, besides doubts and disharmony”.
“Through innuendos and insinuations, the contents of the post tend to create disharmony in respect of the delicate space of election management, can plant doubts in the mind of voters and political parties…” EC said.
In a strongly worded rebuttal running into 21 pages, the poll panel said Kharge’s allegations in a letter to INDIA leaders and posted on social media was part of a “design in creating a false narrative” during the poll period and pointed out that no Congress candidates ever complained about the electoral roll, votes polled or filed any petition in the last three years based on any discrepancy in data. It said the charges were meant to “create confusion, misdirection and impediments in the conduct of free and fair polls”.
Seeking to frame the Lok Sabha polls as a duel between the two alternative visions of ‘idea of India’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasised that Lord Ram is at the core of ‘my idea of India’ as “He is an embodiment of inspiration for a whole lot of values associated with the country that give it a unique identity in the world”.
Responding to former Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda’s recent attack on him over his visit to Ram Mandir and Ram Navami celebrations, Modi said that Congress is divorced from the “idea of India”, which encapsulates civilisational history spanning thousands of years, because the opposition party always saw the country from a foreign lens which is anti-Hindu and saw Ram Navami celebrations and building a Ram Temple in Ayodhya as antithetical to India as it is understood and subscribed to all these decades.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that his party has committed errors in the past and must adapt its political approach in the future, in a recent event held in Lucknow.
Repolling peaceful at two booths in Bihar's Khagaria Lok Sabha seat
Repolling at two booths in Bihar's Khagaria Lok Sabha seat was peaceful on Friday, with no untoward incident reported from anywhere, an official said. Voting began at 7 am at booth numbers 182 and 183, under the Beldaur assembly segment of the Khagaria parliamentary constituency, and continued till 6 pm, he said.Till the time of filing this report, the Election Commission had not provided the polling percentage.
Over 536 licenced firearms confiscated; 4,705 licences cancelled amid polls in UP
he Election Commission of India's directives are diligently adhered to in Uttar Pradesh to uphold law and order during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In this sequence, from March 16 to May 9, 2024, the police department seized 536 licenced firearms from criminals, while 4,705 firearm licences have been revoked and deposited. Proactively preventing potential disturbances, the authorities have issued notices under the CrPC to restrict the movements of 27,20,387 individuals, with 24,48,726 individuals complying with the ban.
"Has Congress started hating President Droupadi Murmu now?": Acharya Pramod Krishnam
In response to Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole's remarks that the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir will be purified when the INDIA bloc comes to power at the Centre, former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam questioned if the Congress has started hating President Droupadi Murmu besides hating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Besides hating Narendra Modi has Congress now started hating the President of India also? Do they hate Droupadi Murmu so much that since the time that she paid a visit to the Ram Mandir, they started having problems...," Krishnam said on Friday.
Bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader VK Pandian on Friday asserted that he would quit politics if party president Naveen Patnaik does not become the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth time in a row after the assembly elections.
TMC stands for 'tushtikaran, mafia, corruption': Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "remaining silent" on the issue of Sandeshkhali due to her "vote bank politics" Shah also mocked TMC's slogan 'Maa Mati Manush', saying it has now transformed into "mullah madrassa mafia" owing to the politics of appeasement. Addressing back-to-back rallies in Ranaghat and Birbhum Lok Sabha constituencies, he said the women of Sandeshkhali were "tortured on the basis of religion", asserting that the BJP "would not spare a single culprit and they would be thrown behind bars".
Re-polling in 4 booths in Madhya Pradesh's Betul Lok Sabha seat sees 72 pc turnout till 5 pm
A high voter turnout of nearly 72 per cent was recorded till 5 pm at four booths in Madhya Pradesh's Betul Lok Sabha seat where re-polling took place on Friday after EVMs used in May 7 voting were damaged in a fire, an official said. An electoral turnout of 71.81 per cent was registered at the four booths till 5 pm. The voting started at 7 am and was to end at 6 pm, the official. The final figure of the turnout is expected by 8 pm after polling parties return.
'To appease their vote bank, neither Cong nor BRS want to celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day': PM Modi
Addressing a public rally in Hyderabad, PM Narendra Modi said, "To appease their vote bank, neither Congress nor BRS want to celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day. BJP has decided to rid Hyderabad of this fear. The Central government has decided that every year on 17 September, Hyderabad Liberation Day will be celebrated."
The idea of India means 'Mother of Democracy': PM Modi in Telangana
Addressing a public rally in Hyderabad, PM Narendra Modi says, "What is the idea of India? The idea of India is a reflection of India's centuries-old legacy. Idea of India means 'Satyamev Jayate'. Idea of India means 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. Idea of India means 'God is Great'. Idea of India is 'Nari tu Narayani'. This land which has given birth to me is dearer to me than heaven. These were the words of Lord Ram. This idea of India is not merely limited to beliefs but is an empowered identity of our country. Today, the Idea of India is 'International Day of Yoga', it is the vision of 'One Earth One Family One Future', it is the idea of 'One Sun, One Earth, One Grid', it is the 'Shiv Shakti point' on the moon, the idea of India means 'Mother of Democracy', the idea of India means ' Justice to all, appeasement to none'."
'Need 400 seats so that Congress can never rebuild Babri Masjid': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Urging people to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it is imperative for his party to have 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls to prevent the Congress party from rebuilding the Babri Masjid. In a tweet on X CM posted a clip of his address during a public rally in Odisha's Malkangiri which was held on Thursday and stated, "People ask us why we want 400 seats. We need 400 seats so that we can liberate other temples in India and Congress can never rebuild Babri Masjid. That's why we need to give Modi ji more than 400 seats and make him the PM."
PM Modi worried after 3rd phase of Lok Sabha polls: AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were worried after three phases of Lok Sabha polls and were hence talking about non-election issues and abusing the Congress. Addressing a press conference here, Kharge said the BJP leaders, instead of seeking votes on "development," are distorting their (Congress) leaders' speeches and call Rahul Gandhi 'shehzada.'
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on EC's response to Kharge
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweets, "The response of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the issues raised by the Congress President in his letter to the INDIA parties is simply beyond description...Congress President had raised perfectly legitimate issues, on which there have been widespread concern and comment. The approach of the Election Commission to addressing these issues is deeply regrettable."
'Leaders of Congress are living in India but they speak the language of Pakistan': Anurag Thakur
Union minister Anurag Thakur says, "The leaders of Congress are living in India but they speak the language of Pakistan. It appears that Pakistan is hands in glove with Congress. Congress and its allies repeatedly talk about crushing Sanatan Dharma, disrespecting Hindu Dharma. This ideology of Congress shows that Congress retorts to appeasement politics with the support of Pakistan to garner votes...They want to make the Indian Army weak. Why did they (Congress) snatch the reservation of SC, ST, OBC to give it to Muslims?"
Punjab: BJP announces Gejja Ram Valmiki as its candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib Lok Sabha seat.
Lok Sabha Election: TMC's general secretary Abhishek Banerjee files nomination from West Bengal's Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat
Trinamool Congress' national general secretary and party's candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Abhishek Banerjee on Friday filed his nomination for Lok Sabha elections. Abhishek Banerjee, who is also West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, is contesting for a third consecutive term from the seat in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. After filing his nomination, he expressed confidence in his victory in the Lok Sabha election from the Diamond Harbour seat and said, "I am contesting an election. I am not an astrologer. I can't predict the future but I have left no stone unturned in serving the people....I am hopeful and optimistic that the margin that Diamond Harbour delivered last time will eventually increase and people's love and blessings will continue to be showered upon us as we have worked in the last ten years," he said.
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday said the parliamentary democracy is under threat because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and he won't ally with those who do not believe in it. Pawar's statement has come after the prime minister advised the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) to join hands with Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde after the Lok Sabha poll results instead of "dying by merging" with the Congress.
Lok Sabha polls: Ex-diplomat Taranjit Sandhu files nomination from Amritsar
Former diplomat and BJP candidate for Amritsar, Taranjit Singh Sandhu filed his nomination papers on Friday for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Sandhu was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at a roadshow prior to filing his nomination papers. "He will be a good Parliament member and is a very popular diplomat. He has served the country a lot. Now the time has come to serve the Amritsar. He is held in high esteem in Delhi. You can't choose a better candidate than Taranjit Sandhu to take forward the interests of Amritsar and Punjab," the Union minister said.
Lok Sabha Election: Today PM Modi is coming in front of the public and talking nonsense, says Priyanka Gandhi
"Today PM Modi is coming in front of the public and talking nonsense.He says- Congress is against religion, Congress will steal your buffalo and jewellery.The Prime Minister himself has been in power for 10 years and he is not able to give an account of his work to the public.He should tell the public what have we done for the country?", she said.
Lok Sabha Election: PM Modi worried after 3rd phase of Lok Sabha polls, says Mallikrjun Kharge
Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the BJP and PM Modi, saying Modi and his cabinet colleague Amit Shah are "worried" following the third round of the Lok Sabha elections and have begun attacking the Congress party. Addressing a press conference here, Kharge said that instead of soliciting votes on their "development," the BJP leaders are criticizing Congress leaders and twisting their speeches, which he believes is unnecessary.
Lok Sabha Election: Five out of all the promises we made and guarantees we gave during the Assembly elections, have been fulfilled, says Mallikarjun Kharge
Addressing a press meeting in Hyderabad, Kharge said, “Five out of all the promises we made and guarantees we gave during the Assembly elections, have been fulfilled. One guarantee is left because we couldn't implement it due to the code of conduct. However, the rest of them which include cylinders (₹500 an LPG cylinder), 200 units of free electricity, and the Indiramma Housing scheme for the homeless - have been implemented. We have proved that we do what we say.”
Lok Sabha Election: What is PM doing if Congress is getting money from Adani and Ambani?, asks Kharge
Congress president was addressing a press meet. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi also attacked PM Modi saying, "In 10 years, Narendra Modi never mentioned the names of Adani and Ambani. He gave thousands of speeches in 10 years but he never took their names. When someone gets scared, he takes the names of people who, he thinks, can save them."
Lok Sabha Election: We will give 50% reservation to women in government jobs, says Mallikarjun Kharge
"We are giving the guarantee of apprenticeship to the youth. We will also provide those 30 lakh vacant posts in government to the youth... We will give 50% reservation to women in government jobs... will work to strengthen the labour laws for the unorganised workers. This Modi government is only for the rich people. It does not work for the poor," he said.
Lok Sabha Election: In 10 years, Narendra Modi never mentioned the names of Adani and Ambani, says Rahul Gandhi
"In 10 years, Narendra Modi never mentioned the names of Adani and Ambani. He gave thousands of speeches in 10 years but he never took their names. When someone gets scared, he takes the names of people who, he thinks, can save them. So, Narendra Modi took the names of two of his friends - "Save me, INDIA alliance has cornered me, I am losing. Adani-Ambani, save me." That is why Narendra Modi took their names. He even knows how Adani sends money in a tempo. Prime Minister has personal experience of the tempo. Now, BJP, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah will attempt to divert your attention. For the next 10-15 days they will try to divert your attention...Don't get distracted. There is just one issue in the General Elections in India, all issues arise out of it - Constitution of India," he said.
Lok Sabha Election: Earlier PMs like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi made hollow promises to alleviate poverty, says Rajnath Singh at
He said this at a poll rally in Dumka further adding that PM Modi's phone call to presidents of Russia and Ukraine led to halting of war between the two countries for 4 hours only to evacuate around 30,000 Indian students from Ukraine. "That is the power of Modi and India at a global stage today under his regime." Rajnath is in Dumka to attend nomination of BJP candidate Sita Soren
Lok Sabha Election: Those from duplicate Shiv Sena speaking of burying me alive, says PM Modi
"After elections in Baramati, a big leader of Maharashtra has been so worried that he has given a statement and I think he must have consulted with many people before that statement. He is so discouraged that he thinks that smaller parties should merge with Congress if they want to be in public life after June 4. This fake NCP and fake Shiv Sena have made up their mind to merge in Congress," he said.
Lok Sabha Election: We guarantee you that Narendra Modi won't become India's PM, says Rahul Gandhi
"INDIA Alliance and Akhilesh Yadav are going to win here. I give it to you in writing, a storm of INDIA Alliance is coming to Uttar Pradesh. I give it to you in writing, BJP is going to face its biggest defeat in the country, here in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh paves the way for the country. Uttar Pradesh has made up its mind that a change has to set in here, that a change has to set in in India and that is why decision has been made. Public has made up its mind," he said.
Lok Sabha Election: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Kannauj, UP
"No one can touch the Constitution of India", says Rahul Gandhi while attacking PM Modi saying that he has "intentions" to ban the Constitution.
Lok Sabha Election: PM Modi attacks Congress over Sam Pitroda's racist remark.
"Shehzada's one of the 'Gurus' living in America has made an extremely unfortunate and racist remark on Indians. Those having complexion like that of Lord Krishna are considered 'African' by the Congress. And that's why the Congress party didn't want to accept Droupadi Murmu Jee as the Honourable President of the country," he said.
Lok Sabha Election: PM Modi slams Congress over reservations again.
"As regards reservation, the situation in Congress is like 'chor machaaye shor'! Providing reservation benefits on the basis of religion is something absolutely against the very values and principles enshrined in our Constitution. It is against what Baba Ambedkar had envisioned. The Congress party, in the name of minority welfare, wants to grab reservation benefits from SCs, STs and OBCs for giving it to the Muslims. It is nothing but a cheap play of appeasement, of vote bank politics!", he said.
Lok Sabha Election: Congress has opened 'jhooth ki factory' in elections, says PM Modi
"Congress knows that it can not compete with Modi in development. That is why, it has opened a 'jhooth ki factory' in the elections. It wants to grab votes by spreading lies and rumours. But who doesn't know the reality? Everyone knows!", he said.
Lok Sabha Election: For me, serving the deprived and Adivasis is just like serving my own family, says PM Modi.
"I don't belong to a royal family like that of Congress, I come from a humble background. I have grown up in poverty. I can completely understand how sufferings feel like. I can understand your pain," he added.
Lok Sabha Election: I have grown up in poverty, can understand your pain, says PM Modi
Addressing a rally in Maharashtra, PM Modi said, For me, serving the deprived and Adivasis is just like serving my own family.I don't belong to a royal family like that of Congress, I come from a humble background.I have grown up in poverty. I can completely understand how sufferings feel like. I can understand your pain."
Lok Sabha Election: Sita Soren, elder Bahu of JMM supremo files nominaton from Dumka on BJP ticket
Sita joined BJP recently after leaving JMM
Haryana BJP spokesperson Suraj Pal Amu, who is also the president of the Karni Sena, resigned Thursday from the party over the choice of an election candidate in Gujarat. Amu, who had stirred a row for his remarks against the movie 'Padmaavat' in 2018, sent his resignation to BJP president JP Nadda.
Lok Sabha Election 2024: BJP sitting MP and party's candidate from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat Ravi Kishan offers prayers at Gorakhnath temple ahead of filling his nomination.
INDIA bloc has fielded Samajwadi Party leader Kajal Nishad from the constituency that is set to vote on June 1, in the seventh phase.
Kantilal Bhuria has opened up all the schemes of Congress. He has shown that the so-called guarantees to respect women were just to see women as objects. It's a guarantee for the 'vote bank', to give them more share if they increase more population... Messaging here is, that the more wives you have, the more money you'll be getting. A few people are being told that we (Congress) will be standing with your personal laws, you do polygamy, we are with you. This is a disgusting thinking of Congress party.
At a time when issues like citizenship, religious intolerance, unemployment, corruption and women's safety are dominating Bengal politics, at Krishnanagar, alleged "illegal expulsion" and "royal legacy" are the leading poll pitches as former MP and TMC candidate Mahua Moitra takes on BJP's poll debutant Amrita Roy, a direct descendent of Raja Krishna Chandra Roy.
Lok Sabha election 2024: US dismisses Russian allegations of interference in Indian elections
The United States on Thursday dismissed the Russian allegations of the US interfering in the ongoing Indian elections.
"No, of course, we don't involve ourselves in elections in India as we don't involve ourselves in elections anywhere in the world. Those are decisions for the people of India to make," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.
He was responding to a question on Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova statement in Moscow in this regard when asked about a recent Washington Post article alleging that a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer was involved in an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil last year.
Lok Sabha Election News Updates: Colour-coordinated theme-based polling booths set up in Srinagar
To create a “festival-like environment” on the day of voting, poll authorities in Srinagar district have prepared 32 theme-based polling booths that are colour-coordinated as per its message.
Polling booths in pink, red, blue have been prepared as per their theme i.e women voters, PwD voters and young voters. Eight polling booths have also been set up to go with its theme of environmental sustainability.
Srinagar will vote to elect its Lok Sabha MP in the fourth phase on May 13.
The 32 polling stations will have vibrant and colourful message boards, so that voters experience a festival-like environment, besides promoting participatory and inclusive voting in Srinagar, said Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, District Election Officer (DEO), Srinagar.
"...the District Election Office, Srinagar has made polling stations colourfully vibrant, conveying special messages regarding women, persons with disabilities, (PwD) and the youth, besides (making) environmentally-viable and sustainable polling stations," he said.
Lok Sabha election News Live: Rahul Gandhi travels in RTC bus in Hyderabad, interacts with passengers
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi travelled on a state roadways bus in Greater Hyderabad after addressing a public meeting on Thursday night and interacted with the surprised passengers.
The Congress leader, who was accompanied by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, boarded the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus after the public meeting at Saroornagar in Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency.
Rahul Gandhi distributed ‘Panch Nyay’ brochures among passengers and enquired about the implementation of the free bus travel scheme by the Congress government in the state.
The Congress leader, interacting with the passengers, explained to them the promises made by the Congress in its national manifesto for various sections like women, youth, farmers, and workers.