LIVE: Rahul observes 2-minute silence at Kalaburagi rally for Parrikar

Seat-sharing among constituents of the opposition "Mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) in Bihar for Lok Sabha polls will be announced today. Catch LIVE updates on Lok Sabha Elections

3:06 PM

Naveen Patnaik to contest from Hinjili and Bijepur assembly constituencies in assembly elections

Odisha CM & Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik to contest from Hinjili and Bijepur assembly constituencies in assembly elections.

2:58 PM

Mr Modi promised Rs 15 lakh in every bank account, but failed in his fulfilling it. We promised farm loan waiver and we fulfilled it: Congress President Rahul Gandhi 

2:57 PM

Wherever Mr Modi goes, he spreads hatred and communal disharmony. Dalits are beaten and exploited. His main goal is to end the ideals of the constitution. We will never let him do that: Congress President in Tamil Nadu

2:27 PM

Union Minister Giriraj Singh: I can't say much on it, only state president can say anything on it because he kept saying that you will fight from wherever you want till the last moment. I can't really comment on that but I did say that if I will contest, I will contest form Nawada (Bihar).

1:57 PM

Rahul Gandhi observes 2-minute silence at Kalaburagi rally, to pay last respects to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar

1:54 PM

Filing of nominations for LS polls in Telangana begins Hyderabad

The process of filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections began Monday in Telangana which goes to the polls in the first phase on April 11.

 

High on confidence following its resounding victory in the assembly elections last December, the ruling TRS is aiming for a clean sweep in the Lok Sabha polls.

 

The party has been seeking 16 Lok Sabha seats for itself and one for ally AIMIM to play a crucial role postthe Parliamentary elections to ensure abetter deal for Telangana.

 

The total number of Lok Sabha constituencies inthe state is 17.

1:50 PM

By the evening of March 28, a clear picture on the number of candidates in each of the 91 constituencies will emerge.

1:50 PM

With the issuance of the notification, the nomination process has begun which would continue till March 25. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on March 26 and the last days of withdrawing nominations is March 28.

1:50 PM

The Election Commission Monday issued a notification signed by President Ram Nath Kovind for the first phase of the election.

1:50 PM

All parliamentary constituencies in 10 states and Union Territories will go for polling in the first phase.

These include, Andhra Pradesh (25 seats), Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya (two seats each), Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep (one seat each), Telangana (17 seats) and Uttarakhand (five seats).

1:49 PM

Notification for first phase of LS polls issued

Notification for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections was issued on Monday, setting in motion the high-voltage electoral battle where the BJP seeks to return to power amid opposition's efforts to present a united fight to unseat it.

1:40 PM

1:39 PM

Bureaucrats 'browbeaten, threatened' for backing early J-K Assembly polls: Omar

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah claimed on Monday that bureaucrats, who backed early Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, were being "browbeaten and threatened" using performance appraisals against them.

 

Abdullah has been outspoken against the Election Commission's decision to not hold assembly elections in the state simultaneously with the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

 

"I'm shocked to hear how officers who have supported early assembly elections are being browbeaten & threatened using their performance appraisals against them to get them to toe the line," Abdullah, a former chief minister, said in a series of tweets.

1:29 PM

Tamil Nadu: Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) leader CK Kumaravel sends his resignation letter to party president Kamal Haasan.

12:49 PM

12:42 PM

BSP Chief Mayawati said SP-BSP alliance can defeat BJP on its own and don't need support of Congress

12:39 PM

Sumalatha Ambareesh: Everybody I have met in Mandya has told me the faith they had in him (MH Ambareesh),they will transfer that to me. That way we can keep memory of him alive. The decision I have taken if it hurts anyone,I apologise. I am taking this step to continue his legacy.

12:38 PM

Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of late Congress leader MH Ambareesh: I will contest from Mandya as an independent candidate in Lok Sabha elections.

12:37 PM

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be addressing the Parivartana Rally in Gulbarga and interacting with entrepreneurs in Bengaluru.

11:59 AM

Prayagraj: Congress General Secretary UP-East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra begins 3-day long 'Ganga-yatra' from Manaiya ghat to Assi Ghat in Varanasi.

11:46 AM

Vaiko: DMK led Secular Progressive Alliance will win on all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

MDMK Chief Vaiko in Chennai: DMK led Secular Progressive Alliance will win on all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

11:39 AM

Didn't get any offer from BJP to become Goa CM: Digambar Kamat

Congress MLA Digambar Kamat on Sunday said that he didn't get any offer from the Bharatiya Janata Party to become Chief Minister of Goa.

 

"My programme in Delhi was finalised 2-3 days ago, there's no question of meeting anybody. I had gone to Delhi for personal work. I don't have any offers from the BJP; these stories were planted by vested interests. I'm not bothered about the leadership or the Chief Minister post," Kamat told ANI, adding that he didn't get any offer for Goa CM post.

 

"If becoming the Chief Minister of Goa is in my destiny then no one can stop me from getting the post," Former chief minister of Goa Kamat further said.

11:36 AM

BSP chief Mayawati: Congress party is absolutely free to contest Lok Sabha elections2019 on all 80 seats independently in UP

BSP chief Mayawati: Congress party is absolutely free to contest Lok Sabha elections2019 on all 80 seats independently in UP. Our alliance formed here (with SP) is strong enough to defeat BJP. Congress must not spread wrong impression by leaving 7 seats vacant in UP for SP, BSP & RLD.

11:12 AM

AIADMK alliance partner PMK announces first five candidates for Lok Sabha poll

PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), an alliance partner of AIADMK on Sunday released its first list of five candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The PMK would contest on Dharmapuri, Vizhupuram, Arakkanom, Cuddalor, central Chennai, Sriperambadur, Dindugal.

 

The first five names released by PMK to contest LS polls in the state include sitting MP Anbumani Ramadoss from his own constituency Dharmapuri, Vadivel Iravanan from Villupuram, R Govinda Swamy from Cuddalore, AK Moorthy from Arrakonam and Sam Paul from central Chennai.

 

As PMK will field its candidates in seven seats in the state, the remaining two candidates will be announced soon.

11:10 AM

Are general elections a referendum where polls are about 'Modi vs Nobody'? Read Bharat Bhushan's take

Democratic processes and institutions are expected to halt the rise of unbridled power. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has manipulated, and twisted them in his five-year rule, destroying the institutions that could have acted as a check on authoritarian tendencies. How will his authoritarian style fare with the voter as we head towards another general election?

11:09 AM

EC asks airports to share details of chartered flights, choppers

In order to monitor the poll related expenditure, the Election Commission has asked the Air Traffic Control department to share details of chartered flights and helicopters used for election purpose with the state chief electoral officer.

 

The Air Traffic Control (ATC) officials have also been instructed to share the data with the district election officers (DEOs) where the airports are located, an official said.

11:03 AM

Nomination process for LS polls begins in Muzaffarnagar

The process of filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections began in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, where polling will be held on April 11, with the district administration issuing the notification on Monday.

 

District Election Officer Ajay Shanker Pandey told PTI that the last date for filing of nominations is March 25. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be taken up on March 26 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 28.

10:37 AM

BJP calls off its CEC meet, other official programmes following demise of Manohar Parrikar

All official programmes of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including the Central Election Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, have been cancelled following the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

 

"Demise of Manohar Parrikar ji has left a big void. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family. He was a leader known for his simplicity, integrity and unwavering commitment to serve people. The way he discharged his duties till his last breath will inspire generations," BJP tweeted.

10:32 AM

10:30 AM

Congress General Secretary UP-East Priyanka Gandhi in Allahabad

Congress General Secretary UP-East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offers prayers at Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj.