Elections LIVE: Modi's Varanasi roadshow, Shivraj's helicopter conspiracy

As we head into the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, campaigning hits a feverish pitch. Modi will be in Varanasi today, while AAP released its manifesto. Catch LIVE updates on Lok Sabha polls

5:52 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan claims helicopter conspiracy

BJP vice president Shivraj Singh Chouhan says the collector of Chhindwara, the home district of Madhya Pradesh's Congress Chief Minister Kamal Nath, refused to landing permission for a helicopter carrying him. Chouhan, a former chief minister, filed a complaint in the Election Commission's office in Bhopal. "My programme became chaotic due to the conspiracy of the district election officer (the collector). What are they afraid of?" said Chouhan, hinting at the Congress party.

 

5:31 PM

PM Modi's roadshow begins

Narnedra Modi begins his roadshow in Varanasi by garlanding the statue of freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malaviya.

3:44 PM

LS polls will see end of 'Namo, Namo' chant: Mayawati

Lashing out at the BJP, BSP supremo Mayawati Thursday said this Lok Sabha election will see the end of those who chant "Namo, Namo".

 

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was addressing a joint rally with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Read more

2:59 PM

Oppn parties will get 'Zero Battey Sannata' in this elections: PM Modi

2:57 PM

AAP MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia joins Congress

2:54 PM

Modi backs use of national security in poll

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition for criticising ruling NDA for raking national security issue in election and asserted that rooting out terror is crucial to alleviation of poverty.

 

The PM underlined national security as an important issue since the money spent on internal security could be better utilized for uplifting the conditions of the poor. Read more

2:50 PM

Modi to address rally in Ayodhya on May 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Ayodhya on May 1, BJP leaders said on Thursday.

 

The holy town has been central to the BJP and its Hindutva affiliates' agitation for a Ram temple at what faithfuls believe to be the birth place of lord Ram. Read more

1:56 PM

Campaign Trail: Train from Delhi to Chhindwara chugs on election steam

Election, election, election talk on the ongoing polls ebbs and flows, keeping time as it were with the rhythmic movement of the train from New Delhi to Chhindwara, as passengers endlessly discuss the permutations and combinations of the country's complex electoral formula.

 

As the Patalkot Express chugs its way from the national capital to the new power centre of Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's turf, the discussion centres almost exclusively on politics and which way the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state will go. Read more

1:53 PM

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds a roadshow in Jhansi

1:52 PM

Kirron Kher files nomination from Chandigarh constituency

1:49 PM

'PM Narendra Modi' should not be released till May 19: EC

1:13 PM

Will do everything to stop Modi-Shah duo: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said his party would do everything to stop the Modi-Shah duo from coming to power and support any "secular mahagathbandhan" after the general election. Read more

12:44 PM

Congress fields Madhusudan Tiwari from Gorakhpur

12:30 PM

Ajay Rai to be the Congress candidate from Varanasi

12:14 PM

Arvind Kejriwal releases AAP's poll manifesto

11:34 AM

11:29 AM

PM Modi attacks Oppn in Bihar rally

9:44 AM

Details of PM Modi's rally

 

The prime minister will land at Varanasi's Babatpur airport around 2 pm in the afternoon, before heading to the helipad at Banaras Hindu University and taking the car from there to Lanka, from where the roadshow will begin. PM Modi will first garland the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya at the location, before embarking on the roadshow.

9:41 AM

Top BJP leaders to attend PM Modi's roadshow

Top BJP leaders including party president Amit Shah and other leaders of NDA including many Chief Ministers are expected to attend the roadshow going from Lanka near Banaras Hindu University to the Dashashwamedh Ghat via Godoliya.

 

Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to be in Varanasi. NDA leaders including Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan will also be present on this occasion, the party said.

8:26 AM

Security beefed up in Varanasi ahead of PM Modi's rally

Security has been heightened in Varanasi ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit with adequate troops and security personnel deployed strategically. Small drones have also been deployed to keep an eye on activities. Read more