Elections LIVE: Middle class won't be burdened to fund 'Nyay', says Rahul

Prior to holding rallies, BJP's star campaigner Narendra Modi gave an interview to a news channel. Catch LIVE updates on Lok Sabha Elections 2019

8:28 PM

5:53 PM

Congress lodges model code violation complaint against BJP

The Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that the BJP candidate for West Tripura constituency, Pratima Bhowmik has violated the model code of conduct by making statements about the Indian Army and Balakot airstrike. Read more

 

5:51 PM

PM Modi to address two rallies in Gujarat on Apr 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two rallies in Gujarat on April 10 in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in the state on April 23. Read more

4:31 PM

Some people lose sleep when India hits terrorists: PM Modi attacks Oppn

'Terrorists are being given a reply in their own language... this is not liked by some people who lose their sleep when India hits back', said PM Modi at a public rally in Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election rally ahead of Lok Sabha polls, in Amroha | PTI

4:26 PM

2:06 PM

Violence doesn't benefit anyone. It gives only false sense of confidence," Rahul said.

Asked about facing criticism on social media, Gandhi said, "Those who want to live in virtual reality, they are free to do so. But, one can't run away from reality.

"In the end you have to face it. I live in reality.

 

Violence doesn't benefit anyone. It gives only false sense of confidence," he said.

 

To a query, Gandhi said, "I love Modi. Genuinely I have no hatred or anger towards the man."

2:06 PM

The Congress leader said he was against politicisation of the air strike. "I feel uncomfortable that the PM does that. But it is his choice," Gandhi said.
 

Gandhi said he does not claim to have answers to all questions. "I want you to make me feel uncomfortable so that I go back and revisit the question and start looking for answers," he said.
 

When Bhave, who has acted in biopics on Lokmanya Tilak and Bal Gandharv, said he wants to do a biopic on him and asked who should be the heroine, Gandhi quipped, "Unfortunately, I am wedded to my work."

2:05 PM

Gandhi said the Congress, if voted to power, will focus on strengthening health care and education.

He said erstwhile Planning Commission was a strategic institution, while its successor Niti Ayaog only talks about implementation and tactics.
 

"We need institutions to strategically think what should be done at the national level. Implementation and tactics can be done by the states," he said, responding to a question on the Congress manifesto promise of scrapping Niti Ayaog, the think-tank set up by the Modi government.
 

Gandhi said the Congress, if voted to power, will focus on strengthening health care and education.
 

On being asked who should take credit for the Balakot air strike, Gandhi said, "the (Indian) Air Force should take credit. It is Important that people know they can't mess around with India."

2:04 PM

2:04 PM

I stand for people who are weak, says Rahul Gandhi

Asked about Priyanka's twitter post calling him courageous, Gandhi replied, "I am persistent, I stand up for people who are weak."

 

He said the Congress was committed to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and assemblies to substantially increase their representation in the state and central legislatures.

 

Gandhi described demonetisation as a "disastrous idea", which had a terrible impact on the economy.

 

He said the exercise, announced in 2016, caused two per cent fall in GDP growth and led to loss of millions of jobs.

2:04 PM

The Nyay minimum income guarantee scheme is estimated to cost Rs 3.26 lakh crore to the national exchequer. The BJP, which has criticised the scheme, has sought to know how it will be funded.
 

During the free-wheeling interaction, moderated by RJ Malishka and actor Subodh Bhave, Gandhi answered a number of questions, ranging from politics, his personal life and his bond with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

2:03 PM

Interacting with students, Gandhi said he did not like making sweeping statements.

"The manifesto has been prepared after consultations with all stakeholders. The middle class will not be taxed and income tax will not be increased to implement the Nyay scheme where Rs 72,000 will be deposited in bank accounts of poor people every year if the party is voted to power," he said.

2:03 PM

Middle class won't be burdened to fund `Nyay', says Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said his party's manifesto was an expression of the people of India and ruled out burdening the middle class to fund the anti-poverty scheme Nyunatam Aay Yojana (Nyay).

 

The opposition party has said that if voted to power, it will give Rs 72,000 per year as minimum income to poor families, benefiting around 25 crore people, a move Gandhi has termed a 'surgical strike' on poverty.

1:43 PM

We should identify and respect the skills in India and target it with finances and political support: Congress President Rahul Gandhi

1:41 PM

It is our vision document for party leaders and workers and will be utilised for answering BJP: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

1:41 PM

Samajwadi Party releases vision document for party cadre.

1:35 PM

AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu: Raids being conducted on TDP leaders on instructions of PM. Once elections are announced everything has to be conducted under ECI guidance. All parties should have equal opportunity, even one party they can't suppress, another party they can't support.

He said, "I'm warning PM, if you do like this, you will have to pay heavy price. We are fighting to save democracy&India. Who are you? You are outgoing PM. Even the officers I am requesting, don't listen to him, if you listen, you will also face serious consequences."

1:19 PM

India suffered immensely under Cong's Emergency, BJP's undeclared emergency: BSP chief Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday accused both the Congress and the BJP of making the life of the people in the country "miserable".

 

"India suffered immensely under the Emergency imposed by the Cong govt of Indira Gandhi but the undeclared political & economic emergency of NOTEBANDI has made the lives of 130 crore people miserable causing huge unemployment. They now eagerly await to get rid of this BJP govt (sic)," she said in a tweet.

 

With the tweet, Mayawati is understood to have given a message to party cadre to maintain equal distance from both the Congress and the BJP. 

1:01 PM

When Pakistan exposed in front of the world, some people start speaking in its favour: Modi in Amroha rally.

1:00 PM

Terrorists being given reply in their own language not liked by some people who lose their sleep when India hits back: Modi

12:59 PM

After terrorist attack should I have remained silent or attacked, PM Narendra Modi asks gathering in Amroha rally.

12:59 PM

Congress, SP or BSP, they have all put your life and future in danger, Modi tells election rally in Amroha.

12:57 PM

12:49 PM

BJP workers booked for violating mode code of conduct in UP's Muzaffarnagar

A case has been registered against unidentified BJP workers for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by tying party flags to electric poles here, police said Friday.

10:59 AM

10:58 AM

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy: Election Commission and Income Tax Department are literally harassing me and my family. Let the EC officials perform their duties, but don’t harass us on mere suspicion.

10:35 AM

Interesting fact about Lok Sabha Elections

The first Lok Sabha elections in 1952 cost around Rs 10.45 crore, while the 2014 general elections cost almost Rs 3,870.3 crore.

9:15 AM

Lutyen's Delhi didn't accept me and I also didn't accept it, said PM Modi.

9:15 AM

Vijay Mallya and the rest fled because they were scared of us, said Narendra Modi

Vijay Mallya and the rest fled because they were scared of us, said Narendra Modi

9:14 AM

This year the wave is stronger. I feel the government should be formed with a full majority: PM Modi.