Elections LIVE: Oppn accuses PM of playing politics over A-SAT missile test

In the run-up to Lok Sabha elections 2019, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters with promises and assurances galore. Catch LIVE updates on general election campaigning

10:45 PM

Will contest 2019 elections if party asks: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said she will contest the elections if her party asks her. However, she said her own wish is to work for the party's organisation. "If my party asks me to contest the polls, I will definitely do so. But my personal wish is to work for the party's organisation as a lot of work needs to be done," the Congress leader told reporters.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

10:13 PM

Congress workers saying that I'm sure to win 2019 elections: Gadkari

9:59 PM

PM Modi to address BJP campaign rally in Telangana on March 29

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address BJP's election campaign meeting at Mahabubnagar in Telangana on March 29. Polling would be held in the state in the first phase on April 11.
 

Narendra Modi

9:31 PM

'He is just a kid': Mamata scoffs at Rahul Gandhi's allegations

Refusing to comment on Rahul Gandhi's minimum income promise, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee dismissed his allegations against her government by saying that "he is just a kid".

9:14 PM

Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP Jithender Reddy joins BJP

9:04 PM

2019 polls: Mamata Banerjee to address 100 rallies in 14 days

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee will kick off her poll campaigning from April 4 and will address nearly 100 rallies across the state in 14 days. "I will start poll campaigning from April 4 and will continue it till May 17. I will address nearly 100 rallies. I will also address rallies in Assam," Banerjee said while releasing the TMC's manifesto for Lok Sabha polls.

8:46 PM

EC to examine matter of PM Modi's 'Mission Shakti' speech

8:41 PM

Congress General Secretary UP-East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is being received by party leaders and workers at the airport, in Lucknow | Photo credit: PTI

8:31 PM

Mission Shakti: Is Modi going to space? We will complain to EC, says Mamata

Terming PM Modi's announcement as limitless drama, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the prime minister had violated the Model Code of Conduct with his announcement on India acquiring anti-satellite weapon capabilities. "Modi is not going to space there was no need for him to take credit", said CM Banerjee. She also said the Trinamool Congress will approach the Election Commission to complain against the poll code violation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

8:17 PM

DRDO achievement pride for nation, let us not play politics on it: Ram Madhav

With the Opposition accusing Prime Minister Modi of trying to get electoral mileage by announcing amid the poll process the successful testing of India's anti-satellite missile ability, the BJP Wednesday cautioned political parties against playing "politics on the issue". Terming DRDO scientists achievement as a "pride" of the nation, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said "let us not play politics" on the issue.
 

Ram Madhav, senior BJP leader

7:37 PM

7:34 PM

6:31 PM

Credit for A-SAT missile test goes to UPA govt's initiation: Congress

The Congress said credit for the A-SAT missile test goes to the UPA government's initiation, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of violating the model code of conduct.

6:12 PM

A-SAT missile test indicator of 'political will' backing scientists: BJP

According to BJP leader Vinod Tawde, the anti-satellite (A-SAT) missile capability demonstration was an indicator of the political will backing the country's scientists. "There has been international pressure on the government against carrying out research and tests on critical issues such as anti-satellite missiles. The Modi government has shown its political will by standing firmly behind the scientists," Tawde claimed.

6:10 PM

Posters in Amethi question Priyanka Gandhi's 'absence'

Ahead of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit to her brother and party president Rahul Gandhi's constituency, a row broke out Wednesday over some posters questioning her absence from the family bastion. The posters, spotted near the Musafirkhana bus stand, carried a sketch of Priyanka Gandhi and the picture of a leader from the Samajwadi Party's student wing.

6:05 PM

Opposition targets PM Modi for taking credit of A-SAT missile test

Opposition leaders on Wednesday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of indulging on threatrics and playing politics over scientists' achievements following his address to the nation announcing successful test of an anti-satellite missile, while some parties complained to the Election Commission alleging violation of the model code.

5:56 PM

5:56 PM

Rahul lauds DRDO, wishes PM Modi happy 'World Theatre Day'

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday congratulated DRDO scientists for India demonstrating anti-satellite capabilities but took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what they said making a pitch of it in the poll season, and wished him "happy World Theatre Day".

Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Photo: @INCIndia

 

5:38 PM

India had anti-satellite missile capability in 2007, but no political will: Ex-ISRO chairman

Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said on Wednesday that India had the anti-satellite missile capability more than a decade ago but there was no political will at the time to demonstrate it. He said when China shot down an ageing weather satellite by launching a missile in 2007, India had the technology to undertake a similar mission. "...now (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji has taken the initiative and he had the political will and courage to say that we will do this. We have now demonstrated this to the world," Nair told PTI.

4:55 PM

PM Modi to address rally in Uttarakhad tomorrow

PM Narendra Modi will address a rally in Uttrakhand on Thursday. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the rally at Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district at 11 am in the morning. The state goes to poll on April 11.

4:51 PM

4:46 PM

PM Modi interacts with scientists involved with "Mission Shakti"

4:38 PM

PM Modi to kick-off election campaign from tomorrow: Ram Madhav

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off his electoral campaign from tomorrow and would visit the state of Jammu and Kashmir on the very first day, announced BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday.

PM Narendra Modi

4:30 PM

Issues of national security do not fall under poll code ambit: EC sources

Issues related to national security and disaster management do not fall under the ambit of the model code of conduct, sources in the Election Commission said on Wednesday. This was in response to queries on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of India's successful demonstration of anti-satellite missile capability violated the poll code.

3:55 PM

3:50 PM

EC notice to BJP poll panel member for sharing 'Main Bhi Chowkidar Hun' video

According to PTI, the Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to a member of the BJP's National Election Committee for sharing an audio-visual advertisement titled "Main Bhi Chowkidar Hun" on social media without complying with the directions of the poll body, an official said.

3:46 PM

2019 polls: Aam Aadmi Party declares 15 star campaigners for Delhi

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday announced at least 15 names as star campaigners for Delhi. The proposed names would be submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for approval and the party may come up with more names in the coming weeks. "A total of 40 star campaigners will be campaigning for the AAP party in Delhi", said senior party leader Gopal Rai.

3:38 PM

Shri Giriraj Singh to contest Lok Sabha elections from Begusarai: Amit Shah

2:30 PM

Randeep Sujrewala congratulates DRDO scientists.

2:29 PM

We need a leader like Rahul Gandhi, says Urmila