Elections 2019 LIVE: EC bans Yogi, Mayawati from campaigning for two days

Lok Sabha elections 2019 Phase 2 will be held on April 15 in 13 states. Today is the last day of campaigning in the Lok Sabha constituencies that go into poll on Thursday. Catch LIVE updates

Lok Sabha Elections 2019 phase 2 is just three days away. Today, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address a rally in Rajula town under Amreli Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat. BJP President Amit Shah will also be in the state today, addressing two public meetings and participate in a roadshow in Gujarat. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district to canvass for Union Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, who is seeking re-election from Udhampur Lok Sabha seat where polling will be held in the second phase on April 18. Congress general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi held a roadshow in Assam's Silchar yesterday. Silchar is the constituency of Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev who is seeking another Lok Sabha term.

Votes for all 543 seats would be counted on May 23 after the end of the seven-phase polling on May 19.

2:55 PM

BJP-Congress workers clash at Matondkar's rally

BJP and Congress workers clashed at a rally being addressed by Congress Mumbai North candidate and Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar here on Monday morning.

 

According to witnesses, the incident occurred when Matondkar was addressing a large crowd of people outside Borivali West station when some alleged BJP activists attempted to barge into the venue.

 

Raising slogans of 'Modi, Modi' they engaged in a verbal duel with the Congress activists who shouted back 'Modi chor hai'.

2:43 PM

EC bans UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 hours & 48 hours respectively

Election Commission bans UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati from election campaigning for 72 hours & 48 hours respectively, starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches.

1:29 PM

Rahul Gandhi in Fathepur Sikri

Priyanka said in the beginning that wherever you see, you'll find publicity of Narendra Modi being done. Switch on TV-Narendra Modi, switch on a radio-Narendra Modi, walk on the roads-Narendra Modi. Where does all this money for publicity come from?

1:19 PM

12:52 PM

Even the Congress, which is fighting the elections on the same side as the Samajwadi Party, called for action against Azam Khan

"Statement of #AzamKhan on #Jayaprada represents ugly and cheap standards. Such statements are derogatory for the health of a vibrant democracy. Hope that the ECI and @yadavakhilesh would take cognizance of the statement and ensure action against it," tweeted the party's Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

12:49 PM

UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Azam Khan's remark

This shows the thinking & culture of Samajwadi Party. The silence of SP chief and his ally Mayawati, who is also a woman, is surprising. This is very unfortunate...Azam Khan's statement is extremely disrespectful, shows his cheap mindset.

12:39 PM

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor injured while offering prayers at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been injured while offering prayers at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram and has been shifted to General Hospital there. He has suffered injuries on his head and has received 6 stitches. Doctors says he is out of danger.

10:21 AM

BJP government's approval ratings drop by 12 points in a month: CVOTER tracker

The net approval rating of the Narendra Modi government has dropped 12 points between March 12 and April 12, according to the CVOTER-IANS tracker.

 

The performance rating of the Central government had peaked in the days after the Balakot air strike on February 26, touching the highest level of 62.06 on March 7.

 

After remaining in the 50s till March 22, the approval ratings have come down to 43.25 on April 12, a day after the first phase of polls held for 91 Lok Sabha seats.

 

Exactly a month ago on March 12, the approval rating of the government was 55.28.