LS polls highlights: Seat sharing with BJP finalised, says Chirag Paswan

Lok Sabha polls 2024 updates: Catch all the latest updates on the General Elections here

7:07 PM

Uddhav Thackeray asks farmers not to allow Modi govt to win another term

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday asked farmers in the country not to allow the Narendra Modi government, which 'stopped them from entering the national capital', to win another term. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party betrays its allies, he alleged, speaking at a public meeting at Karanja in Washim district of Maharashtra. The Modi government laid "thorns and nails" on the road to stop the farmers (who were agitating for legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price among other things) from reaching Delhi, and they faced water cannons, lathicharge and rubber bullets of police, Thackeray said.

6:23 PM

Lok Sabha elections: LJP national president Chirag Paswan meets BJP national president JP Nadda

5:40 PM

Election Commission will disclose details on electoral bonds in time: CEC Rajiv Kumar

The Election Commission has received details from the State Bank of India (SBI) related to the electoral bonds and will share all relevant information in time, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said here on Wednesday. The assertion comes in the wake of the Supreme Court directing the SBI to submit the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019 to the EC. SBI is the authorised financial institution to issue the electoral bonds.

4:52 PM

People shouldn't waste their votes on Cong, SP, says Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today stated that people should not "waste their votes" on the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) "if they cannot do anything for the poor". "Could those in the Congress have made the Ram temple (possible) in Ayodhya? Could those in the SP have made it?," Yogi Adityanath asked addressing a function in Unnao to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of projects worth Rs 241 crore.

4:22 PM

News update: BJP likely to release 2nd list of candidates today

The BJP is likely to release its second list of 150 candidates today for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. BJP came out with its first list of 195 candidates across 16 States and Union Territories on March 2. 

4:13 PM

"90 per cent of citizens were facing injustice every day": Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated today that "90 per cent of the citizens were facing injustice every day. " He added that Congress  therefore decided to add the new word "Nyay" (justice) in their second Bharat Jodo Yatra. The remarks came while addressing a 'Nari Nyay' program during his Maharashtra leg of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'.

 

"..In our second Bharat Jodo Yatra, we have added the new word 'Nyay' because in our first yatra, whoever we met, whether farmers, youth or females, said the reason for violence and hatred is injustice...90 per cent of Indians face injustice every day," alleged the Congress leader.

4:10 PM

Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari gets life imprisonment in three-decade-old case

Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari was today sentenced to life imprisonment in a three-decade-old fake gun licence case by a special Varanasi court. The order was passed by the special MP-MLA court of judge Awanish Gautam, district government counsel Vinay Singh said.

3:11 PM

"These people stand in favour of Rohingyas": Ravi Shankar Prasad's response to Kejriwal over CAA remarks

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad today hit back at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his remarks on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claiming that these are people spreading lies and they stand in the favour of Rohingyas. "Kejriwal ji, how far will you go in anticipation of vote bank? Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly made it clear that the citizenship of any Indian citizen will not be taken away. CAA only gives citizenship to those who are persecuted based on their faith. Who are these people spreading lies? They are the ones who stand in favour of Rohingya," he said.

3:04 PM

WB CM Mamata disowns brother Babun Banerjee after his revolt against Howrah candidate

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that she and her family have cut all ties with Babun Banerjee, her brother, who revolted against the party's candidate Prasun Banerjee from Howrah Lok Sabha seat. Babun Banejee asserted that if the need arises, then he would contest as an Independent from the seat. Babun Banerjee is Mamata Banerjee's younger brother who  expressed unhappiness over the party deciding to give a ticket to Prasun Banerjee from Howrah. 

2:08 PM

Delhi High Court to pass order today on Congress' plea in Rs 100 cr tax demand case

The Delhi High Court will pronounce its judgement on a plea filed by the Congress challenging an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal which refused to stay a notice issued by the Income Tax department for recovery of outstanding dues of more than Rs 100 crore.

2:06 PM

'Nari Nyay' guarantee: Congress promises Rs 1 lakh cash transfer, 50% quota in jobs for women voters

Congress chief Kharge stated that the party has announced the "Nari Nyay" guarantee, under which it is going to set a new agenda for the country's women. In an attempt to woo women voters, the Congress has promised financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to women from poor families every year. Under the ‘Nari Nyay Guarantee’, Congress has outlined five key announcements – ‘Mahalaxmi’, ‘Aadhi Aabadi Poora Haq’, ‘Shakti Ka Sammaan’, ‘Adhikar Maitri’, and ‘Savitribai Phule Hostel’.

2:02 PM

Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh takes U-turn, says will contest Lok Sabha polls

Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh, who had earlier withdrawn his BJP candidature from Asansol, took a U-turn today saying he will contest the Lok Sabha polls.  “I will contest elections to fulfill the promise made to the people and my mother. I seek your blessings and cooperation. Jai Mata Di,” Singh stated in a post on  social media platform X.

1:52 PM

Congress' National General Secy Ajay Kapoor joins BJP in the capital

1:15 PM

Ahead of LS polls, Congress President Kharge makes 5 announcements including Nari Nyay Guarantee

"Congress is announcing 'Nari Nyay Guarantee' today. Under this, the party is going to set a new agenda for women in the country. Under 'Nari Nyay Guarantee', Congress is making 5 announcements. First, Mahalaxmi guarantee - under this, one woman each from every poor family will be provided a help of Rs 1 Lakh per annum. Second, Aadhi Aabadi Poora Haq - under this women will have rights over half of the new recruitments at the Central Government level. Third, Shakti Ka Sammaan - under this the Central Government's contribution to the monthly income of Anganwadi, ASHA and midday meal workers will be doubled. Fourth, Adhikar Maitri - under this a paralegal will be appointed at every panchayat to create awareness among women regarding their rights and help them. Fifth, Savitribai Phule hostel - Government of India will build at least one hostel for working women at district headquarters. The number of these hostels will be doubled across the country...", announces Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

1:04 PM

Lok Sabha polls: Here's what Maharashtra BJP President Bawankule had to say

 "...As the elections approach, there will be havoc in the Congress party because there is no one to strengthen the party...50 per cent of the Congress party will be reduced as the elections approach...", says Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule

 

 

 

12:38 PM

Questions remain unanswered: Congress leader Pramod Tiwari slams Centre over CAA implementation

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari critcised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for implementing the  Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Tuesday.  The Congress leader said, "As far as my opinions are concerned, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh has questioned it (CAA) over the timing of (notifying it). I support whatever Jairam Ramesh or the Congress party's official spokespersons have said."

12:36 PM

Multiple people injured as Telugu Desam Party, YSRCP workers clash in Andhra Pradesh

Several people were injuredin clashes between workers of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in Narasaraopet town in Andhra Pradesh, police said. The clashes took place on Tuesday evening when TDP candidate Chadalavada Aravinda Babu and party members visited the wards.

 

12:34 PM

Former Maharashtra Congress leader Padmakar Valvi joins BJP

In a setback to the Congress in Mahrashtra, senior party leader Padmakar Valvi today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the presence of state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and party leader Ashok Chavan, in Mumbai.

12:27 PM

General Elections 2024: Panneerselvam, Dhinakaran hold seat-sharing discussions with BJP

Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam and AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran held a late-night discussion with the BJP here for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, with OPS insisting that his candidates will contest from the Two Leaves symbol. The ex- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) asserted that the popular Two Leaves symbol of the AIADMK would be allotted to him by the EC.

11:59 AM

Lok Sabha 2024 updates: Andhra Pradesh Congress candidates screening committee meeting to be held in Delhi

Andhra Pradesh Congress candidates screening committee meeting to be held in Delhi this afternoon. The committee will discuss and suggest the final names to the Congress Election Committee.

10:21 AM

Congress fighting a 'lost battle', says Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has stated the Congress is participating in a "lost battle" and its first list of candidates for the forthcoming General Elections does not have any prominent nominees for seats in MP.  The Congress on Tuesday evening announced its second list of 43 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, likely to be held in April-May. Of the 43 candidates, 10 are from Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress managed to win just one seat (Chhindwara) out of total 29 in 2019.

10:11 AM

BJP likely to decide on alliance with BJD in Odisha by Wednesday

The BJP is likely to announce its decision on the possible formation of an alliance with the BJD in Odisha on Wednesday. Ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state, top state BJP leaders have held a series of meetings in Delhi for the past three days at the residence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The BJD is not ready to reveal its cards, while the state BJP leaders - president Manmohan Samal, election in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar and others - have been holding talks in Delhi.

 

10:06 AM

Main contest for Lok Sabha seats in North India will be between BJP, Congress: Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday stated that the main competition for seats, especially in north India, will be between Congress and BJP. Pilot said that candidates have been fielded from Rajasthan after careful consideration by the AICC (All India Congress Committee) after the party announced the names of  ten candidates in Rajasthan's second list.

10:03 AM

Worked day and night, says JJP's Dushyant Chautala as BJP shuffles Haryana cabinet

Hours after the BJP replaced ML Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as the chief minister of Haryana, JJP leader and former Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala thanked the people of Haryana for their trust and support in his party. In a post on X, Dushyant Chautala thanked the people of the state for giving him the opportunity to serve the state as deputy chief minister of Haryana. He said with limited time and limited numbers, they have worked day and night to protect the interests of Haryana. 

9:36 AM

Join us if you are being 'insulted', we will ensure your victory: Uddhav Thackeray to Gadkari

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has again urged Union minister Nitin Gadkari to leave the BJP if he is being "insulted", stating the opposition in Maharashtra would ensure his win in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.Speaking at a rally at Pusad in eastern Maharashtra's Yavatmal district on Tuesday, Thackeray said people like (former Congress leader) Kripashankar Singh, whom the BJP once targeted (over alleged corruption), figured in the saffron party's first list of candidates along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but Gadkari's name was missing.