LS polls Highlights: EC says Kharge's charges of delay in release of voter turnout data unwarranted

Lok Sabha elections latest updates: Catch all the news related to the General Elections here

9:02 PM

Congress too made mistakes, will need to change its politics: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said his party too has made mistakes and will have to change its politics in future.
 

The remark came at an event in Lucknow where he accused the Narendra of being a monarch and not a prime minister, calling him a front for “two three financiers”.

Answering a question from a member of the audience at the event on the Constitution, the former Congress president said he was “100 per cent” prepared to take on Narendra Modi in a debate, but he knew that the prime minister will not agree.
 

"The Congress party will also have to change its politics in the coming times. This will have to be done. I also want to say that the Congress party has also made mistakes and I am saying this while being from the Congress party," he said in his speech.
 

However, he did not elaborate on what “change” he felt the Congress needed.

7:34 PM

Why Pakistan being discussed when polls are in India: Priyanka Gandhi slams BJP amid Mani Shankar Aiyar row

Why is Pakistan being discussed when elections are taking place in India and the unemployment rate here is at a 45-year high, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked on Friday as she hit back at the BJP on the row over Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks. She also asked the ruling party to fight the polls on real issues. In an exclusive interview with PTI, Priyanka Gandhi accused the BJP of raising the Hindu-Muslim rhetoric to win the elections and asserted that the people don't want the polls to be contested based on religion and caste. "People are saying you've (the BJP) won two elections on religion and now move forward from that," the Congress general secretary said. Questioned on the row over Congress leader Aiyar's remarks, Priyanka Gandhi asked why the issue is being discussed now when the statement is an old one. "I ask when was the statement made? … If it is an old statement, then why are we discussing it today? Secondly, I want to ask, where are elections taking place, in India or in Pakistan? They are taking place in India. So why are we discussing Pakistan?" she told PTI during her campaign trail in Amethi for the party's candidate Kishori Lal Sharma.

 

6:06 PM

INDIA bloc will win at least 50 LS seats in UP: Rahul Gandhi in Kanpur

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc will win at least 50 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Gandhi was addressing a rally here in support of the Congress candidate from the Kanpur Lok Sabha seat Alok Misra. "(On) June 4, 2024, Narendra Modi will not be the Prime Minister of India, you take it in writing (from me)," Gandhi said. "Whatever we had to do, we have done. Now, you will see that in Uttar Pradesh, our alliance is going to get not less than 50 seats. We have stopped the BJP in other states," he said.

6:05 PM

Congress anti-Hindu, does not care about country: PM Modi in Telangana rally

Slamming the Congress party and claiming that it is anti-Hindu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the grand old party knows that religion-based reservations are anti-Constitutional and Babasaheb Ambedkar had also opposed it. Addressing an election rally at Narayanpet in Telangana, Modi claimed that Congress neither cares about Hindus nor this country, and that it is against Hindus and wants to make Hindus second-class citizens. "Congress divides the country in the name of religion and caste. Congress knows that reservations based on religion are anti-constitutional. Congress also knows that Babasaheb Ambedkar opposed it,” he said.

5:57 PM

Delhi court orders framing of charges of sexual harassment against ex-WFI chief, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh

Delhi court orders framing of charges of sexual harassment and using force to outrage women's modesty against ex-WFI chief and BJP MP from Kaiserganj, Brij Bhushan Singh. The Delhi court also orders framing of charge for criminal intimidation against Brij Bhushan Singh.

5:03 PM

PM Modi stopped talking about BJP's manifesto, is busy abusing Congress: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge today stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were worried after three phases of Lok Sabha polls and were hence talking about non-election issues and abusing the Congress. Kharge said the BJP leaders, instead of seeking votes on "development," are distorting their (Congress) leaders' speeches and call Rahul Gandhi 'shehzada.' "After three phases of polls, Modi and Shah Saab got worried. They stopped talking about their manifesto, but only are abusing the Congress," Kharge said.

5:00 PM

EC rejects Kharge's charges of delay in release of voter turnout data; says allegations unwarranted

The Election Commission on Friday came down heavily on Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his allegations of discrepancies and delays in releasing voter turnout data, calling it a "deliberate attempt to spread confusion." Read here for more details.

4:35 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Congress is anti-Hindu by mentality, alleges PM Modi in Telangana

At a public rally in Mahbubnagar, PM Narendra Modi said, "Congress is anti-Hindu by mentality... Congress is fully involved in giving the reservation of SC, ST, and OBC to Muslims on the basis of religion... Remember one thing, 'Vanchit ka jo adhikaar hai, Modi uska chaukidar hai'."

 

4:17 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Mann, Cong leaders to campaign for AAP's Kurukshetra candidate

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and senior Congress leaders like Bhupinder Singh Hooda will campaign for AAP's Haryana unit president Sushil Gupta, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Kurukshetra.

 

3:47 PM

News update: Election Commission says, Kharge's charges of delay in release of voter turnout data unwarranted

3:41 PM

Sandeshkhali's women being compelled to withdraw complaints due to ongoing elections, says NCW

Women from West Bengal's Sandeshkhali are being "compelled" to withdraw their complaints by TMC workers in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the NCW has claimed, seeking an inquiry from the Election Commission in the matter.

Several purported videos of Sandeshkhali women shared by the Trinamool Congress on Thursday claimed that a local BJP leader made those women sign blank papers, which were later filled up as complaints of sexual assault.

3:34 PM

Trinamool Congress threatens to move EC against NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma

The Trinamool Congress today stated it will file a formal complaint to the Election Commission (EC) against NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma for "misusing her chair" and "being one of the major conspirators of Sandeshkhali matter" after multiple women alleged that they were deceived by local BJP leaders into filling sexual assault complaints against TMC leaders.National Commission for Women (NCW) had recommended to President Droupadi Murmu that President's rule be imposed in West Bengal over alleged atrocities on women and violence in Sandeshkhali.

3:12 PM

Every inch of PoK belongs to India, no force can snatch it: Home Minister Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday slammed the Congress for "raising question mark" on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and asserted that every inch of it belonged to India and no force can snatch it. "Mani Shankar Aiyar is telling us to respect Pakistan as it possesses an atomic bomb. Few days ago, INDIA alliance leader Farooq Abdullah said do not talk about PoK as Pakistan has an atomic bomb. I want to tell the Congress and INDIA alliance that PoK belongs to India and no force can snatch it," Shah said at an election rally in Jharkhand's Khunti.

3:08 PM

Join Ajit, Shinde instead of dying with Congress: PM Modi tells Pawar, Uddhav

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today advised the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) to join hands with Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde after Lok Sabha poll results instead of “dying by merging” with the Congress. “A big leader here who is active for 40-50 years is worried after polling in Baramati (Lok Sabha seat). He says that after June 4, smaller parties, in order to survive, will merge with the Congress,” Modi said, without naming Sharad Pawar.

2:39 PM

General Elections 2024: Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee files nomination for Lok Sabha polls

TMC candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Abhishek Banerjee files nomination for Lok Sabha polls.

2:32 PM

Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi worried after 3rd phase, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Slamming the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge today said PM Modi and his cabinet colleague Amit Shah are "worried" after the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections and they started abusing the Congress party. Kharge said that the BJP leaders, instead of seeking votes on their "development," are abusing the Congress leaders and distorting their (Congress) leaders' speeches.

1:57 PM

JMM-led alliance in neck-deep corruption, exploiting people: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

"Corrupt JMM-led alliance is sucking the blood of innocent people. It is betraying them. The BJP believes in the politics of 'Insaf and Insaniyat (justice and humanity). The JMM-led coalition will be punished for atrocities on people," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Dumka.

1:55 PM

General Elections 2024: BJP's Kolkata candidate Tapas Roy files nomination

BJP candidate from Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha constituency, Tapas Roy files his nomination for Lok Sabha polls

1:31 PM

BJP won't allow anyone to snatch your reservation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister  Rajnath Singh said at an election rally in Jharkhand that the BJP won't allow anyone to snatch reservations and that the party is committed to nation-building.

1:26 PM

INDIA bloc storm arriving in UP, Modi will not become PM: Rahul Gandhi

Addressing a rally in Kannauj, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today stated that Narendra Modi will not become the prime minister of the country, adding that an INDIA bloc storm is arriving in Uttar Pradesh. Gandhi said, "Take it in writing, Narendra Modi will not become the prime minister of India." The Congress and the Samajwadi Party, both constituents of the INDIA bloc, are contesting the Lok Sabha elections in an alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

1:13 PM

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal slams ED for 'playing politics' over CM Kejriwal's interim bail

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal hit out at the Enforcement Directorate for playing politics over the issue of interim bail of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Yesterday, ED presented its side before the Supreme Court and said that Arvind Kejriwal should not be granted interim bail because the right to campaign is a legal right, not a Constitutional right...It is correct. But the law also provides that if someone has been awarded punishment and court says that they are staying the punishment, he can take part in campaigning," Sibal told ANI.

12:43 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: BJP's Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan files nomination

The BJP candidate from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency Ravi Kishan filed his nomination today.

12:34 PM

Under my watch, no one can dare to take away the rights of SC, ST or OBCs, says PM Modi

12:11 PM

Congress is spreading lies on reservation and Constitution: PM Modi at Maharashtra rally

The Congress is spreading lies on reservation and Constitution; The idea of religion-based quota against the tenets of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Nandurbar.

11:49 AM

Congress wants CBI-ED probe after PM Modi says Adani, Ambani sent money in 'tempos'

 On a post on X, Congress leader P Chidambaram said: "Mr Rahul Gandhi is absolutely correct in demanding an enquiry into the Hon'ble Prime Minister's allegation.The Hon'ble Prime Minister had made a very serious allegation: that two prominent industrialists have tempo-filling quantities of cash and they were delivered to the Congress party.Coming from the Hon'ble Prime Minister, this allegation has to be viewed with utmost seriousness."

11:43 AM

Repolling underway at 2 booths in Bihar's Khagaria seat

Repolling is underway today at two polling booths in Bihar's Khagaria Lok Sabha seat, amid tight security arrangements, an official said. Repolling was ordered by the Election Commission at these polling booths as voting was disturbed on account of the vandalisation of EVMs on May 7 during the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls.

10:58 AM

FIR filed against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut for remarks against PM Modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed a complaint in Nagpur against Shiv Sena (UBT)  Sanjay Raut for statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi that could cause communal disharmony and were a “direct threat" to the PM's life, according to a report by NDTV. An FIR has been registered. At a  rally in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar, Raut had allegedly drawn parallels between PM Modi and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

10:55 AM

Lok Sabha news update: Repolling at 4 polling stations is going on in Betul

The Election Commission on Wednesday ordered repolling at the four booths after a few electronic voting machines (EVMs) were damaged when a bus carrying them and polling personnel caught fire on Tuesday night near Sonora Gaula village in Betul

10:47 AM

Sandeshkhali case: BJP has to prove whatever they are alleging, says TMC leader Shashi Panja

 "BJP has to prove whatever it is alleging. We don't know who the person is who has done the sting operation, whether it is a group or a person. The CBI is doing the investigation, so why can't CBI take the cognizance of the videos and do whatever is necessary. If the BJP claims that it's a fake video then let us have the original video, it appears that they (BJP) have the original video. AI experts are saying that you can't generate such kinds of images using AI which are so nearly accurate,"  TMC leader Shashi Panja said.

9:55 AM

Lok Sabha polls update: Andhra Pradesh Poll officials review preparation 72 hours before voting

Seventy two hours prior to the polling day in the state on May 13, Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena on Thursday took stock of the arrangements made for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. "The final moment has arrived. Next three days are crucial and all districts' election machinery must be vigilant to avert any untoward incident or voter influencing tactics," Meena said in a press release.