LS polls highlights: 'My mother sacrificed her mangalsutra for India', says Priyanka Gandhi amid row

General Elections 2024 news updates: Catch all the news updates on the announcements related to Lok Sabha polls here

9:58 PM

My mother's 'mangalsutra' was sacrificed for this country: Priyanka Gandhi's blistering attack on PM

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "gold and mangalsutra" remarks, saying her mother Sonia Gandhi sacrificed her ‘mangalsutra' for the country.
 

“What talks are happening in this country? Two days back there were speeches that Congress wants to snatch your 'mangalsutra'. This country has been free for the past 75 years, and 55 years Congress was in power. Did Congress ever snatch your gold or 'mangalsutra'?,” she asked at an election rally.

8:39 PM

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra comments on party's promises if it assumes power

Addressing a public rally in Chitradurga, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "For Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and OBC like my brother (Rahul Gandhi) says everywhere, a complete count will be done in the entire country as to who belongs to which caste and how much is their population and who is earning how much and then new policies will be made under that. Reservation limit will be increased from 50% and the SC, ST sub-plan will be implemented. Special budget will be issued for SC, ST, and Kadugolla community will be given ST status..."

8:39 PM

Sachin Pilot addresses rally in Kerala

In the last 10 years, BJP has got a full majority government and all they have done is play with the Constitution and institution of this country. The transparency, functioning and the credibility of institutions is under threat. I believe we, UDF (United Democratic Front) and INDIA bloc, have given a blueprint and framework for the next five years: Sachin Pilot.

7:00 PM

Congress encouraged violence to hide its corruption, says PM Modi at poll rally in Chhattisgarh

6:58 PM

'TMC is always standing with the illegal migrants and the infiltrators,' says Union Minister Kiren Rijiju

Sungma, Darjeeling: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says "TMC is always standing with the illegal migrants and the infiltrators. That is why TMC has become a threat to the national security itself...Now BJP is coming very strongly and TMC's power is going to get over. After this election, all the common people who had voted for TMC will back out and TMC will collapse..."

6:58 PM

Amit Shah attacks Congress, claims, 'Congress left country on 11th position in terms of economy'

Maharashtra: During a public rally in Akola, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, " Congress left the country on 11th position in terms of economy and PM Modi brought it to 5th number. If you make him PM for the 3rd time, he will bring India to 3rd position"

5:32 PM

Whenever Congress was in power, it derailed development: PM Modi at election rally in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh

5:32 PM

Congress leaders insulted saints by skipping Ram temple consecration ceremony, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addresses a rally in Chhattisgarh. "I have come to seek your blessings for a third term for BJP-led regime," PTI quoted him as saying in the Chhattisgarh rally. He also slammed Congress leaders for declining Ram Mandir invite. "Congress leaders insulted saints by skipping Ram temple consecration ceremony," Modi said.
 

4:53 PM

Congress leaders consider themselves above Lord Ram, says PM Modi in Chhattisgarh rally

At the election rally in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi said,"Congress leaders consider themselves above Lord Ram and denied invitation for Pran Pratishtha at Ram Temple. Is it not a disrespect for Chhattisgarh? It is 'Nanihal of Lord Ram'. Is it not a disrespect of Mata Shabri? Congress keeps on doing appeasement politics, it is in their DNA."

4:48 PM

If you see ground reality, you will notice how tortured people feel: SP leader Dimple Yadav on Lok Sabha polls

 "I think they (BJP) know they are going to lose. If you see the ground reality, you will see how tortured people feel," Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said regarding the contest on Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat.

4:43 PM

'Bharatiya Jumla Party' deceived people with grand promises: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Chhattisgarh

The "Bharatiya Jumla Party" has once again "deceived" the people with its grand election promises, the Congress claimed today alleging that the BJP government has "de facto reduced" ration under a scheme in Chhattisgarh. "Was cutting rations a part of Modi ki Guarantee to Chhattisgarh's people? Why has the Modi Sarkar failed to support Janjgir's Kosa Silk industry? Why has the PM failed to deliver on Adivasi welfare?" Ramesh said. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh had posed questions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his poll rallies in Dhamtari and Janjgir-Champa in Chhattisgarh.

4:32 PM

Congress wants to bring justice to every section irrespective of religion: Ex-Union minister Chidambaram

Former Union minister P Chidambaram today challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders to quote a single para in the Congress manifesto which reflects "appeasement". He was reacting to the allegations by PM Modi and the BJP against the Congress that that if the party came to power, it would redistribute people's wealth and also give reservations to Muslims from the quota for SC, ST and OCB communities. "Ask the prime minister to point out one paragraph in the manifesto which leads to the conclusion that we are appeasing any section. We recognise that there is a social division, social and economic inequality in this country," Chidambaram said.

4:28 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan, YSRCP's Vijayasai Reddy file nominations in Andhra

Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan and senior YSRCP leader V Vijayasai Reddy today filed their nomination for the Anakapalli Assembly constituency and Nellore Lok Sabha seat respectively.

Actor-politician Kalyan, whose Janasena is an NDA partner in the southern state, was accompanied by local party leaders while filing his nomination papers. Accompanied by family members, Vijayasai Reddy filed his nomination.

4:20 PM

Vehicles used in Viksit Bharat Yatra now being used by BJP to run party campaign, says Sena (UBT) leader

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve today claimed that the vehicles used earlier by the government for the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra' were now being used by the ruling BJP to run the party's campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. "The vehicles used in spreading government schemes under 'Vikasit Bharat Yatra' are now being used by BJP for election campaigns. Is this 'Chanda do, dhanda lo'?" he asked. "Even the routes of these vehicles are the same as they followed during the Viksit Bharat Yatra," he claimed.

4:18 PM

Lok Sabh elections 2024: Congress fields Meira Kumar's son Anshul Avijit from Patna Sahib seat

The Congress today fielded Anshul Avijit, the son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, as its candidate for the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. He will take on former Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who has been renominated by the party to contest from the seat.

 

 

3:48 PM

A big part of the country has rejected Cong; tomorrow that party will reject Constitution, says PM Modi

"A big part of the country has rejected Congress; tomorrow that party will reject Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Janjgir-Champa rally today.

 

3:24 PM

Lok Sabha polls update: BJP ensured that Ayodhya Ram temple got built, says PM Modi in Chhattisgarh rally

At at election rally in Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that people thought that Ram temple at Ayodhya will never be built but BJP ensured it was built.

3:16 PM

Previous government in Chhattisgarh did not allow my work to progress, says PM Modi in Janjgir-Champa

"I have come to seek your abundant blessings. Our country has come a long way in the last 10 years, but a lot of work still remains. The previous government in Chhattisgarh did not allow my work to progress here, now that Vishnu Deo Sai is here so I have to complete that work also," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today at a public rally in Janjgir-Champa.

3:11 PM

With Rs 5,785 cr assets, TDP LS contestant Chandra Sekhar under poll scanner

Telugu Desam Party candidate for Guntur Lok Sabha seat P Chandra Sekhar has grabbed attention after he declared his family assets both movable and immovable at Rs 5,785 crore, in his election affidavit. This makes him one of the wealthiest contestants in the Lok Sabha race.

 

According to an affidavit filed by him, his individual assets stood at Rs 2,448.72 crore while his wife Sriratna Koneru has Rs 2,343.78 crore worth assets and children have nearly Rs 1,000 crore. Chandra Sekhar's family has a liability of Rs 1,138 crore to JP Morgan Chase Bank of USA in the form of Line of Credit.

2:52 PM

It is going to be Shashi Tharoor's term again, says actor Prakash Raj

Actor Prakash Raj asserted that Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is seeking re-election from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is going to win this time again. Raj told news agency ANI: "I find this (Thiruvananthapuram) constituency has received a lot from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. It is going to be his term again. I am here to just stand by him, not because he is a great friend of mine, but because he has given me for the last decade hope, happiness and joy that I have a voice with such a representative of the country."

2:43 PM

Infiltration continuing unabated in West Bengal under TMC rule, says Home Minister Amit Shah

 Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah today alleged that infiltration was continuing unabated in West Bengal under the TMC regime.

2:39 PM

Neither Congress nor Mamata Banerjee can dare to interfere with CAA: Amit Shah

Neither Congress nor Mamata Banerjee can dare to interfere with CAA,  Home Minister Amit Shah said at a rally in Karandighi today. Shah also added that cut money culture and corruption must stop in West Bengal and TMC should refrai from indulging in these practices.

2:23 PM

Former VP Venkaiah Naidu calls for strengthening anti-defection law, ending freebies in polls

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today stated that the "frequent" party-hopping by political leaders was a "disturbing trend" and called for strengthening the anti-defection law. "Defections are being encouraged. We should strengthen the anti-defection law," Naidu said.

Speaking at a function at his residence after receiving the Padma award, Naidu said announcing "freebies" during elections without listing out funds mobilisation is an unhealthy trend which should be discouraged and people should question the leaders and parties making such lofty promises.

 

1:58 PM

Rahul has no right to use Gandhi name, check his DNA: Left-backed Kerala MLA

Further heating up the electoral fight in Kerala between INDIA bloc members Congress and CPI(M), Left-backed Independent lawmaker PV Anvar verbally attacked Rahul Gandhi, saying his “DNA should be examined”. At a political gathering in Edathanattukara in Malappuram on Monday, Anvar said: “Rahul has no right to use the Gandhi name. He has stooped to the level of a fourth-class citizen. Was he born into the Nehru family? I have doubts – his DNA should be examined.”

1:46 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Police seize Rs 1.03 crore cash, 4 kg silver jewellery from car in Madhya Pradesh

Cops have seized Rs 1.03 crore in cash and 4 kg of silver jewellery from a car in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district during checking of vehicles in view of the ongoing General elections. Two men and a woman travelling in the car have been taken into custody, an official said on Monday. Checking of vehicles by the flying squad teams has been intensified in the state in view of the Lok Sabha polls, he said.

1:29 PM

General Elections 2024 updates: 16 candidates in contention for 2 Lok Sabha seats in Goa

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), eight candidates each are in contention for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa after the withdrawal of nominations. In North Goa, the candidates include sitting BJP MP Shripad Naik and former Union minister Ramakant Khalap fielded by the Congress. In South Goa, the BJP has fielded industrialist Pallavi Dempo, while the Congress has nominated former naval officer Viriato Fernandes.

1:16 PM

LS polls update: Cong Bhagalpur candidate Ajeet Sharma owns movable, immovable assets worth Rs 35.23 crore

In the affidavit recently filed before the Returning Officer along with the nomination paper, Senior Congress leader Ajeet Sharma, also the father of popular Bollywood actress Neha Sharma has declared that he has movable assets worth Rs 3.45 crore and immovable assets owned by him worth Rs 31.77 crore. His wife owns movable and immovable assets worth Rs 18.22 crore. Elections will be held in Bhagalpur, Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia and Banka parliamentary seats in Bihar on April 26.

1:08 PM

General Elections 2024 updates: Even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes crime under Cong rule, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at the Congress again, saying it is difficult to follow one's faith under the party and again accused it of hatching a deep conspiracy to snatch people's wealth and distribute it among "select" people. Referring to the 'redistribution of wealth' remarks made by him at a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, PM Modi said it has angered the Congress and INDI Alliance so much that they have started "abusing" Modi everywhere "I have put forth the truth before the country that Congress is hatching a deep conspiracy to snatch your wealth and distribute it among the 'select' people," he said at a rally in Tonk.

 

1:04 PM

Lok Sabh elections 2024: 400 par will happen for sure, says former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje

While campaigning for her son and MP Dushyant Singh, former Rajasthan Chief Minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje said that she is confident that the BJP will achieve its goal of reaching 400 plus seats in the Lok Sabha polls. On being asked by the reporters about the PM's slogan of '400 paar' and her's slogan of '5 lakh paar', Vasundhara said, "Our elections are here. '400 paar' will happen, I am sure."

 

12:36 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Congress wanted to extend reservation on basis of religion, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today charged that the Congress wanted to extend reservation on the basis of religion and give the right given to Dalits, backward and tribals to Muslims. As soon as the Congress formed the government at the Centre in 2004, one of its first tasks was to reduce the SC/ST reservation in Andhra Pradesh and give reservation to Muslims, he said while addressing an election rally in Tonk. "Modi is giving you a guarantee with an open heart that reservation for Dalits and backward tribals will neither end nor will it be allowed to be divided in the name of religion," he said.