LS polls highlights: If INDIA bloc wins election, partners will decide on PM's name, says Kharge

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

6:20 PM

Naveen Patnaik should clarify on the missing keys of Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar: Amit Shah

Naveen Patnaik should clarify on the missing keys of Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar: Amit Shah at poll rally in Odisha's Nayagarh

6:18 PM

Two polling booths in Jhansi record 100 per cent turnout

Two polling booths in the Jhansi Lok Sabha constituency, where elections were held in the fifth phase on May 20, have recorded 100 per cent voter turnout, officials said on Tuesday.

According to an official statement issued by District Election Officer (DEO) and District Magistrate Akshay Tripathi, all 375 voters -- 198 men and 177 women -- at booth number 277 in Saulda of Mehrauni Assembly cast their votes. Similarly, at booth number 355 in Bamhora Nagal village, all 441 registered voters -- 235 men and 206 women -- participated, it said.

Both these booths are located in the Lalitpur district.

In another village, Budhni Narahat, there is still confusion regarding 100 per cent voting due to technical issues, the statement said, adding there is a possibility that 100 per cent turnout will be declared there as well.

5:53 PM

Congress slams Sambit Patra’s ‘Lord Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt’ remark

Election 2024 Live News: On BJP leader Sambit Patra’s ‘Lord Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt’ remark, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “It won’t be accepted the way they (BJP) are disrespecting the Hindu gods and faith of crores of Hindus by becoming PM Modi’s ‘andhbhakt’. BJP leader Sambit Patra surprised people yesterday by saying that ‘Lord Jagannath is Narendra Modi’s bhakt’. Who gave him the right to say something like this? He is now apologising when they are facing its consequences.”

5:08 PM

If INDIA bloc wins election, partners will sit and decide on the PM's name, says Kharge

At a press conference in Chandigarh, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated that If the INDIA bloc wins the Lok Sabha elections, its partners will sit and decide on the prime minister's name. In UPA I and UPA II, the coalition completed the full term, Kharge said responding to PM Modi's "five PM" jibe.

4:59 PM

Congress demands apology from PM Modi over Patra's remark on Lord Jagannath

The Congress on Tuesday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a controversial statement on Lord Jagannath made by BJP Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra. Patra while giving sound bites to reporters on Monday, had said that the state's most revered deity "Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

4:56 PM

PM Modi used all forces to keep me behind bars but miracle happened and I am before you: Arvind Kejriwal

At a poll rally in Jharkhand, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal said that PM Modi used all forces to keep him behind bars but a miracle took place and he was able to get out of jail. Kejriwal added that PM Modi plotted to finish AAP and JMM but the parties got stronger and he could not topple Delhi, Punjab, Jharkhand govts.

4:37 PM

There was a competition of appeasement between SP and Congress: PM Modi

"Every corner of India says that the INDI alliance will not bring development. Look at the example of Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj... What used to happen during the time of SP-Congress? There used to be a stampede in the crowd. People used to lose their lives. There was chaos everywhere. They were more concerned about their vote bank than Kumbh. They were afraid that if they were seen doing too much for Kumbh, their vote bank might get offended. There was a competition of appeasement between SP and Congress," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

4:28 PM

INDIA bloc's agenda is to bring back Article 370, revoke CAA: PM Modi

At a rally in UP's Praygraj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The SP-Congress and INDI alliance members cannot digest the praise of India. The 'shehzada' of Congress goes abroad to abuse India. On what agenda are these INDI alliance members fighting the elections?  Their agenda is- Article 370 will be implemented again in Kashmir, they will remove CAA, they will repeal the stringent laws that have been made against corruption. Every corner of India says that the INDI alliance will not bring development."

 

4:24 PM

News update: INDIA bloc members cannot digest India's praise, says PM Modi at rally in Prayagraj

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also added that the SP, Congress stand for anti-development ageda.

4:22 PM

INDIA bloc wants to loot, divide people on lines of religion: CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today claimed that the INDIA bloc is planning to loot the country by dividing the people on the basis of caste and religion. "The BJP is serving the public under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We do not practice discrimination and are working with the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. At the same time, INDI alliance wants to loot the country by dividing the country's people on the basis of caste and religion, which we will not allow to happen," he said.

3:50 PM

Bengal CM Mamata says heartbroken over plight of Sandeshkhali women, pans BJP for 'conspiracy'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was heartbroken over the plight of women in Sandeshkhali but asserted that the BJP should not have played with the dignity of women in the trouble-torn area as the "saffron camp's conspiracy now stands exposed".

3:44 PM

Should a leader hailed by enemy allowed to form govt?: Rajnath on Pak leader's praise for Rahul

"Ex-Pakistan minister Fawad Hussain has said that Pakistani terrorists were behind the Pulwama and Uri attacks. Same Fawad Hussain does not praise PM Modi but he is praising Rahul Gandhi with comments such as 'Rahul on Fire'. I want to ask you whether such a leader who is praised by enemies should be respected. Should he be allowed to form the government? Which direction they want to take the country? I appeal to you to save the country," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

3:34 PM

PM Modi 'Jhoothon Ka Sardar', says Congress president Kharge

Addressing a rally in Haryana, Congress chief Kharge said people are fed up with the BJP. "There are a few people who say 'Modi, Modi'. He is a 'jhoothon ka sardar' (King of liars). Still you say 'Modi Modi'. I do not want to abuse anyone and I am not against Modi. But I am certainly against Modi's ideology and am fighting against it," Kharge said in the state's Jagadhri city.

3:05 PM

Stampede-like situation at Akhilesh Yadav's Azamgarh rally

A stampede-like situation arose at the public meeting of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Azamgarh constituency today. Earlier, a similiar situation had taken place during the Phulpur rally.

2:52 PM

PDP supports INDIA bloc on ideological basis, Constitution must be guarded: Mehbooba Mufti

Despite fielding her party's candidates against the National Conference on three Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said her party continues to be a part of INDIA bloc on ideological basis and agrees with it on the need to safeguard the Constitution.

 

The NC, also a part of the INDIA bloc, has put up three candidates on Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seats after reaching an agreement with the Congress, which has put up its candidates in Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh.

2:38 PM

INDIA bloc stands for corruption, appeasement politics and 'perverted anti-Sanatan mindset': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  launched a blistering attack on INDIA bloc at rallies in Mahrajganj and Purvi Champaran Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, where he also predicted a "big blow" for the opposition alliance that stood for corruption, appeasement politics and "perverted anti-Sanatan mindset", on June 4 when Lok Sabha poll results would be out. PM Modi also pointed out that that he was leaving no "viraasat (inheritance)" since he considered the people of the country as his only "waaris (successor)".

2:16 PM

EC censures BJP's Abhijit Ganguly over remarks on Bengal CM Mamta

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday directed BJP's Abhijit Ganguly not to campaign for 24 hours over remarks on CM Mamta Banerjee.

2:09 PM

People are fed up with BJP, Modi government not returning to power: Kharge

"This fight is between people and Modi, people and BJP. People are fed up with them," Congress chief Kharge said in a rally at Haryana today. I can say with surety that Modi government is not returning to power, he added.

2:02 PM

Your vote is not just for choosing an MP but for electing a strong PM: Modi

1:42 PM

INDIA bloc cannot tolerate that people are going to re-elect Modi, says prime minister at Maharajganj rally

1:35 PM

One killed and three injured in post-poll violence in Bihar's Saran

One person was killed and three others injured in post-poll violence in Bihar's Saran district on Tuesday morning, police said. The incident happened in the Bada Telma area near Bhikhari Thakur Chowk, they said. A scuffle broke out between two groups, said to be supporters of the BJP and RJD, over allegations of irregularities during polling that happened on Monday in the area, amid which shots were fired.

1:25 PM

PM Modi returning with same numbers or slightly better, says Prashant Kishor

In an interview to NDTV, political strategist Prashant Kishor stated  that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lead the BJP to another victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Kishor,who aided the saffron party in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, said that the BJP's tally in this election may hover around its 2019 score of 303 or better than it.

12:53 PM

PM Modi promised to change face of Bihar, only thing changed was Nitish's alliances: Congress

The Congress today took a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his promise of a financial package for Bihar, saying that while he talked about changing the face and fate of the state, all that had changed was Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's alliances. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also posed several questions to the prime minister ahead of his rallies in Bihar. "Why has the outgoing PM failed to reopen the Motihari Sugar Mill? Why were ambulances purchased using a BJP MP's funds caught smuggling alcohol? What happened to the 1.25 lakh crore package the PM had promised in 2015?" Ramesh said in a post on X.

12:25 PM

This time lotus will bloom in Odisha: Home Minister Amit Shah at Sambalpur rally

12:10 PM

Those born with a silver spoon do not know what hard work is: PM Modi takes jab at RJD

12:07 PM

India of the 21st century can't march ahead with 'sins' of the INDIA bloc: PM Modi at Champaran rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the opposition INDI alliance has been completely defeated in the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections polling which was held on Monday. PM Modi also said that India of the 21st century can't march ahead with the "sins" of the INDI alliance.

11:23 AM

PM Modi, Shah plan to oust you from UP, deal with that: Delhi CM Kejriwal to Yogi Adityanath

"Yogi ji came to Delhi yesterday and abused me. Yogi ji, your enemies are siting in your own party, why abuse me? Modi, Shah have made the plan to oust you from UP, deal with that," Delhi CM Kejriwal said today at an online press conference.

11:16 AM

News update: Amit Shah abused the people of India; called AAP supporters 'Pakistanis', says Delhi CM Kejriwal

"Amit Shah called AAP supporter Pakistanis. Are people of Delhi and Punjab and other states which chose AAP Pakistanis? You have so much arrogance since Modi has selected you as his successor for PM post. But let me tell you won't become the PM since INDIA  bloc will win on June 4," Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said today.

11:11 AM

News update: BJP govt will fall on June 4, INDIA bloc will get more than 300 seats, says Delhi CM Kejriwal

11:01 AM

54.33% voter turnout in Maharashtra in 5th phase of Lok Sabha polls

An average voter turnout of 54.33 per cent has been registered in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Maharashtra during the fifth phase of polling, as per latest data available with the office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer. The final figures will be declared later, an official from the CEO's office said on Tuesday.