LS polls Highlights: Congress' thinking is anti-development, says PM Modi

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

8:49 PM

LS poll is fight between PM's ideology of development and 'corrupt' oppn: Nadda

The 2024 Lok Sabha polls is a fight between the ideology of the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi that wants to take the country forward and the agenda-less opposition, the ruling party's president JP Nadda said on Friday. He was addressing a public rally in Gondia for his party's Bhandara-Gondiya and Gadchiroli-Chimur Lok Sabha candidates Sunil Mendhe and Ashok Nete, respectively. 

8:35 PM

LS election: AAP announces unconditional support to INDIA bloc candidates in UP

Announcing unconditional support to the INDIA bloc candidates in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said that these elections are being held to save democracy and end an "autocratic government".

 

"AAP will fully support the INDIA bloc candidates in Uttar Pradesh. What our role will be and how we will be involved in the campaign will be decided after holding talks with the Congress leadership involved in the campaigning. We will fully support the Samajwadi Party candidates," said AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

8:06 PM

Counter fake news; freebies are not distributed: EC tells observers for first phase of LS polls

The Election Commission on Friday directed its observers deployed for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls to ensure that fake news and misinformation is curbed in time and facts are conveyed to voters on a pro-active basis to steer a "positive narrative". In a meeting, the poll watchdog also told its 127 general, 67 police and 167 expenditure observers to ensure efforts are made round the clock to block movement and distribution of cash, liquor, freebies and narcotics in poll-bound constituencies.

7:44 PM

Congress attacks Left in Kerala on CAA

The Congress on Friday attacked the ruling Left front in Kerala on various issues, including the CAA and the fielding of a candidate against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, as the state moves closer to the Lok Sabha polls on April 26. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that as the Left front is a part of the INDIA bloc, it should not have fielded a candidate against Gandhi in Wayanad, where he is a sitting MP, as he is the face of the alliance.

7:28 PM

BJP not against caste census, but Cong demanding it to divide society: Nadda

The BJP is not against caste census but the Congress wants to carry out the exercise to divide society, the ruling party's chief JP Nadda said in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh on Friday. The Narendra Modi government's focus was on empowerment of 'GYAN' or Garib, Yuva, Annadata-Kisan and Narishakti (poor, youth, farmers and women), whose progress is key for the development of the nation, Nadda asserted.

7:12 PM

Bengal PDS 'scam': ED attaches assets linked to ex-minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, two others

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth more than Rs 150 crore linked to former West Bengal food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick and two others in a PDS ration "scam"-related money laundering case. The other two accused are Mallick's alleged aide Bakibur Rahaman and TMC leader Shankar Adhya. All three have been arrested by the federal agency in the case.

6:46 PM

BJP can put Kejriwal behind bars, cannot imprison his ideas: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday asserted that the BJP can put his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal behind bars, but cannot imprison his ideas and the change he and his Aam Aadmi Party has brought about. The idea with which the AAP works has been witnessed in Delhi and Punjab and they (the BJP) can arrest one Kejriwal, but there are thousands across the country who are following the party principles of giving to the people what they need the most, Mann said at an election rally here.

5:03 PM

BJP’s Annamalai promises IIM, NIA, NCB units for Coimbatore in LS polls manifesto

Earlier today, A case was registered against BJP state chief and Coimbatore seat candidate K Annamalai and a few members of his party over an alleged poll campaign violation, police said.

5:01 PM

There can be no India without Tamil, Bengali and other languages our people speak: Rahul Gandhi in TN rally

Stating that attacks on Tamil language constitute an attack on Tamil people and nothing less, Congress Rahul Gandhi on Friday asserted that there can be no India without Tamil, Bengali and other languages that people speak. 

4:58 PM

Battle is between ideas of Periyar, social justice and that of PM Modi and his govt: Rahul Gandhi inTN rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Tamil Nadu that there is an ideological battle taking place in India. The battle is between the ideas of Periyar, social justice, equality and that of RSS, PM Modi and his govt, Gandhi said.

4:43 PM

What kind of an alliance is this which wants to make India powerless?: PM Modi said in Barmer

"In the Congress manifesto, there is the stamp of Muslim League, which was the culprit of partition. Now another party, which is a part of the INDI alliance, in its manifesto has made a dangerous declaration against the country that they will destroy India's nuclear weapons. When two of our neighbours are armed with nuclear weapons, should our nuclear weapons be destroyed? What kind of an alliance is this which wants to make India powerless?," PM Modi said in Barmer.

3:52 PM

Congress stands with anti-national forces, INDIA bloc trying to weaken country: PM Modi in Barmer rally

Addressing an election rally in Barmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused the Congress of standing with anti-national forces while claiming that the opposition INDIA bloc was trying to weaken the country. "Congress stands with every anti-national force. It ruled for decades but there is not a single major problem of the country for which it gave a complete solution," Modi said.

3:46 PM

Left dividing anti-BJP vote in Thiruvananthapuram, preaching alliance dharma in Wayanad: Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor stated the Left claims to be very concerned about opposition unity, but fails to address why it is devoting most of its energies in Thiruvananthapuram constituency to undermining him instead of focusing on the "BJP's misrule". Accusing the Left of dividing anti-BJP votes in Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor, said it is ironical that the Left seeks to divide the anti-BJP vote in the parliamentary seat, and preach alliance dharma in Wayanad, from where Rahul Gandhi is contesting.

 

3:40 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024 update: Graph is down for BJP, says CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac

Former Finance Minister of Kerala and CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, stating the "graph was down" for the BJP in Kerala. Isaac is the CPI-M candidate from Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat. Isaac said, "In Kerala, people want Modi to be out. The choice is between Congress and CPM. BJP had around more than 20 per cent of the votes in the last parliament elections but the vote share came down sharply to 16 per cent in the assembly elections. I think the graph is down for the party."

3:35 PM

Ahead of INDIA bloc rally in Tamil Nadu, BJP targets DMK, Congress on 'corruption'

Asserting that the NDA stands for curbing graft, the BJP lashed at INDIA bloc parties over their alleged corruption and attempts to sow division on regional and religious lines. Ahead of an INDIA bloc rally in Tamil Nadu, which DMK leader and Chief Minister M K Stalin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are expected to attend, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that the "glue of corruption" binds opposition parties.

2:13 PM

For 70 years, Congress nurtured Article 370 like its child: Home Minister Amit Shah at Moradabad rally

At an election meeting in Moradabad, Union Home minister Amit Shah slammed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his recent remark on the abrogation of Article 370. Shah said, "Khargeji of the Congress asks what do people of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have to do with Kashmir. I want to tell them that every child of Moradabad is ready to give his life for Kashmir." Shah said,"For 70 years, Congress has nurtured Article 370 like its child."

2:04 PM

BJP government took back farm laws out of fear: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

Taking on the BJP, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav at a rally in UP's Pilibhit said that the three farm laws were scrapped by BJP government as they were afraid of strength of farmers. 

1:59 PM

BJP spreading canards against Bengal: Mamata Banerjee on 'safe haven for terrorists' allegations

 

Slamming the saffron party for alleging that West Bengal has become a safe haven for terrorists, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee todaystated accused in the Bengaluru blast case were arrested because of the state police's prompt action.

The arrest of two accused in Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe blast case from West Bengal today led to slugfest in the state with the opposition BJP claiming that the TMC regime had turned the state into a safe haven for terrorists.

"Heard one BJP leader saying that Bengal is not safe. The accused were arrested within two hours following a prompt response by police. What about the states where you are in power?" she said at a rally in Cooch Behar.

1:57 PM

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai booked for poll code violation

A case was filed today against Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai and and Coimbatore District BJP Secretary Ramesh for allegedly campaigning in the Avarampalayam area last night beyond permitted campaigning hours, news agency ANI reported.

1:54 PM

AAP workers stage protest outside Raaj Kumar Anand's Delhi residence

 Aam Aadmi Party workers today protested outside Raaj Kumar Anand's Patel Nagar residence after his nresignation from the Delhi cabinet and the party.

"For the last four years, Anand has been working for the AAP. He had promised several development projects to those who voted for him. People of his constituency are feeling cheated," Ankush Narang, AAP worker said.

1:17 PM

Home Minister Amit Shah slams Kharge for Kashmir comment

Amit Shah on Friday hit out at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for asking what do people of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have to do with Kashmir. 

12:52 PM

Anyone can travel anywhere in the country: Sitharaman hits back at Stalin's 'migratory bird' jibe at PM Modi

Senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman took  took exception to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's "migratory bird" jibe made at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visits to the state, saying the very usage was not proper. She also criticised the ruling DMK over issues including the drug menace in the state.

12:36 PM

General Elections 2024: BJP rebel Eshwarappa to file nomination as independent candidate from Shivamogga

Defying the party command, rebel Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Eshwarappa  is all set to file his nomination as an Independent candidate from Shivamogga. Eshwarappa was incensed over BY Raghvendra,  the son of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, contesting the polls from Shivamogga.

12:28 PM

PM Modi to attend two public meetings in Kerala on April 15

In a move aimed at boosting the support for the saffron party for the April 26 polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend two public meetings in Kerala on April 15. PM Modi will visit Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts, party sources confirmed.

12:21 PM

PM Modi changed definition of Indian politics in last 10 years: BJP chief Nadda

"Overall, one thing came to light which you should also keep in mind. Earlier politics was done by dividing people. The Congress Party divided brother against brother for a long time and did vote bank politics... But PM Modi changed the definition of Indian politics in the last 10 years. Now when the definition has changed, politics will not work by misleading people. Now there will be no politics by talking on the basis of castes and classes. Now if there is politics, it will be the politics of development and the politics of report card," BJP National President JP Nadda said today.

12:09 PM

Lok Sabha polls update: Officials take 107-km route to help two elderly men cast their ballot in Gadchiroli

Poll officials in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district travelled on winding tracks and through forests for 107 km to assist two elderly men to vote from their homes for the Lok Sabha polls, officials said on Friday. The voters, aged 100 and 86, are from the Gadchiroli-Chimur constituency, which will go to polls in the first phase on April 19.

11:37 AM

News update: NC leader Omar Abdullah to contest from J-K's Baramulla

National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to contest from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency.

11:34 AM

Modi ki guarantee yani guarantee pura hone ki guarantee, says PM at Udhampur rally

"Modi ki guarantee yani guarantee pura hone ki guarantee. You remember how the weak governments of Congress kept the Shahpurkandi Dam stalled for decades. The fields of the farmers of Jammu were dry and the villages were in darkness, but our water of Ravi was going to Pakistan. Modi had given a guarantee to the farmers and has fulfilled it also," PM Modi said on Friday at a public rally in Udhampur.

11:31 AM

Lakhs of families in Jammu and Kashmir have been guaranteed free ration for next 5 years: PM Modi

11:28 AM

70 per cent of Goa against BJP, says AAP MLA Venzy Viegas

 Aam Aadmi Party legislator Venzy Viegas from Goa has claimed that about 70 per cent of the voters in the coastal state are against the BJP. The AAP lawmaker, who represents the Benaulim assembly seat, has been campaigning for the opposition INDIA bloc candidate in South Goa, Viriato Fernandes of the Congress.