LS polls highlights: BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat

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

10:34 PM

Andhra Pradesh has future only if NDA comes to power: Chandrababu Naidu

TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said Andhra Pradesh has a future only if the National Democratic Alliance comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena comes to power. The opposition leader made this observation at a public meeting in Jaggampeta in Kakinada district as part of his Prajagalam election canvassing tour.

9:02 PM

PM Modi to hold two rallies in Sagar and Betul, roadshow in Bhopal on April 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday will address two rallies in Sagar and Betul Lok Sabha constituencies and hold a roadshow in Bhopal, Bharatiya Janata Party functionaries said on Monday. Sagar, Betul and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh will go to polls in the third phase on May 7. The BJP had won these three seats in the 2019 general elections.

4:55 PM

Lok Sabha polls update: NCP releases poll manifesto, supports demand for caste-based census

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar today released his party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, highlighting that it will support the demand for a caste-based census, an issue its ally BJP has been side-stepping.

 

4:53 PM

UP minister Sanjay Nishad beaten at wedding in Sant Kabir Nagar

Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad was allegedly roughened by some people when he was visiting a village in the Khalilabad Kotwali Police Station area to attend a wedding, police today. The incident took place late Sunday night in Mohammadpur Kathar village, where Nishad was confronted by a group of people with questions about his work and his MP son's absence from the constituency. Nishad was rushed to a local hospital with a bloody nose.

4:51 PM

We've given full opportunity to youth: DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on party's Srinagar candidate

"Amir Bhat is our party's candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat...I have full hope that the people of Srinagar City will like him. We've given full opportunity to youth,"  Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Monday.

4:39 PM

Panic in BJP camp after sensing defeat in phase 1, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Addressing a rally in Raiganj, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the BJP is in panic mode after sensing defeat in the first phase of polling last week, adding that the rout of the saffron camp across the country is imminent. "Fear and panic have gripped the BJP. After the first phase of polling in nearly 100 seats across the country, they have sensed defeat. That is why they are making baseless statements. The rout of the saffron camp is only a matter of time," she said.

4:02 PM

BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat

BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat after all other candidates withdraw: Party's Gujarat chief C R Paatil.

3:29 PM

PM has called a spade a spade: BJP on Opposition's criticism of PM Modi's remarks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a spade a spade and has echoed people's sentiments, the BJP claimed today after the Opposition termed his remarks at a poll rally in Rajasthan as communally divisive. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that that the Opposition is in pain as Modi has showed them the mirror about its past.

3:10 PM

Central government decimated MSMEs across country, Aligarh is no exception, says Congress

The Congress today alleged that the PM Modi-led government has "decimated" MSMEs across the country and asked why is Aligarh's 100-yr old lock industry struggling under his dispensation. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh had posed questions to the prime minister ahead of his rally in Aligarh, and asked why has the BJP failed to deliver justice to the Hathras rape victim. "This government has decimated MSMEs across the country, and Aligarh is no exception. When he campaigned in Aligarh in 2014, PM Modi had made small businesses the focus of his speech. Yet, 10 years later, Aligarh still does not have a government depot where lock makers can purchase raw materials at reasonable rates," he said.

3:06 PM

Congress' eyes are on women's 'mangalsutras', alleges PM Modi at Aligarh rally

At an election rally in Aligarh, PM Modi said that the Congress talks of redistributing the property of people and its eyes are on women's 'mangalsutras': 

2:40 PM

Congress did nothing to improve social, economic condition of Muslims: PM Modi at Aligarh rally

The Congress followed the policy of appeasement but did nothing to improve the social and economic conditions of Muslims, PM Modi said at an election rally in  Aligarh on Monday.

2:31 PM

Aligarh has put 'lock' on SP, Congress factory of corruption, appeasement: PM Modi

1:48 PM

We say poor, adivasis and Dalits have first right over country's resources: Home Minister Amit Shah

Congress says minority has first right over country's resources, but we say poor, adivasis and Dalits have first right, Home Minister Amit Shah said today.

1:42 PM

PM Modi has eliminated terrorism from the country; Naxalism is on verge of ending: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eliminated terrorism from the country; Naxalism is on verge of ending, Home Minister Amit Shah said today at a rally in Chhattisgarh's Kanker.

1:31 PM

Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission holds meeting to discuss measures to mitigate risks due to heatwave

The Election Commission today held a meeting with different stakeholders, including officials of the Met department, after forecasts of above-normal temperatures and heat waves in parts of the country. Steps to mitigate risk occurring out of heatwaves during the Lok Sabha polls were discussed during the meeting. Six more phases of the seven phased exercise are yet to be held in the country. Officers of the Indian Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Authority and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare attended the meeting.

1:26 PM

Lok Sabha polls in Manipur news update: 37.54% voter turnout till 11 am in repolling at 11 booths

A voter turnout of 37.54 per cent was registered till 11 am in repolling at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, officials said on Monday. The decision on fresh polling was taken following a directive from the Election Commission, which declared voting held at these stations on April 19 as null and void. "Voters queued up since early morning to exercise their franchise at all the 11 polling stations, which was affected by riot-like situation on Friday. No disturbance or violence has been reported so far on Monday," a poll official told news agency PTI.

12:49 PM

We are fighting this election to save the Constitution: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

"In Himachal Pradesh, we are fighting this election to save the Constitution and appealing to people to make Congress winner on all 4 seats. We are telling them how they left the seat in just 14 months after being influenced by money," Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said today.

12:49 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024 update: Election Commission orders re-poll in 8 polling stations in Arunachal

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered re-polling in eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh where EVM damage and violence were reported during polling to simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on April 19, an official said. The poll body in an order on Sunday declared the polling in the eight polling stations as void and ordered fresh polling on April 24 from 6 am to 2 pm, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu said.

12:06 PM

PM Modi has forgotten the dignity of his post, says Congress leader Pramod Tiwari

"The Prime Minister has forgotten the dignity of his post. Whatever he says in his speech during the elections, is an insult to the former Prime Ministers and the Prime Ministerial post. It is also an insult to the Constitution...I challenge him to show me the line in our manifesto which says that we will collect from everyone and give it to the Muslims," Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said. 

11:48 AM

No diabetologist consulted by ED to make Kejriwal's diet plan, says AAP leader Atishi

At a press conference today, AAP leader and Delhi minister today accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of misguiding the court regarding chief minister Kejriwal's health, alleging that no diabetologist was consulted to formulate his diet plan.  "The diet chart presented by ED in the court was not prepared by any senior doctor/diabetologist. It was prepared by a dietician/nutritionist. The ED presented a standard diet chart by AIIMS," Atishi stated ."No consultation was done with Arvind Kejriwal before preparing the diet chart that was presented by ED and Tihar administration in front of the court. On what basis, the diet chart was provided?,” asked Atishi.

11:30 AM

PM Modi's 'redistribution of wealth' remarks disheartening, says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut today termed as "disheartening" the comments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to Muslims. At a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, PM Modi stated the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children".

11:21 AM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai seeks votes for Tejasvi Surya

10:48 AM

PM Modi has new tactics for diverting attention from real issues; "business of lies" is near: Congress

The Congress today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of speaking in a "poisonous language" and stated that he has several new tactics for diverting attention from real issues but the end of "business of lies" is near. The Congress on Sunday night had also slammed Prime Minister Modi over his "redistribution of wealth" remarks targeting the party, saying PM Modi has now resorted to "lies" and "hate speech" to divert people from the real issues.

10:29 AM

Lok Sabha elections phase 1: 81% of applicants use postal ballots to cast vote

Around 81 per cent of those who applied for voting from home using postal ballots have cast their votes in the first phase of the General Elections, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul stated. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI), extended its "vote-from-home" facility to persons with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens aged 85 and above. Read here for more details. 

10:00 AM

Where is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas?: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on PM Modi's comments

"The PM made a speech yesterday. It was evident that first phase of election is not going in favour of him. People would be disappointed with it. It referred minorities as an outsider. What kind of politics is this? On one hand you talk Ram Mandir and conduct of Ram, and on the other, spread hatred. Where is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas? You can't keep India intact this way," Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said on Monday,  reacting to PM Modi's recent comments.   

9:38 AM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: CM Revanth Reddy slams BJP, alleges PM Modi insulted Telangana

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has lashed out at the saffron party and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi insulted Telangana in the past with comments on the state's formation in Parliament. PM Modi had commented that the then Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government closed the doors of Parliament when the bill for Telangana's formation was passed and that "mother (Andhra Pradesh)" was "killed" to give birth to the "child (Telangana)", Revanth Reddy alleged.

9:35 AM

General Elections 2024: Congress announces candidates for nine more Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh

The Congress on Sunday declared the names of candidates for nine more Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh for the upcoming polls.The poll committee of the party declared candidates for Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Amalapuram (SC), Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Nandyala, Anantapur and Hindupur constituencies.

 

9:31 AM

Over 2,000 criminal cases against MPs, MLAs decided in 2023: SC informed

Special courts for trial of criminal cases related to Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly decided more than 2,000 cases in 2023, the Supreme Court has been informed. Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, who has been appointed amicus curiae in a PIL seeking expeditious disposal of criminal cases against MPs/MLAs. Referring to a report of NGO Association of Democratic Reforms for the Lok Sabha polls,  Hansaria said that out of 2,810 candidates (Phase I - 1618 candidates and Phase II - 1,192 candidates), 501 (18 per cent) candidates have criminal cases against them, out of which, 327 (12 per cent) are serious criminal cases (punishable with imprisonment of 5 years and more).

9:27 AM

Lok Sabha polls 2024: PM Modi, Shah to address rallies in Chhattisgarh in next 3 days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are scheduled to address election rallies in in Chhattisgarh over the next three days. Shah will address a public meeting in Kanker Lok Sabha constituency in the Bastar region on Monday.

9:06 AM

Lok Sabha polls news update: Re-polling to be conducted today at 11 booths in Manipur

Re-polling will be conducted on Monday in 11 booths in the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency after incidents of violence were reported at some of the polling booths in conflict-torn Manipur where some criminals opened fire and even destroyed EVMs.