LS polls highlights: Cong releases 1st list, Rahul to contest from Wayanad

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

8:12 PM

Our priority is to win maximum seats, defeat PM Modi in Lok Sabha polls 2024: Congress leader KC Venugopal

After releasing the first list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the party's priority is to win maximum seats and defeat PM Modi in the election.

8:04 PM

Honoured, humbled that Congress once again fielded me from Thiruvananthapuram: Shashi Tharoor

"I am honoured and humbled that the Congress party has give me an opportunity to defend my seat...I look forward to a fair and effective contest. In 15 years of politics, I never needed to spend one day of negative campaigning," said Shashi Tharoor after being fielded once again by Congress from Thiruvananthapuram.

8:00 PM

Lok Sabha polls: Congress first list covers all 16 seats that party is set to contest in Kerala

7:56 PM

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh to contest from Bengaluru Rural seat in LS polls

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh is set to contest from Bengaluru Rural seat in LS polls. Congress has named its candidates for seven seats in Karnataka, including JD(S) bastions like Hassan, on Friday.

7:51 PM

Congress first list of 39 candidates for Lok Sabha polls 2024

7:43 PM

Congress first list: KC Venugopal to contest from Alappuzha, Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram in LS 2024

K C Venugopal to contest from Alappuzha in Kerala, Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram

7:41 PM

Lok Sabha 2024: Congress releases first list; Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad, Baghel from Rajnandgaon

Congress announced first list of 39 candidates for LS polls on Friday. The list revealed that Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad in 2024 LS polls. Also, ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel will contest Rajnandgaon, said Cong general secretary K C Venugopal.

6:16 PM

'PDP may be down, but we are not out': Mehbooba Mufti responds to Omar Abdullah's jibe

After National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced his party would contest all Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir region, The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti stated that she was disappointed with the decision.

 

“I am disappointed with the National Conference’s decision. We were part of PAGD, formed for a larger cause, and Farooq Abdullah would always consult for many decisions. Today I am sad his party made a major decision without consulting us,” said Mehbooba Mufti.

 

6:12 PM

Would have never joined INDIA bloc: Former J-K CM Omar Abdullah

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah today stated he would have never joined the Congress-led opposition alliance INDIA bloc if he knew that he would have to weaken his own party for another member (Mehbooba Mufti's PDP) of the alliance, the party that came at No. 3 in the last election. "I have already told you that the party that stands on number 3 has no right to ask for a seat. How many people are there with PDP today who brought them to the third place? If I had been told before joining INDIA alliance that we would have to weaken ourselves for another member of the alliance, then I would have never joined the INDIA alliance."  

6:09 PM

Lok Sabha polls update 2024: BJP, TDP, Jana Sena to work together for upcoming polls, says TDP leader

Telegu Desam Party's (TDP) Member of Parliament K Ravindra Kumar on Friday that the BJP, TDP, and Jana Sena will work together for upcoming elections.

4:43 PM

4 assembly constituencies to be reserved for tribals in 2027 Goa polls, says CM Sawant

A day after the Union cabinet gave the nod to the bill to implement reservation to scheduled tribes (ST) in the Goa Assembly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today stated that four assembly constituencies would be reserved under this category for the 2027 Assembly polls. The central cabinet on Thursday approved the ‘Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes Bill, 2024', which will empower the census commissioner to notify the population of STs in Goa.

4:25 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024 LIVE: 'Kejriwal has looted the people of Delhi', says BJP leader

The BJP launched verrbal attacks on AAP's new slogan for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said that the slogan should be 'Kejriwal ke 9 saal; loot, bhrashtachar aur Dilli behaal'. "Kejriwal has looted the people of Delhi," Sachdeva claimed.

4:23 PM

INDIA alliance updates: Disappointed with NC's decision, says Mehbooba Mufti

4:17 PM

Lok Sabha polls updates: Kharge has to decide whether he will contest or not, says Cong leader Shivakumar

"I met Mallikarjun Kharge as he is our national president. As far as tickets for Lok Sabha are concerned, we have discussed 50% (14 seats). Ultimately party high command will decide. Mallikarjun Kharge himself has to decide whether he will contest or not. He has to travel around the country to ultimately decide this," said Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

3:30 PM

Lok Sabha polls LIVE: Congress lacks a strong leader like PM Modi, says Padmaja Venugopal

Padmaja Venugopal, who joined the BJP a day ago, said on Friday that the Congress lacks a strong leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Padmaja, who was accorded a grand welcome at the airport here by BJP leaders, including its state president K Surendran, and party workers, later said at a press conference that it pained her to leave the Congress, but she was not ready to put up any longer with the "insults" she has been suffering. She said that someone asked her why she joined the BJP as she has stood strong with the Congress even when facing problems from within the party. "After seeing Prime Minister Modi's style of functioning for some time, I realised that every party needs a strong leader. The Congress does not have any such strong leaders," she said.

3:27 PM

Congress determined to provide 'Naari Nyay': Kharge on International Women's Day

On International Women's Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party is determined to ensure economic, social and political empowerment of women and provide "Naari Nyay" (justice to women). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on the occasion, said the party is committed to expanding the imagination of India's daughters and presenting new alternatives to them. "The Indian National Congress, through the paradigm of “NAARI NYAY”, is determined to ensure economic, social and political empowerment of half of India's population - the women.

2:34 PM

Lok Sabha 2024 news updates: Oppn parties stage protest against CAA ahead of PM's visit to Assam

Opposition parties protested in Kaliabor in Nagaon district of Assam against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the state.  The sit-in by the 16-member United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) took place near Kaziranga, where the PM is set to spend the night after reaching the state in the afternoon.

2:32 PM

Calcutta High Court allows Suvendu Adhikari to hold public rally in Nazat

The Calcutta High Court today allowed Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari to hold a public meeting on March 10 at Akratala area under Nazat police station in North 24 Parganas district. The Calcutta High Court said that nothing should be said at the rally that may lead to law and order problem in the locality, which is located near Sandeshkhali.

2:25 PM

Lok Sabha polls 2024 LIVE: DMK finalises seat-sharing with allies VCK, MDMK

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu today gave the nod to seat-sharing agreements with allies VCK and MDMK, repeating the 2019 agreement with both parties. Whereas the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) was given two seats, both reserved constituencies, the Vaiko-led MDMK was alloted one. In 2019, MDMK was also given one Rajya Sabha seat.

2:07 PM

"Give your blessings this time to your son," Says Delhi CM Kejriwal at launch of AAP's Lok Sabha campaign

At the launch of AAP's Lok Sabha campaign, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "Identify those who are stopping your work and the development of Delhi, punish them for their wrongdoings this time. Give your blessings this time to your son who always takes care of your family and always protects you from these people." 

12:35 PM

General Elections update: Aam Aadmi Party's launches Lok Sabha poll campaign

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have launched the Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha poll campaign today.

11:24 AM

News update: NCP (SPawar), Congress call move to cut LPG prices as 'Jumla'

The Opposition has slammed the BJP government, calling it another 'jumla' by the central government. Congress MP Manickam Tagore also took a jibe at the government calling the move a 'Jumla'. In a post on X, Tagore said, "On #WomensDay, Modi's Jumla: LPG price slashed by Rs. 100! Now it's Rs. 823... Just a little flashback: In 2014, Dr Singh (Manmohan Singh) gave a subsidy of Rs 600 and the price was 641 Rs."

11:16 AM

Lok Sabha polls updates: Rahul Gandhi resumes Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, heads towards Gujarat's Panchmahal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday resumed his journey from Dahod town and headed towards Godhra in the adjoining Panchmahal district. Rahul Gandhi's yatra entered the state from Rajasthan on Thursday. After addressing people at Jhalod town of Dahod District, he stayed overnight at a village in the area.

10:17 AM

Lok Sabha elections 2024 news: Chandrababu Naidu meets Amit Shah

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold talks on a tie-up between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the regional TDP for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh. These elections are scheduled to be held simultaneously in the state.

10:03 AM

Lok Sabha elections LIVE: Out of 20, Congress to contest on 16 seats in Kerala

Kerala Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan has stated that the Congress would be competing in 16 out of the state's 20 Lok sabha seats.  His statement came after the Congress Central Election Committee convened in Kerala.

9:50 AM

Congress' first Lok Sabha candidates list expected to be out today: Report

India Today reported that  the first list is expected to released on Friday. The Congress's central poll body held a meeting on Thursday to finalise its first list of candidates for the forthcoming General Elections. However, the list was not released on the same day.