Page 40 - Lok Sabha Elections

SP, Cong turned Purvanchal into region of mafia, poverty, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of neglecting Purvanchal and turning it into a "region of mafia, poverty and helplessness". Addressing a public meeting in Ghosi here, the PM claimed the Congress declared educational establishments as minority institutions and gave reservation to Muslims there. The INDIA bloc wants to turn the majority community into the country's second-class citizens, Modi alleged. He also said those associated with the Samajwadi Party kept Purvanchal backward under a conspiracy and the people of the region will continue to punish them for this. "The families of SP and Congress had their dynastic mindset turn Purvanchal into a region of mafia, poverty and helplessness," he said. "The people associated with the INDI Alliance who set fire to your houses, encroached on land, who emboldened rioters, who shed tears for the mafia, such people should not be allowed to set foot in Purvanchal," said the PM. The rally in Gho

PM couldn't give Rs 9,000 cr for Himachal monsoon disaster, says Rahul

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waived loans worth Rs 16 lakh-crore of 22 people in the last 10 years but could not give Rs 9,000 crore to deal with the disaster caused by monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh last year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday. Rather than helping the hilly state, Modi made an attempt to "steal" the state's elected government, Gandhi said. His statement came days after PM Modi alleged wrongful distribution of Central flood aids by the Congress government in the state and promised action. Addressing an election rally at Nahan in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district in support of Congress candidate from Shimla (SC) Parliamentary constituency Vinod Sultanpuri, he said Modi handed over all storage facilities to one person to control the prices of apple. The share prices of Adani-owned companies rise whenever Narendra Modi is sworn in, Gandhi claimed. In his speech, Gandhi promised Minimum Support Price on crops and farm loan-waiver if his party comes to

LS polls: SC to hear on Monday BJP's plea against Calcutta HC order on ads

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea filed by the BJP challenging a Calcutta High Court order that had refused to interfere with a single-judge verdict restraining the party from issuing advertisements that are allegedly "violative" of the Model Code of Conduct during the Lok Sabha polls. According to the cause list of May 27 uploaded on the apex court website, a vacation bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and K V Viswanathan is scheduled to hear the plea. On May 22, a division bench of the high court had said it was not inclined to entertain the appeal against the interim order passed by the single-judge bench. The single-judge bench on May 20 had restrained the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from publishing advertisements that violated the MCC until June 4, the day the Lok Sabha poll results are scheduled to be declared. The court had also restrained the saffron party from publishing the advertisements mentioned by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal

LS polls: BJP candidate arrested for allegedly vandalising EVM in Odisha

A BJP candidate was arrested in Odisha's Khurda district for allegedly vandalising an EVM as he had to wait in queue for a long to cast his vote because the machine malfunctioned, officials said on Sunday. Prashant Jagdev, the BJP MLA of Chilika, has been fielded this time from the Khurda assembly segment. The incident happened on Saturday at booth 114 in Bolagad block's Kaunripatna in the Begunia assembly segment where he is registered as a voter. Jagdev went to the booth along with his wife, but as the EVM malfunctioned, he had to wait for some time to cast his vote. Soon, a war of words broke out between him and the presiding officer, amid which he allegedly pulled the EVM from the table, as a result of which it fell and broke, officials said. Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said the MLA was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by the presiding officer. A court later sent him to judicial custody, and at present, he is lodged at the Khurda jail, officials said. Bes

Fadnavis, Shah tried to work for Gadkari's defeat in LS polls, says Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis worked for Nitin Gadkari's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Raut alleged that Fadnavis had unwillingly campaigned for Gadkari, who contested from the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, when he realised the Union minister couldn't be defeated. Nagpur is the hometown of both BJP leaders. "Modi, Shah and Fadnavis worked for Gadkari's defeat in Nagpur. Fadnavis unwillingly joined the campaign for Gadkari when he realised he couldn't be defeated. The RSS people in Nagpur are openly saying Fadnavis helped the opposition to get Gadkari defeated," he wrote in an article in his party's mouthpiece "Saamna". The Sena (UBT) leader alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had distributed Rs 25-30 crore in every constituency, and his machinery worked to defeat candidates of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. Taking a potshot at Yogi Adityanath,

Naxal problem in country will be over in next 2-3 years, says HM Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the Naxal problem in the country will end in the next two-to-three years, and except for a small pocket in Chhattisgarh the whole country is now free from the menace. In an interview with PTI late Saturday, Shah also said that there is no presence of the Maoists in the so-called Naxal corridor from Pashupatinath to Tirupati. "Naxals were eliminated from all over the country. Once some people used to say about the Naxal corridor from Pashupatinath to Tirupati. Now, Jharkhand is completely free from Naxals. Bihar is completely free. Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are also completely free. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are also free," he said. Shah said the Naxals were still operating in some pockets of Chhattisgarh and could not be eliminated there so far as there was a Congress government in the state in the last five years. He said since a BJP government has assumed power in the state five months ago, work to free Chhattisgarh from the

Oppn will change Constitution, give reservation to Muslims, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday branded the opposition INDIA bloc as communal and casteist, and claimed they have decided to change the Constitution to give reservation to Muslims. While the SP-Congress is dedicated to vote bank, Modi is dedicated to rights of backwards and the poor, he said addressing a poll meeting here in support of NDA alliance partner Apna Dal's candidate from Mirzapur Lok Sabha seat Anupriya Patel and Robertsganj Lok Sabha seat Rinki Kol. "People of the country have identified the people of 'INDI alliance'. These people are staunch communal, casteist and dynast (parivar wadi). Whenever their government is formed they take decision on this basis," he said. He also accused the Samajwadi Party of neglecting the talent of people of the Yadav community and giving ticket to only family members of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Probe agencies acting at his behest, Sibal slams PM Modi for jail barb

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his veiled 'jail' swipe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and claimed that this was a "confession" that probe agencies were acting at the PM's behest. Sibal also slammed Modi for his 'mujra' remark and said that even though this was a violation of the model code of conduct but no one, including the Election Commission, will act as they are "hand in glove" with the PM. The prime minister has stated in his speeches that the INDIA bloc will take away water taps, electricity, money from banks and also taken "mujra" jibe, the former Union minister said at a press conference here. "He is sitting in a high office that has dignity. If you reduce the dignity of the PM's post to such a level, look at what is being said on social media. It is an insult to women also," Sibal said, hitting out at the PM for his 'mujra' remark. "What do you want to say? You are insulting women, you are insulting opposition leaders. If y

J-K polls success of Modi govt's policy, next step statehood, says HM Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Modi government's Kashmir policy has been vindicated by the successful polling in Jammu and Kashmir, where even separatists have voted overwhelmingly, as he assured that the assembly elections in the region will be held before September 30. Once the elections are over, the government will start the process of restoring statehood to the Union Territory, Shah said in an interview to PTI late Saturday. I have said in Parliament that we will give the statehood after the assembly elections, he said, adding that everything is going according to plan, such as the surveys of the backward classes and delimitation exercise of the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies. We have completed the delimitation process. Because the reservation can be given only after the delimitation process is completed. Because we have to know about the status of various castes (to give reservation). That has been done. Lok Sabha election is also over (in Jammu and ...

LS polls: Badal bahu Harsimrat fights for 4th term from Bathinda seat

Three-time MP and Akali leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal speaks about bringing AIIMS, a central university, and other projects as some of her achievements as she braces for a multi-cornered electoral bout to get elected from the Bathinda parliamentary constituency for the fourth time in a row. She also invokes her late father-in-law and five-time Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, reminding voters that he used to remain among the public to address their issues. The Bathinda parliamentary constituency, which goes to polls on June 1, is considered a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal with its candidate Harsimrat, the wife of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, winning this seat since 2009. The 2024 Lok Sabha election is going to be a litmus test for Harsimrat, who seeks to retain the Bathinda seat as her political rivals are trying to breach SAD's fortress. This time the BJP, which used to be an ally of the SAD, has also fielded its candidate from the Bathinda parliamentary ...

Markets may witness gradual up-move ahead of LS poll results: Analysts

Equity markets may witness a gradual up-move this week with some volatility as both election and earnings season are nearing their end, analysts said, adding that global trends and trading activity of foreign investors would hold significance in dictating investors' sentiment. Benchmark indices, which had a record-breaking rally last week, would also track global oil benchmark Brent crude and the rupee-dollar trend. The monthly derivatives expiry on Thursday may also fuel volatility in markets. "We have reached the final curtain for the Q4 earnings season. Many companies, including names like Tata Steel, will release their financial results this week. Positive earnings from the final quarter could provide strength to the market to continue its bullish momentum. "We are very close to the Lok Sabha election results, and the election verdict will give a boost to FII flows," said Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst, Swastika Investmart Ltd. The results of the ongoing general electi

People have seen 'changing India' under PM Modi's leadership: UP CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said people have seen a "changing India" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and added that there is a "huge difference" between the India before 2014 and the India of 2024. CM Adityanath said that before 2014, there was "mistrust and identity crisis" but now the world looks at India with respect. Wherever Prime Minister Modi goes in the world, the entire country comes out to welcome him, he said. Addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate from Ghazipur Parasnath Rai, in which Prime Minister Modi was also present, Adityanath appealed to people to include Ghazipur too in 'iss baar 400-paar'. Adityanath said that all the parties of the INDIA bloc, including the Congress, SP, and RJD are scared because they never dreamt of fighting on 400 seats. Whereas the BJP is moving towards achieving this goal due to the contributions made to the country under the leadership of PM Modi with people's blessings. The UP .

INDIA bloc standing together in looting reservation of SC, ST, OBC: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday vowed to staunchly defend the reservation for ST, SC and OBC categories against any attempt by the INDIA bloc parties "to snatch it away" and give it to Muslims. "I will not allow this game to be played on the basis of religion. Modi is the watchman of the rights of the deprived people ('vanchito kaa jo adhikaar hai, Modi usskaa chowkidaar hai')," the prime minister said at an election rally in Ghazipur. Hitting out at the INDIA bloc parties, Modi accused them of being "extremely communal, casteist and dynastic". "They have always stopped Dalits and backwards in the country from moving ahead. Who insulted Babasaheb (B R Ambedkar)? Who hatched a conspiracy to defeat him in the election? It was the Congress. Who did not allow Babasaheb to get Bharat Ratna? The Congress party," he said. Modi said the opposition parties insulted former president Ram Nath Kovind, "son of a Dalit", and got together against Droupadi Murmu, a tribal, in the ...

LS polls: MLA breaks EVM, attacks polling officer inside booth in Odisha

A sitting MLA and BJP candidate allegedly broke an EVM and attacked a polling officer inside a booth during voting in Odisha which recorded a voter turnout of over 60.97 per cent in six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly segments, officials said. Two persons - a woman polling officer and a polling agent - died during voting in different booths in Barabati-Cuttack and Hindol assembly segments. An elderly woman voter who fell ill inside a polling booth in Nayagarh assembly seat died in a hospital, officials said. BJP's Khurda assembly segment candidate Prasant Jagdev, who is the sitting MLA of Chilika, was detained for allegedly barging into the booth along with his followers, breaking an EVM and assaulting a polling officer injuring him seriously. Officials said the incident followed an altercation inside a booth in Begunia assembly segment, where he had gone to cast his vote. Jagdev, who joined BJP after being expelled from BJD, later staged a dharna in a police station against his ..

Highlights of the day: Highest temperature in Raj was recorded in Phalodi at 50 degrees C on May 25

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Swati Maliwal assault case: Kejriwal's aide Bibhav moves court for bail

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's close aide Bibhav Kumar who is accused of assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal, has moved a bail plea at a court, which has sought a response from Delhi Police, sources said. Kumar's counsels moved the plea after he was sent to four days of judicial custody on Friday, court sources said and added that the plea is listed for hearing on Monday. Rajya Sabha MP Maliwal has alleged that she was assaulted by Kejriwal's personal assistant Kumar when she had gone to meet the CM at his residence on May 13. Kumar had been in police custody after being arrested on May 18. His anticipatory bail plea filed last Saturday was observed as becoming "infructuous" by the court. Delhi Police has claimed that Kumar was not cooperating in the investigation, was evasive in his replies and has not disclosed his mobile phone password.

LS polls: Priyanka Gandhi, Dimple Yadav hold joint roadshow in Varanasi

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party's sitting MP from Mainpuri Dimple Yadav on Saturday held a roadshow in Varanasi in support of INDIA bloc candidate Ajay Rai. The roadshow continued for about four kilometers from Durgakund to Ravidas Temple. "SP MP Smt. Dimple Yadav ji and Congress National General Secretary Smt. Priyanka Gandhi ji took blessings by offering prayers at the Kal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi," the Samajwadi Party said in a post on X. Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X at the beginning of the roadshow, "Roadshow in Kashi, the city of Devadidev Mahadev Lord Shiva." She further wrote, "INDIA storm in Varanasi. INDIA will win." Priyanka Gandhi and Dimple Yadav reached the court of Baba Shri Kaal Bhairav directly from Babatpur airport. After darshan and worship there, they began the roadshow by worshipping Kushmanda Mata located in Durgakund. During the roadshow, both leaders stopped at various places and sought support from the public for the I

LS elections: EVM related complaints from some polling stations in Delhi

Complaints related to electronic voting machines came from some polling stations on Saturday as people in Delhi voted in the seven Lok Sabha constituencies. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat said she came to vote, but the officials said that the EVM battery was down and she had to wait for half an hour. "I came to vote and they are saying that the battery was down. I have written a complaint. What kind of arrangements have they made? People have been waiting here in the heat for so long," she said. A senior election officer said that technical engineers were asked to look into the matter. "We received information about technical snag from two EVMs. Technical engineers were asked to look into the matter and sort out the problem immediately," the officer said. Mohammad Aslam, a resident of Seelampur, said that the EVM machine at Chauhan Banger polling booth was not functioning. "One of the voting machines inside the school was not

LS polls: INDIA bloc performing 'mujra' for its vote bank, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday vowed to thwart alleged attempts to rob Dalits and backward classes of reservations by the INDIA bloc which he accused of enslavement and performing mujra for Muslim vote bank. The PM launched the blistering attack at a rally here in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency, about 40 kms from Patna, where he also blamed parties like RJD and Congress for SCs, STs and OBCs "being deprived of quotas" in minority institutions. Bihar is the land which has given a new direction to the fight for social justice. I wish to declare on its soil that I will foil the plans of INDIA bloc to rob SCs, STs and OBCs of their rights and divert these to Muslims. They may remain enslaved and perform 'mujra' to please their vote bank, said the PM. He also alleged that the opposition alliance was banking on the support of those who were indulging in vote jihad and referred to the Calcutta High Court order, striking down the West Bengal government's decision to includ

LS polls phase 6: 59.06% voter turnout; highest in WB, lowest in J&K

An approximate voter turnout of 59.06 per cent was recorded in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday in 58 constituencies across six states and two Union territories with the polling percentage in the Jangal Mahal region of West Bengal touching 78.19. Incidents of minor clashes and protests were reported from West Bengal while there were instances of EVM malfunctioning at some places, including Delhi. Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 62.74 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 54.03 per cent, Bihar 53.30 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 52.28 per cent, Haryana 58.37 per cent, Odisha 60.07 and Delhi 54.48 per cent, according to the figures released by the Election Commission (EC) as of 7.45 pm. The EC said polling percentage in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir is the highest in many decades. With the conclusion of this phase, polling is now complete in 486 seats in 28 states and Union territories. The last of the seven phases of polling is scheduled on June 1 and counting