Page 49 - Lok Sabha Elections

LS polls: INDIA bloc approaching victory with each phase, says CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said with the completion of each phase of the Lok Sabha polls, it is becoming clearer that the Narendra Modi government is on its way out and the INDIA bloc is coming to power on June 4. Addressing a virtual press conference, Kejriwal said the INDIA bloc will give a stable government to the country. "With each passing poll phase, it is becoming clearer that the Modi government is on its way out and tge INDIA bloc will come to power on June 4," he said. The chief minister claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath abused him in their poll rallies held in Delhi on Monday. Attacking Shah, he said, "You have been chosen by the prime minister as your heir, so you are showing arrogance. You have not become the prime minister yet." "You said Kejriwal has no support in India and has more supporters in Pakistan. You can abuse me but do not curse the people of the country. If you curse the publi

'Amit Shah won't be next PM': Kejriwal reverses his prediction. Here's why

In his press conference, Kejriwal targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his rally in Delhi on Monday, criticising him for labelling AAP supporters as 'Pakistani'

Compliments to Baramulla voters for their commitment to democracy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the people of Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency as it recorded its highest-ever voter turnout, and said such active participation is a great trend. The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which was once militancy-infested, recorded its highest-ever voter turnout at 59 per cent on a violence-free polling day on Monday. Polling stations in Baramulla were buzzing with energy as voters in large numbers thronged to exercise their right to vote. "Compliments to my sisters and brothers of Baramulla for their unbreakable commitment to democratic values. Such active participation is a great trend," Modi said in a post on X. Modi's remarks came in response to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha's post, saying, "High voter turnout, over 58% in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, is very encouraging and shows the people's determination and unwavering faith in democracy. I congratulate and thank the people of Baramulla for joining

LS polls: INDIA bloc confident of stopping BJP from majority, says Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asserted that the response of the people towards his party and INDIA bloc has changed significantly and there is a big undercurrent in favour of the alliance which will be able to stop the BJP from getting the majority numbers in Lok Sabha polls. In an interview with PTI, he said it is the people who are now fighting for them and against the ideology of the BJP and the RSS which spreads "hatred and division" in society. The Congress chief said people feel the fight is now to save democracy and the Constitution and have extended support to the party. Kharge also accused the BJP of repeatedly instigating people and "emotionally looting" them in the name of Ram Temple, Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan and claimed they have now understood their true colours. "After travelling across the country, we are getting the sense that there is a big undercurrent in our favour. The Congress party and coalition partners of INDIA bloc will get more se

Why did BJP issue show cause notice to its former minister Jayant Sinha?

Lok Sabha elections: The party accused its veteran leader and sitting MP from Hazaribagh Jayant Sinha of tarnishing the party's image by not casting his vote

LS polls: PM's Kashi rally; Baramulla logs best turnout in 35 yrs. Updates

Lok Sabha polls" Modi will visit UP's Varanasi today, his parliamentary constituency, ahead of polling there on June 1; a row has erupted in Maharashtra over low voter turnout and all latest updates

Sell smallcap, midcap stocks; markets will offer buy-on-dip opportunities: UBS

Among sectors, UBS prefers domestic-linked sectors such as automobiles, consumer durables, industrials / infrastructure, utilities, and real estate

BJP insulting nation builders, trying to disprove history: Congress

Congress candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Lok Sabha seat Anand Sharma on Monday accused the BJP of trying to disprove history and insulting the nation builders as he asserted that Manmohan Singh left a strong India and a stout economy in 2014. At an election rally in Churah of Chamba district, he also lashed at the BJP-led Centre for its "step brotherly treatment" towards the hill state during last year's monsoon disaster. All states are given relief package by the Centre from the National Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of a calamity but Himachal Pradesh was deprived of it as the people voted for the Congress in the assembly polls, Sharma claimed. "The BJP is extolling the 10 years the Narendra Modi government as 'Amrit Kaal' but it was 10 years of 'anyay' (injustice), the senior Congress leader said as he called upon people to vote for his party "to bring back the era of justice". Addressing the rally, he said, "Independent India's journey did not commence in May 2014 as

Violence mars fifth phase of polls in Bengal, 73% voter turnout till 5 pm

Scattered incidents of violence marred the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls to seven parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal, with 73 per cent of the 1.25 crore voters exercising their franchise till 5 pm on Monday, officials said. Voter turnout was lesser than the previous four phases, and also in comparison to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The final voter turnout for this election, however, will be released later. "Polling was more or less peaceful, barring a few scattered incidents of violence in some constituencies. But we took immediate steps to address those," state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab told PTI. Although no major incident was reported, scattered disturbances could not be averted despite the poll body deploying over 60,000 personnel of central forces, in addition to around 30,000 policemen, the highest number of security forces deployed in any of the phases so far in the state, the official said, adding a total of 1,992 complaints were received. Arambagh Lok

Best of BS Opinion: Tweaking the inflation targeting mandate & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

2024 Lok Sabha elections: It's a battle of the scions in Allahabad

Over the years, Allahabad has elected Purushottam Das Tandon, Lal Bahadur Shastri, V P Singh, Janeshwar Mishra, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, and Murli Manohar Joshi

Battleground 2024: Women share their struggle and hope in Haryana

As Haryana gears up for elections on 25th May, women's issues, the treatment of the women wrestlers and farmer protests weigh heavily on the minds of the voter

Battleground 2024: Of four parties and Amritpal in Punjab's Khadoor Sahib

Many parties, especially the SAD, believe that Amritpal contesting would cut their votes

5th phase of Lok Sabha polling: J&K's Baramulla beats key urban centres

At 42 per cent, Kalyan in Maharashtra registered the worst voter turnout among all 49 seats

Our track record in creating jobs better than previous govts: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government's track record in creating job opportunities for youth is best compared to previous governments, as support to emerging sectors like space, semiconductor manufacturing and EVs as well as aid to startups, substantial spend on infrastructure and PLI schemes helped create more employment. Addressing criticism of not creating enough jobs in the economy, Modi in an interview with PTI said his government has worked with "a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to bring the best opportunities that the world has to offer at India's doorstep". "Our track record in creating more and more opportunities for our youth as compared to previous governments has been the best," he said. Listing out the initiatives that created more employment, he said a large number of recruitments have been done in government sector. "Lakhs of letters were given for recruitment in the central government offices in the last one year alone." To complement this, the ..

Lok Sabha elections: Fifth phase of polls records over 59% voter turnout

In the corresponding phase in the 2019 polls, the turnout was registered at 64.16 per cent when 51 seats across seven states went to polls

LS polls highlights: Biggest allegation I have faced is owning 250 pairs of clothes, says PM Modi

From the elections in 49 LS seats to Rahul Gandhi's warning to poll officials to abide by their oath to the constitution, catch all the latest election news here

Infra visions in manifestos

What is said, or left unsaid, reveals insights on the infra-agenda of political parties

LS polls: Inducements worth Rs 8,889 crore seized; drugs contribute 45%

Authorities have seized cash, drugs and inducements worth Rs 8,889 crore that aimed to influence voters in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission said on Saturday. At 45 per cent, drugs formed the biggest chunk of the total seizures. Narcotics worth around Rs 3,959 crore were seized, it said. Drugs, liquor, precious metals, freebies and cash influence elections in varying degrees, some flowing directly as inducements while others through reduced levels of circulation of money, the poll authority said. The commission said it has laid special emphasis on the seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Analysis of data found that states and Union Territories that used to be transit zones are increasingly becoming consumption territories of drugs, it said. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, Narcotics Control Bureau and the Indian Coast Guard in joint operations have made three high-value seizures of drugs in just three days, amounting to Rs 892 crore, the poll panel

My Adani-Ambani remark validated by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the battle against corruption is a serious one and the probe agencies must be allowed to do their work without interference. In an interview with PTI, he also asserted that his 'Adani-Ambani' remark has been validated by senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury when he "admitted" that he will not speak against Adani-Ambani if they send "tempo-loads of money". Prime Minister Modi had on May 8 for the first time during the Lok Sabha elections accused the Congress of having a nexus with "Ambani and Adani", and asked if the party has received "tempo loads of black money" from the two businessmen for its leader Rahul Gandhi to stop "abusing" them. Asked about the remark which had taken people by surprise, Modi told PTI, "For the past few years, the main campaign plank of Congress' 'shehzada' (prince) had been singing the same tune about two people. And suddenly, as the election began, the main campaign plank has shifted. Why this sudden ...