Page 65 - Lok Sabha Elections

Phase four: Voting on May 13 for 96 LS seats; 175 Assembly seats in Andhra

The electoral fate of several prominent candidates like Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Union minister Giriraj Singh, TMC's firebrand leader Mohua Moitra and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi will be decided on Monday when polling will be held in 96 Lok Sabha constituencies across 10 states and Union Territories in the fourth phase of the general elections. Voting will simultaneously be held in all 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, which is witnessing a triangular contest involving ruling YSRC, the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the NDA, comprising the BJP, Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP and Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena Party (JSP). As many as 28 legislative assembly seats of Odisha are also going to polls in this phase. A total of 1,717 candidates are in the fray in the Lok Sabha seats and more than 19 lakh polling officials have been deployed at 1.92 lakh polling stations for the over 17.70 crore eligible voters, including 8.73 women, in this round of the seven-phase polls. Among the keen

Congress will do 'X-ray' of country through caste census: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying while the BJP has been "counting the notes" it got from "tempo wale billionaires", his party will conduct a caste census to ensure equality. The former Congress president was reacting to Modi's remarks on the Congress receiving cash loaded in tempos from Adani and Ambani. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "They have been 'counting notes' they got from 'tempo wale billionaires' for the last 10 years. We will X-ray the country through 'caste census' and ensure equitable share for every section". He also shared a party advertisement which takes on the government over the caste census issue. Gandhi and other Congress leaders have said the PM should order a CBI or ED probe into whether Adani and Ambani had sent them black money. The Congress has also asked the prime minister to share his views on a socio-economic census. The party in its manifesto has promised to conduct a nation-wide socio-economic and ca

TMC threatening women in Sandeshkhali to protect culprits, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed the "vote bank" politics of the Trinamool Congress and alleged that the party's goons are threatening the tormented women of Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders have surfaced, to protect the culprits. While addressing an election rally at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district, Modi alleged that under the TMC rule, Hindus have turned into second-class citizens in the state and asserted that as long as Modi is there, no one can repeal the CAA law. All of us have seen what the TMC has done with the sisters and mothers of Sandeshkhali. The TMC goons are now threatening the women in Sandeshkhali as the name of the main culprit is Shajahan Sheikh. TMC is doing everything to protect the culprits of Sandeshkhali, he said. His remarks come in the backdrop of multiple purported videos surfacing on social media, which claimed that a local BJP party leader made several women of Sandeshkhali sign on blank papers .

PM lying about Sandeshkhali, but mum on allegation against Guv: Mamata

Claiming that PM Narendra Modi was continuing to "peddle lies" about Sandeshkhali, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday questioned why he was maintaining a stoic silence on the allegations of molestation against Governor CV Ananda Bose and not asking him to resign. Addressing an election rally in North 24 Parganas' Amdanga, which is a part of the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, Banerjee said the PM should be ashamed that "BJP's conspiracy" about Sandeshkhali has become public. "The PM is still peddling lies about Sandeshkhali. He should be ashamed as the BJP's conspiracy has now become public," Banerjee said, apparently referring to a purported video in which a local BJP leader was heard saying that over 70 women had received Rs 2,000 each for taking part in protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh who is accused of sexual assault and land grab. In an earlier clip, a man resembling BJP's Sandeshkhali mandal president Gangadhar Kayal was heard saying that t

Constitution is our life-giver, vote to ensure its safety, says Yadav

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday termed the Constitution as a "life-giver" and said as long as the Constitution remains safe, "our honour, self-respect and rights will remain safe." In a post on X in Hindi, Yadav, said, "The way the people of Bahujan Samaj are continuously coming forward to support us after our direct appeal has given new strength to our fight against the BJP in saving the Constitution and reservation." "People are contacting Samajwadi Party workers and our 'Babasaheb Vahini' across the state and extending their support," he said. The Babasaheb Vahini is an SP-affiliated outfit named after Dalit icon B R Ambedkar. Yadav added in his post, "With the people of Bahujan Samaj joining us, there is a new enthusiasm in our struggle for social justice. It seems that our strength has increased manifold. We are repeating again that the Constitution is the life-giver ('samvidhaan hee sanjeevani hai'). As long as the Constitution remains safe, our honour, .

Lok Sabha polls: Rahul can be scared of atom bomb, BJP is not, says Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can be scared of "atom bomb" but the BJP is not, and that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir belongs to India and "we will take it". He was referring to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks on Pakistan having an atom bomb. Addressing an election rally in Pratapgarh in support of BJP candidate from Kaushambi (SC) Lok Sabha seat, Shah said, "Rahul baba, if you want to be scared of the atom bomb, then be scared, we are not scared. Pakistan occupied Kashmir belongs to India and we will take it." In a video which had gone viral, Aiyar was heard saying that India should give respect to Pakistan as it is a sovereign nation and engage with it as it also possesses an atom bomb. He indicated in the video that if a "mad person" comes to power there and uses the atomic bomb, it will not be good and will have its effect here too. As the remarks triggered a row, the Congress had said it totally disagreed with the remarks m

LS polls: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal announces 'Kejriwal ki Guarantee'

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced "Kejriwal ki Guarantee", listing 10 works that will be done on war-footing, including to "free" Indian land from Chinese occupation, if the INDIA bloc forms government at the Centre. The opposition bloc, which has parties such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam among others as its members, was formed to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha polls. A day after his release from jail on interim bail, Kejriwal on Saturday said the INDIA bloc will form next the government and his AAP will be part of it. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the AAP leader said people will have to choose between "Modi ki Guarantee" and "Kejriwal ki guarantee". The latter is a "brand", Kejriwal said. On the announcement of his gurantees, Kejriwal said, "I have not discussed with my INDIA bloc partners about this. I will press upon my INDIA bloc ..

Hope PM's 33% women's quota will aid Priyanka in future, says Thakur

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Anurag Thakur took a swipe at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for not contesting Lok Sabha elections, saying she could possibly benefit from the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make her electoral debut. In an interview with PTI, Thakur also taunted Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra for failing to secure a Congress ticket for himself. The Union minister said Gandhi family members were welcome in active politics and Congress should in fact work hard because the country wants a strong opposition in a parliamentary democracy. Attacking Rahul Gandhi for abandoning his old Amethi seat, Thakur said the former Congress chief had "run away" to neighbouring Rae Bareli which his mother Sonia Gandhi represented in the outgoing Lok Sabha. Asked if the BJP considers Priyanka Gandhi a formidable rival since it has dubbed Rahul Gandhi as "non serious", the minister said that was for the people to decide. "W

PM Modi's roadshow will enthuse party workers in Bihar: Dy CM Chaudhary

Bihar BJP President and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Patna on Sunday will enthuse party workers and motivate them to ensure victory of NDA nominees in all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Talking to PTI on Sunday, Chaudhary said, "People of Patna are fully prepared to give a grand welcome to Modi Ji. It will be the first roadshow in Patna by any PM. This roadshow will certainly enthuse party workers and motivate them to ensure victory to NDA nominees in all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state." The Bihar DyCM, said, "Our PM thinks for the overall development of the country and also for the welfare of the general public, including weaker sections of the society. The NDA government under the leadership of Modi Ji has launched several welfare schemes for the poor and weaker sections of the society. PM does not think for himself. He is a 'fakir' and will always remain a fakir." Meanwhile, foolproof security arrangements are in place

LS polls: 'Black days' ahead if Modi govt is not defeated, claims Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the country will see "black days" if the Modi government is not defeated. Speaking about the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Thackeray, in an interview to his party mouthpiece 'Saamana' which appeared in its Sunday edition, said the people of India will decide the future of their leaders. "The future of the country will be peaceful and democracy will thrive if the present government is defeated...else the country will see black days. Acche din (good days) never came, but black days will..," he claimed. The former Maharashtra chief minister also alleged that protection of the corrupt is the "Modi guarantee". All other political parties and the country are being cleansed of the corrupt people since the BJP has assured protection to them with their induction into its fold, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed. "The BJP is inducting all corrupt people like a vacuum cleaner which sucks all dust and dirt. Congress, Shiv Sena and the entire .

Andhra Pradesh set to go for 25 LS seats, Assembly polls in single phase

After an intense campaign marked by fervent speeches from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and several other prominent leaders across political parties, the stage is set for polling on Monday to elect the 175- member AP assembly and also 25 Lok Sabha seats from the state. YSRCP president Jagan (Pulivendula), TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu (Kuppam) and Janasena chief and actor Pawan Kalyan (Pithapuram), among others, are in the Assembly poll race. AP Congress president and Jagan's sister YS Sharmila (Kadapa) and BJP state chief Purandeswari (Rajamahendravaram), among others, are in Lok Sabha poll fray. The YSRCP is contesting in all 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments in the state. As part of a seat sharing deal among NDA partners, the TDP was allocated 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies while the BJP will contest from six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats. The Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and

SC to hear former CM Hemant Soren's plea against ED arrest on May 13

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and former chief minister Hemant Soren challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will hear the plea of Soren in which he has challenged the May 3 order of the Jharkhand High Court dismissing his petition against the arrest. Soren had also sought interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections till the court delivers its verdict on his plea against arrest. On May 10, the top court had disposed of Soren's plea seeking a direction to the high court to deliver its verdict on his petition challenging his arrest by the ED in a money laundering case. The court had observed that the petition of Soren has become infructuous as the high court has delivered its judgement on May 3 and the JMM leader has already challenged the same in the apex court. "This has become ...

FPIs withdraw Rs 17,000 cr from equities in May over political uncertainty

Foreign investors pulled out a massive Rs 17,000 crore from Indian equities in the first 10 days of the month owing to general election and the uncertainty surrounding its outcome coupled with expensive valuations and profit booking. This was way higher than a net withdrawal of Rs 8,700 crore in the entire April on concerns over a tweak in India's tax treaty with Mauritius and a sustained rise in US bond yields. Before that, FPIs made a net investment of Rs 35,098 crore in March and Rs 1,539 crore in February. Looking ahead, post-general elections, corporate India's strong financial performance in Q4 FY24 is anticipated to be rewarded. While FPIs may adopt a cautious stance until the election results are clear, favourable outcomes and established political stability could see their return in significant numbers, Trivesh D, COO at Tradejini, said. According to the data with the depositories, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) experienced a net outflow of Rs 17,083 crore in equities

Haryana crisis: Trust vote looms over Saini govt; what numbers say. Updates

The BJP govt in Haryana led by Nayab Saini is short of two MLAs in the 90-member assembly after three Independent MLAs withdrew their support to the govt

Lok Sabha polls: SC grants interim bail to Kejriwal in liquor policy case

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam investigation

Kejriwal gets bail till June 1: Timeline of Delhi liquor policy case events

Arvind Kejriwal was granted an interim bail till June 1 in the Delhi liquor policy case by the Supreme Court in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country

Kejriwal gets interim relief from SC: 5 bail conditions imposed on Delhi CM

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered AAP leader to be released from Tihar jail till June 1 to carry out election campaigns for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls

LS polls: Kejriwal hits Delhi streets, RaGa 'ready' to debate PM. Updates

The ongoing Lok Sabha elections have gained momentum following the release of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal from Tihar jail on Friday. Here are major election updates for May 11

WATCH: Kejriwal, wife Sunita offer prayers at Delhi temple after SC relief

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar jail on Friday after the Supreme Court granted him an interim relief till June 1 to conduct Lok Sabha election campaigns for his party

Kejriwal lashes out at Modi, accuses him of "torturing" AAP, its leaders

Arvind Kejriwal holds his first press conference in Delhi after walking out of Tihar jail, accuses Modi of "orchestrating a political conspiracy" against him and topple his government