Page 54 - Lok Sabha

Polls contest between vote for development and 'vote for jihad': Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the 2024 election is Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi and that it is a contest between vote for development and "vote for jihad". Addressing an election rally in Bhongir Lok Sabha constituency of Telangana, he said the election is between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Bharatiya guarantee" against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "Chinese guarantee". Describing the Congress, BRS and AIMIM as a triangle of appeasement, he said the parties don't let Ram Navami procession to take place and that they also oppose CAA. "These people don't allow the celebration of 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' (September 17). These people oppose CAA. These people want to run Telangana on the basis of Sharia and Quran," he said.

LS polls: Will end drain of wealth from poor to crony corporates, says Cong

The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of aiding "drain of wealth" from ordinary Indians to crony corporates, and said it will end this practice if it comes to power at the Centre. The Congress attack came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Rahul Gandhi had stopped "abusing" Adani and Ambani and whether his party received money from them in return. "On June 4, as the Congress-led government takes power, we will rapidly accelerate economic growth while ensuring that ordinary Indian families are the biggest beneficiaries. We will end the 'drain of wealth' from Indian families to crony corporates," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a statement. "The 'Hum Do Hamare Do' effect: Net household savings fell by 9 lakh crores in the last three years. Real household savings are at their lowest since 2014. PM Modi has overseen a 'drain of wealth' - from Bharat ke Parivar to Modi ka Parivar," Ramesh also said in a post on X, while sharing his ...

LS polls: INDIA bloc leaders to meet EC over voter turnout, other issues

Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc are likely to meet the Election Commission on Friday over their demand to promptly release the absolute voter turnout figures in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls after each phase, sources said. While the sources had earlier said that the meeting was scheduled for Thursday, it was later changed to Friday. The opposition leaders will also raise the issue of alleged "use of religious symbols" by the BJP in its campaign, the sources added. INDIA bloc parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have written to the poll panel separately so far, expressing concern over the alleged "delay" in the release of the voter turnout data in the first two phases. Amid the opposition's allegations, the poll body had asserted that booth-wise data of the "actual number of votes polled" is available to the candidates soon after the voting ends. In a statement issued last week, the EC also said it attaches "due importan

'Corrupt' YSRCP govt in Andhra will be thing of past after Jun 4: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh will be a thing of the past after June 4 as people are fed up with "corruption, cronyism and mafia raj". Modi said this after a roadshow here. "Due to its strong link with Congress culture, YSRCP has only furthered corruption, cronyism and Mafia Raj. Andhra Pradesh is totally fed up of the YSRCP. Come 4th June, their government will be a thing of the past," he said in a post on 'X'. The prime minister said that after travelling across the southern state recently, he was convinced that people were voting for the NDA alliance of the TDP, BJP and the Janasena in large numbers. Women and young voters are propelling this surge of support, he said, calling the roadshow memorable. Modi said the BJP and the TDP have worked together in the past and their alliance was committed to futuristic development, while the active support of the Janasena has further fortified the coalition. He noted that the people

Why are Indian stock markets falling, and is it a good time to buy?

Poll jitters, rich valuations to blame for market's muted May show

'X' takes down Karnataka BJP's animated clip on Muslim quota after EC prod

Social media platform 'X' has taken down an animated video shared by the Karnataka unit of the BJP related to the row over reservation for the Muslim community after an Election Commission direction. The poll panel on Tuesday directed the microblogging site to "immediately" take down the video. In a letter to the nodal officer of 'X', the EC took exception to the non-compliance of the directive of the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer to the social media platform for taking down the video. EC officials on Wednesday said after the fresh directive to 'X', it has taken down the controversial video from its site. The Karnataka Congress had filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of the state, accusing the BJP of promoting enmity and hatred between the Muslim and the SC/ST communities. The complaint pertains to the animated video shared by the Karnataka BJP, which has caricatures of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The cartoon shows th

Deal signed? Why is Shehzada silent on Adani-Ambani, demands Modi

Congress labels BJP 'tempo of corruption', says PM nervous after three phases of polls

LS polls: 695 candidates set to contest across 49 constituencies in Phase 5

A total of 695 candidates are in the fray across 49 constituencies spread over eight states and Union territories in the upcoming fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission (EC) said on Wednesday. The figure emerged after the scrutiny of 1,586 nomination forms filed for the fifth phase of the ongoing polls. Of the nominations, 749 were found to be valid after the deadline for filing papers closed on May 3, according to a statement issued by the EC. The statement said 695 candidates will contest the polls from eight states and Union territories in the fifth phase on May 20. Maharashtra topped the list with 512 nominations, resulting in 301 valid candidates contesting across 13 constituencies, while Uttar Pradesh followed closely with 466 nominations, leading to 147 valid candidates across 14 constituencies. The highest number of nominations in a single constituency was seen in Maharashtra's Chatra, which received 69 candidatures, followed by Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh

People will vote to end BJP's 'dictatorship, atrocities', says Atishi

Delhi Minister Atishi on Wednesday said the public will vote to "end dictatorship and atrocities of the BJP" and to get their Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal out of jail on May 25. Atishi, along with AAP and INDIA bloc candidate from the South Delhi Lok Sabha seat Sahiram Pehalwan, led a 'pad yatra' (foot march) in Govindpuri, Kalkaji, as part of the 'Jail ka Jawab Vote se' campaign. During the march, Atishi said the BJP has forgotten that Kejriwal is not just the chief minister, "he is the son and brother of the people of Delhi." Atishi asserted the BJP has made a "huge mistake" by arresting Delhi's "popular chief minister". Modi ji has arrested one Kejriwal, but today thousands of Kejriwals have come out from every street and 'mohallas' (locality) of Delhi to give a befitting reply. By arresting Shri Arvind Kejriwal, they have written 'the end' of their own dictatorship. On May 25, the public will vote to end the dictatorship and atrocities of the BJP, to get their brother, their

Watch: Congress hits back at PM Modi's 'Adani-Ambani' jibe with this video

Congress releases a 47-second video features five clips of Rahul Gandhi raising questions about Modi's relationship with Adani, with the latest hit dated May 7

Rahul should settle down in Italy after defeat in Raebareli, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing Pakistan's agenda and said the Congress leader would be defeated in Raebareli after which he should settle down in Italy, the only place left for him. Hitting out at the INDIA bloc, he said leaders of opposition parties did not attend the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple as they were afraid of their vote bank and warned that they would put a "Babri" lock at the temple if they came to power. "They might be afraid of their vote bank, we are not. Not only did we get the Ram Temple built, Modi also built the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor that was destroyed by Aurangzeb," he said. "All of you know who comprises their vote bank. Uttar Pradesh will never support those who shy away from Lord Ram's work," the Union minister said. He also claimed that if the opposition wins the elections, crackers will be burst in Pakistan. Accusing the Samajwadi Party (SP) of being a dynastic party, the senior BJP leader said the

Pitroda's racist remarks reflect mindset, attitude of Rahul's mentor: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday lashed out at Congress leader Sam Pitroda for his 'racist' remark, saying it reveals the mindset and attitude of Rahul Gandhi's mentor. Pitroda, the head of the Indian Overseas Congress, had triggered a controversy on Wednesday with his "people of the east look like the Chinese and those of the south look like Africans" remarks. In a post on X, Sitharaman retorted saying, "I am from South India. I look Indian! My team has enthusiastic members from north east India. They look Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian! "But, for the racist who is the mentor of @RahulGandhi we all look African, Chinese, Arab and the White! Thanks for revealing your mindset and your attitude. I.N.D.I alliance's shame!". Pitroda in a podcast interview to a media house had said: "We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look li

Priyanka campaigns for Rahul in Rae Bareli, slams PM for Adani-Ambani jibe

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Adani-Ambani jibe, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday charged that the BJP has a nexus with industrialists and waived their loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore. She also alleged that the entire BJP machinery is engaged in spreading "lies" about Rahul Gandhi. Referring to the prime minister's remarks at a rally in Telangana that the Congress should explain to people why it has stopped raising the 'Ambani-Adani' issue as its 'Shehzada' used to do for the past five years, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Today he (Modi) is saying Rahul does not take the name of Adani, Ambani....He does so every day. He brings their truth in front of you every day". "We say every day that they (BJP) have a nexus with industrialists. You must understand that Prime Minister Modi has waived off Rs 16 lakh crore of big billionaires. Whose money is this? This is not Modi ji's money. That is the country's money," she said at public meetings here while ...

Is PM's promise for Madiga sub quota in Telangana just 'jumla', asks Cong

On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in Telangana, the Congress on Wednesday asked him to clear his stand on the caste census after he promised a sub-quota for the Madiga caste and wondered if that would be another of his "jumlas" (rhetoric). Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also asked where the promised rail coach factory at Kazipet was and why the prime minister failed to deliver the Bayyaram steel plant. "Today's questions for the PM as he heads to Telangana: Where is the rail coach factory at Kazipet? Why did the PM fail to deliver the Bayyaram Steel Plant and ITIR? In the absence of a Census or a Caste Census, is the PM's promise for a Madiga sub-quota just a jumla?," he asked in a post on X. Ramesh claimed that the prime minister has recently started paying lip service to the cause of the Madiga community and their long-pending demand for a sub-quota. "However, the best he can promise is a 'panel' to look into the demand, which appears to have not ...

'Akash' grounded: BSP chief Mayawati clips wings of heir apparent

On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 that year, Mayawati first appointed her brother Anand Kumar as the party's national vice president

After 3rd phase of polls, INDIA bloc fuse blown off: PM Modi in T'gana

After the third phase of general elections in the country, the third fuse of Congress and its INDI Alliance parties was blown off, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. Addressing a rally at Vemulawada, about 150 km from here, Modi said four phases of polling are left and with the blessings of people, the BJP and NDA marching towards victory. After the third phase of polls, the third fuse of Congress and INDI Alliance was off (blown up), Modi mocked at the opposition bloc. Attacking the Congress and BRS, Modi said while the BJP believes in 'nation first' principle, for the Congress and BRS it is 'family first'. The BRS and Congress openly criticise each other on corruption, but it is a common factor between these parties, he said. Alleging that the Congress has been chanting the name of "Adani and Ambani" for five years and stopped it following the announcement of the LS polls, Modi said the grand old party should answer to the country. Taking a swipe at Congress leader

LS polls 2024: Repolling at polling station in Rajasthan's Barmer underway

Repolling is underway at the Dudhwa Khurd polling station in Rajasthan's Barmer Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday. Repolling is being done after complaints of breach of confidentiality of votes were made after some videos showing bogus voting and the voters being denied their right to franchise went viral on social media. The Barmer District Election Officer has suspended four members of the polling team which had conducted the voting at the booth. Voting was held in this Lok Sabha constituency in the second phase on April 26. Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta said repolling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm at polling centre number 50, Government Higher Secondary School, Dudhwa Khurd booth of Chauhtan assembly constituency. A total of 1,294 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. He said the department has made all preparations for repolling as per the instructions of the Commission and webcasting will be done at the polling station. Earlier repolling was held on Ma

Over 15 million eligible to vote in Delhi's Lok Sabha elections on May 25

Lok Sabha elections 2024: All 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will go to polls in a single phase on May 25

LS polls: Odisha people fed up with corruption, misrule by BJD, says BJP

The BJP on Tuesday claimed that the party will form a government in Odisha in June after the announcement of assembly election results as the people in the state are fed up with "corruption and misrule" by the ruling BJD. At a press conference here, BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda highlighted the key promises made by the saffron party in its manifesto for the state and claimed that Odisha witnessed "rampant corruption in the form of PC (percentage commission) during the BJD rule". Panda's comment comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called himself "son of Lord Jagannath" and asserted that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced. Odisha would have become the 5th largest economy in the country with its enormous resources in the last 25 years, but the ruling BJD has completely failed to perform, Panda alleged. Panda, who is contesting from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat as a BJP ...

LS polls: PM Modi to address public meeting, hold roadshow in Andhra today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday address an election meeting in Andhra Pradesh's Annamayya district and hold a roadshow at Vijayawada in NTR district. The meeting is scheduled around 2 pm at Kaliri near Rajampeta while the roadshow is expected to commence around 5 pm from the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium on Bandar Road in Vijayawada. "Let's welcome our Prime Minister who is coming to Rajampeta to give an assurance for the aspirations of Andhra people," the Andhra Pradesh BJP said in a post on 'X' on Tuesday. Wednesday's public meeting is going to be Modi's third in the southern state in the run-up to the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on May 13. It comes in the wake of two recent meetings at Rajamahendravaram and Anakapalli recently, preceded by the first NDA election meeting at Boppudi village in Palnadu district's Chilakaluripeta mandal on March 17 after the announcement of the election schedule on March 16. N Kiran Kumar is the BJP's Lok Sabha candid