Lok Sabha election 2024 LIVE Updates: Congress conspired to destroy democracy, says PM Modi

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• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 11:47 AM

  Congress conspired to destroy country’s democracy, they have to apologise to nation: PM Modi at Karnataka rally

  Congress conspired to destroy country’s democracy, they have to apologise to nation, says PM Modi at Karnataka rally.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 11:33 AM

  SP candidate from UP’s Ballia booked for spreading hatred

  Samajwadi Party candidate from Ballia Lok Sabha seat Sanatan Pandey has been booked for allegedly spreading enmity, hatred and animosity among different sections of the society and threatening the District Election Officer, police said on Sunday. Superintendent of Police Dev Ranjan Verma said that on the complaint of Sub Inspector Makhan Singh in Ballia city an FIR has been lodged against Pandey under Section 171 F of the IPC (exercising undue influence in elections), 189 (threatening a public servant), 186 (obstructing a public servant in public work), 505 (2) (spreading hatred and animosity between different groups) and sections 125 and 136 of the Representation of the People Act 1950.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 11:28 AM

  SAD to contest Gurdaspur LS seat on party symbol for first time since 1996

  After snapping ties with the BJP, the Akali Dal is all set to contest the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat on party symbol ‘takdi’ or scales for the first time since 1996 as it braces for a showdown with its former ally which has used star power to clinch the seat on numerous occasions. The Shiromani Akali Dal had joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1996. As part of the seat-sharing arrangement for the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Punjab, the BJP used to contest from Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur. The SAD walked out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 11:12 AM

  Mumbai North Central voters treated me as family, hope to continue the relationship: Poonam Mahajan

  Mumbai North Central MP Poonam Mahajan, who has been denied renomination by the BJP this time, has said people from the constituency treated her like a family for 10 years and she hopes the relationship would always continue. In a post on X on Saturday, Mahajan, who has been replaced by prominent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, also thanked the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving her an opportunity to serve the people of Mumbai North Central constituency for 10 years. “I wish to continue on the path of ‘nation first’ shown by my late father Pramod Mahajan. I hope to walk on that path always,” she said.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 10:54 AM

  Delhi Congress chief resigns citing differences with party Delhi in-charge

  Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from his post on April 27 citing differences with Delhi Congress in-charge Deepak Babaria, Congress’s alliance with Aam Aadmi Party, fielding ‘outsider’ candidates from North West and North East Lok Sabha seats, and Kanhaiya Kumar, Kanhaiya Kumar “falsely praising Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal” in a letter sent to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. 

  The development comes as a blow to the Delhi Congress weeks before the Lok Sabha polls, and days after former Delhi cabinet minister Raj Kumar Chauhan resigned citing “humiliation” by Delhi Congress in-charge.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 10:16 AM

  PM fighting imaginary ghosts, should debate ‘real’ issues in Cong manifesto: Chidambaram

  Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said the PM has imagined a Congress manifesto written by one of his ghost speech writers and he should debate the real issues included in the document. Chidambaram’s remarks come amid repeated attacks by the prime minister over Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s ‘inheritance tax’ comments amid the row on the issue of ‘wealth redistribution’. “The Hon’ble Prime Minister continues to discover and read in the Congress’ manifesto words and sentences that are not there! He has imagined a Congress’ manifesto written by one of his ghost speech writers,” Chidambaram, who was the chairman of the committee that drafted the Congress manifesto, said.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 10:11 AM

  AAP holds ‘Walk for Kejriwal’ walkathon in protest against arrest of Delhi CM

  Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday held a walkathon named ‘Walk for Kejriwal’ in support of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is in jail in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. The campaign-cum walkathon was organised in Delhi’s CR Park. AAP supporters were seen carrying flags with Kejriwal’s photo with the ‘Jail ka jawab vote se’ slogan. Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi told ANI, “The people of Delhi have come here to support Arvind Kejriwal. BJP thought if they put Arvind Kejriwal in jail, AAP would not be able to conduct the election campaigns. But, the people of Delhi are campaigning for Arvind Kejriwal.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:54 AM

  “Annamalai,” a name of intrinsic interest in Tamil Nadu

  “Annamalai.” This Tamil name will be easily recognised by people as that of the name of the popular BJP leader K Annamalai. That name, however, goes beyond the Saffron party leader’s popularity as it has a deep connection to Tamil Nadu’s history and socio-cultural dimensions. During the Quit India movement, a foot soldier of Gandhiji, a young man with patriot zeal was at the forefront of the struggle in southern Tamil Nadu. Chinna Annamalai (1920-1980), a star of the freedom movement, cast a spell on people by his oratory. “When he was arrested in 1942 during the Quit India movement, people stormed the prison at Tiruvadanai (Ramanathapuram district) and got him released,” recalls S Ramachandran, noted epigraphist and historian, adding several people were killed in police firing in connected incidents.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:41 AM

  “We welcome his decision”: BJP’s Shaina NC hails candidature of 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam

  Hailing the BJP’s decision to put senior advocate and 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on its ticket for the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, party leader Shaina NC said the need of the hour was for more distinguished and honest citizens to enter public life and hold responsible public offices.

  Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Shaina said, “Ujjwal Nikam is a renowned public prosecutor. We know all about how he represented the state in the 1993 bomb blast and the 26/11 terror attacks cases. We often talk about the need for more clean, honest and distinguished citizens to enter public life. I think Ujjwal Nikam is a shining example of a distinguished professional, who has decided to join politics and enter public life. We welcome this decision.”

   In his first response after the BJP announced his candidature, Ujjwal Nikam called it the “second inning in the new temple of democracy”.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:33 AM

  Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi dismisses Opposition’s “anti-incumbency” claims, says pro-BJP wave in India

  Dismissing opposition’s claims of an “anti-incumbency” wave in India, Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi on Thursday, said that the nation is rather experiencing a “pro-incumbency” sentiment. Taking a swipe at the Congress party, Lekhi said, “They are the electoral Hindus who question the existence of Shree Ram and during elections, they remember Shree Ram, it is evident. If their minds had really changed, the country wouldn’t have been in a bad state where it was”. On the opposition’s claim of an “anti-incumbency” wave in India, and considering the voter turnout in the last two phases of the Lok Sabha elections Lekhi asserted “To date, all the electoral scientists say that the voting percentage remains high in anti-incumbency while it goes down in pro-incumbency as the people are assured about who is forming the govt”.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:10 AM

  LS polls: In Hathras hing market, neglect, discontent dominate discourse

  Before one arrives at Hathras’ famed ‘hing’ (asafoetida) market, the pungent smell of the condiment greets visitors, almost pinpointing the place. As one gets to the market, a scene of disrepair takes over — roads riddled with potholes and littered with debris, and congested lanes dotted with dilapidated houses. For local traders and residents, these are physical manifestations of the government’s “neglect” that mirror broader systemic challenges. Hathras ‘hing’ received the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023 but it appears to have done little for the local traders, who are seeking change and accountability in this Lok Sabha election.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 08:52 AM

  “BJP will win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan”: Rajyavardhan Rathore

  Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Saturday said that the BJP will register a victory in all 25 constituencies of Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to ANI, Rajyavardhan Rathore said, “In 2014 and 2019, people gave all the 25 seats to PM Modi and in 2024 also it is sure that BJP will be winning all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the Lok Sabha polls.” Rathore further claimed that Congress indulged in political appeasement to consolidate its vote bank.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 08:36 AM

  AAP organises a walkathon- ‘Walk for Kejriwal’ in support of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

  AAP organises a walkathon- ‘Walk for Kejriwal’ in support of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. 

  Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, “We are running a campaign in Delhi called ‘Jail ka jawaab vote se’ against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Our youth wing has organised a walkathon and our Lok Sabha candidates from South Delhi and New Delhi. We have installed a washing machine here, and if you put any corrupt politician in this machine, he comes out clean… PM Narendra Modi and PM Narendra Modi are very nervous… The way he has changed his stance in his election rallies makes it clear that even he believes that the opposition is coming to power…”

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 08:17 AM

  Mehbooba Mufti holds roadshow in Poonch

  PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday held a roadshow at Mendhar Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. She is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat going to polls on May 7 in the third phase of general elections

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 07:53 AM

  Congress MLA claims “false voting” in West Tripura LS seat, Ramnagar assembly constituency

  Congress MLA and an invitee member of Congress Working Committee Sudip Roy Barman has reiterated his demand for fresh elections in the West Tripura parliamentary constituency and Ramnagar assembly constituency stating that the whole election process was turned into a farce through “false voting” and denying genuine voters their right cast votes. 

  The Congress MLA shared a list of 579 polling booths where according to him, the polls were completely rigged. He also alleged that the AROs of certain districts forced the micro observers to change their original reports that detailed poll-related malpractices occurred on the day of polls. 

  In a letter addressed to Chief Electoral Officer Tripura, the Congress MLA said, “I had the opportunity to interact with many micro observers and was shocked to learn from them that the AROs of South, Gomati and Sepahijala forced them to change their reports of massive false voting in as many as 400 polling booths in those districts. This amply proves that a section of the officials were hand in gloves in converting the elections to a mere farce and a sham in the name of democracy.”

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:58 AM

  Congress, AAP spreading rumours that BJP will change the constitution, scrap reservations if voted again: Amit Shah in Gujarat

  Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday said people must not make the mistake for voting for “urban Naxals” and alleged that Congress and AAP are spreading rumours that the BJP will change the Constitution and scrap reservations if it wins for the third successive time. 

  He was addressing a rally in Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat, where the AAP has fielded a candidate Chaitar Vasava as part of its alliance with the Congress. The BJP has given ticket to its sitting MP Mansukh Vasava. 

  Amit Shah countered allegations from Congress and AAP, calling their claims as baseless rumors. He rebuked their assertions that BJP aims to amend the Constitution to abolish reservations post winning 400 Lok Sabha seats, referring to the Congress as an “expert” and the Arvind Kejriwal-led party as a “sardar” (chieftain) in spreading falsehoods. 

  “These two liars have come together (as part of INDI alliance) in Bharuch,” Shah said and pointed out that the Narendra Modi government has been in power for the past 10 years with a clear majority and could have changed the Constitution if they had any such intentions.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:49 AM

  Several leaders, workers of BJD join BJP in Odisha

  Several leaders and workers of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan. 

  Pradhan said that the members and leaders of other parties are joining the BJP as the people’s faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi is increasing. “Odisha has moved towards the change and hence the people from the BJD and other parties are joining the BJP as the people’s faith in PM Modi in BJP is increasing.

   Since the local leadership isn’t ‘local’ anymore, a ‘babu’ from the backdoor is trying to capture the house. People are upset with those who didn’t work to develop the state but have done corruption,” the Union Minister said on Saturday.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:24 AM

  SP candidate Akshay Yadav confident of win, says one-sided contest in Firozabad

  Samajwadi Party candidate from Firozabad Lok Sabha seat Akshay Yadav showed confidence in winning the polls and said that the contest is “one-sided”.

   “Here, INDIA alliance and Samajwadi Party are winning elections and the contest is one-sided, there is no opposition, all sections of the society will vote for Samajwadi Party…this election is for change of power…we will win in Firozabad..,” Akshay Yadav told ANI. 

  Polling in the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat is slated to be held in the third phase of general elections on May 7 and BJP has filed Vishwadeep Singh as its candidate against SP’s Akshay Yadav.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:20 AM

  Lok Sabha polls: Tripura Minister confident of massive victory for BJP in state

  Senior BJP leader and Minister Ratan Lal Nath has predicted that the BJP will win East Tripura with whopping margins of three to four lakh votes and West Tripura with six to seven lakh votes. 

  The BJP leader has also predicted a series of defections from the opposition Congress and CPIM after June 4–the day of the Lok Sabha polls results.

   Speaking to ANI, Nath also claimed that the Congress which now has three legislators will be left with one lawmaker and a good number of CPIM MLAs are also willing to join the BJP.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:04 AM

  PM Modi to begin 2-day whirlwind campaign in Karnataka from Apr 28

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to make a whirlwind tour of Karnataka on April 28 and 29, where he will address public meetings in five districts and canvas for the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 05:54 AM

  ECI orders repolling at 6 polling stations in Outer Manipur on April 30

  The Election Commission of India declared the polls conducted at six polling stations in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency as void and announced fresh elections in these stations on April 30. 

  “The Election Commission of India has, under Sections 58(2) and 58A(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, directed that the poll taken on April 26, 2024 (Friday) in respect of 6 polling stations listed in the table below of 2- Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency to be void and appointed April 30, 2024 (Tuesday) as the date for taking fresh poll at the said polling stations with hours of poll from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM,” an official statement said.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 05:39 AM

  May deny now, but BJP will change Constitution if they return to power: Priyanka Gandhi in Gujarat

  Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said on Saturday that while the top leadership of the ruling BJP may deny it now, but they would alter the Constitution if they returned to power. 

  She was addressing a public rally on Saturday at Dharampur village of tribal-dominated Valsad district in support of Congress candidate Anant Patel who has been given ticket for the ST-reserved Valsad Lok Sabha seat. 

  Gandhi likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent accusations of “wealth redistribution” to the lighthearted banter heard from an uncle at weddings. She envisioned a scenario where an “Uncle Ji” warns about Congress stealing jewelry and distributing it, suggesting that such remarks would elicit laughter rather than concern.

• Sun, 28 Apr 2024 05:36 AM

  Congress is working with anti-India forces, defeat them: PM Modi in Goa

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on the people of Goa to defeat what he said were ‘anti-India forces’, that the Congress was seeking to strengthen and bring back his government for a third term in a row. 

  Addressing a rally at Sancoale, in south Goa outside the port town of Vasco da Gama, the Prime Minister also called out the opposition party for having a ‘conspiracy’ to change the constitution referring to south Goa Congress candidate’s pitch for dual citizenship and special status for Goa.