Polls 2019: It Will Be ‘Bye-Bye’ for Modi On 23 May, Says Rahul
Catch all the updates on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections here.
The 2019 Lok Sabha elections is in the sixth phase in the ongoing seven-phase elections. All seven phases of voting will end on 19 May, results for which will be declared on 23 May.
Catch all the updates on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections here.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Chappals Hurled at Kamal Haasan During Election Meeting
Chappals were hurled towards a vehicle from which actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan was addressing an election meeting in the Tirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening, police said.
One person has been detained, the police said, adding that the chappals missed the target and fell on the crowd.
Amarinder's Career Will End After LS Polls: Sukhbir
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday accused Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of "reneging" on poll promises and claimed the Congress leader's career will end after his party loses the Lok Sabha elections.
Badal also dared Singh to make his performance a poll plank in the Lok Sabha elections.
"This election will see the end of Amarinder's career and he knows it. That is why he has already started naming his successors so that he can have a man of his choice still in saddle after he is thrown out," Badal said in a statement in Chandigarh.
BJP MLA Booked Over Booth Capturing Allegations
Haryana Minister Manish Grover and former Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan have been booked by the police in connection with an alleged case of booth capturing in Rohtak.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
Anupam Kher Campaigns For Wife Kirron in Chandigarh
Actor Anupam Kher campaigns for wife and BJP candidate Kirron Kher in Shivalik Park, Manimajra in Chandigarh, reports ANI.
EC Orders Repolling in AP's Chandragiri Constituency on 11 May
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday ordered repolling in five more polling booths in Andhra Pradesh on 19 May for both Assembly and Parliament seats--during the last phase of the elections. The five polling booths are: NR Kammapalli, Pulivarthipalli, Kothakandriga, Kammapalli and Venkataramapuram, reports The News Minute.
PM Modi to Address 5 Rallies in UP, West Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address five rallies in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. He will be addressing public in Mau, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Mathurapur ad Dum Dum.
BSP Supremo Condemns EC's Decision to Stop Campaigning in WB on 16 May
BSP Chief Mayawati addresses media on Thursday, 16 May, and critcised the Election Commission's decision to cut short electioneering time in West Bengal after the violence that took place in Kolkata. She said that the EC has taken this decision under pressure of the Central Government.
Congress Has No Problem If It Doesn't Get PM's Post: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said that his party does not have any problem if it did not get the Prime Minister's post, adding that its sole objective has always been to stop the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from forming the government at the Centre, reports ANI.
Modi Addresses Public Rally in Uttar Pradesh's Mau
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 16 May, addresses a public rally in Mau of Uttar Pradesh. He attacks the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in the state saying, “ The country knows the truth of these adulterated people from the first day that Modi's removal was just an excuse to conceal his sin of corruption in a year.”
PM Modi Lashes Out at Mayawati
PM Narendra Modi lashed out at Mayawati for supporting an SP candidate with criminal charges. “SP-BSP has given ticket to a person here who is an absconder in a rape case. SP has this history in UP, people know, but Behen ji will you seek votes for such candidates?”
Justice Will be Done, Says Rahul Gandhi on Alwar Gangrape Case
Speaking on Alwar gang rape case, Congress President Rahul on Thursday said that action would be taken against the culprits.
"Soon after I heard about the incident (Alwar gang rape case), I spoke to Ashok Gehlot Ji. This is not a political issue for me. I met the victim's family and they have sought justice, which will be done. Action will be taken against culprits."
EC Lost Its Independence, Time to Review Process of Its Appointment: Congress
Accusing the Election Commission of losing its credibility and independence, the Congress on Thursday said time has come to review the process of the poll panel's appointment.
Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the order prohibiting campaigning in West Bengal by 20 hours is a "dark spot" on India's democracy and institutions like the Election Commission.
Gurdaspur: Gripping Electoral Battle Between Reel Life Hero and Warhorse
The ageing hero meets the poll hardened warhorse in the border constituency of Gurdaspur with a dash of filmy flair as political novice and BJP candidate Sunny Deol, action star of the 1990s, contests against Congress' sitting MP Sunil Jakhar.
(Source: PTI)
Haryana Min, Ex-Cong MLA Booked for Disorderly Conduct During Polling in Rohtak
The Haryana Police have booked state minister Manish Grover and former Congress MLA B B Batra for allegedly entering a polling booth without permission and disorderly conduct in Rohtak district of the state.
Doctor Arrested in Mumbai For Sharing Post Against Pragya Thakur
Mumbai Police has arrested a 38-year-old homoeopathic doctor for allegedly posting derogatory comments against BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur on Facebook, as per ANI. The doctor, Sunil Kumar Nishad, was arrested on 15 May, the police said.
Sonia Gandhi to Host Oppn Meet on 23 May
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi takes over hosting duties for opposition meet on 23 may, day of election results, as per NDTV.
Priyanka Gandhi Slams Modi, Shah Over 'Chunavi Jumla'
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East) said, “PM told you that he himself will deposit 15 lakh in your accounts and the President of the same party, after the elections said it was a 'chunaavi jumla', will you trust them again?”
Rahul Will Play 'Central Role' in Formation of New Govt: Tejashwi Yadav
A coalition of progressive parties will come together to form the next government and Congress president Rahul Gandhi will play a "central role" in the formation of the new dispensation, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said on Thursday, 16 May.
Asserting that the BJP has failed to deliver on its slogans, including 'achche din', 'kala dhan vapsi (return of black money)' and 'beti bachao beti padhao', he alleged that the party has intensified its "hate-filled politics" to avoid being questioned on its promises.
(Source: PTI)
'Modilie' a New Word That Has Become Popular Worldwide: Rahul's Fresh Attack on PM
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 16 May, fired a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of speaking lies, and mentioned about a website that he claimed "catalogues the best 'Modilies'".
Gandhi said "Modilies" is a new word that has become popular worldwide.
"Now there's even a website that catalogues the best Modilies!" the Congress president tweeted, along with a link to the website "Modi Lies: The Most Accurate List of PM Modi's Many Lies".
(Source: PTI)
Amit Shah Not God, but Mamata Banerjee No Saint Either: Shiv Sena
Blaming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the violence during Amit Shah's road show in Kolkata, the Shiv Sena on Thursday said the BJP president was not God but Banerjee was "no saint" either.
It said Banerjee did not give permission for the BJP leaders' choppers to land in her state which started the conflict between the saffron party and her Trinamool Congress (TMC).
"Her (Mamata Banerjee's) government was elected democratically. Whether she wins or loses will be decided democratically. She will not win by becoming a roadblock in the way of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-Shah," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
(Source: PTI)
PIL in HC For Review of Parties Having Names with Religious Connotations
A PIL has been moved in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) to review political parties having names with religious connotations or using symbols similar to that of the national flag and to de-register them if they do not change them within three months.
The petition by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has contended that use of names with religious connotations or symbols similar to the national flag or emblem might prejudicially affect the poll prospects of a candidate and would amount to a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1951.
(Source: PTI)
NYAY Will Refuel Engine of Economy Emptied by Modi, Says Rahul Gandhi
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking "fuel out of the engine of the country's economy," Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 16 May, said if voted to power, his party will refuel it through the proposed 'Nyay' scheme.
Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar, the Congress chief said that the experts he consulted before proposing the 'Nyay' scheme in the party manifesto had told him it was necessary for restoring the purchasing power of the people "hit by demonetisation and GST".
(Source: PTI)
Bengal Police Trying to Wipe out Evidence of Statue Desecration, Says PM Modi
Bengal police trying to wipe out evidence of statue desecration by TMC goons, says PM Modi while addressing a rally in West Bengal's Mathurapur.
“Wherever Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar would be, he must be witnessing which party is fighting to preserve the pride of Bengal and who is trying to shield the infiltrators,” Modi said, even as he asserted that “It was the goons of TMC who vandalised Kolkata college and broke the bust of Vidyasagar”.
EC Declares 11 April polling Held in Andhra's Chandragiri and Chittoor Seats Void
The Election Commission of India has declared polls held on 11 April at 5 polling stations of the Chandragiri Assembly constituency and the Chittoor Parliamentary constituency of Andhra Pradesh void. Re-polling will be held on 19 May, reports ANI.
On 23 May It Will Be 'Bye-Bye' for Modi, Claims Rahul at Bihar Rally
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carefully avoided speaking on the issue of corruption during campaign, but we have not allowed him to escape, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday, claiming it will be "bye-bye" for him on 23 May.
Addressing a rally in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha segment, from where Misa Bharti daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad is in the fray, Gandhi attacked Modi for skirting questions on promises he had made like Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of all poor and creation of two crore jobs.
Asserting that the ruling BJP was headed for a defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress chief claimed Modi would get a befitting reply from the people angry over his failure to fulfil promises made five years ago when votes in the current elections are counted on 23 May.
(Source: PTI)
Will Set up JPC to Probe Demonetisation 'Scam': Manish Tewari
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) will be set up to probe demonetisation if the Congress is voted to power at the Centre, former Union minister and Congress candidate from the Anandpur Sahib seat Manish Tewari said on Thursday, 16 May.
Demonetisation was a "scam" that ran into hundreds and thousands of crores and responsibilities needed to be fixed for it, Tewari said in Mohali. The Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab goes to polls on 19 May in the last leg of the seven-phase parliamentary elections.
"Demonetisation was not only a huge financial scam, it was like brutal murder of the economy and responsibility needs to be fixed for it and those guilty brought to book," he said.
(Source: PTI)
Congress Announces Support for Mahagathbandhan Candidate in UP's Ballia
The Congress has announced its support to the SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate Sanatan Pandey on the Ballia seat.
"We will support SP candidate Pandey as we did not have our candidate here. Our objective is to ensure defeat of the BJP candidate," Congress District president Sachidanand Tiwari told reporters in Ballia.
This Lok Sabha constituency goes to polls in the seventh and last phase of elections on Sunday.
UP Police Inspector Suspended for Forwarding Message Targeting Modi
UP Police inspector Avdhesh Yadav has been suspended for forwarding social media message targeting Modi, his ministers, in Baghpat, reports the Times of India.
Re-Polling at 4 Lok Sabha Booths in North Kerala on 19 May
The Kerala state election commission on Thursday, 16 May, decided to conduct re-polling on 19 May in four booths in north Kerala, where allegations of bogus voting had surfaced in the 23 April Lok Sabha elections.
The re-polling would be held in three booths in Kalliasseri in Kasaragod constituency and a booth in Taliparamba in Kannur, the commission said in Thiruvananthapuram in a release.
The polls would be held from 7am to 6pm on the day, the release said.
(Source: PTI)
Mayawati, Akhilesh Target Modi in Varanasi
In yet another personal attack on the prime minister, BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday, 16 May, said how can one expect Narendra Modi to respect women when he cannot do so for his wife.
Addressing an election rally in Varanasi along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RLD's Ajit Singh, Mayawati targeted Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, saying the "government of guru and chela (disciple)" would be ousted from power on 23 May, the day results of Lok Sabha polls would be announced.
The BSP again alleged that women in the BJP are scared of their husbands meeting the prime minister fearing they might also "abandon their wives".
(Source: PTI)
EC Seeks Report From Madhya Pradesh CEC Over Pragya's 'Deshbhakt' Remark
The Election Commission has sought factual report from Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya Pradesh by Friday, 17 May, regarding Pragya Singh Thakur's statement "Nathuram Godse was, is and will remain a deshbhakt", reports ANI.
Andhra CM Writes to EC Over Its Decision to Order Re-Polling
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Election Commission over its decision to order re-polling at five polling stations of Chandragiri Assembly Constituency and Chittoor Parliamentary Constituency.
The Letter states: “I am writing this letter to strongly oppose the partial one sided and undemocratic motivated actions of the EC".
(Source: ANI)
Congress Not Averse to Supporting Regional Party Leader for PM Post: Ghulam Nabi Azad
The Congress is not averse to supporting any regional party leader for the Prime Minister's post even if it emerges as the single largest party, Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad said on Thursday, 16 May.
"My party high command has already made it clear that the Congress is not averse to making a prime minister from any regional party," Azad told reporters in Shimla.
He was asked if the Congress will be ready to support any regional party leader for the PM's post even if it emerges as the largest party in a hung Parliament.
(Source: PTI)
EC Orders Repoll at Booth in Delhi's Chandni Chowk Seat
The Election Commission on Thursday, 16 May, ordered repoll at a booth in the Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency, officials said.
The Chief Electoral Office of Delhi had submitted a report to the EC asking for a repoll in polling station number 32 after the presiding officer forgot to delete the 'test votes' that were cast during mock poll before actual polling commenced at 7 am on 12 May, they said.
The Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat recorded 62.69 percent turnout while the Chandni Chowk assembly segment saw 59.36 percent polling.
The repoll will be conducted on Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm and voters will be distributed voter slips. There are about 300 houses that fall under the polling station, they added.
(Source: PTI)
Pragya Calls Godse Patriot; Forced to Apologise After Drawing Ire of BJP, Opposition
BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur on Thursday lauded Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a "patriot", sparking an outrage from the Opposition with the Congress alleging that "insulting martyrs is in the DNA" of BJP, which also condemned her remarks.
"Nathuram Godse was a deshbhakt (patriot), he is and will remain a deshbhakt. Those calling him a terrorist should instead look at themselves. They will be given a befitting reply in this election," the controversial leader said in Agar Malwa in Madhya Pradesh while attending a roadshow.
Her remarks created a major row with the opposition parties attacking her and the BJP with the NCP saying people can now see the "real face" of the Amit Shah-led party and the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP immediately got into damage control and distanced itself from Thakur's statement and asked her to tender a public apology, which she did.
"My intention was not to hurt anyone. If it has hurt someone, I apologise," Thakur said.
(Source: PTI)
Samik Bhattacharya, Mukul Roy's Vehicles Attacked
The vehicles of BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Dum Dum, Samik Bhattacharya and party leader Mukul Roy were attacked by unidentified people in Nagerbazar area of the constituency on Thursday night.
Bhattacharya and Roy were not present in the vehicles at the time of the incident, ANI reported.