Elections 2019: P Chidambaram Claims IT Raids Being Planned
Catch all the updates on the Lok Sabha 2019 elections here.
In less than a week, the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will officially begin. Polling for the first phase would be held in 91 parliamentary constituencies spread across 20 states on 11 April. The final results will be announced on 23 May. Catch all the updates on the Lok Sabha 2019 elections here.
Adityanath to Address Rallies in Telangana, AP
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be on a day-long visit to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, where he will address public meetings in various districts.
Adityanath will begin his tour by addressing the public at Government Junior College in Telangana's Peddapalli town, according to a statement issued by the office of UP chief minister.
(Source: PTI)
Case Against Rahul Gandhi for Promising to Abolish Sedition Law
A case has been filed by lawyer Narendra Sharma against Congress President Rahul Gandhi, in a court in Agra, for promising to abolish Section 124A (Sedition) of the Indian Penal Code in the Congress manifesto.
I-T Raids at Residence of OSD to Madhya Pradesh CM
Income-Tax officials from Delhi are conducting raids at the Vijaynagar residence of Praveen Kakkar, Officer on Special Duty to Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, since 3 am today.
Cong Supporters Clash in UP's Muzaffarnagar Over Biryani
Several persons were injured in clashes among supporters of Congress's Muzaffarnagar candidate Nasimuddin Siddiqui over biryani, which officials said was being served at an election meeting without permission, prompting authorities to lodge a police case and arrest nine.
The election meeting was organised at the residence of former MLA Maulana Jameel, who recently switched over to the Congress, at Tadheda village under Kakroli police station on Saturday.
Biryani was to be served for lunch after the meeting, but clashes erupted as those present there scrambled for the first serving, officials said.
(Source: PTI)
PM Modi, Uddhav Thackeray to Hold Joint Rally
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray will hold a joint rally in Maharashtra’s Ausa on 9 April. This is their first-ever joint rally of both leaders in Maharashtra, reported News 18.
Cong Releases List of 9 Candidates for Odisha Assembly Elections
Congress party releases a list of 9 candidates for elections to the state legislative assembly of Odisha.
PM Takes on 'Speedbreaker Didi' in West Bengal Rally
Addressing a public rally in West Bengal's Cooch Behar, Prime Minister Narendra modi took a dig at Mamata Banerjee and said the support he receives are giving sleepless nights to ‘speed breaker didi.’
Further, Modi said that the BJP has taken initiatives and made the impossible possible, referring to India's retaliation to Pakistan’s attacks.
Modi alleged that a venue with limited space was allotted for the rally, so that many people do not attend.
Didi Is Losing Political Ground: Modi
“The way Mamata expressed anger at EC, shows how much perplexed she is. Didi is fast losing political ground,” Modi said, referring to Mamata’s reaction to the Election Commission’s decision to transfer four cops, at a public rally in West Bengal's Cooch Behar
By letting loose goons in Bengal, Didi has dashed the hopes people, he said.
Congress Releases Campaign Song With Slogan ‘Ab Hoga NYAY’
The Congress party on Sunday, 7 April, launched their campaign song, whose slogan is ‘Ab Hoga NYAY’, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The song highlights the party’s propsoed minimum income guarantee scheme, titled ‘NYAY’.
Earlier, the party removed a couple of stanzas from the campaign song after the Election Commission reportedly objected to the lines that explicitly referred to alleged “disurbed communal harmony,” reported ANI.
J&K Parties Make Special Status Key Poll Issue
National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state’s special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank, reported PTI.
The National Conference, its rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and new entrant People’s Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone have been talking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution in their rallies in the run-up to the polling which is scheduled to begin on 11 April.
BJP Releases Election Manifesto for Odisha
The BJP has released party’s election manifesto for Odisha in Bhubaneswar, reported ANI.
“The manifesto is based on nine points. These are the nine pillars of our vision for the development of ‘New Odisha,’ BJP President Amit Shah said.
Union Minister SS Ahluwalia to contest from Burdwan - Durgapur Constituency
Union Minister SS Ahluwalia will contest from Burdwan - Durgapur Parliamentary constituency in West Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, reported ANI.
We Promise Farm Loan at Zero Percent Interest: Amit Shah
Addressing a rally in Bhubaneswar, BJP President Amit Shah promised capital punishment for rape convicts, farm loan at zero percent interest, Rs 3000 pension per month to small and medium farmers after 60 years of age and more.
Drama of ‘Chowkidari’ Will Not Save BJP: Mayawati in Deoband
The SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh is holding its first joint campaign rally for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 25 years in Saharanpur's Deoband.
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP’s Mayawati and RLD’s Ajit Singh addressed the rally, just days before Saharanpur and seven other western UP constituencies go to the polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on 11 April.
Mayawati attacked the Congress, saying its rule full of wrong policies. Taking a dig at BJP, she said the drama of ‘chowkidari’ will not save the party.
“BJP is misusing the Pulwama issue. GST & note ban caused huge job loss. Don't allow these people to come back,” Mayawati said.
Will Modi Have Courage to Fight From the South? : Shashi Tharoor
Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad shows his confidence to get elected from north and south, Shashi Tharoor told PTI in an interview.
Taking a dig at PM Modi, Tharoor asked, “Will PM Modi have the courage to fight from Kerala or Tamil Nadu?”
Further Tharoor said, Rahul’s decision to contest from Wayanad has resulted in ‘palpable excitement’ across southern states that the next prime minister could be elected from south.
Cong Was Tainted by Bofors, BJP Is Tainted by Rafale: Mayawati
BSP supremo Mayawati slammed both the BJP and the Congress at the first joint rally with SP and RLD in Saharanpur's Deoband.
“BJP will lose this election because of policies inspired by hatred...especially their “chowkidar” campaign,” she said.
Slamming both the BJP and Congress, she said, “The Congress was tainted by bofors. BJP government is tainted by Rafale...The BJP government has been misusing probe agencies like CBI, ED against its rivals. You don't need to give them another chance to them.”
Political Parties Need Not Teach Collectors the Model Code: Chief Electoral Officer
Political parties need not teach District Collectors the model code of conduct, Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said Sunday in response to issue of notice to Thrissur NDA candidate Suresh Gopi allegedly seeking votes in the name of Lord Ayyappa.
He was responding to the state BJP leadership terming as ‘utter nonsense,’ the action of Thrissur District Collector VT Anupama issuing notice to the actor-turned-politician.
Anupama had on Saturday sought an explanation within 48 hours from actor turned politician Suresh Gopi for allegedly invoking Lord Ayyappa during his speech after a roadshow campaign on Friday.
EC Rejects Mamata's Claims on Transfer of Police Officers
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, that it ordered transfer of four police officers at the behest of the ruling BJP. EC said the decision was based on “cumulative feedback” from one of its top officials and the special police observer, reported PTI.
The commission also told Banerjee that as per election law, it is “fully within its rights” to transfer and appoint officers during model code.
Congress Manifesto Bears Hatred Towards Middle Class: Modi in Tripura
After attending a rally in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tripura for a rally at Udaipur Girls’ School ground.
He said that the Congress wants to levy more taxes on the middle class. He also alleged that the Congress’ politics serves the interest of Pakistan.
“The Congress and the Left are working to oust Modi, even if that means they have to support the interests of Pakistan,”he said.
He also claimed that the TMC has been trying their best to make inroads into Tripura but haven’t been able to yet.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will address an election rally in Manipur’s Imphal.
BJP Worker Files Complaint Against Urmila Matondkar for "Anti-Hindu Remarks"
A BJP worker has lodged a complaint with police accusing Bollywood actor and Congress' Lok Sabha candidate Urmila Matondkar of making anti-Hindu remarks, an official said on Sunday.
Suresh Nakhua a BJP worker from Mumbai said he submitted the complaint after watching Matondkar's interview on a television news channel in which she said the "Hinduism is the most violent religion in the world". He said it was an “abuse of Hindus”.
"We have received the application. After seeking a legal opinion, we will take further action," a Powai police station official told PTI.
Nakhua said Matondkar's comments were "false, mischievous, deceitful and frivolous", and alleged they were made with a deliberate motive to cause disharmony among people and malign the country at global level.
He also alleged that Matondkar made these "malicious, mischievous and calumnious comments on the instructions and orders of Congress president Rahul Gandhi".
Nakhua further alleged that journalist Rajdeep Sardesai allowed Matondkar to make the comment and broadcast it on the television channel.
He demanded action against Matondkar, Gandhi and Sardesai under sections 295A, 505 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Cong aims to 'win hearts' with 'Ab Hoga Nyay' campaign; theme song by Javed Akhtar
The Congress on Sunday announced that its campaign slogan for the Lok Sabha polls will be ‘Ab Hoga Nyay’ while alleging that an atmosphere of 'anyay' (injustice) was prevailing in the country.
The party's campaign will be centred around 'Nyay' and the word not only alludes to the Congress' proposed minimum guarantee scheme but encompasses justice to all sections of society, senior leader Anand Sharma said at a press conference.
"There is a cry for justice in the country which has been denied to the poor," he said while emphasising that "the campaign will focus on winning hearts".
Sharma said the party has followed the Election Commission guidelines and taken all necessary permissions for its publicity.
Arun Jaitley Addresses the Media
Union Minister Arun Jaitley held a press conference in Delhi to announce that the BJP will release its manifesto tomorrow. Attacking the Congress manifesto, he said the Congress wants to raise taxes for the middle class. He asked if people want a “cohesive and tested” government or “chaos and maha milawat” government. He also showcased the themes for the BJP’s campaigns for 2019. The campaign's main theme will be “Phir Ek Baar Modi” and the secondary theme is called “Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar”.
Watch it live here in the video below:
BJP Manifesto in Odisha Promises Welfare Schemes for Women, Farmers, Tribals
Promising a corruption free administration in Odisha, the Opposition BJP on Sunday pledged several welfare schemes for women, farmers and tribals in its election manifesto named Sankalp Patra.
The manifesto released for the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly election in Odisha by BJP president Amit Shah, gave priority to women with the party promising provision of capital punishment for convicts, involved in the rape of minor girls below 15 years of age.
The saffron party also promised to launch a scheme for providing two-wheelers to meritorious girl students upon completion of school education.
The party will give a one-time loan waiver for all outstanding loans taken by women Self Help Groups (SHG) and to create a fund of Rs 2,000 crore to provide interest-free loans upto Rs 3 lakh.
The party asuured stringent action against corruption, by appointing a Special Investigation Team to probe chitfund scam.
The BJP president said, Goondaraj and mining mafia would be dealt with an iron hand.
PM Modi Campaigns in Imphal
PM Modi attended a rally in Manipur’s capital Imphal where he alleged a nexus between Congress and Pakistan.
He said, “Congress is standing with those people who want a separate Prime Minister in Jammu and Kashmir and one in Delhi. Congress manifesto is more for Pakistan and less for India.”
40 Star Campaigners for BJP in Rajasthan
The BJP on April 7 announced a list 40 star campaigners for the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Bollywood actress Hema Malini, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are among the star campaigners of the party.
Other campaigners in the list include Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Smriti Irani, Prakash Javadekar, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Arjun Ram Meghwal, C R Chaudhary, P P Chaudhary, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Rajasthan Chief Minister and party vice president Vasundhara Raje, party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena besides several former ministers.
BJP Should Not Lie During Holy Navaratri: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Sunday said the grand alliance of opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh will ensure the removal of all 'chowkidars' and the country will get a new prime minister after the Lok Sabha polls.
Taking a swipe at the ruling BJP, Akhilesh said during the holy period of Navaratri no one should lie.
"In 2014, we trusted a 'chaiwala' (tea seller), the poll promise of crores of jobs and so many other promises. Now we are being told to trust the 'chowkidar'. We will ensure removal of 'chowkidars' (watchmen) from all the 'chowkis' (post)," he said at the joint rally of the SP, BSP and RLDat Deoband.
"We want to appeal to the BJP... during this holy period of Navratri, you should pledge not to lie. We want to make sure all our candidates win by a huge margin, so that the country can get a new prime minister," he said with BSP chief Mayawati and RLD's Ajit Singh present at the dias.
BJP Ally LJP Manifesto Promises Job Reservation in Private Sector
The Lok Janshakti Party, an ally of the BJP Sunday promised extending job reservation in private sector, stern action against those involved in cow vigilantism and mob lynching, if elected to power in the coming Lok Sabha election.
Releasing the party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said stern action would be taken against those found guilty of mob lynching and giving speeches which incite communal flare up in the society.
Pitching for reservation in private sector, Paswan said that his party has promised to extend the benefits of reservation in private sector. Besides, it also talked about incorporating right to work as fundamental right.
The LJP has been raising the issue of constituting 'National Youth Commission' which would take care of all the problems of faced by youths, he said.
Rahul Challenges Modi to a Debate on Corruption
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday again challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate on the issue of corruption.
Gandhi shared a clip of Modi's interview to a TV channel on Twitter in which the prime minister is seen asking the reporter if she believed the Supreme Court verdict on Rafale fighter jet deal with France.
"You can run Mr Modi but you can't hide. Your karma is about to catch up with you. The country can hear it in your voice," Gandhi tweeted.
"Truth is a powerful thing. I challenge you to a debate on corruption," he said.
Gandhi had first challenged Modi for a debate on national security, corruption and foreign policy on April 2 while addressing a gathering at Congress's manifesto release event at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
EC Asks Agencies to Keep Pre-Poll Raids Neutral
The Election Commission has asked all the agencies like the CBI, IT Dept, ED, etc to keep their pre-poll raids neutral and urged them to inform the officers as well, NDTV reported.
PM Otherwise Okay but Turns Hysterical During Polls: Pawar
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said while the former is otherwise "alright" but turns hysterical during elections.
Advising his party workers not to criticise anybody at the personal level, Pawar quipped that that responsibility has been taken up by the prime minister.
He was speaking to NCP workers at Daund in Pune district of Maharashtra.
"I would like to tell you that do not criticise anybody at the personal level. When the prime minister of the country has taken up that responsibility, why should you get into that," he said sarcastically.
(Source: PTI)
BJP to Release Manifesto for Lok Sabha Polls on Monday
The BJP will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to start from 11 April on Monday with issues of development and national security set to be its key highlights.
Top party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its chief Amit Shah, will be present at the launch of the manifesto, described by the BJP as its "sankalp patra".
A party statement said members of its parliamentary board, the BJP's apex body whose members include Modi, will be present on the occasion.
(Source: PTI)
Every Direction by EC Will Be Followed During Polls, HC Told Nagpur
The Nagpur collector-cum-returning officer today assured the Bombay High Court that every direction and guideline issued by the Election Commission (EC) will be followed during the elections and post-poll arrangements.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court was hearing a petition filed by Nana Patole, Congress' Nagpur Lok Sabha candidate.
Patole had filed the petition on Saturday, seeking, among other things, an order to the authorities to ensure that CCTV cameras installed outside two strongrooms in the city, where electronic voting machines are kept, function properly.
(Source: PTI)
Cong Removed Stanza from Campaign Theme Song After EC Raised Objection
The Congress had to remove one stanza from its campaign theme song, which was an apparent jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the Election Commission objected to it, sources said.
A media monitoring committee of the Election Commission had Saturday objected to the stanza. After it was removed, the song was cleared for release, sources in the EC said.
The Election Commission has set up media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) at state and district levels to clear political advertisements and campaign material for the Lok Sabha election.
The Congress had referred its theme song to MCMC in Delhi.
(Source: PTI)
IT Raids: DMK Leader Duraimurugan Alleges Plot to Frame Him
Slamming the recent IT raids at the premises owned by his son, contesting the Vellore Lok Sabha seat, DMK Treasurer M Duraimurugan on Sunday said nothing incriminating could be found and it was an attempt by the Centre and Tamil Nadu governments to wreak personal vengeance.
In a statement here, he said winning or losing an election and having differences of opinion between political parties were only common.
"But what stands out today is the ruling party's attempts to wreak personal vengeance in order to bring disgrace to the opponent," Duraimurugan alleged.
The recent searches conducted by the Income Tax authorities at the residences and college owned by his son Kadhir Anand, the DMK candidate in Vellore, were part of this trend. Though "nothing illegal" was found, they were being closely monitored even after the raids, he claimed.
(Source: PTI)
Chidambaram Claims IT Raids Being Planned at His Residence to Cripple Poll Campaign
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram alleged on late Sunday night that the government was planning Income Tax raids at his residence in a bid to cripple the Lok Sabha election campaign.
He said the people of the country were watching and would give a befitting reply in this election.
"I have been told that the I-T Department has plans to raid my residence in Sivaganga constituency and in Chennai. We will welcome the search party," he said on Twitter.
"The IT department knows that we have nothing to hide. They and other agencies have searched our residences before and found nothing. The intention is to cripple the election campaign," he claimed.
The former finance minister said the people are watching the "excesses of this government and will deliver a fitting lesson in the elections".
Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram is contesting the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu. He is facing charges of corruption and is out on bail.
(Source: PTI)
Will Not Let Rahul Gandhi Come to Power by Supporting Traitors, Says Thackeray
Hitting out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his party's promise to abolish sedition law, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that he will not be allowed to come to power by supporting "traitors".
Thackeray was addressing an election rally at Kalmeshwar in support of Shiv Sena's Ramtek constituency candidate Krupal Tumane.
He said the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Republican Party of India (RPI) have come together on one ideology for the love of the nation.
(Source: PTI)
CEO Seeks Report from Saharanpur Administration on Mayawati's Speech During Rally
The chief electoral officer has sought a report on Sunday from the Saharanpur district administration on BSP chief Mayawati's speech during a joint SP-BSP-RLD rally in Deoband.
Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwarlu said he received several complaints and he had sought a report from the district administration on the issue.
During the rally on Sunday, Mayawati said the Congress was busy dividing the votes and cautioned the gathering to guard against any such attempt.
"In western UP, where people of all communities live...in Saharanpur, Bareilly, where there is a huge Muslim population...I want to tell the Muslim community...don't divide your votes...give it to the BSP, SP and RLD alliance," she told the rally..
(Source: PTI)
(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.)