Polls 2019: BJP Leaders’ Convoy ‘Attacked’ in West Bengal
Catch the latest news updates of Lok Sabha elections 2019 here.
Five phases have been completed in the ongoing seven-phase Lok Sabha 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.
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SP to Support AAP in 2 Delhi Seats & BSP in Rest
The Samajwadi Party said on Monday, 6 May, it would support the Bahujan Samaj Party in Delhi and also the Aam Aadmi Party in two seats, PTI reported.
As per directions of the top leadership, the SP workers in Delhi will work for the BSP candidates, the spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party's Delhi unit, R S Yadav, said in a statement.
"We will also support New Delhi and North West Delhi (reserved) candidates of the AAP as the BSP has not fielded its candidates there," Yadav added.
Not Built Even One Ram Temple, Mamata Tells Modi
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee asked PM Narendra Modi that he keeps talking about 'Jai Shri Ram’ but has not built even one Ram temple.
AP CM Naidu Writes to ECI Demanding Verification of 50% EVMs
Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Election Commission of India demanding to verify 50% of the EVMs using the VVPAT slips.
No Appointment Between KCR And Stalin Yet, Says Kavitha
TRS MP K Kavitha told ANI that there is no appointment fixed between Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and DMK President MK Stalin yet.
Gambhir's Celebrity Status Will Go Against Him: Atishi
Claiming that her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir is proving to be a “novice” whose celebrity status will go against him, AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi says people might want to see stars but want their representatives to be available to them in their everyday lives, reports PTI.
The Oxford graduate, who believes the BJP is her main opponent and the Congress is number three in the electoral race, said people won't vote for the former cricketer because they know he will anyway get disqualified after the elections.
Editor's Guild of India Issues Statement on Violence on Journalists in WB
"The Editors Guild of India condemns several incidents of physical attacks on journalists in West Bengal on May 6, during the fifth phase of polling," read the statement.
United Front-Type Govt "Only Likelihood" Now: TRS Leader
A United Front-type government of regional parties supported by the Congress is the "only likelihood" after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a key TRS leader said Tuesday.
Discussed National Scenario: Kerala CM on Meeting With KCR
Kerala CM P Vijayan said, “Monday’s meeting with KC Rao was significant. We discussed the national political scenario. According to KC Rao, both the fronts may not get a majority. So, the regional parties will play a prominent role. There were no discussions about the PM candidate.”
Polling Officer Dies, 24 Injured as Vehicle Overturns in Amethi
A polling officer died while 24 others, including security personnel, were injured when their vehicle overturned in the district, officials said Tuesday.
(Source: PTI)
Elections In West Bengal For Restoring Democracy: Amit Shah
“If Lord Ram's name is not taken in India, will it be chanted in Pakistan. Election in West Bengal is for restoring democracy in the state, where BJP will win more than 23 seats,” said BJP chief Amit Shah at rally in West Bengal.
Pondy CM "Intimidates" Officials to Implement Govt Orders: AIADMK
The AIADMK in Puducherry Tuesday charged Chief Minister V Narayanasamy with "intimidating" officials to implement government orders lest they should face contempt of court proceedings.
200 DU Teachers Condemn Modi's Remarks on Former PM Rajiv Gandhi
Over 200 Delhi University teachers have issued a public statement condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making "derogatory and untrue" remarks about former PM Rajiv Gandhi, reported PTI.
Narendra Modi has lowered the dignity of the office of the prime minister by making derogatory and untrue remarks about the late Rajivji, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation," the statement issued Monday night and signed by 207 teachers read.
Giriraj Surrenders in Court in MCC Violation Case, Gets Bail
Union minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday surrendered before a local court in a model code of conduct violation case for making controversial remarks against the Muslim community at an election rally in the state.
(Source: PTI)
South India Got Step-Motherly Treatment, Will Play Key Role in Voting out Modi: Tharoor
Alleging that south India received "step motherly" treatment under the Modi government, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the south will play a key role in voting out the ruling dispensation and "overwhelmingly" side with the Congress.
Modi Govt Has Run Economy, Security into the Ground: Yechury
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Tuesday attacked the BJP government, alleging that the country's economy and security have been run into the ground in the last five years. In a series of tweets, he listed the "failures" of the government since 2014 and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot escape the pitfalls.
BJP Leaders Seek Vote By Insulting My Family Members, Says Priyanka
BJP leaders never talk about whether the promises they made were fulfilled or not in election rallies. Sometimes they ask votes in the name of martyrs and sometimes by insulting the martyrs of my family., said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Ambala.
Cong Will Protect 'Jal, Jungle Zameen', Says Rahul
Congress will protect the 'jal, jungle, zameen' (water, forest and land) of tribals, said Rahul Gandhi at Jharkhand rally.
Mahagathbandhan Partners Abused PM Modi: Amit Shah
Congress and its 'Mahagathbandhan' partners abused PM Narendra Modi on 51 different occasions, said BJP chief Amit Shah.
Trying to Convince People to Vote for Education, Health: Sisodia
Replying to a notice sent by the Delhi poll panel, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday, 7 May, said he had no hesitation in accepting that he was trying to convince people to vote for education and health instead of Mandir-Masjid (politics of religion).
"However, as far as the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Party leader is concerned, I would like to say that this is nothing but expression of their frustration. The letters have been written by me to individuals in my personal capacity. No public fund has been used in sending the letters," he said in his reply.
(Source: PTI)
Sisodia to Furnish Comments by 5pm Tomorrow Over Tweet on Atishi's Religion
East Delhi Returning Officer had issued notice to Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia over violation of Model Code of Conduct regarding a tweet on religion of AAP's East Delhi Candidate Atishi. He has been asked to furnish his comments on the matter by 5 pm tomorrow.
(Source: ANI)
Chandrababu Naidu to Participate in Mamata's Poll Rallies
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will participate in poll rallies of his West Bengal counterpart, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, in the state.
According to a highly-placed source in the Andhra Pradesh government, Naidu will arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday morning and participate in two campaign rallies of Banerjee one scheduled at Jhargram and the second at Haldia.
After spending Wednesday night at Haldia, Naidu, who is also the Telegu Desam Party president, will speak at another campaign rally at Kharagpur the next day, the official told PTI.
After the meeting in Kharagpur, both the chief ministers will head towards Kolkata where they are likely to have a close door meeting on Thursday evening, he said adding Naidu is scheduled to leave that night itself.
Looks Difficult for BJP to Reach 280-Mark: Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has echoed BJP general secretary Ram Madhav's statement that the latter's party may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to depend on allies to form the next government.
"What Ram Madhav says is right. The NDA will form the next government. The BJP will be the single largest party. As of now, it looks a bit difficult for the BJP to reach the 280- 282 figure on its own but our NDA "parivar" (family) will cross the majority mark," Raut told a TV channel.
Raut told PTI on Tuesday that the Sena would be happy if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister again.
EC 'Swayed' by PM Modi, Alleges NCP
The NCP on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission is "swayed" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik made the comment after the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of 21 opposition parties seeking a review of its 8 April order directing the EC to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths per Assembly segment.
Malik alleged that the EC did not find a way out despite there being a possibility of votes polled through the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips not tallying.
(Source: PTI)
Notification Issued for Bypolls to 3 Vacancies in Telangana Legislative Council
A notification was issued today for the bye-elections to the Telangana Legislative Council from Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Warangal Local Authorities' Constituencies.
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, polling would be held on 31 May.
The last date for filing nominations is 14 May and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is 17 May.
Counting of votes would be taken up on 3 June.
(Source: PTI)
Congress MP Sushmita Dev Files Additional Affidavit in SC
Congress MP Sushmita Dev has filed an additional affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that "the respondent ECI failed to appreciate that the hate speeches delivered by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are ‘corrupt practices’ under Section 123A of the Representation of People Act, 1951".
The affidavit states that the Election Commission has taken action against Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Maneka Gandhi, BSP leader Mayawati for statements similar in tone, tenor and intention to that of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Yet no action has been taken against Shah and Modi.
(Source: ANI)
Priyanka Attacks Modi, Says Duryodhana Too Had Such Arrogance
In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has said that the Mahabharata character Duryodhana too had “such arrogance”.
Addressing a public meeting in Ambala, she also criticised Modi for calling her late father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi “Bhrashtachari Number 1” (the most corrupt).
She dared Modi to fight the Lok Sabha elections on issues like development rather than “divert” the people's attention.
“This country has never forgiven ego and arrogance. History is witness to this, the Mahabharata is witness to this,” she said at the meeting in support of Kumari Selja, the Congress candidate from Ambala.
(Source: PTI)
Amit Shah Hits Back at Priyanka Over Her 'Duryodhana' Jibe
BJP President Amit Shah in West Bengal’ Bishnupur said “Priyanka Vadra just called PM Modi 'Duryodhana.' I want to remind Priyanka ji that this is democracy, nobody becomes 'Duryodhana' just because you called them so. We will find out on 23 May who is 'Duryodhana and who is 'Arjuna.'
(Source: ANI)
BJP Getting Access to Official Documents in Tripura: Congress
A senior Congress leader in Tripura has said the party has has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that the BJP is getting access to government documents and has demanded an inquiry into it.
A BJP delegation had met the Chief Election Commissioner on 2 May and submitted a memorandum demanding the removal of Tripura Chief Electoral Officer.
Tripura Congress vice president Tapas Dey said that " ... documents attached in the BJP memorandum to the CEC include a letter of the Returning Officer addressed to the chief secretary of Tripura, a representation by Tripura Civil Service Association and the chief secretary's letter to the ECI".
Dey said the BJP was 'not supposed' to have access to such government documents and alleged they were given to the saffron party in an "unauthorised manner" and demanded an inquiry into it.
(Source: PTI)
Is 'Kejriwal CM of Delhi or Leader of Dharnas?' Asks Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a jibe at his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal today, asking whether the AAP supremo was the head of city administration or leader of dharnas and demonstrations.
Addressing a rally in the national capital in support of BJP's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir, Adityanath said, "We are confident that he will be opening our victory tally in Delhi just as he opened for team India in cricket."
Taking a jibe at Kejriwal, he asked whether the AAP supremo was a "mukhiya of Delhi or dharna" (head of Delhi or leader of dharnas and demonstrations).
He said the AAP supremo attacked the Congress before gaining power in Delhi and then sought to "make an alliance" with the same party.
(Source: PTI)
MP CM Kamal Nath Rejects BJP's Claim, Says Govt Has Cleared Crop Loans of 21 Lakh Farmers till Now
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said so far crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared by his government and rejected the BJP's claim of the Congress not fulfilling its pre-poll promise on loan waiver.
BJP national vice-president and former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has claimed the ruling Congress has failed to implement the farm loan waiver scheme it had promised ahead of the November assembly polls.
However, Nath rejected Chouhan's assertion and reeled out statistics on implementation of the scheme.
"Within hours of coming to power (in December) we issued orders for waiving farm loans as promised. The process of doing it is going on and as of now we have waived agriculture loans of 21.06 lakh farmers in the state," he told reporters at his residence in Bhopal.
(source: PTI)
Modi Should Get 'Tight Slap' of Democracy: Mamata
"Narendra Modi should get a tight slap of democracy," a furious TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said today, hitting back at the prime minister for alleging repeatedly that her government is run by extortionist syndicates.
She also questioned the BJP's nationalistic and patriotic claims, saying it was an "RSS man" who killed Mahatma Gandhi.
"I do not bow my head in politics. When Modi alleges that Trinamool Congress is a party of syndicates...its government is run by syndicates, I feel he should get a tight slap of democracy (be defeated in election)," she said at a public meeting at Raghunathpur in Purulia, West Bengal.
(Source: PTI)
EC's Job Is to Conduct Elections in Transparent Manner: Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu after Opposition leaders' meeting with the Election Commission says: “EC's job is to conduct elections in transparent manner, what we are asking for is - protect democracy and bring transparency. They agreed to some points and are working on those. Let them work, we'll decide (again) what to do.
(Source: ANI)
'I Have Learnt to Speak the Truth from PM Modi': Anupam Kher
"I have done 515 films but not all of those were hits. The Newspaper which published that (Anupam Kher's rally cancelled on 6 May due to poor crowd), I hope it shows pictures from this rally today. I will then acknowledge its neutrality. (Ye sach bolna humne Modi ji se seekha hai).. I have learnt to speak the truth from PM Modi..,” ANI quotes Anupam Kher as saying in Chandigarh.
Opposition 'Abusing' Modi in Frustration: BJP
Accusing the opposition parties of targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a torrent of "abuses" in frustration over their "poor" show in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the BJP said today that people will give them a befitting reply on 23 May when votes are counted.
At a press conference, BJP vice president Baijayant Jay Panda and its media head Anil Baluni claimed that the "Modi wave" will help the saffron party gain many seats from states like Odisha and West Bengal, leading it to better its tally of 282 seats in 2014.
Panda said the opposition, which is in "panic mode", has been "abusing" Modi, referring to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's comparison of the prime minister with Duryodhan, the antagonist to righteous Pandavas in epic Mahabharat.
He also referred to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks that Modi should get a "tight slap of democracy" to attack the opposition.
Her desperation shows how much the ground has shifted in the state, Panda said.
(Source: PTI)
Kerala CM Slams BJP-led NDA for 'Halting' State Highway Work
Slamming the Centre for allegedly halting the land acquisition process for national highways in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said the BJP-led NDA government and the Sangh Parivar has got only one agenda and that was to destroy all the development the state has gained over the years.
He said if there was one organisation that had not contributed anything for the growth of the state, "it is the Sangh Parivar."
Vijayan also alleged that the BJP has become a political party which stands against the interest of people.
(Source: PTI)
'Rejection of Nomination': SC to Hear Tej Bahadur's Plea Tomorrow
The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday, 8 May, the plea of former BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against the rejection of his nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, reports ANI.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Uses Postal Ballot Option to Save Expenses on Security, Time
Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and wife Darshana Devi opted for postal ballot option to cast their votes to save time and government expenses on security arrangements, an official spokesperson said.
Enrolled in the voter list of Haryana's Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat, where the election is on 12 May, the governor and his wife sent their ballots by post to the constituency's returning officer, he said.
He added that the postal ballots were certified by the Raj Bhawan secretary.
(Source: PTI)
Karnataka Cong Rubbishes Reports of Preparing for Assembly Polls After LS Results
Rubbishing reports that Congress in Karnataka was preparing for assembly polls after the Lok Sabha election results, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said that the coalition government would complete its five year term.
The senior Congress leader also termed as 'impertinent' at this point of time, statements by some party leaders pitching for Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister once again and said there is a system in place in the party to choose the candidate.
"Some unwanted people are spreading news about going for the polls. No one is ready to go for elections. We have formed an alliance with an intention to run the government for five years and will complete the full term," Parameshwara told reporters in Kalburgi.
(Source: PTI)
Cong Leader Duli Chand Lohiya Joins AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today said Congress leader Duli Chand Lohiya has joined the party in the presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal welcomed him and said "with Duli Chand Lohiya in AAP, the party will have an upper hand in the Rajouri Garden Assembly constituency area", the AAP said in a statement.
The statement quoted Lohiya as saying that he was inspired by the work of the AAP in Delhi.
He said he joined the AAP as policies of the Congress were "anti-people" and it had no vision for Delhi.
(Source: PTI)
BJP Leaders Himanta Biswa and Dilip Ghosh's Convoy Attacked in Bengal
BJP leaders Himanta Biswa Sarma and Dilip Ghosh's convoy has been attacked in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. The BJP has alleged that TMC is behind the attack, reports ANI.
EC Gives Clean Chit to PM Modi Over Rajiv Gandhi Remarks
The Election Commission on Tuesday, 7 May, disposed of the complaint against PM Narendra Modi over his 'Bhrashtachari No. 1' remark against former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
"Prima facie, we did not figure out any literal violation of MCC as given in Election Commission of India instructions. Case is therefore disposed off,” EC said, as per ANI.
Congress Workers Burn Effigy of Modi for His Remarks Against Rajiv Gandhi
Congress workers today took out a procession in Agartala and burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest his "bhrashtachari no. 1" barb against former premier Rajiv Gandhi.
The procession by the Congress workers started from the party office in Agartala and moved through different parts of the city.
The Congress workers chanted slogans against Modi and burnt his effigy near the Congress Bhavan.
Tripura Congress Vice-President Tapas Dey and senior party leader Subal Bhowmik termed Modi's remark against Rajiv Gandhi as "ungraceful" and demanded an apology from the prime minister.
(Source: PTI)
Hans Raj Hans Case: Vijay Goel, Raman Singh Stage Protest in New Delhi
Union minister Vijay Goel and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh along with some members of the Valmiki community staged a protest in New Delhi today over allegations levelled by AAP against BJP's North West Delhi candidate Hans Raj Hans, the minister's office said.
Goel said AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had "falsely accused" Hans of "converting to Islam" and AAP leader Rajendra Pal Gautam had also alleged on social media that Hans is not a Valmiki but a Muslim.
"The AAP leaders have reduced political discourse to the lowest possible level," Goel claimed in a statement issued by his office.
Goel said he would "file a complaint" with the SC/ST Commission.
"This is a big insult to Valmikis as someone who has been a Valmiki since his birth, who had been chairman of Valmiki Safai Karmchari Union and vice-chairman of Valmiki Amritsar Trust, is being called a Muslim by Kejriwal for his vote bank politics," the union minister was quoted as saying in the statement.
(Source: PTI)
Slain Gangster's Sister Quits Akali Dal, Joins Congress
In a setback to the Akali Dal, Rajdeep Kaur, the sister of slain gangster Jaswinder Singh Rocky, and his mother Harmander Kaur on Tuesday, 7 May, quit the party and joined the Congress.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh welcomed Rajdeep into the Congress fold, a little over a year after she had joined the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Rajdeep had contested the 2017 assembly polls as an independent from Fazilka constituency which comes under the Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat from where SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is contesting. She had secured over 38,000 votes.
(Source: PTI)
Rahul Seeks Time till Weekend to Respond to EC Show-Cause
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has sought time till this weekend from the Election Commission to respond to a show-cause notice issued over his remark that the Narendra Modi government had enacted a new law which allowed tribals to be shot at.
The commission is yet to take a call on the request, sources said.
Last Friday, Gandhi had sought time till 7 May to respond to the notice, following which the EC had granted an extension.
(Source: PTI)
Cong 'Report Card' on AAP Government Alleges Failure on Governance Front
The Congress on Tuesday brought out a "report card" of the AAP government in the national capital, with the party's Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit blaming the dispensation of "failure" on all fronts and taking credit for works done earlier by her party.
The "report card" alleged that the Delhi government had failed on various fronts, including education, health, public transport, electricity supply and welfare schemes for poor, among others.
"The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has been a total failure in delivering on its promises. It has taken credit for the works done by the Congress government during its 15-year rule in Delhi," Dikshit said.
(Source: PTI)
Nobody Has the Courage to Make a Movie on Prophet Mohammed: Giriraj Singh
Hours after a Bihar court granted him bail in a poll code violation case for making controversial remarks against the Muslim community, Union minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday made another provocative statement.
In an apparent reference to the controversial Malayalam movie, the minister said anybody can make a film like "Sexy Durga" but nobody has the courage to make one on Prophet Mohammed or Fatima.
Giriraj Singh was addressing a public meeting in support of BJP's South Delhi candidate Ramesh Bidhuri.
(Source: PTI)