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.
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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.
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)
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)
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)