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Major Setback For BJP: Union Ministers Who Lost 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

June 5, 2024, 4:47 pm

In a significant shift from the sweeping mandates of 2014 and 2019, the BJP faced setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, forcing the party to rely on its NDA partners to form the government. The Election Commission of India has declared results for 542 out of 543 constituencies, with the BJP securing 240 seats and the Indian National Congress trailing with 99.

Among the prominent BJP leaders who lost their seats are:

Smriti Irani, who was defeated in Amethi by Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma by a margin of 1,67,196 votes.
Ajay Mishra Teni, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who lost to the Samajwadi Party’s Utkarsh Verma in Lakhimpur Kheri by over 34,329 votes.
Arjun Munda, Union Tribal Affairs Minister, who faced a defeat in Jharkhand’s Khunti constituency to Congress candidate Kalicharan Munda by 1,49,675 votes.
Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, who finished third in Rajasthan’s Barmer, trailing by 4.48 lakh votes behind the Congress’ Ummeda Ram Beniwal.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, who lost in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram to Congress’ Shashi Tharoor by over 16,077 votes.

Additionally, several other BJP ministers, including Mahendra Nath Pandey, Kaushal Kishore, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Sanjeev Balyan, Rao Saheb Danve, RK Singh, V Muraleedharan, L Murugan, Subhas Sarkar, and Nishith Pramanik, also faced defeats in the polls.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Smriti Irani concedes defeat in Amethi

June 4, 2024, 7:07 pm

Union Minister Smriti Irani lost the much-vaunted Amethi Lok Sabha seat to Congress’ Kishori Lal Sharma by a margin of 167196 votes. Speaking in the aftermath, she said, “I express my gratitude to all the BJP party workers and supporters, those who have worked in the service of the constituency and the party with utmost dedication and fidelity…Today, I am grateful to PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath that their governments have completed the pending works of 30 years in just 5 years. I congratulate those who win. I will continue to be in the service of the people of Amethi…”

#WATCH | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, ” We are going to have a meeting with our INDIA alliance partners tomorrow…we respect our alliance partners and we won’t make statements to press without asking them” pic.twitter.com/9y1lQVRGSz

— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2024

Irani won the seat in 2019, securing 49.71% of the votes dethroning Rahul Gandhi who had managed to get 43.86% of the votes. Notably, this year, the Gandhi scion left Amethi to Sharma and took up his mother Sonia Gandhi’s mantle in Raebareli, where he is leading by over 60,000 votes. Earlier, speaking to NDTV, Irani had claimed that Gandhi, who had represented Amethi for three consecutive terms from 2004 to 2019, opted not to contest the seat because it would have been challenging.

Meanwhile, Congress, which leads the opposition INDIA bloc also gained momentum in Allahabad with a lead of over 58,000 votes. Interestingly, the last instance of the Sangam city electing a Congress MP dates back to the 1984 general elections when the iconic Amitabh Bachchan secured the seat.

Congress Reverses Stance, Announces Participation in Exit Poll Debates

June 1, 2024, 6:23 pm

Reversing its previous stance, Congress announced on Saturday that it will participate in exit poll debates on television channels as polling for the final phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded. “INDIA parties met and decided to expose the BJP and its ecosystem on the prefixed exit polls,” Congress leader Pawan Khera said in a social media post on X. He added that the decision was made after “considering factors for and against participating in the exit polls.” Khera also added that the polls were meaningless speculations.

The party had earlier drawn flak from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which claimed that Congress had already conceded the elections. The saffron party asked voters not to waste their votes in the seventh and last phase of the polls on Saturday, as Congress usually opts out when it doesn’t expect favorable results.

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress-led INDIA bloc conducted a significant strategy meeting. The gathering took place at the Delhi residence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Senior leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh from the Aam Aadmi Party, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, and others, had already arrived.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 7 Live: 49.68% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 3 PM; Jharkhand In The Lead With 60.14%

June 1, 2024, 8:09 am

Voting for the seventh and final phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections commenced at 7 am on Saturday, concluding the largest democratic process to elect 543 representatives for the 18th Lok Sabha. A total of 57 constituencies (41 General, 3 ST, and 13 SC) across eight states and Union Territories are voting to decide the fate of 904 candidates. Simultaneously, polling for 42 assembly constituencies of the Odisha Legislative Assembly is also taking place.

The states and Union Territories involved in this seventh phase include Bihar (8/40 seats), Himachal Pradesh (4/4), Jharkhand (3/14), Odisha (6/21), Punjab (13/13), Uttar Pradesh (13/80), West Bengal (9/42), and the Chandigarh Union Territory.

Key candidates in this phase are PM Modi, who is seeking a third term from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, former Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad (Patna Sahib), actress Kangana Ranaut (Mandi), Congress’ Manish Tewari (Chandigarh), Samajwadi Party leader Afzal Ansari (Ghazipur), and Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh (Karakat).

June 1, 2024 4 : 00 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: 49.68% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the 7th phase of elections.

#LokSabhaElections2024 | 49.68% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the 7th phase of elections.

Bihar 42.95%
Chandigarh 52.61%
Himachal Pradesh 58.41%
Jharkhand 60.14%
Odisha 49.77%
Punjab 46.38%
Uttar Pradesh 46.83%
West Bengal 58.46% pic.twitter.com/hPreOqwttt

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 1 : 52 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: BJP candidate from Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency, Locket Chatterjee casts her vote

#WATCH | West Bengal: BJP candidate from Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency, Locket Chatterjee casts her vote at a polling station in Dum Dum, North 24 Parganas for the last phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/HIpBG4QPDo

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 1 : 52 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Odisha records 37.64% voter turnout till 1 pm in the fourth phase of elections to its State Legislative Assembly.

Odisha records 37.64% voter turnout till 1 pm in the fourth phase of elections to its State Legislative Assembly. pic.twitter.com/2c4TzZ9WbJ

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 1 : 52 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: 40.09% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in the 7th phase of elections.

#LokSabhaElections2024 | 40.09% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in the 7th phase of elections.

Bihar 35.65%
Chandigarh 40.14%
Himachal Pradesh 48.63%
Jharkhand 46.80%
Odisha 37.64%
Punjab 37.80%
Uttar Pradesh 39.31%
West Bengal 45.07% pic.twitter.com/4jsl6EwUjG

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 12 : 47 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Odisha | BJD parliamentary candidate from Mayurbhanj, Sudam Marandi with his family casts his vote in Baridapa

#WATCH | Odisha | BJD parliamentary candidate from Mayurbhanj, Sudam Marandi with his family casts his vote in Baridapa pic.twitter.com/6Ckw2NAVIT

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 12 : 30 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Monks from ISKCON Temple in Kolkata cast their votes for the seventh phase at a polling station in Kolkata

#WATCH | West Bengal: Monks from ISKCON Temple in Kolkata cast their votes for the seventh phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 , at a polling station in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/8EwuZPiBJh

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 12 : 05 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Odisha records 22.97% voter turnout till 11 am in the fourth phase of elections to its State Legislative Assembly

June 1, 2024 12 : 05 PM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: 26.3% voter turnout recorded till 11 am, in the 7th phase of elections.

June 1, 2024 11 : 07 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Punjab Congress President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring Casts Vote in Sri Muktsar Sahib

Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab: Punjab Congress President and candidate from Ludhiana Lok Sabha Seat, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring casts his vote at a polling booth in Sri Muktsar Sahib under the Firozpur Lok Sabha constituency. Congress has fielded Sher Singh Ghubaya from this seat. BJP has fielded Gurmit Singh Sodhi, SAD has fielded Nardev Singh Bobby Mann and AAP has fielded Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar.

June 1, 2024 11 : 07 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: “TMC Supporters Protest Alleged Proxy Voting by BJP Candidate in Kolkata North

#WATCH | West Bengal: TMC supporters raise slogans against BJP candidate from Kolkata North Lok Sabha seat Tapas Roy outside a polling booth in Kolkata. They alleged that the BJP is doing proxy voting here. pic.twitter.com/9sG3Ukwqlj

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 11 : 07 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: “Vikramaditya Singh Urges High Voter Turnout, Emphasizes People’s Role in Mandi’s Success”

Congress candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat Vikramaditya Singh says “We have got a very good response from the people of Mandi. It will be the victory of 14 lakh people of Mandi and not just Vikramaditya Singh. I appeal to the people to come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote…”

June 1, 2024 11 : 07 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: “INDIA Alliance Leads NDA by 50 Seats: Partap Singh Bajwa Ahead of Bloc Meeting

On INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi today, LoP and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa says, “As per our survey, INDIA Alliance leads NDA by around 50 seats. They will get 235-245 seats…So, we have called this meeting immediately so that no horse trading takes place. We suspect that they can go to any level. If the meeting has been called today, it means that we know that we are getting the majority…”

June 1, 2024 10 : 25 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: TMC candidate Abhishek Banerjee says “…This election is not to elect, but to protest and reject. “

TMC National General Secretary and candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Abhishek Banerjee says “…This election is not to elect, but to protest and reject. This time, we are going to vote for our representative but also to give a befitting reply to the NDA 2 which came to power in 2019…From what I have seen on the ground, I can say that from 2021 to May 2024, the BJP has not been able to provide substantial relief to the people of West Bengal…Today, it is the day for the voters to give a reply to them. ‘4 ko jab result aaenge toh jawaab karaara milega’…”

#WATCH | TMC National General Secretary and candidate from Diamond Harbour seat, Abhishek Banerjee says "…This election is not to elect, but to protest and reject. This time, we are going to vote for our representative but also to give a befitting reply to the NDA 2 which came… pic.twitter.com/3uW1iZshpT

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 10 : 25 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Indian Army personnel stand in a queue to cast their votes

Punjab: Indian Army personnel stand in a queue as they await their turn to cast their votes in the last phase of Lok sabha Election 2024 at a polling booth in Ferozepur Cantt.

#WATCH | Punjab: Indian Army personnel stand in a queue as they await their turn to cast their votes in the last phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 at a polling booth in Ferozepur Cantt.

(Source – DPRO Ferozpur ) pic.twitter.com/Wu3njKndVs

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 10 : 25 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live:”Union Minister Murugan Predicts BJP’s Strong Electoral Performance in Tamil Nadu”

Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nilgiris, L Murugan says, “India’s economy, which was at 10th position in 2014, has improved in the last 10 years and now we have reached 5th position…BJP will win double-digit seats in Tamil Nadu…”

June 1, 2024 10 : 00 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: 11.31% voter turnout recorded till 9 am, in the 7th phase of elections.

#LokSabhaElections2024 | 11.31% voter turnout recorded till 9 am, in the 7th phase of elections.

Bihar 10.58%
Chandigarh 11.64%
Himachal Pradesh 14.35%
Jharkhand 12.15%
Odisha 7.69%
Punjab 9.64%
Uttar Pradesh 12.94%
West Bengal 12.63% pic.twitter.com/fVC2GPGH57

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 9:55 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Odisha records 7.69% voter turnout till 9 am in the fourth phase of elections to its State Legislative Assembly.

Odisha records 7.69% voter turnout till 9 am in the fourth phase of elections to its State Legislative Assembly. pic.twitter.com/IU0T3WOdYL

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 9:51 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: BJP national president JP Nadda emphasizes trust people have in Prime Minister Modi’s assurances

BJP national president JP Nadda emphasized the trust people have in Prime Minister Modi’s assurances, stating, “The only thing that people kept in their minds is that Modi’s guarantee means the guarantee of fulfilment of the guarantee. The country is in strong hands, the country is running a strong government under the leadership of PM Modi and is making India self-reliant.”

He criticized the Congress for creating confusion, particularly regarding their manifesto’s emphasis on special preferences for minorities, which he interpreted as appeasement tactics. Nadda underscored that issues like the Ram Mandir and Article 370 are matters of national importance and faith for the BJP, not merely political tools for garnering votes. He asserted, “But the whole country has stood with us and everyone understood that BJP has also saved the pride of India by building the Ram Mandir and by removing Article 370, the country has become stronger…”

June 1, 2024 9:51 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: “PM Narendra Modi Engages in Meditation at Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari”

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: PM Narendra Modi meditates at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, where Swami Vivekananda did meditation.

He started his meditation here on 30th May evening which will continue till 1st June evening. pic.twitter.com/PUrSzxJwZp

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 9:35 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav Urges Voters: “Defend Constitution, Democracy, and Reservation”

#WATCH | Patna: Former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "I appeal to people to come out of their homes and vote against those who want to end the Constitution, reservation, democracy…We have told you earlier also that Bihar will give a shocking result and we… pic.twitter.com/BAzBAq2vOs

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 9:35 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: We’ll win all 40 seats in Bihar”: RJD leader Rabri Devi after casting vote in Patna

June 1, 2024 9:20 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Ajay Rai, emphasizes the power of the public in decision-making

UP Congress chief and candidate from the Varanasi seat, Ajay Rai, emphasized the power of the public in decision-making, stating, “Public decides everything. Prime Minister had lost earlier too and ‘Banaras ka laal’ had defeated him. With the blessings of Baba Vishwanath and the people of Kashi, I will win. The love of Kashi is with me…”

Furthermore, he expressed his vision for promoting local interests, saying, “It will be absolutely Vocal for Local. People will give priority to Local. Someone who doesn’t know his lanes, his soil, a show-off son of Maa Ganga who is meditating by the seashore — if you have to do it, do it on the banks of River Ganga…”

June 1, 2024 9:20 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: Mandi BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut casts her vote

In Himachal Pradesh, BJP candidate for the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, Kangana Ranaut, cast her vote at a polling station in Mandi during the seventh and final phase of the general election. As for the competition, Congress has nominated Vikramaditya Singh for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat.

June 1, 2024 9:06 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Charanjit Singh Channi, former Punjab CM and Congress candidate from Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat says ” BJP are spreading false propaganda”

Charanjit Singh Channi, former Punjab CM and Congress candidate from the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, addressed concerns about false propaganda by the Aam Aadmi Party and BJP. He stated, “Aam Aadmi Party and BJP are spreading false propaganda. Yesterday BJP posted about Dera Ballan that Dera Ballan supports them, which Dera Ballan has denied and said that if they spread false propaganda like this then they will file an FIR. Dera Ballan has made it clear that they do not support BJP… I thank Baba Ji. Aam Aadmi Party has started spreading false propaganda… I want to warn people not to fall for such propaganda. And wherever I am going, people are congratulating me and we are going to win in large numbers. I thank the people of Jalandhar who have accepted me.”

June 1, 2024 9:06 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s wife says after casting vote “I appeal to women to come out and vote in large numbers.”

After casting her vote, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, “I appeal to women to come out and vote in large numbers. We should also contribute to elect a good government that can work for us…”

June 1, 2024 8:53 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann casts his vote

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife, Gurpreet Kaur, cast their votes at a polling booth in the Sangrur constituency.

The seat is witnessing a competition between Congress’ Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP’s Arvind Khanna, AAP’s Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, SAD’s Iqbal Singh Jhundan, and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)’s Simranjit Singh Mann.

#WATCH | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur cast their vote at a polling booth in Sangrur constituency.

The seat sees a contest amid Congress' Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP's Arvind Khanna, AAP's Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and SAD's Iqbal Singh Jhundan and… pic.twitter.com/tZpH7OtZGK

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 8.55 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill exercised his voting right for the final phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 at a polling station in Jalandhar, Punjab. In the constituency, AAP’s Pawan Kumar Tinu, BJP’s Shushil Kumar Rinku, and Congress’ Charanjit Singh Channi are competing against each other.

June 1, 2024 8.47 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister and BJP candidate from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, Anurag Thakur, accompanied by his father and former Himachal Pradesh CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, arrived at a polling station in Hamirpur to cast their votes for the seventh phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

The Congress has nominated Satpal Singh Raizada as its candidate from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat.

June 1, 2024 8.41 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

Rai is contesting against Prime Minister and BJP candidate Narendra Modi, as well as BSP’s Ather Jamal Lari.

UP Congress chief and candidate from the Varanasi seat, Ajay Rai, mentioned that they are receiving silent votes and support from those who previously backed other parties like BSP and Apna Dal. He noted that there appears to be a public desire for change, highlighting dissatisfaction among businessmen and weavers in the city, particularly due to the impact of GST. Rai remarked, “He (PM Modi) should have sat on the banks of Ganga ji and done meditation here.”

#WATCH | UP Congress chief & candidate from Varanasi seat, Ajay Rai says, "We are getting silent votes and those who were with other parties like BSP, Apna Dal are coming with us. That is why it seems that the public is in the mood for change. The businessmen, weavers in the city… pic.twitter.com/T4PFIHPY1f

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 8.41 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

In Himachal Pradesh, after casting his vote, BJP chief JP Nadda had tea and snacks with locals at a tea stall in Bilaspur and interacted with them.

#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: After casting his vote, BJP chief JP Nadda has tea and snacks with people at a tea stall in Bilaspur & interacts with them. pic.twitter.com/zgFZ0LM8fk

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 8:40 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: BJP Gorakhpur Ravi Kishan appeal to voters

As the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency undergoes voting during the final phase, actor and BJP candidate Ravi Kishan appealed to voters to exercise their vote.

“Humble greetings, namaste, and pranaam to all the voters of Gorakhpur. Friends, you all will be aware that today voting is being held in Gorakhpur under the seventh phase of Lok Sabha general elections. On this occasion, I humbly request all of you, the God-like voters who are the destiny makers of Gorakhpur, to exercise your right to vote in this great festival of democracy by discharging your duty as aware voters. Each and every vote of yours is important and will decide the future of your Lok Sabha and the country. Therefore, I once again appeal to all of you to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy,” he wrote on X.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: BJP MP and candidate from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan & his wife Preeti Kishan cast their votes at a polling booth in the constituency.

The Gorakhpur seat sees a contest amid BJP's Ravi Kishan, SP's Kajal Nishad and BSP's Javed Ashraf.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/bTC51NMa3E

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 8.35 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Hamirpur, Anurag Thakur along with his wife Shefali Thakur leave from their residence in Hamirpur to cast their votes for the seventh phase of Lok sabha Election 2024 Congress has fielded Satpal Singh Raizada from the Hamirpur LS seat.

June 1, 2024 8.31 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

Sikkim Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya says, “I am happy to take part in this festival of democracy. I think that voting is a duty along with being a constitutional right and everyone should perform their duty and exercise their right…”

June 1, 2024 8.23 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

In Kolkata, West Bengal, after casting his vote at a polling booth in Belgachia, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty stated that he had fulfilled his duty as a BJP cadre.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: After casting his vote at a polling booth in Belgachia, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty says, "…I am a BJP cadre, I have done my duty…"#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/jn7DPXT8i4

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

After casting his vote, UP CM Yogi Adityanath remarked, “PM Modi has taken some time out of his busy schedule of 2.5 months, although his entire life is dedicated to India. He has served India for 10 years and has increased India’s respect in the world by considering the country’s welfare as paramount. This spiritual worship of PM Modi is dedicated to the nation… Those who are involved in corruption and misconduct cannot understand the importance of this. To understand this, one needs to have faith in India and India’s eternal values, and we can say with confidence that the meditation and devotion of PM Modi is also a part of nation worship, and the country will also get its benefits…”

June 1, 2024 8.23 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

After casting his vote, UP CM Yogi Adityanath says, ” PM Modi is dedicated to nation.”

#WATCH | After casting his vote, UP CM Yogi Adityanath says "PM Modi has taken some time out of his busy schedule of 2.5 months, although his entire life is dedicated to India. He has served India for 10 years and has increased India's respect in the world by considering the… pic.twitter.com/DQperkT315

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024 8.28 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

Congress candidate from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa casts his vote for Lok sabha election 2024. The constituency is witnessing a triangular contest between Congress’ Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, BJP’s Dinesh Singh and AAP’s Amansher Singh.

June 1, 2024 8.21 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

AAP candidate Malvinder Singh Kang, emphasizes the importance of voting, urging people to come out and cast their votes

AAP candidate from Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat Malvinder Singh Kang says, “Your vote decides your future…We are repeatedly requesting people that no matter how hot it is, to strengthen democracy and save democracy, more and more people should come out and cast their vote.” BJP has fielded Dr Subhash Sharma from Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat. Congress has fielded Vijay Inder Singla.

June 1, 2024 8.16 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughter arrive at polling booth

Bihar: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughter & party candidate from Saran Lok Sabha seat Rohini Acharya arrive at a polling booth in Patna to cast their vote.

June 1, 2024 8:07 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: EVM, VVPAT machines allegedly thrown into water in Bengal’s South 24 Parganas

June 1, 2024 7:56 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Former Indian cricketer and AAP MP Harbhajan Singh casts his vote

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Former Indian cricketer and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh voted at a polling booth in Pubjab’s Jalandhar.

“Today is a very important day for all of us, and I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote foand elect a government that can work for you,” he said.

Voting in all the 13 parliamentary constituencies of Punjab is underway today, during the final phase of the general elections.

June 1, 2024 7:48 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: UP Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar casts his vote, appeals to people to vote for a better future

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: After casting his vote, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party president and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar says, “I want to appeal to the people to come out of their houses and cast their vote for a better future of people.”

He cast his vote in Ballia today during the final voting phase of thegeneral elections.

June 1, 2024 7:43 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: BJP candidate from Amritsar constituency, Taranjit Singh casts his vote

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: In Punjab, former diplomat and BJP candidate from the Amritsar constituency, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, cast his vote at a local polling booth.

He is competing against Congress MP and candidate Gurjeet Singh Aujla, AAP’s Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, and SAD’s Anil Joshi.

June 1, 2024 7:40 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: Sikkim Governor Laxman Acharya casts his vote in Varanasi

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: Sikkim Governor Laxman Acharya, along with his wife, cast a vote at the Ramnagar polling booth in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the fray as a BJP candidate from Varanasi during this phase.

June 1, 2024 7:36 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: AAP MP Raghav Chadha casts his vote in

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha showed his inked finger to the media after casting his vote at a polling station in Lakhnaur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar under the Anandpur Sahib constituency in Punjab, during the seventh and final phase of the general elections.

June 1, 2024 7:29 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: A long queue of voters at a polling booth in Korauta of Varanasi

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: Entering its final phase, the Lok Sabha elections will feature a notable contest at the crucial Varanasi seat, where 1,997,577 voters will determine the fate of seven candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

June 1, 2024 7:26 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: BJP chief JP Nadda casts his vote in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: BJP National President JP Nadda and his wife Mallika Nadda cast their votes at a polling booth in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur.

After voting, Nadda said, “I was the first voter here (in his booth). I appeal to all voters to vote in large numbers for a capable and self-reliant India. I urge voters to vote and contribute towards making India a capable, self-reliant and developed India…I consider this a festival of democracy.”

June 1, 2024 7:18 AM IST

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: UP CM Yogi Adityanath casts vote in Gorakhpur

Lok Sabha Election Phase 7 LIVE Updates: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi cast his vote in Gorakhpur’s Gorakhnath, where BJP’s Ravi Kishan, SP’s Kajal Nishad, and BSP’s Javed Ashraf are contesting.

A total of 13 parliamentary seats out of 80 are under-voting during the seventh and final phase of the general elections today.

Voting will continue until 6 pm

June 1, 2024 7:09 AM IST

Together, let’s make our democracy more vibrant: PM Modi urges voters to vote in large numbers

“Today is the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As 57 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls, calling upon the voters to turnout in large numbers and vote. I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers. Together, let’s make our democracy more vibrant and participative,” tweets PM Modi

June 1, 2024 7:03 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 7 LIVE: Voting begins across 57 constituencies

Voting begins across 57 constituencies

June 1, 2024 7:02 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 7 LIVE: AAP MP Raghav Chadha stands in a queue at a polling station in Lakhnaur

June 1, 2024 6:43 AM IST

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 7 LIVE: Girls perform Gidda at a polling booth in Mohali

Voting Begins for Final Phase of Lok Sabha Elections, PM Modi Among Candidates

June 1, 2024, 7:53 am

The final phase of Lok Sabha elections began on Saturday, with voting starting at 7 am across 57 parliamentary constituencies in seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. This phase concludes a month-long polling marathon, covering six previous phases and 486 seats.

Over 10.06 crore voters, including approximately 5.24 crore male, 4.82 crore female, and 3574 third gender electors, are expected to vote. Mock polls were conducted at various booths to ensure preparedness. Special measures, such as additional trains and helicopter sorties, have been taken to facilitate smooth voting, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Prominent candidates include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nishikant Dubey, Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Charanjit Singh Channi, and actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut. The final phase also sees by-polls for six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh.

The Election Commission has ensured polling stations are equipped with essential facilities and security measures, with strict surveillance to prevent any malpractice. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4, with exit polls to be aired after voting concludes on June 1.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Sixth Phase To Commence On May 25

May 23, 2024, 11:03 pm

The intense campaigning for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections concluded on Thursday, marked by scorching heat and fervent political rhetoric and promises from the candidates. This phase is scheduled for May 25, with voting to occur in 58 constituencies across six states and two Union territories.

Key constituencies

In the sixth phase, polling will take place in all seven seats in Delhi, 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats in Haryana, 8 seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, 6 seats in Odisha, 4 seats in Jharkhand, and 1 seat in Jammu and Kashmir.

Prominent Candidates

The prominent candidates in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections include Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP) from Sambalpur (Odisha), Manoj Tiwari (BJP) and Kanhaiya Kumar (Congress) from North East Delhi, Maneka Gandhi (BJP) from Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) from Anantnag-Rajouri (Jammu & Kashmir), Abhijit Gangopadhyay (BJP) from Tamluk (West Bengal), and from Haryana, BJP’s Manohar Lal Khattar (Karnal), Naveen Jindal (Kurukshetra), and Rao Inderjit Singh (Gurgaon).

PM Modi‘s jibe at INDIA bloc

On the final day of campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies in Punjab and Haryana, where he criticized the INDIA bloc, saying, “cow hasn’t given milk but the fight over ghee has started,” and accusing the alliance of “talking about having five PMs in five years.”

PM Modi emphasized that in this election, the Indian public is not only choosing a Prime Minister but also deciding on the “country’s future.” He asserted, “Till Modi is alive, no one can snatch the reservation for Dalits and tribals.”

The day before, during an election meeting, PM Modi remarked, “Just today, the Calcutta High Court has given a big slap to this INDI alliance. The court has cancelled all OBC certificates issued since 2010. Why? Because the West Bengal government issued unwarranted OBC certificates to Muslims just because of the vote bank.”

BJP’s campaign

In Delhi, the BJP’s election campaign included rallies by PM Modi and canvassing efforts by union ministers Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, and Piyush Goyal, along with chief ministers from BJP-ruled states such as Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), and Pramod Sawant (Goa).

Congress’s campaign

The Congress’s campaign was led by its chief Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and Sachin Pilot, among others. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, released on interim bail until June 1, held roadshows supporting Congress candidates, while Pilot campaigned for AAP’s South Delhi candidate Sahi Ram Pahalwan.

AAP’s campaign

AAP’s campaign gained momentum with Kejriwal’s release from Tihar. During his time in jail, his wife Sunita Kejriwal held roadshows for party candidates, while senior party leaders engaged in various outreach activities under the ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ campaign. After his release, the AAP supremo, along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, led roadshows in several constituencies, with Sunita also joining her husband for election meetings.

Campaign in Odisha

During the campaign in Odisha, BJP’s Puri candidate Sambit Patra stirred controversy by stating, “Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Modi,” before later expressing regret for his statement. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) responded strongly, stating that Patra’s “offensive” remark deeply offended the sentiments of Odias globally. The party also lodged a complaint with the EC against Patra for featuring an image of the Jagannath temple in a local media advertisement issued by him.

Campaign in UP

While campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party of prioritizing their vote bank over the Kumbh Mela. BSP chief Mayawati labeled both the Congress and the BJP as anti-Dalit and anti-backward, claiming their intentions and thoughts oppose reservation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his rallies, stated that in the five rounds of polling till now, BJP has “crossed 310” and the Congress is “not even getting 40 seats.”

Addressing a rally in Sant Kabir Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah accused several opposition party leaders of nepotism, saying, “Lalu Prasad Yadav wants to make his son the chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray wants to make his son the chief minister, Sharad Pawar wants to make his daughter the chief minister, Stalin wants to make his son the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee wants to make her nephew the chief minister, and Sonia Gandhi wants to make her son Rahul Gandhi the prime minister.”

EC on campaigning

As the election campaign intensified, the Election Commission intervened on Wednesday, instructing BJP leaders to avoid making speeches with religious or communal undertones and warning the Congress against making potentially divisive remarks regarding the socioeconomic makeup of the armed forces.

With the completion of Phase 5, more than half of the general election polling was completed, covering 25 states and Union territories and 428 out of 543 constituencies. The final phase of voting is set for June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

1000 Frustrated Villagers Boycotted Phase 5 Lok Sabha Election

May 21, 2024, 1:39 pm

On Monday, around 1,000 villagers from Dabjor in Odisha’s Balangir constituency boycotted the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, demanding schools and hospitals. The village has 1,071 eligible voters, including 561 men and 510 women. Reports indicate that polling staff sealed all the EVMs and VVPATs at the booths around 2 pm because no one showed up to vote.

This incident occurred in Dabjor village, located within the Karam Tala Gram Panchayat of the Titlagarh Assembly Constituency, part of the Balangir Lok Sabha Constituency. Booth 15 Presiding Officer Runu Meher informed ANI that the villagers boycotted the elections as no one came to vote despite hours of waiting. He stated, “While conducting the mock poll at 5:45 am, we noticed the absence of voters and poll agents. We waited for hours but neither the poll agent nor the voters arrived to cast their votes. As a result, we had to seal all the EVMs and VVPATs at 2 pm. We think they have boycotted the election over their demands of schools and hospitals.”

Villager and voter Debashish Patra explained that the boycott was due to numerous hardships from the lack of essential infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals. He mentioned, “Nine months ago, we complained to the district administration about the challenges we face, but no one has come to address them. Our Panchayat is located in a different village, 18 kilometers away. The government promotes the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, but do they consider the same daughter who has to cycle 18 kilometers daily to attend school? Senior citizens have to travel 18 kilometers to collect their pensions. We have to travel for rations, and the cost of the journey often exceeds the value of the ration itself. We urge the government to solve our problems first; only then will we vote.”

Another resident, Vedvyas Patra, also expressed frustration over the lack of response from the District Collector Office and Block Office, highlighting the absence of roads, high schools, a panchayat, and hospitals. Following the incident, the district collector urged the villagers to vote, but they refused until their demands were met.

Odisha’s assembly and Lok Sabha elections are being held simultaneously in four phases from May 13 to June 1. On Monday morning, voting began across 35 Assembly seats and five Lok Sabha constituencies amid tight security and arrangements. Elections for 42 assembly segments and six Lok Sabha seats will occur on May 25, with the final phase on June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJD won 112 out of 146 seats, while the BJP won 23 and Congress secured nine seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD dominated with 12 seats, the BJP won eight, and the Congress secured just one seat.

LS Polls 2024 Phase 5 Records 57.47% Voter Turnout

May 20, 2024, 8:37 pm

Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 commenced on May 20. It constitutes 8 states and union territories namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh and a total of 49 principal constituencies.

The voter turnout recorded in the fifth phase of elections is 57.47%.

Here is a compilation of the voter turnout state wise:-

Bihar- 52.60%

Jammu & Kashmir- 54.49%

Jharkhand- 63.00%

Ladakh-67.15%

Maharashtra- 48.88%

Odisha- 60.72%

Uttar Pradesh-57.79%

West Bengal- 73.00%

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Sara Ali Khan, Amrita Singh Vote In Mumbai

May 20, 2024, 6:20 pm

Actor Sara Ali Khan, accompanied by her mother Amrita Singh, arrived to vote at a polling center in Mumbai for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Sara, wearing her characteristic white kurta set, was spotted with Amrita at their assigned polling booth in Mumbai.

Earlier today, veteran actor Dharmendra was observed casting his vote at the Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu. Other celebrities including Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rajkumar Rao, and Janhvi Kapoor were also spotted at various polling stations across the city.

The fifth phase of the elections encompasses six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai: Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South, and Mumbai South Central. Additionally, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi, and Thane are also participating in the polls during this phase.

With 48 Lok Sabha seats, Maharashtra is the second-largest state in terms of parliamentary constituencies after Uttar Pradesh. The ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections, conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, have witnessed significant contests across various states. The final results are slated to be announced on June 4.

Notable leaders participating in the fifth phase include Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, Chirag Paswan, Omar Abdullah, and Rohini Acharya.

To guarantee a smooth and secure voting process, the Election Commission has implemented comprehensive security measures, including the deployment of 2,000 flying squads, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams. These teams are conducting round-the-clock surveillance across 94,732 polling stations.

LS Polls Phase 5: Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao Cast Their Votes

May 20, 2024, 3:46 pm

Actor Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao exercised their voting rights on Monday by visiting their assigned polling booth to cast their ballots. Following their participation in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Mumbai, they proudly displayed their inked fingers as proof of their voting.

Aamir Khan’s children Junaid and Ira, from his first wife Reena Dutta, enthusiastically posed for photographs after casting their votes. Additionally, the actor’s mother, Zeenat Hussain, was seen at a polling booth, defying her age. Voting commenced this morning at 7.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), over 8.95 crore voters, comprising 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will determine the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting. This phase features significant contests across various constituencies.

Key leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP figures Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP’s Ramvilas chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC’s Omar Abdullah, and RJD’s Rohini Acharya aspire for electoral success. The states and union territories involved in phase 5 include Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh has 14, Maharashtra 13, West Bengal 7, Bihar 5, Jharkhand 3, Odisha 5, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

To ensure a tranquil environment for voters, a comprehensive surveillance operation is underway across the 94,732 polling stations. This includes 2,000 flying squads, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams, maintaining vigilance round the clock.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 5: Sachin Tendulkar, his son, Arjun cast vote

May 20, 2024, 1:34 pm

Renowned Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar participated in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections by casting his vote in Mumbai on Monday.

Tendulkar holds the designation of ‘national icon’ by the Election Commission (EC) to enhance voter awareness. Accompanying him was his son, Arjun Tendulkar, a member of the Mumbai Indians (MI) team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Unfortunately, Tendulkar’s wife Anjali and daughter, Sara, were unable to join them in Mumbai due to Sara’s post-graduation convocation ceremony.

After voting, both Sachin and Arjun proudly displayed their inked fingers, symbolizing their participation in the electoral process.

Speaking to the media, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of voting, stating, “I would like to say that problems happen because, one, you act without thinking, and two, you just keep thinking but do not act. I would urge people to cast their vote. It is extremely important for our nation’s future.”

Tendulkar holds the record for the highest run-scorer in international cricket, with an impressive tally of 34,357 runs and 100 centuries in 664 international matches. He was a crucial member of the Indian cricket team that clinched the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Phase 5 witnesses crucial contests in various constituencies, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya vying for electoral success. Eight states/UTs, including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, are conducting polls in this phase, accounting for 49 Lok Sabha seats.

To ensure a peaceful voting atmosphere, extensive surveillance measures are in place across the 94,732 polling stations, including 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams.

LS Polls: Bollywood Stars Locket Chatterjee And Rachana Banerjee Set To Clash in Hooghly

May 18, 2024, 12:14 pm

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Hooghly, West Bengal, are set to witness a high-profile contest between two prominent Bengali film stars. BJP’s Locket Chatterjee will face off against Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) Rachana Banerjee in the fifth phase of the elections on Monday.

Rachana Banerjee, popularly known for hosting the hit television show “Didi No. 1,” was introduced as the TMC candidate in a March rally, branded as the “other Didi.” Her inclusion is part of TMC’s strategy to leverage star power in its campaigns, a tactic that has seen actors like Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan fielded in previous elections. Deepak Adhikari, known as Dev, and Shatrughan Sinha are also contesting from Ghatal and Asansol, respectively, with cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan running against Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Berhampore.

Hooghly holds symbolic significance for TMC due to Mamata Banerjee’s historic Singur movement, which led to the departure of Tata’s Nano plant from West Bengal to Gujarat and contributed to ending the Left’s 34-year rule in the state. The TMC aims to capitalize on BJP’s weaker organizational presence in Hooghly, bolstered by the fact that all seven assembly constituencies in the district are held by TMC legislators. Despite their political rivalry, Chatterjee and Banerjee have maintained a cordial relationship, having shared screen space in several Bengali films.

Locket Chatterjee, known for her vocal criticism of the Mamata Banerjee government, emphasized that her campaign is against corruption rather than her opponent. “This fight is not against the candidate; it is against corruption. This is not a fight against Didi Number One; this is against corruption Number One,” she stated, highlighting issues such as the Sandeshkhali incident and employment. Chatterjee has also promised industrial development in Hooghly, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to bringing industries for youth employment. Her campaign has faced challenges, including an incident in April where TMC supporters allegedly attacked her vehicle during a Kali puja in Bansberia.

Prime Minister Modi has criticized the TMC, accusing it of fostering lawlessness and societal division. “TMC is destroying society, law and order, and unity in India. Amid BJP’s efforts for development, TMC is busy with its ‘own work’…TMC is dividing society, breaking the law, and breaking unity,” he said during a public meeting in Hooghly. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Locket Chatterjee made a significant breakthrough for the BJP by defeating TMC’s Ratna De with a margin of 73,362 votes. This time, the CPM, allied with Congress under the INDIA bloc, has fielded Manadip Ghosh from Hooghly.

West Bengal, which sends 42 MPs to Parliament, is voting in all seven phases of the election. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. In the previous elections, TMC secured 34 seats in 2014 but saw a reduced tally of 22 in 2019, while the BJP increased its share from 2 seats in 2014 to 18 in 2019. The Congress and CPI(M) had significantly reduced tallies in the last elections.

‘Congress, SP spreading lies on CAA’ Says PM Modi in Azamgarh Rally

May 16, 2024, 1:42 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Opposition on Thursday, accusing them of attempting to incite riots by spreading falsehoods about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

“The Prime Minister said that granting Indian citizenship to refugees has already started under CAA and that although those in the INDIA bloc claim they will remove it nobody can ‘end the CAA,'” the source said.

He said that the Congress had mistreated refugees for decades during an Azamgarh rally, citing the CAA as the most recent illustration of his administration’s devotion.

“Under the CAA, the process of granting refugees Indian citizenship has already begun… They are individuals who have to endure hardships as a result of the country’s religious division; they have all lived in our nation for a considerable amount of time,” Prime Minister Modi said.

He criticized the Congress, stating, “These (Congress) people climb the stairs of power taking the name of Mahatma Gandhi, but they don’t remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi.”

PM Modi emphasized that the CAA aims to grant citizenship to victims of partition, which has already commenced, and accused the opposition of spreading misinformation to incite violence.

“It’s Modi who has unmasked you. You are hypocrite, communal. You left this nation to burn in the communal fire for 60 years. I am saying it clearly, it’s Modi’s guarantee: ‘desh-videsh kahin se bhi, jo bhi taakat ikatthi karni hai kar lo’… You can’t end CAA. We are working of giving citizenship to those who are victims of partition, which has already started under CAA,” he added.

He highlighted the global recognition of India’s democracy and dismissed any possibility of reversing the decisions regarding Article 370 and the CAA.

“Desh mein koi maai ka laal paida hua hai jo CAA hata sake? (Has anyone been born in this country who can repeal the CAA?). Nobody can remove the CAA,” PM Modi emphasized.

On Wednesday, the central government issued the first set of citizenship certificates, two months after announcing the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

The Union Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted the key features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.

J&K: Kashmiri Pandits In Exile Vote With Hope Of Homecoming

May 13, 2024, 2:42 pm

Forced from their homeland, leaving behind their houses, belongings, and families, many Kashmiri Pandits now residing in Jammu showed up in significant numbers outside polling stations on Monday. Perhaps fueled by the aspiration of a potential return to their roots in the foreseeable future, despite enduring losses to militancy and cross-border terrorism, these migrants demonstrated their engagement in the democratic process.

During the polling for Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday, migrant Kashmiri voters were photographed lining up outside a designated polling station in Jammu’s Barnai village to participate in the electoral process for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Speaking to ANI, one of the migrant Pandits, who was among the many waiting to cast their votes during the Srinagar polling, emphasized that their primary concern while voting was the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits back to their homeland.

“We all know how the Kashmiri Pandits came to be dislodged from their roots in 1990. Hence, it is important that there is a conversation around their rehabilitation and being represented in Parliament. We need to make our votes count. Voting is the only way we can push forward with our demands for the development, rehabilitation of the Kashmir Pandits and the restoration of basic educational rights for them,” the migrant voter told ANI.

Dr Ramesh Bhat, another Kashmiri Pandit, told ANI, “The scars that we carry and the pain of being away from our native soil will, perhaps, never heal. However, I am happy how the Election Commission arranged for us to vote today as it enabled us to stay connected to our roots. We are thankful to them. Our only hope is that whoever comes to power takes note of our demands and enables us to exercise our franchise on our home soil next time.”

“Our votes will go a long way towards charting the country’s future. Physically, we may be in Jammu but in spirit, we are with our brothers, sisters and brethren in Kashmir,” he added.

The Election Commission has established special polling booths for displaced Pandits across the national capital, scheduled to vote in Phase 6 on May 25. These special booths are located at Kashmir Resident Commission, 5 PR Road, New Delhi, Kashmir Kissan Ghar, BR-2 Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, Arwachin International Public School, Pocket F Dilshad Garden, Delhi, and GGSSS Paprawat, Najafgarh.

In the absence of candidates from either the BJP or the Congress in Srinagar, the primary contenders for the prestigious Srinagar seat are Waheed Ur Rehman Para of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the National Conference. Despite their partnership in the Opposition alliance—INDIA, both the PDP and the National Conference decided to contest independently in the Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory.

Since the collapse of the PDP-BJP government in June 2018, the former state has been under central rule, with the last assembly polls conducted in 2014. The voting process in Jammu and Kashmir is divided into five phases. In the 2019 elections, the BJP and the National Conference each secured three seats. The counting of votes for all Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir and across the nation is slated for June 4.

Mallikarjun Kharge: It Is Extremely Difficult For Modi Ji To Form The Government

May 11, 2024, 3:23 pm

Before the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remarked on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will encounter challenges in forming the government. He stated that there is widespread disappointment among the people regarding the central government’s handling of escalating unemployment and inflation.

While addressing a press conference in Bihar’s Patna, Mallikarjun Kharge said, “I was campaigning in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh yesterday and I am delighted to say that it is extremely difficult for Modi ji to form the government.”

He added further, “On one hand, there was my public meeting and on the other hand was his (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) public meeting in Telangana. After seeing him, it seemed that the hubris and pride with which he speaks were missing…”

Kharge also took a dig at the central government, asserting that the public harbors anger toward the government and said, “There is a huge anger in the public against the central government. This anger is because of the rising unemployment and inflation. The people are not able to stand under the burden of unemployment and inflation.”

The day prior, Mallikarjun Kharge had criticized the BJP government, alleging its failure to safeguard the rights and welfare of the impoverished populace in the nation. He affirmed that the Congress party would endeavor to “strengthen” labor laws designed to support the unorganized sector.

During a press briefing in Telangana, Kharge underscored the party’s electoral pledges, affirming that the Congress would additionally guarantee 50 percent reservations for women in central government positions.

“We are giving the guarantee of apprenticeship to the youth. We will also provide those 30 lakh vacant posts in government to the youth… We will give 50 per cent reservation to women in government jobs… will work to strengthen the labour laws for the unorganized workers. This Modi government is only for the rich people. It does not work for the poor,” he said.

Significantly, the 40 seats in Bihar are undergoing polling across all seven phases. In the 2019 elections, the BJP-led NDA secured a landslide victory in the state, clinching 39 out of 40 seats, with the Congress managing to secure just one seat. Despite being a dominant force in the state, the RJD failed to secure any seats.

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 3 Polling: List Of States, Constituencies To Contest on May 7

May 6, 2024, 8:30 pm

Preparations are complete for the third phase of voting in the Lok Sabha election, scheduled for Tuesday, May 7. Voting will occur across 94 Lok Sabha constituencies spanning ten states and two union territories.

The Lok Sabha seats of Anantnag-Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir were also slated for voting in the third phase. However, due to various connectivity issues, the Election Commission of India has postponed the polling to May 25.

Lok Sabha Election Phase 3: Date and Time

Voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha election will commence at 7 am on Tuesday and conclude at 5 pm. Results will be announced on June 4.

List of States and Constituencies:

Assam:- Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Gauhati

Chhattisgarh:- Sarguja, Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Korba, Bilaspur, Durg, Raipur

Bihar:- Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Khagaria

West Bengal:- Maldaha Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Jangipur, Murshidabad

Goa:- North Goa, South Goa

Gujarat:- Kachchh, Banaskantha, Patan, Mahesana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad East, Ahmedabad West, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Vadodara, Chhota Udaipur, Bharuch, Bardoli, Surat, Navsari, Valsad

Uttar Pradesh:- Sambhal, Hathras, Agra (SC), Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Budaun, Aonla, Bareilly

Karnataka:- Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere, Shimoga

Madhya Pradesh:- Bhind, Bhopal, Guna, Gwalior, Morena, Rajgarh, Sagar, Vidisha, Betul

Maharashtra:- Baramati, Raigad, Osmanabad, Latur (SC), Solapur (SC), Madha, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Hatkanangle

Dadra and Nagar Haveli:- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Daman and Diu:- Daman and Diu

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 3: Schools, Colleges To Remain Closed In These Constituencies

May 6, 2024, 7:24 pm

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is prepared to oversee the third phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, slated for May 7. As a result, schools and colleges in various constituencies such as Sambhal, Hathras, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Badaun, Amla, and Bareilly will remain shut. This phase will encompass a total of 93 constituencies spanning 11 states and Union Territories.

Many schools in several states have announced closures due to alterations in weather conditions. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, and Delhi/NCR have issued heatwave alerts, prompting changes in school schedules and closures across these regions.

It is worth mentioning that schools, colleges, and other educational institutions in the state will serve as polling booths during the upcoming election. To facilitate the smooth conduct of the voting process, schools situated in the voting constituency will remain closed. Below is a list of constituencies where voting will occur. Please take a look.

May 7: These Schools, Colleges in these constituencies will remain closed

Gujarat: Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Navsari, Vadodara and Bharuch
Karnataka: Shimoga, Dharwad, Haveri, Bellary and Belgaum
Maharashtra: Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Baramati, Hatkanangale, Sangli, Satara, Raigad and Solapur
Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal, Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Badaun and Bareilly
Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior, Guna, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh and Bhind
Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Durg, Korba, Bilaspur and Surguja
Bihar: Madhepura, Khagaria and Araria
Assam: Guwahati (Gauhati), Kokrajhar and Dhubri
West Bengal: Jangipur and Murshidabad
Goa: North Goa
Madhya Pradesh: Viduisha, Rajgarh, Guna, Bhopal

Haryana CM, Former CM Submit Nomination Papers From Karnal

May 6, 2024, 4:46 pm

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and former CM Manohar Lal Khattar submitted their nomination papers on Monday. Khattar, representing the BJP, is contesting the Karnal Lok Sabha seat, with Saini accompanying him during the filing.

Saini, meanwhile, is participating in the assembly bypoll for Karnal, the seat vacated by Khattar for him. Khattar, in turn, is vying for the Karnal Lok Sabha constituency this time. Saini’s continuation as CM hinges on contesting and winning the Assembly by-election.

The Congress has nominated Divyanshu Buddhiraja against Khattar and Tarlochan Singh against Saini.

The Karnal Lok Sabha constituency consists of nine assembly segments. Among these, six are represented by the BJP, which includes Indri, Karnal, Gharaunda, Panipat Rural, and Panipat City, along with one represented by an independent candidate. The remaining three assembly segments, Assandh, Israna, and Samalkha, are represented by Congress.

Previously, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, highlighting his consistent efforts in bringing development to the nation.

“We will win 10 out of 10 seats in Haryana and will also win the 11th seat by-election which is being held in Karnal,” said the Chief Minister.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the state, the BJP achieved a clean sweep, securing all 10 seats, with the Karnal Lok Sabha seat witnessing a voter turnout of 68.31 percent. The BJP’s candidate, Sanjay Bhatia, secured a significant victory, winning by a margin of over 6 lakh votes in the previous Lok Sabha election.

In the 2014 elections, the BJP won 7 seats, while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) secured 2 seats, and the Congress managed to secure only one seat. Ashwini Kumar, representing the BJP, had also won from the Karnal Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 elections.

The Lok Sabha elections for Haryana’s 10 parliamentary constituencies are scheduled to take place in a single phase on May 25th. Arvind Kumar Sharma, who previously won Karnal twice in 2009 and 2004 as a Congress candidate, is now contesting as a BJP candidate from Rohtak against Congress’ Deepender Singh Hooda.

LS Polls 2024: Kanhaiya Kumar Files Nomination For North East Delhi

May 6, 2024, 3:08 pm

Former JNU student leader and Congress candidate for the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, Kanhaiya Kumar, submitted his nomination for the current Lok Sabha elections on Monday. Prior to filing his nomination, he shared a series of photos on social media, depicting him alongside leaders from diverse religious backgrounds. One image captured him taking part in a ‘hawan’ and Sarvdharam prayers.

“Today, before filing my nomination, Gurus of all religions presented me with the Preamble of the Constitution and prayed for me and blessed me. This is our India. This is our Constitution. ‘Sarva Dharma Sam Bhaav’. I will sacrifice my life to protect this India and its Constitution,” he said on X.

अरदास है कहीं कीर्तन
कहीं रामधुन कहीं आवाहन
विधि भेद का है यह सब रचन
तेरा भक्त तुझको बुला रहा
तू ही राम है तू रहीम है
तू करीम कृष्ण खुदा हुआ
तू ही वाहे गुरु तू येशु मसीह
हर नाम में तू समा रहा

आज नामांकन से पहले सभी धर्मों के गुरुओं ने मुझे संविधान की प्रस्तावना भेंट कर मेरे… pic.twitter.com/qHpRDS8Ayi

— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) May 6, 2024

Yesterday, Kanhaiya Kumar shared a video where he expressed his commitment to combatting injustice and urged people to refrain from setting off fireworks, considering the environment. Contesting his second Lok Sabha election, he will face BJP’s two-time MP from the same constituency, Manoj Tiwari. In 2019, Kumar ran as a Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Begusarai in Bihar, losing to Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Giriraj Singh. He subsequently joined the Congress in 2021.

The North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency is among the seven parliamentary constituencies in New Delhi. It falls under the general category and includes parts of the Central Delhi district, the entire North East Delhi district, and portions of the Shahdara district. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Manoj Tiwari secured 53.90% of the votes.

In the current Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is in alliance with the AAP in Delhi. Under this arrangement, the Congress is contesting three seats while the AAP has candidates in four constituencies across Delhi. The seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the capital are New Delhi, South Delhi, East Delhi, West Delhi, Chandni Chowk, North West, and North East Delhi.

The Lok Sabha elections in Delhi are scheduled to take place in a single phase on May 25. Voting will be conducted for all 7 Lok Sabha seats in the region. Vote counting will be conducted nationwide on June 4.

Delhi High Court Dismisses Petition For Virtual Campaigning

May 2, 2024, 12:16 pm

The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition on Wednesday that sought permission for politicians under arrest to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls through virtual means, expressing concerns that it could pave the way for notorious individuals like Dawood Ibrahim to participate in campaigning. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora highlighted the potential risks, stating, “You want all the people who are in jail to be allowed to virtually campaign… I’m telling you all the dreaded criminals will register themselves with political parties. And, Dawood Ibrahim who is not convicted will be campaigning. Virtual mode will allow him.”

The court firmly stated that the petition was “highly adventurous” and ran counter to fundamental legal principles, emphasizing that courts are not in the position to make policy decisions. They cautioned against the possibility of criminals, including rapists and murderers, exploiting such provisions, saying, “We cannot allow someone who is in custody to go on a campaign, otherwise all rapists, murderers will start floating political parties prior to the elections and Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into force.”

The petitioner, law student Amarjeet Gupta, expressed grievances over the timing of arrests, particularly that of AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, after the MCC for the Lok Sabha polls had already come into effect on March 16. However, the court reiterated its stance, emphasizing the need for judicial independence from political matters. They stated, “Someone says put him (apparently referring to Kejriwal) in custody. Someone says take him out of custody. Courts are applying their minds and the accused is exercising his right. The matter is being heard.”

Furthermore, in response to arguments regarding the applicability of the MCC on arrests, the court pointed out that legal obligations, such as arresting a candidate for committing a serious crime like murder, cannot be overridden by the MCC. They cautioned against allowing individuals involved in heinous crimes to exploit political processes, stating, “People involved in murder and rape will start floating political parties before elections.”

LS Elections 2024 Phase 1: Manipur’s Inner Parliamentary Constituency to Hold Fresh Polls on 22nd April

April 20, 2024, 10:40 pm

New elections will be conducted on Monday (April 22) for 11 polling stations in the I-Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency, following phase 1 polling in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Chief Election Officer of Manipur issued a notice stating that the voting held on Friday at these 11 polling stations has been declared invalid.

During the initial phase of voting on April 19, incidents of coercion and gunfire were documented in at least two locations within the Inner Manipur constituency.

In Thamnapokpi, located in the Moirang constituency of Bishnupur district, armed individuals discharged several rounds near a polling station, causing voters to scatter. Police responded by deploying additional security personnel to address the situation.

Unidentified armed individuals harassed election representatives of a specific political party at various locations, compelling them to vacate the polling sites.

A civilian sustained injuries during the gunfire and clashes that erupted at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal.

Subsequently, law enforcement authorities apprehended three individuals in connection with the shooting incident at a primary school in Imphal, Manipur.

In a statement on X, Manipur police announced the arrest of Leichombam Jemson Singh (34 yrs), Nongthombam Ratan (47 yrs), and Khumukcham Angamba (32 yrs) on April 19, 2024. The police recovered a .32 pistol with eight live rounds, three mobile phones, a car, and Rs. 1.5 Lakhs in cash from their possession.

Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra lodged a complaint with the Manipur Chief Electoral Officer on Friday, urging for a re-poll in 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituency

CV Ananda Bose Condemns Alleged Stone Pelting in East Medinipore

April 19, 2024, 8:45 am

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose stated on Friday that the residents of Bengal aspire for and merit tranquility and unity following reports of stone pelting during a Ram Navami procession in East Medinipore district.

He emphasized that it falls upon the Election Commission to take decisive action against those responsible.

“Peace and harmony are something that the people of Bengal want and the people of Bengal deserve. It is after the authorities to ensure that there is law and order in the state, especially during the elections. Any perpetrators of violence should be booked and stern action should be taken, that is the responsibility of the Election Commission,” the Governor said.

Agnimitra Paul, the BJP candidate from Medinipore, along with party supporters, organized a demonstration in response to the purported stone pelting incident by erecting a road blockade.

“Hindu brothers and sisters in the Ram Navami rally got attacked by Jihadis in EGRA tonight but those who attacked got spared but the ones who were attacked got arrested by EGRA PS Entire night the Bjp karyakartas protested. Our fight against @MamataOfficial APPEASEMENT POLITICS is ON,” the BJP leader posted on X on Thursday.

Hindu brothers& sisters in Ram Navami rally got attacked by Jihadis in EGRA tonight but those who attacked got spared but the ones who were attacked got arrested by EGRA PS

Entire night the Bjp karyakartas protested

Our fight against @MamataOfficial APPEASEMENT POLITICS isON pic.twitter.com/OyhAk9sfu3

— Agnimitra Paul BJP(Modi Ka Parivaar) (@paulagnimitra1) April 17, 2024

State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had slammed the BJP for linking her party to the clases in Murshidabad, “”I am challenging and saying that BJP orchestrated the incident that happened the other day… If I ask the BJP commission why they removed their DIG one day before Ram Navami,? Was it to plan this?”

The 2024 Lok Sabha election in West Bengal is scheduled to be conducted across all seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Its purpose is to elect 42 members of the 18th Lok Sabha, with the announcement of results slated for June 4.

Medinipore is set to go to polls in the sixth phase on May 25. Currently, voting is underway in three out of the state’s 42 seats, namely Coochbehar, Alipurduars, and Jalpaiguri.

Lok Sabha polls: Security tightens in Naxal-affected Gadchiroli ahead of 1st phase

April 18, 2024, 3:16 pm

Fifteen thousand security personnel will be deployed in the naxal-affected Gadchiroli district for the first phase of polling tomorrow, a senior official said on Thursday.
Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal told ANI that elaborated security arrangements that have been made in the district to avoid any untoward situation. Surveillance is being maintained through drones in sensitive and highly sensitive areas.
He also appealed to the villagers to come out and vote without any fear.
“We have done a lot of preparation in the last 6 months. 15,000 security personnel will be deployed for voting tomorrow. There are a total of 206 booths. 6 Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force will be present. Heli-dropping of EVMs and polling parties has been done in sensitive and highly sensitive areas. Apart from this, we have a fleet of 130 drones that will keep an eye on them from the sky,” Neelotpal said.
While there are barricades and police checkpoints at major roads, care is being taken to ensure that the public is not inconvenienced.
“We have appealed to the villagers to come out and vote without any fear and help us in making the elections peaceful and successful,” he said.
Earlier, on April 14, to encourage voting among the people, police launched a public awareness campaign in the naxal-hit Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
Taking about the drive, Sub Inspector Govind Khating said, “The objective of this awareness campaign is to encourage the voters to fulfil their duty to keep our democracy alive. The voting which is going to take place on April 19 in the upcoming polls will be a victory for democracy. We have deployed a huge force in the area so that voting can be conducted safely and smoothly.”
Elucidating the fear in the minds of the people in the Naxal stronghold, the SI said, “There is only one fear in the minds of the people that the Naxalites may launch blasts or attacks on them if they go for voting.”
Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 seats it contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena.
Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.
The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four. Following the split in 2022, the Shiv Sena, which had earlier formed a coalition government with the Congress and NCP, saw Eknath Shinde break away from the party with his loyalists and align with the BJP.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats.

I challenge Congress to cross 40 seats: BJP’s Jagadish Shetter

April 17, 2024, 11:32 pm

Responding to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s assertion that the NDA would not surpass 180 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagadish Shetter issued a challenge, daring the Congress to achieve 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In a fervent declaration during the filing of his nomination for the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, Jagadish Shetter said, “I challenge Congress to cross 40 seats. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is a part of the INDIA bloc, said that they won’t even secure 40 seats. The people have decided that we will cross 400 seats.”

Shettar expressed his confidence in achieving a resounding victory. He cited the enthusiastic reception from the public during his campaign as a source of optimism, not only for his success but also for the BJP’s prospects in the forthcoming elections.

On his nomination from the Belgavi parliamentary constituency, Shetter said, “When I entered the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency last month, on that day more than 10,000 people gathered and welcomed me very heartfully.”

“I am visiting all areas and I’m going to people, requesting that they vote. All the leaders of the Bhartiya Janta Party–MLA, ex-MLA, office bearers, workers–everybody is supporting me and they are actively campaigning,” he stated.

He further said that today’s filing of the nomination is a big event. “I think, in the history of the Belgavi parliamentary constituency, it is a big gathering today. Thousands of people welcomed and participated in the rally. So I’m very confident that with a bigger margin, I’m going to win, the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to win and it is a support for Narendra Modi. He has to become Prime Minister for the third time,” he added.

Karnataka, which holds 28 Lok Sabha seats, is scheduled to vote in two phases on April 26 and May 7.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and JD-S formed an alliance to contest against the BJP, resulting in a significant defeat for the coalition.

The BJP secured a historic 25 seats, while the Congress and JD-S managed to win only one seat each. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are scheduled to take place in seven phases, commencing on April 19, with the counting of votes set for June 4.

Lok Sabha polls: ‘PDA will Defeat NDA’ Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav

April 17, 2024, 12:53 pm

Ex-Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP-led central government on Wednesday, accusing it of betraying the PDA (Pichhde , Dalit, and Alpasankhyak) communities. He asserted that the PDA would defeat the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the elections.

“PDA will defeat NDA. Regarding ‘Pariwarwaad’, I urge the BJP to resolve not to give tickets to ‘pariwar wale’ or accept votes from them. They can’t even pronounce the INDIA alliance correctly. The correct spelling is INDIA, not INDI. Those who arrived in 2014 will depart in 2024,” he stated during a press conference alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Criticizing the current government’s electoral bond scheme, the SP leader labeled the BJP as a warehouse of corrupt leaders.

“‘Electoral bond ne inka band baja diya…BJP sabhi bhrashtachiroya ka godaam ban gayi’ (BJP has become the warehouse of all corrupt leaders). They are not only taking corrupt people (in their party) but also keeping the money earned by the corrupt,” stated Akhilesh. He added that the INDIA alliance represents a new hope in the elections, emphasizing that once farmers begin receiving fair prices for their produce and the Indian government enhances the farmers’ incomes, poverty will be go away.

“INDIA alliance is the new hope in the elections and as Rahul ji said that there are many things in his manifesto by which poverty can be eradicated. Adding to that I want to say that the day the farmers of our country will become happy, the day the farmers of the country will start getting remunerative prices for their crops, I understand that all the political parties and especially those who are the partners of INDIA alliance are saying that they will give MSP and the day the Indian government increases the income of the farmers, poverty will go away,” the SP chief stated.

Extending his wishes on the occasion of Ram Navami, he said, “I want to extend my best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Ram Navami. I am happy that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Samajwadi Party are doing a press conference together. Today, we are in Ghaziabad and this time INDIA alliance will wipe out BJP from Ghaziabad to Ghazipur. Today, farmers are upset as all the promises of BJP turned out to be fake.”

The electoral process in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to occur over seven phases. A triangular contest is anticipated for the Ghaziabad seat. Following the withdrawal of Union Minister and sitting BJP MP from Ghaziabad, Gen (retd) VK Singh, the BJP has nominated Atul Garg as its candidate for the Ghaziabad constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Garg is set to compete against the INDIA bloc’s nominee and Congress leader Dolly Sharma, with the Bahujan Samaj Party nominating Nand Kishore Pundir. In the 2019 general elections, the BJP and its partner Apna Dal(S) secured 64 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, defying the predictions based on the SP-BSP alliance’s calculations. The SP-BSP alliance managed to win 15 seats.

Puducherry Calls for Enhanced Parking and Traffic Management in LS Poll Demands

April 17, 2024, 5:13 am

Before the Lok Sabha elections, stakeholders in the tourism industry of Puducherry are advocating for improved infrastructure and seeking greater focus from policymakers, especially regarding issues like parking and traffic congestion.

Puducherry, renowned for its French colonial legacy, draws tourists with its quaint streets, colonial buildings, and tranquil beaches. The tourism sector provides a blend of cultural immersion, spiritual sanctuaries, and coastal leisure activities. Additionally, hospitality services, eco-tourism ventures, and cultural festivities cater to the varied interests of visitors.

As the electoral process progresses, with voting for all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry constituency set for the first phase on April 19, the call for significant transformation in Puducherry’s tourism scene appears to be gaining momentum.

Antony, employed in hospitality services, highlighted parking as a major concern in Puducherry. Drawing from his own encounters, he expressed the difficulty in finding suitable parking spaces. He emphasized the need for local candidates to prioritize addressing this issue.

A taxi driver echoed similar sentiments, expressing frustration over the struggle to find parking amidst the influx of tourists frequenting popular attractions.

Operators of rental bike services noted several traffic issues in Puducherry, including urban congestion, inadequate infrastructure, limited parking facilities, and insufficient public transportation options. One operator highlighted that narrow streets in the older parts of the city exacerbate traffic jams, particularly during peak hours.

Manikandan, employed in a guest house, further emphasized that the rising vehicle count aggravates congestion and pollution levels. He outlined efforts to mitigate these concerns, such as enhancing road networks, encouraging alternative transportation methods, and upgrading public transport services to diminish dependence on private vehicles.

Kartik, a tourist, expressed his intention to vote for development, emphasizing the importance of electing individuals committed to progress and advancement.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Essential Details on Phase 1 Voting Date, States, and Seats

April 17, 2024, 12:07 am

India is preparing for the initial phase of Lok Sabha elections, commencing on April 19, marking the start of a seven-phase electoral process for the Lower House. Polling will span from April 19 to June 1, with significant states like Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand participating in the first phase.

In the first phase, elections will conclude in Tamil Nadu (39 seats), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Manipur (2), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), and Sikkim (1). Additionally, polling will conclude in Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

In total, 102 out of 534 Lok Sabha seats will be contested in this phase.

List of States Contesting in Phase 1 Polls

Phase-1 States Going to Polls:

– Arunachal Pradesh (2 Lok Sabha seats)
– Assam (5)
– Bihar (4)
– Chhattisgarh (1)
– Madhya Pradesh (6)
– Maharashtra (5)
– Manipur (2)
– Meghalaya (2)
– Mizoram (1)
– Nagaland (1)
– Rajasthan (12)
– Sikkim (1)
– Tamil Nadu (39)
– Tripura (1)
– Uttar Pradesh (8)
– Uttarakhand (5)
– West Bengal (3)
– Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1)
– Jammu and Kashmir (1)
– Lakshadweep (1)
– Puducherry (1)

In Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in terms of Lok Sabha seats (80), constituencies participating in the first phase include Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit.

In Bengal, Coochbehar, Alipurduars, and Jalpaiguri will also hold polls in the first phase. Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats.

In Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, 5 constituencies are participating in the April 19 polls. These include Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, and Chandrapur.

All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and 5 seats in Uttarakhand will be contested in Phase 1.

Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.

Lok Sabha poll: BSP fields Athar Jamal against PM Modi in Varanasi

April 16, 2024, 1:13 pm

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) released a new list of eleven candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the BSP has nominated Athar Jamal Lari to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Varanasi parliamentary constituency. The polls are set to take place starting on April 19 and running in seven rounds.

In this new list, the Mainpuri Lok Sabha ticket has been reassigned to Shiv Prasad Yadav, while Shrikala Singh, the wife of incarcerated gangster-turned-politician Dhananjay Singh, has been chosen to run from the Jaunpur constituency.

Other candidates include Muslim Khan for Budaun, Chhotelal Gangwar for Bareilly, Udraj Verma for Sultanpur, Kranti Pandey for Farrukhabad, Mayank Dwivedi for Banda, and Khwaja Shamsuddin for Domariaganj. Additionally, Lallan Singh Yadav will represent the party in Ballia, while Umesh Kumar Singh will contest from Ghazipur.

The BSP has made a strategic decision to refrain from forming any alliances for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, opting instead to contest independently across the state.

Previously, the BSP had nominated candidates such as Mazid Ali for Saharanpur, Shreepal Singh for Kairana, Dara Singh Prajapati for Muzaffarnagar, and a host of others across various constituencies in the state.

Uttar Pradesh, with its 80 seats in Parliament, holds significant electoral sway and will participate in voting across all seven phases of the election. Phases one and two are scheduled for April 19 and April 26, followed by phases three and four on May 7 and May 13. Vote counting is slated for June 4.

Political Parties Ramp Up Campaigning Despite Sweltering Karnataka Heat

April 15, 2024, 8:12 pm

Despite the soaring temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, political activity in Karnataka for the Lok Sabha polls has escalated, with parties refusing to let the heat hinder their campaign endeavors. They have opted to conduct rallies indoors, taking shelter in the cooling comfort provided by coolers and fans.

During a rally in Koratagere, Tumkur district, attendees congregated in a large hall equipped with coolers and fans to combat the sweltering heat.

“Even as South Karnataka swelters at around 40 degrees Celsius, we’ve made arrangements for water, indoor rallies, and fans to ensure the comfort of our supporters attending the rally,” Darshan a BJP leader in Kotagere, Tumkur told ANI.
He further added, “Despite the heat wave, people continue to throng to hear our tallest leader, Deve Gowda, in the election campaign.”

At the rally venue, workers distributed water, juices, and caps. Both men and women gathered to listen to the experienced leader’s election promises and plans for their welfare. The event demonstrated the steadfast dedication of the electorate, keen to interact with their leaders and understand the vision for the state’s future.

As Karnataka prepares for the forthcoming elections, the determination of political parties and the electorate in confronting adversity highlights the importance of democratic engagement, even in the midst of challenging weather conditions.

Karnataka is scheduled to vote in the second and third phases of the elections on April 26 and May 7, with results slated to be announced on June 4.