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UP: BJP Candidates Cite Electoral Defeat Due To These Reasons–Check Here

June 12, 2024, 4:36 pm

Following BJP’s disappointing performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, the party’s state office in Lucknow is now rife with accusations of sabotage and treason.

Many senior leaders especially candidates and constituency-in-charge have accused the local leaders and legislators for deliberately letting the party loose.

It is said that the defeated candidates have also sent a comprehensive report to their party command, in which they accused party members of sabotage.

As corroborated by senior party leaders, these candidates have cited internal treason as a major reason behind their loss.

For example, ex-union minister Sanjeev Baliyan who was defeated in Muzaffarnagar, alleged, that the ex-BJP MLA Sangeet Som, gave its support to Samajwadi candidate, while som asserted, he handled sardhana, where BJP didn’t loose.

Talking about Balyan, som stated, Balyan faced defeats in his constituencies of Budhana and Charthawal. Even in the urban assembly seat, where the BJP traditionally led by 70,000 votes, the margin was reduced to a mere 800 votes. Why this happened, only Balyan can explain.’

He debunked the allegations, which suggested, that he aided the Samajwadi Party and stated, that he had been jailed by the same party.

Reacting to these accusations, the party leadership has instructed candidates to identify and tackle the causes behind their defeats.

As per the reports, the BJP’s central leadership is flooded with accounts of internal conflicts and sabotage. As a result, extensive review process has been initiated.

Later, a closed-door meeting was convened to address the grievances. Following its conclusion, the high command directed the state organization to identify saboteurs and demanded a comprehensive report from the state’s booth level.

BJP Leaders Allege Sabotage

Meanwhile, many candidates like Sakshi Maharaj (who won unnao with less margin of votes), Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (who lost Faridpur) and Kaushal Kishore, cited sabotage as a reason behind their defeat or their close win.

Besides, many also cited ticket distribution as a major reason behind the loss, as many MPs were allegedly nominated despite opposition from the ground. As a result, the party workers got disillusioned and did not actively campaign for the candidate.

It remains to be seen, how BJP deal with its internal divisions and its associated challenges, that has come under public radar since the expectation-defying Lok sabha election results.

Decoding the Lok Sabha Elections: Analyzing Key Results and Surprising Outcomes

June 8, 2024, 3:53 pm

This week has been a shocker, not only for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was confident of crossing the 400 mark in the Lok Sabha election but also for the opposition INDI alliance, which succeeded unexpectedly across states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, among others. New victors and new losers emerged. Most importantly, it was proven that democracy is not dead in the country with the largest number of voters in the world.

Here is the Lok Sabha Election 2024 decoded:

The PM Modi-led BJP had set a target of 400 seats for this election, but the alliance fell short, securing only 292 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The BJP alone was reduced to 240 seats, a significant drop from the 303 seats it won in 2019.
The electoral results were heavily influenced by the state of Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 seats in the Lok Sabha. This year, the saffron party managed to secure only 33 seats in the state. The biggest shock came from the Faizabad constituency, where the grand Ram Mandir was inaugurated earlier in January, as it was won by the Samajwadi Party (SP).
In addition to Uttar Pradesh, the states of Maharashtra, Haryana, and Rajasthan also deviated from their usual voting patterns.
There were several unexpected losses, such as Smriti Irani losing in Amethi. Notably, political figures like Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar have emerged as kingmakers and are eyeing key portfolios in the Modi 3.0 cabinet.
A day after the results were announced, there was speculation that the INDI Alliance would stake a claim to form the government. However, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge later announced that the bloc would present a united opposition in Parliament against the NDA.

Congress Leaders Urge Lok Sabha Election 2024 Hero Rahul Gandhi To Assume Leader Of Opposition Role

June 6, 2024, 4:21 pm

With 99 seats in the Lok Sabha, following a strong performance by the INDIA bloc in the general elections, the Congress party is now in a position to claim the post of Leader of Opposition in parliament. Consequently, there is increasing support for Rahul Gandhi to take on this significant role.

Earlier in the day, Congress MP-elect Manickam Tagore, in a post on X, urged the former party president to become the leader of Congress in the lower house.

“I sought votes on the name of my leader, Rahul Gandhi. I think he should be the Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha. I hope elected Congress MPs also think the same. Let’s see how the Congress Parliamentary Party decides. We are a Democratic Party,” said Tagore, who won from Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha shared similar views, stating, “Rahul ji led the campaign frontally. He was the face. He is duty bound to take on the mantle of Lok Sabha parliamentary party leadership. @RahulGandhi cannot take all decisions about himself. Some decisions the party leaders / MPs have to take. Surely will be a unanimous choice.”

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram also commented, “…I think the slot will come to the Congress. In my personal opinion, Rahul Gandhi himself must take up the leader of opposition on behalf of Congress.”

Rahul Gandhi, who resigned as Congress president following the party’s defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is credited by the party for their impressive comeback in 2024.

Not only Congress leaders but also Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut praised Gandhi. “If Rahul Gandhi is ready to accept the leadership, why would we object? He has proven himself as a national leader for multiple times. He is one of the popular leaders. We all want him and love him. There is no objection and difference in the alliance,” Raut said at a press conference.

Since his political debut in 2004, the 53-year-old leader has never held a constitutional post, even when his party was in power.

Last year, he was expelled from Parliament due to a defamation case after the BJP accused him of mocking the prime minister’s surname. He was later reinstated by the Supreme Court.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Introducing Seven Independent Winners

June 6, 2024, 11:29 am

In the forthcoming 18th Lok Sabha, a total of 526 candidates will represent the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which secured 292 seats in the recently-concluded general elections, and the Congress-led INDIA bloc, which obtained 234 seats. The remaining 17 Members of Parliament (MPs) are not affiliated with either bloc, with seven of them contesting and winning as independents.

The seven independent winners are Amritpal Singh, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai, Mohamad Haneefa, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, Vishal Patil, and Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Rashid Engineer. Notably, two of them, Amritpal Singh and Rashid Engineer, are currently incarcerated.

Here is the list of from where each of these independent candidate contested:

Amritpal Singh: Khadoor Sahib (Punjab)
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa: Faridkot (Punjab)
Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai: Daman and Diu (Daman and Diu Union Territory)
Mohamad Haneefa: Ladakh (Ladakh Union Territory)
Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav: Purnia (Bihar)
Vishal Patil: Sangli (Maharashtra)
Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Rashid Engineer: Baramulla (Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory)

Here’s a brief profile of each independent winner:

Amritpal Singh: Leader of pro-Khalistan outfit Waris Punjab De, currently detained in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA).
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa: Son of Beant Singh, one of the bodyguards involved in the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, with a family legacy in politics.
Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai: Social worker who defeated sitting BJP MP Lalubhau Babubhai Patel in Daman and Diu.
Mohamad Haneefa: Former district president of the National Conference, securing Ladakh seat, historically won by independents.
Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav: Merged his Jan Aadhikar Party (JAP) with the Congress, contested independently after the party allotted Purnia seat to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Vishal Patil: Grandson of former Maharashtra chief minister Vasantrao Patil, rebelled against Congress after Shiv Sena (UBT) fielded its candidate.
Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Rashid Engineer: Currently detained in Delhi’s Tihar Jail on terror-funding charges, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019.

INDIA Bloc to hold meeting tomorrow: Rahul Gandhi

June 4, 2024, 6:33 pm

INDIA alliance leader Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, said that the opposition bloc will hold a meeting tomorrow. His statement came hours ahead of the declaration of Lok Sabha Election results, which has witnessed a neck-to-neck competition between the INDIA bloc and BJP-led NDA alliance. “We are going to have a meeting with our alliance partners tomorrow…we respect our alliance partners and we won’t make statements to the press without asking them,” he said.

#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

This came as the Gandhi scion won from Wayanad And Rae Bareli. He gained 6,47,445 votes from Wayanad and 6,86,044 votes from Rae Bareli. After his victory, he said, “I have won from Rae Bareli and Wayanad and thank the voters. I need to decide which seat I will retain. I haven’t decided yet.”

It is pertinent to note that any party or coalition needs at least 272 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats to govern at the center. Should the NDA win under Modi’s leadership, he will become the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to achieve three consecutive terms.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Hema Malini Confident Of BJP Victory, Leads In Mathura

June 4, 2024, 1:52 pm

In a bid for a third term from Mathura, veteran actress and politician Hema Malini expressed the utmost importance of a return to power for the ‘Modi sarkar’ during the ongoing Lok Sabha election results. Emphasizing the significance of continuity for the country and future generations, Malini asserted her commitment to fulfilling the dreams of the residents of Mathura and Brijwasis. With a considerable lead maintained over her rivals since the commencement of counting, Malini, often referring to herself as ‘Krishna ki gopi,’ exuded confidence in her prospects.

Amidst the fluctuating numbers, Hema Malini remains optimistic about the BJP’s victory and her substantial lead in Mathura. Reflecting on her contributions to the Braj area, encompassing Mathura, Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Chhata, Mant, and Baldev assembly constituencies, Malini affirmed her dedication to serving the region. With Mathura witnessing polling on April 26, the unfolding results hold anticipation and hope for Malini and her supporters, awaiting clarity by early afternoon.

Nifty 50 and Sensex Predictions Today: Indian Stock Market Outlook On Election Results 2024

June 4, 2024, 8:13 am

OThe Indian stock market indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are poised for a robust opening on Tuesday as the nation awaits the announcement of Lok Sabha Election 2024 results. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi projected to secure a third consecutive term, investors anticipate a favorable outcome for the ruling BJP-led alliance.

The Gift Nifty, an indicator of early market trends, suggests a positive start for the Indian benchmark index, trading around the 23,570 level, reflecting a premium of nearly 160 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

Monday witnessed a sharp rally in domestic equity indices, with the benchmark Nifty 50 closing above the 23,200 level. This surge followed positive sentiment from exit polls, coupled with better-than-expected India Q4 GDP figures.

The Sensex soared 2,507.47 points, or 3.39%, to close at 76,468.78, while the Nifty 50 settled 733.20 points, or 3.25%, higher at 23,263.90. Nifty 50 formed a hammer-like pattern, marking its best session in over three years, indicating a continuation of the uptrend.

Ruchit Jain, Lead Research at 5Paisa.com, predicts further momentum in the market if the election results align with expectations. He identifies the previous hurdle of 23,100 – 23,000 as immediate support, with possible targets around 23,700 followed by 24,000 – 24,200.

Mandar Bhojane, Research Analyst at Choice Broking, notes that on the call side, the highest Open Interest (OI) is observed at the 23,500 strike price, while on the put side, the highest OI is at the 23,000 strike price.

Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty Predictions

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, highlights the Nifty’s dependency on election results. A deviation from exit poll projections may induce market volatility. V.L.A. Ambala, Co-founder of Stock Market Today (SMT), advises adopting a neutral strategy given current fluctuations.

Ambala expects Nifty to find key support between 23,240 and 23,000 levels, with resistance at 23,450 and 23,610. Meanwhile, the Bank Nifty surged 4.07%, closing at 50,980, outperforming the Nifty 50. Ambala anticipates support at 50,800 and 50,000, with resistance at 51,500 and 52,100 levels.

While bullish sentiment prevails, analysts advise caution and observation before adopting buy-on-dip strategies. As the market awaits election results, investors remain vigilant, ready to navigate potential market fluctuations with strategic positioning and risk management.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Raipur BJP’s 201 kg Laddus To Celebrate Win

June 4, 2024, 7:06 am

Encouraged by the exit poll results forecasting a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha elections, the Raipur unit of the ruling party has prepared 201 kilograms of laddus in 11 different varieties to celebrate with their leaders and workers.

BJP district Vice President Lalit Jai Singh said “We have set the target to distribute 201 kg of laddus and we have ordered 11 types of laddus. We will distribute laddus from noon till 11 at night.”

Discussing the assortment of laddus prepared to celebrate their third consecutive victory, Singh stated, “We have laddus made from besan, atta, coconut, chocolate, boondi… We’ve ordered eleven different types of laddus.”

He added “There is a wave of Bharatiya Janata Party in the whole country. PM Modi has set a target of winning more than 400 seats. We expect the BJP to win more than 400 seats and will be winning with a comfortable majority.”

Meanwhile, the BJP headquarters in Jaipur were adorned in preparation for the Lok Sabha results on Tuesday. Similarly, the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru was brightly lit in anticipation of counting day.

The counting of votes is set to begin in just a few hours on Tuesday. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured nine out of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, with the Congress winning two seats.

Exit polls on Saturday predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is on track for a third consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha elections, expecting a significant majority. The polls also suggested that the ruling party at the Centre would enhance its performance in several states currently governed by other parties.

Several exit polls predict the BJP-led NDA could reach “400 paar” as stated by BJP leaders before the Lok Sabha polls. They also suggest the BJP will surpass its 2019 record of 352 seats, with some polls predicting it will improve from the 303 seats won in 2019. The Modi-led BJP seeks a third term, while the opposition INDIA bloc aims to challenge its dominance.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: ‘Fake and Manipulated’ Congress Leader Biswaranjan Mohanty on Exit Polls

June 3, 2024, 3:02 pm

Odisha Congress leader Biswaranjan Mohanty has dismissed exit poll predictions for the Lok Sabha elections as “fake and manipulated,” claiming they do not reflect actual EVM results. He accused the BJP of using “managed” exit poll results to demoralize Congress leaders, asserting that the true results, to be announced tomorrow, will reveal genuine public sentiment.

“These are fake and manipulated exit polls. It is not a result of the EVM, but the DM. There is anger among the public over poverty and inflation. Be it farmers, youth, everyone has hatred against the BJP and people have voted against them,” Mohanty said while speaking to ANI.

He added, “BJP is trying to show the ‘managed’ exit poll results to demotivate the leaders of the Congress party. The public is not trusting the exit polls and the real results will be out tomorrow.”

Drawing a parallel to 2004, he reminded that Congress emerged victorious despite similar misleading exit polls, predicting a similar outcome in the forthcoming results. “During Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, in 2004, the same type of ‘manufactured’ exit poll came and what happened then, was the Congress came to power,” he said.

Exit polls on Sunday predicted a landslide victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha polls. They also forecast a close contest in Odisha, with the two-decade rule of Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) facing a stiff challenge from the BJP.

According to Axis My India exit poll, BJD and BJP are expected to win 62-80 seats in the 147-member legislative assembly in Odisha, while Congress is predicted to win 5 to 8 seats. The BJP is projected to win 18-20 seats in Odisha in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the BJD possibly winning 0-2 seats, and Congress likely getting 0-1 seat.

Lok Sabha election 2024: Check Poll Results on ECI website on June 4

June 3, 2024, 12:37 pm

The Lok Sabha election 2024 concluded with seven phases of polling across all 543 constituencies on Saturday, June 1. Results are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, June 4, following polling that began on April 19 and progressed through phases until the final one on June 1.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a press note on X (formerly Twitter) titled “Arrangements for Counting Day of General Elections 2024” on June 1.

Arrangements for Counting Day of General Elections 2024 pic.twitter.com/72XQbqawVR

— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) June 1, 2024

Vote counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, along with state Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and bye-elections to Assembly constituencies, will commence on Tuesday, June 4, starting at 8 am. Counting for state Legislative Assembly elections in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh occurred on Sunday, June 2, with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and BJP securing victories, respectively.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners (EC) Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu reviewed preparations for counting day with Chief Election Officers and Returning Officers.

The Election Commission provided guidelines for accessing election results on its website (https://results.eci.gov.in/) and Voter Helpline App, available on both iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, the “Handbook for Returning Officers and Counting Agents” is accessible on the ECI website.

The Voter Helpline App allows users to download filters to view details of winning, leading, or trailing candidates and constituency-wise or State-wise results.

Exit Polls 2024: Rajasthan’s BJP Leader Predicts NDA’s Win

June 2, 2024, 11:07 am

Ever since the exit polls have predicted a Bhartiya Janata Party-led NDA win, many BJP leaders from Rajasthan have expressed their confidence in NDA securing more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Recently, Rajasthan minister Madan Dilawar has recently declared, that Narendra Modi will secure his third term as prime minister.

“BJP will win more than 400 seats in the country and PM Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third time “said Dilawar to ANI.

Another BJP leader Madan Rathore also echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing, that the atmosphere is completely in BJP and PM Modi’s favour.

“We will win more than 400 seats. People have faith in PM Modi’s guarantees. Wherever I have been, like Telangana, Delhi, Maharashtra etc., the atmosphere is completely in favour of BJP and PM Modi.” declared rathore.

Another Rajasthan minister Avinash Gehlot is also confident of the result, declaring, that NDA will acquire more than 400 seats, as people believe in PM Modi.

“I and the whole country believe that on June 4, at 4 pm, the number will cross 400, and the people of the country are with PM Modi. This was people’s election, and the people are winning it, we will win more than 400 seats”

Meanwhile, the exit polls have predicted clear majority for NDA including in Rajasthan itself.

According to INDIA TV’s exit poll figures, it has predicted 21 or 23 seats for NDA, while INDIA bloc and others will respectively get two and one seat respectively.

Similarly, News24 also predicted NDA winning 22 seats. In contrast, it made similar predictions for the INDIA bloc and other channels like INDIA TV in their exit polls (winning two and one seat respectively).

Lok Sabha Elections In Rajasthan

The Lok Sabha election in Rajasthan was held in two phases. In the first phase, 12 seats of the state had gone to polls on April 19, while in second phase, the remaining 13 seats had gone to polls on April 26. Subsequently, the counting will take place on June 4.

In the 2024 general election, the BJP is contesting 25 seats under the NDA banner. Concurrently, within the INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing arrangement, Congress is contesting 22 seats. Their allies, the Bharat Adivasi Party, CPM, and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), are each contesting one seat.

The prominent contesting candidates from the state also included Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Kailash Choudhary, and Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Previously in 2019, the NDA had managed to win all 25 seats. The BJP along with its ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) respectively won 24 and 1 seat respectively. Meanwhile, congress didn’t win any seat in the state.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: SP Candidate Afzal Ansari Makes A Huge Claim, Wait For….

June 1, 2024, 11:35 am

Amidst the ongoing 7th phase of the Lok Sabha election, the Samajwadi party’s Ghazipur candidate Afzal Ansari has recently claimed, that the INDIA bloc will form a coalition government after June 4 on Saturday.

He made this claim in front of reporters, when he came out of the booth, after casting his vote. ‘Wait for June 4, India will form a coalition government’ claimed Ansari.

Watch Here:-

#WATCH | Afzal Ansari says, “…Wait for 4th June, INDIA Alliance is forming the government.”#LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/8W1tgb1hw9 pic.twitter.com/hwdRZHoupL

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

Meanwhile, Ghazipur is one of UP’s 80 Lok sabha seats, which is always on the news during Lok sabha elections.

The gangster-turned- politician Mukhtar Ansar, who has died recently, exercised huge influence in both Mau and Ghazipur districts. He has previously won these seats by a huge margin in many assembly elections.

Ghazipur’s Political Landscape

The Lok Sabha seat of Ghazipur consists of six assembly segments- Jakhania (reserved), Saidpur (reserved), Ghazipur Sadar, Jangipur, and Jamnia.

It is considered a largest Lok sabha seat, as it boasts of 2,074,883 voters this 2024 election.

Mukhtar Ansari’s elder brother Afzal Ansari had previously won 2019 general elections from Ghazipur in BSP’s (Bahujan Samaj Party) ticket. Defeating BJP’s Manoj Sinha, who had served as minister of state’s railway minister in Narendra Modi-led government.

This time, in the 7th phase of election, he is fighting from this constituency again, but as a Samajwadi Party’s candidate against BJP’s candidate Paras Nath Rai and BSP’s candidate Dr Umesh Kumar Singh.

In addition, Ansari’s daughter Nusrat Ansari, is also contesting the election, as her father’s backup candidate. Who interestingly, is currently facing legal charges under Gangster Act.

Meanwhile, in the 7th phase of Lok Sabha election, seven states and one union territory (Chandigarh) are currently voting.

The states which have gone to polls are the following: – Punjab (13 seats), Himachal Pradesh (4 seats), Uttar Pradesh (13 seats), West Bengal (9 seats), Bihar (8 seats), Odisha (6 seats) and Jharkhand (3 seats). Subsequently, the counting will take place on June 4.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: BJP Candidate Ram Kripal Yadav Visits Gaushala In Patna

June 1, 2024, 10:40 am

Amidst the ongoing seventh and final phase of the election, a BJP candidate from Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat Ram Kripal Yadav visited Gaushala to feed cows on Saturday.

Further, he also appealed to people of Pataliputra to vote for BJP for Pataliputra’s development.

“I would appeal to the people of Pataliputra to cast their votes for BJP for the development of Pataliputra. I also want people to come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote.”

Watch Here:-

#WATCH | Bihar: BJP candidate from Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat Ram Kripal Yadav visits a gaushala in Patna to feed cows.

The Pataliputra seat sees a contest amid BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav and RJD’s Misa Bharti. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/BKxmNvXCeL

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024

Meanwhile in Pataliputra constituency, he is contesting the election against RJD’s Misa Bharti, who is former Bihar CM’s daughter Lalu Prasad Yadav.

In this election, the RJD candidate is supported by the coalition of RJD, Congress, CPI, CPM, CPI-ML, etc.

Previously in 2014, when BJP and JD(U) Ram Kripal Yadav joined the former. Later, taking advantage of Modi wave that time, won the election over Misa Bharti.

Again in 2019 Lok Sabha election, Yadav again defeated RJD candidate Misa Bharti, by securing victory with a margin of 39,000 votes.

This election, the competition is going to be interesting, as Yadav is looking to secure his third term in Pataliputra, while Misa Bharti is still hoping to win election, by halting Ram Kripal Yadav’s winning record.

Meanwhile, the voting for the seventh phase of the election has already started in 57 parliamentary constituencies, covering seven states and one Union Territory of Chandigarh.

In this final phase, around 904 candidates are contesting 7th phase of Lok Sabha election.

The prominent candidates include, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nishikant Dubey, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Congress leaders Manish Tewari, Charanjit Singh Channi, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Misa Bharti.

Also, the actor-turned candidate Kangana Ranaut is also fighting elections against Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh in Mandi. While other candidates like union minister Anurag Thakur, actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan and Mamta Bannerjee’s nephew Abhishek Bannerjee respectively contesting from Hamirpur, Gorakhpur and West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour respectively.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Mamta Bannerjee Will Continue To Maintain Her Dominance In This District

May 31, 2024, 5:57 pm

Despite the election continuing to be dominated by PM Narendra Modi and his brand of politics, one constituency in West Bengal will most likely back the politics that TMC supremo Mamta Bannerjee embodies.

That is the seat of Kolkata Dakshin, which is majorly dominated by the classic Bengali ‘bhadralok” community, and is also chief minister’s home

This Kolkata Dakshin constituency has continued to maintain its loyalty to the leader since 1991, which has been unbroken for 33 years.

Has Opposition Party Made Any Dent

Furthermore, June 1 is anticipated to solidify TMC’s dominance in these nine south Bengal seats during the final phase of voting. Here, the opposition’s impact has been minimal, barely making a dent in TMC’s stronghold.

Except for Jaynagar, no opposition party has been able to disrupt the constituency’s allegiance since 2009.

Despite the politically charged atmosphere in Bengal during this election, political observers still believe that Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to be sidelined from south Kolkata, regardless of the candidate.

But BJP had still managed to establish a significant presence in the previous election.

As BJP’s candidate and grandnephew of Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Kumar Bose had gotten nearly 4.18 lakh votes, which is the highest any opposition before him registered.

Talking about this thin margin, Bose opined that the emotion for Subhash Chandra Bose and the pro-modi factor five years ago helped him amass more votes than what former BJP president Tathagata Roy could have managed in 2014.

But he also stated that TMC’s corruption exposure will have an impact, but the BJP’s hindutva politics will make all the advantages null since the majority of voters are averse to it.

Meanwhile according to analysts, TMC’s performance in south Kolkata will also serve as an audit of the state’s delivery of welfare schemes, which is also pitted against people’s confusion over corruption and Sandesh Khali.

Lok Sabha 2024: CM Yogi Leads BJP Campaign In UP

May 31, 2024, 3:09 pm

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ramped up efforts to ensure a strong mandate for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential third term with the slogan ‘Abki Baar 400 Paar, 80 Banega Iska Adhaar.’ Adityanath has been instrumental in rallying support and actively campaigning across the state.

His campaign focus includes garnering voter support for PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and 12 other Central Ministers from Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, he is backing four state ministers in their bid for parliamentary seats to facilitate their national transition.

Adityanath’s campaign strategy encompasses rallies, roadshows, and public meetings aimed at securing support for various candidates, including MPs, MLAs, and Legislative Council members. Notable candidates include Mainpuri MLA Jaiveer Singh, Khair MLA Anoop Pradhan Valmiki, Phulpur MLA Praveen Patel, Ghaziabad MLA Atul Garg, and others contesting under the NDA banner.

Four Yogi government ministers are also contesting the elections: Jitin Prasad, Jaiveer Singh, Anoop Pradhan, and Dinesh Pratap Singh. The BJP has fielded candidates like Saket Mishra and Neeraj Shekhar in key constituencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting from Varanasi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow, with Adityanath actively organizing events to bolster their campaigns. Other Central Ministers contesting from UP include Smriti Irani, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Professor SP Singh Baghel, and several others.

The CM’s relentless campaigning is considered a significant factor in shaping the BJP’s prospects in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The final phase of voting is scheduled for May 1 across multiple states and Union Territories.

PM Modi Chooses Vivekananda Rock For Meditation After Conclusion Of 2024 Poll Campaign

May 30, 2024, 2:30 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to meditate at Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, holds significant symbolism as he concludes the BJP’s Lok Sabha election campaign for 2024. The choice of location resonates with PM Modi’s reverence for Swami Vivekananda, whom he considers a role model, and his association with the Ramakrishna Mission, founded by the spiritual leader.

Swami Vivekananda’s historic swim from the shores of Kanniyakumari to the islet, where he meditated for three days in 1892, has deep spiritual significance. Following in his footsteps, PM Modi will spend time in meditation from May 30 to June 1, marking the end of the BJP’s election campaign.

PM Modi’s selection of Vivekananda Rock underscores the BJP’s strategic focus on South India during the election campaign. With over a third of his total tours in the last three years dedicated to the region, PM Modi’s extensive visits to Tamil Nadu alone underscore the party’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the southern states. His emphasis on Tamil culture and language, along with visits to prominent temples, reflects this concerted outreach.

The southern states, comprising Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, collectively hold significant electoral sway with 131 Lok Sabha seats. Tamil Nadu alone contributes 39 seats to Parliament. PM Modi’s assertion of BJP’s growing influence in the region signals the party’s aspirations for electoral success beyond traditional strongholds.

Preparations for PM Modi’s visit to Vivekananda Rock Memorial are underway, with approximately 2,000 security personnel deployed to ensure smooth proceedings. Despite opposition from the ruling DMK, citing election model code of conduct and tourist season concerns, PM Modi’s spiritual sojourn is poised to mark a moment of introspection and symbolism as the nation awaits the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

‘Vote bank politics’ PM Modi Highlights Why Reservation Is Crucial Issue for 2024 Elections

May 28, 2024, 12:48 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the INDIA bloc of engaging in “vote bank politics” and criticized opposition parties for undermining the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). In an exclusive interview with ANI, Modi emphasized the importance of reservation in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the need to protect the rights of marginalized communities and uphold constitutional principles.

Modi explained and alerted, “I want to alert the SC, ST, OBC, and other backward-class people because by keeping them in darkness, they are looting them.” He argued that the opposition, claiming to be the well-wishers of Dalits and Tribals, are actually their “staunch enemies.” He added, “I will fight for the rights of my Dalit, Tribal, OBC brothers and sisters. And that’s why I’m fighting the battle.”

The Prime Minister accused the opposition of converting educational institutions into minority institutions, thus eliminating reservations. He cited the example of Jamia Millia University in Delhi, which was designated a minority institution, resulting in the loss of reservations and affecting admissions and jobs. He revealed that around 10,000 such institutions have been removed from the reach of SC, ST, and OBC protections.

Modi expressed concern about the Congress party’s stance on reservations, particularly after they released their manifesto, ‘Nyay Patra,’ on April 5, which proposed a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 percent cap on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs. He criticized the Congress for suggesting quotas for minorities in sports and government tenders, arguing that such policies would harm hardworking individuals from other communities.

The Prime Minister also pointed out the opposition’s attempts to give OBC status to all Muslim castes in Andhra Pradesh, which was rejected by the Supreme Court and High Court. He criticized the opposition for abusing the judiciary and refusing to comply with court decisions for the sake of vote bank politics.

With six phases of the Lok Sabha elections completed, the final phase will be held on June 1, covering 57 constituencies in 8 states. The election results will be declared on June 4.

Kapil Sibal: BJP Suffered Setbacks From Fifth Phase Of LS Polls Onwards

May 25, 2024, 4:29 pm

Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal claimed on Saturday that starting from the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has encountered setbacks, with voters shifting their focus from the Ram temple to issues like inflation and unemployment.

“The information I am receiving indicates significant changes in the fifth and sixth phases. The momentum seen in these phases was absent earlier. People are now discussing inflation, unemployment, and other local issues, which will significantly impact the BJP,” Sibal told ANI.

Sibal highlighted that in the 2019 general election, the BJP garnered substantial support from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities, but this trend has changed in the current election. “If the coalition of Muslims, OBCs, SCs, STs, and Yadavs forms, it will hurt the BJP. Don’t take their ‘400-plus seats’ slogan seriously; it’s become a joke,” he said.

The sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election is currently underway, with polling for 58 parliamentary constituencies across six states and two Union Territories. This phase includes eight seats in Bihar, all ten seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and eight in West Bengal. A total of 889 candidates are competing in this phase.

Odisha is also holding elections for 42 assembly constituencies simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. All parliamentary seats in Delhi and Haryana are part of this phase.

Key constituencies in this phase include New Delhi, North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi, and Chandni Chowk in the national capital, as well as Sultanpur and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Other notable seats are Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag-Rajouri, West Bengal’s Tamluk and Medinipur, Haryana’s Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurgaon, and Rohtak, and Odisha’s Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Sambalpur. The stakes are high for the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and other constituents of the INDIA bloc in this phase.

So far, polling has been completed in 428 parliamentary constituencies across 25 states and UTs during the first five phases of the general elections. Over 11.13 crore voters, including 5.84 crore men, 5.29 crore women, and 5,120 third-gender electors, are eligible to vote in the sixth phase. Approximately 11.4 lakh polling officials are involved in conducting this phase of the election.

The Lok Sabha elections will conclude on June 1 after the seventh phase, with voters from 57 constituencies casting their votes. The results will be announced on June 4.

LS Polls 2024: Babita Phogat Casts Vote In Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri

May 25, 2024, 2:19 pm

Wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat participated in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha Election 2024 by voting in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri on Saturday. After casting her ballot, Babita expressed her support for India’s development and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for elevating the country’s status internationally.

She emphasized the importance of voting as a fundamental right and encouraged the public to prioritize casting their votes. Babita highlighted the positive impact of PM Modi’s policies in enhancing India’s global reputation.

The ongoing voting process in Haryana includes ten Lok Sabha seats and the Karnal assembly constituency. Over 2 crore registered voters will determine the fate of 223 candidates across the state. Additionally, there are a total of 20,031 polling stations set up, with voting taking place in both urban and rural areas.

The sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections covers multiple states, including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Delhi, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with a significant number of candidates vying for various seats.

LS Polls 2024: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi And Sonia Gandhi Cast Their Vote

May 25, 2024, 10:49 am

In the course of the ongoing 6th phase of the Lok Sabha election, congress parliamentary chairperson Sonia Gandhi along with her son and party MP Rahul Gandhi cast their vote on Saturday in Delhi.

Later, the mother-son duo also took a selfie outside the polling booth, after giving their vote.

Meanwhile, the voting is taking place across 58 parliamentary constituencies, which cover six states and two Union Territories (UTs).

The sixth phase of the election is currently taking place in states like Bihar (8 seats), Haryana (10 seats), Jammu and Kashmir (1 seat), Jharkhand (4 seat), Delhi (7 seats) Odisha (6 seats), Uttar Pradesh (14 seats) and West Bengal (8 seats).

Moreover, an interesting contest is taking place at Delhi, as both AAP and Congress are jointly contesting against BJP, who has consecutively won all seven seats in the last two elections.

As per the existing seat-sharing agreement, congress is contesting on three seats in national capital, while AAP on the other hand, is contesting on 4 seats of the city.

Besides, in other places too, the competition is tough. As Haryana is witnessing a multi-cornered contest among various political parties.

In Haryana, both congress and AAP are jointly fighting against BJP, while other parties like INLD, Jannayak Janata Party too are giving tough competition to these mainstream parties.

The 2024 general elections will come to an end in June 1, after the conclusion of seventh phase of the election. Subsequently, the results will be declared on June 4.

LS Polls 2024: Bank Holidays Declared On May 25th–Check Here

May 24, 2024, 4:35 pm

Tomorrow, the 6th phase of the election will take place, but what many don’t know, is usually during the election day, banks tend to remain closed. But the question still remains- whether banks will be closed on May 25 or not and if so, in which locations.

But however, all of this information has been revealed.

Will Banks Be Closed on May 25?

Typically, banks are closed on the fourth Saturday of every month. However, May 25 falls on the fourth Saturday, which means that banks will be closed in all states.

Locations for Phase 6 of the Election:

Haryana

Uttar Pradesh

Delhi

West Bengal

Jharkhand

Bihar

Jammu & Kashmir

Odisha

However, this week, banks in some states were closed for four straight days, as the bank holiday started on Buddha Purnima, which was on Thursday.

But the RBI continues to release schedules of Bank holidays annually, taking national and state holidays, cultural or religious events, operational requirements, and government notifications into account.

So usually, this information is communicated through official channels such as RBI website or notifications issued by other banks and financial institutions.

As for the holidays, the banks will be closed this fourth Saturday on May 25. Which is followed by bank holidays on Sunday on May 26th.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Ananya Panday, Chunky Panday Cast Their Votes In Mumbai

May 20, 2024, 7:36 pm

Ananya Panday, Chunky Panday, and Bhavana Pandey were seen exiting a polling station in Mumbai after voting. Divya Dutta also arrived at the same booth to cast her ballot, expressing admiration for the unity displayed by citizens. Singer Malini Awasthi urged the public to participate in the Lok Sabha elections, while actor Emraan Hashmi proudly displayed his inked finger after voting in Mumbai for the fifth phase of the elections.

Historically Speaking Ep 2: Unraveling Majoritarianism, Dynasty Politics And PM Modi’s Influence

May 20, 2024, 4:17 pm

Historically Speaking with Dr. Aishwarya Pandit Sharma has released an engaging new episode titled “Unravelling the Dance of Democracy.” This episode features a thought-provoking conversation with S Prasannarajan, the esteemed Editor of Open Magazine.

S Prasannarajan offers insightful perspectives on several critical topics, including the challenges faced by the opposition, noting how Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became a selected rather than elected PM. He also discusses Rahul Gandhi’s strategy and its impact within his own party, the influence of Modi in the current political landscape, majoritarianism, and dynasty politics. The discussion provides a careful analysis of these elements, highlighting their significance in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Historically Speaking is a podcast dedicated to exploring the rich tapestry of the past, offering listeners a deep dive into historical events and narratives that continue to shape our present and future.

The show is also available on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.

LS Polls 2024: Anil Kapoor Says, ‘All Citizens Of India Should Vote’

May 20, 2024, 1:05 pm

As voting commenced on Monday in Mumbai for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, numerous notable personalities exercised their right to vote. Among them was veteran actor Anil Kapoor, who cast his vote at a polling booth in the city.

After voting, Anil Kapoor urged everyone to utilize their voting power. “I have cast my vote. All citizens of India should vote,” Anil told ANI.

Earlier in the day, celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Suniel Shetty, Kunal Kemmu, Neha Dhupia, Mahesh Bhatt, and Govinda were seen arriving at their respective polling stations to cast their votes.

Voting on Monday began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by closing time still allowed to vote. According to the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will determine the fate of 695 candidates in this phase.

The fifth phase features significant contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as 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 are vying for electoral success. The eight states/UTs participating in phase 5 include Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

To ensure a peaceful voting environment, a total of 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are monitoring the 94,732 polling stations round the clock.

LS Polls 2024: Four generations of Gandhi family…;PM Modi Slams Congress

May 20, 2024, 12:20 pm

Amidst the ongoing fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress Party and the Gandhi family over constitutional amendment during their time.

Saying that almost four generations of congress families insulted the Indian constitution from time to time.

Further, the PM also said, that to fulfill their political goals, Gandhi members like former Prime Ministers Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi played with the Indian constitution.

PM Modi On Opposition Claims

During his interview with DD News, he also addressed the opposition’s claims that the constitution would be rewritten if the BJP came to power.

PM Modi said “The first one to play with the Constitution is this family. Pandit Nehru did. He brought the First Amendment, which was meant to restrict freedom of speech. His daughter (Indira Gandhi) then overturned the court verdict by bringing an amendment. She imposed an ’emergency’ to save her post. Then her son (Rajiv Gandhi), came and overturned Shah Bano’s verdict. He changed the Constitution. He brought a law to restrict media.”

Later, he also slammed Congress for tearing apart ordinance copy, which was passed by union cabinet in 2013. Which was later withdrawn by then PM Manmohan Singh’s government.

“Then his son (Rahul Gandhi) came. A cabinet formed as per the Constitution took a decision, and a ‘Shehzada’ came and publicly tore apart the cabinet decision. Later, the Cabinet also overturned its decision.”

Later, he also said, that he has huge respect for Babasaheb Ambedkar and other members of Constituent Assembly who made such a constitution. Saying, this constitution gave a chance to teaseller like me to become prime minister.

Thus, underscoring the power of democracy and declaring, that he has been celebrating the Indian constitution for a long time.

Moreover, the PM Modi also added, unlike other politicians, who are drunk in power, position and prestige, he sees his post as a responsibility.

“Most politicians are lost in power, position and prestige; I am far away from that. I believe that a post is a responsibility; it is not for prestige but for spending one’s life” said PM Modi.

Meanwhile, voting in the fifth phase of the election is ongoing across 49 parliamentary constituencies, which covers six states and two Union Territories (UTs).

Subsequently, the counting is scheduled for June 4, 2024.

In this election, the Narendra Modi led BJP is now seeking their third term in power, while INDIA bloc on the other hand, is aiming to grab the power by halting ruling party’s domination.

LS Polls 2024: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Casts His Vote In Mumbai

May 20, 2024, 11:38 am

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das casts his vote along with his family in the current fifth phase of the election.

The governor came to vote at the polling booth at Activity School, Peddar Road, Mumbai.

After coming out of vote, the RBI Governor declared, that its proud moment for 140 crore people, as they get to participate in this civic duty. He also praised the smoothness of this electoral process saying

“The process of voting today was very smooth, and I would like to congratulate the Election Commission of India and all the officials who have been working throughout the country.”

Later, he also encouraged people to come out to vote as this is a right, granted in parliamentary democracy.

Watch Here:-

#WATCH | Mumbai: After casting his vote, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das says, “It’s a very proud moment for every Indian. It’s a moment of pride to participate in an election of 140 crore people. The process of voting today was very smooth and I would like to congratulate the… pic.twitter.com/JGUifocSvP

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024

While appealing to voters he said “It is really a pride moment for every Indian to vote in these elections. I appeal to every voter to come out and vote.”

Later, Union minister and BJP Candidate of Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat Piyush Goyal also casted his vote at polling booth in Mumbai.

After Giving his vote Piyush Goyal said

“This election has given me the opportunity to meet several people and take their blessings. Being a Mumbaikar, the way people have hosted me is a wonderful feeling…My family members have come from abroad to exercise their right to vote.”

Meanwhile, polling is ongoing at 13 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra including six in Mumbai.

In this state, 2.46 crore people are eligible to vote. As for BJP, Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Bharati Pawar and Kapil Patil are key candidates of the party.

Besides, BJP has also fielded other candidates like lawyer Ujjwal Nikam.

However, Election Commission of India has recently announced, that there exists a voter apathy in cities like Mumbai, Thane and Lucknow. It has earlier requested people to come out in vote in huge numbers.

‘This Whole Election Is Between Ram Bhakt And Ram Drohi’: Yogi Adityanath

May 19, 2024, 3:09 pm

While addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in all praises for the Bhartiya Janata Party and in contrast, launched a blistering attack on the opposition.

Saying, both Congress and the Samajwadi Party become agitated whenever the discussion revolves around crossing the 400-seat mark, this ongoing Lok Sabha election.

“Only one voice is resonating in the whole country… ‘Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar, Ab ki baar 400 Paar’.. Whenever we talk about crossing 400 seats, Congress and the Samajwadi Party get tense. They think, how can someone cross the mark of 400 seats?” said Yogi Adityanath.

Later, he further declared, that people will give their votes to BJP over Ram mandir in Ayodhya.

“A voice comes from people who say that we will bring those who brought Lord Ram. This whole election is between ‘Ram Bhakt’ and ‘Ram Drohi’…”- said Yogi Adityanath.

Praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he stated, that development has taken a huge leap in Azamgarh.

Yogi also added, the party is also trying to boost manufacturing, so that people don’t have to go elsewhere, to find employment.

Later talking about SP’s tenure in the state, Yogi Adityanath alleged, that Samajwadi people, have looted so much during their regime. They are coming here for vacation and neither they are interested in the development of the region now.

“They (SP) have looted so much during their regime. You have to be careful of them. They are big people. They just came here for a picnic. They have nothing to do with the development of this place either.” said UP’s chief minister.

Political Landscape of UP

Meanwhile, the polling has already been held in the first four phases of the election. While elections in remaining phases will take place on May 20, May 25, and June 1.

With counting of votes set on June 4.

Notably, Uttar Pradesh has remained a stronghold for the BJP for a significant period. As in both 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 71 and 62 seats (Out of 80 seats) respectively.

While parties like Mayawati’s BSP, Akhilesh Yadav’s SP and Congress continue to settle with single digit seats.

KC Venugopal: “Congress will win in both Amethi and Raebareli”

May 17, 2024, 3:50 pm

During the ongoing Lok Sabha session, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal expressed confidence in the INDIA alliance, stating that they are united and poised for victory. He emphasized, “Our unity is strong, and we are confident of winning. In particular, we are optimistic about our prospects in both Amethi and Raebareli.”

Venugopal noted the prevailing positive sentiment among the public towards the INDIA alliance. When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s prediction that the BJP would not secure more than 150 seats, Venugopal responded, “Rahul Gandhi is well-informed with data and has extensively traveled across the nation. He has a deep understanding of the people’s sentiments.”

During a joint rally in Amethi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav campaigned for KL Sharma, the Congress and INDIA bloc candidate in Amethi. Akhilesh Yadav asserted that the BJP’s prospects had dwindled after the first four phases of the election, predicting that they would struggle to secure even 140 seats. He emphasized, “The people of the country have decided to limit the BJP to less than 140 seats. These individuals want to alter the constitution and our rights, but now the people will enact change.”

Rahul Gandhi highlighted BJP leaders’ statements about their intent to amend the Constitution if they win the elections. He expressed concerns that such changes would lead to the demise of public sector units (PSUs), loss of jobs, removal of reservations, and the erosion of citizens’ rights. Rahul Gandhi warned that without the Constitution, power would be concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals, leaving others without their rights.

Amethi and Raebareli, traditionally strongholds of the Gandhi family, have regained attention. Rahul Gandhi is contesting in Raebareli, while the Congress’s close associate Kishori Lal Sharma is competing against Smriti Irani in Amethi. The Congress secured only two seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 (Raebareli and Amethi), which decreased to one in 2019 after losing Amethi.

On May 3, the Congress announced Rahul Gandhi as the candidate from Raebareli and loyalist KL Sharma from Amethi. Rahul Gandhi, currently an MP from Kerala’s Wayanad, is seeking reelection from both Raebareli and Wayanad. He previously represented Amethi from 2004 to 2019. In Raebareli, he will face BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh, a former Congress member.

Raebareli and Amethi will vote on May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, which is being conducted in seven phases. Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.

Sachin Pilot Confident of INDIA Alliance to Win in Delhi LS Election 2024

May 16, 2024, 8:40 am

Expressing confidence in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Sachin Pilot asserted that the people’s desire for change will lead to victories for INDIA bloc candidates across all seven seats in the National Capital.

Sachin Pilot highlighted the growing movement for change in the nation while out campaigning for Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in northeast Delhi. He declared, “Kanhaiya Kumar, our party’s youthful candidate from North East Delhi, is going to win. Without a doubt, the INDIA alliance candidates are leading and will prevail in this seat as well as the other six. After much thought, the party has selected Kanhaiya as its candidate, which will help the coalition and Congress. The nation is currently feeling the wind of change blowing stronger.”

Addressing the BJP’s criticism regarding the INDIA bloc’s lack of a declared PM candidate, Pilot argued against discussing specific positions at this stage. “We have no dearth of policies and leaders, and it is not right to discuss any position today. This is a parliamentary system. After getting the majority, we will decide within a day who will be given the responsibility. We have prepared the manifesto keeping every section in mind. In whatever state I am going to campaign in, it is evident that people’s attention towards Congress is increasing. People want change now,” he remarked.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also lent his support to Congress candidates Udit Raj from North West Delhi and Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi during a rally in the national capital.

The Congress and AAP have formed a seat-sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, with AAP contesting four seats and Congress contesting three seats.

Notably, Congress’ Kanhaiya Kumar is challenging BJP’s incumbent MP Manoj Tiwari in the northeast Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

Voting across all seven seats in the National Capital is scheduled for May 25 in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.