Lok Sabha Polls: 'Adhere to Constitution, don't get intimated,' writes Kharge in open letter to bureaucracy

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Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Mallikarjun Kharge writes open letter to bureaucracy

An Appeal to all the Civil Servants and Officers

My dear esteemed members of bureaucracy, our civil servants & officers,

I am writing you in the capacity of the Leader of the Opposition (Rajya Sabha) and as President of the Indian National Congress. The elections for the 18th Lok Sabha have concluded and the counting of votes shall take place tomorrow, on June 4th, 2024.

I must congratulate the Election Commission of India, the Central Armed Forces, Police in various states, Civil Servants, District Collectors, Volunteers and each one of you who were involved in conducting this mammoth and historic task.

Our inspiration and India’s First Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel famously called the civil servants as the “Steel frame of India.” The people of India are well aware that it is the Indian National Congress which established numerous institutions, laid their solid foundation, and devised mechanisms for their independence, on the basis of the Constitution of India.

Independence of the institutions is paramount, for every civil servant takes oath of the Constitution that they “will faithfully and conscientiously discharge their duties and will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”. In this spirit we expect every bureaucrat and officer – from top to bottom of the hierarchy, to discharge their duties in the spirit of the Constitution, without any coercion, threat, pressure or intimidation either from the ruling party/coalition or from the opposition party/coalition.

It is important to underline the fact that the Congress party, through the Constitution prepared by our inspirational founding members such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr B R Ambedkar, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu and countless others, not only created a framework of strong governance, but also ensured affirmative action through representation of the marginalised in the bureaucracy and the civil society, in our autonomous institutions.

The last decade has witnessed a systemic pattern to assault, undermine and suppress our autonomous institutions by the ruling party. India’s Democratic ethos are being consequently damaged. There is a widespread tendency to turn India into a regimental dictatorship. We are increasingly seeing some institutions shedding their independence and brazenly following the diktats of the ruling party. Some have completely adopted their style of communication, their way of functioning, and in some cases even their political rhetoric. It is not their fault. With brute power, threat, coercive mechanisms and misuse of agencies, this tendency to bow to the powers that have become a way for their short-term survival. Even though, in this denigration, India’s Constitution and Democracy have become a casualty.

The ‘Will of the People’ is supreme, and people want Indian bureaucracy, to return back to the same ‘Steel frame of India’ envisaged by Sardar Patel – which has been Teflon-coated by our strong Constitutional principles, that have stood the test of the time.

Indian National Congress now urges the entire bureaucracy, to adhere to the Constitution, enact their duties, and serve the nation, without fear, favour and ill-will against anybody. Do not get intimidated by anyone. Do not bow down to any Unconstitutional means. Do not be afraid of anyone and discharge your duties, based on merit, on this counting day. We owe it to future generations, a vibrant Democracy and a long-lasting Constitution, as penned by the makers of modern India.

In this hope that India remains truly Democratic in nature, I extend good wishes to each one of you, and expect that our eternal ideals of the Constitution remain untarnished.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Arrangements in place for Telangana's 17 constituencies

Necessary arrangements have been made for the counting of votes polled in the election to the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana, with about 10,000 personnel geared up to take part in the exercise on Tuesday, officials said.

The counting of votes will begin at 8 am on Tuesday at 34 centres. The counting of postal ballots and votes cast in EVMs would start at 8 am in all constituencies. Postal ballots would be counted in separate halls.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Counting to be held in 20 centres in Kerala

Preparations for counting of votes polled in the April 26 Lok Sabha elections in Kerala are complete and the process will take place in 20 centres across the state on Tuesday. A total of 194 candidates are vying for the 20 seats in the state, making the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls a crucial battleground for the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF, the Congress-headed UDF and the BJP-led NDA.

According to Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul, measures have been taken to ensure that the vote counting process is transparent and secure.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Counting of votes will be done in 70 centres across Odisha on June 4

The Election Commission has made elaborate preparations for counting of votes for 21 the Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats in Odisha.

Counting will be held in 70 centres throughout the state starting at 8 am on Tuesday, officials said. Over 2.5 crore voters exercised their franchise in the four-phase elections, with a turnout of 74.44 per cent, higher than the 73.09 per cent recorded in 2019, Odisha chief electoral officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal told a press conference on Monday.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Stage set for counting of votes for 25 LS seats in Rajasthan

More than 13,000 personnel have been deployed for counting of votes for the 25 Lok Sabha seats and the Bagidora assembly seat by-election in Rajasthan on Tuesday, officials said.

Chief Election Officer Praveen Gupta said the counting will begin at 8 am at 29 places across the state and all preparations have been completed.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: In Indore, BJP eyes record 10-lakh victory margin; Cong says NOTA will get 'historic' 2 lakh votes

On the eve of counting of Lok Sabha poll votes in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, the ruling BJP on Monday said its victory margin would be a record high of 10 lakh, while the opposition Congress, which was pushed out of fray after its candidate withdrew, claimed NOTA would bag two lakh votes.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Over 25,000 polling staff to be deployed at 55 counting centres across West Bengal

The stage is set for counting of votes on Tuesday for 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, an election official said.

Counting will start from 8 am amid tight security. The trends are expected around 9 am, the official added. Over 25,000 polling staff, including observers and micro observers, will be deployed by the Election Commission for the counting process, which will take place at 55 centres across the state.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: BJP all set for grand celebrations in capital on vote count day

Buoyed by the exit polls predictions, the Delhi BJP is geared up for a grand celebration on Tuesday when the counting for the just concluded Lok Sabha election will take place. Workers have already arranged for music, garlands and an abundance of sweets in anticipation of a third encore of the Narendra Modi government.

"From dhol, tasha, and nafiri to sweets, everything is being organised on a large scale," a local BJP leader said.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: INDIA bloc is winning in people's exit polls, says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

On exit polls, Former Bihar Dy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "This is Modiji's poll. INDIA bloc is winning in people's exit polls. At any cost, we are not getting less than 295 seats. We are going to form the government.In Modi's exit polls also, we've been given a 14% positive swing whereas BJP-NDA given 6-7% negative swing."

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: All set for counting of votes in Tamil Nadu

All arrangements are in place for counting of votes on June 4 for the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu, officials said on Monday.

Vote counting at the 39 counting centres spread across the state will begin at 8 am. Postal ballots shall be taken up first, after which the votes cast in EVMs would be taken up by 8.30 am. Nearly 40,000 personnel have been deployed for the exercise.

As many as 950 candidates are in the fray in the 39 Lok Sabha segments in the state, which had a voter turnout of 69.72 per cent in the April 19 single-phase election in Tamil Nadu.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: All senior leaders of the INDIA alliance have been called by Congress to stay in Delhi

All senior leaders of the INDIA alliance have been called by Congress to stay in Delhi till tomorrow night or day after tomorrow morning. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has also taken a positive stand on this. A meeting will be held after the election results. If the number of seats does not come as per expectations and assessment, then other options including demonstration/press conference/meeting with the President will be discussed where questions can be raised on the role of the Election Commission, ANI citing Congress sources

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi attacks Opposition

"The election process is in its last phase. The opposition used abusive words against the PM; we can accept it if you do that against the BJP and our government, but when you do that against the democracy, then it is not acceptable," says BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi at a press conference in Delhi.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Senas, NCPs face legacy battle in Maharashtra; BJP aims expansion and Congress revival

The counting of votes will be held on Tuesday in 48 Lok Sabha seats of Maharashtra where the rival Shiv Sena and NCP factions, as well as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, are jockeying for political supremacy. Counting will begin at 8 am across the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The exercise would be held at 289 counting halls and 4,309 counting tables by 14,507 personnel.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: I am looking forward to what the people of Thiruvananthapuram have decided, says Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said to ANI, "The people of India are very happy that the exit polls are showing a stronger mandate for our Prime Minister for his third term. It is historic in many ways that he is getting a third term and more importantly, it is the third term where each successive mandate has improved and shows how people are responding to his governance and his development and how he is taking India forward. I am looking forward to what the people of Thiruvananthapuram have decided and I look forward to the result tomorrow. I have been saying that at the end of the 2024 polls, you will find that BJP is the largest national party in the South especially when the INDIA alliance and the Congress partners kept trying to pretend that somehow Southern India is a region where voters do not want the BJP..."

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Modi eyes record-equalling feat, Oppn hopes for rebound

Prime Minister Narendra Modi eyes a record-equalling third straight term in power amid the INDIA opposition bloc's hope of springing a surprise as the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election is set for Tuesday, bringing an end to a marathon polling exercise stretching over 80 days.

While most experts have long seen the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as the favourite in the polls, a lot is at stake for the ruling combine in terms of the scale of victory it can pull off and new territories it can conquer. The opposition's stakes are higher still amid its reducing national footprint.

Exit polls have been, however, unanimous in their prediction that the NDA is closer to realising Modi's ambitious target of "400 paar" for his alliance than the INDIA bloc is to crossing even the 180 mark, one-third of the total number of seats.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: ECI is just an arm of the BJP, says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut

“Uddhav Thackeray did talk to the press on May 20 (during phase five of polling), just like Home Minister Amit Shah. It was not part of his election campaign. A DGP wrote a letter against it and the Election Commission of India began investigation into it. My party, Shiv Sena (UBT), wrote 17 letters to the ECI till now but we haven’t received any reply. ECI is just an arm of the BJP, and all these branches will shut down tomorrow,” says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut at a press conference in Mumbai.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Exit polls are fake, says Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav

On exit polls, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said to news agency, "Exit polls are fake. It is an attempt to demoralise the workers of the INDIA alliance and Samajwadi Party.BJP is not even winning a single seat from the areas around Varanasi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat.Samajwadi Party and INDIA alliance are winning at least 60 seats in Uttar Pradesh."

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Leave aside exit polls, the exact poll is coming tomorrow, says BJP leader Samrat Choudhary

“Leave aside exit polls, the exact poll is coming tomorrow. Rahul Gandhi should wait and watch. The people have blessed us with their votes for our politics of development. Everything will be clear tomorrow (referring to counting of votes). In Bihar, I am confident that we will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats,” said Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary on Rahul Gandhi’s remark over exit polls.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Section 144 imposed around Delhi airport; drones, laser beams banned

Delhi police have imposed prohibitory orders banning drone and laser beam activities in the funnel area falling within the approach path of flights to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI).

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Counting observers deputed for counting of votes, says Punjab CEO

A total of 64 observers have been deputed to oversee the counting process, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C on Monday said. Counting of votes for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will begin at 8 am on Tuesday. Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 62.80 per cent in the polling that took place on Saturday.

"A total of 64 counting observers, drawn from All India Services and Civil Services cadres of various states, will oversee the counting process," said the Punjab CEO.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: The entire world is watching tomorrow's result, says BJP candidate from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan

On Exit Polls, BJP MP and candidate from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan said to ANI, "The entire country has been electing Prime Minister Modi, the architect of this new India. Every Indian, every poor section, every unemployed person who got employment and those unemployed people who believe that now they will get new employment by the Prime Minister, the biggest leader of the world. The whole world is watching that for the first time, such an election took place where 26 parties have come together to defeat a person, to stop the biggest leader of the world.Not just India, not just Gorakhpur, the entire world is watching tomorrow's result, enemy countries are watching, the traitors living inside the country, those who are against the country, they will also be watching."

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Delhi Police makes elaborate security arrangements for the vote-counting day

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by Delhi Police for the vote-counting day of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. On 4th June during the counting process around 70 companies of the force will be deployed at all the seven counting centres across Delhi, says Delhi Police

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: ECI rejects Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's request

ECI rejects Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's request of seeking a time of one week to respond, ECI asked him to reply by 7 pm today. EC denies extra time to Cong's Jairam Ramesh to prove his claim that attempts made to influence 150 DMs ahead of vote countin

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Dry day in Madhya Pradesh, says Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan said, "On 4 June, counting will take place for 29 parliamentary constituencies in 92 district headquarters starting 8 am.Given the prevailing heat conditions, drinking water arrangements and coolers have been installed in the counting centres. Tomorrow has been declared as a dry day.Three layers of security have been deployed in counting centres.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Dry day in Madhya Pradesh, says Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan said, "On 4 June, counting will take place for 29 parliamentary constituencies in 92 district headquarters starting 8 am.Given the prevailing heat conditions, drinking water arrangements and coolers have been installed in the counting centres. Tomorrow has been declared as a dry day.Three layers of security have been deployed in counting centres.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The exit poll numbers will be reflected in tomorrow's counting, says BJP leader CN Ashwath Narayan

On exit polls, BJP leader CN Ashwath Narayan said, "Before the election could start, it was very clear that the 2024 General Elections would be pr-incumbency and pro-Modi.The exit poll numbers will be reflected in tomorrow's counting. We are expecting the actual numbers to be much higher. The opportunist alliance has been completely rejected. Congress always wants 'takatak' money. They have always wanted to loot the country's treasury."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Exit polls are misleading, they are managed by BJP, says Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara

On Lok Sabha election results, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara said, "Exit polls are misleading, they are managed by BJP and Modi ji. They (BJP) have not done anything in the last 10 years. BJP is asking for votes but it is not telling its vision."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Exit polls are misleading, they are managed by BJP, says Rajasthan Congress chief
On Lok Sabha election results, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara says, "Exit polls are misleading, they are managed by BJP and Modi ji. They (BJP) have not done anything in the last 10 years. BJP is asking for votes but it is not telling its vision..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Biggest learning from elections is that poll process should be completed before summer, says CEC

Biggest learning from elections is that poll process should be completed before summer: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress is the largest party in the ‘so-called’ INDIA alliance, says RLD leader Malook Nagar

Here’s what RLD leader Malook Nagar said on Rahul Gandhi’s remark on exit polls. “Congress is the largest party in the ‘so-called’ INDIA alliance, and Rahul Gandhi is its tallest leader. He should understand that his fight is not with the media but with BJP and NDA. As far as I have noticed, the media has covered his rallies and speeches, and I think he should not give such irresponsible statements. He should focus on issues that must be raised and refrain from alleging someone for no reason.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress is the largest party in the ‘so-called’ INDIA alliance, says RLD leader Malook Nagar

Here’s what RLD leader Malook Nagar said on Rahul Gandhi’s remark on exit polls. “Congress is the largest party in the ‘so-called’ INDIA alliance, and Rahul Gandhi is its tallest leader. He should understand that his fight is not with the media but with BJP and NDA. As far as I have noticed, the media have covered his rallies and speeches, and I think he should not give such irresponsible statements. He should focus on issues that must be raised and refrain from alleging someone for no reason.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Postal ballot counting will start first, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections counting, CEC Rajiv Kumar says, "Postal ballot counting will start first. After only half an hour, we will start EVM counting. There is no doubt about it."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: The balloon of the exit polls will be bursting on June 4, says RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav

Here's what RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said on exit polls.

"The balloon of the exit polls will be bursting on June 4. The people of country has endured inflation, unemployment. Farmers were beaten. People have endured all this. Hence people have used their franchise for a change. The results will be opposite to the exit polls. What Sonia Gandhi has said is true. When the CM meets the PM, it can have different meanings. I would not say much as we respect him. He is getting influenced. INDIA alliance will cross 300 seats. Wait for the results. It will be better than 2004."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: We will very soon start poll process in Jammu and Kashmir, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

We will very soon start poll process in Jammu and Kashmir, we are very enthused by voter turnout: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: All issues raised by multi-party delegations have been addressed: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Entire counting process is absolutely robust: CEC Rajiv Kumar on counting of votes of 2024 general elections on June 4

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: All issues raised by multi-party delegations have been addressed: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Entire counting process is absolutely robust: CEC Rajiv Kumar on counting of votes of 2024 general elections on June 4

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: The entire counting process is absolutely robust, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar gives details about the counting process to be followed to declare the results of Lok Sabha elections on June 4, he says, "The entire counting process is absolutely robust. It works similar to the precision of a clock."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: All development work used to stop during MCC, says CEC
All development work used to stop during MCC, EC gave permission within 48 hours of applications in 95-98 per cent projects: CEC Rajiv Kumar

EC issued notices to top leaders, FIRs were filed against many and top officials transferred to sanitise poll process: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Election Commission made a record seizure record of almost Rs 10,000 crores during this election, says CEC

"Election Commission made a record seizure record of almost Rs 10,000 crores during this election. This is nearly 3 times the value seized in 2019...Local teams were empowered to do their work," says CEC Rajiv Kumar.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Voter turnout in Jammu & Kashmir is highest in the last four decades in this elections, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

"This is one of the General Elections where we have not seen violence. This required two years of preparation," says CEC Rajiv Kumar on Lok Sabha elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Exit polls are a media creation, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
On exit polls, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "We are not going to agree with the exit poll. Exit polls are a media creation... We will win 15-20 seats in Karnataka. In the centre, our President has made it very clear that the INDIA alliance will win 295 seats."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Nearly four lakh vehicles, 135 special trains and 1,692 air sorties were used, says CEC

Nearly four lakh vehicles, 135 special trains and 1,692 air sorties were used in conducting 2024 Lok Sabha elections: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Election Commission of India gives a standing ovation to all voters who took part in Lok Sabha elections 2024
- Over 68,000 monitoring teams, 1.5 crore polling and security personnel were involved in world's largest electoral exercise: CEC Rajiv Kumar

- We were always here, never went missing: CEC Rajiv Kumar on social media memes calling election commissioners 'Laapata Gentlemen'

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Only 39 repolls took place in 2024 general elections as against 540 repolls in 2019, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

On Lok Sabha elections, CEC Rajiv Kumar says, "Due to the meticulous work of the election personnel we ensured fewer repolls - we saw 39 repolls in Lok Sabha polls 2024 as opposed to 540 in 2019 and 25 out of 39 repolls were in 2 States only."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: There are 312 million proud women voters, says Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar

“We have created a world record of 642 million proud Indian voters. This is a historic moment for all of us. This is just to give you some small statistics. This is 1.5 times of the voters of all G7 countries - US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada.. all put together. We are comparing voters and not electors and it is 2.5 times of the voters of 27 counties in the EU. That has been the incredible power of the voters of India. There are 312 million proud women voters. This is also the highest ever in the world. It is larger than the 2019 elections.. both the total and the women voters. We must cherish this,” says Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar during a press conference.

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: This contribution of voters above 85 years of age is inspiring for our young generation, says CEC

“This contribution of voters above 85 years of age is inspiring for our young generation, they are the leaders of our democracy. They have seen India before independence and have shaped this country with their contribution in the last 70 years” - CEC Rajiv Kumar

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Our electoral process was historic, have created a global record with 2024 polls, says CEC

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: “642 million voters chose action over apathy, belief over cynicism and in some cases, the ballot over the bullet. We thank each and every one who took part in this festival of democracy.” Says CEC Rajiv Kumar.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Election trends will get converted into results tomorrow, says Haryana CM Nayab Saini

Ahead of Lok Sabha election results, Haryana CM & BJP leader Nayab Saini says, "...Election trends will get converted into results tomorrow...The country will give over 400 seats to BJP to make Narendra Modi ji the prime minister for the third time...After independence, this is the first time a prime minister has worked to take the country forward at this speed..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Hopeful that our results are completely the opposite to what the exit polls are showing, says Sonia Gandhi

“We have to wait. Just wait and see. We are very hopeful that our results are completely the opposite to what the exit polls are showing,” says Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Lok Sabha elections 2024 results will be declared tomorrow.