News Highlights: Ghulam Nabi Azad won't contest polls from Anantnag-Rajouri seat

The live blog session has concluded. For more news, views and updates, stay tuned with Moneycontrol.com

Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi bats for a National Election Fund after Supreme Court striking down electoral bond scheme. He said: "I have suggested that after the electoral bonds were declared unconstitutional, we are back to the situation as it existed in 2018. Was it a happy situation before that? We (referring to the Election Commission), concerned citizens like me, think-tanks, ADR, civil society organisations, were all fighting against the money power in elections. In 2017 and before, 70% of the fund collection was by cash - that is dangerous, because nobody knows where is the money coming from. Our reform demand is now revived, as it existed in 2017. We have to do away with this cash system. In that context, I have suggested that we set up a national election fund. There, nobody will be scared to donate, it's going to be a national fund."

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India SY Quraishi on electoral bond scheme, said, "The electoral bond scheme, when it was introduced in 2017, talked about transparency. If you recall, the then Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) started his speech very beautifully and said that without transparency of political funding, free and fair elections are not possible. This was music to our ears because this is what we were saying. His second statement was equally good and he said that for the last 17 years, we have failed to achieve the transparency. That was also nice and we expected his third statement to be that they will introduce transparency and how they will do it. What he did instead was to decimate whatever transparency existed till then."

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy while campaigning in Kerala's Wayanad earlier today, said, "Rahul Gandhi will get a majority of over 5 lakh (votes) because people here are not casting their votes for an MP, but for prime minister. People know that the INDIA alliance will form government (at the Centre) and Rahul Gandhi will become the PM."

Bhojpuri Singer and Independent candidate from Nawada Gunjan Kumar says, "This time the youth of all caste is with me, they are ambling with me step by step...I am fighting the election for the first time...I am already ruling in the hearts of people through my songs; places where I won't be able to visit as there are 1200 villages, hence I appeal to everyone to make your son triumph."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing a public meeting in Vadakara, Kerala, says. "Rubber farmers of Kerala have been struggling, but the LDF (Left Democratic Front) and UDF (United Democratic Front) have closed their eyes. We will resolve their problems as soon as we form a government at the Centre (again)."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "...Supreme Court categorically said that if someone is responsible for the financial crisis of Kerala then it is the state government. I want to say give enough strength to the BJP; LDF, UDF can be only checked by the BJP and we can give them a befitting reply. UDF and LDF have looted the people of Kerala in their successive regimes...The people of India have decided 'abki baar 400 paar'"

The election campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded at 3pm today in the North East, and in other areas, it ended at 6pm: Election Commission of India

Uttarakhand CM and senior BJP leader Pushkar Singh Dhami while addressing a public rally in Haldwani, said, "This is a historic election and and the entire nation is saying that Narendra Modi will become the PM for a third term with a huge majority. People of Uttarakhand will support in achieving the '400 paar' target."

"The political battle of Delhi was mainly between BJP and Congress. However, AAP has emerged as a new option. Similarly, TMC and BRS have emerged in West Bengal and Telangana, respectively. Because the Congress has refused to change itself, a new party has started to emerge in every state every year," says Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) Milind Deora.

Chairman of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad takes on Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah for backing Lal Singh, who supported the Kathua rapists. He said, "They are even worse than BJP...Rahul Gandhi once said that to make the arrest until we won't leave; Omar Abdullah stated that unless he goes to jail, we cannot breathe; what happened to jail? Today they are walking in the streets madly..."

"Look at the changes that took place (in the country) in the last five years, the Somnath Temple was redeveloped, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was completed, and the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has also been built," says Union Minister Anurag Thakur addressing a public gathering in Nadaun, Himachal Pradesh.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on the first phase election campaign, says, "In Assam, the five constituencies will go for election in the first phase. BJP will win on all five seats with a great majority...This is a heritage and iconic city. The first phase of the election campaign has come to an end here. With everyone's blessings PM Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third time."

Trinamool Congress says:

We are delighted to present our Manifesto for the Lok Sabha Elections, 2024!

With DidirShopoth, we pledge to uplift every Indian with guaranteed employment, universal housing, free LPG cylinders, assured MSP for farmers, scholarships for SC, ST, OBC students and much more.

Together, let's overthrow the BJP Zamindars and pave the way for a dignified life for all!

Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore says, "You can see this enthusiasm. The public for whom PM Modi has been working day and night for the past 10 years - he brought a great transformation within politics as well as society. He has empowered each and every individual...People are waiting for the day of voting - hence this enthusiasm."

On Rahul Gandhi's "I think they will get 150 seats" remark for the BJP, he says, "His world and he are different. Let him be in his world. But he tries to break India in that world. This is not acceptable to us. India is secure and prosperous today. It is being seen as one of the most economically strong countries in the world. This economic strength is reaching every village today...BJP is getting all 25 seats in Rajasthan."

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's remarks, says, "First of all, statements like these prove that she is conceding that Congress is not even getting more than 100 seats... INDI alliance has done what it does best, to attack the constitutional authorities of the country. if the same INDI alliance leaders win an election in Telangana, Punjab, and Delhi, the EVM is fine but when they lose elections or when they know they are going to lose, then they try to raise doubts on Constitutional bodies. EVM toh bahana hai, Priyanka ji ne Rahul ko haar se bachana hai..."

AIADMK candidate from South Chennai, J Jayavardhan on the upcoming polls, said, "People are extremely angry at the incumbent DMK government due to their anti-people stand. Inflation has skyrocketed, and people are very much affected by this increase. The people of this constituency have decided to vote for AIADMK. Not only in this constituency but there’s an anti-DMK wave in the entire state.”

BJP leader Jagadish Shettar says, "When I entered the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency last month, on that day more than 10,000 people gathered and welcomed me...All the leaders of the BJP are supporting...I am confident that with a bigger margin, I am going to win..."

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Mandya, says, "Farmers said to me that millionaires' loans are waived off. PM Narendra Modi has waived off 16 lakh crores of loans of the 25 wealthiest people of India, which means the money is worth 24 years of MGNREGA. Farmers are asking if the millionaire's loans can be waived off, why can't it be for farmers..."

While addressing a public meeting in Mandya, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "I am here to tell the unemployed youth of Karnataka, Congress party is going to do a historic work for you, the name of the scheme is 'Pehali Naukari Pakki'. It means, that the youth who are unemployed, Congress is going to give them the right to the first job. If you are a diploma holder or graduate from college, Congress party is going to give you a right (right to the first job)..."

PM Modi while addressing a public meeting in Agartala, said, "After a wait of 500 years, such a Ram Navami has come when Lord Ram is sitting in the grand temple of Ayodhya. Today, the Sun rays have illuminated the forehead of Lord Ram. It is our good luck that we are here in the Northeast where the Sun rays fall first."

Former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on PM Modi’s rally in Bihar yesterday, said, "PM Modi has no achievement in the last 10 years to present before the people. He has been repeating the same allegations against the opposition parties over and over again since 2014. Why is he not talking on the core issue of the people here?”

Rajya Sabha MP & BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "When the entire India and the world is celebrating the Ramnavami, the leaders of INDI alliance aren't avoiding to humiliate India and its culture. West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee has made a post on social media appealing to maintain peace, this is demeaning the festival of Ramnavami as on the other religious occasions you (Mamata Banerjee) have given the message of peace, but here you are asking 'to maintain peace' instead of giving the message of peace and prosperity, by doing this you're trying to humiliate the Indian & Sanatani culture."

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann holds a roadshow in support of AAP candidate from Gujarat's Bharuch seat Chaitar Vasava in latter's constituency.

"I discussed religion, society, elections and candidates with various religious leaders. Tomorrow, I will file nomination (for Lok Sabha polls) before 3 pm," says independent candidate from Karnataka's Dharwad Dingaleshwar Swami.

During election campaigning in Kerala's Attingal, Union Minister & BJP candidate from the Lok Sabha constituency, V Muraleedharan says, "Kerala has benefitted a lot from PM Modi's schemes. Every time the PM visits the state, the people get reminded of the schemes. This visit of the PM to my constituency has given a surge in support to BJP...My constituency has a large expat population. Every Indian abroad feels that the esteem of every Indian passport holder has gone up in the last few years. After the evacuation of students from Ukraine, the parents of many of those students came to meet me. Now, many of them have come forward to deposit the amount to be submitted for contesting elections." Kerala votes on all 20 Lok Sabha seats in single phase on 26th April.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted in Kerala that the BJP stands as the most credible party in India. Addressing a public gathering in Kasaragod, he emphasized the BJP's consistency in aligning manifesto promises with actions, contrasting it with perceived discrepancies in the Congress and left political parties. Singh labeled the existing political crisis as a challenge that the BJP confronts head-on, underscoring the party's credibility.

BJP candidate from South Chennai, Tamilisai Soundararajan, stated, "Best of our party going to start. This is Lok Sabha polls but the INDIA alliance is on the field as if it is the state elections. Whatever may be the situation they should have a central face... We are very confident because we are facing the elections under a strong leader PM Modi... They do not have any PM face... one of the party functionaries is saying either Rahul Gandhi will be the PM or MK Stalin will be the PM... MK Stalin cannot function as a CM then how will he function as PM..."

Chief Election Commissioner Pawan Kumar Sain speaks in detail on preparations for simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state "...We hope to cross 80% voter turnout in this election as the voters here are really aware. 185 companies of security forces are deployed in the state. Those with a history of electoral offences have been bound down. Export and import of liquor is banned in the state. Till now, more than Rs 16 crores worth of cash, liquor etc seized..."

Union Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh addresses a public gathering in Kasaragod, Kerala. "There is a gap in the words and deeds of Congress and left political parties resulting in a political crisis in the country. But BJP has taken this crisis as a challenge. There has never been a gap between our manifesto and our deeds. BJP is the most credible party in the country."

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "The public is ready to choose PM Modi as the PM for the third term..." On 'Surya Tilak' ritual of Ram Lalla being performed in Ayodhya, he said, "This year's Ram Navami is very special for all the lord Ram devotees, and today I have also performed 'Kanya Pujan'. It is a proud moment for all of us that after 500 years lord Ram's birth anniversary is being celebrated in Ayodhya..."

On Lok Sabha & Assembly elections preparations, Inspector General of Police Chukhu Apa says, "We started the preparations about 6 months ago. Since January when we started taking preventive measures like identifying troublemakers who were involved in incidents in the last elections. We set up a dedicated police team at the HQ. Preventive action taken is satisfying. 95% of the total licenced arms have been deposited. We have 65 companies of CAPF deployed for the polls. 567 critical polling stations The state votes in simultaneous Lok Sabha & Assembly elections on 19th April.

BJD announces fifth list of candidates for Odisha Assembly elections 2024. BJD (Biju Janata Dal) chief and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to contest from Kantabanji seat in Western Odisha apart from his home turf Hinjili.

Addressing a public rally in Nalbari, PM Narendra Modi says, "Today Modi's guarantee is going on in the entire country and the North East itself is a witness to Modi's guarantee. The North-East, which was given only problems by Congress, has been transformed by the BJP into a source of possibilities. Congress fueled separatism and Modi made efforts for peace and security. What Congress could not do in 60 years, Modi did in 10 years..."

Addressing a public rally in Nalbari, PM Narendra Modi says, "Modi has given a guarantee that all the elderly people above 70 years of age will get free treatment facilities up to Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Yojana. Modi will take care of their treatment without any discrimination..."

'Jai Shri Ram' slogan being raised by PM Narendra Modi and people present at the rally as PM speaks about the 'Surya Tilak' ritual of Ram Lalla being performed in Ayodhya.

PM Narendra Modi says, "...There is a new atmosphere in the entire country and this birthday of Lord Ram has come after 500 years, when he got the privilege of celebrating his birthday in his own home."

Addressing a public rally in Nalbari, PM Narendra Modi says, "...Today is also the historical occasion of Ram Navami. After a wait of 500 years, Lord Ram has finally been seated in his grand temple and in just a few minutes from now, his birth anniversary will be celebrated in the Ram temple in the holy city of Ayodhya by applying 'Surya Tilak' to Lord Ram."

Here's what Congress candidate from Ghaziabad Dolly Sharma said on problems in her constituency. "Health is the main issue, we don't have any hospitals. There's only one big hospital in Ghaziabad called MMG (District Hospital) which was given by the Congress rule."

Here’s what AIADMK spokesperson Sasi Rekha said on party’s campaign for the upcoming polls.

“As an AIADMK spokesperson, I am proud of the campaigning work that we have done for the upcoming elections. There is an anti-incumbency against both the DMK government in state and BJP government in the Centre, and people are not interested to vote for them again. Today is the last day of campaigning and we are confident of winning all 40 Lok Sabha seats (including Puducherry) in the elections.”

BJP leader Sunep C Jamir on upcoming Lok Sabha elections "We have one Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland. The elections are to be conducted by our alliance partner NTPP. It is confirmed that our alliance will win in Nagaland. We are working day & night in the true spirit of alliance. We have activated all our party workers for voting. All MLAs have come together for our candidate." Nagaland votes on 19th April.

Here's what Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said responding to a question whether he will contest Lok Sabha election from UP's Amethi seat.

“These decisions are being taken in the party’s CEC meetings. As far as Amethi is concerned, it is the decision of the party; whatever order the party will give me, I will act on it.”

Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Congress Lok Sabha candidate says, " We are ready for the elections. During my visit to the entire Andaman & Nicobar islands, I observed that this time the voters had made up their minds about whom to vote for...I believe Congress will register a win here. BJP's manifesto in 2014, 2019 and 2024 has been alike."

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that BJP will win just 150 seats in the coming Lok Sabha elections while Congress and other opposition parties will see a bump in their numbers.

Gandhi made these remarks while addressing a joint press conference along with INDIA bloc ally and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad. Read more.

“For the last 9 years, Arvind Kejriwal has been working to fulfil the promises he made to the people of Delhi and Punjab. Lord Ram had to overcome many obstacles to make the dream of ‘Ram Rajya’ come true.The same way Arvind Kejriwal also had to overcome many obstacles,” says Delhi Minister Atishi while addressing a press conference in Delhi.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says "PDA is going to defeat NDA. As far as 'Pariwarwaad' is concerned, I want BJP to take a resolution that they will neither give a ticket to 'pariwar wale' nor take votes from 'pariwar wale'. They (BJP) cannot even take the name of the INDIA alliance properly...The people who came in 2014 will be gone in 2024..."

Here's what BJP candidate from MP's Chhindwara Vivek Sahu said on his contest with Congress' candidate Nakul Nath in Lok Sabha elections.

"Chhindwara is ready to welcome Amit Shah today. People are with PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda. We will win under their leadership. Nakul Nath called Adivasis a traitor. 38 pc population is of Adivasis here. We are with Adivasis. I have pledged to wear yellow towel on head (which is a symbol of Adivasis) to the Parliament."

Here's what AAP MP Sanjay Singh said while addressing a press conference on the launch of 'AAP ka Ram Rajya' website. "On the occasion of Ram Navami, we are launching a website 'AAP ka Ram Rajya'. Arvind Kejriwal has done amazing work to fulfil the dream of 'Ram Rajya' in Delhi and has presented an example to the world. This is the first Ram Navami on which Arvind Kejriwal is not us; he is in jail."

AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "...nobody had even imagined that electricity could be given free. This was the first government after independence to implement free electricity scheme, free water scheme, and free bus travel scheme. Delhi is the only state to give a profit budget. We are determined to fulfil our vision of Ram Rajya on the ground..."

Here's what RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said on former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan's 'India not reaping benefits of democratic dividend' statement. "His (Raghuram Rajan) questions have shown a mirror to the government. Everyone is saying that the ruling BJP party wants to demolish our democracy. All people are troubled by their dictatorship."

- Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora has claimed that the Congress, which once ushered in economic reforms, currently has a divisive economic agenda which seeks to derail India's economic growth trajectory.

- In an interview to PTI, Deora said the Congress was a centrist party, but has "veered very very Left" and talks about policies which are communist and socialist in nature that have failed around the world when the party should be talking about policies which can fuel innovation and investment.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "This election is an election of ideology. On the one hand, RSS and BJP are trying to destroy the Constitution and the democratic system, and on the other hand, the INDIA alliance and Congress Party are trying to defend and protect the Constitution and democracy. There are 2-3 big issues in the elections. Unemployment is the biggest and inflation is the second biggest but BJP is engaged in creating distractions...Neither the Prime Minister nor the BJP talks about the issues."

This is an ideological election; BJP wants to destroy Constitution, INDIA bloc is protecting it: Cong leader Rahul Gandhi on LS polls

Strong undercurrent in favour of INDIA bloc, BJP will be limited to 150 seats: Rahul Gandhi at joint presser with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "A few days ago, the Prime Minister gave a very long interview to ANI. It was scripted, but it was a flop show. The Prime Minister tried to explain electoral bonds in it. The Prime Minister says that the system of electoral bonds was brought for transparency, to clean politics. If this is true then why was that system cancelled by the Supreme Court. And secondly, if you wanted to bring transparency then why did you hide the names of those who gave money to BJP. And why did you hide the dates on which they gave you the money?... This is the biggest extortion scheme in the world. All the businessmen of India understand and know this and no matter how much clarification the Prime Minister wants to give, it will not make any difference. Because the entire country knows that the Prime Minister is the champion of corruption."

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav says, "We along with Congress will win 80 out of 80 seats. They (the BJP) are losing. They are lying and are also teaching people to tell lies... Dimple Yadav will win with a huge margin..."

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma danced with locals yesterday during his election campaign in Tura, in support of Agatha Sangma, the sitting MP and NPP candidate from Tura.

- When the high-profile DMK minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan was moved from Finance to Information Technology department in May 2023, it was widely believed it was a fallout of an audio clip leak by BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai.

- Then, Annamalai, who had already been generating political controversies, made solid gains in the perception battle, which was all about whether it was the BJP or AIADMK in questioning the powers that be and performing the role of a vibrant opposition party.

- Months later, 39-year old Annamalai as the BJP candidate in Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency is consistent in challenging both the ruling DMK and main opposition AIADMK. By releasing RTI documents on ceding of Katchatheevu, the Congress party also came under his fierce attack.

- Amid a new political alignment in Darjeeling, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland is back in focus and electoral fortune of parties hinges on promises of a permanent political solution to the long-pending issue.

- Although a separate Gorkhaland state resonated as a major issue in all elections till 2014, it took a backseat in the 2019 polls. Parties, including the indigenous GJM and GNLF, then emphasised on development and restoration of democracy in the region.

- Politics in the hills has seen many changes in the last six years.

DMK sitting MP and candidate from Central Chennai constituency, Dayanidhi Maran says, "In Central Chennai constituency it is very clear that the people here will reelect DMK because of the trust they have in our chief minister MK Stalin. In the last three years, our chief minister has delivered every poll promise which clearly shows that in Tamil Nadu DMK, will win again..."

AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) to launch its website related to the Lok Sabha election campaign at a press conference today. This website will be related to the theme of Ram Rajya, through which AAP will go among the public by linking its works with Ram Rajya: AAP

- The AAP has named Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is behind bars in a money laundering case, and his wife Sunita Kejriwal as star campaigners for the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat.

- The names of senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, both of whom are also in jail, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak are also on the list of 40 star campaigners that has been submitted by the party to the Election Commission. Names of Rajya Sabha MPs Harbhajan Singh and Swati Maliwal are missing from the list.

- More than 4,100 police personnel, along with four companies of Central Armed Forces, and 1,837 home guards, will be deployed at 2,765 polling booths across Nagpur city on April 19 when votes will be cast for the Lok Sabha constituency, a top officer said on Tuesday.

- Union minister and sitting BJP MP Nitin Gadkari is in the fray from this constituency against Congress MLA Vikas Thakre. The RSS headquarters is situated in Nagpur city, the second capital of Maharashtra.

Telangana: The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to BRS President and Former Telangana CM K. Chandrashekar Rao over his remarks against the Congress Party in Sircilla on April 5. The Commission has asked him to explain his stand regarding his comments by 11 am, 18th April.

- This is Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's maiden Lok Sabha election, but political experts and voters feel he can easily win Porbandar seat in his home state Gujarat, despite the electorate facing some key issues like unemployment.

- Their logic is simple. They believe that being a minister in the Narendra Modi government, BJP leader Mandaviya can resolve their woes.

- Mandaviya is pitted against Congress' Lalit Vasoya, a former MLA, who belongs to the Patidar community like the Union minister. Before becoming the Rajya Sabha member, Mandaviya won Palitana assembly seat of Bhavnagar in 2002.

AIADMK candidate from South Chennai constituency J. Jayavardhan says, "If we talk about my constituency, there is a rousing response from the people. People are extremely angry at this present DMK government. So wherever I go, there is a huge response from the people and they are showing thumbs up that you will win. So in in entire Tamil Nadu, there is an anti-DMK wave. So DMK will lose not only from my constituency but in all places, along with its allies, and partners."

- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked political parties to furnish details of aircraft and helicopters being used for campaigning, including their origin and destination and details of people ferried in them.

- A letter by Tejas Samel, deputy election officer of Mumbai Suburban district, dated April 12, said such information has to be furnished three days before the journey to the district election office, but that duration has now been reduced to 24 hours.

Nitin Gadkari, Union minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Nagpur who is aiming to secure a hattrick, has shared his opinion on various issues starting from 'One Nation One Poll',' Uniform Civil Code' and also on the caste dynamics in his Lok Sabha constituency in an exclusive interview with News18. Nitin Gadkari also said that he will win the Lok Sabha seat by more than five lakh votes.

While speaking to News18, Nitin Gadkari said that he has never differentiated people on the basis of caste, creed, religion, language. The Union Minister said that he felt the real meaning of the lines that he has said often – Nagpur Mera hai aur Main Nagpur ka (Nagpur is mine and I am Nagpur’s).

Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, Collector, District Magistrate & Chief Election Officer, Mayurbhanj says, "We have already completed the first randomization of the EVMs and now the EVMs are with the concerned returning officers of the assembly constituencies. Our one assembly constituency will be going to the elections on 25 May. All other eight constituencies will be going to elections on the 1 June. We have around 2,370 polling stations, including two auxiliary polling stations. We have ensured that all the minimum facilities like drinking water, ramps, electricity, and everything is there in place. What we are doing is, especially for the tribal population, we are doing SVEEP activities, in areas where there is no network coverage. We have already started it and we are getting a good response from senior citizens who are above 85 years of age. The PWD personnel will not be able to come to the voting booth, we have already started the distribution of forms for them and whoever opts for the home voting will be ensuring that their vote is recorded through a postal ballot at home."

On LS election preparations in the state, Nikunja Dhal, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha says, "...Notifications for 4 Parliamentary constituencies and 28 Assembly constituencies shall be issued on 18th April. Candidates can file their nomination by 25th April. Arrangements have been made for the smooth receipt of nominations...We shall be requesting the political parties and the candidates not to have huge processions or rallies while coming to the office of the returning officer for filing nominations, I have scheduled a meeting with all the recognized political parties and in this regard, I will be discussing with them..."

On the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar says, "On 19th April, polling will be held simultaneously on all 5 LS seats of Uttarakhand. The election campaign in the state will end at 5 pm today, 48 hours before the polling. The police department has made full preparations. There are 11,729 polling stations in Uttarakhand, out of which about 1,100 stations have been kept in the category of hyper-sensitive, rest have been kept in the normal category. We have deployed Central Police Force, Home Guard along with local police and a total of 46,000 police personnel will be deployed to conduct this polling process..."

- Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday said the INDIA bloc will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi while asserting that the arrest of his party's senior leaders will hurt the poll prospects of the BJP.

- Exuding confidence that the public sentiment is in favour of the opposition INDIA bloc and the AAP, he said the country will vote for a change in this general elections.

- Voters have realised that they are under severe stress due to inflation, unemployment and corruption, the AAP Rajya Sabha MP told reporters at a press conference here.

Social media platform X said on Tuesday it withheld some posts containing political speech from elected politicians, political parties, and candidates for office after the Election Commission of India ordered their takedown. Elon Musk-owned X said it disagreed with the election commission’s orders. Read more.

- The parliamentary elections set to begin this week in India are the most pivotal in a while, an eminent Indian-American professor said here Tuesday.

- Georgetown University professor Irfan Nooruddin, in an interview to PTI, said the criticism regarding democratic backsliding in India seem a "bit overblown" but using tax authorities to "target politicians" requires greater scrutiny.

- "The elections are the most pivotal that we've had in a while. On the one hand, you have a majority government that is looking to expand its majority, but this is against the backdrop of growing concerns, both in India but also abroad, that India might be experiencing democratic backsliding, concerns about opposition, intimidation, especially the high profile arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and concerns about media freedom," said Nooruddin, the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Professor of Indian Politics at the prestigious Georgetown University.

In order to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be visiting party-ruled Karnataka today. He will speak at public gatherings in Mandya and Kolar.

Karnataka's first of two phases of elections is taking place in Mandya and Kolar. The BJP ally JD(S) is up against the historic party in both seats.

On April 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Nalbari to speak at a campaign event in support of Asom Gana Parishad candidate Phani Bhushan Choudhary, who is running for the Lok Sabha seat from the NDA in Barpeta.