Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: EC imposes 48-hour campaign ban on Surjewala for comments against Hema Malini

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

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address public rallies in Kasargod, Vadkara and Kannur in Kerala tomorrow, 17th April

Jharkhand BJP wrote to Election Commission of India over JMM leader Nazrul Islam's reported remark against PM Modi. The party is seeking action against the JMM leader.

On his loss in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Guna, Jyotiraditya Scindia says, "I made mistakes somewhere. I have tried to rectify it in the last five years. I hope the public provides me with an opportunity and gives me their blessings so that I can serve them again - like I did for the past 17 years. For the first time in my life, I am getting the opportunity to work in the regime of double-engine government...There is double-engine government now. There will be 300 times faster development."

We are doing our best. Winning (Assembly) elections in Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal (Pradesh) have given a boost to the Congress. People accepted the guarantees we have given, which means people want programmes, benefits, welfare schemes and not other things.

"This egoistic propaganda, undermining the opposition and portraying that everything is me, is unfortunate."

The Election Commission barred Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala from campaigning for 48 hours over his remark against BJP MP Hema Malini

Congress has released another list of 3 candidates in Jharkhand for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
--Deepika Pandey Singh to contest from Godda
--Krishna Nand Tripathi from Chatra
--Anupama Singh from Dhanbad

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE:  JJP announces five LS poll candidates for Haryana

JJP has announced five Lok Sabha poll candidates for Haryana, it has fielded MLA Naina Chautala from Hisar

Addressing the rally in Raiganj, PM Modi said that the turnout of such large crowd shows the enthusiasm of Raiganj in Modi's campaign. He said, New year began in Bengal two days back with Pohela Boishakh. Ram Navami will be celebrated tomorrow. At such a time, such a turnout of people in a large number here and the enthusiasm of Raiganj says that this new year has brought new hopes. Today, everyone is saying '4 June 400 Paar', he added

While addressing a public gathering in Rajasthan, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Dont come back, this was the slogan by the people of the state that's why their government lost its power. I request all the voters of the state that don't vote for the corrupt Congress party... PM Modi has to be made the PM again for the development of the state."

The manifesto pointers are as follows:

--New flight services to international hubs like Dubai and Singapore.
--MEMU trains from Kovai.
--Vilankurichi scheme road.
--A dedicated freight corridor between Chennai, Kovai and Thoothukudi shall be established.
--A broad-gauge railway project from Mettupalayam-Sathyamangalam-Gobichettipalayam-Erode will be completed.
--The Coimbatore Metro Rail Project shall be accelerated and Phase-1 shall be commenced in a time-bound manner.

Union Minister & BJP candidate from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari released 'Vachan Nama' for the Lok Sabha constituency today, he said, "We plan to open an organic fruits and vegetables and foodgrains market in Nagpur." He said, the new market would allow farmers to directly sell good quality fruits and vegetables to consumers at lesser price.

While addressing a public meeting in Balurghat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This is the first Ram Navami when Ram Lalla has been enthroned in the grand temple in Ayodhya. I know TMC, as always, tried its best to stop the Ram Navami celebrations here, and hatched several conspiracies. But only truth wins. Therefore, permission has been granted by the court and tomorrow Ram Navami processions will be taken out with full reverence and devotion. I congratulate all my brothers and sisters of Bengal on this occasion."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "The people of Mainpuri are going to make Samajwadi Party win with record votes. Those who have been in power for 10 years, today they are not able to put the photographs of their MPs on the hoardings. The photographs of MPs and candidates are missing from the hoardings... Today, the only achievement they have is inflation and unemployment..."

BJP national president JP Nadda in a rally in Tensaki, Tamil Nadu said, "The central share for Tamil Nadu has been increased by four times by PM Modi. 12,000 km of roads are being constructed in the rural area,11 medical colleges have been opened."

Electipn Commission of India informed that a month after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect, the Election Commission of India is broadly satisfied with the compliance of the code by political parties and that campaign by various parties and candidates has remained largely clutter-free. "Approximately 200 complaints have been filed by various political parties and candidates at the level of ECI and across States. Of these, action has been taken in 169 cases, says ECI. ECI particularly took firm stand in protecting dignity of women by issuing notices to leaders of parties who made derogatory and offensive remarks against women.

Samajwadi candidate from Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency Dimple Yadav filed her nomination. She says, "The people of the nation are ready to defeat BJP in the Lok Sabha elections... Today, the nation is in debt of Rs. 1.5 lakh crores. The government do not have revenue. They are not able to provide employment to the youth... So there are a lot of issues this time."

On being asked about his role in active politics, Robert Vadra says "...If the Congress party feels that I can bring a change, I will come into active politics. It is not necessary that I will contest from Amethi, I can also contest from Moradabad and Haryana..." He further says "It is my thinking that we should remain secular and stay away from the politics of religion. PM Modi should take up people's issues and think about how we can move towards progress. My family is secular and it always thinks about a secular country. As far as my role in active politics is concerned, people have always strengthened me when I have worked for them...The country wants me to be in active politics..."

On PM Modi's speech in Bihar, RJD MP and Lok Sabha candidate from Patliputra Dr Misa Bharti says, "...Didn't PM Modi speak about anything else in his speech?...PM Modi spoke for about half an hour about my family?... In 17 months, we have given 5 lakh employment. Why PM is not talking about jobs, farmers, MSP, and curbing inflation? Why is he even speaking about family? Which family does Manjhi belong to?..."

Pithoragarh District Election Officer Reena Joshi today flagged off the first polling party for booth number 101, Government Inter College Primary School in Kanar under Dharchula assembly constituency in the district

"There was an era when we could not imagine a gathering like this. Stone pelting, firing, bomb explosions used to happen. Announcements of strike were made from Pakistan. The evil shadow of Article 370 was all over Jammu and Kashmir. Today, Article 370 has been removed and terrorism is on its death bed. Those youngsters who had stones in their hands are now carrying laptops," says Union Home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah addressing a public gathering in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir.

Samajwadi Party MP and candidate from Mainpuri, Dimple Yadav paid floral tribute to the late patron of the party Mulayam Singh Yadav, at his memorial in Saifai, Etawah. Dimple Yadav says "I have faith in the people of Mainpuri that they will support me in..."

Former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh offers prayers at Jalpa Mata Temple in Rajgarh ahead of filing his nomination as party candidate from the Lok Sabha seat.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Nobody has the guts to raise slogans for Pakistan. Slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' can only be heard...PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti had said that if Article 370 is removed then nobody will be left to give a shoulder to the tricolour...She needs to understand that this tricolour is immortal and will always stay. Article 370 was scrapped and the tricolour still flies with pride and glory."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Under PM Modi, the BJP has given reservations to Gujjar, Pahari, Bakarwal, OBC, Dalits and women."

Here's what BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said on PM Modi's visit in Bihar's Gaya.

"PM Modi has won hearts of people of Gaya and Bihar. He came here after release of BJP manifesto. He received big welcome. People are happy over Modi's guarantee of 3 crore pucca houses, senior citizens getting Ayushman Bharat cover, 5 kg food grains to all. He recalled the 'Jungle Raj' of Bihar. He exposed the RJD. It is final that the NDA is getting all the 40 seats."

Jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal will be campaigning in Gujarat for INDIA alliance candidates.

BJP national president JP Nadda holds a roadshow in Perambalur, Tamil Nadu.

Former Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam who is contesting the election from Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency also present.

“There is only one issue in this election because all other issues arise from this issue. The RSS and BJP are trying to destroy and change the Constitution, whereas, Congress and the INDIA alliance are trying to save the Constitution. Mr Narendra Modi’s job is to distract the people of India from real issues,” says Congress MP and candidate from Kerala’s Wayanad Lok Sabha seat Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public gathering during a roadshow in Kodiyathoor.

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu says, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, developmental work has been done in both the parliamentary constituencies... The Congress has filed its nomination only in 19 constituencies out of 60... So, it is evident that Congress cannot contest the Lok Sabha polls 2024..."

On China renaming 30 villages in Arunachal Pradesh, he says, "This is the fourth time that this thing happened. The Ministry of External Affairs of India is officially handling the situation. I condemn this act of China..."

Here's what LJP Chief Chirag Paswan said on PM Modi's election rallies in Bihar.

"It is a pride for Bihar that PM Modi is doing election rallies here. People like him a lot. We'll win all the 40 seats. PM Modi speaks what is relevant. Everything will be clear on June 4."

Congress MP and candidate from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, Rahul Gandhi holds a roadshow in Wayanad.

CPI has fielded Annie Raja from this seat and BJP has fielded its state unit chief K Surendran.

BJP releases its list of 21 candidates for the Odisha Assembly elections

BJP releases its 12th list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

Aam Aadmi Party releases a list of 4 candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in Punjab.

Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar to contest from Ferozpur, Amansher Singh (Shery Kalsi) from Gurdaspur, Pawan Kumar Tinu from Jalandhar and Ashok Parashar Pappi from Ludhiana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "RJD has ruled Bihar for several years but they don't have the guts to discuss the work done by their government. RJD is the biggest face of jungle raj in Bihar...RJD has given only two things to Bihar - jungle raj aur bhrashtachar."

The arrogant Alliance has neither any vision nor any confidence. Even when these people go to ask for votes, they ask for votes on the basis of Nitish ji's works. The entire Bihar knows why these people take credit for the works of Nitish ji and the Central government: PM Modi in Gaya

Here’s what PM Modi said while addressing a public gathering in Gaya, Bihar.

“In BJP manifesto, there is a roadmap for every section and sector of the society. Dobhi (of Gaya district) is also included in that. Youth won’t have to go out in search of employment. A revolution has come in the last 10 years; 10 crore women have associated with self-help groups in the country; in Bihar, 1.15 crore women and 5.15 lakh women from Gaya have associated with self-help groups. When there was Congress government, less than Rs 150 crore were allotted to these women's self-help groups in Bihar. NDA government granted over Rs 40,000 crore to these groups in the last 10 years.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "'Ghamandia Gathbandhan' has no vision or trust. When they go on asking for votes, then do so on the work done by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Entire Bihar knows why they try and take credit for the work done by Nitish ji and the central govt."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "For the next five years, Modi's 'guarantee card' has been updated. Three crore houses will be made for the poor, the poor will get free ration for the next five years, those above 70 years of age will receive free treatment upto Rs 5 lakhs, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be continued. All these are Modi's guarantees."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...Our Constitution is pure. The framers of the Constitution dreamt of a prosperous India. However, the Congress party that ruled for decades in the country lost the opportunity...25 crore poor have been brought out of poverty by your 'sevak' - Modi."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Two days ago, BJP released its 'Sankalp Patra'. This is the first time, some party's 'Sankalp Patra' is being called a 'guarantee card'..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated during his public meeting in Gaya.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Guna, Jyotiraditya Scindia offers prayers at Hanuman Temple ahead of filing his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Congress has fielded Rao Yadavendra Singh against Jyotiraditya Scindia from Guna.

- The two leaves and a bud, plucked by tea garden workers, may have made Assam's tea industry globally renowned but the lack of their facilities comes to the fore only during elections with cacophony of promises by politicians to address their plight. Nestled amidst verdant greenery, the Dibrugarh constituency stands out with the highest concentration of tea gardens in the region with estate workers accounting for 30 per cent of the total 16.50 lakh voters.

- The Congress enjoyed the unstinted support of this major vote bloc since Independence till 2014 when the BJP wrested the seat for the first time and retained it five years later. Serving as a microcosm, it vividly portrays the challenges faced by tea garden workers. Serving as a microcosm, it vividly portrays the challenges faced by tea garden workers.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Rajkot Parshottam Rupala holds roadshow.

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, polling teams leave by helicopter to Naxal-hit areas, in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli.

Gadchiroli is going for polls in the first phase on 19th April.

Here’s what Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra Patwari said on authorities checking party MP Rahul Gandhi's helicopter in Tamil Nadu and police search at former MP CM and party leader Kamal Nath’s residence in Chhindwara yesterday. “What happened in Chhindwara yesterday depicts BJP’s fear. Checking Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter and police searching Kamal Nath’s residence show that democracy has been murdered in the country. The public of Madhya Pradesh should condemn this act.”

- Shahu Chhatrapati, scion of the Kolhapur royal family, has said he chose the Congress for his poll debut as he draws inspiration from his great grandfather Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a hugely revered figure among all segments of society for his bold social reforms.

- The 76-year-old, who will take on the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's sitting Kolhapur MP Sanjay Mandlik, in an interview to PTI said though it is his poll debut, he has been in touch with politics for a long time.

- "I have always been on the periphery of it," he said.

“Campaigning is going well and in full swing. People are supporting wherever I am going and they are looking forward that the present government (BJP) doesn’t come again so that the democracy is maintained,” says Congress candidate from Assam's Kaziranga constituency Roselina Tirkey.

Israel's military chief stated on Monday that Israel will retaliate against Iran's weekend attack, although he did not provide specifics regarding timing or methods. World leaders have urged caution, seeking to prevent further escalation in the volatile Middle East. The Iranian assault, launched in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Damascus two weeks earlier, marked the first direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel despite longstanding hostility dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

As the 2024 elections draw near, major political parties have unveiled their manifestos, outlining promises to voters. Among other things, many have focussed on healthcare.

A significant challenge facing India's healthcare sector is the limited investment in primary healthcare, leading to insufficient infrastructure and personnel, as well as slow progress in key health metrics. This deficiency pushes people towards private healthcare services, placing a heavier financial burden on citizens. Read the entire report here.

BSP announced the names of 11 more candidates for Lok Sabha elections. The Mainpuri Lok Sabha ticket has been changed and given to Shiv Prasad Yadav. Athar Jamal Lari has been fielded from Varanasi against PM Modi.

On BJP's manifesto, Congress leader P Chidambaram says, "There is nothing new in the manifesto. They have taken their ongoing programs and dressed them again and presented them as a new program. Show me one idea in the BJP manifesto which is a new idea, a path-breaking idea... There is nothing new..."

- Bestowed with lush tea gardens, rich natural resources like oil, gas and coal and a diverse electorate, the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency in Assam will witness a close contest between three candidates Sarbananda Sonowal, Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Manoj Dhanowar.

- The BJP may claim its candidate, Sonowal, will win by a huge margin but the opposition-supported Lurinjyoti Gogoi is putting up a tough fight and the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Manoj Dhanowar is also not lagging behind.

- Dibrugarh is considered one of the most economically important constituency in the state with the highest number of tea gardens, oil and gas public sector undertakings, fertilizers, petrochemicals, gas cracker plant and coal fields.

- Here are the key highlights of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "Sankalp Patra" for the 2024 parliamentary polls:

* Free ration for the poor for the next five years under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

* The party will continue to provide free and quality healthcare services of up to Rs 5 lakh to poor families under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

* Free electricity to poor households under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

* Efforts to empower three crore rural women to become "Lakhpati Didis".

* Integration of women self-help groups (SHGs) with the service sector, enhancing market access for women SHG enterprises: Ensuring development of infrastructure, such as working women's hostels and creches, with a specific focus on locations near industrial and commercial centres to facilitate increased participation of women in the workforce.

Polling teams leave from Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur by helicopter for Naxal-hit areas ahead of first phase of voting scheduled to be held on April 19.

Senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said the BJP Lok Sabha manifesto "ignored" unemployment, issues concerning farmers and inflation. Talking to reporters, he said, "There is no mention of jobs and employment anywhere in the BJP manifesto. There is no mention of reducing inflation, unemployment and poverty. There is nothing in the manifesto for 60 per cent youth of the country, 80 per cent farmers and villages of the country. They (BJP) ignored unemployment, issues concerning farmers and inflation in its manifesto. In fact...It proves that the BJP has nothing to offer people."

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India’s strength is its diversity and viewing it as different units is a result of mindlessness. He also accused the opposition of creating divisions in the country .

- "Bharat ek bahuratna vasundhara hai. India is a country of diversity...Viewing India as different units is a result of mindlessness regarding India. Which part of India has the most number of villages associated with Lord Ram's name? Tamil Nadu...How can you term it a separate (unit)?” the PM asked during an interview with news agency ANI on April 15. Read more.

- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the 2024 Lok Sabha polls was not a fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi but against the "Manuwadi" ideology of the ruling dispensation.

- Addressing a poll rally for Congress' Nagpur Lok Sabha candidate Vikas Thakre, who is pitted against Union minister and BJP heavyweight Nitin Gadkari, he said his party was fighting to save Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution that safeguards the rights of 140 crore Indians.

- "Thakre is not a high profile candidate but a ground level worker. He has been selected to defeat Manuwadi ideology (thought process based on the contents of Manusmriti). The 2024 Lok Sabha polls is not a fight against Modi or Gadkari but against Manuwadi ideology," Kharge asserted.

- On April 16, 2024, in Jammu at Manhas Mahasabha Ground, Paloura, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address an election rally, according to Ravinder Raina.

- In order to finalise the rally location and make sufficient arrangements for the public's comfort and the provision of basic amenities there, Ravinder Raina, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jammu & Kashmir, shared this information with the party leaders when he arrived at Manhas Mahasabha Ground, Paloura, Jammu.

- German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann on Monday said his country is observing with admiration the world's biggest election that is starting in India on April 19, and that no matter who wins it, "more of India" will be seen on the international stage. Addressing a gathering at an event hosted by a leading private university here, he also said the Indian Presidency of the G20 "gave us a little taste of that".

- In his speech, he cited the Iran-Israel conflict, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and many other ongoing or unresolved conflicts around the world. "In the midst of this very, very difficult situation, I can't remember the world being in such a difficult times than now. We see from Europe, from European Union's perspective, clearly how much India is rising. We observe with admiration the world's biggest election that is starting on Friday. This is quite an exercise, this is a festival of democracy," Ackermann said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 18 said, ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and it has been reiterated in Parliament as well.

“One Nation, One Election is our commitment. We had formed a committee also, which has already submitted its report. Many people have come on board, who have given positive and innovative suggestions,” said Prime Minister Modi in an interview with the news gathering agency ANI. More here.

- This Lok Sabha election is about the future of India and to safeguard the constitutional values that have been in existence in the country, senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar said on Monday.

- Asserting that the Lok Sabha elections will decide the future faith of the country, Chodankar said "the mood of the country is changing and people are no longer believing the 'ache din' and fake promises and guarantees of Narendra Modi." "This election is about the future of India and to safeguard our constitution, our values that we believe in and also safeguard the purity that had been existent in India and safeguard the country in general," Chodankar, AICC in-charge of Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim and Tripura told a press conference here.

- He expressed confidence that the people of Nagaland will vote for the opposition INDIA alliance.

- The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organization (ENPO), which has asked people not to vote in the Lok Sabha elections to press for its demand for a separate state, on Monday said it will protect those who may face repercussions for abstaining from taking part in the polls.

- The ENPO, the apex body of seven tribal organisations spread over six districts of the eastern part of the state, also requested all elected public representatives and leaders of political parties to take heed of this advisory. The ENPO would ensure that any citizen of Eastern Nagaland, including elected members and government servants, facing repercussions for abiding by the public decision of voluntary abstention from voting would stand protected, the organization said in a statement.

In 2019, the DMK, together with its allies, romped home with a whopping 38 out of 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Two years later, together they won the Assembly election in the state although the AIADMK recovered some lost ground. In 2024, the DMK has managed to keep its flock together to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election. No doubt they are on a strong wicket. But, will the alliance shake off the charges of dynastic politics and corruption to sweep as it did last time? Read more.

- In support of the INDIA alliance candidates running for the East and West Tripura Lok Sabha seats, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is scheduled to visit Agartala, Tripura, today and deliver a speech at a campaign rally.

- Gandhi's visit is planned to take place the day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Tripura to speak at a public rally in favour of the BJP candidates at the Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala.

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Gaya, Bihar, where he is scheduled to address a gathering at Gandhi Maidan. This occurs before of the first round of voting in the state's four Lok Sabha seats, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, and Jamui, which are scheduled for April 19.