Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: Women were neglected during Congress, Samajwadi Party rule, says PM Modi

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Social activist Anna Hazare replied to media's question on NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar attacking him saying, "I don't support an organisation, a party or a person. My sole purpose is to work for the society and the nation. People can say anything, but that doesn't matter. Everyone knows the truth."

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma said, "This election is very important. On one hand, some people are doing appeasement politics and corruption and on the other hand, there are people who are working hard to make this country developed...You all have seen that development has taken place under the leadership of PM Modi and on the other side under the Congress regime, the country only got terrorism, Naxalism and an increase in suicide cases of poor and farmers..."

Former Madhya Pradesh CM and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke on the AAP-Congress alliance in Delhi saying, "It is not a 'gathbandhan' but a 'thugbandhan' and people don't trust it. Under PM Modi's leadership, India's respect has increased in the entire world. PM Modi's name is synonym to guarantee. People of the entire nation want PM Modi to return to power for the third time. While there is PM Modi and development that took place under him on one side, there are those who looted the nation on the other."

Congress leader Sachin Pilot at a joint rally of AAP and Congress in Delhi said, "These elections are not just to elect MP candidates and give more or less seats to any particular party, but to decide whether the country's situation from the last 10 years has been fair for us. In 2014, BJP came to power by making promises regarding four agendas - inflation, unemployment, black money, and corruption. However, their attitude towards work is also in front of people."

During a roadshow in BJP National President JP Nadda said, "Aam Aadmi Party has deep relations with anti-national forces. In Punjab elections also there was an allegation that they got funding from terrorists. Arvind Kejriwal has not given any answer on this till now. They are examples of urban naxalism...We will get 400 plus seats in the favour of Modi ji..."

While addressing the Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi said, "For the first time in last 10 years, women have taken the centre stage from government's policies to decisions. Maybe not much discussion has been done on this, but this is a very big factor of India's success story. What did the Congress and Samajwadi Party governments do with women? Only ignorance and insecurity. INDI alliance's mindset is anti-women."

In Bihar's Saran district on May 21 morning, there was post-election violence that left one person dead and three injured, according to police. They added that the event took place close to Bhikhari Thakur Chowk in the Bada Telma neighbourhood.

Following claims of anomalies during Monday's vote in the area, two groups—said to be members of the BJP and RJD—became involved in an incident during which bullets were fired.

If INDIA bloc wins election, its partners will sit and decide on the PM's name, said Congress chief Kharge in a press conference in Chandigarh.

Speaking on Lok Sabha Elections, President of All India Mahila Congress Alka Lamba said, "I have travelled to 27 states. There is no Modi wave anywhere. BJP won't get more than 200 seats. The farmers are behind their fall. 700 farmers got martyred in their movement. Congress is guaranteeing the law on MSP soon after June 4. There will be a waiver of loans. A lakh rupees will be given to women every year. We are doubling the income of Anganwadi, ASHA, Midday meal workers. We are going to fill 30 lakh vacancies in the Central government. We will scrap Agniveer scheme and implement permanent appointments. All these things are missing from PM Modi's speeches. A big change is going to happen."

In response to Abhijit Gangopadhyay, the BJP's Tamluk candidate, making disparaging remarks about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission of India has strongly censured him and barred him from campaigning for a whole day, beginning at 17.00 on May 21.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called PM Modi 'jhoothjeevi' on PM Modi's 'never said a word against minorities' remark during an interview with PTI. He said, the prime minister is fast losing his memory. He has never had any adherence to truth. He is 'jhoothjeevi', what he says today, he forgets tomorrow and says he never said it. The Congress leader says, PM has been attacking the Congress party, he's been talking of Hindu-Muslim, he's talking about Muslim League, he's talking about 'mangalsutra'. He has talked about Congress party giving reservation on the basis of religion. This is all bogus statements that he has made.

The Election Commission of India strongly censures Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his derogatory remarks against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and debars him from campaigning for 24 hours starting from May 21 5pm. The Commission also strictly warned the BJP’s Tamluk candidate to remain careful in his public utterances during the currency of the Model Code of Conduct.

Here's what Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on PM Modi's 'never said a word against minorities' remark during an interview with PTI.

"The prime minister is fast losing his memory. He has never had any adherence to truth. He is 'jhoothjeevi', what he says today, he forgets tomorrow and says he never said it. He has been attacking the Congress party, he's been talking of Hindu-Muslim, he's talking about Muslim League, he's talking about 'mangalsutra'. He has talked about Congress party giving reservation on the basis of religion. This is all bogus statements that he has made."

Here's what AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said reacting to Home Minister Amit Shah calling AAP supporters 'Pakistanis'. "It is unfortunate. Amit Shah spent all his life in Gujarat, he doesn't know about people in Delhi and Punjab. People of Punjab send their family members to Indian Army. It is shameful. It is ridiculous to say that we receive funds from abroad. Will they give funds of only Rs 7 cr from 2014 to 2022. The investigation in Swati Maliwal case is a drama. It is to defame Arvind Kejriwal and his party. It is all rubbish. It will go on till May 25 to influence the election."

“We need a strong government at the Centre again for your better future. As June 4 is approaching, leaders of INDI alliance have started to abuse Modi even more. They aren’t able to accept the fact that BJP government will be formed again,” says PM Modi while addressing an election rally in Maharajganj, Bihar.

Addressing a public meeting in Maharajganj, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "For your bright future, a strong government needs to be formed at the centre. As June 4 is nearing the abuses of INDI alliance for Modi is increasing..."

Addressing a public meeting in Maharajganj, Bihar, PM Narendra Modi says, "...They(INDIA alliance) cannot tolerate that the people of the country are going to re-elect Modi for the next 5 years..."

Bihar is the land of Rajendra Prasad but RJD, Congress made it known for extortion: PM Modi in Maharajganj

Addressing a public meeting in Maharajganj, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "For your future & the future of your children Viksit Bihar & Viksit Bharat has to be made..."

Delhi CM aide Bibhav Kumar being taken to Mumbai by Delhi Police in connection with Swati Maliwal Assault case: Officials

Here's what RJD candidate from Saran Rohini Acharya said on death of a party worker in post-poll violence.

"BJP people have got panicked. We want justice. They are BJP's goons. There should be an FIR. I have a right as a candidate to visit booths. I went there, I asked a person there if he has given the vote, he should leave. Then, they started abusing me. They attacked me and our party worker was killed today."

BJP MP and party's national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi says "The events inside the Chief Minister's residence in Delhi have exposed their reality to such an extent that even 8 days after that incident, many questions remain in the minds of the people of Delhi...Kejriwal ji, you are the same leader who used to say that I will live in a 3-room house and my house will remain open 24 hours. Anyone can come and meet us anytime but today he is staying in his 'Sheesh Mehal' and meeting people only after appointments. He told his member of Parliament that since there was no appointment, I would not meet her...My next question is that Bibhav Kumar was inside, who technically is nothing in today's date, neither holding any government post nor any political post. If he was in the Chief Minister's residence, then where was his appointment? Show in the appointment list that Bibhav Kumar's appointment was there. If there was no appointment, then in what capacity was he inside CM's residence?..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...Odisha is a very beautiful place, it has a long coastline, a lot of mineral wealth, and hardworking youth but the only thing missing is a hard-working Chief Minister. Form the BJP government, we will give a hard-working young CM..."

Here's what Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said addressing a public gathering in Sambalpur, Odisha.

"I have come here to tell Naveen (Patnaik) babu that you are imposing 'babusahi' on Odisha. You are insulting the people of Odisha. You are choking the culture and the self-respect of Odiyas."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "This time lotus will bloom in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha. After 5 phases, Modi ji has crossed 310 seats...You have to make the lotus blossom here by getting more than 75 seats in the assembly elections..."

Here's what PM Narendra Modi said addressing a public gathering in East Champaran of Bihar.

"If it wasn't for Babasaheb Ambedkar, Nehru ji would not have let SC, ST category people get any reservation. In fact, he wrote letters to ministers opposing the idea of reservation for SC, CT, OBCs. From Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, all PMs from this family always opposed reservation for SC, STs. That is why they are left with only one votebank and to make their (Congress) votebank happy, they want to give reservations on the basis of religion to those who promote 'vote jihad."

Jagbir Singh Brar, former Jalandhar Cantt MLA, joins BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi.

Here's what PM Narendra Modi said addressing a public gathering in East Champaran of Bihar. "Here in Champaran, Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) used 'Satyagraha' and 'Swacchagrah'. Congress got a chance to seek inspiration from this and make cleanliness a lifestyle and fulfil Bapu's expectation of cleanliness in India. But they left Bapu and his ideologies completely, on the very first day of coming to power, and they focused their entire attention in making only one family grow. Congress and their allies destroyed the country's 70 years."

They don't have time to visit Ram temple, but ample time to visit a convicted person's house and cook food: PM attacks Congress, RJD

Congress leaders stating that 'Modi's grave will be dug', they don't have any agenda other than abusing me: PM in Bihar's Motihari

"Yesterday, (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah came to Delhi and abused the people. He said that AAP supporters are Pakistani. I want to ask him. Are the people of Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, and Goa, who gave us votes, Pakistani? In Municipality elections, many people of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and several parts of the country, gave us their love and trust, are all the people of this country Pakistani? You have not become the PM yet and you have already become so arrogant. You won't become the Prime Minister because the BJP government won’t be formed on June 4,” says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during a press conference.

Addressing a public rally in East Champaran, PM Narendra Modi says, "...In 60 years these people have built big palaces and opened accounts in Swiss bank. Your children did not have a school to study, but their children continued studying abroad. The poor were in trouble and difficulty, but it did not make any difference to them..."

'Heard someone saying that Modi will get bed rest after June 4, what more can be expected from them?' PM attacks RJD at Bihar rally

Addressing a public rally in East Champaran, PM Narendra Modi says, "...Congress and its allies together have ruined 60 years of the country and destroyed the lives of 3-4 generations..."

Here's what PM Narendra Modi said addressing a public gathering in East Champaran of Bihar.

"After the first phase of voting, INDI Alliance lost its confidence, in the next phases, INDI Alliance was destroyed and in the fifth phase of polling that happened yesterday, it was defeated completely."

Addressing a public rally in East Champaran, PM Narendra Modi says, "In the fifth phase, the INDI alliance has been completely defeated. India of the 21st Century cannot move forward with the sins of the INDI alliance. And that is why in every election the public is strongly attacking parties like Congress and RJD. On June 4, there will be an attack on corruption, politics of appeasement, tukde tukde gang..."

They opened accounts in Swiss banks, while people of India starved: PM Modi attacks Congress at election rally in Bihar

Entire world will witness how INDIA bloc is routed in this election by people: PM Narendra Modi in Bihar's Motihari

India of 21st century cannot move ahead with INDIA bloc's sins: PM Modi in Bihar's Motihari

“It’s true. PM Modi government will be defeated and evicted from power,” says AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘acche din aane vale hai, Modi jane vale hai’ statement.

- BJP national president JP Nadda holds a roadshow in Rohtak.

- BJP has fielded its sitting MP Arvind Sharma from this seat. Congress has fielded Deepender Singh Hooda. Haryana will vote on May 25.

- Colourful poll graffiti, street corner meetings and flags of different parties on tree branches, the usual paraphernalia associated with elections, are all visible in every nook and corner of the Bankura Lok Sabha seat, except the poll fever among people which seems to be missing.

- The phenomenon of people going about their daily lives like any other time of the year when elections, parliamentary polls no less, are at the doorstep, could be normal in some parts of the country but is quite unusual in Bengal. In Bankura constituency, which goes to polls less than a week on May 25, election fever is not yet visible, be it in the district headquarters town or in the rural areas.

Delhi Mayor and AAP leader Shelly Oberoi participated in the signature campaign ‘Jail ka jawaab vote se’ organised at Karol Bagh market against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.

“Not only the public of Delhi but the entire country is with AAP. They are now aware how BJP’s dictatorship and how the Constitution and democracy are in danger. They have understood the power of their vote,” she said.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi says "...We are taking support of the public through signatures...People are ready to give a reply to the dictatorship of BJP which is going on in the country. The public has understood how the opposition is being eliminated... We are getting full support from the public..."

Aam Aadmi Party launches 'Jail ka Jawab Vote Se' signature campaign against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi started the signature campaign from Karol Bagh metro station.

One person killed in firing in Bihar's Chapra in post-poll violence.

Reportedly, a clash broke out between BJP and RJD workers yesterday. Several people were injured in the incident. Heavy police deployment has been made in the region to control the situation.

- At 11.45 p.m. on Monday, the fifth round of the Lok Sabha election saw a turnout of 60.3 percent, compared to 62.5 percent in 2019. Maharashtra had the lowest polling percentage (54.3%), while West Bengal had the highest (74.7%).

- 49 seats in six states and two Union territories saw the participation of almost 53 million voters. The circumscribed seat of Baramulla is not included in the total Lok Sabha poll turnout for 2019. More here.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the battle against corruption is a serious one and the probe agencies must be allowed to do their work without interference.

- In an interview with PTI, he also asserted that his 'Adani-Ambani' remark has been validated by senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury when he "admitted" that he will not speak against Adani-Ambani if they send "tempo-loads of money".

- Prime Minister Modi had on May 8 for the first time during the Lok Sabha elections accused the Congress of having a nexus with "Ambani and Adani", and asked if the party has received "tempo loads of black money" from the two businessmen for its leader Rahul Gandhi to stop "abusing" them.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the people of Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency as it recorded its highest-ever voter turnout, and said such active participation is a great trend.

- The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which was once militancy-infested, recorded its highest-ever voter turnout at 59 per cent on a violence-free polling day on Monday.

- Polling stations in Baramulla were buzzing with energy as voters in large numbers thronged to exercise their right to vote.

A 62-year-old polling booth agent of Shiv Sena (UBT), Manohar Nalge was found dead inside the toilet of a polling booth in Mumbai's Worli area. Mumbai's NM Joshi Marg police took possession of the body and sent it for post-mortem. A case has been registered ADR. Further investigation underway: Mumbai Police

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that people have decided they want a strong BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, saying the wave in its support is "getting stronger and stronger".

- He posted on X following the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls a day earlier, expressing gratitude to those who voted.

- "INDI Alliance can try any sort of votebank politics, the people will not believe them. They are totally discredited and dejected," the prime minister said in the post.

BJP has issued a show-cause notice to former Union Minister and MP Jayant Sinha and asked him to reply within 2 days.

"You are not taking any interest in organisational work and election campaigning ever since the party declared Manish Jaiswal as the candidate from the Hazaribagh Lok Sabha seat. You did not even feel the need to exercise your vote. The party's image has been maligned because of your conduct," reads the notice.

- BJP chief JP Nadda on Monday asked all senior leaders and office bearers of the party to play a more effective role and make an active contribution in the implementation of the party's poll strategy on the ground. He was speaking during a meeting at the party headquarters here attended by national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh and national general secretaries Arun Singh, Tarun Chugh and Dushyant Gautam among other leaders.

- BJP national president JP Nadda held a meeting with all the general secretaries of the party at the central office today. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, BJP national media head Anil Baluni and BJP IT department head Amit Malviya also attended this meeting, a source in the party said. In the meeting, the BJP chief reviewed the fifth phase of polling that took place on Monday and also discussed the future strategy of the party with regard to the ongoing elections, the sources said.

- Over 59 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Monday in 49 constituencies in six states and two Union territories in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, with Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir recording its highest-ever voting percentage.

- There were sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal, besides EVM glitches at some booths in the state and neighbouring Odisha and complaints of slow voting in Maharashtra. West Bengal recorded the highest polling percentage at 73.14, while Maharashtra recorded the lowest at 53.51 per cent, with six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai witnessing voting between 46 per cent to around 54 per cent per cent. Thane recorded a turnout of 49.81 per cent, according to the EC's voter turnout app.

- Around 1,100 villagers in Balangir boycott the polling over their demand for school and hospital.

- Booth 15 Presiding Officer, Runu Meher says, "... We wanted to conduct the mock poll and wanted some polling agents to do the same, but we did not find any agent... We waited for our electors, but nobody has come to cast their votes yet. Till 2 pm, nobody had come to vote... we think that they boycotted their vote for some demands... Nobody has cast their vote yet."

- Over 68 per cent polling was recorded in Ladakh on Monday in the election to decide the fate of three candidates in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union territory, polling officials said here.

- They also said that the voter turnout in Kargil was 74 per cent and 62.50 per cent in Leh.

- Spread over an area of over 59,000 square kilometres -- around 40 times the size of Delhi -- Ladakh is the largest parliamentary constituency in India in terms of area and covers the two districts of Leh and Kargil.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi pay homage to former PM Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary at Veer Bhumi in Delhi.

- A voter turnout of 54.22 per cent was recorded in Maharashtra, where polling was held in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including half a dozen in Mumbai, in the fifth and final phase of elections in the state amid tight security on Monday, officials said, as actors, corporate leaders and prominent politicians came out to exercise their franchise.

- The state Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office revised voting figure at 10.45 pm and put the approximate turnout at 54.22 per cent as the elections passed off peacefully.

- The West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency is one of the seven Parliamentary seats in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This seat was created in 2008 following delimitation.

- Interestingly, this constituency has recorded the highest number of home voting in the national capital, with 969 people above 85 and 179 persons with disabilities (PWDs) exercising their franchise through this process introduced by the Election Commission of India in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Read more.

- Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday said the abrogation of Article 370 was a "political decision" and there was no need for it as 99 per cent of the laws of India were already operational in Kashmir.

- Sibal also said that he does not see assembly elections being held in Kashmir unless the results on June 4 are different, an apparent reference to the possibility of the INDIA bloc emerging victorious.

- He also said Kashmir is not an India-Pakistan issue anymore but one that is between our government and the people of Kashmir.

- The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections registered a voter turnout of 60.09 per cent till 11.30 pm, which was 4.07 percentage points lower than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary polls.

- The Election Commission noted on Monday that this was an "approximate trend" as data from some polling stations takes time to arrive and this trend does not include postal ballots. It said the figures will continue to be updated by the field-level officers as polling parties provide more data. In the evening, the EC lamented that constituencies in various cities such as Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Lucknow have continued the trend of "urban apathy" as noticed in the 2019 parliamentary polls.

BJP candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Bansuri Swaraj and party candidate from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat Praveen Khandelwal attend morning aarti at Hanuman Temple, Connaught Place.

BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat Praveen Khandelwal says, " I prayed to Lord Hanuman that this time we win a big mandate by winning more than 400 seats and a government be formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi... We are winning all seven seats of Delhi with a full majority. We are going to form our government. In the coming 5 years, Sanatan will be protected, Hindu religion will be protected and Gau Mata will be protected."

BJP candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Bansuri Swaraj says, "It has been 78 days since we started campaigning. I came here to express my gratitude for the love and blessings I am getting from the people. With the blessings of Lord Hanuman, we will definitely win this battle. The people of Delhi will give all the seven seats to BJP..."

- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday tweaked the BJP's 2014 poll slogan to take a swipe at the prime minister, saying "acche din aane waale hain, Modi ji jaane waale hain" as he exuded confidence that the INDIA bloc will emerge victorious in this Lok Sabha election.

- The Aam Aadmi Party chief, who was accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal for the first time in election meetings on Monday, praised her for taking command of the poll campaigning in his absence and described her as "Jhansi Ki Rani".

- A war of words broke out between Congress and BJP candidates here on Monday during polling in Ladakh as the BJP alleged that slogans against the party were written on the walls of a polling booth here.

- A heated argument was witnessed between BJP candidate Tashi Gyalson and Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal. Outgoing MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal was also present.

- The incident happened at the Housing Colony Polling station in Leh. According to BJP leaders, objectionable slogans were written on the walls of the polling booth, which led to the face-off.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak with over 25,000 women in his constituency of Kashi on Tuesday in an effort to recognise the contributions made by all women.

- To celebrate all the women who were instrumental in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow, Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya will organise a "Nari Shakti Samvaad" in the evening with a focus on women's empowerment. All duties, including stage management and other arrangements, will be performed by women in this course.