Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP expels rebel leader Eshwarappa for 6 years

BJP accuses Rahul of making false claim about rise in poverty, files complaint with EC

BJP on Monday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is making a false claim about the rise in poverty in the country and urged the Election Commission to take strict action against him.

Lodging a complaint with the poll panel, the BJP also accused Gandhi of continuing to create a North-South divide in the country on the basis of language and region to vitiate the poll atmosphere.

A BJP delegation comprising its national general secretary Tarun Chugh and party's national media department in-charge Anil Baluni approached the EC, accusing Gandhi of running a false propaganda against the BJP amid the Lok Sabha elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Indian Constitution was 'forced' on Goa post-liberation, says Congress candidate Viriato Fernandes

Congress's South Goa candidate Viriato Fernandes on Monday claimed the Indian Constitution was "forced" on Goa after its liberation from the Portuguese rule in 1961. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant called the comments appalling and said the Congress is a threat to democracy.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi is coming to Madhya Pradesh for campaigning of 2nd phase of elections

Bhopal: On PM Modi's visit to Madhya Pradesh, CM Mohan Yadav says, "PM Modi is coming to Madhya Pradesh for the campaigning of 2nd phase of elections...this is a blessing that PM Modi is coming here, among people...he is people's person...he will inspire people to vote in favour of BJP."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: People's admiration for 'Modi Guarantee' is increasing day by day, says BJP candidate from Dhenkanal, Rudra Narayan Pani

Former Rajya Sabha MP and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Dhenkanal, Rudra Narayan Pani says "People's admiration for 'Modi Guarantee' is increasing day by day and the state government here has been doing zero work. There is corruption being done in the state in the name of Odisha CM (Naveen Patnaik). Due to his corruption, people of the state are suffering a lot."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP accuses TMC leaders of intimidating Bengal voters, urges EC to ramp up security

The BJP Monday accused the TMC leaders of trying to intimidate the West Bengal voters and urged the Election Commission to ramp up security for their safety during and after the Lok Sabha elections in the state so that they can vote freely. In a memorandum to the poll panel, a BJP delegation comprising its national general secretary Tarun Chugh and party's national media department in-charge Anil Baluni claimed "volatile atmosphere" in West Bengal citing some recent incidents including violence during Ram Navami celebrations.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Narendra Modi never discriminates among people, says Piyush Goyal

Addressing a public rally in Sangareddy, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "BJP never divides the society, it always works to unite the society. Have you ever heard, that while giving houses to the poor, while giving free food to 80 crore people, while giving gas connections under the Ujjwala Scheme, or while giving Ayushman Bharat health cover, our government ever asked for anyone's caste, religion, or language?PM Narendra Modi never discriminates among people. Everyone has equal rights and equal access to justice. We have to do away with dynastic politics. In the BJP, even a normal worker can become an MP... In BJP, a common party worker can even become the country's PM and even a state's CM.."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP trying to take mileage of works done by BSP govt in UP, says Mayawati

Taking credit for the development of the Noida and Greater Nodia region by the BSP government in Uttar Pradesh, party supremo Mayawati on Monday accused the BJP of trying to take mileage of the works done by her government.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress hell-bent on harming Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Christians, Sikhs says Amit Shah

Congress hell-bent on harming Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Christians, Sikhs says Amit Shah on Chidambaram's assertion that his party will repeal CAA.

It's 'Modi's guarantee' everyone from persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh will get citizenship through CAA, says Amit Shah

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: we are committed to the INDI alliance, says Jairam Ramesh

"It’s a big transition for the Congress party to make, we are contesting just around 350 seats this time, because we are committed to the INDIA alliance. We've had to compromise.. we have compromised in Bengal with the Left, we have compromised in UP with Samajwadi, compromised with Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray, NCP in Maharashtra, with Aam Aadmi Party - all in the interests of larger opposition unity. The Congress Party is making a conscious decision," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tells PTI on the party forging alliances under the INDIA bloc.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress announces a list of 7 candidates

Congress announces a list of 7 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections from Bihar and Punjab

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP expelled KS Eshwarappa from the party for 6 years

BJP expelled KS Eshwarappa from the party for 6 years for embarrassing the party by contesting as an Independent from Shivamogga constituency, says Karnataka BJP

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress is going to get more number seats in Karnataka, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Congress is going to get more number seats in Karnataka.This has always been his (PM Modi) tactic to divide. How to take the country forward is important. Leaving this aside, he is talking about Hindu-Muslim, SC, OBC. He is doing all this for votes, not for the benefit of the country."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: If you don't take PM Narendra Modi's name, the world will, says Govinda

Actor and Shiv Sena leader Govinda says, " What happened in Maharashtra in the last two years and in the country in the last 10 years, has never happened before. If you don't take PM Narendra Modi's name, the world will. What I think is, the ones who are good, those who are lucky and stand with everyone, the people stand with them.'Ek saans ki phoonk me saat sur nikalte hain, ek paaon ki taal pe kayi ghungru nachte hain, ek diye se najane kayi diye jal jate hain, aur ek pyaar ki god me najane kayi pyaar pal jate hain.'"

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP's Ab ki baar 400 paar' mere slogan, they won't cross 200 seats, says Abhay Chautala

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala on Monday said BJP's "Ab ki baar 400 paar" is a mere slogan and claimed they won't cross 200 Lok Sabha seats. He also trained guns on the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as its former ally Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), alleging that for four-and-a-half years they "looted" the state

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE:Bhupinder Singh Hooda says list will be released soon on Haryana Congress list

On Haryana Congress list, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, "The list will be released soon." On BJP's slogan of crossing 400, Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, "BJP will be wiped out in the South and will be halved in the North."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: 81.64% voter turnout recorded in Manipur Lok Sabha elections till 3pm

Re-polling in 11 polling stations of I-Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency being held today. 81.64% voter turnout recorded in Manipur Lok Sabha elections till 3pm

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi to address rally in Rajasthan's Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency on April 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency of Rajasthan on Tuesday. Shravan Singh Bagdi, the BJP's state general secretary, said the prime minister will address a huge public meeting in the Uniara area of Tonk district, according to the proposed schedule.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress and the INDI alliance can go to any extent to get votes, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

On Congress manifesto, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "They are talking about minorities in their manifesto almost 16-17 times. Manmohan Singh said that the minorities have the first right to the country's resources. In Andhra Pradesh, they reduced the reservation for SCs and STs to give more reservation to Muslims. The HC quashed that decision twice based on religion. Congress and the INDI alliance can go to any extent to get votes. Rahul Gandhi said he would investigate the assets of everyone in this country. On the other hand, you have Narendra Modi's government, which is doing everything for everyone irrespective of caste or religion. They only show off and are doing vote-bank politics. Rahul Gandhi has a Maoist thought process. Will he get his assets investigated that he accumulated in the National Herald scam."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Rahul Gandhi will win by a bigger margin than he won last time, says Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "This is a national election. The agenda for election should be development, progress, prosperity. The 10 years of the NDA government, they have to give answers for why we have record unemployment in this country today. The sense of arrogance in the government is now clearly visible. The statements made by the top leaders of the BJP show that they are on a back foot in the first round of voting. The feedback we've got is that it INDIA alliance is far ahead of the NDA. In Kerala, there are 20 seats that go to polls. Last time we got 19 seats. I am absolutely confident that we will get 20 out of 20 seats and Rahul Gandhi will win by a bigger margin than he won last time."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi speaking out of fear of defeat, says Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

Taking exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute the wealth of the people to Muslims, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said that Modi is speaking out of fear of defeat.

Addressing an election rally in Nizamabad, Reddy said that whenever the Congress has been in power, it gave what is due to Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs, and not by taking away the property of someone else.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: The only party that can take on the BJP nationally is Congress, says Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "The only party that can take on the BJP nationally is the Congress party and the people of India know that. In this Lok Sabha elections, we will increase our numbers and the INDIA alliance will form the government on 4 June."

On PM Modi's statement, he says "I don't know why the Prime Minister is saying these things. There is no reason. Our manifesto is a manifesto for the prosperity of this country. We take everybody along. This country belongs to all of us. But the statements given by the BJP leaders show that they are rattled and they are quite nervous about the results.UDF will win 20 on 20 seats (in Kerala)."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: IMD forecasts normal weather for Phase 2 Lok Sabha Poll

DG IMD today informed Election Commission that there is no major concern with regard to heat wave for phase 2 of the General Elections scheduled on 26th of this month. The weather forecast is normal for the 13 States/UTs going for polls in Phase 2.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP's Mukesh Dalal first reaction on winning from Surat LS seat

On being elected unopposed from the Surat Lok Sabha seat, BJP's Mukesh Dalal said, "We were asking votes for a developed India. Today in Gujarat and in the country the first lotus has bloomed. Congress' form was rejected and the rest of the candidates withdrew their forms by supporting PM Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India."

We can never expect this from the PM, says Congress party delegation's after meeting with ECI over PM Modi's purported remarks

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on party delegation's meeting with ECI over PM Modi's purported remarks said, "We respect the office he (PM Modi) holds; he is as much our PM as yours or the BJP. The higher the position he holds, the more the obligation he holds to exercise restraint. Unfortunately, the statement he quoted, it is seriously objectionable. We can never expect this from the PM. We would pray to him with folded hands to withdraw these comments and clarify."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Cong urges EC to take action against PM Modi's 'redistribution of wealth' speech

Congress urges Election Commission of India to take action against PM Narendra Modi's 'redistribution of wealth' speech; says it's 'divisive', 'malicious'.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: We never asked for more than what we're entitled to, says Omar Abdullah

Jammu Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said, "Statements are being made to make people fight against each other...attempt is being made to create tension between different religions. In other places, it is being said that Hindus are in danger. Hindu population is 80% and Muslim population is 14%. What kind of threat will the 80% have from 14% population? We never asked for more than what we're entitled to, never. Show me one Muslim, who has demanded anything more than what he is entitled to."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: No PM has ever made such remarks, EC must give notice to Modi, says Congress

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'Congress will redistribute wealth' remark, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal Monday said political discourse has never sunk to such a low in India's history and urged the Election Commission to take action in the matter.

Sibal's attack came a day after Prime Minister Modi suggested that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: We will remove the GST imposed on the produce of farmers, says Congress leader Rajeev Shukla

"We will remove the GST imposed on the produce of farmers. We will also constitute a commission for loan waiver. A new import/export policy will be implemented after consultation with farmers. In case of crop damage, compensation will be transferred to the bank accounts of farmers within 30 days. We have decided to implement the suggestions of the Swaminathan report to ensure a legal guarantee of MSP to the farmers," said Congress leader Rajeev Shukla

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Former PMs worked to make new India, the incumbent one only criticises others, says Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar on Monday claimed former prime ministers worked to make a new India but PM Narendra Modi only criticises others and doesn't speak about what his government had done for the people in the last ten years.

Addressing a campaign rally in Amravati for a Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate, Pawar said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to the country cannot be questioned.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Former PMs worked to make new India, the incumbent one only criticises others, says Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar on Monday claimed former prime ministers worked to make a new India but PM Narendra Modi only criticises others and doesn't speak about what his government had done for the people in the last ten years.

Addressing a campaign rally in Amravati for a Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate, Pawar said former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to the country cannot be questioned.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi changed the style and mannerism of politics, says JP Nadda

PM Modi changed the style and mannerism of politics. Earlier, politics are focused around caste, religion and tempting promises, but PM Modi took the politics around development and connected to the country's development," said BJP National President JP Nadda while addressing a public rally in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat

BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat after all other candidates withdraw, says party''s Gujarat chief C R Paatil

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Cong's manifesto this time sees great deal of influence of Communist mindset, says Sanjay Nirupam

Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said, "From the very beginning, Congress has believed in divide and rule. When the country became independent, it was divided into two for politics. Congress is responsible for the partition. In a crowd, their leader randomly asks about people's caste. As far as their manifesto is concerned, no one reads their manifesto. Their manifesto this time sees a great deal of influence of the Communist mindset. The way they have said they will seize people's assets and will be re-distributed. This is what PM Narendra Modi said in his speech yesterday, that to target a particular religion, they will discriminate against others. Mallikarjun Kharge suffers from dementia. How can such a person sit with an absolutely fit person like our PM and hold discussions?"

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Mallikarjun Kharge attacks PM Modi

On PM Narendra Modi's statement, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "A person who loses courage and has no issue to talk about comes up with such things. If he has his own concrete issues, concrete work then he can tell, as we have told about NREGA, food security.He has nothing to say and he always criticizes Congress, opposition and nowadays he is saying that there is nothing in the INDIA alliance, there is no leader."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi praises Yogi Adityanath in a Aligarh rally

PM Modi said, "Because of BJP, now our UP is going to become a big hub of self-reliant India and self-reliant Army. I want to open the eyes of those people who keep identifying Yogi ji only with bulldozer. Whatever industrial development did not happen in Uttar Pradesh after independence, it happened during the period of Yogi ji alone. His mission of One District, One Product is creating new respect in the entire country. You talked about bulldozers, if someone has taken the development to new heights, Yogi ji's government has taken it and as an MP from Kashi, he is also my Chief Minister. I feel proud that I have such colleagues."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Now these people's eyes are on 'Mangalsutra' of women, says PM Modi attacking INDI alliance

Addressing a public rally in Aligarh, PM Narendra Modi said, "I want to warn the countrymen. Congress and the INDI alliance have their eyes on your earnings and your property. The 'Shehzada' of Congress says that if their government comes to power, they will investigate who earns how much, who has how many properties.Our mothers and sisters have gold. It is 'stree dhan', it is considered sacred, the law also protects it. Now these people's eyes are on the 'Mangalsutra' of women. Their intention is to steal the gold of mothers and sisters.If you have an old ancestor's home in your village and you also purchased a small flat in your city for the future of your children. Then they will take away one of the two.This is Maovadi thinking, this is the thinking of communists. By doing this they have already ruined many countries. Now this same policy the Congress Party and INDI alliance want to implement in India."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Each vote will play a decisive factor in forming the govt for next five years, says Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari

Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari said, "I urge everyone to exercise your right, it is your constitutional right and the most important thing in the world.Each vote will play a decisive factor in forming the government for the next five years. No matter how.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress party has always been anti-Ram, anti-Sanatan, says JP Nadda

While addressing a public meeting in Mungeli, BJP national president JP Nadda said, "Congress party has always been anti-Ram, anti-Sanatan. Wasn't the Congress party there in the UPA govt, wasn't Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister, wasn't Sonia Gandhi the chairperson (of Congress), when you (Congress) said in the Court that Shri Ram is an imaginary figure? Shri Ram has no historical existence, you have given the affidavit in the Court for this. You have diluted India's stand on the issue of 'Setu'. Isn't it right that your advocate in the Court has said to extend the date of judgment as if the verdict comes, it will benefit the BJP?"

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi has new tactics for diverting attention from real issues, says Rahul Gandhi

The Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of speaking in a "poisonous language" and said that he has several new tactics for diverting attention from real issues but the end of "business of lies" is near.

The Congress on Sunday night had also hit back at Prime Minister Modi over his "redistribution of wealth" remarks targeting the party, saying after facing "disappointment" in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, the PM has now resorted to "lies" and "hate speech" to divert people from the real issues. Here's what he said

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Here’s what PM Modi said while addressing an election rally in Aligarh, UP

“When I came to Aligarh last time, I appealed to you all to put a lock on the factory of nepotism, corruption, and appeasement of Samajwadi Party and Congress. You did that so nicely that both of ‘shehzadas’ (referring to Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav) aren’t getting the key of it. I have again come here today to seek your blessings.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress party have a three-point program, says Gaurav Bhatia

BJP's Gaurav Bhatia predicts NDA-BJP victory with 400+ seats; says, opposition's frustration evident, with INDI alliance and Congress pursuing a three-point agenda: blatant appeasement politics, anti-Hindu stance, and alignment with anti-India elements.
BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia says, "It is clear that NDA-BJP will get 400 plus seats. There is frustration in the opposition especially the INDI alliance and the Congress party. It won't be wrong to say that the INDI alliance and the Congress party have a three-point program- blatant appeasement politics, anti-Hindu agenda and to shake hands with people who oppose India..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: A step-by-step guide on how to download voter slip

Before an election, the ECI provides voters with a voter slip, or VIS, which contains the relevant information such as name, age, gender, assembly constituency, and polling place location, including room number, date, and hour. The slip also has a QR code, which makes it easy to confirm the voter's details.

How to download the voter information slip or VIS on your phone? Read here

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Uttar Pradesh - Mayawati’s candidate selection puts BJP and SP on edge

Mayawati's BSP surprises BJP and SP-led alliances with a strategic shift in candidate selection, moving away from traditional 'B' team labels. Instead, BSP now focuses on constituency-specific caste equations, altering the political landscape. Analysts credit Mayawati's independent electoral stance and timely candidate announcements for this strategic advantage. Read in detail, here

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: IMD collaborates with Election Commission for precise weather forecasts

During a meeting with the Election Commission, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), stated, "IMD maintains constant communication with the Election Commission of India. In addition to seasonal forecasts, we provide monthly, weekly, and daily forecasts, including predictions for heat waves and humidity levels. We offer the ECI insights and forecasts for locations where elections are scheduled to take place in various phases."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Maharashtra Lok Sabha - Key constituencies & candidates in phase 2

The Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra are scheduled in five phases from April 19 to May 20. In the initial phase on April 19, polling occurred in five Vidarbha constituencies: Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondia, Gadchiroli-Chimur, and Chandrapur. Moving to the second phase on April 26, eight constituencies in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions including Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal Washim, Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani are set for voting. Take a look at the constituencies & candidates, here

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP's CR Kesavan says Tharoor has the biggest record of non-performance

"Shashi Tharoor has been an MP for 15 years and he probably has the biggest record of non-performance. He is like a silk umbrella. It looks nice but can't protect you. 37 per cent of Undergraduate seats in Thiruvananthapuram are empty. 40 per cent of students are migrating. They don't want to study in Kerala," says BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Cowardly speech by PM Modi, says Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameeque Jamei

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameeque Jamei criticized PM Modi's recent speech as cowardly. He highlighted that despite questions from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on crucial issues like caste census, Constitution, reservation, and old pension scheme, PM Modi remained silent. Jamei concluded, "Now, he realizes that the country is slipping out of his grasp."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress nominated me for UN Secretary-General candidacy

In response to Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai's remarks about his candidacy for UN Secretary-General, Congress MP and Thiruvananthapuram candidate Shashi Tharoor clarified, "It is the Congress government that had nominated me. Dr Manmohan Singh was the Primer Minister who nominated me. Sonia Gandhi was the Congress leader. Of course, they nominated me."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: (PM Modi) not able to talk about single work done during 10 years, says UBT leader Anand Dubey

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey asserts that PM Modi lacks substance in his election speeches, failing to highlight any achievements from his 10-year tenure. He questions the credibility of BJP's claims, drawing parallels to their governance in 2016. Dubey dismisses the notion that Congress would seize women's properties if in power, emphasizing that neither Congress nor MVA have such intentions for Rajasthan or the nation.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Kejriwal is bringing shame to the country, says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar

Here's what JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar said on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal alleging BJP of conspiring to kill him. "What kind of allegation (remark on conspiracy to kill Delhi CM) is Arvind Kejriwal's wife (Sunita Kejriwal) trying to make? Kejriwal is bringing shame to the country by running the state from jail and insulting the Constitution. He is trying to kill the soul of the Constitution. We are worried about the country."