Lok Sabha Elections 2024 News Highlights: PM Modi says 2024 Election crucial for country's leadership

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Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Union Minister Smriti Irani calls for voting to empower the poor and women

Union Minister Smriti Irani while addressing a public rally in Patna, Bihar, said: “I want to ask the 'shehzade' of politics, why is it necessary to insult ‘sanatan’ for their politics? I have come to tell you that it is important to vote for the empowerment of the poor, women and to realise the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Chirag Paswan predicts Congress' worst performance

LJP (Ramvilas) Chief Chirag Paswan says, "The Opposition has a fixed statement... First, they make huge claims of winning and then start blaming... They will blame the EVM after the Exit Polls and results... The Congress will be on its all-time low in its history..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi asserts, 'Congress brings problems, BJP provides solutions'

PM Modi while addressing a public rally in Jalandhar said:

-Country understands where there is Congress, problems will remain. Where there is BJP, there is solution

-Their balloon has burst. No one wants to vote for Congress and INDIA bloc: PM Narendra Modi

-Jalandhar is not new to me; I worked in Punjab for a long time, shared happiness and sorrow with friends from Jalandhar. The debt of that love of Jalandhar is still on me

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: JP Nadda says PM Modi's leadership transforms ordinary citizens' perceptions of politics

BJP chief JP Nadda while addressing a public rally in UP’s Robertsganj, said: “I want to remind you all that 10 years back, ordinary people used to say that politics won’t change and all political leaders are alike. After 10 years of efforts by PM Modi, that same ordinary person is walking on the path to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India).”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Shashi Tharoor challenges PM Modi's claim on reservation redistribution

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on PM Modi’s claim that a conspiracy was being hatched to snatch the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs and give it to Muslims, said, "This is just in PM Modi’s imagination. We (Congress) have not discussed or thought about this at all. I just want to say that our manifesto does not mention anything like this, so on what basis is the Prime Minister raising such questions?”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: LJP chief accuses Tejashwi Yadav of land acquisition for jobs

“No one is stopping Tejashwi Yadav from starting the job (giving) trend in Bihar, but he should first tell people how much land they will have to give for those jobs. Their statements are useless because people do not believe them anyway. On one side is PM Modi who delivers on his promises and on the other are those who take people’s land for jobs. They won’t be able to win even one seat in Bihar. They are writing the EVM rigging script now, and will recite it on June 4,” says LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi blames INDI Alliance for Punjab's woes

"Who knows the real faces of INDI alliance more than Punjab? The most number of wounds suffered by Punjab have been given by this INDI alliance. Till the time Congress was at Centre, it shielded rioters. It is Modi who reopened the files of anti-Sikh riots," says PM Modi in Gurdaspur.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi says 2024 Election crucial for country's leadership, contrasts BJP's vision with that of INDI Alliance

"The election of 2024 is the election to give leadership to the country. On one side, there is BJP and NDA with a clear vision for Viksit Bharat, resolve for Nation First, track record of 10 years, strict action on corruption. On the other side in INDI alliance, which is staunch communal, casteist, familyist. The people of Congress and Jhadu (referring to AAP), these people of INDI alliance, I don't know what they think about the people of this country. Every now and then, they are playing games to befool the people. In Delhi, they are pretending to be friends, shielding the corrupts and in Punjab, they are abusing each other," says PM Modi in Gurdaspur.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi seeks blessings for third term, vows development in Gurdaspur

"I have come to seek your blessings to make sure that I live up to your expectations in my third term and ensure the development of Gurdaspur, Punjab and the country," says PM Modi while addressing a public rally in Gurdaspur, Punjab.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Amit Shah in Godda says former Jharkhand CM in jail for corruption, PM Modi unblemished in 23 years

"The Chief Minister of a poor state like Jharkhand is in jail for corruption. On one side, there's INDI alliance who did scams worth Rs 12,00,000 crore, while on the other side, there's PM Modi who has never been accused of corruption in 23 years. People have to choose between the two. Whenever there is a slight rise in temperature, Rahul Gandhi goes on an international trip. After his defeat on June 4, he will definitely go to Bangkok or Thailand," says Union Home Minister Amit Shah while addressing an election rally in Godda, Jharkhand.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Shah criticizes Hemant Soren, brands Jharkhand as Congress' "Property" and "Land Bank"

Union Home Minister Amit Shah while addressing an election rally in Dumka, Jharkhand, says, "Jharkhand is just a vote bank, property, land bank and corruption ATM for Congress and for the one who is requesting from jail. Hemant Soren is doing injustice to Jharkhand by sitting in the lap of Congress that roadblocked the development of Jharkhand for years just to become CM."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: JP Nadda says Modi recognizes India's potential, empowers even vegetable vendors with UPI

BJP national President JP Nadda addressing a public rally in Ballia Lok Sabha constituency, says, "PM Modi spread optical fibre and opened Common Service Centres in 2 lakh panchayats. People of Congress, Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav called India a country of illiterates. They asked what would happen after digitalisation, of what use the Wi-Fi would be here... Modi Ji recognised India's capabilities and even a vegetable vendor does digital transactions through UPI. 'Yeh badla hua Bharat hai. Jise tumne anpadh kaha, wo tumse zyada padha likha nikla'."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Amit Shah vows justice to Sita Soren, criticizes Hemant Soren's administration

Addressing a public rally in Dumka Lok Sabha constituency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "... Modi Ji believes that the development of the country is not possible without the development of Jharkhand. PM Modi will also come here after two days and today I have come here, the reason behind this is that Sita Soren is the candidate from here. Wife of Durga Soren who was a participant in the Jharkhand, Sita Soren did not get justice... She carried the heritage of Durga Soren. I assure her that even though Hemant Soren did not do justice to you, BJP will give you justice..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Ravi Kishan assures no Constitution tampering, promises strengthening instead

Sitting MP and BJP candidate from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan says, "... If we had to change the constitution, we would have done that in our previous terms when we had an absolute majority... I give my word, that there will be no tampering with the constitution. The constitution will be strengthened. Dont believe in their rumours. But now that the opposition has talked about putting locks on the Shri Ram Temple, you will get your answer on 4th June."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Delhi LG VK Saxena calls Elections a golden opportunity for voters

"My dear people of Delhi, tomorrow we are going to celebrate the festival of democracy. This election is a golden opportunity for you to decide the direction and condition of the country in the coming time, and as an Indian, how do you want to see the country and yourself socially, economically and politically," says Delhi LG VK Saxena on Lok Sabha polls in Delhi.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Amit Shah credits PM Modi for naxal menace eradication, criticizes JMM-Congress alliance

Amit Shah at Jamtara rally in Jharkhand:

- Corrupt JMM leaders, including Hemant Soren, sitting on Congress lap

- For Congress, Jharkhand is ATM of corruption

- PM Modi enhanced budget for tribals to Rs 1.25 lakh cr in 10 years from Rs 25,000 cr during Sonia-Manmohan regime

- PM Modi freed the country from Naxal menace

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi spreading lies, decision on PM will be swift in INDIA Alliance, says Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on PM's 'INDIA bloc wants to make five prime ministers in five years' remark, says: "This is a lie; the PM is spreading falsehood. What happened in 2004? We got majority on May 13 and Dr Manmohan Singh was announced as the PM within three days. This time, it will not take even three days. Maybe it is decided in just one day. There will be one PM who will run the INDIA alliance government for five years."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Jairam Ramesh says Congress optimistic for decisive victory, eyes gains in crucial states

"Voting on 428 seats has already concluded in five phases and tomorrow, 58 seats will go to polls in the sixth phase. It became clear to us after two phases that we will get a decisive majority. In states where we performed badly in 2019, for instance Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh... we are in a very profitable situation there this time," says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: UP CM says BJP ensures security, development for all, rejects caste-based politics

UP CM Yogi Adityanath addressing a public rally in Deoria, says, "There is security, respect, development, welfare of the poor, heritage and respect of the faith. On one hand, BJP is doing everything under the leadership of PM Modi. Have we done anything based on caste? There is only one mantra, 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'... On the other hand, there is Congress and Samajwadi Party's alliance. 'Jab bhi ye gathbandhan hota hai do ladkon ka, ye bada hi anarthkari hai'. Whenever their alliance is formed, terror attacks take place. Under SP's rule in the state and Congress at the centre, Ayodhya's Ram Lalla temple and Kashi's Sankat Mochan temple were attacked. The first thing Akhilesh Yadav did as a CM was to withdraw the cases against terrorists, fortunately, the court intervened..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Modi applauds India's youth: says 'startups, women breaking boundaries'

Addressing a public gathering in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Those who live only on the legacy of their forefathers cannot build this country. This country will be built by those who rise from the soil and touch heights as big as mountains. Therefore, the future of India today, our startups are run by young people... Daughters of the country are flying drones in the fields... Daughters are flying fighter planes..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi reiterates pledge for Uniform Civil Code, accuses Congress of opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a public gathering in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, says, "Modi has pledged to a Uniform Civil Code. Indian citizens, whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or Buddhist, should have uniform civil laws. But Congress is opposing the Uniform Civil Code. Congress supports Sharia in the name of Muslim Personal Law."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi urges Himachal Pradesh voters to 'stop Congress and support BJP' for state's future

Addressing a public gathering in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Congress is taking Himachal Pradesh on the path of destruction. Therefore it is important to stop this. I need your support to free Himachal Pradesh from the clutches of Congress. I would request the people of Himachal to make BJP win all the 6 seats in the assembly by-elections here and ensure the future of the state."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress regressing to 20th century, is anti-women, says PM Modi

Addressing a public meeting in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This Congress has not been able to enter the 21st century. People move forward, Congress moves backward. It is moving towards the 20th century. The royal family is deeply anti-daughter, the Congress is anti-women."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Asha Ranaut predicts daughter Kangana's win with overwhelming majority in Mandi

Asha Ranaut, mother of BJP candidate from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut says, "We have high expectations...She (Kangana) will win the elections with an overwhelming majority...We are receiving a lot of love from public...No one will vote for him (Congress candidate Vikramaditya)...He is defaming Kangana and people will take revenge by voting for Kangana"

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Why no special status for Bihar? Tejashwi Yadav to PM Modi

"It is good that he (PM Modi) is coming (to Bihar). He should come and tell us why he didn't give special status to Bihar, he should tell why didn't he get Bihar rid of unemployment and poverty," says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on PM's Bihar visit on May 25.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Anurag Thakur asks Himachal CM if he backs reducing ST, SC, OBC quotas

"I want to tell you that Congress tried to reduce quota for the backward categories wherever they formed government. My question is to Himachal Pradesh CM whether he is also in favour of taking away 5 per cent quota of the ST, SC, and OBC?" says Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: 'Your vote ended 500-year wait for Ayodhya Ram Temple,' PM Modi in Mandi

"The wait of 500 years (for Ayodhya Ram Temple) has ended. Who ended it? This was possible because of your one vote. It is the strength of your one vote that ended the wait of 500 years," says PM Modi addressing an election rally in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi claims selective distribution of funds to Himachal disaster victims, vows probe

Central funds sent for Himachal monsoon disaster victims distributed selectively, will find out where money went: PM Modi in Mandi

Derogatory remarks by Congress leaders against Kangana Ranaut insult to Mandi, says PM Modi; asks voters to give befitting reply

BJP's Mandi candidate Kangana Ranaut represents aspirations of youth, our daughters: PM Modi

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: VK Pandian accuses BJP of disrespecting Odisha CM, spreading lies about his health

BJD leader VK Pandian addressing a public rally in Mayurbhanj, said, "BJP leaders have disrespected the CM and used derogatory language against him. They are also lying about the health condition of Naveen Babu."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Re-elect Modi to achieve 'Viksit Bharat', says JP Nadda, credits Yogi for ending 'Mafia Raj' in UP

"The aim is to fulfil the resolution of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by electing Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister for the third time. This Uttar Pradesh used to be known as an unsafe place, and used to be known for ‘mafia raj’. However, this has now been changed because of the blessings of PM Modi and hardwork of Yogi Adityanath," says BJP president JP Nadda while addressing an election gathering in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Amit Shah says BJP will reclaim PoK, unafraid of nuclear threats

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah while addressing a gathering in Arrah, Bihar, said, "Congress, (RJD supremo) Lalu (Prasad) Yadav and people of this ‘Ghamandiya Gathbandhan’ try to scare us by saying that Pakistan has atom bombs. I have come here to say that the BJP is not afraid of Pakistan’s atom bombs. Vote for RK Singh (BJP Arrah Lok Sabha candidate) because I am saying this today that we will take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It’s BJP’s resolution.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Amit Shah warns of 'Jungle Raj' return if RJD wins in Bihar

If RJD comes to power, gang war, 'jungle raj', abduction will return to Bihar: Amit Shah at Arrah rally in Bihar

RJD chief Lalu Prasad promotes only his sons and daughters: Amit Shah

INDIA bloc leaders want to give reservation based on religion to Muslims: Amit Shah

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Drones deployed for enhanced security during Phase Six polling in Rajouri

Security has also been beefed up along the Line of Control (LoC).

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: In Patna, Tharoor criticizes PM's propaganda and unmet promises, advocates for INDIA Alliance

"If you want a change in the country, send the INDIA alliance candidates in Bihar to the Parliament. When had Nitish Kumar announced that Patna University will be made central university, has that happened till date? This government doesn't want to do anything for the public. The PM gives good speeches and comes to power on the basis of propaganda," says Congress leader Shashi Tharoor addressing a press conference in Patna.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Polling in Haryana for 10 LS seats on Saturday; ex-CM Khattar, Union ministers in fray

Polling in the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana and for the Karnal assembly bypoll will be held on Saturday that will decide the fate of 223 candidates, including big guns like former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Congress' Kumari Selja.

A total of 223 candidates -- 207 men and 16 women -- are in the fray in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls and more than 2 crore people are eligible to vote in the state.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP strongholds in Bengal Junglemahal to go to polls in sixth phase

The Medinpur region, recognized as Bengal's tribal belt and a BJP stronghold consisting of five districts that send eight representatives to the Lok Sabha, is a hotspot for identity politics and will go to polls in the sixth phase on Saturday.

Voting for the Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur Lok Sabha seats will take place on Saturday.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress's 'talabaaz sarkar' put a lock on recruitment commission, says PM Modi in Himachal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress of not fulfilling its promise of providing 1 lakh jobs to the youth of Himachal Pradesh and said the party's "talabaaz sarkar" put a lock on the state staff selection commission.

Addressing a 'Vijay Sankalp' rally in Sirmaur district's Nahan to garner support for BJP's Shimla Lok Sabha seat candidate Suresh Kashyap, the prime minister also said that communalism, casteism and dynastic politics are common in the Congress and its allies.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: All criminal leaders are in BJP, says RJD candidate from Patliputra Misa Bharti
Commenting on Bihar deputy CM Samrat Choudhary’s 'will put all goons in the jail' remark, RJD candidate from Patliputra Misa Bharti said, “All the criminal leaders are in BJP. Who is Anant Singh? On what grounds a person is granted parole? If the person is not well, or someone in his family has died then parole is given, not to campaign for election. Don’t they understand this?"

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: When PM Modi lies, it demeans India in the world, says Maharashtra Congress president

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on May 24 said Prime Minister Modi is the chief of liars. "...I won't go to the level of what Manoj Jha has said that he (PM Modi) has lost his mental balance as he is the PM till June 4. But, the way him being the PM is lying, our national president rightly said that the PM is the chief of liars. He is the PM of the biggest democracy and when he lies it demeans the country in the world. The people switch off the TV when PM Modi comes on it, they don't want to see and listen to him. It's not like I am supporting Manoj Jha's statement of PM losing mental balance, he has said it at his party level. We respect him as he is the PM... There used to be a time when PM Modi used to go to Muslims' homes to eat Kheer and celebrate Ramzan as he says, but now he abuses Muslims. He can say anything as he is going to lose this time..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Constitution and the courts do not matter to INDI alliance, says PM Modi in Shimla

Some days ago Kolkata High Court abolished the reservation for many Muslim castes.

PM Modi said, "Many Muslim castes were made OBC by the INDI alliance and OBC rights were given to them. By doing so, the INDI Alliance usurped the rights of the OBCs and violated the Constitution."

"Now after the decision of Kolkata High Court, the INDI alliance members are in a state of panic. The Chief Minister of Bengal is even outright refusing to accept the court's decision. For them, the Constitution and the courts do not matter. If there is anyone closest to them, it is their vote bank," he added.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: For 60 years Congress did not even think that there are poor people in the general category too, says PM Modi

Addressing a public gathering in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "For 60 years Congress did not even think that there are poor people in the general category too. They also need a reservation, Congress never thought about these communities."

"Modi came and made a 10% reservation for the poor people of the general category. Due to this, today people of our society are getting opportunities at different places," he added.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi lashes out at Congress at Shimla rally

Addressing a public gathering in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "On one side there is Modi's guarantee and on the other side there is Congress's model of destruction. To gain power, Congress lied a lot to the people of Himachal Pradesh."

"They said that this would happen in the first cabinet, that will happen. But nothing happened in the first cabinet; rather, the cabinet itself got destroyed," he added.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP moves SC against Calcutta HC order on advertisements during LS polls

The BJP on Friday moved the Supreme Court, challenging a Calcutta High Court order that refused to interfere with a single-judge verdict directing the party not to publish any advertisement violating the Model Code of Conduct during the Lok Sabha election process.

The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a vacation bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal.

The counsel told the bench that the high court has restrained the BJP from issuing advertisements during the Lok Sabha polls till June 4.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress has a problem with saying 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram', says PM Modi in Shimla

Addressing a public gathering in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The high mountains of Himachal have taught me to keep my spirits high. The high mountains of Himachal have taught me to hold my head high with pride. I cannot tolerate the insult of Mother India."

"But Congress does not refrain from insulting Mother India. Congress has a problem with saying 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', Congress has a problem with saying 'Vande Mataram'. Such a Congress can never do any good to Himachal," he added.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: The weak Congress government went around pleading for help around the world, says PM Modi in Shimla

Addressing a public gathering in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "You have seen the era of Congress. When there was a weak government in the country. At that time Pakistan used to take advantage of weak the government. The weak Congress government went around pleading for help around the world."

"But Modi said that India would no longer beg from the world, India would fight its own battle and then India would enter their land and attack them," he added.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: What was ADR's plea regarding voter turnout data

On May 17, the top court had sought within a week a response from the Election Commission on the NGO's plea seeking a direction to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

The ADR has filed an interim application in its 2019 PIL seeking directions to the poll panel that "scanned legible copies of Form 17C Part-I (Account of Votes Recorded)" of all polling stations be uploaded immediately after the polls.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: SC vacation bench adjourns NGO's plea seeking voter turnout data

SC refuses to pass any direction to Election Commission on NGO's plea to upload voter turnout data on its website during LS polls.

SC says five phases of polling have concluded, two remain; difficult for EC to mobilise manpower to upload voter turnout data on website.

SC vacation bench adjourns NGO's plea seeking directions to EC to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on website.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: AAP alleges BJP nominee Hiran''s claims in affidavit not true, seeks candidature cancellation

The Aam Aadmi Party has lodged a complaint to the Election Commission, alleging that BJP's Ghatal Lok Sabha nominee Hiranmoy Chattopadhyaya has provided "wrong" information about his educational qualification in the affidavit and sought cancellation of his candidature.

The AAP also accused the actor-turned-politician of making a false claim that he is a research fellow at IIT Kharagpur.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: SC refuses to pass interim order on application by ADR seeking booth wise voter turnout data

SC refuses to pass immediate orders application by ADR seeking booth wise voter turnout data. Defers the hearing of the 2019 plea.

SC says that the interim application asks for similar relief as the main writ petition, hence adjourns it to another date.

SC says passing an order in this plea will amount to passing an order in the main plea.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP hits out at Cong govt in Karnataka, terms capital city 'Udta Bengaluru'

Hitting out at the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka for the alleged "deteriorating law and order situation" in the state, the BJP termed the Silicon City as "Udta Bengaluru" and alleged the city is becoming the "adda" for narcotic substances and rave parties.

The development comes after the Bengaluru Police busted a rave party at a farmhouse here recently which was allegedly attended by 86 people, including a Telugu film actress.

Plea seeking publication of booth wise voter turnout data from ECI Updates: Supreme Court says prayer in the original petition is the same as the interim prayer in 2024

Supreme Court says prayer in the original petition is the same as the interim prayer in the 2024 “your prayers are based on press notes of election commission of India..”

SC says “why did you not come up with this application in March? why on 26th April ? please read out prayer B...we are trying to ascertain whether at all we should grant you relief.”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP moves SC against Calcutta HC

BJP has moved the Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court order restraining it from publishing "derogatory" or "slanderous" advertisements targeting the Trinamool Congress (party during ongoing Lok Sabha elections. SC to consider listing the case.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: The government in Maharashtra itself is unconstitutional, says Nana Patole

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said, "The government in Maharashtra itself is unconstitutional. We have been saying this since the very formation of the government...Continuously the BJP is trying to ruin Maharashtra."

"The government is behaving as if they do not value the lives of the people. The incident occurred in Pune, a businessman's son is made to write an essay at the police station...The administration works on what the government says," he added.

He further added, "In yesterday's boiler blast, many lives were lost. The Uddhav Thackeray government had then taken the decision to shut them down...Since this government came to power, they kept those factories working because they were taking money from those businessmen. This led to the lose of lives of so many people..."

Plea seeking publication of booth wise voter turnout data from ECI Updates: Poll panel raises apprehension

The poll panel raises apprehensions of bonafide of ADR. Senior advocate Maninder Singh says “Please see the maintainability and the conduct of the petitioner. When elections are going on these continuous petitions on the basis of just apprehension etc.. this is a classic case of suspicion and erode the integrity of the Election commission of India.”

According to ECI the application is founded on suspicion, apprehension and false allegations.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Polling parties dispatch with EVMs to voting centres ahead of 6th phase

Polling parties dispatch with EVMs to voting centres in North-East Parliamentary Constituency, ahead of the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

BJP has fielded Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi & Congress has fielded Kanhaiya Kumar.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Just to get votes, you cannot demean great leaders, says VK Pandian

On Union Ministers and other BJP leaders coming to the state to campaign, 5T Chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian said, "State BJP unit and all their constituency leaders are not able to come out of their constituencies because of the strategy of the BJD and Naveen babu, they are all fixed in their own constituencies. They are not able to come out. So, somebody has to come out and campaign for them."

"That is why, national leaders are coming...Actually, they are helping BJD in the sense that the way are abusing the CM - such a popular CM - they are helping BJD in getting higher vote share. It is very sad that they have to reduce the political discourse to such inappropriate levels, it is not good. We are a mature democracy...One should know where to draw the line. Just to get votes, you cannot demean great leaders," he added.

He further said, "History will not forgive those people, also people of Odisha will not forgive, on June 4 we will see the results."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP will win 80 out of 80 seats, says UP Dy CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said, "The elections are in the final phase. BJP is winning all the seats in the final phase. Voting for the sixth phase will happen tomorrow. BJP will win all the seats in the seventh phase as well. BJP is winning 80 out of 80 seats."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Disillusionment with parties, leaders lurk amid Kurmi youths in Jhargram in poll season

What's common to Ashoke Mahata, Lokesh Mahata and Abani Mahata, apart from being Kurmi youths from different corners of the Jhargram Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, is their overarching disillusionment with the mainstream political parties and a sense of hopelessness with the fractures within their community surfacing on the eve of the polls.

The community's demand for an upgrade to Scheduled Tribe status from its current inclusion in the OBC category has bordered on violence in the forest-covered Jangal Mahal region of the state in the past with sporadic agitations blocking railway tracks and national highways for days on end.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: I want you to vote with hope, says Owaisi

Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Phulpur, MP & AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "You voted for Congress, Socialist Party, Janta Dal, Janta Party and Samajwadi Party till now but you got nothing and to whom you voted for, you changed their destiny."

"You let them sit on the throne of either Delhi or Lucknow and to whomsoever you helped succeed, they destroyed us... We have been voting for the last 50-60 years with a sense of fear and that's why the problems increased. I want you to vote with hope," he added.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Security personnel deployed in Nandigram, WB

Security personnel deployed in Nandigram, Purba Medinipur.

BJP party worker died in an attack by miscreants on a few houses the day before yesterday.

Local party workers allege that the attack was carried out by TMC workers.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Bengal guv criticises Mamata over Nandigram violence, directs her to submit action-taken report

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the killing of an elderly woman in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district.

Bose directed Banerjee to take immediate action and submit an action taken report to him, a source told PTI.

In an official communication, Bose "cautioned" Banerjee to end what he described as a "blood bath" and ensure all necessary actions are taken within the parameters of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: INDIA bloc's Ujjwal Singh says under BJP, Allahabad lost importance, local woes not addressed

"What do the farmers want? Electricity, tubewell, and lift canal so that they get water for their crops. The BJP keeps boasting of its double-engine government and does nothing on the ground," Samajwadi Party and the Congress led by INDIA bloc candidate Ujjwal Raman Singh said, adding that the local MP, the state's CM and the country's PM are all from the BJP yet the party has failed to ensure the welfare of the people of the constituency.

"Bhartiya Janata Party ke logan ki neeti aur niyat saaf naahi ba (The BJP people do not have a clear policy and intention)," Singh said in the local 'Ilahabadi' dialect.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: People of Himachal Pradesh are excited to listen to their leader, says BJP leader

State party President Dr Rajeev Bindal said, "People of the state are excited to listen to their leader...People in large numbers are coming here to listen to him (PM Modi)...All the people here have decided to make PM Modi prime minister for the third term..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: INDIA bloc govt will have permanent commission for farm loan waiver, says Congress

The Congress on Thursday claimed that the Modi government waived bank loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore of its "crony capitalist friends" but not of farmers, and asserted that an INDIA bloc government will create a permanent commission to ensure such waiver for farmers in every state.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that in 2008, the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh waived agricultural loans worth Rs 72,000 crore which benefited a large number of farmers.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BRS leader axed to death in Telangana

A BRS leader was found murdered in Wanaparthy district of Telangana with his family calling it 'politically motivated'.

The incident occurred in Laxmipally village of the district during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday when some unknown persons attacked Sridhar Reddy (55), who was sleeping outside his house, with axe resulting in his death, police said.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Ahead of electoral battle, Mehbooba seeks 'strength' at father's grave

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti paid a visit to the grave of her father, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, to seek strength as she prepares for the May 25 electoral challenge from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat.

Busy campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, Mehbooba on Thursday took time to reflect on her emotions.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Two candidates with zero declared assets in fray in fourth phase of Odisha assembly polls

Two candidates in the fray in the fourth and final phase of assembly elections in Odisha have declared zero assets in their affidavits, according to a report.

Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituencies along with 42 assembly segments falling under these parliamentary seats will go to polls in the last phase on June 1.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: EC not fulfilling its constitutional duty unfortunate, says Congress

The Congress came down heavily on the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday for not disclosing voter data to the public and said it is unfortunate and condemnable that the poll body is not fulfilling its constitutional duty and that its inclination is "one-sided".

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi accused the EC of trying to be "the election department" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by not acting on the complaints of model code violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and instead, making "false equivalences" by giving generalised directions to political parties.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJP sowing seeds of divisions among different communities in Bengal, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the BJP of sowing seeds of division among communities in the state.

Addressing a rally in support of TMC candidate Sudip Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata Uttar, Banerjee pointed to a recent meeting where the Rajasthan Chief Minister interacted with Marwari businessmen in the city, highlighting BJP's financial prowess.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Sachin Pilot seeks votes for Congress candidate Warring in Ludhiana

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday urged the people of Ludhiana to entrust party candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring with the responsibility of representing their aspirations in Parliament.

Reflecting on the significance of the upcoming election, Pilot emphasised the need to hold the incumbent government accountable for its decade-long tenure, citing issues of inflation, unemployment, and corruption.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Public tired of BJP's mistakes, says Congress leader Shashi Tharoor

“I have no doubt that the people want change. I am sure that you will see a change in Delhi on June 4. BJP will get very less votes compared to last time. Public is tired of this government's mistakes and shortcomings,” says Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi doesn't understand pain of farmers, poor, says Priyanka Gandhi in Haryana

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, accusing him of not understanding the pain of farmers and the poor and alleging that his government frames policies only for his "billionaire" friends.

She also hit out at the BJP-led Centre over the issues of "Agniveer" and female wrestlers.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: EC issues warning to Channi for calling Poonch terror attack 'poll stunt'

The Election Commission has issued a strict warning to Congress candidate from Jalandhar Charanjit Singh Channi for violating the Model Code of Conduct, an official said.

Former Punjab chief minister Channi had called the Poonch terror attack, in which an IAF soldier was killed and four others were injured, a "poll stunt" meant to make the BJP win the Lok Sabha elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Delhi poll body partners with Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy to encourage voter turnout

Delhi Chief Electoral Officer P Krishnamurthy said on Thursday that over one lakh polling personnel have been deployed for the conduct of polls on May 25 while several steps have been taken to protect people from the intense heat wave.

Highlighting special initiatives to enhance the voting experience, he said they have set up 70 pink polling stations across Delhi, one in each assembly constituency, which will be entirely operated by women polling staff, according to a statement.