Elections 2024: PM Modi To Begin West Bengal Poll Campaign Tomorrow ; Jolt To INDIA Bloc As PDP Goes Solo For Polls In J&K

The schedule for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 16. The poll body announced that voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will take place in seven phases, starting April 19, while the counting of votes will take place on June 4.

While voting for Phase 1 will take place on April 19, polling for Phase 2 to Phase 7 will take place on: April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

Detailed Schedule Here

Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Congress of taking support from the Social Democratic Party of India, the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India, "even as blasts are taking place in Bengaluru". Amit Shah was apparently referring to the recent blast at popular eatery Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, which is under investigation.

Amit Shah also claimed that there has been no trace of corruption on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as against the Congress, which has allegedly stains of corruption of Rs 12 lakh crore.

“On the one hand there are explosions in Bengaluru and on the other hand I got an information that SDPI has supported Congress. If it is true, then can people of Karnataka be safe under Congress?,” Amit Shah said during his election campaign in Channapatna in Ramanagara district, which is part of Bengaluru Rural Constituency.

Calling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi “shehzada” (prince), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack at the party, saying staying out of power has made it desperate.

At a rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi had said that if the BJP wins the election through "match-fixing" and changes the Constitution, then the country would be "set ablaze" and it would not survive.

Addressing a rally in Uttarakhand's Rudrapur on Monday, PM Modi said staying out of power has made the Congress desperate and asked the people to wipe out the party from everywhere.

"Congress' shehzada has threatened, there will be fire if Modi gets another term in office. Staying out of power has made them so desperate that they are now talking about setting things on fire. Would you let them do it? Wouldn't you punish them?" PM Modi said, accusing Congress of trying to push the country towards "instability and anarchy". READ HERE

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be filing his nomination papers for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala on Wednesday followed by a grand roadshow in Kalpetta town, launching party's election campaign in the region.

While voting for Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha election 2024 will take place on April 19, polling for Phases 2 to 7 will take place on: April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

A total of 102 constituencies from 21 states/UTs will vote in Phase 1, while 89 constituencies from 14 states/UTs will vote in the second phase. The third phase includes 94 constituencies from 12 states/UTs, 96 constituencies from 10 states/UTs will vote in the fourth phase, 49 constituencies from eight states/UTs in fifth, 57 constituencies from seven state/UTs in the sixth and 57 constituencies from eight states/UTs will vote in the last phase on June 1.

Click Here To Know Voting Day For Your Constituency

Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila has been fielded against her cousin and sitting YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy in Kadapa Lok Sabha segment while former Union Ministers MM Pallam Raju and JD Seelam have been fielded from Kakinada and Bapatla constituencies respectively in the May 13 polls.

As per a list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections released by Congress, including five from the state, Gidugu Rudra Raju will be contesting from Rajahmundry. PG Rampullaiah Yadav will be the party's candidate from Kurnool, according to the list.

Announcing that she is fighting the Lok Sabha elections from Kadapa, Sharmila said this was not an easy decision as she was aware it would lead to a split in her family.

The Delhi high court will hear today Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor's petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case.

The plea is listed for hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 and is currently in judicial custody till April 15.

CPI candidate from Wayanad for Lok Sabha elections, Annie Raja, will file her nomination today against Congress' sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi.

Centre has provided security cover to former Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, ex-TMC MP Arjun Singh, BJP district General Secretary Abhijit Barman, and executive member Cooch Behar district Tapas Das.

The four leaders have been provided Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in different categories in West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Abhijit Gangopadhyay and Singh Arjun joined the BJP last month.

Gangopadhyay has been granted security under the 'Y' category, while Arjun Singh has been given security under the 'Z' category, according to an ANI report. However, both Abhijit Barman and Das have been given security under the 'X' category, ANI cited sources.

Congress leader and party candidate from Jorhat seat Gaurav Gogoi reacted to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue and said, "Lord Ram is of everyone, Lord Ram doesn't belong to a particular party. Seeking votes in the name of Lord Ram is a disgusting act."

Raju Bista, BJP candidate from Darjeeling constituency, was seen offering prayers on Wednesday at Mahakal Temple there before filing his nomination.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that opposition leaders are coming to the BJP fold as the leadership of their parties is changing "colours like a chameleon" and has no regard for core ideology.

Maurya said the BJP never compromises with its ideology and those joining the party know this. They too have to strictly adhere to "our ideology", Maurya said in an interview with news agency PTI.

The BJP leader also dismissed as "far from the truth" the allegations of opposition parties that the Narendra Modi government is misusing central probe agencies to intimidate and poach their leaders and that those facing corruption charges come out clean from the "BJP's washing machine" after they join the party.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai was seen doing 'Valli Kummi' dance with locals yesterday during campaigning for Lok Sabha election in Coimbatore's Vellakinar area.

An FIR has been registered against a local Samajwadi Party leader in UP's Kannauj for violating the model code of conduct for elections by making objectionable comments against incumbent BJP MP Subrat Pathak, police said on Wednesday.

Manoj Dixit, a local SP leader, allegedly made the comment in the presence of party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday against the BJP MP who is seeking reelection from the Kannauj seat, a PTI report said.

According to the police, the FIR was registered based on a complaint by a video surveillance team of the Election Commission.

Preparations were underway for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's roadshow in Kerala's Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi will be holding a roadshow after filing his nomination papers for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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

CPI candidate from Kerala's Wayanad, Annie Raja, filed her nomination for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Wednesday. Annie Raja is pitted against Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad.

BJP has fielded its state unit chief K Surendran from Wayanad.

BJP leader and former deputy CM of Bihar Sushil Modi on Wednesday announced that he has been battling cancer for the last six months.

The Rajya Sabha MP said on X: "I have been battling cancer for the last 6 months. Now I feel that the time has come to tell people. I will not be able to do anything in the Lok Sabha elections. I have told everything to the PM. Always grateful and always dedicated to the country, Bihar and the party."

Addressing a rally in Kerala's Wayanad on Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said every single person in the constituency gave him love, affection, respect and treated him as their own.

Rahul Gandhi's sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also accompanied him to Wayanad on Wednesday.

Addressing a rally in his constituency Wayanad on Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said there are multiple issues that have been put forward by him to the CM, but they haven't moved forward. He added that a Congress government in Delhi and Kerala will help resolve such issues.

"There is an issue of man-animal conflict, medical college issue. I stand with the people of Wayanad in this fight. We have tried to pressurise the government on the medical college, I have written letters to the CM. But unfortunately, they have not moved forward. I am absolutely convinced that if we have a government in Delhi and when we get a government in Kerala, both of which we will do, we will resolve these issues," Rahul Gandhi said.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party has approached the Madras High Court questioning the design of the third generation M3 Electronic Voting Machines ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

The plea by DMK says that the present model, in which the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is placed between the Balloting Unit and the Control Unit, could pave the way for discrepancies and corrupt practices in the election, a LiveLaw report said.

The plea also alleged that fixing the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) in the VVPAT is in clear violation of the Conduct of Election Rules.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filed nomination from Kerala's Wayanad for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. He is the sitting MP of Wayanad.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday launched party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' initiative in Delhi, saying their aim is to take 'Panch Nyay Pachees Guarantees' to people.

PM Modi talks about his 'guarantee' but it never reaches people, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, adding that Congress wants to tell the country that whatever they promise, they fulfil.

National Conference president and sitting MP from Srinagar Farooq Abdullah will not be contesting Lok Sabha elections 2024 due to health reasons, his son Omar Abdullah announced on Wednesday.

Unmesh Patil, the BJP MP from Jalgaon in north Maharashtra who did not get a ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, joined the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday.

Patil joined the Sena (UBT) at 'Matoshree', the residence of party head and former state chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Mumbai, along with his followers.

The party, however, fielded Karan Pawar from the Jalgaon Lok Sabha seat as it announced his name along with those of the candidates for three other constituencies, PTI reported. With this, the party, which is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has fielded candidates for 21 parliamentary constituencies so far.

Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah addressed a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar on Wednesday where he said "Kashmir belongs to us".

"Kashmir belongs to us. When you made PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister for the 2nd time, he removed Article 370 and made Kashmir an integral part of India. PM Narendra Modi did the job of ending terrorism in Kashmir... He has made the nation secure and prosperous...," Amit Shah said.

Tripura CM and BJP leader Manik Saha, accompanied West Bengal BJP President & party's candidate from Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency Sukanta Majumdar, in a roadshow on Wednesday.

"What I am feeling is that the result that we are to get on June 4, we can witness that today. Our candidate who is a sitting MP will win again," Tripura CM Manik Saha said.

BJP's Balurghat candidate, Sukanta Majumdar, said, "The people gathering in itself is saying that they are ready to bless PM Modi again."

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction - Shiv Sena (UBT) - on Wednesday declared four more candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, fielding Vaishali Darekar-Rane from the high-profile Kalyan constituency, currently represented by state Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son Shrikant Shinde.

With this, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has so far declared nominees for 21 seats in Maharashtra, which will vote in five phases starting April 19. READ MORE

Boxer Vijender Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Vijender Singh joined the Congress in 2019 and unsuccessfully contested from the South Delhi constituency where BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri defeated him and AAP's Raghav Chadha to retain his constituency.

In a big jolt to the opposition bloc 'INDIA', Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti said it will contest Lok Sabha elections alone.

The Congress’ Maharashtra unit on Wednesday filed complaint with Chief Electoral Officer against BJP and its Nagpur candidate Nitin Gadkari for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct.

In a letter, Congress said: "Despite clear directives from the Election Commission regarding the prohibition of involving children in election-relate activities, BJP and Nitin Gadkari have been using school children for the purpose of their personal campaign."

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, BJP candidate from Saran, Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Wednesday said he does service of people not politics.

He said "PM Modi, party and people have faith in me. I don't do politics, I do service to the people. The way there is a guarantee of 400 seats, there is a guarantee of Rajiv Pratap Rudy in Chapra. People have already decided."

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday targeted Congress saying the party “has a habit of running away out of fear of losing”.

During a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna, she said: "I am from the region where a dynasty ruled for five decades, where having Tilak on the forehead and taking the name of Lord Ram was a kind of political curse. I am from the region 'Jahan Hath Ke Sath Cycle Bhi Chalti Thi, Hath Ko Saaf Kiya Gaya Cycle Puncture Kar Di Gyi'... Congress has a habit of running away out of fear of losing, ask this to the people of Amethi..."

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said the upcoming Lok Sabha election is a “protest to save the soul of our nation”.

Tharoor, who is the party’s candidate from Thiruvananthapuram said: "I submitted my nomination to the collector. It's my fourth time...Now what we are seeing is the present government taking decisions which are fascist, unconstitutional and against the system of democracy. So they shouldn't be given another chance to repeat such things. So we should understand that this election is a protest to save the soul of our nation...Major opposition leaders are being jailed. Yesterday, one of the leaders was released after being jailed for over six months. Kejriwal is in jail. He is a national convenor of a national party. This shows they are in a position of fear. BJP has realised that they will face defeats at the national level so they are indulged in these actions..."

In a unique sight, president of Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, Hanuman Beniwal on Wednesday was seen campaigning while riding on a bullock cart in a village under the Nagaur Lok Sabha area in Rajasthan.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold four road shows and one public meeting during his two day visit to Tamil Nadu.

Shah will start his Tamil Nadu visit from tomorrow (Thursday).

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Punjab Minister and AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said his party’s supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest has inspired thousands in the country and they are supporting the party.

He said: “The BJP has jailed our (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in a fake case because they are afraid of him, the AAP and its agenda. They can arrest one Arvind Kejriwal, but he has inspired thousands in the country. He has an ideology that has inspired lakhs of people, and they are supporting the AAP."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his electoral campaign in West Bengal from tomorrow (Thursday), BJP has said.

BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhya: "PM Modi is beginning his electoral campaign in (West) Bengal from tomorrow. He is coming to Cooch Behar and will be holding a massive rally at Rash Mela ground. He will campaign for our two candidates, Nisith Pramanik from Cooch Behar and Manoj Tigga from Alipurduar."

Ahead of his electoral campaigning in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held virtual interaction with BJP workers from the state.

“We have to reach every voter's house and encourage them to vote fearlessly,”he said in his virtual address to BJP workers.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday invoked a viral meme tone to take a dig at the Opposition-bloc “INDIA”, saying “desh ki janta moye moye kar degi” (the people will make the Opposition come cropper in the elections).

Congress leader Jignesh Mevani on Wednesday said “anyone who challenges BJP are being jailed”.

He said: "Whether it is Arvind Kejriwal or Hemant Soren or any other opposition leader, anyone who challenges the ruling party are being jailed. However, the people of Gujarat and the country will give a befitting reply to this in these (Lok Sabha) elections."

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said he had been preparing his party for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, however since the Parliamentary elections came he decided to take advantage of it.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Azad, who himself is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Anantnag–Rajouri constituency said, “I have been preparing my party for the Assembly elections. But in the meantime, so many developments have taken place. So, I thought 'first come, first serve'. Parliamentary elections are coming, so let's take advantage of it."

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday held a meeting with State Chief Secretaries, DGPs, MHA, MoD and Heads of CAPFs on Wednesday to review the law and order situation, prevention of illicit activities, seizures and vigil across inter-state and international borders.

BJP leader Om Birla on Wednesday filed nomination from Rajasthan's Kota Lok Sabha constituency.

Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced party candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls.

Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said the INDIA alliance will decide on Prime Minister candidate after winning the elections.

"In 2004, (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee contested election on 'India Shining' campaign, that time we didn't declare who will be the PM face; we have never done that. The idea today is to have two options in front of the people - INDIA or NDA. On who will be the PM candidate, the INDIA alliance will decide on it after winning the elections."

BJP MP and party's candidate from North East Delhi seat Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday said he is hopeful that Delhi will have the double engine government.

He said: "From the last 25 years, not just BJP, but Delhi has lost. Now, Delhi will win. I am hopeful Delhi will have the double engine government. Modi will become PM in 2024 and Delhi will give a chance to BJP in 2025 (Delhi Assembly polls).”

Congress Leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will decide the future of the nation, while expressing confidence that the people of the country will vote for Congress and INDIA alliance.

During a public gathering in support of party candidate Harish Chandra Meena, who is contesting from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha seat in Tonk district, Pilot said: "The public has made up their mind that Congress and INDIA Alliance will get the majority everywhere. This election is decisive. This Lok Sabha poll will decide the future of the nation...There is no wave, BJP is concerned as if they had confidence about '400 paar', then they would not have broken opposition leaders..."

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said BJP will ensure that Congress doesn’t open its account in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan.

Shekhawat made these comments while accompanying BJP candidate PP Chaudhary to file his nomination from Pali seat in Rajasthan.

Shekhawat said:"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won the trust of people through his work...We are on the battleground to make sure that in Rajasthan this time, Congress does get to open its account...”

TDP leader Ganti Harish Madhur on Wednesday said the people of Andhra Pradesh are expressing one sentiment - that they are rather vexed with the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government.

He said: “If you were to ask me, the people of Andhra Pradesh are expressing one sentiment - that they are rather vexed with the YSRCP government. You know why? Because when he (YS Jagan Mohan Reddy) conducted his padyatra in 2019 before assuming the role of Chief Minister, he made promises regarding development and pledged to take care of the people. He also assured every caste that he would stand by them. However, he seems to have neglected all those commitments," says TDP leader Ganti Harish Madhur.”

RJD chief Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday defended his switchover to NDA.

During his address in Hindi, he said: “, "...'Mai palta nahi hoon. Isse palatna nahi kehte, isse patkani maarna kehte hai'..."

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Wednesday said those who cherish the Constitution should refrain from voting for the BJP.

He said: “They (BJP) talk about winning more than 400 seats, which implies that they aim to amend the Constitution. Those who cherish the Constitution and democracy should refrain from voting for the BJP.”