Elections 2024: SC To Give Verdict On Petitions Seeking Use Of 100% VVPAT-EVM Verification Tomorrow

The second phase of poll campaigning concluded on Wednesday, with leaders from the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc making final efforts to attract voters. Voting for this phase is set for April 26. 

Thirteen states and union territories will be going to the polls on Friday, including 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh and one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Tripura.

The first phase of Lok Sabha polls covered 102 seats across 21 states, achieving a voter turnout of about 62% according to the Election Commission.

Congress seems to have been pushed on the backfoot with its senior leader Sam Pitroda suggesting a "US-like inheritance tax" in India. Pitroda came under fire from the BJP even as the Congress distanced itself from his remarks. 

Reacting to Pitroda's remark PM Modi said: "The wealth you accumulate with your hard work won't pass down to your children. The Congress's hand will snatch it. The Congress's mantra is 'loot during your lifetime, loot after your death."

In an interview with ANI, Pitroda defended Congress's poll promise, saying the policy of redistribution of wealth was in the interest of the people and not in the interest of the super-rich only.

The Congress distanced itself from the senior leader's remarks and said they do not reflect the party's position. Congress's Jairam Ramesh said in a social media message that "sensationalising" Pitroda's comments is aimed at "diverting attention" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "malicious and mischievous election campaign".

Pitroda also said that he made the remarks as in individual. He said it was unfortunate that the comments were twisted "to divert attention from what lies PM is spreading about Congress manifesto".

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

While voting for Phase 1 took 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.

• Phase 1/April 19 - 21 states/UTs - 102 constituencies

• Phase 2/April 26 - 13 states/UTs - 89 constituencies

• Phase 3/May 7 - 12 states/UTs - 12 constituencies

• Phase 4/May 13 - 10 states/UTs - 96 constituencies

• Phase 5/May 20 - 8 states/UTs - 49 constituencies

• Phase 6/May 25 - 7 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

• Phase 7/June 1 -  8 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

Know Voting Day In Your Constituency

Saurabh Kumar, a youth leader from Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JDU), was shot dead late Tuesday night while returning from a wedding function in Patna.

Another person accompanying him, Munmum Kumar, was injured in the firing in Parsa Bazar village, as reported by NDTV.

Saurabh was shot twice in his head by unidentified four men on bikes while his companion Munmun Kumar was hit thrice. They were rushed to a hospital where Saurabh was declared brought dead by the doctors while Munmun was admitted in a serious condition.

The Patna Police reached the spot later at night and have launched an investigation into the shooting.

Jammu and Kashmir police and paramilitary personnel held a flag march in various parts of Reasi on Wednesday evening, ahead of the second phase of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. 

The flag march was organised with the purpose of giving the locals confidence about their safety. 

Elections are scheduled for April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20 in the constituencies of Jammu, Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar, and Baramulla, respectively.

All Indian citizens of 18 years and above can register themselves to vote in the general elections. To register, one must download Form 6 from the National Voters' Service Portal or receive one from your local Booth Level Officer.  

Fill in details such as your Aadhar details, address, educational qualification and other details. Attach all proof needed and submit the form.  

All Voting FAQs Answered Here

Preparations are underway at the Samajwadi Party office as party chief Akhilesh Yadav gears up for his nomination filing.

Akhilesh Yadav is set to file his nomination papers from the Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency. The announcement came shortly after Tej Pratap Yadav was announced as the Samajwadi Party's Kannauj candidate.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Subrat Pathak as its candidate against the SP chief.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), saying it lacks a clear mission for the country.

In an interview with news agency ANI, Poonawalla stated: "INDIA alliance has no mission for the country. They have come up with their own corruption, dynastic profession, ambition, and confusion. There is such a fight between confusion and ambition that we saw what happened in Ranchi... They want to auction PM Modi's post... They should announce their candidate for the Prime Ministerial post."

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Tejashwi Yadav, alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda is carrying bags (money) with him for voters and is receiving assistance from agencies.

"I have received news that he (BJP chief JP Nadda) has brought several bags with him. He is distributing them at places where elections are taking place. Get this checked, the allegations are true. I am not lying. Agencies are helping him openly. He is coming from Delhi and bringing five bags with him," Tejashwi Yadav said.

BJP leader Shishir Bajoria has filed a formal complaint against Abhishek Banerjee, General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The complaint alleges that Banerjee made derogatory and misogynistic remarks targeting Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, MLA and BJP candidate from the 8 Maldaha Dakshin constituency.

Noida, Schools and colleges in Gautam Buddh Nagar will stay closed on account of Lok Sabha election in the constituency on Friday but will remain open on Saturday, officials said. 

Factories and industries have also been directed to give paid holiday to workers on Friday to enable them to cast their votes, the officials said. 

Gautam Buddh Nagar, comprising the twin cities of Noida and Greater Noida, goes to polls on April 26 with 26.75 lakh registered voters. 

-PTI

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has announced that the party is launching a new campaign song today, which will be used for the upcoming Parliamentary elections. 

Speaking near a metro station, Bharadwaj said, "The people of Delhi are upset about their favourite CM being put behind bars and want to give a befitting reply to the central government. AAP and Delhiites have decided to respond with the power of vote."

"Today, we are standing near the metro station along with Somnath Bharti who is the candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat with a hoarding that reads 'Jail ka jawab vote se.'”

The answer is YES. Eligible voters can vote without the slips if their name is mentioned on the electoral roll.

Voters can check whether their name is mentioned on the electoral roll on the official website of the Election Commission of India -electoralsearch.eci.gov.in.

Voters would be required to select their state and then enter their EPIC Number provided on the voter card to check the voter list.

Voters can also enter their details or mobile number to check if they are mentioned on the electoral roll.

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will hold roadshows in Delhi ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. This move comes as AAP's campaigning has been impacted by Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in a money laundering case in March. 

Sunita is slowly emerging out of the shadows to assume a bigger role to give a fillip to AAP’s campaigning.

AAP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with Congress in Delhi, with candidates fielded in four seats, while Congress is contesting in three seats.

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh expressed concerns about the safety of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in judicial custody.

"Do you know that there have been several murders that have happened in Tihar Jail? When I say that Arvind Kejriwal's life is in danger, a conspiracy is being hatched against Arvind Kejriwal, and they are playing with the life of Arvind Kejriwal, no one believes it. Who will be answerable if such an incident happens with Arvind Kejriwal in jail?... They (opposition) are vicious and dangerous people..." Singh said.

Kejriwal has been in judicial custody since March and his custody has been extended till May 7.

Amid political row over idea over redistribution of wealth by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court initiated proceedings on Tuesday to interpret Article 39(b) of the Constitution. 

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud remarked, "We don't have to go as far as the Marxist socialist interpretation by Justice Krishna Iyer [of Article 39(b) in the Ranganatha Reddy case of 1977]. But community resources will surely include resources which the present generation holds in trust based on inter-generational equity."

CJI Chandrachud clarified, "We cannot say Article 39(b) has no application to privately held properties like water, forests, and mines. But it should not be taken to the level of taking someone's personal property for distribution."

Prime Minister Modi is addressing ‘Vijay Sankalp Rally’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena. From there, he will proceed to Uttar Pradesh to address public meetings in Agra at 1:15 p.m., Bareilly’s Alampur Jafrabad at 3.30 p.m., and Shahjahanpur at around 5:15 p.m.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Vijay Sankalp Rally in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, lashed out at the Congress, saying,"Madhya Pradesh had become one of the 'Bimaru Rajya' during Congress' rule.”

“After filling the potholes of Congress, the BJP has given a new identity to Chambal and Madhya Pradesh. The people of Bhind, Morena and Gwalior, who have seen the dark period of the Congress, are experiencing the development that has taken place under the BJP government more."

The Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh will be conducted in four phases on April 19, 26, May 7, and 13.

“These (Congress) people are again using religious appeasement as a pawn,” said PM Modi while addressing the Vijay Sankalp Rally in Morena, Madhya Pradesh.

“There is a Congress government in Karnataka...They have declared all the people of the Muslim community in Karnataka as OBC. Congress added so many new people into the OBC community that earlier OBCs used to get reservations in education and government jobs but now the reservation they used to get was secretly snatched away from them," the PM added.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's remark on the caste census, PM Modi said, 'Congress will x-ray your lockers and loot them'.

“Congress wants to confiscate people's jewellery and small savings by conducting X-ray of their properties and valuables,” Modi said.

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said it is his life’s mission to ensure justice for the oppressed sections of the society.

“I am not interested in caste but in nyay (justice). I am saying that gross injustice is being done with 90 per cent of the population. I have not even said that we will take any action on that. I just said let us find out how much injustice is being done. There should be no objection to that. If you get injured and I say that get an X-ray done, no one should object to that,” he said.

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav files his nomination from Kannauj. The party took to X on Wednesday to confirm Akhilesh's move amid suspense over the seat the SP chief was going to contest in the Lok Sabha polls. 

The confirmation came just days after the Samajwadi Party declared Tej Pratap Yadav, nephew of Akhilesh Yadav, as its candidate from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday sought reply from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on complaint by Congress and other opposition parties about Prime Minister Modi's speech of April 21 in Rajasthan's Banswara.

PM Modi on Sunday triggered a debate after making a statement at the rally in Rajasthan, which sparked reactions by a section of people and the Congress party.

Addressing the rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, PM Modi said the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children", naming the Muslim community. READ FULL REPORT

"Because of PM Modi's policies in the last 10 years, unemployment and inflation increased. Economic disparity reached new high which was not seen in last 100 years,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said while addressing a press conference.

“We've been stressing on Nari Nyay, Yuva Nyay, Kisan Nyaya, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay. We gave 25 guarantees according to that. We have a positive agenda. PM has now stopped saying '400 paar' and 'Modi ki Guarantee'. He has panicked and is using the language of polarisation,” the congress leader added.

YouTuber Manish Kashyap on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi. "Today I have joined the BJP. I will be working under the leadership of PM Modi. My mother had asked me to join the BJP. I come from an ordinary family living in a Kachcha House. BJP has given me respect and that's why I got emotional," Kashyap said.

Manish Kashyap had been slapped with charges under the National Security Act (NSA) over the alleged circulation of fake videos showing attacks on Bihari migrant workers in Tamil Nadu.

YSRCP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday filed his nomination for Pulivendula Assembly seat. Jagan Mohan Reddy was accompanied by the party candidate for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat YS Avinash Reddy and others.

"Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy filed his nomination papers in Pulivendula, officially submitted his candidacy to the Pulivendula Returning Officer," said a press release.

Addressing an election rally in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, PM Modi raked up the "inheritance tax" issue again to slam the Congress. The issue has been going on since Wednesday after Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda's suggestion of a "US-like inheritance tax" for India went viral amid row over PM Modi's "wealth distribution" charge on Congress.

Top Quotes From PM's Morena Rally

• "If Congress comes to power, it will snatch more than half of your earnings through inheritance tax"

• "If Congress comes to power, it will snatch more than half of your earnings through inheritance tax"

• "Congress put many Muslims illegally in the OBC list in Karnataka"

• "Modi is standing as a wall between you and Congress' plans to loot you"

• "Congress wants to confiscate people's jewellery and small savings by conducting X-ray of their properties and valuables"

• Congress wants to impose inheritance tax on people's properties left by their ancestors"

YouTuber Manish Kashyap met BJP national president JP Nadda after joining the party today.

Manish Kashyap had been slapped with charges under the National Security Act (NSA) over the alleged circulation of fake videos showing attacks on Bihari migrant workers in Tamil Nadu.

Focusing on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, the Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday launched its Lok Sabha campaign song titled 'jail ke jawab mein hum vote denge'.

The song penned and sung by AAP MLA Dilip Pandey was launched here by party leaders at an event at the AAP headquarters. The party's Lok Sabha campaign is titled 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se'.

"Our campaign songs always reflect the mood of the common people. This song reflects the sentiment of the people. The lyrics of the song depicts the reality of what is happening in today's times," Pandey said.

-PTI

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday administered oath to three newly-elected members of the BJP. The new members, who took oath are Devendra Pratap Singh from Chhattisgarh, Tejveer Singh from Uttar Pradesh and Mahendra Bhatt from Uttarakhand.

"Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar administered oath to the elected Members of Rajya Sabha in Parliament House today," the chairman's office said while sharing pictures of the oath taking.

On the eve of polling day in Kerala, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan urged the Election Commission to take action against Delhi's Lt Governor for allegedly visiting heads of churches in the southern state to "lure" them to take a stand in favour of BJP in the Lok Sabha elections on April 26.

Senior Congress leader Satheesan, in a letter to the Commission, alleged "blatant violation of the model code of conduct" by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena through his meeting of church heads in Kerala.

(Via PTI)

Amid controversy over Congress's manifesto,Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a meeting to explain the party's "Nyay Patra" 

“You are being misinformed by your advisors about things not even written in Congress manifesto,” Kharge to PM

“It has become your habit to seize on a few words taken out of context, create communal divide.” Congress chief Kharge in letter to PM

“The trust People have placed in me three times in a row, they are prepared to place in me once more,” Congress MP and candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor told news agency ANI.

On the controversy over Congress's manifesto, Tharoor said: “It's (inheritance tax) not even an expression that figures in the manifesto. The Congress stands by its manifesto. Do you find inheritance tax anywhere in the manifesto? Do you find redistribution anywhere in the manifesto Do you find anyone saying that we're going to confiscate your mangal sutra in the manifesto? The BJP is so desperate now, that they are scenting failure.”

He added, “After the first round when all the indications coming out of the voting booths were that people had turned against the BJP governments in a big way, even in the Hindi-speaking states. We're getting the indication that the BJP is in for a very rude shock. And it's because of their despair, their fear that they are now speaking such extreme language."

In a public rally held in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, I went on an election tour to many states and got the opportunity to address public meetings and only one voice is coming from every corner of India that is Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar..."

Addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said, "This election is an election to completely free the country from the mentality of 1000 years of slavery. This election is an election that will give new heights to India's self-respect..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aonla on Thursday said, 'The INDI alliance of Samajwadi Party and Congress can go to any extent for appeasement. The dangerous claw of the Congress is going to snatch away the rights of the people. Congress intends at snatching away the reservation of OBCs and give it to the vote bank of their choice."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on his candidature from Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj seat on Thursday said, "Decision regarding the Kannauj seat has been taken after listening to the wishes of people and party workers here. After declaring Tej Pratap's name as a candidate, I was told by many to contest in these (Lok Sabha) polls and give him a chance if by-election happens."

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi LG V K Saxena, alleging Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail was put under round-the-clock CCTV camera surveillance, Aam Aadmi Party has said.

On Election Commission's notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Udit Raj on Thursday said, "The Election Commission does not ask questions from the BJP, it asks answers only from the Congress. This is the first time that notice has been given to both leaders but in the end, no action would be taken against the BJP. The Election Commission only does something or the other against the Opposition..."

In his reaction about Congress leaders to contest from Amethi and Raebareli, Samajwadi Party chief and candidate from Kannauj Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said, "I cannot say anything about any political party but there will be pressure on several parties now. If there are elections, we should all contest. Since we are in an alliance, if I had to advise him (Rahul Gandhi) I can sit and discuss it with him..."

Kalpana Soren, wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, will be the JMM candidate for Gandey Assembly by-poll.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while addressing a public gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur said, “Shahjahanpur and this entire region is a witness to development done by the BJP. Before CM Yogi Adityanath came to power, this place was a victim of the ‘Samajwadi Sab Kuch Thapp’ scheme. Road infrastructure, availability of electricity, good health facilities and law and order situation was in a precarious situation.”

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday during a rally in Odisha's Sonepur said, "In the last 10 years, PM Modi resolved issues persistent for several years. Congress and its alliance partners kept delaying the issue of Ram Janambhoomi. People made Narendra Modi PM the second time, he resolved this matter and Ayodhya's Ram Temple was built in just five years."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday during rally in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur targeted both Congress and Samajwadi Party saying, "Congress and SP want to take away rights of SC, ST, OBC. He added both the parties want to give reservation on basis of religion.

He said, "Congress plans to implement Karnataka model of reservation across country."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday during a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur took jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav saying, "Politics of appeasement biggest reason for "do (two) shezade" to come together".

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said, "The kind of language used in Tonk, the people across the country are agitated and worried. The way he (PM Modi) is trying to provoke people by saying things about 'Mangalsutra' and alleging that we will take away gold and all, these things have no link to our manifesto and it's surprising to see PM Modi using such languages. He is in a misconception that people accept whatever he says be it right or wrong but he doesn't know that people now understand all these things... I don't want to say anything as he (PM Modi) will manipulate my words which will harm my party. I am more worried about what will happen in the country than losing the elections. Will democracy continue to be in the country? It's very unfortunate, that the PM is using such language."

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday said, "... The government here has not only kept Odisha deprived of development and did extreme corruption with the help of officials, but also kept the people of Odisha away from Odisha's language and culture. In the last 20 years, after PM Modi became the prime minister, all states with double-engine governments, are touching new heights in development. But Odisha, which has the most minerals and water, still prosperity did not reach here..."

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday released the party manifesto named 'Vachan nama' for the Lok Sabha elections, in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said, "BJP wants brute parliamentary majority to change the Constitution".

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai on party's election campaign song launch on Thursday said, "The people of Delhi have made Arvind Kejriwal their CM... In today's program, we wanted to send a message that his seat may be vacant and he can be in jail, but his soul is here with us... I believe we will unite people with our theme song... The people of Delhi are fighting Arvind Kejriwal's battle. This election is no more an election but a movement now..."

Madhya Pradesh Congress in-charge Deepak Babaria on Thursday said, "There's no resentment in the party over seats. There were a few candidates who had resentment but now they have also understood the party's interest over their own interest."

His remarks came after party leader Rajkumar Chauhan's resigned from the Congrees.

Central Election Committee on Thursday approved the candidature of Varsha Eknath Gaikwad as Congress candidate to contest the Lok Sabha elections from 29-Mumbai North Central Parliamentary constituency of Maharashtra.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD) on Thursday said Delhi mayoral polls have been postponed due to non-appointment of presiding officer. The polls had been earlier scheduled for April 26.

BJP candidate from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Bansuri Swaraj on Thursday said, "People are showering blessings. This 'Jan Sampark Yatra' is so that you can see that the popularity of PM Modi and his welfare schemes is visible among the people..."

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said, "For the complete majority in Odisha, Union HM Amit Shah sought the blessings of the people and said that if once the BJP forms a government with full majority in Odisha, then unprecedented development stream will reach Odisha, it will become the Odisha of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's imagination, it will become the Odisha of development. This time Odisha will participate prominently in the slogan of '400 paar'..."

Supreme Court is set to pass its order on petitions seeking 100 per cent verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) votes with their Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips on Thursday (April 26).

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Thursday released its manifesto hours before as many as 89 seats spread across 13 states and Union Territories (UTs) go to polls in Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress on Thursday released a list of 40-star campaigners for Uttar Pradesh.

The list includes the party's leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra among the campaigners.

BJP candidate from Jamnagar Lok Sabha constituency Poonamben Maadam on Thursday said,"... The workers are very excited. Dwarka is a city which reflects the result of the whole country. Because there are not just locals here, people from all over India come here for Jagat Mandir's darshan.