The voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections is expected to reach 65.5 per cent.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's Mukesh Dalal got elected unopposed from Surat Lok Sabha seat of Gujarat after all other candidates withdrew from the fray, party's state unit chief CR Paatil said. In other news, on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Aligarh and targeted Congress saying the party wants to ‘steal the public wealth’. Meanwhile, Congress' Rahul Gandhi is expected to hold a rally in Kerala's Alapuzha.
The voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections is expected to reach 65.5 per cent.
The voting took place in 102 electoral districts over 21 states and Union territories during the first phase of the seven-phase election on April 19.
The first phase saw the highest number of electoral districts going to polls.
The Election Commission (EC) characterized the turnout as 'high' and observed that the voting process remained 'largely peaceful'. Parts of West Bengal and Manipur observed violence which has led to repolling in 11 booths of Manipur to take place on April 22.
Over 16.63 crore individuals, comprising 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women, and 11,371 third-gender voters, were eligible to cast their votes in this phase. There were about 35.67 lakh first-time voters, along with 3.51 crore voters aged between 20 and 29 years.
The Manipur chief electoral officer announced on Saturday that repolling will take place at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on April 22.
The Election Commission declared the polls conducted at these stations on April 19 as null and void and scheduled fresh polling.
The affected polling stations include Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in the Khurai constituency, four in Kshetrigao, and one in Thongju in the Imphal East district, as well as three in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in the Imphal West district, as stated by the official.
Reports of gunfire, intimidation, vandalism of EVMs, and accusations of booth capturing emerged from several parts of war-torn Manipur.
The state saw a voter turnout of 72 per cent in the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituencies on April 19.
The Congress on Saturday demanded repoll in 47 polling stations alleging that booths were captured and elections were rigged.
Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra said the party had lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer demanding repoll in 36 polling stations in Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in Outer Manipur constituency.
The Election Commission of India has divided the Lok Sabha elections 2024 into seven phases. The first phase of voting took place on April 19 and the next phases are scheduled for - pril 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Election Commission of India chalked out seven-phase polls to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues to carry out extensive campaigning using the nation's resources.
She alleged, "On earlier occasions, elections used to be over by May but this year, it has been extended till June 1 to enable Modi to visit various places on military planes, while we are made to arrange for our own transport, including helicopters, which are also being booked by BJP leaders so that we get little space."
"People are greatly inconvenienced by the scorching heat but Modi is unperturbed as they (BJP leaders) are campaigning in VVIP comfort with all facilities at hand," Banerjee added.
Voters have started casting their ballots at a polling place in Moirangkampu Sajeb of Imphal East.
Security has been increased as voters queued up in Khurai Assembly Constituency of Imphal East ahead of today's re-polling.
An FIR was registered against the BJP's Hyderabad candidate K Madhavi Latha following a complaint that she hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community by gesturing to shoot an arrow towards a place of worship, police said on Sunday.
A purported video of the incident was widely circulated on social media last week.
The complaint alleged that Madhavi Latha made a gesture of drawing an arrow and shooting it at the place of worship during a Ram Navami procession on April 17, hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community, the police said.
The case was registered on April 20 under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code, they said.
After the clip went viral, Madhavi Latha said in a post on X that it had come to her notice that an incomplete video of her was being circulated to create negativity.
"I would like to clarify that it's an incomplete video and even because of such video if any one's sentiments are hurt then I would like to apologise as I respect all individuals," she had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took another hit at the Congress Party and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Speaking during a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday, PM Modi stated that if voted into power, the Congress government will distribute the nation's wealth amongst "infiltrators".
Addressing a rally in Banswara, the prime minister asked if the nation's "hard-earned money should go to infiltrators"
"When Congress were in power, they had said Muslims have the first right to the wealth of the nation. This means they will distribute this wealth to those who have more children, to infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators? Do you agree to this?" asked PM Modi.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday traversed Visakhapatnam as part of his 'Memanta Siddham (We Are All Ready)' election campaign bus tour.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief started the 20th and penultimate day of his bus tour from the Pinagadi junction and passed through the port city in north Andhra.
His convoy passed through Lakshmipuram, Vepagunta junction, Gopalapatnam, NAD junction, Kancharapalem Mettu, Akkayyapalem, Maddilapalem, Hanumantavaka and Venkojipalem before culminating at Yendada, where he will halt for the night.
-PTI
In a mega show of strength at the ‘Ulgulan Nyay Mahrally’ in Ranchi, leaders of about 28 parties condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and attacked the saffron party for allegedly unleashing all central forces like ED and CBI to harass opposition-ruled states.
Kejriwal’s wife Sunita and Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana also addressed the gathering, lashing out at the central government over the arrest of their husbands in alleged corruption cases.
Sunita accused the Centre of denying insulin to her diabetic husband.
"They want to kill my husband Arvind Kejriwal. His food is under camera observation; he is denied insulin. My husband is a sugar patient who has been on insulin for the last 12 years; he needs 50 units of insulin daily," she said at the Ulgulan Nyay Rally.
Yes, qualified voters are able to cast their vote even without the slips provided their name is listed on the electoral roll. Voters have the option to verify the presence of their name on the electoral roll through the official website of the Election Commission of India.
Voters would be required to select their state and then enter their EPIC Number provided on the voter card to check the voter list.
Addressing a rally in Buldhana for Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Narendra Khedekar, Thackeray said the ruling party (BJP) will be taught a lesson by the people for calling his party "nakli" Shiv Sena.
"You call my party 'nakli' (duplicate) Shiv Sena, but this same Sena will show you its real strength. Is my Shiv Sena like your degree that you call nakli? The people will show you your place," he said referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swipe at the Uddhav Thackeray-led party a "nakli" Shiv Sena.
Thackeray alleged the Election Commission "snatched" the name (Shiv Sena) and symbol (bow and arrow) from him and handed it to "traitors", an apparent reference to Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde.
The Voter ID serves as the main identification document for individuals participating in the Lok Sabha Elections to exercise their voting rights. In order to complete the voter ID registration procedure, individuals need to submit a passport-sized photo, as well as copies of documents verifying their identity, address, and date of birth.
The preparations for repolling in Iroisemba Mayai Leikai, Imphal, Manipur are underway and security measures are being enforced to prevent any further violence in the area.
Following the completion of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur has stated that re-polling will take place at 11 polling stations in the inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.
The repolling was declared after reports of violence at certain polling stations came in on April 19 and the Election Commission invalidated the original polls that took place on April 19.
During a Lok Sabha poll rally in Banswara, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that if the Congress were to come to power, it would redistribute people's wealth to Muslims.
He referred to former PM Manmohan Singh's statement about minorities having the primary claim on the country's resources and warned that the Congress might go as far as taking 'mangalsutras' from women and giving them to 'infiltrators'.
PM Modi attacking Congress stated, "They have said that if the Congress government comes into power, it will survey everyone’s property. They will investigate how much gold our sisters have… Our Adivasi families own silver. How much silver they have will be recorded. They will check how much property and money the government employees own. This is not it, they also said that the gold owned by our sisters and their other properties will be equally redistributed."
"Do you agree with this? Does the government have the right to seize your property?… In the lives of our mothers and sisters, gold is not just for show-off. It is associated with their pride. Their Mangalsutra is not just a matter of gold value. It is associated with the dreams of her life. You are talking about taking it away," he added.
Banto Kataria, the BJP candidate from Ambala and the wife of former Union minister Rattan Lal Kataria, is participating in her first Lok Sabha election as she expresses confidence in the party's 'double-engine' government and her husband's legacy, believing that these factors will secure her victory.
"It will be '400 paar' this time. People have made up their mind to bring back (Narendra) Modi ji as the prime minister for the third time," Banto Kataria told PTI, referring to the BJP's target of winning over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.
She told voters in her area that out of the 400-plus seats, one should be from Ambala.
Haryana has seen a lot of progress under the 'double-engine' government and the pace of development projects and the execution of schemes has picked up in the state, the BJP candidate stated.
An election official from Manipur on Monday told PTI, "Voters have been queueing up since early morning to exercise their franchise at all the 11 polling stations, which was affected by riot-like situation on Friday. No disturbance or violence has been reported so far on Monday."
The repolling is underway at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency amid tight security.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has made a strong pitch over quotas for Muslim women, flagging the alarmingly low representation, in Parliament, of females belonging to the minority community.
The Hyderabad MP made the comment during an election rally at Bihar's Kishanganj, the lone Muslim majority Lok Sabha seat in the state, where the AIMIM's provincial unit chief and MLA Akhtarul Iman is in the fray.
"The BJP-RSS falsely accuse the AIMIM of being against women's participation in politics. As early as 2004, we had fielded a female candidate in Secunderabad. Peace be upon her," said Owaisi, referring to late leader Humera Aziz.
"Our point is since Independence, 17 Lok Sabha polls have been held in the country, but the number of Muslim women who became MPs has been just about 20. So why not reservations for Muslim women," he said on Sunday.
BJP Candidate Arun Govil who played the character of Lord Ram on television years back claims, "The respect that I get because I played Lord Ram on screen has increased. Have you seen people touching feet of politicians. They see myself as Ram despite me contesting the election."
He also spoke about Jan Sampark and the public work that he aims to do if he wins the elections, said, "During the Jan Sampark, I don't say anything to people, they also don't either. They have a lot of respect for me. The communication happens through the eyes. People are very excited. We will do the required work. There's a lot of traffic. Inner ring road once completed will ease the traffic. There're no sports stadium and airport."
Repolling is underway at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency amid tight security, officials said on Monday. The decision about fresh polling was taken following a directive from the Election Commission, which declared voting held at these stations on April 19 as null and void.
"Voters have been queueing up since early morning to exercise their franchise at all the 11 polling stations, which was affected by riot-like situation on Friday. No disturbance or violence has been reported so far on Monday," an election official said.
The repolling began at 7 am.
Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai along with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya held a roadshow in Bengaluru today.
K Annamalai said, "I came here to seek votes for our brother Tejasvi Surya, he is a wonderful candidate. In these ten years, PM Modi's government has given good schemes for Bengaluru...I request you all to vote for Tejasvi Surya."
Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot conducts a door-to-door campaign in favour of son and Congress candidate from Jalore-Sirohi Vaibhav Gehlot.
Gehlot told the reporters, "There will be a change. There's a good atmosphere after first phase. BJP leaders have panicked. We want unity in the society. We should ask for votes over development, good governance. Inflation, unemployment, economic disparity, communal harmony are the main issues. Are these not their responsibility as well? They don't discuss them and do religion-based politics."
Speaking on upcoming bypolls in the state, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mentioned, "In Himachal Pradesh, we are fighting this election to save the Constitution and appealing to people to make Congress winner on all 4 seats. We are telling them how they left the seat in just 14 months after being influenced by money."
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari responding to PM Modi’s ‘Congress will give your wealth to infiltrators’ remark, said, “PM Modi is not worthy of the position he holds. He has insulted this position. I challenge you (PM Modi) to show the page and the line where we have written this in our ‘Ghosna Patra’.”
Repolling is currently taking place reportedly peacefully at 11 polling stations in the inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency under tight security.
The Election Commission ordered the fresh polling after declaring the voting conducted at these stations on April 19 'null and void'.
While addressing a public meeting in Fatehpur Sikri, UP CM Yogi Adityanath says, "Agra is also consuming 'Gangajal' and 'Har Ghar Nal' scheme is being implemented. You must have seen 'Surya Tilak' of Ram Lalla on RamNavami. On one side it was Congress, SP and BSP, they were asking us that show us the evidence that Shri Ram was born in Ayodhya. These parties have then said that Ram and Krishn never existed as if Congress, SP and BSP were born before this universe and no one else, they were trying to show this. But their lies failed and a grand temple of Ram Lalla was built ending the wait of 500 years, due to PM Narendra Modi."
-PTI
Reacting to PM Modi's speech on 'congress giving money to 'infiltrators' and 'those who have more children' which was a veiled attack on the grand old party favouring Muslims, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameeque Jamei said, “PM Modi yesterday gave a very cowardly speech. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have asked him questions on caste census, Constitution, reservation, and old pension scheme, but PM Modi never says anything. Now, he knows that the country is going out of his hands.”
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalan also responding to PM Modi's speech said, "He is showing that he is afraid about INDIA bloc. He is expressing his weakness.”
Accusing PM Modi of creating communal polarisation for political gains, Congress leader KC Venugopal said "Modi made statements that were not befitting the post of Prime Minister".
Taking a jibe at Modi, Venugopal said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to "educate him" about the party manifesto.
"All Cong leaders including party candidates will send copies of manifesto to Modi," he added.
Speaking at a rally in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, Amit Shah stated, "Modi ji has brought about a huge change in the last 10 years. Modi ji is such a Prime Minister who has a track record of 10 years and also an agenda for the coming 25 years. 4 generations of Congress ruled the country, but what did Congress do for Chhattisgarh?"
The Election Commission of India has ordered a repoll in eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh due to reported instances of EVM damage and violence during the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on April 19.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu reportedly said, the Commission in an order on Sunday declared the polling in the eight polling stations as void and ordered fresh polling on April 24 from 6 am to 2 pm.
The polling stations where repoll would be held include, Sario in Bameng assembly constituency in East Kameng district, Longte Loth under Nyapin assembly seat in Kurung Kumey, Dingser, Bogiya Siyum, Jimbari and Lengi polling booths under Nacho constituency in Upper Subansiri district.
Repoll will also be held in Bogne and Molom polling booths under Rumgong assembly constituency in Siang district.
According to election officials, the voter turnout of 37.54 per cent was recorded till 11 am in repolling at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.
Biju Janata Dal chief CM Naveen Patnaik announced the seventh candidates list for Odisha Assembly elections
In a post on X, elaborating on the presser held by the EC, their official handle wrote, "In view of forecast of above normal temperatures & heat waves in parts of the country, Commission is holding a meeting with different stakeholders this morning. The meeting is discussing measures to mitigate risk. Officers of India Meteorological Department, NDMA and MoHFW are attending the meeting."
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar addressed a public rally in Karnataka's Channapatna on Monday.
Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) has released their manifesto for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial speech at an election rally in Rajasthan, the Congress has not only accused the PM of "communal polarisation" but also stated that he needs to "educate himself" on the party's manifesto.
Taking a jibe at PM Modi, All India Congress Committee's secretary-in-charge KC Venugopal stated that the statements made by Modi were not "befitting" for the post of Prime Minister.
At Aligarh, PM Modi began his address saying, "In this election, my family members in Aligarh have decided to shut the shop of Congress and Indy alliance forever. I bow my head and salute the people who have come here to give blessings in the public meeting."
He added, "Last time when I came to Aligarh, I had requested all of you to lock the factories of nepotism, corruption and appeasement of SP and Congress. Aapne aisa majboot taala lagaya ki dono sehzado ko aaj tak iski chabi nahi mil rahi..."
Speaking of BJP governemnt's efforts towards the Muslim community, he said, "The lives of many daughters suffering from triple talaq were ruined. Now Modi has protected their lives by making law against triple talaq. Today, not only has India's Haj quota increased but visa rules have also been simplified. The government has also allowed women to go to Haj without a Mahram."
Amidst row over his 'infiltrators' comment in Rajasthan on Sunday, PM Modi reiterates his attack towards Congress saying, "Congress talks of redistributing your property, its eyes are on women's 'mangalsutras'."
Samajwadi Party released a list of two candidates in Uttar Pradesh as they fielded Tej Pratap Yadav from Kannauj, Sanatan Pandey from Ballia.
The Election Commission on Monday declined to provide any comments regarding the statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his campaign speech in Rajasthan.
A poll panel spokesperson told PTI, "We decline comment," when asked about the prime minister's speech on Sunday in Banswara.
Modi on Sunday 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.
Responding to PM Modi's remarks over Congress' property distribution and appeasing Muslims, Congress 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."
Kharge also questioned PM Modi's allegations that Congress' manifesto sounds like Muslim League, he said, "Is giving Rs 1 lakh annually to every woman a program of Muslim League? Giving jobs to the youth, giving them training and giving them Rs 1 lakh for training, is it a program of the Muslim League?... We have given 25 guarantees for everyone. It is for the poor, it is for women, it is for the youth, it is for the Dalits, we have given it for everyone."
BJP's Mukesh Dalal is set to be elected unopposed from Surat after all other candidates withdraw, according to the party's Gujarat chief C R Paatil.
BJP National President JP Nadda while addressing a public rally in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh stated, "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."
"There was a time when only two houses were available in a panchayat under the Indira Awas Yojana. Today, 4 crore houses have been constructed across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In the coming five years, 3 crore more houses will be built so that no poor person is left without a home. This is Modi's guarantee," he added.
Senior Punjab Congress leader Mohinder Singh Kaypee has joined Shiromani Akali Dal in Jalandhar.
Surat District Collector gave Member of Parliament certificate to BJP candidate from Surat Mukesh Dalal as he got elected unopposed from the Lok Sabha seat after all other candidates withdrew from the fray.
Gujarat unit chief C R Paatil in a post on X announced, "Surat has presented the first Lotus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I congratulate our candidate for Surat Lok Sabha seat Mukesh Dalal for getting elected unopposed."
Congress leader Rajeev Shukla on Monday said, “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."
Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said, " I came to Talcher today on the auspicious occasion of Hingula yatra. This is an old tradition in our area...Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha has extended their services in Talcher, I appreciate them for their good work..."
Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil, party's candidate from the Surat Lok Sabha seat Mukesh Dalal and other party leaders show victory signs after the party registers victory on the Surat Lok seat on Monday.
Samajwadi Party candidate from UP's Bahraich Ramesh Gautam after filing nomination on Monday said, "Efforts are being made to silence the opposition. What happened with the CMs of Jharkhand and Delhi (Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal) is a way to silence the opposition."
Congress on Monday urged Election Commission to take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'redistribution of wealth' speech.
The party termed Modi's remarks "divisive and malicious".
BJP MP K Laxman on Congress’ promise to repeal CAA, on Monday said, “Congress leaders have never talked about PM Modi’s work that he has done in the last 10 years. They raise such issues to mislead people. They (Congress) won’t be coming in power so there is no point of them saying all this.”
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said, "If you read our manifesto, we have said that we are committed to facilitating the resolution of the Kashmir issue. You have to address and fix the cause of the issue. Till the time you treat the disease, you cannot resolve the issue.”
Ramayana actor Sunil Lahri, who played Laxman on Monday campaigned for BJP candidate from Meerut Arun Govil.
“(I appeal) that the voters show their love for Arun Govil by voting for him on election day. He has a lot of respect for the public here. Don’t think of him as a celebrity, he is a native of this place,” he said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Monday held a roadshow in Bundi.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday 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 said, "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)..."
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury in her reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mangalsutra’ remark said, "He is spreading hatred. It’s a matter of regret that a person who is sitting in the top position is giving such statements during the time of elections. What steps will the Election Commission take against this?”
Ramayana actor Dipika Chikhlia who played Sita in the serial, campaigned for BJP candidate Arun Govil in Meerut.
“I just want to say that the love that you are showing here, please show it on April 26 (voting day) also. Give your vote to lotus (BJP symbol) and make Arun Govil win with a huge margin.”
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu held a meeting with India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials on Monday.
During the meeting, the IMD officials informed the ECI "that there is no major concern with regard to heatwave for phase 2" of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, scheduled to be held on April 26.
Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi on Delhi court’s order to constitute a medical board to examine Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said, “Today’s Rouse Avenue Court’s order proves that Arvind Kejriwal didn’t receive the right medical supervision since the day he is in Tihar jail. We hope that this medical board will sit down today only to do Arvind Kejriwal’s checkup and will start giving him insulin.”
BJP leader Tarun Chugh on Monday said, "The way Rahul Gandhi is conspiring to make (people) fight on the basis of language and region, we complained about that. We told the ECI that he is a serial and habitual offender who lies, conspires and divert people's attention."
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s visit to the state on Monday said, “We are sure of crossing 400-seat mark. Wherever Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi go, Congress gets wiped out.”
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during a rally in Bihar’s Purnea. on Monday said, “I want to thank you for the support you showed during the 'Parivartan Yatra'. I believe that the people of Damdaha (in Purnea) support us now."
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani during a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi on Monday said, "PM Modi was providing free (COVID-19) vaccination. However, Rahul Gandhi said that people should not get PM's vaccine. Rahul Gandhi did not want people to get vaccinated and save their lives. Rahul Gandhi and opposition wanted the poor to die so that they could do politics."
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday addressed a public gathering in Amravati.
LJP (RVP) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday said, "Congress has an alliance with AAP in Delhi, but there's no alliance in Punjab. In Bihar, RJD and Congress are in alliance but none of the senior leaders of Congress have campaigned for RJD in the first phase (of Lok Sabha elections). People now know that this alliance has been formed for their selfish needs."
In his reaction on Calcutta High Court order cancelling all appointments made through a 2016 recruitment process for West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools, TMC MP Saugata Roy on Monday said, "We don't agree with this decision. I believe the state government should move to higher court (Supreme Court). Many will suffer from this."
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila on Monday addressed a public gathering in the Santhanuthalapadu constituency.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday 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."
Bollywood actor and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) leader Govinda on Monday held a roadshow in Maharashtra's Buldhana.
Union Minister and BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia’s wife Priyadarshini Raje Scindia on Monday interacted with locals in Madhya Pradesh's Guna, while campaigning for her husband.
BJP workers in Bidar on Monday protested against Congress-led Karnataka government over murder of Neha Hiremath.
Neha, the daughter of Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was allegedly stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College on Thursday. The accused Fayaz Khondunaik, who fled the scene, was arrested by police subsequently.
Delhi Minister Atishi on Monday after addressing a ‘Jail Ka Jawaab Vote Se’ Sankalp Sabha in New Delhi on Monday said, “The people of Delhi have decided to give a fitting reply for the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by voting for AAP. Their feelings have been hurt by Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. He is not only a Chief Minister for Delhi’s public, but also a son, brother and the person who has provided their children good education, free transportation to women, etc.”
In his reaction to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remark that 'PM Modi eliminated terrorism from country', Congress leader Rajeev Shukla on Monday said, "Naxalism in Chhattisgarh has increased under BJP's rule. From three small areas to 14 districts, Naxalism grew in the state. Bhupesh Baghel-led government curbed it."
Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Monday said it is “not possible for Congress to be even main opposition”.
His remarks came in response to Congress leader P Chidambaram’s assertion that his party will repeal CAA.
He said, “To change laws, one needs to be in government. Not possible for Congress to be even main opposition”.
“It's 'Modi's guarantee' everyone from persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh will get citizenship through CAA,” he added.
He also said, “Congress is hell-bent on harming Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Christians, Sikhs”.
BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj on Monday said, "This alliance (between AAP and Congress) is an unnatural alliance. Whether it was in Punjab or Delhi, the AAP always got elected after dethroning the Congress from power."
Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday addressed a public rally in Kerala Ernakulam.
Addressing a public rally in Sangareddy, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday 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.."