Elections 2024: Congress Announces 40-Star Campaigners For Uttarakhand; BJD Reveals 3rd Candidates List For Odisha Assembly Polls

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

The Congress party will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 today, with its focus on the five 'pillars of justice'. The manifesto would be released by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

In its manifesto, the Congress said it will lay emphasis on 'Paanch Nyay' or five pillars of justice, including 'Yuva Nyay', 'Naari Nyay', 'Kisaan Nyay', 'Shramik Nyay' and 'Hissedari Nyay' as well as the guarantees made by it to the people as part of its poll promises for 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In a first, the Congress will also promise the youths the 'right to employment' as part of its poll manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and is mulling to propose stringent punishment for those responsible for paper leaks in examinations.

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

Home voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Rajasthan will from today. More than 58,000 voters in Rajasthan have opted for home voting, of which 35,542 people are registered for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls.

The home voting facility is available for senior citizens above 85 years of age and voters with over 40 per cent disability.

Home voting for the Lok Sabha elections began in Meghalaya from North Garo Hills district on Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said. The process will continue in the district till April 8, he said.

A total of 6,106 electors have been registered for home voting across the state, with 3,424 such voters in 36 assembly segments of Shillong Lok Sabha seat, and the remaining 2,682 in 14 assembly segments under Tura Lok Sabha constituency, Tiwari said.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken this initiative of inclusive elections and a similar exercise was successfully conducted during the assembly elections last year, Tiwari added.

Launching a scathing attack on Prime inister Narendra Modi over his indifference in the matter of India-China border relations, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused him of 'sleeping after taking opium' at a time when China was 'entering' into Indian territory.

The Congress supremo's remarks came days after China further renamed thirty places along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

What all did Kharge say?

Duing his election rally in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh, Kharge said, "Modi says 'I have a 56-inch chest, I will not be scared'. If you are not afraid, then why have you left a large part of our land for China? They are coming inside and you are sleeping. Have you taken sleeping pills? Have they taken opium from the fields of Rajasthan... and fed you?" READ MORE

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced names of 419 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, voting for will take place in seven phases from April 19 till June 1.

Among the key leaders of the BJP, whose government is currently at the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been fielded from Varanasi, the seat he currently represents in the Lower House of the Parliament. Meanwhile, the BJP has also fielded actors Kangana Ranaut, Arun Govil and Rekha Patra, reportedly a Sandeshkhali 'victim'.

Click Here For Full List Of BJP Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Candidates For All States

Postal voting by senior citizens and persons with disability has begun in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has complained to Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been putting up objectionable posters with Arvind Kejriwal's photo.

AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail as part of his judicial custody till April 15 in connection with the money laundering case linked to Delhi excise policy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Kejriwal in the case on March 21.

On the seat distribution in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ahead of Lok Sabha Polls 2024, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that all 48 seats in Maharashtra belong to MVA and not particularly to Shiv Sena (UBT) or Congress.

"All the 48 seats in Maharashtra belong to Maha Vikas Aghadi and not particularly to Shiv Sena (UBT) or Congress. Shiv Sena (UBT) has a clear vision of winning all the seats (of MVA). Some people could be furious about Shiv Sena having Sangli seat... Amravati and Kolhapur were our seats, but we explained to our workers... If some Congress people are furious in Sangli, then it is the responsibility of top leadership to explain them...We will try our best to win Sangli's seat," Sanjay Raut said.

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami's vehicle was checked by the Election Commission's flying squad on Thursday.

All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 19. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

The National Commission For Women and Haryana State Commission for Women on Thursday issued a notice to Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala for allegedly making "indecent" remarks against actor and BJP leader Hema Malini.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya had shared an undated video on X in which the Congress general secretary is purportedly making some objectionable remarks about the actor-politician and two-time Mathura MP while attacking the ruling party.

However on Thursday, Surjewala alleged that the BJP's IT Cell has developed a habit of distorting facts and spreading lies and added that he neither intended to insult Hema Malini nor hurt anyone.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X that the party manifesto, being released on Friday, will have their five 'NYAY — 25 GUARANTEE' agenda that represent their "non-negotiable commitment to the welfare of Nation."

"The Congress party shall be unveiling its Manifesto today. Our 5 NYAY — 25 GUARANTEE agenda represents our non-negotiable commitment to the welfare of Nation. Since 1926 till date, the Congress Manifesto is a solemn document of the inseparable trust between us and the People of India," Kharge said on X.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took part in a BJP election rally of Union Minister & BJP candidate from Attingal constituency, V. Muraleedharan.

S Jaishankar said: V Muraleedharan and I have worked very closely in the last five years. I want to say three things today. Firstly, he is a very people-centric person... Secondly, he is the person who is directly responsible for improving passport services in the country. Thirdly, he is known in the Gulf as the representative of PM Modi. It's because of him that relations with the Gulf, particularly UAE have become so much better. We want him back in the parliament as the voice of Kerala."

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai termed Congress leader Randeep Surjewala's remark on BJP MP Hema Malini "very crass".

"...A senior leader like Randeep Surjewala, is giving a very crass comment. He is also justifying his comments...DMK party insults women. It speaks bad about women. Now the same disease is spreading to the Congress party. The people of India are watching and in the 2024 elections they will teach them a lesson...," Annamalai said.

ALSO READ | BJP Slams Randeep Surjewala Over 'Vile, Sexist' Remarks On Hema Malini

Reacting to speculation of him joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, actor Prakash Raj said on microblogging platform X that the party is "not ideologically rich enough to buy him".

"I guess they tried (laughing emojis); must have realised they were not rich enough (ideologically) to buy me (squinting face with tongue out emoji)... what do you think friends...just asking," Prakash Raj said.

The biggest batch of indelible ink for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 has gone to Uttar Pradesh as the Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd completed the supply of over 26.55 lakh vials of the worth approximately Rs 55 crore to various states and union territories.

The Karnataka government undertaking has been manufacturing the ink since 1962, solely for the Election Commission, according to a PTI report.

The company said it had supplied over 25.98 lakh vials of indelible ink worth approximately Rs 36 crore for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to various states and union territories. The highest supply as per order was to Uttar Pradesh, which received 3.64 lakh vials back then and the lowest for Lakshadweep at 125 vials of ink.

The flying squad and static surveillance team deployed by the Election Commission in Arunachal Pradesh seized Rs 1 crore cash from a vehicle in Longding district, a police officer said.

The cash was seized from the vehicle at Kanubari check gate on Thursday evening by the EC teams, the officer told news agency PTI.

The vehicle which belongs to one Harshvardhan Singh, executive director of a private construction company, was following the convoy of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who went to Longding to address a party's election rally, he said.

"The vehicle was not part of the CM's convoy but was following the motorcade," Longding Superintendent of Police (SP) Dekio Gumja said.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi was served a notice by the Election Commission on Friday over her 'join BJP or face jail' claim. The EC sought a response from her by April 8.

On April 2, Atishi said four senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including herself, would be arrested soon, claiming the BJP approached her through a "very close" person to join it or be prepared to be nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate within a month.

Top leaders of Congress - party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Rajasthan leader Sachin Pilot and others have arrived at AICC headquarters in Delhi to launch the party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Congress party has released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

According to the Congress manifesto:

-General election presents opportunity to radically change style of governance that has been in evidence over past decade.

-Appeal to people to look beyond religion, language, caste; choose wisely and install democratic government.

-Congress guarantees it will pass constitutional amendment to raise 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC.

-10% quota in jobs, educational institutions for EWS will be implemented for all castes, communities without discrimination.

-Rajasthan model of cashless insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh will be adopted for universal healthcare.

Congress manifesto says the party twill bring a law to recognise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community.

"Congress will ensure that, like every citizen, minorities have the freedom of choice of dress, food, language and personal laws. We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned," says Congress in its manifesto for Lok Sabha polls 2024.

Key promises in Congress manifesto:

-Rs 1 lakh for every youth for apprenticeship

-MSP law - "Congress Party manifesto: Congress says it will give a legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) announced by the government every year, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission."

-Rs 1 lakh per poor woman annually

-Rs 400 minimum wage for every labour

-Caste census

Congress party manifesto: We will reserve one-half (50 per cent) of central government jobs for women starting in 2025.

On the Congress manifesto, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said this manifesto will be remembered as 'Nyay ka dastavez' (document of justice) in the political history of the country.

"The Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, which was run under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, focused on five pillars during the yatra: Yuva Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Naari Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay was announced. Out of these five pillars, 25 guarantees emerge, and in every 25 guarantees, someone or the other gets benefited, under this, we have our manifesto here...," Chidambaram said.

Congress Party manifesto: "We will amend the election laws to combine the efficiency of the electronic voting machine (EVM) and the transparency of the ballot paper. Voting will be through the EVM but the voter will be able to hold and deposit the machine-generated voting slip into the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) unit. The electronic vote tally will be matched against the VVPAT slip tally, says Congress We promise not to interfere with personal choices of food and dress, to love and marry, and to travel and reside in any part of India. All laws and rules that interfere unreasonably with personal freedoms will be repealed... We promise to amend the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and make defection (leaving the original party on which the MLA or MP was elected) an automatic disqualification of the membership in the Assembly or Parliament".

Congress in its manifesto says it will "repair relations with the Maldives and will work to restore the status quo ante on our borders with China and to ensure that areas, where both armies patrolled in the past, are again accessible to our soldiers."

"We will take the necessary steps to adjust our policy towards China until this is achieved," the manifesto said.

At the Congress election manifesto launch, party leader Rahul Gandhi said this election is "about those who are trying to destroy the Constitution and the democracy in the country versus those who are trying to protect the Constitution and democracy."

"We do believe that it is very important, once this fight is won, that we look after the interest of the vast majority of the people; that India is not run for two or three large businesses, that it is run for the vast majority of the people; that we are not a nation of monopolies but a nation where there is fair competition among businesses. This election is a fundamentally different election,” said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

Commenting on the winning prospects of Congress in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, party MP Rahul Gandhi said that the it is a "much closer contest than what is propagated by media."

"We are going to win polls," Rahul Gandhi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Rajasthan's Churu on Friday where he said "whatever has been done in 10 years is just a trailer and is like an appetizer", adding that "main course is yet to come".

Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Churu on Friday, PM Narendra Modi said, "The law on triple talaq is helping our Muslim sisters. My Muslim mothers and sisters should understand that triple talaq was a threat to their lives...Modi has not only protected you but Modi has protected every Muslim family..."

Addressing a BJP rally in UP's Baghpat, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the country has changed in 10 years, adding that "a new India is being seen."

"India's respect in the world has increased... borders have been secured, terrorism and Naxalism have ended... a new investment environment has been created...," CM Adityanath said.

Congress is known for insulting Army and dividing country, PM Modi said on Friday at poll rally in Rajasthan's Churu. His remarks came a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the "sardar of liars", also accusing him of “sleeping" while China "entered" Indian territory.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi alleged that the Election Commission show-cause notice to her was leaked to media by BJP before she received it.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi was served a notice by the Election Commission on Friday over her 'join BJP or face jail' claim. The EC sought a response from her by April 8.

On April 2, Atishi said four senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including herself, would be arrested soon, claiming the BJP approached her through a "very close" person to join it or be prepared to be nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate within a month.

Atishi said AAP wrote multiple letters to EC over BJP's "objectionable" posters but no action was taken. Atishi appealed to the EC to "act in non-partisan" manner.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, following the release of the party manifesto, took a dig at the BJP, stating that the 2024 election is a much tighter contest than being portrayed. “Remember Vajpayee's India Shining Campaign and who won that election,” Gandhi noted.

‘India Shining’ was a key slogan of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in the run-up to the 2004 general elections, but it failed to resonate with the public and Vajpayee lost the polls. READ MORE

The Congress party on Friday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, with big promises like 50 per cent central government jobs for women from 2025, legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs among others.

The manifesto, titled ‘Nyay Patra’, was released at the Congress headquarters in Delhi in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The manifesto is divided into 10 focus areas - Equity, Youth, Women, Farmers, Workers, Defending the constitution, Economy, Federalism, National Security, Environment - and concluded with 'an appeal'.

Click Here For Full Report

On Congress's Lok Sabha manifesto, Assam CM and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said the party promises to remove an elected government, and has no delivery date on any of its promises.

"Cong manifesto promises to remove an elected State Govt, restore triple talaq, makes a U-turn on OPS, has no delivery date on any of its promises, lacks a plan to harness benefits of Industry 4.0 and worst of all passes pictures from Thailand & America as that of India. Have they hired a foreign agency to draft their manifesto?" Himanta said in a post on X.

Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "India will develop only when Uttar Pradesh develops and Uttar Pradesh will develop only when Aligarh also develops... Give PM Modi a third term, India will become the third largest economy in the world within the first three years..."

RJD leader Tejshwai Yadav during a press conference in Bihar on Friday announced the seat sharing deal with Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party.

Yadav said, "RJD will be contesting from 26 seats and our party has decided that from our quota we will be giving 3 seats to Mukesh Sahni's party. The three seats- Gopalganj, Jhanjharpur & Motihari..."

Rahul Gandhi on Friday stated that the INDIA bloc is fighting an ideological election and they will reveal the highly-anticipated Prime Minister candidate after 'winning' the Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress party held a Central Election Commission meeting at headquarters in Delhi today regarding several states on Friday.

The returning officer rejected the nomination form of the Samajwadi Party's candidate from the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh after scrutinizing it on Friday.

The Congress had decided to give up the seat for the Samajwadi Party as part of the seat-sharing agreement within the opposition's INDIA bloc.

"The Panna district collector, who is also the returning officer, rejected the nomination papers of Meera Yadav as she had not signed the `B form' and also failed to attach a certified copy of the 2023 Assembly elections voters' list," a senior official told PTI.

Punjab CM and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann chaired a meeting of party leaders in Chandigarh earlier today to discuss the party candidate from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency.

Former Telangana CM and BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao on Friday interacted with farmers and inspected their damaged crops in Karimnagar district in Andhra Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday addressed a public gathering in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik announces third list of party candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The 3rd list includes nine candidates with three turncoats, who are Prakash Behera (Barabati-Cuttack seat), Raisen Murmu (Rajgangpur) and Rohit Joseph Tirkey (Biramitrapur). The trio had joined the BJD recently from other parties.

This new candidate list of the BJD comprises one woman candidate Meena Majhi who has been nominated for the Keonjhar assembly segment. She has been pitted against BJP leader Mohan Majhi.

Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party was given 3 seats by RJD in Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

Sahani speaking to ANI after the announcement said, "We had decided that we will not form an alliance with BJP, we stand by our decision...We would like reservation in the new government that will be formed under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi...Our party is contesting on three Lok Sabha seats, Gopalganj, Jhanjharpur and Motihari...We will fight strongly... Whenever we contest elections, the NDA suffers a big loss...This time too they will suffer losses."

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi holds a roadshow in Assam's Jorhat constituency.

Former BJD MLA Ramesh Chandra Sai who resigned from the party yesterday has joined BJP on Friday in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Athamallik in Odisha's Angul.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a complaint case against Aam Admi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan for non- attendance of summons issued to him in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.

The Rouse Avenue court has listed the matter for consideration tomorrow.

Congress releases a list of 40-star campaigners for Uttarakhand, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi among the campaigners.

Out of the 35 candidates who submitted their nominations from Gautam Buddh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, only 15 are still in the running after their nominations were reviewed on Friday.

The candidates who are still in the race include Mahesh Sharma from the BJP, Rajendra Singh Solanki from the BSP, and Mahendra Singh Nagar from the Samajwadi Party, according to the local election office.

Andhra Pardesh Congress president YS Sharmila addressed a public gathering in Kadapa on Friday.

According to the local election office, 21 out of 35 nominations from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh were rejected after being reviewed on Friday.

As a result, there are now a total of 14 candidates remaining in the election.

Among them are Atul Garg from the BJP, Dolly Sharma from the Congress, Nand Kishor Pundir from the BSP are among 8 other recognised political parties along with 6 independent candidates.

Odisha Aam Admi Party president Nishikanta Mohapatra elaborates on the standing of AAP in Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, he said, "In Odisha, the Aam Aadmi Party will not contest the Lok Sabha elections...But we were in talks with Congress to form an alliance and that did not happen."

He then spoke about the party's take on Odisha Assembly elections, he said, "we are deciding to field candidates in the entire 147 assembly seats in Odisha. After Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest people's support in the state has increased...People from different political parties are also joining AAP."

Congress leader Rajesh Thakur was present at the CEC meeting of Congress in Delhi on Friday, he said, "In Jharkhand, an organisation and not a party is finding elections, whereas the BJP does not have an organisation that is why they have declared their candidate. Filing of nomination forms has not begun and we have already declared our candidates for the fourth and fifth phases of voting. We have discussed the candidates for the sixth and seventh phases of the elections and will be declared soon."