Elections 2024: TMC Protects Infiltrators, Opposes CAA, Says PM Modi In Bengal Rally

With three days left for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, the nation is gearing up for the biggest festival of democracy. On March 16, the Election Commission of India announced the detailed schedule of the seven-phase long Lok Sabha polls.

As per the schedule announced by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, the first phase of polling will go live on April 19 while June 1 has been declared as the date for the seventh and last phase. The counting of votes across the 543 Lok Sabha seats and result announcement will take place on June 4.

The Election Commission urged for an inclusive and participative Lok Sabha Elections 2024 to take place as they promised to provide home voting facility for voters above the age of 85 and the ones with physical disabilities.

To make voting more accessible for Indian voters, the election Commission announced the facility of home voting for voters aged above 85 and voters with physical disabilities of 40 per cent benchmark.

Additionally the polling stations will have volunteers to help the voters in need along with wheelchairs & transport facility for a seamless experience.

The process of 'home voting' to ensure a more inclusive Lok Sabha polls commenced on Monday in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency for elderly citizens and persons with disabilities, with a remarkable 92 per cent turnout on the first day, officials said.

Elderly and differently-abled persons exercised their franchise through postal ballots from their homes in different places of Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar districts, all part of the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, which is scheduled for polling in the first phase on April 19.

"Out of 621 eligible electors, 92 per cent cast their votes under these categories in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency," Rakesh Minhas , the Returning Officer for the Udhampur parliamentary constituency, told PTI on Monday evening.

Right ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar today to address the public.

As per reports, PM Modi will be speaking at rallies in both Gaya and Purnia district. 

While addressing a public meeting in Kerala's Wayanad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed Narendra Modi over the electoral bonds issue on Monday. The Congress MP claimed that though the prime minister said it was designed to bring transparency in political funding, the BJP government did everything possible to prevent the names of donors and donation dates from being revealed.

"It (electoral bond) is the biggest extortion racket on the planet. It is a way to steal from the people of India, and it was organised and conceptualised by the prime minister himself," alleged the former Congress chief who is seeking re-election from Wayanad.

Rajasthan's Bundi district administration adopted innovative ideas including stickers on gas cylinders and paper cups bearing messages to cast vote to raise electoral awareness and polling percentages for the Lok Sabha polls.

This district comprises the Kota parliamentary constituency and a section of the Bhilwara constituency, both of which will go to poll in the second phrase on April 26.

According to Bundi District Collector Akshaya Godara, around 1 lakh paper cups bearing messages on voter awareness are being distributed for free to tea stall vendors as this could act as a talking point for people at these shops.

With three days left for Lok Sabha elections, polling teams leave by helicopter to Naxal-hit areas. In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur 11 Lok Sabha seats will go to polls in three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7.

Bastar will be the only seat to go to polls in the first phase on April 19.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Tuesday announced the names of 11 more candidates for Lok Sabha elections.

The Mainpuri Lok Sabha ticket has been changed and given to Shiv Prasad Yadav. Athar Jamal Lari has been fielded from Varanasi against PM Modi.

With days left before the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the poll campaigns in the state so far indicated a big win for the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

"With only 9 days remaining until the election, I've campaigned in 13 constituencies so far. It's looking like a big win for the LDF in Kerala. It is expected that the exact opposite result of 2019 will happen in Kerala this time. The BJP and the NDA front, led by BJP will be relegated to third place or negligible status in all constituencies. The Congress-led front has adopted an anti-Kerala approach. So the people of Kerala will give severe punishment to that front (UDF) in this election", the chief minister said.

The Supreme Court will hear a batch of pleas seeking cross-verification of the votes cast with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

Earlier on April 1, the apex court had sought responses from the Election Commission (EC) and the Centre on a plea by activist Arun Kumar Agrawal seeking a complete count of VVPAT slips in polls as opposed to the current practice of tallying slips from only five randomly selected EVMs from each assembly segment comprising a parliamentary constituency.

While addressing a public meeting in Bihar's Gaya, Prime Minister Barendra Modi said, “In BJP manifesto, there is a roadmap for every section and sector of the society. Dobhi (of Gaya district) is also included in that. Youth won’t have to go out in search of employment. A revolution has come in the last 10 years; 10 crore women have associated with self-help groups in the country; in Bihar, 1.15 crore women and 5.15 lakh women from Gaya have associated with self-help groups. When there was Congress government, less than Rs 150 crore were allotted to these women's self-help groups in Bihar. NDA government granted over Rs 40,000 crore to these groups in the last 10 years.”

In a tragic incident, a motorcycle rider in Kerala died after getting entangled in a rope that was tied across a major road as part of security measures for Prime Minister Modi's visit ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

The deceased, identified as Manoj Unni, lost his life in the incident that happened at 10.30 PM on Sunday. Police said Unni was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be saved.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its 12th list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Apart from the Lok Sabha polls candidates, the ruling party has also annouced candidates for Odisha assembly polls and Telangana and Uttar Prdaesh ssmbly bypolls.

Slamming Prime inister Narendra Modi, who addressed a public rally in Bihar's Gaya today, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, "He will only talk about us; we were expecting that he will offer some gift to people of Bihar and let us know what he did for Bihar in the last 10 years. I was waiting that the PM will speak about special package (for Bihar). He has forgot all his promises. Their (BJP's) manifesto has nothing for Bihar."

Launching an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a public meeting in Kerala's Wayanad, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday said, "The RSS and the BJP are trying to destroy India's Constitution and change India's Constitution. The Congress party and the INDIA alliance are trying to save the Constitution."

"Narendra Modi is the instrument of 5-6 of India's biggest richest business people. His goal is to distract India's people from the real issues. That is why sometimes you will see him doing puja underneath the sea...sometimes he tells the people of India we will bring the Olympics to India. Another time he will say we are going to send one man to the Moon. He never talks about unemployment or price rise", Gandhi further added.

The Congress MP continued, "He protects the richest people in the country and forgives their bank loans. I don't know if you saw his interview with ANI yesterday. I don't know if you saw his face, his eyes, he was trying to defend the biggest corruption scandal on the planet through which BJP has got thousands of crores of rupees by extorting them from India's businessmen"

Speaking at a rally in Purnea, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that the BJP-led government will work towards developing connectivity in the Seemanchal Area.

"..Our govt will work for developing connectivity through Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains in the Seemanchal area. 'Aapke Sapne Hi Modi Ka Sankalp Hai.'..25 crore people came out of poverty when we worked day and night for them," stated PM Modi

With the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 just around the corner, the Election Commission of India has started issuing voter slips and sending them to the houses of the eligible voters. However, not all eligible voters have received their voter slips.

With voters yet to receive their voter slips from ECI, a common question rises - can we still vote without a voter slip? The answer is YES. Read here to know how to vote without a voter slip.

Speaking from Kerala, Union Minister Rajev Chandrashekar has stated that anyone with a "common sense" should ignore Rahul Gandhi.

"My suggestion to everybody who has some common sense and who doesn't want to spend too much time pursuing useless commentary is to ignore people like Rahul Gandhi because nothing he ever says makes any sense...He has never done anything useful for the people of India. Even today, when he is on a campaign trail, he has not one idea to put forth for the development of the people," the minister told news agency ANI.

With the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 scheduled to begin on Friday, voters across the nation are waiting eagerly to participate in the biggest festival of democracy by excersing their right to vote.

Ahead of the elections, the Election Commission of India issues a Voter ID card to the eligible person. During polling, this voter ID hold significant importance and is a crucial documents. Read here to know how to cast a vote if you don't have a voter ID card

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said “this time victory will be of development”.

During his address at a public rally in West Bengal’s Balurghat, he said, “Today this gathering of people in Balurghat, shows that this time victory will be of development. Today the whole state is saying 4 June '400 paar', 'fir ek baar Modi sarkar'..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday targeted TMC saying the party is spreading false news about Modi’s guarantee, since it knows the move will “shut its shop” in West Bengal.

While addressing a public meeting in Balurghat he said, “...They (TMC) are now feeling that Modi has now given the guarantee of taking the schemes to the door steps of every poor. If the people of the state get benefit from the guarantee of Modi, then the people of the state will be developed, and the shop of TMC will be shut, that's why they are spreading false news... But people of Bengal are aware of my guarantee..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday cornered Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his remark on Kashmir during his Rajasthan election rally.

Addressing a public rally in Uttarakhand’s Kotdwar, Shah said, “Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, what have the people of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand got to do with Kashmir. He doesn't know that to save Kashmir, the soldiers of Garhwal have shed the maximum amount of blood... They have insulted a hero like Gen. Bipin Rawat."

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari released 'Vachan Nama' for the Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday.

He said, “We plan to open an organic fruits and vegetables and foodgrains market in Nagpur."

The Supreme Court on Tuesday flagged problems with the secret ballot voting method.

The Apex Court was hearing petitions seeking cross-verification of votes cast on Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) with papers slips generated through the VVPAT system.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday joined local artists in dancing and also tried her hands on a drum, during a public rally in Siliguri.

DMK on Tuesday released its manifesto (Kovai Rising) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The manifesto includes:

New flight services to international hubs like Dubai and Singapore. MEMU trains from Kovai.

Vilankurichi scheme road.

A dedicated freight corridor between Chennai, Kovai and Thoothukudi shall be established.

A broad-gauge railway project from Mettupalayam-Sathyamangalam-Gobichettipalayam-Erode will be completed.

The Coimbatore Metro Rail Project shall be accelerated and Phase-1 shall be commenced in a time-bound manner.

Congress MP and general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday said, “It's people's power of the Congress vs muscle power and money power of the BJP & NDPP. I assure you every time the money power which is attacking India's Constitution and our cultural ethos has stood against people's power, people's power has won in India and also internationally in every other country. I am 100% certain that now that a new name has been given to him (S Supongmeren Jamir) 'Mr Superman Jamir' will keep the Congress flag flying with the blessings of people of Nagaland and Congress will emerge victorious."

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, AAP on Tuesday released a list of 40 star campaigners for Gujarat.

The list includes jailed Delhi Chief Minister and the party’s supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his two party colleagues Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, who are also languishing inside jail.

AAP has also included Kejriwal's wife Sunita, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Raghav Chadha, Isudan Gadhvi and others in the list of star campaigners for Gujarat.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his roadshow in Mallapuram said, “I would recommend that you read our manifesto. We have a strategy for employment, for farmers, for labourers, for women, and for young men. The BJP has also promised a few things- they have two main ideas. One is to bring the Olympic Games to India, and the second is to send someone to the moon. Of course, they will use a rocket that ISRO made, which was founded, supported and developed by the Congress party."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to be made the PM again for the development of Rajasthan”.

She said, “Don’t come back, this was the slogan by the people of the state that's why their government lost its power... I request all the voters of the state that don't vote for the corrupt Congress party... PM Modi has to be made the PM again for the development of the state..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday during a rally in West Bengal’s Raiganj said, “...The ideas of Bengal are a part of BJP's vision. With this vision, BJP has released 'sankalp patra'. BJP's sankalp patra is Modi's guarantee card..."

A delegation of NDA leaders in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday registered their grievances with the Election Commission of India.

After lodging their complaint with the Commission, BJP MP and party's National general secretary Arun Singh said, "... party workers are being arrested and pressurised... We have told ECI that there seems to be no scope for free and fair elections in Andhra Pradesh... We have demanded that the officers be not subject to any kind of political pressure. There are bogus names on the voter list, so we have demanded videography at polling stations. Police and the central force should be deployed. The situation in Andhra Pradesh is not good... Helicopters are being stopped from landing. But the people of Andhra Pradesh are with NDA..."

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said, “BJP will not come (to power) in Bengal. They will not win... They will bring NRC, UCC, and you all will lose your identity. They will take away all your rights, therefore if you want to save the country, vote for TMC. We will form the government along with all our friends (INDIA alliance) across the country. But in Bengal, TMC is the only party which battles against BJP, so please cast your vote in favour of TMC...."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said TMC has given permission to Rohingyas to change demography of West Bengal.

During a rally in Raiganj, he said, “TMC govt doesn't permit Ram Navami rallies, but allows those who throw stones at religious processions.”

He added: “What happened in the last 10 years was just a trailer, we need to take the nation and West Bengal a long way forward... Those who were in power in West Bengal for years have left the state far behind. However, West Bengal's development is Modi's priority.”

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Tuesday said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is not of caste but nation’s elections.

Addressing a rally in Palanpur, Banaskantha he said, “I wish to make an appeal to all of you, this election is not of caste...It's the nation's elections...Congress rejected the invitation of lord Ram...They (Congress) are not even getting their candidates. If I talk about Rajasthan, at four places, they accorded tickets and it was returned..."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a roadshow in Tiruvannamalai.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress on Tuesday released another list of three candidates in Jharkhand. The list includes: Deepika Pandey Singh to contest from Godda, Krishna Nand Tripathi from Chatra and Anupama Singh from Dhanbad.

BJP national president JP Nadda on Tuesday during a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur said, “PM Modi has always given special treatment to the people of Tamil Nadu. There is a special place of Tamil Nadu in the heart of PM Modi...12,000 km of roads have been constructed in Tamil Nadu...Tamil Nadu is very special for PM Modi. On one hand PM Modi is trying to see to it that the people of Tamil Nadu go forward. On the other hand, this INDI alliance is nothing but a group of politicians and parties who are utterly corrupt. PM Modi says remove corruption and INDI alliance says to save corrupt people and save corrupt parties...DMK means D- Dynasty, M- Money swindling and K- 'Katta Panchayat'..."

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said, “Through this video message, I want to tell the people of Tamil Nadu that we have held talks with the top leaders of the AIADMK following which we have decided to form an alliance for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.”

Union minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed the Congress, National Conference and PDP, alleging that most fake encounters and incidents of firing on youths in Jammu and Kashmir occurred during their rule.

Rejecting rival parties' charge the BJP was more interested in Kashmir's land than the welfare of its people, he said the BJP is in no haste and believes in winning the hearts of people as it will ultimately lead to the 'lotus', the party's poll symbol, blooming across the Valley.

Addressing an election rally in Jammu, Shah also said that assembly polls in J-K will be held according to the dateline set by the Supreme Court (September 30). "Nobody should have any doubt on this," he said.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said, “Dr. BR Ambedkar's constitution is the most sacred book of the country and all the people of BJP are openly saying that when PM Modi gets a huge majority they will finish that sacred book. Why is PM Modi not speaking on this? Why is he not taking action? Why is PM Modi not speaking on jobs and poverty?"

Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje on Tuesday said, “Congress did the work of ending Constitution, not us. In the Parliament, PM Modi held a discussion on the Constitution first time and gave respect to BR Ambedkar...." On the opposition's statement regarding electoral bonds, she further says, "Congress is equal to corruption, so there is nothing to talk about. The party has committed corruption for many years...."

Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) on Tuesday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

The party has fielded singer-rapper Rahul Yadav (Fazilpuria) from Gurugram and Naina Singh Chautala, party MLA and mother of former Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala from Hisar.

AAP leaders and workers on Tuesday held a march in Delhi in protest against the party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by Enforcement Directorate in the alleged excise policy case.

Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai on Tuesday said, “There is anger among the people on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The people have come to the roads agitating against the arrest...AAP has started a campaign 'Sankalp Sabha'...We will answer 'jail' with 'votes'. This will continue till May 23..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Assam’s Guwahati on Tuesday.

Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai on Tuesday said, “There is anger among the people on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The people have come to the roads agitating against the arrest...AAP has started a campaign 'Sankalp Sabha'...We will answer 'jail' with 'votes'. This will continue till May 23..."

BJP has extended the invitation to over 25 political parties from foreign countries to observe the country’s Lok Sabha elections, party leader and in-charge of BJP’s Foreign Affairs Department Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale said on Tuesday.

He said, “As you know India is the mother of democracy and BJP is the largest party in the world and therefore there is enormous curiosity among the global players allover the world on how BJP campaigns. Maybe for the first time in the history of electoral politics in India, we have invited several parties across the globe and invited them to watch how BJP campaigns; the breadth and the depth of BJP campaigns..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held a roadshow in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara.

The Election Commission on Tuesday reprimanded Congress leader Randeep Surjewala over his alleged derogatory remarks against BJP MP Hema Malini and barred him from campaigning for 48 hours.

This is the first campaign ban imposed by the poll body in this Lok Sabha election cycle.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday during a presser in Kerala’s Kannur said, "One of the latest guarantees that he (PM Modi) has given is that India will become the third largest economy if he is elected for the third. The fact that India will become the third largest GDP in the world in 2027 is a statistical fact that is established. Whoever is the PM, it is bound to happen because that is the manner in which the growth rate is moving.”

BJP on Tuesday wrote to Election Commission of India (ECI) over JMM leader Nazrul Islam's reported remark against PM Modi in Jharkhand.

The party has sought action against the JMM leader.