Elections 2024: INDIA Bloc’s ‘Maha Rally’ In Ranchi On April 21, Most of Northeast Out Of AFSPA, Says Nadda In Assam

With just a day 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.

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 a 40 percent benchmark.

This year the apex poll body has also leveraged the social media superpower to create electoral awareness through several campaigns like 'Turning 18', 'You are the One'.

The campaigning for the two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya concluded on Wednesday, which are scheduled for the first phase of polling on April 19. Agatha K Sangma from NPP is aiming to maintain the Tura seat, while Vincent H Pala, the state Congress president, is vying for a fourth consecutive term from the Shillong constituency.

"The campaign ended without any major law and order issues. The poll machinery is prepared to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections."

The polling will take place in 3,512 booths, of which 400 have been identified as sensitive and 25 as vulnerable. A total of 22.67 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise, he said.

Over 95 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes on Friday in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

This phase covers five constituencies where campaigning concluded on Wednesday evening.

The polling will take place in the Nagpur, Ramtek, Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli-Chimur constituencies, all situated in the easternmost region of the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned personalised letters to all candidates from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance participating in the initial stage of the Lok Sabha elections. He urged them to communicate his message to voters in their specific constituencies.

PM Modi in his letter said that the election is an opportunity to connect the country's present with a bright future.

According to PTI, one of the letters was sent to Coimbatore candidate K Annamalai, who is also the president of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, in English, and another in Hindi was sent to its chief spokesperson Anil Baluni who is contesting from Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal.

A voter ID, also referred to as the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), holds significant importance in the process of casting votes as it is considered a crucial document.

However, not possessing a voter ID card is not a matter of concern anymore as according to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), one can vote in an election even without an ID card as long as that person's name is on the official voter list.

To cast their vote in India, an individual must be a citizen of the country. Eligibility to vote is granted to anyone aged 18 years or above. To apply for a fresh Voter ID Card one has to visit the official website - voters.eci.gov.in and select 'New Registrations for General Electors' and proceed to fill Form No. 6.

After logging in to the page with personalised credentials, the person has to fill out Form No. 6 with all the necessary details, attaching the required documents and photos. Ensure that all details are accurately completed prior to clicking Submit to complete the procedure. Once submitted, monitor the application status on the website by utilizing the given 'reference number and state name.'

The process of nominating candidates for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for May 13, began on Thursday.

The Election Commission, on behalf of the President, issued a notification to this effect on Thursday.

A total of 96 constituencies in nine states and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir will participate in the fourth phase of the elections.

This phase will include all 25 constituencies of Andhra Pradesh and 17 constituencies of Telangana.

The polling will also take place in various constituencies of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said though the Aam Aadmi Party's popularity is not captured in pre-poll surveys, its actual performance helps the outfit directly form government and asserted the Lok Sabha polls will deliver surprising results.

Mann, a senior leader of the AAP, an INDIA bloc constituent, on Wednesday also dismissed as a 'jumla' (rhetoric) the BJP's poll slogan of 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' (saffron party-led NDA's claim of winning more than 400 Lok Sabha seats).

He said putting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the AAP convener, in jail in connection with the excise policy case ahead of the Lok Sabha elections reflected autocracy as well as conspiracy by the ruling party.

-PTI

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad stated that Gandhi's actions suggest otherwise and alleged that he is 'hesitant' to contest from the BJP-ruled states and alleged that Gandhi seeks refuge in states with a considerably high minority population.

Azad took a dig at Gandhi and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah, referring to them as 'spoon-fed kids' rather than politicians, and said that both have done nothing on their own.

"Why is Rahul Gandhi hesitant to contest in the BJP-ruled states? While Gandhi claims to be fighting the BJP, his actions suggest otherwise. Why fly from the BJP-ruled states and seek refuge in minority-dominated ones?" Azad said while addressing public meetings in Sangaldan, Ukhral areas of the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday held a door-to-door campaign in Telangana capital Hyderabad.

The voting in Hyderabad will take place on May 13.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday requested the people of Manipur to relect BJP at the Centre in order to keep the state's 'territorial integrity intact'.

According to ANI, Singh addressing the people in Manipur said, "Whatever union home minister Amit Shah said the day before yesterday--to keep Manipur's territorial integrity intact. He used very meaningful words. An attempt was made to destroy Manipur by imbalancing its demography by infusing people from the outside. The Prime Minister removed the FMR (Free Movement Regime) and took the decision on fencing. That is the point that the Manipur people want to hear from the central leaders."

N Biren Singh said people need to vote for the BJP, "to complete the ongoing process".

"I think what is to be done by the Central government, under the leadership of PM Modi, has started, and to complete the ongoing process, people need to vote for the BJP candidate. I am requesting that people should vote for the BJP," Singh added.

Union Home Minister and BJP candidate from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat Amit Shah will hold three roadshows and address a rally in the constituency on Thursday before filing his nomination the next day.

"Home Minister Shah will hold his first roadshow in Sanand town of Ahmedabad district and the second one in Kalol town of Gandhinagar district. His third roadshow will be in Ahmedabad city covering areas like Ghatlodia, Naranpura and Vejalpur," state BJP spokesperson Yagnesh Dave said.

-PTI

Former Kannauj Panchayat President Sanju Katiyar has joined BJP on Thursday in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. UP Deputy CM and BJP Leader Brajesh Pathak was present during the event today.

Sunetra Pawar, who is a leader of the NCP and the wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will file her nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Thursday.

She is a first time candidate who will be contesting against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule in the Baramati constituency.

Pawar accompanied by her husband visited the Shreemant Dagdusheth Ganpati Mandir in Pune today to offer prayers before filing the nomination.

Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal, accused Mamata Banerjee of being responsible for the clashes that occurred during the Ram Navami processions in Murshidabad, West Bengal on Wednesday, which resulted in injures to several people.

He has asked for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the violence.

Adhikari in a post on X wrote, “The Ram Navami Processions were disrupted and attacked at various places across the State of West Bengal, due to the CM's provocative speech which successfully incited miscreants, who were assured that the Law enforcement Agency won't act against them as their hands have been tied due to CM's public stance on Ram Navami; a day, which according to her, “Is a day for Rioting”.

NCP-SCP sitting MP and candidate from Baramati, Supriya Sule to file her nomination papers today.

She said, "After seeing my work, my merit, I am confident that the public will definitely stand with me...The biggest problem in this constituency is water. So I think the administration needs to pay more attention to this drought today..."

Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has been filed by NCP against NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule from Baramati.

-ANI

DM Manvendra Singh of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh spoke about poll preparations for the first phase to ANI, said, "16 zonal Magistrate will do the supervision...We have a total of 1728 booths, all polling parties will reach there and then from 7 am onwards, it will begin. We are going to ensure that polling takes place neutrally."

While District election officer, Th Kirankumar in Lamphelpat, Imphal West district of Manipur said, "The first phase of poll is taking place tomorrow. So, one day ahead of the poll we are dispersing the polling personnel and the security of the respective polling stations. The EVMs have been already opened. So after this, the material and all these machines will be kept in the proper places of the respective arrows... We have a sufficient number of CAPF locations in vulnerable areas. In addition to that, we are putting all CCTV cameras, and videography in the entire 538 polling stations... We have got a total of 70 numbers of polling stations, either vulnerable or critical. A smaller number of micro observers will be sent here, around 60, because some of them are located in the same school, for example, two polling stations. So we are sending one microobserver per polling station location."

The Sonitpur district election office sent out polling teams for the initial stage of the Lok Sabha election. Additional District Commissioner (ADC) Sonitpur Kabita Kakati Konwar said, "...We have called 5000 people here; more than 1100 presiding officers are present...Sector and zonal officers are keeping an eye on the preparations. We have 150 women polling stations only...security officers are also women there..."

Union Home Minister and BJP candidate from Gandhinagar Amit Shah holds roadshow in the constituency.

SP Prabhat Kumar said that the arrangements as the Naxal-affected Narayanpur is underway for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections scheduled for tomorrow.

He told PTI, "First phase of election is going to happen in Narayanpur. We are prepared. It is Naxal affected district, we have prepared accordingly. 45 companies have been provided. We have local forces, Bastar fighters. 73 police stations are hyper sensitive, 51 are sensitive."

Following the abduction of a BJP leader by insurgents in Longding district and the alleged use of underground elements by a poll contestant in the same district, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain stated that no interference in the electoral process by underground elements will be tolerated and strict action will be taken against such activities.

Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa acknowledged the abduction and said that police and paramilitary forces are on the job to rescue the person.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in its latest list named Union Minister Narayan Rane as the candidate for Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra.

Actress and politician Hema Malini, who is running for the Lok Sabha election from Mathura as a BJP candidate for the third time, stated on Wednesday that she sees herself as a 'gopi' of Lord Krishna.

Malini told reporters in Mathura, "I joined politics neither for name nor for fame. I also did not join politics for any materialistic gain."

Calling herself "Gopi of Krishna", Hema Malini said since Lord Krishna loves the "Brijwasis", she thought that he will shower his blessings on her only if she serves them sincerely.

"And I am accordingly serving the Brijwasis," she said.

Congress has released the names of four candidates for the upcoming Odisha Assembly elections for the seats - Mahanga, Satyabadi, Bhubaneswar Central and Bhubaneswar North.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose for allegedly interfering in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in the state.

"A complaint against Governor C V Ananda Bose has been lodged with EC for repeatedly interfering with the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections, 2024 and attempting to visit poll-going areas during the silent period and on polling day," a TMC leader said.

The Election Commission has advised the West Bengal Governor to call off his proposed tour of Cooch Behar on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls' first phase as it was violative of the Model Code of Conduct, sources said on Wednesday.

-PTI

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Thursday took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that after his defeat from Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2019, he does not have the courage to stand from there this time.

Singh said Gandhi, following his defeat, migrated to Kerala from Uttar Pradesh.

"However, I have heard that the people of Wayanad have decided not to make him their MP," he claimed while speaking at an election meeting in the Pathanamathitta Lok Sabha constituency to garner support for BJP candidate Anil K Antony.

-PTI

The Supreme Court asked the Election Commission of India on Thursday to maintain integrity in the electoral process and provide a comprehensive account of the measures taken to guarantee transparent and unbiased elections. 

The apex court bench comprised of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta said, "This is (an) electoral process. There has to be sanctity. Let nobody have apprehension that something which is expected is not being done."

The court is currently considering requests for the verification of votes cast on Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) with paper slips produced by the VVPAT system. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing the poll body, and election officials are present in court to address the queries.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy held a roadshow in Kerala as he campaigned for Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor.

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday addressed a public rally in Kerala's Kannur where he slammed BJP for their One Nation promises like One Nation One Election and Uniform Civil Code.

GAndhi said, "Congress and UDF accept the diversity of India. we accept the multiple languages, the multiple traditions, the different histories, and the different expressions of all our people. The BJP wants to impose one history, one nation, and one language on the people of India...For example, if you remove Malayalam from Kerala, then how a mother in the state will explain the history of this great land to her children...So, this is what we are protecting..."

He promised permanent jobs in the government sectors, said, "Millions and millions of people work in the government sector under contract. They can be sacked one day or the other, thrown out without any support. We will stop contract labour in PSUs and government offices. All jobs will be permanent jobs in these systems."

BJP leader and former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa participated in a nomination rally of BY Raghavendra in Shivamogga in Karnataka on Thursday when he said, "BJP and JD(S) have come to together. PM Narendra Modi is very close to (HD) Deve Gowda ji. Because of this coalition, we are going to get almost all the 28 Lok Sabha seats (in Karnataka). There is no doubt about it."

Congress state co-coordinator Vikas Agrahari joined BJP on Thursday in Amethi. Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani was present during the announcement.

BJP president JP Nadda on Thursday addressed a gathering in Assam's Kokrajhar where he praised the PM Modi-led Central government and Himanta Biswa-led Assam government for the development of the northeast states.

Speaking of PM Modi's contribution, he said, "PM Modi has come 70 times to Northeast in 10 years. All PMs together have not taken 70 visits as much as PM Modi...In the last 10 years, Union Ministers made visits to the Northeast 680 times. PM Modi called Northeast 'Ashta Lakshmi', what are those 'Ashta Aadhar?'- first, peace....second...hydropower generation, third, tourism; fourth, 5G connectivity, fifth, culture; sixth, natural farming...seventh, sports and eighth was to nourish the potential."

Nadda claimed, "I am happy to say that almost 70 per cent area of the Northeast is now out of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)."

He then asked the people to vote for BJP and slammed Congress for keeping them in 'darkness', he said, "What was Congress' policy? To keep you all isolated, in darkness, in ignorance. The work to unite you all was done by the NDA government, PM Modi and Himanta Biswa Sarma government. We must remember this."

The Rashtriya Janata Dal workers allegedly made offensive remarks against Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan which led to a group of Bharatiya Janata Party's women delegation in Bihar to reach Election Commission office in Patna to file complaint against the RJD workers.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi took oath in Rajya Sabha on Thursday administered by chairman Jagdeep Dhankar.

A total 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories are voting in the Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections on Friday, April 19. Lok Sabha elections are beginning on Friday with the first phase, while the last phase will take place on June 1. The voting is taking place in seven phases.

Click Here To Know Constituencies Voting In Phase 1 Tomorrow

While addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The entire country has this voice- 'fir ek baar Modi sarkar, ab ki baar 400 paar'. Those who have witnessed the Surya Tilak yesterday must be uttering -'jo Ram ko laaye hain... and here, Arun Govil, who played the character of Shri Ram is your candidate."

On April 21 Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday said, “On April 21, the INDIA alliance will organise its Maha rally in Ranchi, Jharkhand. All the big leaders will attend the event. AAP leaders Bhagwant Mann, Sunita Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh will attend the event on behalf of the AAP..."

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on petitions seeking 100 percent verification of EVM votes with their VVPAT slips.

Currently, VVPAT slips of five randomly selected EVMs in every Assembly segment are verified.

A polling team traverses difficult terrain to reach their respective polling booth in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh for polling in Lok Sabha elections tomorrow, 19th April.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday said, “Arvind Kejriwal thinks like a very vicious criminal and speaks like one. He conspires and since he is habitual of living in a palace, he is living lavishly in the jail too. Delhi jail doesn't come under the Central Government, it comes under Delhi Government. It is under Arvind Kejriwal government. Today, it was proved in the court that despite being diabetic, Arvind Kejriwal is eating sweet food items deliberately...All of these food items increase the weight of a diabetic person. He is doing this to ensure that he can apply for bail on health grounds. I believe that in order to ensure that Arvind Kejriwal doesn't hatch such conspiracies, he should be shifted from Tihar Jail to the Dasna Jail in Uttar Pradesh..."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday during a rally in Kerala’s Kottayam said, “...I get surprised when I hear PM giving speeches where he says one nation, one nation, one language, one leader and one religion. How can you tell people of Tamil to not speak Tamil, people of Kerala to not speak Malayalam, people... Every single Indian language is as important as any other language. BJP does this with language, place, caste and religion. Whenever they get an opportunity, they divide the country."

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday held a roadshow in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.

The voting for the constituency will be held on May 7.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said, "Today 22 people in India have as much wealth as 70 crores of our civilians... How can we talk about being a superpower? Our farmers are screaming for help, and our youngsters are unemployed. How are we a superpower?"

BJP national president JP Nadda on during his address at a rally in Assam’s Goalpara on Thursday said, “Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Indian politics have changed. Earlier, there were conflicts, and appeasement politics was done. It was carried out by the Congress party for a long time. But, PM Modi has changed the definition of politics. Today's politics is based on development... Today, the politics of accountability and performance is done... Now, Assam is a synonym for peace, security, good governance and empowerment..."

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he was already aware about DPAP chief Ghulam Nabi Azad not contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He added Azad’s announcement not to contest the upcoming polls from Anatnag-Rajouri seat was not “shocking” to him.

"The Election Commission of India has made all preparations to welcome voters to the biggest festival of democracy that any nation has witnessed, the elections to the 18th Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies in four states that starts off tomorrow with Phase 1," reads the press release released by the Election Commission of India ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections from April 19.

AAP leader Atishi on Thursday said the Enforcement Directorate “lied” in court about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal having tea with sugar and eating sweets in jail. She said Kejriwal is “using artificial sweetener”. He termed it an “attempt to stop supply of home-cooked food to Kejriwal. She added “BJP is trying to harm his health through ED”.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said, “I would like to appeal to people to form a government that can provide employment, not a government that gives false promises. I would also like to appeal to people to support candidates of Samajwadi Party and (INDIA) alliance in the first phase of voting.”

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal during his roadshow in Kerala’s Alappuzha on Thursday said, “These elections we are going to win. Kerala is in favour of UDF. Revanth Reddy is here with me because he has done a lot for youngsters. Within 5 months, he has given jobs to 30000 youth in the government sector..."

Union Minister and BJP’s Telangana chief G Kishan Reddy on Thursday held a rally with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in Medak.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday said, "People of Hyderabad had seen BJP's intentions. They will not acept BJP-RSS' vulgur and provocative actions. Is this the 'Viksit Bharat' BJP is talking about? Bigger than elections is the peace of Hyderabad. I am confident that the people of Telangana will vote against BJP who are against peace in the state."

His reaction came in response to a video showing Hyderabad BJP candidate Madhavi Latha allegedly pretending to shoot an arrow at the mosque in Hyderabad during Ram Navami yatra.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai on Thursday said while addressing ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ Sankalp Sabha in Krishna Puri, New Delhi said, “Elections take place every five years, but this time elections are not just elections. This time elections are not to elect your representatives, it is to save the country and its Constitution.”

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in a message to voters ahead of first phase of polling tomorrow on Thursday said, “Voters with the age of 85 years or more and belonging to the PWD category can opt to vote from their homes. The enthusiasm of Indian voters will beat the extreme weather. You will be deciding MPs, MLAs in four states and next government in the country,"

Amidst the high intensity poll campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday had some lighter moments.

Dhami was seen enjoying street food in Haldwani.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday said, “It is a historic day for the Chhattisgarh BJP. About 600 people from the Congress and the Shiv Sena have joined the BJP after being inspired by the party’s ideology and PM Modi. This will encourage us.”

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai on Thursday said, “Earlier, we were also wondering how Arvind Kejriwal's arrest will have an impact on the elections. However, since the arrest, we have reached nearly 6 lakh houses through 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' campaign. They arrested Kejriwal thinking it will affect our campaign, but exactly opposite happened in Delhi. Today, voters who have been making Arvind Kejriwal the CM while exploring other options in Lok Sabha polls, they have become united."

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi pulled up Indian economy from 11th to 5th spot, it would rise to third position in his next term.”