Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE: INDIA bloc wants people from all castes to fight amongst themselves, says PM

"While unemployment is the most important national issue, inflation is the second most important national issue. Have you (people) ever listened to PM Modi talk about this? He talks about women empowerment and says that he provided 33 per cent reservation to women. But does he talk about inflation?" says Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Chandigarh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost self-confidence and has been faltering in his speeches upon realising the BJP will not retain power at the Centre, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday.

Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal held a roadshow in Hoshiarpur, Punjab today.

“Both the parties (JDS and BJP) have decided to continue our alliance even for future elections. We will jointly fight even the Member of Legislative Council elections. We are fully in support of the legal move that the Centre is taking against Prajwal Revanna; we welcome it,” former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said.

Punjab: During his roadshow in Hoshiarpur, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, "When I came for the campaign in the last election, I said that I would make your electricity bill zero. I did this in Delhi, and I will do this in Punjab too. Now, the electricity bill in Punjab is also zero... We have Mohalla clinics in Punjab... In the last 2 years, we have provided a lot of facilities to people..."

Union Minister Anurag Thakur was in Una, Himachal Pradesh as he targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said, "Rahul Gandhi, the one who misguides the nation, lies again and again, and has failed even after being launched 20 times, has one again lied. Congress insulted Constitution maker Babasaheb Ambedkar, made 62 amendments, and Rahul Gandhi tore the ordinance during his government."

"On the other hand, PM Modi began his tenure by bowing in front of the Constitution. Most of the schemes launched by PM Modi have benefitted ST, SC and OBCs," he added. 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami slammed the Opposition. He said, "Today the country is watching how Modi ji is working. Aam Aadmi Party and Congress Party, are contesting elections against each other in Punjab but in Delhi and Haryana, they are together. People in Delhi and Punjab are feeling cheated today. They do not have any vision, policy." 

“I have come here to warn you of the INDI alliance’s conspiracy. This alliance wants the people of all the castes to fight amongst themselves. They are doing this to divert their mind from real issues so that they (INDI alliance) can put their actual conspiracy plot into action," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday promised Minimum Support Price (MSP) and farm-loan waiver, saying poor families would get Rs 1 lakh annually till they are brought above poverty line. 

In Patna, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "Whoever steals will have to fear. Whoever steals in this country will have to fear Prime Minister Modi... Your (Tejashwi Yadav) father (Lalu Yadav) gave jobs in exchange for land, so the thief will have to go to jail ..."

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Chandigarh said, "...As per the released public data of IMF, our GDP is $ 3.95 trillion and we are in the fifth position. Japan is in the fourth position with a GDP of $ 4.1 trillion. If our growth rate is going on at 7-8%, and Japan's is flat, it's a matter of a few months if not a year, our economy will reach fourth place... During the UPA govt between 2004 to 2014, the expenditure on urban space was less than one lakh seventy thousand crores, and in the Modi govt, in these 10 years, it has increased by 11-12 times to reach 18-19 lakh crores..."

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are seeing a new India. An India that has today moved towards becoming a world superpower, an India that has strengthened its respect in the world, an India that has secured its borders in 10 years... today in this new India, there is heritage as well as development, there is security as well as respect..."

In Varanasi, Jaishankar said, "Even today when I talk to any minister of G-20, they remember the time when they visited Kashi... We all know that our civilisational capital and civilisational centre is Kashi. It's true when we say that Kashi is the world's longest-continuous city... If I have to sum up Teaching For a Better Tomorrow in three words in English, it would be Technology and Tradition. These are not my words, these are the words of the person you're going to elect on June 1."

Addressing a public meeting in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The country has come to know the INDI alliance people very well. These people are extremely communal. They are extremely racist and are extreme nepotists."

"Whenever their government is formed, these people make decisions on this basis...Law and Order and the Samajwadi Party are opposite to each other...Samajwadi Party government used to look forward to the mafias as a part of the vote bank...But under the Yogi government action is being taken on the mafias..."

Addressing a public meeting in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "On June 4 'phir ek baar Modi sarkar'...In six phases the public has confirmed BJP government once again..."

EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, "I have a meeting with the teachers today. When we talk about Viksit Bharat, Amritkaal and if the country has to progress, the responsibility is the most on teachers... In the evening, I have a meeting with the intellectuals and the leaders of the society, the focus will be on the country's foreign policy. I have experienced this in this election campaign that people wish to know more about the country's foreign policy. They feel proud of where PM Modi has taken this country. It's the Modi government's tradition to get feedback from people... We don't need to do much election campaign here in Varanasi...."

Addressing a public meeting in Patna, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "Earlier, even if they (RJD) got the opportunity before we (NDA) come to power in 2005, what was there? Was anyone getting out of their homes, there was fear. No one has this courage. Fewer children had access to education... They got the opportunity but they did nothing, we have done so much work be it in health, education or any other sector..."

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal requests the poll officers to have a proper due diligence during counting of votes to alleviate chances of tampering.

"I want to bring to your notice what you should do when the machines will be opened for counting. I have made a chart. There will be a CU (Control Unit) number, BU (Ballot Unit) number, paper seal, VVPAT ID. You need to match it. You will know about the time reflecting on it. You should cross check it. If there is a different time reflecting then it means that it was opened earlier. You should allow pressing the result button only after checking it. If there is a discrepancy in polling date then there is a problem. Serial numbers should match. Verification is required."

BJP Spokesperson CR Kesavan, over Congress' verbal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "The Suraksha Kavach of Modi ji is made of people's blessings. It ensures that every Congress poison is converted into garlands. 140 cr people trust PM Modi. Constitutional values have been upheld."

"Congress and INDI alliance have been desperate in this election. They are personally attacking PM Modi. Never in India, the political discourse has been taken to such low. People know this mindset of polarisation of Congress will take country into darkness. They saw phenomenal development under PM Modi. There has been a digital revolution. There has also been dharmic renaissance. PM Modi will get third term."

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit says, "Many retired military personnel and defence experts have questioned the Agniveer scheme since it was launched. The opposition is asking the question as well. When you take such a big step concerning the defence and security of the nation, it's obvious that you talk to the opposition, and discuss with other people. You (the govt) brought this scheme in a hurry and hence many see faults in it."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will begin campaigning in the party-ruled state of Himachal Pradesh and address rallies in Shimla and Hamirpur.

The India state will vote for four Lok Sabha seats and six Assembly bypolls on June 1. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue his campaigning in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh where he will hold rallies in Mirzapur, Ghosi and Bansgaon the voters of which will head to the polls in the 7th and last phase of the election. 

"INDIA bloc will sweep all seven seats in Delhi despite the tricks adopted by the BJP's Lieutenant Governor by misusing the police to favour the BJP on election day," said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in a statement. 

It added, "The people of Delhi have turned out in good numbers to thwart the dictatorship from the country irrespective of heat. Delhiites have responded decisively to the illegal incarceration of their beloved CM with their votes. They've made it clear once again that they value good education, healthcare, 24/7 electricity, water, and free bus rides over empty 'jumlas'". 

The party also claimed that the people of the national capital have rejected BJP's politics. 

"The people of Delhi are big hearted people, they welcome everyone but the BJP has repeatedly disrespected the people of Delhi by arresting their son and brother Arvind Kejriwal in a fake case. The hard working people of Delhi have repeatedly rejected the hate filled and negative politics of the BJP," said the statement. 

It added, "The last blow was arresting the sitting Chief Minister who has significantly transformed their lives by improving education, health, electricity, water, lowering inflation and providing free bus rides for women. This arrest has enraged Delhiites and the people of Delhi have spoken in favour of guarantees and against the 'Bhrashtachari Jumla Party'".