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Differences in the Election Commission have burst out in the open with Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa boycotting the meetings of the full Commission over his dissent on crucial decisions not being recorded.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora hit back at Lavasa, saying "ill-timed" controversies should be avoided and has called a meeting of the full Commission on May 21 to discuss and thrash out issues.

Arora also sought to downplay the controversy saying all the Commissioners are "not expected to be template or clones of each other".

Lavasa, who had dissented on the series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-gives-clean-chit-to-pm-modi-over-pulwama-remark-roadshow-in-ahmedabad-sources-216677">clean chits given by the Commission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> and BJP President Amit Shah on their speeches during the election campaign, had&nbsp;written a letter to Arora on May 16 even hinting at "taking recourse to other measures" for restoring the "lawful" functioning of the Commission in terms of recording minority decisions.

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Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora issues statement on EC Ashok Lavasa's purported letter to him, says, 'an unsavory and avoidable controversy reported in sections of media today about internal functioning of ECI in respect of handling of Model Code of Conduct.' (3/3) <a href="https://t.co/yuRxOHMaGL">pic.twitter.com/yuRxOHMaGL</a>
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"I am being forced to stay away from the meetings of the full Commission since minority decisions are not being recorded. My participation in the deliberations of the Commission becomes meaningless since my minority decisions go unrecorded," he said.

Lavasa said he might consider taking recourse to other measures aimed at restoring the lawful functioning of the Commission in terms of recording minority decisions.

"My various notes on the need for transparency in the recording and disclosure of all decisions including the minority view have gone unheeded, forcing me to withdraw from participating in the deliberations of the complaints," he said in the letter to Arora.

The office of the CEC on Saturday released a statement of Arora which said there has been an "unsavoury and avoidable" controversy reported in the media today about the internal functioning of the Commission in respect of the handling Mode Code of Conduct.

This, he said, has come at a time when all the Chief Electoral Officers throughout the country and their teams were geared for the seventh and last phase of polling on Sunday.

All of them and the senior officers of the EC headquarters have been working their utmost during the last six phases of elections which barring an odd incident here and there have been largely peaceful and conducted in a fair, free and transparent manner.

"The three members of ECI are not expected to be template or clones of each other. There have been so many times in the past when there has been a vast diversion of views as it can and should be. But the same largely remained within the confines of ECI after demission of office unless appearing much later in a book written by the concerned ECs, CECs."

"I said a few days back in another leading daily that eloquence of silence is always difficult but far more desirable which is to see the election process through instead of creating ill-timed controversies."

Arora said it needs to be mentioned in the last meeting of the Commission on May 14, it was unanimously decided that some groups shall be formed to deliberate the issues, which arose in the course of conduct of Lok Sabha elections just as it was done after the elections in 2014.

Out of the 13 issues and areas which were identified, Model Code of Conduct is one of them, Arora said.

Lavasa had opposed and dissented on the clean chits given by the Commission to Modi and Shah over the alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by them during their campaign.

The Congress and CPI(M) had complained against Modi's speeches invoking the armed forces in the context of the Balakot aerial strikes and on issues relating to minorities. EC sources said it needs to be clarified categorically and unambiguously that this was purely an internal matter of the Election Commission and as such any speculation, innuendoes and insinuations in this regard should be eschewed.

&nbsp;

Differences in the Election Commission have burst out in the open with Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa boycotting the meetings of the full Commission over his dissent on crucial decisions not being recorded.

Differences in the Election Commission have burst out in the open with Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa boycotting the meetings of the full Commission over his dissent on crucial decisions not being recorded. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora hit back at Lavasa, saying "ill-timed" controversies should be avoided and has called a meeting of the full Commission on May 21 to discuss and thrash out issues. Arora also sought to downplay the controversy saying all the Commissioners are "not expected to be template or clones of each other". Lavasa, who had dissented on the series of clean chits given by the Commission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah on their speeches during the election campaign, had written a letter to Arora on May 16 even hinting at "taking recourse to other measures" for restoring the "lawful" functioning of the Commission in terms of recording minority decisions. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora issues statement on EC Ashok Lavasa's purported letter to him, says, 'an unsavory and avoidable controversy reported in sections of media today about internal functioning of ECI in respect of handling of Model Code of Conduct.' (3/3) pic.twitter.com/yuRxOHMaGL — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2019 × "I am being forced to stay away from the meetings of the full Commission since minority decisions are not being recorded. My participation in the deliberations of the Commission becomes meaningless since my minority decisions go unrecorded," he said. Lavasa said he might consider taking recourse to other measures aimed at restoring the lawful functioning of the Commission in terms of recording minority decisions. "My various notes on the need for transparency in the recording and disclosure of all decisions including the minority view have gone unheeded, forcing me to withdraw from participating in the deliberations of the complaints," he said in the letter to Arora. The office of the CEC on Saturday released a statement of Arora which said there has been an "unsavoury and avoidable" controversy reported in the media today about the internal functioning of the Commission in respect of the handling Mode Code of Conduct. This, he said, has come at a time when all the Chief Electoral Officers throughout the country and their teams were geared for the seventh and last phase of polling on Sunday. All of them and the senior officers of the EC headquarters have been working their utmost during the last six phases of elections which barring an odd incident here and there have been largely peaceful and conducted in a fair, free and transparent manner. "The three members of ECI are not expected to be template or clones of each other. There have been so many times in the past when there has been a vast diversion of views as it can and should be. But the same largely remained within the confines of ECI after demission of office unless appearing much later in a book written by the concerned ECs, CECs." "I said a few days back in another leading daily that eloquence of silence is always difficult but far more desirable which is to see the election process through instead of creating ill-timed controversies." Arora said it needs to be mentioned in the last meeting of the Commission on May 14, it was unanimously decided that some groups shall be formed to deliberate the issues, which arose in the course of conduct of Lok Sabha elections just as it was done after the elections in 2014. Out of the 13 issues and areas which were identified, Model Code of Conduct is one of them, Arora said. Lavasa had opposed and dissented on the clean chits given by the Commission to Modi and Shah over the alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by them during their campaign. The Congress and CPI(M) had complained against Modi's speeches invoking the armed forces in the context of the Balakot aerial strikes and on issues relating to minorities. EC sources said it needs to be clarified categorically and unambiguously that this was purely an internal matter of the Election Commission and as such any speculation, innuendoes and insinuations in this regard should be eschewed.

Ill-timed controversies must be avoided: Chief Election Commissioner hits back at Ashok Lavasa, denies reports of rift in EC

Andhra Pradesh chief minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/tdp-chief-naidu-meets-rahul-discusses-firming-up-anti-bjp-front-219558">N Chandrababu Naidu</a> urged the Election Commission to count votes through Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls.

At an event held for discussing measures to increase transparency in elections, Naidu said, "The Election Commission has allowed for five per cent random matching of EVMs in an assembly segment with VVPAT. The poll watch body has argued that the matching cannot be exceeded to 50 per cent because it will take six additional days to declare the result of the polls. I am asking why can`t the Election Commission counts VVPAT directly instead of counting EVMs, which I feel is a more complicated process."

"The officials will count EVMs first then they will check 5 per cent of EVMs with VVPAT. After this, if there is any discrepancy is found then they will take VVPAT count as final. If such is the case then why can`t the officials directly count VVPAT trails," he added.

Earlier on Friday Naidu hit out at the Election Commission, calling it a 'biased body'&nbsp;which gave "controversial and pro-government decisions". Naidu made the remarks after a meeting with Chief Election Commission Sunil Arora regarding repolling in five polling stations under the Chittoor parliamentary constituency in Andhra Pradesh on May 19.

The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged the Election Commission to count votes through Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged the Election Commission to count votes through Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) instead of EVMs during counting for the Lok Sabha polls. At an event held for discussing measures to increase transparency in elections, Naidu said, "The Election Commission has allowed for five per cent random matching of EVMs in an assembly segment with VVPAT. The poll watch body has argued that the matching cannot be exceeded to 50 per cent because it will take six additional days to declare the result of the polls. I am asking why can`t the Election Commission counts VVPAT directly instead of counting EVMs, which I feel is a more complicated process." "The officials will count EVMs first then they will check 5 per cent of EVMs with VVPAT. After this, if there is any discrepancy is found then they will take VVPAT count as final. If such is the case then why can`t the officials directly count VVPAT trails," he added. Earlier on Friday Naidu hit out at the Election Commission, calling it a 'biased body' which gave "controversial and pro-government decisions". Naidu made the remarks after a meeting with Chief Election Commission Sunil Arora regarding repolling in five polling stations under the Chittoor parliamentary constituency in Andhra Pradesh on May 19. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls will take place on May 23.

Naidu suggests Election Commission to count votes through VVPATs

Commenting on Arvind Kejriwal's analysis of AAP's performance in the national capital, Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said votes shifted towards Congress because of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/dont-vote-for-those-who-stopped-works-of-delhi-kejriwal-to-people-217949">Delhi Chief Minister's bad record</a>.

This comes after Kejriwal in an interview to a news daily while commenting on the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, said, "13% of the Muslim votes got shifted to Congress in the state at last moment."

Dikshit told ANI, "Nobody asked people to just vote for me. They vote for us because our record is such. So, if people are supporting Congress, then it is a reflection on Kejriwal's record."

"I don't know what he is trying to say. Everyone has a right to vote whichever party he/she wants to vote for and the people of Delhi did not understand nor liked his governance model," she added.

The Delhi Congress chief also expressed confidence that her party would come back to power in the state with a thumping majority.

"We will win and there is no doubt about it. Be it Muslim, Sikh, or anyone for that matter, every voter is important for us. We don't discriminate anyone based on their religion. Everyone including Muslims, Dalits, backward classes, women and all other sections of the society strongly supported us," she added.

The polling for 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi was held during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

The outcome of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is also expected to influence the assembly polls scheduled to take place in the national capital next year.

Commenting on Arvind Kejriwal's analysis of AAP's performance in the national capital, Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said votes shifted towards Congress because of Delhi Chief Minister's bad record.

Commenting on Arvind Kejriwal's analysis of AAP's performance in the national capital, Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said votes shifted towards Congress because of Delhi Chief Minister's bad record. This comes after Kejriwal in an interview to a news daily while commenting on the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, said, "13% of the Muslim votes got shifted to Congress in the state at last moment." Dikshit told ANI, "Nobody asked people to just vote for me. They vote for us because our record is such. So, if people are supporting Congress, then it is a reflection on Kejriwal's record." "I don't know what he is trying to say. Everyone has a right to vote whichever party he/she wants to vote for and the people of Delhi did not understand nor liked his governance model," she added. The Delhi Congress chief also expressed confidence that her party would come back to power in the state with a thumping majority. "We will win and there is no doubt about it. Be it Muslim, Sikh, or anyone for that matter, every voter is important for us. We don't discriminate anyone based on their religion. Everyone including Muslims, Dalits, backward classes, women and all other sections of the society strongly supported us," she added. The polling for 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi was held during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. The outcome of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is also expected to influence the assembly polls scheduled to take place in the national capital next year.

Votes shifted towards Congress because of Kejriwal's bad record: Sheila Dikshit

Voting will be held on Sunday for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which will see <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-on-two-day-visit-to-kedarnath-badrinath-219534">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> seeking re-election from Varanasi.

Polling will be held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).

Union minister Manoj Sinha, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey are seeking re-election from Ghazipur and Chandauli, respectively.

The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj.

The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress's Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party.

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Gorakhpur MP Pravin Nishad, who had won the seat on a SP ticket in bypolls last year, has joined the BJP. The party has fielded him from Sant Kabir Nagar seat.

Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

The electioneering saw Priyanka holding two back-to-back roadshows in Kushinagar and Mirzapur during the day and Union minister Smriti Irani riding a scooty in Gorakhpur.

The final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in the state will also decide the fate of eight SP and five BSP candidates.

In all, there are 167 candidates in the fray for the 13 seats.&nbsp;

The highest number of 26 candidates in the fray are from Varanasi, while Bansgaon has the least number of four candidates fighting the polls.

Over 2.32 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in this phase in UP. As many as 25,874 polling booths have been set up in 13,979 polling centres in the final phase, the Election Commission said.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, the BJP had won 71 out of 80 seats in the state, securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP ally Apna Dal bagged two.

The Samajwadi Party had won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes.&nbsp;

The Congress registered wins on two UP seats, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes.&nbsp;

Voting will be held on Sunday for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking re-election from Varanasi. Polling will be held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).

Voting will be held on Sunday for 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking re-election from Varanasi. Polling will be held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC). Union minister Manoj Sinha, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey are seeking re-election from Ghazipur and Chandauli, respectively. The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj. The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress's Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party. Gorakhpur MP Pravin Nishad, who had won the seat on a SP ticket in bypolls last year, has joined the BJP. The party has fielded him from Sant Kabir Nagar seat. Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The electioneering saw Priyanka holding two back-to-back roadshows in Kushinagar and Mirzapur during the day and Union minister Smriti Irani riding a scooty in Gorakhpur. The final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in the state will also decide the fate of eight SP and five BSP candidates. In all, there are 167 candidates in the fray for the 13 seats. The highest number of 26 candidates in the fray are from Varanasi, while Bansgaon has the least number of four candidates fighting the polls. Over 2.32 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in this phase in UP. As many as 25,874 polling booths have been set up in 13,979 polling centres in the final phase, the Election Commission said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, the BJP had won 71 out of 80 seats in the state, securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP ally Apna Dal bagged two. The Samajwadi Party had won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes. The Congress registered wins on two UP seats, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to seek re-election in final phase of polling from Varanasi

The electoral fortunes of 42 candidates including that of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Shibu Soren will be decided on Sunday in the final phase of the general elections in Jharkhand.

Elections will be held in three seats - Dumka, Rajmahal and Godda on Sunday.

Soren, the chief of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and an 8th term sitting MP is in the fray from Dumka seat once again. He is crossing swords with BJP's Sunil Soren. The JMM leader had defeated his BJP challenger twice in 2009 and 2014.

Altogether 45,64,681 electors, including 22,00,119 female and 21 third gender voters are eligible to exercise their franchise, an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-issues-notice-to-sunny-deol-for-violating-poll-code-219547">Election Commission </a>release said.

While 15 candidates are in the fray in Dumka, 14 are trying their luck from Rajmahal and 13 in Godda.

The JMM, the Congress and the JVM of former chief minister Babulal Marandi have formed 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance), putting up candidates against the BJP nominees in the 14 seats of the state.

JMM's sitting MP, Vijay Kumar Hansda, is facing a tough challenge from BJP's Hemlal Murmu from Rajmahal seat. Hansda had defeated Murmu in 2014.

Murmu, who was a four-time MLA and had won the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat in 2004 as JMM candidate, joined the BJP in 2014.

Sitting BJP MP Nishikant Dubey is also facing a fight from JVM MLA Pradip Yadav from Godda seat.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Ajsu party president Sudesh Mahto camped in the Santhal Pargana region for several days, campaigning for the BJP candidates.

This is the first time that Ajsu party has an alliance with the BJP in any Lok Sabha elections with the party getting the lone Giridih seat as per the seat sharing arrangement.

Chief Electorate Officer L Khiangte said that 6,258 control units, as many ballot units and 6,258 VVPATs have been set up in the three constituencies, besides keeping 1,260 control units, as many ballot units and 1,884 VVPATs in reserve.

There are 6,258 polling stations with 27,536 polling personnel manning them.

A total of 589 polling stations will have webcasting facility while 137 polling stations will be manned by only women polling personnel.

Inspector General of Police (Operation) Ashish Batra said that 37,398 security personnel have been deployed across the three constituencies as part of security arrangements.

An Air ambulance will be available for emergency services, he said, adding locations of sensitive booths will be under helicopter surveillance.

Polling personnel of seven polling stations will be dropped by helicopter, he said.&nbsp;

The electoral fortunes of 42 candidates including that of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Shibu Soren will be decided on Sunday in the final phase of the general elections in Jharkhand.

The electoral fortunes of 42 candidates including that of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Shibu Soren will be decided on Sunday in the final phase of the general elections in Jharkhand. Elections will be held in three seats - Dumka, Rajmahal and Godda on Sunday. Soren, the chief of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and an 8th term sitting MP is in the fray from Dumka seat once again. He is crossing swords with BJP's Sunil Soren. The JMM leader had defeated his BJP challenger twice in 2009 and 2014. Altogether 45,64,681 electors, including 22,00,119 female and 21 third gender voters are eligible to exercise their franchise, an Election Commission release said. While 15 candidates are in the fray in Dumka, 14 are trying their luck from Rajmahal and 13 in Godda. The JMM, the Congress and the JVM of former chief minister Babulal Marandi have formed 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance), putting up candidates against the BJP nominees in the 14 seats of the state. JMM's sitting MP, Vijay Kumar Hansda, is facing a tough challenge from BJP's Hemlal Murmu from Rajmahal seat. Hansda had defeated Murmu in 2014. Murmu, who was a four-time MLA and had won the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat in 2004 as JMM candidate, joined the BJP in 2014. Sitting BJP MP Nishikant Dubey is also facing a fight from JVM MLA Pradip Yadav from Godda seat. Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Ajsu party president Sudesh Mahto camped in the Santhal Pargana region for several days, campaigning for the BJP candidates. This is the first time that Ajsu party has an alliance with the BJP in any Lok Sabha elections with the party getting the lone Giridih seat as per the seat sharing arrangement. Chief Electorate Officer L Khiangte said that 6,258 control units, as many ballot units and 6,258 VVPATs have been set up in the three constituencies, besides keeping 1,260 control units, as many ballot units and 1,884 VVPATs in reserve. There are 6,258 polling stations with 27,536 polling personnel manning them. A total of 589 polling stations will have webcasting facility while 137 polling stations will be manned by only women polling personnel. Inspector General of Police (Operation) Ashish Batra said that 37,398 security personnel have been deployed across the three constituencies as part of security arrangements. An Air ambulance will be available for emergency services, he said, adding locations of sensitive booths will be under helicopter surveillance. Polling personnel of seven polling stations will be dropped by helicopter, he said.

Jharkhand: 42 candidates in fray in three Lok Sabha seats

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke exclusively to Zee Media on West Bengal violence, the overall election scenario and BJP's chances in the polls.

Watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi exclusive conversation with Zee Media

Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha is confident of his victory from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency where polling will be held on May 19. Sinha, who recently quit the BJP, is locked in a straight contest against Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad whom the BJP has fielded this time.

Sinha ended his nearly three decades long association with BJP in April after remaining at loggerheads with the current party leadership for quite some time.

Sinha, who snapped ties with the BJP earlier this month, had generous words of praise for his rival Prasad, saying his refusal to engage in personal attacks during poll campaign showed he was a "bhadralok" (well-educated).

Prasad is a resident of the Bihar capital Patna and his father was a state minister and leader of the Jan Sangh, the parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sinha had recently dismissed the claims made by the BJP that the seat is its stronghold. "Let them (BJP) live in fool's paradise... voters of Patna Sahib will teach them a lesson," Sinha had said.

He cited the victories of Congress and RJD nominees in the past from the prestigious Bihar seat, from where he is seeking re-election for the third straight time, to deride BJP's claim.

The Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat has six assembly constituencies under it out of which five are held by BJP at present and a lone one by RJD. It has traditionally been a kayastha seat where the caste has around 25 per cent voter base.

Altogether 37 candidates have filed their nomination papers for Patna Sahib, which goes to polls in the seventh and final phase of general elections on May 19.

Other constituencies in Bihar that go to polls in the final phase are Pataliputra, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Arrah, Buxar, Karakat and Sasaram.

Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha is confident of his victory from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency where polling will be held on May 19. Sinha, who recently quit the BJP, is locked in a straight contest against Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad whom the BJP has fielded this time.

Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha is confident of his victory from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency where polling will be held on May 19. Sinha, who recently quit the BJP, is locked in a straight contest against Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad whom the BJP has fielded this time. Sinha ended his nearly three decades long association with BJP in April after remaining at loggerheads with the current party leadership for quite some time. Sinha, who snapped ties with the BJP earlier this month, had generous words of praise for his rival Prasad, saying his refusal to engage in personal attacks during poll campaign showed he was a "bhadralok" (well-educated). Prasad is a resident of the Bihar capital Patna and his father was a state minister and leader of the Jan Sangh, the parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sinha had recently dismissed the claims made by the BJP that the seat is its stronghold. "Let them (BJP) live in fool's paradise... voters of Patna Sahib will teach them a lesson," Sinha had said. He cited the victories of Congress and RJD nominees in the past from the prestigious Bihar seat, from where he is seeking re-election for the third straight time, to deride BJP's claim. The Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat has six assembly constituencies under it out of which five are held by BJP at present and a lone one by RJD. It has traditionally been a kayastha seat where the caste has around 25 per cent voter base. Altogether 37 candidates have filed their nomination papers for Patna Sahib, which goes to polls in the seventh and final phase of general elections on May 19. Other constituencies in Bihar that go to polls in the final phase are Pataliputra, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Arrah, Buxar, Karakat and Sasaram.

Patna Sahib's big face-off: Shatrughan Sinha vs Ravi Shankar Prasad

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/will-make-sedition-law-more-stringent-rajnath-singh-219016">Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh </a>on Thursday said that inflation is not an issue in the ongoing elections as it has been well controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

"If you go through Indian elections` history, you will see inflation was an issue in all of them. People used to sing `Congress sarkar aayi hai, kamartod mehengai layi hai` (Congress government has come and brought high inflation along with it). But 2004 and 2019 are two elections where there were issues but inflation was not one of them," Singh said while addressing an election rally in Himachal Pradesh.

"There was Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s government before 2004 and Narendra Modi`s before 2019. Both of them handled economic management well and attacked corruption. Pakistan`s inflation rate is 10-12 per cent and India`s is 2-3 per cent. We did not let inflation cross Indo-Pak border and enter here," he said.

The Home Minister was addressing the rally in support of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi Lok Sabha seat.

The four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, including Mandi, would go for polling on May 19.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that inflation is not an issue in the ongoing elections as it has been well controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that inflation is not an issue in the ongoing elections as it has been well controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. "If you go through Indian elections` history, you will see inflation was an issue in all of them. People used to sing `Congress sarkar aayi hai, kamartod mehengai layi hai` (Congress government has come and brought high inflation along with it). But 2004 and 2019 are two elections where there were issues but inflation was not one of them," Singh said while addressing an election rally in Himachal Pradesh. "There was Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s government before 2004 and Narendra Modi`s before 2019. Both of them handled economic management well and attacked corruption. Pakistan`s inflation rate is 10-12 per cent and India`s is 2-3 per cent. We did not let inflation cross Indo-Pak border and enter here," he said. The Home Minister was addressing the rally in support of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi Lok Sabha seat. The four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, including Mandi, would go for polling on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Inflation not issue in 2019, Modi handled economy well: Rajnath Singh

Watch 'India Election Watch.' This is the show that brings you the latest on world's biggest electoral exercise, Verified updates & Unbiased analysis.

India Election Watch; 17th May, 2019

Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for the battle royale in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sitting Member of Parliament, is seeking re-election from Varanasi.

Modi held a massive roadshow in Varanasi before filling his nomination on April 26 in which he said that he will come to the people again to thank them once the results are out.

In 2014, Modi won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, defeating Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal by a huge margin of 3.37 lakh votes. Modi had polled 5,16,593 votes, about half the total votes, while Congress's Ajay Rai finished third.

Rai is the Congress candidate again this time from the constituency that goes to the polls on May 19, while the 'gathbandhan' has fielded a Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav as its joint nominee.

Ajay Rai had previously been a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) before joining the Congress. He has also contested the assembly elections as an Independent candidate from Varanasi. In 2017 Shalini Yadav contested the mayoral election on the Congress ticket and placed second, with 1.14 lakh votes - the highest tally of a Congress candidate in any recent electoral contest in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion.

Apart from Rai and Yadav, there are 23 other candidates contesting against Modi this year.

The other constituencies that will go to the polls on May 19 in UP are Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushi Nagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Robertsganj.

Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for the battle royale in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sitting Member of Parliament, is seeking re-election from Varanasi.

Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for the battle royale in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sitting Member of Parliament, is seeking re-election from Varanasi. Modi held a massive roadshow in Varanasi before filling his nomination on April 26 in which he said that he will come to the people again to thank them once the results are out. In 2014, Modi won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, defeating Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal by a huge margin of 3.37 lakh votes. Modi had polled 5,16,593 votes, about half the total votes, while Congress's Ajay Rai finished third. Rai is the Congress candidate again this time from the constituency that goes to the polls on May 19, while the 'gathbandhan' has fielded a Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav as its joint nominee. Ajay Rai had previously been a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) before joining the Congress. He has also contested the assembly elections as an Independent candidate from Varanasi. In 2017 Shalini Yadav contested the mayoral election on the Congress ticket and placed second, with 1.14 lakh votes - the highest tally of a Congress candidate in any recent electoral contest in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion. Apart from Rai and Yadav, there are 23 other candidates contesting against Modi this year. The other constituencies that will go to the polls on May 19 in UP are Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushi Nagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Robertsganj.

All eyes on Varanasi in final phase of Lok Sabha polls

As the Lok Sabha election reaches its last leg, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday&nbsp;in Delhi and will fly to Lucknow later in the day to meet Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief is also likely to meet NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI secretary general Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, and Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader Sharad Yadav.

On Friday, Naidu met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora regarding re-elections at five polling stations that fall under Chittoor parliamentary constituency in Andhra Pradesh on May 19.

Accusing the Election Commission of being a "biased body" that takes "pro-government decisions," Naidu, while speaking to reporters here, had said, "It is unfortunate that we are fighting against the EC. In Andhra Pradesh, they ordered re-polling in five polling stations."

"I do not want re-polling. I want the EC to be transparent. The way the EC is working, I am questioning that as a senior politician of the country. I have never seen such an attitude of the EC in the last 25 years of my political career," he said.

Naidu had also written a letter to the poll body, saying, "The EC has already conducted re-polling in five other polling stations in three districts of Andhra Pradesh on May 6, based on certain complaints. If there were any issues in the polling stations in Chandragiri assembly constituency, why didn't the Commission enquire into the same and conduct the re-polling on May 6?"

He even criticised the EC for taking cognisance of the complaints filed by the YSRCP and ordering re-polling. "We have seen polling being conducted in different phases, but have never come across re-polling also being held in phases," he said.

Hours after his meeting with Arora, Naidu visited Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the latter's residence. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also present in the meeting.

The TDP chief also met CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury.

The Seven-phased Lok Sabha elections, which began on April 11, will conclude on May 19.

The 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly seats at stake in Andhra Pradesh went for polls simultaneously on April 11. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

As the Lok Sabha election reaches its last leg, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday in Delhi and will fly to Lucknow later in the day to meet Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati.

As the Lok Sabha election reaches its last leg, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is slated to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday in Delhi and will fly to Lucknow later in the day to meet Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief is also likely to meet NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI secretary general Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, and Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader Sharad Yadav. On Friday, Naidu met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora regarding re-elections at five polling stations that fall under Chittoor parliamentary constituency in Andhra Pradesh on May 19. Accusing the Election Commission of being a "biased body" that takes "pro-government decisions," Naidu, while speaking to reporters here, had said, "It is unfortunate that we are fighting against the EC. In Andhra Pradesh, they ordered re-polling in five polling stations." "I do not want re-polling. I want the EC to be transparent. The way the EC is working, I am questioning that as a senior politician of the country. I have never seen such an attitude of the EC in the last 25 years of my political career," he said. Naidu had also written a letter to the poll body, saying, "The EC has already conducted re-polling in five other polling stations in three districts of Andhra Pradesh on May 6, based on certain complaints. If there were any issues in the polling stations in Chandragiri assembly constituency, why didn't the Commission enquire into the same and conduct the re-polling on May 6?" He even criticised the EC for taking cognisance of the complaints filed by the YSRCP and ordering re-polling. "We have seen polling being conducted in different phases, but have never come across re-polling also being held in phases," he said. Hours after his meeting with Arora, Naidu visited Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the latter's residence. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also present in the meeting. The TDP chief also met CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury. The Seven-phased Lok Sabha elections, which began on April 11, will conclude on May 19. The 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly seats at stake in Andhra Pradesh went for polls simultaneously on April 11. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Chandrababu Naidu to meet Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh and Mayawati on Saturday

Campaigning for the seventh and final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will come to end on Friday evening.

The last phase of the 2019 general elections is scheduled for May 19.

Around 59&nbsp;constituencies spread over seven states and one union territory will go to polls on the day.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/campaigning-ends-for-seventh-phase-of-lok-sabha-polls-in-bengal-219236">election campaigning for the West Bengal </a>state was ended a day before, on Thursday night at around 10 pm.

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The Election Commission had barred the political parties in West Bengal from campaigning in the nine constituencies of the state on a day ahead of the scheduled closing.&nbsp;

The EC took the decision by invoking the Constitution's Article 324 for the first time&nbsp;in the wake of violence between the BJP and the TMC in the city during Amit Shah's roadshow.

(With inputs from agencies)

Campaigning for the seventh and final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will come to end on Friday evening. The last phase of the 2019 general elections is scheduled for May 19.

Campaigning for the seventh and final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will come to end on Friday evening. The last phase of the 2019 general elections is scheduled for May 19. Around 59 constituencies spread over seven states and one union territory will go to polls on the day. The election campaigning for the West Bengal state was ended a day before, on Thursday night at around 10 pm. × The Election Commission had barred the political parties in West Bengal from campaigning in the nine constituencies of the state on a day ahead of the scheduled closing. The EC took the decision by invoking the Constitution's Article 324 for the first time in the wake of violence between the BJP and the TMC in the city during Amit Shah's roadshow. (With inputs from agencies)

Election campaigning for 2019 Lok Sabha polls to end today

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that he will "accept responsibility and resign" if the Congress party does not perform well in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.

"I would take responsibility and would quit if the Congress was wiped out in the state in these Lok Sabha elections. All ministers and MLAs have been made responsible for the Congress party`s performance in the state," the Chief Minister said in a statement.

"The party high command had decided to hold the ministers and legislators accountable for the victory/defeat of the Congress candidates. I am ready to take the same responsibility for the state but I am confident that Congress will sweep all Lok Sabha seats in Punjab," Amarinder said.

Amarinder Singh returned as chief minister of Punjab in 2017 after a decade rule of Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress had won 77 out of the 117 seats in assembly elections with a vote share 38.5 per cent. Singh`s first term as the chief minister of the state from 2002 to 2007.

Punjab will witness polling for its Lok Sabha seats on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that he will "accept responsibility and resign" if the Congress party does not perform well in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that he will "accept responsibility and resign" if the Congress party does not perform well in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. "I would take responsibility and would quit if the Congress was wiped out in the state in these Lok Sabha elections. All ministers and MLAs have been made responsible for the Congress party`s performance in the state," the Chief Minister said in a statement. "The party high command had decided to hold the ministers and legislators accountable for the victory/defeat of the Congress candidates. I am ready to take the same responsibility for the state but I am confident that Congress will sweep all Lok Sabha seats in Punjab," Amarinder said. Amarinder Singh returned as chief minister of Punjab in 2017 after a decade rule of Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress had won 77 out of the 117 seats in assembly elections with a vote share 38.5 per cent. Singh`s first term as the chief minister of the state from 2002 to 2007. Punjab will witness polling for its Lok Sabha seats on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Will resign if Congress gets wiped out from Punjab: Amarinder Singh

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