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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Wednesday requested the Election Commission of India to relax the Model Code of Conduct in four coastal districts to enable the state take steps in view of the cyclone threat.

The Chief Minister wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora in this regard, saying the super cyclone FANI was likely to hit the coast between north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Four districts of coastal AP East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have to be kept on high alert.

"To facilitate free flow of information, mobilisation of human and material resources and taking other preventive steps, there is a need to relax the model code of conduct that is in force in the state.

Since the Assembly elections have been completed in the state, it is requested that the model code of conduct may be relaxed in the above mentioned four districts,so that official machinery and the ministers concerned could work effectively to keep the effects of cyclone FANI to the minimum and provide the solace and succour to the people of the affected areas," the Chief Minister said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Wednesday requested the Election Commission of India to relax the Model Code of Conduct in four coastal districts to enable the state take steps in view of the cyclone threat.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Wednesday requested the Election Commission of India to relax the Model Code of Conduct in four coastal districts to enable the state take steps in view of the cyclone threat. The Chief Minister wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora in this regard, saying the super cyclone FANI was likely to hit the coast between north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Four districts of coastal AP East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have to be kept on high alert. "To facilitate free flow of information, mobilisation of human and material resources and taking other preventive steps, there is a need to relax the model code of conduct that is in force in the state. Since the Assembly elections have been completed in the state, it is requested that the model code of conduct may be relaxed in the above mentioned four districts,so that official machinery and the ministers concerned could work effectively to keep the effects of cyclone FANI to the minimum and provide the solace and succour to the people of the affected areas," the Chief Minister said.

Cyclone Fani: Naidu requests Election Commission to relax Model Code of Conduct in 4 coastal districts

The Shiv Sena Wednesday welcomed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-government-considering-burqa-ban-after-terror-attacks-213135">Sri Lankan government's decision to ban burqa </a>and masks on grounds of national security and asked the Narendra Modi-led regime to follow suit.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisenas footsteps and ban burqas and other face-covering garments in India considering the threat it poses to the nation's security.

The Sena mouthpiece said, "We welcome the decision by the Sri Lankan president. If this can happen in Ravana's Lanka, when will it happen in Ram's Ayodhya," it said.

The editorial said even France, New Zealand, Australia and England have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/shiv-sena-demands-burqa-ban-says-pose-threat-to-national-security-215060">banned burqa</a>. "Why is India lagging behind," it asked.

The editorial said this task (of banning burqa) is as gutsy as the surgical strikes.

"Face masks can prove detrimental in identifying people and the ban was necessary under emergency situation. The Sri Lankan president has shown courage. Modi should follow suit," the editorial said.

Meanwhile, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the Sena saying that the fight against terrorism does not entail the dress, but the mindset.

Owaisi said the editorial comes underpaid news category and violates the model code of conduct enforced by the Election Commission. The poll body must take note of the matter, he added.

The Shiv Sena Wednesday welcomed Sri Lankan government's decision to ban burqa and masks on grounds of national security and asked the Narendra Modi-led regime to follow suit.

The Shiv Sena Wednesday welcomed Sri Lankan government's decision to ban burqa and masks on grounds of national security and asked the Narendra Modi-led regime to follow suit. In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisenas footsteps and ban burqas and other face-covering garments in India considering the threat it poses to the nation's security. The Sena mouthpiece said, "We welcome the decision by the Sri Lankan president. If this can happen in Ravana's Lanka, when will it happen in Ram's Ayodhya," it said. The editorial said even France, New Zealand, Australia and England have banned burqa. "Why is India lagging behind," it asked. The editorial said this task (of banning burqa) is as gutsy as the surgical strikes. "Face masks can prove detrimental in identifying people and the ban was necessary under emergency situation. The Sri Lankan president has shown courage. Modi should follow suit," the editorial said. Meanwhile, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the Sena saying that the fight against terrorism does not entail the dress, but the mindset. Owaisi said the editorial comes underpaid news category and violates the model code of conduct enforced by the Election Commission. The poll body must take note of the matter, he added.

Burqa banned in Ravana's Lanka, why not in Ram's Ayodhya: Shiv Sena

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, who is contesting from east Delhi on BJP ticket, Wednesday challenged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for debate and accused him of betraying the people of the national capital.

Addressing a rally in Shastri Park, Gambhir said he was not scared of Pakistan during his cricketing days and will not be scared of debate.

"I challenge Arvind Kejriwal for debate in a public meeting. I have been challenged for a debate (by AAP's candidate Atishi) and it was said that I ran away from it. When I was not scared of Pakistan (as a cricket player), why would I be afraid of debate," he said.

Gambhir, who is locked in a triangular contest with the Aam Aadmi Party's Atishi and Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely, said he won't make false promises.

"Kejriwal has betrayed the people of Delhi. Modi has vision to make India a superpower. I am fortunate to have this opportunity. We need to work for a country that we can be proud of.&nbsp;

"We will make Delhi a city where people have clean drinking water and pure air to breath. I will not make any false promise," he added.&nbsp;

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, who is contesting from east Delhi on BJP ticket, Wednesday challenged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for debate and accused him of betraying the people of the national capital.

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, who is contesting from east Delhi on BJP ticket, Wednesday challenged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for debate and accused him of betraying the people of the national capital. Addressing a rally in Shastri Park, Gambhir said he was not scared of Pakistan during his cricketing days and will not be scared of debate. "I challenge Arvind Kejriwal for debate in a public meeting. I have been challenged for a debate (by AAP's candidate Atishi) and it was said that I ran away from it. When I was not scared of Pakistan (as a cricket player), why would I be afraid of debate," he said. Gambhir, who is locked in a triangular contest with the Aam Aadmi Party's Atishi and Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely, said he won't make false promises. "Kejriwal has betrayed the people of Delhi. Modi has vision to make India a superpower. I am fortunate to have this opportunity. We need to work for a country that we can be proud of. "We will make Delhi a city where people have clean drinking water and pure air to breath. I will not make any false promise," he added.

Gambhir challenges Kejriwal for debate, accuses him of betraying people of national capital

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that in last five years BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the last 15 years.

Speaking at an election rally in Amethi, where Smriti Irani is contesting against Rahul Gandhi for the second consecutive time in the Lok Sabha polls, Adityanath said, "In the last five years Smriti Irani visited Amethi&nbsp;more than Rahul Gandhi did in the last 15 years."

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UP chief minister said, "Everywhere in the country, people want Narendra Modi led government again. In 2014 there was Modi wave and this time there is Modi wave along with his work."

Adityanath said, "PM Modi worked for "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas" while Congress' dynastic family does otherwise.

He said, "Under PM Modi led NDA government, 1.5 crores poor of the country have got houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the past five years. As many as 9.5 crore toilets have been made.”

“Poor farmers get Rs 6,000 per annum under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. 15 crore youths get economic assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. 37 crore people have got bank accounts. 50 crore people have health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat,” he added.

Adityanath said, “Kalashnikov rifles are going to be manufactured soon in Amethi. In this way, this place will contribute to the fight against terrorism.&nbsp; 
This will strengthen the security of the country. If the country is strong then we all will be empowered too.”

Hitting out at Congress, Adityanath said, "Congress dynasty says that there is EVM problem in the Lok Sabha Polls, they are saying this because they fear BJP's popularity in the polls."

"Rahul Gandhi has won three times from here but he has betrayed the people. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-known-as-raul-vinci-in-britain-italy-yogi-adityanath-212438">When he visits foreign countries then he changes his name</a>," added Adityanath.

Praising his own work in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "There are 1,58,000 basic education schools in UP but their conditions were bad. Through Kaya Kalp scheme, conditions of more than 1,15,000 schools were improved by the state government."

He said, "There is massive infrastructure development under Modi government like metro, highways, railways, air connectivity, AIIMS, IIT and besides this the security of the country is taken care of."

Adityanath said, "Under Congress, 270 districts were affected by terrorism and Naxalism and now it is limited to 5-6 districts under PM Modi led BJP...When Narendra Modi become PM again then this country will get free from terrorism and Naxalism forever."

Praising BJP's manifesto in the Lok Sabha Polls, the UP Chief Minister said, "Kisan Samman Nidhi every year each farmer will get Rs 6,000. BJP will give pension to farmers and businessmen after they get sixty years old."

He added, "Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to say I send 100 then only 15 gets to poor. I say the rest 85 used to get consumed by corrupt middlemen of Congress. Narendra Modi gives 100 and all of it reaches poor."

He criticised NYAY scheme saying Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the injustices done to people.

"If Congress was in power then Wing Commander Abhinandan who was got captive in Pakistan while defending the country would have been tortured in Pakistan. But it was BJP government's effort that Pakistan had to return Abhinandan," he added.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that in last five years BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the last 15 years.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that in last five years BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the last 15 years. Speaking at an election rally in Amethi, where Smriti Irani is contesting against Rahul Gandhi for the second consecutive time in the Lok Sabha polls, Adityanath said, "In the last five years Smriti Irani visited Amethi more than Rahul Gandhi did in the last 15 years." Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UP chief minister said, "Everywhere in the country, people want Narendra Modi led government again. In 2014 there was Modi wave and this time there is Modi wave along with his work." Adityanath said, "PM Modi worked for "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas" while Congress' dynastic family does otherwise. He said, "Under PM Modi led NDA government, 1.5 crores poor of the country have got houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the past five years. As many as 9.5 crore toilets have been made.” “Poor farmers get Rs 6,000 per annum under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. 15 crore youths get economic assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. 37 crore people have got bank accounts. 50 crore people have health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat,” he added. Adityanath said, “Kalashnikov rifles are going to be manufactured soon in Amethi. In this way, this place will contribute to the fight against terrorism. This will strengthen the security of the country. If the country is strong then we all will be empowered too.” Hitting out at Congress, Adityanath said, "Congress dynasty says that there is EVM problem in the Lok Sabha Polls, they are saying this because they fear BJP's popularity in the polls." "Rahul Gandhi has won three times from here but he has betrayed the people. When he visits foreign countries then he changes his name," added Adityanath. Praising his own work in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "There are 1,58,000 basic education schools in UP but their conditions were bad. Through Kaya Kalp scheme, conditions of more than 1,15,000 schools were improved by the state government." He said, "There is massive infrastructure development under Modi government like metro, highways, railways, air connectivity, AIIMS, IIT and besides this the security of the country is taken care of." Adityanath said, "Under Congress, 270 districts were affected by terrorism and Naxalism and now it is limited to 5-6 districts under PM Modi led BJP...When Narendra Modi become PM again then this country will get free from terrorism and Naxalism forever." Praising BJP's manifesto in the Lok Sabha Polls, the UP Chief Minister said, "Kisan Samman Nidhi every year each farmer will get Rs 6,000. BJP will give pension to farmers and businessmen after they get sixty years old." He added, "Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to say I send 100 then only 15 gets to poor. I say the rest 85 used to get consumed by corrupt middlemen of Congress. Narendra Modi gives 100 and all of it reaches poor." He criticised NYAY scheme saying Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the injustices done to people. "If Congress was in power then Wing Commander Abhinandan who was got captive in Pakistan while defending the country would have been tortured in Pakistan. But it was BJP government's effort that Pakistan had to return Abhinandan," he added.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Smriti Irani visits Amethi more than Rahul Gandhi, says Yogi Adityanath

The Election Commission on Tuesday submitted in the Madras High Court that the security breach in the storage room, where poll related documents of Madurai Lok Sabha seat were kept, has eroded public confidence to a significant extent about the fairness of the election process.

"The incident has created a dent and serious apprehension in the minds of public, media, candidates and political parties," Satyabrata Sahoo, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer said through a counter filed in the plea by CPI-M candidate Su Venkatesan, seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team.

Sahoo said the lapse shows the need for substantial improvement in the coordination between the police and the district administration.

"For counting and results, one additional counting observer from the state civil service in the rank of the additional magistrate will be appointed to report to the general observer for the constituency," Sahoo said.

Earlier, the division bench of Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad refused to vacate the interim order directing the Election Commission (EC) to initiate disciplinary action against the transferred Madurai returning officer S Natarajan and others who were responsible for the security breach.

Technically, it was not the court's direction, while the court was about to pass orders, the EC produced a communication informing their decision to transfer the officials and take disciplinary action against them. The same was recorded in the order, the bench said, rejecting Natarajan's request.

Senior counsel ARL Sundaresan, appearing for Natarajan, submitted it was only the assistant returning officer who instructed the tahsildar to visit the room which was under his custody without obtaining prior permission from the returning officer.

Claiming that he was facing action for no fault on his part, Natarajan submitted that even the additional chief electoral officer who conducted an inquiry into the incident did not get any explanation from him.

"He had not been given fair opportunities to know the statements of others and to defend the allegations against him," Sundaresan said.

Similarly, M Rajasekaran, Personal Assistant (General) to the Madurai Collector, who was alleged to have instructed the ARO to send the tahsildar to visit the room, moved an impleading petition claiming that he has no role in the election works as it was handled by a separate designated PA.

"My name has been included in the issue and action has been ordered by mistake," he said.

As the petitioners' counsel did not object for his impleading, the court added him as a party respondent and posted the plea to June 6 for further hearing.

On Saturday, the court directed the Election Commission to initiate disciplinary action or prosecution against M Rajasekaran and two officials for allowing polling staff to enter a storage room where records of the April 18 polls are kept.

Besides the PA, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), who was in charge of election duty that day, and police personnel present there reportedly allowed a woman tahsildar and three other polling staff to enter the room.

The Tahsildar is now under suspension.

The court had passed the interim order on a petition filed by CPI(M)'s Venkatesan.

According to Venkatesan, the tahsildar allegedly trespassed into the documents storage room on April 20 without any authority and remained there for three hours.

Venkatesan has submitted that three staff members of Madurai Municipal Corporation had also accompanied her.

Alleging that the unlawful incident would not have occurred without the knowledge of District Collector Natarajan, who is the Returning Officer, Venkatesan had sought an interim direction for appointment of a special observer of the rank of an IAS officer for counting the postal ballots.

Besides, the petitioner also sought three-tier security for the counting centre, transfer of the returning officer and appointment of a Special Investigation Team.&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Tuesday submitted in the Madras High Court that the security breach in the storage room, where poll related documents of Madurai Lok Sabha seat were kept, has eroded public confidence to a significant extent about the fairness of the election process.

The Election Commission on Tuesday submitted in the Madras High Court that the security breach in the storage room, where poll related documents of Madurai Lok Sabha seat were kept, has eroded public confidence to a significant extent about the fairness of the election process. "The incident has created a dent and serious apprehension in the minds of public, media, candidates and political parties," Satyabrata Sahoo, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer said through a counter filed in the plea by CPI-M candidate Su Venkatesan, seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team. Sahoo said the lapse shows the need for substantial improvement in the coordination between the police and the district administration. "For counting and results, one additional counting observer from the state civil service in the rank of the additional magistrate will be appointed to report to the general observer for the constituency," Sahoo said. Earlier, the division bench of Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad refused to vacate the interim order directing the Election Commission (EC) to initiate disciplinary action against the transferred Madurai returning officer S Natarajan and others who were responsible for the security breach. Technically, it was not the court's direction, while the court was about to pass orders, the EC produced a communication informing their decision to transfer the officials and take disciplinary action against them. The same was recorded in the order, the bench said, rejecting Natarajan's request. Senior counsel ARL Sundaresan, appearing for Natarajan, submitted it was only the assistant returning officer who instructed the tahsildar to visit the room which was under his custody without obtaining prior permission from the returning officer. Claiming that he was facing action for no fault on his part, Natarajan submitted that even the additional chief electoral officer who conducted an inquiry into the incident did not get any explanation from him. "He had not been given fair opportunities to know the statements of others and to defend the allegations against him," Sundaresan said. Similarly, M Rajasekaran, Personal Assistant (General) to the Madurai Collector, who was alleged to have instructed the ARO to send the tahsildar to visit the room, moved an impleading petition claiming that he has no role in the election works as it was handled by a separate designated PA. "My name has been included in the issue and action has been ordered by mistake," he said. As the petitioners' counsel did not object for his impleading, the court added him as a party respondent and posted the plea to June 6 for further hearing. On Saturday, the court directed the Election Commission to initiate disciplinary action or prosecution against M Rajasekaran and two officials for allowing polling staff to enter a storage room where records of the April 18 polls are kept. Besides the PA, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), who was in charge of election duty that day, and police personnel present there reportedly allowed a woman tahsildar and three other polling staff to enter the room. The Tahsildar is now under suspension. The court had passed the interim order on a petition filed by CPI(M)'s Venkatesan. According to Venkatesan, the tahsildar allegedly trespassed into the documents storage room on April 20 without any authority and remained there for three hours. Venkatesan has submitted that three staff members of Madurai Municipal Corporation had also accompanied her. Alleging that the unlawful incident would not have occurred without the knowledge of District Collector Natarajan, who is the Returning Officer, Venkatesan had sought an interim direction for appointment of a special observer of the rank of an IAS officer for counting the postal ballots. Besides, the petitioner also sought three-tier security for the counting centre, transfer of the returning officer and appointment of a Special Investigation Team.

Storeroom security breach of Madurai Lok Sabha seat eroded public confidence: Election Commission

The nomination of former BSF constable and Samajwadi Party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav, who filed his papers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, was rejected on Wednesday after he failed to submit a certificate.

The Returning Officer (RO) Surendra Singh on Tuesday had issued a notice to Yadav, asking him to submit the certificate whether or not he was dismissed from the service for corruption or disloyalty to the government.

"You have not submitted the certificate to the effect that whether or not you were dismissed from the service for corruption or disloyalty with your nomination papers. You are directed through this notice to submit the aforementioned certificate till 11 am on May 1, 2019," the notice issued on Tuesday read.

Yadav, however, has alleged foul play and said that he would knock the doors of the Supreme Court on Thursday.

"My nomination has been rejected wrongly. I was asked to produce a certificate at 6.15 pm on Tuesday. We produced the evidence, but my nomination was rejected," he said.

"We will move the Supreme Court on Thursday," his lawyer said.

Yadav alleged that the RO, also the district magistrate of Varanasi, of being under pressure. "DM Sahab is under pressure," he said.

Singh said: "A person who has been dismissed from service from state or Central governments within the last five years has to obtain a certificate that he or she has not been dismissed due to disloyalty or corruption. The certificate was not produced before 11 am. So the nomination was rejected."

Yadav alleged that he was given a very short period to submit the certificate.

"I told the RO that I am not Ambani or Adani who will go by a chartered plane to Delhi for the certificate. However, I produced the certificate but they rejected it in an authoritative manner. They said that I could not produce the certificate before 11 am," said Yadav.

He also alleged a conspiracy against him. "It is just a conspiracy against us. Modi ji is scared. It has been done intentionally," said Yadav, who was dismissed from the BSF in 2017 after complaining about the poor quality of food served to the soldiers in a video, which went viral.

Yadav had posted four videos on social media in January 2017, which showed him complaining about unpalatable food at his camp along Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was named as the Samajwadi Party candidate from Varanasi parliamentary constituency to take on Prime Minister Modi on Monday. Earlier, he was in the fray as an independent candidate.

Varanasi seat was won by Prime Minister Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections. He had defeated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes.

The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

The nomination of former BSF constable and Samajwadi Party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav, who filed his papers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, was rejected on Wednesday after he failed to submit a certificate.

The nomination of former BSF constable and Samajwadi Party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav, who filed his papers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, was rejected on Wednesday after he failed to submit a certificate. The Returning Officer (RO) Surendra Singh on Tuesday had issued a notice to Yadav, asking him to submit the certificate whether or not he was dismissed from the service for corruption or disloyalty to the government. "You have not submitted the certificate to the effect that whether or not you were dismissed from the service for corruption or disloyalty with your nomination papers. You are directed through this notice to submit the aforementioned certificate till 11 am on May 1, 2019," the notice issued on Tuesday read. Yadav, however, has alleged foul play and said that he would knock the doors of the Supreme Court on Thursday. "My nomination has been rejected wrongly. I was asked to produce a certificate at 6.15 pm on Tuesday. We produced the evidence, but my nomination was rejected," he said. "We will move the Supreme Court on Thursday," his lawyer said. Yadav alleged that the RO, also the district magistrate of Varanasi, of being under pressure. "DM Sahab is under pressure," he said. Singh said: "A person who has been dismissed from service from state or Central governments within the last five years has to obtain a certificate that he or she has not been dismissed due to disloyalty or corruption. The certificate was not produced before 11 am. So the nomination was rejected." Yadav alleged that he was given a very short period to submit the certificate. "I told the RO that I am not Ambani or Adani who will go by a chartered plane to Delhi for the certificate. However, I produced the certificate but they rejected it in an authoritative manner. They said that I could not produce the certificate before 11 am," said Yadav. He also alleged a conspiracy against him. "It is just a conspiracy against us. Modi ji is scared. It has been done intentionally," said Yadav, who was dismissed from the BSF in 2017 after complaining about the poor quality of food served to the soldiers in a video, which went viral. Yadav had posted four videos on social media in January 2017, which showed him complaining about unpalatable food at his camp along Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. He was named as the Samajwadi Party candidate from Varanasi parliamentary constituency to take on Prime Minister Modi on Monday. Earlier, he was in the fray as an independent candidate. Varanasi seat was won by Prime Minister Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections. He had defeated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes. The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s nomination for Varanasi rejected, says will move Supreme Court 

''Nation's self-respect gone up in last 5 years,'' says PM Modi in Ayodhya rally. Watch this complete video to know more.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: ''Nation's self-respect has gone up in last 5 years,'' says PM Modi

The Election Commission said it has seized unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs and other inducements worth a total of Rs 3,274 crore in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday.

"Total cash seizure is Rs 785.26 crore, liquor (Rs 249.038 crore), narcotics (Rs 1214.46 crore), Gold and precious materials (Rs 972.253 crore) and other freebies (Rs 53.167 crore), which makes the grand total of Rs 3274.18 crore," said an official statement issued by the EC.

The poll watchdog said it appointed 97 expenditure observers in 72 parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly constituencies across the country that went to polls on Monday. It was appointed to implement its instructions regarding election expenditure of candidates and for the seizure of unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs, and other inducements.

In order to curb the abuse of money power during elections, the commission decided that each expenditure sensitive constituency would have two expenditure observers. States with geographically difficult terrain have also been allotted a slightly larger number of expenditure observers so that there is better visibility and accessibility.

As per the instructions of the EC, the states deployed adequate resources in terms of Flying Squads (FS), Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs) in all the parliamentary constituencies and assembly constituencies, the EC said.

The number of expenditure observers was 97, assistant expenditure observers (492), FS (1761), SSTs (1757), VSTs (1080), video viewing team (618) and accounting team (543).

Voting was held on Monday for 72 seats across nine states including five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal and 17 in Maharashtra.

An overall voter turnout of 64.05 per cent was registered in the fourth phase of polling.

Seven-phase elections will end on May 19, and results will be declared on&nbsp;May 23.

The Election Commission said it has seized unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs and other inducements worth a total of Rs 3,274 crore in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday.

The Election Commission said it has seized unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs and other inducements worth a total of Rs 3,274 crore in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday. "Total cash seizure is Rs 785.26 crore, liquor (Rs 249.038 crore), narcotics (Rs 1214.46 crore), Gold and precious materials (Rs 972.253 crore) and other freebies (Rs 53.167 crore), which makes the grand total of Rs 3274.18 crore," said an official statement issued by the EC. The poll watchdog said it appointed 97 expenditure observers in 72 parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly constituencies across the country that went to polls on Monday. It was appointed to implement its instructions regarding election expenditure of candidates and for the seizure of unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs, and other inducements. In order to curb the abuse of money power during elections, the commission decided that each expenditure sensitive constituency would have two expenditure observers. States with geographically difficult terrain have also been allotted a slightly larger number of expenditure observers so that there is better visibility and accessibility. As per the instructions of the EC, the states deployed adequate resources in terms of Flying Squads (FS), Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs) in all the parliamentary constituencies and assembly constituencies, the EC said. The number of expenditure observers was 97, assistant expenditure observers (492), FS (1761), SSTs (1757), VSTs (1080), video viewing team (618) and accounting team (543). Voting was held on Monday for 72 seats across nine states including five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal and 17 in Maharashtra. An overall voter turnout of 64.05 per cent was registered in the fourth phase of polling. Seven-phase elections will end on May 19, and results will be declared on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission seizes cash, liquor worth Rs 3,274 crore in fourth phase

Is there a Modi Wave in 2019? Watch this video to find out.

India Election Watch: Is there a Modi Wave in 2019?

In this edition of WION's Know Your Candidate, we feature Jayant Sinha. Know more about him by watching this video.

India Election Watch: Know Your Candidate, who is Jayant Sinha?

Global Times, China's state-run media, recently heaped praise on PM Modi for being rational on New Delhi-Beijing issues and maintaining a diplomatic balance between China and India.

India Election Watch: Globel Times bets on Indian Prime Minister Modi's return

The MHA has reportedly sent a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi after Subramanian Swamy's representation in which the BJP Rajya Sabha MP claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a British citizen.So far, there hasn't been an official statement from an MHA spokesperson.

India Election Watch: Double whammy for Rahul Gandhi

Rally roster for top leaders for April 30, 2019. Watch more to know.

India Election Watch: Rally roster for top leaders for April 30, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a veiled attack on Congress while addressing a rally in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur on Tuesday. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: PM Modi hits out at Opposition in Bihar

This segment of India Election Watch brings to you top election headlines of the day.

India Election Watch: Watch top election stories

Former cricketer and BJP's East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-lodges-complaint-against-gautam-gambhir-for-holding-public-meeting-without-permission-213947">Gautam Gambhir</a>, on Tuesday, refuted AAP leader Atishi's allegations of him holding two voter identity cards while asserting that he possesses only one identity document.

"I have only one voter-ID that is from Rajendra Nagar. I do not have any other voter-ID," Gambhir told ANI during a roadshow in south Delhi's Jangpura area.

Downplaying the AAP's allegations, Gambhir had earlier termed it as "negative politics".

"When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics. We will do everything according to the rules," he told reporters on April 28.

On Monday, Atishi, who is facing Gambhir and Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, wrote a letter to the Returning Officer (RO), accusing Gambhir of repeatedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

"I file my formal complaint against Gautam Gambhir, East Delhi Parliamentary Constituency candidate, BJP, for distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name and quantity in violation of the rules," she said in the letter.

Atishi had requested the RO to take strong action on her complaint and register an FIR against Gambhir. She also sought a 72 hour-ban on Gambhir from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls for allegedly violating the MCC several times.

Delhi, which has seven Lok Sabha seats at stake, will go to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Former cricketer and BJP's East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, Gautam Gambhir, on Tuesday, refuted AAP leader Atishi's allegations of him holding two voter identity cards while asserting that he possesses only one identity document.

Former cricketer and BJP's East Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, Gautam Gambhir, on Tuesday, refuted AAP leader Atishi's allegations of him holding two voter identity cards while asserting that he possesses only one identity document. "I have only one voter-ID that is from Rajendra Nagar. I do not have any other voter-ID," Gambhir told ANI during a roadshow in south Delhi's Jangpura area. Downplaying the AAP's allegations, Gambhir had earlier termed it as "negative politics". "When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics. We will do everything according to the rules," he told reporters on April 28. On Monday, Atishi, who is facing Gambhir and Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, wrote a letter to the Returning Officer (RO), accusing Gambhir of repeatedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). "I file my formal complaint against Gautam Gambhir, East Delhi Parliamentary Constituency candidate, BJP, for distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name and quantity in violation of the rules," she said in the letter. Atishi had requested the RO to take strong action on her complaint and register an FIR against Gambhir. She also sought a 72 hour-ban on Gambhir from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls for allegedly violating the MCC several times. Delhi, which has seven Lok Sabha seats at stake, will go to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

I have only one voter-ID card: Gautam Gambhir

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been temporarily barred from campaigning by the Election Commission for violating the Model Code of Conduct. &nbsp;

Khan will not be able to participate in election campaigning starting 6am on May 1 for the next 48 hours.&nbsp;

This is not the first time when Khan is being barred from campaigning for this year's general polls. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/azam-khan-and-maneka-gandhi-also-temporarily-barred-from-election-campaigning-210703">On April 15, the top poll body had&nbsp;barred Khan</a> from campaigning for 72 hours for his comments against BJP candidate Jaya Prada. &nbsp;

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Election Commission bars Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan from election campaigning for 48 hours starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/cmF5R3fYtk">pic.twitter.com/cmF5R3fYtk</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1123233407700365312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In the past month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-2019-election-commission-of-india-bans-adityanath-mayawati-for-violating-model-code-of-conduct-210566">Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati</a> and Union minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi were among the leaders who were temporarily barred from campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The leaders faced the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches.

The Supreme Court, last month, came down heavily on the Election Commission for its inability to crack down on the violation of the poll conduct by political leaders.&nbsp;

"Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had asked.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been temporarily barred from campaigning by the Election Commission for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Khan will not be able to participate in election campaigning starting 6am on May 1 for the next 48 hours.

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been temporarily barred from campaigning by the Election Commission for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Khan will not be able to participate in election campaigning starting 6am on May 1 for the next 48 hours. This is not the first time when Khan is being barred from campaigning for this year's general polls. On April 15, the top poll body had barred Khan from campaigning for 72 hours for his comments against BJP candidate Jaya Prada. Election Commission bars Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan from election campaigning for 48 hours starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct. #LokSabhaElections2019 (file pic) pic.twitter.com/cmF5R3fYtk — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2019 × In the past month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and Union minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi were among the leaders who were temporarily barred from campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The leaders faced the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches. The Supreme Court, last month, came down heavily on the Election Commission for its inability to crack down on the violation of the poll conduct by political leaders. "Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had asked.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission bars Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning for 48 hours

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll speech in Wardha in which he criticised Congress chief <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/elections/politicians/rahul-gandhi%3Fpage%3D33&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjXrs2FnPjhAhUH6Y8KHX3UAQM4RhAWMAB6BAgFEAE&amp;usg=AOvVaw3561lXS55TGaN59qEvw4-n">Rahul Gandhi</a> for playing appeasement politics over his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/lok-sabha-polls-2019-rahul-gandhis-wayanad-choice-could-hurt-congress-in-the-north-207697">candidature from Wayanad </a>does not violate the Model Code of Conduct.

"In a matter related to a complaint concerning an alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct in a speech by PM Narendra Modi in Wardha, Maharashtra on 01.04.2019, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," the poll panel said.&nbsp;

The EC said it had examined the matter in detail in accordance with the extant guidelines of the MCC and the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra."Accordingly, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," the apex poll body's order said.&nbsp;

The Congress on April 5 moved the EC against Modi's speech alleging that the comments were "hateful and divisive."

In the rally in Wardha, Modi had taken a veiled jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, saying the party was "forced to run away from a majority seat to a minority constituency," while accusing it of "defaming" the Hindu community by coining the term Hindu terror.

"Congress has done the sin of defaming our more than 5,000 years old culture. The peaceful Hindu society which considers the whole world as its family was called a terrorist. That is why they have been forced to run away from a majority seat and go to a minority seat", he had said in his speech.&nbsp;

Modi added, "When Sushil Kumar Shinde was a minister, he had spoken about Hindu terrorism from the land of Maharashtra. However, a few days ago, the court`s decision came which exposed the Congress conspiracy in front of the country. Congress has insulted Hindus."

(With inputs from ANI)

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll speech in Wardha in which he criticised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for playing appeasement politics over his candidature from Wayanad does not violate the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll speech in Wardha in which he criticised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for playing appeasement politics over his candidature from Wayanad does not violate the Model Code of Conduct. "In a matter related to a complaint concerning an alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct in a speech by PM Narendra Modi in Wardha, Maharashtra on 01.04.2019, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," the poll panel said. The EC said it had examined the matter in detail in accordance with the extant guidelines of the MCC and the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra."Accordingly, Commission is of the considered view that in this matter no such violation has been noticed," the apex poll body's order said. The Congress on April 5 moved the EC against Modi's speech alleging that the comments were "hateful and divisive." In the rally in Wardha, Modi had taken a veiled jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, saying the party was "forced to run away from a majority seat to a minority constituency," while accusing it of "defaming" the Hindu community by coining the term Hindu terror. "Congress has done the sin of defaming our more than 5,000 years old culture. The peaceful Hindu society which considers the whole world as its family was called a terrorist. That is why they have been forced to run away from a majority seat and go to a minority seat", he had said in his speech. Modi added, "When Sushil Kumar Shinde was a minister, he had spoken about Hindu terrorism from the land of Maharashtra. However, a few days ago, the court`s decision came which exposed the Congress conspiracy in front of the country. Congress has insulted Hindus." (With inputs from ANI)

PM Modi gets clean chit: No poll code violation in Wardha speech, says Election Commission

Congress general secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-rubbish-entire-nation-knows-he-is-indian-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-on-rahuls-citizenship-row-214729">Priyanka Gandhi Vadra</a> on Tuesday rubbished the claims that Congress president Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad as he was unsure of his fate from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat.

"It is not a sign of insecurity. Rahul went to Wayanad because our party cadres in Kerala asked him to. The people of Amethi have encouraged him to represent both south and the north," Priyanka told reporters.

Talking about her decision of not contesting from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat she said, "I did not pull out of Varanasi. I took the advice of all the senior leaders of the party and all my colleagues in Uttar Pradesh.

They firmly felt that I had the responsibility of looking after all the seats. Even today, they want me to campaign in their constituencies. I did what my party asked me to do."Amethi will go to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. &nbsp;

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday rubbished the claims that Congress president Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad as he was unsure of his fate from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday rubbished the claims that Congress president Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad as he was unsure of his fate from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. "It is not a sign of insecurity. Rahul went to Wayanad because our party cadres in Kerala asked him to. The people of Amethi have encouraged him to represent both south and the north," Priyanka told reporters. Talking about her decision of not contesting from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat she said, "I did not pull out of Varanasi. I took the advice of all the senior leaders of the party and all my colleagues in Uttar Pradesh. They firmly felt that I had the responsibility of looking after all the seats. Even today, they want me to campaign in their constituencies. I did what my party asked me to do."Amethi will go to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad because people wanted him to: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/be-it-pak-terrorists-or-traitors-on-our-own-soil-chowkidar-will-not-spare-anyone-pm-modi-214470">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition.&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, the prime minister said that those who were playing the game of "who will become the prime minister with each other"&nbsp;are now playing hide and seek after the conclusion of the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

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PM Narendra Modi in Barabanki: Those people who till a few days ago were playing "Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri" with each other, are now playing hide and seek after the 4th phase of voting concluded....Ab janta ne inke saare sapno ko chaar charan mein choor choor kar diya hai. <a href="https://t.co/PKP23dIwml">pic.twitter.com/PKP23dIwml</a>
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On Monday, while speaking at a rally in Koderma, Jharkhand, he said that the 'chowkidar' will not spare anyone, "be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil".

"We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force," he said

The prime minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party."

The fourth leg of the seven-phased general elections was conducted across 9 states and for 72 constituencies on Monday. 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded as announced by the Election Commission.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition. While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, the prime minister said that those who were playing the game of "who will become the prime minister with each other" are now playing hide and seek after the conclusion of the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. PM Narendra Modi in Barabanki: Those people who till a few days ago were playing "Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri" with each other, are now playing hide and seek after the 4th phase of voting concluded....Ab janta ne inke saare sapno ko chaar charan mein choor choor kar diya hai. pic.twitter.com/PKP23dIwml — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 30, 2019 × On Monday, while speaking at a rally in Koderma, Jharkhand, he said that the 'chowkidar' will not spare anyone, "be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil". "We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force," he said The prime minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party." The fourth leg of the seven-phased general elections was conducted across 9 states and for 72 constituencies on Monday. 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded as announced by the Election Commission.

Opposition is playing hide and seek after fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls: PM Modi in Barabanki 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's candidature from Varanasi, a day after he claimed 40 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs were in touch with him.

"You are coming and you are saying 40 MLAs will go. Nobody will go; the people of our party are not thieves like yours. If you purchase everybody, you will still be unable to topple my government. I thereby demand that your nomination should be cancelled as you are indulging in horse trading," Banerjee said at a rally in Hooghly district.

Making a sensational claim in the middle of the general election, PM Modi had said on Monday that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the polls.

After Banerjee's speech, the TMC wrote to the Election Commission, alleging that PM Modi's speech indicates an "impending horse-trading" and asked the poll panel to cancel his nomination for such "provocative and undemocratic" statements.

The firebrand Trinamool Congress chief also said the BJP will not be able to establish a foothold in West Bengal, no matter how much the party "daydreams" about it.

In its letter to the poll panel, the TMC demanded "strong action" for the "unfounded, inappropriate and illegal" campaign and "utterances of the prime minister".

(With inputs from agencies)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's candidature from Varanasi, a day after he claimed 40 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs were in touch with him.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's candidature from Varanasi, a day after he claimed 40 Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs were in touch with him. "You are coming and you are saying 40 MLAs will go. Nobody will go; the people of our party are not thieves like yours. If you purchase everybody, you will still be unable to topple my government. I thereby demand that your nomination should be cancelled as you are indulging in horse trading," Banerjee said at a rally in Hooghly district. Making a sensational claim in the middle of the general election, PM Modi had said on Monday that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the polls. After Banerjee's speech, the TMC wrote to the Election Commission, alleging that PM Modi's speech indicates an "impending horse-trading" and asked the poll panel to cancel his nomination for such "provocative and undemocratic" statements. The firebrand Trinamool Congress chief also said the BJP will not be able to establish a foothold in West Bengal, no matter how much the party "daydreams" about it. In its letter to the poll panel, the TMC demanded "strong action" for the "unfounded, inappropriate and illegal" campaign and "utterances of the prime minister". (With inputs from agencies)

Trinamool Congress wants PM Modi's nomination cancelled, writes to Election Commission

Hours after the MHA served a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections.

"It is not a big development. It is a normal process," he said when asked about his ministry serving the notice to the Congress chief asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status.

The Home Ministry issued the letter after it received documents from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in which he has claimed that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors.

Singh told media persons here, "If any member of Parliament raises a question in Parliament, it becomes necessary to respond to it. If any MP writes a letter to any ministry, then necessary proceedings are undertaken by the ministry. It is not a big development, it is a normal process."

Asked specifically if the timing of the letter raising the question on the citizenship of the country's main opposition leader was relevant as it comes in the election season, Singh replied, "No, no. This question was raised in Parliament also. A Member of Parliament (Dr Subramanian Swamy) has written to the ministry several times as well, following which the action has been taken." Gandhi is seeking reelection from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency which goes to polls in the fifth phase of voting on May 6.

An objection on the citizenship issue was also raised by an independent candidate against Gandhi in Amethi, but the returning officer, after scrutiny, declared his nomination papers as valid.

The Home Ministry also said Swamy's letter mentioned that in the British company's annual returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, Gandhi's date of birth has been shown as June 19, 1970, and his nationality as British.

"Further, in the dissolution application dated February 17, 2009, of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British.

"You are requested to intimate the factual position in the matter to this ministry within a fortnight of the receipt of this communication," the Home Ministry notice issued Monday said.

Hours after the MHA served a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections.

Hours after the MHA served a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections. "It is not a big development. It is a normal process," he said when asked about his ministry serving the notice to the Congress chief asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status. The Home Ministry issued the letter after it received documents from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in which he has claimed that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors. Singh told media persons here, "If any member of Parliament raises a question in Parliament, it becomes necessary to respond to it. If any MP writes a letter to any ministry, then necessary proceedings are undertaken by the ministry. It is not a big development, it is a normal process." Asked specifically if the timing of the letter raising the question on the citizenship of the country's main opposition leader was relevant as it comes in the election season, Singh replied, "No, no. This question was raised in Parliament also. A Member of Parliament (Dr Subramanian Swamy) has written to the ministry several times as well, following which the action has been taken." Gandhi is seeking reelection from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency which goes to polls in the fifth phase of voting on May 6. An objection on the citizenship issue was also raised by an independent candidate against Gandhi in Amethi, but the returning officer, after scrutiny, declared his nomination papers as valid. The Home Ministry also said Swamy's letter mentioned that in the British company's annual returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, Gandhi's date of birth has been shown as June 19, 1970, and his nationality as British. "Further, in the dissolution application dated February 17, 2009, of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British. "You are requested to intimate the factual position in the matter to this ministry within a fortnight of the receipt of this communication," the Home Ministry notice issued Monday said.

Timing of MHA notice to Rahul not relevant, it's normal process: Rajnath Singh

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-rubbish-entire-nation-knows-he-is-indian-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-on-rahuls-citizenship-row-214729">AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra</a> on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

She said that she took the advice of all senior party leaders and colleagues in Uttar Pradesh and decided that it was important for her to focus on the 41 Lok Sabha constituencies she is looking after over just giving attention to one seat (Varanasi).&nbsp;

"I took the advice of all senior leaders of our party and colleagues in UP. They firmly felt that I have a responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they (candidates) would be disappointed if I focused on only one place," she said.&nbsp;

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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on nomination from Varanasi seat: I took advice of all senior leaders of our party &amp; colleagues in UP.They firmly felt that I have responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they(candidates)would be disappointed if I focused on only one place <a href="https://t.co/HC8oFLn47Y">pic.twitter.com/HC8oFLn47Y</a>
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Rahul Gandhi-led Congress is yet to declare its candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. For Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fight from his home constituency. The Samajwadi Party has fielded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/fielded-tej-bahadur-from-varanasi-in-honour-of-forces-nationalism-samajwadi-party-214750">former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur</a> as alliance candidate.&nbsp;

Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp; 
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AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.

AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. She said that she took the advice of all senior party leaders and colleagues in Uttar Pradesh and decided that it was important for her to focus on the 41 Lok Sabha constituencies she is looking after over just giving attention to one seat (Varanasi). "I took the advice of all senior leaders of our party and colleagues in UP. They firmly felt that I have a responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they (candidates) would be disappointed if I focused on only one place," she said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on nomination from Varanasi seat: I took advice of all senior leaders of our party & colleagues in UP.They firmly felt that I have responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they(candidates)would be disappointed if I focused on only one place pic.twitter.com/HC8oFLn47Y — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 30, 2019 × Rahul Gandhi-led Congress is yet to declare its candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. For Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fight from his home constituency. The Samajwadi Party has fielded former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur as alliance candidate. Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.

Candidates will be disappointed if I focussed on only one seat: Priyanka Gandhi on nomination from Varanasi 

Predicting the doom of the opposition ‘mahagathbandhan (grand alliance)’ in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said its “expiry date” is May 23 when leaders of the grouping will be at each others’ throats.

The Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are in an alliance in the state. “Leaders of the SP, BSP, RLD will tear each others’ clothes once results of the Lok Sabha polls are out on May 23,” Modi said at an election meeting near here.

The prime minister, who has been slamming the alliance as “opportunistic”, said, “The expiry date of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance is May 23…evening.”&nbsp;

Modi, attacking the Congress, said that a “party which is not sure whether it will be in a position to get the post of leader of the opposition in Parliament…its leaders are getting garments stitched to take oath as prime minister.”

Predicting the doom of the opposition ‘mahagathbandhan (grand alliance)’ in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said its “expiry date” is May 23 when leaders of the grouping will be at each others’ throats.

Predicting the doom of the opposition ‘mahagathbandhan (grand alliance)’ in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said its “expiry date” is May 23 when leaders of the grouping will be at each others’ throats. The Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are in an alliance in the state. “Leaders of the SP, BSP, RLD will tear each others’ clothes once results of the Lok Sabha polls are out on May 23,” Modi said at an election meeting near here. The prime minister, who has been slamming the alliance as “opportunistic”, said, “The expiry date of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance is May 23…evening.” Modi, attacking the Congress, said that a “party which is not sure whether it will be in a position to get the post of leader of the opposition in Parliament…its leaders are getting garments stitched to take oath as prime minister.”

Expiry date of SP-BSP-RLD alliance is May 23, says PM Narendra Modi

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Tuesday said that it has fielded former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/samajwadi-party-changes-varanasi-candidate-fields-ex-bsf-constable-tej-bahadur-yadav-against-pm-modi-214463">BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi</a> in honour of India's security forces and nationalism and appealed to the people to stand with him.

"The Samajwadi Party has fielded former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur as alliance candidate in honour of security forces and nationalism. This is the high time that India stands with Tej Bahadur," SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei told ANI.

The party also cleared the air over its two candidates from Varanasi, saying, "The final candidate of the Samajwadi Party is Tej Bahadur." He said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance has posed a major challenge before Prime Minister Modi by announcing Tej Bahadur's candidature.

Jamei said, "There is a major challenge before Modi - he has to decide whether he is with security forces, India and nationalism or he is merely a BJP candidate."

The SP announced on Monday to replace its candidate Shalini Yadav with Tej Bahadur who was dismissed from BSP in 2017 after he complained about the poor quality of food served to soldiers in a viral video.

After the announcement, Tej Bahadur appealed the people to distinguish between the fake Chowkidar (a reference to Modi) and real Chowkidar of the country.

He had also claimed of getting the support of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to take on the prime minister.AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, hailed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav`s decision to field Yadav from Varanasi. However, the AAP is yet to come clear on Tej Bahadur's claim.

Tej Bahadur was already in the fray as an independent candidate from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. Shalini Yadav had insisted that she was the party's official candidate.

"I have filed nomination at the direction of national president. I am the official candidate of the party," she had said.

Varanasi seat was won by Prime Minister Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections. He had defeated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes.

The SP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in Uttar Pradesh.

As per the seat-sharing pact, the SP is contesting 37 Lok Sabha seats, while Mayawati-led BSP and Ajit Singh's RLD have been allocated 38 and three seats respectively.

The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.&nbsp;

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Tuesday said that it has fielded former BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi in honour of India's security forces and nationalism and appealed to the people to stand with him.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Tuesday said that it has fielded former BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi in honour of India's security forces and nationalism and appealed to the people to stand with him. "The Samajwadi Party has fielded former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur as alliance candidate in honour of security forces and nationalism. This is the high time that India stands with Tej Bahadur," SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei told ANI. The party also cleared the air over its two candidates from Varanasi, saying, "The final candidate of the Samajwadi Party is Tej Bahadur." He said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance has posed a major challenge before Prime Minister Modi by announcing Tej Bahadur's candidature. Jamei said, "There is a major challenge before Modi - he has to decide whether he is with security forces, India and nationalism or he is merely a BJP candidate." The SP announced on Monday to replace its candidate Shalini Yadav with Tej Bahadur who was dismissed from BSP in 2017 after he complained about the poor quality of food served to soldiers in a viral video. After the announcement, Tej Bahadur appealed the people to distinguish between the fake Chowkidar (a reference to Modi) and real Chowkidar of the country. He had also claimed of getting the support of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to take on the prime minister.AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, hailed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav`s decision to field Yadav from Varanasi. However, the AAP is yet to come clear on Tej Bahadur's claim. Tej Bahadur was already in the fray as an independent candidate from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. Shalini Yadav had insisted that she was the party's official candidate. "I have filed nomination at the direction of national president. I am the official candidate of the party," she had said. Varanasi seat was won by Prime Minister Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections. He had defeated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes. The SP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in Uttar Pradesh. As per the seat-sharing pact, the SP is contesting 37 Lok Sabha seats, while Mayawati-led BSP and Ajit Singh's RLD have been allocated 38 and three seats respectively. The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

Fielded Tej Bahadur from Varanasi in honour of forces, nationalism: Samajwadi Party

Congress&nbsp;general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East and party president Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over Ministry of Home Affairs notice to Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship.

Priyanka Gandhi told reporters that the entire country knows that Rahul Gandhi is an India.

"The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?" she exclaimed.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ministry-of-home-affairs-issues-notice-to-congress-president-rahul-gandhi-over-citizenship-214677">notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship</a> after receiving a complaint from Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy.

''The Ministry has received a representation from MP Dr Subramanian Swamy in which it has been brought out that a Company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in the year 2003 and that you were one of the Directors and Secretary of the said Company,'' the notice read.

Swamy has stated that the Congress president had declared his nationality as British in a UK-based company.

"It has been further brought out in the complaint that in the Company's Annual Returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, your date of birth has been given as June 19, 1970, and that you had declared your nationality as British. Further, in the Dissolution application dated 17/02/2009 of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British," the notice said.&nbsp;

The Ministry has asked Gandhi to respond within a 'fortnight' to the allegations.&nbsp;

Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East and party president Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over Ministry of Home Affairs notice to Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship.

Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East and party president Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over Ministry of Home Affairs notice to Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship. Priyanka Gandhi told reporters that the entire country knows that Rahul Gandhi is an India. "The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?" she exclaimed. #WATCH Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on MHA notice to Rahul Gandhi over citizenship, says," The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?" pic.twitter.com/Rgt457WMoi — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2019 × The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday issued a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship after receiving a complaint from Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy. ''The Ministry has received a representation from MP Dr Subramanian Swamy in which it has been brought out that a Company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in the year 2003 and that you were one of the Directors and Secretary of the said Company,'' the notice read. Swamy has stated that the Congress president had declared his nationality as British in a UK-based company. "It has been further brought out in the complaint that in the Company's Annual Returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, your date of birth has been given as June 19, 1970, and that you had declared your nationality as British. Further, in the Dissolution application dated 17/02/2009 of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British," the notice said. The Ministry has asked Gandhi to respond within a 'fortnight' to the allegations.

Entire nation knows he is Indian: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Rahul's citizenship row