Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/adityanath-calls-christian-michel-shakuni-mama-of-rahul-gandhi-218828&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiBsevUq53iAhWBpY8KHS_3A5gQFjAAegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0v8WzaRPu0kSOpYQpidYtj">Yogi Adityanath</a> on Wednesday slammed <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/supreme-court-directs-priyanka-sharma-to-apologise-mamata-banerjee-says-we-can-grant-bail-but-she-has-to-apologise-218593&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwijydqPrJ3iAhUjTI8KHZC9CE4QFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw12vIxVG2FurnniC3k1oNJq">West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee</a> for allegedly fanning violence during Amit Shah's roadshow on Tuesday, saying it 'was a murder of democracy.'

"It was a murder of democracy. This move by goons will end the TMC government in the state. In a few days, TMC goons will be searching for shelters to hide their faces. Mamata Banerjee is frustrated which is why she is taking such steps," he said addressing a public rally in Barasat.

He also alleged that the Chief Minister is trying to block the term 'Ram'&nbsp;in the state and added, "She is emboldening goons."

Yogi also rakes up the ban imposed on Durga Puja by the government last year saying, while the whole nation observed Durga Puja and Muharram together, as their dates had clashed, only West Bengal government banned the celebration of Durga Puja.

"The whole country including Uttar Pradesh observed Durga pooja and Muharram together. No violence took place in my state as I had given prior warning to people. Why could not West Bengal do the same? TMC government here is very undemocratic. I am sure that after May 23, a nationalist government will be formed and will rule West Bengal," he said.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/yogi-adityanath-likens-akhilesh-to-aurangzeb-says-dethroned-his-father-217780&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigrof9q53iAhVBbn0KHR9gDbMQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3PFhn-2chSm-9R2fVTa6Sj">The Uttar Pradesh CM</a> ended his speech shouting the slogan 'Pura Bharat Dol Raha Hain, Modi Modi Bol Raha Hain', indicating that his political quarter will sweep the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/unfortunate-congress-is-contesting-polls-only-to-cut-bjps-vote-share-adityanath-218507&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiBsevUq53iAhWBpY8KHS_3A5gQFjAHegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0xIbi76PGTIWq-r9I0yu0B">Adityanath's </a>statement came just days before nine seats are scheduled to go to polls in West Bengal on May 19.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly fanning violence during Amit Shah's roadshow on Tuesday, saying it 'was a murder of democracy.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly fanning violence during Amit Shah's roadshow on Tuesday, saying it 'was a murder of democracy.' "It was a murder of democracy. This move by goons will end the TMC government in the state. In a few days, TMC goons will be searching for shelters to hide their faces. Mamata Banerjee is frustrated which is why she is taking such steps," he said addressing a public rally in Barasat. He also alleged that the Chief Minister is trying to block the term 'Ram' in the state and added, "She is emboldening goons." Yogi also rakes up the ban imposed on Durga Puja by the government last year saying, while the whole nation observed Durga Puja and Muharram together, as their dates had clashed, only West Bengal government banned the celebration of Durga Puja. "The whole country including Uttar Pradesh observed Durga pooja and Muharram together. No violence took place in my state as I had given prior warning to people. Why could not West Bengal do the same? TMC government here is very undemocratic. I am sure that after May 23, a nationalist government will be formed and will rule West Bengal," he said. The Uttar Pradesh CM ended his speech shouting the slogan 'Pura Bharat Dol Raha Hain, Modi Modi Bol Raha Hain', indicating that his political quarter will sweep the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Adityanath's statement came just days before nine seats are scheduled to go to polls in West Bengal on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

TMC undemocratic; nationalist government will rule West Bengal after May 23: Adityanath

In a show of strength ahead of the final phase of polls, BJP national President Amit Shah Tuesday held a roadshow in the city in support of the party's candidates.

The rally started at around 4.30 pm from Esplanade area in central Kolkata to Swami Vivekananda's house in north Kolkata.

Shah stood atop a decorated truck along with BJP's Kolkata north and Kolkata south candidates Rahul Sinha and Chandra Kumar Bose respectively and was seen waving at the crowds which had gathered on both sides of the road.

Tableaux highlighting the culture of various parts of the state and country were seen moving ahead of the convoy.

Waving party flags, BJP supporters were heard shouting slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Narendra Modi Zindabad' and 'Amit Shah Zindabad'.

People dressed as Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman were also seen in the rally.&nbsp;

In a show of strength ahead of the final phase of polls, BJP national President Amit Shah Tuesday held a roadshow in the city in support of the party's candidates.

In a show of strength ahead of the final phase of polls, BJP national President Amit Shah Tuesday held a roadshow in the city in support of the party's candidates. The rally started at around 4.30 pm from Esplanade area in central Kolkata to Swami Vivekananda's house in north Kolkata. Shah stood atop a decorated truck along with BJP's Kolkata north and Kolkata south candidates Rahul Sinha and Chandra Kumar Bose respectively and was seen waving at the crowds which had gathered on both sides of the road. Tableaux highlighting the culture of various parts of the state and country were seen moving ahead of the convoy. Waving party flags, BJP supporters were heard shouting slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Narendra Modi Zindabad' and 'Amit Shah Zindabad'. People dressed as Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman were also seen in the rally.

Amit Shah holds roadshow in Kolkata

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/every-resident-contesting-on-my-behalf-pm-modis-emotional-message-to-varanasi-218651">Prime Minister Narendra Modi </a>on Tuesday threw an open challenge to the Opposition to prove if he had amassed any assets or kept money in any foreign bank.

Addressing an election meeting here, Modi said: "I throw an open challenge to these 'mahamilavati' (highly-adulterated) people to show if I have any benami property, farmhouse, shopping complex or money in any foreign bank, or whether I have purchased any property abroad or bought a luxury car."

The prime minister was here to seek support for BJP and NDA ally candidates in eastern Uttar Pradesh that go to polls in the seventh and last phase on Sunday.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-election-watch-pm-modi-slams-entire-opposition-218481/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The people will give a befitting reply through votes to the abuses hurled at me by these 'mahamilavati' parties," Modi said. "These 'mahamilavati' people dabble in caste politics and replenish their coffers, build bungalows and palaces for themselves and their relatives."

On the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, the prime minister claimed that the parties, which he said used to abuse each other, will again be at each other's throats the moment results are out.

"I have been the CM of Gujarat for more than the terms of Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav combined (as Uttar Pradesh chief ministers).

"I have contested elections and made others contest, but never took the help of my caste (to garner votes)," Modi added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday threw an open challenge to the Opposition to prove if he had amassed any assets or kept money in any foreign bank. Addressing an election meeting here, Modi said: "I throw an open challenge to these 'mahamilavati' (highly-adulterated) people to show if I have any benami property, farmhouse, shopping complex or money in any foreign bank, or whether I have purchased any property abroad or bought a luxury car.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday threw an open challenge to the Opposition to prove if he had amassed any assets or kept money in any foreign bank. Addressing an election meeting here, Modi said: "I throw an open challenge to these 'mahamilavati' (highly-adulterated) people to show if I have any benami property, farmhouse, shopping complex or money in any foreign bank, or whether I have purchased any property abroad or bought a luxury car." The prime minister was here to seek support for BJP and NDA ally candidates in eastern Uttar Pradesh that go to polls in the seventh and last phase on Sunday. "The people will give a befitting reply through votes to the abuses hurled at me by these 'mahamilavati' parties," Modi said. "These 'mahamilavati' people dabble in caste politics and replenish their coffers, build bungalows and palaces for themselves and their relatives." On the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, the prime minister claimed that the parties, which he said used to abuse each other, will again be at each other's throats the moment results are out. "I have been the CM of Gujarat for more than the terms of Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav combined (as Uttar Pradesh chief ministers). "I have contested elections and made others contest, but never took the help of my caste (to garner votes)," Modi added.

Prove I have benami property, money in foreign bank: PM Modi challenges Opposition

Accusing the West Bengal government of not allowing its<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/amit-shah-will-be-home-minister-if-bjp-returns-to-power-kejriwal-217466"> president Amit Shah's</a> rally in Jadhavpur, the BJP said Monday the Election Commission has become a "mute spectator" to the Trinamool Congress's alleged undemocratic means to target the saffron party.

BJP media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said his party will hold protests and also move the EC. Shah's rally was scheduled for Monday in Jadhavpur, which goes to the polls on May 19 in the last phase, but the permission for it was denied at the last minute by the state administration, he said.

Subsequently, the permission for Shah's chopper to land was also withdrawn, Baluni said. "It is unfortunate that the EC has become a mute spectator to all this and also use of violence by the TMC in the state," he said.

He alleged the ruling party in Bengal was using undemocratic means to target the BJP. Nine seats will go to polls in the last phase of the general election.&nbsp;

Accusing the West Bengal government of not allowing its president Amit Shah's rally in Jadhavpur, the BJP said Monday the Election Commission has become a "mute spectator" to the Trinamool Congress's alleged undemocratic means to target the saffron party.

Accusing the West Bengal government of not allowing its president Amit Shah's rally in Jadhavpur, the BJP said Monday the Election Commission has become a "mute spectator" to the Trinamool Congress's alleged undemocratic means to target the saffron party. BJP media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said his party will hold protests and also move the EC. Shah's rally was scheduled for Monday in Jadhavpur, which goes to the polls on May 19 in the last phase, but the permission for it was denied at the last minute by the state administration, he said. Subsequently, the permission for Shah's chopper to land was also withdrawn, Baluni said. "It is unfortunate that the EC has become a mute spectator to all this and also use of violence by the TMC in the state," he said. He alleged the ruling party in Bengal was using undemocratic means to target the BJP. Nine seats will go to polls in the last phase of the general election.

Bharatiya Janata Party announces protests over 'denial' of permission to Shah's rally in Bengal

The stage is set as the national capital goes to Lok Sabha polls on Sunday where the incumbent BJP, Delhi's ruling AAP and the Congress are locked in a fight on all seven seats.&nbsp;

The Congress is looking to bounce back after ending up at the third spot in the 2014 elections.&nbsp;

The lead up to the polls has not been without drama, with allegations and counter-allegations flying, and it had all the trappings of a soap opera that could give the daily shows a run for their money.

The high-octane poll campaigning in the national capital ended on Friday but not before it saw a plethora of stars descending here to campaign for their respective parties.

If Hema Malini and Sunny Deol provided the Bollywood quotient to the saffron party's campaign, Raj Babbar and Nagma added the star quotient to the Congress. Prakash Raj, Swara Bhaskar and Gul Panag campaigned for the AAP.

From <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/gautam-gambhir-sends-defamation-notice-to-kejriwal-sisodia-atishi-demands-unconditional-apology-217366">Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal </a>being slapped to AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi breaking down at a press conference over "derogatory pamphlets" to BJP's Udit Raj leaving the party and joining the Congress after being denied a ticket from northwest Delhi, the last two months been quite eventful and have kept everyone on their toes.&nbsp;

The seven seats will see 164 candidates battling it out of which 18 are women. Prominent among them are former chief minister Sheila Dikshit from northeast Delhi, BJP's incumbent MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who is contesting from New Delhi, and Atishi.

BJP's incumbent MP Manoj Tiwari is up against Dikshit for the Northeast Delhi seat and has already said that her entry has made the poll contest "one of the most interesting in the country". AAP's Dilip Pandey is also in the fray from the seat.

Other prominent candidates in the race include veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, Olympian boxer Vijender Singh, who is making his electoral debut from South Delhi, Union minister Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir.

Voting will begin at 7 am on May 12 and it is scheduled to go on till 6 am.

The 48 hour-period from 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Sunday, known as the silence period, will also be observed as 'dry day'.

A total of 13,819 polling stations will be set up at 2,700 locations in Delhi, with one model polling station in each of the 70 assembly segments. Seventeen polling stations will be staffed only by women.

As many as 523 polling locations have been identified as critical and 60,000 personnel, including those of the Delhi Police, Home Guards and paramilitary, will be on their toes to ensure that there is no untoward incident.

The campaign got off to a slow start as alliance talks between the AAP and the Congress lingered on till the last days of nomination, but it gained momentum over the last fortnight with senior leaders drawing huge crowds at mega rallies and road shows in the national capital.

The campaign reached a crescendo in its last lap, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a massive rally at the iconic Ramlila Maidan here, Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing two public meetings, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra taking out two roadshows in the city.

From trying to strike a personal chord with voters in parks at six am to holding door-to-door campaigns till late night, the candidates literally sweated it out in the oppressive heat as mercury crossed the 40-degree Celsius mark.

While the BJP's campaign revolved around the party's high-pitched nationalism narrative and the popularity of Modi, the Congress kept him in the crosshairs and sought to hard sell its minimum income guarantee scheme, Nyay.

The AAP, on the other hand, focus on the demand for full statehood for Delhi.

Candidates also tried to out-manoeuvre each other before the poll body. AAP candidates Atishi and Raghav Chadha sought rejection of nomination papers of their BJP rivals Gautam Gambhir and Ramesh Bidhuri, respectively.

Poll officers were also hard-pressed as several violations of the Model Code of Conduct were reported.

In a security breach, Kejriwal was slapped by a man during a roadshow in Moti Nagar and allegations of horse trading flew thick and fast as two AAP MLAs, Anil Bajpai and Devinder Sehrawat, crossed over to the BJP.

The campaigning also saw South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri allegedly using a Hindi slur against Kejriwal. On a penultimate day, the AAP and the BJP sparred over a derogatory pamphlet that targeted Atishi.

The AAP alleged her rival Gautam Gambhir was behind it, a charge vehemently denied by him.

According to the summary of the electoral roll published on April 23, there are over 1.43 crore voters in Delhi, 78,73,022 male and 64,42,762 female, while 669 belong to the third gender.

While 2,54,723 voters are in the age group of 18 and 19, there is 40,532 electorate with a disability who would be provided pick up and drop facility.

Nearly 270 FIRs and daily diary (DD) entries were registered against political parties and others here till date for violation of the poll code.&nbsp;

The stage is set as the national capital goes to Lok Sabha polls on Sunday where the incumbent BJP, Delhi's ruling AAP and the Congress are locked in a fight on all seven seats.

The stage is set as the national capital goes to Lok Sabha polls on Sunday where the incumbent BJP, Delhi's ruling AAP and the Congress are locked in a fight on all seven seats. The Congress is looking to bounce back after ending up at the third spot in the 2014 elections. The lead up to the polls has not been without drama, with allegations and counter-allegations flying, and it had all the trappings of a soap opera that could give the daily shows a run for their money. The high-octane poll campaigning in the national capital ended on Friday but not before it saw a plethora of stars descending here to campaign for their respective parties. If Hema Malini and Sunny Deol provided the Bollywood quotient to the saffron party's campaign, Raj Babbar and Nagma added the star quotient to the Congress. Prakash Raj, Swara Bhaskar and Gul Panag campaigned for the AAP. From Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being slapped to AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi breaking down at a press conference over "derogatory pamphlets" to BJP's Udit Raj leaving the party and joining the Congress after being denied a ticket from northwest Delhi, the last two months been quite eventful and have kept everyone on their toes. The seven seats will see 164 candidates battling it out of which 18 are women. Prominent among them are former chief minister Sheila Dikshit from northeast Delhi, BJP's incumbent MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who is contesting from New Delhi, and Atishi. BJP's incumbent MP Manoj Tiwari is up against Dikshit for the Northeast Delhi seat and has already said that her entry has made the poll contest "one of the most interesting in the country". AAP's Dilip Pandey is also in the fray from the seat. Other prominent candidates in the race include veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, Olympian boxer Vijender Singh, who is making his electoral debut from South Delhi, Union minister Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir. Voting will begin at 7 am on May 12 and it is scheduled to go on till 6 am. The 48 hour-period from 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Sunday, known as the silence period, will also be observed as 'dry day'. A total of 13,819 polling stations will be set up at 2,700 locations in Delhi, with one model polling station in each of the 70 assembly segments. Seventeen polling stations will be staffed only by women. As many as 523 polling locations have been identified as critical and 60,000 personnel, including those of the Delhi Police, Home Guards and paramilitary, will be on their toes to ensure that there is no untoward incident. The campaign got off to a slow start as alliance talks between the AAP and the Congress lingered on till the last days of nomination, but it gained momentum over the last fortnight with senior leaders drawing huge crowds at mega rallies and road shows in the national capital. The campaign reached a crescendo in its last lap, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a massive rally at the iconic Ramlila Maidan here, Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing two public meetings, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra taking out two roadshows in the city. From trying to strike a personal chord with voters in parks at six am to holding door-to-door campaigns till late night, the candidates literally sweated it out in the oppressive heat as mercury crossed the 40-degree Celsius mark. While the BJP's campaign revolved around the party's high-pitched nationalism narrative and the popularity of Modi, the Congress kept him in the crosshairs and sought to hard sell its minimum income guarantee scheme, Nyay. The AAP, on the other hand, focus on the demand for full statehood for Delhi. Candidates also tried to out-manoeuvre each other before the poll body. AAP candidates Atishi and Raghav Chadha sought rejection of nomination papers of their BJP rivals Gautam Gambhir and Ramesh Bidhuri, respectively. Poll officers were also hard-pressed as several violations of the Model Code of Conduct were reported. In a security breach, Kejriwal was slapped by a man during a roadshow in Moti Nagar and allegations of horse trading flew thick and fast as two AAP MLAs, Anil Bajpai and Devinder Sehrawat, crossed over to the BJP. The campaigning also saw South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri allegedly using a Hindi slur against Kejriwal. On a penultimate day, the AAP and the BJP sparred over a derogatory pamphlet that targeted Atishi. The AAP alleged her rival Gautam Gambhir was behind it, a charge vehemently denied by him. According to the summary of the electoral roll published on April 23, there are over 1.43 crore voters in Delhi, 78,73,022 male and 64,42,762 female, while 669 belong to the third gender. While 2,54,723 voters are in the age group of 18 and 19, there is 40,532 electorate with a disability who would be provided pick up and drop facility. Nearly 270 FIRs and daily diary (DD) entries were registered against political parties and others here till date for violation of the poll code.

Triangular contest in Delhi as it goes to polls on Sunday

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday accused the Congress of spreading rumours about the SP-BSP alliance and said he has faith in workers of both the parties that they will not pay heed to them.

"Recently, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-issues-fresh-notice-to-sidhu-over-objectionable-comments-against-pm-modi-217655">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> said Samajwadi Party is assisting other parties and is not with the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-not-strict-against-leaders-using-derogatory-language-for-women-mayawati-217721"> BSP</a> and now we have come to know that the Congress is also spreading similar rumours," Yadav told reporters here.

"I want to say the SP-BSP alliance is strong. It is my appeal to the workers of both the parties to remain alert. We have faith in SP workers, the leadership and workers of the BSP that they will pay no heed to them," he said.

The SP chief said both the BJP and the Congress were the same in spreading rumours.

Referring to the language being used by BJP leaders in electioneering, he said such words should not be used.

"Our Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says that others are the chiefs of 'goondas', but the biggest criminal of Bihar Rajan Tiwari is made to join the BJP clandestinely in Lucknow," he said.

Yadav also alleged that 'red cards' were being issued only to Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders and workers and accused the BJP of conspiring to scare people against voting.

"Will red cards be issued to SP-BSP only? Is everyone in the BJP clean, is there no one with a criminal background who was issued a red card?" he asked.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday accused the Congress of spreading rumours about the SP-BSP alliance and said he has faith in workers of both the parties that they will not pay heed to them.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday accused the Congress of spreading rumours about the SP-BSP alliance and said he has faith in workers of both the parties that they will not pay heed to them. "Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Samajwadi Party is assisting other parties and is not with the BSP and now we have come to know that the Congress is also spreading similar rumours," Yadav told reporters here. "I want to say the SP-BSP alliance is strong. It is my appeal to the workers of both the parties to remain alert. We have faith in SP workers, the leadership and workers of the BSP that they will pay no heed to them," he said. The SP chief said both the BJP and the Congress were the same in spreading rumours. Referring to the language being used by BJP leaders in electioneering, he said such words should not be used. "Our Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says that others are the chiefs of 'goondas', but the biggest criminal of Bihar Rajan Tiwari is made to join the BJP clandestinely in Lucknow," he said. Yadav also alleged that 'red cards' were being issued only to Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders and workers and accused the BJP of conspiring to scare people against voting. "Will red cards be issued to SP-BSP only? Is everyone in the BJP clean, is there no one with a criminal background who was issued a red card?" he asked.

Akhilesh Yadav accuses Congress of spreading rumours about SP-BSP alliance

Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said he really hopes that the best candidate ends up winning the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.

Gambhir visited Bangla Sahib gurudwara a day before Delhi is scheduled to go on polling.

"I wished that who so ever is the best candidate from the East Delhi constituency should win the election. I believe in god, and I really hope that the best candidate ends up winning the election. I am not here to boost my candidature, I really hope the best candidate wins," Gambhir told ANI.

"The type of response we have received, I really think the hard work will pay for us. I am new in politics, so I am not aware of the support one gets. The type of hard work we have put in, I think it has paid off for us, rest depends on the people. There`s one message that winning or losing will go on, but one should not stoop so low that you fail to recognise your conscience," he added.

Gambhir has been surrounded by controversy as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused him of distributing defamatory pamphlets targeting his opponent Atishi Marlena.

The AAP leader broke down while addressing a press conference on Thursday, where she along with a party colleague and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia lashed out at Gambhir.

Soon, Gambhir rubbished the allegations saying if proven guilty, he would quit politics.

He also sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Kejriwal, and Sisodia, demanding an unconditional apology for making "defamatory" comments against him.

AAP, responding to Gambhir`s notice, sent a legal notice to him and the BJP over the derogatory pamphlet.

Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said he really hopes that the best candidate ends up winning the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.

Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said he really hopes that the best candidate ends up winning the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. Gambhir visited Bangla Sahib gurudwara a day before Delhi is scheduled to go on polling. "I wished that who so ever is the best candidate from the East Delhi constituency should win the election. I believe in god, and I really hope that the best candidate ends up winning the election. I am not here to boost my candidature, I really hope the best candidate wins," Gambhir told ANI. "The type of response we have received, I really think the hard work will pay for us. I am new in politics, so I am not aware of the support one gets. The type of hard work we have put in, I think it has paid off for us, rest depends on the people. There`s one message that winning or losing will go on, but one should not stoop so low that you fail to recognise your conscience," he added. Gambhir has been surrounded by controversy as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused him of distributing defamatory pamphlets targeting his opponent Atishi Marlena. The AAP leader broke down while addressing a press conference on Thursday, where she along with a party colleague and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia lashed out at Gambhir. Soon, Gambhir rubbished the allegations saying if proven guilty, he would quit politics. He also sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Kejriwal, and Sisodia, demanding an unconditional apology for making "defamatory" comments against him. AAP, responding to Gambhir`s notice, sent a legal notice to him and the BJP over the derogatory pamphlet.

Really hope the best candidate wins Lok Sabha polls: Gautam Gambhir

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tariffs-will-bring-in-far-more-wealth-to-our-country-than-even-phenomenal-deal-of-traditional-kind-donald-trump-217507">Trump defends latest tariff hike on China, says it 'will bring in far more wealth to US'</a>

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the tariffs on Chinese goods will bring more wealth to America "that even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind". "We have lost 500 billion dollars a year, for many years, on Crazy Trade with China. NO MORE!," his tweet read.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/whether-on-land-sky-or-in-space-will-protect-indians-against-any-threat-to-nation-pm-modi-217481">Whether on land, sky or in space, will protect Indians against any threat to nation: PM Modi&nbsp;</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens.&nbsp;

Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/we-will-form-the-next-government-2019-will-not-be-1996-nitin-gadkari-to-wion-217517">We will form the next government, 2019 will not be like 1996: Nitin Gadkari to WION</a>

Speaking exclusively to WION, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/relentless-taliban-violence-casts-a-pall-over-slow-afghan-talks-217529">Relentless Taliban violence casts a pall over 'slow' Afghan talks</a>

Talks with the Taliban on ending Afghanistan's war are making steady but slow progress, the chief US envoy involved in the negotiations said on Friday while signalling growing frustration with relentless militant violence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lankan-court-orders-dna-test-to-verify-death-of-easter-bombings-mastermind-217506">Sri Lankan court orders DNA test to verify death of Easter bombings mastermind</a>

A Sri Lankan court has ordered a DNA test before May 15 to verify the death of Mohamed Cassim Zahran, the ring leader of the local Islamist extremist group NTJ which the government blamed carried out the devastating Easter Sunday bombings killing over 250 people.

Trump defends latest tariff hike on China, says it 'will bring in far more wealth to US' US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the tariffs on Chinese goods will bring more wealth to America "that even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind".

Trump defends latest tariff hike on China, says it 'will bring in far more wealth to US' US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the tariffs on Chinese goods will bring more wealth to America "that even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind". "We have lost 500 billion dollars a year, for many years, on Crazy Trade with China. NO MORE!," his tweet read. Whether on land, sky or in space, will protect Indians against any threat to nation: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens. Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system". We will form the next government, 2019 will not be like 1996: Nitin Gadkari to WION Speaking exclusively to WION, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Relentless Taliban violence casts a pall over 'slow' Afghan talks Talks with the Taliban on ending Afghanistan's war are making steady but slow progress, the chief US envoy involved in the negotiations said on Friday while signalling growing frustration with relentless militant violence. Sri Lankan court orders DNA test to verify death of Easter bombings mastermind A Sri Lankan court has ordered a DNA test before May 15 to verify the death of Mohamed Cassim Zahran, the ring leader of the local Islamist extremist group NTJ which the government blamed carried out the devastating Easter Sunday bombings killing over 250 people.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The prestigious twin<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-pollstwo-poll-staffers-die-in-madhya-pradesh-216427&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiN8vbq8oviAhWcknAKHTLeClAQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LhupCBFEF9ncHUN3lkSld"> Lok Sabha constituencies</a> of Phulpur and Allahabad in the district, represented in the past by three prime ministers, are seeing a battle of political turncoats this election as the majority of the main candidates are fighting polls after having switched party allegiance.

In Phulpur, wherefrom Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru won the first three Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has fielded former Zila panchayat chief Keshri Devi Patel while Pankaj Niranjan is fighting from the Congress with Pandhari Yadav forming the third corner of this triangular contest.

The Patel community is an important electoral base and the<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjps-five-year-rule-was-just-a-trailer-real-picture-is-yet-to-begin-nitin-gadkari-215995&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj5scXG84viAhWMinAKHcVyAW0QFjAIegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3-oS0o5hxKdeW1VJrDuzr6"> Congress</a> and the SP-BSP alliance is also seeking to corner an important vote share from it. Senior Congress leader from Allahabad, Abhay Awasthi, says, the 2019 general elections in Allahabad this year is essentially a "battle of political turncoats".

"The twin Lok Sabha seats of Phulpur and Allahabad have seen titans fighting the poll in the past. From Nehru winning three times from Phulpur to Lal Bahadur Shastri and V P Singh from Allahabad, and then senior BJP leader M M Joshi, winning three times from Allahabad, these two have been very prestigious seats, but big players are not in the fray this time," he said in the interview.

Aswathi said Keshri Devi Patel is a strong leader of Patel's, and has served multiple time as Zila panchayat president in Allahabad, has a strong hold over voters at the grass-roots level.

"She is fighting for BJP, but she was earlier with the BSP. Patel fought the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 on a BSP ticket but had lost to SP candidate Atiq Ahmed (by over 64,000 votes)," he said.

Pankaj Niranjan, a Patel leader from Apna Dal, is fighting on a Congress ticket. He is a son-in-law of Apna Dal founder late Sonelal Patel, and the grand old party is seeking to woo Patel voters with him as the candidate.

But, parties are betting on turncoats not just in Phulpur but also in Allahabad constituency, where former Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi is trying her luck, pitted against Congress' Yogesh Shukla, who earlier belonged to the BJP.

While Joshi had unsuccessfully fought Lok Sabha elections in 1999, losing to BJP stalwart M M Joshi and finished third, Shukla was fielded by the BJP in 2009 but faced defeat at the hands of SP's Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh and managed to get only the third position.

Shukla had joined the Congress late April just ahead of filing his nomination, Awasthi said.

"More so, SP's Rajendra Singh Patel fielded from Allahabad this time, was earlier with the JD(U) and had served as its vice-president. So, it is indeed a battle of turncoats of sorts this time for the two seats," he said.

Lok Sabha seats of Phulpur and Allahabad fall in the Allahabad district. As many as 14 candidates each are testing their fortunes from the two constituencies in the election here due on May 12.

Phulpur Lok Sabha seat, which Nehru had won in 1952, 1957 and 1962 consists of five assembly segments -- Phaphamau, Soraon, Phulpur, Allahabad West and Allahabad North. Allahabad Lok Sabha seat also consists of five assembly segments -- Meja, Karachhana, Bara, Koraon and Allahabad South.

Lal Bahadur Shashtri, who served as the second prime minister from 1964-66, had won Allahabad seat in 1957 and 1962, while VP Singh had won it in 1988. Akshat Lal, a resident of old Allahabad, which falls in Allahabad constituency, said, "From childhood days, we have heard stories of Nehru, Shastri and how the two seats have been considered bellwether constituencies. But, now caste and community equations are major factors in politics."

Lal, a graduate of Allahabad University, says, Allahabad is a city of Sangam, and, with many turncoats in the fray, it seems "politics are getting mixed up here in unusual ways".

The prestigious twin Lok Sabha constituencies of Phulpur and Allahabad in the district, represented in the past by three prime ministers, are seeing a battle of political turncoats this election as the majority of the main candidates are fighting polls after having switched party allegiance.

The prestigious twin Lok Sabha constituencies of Phulpur and Allahabad in the district, represented in the past by three prime ministers, are seeing a battle of political turncoats this election as the majority of the main candidates are fighting polls after having switched party allegiance. In Phulpur, wherefrom Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru won the first three Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has fielded former Zila panchayat chief Keshri Devi Patel while Pankaj Niranjan is fighting from the Congress with Pandhari Yadav forming the third corner of this triangular contest. The Patel community is an important electoral base and the Congress and the SP-BSP alliance is also seeking to corner an important vote share from it. Senior Congress leader from Allahabad, Abhay Awasthi, says, the 2019 general elections in Allahabad this year is essentially a "battle of political turncoats". "The twin Lok Sabha seats of Phulpur and Allahabad have seen titans fighting the poll in the past. From Nehru winning three times from Phulpur to Lal Bahadur Shastri and V P Singh from Allahabad, and then senior BJP leader M M Joshi, winning three times from Allahabad, these two have been very prestigious seats, but big players are not in the fray this time," he said in the interview. Aswathi said Keshri Devi Patel is a strong leader of Patel's, and has served multiple time as Zila panchayat president in Allahabad, has a strong hold over voters at the grass-roots level. "She is fighting for BJP, but she was earlier with the BSP. Patel fought the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 on a BSP ticket but had lost to SP candidate Atiq Ahmed (by over 64,000 votes)," he said. Pankaj Niranjan, a Patel leader from Apna Dal, is fighting on a Congress ticket. He is a son-in-law of Apna Dal founder late Sonelal Patel, and the grand old party is seeking to woo Patel voters with him as the candidate. But, parties are betting on turncoats not just in Phulpur but also in Allahabad constituency, where former Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi is trying her luck, pitted against Congress' Yogesh Shukla, who earlier belonged to the BJP. While Joshi had unsuccessfully fought Lok Sabha elections in 1999, losing to BJP stalwart M M Joshi and finished third, Shukla was fielded by the BJP in 2009 but faced defeat at the hands of SP's Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh and managed to get only the third position. Shukla had joined the Congress late April just ahead of filing his nomination, Awasthi said. "More so, SP's Rajendra Singh Patel fielded from Allahabad this time, was earlier with the JD(U) and had served as its vice-president. So, it is indeed a battle of turncoats of sorts this time for the two seats," he said. Lok Sabha seats of Phulpur and Allahabad fall in the Allahabad district. As many as 14 candidates each are testing their fortunes from the two constituencies in the election here due on May 12. Phulpur Lok Sabha seat, which Nehru had won in 1952, 1957 and 1962 consists of five assembly segments -- Phaphamau, Soraon, Phulpur, Allahabad West and Allahabad North. Allahabad Lok Sabha seat also consists of five assembly segments -- Meja, Karachhana, Bara, Koraon and Allahabad South. Lal Bahadur Shashtri, who served as the second prime minister from 1964-66, had won Allahabad seat in 1957 and 1962, while VP Singh had won it in 1988. Akshat Lal, a resident of old Allahabad, which falls in Allahabad constituency, said, "From childhood days, we have heard stories of Nehru, Shastri and how the two seats have been considered bellwether constituencies. But, now caste and community equations are major factors in politics." Lal, a graduate of Allahabad University, says, Allahabad is a city of Sangam, and, with many turncoats in the fray, it seems "politics are getting mixed up here in unusual ways".

Lok Sabha polls 2019: A battle of turncoats for Phulpur, Allahabad Lok Sabha seats in phase 6

BJP <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/india-will-become-superpower-if-modi-becomes-pm-again-amit-shah-216183&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj3pYPX-oviAhUxguYKHY-KAEcQFjADegQICxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1xRMOlhKWs_6DaPKMfHS4S">President Amit Shah</a> asserted on Wednesday that the only relevant issue in this election is national security and there is only one man who has delivered results on this count and that is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Don`t give a vote for development works to BJP candidate Bidyut Baran Mahto in Jamshedpur,&nbsp;vote for him because Narendra Modi made the country's border security.&nbsp; The Prime Minister has taken effective steps to secure the borders of the country. In the regime of UPA-I and II, enemy forces used to run havoc in the country but no action was taken on that front," he said addressing an election rally.

"In the recent past, our 40 security personnel lost their lives in the attack by Pakistan-aided terrorism in<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-phase-5-grenade-attack-on-polling-station-in-pulwama-216256&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjdu9e3-oviAhXy63MBHegsDsYQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw02VZSsEQlOYC149LgosQTE"> Pulwama</a>. Due to the decisive nature of PM Modi, our brave Indian Air Force (IAF) troops retaliated and entered enemy territory to debase their terror camps. India is only the third country after Israel and the United States of America (USA) to have retaliated to terrorism in this brave manner," Shah asserted.

He attacked the opposition saying, "After our surgical strike, everywhere there was a celebratory atmosphere but there was widespread hopelessness in Pakistan and in the Congress camp."On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah made BJP`s stand clear that they would surely remove article 370 from the state. "Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir should have a separate Prime Minister. We will never let that happen and we will surely remove article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir," Shah said.

"I have been to 296 Lok Sabha constituencies around the country and everywhere in the country there is only one wave - `Modi, Modi`. The people of India were looking for a person for 70 years who will not work for his own family but for every person in the country. That man is Narendra Modi," he contended.

Shah spoke about Jamshedpur as being India`s pride. "Jamshedpur is India`s pride. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, Jamshedji Tata founded India`s first steel factory in Jamshedpur," he said."I want to talk about Jamshedpur. Bidyut Baran Mahto is the MP from Jamshedpur who works day and night for his constituency`s welfare. At the cost of Rs 447 crores, roads have been built in Jamshedpur. At the cost of Rs 1215 crores, 121 km of national highways have been built in Jharkhand. MGM medical college`s graduation work has started," he said about Jamshedpur.

"Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), 16,500 people in Jamshedpur have got houses. Duronto express has been flagged off from Jamshedpur. A Regional Passport Office has been opened in Jamshedpur. 3,05,000 children have got scholarships in Jamshedpur. 1.5 lakh houses have got piped water connection in Jamshedpur," he added.

"Along with the central government, the Raghuvar Das government in Jharkhand has also done good work. The state government took the agricultural growth rate from 4.5% to 14% in the state in the last 5 years. More than 35 lakh employment opportunities were created and around one lakh government jobs were created for the people of Jharkhand. 13 Polytechnics and 6 medical colleges were opened. Earlier, there were 300 medical seats,&nbsp;now the figure stands at 900. Naxalism has more or less been wiped off from Jharkhand," he stated.

He finally appealed for votes from the people for BJP in large numbers. Jharkhand has polled in four phases out of which two phases are over and two remain on May 12 and 19. The counting of votes shall take place on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah asserted on Wednesday that the only relevant issue in this election is national security and there is only one man who has delivered results on this count and that is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP President Amit Shah asserted on Wednesday that the only relevant issue in this election is national security and there is only one man who has delivered results on this count and that is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Don`t give a vote for development works to BJP candidate Bidyut Baran Mahto in Jamshedpur, vote for him because Narendra Modi made the country's border security. The Prime Minister has taken effective steps to secure the borders of the country. In the regime of UPA-I and II, enemy forces used to run havoc in the country but no action was taken on that front," he said addressing an election rally. "In the recent past, our 40 security personnel lost their lives in the attack by Pakistan-aided terrorism in Pulwama. Due to the decisive nature of PM Modi, our brave Indian Air Force (IAF) troops retaliated and entered enemy territory to debase their terror camps. India is only the third country after Israel and the United States of America (USA) to have retaliated to terrorism in this brave manner," Shah asserted. He attacked the opposition saying, "After our surgical strike, everywhere there was a celebratory atmosphere but there was widespread hopelessness in Pakistan and in the Congress camp."On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah made BJP`s stand clear that they would surely remove article 370 from the state. "Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir should have a separate Prime Minister. We will never let that happen and we will surely remove article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir," Shah said. "I have been to 296 Lok Sabha constituencies around the country and everywhere in the country there is only one wave - `Modi, Modi`. The people of India were looking for a person for 70 years who will not work for his own family but for every person in the country. That man is Narendra Modi," he contended. Shah spoke about Jamshedpur as being India`s pride. "Jamshedpur is India`s pride. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, Jamshedji Tata founded India`s first steel factory in Jamshedpur," he said."I want to talk about Jamshedpur. Bidyut Baran Mahto is the MP from Jamshedpur who works day and night for his constituency`s welfare. At the cost of Rs 447 crores, roads have been built in Jamshedpur. At the cost of Rs 1215 crores, 121 km of national highways have been built in Jharkhand. MGM medical college`s graduation work has started," he said about Jamshedpur. "Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), 16,500 people in Jamshedpur have got houses. Duronto express has been flagged off from Jamshedpur. A Regional Passport Office has been opened in Jamshedpur. 3,05,000 children have got scholarships in Jamshedpur. 1.5 lakh houses have got piped water connection in Jamshedpur," he added. "Along with the central government, the Raghuvar Das government in Jharkhand has also done good work. The state government took the agricultural growth rate from 4.5% to 14% in the state in the last 5 years. More than 35 lakh employment opportunities were created and around one lakh government jobs were created for the people of Jharkhand. 13 Polytechnics and 6 medical colleges were opened. Earlier, there were 300 medical seats, now the figure stands at 900. Naxalism has more or less been wiped off from Jharkhand," he stated. He finally appealed for votes from the people for BJP in large numbers. Jharkhand has polled in four phases out of which two phases are over and two remain on May 12 and 19. The counting of votes shall take place on May 23.

Vote for National Security, says Amit Shah in a rally in Jamshedpur

The BJP lodged its protest with the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/635-per-cent-voter-turnout-in-phase-5-election-commission-216589&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjo9u6M3IviAhWD7XMBHXw4DO0QFjAHegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0CGd9ZdYMh_gAZ9RTwacps">Election Commission</a> on Wednesday over "delay" in action against the AAP leaders including its chief Arvind Kejriwal, on complaints of model code of conduct violations.

The Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/kejriwal-yet-to-respond-to-election-commission-notice-for-asking-voters-to-take-money-from-bjp-congress-215159&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiIu8Kg3IviAhXe7XMBHf9bCAwQFjAAegQIEhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3CGgeTtTGcPotOvOJDvL9b">Vijender Gupta</a> met the EC officials and demanded strict action against the AAP leaders including "gagging" them for the alleged violations.

"We have lodged complaints with the EC and the Chief Electoral Officer (Delhi) against the AAP leaders with evidence. But no action has been taken which hints unexpected favour to the AAP by the EC," Gupta said after the meeting.

Unless urgent and immediate action is taken, the complaints will become futile. Delay in deciding the complaints or representation will only result in denial of our right to remedies, he said.&nbsp;

"The Honourable Election Commission of India has a Constitutional obligation to ensure free and fair elections. It has a duty to take action against violators of poll rules and regulations for conducting the elections in a free and fair manner", it said.

The BJP leaders have lodged several complaints of violations of model code of conduct (MCC) against the AAP, relating to alleged misuse of public funds for appeasement politics, paid news, spreading lies against BJP candidate Hans Raj Hans, asking voters to take money from BJP and Congress but vote for the AAP.&nbsp;

The fresh complaint filed by Gupta charged that despite various complaints and multiple representations, no concrete, tangible and substantial actions have been taken by the EC.&nbsp;

In a democratic set up like India, the Election Commission is entrusted with the obligation not only to sustain the democratic consciousness amongst the voters but also to strengthen it further by taking necessary actions on MCC violations, Gupta added.

The BJP lodged its protest with the Election Commission on Wednesday over "delay" in action against the AAP leaders including its chief Arvind Kejriwal, on complaints of model code of conduct violations.

The BJP lodged its protest with the Election Commission on Wednesday over "delay" in action against the AAP leaders including its chief Arvind Kejriwal, on complaints of model code of conduct violations. The Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta met the EC officials and demanded strict action against the AAP leaders including "gagging" them for the alleged violations. "We have lodged complaints with the EC and the Chief Electoral Officer (Delhi) against the AAP leaders with evidence. But no action has been taken which hints unexpected favour to the AAP by the EC," Gupta said after the meeting. Unless urgent and immediate action is taken, the complaints will become futile. Delay in deciding the complaints or representation will only result in denial of our right to remedies, he said. "The Honourable Election Commission of India has a Constitutional obligation to ensure free and fair elections. It has a duty to take action against violators of poll rules and regulations for conducting the elections in a free and fair manner", it said. The BJP leaders have lodged several complaints of violations of model code of conduct (MCC) against the AAP, relating to alleged misuse of public funds for appeasement politics, paid news, spreading lies against BJP candidate Hans Raj Hans, asking voters to take money from BJP and Congress but vote for the AAP. The fresh complaint filed by Gupta charged that despite various complaints and multiple representations, no concrete, tangible and substantial actions have been taken by the EC. In a democratic set up like India, the Election Commission is entrusted with the obligation not only to sustain the democratic consciousness amongst the voters but also to strengthen it further by taking necessary actions on MCC violations, Gupta added.

Model Code of Conduct violations: BJP lodges protest with Election Commission over 'delay' in action against AAP leaders

Union Minister<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/smriti-irani-alleges-voters-being-forced-to-vote-for-congress-216384&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMy6ui14jiAhXS7nMBHSRfAkIQFjAIegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw03qzuEilU0CXJuZVJMu1RV"> Smriti Irani </a>on Monday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for cancelling his visit to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/lok-sabha-elections-smriti-irani-rahul-gandhi-face-off-in-fifth-phase-polls-216380&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMy6ui14jiAhXS7nMBHSRfAkIQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1OigluUO7MaLqWxplwLqjg">Amethi on the polling day</a>, which she said is "an insult to the people" of the constituency.

"Rahul Gandhi has once again cheated the people of Amethi. I did not know that Rahul Gandhi could become so egotistic that he will not appear on the polling day. At least, he should have not insulted the people of his constituency. The person who can lie on the matter of his tours should never be trusted by the people," Irani said while speaking to ANI.

In response to Irani`s statement, Congress MLC Deepak Singh said,&nbsp;"Smriti Irani is frustrated as she is losing her deposit in Amethi. Her allegation shows that people have given mandate in favour of Congress. People of Amethi told Rahul Gandhi to look after the country and they will look after Amethi. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi did not come to Amethi today."

Irani has faced Rahul in Amethi Lok Sabha seat for which the polling took place on Monday.

Gandhi has been winning this seat since 2004.

In the last Lok Sabha polls, he had defeated Irani by a margin of over one lakh votes.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for cancelling his visit to Amethi on the polling day, which she said is "an insult to the people" of the constituency.

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for cancelling his visit to Amethi on the polling day, which she said is "an insult to the people" of the constituency. "Rahul Gandhi has once again cheated the people of Amethi. I did not know that Rahul Gandhi could become so egotistic that he will not appear on the polling day. At least, he should have not insulted the people of his constituency. The person who can lie on the matter of his tours should never be trusted by the people," Irani said while speaking to ANI. In response to Irani`s statement, Congress MLC Deepak Singh said, "Smriti Irani is frustrated as she is losing her deposit in Amethi. Her allegation shows that people have given mandate in favour of Congress. People of Amethi told Rahul Gandhi to look after the country and they will look after Amethi. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi did not come to Amethi today." Irani has faced Rahul in Amethi Lok Sabha seat for which the polling took place on Monday. Gandhi has been winning this seat since 2004. In the last Lok Sabha polls, he had defeated Irani by a margin of over one lakh votes. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

On polling day, Rahul Gandhi cancels Amethi visit; Smriti Irani says insult to people

&nbsp;A voter turnout of 63.5 per cent was recorded in the fifth phase of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-election-watch-know-5-crucial-points-about-phase-5-216501&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimxaT71YjiAhVUmuYKHRlOD_QQFjAHegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2SIFkZ3QIKeYWEkwZ7z0k9">Lok Sabha elections</a>, which is the lowest in all the phases so far, Election Commission data shows.

According to the Commission's Voter Turnout android application, at 9.00 PM, the turnout in the Monday's polling was 63.5 per cent.&nbsp;

The voter turnout has recorded a decreasing trend so far this election.

At 69.50 per cent, the polling in phase-1 is the highest in the five phases&nbsp;so far.

In phase-2, the turnout was 69.44 per cent, it was 68.40 in phase-3 and 65.51 per cent in phase-4.

Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters here that as compared to 2014, in the first four phases (barring Monday's phase five), 7.85 crore more people eligible to cast vote.&nbsp;

He also said that six crore more voters participated in the democratic exercise in the first four phases as compared to 2014 LS polls in its four phases.&nbsp;

The Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu &amp; Kashmir went to polls in Phase III, Phase IV &amp; Phase V, the only such instance in the country.

The overall voter turnout there was 8.76 per cent this year as compared to 28.54 per cent in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The Ladakh constituency of the state, which went to polls Monday, recorded a turnout of 71.10 per cent at 10 PM as per the EC app. In 2014, the turnout was nearly the same at 71.9 per cent.

A total of 51 constituencies in seven states voted Monday. In this phase, the least number of states were involved.

Over 8.75 crore electors were to decide the fate of 674 candidates, including top leaders such as Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in this phase.

The Election Commission set up over 96,000 polling booths, which included a maximum of 28,072 in Uttar Pradesh, for smooth conduct of polls.

A voter turnout of 63.5 per cent was recorded in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which is the lowest in all the phases so far, Election Commission data shows.

A voter turnout of 63.5 per cent was recorded in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which is the lowest in all the phases so far, Election Commission data shows. According to the Commission's Voter Turnout android application, at 9.00 PM, the turnout in the Monday's polling was 63.5 per cent. The voter turnout has recorded a decreasing trend so far this election. At 69.50 per cent, the polling in phase-1 is the highest in the five phases so far. In phase-2, the turnout was 69.44 per cent, it was 68.40 in phase-3 and 65.51 per cent in phase-4. Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told reporters here that as compared to 2014, in the first four phases (barring Monday's phase five), 7.85 crore more people eligible to cast vote. He also said that six crore more voters participated in the democratic exercise in the first four phases as compared to 2014 LS polls in its four phases. The Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu & Kashmir went to polls in Phase III, Phase IV & Phase V, the only such instance in the country. The overall voter turnout there was 8.76 per cent this year as compared to 28.54 per cent in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The Ladakh constituency of the state, which went to polls Monday, recorded a turnout of 71.10 per cent at 10 PM as per the EC app. In 2014, the turnout was nearly the same at 71.9 per cent. A total of 51 constituencies in seven states voted Monday. In this phase, the least number of states were involved. Over 8.75 crore electors were to decide the fate of 674 candidates, including top leaders such as Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in this phase. The Election Commission set up over 96,000 polling booths, which included a maximum of 28,072 in Uttar Pradesh, for smooth conduct of polls.

63.5% voter turnout in Phase 5: Election Commission

BJP general secretary <a href="http://13.232.42.114/india-news/digvijaya-singh-needed-proper-challenger-bjps-ram-madhav-on-pragya-thakur-211565">Ram Madhav</a> on Tuesday mocked attempts by Telangana Chief Minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/kcr-and-kerala-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-to-meet-in-trivandrum-today-discuss-contemporary-politics-216232&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiN64nRwYniAhWS7nMBHbHGBxkQFjAHegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1dy2-_vRLDWLl2Y0aB4Qtd">K Chandrasekhara Rao</a> for a possible post-poll role of a kingmaker saying 'BJP has got the king and won't be requiring a kingmaker'.&nbsp;

"I know KCR has an ambition of becoming the kingmaker. This is what his party workers and his son tell the people of Telangana. I want to tell him we already have a king with us and we don`t need kingmakers," he told ANI in an interview.

His statement came hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that his meeting with Rao on Monday was highly significant as regional parties will play a major role in the formation of a government after the Lok Sabha elections. Madhav claimed that BJP would get a comfortable majority in the elections.

"Based on ground reports that we get from our caders, we are confident BJP will be able to do as good as 2014 if not better. With the help of NDA, we will have good seats to run another a stable government."On our own, we are confident of securing the required numbers, maybe more than what we have in the ongoing parliament.

We already have a pre-poll alliance with more than two dozen parties. Together the NDA alliance will have absolute comfortable majorities," added Madhav.On the controversy over the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against late Rajiv Gandhi, Madhav said, "Everybody should ask Congress whether they have moral right to ask questions to other leaders. The kind of language they use for the current Prime Minister, they have to answer the people. When we talk about Congress party then we have to talk from corruption scandals right from 1950s` jeep scandal to Bofors, which is a black spot on Congress`s history. We talk all this for Congress history."

Last week, the Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, had said, "Your (Rahul Gandhi) father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed `Mr Clean` by his courtiers, but his life ended as `Bhrashtachari No 1." Madhav also asserted that talking about past leaders during election campaigns is not a new thing."We talk about leaders who are there and aren`t there anymore. When we talk about Emergency we talk about Indira Gandhi. So we talk about ex-leaders. It is natural we have to talk about leaders when we talk about the history of partisan governments," said Madhav.

He also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee for making statements against Modi and said, "For Mamata Banerjee everything is politics. There is no civility in her. In her state, there is "jungle raaj" and dictatorship. There is extreme violence so much so that Election Commission has to deploy central forces in almost 100 per cent polling booths to ensure smooth elections. People of West Bengal will teach Mamata Banerjee a lesson in these elections."

On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that she doesn`t consider Narendra Modi as a prime minister, adding that she will speak to the "next prime minister" of the country. Madhav also lambasted Banerjee on her alleged refusal to speak to Prime Minister in the wake of severe cyclonic storm Fan. "The CM of West Bengal was so rude to PM that she didn`t take the call of Prime Minister or returned it. He is prime minister of 130 Crore people which includes Bengali people. Prime Minister wanted to help people of Bengal and wanted to go to the state but the chief minister had said that he is not welcome. This is very unfortunate."

Prime Minister Modi, who flew down to Bhubaneswar on Monday to visit the areas hit by Fani and take stock of the situation, wanted to do the same for West Bengal. The state government, however, refused to hold the review meeting stating that officials were busy with elections.On opposition`s apprehensions about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Madhav said, "When they win, EVMs are fine. Chandra Babu Naidu has himself fought and won many elections using these same EVM`s. Supreme Court has taken the right decision by dismissing their petition."

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a review plea filed by 21 Opposition parties seeking a direction to increase Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) verification from five to at least 50 per cent of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes at the end of the ongoing elections. On Shashi Tharoor`s tweet about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Madhav said, "Sashi Tharoor`s love for neighbours and hate for our own leaders is very well known. He uses choicest abuses for our leaders and he has a great love for people across the border. He has to think of what he is doing. People know what kind of politics theses congress leader practice."

On Tuesday, Tharoor had praised Imran Khan recalling Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary."One thing I personally know about Imran Khan is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine and far-reaching. He reads; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi", said Tharoor in a tweet.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday mocked attempts by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao for a possible post-poll role of a kingmaker saying 'BJP has got the king and won't be requiring a kingmaker'.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday mocked attempts by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao for a possible post-poll role of a kingmaker saying 'BJP has got the king and won't be requiring a kingmaker'. "I know KCR has an ambition of becoming the kingmaker. This is what his party workers and his son tell the people of Telangana. I want to tell him we already have a king with us and we don`t need kingmakers," he told ANI in an interview. His statement came hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that his meeting with Rao on Monday was highly significant as regional parties will play a major role in the formation of a government after the Lok Sabha elections. Madhav claimed that BJP would get a comfortable majority in the elections. "Based on ground reports that we get from our caders, we are confident BJP will be able to do as good as 2014 if not better. With the help of NDA, we will have good seats to run another a stable government."On our own, we are confident of securing the required numbers, maybe more than what we have in the ongoing parliament. We already have a pre-poll alliance with more than two dozen parties. Together the NDA alliance will have absolute comfortable majorities," added Madhav.On the controversy over the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against late Rajiv Gandhi, Madhav said, "Everybody should ask Congress whether they have moral right to ask questions to other leaders. The kind of language they use for the current Prime Minister, they have to answer the people. When we talk about Congress party then we have to talk from corruption scandals right from 1950s` jeep scandal to Bofors, which is a black spot on Congress`s history. We talk all this for Congress history." Last week, the Prime Minister, while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, had said, "Your (Rahul Gandhi) father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed `Mr Clean` by his courtiers, but his life ended as `Bhrashtachari No 1." Madhav also asserted that talking about past leaders during election campaigns is not a new thing."We talk about leaders who are there and aren`t there anymore. When we talk about Emergency we talk about Indira Gandhi. So we talk about ex-leaders. It is natural we have to talk about leaders when we talk about the history of partisan governments," said Madhav. He also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee for making statements against Modi and said, "For Mamata Banerjee everything is politics. There is no civility in her. In her state, there is "jungle raaj" and dictatorship. There is extreme violence so much so that Election Commission has to deploy central forces in almost 100 per cent polling booths to ensure smooth elections. People of West Bengal will teach Mamata Banerjee a lesson in these elections." On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that she doesn`t consider Narendra Modi as a prime minister, adding that she will speak to the "next prime minister" of the country. Madhav also lambasted Banerjee on her alleged refusal to speak to Prime Minister in the wake of severe cyclonic storm Fan. "The CM of West Bengal was so rude to PM that she didn`t take the call of Prime Minister or returned it. He is prime minister of 130 Crore people which includes Bengali people. Prime Minister wanted to help people of Bengal and wanted to go to the state but the chief minister had said that he is not welcome. This is very unfortunate." Prime Minister Modi, who flew down to Bhubaneswar on Monday to visit the areas hit by Fani and take stock of the situation, wanted to do the same for West Bengal. The state government, however, refused to hold the review meeting stating that officials were busy with elections.On opposition`s apprehensions about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Madhav said, "When they win, EVMs are fine. Chandra Babu Naidu has himself fought and won many elections using these same EVM`s. Supreme Court has taken the right decision by dismissing their petition." The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a review plea filed by 21 Opposition parties seeking a direction to increase Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) verification from five to at least 50 per cent of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes at the end of the ongoing elections. On Shashi Tharoor`s tweet about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Madhav said, "Sashi Tharoor`s love for neighbours and hate for our own leaders is very well known. He uses choicest abuses for our leaders and he has a great love for people across the border. He has to think of what he is doing. People know what kind of politics theses congress leader practice." On Tuesday, Tharoor had praised Imran Khan recalling Tipu Sultan on his death anniversary."One thing I personally know about Imran Khan is that his interest in the shared history of the Indian subcontinent is genuine and far-reaching. He reads; he cares. It is disappointing, though, that it took a Pakistani leader to remember a great Indian hero on his punyathithi", said Tharoor in a tweet.

‘We don’t need any kingmaker, have the king,’ says Ram Madhav

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday alleged that West Bengal <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/pm-modi-could-not-talk-to-mamata-over-cyclone-as-his-calls-were-not-returned-official-216063&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwuvfrs4niAhUR148KHdBmDIEQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw12ROzDIs4EIgRlnxFChs_6">Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee</a> is not allowing people to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in the state, and wondered if the Lord's name cannot be taken in India, will it be uttered in Pakistan.

Speaking at an election rally here, he said that polls in<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alert-in-west-bengal-as-cyclone-fani-advances-215108&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjOoq3-s4niAhWA8HMBHRtJBHoQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1q2Vsp51QCBF_GpHmOugm4"> West Bengal</a> are for restoring democracy in the state, where the BJP will win "more than 23 seats" out of the total 42 Lok Sabha seats.

"Lord Ram is a part of the culture of India... Can anybody stop people from taking his name? I want to ask Mamata didi, if Shri Ram's name is not taken in India, will it be chanted in Pakistan?" Shah said.

A video had appeared in the social media that showed Banerjee stopping her car at a place in West Midnapore district on Saturday, and chasing some persons who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' as her carcade was crossing the area.

"The Narendra Modi government has given Rs 4,24,800 crore to West Bengal in its five-year tenure, but it has not reached the people, and, instead, gone to the syndicates," Shah claimed.

He said the UPA-II government under the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had granted only around Rs 1,32,000 crore to the state. At another election meeting at Keshiari in Paschim Medinipur district, Shah said, "What wrong has PM Narendra Modi done by saying that the Bofors scam happened during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure."

The BJP president was referring to Modi's recent remarks at a rally in Uttar Pradesh, where he said that Rajiv Gandhi's life ended as "bhrashtachari no. 1" (corrupt no. 1 ). 
"Rahul baba says his father has been insulted. Is it an insult to be reminded of what had happened?" he said.

Shah also asked Rahul Gandhi whether or not the Bofors scandal, the Bhopal gas tragedy, the blunder of sending a peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka or the massacre of Kashmiri pandits happen during his father's tenure as prime minister from 1984 to 1989.

He claimed that the Congress and its partners in the 'Mahagathbandhan' have abused Modi on "51 different occasions". The BJP chief reiterated his party's resolve to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal to flush out illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not allowing people to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in the state, and wondered if the Lord's name cannot be taken in India, will it be uttered in Pakistan.

BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not allowing people to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in the state, and wondered if the Lord's name cannot be taken in India, will it be uttered in Pakistan. Speaking at an election rally here, he said that polls in West Bengal are for restoring democracy in the state, where the BJP will win "more than 23 seats" out of the total 42 Lok Sabha seats. "Lord Ram is a part of the culture of India... Can anybody stop people from taking his name? I want to ask Mamata didi, if Shri Ram's name is not taken in India, will it be chanted in Pakistan?" Shah said. A video had appeared in the social media that showed Banerjee stopping her car at a place in West Midnapore district on Saturday, and chasing some persons who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' as her carcade was crossing the area. "The Narendra Modi government has given Rs 4,24,800 crore to West Bengal in its five-year tenure, but it has not reached the people, and, instead, gone to the syndicates," Shah claimed. He said the UPA-II government under the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had granted only around Rs 1,32,000 crore to the state. At another election meeting at Keshiari in Paschim Medinipur district, Shah said, "What wrong has PM Narendra Modi done by saying that the Bofors scam happened during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure." The BJP president was referring to Modi's recent remarks at a rally in Uttar Pradesh, where he said that Rajiv Gandhi's life ended as "bhrashtachari no. 1" (corrupt no. 1 ). "Rahul baba says his father has been insulted. Is it an insult to be reminded of what had happened?" he said. Shah also asked Rahul Gandhi whether or not the Bofors scandal, the Bhopal gas tragedy, the blunder of sending a peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka or the massacre of Kashmiri pandits happen during his father's tenure as prime minister from 1984 to 1989. He claimed that the Congress and its partners in the 'Mahagathbandhan' have abused Modi on "51 different occasions". The BJP chief reiterated his party's resolve to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal to flush out illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

Will Lord Ram's name be taken in Pakistan, if not in India: Amit Shah

&nbsp;A <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/burqa-ban-not-demand-of-shiv-sena-or-uddhav-says-raut-216131&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiAgN3dt4niAhUjmeYKHdALCeAQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw320ezS-vXPDkNYpGvuCW0s">Shiv Sena leader</a> has echoed BJP general secretary Ram Madhav's statement that the latter's party may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to depend on allies to form the next government.

Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that it looks a "bit difficult" for the BJP to reach the 280-seat mark as it did in the 2014 polls. "What Ram Madhav says is right. The NDA will form the next government. The BJP will be the single largest party. As of now, it looks a bit difficult for the BJP to reach the 280- 282 figure on its own but our NDA "parivar" (family) will cross the majority mark," Raut told a TV channel.

Raut told PTI Tuesday that the Sena would be happy if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister again. Raut said, "I welcome Ram Madhav's statement and the Shiv Sena would be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). We would be happy if Modi becomes the prime minister again."

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has 18 members in the outgoing Lok Sabha and is a major ally of the BJP. It is also a part of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

Ram Madhav said in a media interview last week that the BJP will require the support of allies to form the next government after the Lok Sabha polls. "If we get 271 seats on our own, we will be very happy," Madhav had said. "With NDA we will have a comfortable majority," he added.

A Shiv Sena leader has echoed BJP general secretary Ram Madhav's statement that the latter's party may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to depend on allies to form the next government.

A Shiv Sena leader has echoed BJP general secretary Ram Madhav's statement that the latter's party may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to depend on allies to form the next government. Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that it looks a "bit difficult" for the BJP to reach the 280-seat mark as it did in the 2014 polls. "What Ram Madhav says is right. The NDA will form the next government. The BJP will be the single largest party. As of now, it looks a bit difficult for the BJP to reach the 280- 282 figure on its own but our NDA "parivar" (family) will cross the majority mark," Raut told a TV channel. Raut told PTI Tuesday that the Sena would be happy if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister again. Raut said, "I welcome Ram Madhav's statement and the Shiv Sena would be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). We would be happy if Modi becomes the prime minister again." The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has 18 members in the outgoing Lok Sabha and is a major ally of the BJP. It is also a part of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. Ram Madhav said in a media interview last week that the BJP will require the support of allies to form the next government after the Lok Sabha polls. "If we get 271 seats on our own, we will be very happy," Madhav had said. "With NDA we will have a comfortable majority," he added.

Looks difficult for Bharatiya Janata Party to reach 280-mark: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Replying to a notice sent by the Delhi poll panel, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/delhi-police-man-who-attacked-cm-was-aap-supporter-215994&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj1tZWDroniAhUKv48KHYRPCpwQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw29cbuLXYBrL1QFL677SR4U">Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia</a> Tuesday said he had no hesitation in accepting that he was trying to convince people to vote for education and health instead of Mandir-Masjid (politics of religion).

Sisodia was issued a notice by the Delhi chief electoral officer following a complaint by the BJP which alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) used public funds for issuing letters seeking votes by highlighting achievements of the government.

"However, as far as the complaint of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/mahagatbandhan-isnt-a-challenge-for-bharatiya-janata-party-rajnath-singh-216271&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjh9YidroniAhVYiHAKHUQCBroQFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2oyzYhtb8wlIKl0MWhvqeu">Bharatiya Janata Party</a>&nbsp;leader is concerned, I would like to say that this is nothing but the expression of their frustration. The letters have been written by me to individuals in my personal capacity. No public fund has been used in sending the letters," he said in his reply.

The minister also urged the BJP not to indulge in "petty politics" and try to seek votes on the basis of work "if they have done any". 
He said the Election Commission should "also encourage political parties to seek votes on the issues like education, health, water, electricity, jobs, etc, and discourage parties who are seeking votes in the name of hate".

Citing that the pass percentage of Delhi government schools in class 12 has increased and crossed 94 per cent, which is a record in the history of national capital, Sisodia said not only education but the infrastructure of schools and several other things have undergone a drastic change.

"It's a matter of pride for me to be the Education Minister of Delhi and I have no hesitation to accept that I am trying to convince people of Delhi to vote on the issues of education, health, etc. Instead of issues of Mandir-Masjid and other fictitious issues being raised by BJP and its leader Sh. Narender Modiji," he said in the reply.

Replying to a notice sent by the Delhi poll panel, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Tuesday said he had no hesitation in accepting that he was trying to convince people to vote for education and health instead of Mandir-Masjid (politics of religion).

Replying to a notice sent by the Delhi poll panel, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Tuesday said he had no hesitation in accepting that he was trying to convince people to vote for education and health instead of Mandir-Masjid (politics of religion). Sisodia was issued a notice by the Delhi chief electoral officer following a complaint by the BJP which alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) used public funds for issuing letters seeking votes by highlighting achievements of the government. "However, as far as the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Party leader is concerned, I would like to say that this is nothing but the expression of their frustration. The letters have been written by me to individuals in my personal capacity. No public fund has been used in sending the letters," he said in his reply. The minister also urged the BJP not to indulge in "petty politics" and try to seek votes on the basis of work "if they have done any". He said the Election Commission should "also encourage political parties to seek votes on the issues like education, health, water, electricity, jobs, etc, and discourage parties who are seeking votes in the name of hate". Citing that the pass percentage of Delhi government schools in class 12 has increased and crossed 94 per cent, which is a record in the history of national capital, Sisodia said not only education but the infrastructure of schools and several other things have undergone a drastic change. "It's a matter of pride for me to be the Education Minister of Delhi and I have no hesitation to accept that I am trying to convince people of Delhi to vote on the issues of education, health, etc. Instead of issues of Mandir-Masjid and other fictitious issues being raised by BJP and its leader Sh. Narender Modiji," he said in the reply.

Trying to convince people to vote for education, health instead of religion: Sisodia

Bollywood actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate,<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/sunny-deol-offers-prayers-at-dera-baba-nanak-gurdwara-215436&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiLotuFoIniAhXM6nMBHUU-ApQQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1pwcZJ7G2R33581kze8z0o"> Sunny Deol</a> says he is focused on the task ahead and is not affected by his opponents dubbing him an "outsider". 
The BJP has pitted the 62-year-old actor against sitting MP and Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar from<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/sunny-deol-offers-prayers-at-dera-baba-nanak-gurdwara-215436&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjj3IunoIniAhVE6nMBHf7vAHIQFjADegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2disWGKQq2_p9_RVoOYkL4"> Gurdaspur.</a>

"People keep asking me this question (on rivals dubbing him an outsider) and I say, I am not here to reply to what all is being said.'' I have come here to work and serve the people, I have come here to do my job. My job is to understand my people, my constituency'', Deol said during his campaign trail here.

The son of veteran actor and former MP Dharmendra, Deol has been accused by the opposition of having no understanding about Punjab and has been termed an "outsider" and a "parachute" candidate. Waving at crowds from the sunroof of a Range Rover or from atop a mini-truck, Deol has been attracting a large number of people at his roadshows. He is being accompanied by leaders of the BJP and its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

He said, if elected, he will never let the people down, and "never betray their trust. ''The love they have shown towards me is just overwhelming. I am that kind of person who likes to take peoples' sorrows and make them happy, this is my nature,''&nbsp;said Deol, who is famous for his hit films like 'Border', 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', 'Ghayal' and 'Damini'.

"I am a newcomer, but I am 'Ziddi' (stubborn) and I will go on to achieve what I set out for,&nbsp;said the actor.' Ziddi' was one of his popular movies. I speak dialogues in films when I play a character in films, that is what I have been doing. In real life, I am what every person should be, which is truthful, hardworking and sincere in what one is doing.'' Rest, it is up to 'Waheguru', Deol said.

Congress candidate Jakhar has accused Deol of having no understating of Punjab's issues and asked him to share his vision for the Gurdaspur constituency, telling him that "politics is a serious business and not a time pass activity".

I am from Punjab and belong here,&nbsp;Deol said, adding that opponents may keep saying what they feel like but that does not affect him.&nbsp;There are many issues in Gurdaspur, mostly related to farmers and youth, he said and assured "I will look for solutions to these issues.

When asked why he chose the BJP, Deol said: ''I chose this party because I like Narendra Modi quite a lot, he has taken the nation forward during the past five years, our country has progressed."&nbsp;

"India's global prestige has increased under this government. We need a strong leader,&nbsp;he said. My father had connected with (the then prime minister, late Atal Bihari) Vajpayee Ji and now, I got an opportunity to connect with Modi Ji," Deol said.

The 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, including Gurdaspur, will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of polling on May 19. 
Jakhar won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna of the BJP in April that year.&nbsp;

Bollywood actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate, Sunny Deol says he is focused on the task ahead and is not affected by his opponents dubbing him an "outsider". The BJP has pitted the 62-year-old actor against sitting MP and Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur.

Bollywood actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate, Sunny Deol says he is focused on the task ahead and is not affected by his opponents dubbing him an "outsider". The BJP has pitted the 62-year-old actor against sitting MP and Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur. "People keep asking me this question (on rivals dubbing him an outsider) and I say, I am not here to reply to what all is being said.'' I have come here to work and serve the people, I have come here to do my job. My job is to understand my people, my constituency'', Deol said during his campaign trail here. The son of veteran actor and former MP Dharmendra, Deol has been accused by the opposition of having no understanding about Punjab and has been termed an "outsider" and a "parachute" candidate. Waving at crowds from the sunroof of a Range Rover or from atop a mini-truck, Deol has been attracting a large number of people at his roadshows. He is being accompanied by leaders of the BJP and its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He said, if elected, he will never let the people down, and "never betray their trust. ''The love they have shown towards me is just overwhelming. I am that kind of person who likes to take peoples' sorrows and make them happy, this is my nature,'' said Deol, who is famous for his hit films like 'Border', 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', 'Ghayal' and 'Damini'. "I am a newcomer, but I am 'Ziddi' (stubborn) and I will go on to achieve what I set out for, said the actor.' Ziddi' was one of his popular movies. I speak dialogues in films when I play a character in films, that is what I have been doing. In real life, I am what every person should be, which is truthful, hardworking and sincere in what one is doing.'' Rest, it is up to 'Waheguru', Deol said. Congress candidate Jakhar has accused Deol of having no understating of Punjab's issues and asked him to share his vision for the Gurdaspur constituency, telling him that "politics is a serious business and not a time pass activity". I am from Punjab and belong here, Deol said, adding that opponents may keep saying what they feel like but that does not affect him. There are many issues in Gurdaspur, mostly related to farmers and youth, he said and assured "I will look for solutions to these issues. When asked why he chose the BJP, Deol said: ''I chose this party because I like Narendra Modi quite a lot, he has taken the nation forward during the past five years, our country has progressed." "India's global prestige has increased under this government. We need a strong leader, he said. My father had connected with (the then prime minister, late Atal Bihari) Vajpayee Ji and now, I got an opportunity to connect with Modi Ji," Deol said. The 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, including Gurdaspur, will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of polling on May 19. Jakhar won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna of the BJP in April that year.

Not affected by criticism of opponents, focused on task ahead: Sunny Deol

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said, Masood Azhar getting designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, was a big win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

"Compare five years of Modi government with fifty-five years of Congress rule and the work done under Narendra Modi will come out on top. Under the guidance of Modiji, BJP also succeeded in getting Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, it means just like Osama Bin Laden, his days too are numbered," Yogi said at an election rally here.

He also took a dig at Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s statement where she had accepted that the Congress was fielding some candidates only to cut votes.

"Everybody knows Congress is now reduced to a level where it fights not to win but to cut the votes of other parties, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has herself accepted that," he said.

He also targeted Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) `mahagathbandhan` in Uttar Pradesh and said, "The two years of work done under us is much more than what SP and BSP managed in twenty years," he said.

"We never saw or asked anyone`s caste or religion before giving them the benefits of our schemes. A poor person is a poor person. It was not like this under Congress and SP, BSP," Yogi said.

He also talked about the anti-Triple Talaq bill and said that the Congress and SP, BSP only play gimmicks in the name of woman empowerment.

"The SP-BSP, Congress all talk about women empowerment, but when we brought out the anti-Triple Talaq bill, they opposed it. How will the country prosper if the Muslim women are lagging behind and devoid of their rights? We will make and enact such strong laws which will deter anyone from even thinking of harming a woman," he said.

Uttar Pradesh will see polling in both the remaining phases on May 12 and 19 in the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections.

The counting of votes will begin on May 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said, Masood Azhar getting designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, was a big win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said, Masood Azhar getting designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, was a big win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. "Compare five years of Modi government with fifty-five years of Congress rule and the work done under Narendra Modi will come out on top. Under the guidance of Modiji, BJP also succeeded in getting Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, it means just like Osama Bin Laden, his days too are numbered," Yogi said at an election rally here. He also took a dig at Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s statement where she had accepted that the Congress was fielding some candidates only to cut votes. "Everybody knows Congress is now reduced to a level where it fights not to win but to cut the votes of other parties, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has herself accepted that," he said. He also targeted Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) `mahagathbandhan` in Uttar Pradesh and said, "The two years of work done under us is much more than what SP and BSP managed in twenty years," he said. "We never saw or asked anyone`s caste or religion before giving them the benefits of our schemes. A poor person is a poor person. It was not like this under Congress and SP, BSP," Yogi said. He also talked about the anti-Triple Talaq bill and said that the Congress and SP, BSP only play gimmicks in the name of woman empowerment. "The SP-BSP, Congress all talk about women empowerment, but when we brought out the anti-Triple Talaq bill, they opposed it. How will the country prosper if the Muslim women are lagging behind and devoid of their rights? We will make and enact such strong laws which will deter anyone from even thinking of harming a woman," he said. Uttar Pradesh will see polling in both the remaining phases on May 12 and 19 in the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

Masood Azhar getting designated as global terrorist big win for BJP: Adityanath

Known for blowing hot and cold against ally BJP, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar claimed Monday he has resigned from the<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-smriti-irani-visits-amethi-more-than-rahul-gandhi-says-yogi-adityanath-214907&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjO8b_r64biAhUx8HMBHebmBrw4ChAWMAJ6BAgQEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1uHz5nTSEnNpvxH5kiCsiA"> Yogi Adityanath government </a>and it was up to the saffron party to decide on it.

"I tendered resignation as minister on April 13. It is up to the BJP to decide whether to accept or reject it," Rajbhar, a cabinet minister in the UP government, told reporters here."I have nothing to do with the government now," he said.

The SBSP chief alleged the BJP was misusing his party's name and flag in the election underway. "Even during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow, they were used. I have filed a complaint in this regard with the Election Commission," Rajbhar said. 
Rajbhar has often publicly criticised the BJP, its ally in Uttar Pradesh.

Last month, he said his party will contest the Lok Sabha election in the state alone and announced candidates on 39 seats, prompting BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to say that "Rajbhar has been with the BJP and will remain with it".

But he has continued with his criticism of the BJP, alleging it was trying to weaken his party. On Monday, the SBSP chief claimed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will win more seats than BJP in the state. He also claimed that the BJP was worried over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's continuous attacks on it.

Rajbhar has fielded candidates on some 40 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state after he failed to have an understanding with the BJP for Lok Sabha polls and has making adverse comments against the bigger NDA partner.

The Rajbhars constitute 20 per cent of the Purvanchal population and are regarded as the second-most politically dominant community after Yadavs in eastern UP, parts of which will vote during the sixth and seventh phase polls on May 12 and 19, respectively.

The SBSP won four seats in 2017 UP assembly elections. Rajbhar had said the BJP was under an impression it could win all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state and 400 seats in the country "but the reality will dawn on May 23".&nbsp;

Known for blowing hot and cold against ally BJP, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar claimed Monday he has resigned from the Yogi Adityanath government and it was up to the saffron party to decide on it.

Known for blowing hot and cold against ally BJP, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar claimed Monday he has resigned from the Yogi Adityanath government and it was up to the saffron party to decide on it. "I tendered resignation as minister on April 13. It is up to the BJP to decide whether to accept or reject it," Rajbhar, a cabinet minister in the UP government, told reporters here."I have nothing to do with the government now," he said. The SBSP chief alleged the BJP was misusing his party's name and flag in the election underway. "Even during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow, they were used. I have filed a complaint in this regard with the Election Commission," Rajbhar said. Rajbhar has often publicly criticised the BJP, its ally in Uttar Pradesh. Last month, he said his party will contest the Lok Sabha election in the state alone and announced candidates on 39 seats, prompting BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to say that "Rajbhar has been with the BJP and will remain with it". But he has continued with his criticism of the BJP, alleging it was trying to weaken his party. On Monday, the SBSP chief claimed the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will win more seats than BJP in the state. He also claimed that the BJP was worried over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's continuous attacks on it. Rajbhar has fielded candidates on some 40 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state after he failed to have an understanding with the BJP for Lok Sabha polls and has making adverse comments against the bigger NDA partner. The Rajbhars constitute 20 per cent of the Purvanchal population and are regarded as the second-most politically dominant community after Yadavs in eastern UP, parts of which will vote during the sixth and seventh phase polls on May 12 and 19, respectively. The SBSP won four seats in 2017 UP assembly elections. Rajbhar had said the BJP was under an impression it could win all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state and 400 seats in the country "but the reality will dawn on May 23".

I have quit Uttar Pradesh government, says SBSP chief Rajbhar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/bjp-worker-shot-dead-by-suspected-militants-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-anantnag-215988">killing of BJP's district vice-president Gul Mohammed Mir by militants</a>.

In his message, the prime minister remembered Mir as a leader who "contributed towards strengthening the party in the state".&nbsp;&nbsp;

"There is no place for such violence in our country," the PM added.&nbsp;

"Strongly condemn the killing of J&amp;K BJP leader Ghulam Mohammed Mir. His contribution towards strengthening the party in J&amp;K will always be remembered. There is no place for such violence in our country. Condolences to his family and well-wishers," his message read.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP, in a statement, expressed deepest condolences to Mir's family and demanded strict action against "ill elements who are spoiling peace in the valley and killing innocent people".

NC vice-president Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned Mir's killing.

"I condemn this dastardly act of violence and pray for the soul of the departed, Allah Jannat naseeb karey (May God grant him a place in heaven)... Gul Mohd Mir was the district vice president of the BJP state unit. May his family and loved ones find strength at this difficult time," Abdullah tweeted.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti posted on Twitter, "I strongly condemn the killing of @BJP4India leader Gul Muhammad Mir in Verinag, South Kashmir. My condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the departed soul."

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president G A Mir also condemned Mir's killing and described the incident as "mindless, cowardice and shameful act". He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, a party spokesman said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM Narendra Modi: Strongly condemn the killing of J&amp;K BJP leader Ghulam Mohammed Mir. His contribution towards strengthening the party in J&amp;K will always be remembered. There is no place for such violence in our country. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/56w35GLkoL">pic.twitter.com/56w35GLkoL</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1124877101755129856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Mir was killed at his residence on late Saturday evening by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday night, the police said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I strongly condemn the killing of <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> leader Gul Muhammad Mir 
in Verinag, South Kashmir. 
My condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the departed soul.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1124734632908353536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Giving details, the police said three militants came to his house in Nowgam Verinag area and asked for the keys for his car. While driving the vehicle away, they pumped bullets into Mir, who was popular in the area as 'Atal', they said.

A police official said Mir was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed to injuries.

The area has been cordoned off to nab the suspects, the official said.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the killing of BJP's district vice-president Gul Mohammed Mir by militants. In his message, the prime minister remembered Mir as a leader who "contributed towards strengthening the party in the state".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the killing of BJP's district vice-president Gul Mohammed Mir by militants. In his message, the prime minister remembered Mir as a leader who "contributed towards strengthening the party in the state". "There is no place for such violence in our country," the PM added. "Strongly condemn the killing of J&K BJP leader Ghulam Mohammed Mir. His contribution towards strengthening the party in J&K will always be remembered. There is no place for such violence in our country. Condolences to his family and well-wishers," his message read. The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP, in a statement, expressed deepest condolences to Mir's family and demanded strict action against "ill elements who are spoiling peace in the valley and killing innocent people". NC vice-president Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned Mir's killing. "I condemn this dastardly act of violence and pray for the soul of the departed, Allah Jannat naseeb karey (May God grant him a place in heaven)... Gul Mohd Mir was the district vice president of the BJP state unit. May his family and loved ones find strength at this difficult time," Abdullah tweeted. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti posted on Twitter, "I strongly condemn the killing of @BJP4India leader Gul Muhammad Mir in Verinag, South Kashmir. My condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the departed soul." Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president G A Mir also condemned Mir's killing and described the incident as "mindless, cowardice and shameful act". He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, a party spokesman said. PM Narendra Modi: Strongly condemn the killing of J&K BJP leader Ghulam Mohammed Mir. His contribution towards strengthening the party in J&K will always be remembered. There is no place for such violence in our country. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/56w35GLkoL — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2019 × Mir was killed at his residence on late Saturday evening by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday night, the police said. I strongly condemn the killing of @BJP4India leader Gul Muhammad Mir in Verinag, South Kashmir. My condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the departed soul. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 4, 2019 × Giving details, the police said three militants came to his house in Nowgam Verinag area and asked for the keys for his car. While driving the vehicle away, they pumped bullets into Mir, who was popular in the area as 'Atal', they said. A police official said Mir was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed to injuries. The area has been cordoned off to nab the suspects, the official said.

No place for such violence in our country: PM Modi condemns BJP Anantnag vice-president's killing

Lok Sabha polls 2019: All you need to know about rules of campaign financing and spending

The BJP Saturday termed Congress president <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/rahul-gandhi-attacks-pm-modi-raises-issues-of-surgical-strikes-and-economy-215901&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiZ7c6j4IHiAhXQh3AKHbfRDssQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Ni9mgReLxDPeVhBEljofZ">Rahul Gandhi's</a> attacks on Prime Minister, the outcome of frustration as the party is not only losing elections across the country in a big way but its "so-called bastion Amethi is also crumbling."

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said the remarks by the Congress chief indicate "desperation because the party is seeing not only its fortunes crumble all over India but also seeing its so-called bastions in Amethi and Rae Bareli crumbling".

"Field reports clearly suggest that Rahul Gandhi is losing Amethi by a wide margin and the party, therefore according to the local reports is resorting to unleashing manpower, distribution of liquor and even sizeable number of weapons have been seized from both the constituencies. So certainly great desperation is visible in the Congress camp as they see even Amethi crumbling in this election," Rao said.

"People of the country want Modiji back. Rahul Gandhi knows the reality and is scared of losing Amethi, and out of desperation is making such claims which are factually incorrect," he added.

Congress president on Saturday said his party's internal assessment after four phases of polling shows that the BJP will lose in the Lok Sabha elections and he sees a "scared prime minister" unable to face the onslaught of the opposition.

Rao further said the "vote-cutter" comment of Congress is a clear acceptance of its defeat and degeneration of the party.

Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress general secretary and in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, said wherever the party has strong candidates it will win while in other places it has fielded those candidates who will cut the votes of the BJP.

Referring to various claims made by Rahul Gandhi as farcical, Rao said the Congress is not only losing polls in this election but also losing its relevance.

"Congress is facing extinction in this election. Despite a series of lies uttered by Gandhi over the last several months, he simply has not been able to bring the party back to life and is literally on the death-bed in this election," Rao said.

Responding to questions by the Congress leaders as to why national security was an issue, he said it is the top issue for the BJP and dominant issue for the country unlike the Congress, during whose regime there have been several terror attacks.

Referring to the recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka which claimed 253 lives, Rao said it shows how terrorism and violence can act detrimental for the development of a country and bring it to a standstill.

Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts in Lanka that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others.&nbsp;

"No major terror strike in any main states have happened during the Modi government's rule and people today breathe easy and feel secure that they have a chowkidaar. Congress party's track record in this regards has been dismal and that is why it doesn't want any discussion on national security," he alleged.

Rao said that Congress leaders are making frivolous claims of having conducted surgical strikes during their tenure but before September 29,&nbsp;2016&nbsp;there is no record of such strikes and it was also stated by the Army Director General Military Operations in an RTI reply.

He termed the BJP MLA Sangeet Som's demand for a ban on burqa as his individual opinion, not the party's.

"The key issues in this elections we comment on those from this platform. Various individual opinions of various leaders are strictly individual opinions," Rao&nbsp;said.

The BJP Saturday termed Congress president Rahul Gandhi's attacks on Prime Minister, the outcome of frustration as the party is not only losing elections across the country in a big way but its "so-called bastion Amethi is also crumbling.

The BJP Saturday termed Congress president Rahul Gandhi's attacks on Prime Minister, the outcome of frustration as the party is not only losing elections across the country in a big way but its "so-called bastion Amethi is also crumbling." Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said the remarks by the Congress chief indicate "desperation because the party is seeing not only its fortunes crumble all over India but also seeing its so-called bastions in Amethi and Rae Bareli crumbling". "Field reports clearly suggest that Rahul Gandhi is losing Amethi by a wide margin and the party, therefore according to the local reports is resorting to unleashing manpower, distribution of liquor and even sizeable number of weapons have been seized from both the constituencies. So certainly great desperation is visible in the Congress camp as they see even Amethi crumbling in this election," Rao said. "People of the country want Modiji back. Rahul Gandhi knows the reality and is scared of losing Amethi, and out of desperation is making such claims which are factually incorrect," he added. Congress president on Saturday said his party's internal assessment after four phases of polling shows that the BJP will lose in the Lok Sabha elections and he sees a "scared prime minister" unable to face the onslaught of the opposition. Rao further said the "vote-cutter" comment of Congress is a clear acceptance of its defeat and degeneration of the party. Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress general secretary and in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, said wherever the party has strong candidates it will win while in other places it has fielded those candidates who will cut the votes of the BJP. Referring to various claims made by Rahul Gandhi as farcical, Rao said the Congress is not only losing polls in this election but also losing its relevance. "Congress is facing extinction in this election. Despite a series of lies uttered by Gandhi over the last several months, he simply has not been able to bring the party back to life and is literally on the death-bed in this election," Rao said. Responding to questions by the Congress leaders as to why national security was an issue, he said it is the top issue for the BJP and dominant issue for the country unlike the Congress, during whose regime there have been several terror attacks. Referring to the recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka which claimed 253 lives, Rao said it shows how terrorism and violence can act detrimental for the development of a country and bring it to a standstill. Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts in Lanka that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others. "No major terror strike in any main states have happened during the Modi government's rule and people today breathe easy and feel secure that they have a chowkidaar. Congress party's track record in this regards has been dismal and that is why it doesn't want any discussion on national security," he alleged. Rao said that Congress leaders are making frivolous claims of having conducted surgical strikes during their tenure but before September 29, 2016 there is no record of such strikes and it was also stated by the Army Director General Military Operations in an RTI reply. He termed the BJP MLA Sangeet Som's demand for a ban on burqa as his individual opinion, not the party's. "The key issues in this elections we comment on those from this platform. Various individual opinions of various leaders are strictly individual opinions," Rao said.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Rahul Gandhi's attacks on PM Modi outcome of frustration, says BJP

The BJP Friday attacked the Congress over unaccounted money being traced from "close associates" of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, saying the state has become a "new ATM" for the grand old party.

Addressing a press conference at the party office, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao alleged that the Congress dispensation in the state is "minting money and diverting government funds. Rs 281 crore unaccounted cash was traced from his close associates".

Describing Madhya Pradesh as a new ATM of Congress, Rao alleged that as per entries in a diary traced by Income Tax Department, senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Randeep Surjewala also got a cut from this unaccounted cash.&nbsp;

The Congress dismissed the charge, saying it was a sign of desperation of the ruling party. Senior party leader Anand Sharma said that raising these issues at this stage shows the mindset of the BJP and the ruling government which were panicking.

The BJP Friday attacked the Congress over unaccounted money being traced from "close associates" of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, saying the state has become a "new ATM" for the grand old party.

The BJP Friday attacked the Congress over unaccounted money being traced from "close associates" of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, saying the state has become a "new ATM" for the grand old party. Addressing a press conference at the party office, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao alleged that the Congress dispensation in the state is "minting money and diverting government funds. Rs 281 crore unaccounted cash was traced from his close associates". Describing Madhya Pradesh as a new ATM of Congress, Rao alleged that as per entries in a diary traced by Income Tax Department, senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Randeep Surjewala also got a cut from this unaccounted cash. The Congress dismissed the charge, saying it was a sign of desperation of the ruling party. Senior party leader Anand Sharma said that raising these issues at this stage shows the mindset of the BJP and the ruling government which were panicking.

Madhya Pradesh is new ATM for Congress: BJP

Hitting out at Union Minister Vijay Goel after he claimed that 14 AAP MLAs were in touch with the BJP, willing to switch sides, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said it is not easy to buy <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alka-lamba-skips-kejriwals-roadshow-says-she-was-insulted-by-aap-215343&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiG7tqi-P7hAhUL_XMBHfAlD8UQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0d0vud-oFNqwv7A9w_GCkd">AAP</a> leaders.

Taking a dig at Goyal, Kejriwal tweeted,&nbsp;"Goyal Sahib, baat kahan phasi hai? Aap kitna de rahe ho? Woh kitna mang rahe hain. (Where are you facing a deadlock? How much are you paying? How much are they demanding?)"

"Modi ji, will you topple every government run by an opposition party by buying MLAs in the respective states? Is this your definition of democracy? And from where do you bring so much money to buy MLAs? You have tried to buy our MLA many times. Buying AAP leaders is not easy at all," the Chief Minister asserted in another tweet.

On Thursday, Goel had said, "14 AAP MLAs want to leave the party because the party has gone astray from its objectives but the BJP does not need to buy these MLAs. Allegations of the BJP offering Rs 10 crores are false.''

All 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will go to polls in a single phase on May 12.

General elections in the country have been scheduled to be held in seven phases starting from April 11 and ending on May 19.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Hitting out at Union Minister Vijay Goel after he claimed that 14 AAP MLAs were in touch with the BJP, willing to switch sides, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said it is not easy to buy AAP leaders.

Hitting out at Union Minister Vijay Goel after he claimed that 14 AAP MLAs were in touch with the BJP, willing to switch sides, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said it is not easy to buy AAP leaders. Taking a dig at Goyal, Kejriwal tweeted, "Goyal Sahib, baat kahan phasi hai? Aap kitna de rahe ho? Woh kitna mang rahe hain. (Where are you facing a deadlock? How much are you paying? How much are they demanding?)" "Modi ji, will you topple every government run by an opposition party by buying MLAs in the respective states? Is this your definition of democracy? And from where do you bring so much money to buy MLAs? You have tried to buy our MLA many times. Buying AAP leaders is not easy at all," the Chief Minister asserted in another tweet. On Thursday, Goel had said, "14 AAP MLAs want to leave the party because the party has gone astray from its objectives but the BJP does not need to buy these MLAs. Allegations of the BJP offering Rs 10 crores are false.'' All 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will go to polls in a single phase on May 12. General elections in the country have been scheduled to be held in seven phases starting from April 11 and ending on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

It's not easy to buy AAP leaders, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government gave a befitting reply to terrorists in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were crying as if their cousins were killed in the neighbouring country.

"On the 13th day of Pulwama attack, Narendra Modi instructed the Indian Air Force to conduct an operation. Our jawans entered Pakistan and returned after attacking terrorists in Balakot... Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal were saddened by this. There was mourning in two places - one in Rahul Gandhi's office and another at Kejriwal's office in Delhi. They were crying profusely. Were the deceased terrorists (in Balakot) your cousins?" Shah said while addressing a public rally in Delhi.

"This is Modi government. This is BJP's government. If Pakistan fires bullets, we will reply with cannon balls," he added.

Referring to the sloganeering incident in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2016, the BJP chief accused Rahul and Kejriwal of aligning with those who wanted to break the country.

"Rahul Gandhi went two steps further. BJP said we want to do away with Article 370 and Article 35A and make Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India. He said abolish sedition law. What will we do if someone is found spying for Pakistan&nbsp;Rahul and Kejriwal should answer," he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government gave a befitting reply to terrorists in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were crying as if their cousins were killed in the neighbouring country.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government gave a befitting reply to terrorists in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were crying as if their cousins were killed in the neighbouring country. "On the 13th day of Pulwama attack, Narendra Modi instructed the Indian Air Force to conduct an operation. Our jawans entered Pakistan and returned after attacking terrorists in Balakot... Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal were saddened by this. There was mourning in two places - one in Rahul Gandhi's office and another at Kejriwal's office in Delhi. They were crying profusely. Were the deceased terrorists (in Balakot) your cousins?" Shah said while addressing a public rally in Delhi. "This is Modi government. This is BJP's government. If Pakistan fires bullets, we will reply with cannon balls," he added. Referring to the sloganeering incident in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2016, the BJP chief accused Rahul and Kejriwal of aligning with those who wanted to break the country. "Rahul Gandhi went two steps further. BJP said we want to do away with Article 370 and Article 35A and make Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India. He said abolish sedition law. What will we do if someone is found spying for Pakistan Rahul and Kejriwal should answer," he said.

Rahul, Kejriwal cried like their cousins were killed in Balakot airstrike: Amit Shah in Delhi rally

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

A look at the popular slogans of the Indian elections

Union minister and BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan hit out at the Congress on Sunday for promising to repeal the sedition law and said the people of Delhi would never forgive such a party.

The Union minister of science and technology, who held ''jan sabhas'' and foot marches in the constituency, said Delhi had always been a bastion of nationalist ideologues and their supporters.&nbsp;

"The citizens of Delhi will never ever tolerate an anti-national element and that is why they are all out to strengthen nationalist elements. The voters of Delhi will never forgive the party promising to repeal the sedition law and those who openly sided with the JNU student leaders associated with the 'tukde, tukde' gang," he said.

The incumbent MP said for the BJP, the country and nationalism were its topmost priority, while personal interests were at the bottom.

He accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government headed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/how-can-full-statehood-be-given-to-kejriwal-with-dubious-character-says-harsh-vardhan-214051">Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi of sitting over a file</a> that dealt with grant of permission to take the matter to the court of law in respect of the main student leader directly involved in the "tukde-tukde" rhetoric.

"The BJP would never allow such forces to damage the unity and integrity of the country. In case such forces create further trouble, the country will face chaos," the Union minister said.

Vardhan lambasted the Congress for promising to repeal the sedition law in its election manifesto.

"Looks like both the AAP and the Congress are in league on the issue of weakening the country and its unity. Their priority is to safeguard their political interests. These parties will not be able to face the BJP in the current and future elections because Delhiites are fully committed to nationalism," he said.

Vardhan is pitted against the Congress's Jai Prakash Aggarwal and the AAP's Pankaj?Gupta in the Chandni Chowk constituency. Delhi will go to the polls in the sixth phase on May 12.&nbsp;

Union minister and BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan hit out at the Congress on Sunday for promising to repeal the sedition law and said the people of Delhi would never forgive such a party.

Union minister and BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan hit out at the Congress on Sunday for promising to repeal the sedition law and said the people of Delhi would never forgive such a party. The Union minister of science and technology, who held ''jan sabhas'' and foot marches in the constituency, said Delhi had always been a bastion of nationalist ideologues and their supporters. "The citizens of Delhi will never ever tolerate an anti-national element and that is why they are all out to strengthen nationalist elements. The voters of Delhi will never forgive the party promising to repeal the sedition law and those who openly sided with the JNU student leaders associated with the 'tukde, tukde' gang," he said. The incumbent MP said for the BJP, the country and nationalism were its topmost priority, while personal interests were at the bottom. He accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi of sitting over a file that dealt with grant of permission to take the matter to the court of law in respect of the main student leader directly involved in the "tukde-tukde" rhetoric. "The BJP would never allow such forces to damage the unity and integrity of the country. In case such forces create further trouble, the country will face chaos," the Union minister said. Vardhan lambasted the Congress for promising to repeal the sedition law in its election manifesto. "Looks like both the AAP and the Congress are in league on the issue of weakening the country and its unity. Their priority is to safeguard their political interests. These parties will not be able to face the BJP in the current and future elections because Delhiites are fully committed to nationalism," he said. Vardhan is pitted against the Congress's Jai Prakash Aggarwal and the AAP's Pankaj?Gupta in the Chandni Chowk constituency. Delhi will go to the polls in the sixth phase on May 12.

Union minister Harsh Vardhan hits out at Congress for promising to repeal sedition law

The BJP Saturday lodged complaints with the Election Commission against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-postpones-indefinite-hunger-strike-in-view-of-prevailing-indo-pak-situation-199845">AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal</a> for "misguiding" voters through FM radio advertisement and distorting party chief Amit Shah's statement on illegal infiltrators.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor in a complaint letter to the Election Commission objected the content of the AAP's FM radio advertisement.

"In the radio advertisement, the Delhi Chief Minister can be heard provoking people of Delhi that the central government collects thousands of crores rupees in revenue from Delhi but gives back around partly Rs 325 crore to Delhi, he said in his complaint.

He requested the EC to review the contents of the AAP advertisement and block it as it was "misleading" for the voters.

The central government which maintains Delhi Police spends Rs 7,881 crore annually on it for maintaining law and order in the city and spends around Rs 40,000 crore annually on Delhi Metro, road infrastructure, Yamuna cleaning, hospitals, Delhi University among others which directly benefits the people of Delhi, Kapoor said.

In another complaint filed by BJP's national secretary R P Singh and Delhi BJP legal cell in-charge Neeraj, the party accused Kejriwal of "distorting" party chief Amit Shah's statement on illegal infiltrators in the country.

The complaint accused Kejriwal of trying to gain Muslims votes by "misleading" them and "instigating" their religious sentiments.

"Citing BJP's election manifesto, Shah had on April 10 said that with the help of National Register of Citizens (NRC), the party would drive out infiltrators from India and protect the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. But the Delhi CM is not only trying to defame Shah by distorting his statement but instigating religious sentiments in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Singh said.&nbsp;

Kejriwal, a bitter critic of Modi-Shah duo, has been talking about defeating the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls to "save the country." The Delhi chief minister has also been seeking Muslim votes for the AAP saying only it could stop the BJP in Delhi.&nbsp;

The BJP Saturday lodged complaints with the Election Commission against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for "misguiding" voters through FM radio advertisement and distorting party chief Amit Shah's statement on illegal infiltrators.

The BJP Saturday lodged complaints with the Election Commission against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for "misguiding" voters through FM radio advertisement and distorting party chief Amit Shah's statement on illegal infiltrators. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor in a complaint letter to the Election Commission objected the content of the AAP's FM radio advertisement. "In the radio advertisement, the Delhi Chief Minister can be heard provoking people of Delhi that the central government collects thousands of crores rupees in revenue from Delhi but gives back around partly Rs 325 crore to Delhi, he said in his complaint. He requested the EC to review the contents of the AAP advertisement and block it as it was "misleading" for the voters. The central government which maintains Delhi Police spends Rs 7,881 crore annually on it for maintaining law and order in the city and spends around Rs 40,000 crore annually on Delhi Metro, road infrastructure, Yamuna cleaning, hospitals, Delhi University among others which directly benefits the people of Delhi, Kapoor said. In another complaint filed by BJP's national secretary R P Singh and Delhi BJP legal cell in-charge Neeraj, the party accused Kejriwal of "distorting" party chief Amit Shah's statement on illegal infiltrators in the country. The complaint accused Kejriwal of trying to gain Muslims votes by "misleading" them and "instigating" their religious sentiments. "Citing BJP's election manifesto, Shah had on April 10 said that with the help of National Register of Citizens (NRC), the party would drive out infiltrators from India and protect the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. But the Delhi CM is not only trying to defame Shah by distorting his statement but instigating religious sentiments in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Singh said. Kejriwal, a bitter critic of Modi-Shah duo, has been talking about defeating the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls to "save the country." The Delhi chief minister has also been seeking Muslim votes for the AAP saying only it could stop the BJP in Delhi.

BJP lodges complaints with Election Commission against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the party's complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on model code violations and said it may consider moving court if no action is initiated by the poll body.

"We are astonished and sadly compelled to say that the Model Code of Conduct has become Modi code of conduct," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told a press conference here.

He said, "We are also saddened to say that it is as if in the second word of the Election Commission, the letter 'C' has been dropped and it has become the 'Election omission' as far as the Modi and Shah duo is concerned."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/just-a-couple-of-days-after-polls-chandrababu-naidu-raises-questions-over-evms-asks-election-commission-to-revert-to-ballot-system-210068">Just a couple of days after polls, Chandrababu Naidu raises questions over EVMs; asks Election Commission to revert to ballot system</a>

Congress charged the poll watchdog with not taking action against Modi as well as the BJP president for their "hateful, virulent and divisive" speeches and “politicisation of the valour” of the armed forces at election rallies for "cheap electoral gains".

Singhvi said, "In the last 20 days, the Modi-Shah duo has made statements with divisive tone so many times. They have politicised the valour of our armed forces. Modi held rallies before and after casting vote (in Ahmedabad on Tuesday). This scale of violation has never happened in the last 72 years."

A Congress delegation had on Tuesday met with Election Commission officials and demanded a 48 to 72-hour ban on speeches by the Prime Minister and Shah.

Singhvi said, "We are not surprised by the violations of the MCC by BJP leaders. They are resorting to all tactics because they know they are losing the polls. But we cannot understand why the election policeman is silent on this matter. Its silence somehow means it is endorsing the acts of the BJP leaders."

At the same time, he acknowledged the EC actions on Congress' complaints against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti who were banned from making public speeches for 72 and 48 hours respectively.

He said,&nbsp;"The EC acted on some of our complaints and we praise them for that but it not acting against the Modi-Shah duo. Do the two leaders not come within the ambit of the EC rule book?"

Singhvi said if action is not taken on the Congress complaints, the party may approach court on Monday.&nbsp;

Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the party's complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on model code violations and said it may consider moving court if no action is initiated by the poll body.

Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring the party's complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on model code violations and said it may consider moving court if no action is initiated by the poll body. "We are astonished and sadly compelled to say that the Model Code of Conduct has become Modi code of conduct," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told a press conference here. He said, "We are also saddened to say that it is as if in the second word of the Election Commission, the letter 'C' has been dropped and it has become the 'Election omission' as far as the Modi and Shah duo is concerned." Also read: Just a couple of days after polls, Chandrababu Naidu raises questions over EVMs; asks Election Commission to revert to ballot system Congress charged the poll watchdog with not taking action against Modi as well as the BJP president for their "hateful, virulent and divisive" speeches and “politicisation of the valour” of the armed forces at election rallies for "cheap electoral gains". Singhvi said, "In the last 20 days, the Modi-Shah duo has made statements with divisive tone so many times. They have politicised the valour of our armed forces. Modi held rallies before and after casting vote (in Ahmedabad on Tuesday). This scale of violation has never happened in the last 72 years." A Congress delegation had on Tuesday met with Election Commission officials and demanded a 48 to 72-hour ban on speeches by the Prime Minister and Shah. Singhvi said, "We are not surprised by the violations of the MCC by BJP leaders. They are resorting to all tactics because they know they are losing the polls. But we cannot understand why the election policeman is silent on this matter. Its silence somehow means it is endorsing the acts of the BJP leaders." At the same time, he acknowledged the EC actions on Congress' complaints against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti who were banned from making public speeches for 72 and 48 hours respectively. He said, "The EC acted on some of our complaints and we praise them for that but it not acting against the Modi-Shah duo. Do the two leaders not come within the ambit of the EC rule book?" Singhvi said if action is not taken on the Congress complaints, the party may approach court on Monday.

May move court if no action is taken by Election Commission against Modi, Shah: Congress

bharatiya-janata-party

Bharatiya Janata Party, News on Bharatiya Janata Party, stories on Bharatiya Janata Party, articles on Bharatiya Janata Party, Bharatiya Janata Party stories at Wion, Bharatiya Janata Party news, Bharatiya Janata Party latest news

bharatiya janata-party