Mumbai votes today in phase 4 of Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The city that houses some of the most prominent industrialists and the entire Hindi film industry is likely to see a big turnout.

Mumbai votes today in phase 4 of Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The city that houses some of the most prominent industrialists and the entire Hindi film industry is likely to see a big turnout. Early voters on Tuesday morning included actors like Rekha, Priyanka Chopra, Paresh Rawal and Urmila Matondkar going to the polling booth to exercise their rights. In Pics: Bollywood stars cast their vote View this post on Instagram #priyankachopra #elections2019 #indiavotes #mumbaikarvote #bollywoodvotes @viralbhayani A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:15pm PDT × #Mumbai: Veteran actor Rekha casts her vote at polling booth number 283 in Bandra. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/z14VraA06W — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Priyanka Chopra, who now shuttles between India and America post marriage to singer Nick Jonas, went to the booth with her mother Madhu Chopra to cast her vote and later to Twitter to post a selfie of her inked finger. "This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. #LokSabhaElections2019," Priyanka tweeted along with her selfie. This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/L0AHJLL4uY — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 29, 2019 × New to politics, and a candidate from Mumbai-North, actress Urmila Matondkar was also seen casting her vote at a polling booth in Bandra. View this post on Instagram #urmilamatondkar #elections2019 #indiavotes #mumbaikarvote #bollywoodvotes @viralbhayani A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:53pm PDT × BJP MP Paresh Rawal came in with wife Swaroop Sampat to cast his vote. View this post on Instagram #pareshrawal #elections2019 #indiavotes #mumbaikarvote #bollywoodvotes @viralbhayani A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:16pm PDT × Actor Ravi Kishan, who is contesting from Gorakhpur on a BJP ticket was also seen in the early hours on Monday in a booth in Goregaon, casting his vote. #Mumbai: BJP MP candidate from UP's Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan casts his vote at a polling booth in Goregaon. pic.twitter.com/s9mH0pHLey — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × #Mumbai: BJP MP candidate from UP's Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan waits in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Goregaon pic.twitter.com/Ji85dcyKNt — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Many of the Bollywood actors took to Twitter to urge the people of Mumbai to come out and vote. Prominent actors like Amitabh Bachchan along with his family, Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir Khan are expected to be seen at polling booths later in the day.

Lok Sabha Polls 2019: Priyanka Chopra, Rekha cast their votes early as stars urge Mumbai to come and vote

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-64-turnout-recorded-in-fourth-phase-violence-in-west-bengal-214572">The fourth phase of Lok Sabha election</a> in West Bengal was marred by violence on Monday.&nbsp;As many as eight seats in West Bengal - Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Berhampore, Bolpur, Birbhum, Asansol, Burdwan East and Burdwan Durgapur went to polls in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">the fourth phase today</a>.&nbsp;

While several seats witnessed peaceful polls, constituencies like Bolpur, Birbhum and Asansol witnessed sporadic cases of violence.&nbsp;

The first incident came to light in the first hours of polling in Jemua in Asansol constituency. Voters threatened to boycott polls after getting to know that the state police, instead of the central paramilitary force, were deployed at the polling booths.&nbsp;

“We do not have confidence on state police. We will not cast our votes till the central force jawans are deployed. Not just us but villages after villages have agreed to boycott polls if the Election Commission does not deploy central forces. We were intimated during the panchayat polls, we cannot allow this to be repeated this time,” said a villager.&nbsp;

Immediately after, the locals started agitating, demanding deployment of central forces. The incident took a violent turn when Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clashed with each other. The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse agitating Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters. Several supporters on both sides were injured.&nbsp;

This apart, parts of Asansol witnessed sporadic instances of violence. Union minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo reached a booth in Borabani after hearing reports of the BJP polling agent being thrown out of the polling booth. Supriyo got into a war of words with the TMC polling agent. Supriyo and media persons later came under attack, their vehicles were vandalised.&nbsp;

Later, the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal directed the police to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-election-commission-directs-to-register-fir-against-babul-supriyo-for-trespassing-into-booth-214482">register an FIR against Supriyo</a> for intimidating the TMC polling agent. “I haven’t done anything wrong by behaving in that manner with the TMC polling agent. If he abuses me, if the &nbsp;TMC party attacks women and journalists, am I to keep quiet? I shall not do so. Even if I’m shown in poor light, I’ll continue to do this,” Supriyo said.&nbsp;

He further expressed unhappiness over the role of central forces on the poll day. “We are not happy with the role of the central force, as earlier we were told that there would be 100 per cent coverage and then suddenly late last night they reduced it to 96-98 per cent. We will be demanding repolls in several polling stations. I have spoken to Mukul da, we are preparing a list of where all we want repolls,” he said.&nbsp;

On the other hand, another incident stirred a major controversy where a central force jawan fired a bullet inside the polling booth to disperse agitating TMC and BJP supporters. While none were hurt in the incident, the bullet hit the ceiling of the polling booth.&nbsp;

The fourth phase of Lok Sabha election in West Bengal was marred by violence on Monday. As many as eight seats in West Bengal - Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Berhampore, Bolpur, Birbhum, Asansol, Burdwan East and Burdwan Durgapur went to polls in the fourth phase today.

The fourth phase of Lok Sabha election in West Bengal was marred by violence on Monday. As many as eight seats in West Bengal - Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Berhampore, Bolpur, Birbhum, Asansol, Burdwan East and Burdwan Durgapur went to polls in the fourth phase today. While several seats witnessed peaceful polls, constituencies like Bolpur, Birbhum and Asansol witnessed sporadic cases of violence. The first incident came to light in the first hours of polling in Jemua in Asansol constituency. Voters threatened to boycott polls after getting to know that the state police, instead of the central paramilitary force, were deployed at the polling booths. “We do not have confidence on state police. We will not cast our votes till the central force jawans are deployed. Not just us but villages after villages have agreed to boycott polls if the Election Commission does not deploy central forces. We were intimated during the panchayat polls, we cannot allow this to be repeated this time,” said a villager. Immediately after, the locals started agitating, demanding deployment of central forces. The incident took a violent turn when Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clashed with each other. The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse agitating Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters. Several supporters on both sides were injured. This apart, parts of Asansol witnessed sporadic instances of violence. Union minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo reached a booth in Borabani after hearing reports of the BJP polling agent being thrown out of the polling booth. Supriyo got into a war of words with the TMC polling agent. Supriyo and media persons later came under attack, their vehicles were vandalised. Later, the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal directed the police to register an FIR against Supriyo for intimidating the TMC polling agent. “I haven’t done anything wrong by behaving in that manner with the TMC polling agent. If he abuses me, if the TMC party attacks women and journalists, am I to keep quiet? I shall not do so. Even if I’m shown in poor light, I’ll continue to do this,” Supriyo said. He further expressed unhappiness over the role of central forces on the poll day. “We are not happy with the role of the central force, as earlier we were told that there would be 100 per cent coverage and then suddenly late last night they reduced it to 96-98 per cent. We will be demanding repolls in several polling stations. I have spoken to Mukul da, we are preparing a list of where all we want repolls,” he said. On the other hand, another incident stirred a major controversy where a central force jawan fired a bullet inside the polling booth to disperse agitating TMC and BJP supporters. While none were hurt in the incident, the bullet hit the ceiling of the polling booth.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Violence marred fourth phase of general election in West Bengal

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra on Monday said that his family doesn't know much about politics but patriotism runs high in their blood.&nbsp;

Speaking about his son and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, who will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/sunny-deol-files-nomination-from-gurdaspur-seat-214357">contesting Lok Sabha polls from Punjab's Gurdaspur</a> on a BJP ticket, he said that "Sunny will also serve the nation".&nbsp;

"We don't know the ABC of politics but patriotism is in our blood, we will serve the nation. What I did in Bikaner you can go and see, Sunny will also serve the nation," Dharmendra told media today.

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Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol filed his nomination as BJP candidate from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency earlier in the day. His brother and actor Bobby Deol accompanied him.

Sporting a navy blue turban and a blue shirt, the 62-year-old earlier offered prayers at the Golden Temple.

Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra on Monday said that his family doesn't know much about politics but patriotism runs high in their blood. Speaking about his son and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, who will be contesting Lok Sabha polls from Punjab's Gurdaspur on a BJP ticket, he said that "Sunny will also serve the nation".

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra on Monday said that his family doesn't know much about politics but patriotism runs high in their blood. Speaking about his son and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, who will be contesting Lok Sabha polls from Punjab's Gurdaspur on a BJP ticket, he said that "Sunny will also serve the nation". "We don't know the ABC of politics but patriotism is in our blood, we will serve the nation. What I did in Bikaner you can go and see, Sunny will also serve the nation," Dharmendra told media today. #WATCH Mumbai: Veteran actor Dharmendra says "We don't know the ABC of politics but patriotism is in our blood, we will serve the nation. What I did in Bikaner you can go and see, Sunny will also serve the nation." #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/DHUqymVxCc — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol filed his nomination as BJP candidate from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency earlier in the day. His brother and actor Bobby Deol accompanied him. Sporting a navy blue turban and a blue shirt, the 62-year-old earlier offered prayers at the Golden Temple. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand.

Patriotism is in our blood, Sunny will serve nation: Veteran actor Dharmendra

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/will-sunny-deol-contest-election-from-gurdaspur-on-a-bjp-ticket-212822&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjaqJOqzPThAhURSo8KHXdnAMIQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2SH-U-96b4xQL9IlkipLCc">Actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol </a>Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar ahead of filing his nomination papers from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat.

Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.

He also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple.&nbsp;

Later, he left for Gurdaspur where he will be filling his nomination papers.

The BJP has fielded Sunny Deol, a Jat Sikh, from Gurdaspur constituency. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in the electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat.

After filling his nomination papers, Deol will be addressing a rally at?PDA ground in Gurdaspur. The senior leadership of the BJP and the SAD will also be present in the rally.

After the rally, he will leave for Mumbai for casting his vote.

Currently, the Gurdaspur constituency is represented by Congress MP Sunil Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year.

The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat had been represented by late actor Vinod Khanna for four-times--1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014.

Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219.

Actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar ahead of filing his nomination papers from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat.

Actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar ahead of filing his nomination papers from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. He also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple. Later, he left for Gurdaspur where he will be filling his nomination papers. The BJP has fielded Sunny Deol, a Jat Sikh, from Gurdaspur constituency. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in the electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat. After filling his nomination papers, Deol will be addressing a rally at?PDA ground in Gurdaspur. The senior leadership of the BJP and the SAD will also be present in the rally. After the rally, he will leave for Mumbai for casting his vote. Currently, the Gurdaspur constituency is represented by Congress MP Sunil Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat had been represented by late actor Vinod Khanna for four-times--1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219.

Sunny Deol pays obeisance at Golden Temple ahead of filing nomination papers

Incident-free voting marked the second leg of three-phased polling for south Kashmir’s Anantnag parliamentary constituency of Kulgam district with a total voter turnout of 10.32 per cent, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Jammu and Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar said.

Addressing a press conference at Banquet Hall in Srinagar, the CEO informed that the overall percentage recorded in the district today was 10.3 per cent with the highest in Noorabad segment at 20.58 per cent.

He said that for the smooth polling across the district, 433 polling stations were set up out of which 20 were model polling stations. Four all-women polling stations were also set up across the district.

Divulging the details of the voter turnout in the district, the CEO informed that the total number of votes polled was 3,5524 with the highest turnout of 20.58 per cent recorded in Noorabad segment of the district. With the completion of today’s phase, the overall poll percentage of Anantnag constituency has touched 12.35 per cent.

He further elaborated that the total percentage of voting till date in various parliamentary constituencies in the state including Baramulla, Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Anantnag was recorded at 47.06 per cent with total votes polled at around 33,64104 out of 71,49047 total electorates.

The CEO complimented voters, political parties, contesting candidates, media, polling staff and security forces for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the polling in the state.

Over 3.45 lakh electors were scheduled to exercise their franchise in Kulgam district of south Kashmir region in the second leg of three-phased schedule for Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency today, including 28,761 first-time voters and 2,870 migrant voters. As many as 72 constituencies across 9 states went to polls in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls</a> today.&nbsp;

Regarding the health of e-rolls, the CEO said that 43 polling stations were set up for webcasting.

The CEO said that two general observers, one expenditure observer, one police observer, 68 micro observers besides 1,732 polling staff ensured the smooth conduct of the voting in today's phase.

Incident-free voting marked the second leg of three-phased polling for south Kashmir’s Anantnag parliamentary constituency of Kulgam district with a total voter turnout of 10.

Incident-free voting marked the second leg of three-phased polling for south Kashmir’s Anantnag parliamentary constituency of Kulgam district with a total voter turnout of 10.32 per cent, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Jammu and Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar said. Addressing a press conference at Banquet Hall in Srinagar, the CEO informed that the overall percentage recorded in the district today was 10.3 per cent with the highest in Noorabad segment at 20.58 per cent. He said that for the smooth polling across the district, 433 polling stations were set up out of which 20 were model polling stations. Four all-women polling stations were also set up across the district. Divulging the details of the voter turnout in the district, the CEO informed that the total number of votes polled was 3,5524 with the highest turnout of 20.58 per cent recorded in Noorabad segment of the district. With the completion of today’s phase, the overall poll percentage of Anantnag constituency has touched 12.35 per cent. He further elaborated that the total percentage of voting till date in various parliamentary constituencies in the state including Baramulla, Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Anantnag was recorded at 47.06 per cent with total votes polled at around 33,64104 out of 71,49047 total electorates. The CEO complimented voters, political parties, contesting candidates, media, polling staff and security forces for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the polling in the state. Over 3.45 lakh electors were scheduled to exercise their franchise in Kulgam district of south Kashmir region in the second leg of three-phased schedule for Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency today, including 28,761 first-time voters and 2,870 migrant voters. As many as 72 constituencies across 9 states went to polls in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls today. Regarding the health of e-rolls, the CEO said that 43 polling stations were set up for webcasting. The CEO said that two general observers, one expenditure observer, one police observer, 68 micro observers besides 1,732 polling staff ensured the smooth conduct of the voting in today's phase.

Jammu and Kashmir: Kulgam records 10.32% voter turnout in fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls

Voting was delayed for over two hours at two polling booths of Kannauj parliamentary constituency due to an alleged glitch in Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

Booth number 35 and 435 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj witnessed long queues of people waiting at the polling station, awaiting the start of the polling process.

Voters in the queue alleged that not a single vote could be cast at the booth since the morning."It hasn't been working since the polling started at 7 am. Not even one vote has been cast here. Voting has not started because of a glitch in EVM," one of the voters waiting in queue claimed.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MLA Arvind Kumar Singh also wrote a letter to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) highlighting EVM malfunctions at several booths including two booths of Kannauj parliamentary constituency.

Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav is contesting from Kannauj parliamentary seat.

In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Dimple managed to win despite 'Modi wave' but with a small margin of votes of less than 20,000 votes against BJP`s Subrat Pathak.&nbsp;

Voting was delayed for over two hours at two polling booths of Kannauj parliamentary constituency due to an alleged glitch in Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Booth number 35 and 435 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj witnessed long queues of people waiting at the polling station, awaiting the start of the polling process.

Voting was delayed for over two hours at two polling booths of Kannauj parliamentary constituency due to an alleged glitch in Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Booth number 35 and 435 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj witnessed long queues of people waiting at the polling station, awaiting the start of the polling process. Voters in the queue alleged that not a single vote could be cast at the booth since the morning."It hasn't been working since the polling started at 7 am. Not even one vote has been cast here. Voting has not started because of a glitch in EVM," one of the voters waiting in queue claimed. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MLA Arvind Kumar Singh also wrote a letter to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) highlighting EVM malfunctions at several booths including two booths of Kannauj parliamentary constituency. Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav is contesting from Kannauj parliamentary seat. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Dimple managed to win despite 'Modi wave' but with a small margin of votes of less than 20,000 votes against BJP`s Subrat Pathak.

Glitch in EVM delays polling in two booths of Kannauj

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 64% turnout in fourth phase; violence in West Bengal, Odisha

Incidents of violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches in some areas were reported as 64 per cent turnout was recorded on Monday in 72 constituencies across nine states in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections</a>.

In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 62 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 53.12 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 65.86 per cent Madhya Pradesh (6 seats).

West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.47 in the eight seats though <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-clashes-erupt-between-tmc-workers-security-forces-in-asansol-babul-supriyos-car-vandalised-214362">clashes broke out</a> between supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured.

In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones.&nbsp;

An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment.

The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of the 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the phase, which marked the start of polling in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh while elections came to an end in Maharashtra and Odisha.&nbsp;

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Madhya Pradesh V L Kantha Rao said that during a mock-poll, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began.

Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials.

Nearly 52 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 64.05 per cent Odisha (6 seats), 53.67 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 63.42 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission till 6 PM.

In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.3 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phased polling in the sensitive seat.

Billionaires and Bollywood star lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies.&nbsp;

Complaints of technical glitches in EVMs and VVPAT machines in some polling booths were addressed in Maharashtra, an election official said.

Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, and Deepika Padukone cast their votes in Mumbai. Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters.

In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote.

In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said.

Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats recorded 53.23 per cent polling till 5 pm, an electoral officer said.

Reports were received of EVMs developing snag in Bidhauna area under the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat following which polling remained suspended for over an hour.

Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes.

According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth under Sandila area forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate has removed the officer and handed him over to the police who is investigating the matter.

Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao)

In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, due to technical glitches, official sources said.

In Odisha, technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified, the official said.

Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19.

Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu has been cancelled following excess use of money power. Results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;

Incidents of violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches in some areas were reported as 64 per cent turnout was recorded on Monday in 72 constituencies across nine states in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Incidents of violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches in some areas were reported as 64 per cent turnout was recorded on Monday in 72 constituencies across nine states in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 62 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 53.12 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 65.86 per cent Madhya Pradesh (6 seats). West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.47 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of the 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the phase, which marked the start of polling in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh while elections came to an end in Maharashtra and Odisha. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Madhya Pradesh V L Kantha Rao said that during a mock-poll, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 52 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 64.05 per cent Odisha (6 seats), 53.67 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 63.42 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission till 6 PM. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.3 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phased polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood star lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. Complaints of technical glitches in EVMs and VVPAT machines in some polling booths were addressed in Maharashtra, an election official said. Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, and Deepika Padukone cast their votes in Mumbai. Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats recorded 53.23 per cent polling till 5 pm, an electoral officer said. Reports were received of EVMs developing snag in Bidhauna area under the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth under Sandila area forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate has removed the officer and handed him over to the police who is investigating the matter. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, due to technical glitches, official sources said. In Odisha, technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified, the official said. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu has been cancelled following excess use of money power. Results will be declared on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 64% turnout recorded in fourth phase, violence in West Bengal

As many as 12.7 crore electors were eligible to cast their vote in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday</a>. As many as 72&nbsp;constituencies across 9 states were up for polls.&nbsp;

According to the official Election Commission figures, the overall voter turnout till 7 pm stood at around 62 per cent. The state to bag the top slot with respect to the highest voter turnout was West Bengal at 76.59 per cent.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-clashes-erupt-between-tmc-workers-security-forces-in-asansol-babul-supriyos-car-vandalised-214362">Spurts of violence marred the state</a> during the fourth phase as well, similar to the previous phases. There were reports of clashes, intimidation and booth capturing in isolated areas in the state.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>States</td>
			<td>Polling% figure released by EC till 7pm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bihar</td>
			<td>58.92%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Jammu and Kashmir</td>
			<td>9.79%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Madhya Pradesh</td>
			<td>66.66%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Maharashtra</td>
			<td>55.88%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Odisha</td>
			<td>64.05%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rajasthan</td>
			<td>66.53%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Uttar Pradesh</td>
			<td>56.40%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>West Bengal</td>
			<td>76.59%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Jharkhand</td>
			<td>63.77%</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol. BJP MP candidate from Asansol, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-election-commission-directs-to-register-fir-against-babul-supriyo-for-trespassing-into-booth-214482">Babul Supriyo</a>'s car was also vandalised outside the polling station.

Rajasthan saw scores of people lining up outside polling stations despite the blazing heat. The polling percentage here till 7pm was recorded at 66.53 per cent.&nbsp;

Long queues were seen in some areas of Mumbai like Powai and Chanidwali. Many Bollywood stars and celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani, were spotted outside polling stations, along with their families after casting their vote.&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest turnout till 7pm at 9.79 per cent.&nbsp;

As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in Maharashtra, 13 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in West Bengal went to polls during the fourth phase of polling. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

As many as 12.7 crore electors were eligible to cast their vote in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday. As many as 72 constituencies across 9 states were up for polls.

As many as 12.7 crore electors were eligible to cast their vote in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday. As many as 72 constituencies across 9 states were up for polls. According to the official Election Commission figures, the overall voter turnout till 7 pm stood at around 62 per cent. The state to bag the top slot with respect to the highest voter turnout was West Bengal at 76.59 per cent. Spurts of violence marred the state during the fourth phase as well, similar to the previous phases. There were reports of clashes, intimidation and booth capturing in isolated areas in the state. States Polling% figure released by EC till 7pm Bihar 58.92% Jammu and Kashmir 9.79% Madhya Pradesh 66.66% Maharashtra 55.88% Odisha 64.05% Rajasthan 66.53% Uttar Pradesh 56.40% West Bengal 76.59% Jharkhand 63.77% Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol. BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station. Rajasthan saw scores of people lining up outside polling stations despite the blazing heat. The polling percentage here till 7pm was recorded at 66.53 per cent. Long queues were seen in some areas of Mumbai like Powai and Chanidwali. Many Bollywood stars and celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani, were spotted outside polling stations, along with their families after casting their vote. Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest turnout till 7pm at 9.79 per cent. As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in Maharashtra, 13 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in West Bengal went to polls during the fourth phase of polling.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Total turnout at 62% till 7pm; violence marred West Bengal bags top spot

In this segment of India Election Watch, analysing the 4th phase of Lok Sabha election with concerned experts. Watch video to know more.

IEW: Phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls ends

Polling began in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir -- part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency -- on Monday amid stringent security arrangements as the voting in the second leg of the three-phased schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Polling began at 7 am in the district and would end at 4 pm, officials said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">Catch live updates of&nbsp;Lok Sabha polls&nbsp;in fourth phase.</a>

They said all arrangements were in place to ensure smooth conduct of the second leg of the three-phased parliamentary polls in the Anantnag constituency in the restive south Kashmir.

Stringent and elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in the district in the restive south Kashmir to ensure smooth conduct of polling, the officials said.

They said a multi-layered security set-up was put in place as part of an elaborate security plan for protection of polling booths, handling of law and order problems and thwarting the designs of anti-national elements to disrupt the polls and also to instil a sense of confidence among voters for ensuring free, fair, transparent and smooth conduct of elections in the&nbsp; 
district.

The officials said all of the 433 polling stations have been designated either as hypersensitive or sensitive and a massive security layer has been thrown around the polling stations, many of which have been clubbed.

The Kulgam district, which comprises four assembly segments of Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Hom Shalibugh, has 3,45,489 electors, including 1,79,607 males, 1,64,604 females, 1265 service electors and 13 transgender voters.

Out of these, the Kulgam Assembly segment has the highest number of 98,298 voters (51,051 males, 46,818 females, 455 service voters and 4 transgender voters), while as Noorabad has the lowest 77,171 electors, including 40,093 males, 36,886 females, 188 service voters and 4 transgender voters.

The Assembly segment of Devsar has 91,288 voters (47,467 males, 43,324 females, 492 service voters and five transgender voters), and the Hom Shalibugh segment has 78,669 voters (40,996 males, 37,576 females and 127 service voters).

The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama with 16 assembly segments.

The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons.

Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting in Pulwama and Shopian districts will take place on 6 May.

The Election Commission has curtailed the polling duration for the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency by two hours following a request from the state police to this effect. The revised polling timing is from 7 am to 4 pm.

There are 18 candidates in the fray for the Anantnag constituency,&nbsp;including PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir&nbsp;Mehbooba Mufti.

The Congress has fielded its state president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, while former High Court judge Hasnain Masoodi is contesting on the National Conference ticket.

The other candidates in the fray include former MLC Sofi Yousuf (BJP), Nisar Ahmad Wani (National Panthers Party), Zaffar Ali (People's Conference), Sanjay Kumar Dhar (Manav Adhikar Party) and Surinder Singh (Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party).

Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Ridwana Sanam, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Masoodi, Shamas Khwaja, Ali Mohammad Wani, Gh Mohammad Wani, Kyasir Ahmed Shiekh, Manzoor Ahmed Khan and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh are all independents.

Polling began in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir -- part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency -- on Monday amid stringent security arrangements as the voting in the second leg of the three-phased schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Polling began in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir -- part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency -- on Monday amid stringent security arrangements as the voting in the second leg of the three-phased schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. Polling began at 7 am in the district and would end at 4 pm, officials said. Catch live updates of Lok Sabha polls in fourth phase. They said all arrangements were in place to ensure smooth conduct of the second leg of the three-phased parliamentary polls in the Anantnag constituency in the restive south Kashmir. Stringent and elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in the district in the restive south Kashmir to ensure smooth conduct of polling, the officials said. They said a multi-layered security set-up was put in place as part of an elaborate security plan for protection of polling booths, handling of law and order problems and thwarting the designs of anti-national elements to disrupt the polls and also to instil a sense of confidence among voters for ensuring free, fair, transparent and smooth conduct of elections in the district. The officials said all of the 433 polling stations have been designated either as hypersensitive or sensitive and a massive security layer has been thrown around the polling stations, many of which have been clubbed. The Kulgam district, which comprises four assembly segments of Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Hom Shalibugh, has 3,45,489 electors, including 1,79,607 males, 1,64,604 females, 1265 service electors and 13 transgender voters. Out of these, the Kulgam Assembly segment has the highest number of 98,298 voters (51,051 males, 46,818 females, 455 service voters and 4 transgender voters), while as Noorabad has the lowest 77,171 electors, including 40,093 males, 36,886 females, 188 service voters and 4 transgender voters. The Assembly segment of Devsar has 91,288 voters (47,467 males, 43,324 females, 492 service voters and five transgender voters), and the Hom Shalibugh segment has 78,669 voters (40,996 males, 37,576 females and 127 service voters). The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama with 16 assembly segments. The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons. Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting in Pulwama and Shopian districts will take place on 6 May. The Election Commission has curtailed the polling duration for the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency by two hours following a request from the state police to this effect. The revised polling timing is from 7 am to 4 pm. There are 18 candidates in the fray for the Anantnag constituency, including PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti. The Congress has fielded its state president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, while former High Court judge Hasnain Masoodi is contesting on the National Conference ticket. The other candidates in the fray include former MLC Sofi Yousuf (BJP), Nisar Ahmad Wani (National Panthers Party), Zaffar Ali (People's Conference), Sanjay Kumar Dhar (Manav Adhikar Party) and Surinder Singh (Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party). Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Ridwana Sanam, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Masoodi, Shamas Khwaja, Ali Mohammad Wani, Gh Mohammad Wani, Kyasir Ahmed Shiekh, Manzoor Ahmed Khan and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh are all independents.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Polling begins in Kulgam district of Jammu & Kashmir

In this segment of India Election Watch. Watch; the 4th phase of the Lok Sabha election 2019 has been summed up, though it had witnessed violence in various provinces in West Bengal.

IEW: Violence reported in West Bengal's Asansol amid 4th phase polling

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

In this video, know which candidates' fate is on claim in Phase 4 of LS Polls 2019.

LS Polls 2019: Know which candidates' fate on claim in Phase 4

A complaint has been lodged by police against Aam Aadmi Party's&nbsp;(AAP)&nbsp;Delhi convener Gopal Rai for organising a public meeting in Connaught Place allegedly without permission from the authorities, officials said Sunday.

Police were informed by the flying squad of the Delhi poll panel about the meeting held on Saturday, following which the complaint was registered.

Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), confirmed that a 'kalandra' (a formal complaint lodged in case of a non-cognisable offence) was filed on Saturday against Rai, who is also a minister in the Delhi government, under the Delhi Police Act for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari tweeted about the incident on Saturday.&nbsp;

"Violation of model code of conduct by AAP. Minister Gopal Rai was caught along with his workers canvassing without permission. Even the election material they had had not been cleared by the EC."

Hitting out, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "we wish someday a flying squad suo moto registers cases against BJP leaders too".

"Till now, all cases have been registered after lot of follow-ups with the Election Commission. EC has yet not taken call on multiple violations by Gautam Gambhir. We again demand Gautam Gambhir to be banned from campaigning for 72 hours," he added.

A complaint was earlier filed against Gambhir, the BJP's candidate from East Delhi, for holding a public meeting in Jangpura allegedly without permission on Thursday.

A complaint has been lodged by police against Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Delhi convener Gopal Rai for organising a public meeting in Connaught Place allegedly without permission from the authorities, officials said Sunday.

A complaint has been lodged by police against Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Delhi convener Gopal Rai for organising a public meeting in Connaught Place allegedly without permission from the authorities, officials said Sunday. Police were informed by the flying squad of the Delhi poll panel about the meeting held on Saturday, following which the complaint was registered. Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), confirmed that a 'kalandra' (a formal complaint lodged in case of a non-cognisable offence) was filed on Saturday against Rai, who is also a minister in the Delhi government, under the Delhi Police Act for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari tweeted about the incident on Saturday. "Violation of model code of conduct by AAP. Minister Gopal Rai was caught along with his workers canvassing without permission. Even the election material they had had not been cleared by the EC." Hitting out, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "we wish someday a flying squad suo moto registers cases against BJP leaders too". "Till now, all cases have been registered after lot of follow-ups with the Election Commission. EC has yet not taken call on multiple violations by Gautam Gambhir. We again demand Gautam Gambhir to be banned from campaigning for 72 hours," he added. A complaint was earlier filed against Gambhir, the BJP's candidate from East Delhi, for holding a public meeting in Jangpura allegedly without permission on Thursday.

Complaint lodged against AAP's Gopal Rai for holding public meeting without permission

The 4th phase of the Lok Sabha election 2019 has been summed up, though it had witnessed violence in various provinces in West Bengal.

Lok Sabha election 2019: EC asks police to lodge FIR against BJP's Babul Supriyo

When poll pundits call the ongoing general election presidential, they are missing the woods for the trees. It is one thing for shrill TV channels to split the screen and show PM Narendra Modi in one part and Rahul Gandhi in the other, it is quite another to start believing your own rhetoric and brand the poll presidential, as if two leading political behemoths are stalking the land.

The reality is far from it. The Indian election system is not presidential, constitutionally speaking, and that is the way it stands. The real battle for the hearts and minds of the voters is not just being fought between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, but a clutch of regional parties, that do not necessarily have the same high profile as the two national parties, but whose representatives are scouring the electoral landscape with the same vehemence as anyone else contesting the elections.&nbsp;

In the big states, as is now apparent after three phases of elections, it is by no chance just BJP vs the Congress; remember India is a federal country and the elections, in a larger sense, represent a series of smaller polls - even downright local rivalries - that will determine the kind of government Indians can hope to see after May 23.

As a matter of fact, none of the big poll-bound states pit BJP vs the Congress. In Bengal, it is Trinamool and Mamata Banerjee vs the rest; in the biggest state of them all, Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly BJP vs two regional satraps, SP and the BSP. In Maharashtra, BJP-Sena are battling Congress and NCP while in Bihar, it is JD (U)-BJP against RJD and Congress from the outside. In Tamil Nadu, there is no BJP vs Congress fight, neither is there any Congress vs BJP standoff in Odisha, where again a regional outfit, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been calling the shots for the last decade-and-a-half.&nbsp;

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are once again dominated by regional parties, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) respectively.&nbsp;

If there is a real Congress vs BJP poll battle, it remains confined to MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat. It is simply too small a base to call an Indian election presidential, given the size of the country. So where pray, is this magnificent, all-consuming presidential elections taking place? Not in India, to be sure.

There is another side to this. The risk of pitting Rahul against Modi is to conjure, farcically, of course, a highly unequal contest. Taken to its logical conclusion, it is a signal to the electorate that if Rahul cannot beat Modi, no one else can, while the reality is that a carefully calibrated opposition plan could have made the BJP’s well oiled electoral machine a little slower in its response time. That it may not happen now, is part of this problem of projecting an excessively presidential style of polling, when none actually exists on the ground.

Even though it can be said that Prime Minister Modi’s campaign style is typically presidential, overflowing with speeches, perhaps more than his own party or even the opposition. In true presidential fashion, the focus remains on the principal contender, who is larger than life, not just for the public, but also for the media.

Modi’s campaign style is excessively personal. There are barely any references to the BJP - in fact the punch line for election 2019 is ‘Phir ek baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government again); in 2014, it was ‘Abki baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government this time). Campaign Modi is, therefore, the end product of a complex web of back end outreach initiatives, nearly totally technology driven. &nbsp;&nbsp;

With such an onerous comparison, Rahul Gandhi has had no option but to imitate a presidential style campaign and the jury is still out whether it suits him or not. &nbsp;

However, that is where the comparison ends, because the Constitution of the country dictates the style of government and not the style of the practitioners. Perhaps, more clarity on it would come, once the poll results are known.&nbsp;

Unlike a presidential campaign, there are powerful regional satraps, who dominate India’s political landscape in their own bailiwick, campaigning ceaselessly, against both Modi and occasionally, the Congress.

The BJP’s fight, as the final numbers will bear out, is going to be against the powerful regional satraps, and not the Congress, as is being incorrectly projected. &nbsp;

A presidential election would necessarily mean high-velocity televised debates while in India, such arguments are the prerogative of television studios, where a number of low ranking leaders looking to make a mark, flex their muscles at each other, the higher the decibel level the better the entertainment. Direct polemics between leading political lights is not just uncommon, it is not even heard of. Speeches delivered are extempore at different locations and there is no question of anyone raising any point of order. Everyone on stage is a fellow traveller, so any dissension, as a form of political expression, simply does not exist. &nbsp;

Politically speaking, when and if an alliance is cobbled, then the presidential aspect would not come into the picture. It would not be an alliance between two big parties, but two big political formations. Parties, with wide ideological divergences in the past, would suddenly deem it fit to form a government, once an alliance is put into place. &nbsp;By May 23, India would undoubtedly be as far away from a presidential system as it ever has been.&nbsp; 
 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the<a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-misnomer-of-presidential-polls-2744048"> original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

When poll pundits call the ongoing general election presidential, they are missing the woods for the trees. It is one thing for shrill TV channels to split the screen and show PM Narendra Modi in one part and Rahul Gandhi in the other, it is quite another to start believing your own rhetoric and brand the poll presidential, as if two leading political behemoths are stalking the land.

When poll pundits call the ongoing general election presidential, they are missing the woods for the trees. It is one thing for shrill TV channels to split the screen and show PM Narendra Modi in one part and Rahul Gandhi in the other, it is quite another to start believing your own rhetoric and brand the poll presidential, as if two leading political behemoths are stalking the land. The reality is far from it. The Indian election system is not presidential, constitutionally speaking, and that is the way it stands. The real battle for the hearts and minds of the voters is not just being fought between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, but a clutch of regional parties, that do not necessarily have the same high profile as the two national parties, but whose representatives are scouring the electoral landscape with the same vehemence as anyone else contesting the elections. In the big states, as is now apparent after three phases of elections, it is by no chance just BJP vs the Congress; remember India is a federal country and the elections, in a larger sense, represent a series of smaller polls - even downright local rivalries - that will determine the kind of government Indians can hope to see after May 23. As a matter of fact, none of the big poll-bound states pit BJP vs the Congress. In Bengal, it is Trinamool and Mamata Banerjee vs the rest; in the biggest state of them all, Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly BJP vs two regional satraps, SP and the BSP. In Maharashtra, BJP-Sena are battling Congress and NCP while in Bihar, it is JD (U)-BJP against RJD and Congress from the outside. In Tamil Nadu, there is no BJP vs Congress fight, neither is there any Congress vs BJP standoff in Odisha, where again a regional outfit, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been calling the shots for the last decade-and-a-half. Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are once again dominated by regional parties, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) respectively. If there is a real Congress vs BJP poll battle, it remains confined to MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat. It is simply too small a base to call an Indian election presidential, given the size of the country. So where pray, is this magnificent, all-consuming presidential elections taking place? Not in India, to be sure. There is another side to this. The risk of pitting Rahul against Modi is to conjure, farcically, of course, a highly unequal contest. Taken to its logical conclusion, it is a signal to the electorate that if Rahul cannot beat Modi, no one else can, while the reality is that a carefully calibrated opposition plan could have made the BJP’s well oiled electoral machine a little slower in its response time. That it may not happen now, is part of this problem of projecting an excessively presidential style of polling, when none actually exists on the ground. Even though it can be said that Prime Minister Modi’s campaign style is typically presidential, overflowing with speeches, perhaps more than his own party or even the opposition. In true presidential fashion, the focus remains on the principal contender, who is larger than life, not just for the public, but also for the media. Modi’s campaign style is excessively personal. There are barely any references to the BJP - in fact the punch line for election 2019 is ‘Phir ek baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government again); in 2014, it was ‘Abki baar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government this time). Campaign Modi is, therefore, the end product of a complex web of back end outreach initiatives, nearly totally technology driven. With such an onerous comparison, Rahul Gandhi has had no option but to imitate a presidential style campaign and the jury is still out whether it suits him or not. However, that is where the comparison ends, because the Constitution of the country dictates the style of government and not the style of the practitioners. Perhaps, more clarity on it would come, once the poll results are known. Unlike a presidential campaign, there are powerful regional satraps, who dominate India’s political landscape in their own bailiwick, campaigning ceaselessly, against both Modi and occasionally, the Congress. The BJP’s fight, as the final numbers will bear out, is going to be against the powerful regional satraps, and not the Congress, as is being incorrectly projected. A presidential election would necessarily mean high-velocity televised debates while in India, such arguments are the prerogative of television studios, where a number of low ranking leaders looking to make a mark, flex their muscles at each other, the higher the decibel level the better the entertainment. Direct polemics between leading political lights is not just uncommon, it is not even heard of. Speeches delivered are extempore at different locations and there is no question of anyone raising any point of order. Everyone on stage is a fellow traveller, so any dissension, as a form of political expression, simply does not exist. Politically speaking, when and if an alliance is cobbled, then the presidential aspect would not come into the picture. It would not be an alliance between two big parties, but two big political formations. Parties, with wide ideological divergences in the past, would suddenly deem it fit to form a government, once an alliance is put into place. By May 23, India would undoubtedly be as far away from a presidential system as it ever has been. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

It's no way just BJP vs Congress as regional satraps dominate India’s political landscape

The 4th phase of the Lok Sabha election 2019 has been summed up. Congress in the assembly elections last year gained momentum upon which they were building their path to win General elections 2019. But is that so?

Lok Sabha election 2019: Will Congress' assembly poll momentum work?

The Election Commission of India personnels is reaching far-flung areas of the nation to conduct smooth polls and making sure that every vote must cast. Watch video to know more.

Lok Sabha election 2019: ECI personnel reach far-flung areas to make every vote count

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Monday reacted to PM Modi's remark that "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-40-trinamool-congress-mlas-ready-to-join-once-bjp-wins-polls-says-pm-narendra-modi-214436">40 TMC MLAs are in contact with me</a>" and said that "nobody" will go with the BJP in the state.&nbsp;

Calling the prime minister "expiry babu" he said that not even "one councillor will go with him".

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Derek O'Brien, TMC on PM's remark "40 TMC MLAs in contact with me": Expiry Babu PM. Nobody will go with you, not even 1 councilor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading, your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to EC. Charging you with horse trading. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/mLkaMq8AwZ">pic.twitter.com/mLkaMq8AwZ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1122817144394174465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Are you election campaigning or horse-trading? Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to EC. Charging you with horse-trading," O'Brien added.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, while addressing a rally in Serampore in West Bengal, PM Modi sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that "your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me".&nbsp;

"Goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers," the PM added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Monday reacted to PM Modi's remark that "40 TMC MLAs are in contact with me" and said that "nobody" will go with the BJP in the state.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Monday reacted to PM Modi's remark that "40 TMC MLAs are in contact with me" and said that "nobody" will go with the BJP in the state. Calling the prime minister "expiry babu" he said that not even "one councillor will go with him". Derek O'Brien, TMC on PM's remark "40 TMC MLAs in contact with me": Expiry Babu PM. Nobody will go with you, not even 1 councilor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading, your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to EC. Charging you with horse trading. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/mLkaMq8AwZ — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × "Are you election campaigning or horse-trading? Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to EC. Charging you with horse-trading," O'Brien added. Earlier in the day, while addressing a rally in Serampore in West Bengal, PM Modi sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that "your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me". "Goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers," the PM added.

We're complaining to Election Commission, charging you with horse-trading: TMC on PM Modi's '40 MLAs are with me' remark

The 4th phase of the Lok Sabha election 2019 has been summed up and here are the stats for the same. Watch video to know more.

LoK Sabha election 2019: Everything you need to know about 4th phase polling

The Election Commission of India on Monday directed West Bengal Police to register an FIR against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-clashes-erupt-between-tmc-workers-security-forces-in-asansol-babul-supriyos-car-vandalised-214362">Babul Supriyo</a>, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Lok Sabha seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Supriyo's car was vandalised outside a polling station as clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal.

Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said.

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Election Commission directs to register FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister &amp; BJP candidate from Asansol LS seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/fu20QRvq8d">pic.twitter.com/fu20QRvq8d</a>
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As soon as Supriyo reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked.

"I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt."

The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis" would be given to Asansol.

 
&nbsp;

The Election Commission of India on Monday directed West Bengal Police to register an FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Lok Sabha seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer, news agency ANI reported.

The Election Commission of India on Monday directed West Bengal Police to register an FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Lok Sabha seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer, news agency ANI reported. Earlier in the day, Supriyo's car was vandalised outside a polling station as clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal. Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said. Election Commission directs to register FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister & BJP candidate from Asansol LS seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/fu20QRvq8d — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × As soon as Supriyo reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked. "I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt." The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis" would be given to Asansol.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission directs West Bengal Police to register FIR against Babul Supriyo for trespassing into booth

Be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil, your chowkidar will not spare anyone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

Addressing an election rally here, the Prime Minister said, "We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force."

PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party."

Lambasting at the erstwhile Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, PM Modi said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee had given consent for the Koderma to Ranchi rail line twenty years ago, but the Congress government did not go ahead with the plan. People of this state gave me a chance in 2014 and we started the work of Koderma-Hazaribagh-Barkakana-Sidhwar. The rail line will be functional in one and a half year."

Shedding light on the scams that came to the foreground during the tenure of the Congress, PM Modi said, "During their tenure, all sorts of scams, ranging from the coal-gate scam, helicopter scam and even scam pertaining to minerals extracted from the earth had come up. All these scams have come to a standstill now that BJP is in power."

Continuing his tirade against the Congress, he contended that the party only cares about itself and not about the people of the country. "They do not think about anyone. If they do not see a vote-bank in your state, they leave the people at their own fate. This is what they have done to my Adivasi brother and sisters of Jharkhand," he remarked.

"Our party showed empathy for the downtrodden by granting constitutional status to the OBC Commission," Modi said, adding that the opposition did everything in their might to stop the government from taking this decision in the favour of the oppressed.

Voting in the fourth phase of the elections is underway in three parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand.

Next polling will be held on May 6, 12, and 19 in the remaining four phases of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil, your chowkidar will not spare anyone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. Addressing an election rally here, the Prime Minister said, "We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force.

Be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil, your chowkidar will not spare anyone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. Addressing an election rally here, the Prime Minister said, "We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force." PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party." Lambasting at the erstwhile Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, PM Modi said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee had given consent for the Koderma to Ranchi rail line twenty years ago, but the Congress government did not go ahead with the plan. People of this state gave me a chance in 2014 and we started the work of Koderma-Hazaribagh-Barkakana-Sidhwar. The rail line will be functional in one and a half year." Shedding light on the scams that came to the foreground during the tenure of the Congress, PM Modi said, "During their tenure, all sorts of scams, ranging from the coal-gate scam, helicopter scam and even scam pertaining to minerals extracted from the earth had come up. All these scams have come to a standstill now that BJP is in power." Continuing his tirade against the Congress, he contended that the party only cares about itself and not about the people of the country. "They do not think about anyone. If they do not see a vote-bank in your state, they leave the people at their own fate. This is what they have done to my Adivasi brother and sisters of Jharkhand," he remarked. "Our party showed empathy for the downtrodden by granting constitutional status to the OBC Commission," Modi said, adding that the opposition did everything in their might to stop the government from taking this decision in the favour of the oppressed. Voting in the fourth phase of the elections is underway in three parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand. Next polling will be held on May 6, 12, and 19 in the remaining four phases of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Be it Pak terrorists or traitors on our own soil, chowkidar will not spare anyone: PM Modi

Former cricketer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=sachin+tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</a> with his wife Anjali Tendulkar cast their votes at a booth in Mumbai. Their son Arjun Tendulkar, a budding left-arm pacer, and daughter Sara voted for the first time.&nbsp;

Before leaving for the polling booth, Sachin took to Twitter to announce it. He wrote, "As planned, I'm on my way. Any guesses where?"

After casting his vote, he tweeted, "Voting this year has been so much more special with Sara and Arjun voting for the first time."

He also requested the citizens of India to use their right to vote, he said, "I urge you all to go out and VOTE too!"

The Tendulkar family shared their picture of their inked index fingers with big bright smiles on the faces.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">Voting is underway in 71 constituencies</a> for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls across Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

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As planned, I'm on my way. Any guesses where? 😉 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SecretMission?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SecretMission</a> <a href="https://t.co/nJL6QlvIvL">pic.twitter.com/nJL6QlvIvL</a>
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1122798040019034112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Voting this year has been so much more special with Sara and Arjun voting for the first time. 
I urge you all to go out and VOTE too!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GotInked?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GotInked</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ECISVEEP</a> <a href="https://t.co/stUpabsZsg">pic.twitter.com/stUpabsZsg</a>
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1122798588357226496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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From Rekha to Priyanka Chopra, Bollywood stars also came out to caste their votes. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lok-sabha-polls-2019-bollywood-stars-come-out-to-vote-214327">See Pictures</a>...

Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with his wife Anjali Tendulkar cast their votes at a booth in Mumbai. Their son Arjun Tendulkar, a budding left-arm pacer, and daughter Sara voted for the first time.

Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with his wife Anjali Tendulkar cast their votes at a booth in Mumbai. Their son Arjun Tendulkar, a budding left-arm pacer, and daughter Sara voted for the first time. Before leaving for the polling booth, Sachin took to Twitter to announce it. He wrote, "As planned, I'm on my way. Any guesses where?" After casting his vote, he tweeted, "Voting this year has been so much more special with Sara and Arjun voting for the first time." He also requested the citizens of India to use their right to vote, he said, "I urge you all to go out and VOTE too!" The Tendulkar family shared their picture of their inked index fingers with big bright smiles on the faces. Voting is underway in 71 constituencies for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls across Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. As planned, I'm on my way. Any guesses where? 😉 #SecretMission pic.twitter.com/nJL6QlvIvL — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2019 × Voting this year has been so much more special with Sara and Arjun voting for the first time. I urge you all to go out and VOTE too!#LokSabhaElections#GotInked@ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/stUpabsZsg — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2019 × From Rekha to Priyanka Chopra, Bollywood stars also came out to caste their votes. See Pictures...

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar with wife Anjali cast their votes in Mumbai

In a surprise move,&nbsp;the Samajwadi Party on Monday changed its candidate in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and fielded ex-BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The SP, which is in an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, had earlier declared Shalini Yadav as its candidate from Varanasi, while the Congress has renominated Ajai Rai.

"I was sacked for raising the issue of corruption. My sole objective will be to strengthen and eliminate corruption in the forces," Yadav told reporters when asked about the SP decision to field him.

Yadav will be challenging Modi in Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, an SP leader said.

The former Border Security Force (BSF) soldier had uploaded a video on social media in 2017, complaining that poor quality food was being served to the troops in the icy, mountainous region along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. He was later dismissed on the charge of indiscipline.

The SP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP. As per the seat-sharing pact, the SP is contesting 37 Lok Sabha seats, while Mayawati-led BSP and Ajit Singh's RLD have been allocated 38 and three seats respectively.&nbsp;

The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a surprise move, the Samajwadi Party on Monday changed its candidate in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and fielded ex-BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a surprise move, the Samajwadi Party on Monday changed its candidate in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and fielded ex-BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The SP, which is in an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, had earlier declared Shalini Yadav as its candidate from Varanasi, while the Congress has renominated Ajai Rai. "I was sacked for raising the issue of corruption. My sole objective will be to strengthen and eliminate corruption in the forces," Yadav told reporters when asked about the SP decision to field him. Yadav will be challenging Modi in Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, an SP leader said. The former Border Security Force (BSF) soldier had uploaded a video on social media in 2017, complaining that poor quality food was being served to the troops in the icy, mountainous region along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. He was later dismissed on the charge of indiscipline. The SP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP. As per the seat-sharing pact, the SP is contesting 37 Lok Sabha seats, while Mayawati-led BSP and Ajit Singh's RLD have been allocated 38 and three seats respectively. The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (With inputs from agencies)

Samajwadi Party changes Varanasi candidate, fields ex-BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against PM Modi

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Election Commission of India (ECI) and Centre (Union of India) in connection with a plea seeking to decriminalise complaint on malfunctioning of VVPAT/EVM.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Deepak Gupta sought a response from the Centre and the poll body over a petition filed by Mumbai based advocate Sunil Ahya.

Ahya through his plea sought direction to the Centre to set aside Rule 49MA of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 except for the procedure prescribed for purpose of creating a statistical record of the complaints.

According to the present situation, jail term and fine is guaranteed if the complaint is found false.

Ahya, in his petition, stated that at present, if an elector complains / reports about any discrepancy between EVM and VVPAT, he may face the consequence of a jail term up to six months if it turns to be false, so it should be decriminalised.

Section 49 MA of Code Of Election Rules, states, if a person files a complaint regarding the discrepancy (voted for a particular party but it went to some other party) regarding the EVM, and, if after investigation this is found to be false or incorrect, then the complainant can be prosecuted under section 177 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for "furnishing false information. This section invites six months in jail or Rs&nbsp;1,000 fine or both".

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Election Commission of India (ECI) and Centre (Union of India) in connection with a plea seeking to decriminalise complaint on malfunctioning of VVPAT/EVM.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Election Commission of India (ECI) and Centre (Union of India) in connection with a plea seeking to decriminalise complaint on malfunctioning of VVPAT/EVM. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Deepak Gupta sought a response from the Centre and the poll body over a petition filed by Mumbai based advocate Sunil Ahya. Ahya through his plea sought direction to the Centre to set aside Rule 49MA of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 except for the procedure prescribed for purpose of creating a statistical record of the complaints. According to the present situation, jail term and fine is guaranteed if the complaint is found false. Ahya, in his petition, stated that at present, if an elector complains / reports about any discrepancy between EVM and VVPAT, he may face the consequence of a jail term up to six months if it turns to be false, so it should be decriminalised. Section 49 MA of Code Of Election Rules, states, if a person files a complaint regarding the discrepancy (voted for a particular party but it went to some other party) regarding the EVM, and, if after investigation this is found to be false or incorrect, then the complainant can be prosecuted under section 177 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for "furnishing false information. This section invites six months in jail or Rs 1,000 fine or both".

SC seeks ECI, Centre's response over plea seeking decriminalisation of complaints regarding EVM malfunction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers".&nbsp;

"They are not letting BJP leaders campaign," the Prime Minister said while speaking at a rally in Serampore in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister said that on May 23, when the Lok Sabha election results will be declared, lotus will bloom everywhere, "and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-40-trinamool-congress-mlas-ready-to-join-once-bjp-wins-polls-says-pm-narendra-modi-214436">40 of your MLAs are in contact with me</a>," he added.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/BmXt1IHBKO">pic.twitter.com/BmXt1IHBKO</a>
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"Didi said she wants to give me a rasgulla made of soil and pebbles. The soil of Bengal has the essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, JC Bose, Netaji, SP Mukherjee and if Modi gets a rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi," he stated.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-ask-election-commission-to-seek-expenditure-details-of-pm-modis-rallies-mamata-banerjee-214158">On Sunday, Banerjee accused the BJP</a> of doling out money to buy votes in the general election. Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. <a href="https://t.co/XaZQ4BORwO">pic.twitter.com/XaZQ4BORwO</a>
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Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers". "They are not letting BJP leaders campaign," the Prime Minister said while speaking at a rally in Serampore in West Bengal. The Prime Minister said that on May 23, when the Lok Sabha election results will be declared, lotus will bloom everywhere, "and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/BmXt1IHBKO — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × "Didi said she wants to give me a rasgulla made of soil and pebbles. The soil of Bengal has the essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, JC Bose, Netaji, SP Mukherjee and if Modi gets a rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi," he stated. On Sunday, Banerjee accused the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election. Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. pic.twitter.com/XaZQ4BORwO — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit. Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

Goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop BJP: PM Modi

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/even-today-40-of-your-mlas-are-in-contact-with-me-pm-modi-slams-mamata-banerjee-214438">Narendra Modi </a>on Monday claimed that 40 TMC MLAs are in touch with him, and ready to desert the party once the BJP wins the polls.

“Didi, on May 23 when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me,” the Prime Minister remarked.

Modi said that despite all the attacks and intimidation by the ruling Trinamool Congress, the people of Bengal had only one motto in this Lok Sabha election.

"They have only one motto... chup chap kamal chap, booth booth se TMC saaf (Silently vote for the lotus symbol, remove TMC from all booths)," Modi added.

He also accused TMC supremo, Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in West Bengal.

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PM Modi in Sreerampur: Didi said she wants to give me rasgulla made of soil &amp; pebbles.Soil of Bengal has essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa,Swami Vivekananda,JC Bose,Netaji,SP Mukherjee &amp; if Modi gets rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi <a href="https://t.co/QOLSc0tahP">pic.twitter.com/QOLSc0tahP</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1122809929885192192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away for you).

Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was "sensing defeat", Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister.

"With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that 40 TMC MLAs are in touch with him, and ready to desert the party once the BJP wins the polls. “Didi, on May 23 when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that 40 TMC MLAs are in touch with him, and ready to desert the party once the BJP wins the polls. “Didi, on May 23 when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me,” the Prime Minister remarked. Modi said that despite all the attacks and intimidation by the ruling Trinamool Congress, the people of Bengal had only one motto in this Lok Sabha election. "They have only one motto... chup chap kamal chap, booth booth se TMC saaf (Silently vote for the lotus symbol, remove TMC from all booths)," Modi added. He also accused TMC supremo, Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in West Bengal. PM Modi in Sreerampur: Didi said she wants to give me rasgulla made of soil & pebbles.Soil of Bengal has essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa,Swami Vivekananda,JC Bose,Netaji,SP Mukherjee & if Modi gets rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi pic.twitter.com/QOLSc0tahP — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away for you). Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was "sensing defeat", Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. "With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 40 Trinamool Congress MLAs ready to join once BJP wins polls, says PM Narendra Modi

Congress candidate for Lok Sabha's Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination.&nbsp;

Earlier in the month, Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family."&nbsp;

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Bihar: Congress candidate for Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha files nomination. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/DAiOk9yvfX">pic.twitter.com/DAiOk9yvfX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1122803032381460481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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While Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party's Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib constituency this Lok Sabha polls, his wife Poonam Sinha - who has been fielded on an SP ticket - will face BJP leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress' Pramod Krishnam from Lucknow.&nbsp;

Patna Sahib in Bihar will go to polls in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh will conduct general elections for the constituency in the fifth phase on May 6.&nbsp;

Congress candidate for Lok Sabha's Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination. Earlier in the month, Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha.

Congress candidate for Lok Sabha's Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination. Earlier in the month, Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family." Bihar: Congress candidate for Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha files nomination. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/DAiOk9yvfX — ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 × While Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on Bharatiya Janata Party's Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib constituency this Lok Sabha polls, his wife Poonam Sinha - who has been fielded on an SP ticket - will face BJP leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress' Pramod Krishnam from Lucknow. Patna Sahib in Bihar will go to polls in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh will conduct general elections for the constituency in the fifth phase on May 6.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Shatrughan Sinha files nomination from Patna Sahib constituency

The voting for 13 Lok Sabha seats in India's desert state of Rajasthan in the fourth phase of general elections is going peacefully on Monday.&nbsp;

Given the scorching sun, people preferred to cast their votes in the early hours and as such voting began on a brisk pace in most parts of the 13 constituencies.

Despite the scorching heat, over 50 per cent of 2.57 crore electorate cast their votes till 3.30 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan.

More than 55% voters of total 2.57 crore voters will decide the fate of 115 candidates — 108 men and seven women — in Rajasthan`s first phase of polling on Monday, according to an election official on Sunday.

Maximum voter percentage of 53.45 was registered in Barmer, followed by Jodhpur where 46.41 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm.

The voting began at 7 am in the 13 constituencies of Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to the office of the chief electoral officer.

About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28,182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where 115 candidates are in the fray.

Jodhpur is one of the most talked about seats where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav is pitted against Union minister of state and MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The fate of former Union minister Jaswant Singh's son and former MLA Manvendra Singh, erstwhile Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari, Union minister P P Chaudhary will also be decided in the polling Monday.

(With inputs from PTI)

The voting for 13 Lok Sabha seats in India's desert state of Rajasthan in the fourth phase of general elections is going peacefully on Monday. Given the scorching sun, people preferred to cast their votes in the early hours and as such voting began on a brisk pace in most parts of the 13 constituencies.

The voting for 13 Lok Sabha seats in India's desert state of Rajasthan in the fourth phase of general elections is going peacefully on Monday. Given the scorching sun, people preferred to cast their votes in the early hours and as such voting began on a brisk pace in most parts of the 13 constituencies. Despite the scorching heat, over 50 per cent of 2.57 crore electorate cast their votes till 3.30 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan. More than 55% voters of total 2.57 crore voters will decide the fate of 115 candidates — 108 men and seven women — in Rajasthan`s first phase of polling on Monday, according to an election official on Sunday. Maximum voter percentage of 53.45 was registered in Barmer, followed by Jodhpur where 46.41 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm. The voting began at 7 am in the 13 constituencies of Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to the office of the chief electoral officer. About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28,182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where 115 candidates are in the fray. Jodhpur is one of the most talked about seats where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav is pitted against Union minister of state and MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The fate of former Union minister Jaswant Singh's son and former MLA Manvendra Singh, erstwhile Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari, Union minister P P Chaudhary will also be decided in the polling Monday. (With inputs from PTI)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Rajasthan voters brave scorching heat to come, vote

Preparations are in place for the fourth phase of polling in eight West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday, which will decide the fate of 68 candidates in the fray.

All the eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum -- will see a four-cornered contest between the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front.

An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies, the Election Commission said.

The commission will deploy a total of 580 companies of central forces, which will cover all the polling booths in the Lok Sabha constituencies to ensure free and fair polling, election officials said.

The campaign for the eight parliamentary seats -- that came to an end on Saturday evening -- saw roadshows and poll meetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

TMC has fielded Apurba Sarkar (David) against the Congress MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Baharampur seat. The Left Front constituent RSP has nominated Id Mohammad, while the BJP has named Krishna Joyardar.

In Krishnagar, the TMC has fielded Mahua Moitra against BJP's Kalyan Chaubey, a footballer. The Congress has nominated Intaj Ali Shah and the CPI(M) Shantanu Jha.

Ranaghat (SC) will see TMC's Rupali Biswas locking horns with BJP's Jagannath Sarkar. Congress has nominated Minati Biswas and the CPI(M) Rama Biswas.

In the Burdwan East (SC) seat, TMC's Sunil Kumar Mondal will contest against Paresh Chandra Das of the BJP. The Congress has fielded Siddhartha Majumdar and the CPI(M) Iswar Chandra Das.

Mamtaz Sanghamita is the TMC candidate from the Burdwan-Durgapur seat against BJP's S S Ahluwalia. The Congress has nominated Ranajit Mukherjee and the CPI(M) named Abhas Ray Chaudhuri.

In Asansol, Union minister and BJP sitting MP Babul Supriyo will contest against TMC's celebrity candidate Moon Moon Sen. The CPI(M) has nominated Gouranga Chatterjee and the Congress Biswarup Mondal for the seat.

In the Bolpur (SC) seat, TMC's Asit Kumar Mal will contest against Ramprasad Das of the BJP. The CPI(M) has fielded Ramchandra Dome and the Congress, Abhijit Saha.

Celebrity candidate Satabdi Roy is the TMC name from the Birbhum seat against BJP's Dudh Kumar Mondal. The Congress has nominated Imam Hossain and the CPI(M) named Rezaul Karim for the seat.

The polling personnel have already left for the 15,277 booths in the eight parliamentary constituencies.

Besides general election observers and expenditure observers, the poll panel has for the first time deployed a special police observer and a special observer in the state.

In another first, VVPAT will be used in all the polling booths along with the EVMs, EC sources said.&nbsp;

Preparations are in place for the fourth phase of polling in eight West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday, which will decide the fate of 68 candidates in the fray.

Preparations are in place for the fourth phase of polling in eight West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday, which will decide the fate of 68 candidates in the fray. All the eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum -- will see a four-cornered contest between the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies, the Election Commission said. The commission will deploy a total of 580 companies of central forces, which will cover all the polling booths in the Lok Sabha constituencies to ensure free and fair polling, election officials said. The campaign for the eight parliamentary seats -- that came to an end on Saturday evening -- saw roadshows and poll meetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. TMC has fielded Apurba Sarkar (David) against the Congress MP, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Baharampur seat. The Left Front constituent RSP has nominated Id Mohammad, while the BJP has named Krishna Joyardar. In Krishnagar, the TMC has fielded Mahua Moitra against BJP's Kalyan Chaubey, a footballer. The Congress has nominated Intaj Ali Shah and the CPI(M) Shantanu Jha. Ranaghat (SC) will see TMC's Rupali Biswas locking horns with BJP's Jagannath Sarkar. Congress has nominated Minati Biswas and the CPI(M) Rama Biswas. In the Burdwan East (SC) seat, TMC's Sunil Kumar Mondal will contest against Paresh Chandra Das of the BJP. The Congress has fielded Siddhartha Majumdar and the CPI(M) Iswar Chandra Das. Mamtaz Sanghamita is the TMC candidate from the Burdwan-Durgapur seat against BJP's S S Ahluwalia. The Congress has nominated Ranajit Mukherjee and the CPI(M) named Abhas Ray Chaudhuri. In Asansol, Union minister and BJP sitting MP Babul Supriyo will contest against TMC's celebrity candidate Moon Moon Sen. The CPI(M) has nominated Gouranga Chatterjee and the Congress Biswarup Mondal for the seat. In the Bolpur (SC) seat, TMC's Asit Kumar Mal will contest against Ramprasad Das of the BJP. The CPI(M) has fielded Ramchandra Dome and the Congress, Abhijit Saha. Celebrity candidate Satabdi Roy is the TMC name from the Birbhum seat against BJP's Dudh Kumar Mondal. The Congress has nominated Imam Hossain and the CPI(M) named Rezaul Karim for the seat. The polling personnel have already left for the 15,277 booths in the eight parliamentary constituencies. Besides general election observers and expenditure observers, the poll panel has for the first time deployed a special police observer and a special observer in the state. In another first, VVPAT will be used in all the polling booths along with the EVMs, EC sources said.

Eight Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal to go to polls in fourth phase