Largest democratic exercise or Lok Sabha election 2019 almost ends for the first phase. Watch complete updates of the day.

Lok Sabha election 2019: Largest democratic exercise almost ends for the first phase

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the BJP is committed to passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill once the NDA returns to power after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

The bill will be amended after proper consultation with all sections of the society and ensuring safety of the Assamese community, Modi told a poll rally in Silchar, Assam.

Protection to Assamese language, culture and identity will be ensured while considering the Bill again, he assured.

The Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha by the Modi government on January 8 but was not introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill is now set to lapse on June 3.

Slamming the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-charges-congress-with-tughlaq-road-chunav-ghotala-209560">Congress</a>, he said it did not think about the minorities in Pakistan while dividing the country during Independence.

"The fundamentalists tortured our brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Is Congress not a culprit for this? People going to mandirs and gurudwaras in Bangladesh and Pakistan had to come to India. Congress sins made them foreigners in their own land ?" he added.

"Our daughters are being tortured in Pakistan even nowadays," he alleged.

On the triple talaq bill, Modi said his government will "strongly try" to pass the legislation after it comes to power at the Centre.

"Even if the Congress, AIUDF and mahamialvat (other opposition parties) try, they will be able to do nothing (to stop the triple talaq bill). Our daughters will get justice," he added.

Referring to the ongoing first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the country, Modi said "As per information I have received so far a huge wave is seen for us in the polling being held today.

"People have decided and it will be difficult for the opposition to survive ... In Assam, all five seats (where polling is being held in the first phase) will be won by BJP and the NDA."&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the BJP is committed to passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill once the NDA returns to power after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the BJP is committed to passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill once the NDA returns to power after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The bill will be amended after proper consultation with all sections of the society and ensuring safety of the Assamese community, Modi told a poll rally in Silchar, Assam. Protection to Assamese language, culture and identity will be ensured while considering the Bill again, he assured. The Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha by the Modi government on January 8 but was not introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill is now set to lapse on June 3. Slamming the Congress, he said it did not think about the minorities in Pakistan while dividing the country during Independence. "The fundamentalists tortured our brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Is Congress not a culprit for this? People going to mandirs and gurudwaras in Bangladesh and Pakistan had to come to India. Congress sins made them foreigners in their own land ?" he added. "Our daughters are being tortured in Pakistan even nowadays," he alleged. On the triple talaq bill, Modi said his government will "strongly try" to pass the legislation after it comes to power at the Centre. "Even if the Congress, AIUDF and mahamialvat (other opposition parties) try, they will be able to do nothing (to stop the triple talaq bill). Our daughters will get justice," he added. Referring to the ongoing first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the country, Modi said "As per information I have received so far a huge wave is seen for us in the polling being held today. "People have decided and it will be difficult for the opposition to survive ... In Assam, all five seats (where polling is being held in the first phase) will be won by BJP and the NDA."

BJP committed to passing Triple Talaq, Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: PM Modi

The BJP will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and introduce <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assams-national-register-of-citizens-an-explainer-155549">National Register for Citizens</a> across the country if voted to power again, BJP chief Amit Shah said Thursday, raking up the two hugely disputed issues.

On the campaign trail in West Bengal's Kalimpong in Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat and Raigang seat in North Dinajpur, he also accused TMC supremo <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-mamata-banerjee-takes-a-u-turn-on-national-register-of-citizens-156891">Mamata Banerjee </a>of questioning the air strikes to "appease" her minority vote bank, and demanded that she clarify whether she too favoured a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir like her ally National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

"We will remove Article 370 from Kashmir after forming the next BJP government at the Centre," Shah told an election rally at Kalimpong in Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency where the party has fielded industrialist Raju Singh Bisht.

Calling illegal migrants from Bangladesh "termites", Shah said at another rally in Raiganj that his party will throw them out after coming to power at the Centre for a second consecutive term.

Shah alleged that Banerjee, who is vehemently opposed to the contentious National Register of Citizens (NRC) that is currently restricted to Assam, was "misleading" people, and vowed to introduce it in every state after winning the polls.

"It is our commitment to bring in NRC across the country to chuck out each and every infiltrator. Unlike Mamata Banerjee, we don't treat infiltrators as our vote bank. For us national security is supreme. We would ensure that each and every Hindu and Buddhist refugee gets citizenship of this country," he said. 
Banerjee has repeatedly claimed the NRC, which seeks to weed out illegal migrants from Assam, will turn even bonafide Indian citizens into refugees. 
The NRC got mired in a massive controversy after the names of around 40 lakh people, living in Assam for decades, were omitted from the complete draft that was released last year.

He alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal was only interested in appeasing minorities.

The BJP chief claimed that TMC stood for "Tushtikaran, (appeasement), mafia and chit funds.

"Illegal migrants are like termites. They are eating our foodgrains that should go to the poor, they are taking away our jobs. The T of the TMC stands for 'Tushtikaran, M for mafia and C for chitfund (scams)," Shah said.

He also took on the West Bengal chief minister for "questioning the veracity" of the Indian Air Force's strike in Pakistan's Balakot to avenge the killing of 40 CRPF troopers in Kashmir, saying the IAF's assault was mourned in only two places--Pakistan and Mamata Banerjee's office.

"We came to know that Mamata Banerjee was mourning the air strikes. It is quite obvious that the air strikes will be mourned in Pakistan. But why is Mamata Banerjee mourning? She is mourning in order to appease her minority vote bank. This is a shame," Shah said, attacking the West Bengal leader.

Banerjee and other opposition leaders may be interested in talks with Pakistan but the government beleives in responding to their "bullets with canon balls", he said.

"Apko (Mamata) Pakistan ke saath ilu ilu (I love you) karna hain toh kijiye. Lekin agar Pakistan goli marega toh hum gola marenge (If you are interested in love with Pakistan, you can do that but we would respond to their bullets with canon balls)," Shah said, referring to the popular love song from film Saudagar released in the early 1990s.

Mocking the grand opposition alliance proposed by Banerjee, Shah wondered why the Congress and CPI(M) were criticising the TMC if they were her allies.

"I wonder what kind of grand alliance Banerjee is proposing. She is saying vote for the grand alliance. Why are the Congress and CPI(M) criticising her TMC if they are allies at the Centre. The fact is no one is willing to stand with Banerjee. This alliance neither has a leader nor a policy," he said.

Seeking to reach out to tea garden workers, who constitute a sizeable section of the electorate, the BJP chief said his party's manifesto has promised to provide a pension of Rs 3,000 to them after the age of 60.

In Assam, where the BJP is in power, the government has twice transferred Rs 2,500 directly to their bank accounts, he said, claiming the TMC government in West Bengal neglected tea garden workers.

Shah said the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal were about "restoring democracy" in the TMC-ruled state.

Claiming that the countdown to the "corrupt" TMC government's downfall will begin on May 23, the day the Lok Sabha election results are declared, Shah appealed to the voters to give the BJP another opportunity to serve them. The BJP, he asserted, will win 23 seats in the state.

Under the TMC rule "all three--mother, motherland and people are suffering", he said, referring to the 'Ma, Maati and Manush' slogan of West Bengal's ruling party.

"Mothers are now bereft of love, infiltrators have taken away our land and people are being brutalised and killed," he said.

Shah referred to the firing incident at Darivit High School in North Dinajpur district in September last year that had left two students dead during a protest against the alleged appointment of an Urdu teacher.

He accused Banerjee of trying to "impose" Urdu on the Bengali-speaking people of the state and urged them to defeat the TMC candidate in Raiganj to avenge the killing.

Only Modi can save Bengal from the TMC and its "reign of terror", the BJP chief claimed.

The BJP is making a determined bid to expand its influence in West Bengal where the support base of the Congress and the Left has shrunk over the years.

Shah has set a somewhat ambitious target of winning 23 of the state's 42 seats. The BJP had won only two seats in the state in 2014.

The BJP will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and introduce National Register for Citizens across the country if voted to power again, BJP chief Amit Shah said Thursday, raking up the two hugely disputed issues.

The BJP will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and introduce National Register for Citizens across the country if voted to power again, BJP chief Amit Shah said Thursday, raking up the two hugely disputed issues. On the campaign trail in West Bengal's Kalimpong in Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat and Raigang seat in North Dinajpur, he also accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of questioning the air strikes to "appease" her minority vote bank, and demanded that she clarify whether she too favoured a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir like her ally National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. "We will remove Article 370 from Kashmir after forming the next BJP government at the Centre," Shah told an election rally at Kalimpong in Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency where the party has fielded industrialist Raju Singh Bisht. Calling illegal migrants from Bangladesh "termites", Shah said at another rally in Raiganj that his party will throw them out after coming to power at the Centre for a second consecutive term. Shah alleged that Banerjee, who is vehemently opposed to the contentious National Register of Citizens (NRC) that is currently restricted to Assam, was "misleading" people, and vowed to introduce it in every state after winning the polls. "It is our commitment to bring in NRC across the country to chuck out each and every infiltrator. Unlike Mamata Banerjee, we don't treat infiltrators as our vote bank. For us national security is supreme. We would ensure that each and every Hindu and Buddhist refugee gets citizenship of this country," he said. Banerjee has repeatedly claimed the NRC, which seeks to weed out illegal migrants from Assam, will turn even bonafide Indian citizens into refugees. The NRC got mired in a massive controversy after the names of around 40 lakh people, living in Assam for decades, were omitted from the complete draft that was released last year. He alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal was only interested in appeasing minorities. The BJP chief claimed that TMC stood for "Tushtikaran, (appeasement), mafia and chit funds. "Illegal migrants are like termites. They are eating our foodgrains that should go to the poor, they are taking away our jobs. The T of the TMC stands for 'Tushtikaran, M for mafia and C for chitfund (scams)," Shah said. He also took on the West Bengal chief minister for "questioning the veracity" of the Indian Air Force's strike in Pakistan's Balakot to avenge the killing of 40 CRPF troopers in Kashmir, saying the IAF's assault was mourned in only two places--Pakistan and Mamata Banerjee's office. "We came to know that Mamata Banerjee was mourning the air strikes. It is quite obvious that the air strikes will be mourned in Pakistan. But why is Mamata Banerjee mourning? She is mourning in order to appease her minority vote bank. This is a shame," Shah said, attacking the West Bengal leader. Banerjee and other opposition leaders may be interested in talks with Pakistan but the government beleives in responding to their "bullets with canon balls", he said. "Apko (Mamata) Pakistan ke saath ilu ilu (I love you) karna hain toh kijiye. Lekin agar Pakistan goli marega toh hum gola marenge (If you are interested in love with Pakistan, you can do that but we would respond to their bullets with canon balls)," Shah said, referring to the popular love song from film Saudagar released in the early 1990s. Mocking the grand opposition alliance proposed by Banerjee, Shah wondered why the Congress and CPI(M) were criticising the TMC if they were her allies. "I wonder what kind of grand alliance Banerjee is proposing. She is saying vote for the grand alliance. Why are the Congress and CPI(M) criticising her TMC if they are allies at the Centre. The fact is no one is willing to stand with Banerjee. This alliance neither has a leader nor a policy," he said. Seeking to reach out to tea garden workers, who constitute a sizeable section of the electorate, the BJP chief said his party's manifesto has promised to provide a pension of Rs 3,000 to them after the age of 60. In Assam, where the BJP is in power, the government has twice transferred Rs 2,500 directly to their bank accounts, he said, claiming the TMC government in West Bengal neglected tea garden workers. Shah said the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal were about "restoring democracy" in the TMC-ruled state. Claiming that the countdown to the "corrupt" TMC government's downfall will begin on May 23, the day the Lok Sabha election results are declared, Shah appealed to the voters to give the BJP another opportunity to serve them. The BJP, he asserted, will win 23 seats in the state. Under the TMC rule "all three--mother, motherland and people are suffering", he said, referring to the 'Ma, Maati and Manush' slogan of West Bengal's ruling party. "Mothers are now bereft of love, infiltrators have taken away our land and people are being brutalised and killed," he said. Shah referred to the firing incident at Darivit High School in North Dinajpur district in September last year that had left two students dead during a protest against the alleged appointment of an Urdu teacher. He accused Banerjee of trying to "impose" Urdu on the Bengali-speaking people of the state and urged them to defeat the TMC candidate in Raiganj to avenge the killing. Only Modi can save Bengal from the TMC and its "reign of terror", the BJP chief claimed. The BJP is making a determined bid to expand its influence in West Bengal where the support base of the Congress and the Left has shrunk over the years. Shah has set a somewhat ambitious target of winning 23 of the state's 42 seats. The BJP had won only two seats in the state in 2014.

We will scrap Article 370, introduce NRC across country: Amit Shah

Polling is underway Thursday for the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404"> first phase of seven-phase Lok Sabha elections</a>.

Here are some interesting facts about phase one.

* Constituencies: 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union territories.

* Total number of polling stations: 1,70,664

* In Mizoram, 15 special polling booths have been set up in Kanhmun at Mizoram-Tripura border for Bru (Reang) refugees who are living in camps in Tripura.

* Mizoram also holds the unique distinction among the parliamentary constituencies with 100 per cent voters having Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC).

* 52 per cent voters in Meghalaya are women.

* Over 142,054,000 voters to decide fate of 1,279 candidates in the 91 constituencies.&nbsp;

* 7,764 'third gender' voters eligible to cast ballots

* Voting for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th phase of the elections will take place on April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, respectively.

* The counting of votes to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha will take place on May 23.

Polling is underway Thursday for the first phase of seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Here are some interesting facts about phase one. * Constituencies: 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union territories.

Polling is underway Thursday for the first phase of seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Here are some interesting facts about phase one. * Constituencies: 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two Union territories. * Total number of polling stations: 1,70,664 * In Mizoram, 15 special polling booths have been set up in Kanhmun at Mizoram-Tripura border for Bru (Reang) refugees who are living in camps in Tripura. * Mizoram also holds the unique distinction among the parliamentary constituencies with 100 per cent voters having Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC). * 52 per cent voters in Meghalaya are women. * Over 142,054,000 voters to decide fate of 1,279 candidates in the 91 constituencies. * 7,764 'third gender' voters eligible to cast ballots * Voting for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th phase of the elections will take place on April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, respectively. * The counting of votes to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha will take place on May 23.

Key facts about phase-I of Lok Sabha polls

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-bjp-convoy-attacked-by-naxals-policemen-mla-killed-209063">sacrifice of BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi </a>and the four policemen who were killed in a Naxal attack will not go in vain, and the perpetrators will be punished.

Addressing an election rally at Basna in Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh, Singh also slammed the Congress for promising to repeal the sedition law.

Mandavi and four others were killed in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district Tuesday when the Naxals blew up their vehicle.

"I am pained by the martyrdom of MLA Bheema Mandavi and jawans. Their sacrifice will not go in vain. The perpetrators will not be forgiven," Singh said.

"Change can be brought in Naxal-affected areas through democratic ways, not through guns. The Naxals have now weakened in the country. The Centre stands with the state in its fight against the Naxals," he said.

On Congress' promise to repeal the sedition law, the Union home minister asked the gathering "whether the anti-national people should be forgiven". 
"If our government is elected to power, the law will remain in force," Singh said.

He also said the Congress raised a hue and cry over Rafale fighter aircraft purchase, but had the deal been completed during its tenure, Indian forces would not have needed to venture inside Pakistan to destroy terror camps; the camps could have been hit from inside the Indian territory.

"When we conducted air strike on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress is asking for evidences. (Then prime minister) Indira Gandhi was praised by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Parliament for her action against Pakistan (in the 1971 war), then why (prime minister) Modi can not be praised for the air strike (now)," Singh asked.

The senior BJP leader also said that those who level charges of corruption at Modi "should be punished severely".

"Modi has devoted his life for the country. For whom he will indulge in corruption and earn money?" he asked.

Scams such as submarine scam, 2G scam were committed by Congress governments and its leaders were in jail, yet the party was accusing the BJP government of corruption, he said.

The BJP has fielded Chunnilal Sahu from Mahasamund, where polling will be held on April 18, alongwith two other seats in the state, namely, Rajnandgon and Kanker.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday that the sacrifice of BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi and the four policemen who were killed in a Naxal attack will not go in vain, and the perpetrators will be punished.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday that the sacrifice of BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi and the four policemen who were killed in a Naxal attack will not go in vain, and the perpetrators will be punished. Addressing an election rally at Basna in Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh, Singh also slammed the Congress for promising to repeal the sedition law. Mandavi and four others were killed in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district Tuesday when the Naxals blew up their vehicle. "I am pained by the martyrdom of MLA Bheema Mandavi and jawans. Their sacrifice will not go in vain. The perpetrators will not be forgiven," Singh said. "Change can be brought in Naxal-affected areas through democratic ways, not through guns. The Naxals have now weakened in the country. The Centre stands with the state in its fight against the Naxals," he said. On Congress' promise to repeal the sedition law, the Union home minister asked the gathering "whether the anti-national people should be forgiven". "If our government is elected to power, the law will remain in force," Singh said. He also said the Congress raised a hue and cry over Rafale fighter aircraft purchase, but had the deal been completed during its tenure, Indian forces would not have needed to venture inside Pakistan to destroy terror camps; the camps could have been hit from inside the Indian territory. "When we conducted air strike on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress is asking for evidences. (Then prime minister) Indira Gandhi was praised by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Parliament for her action against Pakistan (in the 1971 war), then why (prime minister) Modi can not be praised for the air strike (now)," Singh asked. The senior BJP leader also said that those who level charges of corruption at Modi "should be punished severely". "Modi has devoted his life for the country. For whom he will indulge in corruption and earn money?" he asked. Scams such as submarine scam, 2G scam were committed by Congress governments and its leaders were in jail, yet the party was accusing the BJP government of corruption, he said. The BJP has fielded Chunnilal Sahu from Mahasamund, where polling will be held on April 18, alongwith two other seats in the state, namely, Rajnandgon and Kanker.

Sacrifice of Mandavi, others won't be in vain: Rajnath Singh

As polling got underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, Nizamabad has become a cynosure of all eyes with a large number of candidates in the fray necessitating the deployment of as many as 12 EVMs in each booth.

"This is the first time in the world where elections are conducted with such a large number of candidates using (such a large number of) EVMs," said Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: West Bengal sees 71.01% voter turnout till 3pm; Mizoram at 55.20%</a>

In the field are 185 candidates, including 178 farmers who jumped into the fray to support their demand for the remunerative price for turmeric and red sorghum and setting up of a Turmeric Board based in Nizamabad.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election from here. Blaming the BJP, she had said it was the Centre which should take initiative for setting up the Turmeric Board.

While voting began at 7 a.M in other constituencies, it commenced in Nizamabad an hour later as planned due to mock polling in view of a large number of candidates in the fray and as also deployment of EVMs.

The sitting MP Kavitha along with her husband Anil cast her vote in Potangal village in Bodhan Assembly constituency.

The contesting farmers have alleged that the TRS government failed to ensure minimum support price for turmeric and red sorghum produce and in getting Turmeric Board established.

TRS Rajya Sabha member D Srinivas's son D Arvind is contesting as a BJP candidate while AICC Secretary Madhu Yashki Goud is in fray from Congress in Nizamabad. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the polling.

In view of a large number of contestants, 12 ballot units are coupled in series and attached to a control unit in inverted 'L' shape. The Election Commission is using M3 type EVMs which can support up to 24 BUs. Each BU will have 24 names.

In a normal situation, the EC drafts 15 to 16 engineers in a constituency, for troubleshooting, whereas for Nizamabad it has kept as many as 600 engineers, Rajat Kumar had earlier said adding one helicopter would be kept ready in case any large number of machines had to be airlifted.

Over 26,000 ballot Units, 2,200 control units and about 26,000 VVPATs are being used for Nizamabad constituency.&nbsp;

As polling got underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, Nizamabad has become a cynosure of all eyes with a large number of candidates in the fray necessitating the deployment of as many as 12 EVMs in each booth.

As polling got underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday, Nizamabad has become a cynosure of all eyes with a large number of candidates in the fray necessitating the deployment of as many as 12 EVMs in each booth. "This is the first time in the world where elections are conducted with such a large number of candidates using (such a large number of) EVMs," said Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: West Bengal sees 71.01% voter turnout till 3pm; Mizoram at 55.20% In the field are 185 candidates, including 178 farmers who jumped into the fray to support their demand for the remunerative price for turmeric and red sorghum and setting up of a Turmeric Board based in Nizamabad. Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election from here. Blaming the BJP, she had said it was the Centre which should take initiative for setting up the Turmeric Board. While voting began at 7 a.M in other constituencies, it commenced in Nizamabad an hour later as planned due to mock polling in view of a large number of candidates in the fray and as also deployment of EVMs. The sitting MP Kavitha along with her husband Anil cast her vote in Potangal village in Bodhan Assembly constituency. The contesting farmers have alleged that the TRS government failed to ensure minimum support price for turmeric and red sorghum produce and in getting Turmeric Board established. TRS Rajya Sabha member D Srinivas's son D Arvind is contesting as a BJP candidate while AICC Secretary Madhu Yashki Goud is in fray from Congress in Nizamabad. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the polling. In view of a large number of contestants, 12 ballot units are coupled in series and attached to a control unit in inverted 'L' shape. The Election Commission is using M3 type EVMs which can support up to 24 BUs. Each BU will have 24 names. In a normal situation, the EC drafts 15 to 16 engineers in a constituency, for troubleshooting, whereas for Nizamabad it has kept as many as 600 engineers, Rajat Kumar had earlier said adding one helicopter would be kept ready in case any large number of machines had to be airlifted. Over 26,000 ballot Units, 2,200 control units and about 26,000 VVPATs are being used for Nizamabad constituency.

With long list of 185 candidates, Nizamabad in Telangana is cynosure of all eyes

I am cynical/practical/experienced enough to know that pre-election opinion polls can go quite wrong for at least three reasons. Voters may not truly reveal their minds and/or change their minds close to polling day.&nbsp;

The sampling methodology may go wrong or converting vote shares based on sample surveys into seats can get tricky. Last but not the least, media organisations carrying out opinion poll results in league with pollster organisations can add a bit of spice to suit their own priorities.

After discounting for all this, I do believe that in the general elections that are now underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reached a point where it will certainly not get a majority of its own like it did in 2014, and may also not be entirely home even with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.

One TV news channel that is visibly, loudly and consistently supportive of the BJP sees the NDA tally at 279, just four ahead of the half-way mark. An average of all opinion polls this week gives the NDA 277 seats in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

There are as many as 167 "marginal" seats where close contests will decide winners in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

It is time to ask some what-if questions. My guess is that in a scenario where the NDA is short of a clear majority, three leaders from the south will become important: Naveen Patnaik of the Biju Janata Dal from Odisha, Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from the YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

(If the Tropic of Cancer is seen as the dividing line between northern and southern India, Odisha, which is to the southeast, certainly falls in the south. It is also definitely south of the Vindhya mountain range, the traditional threshold to separate the south from the north.)

KCR, as the Telangana Chief Minister is called, is officially part of the 'Mahagatbandhan' (grand alliance) against Modi and will be needed by the BJP only if there is a significant late swing against it. With Telangana still in its honeymoon phase after he led a decades-old movement to carve the state out of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, he is perhaps the strongest ruling CM in India today, not counting Pawan Chamling of Sikkim. KCR's pro-farmer programmes are considered a role model for the rest of India.

Patnaik has been maintaining a studied equidistance from the BJP and the Congress and has had a phenomenal run in his state, having won four terms in a row to be the Odisha Chief Minister since the year 2000. His development efforts are part of the national folklore.

Jagan Reddy, only 46 years old, is yet to taste power but is seen as the front-runner in an anti-incumbency mood against Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He announced last week he had no ill-will against the Congress, from which his party broke off, even as he maintains that he favours anyone who grants special status to Andhra under an arrangement made when Telangana was carved out.

Jagan is perhaps the easiest for the BJP to woo since Naidu is already on the side of the anti-Modi alliance. KCR can be wooed in a desperate scenario. But Patnaik may be a harder nut to crack. It all depends on the exact break-up of the Lok Sabha that gets formed in the summer heat. Watch out in the coming days nice things to be said about these three gentlemen. They may be kingmakers, and they may even edge close to each other where the eventual verdict swings away from the current predictions.

(This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/after-2019-lok-sabha-elections-the-kingmakers-are-likely-to-be-from-the-south-2194704.html">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

I am cynical/practical/experienced enough to know that pre-election opinion polls can go quite wrong for at least three reasons. Voters may not truly reveal their minds and/or change their minds close to polling day.

I am cynical/practical/experienced enough to know that pre-election opinion polls can go quite wrong for at least three reasons. Voters may not truly reveal their minds and/or change their minds close to polling day. The sampling methodology may go wrong or converting vote shares based on sample surveys into seats can get tricky. Last but not the least, media organisations carrying out opinion poll results in league with pollster organisations can add a bit of spice to suit their own priorities. After discounting for all this, I do believe that in the general elections that are now underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reached a point where it will certainly not get a majority of its own like it did in 2014, and may also not be entirely home even with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners. One TV news channel that is visibly, loudly and consistently supportive of the BJP sees the NDA tally at 279, just four ahead of the half-way mark. An average of all opinion polls this week gives the NDA 277 seats in the Lok Sabha. There are as many as 167 "marginal" seats where close contests will decide winners in the 543-member Lok Sabha. It is time to ask some what-if questions. My guess is that in a scenario where the NDA is short of a clear majority, three leaders from the south will become important: Naveen Patnaik of the Biju Janata Dal from Odisha, Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from the YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh. (If the Tropic of Cancer is seen as the dividing line between northern and southern India, Odisha, which is to the southeast, certainly falls in the south. It is also definitely south of the Vindhya mountain range, the traditional threshold to separate the south from the north.) KCR, as the Telangana Chief Minister is called, is officially part of the 'Mahagatbandhan' (grand alliance) against Modi and will be needed by the BJP only if there is a significant late swing against it. With Telangana still in its honeymoon phase after he led a decades-old movement to carve the state out of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, he is perhaps the strongest ruling CM in India today, not counting Pawan Chamling of Sikkim. KCR's pro-farmer programmes are considered a role model for the rest of India. Patnaik has been maintaining a studied equidistance from the BJP and the Congress and has had a phenomenal run in his state, having won four terms in a row to be the Odisha Chief Minister since the year 2000. His development efforts are part of the national folklore. Jagan Reddy, only 46 years old, is yet to taste power but is seen as the front-runner in an anti-incumbency mood against Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He announced last week he had no ill-will against the Congress, from which his party broke off, even as he maintains that he favours anyone who grants special status to Andhra under an arrangement made when Telangana was carved out. Jagan is perhaps the easiest for the BJP to woo since Naidu is already on the side of the anti-Modi alliance. KCR can be wooed in a desperate scenario. But Patnaik may be a harder nut to crack. It all depends on the exact break-up of the Lok Sabha that gets formed in the summer heat. Watch out in the coming days nice things to be said about these three gentlemen. They may be kingmakers, and they may even edge close to each other where the eventual verdict swings away from the current predictions. (This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

After 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the kingmakers are likely to be from the south

Telugu Desam Party(TDP) on Thursday accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-tdp-worker-killed-as-clashes-mark-polling-in-andhra-pradesh-209528">indulging in violence </a>and damaging electronic voting machines (EVMs).

In a letter to Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) RP Thakur, TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that the polling agents of YSRCP were resorting to violence and obstructing the polling process.

“There is a lot of violence in Kadapa, Anantapuram, and Kurnool and Nellore districts...In certain cases, they have even damaged the polling materials like EVMs and threatening polling personnel to allow them to rig votes.”

“Controlling law and order situation and ensuring peaceful conduct of poll is of immediate necessity...I request you to instruct all the Superintendents of Police and other law enforcing agencies to strictly control the law and order and arrest the culprits and take stringent action against the persons responsible,” Naidu writes in the letter.

Earlier in the day, the TDP and the YSRCP workers clashed at Ramanakkapeta village in Nuzividu assembly constituency. The police immediately intervened to restore normalcy.

The polling is underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

Telugu Desam Party(TDP) on Thursday accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders of indulging in violence and damaging electronic voting machines (EVMs). In a letter to Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) RP Thakur, TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that the polling agents of YSRCP were resorting to violence and obstructing the polling process.

Telugu Desam Party(TDP) on Thursday accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders of indulging in violence and damaging electronic voting machines (EVMs). In a letter to Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) RP Thakur, TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that the polling agents of YSRCP were resorting to violence and obstructing the polling process. “There is a lot of violence in Kadapa, Anantapuram, and Kurnool and Nellore districts...In certain cases, they have even damaged the polling materials like EVMs and threatening polling personnel to allow them to rig votes.” “Controlling law and order situation and ensuring peaceful conduct of poll is of immediate necessity...I request you to instruct all the Superintendents of Police and other law enforcing agencies to strictly control the law and order and arrest the culprits and take stringent action against the persons responsible,” Naidu writes in the letter. Earlier in the day, the TDP and the YSRCP workers clashed at Ramanakkapeta village in Nuzividu assembly constituency. The police immediately intervened to restore normalcy. The polling is underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh.

TDP accuses YSRCP leaders of violence, writes to DGP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday slammed the Congress for indulging in corruption and said a new scam "Tughlaq Road Chunav Ghotala" by it has come to the fore.

In the new scam crores of rupees meant for nutrition of poor children and expectant mothers have been seized even as old cases of corruption against it are still on, he told a rally in Assam.

The "naamdari parivar" (famed family) is engaged in corruption and has made it a way a life for which its members are now on bail, but they call the "chowkidar a chor", he said.

"There is a Tughlaq Road in Delhi and there is a bungalow there where a big leader lives. During the last few days, a game involving several crores of rupees is being played. Sack loads of currency notes are being recovered from those people who are connected with this bungalow," he said.

"This is the Tughlaq Road Chunav Ghotala and Congress indulges in corruption to win elections ... If they do not loot, how will they fight elections?

"It is a sin to vote for such people," Modi said adding Congress has compromised the security of the nation by demanding proof of attack on terrorist camps in Pakistan.

Criticising the Congress for indulging in vote bank politics, Modi said had it wanted they could have solved the problems in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. "But they kept the issues burning deliberately for their vested interests."

Congress allowed infiltration to ensure that their vote bank remained intact.

"But this chowkidar will ensure that infiltration is stopped to protect the interests of the people of Assam and North East ... We will ensure Indo-Bangla border fencing is completed soon, that there are no names of foreigners in the National Register of Citizens and no genuine Indians are left out," he added.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday slammed the Congress for indulging in corruption and said a new scam "Tughlaq Road Chunav Ghotala" by it has come to the fore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday slammed the Congress for indulging in corruption and said a new scam "Tughlaq Road Chunav Ghotala" by it has come to the fore. In the new scam crores of rupees meant for nutrition of poor children and expectant mothers have been seized even as old cases of corruption against it are still on, he told a rally in Assam. The "naamdari parivar" (famed family) is engaged in corruption and has made it a way a life for which its members are now on bail, but they call the "chowkidar a chor", he said. "There is a Tughlaq Road in Delhi and there is a bungalow there where a big leader lives. During the last few days, a game involving several crores of rupees is being played. Sack loads of currency notes are being recovered from those people who are connected with this bungalow," he said. "This is the Tughlaq Road Chunav Ghotala and Congress indulges in corruption to win elections ... If they do not loot, how will they fight elections? "It is a sin to vote for such people," Modi said adding Congress has compromised the security of the nation by demanding proof of attack on terrorist camps in Pakistan. Criticising the Congress for indulging in vote bank politics, Modi said had it wanted they could have solved the problems in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. "But they kept the issues burning deliberately for their vested interests." Congress allowed infiltration to ensure that their vote bank remained intact. "But this chowkidar will ensure that infiltration is stopped to protect the interests of the people of Assam and North East ... We will ensure Indo-Bangla border fencing is completed soon, that there are no names of foreigners in the National Register of Citizens and no genuine Indians are left out," he added.

PM Modi charges Congress with 'Tughlaq Road Chunav Ghotala'

The Home Ministry has said that it has received no letter from Congress regarding the alleged breach in security of its president Rahul Gandhi's security in Amethi on Wednesday. "However, as soon as MHA's attention was drawn to reports that there was an incident of 'green light' being pointed at him yesterday in Amethi, the Director (SPG) was asked to verify the factual position," the Home Ministry spokesperson said today.

"Director (SPG) has informed the MHA that they have gone through the video clipping of the incident very closely. The 'green light' shown in the clipping was found to be that of a mobile phone used by the AICC photographer, who was videographing the impromptu press interaction of Rahul Gandhi near the collectorate at Amethi," the spokesperson further said adding that there was no security implication whatsoever.

News agency ANI tweeted a letter from the Congress party which it said was sent to Home Minister Rajnath Singh citing a breach in security of Rahul Gandhi when he was in Amethi to file nomination on Wednesday.

"Today (Wednesday), Congress president, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency. Post that nomination, he addressed the media. A perusal of his interaction will reflect that a laser was pointed at his head, on at least 7 separate occasions," the Congress said in its letter about party's roadshow in Amethi.

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Congress wrote to Home Minister over breach in security of its president Rahul Gandhi y'day; says Gandhi was addressing media after filing nomination from Amethi, "a persual of his interaction will reflect that a laser was pointed at his head, on at least 7 separate occasions" <a href="https://t.co/f3Jmnjhzs5">pic.twitter.com/f3Jmnjhzs5</a>
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We reiterate and again request you to initiate immediate action in the matter to investigate and neutralise the threat, if any, the party further said in the letter. It was signed by Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Rahul on Wednesday filed his nomination for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. The three-time Amethi MP was accompanied by UPA chairperson and mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra as he filed his papers.

The Gandhis and other party leaders travelled three kilometres in an open vehicle, and were showered with rose petals and marigold flowers.

Less than a week ago, the Congress president had filed his papers from a second constituency - Wayanad in Kerala - prompting the BJP to accuse Rahul of "fleeing" from home turf Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to face a tough fight in Amethi from Union Minister and BJP nominee Smriti Irani.

In 2014, he defeated her by a reduced margin of about one lakh votes, and the BJP leader has been nursing the constituency since then.

Amethi goes to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. It is virtually a Gandhi versus Irani fight as the SP-BSP-RLD opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh has decided not to field a candidate on the seat.

The Home Ministry has said that it has received no letter from Congress regarding the alleged breach in security of its president Rahul Gandhi's security in Amethi on Wednesday.

The Home Ministry has said that it has received no letter from Congress regarding the alleged breach in security of its president Rahul Gandhi's security in Amethi on Wednesday. "However, as soon as MHA's attention was drawn to reports that there was an incident of 'green light' being pointed at him yesterday in Amethi, the Director (SPG) was asked to verify the factual position," the Home Ministry spokesperson said today. "Director (SPG) has informed the MHA that they have gone through the video clipping of the incident very closely. The 'green light' shown in the clipping was found to be that of a mobile phone used by the AICC photographer, who was videographing the impromptu press interaction of Rahul Gandhi near the collectorate at Amethi," the spokesperson further said adding that there was no security implication whatsoever. News agency ANI tweeted a letter from the Congress party which it said was sent to Home Minister Rajnath Singh citing a breach in security of Rahul Gandhi when he was in Amethi to file nomination on Wednesday. "Today (Wednesday), Congress president, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency. Post that nomination, he addressed the media. A perusal of his interaction will reflect that a laser was pointed at his head, on at least 7 separate occasions," the Congress said in its letter about party's roadshow in Amethi. Congress wrote to Home Minister over breach in security of its president Rahul Gandhi y'day; says Gandhi was addressing media after filing nomination from Amethi, "a persual of his interaction will reflect that a laser was pointed at his head, on at least 7 separate occasions" pic.twitter.com/f3Jmnjhzs5 — ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019 × We reiterate and again request you to initiate immediate action in the matter to investigate and neutralise the threat, if any, the party further said in the letter. It was signed by Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala. Rahul on Wednesday filed his nomination for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. The three-time Amethi MP was accompanied by UPA chairperson and mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra as he filed his papers. The Gandhis and other party leaders travelled three kilometres in an open vehicle, and were showered with rose petals and marigold flowers. Less than a week ago, the Congress president had filed his papers from a second constituency - Wayanad in Kerala - prompting the BJP to accuse Rahul of "fleeing" from home turf Amethi. Rahul Gandhi is expected to face a tough fight in Amethi from Union Minister and BJP nominee Smriti Irani. In 2014, he defeated her by a reduced margin of about one lakh votes, and the BJP leader has been nursing the constituency since then. Amethi goes to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. It is virtually a Gandhi versus Irani fight as the SP-BSP-RLD opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh has decided not to field a candidate on the seat.

Congress claims laser pointed at Rahul Gandhi's head, MHA says it was mobile's green light

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination papers from Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency.&nbsp;

When she was asked what she thought of PM Narendra Modi's invincibility, she said ''Don't forget 2004''.

''Vajpayee Ji was invincible, but we won,'' she said.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">TDP leader killed in election-related clashes</a>

Echoing Sonia's thoughts, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that there have been many people in Indian history who had the arrogance to believe that they're invincible and bigger than the people of India.&nbsp;

''Narendra Modi for the last 5 years has done nothing for the people of India. His invincibility will be in full view after election results,'' he added.

Sonia embarked on roadshow before filing nomination.

She also offered puja at the Congress' central office here before starting the roadshow.

Sonia Gandhi, who trying to get re-elected from the seat the fifth time in a row, was accompanied by son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and son-in-law Robert Vadra.

The seat, where voting will be held in the fifth phase on May 6, will see a straight contest between the former Congress chief and Dinesh Pratap Singh, who recently joined the BJP after leaving the Congress.

The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have not fielded any candidate in this Congress bastion.&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi had won the seat in 2004, 2006 (bypolls), 2009 and 2014.&nbsp;

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination papers from Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency. When she was asked what she thought of PM Narendra Modi's invincibility, she said ''Don't forget 2004''.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday filed her nomination papers from Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency. When she was asked what she thought of PM Narendra Modi's invincibility, she said ''Don't forget 2004''. ''Vajpayee Ji was invincible, but we won,'' she said. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: TDP leader killed in election-related clashes Echoing Sonia's thoughts, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that there have been many people in Indian history who had the arrogance to believe that they're invincible and bigger than the people of India. ''Narendra Modi for the last 5 years has done nothing for the people of India. His invincibility will be in full view after election results,'' he added. Sonia embarked on roadshow before filing nomination. She also offered puja at the Congress' central office here before starting the roadshow. Sonia Gandhi, who trying to get re-elected from the seat the fifth time in a row, was accompanied by son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and son-in-law Robert Vadra. The seat, where voting will be held in the fifth phase on May 6, will see a straight contest between the former Congress chief and Dinesh Pratap Singh, who recently joined the BJP after leaving the Congress. The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have not fielded any candidate in this Congress bastion. Sonia Gandhi had won the seat in 2004, 2006 (bypolls), 2009 and 2014.

'Vajpayee was invincible, but we won': Sonia after filing nomination from Rae Bareli 

On Sunday, March 17th,&nbsp;Jana Sena Party (JSP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had announced seat sharing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-kcrs-daughter-faces-farmers-ire-as-nizamabad-votes-in-first-phase-209466">alliance in Andhra Pradesh</a> according to which Mayawati's party decided to contest in three reserved SC Lok Sabha - Chittoor, Tirupati and Bapatla. It's&nbsp;BSP&nbsp;chief Mayawati's latest gambit to ally with local parties in order to increase her political equity in across the country.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">TDP leader killed in election-related clashes</a>

Actor-turned-politician <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-tdp-worker-killed-as-clashes-mark-polling-in-andhra-pradesh-209528">Pawan Kalyan who formed the Jana Sena</a> in 2014 has been a flagrant supporter of Mayawati. Kalyan earlier campaigned for the TDP-BJP combine during the 2014 general elections.

The Jana Sena chief has also roped in CPI&nbsp;and CPM to fight the polls along with the BSP with the state going to the polls in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously.

JSP hopes of mounting a challenge to the two big state parties - chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and&nbsp;Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP.

Mayawati gambit to play the Dalit card in the state in order to bolster BSP credentials in the state and also attempt an all-India profile for the party which is best known for being an UP outfit.

BSP will also be fighting in 21 Assembly seats in a seat-sharing agreement with JSP ensuring a "Mahagathbandhan" style appeal in the state. Kalyan had in fact even pitched Mayawati as the next prime minister asserting that the country needed her services while praising her administrative skills.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh went a step further and promised Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, an issue which has become a bone of contention between Andhra and the Modi government. Mayawati during a joint press conference with JSP chief also said Congress had made a mistake by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.

Mayawati has used the same pitch to further her cause in the home state - Uttar Pradesh - where she has aligned with enemy-turned-friend Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party. The BSP-SP combine hopes to dislodge the NaMo army during the Lok Sabha polls, even a dent in the BJP vote bank will mean a victory for Mayawati who has felt sandwiched between a marauding BJP and a resurgent SP under Akhilesh Yadav.

On Sunday, March 17th, Jana Sena Party (JSP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had announced seat sharing alliance in Andhra Pradesh according to which Mayawati's party decided to contest in three reserved SC Lok Sabha - Chittoor, Tirupati and Bapatla.

On Sunday, March 17th, Jana Sena Party (JSP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had announced seat sharing alliance in Andhra Pradesh according to which Mayawati's party decided to contest in three reserved SC Lok Sabha - Chittoor, Tirupati and Bapatla. It's BSP chief Mayawati's latest gambit to ally with local parties in order to increase her political equity in across the country. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: TDP leader killed in election-related clashes Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan who formed the Jana Sena in 2014 has been a flagrant supporter of Mayawati. Kalyan earlier campaigned for the TDP-BJP combine during the 2014 general elections. The Jana Sena chief has also roped in CPI and CPM to fight the polls along with the BSP with the state going to the polls in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously. JSP hopes of mounting a challenge to the two big state parties - chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP. Mayawati gambit to play the Dalit card in the state in order to bolster BSP credentials in the state and also attempt an all-India profile for the party which is best known for being an UP outfit. BSP will also be fighting in 21 Assembly seats in a seat-sharing agreement with JSP ensuring a "Mahagathbandhan" style appeal in the state. Kalyan had in fact even pitched Mayawati as the next prime minister asserting that the country needed her services while praising her administrative skills. The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh went a step further and promised Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, an issue which has become a bone of contention between Andhra and the Modi government. Mayawati during a joint press conference with JSP chief also said Congress had made a mistake by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. Mayawati has used the same pitch to further her cause in the home state - Uttar Pradesh - where she has aligned with enemy-turned-friend Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party. The BSP-SP combine hopes to dislodge the NaMo army during the Lok Sabha polls, even a dent in the BJP vote bank will mean a victory for Mayawati who has felt sandwiched between a marauding BJP and a resurgent SP under Akhilesh Yadav.

Mayawati's Andhra gambit: Align with local party JSP to boost BSP's equity

Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday filed her nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Irani is fighting the Lok Sabha against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/laser-pointed-at-rahul-gandhis-head-7-times-congress-complains-to-home-ministry-citing-security-breach-in-amethi-209537">Congress President Rahul Gandhi</a>, &nbsp;who has been a three-time Member of Parliament from Amethi.

Gandhi had&nbsp;filed the nomination from Amethi on Wednesday.

Ahead of filing the nomination, Smriti Irani had performed 'puja' along with her husband&nbsp;Zubin Irani.

Polling will be held in Amethi on May 6 during the fifth phase of the general elections.

In the 2014 general elections, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Smriti Irani by a margin of around one lakh votes.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh started today and will end on May 19.&nbsp;

Counting of votes will be held on May 23.

(With inputs from agencies)

Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday filed her nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Irani is fighting the Lok Sabha against Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who has been a three-time Member of Parliament from Amethi.

Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday filed her nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Irani is fighting the Lok Sabha against Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who has been a three-time Member of Parliament from Amethi. Gandhi had filed the nomination from Amethi on Wednesday. Ahead of filing the nomination, Smriti Irani had performed 'puja' along with her husband Zubin Irani. Polling will be held in Amethi on May 6 during the fifth phase of the general elections. In the 2014 general elections, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Smriti Irani by a margin of around one lakh votes. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh started today and will end on May 19. Counting of votes will be held on May 23. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP leader Smriti Irani files nomination from Amethi

Clashes broke out on Thursday between workers of Telugu Desam Party(TDP)&nbsp;and YSR Congress(YSRCongress) at various places in Andhra Pradesh as voting was underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats.

According to a report by news agency PTI, one TDP worker was killed in Tadipatri town of Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. TDP has alleged that&nbsp;YSRCongress&nbsp;workers were&nbsp;behind the incident.

Siddha Bhaskar Reddy was critically injured in the clash at a polling booth. He succumbed to his injuries while he was on his way to the hospital.

According to a&nbsp;report, one mandal parishad member of YSRCongress&nbsp;was seriously injured when TDP workers allegedly attacked him at a polling station in Eluru city.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">TDP leader killed in election-related clashes</a>

In Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, tension prevailed in Ponnathota village as YSRCongress and TDP workers indulged in stone-throwing.

In Narsaraopet constituency in Guntur district, YSRCongress&nbsp;leaders alleged TDP men had ransacked a polling station in Yelamanda village and damaged the furniture.

Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-jan-sena-candidate-madhusudan-gupta-smashes-evm-in-polling-booth-in-andhra-pradesh-209509">Jan Sena candidate Madhusudan Gupta smashes EVM in polling booth in Andhra Pradesh</a>

Meanwhile, voters across Andhra Pradesh faced technical glitches with electronic voting machines. The glitches, however, has now been rectified, PTI reported.

This is the first general election in the state after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and creation of Telangana in June, 2014.

There are a total of 3,93,45,717 registered voters, including 1,94,62,339 men, 1,98,79,421 women and 3,957 transgenders. 
Of the total, 10.15 lakh are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group.

As many as 2,118 and 319 candidates are in the fray for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats respectively. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Clashes broke out on Thursday between workers of Telugu Desam Party(TDP) and YSR Congress(YSRCongress) at various places in Andhra Pradesh as voting was underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats.

Clashes broke out on Thursday between workers of Telugu Desam Party(TDP) and YSR Congress(YSRCongress) at various places in Andhra Pradesh as voting was underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats. According to a report by news agency PTI, one TDP worker was killed in Tadipatri town of Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. TDP has alleged that YSRCongress workers were behind the incident. Siddha Bhaskar Reddy was critically injured in the clash at a polling booth. He succumbed to his injuries while he was on his way to the hospital. According to a report, one mandal parishad member of YSRCongress was seriously injured when TDP workers allegedly attacked him at a polling station in Eluru city. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: TDP leader killed in election-related clashes In Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, tension prevailed in Ponnathota village as YSRCongress and TDP workers indulged in stone-throwing. In Narsaraopet constituency in Guntur district, YSRCongress leaders alleged TDP men had ransacked a polling station in Yelamanda village and damaged the furniture. Watch: Jan Sena candidate Madhusudan Gupta smashes EVM in polling booth in Andhra Pradesh Meanwhile, voters across Andhra Pradesh faced technical glitches with electronic voting machines. The glitches, however, has now been rectified, PTI reported. This is the first general election in the state after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and creation of Telangana in June, 2014. There are a total of 3,93,45,717 registered voters, including 1,94,62,339 men, 1,98,79,421 women and 3,957 transgenders. Of the total, 10.15 lakh are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. As many as 2,118 and 319 candidates are in the fray for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats respectively. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: TDP worker killed in clashes with YSRCongress in Andhra Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led opposition, asserting that the "mahamilavati gang" is scared that if he comes to power again, their "shops" of corruption and dynasty politics will shut down.

Addressing an election rally in Bihar, Modi also said the opposition wants to strip the armed forces of their special powers, while the NDA government strives to give full liberty to jawans to deal with terrorists and Naxals.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">&nbsp;Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported</a>

"The mahamilavati gang is actually afraid of something else though it may have other pretensions while scaremongering. They fear that if Modi comes to power again, their shops of corruption, dynasty politics and venal defence deals will shut down," he said.

The prime minister said his government has been making efforts to bolster the quota system introduced by Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

"They are saying that if Modi comes to power again, elections would be done away with. All constitutional bodies will be under threat. And reservations will be done away with.

"The fact remains, this 'chowkidar' of yours has been making all efforts to strengthen the quota system introduced by Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Modi said. 
Bihar will witness seven-phase polling for its 40 Lok Sabha seats.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led opposition, asserting that the "mahamilavati gang" is scared that if he comes to power again, their "shops" of corruption and dynasty politics will shut down.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led opposition, asserting that the "mahamilavati gang" is scared that if he comes to power again, their "shops" of corruption and dynasty politics will shut down. Addressing an election rally in Bihar, Modi also said the opposition wants to strip the armed forces of their special powers, while the NDA government strives to give full liberty to jawans to deal with terrorists and Naxals. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported "The mahamilavati gang is actually afraid of something else though it may have other pretensions while scaremongering. They fear that if Modi comes to power again, their shops of corruption, dynasty politics and venal defence deals will shut down," he said. The prime minister said his government has been making efforts to bolster the quota system introduced by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. "They are saying that if Modi comes to power again, elections would be done away with. All constitutional bodies will be under threat. And reservations will be done away with. "The fact remains, this 'chowkidar' of yours has been making all efforts to strengthen the quota system introduced by Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Modi said. Bihar will witness seven-phase polling for its 40 Lok Sabha seats.

Opposition scared, indulging in scaremongering: PM Modi in Bihar rally

India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases

Naxals triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district Thursday while voting was underway, police said.

The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.30 am in Waghezari area, around 150 metres from the polling booth where people were standing in queues to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha election, an official said.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404"> Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported</a>

No casualty was reported in the incident, he said.

On Wednesday, Naxals denoted an IED at Gatta Jambia village in Etapalli tehsil of the district when a polling party was moving towards polling stations under the protection of a police party and CRPF personnel.

A CRPF jawan was injured in the incident.

The official said Naxals were trying to disrupt the poll process and create panic among villagers, who came out in large numbers to vote on Thursday.

Gadchiroli is among the seven seats where polling is underway during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.&nbsp;

Naxals triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district Thursday while voting was underway, police said. The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.

Naxals triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district Thursday while voting was underway, police said. The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.30 am in Waghezari area, around 150 metres from the polling booth where people were standing in queues to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha election, an official said. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported No casualty was reported in the incident, he said. On Wednesday, Naxals denoted an IED at Gatta Jambia village in Etapalli tehsil of the district when a polling party was moving towards polling stations under the protection of a police party and CRPF personnel. A CRPF jawan was injured in the incident. The official said Naxals were trying to disrupt the poll process and create panic among villagers, who came out in large numbers to vote on Thursday. Gadchiroli is among the seven seats where polling is underway during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast near polling booth in Maharashtra

Lok Sabha candidate of Jana Sena Party (JSP), Madhusudan Gupta, on Wednesday broke an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at a polling booth in Gooty town in Andhra Pradesh alleging that the names of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats had not been properly displayed in the voting chamber.

Gupta reached the polling station at Girls'&nbsp;Higher School in Gooty which falls under Guntakal Assembly constituency, this morning.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Naxals trigger IED blast at polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported</a>

He alleged that the names of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats had not been properly displayed in the polling chamber.

Election officials tried to pacify him but an angry Gupta threw an EVM on the floor and broke it.

He was later taken into police custody.

Polling is underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh. The state&nbsp;recorded 18 per cent polling till 11 am.

Telangana recorded 22.84 per cent polling.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/indias-general-election-begins-with-voting-in-first-of-seven-phases-209447">India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases</a>

Meanwhile, TDP MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar met the Election Commission (EC) in Delhi and complained about EVM malfunctioning in the state.&nbsp;

TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner demanded repoll&nbsp;in booths where polling did not commence till 9:30 am due to EVM snag.

Other states going to polls include - Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, J&amp;K, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Telangana, Uttarakhand, West Bengal. Voters in Manipur, Andaman and Lakshadweep will also be exercising their franchise.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Lok Sabha candidate of Jana Sena Party (JSP), Madhusudan Gupta, on Wednesday broke an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at a polling booth in Gooty town in Andhra Pradesh alleging that the names of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats had not been properly displayed in the voting chamber.

Lok Sabha candidate of Jana Sena Party (JSP), Madhusudan Gupta, on Wednesday broke an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at a polling booth in Gooty town in Andhra Pradesh alleging that the names of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats had not been properly displayed in the voting chamber. Gupta reached the polling station at Girls' Higher School in Gooty which falls under Guntakal Assembly constituency, this morning. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast at polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported He alleged that the names of Assembly and Lok Sabha seats had not been properly displayed in the polling chamber. Election officials tried to pacify him but an angry Gupta threw an EVM on the floor and broke it. He was later taken into police custody. Polling is underway for 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh. The state recorded 18 per cent polling till 11 am. Telangana recorded 22.84 per cent polling. Also read: India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases Meanwhile, TDP MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar met the Election Commission (EC) in Delhi and complained about EVM malfunctioning in the state. TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner demanded repoll in booths where polling did not commence till 9:30 am due to EVM snag. Other states going to polls include - Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, J&K, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Telangana, Uttarakhand, West Bengal. Voters in Manipur, Andaman and Lakshadweep will also be exercising their franchise. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Jan Sena candidate Madhusudan Gupta smashes EVM in polling booth in Andhra Pradesh

Telangana registered 22.84 per cent polling till 11 am as polling in the first of the seven-phased general elections began on Thursday, according to an official communication.

Of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, polling in 16 began at 7 am, the whole <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-kcrs-daughter-faces-farmers-ire-as-nizamabad-votes-in-first-phase-209466">voting process in Nizamabad</a> started an hour later.

"Polling process is going on peacefully across Telangana," state Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said.

Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-2019-voting-underway-in-91-seats-in-first-phase-209404">Naxals trigger IED blast at polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported</a>

TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi are among the key candidates in the fray from the state.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, K Chandrasekhar Rao, TRS working president KT Rama Rao, Kavitha, Owaisi and film actors Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Junior NTR and 'Baahubali' moviemaker S S Rajamouli were among those who cast their vote.

KCR, along with his wife, exercised his franchise in Chintamadaka village in Siddipet district.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/indias-general-election-begins-with-voting-in-first-of-seven-phases-209447">India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases</a>

Over 2.97 crore voters would decide the fate of 443 candidates in the state.

In 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-effected Assembly segments under five parliamentary constituencies polling would be held from 7 am to 4 pm.

In Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates, including more than 170 farmers, are in the fray, voting began from 8 am as mock polling took more time compared to other constituencies in view of a large number of candidates.

The farmers have entered the fray in large numbers to highlight their demand for the remunerative price to turmeric and red jowar. The Election Commission decided to conduct polling in Nizamabad with EVMs despite a large number of candidates and made arrangements accordingly.

As many as 145 companies of central paramilitary forces, besides over 55,000 state police have been deployed for security arrangements.&nbsp;

Telangana registered 22.84 per cent polling till 11 am as polling in the first of the seven-phased general elections began on Thursday, according to an official communication.

Telangana registered 22.84 per cent polling till 11 am as polling in the first of the seven-phased general elections began on Thursday, according to an official communication. Of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, polling in 16 began at 7 am, the whole voting process in Nizamabad started an hour later. "Polling process is going on peacefully across Telangana," state Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said. Live Lok Sabha polls 2019: Naxals trigger IED blast at polling booth in Maharashtra; no injuries reported TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi are among the key candidates in the fray from the state. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, K Chandrasekhar Rao, TRS working president KT Rama Rao, Kavitha, Owaisi and film actors Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Junior NTR and 'Baahubali' moviemaker S S Rajamouli were among those who cast their vote. KCR, along with his wife, exercised his franchise in Chintamadaka village in Siddipet district. Also read: India's general election begins with voting in first of seven phases Over 2.97 crore voters would decide the fate of 443 candidates in the state. In 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-effected Assembly segments under five parliamentary constituencies polling would be held from 7 am to 4 pm. In Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates, including more than 170 farmers, are in the fray, voting began from 8 am as mock polling took more time compared to other constituencies in view of a large number of candidates. The farmers have entered the fray in large numbers to highlight their demand for the remunerative price to turmeric and red jowar. The Election Commission decided to conduct polling in Nizamabad with EVMs despite a large number of candidates and made arrangements accordingly. As many as 145 companies of central paramilitary forces, besides over 55,000 state police have been deployed for security arrangements.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 22.84% polling in Telangana till 11 am

Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday.

Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi.

Gandhi embarked on a roadshow ahead of filing the nomination papers.

He was accompanied by sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, her husband Robert Vadra and their two children.

Rahul Gandhi, who is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, had filed his nomination papers there on April 4.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi, who has been representing the constituency for the past 15 years, will this time again face BJP's Smriti Irani who is likely to file her nomination papers a day later on Thursday.

In the 2014 general elections, Irani was defeated by Rahul Gandhi by over one lakh votes.

This time, the Congress president is contesting from two Lok sabha constituencies.

Last Thursday, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad in Kerala and said he was contesting from a seat in South India as well to send a message of unity.

Amethi goes to polls in the fifth phase on May 6.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday. Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday. Gandhi was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi. Gandhi embarked on a roadshow ahead of filing the nomination papers. He was accompanied by sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, her husband Robert Vadra and their two children. Rahul Gandhi, who is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, had filed his nomination papers there on April 4. Rahul Gandhi, who has been representing the constituency for the past 15 years, will this time again face BJP's Smriti Irani who is likely to file her nomination papers a day later on Thursday. In the 2014 general elections, Irani was defeated by Rahul Gandhi by over one lakh votes. This time, the Congress president is contesting from two Lok sabha constituencies. Last Thursday, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad in Kerala and said he was contesting from a seat in South India as well to send a message of unity. Amethi goes to polls in the fifth phase on May 6.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Amethi 

In the run-up to Lok Sabha elections 2019, two women had a powerful influence on matters related to opposition's strategy to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

The key interlocutor of opposition - Mamata Banerjee is considered to be the prime reason behind Congress president Rahul Gandhi not being declared the prime ministerial candidate of the united opposition despite approvals from several leaders. The friction between Banerjee and Gandhi scion is quite evident, she recently called Rahul a 'kid' while responding to his attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Didi doesn't mince a word while attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. She is one of the most vocal members of the opposition who claims West Bengal will lead in throwing Narendra Modi government out and forming the new government at the Centre. She ran pillar and post to unite all like-minded parties against BJP.

Mayawati too has emerged as a strong Congress-opposer. When Congress approached SP and BSP for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, unhappy with the seat-sharing ratio suggested by Congress, Mayawati outrightly rejected the offer.

There were still some chances of understanding between the SP-BSP-RJD alliance and the Congress when the latter said it was ready to leave &nbsp;7 Lok Sabha seats vacant for the alliance, however, this couldn't happen due to Mayawati's defiance.&nbsp;

In a joint rally on Sunday, Mayawati trained her guns towards Congress and said the party was dividing votes on the basis of caste and religion. &nbsp;She cautioned voters against any such attempt and asked them to give all their votes to the SP, BSP and RJD alliance.

Other opposition members are worried that this three-cornered contest will divide the votes in UP and help the BJP. UP is a politically crucial state which has the highest number of Lok Sabha seats in the country - 80. In such a scenario, Mayawati's decision to not tie-up with Congress could prove costly to the alliance.

Meanwhile, on the national front - setting aside three decades of rivalry - even Chandrababu Naidu dropped his 'non-Congress Third Front' plank and approached Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He stressed on the need for opposition unity to save the nation. DMK chief M K Stalin too endorsed Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the 'Mahagathbandhan', but Didi remained&nbsp;adamant.

Going by her and ignoring Congress, which did exceptionally well in the recently-concluded Assembly elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, isn't mature.&nbsp;

For 'Mahagathbandhan', leadership has become a divisive issue. The opposition parties need to reach a broader understanding and declare the grouping's PM face. Political analysts say that not having a credible face pitted against PM Narendra Modi would impact voters' decision during the polling. Electorates are curious and have the right to know who will lead the country if 'Mahagathbandhan' comes to&nbsp;power. &nbsp;

The resistance&nbsp;of Mamata and Mayawati is a big setback to the entire calculation for forming an anti-BJP coalition and the prospects of 'Mahagathbandhan' - both on state and national level.&nbsp;

Alliances need sacrifices, however, they have shown reluctance to have an understanding with Congress - the main opposition party. Mamata and Mayawati have no desire to become Gandhi’s minority partners. They want to be in the driver's seat themselves.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) &nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the run-up to Lok Sabha elections 2019, two women had a powerful influence on matters related to opposition's strategy to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

In the run-up to Lok Sabha elections 2019, two women had a powerful influence on matters related to opposition's strategy to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. The key interlocutor of opposition - Mamata Banerjee is considered to be the prime reason behind Congress president Rahul Gandhi not being declared the prime ministerial candidate of the united opposition despite approvals from several leaders. The friction between Banerjee and Gandhi scion is quite evident, she recently called Rahul a 'kid' while responding to his attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Didi doesn't mince a word while attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. She is one of the most vocal members of the opposition who claims West Bengal will lead in throwing Narendra Modi government out and forming the new government at the Centre. She ran pillar and post to unite all like-minded parties against BJP. Mayawati too has emerged as a strong Congress-opposer. When Congress approached SP and BSP for forging an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, unhappy with the seat-sharing ratio suggested by Congress, Mayawati outrightly rejected the offer. There were still some chances of understanding between the SP-BSP-RJD alliance and the Congress when the latter said it was ready to leave 7 Lok Sabha seats vacant for the alliance, however, this couldn't happen due to Mayawati's defiance. In a joint rally on Sunday, Mayawati trained her guns towards Congress and said the party was dividing votes on the basis of caste and religion. She cautioned voters against any such attempt and asked them to give all their votes to the SP, BSP and RJD alliance. Other opposition members are worried that this three-cornered contest will divide the votes in UP and help the BJP. UP is a politically crucial state which has the highest number of Lok Sabha seats in the country - 80. In such a scenario, Mayawati's decision to not tie-up with Congress could prove costly to the alliance. Meanwhile, on the national front - setting aside three decades of rivalry - even Chandrababu Naidu dropped his 'non-Congress Third Front' plank and approached Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He stressed on the need for opposition unity to save the nation. DMK chief M K Stalin too endorsed Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the 'Mahagathbandhan', but Didi remained adamant. Going by her and ignoring Congress, which did exceptionally well in the recently-concluded Assembly elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, isn't mature. For 'Mahagathbandhan', leadership has become a divisive issue. The opposition parties need to reach a broader understanding and declare the grouping's PM face. Political analysts say that not having a credible face pitted against PM Narendra Modi would impact voters' decision during the polling. Electorates are curious and have the right to know who will lead the country if 'Mahagathbandhan' comes to power. The resistance of Mamata and Mayawati is a big setback to the entire calculation for forming an anti-BJP coalition and the prospects of 'Mahagathbandhan' - both on state and national level. Alliances need sacrifices, however, they have shown reluctance to have an understanding with Congress - the main opposition party. Mamata and Mayawati have no desire to become Gandhi’s minority partners. They want to be in the driver's seat themselves. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Mamata Banerjee's dominance, Mayawati's reluctance is advantage BJP

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Facebook has said it is making progress in its efforts to prevent online abuses and has blocked or removed about one million accounts a day using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the company’s Managing Director and Vice President Ajit Mohan said in a blog post.

''This work is done across dozens of teams, both in India and around the globe, and began more than 18 months ago. The findings allowed us to concentrate our work on key areas, including blocking and removing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/facebook-says-no-evidence-of-silver-touch-associated-with-namo-app-207325">fake accounts</a>; fighting the spread of misinformation; and taking action against inauthentic coordinated campaigns,'' he wrote in the blog post.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning help Facebook, at a large scale, to identify <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-facebook-removes-687-pages-accounts-linked-to-congress-it-cell-ahead-of-elections-207189">abusive</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-facebook-removes-687-pages-accounts-linked-to-congress-it-cell-ahead-of-elections-207189"> or violating content</a>, quickly locate it across the platform and remove it in bulk, Mohan wrote in a blog post.

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“This dramatically reduces its ability to spread. We continue to expand on this initiative, adding 24 new languages—including 16 for India—to our automatic translation system," Mohan wrote.

According to the blog post, Facebook is working with its family of apps, which includes Instagram and WhatsApp, to make sure the general elections are fair and free from interference—both foreign and domestic. Recently, Facebook took down nearly 700 pages linked to individuals, majority of which were associated with the Congress, along with an IT firm Silver Touch which has worked with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for spamming users.

Mohan said Facebook and its family of apps are making sure the elections are fair and free from interference, both foreign and domestic.

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Facebook has said it is making progress in its efforts to prevent online abuses and has blocked or removed about one million accounts a day using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the company’s Managing Director and Vice President Ajit Mohan said in a blog post.

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Facebook has said it is making progress in its efforts to prevent online abuses and has blocked or removed about one million accounts a day using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the company’s Managing Director and Vice President Ajit Mohan said in a blog post. ''This work is done across dozens of teams, both in India and around the globe, and began more than 18 months ago. The findings allowed us to concentrate our work on key areas, including blocking and removing fake accounts; fighting the spread of misinformation; and taking action against inauthentic coordinated campaigns,'' he wrote in the blog post. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning help Facebook, at a large scale, to identify abusive or violating content, quickly locate it across the platform and remove it in bulk, Mohan wrote in a blog post. × “This dramatically reduces its ability to spread. We continue to expand on this initiative, adding 24 new languages—including 16 for India—to our automatic translation system," Mohan wrote. According to the blog post, Facebook is working with its family of apps, which includes Instagram and WhatsApp, to make sure the general elections are fair and free from interference—both foreign and domestic. Recently, Facebook took down nearly 700 pages linked to individuals, majority of which were associated with the Congress, along with an IT firm Silver Touch which has worked with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for spamming users. Mohan said Facebook and its family of apps are making sure the elections are fair and free from interference, both foreign and domestic.

Removing one million accounts a day to ensure elections are fair and free: Facebook 

Pakistan's Premier Imran Khan has said he believes there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and settle the Kashmir issue if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party BJP wins the general elections.

India Election Watch: Better chances for peace if Narendra Modi wins, says Imran Khan

A total of 3,09,233 differently-abled voters have registered themselves for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held in four phases beginning April 11, an election official has said.&nbsp;

The official from the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that additional facilities will be provided to such voters for exercising their franchise.

Of the 3,09, 233 differently-abled voters, 51,605 electors are visually disabled and have low vision, while 35887 voters are hearing and speech impaired, he said, adding that 1,61,920 voters have Osteogenesis while 59,821 voters are physically disabled.

“Ramps, wheelchairs and volunteer facilities are provided for differently-abled voters at the polling booths. Visually disabled and physically handicapped voters are permitted to take a companion along with them,” the official said. He said a Braille script facility is provided on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the visually disabled and low vision voters.

The official said the Election Commission has kept the target of “Accessible Elections” with the objective of increasing differently abled voters in the voting. A large number of differently-abled voters have been registered for the Lok Sabha polls with the cooperation of the Differently-abled Welfare Commissionarate and Non-Governmental Organisations, he said.

Some of the facilities and amenities given at polling booths include an arrangement for voter assistance centres, first aid facilities, drinking water and toilets at booths, information Notice Board for the guidance of voters, free conveyance for handicapped voters at polling booths, specially assisted polling booth for differently-abled in selected schools and Identity Card for visually-disabled voters in Braille script.&nbsp;

Elections for all the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra will be held on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

A total of 3,09,233 differently-abled voters have registered themselves for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held in four phases beginning April 11, an election official has said.

A total of 3,09,233 differently-abled voters have registered themselves for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra which will be held in four phases beginning April 11, an election official has said. The official from the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that additional facilities will be provided to such voters for exercising their franchise. Of the 3,09, 233 differently-abled voters, 51,605 electors are visually disabled and have low vision, while 35887 voters are hearing and speech impaired, he said, adding that 1,61,920 voters have Osteogenesis while 59,821 voters are physically disabled. “Ramps, wheelchairs and volunteer facilities are provided for differently-abled voters at the polling booths. Visually disabled and physically handicapped voters are permitted to take a companion along with them,” the official said. He said a Braille script facility is provided on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the visually disabled and low vision voters. The official said the Election Commission has kept the target of “Accessible Elections” with the objective of increasing differently abled voters in the voting. A large number of differently-abled voters have been registered for the Lok Sabha polls with the cooperation of the Differently-abled Welfare Commissionarate and Non-Governmental Organisations, he said. Some of the facilities and amenities given at polling booths include an arrangement for voter assistance centres, first aid facilities, drinking water and toilets at booths, information Notice Board for the guidance of voters, free conveyance for handicapped voters at polling booths, specially assisted polling booth for differently-abled in selected schools and Identity Card for visually-disabled voters in Braille script. Elections for all the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra will be held on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Over 3 lakh differently-abled people to vote in Maharashtra

PM Modi said in Gujarat rally that after Karnataka, MP has become an ATM for Congress.

India Election Watch: MP has become an ATM for Congress, says PM Modi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi files his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat today and also hold a road show in the constituency.

India Election Watch: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Amethi

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16.

President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency."&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16. President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to file his nomination papers from Lucknow on April 16. President of BJP's Lucknow Mahanagar unit Mukesh Sharma Wednesday said, "Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow, will address party workers at UP BJP office on April 16, and then proceed to the collectorate along with ministers and MLAs to file nomination papers from Lucknow parliamentary constituency."

Rajnath Singh likely to file nomination from Lucknow on April 16

Phase 1 of Lok Sabha Election 2019 will be held on April 11, Thursday, on 91 seats and voters will be choosing their representatives from nearly 1,300 candidates.

India Election Watch: All you need to know about the First Phase of Voting

Rally roster for top leaders for April 10, 2019. Watch more to know.

India Election Watch: Rally roster for top leaders for April 10, 2019

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday stalled the release of PM Narendra Modi, a day before it was set to hit theatres.

India Election Watch: PM Modi's Biopic won't release during polls