Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday told reporters that the 'Mahagathbandhan' is not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

While Singh was interacting with the media after casting his vote during the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-elections-polling-underway-in-seven-states-in-fifth-phase-216212">fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls</a>, he said that he doesn't want to comment on the candidature of Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha as an SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow as elections are not about the individuals contesting but the issues.&nbsp;

"I don't want to comment on her (SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues," he said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Rajnath Singh,Lucknow BJP candidate: The Mahagatbandhan is no challenge for BJP here. I don't want to comment on her(SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues. <a href="https://t.co/FdwsHdj7nd">pic.twitter.com/FdwsHdj7nd</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1125255915706257409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Lucknow Lok Sabha seat has gone to polls today in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the BJP's candidate from the seat, Pramod Krishnam is fighting on a Congress ticket, and Poonam Sinha is SP-BSP-RLD's candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

He has expressed confidence about BJP getting a full majority and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a second term.

Polling for the fifth phase began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, amid elaborate security arrangements.

Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand are undergoing polling in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday told reporters that the 'Mahagathbandhan' is not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party. While Singh was interacting with the media after casting his vote during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, he said that he doesn't want to comment on the candidature of Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha as an SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow as elections are not about the individuals contesting but the issues.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday told reporters that the 'Mahagathbandhan' is not a challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party. While Singh was interacting with the media after casting his vote during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, he said that he doesn't want to comment on the candidature of Shatrughan Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha as an SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Lucknow as elections are not about the individuals contesting but the issues. "I don't want to comment on her (SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues," he said. Rajnath Singh,Lucknow BJP candidate: The Mahagatbandhan is no challenge for BJP here. I don't want to comment on her(SP-BSP-RLD candidate Poonam Sinha), as I believe elections are not about individuals but about issues. pic.twitter.com/FdwsHdj7nd — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 6, 2019 × Lucknow Lok Sabha seat has gone to polls today in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the BJP's candidate from the seat, Pramod Krishnam is fighting on a Congress ticket, and Poonam Sinha is SP-BSP-RLD's candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency. He has expressed confidence about BJP getting a full majority and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a second term. Polling for the fifth phase began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, amid elaborate security arrangements. Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand are undergoing polling in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

'Mahagathbandhan' isn't a challenge for Bharatiya Janata Party: Rajnath Singh 

Terrorists Monday lobbed a grenade towards a polling station in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-elections-polling-underway-in-seven-states-in-fifth-phase-216212">polling is underway</a> for the Anantnag constituency in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, police said.

A grenade was lobbed towards Rohmoo polling station in Pulwama but there were no reports of any casualties in the blast, a police official said.

He said security forces have cordoned off the area.

This was the first terrorist attack on a polling station in this Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir.

Polling is being held in Pulwama and Shopian districts of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency which also includes Anantnag and Kulgam districts as well.

The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons.

Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting in Kulgam district took place on 29 April.

There are 18 candidates in the fray for Anantnag constituency including PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti.&nbsp;

Terrorists Monday lobbed a grenade towards a polling station in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir where polling is underway for the Anantnag constituency in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, police said.

Terrorists Monday lobbed a grenade towards a polling station in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir where polling is underway for the Anantnag constituency in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, police said. A grenade was lobbed towards Rohmoo polling station in Pulwama but there were no reports of any casualties in the blast, a police official said. He said security forces have cordoned off the area. This was the first terrorist attack on a polling station in this Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir. Polling is being held in Pulwama and Shopian districts of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency which also includes Anantnag and Kulgam districts as well. The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons. Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting in Kulgam district took place on 29 April. There are 18 candidates in the fray for Anantnag constituency including PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti.

Lok Sabha polls phase 5: Grenade attack on polling station in Pulwama

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel exuded confidence over Congress'&nbsp;victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections claiming that the country is in the mood of change, hence, certainly the Congress'&nbsp;government will be formed after May 23.

When asked that how confident he is over Congress'&nbsp;victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Baghel told reporters, "The atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and other states is good towards the Congress. The BJP is very behind. The country is in the mood of change, certainly, the Congress government will be formed."

On being asked to respond on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks on late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during a public rally, he said, "Look at the statement given by Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur (BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal), Prime Minister's remark about Rajiv ji, it is clear to everyone that such statements are in support of terrorism. The Prime Minister should take care of his dignity and post as we did not expect such comments by him."

Referring to the 1999 plane hijack which led to the release of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar to Kandahar, the Chief Minister also accused the BJP of having links with the terrorists and Naxals.

Questioning why till date no investigation was initiated in the ghastly Pulwama terror attack by JeM which claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel on February 14, he said, "Masood Azhar was sent to Pakistan by BJP. What is the relation between them? They (BJP) have relations with terrorists and Naxals...The probe in the Pulwama terror attack did not start till date. When the terror attack took place, why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was doing a photo shoot?"

Talking about the policy to tackle with the Naxals issue, the Chief Minister said after the completion of the ongoing general elections, he will interact with the central government and other Naxal-affected states to form a policy regarding the problem.

"Naxalism is not only in Chhattisgarh but in other states as well. It is necessary to work in a collective way to prevent this. After the Model Code of Conduct, we will also interact with the Centre and other states to form a policy to tackle with the Naxal issue," Baghel said.&nbsp;

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel exuded confidence over Congress' victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections claiming that the country is in the mood of change, hence, certainly the Congress' government will be formed after May 23.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel exuded confidence over Congress' victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections claiming that the country is in the mood of change, hence, certainly the Congress' government will be formed after May 23. When asked that how confident he is over Congress' victory in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Baghel told reporters, "The atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and other states is good towards the Congress. The BJP is very behind. The country is in the mood of change, certainly, the Congress government will be formed." On being asked to respond on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks on late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during a public rally, he said, "Look at the statement given by Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur (BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal), Prime Minister's remark about Rajiv ji, it is clear to everyone that such statements are in support of terrorism. The Prime Minister should take care of his dignity and post as we did not expect such comments by him." Referring to the 1999 plane hijack which led to the release of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar to Kandahar, the Chief Minister also accused the BJP of having links with the terrorists and Naxals. Questioning why till date no investigation was initiated in the ghastly Pulwama terror attack by JeM which claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel on February 14, he said, "Masood Azhar was sent to Pakistan by BJP. What is the relation between them? They (BJP) have relations with terrorists and Naxals...The probe in the Pulwama terror attack did not start till date. When the terror attack took place, why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was doing a photo shoot?" Talking about the policy to tackle with the Naxals issue, the Chief Minister said after the completion of the ongoing general elections, he will interact with the central government and other Naxal-affected states to form a policy regarding the problem. "Naxalism is not only in Chhattisgarh but in other states as well. It is necessary to work in a collective way to prevent this. After the Model Code of Conduct, we will also interact with the Centre and other states to form a policy to tackle with the Naxal issue," Baghel said.

'Country in mood of change,' says Chhattisgarh CM exuding confidence over Congress' victory

As polling began for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-elections-polling-underway-in-seven-states-in-fifth-phase-216212">fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections</a> in 51 constituencies spread across seven states, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha, BSP chief Mayawati were among those who turned up early to cast their votes.

Lucknow BJP candidate Rajnath Singh expressed confidence about BJP getting a full majority and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a second term. Rajnath Singh's son Pankaj Singh also cast his votes at a polling booth in Lucknow.

"I leave it to voters. The right to write the character role of a candidate lies with voters of the constituency. I am assured that BJP will get a full majority and Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister again," said Rajnath Singh.

BSP supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati also turned up early to exercise her franchise at a Lucknow polling booth.

"The value of the vote of everyone is the same either poor or rich. I request all to come out and exercise their right to vote. I request all voters to go to their respective polling booths and use their vote for the country and public welfare. Youth, elder and women all should come in large number for the vote," said Mayawati.

Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha cast his vote at Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. His son Union Minister Jayant Sinha is contesting against Congress'&nbsp;Gopal Sahu and CPI's Bhubneshwar Prasad Mehta from the constituency.

"In 2014 I decided on my own that I will not contest because you are seeing what happened with others. Now my son is in the fray," said Yashwant Sinha.

Yashwant Sinha and his wife Nilima Sinha arrived together and stood in line to cast their votes.

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and his wife Gayatri Rathore cast their votes in Jaipur.

Sanjay Seth the BJP candidate from Ranchi after voting who cast his vote said,&nbsp;"Before coming here to cast my vote, I went to the temple of Goddess Kali, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shani Maharaj. I pray to God and asked for more strength to serve the people," said Sanjay Seth.

Polling for the fifth phase began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, amid elaborate security arrangements.

Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand are undergoing polling in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

As polling began for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 51 constituencies spread across seven states, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha, BSP chief Mayawati were among those who turned up early to cast their votes.

As polling began for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 51 constituencies spread across seven states, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha, BSP chief Mayawati were among those who turned up early to cast their votes. Lucknow BJP candidate Rajnath Singh expressed confidence about BJP getting a full majority and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a second term. Rajnath Singh's son Pankaj Singh also cast his votes at a polling booth in Lucknow. "I leave it to voters. The right to write the character role of a candidate lies with voters of the constituency. I am assured that BJP will get a full majority and Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister again," said Rajnath Singh. BSP supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati also turned up early to exercise her franchise at a Lucknow polling booth. "The value of the vote of everyone is the same either poor or rich. I request all to come out and exercise their right to vote. I request all voters to go to their respective polling booths and use their vote for the country and public welfare. Youth, elder and women all should come in large number for the vote," said Mayawati. Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha cast his vote at Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. His son Union Minister Jayant Sinha is contesting against Congress' Gopal Sahu and CPI's Bhubneshwar Prasad Mehta from the constituency. "In 2014 I decided on my own that I will not contest because you are seeing what happened with others. Now my son is in the fray," said Yashwant Sinha. Yashwant Sinha and his wife Nilima Sinha arrived together and stood in line to cast their votes. Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and his wife Gayatri Rathore cast their votes in Jaipur. Sanjay Seth the BJP candidate from Ranchi after voting who cast his vote said, "Before coming here to cast my vote, I went to the temple of Goddess Kali, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shani Maharaj. I pray to God and asked for more strength to serve the people," said Sanjay Seth. Polling for the fifth phase began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, amid elaborate security arrangements. Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand are undergoing polling in addition to Ladakh and Anantnag constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lok Sabha polls phase five: Rajnath Singh, Mayawati, Yashwant Sinha among early voters

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-elections-polling-underway-in-seven-states-in-fifth-phase-216212">Polling was underway</a> on Monday in seven Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh with minor EVM glitches being reported at some booths, an official said.

Long queues were seen at some booths after the polling began at 7 am, he said.

This is the second phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh, the first phase having been held on April 29.

"Polling is going on peacefully across the seven constituencies. Minor issues related to EVMs were reported at some places but they were sorted out," state's chief electoral officer V L Kantha Rao told PTI.

Total 15,240 polling booths have been set up across the seven constituencies - Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Hoshangabad and Betul - where 1.19 crore people, including 18,822 service voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise.

All these seats located in the state's Bundelkhand region are currently held by the BJP.

Union minister Virendra Singh Khatik and BJP MP Prahlad Patel are among the 110 candidates in the fray.

Of the 110 nominees, 14 are in the fray in Tikamgarh, 15 in Damoh, 17 in Khajuraho, 21 in Satna, 23 in Rewa, 11 in Hoshangabad and nine in Betul.

Lok Sabha elections for 29 seats in the state are being held in four phases. Polling for six seats was held in the first phase on April 29, while eight seats each will go to polls on May 12 and 19.

In 2014, the BJP won 27 seats in the state while the Congress bagged two seats.

The Congress later increased its tally to three after wresting Ratlam seat from the BJP in a bypoll.&nbsp;

Polling was underway on Monday in seven Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh with minor EVM glitches being reported at some booths, an official said. Long queues were seen at some booths after the polling began at 7 am, he said.

Polling was underway on Monday in seven Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh with minor EVM glitches being reported at some booths, an official said. Long queues were seen at some booths after the polling began at 7 am, he said. This is the second phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh, the first phase having been held on April 29. "Polling is going on peacefully across the seven constituencies. Minor issues related to EVMs were reported at some places but they were sorted out," state's chief electoral officer V L Kantha Rao told PTI. Total 15,240 polling booths have been set up across the seven constituencies - Tikamgarh, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Hoshangabad and Betul - where 1.19 crore people, including 18,822 service voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise. All these seats located in the state's Bundelkhand region are currently held by the BJP. Union minister Virendra Singh Khatik and BJP MP Prahlad Patel are among the 110 candidates in the fray. Of the 110 nominees, 14 are in the fray in Tikamgarh, 15 in Damoh, 17 in Khajuraho, 21 in Satna, 23 in Rewa, 11 in Hoshangabad and nine in Betul. Lok Sabha elections for 29 seats in the state are being held in four phases. Polling for six seats was held in the first phase on April 29, while eight seats each will go to polls on May 12 and 19. In 2014, the BJP won 27 seats in the state while the Congress bagged two seats. The Congress later increased its tally to three after wresting Ratlam seat from the BJP in a bypoll.

Phase five Lok Sabha polls: EVM issues reported in Madhya Pradesh

Today's Google Doodle has been dedicated to the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-elections-polling-underway-in-seven-states-in-fifth-phase-216212">phase 5 polling of the Lok Sabha elections</a>.&nbsp;

An inked finger features right in the centre of the Doodle. On being clicked, the user is directed to a comprehensive page wherein all basic information relating to the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is listed.

A person can easily learn how to vote, get to know about the voting process at the polling booths and how to use the electronic voting machine (EVM). Not only this, but there is also comprehensive data on the candidates in the fray from the constituencies that are up for polls for the day.&nbsp;

Polling is being held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven seats each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand today.&nbsp;

In Jammu and Kashmir, polling will take place in Ladakh constituency and Pulwama and Shopian districts of Anantnag seat.

The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as it had swept 40 of these seats in 2014, leaving just two for the Congress and the rest for other opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress (seven).

There are 674 candidates in the fray with several big guns whose fate will be decided today including Union minister Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani.

With this phase, the election will be over in 424 seats and polling in the remaining 118 seats will be held on May 12 and 19.

Today's Google Doodle has been dedicated to the ongoing phase 5 polling of the Lok Sabha elections. An inked finger features right in the centre of the Doodle. On being clicked, the user is directed to a comprehensive page wherein all basic information relating to the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is listed.

Today's Google Doodle has been dedicated to the ongoing phase 5 polling of the Lok Sabha elections. An inked finger features right in the centre of the Doodle. On being clicked, the user is directed to a comprehensive page wherein all basic information relating to the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is listed. A person can easily learn how to vote, get to know about the voting process at the polling booths and how to use the electronic voting machine (EVM). Not only this, but there is also comprehensive data on the candidates in the fray from the constituencies that are up for polls for the day. Polling is being held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Rajasthan, seven seats each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar and four in Jharkhand today. In Jammu and Kashmir, polling will take place in Ladakh constituency and Pulwama and Shopian districts of Anantnag seat. The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as it had swept 40 of these seats in 2014, leaving just two for the Congress and the rest for other opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress (seven). There are 674 candidates in the fray with several big guns whose fate will be decided today including Union minister Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani. With this phase, the election will be over in 424 seats and polling in the remaining 118 seats will be held on May 12 and 19.

Wondering who's your candidate or how to use EVMs? Google Doodle answers queries related to phase V of Lok Sabha polls

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Sunday said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance has left out Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats for Congress to contest to ensure that the BJP does not gain.&nbsp;

"Humne desh mein, janhit mein khaskar BJP-RSS wadi takaton ko kamzor karne ke liye UP mein Amethi-Raebareli LS seat ko Congress party ke liye isiliye chhod diya taki iske dono sarvoch neta dono seaton se hi phirse chunav lade aur in dono seaton mein ulajh kar na reh jaye," she told media.

She added that she is confident that each and every vote for the 'alliance' in the two constituencies will go to the Congress. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Mayawati: Phir kahin BJP iska fayda UP ke bahar kuch zyada na utha le. Ise khas dhyan mein rakhkar hi, hamare gathbandhan ne dono seaten Congress ke liye chhod di thi. Mujhe poori ummeed hai ke hamare gathbandhan ka ek ek vote har halat mein dono Congress neta ko milne wala hai. <a href="https://t.co/yHVxME7PZx">https://t.co/yHVxME7PZx</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1124906249865256960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Phir kahin BJP iska fayda UP ke bahar kuch zyada na utha le. Ise khas dhyan mein rakhkar hi, hamare gathbandhan ne dono seaten Congress ke liye chhod di thi. Mujhe poori ummeed hai ke hamare gathbandhan ka ek ek vote har halat mein dono Congress neta ko milne wala hai," Mayawati said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will decide who will form the government and who will be the next prime minister of the country.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Akhilesh Yadav, SP: He (PM Modi) is a 180 degree PM, he does just the opposite of whatever he says. He is the PM of only 1% of the population. So he has this issue that how those in the favour of social justice are taking the nation towards a change. <a href="https://t.co/kjvVh4MwV2">https://t.co/kjvVh4MwV2</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1124910189293871104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"BJP can see no other way. They're not talking about development, farmers' income. PM just wants to mislead people," Yadav said.&nbsp;

He alleged that PM Modi does the "opposite of whatever he says" and called him "180 degree PM".&nbsp;

"He is the PM of only 1% of the population. So he has this issue that how those in the favour of social justice are taking the nation towards a change," he noted.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Sunday said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance has left out Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats for Congress to contest to ensure that the BJP does not gain.

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Sunday said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance has left out Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats for Congress to contest to ensure that the BJP does not gain. "Humne desh mein, janhit mein khaskar BJP-RSS wadi takaton ko kamzor karne ke liye UP mein Amethi-Raebareli LS seat ko Congress party ke liye isiliye chhod diya taki iske dono sarvoch neta dono seaton se hi phirse chunav lade aur in dono seaton mein ulajh kar na reh jaye," she told media. She added that she is confident that each and every vote for the 'alliance' in the two constituencies will go to the Congress. Mayawati: Phir kahin BJP iska fayda UP ke bahar kuch zyada na utha le. Ise khas dhyan mein rakhkar hi, hamare gathbandhan ne dono seaten Congress ke liye chhod di thi. Mujhe poori ummeed hai ke hamare gathbandhan ka ek ek vote har halat mein dono Congress neta ko milne wala hai. https://t.co/yHVxME7PZx — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 5, 2019 × "Phir kahin BJP iska fayda UP ke bahar kuch zyada na utha le. Ise khas dhyan mein rakhkar hi, hamare gathbandhan ne dono seaten Congress ke liye chhod di thi. Mujhe poori ummeed hai ke hamare gathbandhan ka ek ek vote har halat mein dono Congress neta ko milne wala hai," Mayawati said. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has said that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will decide who will form the government and who will be the next prime minister of the country. Akhilesh Yadav, SP: He (PM Modi) is a 180 degree PM, he does just the opposite of whatever he says. He is the PM of only 1% of the population. So he has this issue that how those in the favour of social justice are taking the nation towards a change. https://t.co/kjvVh4MwV2 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 5, 2019 × "BJP can see no other way. They're not talking about development, farmers' income. PM just wants to mislead people," Yadav said. He alleged that PM Modi does the "opposite of whatever he says" and called him "180 degree PM". "He is the PM of only 1% of the population. So he has this issue that how those in the favour of social justice are taking the nation towards a change," he noted.

Left Amethi, Rae Bareli for Congress to ensure BJP's defeat: Mayawati 

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Kannada actor Prakash Raj will campaign for AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi on Sunday, a party statement said.

Kafeel Khan, whose name surfaced in the death case of 63 children at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, will also be campaigning for the party candidate. The AAP claimed Khan was hailed as a "hero" for arranging jumbo oxygen cylinders to save dying kids.&nbsp;

Actor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/prakash-raj-to-campaign-for-aap-in-delhi-says-people-should-come-together-to-reclaim-the-republic-215873">Prakash Raj, who had announced his support for all AAP</a> candidates in Delhi, will campaign in the East Delhi constituency on Sunday, it said.&nbsp;

Personalities like Yashwant Sinha, Javed Jaffrey, Gul Panag, Rajmohan Gandhi, Admiral Ramdas and Omar Abdullah have already given a thumbs-up to Atishi.&nbsp;

The AAP candidate is locked in a three-way fight with BJP's Gautam Gambhir and Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely.&nbsp;

Delhi goes to polls in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 12. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Kannada actor Prakash Raj will campaign for AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi on Sunday, a party statement said. Kafeel Khan, whose name surfaced in the death case of 63 children at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, will also be campaigning for the party candidate.

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Kannada actor Prakash Raj will campaign for AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi on Sunday, a party statement said. Kafeel Khan, whose name surfaced in the death case of 63 children at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, will also be campaigning for the party candidate. The AAP claimed Khan was hailed as a "hero" for arranging jumbo oxygen cylinders to save dying kids. Actor Prakash Raj, who had announced his support for all AAP candidates in Delhi, will campaign in the East Delhi constituency on Sunday, it said. Personalities like Yashwant Sinha, Javed Jaffrey, Gul Panag, Rajmohan Gandhi, Admiral Ramdas and Omar Abdullah have already given a thumbs-up to Atishi. The AAP candidate is locked in a three-way fight with BJP's Gautam Gambhir and Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely. Delhi goes to polls in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 12. The results will be declared on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Jignesh Mevani to campaign for AAP's Atishi

Hitting out at the BJP for terming his party's rule in Uttar Pradesh as "gundaraj," Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that "let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us but show us FIR copies registered against state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath."

"They blamed us for gundaraj (hooliganism) in Uttar Pradesh. I want to say let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us. But also show us FIR copies registered against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Akhilesh Yadav said while addressing an election rally here.

"He has been charged under several sections. I can not even count them and you cannot even imagine what kind of sections he was charged under," he added.

The SP chief and former chief minister alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled the nomination of his party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav from Varanasi.

"The government claims that it wants to end terrorism but it was afraid of a jawan."

Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Yadav said: "What are the BJP people bringing on roads? It is bulls. And bulls are hurting the people on roads. If a bull hurts anyone, what charges the police will impose on them? Will they register an FIR against a bull?"

Yadav wondered if a case will be filed against any bull if it hurts anyone and demanded that the FIR should be registered against Adityanath instead. He also claimed that seven people died in Lucknow because of the bulls.

Later, Akhilesh attacked Adityanath for branding him a 'tonti-chor'&nbsp;(a thief who steals water tap).

"The Chief Minister (UP CM Yogi Adityanath) and a few of his officials have taught 'chilam'&nbsp;(tobacco pipe) to PM Modi. Those who are calling us 'tonti tonti,'&nbsp;they are the one with chilam" (Mukhyamantri ji ne aur unke kuchh adhikariyo ne Pradhan Mantri ji ko bhi chilam sikha diya....Jo log humein keh rahe hain tonti-tonti, vahi hain chilam wale)."

Polling for 80 parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh is being held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Hitting out at the BJP for terming his party's rule in Uttar Pradesh as "gundaraj," Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that "let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us but show us FIR copies registered against state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Hitting out at the BJP for terming his party's rule in Uttar Pradesh as "gundaraj," Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that "let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us but show us FIR copies registered against state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath." "They blamed us for gundaraj (hooliganism) in Uttar Pradesh. I want to say let us know if a single FIR has been filed against us. But also show us FIR copies registered against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Akhilesh Yadav said while addressing an election rally here. "He has been charged under several sections. I can not even count them and you cannot even imagine what kind of sections he was charged under," he added. The SP chief and former chief minister alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled the nomination of his party candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav from Varanasi. "The government claims that it wants to end terrorism but it was afraid of a jawan." Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Yadav said: "What are the BJP people bringing on roads? It is bulls. And bulls are hurting the people on roads. If a bull hurts anyone, what charges the police will impose on them? Will they register an FIR against a bull?" Yadav wondered if a case will be filed against any bull if it hurts anyone and demanded that the FIR should be registered against Adityanath instead. He also claimed that seven people died in Lucknow because of the bulls. Later, Akhilesh attacked Adityanath for branding him a 'tonti-chor' (a thief who steals water tap). "The Chief Minister (UP CM Yogi Adityanath) and a few of his officials have taught 'chilam' (tobacco pipe) to PM Modi. Those who are calling us 'tonti tonti,' they are the one with chilam" (Mukhyamantri ji ne aur unke kuchh adhikariyo ne Pradhan Mantri ji ko bhi chilam sikha diya....Jo log humein keh rahe hain tonti-tonti, vahi hain chilam wale)." Polling for 80 parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh is being held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Let us know if even a single FIR was filed against us: Akhilesh Yadav to BJP

The Election Commission Saturday gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Gujarat speech in which he had claimed that the Indian government had kept Pakistan on its toes to ensure the safe return of its pilot.

This is the sixth clean chit to Modi by the poll watchdog. Sources said the decision on the April 21 Patan speech was unanimous.

One of the election commissioners, according to the sources, gave a dissenting view in the EC's decision to give a clean chit to Modi with regard to his speech at Wardha on April 1, where he attacked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from the minority-dominated Wayanad seat in Kerala, and his appeal to first-time voters by invoking the Balakot airstrike and the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama terror attack on April 9.

He had also reportedly given dissent in the clean chit to BJP president Amit Shah for his Nagpur speech in which he had reportedly said that Wayanad constituency of Kerala is where the majority is minority.

In its Saturday's decision, the EC said, "...A detailed report of the chief electoral officer, Gujarat was obtained. The matter has been examined in detail in accordance with the extant advisories, provisions of the model code of conduct. After examination, the commission is of the view that in this matter no such violation of the extant advisories/provisions is attracted."

In his Patan speech, Modi had reportedly said that he had warned Pakistan of "consequences" if it did not return Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured after an aerial dogfight with Pakistani F-16s that had violated Indian airspace and targeted military installations in February.

Pakistan released Varthaman on the night of March 1&nbsp;Modi also spoke of a US claim that India had kept 12 missiles ready.

So far, the EC has cleared six speeches of Modi, two of Shah and one of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi had been issued a show cause notice for his Madhya Pradesh speech in which he had reportedly said that the government enacted a new law which allows tribals to be shot.

On March 19, the EC had issued an advisory asking parties not to invoke armed forces in their political campaign.&nbsp;

The Election Commission Saturday gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Gujarat speech in which he had claimed that the Indian government had kept Pakistan on its toes to ensure the safe return of its pilot.

The Election Commission Saturday gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Gujarat speech in which he had claimed that the Indian government had kept Pakistan on its toes to ensure the safe return of its pilot. This is the sixth clean chit to Modi by the poll watchdog. Sources said the decision on the April 21 Patan speech was unanimous. One of the election commissioners, according to the sources, gave a dissenting view in the EC's decision to give a clean chit to Modi with regard to his speech at Wardha on April 1, where he attacked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for contesting from the minority-dominated Wayanad seat in Kerala, and his appeal to first-time voters by invoking the Balakot airstrike and the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama terror attack on April 9. He had also reportedly given dissent in the clean chit to BJP president Amit Shah for his Nagpur speech in which he had reportedly said that Wayanad constituency of Kerala is where the majority is minority. In its Saturday's decision, the EC said, "...A detailed report of the chief electoral officer, Gujarat was obtained. The matter has been examined in detail in accordance with the extant advisories, provisions of the model code of conduct. After examination, the commission is of the view that in this matter no such violation of the extant advisories/provisions is attracted." In his Patan speech, Modi had reportedly said that he had warned Pakistan of "consequences" if it did not return Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured after an aerial dogfight with Pakistani F-16s that had violated Indian airspace and targeted military installations in February. Pakistan released Varthaman on the night of March 1 Modi also spoke of a US claim that India had kept 12 missiles ready. So far, the EC has cleared six speeches of Modi, two of Shah and one of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi had been issued a show cause notice for his Madhya Pradesh speech in which he had reportedly said that the government enacted a new law which allows tribals to be shot. On March 19, the EC had issued an advisory asking parties not to invoke armed forces in their political campaign.

No poll code violation by PM Modi in Patan speech: Election Commission

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday reacted on being attacked by a man on Saturday and said that the attack indicated that whoever speaks against PM Modi will not be spared.

Kejriwal's remarks came just a day after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aap-supporter-slapped-kejriwal-as-he-was-dissatisfied-with-party-leaders-police-216026">he was slapped by a man</a>, who was later identified as an AAP supporter, in Delhi during a roadshow.&nbsp;

"This is a sign of dictatorship, to silence those who raise voice against you. This attacker was sent to give out the message that no one, who raises voice against the PM, will be spared," Kejriwal said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delhi CM: This was 9th attack on me in last 5 yrs &amp; 5th attack after becoming CM. I don't think in India's history there has been such attacks on any CM. In this country Delhi CM is the only only CM whose security's responsibility is in the hands of opposition party that is BJP. <a href="https://t.co/jPwGTuroDY">pic.twitter.com/jPwGTuroDY</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1124928917792407552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"This was the 9th attack on me in the last 5 years and the fifth attack after becoming the CM. I don't think in India's history there have been such attacks on any CM. In this country, Delhi CM is the only CM whose security's responsibility is in the hands of the opposition party that is BJP," he added.&nbsp;

An AAP supporter slapped Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow on Saturday because he was dissatisfied with the behaviour of the party leaders, police said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: A Chief Minister was attacked and the Central govt says, 'didn't receive the complaint, unable to move ahead with further proceedings, the PM should resign over it. It's not an attack on Arvind Kejriwal, it is an attack on Delhi's mandate. <a href="https://t.co/RsUlRFhlVn">pic.twitter.com/RsUlRFhlVn</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1124935555609972736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Kejriwal was atop an open jeep when a man wearing a red t-shirt jumped onto the vehicle and slapped the chief minister before being pulled off the jeep, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Is hamlawar ko isliye bheja gaya, ye message dene ki koshish ki ja rahi hai desh ko, ki modi ji ke khilaaf jo bhi bolega is desh ke andar usko bakhsha nahi jaega. Ye tanashahi ki nishaani hai ki apne khilaaf har aawaz ko band kar diya jaye. <a href="https://t.co/YZVfNztxOg">pic.twitter.com/YZVfNztxOg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1124929252602843136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The 33-year-old man, identified as Suresh, who is a scrap dealer in the area, has been a supporter of the Aam Aadmi Party and used to work as an organiser of the party's rallies and meetings, they said.

"An enquiry by a DCP-level officer has been ordered to enquire as to how this person was allowed to be in the reception or proximate group," Anil Mittal, Additional PRO (Delhi Police) said.

According to his version, over a period of time, Suresh got disenchanted due to the behaviour of the AAP leaders. His anger intensified due to "distrust of the party in the armed forces", the official said, adding further interrogation is on in the matter.

The AAP, however, alleged that the Delhi Police had planted that the man belonged to the party.

The AAP roadshow was organised from 4 pm to 10 pm in Moti Nagar. It was scheduled to start from Karampura and was to terminate at RK Ashram Marg, it said.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday reacted on being attacked by a man on Saturday and said that the attack indicated that whoever speaks against PM Modi will not be spared.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday reacted on being attacked by a man on Saturday and said that the attack indicated that whoever speaks against PM Modi will not be spared. Kejriwal's remarks came just a day after he was slapped by a man, who was later identified as an AAP supporter, in Delhi during a roadshow. "This is a sign of dictatorship, to silence those who raise voice against you. This attacker was sent to give out the message that no one, who raises voice against the PM, will be spared," Kejriwal said. Delhi CM: This was 9th attack on me in last 5 yrs & 5th attack after becoming CM. I don't think in India's history there has been such attacks on any CM. In this country Delhi CM is the only only CM whose security's responsibility is in the hands of opposition party that is BJP. pic.twitter.com/jPwGTuroDY — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2019 × "This was the 9th attack on me in the last 5 years and the fifth attack after becoming the CM. I don't think in India's history there have been such attacks on any CM. In this country, Delhi CM is the only CM whose security's responsibility is in the hands of the opposition party that is BJP," he added. An AAP supporter slapped Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow on Saturday because he was dissatisfied with the behaviour of the party leaders, police said. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: A Chief Minister was attacked and the Central govt says, 'didn't receive the complaint, unable to move ahead with further proceedings, the PM should resign over it. It's not an attack on Arvind Kejriwal, it is an attack on Delhi's mandate. pic.twitter.com/RsUlRFhlVn — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2019 × Kejriwal was atop an open jeep when a man wearing a red t-shirt jumped onto the vehicle and slapped the chief minister before being pulled off the jeep, news agency PTI reported. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Is hamlawar ko isliye bheja gaya, ye message dene ki koshish ki ja rahi hai desh ko, ki modi ji ke khilaaf jo bhi bolega is desh ke andar usko bakhsha nahi jaega. Ye tanashahi ki nishaani hai ki apne khilaaf har aawaz ko band kar diya jaye. pic.twitter.com/YZVfNztxOg — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2019 × The 33-year-old man, identified as Suresh, who is a scrap dealer in the area, has been a supporter of the Aam Aadmi Party and used to work as an organiser of the party's rallies and meetings, they said. "An enquiry by a DCP-level officer has been ordered to enquire as to how this person was allowed to be in the reception or proximate group," Anil Mittal, Additional PRO (Delhi Police) said. According to his version, over a period of time, Suresh got disenchanted due to the behaviour of the AAP leaders. His anger intensified due to "distrust of the party in the armed forces", the official said, adding further interrogation is on in the matter. The AAP, however, alleged that the Delhi Police had planted that the man belonged to the party. The AAP roadshow was organised from 4 pm to 10 pm in Moti Nagar. It was scheduled to start from Karampura and was to terminate at RK Ashram Marg, it said. (With inputs from PTI)

Don't think there have been such attacks on any chief minister in nation's history: Arvind Kejriwal 

People need to come together to "reclaim the republic" of the country which is on the verge of losing with the onslaught of communal and hatred politics, actor-politician Prakash Raj said Saturday as he announced plans to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party.

Raj, who fought the Lok Sabha polls as an independent candidate from the Bengaluru Central seat, said he will campaign for the AAP in Delhi for a week.

"The Aam Aadmi Party is fighting the elections on the issues of health, education, their vision and based on their work," he said.

"This is what we need, this is my gesture, and my belief, that different people with different thought processes but love for the country come together to make this democracy, to reclaim our republic which is on the verge and that we may lose with the onslaught of communal and hatred politics of the government, which is in place," Raj said.

Addressing media along with the AAP Delhi convenor Gopal Rai at the party headquarters, Raj said he is one of those "aam admi" (common men) who look up to the ideology and the work done by the party and that is what has made him come here.

"I am here to support such candidates, such party, which is fighting for a change in this election, compared to other parties," he said.

Raj will begin his Delhi campaign from the North East Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday evening with a meeting in support of AAP candidate Dilip Pandey at Babarpur.

He will campaign in the New Delhi and East Delhi constituencies on Sunday.&nbsp;

People need to come together to "reclaim the republic" of the country which is on the verge of losing with the onslaught of communal and hatred politics, actor-politician Prakash Raj said Saturday as he announced plans to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party.

People need to come together to "reclaim the republic" of the country which is on the verge of losing with the onslaught of communal and hatred politics, actor-politician Prakash Raj said Saturday as he announced plans to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party. Raj, who fought the Lok Sabha polls as an independent candidate from the Bengaluru Central seat, said he will campaign for the AAP in Delhi for a week. "The Aam Aadmi Party is fighting the elections on the issues of health, education, their vision and based on their work," he said. "This is what we need, this is my gesture, and my belief, that different people with different thought processes but love for the country come together to make this democracy, to reclaim our republic which is on the verge and that we may lose with the onslaught of communal and hatred politics of the government, which is in place," Raj said. Addressing media along with the AAP Delhi convenor Gopal Rai at the party headquarters, Raj said he is one of those "aam admi" (common men) who look up to the ideology and the work done by the party and that is what has made him come here. "I am here to support such candidates, such party, which is fighting for a change in this election, compared to other parties," he said. Raj will begin his Delhi campaign from the North East Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday evening with a meeting in support of AAP candidate Dilip Pandey at Babarpur. He will campaign in the New Delhi and East Delhi constituencies on Sunday.

Prakash Raj to campaign for AAP in Delhi, says people should come together to 'reclaim the republic'

Union Minister V K Singh, a former army chief, on Saturday denied knowledge of a surgical strike during his tenure and accused the rival Congress of lying about it.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "Congress has a habit of lying. Will you please let me know which 'So-called Surgical Strike'&nbsp;are you attributing to my tenure as COAS (chief of army staff). Am sure you must have hired some Coupta to invent another story."

The statement from the Union Minister came days after Congress leader Rajiv Shukla told reporters at the AICC briefing that six surgical strikes were conducted during Manmohan Singh government.

Shukla had further stated that two surgical strikes were carried out when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister- one on January 21, 2000, in Nadala Enclave across the Neelam River and second on September 18, 2003, in Baroh Sector in Poonch.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday mocked the Congress party for its claim of having conducted surgical strikes during the UPA regime and said after questioning the NDA government's strikes it was now claiming having done similar strikes by saying "me too, me too".

The Congress hit back saying by making these remarks the prime minister was insulting the armed forces.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Union Minister V K Singh, a former army chief, on Saturday denied knowledge of a surgical strike during his tenure and accused the rival Congress of lying about it.

Union Minister V K Singh, a former army chief, on Saturday denied knowledge of a surgical strike during his tenure and accused the rival Congress of lying about it. Taking to Twitter, he said, "Congress has a habit of lying. Will you please let me know which 'So-called Surgical Strike' are you attributing to my tenure as COAS (chief of army staff). Am sure you must have hired some Coupta to invent another story." The statement from the Union Minister came days after Congress leader Rajiv Shukla told reporters at the AICC briefing that six surgical strikes were conducted during Manmohan Singh government. Shukla had further stated that two surgical strikes were carried out when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister- one on January 21, 2000, in Nadala Enclave across the Neelam River and second on September 18, 2003, in Baroh Sector in Poonch. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday mocked the Congress party for its claim of having conducted surgical strikes during the UPA regime and said after questioning the NDA government's strikes it was now claiming having done similar strikes by saying "me too, me too". The Congress hit back saying by making these remarks the prime minister was insulting the armed forces.

VK Singh mocks Congress for claiming 6 surgical strikes during UPA government, says party has a habit of lying

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been temporarily barred from campaigning by the Election Commission for violating the Model Code of Conduct. &nbsp;

Khan will not be able to participate in election campaigning starting 6am on May 1 for the next 48 hours.&nbsp;

This is not the first time when Khan is being barred from campaigning for this year's general polls. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/azam-khan-and-maneka-gandhi-also-temporarily-barred-from-election-campaigning-210703">On April 15, the top poll body had&nbsp;barred Khan</a> from campaigning for 72 hours for his comments against BJP candidate Jaya Prada. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Election Commission bars Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan from election campaigning for 48 hours starting from 6 am tomorrow, for violating Model Code of Conduct. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/cmF5R3fYtk">pic.twitter.com/cmF5R3fYtk</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1123233407700365312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In the past month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-2019-election-commission-of-india-bans-adityanath-mayawati-for-violating-model-code-of-conduct-210566">Yogi Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati</a> and Union minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi were among the leaders who were temporarily barred from campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The leaders faced the ban for violating the Model Code of Conduct by making objectionable statements in their speeches.

The Supreme Court, last month, came down heavily on the Election Commission for its inability to crack down on the violation of the poll conduct by political leaders.&nbsp;

"Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath," the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had asked.&nbsp;

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

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

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

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/be-it-pak-terrorists-or-traitors-on-our-own-soil-chowkidar-will-not-spare-anyone-pm-modi-214470">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday slammed the opposition and said that the electors, by their overwhelming response in the four phases of Lok Sabha polls, have shattered the dreams of the opposition.&nbsp;

While addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, the prime minister said that those who were playing the game of "who will become the prime minister with each other"&nbsp;are now playing hide and seek after the conclusion of the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM Narendra Modi in Barabanki: Those people who till a few days ago were playing "Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri" with each other, are now playing hide and seek after the 4th phase of voting concluded....Ab janta ne inke saare sapno ko chaar charan mein choor choor kar diya hai. <a href="https://t.co/PKP23dIwml">pic.twitter.com/PKP23dIwml</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1123184772878966784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Monday, while speaking at a rally in Koderma, Jharkhand, he said that the 'chowkidar' will not spare anyone, "be it Pakistani terrorists or traitors on our own soil".

"We have proved through the surgical and aerial strikes that if we receive a threat from anywhere, we revert with the same force," he said

The prime minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said, "Congress announced that if they are voted to power, their government will remove the sedition law. It implies that this party is the supporter of the Naxalites. This would make it harder for us to launch an inquiry onto such anti-national forces. This shows the ideologies of the party."

The fourth leg of the seven-phased general elections was conducted across 9 states and for 72 constituencies on Monday. 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded as announced by the Election Commission.&nbsp;

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

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

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

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-rubbish-entire-nation-knows-he-is-indian-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-on-rahuls-citizenship-row-214729">AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra</a> on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

She said that she took the advice of all senior party leaders and colleagues in Uttar Pradesh and decided that it was important for her to focus on the 41 Lok Sabha constituencies she is looking after over just giving attention to one seat (Varanasi).&nbsp;

"I took the advice of all senior leaders of our party and colleagues in UP. They firmly felt that I have a responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they (candidates) would be disappointed if I focused on only one place," she said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on nomination from Varanasi seat: I took advice of all senior leaders of our party &amp; colleagues in UP.They firmly felt that I have responsibility here of looking after 41 seats. I felt that they(candidates)would be disappointed if I focused on only one place <a href="https://t.co/HC8oFLn47Y">pic.twitter.com/HC8oFLn47Y</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1123170906518499328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress is yet to declare its candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. For Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fight from his home constituency. The Samajwadi Party has fielded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/fielded-tej-bahadur-from-varanasi-in-honour-of-forces-nationalism-samajwadi-party-214750">former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur</a> as alliance candidate.&nbsp;

Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over reports of her nomination as a Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congress&nbsp;general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East and party president Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday reacted over Ministry of Home Affairs notice to Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship.

Priyanka Gandhi told reporters that the entire country knows that Rahul Gandhi is an India.

"The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?" she exclaimed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on MHA notice to Rahul Gandhi over citizenship, says," The whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian. People have seen him being born and grow up in India. Kya bakwaas hai yeh?" <a href="https://t.co/Rgt457WMoi">pic.twitter.com/Rgt457WMoi</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1123147757651406848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ministry-of-home-affairs-issues-notice-to-congress-president-rahul-gandhi-over-citizenship-214677">notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his citizenship</a> after receiving a complaint from Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy.

''The Ministry has received a representation from MP Dr Subramanian Swamy in which it has been brought out that a Company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in the year 2003 and that you were one of the Directors and Secretary of the said Company,'' the notice read.

Swamy has stated that the Congress president had declared his nationality as British in a UK-based company.

"It has been further brought out in the complaint that in the Company's Annual Returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006, your date of birth has been given as June 19, 1970, and that you had declared your nationality as British. Further, in the Dissolution application dated 17/02/2009 of the above-referred company, your nationality has been mentioned as British," the notice said.&nbsp;

The Ministry has asked Gandhi to respond within a 'fortnight' to the allegations.&nbsp;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Election Commission of India on Monday directed West Bengal Police to register an FIR against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-clashes-erupt-between-tmc-workers-security-forces-in-asansol-babul-supriyos-car-vandalised-214362">Babul Supriyo</a>, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Lok Sabha seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Supriyo's car was vandalised outside a polling station as clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal.

Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Election Commission directs to register FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister &amp; BJP candidate from Asansol LS seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/fu20QRvq8d">pic.twitter.com/fu20QRvq8d</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1122831873778962433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As soon as Supriyo reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked.

"I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt."

The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis" would be given to Asansol.

 
&nbsp;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the "goons of the Trinamool Congress are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers".&nbsp;

"They are not letting BJP leaders campaign," the Prime Minister said while speaking at a rally in Serampore in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister said that on May 23, when the Lok Sabha election results will be declared, lotus will bloom everywhere, "and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-40-trinamool-congress-mlas-ready-to-join-once-bjp-wins-polls-says-pm-narendra-modi-214436">40 of your MLAs are in contact with me</a>," he added.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/BmXt1IHBKO">pic.twitter.com/BmXt1IHBKO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1122794033158344704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Didi said she wants to give me a rasgulla made of soil and pebbles. The soil of Bengal has the essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, JC Bose, Netaji, SP Mukherjee and if Modi gets a rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi," he stated.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-ask-election-commission-to-seek-expenditure-details-of-pm-modis-rallies-mamata-banerjee-214158">On Sunday, Banerjee accused the BJP</a> of doling out money to buy votes in the general election. Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. <a href="https://t.co/XaZQ4BORwO">pic.twitter.com/XaZQ4BORwO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1122797092047663105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

The chief minister also alleged that the saffron party is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes.

Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his homefront, she claimed that "all throughout his life, Modi never respected his mother or his wife".

"You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said.

Maintaining that she has seen Modi's affidavit in his nomination papers, Banerjee said, "The PM has written that he does not know about his wife's movable and immovable assets. I don't like making such comments, but the level he has stooped to forced me to speak out," the TMC boss said.

She urged the Election Commission to carry out an investigation into the spendings of Modi's "colourful rally" in the holy town of Varanasi before filing his nomination.

"This election is not (a test) for Mamata Banerjee, but for you (Modi). It is time for you to answer what you have done in five years," she said, insisting that the prime minister was busy touring the world during his tenure.

Maintaining that Modi is worse than Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the 14th-century sultan of Delhi known for his whims, she said that the sudden demonetisation of high-value currency notes in November 2016 caused immense hardship to people, be it a housewife, farmer, worker or a small businessman.

Banerjee, whose aversion to communism and everything associated with it including the colour red is well-known, for once sought refuge in Karl Marx to deride the BJP.

Drawing from Marx's famous statement "religion is the opium of the masses", she said, "The BJP is using religion as opium to divert the attention of people from the non-performance of its government at the Centre.

She, however, did not mince her words when it came to targeting the Left parties in the state.

"Those who wore red shirts earlier are now donning saffron kurtas in West Bengal," the TMC chief said, indicating that many BJP workers in the state are former CPI(M) cadres.

The CM also iterated that Modi will ensure that there was no further election in the country if re-elected to power.

She charged the poll panel with "doing the bidding of the BJP".

Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her partymen who were killed during the elections in 2018.

"In Bengal, there is a democratically elected dispensation, but the BJP is trying to run a parallel government here. A retired officer is dictating terms to the serving officers, this is unconstitutional," she said, referring to the two special observers appointed by the EC to oversee polls in West Bengal.&nbsp;

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Sunday said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies. Banerjee also demanded that Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit. Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?" The chief minister also alleged that the saffron party is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes. Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his homefront, she claimed that "all throughout his life, Modi never respected his mother or his wife". "You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said. Maintaining that she has seen Modi's affidavit in his nomination papers, Banerjee said, "The PM has written that he does not know about his wife's movable and immovable assets. I don't like making such comments, but the level he has stooped to forced me to speak out," the TMC boss said. She urged the Election Commission to carry out an investigation into the spendings of Modi's "colourful rally" in the holy town of Varanasi before filing his nomination. "This election is not (a test) for Mamata Banerjee, but for you (Modi). It is time for you to answer what you have done in five years," she said, insisting that the prime minister was busy touring the world during his tenure. Maintaining that Modi is worse than Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the 14th-century sultan of Delhi known for his whims, she said that the sudden demonetisation of high-value currency notes in November 2016 caused immense hardship to people, be it a housewife, farmer, worker or a small businessman. Banerjee, whose aversion to communism and everything associated with it including the colour red is well-known, for once sought refuge in Karl Marx to deride the BJP. Drawing from Marx's famous statement "religion is the opium of the masses", she said, "The BJP is using religion as opium to divert the attention of people from the non-performance of its government at the Centre. She, however, did not mince her words when it came to targeting the Left parties in the state. "Those who wore red shirts earlier are now donning saffron kurtas in West Bengal," the TMC chief said, indicating that many BJP workers in the state are former CPI(M) cadres. The CM also iterated that Modi will ensure that there was no further election in the country if re-elected to power. She charged the poll panel with "doing the bidding of the BJP". Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her partymen who were killed during the elections in 2018. "In Bengal, there is a democratically elected dispensation, but the BJP is trying to run a parallel government here. A retired officer is dictating terms to the serving officers, this is unconstitutional," she said, referring to the two special observers appointed by the EC to oversee polls in West Bengal.

Will ask Election Commission to seek expenditure details of PM Modi's rallies: Mamata Banerjee

With four Uttar Pradesh ministers fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and standing "bright chances" to win their seats, the Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over.

The four state ministers in the poll fray include Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Allahabad, S P Singh Baghel from Agra, Satyadev Pachauri from Kanpur and Mukut Bihari from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituencies.&nbsp;

"The names of ministers were zeroed in on for fielding, seeing their track record, utility and effectiveness in respective areas, dedication towards the party, communication with party workers and their overall performance, the names of ministers were zeroed in on," state BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai told PTI.

"They all stand bright chances of winning their respective seats," he added.

Asked by PTI recently if any Cabinet reshuffle is on cards, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said, "First let the elections get over."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The whole election process will be completed by May 27 after counting of votes on May 23, said an Election Commission official.&nbsp;

Among the four state ministers fielded so far in the ongoing polls, the name of Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari figured in the BJP latest poll list.

Bihari has been fielded from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituency which goes to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase.&nbsp;

The BJP had earlier named Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries Baghel in its first list as its candidate for the reserved Lok Sabha seat of Agra.&nbsp; 
Agra had gone to polls on April 18 in the second phase of elections.&nbsp;

Two others, Minister for Women, Family, Mother and Child Welfare Department Joshi and Minister for Khadi Village Industries, Sericulture, Textile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion departments Pachauri have been fielded from Allahabad and Kanpur Lok Sabha seats.

Joshi, who is presently also the tourism minister in the UP Cabinet had contested the 2014 General Elections from Lucknow parliamentary constituency on a Congress ticket and lost to the BJP's Rajnath Singh.

Voting in Kanpur will be held on April 29, while Allahabad goes to polls on May 12. 
&nbsp;

With four Uttar Pradesh ministers fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and standing "bright chances" to win their seats, the Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over.

With four Uttar Pradesh ministers fighting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and standing "bright chances" to win their seats, the Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over. The four state ministers in the poll fray include Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Allahabad, S P Singh Baghel from Agra, Satyadev Pachauri from Kanpur and Mukut Bihari from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituencies. "The names of ministers were zeroed in on for fielding, seeing their track record, utility and effectiveness in respective areas, dedication towards the party, communication with party workers and their overall performance, the names of ministers were zeroed in on," state BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai told PTI. "They all stand bright chances of winning their respective seats," he added. Asked by PTI recently if any Cabinet reshuffle is on cards, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said, "First let the elections get over." The whole election process will be completed by May 27 after counting of votes on May 23, said an Election Commission official. Among the four state ministers fielded so far in the ongoing polls, the name of Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari figured in the BJP latest poll list. Bihari has been fielded from Ambedkarnagar parliamentary constituency which goes to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase. The BJP had earlier named Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries Baghel in its first list as its candidate for the reserved Lok Sabha seat of Agra. Agra had gone to polls on April 18 in the second phase of elections. Two others, Minister for Women, Family, Mother and Child Welfare Department Joshi and Minister for Khadi Village Industries, Sericulture, Textile, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion departments Pachauri have been fielded from Allahabad and Kanpur Lok Sabha seats. Joshi, who is presently also the tourism minister in the UP Cabinet had contested the 2014 General Elections from Lucknow parliamentary constituency on a Congress ticket and lost to the BJP's Rajnath Singh. Voting in Kanpur will be held on April 29, while Allahabad goes to polls on May 12.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet may undergo reshuffle soon after general polls

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided in polling on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan on Monday.

The polling will take place amid tight security arrangements from 7 am to 6 pm on Monday in 13 of total 25 constituencies - Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to chief electoral officer Anand Kumar.

Jodhpur became one of the most talked about seats in the Congress-ruled state where Gehlot did massive campaigning for his son Vaibhav, pitted against sitting MP and Union minister of state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.&nbsp;

The Jodhpur constituency, which has been represented by Gehlot for five times since 1980, has become a prestige issue for him who conducted more than 90 rallies, public meetings, road shows in the constituency during the campaigning period which ended Saturday evening.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah also held public meetings and road shows in Jodhpur to ensure the victory of party candidate Shekhawat.&nbsp;

In Barmer seat, former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh Manvendra is contesting the election on Congress ticket against BJP's Kailash Chaudhary.&nbsp; 
The seat is spread over entire Barmer and half of Jaisalmer district. It was once held by Manvendra's father and he is banking on the support of Rajputs, associated castes and minority.&nbsp;

Former BJP MLA and ex Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari is making debut in the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Rajsamand while Union minister of state P P Chaudhary is in the fray from Pali.

The Tonk-Sawaimadhopur seat will see a contest between former Union Minister and Congress candidate Namonarain Meena and BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria.

Industrialist and Congress candidate Riju Jhunjhunwala and BJP's Bhagirath Chaudhary will fight to win Ajmer seat.

This seat in 2009 was won by Sachin Pilot, who is now the state Congress chief and Rajasthan's deputy chief minister.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28, 182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where elaborate security arrangements have been made.

Meanwhile, Udaipur based Narayan Seva Sansthan has provided wheelchairs to authorities for the convenience of differently abled voters.

"We have given 150 wheelchairs for the convenience of Divyang voters on the election day. Our volunteers will be deployed specifically to help of Divyang, pregnant women, elderly voters at booths," Prashant Agarwal, president of the organisation said.

Remaining 12 constituencies - Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhuju, and Sikar, Jaipur rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur - will go to polls on May 6.&nbsp;

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided in polling on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan on Monday.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided in polling on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan on Monday. The polling will take place amid tight security arrangements from 7 am to 6 pm on Monday in 13 of total 25 constituencies - Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to chief electoral officer Anand Kumar. Jodhpur became one of the most talked about seats in the Congress-ruled state where Gehlot did massive campaigning for his son Vaibhav, pitted against sitting MP and Union minister of state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The Jodhpur constituency, which has been represented by Gehlot for five times since 1980, has become a prestige issue for him who conducted more than 90 rallies, public meetings, road shows in the constituency during the campaigning period which ended Saturday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah also held public meetings and road shows in Jodhpur to ensure the victory of party candidate Shekhawat. In Barmer seat, former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh Manvendra is contesting the election on Congress ticket against BJP's Kailash Chaudhary. The seat is spread over entire Barmer and half of Jaisalmer district. It was once held by Manvendra's father and he is banking on the support of Rajputs, associated castes and minority. Former BJP MLA and ex Jaipur royal family member Diya Kumari is making debut in the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Rajsamand while Union minister of state P P Chaudhary is in the fray from Pali. The Tonk-Sawaimadhopur seat will see a contest between former Union Minister and Congress candidate Namonarain Meena and BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria. Industrialist and Congress candidate Riju Jhunjhunwala and BJP's Bhagirath Chaudhary will fight to win Ajmer seat. This seat in 2009 was won by Sachin Pilot, who is now the state Congress chief and Rajasthan's deputy chief minister. About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28, 182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where elaborate security arrangements have been made. Meanwhile, Udaipur based Narayan Seva Sansthan has provided wheelchairs to authorities for the convenience of differently abled voters. "We have given 150 wheelchairs for the convenience of Divyang voters on the election day. Our volunteers will be deployed specifically to help of Divyang, pregnant women, elderly voters at booths," Prashant Agarwal, president of the organisation said. Remaining 12 constituencies - Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhuju, and Sikar, Jaipur rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur - will go to polls on May 6.

13 of 25 seats in Rajasthan to go to polls on Monday, 115 candidates in the fray 

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar.

The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security.

In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami".

Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases.

Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the NDA's fortunes. Giving seat-wise figures to support his claim, Paswan said opposition parties like the Congress and the RJD have been working at cross-purposes while "united" NDA partners -- BJP, JD(U) and LJP -- have got better of them in most seats.

"Our vote is increasing in every phase. The Modi factor was recently at work in the prime minister's massive road shows in Varanasi and Jharkhand. More people are joining us. On the other hand, opposition parties have not been able to unite either in Delhi or here in Bihar. People wonder what is the point of even voting for them as they don't know what these parties will do," he said.

The NDA may win over 35 seats of the total 40 in Bihar, he said. It had won 31 in 2014.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwai Yadav have often avoided campaigning for candidates of the other party, Paswan said and added that they held their first joint rally in Samastipur only this Friday.

"I am confident that the NDA will repeat the scale of victory it had achieved the last time. It will form the government under Modi's leadership," he said. 
The NDA had won 336 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha in 2014, with the BJP getting its maiden majority by winning 282 seats on its own.

Paswan said issues like terrorism and nationalism may have emerged as central issues in the poll but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has also received people's support on the plank of development.

From subsidised food to LPG cylinders, toilets, homes and health insurance, the government is working to provide the masses with all essentials of life, he said, adding that people have been backing the NDA for these measures as well.

But it is the emotive issue of nationalism and action against Pakistan-based terrorists that has been a central theme of the NDA's campaign, something that the opposition has criticised, accusing the ruling dispensation of using them to divert people's attention from issues like jobs and economy.

The LJP leader dismissed the opposition criticism, saying "all is fair in love and war". He also hit back at the opposition parties and alleged a "sinister campaign" over the issue among Muslims.

"The big issue here is that we target terrorists, we say terrorism should be finished, but they (Opposition) whisper in Muslims' ears that we want to finish them. As if, Muslims are terrorists," he said.

Paswan referred to the response from people when NDA leaders in their campaign speeches invoke the issue of nationalism, saying all such references have received wide support from the masses.

The Modi factor and the nationalism issue have helped the NDA cover up localised factors like choice of candidates among others, he said.

Paswan claimed that a section of even Yadavs, seen as a solid vote bank of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have supported NDA nominees in seats where opposition candidates enjoyed little connect with them.

Yadavs have long been part of "power politics" and they are in no mood to give votes to candidates of parties Vikassheel Insaan Party or Hindustani Awam Morcha as they have little resonance on the ground, he said. Both these parties are also part of the opposition alliance.

The 72-year-old leader is not fighting the poll this time with his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras contesting from Hajipur, a seat Paswan has traditionally represented in Lok Sabha. The senior leader's son Chirag and another brother Ramchandra Paswan, both MPs, are also in the fray. The LJP had won six seats in 2014.&nbsp;

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar.

BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan asserted on Sunday that the ruling NDA is on track to retain power at the Centre, helped by the "Modi factor" and the appeal of the issue of nationalism, while the Opposition has become a picture of "disunity" in a key state like Bihar. The Lok Janshakti Party leader said the 2019 general election stands out from many elections he has seen in his over five-decade long career for the centrality of the issue of nationalism in this poll with people supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for development as well as national security. In an interview to PTI, the Dalit leader said the momentum in the NDA's favour is increasing in every phase of polling and that the "wave has now become a tsunami". Three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections have been held so far, with the Hindi-heartland states being the key battleground in the remaining phases. Paswan claimed there has been no contest so far in Bihar, seen as a key state to the NDA's fortunes. Giving seat-wise figures to support his claim, Paswan said opposition parties like the Congress and the RJD have been working at cross-purposes while "united" NDA partners -- BJP, JD(U) and LJP -- have got better of them in most seats. "Our vote is increasing in every phase. The Modi factor was recently at work in the prime minister's massive road shows in Varanasi and Jharkhand. More people are joining us. On the other hand, opposition parties have not been able to unite either in Delhi or here in Bihar. People wonder what is the point of even voting for them as they don't know what these parties will do," he said. The NDA may win over 35 seats of the total 40 in Bihar, he said. It had won 31 in 2014. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwai Yadav have often avoided campaigning for candidates of the other party, Paswan said and added that they held their first joint rally in Samastipur only this Friday. "I am confident that the NDA will repeat the scale of victory it had achieved the last time. It will form the government under Modi's leadership," he said. The NDA had won 336 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha in 2014, with the BJP getting its maiden majority by winning 282 seats on its own. Paswan said issues like terrorism and nationalism may have emerged as central issues in the poll but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has also received people's support on the plank of development. From subsidised food to LPG cylinders, toilets, homes and health insurance, the government is working to provide the masses with all essentials of life, he said, adding that people have been backing the NDA for these measures as well. But it is the emotive issue of nationalism and action against Pakistan-based terrorists that has been a central theme of the NDA's campaign, something that the opposition has criticised, accusing the ruling dispensation of using them to divert people's attention from issues like jobs and economy. The LJP leader dismissed the opposition criticism, saying "all is fair in love and war". He also hit back at the opposition parties and alleged a "sinister campaign" over the issue among Muslims. "The big issue here is that we target terrorists, we say terrorism should be finished, but they (Opposition) whisper in Muslims' ears that we want to finish them. As if, Muslims are terrorists," he said. Paswan referred to the response from people when NDA leaders in their campaign speeches invoke the issue of nationalism, saying all such references have received wide support from the masses. The Modi factor and the nationalism issue have helped the NDA cover up localised factors like choice of candidates among others, he said. Paswan claimed that a section of even Yadavs, seen as a solid vote bank of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have supported NDA nominees in seats where opposition candidates enjoyed little connect with them. Yadavs have long been part of "power politics" and they are in no mood to give votes to candidates of parties Vikassheel Insaan Party or Hindustani Awam Morcha as they have little resonance on the ground, he said. Both these parties are also part of the opposition alliance. The 72-year-old leader is not fighting the poll this time with his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras contesting from Hajipur, a seat Paswan has traditionally represented in Lok Sabha. The senior leader's son Chirag and another brother Ramchandra Paswan, both MPs, are also in the fray. The LJP had won six seats in 2014.

NDA is gaining momentum in every phase, set to repeat its 2014 win: Ram Vilas Paswan

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed in a public meeting at Sitamarhi that it is the Modi government which has truly secured the borders of the country and made national security as its foremost priority.

"The Prime Minister has taken effective steps to secure the borders of the country. In the regime of UPA-I and II, enemy forces used to run havoc in the country but no action was taken on that front," Shah contended.

"In the recent past, our 40 security personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-aided terrorism. Due to the decisive nature of PM Modi, our brave Indian Air Force (IAF) troops retaliated and entered enemy territory to debase their terror camps. India is only the third country after Israel and the United States of America (USA) to have retaliated to terrorism in this brave manner," Shah asserted.

"Sam Pitroda issued a statement that such retaliation is unwarranted but is it a fair question by the opposition," Amit Shah asked the public.

"One thing is clear that if Pakistan fires a bullet, we'll surely bomb them," he affirmed.

"Omar Abdullah said that Kashmir should have a different Prime Minister. It is very unfair and this shows their design that they want Kashmir to not be part of the nation. Till the date, BJP workers are alive, we will make sure that Kashmir is an integral part of India," Shah said.

"In every corner of the country, people are not chanting the name of Prime Minister Modi without any reason. They are chanting PM Modi's name because he works for the poor with honesty and purpose. He has never taken a holiday since he became Gujrat's chief minister. He works 18 hours a day and takes tough decisions with sensitivity for the people," he said.

"8 crore households have got toilets, 2.5 crore houses have been made for the poor and 2.35 crore people have got electricity for the first time in their houses. Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 50 crore people have got the facility of getting upto Rs 5 Lakh for treatment of serious diseases, free of cost," he added.

"In the times of RJD and Congress rule, people were deprived of basic healthcare facilities. It is the BJP government which has taken credible steps towards alleviation of these problems," Shah lamented.

The BJP President then elaborated the steps taken by the central and state government for the development of Bihar.

"PM Modi has done a lot for the development of Bihar. The NDA government under Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi have freed Bihar from the lawlessness under the jungle raj of RJD rule," he said.

"Rahul Gandhi keeps asking PM Modi that what has been done in five years. In reality, Rahul Baba has no right to ask this as he did precious little for Bihar when his government was there. In the 13th Finance Commission under the UPA rule, Bihar got Rs 1.93 lakh crore. When PM Modi came in power, the NDA government gave above Rs 6.06 lakh crore to Bihar. What right does UPA have to question us?" Shah questioned.

"The NDA government brought in 133 development schemes for the people of the country. We brought dignity for the backward and oppressed classes of the country. We also heard the plight of economically backward classes in the forward classes by giving them 10% reservation without affecting other classes," he said.

He specifically cited road and railway construction in North Bihar and of the inclusion of Sitamarhi in the Ramayan Circuit by the NDA government which includes a road to Nepal that was built from here.

Shah talked about other development work done in Bihar and urged the public to vote for NDA and not the propagators of jungle raj.

Three phases of the general election are over in Bihar while four phases remain on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed in a public meeting at Sitamarhi that it is the Modi government which has truly secured the borders of the country and made national security as its foremost priority.

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday affirmed in a public meeting at Sitamarhi that it is the Modi government which has truly secured the borders of the country and made national security as its foremost priority. "The Prime Minister has taken effective steps to secure the borders of the country. In the regime of UPA-I and II, enemy forces used to run havoc in the country but no action was taken on that front," Shah contended. "In the recent past, our 40 security personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-aided terrorism. Due to the decisive nature of PM Modi, our brave Indian Air Force (IAF) troops retaliated and entered enemy territory to debase their terror camps. India is only the third country after Israel and the United States of America (USA) to have retaliated to terrorism in this brave manner," Shah asserted. "Sam Pitroda issued a statement that such retaliation is unwarranted but is it a fair question by the opposition," Amit Shah asked the public. "One thing is clear that if Pakistan fires a bullet, we'll surely bomb them," he affirmed. "Omar Abdullah said that Kashmir should have a different Prime Minister. It is very unfair and this shows their design that they want Kashmir to not be part of the nation. Till the date, BJP workers are alive, we will make sure that Kashmir is an integral part of India," Shah said. "In every corner of the country, people are not chanting the name of Prime Minister Modi without any reason. They are chanting PM Modi's name because he works for the poor with honesty and purpose. He has never taken a holiday since he became Gujrat's chief minister. He works 18 hours a day and takes tough decisions with sensitivity for the people," he said. "8 crore households have got toilets, 2.5 crore houses have been made for the poor and 2.35 crore people have got electricity for the first time in their houses. Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 50 crore people have got the facility of getting upto Rs 5 Lakh for treatment of serious diseases, free of cost," he added. "In the times of RJD and Congress rule, people were deprived of basic healthcare facilities. It is the BJP government which has taken credible steps towards alleviation of these problems," Shah lamented. The BJP President then elaborated the steps taken by the central and state government for the development of Bihar. "PM Modi has done a lot for the development of Bihar. The NDA government under Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi have freed Bihar from the lawlessness under the jungle raj of RJD rule," he said. "Rahul Gandhi keeps asking PM Modi that what has been done in five years. In reality, Rahul Baba has no right to ask this as he did precious little for Bihar when his government was there. In the 13th Finance Commission under the UPA rule, Bihar got Rs 1.93 lakh crore. When PM Modi came in power, the NDA government gave above Rs 6.06 lakh crore to Bihar. What right does UPA have to question us?" Shah questioned. "The NDA government brought in 133 development schemes for the people of the country. We brought dignity for the backward and oppressed classes of the country. We also heard the plight of economically backward classes in the forward classes by giving them 10% reservation without affecting other classes," he said. He specifically cited road and railway construction in North Bihar and of the inclusion of Sitamarhi in the Ramayan Circuit by the NDA government which includes a road to Nepal that was built from here. Shah talked about other development work done in Bihar and urged the public to vote for NDA and not the propagators of jungle raj. Three phases of the general election are over in Bihar while four phases remain on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

If Pakistan fires a bullet, we will surely bomb them: Amit Shah

Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates whose fate would be decided in the fourth and final phase of polling in Maharashtra across 17 Lok Sabha seats on Monday.

Altogether 3.11 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across the 17 seats of Mumbai metropolitan region and parts of northern and western Maharashtra.

The constituencies up for grabs are - Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik (North Maharashtra), Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai-North, Mumbai-North West, Mumbai-North Central, Mumbai-North East, Mumbai-South and Mumbai-South Central in the Mumbai region, Maval and Shirur in Pune district, and Shirdi in Ahmednagar district.

There are 65 critical booths in suburban Mumbai where the polling process will be monitored through web-casting, an election official said.

People will not be allowed to take their mobile phones inside the polling booths, he said.

A total of 33,314 polling stations are set up across the 17 constituencies.

Out of 3,11,92,823 eligible voters, 1,66,31,707 are men, 1,45,59,698 women and 1,418 members of the third gender.

In the 2014 general polls, the BJP won eight out of these 17 seats and its ally Shiv Sena bagged nine.

The BJP last year also won the bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha seat, where sitting MP Rajendra Gavit is contesting on Shiv Sena's ticket this time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Nandurbar, Dindori and Mumbai and tried to woo the rural as well as cosmopolitan voters by highlighting infrastructural and developmental work done under his rule.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned in Shirdi, tried to project his party's proposed minimum guarantee scheme 'NYAY' as a game changer for the poor.

Bhamre is BJP's nominee from Dhule, while Deora and Matondkar are contesting on Congress' ticket from Mumbai-South and Mumbai-North seats, respectively.

Deora is pitted against sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant while Matondkar is taking on BJP veteran and parliamentarian Gopal Shetty.

The other prominent candidates include Congress' Priya Dutt from Mumbai-North Central seat and NCP chief Sharad Pawar's grandnephew Parth Pawar, who is entering the electoral politics from Maval seat.

In Mumbai-North East seat, where sitting BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has been denied a ticket, the main contest is between the party nominee Manoj Kotak and NCP's Sanjay Dina Patil.

Saffron allies BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting three seats each out of total six in Mumbai.

The Congress nominees are in the fray in five of these seats while the NCP has fielded its candidate in one seat.

In Nashik, sitting Sena MP Hemant Godse is in the fray against Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of NCP stalwart Chhagan Bhujbal who is battling money laundering charges.

Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh which has 80 parliamentary seats.

Polling for the previous three phases in Maharashtra was held on April 11 (seven seats), April 18 (10 seats) and April 23 (14 seats).

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Mumbai, in view of the recent serial blasts in Sri Lanka.

Over 40,400 security personnel have been deployed in the metropolis for the smooth conduct of the polls, according to a statement issued by Mumbai Police.

Anti-terror measures have also been put in place with personnel from Force One, Quick Response Teams, Assault Teams and Anti-Terrorism Cell being deployed in Mumbai.

Over 17,000 officers and staff members of the Mumbai Police have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots.&nbsp;

Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates whose fate would be decided in the fourth and final phase of polling in Maharashtra across 17 Lok Sabha seats on Monday.

Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates whose fate would be decided in the fourth and final phase of polling in Maharashtra across 17 Lok Sabha seats on Monday. Altogether 3.11 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across the 17 seats of Mumbai metropolitan region and parts of northern and western Maharashtra. The constituencies up for grabs are - Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik (North Maharashtra), Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai-North, Mumbai-North West, Mumbai-North Central, Mumbai-North East, Mumbai-South and Mumbai-South Central in the Mumbai region, Maval and Shirur in Pune district, and Shirdi in Ahmednagar district. There are 65 critical booths in suburban Mumbai where the polling process will be monitored through web-casting, an election official said. People will not be allowed to take their mobile phones inside the polling booths, he said. A total of 33,314 polling stations are set up across the 17 constituencies. Out of 3,11,92,823 eligible voters, 1,66,31,707 are men, 1,45,59,698 women and 1,418 members of the third gender. In the 2014 general polls, the BJP won eight out of these 17 seats and its ally Shiv Sena bagged nine. The BJP last year also won the bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha seat, where sitting MP Rajendra Gavit is contesting on Shiv Sena's ticket this time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Nandurbar, Dindori and Mumbai and tried to woo the rural as well as cosmopolitan voters by highlighting infrastructural and developmental work done under his rule. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned in Shirdi, tried to project his party's proposed minimum guarantee scheme 'NYAY' as a game changer for the poor. Bhamre is BJP's nominee from Dhule, while Deora and Matondkar are contesting on Congress' ticket from Mumbai-South and Mumbai-North seats, respectively. Deora is pitted against sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant while Matondkar is taking on BJP veteran and parliamentarian Gopal Shetty. The other prominent candidates include Congress' Priya Dutt from Mumbai-North Central seat and NCP chief Sharad Pawar's grandnephew Parth Pawar, who is entering the electoral politics from Maval seat. In Mumbai-North East seat, where sitting BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has been denied a ticket, the main contest is between the party nominee Manoj Kotak and NCP's Sanjay Dina Patil. Saffron allies BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting three seats each out of total six in Mumbai. The Congress nominees are in the fray in five of these seats while the NCP has fielded its candidate in one seat. In Nashik, sitting Sena MP Hemant Godse is in the fray against Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of NCP stalwart Chhagan Bhujbal who is battling money laundering charges. Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh which has 80 parliamentary seats. Polling for the previous three phases in Maharashtra was held on April 11 (seven seats), April 18 (10 seats) and April 23 (14 seats). Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Mumbai, in view of the recent serial blasts in Sri Lanka. Over 40,400 security personnel have been deployed in the metropolis for the smooth conduct of the polls, according to a statement issued by Mumbai Police. Anti-terror measures have also been put in place with personnel from Force One, Quick Response Teams, Assault Teams and Anti-Terrorism Cell being deployed in Mumbai. Over 17,000 officers and staff members of the Mumbai Police have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots.

Maharashtra: Polling in 17 seats in fourth phase on Monday

lok-sabha-2019

Lok Sabha 2019, News on Lok Sabha 2019, stories on Lok Sabha 2019, articles on Lok Sabha 2019, Lok Sabha 2019 stories at Wion, Lok Sabha 2019 news, Lok Sabha 2019 latest news

lok sabha-2019