Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the allegations levelled by AAP against him and slammed them for their negative politics.

When asked about the allegations made by AAP's Atishi Marlena on his name figuring twice in electoral rolls, Gambhir retorted, "When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics."

He added, "We will do everything according to the rules."

"We will make promises which are achievable. Many people have said that they will make Delhi into Paris or London. In reality, we will develop Delhi in such a way that people will be happy to live in such a city with a robust infrastructure. Our greatest challenge will be to achieve our honest promises," he added.

On being asked about the development of East Delhi, Gambhir said, "Not only East Delhi, but the entire Delhi's development will be our priority. We will make it the best constituency."

Gambhir expressed confidence in Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

"We need a decisive leader who could take tough steps. If you see our steps after Uri attack or Pulwama attack, we have responded in a strong and decisive way. Today our country needs good leadership for the development and progress of the nation and our PM Modi is one such leader."

"Our PM's vision is for the development of the country and we would always like to join a party which follows such vision. He knows the strength of the country and knows how to take strong decisions," he signed off.

Delhi goes to poll on May 12 in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha Elections. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.&nbsp;

Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the allegations levelled by AAP against him and slammed them for their negative politics.

Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the allegations levelled by AAP against him and slammed them for their negative politics. When asked about the allegations made by AAP's Atishi Marlena on his name figuring twice in electoral rolls, Gambhir retorted, "When a party has no vision and has not done anything in the last four and a half years, they stoop to these levels of allegations. There is a great difference between the thinking of BJP and AAP. We do positive politics." He added, "We will do everything according to the rules." "We will make promises which are achievable. Many people have said that they will make Delhi into Paris or London. In reality, we will develop Delhi in such a way that people will be happy to live in such a city with a robust infrastructure. Our greatest challenge will be to achieve our honest promises," he added. On being asked about the development of East Delhi, Gambhir said, "Not only East Delhi, but the entire Delhi's development will be our priority. We will make it the best constituency." Gambhir expressed confidence in Prime Minister Modi's leadership. "We need a decisive leader who could take tough steps. If you see our steps after Uri attack or Pulwama attack, we have responded in a strong and decisive way. Today our country needs good leadership for the development and progress of the nation and our PM Modi is one such leader." "Our PM's vision is for the development of the country and we would always like to join a party which follows such vision. He knows the strength of the country and knows how to take strong decisions," he signed off. Delhi goes to poll on May 12 in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha Elections. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Gambhir downplays AAP's allegations, says 'I believe in positive politics'

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-is-no-hope-left-for-alliance-with-congress-now-manish-sisodia-212001">Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) </a>on Thursday released its election manifesto for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, which is considered as the roadmap for how the party will take the agenda of full statehood to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/alliance-fallout-if-bjp-wins-in-delhi-aap-and-congress-will-blame-each-other-for-their-rout-212800">Delhi </a>forward if voted to power.

In its manifesto, the party has made several promises like education, health, women safety, jobs, police reforms, zero corruption, pollution, etc.

The manifesto titled 'Lekar Rahenge Poorn Rajya'&nbsp;(We Will Take Full Statehood) was released in the presence of AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-stays-non-bailable-warrants-against-arvind-kejriwal-others-in-defamation-complaint-213168">Arvind Kejriwal </a>and other senior party leaders in Delhi.

Speaking at the manifesto launch, Kejriwal said the ongoing election in the country is about saving democracy.

"2019 polls is about saving the country. If India is safe, parties will be saved. Need to save India from divisive forces. Today India's unity is under threat. BJP has an only one-point manifesto. BJP is fulfiling Pakistan's agenda. BJP's agenda is to divide India on the basis of caste and religion," Kejriwal said.

Talking at length about the AAP's constant demand of full statehood to Delhi, Kejriwal said, "We will fulfil a 70-year-old demand of the people of Delhi by granting full statehood. Both parties, BJP and Congress, have not fulfilled their promise of giving full statehood to Delhi. If Delhi becomes full statehood, we will not require the Centre`s permission. The Anti-Corruption branch will be handled by the Delhi government again."

The AAP convenor talked about jobs, reserving college seats for students from Delhi and revamping the educational system during the launch of the party`s manifesto.

Making a poll promise, Kejriwal said if full statehood is granted to Delhi, 85 per cent reservation will be granted to students from the national capital for admission in colleges.

Seven candidates fielded by the AAP are Chandni Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta, East Delhi candidate Atishi, North West Delhi candidate Gugan Singh, South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, North East Delhi candidate Dilip Pandey, West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar and New Delhi candidate Brajesh Goel.

Single-phase polling in Delhi will take place on 12 May and the results will be announced on 23 May.&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its election manifesto for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, which is considered as the roadmap for how the party will take the agenda of full statehood to Delhi forward if voted to power.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its election manifesto for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, which is considered as the roadmap for how the party will take the agenda of full statehood to Delhi forward if voted to power. In its manifesto, the party has made several promises like education, health, women safety, jobs, police reforms, zero corruption, pollution, etc. The manifesto titled 'Lekar Rahenge Poorn Rajya' (We Will Take Full Statehood) was released in the presence of AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior party leaders in Delhi. Speaking at the manifesto launch, Kejriwal said the ongoing election in the country is about saving democracy. "2019 polls is about saving the country. If India is safe, parties will be saved. Need to save India from divisive forces. Today India's unity is under threat. BJP has an only one-point manifesto. BJP is fulfiling Pakistan's agenda. BJP's agenda is to divide India on the basis of caste and religion," Kejriwal said. Talking at length about the AAP's constant demand of full statehood to Delhi, Kejriwal said, "We will fulfil a 70-year-old demand of the people of Delhi by granting full statehood. Both parties, BJP and Congress, have not fulfilled their promise of giving full statehood to Delhi. If Delhi becomes full statehood, we will not require the Centre`s permission. The Anti-Corruption branch will be handled by the Delhi government again." The AAP convenor talked about jobs, reserving college seats for students from Delhi and revamping the educational system during the launch of the party`s manifesto. Making a poll promise, Kejriwal said if full statehood is granted to Delhi, 85 per cent reservation will be granted to students from the national capital for admission in colleges. Seven candidates fielded by the AAP are Chandni Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta, East Delhi candidate Atishi, North West Delhi candidate Gugan Singh, South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, North East Delhi candidate Dilip Pandey, West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar and New Delhi candidate Brajesh Goel. Single-phase polling in Delhi will take place on 12 May and the results will be announced on 23 May.

AAP releases Lok Sabha poll manifesto, primarily focuses on full statehood for Delhi

Just days after the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking a ban on the release of the alleged biopic on Mamata Banerjee till the election is over, the West Bengal Chief Minister said in a tweet that she has "nothing at all to do with any biopic" and "will file defamation suit if compelled."

"What is all this nonsense being spread! I have nothing at all to do with any biopic. If some young people have collected stories and expressed themselves, that's up to them. Not related to us. I am not Narendra Modi. Please do not compel me to file for defamation by spreading lies," she wrote on Twitter, on Wednesday.

On April 17, the BJP had penned down a letter to the poll body asking them to review the purported biopic on the TMC supremo and put a ban on it till the time the Lok Sabha elections are over.

"This is to draw your attention to the news in the media that a biopic allegedly of Smt Mamata Banerjee will be released on 3 May 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party requests the Hon'ble Election Commission of India and its representative in West Bengal, the CEO, to review the said biopic before release, on similar lines done in the case of another biopic depicting Shri Narendra Modi," a letter signed by BJP West Bengal Vice-President Joy Prakash Majumdar and BJP leader Shishir Bajoria read.

Just days after the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking a ban on the release of the alleged biopic on Mamata Banerjee till the election is over, the West Bengal Chief Minister said in a tweet that she has "nothing at all to do with any biopic" and "will file defamation suit if compelled.

Just days after the BJP approached the Election Commission seeking a ban on the release of the alleged biopic on Mamata Banerjee till the election is over, the West Bengal Chief Minister said in a tweet that she has "nothing at all to do with any biopic" and "will file defamation suit if compelled." "What is all this nonsense being spread! I have nothing at all to do with any biopic. If some young people have collected stories and expressed themselves, that's up to them. Not related to us. I am not Narendra Modi. Please do not compel me to file for defamation by spreading lies," she wrote on Twitter, on Wednesday. On April 17, the BJP had penned down a letter to the poll body asking them to review the purported biopic on the TMC supremo and put a ban on it till the time the Lok Sabha elections are over. "This is to draw your attention to the news in the media that a biopic allegedly of Smt Mamata Banerjee will be released on 3 May 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party requests the Hon'ble Election Commission of India and its representative in West Bengal, the CEO, to review the said biopic before release, on similar lines done in the case of another biopic depicting Shri Narendra Modi," a letter signed by BJP West Bengal Vice-President Joy Prakash Majumdar and BJP leader Shishir Bajoria read.

What is all this nonsense being spread!: Mamata Banerjee on her bipoic

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-have-many-friends-in-opposition-mamata-banerjee-sends-kurtas-sweets-to-me-pm-narendra-modi-to-akshay-kumar-213161">Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year</a>, the TMC leader said Wednesday it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party.

Banerjee made the comments at a rally in Serampore in Hooghly district against the backdrop of Modi's interview to actor Akshay Kumar aired by TV channels in which the prime minister mentioned her gifts to him.

"It is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and tea. We also greet them on special occasions. This is our tradition. We welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given (to BJP)," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said without naming Modi.

&nbsp;

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year, the TMC leader said Wednesday it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party.

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sends him sweets and kurtas every year, the TMC leader said Wednesday it is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given to his party. Banerjee made the comments at a rally in Serampore in Hooghly district against the backdrop of Modi's interview to actor Akshay Kumar aired by TV channels in which the prime minister mentioned her gifts to him. "It is Bengal's culture to welcome guests with sweets and tea. We also greet them on special occasions. This is our tradition. We welcome guests with sweets and gifts but not a single vote will be given (to BJP)," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said without naming Modi.

It's Bengal's culture, says Mamata in veiled response to PM's remark on receiving sweets from her

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat.

He said the Congress-led opposition, which has been "hurling abuse" at him, was now talking ill of the EVMs after realising the "trend" of three rounds of voting in the general election, "just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams".

PM Modi also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks that those who cannot make both ends meet alone join the army, and wondered over the Congress' "silence" over it.

"People who look at a mirror ten times a day and then daydream about becoming the prime minister... It's ridiculous that they cannot even win the assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat," PM Modi said in an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress chief is in the fray from Amethi for the fourth time and is pitted against Union minister Smriti Irani, who had lost to him in 2014. Gandhi is also contesting Wayanad seat in Kerala.

In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the BJP had won four of the five seats under Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, while the fifth had gone to the Samajwadi Party.

"After the trends of three phases of polling, the opposition has come to know which way the wind is blowing. They have been abusing me. Now they are abusing EVM and are angry with the machine. What can the EVM do?" PM Modi said addressing a rally here for BJP candidates for Chatra, Lohardaga and Palamau Lok Sabha seats.

He said the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they "stand no chance" after three phases of polling and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show.

At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties had questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and renewed their demand that 50 per cent of the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips be matched with the EVM results.

"Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger at the EVMs and the voting process to cover their shortcomings. The response in the first three phases of polls have left the opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said.

"A son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Kumaraswamy) demoralises the army by saying only those who cannot make both ends meet to join the army... Arre doob maro (go, drown yourself). Our valiant soldiers are fighting to secure the country. They are fighting the enemy and taking bullets," he said.

PM Modi wondered why the Congress was "silent" over the remarks of Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka chief minister and its partner in the state's ruling coalition. He also wanted to know why the media was not discussing it.

Referring to the slain CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng, a Jharkhand native who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, PM Modi wanted to know whether his family sent him to join the force as it did not have food.

Claiming that Naxalites and terrorists got emboldened whenever the Congress was in power, PM Modi claimed ultra-Left extremism has been quelled to a great extent in the last five years, with the youth shunning the path of violence and joining the social mainstream.

PM Modi appealed to people to once again elect a government with a full majority as only such dispensations could control the menace of Naxalism and terrorism.

The prime minister asserted his government helps all people irrespective of their religious faith.

"We did not see what (religious) affiliations the 46 daughters of Kerala had. They were freed from terrorists in Iraq. They are your daughters, they are also the daughters of this chowkidar," he said referring to the rescue of nurses from the southern state, mostly Christians, from the captivity of ISIS terrorists.

With Balakot air strikes in mind, the prime minister said, "It is this chowkidar's government which knows how to respond to Pakistan and the terrorists promoted by it in their own language. Your government gave a befitting response to the terrorists by entering into their territory and destroying their headquarters."

He asserted terror groups were now afraid that his government will smoke them out even from the netherworld.

Referring to the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, PM Modi said before 2014, even India faced such strikes but all that changed afterwards.

Before 2014, India responded in a "feeble voice" to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "The terrorists are now looking for new abodes," PM Modi asserted.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying people looking at a mirror 10 times a day and aspiring to become PM cannot even win assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat. He said the Congress-led opposition, which has been "hurling abuse" at him, was now talking ill of the EVMs after realising the "trend" of three rounds of voting in the general election, "just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams". PM Modi also slammed Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for his remarks that those who cannot make both ends meet alone join the army, and wondered over the Congress' "silence" over it. "People who look at a mirror ten times a day and then daydream about becoming the prime minister... It's ridiculous that they cannot even win the assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha seat," PM Modi said in an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi. The Congress chief is in the fray from Amethi for the fourth time and is pitted against Union minister Smriti Irani, who had lost to him in 2014. Gandhi is also contesting Wayanad seat in Kerala. In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the BJP had won four of the five seats under Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, while the fifth had gone to the Samajwadi Party. "After the trends of three phases of polling, the opposition has come to know which way the wind is blowing. They have been abusing me. Now they are abusing EVM and are angry with the machine. What can the EVM do?" PM Modi said addressing a rally here for BJP candidates for Chatra, Lohardaga and Palamau Lok Sabha seats. He said the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they "stand no chance" after three phases of polling and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show. At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties had questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and renewed their demand that 50 per cent of the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips be matched with the EVM results. "Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger at the EVMs and the voting process to cover their shortcomings. The response in the first three phases of polls have left the opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said. "A son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Kumaraswamy) demoralises the army by saying only those who cannot make both ends meet to join the army... Arre doob maro (go, drown yourself). Our valiant soldiers are fighting to secure the country. They are fighting the enemy and taking bullets," he said. PM Modi wondered why the Congress was "silent" over the remarks of Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka chief minister and its partner in the state's ruling coalition. He also wanted to know why the media was not discussing it. Referring to the slain CRPF jawan Vijay Soreng, a Jharkhand native who was among the 40 personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on February 14, PM Modi wanted to know whether his family sent him to join the force as it did not have food. Claiming that Naxalites and terrorists got emboldened whenever the Congress was in power, PM Modi claimed ultra-Left extremism has been quelled to a great extent in the last five years, with the youth shunning the path of violence and joining the social mainstream. PM Modi appealed to people to once again elect a government with a full majority as only such dispensations could control the menace of Naxalism and terrorism. The prime minister asserted his government helps all people irrespective of their religious faith. "We did not see what (religious) affiliations the 46 daughters of Kerala had. They were freed from terrorists in Iraq. They are your daughters, they are also the daughters of this chowkidar," he said referring to the rescue of nurses from the southern state, mostly Christians, from the captivity of ISIS terrorists. With Balakot air strikes in mind, the prime minister said, "It is this chowkidar's government which knows how to respond to Pakistan and the terrorists promoted by it in their own language. Your government gave a befitting response to the terrorists by entering into their territory and destroying their headquarters." He asserted terror groups were now afraid that his government will smoke them out even from the netherworld. Referring to the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, PM Modi said before 2014, even India faced such strikes but all that changed afterwards. Before 2014, India responded in a "feeble voice" to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "The terrorists are now looking for new abodes," PM Modi asserted.

Looking in mirror 10 times and aspiring to become prime minister: PM Modi's veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/corruption-and-crime-are-non-stop-in-trinamool-congress-rule-speed-breaker-didi-is-also-there-pm-modi-is-asansol-212968">West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee</a> stating that her party is now trying to survive with the help of "videshi kalakar" or artists from abroad in its last try.&nbsp;

The prime minister added that this time around the people of West Bengal have together with the BJP against them.

PM Modi was addressing a public rally in Ranaghat, West Bengal.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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PM Modi at a rally in Ranaghat,West Bengal:Ab videshi kalakaron aur kiraye ke gundon ke bal par hi Didi akhri koshish karne mein juti hai.Lekin iss baar bachna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai, kyunki iss baar BJP ke saath hi WB ki janta bhi unke khilaaf maidan mein khadi ho gayi hai <a href="https://t.co/CRf7WEuugl">pic.twitter.com/CRf7WEuugl</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1121011595595931648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies. He was addressing a rally in Asansol.

"Today TMC's condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you," the PM noted.

PM Modi went on to say that the TMC chief is dreaming of becoming the prime minister of the nation by fighting on just a handful of seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party is now trying to survive with the help of "videshi kalakar" or artists from abroad in its last try.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party is now trying to survive with the help of "videshi kalakar" or artists from abroad in its last try. The prime minister added that this time around the people of West Bengal have together with the BJP against them. PM Modi was addressing a public rally in Ranaghat, West Bengal. PM Modi at a rally in Ranaghat,West Bengal:Ab videshi kalakaron aur kiraye ke gundon ke bal par hi Didi akhri koshish karne mein juti hai.Lekin iss baar bachna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai, kyunki iss baar BJP ke saath hi WB ki janta bhi unke khilaaf maidan mein khadi ho gayi hai pic.twitter.com/CRf7WEuugl — ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2019 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies. He was addressing a rally in Asansol. "Today TMC's condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you," the PM noted. PM Modi went on to say that the TMC chief is dreaming of becoming the prime minister of the nation by fighting on just a handful of seats.

In her final attempt, 'Didi' has resorted to help from 'videshi' artists: PM Modi

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Congress is confused with respect to its candidate from Varanasi.&nbsp;

Shah said that BJP is clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to contest from the constituency. He will hold a roadshow in Kashi on April 25 and file his nomination on April 26," Shah said.&nbsp;

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Amit Shah on reports Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may contest from Varanasi: There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/7wEBTCwo2M">pic.twitter.com/7wEBTCwo2M</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1120722340579508225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shah said that India is a democratic nation and anyone can contest.&nbsp;

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BJP President Amit Shah: Sukhbir Singh Badal, Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and other NDA leaders will be present during nomination filing by PM Modi on April 26 <a href="https://t.co/05qXS3CWYV">https://t.co/05qXS3CWYV</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1120718391940194305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here," he added.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Shah said the party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur was framed in false cases by those who had coined the term "Hindu terror" and indulged in vote bank politics.

He defended her candidature and called it an "absolutely right decision".

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Congress is confused with respect to its candidate from Varanasi. Shah said that BJP is clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to contest from the constituency.

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Congress is confused with respect to its candidate from Varanasi. Shah said that BJP is clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to contest from the constituency. He will hold a roadshow in Kashi on April 25 and file his nomination on April 26," Shah said. Amit Shah on reports Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may contest from Varanasi: There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/7wEBTCwo2M — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shah said that India is a democratic nation and anyone can contest. BJP President Amit Shah: Sukhbir Singh Badal, Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and other NDA leaders will be present during nomination filing by PM Modi on April 26 https://t.co/05qXS3CWYV — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × "There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here," he added. Earlier in the day, Shah said the party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur was framed in false cases by those who had coined the term "Hindu terror" and indulged in vote bank politics. He defended her candidature and called it an "absolutely right decision".

Congress is in confusion, not us: Amit Shah on reports of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from Varanasi 

The voter turnout in south Kashmir's Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, where elections are being held in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/6466-voter-turnout-in-phase-3-of-lok-sabha-polls-election-commission-213009">three phases, Tuesday</a> recorded a massive dip as compared to the 2014 general election.

The six assembly segments which went to poll in phase one on Tuesday recorded a turnout of 12.86 per cent. It was 39.37 per cent in 2014 in the corresponding segments, senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha told reporters here.

While polling concluded in Anantnag district, voting in Kulgam district will be held on April 29. Pulwama and Shopian districts will go to polls on May 6.

The Election Commission has curtailed the polling duration for the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency by two hours following a request from the state police to this effect.&nbsp;

The voting will be held in south Kashmir areas from 7 am to 4 pm.&nbsp;

The Anantnag district has 5,29,256 electors, including 2,69,603 males, 2,57,540 females, 2,102 service electors and 11 transgender voters.&nbsp;

The EC has established 1,842 polling stations to facilitate smooth polling, the official said.&nbsp;

The Anantnag constituency has 13,97,272 registered voters, including 7,20,337 males, 6,72,879 females and 35 transgender persons.&nbsp;

There are 18 candidates in the fray for the seat including PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.&nbsp;

The voter turnout in south Kashmir's Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, where elections are being held in three phases, Tuesday recorded a massive dip as compared to the 2014 general election.

The voter turnout in south Kashmir's Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, where elections are being held in three phases, Tuesday recorded a massive dip as compared to the 2014 general election. The six assembly segments which went to poll in phase one on Tuesday recorded a turnout of 12.86 per cent. It was 39.37 per cent in 2014 in the corresponding segments, senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha told reporters here. While polling concluded in Anantnag district, voting in Kulgam district will be held on April 29. Pulwama and Shopian districts will go to polls on May 6. The Election Commission has curtailed the polling duration for the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency by two hours following a request from the state police to this effect. The voting will be held in south Kashmir areas from 7 am to 4 pm. The Anantnag district has 5,29,256 electors, including 2,69,603 males, 2,57,540 females, 2,102 service electors and 11 transgender voters. The EC has established 1,842 polling stations to facilitate smooth polling, the official said. The Anantnag constituency has 13,97,272 registered voters, including 7,20,337 males, 6,72,879 females and 35 transgender persons. There are 18 candidates in the fray for the seat including PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Major dip in voter turnout in J&K's Anantnag seat as compared to 2014 Lok Sabha polls

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-3-voting-on-april-23-212719">The third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls</a> came to an end on Tuesday evening with 64.66 per cent of total overall voter turnout, the Election Commission stated.&nbsp;

Voting was held in 116 Lok Sabha seats. As many as 13&nbsp;states and 2 union territories went to polls today. Kerala, Gujarat and Goa were the three states where all constituencies were up for voting.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several union ministers were among the prominent candidates in the fray in the largest polling phase of the general elections.&nbsp;

Assam, Tripura and West Bengal were in a neck to neck competition for the top spot in voter turnout today.

Reports of EVM glitches and technical snags surfaced in isolated places across states like Odisha and Goa.&nbsp;

West Bengal, where polling was marred by violence in the previous phase, saw incidents of unrest. A man, standing in a queue to cast his vote, was killed in clashes that broke out between Trinamool Congress and Congress workers in state's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/third-phase-lok-sabha-polling-man-gets-killed-in-clashes-between-congress-tmc-workers-in-west-bengals-murshidabad-212880">Murshidabad</a>.&nbsp;

The overall polling percentage in the first two phases was recorded at 69.45 per cent and 69.43 per cent respectively.

&nbsp;<img alt="phase 3 lok sabha polls" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bc0ee86-446d-4cc2-a967-4638c1f7c930" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Phase%203_1.jpg" />

In the first two phases, the election was held on 91 and 95 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively.&nbsp;

Election to 543 seats is being held in seven phases. The counting of votes will be on May 23.&nbsp;

The third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls came to an end on Tuesday evening with 64.66 per cent of total overall voter turnout, the Election Commission stated.

The third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls came to an end on Tuesday evening with 64.66 per cent of total overall voter turnout, the Election Commission stated. Voting was held in 116 Lok Sabha seats. As many as 13 states and 2 union territories went to polls today. Kerala, Gujarat and Goa were the three states where all constituencies were up for voting. BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several union ministers were among the prominent candidates in the fray in the largest polling phase of the general elections. Assam, Tripura and West Bengal were in a neck to neck competition for the top spot in voter turnout today. Reports of EVM glitches and technical snags surfaced in isolated places across states like Odisha and Goa. West Bengal, where polling was marred by violence in the previous phase, saw incidents of unrest. A man, standing in a queue to cast his vote, was killed in clashes that broke out between Trinamool Congress and Congress workers in state's Murshidabad. The overall polling percentage in the first two phases was recorded at 69.45 per cent and 69.43 per cent respectively. In the first two phases, the election was held on 91 and 95 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Election to 543 seats is being held in seven phases. The counting of votes will be on May 23.

64.66% voter turnout in phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission

Three heavyweights including former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir and boxer Vijender Singh on Tuesday filed their nominations from their respective Lok Sabha seats.BJP has named Gambhir against three-time Gandhi Nagar MLA Arvind Singh Lovely of Congress and AAP's Atishi in East Delhi.

"Many people tweet on every issue but they do not come on the ground. BJP has given me the opportunity to implement my vision and thought," Gambhir told reporters after filing nomination.

"If AAP had worked in the last four-and-half years then they would not have been so desperate about the alliance (with the Congress)," he said.

Congress has fielded Dikshit to take on sitting MP Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi parliamentary seat.

When asked about the alliance with AAP, she said,&nbsp;"If any situation like this comes, then we will let you know."

Professional boxer Vijender Singh also filed nomination from the South Delhi seat.

"People love me because of boxing but I will also fulfil my responsibility of serving people as given by the Congress party," he said.

"I am looking at many problems in South Delhi and I hope we will fix this. Where is Modi wave? I am not seeing anything like this. People now know the real face (of Modi)," he added.

Singh is pitted against incumbent BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and AAP's Raghav Chadha.BJP's Hans Raj Hans and Congress's Rajesh Lilothia also filed nomination in North West constituency.

Hans has replaced BJP's sitting MP Udit Raj.

"I have been a warrior since my childhood, I have to win. I am the son of a farm labourer, it is in my genes to work hard. I consider PM Modi as my hero," Hans said.

Earlier in the day, Congress'&nbsp;candidate Lovely also filed his nomination. Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to poll on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Three heavyweights including former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir and boxer Vijender Singh on Tuesday filed their nominations from their respective Lok Sabha seats.

Three heavyweights including former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir and boxer Vijender Singh on Tuesday filed their nominations from their respective Lok Sabha seats.BJP has named Gambhir against three-time Gandhi Nagar MLA Arvind Singh Lovely of Congress and AAP's Atishi in East Delhi. "Many people tweet on every issue but they do not come on the ground. BJP has given me the opportunity to implement my vision and thought," Gambhir told reporters after filing nomination. "If AAP had worked in the last four-and-half years then they would not have been so desperate about the alliance (with the Congress)," he said. Congress has fielded Dikshit to take on sitting MP Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi parliamentary seat. When asked about the alliance with AAP, she said, "If any situation like this comes, then we will let you know." Professional boxer Vijender Singh also filed nomination from the South Delhi seat. "People love me because of boxing but I will also fulfil my responsibility of serving people as given by the Congress party," he said. "I am looking at many problems in South Delhi and I hope we will fix this. Where is Modi wave? I am not seeing anything like this. People now know the real face (of Modi)," he added. Singh is pitted against incumbent BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and AAP's Raghav Chadha.BJP's Hans Raj Hans and Congress's Rajesh Lilothia also filed nomination in North West constituency. Hans has replaced BJP's sitting MP Udit Raj. "I have been a warrior since my childhood, I have to win. I am the son of a farm labourer, it is in my genes to work hard. I consider PM Modi as my hero," Hans said. Earlier in the day, Congress' candidate Lovely also filed his nomination. Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to poll on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Delhi: Sheila Dikshit, Gautam Gambhir, Vijender Singh file nominations

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/response-in-first-2-phases-giving-sleepless-nights-to-opposition-parties-pm-modi-212841">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday</a> launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies. The Prime Minister was addressing a rally in Asansol.

"Today TMC's condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you," the PM noted.

PM Modi went on to say that the TMC chief is dreaming of becoming&nbsp;the prime minister of the nation&nbsp;by fighting on just a handful of seats.

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PM Narendra Modi in Asansol, West Bengal: Before 2014, Congress govt had made a record of corruption. Today TMC government is giving tough competition to the Congress. Corruption &amp; crime are non-stop in TMC rule. And 'Speed-breaker Didi' is also there <a href="https://t.co/lowpJPd3kY">pic.twitter.com/lowpJPd3kY</a>
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"Didi, the seat of the prime minister is not available at any auction," he added.&nbsp;

He further said that the Congress government had made a record of corruption before 2014 and that the Trinamool Congress is giving a tough competition to the Congress.&nbsp;

"Corruption and crime are non-stop in TMC rule. And 'Speed-breaker Didi' is also there," the PM noted.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, PM Modi said that the response in the first two phases of polling is giving sleepless nights to opposition parties.&nbsp;

Addressing an election rally at Kendrapara in Odisha, Modi further said that 'Lahar' (wave) for BJP has become 'Lalkar' (challenge) for the Opposition after two phases of polls.&nbsp;

Prime minister accused the Naveen Patnaik government of resorting to violence and added in Odisha, BJD will go and BJP will come to power after polls.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that her party's state is such that people are not turning up for the rallies. The Prime Minister was addressing a rally in Asansol. "Today TMC's condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you," the PM noted. PM Modi went on to say that the TMC chief is dreaming of becoming the prime minister of the nation by fighting on just a handful of seats. PM Narendra Modi in Asansol, West Bengal: Before 2014, Congress govt had made a record of corruption. Today TMC government is giving tough competition to the Congress. Corruption & crime are non-stop in TMC rule. And 'Speed-breaker Didi' is also there pic.twitter.com/lowpJPd3kY — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × "Didi, the seat of the prime minister is not available at any auction," he added. He further said that the Congress government had made a record of corruption before 2014 and that the Trinamool Congress is giving a tough competition to the Congress. "Corruption and crime are non-stop in TMC rule. And 'Speed-breaker Didi' is also there," the PM noted. Earlier in the day, PM Modi said that the response in the first two phases of polling is giving sleepless nights to opposition parties. Addressing an election rally at Kendrapara in Odisha, Modi further said that 'Lahar' (wave) for BJP has become 'Lalkar' (challenge) for the Opposition after two phases of polls. Prime minister accused the Naveen Patnaik government of resorting to violence and added in Odisha, BJD will go and BJP will come to power after polls.

Corruption and crime are non-stop in Trinamool Congress' rule: PM Modi is Asansol

The National Green Tribunal has directed the UP chief secretary to take urgent steps to dispose of the solid waste that has accumulated in Allahabad post-Kumbh Mela and fix accountability of officers in this regard.

Taking note of a report filed by a committee headed by Justice Arun Tandon, the NGT said the situation in the area was alarming and it needed to be dealt with on an urgent basis to avoid the spread of epidemics.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said accountability must be fixed at the ground level and personal supervision by senior-level officers ensured.

"We accordingly direct that an appropriate monitoring mechanism of fixing accountability of ground-level officers and the level of the officers required to monitor may be determined by the chief secretary at the earliest, preferably before April 26 on which date, the chief secretary, state of Uttar Pradesh, is expected to appear before this tribunal," the bench said.

The tribunal said that on perusal of photographs, it was found that there was an urgent need for restoration work for the treatment of sewage water, remediation work for drains and solid waste processing.

The direction came after examining the report of Justice Tandon which said that a large number of toilets have been constructed at various camps on the 'Arail' side very close to the river.

"Sewage received at the Rajapur STP was in excess of the installed capacity. Only 50 per cent of Rajapur drain was being treated through Geo tube and the remaining 50 per cent was being permitted to enter river Ganga without treatment. At Jodhwal Nala Rasoolabad, the capacity of bioremediation technology was 6 million litres per day," the report said.

"At Salori STP, the 29 MLD plant was not working satisfactorily. Sewage was in excess of capacity. BOD level was 47 mg per litre. The Geo tube was not working satisfactorily. 50 per cent of the sewage from the Salori drain was being trapped. Remaining was being permitted to enter river Ganga without treatment," it added.

The tribunal had earlier asked the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to monitor the environment during the Kumbh Mela at Allahabad.

The NGT had said that since the religious festival was being conducted on a large scale, segregation of waste should be done at source by educating the people.

It had directed that the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and other authorities to display posters and banners and distribute handbills to educate people with regard to waste management.&nbsp;

The National Green Tribunal has directed the UP chief secretary to take urgent steps to dispose of the solid waste that has accumulated in Allahabad post-Kumbh Mela and fix accountability of officers in this regard.

The National Green Tribunal has directed the UP chief secretary to take urgent steps to dispose of the solid waste that has accumulated in Allahabad post-Kumbh Mela and fix accountability of officers in this regard. Taking note of a report filed by a committee headed by Justice Arun Tandon, the NGT said the situation in the area was alarming and it needed to be dealt with on an urgent basis to avoid the spread of epidemics. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said accountability must be fixed at the ground level and personal supervision by senior-level officers ensured. "We accordingly direct that an appropriate monitoring mechanism of fixing accountability of ground-level officers and the level of the officers required to monitor may be determined by the chief secretary at the earliest, preferably before April 26 on which date, the chief secretary, state of Uttar Pradesh, is expected to appear before this tribunal," the bench said. The tribunal said that on perusal of photographs, it was found that there was an urgent need for restoration work for the treatment of sewage water, remediation work for drains and solid waste processing. The direction came after examining the report of Justice Tandon which said that a large number of toilets have been constructed at various camps on the 'Arail' side very close to the river. "Sewage received at the Rajapur STP was in excess of the installed capacity. Only 50 per cent of Rajapur drain was being treated through Geo tube and the remaining 50 per cent was being permitted to enter river Ganga without treatment. At Jodhwal Nala Rasoolabad, the capacity of bioremediation technology was 6 million litres per day," the report said. "At Salori STP, the 29 MLD plant was not working satisfactorily. Sewage was in excess of capacity. BOD level was 47 mg per litre. The Geo tube was not working satisfactorily. 50 per cent of the sewage from the Salori drain was being trapped. Remaining was being permitted to enter river Ganga without treatment," it added. The tribunal had earlier asked the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to monitor the environment during the Kumbh Mela at Allahabad. The NGT had said that since the religious festival was being conducted on a large scale, segregation of waste should be done at source by educating the people. It had directed that the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and other authorities to display posters and banners and distribute handbills to educate people with regard to waste management.

National Green Tribunal directs UP chief secretary to take urgent steps to deal with waste post Kumbh Mela

BJP cadres thrashed an NCP worker at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office here after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow.

Visuals show the BJP workers raising slogans and slapping the NCP worker, following which he was taken away by the police from the SDM office.

Earlier today, Thakur, who is contesting against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, held a roadshow in Bhopal. She had filed her nomination papers from the seat yesterday.

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Madhya Pradesh: BJP workers thrashed an NCP worker at SDM office in Bhopal after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP LS candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. <a href="https://t.co/WsbgIiThWD">pic.twitter.com/WsbgIiThWD</a>
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Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

On April 17, Thakur had formally joined the BJP. The move invited criticism from several opposition leaders who have slammed the BJP for fielding a terror accused in the Lok Sabha elections.

Thakur courted controversy when she made remarks in reference to Babri Masjid demolition and late Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare.

Subsequently, the Election Commission (EC) took cognisance and issued notices to Thakur for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Polling in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 12 and counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

BJP cadres thrashed an NCP worker at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office here after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow.

BJP cadres thrashed an NCP worker at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office here after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. Visuals show the BJP workers raising slogans and slapping the NCP worker, following which he was taken away by the police from the SDM office. Earlier today, Thakur, who is contesting against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, held a roadshow in Bhopal. She had filed her nomination papers from the seat yesterday. Madhya Pradesh: BJP workers thrashed an NCP worker at SDM office in Bhopal after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP LS candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. pic.twitter.com/WsbgIiThWD — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. On April 17, Thakur had formally joined the BJP. The move invited criticism from several opposition leaders who have slammed the BJP for fielding a terror accused in the Lok Sabha elections. Thakur courted controversy when she made remarks in reference to Babri Masjid demolition and late Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare. Subsequently, the Election Commission (EC) took cognisance and issued notices to Thakur for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Polling in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 12 and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

BJP cadres thrash NCP worker for showing black flags to Pragya Thakur

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023.

Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.

Naxals have been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state will end soon, he told a poll rally here.

Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, said that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress have joined hands in the state due to their lust for power but they will not be successful in achieving their aim.

There is no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other leaders are "dwarfs" compared to him.

Detailing developmental schemes like Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, Singh said BJP is committed to ushering in the development of the country by 2022 and its manifesto reflected it.

Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps and not count the bodies and the objective was completed.

After Pulwama attack, all the countries stood with India, whose "policy is not to fire the first bullet but respond strongly to any bullet fired at it".

Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga(ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023. Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said naxals will be rooted out in the country by 2023. Rebels and terrorists coming in the way of the country's security, which is an essential part of development, will be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here. Naxals have been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state will end soon, he told a poll rally here. Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, said that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress have joined hands in the state due to their lust for power but they will not be successful in achieving their aim. There is no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other leaders are "dwarfs" compared to him. Detailing developmental schemes like Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, Singh said BJP is committed to ushering in the development of the country by 2022 and its manifesto reflected it. Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps and not count the bodies and the objective was completed. After Pulwama attack, all the countries stood with India, whose "policy is not to fire the first bullet but respond strongly to any bullet fired at it". Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga(ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.

Naxalites will be rooted out by 2023: Rajnath Singh

Polling will be held on Tuesday for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lok-sabha-polls-2019-quick-guide-to-third-phase-elections-due-on-april-23-212095">third and largest phase of Lok Sabha election</a> in 116 seats, including all constituencies in Gujarat and Kerala, with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several Union ministers among prominent candidates in the fray.

The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as they bagged 66 seats out of these 116 spread across 14 states and Union Territories in 2014 general election, while the Congress and its alliance partners won 27, and the rest went to other opposition parties and Independents.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Besides all seats in Gujarat (26) and Kerala (20), voting will be held in four seats in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, 14 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, two in Goa, and one each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.

The polling in Tripura East constituency, which was earlier scheduled for April 18, will be held in this phase, as also in a part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir, where the election is being held in three phases.&nbsp;

About 18.56 crore voters are eligible for voting in this phase and the Election Commission has set up 2.10 lakh polling booths/stations and has made elaborate security arrangements.&nbsp;

<img alt="Lok Sabha polls phase 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8ec2cf2-ff2a-4e14-85ad-980f5df290d7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Phase%203.jpg" />

In the first two phases, the election was held to 91 and 96 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Elections are being held in seven phases and with the completion of third phase, the election process will be completed in southern states.&nbsp;

BJP chief Amit Shah, who replaced LK Advani as the party nominee from Gandhinagar, and 370 other candidates are in the fray in the 26 Lok Sabha seats all of which were won by the party in the last election. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jaswantsinh Bhabhor is the BJP nominee from Dahod seat.

In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad besides his traditional Amethi seat has added new interest to the fight between rivals UDF and LDF for the 20 seats.

The BJP has also aggressively campaigned in the hope of opening its account in the southern state by capitalising on the Sabarimala shrine women entry issue.

Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam is seeking to make his Lok Sabha debut from Ernakulam. Sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is facing a triangular contest in Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP has fielded former Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and the CPI C Divakaran.

It is a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP-led NDA is posing a formidable challenge to the two traditional fronts in at least three constituencies -- Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur.

In Karnakata, the battle lines clearly delineated for a bipolar contest between the ruling Congress-JD(S) combine and the BJP.&nbsp;

The BJP that has considerable presence in these constituencies aims to improve its tally banking on what it calls the "Modi wave" and the support of dominant Lingayat community, considered as its vote base.

It is also a test for Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy in the state.

The third phase of polling for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will decide the electoral fate of four members of the SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav's clan, besides those of senior party leader Azam Khan and film actor and BJP candidate Jaya Prada.

The BJP had won seven out of the 10 seats in 2014, while the SP bagged three. Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his two nephews Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav are seeking re-election from Mainpuri, Badaun and Firozabad seats respectively. Mulayam has said this will be his last contest.

Voting will be held in seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, of which the BJP had won six in 2014. The Congress, buoyed by its victory in the Assembly elections last year, is hoping to improve its tally in the state.

In Goa, there are 12 candidates in the fray for the two Lok Sabha constituencies, including Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik from North Goa where he is pitted against state Congress chief Girish Chodankar.&nbsp;

In Bihar, close to nine million voters will be deciding the fates of 82 candidates in five Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. Four sitting MPs Ranjeet Ranjan (Supaul), her husband Pappu Yadav (Madhepura), Sarfaraz Alam (Araria) and Mehboob Ali Kaiser (Khagaria) would seek to retain their respective seats.

In the six seats in Odisha, the main contest in between the state's ruling BJD and the BJP. The BJD had won all the six seats in 2014.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats -- Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad.

Four seats will see four-cornered contests between the three parties and the Left Front. It will be a three-cornered contest in Maldaha South as no Left party is in the fray in the seat.

In Assam, prominent candidates in the fray are two sitting MPs AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal in Dhubri and Independent Naba Sarania in Kokrajhar, state social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma of BPF from Kokrajhar and Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque.

In the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the BJP had bagged both seats in the last election.

The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats and the counting of votes will be on May 23.

Polling will be held on Tuesday for the third and largest phase of Lok Sabha election in 116 seats, including all constituencies in Gujarat and Kerala, with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several Union ministers among prominent candidates in the fray.

Polling will be held on Tuesday for the third and largest phase of Lok Sabha election in 116 seats, including all constituencies in Gujarat and Kerala, with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several Union ministers among prominent candidates in the fray. The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as they bagged 66 seats out of these 116 spread across 14 states and Union Territories in 2014 general election, while the Congress and its alliance partners won 27, and the rest went to other opposition parties and Independents. Besides all seats in Gujarat (26) and Kerala (20), voting will be held in four seats in Assam, five in Bihar, seven in Chhattisgarh, 14 each in Karnataka and Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, five in West Bengal, two in Goa, and one each in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura. The polling in Tripura East constituency, which was earlier scheduled for April 18, will be held in this phase, as also in a part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir, where the election is being held in three phases. About 18.56 crore voters are eligible for voting in this phase and the Election Commission has set up 2.10 lakh polling booths/stations and has made elaborate security arrangements. In the first two phases, the election was held to 91 and 96 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Elections are being held in seven phases and with the completion of third phase, the election process will be completed in southern states. BJP chief Amit Shah, who replaced LK Advani as the party nominee from Gandhinagar, and 370 other candidates are in the fray in the 26 Lok Sabha seats all of which were won by the party in the last election. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jaswantsinh Bhabhor is the BJP nominee from Dahod seat. In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad besides his traditional Amethi seat has added new interest to the fight between rivals UDF and LDF for the 20 seats. The BJP has also aggressively campaigned in the hope of opening its account in the southern state by capitalising on the Sabarimala shrine women entry issue. Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam is seeking to make his Lok Sabha debut from Ernakulam. Sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is facing a triangular contest in Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP has fielded former Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and the CPI C Divakaran. It is a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP-led NDA is posing a formidable challenge to the two traditional fronts in at least three constituencies -- Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur. In Karnakata, the battle lines clearly delineated for a bipolar contest between the ruling Congress-JD(S) combine and the BJP. The BJP that has considerable presence in these constituencies aims to improve its tally banking on what it calls the "Modi wave" and the support of dominant Lingayat community, considered as its vote base. It is also a test for Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy in the state. The third phase of polling for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will decide the electoral fate of four members of the SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav's clan, besides those of senior party leader Azam Khan and film actor and BJP candidate Jaya Prada. The BJP had won seven out of the 10 seats in 2014, while the SP bagged three. Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his two nephews Dharmendra Yadav and Akshay Yadav are seeking re-election from Mainpuri, Badaun and Firozabad seats respectively. Mulayam has said this will be his last contest. Voting will be held in seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, of which the BJP had won six in 2014. The Congress, buoyed by its victory in the Assembly elections last year, is hoping to improve its tally in the state. In Goa, there are 12 candidates in the fray for the two Lok Sabha constituencies, including Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik from North Goa where he is pitted against state Congress chief Girish Chodankar. In Bihar, close to nine million voters will be deciding the fates of 82 candidates in five Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. Four sitting MPs Ranjeet Ranjan (Supaul), her husband Pappu Yadav (Madhepura), Sarfaraz Alam (Araria) and Mehboob Ali Kaiser (Khagaria) would seek to retain their respective seats. In the six seats in Odisha, the main contest in between the state's ruling BJD and the BJP. The BJD had won all the six seats in 2014. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats -- Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad. Four seats will see four-cornered contests between the three parties and the Left Front. It will be a three-cornered contest in Maldaha South as no Left party is in the fray in the seat. In Assam, prominent candidates in the fray are two sitting MPs AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal in Dhubri and Independent Naba Sarania in Kokrajhar, state social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma of BPF from Kokrajhar and Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque. In the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the BJP had bagged both seats in the last election. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats and the counting of votes will be on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls: Crucial third phase to test Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi on his reply in the Supreme Court regretting the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal.&nbsp;

Sitharaman said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/regret-chowkidar-chor-hai-remark-against-pm-modi-in-rafale-deal-rahul-gandhi-in-response-to-supreme-court-notice-212506">Congress chief</a>'s "credibility has taken a beating".

"People in public life generously go on saying untruth and to repeat it is a matter of grief," she said.&nbsp;

"I feel sorry that the president of a national party like Congress depends only on falsehood," she added.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he regrets the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal. Gandhi made the submission in a response to a Supreme Court notice on a petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi.

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Nirmala Sitharaman on Rahul Gandhi's reply in SC: His credibility has taken a beating. People in public life to generously go on saying untruth &amp; to repeat it is a matter of grief. I feel sorry that President of a national party like Congress depends only on falsehood. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> <a href="https://t.co/WAnuG5sX3b">pic.twitter.com/WAnuG5sX3b</a>
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In his affidavit, the Congress president said the remark that the Supreme Court has agreed that PM Modi indulged in corruption in Rafale deal was "incorrectly attributed" to the court. Gandhi further said in the affidavit that he had made the statements in the heat of political campaigning which have been misused by his opponents.

"At the outset, there was not the slightest intention to insinuate anything regarding the Supreme Court proceedings in any manner. On April 10, the issues relating to court proceedings, unfortunately, got juxtaposed and mingled with a political slogan being used extensively," the Congress president said in his reply.

The court, in a notice last week, had asked Gandhi to explain his alleged contemptuous remarks on recent the April 10 Rafale verdict. The court had asked the Congress president to reply to the notice by April 22.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi on his reply in the Supreme Court regretting the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi on his reply in the Supreme Court regretting the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal. Sitharaman said that the Congress chief's "credibility has taken a beating". "People in public life generously go on saying untruth and to repeat it is a matter of grief," she said. "I feel sorry that the president of a national party like Congress depends only on falsehood," she added. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he regrets the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale deal. Gandhi made the submission in a response to a Supreme Court notice on a petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi. Nirmala Sitharaman on Rahul Gandhi's reply in SC: His credibility has taken a beating. People in public life to generously go on saying untruth & to repeat it is a matter of grief. I feel sorry that President of a national party like Congress depends only on falsehood. #Rafale pic.twitter.com/WAnuG5sX3b — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019 × In his affidavit, the Congress president said the remark that the Supreme Court has agreed that PM Modi indulged in corruption in Rafale deal was "incorrectly attributed" to the court. Gandhi further said in the affidavit that he had made the statements in the heat of political campaigning which have been misused by his opponents. "At the outset, there was not the slightest intention to insinuate anything regarding the Supreme Court proceedings in any manner. On April 10, the issues relating to court proceedings, unfortunately, got juxtaposed and mingled with a political slogan being used extensively," the Congress president said in his reply. The court, in a notice last week, had asked Gandhi to explain his alleged contemptuous remarks on recent the April 10 Rafale verdict. The court had asked the Congress president to reply to the notice by April 22.

I feel sorry that president of national party like Congress depends only on falsehood: Sitharaman slams Rahul

Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Monday filed her nomination papers from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency.

Thakur, who is contesting against Congress leader Digvijay Singh, was accompanied by three supporters and her advocate.

Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

Earlier in the day, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati hit out at the Election Commission of India (ECI) for not cancelling Thakur's nomination over her remarks on Babri Masjid.

Mayawati's response comes after Thakur on Sunday said that she is "proud" to accept that she was involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

"I have said it yesterday and I am not denying it that I had gone there. I have demolished Babri structure. He is my Ram ji and no one can stop me from making a grand Ram temple. The nation is Ram, Ram is a nation," she said.

"BJP candidate from Bhopal and Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pradnya claims that she is fighting a 'crusade'&nbsp;(dharmayudh). This is the real face of BJP and RSS which is constantly being exposed. But why is the Election Commission only issuing notices and not cancelling Thakur's candidature?" Mayawati wrote on her Twitter handle.

Mayawati further tweeted and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the downfall of the EC. "Regardless media's criticism, if the Election Commission is not acting fairly then it is a matter of great concern for the country's democracy and PM Modi is responsible for this downfall."

Bhopal District Election Officer on Sunday had issued a notice to Thakur and sought explanation within a day for her remark on the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1578 in Ayodhya, was on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram temple that stood there.

Polls in Bhopal will be held on May 12, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Monday filed her nomination papers from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. Thakur, who is contesting against Congress leader Digvijay Singh, was accompanied by three supporters and her advocate.

Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Monday filed her nomination papers from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. Thakur, who is contesting against Congress leader Digvijay Singh, was accompanied by three supporters and her advocate. Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. Earlier in the day, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati hit out at the Election Commission of India (ECI) for not cancelling Thakur's nomination over her remarks on Babri Masjid. Mayawati's response comes after Thakur on Sunday said that she is "proud" to accept that she was involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. "I have said it yesterday and I am not denying it that I had gone there. I have demolished Babri structure. He is my Ram ji and no one can stop me from making a grand Ram temple. The nation is Ram, Ram is a nation," she said. "BJP candidate from Bhopal and Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pradnya claims that she is fighting a 'crusade' (dharmayudh). This is the real face of BJP and RSS which is constantly being exposed. But why is the Election Commission only issuing notices and not cancelling Thakur's candidature?" Mayawati wrote on her Twitter handle. Mayawati further tweeted and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the downfall of the EC. "Regardless media's criticism, if the Election Commission is not acting fairly then it is a matter of great concern for the country's democracy and PM Modi is responsible for this downfall." Bhopal District Election Officer on Sunday had issued a notice to Thakur and sought explanation within a day for her remark on the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1578 in Ayodhya, was on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram temple that stood there. Polls in Bhopal will be held on May 12, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Pragya Singh Thakur files nomination from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bharatiya-janata-party-releases-list-of-candidates-for-delhi-punjab-mp-212380">Union Minister Harsh Vardhan</a>, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and sitting party MP Parvesh Verma filed their nomination on Monday for the Chandni Chowk, Northeast Delhi and West Delhi constituencies respectively.

They also organised road shows which saw the participation of Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel.&nbsp;

The BJP had announced candidates for four seats in the national capital late on Sunday evening and had retained sitting MPs including Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi.

During the road show, Vardhan who filed his nomination for the Chandni Chowk constituency was accompanied by Gadkari and Naqvi while Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman joined the road show organised by Parvesh Verma who is the sitting BJP MP from West Delhi.&nbsp;

During his road show, which culminated at the office of Returning Officer, Northeast, Tiwari was accompanied by Goel.&nbsp;

Haryanvi singer-dancer Sapna Choudhary and rebel AAP MLA Kapil Mishra also accompanied Tiwari.&nbsp;

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and sitting party MP Parvesh Verma filed their nomination on Monday for the Chandni Chowk, Northeast Delhi and West Delhi constituencies respectively.

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and sitting party MP Parvesh Verma filed their nomination on Monday for the Chandni Chowk, Northeast Delhi and West Delhi constituencies respectively. They also organised road shows which saw the participation of Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel. The BJP had announced candidates for four seats in the national capital late on Sunday evening and had retained sitting MPs including Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi. During the road show, Vardhan who filed his nomination for the Chandni Chowk constituency was accompanied by Gadkari and Naqvi while Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman joined the road show organised by Parvesh Verma who is the sitting BJP MP from West Delhi. During his road show, which culminated at the office of Returning Officer, Northeast, Tiwari was accompanied by Goel. Haryanvi singer-dancer Sapna Choudhary and rebel AAP MLA Kapil Mishra also accompanied Tiwari.

Lok Sabha polls: Harsh Vardhan, Manoj Tiwari and Parvesh Verma file nominations

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India's stand against terrorism has been weakened on several occasions by the Congress party.

Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "They (Congress) have given a new theory of Hindu terrorism. There is no religion or caste of terrorism. Their new theory weakened India's stand against terrorism."

He said repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was another such case which undermined India's stand.

"In 2004, India had an agreement with Pakistan in which its former army chief had assured that the country will not provide shelter and allow terrorism to flourish on its soil, but Congress tried weakening India's stand, saying Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism," he said.

The home minister said the opposition was doing politics over issues which should not be politicised.&nbsp;

Instead of praising the defence forces after the airstrike in Balakot of Pakistan, the opposition parties questioned it with queries on the number of terrorists killed, he said.

"When such types of questions are asked, it weakens India's stand against terrorism," he said.

Speaking on the Congress' election manifesto promising to scrap the sedition law, Singh said the law should be further strengthened but it should not be misused.

Talking about Articles 370 and 35A for Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was a temporary arrangement and it was time to review it.

"How much the entitlement benefitted Jammu and Kashmir? When a few people are raising questions there should be two prime ministers in the country then what is the significance of Article 370 and 35A," Singh asked.

He exuded confidence that the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections reflected a wave in favour of the BJP, and there was no doubt the party will get a clear majority and possibly the NDA will achieve 3/4th majority.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India's stand against terrorism has been weakened on several occasions by the Congress party. Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "They (Congress) have given a new theory of Hindu terrorism.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India's stand against terrorism has been weakened on several occasions by the Congress party. Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "They (Congress) have given a new theory of Hindu terrorism. There is no religion or caste of terrorism. Their new theory weakened India's stand against terrorism." He said repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was another such case which undermined India's stand. "In 2004, India had an agreement with Pakistan in which its former army chief had assured that the country will not provide shelter and allow terrorism to flourish on its soil, but Congress tried weakening India's stand, saying Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism," he said. The home minister said the opposition was doing politics over issues which should not be politicised. Instead of praising the defence forces after the airstrike in Balakot of Pakistan, the opposition parties questioned it with queries on the number of terrorists killed, he said. "When such types of questions are asked, it weakens India's stand against terrorism," he said. Speaking on the Congress' election manifesto promising to scrap the sedition law, Singh said the law should be further strengthened but it should not be misused. Talking about Articles 370 and 35A for Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was a temporary arrangement and it was time to review it. "How much the entitlement benefitted Jammu and Kashmir? When a few people are raising questions there should be two prime ministers in the country then what is the significance of Article 370 and 35A," Singh asked. He exuded confidence that the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections reflected a wave in favour of the BJP, and there was no doubt the party will get a clear majority and possibly the NDA will achieve 3/4th majority.

Congress has weakened India's stand on terrorism on several occasions: Rajnath Singh

Poll authorities have given permission to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/raj-thackeray-continues-to-slam-modi-and-shah-asks-voters-to-remove-them-211362">Raj Thackeray</a>-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to hold a rally in Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency next week.

Authorities had reportedly denied permission to the rally earlier.

The Mumbai city district election office Sunday said it has set up a single window clearance system for giving permission to election campaigning for all candidates.

"Permissions to hold election meetings are given after following a due procedure. It is ensured that there is no injustice to anyone. The permission to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has been given after following a due procedure," the election office said in a statement.

In Mumbai South constituency, Shiv Sena's sitting MP Arvind Sawant is pitted against Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora.

Though the MNS&nbsp;is not contesting elections this time, Raj Thackeray has been holding rallies across Maharashtra appealing to people to vote against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP and the Sena are accusing the MNS chief of doing the bidding of the Congress and the NCP.

In coming days, Thackeray is slated to address rallies in Mumbai and suburbs.

All six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai go to polls on April 29.

Poll authorities have given permission to Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to hold a rally in Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency next week. Authorities had reportedly denied permission to the rally earlier.

Poll authorities have given permission to Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to hold a rally in Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency next week. Authorities had reportedly denied permission to the rally earlier. The Mumbai city district election office Sunday said it has set up a single window clearance system for giving permission to election campaigning for all candidates. "Permissions to hold election meetings are given after following a due procedure. It is ensured that there is no injustice to anyone. The permission to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has been given after following a due procedure," the election office said in a statement. In Mumbai South constituency, Shiv Sena's sitting MP Arvind Sawant is pitted against Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora. Though the MNS is not contesting elections this time, Raj Thackeray has been holding rallies across Maharashtra appealing to people to vote against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP and the Sena are accusing the MNS chief of doing the bidding of the Congress and the NCP. In coming days, Thackeray is slated to address rallies in Mumbai and suburbs. All six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai go to polls on April 29.

Poll officials grant permission to Raj Thackeray-led MNS' Mumbai South rally

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo on Sunday said he has recommended to the Election Commission to conduct repolling in 10 polling stations in the state.

The top election official told reporters here that after a perusal of reports of authorities including those from the general observers and presiding officers, repoll has been recommended for the consideration of the EC.

Eight polling stations falling under the Lok Sabha segment of Dharmapuri and one booth under Tiruvallur Parliamentary constituency have been recommended for repolling, he said.

Also, repolling has been recommended in one polling station falling under the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency.

The CEO's comment assumes significance in the wake of alleged irregularities in a number of booths falling under these constituencies when the polling was held on April 18.

In polling stations under the Lok Sabha segments of Dharmapuri and Tiruvallur, repolling has been recommended for both Parliamentary elections and bypolls to the Assembly seats of Pappireddipatti and Poonamallee.

Tiruvallur Lok Sabha segment covers Poonamallee Assembly constituency and Dharmapuri includes Pappireddipatti Assembly seat.

By-polls were held to 18 Assembly seats including Poonamallee and Pappireddipatti on April 18 along with polls to 38 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu.

Polling for Vellore Lok Sabha constituency was rescinded following the seizure of cash ahead of the elections.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo on Sunday said he has recommended to the Election Commission to conduct repolling in 10 polling stations in the state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo on Sunday said he has recommended to the Election Commission to conduct repolling in 10 polling stations in the state. The top election official told reporters here that after a perusal of reports of authorities including those from the general observers and presiding officers, repoll has been recommended for the consideration of the EC. Eight polling stations falling under the Lok Sabha segment of Dharmapuri and one booth under Tiruvallur Parliamentary constituency have been recommended for repolling, he said. Also, repolling has been recommended in one polling station falling under the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency. The CEO's comment assumes significance in the wake of alleged irregularities in a number of booths falling under these constituencies when the polling was held on April 18. In polling stations under the Lok Sabha segments of Dharmapuri and Tiruvallur, repolling has been recommended for both Parliamentary elections and bypolls to the Assembly seats of Pappireddipatti and Poonamallee. Tiruvallur Lok Sabha segment covers Poonamallee Assembly constituency and Dharmapuri includes Pappireddipatti Assembly seat. By-polls were held to 18 Assembly seats including Poonamallee and Pappireddipatti on April 18 along with polls to 38 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Polling for Vellore Lok Sabha constituency was rescinded following the seizure of cash ahead of the elections.

Lok Sabha polls: Repoll recommended in 10 polling stations in Tamil Nadu

The Congress party on Sunday released a list of five candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will contest from Sonipat. Nirmal Singh is being fielded from Kurukshetra, Bhavya Bishnoi from Hisar, Kuldeep Sharma from Karnal and Avtar Singh Bhadana from Faridabad, in place of Lalit Nagar.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bharatiya-janata-party-releases-list-of-candidates-for-delhi-punjab-mp-212380">the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released a list of candidates</a> for Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.&nbsp;

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Congress releases list of 5 candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana; Bhupinder Singh Hooda to contest from Sonipat, Nirmal Singh from Kurukshetra, Bhavya Bishnoi from Hisar, Kuldeep Sharma from Karnal and Avtar Singh Bhadana (in place of Lalit Nagar) from Faridabad <a href="https://t.co/wUVX34NKXu">pic.twitter.com/wUVX34NKXu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1119995648101605376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Four names were announced for Delhi and one candidate each for Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will be contesting from Delhi's Chandni Chowk, singer and actor Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi. Pravesh Verma will be contesting from West Delhi and Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi.

Delhi's seven Lok Sabha constituencies include Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi and West Delhi.

Hardeep Singh Puri, current Union Minister of State, has been fielded to contest from Punjab's Amritsar.

In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has fielded Shankar Lalwani as its candidate from Indore in place of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. In Uttar Pradesh, Shri Harinarayan Rajbhar has been fielded from Ghosi.

The Congress party on Sunday released a list of five candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will contest from Sonipat.

The Congress party on Sunday released a list of five candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will contest from Sonipat. Nirmal Singh is being fielded from Kurukshetra, Bhavya Bishnoi from Hisar, Kuldeep Sharma from Karnal and Avtar Singh Bhadana from Faridabad, in place of Lalit Nagar. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released a list of candidates for Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Congress releases list of 5 candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana; Bhupinder Singh Hooda to contest from Sonipat, Nirmal Singh from Kurukshetra, Bhavya Bishnoi from Hisar, Kuldeep Sharma from Karnal and Avtar Singh Bhadana (in place of Lalit Nagar) from Faridabad pic.twitter.com/wUVX34NKXu — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2019 × Four names were announced for Delhi and one candidate each for Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will be contesting from Delhi's Chandni Chowk, singer and actor Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi. Pravesh Verma will be contesting from West Delhi and Ramesh Bidhuri from South Delhi. Delhi's seven Lok Sabha constituencies include Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi and West Delhi. Hardeep Singh Puri, current Union Minister of State, has been fielded to contest from Punjab's Amritsar. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has fielded Shankar Lalwani as its candidate from Indore in place of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. In Uttar Pradesh, Shri Harinarayan Rajbhar has been fielded from Ghosi.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress releases list of candidates for Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda to fight from Sonipat

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate from Wayanad, T Vellappally, on Sunday asked Kerala Chief Electoral Officer to review Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination from the constituency.&nbsp;

Vellappally said that Rahul Gandhi, in his nomination, didn't mention that he possesses a passport of another country.

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Wayanad NDA candidate T Vellappally further writes "I request you to review the acceptance of nomination of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad constituency to check for validity &amp; reject the application." <a href="https://t.co/TllobUSFUn">https://t.co/TllobUSFUn</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1119956930863280129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"It's understood that Rahul Gandhi is having a passport of a foreign country also. He didn't disclose this in the nomination filed or in the affidavit," Vellappally told reporters.&nbsp;

"I request you to review the acceptance of the nomination of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad constituency to check for validity and reject the application," he added.&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in addition to his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, filed nomination for Wayanad earlier this month.

Gandhi was accompanied by his sister and AICC in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi and senior Congress leaders including K C Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik. He submitted the papers before the District Collector AR Ajayakumar at the district headquarters in Wayanad.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate from Wayanad, T Vellappally, on Sunday asked Kerala Chief Electoral Officer to review Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination from the constituency.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate from Wayanad, T Vellappally, on Sunday asked Kerala Chief Electoral Officer to review Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination from the constituency. Vellappally said that Rahul Gandhi, in his nomination, didn't mention that he possesses a passport of another country. Wayanad NDA candidate T Vellappally further writes "I request you to review the acceptance of nomination of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad constituency to check for validity & reject the application." https://t.co/TllobUSFUn — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2019 × "It's understood that Rahul Gandhi is having a passport of a foreign country also. He didn't disclose this in the nomination filed or in the affidavit," Vellappally told reporters. "I request you to review the acceptance of the nomination of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad constituency to check for validity and reject the application," he added. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in addition to his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, filed nomination for Wayanad earlier this month. Gandhi was accompanied by his sister and AICC in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi and senior Congress leaders including K C Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik. He submitted the papers before the District Collector AR Ajayakumar at the district headquarters in Wayanad.

Lok Sabha polls: NDA's Wayanad candidate demands review of Rahul Gandhi's nomination from constituency

The present generation of dynast&nbsp;has become a liability for the Congress party, said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a blog on Saturday.

"The socio-economic profile of India is moving up the growth ladder. It may be difficult for a country with this socio-economic profile to accept dynasties," he said in the blog titled 'Will 2019 Witness the Dynasty as a Liability on the Congress Party.'

"A relevant question with this changing socio-economic profile of India is - Are dynasties an asset for a party or are they a liability? Unquestionably, the present generation of dynast has become a liability rather than an asset for the Congress party," said Jaitley.

Virtually questioning the political acumen of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley said, "If the Congress's dynast has only an ability to deliver 44 seats or 60 seats in Parliament. What then is the incentive for conventional Congressmen to bear the humiliation of subjecting themselves to a dynast? Ultimately, in dynastic parties, one has to accept political slavery."

Jaitley also alleged that a lot of "traditional bright faces" are deserting the Congress party.

"These Congressmen today look at a party like the BJP where men and women of talent have a huge opportunity to move up, both in the party, legislatures and governments," he said, asserting that two Prime Ministers given by the BJP to this country - Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi - were the tallest leaders of their generation.

The Finance Minister said that a similar situation arises with regard to caste-based parties as well.

Referring to the poor results fared by the regional parties like RJD and BSP in 2014, Jaitley said,&nbsp;"The sun will slowly but surely come down on that era."

Jaitley also claimed that his party has already consumed some of the space occupied by the regional parties in states like Bengal, Odisha, and other North-Eastern states.

He also predicted that this election will witness BJP as co-equal in Kerala.

"The BJP has the ability to fight and occupy more political space from the regional parties is already visible. The Congress inherently lacks that instinct," he said.

Insisting that the centre space in the ongoing election is occupied by the BJP, Jaitley said, "The momentum is clearly with the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"In terms of national leadership contest for a Prime Ministerial election, it is almost becoming a one-horse race. There is nobody else measuring up to PM Modi's level of capacity and acceptability."

"Is history going to witness something wholly unprecedented? Are we going to witness the rejection of caste-based and dynastic parties? And will aspirational India make a harsh judgement on electing a merit-based leadership," he questioned.

The Union Minister said the Congress'&nbsp;key thrust based on 'fake issues'&nbsp;has cracked up. He also claimed that the Congress promise of 'NYAY'&nbsp;was not cutting ice with the people.

"Based on fake issues, the key thrust of what the Congress was building up in the last one year has cracked up. They are now concentrating on a new scheme declared in their manifesto which is cutting no ice with the people. The entire reliance on the members of the first family to deliver a sustainable campaign is proving to be a non-starter," he stated in the blog.

The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be conducted in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Two phases of polling have already taken place on April 11 and April 18. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

The present generation of dynast has become a liability for the Congress party, said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a blog on Saturday. "The socio-economic profile of India is moving up the growth ladder.

The present generation of dynast has become a liability for the Congress party, said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a blog on Saturday. "The socio-economic profile of India is moving up the growth ladder. It may be difficult for a country with this socio-economic profile to accept dynasties," he said in the blog titled 'Will 2019 Witness the Dynasty as a Liability on the Congress Party.' "A relevant question with this changing socio-economic profile of India is - Are dynasties an asset for a party or are they a liability? Unquestionably, the present generation of dynast has become a liability rather than an asset for the Congress party," said Jaitley. Virtually questioning the political acumen of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley said, "If the Congress's dynast has only an ability to deliver 44 seats or 60 seats in Parliament. What then is the incentive for conventional Congressmen to bear the humiliation of subjecting themselves to a dynast? Ultimately, in dynastic parties, one has to accept political slavery." Jaitley also alleged that a lot of "traditional bright faces" are deserting the Congress party. "These Congressmen today look at a party like the BJP where men and women of talent have a huge opportunity to move up, both in the party, legislatures and governments," he said, asserting that two Prime Ministers given by the BJP to this country - Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi - were the tallest leaders of their generation. The Finance Minister said that a similar situation arises with regard to caste-based parties as well. Referring to the poor results fared by the regional parties like RJD and BSP in 2014, Jaitley said, "The sun will slowly but surely come down on that era." Jaitley also claimed that his party has already consumed some of the space occupied by the regional parties in states like Bengal, Odisha, and other North-Eastern states. He also predicted that this election will witness BJP as co-equal in Kerala. "The BJP has the ability to fight and occupy more political space from the regional parties is already visible. The Congress inherently lacks that instinct," he said. Insisting that the centre space in the ongoing election is occupied by the BJP, Jaitley said, "The momentum is clearly with the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi." "In terms of national leadership contest for a Prime Ministerial election, it is almost becoming a one-horse race. There is nobody else measuring up to PM Modi's level of capacity and acceptability." "Is history going to witness something wholly unprecedented? Are we going to witness the rejection of caste-based and dynastic parties? And will aspirational India make a harsh judgement on electing a merit-based leadership," he questioned. The Union Minister said the Congress' key thrust based on 'fake issues' has cracked up. He also claimed that the Congress promise of 'NYAY' was not cutting ice with the people. "Based on fake issues, the key thrust of what the Congress was building up in the last one year has cracked up. They are now concentrating on a new scheme declared in their manifesto which is cutting no ice with the people. The entire reliance on the members of the first family to deliver a sustainable campaign is proving to be a non-starter," he stated in the blog. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be conducted in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Two phases of polling have already taken place on April 11 and April 18. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Present generation of dynast has become liability for Congress party: Arun Jaitley

Refuting claims of Congress leader Ahmed Patel that its party will cross 'double digits'&nbsp;in the state, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bag all the 26 Parliamentary seats while the Congress will not get even a single seat.

"We will get all the 26 seats. Gujaratis believe Modi ji will do well for the country. Congress will not get even a single seat," the Chief Minister told ANI.

Earlier in the day, Patel had said, "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit. On May 23, when the election results come, the BJP will no longer be in the government."

When asked to comment on Congress'&nbsp;claim that the BJP is raising nationalism to deflect from the main issues, Rupani said, "For ten years, Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister. Congress should tell people about the steps they have taken against terrorism. They have not taken any single step, they did not have the courage. After Pulwama and Uri, Modi ji did surgical strikes."

"In the past five years, there has been no incident of bomb attack inside the country. In their rule, there have been many attacks in many parts of the country," he added.

In the 2014 General elections, BJP had registered a landslide victory and bagged all the 26 Lok Sabha seats.

All parliamentary seats of Gujarat will go to polls in the third phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections on April 23.&nbsp;

Refuting claims of Congress leader Ahmed Patel that its party will cross 'double digits' in the state, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bag all the 26 Parliamentary seats while the Congress will not get even a single seat.

Refuting claims of Congress leader Ahmed Patel that its party will cross 'double digits' in the state, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bag all the 26 Parliamentary seats while the Congress will not get even a single seat. "We will get all the 26 seats. Gujaratis believe Modi ji will do well for the country. Congress will not get even a single seat," the Chief Minister told ANI. Earlier in the day, Patel had said, "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit. On May 23, when the election results come, the BJP will no longer be in the government." When asked to comment on Congress' claim that the BJP is raising nationalism to deflect from the main issues, Rupani said, "For ten years, Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister. Congress should tell people about the steps they have taken against terrorism. They have not taken any single step, they did not have the courage. After Pulwama and Uri, Modi ji did surgical strikes." "In the past five years, there has been no incident of bomb attack inside the country. In their rule, there have been many attacks in many parts of the country," he added. In the 2014 General elections, BJP had registered a landslide victory and bagged all the 26 Lok Sabha seats. All parliamentary seats of Gujarat will go to polls in the third phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections on April 23.

Lok Sabha polls: BJP will make clean sweep in Gujarat, claims Vijay Rupani

Former prime minister and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda on Thursday said that unlike BJP veteran LK Advani, he is not going to retire from active politics.

If Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of the country, he will be by his side, he was quoted as saying.

"I announced three years back that I will not contest elections. There are circumstances now in which I have been forced to contest. There is nothing to hide. I have no ambition of anything but what I always said is that I am not going to retire from active politics," Gowda was quoted as saying on his decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Deve Gowda is contesting from Karnataka`s Tumkur parliamentary constituency against GS Basvaraj of BJP.

When asked if he wants to retire like Advani, he replied with an emphatic `no`, adding, "I want to save my party and the office building."&nbsp;

Commenting on his commitment towards the Congress, he said: "Madam Sonia Gandhi has taken the decision to support Deve Gowda even though we are a small party. Now it is my responsibility to move forward with Congress, though I do agree in some states there is no question of any coalition. But in Tamil Nadu, there is a coalition between Congress and DMK and with Sharad Pawar`s party in Maharashtra."

Responding to accusations of saving the family rather than the party, the JD(S) chief said: "Several leaders who worked with me collectively, have left. Some people are in Congress, some in BJP. I was able to keep the party intact but suffered. I have not allowed my family members to become president of the party."&nbsp;

Former prime minister and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda on Thursday said that unlike BJP veteran LK Advani, he is not going to retire from active politics. If Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of the country, he will be by his side, he was quoted as saying.

Former prime minister and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda on Thursday said that unlike BJP veteran LK Advani, he is not going to retire from active politics. If Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of the country, he will be by his side, he was quoted as saying. "I announced three years back that I will not contest elections. There are circumstances now in which I have been forced to contest. There is nothing to hide. I have no ambition of anything but what I always said is that I am not going to retire from active politics," Gowda was quoted as saying on his decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls. Deve Gowda is contesting from Karnataka`s Tumkur parliamentary constituency against GS Basvaraj of BJP. When asked if he wants to retire like Advani, he replied with an emphatic `no`, adding, "I want to save my party and the office building." Commenting on his commitment towards the Congress, he said: "Madam Sonia Gandhi has taken the decision to support Deve Gowda even though we are a small party. Now it is my responsibility to move forward with Congress, though I do agree in some states there is no question of any coalition. But in Tamil Nadu, there is a coalition between Congress and DMK and with Sharad Pawar`s party in Maharashtra." Responding to accusations of saving the family rather than the party, the JD(S) chief said: "Several leaders who worked with me collectively, have left. Some people are in Congress, some in BJP. I was able to keep the party intact but suffered. I have not allowed my family members to become president of the party."

Not going to retire from active politics, says Deve Gowda 

A 67.84 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/general-elections-2019-voters-politicians-celebrities-queue-up-to-vote-in-second-phase-211518">second phase of Lok Sabha polls</a> on Thursday in 95 seats spread in 11 states and a Union Territory, the Election Commission said.

Barring <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tension-prevails-in-bengals-chopra-amidst-voting-raf-deployed-211424">sporadic incidents of violence</a>, the polling went off peacefully, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said.

Polling was held for 95 Lok Sabha seats in 11 states, with Tamil Nadu voting in 38 of its 39 constituencies, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-2-voting-on-april-18-211287">union territory of Puducherry</a>.

While elections were cancelled in Tamil Nadu's Vellore constituency over the fear of abuse of money power, poll was postponed to April 23 in Tripura (East) seat as there were apprehensions that law and order could be disturbed by miscreants.

Two violence-related deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, including that of a woman polling personnel who was killed by suspected Maoists on Wednesday in Odisha. Another death was reported Thursday. Two other people, including a voter and a polling officer, died of an apparent heart attack.

There was reports of the electronic voting machines being damaged in Manipur and Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal.

The interim voter turnout stood at 43.4 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir, the lowest, and 78 per cent, the highest, in Puducherry.

Udhampur and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir went for polls in this phase.

West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu reported a turnout above 70 per cent.

Referring to the issue of 'glitches in EVMs, deputy election commissioner Sudip Jain said, a total of 1,000 ballot units, 769 control units 2,766 paper trail machines were replaced.

He said if a ballot unit or control unit is replaced, the paper trail machines need to be replaced along with it. "Hence the higher number of replacements."

Fourteen seats in Karnataka also went to polls along with 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry.

Elections were also held in 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha while bypolls are being held in 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;

For 543 seats, Lok Sabha polls are being conducted in seven phases: April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

A 67.84 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on Thursday in 95 seats spread in 11 states and a Union Territory, the Election Commission said.

A 67.84 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on Thursday in 95 seats spread in 11 states and a Union Territory, the Election Commission said. Barring sporadic incidents of violence, the polling went off peacefully, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said. Polling was held for 95 Lok Sabha seats in 11 states, with Tamil Nadu voting in 38 of its 39 constituencies, and the union territory of Puducherry. While elections were cancelled in Tamil Nadu's Vellore constituency over the fear of abuse of money power, poll was postponed to April 23 in Tripura (East) seat as there were apprehensions that law and order could be disturbed by miscreants. Two violence-related deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, including that of a woman polling personnel who was killed by suspected Maoists on Wednesday in Odisha. Another death was reported Thursday. Two other people, including a voter and a polling officer, died of an apparent heart attack. There was reports of the electronic voting machines being damaged in Manipur and Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal. The interim voter turnout stood at 43.4 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir, the lowest, and 78 per cent, the highest, in Puducherry. Udhampur and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir went for polls in this phase. West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu reported a turnout above 70 per cent. Referring to the issue of 'glitches in EVMs, deputy election commissioner Sudip Jain said, a total of 1,000 ballot units, 769 control units 2,766 paper trail machines were replaced. He said if a ballot unit or control unit is replaced, the paper trail machines need to be replaced along with it. "Hence the higher number of replacements." Fourteen seats in Karnataka also went to polls along with 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry. Elections were also held in 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha while bypolls are being held in 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. For 543 seats, Lok Sabha polls are being conducted in seven phases: April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting will take place on May 23.

67.84% turnout in second phase of Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission

Puducherry registered 80.5 per cent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/voter-turnout-in-second-phase-of-lok-sabha-polls-recorded-at-66-election-commission-211597">polling in the election</a> to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday.

Chief Electoral officer V Candavelou told reporters it was only a tentative figure and percentage of polling might go up as polling was going in some booths.

He said of the 9.73 lakh voters spread over all the four regions of Puducherry Karaikal Mahe and Yanam, 7.84 lakh voters exercised their franchise.

The official also said polling went off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

On the by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment, Candavelou said 76 per cent of the 29,957 voters in the constituency exercised their franchise.

While Puducherry polled 81.3 per cent, Karaikal recorded 78.5 per cent, Mahe 67 per cent and Yanam region 84.8 per cent.

Eighteen contestants including former Speaker V Vaithilingam (Congress) and doctor turned politician K Narayanasamy (AINRC) were in the fray for the Lok Sabha poll.

The by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment involved a fight among eight contestants, including the AINRC candidate P Nedunchezian and DMK candidate K Venkatesan. 
&nbsp;

Puducherry registered 80.5 per cent polling in the election to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday. Chief Electoral officer V Candavelou told reporters it was only a tentative figure and percentage of polling might go up as polling was going in some booths.

Puducherry registered 80.5 per cent polling in the election to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday. Chief Electoral officer V Candavelou told reporters it was only a tentative figure and percentage of polling might go up as polling was going in some booths. He said of the 9.73 lakh voters spread over all the four regions of Puducherry Karaikal Mahe and Yanam, 7.84 lakh voters exercised their franchise. The official also said polling went off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. On the by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment, Candavelou said 76 per cent of the 29,957 voters in the constituency exercised their franchise. While Puducherry polled 81.3 per cent, Karaikal recorded 78.5 per cent, Mahe 67 per cent and Yanam region 84.8 per cent. Eighteen contestants including former Speaker V Vaithilingam (Congress) and doctor turned politician K Narayanasamy (AINRC) were in the fray for the Lok Sabha poll. The by-election in Thattanchavady Assembly segment involved a fight among eight contestants, including the AINRC candidate P Nedunchezian and DMK candidate K Venkatesan.

Lok Sabha polls: 80.5% polling registered in Puducherry; poll chief says figure tentative, may go up

Congress candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday campaigned for his wife Poonam Sinha in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Poonam Sinha, earlier in the day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-poonam-sinha-files-nomination-from-lucknow-in-presence-of-shatrughan-dimple-yadav-211500">filed her nomination from the constituency</a> in the presence of her husband and Samajwadi Party MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav.&nbsp;

Accompanied by his wife and SP leader Dimple Yadav during a road show, Shatrughan Sinha praised the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in the state.

"I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP's Mayawati and hard work of RLD's Ajit Singh," he said.

While praising SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sinha said, "Grand alliance has the power of youth with it and the example is Akhilesh Yadav, who is a youth icon not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country."

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Shatrughan Sinha, Congress on reported comments of Congress candidate from Lucknow, Pramod Krishnam that Sinha should not campaign for a candidate from an opposing party: It is my duty as the head of the family and a husband to support my family. <a href="https://t.co/3pW1nsCfrS">pic.twitter.com/3pW1nsCfrS</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118826848517906432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Congress leader said, "I am here not only for SP and BSP but also for my wife, Poonam Sinha... The elections this time are being held to bring a change, it will be fought for a cause of development... the development of the city, state and country."&nbsp;

Shatrughan Sinha faced a backlash from Congress'&nbsp;Lucknow candidate for campaigning for Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family."&nbsp;

Krishnam had said that by campaigning for SP candidate and his wife Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha kept his virtue as a husband, he should now campaign for his party's candidate.&nbsp;

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Congress MP candidate for Lucknow,Pramod Krishnam: Shatrughan Sinha Ji ne yahan aa karke apna pati-dharm nibhaya hai, lekin mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/ivWJXcodW9">pic.twitter.com/ivWJXcodW9</a>
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"Mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein," Krishnam said.&nbsp;

Poonam Sinha is set to take on Congress' Krishnam and BJP leader and union minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.&nbsp;

Rebel BJP leader and Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on BJP leader and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar's Patna Sahib seat.&nbsp;

Congress candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday campaigned for his wife Poonam Sinha in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow.

Congress candidate from Bihar's Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and veteran Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday campaigned for his wife Poonam Sinha in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Poonam Sinha, earlier in the day, filed her nomination from the constituency in the presence of her husband and Samajwadi Party MP from Kannauj Dimple Yadav. Accompanied by his wife and SP leader Dimple Yadav during a road show, Shatrughan Sinha praised the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in the state. "I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP's Mayawati and hard work of RLD's Ajit Singh," he said. While praising SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sinha said, "Grand alliance has the power of youth with it and the example is Akhilesh Yadav, who is a youth icon not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country." Shatrughan Sinha, Congress on reported comments of Congress candidate from Lucknow, Pramod Krishnam that Sinha should not campaign for a candidate from an opposing party: It is my duty as the head of the family and a husband to support my family. pic.twitter.com/3pW1nsCfrS — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × The Congress leader said, "I am here not only for SP and BSP but also for my wife, Poonam Sinha... The elections this time are being held to bring a change, it will be fought for a cause of development... the development of the city, state and country." Shatrughan Sinha faced a backlash from Congress' Lucknow candidate for campaigning for Poonam Sinha. Shatrughan responded saying that it is his duty "as the head of the family and a husband to support my family." Krishnam had said that by campaigning for SP candidate and his wife Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha kept his virtue as a husband, he should now campaign for his party's candidate. Congress MP candidate for Lucknow,Pramod Krishnam: Shatrughan Sinha Ji ne yahan aa karke apna pati-dharm nibhaya hai, lekin mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein.#LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/ivWJXcodW9 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2019 × "Mai Shatru Ji se ye kehna chahunga ki pati-dharm unhone aaj nibha diya, lekin ek din mere liye prachar karke wo party-dharm nibhayein," Krishnam said. Poonam Sinha is set to take on Congress' Krishnam and BJP leader and union minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. Rebel BJP leader and Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is set to take on BJP leader and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar's Patna Sahib seat.

It's my duty as head of family and a husband: Shatrughan Sinha on campaigning for wife Poonam Sinha in Lucknow 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this Lok Sabha polls will determine if "India will make rules or just follow them".

While addressing a rally in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, the prime minister added that "there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially the first-time voters".

PM Modi slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on his decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad constituency. He said, if Rahul Gandhi wanted to send out a strong message in the South, then why didn't he think of contesting from the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram?&nbsp;

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PM Narendra Modi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: These elections will determine if India will make rules or just follow them. So there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially first-time voters <a href="https://t.co/cgmHNKH3BK">pic.twitter.com/cgmHNKH3BK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118898327674920966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Congress' 'Naamdaar' says he his contesting from Wayanad because he wanted to send a message to South. Couldn't you contest from Trivandrum to give the message? It's the capital. It's not a message to South but a message of appeasement politics," the prime minister said.&nbsp;

"Congress president had to come to Wayanad here to secure his place in the Parliament. He says he won't speak a word against CPI(Marxist). Kerala mein kushti, aur Delhi mein dosti, yahi inka khel hai," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

Stepping up his attack on the Congress, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/division-of-communities-the-only-vision-of-congress-pm-modi-211236">Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday</a> said "division" of communities was its only "vision" and accused party chief Rahul Gandhi of labelling OBCs as "thieves".

Addressing a poll rally, PM Modi also accused the Congress of insulting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and said the situation in India would have been different had the latter been the country's first prime minister.

The Prime Minister also attacked the Congress for labelling the middle class as "selfish" and alleged it brought price rise whenever it was in power.

"Division of communities is the only vision of the Congress," Modi told the public meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this Lok Sabha polls will determine if "India will make rules or just follow them". While addressing a rally in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, the prime minister added that "there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially the first-time voters".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this Lok Sabha polls will determine if "India will make rules or just follow them". While addressing a rally in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, the prime minister added that "there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially the first-time voters". PM Modi slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on his decision to contest from Kerala's Wayanad constituency. He said, if Rahul Gandhi wanted to send out a strong message in the South, then why didn't he think of contesting from the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram? PM Narendra Modi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: These elections will determine if India will make rules or just follow them. So there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of voters of Kerala, especially first-time voters pic.twitter.com/cgmHNKH3BK — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × "Congress' 'Naamdaar' says he his contesting from Wayanad because he wanted to send a message to South. Couldn't you contest from Trivandrum to give the message? It's the capital. It's not a message to South but a message of appeasement politics," the prime minister said. "Congress president had to come to Wayanad here to secure his place in the Parliament. He says he won't speak a word against CPI(Marxist). Kerala mein kushti, aur Delhi mein dosti, yahi inka khel hai," PM Modi said. Stepping up his attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said "division" of communities was its only "vision" and accused party chief Rahul Gandhi of labelling OBCs as "thieves". Addressing a poll rally, PM Modi also accused the Congress of insulting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and said the situation in India would have been different had the latter been the country's first prime minister. The Prime Minister also attacked the Congress for labelling the middle class as "selfish" and alleged it brought price rise whenever it was in power. "Division of communities is the only vision of the Congress," Modi told the public meeting.

This Lok Sabha election will determine if India will make rules or just follow them: PM Modi in Thiruvananthapuram

The Election Commission on Thursday stated that the total voter turnout in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-phase-2-voting-on-april-18-211287">second phase of Lok Sabha polls</a> has been recorded at 66 per cent. Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told media about the total polling percentage today evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Moderate to high voter turnout was recorded in the 95 constituencies in 11 states and Puducherry that went to polls in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/general-elections-2019-voters-politicians-celebrities-queue-up-to-vote-in-second-phase-211518">second phase</a> of Lok Sabha elections which were marred by sporadic incidents of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tension-prevails-in-bengals-chopra-amidst-voting-raf-deployed-211424">violence in West Bengal</a> and Manipur and EVM glitches.

Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few places in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal.&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
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		<tr>
			<td>States</td>
			<td>Final polling% figure released by EC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Assam</td>
			<td>76.22%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bihar</td>
			<td>62.38%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Jammu and Kashmir</td>
			<td>45.5%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Karnataka</td>
			<td>67.67%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Maharashtra</td>
			<td>61.22%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Manipur</td>
			<td>67.15%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Odisha</td>
			<td>57.97%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tamil Nadu</td>
			<td>66.36%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Uttar Pradesh</td>
			<td>66.06%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>West Bengal</td>
			<td>76.42%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chhattisgarh</td>
			<td>71.40%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Puducherry</td>
			<td>76.19%</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Till 7 pm on Thursday, as per the official EC data, the total voter turnout stood at around 64 per cent with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-violence-mars-polling-at-raiganj-chopra-211421">West Bengal</a> registering the highest turnout at 76 per cent despite incidents of violence in many areas.&nbsp;

Technical glitches relating to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines held up polling in the morning in several <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/political-heavyweights-in-tamil-nadu-cast-their-vote-as-polling-begins-211319">constituencies across Tamil Nadu</a> till the machines were changed.

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told reporters that 384 faulty EVMs and 692 faulty VVPAT machines were replaced across the state and after that, polling went on smoothly. Voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 63.90 per cent.&nbsp;

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Voter turnout in 2nd phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a>: 
Assam-76.22% 
Bihar-62.38% 
Jammu and Kashmir-45.5% 
Karnataka-67.67% 
Maharashtra-61.22% 
Manipur-67.15% 
Odisha-57.97% 
Tamil Nadu-66.36% 
Uttar Pradesh-66.06% 
West Bengal-76.42% 
Chhattisgarh-71.40% 
Puducherry-76.19% <a href="https://t.co/CfhR6VJuF0">pic.twitter.com/CfhR6VJuF0</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1118894801984872448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In Odisha, the chief electoral officer recommended re-polling in booth 213 in Sundergarh, booth 129 in Bonai, and booths 210 &amp; 222 in Daspalla assembly constituency due to technical problems in EVM machines and VVPATs. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 57.81.&nbsp;

Puducherry saw a high voter turnout of 78 per cent while in Manipur, the polling percentage was nearly 75, sources in the election office said. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, which in 2014 witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the country at 25.86 per cent, saw 12.43 per cent polling, with highest 17.1 per cent recorded in Shia-dominated Budgam district till 3 pm. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 44.60 per cent.&nbsp;

No untoward incident was reported during polling which was being held amid tight security due to militant threats and a boycott call by separatists in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Besides Tamil Nadu, the polling was conducted in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-107-year-old-padma-shri-awardee-defies-odds-and-sets-example-casts-vote-from-bangalore-rural-211541">14 seats in Karnataka</a>, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry besides 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha.&nbsp;

Till 7 pm the total voter turnout for Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh stood at 75.85 per cent, 63.01 per cent, 66.69 per cent, 59.64 per cent, 76.15 per cent, 61.94 per cent and 70.94 per cent respectively. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madras-high-court-upholds-election-commissions-decision-to-cancel-vellore-lok-sabha-polls-211196">Polling in Tamil Nadu's Vellore seat was cancelled</a> on Tuesday by the Election Commission following the recovery of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Thursday stated that the total voter turnout in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls has been recorded at 66 per cent. Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told media about the total polling percentage today evening.

The Election Commission on Thursday stated that the total voter turnout in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls has been recorded at 66 per cent. Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told media about the total polling percentage today evening. Moderate to high voter turnout was recorded in the 95 constituencies in 11 states and Puducherry that went to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections which were marred by sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal and Manipur and EVM glitches. Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few places in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal. States Final polling% figure released by EC Assam 76.22% Bihar 62.38% Jammu and Kashmir 45.5% Karnataka 67.67% Maharashtra 61.22% Manipur 67.15% Odisha 57.97% Tamil Nadu 66.36% Uttar Pradesh 66.06% West Bengal 76.42% Chhattisgarh 71.40% Puducherry 76.19% Till 7 pm on Thursday, as per the official EC data, the total voter turnout stood at around 64 per cent with West Bengal registering the highest turnout at 76 per cent despite incidents of violence in many areas. Technical glitches relating to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines held up polling in the morning in several constituencies across Tamil Nadu till the machines were changed. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told reporters that 384 faulty EVMs and 692 faulty VVPAT machines were replaced across the state and after that, polling went on smoothly. Voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 63.90 per cent. Voter turnout in 2nd phase of #LokSabhaElections2019: Assam-76.22% Bihar-62.38% Jammu and Kashmir-45.5% Karnataka-67.67% Maharashtra-61.22% Manipur-67.15% Odisha-57.97% Tamil Nadu-66.36% Uttar Pradesh-66.06% West Bengal-76.42% Chhattisgarh-71.40% Puducherry-76.19% pic.twitter.com/CfhR6VJuF0 — ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019 × In Odisha, the chief electoral officer recommended re-polling in booth 213 in Sundergarh, booth 129 in Bonai, and booths 210 & 222 in Daspalla assembly constituency due to technical problems in EVM machines and VVPATs. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 57.81. Puducherry saw a high voter turnout of 78 per cent while in Manipur, the polling percentage was nearly 75, sources in the election office said. Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, which in 2014 witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the country at 25.86 per cent, saw 12.43 per cent polling, with highest 17.1 per cent recorded in Shia-dominated Budgam district till 3 pm. The voter turnout here till 7 pm was recorded at 44.60 per cent. No untoward incident was reported during polling which was being held amid tight security due to militant threats and a boycott call by separatists in Kashmir. Besides Tamil Nadu, the polling was conducted in 14 seats in Karnataka, 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one seat each in Manipur and Puducherry besides 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha. Till 7 pm the total voter turnout for Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh stood at 75.85 per cent, 63.01 per cent, 66.69 per cent, 59.64 per cent, 76.15 per cent, 61.94 per cent and 70.94 per cent respectively. Polling in Tamil Nadu's Vellore seat was cancelled on Tuesday by the Election Commission following the recovery of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (With inputs from agencies)

Voter turnout in second phase of Lok Sabha polls recorded at 66%: Election Commission 

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