In this segment of India Election Watch, Know what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his campaigns. Watch this video to know more. 'India Election Watch' is the show that brings you the latest on world's biggest electoral exercise, Verified updates & Unbiased analysis.

India Election Watch: A confident Modi campaigns in 3 states

Congress party President Rahul Gandhi exclusively talks to Zee Media network. The interview questions Rahul Gandhi over his interpretation over Lok Sabha election 2019. Here's the video.

IEW: An exclusive interview with Rahul Gandhi over LS 2019 battle

Pragya Singh has tendered an apology for calling Nathuram Godse a patriot, reports say. The apology came after the BJP distanced itself from the remarks made by its candidate for the Bhopal constituency and demanded a public apology.

IEW: Row over Sadhvi Pragya Thakur's comments

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be chairing a meeting of Opposition leaders in New Delhi on May 23, the day election results will be announced. UPA ally DMK on Thursday confirmed the meeting, saying that party chief M K Stalin has received an invite from Gandhi.

IEW: UPA seeks to add support, reaches out to regional parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), who are in alliance in Uttar Pradesh, are "grabbing each other's collars" as they are aware of their defeat in the ongoing polls.

IEW: PM Modi finishes campaign in Uttar Pradesh'S Mirzapur

On Monday, the government had withheld landing permission for Amit Shah's chopper and withdrew permission for one of his three rallies. "I'm going to West Bengal for rally in Dum Dum. Let us see if Didi allows it. If she has her way, she will not allow my helicopter to land," the Prime Minister said.

IEW: PM Modi takes on 'DIDI' in her backyard

The Election Commission has cut short campaigning for the last round of voting in West Bengal after the latest round of poll-related violence in the state. Campaigning in nine Bengal seats will end at 10 pm Thursday, the election commission announced on Wednesday evening, inviting allegations of .being ‘unethical and politically biased.’

IEW: Can EC police political campaigns? Does EC have enough powers?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, engaged in a pitched battle with Mamata Banerjee over violence at Amit Shah's rally, taunted the Bengal Chief Minister today, saying he wanted to see if she would allow his rally in Kolkata today

IEW: The final showdown in West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive conversation with Zee Media says about the current situation of West Bengal. He says that TMC goons will face strict action for Vandalism in State.

TMC goons will face action for vandalism: PM Modi

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-trying-to-wipe-out-evidence-of-statue-desecration-modi-219198">Narendra Modi has carefully avoided speaking on the issue</a> of corruption during the campaign, but we have not allowed him to escape, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Thursday, claiming it will be "bye-bye" for him on May 23.

Addressing a rally in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha segment, from where Misa Bharti daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad is in the fray, Gandhi attacked Modi for skirting questions on promises he had made like Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of all poor and creation of two crore jobs.

Asserting that the ruling BJP was headed for a defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress chief claimed Modi would get a befitting reply from the people angry over his failure to fulfil promises made five years ago when votes in the current elections are counted on May 23.

In a veiled attack on the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/obama-asks-the-same-says-pm-modi-when-akshay-kumar-asked-how-do-you-sleep-for-just-3-hours-213049"> interviews given by the prime minister, including the one to the Bollywood star Akshay Kumar</a>, Gandhi said questions and answers are choreographed to skirt the issue of his promises. All that we hear from Modi ji these days are inanities like how he eats a mango and why he wears half-sleeved kurtas.

Repeating the slogan of Chowkidar chor hai which has rankled the BJP, Gandhi said Modi must answer the questions we have been raising with regard to the Rafale deal. Why he got the contract awarded to Anil Ambani, why he agreed to pay much more for the fighter aircraft than what earlier had been agreed to and why Rafale would not be manufactured in India. He owes an answer to the nation on these counts.

Modi has travelled the entire country for his campaign, addressing rallies with the help of teleprompters. He has carefully avoided speaking on the issue of corruption. But we have not allowed him to escape. My challenge to him for an open debate on corruption still stands. He has been badly exposed and, on May 23, it will be bye-bye for him, Gandhi said.

Speaking about his proposed NYAY scheme, Gandhi said financial assistance of Rs 72,000 per year to poor families would boost demand, leading to setting up of more industries and in turn fueling production and creation of jobs. It will propel the economy like diesel propels a tractor.

Gandhi also accused Modi of making Bihar a berozgaari (unemployment) ka centre and charged the Nitish Kumar government in the state with failure to provide relief to farmers through measures like a waiver of loans unlike in Congress-ruled states where it has been given top priority.

The Congress president, who toured the state in the first four phases of elections but skipped the next two, urged the people to vote for Misa Bharti, showering praises on her father serving sentences in fodder scam cases for his fight for social justice.

Earlier, Bharti younger brother Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the party's de facto leader in their fathers' absence, called the BJP candidate Ram Kripal Yadav paltu chacha no. 2 (turncoat number two).

Yadav has been using the epithet paltu for Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar whose exit from the Mahagathbandhan two years ago made the RJD lose power in the state and stripped him of the Deputy CMs post.

Ram Kripal Yadav, now a Union minister, was a close aide of Lalu Prasad, who quit the RJD to join BJP ahead of the 2014 parliamentary elections and won from Pataliputra seat defeating Misa.

In a show of unity within the jailed RJD chiefs family, his wife Rabri Devi and elder son Tej Pratap Yadav too attended the rally where other leaders of the opposition alliance like former Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha besides ex-CM and HAM founding president Jitan Ram Manjhi were also present.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carefully avoided speaking on the issue of corruption during the campaign, but we have not allowed him to escape, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Thursday, claiming it will be "bye-bye" for him on May 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carefully avoided speaking on the issue of corruption during the campaign, but we have not allowed him to escape, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Thursday, claiming it will be "bye-bye" for him on May 23. Addressing a rally in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha segment, from where Misa Bharti daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad is in the fray, Gandhi attacked Modi for skirting questions on promises he had made like Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of all poor and creation of two crore jobs. Asserting that the ruling BJP was headed for a defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress chief claimed Modi would get a befitting reply from the people angry over his failure to fulfil promises made five years ago when votes in the current elections are counted on May 23. In a veiled attack on the interviews given by the prime minister, including the one to the Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, Gandhi said questions and answers are choreographed to skirt the issue of his promises. All that we hear from Modi ji these days are inanities like how he eats a mango and why he wears half-sleeved kurtas. Repeating the slogan of Chowkidar chor hai which has rankled the BJP, Gandhi said Modi must answer the questions we have been raising with regard to the Rafale deal. Why he got the contract awarded to Anil Ambani, why he agreed to pay much more for the fighter aircraft than what earlier had been agreed to and why Rafale would not be manufactured in India. He owes an answer to the nation on these counts. Modi has travelled the entire country for his campaign, addressing rallies with the help of teleprompters. He has carefully avoided speaking on the issue of corruption. But we have not allowed him to escape. My challenge to him for an open debate on corruption still stands. He has been badly exposed and, on May 23, it will be bye-bye for him, Gandhi said. Speaking about his proposed NYAY scheme, Gandhi said financial assistance of Rs 72,000 per year to poor families would boost demand, leading to setting up of more industries and in turn fueling production and creation of jobs. It will propel the economy like diesel propels a tractor. Gandhi also accused Modi of making Bihar a berozgaari (unemployment) ka centre and charged the Nitish Kumar government in the state with failure to provide relief to farmers through measures like a waiver of loans unlike in Congress-ruled states where it has been given top priority. The Congress president, who toured the state in the first four phases of elections but skipped the next two, urged the people to vote for Misa Bharti, showering praises on her father serving sentences in fodder scam cases for his fight for social justice. Earlier, Bharti younger brother Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the party's de facto leader in their fathers' absence, called the BJP candidate Ram Kripal Yadav paltu chacha no. 2 (turncoat number two). Yadav has been using the epithet paltu for Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar whose exit from the Mahagathbandhan two years ago made the RJD lose power in the state and stripped him of the Deputy CMs post. Ram Kripal Yadav, now a Union minister, was a close aide of Lalu Prasad, who quit the RJD to join BJP ahead of the 2014 parliamentary elections and won from Pataliputra seat defeating Misa. In a show of unity within the jailed RJD chiefs family, his wife Rabri Devi and elder son Tej Pratap Yadav too attended the rally where other leaders of the opposition alliance like former Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha besides ex-CM and HAM founding president Jitan Ram Manjhi were also present.

On May 23 it will be 'bye-bye' for Modi, claims Rahul at Bihar rally

Watch 'India Election Watch.' This is the show that brings you the latest on world's biggest electoral exercise, Verified updates & Unbiased analysis.

India Election Watch; 14th May, 2019

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Discusses BJP's strength in Kolkata with Mr. Andrew Whitehead, Former BBC Senior Journalist; Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE.

India Election Watch: Discusses BJP's strength in Kolkata with some experts

PM Modi refers to Khan Market in a poll jibe. Khan Market was established on the name of Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan in 1951. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: The Evolution Of Khan Market

Here is question, Who will lead the third front? Telangana CM attempts third front. KCR reaches out to the regional leaders.

India Election Watch: KCR or Naidu, Who leads the third front?

Priyanka Sharma is a BJP worker in West Bengal. she got arrested for posting a meme on Mamata Banerjee. Finally Supreme Court ordered the release of her. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: The Mamata Meme Story

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Freedom Of Speech with some experts with Mr. Andrew Whitehead, Former BBC Senior Journalist; Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE.

India Election Watch: Decodes Freedom Of Speech with some experts

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Congress' ISIS-RSS Analogy with Mr. Andrew Whitehead, Former BBC Senior Journalist; Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE.

India Election Watch: Congress' ISIS-RSS Analogy with experts

The Election Commission on Wednesday curtailed the campaign timing in nine Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal by 20 hours. The campaigning will end at Thursday 10 pm, instead of Friday evening at 6.

Election Commission curtails campaigning in West Bengal

A day after the Trinamool Congress and BJP workers clashed in West Bengal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee organised a roadshow in Kolkata to protest against the violence and vandalism during Amit Shah's roadshow in the state capital.

BJP-TMC battle out on the streets, Mamata Banerjee protests in Kolkata

Though all of India is waiting to see who wins the ongoing 2019 Lok Sabha elections, or better still, who will form the next government, it is pretty certain to me that whoever wins will have a challenge on hands to run the administration, because the economy is in a strange shape.

It is fashionable for any new government to blame its predecessor and also try to come out with new policies, and we saw a lot of it when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's NDA government did and said things that fixed responsibility on the previous UPA rule. It is true that the BJP-led government ended what was perceived to be a policy paralysis on several fronts and took measures to revive the power sector, fix a controversial spectrum allocation scheme in telecommunications and did a lot to make investing in India easier. Steps like the MUDRA loan scheme for entrepreneurs and brand-name schemes like Digital India and Startup India gave (at least in the eyes of the government itself) a fancy packaging edge to the economy.

But then, I ask myself, what if Modi leads the new government formed over the next few weeks? My view is that this time, it would be difficult for him to go back seven years or 70 to buy himself more time. Democracy works on the principle that if you have five years to rule, you do your best in those five years in a manner that those who voted for you get a good enough impression to elect you for another five. In the case of Modi, given his decisive steps on several fronts and his incredible capacity to articulate things, where he seemed to lack in the outcome, he made up in persuasion to buy more time. However, a second chance in politics is like a second inning. It gives elbow room to score runs but getting a second chance on a second chance is no option.

The strange thing about the Indian economy now is that there are two narratives that do not seem to intersect. One is that of investors, industries and infrastructure seekers. The other is of farmers and job seekers. To please the former you need good, clean policies and spending to boost the things that help industries. However, there is no guarantee that the investment that flows in generates jobs for tens of millions of youths in the short run. Any government that comes to power will have to make its choice carefully.

The Modi government reined in the fiscal deficit, but Rahul Gandhi-led Congress has made a big deal out of a shortage of jobs, an agrarian crisis and the goods and services tax (GST). Demonetisation of high-value notes by Modi has not really yielded fruits. All this leaves a big challenge to him if he gets re-elected. His current campaign has focused primarily on his being the leading "Chowkidar" of the nation with the Balakot air strikes and decisive promises to check terrorism. But, with 125 crore people in the world's fastest-growing major economy, the focus has to come back to investment, inflation management and jobs.

There is a controversy now that GDP growth may have been slower than estimated in recent years because the government's data estimates took into account a large chunk of shell companies that showed no real activity. Meanwhile, the NDA government's plan to introduce the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has run into rough weather. What this means is that it is taking longer for banks to get money out of companies that need to pay them back. The Supreme Court has got involved in the matter, adding obstacles in the administrative process. Indian businessmen love to fight in courts and particularly fight the government. Groups with state blessings, such as IL&amp;FS are in deep trouble, while a slew of brand name companies are in various states of crisis, such as Essar Steel, builder groups Jaypee and Amrapali, and, of course, the high-profile Jet Airways. These names are only symbolic of a deeper crisis in the economy in which too many people took too big bets on money taken from state-run banks in a manner that hurt both growth and jobs.

India's economic growth slowed down in 2018-19 due to declining growth in private consumption, slow growth in fixed investment, and muted exports. This happened even as agriculture suffered. Unemployment, meanwhile rose to 7.6 &nbsp;per cent in April, up from 6.7 per cent in March.&nbsp;

Loans that either did not yield interest or not paid back, called non-performing assets (NPAs), added up to more than Rs 10 lakh crore at the end of March. As much as 86 per cent of this was in public sector banks.

The next government needs to spend more taxpayer money to revive its banks so they can lend to help industries and agriculture. But fiscal deficit ran out of control this year after what seemed like a fine period of fiscal consolidation. Fiscal deficit crossed 134 per cent of the government's budget estimate for 2018/19 by the end of February, against 120 per cent a year earlier and the Centre upped its fiscal deficit target to 3.4 per cent from 3.3 per cent.

If Congress comes anywhere near power - either as the leader of a coalition or as part of it - it has to deliver on agriculture and jobs, and that requires fiscal spending muscle. If Modi comes back to power, he has to revive banking and industry and hope that translates into well-being for common Indians in rural areas.&nbsp;

While all that happens, China is having a trade war with the US, which is also pressuring India to follow its sanctions on Iranian oil, which is key for India. The US has prohibited India from importing oil from Iran after the waiver for India ran out on May 1.

Neither the fiscal situation nor the international trade environment is easy for the next government -- whoever that is. As they say in cricket, it would be a tough wicket to bat on, especially for any government that wants to keep both farmers and unemployed youths happy.

&nbsp;(This article was originally published on The ZeeNews. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/paisa-paisa-paisa-whoever-wins-the-2019-lok-sabha-elections-the-economy-will-be-their-biggest-challenge-2203594.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Though all of India is waiting to see who wins the ongoing 2019 Lok Sabha elections, or better still, who will form the next government, it is pretty certain to me that whoever wins will have a challenge on hands to run the administration, because the economy is in a strange shape.

Though all of India is waiting to see who wins the ongoing 2019 Lok Sabha elections, or better still, who will form the next government, it is pretty certain to me that whoever wins will have a challenge on hands to run the administration, because the economy is in a strange shape. It is fashionable for any new government to blame its predecessor and also try to come out with new policies, and we saw a lot of it when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's NDA government did and said things that fixed responsibility on the previous UPA rule. It is true that the BJP-led government ended what was perceived to be a policy paralysis on several fronts and took measures to revive the power sector, fix a controversial spectrum allocation scheme in telecommunications and did a lot to make investing in India easier. Steps like the MUDRA loan scheme for entrepreneurs and brand-name schemes like Digital India and Startup India gave (at least in the eyes of the government itself) a fancy packaging edge to the economy. But then, I ask myself, what if Modi leads the new government formed over the next few weeks? My view is that this time, it would be difficult for him to go back seven years or 70 to buy himself more time. Democracy works on the principle that if you have five years to rule, you do your best in those five years in a manner that those who voted for you get a good enough impression to elect you for another five. In the case of Modi, given his decisive steps on several fronts and his incredible capacity to articulate things, where he seemed to lack in the outcome, he made up in persuasion to buy more time. However, a second chance in politics is like a second inning. It gives elbow room to score runs but getting a second chance on a second chance is no option. The strange thing about the Indian economy now is that there are two narratives that do not seem to intersect. One is that of investors, industries and infrastructure seekers. The other is of farmers and job seekers. To please the former you need good, clean policies and spending to boost the things that help industries. However, there is no guarantee that the investment that flows in generates jobs for tens of millions of youths in the short run. Any government that comes to power will have to make its choice carefully. The Modi government reined in the fiscal deficit, but Rahul Gandhi-led Congress has made a big deal out of a shortage of jobs, an agrarian crisis and the goods and services tax (GST). Demonetisation of high-value notes by Modi has not really yielded fruits. All this leaves a big challenge to him if he gets re-elected. His current campaign has focused primarily on his being the leading "Chowkidar" of the nation with the Balakot air strikes and decisive promises to check terrorism. But, with 125 crore people in the world's fastest-growing major economy, the focus has to come back to investment, inflation management and jobs. There is a controversy now that GDP growth may have been slower than estimated in recent years because the government's data estimates took into account a large chunk of shell companies that showed no real activity. Meanwhile, the NDA government's plan to introduce the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has run into rough weather. What this means is that it is taking longer for banks to get money out of companies that need to pay them back. The Supreme Court has got involved in the matter, adding obstacles in the administrative process. Indian businessmen love to fight in courts and particularly fight the government. Groups with state blessings, such as IL&FS are in deep trouble, while a slew of brand name companies are in various states of crisis, such as Essar Steel, builder groups Jaypee and Amrapali, and, of course, the high-profile Jet Airways. These names are only symbolic of a deeper crisis in the economy in which too many people took too big bets on money taken from state-run banks in a manner that hurt both growth and jobs. India's economic growth slowed down in 2018-19 due to declining growth in private consumption, slow growth in fixed investment, and muted exports. This happened even as agriculture suffered. Unemployment, meanwhile rose to 7.6 per cent in April, up from 6.7 per cent in March. Loans that either did not yield interest or not paid back, called non-performing assets (NPAs), added up to more than Rs 10 lakh crore at the end of March. As much as 86 per cent of this was in public sector banks. The next government needs to spend more taxpayer money to revive its banks so they can lend to help industries and agriculture. But fiscal deficit ran out of control this year after what seemed like a fine period of fiscal consolidation. Fiscal deficit crossed 134 per cent of the government's budget estimate for 2018/19 by the end of February, against 120 per cent a year earlier and the Centre upped its fiscal deficit target to 3.4 per cent from 3.3 per cent. If Congress comes anywhere near power - either as the leader of a coalition or as part of it - it has to deliver on agriculture and jobs, and that requires fiscal spending muscle. If Modi comes back to power, he has to revive banking and industry and hope that translates into well-being for common Indians in rural areas. While all that happens, China is having a trade war with the US, which is also pressuring India to follow its sanctions on Iranian oil, which is key for India. The US has prohibited India from importing oil from Iran after the waiver for India ran out on May 1. Neither the fiscal situation nor the international trade environment is easy for the next government -- whoever that is. As they say in cricket, it would be a tough wicket to bat on, especially for any government that wants to keep both farmers and unemployed youths happy. (This article was originally published on The ZeeNews. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Whoever wins the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the economy will be their biggest challenge

In this segment of 'India Election Watch' We Decodes Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'Low-Life' Comment justification on PM Modi with Mr. Andrew Whitehead, Former BBC Senior Journalist; Mr. Arun Anand, Senior Journalist & Mr. Lord Meghnad Desai, Author & Professor Emeritus at LSE.

India Election Watch: Decodes Aiyar's 'Low-Life' Comment justification on PM Modi with experts

Kamal Hasan stated that Nathuram Godse was the India's first Hindu terrorist. After that Congress leader KS Alagiri defends Kamal Haasan's remarks saying He is agree with him 1000%. Watch to know more.

India Election Watch: Does Terrorism Have A Religion?

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment that the Indian Air Force carried out the Balakot airstrikes despite cloudy weather because it would have helped the fighter jets evade Pakistan radars.

India Election Watch: Rahul Gandhi taunts PM Modi

In this segment of India Election Watch, Watch how Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies 'Low-Life'comment.

India Election Watch: Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies 'Low-Life' comment

Rally roster of top leaders for May 14, 2019. Watch video to know more.

India Election Watch: Rally roster of top leaders for May 14, 2019

Today BJP President leads a mega roadshow in Kolkata. Before Roadshow posters of Amit shah or BJP were removed by the TMC Supporters. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: PM Modi's dare to opposition

The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Tuesday, announced a holiday on May 19, in view of the Parliamentary Constituency election in Punjab to facilitate voters to exercise their franchise to vote.

Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, S Karuna Raju, said that the employees of the industrial establishment and commercial establishments were entitled to take a paid holiday on the polling day.

"As per the provisions of Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and instructions issued by the ECI, the employees of industrial establishments, commercial establishments, shops and establishments can have a paid holiday on the date of polling in Punjab on May 19," Raju told reporters here.

The Punjab Government also issued directions to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) concerning observance of the 'Dry Day' period on the polling day of the Parliamentary Constituency poll in the state.

"As per the guidelines of the ECI, the sale of liquor will be prohibited in the state of Punjab 48 hours prior to the polling day and ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll i.e. 6 pm on May 19.

"Similarly, the prohibition on the sale of liquor in 3 kilometres of adjoining areas of neighbouring states will also be ensured through concerned departments of those states. These steps are aimed to stop any clandestine movement of liquor from those areas," he added.

These directions have been issued to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners/Principal Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries, Director General of Police, Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Sub Divisional Magistrates.

 
Punjab will see polling for all 13 Lok Sabha seats on May 19 in the seventh and the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Tuesday, announced a holiday on May 19, in view of the Parliamentary Constituency election in Punjab to facilitate voters to exercise their franchise to vote.

The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Tuesday, announced a holiday on May 19, in view of the Parliamentary Constituency election in Punjab to facilitate voters to exercise their franchise to vote. Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, S Karuna Raju, said that the employees of the industrial establishment and commercial establishments were entitled to take a paid holiday on the polling day. "As per the provisions of Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and instructions issued by the ECI, the employees of industrial establishments, commercial establishments, shops and establishments can have a paid holiday on the date of polling in Punjab on May 19," Raju told reporters here. The Punjab Government also issued directions to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) concerning observance of the 'Dry Day' period on the polling day of the Parliamentary Constituency poll in the state. "As per the guidelines of the ECI, the sale of liquor will be prohibited in the state of Punjab 48 hours prior to the polling day and ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll i.e. 6 pm on May 19. "Similarly, the prohibition on the sale of liquor in 3 kilometres of adjoining areas of neighbouring states will also be ensured through concerned departments of those states. These steps are aimed to stop any clandestine movement of liquor from those areas," he added. These directions have been issued to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners/Principal Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries, Director General of Police, Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Sub Divisional Magistrates. Punjab will see polling for all 13 Lok Sabha seats on May 19 in the seventh and the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission announces holiday in Punjab on May 19

Kolkata remains tense with BJP accusing TMC of removing its posters. Kolkata Police has also denied permission to start Amit Shah's roadshow in the city from Sahid Minar Maidaan.

TMC supporters removed posters just before Amit Shah's rally, BJP claims

Lashing out at the opposition parties, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/election-commission-swayed-by-pm-modi-alleges-national-congress-party-216713">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> said Tuesday the Congress and the RJD will push 21st century India into darkness if voted to power.

Addressing a rally here, Modi also claimed that it was just the "BJP-led NDA dispensation that could lead the nation towards the light".

"Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Development for all) is our mantra and we strive to ensure security and respect for all. The Mahamilawatis (opposition), on the other hand, think some castes are beholden to them," he said.

Iterating that it was his government that took on the terrorists and the trouble-mongers on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, Modi said, "The mahamilawatis, if elected to power, will give free licenses to stone-pelters, naxals and the tukde-tukde gang."

The opposition leaders will get a befitting reply from people after May 23, when the general election results are declared, he stated.

"Going by the response of people in the six phases of elections, it is clear&nbsp;that the opposition parties will face a humiliating defeat. Their anger has touched the seventh heaven now. They are trying to draw satisfaction from hurling abuses," he asserted.

The PM also insisted that he has always lived and worked for the country, without taking any break.

"Not for once have I lived for myself or my relatives during my tenure as the Gujarat chief minister or the prime minister. People of this country are my family," he added.

Lashing out at the opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday the Congress and the RJD will push 21st century India into darkness if voted to power.

Lashing out at the opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday the Congress and the RJD will push 21st century India into darkness if voted to power. Addressing a rally here, Modi also claimed that it was just the "BJP-led NDA dispensation that could lead the nation towards the light". "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Development for all) is our mantra and we strive to ensure security and respect for all. The Mahamilawatis (opposition), on the other hand, think some castes are beholden to them," he said. Iterating that it was his government that took on the terrorists and the trouble-mongers on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, Modi said, "The mahamilawatis, if elected to power, will give free licenses to stone-pelters, naxals and the tukde-tukde gang." The opposition leaders will get a befitting reply from people after May 23, when the general election results are declared, he stated. "Going by the response of people in the six phases of elections, it is clear that the opposition parties will face a humiliating defeat. Their anger has touched the seventh heaven now. They are trying to draw satisfaction from hurling abuses," he asserted. The PM also insisted that he has always lived and worked for the country, without taking any break. "Not for once have I lived for myself or my relatives during my tenure as the Gujarat chief minister or the prime minister. People of this country are my family," he added.

Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal will push 21st century India into darkness: PM Modi in Bihar

Congress general secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/it-is-clear-bjp-government-is-going-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-after-casting-vote-218052">Priyanka Gandhi</a>'s proposed visit to Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday was cancelled due to bad weather.

Priyanka was scheduled to address a rally in Sundernagar in support of Mandi Congress candidate Aashray Sharma, a state party leader said.

Aashray is pitted against sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.

He is the grandson of former Union Minister Sukh Ram. Aashray's father Anil Sharma has recently resigned from the state cabinet.

All four seats in Himachal Pradesh will go to the polls on May 19.

Anil Sharma, along with his son Ashray and father Sukh Ram had switched over to Bharatiya Janata Party, ahead of the 2017 assembly polls. He won the Mandi Vidhan Sabha seat and became power minister in the BJP government.&nbsp;

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi's proposed visit to Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday was cancelled due to bad weather. Priyanka was scheduled to address a rally in Sundernagar in support of Mandi Congress candidate Aashray Sharma, a state party leader said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi's proposed visit to Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday was cancelled due to bad weather. Priyanka was scheduled to address a rally in Sundernagar in support of Mandi Congress candidate Aashray Sharma, a state party leader said. Aashray is pitted against sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. He is the grandson of former Union Minister Sukh Ram. Aashray's father Anil Sharma has recently resigned from the state cabinet. All four seats in Himachal Pradesh will go to the polls on May 19. Anil Sharma, along with his son Ashray and father Sukh Ram had switched over to Bharatiya Janata Party, ahead of the 2017 assembly polls. He won the Mandi Vidhan Sabha seat and became power minister in the BJP government.

Priyanka Gandhi's Himachal visit cancelled due to bad weather