<p>Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha was seen in India for the first time in months amid the party crisis, which began after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) followed by the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/swati-maliwal-assault-case-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwals-aide-bibhav-kumar-detained-by-police-722744">Swati Maliwal assault case</a>&nbsp;saga.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The investigating agency arrested Kejriwal in a case pertaining to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The arrest led to chaos in India's capital with AAP members and supporters protesting against the action by ED just a few days before the polling began for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/lok-sabha-election-2024">Lok Sabha Election</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kejriwal-challenges-pm-modi-will-come-to-bjp-hq-tomorrow-put-in-jail-whoever-you-want-to-722864">Kejriwal challenges PM Modi; 'will come to BJP HQ tomorrow, put in jail whoever you want to'</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>However, during the demonstrations, Chadha's absence was noticed by the opposition as well as the media. He was missing from the party's campaigning for the general election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that Chadha has undergone major eye surgery in the United Kingdom and will join the party's Lok Sabha poll campaigning once he is better. He added that the MP had developed a serious eye ailment which could have led to blindness.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-bibhav-kumar-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwals-aide-arrested-for-allegedly-assaulting-aap-mp-swati-maliwal-722786">Who is Bibhav Kumar? Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s aide arrested for allegedly assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also said that Chadha will campaign for the party for the elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Raghav Chadha has undergone a major eye surgery in the UK. It is said that his condition was serious and there was a possibility of blindness. As soon as he gets better, he will come back to India and join us in the election campaigning," Bharadwaj had told PTI Videos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Saturday (May 18), Chadha, AAP's MP from Punjab, made his first appearance in months.</p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: AAP MP Raghav Chadha arrives at the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal<br />
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He was in UK and had undergone eye surgery there <a href="https://t.co/XUGuqxHBIY">pic.twitter.com/XUGuqxHBIY</a></p>
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<h2><strong>Arvind Kejriwal's arrest&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by ED. The Delhi government had implemented the policy on November 17, 2021, but it was scrapped at the end of September 2022. Corruption allegations have been levelled against the party, which AAP denies. &nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Swati Maliwal assault case</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, of assaulting her when she visited the chief minister's residence on Monday. Maliwal had filed a first information report (FIR) and Kumar has been taken into custody by Delhi Police, but the allegations have&nbsp;triggered a political storm amid elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha was seen in India for the first time in months amid the party crisis, which began after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) followed by the ongoing Swati Maliwal assault case saga.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha was seen in India for the first time in months amid the party crisis, which began after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) followed by the ongoing Swati Maliwal assault case saga. The investigating agency arrested Kejriwal in a case pertaining to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy. The arrest led to chaos in India's capital with AAP members and supporters protesting against the action by ED just a few days before the polling began for the Lok Sabha Election. Also read: Kejriwal challenges PM Modi; 'will come to BJP HQ tomorrow, put in jail whoever you want to' However, during the demonstrations, Chadha's absence was noticed by the opposition as well as the media. He was missing from the party's campaigning for the general election. Last month, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that Chadha has undergone major eye surgery in the United Kingdom and will join the party's Lok Sabha poll campaigning once he is better. He added that the MP had developed a serious eye ailment which could have led to blindness. Also read: Who is Bibhav Kumar? Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s aide arrested for allegedly assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also said that Chadha will campaign for the party for the elections. "Raghav Chadha has undergone a major eye surgery in the UK. It is said that his condition was serious and there was a possibility of blindness. As soon as he gets better, he will come back to India and join us in the election campaigning," Bharadwaj had told PTI Videos. On Saturday (May 18), Chadha, AAP's MP from Punjab, made his first appearance in months. Watch the video here: #WATCH | Delhi: AAP MP Raghav Chadha arrives at the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal He was in UK and had undergone eye surgery there pic.twitter.com/XUGuqxHBIY — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2024 × Arvind Kejriwal's arrest Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by ED. The Delhi government had implemented the policy on November 17, 2021, but it was scrapped at the end of September 2022. Corruption allegations have been levelled against the party, which AAP denies. Swati Maliwal assault case Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, of assaulting her when she visited the chief minister's residence on Monday. Maliwal had filed a first information report (FIR) and Kumar has been taken into custody by Delhi Police, but the allegations have triggered a political storm amid elections. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Raghav Chadha arrives at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in Delhi after months of absence

<p>Congress president Malliakarjun Kharge on Saturday (May 18) lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of "provoking" people and called on the Election Commission to take stern action.</p>

<p>He also alleged that PM Modi was supporting the "illegal" Mahayuti government in the Indian state of Maharashtra.</p>

<p>"We have not used bulldozers to date... The Election Commission should take action against those who make instigating speeches. The Prime Minister himself is doing it. He is provoking people. After our government comes, everything will be protected as per our Constitution, we will follow the Constitution," Kharge said during a media briefing in Mumbai.</p>

<p>He then claimed that the INDI alliance will win 46 out of the 48 seats in the state of Maharashtra and will defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>"INDIA bloc will win 46 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. People are saying this themselves. Our alliance will win maximum seats and defeat BJP...," Kharge claimed.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-gandhis-emotional-appeal-to-people-of-raebareli-i-am-handing-over-my-son-to-you-722576">Sonia Gandhi's emotional appeal to people of Raebareli; 'I am handing over my son to you'</a></p>

<h2><strong>PM Modi hits out at Congress-SP combine</strong></h2>

<p>Kharge's remarks came after PM Modi, during his rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, said that Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) would run bulldozer over Ayodhya's Ram Temple if they get elected in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>"If the Congress, SP and their INDIA partners come to power, our Ram Lalla would have to return to the tent again as they would run a bulldozer over the Ram Mandir. They should take lessons from Yogi-ji (Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) on where to run bulldozers and where not to," PM Modi said on Friday (May 17).</p>

<p>"The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have become slaves to appeasement politics. And, when Modi uncovers the truth before the people, they accuse me of creating a Hindu-Muslim divide," he further said.</p>

<p>The Indian prime minister then exuded confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was all set to register its third consecutive win and return to power again.</p>

<p>"June 4 (counting day) is not too far away now. All doubts will be cleared and the entire country and the world will know when we score a hat-trick of wins and return for a third term at the Centre."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Congress president Malliakarjun Kharge on Saturday (May 18) lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of "provoking" people and called on the Election Commission to take stern action.

Congress president Malliakarjun Kharge on Saturday (May 18) lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of "provoking" people and called on the Election Commission to take stern action. He also alleged that PM Modi was supporting the "illegal" Mahayuti government in the Indian state of Maharashtra. "We have not used bulldozers to date... The Election Commission should take action against those who make instigating speeches. The Prime Minister himself is doing it. He is provoking people. After our government comes, everything will be protected as per our Constitution, we will follow the Constitution," Kharge said during a media briefing in Mumbai. He then claimed that the INDI alliance will win 46 out of the 48 seats in the state of Maharashtra and will defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "INDIA bloc will win 46 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. People are saying this themselves. Our alliance will win maximum seats and defeat BJP...," Kharge claimed. Also read: Sonia Gandhi's emotional appeal to people of Raebareli; 'I am handing over my son to you' PM Modi hits out at Congress-SP combine Kharge's remarks came after PM Modi, during his rally in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki, said that Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) would run bulldozer over Ayodhya's Ram Temple if they get elected in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. "If the Congress, SP and their INDIA partners come to power, our Ram Lalla would have to return to the tent again as they would run a bulldozer over the Ram Mandir. They should take lessons from Yogi-ji (Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) on where to run bulldozers and where not to," PM Modi said on Friday (May 17). "The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have become slaves to appeasement politics. And, when Modi uncovers the truth before the people, they accuse me of creating a Hindu-Muslim divide," he further said. The Indian prime minister then exuded confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was all set to register its third consecutive win and return to power again. "June 4 (counting day) is not too far away now. All doubts will be cleared and the entire country and the world will know when we score a hat-trick of wins and return for a third term at the Centre." (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls: Kharge accuses PM Modi of ‘provoking’ people, calls on ED to take action

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 13) held a grand roadshow in the holy city of Varanasi, his home constituency, in Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi is seeking a third consecutive term from the seat, and will file&nbsp;his nomination on Tuesday (May 14). Before embarking on the six-kilometre roadshow, the PM paid homage at&nbsp;the statue of educationist and social reformer Madan Mohan Malviya at the Malviya Chauraha in the Lanka area. The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, Yogi Adityanath, also accompanied him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to media reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader is also expected to take a dip in the holy Ganga river.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow underway in Varanasi.<br />
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Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath &amp; state BJP president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary present during the roadshow. <a href="https://t.co/ZM39cFhZ6x">pic.twitter.com/ZM39cFhZ6x</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Uttar Pradesh: On PM Modi's roadshow in Varanasi, a local resident says, "There has never been such a great preparation. For around 4-5 km all preparations have been made. This turnout of people is historic and this can happen only when PM Modi comes..." <a href="https://t.co/SHV4USCIaM">pic.twitter.com/SHV4USCIaM</a></p>
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<p>As PM boarded his vehicle, a large group of saffron-clad women marched ahead of his convoy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM's roadshow concluded at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham after&nbsp;passing through Sant Ravidas Gate, Assi, Shivala, Sonarpura, Jangambadi and Godowlia. The PM is expected to stay in Varanasi at&nbsp;the BLW guesthouse.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjetPLw24qGAxXZQ2cHHW7TDgUQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/elections/lok-sabha-elections-phase-4-voting-snapshots-of-democracy-1715600724693" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/elections/lok-sabha-elections-phase-4-voting-snapshots-of-democracy-1715600724693&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjetPLw24qGAxXZQ2cHHW7TDgUQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Lok Sabha Elections Phase 4 Voting: Snapshots of Democracy</a></strong></p>

<p>The roadshow offered a glimpse into the rich diversity of the vast nation as&nbsp;people from different communities—Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Maheshwari, Marwari, Tamil, and Punjabi— joined it.</p>

<p>Varanasi is up for elections on June 1, when the seventh and final phase of the elections will be held in the country.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 13) held a grand roadshow in the holy city of Varanasi, his home constituency, in Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi is seeking a third consecutive term from the seat, and will file his nomination on Tuesday (May 14).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 13) held a grand roadshow in the holy city of Varanasi, his home constituency, in Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi is seeking a third consecutive term from the seat, and will file his nomination on Tuesday (May 14). Before embarking on the six-kilometre roadshow, the PM paid homage at the statue of educationist and social reformer Madan Mohan Malviya at the Malviya Chauraha in the Lanka area. The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, Yogi Adityanath, also accompanied him. According to media reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader is also expected to take a dip in the holy Ganga river. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow underway in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath & state BJP president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary present during the roadshow. pic.twitter.com/ZM39cFhZ6x — ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024 × #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: On PM Modi's roadshow in Varanasi, a local resident says, "There has never been such a great preparation. For around 4-5 km all preparations have been made. This turnout of people is historic and this can happen only when PM Modi comes..." pic.twitter.com/SHV4USCIaM — ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024 × As PM boarded his vehicle, a large group of saffron-clad women marched ahead of his convoy. The PM's roadshow concluded at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham after passing through Sant Ravidas Gate, Assi, Shivala, Sonarpura, Jangambadi and Godowlia. The PM is expected to stay in Varanasi at the BLW guesthouse. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections Phase 4 Voting: Snapshots of Democracy The roadshow offered a glimpse into the rich diversity of the vast nation as people from different communities—Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Maheshwari, Marwari, Tamil, and Punjabi— joined it. Varanasi is up for elections on June 1, when the seventh and final phase of the elections will be held in the country.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: PM Modi holds grand roadshow in Varanasi, to file nomination on Tuesday

<p>The election campaigning for the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India ended Saturday (May 11) at 5 pm. A total of 96 seats will go to polls on May 13 (Monday)&nbsp; where 1,717 candidates are in the fray. All constituencies in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh (25) and Telangana (17) will go to polls. Elections will also&nbsp;be held in different numbers of constituencies in the following states.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh (13)&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maharashtra (11)&nbsp;</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (8 each)&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bihar (5)&nbsp;</p>

<p>Odisha and Jharkhand (4 each) and&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir (1).</p>

<p>Additionally, assembly polls will&nbsp;be held&nbsp;in Andhra Pradesh state.</p>

<p>With polling concluding of phase 4, elections would be&nbsp;completed&nbsp;in 23 states and union territories. In total, polling would conclude&nbsp;in 381 seats by Monday night.</p>

<h2><strong>Prominent faces in Phase 4</strong></h2>

<p>Prominent candidates in phase 4 include Akhilesh Yadav (Kannauj), Omar Abdullah (Srinagar), Giriraj Singh (Begusarai), Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Behrampur), Mahua Moitra (Krishnanagar), Shatrughnan Sinha (Asansol), Asaduddin Owaisi (Hyderabad) and YS Sharmila (Kadappa).</p>

<h2><strong>Kejriwal starts campaigning after release from jail</strong></h2>

<p>May 13 phase will be the first phase of the elections that will&nbsp;be held&nbsp;after the release of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.</p>

<p>After the interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court of India, Kejriwal went on an intensive campaign drive on Saturday&nbsp;where he declared&nbsp;that his fight is against 'dictatorship'.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, earlier this week, Congress found itself in hot soup following 'racist' remarks by (now former) overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview, Pitroda described India as a "... diverse country... where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa".</p>

<p>Congress later distanced itself from his remarks&nbsp;and&nbsp;later&nbsp;Pitroda tendered his resignation.</p>

<h2><strong>ECI releases Phase 3 data, pegs turnout at 65.68%</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI)&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;published the data of the third phase of the elections held on May 7.&nbsp;The polls held on 93 constituencies saw a voter turnout of 65.68 per cent.</p>

<p>The ECI said 66.89 per cent of&nbsp;men&nbsp;voters, 64.41 per cent of&nbsp;women&nbsp;voters, and 25.2 per cent of third-gender individuals exercised their franchise.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiPx6TVj4aGAxXfRmwGHRJFAasQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/lok-sabha-elections-2024-phase-4-schedule-key-candidates-and-constituencies-voting-on-may-13-720354" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/lok-sabha-elections-2024-phase-4-schedule-key-candidates-and-constituencies-voting-on-may-13-720354&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiPx6TVj4aGAxXfRmwGHRJFAasQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 4: Schedule, key candidates and constituencies voting on May 13</a></strong></p>

<p>State-wise, Assam recorded the highest voter turnout with a total voter turnout of 85.45 per cent&nbsp;while&nbsp;Goa was at number two with 76.06 per cent voter turnout.</p>

<p>Bihar and Uttar Pradesh recorded relatively low voter turnouts at 59.15 and 57.55 per cent&nbsp;respectively.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The election campaigning for the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India ended Saturday (May 11) at 5 pm. A total of 96 seats will go to polls on May 13 (Monday) where 1,717 candidates are in the fray.

The election campaigning for the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India ended Saturday (May 11) at 5 pm. A total of 96 seats will go to polls on May 13 (Monday) where 1,717 candidates are in the fray. All constituencies in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh (25) and Telangana (17) will go to polls. Elections will also be held in different numbers of constituencies in the following states. Uttar Pradesh (13) Maharashtra (11) Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (8 each) Bihar (5) Odisha and Jharkhand (4 each) and Jammu and Kashmir (1). Additionally, assembly polls will be held in Andhra Pradesh state. With polling concluding of phase 4, elections would be completed in 23 states and union territories. In total, polling would conclude in 381 seats by Monday night. Prominent faces in Phase 4 Prominent candidates in phase 4 include Akhilesh Yadav (Kannauj), Omar Abdullah (Srinagar), Giriraj Singh (Begusarai), Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Behrampur), Mahua Moitra (Krishnanagar), Shatrughnan Sinha (Asansol), Asaduddin Owaisi (Hyderabad) and YS Sharmila (Kadappa). Kejriwal starts campaigning after release from jail May 13 phase will be the first phase of the elections that will be held after the release of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. After the interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court of India, Kejriwal went on an intensive campaign drive on Saturday where he declared that his fight is against 'dictatorship'. Meanwhile, earlier this week, Congress found itself in hot soup following 'racist' remarks by (now former) overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda. In an interview, Pitroda described India as a "... diverse country... where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa". Congress later distanced itself from his remarks and later Pitroda tendered his resignation. ECI releases Phase 3 data, pegs turnout at 65.68% Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday published the data of the third phase of the elections held on May 7. The polls held on 93 constituencies saw a voter turnout of 65.68 per cent. The ECI said 66.89 per cent of men voters, 64.41 per cent of women voters, and 25.2 per cent of third-gender individuals exercised their franchise. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 4: Schedule, key candidates and constituencies voting on May 13 State-wise, Assam recorded the highest voter turnout with a total voter turnout of 85.45 per cent while Goa was at number two with 76.06 per cent voter turnout. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh recorded relatively low voter turnouts at 59.15 and 57.55 per cent respectively. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Campaigning for phase 4 ends; voting for 96 seats on May 13

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidDkAB0hxxPrrn" />Several voters in Bhopal on Tuesday (May 7) went home with exciting gifts, including diamond rings, after they won a luck draw organised by&nbsp;local&nbsp;election office to increase voter awareness.</p>

<p>Some voters won caps,&nbsp;T-shirts&nbsp;but others were far luckier. Bhopal's Yaggoj Sahu, for instance, won a diamond ring. "I didn't want to participate in the draw, but my wife insisted that we put our slips in the little box," an elated Sahu was quoted as saying by the Times of India.</p>

<p>India held its third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7 under which polling took place in nine constituencies of Madhya Pradesh state.</p>

<p>During the polling, the Bhopal administration organised three lotteries per polling booth during different timings of the day:&nbsp;10am, 2pm and 6pm.</p>

<p>To get registered for the lucky draw, voters had to show their inked fingers and then write down their names and phone numbers on a token.</p>

<p>While ordinary booths had T-shirts and caps as gift items, special booths like Char Imli kept brand new coolers, mixers and a diamond ring for the winners. Char Imli is where senior bureaucrats and ministers live and cast their votes. Tents were arranged at the polling booths to provide shelter to those lined up in queues outside.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to election officials, all the prizes were paid for by private firms, who took part in the voter awareness programme.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh recorded a total voter turnout of 66.12 per cent till 6 pm on Wednesday, the time when polling closes. The state's final phase of polling will now take place on May 13, when India will be holding its fourth phase of elections.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Lok Sabha Elections: Phase III records 65% voter turnout across 11 states &amp; UT</strong></p>

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<p>Several voters in Bhopal on Tuesday (May 7) went home with exciting gifts, including a diamond ring, after they won a lucky draw organised by the local election office to increase voter awareness.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwja0LyTo_6FAxVNfGwGHcPCBAcQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-countdown-begins-for-may-13-phase-4-voting-719218" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-countdown-begins-for-may-13-phase-4-voting-719218&amp;ved=2ahUKEwja0LyTo_6FAxVNfGwGHcPCBAcQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE">Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live: Lok Sabha polls LIVE: Congress says PM Modi`s chair `shaking` after three phases of elections</a></strong></p>

<p>According to election officials, all the prizes were paid for by private firms, who took part in the voter awareness programme.</p>

<p>Madhya Pradesh recorded a total voter turnout of 66.12 per cent till 6 pm on Wednesday, the time when polling closes. The state's final phase of polling will now take place on May 13, when India will be holding its fourth phase of elections.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Several voters in Bhopal on Tuesday (May 7) went home with exciting gifts, including diamond rings, after they won a luck draw organised by local election office to increase voter awareness.

Several voters in Bhopal on Tuesday (May 7) went home with exciting gifts, including diamond rings, after they won a luck draw organised by local election office to increase voter awareness. Some voters won caps, T-shirts but others were far luckier. Bhopal's Yaggoj Sahu, for instance, won a diamond ring. "I didn't want to participate in the draw, but my wife insisted that we put our slips in the little box," an elated Sahu was quoted as saying by the Times of India. India held its third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7 under which polling took place in nine constituencies of Madhya Pradesh state. During the polling, the Bhopal administration organised three lotteries per polling booth during different timings of the day: 10am, 2pm and 6pm. To get registered for the lucky draw, voters had to show their inked fingers and then write down their names and phone numbers on a token. While ordinary booths had T-shirts and caps as gift items, special booths like Char Imli kept brand new coolers, mixers and a diamond ring for the winners. Char Imli is where senior bureaucrats and ministers live and cast their votes. Tents were arranged at the polling booths to provide shelter to those lined up in queues outside. According to election officials, all the prizes were paid for by private firms, who took part in the voter awareness programme. Madhya Pradesh recorded a total voter turnout of 66.12 per cent till 6 pm on Wednesday, the time when polling closes. The state's final phase of polling will now take place on May 13, when India will be holding its fourth phase of elections. Watch: Lok Sabha Elections: Phase III records 65% voter turnout across 11 states & UT × Several voters in Bhopal on Tuesday (May 7) went home with exciting gifts, including a diamond ring, after they won a lucky draw organised by the local election office to increase voter awareness. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live: Lok Sabha polls LIVE: Congress says PM Modi`s chair `shaking` after three phases of elections According to election officials, all the prizes were paid for by private firms, who took part in the voter awareness programme. Madhya Pradesh recorded a total voter turnout of 66.12 per cent till 6 pm on Wednesday, the time when polling closes. The state's final phase of polling will now take place on May 13, when India will be holding its fourth phase of elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Bhopal voter wins diamond ring in lucky draw organised by local election office

<p>Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became&nbsp;the target of a complaint for filing&nbsp;his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's&nbsp;Rae Bareli constituency. The nationality of Rahul Gandhi&nbsp;and his recent conviction for defamation are&nbsp;questioned in the complaint.</p>

<h2><strong>Who filed the complaint against Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination?</strong></h2>

<p>Advocate Ashok Pandey filed the complaint on behalf of Anirudh Pratap Singh. The attorney filed a complaint against Gandhi with the Rae Bareli Returning Officer, seeking the annulment of the Congress leader's candidacy on two grounds: his nationality and his conviction.</p>

<p>“First, Rahul Gandhi has been convicted for two years... He is ineligible to contest elections. Even though the Supreme Court has put a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it has not given any verdict like Afzal Ansari saying he can contest again... Since his stay on conviction does not involve permission to contest elections he should&nbsp;back off,” Pandey told ANI.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-election-2024/dont-be-scared-dont-run-away-pm-modi-to-rahul-gandhi-over-rae-bareli-nomination-717632" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="http://13.235.153.162/india-election-2024/dont-be-scared-dont-run-away-pm-modi-to-rahul-gandhi-over-rae-bareli-nomination-717632">'Don't be scared, don't run away': PM Modi teases Rahul Gandhi over Rae Bareli nomination</a></strong></p>

<p>“Second, back in 2006, Rahul Gandhi once mentioned his Nationality as British. Being a British citizen, he cannot Constitutionally contest elections... After my complaint, Rahul Gandhi's representative was called in and my complaint has been accepted,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>How did Congress react to&nbsp;complaint against Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination?</strong><strong><meta name="uuid" content="uuidIF66xZ6KAKTx" /></strong></h2>

<p>In response to the complaint against Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Ajay Pal Singh released a statement that read,&nbsp;"There's&nbsp;a candidate who registered a complaint against Rahul Gandhi after the period of complaining was over... The complainant said he has filed a writ challenging Rahul&nbsp;Gandhi's nationality... Rahul Gandhi's nomination was valid previously as well, and it is valid now also."</p>

<p>On Friday (May 3), Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from the Rae Bareli&nbsp;constituency,&nbsp; putting a stop to&nbsp;rumours that he will run for the Amethi seat again. The opposition had&nbsp;a field day with this information.<br />
<br />
PM Narendra Modi said,&nbsp;“I had&nbsp;said&nbsp;that shehzada&nbsp;(Rahul Gandhi) is afraid of losing in Wayanad, and the moment voting ends, he will start looking for a third seat.&nbsp;Now&nbsp;even&nbsp;from Amethi, despite all his loyalists saying it, he panicked so&nbsp;much,&nbsp;he ran from there and is now looking towards Rae Bareli. These people keep going around telling people Daro Mat. Today&nbsp;I&nbsp;will also tell them...&nbsp;ji bhar ke kehta hoon. Arey daro mat, bhaago mat.”<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became the target of a complaint for filing his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli constituency. The nationality of Rahul Gandhi and his recent conviction for defamation are questioned in the complaint.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became the target of a complaint for filing his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli constituency. The nationality of Rahul Gandhi and his recent conviction for defamation are questioned in the complaint. Who filed the complaint against Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination? Advocate Ashok Pandey filed the complaint on behalf of Anirudh Pratap Singh. The attorney filed a complaint against Gandhi with the Rae Bareli Returning Officer, seeking the annulment of the Congress leader's candidacy on two grounds: his nationality and his conviction. “First, Rahul Gandhi has been convicted for two years... He is ineligible to contest elections. Even though the Supreme Court has put a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it has not given any verdict like Afzal Ansari saying he can contest again... Since his stay on conviction does not involve permission to contest elections he should back off,” Pandey told ANI. Also read: 'Don't be scared, don't run away': PM Modi teases Rahul Gandhi over Rae Bareli nomination “Second, back in 2006, Rahul Gandhi once mentioned his Nationality as British. Being a British citizen, he cannot Constitutionally contest elections... After my complaint, Rahul Gandhi's representative was called in and my complaint has been accepted,” he added. How did Congress react to complaint against Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination? In response to the complaint against Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Ajay Pal Singh released a statement that read, "There's a candidate who registered a complaint against Rahul Gandhi after the period of complaining was over... The complainant said he has filed a writ challenging Rahul Gandhi's nationality... Rahul Gandhi's nomination was valid previously as well, and it is valid now also." On Friday (May 3), Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from the Rae Bareli constituency, putting a stop to rumours that he will run for the Amethi seat again. The opposition had a field day with this information. PM Narendra Modi said, “I had said that shehzada (Rahul Gandhi) is afraid of losing in Wayanad, and the moment voting ends, he will start looking for a third seat. Now even from Amethi, despite all his loyalists saying it, he panicked so much, he ran from there and is now looking towards Rae Bareli. These people keep going around telling people Daro Mat. Today I will also tell them... ji bhar ke kehta hoon. Arey daro mat, bhaago mat.” (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Complaint questions Rahul Gandhi’s Rae Bareli nomination for ‘being British citizen’

<p>Raju Kage, Indian National Congress (INC) MLA from Karnataka state, stirred controversy after his bizarre remarks amid the Lok Sabha Elections. While addressing an election gathering, he threatened the voters in the Jugulato region to cut electricity if they didn't vote for the party by a huge margin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a video, which is going viral on social media platforms and being shared by several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, Kage can be heard saying in the local language, which&nbsp;loosely translated to English means: "If you don't give us a lead then we will cut the electricity. And I will stick to my words."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-congress-leader-adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-says-better-to-vote-for-bjp-than-tmc-717099">Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says ‘better to vote for BJP than TMC’</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">“If you don’t vote for Congress , we will disconnect the electricity connection of your houses” :- Congress MLA Raju Kage, Karnataka<br />
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Kannadigas are now realising that they did a blunder by Voting for Congress in Assembly elections … their isn’t a government in Karnataka, there… <a href="https://t.co/ktsfYoAqmN">pic.twitter.com/ktsfYoAqmN</a></p>
— Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) <a href="https://twitter.com/MithilaWaala/status/1785659866906022069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-wealth-redistribution-scheme-why-is-the-solicitor-general-calling-it-rustic-and-juvenile-717093">Congress' wealth redistribution scheme: Why is the Solicitor General calling it 'rustic and juvenile'?</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla shared the video on his X account, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Poonawalla wrote, "After DK Shivkumar threatened housing society voters to vote for his brother now Congress MLA Raju Kage says if you don’t vote for me there will be electricity cuts..."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Congress talks of Muhabbat ki Dukan but this is DHAMKI KE BHAIJAAN, he said, further adding that "ECI must act on this".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It shows sense of entitlement and arrogance of Congress &amp; how they think voters are not Janta Janardhan but their slaves," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Several instances of Karnataka Congress leaders speaking this language of threats," the BJP leader further added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Raju Kage, Indian National Congress (INC) MLA from Karnataka state, stirred controversy after his bizarre remarks amid the Lok Sabha Elections. While addressing an election gathering, he threatened the voters in the Jugulato region to cut electricity if they didn't vote for the party by a huge margin.

Raju Kage, Indian National Congress (INC) MLA from Karnataka state, stirred controversy after his bizarre remarks amid the Lok Sabha Elections. While addressing an election gathering, he threatened the voters in the Jugulato region to cut electricity if they didn't vote for the party by a huge margin. In a video, which is going viral on social media platforms and being shared by several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, Kage can be heard saying in the local language, which loosely translated to English means: "If you don't give us a lead then we will cut the electricity. And I will stick to my words." Also read: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says ‘better to vote for BJP than TMC’ Watch the video here: “If you don’t vote for Congress , we will disconnect the electricity connection of your houses” :- Congress MLA Raju Kage, Karnataka Kannadigas are now realising that they did a blunder by Voting for Congress in Assembly elections … their isn’t a government in Karnataka, there… pic.twitter.com/ktsfYoAqmN — Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) May 1, 2024 × Also read: Congress' wealth redistribution scheme: Why is the Solicitor General calling it 'rustic and juvenile'? BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla shared the video on his X account, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action. Poonawalla wrote, "After DK Shivkumar threatened housing society voters to vote for his brother now Congress MLA Raju Kage says if you don’t vote for me there will be electricity cuts..." "Congress talks of Muhabbat ki Dukan but this is DHAMKI KE BHAIJAAN, he said, further adding that "ECI must act on this". "It shows sense of entitlement and arrogance of Congress & how they think voters are not Janta Janardhan but their slaves," he said. "Several instances of Karnataka Congress leaders speaking this language of threats," the BJP leader further added. (With inputs from agencies)

'Will disconnect electricity': Congress MLA's bizarre threat to voters for Lok Sabha elections

<p>Shyam Rangeela, a comedian, mimicry artist and entertainer, is all set to contest Lok Sabha elections from the Varanasi constituency in north India. The announcement of Rangeela’s candidature soon caught people’s attention, when he shared the news on his official X account.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I am excited by the love I am receiving from all of you after the announcement to contest elections from Varanasi”, Rangeela wrote on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The announcement is eye-catching for two reasons: one, Varanasi is PM Narendra Modi’s stronghold, he has won this seat twice in the 2014 and 2019 elections; second, Rangeela is well-known for his mimicry of PM Modi.</p>

<p>From impersonating Modi's ‘bhaiyo-behno’ (brothers and sisters) salutation to taking jabs on his ‘Man ki Baat’ podcast, the comedian has come a long way from being a fan of the PM to becoming his rival this election season.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">वाराणसी मैं आ रहा हूँ…<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShyamRangeelaForVaranasi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShyamRangeelaForVaranasi</a> <a href="https://t.co/8BOFx4nnjn">pic.twitter.com/8BOFx4nnjn</a></p>
— Shyam Rangeela (@ShyamRangeela) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShyamRangeela/status/1785680070474158346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rangeela, 29, believes “someone’s name should be on the EVM” against PM in Varanasi, as this is what the spirit of the Indian constitution is, he said in the video.</p>

<h2><strong>Shyam Rangeela: From Modi fan to his rival in Varanasi</strong></h2>

<p>Shyam Rangeela hails from Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh and has a degree in animation. He was seen as a comedian in <em>The Great Indian Laughter Challenge</em> on TV but grew to prominence when he started mimicking political figures.</p>

<p>He shot to fame for the first time in 2017 when his impersonation of PM Modi with a tinge of humour became widely popular on social media.</p>

<p>Since then, Rangeela has made several videos mimicking Modi and his famous speeches and interviews.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-is-indian-pm-modis-photo-missing-from-covid-vaccine-certificates-centre-responds-717291">Why is Indian PM Modi's photo missing from Covid vaccine certificates? Centre responds</a></p>

<p>His Instagram has many videos from his standup shows where he is seen mimicking Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>Recently, he started critiquing PM Modi and his policies through his videos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In one of his interviews, Rangeela recounted his journey from being a supporter of PM Modi to a disillusioned critic, citing restrictions imposed on his comedic work as a turning point.</p>

<p>“I was a bhakt (fan) even till 2016-17, but then restrictions were imposed on me," he said in an interview with The Indian Express newspaper.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-bomb-threat-police-refute-fake-news-about-suspicious-objects-recovered-from-schools-717279">Delhi bomb threat: Police say clues hint at 'big conspiracy'; probing China, ISI links</a></p>

<p>Rangeela cited BJP’s unopposed victory in Surat constituency and controversy in Chandigarh mayoral polls as reasons to contest in Varanasi, to give people more options to choose from.</p>

<p>“I feel like it shouldn’t be that there is no other candidate to vote for. Even if one person wants to vote against a candidate, he or she has that right. Someone’s name should be on the EVM," he said in his video posted on X.</p>

<p>PM Modi is expected to file his nomination from Varanasi for the third time on May 13. With Modi in the fray, the contest for the Varanasi seat becomes symbolic. The Congress has fielded its Uttar Pradesh unit chief, Ajay Rai, from Varanasi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among other candidates, transgender Mahamandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi is also a candidate in the high-profile seat in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Shyam Rangeela, a comedian, mimicry artist and entertainer, is all set to contest Lok Sabha elections from the Varanasi constituency in north India. The announcement of Rangeela’s candidature soon caught people’s attention, when he shared the news on his official X account.

Shyam Rangeela, a comedian, mimicry artist and entertainer, is all set to contest Lok Sabha elections from the Varanasi constituency in north India. The announcement of Rangeela’s candidature soon caught people’s attention, when he shared the news on his official X account. “I am excited by the love I am receiving from all of you after the announcement to contest elections from Varanasi”, Rangeela wrote on Wednesday. The announcement is eye-catching for two reasons: one, Varanasi is PM Narendra Modi’s stronghold, he has won this seat twice in the 2014 and 2019 elections; second, Rangeela is well-known for his mimicry of PM Modi. From impersonating Modi's ‘bhaiyo-behno’ (brothers and sisters) salutation to taking jabs on his ‘Man ki Baat’ podcast, the comedian has come a long way from being a fan of the PM to becoming his rival this election season. वाराणसी मैं आ रहा हूँ…#ShyamRangeelaForVaranasi pic.twitter.com/8BOFx4nnjn — Shyam Rangeela (@ShyamRangeela) May 1, 2024 × Rangeela, 29, believes “someone’s name should be on the EVM” against PM in Varanasi, as this is what the spirit of the Indian constitution is, he said in the video. Shyam Rangeela: From Modi fan to his rival in Varanasi Shyam Rangeela hails from Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh and has a degree in animation. He was seen as a comedian in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge on TV but grew to prominence when he started mimicking political figures. He shot to fame for the first time in 2017 when his impersonation of PM Modi with a tinge of humour became widely popular on social media. Since then, Rangeela has made several videos mimicking Modi and his famous speeches and interviews. Also Read | Why is Indian PM Modi's photo missing from Covid vaccine certificates? Centre responds His Instagram has many videos from his standup shows where he is seen mimicking Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Recently, he started critiquing PM Modi and his policies through his videos. In one of his interviews, Rangeela recounted his journey from being a supporter of PM Modi to a disillusioned critic, citing restrictions imposed on his comedic work as a turning point. “I was a bhakt (fan) even till 2016-17, but then restrictions were imposed on me," he said in an interview with The Indian Express newspaper. Also Read | Delhi bomb threat: Police say clues hint at 'big conspiracy'; probing China, ISI links Rangeela cited BJP’s unopposed victory in Surat constituency and controversy in Chandigarh mayoral polls as reasons to contest in Varanasi, to give people more options to choose from. “I feel like it shouldn’t be that there is no other candidate to vote for. Even if one person wants to vote against a candidate, he or she has that right. Someone’s name should be on the EVM," he said in his video posted on X. PM Modi is expected to file his nomination from Varanasi for the third time on May 13. With Modi in the fray, the contest for the Varanasi seat becomes symbolic. The Congress has fielded its Uttar Pradesh unit chief, Ajay Rai, from Varanasi. Among other candidates, transgender Mahamandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi is also a candidate in the high-profile seat in Uttar Pradesh. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Shyam Rangeela? Comedian known for mimicking PM Modi will now contest election against him in Varanasi

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday (Apr 29) that he had informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot airstrikes even before&nbsp;the Indian media was apprised&nbsp;of the attack. Citing the incident, Modi claimed&nbsp;that he&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;believe in attacking from the back and fights from the front. PM Modi said he himself postponed the announcement to the media as he wanted to inform Islamabad first.</p>

<p>"I&nbsp;had asked the forces to call the media and inform them, but I said before that I would inform Pakistan through telephone about airstrikes at night and the destruction caused, but Pakistan people did not come on the phone. So I asked forces to wait, and after informing them, we later disclosed to the world about airstrikes that happened during the night,"&nbsp;news agency PTI quoted the PM as saying.</p>

<p>PM Modi&nbsp;was speaking&nbsp;at a political rally in Bagalkot in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Monday (Apr 29). He said he had dialled the neighbouring country&nbsp;but&nbsp; “they&nbsp;wouldn’t&nbsp;take calls”.</p>

<p>Modi further stated that India under his leadership has become&nbsp;‘Naya Bharat’&nbsp;or New India, which&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;shy away from killing inside the&nbsp;enemy’s&nbsp;own territory.</p>

<h2><strong>2019 Balakot airstrikes</strong></h2>

<p>India had carried out Balakot airstrikes in February 2019, demolishing training camps of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjPmbOL-emFAxXhxjgGHcwLAD84ChDF9AEoAHoECAcQAQ" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-delhi-congress-chief-arvinder-singh-lovely-resigns-from-top-post-715860" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-delhi-congress-chief-arvinder-singh-lovely-resigns-from-top-post-715860&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjPmbOL-emFAxXhxjgGHcwLAD84ChDF9AEoAHoECAcQAQ">Lok Sabha elections 2024: Arvinder Singh Lovely resigns as Delhi Congress chief</a></strong></p>

<p>The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mirage fighter jets and used five Israeli-origin Spice 2000 bombs to carry out the February 26 attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bombing came in response to the February 14 suicide attack in Pulwama in India’s&nbsp; erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel&nbsp;were killed.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Saffron terrorism’</strong></h2>

<p>While speaking at another rally in&nbsp;Maharashtra’s&nbsp;Pune, PM Modi accused&nbsp;India’s&nbsp;main opposition Congress party of coming out with&nbsp;a ‘saffron terrorism’&nbsp;theory,&nbsp;in a bid to paint Congress as an anti-Hindu party.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India elections 2024: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh blames heatwave for low voter turnout in polls</strong></p>

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<p>Modi stated that Congress even had the plan ready to put the blame for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on&nbsp;‘holy saffron’.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday (Apr 29) that he had informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot airstrikes even before the Indian media was apprised of the attack.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday (Apr 29) that he had informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot airstrikes even before the Indian media was apprised of the attack. Citing the incident, Modi claimed that he doesn’t believe in attacking from the back and fights from the front. PM Modi said he himself postponed the announcement to the media as he wanted to inform Islamabad first. "I had asked the forces to call the media and inform them, but I said before that I would inform Pakistan through telephone about airstrikes at night and the destruction caused, but Pakistan people did not come on the phone. So I asked forces to wait, and after informing them, we later disclosed to the world about airstrikes that happened during the night," news agency PTI quoted the PM as saying. PM Modi was speaking at a political rally in Bagalkot in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Monday (Apr 29). He said he had dialled the neighbouring country but “they wouldn’t take calls”. Modi further stated that India under his leadership has become ‘Naya Bharat’ or New India, which doesn’t shy away from killing inside the enemy’s own territory. 2019 Balakot airstrikes India had carried out Balakot airstrikes in February 2019, demolishing training camps of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Arvinder Singh Lovely resigns as Delhi Congress chief The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mirage fighter jets and used five Israeli-origin Spice 2000 bombs to carry out the February 26 attacks. The bombing came in response to the February 14 suicide attack in Pulwama in India’s erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed. ‘Saffron terrorism’ While speaking at another rally in Maharashtra’s Pune, PM Modi accused India’s main opposition Congress party of coming out with a ‘saffron terrorism’ theory, in a bid to paint Congress as an anti-Hindu party. Watch: India elections 2024: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh blames heatwave for low voter turnout in polls × Modi stated that Congress even had the plan ready to put the blame for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on ‘holy saffron’. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Informed Pak about Balakot strike before media’: PM Modi highlights his ‘fight from front’ policy

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the Congress and INDIA bloc on Saturday (Apr 27) stating that the opposition bloc is weighing up on a one-year PM scheme.</p>

<p>Further dubbing the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) fake, PM Modi said that they were walking shoulder to shoulder with the INDI Alliance.</p>

<p>While addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, the prime minister said that after the completion of the second phase, BJP-NDA was leading by 2-0.</p>

<p>"Kolhapur is called the football hub of Maharashtra. Football is very popular among the local youth here. If I speak to you in Football terminology, yesterday after the completion of the second phase, BJP-NDA is leading 2-0," PM Modi said.</p>

<h2><strong>'Congress and INDIA bloc will abrogate CAA'</strong></h2>

<p>He further hit out at the INDIA bloc alleging that if their government is formed, they will abrogate the CAA.</p>

<p>"They (Congress and INDIA bloc) are saying that if their government is formed, they will abrogate the CAA. Will the county allow them to do this? If in case they try to do so they know what they have to face? Those who cannot win Lok Sabha seats in 3-digit numbers, can the INDI alliance even reach the door of forming a government. Their formula is 'Ek Saal, Ek PM'... And if they stay in power for 5 years, then 5 prime ministers. The Congress and INDI alliance are making speeches in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu demanding a separate country. Can the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ever accept this?" PM Modi&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>He then asserted that the Congress and the INDIA bloc have only two self-goals, "anti-nationalism and politics of hatred."</p>

<p>"DMK party is very special to Congress, is abusing Sanatana. They are saying that the Sanatana is dengue and malaria. People who talk about destroying Sanatana Dharma are invited by INDI Alliance to Maharashtra and they are welcomed here. INDI Alliance has stooped so low in vote bank politics that they have allied with people who believe in Aurangzeb. What must Bala Saheb feel after seeing this?... Fake Shiv Sena is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with these people... Bala Saheb must have been very upset with this. Wherever his soul is, it must be upset seeing these activities," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Priyanka Gandhi slams PM Modi</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on PM Modi calling him arrogant.</p>

<p>In an apparent reference to Modi, Priyanka said that in the past, there were many prime ministers who sacrificed their lives for the country, even her father whom she "brought back in pieces".</p>

<p>While addressing a rally at Dharampur village in Valsad in PM Modi's home state of Gujarat on Saturday, Gandhi said in Hindi," I have seen such Prime Ministers. And I am not saying, that only my family members served. Indira Ji was there. She sacrificed her life for the country. Rajiv Gandhi was a Prime Minister too, I brought him home in pieces, he sacrificed his life for his country."</p>

<p>Hitting out at PM Modi, she said, "Our Prime Minister is arrogant. No one dares to say a thing to him. How will he come to know about your situation? He does not come to meet you so how would he come to know the real issues? Do you remember, Indira (Gandhi) Ji and Rajiv ji used to come? As a child, I would walk behind him".</p>

<p>"Then there was Manmohan Singh Ji. He brought a revolution in the country. Not only the Congress party, there was Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. I am saying it with conviction that he (Modi) will be the first Prime Minister of the country who is speaking lies in front of you," she added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the Congress and INDIA bloc on Saturday (Apr 27) stating that the opposition bloc is weighing up on a one-year PM scheme.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the Congress and INDIA bloc on Saturday (Apr 27) stating that the opposition bloc is weighing up on a one-year PM scheme. Further dubbing the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) fake, PM Modi said that they were walking shoulder to shoulder with the INDI Alliance. While addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, the prime minister said that after the completion of the second phase, BJP-NDA was leading by 2-0. "Kolhapur is called the football hub of Maharashtra. Football is very popular among the local youth here. If I speak to you in Football terminology, yesterday after the completion of the second phase, BJP-NDA is leading 2-0," PM Modi said. 'Congress and INDIA bloc will abrogate CAA' He further hit out at the INDIA bloc alleging that if their government is formed, they will abrogate the CAA. "They (Congress and INDIA bloc) are saying that if their government is formed, they will abrogate the CAA. Will the county allow them to do this? If in case they try to do so they know what they have to face? Those who cannot win Lok Sabha seats in 3-digit numbers, can the INDI alliance even reach the door of forming a government. Their formula is 'Ek Saal, Ek PM'... And if they stay in power for 5 years, then 5 prime ministers. The Congress and INDI alliance are making speeches in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu demanding a separate country. Can the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ever accept this?" PM Modi said. He then asserted that the Congress and the INDIA bloc have only two self-goals, "anti-nationalism and politics of hatred." "DMK party is very special to Congress, is abusing Sanatana. They are saying that the Sanatana is dengue and malaria. People who talk about destroying Sanatana Dharma are invited by INDI Alliance to Maharashtra and they are welcomed here. INDI Alliance has stooped so low in vote bank politics that they have allied with people who believe in Aurangzeb. What must Bala Saheb feel after seeing this?... Fake Shiv Sena is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with these people... Bala Saheb must have been very upset with this. Wherever his soul is, it must be upset seeing these activities," he added. Priyanka Gandhi slams PM Modi Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on PM Modi calling him arrogant. In an apparent reference to Modi, Priyanka said that in the past, there were many prime ministers who sacrificed their lives for the country, even her father whom she "brought back in pieces". While addressing a rally at Dharampur village in Valsad in PM Modi's home state of Gujarat on Saturday, Gandhi said in Hindi," I have seen such Prime Ministers. And I am not saying, that only my family members served. Indira Ji was there. She sacrificed her life for the country. Rajiv Gandhi was a Prime Minister too, I brought him home in pieces, he sacrificed his life for his country." Hitting out at PM Modi, she said, "Our Prime Minister is arrogant. No one dares to say a thing to him. How will he come to know about your situation? He does not come to meet you so how would he come to know the real issues? Do you remember, Indira (Gandhi) Ji and Rajiv ji used to come? As a child, I would walk behind him". "Then there was Manmohan Singh Ji. He brought a revolution in the country. Not only the Congress party, there was Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. I am saying it with conviction that he (Modi) will be the first Prime Minister of the country who is speaking lies in front of you," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi takes a jibe at INDIA bloc, says 'opposition alliance planning to have 5 PMs'

<p>Indians are voting in the first phase of&nbsp;18th <a href="https://www.wionews.com/indian-elections">Lok Sabha elections </a>on April 19, a mammoth exercise that will go on till June 1. These elections will occur across seven phases, with results set to be declared on June 4, 2024.</p>

<p>The northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan is an important battleground and is set to vote in two phases. The first phase on April 19, witnessed electoral showdowns in 12&nbsp;constituencies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These are Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, Nagaur.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>Key constituencies going for polls in the first phase in Rajasthan:&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p><strong>Churu - A Jat stronghold </strong></p>

<p>Churu saw a face-off between BJP's Devendra Jhajharia and Congress's Rahul Kaswan. The incumbent MP, Kaswan, now representing Congress, faced off against his former faction, with local controversy swirling around the switch.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2024-chhattisgarh-to-vote-in-phase-1-here-are-the-key-candidates-712250">Lok Sabha polls 2024: Chhattisgarh to vote in Phase 1. Here are the key candidates</a></p>

<p>Rajendra Rathore, popularly known as 'Kaka', took a centre stage in the Churu Lok Sabha polls. Kaswan alleges that Rathore, particularly, played a key role in preventing him from contesting the BJP ticket. The Jat-dominated region is ripe with issues like farmer loans and water scarcity as the stage is set for a heated electoral battle.</p>

<p><strong>Sikar&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In Sikar, Congress's coalition partner CPI(M)'s Comrade Amra Ram squared off against BJP's Swami Sumedhanand.</p>

<p>With a significant Jat influence, the contest hinged on issues like agricultural pricing, particularly for commodities like onions. Sumedhanand is also navigating scrutiny over his origin as he is a native of Haryana's Rohtak. He has promised local initiatives like an army recruitment centre to bolster his standing. The constituency's more than 21 lakh eligible voters are poised to decide who is going to take the reigns next.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Nagaur - Old rivalries</strong></p>

<p>Nagaur witnessed a fierce battle between former rivals - Congress's Jyoti Mirdha and RLP's Hanuman Beniwal.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/puducherry-lok-sabha-elections-2024-constituency-wise-seats-candidates-list-for-general-elections-news-712293">Puducherry Lok Sabha Elections 2024 - Constituency Wise Seats Candidates List for General Elections News</a></p>

<p>Beniwal, now aligned with Congress, sought to consolidate his influence as a prominent Jat leader. Meanwhile, Mirdha's saffron party defection is now opening historical animosities driving the contest in this Jat-dominated bastion.</p>

<p><strong>Jaipur - Controversies and women empowerment</strong></p>

<p>In Jaipur, controversies swirled around Congress' candidature changes, with Pratap Singh Khachariyawas replacing Sunil Sharma amid speculations tied to his association with right-wing platforms.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | India Elections 2024: Senior citizens &amp; disabled individuals cast votes from home in Kashmir</strong></p>

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<p>BJP's fielding of Manju Sharma, a seasoned party member, underscored its push for female representation. With a history of BJP dominance, Jaipur remains a crucial constituency, where past electoral margins hint at voter sentiments.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indians are voting in the first phase of 18th Lok Sabha elections on April 19, a mammoth exercise that will go on till June 1. These elections will occur across seven phases, with results set to be declared on June 4, 2024.

Indians are voting in the first phase of 18th Lok Sabha elections on April 19, a mammoth exercise that will go on till June 1. These elections will occur across seven phases, with results set to be declared on June 4, 2024. The northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan is an important battleground and is set to vote in two phases. The first phase on April 19, witnessed electoral showdowns in 12 constituencies. These are Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, Nagaur. Key constituencies going for polls in the first phase in Rajasthan: Churu - A Jat stronghold Churu saw a face-off between BJP's Devendra Jhajharia and Congress's Rahul Kaswan. The incumbent MP, Kaswan, now representing Congress, faced off against his former faction, with local controversy swirling around the switch. Also Read | Lok Sabha polls 2024: Chhattisgarh to vote in Phase 1. Here are the key candidates Rajendra Rathore, popularly known as 'Kaka', took a centre stage in the Churu Lok Sabha polls. Kaswan alleges that Rathore, particularly, played a key role in preventing him from contesting the BJP ticket. The Jat-dominated region is ripe with issues like farmer loans and water scarcity as the stage is set for a heated electoral battle. Sikar In Sikar, Congress's coalition partner CPI(M)'s Comrade Amra Ram squared off against BJP's Swami Sumedhanand. With a significant Jat influence, the contest hinged on issues like agricultural pricing, particularly for commodities like onions. Sumedhanand is also navigating scrutiny over his origin as he is a native of Haryana's Rohtak. He has promised local initiatives like an army recruitment centre to bolster his standing. The constituency's more than 21 lakh eligible voters are poised to decide who is going to take the reigns next. Nagaur - Old rivalries Nagaur witnessed a fierce battle between former rivals - Congress's Jyoti Mirdha and RLP's Hanuman Beniwal. Also Read | Puducherry Lok Sabha Elections 2024 - Constituency Wise Seats Candidates List for General Elections News Beniwal, now aligned with Congress, sought to consolidate his influence as a prominent Jat leader. Meanwhile, Mirdha's saffron party defection is now opening historical animosities driving the contest in this Jat-dominated bastion. Jaipur - Controversies and women empowerment In Jaipur, controversies swirled around Congress' candidature changes, with Pratap Singh Khachariyawas replacing Sunil Sharma amid speculations tied to his association with right-wing platforms. Watch | India Elections 2024: Senior citizens & disabled individuals cast votes from home in Kashmir × BJP's fielding of Manju Sharma, a seasoned party member, underscored its push for female representation. With a history of BJP dominance, Jaipur remains a crucial constituency, where past electoral margins hint at voter sentiments. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Key constituencies in Rajasthan's first phase of voting

<p>The Central Election Committee of&nbsp;India’s&nbsp;main opposition Congress party is all set to finalise candidates on two of its strongholds in&nbsp;the state of&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh: Amethi and Raebareli. A meeting will&nbsp;be held&nbsp;Saturday (Apr 27)&nbsp;and&nbsp;the decision could&nbsp;be taken&nbsp;tomorrow.&nbsp;All Congress cadres&nbsp;would be eagerly waiting for&nbsp;the meeting to conclude as the committee will decide whether&nbsp;former party president Rahul Gandhi will be fielded&nbsp;from Amethi.&nbsp;There are also speculations that&nbsp;Rahul’s&nbsp;sister and Congress General&nbsp;Secretary&nbsp;Priyanka Gandhi&nbsp;Vadra&nbsp;may&nbsp;be fielded&nbsp;from the Raebareli seat.</p>

<p>It is to&nbsp;be noted&nbsp;that Gandhi is already contesting elections in the Wayanad constituency in the southern Indian state of Kerala. If&nbsp;Priyanka’s&nbsp;name&nbsp;is finalised&nbsp;from Raebareli, it would be her political debut.</p>

<p>Earlier, the state election committee of&nbsp;Congress's&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh unit had proposed the names of Rahul Gandhi from Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi from Raebareli.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiT5aCqruCFAxWW1DgGHZlEBJoQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-heatwave-warning-issued-in-many-states-going-to-polls-in-second-phase-715314" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-heatwave-warning-issued-in-many-states-going-to-polls-in-second-phase-715314&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiT5aCqruCFAxWW1DgGHZlEBJoQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Heatwave warning issued in many states going to polls in second phase</a></strong></p>

<p>It was reported&nbsp;that the decision could&nbsp;be taken&nbsp;in the last meeting of the CEC itself&nbsp;but&nbsp;later&nbsp;the decision was left to the Gandhi family.</p>

<h2><strong>Both seats bastions of Congress</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, both Amethi and Raebareli are&nbsp;Congress’s&nbsp;bastions. Rahul Gandhi represented Amethi as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 15 years till 2019 but lost to&nbsp;BJP’s&nbsp;Smriti Irani last time.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiT5aCqruCFAxWW1DgGHZlEBJoQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-tripura-leads-voter-turnout-with-7753-per-cent-till-5pm-up-records-lowest-715436" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-tripura-leads-voter-turnout-with-7753-per-cent-till-5pm-up-records-lowest-715436&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiT5aCqruCFAxWW1DgGHZlEBJoQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE">Lok Sabha polls: Tripura leads voter turnout with 77.53 per cent till 5 pm, UP numbers lowest</a></strong></p>

<p>On the other hand, former Congress chief and&nbsp;Rahul’s&nbsp;mother&nbsp;Sonia&nbsp;Gandhi&nbsp;represented Raebareli for several terms&nbsp;but&nbsp;now&nbsp;the seat stands vacated as Sonia has&nbsp;been nominated&nbsp;to the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha.</p>

<h2><strong>Robert Vadra offers prayers in&nbsp;Rishikesh</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;Sonia’s&nbsp;son-in-law and&nbsp;Priyanka’s&nbsp;husband&nbsp;Robert&nbsp;Vadra&nbsp;on&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;offered prayers in Rishikesh and prayed for the safety of Rahul and Priyanka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The visit here has given me power and I prayed for the safety of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi while campaigning. I prayed for an environment of peace in the country and that the feeling of brotherhood remains. Keep religion and politics completely separate,”&nbsp;Vadra said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Central Election Committee of India’s main opposition Congress party is all set to finalise candidates on two of its strongholds in the state of Uttar Pradesh: Amethi and Raebareli.

The Central Election Committee of India’s main opposition Congress party is all set to finalise candidates on two of its strongholds in the state of Uttar Pradesh: Amethi and Raebareli. A meeting will be held Saturday (Apr 27) and the decision could be taken tomorrow. All Congress cadres would be eagerly waiting for the meeting to conclude as the committee will decide whether former party president Rahul Gandhi will be fielded from Amethi. There are also speculations that Rahul’s sister and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may be fielded from the Raebareli seat. It is to be noted that Gandhi is already contesting elections in the Wayanad constituency in the southern Indian state of Kerala. If Priyanka’s name is finalised from Raebareli, it would be her political debut. Earlier, the state election committee of Congress's Uttar Pradesh unit had proposed the names of Rahul Gandhi from Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi from Raebareli. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Heatwave warning issued in many states going to polls in second phase It was reported that the decision could be taken in the last meeting of the CEC itself but later the decision was left to the Gandhi family. Both seats bastions of Congress Notably, both Amethi and Raebareli are Congress’s bastions. Rahul Gandhi represented Amethi as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 15 years till 2019 but lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani last time. Also read: Lok Sabha polls: Tripura leads voter turnout with 77.53 per cent till 5 pm, UP numbers lowest On the other hand, former Congress chief and Rahul’s mother Sonia Gandhi represented Raebareli for several terms but now the seat stands vacated as Sonia has been nominated to the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha. Robert Vadra offers prayers in Rishikesh Meanwhile, Sonia’s son-in-law and Priyanka’s husband Robert Vadra on Friday offered prayers in Rishikesh and prayed for the safety of Rahul and Priyanka. “The visit here has given me power and I prayed for the safety of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi while campaigning. I prayed for an environment of peace in the country and that the feeling of brotherhood remains. Keep religion and politics completely separate,” Vadra said. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress to decide whether to field Rahul, Priyanka from Amethi, Raebareli on Saturday

<p>Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar (NCP-SCP) on Thursday released its&nbsp;manifesto, named, 'Shapath Patra' for the Lok Sabha elections 2024.<br />
NCP (SCP)&nbsp;manifesto&nbsp;promised a reduction in prices of LPG gas, petrol and diesel. It also promised strict laws on women's safety, and filling the vacant positions in government.</p>

<p>Releasing the party's&nbsp;manifesto, NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar hit back at the BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks that "Sharad Pawar should apologise for the farmers" suicide when he was Agriculture Minister.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-phase-2-live-updates-india-to-vote-amid-intense-heat-wave-warning-715017"><strong>Click here to follow all updates on the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024</strong></a></p>

<p>"In the last ten years, farmers' suicides have increased. Amit Shah should first tell what he has done to stop suicides in the last ten years," Pawar said.</p>

<p>On the occasion, NCP (SCP) leader Jayant Patil said, "We are releasing our&nbsp;manifesto&nbsp;today, our leaders will raise these issues in the parliament. Our&nbsp;manifesto&nbsp;name is 'Shapath Patra'. Inflation is on the rise, farmers are in a bad state, and unemployment is at its peak."</p>

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<p>On Prime Minister Modi's statement that Congress wants to take away the gold and property of people and distribute it among "those having more children", Pawar said,</p>

<p>"People expect that the PM of the nation should be for all irrespective of caste religion language etc. In a speech, he tried to take a different stand about minorities in the nation.</p>

<p>"During the election campaign, we will take his angle among the people and will try to make people understand that his view can hurt the unity of the nation and should be condemned," he added.</p>

<p>The next four phases of elections will take place in Maharashtra on April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20.</p>

<p>The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh (80).</p>

<p>In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats.</p>

<p>The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Following the split in the Shiva Sena 2022, the Eknath Shinde faction aligned with the BJP.&nbsp;</p>


Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar (NCP-SCP) on Thursday released its manifesto, named, 'Shapath Patra' for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. NCP (SCP) manifesto promised a reduction in prices of LPG gas, petrol and diesel.

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar (NCP-SCP) on Thursday released its manifesto, named, 'Shapath Patra' for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. NCP (SCP) manifesto promised a reduction in prices of LPG gas, petrol and diesel. It also promised strict laws on women's safety, and filling the vacant positions in government. Releasing the party's manifesto, NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar hit back at the BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks that "Sharad Pawar should apologise for the farmers" suicide when he was Agriculture Minister. Click here to follow all updates on the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 "In the last ten years, farmers' suicides have increased. Amit Shah should first tell what he has done to stop suicides in the last ten years," Pawar said. On the occasion, NCP (SCP) leader Jayant Patil said, "We are releasing our manifesto today, our leaders will raise these issues in the parliament. Our manifesto name is 'Shapath Patra'. Inflation is on the rise, farmers are in a bad state, and unemployment is at its peak." #WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar releases party's manifesto, for Lok Sabha elections. https://t.co/AkUtVjm5qK pic.twitter.com/endlJcTRzt — ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2024 × On Prime Minister Modi's statement that Congress wants to take away the gold and property of people and distribute it among "those having more children", Pawar said, "People expect that the PM of the nation should be for all irrespective of caste religion language etc. In a speech, he tried to take a different stand about minorities in the nation. "During the election campaign, we will take his angle among the people and will try to make people understand that his view can hurt the unity of the nation and should be condemned," he added. The next four phases of elections will take place in Maharashtra on April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh (80). In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats. The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Following the split in the Shiva Sena 2022, the Eknath Shinde faction aligned with the BJP.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Sharad Pawar's NCP releases manifesto

<p>Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Bengaluru South, was booked by&nbsp;the election commission on Friday (Apr 26) for seeking votes on the ground of religion. Surya had earlier posted a video on X, in which he “solicited votes on the ground of religion," the&nbsp;Chief Electoral Officer,&nbsp;Karnataka&nbsp;said in an X post. Bengaluru South is a crucial seat for&nbsp;BJP&nbsp;where Surya&nbsp;is pitted&nbsp;against Congress's Sowmya Reddy.</p>

<p>At around 2 pm, Surya made the post in which he mentioned Ram Mandir&nbsp;apart&nbsp;from border security, Article&nbsp;370&nbsp;to encourage his supporters to come out and vote in large numbers.</p>

<p>Surya earlier also gave an 80-20 per cent analogy, highlighting the lethargy of BJP voters to come out and cast their ballot.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjqutLN6N-FAxUv8jgGHYYNCG0QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lok-sabha-elections-2024-voting-across-13-states-and-uts-715255" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/lok-sabha-elections-2024-voting-across-13-states-and-uts-715255&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqutLN6N-FAxUv8jgGHYYNCG0QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Lok Sabha elections 2024: Voting across 13 states and UTs</a></strong></p>

<p>“We the BJP voters are 80 per cent but only 20 per cent come out and vote. Congress’ voters are 20 per cent but they come out and vote 80 per cent. This is the ground reality at the polling booths in most cases. Every single vote of yours matters. Please come out and vote because if you are not voting, Congress’ 20 per cent is definitely voting,” Tejasvi said.</p>

<p>Earlier, the BJP leader issued a scathing attack on Congress, the main opposition party, and declared it may not win more than 30 seats in the&nbsp;Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>"Congress party has become absolutely frustrated. Survey after survey shows that it may not win more than 30 seats... The more personal attacks and baseless allegations they make against the PM, history has shown that the Prime Minister has only gotten stronger and the BJP has only gotten more popular," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 88 seats up for grabs in phase 2</strong></p>

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<p>Speaking to news agency ANI, Surya added,&nbsp;“Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. it is a festival of democracy. Millions of people will go out and vote... This is not just a right, but also a duty, because if we don't vote, we are not registering our voice, and contributing meaningfully to a democracy... Just like every year, more senior citizens are seen at the booths, they are coming out in big numbers to vote. I wish young people draw inspiration from senior citizens and also come out in big numbers and vote."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Bengaluru South, was booked by the election commission on Friday (Apr 26) for seeking votes on the ground of religion.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Bengaluru South, was booked by the election commission on Friday (Apr 26) for seeking votes on the ground of religion. Surya had earlier posted a video on X, in which he “solicited votes on the ground of religion," the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka said in an X post. Bengaluru South is a crucial seat for BJP where Surya is pitted against Congress's Sowmya Reddy. At around 2 pm, Surya made the post in which he mentioned Ram Mandir apart from border security, Article 370 to encourage his supporters to come out and vote in large numbers. Surya earlier also gave an 80-20 per cent analogy, highlighting the lethargy of BJP voters to come out and cast their ballot. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Voting across 13 states and UTs “We the BJP voters are 80 per cent but only 20 per cent come out and vote. Congress’ voters are 20 per cent but they come out and vote 80 per cent. This is the ground reality at the polling booths in most cases. Every single vote of yours matters. Please come out and vote because if you are not voting, Congress’ 20 per cent is definitely voting,” Tejasvi said. Earlier, the BJP leader issued a scathing attack on Congress, the main opposition party, and declared it may not win more than 30 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. "Congress party has become absolutely frustrated. Survey after survey shows that it may not win more than 30 seats... The more personal attacks and baseless allegations they make against the PM, history has shown that the Prime Minister has only gotten stronger and the BJP has only gotten more popular," he said. Watch: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 88 seats up for grabs in phase 2 × Speaking to news agency ANI, Surya added, “Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. it is a festival of democracy. Millions of people will go out and vote... This is not just a right, but also a duty, because if we don't vote, we are not registering our voice, and contributing meaningfully to a democracy... Just like every year, more senior citizens are seen at the booths, they are coming out in big numbers to vote. I wish young people draw inspiration from senior citizens and also come out in big numbers and vote." (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections 2024: EC books BJP’s Tejasvi Surya for 'soliciting' votes in name of religion

<p><strong>Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 voting</strong>: The second of India's seven-phase voting began on Friday (Apr 26). Polling is being held in 88 of Lok Sabha's 543 seats across 13 states and Union Territories amid an intense heatwave. A total 1,210 candidates are in the fray. Till 3 PM (IST), many states had crossed half the eligible vote share.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In this election,&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in a row.</p>

<p>Major opposition parties have the 'Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance' (INDIA) to de-seat Modi and the incumbent prime minister continues to be immensely popular.</p>

<p>The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded the most candidates in this phase at 74, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at 69 and the Congress at 68.</p>

<p>By the end of Friday, a third of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats — that will include all seats in Kerala, Rajasthan, Manipur and Tripura, and 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka — will have completed polling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Manipur the vote share stood at 68.48 per cent, followed by Chhattisgarh (63.92 per cent), West Bengal (60.6 per cent), Assam (60.3 per cent), Jammu and Kashmir (57 per cent), Kerala (51 per cent), Karnataka (50.93 per cent), Rajasthan (50.27 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (46.5 per cent), Bihar (44.24 per cent), and Maharashtra (43.01 per cent).</p>

<p>Other states that are conducting electoral exercise include eight each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, and one in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<h2><strong>Lok Sabha Elections Phase-2 Voting: The stars in electoral fray</strong></h2>

<p>The BJP is banking on the stars of entertainment world, having fielded actors Arun Govil, Hema Malini and Suresh Gopi from Meerut, Mathura and Thrissur respectively.</p>

<p>While Hema Malini is seeking re-election from Mathura, Govil is in electoral fray for the first time. Gopi was sent to Rajya Sabha as a nominated person of eminence by the President of India in 2016. In 2019, he lost Lok Sabha election and this is the second time that he is contesting.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-phase-2-schedule-key-candidates-and-constituencies-voting-on-april-26-714805">Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 2: Schedule, key candidates and constituencies voting on April 26</a></strong></p>

<p>Notably, Govil played the character of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's <em>Ramayana </em>TV series in the 1980s.</p>

<p>His popularity saw a nationwide resurrection after the state broadcaster showed a re-run of <em>Ramayana </em>during Covid pandemic and the story of Lord Ram loomed large across India amid discourse related to the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya this January.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Lok Sabha Elections Phase-2 Voting: Key contest being watched out</strong></h2>

<p>The top contests that keep the political temperature high include incumbent Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram who is facing the BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Lok Sabha Elections 2024: India votes in Phase 2, voting in 88 constituencies across India</strong></p>

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<p>As reported in the <em>Battle of the Bastions</em>, a WION special series of political strongholds of India's most noted and voted politicians, Chandrasekhar was confident that he was beating Tharoor, a claim the former diplomat-turned-Congress leader laughed off.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/battle-of-the-bastions-will-tharoors-thiruvananthapuram-become-bjps-gateway-in-kerala-711972">Battle of the Bastions: Will Tharoor's Thiruvananthapuram become BJP's gateway in Kerala?</a></strong></p>

<p>Senior Congress leader Anto Antony is up against the BJP's Anil Antony in Pathanamthitta; the fifth-generation member of Gandhi-Nehru family Rahul Gandhi is up against the BJP Kerala president K Surendran and Communist Party of India (Maoist) candidate Annie Raja.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/battle-of-the-bastions-antony-vs-antony-faceoff-in-keralas-pathanamthitta-714512">Battle of the Bastions: Antony Vs Antony faceoff in Kerala's Pathanamthitta</a></strong></p>

<p>In Bengaluru South, BJP Youth Wing chief Tejasvi Surya is seeking re-election. He is up against state transport minister's daughter Sowmya Reddy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/battle-of-the-bastions-people-of-bengaluru-south-are-nationalists-they-will-back-narendra-modi-713918">Battle of the Bastions: 'People of Bengaluru South are nationalists. They will back Narendra Modi'</a></strong>The counting of votes is scheduled to begin on June 4.</p>


Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 voting: The second of India's seven-phase voting began on Friday (Apr 26). Polling is being held in 88 of Lok Sabha's 543 seats across 13 states and Union Territories amid an intense heatwave.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 voting: The second of India's seven-phase voting began on Friday (Apr 26). Polling is being held in 88 of Lok Sabha's 543 seats across 13 states and Union Territories amid an intense heatwave. A total 1,210 candidates are in the fray. Till 3 PM (IST), many states had crossed half the eligible vote share. In this election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in a row. Major opposition parties have the 'Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance' (INDIA) to de-seat Modi and the incumbent prime minister continues to be immensely popular. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded the most candidates in this phase at 74, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at 69 and the Congress at 68. By the end of Friday, a third of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats — that will include all seats in Kerala, Rajasthan, Manipur and Tripura, and 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka — will have completed polling. In Manipur the vote share stood at 68.48 per cent, followed by Chhattisgarh (63.92 per cent), West Bengal (60.6 per cent), Assam (60.3 per cent), Jammu and Kashmir (57 per cent), Kerala (51 per cent), Karnataka (50.93 per cent), Rajasthan (50.27 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (46.5 per cent), Bihar (44.24 per cent), and Maharashtra (43.01 per cent). Other states that are conducting electoral exercise include eight each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, and one in Jammu and Kashmir. Lok Sabha Elections Phase-2 Voting: The stars in electoral fray The BJP is banking on the stars of entertainment world, having fielded actors Arun Govil, Hema Malini and Suresh Gopi from Meerut, Mathura and Thrissur respectively. While Hema Malini is seeking re-election from Mathura, Govil is in electoral fray for the first time. Gopi was sent to Rajya Sabha as a nominated person of eminence by the President of India in 2016. In 2019, he lost Lok Sabha election and this is the second time that he is contesting. Also read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 2: Schedule, key candidates and constituencies voting on April 26 Notably, Govil played the character of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana TV series in the 1980s. His popularity saw a nationwide resurrection after the state broadcaster showed a re-run of Ramayana during Covid pandemic and the story of Lord Ram loomed large across India amid discourse related to the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya this January. Lok Sabha Elections Phase-2 Voting: Key contest being watched out The top contests that keep the political temperature high include incumbent Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram who is facing the BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Also watch | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: India votes in Phase 2, voting in 88 constituencies across India × As reported in the Battle of the Bastions, a WION special series of political strongholds of India's most noted and voted politicians, Chandrasekhar was confident that he was beating Tharoor, a claim the former diplomat-turned-Congress leader laughed off. Also read | Battle of the Bastions: Will Tharoor's Thiruvananthapuram become BJP's gateway in Kerala? Senior Congress leader Anto Antony is up against the BJP's Anil Antony in Pathanamthitta; the fifth-generation member of Gandhi-Nehru family Rahul Gandhi is up against the BJP Kerala president K Surendran and Communist Party of India (Maoist) candidate Annie Raja. Also read | Battle of the Bastions: Antony Vs Antony faceoff in Kerala's Pathanamthitta In Bengaluru South, BJP Youth Wing chief Tejasvi Surya is seeking re-election. He is up against state transport minister's daughter Sowmya Reddy. Also read | Battle of the Bastions: 'People of Bengaluru South are nationalists. They will back Narendra Modi'The counting of votes is scheduled to begin on June 4.

India votes in second of seven-phase elections as PM Modi seeks third term

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday released the party manifesto, saying they will raise their voice against the “onslaught” on the rights of the people in J&K post-2019 on the floor of Parliament.

India Election 2024: Mehbooba Mufti's PDP releases manifesto for Lok Sabha polls

<p><strong>Assam Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 1:</strong> The general elections in the Indian state of Assam, which has 14 Lok Sabha seats, the highest number in the Northeastern region, will be held in three phases: April 19, April 26 and May 7. The results will be declared on June 4.</p>

<p>Voting is underway in five constituencies in the first phase of the election which is taking place on Friday (Apr 19).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi holds mega roadshow in Assam</strong></p>

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<p>In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the historically Congress-dominated state witnessed a shift. In 2014, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won seven of the 14 seats; that number rose five years later when it managed to secure a total of nine seats.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Assam Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Constituencies</strong></h2>

<p>Kaziranga<br />
Sonitpur<br />
Lakhimpur<br />
Dibrugarh<br />
Jorhat</p>

<h2><strong>Assam Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Candidates</strong></h2>

<p>One of the prominent names in this race is Pradan Baruah from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who is contesting for the Lakhimpur seat. The other candidates contesting from the constituency are Ghana Kanta Chutia of Trinamool Congress (TMC), Uday Shankar Hazarika (Congress), and Biren Kachari of the Communist Party of India (CPI).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/assam-lok-sabha-elections-2024-dates-schedule-phases-seats-and-all-you-need-to-know-703876">&nbsp;Assam Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Dates, Schedule, phases, seats and all you need to know</a></strong></p>

<p>The fight is mainly between BJP and Congress in all constituencies except Dibrugarh, where Lurinjyoti Gogoi of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) will challenge Union Minister for Shipping and Waterways and BJP candidate Sarbananda Sonowal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Jorhat, BJP has fielded former state power minister Topon Kumar Gogoi against firebrand Congress leader and former Assam Chief Minister’s son Gaurav Gogoi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, Assam will also see some of the richest candidates in the race with at least 15 of the 35 being millionaires who are going to face off against each other in the first phase, according to news agency PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diluwara Begum Chowdhury, an independent female candidate, who is contesting for the Kaziranga seat is the richest among the 35.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/lok-sabha-election-2024">Click Here to get the latest updates of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>According to media reports, most opinion polls have predicted that the BJP will have a clean sweep by winning at least 11 out of the 14 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently held a roadshow in Tinsukia district with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed confidence that BJP would win at least 12 seats this election.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Assam Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 1: The general elections in the Indian state of Assam, which has 14 Lok Sabha seats, the highest number in the Northeastern region, will be held in three phases: April 19, April 26 and May 7.

Assam Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 1: The general elections in the Indian state of Assam, which has 14 Lok Sabha seats, the highest number in the Northeastern region, will be held in three phases: April 19, April 26 and May 7. The results will be declared on June 4. Voting is underway in five constituencies in the first phase of the election which is taking place on Friday (Apr 19). WATCH | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi holds mega roadshow in Assam In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the historically Congress-dominated state witnessed a shift. In 2014, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won seven of the 14 seats; that number rose five years later when it managed to secure a total of nine seats. Assam Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Constituencies Kaziranga Sonitpur Lakhimpur Dibrugarh Jorhat Assam Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Candidates One of the prominent names in this race is Pradan Baruah from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who is contesting for the Lakhimpur seat. The other candidates contesting from the constituency are Ghana Kanta Chutia of Trinamool Congress (TMC), Uday Shankar Hazarika (Congress), and Biren Kachari of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Also Read | Assam Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Dates, Schedule, phases, seats and all you need to know The fight is mainly between BJP and Congress in all constituencies except Dibrugarh, where Lurinjyoti Gogoi of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) will challenge Union Minister for Shipping and Waterways and BJP candidate Sarbananda Sonowal. In Jorhat, BJP has fielded former state power minister Topon Kumar Gogoi against firebrand Congress leader and former Assam Chief Minister’s son Gaurav Gogoi. Notably, Assam will also see some of the richest candidates in the race with at least 15 of the 35 being millionaires who are going to face off against each other in the first phase, according to news agency PTI. Diluwara Begum Chowdhury, an independent female candidate, who is contesting for the Kaziranga seat is the richest among the 35. Click Here to get the latest updates of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. According to media reports, most opinion polls have predicted that the BJP will have a clean sweep by winning at least 11 out of the 14 seats. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently held a roadshow in Tinsukia district with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed confidence that BJP would win at least 12 seats this election. (With inputs from agencies)

Assam Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 1 voting underway: Key candidates and constituencies

<p>The first phase of voting on Friday (Apr 19) for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/lok-sabha-election-2024">Lok Sabha Election 2024</a> was marred by political violence in the Indian state of West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the general election, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers accusing each other of hurting poll agents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both parties claimed the electoral process in the state is being disrupted.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/lok-sabha-elections-2024-shots-fired-at-manipur-polling-booth-three-injured-712927">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shots fired at Manipur polling booth, three injured</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Reports emerged that Border Security Force (BSF) troopers also foiled an attempt to capture a polling booth allegedly by people associated with the TMC party at the Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Election Commission of India (ECI) received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling till noon.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: Alert BSF troopers foil attempt to capture polling booth by alleged TMC hooligans at Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar.<br />
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The EC has till now received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling. <a href="https://t.co/Sma0d5OnWi">pic.twitter.com/Sma0d5OnWi</a></p>
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1781218266314420641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a post on social media platform X, BJP West Bengal wrote: "In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process, became the target of Trinamool's vicious onslaught," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-generations-of-women-exercise-their-right-to-vote-712872">Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Three generations of women exercise their right to vote</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>"Surrounded by the echoes of violence, the tranquility of Bengal shatters like glass," the post read. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"As dawn breaks over the bloodstained streets, the scars of injustice serve as a grim reminder of the battle for democracy in the face of tyranny. The people of Bengal stand united, unwavering in their demand for justice," it further said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night.<br />
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Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn… <a href="https://t.co/MWppejKPra">pic.twitter.com/MWppejKPra</a></p>
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Bengal/status/1781190409622016299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Watch this report:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik cast his vote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pramanik claimed: "TMC is trying to prevent people from reaching the booths.&nbsp;The fear of losing is visible in TMC's eyes. People are fully prepared to oppose TMC goons. People will definitely respond to the violence through their votes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | West Bengal: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik casts his vote in the first phase of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2024</a><br />
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TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch… <a href="https://t.co/iLPkfR6Okz">pic.twitter.com/iLPkfR6Okz</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1781218335067459713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections started on Friday with more than 1,600 candidates, including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and an ex-governor will test their electoral fate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls in the first phase which is also the largest of the seven phases of the elections.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The first phase of voting on Friday (Apr 19) for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 was marred by political violence in the Indian state of West Bengal. Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the general election, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers accusing each other of hurting poll agents.

The first phase of voting on Friday (Apr 19) for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 was marred by political violence in the Indian state of West Bengal. Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the general election, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party workers accusing each other of hurting poll agents. Both parties claimed the electoral process in the state is being disrupted. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shots fired at Manipur polling booth, three injured Reports emerged that Border Security Force (BSF) troopers also foiled an attempt to capture a polling booth allegedly by people associated with the TMC party at the Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar. The Election Commission of India (ECI) received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling till noon. West Bengal: Alert BSF troopers foil attempt to capture polling booth by alleged TMC hooligans at Balrampur area of Natabari Assembly in CoochBehar. The EC has till now received over 100 complaints from West Bengal during the Phase 1 polling. pic.twitter.com/Sma0d5OnWi — Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 19, 2024 × In a post on social media platform X, BJP West Bengal wrote: "In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night." "Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process, became the target of Trinamool's vicious onslaught," it added. Also read: Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Three generations of women exercise their right to vote "Surrounded by the echoes of violence, the tranquility of Bengal shatters like glass," the post read. "As dawn breaks over the bloodstained streets, the scars of injustice serve as a grim reminder of the battle for democracy in the face of tyranny. The people of Bengal stand united, unwavering in their demand for justice," it further said. In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night. Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn… pic.twitter.com/MWppejKPra — BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 19, 2024 × Watch this report: × Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik cast his vote. Pramanik claimed: "TMC is trying to prevent people from reaching the booths. The fear of losing is visible in TMC's eyes. People are fully prepared to oppose TMC goons. People will definitely respond to the violence through their votes." TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat. #WATCH | West Bengal: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency Nisith Pramanik casts his vote in the first phase of the #LokSabhaElections2024 TMC has fielded Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia and Congress has fielded Piya Roy Chowdhury from Cooch… pic.twitter.com/iLPkfR6Okz — ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024 × Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections started on Friday with more than 1,600 candidates, including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and an ex-governor will test their electoral fate. As many as 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls in the first phase which is also the largest of the seven phases of the elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1: Clashes erupt between BJP and TMC workers in West Bengal

<p>Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, has claimed that the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had gifted Coco Island to Myanmar. The island group is located in the Bay of Bengal almost 300 kilometres south of the Burmese mainland. It was part of the Northern Andaman Islands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ray, who is the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/lok-sabha-election-2024">Lok Sabha</a> candidate from Andaman and Nicobar Islands while speaking to the news agency ANI said, "The Congress has always harboured anti-India sentiments. Nehru gifted the Coco Islands, which were part of the Northern Andaman Islands, to Myanmar, which is currently under China's direct control."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/battle-of-the-bastions-will-tharoors-thiruvananthapuram-become-bjps-gateway-in-kerala-711972">Battle of the Bastions: Will Tharoor's Thiruvananthapuram become BJP's gateway in Kerala?</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>He further claimed, "Today, the central government is constructing a shipyard, and two defence airports to counter China in Campbell Bay, which is also known as Indira Point." The BJP leader said that the Indian National Congress (INC) did not worry about the islands when they were in power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The islands are a group of five islands, four on the Great Coco Reef and one more island on the Little Coco Reef. They officially became part of Myanmar when it was freed from the British in 1948. However, it became a major concern for India when Myanmar leased the island to the People's Republic of China.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-on-evm-and-vvpat-case-human-interventions-lead-to-problems-711982">Supreme Court on EVM and VVPAT case: ‘We know what happened when there were ballot papers’</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Chinese influence on Coco Island</strong></h2>

<p>Last year, satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies showed new construction activity on and around Myanmar's Coco Islands in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The islands have reportedly been witnessing military modernisation, which can be seen as a part of China's growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest militarisation could pose a significant security challenge to India. Such military construction might impact India's strategic interests in the region as it poses a security challenge to India and its navy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Fact Check: Did Kerala government publish textbook with communal content?&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Katchatheevu island controversy&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The issue emerged amid ongoing controversy over Katchatheevu island as it was revealed last month after a Right To Information (RTI) that the Congress government led by then prime minister Indira Gandhi handed over Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned it, stating that Indira Gandhi's action had "angered" the people. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people's minds—we can't ever trust Congress! (sic). Weakening India's unity, integrity and interests has been Congress' way of working for 75 years and counting."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, has claimed that the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had gifted Coco Island to Myanmar.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, has claimed that the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had gifted Coco Island to Myanmar. The island group is located in the Bay of Bengal almost 300 kilometres south of the Burmese mainland. It was part of the Northern Andaman Islands. Ray, who is the Lok Sabha candidate from Andaman and Nicobar Islands while speaking to the news agency ANI said, "The Congress has always harboured anti-India sentiments. Nehru gifted the Coco Islands, which were part of the Northern Andaman Islands, to Myanmar, which is currently under China's direct control." Also read: Battle of the Bastions: Will Tharoor's Thiruvananthapuram become BJP's gateway in Kerala? He further claimed, "Today, the central government is constructing a shipyard, and two defence airports to counter China in Campbell Bay, which is also known as Indira Point." The BJP leader said that the Indian National Congress (INC) did not worry about the islands when they were in power. The islands are a group of five islands, four on the Great Coco Reef and one more island on the Little Coco Reef. They officially became part of Myanmar when it was freed from the British in 1948. However, it became a major concern for India when Myanmar leased the island to the People's Republic of China. Also read: Supreme Court on EVM and VVPAT case: ‘We know what happened when there were ballot papers’ Chinese influence on Coco Island Last year, satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies showed new construction activity on and around Myanmar's Coco Islands in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The islands have reportedly been witnessing military modernisation, which can be seen as a part of China's growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. The latest militarisation could pose a significant security challenge to India. Such military construction might impact India's strategic interests in the region as it poses a security challenge to India and its navy. Watch: Fact Check: Did Kerala government publish textbook with communal content? × Katchatheevu island controversy The issue emerged amid ongoing controversy over Katchatheevu island as it was revealed last month after a Right To Information (RTI) that the Congress government led by then prime minister Indira Gandhi handed over Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned it, stating that Indira Gandhi's action had "angered" the people. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, "Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people's minds—we can't ever trust Congress! (sic). Weakening India's unity, integrity and interests has been Congress' way of working for 75 years and counting." (With inputs from agencies)

BJP leader claims Jawaharlal Nehru gifted Coco Islands to Myanmar, which is now under China’s direct control

<p>Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy was on Saturday (Apr 13) evening hit by stones during an election campaign in Vijayawada.</p>

<p>The YSR Congress supremo was pelted aboard a bus while he was campaigning as part of his 'Memantha Siddham' (we are all ready) bus yatra.</p>

<p>He was greeting people when an unidentified individual hurled stones at him, wounding him on his left eyebrow.</p>

<p>"The stone struck the CM while he was acknowledging the crowds as part of his bus tour at Vivekananda School Centre in Singh Nagar, Vijayawada," said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).</p>

<p>CM Jagan was immediately provided first-aid on the bus.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (<a href="https://twitter.com/ysjagan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ysjagan</a>) arrives at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada after being injured during a roadshow. <a href="https://t.co/YQ7K4YIPwH">pic.twitter.com/YQ7K4YIPwH</a></p>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1779220930562027546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>MLA Vellampalli, who was next to Jagan too sustained an injury in his left eye, said the party sources.</p>

<p>The Andhra Pradesh chief minister then continued his campaign after receiving first aid, the sources added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-may-vikramaditya-singh-against-kangana-ranaut-in-himachals-mandi-710936">Congress fields Vikramaditya Singh against Kangana Ranaut from Mandi in Himachal</a></p>

<p>A video of the incident that has surfaced on social media shows CM Jagan standing atop the vehicle and greeting crowds during the bus yatra.</p>

<p>The footage then shows people standing around him wiping his forehead with a handkerchief initially.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy injured during Memantha Siddham Bus Yatra.<br />
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According to YSRCP, an unidentified individual pelted a stone at the CM, injuring him on his left eyebrow. His security team was alerted and it… <a href="https://t.co/kfBFlMpnhp">pic.twitter.com/kfBFlMpnhp</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1779183715337531877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>He then can be seen entering into the bus where doctors immediately provided first aid to him.</p>

<p>YSRCP leaders have put the blame on TDP for the "attack".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (<a href="https://twitter.com/ysjagan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ysjagan</a>) receives first aid after being injured during campaigning in Vijayawada. <a href="https://t.co/OUeJ1a7cup">pic.twitter.com/OUeJ1a7cup</a></p>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1779175794884886983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reddy commenced his 21-day election campaign bus tour from Idupulupaya in Kadapa district to Icchapuram in Srikakulam district.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished a speedy recovery to the Andhra Pradesh chief minister.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I pray for the speedy recovery and good health of Andhra Pradesh CM <a href="https://twitter.com/ysjagan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ysjagan</a> Garu.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1779204397479919955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi took to his official X account and&nbsp;wrote, "I pray for the speedy recovery and good health of Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Garu."</p>

<p>Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy was on Saturday (Apr 13) evening hit by stones during an election campaign in Vijayawada. The YSR Congress supremo was pelted aboard a bus while he was campaigning as part of his 'Memantha Siddham' (we are all ready) bus yatra.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy was on Saturday (Apr 13) evening hit by stones during an election campaign in Vijayawada. The YSR Congress supremo was pelted aboard a bus while he was campaigning as part of his 'Memantha Siddham' (we are all ready) bus yatra. He was greeting people when an unidentified individual hurled stones at him, wounding him on his left eyebrow. "The stone struck the CM while he was acknowledging the crowds as part of his bus tour at Vivekananda School Centre in Singh Nagar, Vijayawada," said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). CM Jagan was immediately provided first-aid on the bus. VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) arrives at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada after being injured during a roadshow. pic.twitter.com/YQ7K4YIPwH — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 13, 2024 × MLA Vellampalli, who was next to Jagan too sustained an injury in his left eye, said the party sources. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister then continued his campaign after receiving first aid, the sources added. Also read: Congress fields Vikramaditya Singh against Kangana Ranaut from Mandi in Himachal A video of the incident that has surfaced on social media shows CM Jagan standing atop the vehicle and greeting crowds during the bus yatra. The footage then shows people standing around him wiping his forehead with a handkerchief initially. #WATCH | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy injured during Memantha Siddham Bus Yatra. According to YSRCP, an unidentified individual pelted a stone at the CM, injuring him on his left eyebrow. His security team was alerted and it… pic.twitter.com/kfBFlMpnhp — ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2024 × He then can be seen entering into the bus where doctors immediately provided first aid to him. YSRCP leaders have put the blame on TDP for the "attack". VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) receives first aid after being injured during campaigning in Vijayawada. pic.twitter.com/OUeJ1a7cup — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 13, 2024 × Reddy commenced his 21-day election campaign bus tour from Idupulupaya in Kadapa district to Icchapuram in Srikakulam district. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished a speedy recovery to the Andhra Pradesh chief minister. I pray for the speedy recovery and good health of Andhra Pradesh CM @ysjagan Garu. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 13, 2024 × PM Modi took to his official X account and wrote, "I pray for the speedy recovery and good health of Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Garu." Elections for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled on May 13 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4. (With inputs from agencies)

Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy injured in stone pelting incident during election campaign

A record 18 million voters aged 18-19 are set to cast their votes for the first-time during Lok Sabha Elections. As India's election summer heats up, off the Chennai coast in southern India, 18-year-old scuba diver PG Keerthana passed the #ElectionVibeCheck with flying colours.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Voter awareness campaign underwater

The Congress party has released its poll manifesto becoming the first of the country's two major political parties to unveil its vision document for the next 5 years. Watch in for more details!

India Election 2024: Decoding Congress' election manifesto

<p>In his latest poll promise, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that if voted to power, his party will conduct a financial as well as institutional survey to determine the wealth distribution among people throughout the country.</p>

<p>He said that along with the survey, as promised, the party will also conduct a nationwide caste census</p>

<p>"We will first conduct a nationwide caste census to determine how many people belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and minorities. After that, we will conduct a financial and institutional survey in a historic step to ascertain the distribution of wealth," Gandhi said while addressing a public rally in Hyderabad.</p>

<p>The Congress leader further emphasised that the grand old party would make sure that all the communities are represented in every sphere of society and that their rightful share is given.</p>

<p>He said that even though 90 per cent of the total population comprises SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities, they cannot be seen in jobs.</p>

<p>"The truth is that this 90 per cent of the population does not have a share at all," Gandhi said.</p>

<p>"There are 90 IAS officers who run the country's administration. But only three of them are OBCs, one Adivasi and three Dalits," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-home-minister-amit-shah-slams-congress-kharge-over-remarks-on-kashmir-708513">Lok Sabha Election: Home Minister Amit Shah slams Congress chief Kharge for his remarks on Kashmir</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Congress manifesto is the voice of people of India,' says Gandhi</strong></h2>

<p>While addressing the 'Jana Jatara Sabha', he also said that the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections is the "voice of the people of India" and has been prepared after interacting with millions of people.</p>

<p>He listed five guarantees (Nyay) the party has promised in its manifesto.</p>

<p>"When we gave you guarantees, we called them the guarantees of the Congress Party but in reality, they were the guarantees of the people. When we talked about Rs 500 cylinder, 200 units of free electricity, Greh Lakshmi, and free bus travel, we heard the voice of the people and prepared these guarantees," he said.</p>

<p>"The spirit of the manifesto is the five guarantees. First of all, every youth will get a job with a salary of Rs 1 lakh per year. We have made an apprenticeship law in which every youth in India will be guaranteed a one-year apprenticeship. This will be applicable in the public sector, private, education and all sectors. Apart from this, more promises for the youth are in our manifesto," Gandhi added.</p>

<p>He also underlined that under the 'Nari Nyay Law', they will deposit Rs 1 lakh in the bank account of a woman from a poor household in India, every year.</p>

<p>"This is a revolutionary step. This will change the face of the whole country. Just imagine, the Congress party government is going to give at least Rs 1 lakh directly to the bank account of the poorest families in India. This means that there will not be a single family in India whose income will not be Rs 1 lakh per year," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In his latest poll promise, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that if voted to power, his party will conduct a financial as well as institutional survey to determine the wealth distribution among people throughout the country.

In his latest poll promise, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that if voted to power, his party will conduct a financial as well as institutional survey to determine the wealth distribution among people throughout the country. He said that along with the survey, as promised, the party will also conduct a nationwide caste census "We will first conduct a nationwide caste census to determine how many people belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and minorities. After that, we will conduct a financial and institutional survey in a historic step to ascertain the distribution of wealth," Gandhi said while addressing a public rally in Hyderabad. The Congress leader further emphasised that the grand old party would make sure that all the communities are represented in every sphere of society and that their rightful share is given. He said that even though 90 per cent of the total population comprises SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities, they cannot be seen in jobs. "The truth is that this 90 per cent of the population does not have a share at all," Gandhi said. "There are 90 IAS officers who run the country's administration. But only three of them are OBCs, one Adivasi and three Dalits," he added. Also read: Lok Sabha Election: Home Minister Amit Shah slams Congress chief Kharge for his remarks on Kashmir 'Congress manifesto is the voice of people of India,' says Gandhi While addressing the 'Jana Jatara Sabha', he also said that the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections is the "voice of the people of India" and has been prepared after interacting with millions of people. He listed five guarantees (Nyay) the party has promised in its manifesto. "When we gave you guarantees, we called them the guarantees of the Congress Party but in reality, they were the guarantees of the people. When we talked about Rs 500 cylinder, 200 units of free electricity, Greh Lakshmi, and free bus travel, we heard the voice of the people and prepared these guarantees," he said. "The spirit of the manifesto is the five guarantees. First of all, every youth will get a job with a salary of Rs 1 lakh per year. We have made an apprenticeship law in which every youth in India will be guaranteed a one-year apprenticeship. This will be applicable in the public sector, private, education and all sectors. Apart from this, more promises for the youth are in our manifesto," Gandhi added. He also underlined that under the 'Nari Nyay Law', they will deposit Rs 1 lakh in the bank account of a woman from a poor household in India, every year. "This is a revolutionary step. This will change the face of the whole country. Just imagine, the Congress party government is going to give at least Rs 1 lakh directly to the bank account of the poorest families in India. This means that there will not be a single family in India whose income will not be Rs 1 lakh per year," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections: Congress vows to conduct wealth redistribution survey if voted to power

<p>Microsoft, the US-based multinational corporation, has raised concerns over possible Chinese influence and disruptions during elections in the United States, South Korea and India using artificial intelligence-generated content. Beijing apparently made a dry run during the presidential election in Taiwan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A new report released Friday (Apr 5) by Microsoft Threat Intelligence revealed that the tech company has observed notable trends from state-backed actors "that demonstrate not only doubling down on familiar targets but also attempts to use more sophisticated influence techniques to achieve their goals".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report said that it expects Chinese state-backed cyber groups to target crucial and high-profile elections with a possible involvement of North Korea also.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-blocking-dalai-lamas-sri-lanka-visit-says-top-buddhist-leader-708077">China blocking Dalai Lama's Sri Lanka visit, says top Buddhist leader</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The report said, "As populations in India, South Korea and the United States head to the polls, we are likely to see Chinese cyber and influence actors, and to some extent, North Korean cyber actors, work toward targeting these elections."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chinese influence actors "experimented with new media" and "continued to refine AI-generated or AI-enhanced content" the report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The influence actors behind these campaigns have shown a willingness to both amplify AI-generated media that benefits their strategic narratives, as well as create their own video, memes, and audio content," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-strong-winds-in-china-pull-three-people-from-apartment-windows-while-they-were-sleeping-708049">Strong winds sucked out three people from their homes in China while they slept</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The report highlighted&nbsp;a "notable uptick in content featuring Taiwanese political figures ahead of the January 13 presidential and legislative elections".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Besides Taiwan, China also used AI-generated content to spread propaganda related to Japan's disposal of nuclear wastewater, Hawaii's wildfire and Kentucky's train derailment last year in the form of memes and conspiracy theories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Microsoft, the news anchors were created by the CapCut tool, which is developed by the Chinese company ByteDance, the owner of TikTok.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China hasn't reacted to Microsoft's report yet.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India elections 2024: Populist poll promises vs reality in India&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Taiwan election: When pro-China disinformation targeted voters</strong></h2>

<p>Taiwan had claimed that&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-pro-china-disinformation-targets-voters-with-deepfakes-and-manipulative-videos-678779">presidential election campaign</a> was hit by a wave of disinformation and TikTok videos, which are particularly aimed at candidates China opposes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Beijing has made it clear that it opposes the frontrunner Lai Ching-te, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejects China's assertion that Taiwan is its own territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Microsoft, the US-based multinational corporation, has raised concerns over possible Chinese influence and disruptions during elections in the United States, South Korea and India using artificial intelligence-generated content.

Microsoft, the US-based multinational corporation, has raised concerns over possible Chinese influence and disruptions during elections in the United States, South Korea and India using artificial intelligence-generated content. Beijing apparently made a dry run during the presidential election in Taiwan. A new report released Friday (Apr 5) by Microsoft Threat Intelligence revealed that the tech company has observed notable trends from state-backed actors "that demonstrate not only doubling down on familiar targets but also attempts to use more sophisticated influence techniques to achieve their goals". The report said that it expects Chinese state-backed cyber groups to target crucial and high-profile elections with a possible involvement of North Korea also. Also read: China blocking Dalai Lama's Sri Lanka visit, says top Buddhist leader The report said, "As populations in India, South Korea and the United States head to the polls, we are likely to see Chinese cyber and influence actors, and to some extent, North Korean cyber actors, work toward targeting these elections." Chinese influence actors "experimented with new media" and "continued to refine AI-generated or AI-enhanced content" the report said. "The influence actors behind these campaigns have shown a willingness to both amplify AI-generated media that benefits their strategic narratives, as well as create their own video, memes, and audio content," it added. Also read: Strong winds sucked out three people from their homes in China while they slept The report highlighted a "notable uptick in content featuring Taiwanese political figures ahead of the January 13 presidential and legislative elections". Besides Taiwan, China also used AI-generated content to spread propaganda related to Japan's disposal of nuclear wastewater, Hawaii's wildfire and Kentucky's train derailment last year in the form of memes and conspiracy theories. According to Microsoft, the news anchors were created by the CapCut tool, which is developed by the Chinese company ByteDance, the owner of TikTok. China hasn't reacted to Microsoft's report yet. Watch: India elections 2024: Populist poll promises vs reality in India × Taiwan election: When pro-China disinformation targeted voters Taiwan had claimed that the presidential election campaign was hit by a wave of disinformation and TikTok videos, which are particularly aimed at candidates China opposes. Beijing has made it clear that it opposes the frontrunner Lai Ching-te, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejects China's assertion that Taiwan is its own territory. (With inputs from agencies)

Microsoft warns against possible Chinese manipulation during elections in India and US

<p>Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday (Apr 4) dismissed remarks made by a United Nations official over the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, saying that he does not need to hear from the world body over a "free and fair" elections process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes after a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement that they "hope" that in India, people's "political and civil rights" were protected and everyone is able to vote in a "free and fair" atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jaishankar was in Thiruvananthapuram when he said, "I don't need the United Nations to tell me our elections should be free &amp; fair. I have the people of India. The people of India will ensure that elections are free &amp; fair. So, don't worry about it."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-mp-randeep-singh-surjewala-and-bjp-mp-hema-malini-row-heres-what-happened-707692">Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala and BJP MP Hema Malini row: Here's what happened</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The foreign minister was campaigning for his ministerial colleague and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the interaction with the reporters, Jaishankar said that the UN official made the comment on the Indian elections last week in response to a "very loaded question" during a press briefing at the UN.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, was asked last week about the "political unrest" in India ahead of the upcoming national elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/son-in-law-after-sons-2019-loss-robert-vadra-reacts-if-he-will-contest-lok-sabha-polls-from-amethi-707747">Son-in-law after son's 2019 loss? Robert Vadra reacts to 'chances' of contesting Lok Sabha polls from Amethi</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee: One nation, one political party is BJP’s policy&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>The questions were in connection to the latest political development in the capital as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested. The UN official was also asked about the opposition Congress Party's bank accounts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric had said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday (Apr 4) dismissed remarks made by a United Nations official over the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, saying that he does not need to hear from the world body over a "free and fair" elections process.

Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday (Apr 4) dismissed remarks made by a United Nations official over the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, saying that he does not need to hear from the world body over a "free and fair" elections process. This comes after a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement that they "hope" that in India, people's "political and civil rights" were protected and everyone is able to vote in a "free and fair" atmosphere. Jaishankar was in Thiruvananthapuram when he said, "I don't need the United Nations to tell me our elections should be free & fair. I have the people of India. The people of India will ensure that elections are free & fair. So, don't worry about it." Also read: Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala and BJP MP Hema Malini row: Here's what happened The foreign minister was campaigning for his ministerial colleague and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Lok Sabha polls. During the interaction with the reporters, Jaishankar said that the UN official made the comment on the Indian elections last week in response to a "very loaded question" during a press briefing at the UN. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, was asked last week about the "political unrest" in India ahead of the upcoming national elections. Also read: Son-in-law after son's 2019 loss? Robert Vadra reacts to 'chances' of contesting Lok Sabha polls from Amethi Watch: Mamata Banerjee: One nation, one political party is BJP’s policy × The questions were in connection to the latest political development in the capital as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested. The UN official was also asked about the opposition Congress Party's bank accounts. "What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric had said. (With inputs from agencies)

Jaishankar rebuffs senior UN official's 'free and fair' remark on elections in India

<p>Indian politician Supriya Sule on Sunday (Mar 31) slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after its ally the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) fielded her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of NCP chief Ajit Pawar, against her in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. She called it BJP's conspiracy to politically destroy her father and NCP&nbsp;founder Sharad Pawar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The candidates from both the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party were announced at&nbsp;the Baramati constituency&nbsp;in the Pune district. Since the announcement, the constituency has become a key battleground in Maharashtra's Lok Sabha election and a 'Pawar versus Pawar' contest.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/theyll-soon-regret-it-modi-defends-electoral-bond-scheme-rejects-opposition-allegations-of-ed-misuse-706423">They'll 'soon regret it': Modi defends electoral bond scheme, rejects opposition allegations of ED misuse</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>During an exclusive interview with India-based news agency ANI, Sule said, "My fight is not against a person, but their mindset and policies. You have witnessed me in politics for the past 18 years; I have never made any personal comment on anyone."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The three-time MP from Baramati and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP(SP)&nbsp;leader said that Sunetra Pawar is the wife of her elder brother and the elder sister-in-law is considered a "mother".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-sends-cm-kejriwal-to-15-day-judicial-custody-in-alleged-liquorgate-scam-706436">Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal's judicial custody till April 15 in alleged liquor scam case</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch: BJP's election manifesto committee meeting today&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>"It's dirty politics by the BJP. Sunetra Pawar, being my elder brother's wife, holds a special place in the family as the "vahini" (in Marathi) elder sister-in-law and she is a mother figure for me, but she has been given to contest against me just to create a rift in the family, and the BJP is behind all this," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's a conspiracy of the BJP, which is aimed at finishing off the name of Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar); they have nothing to do with the development etc., of the constituency," Sule added.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Baramati has been a stronghold of Sharad Pawar who won the seat six times and then passed on his legacy to his daughter Supriya Sule.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4 across the country.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Indian politician Supriya Sule on Sunday (Mar 31) slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after its ally the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) fielded her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of NCP chief Ajit Pawar, against her in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat.

Indian politician Supriya Sule on Sunday (Mar 31) slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after its ally the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) fielded her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of NCP chief Ajit Pawar, against her in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. She called it BJP's conspiracy to politically destroy her father and NCP founder Sharad Pawar. The candidates from both the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party were announced at the Baramati constituency in the Pune district. Since the announcement, the constituency has become a key battleground in Maharashtra's Lok Sabha election and a 'Pawar versus Pawar' contest. Also read: They'll 'soon regret it': Modi defends electoral bond scheme, rejects opposition allegations of ED misuse During an exclusive interview with India-based news agency ANI, Sule said, "My fight is not against a person, but their mindset and policies. You have witnessed me in politics for the past 18 years; I have never made any personal comment on anyone." The three-time MP from Baramati and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP(SP) leader said that Sunetra Pawar is the wife of her elder brother and the elder sister-in-law is considered a "mother". Also read: Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal's judicial custody till April 15 in alleged liquor scam case Watch: BJP's election manifesto committee meeting today × "It's dirty politics by the BJP. Sunetra Pawar, being my elder brother's wife, holds a special place in the family as the "vahini" (in Marathi) elder sister-in-law and she is a mother figure for me, but she has been given to contest against me just to create a rift in the family, and the BJP is behind all this," she said. "It's a conspiracy of the BJP, which is aimed at finishing off the name of Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar); they have nothing to do with the development etc., of the constituency," Sule added. Baramati has been a stronghold of Sharad Pawar who won the seat six times and then passed on his legacy to his daughter Supriya Sule. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4 across the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Pawar vs Pawar in Baramati: NCP fields Sunetra Pawar, Supriya Sule targets BJP for 'dirty politics'

<p>With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its eighth list on Saturday (Mar 30) which included the names of candidates fielded from Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal.</p>

<p>In Punjab, the saffron party has handed the ticket to former Congress MP and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh's wife Preneet Kaur from Patiala who had won the same seat in the 2019 general elections on Congress ticket.</p>

<p>Preneet Kaur, who was suspended by the Congress in February 2023 over alleged 'anti-party' activities, joined the BJP earlier this month.</p>

<p>She embraced her new party on March 14 in the presence of prominent leaders, including Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar, who himself was formerly associated with the Congress.</p>

<p>Kaur is set to face AAP candidate Dr Balbir Singh from the Patiala seat. The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal are yet to announce their candidates from Patiala.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">भारतीय जनता पार्टी की केन्द्रीय चुनाव समिति ने आगामी लोकसभा चुनाव-2024 के लिए 8वीं सूची में निम्नलिखित नामों पर अपनी स्वीकृति प्रदान की। <a href="https://t.co/TrHp1SEdnK">pic.twitter.com/TrHp1SEdnK</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>BJP drops Sunny Deol</strong></h2>

<p>In a significant development, Bollywood actor Sunny Deol was sensationally axed from the Gurdaspur seat. The ticket from the constituency has been given to Dinesh Singh "Babbu".</p>

<p>Babbu had remained a three-time MLA from Sujanpur in Pathankot.</p>

<p>The opposition parties had attacked BJP over Deol's "absence" from the constituency.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-wins-10-seats-uncontested-in-arunachal-pradesh-assembly-amid-absence-of-rivals-nomination-withdrawals-706048">BJP wins 10 seats uncontested in Arunachal Pradesh assembly amid absence of rivals, nomination withdrawals</a></p>

<h2><strong>Hans Raj Hans fielded from Faridkot seat</strong></h2>

<p>The saffron party fielded singer and MP from North West Delhi Hans Raj Hans from Faridkot which is a reserved seat.</p>

<p>He will be facing AAP candidate Punjabi actor and singer Karamjit Anmol.</p>

<p>At present, the seat is represented by Congress MP Mohammad Sadique.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Ex-diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed ticket from Amritsar</strong></h2>

<p>BJP fielded former Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu from the Amritsar constituency.</p>

<p>The 61-year-old former diplomat is Teja Singh Samundri's grandson, who was one of the founding members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.</p>

<p>The ruling party last won the seat in the year 2009 when Navjot Singh Sidhu was the candidate.</p>

<p>BJP's Arun Jaitley and Hardeep Singh Puri lost in the 2014 and 2019 elections respectively.</p>

<p>From the Jalandhar constituency, the party fielded AAP's lone MP Sushil Kumar Rinku who joined the BJP just four days ago.</p>

<p>Rinku, who had been named the candidate by the AAP, quit the Kejriwal-led outfit in less than a year after joining it.</p>

<p>On the other hand, MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who quit Congress and joined BJP on Tuesday, was fielded from the Ludhiana seat.</p>

<p>He is the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated in a terror attack in 1995.</p>

<h2><strong>Rabindra Narayan Behera fielded from Jajpur seat</strong></h2>

<p>Rabindra Narayan Behera was handed the ticket by the party from Jajpur seat in Odisha, Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi from Kandhamal and Bhartruhari Mahtab from Cuttack.</p>

<p>In West Bengal, the ruling party fielded former IPS officer Debashish Dhar from Birbhum and Pranat Tudu from Jhargram.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;</em></p>


With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its eighth list on Saturday (Mar 30) which included the names of candidates fielded from Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal.

With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its eighth list on Saturday (Mar 30) which included the names of candidates fielded from Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal. In Punjab, the saffron party has handed the ticket to former Congress MP and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh's wife Preneet Kaur from Patiala who had won the same seat in the 2019 general elections on Congress ticket. Preneet Kaur, who was suspended by the Congress in February 2023 over alleged 'anti-party' activities, joined the BJP earlier this month. She embraced her new party on March 14 in the presence of prominent leaders, including Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar, who himself was formerly associated with the Congress. Kaur is set to face AAP candidate Dr Balbir Singh from the Patiala seat. The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal are yet to announce their candidates from Patiala. भारतीय जनता पार्टी की केन्द्रीय चुनाव समिति ने आगामी लोकसभा चुनाव-2024 के लिए 8वीं सूची में निम्नलिखित नामों पर अपनी स्वीकृति प्रदान की। pic.twitter.com/TrHp1SEdnK — BJP (@BJP4India) March 30, 2024 × BJP drops Sunny Deol In a significant development, Bollywood actor Sunny Deol was sensationally axed from the Gurdaspur seat. The ticket from the constituency has been given to Dinesh Singh "Babbu". Babbu had remained a three-time MLA from Sujanpur in Pathankot. The opposition parties had attacked BJP over Deol's "absence" from the constituency. Also read: BJP wins 10 seats uncontested in Arunachal Pradesh assembly amid absence of rivals, nomination withdrawals Hans Raj Hans fielded from Faridkot seat The saffron party fielded singer and MP from North West Delhi Hans Raj Hans from Faridkot which is a reserved seat. He will be facing AAP candidate Punjabi actor and singer Karamjit Anmol. At present, the seat is represented by Congress MP Mohammad Sadique. Ex-diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed ticket from Amritsar BJP fielded former Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu from the Amritsar constituency. The 61-year-old former diplomat is Teja Singh Samundri's grandson, who was one of the founding members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The ruling party last won the seat in the year 2009 when Navjot Singh Sidhu was the candidate. BJP's Arun Jaitley and Hardeep Singh Puri lost in the 2014 and 2019 elections respectively. From the Jalandhar constituency, the party fielded AAP's lone MP Sushil Kumar Rinku who joined the BJP just four days ago. Rinku, who had been named the candidate by the AAP, quit the Kejriwal-led outfit in less than a year after joining it. On the other hand, MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who quit Congress and joined BJP on Tuesday, was fielded from the Ludhiana seat. He is the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated in a terror attack in 1995. Rabindra Narayan Behera fielded from Jajpur seat Rabindra Narayan Behera was handed the ticket by the party from Jajpur seat in Odisha, Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi from Kandhamal and Bhartruhari Mahtab from Cuttack. In West Bengal, the ruling party fielded former IPS officer Debashish Dhar from Birbhum and Pranat Tudu from Jhargram. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha polls: Sunny Deol dropped; BJP fields ex-diplomat Sandhu from Amritsar, Preneet Kaur from Patiala

<p>Six Congress rebels and three Independent MLAs from Himachal Pradesh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (Mar 23), altering the state's political landscape.</p>

<h2><strong>Rebel Congress MLAs disqualified</strong></h2>

<p>The rebel Congress MLAs Sudhir Sharma (Dharamsala), Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Badsar), Ravi Thakur (Lahaul-Spiti), Chaitanya Sharma (Gagret), and Devender Bhutto (Kutlehar) faced disqualification for disobeying party orders to support the ruling Congress candidates during voting for the Rajya Sabha elections. Aside from voting for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls, the rebel MLAs did not vote on the Budget in the assembly.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court declined to stay the disqualification of rebel Congress leaders under the anti-defection law, ordering them not to participate in assembly proceedings until further notice, stirring a legal battle. This marks the first instance of disqualification of an MLA from Himachal Pradesh under the anti-defection law.</p>

<p>MLAs Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh, and KL Thakur, despite seeking BJP tickets initially, has contested as Independents in the 2022 Assembly polls and won from Hamirpur, Dehra, and Nalagarh respectively, later lending support to the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Independent MLAs accused Chief Minister Sukhu of vindictive actions, and lodging of false cases against them and their families, while Sukhu said that MLAs should have respected the public's mandate. They submitted their resignations to Assembly Secretary Yash Paul Sharma on March 23.</p>

<h2><strong>Himachal Pradesh Assembly strength</strong></h2>

<p>With the disqualification, the effective strength of the Himachal Assembly dropped to 34 from 40 in the 68-member, impacting the balance of power, as the ruling Congress saw a reduction in its numbers.</p>

<p>The election for the 6 vacant assembly seats will take place on June 1 along with the 7th and the final phase of the Lok Sabha election, according to the Election Commission of India.</p>

<p>Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha constituencies - Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Shimla. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections BJP had won all the four seats.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Six Congress rebels and three Independent MLAs from Himachal Pradesh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (Mar 23), altering the state's political landscape.

Six Congress rebels and three Independent MLAs from Himachal Pradesh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (Mar 23), altering the state's political landscape. Rebel Congress MLAs disqualified The rebel Congress MLAs Sudhir Sharma (Dharamsala), Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Badsar), Ravi Thakur (Lahaul-Spiti), Chaitanya Sharma (Gagret), and Devender Bhutto (Kutlehar) faced disqualification for disobeying party orders to support the ruling Congress candidates during voting for the Rajya Sabha elections. Aside from voting for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls, the rebel MLAs did not vote on the Budget in the assembly. The Supreme Court declined to stay the disqualification of rebel Congress leaders under the anti-defection law, ordering them not to participate in assembly proceedings until further notice, stirring a legal battle. This marks the first instance of disqualification of an MLA from Himachal Pradesh under the anti-defection law. MLAs Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh, and KL Thakur, despite seeking BJP tickets initially, has contested as Independents in the 2022 Assembly polls and won from Hamirpur, Dehra, and Nalagarh respectively, later lending support to the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government. The Independent MLAs accused Chief Minister Sukhu of vindictive actions, and lodging of false cases against them and their families, while Sukhu said that MLAs should have respected the public's mandate. They submitted their resignations to Assembly Secretary Yash Paul Sharma on March 23. Himachal Pradesh Assembly strength With the disqualification, the effective strength of the Himachal Assembly dropped to 34 from 40 in the 68-member, impacting the balance of power, as the ruling Congress saw a reduction in its numbers. The election for the 6 vacant assembly seats will take place on June 1 along with the 7th and the final phase of the Lok Sabha election, according to the Election Commission of India. Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha constituencies - Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Shimla. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections BJP had won all the four seats. (With inputs from agencies)

Himachal Pradesh political shake-up: 6 Congress rebels and 3 independent MLAs jump ship to BJP

<p>Senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader Shashi Tharoor hit out at the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday (Mar 19), accusing it of diving votes in Thiruvananthapuram, a city in the Indian state of Kerala state he represents in the Lok Sabha. Both Congress and CPI are part of&nbsp;of the INDIA alliance.</p>

<p>Tharoor has been representing Thiruvananthapuram for the past 15 years in the Lok Sabha and he is eyeing a record fourth term.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that it is ironic that the Left party which complains about Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad is "playing the BJP's game" in Thiruvananthapuram.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-top-court-seeks-centres-response-to-pleas-calling-for-stay-on-caa-rules-701932">India's top court seeks centre's response to pleas calling for stay on CAA rules</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram said the only effect of the CPI's campaign against him in the constituency is to divide the anti-BJP vote, "and they preach alliance dharma in Wayanad".&nbsp;</p>

<p>He asked CPI why are they undercutting his vote by running a candidate whose campaigning has been entirely against Tharoor. &nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "Last two elections the BJP came second, if they're really so concerned about opposition unity. I have not heard the Left speaking against the BJP, they're speaking against me all the time and trying to take away for example minority votes."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-nda-dumps-union-minister-pashupati-paras-in-bihar-embraces-nephew-paswan-701702">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: NDA dumps union minister Pashupati Paras in Bihar, embraces nephew Paswan</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The Congress leader alleged that this is a tactic which can only help the third party namely the BJP. He again asked, "I'm asking the CPI what are you talking about? Why are you doing this here? And then demanding alliance between Dharma and Wayanad be consistent that's my message."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch his video:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "...Last two elections the BJP came second, if they're really so concerned about opposition unity why are they undercutting my vote by running a candidate whose campaigning has been entirely against me? I have not heard the left speaking… <a href="https://t.co/57hKI0qYuB">pic.twitter.com/57hKI0qYuB</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1769987477148668133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Thiruvananthapuram constituency is all set for a high-profile fight in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Tharoor is facing Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP while Pannyan Raveendran is in the fray representing the Left.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Exuding confidence, Tharoor recently said, "I've served the people of Thiruvananthapuram for 15 years. They know me and have seen my service. It's not as if I've got anything to be ashamed of in my track record. I've been consistently available and attended to all the major issues."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader Shashi Tharoor hit out at the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday (Mar 19), accusing it of diving votes in Thiruvananthapuram, a city in the Indian state of Kerala state he represents in the Lok Sabha.

Senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader Shashi Tharoor hit out at the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday (Mar 19), accusing it of diving votes in Thiruvananthapuram, a city in the Indian state of Kerala state he represents in the Lok Sabha. Both Congress and CPI are part of of the INDIA alliance. Tharoor has been representing Thiruvananthapuram for the past 15 years in the Lok Sabha and he is eyeing a record fourth term. He said that it is ironic that the Left party which complains about Rahul Gandhi's candidature in Wayanad is "playing the BJP's game" in Thiruvananthapuram. Also read: India's top court seeks centre's response to pleas calling for stay on CAA rules The Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram said the only effect of the CPI's campaign against him in the constituency is to divide the anti-BJP vote, "and they preach alliance dharma in Wayanad". He asked CPI why are they undercutting his vote by running a candidate whose campaigning has been entirely against Tharoor. He said, "Last two elections the BJP came second, if they're really so concerned about opposition unity. I have not heard the Left speaking against the BJP, they're speaking against me all the time and trying to take away for example minority votes." Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: NDA dumps union minister Pashupati Paras in Bihar, embraces nephew Paswan The Congress leader alleged that this is a tactic which can only help the third party namely the BJP. He again asked, "I'm asking the CPI what are you talking about? Why are you doing this here? And then demanding alliance between Dharma and Wayanad be consistent that's my message." Watch his video: #WATCH | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "...Last two elections the BJP came second, if they're really so concerned about opposition unity why are they undercutting my vote by running a candidate whose campaigning has been entirely against me? I have not heard the left speaking… pic.twitter.com/57hKI0qYuB — ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2024 × Thiruvananthapuram constituency is all set for a high-profile fight in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Tharoor is facing Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP while Pannyan Raveendran is in the fray representing the Left. Exuding confidence, Tharoor recently said, "I've served the people of Thiruvananthapuram for 15 years. They know me and have seen my service. It's not as if I've got anything to be ashamed of in my track record. I've been consistently available and attended to all the major issues." (With inputs from agencies)

Alliance dharma: Congress' Shashi Tharoor accuses INDIA ally CPI of playing BJP’s game in Thiruvananthapuram

<p>The ruling National Democractic Alliance has reached seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16.</p>

<p>The seat-sharing agreement was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday. He said LJP (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats and Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will fight one seat each.</p>

<p>"The NDA alliance will fight the polls collectively. We will put our full force on all 40 seats in the state. We will win on all the 40 seats. It is my belief," he said.</p>

<p>The BJP has got one seat more than the JD-U, according to the seat arrangement.</p>

<p>He said the BJP will field candidates in Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Aurangabad, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Maharajganj, Saran, Begusarai, Nawada, Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Aara, Buxar, and Sasaram.</p>

<p>Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest Vaishali, Hajipur, Samastipur, Khagaria and Jamui. Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha on Gaya and Karakat seats respectively.</p>

<p>Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.</p>

<p>The Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The polling will be conducted in seven phases across the nation from April 19 to June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.&nbsp;</p>


The ruling National Democractic Alliance has reached seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16. The seat-sharing agreement was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday.

The ruling National Democractic Alliance has reached seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16. The seat-sharing agreement was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday. He said LJP (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats and Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will fight one seat each. "The NDA alliance will fight the polls collectively. We will put our full force on all 40 seats in the state. We will win on all the 40 seats. It is my belief," he said. The BJP has got one seat more than the JD-U, according to the seat arrangement. He said the BJP will field candidates in Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Aurangabad, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Maharajganj, Saran, Begusarai, Nawada, Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Aara, Buxar, and Sasaram. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest Vaishali, Hajipur, Samastipur, Khagaria and Jamui. Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha on Gaya and Karakat seats respectively. Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. The Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The polling will be conducted in seven phases across the nation from April 19 to June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.

India elections 2024: NDA decides seat-sharing for Lok Sabha seats in Bihar; BJP to contest 17, JD-U 16

<p>The speech of India's Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the election schedule for state by-polls, assembly elections, and parliamentary elections on Saturday (Mar 16), was laced with both humour and a dash of poetry. While speaking over the weighty matters at hand, Kumar's witty remarks and playful wordplay elicited hearty laughter from everyone in attendance.</p>

<p><em><strong>Here's a look at three of the most interesting comments made by the top election official:&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<h2><strong>- Poetic jibe on EVM tampering allegations</strong></h2>

<p>In his comments over allegations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) tampering, CEC Kumar, with the help of a shayari (poetry), elegantly rebuked parties/leaders who are quick to blame EVMs for their political failures and election losses but conveniently choose to remain silent when the results are in their favour.</p>

<p>"Adhoori hasrato ka ilzaam, har baar hum par lagaana theek nahi, wafa khud se nahi hoti, khataa EVM ki kahete ho, aur baad mein jab parinaam aata hai toh uspe kaayam bhi nahi rahte (pointing fingers at us (EVMs) for your unmet desires every time isn't fair. You can't assure faithfulness to yourself, yet you persist in faulting EVMs. Then, when the outcome pours in, you refuse to acknowledge it.)</p>

<p>The comment by CEC, where he spoke of faithfulness, appeared to be taking a swipe&nbsp;at leaders changing parties, something that often sparks debates and raises questions over their sincerity. Notably, while some argue that such transitions show adaptability, others perceive them as opportunistic manoeuvres driven by personal ambition rather than principled conviction.</p>

<h2><strong>- Combatting fake news</strong></h2>

<p>Taking a firm stance against misinformation, CEC Kumar said that one must try to combat fake news with the mantra - "verify before you amplify." He urged the importance of relying on authoritative sources.</p>

<p>Once more, in his poetic manner and targeting people who forward fake news, he said, "Jhooth ke bazaar mein raunak to bahut hai, goya bulbule jaisi turant hi phat jati hai..Pakad bhi loge to kya haasil hoga siwaye dhokhe ke (There is a lot of excitement in the market of lies, it seems as if a bubble bursts instantly. Even if you catch hold of it, what will you gain except deception?)</p>

<h2><strong>- Transparency in electoral bonds</strong></h2>

<p>Kumar also spoke at length on the electoral bonds, the data of which was recently made public by the poll body after a directive by the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>He stressed the commission's commitment to transparency. "In democracy, there is no scope for hiding things, it is all about making everybody know, we are all for transparency. This is the first part of the exercise that it must be known, the country now has to ask and find solutions through an institutional mechanism where the donor's privacy is also considered," he said.</p>

<p>Kumar added, "The unaccounted money which is used in the elections... during the elections we are very particular to control it but how do we also control the donations in the unaccounted form is something which the entire nation needs to work together... the donor's privacy is also protected so he is not harassed, how the money is channelised and how it is more and more white."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The speech of India's Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the election schedule for state by-polls, assembly elections, and parliamentary elections on Saturday (Mar 16), was laced with both humour and a dash of poetry.

The speech of India's Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the election schedule for state by-polls, assembly elections, and parliamentary elections on Saturday (Mar 16), was laced with both humour and a dash of poetry. While speaking over the weighty matters at hand, Kumar's witty remarks and playful wordplay elicited hearty laughter from everyone in attendance. Here's a look at three of the most interesting comments made by the top election official: - Poetic jibe on EVM tampering allegations In his comments over allegations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) tampering, CEC Kumar, with the help of a shayari (poetry), elegantly rebuked parties/leaders who are quick to blame EVMs for their political failures and election losses but conveniently choose to remain silent when the results are in their favour. "Adhoori hasrato ka ilzaam, har baar hum par lagaana theek nahi, wafa khud se nahi hoti, khataa EVM ki kahete ho, aur baad mein jab parinaam aata hai toh uspe kaayam bhi nahi rahte (pointing fingers at us (EVMs) for your unmet desires every time isn't fair. You can't assure faithfulness to yourself, yet you persist in faulting EVMs. Then, when the outcome pours in, you refuse to acknowledge it.) The comment by CEC, where he spoke of faithfulness, appeared to be taking a swipe at leaders changing parties, something that often sparks debates and raises questions over their sincerity. Notably, while some argue that such transitions show adaptability, others perceive them as opportunistic manoeuvres driven by personal ambition rather than principled conviction. - Combatting fake news Taking a firm stance against misinformation, CEC Kumar said that one must try to combat fake news with the mantra - "verify before you amplify." He urged the importance of relying on authoritative sources. Once more, in his poetic manner and targeting people who forward fake news, he said, "Jhooth ke bazaar mein raunak to bahut hai, goya bulbule jaisi turant hi phat jati hai..Pakad bhi loge to kya haasil hoga siwaye dhokhe ke (There is a lot of excitement in the market of lies, it seems as if a bubble bursts instantly. Even if you catch hold of it, what will you gain except deception?) - Transparency in electoral bonds Kumar also spoke at length on the electoral bonds, the data of which was recently made public by the poll body after a directive by the Supreme Court. He stressed the commission's commitment to transparency. "In democracy, there is no scope for hiding things, it is all about making everybody know, we are all for transparency. This is the first part of the exercise that it must be known, the country now has to ask and find solutions through an institutional mechanism where the donor's privacy is also considered," he said. Kumar added, "The unaccounted money which is used in the elections... during the elections we are very particular to control it but how do we also control the donations in the unaccounted form is something which the entire nation needs to work together... the donor's privacy is also protected so he is not harassed, how the money is channelised and how it is more and more white." (With inputs from agencies)

India's Chief Election Commissioner weaves wit, poetry into poll dates announcement. Here are top moments

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