The BJP on Tuesday alleged that its party posters and flags were removed by TMC workers and police ahead of party president Amit Shah's roadshow in the city.

"Mamata ji's goons and police removed all the posters and flags of our party. They escaped soon after we reached here," BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told ANI.

Since the Lok Sabha elections began on April 10, both BJP and TMC have been at loggerheads in West Bengal.

Workers of two parties have repeatedly clashed with each other on polling days.

The BJP has alleged TMC of attacking its party workers and their convoys while campaigning in different parts of the state.

West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats. While election to 31 parliamentary constituencies has been already held, polling in the remaining eight seats will be held on May 19.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

The BJP on Tuesday alleged that its party posters and flags were removed by TMC workers and police ahead of party president Amit Shah's roadshow in the city. "Mamata ji's goons and police removed all the posters and flags of our party.

The BJP on Tuesday alleged that its party posters and flags were removed by TMC workers and police ahead of party president Amit Shah's roadshow in the city. "Mamata ji's goons and police removed all the posters and flags of our party. They escaped soon after we reached here," BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told ANI. Since the Lok Sabha elections began on April 10, both BJP and TMC have been at loggerheads in West Bengal. Workers of two parties have repeatedly clashed with each other on polling days. The BJP has alleged TMC of attacking its party workers and their convoys while campaigning in different parts of the state. West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats. While election to 31 parliamentary constituencies has been already held, polling in the remaining eight seats will be held on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP alleges posters, flags removed by TMC ahead of Amit Shah's rally in Kolkata

All the 13 seats of Punjab are going to polls on May 19 in the seventh and the last phase of Lok Sabha polls. Gurdaspur is again going to be among the most-watched constituencies in the state due to its star-studded clash.

The BJP has fielded actor Sunny Deol, a Jat Sikh, from Gurdaspur which had been represented by film actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna for four times in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014.

However, Deol's nomination from the seat was seen as a setback to Khanna's wife Kavita Khanna, who was hopeful of getting a BJP ticket from this seat.

Sunny Deol, who has won national film awards for 'Ghayal' and 'Damini', is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in the electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat.

Currently, the constituency is represented by Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year.

Khanna died of bladder cancer at a hospital in Mumbai on April 27, 2017. He was popularly known as "Sardar of Bridges" for connecting remote villages in his constituency.

Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219.

All the 13 seats of Punjab are going to polls on May 19 in the seventh and the last phase of Lok Sabha polls. Gurdaspur is again going to be among the most-watched constituencies in the state due to its star-studded clash.

All the 13 seats of Punjab are going to polls on May 19 in the seventh and the last phase of Lok Sabha polls. Gurdaspur is again going to be among the most-watched constituencies in the state due to its star-studded clash. The BJP has fielded actor Sunny Deol, a Jat Sikh, from Gurdaspur which had been represented by film actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna for four times in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. However, Deol's nomination from the seat was seen as a setback to Khanna's wife Kavita Khanna, who was hopeful of getting a BJP ticket from this seat. Sunny Deol, who has won national film awards for 'Ghayal' and 'Damini', is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in the electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat. Currently, the constituency is represented by Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. Khanna died of bladder cancer at a hospital in Mumbai on April 27, 2017. He was popularly known as "Sardar of Bridges" for connecting remote villages in his constituency. Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219.

Gurdaspur: BJP's Sunny Deol takes on Congress’ Sunil Jakhar

Polling for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls took place on Sunday in 59 constituencies spread across in Delhi, West Bengal, UP, Jharkhand, Haryana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

Polling for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls took place on Sunday in 59 constituencies spread across in Delhi, West Bengal, UP, Jharkhand, Haryana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. While the prominent B-town celebrities voted in Mumbai, some reached their hometown Delhi to cast their vote. Kick-starting the day by exercising their franchise, the B-Town celebrities arrived at their designated polling stations. Siddharth Malhotra, Huma Qureshi, Taapsee Pannu and Swara Bhaskar were the ones to cast their vote in Delhi. Sidharth Malhotra who recently started shooting for his upcoming film `Shershaah` took a quick break from his schedule to cast his vote in Delhi. The actor posted a selfie with an inked finger on his Instagram and wrote, "Took a quick break and came to Delhi for this. I`ve done my bit; it`s time you do yours! Vote For India. This is the most important work that you would do today." View this post on Instagram Took a quick break and came to Delhi for this. I've done my bit, it's time you do yours! #VoteForIndia. This is the most important work that you would do today. #DelhiVoteKar 🇮🇳 A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@sidmalhotra) on May 12, 2019 at 12:56am PDT × Spotted next in the scorching heat was Swara Bhaskar posted a series of pictures where she can be seen at the polling booth with her family to cast her vote, "I voted for #India. Hope you are voting too! Delhi Lok Sabha Elections 2019," she captioned the post. Taapsee Pannu on flaunting her inked finger on her Instagram, after casting her vote with her mother, wrote, "Me and my maa for `Bharat Maa`" View this post on Instagram Me and my maa for ‘Bharat Maa’ #HappyMothersDay #GoVote #FlauntIt A post shared by Taapsee Pannu (@taapsee) on May 12, 2019 at 1:05am PDT × Meanwhile flashing her indelible ink-stained finger in her latest Instagram selfie, Huma Qureshi wrote, "Me and Mom went to vote today !! Happy Mother`s Day to the woman who taught me the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, who shaped me into who I am.. If only I can be half the woman she is.. Amina Saleem Qureshi. Delhi get inked, Vote for a country that honours your mothers and fathers & paves the way for a better generation." View this post on Instagram Me and Mom went to vote today !! #HappyMothersDay to the woman who taught me the difference between right and wrong , good and bad , who shaped me into who I am .. If only I can be half the woman she is .. @aminasaleemqureshi .. #Delhi #getinked Vote for a country that honours your mothers and fathers & paves the way for a better generation #lovemymummy #lovemyIndia A post shared by Huma Qureshi (@iamhumaq) on May 11, 2019 at 10:51pm PDT × The ongoing Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases spanning between 11 April and 19th May.Votes will be counted on 23 May.

Sidharth Malhotra, Huma Qureshi, Swara Bhasker and others cast their votes in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Bhopal seat in Madhya Pradesh, committed a "big sin" by not casting his vote.

Singh, a registered voter at his hometown Raghogarh in the state's Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat, did not exercise his franchise during the polling held there on Sunday.

The Congress leader, who is pitted against BJP leader and 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Thakur, stayed put in Bhopal, asking people to come out and vote.

"Diggy Raja you have committed a big sin...In the festival of democracy, the President, Vice President stood in queues to cast their votes, but Diggy Raja did not," Modi said at a rally in the state's Ratlam district.

"His (Singh's) arrogance came to light yesterday in Bhopal. When people are electing their representatives and even I exercised my franchise in Ahmedabad, Diggy Raja neither cared for democracy nor people," he said in remarks laced with sarcasm.

"You (Singh) were very busy asking people to vote... save me. Why you are so frightened of losing your job?" the prime minister asked.

Modi said even the Narmada yatra, a religious pilgrimage undertaken by Singh last year, would not come to his rescue in the Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Bhopal seat in Madhya Pradesh, committed a "big sin" by not casting his vote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Bhopal seat in Madhya Pradesh, committed a "big sin" by not casting his vote. Singh, a registered voter at his hometown Raghogarh in the state's Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat, did not exercise his franchise during the polling held there on Sunday. The Congress leader, who is pitted against BJP leader and 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Thakur, stayed put in Bhopal, asking people to come out and vote. "Diggy Raja you have committed a big sin...In the festival of democracy, the President, Vice President stood in queues to cast their votes, but Diggy Raja did not," Modi said at a rally in the state's Ratlam district. "His (Singh's) arrogance came to light yesterday in Bhopal. When people are electing their representatives and even I exercised my franchise in Ahmedabad, Diggy Raja neither cared for democracy nor people," he said in remarks laced with sarcasm. "You (Singh) were very busy asking people to vote... save me. Why you are so frightened of losing your job?" the prime minister asked. Modi said even the Narmada yatra, a religious pilgrimage undertaken by Singh last year, would not come to his rescue in the Lok Sabha elections.

Digvijaya committed 'big sin' by not voting, says PM Narendra Modi

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said BSP president Mayawati is suffering from "political depression" as she fears defeat of her party's candidates in the general election underway and as a result, she is losing her temper and patience.

Sharma claimed Mayawati is showing weakness and her memory is fading.

"All these symptoms are clearly visible in the statements of the BSP supremo," he told PTI in an interview. He said the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo needed a "political health tonic".

Mayawati, who is leading the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in UP with Akhilesh Yadav, has regularly hit out at the BJP on Twitter and in campaign rallies, claiming that its government at the Centre is "autocratic" and has resorted to various means to "scare" senior leaders of the opposition parties.

She has said the Centre "badly failed" to tackle issues like terrorism and Naxalism. Ahead of the second phase of the seven-phase poll, the BSP chief was banned for 48 hours from campaigning by the Election Commission for violating the moral code of conduct.

Three others, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, were also banned for varying periods over similar reasons.

Shortly after the ban ended on April 18, Mayawati lashed out at BJP and its leaders for levelling "unfounded" charges on opposition parties, including the allegation they were abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP is facing a challenge from the alliance in Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest number of Lok Sabha seats, 80, compared to any other state.

"BSP chief Mayawati is suffering from political depression (rajnaitik avsaad), which stems from the fact that her party fared badly in the past five phases in the state, and the defeat of BSP candidates is imminent in the last two phases. It's the same with her alliance partners," Sharma said.

He claimed the symptoms of her "depression" will become more evident in coming days and she will make "anaap, shanaap" (loose) remarks.

"It is for this reason that she is calling the prime minister a 'fake backward'. She must revamp her memory, and for this, she needs a political health tonic," the deputy chief minister said.

Asked what he meant by "political health tonic", Sharma said, "Once dignity, transparency and uprightness are adopted, it will work as a political health tonic (for her). By using undignified words, the political health will certainly not improve."

Mayawati has raised doubts on the caste of the prime minister, alleging he is a "farzi backward" - a fake OBC leader. Modi has responded saying he belongs to the caste of all the poor in the country.

On Sunday, a full-scale war of words broke out between Mayawati and Modi over the gangrape of a Dalit girl in Rajasthan's Alwar. The prime minister accused the BSP chief of shedding "crocodile tears" and asked her to withdraw support to the Congress government in Rajasthan if she cared for Dalits.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said BSP president Mayawati is suffering from "political depression" as she fears defeat of her party's candidates in the general election underway and as a result, she is losing her temper and patience.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said BSP president Mayawati is suffering from "political depression" as she fears defeat of her party's candidates in the general election underway and as a result, she is losing her temper and patience. Sharma claimed Mayawati is showing weakness and her memory is fading. "All these symptoms are clearly visible in the statements of the BSP supremo," he told PTI in an interview. He said the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo needed a "political health tonic". Mayawati, who is leading the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in UP with Akhilesh Yadav, has regularly hit out at the BJP on Twitter and in campaign rallies, claiming that its government at the Centre is "autocratic" and has resorted to various means to "scare" senior leaders of the opposition parties. She has said the Centre "badly failed" to tackle issues like terrorism and Naxalism. Ahead of the second phase of the seven-phase poll, the BSP chief was banned for 48 hours from campaigning by the Election Commission for violating the moral code of conduct. Three others, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, were also banned for varying periods over similar reasons. Shortly after the ban ended on April 18, Mayawati lashed out at BJP and its leaders for levelling "unfounded" charges on opposition parties, including the allegation they were abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP is facing a challenge from the alliance in Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest number of Lok Sabha seats, 80, compared to any other state. "BSP chief Mayawati is suffering from political depression (rajnaitik avsaad), which stems from the fact that her party fared badly in the past five phases in the state, and the defeat of BSP candidates is imminent in the last two phases. It's the same with her alliance partners," Sharma said. He claimed the symptoms of her "depression" will become more evident in coming days and she will make "anaap, shanaap" (loose) remarks. "It is for this reason that she is calling the prime minister a 'fake backward'. She must revamp her memory, and for this, she needs a political health tonic," the deputy chief minister said. Asked what he meant by "political health tonic", Sharma said, "Once dignity, transparency and uprightness are adopted, it will work as a political health tonic (for her). By using undignified words, the political health will certainly not improve." Mayawati has raised doubts on the caste of the prime minister, alleging he is a "farzi backward" - a fake OBC leader. Modi has responded saying he belongs to the caste of all the poor in the country. On Sunday, a full-scale war of words broke out between Mayawati and Modi over the gangrape of a Dalit girl in Rajasthan's Alwar. The prime minister accused the BSP chief of shedding "crocodile tears" and asked her to withdraw support to the Congress government in Rajasthan if she cared for Dalits.

Mayawati suffering from 'political depression', needs health tonic: UP Dy CM Dinesh Sharma

BJP national president Amit Shah Monday dared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for chanting "Jai Shri Ram", claiming that the TMC supremo can stop him from attending rallies in Bengal, but won't be able to stop BJP's victory march in the state.

Addressing a rally at Canning, which comes under Joynagar Lok Sabha constituency, he said, "Mamatadi gets angry if someone chants Jai Shri Ram. I am chanting Jai Shri Ram here today. If you (Mamata) have the guts, arrest me. I will be in Kolkata tomorrow."

Hitting out at the TMC government over denial of permission for his chopper to land in Baruipur, Shah said, "The Mamata Banerjee government is visibly perplexed. She wants to stop me from attending rallies. The TMC can stop me from addressing rallies, but can't stop the victory march of BJP in Bengal."

Shah's scheduled rally in Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat was called off on Monday after the state government denied him permission to land his chopper and hold a public address at Baruipur.

BJP national president Amit Shah Monday dared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for chanting "Jai Shri Ram", claiming that the TMC supremo can stop him from attending rallies in Bengal, but won't be able to stop BJP's victory march in the state.

BJP national president Amit Shah Monday dared West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for chanting "Jai Shri Ram", claiming that the TMC supremo can stop him from attending rallies in Bengal, but won't be able to stop BJP's victory march in the state. Addressing a rally at Canning, which comes under Joynagar Lok Sabha constituency, he said, "Mamatadi gets angry if someone chants Jai Shri Ram. I am chanting Jai Shri Ram here today. If you (Mamata) have the guts, arrest me. I will be in Kolkata tomorrow." Hitting out at the TMC government over denial of permission for his chopper to land in Baruipur, Shah said, "The Mamata Banerjee government is visibly perplexed. She wants to stop me from attending rallies. The TMC can stop me from addressing rallies, but can't stop the victory march of BJP in Bengal." Shah's scheduled rally in Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat was called off on Monday after the state government denied him permission to land his chopper and hold a public address at Baruipur.

If you have guts, arrest me for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram': Shah's challenge to Mamata

The Tamil Nadu unit of teh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lashed out at actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan for his controversial statement on Nathuram Godse. At a rally on Sunday, Haasan had sought to link Godse with terrorism.

The clip ended with Haasan saying that he wished for an equal India and that it was the wish of all true Indians that the three colours of the National Flag remain intact. "I am a good Indian and can thump my chest and say that," he added.

"Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is a poisonous plant that needs to be nipped in the bud. Denigrating Hindus for Muslim votes. Did the coward condemn the murder of Ramalingam? (sic)" BJP national secretary H Raja said on Twitter slamming Kamal Haasan's remarks. Raja is contestng the Lok Sabha polls from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga parliamentary constituency.

BJP's Tamil Nadu unit president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan urged the Election Commission to take cognizance of the statement and order strict action. She also said that the Election Commission had banned a few leaders from campaigning (in North India) after they made controversial remarks. She also added that Gandhi's assassination had shocked the nation and cannot be justified in any way.

Actor vivek Oberoi, who is portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in soon to release biopic condemned Kamal Haasan's comments. "Please sir, from a much smaller artist to a great one, let's not divide this country, we are one. Jai Hind."

Haasan's MNM that was started in February last year. The party is contesting all Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. Haasan, however, has decided not to contest the elections and said that every candidate represents his own face.

The Tamil Nadu unit of teh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lashed out at actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan for his controversial statement on Nathuram Godse.

The Tamil Nadu unit of teh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lashed out at actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan for his controversial statement on Nathuram Godse. At a rally on Sunday, Haasan had sought to link Godse with terrorism. The clip ended with Haasan saying that he wished for an equal India and that it was the wish of all true Indians that the three colours of the National Flag remain intact. "I am a good Indian and can thump my chest and say that," he added. "Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is a poisonous plant that needs to be nipped in the bud. Denigrating Hindus for Muslim votes. Did the coward condemn the murder of Ramalingam? (sic)" BJP national secretary H Raja said on Twitter slamming Kamal Haasan's remarks. Raja is contestng the Lok Sabha polls from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga parliamentary constituency. BJP's Tamil Nadu unit president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan urged the Election Commission to take cognizance of the statement and order strict action. She also said that the Election Commission had banned a few leaders from campaigning (in North India) after they made controversial remarks. She also added that Gandhi's assassination had shocked the nation and cannot be justified in any way. Actor vivek Oberoi, who is portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in soon to release biopic condemned Kamal Haasan's comments. "Please sir, from a much smaller artist to a great one, let's not divide this country, we are one. Jai Hind." Haasan's MNM that was started in February last year. The party is contesting all Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. Haasan, however, has decided not to contest the elections and said that every candidate represents his own face.

Tamil Nadu BJP leaders ask Election Commission to take strict action against Kamal Haasan for Godse remark

Watch: In conversation with Andrew Whitehead, a former BBC India correspondent on India's General Elections in which the 6th phase of voting is taking place today. Watch full video to know more.

In conversation with Andrew Whitehead, former BBC India correspondent on India's General Elections

Congress General Secretary for UP (East), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after casting her vote in Delhi: It's a really important election because we are fighting to save democracy, for our country, and keeping that in mind I cast my vote.

Priyanka Gandhi speaks to media after casting her vote at Lodhi estate in New Delhi

Delhi: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives to cast her vote at a polling booth in Nirman Bhavan along with Delhi's former CM Sheila Dikshit. Watch full video to know more.

Delhi: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives to cast vote at a polling booth in Nirman Bhavan

In conversation with world-renowned political commentator Lord Meghnad Desai who has interesting observations on India's general elections.

A Pointed Discussion On The Sixth Phase Of India's General Election

Voters queued up outside polling booths on Sunday morning in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies of the national capital where former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir are among those in the fray.

Voting began at 7 am and among the early voters were Dikshit, party's New Delhi candidate Ajay Maken, Union minister Vardhan, BJP's East Delhi candidate Gambhir, and BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) Ram Lal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-lok-sabha-phase-6-elections-voting-begins-for-59-constituencies-across-seven-states-217872">Live Lok Sabha phase 6 elections: President Kovind, Rahul Gandhi, Sheila Dikshit and Kohli cast votes</a>

Mudit Agarwal, son of Congress' Chandni Chowk candidate JP Agarwal alleged malfunctioning of EVMs at a few booths in Matiamahal and Ballimaran Assembly segments. 
Tilak Nagar AAP MLA Jarnail Singh also alleged in a tweet that there was malfunctioning of EVMs at a booth.

"Dear @ECISVEEP Evm of polling booth no 27 AC 29 Delhi west is not working since morning, Do the needful asap," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Over 1.43 crore people in Delhi are eligible to vote in this election which will decide the fate of 164 candidates, of which 18 are women. There are 43 independent candidates.&nbsp;

While 2,54,723 voters are in the age group of 18 and 19, there are 40,532 electorate with disability who would be provided pick up and drop facility.

"India's prestige in the world, in whose hands is the country safe and who can bring rapid development -- these are issues weighing on voters minds. And, they will vote on these issues only," Ram Lal claimed.

Interacting with reporter after casting his vote, he said, a "strong and stable government is needed, people also feel".

Asked if the BJP will be back with a full majority, he said, "BJP (organisation) is based on team.. It will be a strong situation."

In 2014, the voter turnout in Delhi was 65.07 per cent -- 66 per cent for male and 63.93 per cent for female voters.

A total of 13,819 polling stations have been set up at 2,700 locations in Delhi, with one model polling station in each of the 70 assembly segments.

As many as 523 polling locations have been identified as critical and 60,000 personnel, including those of the Delhi Police, Home Guards and paramilitary, will be on their toes to ensure there is no untoward incident.&nbsp;

Voters queued up outside polling booths on Sunday morning in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies of the national capital where former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir are among those in the fray.

Voters queued up outside polling booths on Sunday morning in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies of the national capital where former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir are among those in the fray. Voting began at 7 am and among the early voters were Dikshit, party's New Delhi candidate Ajay Maken, Union minister Vardhan, BJP's East Delhi candidate Gambhir, and BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) Ram Lal. Live Lok Sabha phase 6 elections: President Kovind, Rahul Gandhi, Sheila Dikshit and Kohli cast votes Mudit Agarwal, son of Congress' Chandni Chowk candidate JP Agarwal alleged malfunctioning of EVMs at a few booths in Matiamahal and Ballimaran Assembly segments. Tilak Nagar AAP MLA Jarnail Singh also alleged in a tweet that there was malfunctioning of EVMs at a booth. "Dear @ECISVEEP Evm of polling booth no 27 AC 29 Delhi west is not working since morning, Do the needful asap," he wrote on the micro-blogging site. Over 1.43 crore people in Delhi are eligible to vote in this election which will decide the fate of 164 candidates, of which 18 are women. There are 43 independent candidates. While 2,54,723 voters are in the age group of 18 and 19, there are 40,532 electorate with disability who would be provided pick up and drop facility. "India's prestige in the world, in whose hands is the country safe and who can bring rapid development -- these are issues weighing on voters minds. And, they will vote on these issues only," Ram Lal claimed. Interacting with reporter after casting his vote, he said, a "strong and stable government is needed, people also feel". Asked if the BJP will be back with a full majority, he said, "BJP (organisation) is based on team.. It will be a strong situation." In 2014, the voter turnout in Delhi was 65.07 per cent -- 66 per cent for male and 63.93 per cent for female voters. A total of 13,819 polling stations have been set up at 2,700 locations in Delhi, with one model polling station in each of the 70 assembly segments. As many as 523 polling locations have been identified as critical and 60,000 personnel, including those of the Delhi Police, Home Guards and paramilitary, will be on their toes to ensure there is no untoward incident.

Polling underway in Delhi; Dikshit, Gambhir, Vardhan among early voters

Congress President Rahul Gandhi after casting his vote: The election was fought on key issues including demonetization, farmer problems, and GST. Narendra Modi used hatred in the campaign and we used love and I am confident love will win. Watch full video to know more.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi speaks to media after casting his vote

Even as the two-month long election is underway, there is a considerable global interest with envoys of South Korea, Indonesia requesting a visit to polling booths while heads and representatives of 20 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the World are in New Delhi to witness the polling.

The 20 representatives include 65 delegates, who have been invited by Election Commission of India (ECI) to join the Election Visitors Programme.

The countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Fiji, Georgia, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Romania, Russia, Srilanka, &nbsp;Suriname, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).

The delegates visited various polling stations in North West Delhi, East Delhi, Chandni Chowk, South Delhi and Gurgaon on Sunday, during the 6th phase of polls to see the polling and on-ground action.

''We visited polling stations and saw the process of the polls. We also visited polling stations in Gurgaon and Delhi, and were quite happy to see the participation of the voters and the festivity which was there," said Umesh Sinha, Sr. Deputy Election Commissioner.&nbsp;

They also visited polling stations which are managed entirely by women polling staff and some model polling stations other than interacting with the chief electoral officer of Delhi to get the perspective on elections.&nbsp;

Australia's envoy to India Harinder Sindhu after one such visit, speaking to news agency ANI said, "It's been a really inspiring experience. How can you get so many people to voting? The answer is well-organised EC and its officials. It's a good system and organised."

Delegates included a team of six members and nine Sr. Election officers from Election Commission of Myanmar visiting India as part of training programme being conducted by Election commissions' India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under Ministry of External Affairs' sponsorship.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora briefed various delegates during which he said, "The objective and intention of the Commission is to always keep learning from the experiences of the past for necessary course corrections for the future".&nbsp;

The election commission of India has organized more than 10 lakh polling stations for 910 million voters in India's ongoing General Elections to 17th Lok Sabha.

Even as the two-month long election is underway, there is a considerable global interest with envoys of South Korea, Indonesia requesting a visit to polling booths while heads and representatives of 20 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the World are in New Delhi to witness the polling.

Even as the two-month long election is underway, there is a considerable global interest with envoys of South Korea, Indonesia requesting a visit to polling booths while heads and representatives of 20 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the World are in New Delhi to witness the polling. The 20 representatives include 65 delegates, who have been invited by Election Commission of India (ECI) to join the Election Visitors Programme. The countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Fiji, Georgia, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Romania, Russia, Srilanka, Suriname, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The delegates visited various polling stations in North West Delhi, East Delhi, Chandni Chowk, South Delhi and Gurgaon on Sunday, during the 6th phase of polls to see the polling and on-ground action. ''We visited polling stations and saw the process of the polls. We also visited polling stations in Gurgaon and Delhi, and were quite happy to see the participation of the voters and the festivity which was there," said Umesh Sinha, Sr. Deputy Election Commissioner. They also visited polling stations which are managed entirely by women polling staff and some model polling stations other than interacting with the chief electoral officer of Delhi to get the perspective on elections. Australia's envoy to India Harinder Sindhu after one such visit, speaking to news agency ANI said, "It's been a really inspiring experience. How can you get so many people to voting? The answer is well-organised EC and its officials. It's a good system and organised." Delegates included a team of six members and nine Sr. Election officers from Election Commission of Myanmar visiting India as part of training programme being conducted by Election commissions' India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under Ministry of External Affairs' sponsorship. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora briefed various delegates during which he said, "The objective and intention of the Commission is to always keep learning from the experiences of the past for necessary course corrections for the future". The election commission of India has organized more than 10 lakh polling stations for 910 million voters in India's ongoing General Elections to 17th Lok Sabha.

Representatives of several countries in India to witness Lok Sabha polls 

General Elections 2019: Top Battles To Look Out For In The 6th phase. watch full video to know more.

Biggest battles in phase 6 of Lok Sabha Elections

The fate of several prominent politicians will be decided as 59 constituencies across six states and the national capital vote in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls today. Watch the full video to know more.

Delhi, 6 states vote in Phase 6 of Lok Sabha elections today

On the eve of Lok Sabha polls in the National Capital, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal engaged in friendly banter on Twitter over the former's health.

Dikshit asked Kejriwal why he was spreading rumours about her health.

"Why are you spreading rumours about my health. If you have nothing to do, then come over and have food at my place. You can see how my health is, have food and also learn to fight elections without spreading rumours," she tweeted in Hindi.

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अरे भाई <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a>, मेरी सेहत को ले कर क्यूँ ग़लत अफ़वाहें फैला रहे हो? अगर कोई काम नहीं हो तो आ जाओ भोजन पर। मेरी सेहत भी देख लेना, भोजन भी कर लेना और अफ़वाहें फैलाए बिना चुनाव लड़ना भी सीख लेना
— Sheila Dikshit (@SheilaDikshit) <a href="https://twitter.com/SheilaDikshit/status/1127214572253790208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A senior Congress leader said Dikshit posted the tweet after learning that volunteers of Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were spreading rumours in Northeast Delhi that she is unable to actively take part in campaigning because of her health.

Dikshit, a three-time Delhi chief minister, is contesting the polls from the North East Delhi seat.

Kejriwal promptly denied having said anything about her health. "When did I say anything about your health? Never. My family has taught me to respect elders. I wish God gives you good health and long life. When you were going abroad for treatment, I had come uninvited to your place to inquire about your health. When should I come to your place to have food?" he wrote on Twitter in Hindi.

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मैंने आपकी सेहत पर कब कुछ बोला? कभी नहीं। मेरे परिवार ने मुझे बुज़ुर्गों की इज़्ज़त करना सिखाया है। भगवान आपको अच्छी सेहत और लम्बी उम्र दे। जब आप अपने इलाज के लिए विदेश जा रहीं थीं तो मैं बिना बुलाए आपकी सेहत पूछने आपके घर आया था। बताइए आपके घर भोजन करने कब आऊँ? <a href="https://t.co/As1iBrLy0v">https://t.co/As1iBrLy0v</a>
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1127219985607086080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The former Delhi chief minister's son Sandeep Dikshit also posted a video on Facebook where she could be seen having dinner with her family and party workers.

Delhi Congress' media committee member Parvez alleged that the AAP was "spreading rumours" that Dikshit was ill and admitted to a hospital, which was not true.

"She is healthy and at her home," he said.

A Congress worker also filed a complaint at Jafarabad Police Station over rumours that Dikshit was admitted to hospital.

Dikshit is pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party's sitting MP Manoj Tiwari and AAP's Dilip Pandey.

On the eve of Lok Sabha polls in the National Capital, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal engaged in friendly banter on Twitter over the former's health.

On the eve of Lok Sabha polls in the National Capital, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal engaged in friendly banter on Twitter over the former's health. Dikshit asked Kejriwal why he was spreading rumours about her health. "Why are you spreading rumours about my health. If you have nothing to do, then come over and have food at my place. You can see how my health is, have food and also learn to fight elections without spreading rumours," she tweeted in Hindi. अरे भाई @ArvindKejriwal, मेरी सेहत को ले कर क्यूँ ग़लत अफ़वाहें फैला रहे हो? अगर कोई काम नहीं हो तो आ जाओ भोजन पर। मेरी सेहत भी देख लेना, भोजन भी कर लेना और अफ़वाहें फैलाए बिना चुनाव लड़ना भी सीख लेना — Sheila Dikshit (@SheilaDikshit) May 11, 2019 × A senior Congress leader said Dikshit posted the tweet after learning that volunteers of Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were spreading rumours in Northeast Delhi that she is unable to actively take part in campaigning because of her health. Dikshit, a three-time Delhi chief minister, is contesting the polls from the North East Delhi seat. Kejriwal promptly denied having said anything about her health. "When did I say anything about your health? Never. My family has taught me to respect elders. I wish God gives you good health and long life. When you were going abroad for treatment, I had come uninvited to your place to inquire about your health. When should I come to your place to have food?" he wrote on Twitter in Hindi. मैंने आपकी सेहत पर कब कुछ बोला? कभी नहीं। मेरे परिवार ने मुझे बुज़ुर्गों की इज़्ज़त करना सिखाया है। भगवान आपको अच्छी सेहत और लम्बी उम्र दे। जब आप अपने इलाज के लिए विदेश जा रहीं थीं तो मैं बिना बुलाए आपकी सेहत पूछने आपके घर आया था। बताइए आपके घर भोजन करने कब आऊँ? https://t.co/As1iBrLy0v — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 11, 2019 × The former Delhi chief minister's son Sandeep Dikshit also posted a video on Facebook where she could be seen having dinner with her family and party workers. Delhi Congress' media committee member Parvez alleged that the AAP was "spreading rumours" that Dikshit was ill and admitted to a hospital, which was not true. "She is healthy and at her home," he said. A Congress worker also filed a complaint at Jafarabad Police Station over rumours that Dikshit was admitted to hospital. Dikshit is pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party's sitting MP Manoj Tiwari and AAP's Dilip Pandey.

Sheila Dikshit, Arvind Kejriwal engage in friendly Twitter banter on polls and food

India is all set to witness the best of the key battles of phase six. Heres the list of the top battles to watch out for in the 6th phase. Watch full video to know more.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Top battles to look out for in the 6th phase

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - May 12th, 2019

India's famed political family - the Gandhis cast their vote in capital New Delhi in the penultimate phase of the mammoth Indian elections on Sunday (May 12).

India's Gandhi family members vote in New Delhi

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-lok-sabha-phase-6-elections-voting-begins-for-59-constituencies-across-seven-states-217872">The sixth and penultimate leg of the Lok Sabha polls</a>&nbsp;recorded 63.3 per cent voter turnout on Sunday, the Election Commission announced.&nbsp;

As many as 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, eight seats each in West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, seven in Delhi and four in Jharkhand went to polls today.&nbsp;

Incidents of unrest were reported in West Bengal, despite which a whopping <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-phase-vi-61-voter-turnout-till-7pm-west-bengal-tops-tally-with-80-delhi-up-register-lowest-218126">80 per cent turnout was reported in the state till 7 pm</a>.&nbsp;

BJP's West Bengal candidate Bharati Ghosh was attacked which the party termed as an "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/attack-on-bjp-candidate-by-trinamool-congress-in-west-bengal-act-of-frustration-javadekar-218097">act of frustration</a>" by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state and claimed that the days of the Mamata Banerjee government are numbered.

Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by locals on Sunday when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, where she is the BJP candidate when polling was underway.

In Delhi, reports of EVM glitches surfaced. AAP's South Delhi candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/raghav-chadha-alleges-bogus-voting-by-bjp-workers-in-south-delhi-218118">Raghav Chadha said on Sunday</a> that voting in the city-state was a positive sign for his party but the BJP workers had done 'bogus votes' in Sangam Vihar during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election. The turnout here was recorded at 56 per cent till 7 pm.

Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand witnessed brisk polling with voter turnout at 62.91, 60.40 and 64.46 per cent respectively till 7 pm.&nbsp;

In Bihar, an attempt was made to attack Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP candidate from West Champaran Parliamentary Constituency, outside polling booth no. 162, 163. The state recorded 59.29 per cent turnout till 7 pm.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh witnessed the lowest turnout of all at 53.37 per cent till 7 pm. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi were among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh today.

Counting of votes will be held on May 23 and the results will be announced on the same day. The seventh and final phase of the general elections will be held on May 19.&nbsp;

The sixth and penultimate leg of the Lok Sabha polls recorded 63.3 per cent voter turnout on Sunday, the Election Commission announced. As many as 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, eight seats each in West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, seven in Delhi and four in Jharkhand went to polls today.

The sixth and penultimate leg of the Lok Sabha polls recorded 63.3 per cent voter turnout on Sunday, the Election Commission announced. As many as 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, eight seats each in West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, seven in Delhi and four in Jharkhand went to polls today. Incidents of unrest were reported in West Bengal, despite which a whopping 80 per cent turnout was reported in the state till 7 pm. BJP's West Bengal candidate Bharati Ghosh was attacked which the party termed as an "act of frustration" by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state and claimed that the days of the Mamata Banerjee government are numbered. Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by locals on Sunday when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, where she is the BJP candidate when polling was underway. In Delhi, reports of EVM glitches surfaced. AAP's South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha said on Sunday that voting in the city-state was a positive sign for his party but the BJP workers had done 'bogus votes' in Sangam Vihar during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election. The turnout here was recorded at 56 per cent till 7 pm. Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand witnessed brisk polling with voter turnout at 62.91, 60.40 and 64.46 per cent respectively till 7 pm. In Bihar, an attempt was made to attack Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP candidate from West Champaran Parliamentary Constituency, outside polling booth no. 162, 163. The state recorded 59.29 per cent turnout till 7 pm. Uttar Pradesh witnessed the lowest turnout of all at 53.37 per cent till 7 pm. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Union minister Maneka Gandhi were among key contestants in the second-last phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh today. Counting of votes will be held on May 23 and the results will be announced on the same day. The seventh and final phase of the general elections will be held on May 19.

63.3% total voter turnout recorded in phase 6 of Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission

Poling in phase 6 of the Lok Sabha election 2019 is being held in 59 Parliamentary constituencies spread across seven states.

Lok Sabha elections Phase 6: Polling begins in 59 constituencies

Watch: In conversation with Prof. Makarand R. Paranjape, Director of IIAS on India's General Elections in which the 6th phase of voting is taking place today. Watch full video to know more.

In conversation with Prof. Makarand R. Paranjape, Director IIAS on India's General Elections

In pics: Key constituencies in Phase 6 of Lok Sabha polls

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by local people when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in her Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday when the sixth phase of polling was underway there.

One of her security guards was injured in stone pelting in one of the two incidents of attack.

The state CEO has sought reports from the West Midnapore district magistrate about the incidents.

Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take one BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area in the morning, officials said.

Following this, bombs were hurled and stones were pelted towards the former IPS officer's convoy when she was going to visit another booth at Dogachia in Keshpur after receiving complaints of rigging there.

One of her security guards was injured and a vehicle was damaged in the stone pelting following which the security officers restored to lathicharge, the officials said.

It was also alleged a Trinamool Congress worker was injured in firing by central forces who were with the BJP candidate who, however, denied the charge.

"This is a deliberate attempt by the Trinamool Congress to stop me. They attacked me and I am injured. That my security guards have fired is an absolute lie," Ghosh told PTI when contacted.

A senior election official said, "We have sought a report from the district magistrate over the alleged attacks on the BJP candidate. Once the report arrives, we will take the necessary step."

The state CEO also sought a report after Ghosh was seen videographying inside a polling booth at Pikurda in Keshpur.

State minister and TMC leader Firhad Hakim claimed that the BJP restored to violence when the polling was going on in a peaceful manner.

"This is nothing but a ploy to disturb the peaceful polling process. When the BJP is losing its ground in West Bengal it is trying to create an atmosphere of violence. Both the candidates of BJP, Bharati Ghosh and Dilip Ghosh, are trying to disrupt peace on the polling day. They have nothing to do. Both know that people have rejected them," Hakim told PTI.

Ghatal's sitting MP Deepak Adhikary of the Trinamool Congress claimed that local people resisted because of Ghosh's bad attitude towards them. 
 
"She is a former IPS officer and knows what to do and what not to. She is trying to break the law. I will ask her and every other candidate as well as the voters to stay calm. Polling should happen peacefully," Dev told PTI. 
 
BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said this is not for the first time that Bharati Ghosh was attacked.

"Since the TMC failed to stop her politically, it is trying to physically harm her," he said.

The Election Commission has deployed a total of 770 companies of central forces in the eight Lok Sabha seats, including Ghatal, where polling is underway.

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by local people when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in her Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday when the sixth phase of polling was underway there.

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by local people when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in her Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday when the sixth phase of polling was underway there. One of her security guards was injured in stone pelting in one of the two incidents of attack. The state CEO has sought reports from the West Midnapore district magistrate about the incidents. Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take one BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area in the morning, officials said. Following this, bombs were hurled and stones were pelted towards the former IPS officer's convoy when she was going to visit another booth at Dogachia in Keshpur after receiving complaints of rigging there. One of her security guards was injured and a vehicle was damaged in the stone pelting following which the security officers restored to lathicharge, the officials said. It was also alleged a Trinamool Congress worker was injured in firing by central forces who were with the BJP candidate who, however, denied the charge. "This is a deliberate attempt by the Trinamool Congress to stop me. They attacked me and I am injured. That my security guards have fired is an absolute lie," Ghosh told PTI when contacted. A senior election official said, "We have sought a report from the district magistrate over the alleged attacks on the BJP candidate. Once the report arrives, we will take the necessary step." The state CEO also sought a report after Ghosh was seen videographying inside a polling booth at Pikurda in Keshpur. State minister and TMC leader Firhad Hakim claimed that the BJP restored to violence when the polling was going on in a peaceful manner. "This is nothing but a ploy to disturb the peaceful polling process. When the BJP is losing its ground in West Bengal it is trying to create an atmosphere of violence. Both the candidates of BJP, Bharati Ghosh and Dilip Ghosh, are trying to disrupt peace on the polling day. They have nothing to do. Both know that people have rejected them," Hakim told PTI. Ghatal's sitting MP Deepak Adhikary of the Trinamool Congress claimed that local people resisted because of Ghosh's bad attitude towards them. "She is a former IPS officer and knows what to do and what not to. She is trying to break the law. I will ask her and every other candidate as well as the voters to stay calm. Polling should happen peacefully," Dev told PTI. BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said this is not for the first time that Bharati Ghosh was attacked. "Since the TMC failed to stop her politically, it is trying to physically harm her," he said. The Election Commission has deployed a total of 770 companies of central forces in the eight Lok Sabha seats, including Ghatal, where polling is underway.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP candidate attacked twice in West Bengal, CEO seeks report

Violence was reported in several parts of West Bengal on polling day again as TMC, BJP workers clash over 'Intimidation' of Voters. Watch full video to know more.

Violence in West Bengal on Polling Day again as TMC, BJP workers clash over 'Intimidation' of Voters

Age is just a number, says a family member of 111-year-old Bachan Singh, the oldest voter in Delhi who carried a youthful enthusiasm into the polling station in Tilak Vihar here.

Till the last assembly elections in 2015, the centenarian cycled to the polling booth to cast his vote. This time, he reached the booth in a car along with poll officers in full media glare.&nbsp; 
He was later wheeled into the polling both using a chair.

A paralysis attack around three months ago had rendered the centenarian bedridden. Though Bachan Singh cannot talk like the way he did before, but he knows how important his vote is.&nbsp;

"I will vote for those who worked for us," he said.

Interestingly, Singh doesn't know there's a party called the AAP and that Arvind Kejriwal is the chief minister of Delhi.

"He doesn't even know that the Aam Aadmi Party exists. For him, every election has been a contest between the BJP and the Congress," his youngest son, Jasbeer Singh, 63, says.

Jasbeer Singh claims his father has never missed out on an election since 1951.

"Till a few years ago, he would cycle to the polling booth and cast his vote. He never needed any help. He cooked for himself and spent most of the time doing seva in gurudwara," Jasbeer says.&nbsp;

The family says they have traditionally voted for the Congress because former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru "supported Namdhari Sikhs at the time of partition". But they think the Aam Aadmi party should be given another chance in Delhi.

Age is just a number, says a family member of 111-year-old Bachan Singh, the oldest voter in Delhi who carried a youthful enthusiasm into the polling station in Tilak Vihar here.

Age is just a number, says a family member of 111-year-old Bachan Singh, the oldest voter in Delhi who carried a youthful enthusiasm into the polling station in Tilak Vihar here. Till the last assembly elections in 2015, the centenarian cycled to the polling booth to cast his vote. This time, he reached the booth in a car along with poll officers in full media glare. He was later wheeled into the polling both using a chair. A paralysis attack around three months ago had rendered the centenarian bedridden. Though Bachan Singh cannot talk like the way he did before, but he knows how important his vote is. "I will vote for those who worked for us," he said. Interestingly, Singh doesn't know there's a party called the AAP and that Arvind Kejriwal is the chief minister of Delhi. "He doesn't even know that the Aam Aadmi Party exists. For him, every election has been a contest between the BJP and the Congress," his youngest son, Jasbeer Singh, 63, says. Jasbeer Singh claims his father has never missed out on an election since 1951. "Till a few years ago, he would cycle to the polling booth and cast his vote. He never needed any help. He cooked for himself and spent most of the time doing seva in gurudwara," Jasbeer says. The family says they have traditionally voted for the Congress because former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru "supported Namdhari Sikhs at the time of partition". But they think the Aam Aadmi party should be given another chance in Delhi.

111-year old Bachan Singh, the oldest voter in Delhi, casts vote

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/pm-modi-urges-youngsters-to-vote-in-record-numbers-217924">campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls</a> entered its final phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday predicted the defeat of the opposition parties, saying the people were voting for an effective government.

“Opposition parties will fall flat in Lok Sabha polls. This is because people are voting for an effective and honest government,” he said at an election rally here.

Attacking the SP-BSP alliance, Modi said he had been the chief minister of Gujarat more than the terms of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati as Uttar Pradesh chief ministers combined, and there was no blot of corruption on him.

Hitting out at BSP chief Mayawati for her remarks on the Alwar gangrape case, the prime minister asked her “not to shed crocodile tears” for the victim.

&nbsp;“If you are serious, why don’t you withdraw support from the Congress government in Rajasthan,” he asked.

Even the Congress government wanted to suppress the incident involving a Dalit woman, he said, adding that the party thought “hua toh hua”, a reference to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/narendra-modi-hits-out-at-congress-over-pitrodas-remark-on-anti-sikh-riots-217467">Sam Pitroda’s remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots</a>.

Referring to the encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir Sunday morning, the prime minister wondered, “Will our jawans take EC’s permission before opening fire at militants? Opposition kya khel bana rakha hai? (What drama is the opposition enacting).” He said it was surprising to note that the opposition parties were saying that elections were on and the security forces were opening fire at militants.&nbsp;

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As campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls entered its final phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday predicted the defeat of the opposition parties, saying the people were voting for an effective government.

As campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls entered its final phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday predicted the defeat of the opposition parties, saying the people were voting for an effective government. “Opposition parties will fall flat in Lok Sabha polls. This is because people are voting for an effective and honest government,” he said at an election rally here. Attacking the SP-BSP alliance, Modi said he had been the chief minister of Gujarat more than the terms of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati as Uttar Pradesh chief ministers combined, and there was no blot of corruption on him. Hitting out at BSP chief Mayawati for her remarks on the Alwar gangrape case, the prime minister asked her “not to shed crocodile tears” for the victim. “If you are serious, why don’t you withdraw support from the Congress government in Rajasthan,” he asked. Even the Congress government wanted to suppress the incident involving a Dalit woman, he said, adding that the party thought “hua toh hua”, a reference to Sam Pitroda’s remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Referring to the encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir Sunday morning, the prime minister wondered, “Will our jawans take EC’s permission before opening fire at militants? Opposition kya khel bana rakha hai? (What drama is the opposition enacting).” He said it was surprising to note that the opposition parties were saying that elections were on and the security forces were opening fire at militants. ×

‘Will jawans take Election Commission’s permission before shooting terrorists?’: PM Modi

As campaigning for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 59 constituencies ended Friday evening, over 10.17 crore voters across seven states will decide the fate of 979 candidates by casting their votes on May 12.

Phase 6: 10 Cr Indian voters to cast their vote on May 12

Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats, which will vote in the last two phases of Lok Sabha polls, are again in the limelight as electoral battle intensifies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in these constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition.

Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2019, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017.

However, this time, the giant killer in the Gorakhpur bypoll, Praveen Kumar Nishad, has switched over to the BJP, and he has been fielded from the Sant Kabir Nagar parliamentary constituency in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

There are 14 candidates in the fray in Phulpur, which has 19.75 lakh voters, and 10 candidates are contesting in Gorakhpur, which has 19.54 lakh voters.

The prominent candidates in Phulpur are Keshari Devi Patel from the BJP, Pandhari Yadav of the SP and Pankaj Patel of the Congress.

In Gorakhpur, the fight is mainly among Madhusudan Tripathi of the Congress, Ravindra Shyamnarayan Shukla alias Ravi Kishan of the BJP and Rambhual Nishad of the SP.

Exuding confidence that the SP candidate will retain the seat, party spokesperson Rajpal Kashyap said, "Bypolls in Phulpur, Gorakhpur and Kairana changed the narrative of UP politics... All these seats will definitely vote for mahagathbandhan whose aim is to herald a 'mahaparivartan' (grand change)."

Rebutting SP's claims, state BJP media coordinator Rakesh Tripathi said, "It was the low polling percentage which led to BJP's defeat in the bypolls. However, in the past one year, a large number of first-time voters have become with the party. I am confident that both the BJP candidates will emerge as victorious."

The opposition parties defeated the ruling BJP in three Lok Sabha bypolls last year in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lower House of Parliament.

In the Kairana Lok Sabha by-elections in May, the BJP lost to the joint opposition candidate, RLD's Tabassum Hasan. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of the BJP candidate Mriganka Singh's father Hukum Singh.

Tabassum Hasan was supported by the Congress, the SP and the BSP.

In March, the BJP lost the Lok Sabha bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur.

In the last parliamentary elections in 2014, the BJP had won 71 seats in the state, securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP ally Apna Dal bagged two more.

Samajwadi Party won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes. The Congress registered wins on two UP seats in 2014, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes.

Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats, which will vote in the last two phases of Lok Sabha polls, are again in the limelight as electoral battle intensifies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.

Gorakhpur and Phulpur seats, which will vote in the last two phases of Lok Sabha polls, are again in the limelight as electoral battle intensifies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. The BJP had to bite the dust in the bypolls in these constituencies last year. While, the anti-BJP alliance would like to retain its grip over both the seats, the saffron party is looking to wrest them from the opposition. Their importance can be gauged from the fact that Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Phulpur was won for the first time by the BJP in 2019, when Keshav Prasad Maurya emerged victorious from the seat once represented by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Maurya vacated the seat after he became the deputy chief minister of the state in 2017. However, this time, the giant killer in the Gorakhpur bypoll, Praveen Kumar Nishad, has switched over to the BJP, and he has been fielded from the Sant Kabir Nagar parliamentary constituency in eastern Uttar Pradesh. There are 14 candidates in the fray in Phulpur, which has 19.75 lakh voters, and 10 candidates are contesting in Gorakhpur, which has 19.54 lakh voters. The prominent candidates in Phulpur are Keshari Devi Patel from the BJP, Pandhari Yadav of the SP and Pankaj Patel of the Congress. In Gorakhpur, the fight is mainly among Madhusudan Tripathi of the Congress, Ravindra Shyamnarayan Shukla alias Ravi Kishan of the BJP and Rambhual Nishad of the SP. Exuding confidence that the SP candidate will retain the seat, party spokesperson Rajpal Kashyap said, "Bypolls in Phulpur, Gorakhpur and Kairana changed the narrative of UP politics... All these seats will definitely vote for mahagathbandhan whose aim is to herald a 'mahaparivartan' (grand change)." Rebutting SP's claims, state BJP media coordinator Rakesh Tripathi said, "It was the low polling percentage which led to BJP's defeat in the bypolls. However, in the past one year, a large number of first-time voters have become with the party. I am confident that both the BJP candidates will emerge as victorious." The opposition parties defeated the ruling BJP in three Lok Sabha bypolls last year in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lower House of Parliament. In the Kairana Lok Sabha by-elections in May, the BJP lost to the joint opposition candidate, RLD's Tabassum Hasan. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of the BJP candidate Mriganka Singh's father Hukum Singh. Tabassum Hasan was supported by the Congress, the SP and the BSP. In March, the BJP lost the Lok Sabha bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur. In the last parliamentary elections in 2014, the BJP had won 71 seats in the state, securing 42.63 per cent of the votes. BJP ally Apna Dal bagged two more. Samajwadi Party won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes. The Congress registered wins on two UP seats in 2014, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes.

Spotlight on Gorakhpur, Phulpur in last two phases of Lok Sabha polls

With two of the seven-phased 2019 general election left to go, the Election Commission (EC) has reported countrywide confiscation of cash, gold, liquor and drugs. The haul, at the last count, is valued at over Rs 5,000 crore.&nbsp;

By the time polling concludes on May 19, this figure could go up significantly. Since the announcement of the election schedule on March 10, money has been impounded in drives by the authorities. The EC figures say that cash amounting to Rs 142 crore was seized between March 11 and 25 this year, the first 15 days of the general elections being announced.

Interestingly, what is confiscated is likely to be less than five per cent of what is being spent by candidates and parties in this general election. &nbsp;These are extremely worrying trends. The total approximate expenditure in this election — as calculated by me and now being confirmed by the news media — is Rs 50,000 crore. This is arguably the largest sum of money ever spent in an election, the American presidential polls included. Yet, there is scarcely a word on the subject by any political party or leader; a subject that poses a threat to the very fundamentals of the Republic. At the same time, leaders and candidates continue to accuse each other of bribing voters.&nbsp;

The news media, particularly TV channels, have been prominently reporting the confiscations with all the imagery at their command. Based on a survey conducted during the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) had demonstrated that extravagant media coverage of the seizures heightened the expectations of the voters sky high. With more billionaires than before contesting the polls, the expectation of the money spent too has skyrocketed.

According to the Commission, with gold, silver, liquor and cash taken together at the end of the second phase, Gujarat topped with seizures worth Rs 1,000 crore, followed by Punjab and Delhi. Only a case study can tell us why Gujarat, dominated by one party, has to unleash so many lures to keep the electorate in good humour. &nbsp;

On cash confiscations alone, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka top the table. Now Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal too have joined this note-for-vote race. In Andhra Pradesh, a week before the first phase of polling on April 11, the EC had identified 116 of the 175 assembly constituencies as money guzzlers. In other states too, the Commission has shortlisted constituencies where the money is likely to play a dominant role in the elections.&nbsp;

Yet, despite EC’s expenditure observers scanning the political landscape with a fine microscope, no breakthrough in reversing this trend is evident. That so much cash, liquor, gold and silver (now even drugs) is flowing extensively in so many different directions, does not bother anyone. It is clear that the percentage of voters who are being seduced with such lures is on the increase. &nbsp;

Two major studies conducted by the CMS in 2005 and 2007 in 20 or more states, and select studies since then in every round of elections, have confirmed that the note-for-vote trend continues unabated, never mind the lip service politicians pay to wage a historic battle against corruption. The studies had indicated that cash was in distribution, irrespective of class, both in urban and the rural areas.

CMS studies on corruption over the 15 years have proved beyond any doubt that election-time expenditure of candidates is the mother of all corruption.

Without addressing this malaise, no other initiative or measure taken by the government is going to make any difference. That most — if not all — of this election money remains unaccounted, is of no concern to India’s political parties and their leaders. On the contrary, they seem to like it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

There is another, larger issue at stake here. Despite such intense campaigning by candidates and parties, whirlwind visits and public meetings of top leaders and saturation media coverage, why do contestants still have to rely on enticements and cash doles? If politicians genuinely believed that their campaigns motivated voters, they would not be throwing away money like this.

They might as well bid for votes and let the richest among them win! After all, that is where things are coming down to. It is also likely that our leaders secretly believe that money is more important than controversies, personal accusations and irrelevant rhetoric.

In this particular paradigm, it is difficult to see better sense prevail. It is also ambitious to expect an elected public representative who can strengthen democracy and represent peoples’ concerns in an effective manner. &nbsp; 
 
The 2019 Lok Sabha polls will go down as a watershed election. Quid pro quo has become the norm, with corporates and businesses becoming the major source of electoral funding.&nbsp;

Citizen or voter contribution to candidates and parties is no longer sought. The question is are we even aware of this change and its implications, or even whether this shift has taken place transparently?&nbsp;

Under the circumstances, news media can play a more positive and proactive role, making a difference to reverse the present trend, if only they are determined enough to pursue it as a strategy. But if the media itself is drowned in a conflict of interest and in an obliging mood, even that would be difficult.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-note-for-vote-syndrome-2747667">original article</a>)

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

With two of the seven-phased 2019 general election left to go, the Election Commission (EC) has reported countrywide confiscation of cash, gold, liquor and drugs.

With two of the seven-phased 2019 general election left to go, the Election Commission (EC) has reported countrywide confiscation of cash, gold, liquor and drugs. The haul, at the last count, is valued at over Rs 5,000 crore. By the time polling concludes on May 19, this figure could go up significantly. Since the announcement of the election schedule on March 10, money has been impounded in drives by the authorities. The EC figures say that cash amounting to Rs 142 crore was seized between March 11 and 25 this year, the first 15 days of the general elections being announced. Interestingly, what is confiscated is likely to be less than five per cent of what is being spent by candidates and parties in this general election. These are extremely worrying trends. The total approximate expenditure in this election — as calculated by me and now being confirmed by the news media — is Rs 50,000 crore. This is arguably the largest sum of money ever spent in an election, the American presidential polls included. Yet, there is scarcely a word on the subject by any political party or leader; a subject that poses a threat to the very fundamentals of the Republic. At the same time, leaders and candidates continue to accuse each other of bribing voters. The news media, particularly TV channels, have been prominently reporting the confiscations with all the imagery at their command. Based on a survey conducted during the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) had demonstrated that extravagant media coverage of the seizures heightened the expectations of the voters sky high. With more billionaires than before contesting the polls, the expectation of the money spent too has skyrocketed. According to the Commission, with gold, silver, liquor and cash taken together at the end of the second phase, Gujarat topped with seizures worth Rs 1,000 crore, followed by Punjab and Delhi. Only a case study can tell us why Gujarat, dominated by one party, has to unleash so many lures to keep the electorate in good humour. On cash confiscations alone, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka top the table. Now Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal too have joined this note-for-vote race. In Andhra Pradesh, a week before the first phase of polling on April 11, the EC had identified 116 of the 175 assembly constituencies as money guzzlers. In other states too, the Commission has shortlisted constituencies where the money is likely to play a dominant role in the elections. Yet, despite EC’s expenditure observers scanning the political landscape with a fine microscope, no breakthrough in reversing this trend is evident. That so much cash, liquor, gold and silver (now even drugs) is flowing extensively in so many different directions, does not bother anyone. It is clear that the percentage of voters who are being seduced with such lures is on the increase. Two major studies conducted by the CMS in 2005 and 2007 in 20 or more states, and select studies since then in every round of elections, have confirmed that the note-for-vote trend continues unabated, never mind the lip service politicians pay to wage a historic battle against corruption. The studies had indicated that cash was in distribution, irrespective of class, both in urban and the rural areas. CMS studies on corruption over the 15 years have proved beyond any doubt that election-time expenditure of candidates is the mother of all corruption. Without addressing this malaise, no other initiative or measure taken by the government is going to make any difference. That most — if not all — of this election money remains unaccounted, is of no concern to India’s political parties and their leaders. On the contrary, they seem to like it. There is another, larger issue at stake here. Despite such intense campaigning by candidates and parties, whirlwind visits and public meetings of top leaders and saturation media coverage, why do contestants still have to rely on enticements and cash doles? If politicians genuinely believed that their campaigns motivated voters, they would not be throwing away money like this. They might as well bid for votes and let the richest among them win! After all, that is where things are coming down to. It is also likely that our leaders secretly believe that money is more important than controversies, personal accusations and irrelevant rhetoric. In this particular paradigm, it is difficult to see better sense prevail. It is also ambitious to expect an elected public representative who can strengthen democracy and represent peoples’ concerns in an effective manner. The 2019 Lok Sabha polls will go down as a watershed election. Quid pro quo has become the norm, with corporates and businesses becoming the major source of electoral funding. Citizen or voter contribution to candidates and parties is no longer sought. The question is are we even aware of this change and its implications, or even whether this shift has taken place transparently? Under the circumstances, news media can play a more positive and proactive role, making a difference to reverse the present trend, if only they are determined enough to pursue it as a strategy. But if the media itself is drowned in a conflict of interest and in an obliging mood, even that would be difficult. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

2019 Lok Sabha polls will go down as the most expensive election in the history of democracy

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