LIVE Updates | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 'I Won't Leave Purnea...': Pappu Yadav's Message To INDIA Bloc

LIVE Updates: ‘Ibadat Me Koi Kami Rah Gayi...’, Pappu Yadav Expresses Loyalty To Purnea Seat 

Congress leader Pappu Yadav says he is very clear about his target, that is 2024. “A few are targeting 2025... I have always been with Lalu Yadav at odd times but when it's my turn It is possible that there may have been some deficiency in my worship and devotion (Ho Sakta Hai Meri Pooja, Ibadat Me Koi Kami Rah Gayi),” he told ANI. Yadav stated that he had made it clear that he wouldn't engage in a merger or relocate to Madhepura or Supaul. He affirmed his commitment to Purnea, offering to run on the RJD symbol if necessary. He questioned, "What mistake did I make?" 

#WATCH | Bihar: Congress leader Pappu Yadav says, "...I am very clear about it, my target is 2024. A few are targeting 2025... I have always been with Lalu Yadav at odd times but when it's my turn 'Ho Sakta Hai Meri Pooja, Ibadat Me Koi Kami Rah Gayi'. I have clearly said that I… pic.twitter.com/P9eiLofBIH

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

LIVE Updates: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Files Nomination 

Congress sitting MP Shashi Tharoor files nomination from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. While BJP has fielded Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Thiruvananthapuram.

#WATCH | Kerala: Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Shashi Tharoor files nomination from Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala

BJP has fielded Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Thiruvananthapuram. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/r3ehLs9KoC

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

LIVE Updates: BJP's Sushil Modi, Battling Cancer, Withdraws From Lok Sabha Election Race

BJP figure and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi, on Wednesday disclosed that he has been batteling with cancer for the last six months. He further mentioned that he will not be participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

The omission of Modi's name from the BJP candidates' list for the Rajya Sabha elections in February had triggered speculations. Once regarded as a cornerstone of the party, Sushil Modi, aged 72, held considerable sway within the BJP in Bihar for over three decades. 

LIVE Updates: Setback To INDI Alliance In J&K As PDP Fields All 3 Candidates In Valley 

The longstanding allies, the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), have revealed their plans to compete independently in the forthcoming LS Polls. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti informed that the party will soon announce its three candidates for Kashmir. With both sides gearing up for the impending electoral battle, this internal split within the INDIA Alliance raises apprehensions about the coalition's stability. 

LIVE Updates: Boxer Vijender Singh Joins BJP 

Vijender Singh, India's inaugural Olympic boxing medallist and a Congress leader joined BJP in the presence of the party's National General Secretary Vinod Tawde in Delhi. Singh ran for the 2019 Lok Sabha election without success, representing the Congress party in the South Delhi constituency. 

VIDEO | Boxer and former Congress leader Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) joins BJP in the presence of the party's National General Secretary Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/3VIDsSMkh4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 3, 2024

LIVE Updates: Farooq Abdullah Withdraws From Lok Sabha Elections, Omar Abdullah Announces 

National Conference president and incumbent Member of Parliament representing Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah, has decided not to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections citing health concerns, as announced by Omar Abdullah.

LIVE Updates: Rahul Gandhi Files Nomination From Wayanad Lok Sabha Seat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi files his nomination papers from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. After filing the nominations, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress Party is fighting to safeguard the constitution and the democracy while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah of BJP and its leaders along with RSS is contesting to end the democracy. 

He also lead a roadshow in Wayanad, Kerala, earlier today. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present at the event. 

LIVE Updates: Free And Fair Elections Are Vital To Democracy's Foundation, Says Singhavi 

Advocating for Arvind Kejriwal, Singhvi expressed the importance of a fair electoral environment, questioning the urgency surrounding the level playing field argument. He referenced the Supreme Court case Indra Gandhi v Raj Narayan, highlighting that free and fair elections are fundamental to the basic structure of democracy. 

Singhvi pointed to Sarath Reddy's statements, noting that out of the 13 statements made, only two were critical of the CM. He questioned the judge's reliance on one statement, especially considering that the remaining 11 statements were also under Section 50. Singhvi further dismissed Buchi Babu's statement as hearsay. 

LIVE Updates: Arrest Preventing Me From Participating In Electoral Process, Kejriwal Tells Court

Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal via video conferencing. Singhvi informed the High Court that this case is plagued by timing concerns, preventing Kejriwal from engaging in democratic processes and aiming to destabilize the AAP before the initial vote is cast. 

LIVE Updates: It Has Been An Honour For Me To Be Your MP, Says Rahul

“I stand with the people of Wayanad in this fight. We have tried to pressurise the government on the medical college, I have written letters to the CM. But unfortunately, they have not moved forward. I am absolutely convinced that if we have a government in Delhi and when we get a government in Kerala, both of which we will do, we will resolve these issues," said Rahul Gandhi. During his speech, he mentioned that he regards the people of Wayanad with the same affection he holds for his younger sister, Priyanka Gandhi. 

"It has been an honour for me to be your member of Parliament. I don't treat you and think of you like an electorate,” said Gandhi 

LIVE Updates: HC hearing On Kejriwal's Plea Underway 

HC hearing on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking release from ED custody begins. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has presided. 

LIVE Updates: Delhi Court Orders AAP’s Sanjay Singh To Surrender Passport, Keep Phone Tracked 

Delhi court has directed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh to surrender his passport and inform the court about his travel plans before leaving the National Capital Region (NCR). He is also required to keep his phone location turned on at all times. The court's directive came in the Excise Policy case, cautioning Singh against tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. 

LIVE Updates: EC Set To Meet Officials For Border Security Evaluation Before Election 

The Election Commission is gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as it is set to convene a crucial meeting with top state and Union territory officials along with central agencies tasked with border security. The meeting will take place at the Election Commission headquarters.  

It aims to scrutinize the current security situation along India's borders. Focus will be on assessing the law-and-order scenario and bolstering vigilance ahead of both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Scheduled attendees from states and Union Territories will participate via video conference.  

India shares borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China.

Rahul Gandhi Holds Roadshow In Wayanad 

Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader, conducted a road procession in Wayanad, Kerala, prior to submitting his nomination for the Lok Sabha election from the area. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also participated in the event.

VIDEO | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) holds a roadshow in #Wayanad, Kerala, ahead of filing nomination for Lok Sabha election from the constituency. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attends the roadshow.#LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024

(Full video available… pic.twitter.com/X3mrUFLDfC

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 3, 2024

LIVE Updates: AAP To Observe 'Samuhik Upwas' Against Kejriwal's Arrest On April 7

All AAP Ministers, MLAs, MPs, and party leaders are set to participate in a collective fasting, termed 'Samuhik Upwas', at Jantar Mantar on April 7, in protest against the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal. The party has extended an appeal to citizens, urging those who oppose Kejriwal's arrest and stand for the preservation of democracy and the nation's welfare to also observe 'Samuhik Upwas' at their respective homes, villages, and blocks. 

LIVE Updates: Gopal Rai Calls ED’s Accusations A 'Lie' After Sanjay Singh Gets Bail

Shortly after the Supreme Court commented on the lack of evidence regarding a money trail and granted bail to senior party leader Sanjay Singh, AAP highlighted the court's remarks, labelling the agency's accusation as a ‘lie’. 

“…Yesterday's events made it evident that the accusations were unfounded and lacking any evidence, leading to the unjust arrest of our leaders. The truth emerged in the Supreme Court, revealing the BJP's orchestrated conspiracy and authoritarianism…”

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: CPI's Annie Raja To File Nomination From Wayanad 

Communist Party of India's (CPI) Lok Sabha candidate from Wayanad, Annie Raja will file her nomination today. Congress candidate and sitting MP, Rahul Gandhi is also slated to file his nomination today. The CPI is a partner of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala.

While the CPI and the Congress are partners in the opposition INDIA bloc, the two parties are fierce contenders in Kerala with both parties pitting their strongest candidates against each other. Annie Raja, wife of CPI general secretary D Raja holds the post of general secretary in the party's National Federation of Indian Women and is a member of the national executive of CPI.

LIVE Updates: Centre Provides Security To Ex-Calcutta HC Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay

The Centre has provided security cover to former Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, ex-TMC MP Arjun Singh, BJP district General Secretary Abhijit Barman, and executive member Cooch Behar district Tapas Das. The four leaders have been provided security by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in different categories in West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Gangopadhyay and Singh joined the BJP last month.

Gangopadhyay has been granted security under the 'Y' category, while Arjun Singh has been given security under the 'Z' category. However, both Barman and Das have been given security under the 'X' category, said sources.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Uttarakhand Govt Declares Public Holiday On Voting Day

The Uttarakhand government has declared a public holiday on April 19, i.e. the day of voting. The order was issued by the General Administration Department of the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday. The order stated that all the educational institutes, banks, government and private offices, and all industrial and manufacturing units, etc. will stay closed on April 19.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Holiday For Punjab Govt Employees From J&K, Rajasthan On April 19

Registered voters of Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan working in government establishments in Punjab are eligible for a special holiday on April 19 to exercise their franchise in their respective states for the Lok Sabha polls.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: SP Workers Propose Aditya Yadav's Name For Badaun LS Seat

A Samajwadi Party (SP) workers' conference has proposed Aditya Yadav as a candidate for the Badaun Lok Sabha seat, his father and the party's current nominee from the constituency Shivpal Singh Yadav said.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: VBA Releases Fresh List

Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has released a list of candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Maharashtra.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: PM Modi To Address Digital NaMo Rally 

PM Modi will address a digital NaMo rally today through the NaMo app at all 22,648 booths of 10 Lok Sabha seats going to the polls in the third phase in Uttar Pradesh.