Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Updates: Congress Demands Separate Counting Of VVPAT Slips To Match With EVM Votes

Amethi: Congress Leader 'Dares' Smriti Irani 'To List Five Works'

Firing a salvo at Union Minister Smriti Irani, who is bidding to win a fresh term in the Lok Sabha from Amethi, Congress national spokesperson Abhay Dubey claimed on Thursday that she would lose the constituency that was regarded as a stronghold of the grand old party before she snapped their winning run there.

Hitting back at the BJP's barbs over the Congress's delay in naming their pick from Amethi, amid continuing rumours that Rahul might enter the fray from the erstwhile Congress stronghold as well, Dubey said even a Congress worker will win against her if given a ticket to contest Amethi.

At a press conference on Thursday at the state party headquarters in Lucknow, Dubey, flanked by party leader Aradhana Mishra Mona, said, "Smriti Irani is a non-resident here and will lose this time. Forget Rahul Gandhi, any Congress worker will win hands-down over the Union Minister and sitting MP if allotted a ticket to contest Amethi. I dare her to list even five works that she did for the people of Amethi," Dubey said.

Six LS Seats Of MP To Undergo Polling On April 19

Six parliamentary seats in the state of Madhya Pradesh- Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat and Chhindwara - will go to the polls in the first phase of polling on April 19.
A total of 88 candidates, including seven women candidates, are in the fray for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections to be held on Friday in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Thursday.

A total of 47 assembly constituencies and 13 districts are included in these six Lok Sabha seats. Of these 13 districts, 11 are completely included and some parts of two Katni and Narsinghpur districts are included.

BS Yediyurappa Predicts Big Win For BY Raghvendra

Former Chief Minister and Central BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that the BJP candidate from Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat B Y Raghavendra will win by a margin of more than 3 lakh votes and BJP-JDS alliance (NDA) candidates will also win all 28 seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
Yediyurappa said this during a massive roadshow in support of sitting MP Raghavendra attended by several leaders including JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and several other leaders of the BJP-JD(S) alliance.

Former Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai said, "The two former forces have united in the state. The power of money is nothing before this. Congress has brought a new guarantee. However, he has not contested enough seats to govern. Whether the Congress party could pass without solving enough questions for 35 marks. Vote for PM Modi to thank him for saving 130 crore lives during Covid."

"BJP Worked Day And Night To Empower Farmers And Women": Haryana CM Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, while addressing the Vijay Sankalp rally in Gadpuri village of Prithla assembly constituency of Palwal district on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has worked day and night for the last ten years to empower farmers and women.

"In the last 10 years, BJP worked day and night to empower the farmers and women of the country and to bring smiles on the faces of the youth and the poor," said Saini.
The Haryana CM also lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he is taking the country forward by laying a network of roads across the state.

"PM Modi has worked to take the country forward. India has created its own identity in the world. He said that development work has been done equally in every assembly constituency of Haryana state without any discrimination. BJP has established new dimensions of development. The work of laying a network of roads was done in all the districts of the state," he said.

Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP Of 'Dividing' Country

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of dividing the country whenever it gets an opportunity. Addressing a public meeting in the Kottayam district of Kerala on Thursday, Gandhi emphasized the significance of regional languages. He said, "Malayalam is Kerala and Kerala is Malayalam. I get surprised when I hear PM giving speeches where he says one nation, one language, one leader and one religion. How can you tell Tamil people not to speak Tamil or people of Kerala not to speak Malayalam or the people of Bengal not to speak Bengali. Every single Indian language is as important as any other language," Gandhi said.

He further criticized the BJP, alleging, "BJP does this with language, place, caste, and religion. Whenever they get an opportunity, they divide the country."

BJP Seeks EC Action Over JMM Leader's Remarks 

Leaders of the Congress and other INDIA bloc constituents are resorting to politics of "abuse and intimidation", the BJP said on Thursday and urged the Election Commission to take suo motu cognisance of their recent remarks and act against them.

Shehzad Poonawalla, the party's national spokesperson, said during a press conference at the BJP headquarters that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Nazrul Islam recently "openly" threatened to "bury" Prime Minister Narendra Modi "400 feet below".

"Nazrul Islam, a leader of the JMM and the 'INDI Alliance', has insulted the country's 'jana shakti (people's power)' by threatening to kill and bury the prime minister, who has been elected by the people of the country," Poonawalla said.

Lok Sabha Polls: Mahua Moitra Reveals Her 'Source Of Energy' 

Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra has captured significant online attention during campaigning for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In a widely circulated video on X, a journalist can be seen asking Moitra about her source of energy during the demanding campaign. From the viral video, the internet reacts negatively to Moitra's alleged response, 'Sex'. 

WB CM Mamata Slams BJP For 'Orchestrating' Clashes In Murshidabad

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday claimed that the BJP orchestrated the recent clash in Murshidabad on Wednesday. Banerjee claims that the DIG of Murshidabad was removed from his post a day before Ram Navami to execute their plan of rioting in the area.

Reportedly, clashes broke out during a Ram Navami procession in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, resulting in numerous injuries on Wednesday. "I am challenging and saying that BJP orchestrated the incident that happened the other day... If I ask the BJP commission why they removed their DIG one day before Ram Navami,? Was it to plan this?" she said at a public rally in Raiganj.

Meanwhile, she also launched an attack on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying, "Yogi is coming here to give a speech. In Uttar Pradesh, he doesn't let anyone speak, nor will he go to the mountains to give a speech. Take care of your state," she said.

Congress Demands Separate Counting Of VVPAT Slips To Match With EVM Votes 

A day ahead of first phase of elections, Congress has demanded a separate counting of VVPAT slips to match with EVM votes. Here's what the party wrote on their twitter: 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="hi" dir="ltr">EVM पर बटन कोई दबाइये वोट BJP को जाता है. केरल में यह मामला सामने आया है. <br><br>यही वजह है कि हम कहते हैं- &#39;राजा की आत्मा EVM में है.&#39; <br><br>हमारी मांग रही है कि <br><br>* VVPAT की पर्चियां मतदाताओं को सौंपी जाएं<br>* मतदाता उन VVPAT पर्चियों को एक अलग पेटी में डालें<br>* फिर उन VVPAT पर्चियों की… <a href="https://t.co/HXyaMrdisT">pic.twitter.com/HXyaMrdisT</a></p>&mdash; Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1780906077682299361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bihar Lok Sabha Live: BJP Never Talks About Core Issues, Alleges Misa Bharti

RJD leader and candidate from Patliputra Misa Bharti said, "Tomorrow is the first phase of voting and I extend my best wishes to all Mahagathbandhan candidates...Talks are not merely happening regarding Saran seat as there are 40 seats in Bihar... however, Saran and Patliputra are attacked more by BJP-NDA as family members are fighting over that.... Instead of making attacks why don't they talk about core issues? in order to hide their failure they speak about unnecessary things..."

Congress' Uttar Pradesh Co-Coordinator Vikas Agrahari Joins BJP

Uttar Pradesh Congress state co-coordinator Vikas Agrahari on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Union Minister and BJP candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha Constituency, Smriti Irani. BJP's Amethi district president Ram Prasad Mishra was also present on the occasion. The joining comes even as the Congress is yet to name a candidate for the seat. While the BJP has announced that Irani will seek re-election from Amethi.

Smriti Irani defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, a Nehru-Gandhi family stronghold, in one of the biggest upsets of the polls. Congress has however announced that Gandhi will again contest from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, a seat he won in the 2019 General elections.

Kerala: Rajnath Singh Campaigns For Former Defence Minister AK Antony's Son

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday campaigned for the BJP candidate Anil Antony, son of senior Congress leader AK Antony, in Kottayam district of Kerala. Anil Antony is contesting from Pathanamthitta constituency in Kerala. "I was surprised to hear that AK Antony, senior Congress leader and father of Anil Antony, does not want his son to win. I respect him for his honesty and integrity, but his reaction against his son has surprised me," he said.

During his speech, Rajnath praised AK Antony as an individual but attacked the Congress party for their involvement in corruption, and many of its leaders have been to jail over corruption charges.

#WATCH | Kerala: While addressing a public meeting in Kollam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "Once Rajiv Gandhi said that such a level of corruption in India that if I send 100 paise from centre, only 14 paise reaches the ground and 86 paise goes to corruption. He has… pic.twitter.com/69eFcsa2Cr

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

West Bengal Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Bengal Governor Calls Off Alipurduar Visit 

Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who was scheduled to visit the Alipurduar constituency in the state, has cancelled his visit after a complaint by the TMC against him to the apex poll body. TMC alleged that Governor Ananda Bose was “illegally interfering” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, slated to begin on Friday.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: TMC Files Complaint Against Bengal Governor 

The Trinamool Congress has filed a complaint with EC against Governor CV Ananda Bose for repeatedly interfering with the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections 2024 and attempting to visit poll-going areas during the silent period and on polling day (on 18.04.2024 and 19.04.2024.).

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Mehbooba Mufti Files Nomination From Anantnag-Rajouri Seat

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has filed nomination papers from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir which is going to polls in the third phase of elections on May 7. Accompanied by several party leaders and hundreds of supporters, Mehbooba arrived at the office of Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Syed Fakhruddin, who is the returning officer for the constituency, to file her papers. Talking to reporters later, the former chief minister appealed to people not to boycott the polls as "this election is about the assault launched on dignity, identity and resources" of Jammu and Kashmir.

#WATCH | Anantnag, J&K: PDP President & Lok Sabha candidate from Anantnag-Rajouri Mehbooba Mufti says, "Today's election is not for electricity, water and road, but this election is for the attack that was made on Jammu and Kashmir's identity.....and the employment of youths post… pic.twitter.com/qKfbjCGVK4

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Sunetra Pawar Files Nomination From Baramati

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's wife and NCP candidate from Baramati, Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination papers at the Divisional Commissioner's office. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP leader Praful Patel and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale were present. 

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's wife and NCP candidate from Baramati, Sunetra Pawar files her nomination papers at the Divisional Commissioner's office.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, NCP leader Praful Patel and Union Minister Ramdas… pic.twitter.com/ZkeEKFnZeK

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Rahul Gandhi Lacks Courage To Contest From Amethi, Says Rajnath Singh

Addressing a public rally in Kottayam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "BJP is going to launch Gaganyaan in 5 years but the launch of a young leader of the Congress Party has not happened in the last 20 years. Congress Party's 'Rahulyaan' is neither getting launched nor is it landing anywhere. Rahul has migrated from Uttar Pradesh to Kerala. Last time he had lost the election in Amethi. This time he is not able to muster the courage to contest from Amethi. But this time the people of Wayanad have also made up their minds that they will not make Rahul their Member of Parliament..."

#WATCH | Kerala: Addressing a public rally in Kottayam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "BJP is going to launch Gaganyaan in 5 years but the launch of a young leader of the Congress Party has not happened in the last 20 years. Congress Party's 'Rahulyaan' is neither getting… pic.twitter.com/KPtCW0m0GN

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Sunita Kejriwal To Join INDI Bloc Rally On April 21

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will participate in the INDIA alliance rally on April 21 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP MP Sanjay Singh will also participate in this rally of the INDIA alliance, said AAP sources.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Congress Has Degenerated Into BJP's B Team, Says Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has questioned the secular credentials of the Congress, adding that the party is "degenerating into BJP's B team". Chief Minister said that Congress is not displaying the flags of its ally Indian Union Muslim League for the campaign of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad and termed this as an example of the weakening of the secular tradition of the Congress, according to ANI.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Congress Releases Fresh List For Odisha

The Congress party has released a list of 4 candidates for the upcoming Odisha Assembly elections.

Congress releases a list of 4 candidates for upcoming Odisha Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/AU2B9oO3P0

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Gujarat BJP Chief Holds Roadshow In Navsari

Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil holds a roadshow in Navsari ahead of filing his nomination for the  Lok Sabha Election 2024. CM Bhupendra Patel and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi are also with him.

#WATCH | Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil holds a roadshow in Navsari ahead of filing his nomination for the #LokSabhaElection2024. CM Bhupendra Patel and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi are also with him. pic.twitter.com/iGC5oDZLHt

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE Updates: SC Directs ECI To Look Into Alleged EVM Discrepancies in Kerala Mock Poll

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to examine claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received additional votes during a mock polling exercise involving electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Kerala.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Supriya Sule Files Nomination From Baramati

NCP-SCP sitting MP and candidate from Baramati, Supriya Sule has filed her nomination papers. Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has been fielded by NCP against NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule from Baramati.

Maharashtra: NCP-SCP sitting MP and candidate from Baramati, Supriya Sule files her nomination papers.

Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has been fielded by NCP against NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule from Baramati. pic.twitter.com/8uS99KwDTk

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Mathura Lok Sabha Polls LIVE Updates: I Consider Myself Lord Krishna's 'Gopi', Says Hema Malini

Actor-politician Hema Malini, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Mathura as a BJP candidate for the third time, has said that she considers herself a "gopi" of Lord Krishna. "I joined politics neither for name nor for fame. I also did not join politics for any materialistic gain," the Mathura MP told reporters.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Congress Doing Appeasement Politics, Says Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is contesting from the Kota Lok Sabha constituency, accused the Congress party of doing appeasement and divisive politics. "DMK leaders said that they want to eradicate Sanatana Dharma and Congress is allied with them. Congress never condemned their statement on Sanatana Dharma. If they had considered it wrong, they wouldn't have allied with the DMK. If you support such people, that means you have the same ideology. Congress is doing appeasement and divisive politics," Birla said.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: BJP Fields Narayan Rane From Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Seat

BJP has announced Union Minister Narayan Rane as its candidate from the Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat.

Maharashtra: BJP announces Union Minister Narayan Rane as its candidate from Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/coL2BbGCOo

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Supriya Sule Pays Tribute To Dr BR Ambedkar

NCP-SCP sitting MP and candidate from Baramati, Supriya Sule pays tribute to Dr  BR Ambedkar ahead of filing her nomination papers today. Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has been fielded by NCP against NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule from Baramati.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: NCP-SCP sitting MP and candidate from Baramati, Supriya Sule pays tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar ahead of filing her nomination papers today.

Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has been fielded by NCP against NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule from… pic.twitter.com/CPq7qmlIaU

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Helicopters To Ensure Free Polls In Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand's Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Vijay Kumar Jogdande has informed that they have arranged two helicopters for emergency service, adding that the voting this time will be casualty-free and no emergency would arise. The Lok Sabha elections for all five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand are scheduled to take place in a single phase on April 19.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Preparations Underway In Imphal West 

Poll preparations are underway at the DC Office in Lamphelpat, Imphal West, ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. Manipur will hold two phases of elections for its parliamentary constituencies. The Inner Manipur constituency will go to the polls on April 19, while voting in the Outer Manipur constituency will be held on April 26.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Amit Shah Holds Roadshow In Ahmedabad

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat Amit Shah is leading a roadshow in Gujarat. Shah will be holding back-to-back three roadshows and address a rally today before filing his nomination from the Gandhinagar seat the next day.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Sanand, Ahmedabad

He will file his nomination from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat tomorrow. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/Ln7jowzWRX

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Former Kannauj Panchayat President Sanju Katiyar Joins BJP

Former Kannauj Panchayat president Sanju Katiyar today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of state BJP leaders.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: Amit Shah To Hold Rallies, Roadshows In Gandhinagar

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat Amit Shah will be holding back-to-back three roadshows and address a rally in the constituency today before filing his nomination the next day. The senior BJP leader, seeking re-election from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency for a second term, will file his nomination papers on Friday.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates:  Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar To File Nominations Today

Mahayuti alliance candidate Sunetra Pawar and her sister-in-law and NCP (SP) candidate Supriya Sule will file their nominations for the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in the district on Thursday with a show of strength. Both factions of the NCP will take out processions during nomination filing in Baramati which will be witnessing a contest between Sule, sitting MP and daughter of Sharad Pawar, and Sunetra, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 LIVE Updates: EC Issues Notification For 4th Phase Of Polls

The Election Commission has issued a notification for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, which will take place on May 13 in 96 constituencies across 9 States and one Union Territory. This phase will witness polling for 96 Lok Sabha seats across 9 states and one Union Territory, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir.