Lok Sabha Election 2019 updates: Amit Shah alleges political conspiracy in Bhima Mandavi's death, demands CBI probe into Dantewada attack

Lok Sabha Election latest updates

We will make sedition law even more stringent, says Rajnath

Attacking Congress over its poll promise of repealing the sedition law if elected to power in the Lok Sabha election, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday said here that the BJP government would make the law even more stringent.

Speaking at a gathering in Gandhidham city of Kutch district in Gujarat, he said, “Congress is saying that they will repeal the sedition law. I want to ask you all, should we forgive those anti-nationals who are trying to break the unity and social fabric of our country?

“If it’s within our powers, we will make the sedition law even more stringent. We will make such a strict law that it would send shivers down their spine.”

PTI

Lok Sabha Election latest updates

Congress complains to EC over ‘politicisation’ of armed forces, Irani’s ‘contradictory’ affidavits

The Congress on Friday moved the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for allegedly “dragging” the armed forces in the political domain by using them to seek votes.

A Congress delegation, comprising Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Randeep Surjewala, made several representations such as over Union minister Smriti Irani’s “contradictory affidavits” to the Election Commission on her educational qualifications and a web series on Modi.

The party gave a memorandum to EC over Irani’s contradictory affidavits, demanding that she should be disqualified from contesting. “Modi, BJP chief (Amit Shah) and other leaders of the ruling party are shamelessly and openly, for the first time in 70 years, are dragging the forces into cheap politics,” Singhvi told reporters.

PTI

Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh latest updates

BJP chief alleges political conspiracy in Dantewala Naxal attack

Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon, BJP president Amit Shah said, “MLA Bhima Mandavi’s (who lost his life in a Naxal attack on 9 April) death smells of a political conspiracy. I want to tell chief minister of Chhattisgarh, if you have nothing to hide, then order a CBI inquiry into Mandavi’s death.”

Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu latest update

Modi thinks he can run Tamil Nadu run Delhi, says Congress chief

In Theni, Rahul Gandhi said, “Narendra Modi is convinced he can run Tamil Nadu from Delhi. He is convinced that just because he can pressurise the Tamil Nadu government, he can decide what happens in Tamil Nadu. I don’t think this man has read anything about Tamil history. He certainly doesn’t understand the Tamil spirit. I think I will send him a book on Periyar.

“Throughout history, only the people of Tamil have decided the future. There is no force in this universe that can make the Tamil people do what they don’t want to do. With hatred and anger, you can’t make Tamil people do anything, but with love and affection, you can. We’re not going to stand here and let him disrespect the Tamil people, their language or their spirit. We’re not going to let him impose his half-baked ideas on Tamils. "

Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu latest update

Modi started negative economic cycle, says Rahul Gandhi

“Narendra Modi started a negative economic cycle. He pulled the petrol out of the engine and switched off the engine. And he gave the keys of the vehicle to the 15 rich businessmen of the country,” Rahul Gandhi said in Theni, while praising his party’s NYAY scheme.

“Modi will be upset because he will not be able to give thousands of crores of rupees to Anil Ambani. He’ll be upset because Indians won’t fight with each other. Narendra Modi is the element of hate among Indians. The moment Indians get along, Modi will get down. We are not going to fight Modi’s hatred with hatred. We’re going to fight it with love and affection toward each other by respecting each other.”

Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu latest updates

Congress chief speaks on NYAY scheme

Addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Theni, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, “If we give Rs 15 lakh per person, we will destroy the economy, but we can give Rs 3.6 lakh per year, we will not destroy the economy. In fact it will strengthen it.”

Lok Sabha Election latest updates

Chandrababu Naidu to meet EC tomorrow over poll issue

“Tomorrow (Saturday), I’m meeting the Election Commission. I’m going to discuss the anomalies and technical problems EVMs are facing. Nobody knows what is happening in EVMs,” he told reporters. Faulty EVMs had reportedly hampered the polling in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, leading to delays in the voting process at over 300 booths in the state. 

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu: Tomorrow I'm meeting Election Commission, I'm going to discuss the anomalies and technical problems EVMs are facing. Nobody knows what is happening in EVMs. #LokSabhaElections2019 #AndhraPradeshElection2019 pic.twitter.com/889JVGZQ1q

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Lok Sabha Election latest updates

Rahul Gandhi’s chopper denied permission to land in Bengal 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s chopper has been denied permission to land in Siliguri in 14 April, when he is scheduled to address a rally there.

In January, the Jhargram district magistrate had denied the party permission to land BJP chief Amit Shah’s helicopter near the venue, citing security concerns. Later, Shah’s scheduled rally was cancelled, but the party said it was due to his poor health.

#NewsAlert -- @RahulGandhi's chopper denied permission to land in Bengal | @Sougata_Mukh with more details #BattleOf2019 #ElectionsWithNews18 #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/hkFIavD6c8

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 12, 2019

Lok Sabha election latest updates

‘Vote for me or else…’: Maneka Gandhi sparks row with remarks against Muslims

In a video doing rounds on social media, Union minister Maneka Gandhi, is allegedly seen telling Muslims in Sultanpur to vote for her. “I am going to win because of the love of the people. But if I win without the votes of the Muslims, then I won’t be too happy. I will not be inclined to be responsive when you come to seek jobs,” she is heard saying in the video.

Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha lashed out at Maneka over the video on Twitter and wrote, “WHOA!!! Just hear #ManekaGandhi talking to Muslims; it’s a shocker!!!!”

WHOA!!! Just hear #ManekaGandhi talking to Muslims; it's a shocker!!!! Worse, she says "you will need me, and I will have booth-wise details". #BJP ko harana hamara zimmedari hain. They are threatening our fellow Indians for votes. @ECISVEEP ; Please take action ASAP! https://t.co/rGSCup0w55

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 12, 2019

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

BJP and allies will sweep first phase, says PM

In Gangavathi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “In the first phase of election, the wave of BJP and its allies will sweep the opposition. The situation in West Bengal is chaotic. It’s a sign of an imminent change”

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Election a fight between ’nation first’ and ‘family first’, says PM

“This is an election between ’nation first’ and ‘family first’. Congress and JD(S) are detached from people and attached to their own family,” Narendra Modi said in Karnataka’s Gangavathi.

“Fulfilling their individual and family’s greed is their priority. And what is their mission? Commission,” he said.

PM in Koppal: Congress-JDS dono hi party janta se jitni kati hui hai utni hi sirf aur sirf apne parivar se judi hui hai. Inke liye aapki aavshyaktaein, iski unko parwah nahi. Unki prathmikta hai khud ka swaarth, parivar ka swarth aur unka mission kya hai? Commission. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/I5ihBeetJ0

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

PM targets HD Kumaraswamy, Deve Gowda

Addressing a rally in Karnataka’s Gangavathi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. " HD Deve Gowda ji ke bete ne kaha ki kendra mein agar phir sarkar ban gai toh vo rajneeti se sanyaas lelenge. 2014 ke chunav mein swayam Deve Gowda ji ne kaha tha agar Modi ji PM banenge toh main sanyaas le lunga. Unhone liya kya? Beta sanyas lega kya? (JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda’s son said that if NDA forms the government in the Centre again, then he’ll retire from politics. In 2014 election, Deve Gowda had said that if Modi becomes the prime minister then he’ll retire from politics. Did he retire? Will his son retire?)"

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Congress leader Sukh Ram’s son Anil Sharma resigns from Himachal Pradesh’s BJP ministry

Former Union minister Sukh Ram’s son Anil Sharma tendered his resignation as Himachal Pradesh minister on Friday.

In March, Sukh Ram rejoined the Congress along with his grandson Aashray Sharma ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The development had led to speculation on the fate of Anil. State BJP president Satpal Singh Satti had then said, “It is up to Anil Sharma whether to remain a Himachal Pradesh minister or quit. He should make his stand clear.”

Himachal Pradesh Power Minister Anil Sharma has tendered his resignation as minister. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/DZ6TqIAgbH

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Lok Sabha election latest updates

AAP, JJP announce alliance in Haryana

AAP leader Gopal Rai said during a press conference that the party has formed an alliance with the Jananayak Janata Party (JJP) in Haryana for Lok Sabha elections. JJP will contest on 7 seats and AAP will contest on 3 seats in the state.

Gopal Rai, Aam Aadmi Party: AAP -Jananayak Janata Party (JJP) have entered into an alliance in Haryana for Lok Sabha elections. JJP will contest on 7 seats and AAP will contest on 3 seats in Haryana. pic.twitter.com/SeIAbuuw8a

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

WATCH: Nirmala Sitharaman on the Army veterans’ letter controversy

Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the purported letter sent by Army veterans to the president was “fake.” “Two senior officers said they haven’t given their consent. It is worrying that fake letters are being signed by vested groups. It is condemnable. Rashtrapati Bhawan has also said that they have not received the letter,” she said.

#WATCH Nirmala Sitharaman on purported letter to Pres signed by Armed Forces veterans: 2 senior officers said they haven't given consent,worrying that fake letters being signed by vested groups.Condemnable. Rashtrapati Bhawan has also said that they have not received the letter. pic.twitter.com/VQdWhbgKh5

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Krishna Tirath rejoins Congress

Former Union minister in the UPA regime and Dalit rights activist Krishna Tirath left BJP and rejoined Congress on Friday.

Delhi: Former Union Minister Krishna Tirath quits BJP,rejoins Congress pic.twitter.com/zIrO0FuuMl

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Smriti Irani in Amethi latest updates

BJP leader strikes back at Congress’s criticism of her educational qualification 

Speaking in the aftermath of a Congress press conference in which the party’s spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi spoke on Smriti Irani finally clearing up her lack of college education, the BJP leader said these ‘attacks’ only egg her on to work harder ‘against the Congress’.

#WATCH Union Minister Smriti Irani: In the last 5 years, they have attacked me in every which way possible. I only have one message for them, the more you will insult me, the more you will attack me, the harder I will work against Congress in Amethi. pic.twitter.com/ag3R9JV4yL

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 12, 2019

Congress election campaign latest updates

Door still open for alliance with AAP in Delhi, says PC Chacko

Congress leader PC Chacko said on Friday that the door is open for Aam Aadmi Party to forge an alliance with the party in Delhi.

“AAP wanted to have an alliance in other states also, which is not practical. Every state is different; we will announce the seats tomorrow or day after tomorrow. If they are ready for an alliance in Delhi with Congress, we are ready even today,” Chacko said. 

AAP had earlier said that the party is not interested in tying up with Congress in Delhi alone.

PC Chacko, Congress: AAP wanted to have an alliance in other states also which is not practical. Every state is different; we will announce the seats tomorrow or day after tomorrow. If they are ready for an alliance in Delhi with Congress, we are ready even today. pic.twitter.com/orFer3r6Kq

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

BJP delegation meets EC, raises complaints against Rahul, Trinamool Congress

A delegation of the BJP, led by Union ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Nirmala Sitharaman, met the Election Commission to raise complaints on several charges. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Naqvi charged the language used by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Rafale documents admissability order. Rahul had said, “Supreme Court has pronounced the verdict, chowkidar is a chor.”

Taking over from him, Sitharaman said, “Rahul had erroneously said even on Thursday that Supreme Court has admitted to the fact that Narendra Modi siphoned off Rs 30,000 crore to his friend Anil Ambani. Where did that happen? Did Supreme Court ever say this?”

Another complaint was regarding the polls in Bengal. “Trinamool Congress goons prevented people from voting in West Bengal on Thursday. We demanded that repolling be done and that two CAPF soldiers be stationed at every booth in West Bengal,” Naqvi said.

BJP delegation meets EC, raises complaints against Rahul, Trinamool Congress

A delegation of the BJP, led by Union ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Nirmala Sitharaman, met the Election Commission to raise complaints on several charges. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Naqvi slammed the language used by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Rafale documents admissability order. “Congress has crossed all limits,” he said. Rahul had said, “Supreme Court has pronounced the verdict, chowkidar is a chor.”

Taking over from him, Sitharaman said, “Rahul had erroneously said even on Thursday that Supreme Court has admitted to the fact that Narendra Modi siphoned off Rs 30,000 crore to his friend Anil Ambani. Where did that happen? Did Supreme Court ever say this?”

Another complaint was regarding the polls in Bengal. “Trinamool Congress goons prevented people from voting in West Bengal on Thursday. We demanded that repolling be done and that two CAPF soldiers be stationed at every booth in West Bengal,” Naqvi said.

Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu latest updates

Congress chief says Modi ran govt for his ‘15 friends’

Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi​ alleging he ran his government for 15 of his friends and he wondered why no big-ticket defaulters of bank loans like Vijay Mallya were not in jail. The Congress chief said the ones like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, after taking bank loans, failed to return it and ran away from the country.

“Not even a single one is in jail,” he added. Rahul said when his party is voted to power, no farmer “is going to be put in jail for not paying back his bank loan, it is not fair that the richest people do not go to jail but farmers go to jail for the same offence.”

PTI

Amit Shah in Keonjhar latest updates

BJP chief makes slew of promises for Odisha 

Speaking at Naveen Patnaik’s turf of Odisha on Friday, BJP chief Amit Shah made a host of promises to the Keonjhar audience, reciting not just schemes for tribals but also for farmers. “All forest produce will be procured at MSP by the government from the tribals. GST will not be levied on tendu leaves,” he said, to applause.

Shah also promised effective utilisation of Odisha’s rich natural resources and said a medical college has been built from money sent to the state by the Centre. “Under District Mineral Fund, an additional Rs 1,600 crore has been allocated to this district,” he said.

मैं देशभर में घूमते हुए आज आपके क्षेत्र में आया हूं। कश्मीर से कन्याकुमारी और ओडिशा से गुजरात तक मोदी-मोदी ही सुनाई देता है।

देश की जनता मोदी जी को फिर से प्रधानमंत्री बनाने का मन बना चुकी है: श्री अमित शाह #ModiHiAayega pic.twitter.com/B5iohAh0bK

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 12, 2019

Amit Shah in Odisha latest updates

At Keonjhar rally, BJP chief brings up ‘Odia’ charge against Naveen Patnaik again

Speaking at Odisha’s Keonjhar, BJP chief Amit Shah said on Friday that governments of Congress and Biju Janata Dal have wrecked Odisha. “Due to the complete lack of employment opportunities in Odisha, its youth has to migrate to other states to earn their livelihood,” he said, also highlighting alleged water scarcity issues and the problem of paucity of teachers in schools.

Significantly, Shah brought back the BJP’s favourite language slam against Naveen Patnaik, who cannot speak in Odia. “Naveen babu has ruled Odisha for 19 years, but still can’t talk in Odia to his people,” he said.

Under District Mineral Fund, Rs 1600 crore has been allocated to this district. The Medical college is being built from the money sent by the Centre: Shri @AmitShah #ModiHiAayega pic.twitter.com/hWxtn9O5AF

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 12, 2019

Bihar election latest updates

Rabri Devi said Nitish sent Prashant Kishor as emissary to Lalu several times after joining BJP

Rabri Devi, on Friday, told News18 in an interview that JD(U) leader Prashant Kishor had visited Lalu Prasad’s hope as many as five times, to broker a deal through which Nitish Kumar and his party could make their way back to the mahagathbandhan in Bihar.

“Kishore asked for him (Nitish Kumar) to be declared the prime ministerial candidate, even after JD(U) had joined hands with the BJP. We had to throw him out of the house. He is a liar,” she said.

“Not just I, but my entire staff saw this,” she added.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Choose between imandar chowkidar and bhrashtachari naamdar, says prime minister 

Speaking at Ahmednagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi, asking voters to choose between “imandar chowkidar” and “bhrashtachari naamdar". Addressing an election rally to campaign for Ahmednagar and Shirdi Lok Sabha candidates, Modi also said the world has recognised India as a super power in the last five years.

“Do you remember the previous ten years of the earlier remote-controlled government? Scams and delays in decision-making were the order of the day. You need to now choose between imandar chowkidar and bhrashtachari naamdar,” Modi said.

PTI

Letter controversy rages on: Air Chief Marshal NC Suri says he has been ‘misquoted’

Air Chief Marshal NC Suri, another signatory of the alleged letter has said that he was misquoted in the letter, which he alleges was written by “some Major Chaudhary.”

Air Chief Marshal NC Suri to ANI: To put an end to it,I wrote that armed forces are apolitical&support the politically elected govt. And no, my consent has not been taken for any such letter. I don’t agree with whatever has been written in that letter. We have been misquoted. 2/2 https://t.co/pAU6L6CZ54

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu latest updates

Congress chief promises state will not be ruled from Nagpur

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said during his rally at Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri, “We will never ever let the people of Tamil Nadu be ruled by Nagpur. Tamil Nadu is going to be ruled from Tamil Nadu and MK Stalin is going to be the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Krishnagiri: We will never ever let the people of Tamil Nadu be ruled by Nagpur. Tamil Nadu is going to be ruled from Tamil Nadu & MK Stalin is going to be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/GJlZ8qs3Lk

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

First signatory of Army veterans’ ’letter’ to President calls it ‘fake news’

ANI has reported that two of the signatories of the circulated letter sent to the President by Army veterans have denied having signed this letter. 

The news agency reported that General SF Rodrigues, the first signatory of the letter, has said, “Don’t know what it (the purported letter written by Armed Forces veterans to the President) is all about. All my life,we’ve been apolitical. After 42 years as officer, it’s a little late to change. We always put India first. I don’t know who these people are, it is a classic manifestation of fake news,” he said.

General SF Rodrigues who is mentioned as the first signatory in the purported letter (in pic- first page of the letter) written by armed forces veterans to President, denies signing it. pic.twitter.com/oidGb8ex0Z

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

Read the full text of the Army veterans’ letter

As controversy rages over whether 150 Army veterans indeed did send the purported letter against politicisation of soldiers, read the full text of the purported letter being circulated across media  here .

Rashtrapati Bhavan denies receiving any letter from 150 veterans

Reports have said that Rashtrapati Bhavan sources have denied receiving any letter supposedly written by Armed Forces veterans to the President.

On Thursday, over 150 armed forces veterans – including three former army chiefs, four former navy chiefs and a former air force chief – wrote to the President and Commander-in-Chief to complain about the manner in which political parties have been repeatedly using armed forces for political gains ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

The letter urges President Ram Nath Kovind “to take all necessary steps to urgently direct all political parties that they must forthwith desist from using the military, military uniforms or symbols, and any actions by military formations or personnel, for political purposes or to further their political agendas.”

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

PM steers clear of mentioning Army, martyrs, focuses on ‘Tughluq Road scam’

Speaking at Ahmednagar, Narendra Modi steered clear of asking voters to cast their ballots in the name of the Army or the martyrs, after running into quite some controversy after repeatedly mentioning them in earlier speeches. He, however, repeated his earlier promises of a water ministry and rang up the old slam of a scam operating out of the Gandhi family’s ‘Tughlaq Road’ residence. “Congress has stolen money meant for pregnant women just days after coming to power in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.

आज स्वरोजगार के लिए करोड़ों युवा साथियों को बैंक से बिना गारंटी के लोन मिल रहा है तो उसके पीछे आपके वोट की ताकत है।

गांव-गांव में सड़कें बन रही हैं, वर्षों से लटके रेलवे प्रोजेक्ट अगर आज पूरे हो रहे हैं तो इसके पीछे भी आपके वोट की ताकत है: पीएम श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी #ModiHiAayega pic.twitter.com/grBmEgiXXA

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 12, 2019

Narendra Modi in Ahmednagar latest updates

PM addresses Maharashtra audience, tears into Congress-NCP alliance

“In the last five years, a strong, decision-making government, a public partner, has been seen in India. Prior to that, there were reports of scams and scandals.
Today the world is seeing India as a superpower,” Narendra Modi said in his rally in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.

The prime minister hit out at the Congress-NCP alliance as well. “Today, on the one hand, the Congress and NCP has given you hollow promises and on the other hand the NDA has made good on its promises. During the Congress-NCP government, bomb blasts took place across Mumbai. In the last five years, blasts have stopped in Maharashtra,” he said.

कांग्रेस और NCP ऐसे लोगों के साथ खड़ी है, जो कह रहे हैं कि जम्मू कश्मीर को भारत से अलग कर देंगे और जम्मू कश्मीर में अलग प्रधानमंत्री होना चाहियें।

मुझे कांग्रेस से कोई उम्मीद नहीं है क्योंकि ये सब उन्हीं कि पैदावार है। लेकिन शरद राव क्यों चुप है: पीएम pic.twitter.com/IzxHvZmIC7

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 12, 2019

Bihar records lowest voter turnout with 50%, WB tops with 81% in Phase 1

West Bengal Thursday recorded a polling percentage of 81 per cent, while Bihar recorded 50 per cent voter turnout in phase one of Lok Sabha elections.

Two seats in West Bengal, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, went to poll in the first phase. The state will have polling in all seven phases.

Bihar recorded voter turnout of 50 percent, the lowest among the 18 states and two union territories which went to polls Thursday, the Election Commission said.

PTI

Congress election campaign latest updates

Priyanka Chaturvedi holds press conference on Smriti’s qualification

The Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi held a press conference in which she hit out at the BJP over the issue of politicisation of the armed forces and Smriti Irani’s qualifications. Listing all the instances in which the BJP leaders have used the armed forces in their poll pitch, Chaturvedi said, “Political parties using armed forces is wrong.” 

On Smriti Irani writing in her poll affidavit that she enrolled for an undergraduate course in Delhi University but did not complete it, Chaturvedi said, “A new serial is going to come, Kyunki Mantri Bhi Kabhi Graduate Thi. Its opening line will be ‘Qualifications ke bhi roop badalte hain, naye-naye sanche mein dhalte hain, ek degree aati hai, ek degree jaati hai, bante affidavit naye hain.”

BJP MP files contempt plea in SC against Rahul’s ‘chowkidar chor hai’ comment

BJP MP Meenaakshi Lekhi has filed a contempt plea against Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the recent Supreme Court verdict in the Rafale case 

Lekhi told the SC bench that the Congress president, in his remark over the top court’s verdict in the Rafale case, had said, “Supreme Court has said, chowkidaar chor hai (in its verdict)”.

SC has agreed to hear the contempt plea on April 15.

Congress election campaign latest updates

Rahul Gandhi to speak in three rallies across Tamil Nadu

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, like Modi, will be in the south. He is expected to hold a public rally at 11 am in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. Rahul is then expected to address meetings at Salem district (around 1 pm), Theni district (3.45 pm), and Madurai district (5.30 pm).

.

Congress President @RahulGandhi will be in Tamil Nadu today to address several public meetings. Watch him live:

FB: https://t.co/NPOcx48kHN

YT: https://t.co/g2POk7bvU1 pic.twitter.com/Or7ecHcPyF

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 12, 2019

BJP election campaign latest updates

Amit Shah to speak in Odisha, Chhattisgarh

Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah will address a rally at Keonjhar in Odisha and at Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh.

भाजपा राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री अमित शाह आज ओडिशा और छत्तीसगढ़ में विशाल जनसभाओं को संबोधित करेंगे। लाइव देखें https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu और NaMo TV पर। #ModiHiAayega pic.twitter.com/wOa9TKHXQL

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 12, 2019

BJP election campaign latest updates

Narendra Modi to hold rallies in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address rallies at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra (11 am), Gangavati in Karnataka (3 pm) and Kozhikode in Kerala (6.30 pm).  

PM Shri @narendramodi will address three mega rallies in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala on 12 April 2019. Watch at

∙ https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu
∙ https://t.co/KrGm5hWgwn
∙ https://t.co/EyN23goWO7
∙ NaMoTV

Dial 9345014501 to listen LIVE. pic.twitter.com/MtPLswLh08

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 11, 2019

Supreme Court asks parties to declare details of money received through electoral bonds

The Supreme Court pronounced a key verdict on electoral bonds in which it asked political parties to reveal by 30 May, how much money they have respectively received through such bonds. The apex court also held that the issue of electoral bonds needed lengthy hearing.

The Centre had appealed to let the system of electoral bonds continue till the end of the Lok Sabha elections. Now that the Court has set a deadline that comes well after the 27 May announcement of results of the polls, the system effectively will continue through the election process.

The central government and the Election Commission have taken contrary stands in the Supreme Court over political funding, with the government wanting to maintain anonymity of the donors of electoral bonds and the poll panel batting for revealing the names of donors for transparency.

#ElectoralBonds: #SupremeCourt, in its interim order, orders all political parties to submit in sealed cover envelopes thr details of all #ElectoralBonds received till May 15 to the Election Commission. Matter will be argued in detail later.

— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) April 12, 2019