Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE updates: Naveen Patnaik files complaint with Odisha CEO against blocking of KALIA fund disbursal

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Picture abhi baaki hai, says Piyush Goyal

“A wave of development has spread in the entire country. But like it is said, ‘ye to trailer tha, picture abhi baaki hai’. We’ve said in our manifesto that Rs 100 lakh crore will be invested in development of infrastructure,’ said Union minister Piyush Goyal in Dehradun.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Dehradun, Uttarakhand: A wave of development has spread in the entire country. But like it is said, "ye to trailer tha, picture abhi baaki hai". We've said in our manifesto that Rs 100 lakh crore will be invested in development of infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/xbzklyR4FP

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

Lok Sabha campaign latest updates

Chandrasekhar Azad reaches Congress Saharanpur candidate’s residence 

Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar Azad is at Congress Saharanpur candidate Imran Masood’s residence. News18 reported that Azad is likely to announce support for Masood in upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Former Kerala finance minister KM Mani dead

Kerala Congress veteran and former state Finance Minister K M Mani died at a private hospital Tuesday evening, hospital sources said. He was 86 amd is survived by his wife and six children.

Mani, who had been undergoing treatment at the VPS Lakeshore hospital for pulmonary disease, breathed his last at 4.57 pm, they said. He had been suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) for several years and had frequently been hospitalised for chest infection.

PTI

BJP MLA, five policemen killed in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi was among the six people who were killed after Naxal targetted a BJP convoy between Kuakonta and Syamgiri in Dantewada. Firing is currently going on at the spot and additional police force have been sent to the place.

Lok Sabha campaign latest updates

Naveen Patnaik slams BJP over EC complaint on KALIA scheme

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik went to the state electoral officer over the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to stop his government’s flagship KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme. “The KALIA scheme is very important for the farmers particularly during this season when they need those funds. Also disappointed to see that BJP has complained to EC about the KALIA scheme. The farmers will give them a befitting reply." he said.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar: I came here to see the Chief Electoral Officer about a strong complaint of the election office stopping our govt's KALIA Scheme for the farmers. This is most unfortunate as they haven't stopped the agricultural scheme of the central govt. pic.twitter.com/d2L9E6LRzw

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

BJP convoy attacked by Naxals in Dantewada

A BJP convoy was attacked by Naxals in Dantewada. Party MLA Bheema Mandavi was also in the convoy.

Chhattisgarh: BJP convoy attacked by Naxals in Dantewada. BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi was also in the convoy, further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/MhNVtar2aD

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

PM slams Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad

“The Lok Sabha seat of the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi) is in danger. If the leader of the party is running away, then what will be the state of the party itself?,” Narendra Modi said at a rally in Mysuru.

He further questioned Rahul’s move to contest from a seat in Kerala (Wayanad) and not in Karnataka, where it is in power. “When Deve Gowda ji was the prime minister, he was backstabbed by Sonia Gandhi. Congress doesn’t trust JD(S) and, hence, naamdaar hasn’t dared to fight elections from Karnataka,” he claimed.

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Parties saying ‘Modi hatao’ can’t work for welfare of people, says PM

In Mysuru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The only agenda of some parties is to remove Modi. You can’t expect them to work for the welfare of the people.”

Priyanka Gandhi campaign latest updates

Hopeful that we will win, says Priyanka in Saharanpur

“We are very hopeful that we will win, there is a lot anger in the public against BJP and support for Congress. I request people to vote for our candidates here(Kairana, Saharanpur and Bijnor) so that we win with a huge margin,” AICC genera;-secretary Priyanka Gandhi said while campaigning in Saharanpur.

Yogi Adityanath campaign latest updates

UP chief minister slams SP-BSP with ‘green virus’ jibe

While referring to minorities, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said in Saharanpur, “SP-BSP is trying to send a ‘green virus’ to West Uttar Pradesh, but this region does not need the virus." His remarks come against the backdrop of remarks made by BSP supremo Mayawati appealing to Muslims to vote for the SP-BSP alliance.

#NewsAlert – SP – BSP (@samajwadiparty - @BSP4India) is trying to send a ‘Green Virus’ to Uttar Pradesh: UP CM @myogiadityanath | #ElectionsWithNews18 @pranshumisraa with details on #TheNationAt5 with @AnchorAnandN. pic.twitter.com/Ij2okwjE7N

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 9, 2019

Rahul Gandhi in Bihar latest updates

‘Jumledar’ Modi called our loan waiver promise a jumla: Rahul
Addressing a rally in Gaya, Rahul Gandhi said, “We promised farm loan waiver for farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan. Modi called the promise a jumla. Jumledar bolta hai jumla hai. We fulfilled our promise within few days of forming the governments.”

Lashing out at the Modi government for allegedly favouring a few businessmen, he said, “I will not let India to get divided into two. We will always stay under one flag. The entire Mahagathbandhan team is here united. We will implement NYAY and provide jobs to the unemployed.”

Rahul Gandhi in Bihar latest updates

Pockets of Anil Ambani, ‘chowkidar’ to fund NYAY scheme, says Rahul

In Gaya, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, “The pockets of people Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Mehul Chowksi and chowkidar will fund NYAY scheme.

“Modi had promised special status for Bihar. I’ll tell you, he meant that he wanted to give the special status of unemployment to Bihar. You go to Gujarat, his partymen tell you to go back. You go to Mumbai, there, too, you’re told to go away. There should be job opportunities in Bihar.”

Yogi Adityanath campaign latest updates

Yogi Adityanath reiterates ‘Ali, Bajrangbali’ remark

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in a rally on Tuesday — two days before the first phase of the Lok Sabha election — reiterated his “Ali, Bajrangbali” remark. Adityanath has been using the “language of polarisation” ever since he became one of the BJP’s “star campaigners”.

#WATCH UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at a public rally in Meerut, says, "Agar Congress, SP, BSP ko 'Ali' par vishwaas hai toh humein bhi 'Bajrangbali' par vishwaas hai." pic.twitter.com/ZwI3L5ZEFt

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019

Lok Sabha election latest updates

HD Kumaraswamy says Narendra Modi ‘applies make-up’ everyday

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy in a rally on Tuesday said, “(Narendra) Modi wakes up every morning, applies make-up, or wax to get a shine on his face and sits in front of cameras.”

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy: Modi wakes up every morning, applies makeup or wax to get a shine on his face&sits in front of cameras. But we take bath once in the morning & wash our face only the next day. Our faces don’t look good on cameras. That’s why even media shows only Modi pic.twitter.com/0h93gcsM4P

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

Narendra Modi interview latest updates

Congress’ manifesto is an announcement, ours is a resolution: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the difference between the manifestos released by his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress was evident in their names. “Theirs is an announcement, ours is a resolution,” he said in an interview with CNN-News18.

The grand old party released its manifesto titled “Congress Will Deliver” on 2 April, promising to tackle the employment crisis, poverty, farmers’ woes and crimes against women. The BJP released its poll document titled “Sankalpit Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” on Monday, in which the saffron party focused on development, national security, Uniform Civil Code, Ram Temple and tackling terrorism.

Priyanka Gandhi campaign latest updates

WATCH: In Saharanpur, Priyanka Gandhi holds roadshow

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi held a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur.

सहारनपुर में कांग्रेस महासचिव श्रीमती @priyankagandhi के रोडशो में उमड़ा जनसैलाब! pic.twitter.com/vI4eLeDFEN

— UP Congress (@INCUttarPradesh) April 9, 2019

Priyanka Gandhi campaign latest updates

Priyanka Gandhi holds roadshow in Saharanpur

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday conducted a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds a road show in Saharanpur. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/kGA97z5sIa

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Narendra Modi reiterates pitch for re-election to first-time voters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his appeal to the first-time voters in his rally in Karnataka’s Chitradurga. “If all the youth of the country vote for me, if you give me your valuable vote, I will be able to do much more work,” the prime minister said.

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Narendra Modi takes a jibe at Congress’ NYAY scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, listing the “corruption scams” that allegedly happened under the UPA governments —  the Bofors case, the National Herald case, the AgustaWestland case — said that the youth of the 21st century will “punish” the Congress for the crimes done in the 20th century.

“The Congress has only done anyay for all these years, but now they will be brought to justice for all of it,” Modi said.

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Congress has done anyay with four generations of Indians, says Narendra Modi

“The Congress has meted out only injustice to four generations of Indians,” said Modi in an attack on the Congress in Karnataka. “The Congress has weakened India’s defence and has brought only a governance of corruption. Now the people are asking the party that has given injustice to the people for 60 years, for accountability,” he said.

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Congress, JD(S) doesn’t want to work for people’s welfare, says Narendra Modi

In a rally in Karnataka’s Chitradurga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state. “Congress and JD(S) have no intention to work for the welfare of the people. If they did, there would have been progress in the state. But where are the benefits promised to the farmers and other people?” Modi said.

Narendra Modi in Karnataka latest updates

Choose a strong govt in this elections: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second rally in Karnataka’s Chitradurga, said that the electorate will need to choose a “strong government” in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Mamata Banerjee campaign latest updates

Mamata Banerjee says Opposition parties should ‘work together’ 

Addressing a rally in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that alliances had been formed in every state to “remove” Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Centre. She also said that once Modi was “voted out of power”, all the Opposition leaders could work together “to build a new India”.

Launching a scathing attack on Modi, she said, “BJP doesn’t like West Bengal and Bengalis, that is why they have stopped the process of renaming the state to Bangla.”

Mamata also slammed the Congress and said that Congress had “failed” to put up a fight against the BJP in 2014, which is why the the saffron party had grown.

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Kanhaiya Kumar files nomination from Begusarai

Former JNU students’ union leader Kanhaiya Kumar filed nomination for the Lok Sabha election as a candidate of the Communist Party of India (CPI) from the Begusarai constituency in Bihar.

Former JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar files nomination as Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Begusarai constituency. #Bihar #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/dW8nnoeZq0

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

Priyanka Gandhi campaign latest updates

Priyanka Gandhi holds roadshow in Uttar Prades’ Bijnor

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor on Tuesday, The Indian Express reported.

Lok Sabha election latest updates

What are ‘ballot units’?

With the first phase of the Lok Sabha election just two days away, the Election Commission and political parties are appealing to first-time voters to participate in the process. Here is an illustration of what a first-time voter should know about a polling booth.

(Image: News18 Graphics)

Lok Sabha election latest updates

What a first-time voter should know about the layout of a polling booth

With the first phase of the Lok Sabha election just two days away, the Election Commission and political parties are appealing to first-time voters to participate in the process.

(Image: News18 Graphics)

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Sixty-six ex-public officials write to President over functioning of EC

At least 66 former civil servants wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind to lodge their concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission, reports said. In the letter, they also listed violations of the Model Code of Conduct that the EC had “failed” to address.

“The list includes PM Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on the anti-satellite weapon (ASAT), the upcoming Modi biopic and a web series on his life, NaMo TV and alleged incendiary speeches by the PM and other BJP leaders,” The Indian Express reported.

Rahul Gandhi campaign latest updates

Rahul Gandhi challenges Narendra Modi to ‘debate’ on corruption

Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted a “challenge” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, inviting him to “debate on corruption”.

Dear PM,

Scared of debating me on corruption? I can make it easier for you.

Let’s go open book, so you can prepare:

1. RAFALE+Anil Ambani
2. Nirav Modi
3. Amit Shah+Demonetisation #Scared2Debate

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2019

Narendra Modi interview latest updates

Narendra Modi slams Mayawati over appeal for Muslim community’s votes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was unperturbed by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati’s appeal to Muslims to vote for the alliance of her party and the Samajwadi Party to prevent the minority votes from getting split.

At a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoband on Sunday, Mayawati had said: “I would like to tell Muslim voters to not waste their vote on the Congress. The Congress is not in this fight. We are fighting the BJP, and we will win.”

On these remarks, Modi said it was “unsurprising” that Mayawati was making such statements “as she is facing defeat”. “She is appealing to Muslims to specifically vote for her. This is a matter for the Election Commission to look into. I am less worried about Mayawati. She is part of a sinking ship and is looking to Muslims for support,” the prime minister said. However, he questioned why the “secular brigade” was silent on her remarks.

Narendra Modi interview latest updates

Rahul Gandhi trying to ’erase’ Bofors with ‘Rafale lies’, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was propagating the Rafale controversy to wash away the stain of the Bofors scam from his father’s legacy.

Modi, in an interview with CNN-News18, referred to Rahul only as an “individual” and said that one individual kept repeating the same “Rafale lies”, and these lies were rejected everywhere, “be it in the Supreme Court or by the Comptroller and Auditor General”.

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Rajnath Singh says Kashmir is ‘integral’ part of India

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that “Kashmir is, was and will always be an integral part of India and thus it cannot have its own prime minister.”

Rajnath said in an interview , “Kashmir will never be separated from India. Kashmir was, is and always will be an integral part of India. There cannot be two prime ministers in the country. It is absolutely clear in our election manifesto that if we form government Article 370, Article 35A will be removed.”

The home minister’s comments came almost a week after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, in a speech in Kashmir’s Bandipora, pitched for the revival of the posts of prime minister and president for Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress campaign latest updates

Kapil Sibal says demonetisation is ‘biggest’ scam in India

Congress leader Kapil Sibal slammed the Narendra Modi-led government over a host of issues. The advocate also criticised the Election Commission over the poll panel’s clean chit to media related to the prime minister. “Demonetisation is the biggest scam in the history of India. Mr. Modi started his tenure by fooling the people of India and he is ending his 5-year tenure by traumatising the people of India. He has used institutions to target people who oppose him,” Sibal said.

Congress campaign latest updates

Kapil Sibal criticises EC

Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Tuesday addressed the media regarding the Election Commission’s “actions” regarding the Narendra Modi biopic, among other issues ahead of the Lok Sabha election. “We have appealed to the Commission, we have spoken to the media, but what else can we do?” Sibal said.

Amit Shah in Telangana latest updates

Amit Shah launches attack on KCR-govt

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday, slammed K Chandrasekhar Rao and said that a chief minister “who wasn’t able to form his cabinet for more than two months cannot be trusted”. He added, “Due to fear of (Asaduddin) Owaisi, KCR government no longer celebrates Liberation Day on 17 September. After being elected, KCR wasn’t able to form his cabinet in the state for more than two months. What do you expect from such a person and party?”

Amit Shah in Telangana latest updates

Amit Shah lauds Narendra Modi’s ’efforts’ in Hyderabad

In his rally in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy two days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, BJP president Amit Shah slammed the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS government in the state and said even though the government had been in power for a while, it had done nothing for the development for the state. “However, Narendra Modi has worked for this state even though it is not a BJP-ruled state.

“In 2016, the Hyderabad Metro was inaugurated by Narendra Modi and released a sum of 16,000 crore rupees for its construction,” he said. “UPA gonly gave Rs 16,500 crore to Telangana. But BJP-led NDA government gave whopping Rs 2.45 lakh crore for the development of Telangana.”

Amit Shah in Telangana latest updates

Congress and TRS are ‘dynastic’ parties, says Amit Shah

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday, in a rally in Telangana said, “Congress and KCR party both are dynastic parties. It’s quite clear who is going to head KCR’s party after him.”

Amit Shah in Telangana latest updates

Amit Shah says people chanting ‘Modi, Modi’ from Kashmir to Kanyakumari

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday addressed a rally in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district. Shah said that the people have “already” decided that Narendra Modi will be the next prime minister of India.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

BJP ‘sankalp patra’ will fulfil aspirations of people

In his rally in Maharashtra’s Latur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that BJP Sankalp Patra aims to fulfill the aspirations of the country. “Interest-free kisan credit card loans, short term agricultural loans up to Rs 1 lakh to be given at zero percent interest, for one to five years, on the condition of prompt repayment of principal amount. All this will be done to bring respite to the farmers,” he said.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Narendra Modi says killing terrorists in their territory is ‘New India’ policy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his government’s ‘decisive’ action against terrorists and said that dealing with terrorists on their own turf is the policy of ‘New India’. He said, “To kill terrorists right in their dens is the policy of New India.”

Modi also blamed Congress for the issues with Pakistan. He said that if Congress had maintained a strong stand in 1947, Pakistan wouldn’t have existed in the first place.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Narendra Modi says Congress’ ‘dakhosla patra’ won’t fool people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his rally in Maharashtra’s Latur district on Tuesday, said that the Congress’ “dakhosla patra” had been written with a view to fool people just like previous generations of Nehru-Gandhi family. “But now the people are not going to be fooled,” Modi said.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Narendra Modi slams Congress over I-T raids on Kamal Nath’s associates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The Opposition is calling the chowkidar a chor, but from whose houses did notes and notes of money come from? It’s barely six months since the Congress government has been formed in Madhya Pradesh, but the first thing the party does in power is corruption.”

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Prime Minister makes strong pitch to first-time voters

Narendra Modi spoke directly to first-time voters in his rally in Maharashtra on Tuesday. “I want to appeal to the first-time voters today. It’s a historic moment, one that is always remembered. I want to ask you, do you want to vote for the brave soldiers who struck in Balakot? Do you want to vote for the soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama? Or do you want to vote for an indecisive government?

“Take a step for your future and for the country’s future,” Modi said.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Narendra Modi says BJP went beyond promises made in 2014 election manifesto

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his rally in Maharashtra, said that BJP went beyond the promises that were made in the manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Modi also said, “PM-Kisan scheme is now depositing money directly into the accounts of 1.2 crore small and marginal farmers today. The BJP in its ‘Sankalp Patra’ has declared that the scheme will be extended to all farmers after the election when our new government gets elected.”

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Congress manifesto speaks for Pakistan, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress for its manifesto promise on Article 370. He said that the Congress manifesto was “in accordance” with what Pakistan wants, especially when it says that Article 370 will never be scrapped. “Congress wants to give an open license to anti-nationals…this is exactly what Pakistan wants…how can you trust such a party?” he said.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Congress-NCP are also supporting the demand for two separate PMs for Jammu and Kashmir, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress and also other Opposition parties like NCP and National Conference. “The Congress will have to answer every citizen of the country for the decisions they have taken in the past,” Modi said.

Narendra Modi in Maharashtra latest updates

Congress supporting Pakistan with manifesto: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a rally in Maharashtra’s Latur on Tuesday, slammed the Congress over points made in the manifesto for the Lok Sabha election. “Congress is saying they will not abolish Article 370, they are saying that they will remove the anti-traitor law, which is exactly what Pakistan wants also,” Modi said.

Lok Sabha election latest updates

In Gujarat, 25 of 52 candidates fielded by BJP, Congress are not even graduates

Out of the 52 candidates fielded by main contenders BJP and Congress in Gujarat, 25 are not even graduates, while in one seat the most qualified nominee, a doctor, is pitted against a Class 5 dropout. As per details furnished by candidates in their nomination forms, BJP’s Surendranagar seat nominee Mahendra Munjpara holds a doctorate degree in general medicine while his main rival, Congress’ Soma Patel, dropped out of school after Class 5.

Munjpara is contesting the Lok Sabha polls for the first time, while Patel is a three-term MP, who also won the 2017 state Assembly election from Limbdi.

Out of the 25 non-graduates, 14 have been nominated by the BJP and 11 by the Congress. Among these 25, four of the Congress and one of the BJP did not complete their matriculation.

Congress campaign latest updates

Congress fields Kirti Azad from Dhanbad seat in Jharkhand

The Congress on Monday fielded former BJP leader Kirti Azad from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency in Jharkhand. The party also fielded Kalicharan Munda from Khunti ST seat in Jharkhand, a party statement said.

Azad, a former BJP MP from Darbhanga in Bihar had to shift out after the seat was given to the Rashtriya Janata Dal as part of the seat sharing arrangement for the alliance in the state. The cricketer-turned-politician was seeking to contest from his Darbhanga seat, but had to relent after senior Congress leadership intervened.

BJP manifesto latest updates

Smriti Irani says Rahul Gandhi is ‘obsessed’ with BJP

Union minister Smriti Irani responded to Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the BJP manifesto. She said , “Rahul Gandhi has a special obsession with BJP. Had he been focussed on the country and nation, (we) would have come to know his vision for it.

“Despite having a vision, there’s a question mark on his efficiency as nation knows the condition of Amethi. On one hand, there’s an efficient government which has taken the resolution to build a New India, on the other, there’s a man who stays restricted to making announcements.”

BJP manifesto latest updates

Congress says BJP should have released ‘maafinama’ instead of manifesto

After the BJP released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election on Monday, the Congress called the document a “Jhansa Patra” (deception document) and a “bubble of lies” on Monday and said it would have been better had the saffron party issued a “maafinama” instead.

BJP manifesto latest updates

Rahul Gandhi says BJP manifesto is ‘voice of isolated man’

In a scathing criticism of the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it was the voice of “an isolated man”, besides being “short sighted” and “arrogant”.

The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful.

The BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short sighted and arrogant.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2019

Congress campaign latest updates

Robert Vadra downplays Arun Jaitley’s jibe on campaigning for Congress

Businessman Robert Vadra on Tuesday downplayed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s jibe at him after Vadra announced that he will campaign for the Congress during the Lok Sabha election. “I don’t know if he (Vadra) will be an asset for the campaign of the Congress or for the campaign of the BJP,” Jaitley had said, reacting to Vadra’s remarks.

In a reply to Jaitley, Vadra wrote on Facebook: “One must maintain respect, a decorum in every situation, it shows character and that’s what I was taught by my parents and in sport. Healthy competition will only bring out the best in a person that people will judge. Best wishes to all for the brighter future the people of India need.”

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Tamil Nadu village to boycott polls due to non-payment of crop insurance

In Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district, the residents of Melasirupothu village have decided to boycott the Lok Sabha election. They also held a protest march on Monday.

The locals have planned to boycott the election alleging non-availability of basic facilities in their area and non-payment of crop insurance money 2017-18.

Tamil Nadu: Residents of Melasirupothu village in Ramanathapuram district took out a protest march y'day. The villagers have decided to boycott #LokSabhaElections2019 alleging non-availability of basic facilities in their area & non-payment of crop insurance money 2017-18. pic.twitter.com/U4g9Uc04JY

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019

Priyanka Gandhi campaign latest updates

Priyanka Gandhi to hold roadshow in Saharanpur

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi is scheduled to hold a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur on Tuesday. On Monday, Priyanka and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had planned to hold rallies in the state, but they were cancelled due to bad weather, reports said.

Rahul Gandhi campaign latest updates

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Assam, Bihar, Odisha

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address rallies in Assam, Bihar and Odisha on Tuesday. He will hold public rallies in Bihar’s Gaya, Kandhamal in Odisha and Hailakandi in Assam.

Amit Shah campaign latest updates

Amit Shah to campaign in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Odisha

BJP president Amit Shah will be on the campaign trail in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, Telangana’s Ranga Reddy, and in Odisha’s Balagondi. In Odisha, Shah will conduct a roadshow.

Schedule of BJP National President Shri @AmitShah's public programs tomorrow. Watch at https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu and https://t.co/E31Aljkes3. pic.twitter.com/PdfpcgqcNy

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 8, 2019

BJP manifesto latest updates

Expansion of PM-Kisan Yojana will create burden on economy

The BJP manifesto, released on Monday promises three key announcements —  zero-interest loans to farmers for up to Rs one lakh; expanding the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana to all farmers (as opposed to those holding cultivable land less than 2 hectares); and pension to small and marginal farmers and small shop owners in the country.

On the face it, these are obvious baits to pacify the farmers’ community which is reeling under major agrarian crisis that has hit farm incomes and employment. Along with the promise of Rs 6,000 to all farmers, up to Rs 1 lakh interest-free loans and pensions for all farmers and small shop owners, the BJP manifesto gives a clear advantage to BJP on the populist chart.

However, these schemes, without a doubt, are an immense fiscal burden and create considerable damage to the fiscal discipline if implemented in its entirety. 

Narendra Modi campaign latest updates

Narendra Modi says AFSPA will not be repealed

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi summarily dismissed any talk of repealing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir, likening the removal of AFSPA from the Valley to “sending our soldiers to the gallows.”

The prime minister spoke to Rahul Joshi, Group Editor-In-Chief of Network18 in an interview on Monday, just hours after releasing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election manifesto which put nationalism and national security at the front and centre of its next term, if re-elected.

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Today is the last day of campaigning for the first phase of polls

With the first phase of the Lok Sabha election scheduled for 11 April, Tuesday is the last day of campaigning for all political parties, reports said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four rallies across three states while BJP president Amit Shah will campaign in Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana.

Narendra Modi campaign latest updates

Narendra Modi will address election rallies in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu

With two days to go for the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keeping up his campaign for re-election with rallies across the country. Modi will address rallies in Maharashta’s Latur with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday and then head to Karnataka, where he will address rallies in Chitradurga and Myusuru.

The prime minister will also hold a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore.

PM Shri @narendramodi will address mega rallies in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu tomorrow. Watch LIVE

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Dial 9345014501 to listen LIVE pic.twitter.com/qmFG6Gxrvy

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 8, 2019

BJP-Shiv Sena rally latest updates

Narendra Modi and Uddhav Thackeray last shared the stage in 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray last shared the dais in Mumbai in December 2016 at a function to lay the foundation stone of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial off the Arabian Sea.

BJP-Shiv Sena rally latest updates

Narendra Modi and Uddhav Thackeray to address rallies in Maharastra today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will share the stage at a rally in Maharashtra on Tuesday for the first time after the tie-up of their parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The two leaders will address a public gathering at Ausa in Latur in support of the alliance candidates in that district and Osmanabad, where polling will be held on 18 April, BJPspokesman Keshav Upadhyay said on Sunday.