Lok Sabha Election 2019 Updates: EC tells Madhya Pradesh CEO to submit report on Pragya Thakur's 'deshbhakt Godse' remark

Chandrababu Naidu writes to EC over repolling order for Chandragiri Assembly seat and Chittoor LS seat

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu writes to EC over its decision to order re-polling at 5 polling stations of Chandragiri Assembly constituency and Chittoor Lok Sabha constituency. In his letter, he strongly opposed “the partial, one-sided, and undemocratic motivated actions of the EC.”

Mamata’s padyatra ends in south Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee’s rally reached Kalighat at her residence, after which it came to an end.

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

WATCH | People join Mamata’s march with lit candles, black flags to protests Vidyasagar statue vandalism

As the padyatra crosses Harish Mukherjee Road in front of Abhishek Banerjee’s (Mamata’s nephew) house, people join the rally with black flags and candles to demonstrate their protest against the 14 May violence at Vidyasagar College where Vidyasagar’s statue was broken during clashes.

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

EC announces deployment of central security forces for last phase in Bengal

The Election Commission declared the number of security personnel deployed for the seventh phase of election. 

While 34 companies of central forces will be deployed for strong rooms, the following is the area-wise allotment of  central forces.

– Kolkata – 147 companies
– Barrackpore – 55 companies
– Barrackpore – 41 companies
– Baruipur – 102 companies
– Bashirhat – 21 companies
– Bidhan Nagar – 27 companies 
– Diamond Harbour – 81 companies
– Sunderban – 40 companies

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

EC seeks report on Pragya Thakur’s ‘deshbhakt Godse’ remark by tomorrow

The Election Commission has sought factual report from Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer by Friday in the matter of Pragya Singh Thakur’s statement, “Nathuram Godse was, is and will remain a ‘deshbhakt’”.

Rahul Gandhi holds roadshow with Shatrughan Sinha in Bihar

Mamata Banerjee extends padyatra

Mamata Banerjee decided to extend the padyatra and adds another route to it as she reaches Bhawanipore. Bhawanipore comes under South Kolkata Constituency. Mamata is sitting MLA from Bhawanipore Assembly constituency.

Input by SS Parveen/101Reporters

Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

BJP chief holds roadshow in Gorakhpur

Pragya Thakur speaks on row over Godse remark

After her ‘deshbhakt’ remark for Godse sparked a controversy on Thursday, Pragya Thakur said, “I am committed to the stand of the BJP. I am a worker of my party, and the limit set my party is my own.” 

 Amid row over Bengal campaigning ban, EC removes two state poll officials

The Election Commission ordered that SDPO Diamond Harbour (West Bengal) Mithun Kumar Dey and Amherst Street office in-charge Kaushik Das have been relieved with immediate effect. “Both the officers shall not be given any election related posts,” it said.

Kolkata Police sets up SIT to probe Vidyasagar status vandalism, says report

India Today reported that the Kolkata Police has set up an SIT to investigate the vandalism of a Vidyasagar statue in Kolkata on Tuesday during Amit Shah’s roadshow. The SIT will be headed by Kolkata police deputy commissioner.

Narendra Modi in West Bengal latest updates

Modi claims youth being jailed in Bengal for chanting ‘Jai Maa Kaali’, ‘Jai Shri Ram’

In Dum Dum, Narendra Modi said, “The youth in Bengal are being put behind bars for chanting ‘Jai Maa Kaali’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’. For sharing a meme, our daughters are being sent to jail. This won’t be tolerated any more. The intruders will be held accountable when the Modi government is formed once again on 23 May.” His statement comes against the backdrop of a BJYM activist being arrested for sharing a meme of Mamata Banerjee.

Second leg of Mamata’s Kolkata march begins from Ballygunge Phari

Mamata Banerjee is walking with state power minister Sovhandeb Chatterjee. MLC Debashis Kumar, South Kolkata candidate Mala Roy, and Jadavpur candidate Mimi Chakrabarty are also at the march. For security reasons, the route of the padyatra has been cleared of pedestrians. A large number of people are waiting to catch a glimpse of the chief minister by the roadside.

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

Narendra Modi in West Bengal latest updates
PM slams Mamata for remarks against central security forces, EC

Lashing out at Mamata Banerjee over her remarks against central security forces and the Election Commission, Narendra Modi said, “Why are you forgetting that the Left had created similar situation for you once upon a time and the constitutional bodies of the nation ensured a fair election in West Bengal. If these constitutional bodies and central forces weren’t there, you would not have been chief minister today,” he said.

First part of Mamata’s march ends at Gharihat

The first part of Mamata Banerjee’s padyatra has come to an end at Gharihat, with TMC supporters raising pro-Mamata and pro-TMC slogans. The West Bengal chief minister, who walked by foot so far from Thakur Pukur, moved into a car to reach Ballygunge Phari for the second leg of the padyatra.

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

Narendra Modi in West Bengal latest updates
PM addresses final rally before end of campaigning in Bengal 

In Dum Dum, at his last rally in West Bengal for the election season, Narendra Modi said, “This is my last public meeting in West Bengal in this election. Over the past 2-3 days, I got to interact with lakhs of people through my rallies. The support I receivedfrom every village and city is unforgettable.”

Few attendees at Mamata’s march protest desecration of Vidyasagar’s statue

Few attendees at Mamata Banerjee’s padyatra came wearing Vidyasagar’s posters to protest Tuesday’s desecration of the famous Bengali philosopher’s bust at a college in Kolkata.

By Puja Bhattacharjee/101Reporters

EC announces repolling in Andhra Pradesh’s Chandragiri Assembly seat and Chittoor LS seat

Election Commission announced repolling for five five polling stations of Chandragiri Assembly seat and the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat of Andhra Pradesh on 19 May. The polls in the constituencies were held on 11 April.

BJP launches campaign to send 10 lakh ‘Jai Shri Ram’ postcards to Mamata

A massive campaign has been launched by Bengal BJP to send 10 lakh ‘Jai Shri Ram’ post cards to Mamata Banerjee. BJYM West Bengal is leading the campaign and preparing to send these postcards to 30B Harish Chatterjee Road at Mamata’s Bhawanipore’s residence.

By A Ghose/101Reporters

Mamata Banerjee, Mimi Chakraborty pass through Dhakuria

By Puja Bhattacharjee/101Reporters

WATCH | Women draped in TMC sarees take part in the rally

By Puja Bhattacharjee/101Reporters

WATCH | Mamata interacts with TMC’s Jadavpur candidate Mimi Chakraborty during her padyatra

The movement of the padyatra was stopped for a while when Mamata Banerjee interacted with Tollywood actress Mimi Chakraborty, who is the party TMC candidate from Jadavpur constituency. 

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

Mamata’s march begins from Sukanta Setu

Mamata Banerjee has started her padyatra from Sukanta Setu and is heading towards Jadavpur Bus Stand. TMC cadres have formed a human chain around her for security reasons.

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

Opposition parties meet EC over move to end Bengal campaigning by 10 pm on Thursday

Opposition parties met the EC over its move to end election campaign in West Bengal 24 hours before the scheduled deadline. After the meeting, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters, “We did not receive a satisfactory response from the Election Commission.”

‘Vande mataram’, pro-Mamata slogans raised at Sukanta Setu

Mamata Banerjee’s rally is expected to start from 8B Bus Stand in Jadavpur in a while. The crowd is participating in heavy sloganeering, with slogans like ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Amar deshe bar bar, Mamata dir sarkar’ (This country needs Mamatadir sarkar) being raised.

By Puja Bhattacharjee/101Reporters

Narendra Modi in West Bengal latest updates

PM demands action against ‘TMC goons’ over Kolkata violence

Addressing a rally in Mathurapur, Narendra Modi accused “TMC goons” of spreading violence in Kolkata during Amit Shah’s rally on Tuesday. “They (TMC workers) vandalised statue of Vidyasagar. CCTV cameras were installed there (in Vidyasagar College). The state government is trying to remove evidence of the incident in the same way it erased for Narada and Sarada scams. I demand that strict action be taken,” he said.

Sadhvi Pragya tenders apology to Madhya Pradesh BJP president for calling Godse ‘deshbhakt’, claim reports

Security beefed up at Sukanta Setu

A thin layer of security can be seen at Sukanta Setu, which is the point of commencement of Mamata Banerjee’s padyatra.

Police personnel from Jadavpur Police Station, Patuli police station and Tala police station have been deployed along the padyatra route. On the way, there are other police stations like in Gariahat and Ballyguange that can respond to emergencies.

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

WATCH | Hundreds gather at Sukanta Setu ahead of Mamata’s rally

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

TMC cadres create human chain around Mamata as she holds padyatra

TMC cadres created a human chain around Mamata Banerjee as the West Bengal chief minister crossed Sakherbazar. People turned out on the streets in huge numbers on both sides of the road. Some supporters even tried to shake hands with the TMC leader, while few breached security layer to touch her feet. 

By A Ghose/101Reporters

EC totally biased, says Kejriwal on Bengal campaigning ban

Arvind Kejriwal said that the Election Commission ordered that campaigning should end in West Bengal at 10 pm on Thursday to let Narendra Modi hold his two rallies. “It makes it clear that Election Commission is totally biased. It is very dangerous for the country,” he said.

Watch | Traffic comes to a standstill ahead of Mamata Banerjee’s rally at Sukanta Setu in Kolkata. 

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

Rahul’s Modilie screenshot ‘fake’: Oxford Dictionaries

A day after Rahul Gandhi posted a screenshot from a website and claimed that ‘Modilie’ was a new entry in the English dictionary, Oxford Dictionaries tweeted that the image posted by the Congress president was fake. “We can confirm that the image showing the entry ‘Modilie’ is fake and does not exist in any of our Oxford Dictionaries,” the dictionary brand said on Twitter.

A search for ‘Modilie’ on the website revealed no results on the word. However, the screenshot posted by Rahul didn’t have any mention of Oxford on the page, although its layout looked very similar to the one of Oxford Dictionaries’ website.

Preparations on at Jadavpur Sukanta Setu for Mamata’s rally

The preparations are underway at Jadavpur Sukanta Setu for Mamata Banerjee’s rally. The TMC chief is expected to reach at the venue in sometime to start her third padayatra of the day.   

By SS Parveen/101Reporters

Mamata holds padyatra in Kolkata ahead of her rally at 6 pm

Mamata Banerjee has started her padayatra from Joka bus stand and now it will go through Thakurpur and Behala, till Taratala. Her rally is 8.5-kilometre long. The traffic at Behala has right now come to a standstill.

By A Ghose/101Reporters

‘Glorifying Godse is sedition’: Digvijaya Singh on Bhopal rival Pragya’s remark

Congress’ Bhopal candidate Digvijaya Singh lashed out at BJP’s Pragya Thakur over her ‘deshbhakt’ remark on Godse. “Modi ji, Amit Shah ji and the state BJP should give their statements and apologise to the nation (for Pragya’s remark). I condemn this statement. Nathuram Godse was a killer; glorifying him is not patriotism, it is sedition,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi will play central role in government formation: Tejashwi Yadav

A coalition of progressive parties will come together to form the next government and Congress president Rahul Gandhi will play a “central role” in the formation of the new dispensation, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said on Thursday.

Asserting that the BJP has failed to deliver on its slogans, including ‘achche din’, ‘kala dhan vapsi (return of black money)’ and ‘beti bachao beti padhao’, he alleged that the party has intensified its “hate-filled politics” to avoid being questioned on its promises.

Yadav, whose Rashtriya Janata Dal is fighting the polls in Bihar in alliance with the Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, Hindustan Awam Morcha and Vikasshil Insan Party, also claimed the ‘mahagathbandhan’ will sweep the polls in the state.

PTI

Multi-party delegation to meet EC at 4.30 pm, reports News18

Sunny Deol campaigns in Amritsar

 BJP’s Gurdaspur candidate Sunny Deol is campaigning in Amritsar. All 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will go to polls in the last phase on 19 May.

Congress says Pragya committed ‘unpardonable sin’ by calling Godse ‘deshbhakt’

At a press conference, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said, " India’s soul is under attack by successors of Godse, the BJP ruling dispensation.. BJP leaders are describing the murderer of father of the nation as a true nationalist, while declaring people like Hemant Karkare as anti nationalist. 

“The favourite of Modiji-Amit Shah, Pragya Thakur, committed the unpardonable sin of calling Godse as true anationalist. BJP leaders are deliberately attacking the thought, the entire way of life, as also the teachings of Gandhi. This is an insult to the Indian way of life, that lives in Gandhian soul. This cannot be pardoned. The truth is, insulting India’s martyrs and denegrating them has become culture of BJP. Thakur recently described Karkare as anti-national. Yet Modiji did not withdraw her candidature but proceeded to defend her through TV interviews.”

BJP distances itself from Pragya Thakur’s remark on Godse

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said at a press conference that BJP did not agree with Pragya Thakur’s statement. “We condemn it. The party will ask her for clarification. She should apologise publicly for this statement,” he said.

TMC election campaign latest updates

WATCH | Mamata asks crowd to chant ‘chowkidar chor hai’

At a rally in Diamond Harbour, Mamata Banerjee asked the attendees to chant ‘chowkidar chor hai’. The slogan has being used by Congress and particularly party chief Rahul Gandhi to campaign against ‘chowkidar’ Narendra Modi.

Omar Abdullah backs Mamata after EC cuts short Bengal campaigning

A day after EC announced the curtailment of campaigining in West Bengal, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, “The BJP can team up with the EC in West Bengal. They can have a tailor made campaign designed to fragment and polarise the electorate. They can have all their model code violations overlooked. None of it will matter, because on the 23 May Mamata didi will sweep West Bengal.”

Bengal BJP to distribute 10 lakh postcards for people to send ‘Jai Shri Ram’ to Mamata

Bengal BJP announced that it will distribute 10 lakh post cards on Thursday so that people can send a hearty “Jai Shri Ram” and a personalised message to Mamata Banerjee. It said, “You can get the postcards from your nearest post office and send your message to her address.”

By A Ghose/101Reporters

MK Stalin criticises EC’s decision to curtail campaigning in West Bengal

DM chief MK Stalin said that the Election Commission has different rules for the ruling party, making a reference to the BJP, and the Opposition. In a first, the poll body invoked Article 324 in the state following violence in Kolkata during BJP chief Amit shah’s road show on Tuesday.

Amit Shah in Ballia latest updates

BJP chief says terrorists like Zakir Naik are waiting for Congress govt to return

Speaking at Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, BJP chief Amit Shah said the Modi government had made India unsafe for terrorists and those like Zakir Naik now no longer consider it a safe haven. “Zakir Naik has said he is scared to return to India because of Narendra Modi. When asked when he would like to return to India, he said, when the Congress government comes to power on 23 May,” Shah said.

Modi to visit Kedarnath Temple a day before 19 May polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Kedarnath Temple on 18 May, a day before the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Uttrakhand State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) has set up wireless and telecommunication systems and extra security has been deployed in the region. Tripti Bhatt, Commandant SDRF has directed all officials in the Kedarnath valley to maintain vigil in view of the prime minister’s visit to the temple, reported ANI.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Public engagement in Ganga Sagar called off due to threats by TMC goons, alleges Swapan Dasgupta

BJP sympathiser and Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta tweeted on Thursday that his “last public engagement” of the 2019 election campaign, at West Bengal’s Ganga Sagar, had to allegedly be called off because TMC goons had threatened organisers.

BJP election campaign latest update

Pragya Singh calls Nathuram Godse a patriot

Asked to react to Kamal Haasan’s remark on Nathuram Godse, BJP’s candidate for Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, said on Thursday that Godse, who killed Mahatma Gandhi was a patriot, is a patriot and will remain a patriot. “People calling him a terrorist should look within and will be given a befitting reply in this election,” she said.

Pragya Singh is an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case and had earlier said late Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare had been cursed to death in the 26/11 terrorist attack by her. 

Congress election campaign latest updates

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she was denied ticket because of Amarinder Singh

Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu hit out at Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and alleged that it was because of him and party general secretary in-charge for state Asha Kumari, that she was denied a ticket from Amritsar in the ongoing national elections. “Captain sahib (Amarinder Singh) and Asha Kumari think Madam Sidhu does not deserve an MP ticket. I was denied the ticket from Amritsar on the ground that I could not win,” Navjot Kaur told ANI.

“Captain sahib should respect women. You talk of women reservation, then please consider it. When educated leaders like me, who are ready to serve are there, it is decent to tell us that someone is better, don’t deny us tickets by lying,” she said.

Rajeev Kumar, transferred on EC orders, to arrive at Home ministry

Former Kolkata Rajeev Kumar top cop is on his way to the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he has been transferred following an order by the Election Commission. Kumar was supposed to report to the Home ministry at 10 am on Thursday. Although the move to transfer him comes after six phases of violent polling in Bengal giving way to a fraught roadshow by BJP chief Amit Shah in Kolkata, Kumar has a history of defying Central agencies. Months ago, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had rallied in his support after he was sought by the CBI for questioning in the Rose Valley scam.

Narendra Modi in Mirzapur latest updates

PM predicts 300-seat victory for BJP, says he can bring Sonelal Patel’s vision to fruition

At his final Lok Sabha election campaign rally in Mirzapur of Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi predicted a 300-seat victory for the BJP this election, “because Bengal too will be added to our seat count.” Repeating his old anecdote of washing cups and plates as a chaiwala, he asked for votes for the BJP’s ally in the state, Apna Dal (Sonelal), whose election symbol is a cup and plate. Modi also vowed to make Dr Sonelal Patel’s vision a reality in Uttar Pradesh. Patel’s daughter Anupriya is the head and founder of the AD(S).

Narendra Modi in Mirzapur latest updates

PM uses old charge of Congress becoming a ‘vote katua’ party

Accusing it of having become a “vote katua” party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at his third rally of the day at Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur, said the party believed in running a “remote control” government with no active participation of the people’s representatives. He also hit out at the week-old ‘hua toh hua’ remark made by Congress’ overseas chief Sam Pitroda over the 1984 riots. Modi also highlighted the alleged development efforts made in Uttar Pradesh by his government. 

Mamata Banerjee in Mathurapur latest updates

Bengal chief minister alleges Modi’s rally on land owned by microfinance scam accused

Waving a piece of paper above her head in a rally charged with great vitriol aimed at BJP, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the rally venue where Narendra Modi would hold his evening meeting at Mathurapur is owned by a man accused in a microfinance scam. She issued several missives to Modi and Amit Shah, saying that they will not be able to reign her in. “I took a decision at 10 pm last night to push forward my rally and now I am holding a rally within 12 hours. Only I can do this. BJP does not know what they are dealing with,” she said.

Mamata Banerjee in Mathurapur latest updates

I am sorry to drag you out in the heat, it was planned for 17 May, says Trinamool chief

Making no bones about the effects of Election Commission’s enforcement of Article 324 curtailing campaigns in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said at her Mathurapur rally on Thursday that she was sorry to drag people out to the rally venue in the afternoon heat but had no choice because of the clamp down “which affected mostly her campaigns.” The gloves were well and truly off as Mamata hit out at Modi’s promise of a Vidyasagar statue with the retort that Bengal does not need his Vidyasagar statue. “Bengal will not take your alms, give back 200 years of our heritage,” she said.

Election Commission’s decision to use Article 324 in West Bengal severe indictment of Mamata Banerjee’s rule

Mamata Banerjee’s extraordinary tirade against the Election Commission of India on Wednesday night is just one more indication of her callous disregard for the Constitution and its provisions. The Election Commission’s decision to curtail campaigning in West Bengal by 24 hours applies to all the parties, but Mamata’s vitriol against the Constitutional body indicates that she has correctly diagnosed the ECI measure as a resounding slap on the face of West Bengal government and an indictment of the way state’s administrative machinery has been subverted into a party functionary unit.

SPG writes to Bengal police ahead of Narendra Modi visit, expresses concern

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to West Bengal later on Thursday, the Special Protection Group in charge of the prime minister’s security has written to West Bengal Police, expressing concern over the security of Modi at his Mathurapur and Dumdum rallies. While the SPG provides security to the venue of the prime minister’s rallies, the security of the immediate outer periphery is provided by state police. Thursday is the last day of campaigns in West Bengal, following the poll panel’s enforcement of Article 324.

Congress’ Sanjay Jha hits back at journalist’s ‘congratulations’ to BJP

Congress veteran Sanjay Jha, who has kept the retorts coming thick and

The last phase is near. As #BJP gets ready to pack its bags, don’t get distracted by armchair punditocracy & media spins. The #BJP is trying every trick in the bag to “appear” ahead. The truth is otherwise.
Social media has been outstanding in the fight against fascists. Bravo!

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) May 16, 2019 “>fast on Twitter through the election season, on Thursday hit out at a journalist congratulating the BJP over its campaign ‘performance’. In the same vein, Jha accused mainstream media of “playing ping-pong with the BJP” but said the journalist was particularly blasé. Writer Saba Naqvi also hit out at the journalist for the tweet.

CPM election campaign latest update

Sitaram Yechury joins in criticism of EC over 24 hour delay in stopping Bengal campaigns

Among those who criticised the Election Commission for delaying the enforcement of Article 324 by 24 hours was CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury who asked if the ban was intended to accommodate Narendra Modi’s two rallies on Thursday.

Bhopal police registers complaint against Computer Baba for MCC violation

Bhopal police on Thursday filed an FIR against Namdas Tyagi, also known as Computer Baba, for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Congress’ Bhopal candidate Digvijaya Singh, along with Tyagi had, on 7 May, performed a ‘havan’ at a ‘maha yagna’ to ensure Singh’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

On 9 May, BJP had moved the Election Commission accusing Tyagi of fanning communal sentiments while campaigning for Singh, following which the poll panel issued a notice to him. In his reply to the poll body, Computer Baba said the event was not a political program but a religious one.

Doctor held for posting ‘derogatory’ content on Pragya Singh on social media

Mumbai Police have arrested a 38-year-old homoeopathic doctor for allegedly posting derogatory content on BJP’s Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur on a social media platform. 

The doctor, identified as Sunil Kumar Nishad, was arrested on 15 May, police said. Based on the complaint filed by an activist Ravindra Tiwari, the Parksite Police in Vikhroli registered an FIR against Nishad under the section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code.

ANI

Amarinder’s career will end after election, says Akali Dal president

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday accused Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh of “reneging” on poll promises and claimed the Congress leader’s career will end after his party loses the Lok Sabha elections.

Badal also dared Singh to make his performance a poll plank. “This election will see the end of Amarinder’s career and he knows it. That is why he has already started naming his successors so that he can have a man of his choice still in saddle after he is thrown out,” Badal said in a statement here.

“Captain sahib actually wants someone dependent on him to succeed him. But only one thing is certain at this stage and that is that Amarinder will not remain the CM after the Congress debacle in Punjab in these elections and this will draw curtains on his political career. Hence, there is desperation in his outbursts against Akalis,” the SAD chief added.

PTI

Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

PM hits out at mahamilavati alliance, says they have only shown model of division, hatred and fear

At his second rally of the day at Chandauli, Narendra Modi amped up the charge against the Opposition alliance, which he often calls ‘mahamilavati’. He said while they were initially hell bent upon destroying Modi and had “posed for the camera holding each others’ hands”, they now spread only words of fear and hatred. Modi also went back to one of his familiar refrains this election season, and asked how Congress and the other parties in the Opposition could manage to question the surgical strikes.

SP election campaign latest updates

Akhilesh lends voice to Mamata over EC’s decision

Along with BSP, Congress and TDP, Akhilesh Yadav, the head of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, spoke out in support of Mamata Banerjee in the aftermath of the Election Commission’s unprecedented decision to call off campaigning in Bengal. Akhilesh called it a move that goes against all norms of democratic fair play.

BJP election campaign latest updates

History-sheeters and TMC goons should be put in preventive detention, BJP tells EC

A delegation of the BJP comprising senior leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Prakash Javadekar knocked on the Election Commission’s doors on Thursday, asking that “TMC goons and history-sheeters” be put into preventive detention for the 19 May polls on Sunday. The party has alleged that the TMC government machinery is complicit in the violence that has unfolded across the state in every phase of the election.

The BJP also demanded that the contact numbers of the 400 Quick Response Teams which are to be deployed across Bengal be made available to the people of the state, so they can contact them on the day of the polls.

Mamata thanks Opposition leaders for support over EC curtailing campaigns in Bengal

In what signifies a distinct coming together of the Opposition for the first time this election, Mamata Banerjee thanked the likes of BSP chief Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and the Congress for support in criticising the Election Commission over its invocation of Article 324 in West Bengal, curtailing campaigns.

BJP election campaign latest updates

BJP delegation to meet EC over Bengal violence

A delegation of the BJP comprising Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Prakash J avadekar and other senior leaders met the Election Commission later on Thursday, alleging inaction in the Bengal violence case. This comes at a time when Opposition parties have severely criticised the poll panel’s alleged bias towards the ruling dispensation.

Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

PM promises ‘grand statue of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar’ in Kolkata

Speaking at his first rally of the day at Uttar Pradesh’s Mau, Narendra Modi promised a “grand statue” of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar at the same spot where it was brought down on Tuesday, while at the same time blaming the TMC for the violence at Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata on the day. “We saw hooliganism by TMC workers again during Bhai Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata, they vandalized Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s statue. We are committed to Vidyasagar’s vision and will install his grand statue at the same spot,” Modi said.

He also blamed the TMC for disrupting several of the BJP’s, including his own rallies, in the run up to and during the Lok Sabha election.

Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

At Mau, PM makes case for women’s issues, asks people not to vote for “rape-accused” 

At his Mau rally on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posited his government as one which looks after the rights and issues of women. He said his government has begun the process of bringing the capital punishment for rape accused and has made the triple talaq unlawful, something he said Opposition did not want to bring about. Modi also made a jibe at Mayawati’s support for SP-BSP alliance candidate Atul Rai, who has allegedly been accused of rape. He also blamed Mayawati for condoning the Congress government’s role in the Alwar rape.

Congress election campaign latest updates

Rahul refuses to politicise issue, says justice will be done to Alwar gangrape survivor

After meeting the Alwar gangrape survivor with Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi refused to politicise the issues and said he would not comment on Narendra Modi’s charge that the Congress government had sought to hush up the issue as the polls were on. “Soon after I heard about the incident I spoke to Ashok Gehlot ji. This is not a political issue for me. I met the victim’s family and they have sought justice which will be done. Action will be taken against culprits,” Rahul said.

BSP election campaign latest upates

Mayawati lends voice to Opposition’s bias charge against EC, comes out in support of Mamata

Congress was not the only party which criticised the Election Commission after its invoking of Article 324, curtailing campaigns in West Bengal. “It is clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, (BJP president) Amit Shah and their leaders are targeting Mamata Banerjee, it is a planned targeting. This is a very dangerous and unjust trend and one which doesn’t suit the PM of the country,” BSP chief Mayawati said on Thursday.

Like Congress and TMC, Mayawati asked why Election Commission has banned campaigning in West Bengal from 10 pm on Thursday “just because the prime minister has two rallies in the day.”

Congress election campaign latest updates

Rahul plugs website cataloguing Modi’s alleged ’lies’, says ‘Modilie’ is a new, globally popular word

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday shared the link of a website that claims to allegedly catalogue the “lies” told by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul said “Modilie” is a new word that has become popular worldwide and in a previous tweet sought to explain the play on the prime minister’s name. Firstpost has not verified the claims of “lies” made in the website.

Congress election campaign latest updates

Why did EC delay the curtailment of campaigns in Bengal by 24 hours, asks Congress, citing Modi’s two rallies in state on Thursday

Stressing that the Election Commission’s clamp down of Article 324 has “created a fear psychosis by admitting the poll panel’s own inability to hold a free and fair poll”, Congress in a press conference on Thursday questioned why the panel delayed the curtailing of campaigns by 24 hours in Bengal. “Was it done so that Narendra Modi could hold his rallies in Bengal on Thursday?” asked Randeep Surjewala, citing how the panel was reduced to a “toothless tiger” even when it came to stopping the streaming of NaMo TV. 

Congress election campaign latest updates

Is the MCC now Modi Code of Misconduct, asks Randeep Surjewala

Congress came down heavily on the Election Commission in a press conference addressed by party communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday. “Had the Model Code of Conduct now become the Modi Code of Misconduct?” Surjewala asked. He also raised questions on the poll panel’s neutrality, questioning the Election Commission’s crackdown on campaigning in Bengal and asked how Narendra Modi’s two rallies could be allowed in the state on Thursday. Surjewala called the enforcement of Article 324 a ‘parting gift’ by the Election Commission to the Narendra Modi government.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Narendra Modi sends out Twitter video of previous rallies, sets stage for UP, Bengal rallies

Ahead of his five rallies on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appeal to people on Twitter to follow his meetings on social media.

Spoke only historic truth, says Kamal Haasan on Godse remark controversy

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan Wednesday said he only spoke a “historic truth” after his remark that free India’s first extremist was a Hindu, a reference to Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse, triggered a huge controversy.

The Madras High Court, meanwhile, refused to entertain a petition by Haasan, the founder of new political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him. The MNM claimed that Haasan’s comments had been taken “completely out of context.”

Congress election campaign latest updates

Aim is to defeat NDA, Congress won’t make an issue if it doesn’t get PM’s post, says Ghulam Nabi Azad

Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the aim of the party is to defeat the NDA conglomerate and not to fight for the prime minister’s post. “We have already made our stand clear. If a consensus is made in the favour of Congress, then party will take the leadership but our aim has always been that NDA govt shouldn’t come. We will go with the unanimous decision,” Azad said on Wednesday. Until now, Congress has projected chief Rahul Gandhi as a prime ministerial candidate throughout the election.

Congress election campaign latest updates

Rahul to visit Alwar gangrape survivor today

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will visit the family of the 19-year-old gangrape survivor in Rajasthan’s Alwar on Thursday. The visit, originally scheduled on Wednesday, had to postpone his visit as his chopper could not land in the area due to bad weather. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, AICC general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Avinash Pande and deputy chief minister and PCC president Sachin Pilot were to accompany Rahul.

Rahul is expected to hold campaign rallies in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Bikram in Bihar.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Amit Shah to hold 4 rallies, one roadshow in Uttar Pradesh

BJP president Amit Shah is also expected to hold rallies at Maharajganj, Sikandarpur, Fefna and Deoria in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. He will end the day with a roadshow in Gorakhpur, a significant choice as the BJP had lost the byelection in the constituency held previously by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath recently.

TMC election campaign latest updates

Mamata to hold two rallies, two roadshows on last campaign day before Phase 7 in Bengal

TMC chief Mamata has two public rallies, at Mathurapur and Diamond Harbour, and two roadshows, at Behala and Kolkata, scheduled on Thursday. Accusing the Election Commission of working at the behest of the BJP, Mamata had called the poll panel’s order curtailing Article 324 an “unprecedented, unconstitutional and unethical gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Narendra Modi to hold five rallies today: 3 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in Bengal

On what is now the last day of campaigning in West Bengal, Modi is expected to hold two rallies in the state – at Mathurapur and Laxmikantpur. Modi will be travelling to the state after three rallies in Mau, Chandauli and Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. Modi said on Wednesday that TMC “goons” and the state government have teamed up against the people of West Bengal.

All eyes on Bengal as parties amp up campaign efforts before Article 324 comes into force

The Election Commission’s order invoking Article 324 in West Bengal has made Thursday the last day of campaigning in the state, leading both the BJP and TMC to concentrate last-minute campaign efforts on a turf which has seen violence throughout the Lok Sabha election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold two rallies in the state – at Mathurapur and Laxmikantpur. 

TMC chief and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has two public rallies, at Mathurapur and Diamond Harbour, and two roadshows, at Behala and Kolkata, scheduled on Thursday. Meanwhile, BJP’s South Kolkata candidate Chandra Bose will garland a statue of Vidyasagar with a lotus garland.