Narendra Modi in Varanasi; Lok Sabha Election 2019 updates: After Pulwama attack, 42 terrorists have been killed in J&K, says PM

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates
Overlooking terrorism as challenge will be injustice to country, says PM

On the Sri Lanka attacks, Narendra Modi said, “The challenges have become so serious now. In Sri Lanka, there were serial bomb blasts on Easter. People had travelled to the churches with their families. But they couldn’t return home alive. They had everything, but it was all gone in a second, because of terrrorism. Overlooking terrorism as a challenge will be injustice to the country.”

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

No terror attack in any Indian city or holy place in five years, says PM

“In the past 5 years, there have been no terrorist attacks on an Indian city, holy place or temple. The country also witnessed the Kumbh mela peacefully. Terrorists are now only limited to certain areas in Jammu and Kashmir now. They killed 40 of our CRPF personnel. After that incident, till date 42 terrorist have been killed in that area. This is how we work,” Narendra Modi said in Varanasi.

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

Kashi gave me courage to answer terrorists in their language, says PM

Addressing a rally in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Kashi blessed me for becoming an MP only PM. It gave me the strength of faith of 130 million Indians. It gave me the courage to answer terrorists in their own language.”

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

PM offers prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi

PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/5gXvz9VEmH

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 25, 2019

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil quits as LoP in Maharashtra Assembly

Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, whose son joined the BJP in March, has resigned as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state

Assembly.

Party chief Rahul Gandhi accepted the resignation of the Congress leader, state Congress president Ashok Chavan told reporters in Ahmednagar district.

Vikhe Patil had sent his resignation letter to the top party leadership, offering to quit the post of LoP, after his son Sujay Vikhe Patil left Congress and joined the BJP.

PTI

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

PM takes part in Ganga aarti 

Accompanied by BJP chief Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the Ganga aarti is being performed.

Varanasi: PM Narendra Modi arrives to perform Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. UP CM Yogi Adityanath, BJP President Amit Shah & UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey also present. pic.twitter.com/M2rxJ2z0rQ

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 25, 2019

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

India is ready for ‘fir ek bar Modi sarkar’, tweets Amit Shah

जिसके नेतृत्व में हो विश्वास अपार,
उसको ही मिलता है ऐसे जन-जन का प्यार,
हिंदुस्तान है तैयार...फिर एक बार मोदी सरकार#KashiBoleNaMoNaMo pic.twitter.com/omANh8ZiYA

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 25, 2019

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

Visuals from Dashashwamedh Ghat

Varanasi: Visuals from Dashashwamedh Ghat. PM Narendra Modi to arrive shortly. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/K2c1BUjBnp

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 25, 2019

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

Modi’s cavalcade reaches Dashashwamedh Ghat 

Covering the 6-kilometre stretch between BHU campus gate and Dashashwamedh Ghat, Narendra Modi’s roadshow has come to end. The prime minister will take part in the Ganga aarti.

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

Visuals from Modi’s roadshow

मोदी लहर... #KashiBoleNaMoNaMo pic.twitter.com/1vmZlhoQRO

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Lok Sabha election latest updates

#KashiBoleNaMoNaMo trends as Narendra Modi visits Varanasi

With Narendra Modi holding a mega roadshow in his constituency, ‘#KashiBoleNaMoNaMo’ and  ‘Varanasi’ are the current top trends on Twitter.

Narendra Modi in Varanasi latest updates

Amit Shah, Adityanath, Gadkari among BJP leaders present at roadshow

Thousand joined the streets of Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding his mega roadshow in NDA’s show of strength. BJP chief Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Union minister Nitin Gadkari are among the top BJP leaders present at the roadshow in Varanasi.

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Opposition alliance will give new PM to country: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed confidence that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh will give a new prime minister to the country.

He was addressing a joint rally in Kannauj with BSP supremo Mayawati and RLD president Ajit Singh. 

“This alliance will give a new prime minister to the country,” Yadav said. Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SP chief said the BJP will not be able to talk about their performance. “So, how can they face the SP-BSP-RLD alliance,” he asked.

PTI

BJP election campaign latest updates

Modi to arrive at Dashashwamedh Ghat shortly

Narendra Modi’s cavalcade will shortly be arriving at the Dashashwamedh Ghat where he will participate in the Ganga aarti. At 8 pm, he is scheduled to have a conversation with eminent personalities of Varanasi at Hotel De Paris.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Watch: Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi

BJP election campaign latest updates

Narendra Modi garlands Madan Malviya’s statue

After arriving at the BHU campus in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed garland on a statue of Madan Malviya.

PM Shri @narendramodi pays tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya at Banaras Hindu University. Watch at https://t.co/YC0X1KxOhd #KashiBoleNaMoNaMo pic.twitter.com/vgJQeJliEW

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan latest updates

Narendra Modi claims India was sleeping before he became PM, says Rahul

Addressing a rally in Kota, Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Narendra Modi and said, “In one of his speeches, Modi said, ‘Before I came, this country was sleeping.’ You think about it, the prime minister of the country insults your parents, and claims that armed forces, small businessmen and others never worked. This country is a product of your sweat and blood. It is yours. You are our power. For five years, he only conveyed his ‘Mann ki Baat’. I want to listen to you.”

BJP campaign latest updates

Visuals from Dashashwamedh Ghat 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat later on Thursday, after holding a roadshow in Varanasi.

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to perform Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat later today. pic.twitter.com/ObLNDWAM4N

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 25, 2019

Lok Sabha election latest updates

Pragya used to carry knife, stabbed a man: Chhattisgarh CM

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel claimed that Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat Pragya​ Singh Thakur stabbed a man in 2001. Thakur’s conduct did not become of a `Sadhvi’ (ascetic or holy woman), the Congress leader said, speaking at a press conference in Jabalpur.

“Pragya Thakur has a connection with our Chhattisgarh. Her brother-in-law worked at a warehouse in Bilaigarh (in Balodabazar district),” Baghel said, when asked whether the BJP was playing the ‘Hindutva card’ by fielding her.

“She used to carry a knife and stabbed a young man named Shailendra Devagan in the chest with a knife in Bilaigarh in 2001,” Baghel said. “Pragya also used to indulge in fights, and from the beginning her conduct was like that of a habitual criminal and not like that of a Sadhvi,” the chief minister said.

PTI

BJP campaign latest updates

Modi’s 6-km-long roadshow to begin shortly

The roadshow will stretch over six kilometres, going from the Lanka area to Dashashwamedh Ghat via Godoliya.

Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, as well as BJP president Amit Shah and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to accompany Narendra Modi during the roadshow.

Uttar Pradesh election latest updates

SP has turned Azamgarh into ‘stronghold of terrorism’: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath alleged that the Samajwadi Party had turned Azamgarh, which was once known in the field of education and literature, into a “stronghold of terrorism”.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have crime in their DNA, he said, while addressing an election meeting here in support of BJP’s Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’.

“Once Azamgarh was known in the field of education and literature but the Samajwadi Party turned it into a stronghold of terrorism,” he said. The SP and the BSP through mischievous means made Azamgarh “a fortress of terror and crime to defame it and we have come to pull it out of it,” the chief minister said.

PTI

BJP election campaign latest updates

Heading to beloved Kashi, tweets Modi

“After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to hold a mega road show from BHU gate to Ganga ghats in Varanasi on Thursday. On Friday, Modi will file his nomination from the constituency.

After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi.

There are a series of programmes lined up, which would give me another excellent opportunity to interact with my sisters and brothers of Kashi.

Har Har Mahadev!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2019

Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

Amit Shah slams Rahul, Akhilesh, Mayawati over NRC

Addressing a rally in Auraiya, Amit shah said, “When we came up with NRC, then Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati began siding with the infiltrators and asked where would they go and what will they eat?

When Modi government comes back to power, apart from Assam and West Bengal, the infiltrators will be identified from all corners of the country.”

Amit Shah in Auraiya latest updates

BJP chief lists achievements of Modi govt, says PM’s name can be heard in 258 constituencies across India 

Speaking in his final rally of the day before joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi at this roadshow in Varanasi, BJP chief Amit Shah spoke in full praise of Modi, asserting that the prime minister’s name was the one chant that was uniformly being heard across India. “I have toured 258 Lok Sabha constituencies and come here, all I can hear is Modi, Modi, Modi,” he said, before listing out several of the efforts allegedly undertaken by the BJP government.

मैं देश की 258 लोकसभाओं में जाकर यहां आया हूं और चारों तरफ एक ही आवाज आ रही है - मोदी, मोदी, मोदी: श्री @AmitShah #KashiBoleNaMoNaMo pic.twitter.com/jGXYk9ZPk3

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Begusarai to witness battle of ideologies between BJP’s Giriraj Singh and CPI’s Kanhaiya Kumar

So allergic is Giriraj Singh to the colour green that he requested the poll panel to ban green flags that he claims are associated with political and religious organisations linked with Muslims. “This (green flags) spreads hatred and creates the perception of being used in Pakistan,” said Singh whose provocative statements aimed at several top Opposition politicians have invited condemnation.

Manhunt launched to nab absconding BJP candidate in Odisha

A manhunt has been launched to nab Om Prakash Mishra, the BJP candidate for Satyabadi​ assembly constituency, who along with his supporters allegedly destroyed EVMs and tore poll documents in a booth during the third phase of polling in Odisha on April 23, police said.

“The BJP candidate is absconding since then,” Puri Superintendent of Police, Umashankar Dash, told reporters. Three police teams have raided Mishra’s residence at Hansapal in Bhubaneswar but could not find him, the SP said. The police action came on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Presiding Officer, Shivaram Mohapatra. Mishra and his supporters allegedly entered a polling booth at Birakishorepur village under Kanas block on 23 April and vandalised the EVMs, the presiding officer said in the complaint.

PTI

AAP election campaign latest updates

Atishi files nomination papers

On the same day when the Aam Aadmi Party released its manifesto, onetime Rhodes scholar Atishi filed her nomination papers in Delhi. She has been fielded from the East Delhi constituency.

Big day for @AtishiAAP and Sisodia family as Atishi files her nomination today.

When Atishi was dismissed by the Modi sarkar, @msisodia pledged to send her to the parliament.

Nothing is impossible for this amazing team, determined to bring the change this country needs. pic.twitter.com/alJws2h62O

— Abhinandita Dayal Mathur (@abhinandita_m) April 22, 2019

CPI election campaign latest updates

Have full confidence in people of Begusarai, says Kanhaiya

A day after BJP chief Amit Shah called to destroy the ’tukde, tukde gang’ at Begusarai in Bihar, CPI’s Lok Sabha candidate from the seat and pretty much the person for whom the phrase was coined, Kanhaiya Kumar, said he had full confidence that the people of Begusarai will vote on their issues. “Their issues are to build a university, a hospital, good roads, adequate water supply and fair price to farmers for their crops,” he said.

Samajwadi Party election campaign latest updates

PM says anger felt at ‘Modi’ was directed at EVMs

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Congress, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party had betrayed the SP. “If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress,” said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday. 
 

Akhilesh’s SP had formed an alliance with Congress for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative election in 2017. “It’s true that we had formed an alliance, but we didn’t know that Congress party is arrogant. For them arrogance is important, alliance is nothing,” Akhilesh added.

ANI

Narendra Modi in Banda latest updates

PM says anger felt at ‘Modi’ was directed at EVMs

At his Banda rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said those sitting in AC rooms in Delhi have no idea how India will vote. “The faces of some people have fallen since the first three phases of the election. The anger that they were feeling towards Modi, they took out on EVMs,” he said. In his rally, Modi also spoke on development for Uttar Pradesh and the several steps the BJP governments at the Centre and state have allegedly taken to that end.

Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan latest updates

Congress chief jokes with Ajmer crowd, repeats NYAY promise

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a rally in Rajasthan’s Ajmer, joked with crowd, mostly at the expense of the Modi government, drawing loud laughs. Rahul repeated his NYAY promise of delivering Rs 72,000 to accounts. “Don’t get angry with me but the money will go to the accounts of women,” he said. 

Rahul said he would give money to people’s accounts in the same way that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given money to the accounts of Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

PM addresses rally at Banda, says naamdaars cannot think beyond caste, communalism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his final rally of the day before the Varanasi roadshow at Uttar Pradesh’s Banda. He began by training the verbal gun at Congress and saying that the party had abused him and is always concerned with caste, class and communalism. “Can you tell us which caste Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rani Jhansi belonged to? The brave have no caste,” he said.

Modi also called out to first time voters, saying that they would vote for the BJP because they had the whole 21st century before them. 

सपा और बसपा वाले मेरी जाति का सर्टिफिकेट बांटने में जुटे हैं और कांग्रेस के नामदार मोदी के बहाने पूरे पिछड़े समाज को ही गाली देने में लगे हैं।

ये जात-पात, पंथ-संप्रदाय तक ही सोच सकते हैं।

एक भारत, श्रेष्ठ भारत की बात ये नहीं करना चाहते: पीएम #KashiBoleNaMoNaMo pic.twitter.com/u6mFH695ML

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

BJP chief predicts 5 lakh vote victory for Sakshi Maharaj

Speaking at his second rally of the day at Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao, BJP chief Amit Shah predicted a victory for the Lok Sabha candidate for the eponymous constituency, Sakshi Maharaj. “One would think that Sakshi Maharaj is a sanyasi, what else can he give other than blessings. Yet he has built toilets, given houses to people. This time he will win not with three lakh votes, but with five lakh votes,” Shah said.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Kirron Kher files nomination papers

With actor husband Anupam Kher at her side, BJP’s Chandigarh candidate Kirron Kher filed her nomination papers after a roadshow on Thursday.

RLSP election campaign latest updates

Upendra Kushwaha hits out at BJP government’s illusion

Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, indicated at a rally in Darbhanga today that the BJP was offering an illusion. “In the Ram leela when the curtain rises, a person comes dressed as Sita mata…..people who watch Ram leela bow their heads out of respect. If you go behind the curtain, the same Sita ji can be seen smoking a cigarette. This is the face of BJP,” he said.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Mandi district electoral officer issues notice to BJP’s Himachal chief

The District Electoral Officer at Mandi has issued a notice to Himachal Pradesh BJP chief, Satpal Singh Satti in the light of his statement that he “will chop off the hands of those who point fingers at Modi ji.”

PM Narendra Modi should not be released until 19 May: EC

Reports say that the Election Commission is of the view that the film PM Narendra Modi, a biopic on the prime minister, should not be released until 19 May. Poll body officials say delaying the release will be in the interest of free and fair Lok Sabha elections.

Congress election campaign latest updates

WATCH: Priyanka Gandhi’s Jhansi roadshow 

Priyanka Gandhi rode the top of a car in Jhansi even as debate raged elsewhere as to why she was not nominated from Varanasi seat despite several indications.

VIDEO- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigning in Jhansi today.

She has not been fielded from Varanasi although she did say she was ready to contest against PM Modi. #BattleOf2019 #ElectionBreaking pic.twitter.com/E8c7rmM6yu

— Zeba Warsi (@Zebaism) April 25, 2019

Congress election campaign latest updates

IN PHOTOS: Priyanka Gandhi leads roadshow through Jhansi

At the centre of the conversation regarding why she was not made to contest from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, Priyanka Gandhi, is leading a roadshow across Jhansi.

Congress General Secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds a roadshow in Jhansi pic.twitter.com/YwSkuLWrgc

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 25, 2019

SC asks EC for directions on sexist remark complaint against BJP candidate

The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission of India to pass appropriate directions on TMC MLA Mahua Moitra’s petition accusing BJP candidate Mahadev Sarkar of allegedly making a sexist remark against her while campaigning in West Bengal.

AAP election campaign latest updates

Party election manifesto keeps effort for full state status for Delhi alive

“This election is not to make someone prime minister but to make Delhi a complete state,” AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said while releasing the party’s election manifesto on Thursday. Stressing that it is the goal of the party to ensure that like other countries, India’s capital too is given the status of a state, Kejriwal went on to announce a slew of Delhi-specific promises in the manifesto unveiling. Party leader Manish Sisodia also said that had Delhi been accorded status of a state, then the Jan Lokpal Bill would have been passed by its elected government.

"हम कुछ भी करेंगे, दिल्ली को पूर्णराज्य बनाकर रहेंगे"- @ArvindKejriwal #AAPKaManifesto pic.twitter.com/UPcbgEt7qR

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 25, 2019

Congress election campaign latest updates

Ajay Rai to take on Modi from Varanasi: Who is he?

Congress leader Ajay Rai is five-time MLA from Uttar Pradesh who incidentally began his political career in the BJP’s student wing. He won Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections from Kolasla thrice between 1996 and 2007 on BJP tickets. In 2009, he contested the Lok Sabha election on a Samajwadi Party ticket and lost.

After winning the 2009 Assembly byelection from Kolasla constituency as an Independent, Rai joined the Congress. Rai is famous as a local strongman who moves around with a gun-toting private army, DNA had reported.

Congress election campaign latest updates

Party names Madhusudan Tiwari from Gorakhpur

Along with naming Ajay Rai for the Varanasi seat, Congress also named Madhusudan Tiwari to fight against Ravi Kishan of the BJP from Yogi Adityanath’s Gorakhpur seat. 

Congress Central Election Committee announces the next list of candidates for the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/zyol8wPd06

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 25, 2019

Congress election campaign latest updates

Not Priyanka, but Ajay Rai to contest from Varanasi

Bringing an end to speculation on Priyanka Gandhi entering the poll fray, Congress announced on Thursday that it would be Ajay Rai and not the Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East) who would contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. 
 

Speaking to News18, Rai said he has just come to know that he has been chosen for the seat.

AAP election campaign latest updates

Party releases election manifesto, heavily focuses on prioritising Delhi

Aam Aadmi Party has released its election manifesto, a document where Delhi’s residents were heavily prioritised with calls for domicile reservations in several sectors spanning education and government jobs. “We will secure 85 percent of the seats of Delhi colleges for residents of the city. Sixty five percent of the jobs of the region will be secured for residents, similarly,” Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

"दिल्ली पूर्णराज्य बनेगी तो यहां के 85% बच्चों को कॉलेजों में एडमिशन मिल पायेगा"- @ArvindKejriwal #AAPKaManifesto pic.twitter.com/XWHToM63Jv

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 25, 2019

Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh latest updates

BJP chief trains gun on Opposition reaction to Balakot air strikes

At his first rally of the day at Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, BJP chief Amit Shah repeated many of his usual campaign speech refrains and asked why leaders of Opposition sported ashen faces even though the terrorists who were struck in the Balakot air strikes were Pakistani. Shah also hit out at what he called was “55 years of misrule” by the Congress and said the situation Congress had left the country in had brought tears to his eyes. 

He also warned “Rahul baba” and his “tukde, tukde gang” that for as long as BJP was in power, the country will remain secure and Kashmir will be a part of India.

आतंकवादी पाकिस्तान के मरे लेकिन बुआ भतीजे और राहुल बाबा के ऑफिस में मातम पसर गया।

मुझे पता नहीं चलता इन्हें इतना दुःख क्यों हुआ? इनके चेहरे क्यों लटक गए? वो आतंकी इनके चचेरे-ममेरे भाई लगते थे क्या?: श्री अमित शाह #KashiBoleNaMoNaMo pic.twitter.com/uBdMfFeGvh

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

BJP election campaign latest updates

IN PHOTOS: Anupam Kher campaigns for wife Kirron

Actor Anupam Kher campaigned for his wife and BJP candidate, Kirron Kher in Chandigarh on Thursday. Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was also present.

Chandigarh: Actor Anupam Kher campaigns for his wife and BJP candidate, Kirron Kher. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat also present. pic.twitter.com/XpQRQGU15H

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2019

BJP election campaign latest updates

‘TMC’ stands for ‘tushtikaran, mafia and corruption’, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at the Trinamool Congress stating that ruling party in the state is a “syndicate morcha” and is unlike other parties that have women, youth and various other wings and fronts.

“Unlike other parties where women’s wing, youth wing and other types of fronts exist, I feel that TMC has only “syndicate morcha” and Didi (Mamata Banerjee) runs a ‘tolabaji’ here through this “syndicate morcha”. That is why police cannot do anything in West Bengal. There is Narada-Saradha here,” Sitharaman said. She said that TMC stands only for tushtikaran (appeasement), mafia and corruption.

ANI

BJP election campaign latest updates

Arun Jaitley tweets series of tongue-in-cheek cartoon films

BJP leader Arun Jaitley has tweeted a series of tongue-in-cheek animated films in yet another one of BJP’s attempts to strike at the grand alliance. In caricatures which do little to hide who is who, leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi are seen squabbling with each other in a variety of circumstances.

डरपोकों और कायरों की ये टीम जाएगी हार
फिर एक बार मोदी सरकार pic.twitter.com/ONorkmgMSI

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) April 25, 2019

Narendra Modi’s interview to Akshay Kumar is as much smart strategy as a snub to the media

Of the thousands of Indian journalists, wasn’t there one of stature and standing to interview the prime minister at this juncture that he would choose to talk to an actor instead? Have we so lost our way that Modi can choose a celebrity to do our work? No one from the ranks of the media even thinks it is worth commenting upon or find annoying.

Was Modi employing a strategic move, or was the snub deliberate and a way to show genial contempt for the media and the manner in which it covers the news, the element of fake news having eroded not just the credibility of content but also the individual peddling it.

Narendra Modi in Bihar election campaign latest updates

PM takes jibe at ‘prime ministerial candidates’

At Dharbhanga, Modi urged people in Bihar to vote for NDA candidates across the state. He then took a jibe at Opposition leaders nursing prime ministerial ambitions even though they are fighting from few seats. “Those who are fighting from as few as 20 seats are in line to become prime minister. In Karnataka, a party which is fighting only eight seats is also ready to give a prime minister. Tell us…don’t feel pressured to satisfy the media…but tell us if you feel that any one of them will be able to safeguard your interests well,” he asked, as the audience broke into applause.

हमारा देश मजबूत होना चाहिए और उसके लिए सरकार मजबूत होनी चाहिए।

मजबूत सरकार के लिए प्रधानमंत्री मजबूत चाहिए, चौकीदार मजबूत चाहिए: पीएम मोदी pic.twitter.com/NzNFDPDBWu

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Between Rahul Gandhi’s pacifism and Narendra Modi’s nationalism, it’s becoming clear which idea will win, and why

 Hindutva is obviously not the sole reason that drives people to polls. It is one of the many factors including the economy, local caste equations and personality cult, among others. Those who vote for Modi at the Centre have no problems voting for Arvind Kejriwal in the Assembly. BJP swept seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi in 2014 but in 2017, the same voters voted for AAP. The party led by Kejriwal won 67 out 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi. Several voters in Uttar Pradesh praise Modi but say they will vote for Akhilesh Yadav in the Assembly over Yogi Adityanath, who is the biggest Hindutva mascot today. Having said that, the resentment towards Muslims remains visible, and too hard to ignore.

Narendra Modi in Bihar election campaign latest updates

PM turns rhetoric firmly towards terrorism once again

Modi hit out at the Congress over its manifesto, calling it a dhakoslapatra once again. “Congress, in its 2004 dhakoslapatra had promised that it would electrify all villages in India. Did it do that by 2009?” he asked. 

He listed out the efforts made by his government at the centre and the Nitish government in Bihar and promised that everyone would get water in India in the next five years.

ये जो लहर है ये नए भारत की ललकार है। 21वीं सदी में जो बेटा-बेटी पहली बार दिल्ली की सरकार चुन रहे हैं, वो नौजवान इस चुनाव का नेतृत्व कर रहे हैं।

उन्हें पुरानी बातें, जात-पात के समीकरण समझ नहीं आते। वो ठान के चले हैं कि 21वीं सदी का भारत उनकी आकांक्षाओं के अनुरूप हो: पीएम pic.twitter.com/lyozjtkdPZ

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Narendra Modi in Bihar election campaign latest updates

PM turns rhetoric firmly towards terrorism once again

At Darbhanga, Modi did not waste time before harnessing the terrorism issue once again, unleashing a tried and tested set of phrases to suggest that while national security was not an election issue for the gathbandhan it was one for him. “This is new India, here we enter terrorists’ houses and kill them” he said to loud cheers. 

3 चरण के मतदान के बाद जो महामिलावटी गला फाड़कर एयर स्ट्राइक के सबूत मांग रहे थे, वो अचानक गायब हो गए हैं।

जो पाकिस्तान का पक्ष ले रहे थे, वो अब मोदी और ईवीएम को गाली देने लगे हैं।

ये लोग जनता की नब्ज नहीं समझ पाए, इसलिए जनता ने 3 चरण में इन्हें ठीक से समझा दिया है: पीएम मोदी pic.twitter.com/phH23jLQ5V

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2019

Narendra Modi in Bihar election campaign latest updates

PM takes stage at Darbhanga in yet another new headgear

Speaking at his first rally of the day, at Bihar’s Darbhanga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi (in yet another one of his famous headgears) spoke directly to first time voters, and called for a ’new India.’ He thanked Nitish Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan and Sushil Modi, saying it is because of them that the country’s young believe in the NDA.

Congress election campaign latest updates

Rahul to tour Rajasthan, Priyanka in Uttar Pradesh

Congress’ star siblings Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will campaign across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. Party president Rahul is scheduled to address rallies at Jalore, Ajmer and Kota in Rajasthan, while Congress general secretary Priyanka will hold a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, before addressing meetings at Ghursarai and Jalaun.

BJP election campaign latest updates

Amit Shah to hold public meetings across Uttar Pradesh

BJP president Amit Shah will join NDA leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after rallies at Ghazipur, Unnao and Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh today.

भाजपा राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री @AmitShah 25 अप्रैल 2019 को उत्तर प्रदेश में विशाल जनसभाओं को सम्बोधित करेंगें।

लाइव देखें

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∙ NaMoTV pic.twitter.com/uWgZb4Xx0Q

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 24, 2019

BJP election campaign latest updates

Modi to speak in rallies in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh before roadshow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is first expected to address public meetings at Darbhanga in Bihar (10.15 am) and at Banda in Uttar Pradesh (1.35 pm). He will then travel to Varanasi, where he will file his nomination papers on Friday.

पीएम श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी 25 अप्रैल 2019 को बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश में विशाल जनसभाओं को संबोधित करेंगे। लाइव देखें

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लाइव सुनने के लिए 9345014501 डायल करें। pic.twitter.com/n5IslVzcDN

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 24, 2019

BJP election campaign latest updates

All eyes on Varanasi before Narendra Modi’s mega roadshow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will  hold a major roadshow  in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Thursday before he sets out to file his nomination paper on Friday, 26 April. The prime minister’s roadshow will pass through the main areas of the temple town before culminating at Dashashwamedh Ghat where he will participate in Ganga Aarti, the BJP said.

Security was heightened in the city ahead of Modi’s visit with troops and security personnel deployed strategically. Small drones have also been deployed to keep an eye on activities.

प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी 25 अप्रैल 2019 को दोपहर 3 बजे वाराणसी में रोड शो करेंगे।

सीधा प्रसारण देखें

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— BJP (@BJP4India) April 24, 2019