Lok Sabha Election 2019 Schedule Highlights| Congress has to win all 7 seats in Delhi: Rahul Gandhi tells booth workers

Congress has to win all the 7 seats in Delhi: Rahul Gandhi tells booth workers.

5:52 pm IST

Do you want Gandhi or Godse’s India: Rahul Gandhi

Do you want Mahatma Gandhi or Godse’s India: Rahul Gandhi says at Congress booth-level meeting in Delhi.

5:51 pm IST

PM keeps saying Make in India but his shirt, shoes, phone are made in China: Rahul Gandhi

PM Modi keeps saying Make in India but his shirt, shoes and phone, with which he takes selfies, are made in China: Rahul Gandhi

5:50 pm IST

PM Modi held a meeting without agenda in China: Rahul Gandhi

When Doklam issue was on, PM Modi went to China and held a meeting without agenda.He bowed before China with folded hands and said keep Doklam and that no one in India will come to know and the media will be tackled.Matter over.This is the reality of Modi ji: Rahul Gandhi

5:45 pm IST

It was BJP govt that handed over Masood Azhar to Pakistan : Rahul Gandhi

Masood Azhar of Jaish-e-Mohammad was responsible for the Pulwama terror attack. The truth is, it was BJP govt that handed over Masood Azhar to Pakistan and current NSA Ajit Doval was involved in it: Rahul Gandhi.

5:41 pm IST

Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi over Rafale

In the Parliament, ‘chowkidaar’ spoke for one and half hours and we asked him four questions but he didn’t mention Anil Ambani even once.

5 years ago, Chowkidar said he wanted to fight corruption. He said he wanted to make it a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’. Today, the slogan of ‘Acche Din Aayenge’ has changed to ‘Chowkidar chor hai’: Congress president

4:15 pm IST

Rahul Gandhi to address booth workers meeting soon

 

Congress President @RahulGandhi will be addressing a booth workers meeting in Delhi today. Tune into our social media channels to watch him live.

FB: https://t.co/nX8RdNUP9b

YT: https://t.co/g2POk7bvU1 pic.twitter.com/KtVWa2lGkP

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 11, 2019

3:37 pm IST

Congress MLA Purushottam Sawariya joins BJP

Gandhinagar: Congress MLA from Gujarat, Purushottam Sawariya who had resigned from the party last week, joins BJP.

 

Gandhinagar: Congress MLA from Gujarat, Purushottam Sawariya who had resigned from the party last week, joins BJP. pic.twitter.com/4PaYB21hK9

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019

3:32 pm IST

Election Commission should consider non-BJP parties’ plea to hold assembly polls in J-K: CPI(M)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Monday urged the Election Commission to “seriously” consider all the non-BJP parties’ plea in Jammu and Kashmir to hold the assembly elections in the state simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.

In a press statement, the politburo of CPI(M) said, “All the non-BJP political parties in J-K, in their meeting with the full Election Commission when it visited the state, appealed for holding of simultaneous election. The Election Commission should seriously consider this issue and announce the schedule for the assembly election simultaneously.” It also said confusion prevails as to how the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was good for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, but not for the assembly polls, reports PTI.

3:30 pm IST

Sharad Pawar opts out of Lok Sabha race, makes way for grand nephew

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has decided not to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. There were reports earlier that Pawar would contest from Madha constituency in western Maharashtra.

3:22 pm IST

During Ramadan, polls are conducted as full month cannot be excluded: Election Commission

Election Commission: During Ramadan, polls are conducted as full month cannot be excluded. However, date of main festival and Fridays are avoided for poll days., reports news agency ANI.

3:21 pm IST

BJD will perform very well in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections: Naveen Patnaik

Biju Janata Dal president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday claimed that his regional party will perform “very well” in the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections.

Stating that the process for selection of candidates for the the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections was on, Patnaik said the list would be finalised very soon.

BJD will field candidates in the all 147 Assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Odisha. The regional party presently has 118 MLAs in the Assembly and 20 MPs in Lok Sabha, reports PTI.

3:14 pm IST

BJP manifesto committee held at Rajnath Singh’s residence

Delhi: BJP Manifesto Committee meeting was held at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also present.

 

Delhi: BJP Manifesto Committee meeting was held at Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also present pic.twitter.com/7HiKVYIUe2

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019

3:01 pm IST

AIADMK calls for applications for Assembly by-elections

Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK on Monday said those aspiring to contest in the Assembly by-elections to be held for 18 constituencies have to submit their applications on Wednesday.

In a statement issued in Chennai, the party said applications priced at ₹25,000 per constituency will be available at the party headquarters here on Wednesday morning, reports PTI.

2:53 pm IST

Congress’ CWC meet, rally in Gujarat on March 12

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting will be held at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The meeting would be followed by a mega rally at Adalaj town in Gandhinagar where Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to address her first public rally after entering politics, reports PTI.

2:46 pm IST

Strive for AIADMK-led alliance’s win in all seats in Tamil Nadu: PMK chief to workers

PMK founder S Ramadoss Monday appealed to his party workers to strive for victory of the AIADMK-led alliance in all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the April 18 elections, and also ensure the success of ruling party candidates in the Assembly by-polls.

People will face many hardships if the DMK-led alliance was voted in good numbers, Ramadoss said in a statement, reports PTI.

2:15 pm IST

Maharashtra voter numbers swell by 65 lakh in five years

The number of voters in Maharashtra has gone up by over 65 lakh in the last five years, according to official figures.

From 8,07,98,823 voters in the state at the time of 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the number has now gone up to 8,73,30,484, as per the electoral office data.

This is a sharp rise of 65,31,661 voters.Of these increased 65,31,661 voters, 35,98,905 are women, 29,31,588 men and the rest are transgenders, reports PTI.

1:49 pm IST

TRS banks on good show by regional parties in Lok Sabha poll

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi Monday said most of the regional parties are confident of turning in a good performance in the Lok Sabha elections, giving a boost to its chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s idea of forging a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front post-poll.

TRS spokesperson Abid Rasool Khan said most of the regional parties were confident of getting lot of seats, and claimed they were open to the idea of such a front proposed by the Telangana Chief Minister, reports PTI

1:38 pm IST

Citing religious propaganda based on Sabarimala issue will be violation of model code of conduct: Kerala Chief Electoral Officer T R Meena

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer T R Meena: Citing/invoking or doing some sort of religious propaganda based on Sabarimala issue/judgement will be a clear violation of the model code of conduct and we will be taking action.

 

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer T R Meena: Citing/invoking or doing some sort of religious propaganda based on #Sabarimala issue/judgement will be a clear violation of the model code of conduct and we will be taking action.#LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/ACnDvMJxfA

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019

1:25 pm IST

Don’t use Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have: Asaduddin Owaisi

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM on voting during Ramzan: This whole controversy is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I would earnestly request those political parties that please don’t use the Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have, reports news agency ANI.

1:12 pm IST

DMK seeks by-election in all 21 Assembly seats

The DMK on Monday said it will urge the Election Commission to hold Assembly bye-elections in all the 21 constituencies, and not just 18, in Tamil Nadu alongside the Lok Sabha polls on April 18.

The party said it would resort to legal recourse if the poll panel did not accept its demand.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here attended by party MPs, MLAs and District Secretaries, reports IANS.

1:03 pm IST

Rahul Gandhi donates ‘chaadar’ to be presented at Ajmer Dargah

Congress president Rahul Gandhi donates ‘chaadar’ to be presented at the Ajmer Dargah on the occasion of the annual Urs fair.

12:59 pm IST

This Lok Sabha polls, candidates will have to advertise their criminal records

The Election Commission has made it compulsory for candidates contesting polls to advertise their criminal antecedents in TV and newspapers at least three times during electioneering.

Though directions in this regard were issued on October 10, 2018, the rule will be used for the first time in this Lok Sabha election, scheduled to be held from April 11 to May 19. The results will be announced on May 23.

According to the directions, political parties too will have to give publicity to the criminal records of candidates fielded by them, reports PTI.

12:37 pm IST

Tamil Nadu CM and Deputy CM conduct interview of aspiring Lok Sabha candidates

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and AIADMK leaders Edappadi K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam conduct interview of aspiring Lok Sabha candidates ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

 

Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM & Deputy CM and AIADMK leaders Edappadi K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam conduct interview of aspiring Lok Sabha candidates ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha polls pic.twitter.com/EnsIOZ76Ov

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019

12:11 pm IST

A total of 7,94,162 voters would exercise their franchise on April 11 in Arunachal Pradesh

A total of 7,94,162 voters, including 4,01,601 women, would exercise their franchise in the April 11 simultaneous polls in 2,202 polling stations across Arunachal Pradesh.

11:50 am IST

Environment is conducive for Lok Sabha polls but not state polls in Jammu and Kashmir?: Farooq Abdullah

Farooq Abdullah: All parties are in favour of holding simultaneous (Lok Sabha and state assembly) polls. Environment is conducive for Lok Sabha polls but not state polls in Jammu and Kashmir? Local body polls were held peacefully, there are enough forces present,then why can’t state elections be held?

 

Farooq Abdullah: All parties are in favour of holding simultaneous (LS & state assembly) polls. Environment is conducive for Lok Sabha polls but not state polls in J&K? Local body polls were held peacefully, there are enough forces present,then why can't state elections be held? pic.twitter.com/ktYfOwLc2d

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019

11:43 am IST

SC to hear on March 26 petitions challenging central govt’s decision to introduce electoral bonds scheme in elections

Supreme Court posts for hearing on March 26, the petitions challenging central government’s decision to introduce electoral bonds scheme in elections, reports news agency ANI.

11:24am IST

Supreme Court to hear on March 15 appeal by Dhinakaran for allotment of symbols

Supreme Court to hear on March 15 an appeal filed by TTV Dhinakaran for allotment of symbols. Delhi High Court in its earlier order had upheld the Election Commission’s order to give ‘two leaves’ party symbol to AIADMK, reports news agency ANI.

11:20 am IST

Denying J-K assembly’s simultaneous poll with Lok Sabha is poor reflection and indicative of Modi govt’s failure of Kashmir policy: Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati tweets: “Denying J&K assembly’s simultaneous poll with the Lok Sabha is poor reflection & indicative of Modi Govt’s failure of Kashmir policy. Forces are surely capable of holding poll for both on the same day much to relief of people. Centre’s logic is poor & BJP’s excuse is childish.”

11:15 am IST

Telugu actor and comedian Ali joins YSRCP

Hyderabad: Telugu actor and comedian Ali joins YSRCP in the presence of party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

 

Hyderabad: Telugu actor and comedian Ali joins YSRCP in the presence of party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy. pic.twitter.com/Lo0ul371rb

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019

11:07 am IST

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh not keen to contest elections, say sources

Citing health and age concerns, former prime minister Manmohan Singh has expressed his unwillingness to contest Lok Sabha polls from Amritsar, sources said.

Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, state party chief Sunil Jakhar and general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari met Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday evening at 5pm urging him to contest from Amritsar.

10:55 am IST

Ranjan Gogoi-led bench denies hearing of plea seeking direction for EC to now allow roadshows during elections

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi denies urgent hearing of the plea filed in Supreme Court by former Director General of Police Vikram Singh of Uttar Pradesh seeking direction for Election Commission to not allow any roadshows and bike rallies during elections, reports news agency ANI.

10:40 am IST

7-phase election will be tough for people in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal: Firhad Hakim

Firhad Hakim, Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader: Election Commission is a constitutional body and we respect them. We don’t want to say anything against them. But 7-phase election will be tough for people in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. It will be most difficult for those who will be observing ramzan at that time, reports news agency ANI.

10:27 am IST

BJP’s ally MGP to contest all 3 Assembly bypolls in Goa

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the ruling BJP in Goa, on Monday said it will contest bypolls to all the three Assembly seats scheduled next month.

The move is likely to pit the regional party against the BJP in all the three Assembly seats of Shiroda, Mandrem and Maspusa, where by-elections will be held along with the Lok Sabha polls in the state on April 23, reports PTI.

10:22 am IST

TDP delegation to meet CEC today

Telugu Desam Party delegation consisting of Kambhampati Rama Mohana Rao, Nakka Ananda Babu, Kalava Srinivasulu and Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar to meet Chief Election Commissioner of India, today and to submit a representation on election related issues in Andhra Pradesh.

 

Telugu Desam Party delegation consisting of Kambhampati Rama Mohana Rao, Nakka Ananda Babu, Kalava Srinivasulu & Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar to meet Chief Election Commissioner of India, today and to submit a representation on election related issues in Andhra Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/OzyZfcpysh

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019