Elections 2019 LIVE: Rahul challenges Modi to debate on demonetisation

The voting for the Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases from Thursday to May 19. Catch LIVE updates on Lok Sabha Elections 2019

The first phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections 2019 will be held on Thursday. Today, while addressing a rally in Maharashtra, Modi appeared to be treading sensitive ground, by asking first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the air strike in Balakot.

"Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike," Modi said, appealing to first-time voters.

Pakistan would not have born in 1947 had Congress leaders acted wisely in the pre-Independence era, Modi said.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray also attended the rally.

Modi referred to Thackeray as his "younger brother" and eulogised Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, whom he lauded for not occupying the chief minister's post and not installing Uddhav, his son, either in that chair.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Twitter, challenged Modi to debate with him on corruption. Let's go open book, so you can prepare, he said while listing out Rafale -Anil Ambani case, Nirav Modi, demonetisation, other topics.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul filed their nomination papers for the Chhindwara Assembly bypoll and Lok Sabha elections respectively. Former JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar filed nomination as Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Begusarai constituency in Bihar.

The voting for the Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23. The state has six Lok Sabha seats.

2:08 PM

Former JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar files nomination as Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Begusarai constituency.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held Congress responsible for the creation of Pakistan.

Pakistan would not have born had Congress leaders acted wisely in the pre-independence era, Modi said, as he stepped attack on the Grand Old Party.

 

"Had Congress leaders acted wisely during the pre- independence era, this Pakistan would not have born," Modi said.

 

Modi said the Congress party's manifesto speaks the same language as that of Pakistan.

1:12 PM

Dedicate your vote to those who carried out airstrike: Modi to first-timers

Addressing a poll rally at this town in Latur district of Maharashtra, Modi also appeared to be treading sensitive ground by asking first-time voters to dedicate their first vote to those who carried out air strike in Balakot.

 

"Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out air strike," Modi said, appealing to first-time voters.

1:11 PM

'In 2014, we came to you with some goals. I will always be grateful to you for what you have done in fulfilling these goals," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

11:57 AM

Lalu Prasad's bail application before SC in fodder scam case

CBI has filed a counter affidavit opposing the bail. CBI, in its counter affidavit, stated that in the garb of political activities during the elections, Lalu sought for bail, which should not be granted.

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PM Modi in Latur, Maharashtra: I have come to know that you are sitting here since 9.30 AM. You are sitting here in this extreme heat. I won't let your 'tapasya' go in vain. I will return this to you with interest.

11:23 AM

PM Modi, Uddhav Thackeray to share stage - after 28 months

The bickerings of nearly four years behind them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray will share the dais - for the first time in 28 months - at an election rally in Ausa here on Tuesday.

 

The last time they came together was for performing the 'jal pooja' for the proposed grand memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the Arabian Sea, off Chowpatty in Mumbai.

 

Later that day, on December 24, 2016, they had addressed a joint public meeting in Bandra Kurla Complex where Thackeray faced a major embarrassment as Bharatiya Janata Party supporters kept chanting 'Modi, Modi' during his address.

 

As relations between the two saffron allies continued to worsen, at one of his rallies, Thackeray had repeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi's jibe of 'Chowkidar Chor Hai', much to the BJP's chagrin.

10:46 AM

Smriti Irani on Rahul Gandhi's tweet '...BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short sighted & arrogant': When it comes to reality of his own constituency, people get to know that despite being an MP for so long he hasn't been able to develop it.

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Tamil Nadu: Residents of Melasirupothu village in Ramanathapuram district took out a protest march yesterday. The villagers have decided to boycott Lok Sabha Elections 2019 alleging non-availability of basic facilities in their area & non-payment of crop insurance money 2017-18.