Lok Sabha polls LIVE: BJP will win more seats than in 2014, says Rajnath

Live updates of the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign. The final phase of polling will happen on May 19. It will be followed by the exit polls

With election campaign in its final leg this week, the war of words is escalating between political parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam on Monday, attacked the grand alliance of opposition parties. "These 'Mahamilavati' people are saying 'hua toh hua', but the country is now saying 'mahamilavati logon ab bohot hua', enough is enough," he said. Meanwhile, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, for the fourth time, said Sam Pitroda's 'hua to hua' remark on 1984 riots was "wrong". "What Sam Pitroda said about 1984 is absolutely wrong and he should apologise to the nation for it. I told him this over the phone, I told him what he said was wrong, he should be ashamed and apologise publicly," he said.

Narendra Modi will today hold a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia, Bihar's Buxar and Sasaram and in the evening, he will address the public in Chandigarh. BJP President Amit Shah will address public meetings in North Bengal. 

In the meantime, Rahul Gandhi will address public meeting in Neemuch and Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi campaign in Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Bhatinda (Punjab) and hold a roadshow in Pathankot (Punjab).

2:55 PM

Every Varanasi resident is contesting on my behalf: PM Modi

Calling himself a 'Kashi vaasi'- resident of Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking re-election from the Lok Sabha seat, issued an emotional message for people of the constituency and sought their blessings for victory. Modi outlined his personal and emotional association with the city and its people in a video released by his website on Monday, reported news agency PTI. Read more...

2:51 PM

Congress, RJD will push 21st century India into darkness: PM Modi

Lashing out at the opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday the Congress and the RJD will push 21st century India into darkness, if voted to power. Addressing a rally, Modi also claimed that it was just the "BJP-led NDA dispensation that could lead the nation towards light". "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Development for all) is our mantra and we strive to ensure security and respect for all. The Mahamilawatis (opposition), on the other hand, think some castes are beholden to them," he said. Read more...

 

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2:37 PM

Rahul's dig at Modi: Do all aircraft disappear from radar when it rains?

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks that cloud cover "helped" IAF planes evade Pakistani radars during the Balakot strikes. Addressing an election rally ahead of the fourth and last phase of Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also sought to know what did Modi do for the jobless youth. Read more...

1:54 PM

Rahul taunts Modi over claim on cloud cover during air strike

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at PM Narendra Modi over his remarks that cloud cover "helped" IAF planes evade Pakistani radars during the Balakot strikes. Addressing an election rally ahead of the fourth and last phase of Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi also sought to know what did Modi do for the jobless youth. "Modi ji, whenever it rains in India, do all aircraft disappear from the radar," Gandhi said. Read more...

1:40 PM

Modi govt compromised national security by reducing Rafale jets: Congress

Congress on Tuesday accused the Modi government of compromising and overruling national security by reducing the purchase of the Rafale fighter aircraft to save money. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit out at the BJP after Union minister Nitin Gadkari reportedly admitted that the Rafale deal was curtailed due to do financial constraints. Read more...

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1:29 PM

BJP will win more seats than in 2014: Rajnath Singh

Expressing confidence that the BJP will win more seats that it did in 2014, senior party leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said a two-thirds majority for the NDA cannot be ruled out.
 

"I have reached a conclusion that BJP will win more seats in Lok Sabha polls than it did in 2014. Two-thirds majority for NDA also cannot be ruled out. The hope people had from the prime minister in the 2014 elections has turned into confidence this time," said Singh. Read more...

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1:20 PM

PM Modi challenges Opposition to prove if he has amassed assets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday threw an open challenge to the Opposition to prove if he had amassed any assets or kept money in any foreign bank.
 

Addressing an election meeting, Modi said: "I throw an open challenge challenge to these 'mahamilavati' (highly-adulterated) people to show if I have any benami property, farmhouse, shopping complex or money in any foreign bank, or whether I have purchased any property abroad or bought a luxury car." Read more...

10:40 AM

Mayawati says roadshows and offering prayers has become a fashion during elections

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati: Roadshows and offering prayers has become a fashion during elections, where a lot of money is spent. Election Commission should add this expense to the candidate's total expenditure limit.

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10:29 AM

Adityanath meets the family of Padma Shri late Hiralal Yadav in Varanasi, who had passed away on May 12

10:27 AM

Final phase of Telangana rural local body elections underway

The third and final phase of polling for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) elections got underway Tuesday.

 

The polling began at 7 AM and would continue till 5 PM, except in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, where it would conclude an hour early at 4 PM, State Election Commission said.

 

The election is held for 161 ZPTCs, and 741 candidates are in the fray.

 

Officials said polling is being held for 1708 MPTCs, with 5726 candidates.

 

The Commission last month released the election schedule for 5,817 MPTCs and 539 ZPTCs.

 

The first phase and second phase were held on May six and 10, respectively.