LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said his party has finalised a seat-sharing formula with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls and that all his "concerns" were addressed. Paswan, who met BJP chief J P Nadda here, also told reporters after the meeting that the seats will be formally announced soon.
Meanwhile, sources said Hajipur, the seat represented by his uncle Pashupati Paras, who is heading another faction of Lok Janshakti Party, might be given to Paswan, who has been staking a claim to this Lok Sabha seat that was once the bastion of LJP founder and his father Ram Vilas Paswan.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today stated that people should not "waste their votes" on the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) "if they cannot do anything for the poor".
Addressing a function in Unnao to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of projects worth Rs 241 crore, Yogi Adityanath asked the gathering, "Could those in the Congress have made the Ram temple (possible) in Ayodhya? Could those in the SP have made it? If they cannot give ration, houses or health facilities to the poor nor can they respect your faith by building a Ram temple, why do you waste your vote and accept them as a burden over you?"
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she and her family have cut all ties with Babun Banerjee, her brother, who revolted against the party's candidate Prasun Banerjee from Howrah Lok Sabha seat and said if the need arises, then he would contest as an Independent from the seat.
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday announced the five guarantees for women, titled 'Nari Nyay Guarantee'. This includes a Mahalaxmi guarantee in which one woman from each poor household will be provided with the help of Rs 1 lakh per annum. The second guarantee is Aadhi Aabadi Poora Haq - under this women will have rights over half of the new recruitments at the Central Government level. Third, Shakti Ka Sammaan - under this the Central Government's contribution to the monthly income of Anganwadi, ASHA and midday meal workers will be doubled. Fourth, Adhikar Maitri - under this a paralegal will be appointed at every panchayat to create awareness among women regarding their rights and help them. Fifth, Savitribai Phule hostel - Government of India will build at least one hostel for working women at district headquarters.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has stated the Congress is participating in a "lost battle" and its first list of candidates for the forthcoming General Elections does not have any prominent nominees for seats in MP.
Emphasising that the opposition in Maharashtra would ensure his victory in the upcoming General Elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has again urged Union minister Nitin Gadkari to quit the BJP if he is being "insulted",
The ex-Maharashtra chief minister said people like (former Congress leader) Kripashankar Singh, whom the BJP once targeted (over alleged corruption), figured in the saffron party's first list of candidates along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but Gadkari's name was missing. "I had told Gadkari this two days ago, and I am repeating it again. If you are being insulted, leave the BJP and join the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). We will ensure your victory. We will make you a minister when our government comes to power, and it will be a post with powers," he said while peaking at a rally at Pusad in eastern Maharashtra's Yavatmal district on Tuesday. The opposition MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Congress.
 "LS polls highlights: Seat sharing with BJP finalised, says Chirag Paswan")
