LS polls highlights: INDIA bloc allies abuse each other in Punjab, says PM Modi

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At an election rally in Gurdaspur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday claimed that INDIA bloc allies are at loggerheads with  each other in Punjab.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday endorsed BJP's Mandi candidate Kangana Ranaut, saying that the actor represents the aspirations of youth and 'India's daughters'.

At an election rally in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress, alleging that communalism, casteism and dynastic politics are common to the party and its allies. 

Ahead of the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address election rallies in Gurdaspur and Jalandhar today. PM Modi will then address two rallies, one at Nahan in Shimla (SC)  constituency in support of Suresh Kashyap and the second at Mandi in support of actor Kangana Ranaut today.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday stated that earlier India's words were not taken seriously at international forums, but today, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks the whole world listens, emphasising that many world leaders refer Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "boss" and respect him, news agency ANI reported. At a public rally in Palwal, Singh said: "just 25 years ago, India was not taken seriously on the international platform, but because of PM Modi Ji's effective leadership, other countries now pay attention to India's voice. Many global leaders regard Prime Minister Narendra Modi with respect, some even terming him as 'Boss' or 'Great'."

On Thursday, campaigning ended for the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha elections which will be conducted across six states and two Union territories. Polling for the sixth round of the marathon seven-phase elections will be conducted Saturday in seven seats in Delhi, 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats of Haryana, eight seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir.

8:36 PM

Sukhu must clarify if there is move to cut quota for SCs, STs, OBC in Himachal: Anurag Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur asked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and other Congress leaders on Friday to clarify if there is any move to cut the quota in jobs and education for the SCs, STs and OBC in the state, on the lines of some other states ruled by the party. Addressing Lok Sabha poll rallies in Una and Bilaspur districts of the state, Thakur asked whether Sukhu had opposed it when the Congress government in Karnataka was preparing to kill the rights of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) "at the behest of 10, Janpath"? If not, then is Sukhu going to kill the rights of the SCs, STs and OBC in Himachal Pradesh too by cutting their reservation, he asked. "The Congress has been anti-SCs, STs and OBC since its existence. On the other hand, the BJP has always been working for the uplift of the SCs, STs and OBC," the Union information and broadcasting minister said. He said over the last 10 years, the welfare of the deprived sections of the society has been the priority of the BJP-led Centre, which has launched various schemes for them, and that is the reason why hundreds of SC, ST and OBC families are joining the saffron party every day in the state, including in Hamirpur.

7:36 PM

Prayagraj: Activists see LS polls as fight to save Constitution, many voters raise local issues

Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj Lok Sabha constituency is expected to witness an interesting electoral battle with some sections of voters here raising local issues such as cleanliness and healthcare facilities, while many see the poll as a fight to save the Constitution and the unique "Ilaahabadi" culture. From the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati, to the Allahabad University and the high court,? Prayagraj has been a revered seat of education, spirituality and syncretic culture in Indian history. One of the largest and most populous districts of Uttar Pradesh, it also takes pride in giving India seven prime ministers. "The city has produced so many politicians, civil servants. It has three Bharat Ratna awardees within a radius of one km and has given seven prime ministers to the country. This city is a heritage. The Kumbh mela has been celebrated from ancient times, then it became a Mughal garrison town, then the British Empire came in," Zafar Bakht, a cultural activist, told PTI.

5:04 PM

Punjab CM cannot take decisions on his own, has to go to Tihar jail to take orders, claims PM Modi

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann cannot take decisions on his own, has to go to Tihar jail to take orders, said PM Modi in an attack on AAP's Kejriwal. The Congress' 'royal family' removed Amarinder Singh from chief minister's post when he refused to obey orders, PM Modi said at the Gurdaspur rally. 

4:58 PM

The Durbaris of Delhi are governing Punjab, alleges PM Modi

4:57 PM

PM's post an institution but Modi's poll speeches cause for concern: Sharad Pawar

“The Prime Minister's post is an institution. Modi occupies an important position. But there is no need to take cognisance of what he is speaking in election rallies,” NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday. The statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the opposition in this poll season are a cause for concern, Pawar emphasised.

4:48 PM

Punjab knows the true nature of the INDIA bloc: PM Modi at Gurdaspur rally

4:42 PM

BJP telling lies about my health, I am fine: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Friday asserted that he is in “very good health” and campaigning in the elections for the Lok Sabha and Assembly all over the state. His statement followed comments of BJP president JP Nadda and other party leaders that Patnaik should be given rest in the wake of his health and old age. “There is a limit to the amount of lies the BJP can tell people. As you can see, I am in very good health and have been campaigning all over the state for months,” said 77-year-old Patnaik.

4:39 PM

Like British, PM Modi govt looted water, forest and land of country in 10 years: Congress chief Kharge

Congress will undertake caste survey to deliver justice to people, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said today at a rally in Jharkhand. Like British, PM Modi govt looted water, forest and land of country in 10 years, Kharge added.

4:29 PM

Congress, Hemant Soren's JMM competing with each other on corruption: Home Minister Amit Shah

Congress, Hemant Soren's JMM competing with each other on corruption in Jharkhand, said Amit Shah at Jamtara rally.

4:16 PM

Our Agnipath remarks criticism of policy not of forces, within model code: Congress on EC's remarks

Days after the Election Commission asked the Congress not to "politicise" the armed forces, the party Friday said its criticism of the Agnipath military recruitment scheme was within the Model Code of Conduct, and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "taking the support" of the poll watchdog.

Congress' ex-Servicemen Department chief Col (retd) Rohit Chaudhry said the model code states that the "criticism of other political parties when made shall be confined to their policies, programmes, past records and work".

3:51 PM

Congress selectively distributed central funds sent for Himachal monsoon disaster victims: PM Modi in Mandi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of selectively distributing central aid meant for victims of last year's floods and promised to find out where the money went once he returns to power. PM Modi also called Himachal Pradesh the "sankalp bhumi" for construction of the Ram mandir in Ayodhya, referring to the pledge taken by the BJP in Palampur to build the temple, Modi said during a poll rally in Mandi.

3:25 PM

Derogatory remarks by Congress leaders against Kangana Ranaut insult to Mandi: PM Modi

Derogatory remarks by Congress leaders against Kangana Ranaut insult to Mandi, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, and asked voters to give a befitting reply. 

3:21 PM

Lok Sabha polls: INDIA bloc has got capacity to stop the BJP from coming to power, says Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the BJP is running the administration by misusing the autonomous bodies, due to which people are upset with them and are supporting the INDIA bloc; hence, the alliance has a good opportunity. “There is every possibility of INDIA bloc getting majority. INDIA has got the capacity to stop the BJP from coming to power,” Kharge said. Talking to reporters here in his hometown Kalaburagi, Kharge said people have provided a good environment in favour of the INDIA alliance.

 

2:59 PM

General Elections phase 6: List of constituencies, key candidates

Polling for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections will take place in Delhi and seven more states and Union territories. Read here for more details.

2:30 PM

Lalu neither worked for welfare of backward classes nor Yadavs: Amit Shah in Bihar

While addressing an election rally in favour of senior BJP leader and Union Minister R K Singh in Arrah, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hit out at Lalu Prasad, claiming that the RJD chief neither worked for the welfare of backward classes nor the people belonging to his caste ‘Yadav'. Shah said if Prasad, as part of the "arrogant" INDIA bloc, comes to power, "jungle raj, abduction, and gang war will return to Bihar".