Election 2024 News Highlights: EC directs observers to ensure smooth polling

Election 2024 News LIVE: As the first phase of polling of the Lok Sabha elections is set to take place on April 19 the Election Commission of India has directed over 350 poll observers to ensure that elections are conducted smoothly. Notably, along with 102 parliamentary constituencies in 21 states, polling will also take place and 92 assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on April 19. The ECI has deployed 127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers and 167 Expenditure Observers and all have reported in constituencies before the last date of nomination, March 26.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Congress leader and MLA Sudip Roy Barman hit out at the BJP-led central government and said that every slogan that was given by the BJP party was false. Addressing an election rally in Tripura’s Belonia on Thursday, Barman said, “According to me, the slogan that they are using, ‘Ab ki baar 400 paar’ is just to blindfold the common people as their internal condition is very weak, and their top leaders are assuming to get 200 seats only.”

Election 2024 News LIVE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged the Narendra Modi government actually is “Adani government” and expressed confidence the BJP regime at the Centre will be dislodged with INDIA bloc’s win in the LS polls. Addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu together with Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin in this western city, Gandhi claimed “Narendra Modi and Adani policies have created two Indias. One India of billionaires and the other India of poor people.”

While Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders repeatedly said that the BJP has plans to “change the Constitution of India” if it retains power at Centre, PM Narendra Modi hit out at the India bloc, saying that not even BR Ambedkar can change the Constitution now.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Top Congress leaders will discuss and decide on the party candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and Delhi at a meeting of the central election committee to be held on Saturday evening. The central election committee chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to meet at 4 pm on Saturday.

Around ₹1.75 lakh cash was seized from a man in Greater Noida on Friday amid enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, police said. With this, the cash seizure in this poll season across Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar has risen to ₹66.66 lakh, according to officials.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the Congress will win 15 to 20 seats in his state.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah will address an election rally in Manipur’s Imphal East district on April 15, a state BJP leader said on Friday. Shah will arrive at Imphal airport around 2 pm and will head to Hapta Kangjeibung in the district to attend the public meeting.

Election 2024 News LIVE: “Due to the political corruption of AIADMK and DMK, Tamil Nadu has not been able to develop as much as there are possibilities. PM Narendra Modi has made the nation secure and prosperous. Now, the time has come for Tamil Nadu people to stand with PM Narendra Modi and vote for the BJP. Only BJP can make Tamil culture reach the whole nation…” said Amit Shah

Election 2024 News LIVE: Chhattisgarh CM and BJP leader Vishnu Dev Sai held road show in Jagdalpur earlier today.

Election 2024 News LIVE: BRS has announced Marepalli Sudhir Kumar as its candidate from Warangal, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Election 2024 News LIVE: The Congress on Friday attacked the ruling Left front in Kerala on various issues, including the CAA and the fielding of a candidate against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, as the state moves closer to the Lok Sabha polls on April 26. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that as the Left front is a part of the INDIA bloc, it should not have fielded a candidate against Gandhi in Wayanad, where he is a sitting MP, as he is the face of the alliance.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Home minister Amit Shah held a roadshow in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai today.

Election 2024 News LIVE: BJP chief JP Nadda addressed a public meeting in Gondia, Maharashtra today.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma held a roadshow in Jorhat today.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha, which will be held amid expected hot and humid conditions in May-June, the state government on Friday said polling officials who suffer from heat stroke will receive cashless treatment in private hospitals under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).

Election 2024 News LIVE: Bansuri Swaraj, BJP candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, Friday claimed there will be no impact of CM Kejriwal’s arrest on the elections as the “Vastu shastra” of the city is in favour of her party and the lotus will also bloom in the 2025 assembly polls. In an interaction with PTI Swaraj, daughter of late Delhi chief minister and former external affairs affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, also accused Kejriwal of “orchestrating” the situation to gain sympathy before the Lok Sabha polls.

Election 2024 News LIVE: At a poll rally in Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi promised to bring Right to Apprenticeship law if elected to power after the Lok Sabha election 2024. 

“For sake of all our graduates, diploma holders, a law, Right to Apprenticeship will be enacted,” said Rahul Gandhi as quoted by news agency PTI.

Election 2024 News LIVE: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a roadshow in Rajasthan’s Dausa, BJP candidate from the constituency, Kanhaiya Lal Meena and state minister Kirodi Lal Meena are also with him.

Election 2024 News LIVE: PM Narendra Modi is holding a roadshow in Rajasthan’s Dausa. Thousands of supporters can be seen lined up on both sides of the streets to get a glimpse of the Prime Minister. The supporters are holding BJP flags and chanting slogans.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Tripura CM Manik Saha is holding a roadshow in Belonia, South Tripura district as he campaigns for the BJP’s candidates ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Predicting the June 4 Lok Sabha election results, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor claims that the forces of democracy will win the majority of seats.
 

“On 4th of June, we are going to find the forces of democracy will win the majority of seats…We will the BJP is in for a very rude shock and it’s going to be 2004 all over again…I don’t think ‘Hindi-Hindutva-Hindustan’ is going to work because certainly for all of us who want to see more inclusive India,” says Tharoor.

Election 2024 News LIVE: AIMIM chief and party’s sitting MP from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi kickstarted his election campaigning and held door-to-door canvassing at Kamatipura, Osman Bagh and Bandalguda under Bahadurpura Assembly Constituency. Bahadurpura MLA Mohammed Mubeen was also with him, reported news agency ANI.

Check out these news stories related to the Lok Sabha Election 2024

Election 2024 News LIVE: Former Bihar Dy CM & RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has questioned PM Modi over eradication of poverty and granting of special status to Bihar. 

“…Key issues like poverty, unemployment, how many jobs provided, need to be discussed. Why didn’t PM Modi eradicate poverty?…why was Bihar not given special status?,” said Yadav as quoted by news agency ANI.

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in Rajasthan’s Barmer, PM Modi said, “While Modi is busy making India a powerful nation, people of INDI alliance are trying to make India weak.”

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in Rajasthan’s Barmer, PM Modi said, “Cong’s thinking is anti-development; border districts were deliberately deprived of development by previous Cong govts”.

Election 2024 News LIVE: “I launched Jal Jeevan mission to resolve water crisis situation in Rajasthan. We have provided drinking water access to 50 lakh homes in Rajasthan through the mission. The previous Congress government in Rajasthan did corruption in this mission too,” said PM Modi

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in Rajasthan’s Barmer, PM Modi said, “Congress party kept Rajasthanis thirsty for water. Women had to travel miles to fetch water.”

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in Rajasthan’s Barmer, PM Modi said,”Entire India is saying, ‘4 June, 400 paar’ and ‘phir ek bar Modi sarkar’. Barmer is the constituency of late BJP leader Jaswant Singh. People of Barmer have always told me to teach a lesson to India’s enemies and victory in Barmer is their responsibility.”

Election 2024 News LIVE: AIADMK’s candidate P Karuppaiah held poll campaign in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli. During his campaign, he interacted with the vegetable sellers and also sold vegetables.

Election 2024 News LIVE: A case has been registered against Tamil Nadu BJP president and party candidate from Coimbatore, K Annamalai and Coimbatore District BJP Secretary Ramesh for allegedly campaigning in the Avarampalayam area last night beyond the permitted campaigning hours, reported news agency ANI.

 The election code of conduct is that candidates who are contesting for parliamentary elections should end their campaigning by 10 pm.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Friday’s rally in Udhampur that the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir would proceed “without the spectre of terrorism, protests, stone-throwing, or cross-border tensions.” 

He highlighted his administration’s efforts to fulfill commitments to alleviate the prolonged struggles the region’s residents faced. 

Additionally, Modi challenged Congress and other opposition factions, daring them to reintroduce Article 370, which was revoked by the BJP-led government in August 2019.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur assured that the Centre is committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir adding that assembly elections will also be held soon. 

“The time is not far when assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir also. Jammu and Kashmir will get back its state status. You will be able to share your dreams with your MLAs, and your ministers,” PM Modi said.

The prime minister stated that his current achievements are just a glimpse of the work he plans to accomplish in the region. He highlighted that for the first time in decades, elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being conducted without the looming threat of terrorism and cross-border firing.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Former J&K CM and NC leader Omar Abdullah on Friday took a jibe at the BJP. 
“…If what PM Modi is saying is correct then why are his candidates not in the field? Why is BJP not contesting South, Central and North Kashmir? I assume for a moment that what PM Modi is saying is correct that National Conference is responsible for all the trouble…,” said Abdullah as quoted by news agency ANI. 
On being asked if he will leave politics if BJP wins a single seat, he said: “Let BJP announce their candidates. I will also see if they are able to get a single seat (in J&K) or not…”

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in J&K’s Udhampur, PM Modi claimed that Congress leaders lived in bungalows while Ram Lalla was in tent. 

“Congress says Ram Mandir is an election issue for BJP. I want to say that Ram Mandir was never an election issue, nor it will ever become an election issue. The struggle for Ram temple was going on even before the birth of the BJP… When foreign invaders destroyed our temples, the people of India fought to save their religious places. The leaders of Congress and its allies lived in big bungalows but when it came to changing the tent of Ram Lalla, they used to turn their backs…,” said PM Modi

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in J&K’s Udhampur, PM Modi jibed at the Congress, National Conference and PDP. 

“…Congress, National Conference, PDP and all other parties want to take Jammu and Kashmir back to those old days. No one has caused as much damage to Jammu and Kashmir as these family-run parties have done. Here political party means of the family, by the family and for the family…,” said PM Modi as quoted by news agency ANI.

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in J&K’s Udhampur, PM Modi assured the people that J&K’s statehood will be restored. 

“Time is not far when Assembly polls will be held in J&K and statehood will be restored,” said PM Modi.

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in J&K’s Udhampur, PM Modi highlighted the problems solved by his government. 

“Modi ki guarantee yani guarantee pura hone ki guarantee. You remember how the weak governments of Congress kept the Shahpurkandi Dam stalled for decades. The fields of the farmers of Jammu were dry and the villages were in darkness, but our water of Ravi was going to Pakistan. Modi had given a guarantee to the farmers and has fulfilled it also,” said PM Modi.

Election 2024 News LIVE: While addressing a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur, PM Modi said that no political party can bring back Article 370.

 “I challenge any political party, especially Congress, to get back Article 370. They cannot do it,” said PM Modi.

Election 2024 News LIVE: “I had given guarantee to you that I will get people of Jammu and Kashmir freedom from what their generations have been through. I have fulfilled my guarantee. After decades, this is the first election when terrorism, insurgency, stone pelting etc. are not issues,” said PM Modi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.

Election 2024 News LIVE: PM Modi is holding a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur

Election 2024 News LIVE: Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi has claimed that the Central government would impose President’s Rule in Delhi in the coming days. 

“We have received information from trusted sources that the Central Government will impose President’s Rule in Delhi in the coming days. Indications of this are being seen since the last few days. We have seen that since last several months that posting of senior IAS officer has not happened in Delhi,” said  Atishi

Election 2024 News LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a star campaigner for Union minister Jitendra Singh, is scheduled to address an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur on Friday, April 12, amid tight security. Jitendra Singh is eyeing a third term as an MP from the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat, where polling will be held in the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election elections. Dig Deeper

Check out these news stories related to the Lok Sabha Election 2024

Election 2024 News LIVE: Vinoj P Selvam, BJP candidate from Central Chennai held election campaign on Friday.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Former Finance Minister of Kerala & CPI-M candidate from Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, Thomas Isaac has claimed that people of Kerala want Modi to be out.

“In Kerala, people want Modi to be out. The choice is between Congress and CPM… CAA is a serious issue in Kerala, the Muslim community and democratic-minded people are concerned about it. This has been a very serious problem for Congress, they have not outrightly said that they will withdraw CAA once they come to power. But we have taken the position…Inter-religious marriages will continue to take place in Kerala, inter-caste marriage was one of the key slogans of social movements in Kerala and it’s totally misleading to call it ‘Love-Jihad’. These are the slogans raised to create ill-will between the social groups in Kerala…,” said Isaac as quoted by news agency ANI.

Election 2024 News LIVE: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has accused the Election Commission of India of being partial.

 “.. I have complaints with the Election Commission, they don’t reply to us on any issue and don’t give us time to meet. I have said this in the parliament and outside of the House. I have three basic questions, is it (EVM) a stand-alone machine? Does VVPAT have any connectivity with the internet? Third, I want to know, which software you have installed in the VVPAT? Why don’t they reply to these questions? A national party is seeking time since April 2023, but they don’t give us time. I have complaints with the ECI, they are totally partial in their work…,” said Singh as quoted by news agency ANI.

Election 2024 News LIVE:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to campaign in Udhampur on Friday, rallying support for union minister Jitendra Singh. Ahead of Modi’s visit, authorities have implemented stringent security measures, including a prohibition on drone flights.