Get all the latest news and updates on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections here.
BJP Releases Third List of Candidates for Odisha
Ending speculation over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's candidature from Puri, the BJP has fielded its national spokesperson Sambit Patra from the Lok Sabha seat.
Senior leaders of the saffron party in Odisha, including MLA Pradip Purohit, had earlier hinted that Modi might contest the election from the temple town.
The ruling BJD and the opposition Congress are yet to announce the names of candidates from the constituency.
(PTI)
Mallikarjun Kharge, Ashok Chavan Named in Congress' Eighth List
The Congress on Saturday night released its eighth list of 38 candidates for the April-May parliamentary polls with its leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge being renominated from Gulbarga in Karnataka and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan being fielded from Nanded.
(PTI)
AIADMK Going DMK Way in Dynastic Politics, Fields Kin of its Leaders
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, which has for long attacked the DMK for dynastic politics, has drawn criticism for nominating sons of its leaders including O Panneerselvam for the 18 April Lok Sabha polls.
Among DMK's 20 candidates, six are children of prominent leaders while the AIADMK has allotted four of the 20 seats to wards of party leaders.
(PTI)
Carefully Worked-Out Caste Arithmetic in NDA's List of Bihar LS Candidates
A carefully worked-out caste arithmetic meets the eye on perusal of the list of Lok Sabha candidates in Bihar announced by the NDA, comprising the BJP, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP.
The coalition, which is expected to secure a major chunk of the votes of upper castes who are believed to be, by and large, supporters of the BJP, has given tickets to 13 people of the 'general category'.
Among the upper caste candidates, seven are Rajputs who in the distant past had sided with the Janata Dal, founded by V P Singh, and remained sympathetic, for some time, to its splinter group, the RJD, founded by Lalu Prasad.
Notable among them are Radha Mohan Singh (Motihari), R K Singh (Ara) and Rajiv Pratap Rudy (Saran), all from the BJP.
Besides, three candidates -- Giriraj Singh (BJP- Begusarai), Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan (JDU-Munger) and Chandan Kumar (LJP-Nawada) -- belong to the Bhumihar community, believed to be the most vocal and assertive among all the upper caste groups in Bihar.
Two Brahmins from the BJP, Ashwini Kumar Choubey (Buxar) and Gopalji Thakur (Darbhanga), have found a place in the list.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, a Kayasth, has been fielded from Patna Sahib, which has a sizeable population of the community. He faces the challenge of retaining the seat for the BJP in a straight contest with second-term MP Shatrughan Sinha, who is likely to be fielded this time by the Congress.
Twelve candidates in the list belong to the OBCs, including five Yadavs, the most populous in the state and on whom the RJD banks heavily in addition to the Muslims. Notable Yadav candidates in the contest are state BJP president Nityanand Rai (Ujiyarpur) and Ram Kripal Yadav (Pataliputra).
Six Dalits are also in the fray in as many reserved constituencies. Four of these are Paswans, including the LJP chief's son Chirag (Jamui) and brothers Ram Chandra Paswan (Samastipur) and Pashupati Kumar Paras (Hajipur).
SP Releases List of Star Campaigners: Akhilesh to Contest from Azamgarh
Samajwadi Party releases its list of star campaigners; Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Azam Khan, Dimple Yadav and Jaya Bachchan included in the list. Party President Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Azamgarh and Azam Khan will contest from Rampur.
BJP to hold Vijay Sankalp Sabha rallies across country
Congress Working Committee to Meet on Monday, 11 am
A Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is scheduled be held on Monday, 25 March at 11 am.
(ANI)
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Addresses Rally in Saharanpur
Launching his 2019 Lok Sabha elections campaign, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a rally in Saharanpur in the state.
(ANI)
All Eyes on VIP LS Seats in Uttar Pradesh
In politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, focus will not only be on the performance of political parties but also on the VIPs seats, including those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.
The poll results of the state, which has 80 Lok Sabha seats, can make or mar the prospects of any political party at the Centre.
There will be many seats in the state which will be keenly watched by political observers as any setback there might have great political repercussions.
"UP is the most politically crucial state and it's results set the tone and tenor of national politics. All eyes will be here, especially on VIP seats where prominent leaders are in fray," senior journalist JP Shukla said.
"Whether the state is going to give the next prime minister or not is the answer everyone will be looking for with the performance of political parties," he said.
While the outcome of the prime minister's Varanasi seat will be watched globally, other seats like Amethi and Raebareli of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi respectively will be of equal interest to the people.
(PTI)
AAP to Fight Polls in UP, Bihar, Fields 3 Candidates from Each State
The Aam Aadmi Party will contest the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and has fielded three candidates in each of the states, senior leader Sanjay Singh said on Sunday, 24 March.
In Uttar Pradesh, the AAP has fielded Yogesh Dahiya from Saharanpur, Satish Chandra Sharma from Aligarh and Shweta Sharma from Gautam Budh Nagar for the polls, Singh said in a tweet.
The party is likely to contest the Lok Sabha polls from 25 seats in Uttar Pradesh.
For rest of the seats, the process to select candidates is in the final stage, Singh said.
In Bihar, Aleemuddin Ansari has been fielded from Kishanganj, Raghunath Kumar from Sitamarhi and Satyendra Kumar from Bhagalpur, he said in another tweet.
Where Were Farmers' Well-Wishers When They Faced Starvation: UP CM Asks Cong
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked the Congress where were the well-wishers of farmers during 2012-17 when they faced starvation.
The chief minister on Sunday posed the query shortly after Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a blistering attack on the UP government over alleged unpaid dues to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore to sugarcane farmers.
"When our government was formed, the pending cane dues were around Rs 57,800 crore. The amount was bigger than the budgets of many states. But we paid it," asserted Adityanath.
"In the previous regimes of the SP and BSP, nothing was done for the sugarcane farmers, (and) as a result, they died of starvation (bhukhmari)," he added.
(PTI)
BJD Will Play a Major Role in Govt Formation at Centre: Naveen
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday claimed that the BJD will win all the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha and play a major role in government formation at the Centre in the coming elections in which no national party will be able to get a majority.
"No national party will be able to win majority in Lok Sabha election this time. BJD will have decisive role to play in formation of the next government at the Centre," the Biju Janata Dal president said while formally kick starting his party's poll campaign at a rally in Nayagarh.
Claiming that the BJD will win all the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, Patnaik said this will give an opportunity for putting an end to the "historical injustice" meted out to the state.
(PTI)
NDA Govt Turned 'Politics of Destruction into Politics of Development': Jayant Sinha
The NDA government has turned opposition's "politics of destruction into politics of development" in the past 60 months, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha asserted on Sunday, claiming that people will give a befitting reply in the Lok Sabha election.
Addressing BJP workers at the party's "Vijay Sankalp" programme in East Singhbhum district, Sinha said the opposition parties have united against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their "desperate attempt to grab power".
(PTI)
Excise Dept Warns Liquor Shops Against Selling on the Basis of Coupon or Token
To curb distribution of alcohol to influence voters during elections in Delhi, the Excise Department has warned liquor shops against selling it on the basis of "coupon or token" in the city.
An official said the department has issued a circular, directing liquor outlets across the national capital to strictly follow opening and closing time of their establishments.
The seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will go to polls on 12 May.
(PTI)
BJP Files Complaint with Tripura CEO Against Rahul Gandhi
The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura on Sunday against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly referring to party chief Amit Shah as a "murder accused" at a rally.
BJP Tripura spokesperson Ashok Sinha has alleged that Gandhi "violated" the provisions of the model code of conduct as he had stated in his speech at the March 20 rally in Khumulwng that Shah was a "murder accused" .
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader stressed that the "false case" of murder against Shah was dismissed by Supreme court in 2014.
(PTI)
RJD Announces Names of Candidates for Two LS Seats for 2nd Phase
The opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar today announced the names of five Lok Sabha seats which will be contested by the RJD and the Congress in the second phase of polling on 18 April.
The Congress will put up candidates from Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea, while its ally the RJD will field its nominees from Banka and Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seats.
While the RJD has announced the names of the two candidates, the Congress is likely to make an announcement by today evening.
(PTI)
Panthic Morcha Decides Against Contesting LS Polls, to Support Congress
Panthic Morcha, an organisation of over two dozen social and religious organisations of Sikhs, today said it will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and will support the Congress to strengthen "secular ideology" in the state.
On 18 March, the Morcha had announced prominent Sikh leader Avtar Singh Khalsa as its candidate from Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency, which is going to polls in the first phase on 11 April.
The Congress has fielded former minister Raman Bhalla from the constituency and enjoys support form the National Conference, which has sealed a pre-poll alliance with the party.
(PTI)
Is Congress Paying Price of Its Dynastic Character, Asks Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday took a dig at the Congress leadership saying that the dynastic parties succeed on the strength of some generations but sink with the others and wondered whether the grand old party was paying the cost of its dynastic character.
“Nowadays, the minister said, some generic statements being frequently heard from Congress leaders are — "What can I do? He just doesn't listen; Wait for the 24th of May, our politics will begin thereafter; I feel like quitting; Our campaign planning is lagging behind. I am told Uncle Sam has come to take care of it; Let's prepare 2024".
"They (the dynastic parties) succeed on the strength of some generations of the dynasty. They sink with the others," Jaitley said in his blog ahead of the seven-phase general elections beginning 11 April.
Former Student Leader Kanhaiya Kumar To Contest from Begusarai for CPI
Former JNUSU President and student leader Kanhaiya Kumar has been fielded by CPI from Begusarai for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Congress Fields Karti Chidambaram From Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga
Announcing the ninth list for the Lok Sabha polls today, Indian National Congress’ Central Election Committee has confirmed that the party will field Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu.
SP Includes Mulayam in Its Star Campaigners' List, a Day After Leaving Him Out
The Samajwadi Party today made a volte face and included its founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's name in its list of "star campaigners", a day after leaving him out of it.
The party's list of 40 "star campaigners", sent to the Election Commission on Saturday, had no mention of the SP patriarch's name.
But the SP revised its list on Sunday and mentioned Mulayam Singh Yadav's name on the top of it before sending it to the poll panel.
(PTI)
Modi Remembering Chowkidars After Forgetting Chaiwalas: Kapil Sibal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has forgotten about his bonhomie with "chaiwalas", is now remembering "chowkidars", and will focus on somebody else the "next time" for political gains, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal has said, taking a swipe at the PM's 'main bhi chowkidar' campaign.
The former Union minister also accused Modi of politicising the Balakot air strikes and asked whether the 'chowkidar' (watchman) was sleeping when terror attacks took place in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Uri, Baramulla, and Pulwama.
(PTI)
Cong 'Banking on Lies', Might Win Election in Pakistan: Ram Madhav
BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said the Congress might win an election in Pakistan if it contests from there as the opposition party is "banking on lies" and the neighbouring country.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Madhav also claimed that the statements of the Congress leaders are retweeted more by the people of Pakistan than their counterparts in India.
"Their comments are more retweeted and publicised by the people of the neighbouring country than our own. The Congress might win an election in Pakistan if it contests from there. This is the condition of our main opposition party," the BJP leader said.
(PTI)
BJP Announces Names of Nine More Lok Sabha Candidates
The BJP on Sunday released a list of its nine more Lok Sabha election candidates, taking the total number of names announced by it to 306.
Six candidates are for Chhattisgarh and one each for Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Telangana.
(PTI)
Defeat Modi or Else He Will Be Prime Minister for Ever: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today claimed that if the BJP forms the next government at the Centre, Narendra Modi will become prime minister of the country forever as there will be no election after the 2019 polls.
Virtually seeking to stoke fears of an impending end of democracy in the country, Kejriwal alleged that the Modi government is "following" German dictator "Adolf Hitler's tactics" to run the country.
While making the allegations, Kejriwal appealed to the people to ensure the defeat of the saffron party.
"Today, every patriot should have only one motive to stop the Modi government from coming back to power again at any cost... if they (BJP) come to power in 2019, he (Modi) will be the prime minister forever," he said.
(PTI)
Post Chavan Audio Clip, Congress Replaces Chandrapur LS Candidate
The Maharashtra Congress today replaced its Lok Sabha candidate from Chandrapur, Vinayak Bangade, with Shiv Sena MLA Suresh Dhanorkar who recently defected to the party.
Dhanorkar will be pitted against the BJP's Hansraj Ahir, sitting MP and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Bangade's candidature had come under a cloud and caused severe embarrassment to the Congress after a audio clip of Maharashtra state unit chief Ashok Chavan raising apprehensions about it went viral on social media platforms.
A miffed and despondent Chavan was heard telling a party worker in the audio clip that his suggestions were being ignored in the Congress and he was planning to resign as state unit chief.
The worker can be heard telling Chavan that Bangade was a weak candidate.
(PTI)
Congress to Give Final Shape to Manifesto for LS Polls at CWC Meet
The top Congress leadership will discuss and give a final shape to the party's manifesto on Monday, 25 March, for the Lok Sabha election starting 11 April.
According to sources, the contents of the manifesto will be discussed at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at its headquarters at Akbar Road.
The CWC is the highest decision-making body of the party and is chaired by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Top Congress leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, A K Antony, Ghulam Nabi Azad, P Chidambaram, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ambika Soni and Anand Sharma, will be present at the meeting.
(PTI)
At Saharanpur Rally, Adityanath Terms Oppn Candidate 'Azhar Masood's Son-In-Law'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said "opposition parties offered biryani to terrorists" while the Modi government fed them bullets, and termed a rival candidate from the Saharanpur constituency "son-in-law of Azar Masood".
Addressing a rally in Saharanpur, he said the "son-in-law of (Jaish-e-Mohammed chief) Azhar Masood" has entered the constituency and he speaks the language of the terror mastermind.
Imran Masood is the Congress candidate from the constituency.
"You people have to ensure that the person who speaks the language of Azhar Masood is defeated in the Lok Sabha elections," he said, seeking votes for the BJP candidate from Saharanpur, Raghav Lakhanpal.
(PTI)
Opposition Questioning Valour of Armed Forces: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today accused some opposition parties of questioning the valour of the armed forces in the wake of the IAF air strike inside Pakistan after Pulwama terror attack.
"The irony is that there are some political parties in the country which are more worried about the surgical strike than Pakistan," he said at an event organised in his parliamentary constituency of Lucknow.
"They are even asking how may persons were killed in the air strike," added Singh, who was on his first visit to the Uttar Pradesh capital after being re-nominated as the BJP candidate for the Lok Sabha polls.
(PTI)
PDP Leader Requests Revision of Party's Decision to Not Field Candidate for Udhampur
A day after PDP decided against fielding any candidate from the twin Lok Sabha seats of Udhampur and Jammu, its senior leader and MLC Firdous Tak on Sunday, 24 March, requested the party high command to review its decision.
"I will not talk about Jammu constituency but as far as Udhampur constituency is concerned, we have filed a review petition before the party high command especially the parliamentary board, requesting it to reconsider its decision for the good of the people of Chenab valley," Tak, who hails from Kishtwar district said.
(PTI)
Priyanka Doesn't Know Meaning of 'Chowkidar': Uma Bharti
Newly-appointed BJP vice-president Uma Bharti on Sunday hit out at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the latter's remarks that 'chowkidars' (watchmen) of the saffron party were working only for the rich people.
Bharti said Vadra did not know the meaning of 'chowkidar', saying that watchmen work in villages for the security of the poor.
(PTI)
Former Odisha DGP Prakash Mishra Joins BJP
Retired IPS officer Prakash Mishra whose removal as Odisha police chief in 2014 had triggered a major controversy joined the BJP on Sunday ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.
Mishra, who served as Odisha DGP from 2012 to 2014, joined the saffron party in the presence of senior leaders, including Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Biswa Bhushan Harichandan and Damodar Rout at the party’s state headquarters.
342 Complaints of Model Code Violations Received on CVigil App in Haryana
As many as 342 complaints related to violation of Model Code of Conduct have been received on cVIGIL mobile application in Haryana until Sunday, a senior election official said.
Haryana's Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Dr Inder Jeet said here on Sunday that out of the 342 complaints received after the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, 334 complaints have been redressed within the prescribed time.
(PTI)
RJD, Cong Announce Candidates for Five Ls Seats for 2nd Phase Polls in Bihar
The RJD and the Congress, partners in the opposition Grand Alliance, Sunday announced the names of candidates for five Lok Sabha seats going to the second phase of polls in Bihar on 18 April.
The Congress has named its candidate for Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea seats while the RJD has named two sitting MPs of the party as candidates for Banka and Bhagalpur Lok Sabha constituencies.
(PTI)
Inquiry Ordered Against Congress Candidate in Assam
An inquiry has been ordered against Congress candidate for Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency, Swarup Das, for alleged forgery of his caste certificate.
The Karimganj seat is reserved for Scheduled Caste and will go to polls in the second phase on 18 April.
(PTI)
BJP Leader Quits over Dadra and Nagar Haveli MP's Renomination
A woman BJP leader today resigned from the ruling party after it renominated sitting MP Natubhai Patel from the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha seat.
Ankita Patel, national secretary of the Mahila Samiti of the BJP Kisan Morcha, submitted her resignation to party chief Amit Shah claiming that MP Natubhai Patel had done nothing for the constituency despite being parliamentarian for two terms since 2009.
(PTI)
BJP Drops Former CM's Son and Rajnandgaon MP
The BJP today announced candidates for six Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, including high profile Rajnandgaon and Raipur.
The other four seats are Bilaspur, Mahasamund, Korba and Durg.
On 21 March, it had announced names for five other seats. The state has 11 Lok Sabha constituencies.
(PTI)
Diwali in Pakistan If Cong Wins LS Poll: Gujarat CM
A Congress victory "by mistake" in the Lok Sabha election will see Pakistan celebrate Diwali, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed on Sunday.
"While this is not going to happen, but when the results (of the general election) are announced on 23 May and (if) the Congress wins by mistake, then Diwali will be celebrated in Pakistan because they (Congress) are all associated with it," Rupani said in Mehsana at the launch of the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'vijay sankalp' rally.
(PTI)
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Gorkha National Liberation Front Joins Hands With BJP
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Gorkha National Liberation Front to support BJP in Darjeeling in upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
(ANI)
Do Not Vote for 'Liars' like BJP, Congress in LS Polls: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today urged people not to vote for "liars" like the BJP and the Congress, saying they made "false promises" on granting full statehood for the national capital.
Underlining that how West Bengal votes for TMC chief Mamta Banerjee and Tamil Nadu votes AIADMK, Kejriwal said similarly the people of Delhi should also vote for the Aam Aadmi Party.
"First step to support the full statehood in Delhi is by voting for us in the upcoming elections. We will fight for full statehood and get it within two years," he said at a public rally in Malviya Nagar.
"I have planned it all on how to give employment, good education and houses to the people of Delhi. I am an educated man having a real degree not a fake one," the chief minister said amid cheers from the public.
(PTI)
AAP Names former Judge Among 3 Candidates for LS Polls in Punjab
The Aam Aadmi Party AAP) today announced the names of three more party candidates from Punjab, including retired judge Zora Singh, for the Lok Sabha elections.
The decision was taken during the meeting of state core committee held under the chairmanship of AAP Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann and committee head Principal Budhram at Sangrur, a party statement said.
(PTI)
PM Modi to Campaign in Odisha on 29 March and 1 April
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha twice - 29 March and 1 April 1 to campaign for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.
During his back-to-back visits to bolster the BJP's poll prospects in Odisha, Modi is scheduled to attend election rallies in Jeypore on 29 March and Kalahandi on 1 April, the party's Odisha unit spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said on Sunday.
(PTI)
Kamal Haasan Steps Out of Lok Sabha Election Race
Makkal Needhi Maiam Leader and Actor Kamal Hassan has stepped out of the upcoming Lok Sabha election race. Confirming the development, Haasan said, “I will neither contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls nor assembly bypolls to 18 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. I have lot of work to do. I will work towards the success of my candidates.”
(ANI)
NCP Leader Panchbudhe to Contest from Bhandara–Gondiya LS Constituency
Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Nana Panchbudhe will contest on Bhandara–Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
NCP's Madhukar Yashwantrao Kukde is the sitting MP from the constituency.
(ANI)
Resolution Passed to Field Priyadarshini Scindia from Gwalior LS Seat
During an interaction with the media, Madhya Pradesh Minister Lakhan Singh said that the state committee has passed resolution to filed Priyadarshini Raje Scindia (Jyotiraditya Scindia's wife) from Gwalior Lok Sabha seat.
“Our Congress leaders from Gwalior's urban and rural committees together have passed the proposal to field Priyadarshini Raje Scindia (Jyotiraditya Scindia's wife) from Gwalior Lok Sabha seat,” Singh said.
(ANI)
Ex-Union Minister Pratik Patil Breaks Ties with Cong
In another embarrassment for the Congress in Maharashtra in run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, former Union minister Pratik Patil announced that he was "breaking ties" with the party.
Patil, the grandson of Congress strongman and late chief minister Vasantdada Patil, has not announced his future plans.
His decision came days after the Sangli seat, which has been a traditional bastion of the Congress up to 2014, was allocated to the Swabhimani Shetkari Paksha of Raju Shetti as part of the seat-sharing deal between the Congress, the NCP and other constituents of the "United Progressive Mega Alliance".
(PTI)
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