Election 2019: Congress Releases List of 31 Candidates
Catch all the latest updates on the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections here.
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Catch all the latest updates on the Lok Sabha 2019 elections here.
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Gadkari Claims Congress Workers in Nagpur Support Him
Union minister and BJP candidate from the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat Nitin Gadkari Wednesday claimed that he is getting phone calls from Congress workers pledging support to him, reported news agency PTI.
The BJP stalwart kick-started his campaigning and said he will seek votes on the basis of development work done by him in the constituency, which will vote on April 11.
Gadkari said he is getting best wishes from non-BJP parties, including the opposition Congress.
"I have worked for all irrespective of their caste, religion, language and party affiliation. A huge number of Congress workers and office-bearers phone me and tell me not to worry," claimed Gadkari.
Cong, INPT Look for Alliance With IPFT in Tripura
Tripura Congress President P Kishore and INPT President BK Hrangkhawl met IPFT President NC Debbarma late on Wednesday, 28 March, reported news agency ANI.
“We've come to appeal to him that in interest of people of state who want to defeat BJP, let us not divide our votes. Let us work towards united opposition against BJP,” Kishore said.
Suspected Naxals Attack BJP Leader's House in Bihar, Call for Boycott of Polls
The residence of former MLC and BJP leader Anuj Kumar Singh was blasted with dynamite by suspected Naxals in Gaya's Dumariya in Bihar on Wednesday night. No casualties have been reported, but the Naxals left a poster demanding boycott of elections. Investigation by the police is underway.
(Source: ANI)
PM Modi's Campaign Blitz: To Address Rallies in UP, Uttarakhand and Jammu Today
PM Modi has kickstarted his campaign blitz for the Lok Sabha polls, as he is scheduled to address rallies in UP's Meerut, Uttarakhand's Rudrapur and Jammu on Thursday.
"Over the next few days, I would be travelling across the country seeking your support for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls," Modi tweeted in a message addressed to the people of the country.
Shatrughan Sinha Expected to Join Congress Today
Veteran actor and rebel BJP MP Shaturghan Sinha is expected to join the Congress on Thursday, days after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was fielded from the Patna Sahib constituency, where the former is a two-time MP.
Chowkidar Does No Injustice: PM Modi in Meerut
Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh during a rally in UP's Meerut, PM Modi on Thursday said the 'chowkidar' does no injustice.
"India has made up its mind who to vote for... On one side there is a strong 'chowkidar', on the other, a line of tainted people," he said in Meerut.
Will Contest from Mumbai North-East Even if Kirit Somaiya is Given Ticket by BJP: Shiv Sena MLA
Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut, brother of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, has said that he'll contest the Lok Sabha election from Mumbai North-East constituency even if Kirit Somaiya is given a ticket by BJP from there.
"I'll go independent if needed but will contest against Somaiya. I'm 100 percent sure," he said.
(Source: ANI)
Election Flying Squad Seizes Rs 5 Lakh and Two Air Rifles in Coimbatore
The election flying squad on Thursday seized Rs 5 lakh in cash and two air rifles without valid documents from a vehicle during checking at Thondamuthur road in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore. The investigation is underway.
(Source: ANI)
EC Panel Likely to Give Report on PM’s Mission Shakti Speech Today
A committee of the Election Commission examining the matter related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Wednesday "in light of the Model Code of Conduct" is expected to submit a report on Thursday, 28 March, sources cited by NDTV said.
The EC may also take a decision on the report on Thursday itself.
Vivek Oberoi and Producer of 'PM Narendra Modi' at EC Office
Actor Vivek Oberoi and producer of the film PM Narendra Modi Sandeep Singh are at the Election Commission office.
Oberoi's lawyer, Hitesh Jain, meanwhile told ANI : “We have filed our detailed response to the showcause notice received from the Election Commission. We have submitted that biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' is not in violation of model code of conduct.”
Will Join Cong Soon: Shatrughan Sinha
Shatrughan Sinha, while speaking to reporters amid speculation of his switch to Congress, said that “the joining will happen soon”.
“We will give you a positive news during Navaratri. I will join Congress now,” he said, as per ANI.
On being asked 'if he will contest from Patna Sahib?', Sinha said: “Situation kuch bhi ho location wahi hoga (Whatever the situation, the location will remain the same).”
He also met with Congress President Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday.
SC Grants EC Time Till Friday to Reply to VVPAT Verification Query
The Supreme Court on Thursday, 28 March, allowed the Election Commission’s request seeking time till Friday to file the affidavit on court’s query why physical verification of VVPAT Paper trail should not be extended to more than one polling station per assembly segment, ANI reported..
EC Issues Notification for Phase 3 of LS Polls
The Election Commission on Thursday, 28 March, issued notification for phase three of the Lok Sabha elections to be held on 23 April in 115 seats spread across 14 states.
All seats in Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry will go for polling in this phase.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal will head for voting in all the seven phases of the general elections.
RJD's Girinath Singh joins BJP
RJD leader Girinath Singh joined the BJP on Thursday, 28 March, in the presence of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ANI reported.
EC Probes Use of Parrikar's Ashes for Poll Campaign
The Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Thursday, 28 March, asked collectors to probe and send a detailed report into a series of ceremonies held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to immerse the ashes of late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in rivers across the state's 40 constituencies.
The direction from the CEO, Kunal, follows a complaint by lawyer Aires Rodrigues alleging that the BJP was taking political advantage of the former Chief Minister's ashes, which is a violation of the model code of conduct, IANS reported.
Samajwadi Party Releases Another List of Candidates
The Samajwadi Party on Thursday, 28 March, released another list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
As per the list, Nasir Qureshi will contest from Moradabad, Bhagwat Sharan Gangwar from Bareily, Pooja Pal from Unnao, Shyam Sunder Yadav from Jhansi and Nathuni Prasad Kushwaha from Kushinagar.
Modi's Address Gross Misuse of Power: Mayawati
BSP president Mayawati on Thursday, 28 March, lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "gross misuse of power and machinery" in addressing the nation without prior permission of the Election Commission and hoped that the poll body will act in an exemplary manner.
She was referring to Modi's address to the nation on Wednesday announcing India's successful test of an anti-satellite missile that put the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.
(Source: PTI)
NCP to Contest All 26 Seats in Gujarat
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) announced on Thursday, 28 March, that it will contest on all 26 seats in Gujarat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, ANI reported.
Seeing No Prospects of Ticket, Ex-BJP MLA Quits Congress
Former Gujarat BJP MLA Shamji Chauhan quit the Congress on Thursday, 28 March, claiming that the party cheated him by not offering Lok Sabha ticket from Surendranagar as promised.
The Congress has not announced its candidate for Surendranagar yet. However, local Congress MLAs Soma Patel and Rutvik Makwana are considered to be front-runners for the nomination.
Sensing that he stands no chance, Chauhan bid adieu to the party on Thursday, PTI reported.
Misleading Tweet on Indelible Ink Brought Down Following EC's Intervention
Twitter has brought down a tweet questioning ingredients of the indelible ink used to mark voters and having the potential of creating confusion in the minds of people following a complaint from the Election Commission, PTI reported.
The EC has now asked the Delhi Police to lodge an FIR into the matter under a section of the Indian Penal Code which deals with cases where efforts are made to create fear in the minds of the people.
One in Four Indian Voters Doubts EVM's Authenticity: Survey
About 25 percent of young Indian voters are doubtful of the authenticity of the electronic voting machine (EVM), according to a new survey by news app Inshorts.
An overwhelming 85 percent of the participants in the survey said voting should be made compulsory.
(Source: IANS)
Tej Pratap Yadav Quits RJD Student Wing
Upset over being sidelined in the party and the family, Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, on Thursday, 28 March, resigned as patron of the RJD student wing ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, dealing a blow to Bihar's main opposition party.
"I am resigning as patron of RJD student wing. Those who think I am naive are mistaken," Yadav tweeted.
Laxman Seth Joins Cong, to Contest LS Poll From Tamluk
Former CPI(M) MP Laxman Seth on Thursday, 28 March, joined the Congress along with his supporters, WBPCC President Somen Mitra said.
He told PTI that Seth has been nominated by the Congress to contest the Lok Sabha election from his home turf of Tamluk constituency.
EC Replaces Central Police Observer for West Bengal
The Election Commission on Thursday, 28 March, said that retired BSF director general KK Sharma has been replaced by 1981 batch IPS officer Vivek Dubey as central police observer for West Bengal, PTI reported.
Giriraj to Meet Nitish Kumar
BJP leader Giriraj Singh, who apparently went into a sulk upon being asked to contest from a Lok Sabha seat other than the one he held and fell in line after a meeting with party chief Amit Shah, will call on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday evening, as per PTI.
The meeting will be followed by his visit to Begusarai on Friday, where he will take on former JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar.
Six Candidates in Fray for Lone Lok Sabha Seat in Mizoram
Six candidates are in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram, Election department officials said on Thursday, 28 March.
Election to the Mizoram Lok Sabha seat will be held on 11 April simultaneously with the bypoll to the Aizawl West-I Assembly constituency, PTI reported.
'Nyay' Scheme Poses 'Fiscal Challenge' to India's Economy: Panagariya
Former NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya has said the implementation of the Congress Party's ambitious 'Nyay' scheme not only poses a "fiscal challenge" to India's economy but also has a "serious incentive problem".
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that its minimum income guarantee scheme, Nyuntam Aay Yojana (Nyay) assures up to Rs 72,000 a year or Rs 6,000 a month income to 20 percent of India's poorest families if the party is voted back to power in the Lok Sabha elections next month.
(Source: PTI)
Divya Spandana Writes to EC Against Social Media Pages Offering 'Gifts for Votes'
Congress leader Divya Spandana on Thursday, 28 March, wrote to the Election Commission of India against social media pages for allegedly "offering free gifts to voters enticing them to support Modi", ANI reported.
DD, AIR Respond to EC Query on Source of Feed of PM's Address
Public broadcasters Doordarshan and Ali India Radio have responded to the Election Commission which had asked them about the source of feed of the prime minister's address to the nation on Wednesday, a senior poll panel functionary said, as per PTI.
He also said that the prime minister's office had neither informed nor sought the EC's permission on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in which he informed people about the successful test of an anti-satellite missile.
EC Asks Mizoram Govt Not to Notify Liquor Prohibition Act Now
The Election Commission on Thursday, 28 March, instructed the Mizoram government not to notify the Act imposing total prohibition of liquor in the state till the Lok Sabha election process is over.
The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019, would bring back total prohibition of liquor in the northeastern state after four years, and the government had planned to impose it from 1 April.
(Source: PTI)
Niti Aayog Vice-chairman Seeks More Time to Respond to EC Notice
Niti Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar has sought time till 5 April from the Election Commission to respond to a show-cause notice issued to him for his remarks against the Congress over its minimum income guarantee promise.
Kumar was to respond by Thursday evening.
(Source: PTI)
EC Clears Revised MNREGA Wage Rates
The Election Commission on Thursday, 28 March, said it has approved a request of the Rural Development Ministry to revise the wages under the MGNREGA scheme from 1 April.
The wages paid under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are linked with the Consumer Price Index for agricultural labourers (CPI-AL) and new wage rates are notified on 1 April, the beginning of the new financial year.
(Source: PTI)
Denied Ticket, BJP MP Prabhatsinh Chauhan Says He Will Contest
Prabhatsinh Chauhan, BJP MP from Panchmahal in Gujarat, who has been denied ticket by the party this time, announced on Thursday that he would contest the Lok Sabha election nonetheless.
Asked if he will join another party or fight as an independent, 77-year-old Chauhan, a two-time MP since 2009, refused to reveal his plans.
"I will fight this election from Panchmahal. I will fight and win. I will file my nomination papers on 1 April. I can not reveal more at present," Chauhan told PTI.
Congress Releases List of 31 Candidates for 2019 Lok Sabha Polls
Congress on Thursday released the list of 31 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Out of the 31, 19 are for Rajasthan while 6 each are Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. For Rajasthan, Vaibhav Gehlot, son of ths state chief minister Ashok Gehlot, will contest from the Jodhpur parliamentary constituency.
Jignesh Mevani Campaigns for Kanhaiya Kumar
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, who had spearheaded a Dalit movement in his state a couple of years ago, Thursday campaigned for former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar – the CPI candidate from Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, reported news agency PTI.
The social media was abuzz with pictures of the two young politicians traversing the dusty tracks of Begusarai, sometimes on foot and sometimes pillion riding on bicycles, as they addressed several small political meetings seeking support for the upcoming Left leader.
Mevani also tweeted a picture of himself enjoying the traditional Bihari lunch of rice, lentil soup and mashed potatoes with the caption-- "Dal bhaat chokha khaenge, Kanhaiya Kumar ko jitayenge, theek hai", parodying a hit number of Bhojpuri singer Khesari Lal Yadav.
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Published: 28 Mar 2019,06:48 AM IST