Lok Sabha election 2024 updates | As it happened on April 20, 2024

Two persons including Karnataka Youth Congress President Mohammed Haris Nalapad were taken into preventive custody on Saturday as they tried to protest near Mekhri circle here, some 300 metres from the route where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy was about to move, police said. It is not a case of any kind of security breach, they said.

They tried to stage a protest holding an empty ‘Chombu’ (a small, round water container) on a by-lane which was near the route where Modi’s convoy was scheduled to move after the campaign rally on the Palace grounds here.

“We have taken two people into preventive custody. So, before the PM’s convoy was about to approach, they tried to stage a protest on a by-lane. We immediately stopped them,” a senior police officer said.

- PTI

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the BJP-ruled Centre, accusing it of being a “racist, fascist, and oppressive” government that was “haughtily” speaking of changing the Indian Constitution that was “written with the blood of freedom fighters”.

The Congress leader also charged the BJP-led administration with working for the benefit of the Prime Minister’s “monopolist friends”, “protecting” rapists and oppressors of women, “extorting” businesses through the electoral bonds,” silencing” dissenting voices by using government agencies, and “bullying” the judiciary.

- PTI

A total of 491 candidates have filed nomination forms for the 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in Gujarat where elections will be held in the third phase on May 7, officials said on April 20.

As many as 227 candidates filed their papers on April 19, the last day of submission.

Also, 39 candidates filed nominations for by-elections to five assembly seats, to be held on the same day, with 13 of them filing their papers on April 19, the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer said in a release.

- PTI

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole claimed the “growing popularity” of Congress has forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mention the Grand Old Party in “every sentence” of his poll speech.

Addressing a rally in Parbhani earlier in the day, Mr. Modi dubbed the Congress a vine without roots or branches which sucks dry those who support it.

“Modi is not worried about farmers in the Marathwada region. Agricultural products, including soybeans and cotton, are sold at throwaway prices under the BJP rule. Modi is now worried due to the growing popularity of Congress and takes the party’s name in every sentence of his speech,” Mr. Patole alleged in a statement.

- PTI

Nearly 30 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu recorded a dip of at least two percentage points in voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, compared to the previous general elections in the State.

According to data provided by the Election Commission (EC) late on Friday, April 19, 2024, 69.46% of the electorate came out to exercise their franchise, to elect 39 representatives from Tamil Nadu for the 18th Lok Sabha. Despite several awareness programmes organised by the EC and non-governmental organisations, the polling percentage this time is relatively low: voter turnout was 72.47% in 2019; 73.74% in 2014 and 73.02% in the 2009 elections.

The Shiv Sena announced the candidature of State Minister Sandeepan Bhumre from the Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra.

Mr. Bhumre, who helms the Employment Guarantee Scheme and Horticulture ministries, will take on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrakant Khaire and AIMIM’s Imitiaz Jaleel from the Aurangabad seat (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).

With Mr. Bhumre’s nomination, the Shiv Sena has so far declared candidates for 11 seats, including Mumbai South Central and Kalyan.

- PTI

The Congress party in Wayanad faced a setback as its District Congress Committee general secretary resigned from the party and joined the BJP.

Addressing the media after joining the saffron party, P.M. Sudhakaran said present MP and Congress candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, Rahul Gandhi, was inaccessible to even the district leaders of the party.

“If he is inaccessible to me, imagine the situation of a common man. He was given five years. If we give another term, it will destroy the development prospects of Wayanad,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.

- PTI

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took a swipe at his rival RJD president Lalu Prasad for promoting his sons and daughters in politics.

The JD(U) chief was addressing an election rally in Katihar in favour of NDA’s Lok Sabha nominee Dulal Chandra Goswami.

While Mr. Kumar didn’t mention anyone by name, his remarks seemed to target Mr. Prasad’s political dynasty, which includes his wife Rabri Devi, who became the chief minister of Bihar when Prasad had to step down due to his conviction in the fodder scam.

Mr. Kumar’s remarks also appeared to allude to Mr. Prasad’s son and heir apparent, Tejashwi Yadav, who served as deputy CM during the Mahagathbandhan government.

- PTI

The BJP is not leaving any ground and the “best of the people” are discussing the matter on supporting candidates in the three Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir valley, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said.

Speaking at Viksit Bharat ambssadors’ meet here, Mr. Puri said the 2024 general elections would produce a victory in favour of development so that the country moves forward to another significant chapter in the realisation of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

- PTI

The BSP announced its candidates for Faridkot and Gurdaspur constituencies in Punjab.

Gurbax Singh Chohan will contest from Faridkot while Raj Kumar Janotra is the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate from Gurdaspur, said Vipul Kumar, the party’s central coordinator.

The names of candidates for the remaining constituencies in Punjab will be announced shortly, he said.

- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Election Commission of India chalked out seven-phase polls to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues to carry out extensive campaigning using the nation’s resources.

Addressing a public meeting at Gajol in Malda district in support of Maldaha Uttar TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee, a former IPS officer, Mamata Banerjee, the party supremo, said polls have been scheduled from April 19 to June 1 so that Modi and his cabinet colleagues can travel on special planes across the country before every phase to “overwhelm the Opposition”.

- PTI

Also Read | 2024 Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases from April 19, results on June 4

The Congress in Kerala requested the Election Commission to make the necessary provisions to ensure that government officials, including police who have been deployed in other states as part of election duty, be allowed to caste their vote.

In a letter sent to the EC, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, sought it’s urgent intervention on the “denial of voting rights” of the officials concerned.

- PTI

Accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies on the issue of reservation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said even if the opposition party wants to do away with quota given to SC, ST and OBCs, the BJP will not allow it to happen.

Addressing rallies in Rajasthan, Mr. Shah also claimed that the Congress wanted to remove the ban on the Islamic extremist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI).

He hit back at the opposition’s claim that the BJP’s slogan of winning 400 seats was aimed at changing the Constitution.

- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that Congress-SP combine was wiped out in the first phase of polling held on eight seats of Uttar Pradesh.

Polling in Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina (reserved), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit seats was held on April 19.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP candidate Hema Malini in Vrindavan, Mr. Shah said, “Let me tell you the result of the first phase, don’t tell it to anyone, I will tell you - Congress, SP have been wiped out in the first phase.” 

Earlier in the day in an election meeting in Meerut, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the atmosphere had changed in the state and that people had rejected the BJP after the first day of polling.

- PTI

Congress is anti-private sector, anti-tax payer and anti-wealth creator, PM Modi said at a poll rally in Bengaluru.

- PTI

BJP candidate for Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency Raju Bista voiced concerns about the prevailing work culture in West Bengal under the TMC government.

He criticised the reliance on temporary employment, which he believes has introduced uncertainty and instability across various sectors.

Speaking at a rally at Sukhia Pokhari in Darjeeling hills, Mr. Bista said, “From government employees, to teachers, and civic volunteers, even the governing structure GTA itself, has been deliberately kept temporary by Kolkata.” 

Mr. Bista, the sitting MP from the region, said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to dismantling this culture of impermanence and ushering in stability through the Permanent Political Solution (PPS) under the Constitution.”

- PTI

Congress government in Karnataka has turned tech city into tanker city, leaving it to tanker mafia, PM Modi said at a poll rally in Bengaluru.

Also Read | Bengaluru, the parched IT capital of India

India earlier considered among fragile five, today every country wants to strengthen friendship with it, invest here, PM Modi said at an election rally in Bengaluru.

- PTI

Congress-Samajwadi Party involved in scams worth ₹12 lakh crore, BJP leader Amit Shah said at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura.

PM Modi’s tenure as chief minister [of Gujarat] was immaculate, he added.

INDI bloc’s focus is on Modi, but my focus is on India’s development, its global image, PM Modi said at a rally in Bengaluru. 

In this poll, INDIA bloc going around with old tape recorder, NDA seeking blessings with track record, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said big and powerful people in India and abroad have joined hands to remove him from power.

Addressing a mega public meeting here, he said, “Mothers and sisters have come in a large number here. Your struggle and the challenges you face to nurture your family, Modi has seen this in his house. These days big and powerful people in the country and abroad have united to remove Modi.” 

“But, because of Nari Shakti and Maatru Shakti’s blessings and Suraksha kavach (safety armour), Modi is able to move on fighting challenges.” 

“Serving mothers, sisters and daughters and protecting them is Modi’s priority,” he said, listing out measures taken by his government for women’s welfare in ten years, like supporting their self help groups and creating ‘Lakhpati Didis’.

Former Minister K Sudhakar is the BJP candidate from Chikkaballapur, while its alliance partner JD(S) has fielded M Mallesh Babu from the neighbouring Kolar.

- PTI

Meghalaya recorded a voter turnout of 76.6% in the two Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls on April 19, Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said.

The northeastern state has a total electorate of over 22 lakh.

Voting in the Tura parliamentary constituency stood at 81.37%, whereas in the Shillong seat, 73.78% polling was recorded, he said.

The turnout in the 2019 polls was 71.23%, Mr. Tiwari said.

- PTI

The BJP accused the Congress government in Karnataka of misleading people over the murder of a girl on a college campus, alleging that it has prioritised the protection of its “vote bank” over the protection of women.

BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde sought to draw a parallel between Karnataka’s handling of Neha Hiremath’s killing to the way West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly shielded the Sandeshkhali case accused Shajahan Sheikh.

“In a similar way, the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka is attempting to protect Fayaz who brutally murdered a Congress councillor’s daughter Neha,” he told reporters.

- PTI

The PDP’s Srinagar candidate appealed to Kashmir’s youngsters to consider the general elections as a “referendum” to send to New Delhi a message about their “dissatisfaction” with the Centre’s decisions post August 2019.

Waheed Parra, who is also the youth wing chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said there is a need to send a message “that you (New Delhi) should not accept the silence of Kashmir as its acceptance”.

He told reporters during an election campaign at HMT in the city’s outskirts, “I think the main aim and issue of this election, especially for us, is not about who is against us. The people in Srinagar, especially the youngsters of Kashmir, should not consider these elections as less than a referendum.” “Do not think they (people of Kashmir) are happy with you (on decisions post August 2019). They are not. There are many reasons behind it. The future of the people, especially youngsters, is uncertain,” he said.

- PTI

West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of nearly 82% in the first phase of polling for three Lok Sabha seats in the State, an official said on Saturday.

Amid sporadic incidents of violence, voting was held in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduars parliamentary constituencies on Friday.

“The voter turnout was 81.91 per cent. We are not sure whether West Bengal’s poll percentage is the highest in the country in the first phase of elections as the final figures are yet to be announced in many states. It might be one of the highest poll percentages recorded in the country,” an ECI official told PTI.

While the residents of several remote villages in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar Lok Sabha constituency defied the poll boycott call given by Maoists and exercised their franchise on April 19, people from Puvarti village, the native place of a hardcore Naxalite leader, chose to stay away from the electoral process.

Puvarti, a Maoist-stronghold in Sukma district bordering Bijapur district, is the home village of dreaded Naxalite leader Hidma, who is believed to be the mastermind of several deadly attacks on security forces in Bastar region.

- PTI

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on April 20 said it was “unfortunate” that his party was contesting elections in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency against a friend who turned “greedy” for a Lok Sabha seat.

Mr. Abdullah was apparently referring to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti contesting the polls from the seat in south Kashmir. The NC has fielded its senior Gujjar leader Mian Altaf from the seat.

“The fight on the south Kashmir seat is not with the BJP. NC’s contest there is unfortunately with one of our friends who was with us till some days ago. Unfortunately, they left us for the greed of a seat. Our contest at least in south Kashmir is not with the BJP or its ‘B’ or ‘C’ teams,” Mr. Abdullah said. - PTI

A Congress ex-MLA from Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district and several other local leaders of the party joined the BJP on April 20, prompting a functionary from the grand old party to call them “betrayers”.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed Harivallabh Shukla, who represented the Shivpuri Assembly constituency, and other Congress workers to BJP at an event here, a day after six Lok Sabha seats in the State went to polls in the first phase of parliamentary elections.

More than 100 Congress leaders joined the BJP at the function, claimed a party release.

- PTI

The INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc was established to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but in Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s (UDF) “primary concern” is to target the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and personally attack Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while sparing the saffron party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] general secretary Sitaram Yechury has said.

Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha in Kerala on April 20, Mr. Yechury termed the stance of the Congress “very disturbing”.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on April 20 attacked the Congress leadership including Wayanad MP, Rahul Gandhi, and alleged that for the past five years, the 18 UDF MPs from the State stood against the interest of Kerala in the Parliament and refused to speak up for the rights of the people of the southern State.

Addressing an election rally at Vatakara, where the Left party has fielded former health minister and MLA, K.K. Shailaja, the chief minister hit out at the Congress leadership over various matters including its stand on the CAA and the electoral bonds scam. - PTI

Senior Congress leader and the party’s Baharampur Lok Sabha candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on April 20 alleged that he faced protests from TMC workers during campaigning in his constituency. Mr. Chowdhury alleged that TMC workers surrounded his car and raised ‘go back’ slogans during campaigning in Nowda area in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.

“The TMC is feeling insecure in this constituency from where I have won five times. Hence, it incited ruffians to disrupt my campaign but they will not succeed. Locals have raised their voice against this,” he said.

Dismissing the allegations, the Trinamool Congress said he is facing protests from common people as he “shows his face only before elections”. - PTI

The Kerala police on April 20 registered a case against an online channel for propagating fake news against electronic voting machines and poll officials.

As per the case registered at the City Cyber crime station in Thiruvananthapuram, the online channel had published a news stating that electronic voting machines kept in the capital district have glitches and there was a dispute between election officials and politicians in this regard.

- PTI

Speaking on the initial phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi while addressing a public meeting in Nanded claimed, “We have the popular support of the First-time voters with us. I.N.D.I alliance have come together to save and protect their corruption and the people have thoroughly rejected them in the 1st phase of polling. The country is voting for BJP-NDA for a ‘Viksit Bharat’. The I.N.D.I. alliance is not able to tell the citizens of India who will be their combine’s leader.”

Launching a political attack on Rahul Gandhi, the PM called him, ‘Congress’s ‘Shehzada‘ (Prince), “Congress’ Shehzada’ now has no choice but to contest from Wayanad, but like he ran away from the Amethi seat in 2019, he may would run away the same way from Wayanad. Congress may make big claims but in reality, Congress leaders have already accepted the defeat before the announcement of election dates.”

The Election Commission has revised the voter turnout in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha polls held on April 19 to 69.46%, from the earlier 72%.

Asked about the difference in the figures, officials on April 20 said the earlier “figures were based on sample data from some polling stations,” and that the accurate numbers were arrived upon past midnight.

Addressing an election rally at Bhagalpur, his first in Bihar, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi scoffed at claims of the BJP that it will win more than 370 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, asserting that “their tally will not go past 150”. 

“The INDIA bloc is fighting to save democracy and the Constitution which the BJP-RSS combine is trying to scrap,” Mr. Gandhi said.

The former Congress president also alleged, “Whatever the country’s poor, Dalits and tribals have got, it is because of the Constitution. If the Constitution is scrapped, all things will come to an end.” Mr. Gandhi charged the Narendra Modi government with being pro-super rich, claiming that “under its rule, merely 22 people hold wealth that is equivalent to what 70% of the population has. We want to change that”.

Asserting that the Mahagathbandhan will win all the four Lok Sabha seats in Bihar that went to polls in the first phase on April 19, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav mocked the BJP, saying the saffron party’s “400-plus movie turned out to be a flop on the first day of voting”.

“The turnout in the four Lok Sabha seats was low as compared to the 2019 polls but on the basis of feedback received from these constituencies, we are confident of winning these. People are fed up with false promises made by BJP leaders,” he said.

While in Vijayawada’s Kristurajupuram, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers raise a bicycle up in the air, elsewhere in Western Uttar Pradesh’s Nagina, supporters of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) carry large kettles on their heads. Election symbols and their creative use have always been a key feature to look out for as India’s election season heats up. 

Since the very first elections in 1951, when at least 53 parties contested for about 4,500 seats (including Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats), the Election Commission has allotted symbols to parties under which a candidate can contest the election. This process became more streamlined with The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 that stipulates the allotment of symbols to parties at a national and State level, as well as to independent candidates. It also has rules that can be applied in case of a merger of two or more parties, or a split in a party.

Nearly 76% of total 86.48 lakh electors cast their votes in the first phase of elections in five Lok Sabha constituencies of Assam, as per official data on April 20.

The final polling percentage could be revised as complete compilation of figures are yet to be completed, an official said. 

The highest turnout was reported from Jorhat constituency with 79.48%, followed by Dibrugarh at 76.74%, Kaziranga at 75.79%, Sonitpur at 74.81% and Lakhimpur at 72.64%.

Addressing a rally in Parbhani in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, Narendra Modi said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are all about making India a developed and self-reliant country. 

Attacking the main Opposition party, he said, “Congress is a vine that doesn’t have roots or branches. It sucks dry those who lend support to it.” BJP’s poll manifesto is Modi’s guarantee card, said the PM.

“Your dreams are my dreams,” he told the crowd at the rally in Parbhani, where the ruling Mahayuti’s candidate Mahadev Jankar, who is also president of Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, is pitted against sitting MP Sanjay Jadhav of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

- PTI

Addressing a poll rally in Kerala’s Thrissur, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on April 20 lashed out at the Narendra Modi government over the farmers protest, Chinese encroachment and Article 370 abrogation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ms. Gandhi accused the Centre of being silent on the protests in Ladakh over the alleged Chinese encroachment there and that voices of the farmers were heard only when the elections were approaching.

“In this new nation, voices of dissent are silenced. The government harasses, accuses and imprisons those who dare to speak against it,” she alleged.

“This new India that is being told to us is one where force asserts itself over righteousness and laws are enacted by by-passing the democratic process and enforced upon the people against their will,” she said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on April 20 said this Lok Sabha election is not about family relations but a battle between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra, the NCP’s candidate from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in Pune district, officially launched her campaign by offering prayers at the Hanuman temple at Kanheri on Saturday. - PTI

Andhra Pradesh Congress President Y.S. Sharmila on April 20 filed her nomination for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat. Ms. Sharmila was accompanied by Sunitha Narreddy, her cousin and daughter of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, who was murdered in the run-up to the 2019 polls.

“Filed the nomination as Kadapa MP candidate. Kadapa people did not forget Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and Vivekananda. We believe that they will vote this time by keeping them in their mind,” said Ms. Sharmila, addressing a press conference. - PTI

“The first phase of elections was yesterday (Friday). All 12 seats of Rajasthan that voted in the first phase are going to Narendra Modi. Rajasthan is going to make a hat-trick of giving all 25 seats to Narendra Modi for a third time,” said Amit Shah while addressing a poll rally in Bhilwara.

He also hit out at Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, claiming that they go on vacations abroad every three months. “Priyanka Gandhiji returned from Thailand after a vacation in the middle of the elections,” he added.

Addressing a poll rally in Bhilwara on April 20, Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the BJP will win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan. 

He further added, “Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav going to lose by huge margin.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi on April 20, saying that in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, “Congress’ sahabzade” will lose from Wayanad constituency in Kerala and he will have to look for a safer seat after that.

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Traffic movement has been restricted in the following roads due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Palace Grounds in the evening on April 20.

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Turnout in the 18 Assembly segments of the three parliamentary constituencies in Chennai reduced by 4 percentage points in the Lok Sabha elections this year, when compared to the previous elections, said Chennai District Election Officer J. Radhakrishnan.

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BJP will win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav going to lose by huge margin, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Bhilwara.

“Laws are passed in new India bypassing democratic process and enforced upon people. In new India projected by some, force asserts over righteousness,” Priyanka Gandhi said at a rally in Kerala.

“Centre is silent on protests in Ladakh over alleged Chinese encroachment. Laws are passed in new India bypassing democratic process and enforced upon people. Prime Minister’s men treat Constitution as an instrument of their greed and ambition,” she said.

PTI

The Congress has demanded repoll in 47 polling stations in Manipur alleging that booths were captured and elections to two Lok Sabha constituencies in the northeastern State were rigged.

Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling booths and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur that recorded a turnout of over 68 per cent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies - Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur - on Friday.

Manipur Congress president K. Meghachandra said the party has lodged a complaint with Manipur Chief Electoral Officer demanding repoll in 36 polling stations in Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in Outer Manipur constituency.

PTI

Elections for the West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency and by-elections for the Ramnagar assembly constituency were held in the first phase of the national elections on Friday. While the elections were largely peaceful, there were a few disturbances and allegations of malpractice.

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Turnout at the Anadman and Nicobar Islands for the Lok Sabha polls held on April 19, 2024, was the lowest recorded in the last 15 years, at 63.99%. The figure was only marginally better than what was recorded 20 years ago in 2004, which was 63.66% .

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Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of living in perpetual fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he was “looking for ways to appease the BJP.”

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INDIA alliance candidates is pitted against each other in 25% seats in Lok Sabha polls. It is unable to tell people of India who will be the combine’s leader, said PM Modi at rally in Nanded, Maharashtra.

“Rahul Gandhi had to run away from Amethi, now assume that he will run away from Wayanad too,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that information available indicates that there has been a one-sided voting in favour of NDA in first phase of Lok Sabha polls.

As many as 361 candidates have filed their nominations in 11 constituencies, including the high-stakes Baramati and Satara seats, that are going to polls in Maharashtra in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 7, officials said.

As per the information provided by the poll authorities, 28 candidates filed their nominations in Raigad seat, 51 in Baramati, 36 each in Osmanabad and Latur, 41 in Solapur, 42 in Madha, 30 in Sangli, 24 in Satara, nine in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, 28 in Kolhapur and 36 in Hatkanangale.

Friday was the last day of filing the nominations.

PTI

“A total of 144 candidates, including those of the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress, have filed nominations for the elections to the nine Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, where polling is scheduled in the third phase on May 7,” a top poll official said.

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Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation lifts its indefinite public shutdown from 8:30 a.m. on April 20 after six districts under its jurisdiction witnessed “zero percentage” voting for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the State.

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Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has urged citizens not to miss the opportunity to vote in the general elections, saying that it is the “foremost duties” in a constitutional democracy.

In a video message for the Election Commission’s ‘My Vote My Voice’ mission for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Justice Chandrachud said, “We are citizens of the world’s largest democracy, which is our country.” “The Constitution gives us a multitude of rights as citizens but it also expects that each of us performs the duty, which is cast upon us. And one of the foremost duties of citizenship is to cast a vote in a constitutional democracy,” he said.

PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over electoral bonds, alleging that he is running a “school of corruption” in the country and teaching all chapters in the subject of “entire corruption science”.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that even politicians in Pakistan say they wish their country had a leader like him.

He also alleged that India got divided due to the seeds sown by the Congress.

Mr. Yadav was addressing gatherings on Friday evening during the campaigning in Hoshangabad Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh.

PTI

An estimated 68% of the total 16.23 lakh registered voters cast their ballot in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Udhampur, officials said, as Jammu and Kashmir witnessed incident-free polling in what was its first major electoral battle since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

In 2019, Udhampur parliamentary constituency had recorded a total poll percentage of 70.22%.

“The voting percentage was around 68.27%. It is especially highlighted that due to weather latest updated reports are awaited from some of the polling stations, specially located in remote hilly areas of Kishtwar, Gandoh, Ramban and Dudu-Basantgarh, the polling percentage is likely to increase slightly,” the election office said.

Rubbishing criticism, especially from within the party, that he is a product of “dynasty politics”, Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra said he has been appointed to the post based on his performance and commitment, and not just because he is the son of veteran leader B.S. Yediyurappa.

“I would have agreed with Eshwarappa or Yatnal’s statements, if I had been appointed as the party President by Yediyurappa himself, but I’m president because of the decision of the national leadership, not by Yediyurappa,” Mr. Vijayendra told PTI in an interview.

Sporadic incidents of scuffle between supporters of political parties, recovery of crude bombs and angry protests against MLAs headlined the first phase of Lok Sabha election in West Bengal on Friday.

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The general tenor of the political exchanges between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been decidedly civil and often seemed to verge on the courteous. 

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Around 62.3% (preliminary) of 16.63 crore voters turned up at polling booths across 21 States and Union Territories on Friday in the first phase of the election to form the 18th Lok Sabha. Across 102 Lok Sabha seats, 1,625 candidates were in the fray. People of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim also voted to elect new Assemblies. 

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Manipur Police arrested three persons who were involved in a firing incident near a polling station in Imphal East district, an officer said.

The three arrested persons were involved in the firing incident at Moirangkampu Sajeb in Imphal East district in which a man was injured on Friday, the officer said.

The three had fled from the spot in a four wheeler after the firing incident and were arrested on Friday evening less than 5 km away from the incident site. One .32 pistol with ammunition and ₹15 lakh in cash were seized from their possession.

PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengaluru and neighbouring Chikkaballapura district for the Lok Sabha poll campaign on April 20.

He will address mega rallies both in Bengaluru and Chikkaballapura.

Mr. Modi held mega rallies in Kalaburagi and Shivamogga last month. On April 14, he addressed a rally in Mysuru, during which he shared the dais with JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and later held a roadshow in Mangaluru.

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After the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has said that the State is the fortress of the Bharatiya Janata Party which is going to win all the 25 seats. 

“I want to thank people of Rajasthan for making the first phase of election peaceful. Voter turnout was little but I have faith that we will win these 12 seats. In Rajasthan, BJP will win the whole 25 seats. We got feedback from everywhere and people have said that we will win these 12 seats and the other 13 seats as well. I appeal that all voters should vote in the next phase,” he said.

ANI

The Congress accused the BJP of using “one particular issue” on social media to attract voters, and urged the Election Commission (EC) to take note of it.

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Twenty-one police and Home Guard personnel were injured when the bus carrying them overturned in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district in the wee hours of Saturday, an official said.

These jawans were returning to their home district Rajgarh in the State after performing their election duty when the accident occurred near Baretha Ghat on the Bhopal-Betul highway, the official said. The incident took place around 4 a.m., Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Shalini Paraste said.

PTI

Tejasvi Surya, incumbent MP from Bengaluru South, who is recontesting, made a pit stop to savour lunch at a BJP worker’s house in Koramangala. Days after he was heckled at a meeting over Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Niyamita bank scam, an unfazed Mr. Surya interacted with the party workers over food before sparing his time to speak to The Hindu.

Congress leaders of Kerala should advise Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his statement inviting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has said.

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Hours before the first vote was cast in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai sat down for an interview with The Hindu on BJP’s electoral prospects in the State. He said that his government, unlike the previous Congress regime, has taken a strong stance against the Naxals but is ready for talks to arrive at a peaceful solution. He expressed confidence about the BJP winning all the 11 seats in the State in the Lok Sabha election.

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Polling personnel in six eastern districts of Nagaland waited for nine hours in booths, but not one of the four lakh voters of the region turned up following a shutdown call given by an organisation to press for its demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ (FNT).

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Before hurling allegations at the CPI(M) in Kerala, the Congress will do well to ask itself why a large number of people joining the BJP are Congress leaders, said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in an interaction with The Hindu at Parakkandy early this week.

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The Supreme Court questioned the basis of Executive Magistrates issuing blanket orders prohibiting yatras to uphold democratic and electoral values, dharnas and public meetings during the entire duration of the Lok Sabha elections, till the declaration of poll results.

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The fate of 950 candidates in 39 Lok Sabha constituencies of Tamil Nadu was sealed on April 19, with 69.46% of the electorate turning up to exercise their franchise in a four-cornered contest. The polling percentage in the Vilavancode Assembly by-election was 64.54. The figures were as of 7 p.m. and could be revised marginally.

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The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in five constituencies in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region concluded peacefully on Friday without any major untoward incidents. The voter turnout averaged at 55.35% until 6 p.m., a figure similar to the turnout recorded during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, albeit lower than the 64% turnout in 2014.

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For the first time, members of the Shompen, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the country and who reside in the dense tropical rain forests of the Great Nicobar island, on Friday took part in the election process by casting their votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency.

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