LS polls 2019 LIVE | Phase 6: 63.3% voter turnout: EC

Over 10.17 crore voters are expected to cast votes in about 1.13 lakh polling stations as 59 constituencies are set to go to the polls in the sixth and the penultimate phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday. Altogether 979 candidates are in the fray to enter the Lok Sabha in this phase and represent 59 constituencies spread over six states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, according to the Election Commission. The sixth phase will see 8 constituencies in Bihar, 10 in Haryana, 4 in Jharkhand, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, 8 in West Bengal and 7 in the National Capital Territory of Delhi going to polls on Monday.Follow Deccan Herald for all the latest updates.

51 Lok Sabha seats go to polls in 5th phase on Monday

Nearly nine crore voters will decide the fate of 674 candidates, including political bigwigs Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani, in the fifth phase ofpollingon Monday in 51LokSabhaconstituencies in seven states.

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EC rejects plea to advance poll timing due to Ramzan

The Election Commission on Sunday rejected a plea to reschedule the commencement of polls during the last three phases of the Lok Sabha elections to 5 am instead of 7 am due toRamzan.

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LS Polls 2019 | 13 questions for Ex-PM Manmohan Singh

Former PM Manmohan Singh talks about 5 years of the NDA government, the perspective of Congress being a 'scam-tainted' government, Modi's nationalism angle and more.

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Hazaribagh: Former Union Min Yashwant Sinha & wife Nilima Sinha arrive at a polling booth to cast vote. Photo: ANI

Election FAQ: The constituencies of Phase 5

Here is a list of the constituencies that will go to polls in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Polls.

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Lok Sabha polls: Voting begins in 51 seats; Rajnath, Rahul, Sonia in fray

Voting began Monday for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election in 51 constituencies spread across seven states with many political bigwigs, including Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani, being in the fray.

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Rajasthan: Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and his wife Gayatri Rathore arrive at a polling station in Jaipur to cast their vote. Photo: ANI

Modi's attack on Rajiv 2014 'redux', may impact Amethi

Prime minister Narendra Modi's attack on former PM Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally in UP on Saturday was a redux of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

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BJP polling agent allegedly prevented from entering a polling booth in Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency by TMC.

BSY asks BJP leaders to wait till May 23

State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa stated that he would request BJP leaders not to say that the coalition government would fall and BJP would come to power in the State immediately after May 23.

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Voting yet to begin in booth numbers 289/291/292 in Howrah, reportedly after glitches in EVMs and VVPATs.

Home Minister and Lucknow BJP Candidate Rajnath Singh casts his vote at polling booth 333 in Scholars' Home School. Photo: ANI

'Singh left behind economic slowdown, policy paralysis'

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Arun Jaitley trained guns at Manmohan Singh on Sunday, saying the former Prime Minister “left behind” in 2014 an economic slowdown, policy paralysis and corruption.

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Jammu and Kashmir: Visuals from polling booth 66 in Govt High School in Pulwama. Photo: ANI

Shah calls Modi 'mard' with 56-inch chest

“Chappan inch ki chaati wala mard hai Modi (Modi is a man with a 56-inch chest),” Shah said setting the tone for his narrative around nationalism. After 40 soldiers were killed in the Pulwama attack, Pakistan deployed tanks and guns on the border, he said.

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Facts about Phase 5 of Lok Sabha Polls

51 Lok Sabha constituencies across 7 states headed for polls

Over 8.75 crore voters will decide the fate of 674 candidates

Over 96,000 polling booths in place for smooth conduct of polls

Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of polling booths: 28,072

Jammu and Kashmir has the least number of polling booths: 1,254

Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency (PC) in Jammu & Kashmir going to polls in Phase III, Phase IV & Phase V, the only such PC in the country.

BJP candidate from Barrackpore constituency. Arjun Singh alleges that he was attacked by TMC cadres in the Monhanpur area of the constituency in front of police.

Jammu and Kashmir: Visuals from a polling booth in Khrew area of Pulwama, part of the Anantnag LS seat. Photo: ANI

Polling underway in seven Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh with minor EVM glitches being reported at some booths, an official has said. Source: PTI

LS Polls | Constituency Profile: East Delhi

Drive just 10 km from Parliament's gate towards the east and cross the Yamuna to enter East Delhi where a cricketer, an Oxford graduate and a seasoned politician will lock horns for a seat in Lok Sabha.

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Grenade attack on polling station in Pulwama

A grenade was lobbed towards Rohmoo polling station in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, where polling is underway for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency. No reports of any casualties in the blast, a police official said.

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Jharkhand: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Hazaribagh, Jayant Sinha arrives at a polling booth to cast his vote.

Polling begins in Anantnag, Ladakh LS seats in J&K

Authorities have made extraordinary security arrangements to secure polling stations and ensure safe passage to voters in Pulwama and Shopian.

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Smriti Irani alleges booth capturing in Amethi

Voting percentage till 10 am

Bihar: 11.51%

Jammu and Kashmir: 1.36

Madhya Pradesh: 13.18%

Rajasthan: 14%

Uttar Pradesh: 9.85%

West Bengal: 16.56%

Jharkhand:13.46%

Overall: 12.65%

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh casts his vote in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Bihar: One person arrested in Chhapra on charges of vandalizing an EVM machine

ITBP personnel helping Divyangs to reach polling booth in Kargil, Ladakh. (Images via ITBP)

Voter turnout at 11 am

Nationwide Average Turnout in Fifth Phase polling till 11 am:26.85% (Image: PIB India)

Repolling in five places in Andhra Pradesh peaceful

Repolling in 5 polling centres in Andhra Pradesh has been peaceful so far. In all 5064 voters are expected to cast their votes. Police have provided tight security considering the large scale violence that took place in Narsaraopet Assembly segment where alleged YSRCP activists roughed up Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao on 11 April.

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Petrol bomb hurled at polling station in south Kashmir’s Tral area

Congress has captured polling booths in Amethi: Irani

BJP leader and Textile Minister Smriti Irani on Monday alleged that the Congress Party hadcaptured polling booths in Amethi.

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Age is no bar: 109 years old Chawli Devi casts her vote at a booth in Nohar, Rajasthan.

Paramilitary jawans stand guard as woman voters wait to cast their votes at a polling booth, during the 5th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Howrah district, West Bengal. (PTI Photo)

41.6% polling recorded till 1 pm across Rajasthan

Voting percentage till 1 PM

Bihar: 32.27%

Jammu and Kashmir: 11.35%

Madhya Pradesh: 43.90%

Rajasthan: 42.73%

Uttar Pradesh: 35.15%

West Bengal: 50.78%

Jharkhand: 45.98%

Overall:40.74%

LS polls: Two poll staffers die in Madhya Pradesh

Two persons, including a Home Guard, engaged in election duty died in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Monday.

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BJP demands repoll in Bengal's Barrackpore constituency

Accusing the ruling TMC in West Bengal of unleashing "violence" on its voters, the BJP Monday demanded a repoll in Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency.

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Clashes break out between TMC and BJP workers

TMC and BJP workers clashed in Hingli village in Bongaon constituency of West Bengal. According to reports, one TMC worker and a police personnel were injured.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni casts his vote in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

WB: Locket Chatterjee's vehicle vandalised

The vehicle of BJP candidate from Hooghly constituency Locket Chatterjee was allegedly vandalised by TMC cadres in the Dhonekhali area of the constituency. Miscreants have also broken an EVM at a polling booth in the area, according to reports.

Voter turnout at 3 PM

Bihar: 44.08%

Jammu and Kashmir: 15.34%

Madhya Pradesh: 54.17%

Rajasthan: 50.36%

Uttar Pradesh: 44.89%

West Bengal: 62.84%

Jharkhand: 58.63%

Average Turnout: 50.69%

Jammu and Kashmir: Kashmiri Pandits cast their votes at a special polling station in Udhampur for Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

LS polls: 16% polling in Jammu and Kashmir till 3 pm

Nearly 16% voter turnout was recorded in two Lak Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir till 3 pm on Monday, which are going to polls in the last phase of the five-phased election.

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Average Turnout till 5 pm in 51 constituencies in 7 States: 58.02%

Bihar 52.86%

J&K 17.07%

Madhya Pradesh 60.58%

Rajasthan 58.93%

Uttar Pradesh 52.03%

West Bengal 72.61%

Jharkhand 58.24%

Cong alleges booth capturing by NC, PDP in Pulwama

Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress on Monday alleged that regional National Conference and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidates indulged in bogus voting and sought repolling in several polling booths in Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.

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Man destroys EVM after mother votes against his wish

In a bizarre incident, a man destroyed an electronic voting machine (EVM) in Chapra after he found that his mother did not cast her vote to the party/candidate he had suggested so.

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''Chowkidar" has been caught for his "lies": Rahul

Placing Congress as the only party that can fight and defeat BJP, its president Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched his campaign in Delhi saying the "chowkidar" has been caught for his "lies" and his party will not allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi and inch.

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Over 62% turnout in 5th phase; Violence in J&K, WB

Two explosions at polling stations in Pulwama in Kashmir and clashes between TMC and BJP in West Bengal were reported during the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday across seven states in which over 62 per cent turnout was recorded.

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AAP candidate swears on affidavit not to join BJP

Amidst a slew of legislators joining the BJP over the last couple of years, AAP candidate for the upcoming Panaji bypoll Valmiki Naik, in a unique move on Monday, swore on affidavit that he would not join the BJP-led coalition government or support the current ruling dispensation if elected.

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Not affected by criticism of opponents: Deol

Bollywood actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate, Sunny Deol says he is focused on the task ahead and is not affected by his opponents dubbing him an "outsider".
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After polling, EVMs & VVPAT found in Bihar hotel

On a day when the Supreme Court rejected the Opposition plea to match at least 50 per cent of the VVPAT with the EVMs, two EVMs and two VVPATs were recovered from a hotel in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district.
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Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Voter turnout in 5 charts

With the end of polling for the fifth phase on Monday, nearly 78% of India (425 constituencies) has voted in the 2019 general election.

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A ''Musical'' contest in Azamgarh

The election campaign elsewhere may have been marred by below the belt attacks, in the eastern Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency of Azamgarh, the electoral battle between Samajwadi Party (SP) Akhilesh Yadav and BJP nominee and Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav alias 'Nirahua', fierce though it is, is being fought through 'music'.
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Congress, AAP vie for Muslim votes in Delhi

The harsh afternoon sun is blazing down on the Jama Masjid in Chandni Chowk. The faithful have taken shelter in the corridors of the imposing mosque, which is being decked up for Ramzan.
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EC failed to act against Modi, Shah: Cong MP to SC

Congress MP Sushmita Dev on Tuesday contended before the Supreme Court that the Election Commission has failed to act against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for their "hate speeches", though it initiated actions against others for similar offensive statements during the campaign.
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'Computer Baba' prays for Digvijaya

Hundreds of sadhus trooped to the Madhya Pradesh capital on Tuesday to seek votes for the Congress Lok Sabha candidate Digvijaya Singh and campaign against BJP nominee Pragya Singh Thakur.
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Will create 40,000-50,000 jobs: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Virtually conceding to a severe unemployment crisis in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s promise of providing 40,000 to 50,000 jobs in the coastal state would be fulfilled during the remaining three years of the BJP-led coalition government.
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Looks difficult for BJP to reach 280-mark: Sanjay Raut

A Shiv Sena leader has echoed BJP general secretary Ram Madhav's statement that the latter's party may fall short of an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, prompting it to depend on allies to form the next government.

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Rahul gives new twist to ‘chowkidar’ jibe at Modi

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring interests of the common people, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Modi was a chowkidar (watchman) of Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya.
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Atishi's politics runs on work, not name: Swara Bhaskar

Actor Swara Bhaskar campaigned for East Delhi candidate Atishi and hailed the Aam Aadmi Party leader as a politician who banks on her work for the people and not fame.
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Siddaramaiah must be CM again: Patil

The demand for making coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah the chief minister again is growing louder in the state Congress.
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KCR banking on uncertain verdict

When Telangana Chief Minister and TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, in a dramatic move, flew to Thiruvananthapuramand called on Kerala Chief Minister and CPM veteran Pinarayi Vijayan to canvass support for his federal front idea in the middle of Lok Sabha elections, it was clear that he was trying to catapult himself into the national frame.
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Speak Out -- May 8, 2019

Attack on Himanta: Sonowal asks Mamata to act tough

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday asked his Bengal counterpart Mamta Banerjee to act tough against those involved in the alleged attack on the convoy of the state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during an election rally.
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A complex game of thrones is afoot in Uttar Pradesh

Voters in Uttar Pradesh, who will likely decide India's prime minister, have a complex task on their hands deciphering comments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BSP supremo Mayawati.
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DU teachers spar over Modi's Rajiv remarks

Delhi University professors got into a war of words over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks about late Rajiv Gandhi, with one section condemning the comments and another supporting him.
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Modi, Priyanka face-off in Delhi today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are all set to storm the national capital on Wednesday to canvass for the BJP and Congress candidates respectively.
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How better-halves have hampered 2 Bihar MPs’ prospects

It’s more than a month since Shatrughan Sinha dumped the BJP and joined the Congress. But still, the grand old party’s candidate from Patna Sahib, Shatru is not getting whole-hearted support from the workers of his new party.
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Modi is workaholic, Rahul loves holidays: Amit Shah

Narendra Modi has been working 18 hours a day for around two decades without taking a leave, while Congress president Rahul Gandhi dashes off to undisclosed foreign destinations at the slightest discomfort, BJP president Amit Shah claimed here on Tuesday."I have known Modi for a long time. For the past 20 years he has not taken a leave. He works 18 hours a day for the people," Shah told an election rally at Masaurhi that falls under Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat.Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 till 2014, the year he became the prime minister."We also have Rahul Baba. Whenever the mercury rises a bit, he runs away to some country of his choice, often leaving even his mother wondering where his son is," Shah claimed.

Rahul Gandhi tenders unconditional apology to SC

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for wrongfully attributing to the apex court the 'chowkidar chor hai' remark in the Rafale verdict.

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"Unintentional, non-willful and inadvertent"

“The Deponent unconditionally apologises for the wrongful attributions to this Hon’ble Court. The Deponent further states that any such attributions were entirely unintentional, non-willful and inadvertent,“ read a statement from theaffidavit submitted by Rahul Gandhi and filed today through advocateSunil Fernandes.

SC says it cannot interfere with the EC clean chits to PM Modi and Shah

SC refuses to entertain Congress MP Sushmita Dev's petition for action against PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for giving hate speeches and invoking armed forces during campaigning in violation of model code of conduct.

It also said it cannot do anything as Dev's petition had only prayed for a direction to the EC to act on Congress party's complaint, which the EC has already decided.

SC says if the Congress party wants it can file separate petitions challenging each clean chit to PM Modi and Shah as each is a separate case.

SC asks EC to look into grievances of sacked jawan

The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Election Commission to examine grievances raised by sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, whose nomination against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varansai, was cancelled.
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PM Narendra Modi in Fatehabad, Haryana: Congress awarding those who were committed crimes during 1984 Sikh riots

"Your chowkidaar had promised the Sikh community that 1984 riots culprits will be punished. I am satisfied that the process of them being sentenced to death or life imprisonment has started.But this shameless Congress is awarding those who were a part of the crime. By making a person who is said to be involved in 1984 Anti-Sikh riots the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Congress has proved that it doesn't care about your sentiments," saidNarendra Modi.

Madhya Pradesh: FIR registered after a group of people raised Modi slogans in Congress candidate Digvijaya Singh's roadshow in Bhopal.

'Cong not campaigning where they have fight with BJP'

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are not going to places like Rajasthan and MP where their party is in a direct fight with the BJP, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Wednesday.

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PM Narendra Modi addresses public meeting in Kurukshetra, Haryana

No party will get absolute majority, Cong will stitch together strong 'UPA plus plus' alliance govt: Jyotiradiya Scindia

We are not 'mahamilawati', it is PM Modi who is 'mahamilawati': Mayawati at joint BSP-SP rally in Azamgarh

Opposition alliance's prospects will improve further in remaining two phases of polls: BSP chief Mayawati

Samjhauta- Innocents were kept in jail for years: Modi

As if the controversy over BJP ticket to terror accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was not enough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cited the Samjhauta Express blast case to drub the notion of ‘Hindu terror’.

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West Tripura: Repolling ordered in 168 polling stations

The Election Commission has ordered a repoll at 168 polling stations out of 1,679 polling stations in West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency, an election official said on Wednesday.

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Will bring petrol and diesel within ambit of GST: Rahul

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday promised that if his party is voted to power it will bring petrol and diesel within the ambit of the GST and will try and reduce rising prices.

He said the Congress believes that rising prices have put a heavy burden on the life of the common man.

"To reduce this burden, the Congress party will bring petrol and diesel within the ambit of the GST and will try and reduce the increasing prices," Gandhi said in a Facebook post.

Maya seeks votes for Akhilesh, says Cong, BJP same

BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday sought votes for her alliance partner and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, who was in the fray from Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat and faced 'Bhojpuri' film star Dinesh Lal Yadav alias Nirahua.

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Tight slap in return for threat of stealing 40 MLAs

Adlai E Stevenson, during his 1952 Presidential campaign in the United States, said: “I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.” Narendra Modi did not ask for such a bargain when Rahul Gandhi started calling him a ‘chor'. During the campaign, Modi too has come down vehemently on him, referring to his Bofors-accused father, Rajiv Gandhi, as “most corrupt”. But in Bengal, till a couple of months ago, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refrained from using the word 'chor' against her bête noire. The political campaign in the state was until then restricted to commonplace political abuses.

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Rahul Gandhi addresses public meeting in Morena, Madhya Pradesh

Black money has been turned into white with Modis help: Rahul Gandhi

Chowkidar wont become prime minister: Rahul Gandhi at Morena rally in Madhya Pradesh

Won't hug industrialist Anil Ambani till my last breath: Rahul Gandhi

Narendra Modi addresses public meeting in Ramlila Ground, Delhi

'AAP brought nakampanthi model of governance to Delhi'

In an apparent attack on the AAP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said they supported the 'tukde-tukde' gang and brought the "nakampanthi" model of governance to the national capital.

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Feel bad when Muslims say won't vote for lotus: Maneka

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who had stirred a controversy by asking Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over, on Wednesday said her remarks were taken out of context.

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Born in Delhi, aware of people's issues: Priyanka

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday invoked her Delhi roots during a roadshow here and threw an open challenge at Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight the last two phases of the Lok Sabha election on the issue of the "false promises" he made to people.

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Oppn to visit Prez ahead of counting, TMC not to join

The Trinamool Congress does not seem keen to join the other opposition parties in making an early move to stop the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party from getting an advantage in forming the next government after the poll results come out on May 23.

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'People don't trust Modi; he won't become PM again'

Stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he won't become the PM again as people have lost faith in him.

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43/59 sitting MPs in sixth phase belong to BJP

As the Lok Sabha election enters the sixth and penultimate phase coming on Sunday, fifty-nine seats are up for grabs and Opposition believes this would be one more phase where BJP is likely to suffer.

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Govt will fall after poll results, hopes BJP

BJP, which hopes to gain considerably from the internal tension in the JD(S)-Congress coalition, is expecting that the alliance will collapse after the Lok Sabha election results are out.
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‘Change of guard’ chant upsets Karnataka CM

The growing clamour for making coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah chief minister again has caused upheavals in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government.
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Priyanka, Modi duel in Delhi

The national capital on Wednesday witnessed high-pitched campaigns, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ripping apart the ‘dynastic politics’ of the Congress and its allies, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra seeking to strike a personal chord with the voters by projecting herself as the ‘Dilli ki ladki’ (Delhi girl).
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Gandhi family used INS Viraat as 'personal taxi': Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the AAP in his first rally in the national capital, accusing the Arvind Kejriwal-led government of supporting the "tukde-tukde gang" and bringing in "nakampanthi" (non-performance) model of governance.
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Feel bad when Muslims say won't vote for lotus: Maneka

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who had stirred a controversy by asking Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over, on Wednesday said her remarks were taken out of context.
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Congress releases satirical video about BJP's 'blindness' towards real issues

Mamata likens her fight against Modi to Quit India stir

Drawing a parallel between Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India movement against the British and her fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that Modi should be ousted from power.
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Mamata not keen, but Oppn plan early move to form Govt

The Trinamool Congress is not yet keen to join the other opposition parties in making an earlymove to stop the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party from getting an advantage in the rush to form the next government after the poll results come out on May 23.
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Tight slap in return for threat to steal MLAs

Adlai E Stevenson, during his 1952 Presidential campaign in the United States, said: “I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.” Narendra Modi did not ask for such a bargain when Rahul Gandhi started calling him a ‘chor'. During the campaign, Modi too has come down vehemently on him, referring to his Bofors-accused father, Rajiv Gandhi, as “most corrupt”. But in Bengal, till a couple of months ago, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refrained from using the word 'chor' against her bête noire. The political campaign in the state was until then restricted to commonplace political abuses.

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PM Modi takes on WB CM on her home turf

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is insulting the Constitution by saying that she is not ready to accept him as the prime minister of the country.
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Mamata insulting Constitution by not accepting me as PM: Modi

Prime Minister NarendraModiThursday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is insulting the Constitution by saying that she is not ready to accept him as the prime minister of the country.

Addressing a rally here,Modisaid "Didi (Banerjee) is publicly saying that she is not ready to accept the country's PM as the head of the nation, but she feels proud in acknowleding Pakistan PM as that country's prime minister."

He said Banerjee was insulting the Constitution out of anxiety of losing the general elections.

The prime minister had tried to contact the chief minister to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned.

Banerjee had said in a rally that she does not accept NarendraModias the prime minister of the country describing him as the "expiry PM" and that she will talk to the new prime minister after the election results.

"She did not take calls from me during the cyclone. The Central government wanted to sit with officers of the state to discuss the situation, but Didi did not allow that too,"Modisaid at the rally here.

"She is not interested in the betterment of the state, but in that of her family, nephew and tolabaj (extortionists) of her party," the PM said.

Modisaid that how much the TMC supremo is worried can be understood by the language being used by her. "She is now talking about stones and slaps against me," the PM said.

"I am used to abuses, I have now got the ability to digest abuses from dictionaries from around the world," he said.
(With inputs from from PTI. )

PM Modi takes the stage at his second WB rally

Amit Shah addresses a public meeting in Siddharthnagar, UP

"For 55 years, Congress ruled the nation. For many years, SP and BSP ruled in UP but they never worked for the poor...Rahul baba and Akhilesh go on vacations as soon as the temperature increases slightly...We are certain that if we return to power, Narendra Modi will be Prime Minister, but can Mahagathbandhan people then who will be their leader, if by mistake, they get a chance to form the govt?" said Shah.

Only Modi can ensure national security: Shah

BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday said Narendra Modi should be brought back as prime minister as only he can ensure national security.

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Will expose Congress' 'dictionary of love': Modi

This election season has been witnessing politicians hurling abuses at each other. On Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi took a jibe at the Prime Minister by comparing him to the 'Mahabharata' character Duryodhana. She claimed that 'Arrogance Was The End Of Duryodhana'.

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BJP distributed obscene pamphlets against me: Atishi

At a press conference, an emotional Atishi, who was flanked by Deputy Delhi Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, read out of the contents of the pamphlet in English which was distributed in some areas of East Delhi.

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Discontent in Jangalmahal may push BJP ahead of TMC

In the former Maoist stronghold of Jangalmahal in West Bengal, it is the substantial vote bank of the Left Front, along with that of the far-Left parties, which is likely to push the BJP ahead of the TMC in the 2019 general election.

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Cong has lost credibility to address poverty: Gadkari

The Congress has lost all political credibility when it comes to addressing the issue of poverty, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday, taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi's proposed "Nyay" scheme by invoking Congress prime ministers, who, he claimed, had vowed to eradicate poverty and failed.

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Cash seizure in Hassan: BJP seeks probe

A delegation comprising BJP leaders from Karnataka on Thursday urged the Election Commission of India to conduct an independent probe on Rs 1.2 lakh cash seized from a police vehicle in the Hassan constituency a day before Lok Sabha polling in the state.

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'Modi's claim on Rajiv misusing INS Viraat wrong'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation that Rajiv Gandhi used INS Viraat as a personal taxi was rejected by former Navy chief Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas as well as by a former commanding officer of the aircraft carrier.

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Modi's Gujarat vapsi is certain: Kamal Nath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegations against Rajiv Gandhi are "atrocious" and the way he now talks reflects that he is highly enraged and has started feeling that time has come for him to return to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said on Thursday.

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Never saw a more cowardly, weak PM than Modi: Priyanka

Stepping up attack on Narendra Modi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said that she has never seen "a more coward and weak" prime minister than him.

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'BJP to lose Lok Sabha polls unless it tampers EVMs'

Veteran Congress leader Tarun Gogoi on Thursday claimed that the BJP has just one option to win this Lok Sabha election - that is tampering the EVMs, which the opposition parties are fearing.

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Modi to carpet bomb eastern UP

In its battle to retain the 27 Lok Sabha seats in Eastern Uttar Pradesh which are set to go to polls in the last two phases of the general elections,the BJP plans to carpet bomb the region with its most potent electoral weapon: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Caste and candidate matter in Bhind-Morena

About 500 kilometers from the Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur is not a factor in the ravines of Chambal once known for deprivation and dacoits. What resonates here more than hard-line Hindutva is caste identity.

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Debate with me, I'm also a Gujarati: Pitroda to Modi

Congress leader Sam Pitroda on Thursday said the BJP-led government at the Centre had failed on all sectors and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to debate with him as he is also a "Gujarati".

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In Bhopal, a battle of contrasting styles

It’s arguably the spiciest battle of Election 2019: Bhopal, which pits Hindutva terror-accused Sadhvi Pragya against patrician Congressman and ace BJP-baiter Digvijaya Singh.But there is little apparent conflict, probably because it’s clearly a case of fire versus ice, of sharply contrasting styles.

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AAP opened Delhi doors for Modi: Rahul Gandhi

In a direct attack on Aam Aadmi Party, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused Arvind Kejriwal's fledgling outfit of opening the doors of the national capital for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Spandana slams PM for 'Akshay Kumar aboard INS Sumitra'

Congress' social media strategistDivyaSpandanaon Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly taking Canadian citizen Akshay Kumar with him on board Indian Navy warship Sumitra.

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Gambhir sends notice to Kejriwal, Sisodia, Atishi

BJP's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir sent a notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Atishi on Thursday demanding their apology after being accused of being involved in distribution of "obscene and derogatory" pamphlets against his AAP rival.

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Delhi Deputy CM and Aam Aadmi Party leader, Manish Sisodia on 'derogatory' remarks pamphlet against AAP's Atishi

Mayawati hits back at PM: BJP realised it will not win

BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday termed as "laughable" and "immature" Prime minister Narendra Modi's remark describing the SP-BSP alliance as "casteist".The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the language used by the BJP showed it has realised "definite loss in polls" and is "frustrated" and making baseless and absurd allegations.

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Sunny Deol's roadshow in West Delhi evokes massive response

Bollywood actor and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seatSunnyDeoltook out a roadshow on Thursday in Hari Nagar under West Delhi constituency in support of party nominee and sitting MP Parvesh Singh Verma. Hundreds of people lined up along the road to catch a glimpse of the actor who reached the venue almost three-and-half-hours late.

Amit Shah will be home minister if BJP returns to power: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said if the BJP comes back to power then the party president Amit Shah would be the Union home minister.

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Derogatory pamphlets: AAP East Delhi candidate Atishi files complaint with Delhi Commission of Women

Modi hits out at Congress over Pitroda's remark on anti-Sikh riots

PMO ordered killings during 1984 anti-Sikh riots: BJP

Stepping up the attack on the late former Congress Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the BJP on Friday alleged that the 1984 anti-Sikh riots happened on instructions of the former prime minister.

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Akhilesh's 'Maya PM' strategy to checkmate BJP in UP

Akhilesh, who was earlier evasive on his preference for the post of prime minister, has indicated that he will be ''happy'' if Mayawati occupies the top post after the general elections.He also hinted that in turn Mayawati may support him for the post of chief minister of UP.

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Mob lynching, cow vigilantism on voters' minds in Nuh

In the district which has repeatedly made headlines for mob lynchings and cow vigilantism over the last few years, enthusiasm for Lok Sabha polls appears low.

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Need to send good candidates to Parliament: Gul Panag

"Your representative is accountable to you. We need to send good candidates to Parliament and I firmly believe in the candidature of Raghav Chadha and Atishi," says Gul.

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TIME Magazine labels Modi 'Divider in Chief'

American weekly news magazine,TIME,has featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the cover of its May 20, 2019 edition. The cover has been backed up with a controversial story about the Prime Minister and the state of the country in the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

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Sonia, Rahul should apologise for Pitroda's remark: BJP

The BJP on Friday demanded that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi apologise to the nation over their leader Sam Pitroda's reported remarks about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

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Rahul responsible if Modi comes back to power: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused Rahul Gandhi of harming the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the Left in Kerala, the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Aam Aadmi Party in the national capital, saying the Congress chief will be responsible if Narendra Modi comes back to power.

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Kolkata flyover victims' families don't care for Polls

“I lost my husband ahead of the Assembly elections. Now after almost four years we are in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections. But that flyover still stands precariously in Burrabazar and may collapse any time. But nothing has been done. Not even poll promises are made about it. I have lost my interest in the elections,” Kum Kum told DH.

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Cong will remove Modi from India: Surjewala

The Congress hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accusing him of ruling the country by dividing it and used the Time magazine cover headline that says "India's Divider in Chief", followed by a secondary one that reads "Modi the Reformer". Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the way the party had removed the British from the country, it would do the same with Modi.

Laxman, Harbhajan support Gambhir in pamphlet row

Gautam Gambhir on Friday received support from his former India teammates, V V S Laxman and Harbhajan Singh, after the cricketer-turned-politician was accused of circulating "obscene" remarks about Aam Aadmi Party's East Delhi candidate, Atishi.

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TRS may skip meeting of opposition parties on May 21

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi will not be part of a planned meeting of opposition parties on May 21 to chalk out a post-poll alliance, a key party leader indicated on Friday.

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BJP can never be 'Modi or Shah's party': Gadkari

BJP can never be an "individual-centric" party as it is based on ideology, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said, denying allegations that Bharatiya Janata Party has become "Modi-centric".

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OPINION | Who is the most arrogant of them all?

After having battled past hurdles that are par for the election steeplechase, such as the economy, corruption, demonetisation, national security, patriotism, we’ve reached a standstill. Suddenly, just one word hangs thick in the air: ‘Ahankar’. It ca...

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Sam Pitroda, Congress on his remarks on 1984 riots

The statement I made was completely twisted, taken out of context because my Hindi isn't good, what I meant was 'jo hua vo bura hua,' I couldn't translate 'bura' in my mind.What I meant was move on. We have other issues to discuss as to what BJP govt did and what it delivered. I feel sorry that my remark was misrepresented, I apologise. This has been blown out of proportion.

Over 10.17 cr to vote in Phase 6 today

Over 10.17 crore voters are expected to cast votes in about 1.13 lakh polling stations as 59 constituencies are set to go to the polls in the sixth and the penultimate phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday.

Altogether 979 candidates are in the fray to enter the Lok Sabha in this phase and represent 59 constituencies spread over six states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, according to the Election Commission.

The sixth phase will see8 constituencies in Bihar, 10 in Haryana,4 in Jharkhand,8 in Madhya Pradesh, 14 in Uttar Pradesh,8 in West Bengal and7 in the National Capital Territory of Delhi going to polls on Monday.
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Voting begins for penultimate phase Lok Sabha polls

Polling began Sunday morning for 59 Lok Sabha seats in the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls with Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh, Harsh Vardhan and Maneka Gandhi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia among several prominent faces in the fray.

Elections are being held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats in Haryana, eights constituencies each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, seven seats in Delhi and four in Jharkhand.

Over 10.17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 979 candidates. The Election Commission has set up over 1.13 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of the polls.

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Virat Kohli casts vote

BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir who is contesting from East Delhi cast his vote at a polling booth

Former Delhi CM and Congress's candidate from North-East Delhi, Sheila Dikshit after casting her vote

Election FAQ: Who are the richest candidates?

The ADR has released a report consolidating the details of the candidates of phase 6 and who is worth how much money.

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Scuffle between BJP candidate & TMC worker in WB

BJP candidate from Ghatal constituency former IPS Bharati Ghosh pushed to the ground by alleged TMC workers in the Keshpur area when she went there after her polling agent was not allowed to enter the booth by TMC workers.

President Ramnath Kovind casts his vote at a polling booth in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Photo: ANI

Interesting facts about sixth phase of LS polls

As voting is underway for the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha elections, here are some interesting facts

* 59 Lok Sabha constituencies across 7 states headed to polls.

* Over 10.17 crore voters to decide fate of 979 candidates.

* Over 1.13 lakh polling stations in place for smooth conduct of polls

* In the last five phases, 424 out of 543 seats have already gone to polls.

* Percentage-wise, 78 per cent seats have undergone the electoral exercise till the fifth phase

Source: PTI via Election Commission

Voter turnout at 9 AM

Bihar: 9.03%

Haryana: 5.4%

Madhya Pradesh: 7.24%

Uttar Pradesh: 7.58%

West Bengal: 12.35%

Jharkhand: 14.44%

NCT of Delhi: 4.8%

Election FAQ: Candidates with criminal charges

The ADR has released a report of the candidates of phase 6, along with the criminal records and charges the candidates face.

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Voter turnout in Delhi at 9 AM

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh's vehicle allegedly attacked by TMC cadres at Keshpur in West Medinipur district. One of her CRPF security guards got critically injured and several vehicles of media persons were also attacked.

Delhi BJP Chief & party's candidate from North-East Delhi Manoj Tiwari casts his vote at polling booth number 60 in Yamuna Vihar. Photo: ANI

Voter turnout at 10 AM: 10.8%

Bihar: 9.03%

Haryana: 8.79%

Madhya Pradesh: 12.6%

Uttar Pradesh: 9.37%

West Bengal: 16.99%

Jharkhand: 15.36%

NCT of Delhi: 7.9%

AAP Candidate from East Delhi, Atishi after casting her vote at a polling booth in Kamla Nehru Govt Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Jangpura. Photo: ANI

Congress President Rahul Gandhi after casting his vote: The election was fought on key issues including demonetization, farmer problems, Gabbar Singh Tax and corruption in Rafale. Narendra Modi used hatred in the campaign and we used love and I am confident love will win. Photo: ANI

BJP candidate for Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, show her finger marked with indelible ink after casting vote during the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Bhopal. Photo: PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal casts his vote at a polling booth in Civil Lines. Photo: ANI

Voter turnout at 11 AM: 12.83%

Bihar: 9.03%

Haryana: 10.69%

Madhya Pradesh: 15.91%

Uttar Pradesh: 12.56%

West Bengal: 18.62%

Jharkhand: 19.13%

NCT of Delhi: 8.23%

Delhi's oldest voter, 111-year old Bachan Singh after casting his vote at a polling booth in Sant Garh. Photo: ANI

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh's vehicle allegedly attacked by TMC cadres at Keshpur in West Medinipur district.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi after casting her vote at a polling booth in Nirman Bhavan. Photo: DH

Legendary Cricketer Kapil Dev arrives to cast his vote at a polling booth in DPS Mathura Road along with wife Romi and daughter Amiya. Photo: ANI

EVM glitches reported in several areas in Delhi

Complaints about malfunctioning EVMs poured in from several places of the national capital on Sunday where voting is underway.

Adarsh Gupta, a resident of Matia Mahal area, claimed that at polling booth number 84, 85 and 86, electronic voting machines were initially not working in the morning.

Aam Aadmi Party's Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti alleged that EVMs at booths number -- 116,117 and 122 -- were not functioning. PTI

EVM glitches reported in several areas in Delhi

Complaints about malfunctioning EVMs poured in from several places of the national capital on Sunday where voting is underway.

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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra leave after casting their vote at a polling booth in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya at Lodhi Estate. Photo: ANI

Voter turnout at 12 PM: 25.06%

Bihar: 20.7%

Haryana: 23.24%

Madhya Pradesh: 28.01%

Uttar Pradesh: 21.75%

West Bengal: 38.08%

Jharkhand: 31.27%

NCT of Delhi: 19.5%

Priyanka Gandhi after casting her vote in Delhi: It's a really important election because we are fighting to save democracy, for our country, and keeping that in mind I cast my vote. Photo: ANI

It is clear BJP is going: Priyanka Gandhi after voting

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Sunday said it was "very clear" that the BJP will face defeat in Lok Sabha polls as people are "angry and distressed" and will convey their sentiments through voting.

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Oppn parties will fall flat in LS polls: Modi

As campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls entered its final phase,Narendra Modi Sunday predicted the defeat of the opposition parties, saying the people were voting for an effective government.

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Voter turnout at 12 PM: 27.08%

Bihar: 20.7%

Haryana: 28.45%

Madhya Pradesh: 30.7%

Uttar Pradesh: 23.34%

West Bengal: 39.57%

Jharkhand: 34.03%

NCT of Delhi: 19.71%

Manmohan Singh did not do anything when Pak beheaded 5 Indian soldiers but under Modi airstrikes were conducted in Balakot: Shah in Chamba.

Indian elections: How WhatsApp fake news affects voters

The rampant misuse of social media platforms to spread fake news has been a global cause for concern, and now researchers are conducting a study in India to find out how misinformation shared through WhatsApp messages is influencing the voters in the country.

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SP, BSP incapable of taking on terrorists: Modi

Congress ne pahley jawan ka sar katwaya (jawan was beheaded during Cong rule), now the party has become 'vote katwa' (vote cutter): Modi.

BJP candidate attacked twice in WB, CEO seeks report

BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by local people when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in her Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday when the sixth phase of polling was underway there.

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Malwa-Nimar: BJP for replay 2014, Cong for 2009-2018

With the penultimate phase of elections getting over in crucial seats including Bhopal, the BJP bastion of Indore represented by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has caught the attention of top guns of Congress and BJP.

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Voter turnout at 2 PM: 39.74%

Bihar: 35.22%

Haryana: 39.16%

Madhya Pradesh: 42.25%

Uttar Pradesh: 34.30%

West Bengal: 55.77%

Jharkhand: 47.16%

NCT of Delhi: 33.63%

BJP to scrap Art 370 if voted back to power: Shah

BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said Article 370 that gives special powers to Kashmir will be scrapped if Narendra Modi is elected as prime minister again.

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Former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee casts his vote at a polling booth in NP Primary School, K Kamraj Lane. Photo: ANI

PM 'used hatred' in elections, we 'used love': Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday cast his vote in Lok Sabha polls here and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he "used hatred" during the elections but the Congress "used love".

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Voter turnout at 3 PM: 50.44%

Bihar: 44.4%

Haryana: 51.47%

Madhya Pradesh: 52.44%

Uttar Pradesh: 43.26%

West Bengal: 70.23%

Jharkhand: 58.08%

NCT of Delhi: 43.83%

India wants permanent PM, not contractual one: Naqvi

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday said the country wants a permanent and decisive prime minister, instead of a contractual one.

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Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and his wife Usha after casting their votes at Nirman Bhawan.

BJP using central forces to influence voters: Mamata

Iterating that the BJP government was using the central forces to influence voters in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said she feared that BJP and RSS activists have entered the state, sporting the uniform of the forces, to conduct polling.

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Voter turnout at 4 PM: 50.77%

Bihar: 44.40%

Haryana: 51.86%

Madhya Pradesh: 52.78%

Uttar Pradesh: 43.26%

West Bengal: 70.51%

Jharkhand: 58.08%

NCT of Delhi: 45.24%

'PM doing dirty politics over Alwar gang rape case'

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his charge that she was "shedding crocodile tears" over the Alwar gang-rape incident, BSP supremo Mayawati on Sundayaccused him of indulging in "dirty politics" and demanded his resignation for incidents of Dalit atrocities in the past.

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Modi mocking EC, EC thinks PM is above law: Yechury

Filing a fresh complaint against Narendra Modi for his latest "outrageous" remarks on Balakot strikes, the CPI(M) on Sunday said the Prime Minister is "mocking" the Election Commission while the poll body acts as if he is above the electoral process.

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Voter turnout at 6 PM: 59.70%

Bihar: 55.04%

Haryana: 62.14%

Madhya Pradesh: 60.12%

Uttar Pradesh: 50.82%

West Bengal: 80.13%

Jharkhand: 64.46%

NCT of Delhi: 55.44%

Digvijaya Singh fails to cast his vote

Differently abled beat the odds to cast their votes

Beating the odds, differently abled voters turned up at polling stations across the city on Sunday to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha election with a sense of duty towards the nation.

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Voter turnout at 7 PM: 61.14%

Bihar: 59.29%

Haryana: 62.91%

Madhya Pradesh: 60.40%

Uttar Pradesh: 53.37%

West Bengal: 80.16%

Jharkhand: 64.46%

NCT of Delhi: 56.11%

63.3 pc voter turnout in phase 6: EC

The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls witnessed a turnout of 63.3 per cent as 59 parliamentary constituencies in seven states voted Sunday, the Election Commission said.

The sixth phase of polling was held for eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana and all seven in Delhi, four in Jharkhand, eight in Madhya Pradesh, 14 in Uttar Pradesh and eight in West Bengal.

Election Commission officials said the final polling percentage may rise as there were queues at some places and this figure is till 6 pm.

The percentage for various states separately was not available immediately as information was being collected from various states, the EC officials said.