Lok Sabha Elections Highlights: Have to return to jail after 20 days; if you choose AAP symbol I won't have to go back, says Kejriwal

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A recap of political developments

It is May 12, Sunday. Let's bring you up to speed

• Phase 4 campaigning ends on chaotic note as 96 seats prepare to go to polls on May 13

• At 75 next year, Modi to make Shah PM if BJP wins polls, says Kejriwal

• PM Modi will continue to lead, asserts Amit Shah on Kejriwal's '75 years age rule in BJP' remarks

• Rahul Gandhi accepts invitation for public debate on polls but 'expects' PM Modi to be there

• Congress insulted President Murmu after Ram temple visit, will get fewer seats than age of its ‘shehzada’: PM Modi

DH Opinion | The Modi meltdown from March to May

It is halftime in the game of India’s 2024 national elections, with voting for 283 out of the 543 seats completed. But unlike in football, we don’t know the halftime score in this match. India has the technological competence to send rockets to Moon and Mars in one shot but strangely, cannot conduct its national elections in one shot.

As the elections stretch on arduously over two months and seven phases, most people are trapped in this weird situation of watching the election game without knowing the score.

Dig more here

Challenge BJP to declare CM candidate for Odisha: BJD's Pandian

Senior BJD leader VK Pandian on Saturday challenged the BJP to declare its CM candidate for Odisha and claimed that the party would get less than 10 per cent votes if it names any of its current state leaders. Campaigning in the Sundergarh Lok Sabha seat, Pandian said BJP has been "day-dreaming" about forming government in Odisha since 2014.

"When elections come many leaders come as election tourists, and then they are not seen for five years," he said.

EC reaction to Kharge's letter to I.N.D.I.A. bloc partners 'inappropriate and unwarranted', says Gehlot

The Election Commission's reaction to a letter by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to I.N.D.I.A. bloc partners expressing concern over delays in releasing voter turnout figures for the first two poll phases was "completely inappropriate and unwarranted", former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said on Saturday.

The commission on Friday, in a response to Kharge's letter, called it an attempt to push a biased narrative under the guise of seeking clarifications.

He (Arvind Kejriwal) has gone crazy after staying in the jail. He is on bail, but he will return to the jail again very soon: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Lok Sabha polls: Prime Minister Modi to hold four rallies in West Bengal today

"KL Sharma is enough for Smriti Irani in Amethi": Congress leader Ashok Gehlot

Lok Sabha elections: Phase 4 campaigning ends, 96 constituencies to witness polling on May 13

Under PM Modi's leadership, the country has made a new way in the world... The Congress ruled the country for 55-60 years. The people faced problems and the Congress failed to solve them: Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini

J-K: Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency to vote on May 13

Former Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on PM Modi's 'Rahul Gandhi stopped abusing 'Ambani-Adani' remark

BJP's Nityanand Rai eyes hat-trick; RJD's Alok Kumar Mehta trying to make a comeback in Bihar's Ujiarpur

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to address press conference at 1 pm at AAP headquarters: Aam Aadmi Party

The PM will have to apologise to the women of Sandeshkhali. Those women were insulted by BJP leaders for votes. It has now become clear that rapes did not happen, but they took signatures on paper for houses: Congress leader Surendra Rajput

Kejriwal should not become PM Modi's advisor, as long as the people of the country want PM Modi, he will give direction to the country, even after 2029, if the people of the country want, Narendra Modi will remain there: Giriraj Singh

PM Modi's'interviews' - to newspapers and TV channels - are a complete farce that the country is being subjected to these days, alleges Jairam Ramesh

Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva holds a door-to-door campaign in East Delhi in support of party candidate Harsh Mal

AAP MLAs arrive at residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. CM Kejriwal had called a meeting with MLAs after being released from Tihar Jail.

Visuals of preparations near Dak Bungalow Chowk in Patna for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow

PM Modi’s visit to Patna is an attack on the ones with corrupt and atrocious mindset. The people of Bihar are waiting to welcome PM Modi: Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha

Here's what Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary said on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled roadshow in Patna today.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Varanasi. He will inaugurate the Bharatiya Janata Party's Media Centre shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election rally in Barrackpore, West Bengal

"I take your blessings. The BJP is going to get a bigger success than 2019. West Bengal is an important state for us. Congress ruled for 50 years, but people of Eastern India only got poverty despite the states being capable. These states have mineral resources, fertile land. These states have also tourism potential. I have decided to make these states an engine of growth for Viksit Bharat."

PM Modi's 5 promises to West Bengal in poll rally

"I am giving five guarantees to Bengal. As long as I am here, there will be no religion-based reservation. Nobody will be able to stop reservation of SC, ST, OBC. Nobody will be able to stop you from doing Ram Navami Puja. Nobody will be able to overturn the decision of SC on Ram Temple. Nobody will be able to finish CAA."

This land played an important role in independence. Look what TMC has done to it: PM Modi in West Bengal's Barrackpore

Addressing a public rally in Barrackpore, PM Narendra Modi says, "This land of West Bengal and especially Barrackpore has written history. This land played an important role in independence. Look what TMC has done to it. There was a time when Bengal played an important role in strengthening Bangladesh's economy. Today TMC has made it the centre of scams. There was a time when scientific inventions were done in Bengal, but in TMC's rule, there is a home industry of producing bombs in the entire state. There was a time when Bengal would agitate against illegal immigrants, but today under TMC's protection, illegal immigrants are thriving."

Neither they could topple our government, nor were they able to break our MLAs, nor were they able to dent our Punjab government: Kejriwal

The TMC-Congress INDI alliance in Bengal has submitted before appeasement politics. They ask for vote-jihad against Modi: PM at election rally in West Bengal's Barrackpore

TMC has made bomb making a cottage industry in Bengal: PM Narendra Modi at Barrackpore rally

We will get bigger success in this Lok Sabha polls than in 2019 in Bengal: PM Modi at a rally in Barrackpore.

TMC regime doesn't allow people to take Lord Ram’s name, and celebrate Ram Navami: PM in Barrackpore

Hindus have become second class citizens in Bengal under the TMC rule: PM Modi at Barrackpore rally

TMC is doing everything to protect the culprits of Sandeshkhali: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducts a roadshow in Barrackpore, West Bengal

Voting will be held tomorrow for eight Lok Sabha seats: Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan

During Congress rule eastern India only experienced poverty and migration: Modi in West Bengal

PM Modi addresses election rally in West Bengal's Hooghly

Keep it in writing, Congress will get fewer seats than the age of Congress' 'Shehzada': PM Modi in Hooghly

Today we are going to announce '10 guarantees of Kejriwal' for the Lok Sabha Elections2024: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

The people in 'West' celebrate this day as Mother's Day, but in India, we worship our Mother, Ma Durga, Ma Kaali and Bharat Mata, 365 days a year: PM Modi

Here’s what Union Home Minister Amit Shah said addressing a public meeting in Kaushambi, UP

Addressing a public meeting in Kaushambi Lok Sabha constituency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Mallikarjun Kharge says that people of UP and Rajasthan don't have anything to do with Kashmir... Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP were taking care of Article 370 in Kashmir like its illegitimate child. You made PM Modi Prime Minister for the second time, he ended Article 370... He ended terrorism in Kashmir and made it an integral part of India. These two 'Shehzade' Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi say that when they would form the government, they will reintroduce Article 370..."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announces to provide up to 200 units of free electricity to all the poor in the country if voted to power.

He says "Out of the 10 guarantees, the first guarantee is that we will provide 24-hour electricity in the country. The country has the capacity to generate 3 lakh MW of electricity but the usage is only 2 lakh MW. Our country can produce electricity more than the demand. We have done it in Delhi and Punjab, we will do it in the country also. We will provide up to 200 units of free electricity to all the poor. It will cost Rs 1.25 lakh crore, we can arrange it..."

People have to take call whether to go for 'Kejriwal ki Guarantee' or 'Modi Guarantee': Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

I want to leave behind 'Vikshit Bharat' for the people of this country: PM Narendra Modi at Hooghly rally.

Our second guarantee is that we will arrange good and excellent free education for everyone: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Modi government will give you 75,000 rupees for putting up solar panel at the rooftop: PM at West Bengal's Hooghly

Amid BJP's efforts of development, TMC is busy in its 'own work': PM in Bengal

Based on performance in three phases of polls, I can say with certainty that NDA will cross 400 seats: PM Modi at Hooghly rally

Kejriwal's guarantees include 24X7 power, good education, health facilities in villages: AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

"Freeing" Indian land from Chinese control, shutting down Agniveer scheme also our guarantees: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.

If the INDI alliance wins, then who will be their PM candidate: Amit Shah in UP

Our third guarantee is better healthcare: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Kejriwal gave guarantees to provide free electricity in Delhi and Punjab, opening new schools, and Mohalla clinics; and we fulfilled all of these guarantees,” says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Farmers will be provided MSP as per Swaminathan Commission report, full statehood to Delhi also part of my guarantees: Arvind Kejriwal

Do you think Arvind Kejriwal has any credibility left: Tejasvi Surya

"Do you think Arvind Kejriwal has any credibility left? He has taken many U-turns so far in his political life. During the Anna Hazare movement in 2013, many youths including me joined thinking it a non-political campaign against corruption. Now Arvind Kejriwal has cheated everyone who believed in idea that he presented. He is in alliance with people like Lalu Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray whom he had openly criticised. Arvind Kejriwal is a face of hypocrisy."

Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in the country. After the fourth phase of elections, there will be a tsunami in support of BJP and PM Modi. ‘Fir ek baar, Modi sarkaar’: Yogi Adityanath

Even though the Prime Minister is coming to Bihar, he has not fulfilled a single promise he made to the people of Bihar: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

On PM Narendra Modi's roadshow in Patna, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "He is doing a roadshow whereas we have done a job show. I want to appeal to the Prime Minister that you have visited Bihar 8-10 times now, but you have not told people what you will do for Bihar in the next five years... Even though the Prime Minister is coming to Bihar, he has not fulfilled a single promise he made to the people of Bihar. He said he would give a special package, special attention, and special status to Bihar, what happened to these promises?...

The Prime Minister is coming here, the Home Minister is coming here, Rajnath Singh is coming here, JP Nadda is coming here, Nitin Gadkari is coming here, CMs of various states are coming here, everyone is being brought to Bihar to campaign for BJP. Whereas we stand alone. We have organised nearly 140 public meetings. This means we are overpowering everyone else... Prime Minister's road plan was changed many times. he is going through places which are heavily populated... BJP has been pushed out of villages."

Rahul baba, if you want to be scared of atom bomb, then be scared, we aren't; PoK belongs to India, we will take it: Amit Shah in UP

TMC and other parties are looting the people of the country and building bungalows and mansions for their heirs: PM in Bengal

Modi says 'Har Ghar Jal', TMC says 'Har Ghar Bomb': PM in Bengal's Hooghly

"There is a Mafia rule here. Modi says 'Har Ghar Jal', TMC says 'Har Ghar Bomb'. There was a bomb blast here. Life of Mothers, sisters daughters have become difficult here. You can see Sandeshkhali. I guarantee that no TMC tyrant will be spared. TMC has betrayed the youth of Bengal. Paper leaks are happening. It is affecting everyone. Their leaders are in jail. Mountain of cash has been recovered. Will you not punish TMC? Do they have a right to win even a seat?" says PM Modi in an election rally in Hooghly, West Bengal.

PM Modi should be ashamed that he is still peddling lies about Sandeshkhali: CM Mamata Banerjee at election rally in Amdanga

Why is PM Modi not seeking West Bengal governor's resignation despite allegations of molestation against him, asks CM Mamata Banerjee

BJP is giving slogan of Make in India, TMC is making slogan of 'Break in India': PM in Bengal

"This was a Jute capital. TMC, Left have spoiled it. BJP is giving slogan of Make in India, TMC is making slogan of 'Break in India'. TMC is breaking society and unity. This land takes motivation from Ram Krishna Paramhans. Due to appeasement politics, they don't care about you. They are hungry for power in such a manner that they are even angered on construction of Ram Temple. They've even neglected Ram Temple. They are neglecting the heritage of India," says PM Modi in an election rally in Hooghly, West Bengal.

Our fourth guarantee is 'Nation first': Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says "...Our fourth guarantee is 'Nation first'. China has occupied our land but our central govt is denying it...There is a lot of strength in our army. All the land of the country which has been occupied by China will be freed. For this, efforts will be made at the diplomatic level on one side and the Army will be given complete freedom to take whatever steps it wants to take regarding this...A scheme like Agniveer is harmful for the army and the youth are also troubled by it. The Agniveer scheme will be withdrawn..."

Here's what Anurag Thakur said on Delhi Cm Arvind Kejriwal

Himachal Pradesh: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, Anurag Thakur said, "The person who used to talk about the agitation against corruption is behind bars today, due to serious corruption charges. He is out on interim bail for few days. Then, he has to go to jail again. Right now, he can lie as much as he wants, but the truth is that his ministers are in jail... Arvind Kejriwal is currently out on bail. There is nothing to celebrate in this ..."

Supreme Court has said that you can't keep a national convenor of a national party in jail during elections... His (Arvind Kejriwal) coming out of jail is a big relief for us: Bhagwant Mann

Former Chief Minister of Haryana and candidate from Karnal Lok Sabha, Manohar Lal Khattar holds door-to-door campaign in Karnal..

TMC's recruitment mafia has destroyed future of the youths of Bengal: PM Narendra Modi at Hooghly rally

Kejriwal also promised to end the Agniveer scheme and ensure that farmers get MSP for their crops as per the Swaminathan Commission's report.

He (Arvind Kejriwal) has just come out of jail, so he had to say something to appear in the media... Is there a need to take this seriously: Ravi Shankar Prasad

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal announces 'Kejriwal ki Guarantee'

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced 'Kejriwal ki Guarantee', listing 10 works that will be done on war-footing, including to 'free' Indian land from Chinese occupation, if the I.N.D.I.A. bloc forms government at the Centre.

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PoK belongs to India and no one can take away it from us: Amit Shah

Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "If Pakistan has atom bombs, should we leave PoK? I promise you today, we don't get scared of atom bombs, PoK belongs to India and no one can take away it from us."

On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's statement, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor points out that Modi insists that everyone should step down at 75

" ...We saw two statements one after the other, one is Amit Shah saying PM Modi insists that everyone should step down at 75, then the next day we saw Amit Shah saying PM Modi will continue till 2029. So, journalists should ask Amit Shah which one is right...Kejriwal is right to point this contradiction out. If PM Modi turns 75 in September 2025, according to his official records...on September 2025 are we going to see a change of Prime Minister or will there be an exception for one man? But in any case, we don't have to wait till September 2025, there would be a change of PM in June 2024"

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says that discussion on seat sharing in UP on with CM Yogi Adityanath

ED summons Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam for questioning in money laundering case on May 14 at Ranchi: Officials

PM Modi addresses rally in West Bengal's Howrah

"The way TMC is looting Bengal is a great sin. Teacher recruitment scam, coal scam, chit fund scam, ration scam... what a long list it is. TMC has not even spared our farmers. TMC loots paddy farmers in the markets."

God sent Modi on Earth to take care of poor, backward and weaker sections, says PM in Bengal

Congress' corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics added to Left's torture combined makes TMC: Modi

The central government is reaching to doorsteps and that is why crores from Bengal are getting free ration, says Modi in Bengal in his last election rally in the state

"Not for me, but for you, Maa Bharti, my determination is there. Election will come and go, but your love is important. God has sent me to serve to the poor, Dalit, Pichhda. Parties used to take vote from you, but after that, their language would change. Modi has changed this approach. The central government is reaching to doorsteps and that is why crores from Bengal are getting free ration."

Corruption common character of I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties, TMC has made it full-time business: PM Modi in Howrah

"TMC has made scams its full-time business. Be it the Left, Congress or any other party of the Indi Alliance, corruption is their common character. Most of the parties in the indie alliance do scams secretly, but TMC runs an open industry of scams."

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar says to forget Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK): Union Home Minister Amit Shah in UP

"They (opposition) have left no stone unturned in doing appeasement politics. POK is ours. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar says to forget Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)... POK belongs to India. No power of the world can take it from us..."

His guarantees are as fake as his earlier works. He is preparing to lose election: Anurag Thakur targets Arvind Kejriwal

"No matter how many fake announcements he makes, people do not trust him...He has not even taken his alliance partners into confidence...we had already said that this alliance has no leader, no policy and there is a flaw in the intentions too...These are the people who used to talk against corruption and are now doing corruption themselves..."

This election is to make PM Modi Prime Minister for the third term. This election is to make India the third-largest economy in the world. This election is to give a befitting reply to Pakistan for its actions. This election is to answer the terrorist's bullet with a shell: Amit Shah

Rahul Gandhi will lose in Raebareli with a big margin: Amit Shah

"Rahul Gandhi should stop dreaming. Neither you will win, nor you will return (to power). As long as there is even a single BJP MP in Parliament, neither Article 370 nor Triple Talaq will be restored. Rahul Gandhi should worry about winning in Raebareli. He will lose in Raebareli with a big margin,"

I have to return to jail after 20 days; if you choose AAP symbol I won't have to go back to prison: CM Kejriwal at roadshow.

Former Punjab CM & Congress candidate from Jalandhar Charanjit Singh Channi held an election campaign in his constituency

Kejriwal 'poster boy of corruption', says BJP's Tejasvi Surya

BJP leader Tejasvi Surya on Sunday called Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the "poster boy of corruption", saying he has no moral right to comment on graft or transparency.

The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha chief was taking part in a roadshow for the BJP's Chandni Chowk candidate Praveen Khandelwal.

My fight is against those who are corrupt, those who are trying to divide the Hindus and Muslims, who are not providing education to children, and against those who are not providing poor their rights: Bigg Boss fame and Independent candidate from Mumbai North Central constituency Ajaz Khan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow under way in Patna, Bihar

You all have to vote on May 25. If you give such a big 'fatwa' then Kejriwal Sahab will not have to go to jail again... BJP's government is not being formed. AAP and I.N.D.I.A. are coming to power: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

PM Modi is losing the election, and after June 4, I.N.D.I.A. will form the government: Maharashtra Assembly LoP and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar

“They (BJP) are talking about winning more than 400 seats in the elections. I would like to ask PM Modi, if he is not scared of losing the election, why is he doing so many rallies in the entire country? Secondly, I would like to ask, why was there a need for BJP to break regional parties? The truth is, PM Modi is losing the election, and after June 4, the INDIA alliance will form the government."

BJP is trying to win the people of Sandeshkhali with Rs 2000. This is a dirty conspiracy for a political party like BJP: TMC leader Sukumar Mahato

"We will be winning and so BJP cannot digest that. We have said that if people of Sandeshkhali are wrong, if women from Sandeshkhali hit Dilip Mallik, we will be making them understand. They conspired and did all these and so the videos are getting viral. They made people sign on blank papers and scripted the rape incident. So people can understand that they have been wronged. BJP is trying to win the people of Sandeshkhali with Rs 2000. This is a dirty conspiracy for a political party like BJP"

Polling teams, police, sector officers, and micro observers set sail from Indravati Reservoir to reach the cut-off areas of Nabarangpur in Tentulikhunti block: CEO Odisha

TMC workers held a meeting over the clash that broke out between TMC and BJP workers in Sandeshkhali, earlier today.