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Lok Sabha Election News: After two phases of polling, it appears BJP will cross 300 on its own, says Prakash Javadekar
18 Apr, 2020 | 04:35:38 AM IST
After the first two phases of polling, it appears that the BJP will cross the 300-mark on its own in the Lok Sabha, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said Thursday. He said the opposition parties have already started preparing ground for their "certain defeat".
1 New Update
Karnataka: Election Commission flying squad checked luggage of BJP leaders BS Yeddyurappa and KS Eshwarappa at helipad in Shivamogga earlier today
Karnataka: Election Commission flying squad checked luggage of BJP leaders BS Yeddyurappa and KS Eshwarappa at heli… https://t.co/sB855aaK1Z
— ANI (@ANI) 1555608249000Tripura Congress chief slaps IPFT man inside police station
Tripura Congress president Pradyot Dev Burman courted controversy on Thursday after he was seen in a CCTV footage slapping a supporter of the IPFT, an ally of the ruling BJP, inside a police station.
Police arrested the IPFT supporter earlier in the day on the charge of trying to attack the convoy of Congress' Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Dev Burman in Khowai district of Tripura on Thursday.
Pragya is the sister of the state Congress president.
64% voting in Odisha, repoll sought in 6 booths
An estimated 64 per cent of the 76.93 lakh voters exercised their franchise in five Lok Sabha and 35 assembly seats of Odisha in the second phase on Thursday, State chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said.
Though polling time has been over at 4 pm in the Maoist affected areas and at 6 pm in other places, many people were seen on the queue to cast their votes at 9.30 pm.
The final turnout figure will be available after completion of voting in all the places, the CEO said.
70% voter turnout in Udhampur, 15 per cent in Srinagar as 2nd phase passes of peacefully in Jammu & Kashmir
Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu ends peacefully, 70% turnout; likely to go up
Elections to 38 Lok Sabha seats and bypolls for 18 Assembly segments in Tamil Nadu Thursday was by and large peaceful and the tentative turnout for Parliamentary polls stood at 69.55 per cent, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said.
The turnout figure is likely to go up as data was still being collated, he said.
When the figure goes up, it is expected to be more or less correspond to the final tally of 73.68 per cent recorded in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
After I-T raids, Shiv Sena picks holes in demonetisation
The Shiv Sena Thursday sought to pick holes in the BJP-led government's demonetisation exercise after the I-T raids during the ongoing poll season and said the note-ban was aimed at weeding out black money and stop illegal distribution ofcash during elections.
The Sena, a BJP ally, said in the last few days, there have been I-T raids on prominent political parties and their leaders in which large amount of cash is claimed to have been confiscated.
Voter turnout in Karnataka for the 2nd phase
Voter turnout in Karnataka for 2nd phase of #LokSabhaElections2019: Tumkur - 77.01% Mandya - 80.23% Mysore - 68.72… https://t.co/ZMjfvjtAGq
— ANI (@ANI) 1555600859000Since Nehru, Cong making false promises on poverty eradication: Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari Thursday attacked the Congress on Thursday saying the party has been making false promises of eradicating poverty for four generations since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru.
The senior BJP leader also asserted that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can keep the country safe by crushing terrorism and also ensure speedy development and end woes of the poor.
"The Congress ruled the country for decades since Independence. For four generations, its leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru pledged to eradicate poverty, but the promises have been false," Gadkari said.
Sixty-six per cent turnout recorded in second phase of Lok Sabha polls
- Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha
Maharashtra: 57.22 pc polling in 2nd phase, less than in 2014
An average 57.22 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm across 10 constituencies in Maharashtra which went to the polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections Thursday, an official said.
The final turnout of Thursday's polling in the state will be known later and could be higher, the official said.
In 2014, the average voting in these seats was 62.39 per cent.
No alliance with Congress in Haryana: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday said there will be no alliance with the Congress in Haryana after the grand old party refused to have a tie-up in any other state apart from Delhi.
Uncertainty prevails over the alliance in Delhi, with sources saying that an internal meeting is being held at the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the 4:3 seat sharing arrangement, with four seats for the ruling party. The AAP has proposed 5:2 seat sharing with five seats for the ruling party and two for the Congress.
Something wrong with EVMs, need to study them: Sam Pitroda
He can not pinpoint the flaw immediately and would need to study the machine for that, the Congress leader said.
Election Commission:
Election Commission: 2nd phase of General Elections concluded today...By today, polling has concluded completely in… https://t.co/l7P1hLDFcS
— ANI (@ANI) 1555594796000Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM in Aurangabad, Maharashtra:
Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM in Aurangabad, Maharashtra: PM of India you are the king of liars, you don't want to fight… https://t.co/QcIMj6ZbPK
— ANI (@ANI) 1555594398000J&K BJP writes to Election Commission demanding FIR against Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vikramaditya Singh, and Waqar Rasool Wani for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
J&K BJP writes to Election Commission demanding FIR against Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vikramaditya Singh, and Waqar Rasool… https://t.co/qWNUBIYxDS
— ANI (@ANI) 1555593862000Something wrong with EVMs, need to study them: Sam Pitroda
Technocrat-turned-politician Sam Pitroda HAS SAID that he feels there is something wrong with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He can not pinpoint the flaw immediately and would need to study the machine for that, the Congress leader said. "As an engineer, as a technical expert, I am not satisfied with EVM," Pitroda said at a press conference. "But I have not been able to pinpoint it because I do not have an EVM. If someone gives me an EVM to study for a year, then I can say something."
These polling figures of the 2nd phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 are till 5 PM
These polling figures of the 2nd phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 are till 5 PM. Further figures awaited. https://t.co/p4WbGmwzTr
— ANI (@ANI) 1555591641000Lok Sabha polls: 57.22% voter turnout in Maharashtra for 2nd phase
By Bikash Singh There are 1033 remote polling stations in Phase II, many of whom will be returning tomorrow late evening. The final figure will be released after all the polling parties return in Assam.
Total voter turnout for 2nd phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 is 61.12%
Total voter turnout for 2nd phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 is 61.12%. https://t.co/mw2R25FLWC
— ANI (@ANI) 1555591011000Ram Madhav, BJP on Pragya Thakur:
Ram Madhav, BJP on Pragya Thakur: The decision is taken by Madhya Pradesh unit. She is probably right challenger fo… https://t.co/mBGzPR8ZTI
— ANI (@ANI) 1555590853000Ram Madhav on Pragya Thakur:
Ram Madhav on Pragya Thakur: Accusation of saffron terror, Hindu terror was a creation of UPA. No such thing existe… https://t.co/C2Rz7PUqqo
— ANI (@ANI) 1555590281000Congress-JDS united on backing corruption, dynasty: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the ruling Congress and JDS in Karnataka differ on every issue but were united on backing dynasty and corruption and speaking ill about nationalism and him.
At an election rally here, he also lashed out at Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy of JDS for his reported remark that only those who can't meet two square meals a day join the armed forces.
"....the chief minister says only those who are hungry go to armed forces; this family (Deve Gowda's) should be thrown out from the public life," Modi said.
He also told the crowd, "your vote will decide whether those saying Bharat Mata ki Jai will be honoured or those who chant 'Tukde-Tukde'".
Two villages in Osmanabad district boycott voting
Two villages in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra Thursday boycotted voting for the Lok Sabha election, as the villagers felt that the government has not paid heed to their demands and the issues have remained unresolved so far.
Residents of Jejala village in Bhum tehsil and Dhanegaon village in Tuljapur boycotted voting.
Jejala has around 1,000 voters, but till 1 pm not a single person came to the polling booth.
Assam: 5 pm poll percentage: 1-Karimganj – 71.41% 2-Silchar – 71.79% 3-Autonomous Districts – 69.51% 8-Mangaldoi – 75.07% 10-Nowgong – 75.71% Average – 73.32%
Election Commission flying squad seized Rs 11.85 lakh unaccounted cash in Sion area last night
Mumbai: Election Commission flying squad seized Rs 11.85 lakh unaccounted cash in Sion area last night. #Maharashtra https://t.co/o6uYkDI7iX
— ANI (@ANI) 1555589398000Tehseen Poonawalla files complaint with Election Commission against candidature of Pragya Singh Thakur
Tehseen Poonawalla files complaint with Election Commission against candidature of Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal… https://t.co/7quJfeKktM
— ANI (@ANI) 1555589155000Poonam Sinha files nomination from Lucknow, to contest against Rajnath Singh
Watch: Proxy voting caught on cam in West Bengal's Raigunj
53% voting till 3 pm in Odisha, repoll sought in 4 booths
About 53 per cent of the over 76.93 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 3 pm in five Odisha Lok Sabha and 35 assembly seats, some of them in naxal-affected areas, in the second phase on Thursday, EC top official said.
State chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said polling is in progress in a peaceful and smooth manner in all the constituencies, including those in naxal-affected areas.
"No untoward incident was reported from anywhere," he said.
Congress ditched me, but my family stands by me: Sujay Vikhe Patil
In an interview to PTI, Sujay slammed the NCP for making the election a personal issue, which prompted him to join the BJP.
Our Mahagathbandhan is an alliance of three parties (SP, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal) but the BJP is with 38 parties and this is an adulterated alliance
- Akhilesh Yadav
Milind is the man for South Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani
From small shopkeepers to large industrialists - for everyone, South Mumbai means business. We need to bring busin… https://t.co/6BB5KMdaMu
— Milind Deora (@milinddeora) 155552548900045.77 per cent polling recorded in Bihar till 3 pm
60 per cent polling till 3 pm in Chhattisgarh
Mukesh Ambani, Kotak endorse Deora for Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani and billionaire banker Uday Kotak have endorsed the candidature of Congress leader Milind Deora from the Mumbai South Lok Saba constituency, where polling is slated on April 29.
The backing of Ambani, Reliance IndustriesNSE 3.14 % Limited chairman, to the Congress leader comes at a time when the party has been unrelenting in attack on his industrialist- brother Anil Ambani over the Rafale deal.
BJP attacks Tejashwi over his tweets against PM Modi
The BJP accused RJD leadership of promoting dynasty and using politics for personal "enjoyment", as it hit out at Tejashwi Yadav after he questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's OBC credentials. BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav accused Tejashwi Yadav, son of Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad, of posting "arrogant, graceless and childish" tweets. This was after Tejashwi posted Modi's OBC's credentials are "fake".
60.38 per cent polls cast till 3 pm in Assam
Congress, AAP question suspension over PM chopper check
Congress and AAP have questioned the Election Commission's move to suspend an IAS officer for checking PM Narendra Modi's chopper in Odisha. "An official was suspended by ECI for doing his job of inspecting vehicles. The rule cited governs the use of official vehicles for campaigning. It does not exempt PM's vehicle from being searched," the party said in a tweet.The Aam Aadmi Party also took a jibe at Modi, tweeting: "Suspension of the officer who checked PM's helicopter. The chowkidar lives in his own protected shell! Is the Chowkidar trying to hide something."
Father of a victim in Malegaon blast has filed application against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur after she was declared BJP candidate from Bhopal
Voter turnout at 3 PM
Polling�� underway for 95 Parliamentary Constituencies spread across 11 States n Puducherry UT in the second phase o… https://t.co/rZHhOUOw0n
— PIB India (@PIB_India) 1555584153000Voter turnout till 3 PM in Jammu and Kashmir is 38.5%, including 5.7% in Srinagar
Why suspend an officer for checking PM's chopper? What message is being sent? Law is special for some
- Ahmed Patel, Congress leader
Congress complains to EC about faulty EVMs in Maharashtra
The Congress on Thursday said it has submitted 33 complaints to the Election Commission about "glitches" in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) at some polling booths across Maharashtra's 10 Lok Sabha seats where voting was underway.
The state Congress unit's legal cell submitted the complaints to the EC via e-mail, the party said in a statement. It also flagged concerns about poor lighting arrangements at some polling centres.
Congress questions suspension over PM chopper check
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel has asked the Election Commission (EC) why it suspended a General Observer for allegedly checking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter in Odisha's Sambalpur on Tuesday. "There have been instances where during polls the EC was allowed to check convoys of both current and former Congress Presidents. The Special Protection Group (SPG) protectees can't be frisked personally. Why suspend an officer for checking PM's chopper? What message is being sent? Law is special for some," Patel tweeted.
Assam voting percentages till 3 pm
Karimganj – 63.66% , Silchar – 57.06%, Autonomous Districts, 62.70%, Mangaldoi – 62.73, Nowgong – 56.78% ...
Average – 60.38%
Another Bangladeshi actor told to leave India
One more Bangladeshi actor, Ghazi Abdul Noor , who attended a political rally in Dumdum, West Bengal has been asked to leave India, ANI reports quoting MHA sources. In any case his visa had already expired. Appropriate action is also being taken regarding his overstay in contravention of visa validity.
EC searches Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy’s chopper, luggage again
51.6 per cent votes cast in West Bengal in first 4 hours
EC warns minister Naqvi over 'Modi ki sena' comment
Election Commission of India warns Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi over his 'Modi ki Sena' comment, asks him to… https://t.co/XDR5kcBDGW
— ANI (@ANI) 1555581666000PM Narendra Modi in Bagalkot, Karnataka
PM Narendra Modi in Bagalkot,Karnataka: The drama unfolding here in the state for the past one year is refusing to… https://t.co/gAV9M07NkS
— ANI (@ANI) 1555581046000The man who threw his shoes at BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav and spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao at the press conference has been identified as Shakti Bhargava, a surgeon from Kanpur. He has been detained.
Left mere onlookers this Lok Sabha polls: AK Antony
Congress Working Committee member and Rajya Sabha MP A.K. Antony said that the Left forces were mere onlookers in this Lok Sabha elections. "The fight is between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Left is nowhere in the picture and are mere onlookers. But we would need their support, in case the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and others fall short of a majority to keep out the Modi government from a second term," he said.
Several voters in Brahmapur in Nowgong constituency allege that their names are missing in the voter list: ET Bureau
I have not built Sardar Patel's statue to belittle Pandit Nehru. Patel's stature is so tall that you don't have to try too hard to make others look small
- PM Narendra Modi
Kumaraswamy's chopper searched by EC officials
Uttara Kannada: Election Commission officials searched the luggage and chopper of Karnakata Chief Minister HD Kumar… https://t.co/jixRkf8wge
— ANI (@ANI) 1555579378000Kerala Police book state BJP president over 'communal' remark
Kerala: Police registered a case against BJP State president P S Sreedharan Pillai on charges of giving a communal… https://t.co/kHyTyl85Zp
— ANI (@ANI) 1555578176000AIADMK alleges violation of model code by Dayanidhi Maran
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Thursday alleged violation of the model code of conduct by DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, the candidate from Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, saying he sought votes on polling day. Party spokesperson and advocate R M Babu Murgavel lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, marking a copy to state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo in this connection.
BJP candidate put under house arrest in Bulandshahr
BJP candidate from Bulandshahr, Bhola Singh, was placed under house arrest after a video showing him campaigning and seeking votes inside a polling station went viral on the social media.
In the video clip, Bhola Singh as seen walking into the Sharma Inter College polling station and seeking blessings of voters, who had lined up outside the booth.
Voter turnout till 1 pm in Maharashtra is 35.4 per cent
