Assembly elections highlights: Bhim Army chief Azad rebukes Congress for ‘disrespecting’ Kumari Selja

Assembly elections live updates: Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday accused the BJP government of giving Sonipat step-motherly treatment, claiming that development in the region halted during the party’s 10-year rule. He asserted that under the Congress, both Sonipat and the state as a whole progressed in terms of development, but that progress has stalled during the BJP's tenure.

Hooda made these remarks while addressing 11 public meetings across three assembly constituencies in Sonipat district. Haryana is set to vote on October 5, with results to be announced on October 8.

Assembly elections live updates: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, speaking in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, said, “While we have indeed been part of the NDA, we have never allowed the BJP to gain a foothold in J&K. We prevented them from winning in Jammu, let alone entering Kashmir. PM Narendra Modi should focus on issues beyond 'three families,' as people are weary of hearing the same refrain repeatedly. The BJP is aiming for a hung assembly here, hoping that Governor's rule continues, as they want the elections to yield no clear outcome.”

Assembly elections live updates: Regarding the alleged shooting of Pradeep Chaudhary, the Congress candidate for the Kalka constituency, Panchkula Youth Congress President Nayab Chaudhary said, “We were on our way to campaign for Pradeep Chaudhary. When we arrived at the village bus stand, Goldie, the boy who was shot, was recording a video. Suddenly, we heard noises resembling firecrackers. Initially, we thought people were setting off firecrackers, but the women informed us that bullets had been fired. The attackers fled the scene. Two individuals were struck by bullets, one in the chest and the other in the hand.”

Assembly elections live updates: The Election Commission of India announced on Friday that the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections saw an overall voter turnout of 61.38 per cent.

Totally 24 out of 90 assembly constituencies went for voting during the first phase in the Union Territory.

Assembly elections live updates: Himachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that Congress and the National Conference will form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the BJP is aware of this. He said that with the first phase of elections concluded, the BJP is worried. Agnihotri highlighted key issues such as misuse of power, corruption, and unemployment, claiming that the BJP is trying to divert attention from these concerns.

Assembly elections live updates: Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad commented on Kumari Selja's absence from the Congress poll campaign in Haryana amid reports of her dissatisfaction with ticket distribution. “How many times should a person be disrespected? Someone who has served the party for so long is now facing disrespect. On one hand, she has been sidelined, and on the other, they are making such remarks. They should remember that they also have mothers and sisters. It's not right to be so arrogant.”

Assembly elections live updates: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal stated on Friday that the people of Haryana are calling for a change, asserting that government formation in the state is not possible without his party's support. He added, “I have calculated how many seats AAP is going to win, and I know that the government will not be formed without AAP's support.”

Assembly elections live updates: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Friday kicked off his party's campaign in Haryana for the upcoming elections with a roadshow in the Jagadhri constituency.

Assembly elections live updates: BJP leader Anil Vij on Friday questioned what the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would offer to the people of Haryana. He said hat since AAP is in power in Punjab, they should first ensure that Haryana receives water to address the needs of its fields, and only after that should they talk about seeking votes.

Assembly elections live updates: BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya on Friday commented on AAP's allegations of the BJP offering money to its leaders, saying that if he claimed he was offered ₹5 crore, people might not believe him. He said that AAP is fabricating stories because they are scared.

Assembly elections live updates: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Puskhar Singh Dhami addressed public gatherings to campaign in support of BJP candidate Darshan Singh in Basantpur (Basohli), Jammu and Kashmir.

While campaigning for the BJP candidate on Thursday, CM Dhami said that he has come from Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, where gods reside in every place. He said that the Basohli area is also known as a place of temples.

Assembly elections live updates: Projecting its national convener Arvind Kejriwal as the son of the soil, the Aam Aadmi Party is hoping to make a mark in the assembly polls in Haryana where it has not tasted any electoral success yet.

"Give a chance to Arvind Kejriwal. If he works for the people then vote for him next time, otherwise do not vote for him…People of Haryana will decide whether they want the same government which is running till now or they want 'badlav' (change). The AAP is the voice of every person in Haryana," AAP's national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said.

Assembly elections live updates: As polling for assembly elections are approaching Haryana, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday, in a satirical video, took a jibe at the BJP-led Haryana Government and said that the state government has been sleeping for 10 years.

Kharge on his social media handle on X shared a satirical video, which showed that the public (primarily youth) of Haryana is trying to wake up the "sleeping" Haryana government, citing several issues including unemployment, inflation, kidnapping, murder, crime, and MSP, but instead of acting on the issues, the government remains impassive.

Assembly elections live updates: Jammu and Kashmir went to the first phase of polls on Wednesday, September 18. The union territory's voters turned up in unprecedented numbers to exercise their franchise - in the first assembly elections in a decade. According to the Election Commission, the seats in phase one - 16 in Kashmir and eight in Jammu - recorded an overall turnout of 61.11 per cent.

Assembly elections live updates: Former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar exuded confidence in the BJP's win in assembly polls, saying that the BJP will form the government in the state for the third consecutive time.

"Our manifesto means to provide facilities to society. Their manifesto means to provide benefits. We do not work by providing benefits, we work by providing facilities so that people's lives become simpler," he said.

Assembly elections live updates: Former Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal will kick off the party's campaign in poll-bound Haryana with a roadshow in the Jagadhri constituency on Friday.

According to AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak, he will also participate in 13 events across 11 districts, covering the Dabwali, Rania, Bhiwani, Meham, Kalayat, Assandh and Ballabhgarh constituencies, among others, in the coming days.