Mumbai rally Highlights: PM Modi is just an actor, says Rahul Gandhi
- 9:26 PM IST, Mar 17‘EC to become independent after INDIA forms govt’, says Farooq Abdullah
- 9:11 PM IST, Mar 17We are fighting against a Shakti, says Rahul Gandhi
- 8:28 PM IST, Mar 17BJP is a balloon and unfortunately we are one of those who filled the air in it, says Uddhav Thackeray
- 8:14 PM IST, Mar 17INDIA will not surrender, will not stop, says Kalpana Soren
- 8:10 PM IST, Mar 17Modi wants to bring Russia's Putin and Chinese model of one party rule, says Mehbooba Mufti
- 12:33 PM IST, Mar 17WhatsApp message from Modi govt sparks row
- 12:21 PM IST, Mar 17PM Modi felicitated during public meeting in Karnataka
- 12:08 PM IST, Mar 17MK Stalin arrives in Mumbai ahead of INDIA bloc meeting
- 11:01 AM IST, Mar 17PM Modi to hold 1st NDA rally in Andhra today
- 10:52 AM IST, Mar 17Elections to be second-longest
- 10:33 AM IST, Mar 17Courts, government, all institutions work for 5 per cent, says Rahul Gandhi
- 10:13 AM IST, Mar 17Sanjay Raut praises Congress
- 10:01 AM IST, Mar 17Rahul Gandhi holds 'Nyay Sankalp Sabha' in Mumbai
- 9:30 AM IST, Mar 17Rahul Gandhi pays floral tribute at Gandhi Smarak in August Kranti Maidan
- 9:01 AM IST, Mar 17Rahul Gandhi's 'Jan Nyay Padyatra' in Mumbai begins
- 8:45 AM IST, Mar 17Rahul Gandhi's arrives Mumbai's Mani Bhavan
- 8:37 AM IST, Mar 17INDIA rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park today
- 8:09 AM IST, Mar 17Congress banks on INDIA arithmetic
- 7:45 AM IST, Mar 17What EC said about holding assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir
- 7:42 AM IST, Mar 17How to lnow if your candidate has criminal background
- 7:41 AM IST, Mar 17PM Modi to address poll rally in Andhra Pradesh
- 7:39 AM IST, Mar 17Poll schedule announced by EC
- 7:36 AM IST, Mar 17Rahul Gandhi to kick off INDIA's campaign

Mumbai rally Highlights: The Congress-led Opposition's INDIA alliance is holding a mega rally on Sunday in Mumbai's Shivaji Park. Among those attending are Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin and other top Opposition leaders such as Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav....Read More
Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, CPI general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren, and former CM Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren are also present.
Also Read | Congress banks on INDIA arithmetic, poll pitches to spring a big surprise
The meeting comes a day after the Election Commission of India announced the poll schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.
The election commission also announced assembly election dates for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The polling in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will be held on April 19, and in Andhra Pradesh on May 13. Voting in the Odisha assembly will be conducted in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.Lok Sabha polls 2024: Check statewise full schedule
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to address a poll rally in Andhra Pradesh's Palmadu at 5 pm.
More Lok Sabha 2024 election news:
- Ahead of the INDIA bloc's major rally in Shivaji Park, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will undertake a 'Nyay Sankalp Padyatra' from Mani Bhavan to August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai.
- He will also hold interaction at the Tejpal Hall near the August Kranti Maidan.
- The Election Commission while announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha elections also announced assembly elections in four states: Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on April 19, Andhra Pradesh on May 13 and Odisha in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
-The commission also said that bypolls will also be held for 26 assembly constituencies in different states.
"Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister for third time...," BJP exudes confidence on party win after LS polls dates announcement
With Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar's announcement that Lok Sabha elections for 543 seats will be held in seven phases, from April 19 till June 1 and the counting of votes will be held on June 4, the Bharatiya Janata Party said that the party is fully prepared for the Lok Sabha elections adding that Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister of the country for the third time.
Shortly after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election dates, reactions from party workers started pouring. The BJP leaders exuded confidence in the party win and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be back in power for the third consecutive time.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal spoke on the LS date announcement in Rajasthan and said, "As soon as the dates were announced, we directed everyone to follow the ECI. We will go among the public and will make them aware of the works done by PM Modi and will also take feedback."
Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant also reacted on the same and said, "We are fully prepared for the election that will be happening in 7 phases. Our alliance Shiva Sena, BJP and NCP are fully prepared. Seats will be finalised in 2-3 days."
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Uttarakhand Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Bhandari joins BJP
Uttarakhand Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Bhandari joined the BJP here on Sunday, in a setback to the grand-old party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Bhandari, a three-term Congress legislator who was also a minister in the state in the past, joined the BJP in the presence of its senior leaders, including Union Minister Piyush Goyal and the party's national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam.
Gautam is also the BJP's in-charge for Uttarakhand.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Congress in such poor state even Sonia opted for Rajya Sabha route to Parliament, says Chouhan
The Congress is in such a bad situation that even leaders like Sonia Gandhi are taking the "backdoor" Rajya Sabha route to reach Parliament instead of contesting Lok Sabha polls, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday. Rahul Gandhi's decision-making is full of confusion and the opposition party is not getting candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, which the BJP will win with a record mandate, he told reporters.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: The popularity of Mathura and Vrindavan has increased in the last 10 years, says Hema Malini
BJP MP Hema Malini says, "These elections are very important not only for the state or the country but also for the whole world. The leaders of the world want PM Modi to become the prime minister and guide them... The popularity of Mathura and Vrindavan has increased in the last 10 years... River Yamuna is also one of the main issues for us this time..."
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: State Minister Santosh Kumar Suman on seat-sharing in Bihar
On seat-sharing in Bihar, State Minister Santosh Kumar Suman says, "The seat-sharing formality is done, the announcement is left. I think that within 24-48 hours, the declaration is possible. The talks have been held with each and everyone and everybody has taken into consideration..."
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: MVA's final round of seat-sharing talks over, formula will be announced soon, says Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have had their final meeting on seat sharing and the formula will be announced soon.
Talking to reporters here, Raut said the MVA constituents comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Congress, had their final meeting to discuss seat sharing on Saturday.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot also participated in the meeting along with K C Venugopal and Sharad Pawar.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: The biggest festival of democracy has begun, says Tejashwi Yadav
On the announcement of Lok Sabha poll dates, former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav says, "The biggest festival of democracy has begun; we are very confident and fully prepared. This time Bihar will deliver a surprising result....Why I have used the word 'surprising' because of the undercurrent in the people, particularly of Bihar...What has the central government done for the people of the state in the last 10 years? Bihar did not get any special package...The inflation and farmers' issue still remain the same..."
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: PM to shortly address a public gathering in Palnadu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan to shortly address a public gathering in Palnadu.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: BMC removes Rahul Gandhi's banners as MCC came into force
BMC removed banners that were put up to welcome Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai for 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Ghulam Nabi Azad on J&K Assembly Elections
On J&K Assembly Elections, DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad says, "I would like to request the Election Commission and Government of India to conduct the Vidhan Sabha elections, one month after the Lok Sabha elections..."
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on INDIA bloc's mega rally
"The INDIA bloc had multiple partners when it was formed. However, many of their alliance partners have already left the coalition. They are gathering again in Mumbai today but many of their leaders have already left alliance - West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar," says BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain (@ShahnawazBJP) on INDIA bloc's mega rally in Shivaji Park in Mumbai, scheduled to be held later today.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Karnataka's mood in favour of BJP, says BJP leader BY Vijayendra
After the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party chief BY Vijayendra lauched a scathing attack on Congress and said that the mood across the state is in the favour of the BJP.
"Congress party despite being power in the state, they aren't able to find candidates in any Lok Sabha constituencies. They're trying hard to convince their minister to contest the elections but fortunately, the mood across the state is in the favour of the BJP and PM Modi..." said Karnataka BJP chief.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: ‘INDIA alliance is selfish,’ says Giriraj Singh
"The INDIA alliance is a selfish and an alliance of family dynasty...The people have accepted PM Modi as their next Prime Minister. This is because he is for the country & the country is for him..." Union minister Giriraj Singh says, according to ANI.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: ‘We are very confident of winning 20 seats,’ says Congress' DK Shivakumar
Congress leader and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has expressed confidence in winning 20 seats in the state.
"This is a festival of democracy. We need to enjoy and celebrate this festival and fight it (elections) out as well. We are very confident of winning 20 seats in the state," he says.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Farooq Abdullah on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra
“It's a good thing that Rahul Gandhi travelled across North to South earlier and reached Kashmir during snowfall. Now, he is reaching the West after he started from the East. He is trying to unite the country and strengthen the secular character and the tradition of India...” NC chief Farooq Abdullah tells reporters, according to ANI
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Congress on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh speaks about the party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra during a press conference. He says: "The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was a 6,300 km long yatra and it passed through 106 districts. The yatra started on January 14 from Thoubal (in Manipur) and it concluded on March 16 in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the 140-day Bharat Jodo Yatra was organised from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, and it covered 75 districts. In total, Rahul Gandhi covered 181 districts in these two yatras," according to PTI.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: WhatsApp message from Modi govt sparks row
A WhatsApp message from ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’ seeking feedback and suggestions from the citizens along with a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked a controversy, with opposition leaders alleging misuse of government database and the messaging app for political propaganda. More details.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: PM Modi felicitated during public meeting in Karnataka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated during a public meeting in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, ANI reports.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: MK Stalin arrives in Mumbai ahead of INDIA bloc rally
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has arrived in Mumbai to attend the INDIA alliance mega rally today in Shivaji Park, reports ANI.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: SAD in wait-and-watch mode in Punjab
With the announcement of Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has adopted a wait-and-watch approach to draw a poll strategy as it is waiting for an alliance with its former ally Bhartiya Janata party (BJP). According to a senior SAD functionary, the party is already in the poll mode and is holding the “Punjab Bachao Yatra” which is spearheaded by party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Read more.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Water tanker on ED radar in Bengaluru
The Election Commission in Karnataka will keep a close watch on the movement of water tankers in that state following the declaration of a model code of conduct (MCC). The state government has already regulated the prices of water tankers in Bengaluru amid the severe shortage in water supply in the capital city. Read more.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: PM Modi to hold 1st NDA rally in Andhra today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share the dais with Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief and actor Pawan Kalyan at a massive public rally proposed to be held at Boppudi village, near Chilakaluripet town in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district on March 17. Read on.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Elections to be second-longest
The 44-day Lok Sabha election period announced by the Election Commission makes it the second-longest after the first Parliamentary elections held in 1951-52. The entire election process, from Saturday's announcement to the declaration of results, lasts 82 days. Read more.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Courts, government, all institutions work for 5 per cent, says Rahul Gandhi
“There are a maximum of 5 per cent of people who get justice. For them, the courts, government, and all other institutions work for them. But if we look at the other 90 per cent of the population, they have been suffering injustice,” Rahul Gandhi told a public gathering in Mumbai.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Sanjay Raut praises Congress
Praising Congress during interactions with reporters, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says that iff there was no Congress the country would not have got independence.
"If there was no Congress the country would not have got independence, the country would not have got leadership & we would not have made progress in science and technology...There are a lot of such things which the BJP will never understand because they do not think for the country. They only think about the businessmen..." Raut says, according to ANI.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: ‘Entire civil society joining Rahul Gandhi & Congress,’ says Nana Patole
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole says: "This time, people of the entire civil society are joining Rahul Gandhi and Congress. There will be a change this time."
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Rahul Gandhi holds 'Nyay Sankalp Sabha' in Mumbai
After undertaking the 'Nyay Sankalp Padyatra' from Mumbai's Mani Bhavan, Rahul Gandhi is holding a 'Nyay Sankalp Sabha' at the Sheth Gokuldas Tejpal Auditorium.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Posters of political parties removed in UP's Moradabad
Posters of political parties were removed in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad as the Model Code of Conduct came into force after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule by the Election Commission. Watch here.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Actor Swara Bhasker present at Congress' ‘Jan Nyay Padyatra’
Actor Swara Bhasker says that the two Bharat Jodo Yatra by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are commendable.
“I do not know any politician who has traversed through the country to listen to what people have in their hearts...Rahul Gandhi wants to meet people and connect with them...Such efforts give hope...” she tells ANI.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Rahul Gandhi pays floral tribute at Gandhi Smarak in August Kranti Maidan
After the 'Jan Nyay Padyatra', Congress MP Rahul Gandhi paid a floral tribute at the Gandhi Smarak Stambh in Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Mumbai Police issues traffic advisory in view of Congress-related events
The Mumbai Traffic Police has issued regulatory and prohibitory orders in view of the events related to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Sunday, March 17. Check routes to avoid.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Rahul Gandhi's 'Jan Nyay Padyatra' in Mumbai begins
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi begins his 'Jan Nyay Padyatra' from Mani Bhavan Sangrahalaya in Mumbai. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also present.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Rahul Gandhi arrives at Mumbai's Mani Bhavan
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has arrived at the Mani Bhavan Sangrahalaya in Mumbai to start his 'Jan Nyay Padyatra' shortly, reports ANI.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: INDIA rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park today
The Congress-led Opposition's INDIA alliance is set to hold a mega rally on Sunday in Mumbai's Shivaji Park. The meeting will begin at around 6 pm.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Congress banks on INDIA arithmetic
The coming elections may see the Congress meet another record.The only time the Congress lost three consecutive Lok Sabha elections was between 1996 and 1999. But in the past two general elections, the party that ruled India for 54 years was so badly trounced by the Bharatiya Janata Party that it fell short of even the number to claim the leader of the opposition’s status in the Lok Sabha.
In this election, too, the Congress faces an uphill task. Read more.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: CWC meeting on March 19
The Congress party’s manifesto that is likely to offer a slew of sops will get final approval from the CWC (Congress Working Committee) that will meet on March 19, people aware of the matter told HT.
Two senior party leaders said this will be the last meeting of the CWC before the Lok Sabha elections. The top item on the agenda is to approve the Congress manifesto for the upcoming elections. Read more.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: What EC said about holding assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir
While announcing the poll schedule for the general elections, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the poll body is committed to holding assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir as soon as possible after the Lok Sabha exercise.
“Due to security in J&K, every candidate has to be provided with two sections of force. It means, we would need 400 to 450 companies of force, which is not possible in such a big country. But we stand committed to hold elections after the Lok Sabha polls as forces will be available,” said Kumar.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: How to know if your candidate has criminal background
In a bid to empower voters with crucial information ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has announced the launch of a new mobile application named 'Know Your Candidate' (KYC).
The app aims to provide voters with insights into the criminal background, assets, and liabilities of electoral candidates standing in their respective constituencies. More about the app.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: PM Modi to address poll rally in Andhra Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a poll rally in Andhra Pradesh's Palmadu today at 5 pm.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Poll schedule announced by Election Commission
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the poll schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.
Besides the general election, the ECI has also announced dates for the assembly election dates in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Check the full schedule here.
Lok Sabha election news LIVE: Rahul Gandhi to kick off INDIA's campaign
The Congress-led Opposition's INDIA alliance is set to hold a mega rally on Sunday in Mumbai's Shivaji Park. The meeting will be attended by top Opposition leaders including Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav among others. Read on.