Lok Sabha election 2024 highlights: Election Commission rejects Kharge's charge on turnout data

“I don’t think Congress will have a problem here. We have seven assembly segments in this constituency, and all of them have been won by the Congress party. We formed the government in the state just 140 days ago, and a lot of work has been done. The voters of Telangana are mature and wise, they won’t fall for fake promises,” says Congress candidate from Khammam constituency, Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy.

Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday slammed Mamata Banerjee on the Sandeshkhali issue, saying she should be ashamed of the religious exploitation of women despite being a woman Chief Minister.

He assured the women of West Bengal that the CBI is investigating the Sandeshkhali incident and the accused will face punishment under the BJP-led government.

Addressing a public rally in Nadia, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed that women were exploited based on religion for years despite having a woman Chief Minister in the state and this was done by her leaders. The CBI is investigating the matter. The women of Bengal should not be worried now. We will punish each and every accused in the Sandeshkhali incident.”

ANI

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya attacked the Congress over Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks on Pakistan and said those who do not trust the Indian Army should relocate to Pakistan.

After Sam Pitroda's statement on colour discrimination, Congress leader Aiyar on Friday found himself at the centre of fresh controversy after a clip of him saying Pakistan is a nation and suggesting that India should engage in dialogue with them went viral.

Reacting to the same, the Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister said, "All these Congressmen are fearful after seeing the crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Those who do not trust the Indian Army, who do not trust the world's most capable weapons storehouse, should live in Pakistan instead of living in India."

ANI

Addressing a public rally in Hyderabad, PM Narendra Modi says, "... What is the idea of India? The idea of India is a reflection of India's centuries-old legacy. Idea of India means 'Satyamev Jayate'... Idea of India means 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'... Idea of India means 'God is Great'... Idea of India is 'Nari tu Narayani'... This land which has given birth to me is dearer to me than heaven. These were the words of Lord Ram. This idea of India is not merely limited to beliefs but is an empowered identity of our country... Today, the Idea of India is 'International Day of Yoga', it is the vision of 'One Earth One Family One Future', it is the idea of 'One Sun, One Earth, One Grid', it is the 'Shiv Shakti point' on the moon, the idea of India means 'Mother of Democracy', the idea of India means ' Justice to all, appeasement to none'..."

Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, "There should not be four days of delay in the release of voter percentage data...If the data is released on time there will be no speculations or doubts..."

"Where is democracy? When you can't even elect the person you want, then democracy is finished. When nominations are being cancelled on the basis of power, money, ED and CBI, what does this mean?" says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh’s lawyer RS Bains speaking on him contesting polls said, “Amritpal had announced publicly that he was going to contest parliamentary elections. There is no limitation on this but there are a lot of formalities. He had petitioned to either get one week’s parole to complete the formalities or to allow him to complete them from within jail. The Punjab government has agreed to let him complete them from inside the jail.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking in Hyderabad said, “PM Modi is fond of words starting with 'M'-Mangalsutra, Mutton and Mughals.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi told PTI, “BJP should seek votes on performance”

Baseless allegations regarding release of voter turnout data in middle of ongoing polls are designed to create confusion, misdirection and impediments in the conduct of free and fair polls. Utterances can have negative impact on voters’ participation and demoralize the large election machinery across states: Election Commission to Mallikarjun Kharge

Supreme Court grants interim bail to Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case. Kejriwal, who has been granted bail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, will have to surrender on June 2, a day after the seventh and final leg of voting.

I am fortunate that two seniors and our guardian, former governor Ganga Babu and ex-Union Minister CP Thakur, have proposed my name. I seek blessings from the people of Patna. I will continue to work for the country as I have done earlier: Ravi Shankar Prasad

What kind of scheme does Modi govt bring for you? They brought schemes like Agniveer. At one time, when you used to go in the military, you would have thought that it's fine I am ready to sacrifice myself for the country but, my family will be secured. What is today now, join the military, get retired in five years, and you are unemployed again: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Amethi, UP

Congress, SP and BSP all have accepted their defeat and that's why they are commenting on Lord Ram. Those who do advocate for terrorists will definitely feel bad about Ram temple

We are going to purify Ram Mandir in Ayodhya after INDIA alliance comes to power. Shankaracharyas were opposing ‘Pran Pratishtha’; all the four Shankaracharyas will purify the Ram Temple. Ram Darbar will be established in that place. It is not Lord Ram's idol there, but the child form of Ram Lalla. Narendra Modi has acted against protocol in Ram Temple construction. We will do it through rectifications and religion: Nana Patole

“In 10 years, Narendra Modi never mentioned the names of Adani and Ambani. He gave thousands of speeches, but never took their names. When someone gets scared, he takes the names of people who, he thinks, can save them. So, Narendra Modi took the names of two of his friends - ‘Save me, INDIA alliance has cornered me, I am losing. Adani-Ambani, save me’,” says Rahul Gandhi.

On one side there is the Congress which says 'Modi teri kabr khudegi' and on the other side, there is this 'fake' Shiv Sena that talks about burying me alive. Even while abusing me, they take full care of appeasement. Will you abuse me the way your 'vote bank' likes?: PM Modi

BJP national president JP Nadda holds a roadshow in Haryana's Panchkula. The 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state will vote on May 25.

Providing quota benefits on basis of religion is against the very values and principles enshrined in our Constitution. As long as I am alive, I will not let reservations of Dalits, adivasis, OBCs to be given to Muslims on basis of religion: PM Modi

The Congress party has become an apologist for Pakistan and Pakistan-based terror. Today again there will be an attempt from Congress to distance themselves from Mani Shankar Aiyar: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union minister

PM Narendra Modi arrives at the venue of his public rally in Maharashtra's Nandurbar, ahead of Monday's fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections.

He is an outgoing Prime Minister. After the first round of voting on 19th April, it was very clear - ‘Dakshin mein BJP saaf, uttar mein BJP half.’ After the second round, on 27th, it became even clearer that the BJP is going to be wiped out completely all over south India and in the north and central part of India, its 2019 will tally will come down by half. So, I would say that at the end of 3 rounds, what we saw in 2004 is going to repeat in 2024. The Congress and INDIA Alliance - is going to get a clear and convincing majority: Jairam Ramesh, Congress