Lok Sabha elections 2019 highlights: ‘Surveys are asking if Congress will cross 50 seats this time’: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency, the seat he won in 2014 Lok Sabha elections with a big margin. The holy city of Varanasi, formerly known as Banaras, will cast its vote in the last phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections 2019.Before filing his papers, Modi offered prayers at the Baba Kaal Bhairav temple. At the time of nomination, Modi was accompanied by the BJP party chief, Amit Shah, and other prominent NDA leaders. The Samajwadi Party has fielded Shalini Yadav as the candidate of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, the Congress has nominated Ajay Rai for the seat.Later in the day, Modi and Shah will address public rallies in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively. Follow Highlights here:

Cong failed to deliver a martyr memorial, but we did: PM Modi
Very few people know that 33,000 policemen have sacrificed their lives for the nation, but for many years the defence forces and the police forces demanded a martyr memorial but Congress did not pay any heed to their demands. But now we have a martyr memorial in Delhi, I request everyone to visit the memorial at least once and pay homage to the martyrs: PM Modi in Mumbai
9:12 pm ISTCalling is almost free, data in India is also the cheapest in the entire world: PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi at NDA rally in Mumbai: Once upon a time, telephone bill was a huge part in list of expenses of middle class. Due to efforts of our government, calling is almost free, data in India is also the cheapest in the entire world, reports news agency ANI.
9:07 pm ISTPM Narendra Modi at NDA rally in Mumbai: Once upon a time, telephone bill was a huge part in list of expenses of middle class. Due to efforts of our government, calling is almost free, data in India is also the cheapest in the entire world pic.twitter.com/70iISBXGnv
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2019
Corruption, Tax and Inflation grow with speed during Congress’s rule : PM Modi
Corruption, Tax and Inflation only these three things grow with speed during Congress’s rule : PM Modi
9:02 pm ISTFor the first time in thirty years, India is developing without facing inflation: PM Modi
For the first time in thirty years, the nation is not talking about the Inflation, even the opposition cannot say that India is dealing with inflation. We made sure that India develops without being pushed towards inflation. The calls and data pack are one of the biggest examples for the same: PM Modi in Mumbai
8:50 pm ISTSince independence, the least number of seats that Congress won was 44, in 2014 General Elections: PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi at NDA rally in Mumbai: Since independence, the least number of seats that Congress won was 44, in 2014 General Elections. In 2019 General Elections, Congress is making a record of fighting on the least number of seats ever, reports news agency ANI.
8:46 pm ISTPM Narendra Modi at NDA rally in Mumbai: Since independence, the least number of seats that Congress won was 44, in 2014 General Elections. In 2019 General Elections, Congress is making a record of fighting on the least number of seats ever. pic.twitter.com/YnqpmWvxjM
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2019
‘Surveys are asking if Congress will cross 50 seats this time’: PM Modi
The only discussion that people have is that wether the Congress would touch 50 seats or will get struck below 40 seats. So the intelligent decision is clear for the voter to make choice among BJP and Congress: PM Modi in Mumbai
8:40 pm ISTPM Modi addresses poll rally in Maharashtra's Mumbai
PM Modi addresses public meeting at Mumbai, Maharashtra
5:24 pm ISTPM Modi addresses public meeting at Mumbai, Maharashtra. Dial 9345014501 to listen LIVE. #DeshModiKeSaath https://t.co/wfGJ0viUgS
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 26, 2019
The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister is a busy man: PM Modi
The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister is a busy man.
His priorities include jet-setting to Switzerland immediately after elections, leaving all administrative work, just to establish his own dynasty and of course, corruption.
Very sad state of affairs!
5: 20 pm ISTThe Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister is a busy man.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2019
His priorities include jet-setting to Switzerland immediately after elections, leaving all administrative work, just to establish his own dynasty and of course, corruption.
Very sad state of affairs! pic.twitter.com/VQbChm4RCA
Demonetisation brought down cost of buying house: PM Modi
After demonetisation the cost of buying a house has gone down, people could purchase houses easily, but for Congress the demonetisation had brought negatives, as they lost their black money invested in the industry: PM Modi in Madhya Pradesh
5:12 pm ISTEver since congress came to power, law and order in MP derailed:PM Modi
In less than six months of Congress coming to power, the state of governance is at an all time low in Madhya Pradesh.
The power situation is bad.
Farm loan waiver hasn’t been delivered upon despite being promised.
This shows why people must never vote Congress!
5:08 pm ISTIn less than six months of Congress coming to power, the state of governance is at an all time low in Madhya Pradesh.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2019
The power situation is bad.
Farm loan waiver hasn’t been delivered upon despite being promised.
This shows why people must never vote Congress! pic.twitter.com/oKHYc11cYq
‘This election is for happy and secure India’: PM Modi
These elections are not normal. Who is a parliamentarian or a prime minister is not just electing it. It is the choice to make a happy, secure India. There is a choice to guarantee the future of your children. It is the choice to give India a better position in the world: PM Modi
5:01 pm ISTPM Modi addresses poll rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses poll rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur.
02:43 PM ISTपीएम मोदी की जबलपुर, मध्य प्रदेश में जनसभा। लाइव सुनने के लिए 9345014501 डायल करें। #DeshModiKeSaath https://t.co/a2NiGQH7JZ
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 26, 2019
Congress govt betrayed people in MP by reducing electricity supply: Modi
Congress had promised to reduce electricity bills & found a solution to do so by reducing electricity supply in your homes. Congress govt here is running on the formula of supplying lesser electricity than previous Shivraj govt. Is this not betrayal?, reported news agency.
02.35 PM ISTModi targets Rahul Gandhi over Tughlaq Road election scam money
Tughlaq Road election scam money used for Naamdar’s campaign: Modi targets Rahul Gandhi
02.31 PM ISTRaid my house too if I have done anything wrong: Modi in MP
Raid my house too if I have done anything wrong, says PM Modi, in counter to opposition attack on tax raids.
02.00 PM ISTSukhbir Singh Badal files nomination papers from Ferozepur
“After paying obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib in the morning, @officeofssbadal filed his nomination papers for #LoksabhaElection from #Ferozepur. I request everyone to vote & support him for the all round development of the constituency,” tweeted union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
01.56 PM ISTSinger Daler Mehndi joins BJP
Singer Daler Mehndi joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday in presence of BJP North West Delhi candidate Hans Raj Hans and Union Minister Vijay Goel, reported news agency.
01.50 PM ISTNarendra Modi has robbed people of whatever they had: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi coins a new slogan ‘Kuchh nahin sab jhootha hai Narendra Modi ne loota hai,’ all promises are proven false. Narendra Modi has robbed people of whatever they had: Rahul Gandhi
01.47 PM ISTWill get special budget for farmers, if voted to power: Rahul Gandhi
Congress Rahul President Rahul Gandhi promises to get special budget for farmers, if voted to power.
01.44 PM ISTPriyanka Gandhi attends at public meeting in Gursarai
Congress General Secretary for UP East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, attended a public meeting in Gursarai.
01.40 PM ISTRahul Gandhi attacks PM over farmers’ distress, unemployment
He does not speak about farmers’ distress, unemployment, instead he talks about surgical strike, said Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
01.35 PM ISTNote ban led to unemployment, says Rahul Gandhi in Bihar rally
Demonetisation led to unemployment: Rahul Gandhi in Samastipur rally
01.30 PM ISTCongress chief Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Bihar
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Bihar’s Samastipur.
12.40 PM ISTModi urges people to exercise their right to vote
12.38 PM ISTPM Narendra Modi: Aisa mahaul kuch log ab banane lage hain ki Modi ji toh jeet gaye aur vote nahi karoge toh chalega. Kripa karke aise logon ki bataon mein mat aiye. Matdaan apka haq hai, loktanta ek utsav hai, zada se zada matdaan karna chahiye desh mazboot karne ke liye. pic.twitter.com/EqY6ztfi2u
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 26, 2019
PM leaves DM’s office after filing nomination
I deeply express gratitude towards people of Kashi. They have again blessed me after 5 years. Such a grand roadshow yesterday was possible only in Kashi, reported news agency.
11.50 AM ISTPM Modi performs Ganga aarti after Varanasi roadshow on Thursday
PM Modi on Thursday participated in a spectacular electoral roadshow attended by tens of thousands of supporters in his Lok Sabha constituency, culminating in the daily evening aarti on the banks of the Ganga. Read here
11.45 AM ISTPeople of Varanasi very lucky as they choosing PM of India: Sushma Swaraj
EAM and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj: The people of Varanasi are very lucky as they are choosing the Prime Minister of India, while people of other constituencies are choosing their MPs, reported news agency.
11.40 AM ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi files his nomination papers in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers for Varanasi parliamentary constituency, the seat he won in 2014 Lok Sabha elections with a big margin.
11.27 AM IST#LokSabhaElections2019 : PM Narendra Modi files nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. pic.twitter.com/V0RX2otJUv
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 26, 2019
I thank our NDA family for joining us on this historic occasion: Amit Shah
I thank our NDA family for joining us on this historic occasion. Stronger NDA for a Better India, tweeted BJP chief Amit Shah.
11.24 AM ISTTop BJP, NDA leaders join Modi
Uttar Pradesh state head Yogi Adityanath, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, AIADMK leaders, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal, Lok Jan Shakti’s Ram Vilas Paswan, many Union ministers and chief ministers presented at the collectorate.
11.20 AM ISTNDA leaders greets Modi at collectorate
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at collectorate office to file his nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency, meets NDA leaders present there, reports news agency.
11.15 AM ISTVaranasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Collectorate office to file his nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency, meets NDA leaders present there pic.twitter.com/WlPYiobUIP
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 26, 2019
Top BJP, NDA leaders presented at collectorate
BJP party chief, Amit Shah, home minister Rajnath Singh, Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray and others presented at the collectorate.
11.13 AM ISTNDA leaders arrive at Collectorate Office in Varanasi ahead of PM Modi's nomination filing. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/OB0MJamc5E
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 26, 2019
PM Modi reaches collectorate for filing nomination papers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached at the collectorate for filing his nomination papers.
10.32 AM ISTPlane carrying Congress chief to Patna returns to Delhi after engine trouble
Engine trouble on our flight to Patna today! We’ve been forced to return to Delhi. Today’s meetings in Samastipur (Bihar), Balasore (Orissa) & Sangamner (Maharashta) will run late. Apologies for the inconvenience, tweeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
10.30 AM ISTEngine trouble on our flight to Patna today! We’ve been forced to return to Delhi. Today’s meetings in Samastipur (Bihar), Balasore (Orissa) & Sangamner (Maharashta) will run late. Apologies for the inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/jfLLjYAgcO
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 26, 2019
Every BJP worker is Narendra Modi: PM
In Kashi, atmosphere is friendly, so work hard. Every BJP worker is Narendra Modi here, said PM Modi in Varanasi.
10.20 AM ISTBJP workers in Kerala, West Bengal in fear as oppn uses guns: Modi
Modi said BJP workers are working under fear in Kerala and West Bengal because of fear of opponents who use guns, bombs against them. ‘When any BJP worker leaves home, he tells his mother that if he doesn’t return home send his another brother for the party work, said Modi.
10.18 AM ISTI have shown that PM’s post is not for fun: PM Modi
I have shown that post of Prime Minister is not for fun , it is not for nepotism, said the Prime Minister while attacking the Gandhi family.
10.15 AM IST‘Want to take India forward on path of development’: Modi
We want to take India forward on the path of development and new heights, said Modi in Varanasi.
10.12 AM ISTModi emphased on contesting election in minimum expenditure
The election of Varanasi should be such that the political pundits of the country should consider writing a book on it: Modi
10.10 AM ISTHonour first time voters: Modi
Be prepared and honour first time workers who will go to cast their votes: Modi
10.06 AM ISTExpert in making fertilizers from worst of the things: Modi on oppositions’ attack
PM Modi urged party not to fight with people criticizing him. ‘Abuses hurled at me or send to me, because I am expert in making fertilizers from worst of the things,’ said Modi.
10.00 AM ISTBrotherhood, friendship, we will have to bring back in politics: Modi
Brotherhood, friendship, we will have to bring back in politics, said Modi.
09.58 AM ISTNow Media will not show any interest in Varanasi
Media’s interest in Varanasi election ended yesterday because they felt that Modi won, said Modi during his speech.
09.50 AM ISTDemocracy must win, says Modi
“Modi wins or not, democracy must win. You will have to break all records of voting. Women voting should be five percent higher,” said PM Narendra Modi during his Varanasi speech.
09.44 AM ISTModi attacks Congress in Varanasi
They used to make government. But we say public makes govt, said Modi in Varanasi
09.45 AM IST‘Pro-incumbency wave in the country’: Modi
First time there is pro incumbency wave in the election, says Modi in Varanasi.
09.40 AM ISTGrateful for the love of the nation, says PM Modi
I felt that every Kashi citizen gave me blessings. Because of hard work, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there is a wave of enthusiasm, said Modi during his speech.
09.38 AM IST‘Greatful to all party workers’: Modi
My Kashi workers sweated out and worked very hard to invite people for the show: Modi
09.35 AM ISTPM Modi addresses BJP workers
Before filing nomination papers for re-election from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Varanasi.
09.14 AM ISTPM Modi tweets video of crowd gathered during his roadshow on Thursday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a video of crowd gathered during his mega roadshow in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Thursday. The leader performed Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat after holding a the roadshow.
09.11 AM ISTElectrifying atmosphere in Kashi! pic.twitter.com/ME8jzdop8w
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2019
Top BJP, NDA leaders present at the meeting
Interior minister Rajnath Singh, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister O. Panneerselvam attended the meeting in Varanasi.
09.09 AM ISTBJP party chief Amit Shah attends NDA leaders meet in Varanasi
09.02 AM ISTBJP President Amit Shah at NDA leaders meet in Varanasi; Later today, PM Narendra Modi will file his nomination from Varanasi Parliamentary seat. pic.twitter.com/6KvJcMjyn1
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 26, 2019
Uddhav Thackeray reaches Varanasi
Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray, reached holy city of Varanasi. The leader offered prayers Baba Kaal Bhairav temple.
09.00 AM ISTPM Modi to address BJP workers
Before filing nomination papers for re-election from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Varanasi.
08.50 AM ISTPM Modi to file nomination papers from Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination papers for re-election from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency at 11.30 am. He is likely to be accompanied with BJP party chief Amit Shah and other prominent leaders.