Lok Sabha elections 2019 highlights- For ‘U-turn babu’, Polavaram project like an ATM: PM Modi in Andhra

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019, which are scheduled to be held in seven phases beginning from April 1, poll campaigns across the country have gathered heat.Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address rallies in Telangana Monday. Modi, who launched his campaign in the state on Friday, would address a public meeting at the LB Stadium Monday evening in support of the candidates of the BJP, which is contesting the 17 Lok Sabha seats on its own.Gandhi will be on a whirlwind visit to the state Monday, addressing three election rallies at Zaheerabad, Wanaparthi and Huzurnagar.With just ten days left for polling, BJP president Amit Shah and party’s other top leaders, including Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Nitin Gadkari, are also expected to campaign for the party nominees in coming days, state BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao told PTI Sunday.Read highlights here:

3:48 pm IST

Haven’t raised taxes, yet development on fast pace: PM Modi

“We have not raised taxes in the last five years, but development has been on fast pace. Previous governments used to complain of lack of funds, including for buying Rafale aircraft”, said PM Narendra Modi in Andhra Pradesh.

3:44 pm IST

‘U-turn babu’ tries to take credit for Centre’s work: PM Modi

‘U-Turn Babu doesn’t have time to think about farmers. His favourite work is to label his sticker on the works of the Central govt, like he did with PM Kisan Nidhi Yojana, “ said PM Narendra Modi Andhra Pradesh.

3:41 pm IST

Only BJP can preserves Andhra’s heritage, U-turn babu takes care of his own heritage: PM Modi.

“Only the BJP can take care of Andhra Pradesh’s heritage, because U-turn babu is busy taking care of his own heritage,” said PM Modi. “Andhra’s heritage is honesty, while Naidu’s heritage is fraud. He keeps family first,” he added.

3:28 pm IST

In Andhra, PM Modi targets Chandrababu Naidu over Polavaram project

In Andhra Pradesh, PM Modi targets Chandrababu Naidu over Polavaram project. He said that for ’U-turn babu’ this project is like an ATM.

3:25 pm IST

With help of tax payers, taken steps to strengthen infrastructure: PM Modi

“With the help of you all honest taxpayers, we have taken steps to strengthen agriculture, education, connectivity and industrial infrastructure in Rajahmundry and Andhra Pradesh,” said PM Modi while addressing a public meeting.

3:20 pm IST

PM Modi thanks people of Andhra for their blessings

“First of all, I want to thank the public of Andhra Pradesh from the land of Krishna and Godavari. Whatever I have been able to accomplish in five years, it is only due to the blessings you all have showered upon me,” said PM Modi while addressing a rally in Andhra Pradesh’s Rajahmundry.

3:11 pm IST

PM Modi addresses public meeting Andhra Pradesh

PM Narendra Modi is currently addressing a public meeting in Andhra Pradesh’s Rajahmundry.

3:05 pm IST

Will expose behind the curtain drama of the Left, Congress: Thushar Vellappally

“Sir thanks for giving me the opportunity and big thanks for the kind words. This behind the curtain drama of the left and congress we will expose to our country men. I am with you in this fight to eradicate foreign rule from our motherland. Namo Again @AmitShah @narendramodi,” tweeted Thushar Vellappally, NDA’s candidate from Wayanad.

2:58 pm IST

NDA’s Thushar Vellappally to contest from Wayanad

“I proudly announce Shri Thushar Vellappally, President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena as NDA candidate from Wayanad.

A vibrant and dynamic youth leader, he represents our commitment towards development and social justice. With him, NDA will emerge as Kerala’s political alternative,” tweeted BJP national president Amit Shah.

2:51 pm IST

Consulted with economists for 6 months to decide on NYAY: Rahul

“The false promise that Modi government made, the Congress party will deliver on it. Modi had promised Rs 15 lakh to the poor that never happened. However, I consulted with economists and how much is it feasible to put in the bank accounts of the poor.

After discussing the matter for six months, we came to a conclusion that the government can provide Rs 72,000 annually and that’s how we came up with the NYAY scheme.

So when voted to power, our government will transfer money to the bank accounts of the people who earn less than Rs 12,000 per month,” said Rahul Gandhi in Telangana.

2:46 pm IST

Goal is to remove BJP and Narendra Modi from power: Rahul Gandhi

“There is a partnership between Telangana CM and Narendra Modi. He doesn’t speak about Rafale. Do not forget that the only goal is to remove BJP and Narendra Modi from power,” said Rahul Gandhi in Telangana.

2:45 pm IST

Demonetisation was Modi’s method to steal people’s money: Rahul Gandhi

“Demonetisation was neither a fight against black money nor against corruption. It was Narendra Modi’s method to steal public money and give it to handful of crony capitalists,” said Rahul Gandhi in Telangana.

2:38 pm IST

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Telangana

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Telangana

2:13 pm IST

SP-BSP-RLD to sweep first phase of polls: Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav asserted on Monday that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will sweep the first phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh on April 11 and rout the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Talking to reporters, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said: “Reports from the ground are encouraging and the empty seats in BJP rallies is a sign of their dipping fortunes.

“We will win all the eight seats in the first round,” he said, adding that the alliance would do exceedingly well in the Lok Sabha polls and finally unseat the BJP.

2:12 pm IST

BSP releases second list of candidates for UP

The BSP Monday announced its second list of six candidates for Lok Sabha Polls in Uttar Pradesh.

While Amar Chandra Jauhar has been given ticket from Shahjahanpur (SC), Nilu Satyarthi will be party candidate from Mishrikh (SC), a party statement said.

Manoj Agarwal has been fielded from Farukhabad, Nisha Sachan from Akbarpur, Pankaj Singh from Jalaun (SC) and Dileep Kumar Singh from Hamirpur.

The BSP, which is contesting on 38 Lok Sabha seats (of the total 80 seats) after entering into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, had on March 22 declared its first list of 11 candidates.

The party in its earlier list gave ticket to former JD(S) leader Kunwar Danish Ali from Amroha, besides announcing Haji Fazulrahman as its nominee from Saharanpur, Malook Nagar from Bijnore and Girish Chandra from Nagina.

1:57 pm IST

Corruption rampant under BJD rule in Odisha: Amit Shah

Corruption rampant under BJD rule in Odisha, it needs young CM to ensure speedy development, said BJP national president Amit Shah at Odisha rally.

1:54 pm IST

Sad that CM can’t speak in Odia without reading: Amit Shah

“It is really sad that despite being the chief minister of Odisha for 19 years, Naveen Patnaik can’t speak of in Odia without reading from the paper,” said Amit Shah while addressing a public meeting.

1:42 pm IST

BJP chief Amit Shah addresses public meeting in Odisha

BJP national president is currently addressing a public meeting in Odisha’s Gajapati.

1:40 pm IST

Shashi Tharoor files nomination from Thiruvananthapuram

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday filed nomination from Thiruvananthapuram Parliamentary Constituency.

1:36 pm IST

‘Not in race for PM’s post,’ says Mulayam Yadav

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, accompanied by his son Akhilesh Yadav, filed his nomination from Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri on Monday afternoon for the Lok Sabha elections.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the 77-year-old founder of SP, ruled himself out of the prime ministerial race. When asked who is the PM candidate of the SP-BSP alliance, he said, “It will be decided after the polls”.

1:11 pm IST

Will help anyone who wants to create employment: Rahul Gandhi

“If voted to power, our government will help anyone who wants to create employment in the country, or start a new business and will facilitate bank loans for them,” said Rahul Gandhi in Telangana.

1:06 pm IST

Partnership between TRS and BJP: Rahul Gandhi

“There is a partnership between TRS and the BJP. Your chief minister never raises a voice against Modi or the BJP government. He never raises questions about demonetisation or Rafale, instead he supports the PM in the parliament,” said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in Telangana.

1:03 pm IST

‘If voted to power, Congress will invest 6% of GDP in education’: Rahul Gandhi

“If we are voted to power, Congress will invest 6% of the GDP in education. We will build new institutions and bring back the scholarships that have been snatched away from you,” said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public meeting Telangana.

12:58 pm IST

Rahul Gandhi explains minimum income scheme

“I can’t lie. It is not possible to give Rs 15 lakh. However, after working on it for six months, we have come up with a scheme according to which anyone who earns less than Rs 12,000 a month, will be provided with an annual sum of Rs 72,000,” said Rahul Gandhi in Telangana.

12:54 pm IST

PM Modi didn’t deliver on employment promise: Rahul Gandhi

PM Narendra Modi didn’t deliver on the promises of employment to youth or Rs 15 lakh that he promised to the poor people of the county, said Congress national chief Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Telangana.

12:50 pm IST

Congress president Rahul Gandhi address rally in Telangana

Congress president Rahul Gandhi address rally in Telangana

12:28 pm IST

Congress scared to contest from where majority of Hindus live: PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi took a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad apart from Amethi. “Now that they have associated Hindus with terrorism, Congress is scared to contest from where the majority of Hindus live,” he said while addressing a public meeting in Maharashtra.

12:24 pm IST

Cong won’t be forgiven for associating Hindus with terrorism: PM Modi

“Using a term like Hindu terror is an insult to the nation. There has not even been one incident in the history of the world where a Hindu has indulged in terrorism,” said PM Modi to Congress alleging that the Congress has insulted Hindus all over the world and will not be forgiven for this.

12:20 pm IST

Do you want Indian heroes or those who have become heroes in Pak: PM

“Who do you want? The heroes of India, or those who have become heroes in Pakistan,” asked PM Modi while addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Wardha.

12:14 pm IST

Congress-NCP alliance is like ‘Kumbhkarna’: PM Modi

The Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra is like ‘Kumbhkarana.’ each one of them wakes up every six months so as to indulge in corruption and goes back to sleep again, said PM Modi in Wardha.

12:10 pm IST

Infighting in NCP; party slipping from Sharad Pawar’s grip: PM Modi

“Sharad Pawar is one of senior most leaders of the country, and also wanted to become the PM. But he then decided to not contest because he knows which way the wind is blowing.

However, one of his problems is also that within the NCP a family battle is going on. His nephews are trying to take over the party,” said PM Modi in Maharashtra.

12:07 pm IST

Your abuse ornament for me: PM to Cong on ‘chowkidar of toilets’ remark

“A few days back, a senior Congress leader said that Modi has only guarded toilets. I want to tell them, that I am going to take this as a compliment because when I become a watchmen of the toilets, I am also a watchmen for the women of the country,” said PM Modi in Maharashtra.

12:04 pm IST

Cong-NCP won’t be able to sleep tonight, says PM Modi in Maharashtra

“Congress-NCP won’t be able to sleep tonight,” said PM Modi in Maharashtra.

12:01 pm IST

PM Modi lauds ISRO scientists for EMISAT defence satellite launch

While addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra PM Modi lauds ISRO scientists for EMISAT defence satellite launch from Sriharikota space centre.

11:58 pm IST

PM Modi addresses poll rally in Maharashtra

PM Modi is currently addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra.

11:30 am IST

Amit Shah to shortly address rally in Odisha

Taking forward the BJP poll campaign, party national president Amit Shah will on Monday address two public meetings in Odisha’s Berhampur and Nabarangpur.

9:40 am IST

PM Modi to address public meeting Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Wardha Monday to campaign for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance candidates in Vidarbha region.

All the 10 candidates of the BJP-Sena alliance will be present at the meeting, BJP sources said.

The candidates include Union ministers Nitin Gadkari (Nagpur) and Hansraj Ahir (Chandrapur), Krupal Tumane (Ramtek), Ramdas Tadas (Wardha), Ashok Nete (Gadchiroli), Bhavana Gawali (Yavatmal-Washim), Anand Adsul (Amravati), Sanjay Dhotre (Akola), Sunil Mendhe (Bhandara-Gondia) and Pratap Jadhao (Buldhana).

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will also attend the meeting.

9:30 am IST

PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi set to address poll rallies in Telangana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address rallies in Telangana Monday as the campaigning for the April 11 Lok Sabha elections in the state enters a feverish pitch.