Lok Sabha Election 2024 Highlights | May 17: 'Congress Will Do X-Ray Of Your Assets, Give It To Vote Jihad People': PM Modi In Mumbai

Welcome to our live blog, where we'll be bringing you all the latest updates and developments about elections on 17 May 2024. Stay with us!

The Delhi Police on Thursday registered a first information report (FIR) against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal secretary Bibhav Kumar, after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) parliamentarian Swati Maliwal recorded a statement in which, according to media reports, she accused him of “outraging her modesty, slapping, kicking and threatening” her at the CM’s residence three days ago.

Prime Minister Modi will address an election rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park today. The announcement was made by Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Wednesday.

Bawankule was speaking to reporters after meeting MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who has announced his party’s support to BJP-led NDA’s candidates in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

"PM Modi will address a poll rally at Shivaji Park on Friday (May 17). I invited Raj Thackeray for the rally and he has agreed to attend it," said the BJP leader. "Thackeray’s support (to NDA candidates) and his appeal to voters will reflect in the outcome. We have asked Raj to join us for the poll campaign in the next few days," he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav will hold joint rallies in Raebareli and Amethi today.

The duo was seen in action in Kannauj on 10 April, from where the SP chief is contesting the Lok Sabha elections.

The main parties contesting in the Lok Sabha elections are, needless to say, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which leads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) currently in power at the Centre.

Attempting to take on the BJP are several parties, a couple of which have united under a bloc they have named 'INDIA' - The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

'INDIA' bloc is a multi-party political alliance of 41 parties, led by India's largest opposition party the Indian National Congress.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Amritsar, Punjab on Thursday. He is scheduled to participate in a series of meetings and will lead a roadshow before departing on Friday.

Delhi Chief Minister had last visited Punjab in early June, when he along with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had inaugurated various projects.

The schedule for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 16. The voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 is taking place in seven phases and started on April 19. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Voting for Phase 1 took place on April 19, second phase on April 26 and third phase on May 7. Polling for Phase 4 to Phase 7 will take place on: May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

• Phase 1/April 19 - 21 states/UTs - 102 constituencies

• Phase 2/April 26 - 13 states/UTs - 88 constituencies

• Phase 3/May 7 - 12 states/UTs - 12 constituencies

• Phase 4/May 13 - 10 states/UTs - 96 constituencies

• Phase 5/May 20 - 8 states/UTs - 49 constituencies

• Phase 6/May 25 - 7 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

• Phase 7/June 1 -  8 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

Lok Sabha Elections Full Schedule Here

The revival of militancy in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir contradicts the government's claim of normalcy, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija Mufti alleged on Thursday. Iltija also criticised the government over the rescheduling of the polling date for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency from May 7 to May 25 and claimed it was done to manipulate votes against Mehbooba Mufti.

"This (revival of militancy in Rajouri-Poonch) contradicts their claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. Rajouri and Poonch, which were free of militancy, are again beset with this menace", Iltija told reporters during a roadshow in Mendhar.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday attacked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, asserting that the Delhi CM has lost his mind after going to jail.

Adityanath made the remarks in a response to the claims by Kejriwal that the UP chief minister will be removed from the post if the BJP retains power.

Adityanath said, "Kejriwal has lost his mind after going to jail. The Delhi CM, who shattered Anna Hazare's aspirations and sided with the corrupt, is now targeting me. He has embraced the Congress, against whom Anna protested, like a necklace."

He was addressing an election rally in Tindwari in support of the candidate for the Hamirpur-Mahoba Lok Sabha seat.

The BJP's East Delhi candidate Harsh Malhotra has promised to set up a Delhi University campus, a multilevel car park and redevelop slums in the area if he is elected as MP.

The BJP candidate is pitted against AAP's Kuldeep Kumar in East Delhi. A law graduate, Malhotra said he will endeavour to open a law college in Karkardooma.

Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats go to the polls on May 25.

-PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his two-day visit to Srinagar starting from May 16, with plans to chair a significant security review meeting during his stay.

Upon arrival at a Srinagar hotel, Shah's agenda includes meetings with local BJP leaders, strategically planned ahead of the remaining two phases of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, BJP is not directly contesting any seat in the Valley.

With the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 just around the corner, the Election Commission of India has started issuing voter slips and sending them to the houses of eligible voters. However, not all eligible voters have received their voter slips.

With several voters yet to receive their voter slips, a common question arises - can I still cast a vote in the elections without a slip?

The answer is YES. Eligible voters can vote without the slips if their name is mentioned on the electoral roll. Know More On This And Other Election FAQs Here

About 39 per cent of candidates contesting in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha polls are crorepatis with average assets of Rs 6.21 crore, according to poll rights body ADR.

Among the candidates contesting in the sixth phase on May 25, the highest assets have been declared by BJP candidates from Kurukshetra Naveen Jindal at Rs 1,241 crore followed by Santrupt Misra at Rs 482 crore and Sushil Gupta at Rs 169 crore, the analysis by Association of Democratic Reforms said.

-PTI

Amid heated discussions surrounding the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal by the Delhi CM's close aide, BJP leaders in the national capital have come in support of Maliwal and demanded action in the incident.

BJP's Shazia Ilmi said, "They are defending this for political gain. She (Swati Maliwal) has been beaten. Bibhav Kumar's job profile is to obey Arvind Kejriwal. I have also tolerated the misbehaviour of that person. Prashant Kumar and Yogendra Yadav were also kicked out by bouncers. But this time they have crossed limits. Is beating up a woman by your PA appropriate? The police have done well. They have reached for her help."

Also Read | Swati Maliwal FIR: 'Bibhav Kumar Slapped, Kicked, Hit Me,' Kejriwal Aide Booked

Maliwal, however has requested BJP not to politicise this incident. In a social media post in Hindi, Maliwal wrote, “An important election is going on in the country. Swati Maliwal is not important, the issues of the country are important. I specially request those with the BJP not to politicise this incident."

This Lok Sabha election, among other things, is being seen as the battle of ideologies. The idea of social justice, through promises of pan-India caste census and assurances regarding reservation, has been making headlines. 

Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi brought in the issue of reservation in election campaign but from a different angle. He has been delivering speeches across the country warning people that if the opposition alliance INDIA, particularly Congress, came to power they will snatch away the reservation provided to SCs (Scheduled Castes), STs (Scheduled Tribes) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and give it to the Muslims. 

The Left parties of the country have been demanding that private sector should also adhere to the provision of reservation for a long time.

READ FULL STORY

Over 1,480 elderly voters and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) cast their votes using the home voting facility in all seven parliamentary constituencies of Delhi on the first day of the exercise on Thursday, according to official data. 

The home voting facility is available to voters above 85 years of age and PwDs, offering them the option to cast their votes from their homes.

The facility, which started on May 16, will be available till May 24, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi said. Delhi goes to polls on May 25.

-PTI

Voter turnout in the first four phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls stands at 67 per cent, Election Commission said on Thursday. Around 45.1 crore of 97 crore registered electors have voted so far, it said.

Polling data available till now indicate the turnout in the first three phases saw a dip compared to 2019, but the gap narrowed in the fourth phase - to 0.4 percentage points.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that Plan B needs to be made only when there is less than a 60% chance for Plan A (to succeed).

"I am certain that PM Modi will come to power with a thumping majority," he said.

On BJP's "400 paar" and the speculations around it especially regarding a change in the Constitution, Shah said, "Definitely not. We have had the majority to change the Constitution for the last 10 years...We never did it."

"...But yes, we want 400 seats because we want to bring stability to the politics of the country because we want to keep the country's borders safe. How did we utilise our seats in 10 years? In abrogating Article 370, scrapping Triple Talaq building Ram Temple, bringing UCC..."

• "Modi govt will score a hat-trick"

• "As elections progress, 'INDI people' have started collapsing like pack of cards"

• "In new govt, I have to take many big decisions for poor, youth, women, farmers"

The Navi Mumbai police have deployed 3,500 to 4,000 cops for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the region, its Commissioner Milind Bharambhe said on Friday.

Assembly segments of Airoli and Belapur which fall under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai police are part of the Thane Lok Sabha constituency.

Thane and 12 other seats from Maharashtra, including six in Mumbai, will go to polls in the fifth phase of the general elections on May 20.

-PTI

Supreme Court asked the counsel of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take instructions from the poll panel on an application seeking direction to immediately upload account of votes recorded at all polling stations after the close of polling of each phase in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha election. 

Supreme Court agreed to hear the case today itself.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday wrapped up his brief visit to Kashmir Valley during which he interacted with several delegations, including those from the BJP and local Sikhs, officials said.

Shah, who arrived here on Thursday evening, left for New Delhi on Friday morning, they said.

Though his visit in the midst of Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir led to speculation of his meetings with some Kashmir-based mainstream political leaders, there was no official word on the minister's engagements before he left the Valley.

-PTI

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday said that it has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP candidate for Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his alleged 'sexist' remarks against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public rally.

In a purported video which surfaced on Thursday Gangopadhyay was heard wondering about "the amount at which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold," triggering a row with the TMC labelling it as BJP's guarantee of disrespecting women, while the saffron party raised doubts about the clip's authenticity.

-PTI

Attacking the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the "dictatorship" allegedly going on in the country is unacceptable and the nation has never seen such a period in the past 75 years.

Kejriwal was addressing Punjab AAP workers and leaders, including MLAs, in Amritsar. "The dictatorship that is going on in our country is not acceptable. India has never seen such a period in the past 75 years, putting opposition leaders in jail," said Kejriwal.

"Like in Russia, (Vladimir) Putin had either sent all rival leaders in jail or got them killed and then conducted the elections and got 87 per cent votes. When there is no opposition, you will be the only one who will get votes," he said.

-PTI

Making an address in a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Samajwadi Party's (SP) "love for mafias has not ended", adding that their party chief [Akhilesh Yadav] is reading 'fatiah' on the grave of the mafia.

"SP's love for mafias hasn't ended yet, their party chief is reading 'fatiah' on the grave of the mafia... Pakistan used to attack our country, Congress used to give them a clean chit and they have weaved a false narrative of Saffron Terrorism," PM Modi said.

Rebel Samajwadi Party MLA Manoj Pande joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday and took part in a rally with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli.

CPI general secretary D Raja said, "It all shows how the PM is getting rattled every passing day...BJP's numbers in Uttar Pradesh will go down drastically...BJP cannot retain the present number of MPs from UP... PM Modi admits that this government is going to get defeated...An alternate government is emerging..."

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, exuding confidence, said, "We are winning Amethi and Raebareli hands down...You can see the mood of the people wherever you go, the mood is totally changed."

He said the mood is in favour of the INDIA bloc, adding that "(Low turnout) is not going to affect us at all. The low percentage shows that there is no wave in favour of the BJP at all...Congress will win comfortably."

Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "They have looted the country... Those who are corrupt will be put behind bars. The development of UP has been done under the leadership of PM Modi."

"CM Yogi Adityanath has done the work of wiping out goons from the state... Raebareli and Amethi have always considered the Gandhi family as their leaders. But the Gandhi family never considered them as their people," he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is present at an election rally in Amethi with party candidate from the constituency, Kishori Lal Sharma. INDIA bloc partner and Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav is also present at the rally.

Addressing an election rally in UP's Amethi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "Lok Sabha elections 2024 is a different election...The first time a political party and its political leaders have clearly said that we would throw the constitution...We have to protect the constitution...The Constitution is our voice and our future...Narendra Modi wants to destroy the constitution."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Hamirpur, took a jibe at the Congress party and the wealth distribution remark.

"Congress made its intentions clear before the elections, they say that they will investigate the wealth of everyone and then a part of your wealth will be given to 'love jihad' people who are their votebank," he said.

The PM asked, "Will you let any government snatch your wealth?"

"Congress is saying in its election manifesto that it will take an X-ray of how much land you have, how big your house is, if you have gold with you," he added.

West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while addressing a press conference, said, "On one hand is "400 paar" slogan of PM Modi and on the other hand we are saying that PM Modi, you won't come to power this time...This time, "400 paar" is just a dream. "Modi ki haar" is the truth this time."

AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minitser Arvind Kejriwal reached Mumbai to take part in INDIA bloc's rally at BKC. PM Modi is also holding rally in Mumbai today.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "When it comes to Maharashtra, we are very satisfied and happy after the 4 phases of election. We feel that people have given ample amount of support to PM Modi and our alliance."

The Election Commission of India (EC) has sent a show-cause notice to BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his "improper, injudicious, undignified" remarks against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

A purported video in which Tamluk BJP candidate and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay was heard wondering about "the amount at which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold," triggered a row with the TMC labeling it as BJP's guarantee of disrespecting women, while the saffron party raised doubts about the clip's authenticity.

At a rally in Odisha's Rourkela, Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah said on Friday that the state will "turn saffron" as his party will win over 75 assembly segments and 15 Lok Sabha seats.

PM Modi has already won over 270 seats and is now moving towards 400, Amit Shah at the rally in Rourkela.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party as accused in the chargesheet of the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy 'scam'.

This is the Eighth chargesheet in the matter filed by Enforcement Directorate. READ FULL STORY

Addressing a public rally in Raebareli, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi pitched for her son and party candidate from the constituency, Rahul Gandhi.

She said, "The roots of our family are connected to the soil of this land. This relation, as pure as Ganga ma, began with the farmer's agitation of Awadh and Raebareli. In Indira Ji's heart, there was a special place for Raebareli. I have seen her working very closely... I have given the same teachings to Rahul and Priyanka, that Indira Ji and the people of Raebareli had given to me; Respect all, protect the weak, fight against justice, done be sacred..."

"Your love never made me feel alone. Everything I have is yours... I am handing over my son to you. You have to accept him, just like you accepted me. Rahul will not disappoint you," she added.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who campaigned in Uttar Pradesh on behalf of the BJP, expressed confidence that the saffron camp will win the election with a "huge majority". "Whole country has become 'Modimay'," he said.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and party MP and its candidate from Raebareli constituency Rahul Gandhi held a joint rally along with Samajwadi Party Chief and candidate from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat Akhilesh Yadav in Raebareli on Friday.

Sonia Gandhi, who has been Raebareli MP for years, told the crowd there, "You gave me chance to serve you as MP for 20 years, this is the biggest asset of my life."

Sonia Gandhi has moved to the Rajya Sabha now while his son Rahul Gandhi is contesting from the seat, a family bastion, in this Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a Congress ralli in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, party leader Sonia Gandhi said, "The roots of our family are connected to the soil of this land. This relation, as pure as Ganga ma, began with the farmer's agitation of Awadh and Raebareli."

"In Indira Ji's heart, there was a special place for Raebareli. I have seen her working very closely... I have given the same teachings to Rahul and Priyanka, that Indira Ji and the people of Raebareli had given to me; Respect all, protect the weak, fight against justice, done be sacred...," She said.

"Your love never made me feel alone. Everything I have is yours... I am handing over my son to you. You have to accept him, just like you accepted me. Rahul will not disappoint you...," she added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a roadshow in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Friday in support of BJP candidate Sanjay Seth.

Hockey India president and BJD candidate from Odisha’s Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat, Dilip Tirkey holds door-to-door campaign in the constituency.

Speaking to reporters, Tirkey said, “The development work done in Sundargarh and Rourkela in the last 25 years under Naveen Patnaik's leadership has been incredible. Our focus has been on people from all walks of society, each and every sector has been developed. The response of people is in favour of our party."

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha expels MLA Lobin Hembram from the party for 6 years.

Addressing the INDIA Bloc's rally in Bhiwandi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal claimed, "If BJP wins Lok Sabha polls, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray will be in jail."

Kejriwal said, "They put me in jail because I gave free electricity to the people of Delhi. I am giving free electricity in Delhi and Punjab; I challenge PM Modi to provide free electricity in the entire country. You want to put Kejriwal in jail and deny the people of Delhi free electricity."

He also stated, "My sugar level shot up in jail but I was denied insulin injections for 15 days."

Supreme Court asks Election Commission of India (ECI) to file its response on an application seeking direction to immediately upload account of votes recorded of all polling stations after the close of polling of each phase in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha election. Supreme Court grants one week time to ECI to file its response and posts the matter for hearing on May 24.

- ANI

Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan addresses 'Vijay Sankalp Samabesh' at Bhatli in Bargarh district, and seeks vote for the party's Bargarh MP candidate Pradip Purohit and Bhatli Assembly constituency candidate Irasis Acharya, during the campaign trail Bargarh, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal and Aska will vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election and the second for Odisha on May 20th.

-ANI

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha expelled sister-in-law of ex-CM Hemant Soren from party for 6 years.

Sita Soren left the party and joined BJP in March 2024.

PM Modi paid floral tributes at the statue of Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak in Mumbai.

PM Modi on Friday evening was felicitated by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, at a public rally in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park.

"Congress will do X-ray of your assets and wealth and will give it to 'Vote Jihad' people," said the prime minister as he addressed a rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park.

PM Modi said, “Mumbai not only sees dreams, it lives out those dreams. Mumbai does not disappoint those who are ambitious. I come to this dream city with the dream of 2047. There is a dream of this country to make a developed India together.”

Speaking of the 10-year BJP rule in India, he said, "When we took charge, India’s economy had fallen from 6th rank to 11th," and added, "In last 10 years, India has become the world’s fifth largest economy."

Slamming Congress, PM Modi stated, "Had Congress been disbanded as Gandhiji suggested, India would have been ahead at least by five decades."

He added, "For 60 years, Congress claimed to eradicate poverty; in last 10 years, we lifted 25 crore people out of poverty." And further claimed, "Intentions of Congress are dangerous; it can go to any extent for its survival."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal addressing a public meeeting held by INDIA bloc in Mumbai, said, “I have come here to beg people to save our country. PM Modi is taking our nation towards fascism. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar gave us a great Constitution; PM Modi is working to slowly and steadily end the Constitution and democracy in this country."

Former Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was also present at the rally.