Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi Terms Congress-Shiv Sena Tie-Up 'Partnership Of Sin'; Comedian Shyam Rangeela's Nomination Cancelled From Varanasi

Union Minister Piyush Goyal slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, saying he deserted 'Hindutva' ideology'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conducting a roadshow in Mumbai's Ghatkopar. The PM's roadshows comes days after a massive hoarding collapsed after a dust storm and killed 14 people on Monday.

As per the advisory issued by Mumbai Police. No vehicles will be allowed on LBS Road from Gandhi Nagar Junction to Naupada Junction and on Mahul-Ghatkopar road from Meghraj Juntion to RB Kadam Junction from 2 pm to 10 pm.

Andheri Ghatkopar Link Road from Ghatkopar Junction to Sakinaka Junction, Gulati petrol pump junction from Hiranandani Kailas Complex Road and from Golibar Maidan and Ghatkopar Metro Station (West) towards Sarvodaya Junction have also been closed in view of PM Modi's roadshow.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will both be conducting their rallies in the state of Odisha today. Amit Shah is expected to hold a roadshow and two public meeting for the BJP on Wednesday.

Whereas, Rahul Gandhi is expected to join a bike rally and later address an election rally in the state.

As compared to the turnout of the 2019 elections, there has been a slight dip in the percentage of the voter turnout for this years elections. With four phases wrapped up, here is the count for each -

• Phase 1 - 66.14 percent

• Phase 2 - 66.71 percent

• Phase 3 - 65.68 percent

• Phase 4 - 69.16 percent

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has made a prediction for the BJP in this year's general elections, Kejriwal, who is out on bail, has stated that this year the Modi government will not be formed on June 4 and the ruling party won't manage to even touch 400 seats.

"It is my analysis and even political analysts are saying that the BJP won't get more than 220-230 seats. The Modi government is not being formed on June 4," the Delhi CM added.

Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were conducted on May 13 across 10 states. As per the Election Commission of India, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout of 80.66 percent and 80.22 percent respectively.

• Andhra Pradesh - 80.66 percent

• West Bengal - 80.22 percent

• Bihar - 58.21 percent

• Jammu and Kashmir - 38.49 percent

• Jharkhand - 66.01 percent

• Madhya Pradesh - 72.05 percent

• Maharashtra - 62.21 percent

• Odisha - 75.68 percent

• Telangana - 65.67 percent

• Uttar Pradesh - 58.22 percent

In view of PM Modi's roadshow in Mumbai today, Mumbai Police have closed several roads due to security reasons. These are -

• LBS Road from Gandhi Nagar Junction to Naupada Junction

• Mahul-Ghatkopar road from Meghraj Juntion to RB Kadam Junction

• Andheri Ghatkopar Link Road from Ghatkopar Junction to Sakinaka Junction

• Gulati petrol pump junction from Hiranandani Kailas Complex Road

• Golibar Maidan and Ghatkopar Metro Station (West) towards Sarvodaya Junction

Mumbai Police have listed the Eastern Express Highway, Western Express Highway, Andheri-Kurla Road, Saki Vihar road, MIDC Central road, Chembur-Santacruz Link road, Sion-Bandra Link road and Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link road, as alternative routes to avoid any inconvenience.

As per news agency PTI, three officials trapped inside Kolihan mines after the lift collapsed on Tuesday night, have been rescued.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be contesting the Lok Sabha ELections 2024 from the seat of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. During his visit to Varanasi, the prime minister spoke about his relationship with the city of Kashi. "When I went to Kashi in 2014, I felt I was invited to the city by 'Ma Ganga'. However, today, after 10 years of my visit to Kashi, I can say 'Aaj Ma Ganga ne mujhe god le liya hai' (today Ma Ganga has adopted me),"

Comedian Shyam Rangeela, known for his videos of mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was at last allowed to file his nomination papers to contest against PM Modi from Varanasi.

The comedian had alleged that he was not allowed to file his nomination for reasons unknown.

After filing his nomination from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that if he ever restorts to "hindu-Muslim" politics, he won't be fit for a public life. "The day I start talking about Hindu-Muslim (in politics) will be the day I lose my ability to lead a public life," Modi said, speaking in Hindi. "I will not do Hindu-Muslim. That is my resolve," stated PM Modi. The prime minister's statements comes weeks after his "infiltrator" and "those with more children" remarks at various rallies across the country.

Judicial custody of former Delhi deputy chief Manish Sisodia, arrested in connection with the excise policy case, was extended on Wednesday till the next date.

Rouse Avenue court in Delhi adjourned the arguments on charge for May 30 in CBI's case related to Delhi Excise Policy. An application for postponement of arguments on charge is pending before the High Court.

Manish Sisodia and other accused persons who are in custody were produced through video conferencing from jail.

Pratima Devi, the mother of Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh, filed nomination for the Karakat Lok Sabha seat, which her son is contesting as an Independent.

Neither Singh nor his mother made any statement about the move. Speculations are rife that Pratima Devi, who filed the nomination on Tuesday as an Independent, entered the fray as her son, a BJP member, might face disciplinary action by the party if he does not withdraw from the contest.

Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, who heads the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, is the NDA candidate in Karakat.

Pawan Singh was fielded from Asansol by BJP but was later replaced after he turned down the candidature and again said he will be contesting from the seat days later. BJP has fielded SS Ahulwalia from the Asansol Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be the star campaigners for the BJP for the June 1 Lok Sabha election and Assembly bypolls in Himachal Pradesh.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its list of 40 star campaigners on Tuesday. The list also includes the names of Union ministers Smriti Irani, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Hardeep Singh Puri, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. READ FULL STORY

In a question to the Prime Minister, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the "PM talks of strength, why doesn't he take action against those who talk of changing Constitution."

"I want to congratulate people from the press for the golden period that will begin on June 4; that will be a day of 'freedom of press'. BJP is tangled in its own negative narrative. INDIA alliance will win 79 seats in Uttar Pradesh," the SP Chief was quoted saying.

As per the Election Commission of India, Andhra Pradesh has registered a total polling percentage of 80.66 per cent in the elections for the 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly constituencies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a part of India and if the BJP government is elected in June, they will make it a part of it.

"When INDI alliance was ruling, strikes used to happen in our part of Kashmir, see the effect of PM Modi, now, strikes happen in PoK. Earlier slogans of Azadi, stone pelting kind of things used to happen on our part, now it all happens in PoK... If 'Rahul Baba' and 'Mamata didi' are scared, let it be, PoK belongs to India and we will take it," stated Amit Shah.

The Assam CM slammed the Congress government and stated that during their rule, no discussions were held regarding PoK. The chief minister added that it was stated that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan.

"It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has ‘Occupied Kashmir,’ it is actually ours. Right now, agitation is happening every day in PoK and pictures are emerging from there where people are seen protesting against Pakistan with Indian flag in their hands. When PM Modi gets 400 seats, PoK will also become a part of India. It has already started,” he stated.

"Bengal has to decide whether it wants infiltrators or CAA for refugees. Bengal has to decide whether it wants to vote for jihad or vote for Vikas," stated the Home Minister.

Shah slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for opposing the CAA and "taking out rallies in support of infiltrators" to appease her vote bank.

(Inputs from PTI)

"BJP wants to tear this book, but we in Congress and the people of India will not allow it," stated Rahul Gandhi during a rally in the state of Odisha.

"If BJP wins, the reservation will be scrapped, the public sector will be privatised, and the country will be run by 22 billionaires. That's why the people's government should be formed," he added further.

With Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Elections all wrapped up, the Bharatiya Janta Party remains confident that it will win 400 seats and form the government for the third time.

Amid all the campaigning, the ruling party have made several promises to the voters and their supporters. Joining the list of promises is now Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and its "ultimate" merger with India. READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The Election Commission of India(ECI) on Wednesday summoned Andhra Pradesh chief secretary, DGP to "personally explain" reasons for failure to contain post-poll violence.

In his reaction to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's food promise, Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said,"Mallikarjun Kharge is the loud speaker of Rahul Gandhi. He says what has been told to him. Congress exploited poor for 60 years. Thanks to PM Modi that he has brought 25 cr people out of poverty. Congress only worked for Muslims."

Speaking at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said, "People aren't getting food to eat, jobs, do something about it. But he (PM Modi) is not concerned about this but power. 'Jo satta Sonia Gandhi ne thukra diya tha, us satte par inki aankhein hain'..."

Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said, "Rahul Gandhi ji is the biggest liar. Who strangled the Constitution by imposing an Emergency in 1974? It was done by his family... As long as the Prime Minister in the country is Narendra Modi and the BJP is ruling, for us the Constitution is supreme. There will be no compromise with Constitution, it is our commitment."

Speaking at a public meeting in UP's Raebareli, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said, "...Rahul Gandhi and I have signed it on the card that to give justice to the youths, farmers. We will fulfil this promise. We will give the eldest woman in the family Rs 1 lakh, each year, will PM Modi give it?"

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said, "No religion is bad, it's people who are bad. Is Ram only for Hindus? Ram is Bhishma Pitamah. They (BJP) are putting fire in offices to destroy evidence. They know that they are going to lose."

During his address at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun, the state's Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said, "Within 10 years, Modi ji has changed the face of India and before that the youth used to migrate from the country, farmers used to commit suicide, women were not safe. At that time when the people of the country decided to change the government, Modi ji worked tirelessly for the people without discriminating amongst any cast, religion, or gender."

In his reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark on reservation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said "...We have been fighting for reservation and to save the Constitution. You are talking about finishing the Constitution. You have no right to talk about reservation."

Addressing a public meeting in Dindori, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said, "The fake Shiv Sena has shattered every dream of Balasaheb Thackeray. His dream was to build a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. Congress rejected the invitation of Pran Pratistha and fake Shiv Sena also chose the same path. Congress people are talking nonsense about the temple and the fake Shiv Sena is completely silent. Their partnership is a partnership of sin. And their sin has been exposed in front of the entire world...In the four phases of elections that have taken place, the public has defeated them from all sides."

In reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'never did Hindu-Muslim' remark, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday said, "That is exactly what he (PM Modi) has been doing for 10 years. Now, he cannot start denying the speeches he has given. He has given speeches in front of the whole world. How can he suddenly turn around and say that he has not said those things."

BJP national president J P Nadda during a rally in West Bengal on Wednesday said, "BJP wants 'majboot sarkar' at Centre but INDIA bloc wants 'majboor sarkar' to fulfill their selfish motives."

Congress leader Sachin Pilot at a public meeting in Delhi on Wednesday said, "These elections are to protect the Constitution, help people voice their opinions and to stop attacks happening on credibility of agencies in the last 10 years. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and the entire party have shown their faith in (Congress' North East Delhi candidate) Kanhaiya Kumar."

Union Minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal who is the party's candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday said, "You will appreciate that PM Modi, Dr Jaishankar and Ajit Doval have been absolutely wonderful in terms of taking the India story to the world. The whole world today recognises that India is the emerging superpower, India is the country which will lead the economic revival in the world. India today enjoys relationships that have never been seen in the history."

Congress candidate from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, Jai Prakash Agarwal on Wednesday said, “The atmosphere here is very good; the people want a change this time. The current government didn’t work for the people; the people want democracy in the country and not fascism."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Maharashtra's Kalyan on Wednesday said, "The efforts that I am putting in now, I will continue to do that even after June 4. That's why we have prepared the blueprint for first 100 days (of government) in third term."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said, "Congress ecosystem claims Modi is indulging in Hindu-Muslim; I am exposing those dividing country in name of Hindu-Muslim."

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief during roadshow in support of Congress'Chandni Chowk candidate on Wednesday said, If people vote for BJP, I will have to go to jail."

He said,“I have come directly from jail, for you all. They put me in jail; I missed the people out there so much. While in jail, I was thinking what was my fault? We are insignificant people and so is our party, with governments in just two states. My fault was that I arranged good education and made schools for your children; I gave round the clock electricity to the people, this was my fault."

He added, “They left no stones unturned to break my morale, but they didn’t succeed. Now they are saying that I will have to go to jail again; it is for the people to decide whether I will go to jail or not. If you vote for BJP on May 25, I will go to jail, but if you vote for INDIA alliance, I will be saved.”

Union Minister Dr S Jaishankar after leading a BJP delegation that lodged a complaint against the opposition with the Election Commission on Wednesday said, "In the last few days, we have brought to the notice of Election Commission several times the violation of Model Code of Conduct by the Congress and its INDI alliance partners. It is unfortunate that no action has been taken on this. Today, we have come again and in our meeting with the EC... we put forth 22 such examples before them, which we already brought to their notice before. Another serious issue we put before the EC today is regarding our soldiers. Few days back, Rahul Gandhi said... (referring to his purported remark). This is a direct attack on our armed forces."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Maharashtra's Kalyan on Wednesday said, "If Congress and the INDI alliance come to power, then they will try to divide the people. Congress' Shehzada and the INDI alliance are playing the old game of appeasement. They are eyeing the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs. They have started their experiments and have turned Karnataka in their laboratory. After coming to power in Karnataka, they have included Muslims in list of OBCs overnight."

Union Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a roadshow in Odisha's Cuttack.

In his reaction on Enforcement Directorate arresting Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam in connection with a money laundering case, BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo on Wednesday said, "Alamgir Alam has been arrested by the ED. This was bound to happen because of the way Rs 35 crore cash was recovered from a domestic help's house. I feel this is just the beginning. In PM Modi's new India, you cannot save yourself if you are corrupt."

Comedian Shyam Rangeela's nomination on Wednesday was reportedly cancelled from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for not providing affidavit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Mumbai North East on Wednesday.

Congress leader and the party's candidate from North East Delhi Kanhaiya Kumar on Wednesday said,"The atmosphere is favourable and we are receiving positive response from the people. We are confident that the INDIA alliance will win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi."

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief and the party's candidate from Varanasi constituency Ajay Rai on Wednesday, “I have fought against PM Modi twice in 2014 and 2019. There’s no wave of him in the constituency; he has done nothing. If he had worked for the people, he wouldn’t have organised a roadshow to show off. The crowd in his roadshow are all staged. Members of the INDIA alliance are working on the ground and we will win with a thumping majority."

In reaction to ED arresting Jharkhand Minister and Congress leader Alamgir Alam, Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday said, "...Should corrupt people be left alone? The way these people have done corruption, it is in front of you all. Country can't run based on corruption and appeasement. Country will run based on Constitution."

Addressing a public rally in Lucknow, Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh who is the party's candidate from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday said, "The whole world believes that India is no longer a weak India but has now become a powerful country in the world...Efforts are being made to create various misconceptions about our government. It is being said that if the BJP government is formed then reservation will be abolished. I want to say that our party will form the government and we will not end reservation under any circumstances."

Former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday said, "Since the day Rahul (Gandhi) filed his nomination (from Raebareli), the public has taken the election here in its hands, they are fighting the election. There is a one-sided environment in Raebareli."

In her reaction on Union minister Giriraj Singh's 'Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will flee India' remark, RJD leader Misa Bharti on Wednesday said, "What should I say? Will that help the nation? Will it provide employment to people and fulfill PM Modi's promise of giving Rs 15 lakh to everyone?"