Election Financial News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raked up the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) issue at a BJP rally in North-East Delhi on Saturday when he said those demanding its removal had blocked roads and caused riots in the national capital. The INDIA bloc is backing these protesters even as those fulfilling the criteria are getting Indian citizenship, he asserted. Addressing his first rally of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the capital, Modi alleged that the INDI Alliance is playing appeasement politics and is steeped in corruption. “Congress is playing a dangerous game. Its manifesto says they want to give government tenders also on basis of religion. Even the selection of beneficiaries will be on religious lines. When the CAA came into force, the protesters kept Delhi under siege for months… First the roads were blocked and then riots were engineered (referring to the 2020 riots)… The refugees who had come to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are getting citizenship. They are Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis. Most of them are Dalits,” Modi said. He also named some women beneficiaries.

Also Read: EC issues show cause notice to West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar over ads targeting TMC According to reports, while delivering a speech in Kazipara area of West Bengal's Murshidabad district,Humayun Kabir threatened to throw BJP supporters into river Bhagirathi, a tributary of river Ganga in West Bengal, within two hours. “If I can't throw BJP (supporters) into the river Bhagirathi Ganga within two hours, I will leave politics.

Also Read: EC issues show-cause notice to BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay for 'undignified' remarks against Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee “The Commission received a complaint from All India Trinamool Congress, dated 05.05.2024 (copy enclosed), wherein it is alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party on 05.05.2024 published an advertisement in newspaper containing, false, unverified and misleading statement to unduly influence the minds of the voter through false reporting," “In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you," EC said in a show cause notice to Majumdar. Also Read: Remarks on wealth redistribution justified, BJP to EC amid PM Modi's 'I don’t do Hindu-Muslim' clarification: Report On May 4, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) complained to ECI that BJP advertisement in some regional newspapers were highly derogatory, false, and appealed to voters to vote on religious grounds.

Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said grand temples would be built in Varanasi and Mathura and the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented if the NDA returns to power by winning over 400 Lok Sabha seats. He said the NDA, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will ensure that Pakistan occupied Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, returns to the country. Addressing election rallies in Muzaffarpur and Siwan Lok Sabha seats, Sarma said, «We will implement UCC, build a temple on Krishna Janmabhoomi premises in Mathura and establish Kashi Vishwanath temple in place of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, besides ensuring that PoK returns to India, after winning over 400 seats.» Hitting out at the Congress and its allies, Sarma said, «Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad did not attend the consecration of Ram Mandir. They want to send Ram Lalla back to the tent. We must not let this happen.»

Jalaun (UP): Ram Babu Nishad looks back to a time when locals would avoid even attending weddings in the night. «Pata nahi hota tha ghar sahi salamat lautenge ki nahi,» he says. Once infamous as a haven for dacoits and mafia, the BJP is banking on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's law-and-order and development pitch to secure a third consecutive victory from the Jalaun Lok Sabha seat. The opposition, however, has been accusing the BJP of lying over its claims.

Manipur, the Mizoram government is likely to initiate biometric enrolment for refugees from Myanmar. People from Myanmar continue to come to Mizoram since the military junta seized power in the nation on February 1, 2021. At least 34,350 people including women, elderly people and children from the neighbouring country took shelter in 11 districts of Mizoram. A senior official in the Mizoram government who does not want to be named told ET, “Chief Minister Lalduhoma, during a meeting with the leaders of NGO Young Mizo Association (CYMA), indicated the state government’s plan for biometric enrolment for refugees”.

Narendra Modi on Saturday said that enemies of the nation have to think 100 times before causing any harm as there is a dhaakad (powerful) government in the country. Referring to Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi at an election rally in Ambala said the neighbouring country, which used to trouble India for the past 70 years, is now roaming with a begging bowl in its hands due to the BJP's 'dhaakad' government at the Centre. «When there is a 'dhaakad' government in the country, enemies too think 100 times before doing anything. Pakistan had been troubling India for 70 years, it had bombs in its hands. Today it has 'bheekh ka katora' (begging bowl) in its hands. When there is a 'dhaakad' government, enemies tremble,» Prime Minister said.

Lok Sabha elections in the state. Stray cattle that are left to loiter the roads by their former owners once they stop producing milk end up destroying standing crops of farmers and also causing road accidents. It was one of the major issues raised by the Samajwadi Party during the assembly elections in 2022 and remains a poll point in the ongoing election.

INDIA bloc as the 'Bhanumati's clan', SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday claimed that the BJP's clan will disintegrate after June 4. On Friday, the prime minister addressed an election rally in Fatehpur and said, «Currently, four phases of elections have been held in the country. But, the common man has defeated the INDI Alliance in these phases only. Bhanumati's clan is falling apart, it has surrendered.» «No one wants to work hard in the remaining elections. The workers of INDI Alliance were already disappointed, (and) now they have stopped leaving their homes,» he added. Taking a jibe at the prime minister, Akhilesh Yadav, during an election rally in Balrampur on Saturday said, «After the four phases of elections, the BJP has already lost on all four fronts.»

BJP) president JP Nadda has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been referring to "mangalsutra" in his election speeches to expose «thinking in Congress on wealth redistribution» and that the UPA government had said that Muslims have the first right over the country's wealth. In an interview with ANI, Nadda said the Modi government has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty, has worked for everyone and has taken steps for the empowerment of women, farmers, the poor, Dalits and other weaker sections. He accused Congress of following policies of divide and rule and not working for the integration of society. Nadda referred to remarks of former Congress Overseas Chairperson Sam Pitroda pertaining to «redistribution of wealth» and "inheritance tax" and said he was the guru of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Amit Shah on Saturday highlighted Uttar Pradesh's transformation from a state known for producing country-made pistols to one now manufacturing cannon balls. Addressing an election rally in Lalitpur in favour of BJP's Jhansi candidate Anurag Sharma, who is eyeing a second term, the Union home minister said the state started developing only after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister and Yogi Adityanath the Chief Minister. «There was a time when country-made pistols were produced in Uttar Pradesh. But PM Modi built a defence corridor in Bundelkhand, and now cannon balls are made here,» Shah said. He added that «if Pakistan makes any mistake», the shells made in Bundelkhand will be used to «destroy» the country.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the INDIA bloc will come to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and BJP will «not cross the 200 mark» in the polls. She accused Congress, and CPI(M) of having entered into a nexus with BJP in the state to discredit the state government and asked the electorate not to vote for any non-TMC parties which will benefit the saffron camp. Addressing an election rally at Goghat under the Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency, Banerjee said «I had coined the name INDIA and at the national level we the coalition partners are all working together to resist the autocratic, demonic Narendra Modi government. TMC will play its role in installing the INDIA bloc to power.» «See what Modi is telling now — he is no more making tall '400 paar' seats by BJP. He can read the writing on the wall already. BJP will not cross even 200 tally. BJP will bite the dust,» she said.

Lok Sabha elections on national issues rather than the local problems. Pollution and crime are among the least talked-about issues in this trader and Muslim-dominated constituency. Ironically, it is among the 13 pollution hotspots of Delhi but this finds little or no mention in the poll promises of parties. From humble 'gol gappa' sellers to big merchants in Chandni Chowk, several residents share a common view that in the general elections, issues impacting development at the national level weigh higher for voters. Ashok (53), a merchant in the Chandni Chowk market, takes out his mobile phone to show a WhatsApp forward and says, «As a true nationalist, we must vote on national issues or those that are in the wider interest of people. We need to adjust even if local issues are not met.»

ANI when asked if he doesn't feel Smriti Irani is a very strong candidate and sitting MP. Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Raebareli, Amethi among 14 UP seats voting in Phase 5 on May 20. Check details here "No candidate is small.

Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, former deputy prime minister LK Advani and former Union minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi have cast their votes using the home voting facility, the Delhi poll body said. The office of the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi on Thursday kicked off the home voting facility for elderly voters and persons with disabilities (PwDs) and it will go on till May 24. According to the data shared by the office, 1409 voters cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes across all seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi on Friday, which was the second day of the facility being started. The West Delhi constituency reported the highest number of home votes, with 348 voters participating. Among them, 299 were elderly individuals.

Adityanath on Saturday hit out at the Congress over its alleged proposal to introduce inheritance, and said Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's soul has crept into the grand old party. He said the inheritance tax is like the 'jizya' tax imposed by Aurangzeb. Addressing a rally in Malegaon town in Maharashtra's Nashik district, he said the BJP is contesting elections not merely for power but to build a developed India. «There should be no doubt that Narendra Modi is coming back once again as the prime minister,» Adityanath asserted.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Ratan Tata urges Mumbaikars to vote on May 20 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. Delhi goes to polls on May 25.

Read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday filed his nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. Before filing the nomination, PM Modi offered prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the Ganges and visited Kal Bhairav temple. Read more Amid the planemaker's preparation to meet with the US aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over its quality-control problems, Boeing shareholders at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Friday re-elected CEO David Calhoun and approved his $32.8 million compensation.

Mumbai scheduled for May 20 in phase 5, Industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata urged all the Mumbaikars to go out and vote responsibly. The fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls will be held on May 20 and will cover the seats in Mumbai. «Monday is voting day in Mumbai. I urge all Mumbaikars to go out and vote responsibly,» Ratan Tata posted on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of inciting people and dividing society through his election speeches. Kharge was addressing a press conference of the INDIA bloc, where NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders were present. The opposition alliance held an election rally in the city on Friday. «No prime minister before Modi has ever indulged in inciting people like he has been doing. He speaks about democracy repeatedly but doesn't adhere to the tenets of democracy,» Kharge said. Responding to a question on PM Modi' statement that the Congress will bulldoze the Ram mandir in Ayodhya and also restore Article 370 if the INDIA bloc is voted to power, Kharge said, «We have never used a bulldozer on anyone. Modi has the habit of lying and inciting people about things which Congress will never do or the things that are impossible to be implemented.»

transgender icon of the election department of Himachal Pradesh's Solan district. Hailing from the Kothi village in Kunihar area of the Solan district under Shimla parliamentary constituency, Thakur said that the situation had become so grim that villagers started pressurising her family to «throw her out». She was perhaps the only transgender among 35 belonging to the third gender in the state, who gathered the courage to speak up. «When I used to tell my family members about the mal-treatment and discrimination in the school to an extent that I was not allowed to use the toilet, they thought I was making excuses to skip the school. Given a chance, I would like to resume my education,» she said, lamenting that she faced discrimination at «every step in life».