Lok Sabha elections April 3: As it Happened

The BJP today fielded local strongman Dinesh Pratap Singh against Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli and also named candidates who will taken on Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Singh Yadav.Dinesh Pratap Singh, who was elected to the state legislative council for the second time in 2016 and left the Congress last year, is pitted against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on a seat held by her since 2004.In Azamgarh, Bhojpuri singer Dinesh Lal Yadav will contest against former chief minister and SP president Akhilesh Yadav. Known as Nirauha among his supporters, the 40-year-old is also an actor and a television presenter.Prem Singh Shakya has been named the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency, from where SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav will contest.

A DMK government in Tamil Nadu will order a probe into the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, DMK President MK Stalin announced today at a rally in Tiruppur. Stalin insisted that there will be a change of government in Tamil Nadu after the Modi government is defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. "One thing is sure -- soon after a change of government at the Centre, there will be a change of government in the state. Then the problems of people will be sorted out."

Shillong: Meghalaya to have at least 60 all-women polling booths during Lok Sabha Elections 2019. Chief electoral officer FR Kharkongor says, "There's always been high enrollment&turnout of women in state, 52% voters are women. We had 67 pink booths last year, at least 60 this time"

PM Modi in Gondia,Maharashtra: If by mistake these 'Mahamilavti' people get power then Naxals will get a big boost. Congress has already promised in manifesto that sedition case will not be imposed on any urban naxal, they have promised to do away with sedition law.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee today launched her political campaign in West bengal with a sharp attack at PM Modi and BJP. Addressing a rally in Bengal's Dinhata, Mamata said she and her supprters were nationalists, not fascists. Her comment was in reference to Modi's critisicm of her for comment on Pulwama terror attack. In her speech, Mamata described Modi as "Expiry Babu" and dared him to participate in direct debate with her. 

"I am not Modi,I don't tell lies," Mamata said claiming the PM has made false claims on performance of TMC government in West Bengal. "Income of farmers increased three times in Bengal,while 12,000 farmers committed suicide during Modi rule," Mamata claimed. 

The Communist Party of India has announced its candidates for nine Lok Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar.

The candidate list released by the party includes East Champaran in Bihar, Chatra seat in Jharkhand and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh as well as six seats in Uttar Pradesh.

The party has announced Prabhakar Jaiswal from the East Champaran seat, Arjun Kumar from Chatra and Keshkali Kol from Shahdol.

In Uttar Pradesh, the party has named Satish Kumar from the Bareilly seat, Chandra Koree from Shahjahanpur, Mahendra Pratap Verma from Banda, Ashish Singh from Gorakhpur, Triloki Nath from Lalganj and Santosh Pratap Singh from Balia.

Senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien tweets: "Two people made speeches in #Bengal today. Verdict: the home team won."

BJP fields ex-Congress MLC Dinesh Pratap against Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli and Bhojpuri singer-actor Dinesh Lal Yadav against SP chief Akhilesh from Azamgarh.

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav Wednesday alleged that Yogi Adityanath is an "incapable" chief minister and said he committed a "sin" by terming the Ardh Kumbh as Kumbh.

In 2017, the Uttar Pradesh government had said that the Ardh Kumbh would be referred to as Kumbh and the Kumbh as Maha Kumbh.

"Adityanath is an incapable chief minister. He committed a sin by terming Ardh Kumbh as Kumbh and tried to belie shastras, which say Kumbh is held in every 12 years," he told an election meeting.

Two officials deployed on election duty in UP's Muzaffarnagar were removed after they were found absent.

Kirit Somaiya, sitting BJP MP from Mumbai North East, says he is happy that Manoj Kotak has been given the ticket.

"We all will support him and ensure he wins. Ultimately our aim is a second term for [PM] Modi ji. Responsibilities within party keep shifting, and there's nothing new in it," he told ANI>

‘Who is Rahul Gandhi trying to save with promise to repeal sedition law?’

"Airstrike Rahul [Gandhi] baba ko hazam nahin ho raha hai. Unke guru Sam Pitroda kahte hain 'kuch logon ki harqaton ke kaaran desh pe hamlaa nahin karna chahiye.' Kyun, aapke chacherey bhai lagte hain kya?" Amit Shah says, in Jammu and Kashmir's Sunderbani.

"If you choose the BJP, in next five years, we'll oust every single infiltrator from the country. Infiltrators are eating our country like termites. They want to change the demography of Jammu. As long as there's BJP government, we won't let this happen," Amit Shah said in Sunderbani.

He earlier said, in Udhampur: "BJP won't allow anybody to snatch Jammu and Kashmir from India."

"Nobody can dilute AFSPA as the BJP will be standing like a rock behind security forces who are protecting our borders," Shah told the rally, organised in support of BJP leader Jitendra Singh. 

BJP president Amit Shah also asked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to clarify his stand on the issue raised by his electoral ally.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president also asserted that his party, whether in power or in opposition, would never let such a demand get fulfilled.

"Omar Abdullah says there should be a separate prime minister in Jammu and Kashmir. His associates are shouting pro-Pakistan slogans and Congress is silent," Shah said.

"I need to pull out the country from 72 years of despair and bring prosperity in the country," PM Modi adds.

Telugu Desam Party has complained to Election Commission against Nellore MLA and YSRCP's Nellore candidate Anil Kumar Yadav over a speech he delivered yesterday. The party mentions: 'It was intended to terrorise public who are not supporters of YSRCP.

PM Modi adds: "The only thing the country lacked was a resolute government."

"Whenever, a BJP government takes a pledge, it always fulfils it. We'll create a front that would be free from hooliganism of TMC and Left."

"Today, anti-elements are speaking because their political grounds have been shaken. The Opposition demanded evidence of airstrike. They have insulted our security forces," PM Modi says.

He adds: "Today some people in their hate for Modi have started speaking against India. Who raised doubts on airstrike? Who demoralised armed forces? Who had asked for count of bodies of terrorists?"

'The love of people has encouraged India to achieve greater heights'

"India will soon be a superpower," says PM Modi in Kolkata

Manoj Kotak will contest from Mumbai North East. Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirhua' will contest from Azamgarh (UP) against Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses public meeting in Kolkata

The Congress has fielded its MLA C J Chavda against BJP president Amit Shah from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat.

'Congress did not protect interest of investors from unscrupulous businessmen'

The Shiv Sena had opposed his candidature

The TMC has rolled out a brand new 'Jumla Meter'.

Rahul Gandhi added: "Funds for NYAY will come from pockets of 'chor' businessmen favoured by 'chowkidar' Narendra Modi."

"Congress committed to ensuring minimum wages for tea garden workers that PM Modi failed to fulfil."

Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Guwahati, Assam, said: "Congress will restore special status of northeastern states, bring in industrial policy to make region a manufacturing hub."

"Congress, if voted to power, will not allow Citizenship Amendment Bill."

"India witnessing worst unemployment scenario; Congress will ensure facilities for youths to start own businesses."

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad has been appointed as general secretary of the party in the run-up to Lok Sabha elections which his party is fighting in alliance with the Congress against the BJP-Shiv Sena combine

"Congress manifesto talks of reviewing AFSPA that shields security forces from terrorists."

"I am waiting for this speedbreaker (didi) to go so development can gather speed."

"Speedbreaker Didi has not allowed people of Bengal to benefit from Ayushman Bharat scheme."

"The Central government cared for the poor and thus initiated the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The NDA government assured the poor that they will get free medical treatment of upto Rs 5 lakh."

"During the chit fund case in West Bengal, didi's ministers, her MPs and her MLAs fled with the money that belonged to my poor brothers and sisters."

"Didi is not concerned about the poor. How can didi work to eradicate poverty when she politicises the issue?"

"There is a speed breaker in West Bengal, which you know by the name 'didi'."

Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar has said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win more than 300 Lok Sabha seats to register a thumping victory

"It is absolutely wrong. ‘Cash for Vote’ is rather practiced by Congress party. Investigation under Election Commission will reveal all the details. We have got the information that it has been recovered from a BJP candidate's car."

"Congress used to release Rs 36,000 cr for the development of Uttarakhand, while the Modi government has decided to release Rs 84,000 cr."

"Even as PM Modi addressed an election rally in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh today, a sensational ‘Cash for Vote Scandal’ is exposed where authorities found Rs. 1.8 crore from the convoy of BJP CM Pema Khandu and BJP Arunachal Pradesh President Tapir Gao."

"Promises of Congress Party in their manifesto attempts to build castles in the air. No one can stop anyone from day dreaming, but has the Congress Party waived off the farmer's loans in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab? People of India understand the lies of Congress Party"

"Whom is the Congress trying to help by withdrawing the AFSPA? It will provide a support to the separatists."

The Election Commission of India (ECI) taken notice of the launch of NaMo TV ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The commission sought a report from the ministry of information and broadcasting.

"Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India will end if Article 370 is removed."

Launching an attack on the Congress over its party manifesto, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has accused it of demoralising the Indian Army 

The Congress party has released a list of 4 candidates from West Bengal ahead of the general elections 

"I've decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been striving to develop the country in a unique manner. I wanted to serve the nation and I felt this one party was apt for me to fulfill my desires to work for the people."

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has filed her nomination from Anantnag

Actor-turned politician Jaya Prada has filed her nomination from Rampur Lok Sabha constituency for upcoming general elections. She had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 26

President of the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena and NDA candidate from Wayanad, Thushar Vellappally has filed his nomination in Kerala 

"I've got a notice from the Election Commission. Our stand is clear, those who have sedition charges against them should be stopped from going to the parliament at any cost. Hasn't Hardik Patel been stopped?"

Senior BJP leader and in-charge of its West Bengal unit, Kailash Vijayvargiya has slammed the police in Kolkata for creating hurdles ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Kolkata at 3 PM. PM Modi will address an election rally at Kolkata's historic Police Brigade Ground.

Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh has assured safe and secured environment to voters during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar has filed a response to Election Commission over his comments against Congress President Rahul Gandhi over 'NYAY' scheme. He states that he made the comments as an economist

"Just like them, Congress' manifesto is corrupt and full of lies. It should be called hypocrisy document."

"Congress' hand is with the country or with those conspiring against it?"

"For new Arunachal Pradesh, our vision is connectivity, resources and respect"

"This election is about choice between trust and corruption, about resolution and conspiracy"

Congress MLA Pawan Kajal will take on BJP minister Kishan Kapoor from Kangra constituency in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls

BJP MLA Tejendra Nirwal and Congress leader Imran Masood have been booked for poll code violation in UP's Muzaffarnagar

"It is with the support of the people of Arunachal Pradesh that we have been able to develop roads, national highway, railways and improve air connectivity of the state with the rest of the nation. It is the result of your strong trust on us."

"BJP government has never asked for votes by fooling farmers."

The district election officer in Assam's Sivasagar has launched a campaign to ensure increased turnout at polling booths by involving high school students as electoral ambassadors in three assembly segments

Madhya Pradesh government has restored the security cover at RSS office in Bhopal, it was removed from outside RSS office yesterday

The Flying Squad officials of the Election Commission have seized Rs 2.10 crore in cash near Perambalur from a former VCK party district secretary during vehicle checks

In a Twitter war, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj has dared fellow party MLA Alka Lamba to join the Congress

A glass bottle was hurled at the campaign vehicle of BJP State vice-president Nainar Nagendran in Tamil Nadu, while he was campaigning in Periyapattinam for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address three election rallies in Nagaland and Assam today. His first rally will be held in Dimapur in Nagaland 

The Congress party has fielded ex-railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat

The Congress party has fielded ex-Union minister and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh's wife Preneet Kaur from Patiala Lok Sabha seat

BJP President Amit Shah is set to address two election rallies in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur and Rajouri districts today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two election rallies in West Bengal today. The first one will be in north Bengal's Siliguri, while the second one, the first ever covered poll rally, will be held at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground

A team of Election Commission officials, led by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha, held a series of meetings with Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana, Dr Rajat Kumar, DEOs and other election related authorities in Hyderabad on 1st and 2nd April

An FIR has been registered against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on the complaint of Congress leader Faisal Lala, over his alleged remark against 4 officials including District Magistrate at his party office on March 29

The Congress party has released a list of 9 candidates for Odisha assembly elections