Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE: Raghav Chadha challenges Returning Officer for accepting Bidhuri’s nomination

Congress General Secretary for eastern UP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds roadshow in Barabanki; she also offered prayers at Dewa Shareef Dargah, earlier today.

A writ petition has been filed by AAP's South Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Raghav Chadha challenging the decision of the Returning Officer in which nomination papers of BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri were wrongly accepted despite concealment of important facts.

The Congress on Saturday condemned BJP president Amit Shah's "Rahul Baba, you do Ili-Ilu with terrorists" comment, saying it was the BJP government which had freed and taken terrorists to Kandahar in a plane in 1999.

During an election rally in Jalore on Friday, Shah said his party's policy is to reply with a bombshell if Pakistan fires a bullet, while the Congress just plays "Ilu-Ilu" with terrorists. Ilu is an abbreviation for 'I love you' in a popular Bollywood song.

"Who had released terrorists and taken them to Kandahar in a plane?" Congress general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Avinash Pande asked in response to Shah's comment.

"There is no single instance where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah or any top leader or their family members even got their finger cut in the fight against terrorism but in Congress there are examples of former PMs Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and others," he said.

The Congress' general secretary in charge of Maharashtra Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused colleague Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of reneging on his promise to campaign for the party in the state.

Vikhe Patil, whose son Sujay is the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Ahmednagar seat, had recently resigned as the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

"After his son joined the BJP, Vikhe Patil had told the party that he would not campaign for the NCP in Ahmednagar but would canvass for Congress candidates elsewhere. He hasn't kept the promise," Kharge told reporter.

He said Ahmednagar parliamentary seat was part of the NCP's quota and the Congress couldn't snap the alliance for just one seat.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Barabanki says, “Jab satta hasil hoti hai ek insaan ko, uss satta ke moh mein usse ek bahut badi galatfemi ho jati hai, woh sochne lagta hai woh satta uski hai, bhool jata hai ki satta dene wala kaun hai, PM aur sarkar bhul chuki hai ki satta dene wale aap hain.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi had a heartwarming interaction with Mohammed Farhan after his public rally in Budhanpur village, Kajiyana, Raebareli.

West Bengal: Re-polling to be held at polling stations number 19 at Dhologachh SSK, 37-Patagora Balika Vidhyalay in Islampur assembly segment and polling station no. 191-Loha Gachhi Aadi Basipada in Goalpokhar assembly segment in Raiganj parliamentary constituency, on 29th April.

Former Union Minister Ajay Maken on Saturday accused the BJP government of doing injustice to government employees, saying that the Modi government gave the worst recommendations in the seventh pay commission.

Addressing a press conference, he said: "The BJP has been known for its anti-government employee stand."

Maken also assured that if voted to power, the Congress will become the voice of the government employees and will fill the 22 lakh vacant posts and also regularise the jobs of the contractual workers.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati said on Saturday people of the country do not want an "anti-poor" Narendra Modi government to return to power.

"BJP's claims and promises - only 'hawa hawai'. Their announcements - for hoodwinking people, BJP's statistics - white lies, BJP governments - head of lies and dramatics," Mayawati said.

"Their leaders - no.1 'jumlebaaz', real meaning of BJP - only development of the rich, meaning people's call, no more anti-poor Modi government," she said, taking a dig at the BJP's slogans of 'abki baar, Modi sarkar' (This time, Modi govt) in 2014 and 'phir ek baar, Modi sarkar' (Once again, Modi govt) in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Following the directives of the Election Commission (EC), the Delhi Police on Saturday registered a case against cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir for holding an election rally without taking permission, a police officer said on Saturday.

East Delhi Electoral Officer K. Mahesh on Saturday asked the police to take action against Gambhir for rallying in Jangpura on Friday without permission and violating the model code of conduct.

"We have registered Delhi Police (DP) Act against Gautam Gambhir and are taking action against him under Non Cognizable Report," Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said.

Makers of biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' write to EC seeking clarification on its decision staying its release. Letter states "We seek clarification in this regard from your office as we intend to promote film in areas which are no more affected by MCC after end of polling on 29.4.19"

Singhi Ram, a six-time Congress legislator from Himachal Pradesh, on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

Ram was once considered close to Congress veteran and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and belonged to his stronghold Rampur assembly constituency.

"A political party always gets benefit with the joining of a leader of the other party. We will definitely get some advantage with the joining of Singhi Ram in the BJP," Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj told the media.

This is for the first time that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad is not taking active part in the general elections. But his party is leaving no stone unturned to keep the RJD patriarch connected to the Lok Sabha polls in some form or another.

Ironically, the man who used to spearhead his party's election campaign till sometime back is now languishing in jail.

Lalu Prasad has been sentenced in four fodder scam cases by different special CBI courts in Ranchi and is in prison there from December 2017. However, the convicted RJD leader is now admitted to the paying ward of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) there for various ailments.

Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli says, “Narendra Modi has lied to the nation for the last 5 years. In his speech, he doesn't speak about employment, farmers or 15 lakh. He speaks by looking at the teleprompter and his speech is controlled by a controller from behind. Time is about to change.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli says, “Not a single youth in the country can say "Yes, chowkidar gave me employment" because unemployment rate in country is highest it has been in 45 years. In 70 years nobody did something as foolish as demonetization and Gabbar Singh Tax.”

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) writes to Chief Electoral Officer Odisha, alleging "distribution of cash among voters" by four associates of Baijayant Panda, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Kendrapara.

Election Commission directs East Delhi Returning Officer to file an FIR against Gautam Gambhir, BJP's candidate from East Delhi parliamentary constituency for "holding a rally in East Delhi without permission."

Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora has said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi truly respects the Maharashtra Police, he should withdraw the candidature of Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur, who is contesting as a BJP nominee from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency.

Deora also said that Modi's focus on emotive issues, rather than the real ones, during his speech in Mumbai on Friday is a clear indicator of the "failure" of his government in delivering on key issues, like employment.

Deora said Mumbaikars should ask why the prime minister is encouraging those who insult the armed forces and brave police.

"If the prime minister truly respects the Maharashtra Police, he should withdraw Pragya Thakur's ticket immediately. That's the least he can do to honour martyr Hemant Karkare," Deora said.

Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath says, “Prime Minister should tell the nation who bears the expenses of his plane rides. He should reply from where did he get the money to construct a ₹700 crore office of BJP in Delhi. Then only he should ask me questions.”

Case registered against SP leader Azam Khan for "violating Model Code of Conduct at a rally in Shahabad, Rampur". Saloni Agarwal, CO (Milak, Rampur) says, "Comments made by Azam Khan on 25 April were found to be in violation of MCC and a case was registered against him and 2 others."

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, “We are fighting against BJP on all 40 seats. Tanveer Sahab (RJD Begusarai Lok Sabha candidate Tanveer Hasan) is going to win Begusarai seat and that too by a huge margin. Whatever environment one creates, we aren't bothered, because public has made its mind.”

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, “Raids are being held against Mayawati, against our family. BJP people are trying to frame opposition leaders. Because they know that in these polls, they're going to get defeated by 'mahagathbandhan' in respective states. CBI, ED, IT are working like IT cell of BJP.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi to be in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. He will be addressing public meeting in Amethi and Rae Bareli