Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE: LS polls: Congress to contest 11 seats in Bihar 

The Congress will contest 11 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, said Bihar Congress campaign committee Chairman Akhilesh Prasad Singh said on Friday.

"The Congress will contest 11 seats in Bihar. The party will send a list of the candidates' names to party President Rahul Gandhi for final approval," Singh told the media after a meeting of the Congress state election committee.

The DMK on Friday formally christened the alliance led by it in Tamil Nadu as 'Secular Progressive Alliance', in which the Congress and Left parties are the key constituents.

DMK president M K Stalin, releasing the list of 40 Lok Sabha seats --39 in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry-- to be contested by each party in the alliance, said his party led pre-poll combine is the "Secular Progressive Alliance." The top Dravidian party leader said his party-led alliance was based on "principles" and expressed confidence that it would post a spectacular victory.

Led by the DMK, the coalition comprises Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Vaiko-led MDMK, Indian Union Muslim League, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and smaller outfits, the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi and the Indiya Jananayaga Katchi

PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Friday released his party's 94-page manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections which places special focus on states' autonomy besides promising total prohibition.

It also announced a monthly financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to all unemployed youths in the country who were registered with employment exchanges for five years.

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea of former AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala challenging a Delhi High Court order granting the 'two leaves' symbol to a faction led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued notice to the Election Commission of India (EC) on the limited plea of Dhinakaran that they be allowed to use common symbol of "Pressure Cooker".

At the outset, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Dhinakaran faction said that EC is not giving them a common symbol.

He said the apex court has directed to allot "pressure cooker' as a common symbol to the party.

The Election Commission has imposed a blanket ban on the use or live demonstrations of animals during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, delighting animal lovers across the country.

In its Manual on the Model Code of Conduct, the EC has made it absolutely clear (on page 144 of chapter 22.5) that all animals, birds or reptiles of any type cannot be used while canvassing for votes by political parties or their candidates.

The CPI(M)-led Left Front announced its first list of candidates for 25 seats in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Friday.

The 25 seats include Raiganj and Murshidabad, currently held by the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

The CPI(M) had declared its candidates for these two constituencies earlier.

The National People's Party on Friday announced that former Union Minister Agatha K Sangma and T Kikkin will be the party candidates for the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya and Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency respectively.

The NPP also announced that Ferlene CA Sangma will be the party candidate for the byelection of Selsella Assembly seat in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district.

NPP national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma chaired the meeting of the central election committee of the party in Delhi which was attended by party leaders from various states in the NE region.

In a big setback to opposition unity efforts, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) on Friday announced candidates for 37 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

The VBA comprises the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) led by Prakash Ambedkar and the Hyderabad-based All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen led by Asaduddin Owaisi.

Praveen Chakravarty, Chairperson of Congress’ Data Analytics Department, said party chief Rahul Gandhi has given more statements on policy decisions than PM Modi has ever announced.

Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) chairman Kamen Ringu on Friday said the party will fight the state Assembly and Lok Sabha elections alone and dismissed claims made by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Takam Sanjoy of forging a pre-poll alliance with the PPA.

Ringu said the PPA president Kahfa Bengia and secretary general Kaling Jerang had casual discussions with the Congress which was not "endorsed" by the party.

"We have temporarily suspended them for hobnobbing with the Congress on seat sharing without the knowledge of the party’s executive body. We will not forge any alliance with any national political parties but will contest the polls alone keeping our regional ideology intact," Ringu said.

The BJP is likely to release its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday, when its central election committee is scheduled to meet.

The list will have the names of most of the candidates for the first phase of polling, which will be held on April 11 in 91 seats.

The election for 543 parliamentary seats will be held in seven phases till May 19 and the counting of votes will be taken up on May 23.

Sikkim Democratic Front president and Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling on Friday announced the names of 18 SDF candidates for the state Assembly election, dropping nine sitting MLAs including Speaker KN Rai and three ministers.

Sikkim Assembly election will be held on April 11 along with the Lok Sabha polls. The state Assembly has 32 MLAs.

Rai, who was elected in 2014 from Poklok Kamrang assembly seat in South Sikkim, has been denied nomination this time with the chief minister himself deciding to contest from this constituency.

In a setback to the RLSP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, one of its founding members quit the outfit Friday accusing its national president Upendra Kushwaha of having "betrayed" the people of Bihar by walking out of the BJP-led NDA and joining the opposition Grand Alliance.

Ram Bihari Singh, who held the designation of "Pradhan Rashtriya Maha Sachiv" (chief national general secretary) in the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, also rued that he was "nowhere now" despite being "the one who wrote the party’s constitution and moved the Election Commission for getting the party recognised".

He also alleged that Kushwaha was "playing into the hands of corporates" in distribution of tickets, though he did not elaborate.

Congress party's Ranjeet Ranjan in Patna said, “Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will announce its list of candidates on 17th March. I think Pappu Yadav will become a part of the gathbandhan.”

Ending all speculations, the Nationalist Congress Party on Friday named Parth Ajit Pawar - grand-nephew of party supremo Sharad Pawar - as it's candidate from Maval Lok Sabha constituency.

Parth Pawar is the son of the NCP chief's nephew and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The other four nominees who figure in the NCP's second list, all from parliamentary constituencies in Maharashtra, are Dhanraj Haribhau Mahale (Dindori), Sameer Bhujbal (Nashik), Amol Kolhe (Shirur) and Bajrang Sonawane (Beed).

Ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA Sukanta Kumar Nayak on Friday resigned from the party alleging "neglect and mental torture", a day after Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi had quit the BJD.

Nayak, the MLA from Nilgiri sent his resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and alleged that he was "neglected and subjected to mental torture" by the party's Balasore district unit.

He said that the "conspiracy" hatched against him by the party’s Balasore district president has forced him to resign from BJD.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain would visit Tripura on Sunday to review poll-preparedness, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti said on Friday. Jain would hold meetings with officials of the state election department and top police officers.

"If time permits, he would also meet representatives of political parties," said Taranikanti.

Asked about the requirement of central forces for the election, the CEO said, "We are not divulging now our demand for central security forces and how much we are getting from the Centre. May be we would be able to let you know it after a few days."

Chief Electoral Officer said, “Till date (since the imposition of Model Code of Conduct), a total of 63449 hoardings/banners/posters have been removed in Delhi. A total number of 137 FIR’s have been registered under Excise Act and 44 FIR’s have been registered under Arms Act.”

Election Commission of India holds meeting of Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. DG BCAS, DG BSF, Director, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and DG CRPF were also present at the meeting.

The female face of the two-and-a-half-year Patel agitation in Gujarat, Reshma Patel, who had later joined the ruling BJP, on Friday resigned from it, saying the party was only a "marketing company" and nothing else.

A key member of the Patidar movement spearheaded by Hardik Patel, Reshma Patel tendered her resignation to Gujarat BJP President Jitu Vaghani.

Apna Dal enter into alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party, to contest on two seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Nationalist Congress Party releases list of 5 candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Parth Ajit Pawar to contest from parliamentary constituency of Maval in Pune district.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Bargarh, Odisha: What has Naveen Patnaik done for the unemployed youth of Odisha? Is there anyone here who can say Naveen Patnaik or Narendra Modi gave them employment? But Modi ji indulged in corruption and gave ₹30,000 crore to Anil Ambani.

Vehicles carrying reserved EVMs and VVPATs during the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls will be mandatorily equipped with GPS to track their movement, the Election Commission has said.

The decision came in the backdrop of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines being found in hotels, roads and even at the residence of an MLA during the assembly elections held in five states late last year.

Instructions have been issued to all state chief electoral officers to carefully monitor 'end-to-end' movement of all reserved EVMs and paper trail machines.

For the purpose, vehicles of all sector officers carrying reserve machines will mandatorily be fitted with GPS tracking system, it said.

A delegation of Congress leaders on Friday approached the Election Commission and sought its intervention in removing hoardings projecting achievements of the Narendra Modi government, claiming it as a violation of the model code of conduct.

The Congress demanded that the Election Commission issue directions for immediate removal of all such hoardings and also seek a compliance report in the matter.

The BJP is mulling axing over 12 sitting MPs for the April-May Lok Sabha polls to tide over anti-incumbency, a party leader said on Friday.

He added that the BJP faced defeat after 15 years in the Assembly polls in November last year because it had ignored a survey which suggested at least 80 MLAs not be repeated due to various factors like lack of performance and anti-incumbency.

DMK Chief MK Stalin announced the names of the constituencies from where DMK will contest. These constituencies include Thoothukudi, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Kanchipuram, Nilgiris, Pollachi. MDMK-Erode. Congress from Krishnagiri, Trichy, Theni, Puducherry. CPM- Coimbatore and Madurai, CPI- Tirupur and Nagapattinam.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge decided to boycott the Lokpal Selection Committee meeting today.

In letter to PM Modi he said, “A special invitee would not have rights of participation in process of Lokpal and I cannot accept the opposition being made voiceless in this critical matter.”

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "trying stop the truth" about his "criminal failure" on employment from becoming public after over 100 economists and social scientists expressed concerns over "political interference" in statistical data in the country.

Rahul Gandhi's attack came a day after 108 economists and social scientists on Thursday called for restoration of "institutional independence" and integrity of statistical organisations.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, “Ayushman Bharat is a scheme targeting only a limited number of healthcare issues. It is a handout to the richest businessmen in India.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, “My main criticism of Ayushman Bharat is, it gives insurance without a proper support structure from hospitals and medical professionals. In our manifesto, we are considering a Right to Healthcare Act, where we guarantee certain minimum healthcare to all Indians, increasing our expenditure to about 3% of GDP and increasing the number of healthcare professionals.”

The Election Commission has imposed a blanket ban on the use or live demonstrations of animals during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, delighting animal lovers across the country.

In its Manual on the Model Code of Conduct, the EC has made it absolutely clear (on page 144 of chapter 22.5) that all animals, birds or reptiles of any type cannot be used while canvassing for votes by political parties or their candidates.

Several Indian animal rights groups like PETA India, environmentalists and naturalists have wholeheartedly lauded the EC decision.

Rahul Gandhi during his interaction with healthcare professionals in Raipur: Healthcare is, in a sense, a foundation. So, we've to ensure that foundation is built firmly. Congress govt in 2019 is dramatically going to increase amount of money we put into healthcare and education.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his interaction with healthcare professionals in Raipur: India is transitioning from a rural system to urban system. There is a massive shift that is taking place. It's a traumatic shift.

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Election Commission to respond to the DMK's plea seeking directions to the poll panel for holding by-elections in three vacant assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

A bench comprising Justices SA Bobde and S A Nazeer asked the EC to file its response within two weeks, The DMK has questioned the poll panel's move to not hold by-elections in Tiruparankundram, Ottapidaram and Aravakurichi.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the DMK, told the bench that it is "bizarre" that the Election Commission is holding by-elections for 18 of 21 vacant assembly constituencies in the state.

Shatrughan Sinha tweeted, “Sir, the Nation respects you, but the only thing the leadership lacks is credibility and trust factor. "Leadership jo kar rahi hai or jo kah rahi hai, kya log uspe vishwas kar rahein hain? Shayad nahin!" Any way it all seems to be too little and too late? Promises made in the past are still to be fulfilled. Hope, wish and pray, though I may not be with you anymore - "Mohabbat karne vaale kam na honge, (shayad) teri mehfil mein lekin hum na honge".

Supreme Court issues notice to the Election Commission on plea of 21 Opposition parties seeking direction that 50% EVM results are matched and cross checked with VVPATs before the declaration of results in the upcoming General Elections.

Supreme Court dismisses a PIL seeking setting up of Special Courts across the country to deal with cases relating to breach of Model Code of Conduct by candidates contesting elections.

As she led thousands of hungry, half-clad and angry farmers on the dusty streets of Singur and Nandigram over a decade ago, defying the mighty Communist regime of West Bengal, little did she know she was on the threshold of scripting history.

Mamata Banerjee, the tempestuous Trinamool Congress supremo, might well be at the doorstep of making history yet again, if the BJP-led NDA fails to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha polls, ending up becoming a kingmaker in national politics if not the king.

One of the bitterest critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, she firmly pitched herself as a leader who could act as the glue to unite disparate political parties seeking to oust the NDA from power when she mustered leaders of 23 parties at rally in January this year.

The ruling BJP has said closure of the mining sector in Goa will not have a negative impact on its chances in the Lok Sabha polls or bypolls in three Assembly seats.

Mining came to a standstill in March last year after the Supreme Court quashed 88 leases and banned extraction of iron ore.

Activists and groups fighting for its resumption claim almost two lakh people dependent on the industry are now jobless.

The BJP has already announced the candidature of sitting MPs Shripad Naik and Narendra Sawaikar for North Goa and South Goa Lok Sabha seats respectively.

Police personnel in Uttar Pradesh have been directed to exercise restraint while posting on social media and avoid any "politically coloured" remarks that may call into question their impartiality in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

By showing "restraint" in their social media activities, police personnel can discharge their duties better and people can come to them with their grievances without any fear, he said.

The advisory to the police personnel also said that they "should avoid taking any gift from any political party or candidate, avoid posting politically coloured social media updates and remain impartial and non-partisan during the polls".

By-elections to Gujarat's three Assembly seats, including Jamnagar Rural, will be held on April 23 along with voting for state's 26 parliamentary seats, the Election Commission announced here on Thursday.

Jamnagar (Rural) seat fell vacant on Monday when Congress MLA Vallabh Dharaviya submitted his resignation to Speaker Rajendra Trivedi.

Dharaviya is the third MLA to leave the Congress and resign as legislator in the past one week. Last week, four-time legislator from Manavadar Jawahar Chavda and Dhrangardra legislator Parshottam Sapariya quit the party.

The results for all three Assembly seats would be declared on May 23.

Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday night announced its first list of candidates for next month's Assembly elections, containing 126 names.

Chief Minister and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu declared the list after the politburo, the highest decision-making body of the party, approved the names.

With the announcement of the first list, the party had launched its mission to secure 150 seats in the 175-member Assembly, he said.