Elections 2024 : 'South Se Saaf, North Se Half' Is Sachin Pilot's Prediction For BJP | Updates

The first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 took place on April 19, covering 102 constituencies in 21 states and Union Territories (UTs), concluding with a voter participation of 62 per cent. The voter turnout this time fell from the first phase of polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which recorded a 69.43 per cent voters. Tripura had the highest turnout at 79.9 per cent.

Meanwhile violence was reported in some parts of West Bengal and Manipur during the first phase of elections on Friday.

The Election Commission of India has divided the Lok Sabha elections 2024 into seven phases. The first phase of voting took place on April 19 and the next phases are scheduled for - pril 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

In West Bengal, the voting process in the Cooch Behar constituency was disrupted by violent incidents. Members of the TMC and BJP engaged in confrontations and each party reported 80 and 39 complaints, respectively, regarding incidents of election-related violence, intimidation of voters, and attacks on polling agents as per reports..

In troubled Manipur, a remarkable 69.13 per cent turnout was recorded. Incidents of shooting and intimidation were reported from several places in Inner Manipur seat, officials said. Armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi under Moirang assembly constituency in Bishnupur district, prompting voters to flee, police said, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to control the situation.

In Chhattisgarh, 63.41 per cent voters cast their votes in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency where the CRPF jawan after the grenade accidentally went off while an officer was injured in an IED blast in another incident.

The Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency saw an 80.40 per cent voter turnout on Friday. The opposition Congress and CPI(M) claimed that the ruling BJP had manipulated the polling, while an official stated that the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Tripura West Parliamentary constituency had recorded 82.42 per cent polling.

According to PTI, this year’s figure may also go up since polling continued in several booths beyond the scheduled voting hours.

West Bengal was at the second position in the highest order of voter turnouts after Tripura as it recorded a 77.57 per cent, followed by Meghalaya at 74.21 per cent, Puducherry at 73.50 per cent and Assam at 72.10 per cent.

Meanwhile, voters in six areas of eastern Nagaland remained indoors in response to an indefinite shutdown declared by a coalition of tribal groups in order to advocate for the creation of a distinct state.

For the first time in a Lok Sabha election, voters in 56 villages in Bastar cast their vote in a polling booth set up in their own village.

In Tamil Nadu, where polling is spread over 39 constituencies, a voting percentage of over 65.19 was recorded.

The tentative voter turnout of 62.37 per cent at 9 pm is expected to increase as the Election Commission stated that the figures may rise once reports from all polling stations are collected, reported PTI. The Election Commission also mentioned that voters who arrived at polling stations by the end of the polling hours are permitted to cast their votes.

Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim held elections for both Lok Sabha and state assemblies simultaneously during the first phase. Arunachal Pradesh saw a voter turnout of 67.95 per cent, while Sikkim recorded 65.85 per cent for the assembly elections.

Polling for 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and 32 seats in Sikkim took place from 7 am to 5 pm on Friday.

An estimated 63.9 per cent of the entire 315,000 voters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands cast their votes for the singular Lok Sabha seat in the Union territory on Friday.

The polling was carried out without any disruptions, and there were no reports of any disruptions.

Nicobar district had a turnout of 72.7 per cent, while North and Middle Andaman recorded 72.8 per cent, and South Andaman had a turnout of 59.59 per cent. Active voting was observed during both the morning and evening hours.

Chief Electoral Officer B S Jaglan told PTI, "Despite sweltering heat, people were seen in long queues at various polling stations to cast their votes. There was enthusiasm both among first-time and elderly voters."

Yes, qualified voters are able to cast their vote even without the slips provided their name is listed on the electoral roll. Voters have the option to verify the presence of their name on the electoral roll through the official website of the Election Commission of India.

Voters would be required to select their state and then enter their EPIC Number provided on the voter card to check the voter list.

Read More.

The Voter ID serves as the main identification document for individuals participating in the Lok Sabha Elections to exercise their voting rights. In order to complete the voter ID registration procedure, individuals need to submit a passport-sized photo, as well as copies of documents verifying their identity, address, and date of birth.

To Know Step-By-Step Guide Of Registering For Voter ID Click Here

BJP president J P Nadda stated that the parties within the INDIA bloc, including the Congress and the Left, are 'ideologically bankrupted'.

He emphasized their intense electoral competitions outside Delhi while maintaining friendly relations in the national capital to resist the BJP.

Nadda held election rallies in Palakkad and Kottayam, apart from Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

He pointed to this fight between the Congress and the Left parties to reinforce his claim, highlighting the apparent camaraderie among their top leadership in New Delhi despite the rivalry elsewhere.

"The double standards and hypocrisy of Rahul Gandhi, the Indian National Congress, CPI(M), and CPI are visible here. CPI general secretary D Raja's wife (Annie Raja) is contesting against Rahul Gandhi as an LDF candidate. However, in Delhi, D Raja sits between Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. They are ideologically bankrupt, and the outcome is evident here," Nadda said.

The Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails were taken to the strong room in Kanchipuram after the voting concluded in the Tamil Nadu district.

Tamil Nadu recorded 69.46% voter turnout for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls.

Tejashwi Yada told ANI after the first phase of Lok Sabha polls concluded on April 19 that BJP's promise of crossing 400 seats majority this times seemed like a 'flop film', he said, "The Mahagathbandhan is winning all four seats in the first phase. We have held block wise meetings and the feedback that has come is very good the BJP's "400 paar" film has become a super flop on the first day itself. The people of Bihar are aware and will teach them a lesson," he said.

 "There is no competition in the first phase. We have said many times before that Bihar will give shocking results this time. They have not done anything for the people of Bihar. The promises made by Modi ji in 2014 and 2019 were not fulfilled. Now the public is tired of their statements and false promises. We have promised that we will give special package to Bihar along with special status," Tejashwi added.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said that supporters of two candidates clashed near a polling station in Bameng constituency in East Kameng district, which forced the election authorities to suspend voting.

Some miscreants tried to snatch EVMs in three polling stations in the Nacho constituency in Upper Subansiri and in one in Kurung Kumey district, where polling was also suspended.

“Re-polling in these polling stations is likely to be held,” Sain said.

Altogether, 42 people were injured in poll-related violence, he said, adding that action would be taken against those found to be involved in violence.

Two election officials were suspended for reportedly permitting election-related malpractices in the polling stations they were assigned to in the West Tripura district.

Vishal Kumar, the Returning Officer for West Tripura, stated that the suspended officials were stationed at a polling site within the Ramanagar assembly constituency.

Kumar said that the first stage of the Lok Sabha election took place in the West parliamentary constituency, alongside the by-election in the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency.

According to ANI, on the complaints raised by different political parties, the senior official said, "We have received some complaints from the political parties but in most of the cases, we couldn't verify the allegations true after response teams reached the spot. Some reports of intimidation, threats and poll malpractices were also received. In most of the cases, the complaints turned out to be false. Some arrests were made in Mohanpur constituency and some people were put under preventive arrests in Ramanagar assembly constituency."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengaluru and neighbouring Chikkaballapura district for the Lok Sabha poll campaign on Saturday.

He will address mega rallies both in Bengaluru and Chikkaballapura.

According to the state BJP, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a mega public meeting at Chokkahalli village in Chikkaballapura district at 2 PM, covering Chikkballapur and Kolar Lok Sabha constituencies, and later at 4 PM he will participate in a massive rally in Bengaluru's palace ground, covering Bangalore North, Bangalore South, Bangalore Central and Bangalore Rural segments.

-PTI

A joint rally will be addressed by Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh where former BSP leader Danish Ali is the INDIA bloc candidate.

Amroha is scheduled to go to the polls in the second phase on April 26.

Gandhi, while addressing multiple election campaigns in the state, had on Thursday lashed out at Vijayan and wondered why the Left leader was targeting him while he was fighting against the BJP.

The Congress leader had said he was interrogated by the ED for 55 hours, his Lok Sabha membership and his official residence were taken away and currently, two chief ministers are in jail, but none of these were happening to the Kerala Chief Minister.

"Why is he (Vijayan) not being interrogated by the ED, CBI and all? Two CMs are in jail, but why is none of this happening to the Kerala CM? I have been attacking the BJP 24x7 but the chief minister is attacking me. This is a bit puzzling," Gandhi had said.

Reacting to Gandhi's remarks, the Marxist leader addressed a massive election rally in Kozhikode, stating that Rahul's grandmother, Indira Gandhi, had imprisoned most of the Left leaders, including himself, during the Emergency.

"Your grandmother had jailed most of us for more than one-and-a-half years. We have experienced and seen enough interrogation and imprisonment. We are not afraid of jails. So, don't try to threaten us with investigations and jails; we are not worried," Vijayan said.

-PTI

The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking whether he would deliver on his promise to put the BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan in jail.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed a few questions for Prime Minister Modi ahead of his rally in Nanded and Parbhani.

"Today's questions for PM Modi as he heads to Nanded and Parbhani: Will the PM deliver on his promise to put BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan in jail? What is the BJP's plan to deal with Marathwada's worsening drought and water scarcity? Why has the Indian Railways performed so poorly in Nanded division," Ramesh said in a post on 'X'.

Elaborating on what he dubbed as "jumla details", the Congress leader said the prime minister should revisit his words from his campaign in Nanded on March 30, 2014, when he launched a ferocious attack on Chavan -- "now the latest labaarthi of the 'BJP Washing Machine Yojana'".

"The PM declared Chavan an 'Adarsh candidate', and said that 'the Congress is shameless' for having given him a ticket while he was under investigation," Ramesh said.

He said Modi had announced that he would send Chavan to jail "within six months" if he became the prime minister.

"A decade later, Chavan is not in jail, continues to be under investigation, and is a Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP. Does PM Modi hold the BJP to be 'shameless' as well? Will he conspire to get Mr Chavan a clean chit soon? Will he deliver on his promise to put the BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan in jail," Ramesh asked.

YS Sharmila, the Andhra Pradesh Congress leader, honored her late father, CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy, before submitting her nomination for the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday.

Sharmila spoke to the reporters as she said, "I am confident of a great victory."

Sharmila will hold a road show ahead of filing her nomination papers.

Tajinder Singh Bittu, who served as the AICC Secretary In-Charge of Himachal Pradesh and is a trusted associate of Priyanka Gandhi have announced that he is stepping down from the primary membership of the Congress Party.

In a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a video of Congress campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Gandhi captioned the video saying, "Narendra Modi is running a 'school of corruption' in the country! Where under the subject 'Entire Corruption Science', he himself is teaching each chapter including 'Funds Business' in detail."

"BJP, which has become a 'den of corrupt', has made this 'crash course' mandatory for its leaders, the price of which the country is paying. The INDIA government will lock this school of corruption and close this course forever," he added.

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a rally in Maharashtra's Nanded where he claimed that he has information regarding a one-sided voting in favour of NDA in first phase of Lok Sabha polls as he congratulatde and thanked those who voted on April 19.

Slamming the opposition INDIA bloc he said that they are "unable to tell people of India who will be the combine's leader" because "pitted against each other in 25 per cent seats" in the LS polls.

PM Modi speaking about opposition during his Nanded rally in Maharashtra, took a swipe at Congress saying, "Rahul Gandhi had to run away from Amethi, now assume that he will run away from Wayanad too”.

He also added that Congress may claim anything, but the reality is that "Congress leaders have accepted defeat even before the announcement of polls".

Former Congress leader from Himachal Pradesh who announced his step down from the party on Saturday morning has joined BJP a few hours later.

In the presence of BJP leader Ashwini Vaishnav and Vinod Tawde, Bittu officially joined the saffron party.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday said “Centre is silent on protests in Ladakh over alleged Chinese encroachment.”

During her rally in Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi also said, “Laws are passed in new India bypassing democratic process and enforced upon people”.

She added, “In new India projected by some, force asserts over righteousness.”

“In this 'new' nation, laws are enacted bypassing the process of democracy and enforced upon people against their will. Lakhs of farmers protested for months, some of them died, and some of them were called terrorists, and anti-national, yet they continued their protest. In this 'new' nation, their voices remain unheard until the government is compelled to repeal the laws due to upcoming elections. In this 'new' nation, an entire state is knocked down without internet and phone services for months. Thousands go on hunger strike to demand their rights in Ladakh,” she said.

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Saturday claimed former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav is “going to lose by huge margin”.

During his rally in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, Shah said, “BJP will win all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav going to lose by huge margin.”

“Yesterday was the first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. Do you want to know the result? BJP led by PM Modi is winning all 12 seats in Rajasthan (that went to poll yesterday). Rajasthan, if I say in cricket’s language, is going to make a hat-trick by giving all 25 seats to BJP,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Maharashtra’s Parbhani son Saturday said, “In just 10 years, India has traversed a long road of development.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday during a rally in Maharashtra’s Parbhani said, “talk of terror attacks was replaced by buzz about surgical strikes during our regime”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said BJP’s poll manifesto is “Modi’s guarantee card”.

He said, “we will build 3 crore houses for the poor in country”.

During a rally in Maharashtra’s Parbhani, he said, “I have lived life of poverty and understand pains of the poor.”

He added, “Your dreams are my dreams”.

"I will repay the love and blessings of you all with 'vikas'. The election of 2024 is not happening only to form a government, but the aim of this election is to make India developed," he said.

BJP candidate from Mathura and actor Hema Malini's daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol were seen campaigning for their mother at SGM College in Mathura on Saturday.

Ahana Deol reportedly said, “I am asking them (first-time voters) to go on April 26th to vote and press the button for ‘lotus’. Apart from that, it’s every individual’s choice."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the ruling BJP at the Centre of trying to "scrap" the Constitution, but vowed that the opposition bloc INDIA would foil its attempt.

Addressing an election rally at Bhagalpur, his first in Bihar, Gandhi also scoffed at claims of the BJP that it will win more than 370 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, asserting that "their tally will not go past 150".

"The INDIA bloc is fighting to save democracy and the Constitution which the BJP-RSS combine is trying to scrap," Gandhi said.

Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila filed her nomination from Kadapa constituency on Saturday.

Odisha CM and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik has announced their sixth list of candidates for the Odisha Assembly elections on Saturday.

Actor Varsha Priyadarshini was among 9 BJD nominees that was mentioned in the list.

'Today is the second day of my roadshow. I am receiving good support from the people of this region. I have great affection for the people here and have done a lot of work in this area as an MLA; even my father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had a good connection with this place. I have conveyed to the people here that this election is to save the identity of Jammu and Kashmir,' said JKPDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, while addressing the press during her roadshow in Pahalgam earlier today.

Mufti is contesting from Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency which will go to polls in the third phase of elections on May 7."

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is contesting from this constituency, while the NC has fielded Gujjar leader Mian Altaf. Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad withdrew his candidacy and has announced that he will not be contesting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Historically, the constituency has been a stronghold of Mehbooba, the president of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Since its establishment, the PDP has exerted significant influence in South Kashmir. 

With key separatist leaders such as Yasin Malik being imprisoned in Tihar jail and Syed Ali Geelani having passed away, separatist politics is not expected to influence the elections for the first time. Separatists political parties have virtually vanished from Kashmir's political landscape. However, the challenge for regional parties is to convince people to reach the polling booth to cast their ballot.

Read The Full Story

During a public rally, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra responded to BJP for questioning the achievements of 70 years of Congress govt.

"I think, the greatest achievement is visible in the fact that we created a strong and vibrant democratic nation," the congress leader said. 

"Where is it (Pakistan) and where are we? Our success ensures that we have been strong and progressed more than all the other nations around us."

Former Congress leader Tajinder Singh Bittu, who joined the BJP, met with party president JP Nadda. Bittu, known as a close aide of Priyanka Gandhi, and Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, the wife of two-time Jalandhar MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary, both joined the BJP in Delhi on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public rally in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur, remarked, “The first phase of voting (for Lok Sabha) has increased the enthusiasm of the country, and I can see this enthusiasm here too. The first phase of voting was in favour of NDA and for our vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined party candidate Shashi Tharoor for a roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Tharoor, fighting for a fourth consecutive term from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram is engaged in a tight contest against BJP’s Rajeev Chandrashekhar and CPI’s Panniyan Raveendran.

During a public gathering in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Prime Minister Modi stated, "In these elections, the leaders of INDI alliance are roaming around with a worn-out tape recorder. Meanwhile, Modi and his partners are walking around with their track record, and that's why we have come here in Bengaluru to seek your blessings.

BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh’s Guna party candidate Mahanaryaman Scindia took part in an election campaign for his father in Shivpuri today, in a lively atmosphere with women folk singing along.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urged citizens not to miss the opportunity to vote in the general elections, saying that it is one of the ”foremost duties” in a constitutional democracy. In a video message for the Election Commission’s ’My Vote My Voice’, Justice Chandrachud said, ”We are citizens of the world’s largest democracy, which is our country.

“The Constitution gives us a multitude of rights as citizens but it also expects that each of us performs the duty, which is cast upon us. And one of the foremost duties of citizenship is to cast a vote in a constitutional democracy,” he said.

“I will request every one of you please do not miss this opportunity to vote responsibly as citizens of our great motherland. Five minutes, every five years for our nation. It’s doable, isn’t it? Let’s vote with pride. My vote, my voice,” the Chief Justice said.

An FIR has been registered against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for violation of the Model Code of Conduct for allegedly promising water supply in exchange of votes to residents of a housing society near here, the Election Commission (ECI) said on Saturday. 

The matter came to light after the BJP approached the poll body seeking action against Shivakumar after a video of him seeking votes from the residents of a housing society in Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha segment was shared widely on social media platforms.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Saturday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party will be wiped out in the south and reduced to the half of its current strength in north India in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The saffron party had realised after the first phase of the elections that it was "on the back foot," he said, talking to reporters at the Swami Vivekananda Airport here.

"Someone has said, 'south se saaf, north se half'. It means the BJP will get half of the seats it currently has in the north while it will fail to open its account in the south and east. It will shrink," the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said.

As the first phase of the biggest festival of democracy – Lok Sabha election of 2024 – commenced on Friday, April 19, at least three states – Manipur, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal – reported instances of violence, intimidation and booth-capture – even though the Election Commission of India said the polling day was ‘largely peaceful’.

The ECI this year made elaborate security arrangements, by deploying over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations for the first phase of polling on Friday. However, sporadic incidents of violence were reported from across the country. Amid allegations of intimidation and firing, opposition parties have also urged for a re-poll in some of these states.

Read The Full Story