Lok Sabha Elections 2019, April 6: As it Happened

Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu holds public rally in Guntur.

BJP national Gen Secy Ram Madhav in Jammu on Congress manifesto: It appears as if this manifesto has been made to gather votes of the separatists of J&K. There is no all India vision in it. It is a manifesto made for vote-bank only.

PM Modi in Nanded: Congress ke naamdaar ne microscope le kar bharat mein ek aisi seat khoji hai jahan par vo muqabala karne ki taakat rakh sake. Seat bhi aisi jahan par desh ki majority minority mein hai. 

Gujarat: BJP President Amit Shah holds a road show in Gandhinagar.

Delhi: Lt. General (Retired) Sarath Chand, former Vice Chief of Army Staff, joins BJP in presence of Union Minister & party leader Sushma Swaraj.

Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani attacked the Congress on Saturday, saying the party had cheated the people of Amethi for 55 years. "Ram's 'vanvas' (exile) ended in 14 years, but Amethi's vanvas is going to end after 15 years. The people of Amethi are going to bid farewell to the 'naamdar' (dynast) on May 6 (polling day). The Congress cheated the people for 55 years," Irani told newspersons on the third day of her visit in Amethi.  "Naamdars took the vote of Amethi for fruits of power, but did not think of the development here," she said. Irani lashed out at the Congress leader for his recent comments on the BJP's top leadership.

"Only those who do not have values throw muck on others," she said, referring to Gandhi's comments on BJP patriarch L K Advani, saying the senior leader had been unceremoniously sidelined.

Shatrughan Sinha: Many who deserved were never assigned posts (under BJP govt). I had said I'd never leave BJP, if Party wants it can leave me. Party had threatened me many times but it couldn't take an action maybe due to guilt or shame. So I took a decision (to join Congress).

Congress Pres Rahul Gandhi in Haridwar: Narendra Modi ji Hindu dharam ki baat karte hain. Hindu dharam mein sabse zaruri chiiz guru hota hai.Advani ji Narendra Modi ke guru hain. Advani ji ki haalat dekhi hai aapne? Advani ji ko stage se laat maarke uthar diya gaya hai.

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi Saturday launched an offensive on the Modi government, saying people are being taught a new definition of patriotism while those not accepting diversity are being called patriots. Speaking at an event inNew Delhi, Gandhi alleged the current government was not ready to respect dissent, and said when there are attacks on people who stick to their faith, this government turns away. "Today, we are being taught new definition of patriotism while those not accepting diversity are being called patriots," Gandhi said.

Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu at party manifesto release, earlier today: Laptops will be given to intermediate (+2) students. Unemployment dole will be paid to those who pass out intermediate. We will set up innovation hubs in every city.

#We are contesting to punish terrorists and separatists, Congress fighting polls to give them leeway: PM Modi#Congress and parties supporting it are fighting polls to loot people's money, we are contesting polls to make effective use of every single rupee. They're fighting polls to weaken security forces of the country and we are contesting polls to make them self-reliant.

#PM Modi in Balod on Congress election manifesto promising to amend Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act-AFSPA: Main zara Congress walon ko kehta hoon ye sena ke jawano ko tum nihathe bana rahe ho,zara ek baar khudh toh saari security cover se nikal kar ke dikhao zara. 

Days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, former independent MLA Charanjit Singh Saturday joined the BJP in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. The 68-year-old Singh, who had won the Kathua assembly seat in 2008, joined the saffron party in the presence of BJP National vice-president and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, Avinash Rai Khanna and former minister Rajiv Jasrotia.

BJP releases list of 24 candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2019, two candidates for Odisha Legislative Assembly Elections and two candidates for by-election to the Legislative Assembly for Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh) and Nighasan (Uttar Pradesh).

Congress fields Shatrughan Sinha from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. Veteran Bollywood actor and former BJP leader had joined Congress formerly earlier today after weeks of suspense. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee writes to Election Commission protesting transfer of IPS officers. 

"Manifestos have become a farce nowadays. Some parties claim that they'll do many things, they don't even know intricacies. But we have clear vision. We have fulfilled many promises, more than the said ones."

"Modi is a liar. TMC will lead formation of new government at the centre after defeating Modi"

"Congress' alliance with Muslim League in Kerala and with AIUDF in Assam has compromised the country's security"

"Rahul Gandhi's nomination from Kerala indicates Congress' unholy alliance with Muslim League"

Samajwadi Party candidate from Kannauj and wife of party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, files her nomination. Akhilesh Yadav, Ramgopal Yadav, Jaya Bachchan and BSP's SC Mishra also present

"The victory margin will be huge since there is an alliance between SP-BSP. BJP did not fulfill its promises and now to divert attention, BJP is using the security forces. It has been a failed government."

"I have toured about 70-80% states since elections were announced. I have never seen such a pro-incumbency wave during the Gujarat elections or in 2013-14."

"This election isn't for electing an MLA, MP or a PM. It's for building a New India and future of your children."

"Once our govt is formed in the state and the centre, Odisha will be recognized for tourism instead of migration of masses."

"Mahanadi flows here but the region has no water or irrigation system. The farmers have to sell their paddy and cotton at dirt price when the centre has decided to provide 1.5 times of production cost. What has led to this situation in Odisha?"

"Congress has planned to implement policy that will lead to inflation. Senior leaders of Congress have been heard stating that the middle-class are selfish. They want to burden them with heavy taxes."

"Generation after generations the Congress was able to give only slogans for eradication of poverty. People got poorer and their ministers got richer."

"People support and trust me because I've given free LPG connection to the women and free electricity connection to the needy."

"I have travelled across India and I've seen a wave. But some people can't see this massive wave."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing an election rally in Odisha's Sonepur

Shatrughan Sinha joins Congress in presence of Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala

"In Jharkhand, the development has reached every corner. Now, they don't have to migrate to other states. They have options to earn livelihood in their state. This is what happens when you have same govt in the state and the centre."

Shatrughan Sinha arrives at Congress headquarters in Delhi

"No party ever thought of carrying out air strike and surgical strike. It's indicative of strengthening India. A strong government is necessary for strong and empowered India."

"Today BJP flag is flying proudly in regions where it was unimaginable at one point of time. BJP is the biggest democratic organization in the world. We are now a strong option to Congress and other parties which were formed from within Congress."

"Today, BJP has govt in all four corners of the country. People have embraced the BJP and it's in their heart. It's one of the largest democratic political party. People from all section of the society are becoming part of the BJP."

"The 2019 election is very crucial for Odisha. You have to decide whether you want to vote for a hardworking and honest party or a corrupt party."

"In Kerala and West Bengal, our karyakartas are killed every now and then. However, it doesn't deter BJP karyakartas."

"Today is the 40th founding day of BJP. It's not made of borrowed ideology from outside. It has taken birth from the aspirations of the people of India. We aren't based on a family or money. Karyakartas and their hard work have made this party."

"It's not a prime minister who is visiting Sundergarh. A pradhan sewak of Odisha has come here."

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) delegation arrives at the Election Commission of India office in Delhi to complaint against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, for his comment: 'Muslim League is a virus & Congress is infested with it.'

PM Narendra Modi addresses election rally in Odisha's Sundergarh

Union Minister and BJP's candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, Smriti Irani offers prayers at a temple in UP's Gauriganj

On the 39th Foundation Day of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the BJP stands tall due to its democratic ethos and patriotic zeal

"The 39th Foundation Day of Bharatiya Janata Party is an occasion to pay our gratitude to our visionary leaders whose inspiration has made the BJP today the world's largest political Party."

Delhi Congress Chief Sheila Dikshit, state incharge PC Chacko and other Delhi Congress leaders reach Rahul Gandhi's residence

BJP President Amit Shah holds road show in Vejalpur area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat

"Rahulji - Advani ji is our father figure. Your words have hurt us deeply. Please try to maintain some decorum of your speech."

"I have campaigned in nearly 30 parliamentary constituencies till now. I have sensed public mood, they are fed up of Modi in Centre and Edappadi K. Palaniswami government in Tamil Nadu and people want to put a full stop to these governments."

Bharatiya Janata Party to conduct its Foundation Day program in Delhi today in presence of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

The Election Commission has decided to consult its legal experts before taking a final decision on whether to restrain the release of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi till the Lok Sabha polls are over

BJP President Amit Shah is in Gujarat today, where he is slated to address a public rally in Gandhinagar

BJP rebel Shatrughan Sinha is all set to join the Congress party at 12 PM today. A two-term BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, Sinha has been dropped by the Bharatiya Janata Party

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address three election rallies in Uttarakhand's Pauri, Garhwal and Haridwar today

Union Minister Smriti Irani is in Amethi for the third day today, where she is slated to participate in several programmes

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will hold a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur today

In a push to election campaigning ahead of the 2019 general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold election rallies in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh today

Congress President Rahul Gandhi along with mother Sonia Gandhi will address a public meet at Delhi's Talkatora stadium today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two public rallies in Odisha's Sundargarh and Sonepur today