Lok Sabha polls, April 22: As it Happened

Election Commission of India bars Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu from holding any public meeting, road show, public rally & interviews in media in connection with ongoing elections, for 72 hours from 10 am on 23 April 2019. Election Commission has issued the notice over violation of Model Code of Conduct by Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu; condemning the statements made by him during election campaign held at Barsoi & Barari of Katihar District in Bihar.

Samajwadi Party (SP) releases a list of two candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 . Sanjay Chauhan to contest from Chandauli and Shalini Yadav to contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituencies.

BJP has fielded ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir from East Delhi, Meenakshi Lekhi from New Delhi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from the state S.S. Ahluwalia, accusing him of "conspiring to divide Bengal" by fomenting unrest in the Darjeeling hills and later fleeing.

Three polling staff who violated the election code by entering a storage room here where polling records are kept, along with a woman Tahsildar, suspended by Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo.

The state election office has recommended re-polling in nine booths, where the voting process was disrupted during the second phase of elections,

Regional parties will give next PM, they will get more seats than Congress and BJP: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. 

West Bengal: Election Commission registers 2 FIRs against Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo for continuing to play campaign song despite denial of permission by EC & for snatching the camera of an EC official who was video recording his rally

Delhi: Prominent Hair Stylist Jawed Habib joins Bharatiya Janata Party, says 'Aaj tak main baalon ka chowkidar tha, aaj mein desh ka chowkidar ban gaya hoon'

Prominent Hair Stylist Jawed Habib joins Bharatiya Janata Party

Bhopal: Congress candidate Digvijaya Singh asks a youth in the crowd 'did you get Rs 15 lakhs in your account?' The youth walks up to the stage and says 'Modi ji did surgical strike and killed terrorists.'

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP President Amit Shah said her government has ruined the state economically and culturally, and her party - the TMC - has become a "Terror Manufacturing Company". He vowed to build a "Sonar Bangla" ("Golden Bengal") if the safforn party is voted to power in the Centre and the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hits out at Opposition for seeking proof of Balakot strike, says 'saboot gang' let down country.

NDA has shown running an honest government is possible in the country: PM Narendra Modi at Udaipur rally. 

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accuses BJP's Amethi candidate Smriti Irani of distributing shoes to belittle Congress president Rahul Gandhi. 

BJP president Amit Shah said his party will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and introduce National Register for Citizens across the country after returning to power. Shah accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of questioning the air strikes to "appease" her minority vote bank and wryly said she can do "Ilu Ilu" (I love you) with Pakistan but if that country fire bullets on us we would respond with cannon balls.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing nuclear bombs in the political discourse, saying if India has not kept the nuclear bomb for Diwali, Pakistan has not kept its for Eid.

Congress releases list of candidates for three Parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. Yogesh Shukla from Prayagraj, Chandresh Upadhyay from Domariyaganj & Bhal Chand Yadav (in place of Parvez Khan) from Sant Kabir Nagar.

Odisha: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate from Pipili assembly constituency, Pradeep Maharathy arrested by police in connection with an attack on election flying squad at his residential premises yesterday.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli: I would like to challenge Narendra Modi to debate with me on corruption for 15 minutes. Dudh ka dudh, pani ka pani ho jayenga. I am telling you, Narendra Modi Ji won't be able to show his face before the nation.

Announcing its support to Congress candidate and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday announced it will not field its candidate from Bhopal for the Lok Sabha elections.

CPI state Secretary Arvind Srivastava said the party took the decision to save the "dignity of Parliament" after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded Pragya Thakur as its candidate from Bhopal.

"Fielding Pragya shows the original fascist character of the BJP," he said. 

Former deputy election commissioner Vinod Zutshi was on Monday appointed as special observer for Tripura where the Lok Sabha polls to one of the seats was postponed in view of the law and order situation.

On Tuesday last, the Election Commission had postponed polling in the Tripura (East) Lok Sabha seat to the third phase on April 23 (Tuesday) from April 18, saying the prevailing law and order situation there is not conducive for holding free and fair polls.

"Democracy here is in danger due to TMC's hooliganism and anarchist ways," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said in West Bengal. 

"Youth here is unemployed and no one wants to invest here as whenever someone tries to invest, TMC goons harass them," the chief minister said.

Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Hamirpur, Suresh Chandel, has joined Congress in presence of party President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. 

Amethi returning officer has declared the nomination filed by Congress President Rahul Gandhi as valid after allegations of discrepancies on citizenship.

Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha candidate from North East Delhi, Manoj Tiwari holds a roadshow in Delhi. Union Minister Vijay Goel and actor-dancer Sapna Chaudhary also present.

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India for prosecution of voters who indulge in electoral malpractices during the Lok Sabha polls.

A bench headed by CJI says, 'the petitioner may approach high court with his plea'.

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Jaya Prada today reacted to remarks by Abdullah, son of SP leader Azam Khan and said she had not expected this from Abdullah. 

"Can't decide whether to laugh or cry, like father like son. Hadn't expected this from Abdullah. He's an educated man," Jaya Prada said. 

"Your father says I am Amrapali and you say I am Anarkali. Is that how you see women of society?", she asked. 

Addressing a public meeting in Maharashtra's Dindori, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched an attack on the Congress party. 

"The Congress party suffers shock and loses its ability to speak when I talk," the prime minister said. Bigwigs of the Congress party are suffering from high blood pressure, Modi said in his attack on the Rahul Gandhi-led party. 

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has filed his response in the Supreme Court, in connection with a contempt petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Meenakshi Lekhi over Gandhi's statement on Rafale verdict.

In his response, the Congress chief has said his statements were used and misused by the political opponents. He gave the statements in the heat of the political campaigning, Rahul Gandhi said.

The Congress chief also said he regretted that he gave the statement" (on Rafale verdict).

The top court has posted the matter for further hearing tomorrow. 

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Congress candidate from North East Delhi Sheila Dikshit, while talking to the media today said she will do her best to fulfill her responsibility. 

"I'll do my best to fulfill the responsibility given to me. I've contested from here earlier, I know the people here and they know me," she said.

"We had started Metro from here, our reputation is of working for the people," Sheila Dikshit said. 

Preparations underway for the third phase of polling for the 2019 general elections. Visuals from Guwahati, Assam.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by advocate Reena N Singh, which sought direction that political parties should not be permitted to offer loan waiving schemes or any other monetary schemes in their election manifestos.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Union Minister Smriti Irani on an appeal of Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam.

Nirupam had sought to set aside the summons issued against him by a trial court in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Irani.

Preparations underway for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in Pune, Maharashtra.

The Election Commission has submitted its report in a sealed cover to the Supreme Court, on Vivek Oberoi-starrer biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The Supreme Court has posted the matter for further hearing on Friday, April 26. 

The top court has also directed that report be served to the petitioner (producers of the movie).

The Congress has released a list of candidates for 6 out of 7 Parliamentary constituencies in Delhi. Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit will contest from North East Delhi. 

While briefing the press in West Bengal's Kolkata, Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah today spoke over the citizenship row and said the returning officer should look into Rahul Gandhi's affidavit. 

Shah further said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will be passed after picture in Rajya Sabha changes by 2020. 

Talking of the fresh controversy over ​Sadhvi Pragya, the BJP president said she has been given clean chit after a false case was filed against her. "Sadhvi Pragya given clean chit after false case filed against her," Shah said.

Amit Shah also talked about the upcoming general elections and said the elections are about taking it to new heights. For Bengal, it is about establishing democracy, the BJP president said. 

Jannayak Janata Party has fielded Digvijay Chautala from Sonipat against former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Launching an attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP President Amit, during a press briefing in Kolkata said the law and order in the state has failed. 

"Democracy has ceased to exist in Bengal. Law and order have also failed," Amit Shah said at the press conference. 

TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam has announced Mahendran as its candidate for Thiruparankundram assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu's Madurai.

The party has also announced Shahul Hameed from Aravakurichi assembly constituency in Karur. 

Andhra Pradesh govt Chief Secy LV Subrahmanyam has ordered an enquiry into alleged lapses in transportation of gold from Chennai to Tirupati.

The gold belonged to Tirupati temple and was seized by the Election Commission in Tamil Nadu

While addressing a press conference in West Bengal's Kolkata, BJP President Amit Shah today said it is only the BJP that can restore Saraswati pooja and Durga pooja with respect. 

"If someone can restore Saraswati pooja and Durga pooja again with respect, it is only the BJP," Amit Shah said. 

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, while addressing a press conference in Kolkata today said that the refugees from Bangladesh will be provided citizenship by the BJP. 

"The refugees who have come from Bangladesh, be it Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, or Christians, BJP has clearly signaled in its 'sankalp patra' that we will give them citizenship," Shah said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will on Monday launch the "pol khol abhiyan" against the Congress party today. The move comes after the Arvind Kejriwal-led party announced that there will be no alliance with Congress.

AAP had also said that the Congress wasted its time.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that giving three seats to the Congress in the national capital would mean "giving three seats to the BJP." His remarks came after he was asked about the 4:3 seat sharing formula proposed by the Congress.

A Non-Cognizable Offence Information Report has been registered against BJP Lok Sabha MP from Rampur, Jaya Prada, for reportedly saying, "Considering the comments Azam Khan makes against me, Mayawati Ji you must think "unki x-ray jaisi aankhein aapke upar bhi kaha-kaha daal kar dekhengi"

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is slated to address three election rallies in Amethi today. 

Ahead of his public meetings, the Congress chief will also meet party workers in Barabanki and will address them at 5 PM in Sultanpur. 

Election to the Patkura Assembly constituency in Odisha's Kendrapara district has been adjourned following the death of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Bed Prakash Agarwalla, a poll official said on Sunday.

Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar informed the Election Commission that the Kendrapara Returning Officer has adjourned the election schedule in accordance with the provision contained in Section 52 (1) (C) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The election to the Patkura Assembly constituency was scheduled to be held in the fourth phase on April 29.

Six workers of the Aam Aadmi Party and three from the Bharatiya Janata Party are slated to file their nomination from Delhi today. 

The six AAP candidates who will file their nominations on Monday are Chandni Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta, East Delhi candidate Atishi, North West Delhi candidate Gugan Singh, South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, North East candidate Dilip Pandey and New Delhi candidate Brajesh Goel.

Meanwhile, from the BJP, Union minister Harsh Vardhan from Chandni Chowk, BJP state unit president Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi seat and Former Delhi chief minister Saheb Singh Verma's son Parvesh Verma from West Delhi will file their nominations today. 

The nomination process for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab going to polls in the seventh and final phase on May 19 commences Monday, an official said Sunday.

The state's Chief Electoral Officer, S Karuna Raju, said that as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the filing of nomination papers would start with issuance of notification on April 22 and would continue till April 29.

The scrutiny of the nominations would be done on April 30 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is May 2, he said.

UPA chairperson and MP Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to Raebareli on Monday. While Sonia Gandhi will meet the party workers, Priyanka Gandhi is slated to address two electoral public meetings. 

Sources close to the party said Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi will arrive at Fursatganj airport on Monday at around 2 PM. 

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah is scheduled to address a press conference in West Bengal's Kolkata at 9 AM today. 

Shah will also hold four election rallies across the state, including in Howrah (at 10:30 AM), Nadia (at 12:20 PM), Birbhum (at 2 PM) and Bardhaman (at 3:30 PM).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address four election rallies in Maharashtra and Rajasthan today. In Maharashtra, the prime minister will address rallies in Dindori (at 11 AM) and in Nandurbar (at 12:55 PM).

In Rajasthan, PM Narendra Modi will address rallies in Udaypur (at 4:15 PM) and in Jodhpur (6:40 AM).