Lok Sabha elections 2019, April 13: As it Happened

Prime Minister in his speech in Bangalore has raised the point of 'Modi ki sena'. The PM has countered the opposition allegations about him using Army as a political weapon by talking about OROP and National War Memorial.

PM: Ye Congress aaj kal keh rahe hain ki Modi sena ka naam nahi lega.Agar sena ko One Rank One Pension diya hai,to is sena ka gaurav gaan Modi ko karna chahiye ki nahi karna chahiye.Agar National War Memorial banaya, to Modi ko iska gaurav gaan karna chahiye ki nahi karna chahiye.

Congress says they didn't conduct the test earlier as they wanted to keep it a secret. It was this approach of keeping secrets due to which India lagged behind in technology."Aaj ye himmat Modi ne dikhayi,duniya Bharat ka loha manne laga"

When blasts used to take place in the nation, Congress government used to change its Home Minister, & put the entire blame on one person. But Modi doesn't change the Home Minister, Modi changes the ways.

Congress releases a list of 18 candidates from Haryana (6), Madhya Pradesh (3) & Uttar Pradesh (9). Kumari Selja to contest from Ambala (Haryana) & Deepender Singh Hooda to contest from Rohtak (Haryana). 

Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Cabinet Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal has been named as the SAD-BJP candidate from Ludhiana constituency for Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

Brushing aside resentment among party leaders over denial of tickets, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said with only 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state, it was impossible to accommodate all 177 aspirants. He said the decision to allot tickets was taken by the Congress high command based on candidates' winnability.

National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Saturday compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler and alleged that the BJP's "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" is in the same lines as the German dictator's aspirations were.

Addressing a rally in the old city area of Khanyar, Abdullah said: "Like Modi says -- Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas--, Hitler too, used to say the same things back then in Germany.

"Government of India is interfering through the Election Commission, we have complained against EVMs earlier also," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said after a meeting with EC officials. 

"EC is an autonomous body but they are working at the instructions of Modi. Transfers of officers in AP is unjustified," he said.

"I would request all not to vote for CPM and to not waste your vote by giving it to Congress," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in Siliguri on Saturday.

"I was in Congress then quit and formed Trinamool, following which you are witnessing development," Mamata said.

"On triple talaq issue many women of the minority community support us, but even if they don't, you have to help everybody. It doesn't matter who voted for us and who did not," BJP MP candidate from Mathura Hema Malini said in an exclusive interview to news agency ANI. 

"This kind of feeling doesn't come to me. Everybody is different," she added. 

In an exclusive interview to news agency ANI, BJP MP candidate from Mathura Hema Malini said, "I am very confident of a win because I have done good work, my Government has done good work, so I am sure people will support us."

"Whole system is changing, people want development, caste politics now doesn't work," she said. 

Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Saturday said, "Nitish Kumar wanted to come back, he had said that I want to see Tejashwi as CM in 2020 and you declare me as PM candidate."

"Even, Prashant Kishor came to meet us five times after our alliance had ended," she claimed. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public meeting in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram, talked about the welfare of fishermen. "Your Chowkidar has been able to take path-breaking decisions for welfare of fishermen," Modi said. 

"Due to lack of proper guidance and warning a lot of fishermen would cross international waters and were arrested. Thanks to continued diplomatic initiatives, almost 1900 Indian fishermen have been released from Sri Lanka. Some of them who came back were facing death sentence," the prime minister said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke about the Bharatiya Janata Party's poll manifesto, while addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram. "The NDA Government’s Sankalp Patra has devoted lot of attention to water resources," Modi said. 

"After 23rd May, when the Modi Government will once again assume office, there will be a separate Ministry for Jal Shakti. This Ministry will cater to many aspects relating to water," the prime minister assured. 

"In our Sankalp Patra we have talked about doubling port capacity in the coming five years," Modi said. 

Commenting on the improved infrastructure of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, "For this region, we have given importance to connectivity and tourism."

"Work is fast progressing on doubling of railway tracks between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. The 100-year-old Pamban Bridge has been transformed into a state-of-the-art bridge," Modi said while addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram said, " 5 years ago, crores of Indians were without health coverage. Thanks to Ayushman Bharat, about 50 crore Indians will get top quality and affordable treatment." 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed on the transformation of India. While addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram, Modi said, "The India of 2019 is very different from the India of 2014. Today, India is eliminating poverty faster than ever before."

"We opened bank accounts for the poor, we ensured LPG connections to poor families and made their kitchens smoke-free. This gave major relief to poor women," the prime minister said.

"Sanitation coverage was at a dismal 38%. Now, it stands at 98%," Modi said in Ramanathapuram.

Addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, said, "Coming to Ramanathapuram reminds one of the great Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam."

"Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had several dreams for our nation. Today, it is our duty to fulfill those dreams and take India to new heights of growth and glory," the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram

DMK announces candidates for by-elections to 4 Legislative Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu on May 19; N Pazhanisamy from Sulur, Senthil Balaji from Aravakurichi, MC Shanmugaiya-Ottapidaram, P Saravanan - Thiruparankundram.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, "For decades, farmers were demanding MSP at 1.5 times the cost. We have fulfilled this demand."

While addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Theni, the prime minister said, "The NDA government is also serious about your faith. The devotees of Lord Ayyappa should be able to reach him easily. The devotees of Sundaramahalingam should be facilitated."

On the NYAY scheme launched by the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Theni said, "Congress and dishonesty are best friends but sometimes, by mistake they end of speaking the truth. Now they are saying- ‘Ab Hoga Nyay’."

"Even if they did not intend to, they have admitted that all they have done so far is 'Anyay'," the prime minister said. 

Commenting on terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Theni said, "I assure my fellow Indians that we leave no stone unturned in protecting India and destroying forces of terror."

"When a brave Indian fighter pilot was captured in Pakistan, it was ensured that he is back home in record time. Even then, Congress was playing politics over national security, insulting our forces," Modi said, as he attacked the Rahul Gandhi-led party. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Theni today, slammed the DMK and said, "Some days ago, DMK supremo projected the Naamdaar as Prime Minister. But no one was ready to accept it. Not even their Maha Milawati friends. Why? Because they all want to be PM."

The prime minister, in his attack on the party said, "What all have we been witness to? Father becomes the Finance Minister and son loots the country. Whenever they are in government, they always loot."

"The Madhya Pradesh government has become their ATM," Modi said in Tamil Nadu's Theni.

While addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu's Theni, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said, "Today, India is rapidly making a mark in the world. The Congress, DMK and their 'Mahamilavati' friends can't accept this hence they're unhappy with me."

"Those of you, who recall 1979, would know how the Congress had humiliated the DMK. More recently, when the 2G scam happened, Kanimozhi was in jail and DMK leaders were criticizing the Congress," the prime minister said. 

Slamming the alliance, Modi said, "Despite such bitterness in the past, today, the Congress and the DMK are together again, in an attempt to mislead the people."

"All the corrupt have ganged up in an attempt to defeat Modi," the prime minister said in Theni.

On New India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public meeting in Tamil Nadu's Theni said, "We move forward with the dream of a New India."

"An India, where everyone, from the soldier to the farmer, can lead a life with security, prosperity and dignity," Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu's Theni, said, "The temperature is high and so is the enthusiasm. I thank all who have come today to bless us."

On 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the prime minister said, "We observe today, the solemn occasion, of the completion of 100 years since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. I pay my respects to the martyrs of this incident."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressesing a public meeting in Tamil Nadu's Theni

Polling parties in Arunachal Pradesh at Luguthang - Mukto Assembly Constituency, which is at an altitude of 13583 feet

Polling parties in Arunachal Pradesh

Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance is set to step between people in Uttar Pradesh today as Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati will hold an election rally in Budaun dsitrict of the state. 

The Congress is likely to announce the names of its candidates for all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital today and its Delhi unit president and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit may be fielded from East Delhi, sources said Friday.

The central election committee (CEC) of the Congress finalised the names of its candidates for four seats Thursday.

"The list of all the seven candidates is expected to be released on Saturday," All India Congress Committee(AICC) in-charge of Delhi unit PC Chacko​ said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah is set to address election rallies in Uttar Pradesh today. Shah will hold public meetings in Budaun and Shahjahanpur districts of the state. 

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address 5 rallies in different parts of Karnataka today. He will arrive in the state in 11 AM and is slated to address public meetings in Kolar, Chitradurga and Mysore. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address four election rallies in a push to the campaigning for the 2019 general elections. Modi is set to address rallies in Theni and Ramanathapuram of Tamil Nadu and in Bengaluru and Mangaluru of Karnataka.