Lok Sabha Election April 1: As it happened

PM Modi did not speak on jobs, development and farmers' issue. We never raised issue of Hindu terrorism, been long when we did so, that also on input from intel agencies. He is digging up 9-year-old issue today, they are scared since Rahul ji and Priyanka ji started campaign: Former Home Min S Shinde

Miffed at Congress for fielding Rahul Gandhi from Kerala, CPM leader and former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan called Congress chief 'Amul Baby' in a Facebook post. Earlier CPM had termed him Pappu in an editorial which came out today. 

"I called Rahul Gandhi 'Amul Baby' earlier, because of his attitude of approaching situations without understanding them. What will happen in Wayanad if Rahul comes? Left parties will fight against Rahul and BJP. But what will be the condition of Congress? Their argument that BJP is their main enemy will be proved wrong. That's why I called him 'Amul Baby' which is relevant now also."

Tej Pratap Yadav launches 'Lalu Rabri Morcha' party in Patna, says,  "We demand two Lok Sabha seats of Sheohar and Jehanabad."

According to IndiaTV CNX Opinion Poll, BJP+ expected to get 46 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh out of the total 80 if Lok Sabha Elections 2019 are held today, Mahagathbandhan may get 30, Congress 4

Watch IndiaTV CNX Opinion Poll LIVE at India TV now. 

We've fulfilled 25yr-old demand of making income up to Rs 5 Lakh tax-free: Modi at rally in Secunderabad, Telangana

SP candidate from Meerut Hazi Yakud Qureshi terms RSS as a terrorist organisation. In a controversial statement, the SP leader said that BJP leaders have been arrested for terrorist acitivities in the past. he claimed that RSS workers were terrorists. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena" (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Army) during an election campaign for the BJP in Ghaziabad. "Congress ke log aatankwadiyon ko biryani khilate the aur Modi ji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai (Congress people would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi's army gives them bullet or bomb). This is the difference. The Congress people use 'ji' in Masood Azhar's name to encourage terrorism," he said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today recalled Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speech congratulating then PM Indira Gandhi after 1971 victory against Pakistan to attack Congress, Rajnath said that if Vajpayee can hail Indira for 1971 victory, why can't Congress praise Modi? But Congress has an objection to this and they want to know how many people have we killed? Tell me, do brave ever count the bodies? Brave do not count bodies, vultures do. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed that 'Seva Mitra' mobile app launched by Telugu Desam Party steals people's data. Addressing a rally at Andhra Pradesh's Rajahmundry this afternoon, Modi said:  I have been told that TDP has started a new work, and that work is related to cyber crime. The 'Seva Mitra' app they talk about, neither it is doing 'Seva (service)' nor it is a friend. The truth is that app is stealing people's data.

Social media giant Facebook today reportedly removed 687 pages and accounts linked to Congress party for 'coordinated inauthentic behaviour'. The move came a few days before phase I of voting for Lok Sabha polls. 

According to a statement by Facebook published in news agency Reuters, the company's investigation found that individuals used fake accounts and joined various groups to disseminate their content and increase engagement. Their posts included local news and criticism of political opponents such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Facebook said.

Previous governments used to complain of lack of funds, including for buying Rafale aircraft. We have not raised taxes in the last five years, but development has been on fast pace: PM Modi at rally in Rajahmundry.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced candidates for 5 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab. Bibi Jagir Kaur from Khadoor Sahib, S Charanjit Singh Atwal-Jalandhar (Reserve), Prem Singh Chandumajra-Anandpur Sahib, S. Surjit Singh Rakhra-Patiala&Darbara Singh Guru-Fatehgarh Sahib (Reserve).

BJP President Amit Shah tweets, "I proudly announce Shri Thushar Vellappally, President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena as NDA candidate from Wayanad (Kerala)."

Facebook has announced that it is removing 687 pages, accounts linked to Congress party ahead of general elections 

"People of Odisha need to oust Naveen Patnaik government and ensure a second term for Narendra Modi as Prime Minister."

"BJD govt adopted step-motherly approach towards west, central Odisha due to which these parts remained backward."

"Corruption rampant under BJD rule in Odisha, it needs young CM to ensure speedy development."

Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar has filed his nomination for contesting the Lok Sabha polls from North Goa seat in the state

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the Congress party of fooling the public for 50 years. Fadnavis claimed its leaders are again doing so in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has filed his nomination from Thiruvananthapuram Parliamentary Constituency in Kerala

"If you vote for TRS you are giving vote to Narendra Modi and RSS. There is partnership between TRS and BJP; remote control in Narendra Modi's hands."

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is expected to arrive in Wayanad on Thursday, from where he will file his nomination

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has asserted that the SP-BSP-RLD alliance will sweep the first phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh on April 11 and rout the Bharatiya Janata Party

"UPA, if it comes to power, will spend six per cent of GDP, on education."

Animal rights body PETA India has asked all political parties to adhere to the model code of conduct and not use any animal in their election campaigns

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL seeking stay on release of film 'PM Narendra Modi' during the period of Model Code of Conduct

"Did your CM ever raise the Rafale issue? Did he ever say 'chowkidar chor hai'? It's a partnership, TRS and their MPs help Narendra Modi. Fight is against Modi and BJP, only Congress is fighting, not TRS, whole country knows."

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav has filed his nomination from Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address three public meetings in Telangana today

Three former chief ministers of Jharkhand - BJP's Arjun Munda, JVM-P's Babulal Marandi and JMM's Shibu Soren will be contesting the general elections from Khuti, Koderma and Dumka seats, respectively

"Congress scared of fielding candidates in seats where majority population dominates."

"Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) slipping from Sharad Pawar's grip; he decided against contesting polls sensing unfavourable situation."

"Congress labelled peace-loving Hindu society as terrorist. You want India's heroes or those who became heroes in Pakistan?"

"Your abuse an ornament for me," Modi attacks Congress on 'chowkidar of toilets' remark

A coordination committee meeting between officials of India and Nepal was held in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh today 

The Bharatiya Janata Party has released 14th list of 3 candidates in Odisha. A 5th list of 11 candidates for elections to Odisha State Legislative Assembly has also been released by the saffron party

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has released a list of 6 candidates in Uttar Pradesh 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address public rallies in Goa next week to campaign for their respective
parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls

The Supreme Court has stayed the Election Commission's March 10 decision, that notified Gujarat's Talala Assembly constituency seat as vacant and declared bypolls there

The Palghar district administration in Maharashtra has roped-in school children to convince their parents to exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections 

The Supreme Court has granted time till April 8 to the 21 opposition parties seeking direction that 50 per cent EVM results be matched and cross checked with VVPAT, to file response on an affidavit filed by the Election Commission of India which had opposed the plea

Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari will address the media at 2 PM today at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is set to address four public meetings Uttarakhand today. Details - 11 AM in Pithoragarh, 12:45 PM in Gopeshwar, 2:20 PM in Kotdwar, 4:40 PM in Jhabrera

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Wardha today to campaign for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance candidates in Vidarbha region

FIR registered against 150 people, including Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey and BJP leader Rana Pratap Singh, under multiple sections of the IPC for 'assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty' among other charges. The development comes after Choubey misbehaved with SDM KK Upadhyay in Bihar's Buxar on March 30 after the official had stopped his convoy for violating model code of conduct. 

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Singh Yadav met Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence in Etawah early Monday. The latter is all set to file his nomination for Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency today

"Congress President Rahul Gandhi has refused to forge alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 in New Delhi."

An unknown person attempted to hurl slipper at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami while he was campaigning at Orthanda bus stand, Thanjavur. The accused was later taken by the police for interrogation

The BJP has expelled late Digvijay Singh's wife and Bihar BJP Vice President, Putul Kumari for six years. The development came after Kumari filed her nomination against NDA candidate Giridhari Yadav from Banka Parliamentary constituency

"People are with us. We have done so many things despite of so many problems; we had bifurcation problems. Special status wasn't given, still we were able to do extremely well. Election will be one-sided."

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Peddapuram MLA N Chinarajappa had to return without campaigning from Hussein Puram village in his assembly constituency in East Godavari district due to protests by the locals

The Election Commission has issued instructions to Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana to make arrangements for conducting elections to Nizamabad Parliamentary Constituency using EVMs. EC has also issued orders for supply of 26820 ballot units, 2240 controlling units and 2600 VVPATs

TDP MLA Bode Prasad fainted during election campaigning in Kankipadu of Penamaluru assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh. Doctors said his blood pressure had dipped and his health condition is stable now

After resigning from Congress, P Sudhakara Reddy has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party President Amit Shah in Delhi