Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his rally in Latur of Maharashtra, appealed to first-time voters to dedicate their votes to the Indian Air Force team that carried out the air strike in Pakistan's Balakot and also to the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack. Modi, who stressed on nationalism while releasing the BJP's manifesto on Monday, alleged that the Congress, if voted to power, is planning to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The BJP in their election manifesto has promised to eliminate Article 370 and do away with Article 35A of the Constitution. Article 370 gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, addressing a rally in Chitradurga, Karnataka, PM Modi attacked the Congress-led government in the state. He said both the JD(S) and the Congress were trying to benefit each other, forgetting the interest of the common people. "No one knows who's running the government in Karnataka. Both the defeated parties have got together for their own benefit so they are trying to accommodate each other," he added. Before that, he held a rally in Latur district of Maharashtra, and invoked India's airstrikes in Pakistan. He also appealed to voters, especially youngsters, to cast their votes "for the soldiers". Meanwhile, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi called the BJP manifesto "the voice of an isolated man", which is "short sighted and arrogant". He also said the PM was "scared of debating" with him on the issue of corruption.
All parliamentary constituencies in 10 states and UTs, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep, Telangana and Uttarakhand, will go to polls in the first phase on Arpil 11. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Catch all the latest updates on BusinessToday.In live blog on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
6:30pm: Report suggested that Dantewada MLA Bheema Mandavi along with five people were killed after Naxals targeted the convoy at Shyamgiri. The IED blast has occurred in Shyamgiri under Kuakonda Police Station.

5:30pm: "KALIA scheme is very important for the farmers particularly during this season when they need those funds," said Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar: KALIA scheme is very important for the farmers particularly during this season when they need those funds. Also disappointed to see that BJP has complained to EC about the KALIA Scheme. The farmers will give them a befitting reply. https://t.co/DAwXdhqw4P
- ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
5:20pm: BJP convoy attacked by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. BJP Dantewada MLA Bheema Mandavi was also in the convoy, ANI reported.
Chhattisgarh: BJP convoy attacked by Naxals in Dantewada. BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi was also in the convoy, further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/MhNVtar2aD
- ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
5:10pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed to first-time voters to dedicate their votes for 'air strike' men during a rally at Latur in Maharashtra.
PM Modi: 1st-time voters se main prarthana karta hu, bahut soch-samajh kar vote dena hai. Aap apna vote desh ke liye shaheed hone waale veer jawano ko samarpit kar sakte hain.Aapka pehla vote kisi garib ko apna ghar, muft me aspatal mein illaj mile,iske liye samarpit ho sakta hai pic.twitter.com/noLqxu4keF
- ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
5:05pm: Election Commission of India has transferred Abhishek Gupta from the post of Superintendent of Police of Cooch Behar (West Bengal) and has posted Amit Kumar Singh in his place, as per ANI report.
5:00pm: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre: We wanted to observe it on a large scale, but EC isn't allowing. So on 12th evening we'll take out a candle light march, next morning Congress President is coming & he'll pay his respects at the memorial pic.twitter.com/yorGmHgO1l
- ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
4:55pm: "We are very hopeful that we will win, there is a lot anger in the public against BJP and support for Congress. I request people to vote for our candidates here(Kairana,Saharanpur and Bijnor) so that we win with a huge margi," said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after rally in Saharanpur.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Saharanpur: We are very hopeful that we will win, there is a lot anger in the public against BJP and support for Congress. I request people to vote for our candidates here(Kairana,Saharanpur and Bijnor) so that we win with a huge margin pic.twitter.com/GvOOfVmmrJ
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019
4:50pm: Election Commission on Tuesday announced May 19 as date for assembly by-elections for- Panaji(Goa), Sulur, Aravakurichi, Thiruparankundram, Ottapidaram in Tamil Nadu and Kundgol in Karnataka, ANI reported.
4.44pm: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has send a show-cause notice to the makers of popular TV serials 'bhabhiji ghar pe hai' and 'tuz se hai rabata' for promoting PM Modi's schemes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party had complained to the EC that these serials are being used to promote Modi's image, reports ANI.
4.05pm: Mamata Banerjee in Bengal: "In five years Modi could not build Ram temple; whenever election approaches he rakes up the issue. Modi urging people to vote by highlighting achievements of soldiers, Army is not fiefdom of Modi and BJP."
4.00pm: "Just like air strike, they also raised questions on strike in the space. They didn't have the courage to sanction missile tests," says PM Modi in Karnataka.
Just like air strike, they also raised questions on strike in the space. They didn't have the courage to sanction missile tests.
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 9, 2019
They neither respect soldiers and nor science. It's about time to teach a lesson to such parties and people: PM @narendramodi#IsBaarNaMoPhirSe
3.59pm: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Meerut: "Mayawati in Saharanpur said that we only need Muslim vote, so I want to tell them if Congress, SP-BSP believe in Ali we believe in Bajrangbali."
3.55pm: The Congress has a clear thinking: "Whenever get a chance, divide the society," PM Modi in Karnataka.
कांग्रेस की ये स्पष्ट सोच रही है कि जहां मौका मिले, वहां समाज को ही बांट दो: प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodihttps://t.co/nWnuDdf3wF#IsBaarNaMoPhirSepic.twitter.com/25LUVp3Aod
— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) April 9, 2019
3.49pm: "No one knows who's running the government in Karnataka. Both the defeated parties have got together for their own benefit so they are trying to accommodate each other," PM Modi in Karnataka.
3:30pm: Speaking at a rally, BJP President Amit Shah said that we don't engage in peaceful talks with countries that kill our soldiers.
We don't engage in peaceful talks with countries that kill our soldiers: Amit Shah
Read @ANI story | https://t.co/Dcviw4GnEvpic.twitter.com/0fm694A9ON
- ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 9, 2019
3:20pm: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds a road show in UP's Saharanpur.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds a road show in Saharanpur. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/kGA97z5sIa
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019
3:10pm: Taking a jibe at Congress, PM Modi said that we attacked terror in Pakistan, but some people in India felt the pain.
PM in Chitradurga,Karnataka: We attacked terror in Pakistan, but some people in India felt the pain. The CM here went a step further, he said talk of the valour of our forces should not be done, it damages his vote bank. I want to ask him, is your vote bank in India or Pakistan? pic.twitter.com/kN8SP0U8p2
- ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
3:05pm: Replying to allegations that he or Gadkari can be PM if BJP fails to get full majority, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "These are all imaginary situations; it is 'khyali pulao' and nothing else. We will get clear majority or even 2/3rd, the PM will be Modi ji, no doubt about that."
3:00pm: Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday tweeted that News channels should show a disclaimer before PM Modi's speeches that everything that he says is imaginatory and it has nothing to do with India's development.
मोदी जी के सभी भाषणों से पहले,
न्यूज़ चैनलों को सूचना दिखा देनी चाहिए,
इनकी सभी बातें काल्पनिक हैं,
इनका देश के विकास से,
किसी व्यक्ति या योजना से कोई सम्बन्ध नहीं है| pic.twitter.com/6W01MQqWrK
- Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) April 9, 2019
2:45pm: Former JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar files nomination as Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Begusarai seat in Bihar.
Former JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar files nomination as Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate from Begusarai constituency. #Bihar#LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/dW8nnoeZq0
- ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
2.32pm:
अम्मा फ़ातिमा नफ़ीस, जिग्नेश, शेहला, गुरमेहर समेत उन तमाम साथियों का शुक्रिया जो संविधान और लोकतंत्र को बचाने के संघर्ष को मज़बूत करने के लिए बेगूसराय आए हैं। जहाँ देखो वहाँ हमारे साथी लाल झंडों के साथ नज़र आ रहे हैं। एकजुटता का ऐसा भव्य नज़ारा सबमें जोश भर रहा है। pic.twitter.com/0lkW4FAFF9
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) April 9, 2019
2.27pm: Rajinikanth on Narendra Modi and the BJP manifesto: The BJP released its manifesto yesterday, and like what I have been saying for long about the linking of rivers, it also talks about that. The effort is difficult to achieve but can be achieved. If they (BJP) come to power, this should be the first thing they work on.
2.10pm: Superstar Rajinikanth says "I have already told my fans my stand on elections there is no change in it."
2.00pm:
Dear PM,
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2019
Scared of debating me on corruption? I can make it easier for you.
Let’s go open book, so you can prepare:
1. RAFALE+Anil Ambani
2. Nirav Modi
3. Amit Shah+Demonetisation #Scared2Debate
1.25pm: BJP will remove infiltrators from country after forming govt, says Amit Shah.
In our manifesto, we have promised to implement NRC in the entire country. Therefore, we will remove infiltrators from the country if we again form govt in the centre: Shri @AmitShah#IsBaarNaMoPhirSepic.twitter.com/MYa33iGSn2
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 9, 2019
1.30pm: "Never said that Rs 15 lakh will come (to accounts of people). This was never said. (Bilkul nahi kaha tha ki Rs 15 lakh aenge. Ye kabhi nahi kaha tha). We had said that we will take action (karyawahi) against black money. Action is being taken against black money. It was our government which made SIT on the topic of black money," Rajnath told ANI in an exclusive interview.
1.18pm:
HM Rajnath Singh to ANI on Rahul Gandhi’s tweet ‘BJP Manifesto is voice of an isolated man’:I don’t think in India’s political history so many people were involved in the making of a manifesto, so what he is saying is baseless, he keeps saying such things, don’t take it seriously pic.twitter.com/MTz8019rZd
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
1.17pm:
HM Rajnath Singh to ANI on raids being conducted on opposition leaders: Blaming govt is wrong. It's been going on for years, not started today. Unjust to say being done on somebody's instructions. EC asks for forces, and we provide.Deployments done on the orders of EC,not Centre. pic.twitter.com/VCECI5FG0a
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
1.01pm:
PM Modi: Aapne dekha hoga kal-parson kaise Congress ke darbariyon ke ghar se bakson main note nikli hain, note se vote kharidne ka ye paap inki rajnaitik sanskriti rahi hai. Ye pichhle 6 mahino se bol rahe hain 'Chowkidaar chor hai' lekin note kahan se nikle? Asli chor kon hai? pic.twitter.com/0jqryrtwom
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
12.40: PM Modi in Latur, Maharashtra: "I would like to ask my first time voters. Can your first vote be devoted to the heroic jawans who conducted air strikes in Balakot, Pakistan? Can your first vote be dedicated to our heroic jawans who were martyred in Pulwama?"
12.31pm: Modi's appeal to young voters, "Give your first vote to the country. Give your first vote to make the country strong. Give your first vote to make a strong government in the country."
12.20pm:
PM: Ye keh rahe hain ki desh se hum, deshdroh ka kanoon hataenge main zara Congress walon se kehta hun ki darpan main ja ke apna mooh dekho, aap ke mooh main manav adhikar ki baten shobha nahi deti. Congress walon ne Bala Sahab Thackrey ka matdaan karne ka adhikaar cheen liya tha pic.twitter.com/1ir1v8iH7S
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
12.15pm: The BJP government will give farmers Rs 1 lakh without any interest on the kisan credit card, says PM Modi.
12.12pm: Modi in Latur: "How much evidence does the Congress need from the country's military? How much evidence is needed from the Air Force? Those who do not trust the government, brave soldiers, should be punished with a stern punishment."
12.00pm:
कांग्रेस कह रही है कि जम्मू-कश्मीर से धारा 370 कभी नहीं हटाई जाएगी।
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 9, 2019
जो बात कांग्रेस का ढकोसला पत्र कह रहा है, वही बात पाकिस्तान भी कह रहा है: प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi#IsBaarNaMoPhirSe
11.53am: "I have come to know that you are sitting here since 9.30 AM. You are sitting here in this extreme heat. I won't let your 'tapasya' go in vain. I will return this to you with interest," says PM Modi.
11.49am: "In 2014, we came to you with some goals. I will always be grateful to you for what you have done in fulfilling these goals," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
11.40am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts addressing a rally in Latur, Maharashtra.
Euphoric atmosphere in Latur. Addressing a large rally. Watch. https://t.co/PBvXiGdnmh
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019
11.30am: The BJP introduces a new video to attract young voters.
The josh of exuberant first time voters across India is high. They are not only excited to cast their first vote but also make it count!
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 9, 2019
They are singing in unison.
“My first to the one, one and only one who has got everything done”
Join them. Tweet with #MyFirstVoteForModi
11.29am:
2 days to go!
— ECI #DeshKaMahaTyohar (@ECISVEEP) April 9, 2019
Don't be in a tight spot!
Remember Photo Voter Slip can not be used as identity proof for voting so carry one of these 12 documents on the day of voting as your identity proof to the Polling Station. #GoVote#DeshKaMahaTyoharpic.twitter.com/pbPUPM1ICe
11.13am: "I am not worried about Mayawati. Her ship is sinking. She is looking for support from Muslims to stay afloat," says PM Narendra Modi, in an interview with News 18.
11.00am:
Bhopal: Trophies of black buck, tiger, deer, leopard etc have been recovered from residence of Ashwin Sharma, associate of Praveen Kakkar (OSD to MP CM). Hide of spotted dear also seized. Forest dept says 'Action to be taken under Wildlife Protection Act, after scrutiny of paper' pic.twitter.com/DcHIvSi2fx
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
10.50am: Smriti Irani on R Gandhi's tweet: "Rahul Gandhi has a special obsession with BJP."
Smriti Irani: Despite having a vision, there's a question mark on his efficiency as nations knows condition of Amethi. On one hand there's an efficient govt which has taken resolution to build a New India, on the other there's a man who stays restricted to making announcements. https://t.co/ekEU0awSAk
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019
10.42am:
Polling for the single Parliamentary constituency in the Union Territory of #Lakshadweep will be held in the first phase on 11 April.#GoVote#LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/UZIA8u2Qek
— ECI #DeshKaMahaTyohar (@ECISVEEP) April 9, 2019
10.30am: Several candidates cutting across party lines have taken to online crowd funding to finance their election campaigns, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Cash-starved, these nominees are also advocating transparency in poll funding. Prominent among them are CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, who is fighting the election from Begusarai in Bihar, Nana Patole, the Congress candidate from Nagpur, Raghav Chaddah of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, and Mohammed Salim of the CPI(M) from Raiganj seat in West Bengal, reported PTI.
10.15am:
Locals: There's no proper road connectivity or drinking water facility here, no good schools for children. We didn't receive payment under rural employment scheme or crop insurance money for 2017-18. Despite repeated pleas to admn, we didn't receive anything. So boycotting polls. pic.twitter.com/cI7hTvBM8Y
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
Tamil Nadu: Residents of Melasirupothu village in Ramanathapuram district took out a protest march y'day. The villagers have decided to boycott #LokSabhaElections2019 alleging non-availability of basic facilities in their area & non-payment of crop insurance money 2017-18. pic.twitter.com/U4g9Uc04JY
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
10.08am:
#Meghalaya, known as 'the abode of clouds' will go to polls on its both Parliamentary constituencies in a single phase on April 11. #GoVote#DeshKaMahaTyoharpic.twitter.com/sfhie8zKG1
— ECI #DeshKaMahaTyohar (@ECISVEEP) April 9, 2019
10.00am:
Bhopal: Visuals of I-T raids underway at the residence of Ashwin Sharma, associate of Praveen Kakkar (OSD to Madhya Pradesh CM). #MadhyaPradeshpic.twitter.com/nDR8VdHueW
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
9.59am:
Non Cognizable Offence Information Report registered against sitting BJP MP from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC). (file pic) pic.twitter.com/bIGOXIf5QY
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019
9.47am:
Shahjahanpur: Sanyukt Vikas Party's candidate Vaidh Raj Kishan rode a horse dressed as a bridegroom, to file his nomination yesterday for #LokSabhaElections2019 . He says "Rajniti ka daamad bann ke jaa raha hoon. Dulhan toh 28 May ke baad aaegi." (08.04.2019) pic.twitter.com/2wUiSliEbB
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 9, 2019
9.40am: Other states where voting will be held in the first phase include Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
9.30am: All parliamentary constituencies in 10 states and UTs, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep, Telangana and Uttarakhand, will go to polls in the first phase only.
9.15am: The BJP manifesto was created in a "closed room"; it is "short sighted and arrogant", says Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2019
The BJP Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is short sighted and arrogant.
9.01am:
Will be campaigning in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019
Looking forward to addressing rallies in Latur, Chitradurga, Mysuru and Coimbatore.
Do watch the rallies live on the NaMo App. @BJP4Maharashtra@BJP4Karnataka@BJP4TamilNadu
8.57pm: BJP chief Amit Shah will hold three rallies today.
- 12pm: Telangana (Ranga Reddy)
- 3pm: Maharashtra (Nagpur)
- 6.30pm: Odisha (Grand Road to Balagondi Puri)
8.45am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold four rallies today.
- 11am: Maharashtra (Latur)
- 02.30pm: Karnataka (Chitradurga)
- 05.05pm: Karnataka (Mysuru)
- 07:05pm: Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore)
8.30am: The Income-Tax Department has said it has detected a "widespread and well-organised" racket of collection of unaccounted cash of about Rs 281 crore during raids against close aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and others.
Searches in Madhya Pradesh have detected wide spread & well-organized racket of collection of unaccounted cash of about ₹ 281 cr through various persons in different walks of life including business, politics & public service.
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) April 8, 2019
8.15am: As many as 129 FIRs and daily diary (DD) entries have been registered till date against various political parties and others for violation of the model code of conduct in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections, the poll body in Delhi said on Monday, reported PTI. The statistics surveillance team of the Delhi's chief electoral officer's (CEO) office has seized Rs 1.28 crore in cash and also seized 162.86 kg of narcotics and drugs.
8.00am: The poll campaigning in Uttarakhand, where both the BJP and the Congress top brass held big rallies over the past fortnight, will come to an end today.