News Analysis India

Tag: Lok Sabha Election 2024

  • ‘Modi Ji’s Retirement Necessary For Youth To Get Employment’: Rahul Gandhi |

    New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi retirement from politics is necessary as it will prove beneficial for the youth to get more employment opportunities in the future.

    In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Whatever I want Narendra Modi to say, I can get it said. There is just one more word left to come out of their mouths: unemployment. Modi ji’s retirement is necessary for the youth to get employment.”

    Earlier in March, Rahul Gandhi claimed that India’s unemployment rate is double compared to Pakistan’s and said the situation has been the outcome of the poor financial politics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    “The country is facing injustice on many fronts. There is economic and social injustice. Farmers are facing injustice. Our country is facing the worst unemployment rate in the last 40 years. India’s unemployment rate is double that of Pakistan. 23 per cent of youth were unemployed in India and 12 per cent in Pakistan. Our unemployment rate is higher than in Bhutan and Bangladesh as well,” he said.

    According to a 2022 World Bank report, India’s youth unemployment rate stood at 23.22 per cent, surpassing that of its neighbouring countries Pakistan (11.3 per cent) and Bangladesh (12.9 per cent).

    Rahul Gandhi on Friday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi again over public debate and claimed that he is ready but the PM will disagree, adding that PM Modi is incapable of answering questions about his “links” with a few favoured businessmen and how he “misused” electoral bonds.

    “He (PM Narendra Modi) gave 30-35 interviews to the same 5-10 journalists. 2-3 intellectuals and journalists wrote to me and made public announcements. They also wrote to Narendra Modi and said that there should be a debate in democracy, it is essential; that he should have debate with Rahul Gandhi…I am ready, Narendra Modi can have a debate with me wherever he wants. What do you think, will he come to have a debate with me? No, he can’t…Narendra Modi can’t have a debate,” Rahul Gandhi said addressing a rally in Delhi.

    Referring to PM Modi’s recent claim that Congress gets money Adani-Ambani in tempos, Rahul said, “PM Modi talks about Congress getting tempo-loads of money from Adani-Ambani, but he doesn’t dare to get it probed.”

    He further said that PM Modi did nothing for small businessmen but gave Rs 16 lakh crore to industrialists like Adani-Ambani.”Tell me whatever you want Narendra Modi to say, I will make him say that in his speeches. I told him, “Narendra Modi, you don’t mention the names of Adani-Ambani. You should mention their names.” 2-3 days later, Narendra Modi said “Adani-Ambani, Adani-Ambani,” he said.

    Reacting to several opposition leaders joining BJP “fearing CBI-ED action”, Rahul said, “We don’t want ‘darpok’ leaders to stay with us, only want ‘Babbar Sher’.”
    Rahul Gandhi further said that one woman from each of these families will be selected and Rs 1 lakh per annum will be deposited in the account of that woman by the INDIA bloc. 

  • PM Modi Rebuts Mamata’s Comment On Ramakrishna Mission Monks As ‘Vote Bank’ Politics |

    New Delhi: Prime Minister and BJP senior leader Narendra Modi condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks against the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha monks. While addressing the rally in West Bengal’s Purulia on Sunday, Modi said that TMC has crossed all the limits by stooping so low that it is “spreading canards against ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha”

    Reacting to Banjerjee’s remark, PM Modi said that threats were being issued against these socio-religious organisations just to appease their vote bank.

    “The TMC, which has intimidated and threatened the people of Bengal during elections, has crossed all limits this time. Today, in the country and the world, ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangh are known for service and morality, but the chief minister of Bengal is openly threatening them from an open platform…They are threatening them just to appease their vote bank” he said.

    Prime Minister Modi slams TMC for belittling the saints of Bengal and attacking Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON.

    What has Mamata Banerjee reduced Bengal, the land of several Hindu renaissance movement, to. Disappointing. pic.twitter.com/lWM1sMuV1S


    — Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 19, 2024

    Earlier, CM Banerjee during his poll rally in Goghat under the Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday claimed that some mocks of the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the BJP leader’s influence. 

    “Some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. Those who are looking after temples are doing great spiritual jobs, but everyone is not doing so. This is not done. We respect the monks,” she said.

    PM Modi further added that these organisations have millions of followers across the world and they aim to serve the people.

    “The Bengal government has pointed fingers at them. So much courage! Just to please their vote bank?” PM Modi said.

    Meanwhile, Modi accused Banerjee during his Bishnupur rally and said that she was under the pressure of Muslim fundamentalists and attacking the saints and monks of the country.

    “In their desperation, TMC leaders have started hurling abuses at prestigious organisations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. These organisations have brought glory to Bengal, but the CM of the state claims they are ruining Bengal. Under pressure from Muslim fundamentalists, she has publicly insulted our faith,” he added. 

  • Madhavi Latha takes a swipe at Rahul, Sonia Gandhi: 'Dono retire ho jayenge…'

    Madhavi Latha takes a swipe at Rahul, Sonia Gandhi: 'Dono retire ho jayenge…'

  • Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Phase 5 Voting Timing, Key Candidates And Polling Constituencies |

    New Delhi: Maharashtra is all set to contest polls for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Phase 5 on May 20. The state has 48 seats and 13 of them are going to vote in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Election. The parliamentary constituencies going for the polls are Dhule, Dindoi, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North – West, Mumbai North – East, Mumbai North – Central, Mumbai South – Central and Mumbai South.

    Phase 5 Voting Date And Time

    The Lok Sabha elections for Phase 5 are going to be held on May 20. The voting for all the seats will begin at 7 am and counting is scheduled to be held on June 4.

    Maharastra Lok Sabha Polls:  Key Candidates And Constituencies In Fray In Phase 5

    Dhule: Dr Subhash Ramrao Bhamre (BJP) vs Dr Shobha Dinesh Bachhav (INC)

    Dindori: Bharati Pravin Pawar (BJP) vs Bhaskar Bhagare (NCP(SP))

    Nashik: Rajabhau Waje (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Godse Hemant Tukaram (Shiv Sena)

    Palghar: Dr Hemant Vishnu Savara (BJP) vs Bharti Kamadi (Shiv Sena (UBT))

    Bhiwandi: Kapil Moreshwar Patil (BJP) vs Suresh Mhatre NCP(SP)

    Kalyan: Vaishali Darekar (Shiv Sena (UBT) vs Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena)

    Thane: Rajan Vichare (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Naresh Mhaske (Shiv Sena)

    Mumbai North: Piyush Goyal (BJP) vs Bhushan Patil (INC)

    Mumbai North-West: Amol Kirtikar (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Ravindra Dattaram Waikar (Shiv Sena)

    Mumbai North-East: Mihir Kotecha (BJP) vs Sanjaydina Patil (ShivSena (UTB))

    Mumbai North – Central: Adv. Ujwal Nikam (BJP) vs Gaikwad Varsha Eknath (INC)

    Mumbai South – Central: Anil Desai (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Rahul Shewale Shiv Sena

    Mumbai South: Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Yamini Yashwant Jadhav (Shiv Sena)

  • Who is Kishori Lal Sharma? Meet KL Sharma, Gandhi Family Loyalist To Contest From Amethi Against Smriti Irani |

    The nerve-wracking suspense around Congress’ candidate for the Amethi Lok Sabha Seat came to an end today. The Congress party has fielded its trusted hand, KL Sharma, from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, earlier represented by Rahul Gandhi. On the other hand, top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest from Rae Bareli seat, vacated by Sonia Gandhi. In Lok Sabha Elections 2024, KL Sharma will now compete against Smriti Irani, the present BJP MP from Amethi. 

    Congress releases another list of candidates for the upcoming #LokSabhaElections2024

    Rahul Gandhi to contest from Raebareli and Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi. pic.twitter.com/2w4QQcn9ok
    — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2024

    Who Is Kishori Lal Sharma? 

    Sharma is originally from Ludhiana, Punjab. The Gandhi family is thought to be very close to KL Sharma who has been managing the work at Rae Bareli as Sonia Gandhi’s agent for a considerable amount of time. 

    History With Rajiv Gandhi 

    Along with Rajiv Gandhi, Kishori Lal Sharma stepped in Rae Bareli and Amethi in 1983. His bond with the Gandhi family became closer after Rajiv Gandhi passed away. Thereafter, he continued to be connected to the Gandhi family. 

    Following Rajiv Gandhi’s demise in 1991, Sharma continued to visit Rae Bareli and Amethi, occasionally to cater to the work of Sheila Kaul and other times that of Satish Sharma.
    KL Sharma accompanied Sonia Gandhi to Amethi as she made her foray into active politics. KL Sharma assumed supervision of both the Rae Bareli and Amethi seats when Sonia Gandhi moved to Rae Bareli and left the Amethi seat for Rahul Gandhi. KL Sharma began overseeing the work related to the seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli. In addition to leading Amethi, it’s believed that KL Sharma will continue to manage Rahul Gandhi’s work from Rae Bareli. 

    KL Sharma – A Loyal Congress Stalwart  

    Although members of the Congress began to leave over time, KL Sharma has always been incredibly loyal and dedicated. He switched between being in charge of Bihar and joining the Punjab committee. At times, he continued to be an AICC member, while at other times, he held control of the electoral arena. 

  • ‘Not A Single Party Contesting 272 Seats…’: PM Modi Takes A Dig At Opposition |

    New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on opposition parties and said that no political party except BJP is contesting 272 seats in Lok Sabha polls which is a minimum number of seats required to form a government.

    Attacking on Congress in Banaskantha’s Deesa in Gujarat ahead of the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi said, “If you want to form a government, then at least 272 seats are required. Except for the BJP, no political party in the country is contesting 272 seats, and then they are saying they will form the government.”

    “Even the royal family of Delhi is not going to vote for Congress… There is no Congress candidate where they vote… Ahmed Patel’s family in Bharuch will not vote for Congress… A big Congress leader who votes in Bhavnagar, will not be able to vote for Congress. This is the condition of the Congress..,” he added.

    Further escalating his attack on Congress, Modi said party targeted him in 2014 as a ‘tea-seller’, had got such a reply from the country that the party which once used to occupy 400 seats, is now being brought down to 40 only.

    He alleged that the government that was there before 2014 in Centre was only known for news of terrorism, scams and corruption all around the country.

    “This Congress ‘Jamat’ should listen, as long as Modi is alive, there will be no reservation on the basis of religion. Reservations for SC, ST, and OBCs have been given by the Constitution, and no one can take them away,” he added.

    PM Modi also challenged the Congress to declare that they would not provide reservations on the basis of religion.
    “Today, I want to challenge the prince of Congress and his party to declare that if they have the courage, they will never provide reservations on the basis of religion and will not play with the Constitution. They will not do this because “Dal mein kuch kaala hai,” he said.

    PM Modi also emphasised that as long as the BJP is there, reservations will be protected.

    “The prince of Congress proudly called the entire Modi and OBC communities thieves. No opportunity is being left to spread hatred against Gujaratis. In 2024, Congress and the INDI Alliance have come up with the new lie that reservations will end. Those who are talking about 400 seats, even today, the NDA has around 360 seats in the Parliament, and parties like BJD and YSRCP, which were not in our alliance, supported us anyway. I had the strength of 400 in Parliament. But we did not commit the sin of withdrawing the reservation,” PM Modi said.

    Sharpening his attacks on Congress, the Prime Minister added that even today, Congress has no issues, no vision, and no passion to work. “The country was immersed in despair. I left no stone unturned in my efforts. I spent every moment in the name of my countrymen and the country. I tried to take the country out of that troubled situation. “In 2014, Congress tried to belittle me by calling me “chai wala” and doubted what I could do for the country. I was made fun of. But the country gave them such an answer that the party that once used to occupy 400 seats, now being brought down to 40 only,” he said.

  • BJP’s Smriti Irani rides scooter, connects with Amethi locals during the election campaign – The Economic Times Video

    Amethi (UP): Union Minister and BJP candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani participated in the election campaign riding a scooter on April 28. During the occasion, she interacted with the locals in Amethi. The Lok Sabha polls for Amethi are scheduled for May 20 (phase 5).

  • ‘Can They Provide Safety….’: PM Modi Hits Out At Congress Over Karnataka College Girl Murder |

    New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the ruling party in Karnataka and questioned the public he was addressing in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada if Congress can provide safety to the girl in the state.

    PM Modi attacked Congress over the recent murder of a Hubballi student, Neha Hiremath, at her college premises that created “sensation” in the country, he said, the family sought action, but the Congress government gave priority to appeasement.

    “For them, the lives of daughters like Neha have no value, they think only about their vote bank. Can Congress ever provide safety to your daughters?  In a college campus, in daylight, such dare, they who committed crime know that those hungry for vote bank will save them in a few days.”

    #WATCH Uttara Kannada, Karnataka: PM Narendra Modi while addressing the public meeting in Sirsi says, “A few days back, what happened to a daughter in Hubballi, the entire nation is worried about it… In a college campus, in daylight, such dare, they who committed crime know… pic.twitter.com/Gze3YFHUoW
    — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2024

    “Even when there was a bomb blast in a Bengaluru’s cafe, the Congress government did not take it seriously initially; they even termed it a cylinder blast initially. “Why are you — Congress — lying to the people of the country, if you can’t, leave and go home,” Modi said.

    The Congress for the sake of votes is taking support of banned PFI — the anti-national organisation that supported terrorism. “To win one seat in Wayanad, are you surrendering to them? BJP has banned PFI and has put its leaders behind bars.” he said.

  • Lok Sabha Election 2024: Voter Turnout Dips To 64%, Voters Boycott Polling In Assam; Key Points From Phase 2 |

    New Delhi: Amid a handful of incidents of scuffle and a few complaints to the Election Commission, the second phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 concluded on Friday with a provisional voter turnout of 64.2. The poll panel described the voting as “peaceful”.

    In the second phase, over 15.88 crore voters, including 8.08 crore males, 7.8 crore females and 5,929 third gender were eligible to vote.

    Voters of two polling stations in Assam’s Silchar constituency boycotted polling over development issues. The electorate of 110 Durganar Bagan lower primary school and Chittaranjan lane did not participate in the polling process.

    Cricketing icons Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath were seen voting at different polling stations in Bengaluru, however, nearly half of its voters did not turn up to cast their vote. The approximate voter turnout in Bangalore Central was 52.81 per cent, Bangalore North – 54.42 per cent and Bangalore South – 53.15 per cent.

    According to the voter turnout figures shared by the district information office, Gautam Buddh Nagar constituency recorded a poll percentage of 53.30 down from 60.47 per cent in 2019 elections

    In Bihar, the polling time was extended till 6 pm at many polling stations in Banka, Madhepura, Khagaria and Munger constituencies to facilitate the voters in hot weather conditions. Special arrangements were made to combat the heat, including provision of ‘shamiyana’, drinking water, medical kits and fans for the convenience of the voters

    In phase two, the EC said, voters from 46 villages in Bastar and Kanker constituencies in Chhattisgarh cast their vote in a polling booth set up in their own village for the first time in a Lok Sabha election.

    Rajasthan recorded a tentatively 61.60 per cent voter turnout as 25 Lok Sabha seats went for polls in the second phase of general elections. A 108-year-old woman, Bhuri Bai, cast her vote at the Gunjara polling booth in the Kota-Bundi constituency. She was brought to the polling booth in a wheelchair by her family members.

    Lok Sabha Polls Phase II: 2024 VS 2019

    In the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 held in 95 constituencies across 13 states, the turnout was 67.6 per cent while the second leg of the 2024 general elections witnessed a decline in voter turnout nearly by 3% and stood at 64.2.

    In the first phase, the turnout was 65.5 per cent compared to 69.43 per cent in phase one of the 2019 parliamentary polls. Some of the constituencies were different then and the total number of seats which went to poll was 91.

    The heat wave is believed to have contributed towards several voters not turning up at polling stations in both the phases.

  • Over 2.75 Crore Voters To Vote For 194 Contestants In 20 Lok Sabha Seats In Kerala Tomorrow |

    Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 194 contestants in 20 Lok Sabha seats are vying for voters’ support as Kerala goes to the polls on Friday, after over a month-long fierce campaign by the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF, Congress-headed UDF, and the BJP-led NDA. The Election Commission said there are over 2.75 crore voters in Kerala where polling will commence at 7 am on Friday.

    Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul said 63,100 bottles of ink are used to prevent fraudulent voting and ensure flawless and transparent elections. This time there are 2,77,49,159 voters in the state out of which more than five lakh are first-time voters.

    Kottayam constituency boasts the highest number of candidates at 14, while Alathur has the fewest at five. Other notable figures are – 13 candidates in Kozhikode and 12 each in Kollam and Kannur. Of the total 194 candidates, 169 are men and 25 are women. The Vadakara constituency stands out with the highest number of female candidates, at four.

    The Election Commission said steps have been taken to ensure safe and peaceful polling by deploying 66,303 security personnel. Kerala Police and Central forces are providing tight security for the polling in a total of 25,231 booths arranged at 13,272 places.

    Police deployment has been made throughout the state as per the instructions of the Central Election Commission. When the polling for 20 constituencies in the state begins at 7 am on Friday, more than five lakh first-time voters will go to the polling booth.

    As the curtains fell on Wednesday evening, marking the conclusion of the over-month-long, high-octane public campaigning for the April 26 polls, Kerala on Thursday witnessed a silent campaign before the state votes.

    Two union ministers, a state minister, three actors and a few MLAs are among the total candidates who try their political luck this time. BJP-led NDA is fielding the most number of women candidates – five. Unlike the previous general elections, Kerala has seen a highly active and aggressive campaign.

    Diverse issues ranging from the implementation of the CAA, the alleged existence of ‘love jihad’, controversies surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ movie, the Manipur violence, Rahul Gandhi’s candidature in Wayanad, as well as alleged appeasement of minorities by various political parties, dominated the high-decibel public campaigns.

    In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, while the LDF had to settle for just a single seat.

    Key Candidates And Constituencies To Look Out For

    Of the 20 constituencies in Kerala going to polls on Friday, two seats – Alathur and Mavelikara- are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.

    1. Wayanad: Congress leader and sitting MP Rahul Gandhi is recontesting against Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Both of them are part of the national INDIA alliance but are rivals in Kerala. Congress has been winning in Wayanad since the 2009 general elections. BJP, which is yet to open its account in the state, has fielded its state president K Surendran in the constituency.

    2. Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor won this seat in the 2009, 2014 and 2019 general elections. The former UN diplomat is contesting against BJP leader and Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and CPI’s Pannyan Raveendran.

    3. Kollam: Sitting MP NK Premachandran (RSP) is pitted against two actor-turned-politicians – Mukesh, an MLA of CPI-M, and G Krishnakumar (BJP).

    4. Thrissur: K Muraleedharan of Congress is pitted against VS Sunil Kumar of CPI and actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi of BJP

    5. Attingal: Sitting MP Adoor Prakash of Congress is contesting against V Joy of CPM and V Muraleedharan of BJP.

    6. Pathanamthitta: Congress’ Anto Antony is competing against Thomas Issac from the CPI(M) and Anil K Antony of the BJP.

    7. Kasaragod: BJP candidate ML Ashwini is pitted against Congress’ Rajmohan Unnithan, who is the sitting MP in the constituency, and CPI (M)’s MV Balakrishnan.

    8. Kannur: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran is contesting against CPI(M)’s MV Jayarajan and NDA candidate C Raghunath, who had joined the BJP from Congress.

    9. Vadakara: Congress leader Shafi Parambil, who is a UDF candidate, is contesting against LDF candidate KK Shailaja of the CPI(M) and Praphul Krishnan (BJP).

    10. Kozhikode: Congress’ MK Raghavan, the UDF candidate, is running against CPI(M)’s Elamaram Kareemm, the LDF candidate, and BJP’s MT Ramesh.

    11. Malappuram: ET Mohammed Basheer of the IUML is the UDF candidate against CPI(M)’s VA Vaseef, the LDF candidate, and Abdul Salam from Bharatiya Janata Party.

    12. Ponnani: Nivedita Subramanian of BJP is facing Abdussamad Samadani of IUML and KS Hamza of the CPI (M).

    13. Palakkad: C Krishnakumar from Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting against A Vijayaraghavan of Communist Party Of India (Marxist), and sitting MP VK Sreekandan from Congress

    14. Alathur: TN Sarasu of the BJP is contesting Ramya Haridas of Congress and K Radhakrishnan of CPI(M)

    15. Chalakudy: Benny Behanan of Congress is the UDF candidate and is contesting against CPI(M)’s C Raveendranath and KA Unnikrishnan from Bharath Dharma Jana Sena

    16. Ernakulam: Hibi Eden of UDF is facing CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front KJ Shine and KS Radhakrishnan of the BJP.

    17. Idukki: UDF’s Dean Kuriakose of the Congress is up against Sangeetha Viswanath from Bharath Dharma Jana Sena and Joice George from the Communist Party Of India (Marxist)

    18. Kottayam: Thushar Vellappalli from Bharath Dharma Jana Sena is contesting against K Francis George of Kerala Congress and Thomas Chazhikadan of Kerala Congress (M).

    19. Alappuzha: KC Venugopal from Congress, Shobha Surendran from Bharatiya Janata Party and AM Ariff from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are in the fray. Ariff is the sitting MP from the seat.

    20. Mavelikkara: UDF’s Kodikkunnil Suresh is pitted against CPI(M)’s Arun Kumar CA and and Baiju Kalasala of BDJS.