Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates: 'Fearing vote bank, SP & Congress didn't do much for Kumbh', alleges PM Modi

"INDI alliance opposes reservation for women. Wherever their government comes to power, the life of women becomes difficult. People of Varanasi are familiar with the 'jungle raj' of both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," said PM Modi while addressing a poll rally in Varanasi.

"For the first time, a government came to the Centre which is concerned about the dignity of women. Women were given toilets, bank accounts were opened for poor women. More than four crore houses were built and their registry was done in the name of women. These policies gave confidence to women," said PM Modi.

"SP shamelessly used to say that boys make mistakes. But today let the SP boys make a mistake... the Yogi government will treat them in a way they would not have even imagined". PM's remark was in the backdrop of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's comment on the rape cases.

"I am continuously working for you. Your blessings keep giving me new energy. I neither get tired nor do I stop… I carry this dream with me to reduce the troubles in the lives of my 140 crore countrymen as much as I can… and I do it continuously," said PM Modi at Varanasi rally.

"Leaders of the INDI alliance openly say that they will destroy the energy in Hindus, but after June 4, Modi government will make your 'shakti' as 'maha shakti'...I am continuously working for the public without stopping or getting tired," PM Modi said.

While addressing at women's conference in Varanasi, PM Modi said, "Women were neglected during Congress, Samajwadi Party rule."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This is the first time I have filed my nomination for Kashi without the blessings of my mother. Maa Ganga is my mother that is why I said that Maa Ganga had first called me to Kashi and now Maa Ganga has adopted me."

"No matter how busy I am in campaigning, I am always very relaxed about Varanasi, I am not at all worried because you take care of everything. So, I will first say that in this summer, take care of your health. You have to go people's houses, villages and booths and hence, my advice is that you drink a lot of water, and take water along with you," said PM Modi.

"The presence of so much 'matra shakti' at this event is overwhelming me. You all took out time to come here, I am grateful to you," said PM Modi while addressing the Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi.

Before his address, PM Modi was felicitated at 'Matri Shakti Sammlelan' in Varanasi.

"There have been talks that it has to be given, a decision will be taken on it whenever it will be taken," said Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman responding to a question on granting special status to Bihar.

"The accelerated growth of eastern states has always remained a top priority of the NDA-led Central government. The Central government wants eastern states like Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha to become engines of growth for the whole country as part of the goal to make India a developed country by 2047,” said Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (ANI)

"Bihar’s growth was adversely affected due to ‘jungal raj’ before 2005. The per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Bihar was Rs 21,282 in 1991, higher than in Odisha. But during ‘jungal raj' it came down to Rs 14,209, almost a 33 per cent drop in the Bihar per capita GDP," said Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a press conference in Bihar's Patna.

"Post 2002, Bihar's per capita grew, though at a steady rate of 5 per cent on average every year to Rs 37,000 by 2019...Without the misgovernance during the 'Jungle Raj', Bihar's per capita income would have risen to Rs 95,330 by 2019," she added.

"Today when India is moving forward, every patriot is happy. But you see, Samajwadi Party, Congress and INDI alliance people are not able to digest India's pride song. What they do is... 'shehzada' of Congress goes to foreign land to abuse India, these INDI alliance people are fighting the elections on the agenda that they will bring back Article 370 in Kashmir," says PM Modi in Prayagraj. (PTI)

"The youth can never forget how the SP government used to compromise your dreams. It was your hard work, your qualification, but who used to get the job? Jobs were given on the basis of caste...jobs were given to those who gave bribes," alleges PM Modi at the Prayagraj poll rally.

"During the SP government, the mafia used to occupy the lands of the poor, now the BJP government demolishes their illegal palaces and builds houses for the poor," says PM Modi in Prayagraj.

"Look at the example of Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj... What used to happen during the time of SP-Congress? There used to be a stampede in the crowd. People used to lose their lives. There was chaos everywhere," said PM Modi while addressing a rally in Prayagraj.

"They were more concerned about their vote bank than Kumbh. They were afraid that if they were seen doing too much for Kumbh, their vote bank might get offended. There was a competition of appeasement between SP and Congress," he added.

"Modi's mantra is development as well as heritage. A grand Ram temple has been built in Ayodhya, now Nishadraj's Shringverpur will be developed. Shringverpur will become the main pilgrimage place on Ram Man Gamanpath. Will the SP-Congress ever do this? The shehzadas (Akhilesh Yadav & Rahul Gandhi) SP-Congress cannot see anything beyond their families," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

"No court has pronounced Hemant Soren guilty. An inquiry is under way. So, why is he in jail? This is Modi's 'goondagardi'. There is no order against me by any court but I was put in jail. Tomorrow, anyone can be put in jail," said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal while addressing a public rally in Jamshedpur. (ANI)

“We get this opportunity once in five years (Lok Sabha elections). We need to use this opportunity properly. BJP formed its government at Centre in 2014 by making fake promises and talking about ‘acche din’. BJP leaders are coming here, however, they aren’t talking about real issues or in the favour of our country. PM Modi visited Ghatshila recently but didn’t talk about workers, students, or farmers,” said Jharkhand CM Champai Soren while addressing a rally in Jamshedpur.

“Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is here today in this gathering by breaking the lock of the central government’s dictatorship. Hemant Soren is inside the jail. It was done by the central government so that he couldn’t do campaigning for the election. He did a lot of work in just four years,” said JMM leader Kalpana Soren, who also happens to be the wife of Hemant Soren, while addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur. (PTI)

"It won’t be accepted the way they (BJP) are disrespecting the Hindu gods and faith of crores of Hindus by becoming PM Modi’s ‘andhbhakt’. BJP leader Sambit Patra surprised people yesterday by saying that ‘Lord Jagannath is Narendra Modi’s bhakt’. Who gave him the right to say something like this? He is now apologising when they are facing its consequences,” said Shrinate.

"It is very unfortunate. This incident of violence after elections should be probed. Strict action should be taken against those who are responsible," says Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan.

"BJP is a party of saints and the poor. People know what RJD did during their tenure. People know which party does hooliganism and which party is honest," said Yadav.

EC said Gangopadhyay's words have brought damage and disrespect to West Bengal that has a distinguished tradition of respect for women. Gangopadhyay debarred from campaigning for 24 hours starting from 5 pm today.

“Congress came to power with a historic majority of 414 votes in 1984 under the leadership of (former PM) Rajiv (Gandhi) ji. During that time, Rajiv ji made 11 important policies considering every section of society. Things like communication, IT, and computerisation were introduced by him. He laid the foundation of 'Aadhunik Panchayati Raaj' because of which many women, Dalits, people of the OBC community, and people who live in ‘dehat’ (village) got the chance to become Panchayat representatives. This all has been done by Congress. Rajiv Gandhi reduced the voting age from 21 to 18. We don’t talk like BJP. We do our work.”

“We need a strong government at the Centre again for your better future. As June 4 is approaching, leaders of INDI alliance have started to abuse Modi even more. They aren’t able to accept the fact that BJP government will be formed again,” said PM Modi,

"Powerful events have been happening & there is a lot of enthusiasm among the people to elect BJP government to power again. The help that the central government has given to Himachal Pradesh is unprecedented. The people of Himachal Pradesh are thankful from the dept of their hearts," Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

"For your future & the future of your children Viksit Bihar & Viksit Bharat has to be made," said Modi.

I don't have any successor, the people of this country are my successor: PM Modi in Bihar's Maharajganj

"BJP people have got panicked. We want justice. They are BJP's goons. There should be an FIR. I have a right as a candidate to visit booths. I went there, I asked a person there if he has given the vote, he should leave. Then, they started abusing me. They attacked me and our party worker was killed today," said Acharya.

"Odisha is a very beautiful place, it has a long coastline, a lot of mineral wealth, and hardworking youth but the only thing missing is a hard-working Chief Minister. Form the BJP government, we will give a hard-working young CM," said Shah.

"This time lotus will bloom in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha. After 5 phases, Modi ji has crossed 310 seats...You have to make the lotus blossom here by getting more than 75 seats in the assembly elections," says Shah.

"NDA has performed brilliantly in all five phases. The people of the country are eager to form the Modi government once again. People want stability and continuity in the country and want to take the work of this honest and strong government forward under the strong leadership of Modi ji," says Union minister Anurag Thakur.

"Here in Champaran, Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) used 'Satyagraha' and 'Swacchagrah'. Congress got a chance to seek inspiration from this and make cleanliness a lifestyle and fulfil Bapu's expectation of cleanliness in India. But they left Bapu and his ideologies completely, on the very first day of coming to power, and they focused their entire attention in making only one family grow. Congress and their allies destroyed the country's 70 years," says PM Modi.

"Those who are born with a silver spoon do not know what hard work is. I have heard that someone here is saying that after June 4, Modi will have bed rest but I pray to God that there should not be a bed rest in the life of any citizen of the country. Every citizen of the country should be full of energy but what else can be expected from the successor of Jungle Raj? These people have no issue in this election except abusing Modi," says PM Modi.

"They don't have time to visit Ram temple, but ample time to visit a convicted person's house and cook food," said PM Modi.

"In 60 years these people have built big palaces and opened accounts in Swiss bank. Your children did not have a school to study, but their children continued studying abroad. The poor were in trouble and difficulty, but it did not make any difference to them": PM Modi.

After the first phase of voting, INDI Alliance lost its confidence, in the next phases, INDI Alliance was destroyed and in the fifth phase of polling that happened yesterday, it was defeated completely.

Addressing a public rally in East Champaran, PM Narendra Modi says, "Congress and its allies together have ruined 60 years of the country and destroyed the lives of 3-4 generations."

They opened accounts in Swiss banks, while people of India starved: PM Modi

Congress forgot Mahatma Gandhi's ideology, put all effort into promoting one family and wasted India's 60 years: PM Modi in Bihar's Motihari

Bihar: Addressing a public rally in East Champaran, PM Narendra Modi says, "In the fifth phase, the INDI alliance has been completely defeated. India of the 21st Century cannot move forward with the sins of the INDI alliance. And that is why in every election the public is strongly attacking parties like Congress and RJD. On June 4, there will be an attack on corruption, politics of appeasement, tukde tukde gang"

After PM Modi's attack on the BJD govt in Odisha over the missing keys to the Ratna Bhandar, BJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sulata Deo said the "PM probably doesn't know that the Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath Temple will be opened during Rath Yatra in July." "No one has anything to hide in this matter," she said, countering the PM's statement.

Shedding the perceived apathy of previous elections, minority pockets in the city and suburbs saw lines of voters outside polling booths in Bhendi Bazaar, Kurla, Bandra, Malvani, Chandivali, Mira Road and Mumbra. Community leaders and activists who had appealed for exercising of franchise said they were heartened to see keen participation. Mosque committees had joined hands with citizen groups to create awareness about voting and this, said activists, worked.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the INDI alliance is "discredited and dejected" while expressing gratitude to everyone who voted in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections held on May 20. He added that the people of India have chosen to support a strong National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.

Manoj Tiwari, who is BJP's candidate from North East Delhi accused Congress of "spreading hatred" and appealed the electorate to "teach them a lesson" for allegedly trying to "divide" the country. "...My campaign is development-based. We (BJP) brought the metro to this area for the first time and constructed a Signature bridge... We have to take all of this (development) forward...," Tiwari told on Monday after attending a public meeting here.

Odisha chief minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik held a massive roadshow in the Ekamra assembly constituency of Bhubaneshwar on Monday evening, and said that the resolve for a 'Prosperous Odisha' is getting stronger and that the party is indebted to the love of the residents of Ekamra.

Over a month ago, when poll officials in Uttar Pradesh's Lalitpur district set for themselves the target of achieving 100% polling in three remote villages, little did they know it would become a mission involving the entire community. The villages - Saulda, Bamhauri Nagal and Budhni Narahat - on the MP border registered 100% polling on Monday in the fifth phase of LS polls.

After Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma triggered a controversy by taking a dig at Congress’s Rahul Gandhi by saying that the book he was showing at every rally looked like the Chinese constitution as it had a red cover, Congress sent him a copy of the pocketbook version of the Indian Constitution and said govts should be run by “constitutionalism and not majoritarianism”.