Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Congress Party releases its eight list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections - The Times of India (2024)

Congress Party releases its eight list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections

Navneet Rana fielded from Amravati constituency in Maharashtra.

BJP released its seventh list of candidates for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh

Congress workers gather outside the party headquarters and protest over the candidature of Danish Ali from Amroha (Uttar Pradesh) for Lok Sabha elections

Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik announces the second list of candidates for the upcoming elections

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Congress CEC meeting for the state of Goa underway at the party headquarters in Delhi.

On show cause notice to BJP MP Dilip Ghosh for his remark against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said, "The Election Commission had assured us yesterday that they will look into it... Dilip Ghosh always uses this kind of language and that is why we said that some severe action has to be taken against him..."

On Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar announcing the first list of candidates, NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad says, "The two of us have to come together to stop fascism.This is the demand of society, that Prakash Ambedkar and MVA should come together...All those who want to protect the Constitution should join hands. People let go of their enmity and come together whenever fascism increases in the world.When you have to do something big, you have to compromise. I urge him to not be angry. We are ready to have frank discussions. Speak with senior leaders of all three parties."

AAP MP from Jalandhar (Punjab) Sushil Kumar Rinku and party's MLA in the state Sheetal Angural join the BJP, in Delhi.

Election Commission of India issues show cause notice to Dilip Ghosh and Supriya Shrinate over controversial remarks on Mamata Banerjee and Kangana Ranaut

Election Commission of India issues show cause notices to BJP MP Dilip Ghosh and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for their remarks against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut respectively.

Derogatory remarks against PM Modi

FIR registered against Karnataka Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi over his derogatory remarks against PM Modi. FIR has been filed in Karatagi PS, Koppal under sections 171 C, 171F, 505 (1) (B) IPC.

I will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Pilibhit: Varun Gandhi

Sitting BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Wednesday said that he will not contest Lok Sabha polls from Pilibhit seat after he was denied a ticket by the BJP. Varun Gandhi told reporters that he will not contest the elections from Pilibhit. "I was not expecting what happened to me despite all my sincere contributions made for the betterment and welfare of my constituency and its people without any discrimination," he said. "Jitin Prasada has filed his nomination on Wednesday, marking the closure of the nomination process," a BJP spokesperson said.

Lok Sabha polls: Uma Bharti fails to make it to BJP's list of star campaigners in MP; newcomer Pachouri in

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti is missing from the BJP's list of star campaigners for the Lok Sabha polls in the state. However, the party has picked Suresh Pachauri, who recently switched over from Congress, for the job. The ruling party on Tuesday night released its list of 40 star campaigners for MP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Uma Bharti, who had led the BJP to victory in the 2003 assembly polls, had also failed to make it to the BJP's list of star campaigners during the 2023 state polls.

BJP MP Dilip Ghosh issued an apology on Wednesday following his recent comments on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Ghosh's apology emerged subsequent to BJP's request for clarification regarding a video clip where Ghosh appeared to mock Banerjee's family background.

CPI(M) using AI as campaign tool for Lok Sabha polls in Bengal

The CPI(M), which was once accused by its political opponents of opposing computerisation in workspaces in West Bengal, is using artificial intelligence (AI) as a campaign tool for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 'Samata', meaning equality, is an AI-generated character for disseminating campaigns news and other matters of interest to the people, CPI(M) leader Samik Lahiri, who is one of those looking after this newly launched project of the party, said on Wednesday.

Lok Sabha Polls: Congress nominee Vaithilingam files nomination for Puduch*erry seat

Sitting Lok Sabha MP and Congress PCC President from Puduch*erry V Vaithilingam on Wednesday filed his nomination as the party's candidate from the Puduch*erry constituency for the upcoming Parliament polls. Vaithilingam is a former chief minister of the Union Territory. He gave the papers to the District Election Officer A Kulothungan. Today was the last day to file nominations. He was accompanied by the Congress MLA of Puduch*erry M Vaithianathan and leaders of the parties attached to INDIA bloc.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) announces names of 9 Lok Sabha candidates

The 9 candidates are as follows: Pranab Prakash Das: Sambalpur Lambodhar Nial: Kalahandi Manmath Routray: Bhubaneswar Anshuman Mohanty: Kendrapara Nabarangpur: Paradip MajhiSundargarh: Dilip Tirkey Mayurbhanj: Sudam MarandiRanjita Sahu: AskaKaushalya Hikaka: Koraput

BJP names 18 candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Odisha

BJP releases names candidates for 18 of 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. Three sitting MPs Suresh Pujari, Basant Panda and Union minister of state Bishweswar Tudu dropped. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan to contest from Sambalpur

Five Congress legislators threaten to quit in Karnataka over ticket allocation issue

Congress legislators on Wednesday threatened to resign over the issue of Lok Sabha ticket to senior party leader and Minister K H Muniyappa's son-in-law Chikka Peddanna to contest from Kolar in the coming Lok Sabha elections, bringing into open the divisions in the outfit. The party is yet to announce its candidate in the segment. The five are opposed to Peddanna's candidature, which would give representation for the Left sect of Scheduled Castes.

Lok Sabha polls: Congress likely to announce candidates for 4 Jharkand seats

The Congress is likely to announce names of its candidates for the Ranchi, Lohardaga, Khunti and Hazaribag Lok Sabha seats on Wednesday, a senior party leader said. The names are likely to be announced after the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in New Delhi. "The names of the candidates for Ranchi, Lohardaga, Khunti and Hazaribag Lok Sabha seats are likely to be announced today. We are going to participate in the meeting in Delhi, and the final list is likely to be issued after the CEC meeting and the screening committee meeting this evening," Congress legislature party leader Alamgir Alam told before leaving for Delhi.

Alliance with UBT Sena may prove self-destructive for Congress: Sanjay Nirupam

: Hours after the Shiv Sena (UBT) released its first list of candidates in Maharashtra for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, naming Amol Kirtikar from Mumbai North West parliamentary constituency among others, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam warned the Sena for taking an "extreme stand" and suggested that the Congress party's alliance with them might prove to be "self-destructive. Shiv Sena should not take an extreme stand. This will cause a huge loss to Congress. I want to attract the attention of Congress leadership to intervene, if not then break the alliance to save the party. The decision of an alliance with Shiv Sena will prove self-destructive for Congress and its impact will be felt in Maharashtra and even beyond," Nirupam said speaking to reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

BJP releases star campaigners including PM Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath for Uttarakhand.

DMK's Dayanidhi Maran files nominations for Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency

Sitting Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Dayanidhi Maran on Wednesday filed his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Maran filed his nomination papers for the Chennai Central constituency, of which he is the incumbent MP and is seeking re-election for the fourth time. In the coming general elections, Maran will take on BJP's Vinoj P Selvam who unsuccessfully contested from the Harbour constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections. Dayanidhi is the son of the late Union Minister, Murasoli Maran and the cousin of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin.

Ajay Bhatt files nomination from Nainital Lok Sabha seat

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Nainital Lok Sabha seat, Ajay Bhatt filed his nomination in the presence of Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and UP CM Yogi Adityanath are among the 40 star campaigners who would canvass for the BJP in Bihar during the Lok Sabha elections. In the list, the party also named its chief JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Giriraj Singh and Nityanand Rai, besides Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav.

Prakash Ambedkar-led VBA exits MVA alliance

Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi exits MVA alliance; announces candidates for some Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

Political parties — regional and national — are straining every sinew to win Telangana’s 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, which could determine their fortunes at the Centre. TOI analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Congress, BJP, and BRS in the state

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai filed nomination from Coimbatore parliamentary constituency

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai filed nomination from Coimbatore parliamentary constituency. BJP state President and party candidate from Coimbatore holds a roadshow before filing his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

'Very challenging election for us... confident of win': DMDK candidate Vijaya Prabhakaran

Late matinee idol and DMDK founder, Vijayakanth's son, V Vijaya Prabhakaran, who is set to make his electoral debut from Tamil Nadu's Virudhnagar Lok Sabha constituency has said he looks forward to contesting the upcoming general elections and was confident of victory. Prabhakaran dwelt at length on the challenges that lie ahead for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)- Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) alliance.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari holds roadshow in Maharashtra's Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency ahead of filing nomination

'Only countered her political statements': BJP's Dilip Ghosh clarifies his remarks on Mamata Banerjee

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh opened up about his controversial remarks on Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee earlier and said that he had no personal dispute or grudges against the Bengal chief minister. Speaking to the media about his remarks on Mamata Banerjee, Dilip Ghosh said, "This is not the first time that I have faced controversy over my statement, because I speak in front of those who commit injustice. Regarding the statement, I gave with regard to the Honourable Bengal Chief Minister, I would like to say that I do not have any personal dispute, grudges or ill will towards her." "I had merely countered and questioned the political statements she has given to mislead people. The question is that many people have objections to my use of language and words. Our (BJP) party as well as other parties have called it unparliamentary. If so, I am sad about it," he said.

Coimbatore Lok Sabha candidate K Annamalai offers prayers at Arulmigu Koniamman Temple

BJP state president and Coimbatore Lok Sabha candidate K Annamalai offered prayers at the Arulmigu Koniamman Temple before filing his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. MLA Vanathi Srinivasan was also present.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday released its first list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, nominating former Union ministers Anant Geete and Arvind Sawant from Raigad and South Mumbai constituencies respectively. The party also fielded Rajan Vichare from Thane, Amol Kirtikar from Mumbai North-West, and Sanjay Patil from Mumbai North-East.

'We will achieve a bigger victory than 2019': Uttarakhand CM Dhami exudes confidence on BJP's victory

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a public meeting in support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Anil Baluni from Garhwal Lok Sabha seat at Ramlila Maidan in Pauri Garhwal. Exuding confidence about BJP's victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the chief minister said, "This time there is a discussion of crossing 400 in the whole country. We will together achieve a bigger victory than 2019 in the 2024 Lok Sabha." Addressing a rally, he further said, "We are working to make Uttarakhand the best state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, work is going on many important development schemes in Garhwal. Work is going on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line and Badrinath master plan. Today, one can reach Badrinath or any area of Garhwal from Rishikesh in just few hours. Rail and road air connectivity have also strengthened under the leadership of the Prime Minister."

Lok Sabha polls: BJP releases list of 40 star campaigners for Madhya Pradesh

head of the Lok Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party released a list of leaders who would be campaigning for party candidates in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The list includes the names of 40 leaders who will be star campaigners for the party in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Jagat Prakash Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Former BJP Chief Nitin Gadkari will campaign for the party in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Shiv Prakash, MP BJP chief Vishnu Dutt Sharma, Mahendra Singh, Satish Upadhyay Shri Satyanarayan Jatiya, Jagdish Devda, Rajendra Shukla, Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Virendra Kumar Khatik will also be campaigning for the BJP in the state

Barmer Lok Sabha seat: Independent MLA Bhati jumps into fray too

Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati on Tuesday announced his intention to contest the Barmer Lok Sabha seat. Bhati, the MLA from Sheo seat in Barmer, announced that he will file his nomination on April 4 and will also take out the Jan Ashirwad Yatra from the Siwana Assembly constituency of the Barmer Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday. The BJP has fielded Union Minister Kailash Chaudhary from the Barmer seat, whereas, the Congress has given its ticket to Umedaram Beniwal, who had recently left the RLP and joined the party.

Tamil Nadu Congress chief meets Kamal Haasan

Tamil Nadu Congress President K Selvaperunthagai met Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, K Selvaperunthagai said, "We have met Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan today at his party office and told him that Rahul Gandhi has expressed his wish for his (Kamal Hassan) support to the INDIA alliance and participation in the election campaign. Rahul Gandhi is a good friend of Kamal Haasan and the latter will meet Rahul Gandhi when he comes to Tamil Nadu for the election campaign." MNM, the political party founded by actor-politician Kamal Haasan, has decided not to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha (LS) election and instead support the DMK, a prominent political force in Tamil Nadu.

Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) Central Parliamentary Executive Committee meeting to held today in Mumbai

BJP received a shot in the arm in Punjab, with Congress MP from Ludhiana and grandson of former chief minister Beant Singh, Ravneet Singh Bittu (49), Tuesday joining the party just hours after it decided to contest Lok Sabha elections on its own in the state, ending chances of alliance with SAD.

BJP on Tuesday named three more candidates for Lok Sabha polls, dropping all its sitting MPs, including Union minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, from these seats won by it in 2019. It has fielded Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh, a minister in Manipur govt, from Inner Manipur constituency in place of the Union minister. In two Rajasthan constituencies, BJP has fielded Indu Devi Jatav and Kanhaiya Lal Meena from Karauli-Dholpur and Dausa, respectively, dropping sitting MPs Manoj Rajoria and Jaskaur Meena.

BJP releases list of 40 leaders who would be campaigning for party candidates in the state of Bihar.

BJP releases list of leaders who would be campaigning for party candidates in the state of West Bengal.

BJP releases list of leaders who would be campaigning for party candidates in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

BJP releases the third list of 9 candidates for Sikkim Assembly elections.

BJP writes to the Election Commission of India, "drawing urgent attention to a statement made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and leader against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a party meeting in Buldhana, Maharashtra"

The party requests the Commission to direct Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray to tender an unconditional public apology to PM Modi and the people of Gujarat; also requests EC to order immediate filing of FIR against Raut.