Elections 2024 Highlights | May 21: 'Babus Have Looted Odisha': Amit Shah Attacks CM Patnaik; PM Modi Addresses Mahila Sammelan In Varanasi

• With the conclusion of the fifth phase of polling on Monday, India is now left with two more phases before the much-awaited results emerge on June 4.

• The Lok Sabha elections 2024 are taking place in seven phases in total. The first four phases took place on April 19, April 26, May 7 and May 13. With the fifth phase taking place today, May 20, only two more phases remain -- May 25 and June 1.

• The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on April 19 registered a voter turnout of 66.14 per cent, the second phase on April 26 recorded a voter turnout of 66.71 percent, the third phase on May 7 registered 65.68 per cent, the fourth phase on May 13, saw a voter turnout of 69.16 percent and the fifth phase recorded a 60.09 percent turnout.

According to the Election Comission of India (ECI), over 60 percent voter turnout was recorded on Monday across 49 constituencies in six states and two Union territories in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, with Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir recording its highest-ever voting percentage.

West Bengal recorded the highest polling percentage at 76.05, while Maharashtra recorded the lowest at 54.33 per cent, with six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai witnessing voting between 47 per cent to around 55 per cent per cent. Thane recorded a turnout of 49.81 per cent, according to the EC's voter turnout app at midnight.

In connection to the show-cause notice issued by the EC for his "undignified" remark against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Calcutta High Court judge and BJP's candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Monday sent his reply to the apex poll body.

The poll panel acted on a complaint by the Trinamool Congress against Gangopadhyay for his remarks against Banerjee while addressing a public meeting held on May 15 in Haldia.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday tweaked the BJP's 2014 poll slogan to take a swipe at the prime minister, saying "acche din aane waale hain, Modi ji jaane waale hain" as he exuded confidence that the INDIA bloc will emerge victorious in this Lok Sabha election.

The Aam Aadmi Party chief, who was accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal for the first time in election meetings on Monday, praised her for taking command of the poll campaigning in his absence and described her as "Jhansi Ki Rani".

"Today I have brought my wife also with me. She took charge of everything in my absence. When I was in jail, she used to come to meet me. I used to inquire about the well-being of my Delhiites through her and send my messages to you. She is like Jhansi ki Rani," Kejriwal said at a street corner meeting in East Delhi's Gandhi Nagar constituency.

The Election Commission on Monday removed Paschim Medinipur SP Dhritiman Sarkar from his post and has asked the authorities concerned to transfer the SP to a "non-election related post with immediate effect".

Earlier, the apex poll body also named Aashish Maurya as the new SP of Purulia district while Abhijit Bandyopadhyay was removed from the position on Sunday.

The commission also named Azharuddin Khan as the SDPO of Contai in Purba Medinipur district as Dibakar Das was removed from the post a day before.

Over 68 per cent polling was recorded in Ladakh on Monday in the election to decide the fate of three candidates in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union territory, polling officials said.

They also said that the voter turnout in Kargil was 74 per cent and 62.50 per cent in Leh.

According to the Election Commission, the overall polling percentage was 68.47. The constituency recorded a 71.05 per cent turnout in the 2019 general election.

In the wake of two militant attacks last week, Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Atal Dulloo Monday chaired a high-level meeting of civil and police administration to review the security situation in the Union territory, an official spokesperson said.

The meeting was taken in view of the ensuing tourist season and ongoing elections in the Union Territory, the spokesperson said.Steps to strengthen the security grid were deliberated in the meeting, he added.

Militants struck twice on Saturday, killing a former sarpanch in Shopian and injuring a tourist couple in Anantnag.

(PTI Inputs)

A war of words broke out between Congress and BJP candidates here on Monday during polling in Ladakh as the BJP alleged that slogans against the party were written on the walls of a polling booth here.

A heated argument was witnessed between BJP candidate Tashi Gyalson and Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal. Outgoing MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal was also present.

The incident happened at the Housing Colony Polling station in Leh. According to BJP leaders, objectionable slogans were written on the walls of the polling booth, which led to the face-off.

The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections registered a voter turnout of 60.09 per cent till 11.30 pm, which was 4.07 percentage points lower than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary polls.

The Election Commission noted on Monday that this was an "approximate trend" as data from some polling stations takes time to arrive and this trend does not include postal ballots. It said the figures will continue to be updated by the field-level officers as polling parties provide more data.

Exteding gratitude to all those who voted in the 5th phase of the 2024 elections which concluded yesterday, PM Modi on Tuesday said the wave of support for NDA is getting stronger and stronger.

The people of India have decided that they want a strong NDA government at the Centre. INDI Alliance can try any sort of votebank politics, the people will not believe them. They are totally discredited and dejected, te prime minister added.

In its show-cause notice to former Union Minister and Jharkhand MP Jayant Sinha, the BJP mentioned, "You are not taking any interest in organisational work and election campaigning ever since the party declared Manish Jaiswal as the candidate from the Hazaribagh Lok Sabha seat. You did not even feel the need to exercise your vote. The party's image has been maligned because of your conduct."

The MP has been asked to reply within 2 days.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asserted that the response of the people towards his party and INDIA bloc has changed significantly and there is a big undercurrent in favour of the alliance which will be able to stop the BJP from getting the majority numbers in Lok Sabha polls.

"After travelling across the country, we are getting the sense that there is a big undercurrent in our favour. The Congress party and coalition partners of INDIA bloc will get more seats this time. We will be able to stop the BJP from getting the seats required for coming to power. I feel the BJP will not be able to form its government," he told PTI.

"It is the public which is fighting for us and it is not just us. People are supporting the ideology that we follow and are fighting for us. It is clear that the BJP will lag behind and we will move forward," Kharge also said.

The schedule for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 16. Voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 is taking place in seven phases and started on April 19. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

While voting for Phase 1 took place on April 19, the second phase on April 26, third on May 7, fourth phase on May 13 and fifth on May 20, polling for Phase 6 and Phase 7 will take place on: May 25 and June 1.

• Phase 1/April 19 - 21 states/UTs - 102 constituencies

• Phase 2/April 26 - 13 states/UTs - 88 constituencies

• Phase 3/May 7 - 12 states/UTs - 12 constituencies

• Phase 4/May 13 - 10 states/UTs - 96 constituencies

• Phase 5/May 20 - 8 states/UTs - 49 constituencies

• Phase 6/May 25 - 7 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

• Phase 7/June 1 -  8 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

Lok Sabha Elections Full Schedule Here

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday launched 'Jail ka Jawab Vote Se' signature campaign against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi started the signature campaign from Karol Bagh metro station.

A clash in Bihar's Saran between BJP and RJD workers on Tuesday killed one person while three others were severely injured. Two people have been detained in connection with the violence. Internet has been suspended for two days.

As per media reports, the clash erupted between the workers of the two parties after RJD's Saran candidate and daughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav Rohini Acharya reached a booth in Chapra city on Monday evening before voting ended. The locals Rohini of booth raiding.

Addressing a public meeting in Bihar's Chaparan, PM Narendra Modi said, "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."

Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Jagbir Singh Brar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi.

In a signature campaign against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) supporters raised the 'Jail ka jawab vote se' slogan . Delhi MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi was also present.

Addressing a public gathering in East Champaran of Bihar, PM Narendra Modi said, "If it wasn't for Babasaheb Ambedkar, Nehru ji would not have let SC, ST category people get any reservation. In fact, he wrote letters to ministers opposing the idea of reservation for SC, CT, OBCs. From Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, all PMs from this family always opposed reservation for SC, STs. That is why they are left with only one votebank and to make their (Congress) votebank happy, they want to give reservations on the basis of religion to those who promote 'vote jihad."

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Delhi CM Arvinnd Kejriwal said, “The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections has been conducted. As elections are being held and we are approaching June 4, I can say that BJP will be defeated. As per the survey findings, the INDIA alliance is getting more than 300 seats.”

In a interview to The Indian Express on Monday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda said that the party has now gained the capability to function without the help of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“Everyone has got their own work. In the beginning we would have been less capable, smaller and needed the RSS. Today, we have grown and we are capable. The BJP runs itself. That’s the difference,” Nadda told The Indian Express.

The Election Commission of India strongly censures Abhijit Gangopadhyay, BJP’s Tamluk candidate for his derogatory remarks against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and debars him from campaigning for 24 hours starting from 17.00 hrs of 21st May.

The Commission also strictly warns Abhijit Gangopadhyay to remain careful in his public utterances during the currency of the Model Code of Conduct.

There was reports of ruckus during Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's public rally in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Supreme Court asks former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's lawyer whether his arrest can be challenged after a trial court has taken cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed in money laundering case against him. Hemant Soren's lawyer seeks time to respond to the court's query by tomorrow. SC then re-lists the hearing for May 22.

- ANI

A clash broke out between RJD and BJP workers in Bihar's Chhapra which has led to the death of one person.

National President of Lok Janshakti Party, Chirag Paswan told ANI, "During elections, such a violent clash taking place is worrisome. An inquiry should be conducted and action should be taken against the culprit. Everyone should exercise restraint during elections. This is not a time to level allegations."

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate reacting to BJP leader Sambit Patra’s ‘Lord Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt’ remark, said, “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.”

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee while addressing a rally in Basirhat told the public, "Everyone expects me to visit them during elections...I will definitely go everywhere. I will come to you too," and then added, "I will visit Sandeshkhali too."

Sandeshkahli has been in a state of conflict since sexual harassment and land grabbing charges were made against TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and after few weeks of chase he was arrested by the central probe agency.

State's opposition parties have accused CM Banerjee of supporting the accused while TMC have defended saying that it was orchestrated by the BJP.

Addressing media in Chandigarh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Despite being a prosperous state there is unemployment & inflation here. The people feel that the government here has a lot of resources...But despite all this, Haryana which is known as a prosperous state is in debt. The (Haryana) government has forgotten the path of development...PM Modi does not talk about the work that they have done but keep abusing Congres..."

Addressing a public meeting in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, "5 phases of Lok Sabha elections have been completed. I got the opportunity to visit different states and I can say with certainty about the results which are going to come on the 4th of June. There is certainty in the whole country because the whole country is speaking with one voice, one slogan... The Samajwadi Party gets dizzy by the slogan of 400 paar, and they become astounded at how to cross 400 because they have never got 400 paar...."

A stampede-like situation was witnessed during a public rally of Samajwadi Party (SP) in Azamgarh today when party supporters and Police entered into a scuffle. The party supporters also took down loudspeakers installed at the event. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and leader Dimple Yadav were also present on the stage when the incident occurred.

During Yadav's rally, he stated, "In the past 10 years they(BJP) waived off loans worth Rs 25 Lakh Crore of industrialists..If BJP has waived off loans of big industrialists then after 4th June, when the government of INDIA alliance will be formed, we will waive off loans of poor people, farmers, and people living in villages".

Addressing a public rally in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, National Convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "No court has pronounced Hemant Soren guilty. An inquiry is underway. 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..."

He also said, "Out of all Chief Ministers of India, there is only one Chief Minister (Hemant Soren) from the Adivasi community and they have even arrested him. His father Shibu Soren struggled for the establishment of Jharkhand. Did he struggle for his son to get arrested and sent to jail?"

"One day, I was in my cell in Tihar jail and I saw on TV that the Supreme Court had granted me bail for campaigning. I could not believe it. PM Modi tried his best to stop me from getting bail, but even he could not do anything in front of Lord Bajrang Bali," he added.

Beginning his speech in UP's Prayagraj, PM Modi said, "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."

"You are also seeing how India is identified today. India is now identified by its expressways, infrastructure. Many big countries tell me that they want India's digital technology. India is now raising its voice in the world. When India organises G20 (Summit), the whole world is surprised," he added.

Chhapra Superintendent of Police Gaurav Mangla told PTI, "One person has lost his life in the incident. Police are at the spot and monitoring the situation. Internet has been suspended for two days. We urge to maintain law and order. We will take action against those responsible for the incident."

Election Commission of India on Tuesday approved the name of Sonawane Kuldip Suresh for the post of SP, Paschim Medinipur of West Bengal.

During an exclusive interview with India Today on Tuesday, political analyst Prashant Kishor made a prediction regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might be able to secure approximately 300 seats, adding that there is no significant wave of discontent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kishor stated that it would not be possible for the BJP to achieve a majority of 370 seats independently.

Addressing a public meeting in Mandi's Thachi, BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut said, "Ek bigda hua shehzada Delhi mein baitha hua hai, aur ek yahan bhi hai...Yeh chorron ki sarkar ko jad se ukhaadke phenkna hai..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the public present at the 'Nari Shakti Samvad' programme in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also present at the programme.

- ANI

Addressing the Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi, PM Modi said, "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."

"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," he added.

"The people of this country have made up their mind to remove the BJP government by their votes. They (BJP) can do as many scams as they want because after June 4, investigation into the country's biggest scam will happen. After June 4, when INDIA alliance will form the government, electoral bonds scam worth crores will be probed. In this, not just BJP leaders, but also ED, CBI, I-T officers will be sent to jail," says Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi at a press conference.

- PTI

Raghav Chadha on Tuesday spoke at a joint rally of AAP and Congress in Delhi, which senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot also attended.

Chadha said, ""Arvind Kejriwal and AAP have benefited you a lot. Since Arvind Kejriwal's government was formed in Delhi, every family has been saving nearly Rs 18,000 per month. The fee of up to Rs 10,000 charged by private schools is saved, and AAP built government schools better than luxurious private schools. You get zero electricity bill, which was earlier of up to Rs 2,500-3,000."

He added, "This is an interesting election... Many Congress supporters are sitting here. I want to tell them that when their leader Rahul Gandhi goes to cast his vote on May 25, he will push 'Jhadu' (AAP symbol) button in New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. And, AAP supporters sitting here... I want to tell you that when your leader Arvind Kejriwal goes to cast his vote, he will push the Palm symbol."

Sachin Pilot speaking at the rally said, "These elections are not just to elect MP candidates and give more or less seats to any particular party, but to decide whether the country's situation from the last 10 years has been fair for us. In 2014, BJP came to power by making promises regarding four agendas - inflation, unemployment, black money, corruption. However, their attitude towards work is also in front of people."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "This time, BJP is fighting Assembly elections for Odia language, Odia literature, pride of Odisha and history of Utkal Bhoomi. Tell me, can a 'Tamil Babu' rule Odisha? Naveen Babu has made 'Tamil Babus' the king of Odisha. This is the question of respect of Odia. Uproot this BJD government, BJP will give you a son of this soil, someone who speaks Odia language as the Chief Minister of the state."

"These 'Babus' have looted Odisha. They have sold our mines. I promise you - form a BJP government, we will send all the corrupt 'Babus' behind bars," he added.

Reitering the 'Ratna Bhandar' row, he said, "...Keys of 'Ratna Bhandar' of Mahaprabhu (of Lord Jagannath Temple) went missing. Duplicate keys were made. The reports went missing...Make BJP win 75 Assembly seats, form our government. We will find out every penny of 'Ratna Bhandar' of Mahaprabhu and punish those who lost it."

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann holds a rally in Bathinda as he takes a dig at Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and his party.

He said, "...Sukhbir Singh Badal's condition is bad, he is unable to understand anything and nobody is voting for him...They are losing Bathinda seat..."

Addressing a public meeting in North West Delhi, BJP National President JP Nadda said, "10 years ago it used to be written 'Made in China', 'Made in Korea', 'Made in Japan' on mobile phones, but today it's written 'Made in India' on them...Today India is in second position in mobile production..."