Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 Polling Live | Around 61% Voter Turnout Recorded; Highest In Tripura

Lok Sabha Polls Live: Congress Says BJP To Lose Its Bastion This Time

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, "All our workers are very enthusiastic. The polling has been extremely favourable to us... The old bastions of the BJP will be broken completely in the second phase of the election and even in the third phase where the rest of Karnataka falls. So overall, in June you'll be quite surprised with the numbers that have been delivered by the Congress for the India Alliance..."

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Voting Live: Highest Turnout In Tripura, Lowest In Uttar Pradesh

Voter Turnout Till 5pm: Assam 70.66%, Bihar 53.03%, Chhattisgarh 72.13%, Jammu And Kashmir 67.22%, Karnataka 63.90%, Kerala 63.97%, Madhya Pradesh 54.83%, Maharashtra 53.51%, Manipur 76.06%, Rajasthan 59.19%, Tripura 77.53%, Uttar Pradesh 52.74%, and West Bengal 71.84%.

Lok Sabha Elections Live Updates: Narendra Modi Says Phase-2 'Has Been Too Good'

"Phase Two has been too good! Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA’s good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support," said Modi after voting concluded today.

Phase Two has been too good!

Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA’s good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live: Tejashwi Yadav Takes 'Dekh Raha Hai Na Binod' Jibe At Modi

With the voting concluding for the phase 2 of the Lok Sabha polls, RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav took a dig at Narendra Modi borrowing a popular line from 'Panchayat' webseries. "In the midst of two phases of elections, the Prime Minister has stopped raising the slogan of 'Abki Baar 400 Paar'. Dekh Raho Ho Na Vinod?" said Tejashwi Yadav on X.

दो चरणों के चुनावों के बीच ही प्रधानमंत्री जी ने अबकी बार पार का नारा लगाना बंद कर दिया है।

देख रहे हो ना विनोद?

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) April 26, 2024

Manipur Lok Sabha Phase 2 Live: Voting Concludes In Ukhrul 

Voting concludes in Ukhrul for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. EVMs, and VVPATs machines were sealed.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Brother And Sister Will Betray You, Don't Trust Them, CM Yogi Mocks Rahul, Priyanka

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath addresses a meeting in Sambhal and says, "I have heard that both, brother and sister want to go to Ayodhya for 'darshan'. When it was their (Congress) govt, they used to say, the Ram never existed and when Shri Ram was moved to the grand temple due to your (people) struggle, the Supreme Court's judgement, PM Modi's resolution and through the value of your every vote, they are now saying 'Ram to sabke hain'. People should never trust them, the moment they get the opportunity, they will betray."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Kharge Questions PM Modi's Faith In Buddhism

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has questioned PM Modi's faith in Buddhism in an interview with a news channel. "Buddha is considered as the 9th avatar of Vishnu, he (PM Modi) does not let Buddha come close. In Uttarakhand, there is a law that if someone wants to convert to Buddhism, he needs to go to the District Magistrate. Buddhism was established in India, but you (PM Modi) do not believe in it," Kharge said.

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Mohammad Shami Casts Vote In Amroha

Cricketer Mohammad Shami cast his vote at a polling booth in Amroha. Talking to reporters, Shami said that every citizen has the right to cast votes and elect the government of their choice. He also expressed happiness and said that it is a matter of pride for him that PM Modi took his name during his speech.  

Lok Sabha Chunav 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Booked For Seeking Votes On Religious Grounds

A case has been filed against Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya for sharing a video on social media and allegedly influencing voters on religious grounds. In a post on X, the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said, “Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya MP and Candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in X handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion.” 

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Hatred Towards Muslims Is PM Modi’s First Guarantee, Says Owaisi

AIMIM leader and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi says that hatred towards Muslims is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first guarantee. ''Modi's first guarantee is a guarantee of hatred towards Muslims. The second guarantee is the guarantee to change the Constitution of India framed by BR Ambedkar. And the third guarantee is to end reservations for the OBC and Dalit community," Owaisi said in a video posted on X.

 

‣ मोदी की पहली गारंटी: मुसलमानों से नफ़रत की गारंटी।

‣ मोदी की दूसरी गारंटी: बाबा साहेब आंबेडकर द्वारा बनाए गए भारत के संविधान को बदलने की गारंटी

‣ मोदी की तीसरी गारंटी: OBC और दलित समाज से आरक्षण को ख़त्म करने की गारंटी . pic.twitter.com/iYp6RG4PBy

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 26, 2024

 

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Over 50% Voter Turnout Recorded In 13 States, UTs Till 3 PM

Over 50% voter turnout has been recorded in 13 states, UTs till 3 PM. Here's a roundup of voter turnout till 3 PM

Assam 60.32% 

Bihar 44.24% 

Chhattisgarh 63.32% 

Jammu and Kashmir 57.76% 

Karnataka 50.93% 

Kerala 51.64% 

Madhya Pradesh 46.50% 

Maharashtra 43.01% 

Manipur 68.48% 

Rajasthan 50.27% 

Tripura 68.92% 

Uttar Pradesh 44.13% 

West Bengal 60.60%

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Congress Preserved Article 370 Like Its Own Kid, Says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a public meeting in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh and says, "Congress was preserving Article 370, like its own kid. Terrorism was on the rise due to it. On August 5, 2019, PM Modi abrogated Article 370 in Kashmir... During the previous Congress rule, terrorists from Pakistan used to carry out bomb blasts in India every day, and the Congress government used to sit silently. During the BJP government, when the terrorists from Pakistan made the mistake of creating havoc in Pulwama and Uri, within 10 days, the Indian Army entered Pakistan's territory and eliminated the terrorists by carrying out surgical strikes and air strikes. PM Narendra Modi has eliminated terrorism and Naxalism from this country."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Congress Preserved Article 370 Like Its Own Kid, Says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a public meeting in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh and says, "Congress was preserving Article 370, like its own kid. Terrorism was on the rise due to it. On August 5, 2019, PM Modi abrogated Article 370 in Kashmir... During the previous Congress rule, terrorists from Pakistan used to carry out bomb blasts in India every day, and the Congress government used to sit silently. During the BJP government, when the terrorists from Pakistan made the mistake of creating havoc in Pulwama and Uri, within 10 days, the Indian Army entered Pakistan's territory and eliminated the terrorists by carrying out surgical strikes and air strikes. PM Narendra Modi has eliminated terrorism and Naxalism from this country."

Lok Sabha Election Phase 2 Live: SC Notice To EC On PIL Seeking Re-election If NOTA Gets Maximum Votes

Supreme Court issues notice to the election commission (EC) on a PIL seeking to publicise None of the Above (NOTA), a fictional candidate. The PIL also seeks to disallow candidates who get less than NOTA to contest the bye-elections to the same constituency.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Congress, Allies Want To Get Rid Of EVMs, Says PM Modi In Bihar 

PM Modi addresses a poll rally in Bihar's Araria and says, "RJD and Congress alliance in Bihar neither cares about the constitution of India, not about democracy. They did not let people exercise their right to vote for decades. Booth capturing was very common... They did not even let the people step out to vote... Now when the poor and honest voters have the strength of EVM, they are trying all they can to get rid of the EVM... Today, the Supreme Court has given a strong verdict saying that the old system of ballot paper voting will not come back."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Baba Bageshwar Casts Vote In MP's Khajuraho

Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, casts his vote in Madhya Pradesh's Khajuraho. “It is everyone's right. This is the festival of democracy. Every Indian citizen should cast their vote at this festival. 'Pehle Matdaan fir Jalpaan'... Do vote wisely to strengthen your nation for the national interest... We are contributing to strengthening the democracy and national interest,” he says. 

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Nearly 40% Polling Till 1 PM Across 13 States, UTs

Nearly 40% voter turnout has been recorded till 1 PM across, as per the latest EC data. While Tripura, Chhattisgarh and Manipur have recorded more than 50% voter turnout, Maharashtra is still at the bottom with just 31.77% turnout. 

Assam: 46.31%
Bihar: 33.80%
Chhattisgarh: 53.09%
Karnataka: 38.23%
Kerala: 39.26%
J&K: 42.88%
Madhya Pradesh: 38.96%
Maharashtra: 31.77%
Manipur: 54.26%
Rajasthan: 40.39%
Tripura: 54.47%
Uttar Pradesh: 35.73%
West Bengal: 47.29%

2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Will Set Up A Food Processing Industry In Malda, Says PM

Addressing a public rally in North Malda, PM Modi says, "We say that the mangoes and 'makhana' produced by the farmers of Malda are world famous. The income of these farmers should increase, for which, we will set up a food processing industry. TMC demands their share in that also."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Youths Of Bengal Are Suffering Due to TMC's Cut-And-Commission Culture, Says PM 

PM Modi addresses rally in West Bengal's Malda. The PM says, ''The youths of West Bengal have suffered due to the 'cut-and-commission' culture of the party, which is now "synonymous with scams". Attacking the ruling TMC over the cancellation of around 26,000 jobs following a high court, PM Modi says the youths, who had taken loans to pay bribes to TMC leaders, are burdened by this situation. "The TMC indulges in scams for which the people of the state have to suffer. The party has been playing with the future of the youths of Bengal," he says. "The teacher recruitment scam snatched the livelihood of around 26,000 families," he said.

Lok Sabha Chunav 2024 Phase 2 Polling Live: UP Village Boycotts Voting, Just 75 Votes Cast Till 11.30 PM

The Dikholi village in Uttar Pradesh witnessed just 5 per cent voter turnout (75 votes) till 11:30 am. According to the villagers, people are less interested in voting as they are busy in harvesting wheat crops. Similarly, people in village Akarvaas in Block Pahasu, Shikarpur also boycotted voting in polling booth number 199 in Lok Sabha polls. Voting started after the intervention by SDM and CO Shikarpur. SDM Shikarpur Priyanka Goyal says, "Villagers say that one particular path has not been constructed and it's filled with water in the village. This is the reason behind the vote boycott. We had not received any complaints regarding this before today."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: ISRO Chief S Somanath Casts Vote

ISRO chief S Somanath casts his vote in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram and says, ''I am very happy to vote today. Each vote counts. Don't hesitate to come out to vote." 

Lok Sabha Chunav Voting LIVE: Ex-ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan's Message To Voters 

Former ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan. in a message to voters, says, “In Kerala, the community is more educated, I hope they understand who rules the centre and state...They also must fathom who is suitable for them. No matter whether you like the system or not, you should vote, as it matters a lot. The only message I will give to the younger generation is to make sure you vote and go to the polling booth at the earliest before the sun comes very hot.”

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Will The Nation Run On Sharia? Amit Shah Slams Congress Manifesto

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the voters of the country to elect a party that “stands on its words” for a secure and prosperous country and the welfare of the poor. Taking a dig at the Congress, he said, “After Congress manifesto was released, people's inclination towards BJP has further increased because, in its manifesto, Congress has repeated its old habit of appeasement. Congress's manifesto speaks of taking forward personal law. I would like to ask Rahul Gandhi, will this country now work as per Sharia?” “Our Constitution is secular, laws of the land can't be formed on the basis of religion. BJP has clearly said in its manifesto that it will bring a Uniform Civil Code (UCC)...We scrapped Triple Talaq and started UCC & we will take this forward. Rahul Gandhi speaks of Personal Law, which is about dividing the country...Personal Laws can't be implemented in this country...I am confident that we will see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country for the third time,” he added.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: PM Is Panicking After Phase 1, Says Congress Leader KC Venugopal

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal says, "I am confident that the people of Alleppey will stand with me. After phase one of the Lok Sabha elections, the PM is panicking. I thank the PM for bringing the Congress manifesto into the public domain in a big way. Our manifesto is for the people whereas BJP's is for Adani and Ambani. In Kerala, UDF will sweep all 20 seats. The way BJP and CPM attacked Rahul Gandhi, the people of Wayanad will show that they are with him." 

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: 25% Voting Till 11 AM; Highest In Tripura, Lowest In Maharashtra 

Till 11 am, Tripura sees the highest turnout at 36.42%, Maharashtra lowest at 18.83%. Here is the voter turnout across all 13 states polling till 11 AM, as per the latest polling data provided by the Election Commission -

Karnataka - 22.34%
West Bengal - 31.25%
Assam - 27.43%
UP - 24.31%
Chhattisgarh - 35.47%
MP - 28.15%
Rajasthan - 26.84%
Kerala - 25.61%
Tripura - 36.42%
J&K - 26.61%
Bihar - 21.68%
Maharashtra - 18.83%
Manipur - 33.22%

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Vote To Bring A Strong Govt, Urges Ashok Chavan 

After casting his vote in Nanded, Maharashtra, BJP leader Ashok Chavan says, "My appeal to the people is to go and vote in large numbers. Contribute to the democratic process and vote because your vote is important in bringing a strong government... All the misunderstandings have been sorted, there is no doubt among the people. Marathas have got a 10% reservation..."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: BJP 's Shehzad Poonawalla Casts Vote 

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla casts his vote in UP's Gautam Budh Nagar and says, ''On one side there is the mission and vision of PM Modi. On the other side, there is no mission or vision but only corruption, one family's ambition, commission and politics of division...If you make the mistake of voting for them (Congress), then they will snatch 55% of your wealth...''

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Congress Accuses PM Modi Of Polarising Voters, Says BJP Wants To Change Constitution

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "This is PM Narendra Modi's agenda of polarization. We have always said that we want to empower the weak sections of society like SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and women. We want rapid economic development in the country and the benefits of it to reach everyone... It shouldn't be that the beneficiaries are mere 20-21 billionaires of the country and the price is paid by crores of people... The reality behind their slogan of '400 paar' is that they want to change the constitution... They are against reservation. They want to remove this constitution, and RSS has always been against reservation. The census was supposed to be conducted in 2021, but till now it hasn't been done because a census would have revealed the population of SCs and STs. Our constitution offers reservations based on population. We have no hidden agenda. Our agenda is clearly written in our manifesto..."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: BJP Candidate From Amravati Navnit Rana Casts Vote

BJP candidate from Amravati Navnit Rana along with her husband Ravi Rana cast their vote in Lok Sabha polls, at a polling booth in Amravati, Maharashtra. 

Karnataka Lok Sabha Chunav 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: CM Siddaramaiah Casts Vote

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah casts his vote in Varuna under the Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha seat.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: Google Doodle Commemorates 2nd Phase Of Polls

Google Doodle commemorated the second phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 with a voting symbol.

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Live: SC Rejects Pleas Seeking 100% Verification Of EVM Votes With VVPAT Slips

In a major development, the Supreme Court has dismissed pleas seeking 100% verification of EVM votes with VVPAT slips and also rejected a return to the ballot paper system for elections. A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta pronounced the verdict. The Opposition has been demanding that all VVPAT slips be cross-checked with the EVM votes. Supreme Court said it has given two directions — one direction is after the completion of the symbol loading process, the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) should be sealed and they should be stored at least for 45 days.

Karnataka Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Live: Ex-PM Deve Gowda Casts Vote 

Former PM and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda casts his vote at a polling booth in Hassan. 

 

#WATCH | Karnataka: Former PM and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda casts his vote at a polling booth in Hassan. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/JGjA9CcCPI

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

 

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Live: Om Birla Casts Vote, Appeals for Higher Voter Turnout

After casting his vote, the BJP candidate from Kota, Om Birla says, "I want to appeal to everyone from the Kota-Bhundi constituency to vote for a strong leader and a decisive government... I want to ask them for their blessings as a son and as a brother. I want to appeal to my voters to come out and vote in large numbers."

West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Live: TMC Alleges BSF Threatening Voters

West Bengal's ruling TMC has lodged as many as 31 poll complaints, of which 17 are from Balurghat. TMC has also alleged that the BSF is threatening and harassing voters in Balurghat. Responding to the TMC's charges, Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar has said that polling is predominantly peaceful. "We have received complaints from a few places about booth jamming by TMC; they are threatening people to vote against the BJP. I am going to those booths,” Majumdar said.

 

Despite warnings from Smt. @MamataOfficial that @BSF_India personnel were terrorising voters in border regions, @ECISVEEP stood by as a mute spectator.

And now we have proof of MHA-controlled BSF threatening and harassing voters in booth 202 of Balurghat's Batun GP.

ECI, act…

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 26, 2024

 

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Live Updates: 17% Voting In Tripura, 16% In Bengal Till 9 AM

Around 9.3% voter turnout has been recorded across 13 States, UTs till 9 AM

Tripura: 16.65%

West Bengal: 15.68%

Manipur: 15.49%

Chhattisgarh: 15.42%

Madhya Pradesh: 13.82%

Rajasthan: 11.77%

Uttar Pradesh: 11.67%

Kerala: 11.98%

Jammu and Kashmir: 10.39%

Bihar: 9.84%

Assam: 9.71%

Karnataka: 9.21%

Maharashtra: 7.45%

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Voting Live: ‘High Voter Turnout Strengthens Democracy’, Says PM Modi

In a post on X, PM Modi has urged the people to exercise their ‘adult franchise’. He said, “Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!"

 

Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2024

 

Karnataka Lok Sabha Voting Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Cricketer Rahul Dravid Casts Vote 

Legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid casts his vote in Karnataka's Bengaluru and says, "Everyone must come out and vote. It is an opportunity we get in a democracy."

Karnataka Lok Sabha Voting Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje Casts Vote In Bengaluru

Union Minister & BJP candidate from Bengaluru North, Shobha Karandlaje casts her vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru. 

 

#WATCH | Shobha Karandlaje says, "For its security and development, the country needs PM Narendra Modi for the third time. So, we are celebrating that festival today. We hope to win with a large margin from here..."#LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/BytMWHdceT pic.twitter.com/O1wOaVI4Ij

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

 

Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Voting Phase 2 Polling LIVE | 'Phele Matdaan, Fir Jalpaan': CM Dhami Urges Voters

"Phele matdaan, fir jalpaan.." urges Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami as polling for the second phase of the Lok Sabha election gets underway.

West Bengal Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Sukanta Majumdar Casts His Vote

West Bengal BJP chief and Lok Sabha candidate from Balurghat, Sukanta Majumdar casts his vote, and says, "I have cast my vote for the country. Everyone should participate in this festival of democracy...BJP will win."

Bengaluru South Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: BJP's Tejasvi Surya Casts His Vote

BJP candidate from Bengaluru South constituency Tejasvi Surya casts his vote for the Lok Sabha polls. Congress has fielded Sowmya Reddy opposite Tejasvi Surya in the Bengaluru South constituency.  

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Security Tightened At Polling Station In Outer Manipur

Security arrangements have been tightened at a polling station in Ukhrul Outer Manipur. Voting for 13 Assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat is being held in the second phase today.

 

#WATCH | Manipur: Security arrangements tightened at a polling station in Ukhrul Outer Manipur.

Voting for 13 Assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat is being held in the second phase today.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/R1jCAnCL40

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

 

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Harsh Vardhan Shringla Casts His Vote  

Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla casts his vote at a polling booth in Darjeeling, this morning. 

 

#WATCH | West Bengal: Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla cast his vote at a polling booth in Darjeeling, this morning. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/NYgKJIUW5s

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

 

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: BJP's Tejasvi Surya Offers Prayers Ahead Of Casting His Vote

BJP candidate from Bengaluru South constituency Tejasvi Surya offers prayers at his residence ahead of casting his vote for the Lok Sabha polls. Congress has fielded Sowmya Reddy opposite Tejasvi Surya in the Bengaluru South constituency. Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.  

 

#WATCH | Karnataka: BJP candidate from Bengaluru South constituency Tejasvi Surya offers prayers at his residence ahead of casting his vote for the Lok Sabha polls.

Congress has fielded Sowmya Reddy opposite Tejasvi Surya in the Bengaluru South constituency.

Karnataka is voting… pic.twitter.com/QYukivlRWQ

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

 

Lok Sabha Chunav Voting LIVE: Minister Nirmala Sithraman Comments On Sam Pitroda's Remark

On Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda's remark, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "It (Inheritance Tax) directly hits the middle class. It directly hits the aspirational class. They work hard, sweat and toil of theirs are saved in small savings here and there, or they buy a house, a dream house, and keep some fixed deposits. All this is going to be exposed to the so-called property tax. After all, Congress's reputation in terms of property tax goes back. And I remember earlier in 1968 there was a compulsory deposit scheme where people's deposits were all 18%, 20%. Something was taken away. There was no justification given at that time... If such wealth creators are going to be punished purely because they have some money kept behind, India's progress in the last ten years would just go for a zero. And we'll probably be going back to that era when Congress imposed a 90% tax. You'll probably not believe that the current generation, wouldn't even remember or know anything about it. There was India where under the Congress rule we paid 90% of all that was earned by us as tax. That's the socialist model which the Congress party is comfortable with..."

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Casts Vote

Union Minister & BJP candidate from Rajasthan's Jodhpur, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat casts his vote at polling booth number 81-83 in Jodhpur Voting is underway in 13 seats in Rajasthan in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Former CM Vasundhara Raje Casts Vote

Confident about BJP's victory, former Rajasthan CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje says, "I have full faith that we will get the support of people. We will make history again."

 

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Purnea Pappu Yadav Says 'I Have Won The Hearts Of People'

“I have won the hearts of people; I have the blessings of the people of Purnea constituency. I also have the blessings of Congress’ senior leadership,” says independent candidate from Bihar’s Purnea Pappu Yadav. 

 

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 Voting LIVE: Congress Candidate KC Venugopal Thanks PM

Congress candidate from Kerala's Alappuzha constituency, KC Venugopal says, "I am confident that the people of Alleppey will stand with me. After phase one of the Lok Sabha elections, the PM is panicking. I thank the PM for bringing the Congress manifesto into the public

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Kerala CM Casts Vote In Kannur 

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan arrives to cast his vote at polling station number 161 in Kannur Voting is underway in all 20 seats in Kerala.

Karnataka Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Actor Prakash Raj Casts Votes

Actor Prakash Raj casts his vote at a polling station in Bengaluru. Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: VIP Candidates In Fray For Phase 2 Elections 

Among the notable candidates contesting in this phase are Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Kerala's Wayanad, where he faces the CPI's Annie Raja and state BJP chief K. Surendran, Congress' Shashi Tharoor vs BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram, Hema Malini from UP's Mathura, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel from the state's Rajnandgaon, Congress leader D.K. Suresh from Bangalore Rural, and BJP youth leader Tejasvi Surya from Bangalore South, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from Rajasthan's Jodhpur, his ministerial colleague Kailash Choudhury from Barmer, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from Kota.

 

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Casts Vote In Bengaluru 

Along with her father, union minister arrives at BES polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote in the Lok Sabha elections. Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. 

 

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Voting Live: Voters Queue Up In Jammu Kashmir 

Long queue of voters at a polling station in Jammu as voting starts at 7am in UT of Jammu & Kashmir. The UT has 5 parliamentary constituencies of which one votes today in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls. 

#WATCH | Long queue of voters at a polling station in Jammu as voting starts at 7am in UT of Jammu & Kashmir

The UT has 5 parliamentary constituencies of which one votes today in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls pic.twitter.com/Vm0brB6LmF

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

Manipur Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Voting Live: Voting Begins In Manipur 

A 94-year-old woman arrives to cast vote in Ukhrul Outer Manipur. Voting for 13 Assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat will be held in the second phase today. 

#WATCH | A 94-year-old woman arrives to cast vote in Ukhrul Outer Manipur.

Voting for 13 Assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat will be held in the second phase today. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/QrPuk8Kk4r

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 Voting LIVE: Voting begins in Kerala's Ernakulam. 

The state is voting to elect 20 members of Parliament in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections today. 

#WATCH | Voting begins in Kerala's Ernakulam. The state is voting to elect 20 members of Parliament in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections today pic.twitter.com/wov7G3i4jO

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

Lok Sabha Chunav Phase 2 Polling LIVE: Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy Casts His Vote

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy casts his vote at BES polling station in Bengaluru. Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. After casting his vote in the Lok Sabha polls, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy says, "Once in every five years, we get an opportunity to execute the right given by our constitution, to chose whatever candidate from whichever party he/she is, to govern us. Today is a very happy day. Today is the day when we should all be enthusiastic to exercise our power."

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: After casting his vote in the Lok Sabha polls, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy says, "Once in every five years, we get an opportunity to execute the right given by our constitution, to chose whatever candidate from whichever party he/she is, to… pic.twitter.com/a5Vfxna97i

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: CM Ashok Gehlot Seek Blessings Ahead Of Polling 

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress candidate from Jalore Lok Sabha seat Vaibhav Gehlot seek blessings of their ancestors ahead of polling.

#WATCH | Jodhpur: Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress candidate from Jalore Lok Sabha seat Vaibhav Gehlot seek blessings of their ancestors ahead of polling.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/u5Iu7WHhCP

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

Lok Sabha Chunav Voting LIVE: Author and Philanthropist Sudha Murty Casts Votes 

Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty casts her votes in Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru "I want to tell everyone- don't sit at home, come out and vote, choose your leader. I always feel that urban people vote less as compared to those in rural areas. I request youngsters to come out and vote." Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

#WATCH | Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty casts her votes in Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru

"I want to tell everyone- don't sit at home, come out and vote, choose your leader. I always feel that urban people vote less as compared to those in rural areas. I request… pic.twitter.com/bl7NGqx0Gu

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 Polling Live: Voting For 88 Constituencies In 13 States, UTs Begins

Polling began in 88 constituencies across 13 states and UTs at 7 a.m. on Friday and will continue until 5 p.m. However, in some places, voting times may vary depending on the weather. Due to the hot weather, the polling hours at several polling stations in several Bihar constituencies have been extended until 6 p.m. to assist voters.