Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Announces 7th Candidates List; Kumaraswamy May Contest From Mandya

The National Commission of Women (NCW) has demanded action against Congress leader Supriya Shrinate over derogatory post for actor Kangana Ranaut's electoral debut which has sparked a fresh controversy.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has said the party will announce its first candidate list for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. He said the list will likely comprise of 15-16 names of the candidates.

The cricketer turned politician Yusuf Pathan, who is TMC’s candidate from Berhampore constituency said in politics you get “love and chance” to work for the people.

"In cricket, you don't get love on ground, you only get it from outside the ground. But in this (politics) field, you get love and a chance to work for the people that love you," he said.

Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate for Sambalpur constituency, Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday offered prayer at Maa Samaleswari temple in Odisha.

“Goddess Samaleshwari's temple is one of the prominent religious places in the country... I am fortunate to be a candidate from here...,"he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday addressed a gathering in Gorakhpur.

BJP leader from Himachal Pradesh Jairam Thakur on Tuesday said it has become Congress’ “habit to insult women-Matru Shakti’ after row over the party leader Supriya Shrinate’s comment on the saffron party’s candidate from the state's Mandi, Kangana Ranaut.

He said the party is mulling to take legal action against Congress over the comment.

"...BJP is working towards taking legal action in this matter. It has become the Congress' habit to insult women- 'Matru Shakti'. The whole of Mandi and Himachal Pradesh is angry. Congress will have to pay for this,” he said.

A video of a clash between JDS and BJP workers during a joint coordination meeting in Turuvekere Karnataka’s Tumakaru district has emerged.

The Congress has demanded action against former Calcutta High Court judge and BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from West Bengal’s Tamluk constituency Abhijit Gangopadhyay over his remark that he "cannot choose between Gandhi and Godse".

Gangopadhyay has reportedly said: "(he) cannot choose between (Mahatma) Gandhi and (Naturam) Godse".

He added: "As someone from the legal profession, I must try and understand the other side of the story. I must read his (Nathuram Godse) writings and understand what triggered him to kill Mahatma Gandhi."

"Until then, I cannot choose between Gandhi and Godse," he was quoted as saying.

On Gangopadhyay's remarks, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday wrote on X, "It is worse than pathetic that a judge of the Calcutta High Court, who resigned to contest the Lok Sabha polls as a BJP candidate blessed by none other than the prime minister, now says that he cannot choose between Gandhi and Godse."

"This is totally unacceptable and his candidature should be withdrawn forthwith by those who spare no effort to appropriate the Mahatma's legacy," he said.

"What will the Father of the Do-nation do to protect the Father of the Nation?" he added.

CPI (M) on Tuesday announced that ‘Mahagathabandhan’ supported candidate Sanjay Kumar will be Lok Sabha candidate from Bihar’s Khagadia.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin with his party leader Kanimozhi on Tuesday held campaign in the in Thoothukudi.

He visited the city's vegetable market and also visited the fishermen colony in Thoothukudi. He also had tea at the residence of the party supporter

CPI (M) on Tuesday announced its candidates from the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded Su. Venkatesan and R Sachidhanandham from Madurai and Dindigul Lok Sabha seats respectively. Md. Jahangir to contest from Bhuvanagiri seat in Telangana, the party said.

Earlier, the party said that ‘Mahagathabandhan’ supported candidate Sanjay Kumar will be Lok Sabha candidate from Bihar’s Khagadia.

BJP’s Punjab state unit chief Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday said the party will contest Lok Sabha polls on its own in Punjab.

National Commission for Women (NCW) Chief Rekha Sharma on Tuesday over Congress leader Supriya Shrinate’s comment on BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut said “unfortunate that a woman is using such derogatory language against another woman”.

"It is very unfortunate that a woman is using such derogatory language against another woman... NCW has taken it very seriously. We have written to the Election Commission to take stringent action against the party and the leader. Not only one leader but two leaders are saying the same thing on Twitter and later denying that they have made such a post. They owe an apology to Kangana... They are big leaders in their party and better conduct is expected from both of them... I hope that Sonia Ji will take action against both of them... Kangana's reply is very dignified and she took a stance with dignity. A complaint has already been sent to Election Commission...," she said.

Tamil Nadu Sports Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday the people should give a gift to the party on late M Karunanidhi’s birthday on June 3 by winning all the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

"June 3 marks the 100th birth anniversary of (late politician and former chief minister) M Karunanidhi and June 4 is Lok Sabha elections counting. We should give a gift by winning all the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry," he said.

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari on Tuesday demanded action against Congress laeder Supriya Shrinate for her comments on Kangana Ranaut who is the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.

Congress leader Nakul Nath, who is son of the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday filed his nomination from Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat.

BJP leader Bansuri Swarajon on Tuesday targeted Congress over its party leader Supriya Shrinate's remarks on saffron party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi Kangana Ranaut. Swarajon said it has shown the mentality of the Congress.

"Such derogatory words were used for someone who is India's daughter and a woman. This is very shocking, and has shown the mentality of the Congress. The top leadership of the Congress should apologise for this," she said.

Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday expressed confidence that his son Nakul Nath who is the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Chhindwara will emerge victorious.

He said he has full faith in the people of Chhindwara.

"I have full faith in the people of Chhindwara that they will side with the truth. My relationship with the people of Chhindwara is familial, not political," he said.

Congress on Tuesday hit back at BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi Kangana Ranaut for calling actor Urmila Matondkar, who had earlier joined and quit Congress, a "soft porn star".

The party’s reaction came after its leader Supriya Shrinate’s comments on Kangana erupted into a controversy.

Sharing an earlier video of Ranaut talking about Urmila Matondkar, Srinivas BV, president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on X wrote, "What was posted from Supriya Ji's account was absolutely derogatory. She has not only deleted it but also clarified and Condemned it in the Strongest Terms."

"What about you? Calling Urmila Matondkar a 'soft porn star' on live TV? Have you condemned it?," he tweeted.

BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan on Tuesday claimed that the party will get more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Tuesday filed her nomination for the Thoothukudi Parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu.

Varun Gandhi, who is BJP's current MP from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit, will reportedly not contest the elections at all due to the BJP’s ticket snub to him.

The reports said he is feeling "cheated" after the party replaced him with former Congress leader Jitin Prasada to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

BJP on Tuesday released names of nine candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Sikkim.

Reacting to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate's comment on BJP candidate and actress Kangana Ranaut, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday said “apologising after your mistake shows your gratitude”.

"I saw a video of Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, where she said that this was done by one of her staff. She openly apologised for this incident. I believe that apologising after your mistake shows your gratitude. The BJP leader and Manipur CM has not apologised till now, for two women being paraded naked in Manipur. No BJP leader has apologised till now for sexual assault with the Olympic wrestlers... The objectionable comments should not be made on any woman whether she is a supporter of the BJP or not...,” he said.

In his reaction to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate’s comment on BJP candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said “she (Kangana) is the daughter of Himachal”.

He added Congress had made Kangana Ranaut’s father the party’s general secretary, while adding that it was his party (Congress) which gave dignity to the women.

“She is the daughter of Himachal. Her parents live here. Her father was made the General Secretary of Congress in Mandi... We started Mahila Samman Nidhi by distributing Rs.1500 among the women...,"he said.

BJP on Tuesday fielded all six disqualified MLAs, who earlier left Congress to join the former party, in Himachal Pradesh assembly bypolls.

BJP leader Pradan Baruah on Tuesday filed nomination from Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat.

He was accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday hit back at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying the communist party contributed minimally in the freedom struggle, and today they are trying to reap its benefits and score political points in the “most disgracefully dishonest way”.

"Quite ironic. I wonder whether he doesn't even have a staff member who can Google and find out the truth. The fact is that when the CAA bill was brought into parliament, I had opposed its introduction and I spoke in the debate denouncing the bill explaining why it's unconstitutional and a violation of Article 14... The Constitution makes that explicitly clear that your caste, religion, language, place of birth, whatever is irrelevant to your citizenship, you're on the same equal plane as every other citizen... I know very well how strongly and how consistently Congress has opposed this issue. The communist party contributed minimally in the freedom struggle, and today they're trying to reap its benefits and score political points in the most disgracefully dishonest way...," he said.

National President of Lok Janshakti Party Chirag Paswan on Tuesday said his party intends to give more Lok Sabha seats to women candidates.

"My connection with Hajipur is different. I never saw it from the perspective of elections. It will be a matter of pride for me if I get the opportunity to serve the people of Hajipur...We want to give as many seats possible to women candidates," he said.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday termed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar an “autocratic ruler” over a rule issued by the latter that teachers in the state would get no holiday on Holi.

"Today is the Holi festival in Bihar. It's an auspicious day for all those teachers who follow Sanatana Dharma. But they are being considered bonded labour. They are being threatened. This is wrong. An autocratic ruler never works in the favour of society. That's why I appeal to all the teachers and their families, we are with them," he said.

Congress on Tuesday opened its doors to the BJP leader Varun Gandhi after he was denied Lok Sabha ticket by the saffron party.

Congress candidate from Berhampore constituency Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said Varun Gandhi was denied ticket by the BJP because he is related to Gandhi family.

"He should come here. We would be happy. He is an educated man. He has a clean image. BJP denied him a ticket because he is related to the Gandhi family. I think he should come (to Congress)," he said.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday filed his nomination from the Arunachal West Parliamentary constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Tuesday reached Silver Oak, the residence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, to hold talks over seat sharing ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday campaigned for BJP candidate Anil Baluni in Pauri, who is contesting the Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat.

BJP on Tuesday released a list of candidates for upcoming by-elections in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal.

Saying that the common aim is to defeat BJP, Congress leader Tariq Anwar on Tuesday said there is difference on one to two Lok Sabha seats between his party and RJD in Bihar, which will not affect the alliance.

He also said “democracy is in danger and the people are miffed with the style of functioning of PM Modi".

"Talks are going on. We've agreed on most of the seats. There are differences on 1-2 seats. It will not affect the alliance. Be it RJD or Congress, our common aim is to stop the BJP from coming from power. The whole country is miffed with the style of functioning of PM Modi. The democracy is in danger; ED, CBI are being misused. Katihar is a traditional seat of Congress, I hope RJD will accept this,"he said.

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Tuesday said Kerala Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's remarks on slogans 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' is aimed to create “divisive mindset among the people of the country.”

"There's a possibility of a political dictate which is being given from the top to carry on giving dastardly statements not only against PM Modi but going to the extent of creating a divisive mindset among the people of the country. Yesterday, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan - while talking about the CAA - gave a very bizarre remark. He said that the slogans 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' were first raised by two Muslims. I would like to say that these slogans were raised by an Indian, and not by a Hindu or a Muslim," he said.

Union Minister and RPI (A) chief Dr Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said Congress should take action its party leader Supriya Shrinate over her remark on BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi Kangana Ranaut.

"She (Supriya Shrinate) is the female spokesperson of Congress. A tweet like this from her is not right. Congress should remove her from her post. They should take action against her. She should apologise to Kangana Ranaut. It is her responsibility," he said.

JD(S) leader and former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said his party will field only three candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the state.

"In today's core committee meeting of the party, discussions were held on upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The JDS-BJP alliance was also discussed. We are fielding only 3 candidates in this election. NDA alliance will win this election and again Narendra Modi will become the prime minister,” he said.

BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday arrived in Delhi to meet party president JP Nadda.

Congress leader AK Anthony on Tuesday said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are “crucial” for the nation as he said “very idea of India is in danger”.

"The upcoming elections are very crucial for the nation. The very idea of India is in danger. Constitutional values are in danger. Congress will go all out to ensure that there is no other choice but to throw away this government. We want a change of government. That is why Congress is making all sorts of compromises all over the country...,” he said.

Actor Kanagna Ranaut who has been nominated for Mandi Lok Sabha Constituency by the Bharatiya Janata Party for upcoming Lok Sabha elections has reached Delhi on Tuesday ahead of her meeting with party's national president JP Nadda.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has named two Lok Sabha candidates from Rajasthan in their latest list including Indu Devi Jatav from Karauli dholpur seat and Kanhaiya Lal Meena from Dausa seat.

BJP also fielded Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh from Inner Manipur seat in Manipur.

All 3 of these seats are currently occupied by BJP itself but the party has dropped all of these sitting MPs.

The Election Commission of India issues an advisory on Tuesday regarding the possibility of an avove-normal temperature or a heatwave across India during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls which are scheduled in the summer months of April and May.

Among the list of Do's and Don'ts advised by the ECI for the voters include avoiding to go out in the sun, especially between 12 noon and 3 pm, drinking sufficient water often, even if not thirsty and wearing lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes. They also advised to use protective goggles,umbrella/hat, shoes or chappals while going out in sun.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from Basirhat, Rekha Patra and reportedly called her "Shakti Swaroopa".

Patra had highlighted the plight of women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali in the recent unrest in the area that led to the arrest of former TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan and his aides for land grabbing and sexual harassment accusations.

Former Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday joined Bharatiya Janata Party.

After joining BJP, Ravneet Singh Bittu said, "In the last 10 years, I have seen that PM Modi and Amit Shah have immense love for Punjab. They want to do a lot of developmental work for Punjab."

The Bahujan Samaj Party on Tuesday announced 5 names of candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand.

A BJP delegation, including Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and its general secretary Vinod Tawde, met the Election Commission to urge it to take stringent measures on its own against poll code violations.

They raised the issue of objectionable comments by opposition leaders, including Tamil Nadu minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the lack of action against him.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said an official announcement about the party's candidates from the three segments that it will be contesting in Karnataka will be made soon while giving enough indication about him contesting the Lok Sabha polls from the Mandya constituency.

The former CM said that to 'save' the party and to strengthen its roots, the people of Mandya want him to contest from there adding that he is called the "heart of JD(S)" in the district.

JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda too separately indicated about Kumaraswamy contesting from Mandya.

The Congress on Tuesday released its seventh list of five candidates for the Lok Sabha elections as they fielded R Sudha from Tamil Nadu's Mayiladuthurai constituency along with Shashi Singh from Sarguja (ST), Menka Devi Singh from Raigarh, Devender Singh Yadav from Bilaspur and Biresh Thakur from Kanker (ST) in Chhattisgarh

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday released the names of 9 candidates for their party in Sikkim Assembly election seats.