Assembly Elections Highlights | Priyanka Gandhi will win Wayand bypolls with record majority: Congress General Secy

Congress leader Manju Kumari joins BJP

Punjab Gram Panchayat Elections: Voting under way at polling booth in Tarn Taran district amid tight security

Polling for the post of 'Sarpanch' and 'Panch' will be held from 8 am till 4 pm through ballot boxes.

The process of nominating 5 MLAs to Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is a constitutional one: BJP leader Ravinder Raina

You will soon know about the responsibilities given to me for campaigning: Kalpana Soren

"All women support CM Hemant Soren. You will soon know about the responsibilities given to me for campaigning,” said JMM leader Kalpana Soren.

JMM-led alliance to contest all 81 seats: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday said the JMM-led alliance will contest all 81 seats in the upcoming assembly elections. Speaking after a central committee meeting of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Soren expressed confidence in the party's electoral preparedness and assured that the alliance would regain power in the state.

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Voting is underway in Punjab's gram panchayat elections

Polling for the posts of ‘sarpanch’ and ‘panch’ is being held from 8 am to 4 pm through ballot boxes.

The election is to be announced today but BJP leaders got information about it yesterday itself, alleges JMM Leader Manoj Pandey

Like Haryana, Maharashtra will vote for a pro-incumbency government which is the BJP-led NDA government: BJP national spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari

Democracy murdered in Haryana, will not happen Maharashtra: Congress; Udit s

When the due date for elections in Haryana was November 3 and in Maharashtra November 26, why did you not hold both of them together? asks Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur

How do BJP leaders know about such announcements in advance? asks JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey

It has become clear that Hemant Soren will prove to be the last prince of the Soren dynasty and JMM will face a crushing defeat: BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo

We are fully prepared and the public is also fully prepared. This government is counting its last breaths: Maha Cong leader Atul Londhe Patil

The people of Maharashtra are angry right now...Farmers are angry because of the inflation...Big industries that could have come to Maharashtra went to other states: NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh

Even before they can announce the dates or the schedule or even the first vote is polled, Congress has given up: Shehzad Poonawalla

This govt has put the respect and dignity of Maharashtra at the feet of Gujarat: state LoP Wadettiwar

We will conclude seat sharing (talks) this week: Congress' Balasaheb Thorat

Farooq Abdullah invites M K Stalin for Omar's swearing-in, Stalin declines, to send half-sister instead

Farooq Abdullah dialed Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin to invite him for his son Omar Abdullah’s swearing in as CM of J&K. Stalin cites his inability to attend due to the monsoon and deputes his half sister and party’s national face Kanimozhi to attend the event.

Prakash Karat to represent CPI(M) at Omar Abdullah's swearing in ceremony in Srinagar on Wednesday

Congress appoints 5 senior observers for Maharashtra elections

Congress appointed Ashok Gehlot, G Parameshwara, Bhupesh Baghel, Charanjit Singh Channi, Sachin Pilot, TS Singh Deo, MB Patil, Syed Nasir Hussain, Anasuya Seethakka and Uttam Kumar Reddy.

'Ready to contest the elections': Jharkhand Congress president

Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh spoke to the press, saying, "We are ready to contest the elections..." On seat-sharing, he says, "It will be decided in the meeting of the alliance. Soon, it will be called..."

Earlier, Jharkhand Minister and Congress leader Rameshwar Oraon had also spoken about how the grand old party was "fully ready for the elections..." On seat-sharing, he had said, "Possibly, our alliance can expand. Earlier, there were 3 parties, maybe now there will be 4 parties."

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari calls MVA coalition 'Maha Vinash Aghadi'

"Rashid Alvi ji's statement shows that the Congress party has no faith in democratic institutions. The same EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) helped Congress win in Telangana and Karnataka. Congress has accepted that they cannot get public support in the country, which is why they are attacking our democratic institutions out of desperation. That is why their alliance is called the ‘Maha Vinash Aghadi’," said BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Congress leader Rashid Alvi’s remarks on EVMs.

Congress' principles are like 'haanthi ke daant': BJP spokesperson Poonawalla

"Congress' principles are like 'haanthi ke daant'. Their prince who has been talking about caste all over India, is actually against OBC, Dalits, its proof is coming to the fore. We saw during the Haryana elections, how Rahul Gandhi talked about stopping their reservation while being abroad, and how attempts were made to finish Kumari Selja, who has been a Dalit leader. As a result, all the communities shown the door to Congress. Captain Ajay Singh Yadav, who is the chief of OBC front of Congress, has been voicing against the mindset of Congress which is against the OBC. He said that Ahirwal community people are not given any place in CWC, CEC, General Secretary of AICC, HPCC, and his post is just an eyewash is a toothless post. These things are not happening for the first time, the political DNA of Congress is to insult OBC. We all saw what happened to Sitaram Kesri. Rajiv Gandhi voiced openly against reservation. Narendra Modi, who comes from OBC community, has completed two terms, and is in power for third term, but he has been constantly attacked," said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla

Congress appoints senior observers for Jharkhand Assembly Elections

Congress leaders Tariq Anwar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Bhatti Vikarmarka Mallu have been appointed as AICC senior observers for Jharkhand Assembly Elections.

Elections in Maharashtra to be held on November 20, results on November 23: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Nadda announces state in-charges for upcoming Delhi Assembly elections

BJP National President J P Nadda has appointed Baijayant Panda, MP, National Vice President as the State Election In-charge for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections. Atul Garg, MP has been appointed as co-in-charge for the Delhi Assembly Elections. This appointment will be effective immediately.

'MVA is fully prepared': Maha Congress president Nana Patole

On Maharashtra Assembly election dates to be announced today, State Congress president Nana Patole says, "We are also waiting for the elections to take place, MVA is fully prepared. In Maharashtra Assembly elections, we will secure a good share of votes and form the govt"

Jharkhand to vote in two phases - on 13th November and 20th November. Counting of votes on 23rd November.

By-poll dates announced for 48 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra

Bye Elections to 47 Assembly Constituencies & 1 Parliamentary Constituency (Wayanad) in Kerala on 13th Nov

Bye Polls to 1 Assembly Constituency in Uttarakhand on 20th Nov

Bye Elections to 1 Parliamentary Constituency (Nanded) in Maharashtra on 20th Nov

Counting on 23rd Nov

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: ECI announces polling schedule; voting in single phase on Nov 20, counting of votes on Nov 23

We are ready because the people are ready: Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey

Whatever the government has done, there is enthusiasm among the people and given the enthusiasm, the voting percentage will increase: Former state Congress chief Rajesh Thakur

We appeal EC to not to let Maharashtra election to become like Haryana election...money game might take place: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut

Fully prepared for the elections: State Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh

Maharashtra elections are due and it is imperative to have the assembly formation before 26 November: NCP working president Praful Patel

Seven governor-appointed MLCs sworn in ahead of the Maharashtra polls announcement...We are not getting justice anywhere: Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey

We appeal people to come out in large numbers and throw out this autocratic, corrupt and anti-people govt from this state: BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo

BJP will be wiped out: Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey

BJP internal polls to be announced in a few mins

A major distortion is being created due to Exit Polls and expectations set by it: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Request ECI to conduct fair elections here: Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey

Congratulations to the people for saving the Constitution. The next step is to give them full statehood: Akhilesh Yadav on J&K polls

Former CM & BJP leader Arjun Munda calls out Soren govt for increase in rape cases before Jharkhand polls

If even one vote goes to there (MVA) will be obstructions in development: Maharashtra unit chief of BJP Chandrashekhar Bawankule

People in Maharashtra and Jharkhand will choose a double engine government: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

We have learnt a lesson from Haryana and will be more careful: Congress leader Harish Rawat

Congress Screening Committee meeting for Maharashtra Assembly Polls to be held tomorrow, October 16, in Delhi

On one side 'One Nation, One Election is being promoted and on the other hand the ECI is not able to conduct the elections in 5 states together: Jharkhand, Congress leader Kunwar Danish Ali

I congratulate the Election Commission that they are holding elections in Jharkhand in 2 phases. Before this, Elections used to be held there longer - in 5 phases: Union Minister Annapurna Devi

The opposition raises the EVM issue whenever it loses: BJP leader Anil Vij

We were expecting these elections to be held along with Haryana, but it’s better late than never: Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra

After the announcement of the date of by-elections in seven Assembly seats in Rajasthan, state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra said, “We were expecting these elections to be held along with Haryana, but it’s better late than never. Congress workers are ready for it. People of Rajasthan are frustrated and worried by the present government in the state. BJP formed a ‘sarkaar’, but it became a circus. I am sure that BJP will win zero seats in the upcoming by-elections."

In the last five years, due to current government, a question mark was raised on the identity of tribal community: Jharkhand LoP and BJP leader Amar Kumar Bauri

Lotus will bloom, Mahayuti will win: BJP leader Dr Medha Kulkarni

BJP Mahila Morcha National Vice President, Dr Medha Kulkarni that the Maha Yuti combine's 'victory was certain' in Maharashtra polls. She said, "Lotus will bloom, Mahayuti will win...so many schemes like Ladli Behna Scheme are being run for women in Maharashtra...women are happy and most of the supporters of BJP and alliance are women...people have seen how much corruption happened during MVA regime...our victory is certain..."

Model Code of Conduct has been imposed in state: Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar

BJP government will be formed in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Congress creates confusion among the public by lying: Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini

Haryana BJP MLAs to meet on Wednesday to elect state legislature party leader

The meeting of the Haryana BJP MLAs to elect the state legislature party leader of the state will be held on Wednesday.

Nayab Singh Saini, who replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as the chief minister of Haryana in March, was the BJP's chief ministerial face in the state assembly polls, and is likely to be the CM choice.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav are the central observers for the election of the state legislature party leader in Haryana.

The meeting, which will be held in Panchkula, will elect the state legislature party leader, Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli said.

The state legislature party leader will be the next chief minister.

Polls should have been announced earlier, less time for campaign: Maharashtra Oppn parties

The Opposition in Maharashtra on Tuesday said the 35-day period during which the assembly elections process will take place is shorter than usual while the poll body gave enough time to the government to announce a slew of schemes.

It also pointed out that elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, the second largest after Uttar Pradesh (403), will be held in a single phase on November 20, even though this year's Lok Sabha elections were held in five phases in the state.

Counting of votes will take place on November 23, the Election Commission announced earlier on Tuesday.

Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, "The ECI generally gives a minimum of 40 days for the political parties to finalise their candidates, for submission of nominations, and the campaign. But this time it is 35 days, which is unusual and which gives us less time to campaign as well.

"It could be a part of some plan to give the Opposition little time," he claimed, adding that the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government has rampantly announced schemes in the run-up to the elections without any application of mind and it will hit the state coffers.

Asked about the fate of these schemes if the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance came to power, Wadettiwar said, "We note that some schemes will strain the state's finances, but we will not scrap all of them. We will evaluate and continue the schemes that genuinely aim to help the people. Additionally, our administration will prioritise improving the safety of women in public spaces."

Jayant Patil, state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), said, "The ECI held Lok Sabha elections in five stages in Maharashtra, but it has now decided to hold elections for the assembly in one stage. It is good that the NDA government in Maharashtra will lose at one stroke."

I heard EC is shifting their office to BJP HQ: TMC leader Derek O'Brien after EC does not announce bypolls for Basirhat Lok Sabha seat

WATCH | NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Maharashtra poll dates

Mayawati says BSP to contest on its own in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, UP bypolls

By-polls will be held for four Assembly seats in Bihar. We will try our best to win all of them: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav

Union Minister and BJP's Jharkhand election-incharge, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Amit Shah have arrived at the party headquarters for a meeting on Jharkhand Elections

Rahul meets Kamal Nath, political situation ahead of next round of polls discussed

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met senior Congress leader Kamal Nath here on Monday and discussed the political situation ahead of the next round of crucial assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Gandhi reached the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister's residence here and discussed a host of issues over lunch. The meeting lasted about two hours, sources in Nath's office said.

Nath expressed his gratitude to Gandhi for this "courtesy call", they said.

Posting a picture from the meeting, Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath said on X, "Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi ji met former Chief Minister Kamal Nath ji at his residence and discussed over lunch various issues in the interest of the party."

The meeting comes a month after Nath had met Gandhi here.

There is speculation that Nath could get a role in the organisation.

Gandhi had reportedly been upset with Nath after the party's massive defeat in the assembly polls last year.

The Congress also fared horribly in the Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh, drawing a blank in the state, with Nath's son Nakul Nath also being defeated from the family bastian of Chhindwara.

Jarange slams Fadnavis for not meeting Maratha quota demand before poll announcement

Activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday criticised Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not fulfilling the Maratha community's quota demand before the model code of conduct for the assembly polls came into force.

Addressing the media at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna after the poll dates were announced, Jarange appealed to the Maratha community to show its power by ensuring 100 per cent voting in the elections next month.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20, and counting of votes will take place on November 23.

"The Maratha community had hoped that its demands (regarding quota) would be fulfilled, but Fadnavis has worked to ruin the life of Maratha youth. He worked to ensure that the community did not remain united, didn't progress and was deprived of reservation. Hence, they have announced the elections without fulfilling our demand," he alleged.

He claimed that the government added 17 communities to the OBC category but did not give anything to the Maratha community.

The activist appealed to the Maratha voters to ensure 100 per cent voting in the upcoming assembly polls.

"Making decisions was in their (ruling parties) hands. But now, the community will decide whether to bring you back to power. The community cannot be ignored while forming the government. The Marathas have shown their power for 14 months and should now show their power through voting," he said.

Marathas should vote for their children's future and not for any political party, the activist said.

Kuch to log kahenge: CEC on allegations of poll irregularities

 "Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kam hai kehna" (people will say things, it is their job to say such things) -- was the response of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday when told about critics alleging irregularities in the poll process in the recently-concluded Haryana Assembly election.

"Election by election, the participation in the process is increasing, violence is reducing and there are record seizures. Voters are giving a clear indication that they have belief in the electoral process and they are very participative.... Other than that I can only say kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kam hai kehna," Kumar told a press conference here.

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday announced the schedule of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls, besides bypolls to 47 Assembly seats and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.

Talking about the recently-held Jammu and Kashmir election, Kumar repeated a verse that he had used earlier -- "jamuriyat ke jashn me apki shirkat, duniya dekhegi napak iradon ke shikast ki kahani".

Couplets and verses have been a regular feature at Kumar's press conferences.

"Adhoori hasrato ka ilzam har bar hum par lagana thik nahi, wafa khud se nahi hoti, khata EVM ki kehte ho, aur baad mein jab parinam aata hai toh uspe qayam bhi nahi rehte," the CEC had said, announcing the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls in March.

What he meant was it is not proper to blame the EC for unfulfilled desires when one has not done his or her job properly.

Elections have been announced a month in advance, this will hamper some work: JMM MP Mahua Maji

Rahul contested from Wayanad because he was sure that he was going to lose in Amethi. He was a non-performing MP in Wayanad in the last 5 years: BJP national secretary Anil Antony on Wayanad bypolls

Election Commission has announced election dates but two phases for 90 seats of Jharkhand and one phase for 288 seats of Maharashtra, I don't understand: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant

Jharkhand Assembly elections: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raises bogey of 'Bangladeshi infiltrators'

Confident of winning both the assembly elections and the by-elections being held across the country: Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal

Fadnavis urges voters to give 'strong mandate' to Mahayuti for Maharashtra's development

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the state awaits a "strong mandate" to the Mahayuti alliance in the next month's assembly elections for its development. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the Maharashtra assembly elections. While voting will take place on November 20, the results will be announced on November 23. In a message on X, Fadnavis said, "The biggest festival of democracy was announced today. Diwali is known as a festival of lights, and we shall celebrate another such day on November 23. Maharashtra awaits your blessings and strong mandate for development." "Under BJP's leadership, massive victory was recorded in the 2014 and 2019 (assembly elections). Let us all come together and celebrate Mahayuti's mega victory on November 23. Participate in large numbers in this festival of democracy," he said. The Mahayuti alliance comprises the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar-helmed NCP, while Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), Shawar Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Congress form the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Maha Vikas Aghadi will win with full majority: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray

K Laxman appointed returning officer for BJP organisational polls

When Opposition wins, EVMs are good, Election Commission is good and Court is good. But when the results do not go in their favour, EVMs are bad: Eknath Shinde

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will win the Wayand bypolls with a record majority: Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP headquarters for CEC meeting on

Congress officially announces Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as its candidate for Wayanad LS bypoll