The fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13 saw a voter turnout of 67.71 percent in 96 constituencies spread over 10 States and union territories. Incidents of violence and Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) malfunctioning were reported from some States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to file his nomination for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has applauded the people of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat for the "encouraging turnout" of 38 per cent, which is more than double the 14.43 percent polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Taking to micro-blogging site-X, he said, "Would especially like to applaud the people of Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency for the encouraging turnout, significantly better than before. The abrogation of Article 370 has enabled the potential and aspirations of the people to find full expression. Happening at the grassroots level, it is great for the people of J&K, in particular the youth."

The death of former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi is being condoled among the political circles in the country with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying his tributes to the departed BJP leader.

Sushil Kumar Modi passed away at the age of 72 on Monday. He had earlier revealed that he was suffering from cancer and would not contest the Lok Sabha election 2024 due to his health condition.

Sushil Kumar Modi's mortal remains will be brought to his residence in Patna's Rajendra Nagar today, while last rites will be performed later in the day.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has recalled the association of the Gandhi family with Rae Bareli Lok Sabha candidate constituency saying the relationship goes back to the “time of Motilal Nehru”.

He said, “My Rae Bareli family has been continuously fighting for democracy, Constitution and justice for the last 100 years. From the time of Pandit Motilal Nehru ji till today, Rae Bareli has always shown the way to the country and has made its invaluable contribution in strengthening democracy. Once again, the Rae Bareli family is ready to unite and light the torch of justice.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dashwamedh Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi ahead of his filing of nomination papers for the elections from the Lok Sabha constituency. Modi will visit Varanasi's Dashwamedh Ghat and offer prayers. He also board the cruise ship t Dashwamedh Ghat.

Modi is the sitting MP and candidate from Varanasi. He will file his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections today.

West Bengal witnessed isolated incidents of violence and scuffle between supporters of political parties in the fourth phase of polling.

BJD leader VK Pandian addressed a public meeting in Odisha's Kamakhyanagar under Dhenkanal Lok Sabha Constituency.

Mortal remains of former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi being taken from AIIMS, Delhi on Tuesday.

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who was suffering from cancer, passed away last night at AIIMS, Delhi.

NDA leaders including former Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday arrive in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, to attend a meeting of the alliance.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nomination filing, the security has been beefed up outside district magistrate's office in the city on Tuesday.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg on Tuesday said, “The participation of voters plays a very crucial role in Lok Sabha elections. Assembly by-polls are to be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh on June 1. We have started this cycling expedition today through which we are trying to connect with young voters."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people in Varanasi ahead of his nomination filing from the constituency for the Lok Sabha elections. He will offer prayers at Dasaswamedh Ghat shortly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at Dasaswamedh Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi ahead of his nomination filing from the constituency for Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday boarded a cruise ship at Dasaswamedh Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi.

He is scheduled to file his nomination for Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi constituency today.

Congress leader Surendra Rajput on Tuesday said, “Everyone is free to file a nomination including PM Modi. However, other people are not allowed to file their nominations from the constituency. A YouTuber named (Shyam) Rangeela, who wished to file a nomination from Varanasi, isn’t getting nomination papers from the administration. Why PM Modi is afraid of people? Let them contest against you.”

Former Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said, "It is a historical occasion. It is a holy place. PM Modi is going to become the Prime Minister for the third time. He has done extremely well in the last 10 years. The country needs him. India is going to play a major role globally. NDA is going to get 400 plus seats..."

NDA leaders on Tuesday left from a hotel in Varanasi to attend the nomination filing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chaand on Tuesday said, “PM Modi will file his nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat today. Samajwadi Party believes that this election is between the INDIA alliance and BJP (NDA) alliance and we will get to know who will win when the result is out."

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nomination filing for Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and NDA leaders on Tuesday arrived at district magistrate's office in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi.

Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday helds a roadshow in Odisha's Angul.

Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh on Tuesday said, "Today, the country needs Modi. I can say with confidence that Narendra Modi will win in Bihar. In 1995, 'Nautankai master' Lalu Yadav deceived people...The Opposition will be shocked when it will see the results (of Lok Sabha elections)."

Ahead of filing his nomination for Lok Sabha election, Congress leader and the party's candidate from Chandigarh Manish Tewari on Tuesday held a roadshow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at the Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi ahead of filing his nomination for Lok Sabha elections.

Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam on Tuesday arrived at the office of the Enforcement Directorate in Ranchi, in connection with a huge cash recovery from the household help of his close aide Sanjeev Lal.

He said, "I am a person who follows the law..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived at the district magistrate's office in Varanasi, to file his nomination for Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday filed his nomination for Lok Sabha election from Varanasi constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday filed his nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Mumbai North, Piyush Goyal on Tuesday, "I have faith in the work done under PM Modi's 10 years of governance...The public of the nation has made up its mind to give 400+ seats to PM Modi and the Mumbai North parliamentary seat will be won with a record margin".

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said, "We are fighting this election to save the Constitution. We have given 5 'Nyays' for Lok Sabha elections. We have also made 10 promises for Assembly elections. It is clear from PM Modi's language that he is confused...Sometimes he talks about Hindu-Muslim, Muslim League, and Mangalsutra. He has realised that the farmers, youth, labourers, women and backward classes are upset with him. This election is extremely important for us. There is no 'lehar' only 'zehar' in the PM's language."

BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency Kangana Ranaut filed her nomination on Tuesday.

Congress leader and the party's candidate from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat Manish Tewari on Tuesday said,"Today, thousands of INDIA alliance workers came together to support the nomination filing process. This shows that the INDIA alliance is heading towards victory."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday left from the district magistrate's office in Varanasi after filing his nomination for Lok Sabha election.

He was accompanied by Union Ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and other NDA leaders present.

Congress on Tuesday appointed Supriya Bharadwaj as the party's national media coordinator.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who had arrived in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi for the nomination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nomination on Tuesday said, "The records of 2014 and 2019 will break, and Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister again. A strong and prosperous government will be formed in the country."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met NDA leaders including Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and others in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Modi filed his nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat.

Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh's parents are campaiging for their jailed son in Punjab

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said, "The election in Raebareli is one-sided, Rahul Gandhi will win here with record votes. BJP is putting in all its strength and resources, power is being misused. Both single and double engines are installed here but nothing is working. This is an election rising above caste and religion, the people of Raebareli are eager to bless Rahul Gandhi and they will make him win with a huge number of votes..."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday said, "I challenge PM Modi to contest one election on the issues of inflation and unemployment. He should tell the people what he has done for the development of the country and what he will do."

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said, "The sense that I have got after four rounds of polling is that the Congress candidates and INDIA alliance candidates are surging ahead. That is also reflected in the speeches of BJP leaders. The top BJP leaders are now making outlandish statements and I get a sense that they have understood that people have voted against them."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday said, "I challenge PM Modi to contest one election on the issues of inflation and unemployment. He should tell the people what he has done for the development of the country and what he will do."

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said, "It has become very clear that PM Modi is an outgoing Prime Minister...He will not receive the mandate of the public...After two phases of elections, it became clear that in South India BJP is 'saaf', and in North, West and East India, BJP is 'half'...PM Modi is running away from the real issues...There is a wave of disappointment and people are voting for change."

The Supreme Court refused to entertain plea seeking to ban PM Narendra Modi from elections for allegedly making hate speeches during campaigning

The judidical custody of Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi leader K. Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy case has been extended till May 20.

JD(S) leader HD Revanna who was arrested for being involved in the sexual assault allegations along with a kidnapping case in Karnataka has been given bail on Monday. Revanna was released from jail today.

The Commission led by CEC Rajiv Kumar during the last two months have taken actions with far-reaching and systemic implications in cleaning up the campaign space in the long term as against only in an episodic prescriptive manner.

The Election Commission reiterates that Star campaigners of National parties, should lead by example in the next phases and not vitiate the delicate fabric of society. Citizen-centric C Vigil app was a boon throwing up more than 4 lakh violations, all dealt quickly. Permission through Suvidha portal for political parties ensures level playing field.

- ANI

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday held a roadshow in Kurukshetra, Haryana.

Addressing the public he said, "Elections were announced on March 16 and they put me in jail on March 21. This means they wanted to stop me from election campaigning; this means they are afraid of Arvind Kejriwal."

In the statement issued by the Election Commission, it was informed that "over 90 % complaints were disposed and no major complaint pending from Parties except INC and BJP"

They also stated that "overall campaign violence free, less noisy, less cluttered and intrusive, free of inducement and ostentatiousness."

Further Commission expects Star campaigners, particularly of National parties to lead by example in next phases and not vitiate delicate fabric of society.

In a bid to address concerns of the Matuas over citizenship, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday assured the community that its members would get citizenship under the CAA and accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading canards about it.

Addressing a rally at Matua community stronghold Bongaon, Shah said, “Mamata Banerjee can never stop the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Bengal as it is a law by the central government.”

“No power in the world can stop my refugee brothers from becoming citizens of India. This is the promise of Modi Ji. Mamata Banerjee must remember that citizenship falls under the exclusive authority of the central government, not the state governments,” he said.

Shah accused Banerjee of “lying” and spreading canards about the CAA.

Actor-turned-politician BJP's Mandi Candidate on Tuesday spoke to media about Modi's Guarantees and the basis of the party's ideology in context of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country, she said, "There is no doubt that 'Modi guarantee' is the only guarantee that is working, people are saying that the only thing guaranteed in these times is 'Modi guarantee'. So, that wave is there and enjoying such popularity for a third time is unprecedented."

She then added, "Ram Rajya is the basis of our Sanatan and the BJP not just carries out development, but takes along heritage as well. As a result, Ram Mandir is not just an inspiration for the country, but for the entire world."

Addressing a public meeting at Jharkhand's Giridih, the prime minister said, "Congress forced the nation to Naxalism, whereas BJP contained Naxal violence in the country."

He also promised that during his third term as the prime minister, he would wipe out "Naxalism and terrorism" from the face of the country.

Modi alleged that the JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand has been patronising infiltrators in the state.

He said his topmost priority would be giving priority to deprived people.

In the context of the release of CBSE results, Congress senior leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday took a jibe at the ruling BJP at Centre calling them as 'those who did not leader anything' in microblogging site X and stated that just their results will come out on June 4 which is the vote counting for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Tharoor in the post wrote, "Those who learned in 10th standard, their results came yesterday. Those who learned in 12th standard, their results are expected tomorrow. Those who did not learn anything, their results will come on 4th June..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially entered the electoral fray today by submitting his nomination papers from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

As per India Today report, Modi's financial assets as declared - moveable assets totalling Rs 3.02 crore, along with Rs 52,920 in cash, while stating that he does not possess any land, house, or car.

Notably, his taxable income has witnessed a significant increase, doubling from Rs 11 lakh in the fiscal year 2018-19 to Rs 23.5 lakh in 2022-23, as per the details revealed in his affidavit.

Keeping up with the times, the Delhi poll body has roped in social media influencers to encourage youth to exercise their franchise on May 25 when the national capital goes to polls.

Speaking to PTI, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Krishnamurthy said the poll body has been conducting activities under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation programme, better known as SVEEP, to spread voter awareness.

In a novel initiative this time, various districts have roped in influencers for the cause.

"Some of our districts have roped in social media influencers, youngsters with significant following like rappers, travel guides, food cuisine experts, to encourage electors to cast vote," he told PTI in an interview.

From holding activities in schools to teaching children about the value of vote to organising walkathons and 'Voters' Mela', the poll body has launched several initiatives to boost voter turnout.

"It is a continuous process that has been going on all through the year. Those activities have resulted in an increase in the number of electors, especially women, youths and even third gender voters, being enrolled," Krishnamurthy said.

- PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said he felt that Ram Rajya will begin in the country now that the temple in Ayodhya has come up, but stressed that this does not mean a theocratic state.

Addressing an intellectuals meet in his parliamentary constituency, he said Ram Rajya does not mean a theocratic state, but developing a sense of responsibility and duty among people.

"We had said that Ram is the centre of our faith. If we get a majority, grand Ram Mandir will be built in Ayodhya. You saw, that work was also done. Now I have started feeling that Lord Ram has now come out of his hut and entered his palace, hence I have a firm belief that Ram Rajya will begin in India," he said.

Explaining the concept of Ram Rajya, he said, "If I talk about Ram Rajya, it does not mean that I am talking about any theocratic state. Ram Rajya means that a sense of responsibility and sense of duty should be developed among the common people. If a sense of duty is not developed, and there is only a sense of rights, then Ram Rajya cannot come.

"You should read the whole story of the Ramayan and see that Kaikeyi did not have a sense of duty but only sense of rights due to which the whole crisis had arisen, and Lord Ram had to go to the forest," he added.

Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Smriti Irani said, "...This is that Jagdishpur where Congress MP's goon used to create mischief. Miscreants used to harass the daughters of Hindu families. Today this is that Jagdishpur where ever since Yogi Adityanath's government came to power in the state, there is not even a single family whose children are harrased and I express my gratitude on behalf of such families to the CM."

-ANI

Addressing a public rally in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge says, "They keep on saying 'Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai'. What is 'Mumkin'?- rise in prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and wheat. They are misleading the people...The PM had said that he would give 2 crore jobs every year...Did he give those jobs?... Even this is a lie..."

-PTI