Uttar Pradesh- 13
Maharashtra- 11
West Bengal- 8
Madhya Pradesh- 8
Bihar- 5
Jharkhand- 5
Odisha- 5
Jammu and Kashmir- 1
Andhra Pradesh- 25
Telangana- 17
Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha elections could provide one with an example of the rich-poor divide in the country -- TDP's Guntur candidate Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani has declared the highest assets of Rs 5705.47 crore while an independent candidate in Bapatla Katta Anand Babu has declared assets worth just Rs 7.
According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms, around 16 per cent or 274 of the candidates fighting phase 4 polls have serious criminal cases registered against them while around 28 per cent or 476 are crorepatis. ADR has analysed the affidavits of 1,710 of the 1,717 candidates contesting the polls.
Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMC's Shatrughan Sinha, Mahua Moitra and Yusuf Pathan, BJP's S S Ahluwalia and Dilip Ghosh will be among the candidates whose fates will be decided in the EVMs as eight Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal go to the polls in the fourth phase today.
Polling preparations are underway at a Jayamahal Anganawadi Polling Booth in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa Constituency where Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will cast his vote. His sister and Congress president Y S Sharmila is contesting from Kadapa Constituency.
Mock Poll is underway at polling booth No. 188 in Madhya Pradesh's Indore Lok Sabha Seat. As many as eight Lok Sabha seats will go to polls in Madhya Pradesh.
Normal to below normal temperatures are likely in areas going to polls on Monday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
While the usual hours of voting are from 7 am to 6 pm, they are curtailed keeping in mind the terrain, time of sunset and security situation.
In view of the hot weather conditions and people's reluctance to step out in the afternoon, the Election Commission has increased the poll timing in some Telangana seats.
--PTI Inputs
Mock Poll is underway at several polling booths across 96 seats. During the mock polling, presideing officers conduct mock poll in the presence of polling agents following which they they sigh a mock poll certificate. It is usually conducted 30 minutes prior to the official kick start of polling.
The Prominent candidates in Phase 4 include Akhilesh Yadav (Kannauj), Omar Abdullah (Srinagar), Giriraj Singh (Begusarai), Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Baharampur), Mahua Moitra (Krishnanagar), Shatrughnan Sinha (Asansol), Asaduddin Owaisi (Hyderabad) and Y S Sharmila (Kadapa).
Over 19 lakh polling officials have been deployed across 1.92 lakh polling stations for Phase 4 polls. As many as 364 observers — 126 general observers, 70 police observers, 168 expenditure observers — for the Phase 4 had already reached their constituencies days before the polls.
YUnion Minister and BJP candidate from Secunderabad Parliamentary constituency, G Kishan Reddy on Monday arrived at a polling booth in Telangana to cast his vote.
He is contesting against Danam Nagender and BRS' Theegulla Padma Rao.
The voting for Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha elections covering 96 seats from 10 States and UTs kicked off on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the voters to cast their ballot in the phase 4 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
A voter shows his identity proof inside a polling station, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Mohammad Assan Ganai, 105, sits inside a polling station to cast his vote, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
A security personnel stands guard outside a polling station, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district
A woman leaves after voting at a polling station, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district
Election officers check the identity proof of voters at a polling station, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
People stand in a line to vote at a polling station, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
"I only have to tell the voters that it is the responsibility of every citizen that they need to go out to vote", the BJP candidate said after casting her vote.
After casting his vote, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that people do not agree with BJP's ideology and the 'statements that PM Modi has given for on minority community.'
"Please understand what PM Modi has done with Agniveer, he is now going to go ahead and do the same if he comes back to power with BSF, CRPF, RPF and SSP. Four years of service and you are out. People must understand that it will come out very soon...", he said.
Naidu, who is the former CM of Andhra Pradesh said, "I have never seen such a crowd during my political career. People have come from America, Bengaluru, Chennai to cast their votes... People want to protect democracy and their future..."
PM Modi took to social media platform 'X' to convey a message to voters urging them to strengthen democracy by doing their duty of vote casting.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said, "It is a festival of democracy. I am participating with my family. I appeal to voters to vote in large numbers. I hope a Modi government will be formed again. We will win all 29 seats in the state and get 400 seats in the country."
Ahead of casting his vote, JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah appealed to the people of Srinagar, Budgam, Shopian to cast their votes.
"We were waiting for this day for a long time. We were expecting that along with parliament elections, Assembly elections will also take place. I want to appeal to the people of Srinagar, Budgam, Shopian to come out and cast their votes...", he said.
Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan casts his vote at a polling booth in Mangalagiri.
Voting for Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections and the fourth phase of Lok Sabha Elections are taking place simultaneously today.
After casting his vote, JKNC President Farooq Abdullah said that the Centre claims that there is no violence in Kashmir and that 'everything is running smoothly' but his party workers have been locked up for two days.
"We have given the names of workers detained and police stations. It was not an exhaustive list but an indicative list. Polling agents were frightened," said Omar Abdullah.
It is sad that they say that there is no violence and everything is smooth but I want to say that the workers of our party have been locked up for 2 days. I want to ask Union HM and PM Modi why have our workers been locked? Are they scared that they will lose? They will definitely lose.JKNC President Farooq Abdullah
"I appeal to the people to come out and vote and strengthen the country... Use your right to vote to strengthen democracy...", Laxman said.
BJP candidate from Beed, Pankaja Munde exerted confidence about the elections saying that BJP's '400 paar' slogan will come true.
"My mindset is positive, I am calm. Beed is my family and we are part of it. There was an undercurrent here. But people are sorted. People are mindful in their voting. We will win. I am not over confident. '400 paar' will come true", she said.
Here is the approximate state/UT-wise voter turnout till 9 am:
Andhra Pradesh: 9.05%
Bihar: 10.18%
Jammu & Kashmir: 5.07%
Jharkhand: 11.78%
Madhya Pradesh: 14.97%
Maharashtra: 6.45%
Odisha: 9.23%
Telangana: 9.51%
Uttar Pradesh: 11.67%
West Bengal: 15.24%
Source: ECI
Fourth phase of general election, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Burqa-clad voters show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Kanpur, Monday, May 13, 2024.
Fourth phase of India's general election, in Beed.
Fourth phase of India's general election, in Beed.
Fourth phase of general election, in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
People at a polling station to cast their votes during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Kanpur, Monday, May 13, 2024.
People stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, in Nellore.
People wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Kanpur, Monday.
Woman voters search their names in voters' list at a polling station during fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections at Mandar, in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand.
TMC leader Ram Prasad Haldar alleged that the saffron party is using central forces to 'influence the voter'.
"Since 6 am these (BJP) people have been coming with the central forces and trying to influence the voters. We protested against it, voters also protested... They are trying to bring polling agents from outside... People of the area are opposing them here", he said.
After casting his vote, PDP's Srinagar candidate Waheed Para claimed that PDP worker, polling agents have been arrested by police. He also alleged that efforts are being made to slow the polling process down.
" I want to urge people across Kashmir to come out and vote. It has been five years so please vote and choose your representative. Many people want to derail the process and try to cause obstruction... Many of our party workers and polling agents have been arrested by the police. They are trying to have a slow polling process. I want to urge the people, media, and the Election Commission to strengthen the process and ensure transparency... For the first time, new voters of Kashmir are coming out to vote. We should take it positively and the government should encourage the process rather than trying to derail it... Violence has reduced in the last five years but the way the government facilitates voting plays a major role...", he said.
Many people want to derail the process and try to cause obstruction... Many of our party workers and polling agents have been arrested by the police. They are trying to have a slow polling process.PDP leader Waheed Para
Exuding confidence about winning the general elections, BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, "Last time in Maharashtra we got 41 seats but this time we will get more. There is a Modi wave in the country because people are thinking about their future and are voting for PM Modi. We are confident that we will cross 400 seats..."
Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijayvargiya said, "Voting percentage is less in morning, it will be better in afternoon. Muslims will also vote to Modiji. They are getting benefits of schemes. Congress told them to press NOTA, people are smart, they will vote. We will felicitate the polling staff where the highest voting will be recorded. India's economy is progressing well when the global conditions are not favourable. Indore is a positive city. We will win all 29 seats."
Muslim bhaiyo ki aage line lagi hai woh bhi Modi ji ko vote denge kyunki gareeb kalyan yojana ka laabh yadi kisi ko mila hai toh hamare Muslim bhaiyo ko mila hai yeh baat sahi ki Congress unke pass gayi kehne ki NOTA mei vote daalo par Indore ek sakaratmak sheher hai.BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya
Speaking in Bihar, PM Modi said that RJD and Congress do not envision a developed India and that RJD has made people downtrodden.
Laalteen ne Bihar mei andhera kar diya hai.PM Modi
Here is the approximate state/UT-wise voter turnout till 11 am:
Andhra Pradesh: 23.10%
Bihar: 22.54%
Jammu & Kashmir: 14.94%
Jharkhand: 27.40%
Madhya Pradesh: 32.38%
Maharashtra: 17.51%
Odisha: 23.28%
Telangana: 24.31%
Uttar Pradesh: 27.12%
West Bengal: 32.78%
People wait to cast their vote for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections and Andhra Pradesh Assembly election, in Tirupati, Monday.
People arrive to cast their vote for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections and Andhra Pradesh Assembly election, in Tirupati.
Security personnel assist an elderly woman as she arrives to cast her vote for the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Murshidabad district, Monday.
woman with disability in a wheelchair being assisted as she arrives to cast her vote during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Kanpur, Monday.
People wait in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections at Sullurupeta, in Tirupati district.
Men react as they are stopped for their identity checks before voting at a polling station, during the fourth general election phase, in south Kashmir's Pulwama.
People wait to cast their vote during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Nadia district.
A tribal woman gets her finger inked before casting her vote at a polling station during the fourth phase of India's general election in Rangareddy district in the southern state of Telangana.
Chenchu tribal women after casting their votes at Auxiliary Polling Station, Rayaleti Penta during the fourth phase of General Elections-2024 in Nagarkurnool.
Tharu tribals dressed up in traditional attire wait to cast their vote for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Sohni Balaigaon village located on the India-Nepal border of Bahraich.
Campaigning for Chirag Paswan president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), PM Modi said that every vote registered for Chirag would go into PM's account and that voting for Chirag would mean voting for Modi himself.
He also said that Congress and RJD have ruined Bihar and that the state needs to be 'protected' from such parties.
"RJD and Congress run away from development work because it demands hard work. Their worthlessness has ruined a lot of years of Bihar. We need to protect Bihar from these kinds of people. Every party of the INDIA alliance is talking rubbish about the Ram Temple. Will you forgive them? Their priority is not you but their own vote bank," he said.
After casting his vote, BRS leader K Chandrashekar Rao said that according to BJP's rule, Modi will have to step down and regional parties will be the power in India.
"The voting percentage should be a minimum of 65-70%...That is the situation which is forming in the country (increased role of regional parties), there is no doubt about it", he added.
According to the BJP's own rule, after 75 years of age nobody will take up any position. So, accordingly, Mr Modi has to step down. It is quite possible. It is up to the BJP people...There is nothing like a bloc. Now, regional parties will be the power in IndiaK Chandrashekar Rao
Addressing a public rally in UP's Raebareli, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the saffron party aims at changing and destroying the constitution if elected to power.
"BJP leaders have categorically said that they will tear and throw the constitution if elected to power", the Congress leader said.
Rahul Gandhi said that Adani, Ambani control media and have 'put a leash on media'. He further expressed that issues of unemployment and poverty are not highlighted in the media but Ambani's wedding and his cars are.
Speaking about farmers' protest wherein 70 farmers lost their lives, the Congress leader said that Modi considers farmers terrorists.
He further promised the implementation of MSP.
Speaking about the government's management during the pandemic, Rahul said that the PM asked people to 'switch on their phone torch and when that did not work, he came up with 'thali bajao'.'
Taking a jibe at Modi, Rahul asked the public to thank Modi, Ambani, Adani and other billionaires for their unemployment.
Speaking about his arrest, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said that BJP made his arrest happen only to 'insult him'. He further said that the saffron party wants to crush AAP but have failed in doing so.
BJP's Hyderabad candidate cross-checked Muslim women voters' identity inside the polling booth. This action has fumed a controversy as she selectively asked women to proved their identity.
She defended the action saying, "As per law, candidate has the ight to check the ID card without face mask, I am not a male, I'm a female and with a lot of humbleness, I've only requested them 'can I please see and verify with the card' and if somebody wants to make an issue out of it, that means they are scared..."
Here is the approximate state/UT-wise voter turnout till 1 pm:
Andhra Pradesh: 40.26%
Bihar: 34.44%
Jammu & Kashmir: 23.57%
Jharkhand: 43.80%
Madhya Pradesh: 48.52%
Maharashtra: 30.85%
Odisha: 39.30%
Telangana: 40.38%
Uttar Pradesh: 39.68%
West Bengal: 51.87%
People wait to cast their votes during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Khunti district.
A security personnel keeps vigil as people wait to cast their votes during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Birbhum district.
Women show their ID cards as they arrive to cast their votes for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Bardhaman.
A woman shows her ink-marked finger after casting her vote for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Bardhaman.
A security personnel keeps vigil as people wait to cast their votes for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Bardhaman.
An Indian security force personnel stands guard as voters line to cast their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of India's general election in Srinagar.
Women wait to cast their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of India's general election in Srinagar.
Queue at a polling booth in J&K's Shopian.
A woman wipes her face as she stands in line to vote during the fourth phase of the general election at a polling station, in Beed, Maharashtra.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said that election happening in J&K without any coercion.
"By the grace of God, voting is happening without any coercion. I think this is the first victory of democracy...We too stepped out to vote, there is no pressure on anyone. I appeal to everyone to cast the vote", he said.
He further claimed that NC, PDP has lodged false FIRs against young boys.
"Did you see any 1987-like atmosphere?...Get hold of people who lodged FIR. NC-PDP lodged false FIRs against young boys, do you think boys should be detained stone pelting?...They said that FIR would be taken back but it was never done...", he said.
Addressing a public rally in Jharkhand, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that reports of polling are coming in favour of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc and that BJP's return to power is now 'impossible'.
The Congress president labelled BJP as 'dictator' . He said that earlier people fought against the British and now BJP has become the dictator.
He further said that the saffron party is trying to divide the nation on communal grounds.
Ek Pradhan mantri harr baar mangalsutra, Muslim ki baat karte hain. Hindu-Muslim karke desh ke tukde karna chahte hain.Mallikarjun Kharge
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lashed out at the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, calling its leaders “cowards” who were “scared of Pakistan’s nuclear power”.
“The I.N.D.I.A. bloc seems to have leaders who are scared of Pakistan and have nightmares of its nuclear power,” he said.
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After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenged BJP for an open debate amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has accepted the challenge and will be nominating Abhinav Prakash, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha's National VP.
PM Narendra Modi is now on his Varanasi roadshow. The BJP leader will be contesting for the third time from the constituency. He will file his nominations papers tomorrow. UP Congress chief Ajay Rai has already filed his papers from Varanasi. Modi tweeted about the warm reception he got in the city, saying, "Kashi is special..." He also paid tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya ahead of the start of his roadshow in Varanasi.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
Salute and salutation to the god-like people of the city of Baba Vishwanath! Today every pore of my body is saluting every particle of Kashi. The affection and blessings I have received from all of you in the road show are unimaginable and incomparable. I am overwhelmed and emotional! I did not even realize how 10 years passed under the shade of your affection. Then I had said that Maa Ganga has called me. Today Maa Ganga has adopted me.PM Modi after Varanasi roadshow
Andhra Pradesh: 68.20%
Bihar: 55.92%
Jammu and Kashmir: 36.88%
Jharkhand: 64.30%
Madhya Pradesh: 69.16%
Maharashtra: 52.93%
Odisha: 64.23%
Telangana: 61.59%
Uttar Pradesh: 58.02%
West Bengal: 76.02%
(Source: ANI via Voter Turnout App)
Taking cognizance of the unfortunate incident, the Election Commission has directed CEO Telangana to immediately disburse the ex-gratia payment to the family of the deceased polling officer.