Rift among INDIA partners triggers 3-way contests across Bengal

Women constituted only eight percent of the total 1,618 candidates in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls, with political activists saying it reflects a deeper issue of gender bias and that the talk of empowering them rings hollow. IMAGE: BJP East Tripura candidate Kriti Devi Debbarma meets with supporters during an election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls, at Asharambari in Khowai, in Tripura, April 24, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, there were ...

Eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and one ex-governor are among those who are set to test their electoral fate in the first phase of elections on April 19 when 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls. IMAGE: BJP supporters hold placards to support Union minister Nitin Gadkari, at a public meeting in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is seeking a hat-trick of win from the Nagpur seat. In 2014, he had ...

'The estimated expenditure is expected to be more than double the Rs 60,000 crore spent in 2019' IMAGE: A newly married couple show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes during phase 1 voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, in Udhampur on April 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are on track to break past records and become the most expensive electoral event in the world, according to a poll expert. The estimated expenditure is expected to reach a ...

The Bharatiya Janata Party won its first seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, as its candidate Mukesh Dalal was on Monday declared elected from Surat, after the nomination of Congress candidate was rejected and other candidates withdrew from the fray.  IMAGE: BJP's Mukesh Dalal collects his winning certificate, Surat, April 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Dalal won uncontested -- the election was scheduled on May 7 -- after the other candidates withdrew on Monday, the last day of ...

Punjab resident Baldev Kumar has become the first person from outside Jammu and Kashmir to contest Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory. IMAGE: Deputy commissioner of Kathua Dr Rakesh Minhas shows his ink-marked fingers after casting his vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha Polls, in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, April 19, 2024.. Photograph: ANI Photo The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 paved the way for outsiders to contest polls in the Union Territory. Earlier, the Representation of ...

The Bharatiya Janata Party's ambition to emerge as a force challenging Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu and determination to retain its strongholds across the country will be put to a stern test on Friday when the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections kick off. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow with Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai (right) in support of party South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan (left) ahead of Lok Sabha polls, in Chennai, April 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI ...

The proportion of postal votes polled in the general elections has gradually risen since 2009. IMAGE: An elderly woman voter shows her ink-marked finger after casting her vote through a postal ballot for the Lok Sabha elections at her residence, in Agartala, April 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo   The number of postal ballots cast has been rising in recent Lok Sabha elections. The latest state elections show a higher share of postal ballots, according to an analysis of Election Commission ...

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged the electoral bonds scheme was the biggest "extortion scheme" in the world and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the "champion of corruption". IMAGE: KCongress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference in Ghaziabad. Photograph: ANI Addressing a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Ghaziabad, Gandhi said there is a strong undercurrent in favour of the opposition INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha elections and ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a pitch for electing a strong and stable government in an uncertain world beset by geopolitical tensions as the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released its manifesto, prioritising development and welfare while shunning populist measures and contentious issues like the National Register of Citizens (NRC). IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election manifesto -- 'Sankalp Patra' for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, at the ...