Election 2019 LIVE: Rahul Bats for NYAY in Kerala, Says Women Can Manage Money Better Than Men

Nephew Akash to Rally on Mayawati's Behalf in Agra |  After Election Commission banned Mayawati from campaigning for 48 hours, her nephew Akash will likely deliver a speech in a joint rally with SP in Agra today. Akhilesh Yadav, Ajit Singh will also be present.

"As PM said 'Congress mukt Bharat', meaning we'll erase idea of Congress from India. What Congress says to Narendra Modi is we don't agree with you.We'll fight you to convince you, you're wrong. We'll beat you in e election but we won't use violence against you," said Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, CPIM workers have staged sit-in demanding re-polling in 464 booths on allegations of BJP rigging these booths during the West Tripura parliamentary constituency election on April 11.

"We are interested in your voice, and removing fear from your heart and we are open to a conversation to know how to do that. not here to force ideology on you. You are our ideology, Your voice is our ideology. It is anhonourr for me to fight for you people. I want to thank every Keralite for giving me the honor for representing your voices," Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi said, "When the Congress comes to power the farmers of India will have their own budget. I would recommend the Kerala govt to fulfill their commitments. Besides, we want to help the youngsters of Kerala. We mentioned in our manifesto that no youngster in Kerala on anywhere will have to take permission for 3yearsr to open a business."

Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar at a press conference to announce the list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections

PM Modi in Sambalpur | While Rahul Gandhi launches a scathing attack on the Prime Minister, Modi reaches Sambalpur in Odisha to rally for the BJP. PM Modi will soon begin his rally.

Rahul Gandhi went on to attack PM Modi for his policies such as GST and demonetisation. He said, "PM Modi demonetised the economy, his Gabbar Singh Tax damaged the economy. You have to realise and understand there is no shortage of money, Modi says where will the money come from? I want to make it clear that not a rupee will come from the middle class, income tax will not be raised."

Rs 72,000 to be Directly Sent to Women's Accounts | Speaking about his proposed NYAY scheme, Rahul Gandhi said, "I said we want to give the money to the 20% of poorest people. I want to carry a surgical strike on poverty and Rs 72,000 a year was the number which was decided. We want to put money into the women's accounts. I know men wont like it but it's a fact that women can manage money better than them."

Rs 72,000 to be Directly Sent to Women's Accounts | Speaking about his proposed NYAY scheme, Rahul Gandhi said, "I said we want to give the money to the 20% of poorest people. I want to carry a surgical strike on poverty and Rs 72,000 a year was the number which was decided. We want to put money into the women's accounts. I know men wont like it but it's a fact that women can manage money better than them."

Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh holds road show ahead of filing nomination from Lucknow. He was accompanied with senior BJP leaders including Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya 

Promises made to you were not fulfilled. Five months ago I called the econimists of the Congress party and said I want to give message to the people of India. No confusion but a clear message, said Rahul Gandhi

Kerala has the best education system and highest literacy rate. There is a ideological fight taking place with BJP on one side and the Congress and the UDF on other. In the last 5 years, Modi promised 2 crore jobs to youngsters, 15 lakh rupees in every account, correct prices to farmers. But has not fulfilled even a single one: Rahul Gandhi

"We want every person in this country to know that your voice matters. We want people to feel comfortable in the country. I chose Kerala because you are very good example of this. Your history of tolerance and understanding culture with openness and confidence is inspirational," said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Says India Under Attack from BJP, RSS |  Rahul Gandhi said that the country is "currently under attack" from the BJP and the RSS. He said, "They want to supress all other voices other than their own. They believe that only one idea should rule India. But we believe that Indian pepple should rule India."

Rahul Gandhi on His Wayanad Candidature | In Kollam, Rahul Gandhi opened up about contesting from Wayanad as he said that his decision was to convey a message about the "oneness" of India. "This time chose to give a message by fighting from south India because I wanted to convey that india is not one perspective and one idea," he said.

SC Refuses to Entertain Mayawati's Plea | Besides, the Supreme Court refused to entertain plea by Mayawati against the Election Commission's ban on her for 48 hours. The apex court said, "File a separate plea. We can't hear you now. We don't have to clarify this right now."

Supreme Court 'Satisfied' with EC's Action on Politicians | The Supreme Court has taken note of the Election Commission's action against politicians over hate speeches. The top court has expressed satisfaction and said, "The Election Commission has got its power back. No interim order required"

Rahul Gandhi Reaches Kollam | Rahul Gandhi reaches Pathanapuram in Kollam to campaign for Congress candidate Kodikkunnil Suresh. Kollam is currently governed by N.K Premachandran of Revolutionary Socialist Party, which is a part of the Left Front in Kerala.
 

The Congress leader suffered injuries at the Gandhari Amman Kovil temple in Thampanoor, after the weighing scale on which he was sitting broke and fell on his head.

Senior Congress leader PC Chacko said that he "hopes" for an alliance in Delhi. "we wanted to have a wider coalition in UP, we are also not happy. They should understand what is happening  in other states as every state is not different. I hope they will come forward and we will have an alliance in Delhi," Chacko said.

Alleging that EVMs were rigged during the 2014 general elections, Siddaramaiah said it could happen this time but "not all EVMs can be tampered with" and therefore, it would be impossible for the BJP to get a majority at national level in the current elections. His remarks came after the opposition launched a united attack on the EC over the use of EVMs and demanded 50 per cent of the machines be verified against VVPAT slips. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu complained about EVM malfunction during April 11 polling and demanded re-election on 150 assembly seats. 

Siddaramaiah Says EC Under Pressure to Not Act on EVMs Complaints | Siddaramaiah has alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is under "pressure" from the Modi government to not take action on complaints of political parties over alleged EVM tampering  and their demand for re-introduction of ballot paper. He said the electronic voting machines are not tamper-proof and Voter Verified Paper Trail machines are not without their flaws either, adding that the Congress will bring back ballot paper if voted to power.

The Congress Legislature Party and the Coalition Coordination Committee chairman further said "Operation Kamala 2.0" will not succeed as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to return to power at the Centre.

BJP May Revive 'Operation Kamal', But Won't Succeed: Siddaramaiah ​| Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the BJP is likely to revive its "Operation Kamala" to topple the Congress-JD(S) government after the ongoing general election, but it will "not succeed" in its effort. "There is no "threat" to the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government, which is "very much stable" and functioning smoothly without hiccups," he said. 

Railway Employees Suspended for Issuing Tickets with PM Modi Photos on Them | Meanwhile, two railway employees have been suspended in Uttar Pradesh after tickets with the photo of PM Modi printed on them were issued to passengers at Barabanki railway station yesterday. After the incident, the ADM said, "On April 13, when the shift changes, the old roll was mistakenly used. Two employees have been suspended and a deptartmental probe is underway"

BSP Slams EC for Banning Mayawati for 48 Hours | Bahujan Samaj Party media spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria slammed the Election Commission for its decision to impose a ban on BSP supremo Mayawati for 48 hours. Calling the Poll body's move as 'selective targeting',  Bhadoria said, "She (Mayawati) is a dalit icon of this country. Action has not been taken against Modi and Amit Shah by using the names of martyrs and Pulwama in their speeches." 

EC Refutes Reports of Scrapping of Polls in Vellore | Following reports of speculation about cancellation of Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore over excessive use of money power, the Election Commission has clarified that no such order has been issued.

At a rally in Maharashtra's Parbhani, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has accused the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of corruption in cattle camps. He further said, "We don't want dung-eating NCP leaders here."

Mamata Banerjee's Rally Programme | West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee will kick off her campaign in Uttar Dinajpur and North 24 Parganas districts today. In Uttar Dinajpur, she will be rallying at Itahar while in North 24 Paraganas, she will address the masses at Narayanpur.