Lok Sabha Elections 2019: From Sunny Deol and Vijender Singh's candidatures to PM Modi's interview to Akshay Kumar and Phase 3 of the elections, Tuesday was an eventful day in the world of Indian politics. To begin with, Phase 3 of the General Elections recorded a voting percentage of 67.66%, as mentioned in Election Commission's app, Voter Turnout. Assam recorded the highest voter turnout with 83.52%, while the lowest was recorded in Jammu and Kashmir. It was a mere 12.86%.
The Prime Minister cast his vote in Ahmedabad yesterday. He also gave an interview to actor Akshay Kumar. The interview was about everything but politics and election. The PM said that he has friends in the Opposition and added that Mamata Banerjee aka Didi gifts him kurtas every year.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Sunny Deol and singer Hans Raj Hans joined BJP. Boxer Vijender Singh has joined Congress and will be contesting from South Delhi constituency.
Follow the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 updates on the BusinessToday.In LIVE blog:
11:35am: Congress President Rahul Gandhi to address three public meetings in Uttar Pradesh - Lakhimpur Kheri, Unnao and Kanpur.
11:30am: Congress President welcomes BJP MP Udit Raj to the party.
Congress President @RahulGandhi welcomes Shri Udit Raj into the Congress party. pic.twitter.com/EZi9gygbyu
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 24, 2019
11:20am: Rouse Avenue Court puts stay order on non-bailable warrants (NBW) issued against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia & Yogendra Yadav in a defamation case filed by a lawyer Surender Sharma. Next date of hearing is on 29 April.
10:55am: The EC stood firm on its decision to defer the release of Modi biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' starring Vivek Oberoi. "The committee is of the considered view that the public screening of the movie 'PM Narendra Modi' during the period of model code of conduct will tilt the electoral balance of the particular political party, therefore, the public screening of the movie 'PM Narendra Modi' should not be allowed till last date of poll on May 19 in the ongoing elections," a report to the Supreme Court said.
10:40am: PM Modi during his interaction with Akshay Kumar, says that he is conscious of his appearance and it could be a psychological reaction to an inferiority complex he felt growing up poor.
#WATCH PM Modi during interaction with Akshay Kumar, talks about his fashion style, says being careful about his appearance could possibly be psychological reaction to an inferiority complex he felt growing up poor pic.twitter.com/zCVOaAMCY5
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2019
10:30am: On memes, the Prime Minister said, "Such memes shows creativity of the common man."
10:20am: When asked if PM Modi sends money to his mother, he said, "Rather, my mother gives me money whenever I visit her."
10:10am: Ex-Assam DGP Harekrishna Deka said that there was VVPAT malfunction in his polling booth in Lachit Nagar but he didn't file a complaint for fear of punishment.
Ex-Assam DGP Harekrishna Deka: My polling booth was Lachit Nagar LP School. When I voted,VVPAT displayed someone else's name.I was told I can challenge it but if complaint is found to be false I'll be punished.I don't want to take risk. How do I know how will it be proven? (23.4) pic.twitter.com/gIifM4DMA2
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
9:50am: Prime Minister's interview with Akshay Kumar.
While the whole country is talking elections and politics, here’s a breather. Privileged to have done this candid and COMPLETELY NON POLITICAL freewheeling conversation with our PM @narendramodi . Watch it at 9AM tomorrow via @ANI for some lesser known facts about him! pic.twitter.com/Owji9xL9zn
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 23, 2019
9:47am: Talking about the PM Modi's routine, Akshay Kumar asked how the BJP leader manages with three hours of sleep. "Whenever I meet Obama, he also asks me the same thing. He asks me why I do this. Every time he meets me, he asks me if I have started sleeping more or not," PM replied.
9:46am: Talking about political rivalry, PM Modi spoke about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He said, "Despite all the rivalry, didi sends me kurtas every year. She also sends me sweets as she knows I am fond of Bengali sweets."
9:45am: In his interview to Akshay Kumar, PM Modi said, "I never dreamt of becoming the Prime Minister."