Election 2019 LIVE: Modi Blames TMC Goons for Desecrating Vidyasagar Bust, Says Will Erect New Statue

Rahul Gandhi will address an election rally in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh today.

"I had thought the way Mamata didi is targeting UP-BIhar Purvanchal ppl, calling them outsiders for her politics, Behen Mayawati will surely slam Mamata didi, but this did not happen," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her gratitude towards the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party for their support.

Thanks and gratitude to @Mayawati, @yadavakhilesh, @INCIndia, @ncbn and others for expressing solidarity and support to us and the people of #Bengal. EC's biased actions under the directions of the #BJP are a direct attack on democracy. People will give a befitting reply

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 16, 2019

Talking about Tuesday's violence in Kolkata, he says, "During Amit Shah's rally, TMC goods had destroyed Vidyasagar's statue. We will set up a new statue there and give a befitting reply to CM Mamata."

Prime Minister Modi speaks on the issue of women's safety and alleges that the SP, BSP alliance is against securing women. He says, "We brought in the law against triple talaq but they made sure that the bill was stalled." He alleges that the 'mahamilavati' alliance has given ticket to a rape accused.

Rahul Gandhi Assures Justice | Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is in Alwar to meet the gang rape victim, has assured justice in the case. Addressing a press conference along with Ashok Gehlot, he says that he will ensure that justice is meted out and the culprit gets the maximum punishment.  

Commenting on the issue of violence in Kolkata, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh says, "BJP has become epitome of desecration of memory of all Social Reformers in the Country from Mahatma Gandhi to Periyar to Baba Saheb Ambedkar to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Shame on you Mr Amit Shah." 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his address at an election rally in Mau, Uttar Pradesh. Speaking in Bhojpuri, he greets his supporters.

ECI's inability to not be able to hold free and fair elections is giving rise to fear psychosis...people are questioning ECI's credibility. Has Model Code of Conduct become Modi's Model of Misconduct? ECI never suspended the broadcast of NaMo TV: Randeep Surjewala

In a press conference, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, “EC decision to suspend campaigning in West Bengal is a dark moment for India. This suspension appears to be EC's goodbye gift to PM Modi as none of PM's campaigns in West Bengal is being hit.”

EC Has Not Been Free, Fair: Mayawati | We condemn the way the EC has banned campaigning in West Bengal. Elections under the current EC has not been free and fair. If they wanted to suspend campaigning then they should have done it from early morning rather than wait for PM to complete his engagements: Mayawati

The Way Mamata is Targeted by PM, Shah is Shameful: Mayawati | BSP chief Mayawati said, "Prime Minister and Amit Shah have targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bengal for a long time. They are doing this so that people of Bengal are distracted from the real issues and the PM Modi's failures. The way Mamata has been targeted is shameful and has tarnished the post of PM. But the country is beginning to see through this strategy of the BJP. Just like UP, WB has also come to realize what BJP has done."

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted, ‘Modilie’ is a new word that’s become popular worldwide. Now there’s even a website that catalogues the best Modilies!

‘Modilie’ is a new word that’s become popular worldwide. Now there’s even a website that catalogues the best Modilies! https://t.co/Ct04DlRsj3

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 16, 2019

West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh asked, “Is this Bangladesh? Why can’t Amit Shah come from Gujarat? People from Italy can come to West Bengal, why not our senior leader?”

BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, “People have realized that as long as Modi is there, they will be saved. Mamata has betrayed the people of West Bengal. We are well aware of Shardha and Narada scams. Mamata can say that Amit Shah has brought in goons, but she is the police minister. Has the Bengal Police managed to arrest a single criminal?"

EC Cuts Short Campaigning in Bengal Over Poll Violence | The Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are set to embark on a hectic campaigning schedule on Thursday as canvassing for nine West Bengal constituencies will end at 10 pm, a day before its scheduled deadline. In first such action in India's electoral history, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered to end the campaigning early in the wake of violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata. Reacting to the spate of poll-related violence in West Bengal, the poll body on took unprecedented steps by invoking Article 324 of the Constitution to curtail canvassing.

Chappals Hurled at Kamal Haasan's Vehicle, One Detained | Chappals were hurled towards a vehicle from which actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan was addressing an election meeting in the Tirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening, police said. One person has been detained, the police said, adding that the chappals missed the target and fell on the crowd. Haasan, founder of new political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), kicked up controversy this week with his comment that free India's first extremist was a Hindu, a reference to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

EC Asks Twitter India to Remove Tweets Related to Exit Polls | With the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections coming to an end, the Election Commission of India has reportedly ordered Twitter India to remove all tweets related to exit polls. The exit polls will be announced on May 19, which will also mark the last phase of voting. The EC's move came after it received certain "complaint", sources aware of the development said Thursday, adding that the user later removed the tweet.

Campaigning in nine seats of West Bengal going to polls in the last phase to end tonight in place of Friday evening. Mamata Banerjee will address two public rallies, at Mathurapur and Diamond Harbour, and two roadshows, at Behala and Kolkata. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold two rallies in the state – in Dum Dum and Laxmikantpur.