Lok Sabha election LIVE: Campaigning for polls comes to an end

Live updates of the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign. The final phase of polling will happen on May 19. It will be followed by the exit polls.

On Shiv Sena claiming that the BJP will need allies to even reach the halfway mark, Amit Shah said, "Our analytics have shown that the BJP will win at least 300 setas. What the Shiv Sena has said is their view point. I will not comment on that."
On Rafale, Amit Shah said, "There has been no corruption in the Rafale deal, not even an inch."
On the PM condemning Sadhvi Pragya's remark on Nathuram Godse and if she wins the election, Amit Shah said, "A show-cause notice has been sent to her. The party's disciplinary committee will take action against her as per the party's constitution."

"Sadhvi Pragya's candidature is BJP's satyagrah against the fake case that was lodged against her in the name of 'Bhagwa terror'. Even today, I believe that the Congress was behind this and the party should apologise for it."
On violence in West Bengal and Mamata Banerjee's accusations that the BJP was behind the clashes, Amit Shah said, "We have held rallies everywhere. Violence was not reported anywhere. except Bengal. Why do you think that is the case? I have lost 60 karyakartas! But, no one has asked anything about that!
Amit Shah: We will come back with full majority. In all state assemblies, such as Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, we have gotten more than 50 percent votes.
Amit Shah: BJP workers haven't provoked any violence. It is our responsibility to bring out the corruption that the Opposition has been embroiled in. If they name it lowering the bar of politics, it is incorrect. It is our responsibility to bring out corruption.
PM Modi: We have planned our campaign very meticulously. None of my programmes have been cancelled. Even the weather has favoured me.
PM Modi: I appreciate all the journalists who have been working hard throughout these elections
PM Modi: In the 2014 elections, the results were declared on May 16. On May 17, a huge casualty had happened. Those punters who had bet highly on the UPA had lost crores worth of money. Today is May 17. Hence, I thought I will speak to you today.
Rahul Gandhi: The role of EC has been biased in this elections, Modi ji can say whatever he wants to say while we're stopped from saying the same thing. Seems that the elections schedule was made for Modi ji's campaigning. BJP and Narendra Modi have lots of money while we have truth.
PM Modi: When I started for elections, I went to the people to thank them for standing by me for the last five years. And that is why my campaigning was a journey to express my gratitude to the people of India.
PM Modi: These elections were conducted very well. It happened after a very long time that a majority government was formed.
PM Modi: I agree that we can say certain things with pride. India is the biggest democracy. And, how powerful it is! In this democracy, Navratri, Ram Navmi, Easter, Ramzan, IPL, Board exams as well as elections – all happen simultaneously and smoothly.
Rahul Gandhi: It's upto the people of India to decide their PM candidate. It's only a few days now, May 23 is not far away.
Amit Shah: BJP leaders have left no stone unturned in campaigning. In 3,800 assembly seats, more than four campaigns have been held. Others, such as Yogi Adityanath has campaigned in 165 constituencies.
Rahul Gandhi: I have requested him for a debate even as he attends his first press briefing as PM. Let's see what the answer is.
Amit Shah: PM Modi conducted rallies in temperatures soaring to 44 degrees celsius, however we observed the heat due to elections was more in the people of this country.
Rahul Gandhi: Congress party has played A-Grade role as an opposition party.
Rahul Gandhi addresses media: PM Modi can insult my family as much as he likes. I won't speak against his family, I respect his family.
Amit Shah: PM Modi has interacted with the beneficiaries of most of the schemes that the Centre has rolled out in the last five years.
Amit Shah: BJP considers these elections as a festival of democracy. There is hardly any corner of India that the Prime Minister has not traversed during the campaigning that began in February this year and is ending today.
Amit Shah: All the slogans, such as "Main Bhi Chowkidaar", "Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar", etc. were not given by us. It was given by the volunteers and the people themselves.
Amit Shah: Due to the economic policies of the PM Modi-led NDA government, our economy has become rank 6 from rank 11.
Amit Shah: In 2014, we had power in six states. Now we have power in 16 states. This is because we have earned the trust of the people by rolling out many schemes such as gas subsidy, toilets, rural electrification. The people have believed in us. They have believed that they are a part of the system.
Amit Shah: I am sure that this time also, the people's mandate will put the BJP to power. In the last five years, PM Modi has commissioned 133 schemes that will benefit all strata of the society. Today, the citizens believe that a multi-party democratic system will take the country forward.