PM Modi addresses traders at Talkatora stadium in Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a thanksgiving convention at Talkatora stadium organised by traders supporting the BJP to express "gratitude" for various measures promised in the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi formally joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray today. She, launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of not supporting her in the episode of unruly behaviour by some Congress activists. "I have served the party (Congress) for 10 years in a selfless manner without asking for anything in return. But the party chose to ignore my complaints though the matter was taken up at the topmost level," Ms Chaturvedi said. She expressed her "pain" to the Congress leadership about the reinstatement of colleagues who misbehaved with her.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav shared a stage for the first time in 25 years where the BSP chief praised the Samajwadi Party founder and dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "a fake backward". Addressing a public meeting in Mainpuri, Mulayam Singh Yadav's bastion, after a 48-hour curb on her by the Election Commission ended on Thursday, Mayawati thundered: "Mulayam Singh is not a fake backward like PM Modi.
Here are the LIVE Updates of the Lok Sabha elections 2019 :
PM Modi addresses traders convention at Delhi 
- Traders have always thought about the country. It is power of the traders of our country that India was once called 'Sone Ki Chidiya'
- I have tried my best to ease your business and life in the last 5 years and want you all to be in a tension-free work without any fear
- Traders have always thought of the country, they have linked themselves to the need of the country. The strength of Bhamadshah had doubled the power of Maharana Pratap. It was the strength of the merchants of our country that India was called a gold Bird
- I believe people of business community are capable enough to estimate it beforehand regarding business and products
- Since independence, there has been a perception of the Congress that the traders are getting into a mess that is happening only because of the traders
- After the implementation of GST, arrangements have made your life easy. You no longer have to pay separate toll tax in each state, the consignments reach the destinations on time across the country, there are no inter-state barriers
- Because of the interference of the earlier government agencies, the youth were left to join the business or to start some new work. Now, with the promotion of the digital system, there has been a change in rules and helped youth overcome all difficulties
- Have abolished 1,500 archaic laws in five years
- We are eliminating many difficulties in getting loans to businessmen. You now get loans from the loan portal in less than one hour
- Have been successful in changing the Inspector Raj in our country to a great extent. Where to go Inspector the Inspector Raj now, the decision is coming from just one Computerized Random Allotment
- The method of income tax assessment is also being changed. The BJP-led government has now taken the responsibility of changing the assessment system that had been going on for 70 years. Now the entire system of income tax assessment is being done without a human interface
- The Congress is not considering any other aspect other than its own business. Gandhiji, who himself proudly called Bania, is the only Congress businessman who abuses the society, says all businessmen are thief
- We will have a national merchant welfare Board once again on May 23 when we form a Modi government for our country to move fast
- We would provide Rs. 10 lakh accidental insurance to all traders registered under GST. Like Kisan credit cards we will bring a merchant credit card plan for registered traders
Rajinikanth will Fight Assembly Elections
Rajinikanth says that he is ready to face the next elections. "Whenever the state assembly elections happen, I'm ready to face it. I dont want to disappoint my followers. No change in my stand," he says.
I will do all I can to strengthen the party, not just in Mumbai and Maharashtra, but throughout the country. Yes, I had talked about getting a ticket to contest the polls, but not getting one is not the reason I left the party... I want to clarify that that is not the reason for leaving. Let me give you an example... If a family member sexually assaults you in the house and you go to your mother and tell her what happened, and in turn get told that let us hush up the matter or there will be a controversy, what should one do? What should one do if your mother tells you to bury the issue? That being said, let me clarify that this is just an example and a parallel should not be drawn.
I thank Uddhav ji, Aditya ji and everyone in Shiv Sena for welcoming me and giving me so much respect. I am from Mumbai.... Raised here, and have seen how the city has grown. I wanted to connect with my roots and today I have got that opportunity. Women's issues and rights have always been very important to me... and I have seen that it is here in Mumbai where women can roam freely, do what they want, dress how they like, and I want that to be extended throughout the country.
I gave ten years of my life to a political party at the end of which I felt extremely let down for not standing up on issues which are important for women's rights. I have been trolled so many times for raising women's issues. I know my priorities and what I want to see in my country, and for that, I have decided to join the Shiv Sena.
Priyanka Chaturvedi Joins Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackaray is addressing a press conference where he officially welcomes Priyanka Chaturvedi into the party fold.
Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi came amidst us five years ago as a "chai-wala", but after 5 years, we can see the quality of the "chai"... god know what sort of tea this is.. Now he comes to us all appealing as a Chowkidar... can you trust such a chowkidar? Tell, me won't you take away his "chowki"? Remember one thing, he (PM Modi) is backward (caste) only on paper, but we all are backward (castes) by birth... based on this fact, I leave it to you all to make the right choice this election.
BJP appeals that we need to create and New India, but we appeal to you all to ensure we get a New Prime Minister.... After all the beginning of a New India is possible only with a New Prime Minister. With Mayawati ji's support, I have no doubt in my mind that the largest victory margin of any constituency in these 2019 Lok Sabha elections across the country will be the Mainpuri seat, where Netaji will win with the largest-ever margin.
"I would like to begin today by thanking Mayawati ji immensely for appealing to you all to help Netaji (Mulayam Singh) get a massive victory.. And with your appeal, I am sure that the people of Mainpuri will elect Netaji with a historic victory margin.. As Netaji said, Mayawati ji, we will never forget your gesture and the favour you have done for us," says Akhilesh Yadav.
This 'Chowkidar' drama that he is doing now won't work. People are wise to see through it... they know he cannot be trusted. You all must not get swayed by his talk...
Tell me, have you got your 15 lakhs?
Even the Congress... they are going around the whole country showing you dreams that poor people will get monetary relief if they are elected, but let me warn you that all that is a lie. They will never be able to do it... Because of the elections, lots of political parties will promise you all sorts of things, but be wise to see through the lies. Don't let your vote go waste... Time has come to uproot the BJP from the Centre. Two phases of voting are over, and the feedback we are getting is that the BJP has taken a severe hit... they are in a bad shape... and the way things are going, it seems that their condition will be even worse in the remaining phases of polls. I appeal to you all to press the cycle button and elect Mulayam Singh ji and help our alliance win... give us an opportunity to serve you as a sevak... not like a farzi (fake) sevak like Modi ji, but a true sevak.
Mulayam Singh Yadav ji has done a lot to get people of all backgrounds and castes together... unlike Modi ji, he is genuine. That is why we all must ensure that Mulayam Singh Yadav ij must be elected from Mainpuri to represent our alliance in parliament. Modi ji had fooled us all during the 2014 elections, but the reality is now in front of us. Akhilesh Yadav ji is a true leader... he has done a lot for people when he was governing the state. Now that we have seen the reality, in 2019, we will no longer let drama and jumlas fool us.
BSP chief Mayawati in Mainpuri
"Here in Uttar Pradesh, BSP-SP-RLD have come together, and this has been possible because of all the party workers and all you supporters. I thank you all for coming out in such large numbers to support us... By looking at the strength here, I am certain that you all have decided that from Mainpuri you all are determined to see Mulayam Singh Yadav ji as the elected MP. I am here because of our commitment and our alliance... I had let you all know at the start of our alliance in UP that we keep our country, state and party before self," says BSP chief Mayawati said.
Mulayam Yadav welcomes Mayawati
"This is the last time I stand in front of you, the people of Mianpur to appeal for votes. Give us your love and respect once again. Respect a strong leader like Mayawati," says Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Mulayam Yadav and Mayawati together after 25 Years
Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati have gathered on the stage for their joint-election rally. They are accompanied with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. RLD's Ajit Singh is not attending the event.
New BJP recruit Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, in shocking comments on Hemant Karkare, has boasted that the 26/11 hero died because she "cursed" him. "I had told him you will be destroyed, and he was gone in less than two months," bragged Sadhvi Pragya, a 2008 Malegaon blasts accused who has been named a BJP candidate for the national election. Hemant Karkare died fighting terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attack, in which 166 people were killed. As the chief of Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad, Hemant Karkare had investigated charges against Sadhvi Pragya Singh in the blasts in Malegaon in 2008.
Priyanka Chaturvedi to Join Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Priyanka Chaturvedi will be joining the party and a formal announcement will be made today.
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi resigns
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi quit the party last night, a day after going public with her resentment on social media. She was upset with her party bosses for reinstating Congress workers who had been thrown out last year for misbehaving with her. "Lumpen goons" get preference in the Congress over those who had "given their sweat and blood", she wrote in her tweet on Wednesday.
SP-BSP-RLD's joint rally to begin shortly in Mainpuri; BSP Chief Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav to share the stage.
Digvijaya Singh to File Nomination from Bhopal
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is likely to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls today, as a candidate of the party from Bhopal. The BJP has fielded Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur against him.
Priyanka Gandhi massive roadshow in Kanpur today
In Uttar Pradesh, Congress general secretary and eastern UP in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a massive roadshow in Kanpur from Ghanta Ghar to Phool Bagh Chauraha. The roadshow will cover multiple places in the city where a large number of Congress supporters are expected to turn up.
Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat and Karnataka
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to campaign in Gujarat and Karnataka. Mr Gandhi will rally in Tapi district in Gujarat, while in Karnataka, he is set to speak in Raichur and Chikodi districts. Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah will also rally in Gujarat covering two districts - Chhota Udaipur and Valsad
PM Modi to address Thanksgiving convention
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a thanksgiving convention at Talkatora stadium today organised by traders supporting the BJP to express "gratitude" for various measures promised in the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls.
Mulayam and Mayawati to share stage at Mainpuri rally today
Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati will share a stage at a joint rally of the alliance in Mainpuri today, putting aside grievances of their shared past. Preparations are underway at Christian Field to send out a message to political opponents that the alliance against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh shares a strong bond, news agency PTI quoted a Samajwadi Party worker as saying.