Ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2019, which are scheduled to be held in seven phases beginning from April 1, poll campaigns across the country have gathered heat.

PM Narendra Modi Sunday interacted with ‘chowkidars’ from over 500 locations across the country in ‘Main bhi Chowkidar’ programme. Taking forward the BJP poll campaign, party president Amit Shah is scheduled to address two public meetings in Uttar Pradesh.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also kicked off in earnest the campaign of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition in Karnataka on Sunday by addressing a joint rally of the partners on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Read highlights here:

8:15 pm IST People will pack you and send you back to Gujarat: Chandrababu Naidu He is troubling Kejriwal and Mamata and in AP, he is troubling me. Mr Modi, we are all experienced than you. People will pack you and send you back to Gujarat





8:13 pm IST Modi doesn’t do what he tells and doesn’t tell what he does: Chandrababu Naidu He is a chowkidar of criminals, corrupt. He is protecting scamsters. He is a split personality. He doesn’t do what he tells and doesn’t tell what he does.: Chandrababu Naidu





8:13 pm IST Modi is worried Vizag would be more beautiful than Ahmedabad: Chandrababu Naidu Why did you ban Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes and introduced Rs 2000 note? Only to promote black money by BJP leaders. Development has not stopped despite lack of assistance from Centre. Didn’t Vizag improve as a beautiful city after Hudhud Cyclone? Modi is worried that Vizag would be more beautiful than Ahmedabad. He is jealous of us. That is why, he is causing hurdles to us.: Chandrababu Naidu





8:10 pm IST What have you given to AP?: Chandrababu Naidu He is a crook. He doesn’t have any right to come here. He is coming here and making tall claims again and again? Will people vote for Modi. You won’t get votes even to match the money spent on your votes. What have you given to AP?: Chandrababu Naidu





8:05 pm IST Why did he cheat us?: Chandrababu Naidu hits out at PM When there was Hudhud Cyclone, Modi came here and promised Rs 1,000 crore as initial assistance, but gave only Rs 650 crore. We fought for Vizag railway zone for five years. Only recently, he announced a zone without Waltair division which is high revenue generating division. Why did he cheat us?: Chandrababu Naidu





8:10 pm IST Chandrababu Naidu begins address Mamata told us a good news -- that Modi-Shah will go: Chandrababu Naidu . What did Modi say in the same city five years ago? He promised to fulfil promises made to state. He betrayed Andhra Pradesh people on special status, capital construction: Chandrababu Naidu





7:54 pm IST Who is Narendra Modi to ask about our PM candidate: Mamata Who is Narendra Modi to ask about our PM candidate? Don’t worry, Mr Modi, We know what to do for the people. We know how to elect our leader. There will be somebody who will lead the country: Mamata Banerjee at opposition rally in Andhra Pradesh





7:45 pm IST He is a liar, he speaks lies day in and day out: Mamata attacks PM Modi is threatening every state, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal or AP. He became from Chaiwala to Chowkidar. He is not chowidar of people, but of rich, corrupt and scamsters. In his regime, lot of farmers committed suicide, unemployment increased. He doesn’t care about the media, he has not addressed any press conferences. He is a liar, he speaks lies day in and day out: Mamata





7:39 pm IST ‘Modi not suitable to be block president, forget PM’: Mamata Banerjee ‘Modi not suitable to be block president, forget PM’: Mamata Banerjee





7:37 pm IST Modi has to be shown the door: Mamata If there is anybody who can take the country forward, it is Chandrababu Naidu. If Naidu rules AP, he can do a lot in Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal can develop Delhi, he can develop the country. There is no dearth of leaders to fight for the country. Modi has to be shown the door: Mamata





7:35 pm IST This is a special election, you have to think and vote carefully: Mamata Mamata Banerjee begins address. She says, “This is a special election, you have to think and vote carefully.” You have both assembly and LS elections. People come and give big lectures. AP is known across the world due to Chandrababu Naidu. AP will go ahead only because of Naidu: Mamata





7:35 pm IST The BJP is like a tumour that will destroy the entire body: Arvind Kejriwal Please save the country, save constitution, save democracy. If you have a tumour, you will ask the doctor to cut the tumour. The BJP is like a tumour that will destroy the entire body. No need to worry about who will be the next PM. Our first duty is to defeat the BJP: Arvind Kejriwal





7:34 pm IST In 2019, if Modi and Shah win, they will change the country’s constitution: Kejriwal In 2019, if Modi and Shah win, they will change the country’s constitution like Hitler did in Germany. If the Modi-Shah duo win again, they will completely change the country into Hindu nation. BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj himself said this will be the last elections in the country. He said there would no elections till 2050: Kejriwal





7:32 pm IST What Pak could not do in 70 years, Modi had done in 5 : Kejriwal What Pakistan could not do in last 70 years, Modi had done in the last five years. He divided people in the name of religion and caste. He destroyed democratic institutions: Arvind Kejriwal





7:30 pm IST Modi listens to only one person, Amit Shah: Kejriwal Modi will not listen.. He doesn’t listen to officials. He listens to only one person, Amit Shah. He implemented Demonetisation without consulting anybody. It was a big scam. Every businessman, middle class, poor suffered. He divided people in the name of religion, caste, creed: Kejriwal





7:27 pm IST Modi govt is most corrupt in 70 years: Kejriwal India is facing an emergency-like situation. In the last five years, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah duo has destroyed Indian democracy. Modi govt is most corrupt in 70 years.





7:25 pm IST India facing Emergency like situation: Kejriwal at oppn rally The 2019 elections are both important for the Andhra and the nation. Make Chandrababu Naidu CM again. After the partition of AP, with the creation of Telangana. There was a big challenge, Naidu ji overcame the challenge





5:50 pm IST Next 5 years will be to address the ambitions, aspirations: PM Modi In the last 5 years I put all my strength to do away with what was lacking, to fulfil the necessities from toilets, electricity, roads, trains to buses, and next 5 years will be to address the ambitions and aspirations.





5:45 pm IST Will give them same jail that housed Mahatma Gandhi: PM Modi PM Modi said some people in foreign courts complain that Indian jails are not fit to live in. PM countered that view by saying that how is it that such thieves expect that I will give them a palace. He said he is giving them the very same jail that housed Mahatma Gandhi.





5:40 pm IST Unfortunate some politicians are helping Pak with their comments: PM PM Modi emphasised that Pakistan has started opening their airspace after more than a month. The Prime Minister said that India struck at a place and proved that terrorist camps were running in Pakistan. It is unfortunate that some politicians in our country are helping Pakistan with their comments: PM Modi





5:35 pm IST For me, country is paramount, says PM Modi If one were to focus on one’s political future, there was no need for Modi. For me, country is paramount, says PM Modi. The Prime Minister pointed out that when world leaders shake hands or hug Modi, they acknowledge the majority vote that this government has the mandate: PM Modi





5:30 pm IST “I didn’t carry out the strikes, our armed forces did,” said PM Modi Replying to question on the IAF strike at Balakot, PM Modi saluted the armed forces. “I didn’t carry out the strikes, our armed forces did,” said PM Modi





5:28 pm IST PM Modi lauds youth of the country for thinking about the future Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds the youth of the country for thinking about the future. “When I would take oath it would not be me only but 130 crore Indians who will take oath,” the PM said.





5:25 pm IST Okay to have aspirations and dreams... but country above all: PM Modi It is okay to have aspirations and dreams, and one should have them, but the country is above all of that: PM Modi





5:22 pm IST India loves chowkidar, not kings, says PM Modi Everyone is out there for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the electorate is watching keenly. Desh ki janta chowkidaar pasand karti hai, they do not need kings.. I am happy that spirit of chowkidar is spreading: PM Modi





5:15 pm IST Being Chowkidar is a spirit, a feeling: PM Modi I will not let public money be looted. As a chowkidar, I will do my job...Some people due to limited mental ability cannot think beyond the literal meaning of the term chowkidar: PM Modi





5:15 pm IST My critics made me popular in 2014, says PM Modi I was new in 2014. I had some identity as a chief minister. My fame was mostly due to my critics. Their criticism created inquisitiveness about me. Around this time, the BJP made me its PM candidate. Against this backdrop in 2014, I had said I would be a chowkidar not the prime minister.





4:30 pm IST Five years have gone by and the current PM has not fulfilled the promise: Rahul Gandhi Five years have gone by and the current prime minister of India has not fulfilled the promise that the Indian people have made to the people of Andhra Pradesh and it is sad that neither of the two parties in Andhra Pradesh have put pressure on the prime minister .... The TDP was in alliance with Narendra Modi and they should have put pressure on Narendra Modi to give special status: Rahul Gandhi





4:25 pm IST Andhra was promised special status: Rahul Gandhi In 2014, Mr Narendra Modi became prime minister of India and sometime before that Manmohan ji had made certain commitments to the people of AP. You had been promised that you’d be given special status, a special place among states so that you could develop fast. A number of projects were promised to the people of AP and these commitments were not just of Manmohan Singh but they were of the Prime Minister of India... The Prime Minister’s commitment is made on behalf of the country. What was promised to Andhra was promised by the people of India, not just PM: Rahul Gandhi





4:20 pm IST Relationship of the heart with people of Andhra Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi My family has had a long history with Andhra Pradesh and it is not just a political relationship but also a relationship of the heart : Rahul Gandhi at public meeting in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.





3:53 pm IST Will still back our son, Rahul: Amethi voters Unfazed by their MP Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Kerala’s Wayanad seat as well in the Lok Sabha elections, voters in Amethi say they will support “the son” of their “VIP constituency”. Amethi goes to polls on May 6. The Congress on Sunday announced Congress President’s decision to contest from two seats -- Amethi and Wayanad. Gandhi has represented Amethi undefeated since 2004, but faces a stiff competition from BJP’s Smriti Irani this time. His winning margin narrowed to just over one lakh votes against Irani in 2014. Asked if the voters in Amethi will support Gandhi after his new decision, Congress District Chief Yogendra Mishra was quick to bring in the “son versus the outsider” analogy in his party leader’s support.





3:40 pm IST ‘You won’t be able to defeat BJP’: Shah targets SP-BSP alliance in UP “A different coalition has happened in UP, ‘bua-bhatija & dada’ have come together. Isn’t Ajit Singh at an age where he should be a grandfather or a great-grandfather? They think they can defeat BJP, include Rahul baba and Priyanka Vadra too, you won’t be able to defeat BJP,” said Amit Shah.





3:35 pm IST Priyanka’s statement over Ayodhya is an insult to Hindus: UP CM “Priyanka Vadra’s statement yesterday, over Ayodhya is an insult to Hindus everywhere. She was asked why did she not to go Ram janmbhoomi when she went to Ayodhya? She said it is disputed land, so she didn’t. She didn’t go there as this would have upset a particular community,” said UP CM Yogi Aditynath as reported by news agency ANI.





2:00 pm IST Rahul Gandhi fled to Kerala as he fears Amethi will seek account of work: Shah BJP chief Amit Shah Sunday ridiculed Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, saying he has “fled” to Kerala fearing that Amethi voters will seek an account of work done by him and his party over the years, reported news agency PTI. Shah was speaking at his first election meeting in western UP, where voting will be held on April 11. The saffron party had won all eight Lok Sabha seats in the region in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. “Rahul Gandhi has fled to Kerala as he fears that Amethi voters will seek an account from him,” the BJP chief said. Shah also said, “The Congress had given clean chit to Pakistan terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba in Samjhauta Express bomb blast case, sent Swami Aseemanand and other innocent persons to jail, and had put a tag of terrorism on Hindus.”





1:45 pm IST Preparations begin for TDP’s mega rally Earlier visuals of preparation from Vishakhapatnam where TDP is holding a public rally today which will also be attended by WB CM&Delhi CM. TDP Spokesperson Lanka Dinakar says, “We’ll show voice of Andhra especially the betrayal of Narendra Modi led Union govt.”





1:35 pm IST Hindus can’t be terrorists, says Amit Shah on Samjhauta blast verdict “Hindus can’t be terrorists”, said Amit Shah on Samjhauta blast verdict while addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh.





1:33 pm IST Congress workers in Wayanad celebrate Rahul’s candidature Workers hit the streets. Braving the scorching sun, they took out rallies at many places in the constituency. They bursted crackers and distributed sweets. Udf convener Benny behnan asks CPM to withdraw its candidate and support Rahul





12:57 pm IST Sitaram Yechury criticises Rahul Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad Sitaram Yechury criticised Rahul Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad. It will give a wrong message to secular democratic forces, he said.





12:52 pm IST BJP search on for suitable candidate to take on Rahul in Wayanad BJP’s search for a suitable candidate to take on Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad is on. MP and actor Suresh Gopi’s name is among the many names doing rounds. BJP is likely to announce its candidate from Wayanad late in the evening. Party sources have ruled out the entry of Union minister Smriti Irani. A final decision will be taken by national leadership.





12:45 pm IST Rahul running for safe seat fearing defeat in Amethi: Kerala BJP president BJP will field a strong candidate in Wayanad, said BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai. “It is sad congress succumbed to Muslim League pressure,” he said “He is running around for a safe seat fearing defeat in Amethi. We will not ensure an easy victory for him here, he added.





12:44 pm IST This country not personal property of one man, one organisation: Rahul “This country is not personal property of one man, one organisation,” says Rahul Gandhi in Vijaywada.





12:36 pm IST PM Narendra Modi dismantled everything the UPA government had done: Rahul Gandhi “PM Narendra Modi dismantled everything the UPA government had done. He destroyed the pillars of MGNREGA and Food Security Act,” said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Vijaywada.





12:30 pm IST Govt schemes will reward people who will create jobs: Rahul Gandhi “Govt schemes will reward people who will create jobs,” said Rahul Gandhi.





12:26 pm IST NYAY is our non-violent weapon against poverty: Rahul Gandhi “NYAY is our non-violent weapon against poverty. We will give NYAY to the people of India. The poor people of India will get Rs 72,000 annually directly in their bank account,” said Rahul Gandhi.





12:19 pm IST Rahul Gandhi slams demonetisation, GST “First he (PM Modi) brought demonetisation and then brought Gabbar Singh Tax that further worsened the lives of small businessmen,” said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijaywada.





12:13 pm IST ‘If voted to power, will give special status to Andhra’: Rahul Gandhi “It is not only a commitment made by Congress&Manmohan Singh ji, it’s a commitment made by the country to Andhra Pradesh. It’s our commitment that we’ll give special status to Andhra Pradesh the moment we come to power in Delhi,” said Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Vijaywada.





12:05 pm IST ‘Nothing but fight against Left’: Kerala CM on Rahul’s Wayanad seat “He’s fighting in one of the 20 constituencies(in Kerala) and doesn’t need to be seen as any different. We’ll fight him.He should’ve contested from a constituency where BJP is contesting,it’s nothing but a fight against Left,” Kerala CM P Vijayan on Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad.





11:51 am IST Priority now to fight against Left in Kerala: Prakash Karat on Rahul contesting from Wayanad “Decision of Congress to field Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad shows their priority now is to fight against Left in Kerala. It goes against Congress’ national commitment to fight BJP, as in Kerala it’s LDF which is the main force fighting BJP there,” said Prakash Karat, CPI(M) ex-general secretary, reported news agency ANI





11:23 am IST Rahul Gandhi to address rally in Andhra Pradesh Congress president will shortly address a public meeting in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijaywada.





11:20 am IST Why did Modi ji leave Gujarat and contest from Varanasi, asks Randeep Surjewala “Why did Modi ji leave Gujarat and contest from Varanasi? Was he not confident in Gujarat? These are immature and childish comments. She(Smriti Irani) will complete a hattrick of losses,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala when asked whether Rahul Gandhi not confident in Amethi so contesting on 2 seats.





11:15 am IST Fight against those who seek to divide India on basis of colour, language: Surjewala “This is a fight to espouse the aspirations of South India. This is a fight to give a befitting reply to those forces that attack cultures, languages, way of life and also the deep connect between North and South India between which BJP has created a division,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.





11:10 am IST Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad, Amethi Congress president Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad apart from Amethi, announces senior leader AK Antony.





11:00 am IST ‘We work with commitment, not confusion’: PM Modi “Our vision and priorities are clear. We work with commitment, and not confusion,” said PM Narendra Modi while addressing a media conclave.





10:55 am IST ‘Until 5 years back, India was a follower, now a leader’: PM Modi Until 5 years back, all other nations would make rules and India used to follow, now India is a leader, said PM Narendra Modi at a media conclave.





10:42 am IST Ballots attract tourists as India goes to vote Being promoted as the ‘Kumbh Mela’ of elections, international and national tourism firms are hoping to cash-in on the world’s largest polling exercise -- the Indian General Elections 2019 -- to give a boost to their businesses. Accordingly, everyone from tour operators, online sales agents and niche guide-touring firms are promoting the electoral process as a theme-based holiday package. “I think the process in itself is amazing. Just the sheer number of people voting. We have customers travelling in India at the moment and they have been following the polls,” Nicholas Wood, Director of the London-based firm Political Tours told IANS.





10:08 am IST Mamata, Kejriwal to attend TDP’s mega rally in Visakhapatnam West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal will campaign for Telugu Desam Party headed by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at a mega rally in the port town of Visakhapatnam on Sunday evening. Though a galaxy of other leaders from the proposed “mahagathbhandhan” (grand alliance) of anti-BJP parties including Janatal Dal (S) president Deve Gowda, DMK president M K Stalin, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar, RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdulla were also invited the rally to showcase the opposition unity, they are not able to make it due to hectic campaigning in their respective states, a TDP leader familiar with the development said.





9:50 am IST Rahul Gandhi to address coalition rally in Karnataka Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set to kick off in earnest the campaign of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition in the state on Sunday by addressing a joint rally of the partners on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Gandhi has already addressed rallies in Kalaburagi and held a meeting with entrepreneurs in Bengaluru. However, these were exclusively Congress events. Sunday’s rally is set to be a projection of coalition strength and all senior leaders from the state, including former prime minister HD Deve Gowda will be present.



