The Congress is launching its Lok Sabha election campaign from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah with a meeting of its Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a public rally by its top leaders.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party general secretaries, including Priyanka Gandhi, will be among the senior leaders of the party attending the meeting.

The Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making arm of the party, would seek answers to failures and unfulfilled promises of the Modi government on governance, agrarian distress, economic issues, unemployment, national security and women’s safety, according to party leaders.

Hardik Patel, a prominent young leader of Patidars, who is leading a movement for reservation in jobs and education for their community, is likely to join Congress and contest the Lok Sabha elections on a party ticket, according to sources.

Follow highlights here:

8:56 pm IST I don’t think Modi ji will be the Prime Minister after these elections: Sharad Pawar Sharad Pawar, NCP chief: From what I can understand a little about politics, I can say that I don’t think Modi ji will be the Prime Minister after these elections. I am not an astrologer but I think that they will not get the required number of seats, reports news agency ANI.





7:45 pm IST Samajwadi Party releases a list of two candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Samajwadi Party releases a list of two candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019. Samajwadi Party (SP) releases a list of two candidates for the upcoming #LokSabhaElections2019. pic.twitter.com/YhclFG6d2w — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 12, 2019





6:28 pm IST Won’t contest if not given enough seats: Jitan Ram Manjhi A day before the Grand Alliance meets in Delhi to finalize the seat sharing for the Lok Sabha elections, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) warned on Tuesday that it will not contest if it was not given a respectable number of seats. HAM chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said that several rounds of talks on seat sharing had been held and the final talks will be conducted in Delhi on March 13 and 14. Thereafter, a final decision will be taken on March 15. Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats, reports PTI.





6:17 pm IST Rahul Gandhi will visit Raipur on 15 March Chhattisgarh: Congress President Rahul Gandhi will visit Raipur on 15 March. He will be interacting with health professionals there, reports news agency ANI.





5:55 pm IST 507 transgenders eligible to vote in Punjab A total of 507 voters in Punjab have enrolled themselves as belonging to the third gender, Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said Tuesday. “A special campaign was launched to reach out to Deras and other places where they (transgenders) reside in order to register them as voters,” Raju added. The number of voters who have declared themselves as transgenders has increased considerably in the state, he said, reports PTI.





5:33 pm IST Government has failed completely in providing employment to the youth of the country: Rahul Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: The result (of Lok Sabha Elections 2019) will be very good in Gujarat as well as at the national level. There is anger among people. Government has failed completely in providing employment to the youth of the country. Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: The result (of #LokSabhaElections2019) will be very good in Gujarat as well as at the national level. There is anger among people. Government has failed completely in providing employment to the youth of the country. pic.twitter.com/CBND2y7tP9 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





5:29 pm IST Hardik Patel will win the election: Rahul Gandhi Hardik Patel will win the election, says Rahul Gandhi.





5:19 pm IST Bihar seeks 180 companies of central forces for Lok Sabha polls The Bihar government has sought 180 companies of the central paramilitary forces for deployment at polling booths for holding free and fair Lok Sabha elections in April and May, according to officials here on Tuesday. The state government has also demanded two helicopters for airborne surveillance and emergencies during the elections, which would be held in seven phases, reports PTI.





5:12 pm IST We have no alliance with Kejriwal or with anybody: Captain Amarinder Singh Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on if there will be an alliance with AAP in Punjab: Nothing at all. We have no alliance with Kejriwal or with anybody. We will contest on our own and win. Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on if there will be an alliance with AAP in Punjab: Nothing at all. We have no alliance with Kejriwal or with anybody. We will contest on our own and win. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/osopEUzbZ5 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





5:10 pm IST Manmohan Singh was never a candidate from Amritsar: Captain Amarinder Singh Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh: Manmohan Singh was never a candidate from Amritsar. He had told us long time ago that he is not interested in contesting, reports news agency ANI.





5:00 pm IST Congress MLA Dulal Chandra Bar and CPM MLA Khagen Murmu also join BJP Delhi: Congress MLA Dulal Chandra Bar and CPM MLA Khagen Murmu also join BJP along with TMC MP Anupam Hazra. Delhi: Congress MLA Dulal Chandra Bar (pic 1) and CPM MLA Khagen Murmu (pic 2) also join BJP along with TMC MP Anupam Hazra. pic.twitter.com/0Lne6Bsjzj — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





4:51 pm IST Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Anupam Hazra joins BJP Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Anupam Hazra joins BJP. Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Anupam Hazra joins BJP. pic.twitter.com/sKLiirkBBo — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





4:48 pm IST In fight of ideologies, love will prevail: Rahul Gandhi This is a fight of ideologies. On one side is hate of Godse, on the other side is Mahatma Gandhi. The victory will be of love, says Rahul Gandhi





4:42 pm IST BJP government released Masood Azhar: Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi: Masood Azhar’s Jaish-e-Mohammed planned Pulwama terror attack. I want to ask Narendra Modi who released Masood Azhar during Kandahar hijacking.





4:41 pm IST Narendra Modi removed the CBI director: Rahul Gandhi Narendra Modi removed the CBI director (Alok Verma) within hours because he was going to probe the Rafale deal: Rahul Gandhi





4:41 pm IST Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) can’t be understood by our traders even today: Rahul Gandhi Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) can’t be understood by our traders even today: Rahul Gandhi.





4:40 pm IST First time in history, 4 Supreme Court judges went to press and said they are not allowed to work: Rahul Gandhi Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: First time in history, 4 Supreme Court judges went to press and said they are not allowed to work. Generally, people go to Supreme Court for justice but in today’s Hindustan, SC judges are going to public and asking for justice. Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: First time in history, 4 Supreme Court judges went to press & said they are not allowed to work. Generally, people go to SC for justice but in today’s Hindustan, SC judges are going to public & asking for justice. pic.twitter.com/8sLPUFQJmS — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





4:39 pm IST Did people get Rs 15 lakh into their bank accounts as promised by Narendra Modi: Rahul Gandhi Did people get Rs 15 lakh into their bank accounts as promised by Narendra Modi: Rahul Gandhi





4:36 pm IST Rahul Gandhi promises loan waiver in Gujarat Rahul Gandhi promises loan waiver in Gujarat.





4:33 pm IST We conducted the CWC meeting here, because there’s fight between two ideologies in the country: Rahul Gandhi Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: After years, CWC meeting has taken place in Gujarat. We conducted the meeting here, because there’s fight between two ideologies in the country and in Gujarat you will find both the ideologies. Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: After years, CWC meeting has taken place in Gujarat. We conducted the meeting here, because there's fight between two ideologies in the country & in Gujarat you will find both the ideologies. pic.twitter.com/pnAdCDola1 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





4:31 pm IST Gandhi and Gujarat have built India: Rahul Gandhi Gandhi and Gujarat have built India, says Rahul Gandhi





4:27 pm IST All institutions in India are under attack: Rahul Gandhi All institutions in India are under attack. Unemployment is highest in 45 years, says Rahul Gandhi





4:25 pm IST This is a fight of two ideologies: Rahul Gandhi This is a fight of two ideologies, says Rahul Gandhi.





4:22 pm IST I completely agree with Rahul Gandhi on Rafale scam: Mamata Banerjee I completely agree with Rahul Gandhi on Rafale scam, BJP threatening journalists like N Ram for speaking truth: Mamata Banerjee





4:20 pm IST What happened to promise of crores of jobs: Priyanka Gandhi What happened to promise of crores of jobs: Priyanka Gandhi





4:20 pm IST This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood: Priyanka Gandhi Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony & brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony & brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad. pic.twitter.com/ylBwJro0h9 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





4:16 pm IST Your vote is a weapon, don’t get misled: Priyanka Gandhi Your vote is a weapon, don’t get misled: Priyanka Gandhi





4:13 pm IST Saddened with what is happening in India: Priyanka Gandhi Saddened with what is happening in India, says Priyanka Gandhi





4:12 pm IST Priyanka Gandhi addresses Jan Sankalp Rally in Gandhinagar Priyanka Gandhi addresses Jan Sankalp Rally in Gandhinagar





4:10 pm IST TMC will also contest seats in Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Andaman: Mamata Banerjee TMC will also contest seats in Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Andaman: Mamata Banerjee, reports PTI.





4:07 pm IST Six sitting MPs won’t contest 2019 polls: Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee announcing TMC candidate list, says six sitting MPs won’t contest 2019 polls, they will work for organisation, reports PTI.





4:05 pm IST TMC will field 40.5% female candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections: Mamata Banerjee West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee: Trinamool Congress will field 40.5% female candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This is a proud moment for us. West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee: Trinamool Congress will field 40.5% female candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This is a proud moment for us. pic.twitter.com/B1B2dBQOzY — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





4:01 pm IST Meeting of Bihar Mahagathbandhan leaders will be held tomorrow in Delhi Meeting of Bihar Mahagathbandhan leaders will be held tomorrow in Delhi over seat sharing in 40 Lok Sabha seats of Bihar, reports news agency ANI.





3:40 pm IST Gujarat’s Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel joins Congress Gujarat’s Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel joins Congress.





3.35 pm IST Congress urges all forces to unite against BJP in resolution Accusing the Narendra Modi government of being a failure on all fronts, the Congress in its resolution urged all democratic and progressive forces to unite and relentlessly fight and expose the anti-people policies of the BJP government.





3.30 pm IST Congress disappointed over PM exploiting issue of security “The Congress party expresses its strong disappointment that the Prime Minister is cynically exploiting the issue of National Security, on which we are all united, to divert attention from his colossal failures, bogus claims and persistent falsehoods,” says resolution passed at Congress Working Committee meeting.





3.25 pm IST PM Modi insulting struggle, sacrifice of freedom fighters: Congress CWC passes resolution after meeting, saying “Gandhiji, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and the leaders of the freedom struggle believed in harmonious coexistence of Indian people, celebrated its pluralism, and firmly rejected the divisive and pernicious ideology of Hindutva propagated by the RSS and its affiliates. Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are insulting their struggle, sacrifices and enormous contribution in nation building by brazenly seeking to hijack their legacy and pretending to be the champions of their values.”





3 pm IST Cong to uphold values of inclusive India, says Anand Sharma “Congress reaffirms its fight to uphold values espoused by Gandhiji and fellow freedom fighters of an inclusive India,” says Congress leader Anand Sharma after CWC meeting.





2.40 pm IST Hardik Patel to join the Congress in a short while CWC meeting ends. Hardik to join the Congress in a short while.





2.05 pm IST Congress election committee to meet at Sonia’s residence on March 14 The meeting of Central Election Committee of Congress party will be held on 14 March at the residence of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Delhi, according to ANI





2 pm IST ‘People are real victims of Modi’s policies’: Sonia Gandhi “PM Modi plays the victim card, but the people of this country are the real victims of his policies,” says UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at CWC meeting, stresses the need to move forward with a new vision.





1.50 pm IST Manmohan Singh calls for highlighting UPA achievements Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for highlighting UPA achievements during the Lok Sabha election campaigning.





1.30 pm IST Congress to defeat RSS/ BJP ideology of fascism, hatred, divisiveness: Rahul The Congress Working Committee resolved to defeat the RSS/ BJP ideology of fascism, hatred, anger & divisiveness, tweets Rahul Gandhi. On the anniversary of Gandhi Ji’s historic Dandi March, the Congress Working Committee in Ahmedabad, resolved to defeat the RSS/ BJP ideology of fascism, hatred, anger & divisiveness. No sacrifice is too great in this endeavour; no effort too little; this battle will be won. pic.twitter.com/w6PhAIbYMs — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 12, 2019





1.20 pm IST Priyanka Gandhi to launch poll campaign in UP from March 14 Congress general secretary, in-charge of UP East, Priyanka Gandhi will launch a poll campaign in UP from March 14.





12.40 pm IST Hardik Patel reaches Sardar Patel Smarak where CWC meeting Patidar leader Hardik Patel reaches Sardar Patel Smarak where Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway Ahmedabad: Patidar leader Hardik Patel reaches Sardar Patel Smarak where Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/vYmLET2qk4 — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019





12.10 pm IST Rahul gandhi pays homage to martyrs at Shaheed Smarak Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi pays homage to martyrs at Shaheed Smarak in Ahmedabad. Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and other leaders also paid tributes at the Shaheed Smarak.





12.00 pm IST CWC meeting underway CWC meeting underway, top party leaders start discussing Lok Sabha election strategy





11.50 am IST CWC meeting begins CWC meeting begins, Rahul Gandhi, party leaders discuss Lok Sabha elections





11.20 am IST Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi take a tour of Sabarmati Ashram Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi take a tour of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat.





11.10 am IST Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh offer tributes to Mahatma Gandhi Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offer tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat.





11 am IST CWC meet to start soon Prayer meeting ends at Sabarmati Ashram. Congress members leave for CWC meeting.





10.45 am IST Priyanka Gandhi attends prayer meet Priyanka Gandhi attends prayer meet at Sabarmati Ashram along with other Congress leaders.





10.30 am IST Rahul Gandhi attends prayer meeting at Sabarmati Ashram Rahul Gandhi attends prayer meeting at Sabarmati Ashram. He is accompanied by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.





9.30 am IST Congress leaders to visit Gujarat for CWC meeting Top leaders to visit Gujarat for Congress Working Committee meeting.



