PM Modi will also address rallies in UP.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has decided to take the lead in consolidating the opposition and has called the respective parties for a meeting on May 23, the day the results of the national election will be declared. Mrs Gandhi has written to several opposition leaders, including DMK chief MK Stalin, Janata Dal Secular, Sharad Pawar's NCP and the Uttar Pradesh opposition alliance partners, Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav, according to sources. Sonia Gandhi has so far kept a low profile with the initiative to push for campaigning for the Congress given to her son and party chief Rahul Gandhi and his sister, the party's eastern Uttar Pradesh in-charge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The opposition also tore into the BJP today, questioning the Model Code of Conduct, after the Election Commission cut short campaigning in West Bengal for the last round of the national election. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the Model Code of Conduct as the "Modi Code of Misconduct".

The Election Commission took this step after violence broke out during Amit Shah's rally in Bengal capital Kolkata. The clashes ended with vandals destroying a bust of iconic 19th century reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. The BJP and Trinamool Congress proceeded to trade charges against each other of inciting the violence and desecrating the statue of the social reformer, widely revered by Bengalis.

Amit Shah termed the violence during his roadshow as a part of a "conspiracy", while Trinamool leader Derek O' Brien in turn called the BJP chief "pukeworthy" and "dhokebaaz".

Here are the highlights of Lok Sabha Elections 2019:

May 16, 2019 23:06 (IST) Read Here: Election 2019: "Not Enough": Priyanka Gandhi After BJP Disowns Pragya Thakur Shocker

The BJP distancing itself from party leader Pragya Singh Thakur's statement that Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse is a "patriot" is not enough, Congress general Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said today, challenging "nationalist luminaries of the BJP" to spell out their stand. The BJP distancing itself from party leader Pragya Singh Thakur's statement that Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse is a "patriot" is not enough, Congress general Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said today, challenging "nationalist luminaries of the BJP" to spell out their stand.

May 16, 2019 22:59 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: "I Want To Earn It": Robert Vadra On Joining Politics

Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, says he has "learnt a lot in the past 20 years", as part of the Nehru-Gandhi family, but when it comes to joining politics, he wants to earn it. The businessman, who is being investigated over allegations of money laundering and illegal land deals, also says that he has tolerated so much political attack that it has stopped affecting him. Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, says he has "learnt a lot in the past 20 years", as part of the Nehru-Gandhi family, but when it comes to joining politics, he wants to earn it. The businessman, who is being investigated over allegations of money laundering and illegal land deals, also says that he has tolerated so much political attack that it has stopped affecting him.

May 16, 2019 22:27 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: "Party Line Is My Line" Says Pragya Thakur After Calling Godse "Patriot"

Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, "was a deshbhakt (patriot), is a deshbhakt and will remain one," the BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur said today, adding to her growing list of controversial statements. She apologized hours later, with her party publicly condemning the comment and disowning it. Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, "was a deshbhakt (patriot), is a deshbhakt and will remain one," the BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur said today, adding to her growing list of controversial statements. She apologized hours later, with her party publicly condemning the comment and disowning it.

May 16, 2019 19:20 (IST) Election 2019: Didi (Mamata Banerjee) has problem with people coming from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar but she welcomes infiltrators," says PM Modi



"Didi (Mamata Banerjee) has problem with people coming from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar but she welcomes infiltrators. West Bengal is not the personal fiefdom of Didi and her nephew," PM Modi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.



May 16, 2019 19:17 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: BJP's Pragya Thakur Apologises For Calling Mahatma Gandhi Assassin Nathuram Godse A "Patriot"

Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, "was a deshbhakt (patriot), is a deshbhakt and will remain one," the BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur said today, adding to her growing list of controversial statements. After outrage over her remarks and the BJP distancing itself from it, Pragya Thakur apologised and retracted her statement, news agency Press Trust of India reported. Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, "was a deshbhakt (patriot), is a deshbhakt and will remain one," the BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur said today, adding to her growing list of controversial statements. After outrage over her remarks and the BJP distancing itself from it, Pragya Thakur apologised and retracted her statement, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

May 16, 2019 19:17 (IST) Lok Sabha Election 2019: "Didi is busy abusing the Election Commission and central forces today," says PM Modi



"Didi (Mamata Banerjee) is busy abusing the Election Commission and central forces today. Had the election panel and central forces not conducted free and fair polls, Didi would never have been the Chief Minister," PM Modi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.



"This Lok Sabha election will remain etched in our minds for the attack on democracy and opposition workers in Bengal," PM Modi said.



May 16, 2019 18:49 (IST) Read Here: Election 2019: Mamata Banerjee, In Fight With PM Modi, Gets Congress, Mayawati Support

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, fighting to defend her turf against the BJP's aggressive campaign to score in the national election, today thanked a range of opposition parties, including the Congress and Mayawati, for their support. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, fighting to defend her turf against the BJP's aggressive campaign to score in the national election, today thanked a range of opposition parties, including the Congress and Mayawati, for their support.

May 16, 2019 18:48 (IST) Lok Sabha Elections 2019: "Ganga Maa will punish you," Mayawati attacks BJP



"Ganga maa helped you (BJP) by ensuring your victory in 2014, but you did not take the benefit of her blessing. This year she will punish you and throw you out," Mayawati was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, while addressing a joint election rally with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.



May 16, 2019 18:14 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: In Bengal, Vidyasagar Lookalike Campaigns For BJP Amid Row Over Statue

In the massive political row over the vandalism of an Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar statue in clashes at BJP president Amit Shah's rally in Kolkata, the legendary 19th century reformer was seen in the campaign of a BJP candidate today. Or at least, an actor in costume, complete with a faux receding hairline, a dhoti, a brown shawl and a book in one hand. In the massive political row over the vandalism of an Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar statue in clashes at BJP president Amit Shah's rally in Kolkata, the legendary 19th century reformer was seen in the campaign of a BJP candidate today. Or at least, an actor in costume, complete with a faux receding hairline, a dhoti, a brown shawl and a book in one hand.

May 16, 2019 18:08 (IST) Lok Sabha Election 2019: "In last five years, you (PM Modi) could not build Ram Temple and you want to make Vidyasagar's statue?" says Mamata Banerjee



"In the last five years, you (Modi) could not build a Ram Temple and you want to make Vidyasagar's statue? People of Bengal won''t beg before you. We have enough money to build it," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.



May 16, 2019 18:00 (IST) Read Here: Election 2019: It Is Sedition: Digvijaya Singh Points To Pragya Thakur's Godse Remark

Election in Bhopal is over, but Congress's Digvijaya Singh today said his opponent Pragya Singh Thakur's statement glorifying Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, calls for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.

Election in Bhopal is over, but Congress's Digvijaya Singh today said his opponent Pragya Singh Thakur's statement glorifying Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, calls for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.

May 16, 2019 17:29 (IST) Lok Sabha Elections 2019: "TMC goons vandalised Kolkata college, broke bust of Visyasagar": PM Modi



"It was TMC goons who vandalised Kolkata college and broke the bust of Vidyasagar," PM Modi was quoted as saying by PTI.

"CCTV cameras were installed there. The way the state government erased evidences of the Narada & Sarada scam, it is trying to remove evidence in the incident. I demand strict action should be taken," PM Modi was quoted as saying by ANI in West Bengal's Mathurapur.



May 16, 2019 17:16 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Mamata Banerjee's Exit Poll For BJP: Andhra Zero, Tamil Nadu Zero

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, engaged in a bitter fight with the BJP since the violence at Amit Shah's rally, today gave a report card for the BJP in the ongoing elections. The party will end up with less than a hundred seats, she predicted - immediately after accusing it of being a "goonda (rogue) party, spreading money trying to buy votes". Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, engaged in a bitter fight with the BJP since the violence at Amit Shah's rally, today gave a report card for the BJP in the ongoing elections. The party will end up with less than a hundred seats, she predicted - immediately after accusing it of being a "goonda (rogue) party, spreading money trying to buy votes".

May 16, 2019 17:16 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Chandrababu Naidu Says Disturbing To See Election Commission Action On Violence In Bengal

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has termed as 'disturbing' the Election Commission's action cutting short the election campaign in West Bengal by a day and has said that the poll panel's integrity is at stake. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has termed as 'disturbing' the Election Commission's action cutting short the election campaign in West Bengal by a day and has said that the poll panel's integrity is at stake.

May 16, 2019 17:09 (IST) Lok Sabha Elections 2019: "They ended campaigning after allowing Modi's rallies," says Arvind Kejriwal



"They allowed Modiji's rallies and ended campaigning after it, it makes it clear that Election Commission is totally biased. It is very dangerous for the country," Arvind Kejriwal was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.



May 16, 2019 15:55 (IST) Lok Sabha Election 2019: BJP "does not agree" with Pragya Thakur's comment on Nathuram Godse



"Nathuram Godse was, is & will remain a 'deshbhakt": BJP does not agree with this statement, we condemn it. Party will ask her for clarification, she should apologise publicly for this statement, reported news agency ANI.



May 16, 2019 15:38 (IST) Read Here: Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Mahatma Gandhi Assassin Nathuram Godse A Patriot, Says BJP's Pragya Thakur

Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, "was a deshbhakt (patriot), is a deshbhakt and will remain one," the BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur said today, adding to her growing list of controversial statements. Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, "was a deshbhakt (patriot), is a deshbhakt and will remain one," the BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur said today, adding to her growing list of controversial statements.

May 16, 2019 14:48 (IST) Watch: NDA Wave In UP, Says PM Modi

It's a NDA wave across Uttar Pradesh. Speaking in Mirzapur. Watch. https://t.co/PcLcVuJFbk - Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019 14:33 (IST) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hits back at PM and says: "Bengal doesn't need BJP's money to rebuild Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's statue. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hits back at PM and says: "Bengal doesn't need BJP's money to rebuild Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's statue.

May 16, 2019 13:42 (IST) Election Commission Behaving Like BJP Cell, Alleges Tejashwi Yadav

The campaigning call off by EC in Bengal is against the democratic spirit of free and fair elections. EC is behaving like BJP cell. We fully support @MamataOfficial ji in this fight. - Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019 12:24 (IST) Going to West Bengal for rally in Dum Dum. Let us see if Didi allows it. If she has her way she will not allow helicopter to land: PM Modi said, news agency PTI reported



May 16, 2019 12:20 (IST) Mamata Banerjee Thanks Opposition For "Expressing Solidarity"

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

May 16, 2019 12:05 (IST) Sonia Gandhi Writes To MK Stalin, Invites Him For Opposition Meet

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has written to DMK Chief MK Stalin inviting him for the Opposition Parties meeting in New Delhi on May 23.



May 16, 2019 11:52 (IST) PM Modi Promises To Build Grand Statue Of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Trinamool Congress "goons" vandalised Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar statue in Kolkata, he has promised to build a grand statue at the same spot. Read here



May 16, 2019 11:34 (IST) Mayawati Did Not Slam Mamata Didi: PM Modi

After Mayawati's attack, PM Modi today in Uttar Pradesh's Mau said: "I had thought the way Mamata didi is targeting UP and Bihar, and people from Purvanchal, calling them outsiders for her politics, Behen Mayawati will surely slam Mamata didi, but this did not happen."

After Mayawati's attack, PM Modi today in Uttar Pradesh's Mau said: "I had thought the way Mamata didi is targeting UP and Bihar, and people from Purvanchal, calling them outsiders for her politics, Behen Mayawati will surely slam Mamata didi, but this did not happen."