The Lok Sabha elections 2019 have been announced and are set to begin on April 11, with 900 million people set to vote for 543 legislators to the lower house of Parliament of India.

A fierce battle is set out to play out in the next two months as political parties have already begun their planning and campaigning for the seven phase polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the ruling BJP while Congress will be led by its president Rahul Gandhi. A host of leaders from various parties have formed a grand alliance to take on the BJP.

Follow here for live updates of the Lok Sabha elections as parties announce their candidates, alliances and spring surprises to woo voters.

5:43 pm IST Will pass 33% women’s reservation bill: Rahul Gandhi “Women are the most important part of the country. In 2019, when we come to power, will pass the 33% women’s reservation bill first. Women will then be able to enjoy 33% reservation in central government jobs,” said Rahul Gandhi.





5:42 pm IST Will not allow anyone to disturb the Tamil spirit: Rahul Gandhi “We might have small differences in our view point, we have aligned for the nation. But we are not going to allow anyone to disturb the Tamil spirit,” said Rahul Gandhi. “We will not let BJP rewrite the history of TN and India. We are one hundred per cent sure that we will stand for Tamils. PM is not only attacking the Tamil, he is also attacking all other languages. One India, One language, One religion is the agenda of PM Modi. But, we will not let that to happen,” he further said.





5:38 pm IST Will introduce separate ministry for fisheries department: Rahul Gandhi “When cyclones hit Tamil Nadu, Central Government denied giving proper compensation. Millions of Fishermen are facing uncertainties. We want to honour them. We will hear the families who had lost their dear ones. To honour the fishermen, we will make a separate ministry for fisheries department,” said Rahul Gandhi in Kanyakumari.





5:34 pm IST Will ensure guaranteed minimum income: Rahul Gandhi “We will design a guaranteed minimum income. If anyone is found below that minimum income line, the government will credit money into their account,” says Rahul Gandhi. “We will implement that scheme without partiality,” he added.





5:31 pm IST We will reform GST: Rahul Gandhi in Kanyakumari “We will resolve the unemployment issue. We will create jobs. GST and demonetization have destructed industries in the nation. So, our government will reform the GST. The current GST is a nonsense one. We will make one tax and it will be an easy tax,” says Rahul Gandhi.





5:27 pm IST ‘The truth will put him in jail’: Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi “Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar said ‘Unmai Vellum’, which means the truth will set you free. However, this doesn’t stand true for PM Narendra Modi, because the truth will put him in jail,” said Rahul Gandhi, renewing his attack on the Prime Minister over Rafale deal.





5:25 pm IST Narendra Modi wants to create two Indias “Narendra Modi wants to create two Indias. One is for the rich and other for unemployed youths and farmers,” says Rahul Gandhi .





5:22 pm IST ‘PM keeps speaking lies,’ says Cong chief Rahul Gandhi in Kanyakumari “Tamil Nadu government is being controlled by PMO In the past, AIADMK and DMK fought against each other. They were the two big leaders. But, AIADMK is not a big leader anymore , instead the central government is controlling TN Government. PM thinks that he can capture any institution in the country and he can rule any state from Delhi. His intentions are absolutely wrong. He cannot suppress Tamils. Tamils always stand with the truth. PM is speaking lies. He assured that Rs.15 Lakhs will be credited into the accounts of Indian families. He promised 2 crore jobs for the youths. But, now the nation is facing unseen unemployment issues. Farmers are in distress. If we come to the power, we will waive off the farm loans,” says Rahul Gandhi in Kanyakumari.





5:18 pm IST Spirit of Tamil Nadu people will speak in 2019 elections: Rahul Gandhi “We are on our way to defend the rights of Tamil Nadu Earlier, we [Congress and DMK] did not have a political alliance in Tamil Nadu. But, now it is an alliance for the people. The spirit of TN people will speak in 2019 elections,” says Rahul Gandhi.





5:15 pm IST Karunanidhi will always live with us: Rahul Gandhi ”I realise that DMK patriarch Karunanidhi is living among us. Karunanidhi will never die. His feelings and service will always be with us. Just like Karunanidhi, former CM and Congress leader K Kamaraj will also live with us forever. It’s because these giants always worked to towards preserving the Tamil culture, which is now in danger,” says Rahul Gandhi .





5:10 pm IST MK Stalin will be next CM of Tamil Nadu: Rahul Gandhi As he began addressing a public meeting Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said that MK Stalin will become the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.





4:40 pm IST Rahul Gandhi set to address public meeting in Kanyakumari Congress national president Rahul Gandhi is set to address a public meeting at Scott Christian College ground in Tamil Nadu’s Nagercoil.





3.15 pm IST Election Commission calls meeting of chief election officers tomorrow EC has called meeting of Chief election officers (CEO) of States & all Observers tomorrow. Meeting is scheduled tomorrow in Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora along with Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra and Ashok Lavasa will brief the observers, says ANI.





2.45 pm IST Can win all 10 LS seats in Haryana if JJP, AAP, Congress ally: Kejriwal Kejriwal says all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana can be won if JJP, AAP, Congress ally. I have a proposal for Rahul Gandhi to form an alliance of JJP-AAP-Congress in Haryana so that we defeat BJP in all 10 seats in Haryana&it’ll play a big role in defeating the Modi-Shah Jodi at national level. In Delhi, we will win without Congress. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Today, I have a proposal for Rahul Gandhi to form an alliance of JJP-AAP-Congress in Haryana so that we defeat BJP in all 10 seats in Haryana&it'll play a big role in defeating the Modi-Shah Jodi at national level. In Delhi, we will win without Congress. pic.twitter.com/G6MpukPoNI — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2019





1.55 pm IST DMK, Congress alliance constructive, powerful: Rahul DMK and Congress’s alliance is a meeting of minds. It’s constructive. It’s a powerful alliance: Rahul Gandhi. Press meet ends.





1.52 pm IST NEET is a resolvable issue, says Rahul Gandhi On NEET, Rahul says we will look into it. “NEET is a resolvable issue. It is discriminatory to students of TN. We could work out a flexible solution,” says Rahul Gandhi





1.50 pm IST Tamil people should run this state: Rahul Tamil Nadu does not have its own government. Mr Modi is running this state on remote control. This is an assault on Tamil people. Tamil people should run this state: Rahul





1.48 pm IST We have no animosity towards anyone: Rahul on Rajiv assassination convicts Court has to decide on releasing seven convicts, says Rahul Gandhi on Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts. “As far as assassination of my father.. legal issue should take its course. We have no animosity towards anyone.”





1.45 pm IST If we come to power, we will initiate enquiry in Rafale deal, says Rahul Gandhi As far as Rafale aircraft is concerned, we have no doubt on the capabilities. But corruption in the deal is crystal clear. If we come to power, we will initiate enquiry in Rafale deal. We are 100% certain of Modi and Anil Ambani’s involvement, says Rahul Gandhi





1.40 pm IST I do not believe India should be ruled from PMO: Rahul I believe in decentralization. I do not believe India should be ruled from PMO. A state too should not be ruled from the CM office. A panchayat has a role, an MLA has a role, says Rahul Gandhi.





1.35 pm IST BJP’s differentiation of states based on power is anti-national: Rahul See how the BJP differentiates based on which one it is in power and where it is not in power. That’s anti-national, says Rahul Gandhi.





1.33 pm IST Congress firming up alliances in states: Rahul Alliances have firmed up in a number of states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand. Talks on alliance in Bihar have practically concluded, conversation on alliance in J&K is close to the final stages. It is BJP that is not having a strong alliance, says Rahul Gandhi.





1. 30 pm IST Wholesale attack on institutions, Tamil language, culture: Rahul There is a wholesale attack on institutions. CBI chief removed at 1.30 in the night. Demonetisation without asking the RBI. Judges saying we want justice. There is an attack on Tamil language and Tamil culture. This is happening in the states and northeast.





1.25 pm IST BJP sent back Masood Azhar: Rahul Gandhi Pakistan will take any whatever opportunity they get. What did the government do to ensure that the Pakistanis did not plant the bomb? asks Rahul Gandhi. The architect of the bomb, called Masood Azhar, was released by the BJP (during Atal Bihari Vajpayee govt tenure), sent to Pakistan. (Current) National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was involved in that deal. BJP needs to explain why they sent that criminal back: Rahul Gandhi





1.20 pm IST Can’t expect growth in a divided country: Rahul Gandhi You cannot have a country that is divided and expect solid economic growth. So we are working to bring harmony in the country. We believe India is for everybody. We are going to reform GST. We will give access to small and medium business. We will simplify GST, says Rahul at a press conference in Chennai.





12.32 pm IST Rahul Gandhi tells students to believe in themselves Rahul Gandhi tells students to believe in themselves. “You have to be humble. When someone throws hate at you, catch the hate put it down and throw love in return:” Rahul Gandhi. Interactive session ends.





12.30 pm IST Your biggest teachers are the people who attack you, abuse you: Rahul Your biggest teachers are the people who attack you abuse you. But you will learn only if you don’t return in the same coin. Nature of Tamil people is love and affection: Rahul Gandhi on why he hugged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament





12.27 pm IST PM, unfortunately, did not have the love he should have had: Rahul People who don’t have affection towards others, the reason is because they have not been loved. PM, unfortunately, for whatever reason, did not have the love he should have had. This man (PM Modi) is so angry that he is not able to see the beauty of the world. At least, I should show him affection. So I genuinely feel love for the Prime Minister. I can’t hate Mr Modi: Rahul on why he hugged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament





12.25 pm IST Don’t ask me to sing, says Rahul Don’t ask me to sing, says Rahul, at interaction with students in Chennai, when told that the light music team had something to ask him. The audience burst into laughter.





12.22 pm IST I am part Kashmiri: Rahul I am part Kashmiri: Rahul on solving alienation of Kashmiris. It starts from the heart. Do you actually want to solve the problem? Or are they just a political instrument? A bridge was built. Pakistan will take every opportunity.





12.20 pm IST This govt does it for brownie points: Rahul It’s the government’s responsibility to protect the people. But they do no do it strategically, systematically. They do it for public opinion, for brownie points: Rahul





12.18 pm IST Modi’s policies setting fire to Kashmir: Rahul We isolated Pak internationally. We engaged with people in Jammu and Kashmir. Between 2004 and 2012, we finished terrorism. But Modi came to power and made a mistake. BJP aligned with PDP, both are diametrically opposite parties. Modi’s policies setting fire to Kashmir, allowing Pak to carry out terrorist acts in Kashmir. Why did you not stop the killing of 45 CRPF personnel: Rahul





12.16 pm IST India stands straight, doesn’t lean left or right: Rahul India stands straight, doesn’t lean left or right, a leader once said when asked: Rahul Gandhi





12.14 pm IST Crony capitalism biggest hurdle to growth in India: Rahul Gandhi Crony capitalism and corruption biggest hurdle to growth in India. Huge amount of resources is captured by 15 or 20 people. There is division: Rahul Gandhi





12.12 pm IST Today’s govt has a north India-specific focus: Rahul Tamil Nadu and south India must have a voice in India. Today’s govt has a north India-specific focus. P Chidambaram, from Tamil Nadu, determined the economic future of the country for 10 years.





12.10 pm IST How many times have you seen the PM answer questions like this: Rahul How many times have you seen the Prime Minister stand in front of 3000 women and answer questions like this, asks Rahul Gandhi





12.08 pm IST Investigate Mr Vadra, but investigate the Prime Minister: Rahul Gandhi I am in talks with paramilitary forces on their protests. Law should apply to everybody, not selectively. Investigate Mr Vadra, I am the first person to say that, but investigate the Prime Minister on, says Rahul Gandhi on a question on Robert Vadra. Rahul attacks PM Modi, Anil Ambani on Rafale deal. Not a word on Rafale deal.





12.06 pm IST Look at the world not from your position but his/her position: Rahul Humility, says Rahul on a question about what he imbibed from his mother Sonia Gandhi. Look at the world not from your position but his/her position. Respect everybody else.





12.04 pm IST We will give you tools, finance to make India No. 1: Rahul China creates 50,000 jobs in 24 hours. We will give you the tools, environment, finance and create the mood for you to make India No. 1.





12.02 pm IST Nirav Modi was a hollow shell for stealing money from this country: Rahul The money you gave, your parents gave in demonetisation, Narendra Modi gave to Nirav Modi. Nirav Modi was a hollow shell for stealing money from this country: Rahul





12 pm IST Did you like demonetisation, Rahul asks students Did you like demonetisation, Rahul asks students, and gets no in answer. He continues, You can’t have a negative fearful discriminative atmosphere in the country and expect economic growth. We will change the mood of the country. We will change the structure of GST and lower the tax.





11.58 am IST I don’t think women should be second to men in any way: Rahul South India significantly better than North on treating women. It’s a cultural aspect. Tamil Nadu one of the leaders in how it treats women. I don’t think women should be second to men in any way. We will pass women’s reservation bill in Lok Sabha, assemblies and reserve 33% for women in govt jobs. Generally women are smarter than men: Rahul





11.55 am IST Blatant privatisation not solution to education: Rahul India spending very little in education. We will spend more. Our target is 6%. Blatant privatisation not solution to education, says Rahul Gandhi on a question on research and education in India





11.50 am IST Current govt attacking, capturing institutions of the country: Rahul Gandhi Current govt attacking, capturing institutions of the country. We are trying to defend it, says Rahul Gandhi





11.48 am IST Call me Rahul, don’t call me sir, says Rahul Gandhi Call me Rahul, don’t call me sir, says Rahul Gandhi at interaction with students in Chennai.





11.30 am IST Rahul Gandhi arrives in Chennai Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives in Chennai. He will participate in multiple events, including an interaction with students, in the state today. Tamil Nadu: Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives in Chennai. He will participate in multiple events, including an interaction with students, in the state today. pic.twitter.com/JgtvIekjrO — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2019



