BJP-RSS assaulting Dalits across India while PM Modi remains silent, says Rahul Gandhi
A total of 2,655 candidates - 2,436 men and 219 women - are in the fray for the May 12 election for 224 Assembly seats in Karnataka.
With a week to go before campaigning for the May 12 assembly polls in Karnataka draws to a close, leaders from across the parties are pulling all their weight to connect with the voters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed three public rallies in the state on Thursday, interacted with the office bearers and workers of the BJP's Karnataka women's wing through the NaMo App.
Modi would talk about the initiatives taken by the government for women's empowerment. During the interaction, he will also answer questions of the workers of the party's women wing.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi who is in Karnataka on the eighth leg of his campaign tour of the state will also address rallies today. He is expected to address public and corner meetings in Kalburgi, Gadag and Haveri district.
Karnataka is slated to witness a three-corner contest, involving the ruling Congress, the BJP and the H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S).
A total of 2,655 candidates - 2,436 men and 219 women - are left in the fray for the May 12 election for 224 Assembly seats in Karnataka. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office, the contesting candidates include 224 from BJP, 222 from Congress and 201 from JD(S). Others are BSP 18, CPI 2, CPIM 19, NCP 14, registered unrecognised parties 800 and independents 1,155.
The process of filing of nominations had begun with the gazette notification on April 17. While the last date for filing of nominations was April 24, scrutiny was on April 25.
Here are the live updates of Karnataka Assembly polls:
Latest Updates
Our fight is to get the people of Karnataka their money. BJP snatches your money and gives it to Reddy brothers, Nirav Modi: Rahul Gandhi
The BJP opposed the amendment to Article 371 (J), while the Congress actively pursued it to open up growth opportunities for the people: Rahul Gandhi
We have planned food processing plants for the benefit and growth of Karnataka farmers: Rahul Gandhi
In Karnataka, we have delivered on our promises through various welfare schemes: Rahul Gandhi
Even PM Modi has acknowledged Karnataka's better employment record. We would further improve this record by increasing women employment: Congress President Rahul Gandhi
When the Congress comes to power In 2019, we will waive the loans of farmers within 10 days of coming to power: Rahul Gandhi
Narendra Modi ji can waive Rs 2.5 lakh crore of richest of India but can not waive even one rupee of farmers: Rahul Gandhi
BJP-RSS is assaulting Dalits across the nation while the person who the person who talks about Dr Ambedkar remains silent: Rahul Gandhi
His minister Piyush Goyal does not tell the country that he has a company, hides it and sells it. Earn crores of rupees but Modi ji does not say a single word: Rahul Gandhi
BJP wants RSS to run Karnataka. People of BJP-RSS want to trample your language, culture, history and food choice: Rahul Gandhi
While businesses in India are having a difficult time, the firm owned by the son of BJP President turned Rs. 50,000 into Rs. 80 Cr: Rahul Gandhi
The BJP-RSS is assaulting Dalits across the nation while PM Modi remains silent: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses a gathering in Karnataka's Kalgi
Supreme Court has dismissed the plea of BJP leader G Janardhan Reddy for letting him go to Bellary to campaign for his brother, who is a candidate for the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka. Reddy is out on bail in mining scam. The top court did not find any merit in the plea and dismissed it.
BJP says in manifesto that it will announce a crop loan waiver upto 1 Lakh, including all loans from Nationalised Banks and Co-operatives, in first cabinet meeting
Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi for calling Bengaluru 'garbage city'. Full story here
Digital India making inroads to poor families. BJP will launch the “MukhyaMantri Smartphone Yojane” to provide women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families with free smartphones.
BJP will launch the “MukhyaMantri Laptop Yojane” to provide every student enrolling in a college with a free laptop.
BJP will launch the “Negilayogi Yojane” to provide direct income support of 10,000 each to 20 Lakh small and marginal dry land farmers.
BJP Manifesto: BJP has promised to provide free sanitary napkins to BPL women and girl students and at Rs. 1 for other women under the new “StreeSuvidha Scheme.”
BJP releases manifesto for Karnataka Assembly elections 2018
Ujjawala scheme has also helped in preservation of water in rural areas, as the utensils are not getting stained due to cooking on smoke free LPG stoves: PM Modi
When the contribution of women in the country increases, the development of the country is ensured: PM Modi
Rural sanitation has increased from 40% to more than 80% now. Under mission mode, our govt has made separate toilets for girls in govt schools. This has improved security and there is considerable decline in drop out of girls from school: PM Modi
Our govt stands solidly to support women at every stage whether they want to become home maker, job seeker or job creator: PM Modi
It has always been our effort to give equal opportunity to women: PM
The government has recently made stringent amendments in laws relating to crimes against women and children, increasing the punishment up to death penalty in some cases: PM Modi
Siddaramaiah rebuts PM Modi, tweets, "Tokenism Modi ji. Yesterday, you ridiculed a candle light march taken out to protest supporters of child rapists in Kathua, & today you pretend to talk about Nari Shakti. Real empowerment comes from real policies. Please learn from Karnataka in this thread."
Awareness in the society about atrocities on women and sense of responsibility can help us get rid of social evil: PM Modi
We have organised 4 lakh free health check-ups and free vaccination of nearly 10 lakh women and children were done in Karnataka: PM Modi
Rs 10,000 were deposited for girls under BS Yeddyurapp government's Bhagya Lakshmi scheme, which doubled during their marriage: PM Modi
Even today people of Karnataka remember the schemes that were started by BS Yeddyurappa ji: PM Modi
It has always been our effort to give equal opportunity to women: PM Modi
Many schemes were made for women empowerment before but their direction was not right. After coming to power, we introduced many schemes for women - from health to maternity leave - so that they find all the necessary amenities after childbirth and their life is without stress: Modi
If Congress does not spread lie, it'll lose its relevance: PM Modi
We have organised 4 lakh free health check-ups and free vaccination of nearly 10 lakh women and children were done in Karnataka: PM Modi
We increased maternity leave for women to 6 months. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was started, more than 19 thousand crore deposited under this scheme: PM Modi
We have given important portfolios to women in our Cabinet. These two pictures are proof of that: PM Modi
Siddaramaiah rebuts PM Modi, tweets, "Tokenism Modi ji. Yesterday, you ridiculed a candle light march taken out to protest supporters of child rapists in Kathua, & today you pretend to talk about Nari Shakti. Real empowerment comes from real policies. Please learn from Karnataka in this thread."