Mayawati, Yogi, Azam Khan, Maneka barred from campaigning, Rahul vs Kejriwal on Twitter & more in April 15 election wrap

Lok Sabha election 2019: With the first phase of Parliamentary election has already taken place on April 11, political parties are gearing up for the second phase of elections scheduled to take place on April 18. In the second phase, the election will be held in 116 constituencies across 14 states. April 16 will be the last day for the leaders, political parties to end their campaign ahead of the second phase polls. 

Lok Sabha election 2019 is being held in 7 phases. Polling in the first phase has already taken place while the remaining phases will go to polls on April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Let's take a look at the top election news of the day in April 15 election wrap.

EC cracks whip, temporarily bans Yogi, Maya, Maneka and Azam Khan from campaigning

The Election Commission Monday barred SP leader Azam Khan and Union minister Maneka Gandhi for 72 hours and 48 hours respectively for their controversial remarks.
Khan was under the poll panel's lens for making derogatory remarks against BJP candidate from Rampur, Jaya Prada, while Gandhi had told Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over. Earlier in the day, the EC had barred UP chief minister Adityanath for 72 hours and BSP leader Mayawati for 48 hours for their religious comments. Read the full story here 

Cong willing to give up 4 seats in Delhi, but Kejriwal has done another U-turn: Rahul Gandhi says 'clock running out'

Congress President said that they are willing to give up 4 out of 7 seats in Delhi, but AAP has imposed fresh conditions. And the time for negotiation is running out. It needs to be kept in mind that Delhi goes to polls on May 12 and the last date for filing nomination is April 23. Hence both parties are looking to stitch an alliance but AAP wants the alliance to be across several states whereas Congress is more focussed on Delhi. Kejriwal earlier had said that he is willing to make any sacrifice to stop Modi-Shah from coming to power. Read the full story here

Watch: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fumbles during her speech in Fatehpur Sikri

While addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur Sikri, Congress general secretary for UP (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fumbled and then corrected herself. She said, “Aisi yojnayein ghoshna patra mein hai, jisme aapko swasthya sarkari aspatalon mein muft milega." She later clarified "Swasthya nahi, Swasthya ki jaanch aur swasthya ka ilaaj muft milega”. Read the full story here

Lok Sabha polls: BJP fields Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur; replaces Sharad Tripathi with Praveen Nishad in Sant Kabir Nagar

Nearly two weeks after, sitting Gorakhpur Samajwadi Party MP Praveen Nishad, whose father Sanjay Nishad is the head of the Nishad Party, joined the BJP, the saffron party has announced its candidate from the prestigious Lok Sabha seat represented by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for four terms. However, contrary to speculation, the BJP has not fielded Praveen Nishad but has instead gone with popular Bhojpuri and Hindi film actor Ravi Kishan. Read the full story here

'Agar chowkidar chor hai, tu to m**** hai': BJP's Himachal chief slams Rahul Gandhi over his Rafale remarks

Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti used derogatory language against Congress president Rahul Gandhi and asserted that the latter should not call Prime Minister Narendra Modi "chor" (thief) when his entire family is out on bail. The statement was reportedly made on April 13 in which the BJP leader is claiming that people are calling Rahul Gandhi m******** for saying ‘chowkidar chor hai’. Read the full story here

Don't be silent like Bhisma during Draupadi's disrobing: Swaraj to Mulayam on Azam Khan's remark against Jaya Prada

Drawing a comparison between mythological character Bhishma Pitahmah and Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, Union Minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Monday sought Mulayam's response on the 'Khaki underwear' comment made by his party leader Azam Khan against film actor and Rampur BJP candidate Jaya Prada. Read the full story here

Consider Akhilesh my younger brother: Jaya Prada slams him for staying silent on Azam Khan’s ‘khakhi underwear’ remark

Film actress and Rampur BJP candidate Jaya Prada on Monday said Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan should not be allowed to contest the ensuing elections, adding that his "vulgar remarks" will not deter her from contesting polls from Rampur. The actor-turned-politician's remark comes a day after Khan while addressing a rally, claimed that the former wears "Khaki underwear."  Read the full story here

Either EC should ban him or people should reject him: Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Azam Khan

A day after Samajwadi party leader Azam Khan allegedly made objectionable remarks against BJP candidate Jaya Prada, Uttar Pradesh minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that Khan should either be banned by the Election Commission or by the public. Joshi said, “If there is any such provision of banning, then EC must ban Azam Khan. The entire women community of the nation felt disgraceful with the comment made by Azam Khan." Get to know the full story, watch video here

I will not contest polls if proved guilty: Azam Khan on remarks against Jaya Prada

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has clarified that he did not make any objectionable remarks against film actor and BJP candidate Jaya Prada, fighting the Lok Sabha polls from Rampur against him. His clarification came after he allegedly while addressing a poll campaign rally here, made a below-the-belt remark against Prada. Get to know the full story, watch video here

'Shameful silence by Akhilesh and Mayawati': Twitter slams Azam Khan's 'khaki underwear' against Jaya Prada

Film actress and Rampur BJP candidate Jaya Prada on Monday said Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan should not be allowed to contest the ensuing elections, adding that his "vulgar remarks" will not deter her from contesting polls from Rampur.  Read the full story here

Azam Khan's below the belt 'khaki' remarks on Jaya Prada earns him BJP's ire, NCW notice

Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former minister Azam Khan on Sunday made a below the belt 'khaki' comment on Jaya Prada, who is contesting the Lok Sabha poll against him on the BJP ticket. The senior leader's remarks earned him ire of ruling BJP and a notice from the National Commission for Women. Read the full story here

Modi govt preparing ground for another Balakot-like strike: Mehbooba Mufti

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Monday accused the BJP of creating a fear psychosis under the guise of national security to prepare for another Balakot-like strike in desperation to win Lok Sabha elections. "In its desperation to win this election, seems like misappropriation of our jawans sacrifices & polarising the electorate hasn't helped BJP. Now they are creating fear psychosis by using national security as a guise to prepare ground for another Balakot-like strike," Mehbooba, who was an ally of BJP in Jammu and Kashmir from 2015 to 2018, said in a tweet. Read the full story here

BJP will bring Citizenship Bill again to protect interests of indigenous people, says candidate from Inner Manipur

The BJP is committed to protecting the interests of indigenous people against the influx of illegal immigrants, a major concern in Manipur which witnessed violent protests against the now-aborted Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the party's candidate from the Inner Manipur seat - R K Ranjan Singh - has said. Read the full story here

Money for NYAY will come from Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi: Rahul Gandhi

Even a 30-second advertisement on television costs lakhs of rupees, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday and asked who was funding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Read the full story here

'Tomorrow Banerjee will invite Imran Khan': BJP cries foul after Bangladeshi star Ferdous campaigns for TMC

In a major controversy, Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed was seen campaigning in favour of the Trinamool Congress candidate from Raigunj constituency Kanhaiyalal Agarwal on Sunday. However, following this development, the Bhartiya Janta Party has moved Election Commission and filed a complaint against the Trinamool Congress. BJP claimed that participation of a foreign national in an election campaign is a sheer violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). BJP also claimed that the Trinamool Congress was trying to consolidate minority votes in the Raigunj seat by roping in a famous Bangladeshi actor, Ahmed. Read the full story here