The Election Commission swiftly acted on complaints against Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for violating electoral laws and model code of conduct (MCC). BJP, CPI, and CPI(ML) also filed complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The poll panel sent notices to Kharge and BJP chief J P Nadda for responses.

Digvijaya Singh claimed massive public support for the INDIA bloc, comparable to the 1977 wave. He demanded Election Commission action on PM Modi's alleged model code of conduct violations. Singh mentioned attending rallies in Uttar Pradesh with alliance partner Akhilesh Yadav, noting massive crowds. Singh accused PM Modi of making communally charged speeches and creating a Hindu-Muslim divide.

«The ones whom they call intruders are the citizens of India and their names feature in the country's electoral roll. This means that you are saying that citizens of this country are intruders. You are the Home Minister of this country. You have taken the oath that you will not discriminate against anyone. But you are labelling your citizens as intruders. Everyone knows exactly whom you are labelling,» Sibal said in a press conference on Monday.

The Supreme Court rejected a plea challenging new laws replacing India's penal codes, introducing changes to sedition laws, IPC section 124A, and defining terrorism. President Droupadi Murmu assented to the bills passed by Lok Sabha. The PIL was filed by Tiwari, who had claimed they were enacted without any parliamentary debate.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) warned against using Calcium Carbide for fruit ripening. The ministry advised compliance to prevent harmful effects. Ethylene gas is recommended as a safer alternative. Central Insecticides Board approves Ethephon 39 percent SL. SOP provides detailed instructions. Consumers can report violations to state commissioners.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and wife Savitri cast votes in Lucknow during Lok Sabha elections, urging nationwide voter participation. Voter turnout percentage and Singh as BJP candidate highlighted. Displayed inked fingers symbolize participation, NDA, and opponent Ravidas Mehrotra. Son Pankaj Singh, Noida MLA, urges voting in record numbers. Lucknow's political history with Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Vijay Lakshmi Pandit noted.

PM Modi defends BJP's stance on minorities, cites Constitution's no reservations on religion. He highlights Congress's appeasement politics and commitment to 'sabka saath sabka vikas' ideology.

Delhi is facing an uncomfortable Monday with heatwave conditions expected to continue, reaching up to 45°C. The minimum temperature in the morning was 29.2°C, three degrees above average. The IMD reported 43% relative humidity at 8:30 am and forecasted partly cloudy skies, strong winds, and severe heatwave conditions throughout the day.

PM Modi conducted a roadshow in Puri, Odisha, on Monday morning, accompanied by BJP candidate Sambit Patra. Patra, who was defeated in the 2019 election by Pinaki Mishra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), is running again this year, facing off against Congress' Jaya Narayan Patnayak and BJD's Arup Patnaik. The event drew large crowds of BJP supporters, who lined the route and gathered on terraces.

Five Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Khowai district, Tripura for entering Indian territory without valid travel document. They sneaked in at Ashrambari and were detained while heading to Santirbazar.

Google celebrated India's democratic franchise with a Doodle for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, featuring a voting symbol. The gesture emphasizes public participation. The fifth phase covers 49 constituencies across multiple states and union territories, with high-profile candidates. Google Doodles highlight significant cultural moments and historical milestones.

The Election Commission removed a BSF jawan from poll duty in Uluberia constituency after a woman filed a molestation complaint at Uluberia Police Station. Tight security was in place for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, where voting commenced across seven parliamentary constituencies.

Tourists in Himachal Pradesh disappointed by heatwave, with rising temperatures in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Shimla districts. Severe heatwave expected. Indian Meteorological Centre forecasts 2-3 degree rise in maximum temperatures. Shimla at 29.5 degrees celsius, Dharamshala at 35.1 degrees celsius.

Centre criticizes Karnataka govt for a notification under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, demanding return of wildlife articles, termed 'bad in law.' Rollback ordered. Karnataka issued the notification after amending the Act, following a participant's arrest for possessing tiger claws in 2023 from a Kannada TV reality show. Illegal wildlife artifacts must be surrendered within 30 days.