8 Union Ministers Among Those Contesting Phase 1 Of Lok Sabha Polls

Eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and one ex-governor are among those who are set to test their electoral fate in the first phase of elections on April 19 when 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted a heartwarming message to the party workers on Thursday ahead of the first phase of polling of the Lok Sabha elections.

Hours after a BJP leader was kidnapped in Arunachal Pradesh, CEO Pawan Kumar Sain on Wednesday said no interference in the poll process by underground elements will be tolerated and stringent action will be initiated against such activities.

Congress's KC Venugopal -- candidate from Kerala's Alapuzzha -- has expressed confidence that the party would have a better performance this time, despite contesting the lowest number of seats ever across India.

Just two days ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Manipur's ruling BJP on Wednesday expelled party leader E. Dwijamani Singh for six years.

The law enforcement agencies have so far seized drugs, unaccounted cash and liquor worth Rs 243.95 crore in Punjab after the model code of conduct came into force following the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls last month.