A voter turnout of 65.79 percent was recorded in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections but the final figures may change as it does not include postal ballots, the Election Commission said on Thursday.

In the 2019 parliamentary polls, the turnout was 67.40 percent.

While in 2019, India had 91.20 crore voters and out of these, 61.5 crore had exercised their franchise, in the 2024 polls, the size of the electorate grew to 96.88 crore.

At a recent press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said a total of 64.2 crore voters have exercised their franchise in the 2024 polls.

"Overall, 65.79 per cent voter turnout recorded in general elections, 2024, at the polling stations," the Election Commission said in a statement.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday took full responsibility for the NCP's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls and asserted the defeat in Baramati, viewed as a prestige battle, was surprising.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting of his party MLAs, Pawar said all legislators were firmly with him and rejected speculation that some were planning to defect to the faction led by Sharad Pawar.

"The opposition can say anything. I have always had the support of the people. My MLAs, MLCs have assured me they will always stand by me," he said.

Speaking about Baramati, where sitting MP Supriya Sule defeated his wife Sunetra Pawar by a huge margin, the deputy CM said, "The result is surprising since I always had the support of the people there." Queried about whether he would once again join hands with NCP founder Sharad Pawar, he tersely said he accepted responsibility for the poll debacle, adding "there is no need to bring family matters in public".

Asserting there would be detailed introspection of the party's poll performance, the NCP president said some of the reasons included Muslims moving away from the ruling alliance, the Opposition's allegations of change in Constitution, which alienated the Dalits and backward classes, as well as ongoing Maratha quota stir in Marathwada.

Pawar said he had discussed the results with chief minister Eknath Shinde and asserted appropriate decisions would be taken to win back the support of the people.

The Narendra Modi government has been rejected by the people and this is just the beginning, TMC leader Derek O'Brien said on Thursday as a series of meetings in the opposition camp continued two days after the Lok Sabha poll results were announced.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Delhi on Thursday and later, he flew to Mumbai to meet Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with O'Brien met Yadav at his residence in Delhi in the morning.

A source told news agency PTI that both the TMC general secretary and the Samajwadi Party chief were in "complete agreement on the way forward".

Later in the day, Abhishek Banerjee met Thackeray at his residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai. The meeting lasted for around 90 minutes.

While not commenting on what transpired in the meetings, O'Brien said Prime Minister Modi and his government have been rejected.

 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were "directly involved" in what he described as the "biggest stock market scam" with retail investors losing Rs 30 lakh crore due to the market crashing after the Lok Sabha poll result, even as the BJP dismissed his charges as "baseless".

Hitting back at Gandhi, the BJP accused him of conspiring to scare domestic and foreign investors. The stock market went down when the Congress was seen gaining in seats on the day of the poll result on June 4 but has now begun rising as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is set to return to office for a third consecutive term, it claimed.

Addressing a press conference here, Gandhi demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the "scam" and sought an inquiry into the alleged role of the prime minister, home minister and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in it, claiming they had advised retail investors to buy stock before the result, which is "unprecedented".

 Top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend, authoritative sources said on Thursday.

It is learnt that India has already sent invites to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and some other leaders of the countries chosen to grace the ceremony.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan are among the leaders being invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony, which is likely to take place on June 9.

Maldivian officials in Male confirmed that Muizzu along with the country's foreign minister and a couple of other leaders will be travelling to New Delhi to attend the ceremony. This will be Muizzu's first visit to India as the island nation's president.

 The long pending demand of "Special Category Status" for Andhra Pradesh has once again gained momentum after the N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP's support became crucial for the formation of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

Telugu Desam party and Janasena won 16 and two MPs seats respectively from AP, which could prove to be crucial for forming the coalition government at the Centre, with BJP lacking the numbers this time to form a government on its own.

The BJP in its poll campaigns during the run up to the 2014 General Elections promised that the SCS would be accorded to Andhra Pradesh if voted to power.

SCS, which was about additional central funds among others, was promised to Andhra Pradesh by the then central Congress government in the wake of the southern state's bifurcation and the creation of Telangana in 2014.

However, it was shelved for various reasons including enhancement of devolution of funds to the states from 30 per cent to 41 percent.

The BJP on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of conspiring to scare domestic and foreign investors, asserting that the stock market has begun rising as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is set to return to office for a third consecutive term.

Addressing a press conference after Gandhi alleged a "biggest stock market scam" worth Rs 30 lakh crore and pointed fingers at Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal claimed that domestic investors in fact made money while the loss was suffered by foreign investors.

The BJP leader also dismissed as baseless Gandhi's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the matter, saying he keeps making useless comments.

Goyal said the Rs 30 lakh crore figure highlighted by Gandhi was a notional amount and did not pertain to trading.

"He (Gandhi) does not understand. That is why people of India do not trust him," Goyal said, citing the big rise in stock market under the BJP government to assert that retail and domestic investors benefitted the most.

"I think Rahul Gandhi should be concerned about the fear of investors as the market crashed when the Congress was doing better than expected. Now, people are confident that the Modi government is coming back, and the market has stabilised and is reclaiming its previous highs," he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were "directly involved" in what he described as the "biggest stock market scam" in which retail investors lost Rs 30 lakh crore after poll results, and demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into it.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, he also sought an inquiry into the alleged role of the prime minister, home minister and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in this "scam", claiming they had advised retail investors to buy stock before the results, which is "unprecedented".

Gandhi also alleged that PM Modi and Shah knew how many seats the BJP was winning, but they "artificially" jacked up the stock prices with the help of "fake" exit polls and the markets crashed when the results came out on June 4 leading to huge losses to retail investors.

"The common people of India lost Rs 30 lakh crore in the stock market on June 4...We demand a JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) investigation into this biggest-ever stock market scam," the former Congress chief said.

"This is a criminal act and we demand a JPC to investigate the involvement of the prime minister, home minister and finance minister and who are the people who made the money in this 'scam'," he said referring to those behind the exit polls.

 NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Thursday said the INDI bloc has decided to 'wait and watch' as the BJP is set to form the next government, but there is always hope as the Opposition alliance's tally of seats in the new Lok Sabha is "encouraging".

Sule, who defeated her sister-in-law to win the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency for the fourth time, was speaking to reporters as she visited Pune for the first time after the poll victory.

Asked if there were any chances of the Opposition alliance forming the government, she said, "We are always hopeful and the numbers are very encouraging." Earlier, speaking at her office in Market Yard area, Sule, who attended the INDIA bloc's meeting in Delhi on Wednesday, said the alliance decided to adopt 'wait and watch' policy as it does not have the "magic figure" (to prove its majority in the Lok Sabha).

The President has invited the single largest party, BJP, to form the government as per the norms but the INDIA alliance was also "prepared", she added.

Congress' Shashi Tharoor said, "The truth is that they do have the numbers in a pre-poll alliance, so there's no question of begrudging them their right to form the government. And I think the INDI alliance decided very clearly there's no point in trying to create drama out of this. Let them form the government and we will be a robust and effective opposition. Coalitions are not a bad thing in themselves because they will make the Prime Minister and his party much more accountable to others than they have been in the last ten years. In the last ten years, the kind of governance we saw was my way or the highway...Don't even consult the cabinet. Don't even consult your Finance Minister...That style is over now..."
 

“Assam cabinet to be reshuffled before August 15 to form new team for 2026 assembly polls,” said CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
 

The Election Commission of India has lifted the Model Code of Conduct after the results of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were declared.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "This is a broader issue than just the Adani issue. It is connected to the Adani issue, but this is a much broader issue. This is directly the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, who is privy to data on actual election results, who has IB reports, who have their own data, who are advising retail investors to buy stock. This has never happened before. The Prime Minister has never commented on the stock market before. This is the first time the Prime Minister has commented very interestingly and multiple times, one after the other, saying that the stock market is going to boom. At the same time, he has information that the exit polls are wrong. He has information that he knows what is going to happen because he has IB data and he also has his own party data."
 

Conress leader Rahul Gandhi has sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into June 4 stock market crash. He said, "After 'fake' exit polls, stock markets rose, and then crashed on June 4. Retail investors lost Rs 30 lakh crore, this is biggest stock market 'scam'.
 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "For the first time we noted that during the elections, the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Finance Minister commented on the stock market. The Prime Minister said that the stock market is rising at a great speed. the Union Home Minister said that on June 4 the stock market will be on the rise and you all should invest and similar was said by the Finance Minister...Amit Shah says buy shares before June 4, 19 May PM Modi says the stock market will break records on June 4..."

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "BJP was at 303 seats before the election and they had given the slogan of 400...Those who talked of 400 have come down to 200. This mandate is against the policies of this government and against the type of politics they have introduced in the last 10 years. The issues with which the Congress Party and INDI alliance went to the public have been appreciated by the public, our numbers have almost doubled and all the constituent parties of the INDIA alliance have also received very good support. The message of this election is against the BJP."
 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Muslim voters had voted in favour of Congress in Assam in this election.  Religion was a consideration in this election, not development. Congress did complete polarization politics in this election in Assam."
 

Assam recorded the highest voter turnout of 81.56 percent among states. Bihar recorded the lowest voter turnout out of 56.19 percent among states: ECI.

"There's no other option than Rahul Gandhi. He has got the numbers for us and he will lead us in the Parliament and even Kharge Ji said the same," Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar tells Republic in an exclusive interview. 

Congress Working Committee meeting presided by party president Mallikarjun Kharge to be held on June 8 at AICC headquarters in Delhi.

On reports of his party demanding 2-3 cabinet berths in the NDA Government, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan says, "I refute all such things. There is no demand. There can be no demand because our goal was to make the PM, the Prime Minister (again). All allies played an honest role towards this. This privilege (allotting cabinet berths) lies with the Prime Minister...So, there is no demand by any ally party."

Delhi: When asked if he has been approached by the INDIA bloc, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan says, "Opposition can certainly make a failed attempt to fulfill their ambitions. Perhaps they are making such attempts. For them, policy and ideology do not matter. They don't shy away from insulting the mandate when it comes to fulfilling their ambitions. The mandate is completely for the NDA...This mandate is to make my PM, a third-time PM. So, no ally will insult this mandate. We are strongly with the Prime Minister. A government will be formed soon and it will go on strongly for 5 years."

On SP leader Shivpal Yadav's remark that BJP should resign on moral grounds in UP, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says, "BJP is strong in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath. BJP has not got enough seats in the Lok Sabha elections but that does not mean BJP is over in UP. When Assembly elections will take place in the state, BJP will come back to power again...BJP is strong under the leadership of PM Modi and the party got a lot of seats in several states including MP, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Bihar..."

Delhi: After coming out of the residence of Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, party leader Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh says, "...JD(U) Parliamentary Party meeting will be held at 9.30 am tomorrow...We are strongly with the NDA, we will continue to be with them..."

For Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic swearing-in ceremony for third time in a row, leaders from neighbouring nations including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have been invited. 

On caste-based census, JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi says, "No party in the country has said no to caste-based census. Bihar has shown the path. PM too didn't oppose it in all-party delegation. A caste-based census is the call of the hour. We will pursue it." He also says, "There is no pre-condition. There is unconditional support. But Bihar be given the special status is something which we have in our heart..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony which was earlier reported to be held on Saturday, June 8, will now be held on June 9, claimed sources.  

West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari wrote to the state Governor, mentioning incidents of post-poll violence in the state and alleging TMC's role in it. In the letter, Adhikari also requested the Governor to visit the affected areas in the state.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will on Thursday evening hand over the list of candidates who won the Lok Sabha elections to President Droupadi Murmu, sources said Thursday.

Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "It is a matter of joy that this time, the Opposition would be strong. The voice of Opposition would not stifle this time. Several important questions were presented before the public - the biggest one being the Agniveer jobs. Samajwadi Party can never accept the Agniveer system..."

As key JD(U) leaders arrived at the New Delhi residence of Nitish Kumar, sources claimed that discussions are likely to be held on their cabinet berths in the newly-elected NDA government. 

“There is no truth in INDI alliance claims that few Bengal BJP MPs are in touch with them. This is fake news,” said a BJP leader on rumours around TMC holding the support of BJP MPs. 

Etawah, Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Shivpal Yadav says, "... If elections are held in Uttar Pradesh today, a government under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav will be formed... The people have chosen the biggest devotee of Lord Ram with a record number of votes."

Abhishek Banerjee is likely in touch with West Bengal BJP MPs amid INDI bloc's huddle in New Delhi.

Chandrababu Naidu is likely to meet all TDP MPs in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. 

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to depart for New Delhi tomorrow, June 7 to participate in the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 8. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will remain in Delhi until the afternoon of June 9.

The Leader of Opposition in the newly-elected 18th Lok Sabha is likely to be from the Congress party which bagged 99 seats, claimed sources. 

JDU leader Nitish Kumar extended his Delhi stay till June 8, when Narendra Modi will take oath as Prime Minister for the third time in a row. He is likely to hold JDU's parliamentary board meeting tomorrow in the national capital. 

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to congratulate him and the National Democratic Alliance on their historic victory in India’s general election...The two leaders emphasized their commitment to deepening the U.S.-India Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership and to advancing their shared vision of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders also discussed National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s upcoming travel to New Delhi to engage the new government on shared U.S.-India priorities, including the trusted, strategic technology partnership: White House

Leaders from neighbouring countries to be invited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Heads of Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been invited for the ceremony, said sources. 

Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar asserted on Wednesday that "fatwas" played a role in the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) winning Lok Sabha seats, suggesting that Muslim voters believed Uddhav Thackeray had abandoned Hindutva principles.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi clinched victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, over 75 world leaders sent him congratulatory messages wishing him for his electoral victory in the general elections. According to the sources, leaders from diverse regions including Asia, Europe, Africa, West Asia and the Caribbean have extended their wishes to PM Modi for his win in the general elections.

JDU MP Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh expressed confidence in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saying all the leaders who were present at the meeting have reaffirmed their support for Narendra Modi, adding that he should become the prime minister for the third time.