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Modi challenger's nomination cancelled Modi challenger's nomination 'cancelled'
(about 1 hour later)
India is in full election mode: voting began on 11 April, and the final ballot will be cast more than five weeks later on 19 May. Every day, the BBC will be bringing you all the latest updates on the twists and turns of the world's largest democracy.India is in full election mode: voting began on 11 April, and the final ballot will be cast more than five weeks later on 19 May. Every day, the BBC will be bringing you all the latest updates on the twists and turns of the world's largest democracy.
Ex-soldier's nomination cancelledEx-soldier's nomination cancelled
What happened?What happened?
India's Election Commission has cancelled the nomination of an ex-soldier who was running against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh state. India's Election Commission is reported to have cancelled the nomination of an ex-soldier who was running against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh state.
It said that government employees who were dismissed from service cannot contest polls for five years, reports BBC Hindi's Salman Ravi. "We have been verbally told about the decision, but we are still waiting for a written order," Manoj Rai, a spokesperson for the Samajwadi Party (SP) which is fielding the former soldier as a candidate, told the BBC.
The former Border Security Force soldier, Tej Bahadur Yadav, shot to fame in 2017 after posting three videos, complaining that troops on the border with Pakistan were often served poor-quality food. The videos went viral, prompting an official inquiry. The former Border Security Force member, Tej Bahadur Yadav, shot to fame in 2017 after posting three videos, complaining that troops on the border with Pakistan were often served poor quality food. The videos went viral, prompting an official inquiry.
Mr Yadav was sacked four months later for "making false allegations".Mr Yadav was sacked four months later for "making false allegations".
The Election Commission has said that government employees who were dismissed from service cannot stand in elections for five years.
Why does this matter?Why does this matter?
Mr Yadav was contesting against Mr Modi as a joint candidate of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The regional parties have formed an alliance to contest against Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the main opposition Congress party. Mr Yadav was contesting against Mr Modi as a joint candidate of the (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The regional parties have formed an alliance against Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the main opposition Congress party.
The ex-soldier, who has never contested an election before, was certainly a surprising choice - especially since he was going up against Mr Modi, who won the seat by a huge margin of more than 300,000 votes in 2014. The ex-soldier, who has never run for office before, was certainly a surprising choice - especially since he was going up against Mr Modi, who won the seat by a huge margin of more than 300,000 votes in 2014.
But he was also bound to grab attention as a candidate because his videos had sparked both sympathy and outrage on his behalf. He had posted videos of burnt food and said the quality of the food was so poor that soldiers often chose not to eat at all. But he was also bound to grab attention as a candidate because his videos had sparked both sympathy and outrage on his behalf. He had posted videos of burnt food and said the quality of meals was so poor that soldiers often chose not to eat at all.
And his candidacy was also a political statement of sorts - Mr Modi has repeatedly evoked the sacrifices of soldiers during his campaign. National security became an election plank after Indian troops were killed in a suicide attack in Kashmir. India said a Pakistan-based militant group was responsible.And his candidacy was also a political statement of sorts - Mr Modi has repeatedly evoked the sacrifices of soldiers during his campaign. National security became an election plank after Indian troops were killed in a suicide attack in Kashmir. India said a Pakistan-based militant group was responsible.
Mr Yadav told the BBC that he would continue to campaign for the SP and BSP.Mr Yadav told the BBC that he would continue to campaign for the SP and BSP.
On Tuesday, a row erupted over Rahul Gandhi's citizenshipOn Tuesday, a row erupted over Rahul Gandhi's citizenship
What happened?What happened?
A row has erupted after the Indian Home Ministry asked Rahul Gandhi - the leader of the main opposition Congress party - to respond to a complaint alleging that he has foreign citizenship.A row has erupted after the Indian Home Ministry asked Rahul Gandhi - the leader of the main opposition Congress party - to respond to a complaint alleging that he has foreign citizenship.
Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), complained to the ministry that Mr Gandhi had allegedly claimed to be a British citizen in the past.Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), complained to the ministry that Mr Gandhi had allegedly claimed to be a British citizen in the past.
The Congress was quick to dismiss the allegation - Mr Gandhi's sister, Priyanka, told reporters that "the whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian". And Congress spokesperson Rajdeep Surjewala said the "BJP is in panic mode."The Congress was quick to dismiss the allegation - Mr Gandhi's sister, Priyanka, told reporters that "the whole of India knows that Rahul Gandhi is an Indian". And Congress spokesperson Rajdeep Surjewala said the "BJP is in panic mode."
Why does this matter?Why does this matter?
In his complaint, Mr Swamy reportedly cited paperwork of a company registered in the UK, according to the official notice issued to Mr Gandhi.In his complaint, Mr Swamy reportedly cited paperwork of a company registered in the UK, according to the official notice issued to Mr Gandhi.
He alleged that Mr Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen in company documents that were filed in 2005-06.He alleged that Mr Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen in company documents that were filed in 2005-06.
But Mr Swamy is no stranger to controversy. He made the same allegation and citied the same documents in 2015 - this led to a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court demanding an official inquiry but the court dismissed the petition.But Mr Swamy is no stranger to controversy. He made the same allegation and citied the same documents in 2015 - this led to a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court demanding an official inquiry but the court dismissed the petition.
Mr Swamy had earlier also raised questions about Mr Gandhi's and his mother Sonia's education qualifications.Mr Swamy had earlier also raised questions about Mr Gandhi's and his mother Sonia's education qualifications.
Sonia Gandhi is of Italian descent and that too has been the subject of controversy in the past. Back in 2004, opponents attempted to rake it up as an election issue although she had surrendered her Italian passport in favour of Indian citizenship.Sonia Gandhi is of Italian descent and that too has been the subject of controversy in the past. Back in 2004, opponents attempted to rake it up as an election issue although she had surrendered her Italian passport in favour of Indian citizenship.
On Monday, Mumbai voted in the fourth phase of pollsOn Monday, Mumbai voted in the fourth phase of polls
What happened?What happened?
Voting opened in 72 seats across India - including in the financial capital Mumbai - in the fourth phase of the country's marathon elections.Voting opened in 72 seats across India - including in the financial capital Mumbai - in the fourth phase of the country's marathon elections.
Polling was held in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Indian-administered Kashmir.Polling was held in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Indian-administered Kashmir.
In Mumbai, a number of Bollywood stars were spotted either before or after casting their ballots.In Mumbai, a number of Bollywood stars were spotted either before or after casting their ballots.
Three more phases of voting are due be held before results are announced on 23 May.Three more phases of voting are due be held before results are announced on 23 May.
Why does this matter?Why does this matter?
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies won 56 out of these 72 seats in the 2014 elections.The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies won 56 out of these 72 seats in the 2014 elections.
The BJP's mission to form a government largely depends on how many seats it manages to retain in this phase.The BJP's mission to form a government largely depends on how many seats it manages to retain in this phase.
Several federal ministers, including Giriraj Singh, Subhash Bhamre, SS Ahluwalia and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, are seeking re-election in this phase.Several federal ministers, including Giriraj Singh, Subhash Bhamre, SS Ahluwalia and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, are seeking re-election in this phase.
There are high-profile contests in some of Mumbai's seats.There are high-profile contests in some of Mumbai's seats.
In north-central Mumbai, the BJP's Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, is contesting against Priya Dutt, the daughter of late Congress leader Sunil Dutt.In north-central Mumbai, the BJP's Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, is contesting against Priya Dutt, the daughter of late Congress leader Sunil Dutt.
Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar is taking on the BJP's Gopal Shetty in Mumbai north constituency.Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar is taking on the BJP's Gopal Shetty in Mumbai north constituency.
Controversial former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar is contesting against BJP's Giriraj Singh in Bihar's Begusarai constituency.Controversial former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar is contesting against BJP's Giriraj Singh in Bihar's Begusarai constituency.
India votes 2019India votes 2019
Coverage from previous weeks:Coverage from previous weeks:
How do you vote in the election?How do you vote in the election?
Here's a video explaining everything that happens inside a polling station - and what happens to your vote after that:Here's a video explaining everything that happens inside a polling station - and what happens to your vote after that: