LIVE: Lok Sabha polls from April 7 to May 12 in 9 phases, counting on May 16.

The EC's decision to call polls seems to have taken the government by surprise which had planned a cabinet meeting on Thursday to push some last-minute sops.
The model code of conduct comes , preventing the government from making any decisions that can be seen as influencing voters. It also prohibits political parties from making unsubstantiated allegations against opponents.