As Modi-Gandhi rivalry intensifies, India votes in second round of elections।
Bengaluru/Kotayam, India, 26 अप्रैल (Reuters)— India’s world’s biggest election, the second stage, began on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his competitors intensified their campaign slogans on issues such as affirmative action, taxes, and religious discrimination।
The seven-phase general elections, which started on April 19 and ended on June 1, have almost one billion voters. Counting date june 4।
On the back of his economic record, welfare measures, national pride, Hindu nationalism, and personal popularity, Modi is seeking a record-equalling third straight term। Surveys suggest he will easily win a comfortable majority।
His opponents, who are comprised of over twenty political groups, are pledging to increase affirmative action, provide more handouts, and put an end to what they refer to as Modi’s autocratic rule।
On Friday, 160 million people were able to vote for 88 seats out of 543 seats in the lower house of parliament। They were scattered through thirty-three states and federal territories in the world’s most populous nation।
Kerala and Karnataka, the southern states, and Rajasthan, the northwestern state, accounted for over half of Friday’s contests’ seats।
Since the first round of voting on April 19, the campaign has become more intense as Modi and the main opposition Congress party have clashed on communal issues. Modi has accused Congress of favoring minority Muslims, trying to dilute affirmative action, and planning to impose an inheritance tax।
Congress has denied the accusations and said Modi fears losing. They also used divisive language to distract voters from real problems like unemployment, price increases, and rural poverty।
किंतु कुछ मतदाताओं ने BJP को प्रतिक्रिया दी।
I will cast a vote for BJP। I don’t want taxpayers’ money to go for the benefit of any one community, and Muslims will reap a lot of benefits if Congress comes to power।Shree Hari S.S., 23, who voted in Bengaluru’s tech hub, said।
Kareemulla Basha, 47, a software engineer from Bengaluru and a Muslim voter, said that the new government should prioritize addressing unemployment, inflation, and high taxation in the world’s fastest growing major economy।
He said, “When you promise something, see if it is fiscally prudent।” I am happy about subsidies, but the government should do a better job of finding a balance and understanding how much they will cost the exchequer।”
Rahul Gandhi in the Fray: Former Congress president and party face Rahul Gandhi was one of 1,200 candidates in the fray on Friday।
As voting began, Gandhi wrote on X, saying, “Your vote will decide whether the next government will be of ‘a few billionaires’ or of ‘140 crore Indians’।”
As a result, it is the responsibility of every citizen to leave their homes today and act as a’soldier of the constitution’ and cast their vote to defend democracy।Kerala, which is ruled by the Left Front, Gandhi is seeking re-election from Wayanad and faces Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and BJP’s K. Surendran, among others।
Gandhi, although he lost his second seat to BJP in north Indian family bastion Amethi, defeated the CPI candidate in 2019 by more than 400,000 votes, the highest margin in Kerala। India allows candidates to compete from more than one seat, but only one can be retained if they win more than one।
When the BJP took over the power in 2014, Congress fell to a historic low. In 2019, it gained the second-lowest number of 52 seats, with Kerala having the highest number of 15।
Karnataka, where the party only won one of 28 seats in 2019, is expected to improve this year. Last year, the party gained strength and defeated BJP in state elections।
It is still seen as having difficulties nationwide because of disagreements within its opposition alliance and graft cases against certain leaders that have hindered its opposition to Modi।
Political parties and the Election Commission have been concerned about voter turnout as a result of the hot summer and wedding season in some parts of the country. Voter turnout fell to approximately 65% in the initial phase, down from approximately 70% in 2019।
Weather websites predict that on Friday, Bengaluru will have a high of 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit), while Mathura will have a high of 41 degrees Celsius (106°F)।
