The fervent campaigning for the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections wrapped up on Wednesday, signalling the start of a 48-hour silence period. Top leaders from both the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc made a final push to sway voters ahead of polling day on April 26.
In this phase, 88 constituencies across 12 states and Union Territories, along with a portion of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, are up for grabs. A total of 1206 candidates from 12 states and UTs, along with 4 candidates from Outer Manipur, are vying for victory, according to the Election Commission of India.
During the nomination process, 2633 candidates filed their papers for the 88 parliamentary constituencies. After scrutiny, 1428 nominations were deemed valid, with the withdrawal deadline set for April 8.
Kerala leads in the number of nominations with 500 from 20 constituencies, followed by Karnataka with 491 from 14 constituencies, while Tripura received the minimum of 14 nominations.
Initially, 89 seats were to go to polls, but voting in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul was shifted to phase 3 on May 7 following the death of BSP candidate Ashok Balawi, days after filing nominations.
The first phase of polling covered 102 constituencies across 21 states and UTs, with varying degrees of coverage. Now, as the election campaigns intensify, political parties are making promises and guarantees to voters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the "Modi Ki Guarantee" campaign, emphasizing youth development, women's empowerment, and welfare initiatives for farmers and marginalized communities. In contrast, the Congress is banking on its "Nyay" guarantees, focusing on justice for all sections of society.
The BJP has aggressively targeted the INDIA bloc over allegations of corruption, dynasty politics, and disrespecting constitutional values and Hinduism. Conversely, opposition leaders have criticized the government on issues like electoral bonds, agency misuse, inflation, and unemployment.
Key constituencies like Wayanad, where Rahul Gandhi is contesting, and Thiruvananthapuram, where Shashi Tharoor will face BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, are among those going to polls in the second phase.
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