The third phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections kicked off today, encompassing 93 constituencies spread across 11 states and Union Territories. With over 1,300 candidates, including 120 women, in the fray, this phase is deemed critical in shaping the political landscape of the nation.
As polling commenced at 9 am, reports indicated a voter turnout of 10.5% across the participating states and union territories. This phase of voting encompasses 26 seats in Gujarat, 14 in Karnataka, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 7 in Chhattisgarh, 5 in Bihar, 4 in Assam, 4 in West Bengal, 2 in Goa, and 2 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Furthermore, Maharashtra’s Baramati, renowned as a bastion of the ‘Pawar family’, assumes significance in the third phase as it determines the electoral fate of NCP founder Sharad Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule. Sule faces a notable challenge from Sunetra Pawar, the wife of the veteran leader’s estranged nephew and Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar.
This phase also holds considerable importance for the late Mulayam Singh Yadav’s family, with three members actively participating in the electoral fray. Among them, Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav, contests for a seat, Akshay Yadav seeks to regain the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat, which he previously won in 2014, and Aditya Yadav makes his electoral debut from the Budaun Lok Sabha constituency, previously held by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav in 2014.
The Lok Sabha elections, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, are a significant exercise in India’s democratic process. Counting of votes is scheduled for June 4, with the outcome eagerly awaited by the nation.
Key figures in the political landscape, such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and former Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh, are among the star candidates.
One of the prominent battles will occur in Baramati, Maharashtra, where NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, faces off against Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In addition, in Uttar Pradesh, Dimple Yadav, wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, is vying to retain the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat.
May 7 will also determine the political future of former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to cast their votes in Ahmedabad city, under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat.
In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP secured victory in 72 out of the 93 seats up for grabs, while the Congress managed to only five. Karnataka saw a clean sweep by the BJP, defeating the Congress and JD(S) alliance, which was in power at the time.
Upcoming Phases and Counting
Following this phase, voting will have concluded for 283 out of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats. The subsequent four phases are scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, with vote counting set for June 4.
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