The campaigning for the second phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 concludes today, April 24, with 89 constituencies spread across 13 states set to go to polls on April 26. The first phase of the elections witnessed a voter turnout of about 64 percent, and the ongoing elections are being held in seven phases, with the last phase scheduled on June 1 and the counting of votes to be held on June 4.
Among the key contests in the second phase is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s bid from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala. Gandhi, who is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the grandson of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is pitted against Annie Raja from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and K Surendran of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In another key contest, incumbent MP and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is contesting against Union Minister of State and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the Thiruvananthapuram seat in Kerala. Tharoor, who has been a vocal critic of the BJP government, is seeking a third term in Parliament.
On the final day of campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address public meetings in Surguja of Chhattisgarh and two meetings in Sagar and Betul of Madhya Pradesh. He is also scheduled to hold a roadshow in Bhopal. Surguja, Bhopal, and Sagar will go to polls in the third phase, while Betul will vote in the second phase on April 26.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda will also be campaigning in various states. Shah will be in Amravati, Maharashtra, where he will hold a rally after a public event in Alappuzha, Kerala. Nadda will campaign in Bihar’s Bhagalpur, Khagaria, and Madhubani today. Bhagalpur and Madhubani will go to polls on April 26, while Khagaria will go to polls in the third phase on May 7.
The second phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is expected to witness a high voter turnout as the major political parties, including the BJP, the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), are pulling out all the stops to woo voters. The results of the elections will have a significant impact on the Indian political landscape and will determine who will form the next government at the Centre.
