Lok Sabha Elections: Phase 4 Concludes Amidst Intense Campaigning
The fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections concluded on Saturday, with polling held in 96 seats across 10 states and union territories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led their respective campaigns, highlighting contrasting agendas.
Prime Minister Modi’s Campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his attacks against the Opposition during the campaign, raising issues such as alleged corruption, nepotism, and Muslim appeasement. He accused the Congress leadership of halting their criticism of top industrialists and questioned whether the party had received illicit funds from them.
Congress and Opposition Campaign
The Opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, responded to Modi’s attacks by focusing on unemployment, threats to reservations, and economic distress. They criticized the government’s policies and alleged that it had failed to address the concerns of the people.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Release
The release of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from jail on bail is believed to have given an edge to the Opposition on the last day of the campaign for the third phase. Kejriwal immediately launched his campaign with a roadshow and expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc, which includes AAP, would form the next government.
Other Notable Developments
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a farmers’ organization, also contributed to the Opposition’s campaign by questioning the government’s lack of action on unemployment and privatization policies that threatened reservations. Kejriwal’s controversial remark about Union Home Minister Amit Shah potentially replacing Modi as Prime Minister drew a quick response from Shah, who asserted that Modi would continue to lead the country.
Elections to all the seats in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and 28 seats in the Odisha Assembly will also take place on Monday.
