Industrialist Ratan Tata has urged Mumbai voters to come out in large numbers and fulfill their electoral responsibilities in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for Monday, May 20. The business tycoon took to social media to encourage Mumbaikars to participate actively in the democratic process. Several Bollywood celebrities have also joined the chorus, sharing messages on their social media platforms to motivate people to vote.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lashed out at the Opposition in Bihar, accusing them of attempting to drag the state back into the ‘lantern era’ while the nation progresses into the ‘digital age’ under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Adityanath, addressing a rally in support of Saran Lok Sabha candidate Rajiv Pratap Rudy, denounced the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for fueling caste conflicts, promoting terrorism, and encouraging corruption. He emphasized the significance of Ayodhya and highlighted the transformation witnessed in Uttar Pradesh, where the ‘mafia disease’ has been eradicated, and festivals are now celebrated peacefully without riots or curfews.
The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 20, 2024, marking the end of voting in Maharashtra and the last phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. A total of 49 constituencies from eight states and Union Territories will go to the polls, including 13 constituencies in Maharashtra, one constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, and one constituency in Ladakh.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set a target of winning over 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The party has allied with various regional parties in different states to contest the polls, aiming to retain Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third term. The BJP faces competition from the Indian National Congress (INC) and other regional parties, with key battles expected in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
As campaigning ramps up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, major political parties – the BJP, Congress, and AAP – have released their respective lists of ‘guarantees’ to attract voters. These guarantees cover a wide range of issues such as unemployment, inflation, healthcare, education, agriculture, and corruption. The BJP’s ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ emphasizes continuing and expanding existing government schemes, while the Congress’ ‘Paanch Nyay’ focuses on introducing new policies and fulfilling popular demands. The AAP’s ‘Kejriwal ki 10 Guarantee’ draws inspiration from its governance model in Delhi, promising free utilities, employment, and other benefits. A Lokniti-CSDS pre-poll survey reveals that unemployment and price rise are key concerns for voters, while corruption and class divide are also pressing issues. The guarantees offered by the parties address these concerns to varying degrees.
The release of Kangana Ranaut’s highly anticipated film ‘Emergency’ has been postponed indefinitely due to the actress’s commitment to campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Kangana, who plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film, will be contesting from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, her native state, for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The film, written and directed by Kangana herself, was initially scheduled to release on November 24, 2023, but was later rescheduled to June 14. However, due to changes in Kangana’s schedule, the release has now been postponed again.
Mumbai and surrounding areas, including Palghar, Kalyan, and Thane, will observe dry days from May 18 to 20 in view of the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. This measure aims to ensure a fair and peaceful election process. Bars and wine shops will remain closed during these days to maintain public order. Additionally, a dry day will be observed on June 4 during vote counting. Other cities and regions, such as Gurgaon, Pune, and Kolkata, have also announced dry days during the election period.
The high voter turnout in several Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana has left the three major political parties, the Congress, the BRS, and the BJP, baffled. Overall, 66.3% of voters exercised their franchise, with Bhongir reporting the highest polling percentage of 76.78% and Hyderabad the lowest at 48.48%. The high voter turnout is more than 3% higher than the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but lower than the December assembly elections. All parties are now assessing the pros and cons of the voting pattern, claiming that the high voter turnout is in their favor.
In an effort to boost voter turnout, hotels and restaurants in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, are offering discounts to customers who cast their votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024. The “Pledge to Vote” campaign by the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) provides discounts of 10-20% to voters who display their inked fingers. Additionally, the National Restaurant Association of India has launched the “Democracy Discount” initiative, offering a 20% discount on dine-in bills at participating restaurants on May 20 and 21 for Mumbai voters. These initiatives aim to encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote and increase participation in the electoral process.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has criticized Western media outlets for their biased coverage of Indian elections. He accused them of being unfair and giving condescending advice, despite their own flawed electoral processes.
Jaishankar highlighted the irony of countries that have to resolve election disputes in court criticizing India’s election conduct. He suggested that the Western countries’ negative portrayal stems from their desire to see India conform to their expectations, rather than respecting the choices of the Indian electorate.
Jaishankar also commended the high voter turnout in India, despite challenging weather conditions. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are being held in seven phases, with the final results expected on June 4.
