The campaign trail for the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections came to a close on Wednesday evening. On April 19, voting will commence for the 102 Lok Sabha seats spanning across 21 states and Union Territories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spearheaded the BJP's campaign, conducting 36 rallies and 7 roadshows by the campaign's conclusion. Home Minister Amit Shah has partaken in 22 public events, including 8 roadshows and 14 public meetings. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reached out with 26 public meetings and 3 roadshows across 12 states. BJP President JP Nadda conducted 18 rallies, 3 roadshows, and 4 organizational meetings up to the end of the first phase.
During his public addresses, PM Modi stated, 'In 2014, I came to you with hope, in 2019 with trust, and now in 2024, I bring a guarantee. I assure you of fulfilling all the promises we have made.' Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several cabinet ministers also rallied in support of BJP candidates. Prominent Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, as well as leaders from other parties, have campaigned for their candidates. BJP's campaign focused on attacking the India alliance on issues like corruption, dynastic politics, and the disparagement of the Constitution and Hindu religion.
Read more about the sturdy lead analysis for the first voting phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on
Opposition leaders targeted the government on various issues, including the misuse of electoral bonds, alleged abuse of agencies, inflation, and unemployment. Meanwhile, the BJP steered clear of populist promises and controversial issues like NRC in its manifesto, prioritizing development and welfare, referring to it as 'Modi's Guarantee' and focusing on the government's existing welfare schemes. Their commitment to introduce 'One Nation, One Election' and a Uniform Civil Code was reiterated in the manifesto.
Source: aajtak
The Congress released a manifesto called 'Justice Paper' spanning 45 pages, centralizing on five pillars of justice and 25 guarantees underneath. Key promises included the introduction of 'The Right to Apprenticeship', a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price, a constitutional amendment to increase the reservation limit to 50% for SC, ST, and OBC, a nationwide caste census, and the abolition of the Agnipath scheme. Prime Minister Modi criticized Congress's manifesto, suggesting it carried the influence of the Muslim League and an intent to fragment India.
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In 2019, UPA won 45 and NDA 41 out of the 102 seats.
The voting in the first phase will put into contention seats of eight central ministers, two former chief ministers, and a former Lt. Governor of Telangana, among others. In the previous election, UPA had secured 45 seats and NDA 41 out of these 102. Voting will take place in all seats in Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1), and Lakshadweep (1).
Source: aajtak
Moreover, voting will also transpire in 12 seats in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 each in Assam and Maharashtra, 4 in Bihar, 3 in West Bengal, 2 in Manipur, and one each in Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, and Tripura. The election authorities of these constituencies have been directed to ensure that no outsiders remain in the areas 48 hours before voting commences. A strict prohibition is in place for any form of electioneering, public meetings, press conferences by political parties, interviews, and panel discussions on electronic and print media during this period.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reassured the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir during his election campaign, promising state assembly elections and restoration of its full state status. Home Minister Shah reiterated at a rally that the state assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir will be held by the Supreme Court's deadline of September 30. Voting in the Naxal-affected Bastar of Chhattisgarh will take place during the first phase. It's worth noting that on Tuesday, a major anti-Naxal operation in the Kanker district of Bastar Range resulted in the elimination of 29 Naxalites by security forces. The second phase of voting for 89 seats across 13 states and Union Territories is scheduled for April 26.
