India Casts Votes in Second Phase of National Elections, BJP Leads the Race

 

On Friday, millions of Indians voted in the crucial second phase of the national elections, marked by growing polarization under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertive Hindu nationalist campaign. This phase covers 88 constituencies in 13 states, including BJP strongholds like Uttar Pradesh, involving 160 million eligible voters.

In New Delhi, the second phase of India's massive national elections took place on a scorching Friday, with millions of people braving the heat to vote. Temperatures soared to 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit), and polling stations were busy from as early as 7 a.m.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, promoting his Hindu nationalist vision, aimed to energize his supporters. The electoral commission reported that about 60.96% of the 160 million eligible voters participated in this crucial phase.

The stakes are high in this second round of elections, especially for Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 88 constituencies being contested across 13 states, including BJP strongholds like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, are essential for maintaining the party's dominance.

Most polls predict a favorable outcome for Modi and the BJP, who are up against a coalition of opposition parties led by the Indian National Congress and several influential regional groups. This diverse political contest highlights the competitive nature of Indian elections.

Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi is running again from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala in the south, after losing in 2019 to BJP's Smriti Irani in Amethi—a historic stronghold of the Nehru-Gandhi family in northern India.