- A QUICK RECAP OF THE DAY (FINAL PHASE)
- • 7-phase Lok Sabha elections conclude; Counting of votes on June 4
- • A voter turnout of 58.34 per cent was recorded till 5 pm (local time) on Saturday.
- • The first six phases of the mammoth vote were held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25. The votes will be counted on June 4.
- • Election officials in West Bengal state say an electronic voting machine (EVM) and some papers were “looted” from a polling station in Jaynagar constituency.
- • The opposition parties forming the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) met in capital New Delhi to discuss their strategy as the election concludes.
- • The main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi says he is “proud” of citizens who, despite high temperatures around the country, “have come out to vote to protect democracy and the constitution”.
BJP chief thanks Election Commission after conclusion of Lok Sabha polling
June 01, 2024. 07:07PM (GMT+6)
BJP chief JP Nadda on Saturday thanked the Election Commission of India and its officials after the conclusion of the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls.
In a statement, he said, “The final phase of the election has been completed…I would like to thank the ECI for successfully conducting the elections with proper arrangements…It is a matter to notice for the world how the ECI conducts elections in the biggest democratic country. I would like to thank the workers of the party too for campaigning for the elections…I also thank the lakhs of employees and security personnel of the Election Commission. I also thank our voters and the first-time voters who came out to vote…”
7-phase Lok Sabha elections conclude; Counting of votes on June 4
June 01, 2024. 06:47PM (GMT+6)
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections, world’s largest democratic exercise with nearly 97 crore eligible voters, conclude after polling for the seventh and final phase comes to an end.
Even as 7th Phase of polling in General Elections 2024 wraps up, Commission thanks all stakeholders : voters, polling personnel, security forces, media and political parties
— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) June 1, 2024
Details : https://t.co/X2TFIUk1nr pic.twitter.com/FxH4vveWR9
Exit polls set to be released
June 01, 2024. 05:47PM (GMT+6)
As the curtains close on the mammoth Indian election exercise for 2024, all eyes are now set on the exit polls that are set to be released later in the evening today.
As per the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, exit polls by various analysts can only be released after the final voting day.
Political parties are geared up to respond to the exit poll data.
The opposition Congress party, which earlier announced that it wouldn’t participate in the exit polls, has now taken a U-turn.
The party president Mallikarjun Kharge later said they were expecting to win more than 295 seats. This happened after the Congress party met with all INDIA bloc leaders on the evening of 1 June.
The ruling BJP on the other hand is expecting a land-slide victory and is said to be preparing for the swearing-in ceremony for the next term of PM Modi.
Voting was held across the country simultaneously for elections to the Lok Sabha as well as to Legislative Assemblies of four States (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim), between 19 April and 1 June.
In the last phase 7 that was held today, the voter turnout till 3pm local time was 49.68%, according to the Election Commission.
Congress makes U-turn on decision to ‘boycott’ exit polls, Kharge hopes ‘positive outcome’
June 01, 2024. 05:02PM (GMT+6)
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera in a tweet says, “After considering factors for and against participating in the exit polls, it has been decided by consensus that all the INDIA parties will participate in the exit poll debates on television this evening.”
INDIA parties met and decided to expose the bjp and its ecosystem on the prefixed exit polls.
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) June 1, 2024
After considering factors for and against participating in the exit polls, it has been decided by consensus that all the INDIA parties will participate in the exit poll debates on…
Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that INDIA bloc is confident of a positive outcome.
“We have fought the # Lok Sabha Elections 2024 with all our might and are confident of a positive outcome, as the people of India have supported us,” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge posts on X (formerly Twitter).
The leaders of INDIA parties are informally meeting today to take stock of the preparations leading up to the counting day.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 1, 2024
The fight is still not over, and the leaders and workers of all the parties are extremely alert.
I thank each one of them for their esteemed presence.… pic.twitter.com/EjcpNAktlT
"INDIA alliance will win 295+ seats" says Congress President Mr Mallikarjun Kharge
INDIA alliance leaders to meet as polls close
June 01, 2024. 04:39PM (GMT+6)
The opposition parties forming the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will meet in capital New Delhi to discuss their strategy as the election comes to a close.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav are expected to be in attendance, the India Today website reports.
The other main opposition parties that form INDIA are the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which governs the crucial West Bengal state, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which is in power in the southern Tamil Nadu state, and the AAP which governs Delhi and Punjab states.
List of Congress leaders attending INDIA meeting today.
- Shri Mallikarjun Kharge INC
- Smt. Sonia Gandhi
- Shri Rahul Gandhi
- Shri K. C. Venugopal
- Shri Akhilesh Yadav SP
- Shri Sharad Pawar NCP
- Shri Jitendra Awhad(NCP)
- Shri Arvind Kejriwal AAP
- Shri Bhagwant Mann AAP
- Shri Sanjay Singh
- Shri Raghav Chadha
- Shri T. R. Baalu DMK
- Shri Tejashwi Yadav RJD
- Shri Sanjay Yadav, RJD
- Shri Champai Soren JMM
- Smt. Kalpana Soren JMM
- Shri Farooq Abdullah J&KNC
- Shri D. Raja CPI
- Shri Sitaram Yechury CPIM
- Anil Desai SHIV SENA (UBT)
- Shri Dipankar Bhattacharya CPI(ML)
- Shri Mukesh Sahani VIP
![LEADERS ATTENDING INDIA MEETING Congress, JUNE 1ST, 2024](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LEADERS-ATTENDING-INDIA-MEETING-Congress-JUNE-1ST-2024.jpg?resize=1118%2C497&ssl=1)
LEADERS ATTENDING INDIA MEETING Congress, JUNE 1ST, 2024. Source: Congress Party
Voting underway at world’s highest polling booth
June 01, 2024. 04:15PM (GMT+6)
The 62 registered voters in Himachal’s Tashigang are in the news today for voting from the world’s highest polling booth.
The Himalayan village is located at a height of more than 15,000 ft near the China border.
Of the 62 registered voters, 37 are men and 25 women.
Local villagers, mainly the Buddhists, are excited to vote, writes IANS reporter Vishal Gulati on his X handle.
Local villagers, mainly the Buddhist, are excited at world’s highest polling station Tashigang, located at a height of 15,256 feet, in the Spiti Valley, which is part of the Mandi parliamentary constituency in Himachal, has 52 registered voters, comprising 30 men and 22 women. pic.twitter.com/eqoY2RoGEj
— Vishal Gulati (@VishalG1010) June 1, 2024
The Election Commission has declared Tashigang as a model polling booth. It usually registers close to 100% voter turnout in both parliamentary and assembly elections.
INDIA alliance leaders to meet as polls close
June 01, 2024. 03:41PM (GMT+6)
![LEADERS ATTENDING INDIA MEETING, JUNE 1ST, 2024](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LEADERS-ATTENDING-INDIA-MEETING-JUNE-1ST-2024.jpg?resize=1121%2C506&ssl=1)
LEADERS ATTENDING INDIA MEETING, JUNE 1ST, 2024 (Source: Congress Party)
The opposition parties forming the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will meet in capital New Delhi to discuss their strategy as the election comes to a close.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav are expected to be in attendance, the India Today website reports.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav leaves for Delhi from Lucknow airport to attend the meeting of the INDIA alliance leaders, later today. pic.twitter.com/Jz2Nm6e5sr
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024
The other main opposition parties that form INDIA are the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which governs the crucial West Bengal state, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which is in power in the southern Tamil Nadu state, and the AAP which governs Delhi and Punjab states.
Voter turnout of 40.09% recorded till 01 PM
June 01, 2024 03:00PM (GMT+6)
- Bihar: 35.65%35.65
- Chandigarh: 40.14% 40.14
- Himachal Pradesh: 48.63% 48.63
- Jharkhand: 46.80% 46.8
- Odisha: 37.64% 37.64
- Punjab: 37.80%37.8
- Uttar Pradesh: 39.31% 39.31
- West Bengal: 45.07%45.07
Who are the key candidates in Final Phase?
As the six-week-long electoral exercise of the Lok Sabha elections is set to conclude today, here is a look at the key candidates who are contesting in the seventh phase:
![Prime Minister Modi, who is eyeing a third term, is the BJP's candidate from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, a seat he won in the 2014 and 2019 polls. This time, the INDIA bloc has fielded UP Congress chief Ajay Rai against the BJP's most prominent candidate.](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ajay-Rai-vs-Narendra-Modi.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Ajay Rai vs Narendra Modi
The BJP has fielded Former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay from Tamluk seat in West Bengal. He is contesting against TMC's Debangshu Bhattacharya and Sayan Banerjee from CPI(M).
![Kangana Ranaut is making her election debut from Himachal's Mandi, a seat currently held by Pratibha Singh, state Congress chief. This time, Pratibha Singh's son and state minister Vikramaditya Singh is the Congress's candidate in the high-profile contest](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Kangana-Ranaut-vs-Vikramaditya-Singh.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Actress Kangana Ranaut vs Vikramaditya Singh
Kangana Ranaut is making her election debut from Himachal's Mandi, a seat currently held by Pratibha Singh, state Congress chief. This time, Pratibha Singh's son and state minister Vikramaditya Singh is the Congress's candidate in the high-profile contest.
![Ravi Kishan vs Kajal Nishad](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ravi-Kishan-vs-Kajal-Nishad.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Actor Ravi Kishan vs Kajal Nishad
Actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan is contesting from Gorakhpur, a BJP stronghold and has been with the party for over three decades now and is up against Samajwadi Party's Kajal Nishad.
![Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bhojpuri-star-Pawan-Singh.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Bhojpuri Star Pawan Singh
Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh, after withdrawing from Asansol, contests as an independent against NDA candidate Upendra Kushwaha in Bihar's Karakat.
![Anurag Thakur, Information and Broadcasting minister, who also holds the sports portfolio, is contesting from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur seat, which he has won four times in a row; is up against former Congress MLA Satpal Raizada.](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Anurag-Thakur-vs-Satpal-Raizada.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Anurag Thakur vs Satpal Raizada
Anurag Thakur, Information and Broadcasting minister, who also holds the sports portfolio, is contesting from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur seat, which he has won four times in a row; is up against former Congress MLA Satpal Raizada.
![Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and No. 2 in Trinamool Congress, Abhishek Banerjee is contesting from Diamond Harbour, a seat he has won twice is up against the CPM's Pratikur Rahaman and BJP's Abhijit Das in this Lok Sabha contest.](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Abhishek-Banerjee-vs-Pratikur-Rahaman-vs-Abhijit-Das.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Abhishek Banerjee vs Pratikur Rahaman vs Abhijit Das
Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and No. 2 in Trinamool Congress, Abhishek Banerjee is contesting from Diamond Harbour, a seat he has won twice is up against the CPM's Pratikur Rahaman and BJP's Abhijit Das in this Lok Sabha contest.
![Misa Bharti vs Ram Kripal Yadav](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Misa-Bharti-vs-Ram-Kripal-Yadav.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Misa Bharti vs Ram Kripal Yadav
Misa Bharti, Rajya Sabha MP and eldest daughter of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, is contesting from Bihar's Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat this time as INDIA Opposition bloc's candidate and is up against BJP's Ram Kripal Yadav, who won in 2014 and 2019.
![Kirron Kher vs Manish Tewari](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Kirron-Kher-vs-Manish-Tewari.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Kirron Kher vs Manish Tewari
Misa Bharti, Rajya Sabha MP and eldest daughter of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, is contesting from Bihar's Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat this time as INDIA Opposition bloc's candidate and is up against BJP's Ram Kripal Yadav, who won in 2014 and 2019.
![Afzal Ansari, now representing the Samajwadi Party, aims to retain Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur seat he won in 2019. BJP fielded Parasnath Rai, while BSP's Umesh Kumar Singh adds a triangular dimension to the contest.](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Afzal-Ansari-vs-Parasnath-Rai-vs-Umesh-Kumar-Singh.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Afzal Ansari vs Parasnath Rai vs Umesh Kumar Singh
Misa Bharti, Rajya Sabha MP and eldest daughter of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, is contesting from Bihar's Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat this time as INDIA Opposition bloc's candidate and is up against BJP's Ram Kripal Yadav, who won in 2014 and 2019.
![Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad seeks re-election from BJP stronghold - Patna Sahib in Bihar. He faces a challenge from Congress candidate Anshul Abhijeet, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ravi-Shankar-Prasad-vs-Anshul-Abhijeet.jpg?fit=300%2C190&ssl=1)
Ravi Shankar Prasad vs Anshul Abhijeet
Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad seeks re-election from BJP stronghold - Patna Sahib in Bihar. He faces a challenge from Congress candidate Anshul Abhijeet, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.
PM Modi contests from Varanasi in the final phase
June 01, 2024. 01:41PM (GMT+6)
![PM Modi contests from Varanasi in the final phase](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM-Modi-contests-from-Varanasi-in-the-final-phase.jpg?resize=814%2C452&ssl=1)
PM Modi contests from Varanasi in the final phase
The temple town of Varanasi in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen to fight for his parliamentary seat, voting today.
India wraps up the world’s biggest election that began on April 19, in which nearly 970 million people were eligible to cast ballots. Modi, 73, who is eyeing a third straight five-year term as prime minister, is among 904 candidates seeking votes in the final phase. Ballot counting for all phases of the vote is scheduled for Tuesday.
Ahead of the voting, Modi said in a video message in the local Bhojpuri language on Thursday that the election “is a vote for the creation of a developed India, along with a new Kashi,” using Varanasi’s ancient name.
Modi, knowing the importance of Varanasi as India’s holiest city among majority Hindus, has been contesting parliamentary elections from the city since 2014. That was when Modi became prime minister; he originally hails from the western state of Gujarat.
“Each vote of Kashi’s people, especially its youth, women power and farmers, will add to my strength and provide me new energy,” Modi said as he wound up the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election campaign, during which he covered the length and breadth of the country, holding over 200 rallies and roadshows since mid-March.
After concluding his campaign, Modi visited Kanyakumari, at the southernmost tip of India, in Tamil Nadu state to meditate from Thursday evening to Saturday evening. Kanyakumari was where Swami Vivekananda, a renowned 19th-century Hindu monk and spiritual leader, is believed to have attained enlightenment. In 2019, at the end of another campaign, Modi visited Kedarnath in northern Uttarakhand state, where he meditated in a cave.
Opinion polls ahead of the elections point to a victory by the BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.
During campaigning for the current elections, Modi repeated an even loftier goal for the NDA’s seat count: over 400.
Dancers Perform Gidda At Punjab's Polling Stations To Encourage Voters to Cast Vote
June 01, 2024. 01:30PM (GMT+6)
In the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha Election, women in several constituencies of Punjab performed Gidda to spread awareness and encourage voters to exercise their right to franchise.
#WATCH | Punjab: Girls perform Gidda at a polling booth in Mohali and urge eligible voters to cast their vote. All 13 Parliamentary constituencies of the state are going to polls today.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/Hhw4BFBr0s
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024
Gidda is a popular folk dance of women in the Punjab region while being just as energetic as Bhangra, it displays feminine grace and elegance. The costume is brightly coloured salwar-kameez and heavy jewellery, the dancers usually braid their hair.
At polling booths, there were displays of the culture and heritage of Punjab as well.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਵਿਰਾਸਤ ਅਤੇ ਸੱਭਿਆਚਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਖੂਬੀ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਕੁਝ ਪੋਲਿੰਗ ਬੂਥਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਝਲਕੀਆਂ।#GoVote #LokSabhaElections2024 #TheCEOPunjab #NoVoterToBeLeftBehind #ChunavKaParv #YouAreTheOne #ivoteforsure #PunjabVotesOn1June #IssVaar70Par@ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/if99WC4jhm
— Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab (@TheCEOPunjab) June 1, 2024
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi urged people to vote
June 01, 2024. 01:05PM (GMT+6)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet urged voters to exercise their franchise. “I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers. Together, let’s make our democracy more vibrant and participative.” He wrote in X.
Today is the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As 57 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls, calling upon the voters to turnout in large numbers and vote. I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers. Together, let’s make our…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 1, 2024
Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi I a separate tweet said, “Dear countrymen! Please come out in large numbers and give your vote as the ‘final blow’ to this government which has become a symbol of arrogance and tyranny.”
प्यारे देशवासियों!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 1, 2024
आज सातवें और अंतिम चरण का मतदान है और अब तक के रुझानों से स्पष्ट है कि देश में INDIA की सरकार बनने जा रही है।
मुझे गर्व है कि झुलसा देने वाली गर्मी में भी आप सभी लोकतंत्र और संविधान की रक्षा के लिए वोट देने निकले हैं।
आज भी बड़ी संख्या में बाहर निकल कर…
Betting, bookies, speculations on ahead of exit polls
June 01, 2024. 12:52PM (GMT+6)
Immediately after today’s polling ends, all attention will turn to exit polls, which give an early indication of the results.
Betting and predictions are already on fire over whether the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under PM Modi or the Congress-led opposition INDIA bloc will form the next government.
The results of the exits polls conducted by various poll analysis agencies/media houses are expected to be made available shortly after the voting process wraps up on the evening of 1 June.
Exit polls, conducted on the day of polling immediately after voters leave the polling stations, ask voters whom they actually voted for, offering a real-time snapshot of the election outcome.
A day before the final phase of voting, the famed Phalodi Satta Bazar (betting market) in the western state of Rajasthan updated its estimates for the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA bloc.
The Phalodi Satta Bazaar reportedly has a track record of precise predictions in elections, cricket matches, as well as weather forecasts. Various reports and predictions from the Phalodi Satta Bazaar suggest that the BJP aims to sweep all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the crucial state of UP, with a potential overall victory of 335 to 340 seats.
However the betting rates are open to fluctuation on an hourly basis depending on the final day of voting, and several other factors.
The market uses two main terms: ‘khana’ and ‘lagana’, according a report published in the Economic Times. ‘Khana’ refers to bets with slim chances of winning, while ‘lagana’ denotes bets with a higher likelihood of success. Local participants do not need to deposit money due to personal trust with bookies, while outsiders are required to deposit cash, often through digital transactions.
In another report in the Times of India, a bookie is quoted as saying that “The market handles crores in business daily… we have people everywhere who provide information on caste equations and voter behaviour.”
Meanwhile, the Congress party has announced that it will not participate in any Lok Sabha election exit poll debate on the television channels, which are scheduled for later today.
Heatwave on polling day; 25 poll officials amid 40 heat-related deaths
June 01, 2024. 11:42AM (GMT+6)
![A polling official faints from the heat as another tries to fan him with a placard depicting the EVM layout, on the eve of the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections, at a distribution center in Varanasi( Image Source :PTI)](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Heatwave-on-polling-day-25-poll-officials-amid-40-heat-related-deaths.jpg?resize=703%2C395&ssl=1)
A polling official faints from the heat as another tries to fan him with a placard depicting the EVM layout, on the eve of the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections, at a distribution center in Varanasi( Image Source :PTI)
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the heatwave conditions will likely persist over parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand among others on 1 June.
Voters are braving intense heat to queue up and vote in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections today.
A day ahead of the polling date, at least 40 heatwave-related deaths were reported, with 25 of these fatalities being among polling staff, deployed in UP and Bihar.
In UP, where 13 seats are going to polls today, officials reported that at least 15 election staff died from suspected heatstroke.
Dr Raj Bahadur Kamal, the principal of Mirzapur’s Maa Vindhyavasini Autonomous State Medical College, told the PTI news agency that at least 13 polling staff died at the hospital. The deceased included seven home guard jawans, three sanitation workers, one clerk from the Chief Medical Officer’s office, one consolidation officer, and one peon in the home guard team.
“They were brought to the facility with high fever and high blood pressure,” he added.
Two other polling officials died in another district in UP due to heat-related causes while nine personnel are being treated at a hospital, officials said.
In Bihar, where 8 Lok Sabha seats are voting today, officials said 14 people, including 10 polling personnel, have died due to heatstroke in the past two days.
Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted a gradual abatement of the prevailing heatwave conditions in northwest, central, and east India over the next 2 to 3 days.
West Bengal: Poll violence in Jadavpur
June 01, 2024. 11:00AM (GMT+6)
Tension has mounted in Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency of West Bengal after four political workers of the Communist Party (CPM) were beaten up allegedly by ruling Trinamul Congress workers.
The CPM workers include the husband of an election agent of the party candidate Srijan Bhattacharya.
Local reports say trouble started this morning when the husband of the CPM candidate’s polling agent was beaten up in front of the residence of the agent at Rabindra Pally in Ganguly Bagan.
The attackers reportedly snatched poll documents from him.
Three other CPM supporters were also allegedly assaulted by the ruling party workers when the former tried to rescue the polling agent’s husband.
TMC fears that their candidate Saayani Ghosh will be defeated by CPM in Jadavpur… that’s why the ruling party goons are attacking our party workers,” Bhattacharya alleged.
The TMC has denied any involvement.
TMC has not lost Jadavpur since 2009. It is facing contest from the BJP and the CPM – the latter holds no Lok Sabha or Assembly seat in West Bengal but is hopeful of changing that in this year’s election.
All eyes on Punjab, Himachal, Chandigarh
June 01, 2024. 10:35AM (GMT+6)
After weeks of intense campaigning, all 13 seats of the northern state pf Punjab, 4 seats from the northern Himachal state, and the lone seat of the Union Territory Chandigarh are going to vote in a single phase today.
All eyes are on these states.
Punjab is seeing a high-stakes battle between four parties with no alliance in sight. These parties are: the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which came to power with a thumping majority in the State in 2022; its key challenger, the Congress, as well as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
Himachal Pradesh is witnessing an interesting and direct battle between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress is in power in the state after winning the assembly elections – but the BJP had swept all 4 seats in the parliamentary polls during both 2014 and 2019.
In Chandigarh, election watchers are keen to see how voters will decide in the direct battle between the INDIA bloc (Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance) and the BJP. The stakes for the BJP are high, which is keen to retain its seat, but is facing a tough competition from INDIA bloc’s Manish Tewari
PM Modi continues 45-hour meditation retreat
June 01, 2024. 10:01AM (GMT+6)
![PM Modi continues meditation retreat](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM-Modi-continues-meditation-retreat.jpg?resize=795%2C432&ssl=1)
PM Modi continues meditation retreat
After campaigning ended for the 7th phase of the Indian election on 30 May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a 45-hour meditation retreat to the southernmost tip of the country, Kanniyakumari, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly, PM Modi had kicked off his poll campaign from the same place on 16 March this year.
He is at the famed mid-sea Vivekananda Rock Memorial, named after the revered Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda who is believed to have meditated here and had a divine vision about “Bharat Mata”.
This is also the place where the eastern and western coastlines of India meet. It is also the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea.
Modi’s meditation retreat has snowballed into a political controversy with critics and the opposition calling it a “political stunt” as India votes today.
However, he had undertaken a similar exercise in the 2019 election by going on a 17-hour meditation retreat to Kedarnath in the northern Himalayas. In 2014 as well, he had gone to Shivaji’s Pratapgarh in Maharashtra.
He is known to take spiritual journeys at the end of Lok Sabha election campaigns.
However this year, the opposition leaders are calling it a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC), while legal experts argue that it doesn’t violate the MCC’s “silence period” as long as there is no talk about the locality where the election is happening.
BJP president JP Nadda, UP CM Yogi Adityanath cast vote
June 01, 2024. 9:45AM (GMT+6)
![BJP chief Nadda votes in Bilaspur](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BJP-chief-Nadda-votes-in-Bilaspur.jpg?resize=695%2C426&ssl=1)
BJP chief Nadda votes in Bilaspur
Several politicians were among the early voters today. BJP president JP Nadda and his wife voted at a polling booth in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath voted in Gorakhnath, Gorakhpur.
Movie star and BJP’s candidate from Gorakhpur also cast his vote. Dressed in a saffron attire, he told mediapersons, “I have cast my vote for Viksit Bharat, developed India…”
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: After casting his vote, BJP MP and candidate from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan says "I have cast my vote for Viksit Bharat, Ram Rajya and to make India a 'vishwa guru'..." pic.twitter.com/LymjqEnWg9
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024
India election phase 7: What to expect
June 01, 2024. 8:53AM (GMT+6)
![India election phase Seventh](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/India-election-phase-7-What-to-expect.jpg?resize=770%2C642&ssl=1)
India election phase 7
The final phase of Indian parliamentary election is taking place across 7 states and 1 union territory for the remaining 57 seats.
The behemoth seven-stage election is finally reaching its climax – the results will be out on 4 June. And the exit polls will not be revealed until the election process is completed today.
While the likely outcome remains a third consecutive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, voter turnout has been lower than anticipated.
In the first four phases, it stood at 66.95%, about 1% lower than the 2019 election. The 5th phase recorded the lowest turnout at 62.2%, while the turnout for the 6th phase was 63.37%.
The drop in turnout is not significant, but it has been enough to trigger speculation whether this will work in favour of the opposition or the ruling coalition led by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
These are the states and UT going to polls today:
- Bihar: 8 out of 40 seats
- Himachal Pradesh: 4 out of 4 constituencies
- Jharkhand: 3 out of 14 constituencies
- Odisha: 6 out of 21 seats
- Punjab: 13 out of 13 seats
- Uttar Pradesh: 13 out of 80 constituencies
- West Bengal: 9 out of 42 seats
- Chandigarh: Lone constituency
The star candidate contesting today is of course Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is contesting the polls from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh state. Besides Modi, 6 contestants are fighting from Varanasi, including Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief Ajay Rai.
A total of 906 candidates are fighting it out in the 7th phase today – the last one, before the results are announced.
You Can Also Check Phase 1:
INDIA ELECTION 2024: WORLD’S LARGEST ELECTION KICKS OFF
You Can Also Check Phase 2:
STAR CANDIDATES OF INDIA’S PHASE 2 POLLING
You Can Also Check Phase 3:
NARENDRA MODI VOTES IN THIRD PHASE OF LOK SABHA POLLS
You Can Also Check Phase 4:
MODI EYES BIG WINS AS POLLING CONTINUES FOR FOURTH PHASE
You Can Also Check Phase 5:
INDIA ELECTION: POLLING UNDERWAY ACROSS 49 CONSTITUENCIES IN PHASE 5
You Can Also Check Phase 6:
INDIA ELECTION: 58 SEATS VOTE IN PHASE 6 OF LOK SABHA POLLS
Phases of Indian Election
- 1
- 2