Millions of Indians voted in the second round of national elections, with a moderate turnout recorded as Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to engage voters with his Hindu nationalist politics. Approximately 60.96% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the second round, which included 88 constituencies across 13 states. The outcome of this round is crucial for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as it includes some of its strongholds in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The BJP is up against a broad opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress and regional parties.
Prominent candidates in the second phase of voting include Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party running in Wayanad constituency in Kerala, Shashi Tharoor of Congress, BJP Bollywood star Hema Malini, and actor Arun Govil who played Lord Ram in a television adaptation of the Ramayana. Prime Minister Modi encouraged voters, especially the youth and women, to turn out in large numbers to strengthen democracy. The BJP has already won one parliamentary seat from Surat due to disqualification of the Congress party candidate. The election authorities found discrepancies in the nomination signatures, leading to BJP nominee Mukesh Dalal winning by default.
India’s national elections will see nearly 970 million voters electing 543 members to Parliament in the staggered election process. The voter turnout in the first phase was estimated at 62%, compared to the record turnout of 67.11% in the 2019 elections. Despite some analysts noting a relative apathy among voters, the BJP is seen as the front-runner in the elections. Critics of Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies accuse the BJP of fostering religious intolerance, but the party denies these accusations and claims its policies benefit all Indians. Modi recently stirred controversy by suggesting that the Congress party would distribute wealth to specific groups if voted to power, causing concerns among the Muslim community.
The Congress party leaders have met with election officials to investigate whether Modi’s comments violate the code of conduct regarding appealing to voters based on caste and religious feelings. In response, the BJP filed a complaint against Congress’s Gandhi for making false assertions about poverty and driving division based on language and region. The election authority has recognized these complaints and asked the party presidents to respond. Hindus make up 80% of India’s population, while Muslims account for 14%, Christians 2%, and Sikhs 2%. The election authority is expected to give its ruling on the complaints next week.
