Lok Sabha elections phase 2: Voting ends in Phase 2 of India's elections

The second phase of Lok Sabha elections witnessed the maximum voter turnout in Tripura with 78.53 per cent voting, whereas Uttar Pradesh registered the lowest with 53.71 per cent, as per the data released by the Election Commission of India.

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In a recent interview to News 24, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned PM Modi's faith in Buddhism.

Kharge said, "Buddha is considered as the 9th avatar of Vishnu, he (PM Modi) does not let Buddha come close. In Uttarakhand, there is a law that if someone wants to convert to Buddhism, he needs to go to the District Magistrate. Buddhism was established in India, but you (PM Modi) do not believe in it." 

While replying to the comments, a Buddhist Monk, Norbu Negi said, "It would be wrong to say that PM Modi does not have faith in Buddhism. PM Modi makes a phone call to Dalai Lama on his birthday every year and the Modi government and their party workers also help us and participate whenever we have some functions of Buddhism over here." 

BJP national president JP Nadda held a roadshow in Karnataka's Kalaburagi.

During the roadshow, he said, "Rahul Gandhi is on bail or not, Lalu Yadav is on bail or not.TMC leaders are on bail or not, Now tell me, Arvind Kejriwal is in jail or not, TMC leaders and DMK leaders are in jail or not? Half of them (opposition leaders) are on bail and half in jail." 

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, "All our workers are very enthusiastic. The polling has been extremely favourable to us. The old bastions of the BJP will be broken completely in the second phase of the election and even in the third phase where the rest of Karnataka falls. So overall, in June you'll be quite surprised with the numbers that have been delivered by the Congress for the India Alliance." 

Congress CEC (Central Election Committee) meeting is to be held tomorrow evening in Delhi to discuss and finalise the names of the candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Raiganj as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.      
 

Former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, "I am fully confident, the Opposition (Congress) is out of the race... The voting will be good and BJP will break all previous records. We will win all 10 seats in Haryana..."

Congress leader Mohammed Arif (Naseem) Khan wrote to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and quit as a star campaigner of the party for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls. "MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) has not nominated a single Muslim candidate in Maharashtra. I am upset with the party's unfair decision...," he wrote. 
 

In Manipur, voting concludes in Ukhrul for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed. Moreover, in Assam, voting concludes in Amolapatty, Nagaon for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed.  
 

EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.
 

EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Thrissur as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.  
 

Voting concludes in Aligarh for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. The Presiding officer at a polling booth in Aligarh, Ajay Kumar said, "Elections have been concluded peacefully. Voting has been closed. EVMs will be sent to the strong room."
 

On Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda's remark, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "It (Inheritance Tax) directly hits the middle class. It directly hits the aspirational class. They work hard, sweat and toil of theirs are saved in small savings here and there, or they buy a house, a dream house, and keep some fixed deposits. All this is going to be exposed to the so-called property tax. After all, Congress's reputation in terms of property tax goes back. And I remember earlier in 1968 there was a compulsory deposit scheme where people's deposits were all 18%, 20%. Something was taken away. There was no justification given at that time." 

BJP leader Uma Bharti said, "After Independence, most of the work is done in the last 10 years. The public knows this, hence we do not need to answer anything to the Opposition... I had said on January 22 that I would take the responsibility that I am given but I would stay away from politics for two years. I will work on cleaning Ganga... The abusive words spoken for PM Modi have never been spoken to anyone else... We will win all 29 seats from Madhya Pradesh with 3-4 lakh votes... I am in complete support of One Nation One Election... The election machinery is used, governmental machinery stops and schemes are halted. This is a very good idea... "
 

After casting his vote, Karnataka Health Minister and Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "In Karnataka, there is a chance to win more than 20 seats (for Congress). I believe the result will be in our favour after the first voting in the state. This time, we hope to win in the Bengaluru city... Everyone should participate and cast their vote. Generally, the voter turnout is less than 60% in Bengaluru. Voting is necessary for democracy..."
 

According to data from the Election Commission of India, 61% voter turnout has been recorded across 13 states, UTs till 5 pm in the second phase of polling so far.

The figure will go up as polling continues till 6 pm IST.

Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, a video has surfaced on social media showing a groom, dressed in wedding attire, reaching the polling station to cast his vote in the Western Indian state of Rajasthan.

The groom, a resident of Debari, reached the polling station along with 'Baraat', to cast vote in the Udaipur seat. Jitendra Vaishnav urged all his relatives to cast their ballots before they departed for Delwara in Rajsamand district, some 50km away.

Read in detail here.

ASSAM - 70.66%
BIHAR - 53.03%
CHHATISGARH - 72.13%
J&K - 67.22%
KARNATAKA - 63.90%
KERALA - 63.97%
MADHYA PRADESH - 54.58%
MAHARASHTRA - 53.51
MANIPUR - 76.06%
RAJASTHAN - 59.19%
TRIPURA - 76.23%
UTTAR PRADESH - 52.64%
WEST BENGAL - 71.84%

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Bengaluru South, was booked by the election commission on Friday (Apr 26) for seeking votes on the ground of religion. Surya had earlier posted a video on X, in which he “solicited votes on the ground of religion," the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka said in an X post. Bengaluru South is a crucial seat for BJP where Surya is pitted against Congress's Sowmya Reddy.

Read in detail here.

India men’s cricket team coach Rahul Dravid was seen on a different field on Friday (April 26) as he was standing in a queue to cast his vote in the ongoing general elections in the nation. Dravid, a resident of India’s Bengaluru took the opportunity to pass a message to all the citizens of the nation by casting his vote in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election. Alongside Dravid, Anil Kumble was also seen cast vote in the state capital. 

Read in detail here.

50.25% overall voter turnout till 3 pm in Phase 2 polling has been recorded.

Below is the state-wise data.

Assam -60.32
Bihar- 44.24
Chhattisgarh-63.92
JK-57.76
karnataka-50.93
kerala- 51.64
MP-46.50
Maharastra-43.01
Manipur-68.48
Rajasthan-50.27
Tripura-68.92
UP-44.13
WB- 60.60

Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera says, "In today's polling, Wayanad is a significant seat and our popular leader Rahul Gandhi is fighting elections from there. Last time, with 4 lakh votes he (Rahul Gandhi) won, this time all victory records will be broken and we can say this with full confidence. I have been to Rajasthan for four days, went through situations; we can say this we are bringing seats in the double-digit more than expected...I remembered you all when I went to Kota, why? because the one who is fighting the election from there is Lok Sabha speaker. People told me that before the 2019 election, after winning around 2014-15 he (Om Birla) said that he is going to fight the election from here only when he would bring the Airport here; 2019 is gone, now 2024 arrived, but the Airport didn't..."

On the Supreme Court's decision regarding EVM, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court. The opposition tried to spread confusion and blame EVM for its defeat but now the Supreme Court has made it very clear and has rejected the petition... My request to the opposition is that if they want to fight elections, then fight on issues, fight on ideology. We are working to take India forward..."

Addressing a public rally in Bihar's Munger, PM Modi said, "The Congress now has an evil eye on your property. Congress says that they will survey the houses and land of farmers and implement Inheritance Tax... Congress has come up with such a law that you will not be able to give your land and property to your children. The 'Guru' of the 'Shehzade' is saying that they will grab more than half of your property if the Congress comes to power... During all this discussion, the RJD is silent because they also want to be a participant in its property and enjoy it..."

Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Prem Chand Bairwa exercised his voting right at a polling booth located in Dudu, Rajasthan.

For the first time ever, the Bru voters who recently settled in Tripura cast their votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha General Elections on Friday. They had previously voted in the state assembly elections held in March last year.

These Bru migrants, who were residing in six relief camps in North Tripura district until 2020, have now been granted permanent settlement in 12 different locations across the state.

Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla cast his vote at a polling booth in Darjeeling today. 

“I was quite satisfied with the way people were coming in. I think the voter turnout was good, a lot of women voters turned up. It is very important in the second phase that there is a record turnout of voters. PM Modi has also said that your vote strengthens our democracy,” he told the media outside the booth. 

Maharashtra has seen the lowest voter turnout so far in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election. According to Election Commission data, the state has recorded a voter turnout of 31.77% as of 1 pm.

Here are the voter turnout figures for each constituency as of 1 pm:

• Amravati: 31.40%
• Nanded: 32.93%
• Parbhani: 33.88%
• Buldhana: 29.07%
• Yavatmal Washim: 31.47%
• Akola: 32.25%
• Wardha: 32.32%
• Hingoli: 30.46%

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray expressed optimism about the success of Varsha Gaikwad, the Mumbai Congress president, in the Mumbai North Central constituency.

• Thackeray, describing Gaikwad as his younger sister, confirmed that she would receive his vote as a constituent of the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency.

• Thackeray assured Gaikwad of his party's full support for her victory.

A policeman belonging to the Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Force, who was deployed on poll duty, tragically passed away in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district on Friday. The preliminary investigation suggests that the cause of death was suicide, as he allegedly shot himself with his service rifle.

The incident took place around 9.30 am at a government school in Kudedadar village under Piparchhedi police station limits where security personnel on poll duty have been stationed, said a police official.

Head Constable Jiyalal Pawar allegedly shot himself with his service rifle in a room at the school. He was on the reserve team and was not deployed for active poll work; the official said. No suicide note was found. 

In Karnataka's Chamarajanagar, eight senior women officers of district administration wore specially designed silk saris sporting a message "Chunavana Parva-Deshada Garva" (festival of election is the country's pride) seeking to encourage voter participation.

The eight, as per PTI, included Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar Shilpa Nag, who is also the Election Officer for Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency.

"The hand-woven silk saris are to promote traditional weavers and weaving industry that Chamarajanagar is known for, and also to create awareness about voting," Nag told PTI.

The other officers who wore these saris included an Additional Commissioner, three Assistant Returning Officers and two Tahsildars.

Assam- 46.31 %
Bihar- 33.80 %
Chhattisgarh- 53.09 %
J&K- 42.88 %
Karnataka- 38.23 %
Kerala- 39.26 %
Madhya Pradesh- 38.96 %
Maharashtra- 31.77 %
Manipur- 54.26 %
Rajasthan- 40.39 %
Tripura- 54.47 %
UP- 35.73 %
West Bengal- 47.29 %

As Indians vote across 88 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories during second phase of India's seven-phase election, the raging election summer is sweating the politicians out left, right and centre. 

Read more

Till 11 am, Tripura has recorded the highest voter turnout at 36.42 per cent.

Here's a look at how other states are faring:

• Assam- 27.43%
• Bihar- 21.68%
• Chhattisgarh- 35.47%
• Jammu and Kashmir- 26.61%
• Karnataka- 22.34%
• Kerala- 25.61%
• Madhya Pradesh- 28.15%
• Maharashtra- 18.83%
• Manipur- 33.22%
• Rajasthan- 26.84%
• Uttar Pradesh- 24.31%
• West Bengal- 31.25%

Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje casts her vote in Rajasthan.

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla casts his vote in UP's Gautam Budh Nagar

Here's a state-wise turnout till 9am in Lok Sabha polls (Phase 2).

ASSAM-9.17%
BIHAR-9.84%
CHHATISGARH-15.42%
J&K-10.39%
KARNATAKA-9.21%
KERALA-11.98%
MADHYA PRADESH-13.82%
MAHARASHTRA-7.45%
MANIPUR-15.49%
RAJASTHAN-11.77%
TRIPURA-16.65%
UP-11.67%
WEST BENGAL-15.68

A voter turnout of 10.39 per cent recorded in Jammu till 9am in Lok Sabha Elections 2024 (Phase 2).

Akhnoor (SC) - 14.24%
Bahu - 10.46%
Bishnah (SC) - 11.44%
Chhamb -10.52%
Gulabgarh (ST) - 13.53%
Jammu East -10.26%
Jammu North -10.93%
Jammu West -9.37%
Kalakote - Sunderbani - 11% 
Marh  (SC)- 12.31%
Nagrota -12.27%
RS Pura - Jammu South - 8.17% 
Ramgarh (SC) -1.53%
Reasi -14.13%
Samba - 8.56%
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi - 12.71%
Suchetgarh (SC) -5.67%
Vijaypur - 12.29%

Rajasthan BJP state president CP Joshi, after casting his vote in Chittorgarh, told news agency ANI, "... Rajasthan is the land of heroes... This land never accepted Mughal invaders... The politics of appeasement is flourishing somewhere under the rule of Congress on this land... BJP will win all 25 seats with a huge majority in Rajasthan..."

Congress candidate from Kerala's Alappuzha constituency, KC Venugopal says, "I am confident that the people of Alleppey will stand with me. After phase one of the Lok Sabha elections, the PM is panicking. I thank the PM for bringing the Congress manifesto into the public domain in a big way. In Kerala, UDF will sweep all 20 seats People of Wayanad, Kerala will show that they are with Rahul Gandhi."

Sabarimala Temple, Erumeli Mosque, Parumala Church — Kerala's Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency is home to some of India's most revered shrines from across the faiths. It's these religious landmarks that forced advertising icon Walter Mendez to come up with 'God's own country' catchphrase for Kerala Tourism in 1989. 

While Pathanamthitta's landmarks of faith have remained unchanged for several centuries, in recent years, it's the political landmarks of this constituency that have undergone a significant change. The constituency has been a bastion of Congress-led alliances since its formation in 2008. But in Bharatiya Janata Party's growing presence in Kerala's Travancore region, Pathanamthitta has remained its key electoral focus.

Read more...

Rajasthan BJP state president CP Joshi lined up among voters to cast his vote in Lok Sabha polls, at a polling booth under Chittorgarh Lok Sabha constituency.

Karnataka: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with her father, arrives at BES polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote in the Lok Sabha elections.

Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.
 

BJP candidate from Ghaziabad Atul Garg casts his vote as polling in phase 2 of Lok Sabha polls began in 8 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh "I have cast my vote today. I am feeling very good. I will visit the constituency now. To vote is an opportunity to serve the nation...," he said.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia cast her vote. Her son Dushyant Singh is a BJP candidate from Jhalawar.

"The country wants development, this is why BJP will form the government again and PM Narendra Modi will win a third term. Jhalawar MP Dushyant Singh has been receiving good support... I believe he will create history this time as well... We can never take anything for granted. Everything is in the hands of god and the voters...," she said after casting her vote.
 

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose fate too will be determined in Wayanad constituency, took to X and urged voters across 88 constituencies to become "soldiers of the constitution" by casting their vote.

"My dear countrymen! Today is the second phase of this historic election which is going to decide the fate of the country. Your vote will decide whether the next government will be of 'a few billionaires' or of '140 crore Indians'. Therefore, it is the duty of every citizen to step out of their homes today and become a 'soldier of the Constitution' and vote to protect democracy," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X. 

The Election Commission of India rescheduled the election in Madhya Pradesh's Betul Lok Sabha constituency after the death of a candidate of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Therefore, a total of 88 constituencies are going to polls, not 89. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and urged the electorate to turn up in huge numbers at the polling stations across 88 constituencies going to polls. 

"Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X. 

The Election Commission (EC), in the wake of a heatwave, extended the poll timings by two hours in four parliamentary constituencies of Bihar to ensure enhanced voter participation.

Three helicopters, four special trains and nearly 80,000 vehicles have been deployed for polling across constituencies going to polls.

In more than 50 per cent of the polling stations, webcasting will be done in more than one lakh polling stations and micro-observers will be deployed in all polling stations. 

Days before the elections, 251 Observers (89 General Observers, 53 Police Observers, 109 Expenditure Observers) have already reached their Constituencies. Meanwhile, Special Observers have been deployed in certain states.

A total of 4553 Flying Squads, 5731 Static Surveillance Teams, 1462 Video Surveillance Teams and 844 Video Viewing Teams will keep surveillance round the clock to deal with any form of inducement of voters.

Strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies is being kept on a total of 1237 inter-state and 263 international Border checkposts. 

Among Maharashtra's eight seats which are going to polls in the second phase, direct contests will be seen in Buldhana, Yavatmal-Washim and Hingoli between the Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde and the Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT).
 

A total of 194 candidates are contesting elections from 20 seats in Kerala, which will witness a battle between the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF, Congress-headed UDF, and the BJP-led NDA.
 

Over 15.88 crore (158 million) voters will be determining the fate of 1202 candidates on Friday in the second phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. The second phase of polling will be held in 88 constituencies across 13 States/Union Territory. With weather conditions predicted to be within normal ranges, voters can cast their votes comfortably. For the convenience of voters, meticulous arrangements have been made at all polling stations including facilities, to deal with hot weather conditions, according to the Election Commission.

(With inputs from agencies)