The eve of the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, slated for April 19, witnessed a flurry of campaign activity from key political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A total of 102 parliamentary constituencies spread across 21 states and union territories are set to go to polls on April 19, marking the commencement of the seven-phase electoral process in India, the world's largest democracy.
The states and union territories participating in Phase 1 include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his campaign rallies in Assam's Nalbari and Agartala, outlined the BJP's "Viksit Vision" for the Northeast region. Extending his wishes to the nation on Ram Navami, he highlighted the significance of the occasion, emphasizing the fulfillment of a 500-year-old aspiration with the inauguration of the grand temple in Ayodhya.
Transitioning from a modest setup to a magnificent structure, he symbolically connected Lord Ram's blessings with the dawn of a new era, particularly in the Northeast, where the first rays of sunlight touch the Indian soil. He articulated his vision for a developed Tripura and a developed India, drawing inspiration from the auspicious day's symbolism.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, alongside Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, kicked off the day with a joint press briefing in Ghaziabad before proceeding to address public gatherings in Karnataka. Assuring the youth of Karnataka of the Congress party's commitment to addressing unemployment, he pledged to undertake significant initiatives for their benefit.
According to the Election Commission of India, a staggering 96.88 crore individuals are registered to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections, reaffirming India's status as having the largest electorate globally. The commission has issued directives to its observers to ensure that all polling stations are adequately equipped with facilities, particularly to mitigate the effects of heat on voters.
Furthermore, the Chief Electoral Office of West Bengal announced the commencement of the silence period from 6 PM on April 17, 2024, in constituencies such as Coochbehar (SC), Alipurduars (ST), and Jalpaiguri (SC), where polling is scheduled for April 19, 2024. During this period, all election campaigning activities are strictly prohibited.
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