Prime Minister Modi Casts Vote in India’s Third Election Phase
In the early hours of Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to cast his vote as his home state Gujarat and 10 other regions went to the polls in the third phase of India’s extensive general election. The nation, which boasts nearly one billion eligible voters, embarked on this seven-phase electoral journey starting April 19, with the final count scheduled for June 4.
Modi, who is vying for an unprecedented third consecutive term, leads his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into battle against a coalition of over two dozen opposition parties. Pre-election surveys have hinted at a comfortable majority for Modi’s party. The Prime Minister exercised his democratic right at the Gandhinagar constituency, where his close ally, Home Minister Amit Shah, is contesting as the BJP candidate.
Amidst rising summer temperatures, Modi encouraged citizens to partake in the “festival of democracy” while also being mindful of their health. Dressed in traditional saffron and white, he was greeted by throngs of supporters and took time to engage with the public, including signing autographs and conversing with children on his way to the polling station.
The BJP’s campaign has been centered around Modi’s economic achievements, social welfare initiatives, national pride, and his personal appeal. His image has become synonymous with the party’s branding, appearing on everything from welfare rice bags to posters across cities and towns.
However, some voters like Rina Kathar from Assam expressed concerns over rising costs of essential commodities despite government aid. Assam, which also voted on Tuesday, has its own set of challenges such as flooding, bad roads, and inadequate drainage systems as highlighted by local resident M. Ahmed.
PUSH TO BOOST VOTER TURNOUT
After a lukewarm voter turnout in the initial phases, Modi shifted his campaign focus towards energizing the BJP’s Hindu base by critiquing opposition parties for allegedly favoring Muslim interests. Despite this shift, a survey indicated that employment and inflation remain top voter concerns.
In a recent interview with Times Now, Modi clarified his stance on Islam and Muslims, emphasizing his desire for the Muslim community to consider their future growth while voting.
The third phase of voting encompasses 93 seats across 11 states and territories. Key regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka account for half of these seats. The BJP aims to replicate or exceed its impressive performance from the 2019 elections when it secured over 70 of these seats.
The Election Commission has ramped up efforts to encourage voter participation amidst marginal declines in turnout compared to five years ago. Collaborating with weather, health, and disaster management authorities, they aim to mitigate the impact of the heatwave on voter turnout.
Among prominent figures voting in Gujarat was industrial magnate Gautam Adani, who after casting his vote urged people to participate in this democratic process. He expressed optimism about India’s trajectory, stating that the nation is on a path of progress.
