India Votes in Fifth Phase of Elections; Key Battlegrounds in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh
India began voting in the fifth phase of its extensive general elections on Monday, focusing on seats in Mumbai and the opposition’s Gandhi family strongholds. The world’s largest election, which started on April 19, will conclude on June 1, with votes counted on June 4.
Monday’s phase features the fewest seats up for grabs, with 89.5 million voters choosing representatives for 49 seats. High-profile candidates include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal from Mumbai, areas historically marked by low voter turnout. The Election Commission urged residents to combat urban apathy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Mumbai, emphasized better infrastructure and improved living conditions. This comes after a tragic incident where a billboard collapse during a rainstorm killed at least 14 people.
In politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi is contesting in Raebareli, in addition to Wayanad in the south. Sonia Gandhi, the Congress party chief, made an emotional appeal for support for her son. BJP’s Smriti Irani, who defeated Rahul in Amethi in 2019, is also running.
Another significant contest is in Kaiserganj, where the BJP candidate is the son of a former wrestling federation chief facing sexual harassment charges.
Initial voter turnout concerns for the BJP have lessened, with average turnout reaching 69% in the fourth phase. Modi, expected to secure a third term, faces accusations of targeting minority Muslims, which he denies, claiming the Congress plans to extend welfare benefits to Muslims at the expense of other disadvantaged groups.
