New Delhi: The second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on April 26 will see voters in 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across13 states and Union Territories participate.
This phase includes all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, 8 each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 each in Bihar and Assam, 3 each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and 1 each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Manipur.
After Friday’s phase, polling will be over in Kerala, Rajasthan and Tripura.
The first phase of the Lok Sabha polls had covered 102 seats spread across 21 states, with the Election Commission recording a voter turnout of around 62%.
Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has been charged with violating the election code of conduct for allegedly soliciting votes based on religion. The case was filed against him on April 25 at Jayanagar Police Station under section 123(3). This comes after he posted a video on X platform urging voters to support him on religious grounds, as stated by the CEO, Karnataka on X.
JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday alleged that cash and gift vouchers were distributed in Bengaluru Rural constituency, especially in Kanakapura Taluk.
Kumaraswamy alleged that some supporters of BJP and the JD(S), were attacked in Kanakapura Taluk and their shirts were torn off. “‘Guarantee cards’ (gift vouchers) were distributed with which people can make purchases up to Rs 10,000. When our boys made a noise, they were attacked,” he alleged.
Money was also distributed since Thursday night, he said, adding that in Kunigal Taluk, a man died by suicide after Congress workers “attacked, pestered and threatened him.”
“Even after giving complaints to the Election Commission, no action was taken”, Kumaraswamy said, and added sarcastically: “I want to tell the EC to allow people to openly allow distribution.”
