India’s 18th General Election: Campaigns Intensify over Half of Lok Sabha Seats Contested

Rashmi Verma

Credit- News18 

The 18th general election of India is in progress with the third phase conducted on Tuesday, out of a total seven phases. With more than half of the total 543 Lok Sabha seat elections having been concluded, the campaign drifted towards significant political spat.

Voter turnout concerns

The first two phases witnessed low voter turnout compared to the last Lok Sabha election. The opposition has questioned the Election Commission of India for the long  delay in publication of data related to the voting.

Political polarization and Policy promises: BJP vs Congress

The Nyaya Patra-Manifesto of Congress promises revolutionary changes such as reservation, employment, and increasing MGNREGA wages. But it seems unclear whether the INDIA Alliance if it comes to power will go with such policies.

The BJP and Congress with their Supreme leader Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi are in

contention with each other over issues of distribution of wealth, Minorities, saving the

constitution, democracy and nationalism. While Congress has accused BJP of ending

reservation, BJP aims to garner the support of small businesses with its schemes such as

MUDRA and poor with free ration in the next term.

Election Dynamics: Congress and BJP’s targeted voter strategies 

Credit:NDTV

Whereas on the one hand Congress is aiming to consolidate its Vote-Bank from minorities and women. On the other hand, the BJP is concentrating on solidifying its Hindu base by targeting Muslim and giving communal reference to ‘Ghuspaithiya’. This election also witnessed for the first time the violation of code of conduct by the Prime Minister forcing the otherwise silent ECI take the matter into cognizance.

Pitroda’s resignation and Gandhi’s multiple contests 

Credit:NDTV

Sam Pitroda quits as Overseas Congress chief as his remarks provided an opportunity for Modi to accuse the Congress of racial discrimination. This time again, Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Wayanad, Kerala and Raebareli, UP.

Regional rivalry in Uttar Pradesh: BSP-SP conflict benefits BJP

Uttar Pradesh the regional parties BSP accused SP for supporting only his family members and Yadav community. The SP appealed to voters not to vote for BSP as it would waste their vote. The ongoing conflict between both the parties will prove advantageous for BJP.

Citizen empowerment: Prioritizing values in the Indian electoral process

In sum, with the flavor of campaigns which are pursued by the political parties, it is important for the citizens of India to consider casting their vote on equality, justice, Freedom of speech, Democracy, employment, ecological sustainability, which is crucial for India’s present and future.