India's 2024 Lok Sabha Election: Phase 3 - Who Votes and What's On The Line?

Today, millions of Indians have voted in the third phase of the Lok Sabha election , which is part of a seven-phase process. Among the prominent candidates are Amit Shah , India's Minister of Home Affairs, contesting for re-election from Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Another key figure is Jyotiraditya Scindia , who is running from Guna, Madhya Pradesh.

Additionally, Badruddin Ajmal , known for his perfume brand Ajmal, is in the running from Dhubri, Assam.

This phase will decide the fate of 1,351 candidates vying for 93 seats in the Lok Sabha, spread across 11 states and union territories. Gujarat, where Prime Minister Modi hails from, has 25 seats up for grabs. Notably, the Surat seat in Gujarat won't see voting as the BJP candidate has already been declared the winner due to the withdrawal of all opposing candidates.

The first two phases of the election saw lower-than-average voter turnout, along with instances of hate speeches targeting Muslims and allegations of bias against the Election Commission. With nearly 969 million registered voters across 36 states and union territories, this election is touted as the largest democratic exercise globally.

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), comprising 26 parties and led by the Indian National Congress, aims to challenge the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Modi's BJP. Despite concerns over inflation and job scarcity, Modi maintains an edge in opinion polls , buoyed by his personal popularity.

As the Indian electorate continues its march towards the ballot boxes, Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 unfolds with its own drama and dynamics. Here's a breakdown of who's voting, what's at stake, and the key players in this electoral extravaganza.

Who's Casting Their Votes?
In Phase 3, voters from a multitude of states and territories step up to shape the political landscape:

Karnataka: 14 seats
Gujarat: 25 seats
Uttar Pradesh: 10 seats
Madhya Pradesh: 9 seats
Assam: 4 seats
Goa: 2 seats
Chhattisgarh: 7 seats
Bihar: 5 seats
Maharashtra: 11 seats
West Bengal: 4 seats
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu: 2 seats

The Key Contests
Several constituencies steal the limelight in Phase 3, with political heavyweights and intriguing narratives:

Gandhinagar (Gujarat): The BJP stronghold where Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, seeks re-election, following in the footsteps of stalwarts like Lal Krishna Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Guna (Madhya Pradesh): Witnessing the battle of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who made headlines with his switch from Congress to BJP, aiming to reclaim his familial pocket borough.

Dhubri (Assam): The constituency bordering Bangladesh, where Badruddin Ajmal, a significant Muslim leader, strives for a fourth term amidst a backdrop of religious and political complexities.

Dharwad, Shimoga, Haveri (Karnataka): Strongholds of the BJP, these constituencies witness internal rifts and star-studded entries, adding layers to the political drama.

When and How?
Voting kicks off at 7 am and continues till 6 pm, with provisions for those already queued up after the deadline. Results, the climax of this democratic saga, are slated for June 4.

State of Play
While the BJP dominates several states, including Assam, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, the battlegrounds are diverse, with Congress holding sway in Karnataka and West Bengal under the banner of the INDIA alliance.

The Past and the Present
Reflecting on the 2019 results, the BJP emerged victorious in a majority of the seats up for grabs, reaffirming its political prowess. However, pockets of opposition and independent victories hint at the mosaic of Indian politics.

As Phase 3 unfolds, India's electoral juggernaut rolls on, driven by the aspirations, complexities, and narratives of its diverse populace. Each vote cast shapes the future trajectory of the nation, encapsulating the essence of democracy in its purest form.