LIVE | West Bengal leads with 73% voter turnout; Maharashtra at bottom with 49%
Storm of change in the country: Rahul Gandhi
As polling began in 49 constituencies for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday (May 20) said it has become clear that people have stood up to protect the Constitution and democracy and the country is witnessing a storm of change.
Voting is being held in 49 constituencies in six states and two union territories in the fifth phase, which will decide the electoral fate of several prominent leaders like Gandhi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul said, "Today is the fifth phase of voting! In the first four phases itself, it has become clear that people have stood up to protect the Constitution and democracy and are defeating the BJP. This country is fed up with the politics of hatred and is now voting on its own issues. Youths for jobs, farmers for MSP and freedom from debt, women for economic independence and security, and labourers for fair wages.
"The people are fighting this election along with INDIA (bloc) and there is a storm of change in the country," the former Congress president said.
"I am appealing to the entire country, including Amethi and Rae Bareli, come out and vote in large numbers for the prosperity of your families, for your own rights, and for the progress of India," Gandhi said.
More than 7.60% polling in Baramulla (J&K) in first two hours
More than 7.60 per cent of the 17.37 lakh electorate exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (May 20), officials said in Srinagar.
An official of the election department said polling was going on smoothly across the Lok Sabha constituency which comprises 18 assembly segments and is spread over four districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Budgam.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, People's Conference president Sajad Gani Lone, and jailed head of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid are among the key candidates in the fray.
The polling will close at 6 pm in the constituency which had recorded a turnout of nearly 35 per cent in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
#WATCH | Mumbai: After casting her vote, Actress Esha Deol says, "I appeal to people to come out and vote. It is our right. Every vote counts. He (PM Modi) is doing a lot of things for the country. Not only in India but also at the international level, he is taking our country… https://t.co/6qjac6mNkH pic.twitter.com/lUK7L4zxKC— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024
#WATCH | Odisha: BJP candidate from Patnagarh state assembly seat, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo along with his wife and BJP candidate from Balangir Lok Sabha seat Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo cast their votes at a polling booth in Patnagarh, Odisha#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/S8VXdhZB5A— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024
#WATCH | Rajiv Lakshman says, "People say voting is our right. I say voting is our responsibility and privilege...Vote is our voice...If we don't vote, how can we be patriots?"
Raghu Ram says, "I think voting is our superpower. India is the world's largest democracy. Biggest… https://t.co/RW7MGxRHIv pic.twitter.com/HKwqZR8C5b— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024
TMC alleges another woman sexually assaulted by ITBP personnel in Bengal
The Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint alleging that a woman was sexually assaulted by an ITBP personnel in Jangipara on Sunday night following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state.
According to the complaint, an Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel posted in Bengal on poll duty barged inside the house of the complainant and attempted to sexually assault her. Her screams of protest alerted everyone following which her husband and other relatives came to her rescue. Police have apprehended the accused central forces personnel.
Earlier in the day, a similar case was reported in poll-bound Uluberia. The accused BSF personnel has been removed from election duty by the EC.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: After casting her vote, BJP MP and candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani says, "Today it is my good fortune that I have cast my vote in my village Gauriganj with the resolve of a Viksit Bharat. I appeal to the people to cast their vote. It is… pic.twitter.com/qBQ4wY2oJF— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024
#WATCH | Polling being held on the lone seat of Ladakh today, in the fifth phase of #LokSabhaElections2024. It see a contest between Congress' Tsering Namgyal and BJP's Tashi Gyalson.
Visuals from a polling station in Baroo, Kargil as people cast their vote. pic.twitter.com/gFS6oOMngy— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | BJP MLA Aditi Singh shows the indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote at a polling booth in Raebareli.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/d3xg9hxGvx— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024