India commenced voting on Friday in the world’s largest election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a third term. Modi’s campaign is buoyed by economic growth, welfare policies, personal popularity, and Hindu nationalism.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces a coalition of two dozen opposition parties promising more affirmative action, additional handouts, and a commitment to protect democratic institutions from what they describe as Modi’s authoritarian governance.
The massive electoral process involves almost one billion voters and spans seven phases across India during peak summer conditions. It concludes on June 1, with the vote count set for June 4.
This Friday marks the largest voting phase, with 166 million individuals across 102 constituencies in 21 states and territories heading to the polls. Key areas include Tamil Nadu in the south, Arunachal Pradesh at the Himalayan border with China, and Uttar Pradesh in the north.
Voters, including elderly citizens requiring assistance, lined up early at polling stations amid stringent security measures.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana, Abdul Sattar, a 32-year-old Muslim voter, expressed his support for Modi, citing his administration’s focus on safety and security alongside religious advocacy as key factors.
Polls suggest the BJP will likely secure a majority despite significant concerns like unemployment, inflation, and rural distress in one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. The extent of the BJP’s potential victory remains a focal point.
Modi’s election manifesto promises significant economic advancements, anti-poverty measures, and reforms to position India among the world’s top three economies within the next five years.
The BJP’s campaign, centred around the theme “Modi Ki Guarantee,” emphasizes Modi’s commitment to fulfilling promises, reflecting a leader-centric approach unusual in India’s parliamentary framework.
If victorious, Modi would be the second Indian prime minister to win three consecutive terms since Jawaharlal Nehru.
His government, however, faces accusations of marginalizing India’s 200 million Muslims to appease its Hindu base—allegations it denies amid ongoing communal tensions.
The opposition INDIA alliance contends that this election is crucial to halt BJP’s purported threats to India’s constitutional democracy.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, critiqued Modi for distracting from pressing issues like unemployment and inflation with high-profile activities.
While the opposition alliance has faced challenges in uniting and presenting unified candidates, it accuses the government of creating an uneven electoral playing field by targeting opposition figures with corruption charges and tax demands, which the government refutes.
