Intense Campaigning in Uttar Pradesh as 8 Lok Sabha Seats Prepare for Second Phase of Voting

Uttar Pradesh, a critical electoral battleground in India, is experiencing intense campaigning by top political leaders as 8 of its 80 Lok Sabha seats prepare for the second phase of voting on April 26, 2024. The high-stakes election has seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath, holding multiple rallies across the state to appeal to voters. Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party, are also actively campaigning in the state.

The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted across 89 constituencies in 13 states and union territories, with Uttar Pradesh being a primary focus. In the first phase, the overall voter turnout was around 65.5%, with West Bengal recording a high turnout of nearly 82% and Bihar placing last with 48.5%. The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases spanning over two months from April 19 to June 1, with the results to be announced on June 4.

Why this matters: The outcome of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh could significantly influence the formation of the next government at the center, given the state's considerable number of parliamentary seats. The intense campaigning by top leaders emphasizes the importance of securing votes in this politically influential state.

Of the 8 seats going to polls in the second phase, the BJP had won 7 in 2019, with the lone seat of Amroha won by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate who is now a Congress candidate. The campaign in Amroha featured rallies by Modi and a joint rally by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and SP president Akhilesh Yadav. The INDIA alliance leaders pushed the narrative of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections being important to save the country's constitutional values and future of coming generations, while the BSP advocated for a separate western Uttar Pradesh state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress party of trying to extend reservation on the basis of religion and give it to Muslims, and of orchestrating a "deep conspiracy" to snatch people's wealth and distribute it among "select" people. The Congress has approached the Election Commission seeking "appropriate action" against PM Modi for his "redistribution of wealth" remarks, which the party claims are "divisive", "malicious" and targeted at a particular religious community. The Election Commission is examining the complaint against the Prime Minister's speech.

The campaigning for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls concludes on <a href="https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-campaigning-for-phase-2-polling-ends-today-pm-modi-to-address-a-rally-madhya-pradesh-11713929241968.html"

Key Takeaways

• Uttar Pradesh is a crucial battleground in India's 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
• The second phase of voting will be held on April 26, 2024, across 89 constituencies.
• The outcome in UP could significantly influence the formation of the next central government.
• PM Modi and opposition leaders are actively campaigning in the state's 8 seats.
• The Election Commission is examining a complaint against PM Modi's "redistribution of wealth" remarks.